LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 133, 22 February 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"The charges for coal have increased 75 per cent, since t'he war began," the Mayor stated at the City Council last evening.

Tho Wellington Fire Brigade Superintendent has reported that a firo occurred on January 3 in a city office which was caused by tho spontaneous combustion of a cleaning mop. Tho City Council wishes to draw publio attention to the danger that may arise in the use of these articles unless tho instructions forwarded with tho appli-' ance are strictly complied with.

"Is it true, Mr. Brandon, that you intend to withdraw at the eleventh hour?" was a question asked at that candidate's meeting at Northland last evening. "Nothing on earth will prevent mo going to the poll," replied Mr. Brandon. "I should have said nothing but sudden death." "At the poll!" added an interjector.

It is announced in the Gazette that Captain Hall-Thompson has been authorised to tako possession of or to cause all apparatus for wireless telegraphy on -board any merchant ship (being a foreign merchant ship or a British merchant ship not registered in New Zealand), while in tho territorial waters of New Zealand, or any part of such apparatus, to he taken possession of in tho namo and on behalf of His Majesty for His Majesty's service, and, subject thereto, for such ordinary services as to Captain Hall-Thompson may seom fit.

"I have hocn among the Now Zealand troops in England, in daily touch •with thorn, and I say that the statements that are being made about the prevalence of venereal disease among them are infamous lies," said Mr. Massey with some vehemence at a meeting in Kelburn • which he addressed last night. The words were said in reply to a question which had been handed up to him written, and he expressed regret for having to read it at such a meeting. The question also asked tho Government why tho correspondence from Miss Ilout on this subject was not published. "If I had my way with Miss Rout's correspondence," said Mr. MaesoyJ "I would have her letters burned by tho common hangman."

"The people who tell you to vote for Hie candidate who is likely to bring about a general election are the' same sort of people who would tell you to open up your feather bed in the garden on a windy day," said Mr. J. Hutcheson, speaking at Kelburn last night. The City Council resolved last evening; "That in future agreements for the pui'chaso by instalment of water meters be altered to require the applicant to pay the cost of fixing, plus one year's instalment on tho purchase, also that meters shall only bo fixed and removed by the corporation, and in the event of cancellation of the agreement the cost of removal of the meter shall bo paid by the user." The Mayor stated at the City Council last evening that the tramway returns were still satisfactory. Although coal and accessories had gone up in price, tho fares had" not been increased, and the servicos had not been restricted.

The By-laws Committee of tJio City Council reported to'the council last evening that they had' been waited on by a deputation representing the keepers of fruit shops in the city, who presented a petition signed by fifty-four European and Chinese fruiterers, requesting tho prohibition of street hawking in the main thoroughfares in the city, so as not to come into open competition with shopkeopers who have to pay rent, rates, insurance, lighting, etc. The committee recommended that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare an amendment to the. by-law to prohibit licensed pedlars and hawkers from plying their calling in the principal streets of the city and within fifty yards of such streets. The recommendation was referred hnck to the committee to be further considered

There was much amusement at Auckland's expense at a gathering of the Early Settlers' Association last evening, when the Hon. G. \V. Russell, in emphasising the need for local patriotism, remarked that one had to admire Aucklanders for one thing, anyhow. "Wlienovw you meet an Aucklander," continued the speaker, "Auckland is it! Whether it is man, woman, or child should you name anything Auckland has got something better. (Laughter.) I like to see that spirit of local patriotism among people, but sometimes it leads to amusing results.' The speaker wont on to relate the story of a Canterbury resident whose eloquent discourse on the glories of moonlight on New Brighton Beach to a visiting Aucldander was interrupted by the latter remarking in all soriousnesr. "Ah, hut you ought to see the one wo have got at Auckland." The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) moved nt Inst evening's meoting of the City Council that the council should congratulate Mr. Justice Herdnian on his elevation to a judgeship. Mr. A. E, Atkinson said that though ho would not vote against the motion, he, was sorry that the matter had been brought up.' He wished Mr. Justice Herdnian well, but thought it would liave been better had he not gone from Parliament to the Supremo Court bench, tie hoped that system would not continue. The motion was carried.

The engineering works connected with the Wellington Harbour Board were inspected yesterday by about 70 delegates to The Civil Engineers' Conference, they being tho guests of Mr. C. J5. JJanieil, chairman of the Harbour Board. Tlie .chief places of interest on tho waterfront were first shown to the visitors, who were later taken on the Natone to the Patent Slip, the Union Steam Ship Company's repairing shops and laundry and the Miramar Gasworks.

It was stated at a raeoting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday that consent had been given to the Director of Military Hospitals to erect a temporary building for a workroom for soldiers on the western boundary of tho Victoria Hospital, the cost xo be defrayed out of Red Cross funds, and its removal to be at the option of the board after the termination of use by the military authorities.

A returned soldier, Private Parkin, was knocked down by a,' tramcar in Willis Street, near the Grand Hotel, late on Wednesday evening, and was badly shaken. He was taken first to the Soldiers' Clubroom in Sydney Street, but was later transferred to the Hospital at 11 p.m. Parkin is suffering from abrasions and shock, and was reported late .last night to be doing as well as could be expected.

"The all-important milk question is to-night conspicuous by its absence," observed Councillor Fitzgerald at tho City Council last evening. It was explained that the report could not be presented that evening, and that tho chairman of the committee was away.

"Wo arc not contemplating the deportation of any more conscientious objectors," said Mr. Massey in reply to a question at the meeting at Kelburn last night. "But when a man goes to camp and goes through a certain amount of training there, he has to go to the front no matter what he calls himself." Tho term "deportation" was not Mr. Massey's; it was used in the question as put to him.

An attempt has been made to, cast ridicule on the statement that has been made by the frionds of Mr. Luke to the effect that if an enemy of conscription were elected for Wellington North, it would please the Germans. Mr. Massey was asked a question about this last night, and the question, coming as it did from a source which was evidently unfriendly, was somewhat sarcastic in'tone. Mr. Massey said that it was a fact in experience that the Germans did tako notice of events in New Zealand, and they would most certainly take notice of a victory at the polls of a candidate opposed to the win-the-war policy of the Government. He reminded the audience that when he had spoken some- few weeks ago on the need for retaining the German possessions in the Pacific, his. words were made the .subject of comment in German ncwspapqrs in a very short time.

"Were Mr. Brandon more deeply initiated in political'guile he would not be where he is to-day. It is rather a tribute to his politcal ingenuousness that ho has consented to stand,. behoving the clique of men who have introduced him into the contest."—Mr. J. Hutcheson at Kclburn last night.

The request of the employees of the Government Printing Office that the tramway stopping place at Quinton's corner be shitted to its original position is (according to a decision of the City Council) not to bo acceded to. There was some discussion on the matter, raised through Councillor M'Kenz,ie, who favoured the request of the employees, moving to have the subject reconsidered by the Tramways Committee. The Mayor said that the new arrangement was made for the safety of the public. Finally Councillor M'Kenzie withdrew his amendment on the understanding that the engineer would again report on the subject. It was stated at the Wellington Hospital 'Hoard meeting yesterday that the Minister of Public Health had been in : torviowed with regard to the delay in receiving milk owing to its having had to go through the clearing station. The Minister had agreed to look into the matter if further delay occurred.

Tho Baths Committee reported to tiie City Council last evening that they bad been waited upon by a deputation from the Life-Saving and Surf Clubs at Lyall Bay, who _ asked that certain appliances bo provided for use in cases of emergency at the- Bay. The committee had directed that these be supplied. The deputation brought a number of other matters before the committee, with a view'to improving conditions at the beach. These will be dealt with and reported on later.

Our Masterton correspondent telegraphs that at tho ram fair yesterday a Romney ram presented by Mr, "William Itayner to the Y.M.C.A. Tronch .Comforts Fund realised £290,