LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 119, 6 February 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"Do you know what happens if von tell lies?" Mr. Justice Hosking asked a diminutive witness yesterday. "You go to Heaven and get burnt in the fire," replied the child. "He has evidently been well instructed," was His Honour's comment.

Yesterday's medical reports from ills ■camps showed that there were ten cases of 'measles in hospital at Feathcrston and 24 cases at Trentham. Some 770 contaots were being held in isolation, {529 at Feathcrston and 246 at Trentham. Most of the casts are a mild form of German measles, and there is no indication that tho epidemic is spreading.

Before tlio Military Service Board in Christcluirch the Hon. James Alexander Borthwick, of Mossrs. Thomas Borthwick and Sons, meat exporters, appealed on the ground that he was in charge of tho Australasian business of the firm. There wero three freezing works in Now Zealand and three in"Australia, and £2,000,000 worth of meat and by-products were shipped in a year. Two' of the appollant's younger brothers were serving. Mr. Borthwick told the board that it was a matter for argument whether he was a resident of New Zealand or not, but lie preferred to rely 011 the fact that lie was engaged in ail important essential industry. The board agreed that the appellant's services wero necessary to a largo industry, and adjourned the case sine die—Press Assn.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (tho Mon. G. W. Russell) stated yesterday that after February I foreigners entering Japan would require to carry passports or certificates of nationality with photographs attached, tlio certificates or passports to be vised by the Japanese, authorities in the traveller's own country.

Information published locally yesterday respecting the decision of the Post and Telegraph authorities to employ /rirls as telegraph messengers in tho city is stated to bo hardly correct. It may como to that yet, but so far tho matter lias not been seriously discussed let alone decided upon. Tip till tlio present a few girls have been employed i» those suburban offices which hnvo female postmistresses.'

Nurses, build up your patients' strength with DOCTOUS' CREAM 0' GROATS. New Zealand made. Digestible und nourishing.—Advt,

The re-examination of the papers of First Division men classified as G2 is proceeding steadily. The men selected for re-examination with a view to their transfer to the CI group are notified hy letter, and tho notices have been distributed, with a few exceptions, to men diawn in tho first ten ballots. There has been delay in a few instances owing to the men concerned having had appeals before the military service hoards. The men who are left, in the C 2 class are also notified, and tho dispatch of these notices has been completed up to and including tho reservists drawn in the sixth ballot. The work is complox and cannot proceed very rapidly, but it is expected that tho last notices will have gone out by the end of March.

The following resolution was passed at the C.E.M.S. conference in Masterton on Monday, says our special correspondent: "That this conference urges upon the Government tho necessity for a more rigid censorship of moving pictures, • and that posters and advertisements relating to pictures be also censored by the Government official." The resolution is to bo forwarded to tho Minister of Internal Affairs.

At the monthly meeting of the Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held yesterday afternoon Mr. F. Meadowcroft presided. The inspector's report, which was lengthy, covered the work dono during the past month. The subscriptions received amounted to £14 18s. 3d:

In the Juvenile Court yesterday, before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., a little boy years of age, who has beon_ in tho habit of sloeping out and smoking cigarottcs, and was not under proper control, was committed to tlw "Wellington Receiving Home.

The übiquity and adaptability of the German is one of his qualities that make him all the more dangerous. This, quality was humorously illustrated by a Wellington officer, who recently returned from the war zone. _ In the sector in which he was stationed, only about a hundred yards from the German trenches, there had been a calm, peaceful night and day, with absolutely nothing doing, one of thoso curious intervals which are welcomed by everyone. Suddenly for no particular reason a British battery at the back opened up on the enemy trenches, fired a few hundred shells, and then "turned it up." Hardly had the reverberations from the last gun ceased to disturb the air when a plaintive voice came from the German line, in unmistakable Cockney: "Aw, 'turn it up' . over there I'' The remark raised a shriek or laughter in the British trench opposite the voice.

Lieutenant-Colonel 0. M. Begg, D.5.0., formerly of Wellington, writing from Franco to Mr. Richard Brown, session clerk of St. Andrew's Church, Gays: "I have just received a parcel from tlio ladies of the church containing many articles, all of which will bo of use here. As there was 110 name attached, will you kindly convey to the ladies my thanks and my appreciation of their kindness? It is good to ieel one is not forgotten after the many years that have passed since I left isew Zealand. I am thankful to say that my health has stood the strain of three continuous years in the battle line. 1 have been present at every battle tlio Now Zealanders have been in, and it has been my privilege tf> draw up all the plans and supervise the care ot tho sick and the recovery _ of tlio wounded from the 'New Zealand Divisions during all that time. There are now only three of us lett on the field of the original medical officers of the Main Body. H:lough I still maintain my connection with the New Zealanders. I am now DeputyDirector of Medical Services in ths British Forces in Franco." The annual meeting of the Equitable Building and Investment Company, called for noon yesterday at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, again failed to draw the requisite quorum of fifteen shareholders, and according to the provision in the articles of association, the chairman (Mr. Ivebbell) adjourned the meeting sine die. Tlio general secretary of the _ New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has received from the Prune Minister a reply to an inquiry as to the arrangements' made by the Government for supplying fencing wire to soldier se tiers at reduced rates. The letter is as follows :-"I have to acknowledge receipt of yonr lotter of January IS, inquiring as to the arrangements made by the Government in regard to supplyinff fencing wire to returned soldier settlers at reduced rates, and to advise that in July and August of last year the Government arranged to indent a large quantity of wire, hut owing, to tho disorganisation of the shipping and to tho restrictions placed on the export of steel and iron products by tho United States Government, the wire ordered has not yet arrived 111 tTie .Dominion. I am, however, given to .understand that it is expected this wire should reach New Zealand shortly, in which case it will be offered to returned soldier settlers at cost price, including freight and landing charges. K final meeting of tho Wairarapa Pawmillers' Association is to be held this week, says our Masterton correspondent. Sawmilling is now almost a thing of the past, so far as this district is concerned.

An impression appears to have gained ground that the mild outbreak ot German measles anions the troops in camp is confined to Trentham. As a matter of fact cases have occurred in Feathcrston also. _ In both camps the measles arc well in hand, the low fresh cases which have been reported being among the contacts. At. Trentham there have been no now cases for two days. The Thirty-eighth Reinforcements will be segregated at Tren--1 tham for a period after mobilisation. A party of sis lads from Christ's College who have been engaged for tho greater" pare of the midsummer vacation in harvesting and general farm work on Mr. John Grigg's Lopgrbeach estate have returned to Chnstchurcli. Each lad was possessed with a cheque for over £15, being their earnings on the land. Commissioner AV. S. Short, of the Public AVorks Department, was in Masterton on Tuesday, arrangements in regard to tlie inquiry to be held in reference to the proposal of the Masterton County Council to establish a toll-gate on tho road between Masterton and Castlepoint.

As a result of tlio easterly gale experienced in Auckland, shipping was somewhat disorganised, and many of the vessels were on Monday sheltering in tlio bays on the coast. The Harbour was particularly rough on Saturday, and on Sunday tlio ferry boats had considerable difficulty in making their passage. A number of small craft broke loose during the week-end, while dinghies were swamped wholesale. '.Ilia launches Hinemoa and Hangitira broke away from their moorings on Sunday morning at Farnell, the Hinemoa being considerably damaged. Notwithstanding the heavy seas the numerous beaches wero crowded with " pleasureseekers, who ventured into the water. At Shelly Beach tho sea was particularly rough, and the flooring at tho baths was loosened by the breakers underneath. Conditions were reported to be worse on tho coast, where a number of vessels were delayed. The Araliura, which left Auckland on Saturday, was reported to lie sheltering at Cape Colville, and numerous smaller vessels had a rough time,

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A man named Thomas Mein was taught a lesson in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. On Monday morning Mein was in court, and when an oflender was sentenced to a term of imprisonment gull'awed and was put out of the court by a policeman. On reaching the street it was discovered that Mein was drunk, and he was immediately arrested. Yesterday he appeared in court and was fined £3, in default 14 days, by Mr. S. !''• M'Carthy.

The now building that is being erected 1 on a. largo block of land fronting Jervois Quay and Cable Street for the firm of John Chambers and Son, Ltd., will bo the largest reinforced concrete building in Wellington. The building will be of three stories (with structural provision for a fourth), and is being built on a principle now to "Wellington, by which no dependence for the weight of tho structure will be placed on tho wails, the whole weight being placed on the columns, standards, and girders.

Recently a movement was set afoot by the Returned Soldiers' Association in Auckland to raise £50,000 for the establishment of a permanent club for returned soldiers. In duo course permission was aslced of the Minister of Internal Affairs for making tho collection. Rplying to that communication the Minister expressed himself in the strongest terms as being opposed to any ambitious schemes for the raising of moneys for recreation purposes while thero wero men returning, and dependants of men who were not returning who would require all the assistance that could be provided for them. The war is not yet over, and many more claims would yet he made for assistance for injured men or their dependants. This opinion was supported by the committee of the Auckland Patriotio Association which investigated the matter. Indeed, this committee expressed the opinion that . tho quarters at present occupied by the returned soldiers as a club were ample for requirements. Tho Minister said that ho would not, without the sanction of Cabinet, approvo the collection ns a war fund, but he would at once I bring tho matter before Cabinet.

The shortage of shipping for tile intercolonial trade may have a serious effect upon the coal problem for next winter (says the Auckland "Star"). Already considerably smaller quantities of coal have come from Newcastle, and there is every possibility that tho amount will be further reduced later on, as, with tho lack of shipping facilities, it is almost certain that somo of tlie space now used for the carriage of c6al will bo required for other goods which may be considered rf greater importance under present-conditions. A man named W. Sather was admitted to the Hospital at 5 p.m. yesterday. He was working on a coal boat wlien a basket of coal fell on lnm, injuring his back. The Wellington Technical Education Board met last night, presentr-Messrs. G. Frost (chairman), T. Ballinger, H. Gore, T. Forsyth, AV. J. Thompson, A. Atkins, G. L. Stewart, and L. R. Partridge. Tho chairman stated that the number of scholars attending the school at the opening of the first 1918 term showed a considerable increase oYer the total at the end of 1917. The appointment of one additional teacher would be necessary, and certain rearrangements of the staff would require te be made. Tho increased attendance would aceentuato the difficulties arising from the lack of adequate accommodation. Tho board dealt with a small amount of business beforo rising.

"This is the one strange instance in whicli tlio law lays down the eleventh commaudmont, 'Thou slialfc not he seen doing it,' " explained Mr. F. V. Frazer,.S.M., in Auckland, when a Hindu fruiterer was charged that he worked at his calling on a. Sunday within public view, in that he had been seen arranging fruit in his shop window. His Worship stated to tbo Hindu that ho was not charged with a serious offence, and that if lm had screened the window so that his actions could not have been seen from the street there would have been no breach of tlio law. The

offence was not doing tho work on a Sunday, but consisted of-being seen. It was a curious turn of the law that made the whole offence Consist of being found out, as there was 110 offence if defendant could not bo seen from a public place at his ordinary work on a Sunday. Mr. 11. E. Pace.v, of the N.Z. Dairy Association, on his return to Auckland from Wellington, where he had been to attend the conference with the Prime Minister regarding tho position of supplies of butter cn the markets of the Dominion, stated that the matter of future action was discussed, the object being to assure the firms that supply the local markets, of not losing by not having shipped at higher prices for the British trade. Several suggestions were made to the Prime Minister, who was taking lime to consider what shall bo decided upon in this matt-sr. A remarkable achievement was accomplished at the University bookkeeping diploma examintaion held last November for the New Zealand Society of Accountants. This was the passing, of the examination by a young student, Mr. D. E. Duthoit, wlio is temporarily blind. Mr. Duthoit studied at the Auckland University College. All the principles of bookkeeping were explained to Mr. Duthoit by his teacher, and at the examination he was supplied with a reader. The reader read over the paper aloud, and then, at Mr. Duthoit's dictation, set down the answers to the questions. What is tho more remarkable is that the examination papers—two in number—involved the working of practical problems, consist-' inc of many figures with ,tlie usual additions, deductions, allowances, and so forth. All of this had, 'of course, to be retained in the head. The examination was specially supervised by the Rev. A. B. Chappel, registrar of the Auckland University College. Tho Auckland master butchers have made further reductions in the retail prices of meat as from Monday. The prices of several cuts in both beef and mutton have been reduced, and a substantial reduction has been made in the prices of lamb, averaging lid. per lb. all round. Butchers stato that these reductions, with those made last month, have brought tho retail price down to tho lowest level at which it is possible to l'otail meat without loss whilst tho Values of cattle and sheep at the markets are equivalent to the prices paid by tho Imperial Government for meat for export. A new'scheme introduced by the Government (says the "Herald'') provides for the supply of meat to tho butchers, when required, from stocks purchased on behalf of tho Imperial Government, without payment by the butchers of the storago charges which obtained last year._ It is anticipated that tho scheme, which assures butchers of supplies at reasonable prices, notwithstanding any shortage and consequent high values in tile live stock markets, 'will obviato 'the necessity for ■ any advance in tho rot-ail prices ot meat in tho coming winter. Tho Waterside Workers' Band will play selections at the Basin. Reserve to-night at. 8 o'clock.