LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 168, 5 April 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The mobilising of the Fortieth Reinforcements will conclude to-day at Trciibhiim Camp, when tile Auckland draft will go into camp. Yesterday tlio Wellington draft was mobilised. The weather and other conditions in tlio camps are perfect, and the men are settling down in their now quarters quickly.

Laughing jackasses, imported from Australia, have been liberated in the East Coast Acclimatisation District. It is notified in tlio Gazette that thesebirds and their progeny are deemed to be the property of the East Coast Acclimatisation Society for a period of two years. /

''Wo must fight on to the end, gaining strength in men, morale, financßj and munitions, until the Allies are able to dictato their own terms. Let us show by our response to the appeal from England that we are mindful of the issues at stako. Every man who stands aside in this hour of the nation's peril has no right to the name of Britisher." The Hon. A. M. Myers on the war situation.

A short time ago (says a Press Association telegram) eight of the nine borough councillors at Waimato resigned on the ground that they could not get on with the Mayor: At the election yesterday five of the old council and three new men,worc elected. The Mayor, by bis casting vote, now has the decision in the case in dispute.

In iha ordinary course of things the conference- of the Now Zealand Municipal Association would be held in Wellington this year. The Mayor \Mr. J. P. Luke), as chairman of the body, believes tlint, under the circumstances, it would be entailing unnecessary expense to convene such a conference for tlio present year, and has instructed the secretary (Mr. T. F. Martin) to communicate with local bodies affiliated to the association, asking their approval of the proposal to forgo the conference. In cases where kcal bedies might desire tn push forward necessary acts of legislation, tile secretary is suggesting that such be forwarded on for consideration by the executive, who would do all that was possible to see such legislation given effect to.

There was admitted to the Hospital about 4 o'clock yesterday morning Sergeant Herbert Taylor, wlw was found at his residence, No. ]8 Hataitai Koad, suffering severely from poisoning in some form. Sergeant Taylor is a married man of about SO years of age, and has a so:i serving at the front. Ho is employed in the Heme Service Branch of the Defence- Department, and his condition is reported tj be critical. Additional rules for mariners who may have to approach ports in the war area are published in this _ week's Gazette. Detailed information is given regarding the measures to be taken in entering American ports, where nets and other devices for the protection of shipping hiive been installed. Extensive alterations have been effected in the interior arrangement of the Now Zealand Railway Department's bureau in Willis Street, and they are likely to bo of substantial benefit to tho public as well as- tho staff. The old window museum has been' done away with altogether in order to economiso space, and a long counter has been erected on the southern side of tho bureau, which provides for the proper progression of the public through the bureau. The first section is for inquiries, the second is for the issue of tickets, and the third ifor the reservation of seats and sleepers, which do away with the overcrowding at one small counter. An improvement has also been made by providing for rush times, when a folding wooden screen can be extended across tho office in a line with tho main counter, so that people may pass along tho counters in something like order, and make their exit by the main entrance, to tho King's Chambers in Harbour Street. As an indication of the amount of money spent by Wellington people in railway travel it is on record that for the sixteen weeks ended March 31 (including tho Christinas and Easter traffic), tho sum of £26,52'1 was taken over the counter in tho bureau. This indicates how extremely, popular the mid-city bureau has become, and is a strong argument for their establishment in other centres, Auckland, perhaps excepted, as the station in that city is situated in a central position. The record takings .for one week afc the bureau is still held by the week immediately preceding Christmas, 1916. During that week (December 18 to 23 inclusive) £6112 was taken over the counter.

The State Highway Department of Missouri is employing, convict labour for roadmaking, paying the State- 1.25 dollars per day per man. The convicts are what are known as "honour" men, and work without a guard, and do not wear prison uniform. The movement is the outcome of a shortage of labour. '

One and a half pounds of nitric acid is required for the production of a pound of smokeless powder. It takes two and a half pounds of Chilian nitrate of soda, costing approximately 6d., as well as a quantity of sulphuric acid, to produce one and a half pounds of nitric acid. These figures are _ interesting, as it is computed that nitric acid could be obtained from air and water for less than Id. per lb. by means of the direct arc process by the utilisation of the power which could be derived from tho Bowen Falls, in Milford Sound.

It is a serious matter "to wrongfully wear the badgo of the Returned Soldiers' Association, as a Native named John Reui found at the Gisborne Magistrate's Court tlie other day. He was charged with wearing a badge that did not belong to him, and admitted the correctness of the charge He said ho found the badge at the To Arai Bridge, and had put it on when he came to town about three weeks later. He admitted he had no right to wear the badge. The Magistrate, Mr. AY. A. Barton, S.M., warned defendant that lie was liable to a fine of £100, but said he would in this case impose a fine of £5, to which-he added costs amounting to 19s.

A soldiers' sports meeting will bo held at Trcnthain Bacecourso on April 16. The programme, which will be available in a few days, will bo a. comprehensive one, including athletic and military events. Tho public will bo invited to bo present at the sports, and if fine weather prevails a good day's outing will bo assured.

Lieutenant Douglas Williams, aged 30, whose death in action is reported, was exceedingly well known throughout Hawke's Bay, more especially among farmers (telegraphs our Napier correspondent). He was a capable and 'discerning man, from whom New Zealand might justly have' hoped to receive help in tho work of reconstruction after the war. Ho was the second son of Mr. Allen Williams, of Te Auto, and was educated at Heretaunga School and Wauganui College, and was looked upon as ono of the cleverest sheepfarmers of tho younger generation. Enlisting two years ago, he left with tho Twenty-seventh Reinforcements as a second lieutenant in the infantry, and arrived in France last November. Chaplain Lush, in cabling the news, said: "Killed instantly. Deeply regretted by his men. Great influence for good." In the magazine of the Reinforcements ho was described as a "white man," a title ho earned from his men by his care and consideration for them. Ho was very popular with his fellow-officers, and ona of them writing recently said: "We all get cm famously, and who would not with Williams, with his nico common sense, his clean British habits, his sense of duty, and bis dry sonso of humour."

Another aeroplane story has been proved to be a myth. The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister in charge of the Polico Department, stated tea Christchurch ''Press" reporter that _ the Commissioner of Police had rcporrwi to him tliat ho had made all inquiries of the parties who were supposed to have teen an aeroplane flying over the Tanrauga district, and not one of them hud even heard of tho report.

Riding the rapids of the Wanganui River may yet develop into an exhilarating pastime for New Zealand swimmers, Bays an exchange-. Recently a well-known Taimiarunui swimmer was noticed lying full length on a Btout board, and enjoying all the excitement of surf-riding by being whirled over the rapids of tho upper reaches of the river. To steady the contrivance- all that was used was a thin piece of rope stretched across the flat surface of the timber.

Two firemen were arrested yesterday by Detective-Sergeants Torrancc and Scott on suspicion of being concerned in a- theft from a dwelling; at Brooklyn. Tho police allege that the men in question stole a cash-box, containing about £30. from a hairdrossei's shop. They will appear in the Magistrate's Court this morning.

Tho winner of the Chevrolet ear, the first prize in the Wellington Natives' Association's Easter Egg scheme, is Mr. 'W. J. Conibear, of 12 Drake Street, North Kilbirnic, and an <.m----plo.vee of the Wellington Cabinet Company, Adelaide Road.

Au honours board containing tho names of those who have or are representing the Onslow Borough at the front is to be. unveiled at Mandallah this evening. The speakers will include the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), Sir Joseph Ward,, Sir James Allen, and Mr,, 11. A. "Wright, ii.P. for the district.

A letter was before the City Council last night from the Returned Soldiers' Association asking the council to arrange for the holding ot a-memorial service on Anzac Day, April 25. In view of the fact that there had been on a former occasion dispute about the ministers to conduct the service, it was suggested that only military chaplains be asked to officiate. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act.

During Easter Saturday and Monday a tug-ol'-war contest was held in Picton in which £50 was the. first prize. Several teams from various parts of New Zealand competed, also onu from the Military Gamp, the militaiy team (Trentham Engineers) being the winners. This team has an unbeaten record. The Government ■' arrangements for catching and marketing quinnat salmon at Oamaru have so far miscarried. The salmon have not so far made their run up the Waitaki. Only one has been taken to date on that part of the coast, and as it was not in spawning condition it seems that the fishery experts yet have something to learn about the t'imo ami, seasons of these fish. The Government scheme as a whole is hung up in the meantime, but if salmon do appear they will be taken by- an authorised agent at Oaniafu, and by him sold locally or sent to the nearest markets. ,