LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 99, 19 January 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It is understood that the police will be ou the warpath to-day, watching tho race trains for men who have not certificates to prove that they'aro enrolled in tile reserve as required by the Act. This practice has been pursued by the police 011 other recent occasions, and it has been found that many have not carried their certificates with them. These have sometimes been delayed 111 reaching the course.

Wellington, centrally situated, is generally hard put to it to find accommodation for all its visitors. With tho races on hand, the hotels and boardinghouses of tho city are filled to their utmost capacity, and it will not be thought surprising if a good number of strangers spend tho next few nights walking tho streets.

The Press Association reports that a largely attended meeting of Maoris at Temuka oil Tuesday several candidates for the Southern Maori seat were discussed, and the meeting unanimously decided to support Mr. Hcnare I'arata.

This morning, says our Napier correspondent, the lust piece of concrete in tho East Coast Railway Bridge ;it Wostshore will bo laid. The bridge, which is 1300 feet long, is the biggest structure of its kind in the Dominion. Not one accident has occurred during the construction of the bridge.

One of tho results of tho high price of vegetables last year is that there has been a large increase in the number of householders who grow vegetables on their own account. There is but little ground aliached to tho averago Wellington residence, but most householders are now attempting to make use of the small areas available. It is this fact that contributed to tho sudden cheapening of cabbages and other popular greens. If the homo cultivation is kept up vegetables may not be so dear in tho coming winter as they woro a season earlier.

"It is a matter of notoriety that the Efficiency Board does not mako many inquiries or take much trouble in cases where an appellant's claim for exemption is referred to tho board for a report.'' This criticism of the Efficiency Board's methods was made by Mr. C. E. Salter at a sitting of the Second Canterbury Military Service Board.

Your Own Invention.—That liltlo contrivance of your own tlmt you are using in tho workroom or home—that you find such a time-savor in your work call and I ell us about it, or writo for "Advico to Inventors," freo from Henry Hughes, Ltd., 157 Feathorstou Street, Wellington. —Advt.

Tho fusing of a wire in connection with tho electric lift in tlie four-storied building in Lower Cuba. Street, near to the Columbia Hotol ; occupied by tho National Cash Register Company and other tenants, was responsible for a call to the Fire Brigade at 10.25 yesterday morning. Tho motor was destroyed and tho roof of the building charred. The outbreak occurred in top story, occupied by Messrs. J. G. liaine and Co., indent agents, whoso stock and fittings are insured iii tho Standard Office for £1250. The building is owned by Mr. E. Balcombe Brown, and is insured in the Yorkshire Offico for £5175.

William Fadd was admitted to tho Hospital at 5.20 p.m. yesterday. It appears that he was working in Murray, Roberts's store, when two bale.? of wool fell upon him, fracturing his ankle.

Tho following further subscriptions have been received by tho lion, treasurer of tho Scottish Women's Hospitals Fund Amounts previously acknowledged, £177 lis. 6d.; Eric llarverson, £1 is.; "Soldier's Widow," 10s.; Miss Stott, £1; B. M. Molineaux, £5 us.; Dr. W. Young, £2 25.; "Little Mollie," 10s.; Miss Coates, £2 25.; Mrs. A. E. Pcarce, £5 55.; C. I). Morison, £5 55.; The Spinsters' Club, £5; A. Macintosh, £2 25.; W. M. Hannay, £5 55.; W. Cable, £3 35.; total, £216 Is. od.

The position of cook on a vessel docs not appeal greatly to women, but a woman occupies that place on a ship at present in'limaru harbour, says tho Timaru "Herald." Her husband also occupies a position on the boat.

A letter from a New Zealand soldier in England states that with all its natural advantages New Zealand has still a good deal to learn from the older land. Our scenery, he says, surpasses England's easily so far as natural beauty goes, but where the hand of man has touchcd the country New Zealand "is not in it." The rolling downs of England with tho country hedgerows make it a glorious country to run through in the best seasons of the year. New Zealand, he says, may eventually be far more delightful than Old England, but not for very. many years to como. By direction of the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, .Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, tho Government photographer, Mr. Taylor, will 6liortij visit Otago and Southland and take a complete set of kinematograph films of tho Lake Wakatipu and Wanaka district, and the motor run from Queenstown to the Hermitage and ' Fairlie. These films will be circulated by the Department in Australia, America, and Great Britain, as has been done with the Mount Cook films. Subsequently Mr. Taylor will take a completo liinema film of tho fiords and the Te AnaitMilford 'track, Manapouri, etc. It is Mr. Mac Donald's intention to eventually have ft completo kineniatogrnph representation of tho_ main tourist routes and places of interest in New Zealand. The Minister hopes ,to shortly visit the alpine and Cold Lakes district.

The Featherston Borough Council has appointed the Mayor (Mr. J. \> ■ Card) and treasurer (Councillor A. C. Holms) to be its representatives at a conference to be held in Grey town as to the question of dealing with the llimutaka ltoad. This council has entered an objection against the proposed apportionment (6 per cent.) of the cost of the new bridge to be erected over the Waingawa River by the Masterton County Council. Another matter engaging the attention of the J)catherston Borough Council is the purchase of the elcctric lighting plant ot a local picture enterprise.

Selections will be played by the Wellington Patriotic Society's Band at the Botanical Gardens to-morrow (Sunday; at 3 p.m. Detective Quartermain arrested a runaway boy, about 15 years ot age, at Lyttelton on Wednesday afternoon, says the "Press," for not being under proper control. It appears that, tho lad, whose name is Allan Charles Maclainu, left his home in lliddiford Street. Newtown, Wellington, on Sunday, and journeyed to Lyttelton m the fcf'y steamer Maori as a stowaway. Ho loitered about tho Lyttelton wharves on Tuesday, and on tho pretext that ho had lost his return ticket to Wellington. ho induccd some seamen on a vessel in port to provide him with a bunk. Enlisting the sympathies ot the local newsboys ho was provided with some newspapers to sell, and had a. dinner on tli'o steamer Wakatu. At about 2 p.m., while fishing oft tho wharf, lie overbalanced, and fell into tho harbour, from which ho was rescued, however, without much trouble. The lad subsequently caino into contact with tho police, who immediately communicated with the police authorities at Wellington.

A I'ress Association telegram from Auckland states that the assets of the Dominion Portland Cement Co. were sold by auction yesterday in two lots, tho purchaser being Mr. E. Gerard. The total price was £137,750.' There were no other bidders. •

"The crops seem very good from Dunedin up to Christ-church," said the Prime Minister to a Christchurch "Press" reporter, "and I should say that tho yield will be above the average if tho weather is favourable. There is no doubt in my mind that wo shall have sufficient and to sparo of wheat and other cereals in New Zealand this season. With regard to the supposed shortage of labour, I think if the weather keeps fine the crops will be got in without any difficulty. Apparently where tho want of labour is felt most at the present time is in North Otago. I am informed that a number of people in the cities and towns intend to assist with the getting in of the crops. This is a very good thing to do, and it will be a pleasant change for the townsfolk. All tho country is expected to assist in necessary work at this time, and with so many good men out of the Dominion, those that 'are left can all do a little to make w> the deficiency."

Satisfactory progress is being made .with the registration of the Jiigo-Slavs of the Auckland provincial district (says tho "Herald"). Many hundreds _• of Austrian subjects and naturalised Dalmatians have so far presented themselves before Mr. .T. Cullen.. commissioner in charge of the .lugo-Slav branch of the 'Defence Denartment. at Auckland. Hellensvillo, and DarsavilK and signified what they are prepared to undertake in the' matter of war work. Mr. Cullen will shortly visit other outlving districts 'to continue the registration, probably taking CoroliiandeT and Mercury Hay next in order.