LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 68, 13 December 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Governor-General is commanded by tlio Kiug to convey to Iho people of New Zealand an expression of His Majesty's (appreciation of their loyal and resolute spirit as testified by iho resolutions, recording the inflexible determination of tlio inhabitants of this portion of His Majesty's Overseas Dominions to continue tlio war to a victorious conclusion, which were passed at public meetings held throughout New Zealand on the occasion of the third anniversary of the outbreak of I lie present war. In order to ensure the due delivery of Christmas mail matter before the holidays, the Postal Department invites the public to post all correspondence, etc., as many days as possible before the holidays. Catalogues, printed matter, and parcels should be posted not later than December 15, and cards not later than December 17. The Base Records Oflice states that all efforts have failed to locate the next-of-kin of 10/291 Arthur Blackmore, who left New Zealand attached to the Main Body, and was killed in action on August 8, 1915. Prior to enlistment fie was employed- by Mr. ■ R. Riddiford, at Onri Station, Mastcrton. Any information concerning the. whereabouts of any of the deceased soldier's relatives communicated to the Base Records Oflice will be greatly appreciated. His Majesty tlio King has set aside the first Sunday in the New Year, January 6, as a day for special prayer throughout the Empire. The Minister of Internal Affairs has communicated with the heads of all churches in NewZealand, conveying to them the con? mand of His Majesty that special prayers shall bo offered on that day for the success of our arms in the war, and intimating that it is the King's command 'that in every church the proclamation shall bo read to the congregation.

The pensions payable by the New Zealand Government at the end of October represented an annual liability of over £1,180,000. The actual payment made • in October amounted to £120,852. The annual liability was made tip as follows: Old-age pensions, £479,435; widows, £41,331; Maori War, £42,084; war, £518,700; miners, £11,550. ' "The Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board has now been in operation for a period slightly exceeding six months, states the annual report o{ the I' 6 '" lington War Relief Association, and lias undoubtedly relieved the association of a considerable expenditure, Had this board, modelled on the Home system, not been in existence our balancesheet would have shown an increased expenditure of approximately From our knowledge of cases placed before us, where application has also been made to tho Financial Assistance Board, it would appear the Government has dealt with such claims in an equitable and generous manner. At Tuesday night's monthly meeting of the Joluisoiivillo Town Board a proposal was mndo that tho question ot joining the city should be considered. After some discussion it was decided that a deputation consisting of the chairman and commissioners of tho board should approach tho Mayor or Wellington- in order that Mr. Lukes views on the proposal may be ascertained. His Majesty the King recently addressed tho American officers stationed at a camp noar Aldershot in one of the big Y.M.C.A. marquees, and subsequently visited another big tent that was crowded at the time with soldiers from tho groat Republic. Mr. G. M. Thomson, when addressing some Port Chalmers fishermen on Saturday afternoon, said it was merely prejudice that prevented people from oatmg many kinds of fish. Speaking of a recent visit to Sydney, he described the oxcollent fish shops and variety of fish he saw there: Then he came nearer homo, and said he was ono day in a fish shop in Dunedin, and saw beautiful' filleted and smoke "blue cod" in neatly got-up boxes, sold at one shilling per pound. He entered and asked the salesman and owner what kind of fish these were. There was no answer (says the "Otago Daily Times'"). Then, examining tho fish closely, lie ventured to affirm they were filleted elephant or dog-fish. "Oh, you know too much," replied the owner, "but they are (fuito good and excellent food." To this Mr. Thomson attested. One of the fishermen then rose and said: "Look here, boys, 1 can tell you something quite as good. Some years ago I was selling fish all round Dunedin. Among others upon whom I called was a Mr. Thomson, whom I always found a ready customer, and an excellent judge of fish. For a week on end ono time thero was no fish. Then shoals of elephant and dog-fish ware caught, and .not to be beaten I filleted and shopped as many of them as I could and went my rounds. Among others I called at Mr. Thomson's, and was told to bring some filletW Boles. Somewhat shamefaced I handed in my filleted dog-fish. The week following there was abundance of soles, flounders,, and blue cod, and when I called as usual at Mr. Thomson's I was asked to bring tho same fish as I gave the previous week, for they were excellent."

An American soldier on the King's visit:—"He was wearing no frills, and was right down to his job. He knew all about us. He knew many of our names. He went into the Y.M.C.A. tent, and stayed there a long time. He talked with the boys who were around just like anyone eleo might have done. He made everyone feel at home, and I can tell you ho made us feel good. He is 'some' King."

A deputation of suburban dairy fanners who supply milk to the city of Wellington waited upon tho Minister of Public Health yesterday and asked him to withhold his consent to the establishment of tho proposed milk clearing station in Wellington under the management of the Wellington City Council. They pointed out that the establishment of the station would impose needless inconvenience on them in the conduct of their-business as dairymen. It would happen, for instance, that a dairy farmer at Karori would have to bring his milk down to the station at the Thorndon end of the town, have it tested, and then take it back to Kelbum to bo distributed. T)\e Minister said that the City Corporation had power under the law to establish the clearing station, and that provided it complied with the conditions imposed by the law he could not refrain from giving his consent.

"While tho Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) was in the Marlborough, district he_ took the opportunity of visiting and inspecting the hospitals at Blenheim and Picton. He was very favourably impressed with tho accommodation provided by the Hospital Boards at both places for tho treatment within their institutions of maternity cases. In Picton there is splendid open-air accommodation for these patients, and the results of this treatment, he stated, have been remarkably satisfactory. Mr., Russell expresses tho hopo that hospital hoards in other centres may follow tho excellent lead of tho boards at Picton and Blenheim. 1 , Your Own Invention.—That little contrivance of your own that .von nro usmpr in tho workroom or home—that you find such a tiino-savor in your work call and toll us about it, or write for "Advice to Inventors," freo from Honr.r Hujjlies, Ltd., 157 Foathorston Street, Wellington. —Advt. Every CHEVROLET Motor-car enjoys the public good-will in a broad way. This proves they have performed their tasks with tho unqualified approval of the world—a pleasing prospect to welcome the new CHEVROLET model "FourNinoty," now offered by tho DOMINION MOTOR VEHICLES, LTD., G5 Courtenav Place— Advt ■

A Gazette Extraordinary, published last night, contains additions to the list of companies, firms, and persons declared under the War Regulations to be enemies. A second schedule consists of names which have been removed from tho list. "After proving .successful in obtaining iiic iiiiixiiii inn war pension lor tne Will's ana uimurim ui luo men at present in menial institutions, application lor a civil pension under mu u) I'd Jet and amendments (11)10 wasiiiaoe, and proved successiul," says the coiniijitice of tlio Wellington War Hclisf ilssociaiion, in Us annual report. "Tne association, acting as tru.sieos for tile solilier, applied lor liis, pension, piu». arrears, amounting to a eonsiJoniyio amount of money—this ivith tho monthly warrants is oeing' utilised u- form a nest-egg lor use at tho time the husband is again in lo resumo lis civil employment Soulier of these two very respectable .... .. niife; women would eu-r nave been unaided, to obtain their due, and the cases, amongst others, are quoted merely as ail example ol the work the association is Jomg. Under tho Civil Pensions Act, 1913, and its amendment (Finance Act, 11)17), a pension of £24 per annum is payable to a widow with one child, whoso income is under £13U per annum, and who has been resident within the Dominion for not less than 10 years; tho pension is increased by £6 for each additional child under the ago of 14 years. Very few widows aro awaro of their right to receive a civil pension, and we have recently helped seven of them, who had been reeiving assistance from us, to register, their claims, which have been granted." Apparently a new award is ■ being given to soldiers considered to bo entitled to it (says the \ Christchurch "Sun"). It is in tho form of a parchment certificate, awarded for faithful service in the field. Mrs. F. Craig, of 13 Aldred Street, Christchurch, has received from her second son, Corporal Malcolm C. Craig, of the New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance, a certificate af this kind, which was issued to that soldier, together with a letter expressing the appreciation of tho General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Egypt, of tho good work done by Corporal Craig, and congratulating that soldier on having his good work placed on record. A civil claim possessing some amusing features was heard in the Magistrate's Court at Christchurch before Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M._, when a middle-aged man claimed £53 from a young woman, says .the "Sun." "a® evidence showed that tho plaintiff, a widower, met the defendant about August last. Tho course of tho courtship went smoothly for somo timo, and plaintiff on oue occasion expressed the hope that lie would'marry the defendant. Latef he took £53 out of the bank and gave it to defendant for the purposo of putting it by for a home. Last month, on account of the discrepancy in their ages (plaintiff is 34 and the defendant 19) the plaintiff decided to go back to a girl of his earlier acquaintance, to whom ho is now engaged. Ho made application for the return of the money. The defendant regarded tlio money as a gift, and aeclined to part with it. In giving judgment for the defendant, fho. Magistrate remarked that some of tlio plaintiff's statements d ; d not coincide with the sentiment of his letters.

It was stated during Thursday's proceedings before the Second Canterbury Military Service Board that an advertisement inserted by a leaanig Christchurch firm for a saddler failed to bring a single application. Labour was so scarce that men had to be ' en , among saddlers. Before the war there were 137 saddlers in Canterbury, and now there are 112, of which number 58 are over military age and 53 in tlie Second Division.

When presenting the prizes at the Annual break-up ceremony of the (southland Technical College, the Hon. J. A. 'Hanan (Minister of Education) stated that of about 15,000 pupils who left the ■public schools last year over 5000 had proceeded to secondary education at district high schools, secondary schools, and technical high schools, while ovei 2000 wero admitted to technical classes, many of the latter being wage-earners. The Minister remarked that it would come as a surprise to many people to know that about ono-half of the pupils who left the primary schools last yeai did not continue their education, and of this number approximately 75 pei cent, reached the age of 14 years without having passed Standard VI. This was a most regrettable state o* afnurSj and in order to encourago continuous education Mr. Hanan said that ho had, in addition to introducing other important reforms, been successful in having the regulations extended in regard to free places whereby hoys and girls over 14 years of ago who had left the public, schools not more than six months previously without obtaining a Standard Vl'certificate qualifying them for further free education, might obtain free tuition at technical classes. They • must, however, take subjects bearing upon a trade or industry, 111eluding agricultural and domestic occunations, but not including commerce subjects. This reform would be welcomed by those parents with large families whose circumstances compel them to send their children to work immediately on leaving school, because they will thus be onabled to secure further free education for such children.

The Government National Provident Fund local district office is now located at No. G Manners Street (opposite Britannia Theatro). Tho office is open for tho purpose of furnishing information to the general public, and for the convenience tif contributors to the fund.'