LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 160, 26 March 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A former vicar of Farlie, the Rev. H. xS T . Roberts, who has returned from tho front, states that before leaving England' ho saw the following in a German paper, "which ho believes to have been the "Berliner Tagublait" :— "After dealing with England it will be necessary to 'finish the United States, and after that there will be only Japan to oppose German dominion of the world. Wo hare spent a great deal of money at Samoa, but it is not a good harbour, therefore it will bo necessary for us to secure New Zealand, where there is a harbour, Akaroa, that could easily be made impregnable. Banks Poninsula, where Akaroa is situated, is a mountainous peninsula that could easily bo fortified so that it could not bo taken. Tho inhabitants of New Zealand aro an indolent, ploasuro-loving people, and we would make them work to complete the fortifications that would make Akaroa impregnable against any nation, and a baso for attacking Japan or any other Power in tho Pacific. The New Zealanders aro so indolent tliat they do not utilise the _ magnificent rivers they havo, which, if harnessed, could produce power to run many manufactures for the production of munitions or anything olso they liked." The paper contained a splendid map of the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula, showing how Akaroa Harbour could be made a fortress safe from attack cither by land or sea.

A draft of returned soldiers, comprising seven officers and seventy-one other ranks, have arrived in Wellington from Egypt and Palestine. They were met by tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G.), who gave them a very Kearty welcome back to their native 6nores. Tbo draft included Captain J. B. Hino, M.P.

Exercising his prerogative as censor of picture programmes for exhibition on Good Friday, tho Town Clerk (Mr. Jno. R. Palmer) barred erery programme submitted save ono. The exception was from a theatre which proposed to show only scenic, industrial, and educational pictures, and one based on Dickens's "Christmas Carol." For the most part the managements of the other theatres did not propose to vary the ordinarv weekly programme to fit tho day. This docs not prevent thopn concerned subtjiiAting alternative programmes to tho (fywn Clerk, who will pass thorn or not as he thinks advisable. The executive oT the Y.M.C.A. acknowledges tho receipt of a ohequo for £1000 from Messrs. Bing, Harris, and Co., of New Zealand and London, towards tho Red Triangle • (Dominion) Fund. Tho amusement tax,'which oamo into force on November 1, had, up to tho end of February, realised about £13.000, and it is anticipated that tho total receipts for twelve months will amount to about £40.000. The members of tho National Efficiency Board left AVellington bv the Main Trunk train at midday yesterday for Ohakune, where they will take evidence and consider questions affecting tho relief of the settlers of the district devastated by the recent bush fires.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luko, M.P.) has received from tho committee which managed the picnic held on March 6 by tho combined Wollinaton Bakers, Pastrycooks, and Breadcarters' Union and the Master Bakers' Union tho. sum of £33 13s. 6d., which,' in accordance with instructions, has been paid into tho Red Triangle Fund.

The Marsden Cross, which was unveiled in March, 1907, at Rancihoua Bay, Bay of Islands, suffered considerably by die rough weather of last year. The memorial, which marks the spot near the beach on which the-late Rev. Samuel Marsdon preached -his histono "first New Zealand sermon" on Christmas Day, 1814, has a height of over 20ft. It is a stone monument in the form of a Celtic cross, and was built to a design provided by the late Archdeacon Walsh.: The Bishop of Auckland, Dr., Averill, who visited tho spot before tho first of the two recent gales, discovered that tho cross had fallen from tho monument, apparently as tho result of stormy weather causing the disintegration of the cement joints._ Glass of all descriptions is particu-larly-dear in New Zealand at tho proBent time. Indeed, of all the essential materials necessary for building it is doubtful if any lino has been more affected than glass. This is owing to the fact that Belgium was one of the largest glass manufacturing countries in the world prior to the war. Even long after the German occupation the industry was permitted to exist, and under an arrangement which had to bear the imprimatur of the British Ambassador at Amsterdam, limited quantities were made available for export to England and her dependencies overseas. That arrangement, however, ceased over a year ago,', which further accentuated the world' r shortage, and gavo Japan the opportunity to found the industry. Tears ago there existed in Auckland a glass works \ior bottlemaking, but experience showed that it fould not compete with importations. Now a Wellington gentleman with large landed interests m the north of Auckland informed a Dominion" reporter that the long stretches of almpst white sand in the far north nave been declared to bo excellent for glassmaking, and, providing the necessary rights can be obtained, there lis capital offering for the purpose of instituting work's on a largo scale in that district. Ifc was reported by the Wellington Bureau of the Department of Labour yesterday that there is just now a shortage of work in Wellington. Work, it was said, has not been so scarce for a long time, and there are indications that employment will not be plentiful during the coming winter. One of the features of the position is the absence of', applications from the country tor workers. A'prohibition order to be elrectivo for twelvo months was issued by Mr. S E. M'Carthy, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, against Jonathan Wilkinson, a bricklayer. Iho application was made by defendants wife, who said her husband had been drinking every night for the past five years, and had been drunk overy night for tho past six weeks. Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., held an inquest yesterday afternoon into tho circumstances attcudiug the death of John Robertson, a widower, 80 years of age, who died suddenly at 117 lhorndon Quay, on Saturday evening, Ihe evidence showed that the deceased had suliored from heart trouble for somo vcars. Dr. Pattic, who examined tho body soon after death, stated that deceased's appearance was quite consistent with that of a man vho had died from heart failure. On Saturday morning Robertson stated that he felt, particularly well, but ho went .to bed early that evening, and complained of having had a bad turn. A. boarder heard a noise as of someone falling out of bod, and on going to tho room occupied by Robertson, found the latter lvin« dead on the floor. A verdict was"returned that death was due to heart failure.

The run is on "NO RUBBING Laundry Help, "GOLDEN RULE" Soap, and "GOLDEN RULE" Candles.- Mrs, L. Iked, Twwwki Street,—Aavt,

The receipts at the Zoo gates from March 1 until March 20 reached £61 Ms. Gd., an increase of £20 lis. Od. over the corresponding period last year.

The- Wellington Soft Goods Employees' Union has written to the Wellington Master Drapers' Association asking for a conference to consider the question of closing the shops at 5.80 o'clock each day. It is pointed out by representatives of the union that this reform has been in operation in many country towns and in the city of Auckland. In Auckland, it is asserted, the original' intention was to closo at 5.30 during the winter months only, but tlm innovation proved such a, decided success that the curtailed hours were continued during the summer. Such curtailment is now regarded as a permanency. Tho shon hands are very anxious that the idea ."should be given a trial in Wellington.

The Railway Department calls attention in our advertising columns to the effect that it is not m a position io run its usual full holiday time-tablo during the approaching Easter holidays. Intending travellers are advised to make provision for travelling prior to March 28, which is likely to bo a heavy day, and to return aftor Easter Monday. There will bo no special trains for the Waipukurau and Feilding races. Unless intending visitors travel earlier than the race day, and are prepared to return a day or two later, it is not unlikely that some may be disappointed.