LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 296, 3 September 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There is a probability that many of the flax mills in the country will not resmno operations at least for some time. There is considerable difficulty in exporting hemp, besides which there has been a substantial drop in. values. No business can bo done with the United Kingdom owing to the lack of tonnage, while business with the United States is fitful and the quotations show a decline of £25 per ton.

"All men should know that even if they are returned soldiers they should give an account of themselves lvhen requested to do so," said Inspector Marsnek in a case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday in which a young man named Joseph Patrick Donnelly was charged, with refusing to answer a question as to his military enrolment, and with having resisted arrest. Evidence was given by Constable Jessup that on Saturday evening ho was attending to an intoxicated man in Molesworth Street when accused camo upon tho scene and appeared to bo interested. Ho asked Donnelly for particulars as to his military status, and upon accused refusing to give an explanation he proceeded to tako him into custody. On tho way to the police station accused, who'had been drinking,.resided arrest, hence tho laying of tho 6ccond charge against him. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for Donnelly, stated that tho latter was a returned soldier, but was wearing no badge. tfn was carrying a Imdgo in his pocket, and tri"d to produce it when the constable oaimht hold of him. Donnelly loft New Zealand about a, year ago, and was badly gassed in Franco. In the circumstances His Worship discharged Donnelly, but ordered him to pay tho expenses of a soldier who was subpoenaed to give evidence, and who stated that lie would lose a day's pn>'i 75., as a result of being called to tho Court.

Mr. J. A. M'Grath, Inspector of Police, at Napier, lias received from the Canadian military authorities in London a Military Medal, won by his son, Private Chiirlps jUnsworth M'Grath. Private M'Grath was in Canada at the outbreak of the war, and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was reported missing after the Somnie battle, and it is presumed that he is dead. For bis services in the same battle, he was awarded the Military Modal.

There was no sitting of the Supreme Court yesterday, His Honour Mr. Justice Hosting, who is the only Jiidgo m town at present, being otherwise engaged. Troop-Corporal Henry Arnold Peffl, of Wellington, 1 who has been awarded tho Military Medal, is a son of Mrs. K A. Pcgg, of Wellington. Before ioinin" up with tho Sixth Reinforcements, Corporal Pogg was engaged m farming at Otaki, and previous to that was. on the staff of the National Bane in Wellington. He saw action witb the Mounted Rifles in Egypt and Palestine, and was shot in tho leg m a skirmish at Rafa, a.wound that did not keen him long in the hospital. Gorporal Vegfl is -26 years of ago and single. His brother, Corporal Kenneth Pegg, who was farming nt Haywards (Hutt Valley) before ho joined up, had the misfortune to Rot struck in the arm by a, fragment of a burstin" bomb at Passchemkole, previous to"which he went through the hot engagement at Messincs. Corporal Kenneth Pegg is being invalided home, and is'expected to arrive in a few weeks' time.

The addition to the State School at Seatoun, consisting of threo large alia airv classrooms, is to be formally opened'bv the Minister of Education (the Hon." J. A. Hanan) at 3 p.m. on ihursday next. The new classrooms, together with a new concrete-floored shed, cost £800. ' '' ■ ■ Tho Victoria College Debating Society's annual debate with the members of the Social Democratic Party took placo in the. gymnasium on Saturday evening.. Mr. Frnser, with, him Mr. , Brindlcy, moved: "That Socialism will brine about universal peace. Messrs. H. G. Miller and I. L. OSutherland opposed the motion. Hie audience, which was largely composed of visitors, followed the discussion with evident interest. The motion was carried. The meeting concluded with a. voto of thanks to tho visitors. At the

lexfc meeting of the society the motior tov discussion will be: "That in tin interests of national progress the Jsov Zealand educational system should ) free, secular, and compulsory. 1 " annual Pluntat Medal contest will tab place later in the month. An inquest was conducted by tlv Coroner, Mr. W. G. lliddoU, S.M. touching the death of a Chmanwi named Leo Coo, who was found deae in bed at his house, 5 Haming .Street on Sunday morning. Deceased was W years of age, and had formerly been i ininer in Otago, but came to Welling ton as he could make no money a

mining. Dr. TV. Kington Fyffe, who conducted a post-mortem examination of the hotly, stated .that the cause of 1 death was haemorrhage from the stomach, due to an ulcer. A verdict was returned jin accordance with tue medical evidence. A Wellington pressman, now an ofli-. cer in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, writes to a friend.to say that on June 3 the Prime Minister (the Hon TV. F. Massey) and Sir Joseph Ward visited the front-line trenches oi the New Zealanders, and the writer said ho hnd the pleasure _ftf having a long, chat, with Mr. F-ank Thomson (the Prime Minister s secretary) and Mr. H. 0. Browne (Sir Joseph 'Ward's secretary), who were both delighted to be among the soldiers in an area where bombs fell every night and where long-range shells were by no means infrequent visitors. A deputation representing the Canterbury Grand Lodgo of Druids waited! on the Hon. J. A. Jianan and pointed out that the lodge incurred heavy liabilities on account of members on active sarviceHstotes a Press Association telegram from Christchurch). Such members were kept good on the books, their contributions ceasing while they

wero awav. Tho deputation wished to ascertain " whether the Government would assist tho Order in respect to members on active service. Mr. Hanan said a deputation would later wait on the Acting-Prime Minister and hraiselt in reference to the payment of sick pay to discharged spldiers, and the possibility was that he would approach Cabinet with a view to arranging a conference to deal with the whole question of sick pay and the liabilities of friendly societies. A soldier named David Wallace, from Featherston Camp, pleaded guilty m tho Masterton Magistrate's Court yesterday to having caused actual bodily harm to "William James Cherry, and was committed to tho Supremo Court for sentence The circumstances of the case wore rather 'remarkable, our correspondent telegraphs. Cherry and

his wife were, driving from Masterton to Taratahi hi a gig. They ■were overtaken by Wallace, who was driving at a fast pace in a motorcar. Both were on their right side of the road. In endeavouring to pass .the gig, Wallace s car orashed into the iiorse and vehicle, turning out the occupants. Cherry was badly injured, and was admitted to the hospital, while his wife was severely shaken. An -attractive spring fair being held at the Salvation Army, Vivian Street, tonight, and will pontinuo until Friday night. Sir James Allen is to conduct tho opening ceremony, and will bo supported by Commissioner H. C. Hoddcr. The decorations, it is stated, are a work of art, and makes tho Citadel look quite springlike. Music will be supplied to-night by tho Citadel Band and Songster Brigade. The proceeds are for the annual self-denial fund.