LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 233, 20 June 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister of Defence has decided to make full inquiries into the complaints that have been made about the alleged ill-treatment of imprisoned military offenders in the. Wanganui Detention Barracks. The Minister said yesterday that lie had had inquiries made from tho military and the medical points of view, and the reports in each case were quite satisfactory, but ho felt that further inquiry was necessary. Ho had- therefore arranged with (he Minister of Justice to release a Magistrate, Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., of Wnngnnui, to make full inquiry into the conditions at the prison. The 'inquiry would begin immediately, and nil tho complaints that had been forwarded to the Minister would bo sent to the Magistrate. The Minister said that the inquiry would not be public.

The coal question is again becoming acute in Wellington. Tho city coal merchants are either denuded of suppljes or can only allow small quantities to* their regular customers. As we. have now to look forward to tho coldest and wettest months of the year, tho prospects of a coal shortage cannot be viewed with any satisfaction. The estate of tho late Mr. David George, bank manager, is valued at ■SSO.D-il. The deceased left legacies to brother officers, and made large charitable and religious bequests.—Press Assn. "Reference is made to the Sim censorship in the Wellington Education Board's annual report. Tho board "records with regret the failure of its efforts to secure, in tho interests of .hildren, an adequate censorship of films. In this connection it considers that, ako in tho interests of the young, the citizens should, through effective oflbinl. control, ho enabled to veto t'he display on publie hoardings and elsewhere that seriously offend the moral and the artistic taste."

The military authorities are taking stops at tho present time to discover young men who have evaded their duties under the Defence Act. Compulsory military service in tho cadets besins nt tho ago of 14 years, and the liability ro serve in the Territorials continues until tho age of 2,") years. Tho Territorial system has been overshadowed to some extent by tho measures taken to recruit men for the Expeditionary Force, but it still continues, and it is scrvincr a most useful function as a feeder to the Exoeditionary Force. The penalties, for evasion of service are severe, and it is tho duty of every youth who has not already done so to nlaco himself in communication with tho Group Office. A search of Government Dcnartmenrj >jias alroady been made, and the authorities are now extending their inquiries to private firms employing young men. The next list of Maori reservists drawn for service with the ExpcditionaryForeo will be published about Juno ?5. _ It will contain the names of 250 reservists from the Waikato-Maniototo district. At about 8.15 Inst night three horses were being driven to paddock at Karori, and when theyneared tho Council Chambers ono of them got in front of a tramcar, and was carried along a distance by the tram. Tho animal's back was broken, and it was found necessary to shoot it. Tho front glass of the tram was broken.

Some anxiety existed among shippers of wool as to whether there would bo available this year a supply of dumping bands for the coming season. The Minister of Munitions and Supplies (tho Hon. A. M. Myors) said yesterday that he had recently cabled to tho High Commissioner inquiring as to the prospects of the requirements of tho Dominion for tho coming season being met, and he had just received a reply to the effect that no trouble was anticipated in meeting oSr normal requirements for next season's clip. As representative of (he Government in matters of this kind, ho had never lost an opportunity of supporting orders submitted to his Department for priority of certification, and of urging the importance to the country of the fulfilment of these orders. .He added that tho bands would not be of mild steel as in former years, but of "shell discard stepl, but ho was advised that the test of these bands had been entirely satisfactory.

An infant, 20 months of age, named Raymond Knock, whoso parents reside nt Ponsonby, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital on Monday afternoon suffering from revolver shot wounds. Tho family was shifting to another house, and whilst the furniture was being removed, a brother picked up a, revolver, which went off, tho bullet going through the child's shoulder. 'Detective-Sergeant Andrews arrested a woman yesterday on a charge of stealing a purse containing the sum of J22," belonging to another woman. The accused will be brought before tho Court this m'oming. The body of a discharged soldier named Philip Basil Atkinson was found washed up on' the beach about a. mile from. Muritai by Alexander Home, a farmer, of Gollan's Valley, early yesterday morning. It appeared as if the body had only been in tho water for a short while. There was a slight contusion over the right eye, probably caused by tho body bumping against the rocks. Doceased was formerly a barrister and solicitor, and enlisted from Feilding, his regimental number when in tho New Zealand Expeditionary. Force being 23/1931. He. was discharged' from the Army on November 10. 1917. A brother of the deceased, Mr. W. E. Atkinson, is slated to be next-of-kin, and resides at Wanganui. The body was removed to the morgue by Constablo Thompson, and an inquest will be held. It is not known how deceased, who was between 33 and id years of age, got into the water;

"The full rural course was undertaken in 1917 by 2-ii mipils at six of tho nine district high schools," states tho annual report of tho Wellington Education Board. "Tho inspectors record satisfactory progress in the teaching of elementary agriculture at tho primai-y schools, and the Chief Instructor finds that the increasing efficiency of tho instruction in tho primary school is reflected in a rising standard of work by pupils who undertake tho rural course. Two district high school rural course .pupils have iust been awarded an agricultural bursary which entitles them to continue their studies at Lincoln College, Canterbury. Tho board considers the Minister lias acted wisely in thus providing opportunity for advanced study with a view to the wider application of science to what must always be the leading industry of 'this country.

The following resolutions, passed by the (irey Patriotic Association, have been forwarded to tho Advisory Board of the Federated Patriotic" Associations for consideration :—"That the attention of the Government be directed to the dissatisfaction that exists throughout New Zealand at the extension of the Order of tho British Empire to this Dominion. That the Government ho asked to make representations to the Imperial authorities to cease conferring these orders for the following reasons ;-(l) Thf.t while so many loval subjects of tho King are working throughout the length and breadth of the country in all patriotic movements, it is unwise to attempt to single out for special distinction any individual tr individuals. (2) That it is a reflection on the patriotic sentiment to suggest that any loyal citizen requires any such stimulant to his or her loyalty. (3) That tho conferring of these orders can only give rise (o jealousy and tend to bring discord among communities and patriotic bodies that have since tho commencement of the war worked so loyally together. (•!■) That a very general opinion exists that political patronage ( has a srreat deal to do with the selection of the recipients, and that in the best interests of the Dominion this Grey Patriotic Association is unanimously of the opinion that it would be better to at oneo cut the conferring of these decorations off at: the root."

A Scatoun correspondent writes:—The dilatory manner in which the Jliromnr Borough Council is, dealing with the matter of the reinstatement of the trim 1 - way waiting-shed at the Seatoun terminus, which was destroyed by fire o> March 6, camo in for severe criticism yesterday morning. Just at tho hour when residents were assembling to catch tho cars for business, the rain was pelting down in sheets, driven by h»iiY.v gusts r wind, and, (hough n measure of protection for a few was obtainable from one remaining wall, the majority, including a very full load discharged by the Karaka Bay bus, woro compelled to bo content with such shelter as was afforded by th'c insufficient umbrella.

The .president of tho National Dairy Association remarked' in tho courso of lus address nt Palmerston North yesterday that it was worthy of comment that wliilo it was impossible to get shipping space for necessaries so much spaco could 1)0 allotted for tho carriage of liquor.

The Minister of Justice said yesterday that ho had submitted to Cabinet the question of the validity or otherwise of the decision of tho Chief Justice tlmt marble bars may bo kept open on Sundays under the law of tho country ns It now stands. The decision of Cabinet was in agreement with that of the Chief Justice, that the law docs not forbid this kind of trading on Sundays. At tho request of tho Harbours' Association of New Zealand the Minister of Mtu-iiio (Mr. T. M. Wilford) has submitted again to Cabinet tho' question of the non-paymont of harbour dues by vessels engaged in transport work which also carry cargo, as if they wero ordinary traders. Tho Minister states that no decision has yet been arrived nt by Cabinet, A war bonus is to be paid to senior sergeants in tho Police Force. Question had been raised as to whether theso officers wore entitled to the bonus.

An allegation of having sold a piece of unwholesome meat to a customer named Warwick Lumley, on May 25 last, was preferred against Hubert Robinson, a butcher in tho employ of G. Parkin, of Cuba Street, before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. Inspector Marsack prosecuted, and Mr. J. A. Tripo appeared for the defendant, who denied the charge. Evidence was given by Constables M'Millan and M'Call that Lumley had mado a complaint to them regarding the matter. They both swore that tho meat was mutton and smolt badly, and was green in colour. When asked to exchange it defendant refused, saying that when meat mice left the shop it was not the custom to take it back. Mr. Tripe asked Constable M'Call if it was not a fact that Lumley had told him that the meat was all right when cooked. "No," replied tho witness, "but the boarding-house-keeper said she buried it in tho backyard." (Laughter.) For tho defenco it was contended that the meat was really lamb, and was perfectly fit for consumption. Defendant denied that tho meat was green, or that it bore an unwholesome smell. Mr. Parkin snid that since ho hnd been in business ho had nover received one complaint regarding his meat. His Worship asked whether the other meat in the shop was good. Inspector Marsack said the shop was a very clean one, and thoro had never been any necessity to take action before. Ono of tho constables stated that the other meat, in the shop appeared to bo alright. The Magistrate said the caso did not call for a heavy penalty, and ho imposed a fine of JI3, with costs 9s.

Tho National Dairy Association has invested ,£2oCfl. in War Bonds, and the directors of the association have given tho president authority to invest another .£IOOO whenever ho thinks fit. The association also has voted JtilOO to tho Y.M.C.A. The matters of drainago and water supply at Day's Bay will form the basis of two polls to be held on July 1, and Mr. W. G. Biddell, S.M., sat at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon to hear objections to the ratepayers' roll, prepared by the City Council as the controlling authority, Day's Bay, for the purpose of drainage and water supply, having ten included in the city by the Day's Bay Sanitation and Water Supply Aci, 1917'. Mr. J. O'Shea. appeared for tho City Council, and 6aid the corporation agreed to the suggested alterations as intimated to the clerk of tho court. The following were included in the roil: -Messrs. J. J. Bagnall, C. W. Budds, W. H. M'K. Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Len. M'Konzie. Mr. and Mrs. W. BeauchampPlatts, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Slade. Air. H. T. Brittain was struck off, and the qualification of Mrs. B. G. Watson was altered from ratepayer to right of husband. His Worship . amended the roll accordingly.

A soldier who. landed in New Zealand last week, Sapper William Beauchamp, aged 46, died in the Auckland Hospital on Monday morning from trench nephritis. The deceased soldier had no relatives in New Zealand, his next-of-kin residing at Burnt Island, Scotland. Mr. Douglas Pulsford, youngest son of Mrs. Alfred Canning, of Bona Bay, gives somo interesting particulars of the Zeebrugge engagement in a letter to his mother. He says:-"This is the third time I have ten in action during the past four weeks, and I am still all in one piece and ready for the next move. The poor old boat got knocked about a bit this last time with shrapnel and ma-chine-gun bullets. You should see our poor ensign! It. has twelve machine-gun bullet holes in it. Of course, our losses were heavy, but the object gained was well worth it-to say nothing of the moral effect. ... I saw some sights that morning that make' mo ever so much prouder to belong to the British tbThe Huns put up a deadly fight until tho old Vindictive got alongside, and then they ran down tho mole for their lives amid a hail of machine-gun bullets. The place was lit up just like day with their star shells, parachute lights, and searchlights. The former are very wonderful. Before leaving Wellington with tho Motor Boat Patrol, Mr. Pulsford was employed in the accountancy branch of Messrs. Laery and Co.

Over fifty years ago the North Hoad from Invercargill towards Makarewa was a corduroy highway for several miles, and from time to time tho timber so used Las been lifted here and there, aud tho holes filled with metal. At present the C'ountv Council is lifting the logs thus laid more than half a century ago over a portion of the road, and it lias surprised many that the timber should' be in such a perfect state of preservation, many ot the logs being as sound as the day they were laid there.

The restrictions which for some time past have hampered the import trade in builders' requisites from Canada and tho United States, through tho shortage of shipping space, will, says the Auckland "Herald," bo somewhat relieved within the next few weeks as tho result of negotiations lately conducted at Washington by a New Zealand representative of the Canadian Export Association. Arrangements have been made for the dispatch in due cour6o of three special vessels, laden mostly with _ building steel and wire products, which include fencing wire. Apart from this 6pecial_ direct trade tho principal route by which New Zealand goods arrive is through Australia, to which country a fleet _of sailing vessels is trading from American ports, taking return cargoes of wheat. The spirit of the United States in regard to the war is summed up in a business circular received by Auckland firms in last week's Vancouver mail. "Tho United States Government," says the issuing firm, "with the full approval of the American people, is bending every possible energy to the gigantic task of sending troops abroad, ammunition and supplies for our troops, and foodstuffs, and other requirements for our Allies, and all available tonnage i 6 being U6ed. The task of equipping and maintaining several millions of men at a distanco of 3000 miles is a great undertaking, but all sacrifices tiro being met to accomplish tho end desired, with full confidence in tho future and tho justice of our cause."

Tlio licensees of four hotels in tho Wesflaii'd district did not apply for _fi renewal of their licenses at tho annual meeting of the Licensing Committee. Two 01 the hotels concerned are in Hokitika, one at Kumarn, and the other at Oilman's, tho two last-named districts being among the most flourishing mining districts in the golden days of the Coast. An important fusion of tho interests of co-operativo associations in Now Zealand has just been effected. Nino cooperative concerns .have bben brought within ono general management, under tho stylo of the Farmers' Co-operativo Wholesale Federation (New Zealand), Limited, with its headquarters at Christchurch. Their total subscribed capital is .61,829,775, authorised capital ,£3,100,000, paid-up capital ;C1,295,170, and reserve funds .£309,238, while their annual rolnmo of business is set down at £0,815,426. Tho names of the institutions so merged are: The New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative, Christchurch; the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative, Timaru; tho Farmers' Auctioneering Company, Hamilton; (he Hmvkc's Bay Farmers, Napier; the Southland Farmers, Core; the Otago Fanners, Dunedin; the Farmers' Organisation, Uawora; the North Auckland Co-oporative, Whangaroi; and the Distributing Company, Wellington,