LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 248, 8 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

_ One reason for tho very large increase in the importation of whisky into New Zealand (noted in Iho official figures furnished by the Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister of Customs) is said to bo tho 'drying up" of Canada and several of tho States of America. As is pretty well known, the whiskv consumed in America is not all rye whisky, and while the French-Canadians have a tasto for wlutoi whisky thero is a considerr.ble demand for "Scotch," ami well-known Scottish brands of whisky are purveyed in America. Tho "drying up" of a number of Ftates and tho whole of Canada has congested stocks which had to be got rid of—and ono of tho few open doors—though thero was a cry for essential building and manufacturing materials—ia New Zealand.

The first distribution of shrubs and trees for Arbor Day planting by tho City Corporation took place in Central Park on Saturday, only those who had taken the precaution to make formal application being supplied. Those who wero unable to lake delivery on Saturday are advised to do so oithor to-day or tomorrow (up till 5 p.m.).

Following upon tho publicity given in AVollington to the good that can bo done by tho proper digesting (by steam) of garden and lawn soils (by which the weed seeds are destroyed), gardeners from one end of tho Dominion to tho other are said to bo experimenting in the treatment of soils on tho lines laid down by Mr. George Chapman, of the Lower Ilutt. One amateur gardener, who happens lo bo a baker, has for years resorted to the baking of his soil in his big oven, and even that process of "roasting tho weed seeds to death" proved most efficacious. The digester is certainly a factor in successful gardening of tho future, and evon from a labour-saving point of view it pays, because weeding is a necessary and' continuous job, largely eliminated by the use of well-digested soil. Indeed it is an essential provision for intensive horticulture. A. null nurseryman, who has erected a digester, is now selling digested soil at £1 per load.

John Charles Thomson, charged at Christclntrch with tho murder of Thomas Edward Bruce, reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Hu was admitted (o bail in .£200.-Prcss Assn.

As a result of the recent action on the part of tho ratepayers, tho Karori Borough Council has now unpointed a committee, consisting of the Mayor (Mr. B. Burn), Councillors J. W. Henderson and James M'Kenzie, together with Messrs. S. Kirkealdio and- J. Caughley, to enter into negotiations with the City Corporation. Tt is expected that the City Council wiA be formally approached at an early date,

Tho following extract from tho life of that distinguished German the late Professor Max Jfuller, written.during 1881 and 1885, must interest auyono at tho present time:—"When ono reads the discussions in Parliament one might easily fear for England; but they nxe mere fireworks. The nation is of good old stock, and woo to him who forgets thirf. England will never bo conquered, never beforo tho last Englishman, tho last Scotsman, the. last Irishman-aye, the last Australian, the Inst Cimndinn, the last Newfoundlander, the last Sikh-aye, the Inst Yankee has fallen. Every man in Europe is now a soldier; England is the only land that h«s not taken to arming 'her people. Drive Eneland into a corner, and to-morrow every man is a soldier. There may l>o jenlousics between her colonies, but if it enmo to extremities the colonics would allow no hair of England to bo touched. Even India, which was formerly a dnnger, has shown Hint England's enemies aro her enemies."

Nurses know tho value of Groats—Build up the patient's strength on Doeto.r's Cream O'Groats. Always freeb—try it to-day.—Advt.

A magnificent royal hc.ul was lost lo a parly of visiting stalkers last season (soys Ilio Oiimnrii "Mail ,, ). They weretm Iho Dobson Block, and had been folImung this sliiif lor some timo. At length it was decided lo lake ji long shot as a result of which the slag foil. Upon arrival at Ihe .spot it was I'uiiml Unit it had fallen over a precipice, and I hat tho anllera were completely riiinod. By roughly piecing them toother it was found that they measured aOin. across Ihe t-prcaA. A royal with a. spread of loin, was subseqiiianlly obtained.

A man was arrested by Detective Torrana: on Saturday on a charge of stealin;; a sum of xh belonging lo a resident of Ksirori. He will oc brought before tho Magistrate's Court to-day.

lii connection with f.ho annual conference of tho New Zealand Labour Party a public demonstration wae held in the King's Theatre last night. Mr. Andrew Walker, M.1 , ., presided over a large attendance, mid addresses were, given bv the Hon. J. T. Paul (Dunediu), Messrs."ll. K. Holland, M.1 , . (Wellington), W. Parry (Auckland), M. Savage (Auckland), and It. Semplo (coal minors' agent). The tenor of tho speeches was the need of efficient industrial and political organisation of the working classes, with a view of cffectiV a change in the economic conditions of tho Dominion in necord with the ideals of Labour. During the course of the evening musical items were contributed by Messrs. Crump, King, and Tanner.

At the Auckland Supremo Court on Saturday I'elure Awaire Hinua, 31), was sentenced to five years' hard labour for an indecent assault on a Maori ffirl ol six, 'at Wnipiro Bay. Robert Charles Dixon was sentenced up to two years reformative treatment for falso pretences. —Press Assn.