LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 253, 13 July 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

llie Chief Postmaster notifies that minis for tho United Kingdom which left Aw Zealand on May .19 have arrived at their destination safely. '

Thp 'thirty-ninth lleinforcoments havo reported from a.port of call, and the information received by the Minister of Defence is that tlie health of tho troops is excellent.

Somo 300 odd returned men are due lo arrive in Wellington.this.morning, but at what Hour the authorities couhl not any last evening. It is expected, however, that tshe will be berthed before noon.

'It is tjiiitc right tliai these proceeding should bo brought as n warning," remarked Mr. F. V. i'razer. S.M.. at the * Magistrate's Court ''yesterday, in a ease in which n city confectioner named C. J. B. Jjallantino was proceeded against by the Inspector of Factories (Mr, I{. T. Bailey) on informations of having failed to pay the wages of two girl assistants hi full. Mr. ISailey said the defendant failed to. pay the waxes for the week ending April 3, and had since omitted lopay them. Tha nniount involved was a sum" of ,£2.'. In "reply "to' ih'e.' ilagjs-' I rate,'one of tho'siirls'stated that'when s'lie asltod»Biillniitine for the inoncv" the (■xmisu ho gave was that he did not have it. Mr. Bailey pointed out that one of the nbjsnts of the Shop mid Offices Act Wii.s to ensiire that tniop employees received their'wnges promptly and fully. The Act provided that for each , day such an offence continued a penalty 'of ss. might be imposed. His Worship said that the Legislature had in view the fact that employees must bo prelected. If a man could not carry on hjs business successfully lie should not do so nt the exlienso <if his employees, hi respect of each of the two infonnatioiw, 'defendant, wlio did not iippsar, was fined «£5, wifh 9s. costs, with the proviso that if the wages were pa'id within U days the fino might ha reduced to 10s. on each .information.

Particulars of the men in tlio New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 'who lnivo returned to the Dominion wero given by Nil--James Allen at Danravillo on Wednesday night. The Minister stated (hat a total of 22,377 officers and other ranks had returned, Uio particulars being as follow:—Officers gazetted out of .Forces and men discharged and awaiting di=elmrgc, 15,044; returned to duty, ]8(i5; i;mloi- l.i-pfitinent in hospital »r' convalescent homes, 710; out-patients and on sick leave. 1573; on special''leave, 111; deceased, 07; deserted, \. Of the soUliers who hnd been discharged,-5843 had returned to work- or luid .re-enlisted, I!!)I>G had lie.'ii placed in-employment-, aiul-172 had left New ZealaniL-■ In 4183 cases the Discharged- Soldiers' Information Department had been notified that no assistance was. required, while 1202 men had not replied to communications from the Department asking whether they required assistance Tho Department'' now had in hand, or ready to be dealt with in tlw jiesir,future, G295 eases. Over 70C disabled men were being'trained in new trades, and the. Department had 40 voluntary committees at work, finding employment foe ■returaeil men, and assisting them to obtain an industrial education.

Tho health of tho troops in camp continues very good. The admissions to hospital' at Trentham and Fenthcrston last neck numbered 70, most of the cases being very reild. There is no epidemic sickness in the canras. . .

The negotiations with tepml to the coal dispute are continuing, >ud arc not likely U> close for some days yet. Tho lcpresentatives of tho mine owners and the miners' delegates are in vomiuiinicalion with tho Ministers. .Mine, owners, met the Minister of Mill's jesterday.

For tradesmen or their employees to carry-butcher's meat uncovered'through (ho city is an offence 'ngainet tho bylaws, and fiuoli a case was heard before Mr. l'\ V. Fraxer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Jiimes Frederick Amos was charged with having carted dead nigs through a street without having hail them properly p covered so as to protect them from dust, lie pleaded guilty. Mr. ,1. O'Sliea, City Solicitor, fiajd the hy_-law wa.s absolutely necessary.. On. windy days dust was liable to be blown off tho woodblocks on to butcher's meat to..the detriment of the juililic health.. "Oh.'yes, it is a very reasonable by-law," said Mr. Friuer. "I know it is observed in all civilised cities no viulays." Amos said that the railway trucks from which he obtained the carcasses were dirty, and he did not think he was doing any harm in not covering u'i) the meat. "So if there was some dirt on it thero was no harm if there was some move?" suggested His Worship, amidst laughter. "No, sir, I didn't mean that," replied defendant. A penalty of. J!], with costs 7d., was impose.l.

His Worship Hie Mii.vor asks Hint ciiizons iiosiossins llass should fly them oji Siiaday and Monday in honour of France's Di\y.

A youth named Alfred Page was charged before Mr. F. V. Fruzer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with having affixed to a. letter a stamp which had previously been used. Chief Detective Boddam, who prosecuted, said that when the defendant was spoken to on tho matter he said ho had put. the stamp on tho letter in the dark, and did not notice that it had been used. Defendant Ravo a similar explanation in Court, which His Worship accepted, and the information was dismissed.

Sir James Allen gave details .it Dargaville on Wednesday night of the Native troops serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, lie staled that since the first draft of Maoris left the Dominion in February, 1015, a total of '11 additional drafts had none to the front, the total number of Maoris who had left the Dominion on service to date being 2134. Other Native soldiers in the. New Zealand Forces included MS Nine Islanders and 308 ]inrotoni;nns. About 25 Gilbert Jslanders were now on their way to New Zealand to undergo training for active service, and a platoon of halfcaste Fiiinns would arrive in New Zealand shortly, for the sumo purpose! In addition there wc-re at present in camp I"l Maoris and i) 0 TCarntongalis. He considered (hit! was a splendid record of loyalty on the part of the Maoris and other native races.

The annual vcMi'is of tho New Zealand Forestry Leapi!!'- iv-ill be held next week. The president, Sir James G. Wilson, will (leliv.-'r.his annual address, and an address il'.ji.-trivod by diagrams v,i!l be given hy Mr. D. K. Itsifchins, Forestry Expert. The meeting will be open to anyone interested in forest conservation. . '

An inquest was condueled by the coroner, Mr. W. G, Riddell, S.M.'. yesterdny afternoon, 'touching the death of Mr. George Stevens, aged Gtl, a retired farmer, of Porirua. who fell dead. in Thorndon Quay on Thursday afternoon. Evidence was given thai the deceased was.walking along Thorndon Qimv, about 5 p.m., when he suddenly collansed. fieln'l.ives pave evidence that the deceased suffered i'l'o'ii heart trouble, and on one occasion had while, in church. A verdict was returned that death was Aus to heart failure.

An interesting souvenir of an Imperial occasion has been received by Mr. J. Vnrnhnin. of Horowhenun, frnm his son, Captain F. S. Varnham, M.C. It .is a P'ige account, si.rinountpd by the arms' of tho city of Exeter, of the presentation of Australian, South African, and Npw Zealand flags to the city, in recognition of the hospitality shown to colonial troops who had passed through the ancient town. The ceremony, according, to tho account given, was a most im-pi-p'sive one, the Mayor and ''ivic officials beina; present in full regalia at the ancient Guildhall to receive the emblems from the representatives of the overseas Dominions. Brigadier-Genernl H. tlart, D.5.0., prevented tho New Zealand 'flnu', which was crowned by the Mayoress with a wreath' of bays and placed in a position of honour in the Guildhall. Captain Varnham was -the flag-bearer for New Zealand, and a parly of about forty New Zealand soldiers from Torquay, 'under Captain Kdwards, was present, and re. ceived a hearty welcome.

in a case in which a taxi-driver was charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with having driven a motor-car without a .niimbcr, Mr. P, V. Frazcr, S.M., sa:il it was very essential that motor-ears .should show their numbers in case of any trouble arising. In nine iiistanc.es out of ten it waslho only way in which Hie owner of a car coiild be identified. "Another thing that'does not appear to be generally known is that uider new regulations a. motor-car must I'.ive a number at both emk and not the stern end only," added . His Worship.

t A case was heard by 31 r. )•'. V. Frn/,ar, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, yesterday afternoon, in which Catherine O'Brien, a barmaid at the Victoria Hotel, was charged that on June 15 she supplied liquor to a person under 21. Bridget O'Brien, mother of the defendant, and licensee of the hotel, was similarly charged. The case for the 'cution was conducted by Inspector Marsack, Sir. T. Touiig appearing for the. defendants, who pleaded not guilty. The person alleged to haw been served was a sailor named Martin James Ayles. who, in the course of ev-dence, said his age was 17 y»ars. On Hi" dn<« in question ho said he went to the Victoria Hotel in company with another young man, nnd after ■ having a shandy, bought, a bottle of whisky. . Evidence was given by Sergeant Butler that when he interviewed Catherine O'flrien she. denied having serve! Ayles with liquor. In reply to Mr. Young, Serseant .Under said the Victoria was a well-cumlucted hotel, and the police never experienced any trouble at nil in connection with the. nlai-e. His Worship sr,i,l (hut with- his snilpr's hat on the bov certainly looked 21. ](; wns quite likely tip I: Hie vounq; Tndv would be mistaken in the lad's age, and in that circums':uic<*< His Worshin did not think it would:l)e : fair/to 1 carry, •the matter further; would be dismissed. ■•• -■ ■'■••■■.

Notices in the Gazette show that the Maori owners of various blocks of land are arranging 'to hold meetings to discuss a proposal that a portion of the annual rental shall be devoted to "patriotic purposes under th» direction of the Maori Soldiers' Fund."

The Unit Koad by-law, 1918, was adopted by the City Council at Thursday evening's meeting,, a resolution to that effect (by wny of special order) being passed.

The attention of Sir. F. V. Frazer, S.M.. wi>.s occupied for a considerable time yesterday afternoon in !.,saring a case in which the licen.w-i of Hie Central Hotel, Arthur M'DonaM, was charged that on June 24 he permitted drunkenness on Ihe premises. Inspector liarsack prosecuted, and Mr. 0. Beere appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guijty. Evidence was allied by the. police, that when Constable Smtt'h and. Sergeant Jfiilhicsonvisited the hotel they found two men in tho bar who. were under 'the influence of liquor. For the defence, it was stated that the men received no liquor in iho. hold, and Hint when their presence was noticed they were requested to leave.' After evidence had been heard His Worship said he thought that the lmnwid must hate seen at least ous of the men. The licensee was responsible-for the. nct-cf his servant, but taking into-account, the jjcod ■conduct of the. hotel, it would-not be recessary to inflict a .seven; ]>:>nolf.y. P»-i femlnnt would be fined £1, with 7s. co:l«.

The fiftieth .niwiversary t.f the BntHe of Tuirutiiriiniokni was celebrated at Ha-, ivera. yesterday -Mates n. Press As.=icialion telegram). Several vetr.Miis and old colonists met. in the Town Hall, where addresses to the. school chikVen were riven and luncheon held in honour of survivors of the fiirht nnd pf the old colonists. Later ;\ visit wj.s ]wid to Ihe sile of (ho "ligageniput. where 'wo of Iho survivors,' Messrs. Geon'p Tiilßn and J. G. Beamish, each planted a (m>. Mr. Cosilott .Tolinsto'v a third survivor, was unable to bo present. i

The cutting off of supplies of glass jars formerly obtained from England and the Continent lias, since the outbreak of war, added considerably to the difficulties of local jam-xmiking and fruit-preserving firms. It has, however, also raised the industry to n very important standing in Australia, and, according to information given by the director of a wellknown Auckland firm of. jam manufacturers, Sydney and Melbourne firms aro now supplying glass jars for the entire Australian ami New Zealand trade. The first of the now supplies came to hand last month, and now that Hie industry lias been so securely established in Australia no further shortage is anticipated. The Australian-made goods are considered to be, of good quality, and, -although higher in price, compare favourably with pre-war importations. It is stilted that Japan made a strong effort to build up a trade in this class of goods when European supplies ceased, but the quality of the.jars was found to bo below the required standard,- and business soon lapsed. '

Jvver since Parliament- increased Ihn old-ago pension by five shillings ' per week in 1917 there has been restivencss among those old people receiving (lie pension who are livmg in homes and other institutions controlled .by hospital boards. They havo urged that some part nf the increased pension should bo given to them in rash for J heir private use. There has been no uniform action in this matter by the hosyital boards. In some cases tho entire pension has been taken i>y tho boards except a. small tobacco allowance. The mutter has come before the Minister of Public Health on several occasions, and Mr. Russell has had a report prepared a,s to tho custom prevailing in all hospitals. As a result he has given instructions for the. issue of a circular to all hospital boards that in his opinion, in addition to the allowance for-tobacco, there should be a cash allowance of at least two shilling.? a week to every ponsioner for him to use for the increase of Jiis own comfort in his own way. \

Two boot items you'll be interested in. Glace Derby Boots, high iocs, Durox soles, 355. Gil. ■ Chronio Eoiucos, 17s. Ueo. L'owlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt.

After consideration of the evidence given in the preliminary inquiry into the loss of "the Wimmora and the report q£ the Nautical Ad'-iser (Captain B!acB» burne), the Minister of Marine (the Hon. T. M. Wilford) has decided to have a public inquiry.

The Otira tur.nel should !>s> pierced in the course of the next ten days or so, for there remains only a length' of some seventy feet between the two iicii'iiugp. If it should happen (hat the two ends me»t exactly it will be a triumph for the. engineers who made Ihe surveys, for the , country on which they had to bo made, is most difficult. After the headings have met the .funnel will have to bo widened throughout fiis middle parb i of its length, for the widening and tha I .lining work is not kept up with the first advanced drive. Then it will he possible to have, the trucks laid,/ and it will bo possible to walk through the tunnel without wearing- oilskins. At present tho tunnel is about the wettest place that could bo imagined. The conditions resemble ii continuous'shower-bath. The tunnel .will l>? s', miles in length when completed, and it will be necessary U> draw trains through it by electric power. It would be impassible.to ventilate it for steam locomotives, Three or four schemes for developing power for the tunnel'are. under consideration.

New Zealand used to have an ample supply of walnuts from Nelson, Blenheim,, nnd Hanks Peninsula, nnd they could be sold retail at. Bd.' and 9d. per U>. The output was sufficient to not only kepp the market noim; in tin Dominion, but. to supply the South Sea Islands. The natives of these islands are very fond of walnuts, and cannot grow them. For several years pst the crop has been, very short. The explanation is that the trees are blighted with mussel scale (Lepidosnnhcs ulnii). slates the Dunediu "Star." 11: is paid that the walnut trees on the Pacific Coast are similarly affected. Perhaps Now Zealand'got tin's blight from there. Anyway, walnuts are scarce, and growers are asking Is. to Is. 3<l. nor lb. wholesale price, which means that they cannot be sold at less than Is. lid. retail. The strange thing about, this disease is that in some districts it affecU the trees only partially. Sometimes half of a tree is blighted and the rest seeioe to lie all right. Experts say th.it tho best treatment is to cut off the nll'ected branches and burn them, and judiciously apply sulphate of iron as a fertiliser ■when the roots are active in the sjiiing.

Mr. Harold Richardson, clerk of tlio' liaiiyitikci County Council, some lime ago forwarded, amongst other• things, a. tin of sheep's tongues to his son, who is away at the fvoiit. The ship carrvinpf the parcel was sunk, and it was naturally concluded that the little Rift went down with the ship. Not so. however. Bays the Wangnmii "Chronicle." Jt was carried hv ocean currents, ami eventually, "-nsliwl up on the coast of Ireland. TLc address on the bag was quite disiinet when found, and the parcel was i'oi warded to its destination, ' which it eventually reached. It is needless to say that the gift wan appreciated more than ever after its slow passive to tl\e Irisli const, and thence to Franco. The hag was returned to Mr. Riehardeon by his son as a keepsake.

Mr. W. A. Barton,. .Stipendiary Magistrate at Gishnrne, who is to ictire on puperannuntioti ;it the expiration of threo months' leave commencing in Aupnst, completed M years' public service last September. Vie w«« )»vn at Birmingham on December 3, 1852, educated in Queensland .an<l in New .Zealand, and entered Hi". .Tu«lice Deoartment as a cadet at Hokitjlca in Septe.'ivwr, ISfi". He was appointed assistant cleric in IS7O, receiver of sold revenue and clerk of the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at ICumara in 1870, and held similar positions at Grevmou.tli in 1882, and went In Gisborne as clerk of the Magistrate's Court and Hegistrar of the Supreme Court in ISflt.Upon the death of Mr. James Booth, the Resident Magistivite. in IMO. Mr. liarton's qualifications for the position -, or Magistrate were immediately lecugnised, iimf the Government established a new precedent in the elev.ition of registrars' toi the mairisterial-benrh. Foreighteen years Mr. Barton has filled Hie position, honourably, and with very great satisfaction. In addition to his magisterial duties be continued as Registrar of the Supreme Court, and for a number cf vears carried out such duties as registrar of births, deaths, and ..marriages and registrdr of electors. Bimmr Ihe oO of service he has only had one month's leave of .-.absence, which «a .riven him .many, years ego-for a tin .to \ustr.-lia. mul tlm three l .moolW o to be 'rtmilM to- him at the end of the present month will be the hrst substantial period of rest he ha? had. An account of the circumstances unc.cr which Lieutenant , Hector Steele of the Uoval Field Artillerv, a son of Slγ. S. Steele of Kukuhia, won his Mihtaij C«w is ?ivo» in an extnet from routine orders issued by Major-General Barnes, DS.'O., officer commanding the o< m Division a, follows-.-"On the morning nf An? 9 near —, this officer was in tSof'adeh.ched'.oclionofiShowitwrs. He continued fighting.his Rims inder heavy machine-gun fire until he had expended all his ammunition ■ Hβ • then Hcnt detachments away with « dial sights and threw the breecli-blocU into a pond. He himself then found a party of infantry in —. ami, whir a rifle fought will, them there, and then returned with tlio party to —.fighting as (in infantryman most of the way. The example 'of courage and resource Bhown by this-officer was of a..very high order The general ofheer commanding congratulates this officer on the receipt of the reward for his gallantry. T«o of'Mr- SteeKn• sons have.won the iliutary Cros«. ■ • . ' The death in action is reported of Gunner B. Kermode, younger son of Mrs Kermode, Arnwa Ro;ld, -Hataitai. ami brother of Mrs. W. Lauchlan, of Arawa Road. Gunner Kermode was attached to Ihe Machine-Gun Action of the sti Battery, and left New Zealand with the Eighth Reinforcements (Infantry), and jras later transferred-to the section in which ho met his death. ■ Hβ was educated at Christchurch; and was in business in the Canterbury centre when.-he answered the call. He was aged about 29 rears. In a letter to Mrs. KermoAe, CapUm Jones, of the sth'Battery, pays a hue tribute to the lr.te soldier's mauy sterling qualities £? a soldier, and a wan, and describes him as fearless and. a crwlit to the force. Information is given that Gunner Kermode met his death while sl«epin<i on tho morning ot April 18. and 'his bodv was talteu to the rear nnd interred in a military cemetery.

Reference io the price of cement was made by Mr.. J/ A, Young, M.1 , , for Waikato, at Vim annual dinner, of tlje Hamilton ■Chamber of ■Commerce. Hβ stated that it had been pointed out to him that (he price of cement had been' increased 50■ per cent, recently, and that, users of- cement m the Jiorth Island were miablo to buy in the South Island, and vice versa. Mr. Young added that 1,0 had • telcßraplicd to the- Board of Trade suggesting that the matter should be investigated, with a view lo protecting the community.