LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Yesterday afternoon's train from Auckland brought 60 returned Wellington soldiers and 230 returned men for tho South Island. As usual, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) had ordered special cars to be at the Thorndon Station to meet the men and bring thorn up to town, and as they had not had much to eat on t.iio train luncheon was provided in tho various city dining-rooms at the instance of His Worship, who made a point of visitinir oach place during the meal hour. Thero was no time to make better arrangements, but it all worked out quite happily. In tho evening tho southern men left port by steamer for Lyttelton. Since the beginning of the year four married and eleven single men have applied to tho State Labour Bureau ill Wellington to got them ' work. For three married and ten single men work has been found. Four of those who applied were farm labourers, and three of them were secured positions. Of ton general labourers who applied, nine.' were placed. In tho Magistrate's Court at Christchurch yesterday, l'orcival John Edwards and Walter IPenry Robert M'George pleaded guilty to _ wilfully setting fire to two dwellings in Sydenham, the property of Thomas Russell and Mary Lynch respectively. They were committed for sontenco.—Press Assn.

Tho following a.ppears in General Orders of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force: "The G.O.C. wishes to express his appreciation of the gallant conduct of Maior G. Craig, N.Z.M.C.-, under the following circumstances: On Monday, September 24, "1917, during an air raid on London. Major CiTiig rendered conspicuously good service. Although himself wounded, lie continued to attend and dress tho wounds. of civilians until he collapsed from loss of blood, and bad conveyed to tho hospital." A report received by the "Minister of Defence from tho Headquarters of tho Now Zealand Force in Egypt states that during the month of October tho expenditure from tho Coinforts Fund amounted to £97 7s. Pd. The balance to credit of the fund at the end of the month amounted to £288 7s. Id. There was also a balance of £129 in the Red Cross Fund, which is used for the benefit of sick and wounded New Zealanders in Egypt.

The Minister of Marine (the Hon. T. Wilford), accompanied by Mr. Ll'. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Sea Fisheries, will pay a visit to the Waitaki River next month for the purpose or learning how the quinnat' salmon are running. Tho season opens on January 15, but it is not expected that tho salmon will be entering the river in full force before the end of tho month.

"The G.O.C. of the Second Army," runs a notice in the General Omars of the New Zealand ■ Expeditionary Force, "wishes to express his appreciation of the gallant conduct of >o. 25/876, Rifleman T. A. Hedley, Imril N Z L T.M.8., under the following circumstances: Whilst himself a patient in hospital lie voluntarily acted as donor for blood transfusion with the object of saving the life of a comrade.' Mr. Webster, Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth, commented recently on an implication that the surplus pi '£18,000 on the telephone branch, disclosed by the report of his Department, was due, in part at all events, to automatic installations. "Such, Mr. i AYebster said, ,'is not the case, inasmuch as no fsesh installation was in operation during the period covered by the report, hence no material change in cost of working' ensued, as compared ,with previous years. Ihe suiphis is due to the result of economies mid efficient supervision, plus increased rates. I am, therefore, pleased to report a surplus based on true business accountancy, for the first time m tho history of telephony in Australia. Marriage at the Registrar's Office .is becoming increasingly popular in Ghsborne (states a local exchange). Whether this is due fo tho desire to avoid the pomp and ceremony which otherwise accompanies tho tying of tho nuptial knot or_ whether from economic reasons, it is difficult to say, hut nevertheless during tho year just ended 44 couples out of the 105 who wero joined together in matrimony prer ferred the ceremony to bo performed by the local registrar.

The secretary 0 fthe Kunuira Dairy Factory received the other day in error a letter enclosed in which was a oheque for £3775 odd for alleged to have been shipped to the Home Country this season. The Government has heen communicated with, and the cheque deposited in a safe place, availing further developments. Mr. L. A. Paisli, of the commercial intelligence department of the British Board of Trade, recently addressed a meeting of the brass trade in Birmingham, and spoke of tlio strenuous efforts being made in Germany to get all manufacturers into _ syndicates as the only way of regaining "the place iu tlio sun." The Board of Trade was anxious to co-operate with manufacturers, and was prepared to go as far as finding financial assistance in investigating any particular market. If manufacturers wore to regain tlieir trade after the war it was absolutely necessary that they should combine.

Expressmen and carters have complained lately that the polished surface of the untarred blocks towards the eastern end of Courtenay Place is a source of danger iu ' wet weather, as there, is no holding for the. horse',' shoes. This section of wood-blocking was tarred on being laid down, hut the tar has long since worn off or been absorbed. A start was made yesterday to tar and sand the section complained of.

A. young man named (leorge Onslow Hughes was fined L'L'-'i in Auckland yesterday for betting in Queen Street. —Press Assn.

> All the men eligible for military service at tho Wcstport railway workshops havo been called up in the military ballots. Tho subsequent railway ballots have released for service all but three.

When the Native School Touchers' Association, sitting in conference at Auckland, were dealing with tho motion honouring theii\ members and pupils at the front, one member (says the "Star") gave a touching installed of the sacrifices that were being made. He said that from -his littlo village school, where he had only been lor six years, eight of his pupils were in the fighting line, ono having returned. While the latter was at school ho (the speaker) had often had occasion to deal rather severely with him, and when the lad eventually left school the opinion was that ho would never do much good, for himself. The speaker going down tho street the other day met this pupil, who now had one arm as a mark of his signal service to his country. That young fellow had proved himself a man in the highest sense of tho word, had given of his best for his fellow-men, and now faced the world at the age of nineteen years with the loss of ono arm. It was, therefore, with 'sincere feelings that tho speaker supported the resolution placing on record keen appreciation of the efforts and gallantry of their soldier lads.

A class of impudent interference with other people's property that is becoming increasingly common in Auckland is tho habit of playing with motor-cars that happen to be left handy to public places (says tho "Star"). There wero a couple of instances of this in tho city during tho holidays. On Wednesday morning Mrd. W. Haybow, of Ponsonby Road, found that one of her motor bread vans had been taken away overnight, and the following morning it was found by tho roadside at Mangere. Another motor vehicle that wont a-missing for a few days was a van belonging to Mr. W. Watts, grocer, of Onehunga. This disappeared from Oreen Lane on December 31, and was found the following Thursday standing uninjured on a rubbish tip under Grafton Bridge. Tho police suggest that owners of motor y.ohicles might simply circumvent such interferences by removing some small necessary working part of the cngino when they have to leave n motor unattended.

Since the passing of the Aliens Registration Act, some 150 persons have been registered in the Auckland police district as aliens. A considerable number of them are Chinese, but by far tho greater proportion are Jugoslavs, who constitute a large part of the North Auckland population. In consequence of tho lavge number of Jugoslavs in Auckland province and the scattered townships in tho north, some latitude has boon, allowed hitherto in the matter of registration, but the poke are now instructed to rigidly administer the jwisious of the Act, in order that ev?rv person -of alien nationality shall bo oil the roll.

The Port Nicholson Yacht Club !iaa arranged to hold a veterans' race next Saturday. ' About, 14 boats will start and each will bo in charge of a yachtsman who lias retired from the sport. Tho course will be from Clyde Quay wharf, round Point Jerningham beacon and a buoy off ICorokoro, back to Point Jerningham and thence to the wharf — a distance of about eight miles.

Responding to tho toast, "Our Soldier Boys and their Parents," at tho dinner and social of native school teachers at Auckland, Sir James Carroll said that the Maoris had come down from a long line of ancestry noted for their chivalry, bravery, and skill in the arts of warfare. They had made great sacrifices in war, and knew what they had to face when they went out to battle. It was interesting also to know that in a modern war the armies engaged had recourse to first principles. Trench fighting was known years ago among the savages and the Maoris, while tile strategy and policies wero also traceable to the old primitive ideas of warfare; but even in savagery the Maori at his worst never resorted to the savagery of to-day practised by the Prussian! That, because the Maori had a codc of true honour qnd ancestral principles to uphold, and when ho met a i foomau worthy of his steel he recognised it. 'The only code of the Hun was that of murder in bis aggressive-/ Hess, and his principles were marked by absolute murder, execution of the unprotected, absolute terrorism, and hideous inhuman butchery. Over and over again in this war dur brave boys had taken prisoners, and might have been tempted to wreak their vengeance, but they had never forgotten their lessons of honour, the spirit of chivalry with which they had always been imbued, and the inculcation of principles born iii them, and which had made them tho mon.and tho noble warriors they wove proving themselves on the mighty field of battle. A resolution protesting against the Imperial authorities granting a Mar and Ribbon only to those New Zealand soldiers who left New Zealand m 1914 for the front, and took part m the ballipoli has been passed by the Soldiers' Mothers' League (says the Auckland "Star"). Tho league con-' siders that every boy who took part in tho campaign should participate in any little return the Imperial authorities consider advisablo to give, and lor those who have paid the supremo sacrifice the Star and Ribbon should be given to tho father, mother, or next-of-kin.

Measurements made of the portions of the timber that remained on the scow Moa after the- German prisoners were recaptured show that of the total cargo of 80,000 feet of sawn timber no less than 47,000 feet was jettisoned, leaving some 33,000 feet, which was brought to Auckland. - As stated previously (says tho Auckland ."Star ), the portion that was thrown overboard comprised the most valuable timber in the cargo, and the loss to the LeylnndO'Brien Timber Company is therefore considerable.

A representative of the wholesale motor spirit trade in Christchurcli informed the Christchurcli "Press" last week that it was quite true that recently tho petrol situation had eased considerably, and, with luck, he thought the supplies for Canterbury would bo adequate for the next three or four months. The stocks in hand were fairly largo; a. big shipment had come in a few weeks ago, and before the end oi March further shipments, totalling about 30,000 cases altogether, were expected to arrive. He estimated that about 10,000 cases were consumed in Canterbury—taking in from Kaikoura to tho Wnitaki—each month, so tho motor spirit, etc., in sight should last for some timo yet. Of course, the unforeseen might upset calculations, but there was a reasonable chance that lie would be right.

With reference to the suggested divorsion of labour from the. flaxniills of the Dominion in order to provide harvesters, Sir. J. A. Frostick, Canterbury Commissioner on the National Efficiency Board, who was interviewed 011 the subject, told a Christchurch "Press" reporter tliafc the suggestion emanated from some of the' flaxiuillers in tlio Manawatu district, who, recognising tlio urgency for harvest workers, expressed thnir willingness to close down their mills. This oiler was. purely a patriotic and spontaneous oiler on the part of the llaxmillers, and there never was anv idea of making it compulsory on all flaxmillcrs to close down their mills, nor was it ever eonlemplated to take the men from the Mnnnwatu tn South Island districts. The flax workers released in the Manawatu district, wore to undertake harvest work in that district.

An intercessory service for peace was hold at the Synagogue 011 Sunday night. There was a numerous attendance, and the Rev. H, Van S'tavcren delivered an appropriate address.

With reference to tlio recently-an-nounced increases in oversea shipping freights, Mr. A. AY. Bennett, general manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company and a member of the Overseas Shipping Committee, lias informed a "Lyttelton Times" reporter that the prevalent impression that the shipping companies participated in the advance on freight rates was quite incorrect. All overseas freights were collected by the Government, which paid the companies only for the hire of shipping. The reason for the advance was tlnit over nine-tenths of the cargo and produce affected were the property of tho Imperial Government, and the charging of freights was mainly a Departmental matter, or a matter of book-keeping only. The cost of sending vessels Home had increased enormously, as tho passage now occupied from 60 to 70 days, as compared with 40 to 45 davs under normal conditions. Most of the produce affected was owned by the Government, but tallow, a line which was held privately, was one that would also bo affected. About 30,000 to 40,000 casks were at present held in the Dominion awaiting shipment.

War-saving certificates are now issued in most belligerent countries, though they are not a ( lwa,vs called by the same name. . In the United States the maximum holding for one person :s £200, and the lowest amount £2. This form of investment is specially adapted to endowment objects,, such as Guying a business, providing for an apprenticeship, educating a family, or supplying a reserve fund for cases of emergency. About 1,000,000 war-sav-ings certificates aro sold each week in the United Kingdom. A similar issue exists in India, New Zealand, and Canada. In India they are called cash certificates, and aro issued for 10, 20, and 100 rupees. In New Zealand they are described as AVar Loan Certificates, and are issued in two values of £1 and £10.

A very useful, interesting, and unusual publication which commands a healthy circulation in its sphere is the ' 'Te Waka Maori," the official monthly journal of the Native School Teachers' Association (says the Auckland "Star"). This paper, which is printed in Roneo duplicator form, is the most northerly printed journal in the Dominion, the printer being Mr. H. G. Vine, assisted by Mrs. Vine and daughter, Miss E. Vine, at Te Hapua. This little township contains the most northerly post office and school. The "Te Waka Maori" contains regularly excellent articles and information of value to teachers of the association. Mr. W. England, ( of Tautoro, in the Bay of Plenty, is the worthy editor. The publication, which has been in circulation three years, is a credit for its literacy merit and by reason of the fact that its production must necessitate a great deal of work and'trouble on the part of its compilers.

While two policemen at Collarendabri (N.S.W.) wore making inquiries as to some sheep supposed to have been stolen, a rifle was fired, and tho bullet went through the helmet of one of them. Tho police immediately rushed a man. who, it is stated, was trying to reload the rifle, and, after a violent struggle, arrested and lodged him in tho lockup. The shot was fired, stated one of the constables, when he andliis companion were approaching the residence of a man whom they intended interviewing with regard to tho sheep.

Troops from the training camps at Trentham and Featherston, who have been on Christmas leave, will all haw returned to camp by to-night. Tliti bulk of them are at present located at Featherston, the only troops at Trentharn being a portion of the Thirtythirds, the engineers, and other special companies. Yesterday was a .busy day at Featherston, the troop trains steamin" into the camp sidings at frequent intervals. There will be a similar busy sceno to-day. The Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth Reinforcements, all the special troops, and the CI are included in these returning soldiers' From today onwards the camps will bo in full swing, except that there will he no mobilisation of new troops this month.

Matters in dispute betweon the City Corporation and the Drivers' Union were to have been discussed before the Conciliation Commissioner yesterday, but as the City Council had not had the notice of the hearing before it the City Engineer asked tor an adjournment. Hearing of tfce case lias now been fixed for February 4. The union has applied that the City Council shall be made .a party to the drivers' award already in. existence, and made the following claims: —A fifty-one hours' week for all drivers, except the night broom men, whose hours and work shall be 48 hours. These hours are to include the time occuDied in attendance to horses and cleaning harness. Wages: General drivers, £3 ss. per week; scavenging cart drivers, £3 Bs. per week; night broom-drivers, £3 Bs. per week; household refuse cart drivers, £3 12s. per week. Drivers of two horses receive ss. per week extra.' Drivers engaged on Sunday evening street cleaning to be allowed eight hours ordinary time for such work. Overtime to be paid at the rate of time end a half. The council to provide all drivers with onskin coats. Preference of employment to be given to members of the union. Another claim was that dnublo time shall be paid on Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, and time and a half on otlior holidays.