LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 27, 26 October 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A return was presented to the 1-ouso of Representatives yesterday showing the number of men who proceeded to S.mioa ■with tho Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and tho religious denominations to which they belonged. Tho total is 1382, the religious denominations being represented as follows:—Anglican, Wit; Presbyterian, 290; Unman Catholic, 174; Methodist, JO; Wosley.in, 30; flautist, 21; Salvation Army, 5; Church of Christ, 4; Congregational, 4; Jews, 4; Unitarian, 2; Plymouth Brethren, Agnostic, Lutheran, and Atheist, i each; not stated, 110. It is understood that tho camp canteen at Feathorston will shortly be taken over for the camp authorities and run as- a military canteen. The cantem at I'apnwili Camp has bceu conducted on these lines for tome mouths past with consid«cablo success,

theres too much Government red tape and too many regulations in dealing with returned soldiers." Mr. AV. I'itt, president of tho New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, at yesterday's meeting of tho Advisory Board to the Patriotic Societies' Federation. fn additional regulation made by tho Public Service Commissioner, under the authority of tho Public Service Act, 1912, provides that the maximum r.umber of examining officers in tho Customs Department shall be 55—in Class vB, Class VI 25, Class VII 22. A collision took place in Featherston Camp between a motor mail van and a shunting-engino at one of the' level crossings in the camp. There were three persons on the motor at tho time, all of. whom escaped injury. . The van was considerably damaged. Some 150 arrived in Wellingby the Main Trunk train -yesterday afternoon. They woro welcomed by a largo number of their relatives and

friends. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke. C.M.G.) extended a liearty welcome to tho returned mon, and subsequently he entertained them, special trams being requisitioned to convey them from (lie railway station. The admissions to hospital at the military camps for the week ending October 19 were as follow: —Trentham, 59; Featherston, 52; Awapuni, 5. The health of troops is satisfactory. Influenza was now confined to a. few cases. Tho Postmaster-General announces .n tho Gazette that money-order and postal correspondence for William Noton, Box 778. Auckland, anil 31 Shortlond Street, Auckland, is forbidden. A Press Association \ message from Auckland states:—-The Grammar School Board unanimously passed a motion authorising tho appoimment of both male and female teachers. Hitherto only male teachers have been employed.

The fourth annual general meeting Of the LaDd Agents' and Auctioneers' Association (Incorporated) was 'held at the Accountants' Chambers hist evening. Mr. A. A. Gellatly, president, occupied' the chair. ' The reports, accounts, and bal-ance-sheet were adopted, on the motion of .the president, after a general discussion. The election of officers resulted, as under:—President, Mr. A. A. Gellatly (re-elected); vice-presidents, .Messrs. L. H. B. (re-elected), G. .1. Preece (Palmerston North); committee, Messrs. Barnett, A. L. Wilson, R. E. Manley (all re-elected), and G. H. Perry (Musterton); auditor, Mr. E. W. Hunt, F.P.A. (N.Z.), I'.G.P.A. It was resolved to have new rules amended up to date, printed, and issued to all members An extraordinary general meeting was held at the close o£ the ordinary general meeting. Various amendments to the rides and tariff and commission and charges were approved alter a full discussion.

The Minister of Education was asked in the House of Representatives jesterday afternoon by Mr. Wilkinson wliether lie intended to do something this session to improve the status of grade 0 schools.. Tho present jwsition was causing dissatisfaction in backblock districts. The Minister replied that the matter would be considered at the next Cabinet meeting.

The shortage of certificated tractionengine drivers was referred to by Mr. Anstey in the House of Representatives yesterday ftfternoon. Ho asked, the Minister of Internal Affairs whether it was proposed to lake any action to remedy the position. The Hon. C 4. W. Russell stated that the matter had been carefully considered, and it was proposed to make two alterations. Tho age limit of the. holder of a certificate would bo reduced from 21 to 19, and if it were represented that a certificated man could not be obtained in a district the inspector of. machinery would examine an applicant, and if tlio man were found to be oompetent the inspector would give him a certificate. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon- Atr. Witty asked the Minister of Education whether the Government would increase tho grant to school committees so that they could carry on in ft proper manner. The present grant, Mr. Witty said, was insufficient, and if it were not increased many of tho committees would resign. The Hon. J. .4. Hanan said tho question of assisting committees would bo considered at the next sitting of Cabinet.

A return presented to the House of Representatives yesterday shows that 1054 was paid by the Education Department for conveyance by mil of children to denominational schools for tho year ended March 81, 1917. Boman Catholics received .£1540, Anglicans J!3O, Lutherans .£9, and Presbyterians £75. The Department paid for the conveyance by rail of Boman Catliolio teachers.

According to a return presented to the House of Representatives yesterday thera I were 1620 persons engaged in teaching in the State primary Schools in January, 1914, ,There weTe 153 in the secondnry schools, and 124 in the .university colleges. The total number of primary school teachers irho have' entered' camp since the outbreak of war (excluding men rejected from camp) is GSO (including pupil teachers, training college students, and probationers), and 71 secondary school teachers. Up to July 31 lest 230 State primary school teachers had been rejected or had returned to duty after active servioe. The total number of male teachers in the public schools on September 30, 1917, was M 27, in secondary schools 153, technical schools ICB,. and in university colleges 117. A public meeting was held last evening in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtowa, under the auspices of the ■Wellington South Branch of the New Zealand Labour Party to further tho interests of Labour in the district and to secure support for the Labour Party's political platform. < Mr, A. Black, president of the Engineers' Union and of the Wellington Tramway Union, occupied tho chair. Thero was a moderate attendance of the public, and tho speakers wero the Hon. J. T. Paul, 1 Mr. J. Thorn, and Mr. H. E. Holland.