LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 256, 17 July 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The First Wellington Military Servico Board leaves , for Palmerston North today to hold a sitting there to-morrow.

Tho reward of t ESOO offered by tho Government for information which would lead to tho apprehension of tho person who committed tho AYesfc Coast double murder Giip«Prs) ftfls been Allotted us follows:—Detective Ward, iillS; Detective Connolly, £100; Detective Abbott, .£100; Morgan O'Brien, I'M; Inspector Cruiekshank, .£4O; Sergeant Foley,_ .£10; Constable Hodgson, JCtO; Chict Dctectwj M'llveiioy, JB15: Mr. Murray (West Coast) 415; Mrs. R.ussoll (AYest. Coast), «Sls; Mr. Batt, J!15; Mr. Watt. JSIS.

"What remedy had the Maori for encroachments on tho rights of property? asked Mr. Elsdon Best, when lecturing beforo tho Workers' Educational Association last night. "lie used ono of the most striking of remedies-the club!

Sergeant George M'Ancuy, of _ Wanganui (brother of Mrs. A. D. 'Welsh, of Wellington), whose two attempts at escape from imprisonment in Turkey were recounted in yesterdays Dominion, wrote as follows on April G lust lo a Wellington friend:—"Ada Bezar, Turkey. -Just a few lines to let you know I am well. If the rumours are correct we should l>e in England in a month. Olio hundred and seven of the bovs left for Constant, on tho tffd, and we expect to go at any time now. This year wo have had a lot. of letters from England, saying that an exchange was agreed to, but we will not believe it, as we have been fooled so often in this country. There are only 3i of us left in the camp, and it does seem -lonely_ when all'one's best chums have gone. Wo had our Easter concert on tho 2nd, as it rained on March 31, and it was a i-n at success. Well, I dare say you guess that wo will need a lot of watching v hen we get out of hero, after being penned up for so long. It won't be a case cf mad minutes, but of weeks!"

A small detachment of native recruits from the Ellics Group and the Gilbert Group, in the Western Pacific, is to join tho Maori Reinforcements at Narrow Neck Camp. Tho islands from which they came are British possessions governed by the High Commissioner for the West Pacific. They are not within the sphere of influence of New Zealand, but it has been found convenient to attach them io this country for recruiting purposes. The islanders are all volunteers and are keen to wear the King's uniform. Physically there are of an excellent stamp.

A certain number of tho mounted men at present in the training camns arc to lie granted leave without, pay. This concession is made possible by the fact that some of the men havo completed their training in this country before they are required for dispatch to the front. Tho leave will be for a short, period only and will ho given in cases where men have reasons for returning temporarily to their homes. Many of the mounted recruits are farmers and farm workers.

"One of tho most, difficult tasks I had during my stay in Peru was teaching an old man to wheel a wheelbarrow," remarked tho Rev. H. A. Job at the Christchurch AVorkers' Educational Association on Saturday night. AVheels, ho went on to say, woro unknown, and he therefore contrived a wheelbarrow himself, but try as ho would the old men, true to their traditional custom, would not use it properly. "You could iill it with stones or earth," said Jlr. Job, "and f lio.v would carry barrow and load on their backs or any other way, but you could not get them to wheel it."

Writing from Schcveningcn, Holland, to relatives in Auckland, an "Old Contemptible," who was token prisoner at Hons ill August, 1914, says: "They have mado great improvements in all tho prison camps this past year, and treat tho English with a little more consideration than what they did before, but God knows what would become of them were it not for the parcels from home. I hope before very long to bu able to give you a little idea of what we have suffered, and what I myself have seen others suffer. Nothing is too bad for the 'Square Head,' but I wish to forget it. To me it seems out of all reason that such a beautiful country—and it is beautiful—should be inhabited by such an unscrupulous people. AVe have a sayiug here which we have always carried through that Dante's Inferno, and that is, 'keep smiling.'"

In view of the lapse, on November 30 next, of tho present industrial agreement between the Merchant Service Guild and the Union Compiny, lließlackball Conl Company, and the AVestport Coal Company, tho captains and dock officers in tho service nf those companies are taking steps to obtain all-round increases in pay. The present agreement, arrived at just at tho beginning of tho war, was accepted by both tho employers and the guild at a conference between the representatives of the two bodies. Tn the demands for the new agreement, which have already been drawn up by the guild and circulated among members, substantial increases are sought. Reasons given nre the higher rnto of wages ruling in England and elsewhere and the increased cost of living. Captains and mates of the coastal steamers are not affected by the movement, as their agreement is for tho duration of the war.

A warm nor'-wester blew throughout North Canterbury all day on Sunday and heavy rain fell on tho ranges. Late in tho afternoon the showers swept over tho plains, but soon cleared. The snow melted rapidly on tho hills, and by the evening Mount Grey and Mount Thomas had been partly cleared of snow.

Regarding tho proposal to form a Shop Assistants' Federation for the whole of New Zealand, tho local secretary (Mr. R„ M'Keen) has received a letter from Christchureh stating that a conference of representatives of Jewellers', Drapers', Grocers', Butchers', and Hairdressers' Unions would bo hold on July 22, when the idea will be discussed. A similar conference is being arranged in Auckland. Up to tho present no advico has come from Duncdin, but it is expected that a similar step will ho taken_there very shortly. Included iu tho initial business considered by the federation in Wellington was a discussion in regard to the proposed new heating regulations for factories and Ghops. In reply to a letter, tho Hon. W. H. Herrios (ActingMinister of Labour) has informed the federation that the regulations have not yet been completed. An opportunity would be given tho federation to consider the samo and to make suggestions before they wero gazetted.

American papers report the arrival in tlmt country of nine British Army officers on a military mission. The New York "Times" says that the officers will bo attached to the stuff of tho British Embassy and Special High Commission. All of the officers have been at the front, some of them having been in continuous scrvice from the beginning of the war. Tho officers are Sir W. Lctliridge, Bart., Grenadier Guards; Captain James Hutchinson, London Irish liifles and Ko.val Air Force; Captain T. Sed(ton, M.P., a son of tho late Right Honourable Richard Seddon, . Prime Minister of Now Zealand; Major Erie Lankctcr, Honourable Artillery Company; Captain Dudley D. Haskard, Royal Garrison Artillery; Major Ferguson. Bo.val Field Artillery; Captain Frank Edwards, Royal Fusiliers; Major Sandford, Royal Field Artillery; Captain Abcrcromby, Royal Air Force. Tho mission, adds tho "Times," will be concerned, not merely with military matters, but with shipbuilding, financial, and social activities.

Tho inquiry into the circumstances touching the death of Mary Anno Edwards, a widow, aged 7(i years, who died at 27 Martin Square on Sunday night, was concluded beforo the Coroner, Mr. W. G. Hiddell, S.M., yesterday. Evidence was given that death was duo to senile decay and heart failure, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

. At tho instigation of tho 3'klucation Department Alfred Bradley, who was stated to have been proceeded against .previously, was fined J2, with costs 75., by Mr. l''. V. Frazer, S.M., yesterday, on an information of having failed to havo his 13-year-old boy properly enrolled. For a similar offence, William Thomas Wells was also fined 10s., and costs.

A. sequel to tho recent production of the pantomime "Dick Wihittington" in Wellington was tho appearance before Mr. 1\ V. Frazer, S.M., yesterday of soveral parents, who were charged with having kept their children from school on July The date in question was tho occasion of a "Dick AVhittington" matinee, and tho truant officer, Mr. J. W. Butler, informed the Court that tho management had applied for permission to employ a certain number of children for the performance of the pantomime, and the authorities had acceded to the request on tho usual conditions that tho children's education would not be interfered with. The children, however, wero kept at tho theatre until lato.at night, and were also asked to attend the afternoon performance. One child, a girl aged eight years, had been so affected by the excill'ment and late hours that she liad been in bed ever' since her appearances. The prosecutions, added Mr. Butler, had been brought as a warning to parents that their children must attend school regularly. The cases at present before tho Court, concerned only children who had actually taken part in the performance, but a good many others had also been kept away from school to witness tho performance. Sixty or seventy children wero absent from ono city school alone on the afternoon of .Tilly 3. His Worship said that perhaps the . parents were not so much to blamo as the managoment of the -company, who had taken an unfair advantage of the children, and of the. permits granted them. The parents wel'o certainly responsible, however, and he would take into account the fact that tho children had performed for a reward. Bach of the defendants,. Charlotto Withers, Joseph W. Savage, Gregory Barrett, Hercules Nicol, and Joseph Mathias Marshall, was fined 2s. and cohlb.

Somo thirty-five people who were of alien nationality, by birth or by marriage, came beforo Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at Auckland on Monday, because they had failed to register within tho tinio specified as aliens. Most of tho defendants were women, and they were all convicted and discharged. In tho case of two American citizens and of a Dano who had shown some degree of carelessness in circumstances when they might have been expected to have knowledgo of the law, tho defendants wero fined each 10s. anil fls. costs. One point that cropped up during the hearing was that an alien who had beeii naturalised in New South Wales was still an alien in New Zealand or any other British Stato until the naturalisation papers were endorsed in that; particular State.

When a troopship recently brought back a large number of wounded soldiers, some returned men who had returned a short time previously went out to welcome their friends (states tho Auckland "Star"). One officer found his way into tho oOicers* quarters, and found there another highly decorated officer who in former days had been a soldier under his command, with his sleeves rolled up, busily polishing his bolt in anticipation of going ashore. Ho was showing tho coveted decoration to his friend, when the civic dignitaries came on the scene, and in a fitting speech tho hero was welcomed back to New Zealand. Both of these men were probably under 25 years of age, ono had the highest distinction a British soldier could covet, and the other was also distinguished. Both were unassuming, and in the ordinary walks of life would have been purenmg the humble work of • "the daily round and common task" unseen and unnoticed. Of. such stulf is tho best British eoldicr made, and such instances are not rare.

One. of the last bombs dropped by the German avions during a recent raid on Paris fell into the Seine, harmiii" nothing except tho fish. The latter, "shell-shocked" as if by a charge of dynamite, floated on the surface of tho water by hundreds. Of course, tile first to notice tho happy incident was one of Ihoso street-boys of Paris who fear nothing, and who had stayed on the quay to "enjoy the sight." He spread the good news eagerly, and soon the owners of the barges that convey coal and barrels of wine to tho great city could bo seen putting out in little boats to gather the material for a dish of "whitebait." The aerial bombardment had not vet stopped. Nevertheless, a great number of people left the cellars where they had taken refuge, and grouped themselves —most imprudently—oil the bridges to watch this miraculous catch.

During June (he Discharged Soldiers' Information Department found employment lor 181 men. The head office, Wellington, placed J.Ol, Auckland 21, Christchurch 12, Diuicdin 15. The number on the Employment Wanted Register on Juno 2" was 5!)il, including 150 at Auckland, 117. at Christchurch, 11 at Wellington, and 18 at Dunedin. The majority of the names at Auckland and Christchurch were recently listed.

At Iho annual niciling of (lie St. John Ambulance Association last evening Sur-geon-General Henderson, who presided, said that he would like lo mention how much lie had been impressed by tho exhibition given l>v the ladies of the St. John Anibulanc:; at Xewtown Park some weeks ago. The bandaging and the putting on of the solinis were excellent.

The. Public Trust Oltice, which is rapidly developing into one of tho leading Stato Departments, has for sotno time past been cramped' for want of room in the building on the corner of Lambton Quay and Stout Street Some time ago a lease of the A.B.C. Garage Buildings on the Quay (adjoining tho head office) was secured for tho accommodation of the intestacy branch, and also a portion of a building in ballance Street, where the Wellington district manager lias been located lor over a year past. As tho Department is still heatliily expanding it has been found necessary to secure extensive permanent premises, and tile office has secured the building erected by Mr. S. Kirkcaldio for tho Civil Service Club, at the corner of Stout and Ballance Streets (which also adjoins the head office). This large three-story building will be connected with the head office by the simnle expedient of piercing the walls oil each tint as soon as the existing tenancies expire. In tho meantime the ground iloor is being adapted for the use of the De-puty-Public Trustde, Wellington, and his staff.