LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 150, 14 March 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Secretary of the General Post Office has been advised that legal timo has been advanced by one hour in Italy, France, and Algeria from March 9 to October 6.

"I think it rather absurd to count our chickens before they are hatched," said Mr. Winsor, Mayor of Spreydon (Canterbury), in referring at last night's meeting of tho Spreydon Borough Council to a letter from the Auckland Council in favour of the retention of Samoa in British hands. Personally he did not think it wise to support the motion. They had to win the war before moving in such a matter. Mr. Winsor added: "We feel as patriotic as anyone about tho matter, and we think we are going to win tho war, but it is not won yet. The disposal of Samoa is certainly a matter for the Imperial authorities." Councillor Eudd said it was absolute nonsense- to say tho resolution was aimed solely at benefiting Auckland. The retention of Samoa nould benefit all. Eventually it was decided to simply "receive" the resolution. —Press Assn.

The limitation of championship matches to youths under 20 years of age was favoured at last evening's meeting of the Wellington Football Club. The meeting considered that if the Rugby Union desired to start football for returned soldiers and others a special championship should bo arranged.

"If anyone from abroad were to como hero now and s,ee those fellows they would think them dotty ; " said ono of a number of spectators ot tho semifinal game in tho champion rink tourney at the Wellington Bowling Club's green at 7.10 last evening. _ The situation certainly had its ludicrous side. At one end of tho green was a small group of men, most of them crouching down close to the ground, examining a Ecattored battalion of bowls, some with lighted matches, looking for identification discs. At tho other end, lost in 'the gloom, was a voice crying iu tho wilderness—"l can't see the jack at all. Hold a light near it_ as a guide!" "Are you away?" said tho No. 3. "Yes, tho bowl's away—it's noarly up to you. Look out for it 1" Out of tho murk quietly stole a bowl, and to cheer up tho Voice that fired it invariably came the comment —"It's_ no good—you're too wide I" _ A curious commentary on tho entlrasiasm of howlers wore those who said they would not bo so foolish ae to play under such conditions, yet who sat there in the cold night air until the very last bowl was played—though they could not 6ee its course or mark its effect. A Press Association' telegram from Napier states tliat the Waikaremoana party was to leave at midnight last night for Wairoa, proceeding thenco to the lake. Yesterday was spent in touring the Napier and Hastings districts. Tho Oriental Football Club has every reason to be proud of the part played by members in answering thoir country's call to arms. ' Tho roll of honour now contains 252 members. At last might's annual meeting it was recorded with deepest regret tliat during the year the following members had paid the supremo sacrifice:—A. Benton, S. Dempsey, S. Bonne, A. G. Mickson, J. G. Kinvig, and J. MMalion.

On Monday fffternooii tho New Plymouth clients of the Bank of New South Wales gathered at the Soldiers' Club for the purpose of making a presentation lo Mr. N. K. MacDiarmid, wno lately resigned the management of tho local branch of the bank after having filled tho position for 23 years. Mr. M. Eraser presided, and in making the presentation of a purse cf sovereigns and a signed memorial, expressed to Mr. MacDiarmid tho esteem in which clients of the bank held him and their regret it his relinquishing tho management. Tho purse was silver-mounted and suitably inscribed. Speeches were also given hv Mr. E. 11. Tribe and Mr. E. Dockrill.

Disputes concerning the ■Wellington electric linesmen and wircmen will be heard beforo the Conciliation Council to-day.

"Tho numbor of now theatres building in Now York (says Mr. E. J. Tait, who has just returned to Sydney from tho States) is simply wonderful." Bight havo boen opened since December, 191G, and tlio foundations are laid of four or five others. And this, too, within a circuit of ten blocks, equal to about half a mile, whero there are at least sixty theatres catering for the public. As the seating capacity of the uowo theatres, is smaller, the prices of seats show a tendency to rise. Some theatres seating about 300 charge as much as three dollars.

At its next meeting tho Wellington Industrial Association will consider the practicability of holding a New Zealand industries week in Wellington in the near future. The present is considered to ho an admirablo time for impressing on tho public the range and quality "of goods that are manufactured in this country, and which as often as not are superior to imported goods on which heavy freight rates and duty have to bo paid. It is proposed to have a special shop-window display of New Zealand g_oods if the idea can be brought io fruition.

Mr. li. 0. 11. Tripp, Consular Agent foi Italy, acknowledges receipt of the Bum of £50 from tlio Oartorton Bed Cross Fund, and £50 from the Hastings Workers' Bed Cross Fund.

Hopes that tlio long spwll of dry wentiinr experienced in South Ota go was about to bo broken were entertained un. Sunday night, when ii light UMii commenced to f nil. Unfortunately, says tlio "Otago Daily Times," the full was of very short duration, only 4J- points being recorded. The position in the surrounding country districts is becoming very serious to the farming community, as tlio. outlook in regard to winter feed for stock is decidedly gloomy. Owing to tlio parched condition of the pastures tlio milk returns have shown a big drop, and tlio turnip crops nro bndly affected with bliglit. Unless a heavy downpour of rain is experienced very shortly it will bo too Into to improve matters appreciably, as in a few wcoks' timo early frosts can he expected, and little growth will then he experienced until the spring.