LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 299, 6 September 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Advices from the AVest Coast are to the effect that since the miners want back to work in tho West Coast mines they have been working at good speed. The output from the mines has been satisfactory. The coal ahortago in Wellington has eased considerably, and retailers are said to be delivering to their customers a better class of coal than they have been giving in recent weeks.

The eight-year-old son of a New Zealand soldier showed fine pluck recently. I-Ic fell iu the playground of a Marlborough country- school and broke bis right arm in several places. A fonw® teacher examined tho arm and decided that the injury was of no particular importance. She kept the lad at tlio school for some time, and then told mm to go to his home, • somo two miles awav. Tho little fellow wa]ked the whole distance, suffering acutely and holding his broken arm against his body with his left hand. He could not open the gate when he | reached his home, and be'waited outside until somebody saw him and came to his assistance. Then his mothor hurried him to a doctor, and he faced unflinchingly the ordeal of the setting of the broken I bone. His comment was' that soldiers | did not complain about that sort or thing. According to the latest compilation made by tho Government Statistician (covering tho Juno quarter), the purchasing power of the sovereigu continues to decline at a somewhat alarming Tate. According to tho Statistician's deductions, what could have been purchased (in the three food groups—meat, groceries, and dairy pr - ducts) for 20s. m July, 1914, in Wellington cost 30s. 25d. in tho June quarter, a shade greater increase than in any of tho other centres. The increase has been least in Christcliurcli. In the adverse ratio (arrived at in the sanje manner), the sovereign, worthi 20s. in July, 1914, ' s now on^v wor "' I*> S- V" i when esoended on foodstuffs comprised in the three groups mentioned. As a reduction in the prico of bread is alreadv announced, and milk is to be roduoe'd in prico on October 1, the current quarter should not show any marked decrease. Discussing war loan matters on Weduosdav in Auckland, the Hon. A. AlMvcrs, Acting-Minister of Finance, said that tho first instalment of the nest war loan was'not likely to bo foi mallv opened for subscription hofore tho end of the year, and (possibly not before the beginning of nest year. Meanwhile, those who desired to subscribe to it could do so by way of remittances to tho Treasury oh account of the next war loan. Minister also remarked that tlie number of defaulters coming under the provisions of the compulsory clauses of last year's Act was comparativelv small, and that the objects aimed at ii.v the passing of that legislation had been effectually achieved. v At the Quarterly sitting of the Thames Licensing Committee, applica-ti-ons wcro made by the licensees and owners of tho Ballarat and the lianiwav Hotels, Coroinandel, for permis(slo)l to close the. hotels for business under the conditions of tho IJI7 Ac ? owing to the present decreaso in tho population of the district, and tho impossibility of carrying on business profitably. Evidence given showed that the number of men who had left the district for the front bad materia ly affected the trade, and lwd made the temporary closing of these hotels necessary. Both applications were granted.

A report of the Tramway Committee was submitted to the City Council last night, in which there appeared the toLlowingu —"The general manager of the tramways reports tliafc the result, us regards the tramway, of the alteration recently made in the working l^ urs 9* the Government and other offices is practically equivalent to _ putting _ on seven additional cars during tho highest peak of the load. In the morning there, is a very noticeable difference by. war of improvement."_ This gave rise to considerable discussion with respect to overcrowding on cars for distant destinations, caused by those making short journeys boarding these cars. Various opinions were expressed as to the means of getting over the diuiculty, among other suggestions being that a minimum fare tihould bo charged 1 on the long-distaiico cars during rush hours. A most unusual occurrence took place in Bridge Street (Eltham) on Thursday afternoon (says the "Argus") A little girl named Josephine I'ope, who was in tan with her parents from Matemateon"a, was walking along the street, and when passing a horse standing by tno roadside tho animal seized her right ear in its teeth and bit off a largo ■ portion. The Wellington master bakers, at a special meeting held on Tuesday, decided to reduce tho price of bread to all shops to sell at 3d. cash as from Saturday, September t. Aftei eight weeks' trial of selling at a}d. per loaf it was found that the public m some localities, through .living so far away from bakers' premises, could not take ad\ anlage of the ad. loaf foi cash over tho counter; hence tho chance in pr' ce - j 11 " \ lilttr nonsense now and then is relished by tho wisest men" or keenest ees of "GOLDEN BOLE" Soap, "GOLDEN RULE" Candlw, 'KEEP SMILING" Sandsoap, and IvUlv BING" ■Laundry Help. an d in this congroseivo Grocers.— Advt.

"Tho teacher ought not to be regarded as tho enemy of tho child," said the headmaster of the Wnrser Bay School at Seatoun yesterday. l:le bad found,

he added, that when young children came first to school'.they often were afraid of their teachers, because they had been told in thfeir homes that school

was tho place wliero they were going to bo punished for faults that possibly the parents ought to have corrected themselves. He did not think that threats of this kind ought to bo used by parents. The teachers should be regarded as the friends of the children.

The request of the Wellington Early Settlers' and Historical Association for authority to have photographs taken of certain old Wellington settlers and paid for out of the Jubilee Surplus I'und was acceded to bv the City Council last evoning, provided tho expenditure does not exceed £25, and also subject to tho legal position permitting such a course to be adopted. <

The claims made on the City Corporation Accident Fund for the year ended March 31, 1917, amounted to £867 13s. Bd., and for the past financial year £676 6s. 9d., or a total for the two years of £1544 Os. sd. The amount at credit of the fund on March 31 last was £26,150, of' which £5000 bad been inyested in war certificates.

Tlio City Council decided last evening not to agree to the proposal of the owners of property in the vicinity <-f Apu Crescent and Lyall Parade that that the council co-operate with them for the purpose of constructing the roadway at Lyall Parade, of erecting a wall six''feet high and levelling off the sand at the private sections and bind the whole work, subject to certain conditions, ,as the work of levelling the sand on tlie sections and the binding of same is a matter for the private owners to undertake. The proprietress of the Carlton Hotel, Mrs. F. M. Paulsen, was proceeded against by the Inspector of Awards, Frederick Wilson, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, on an information of having failed to allow a full day s holiday to an employee named A. Wood during the week June 22 to July 6. Inspector Wilson claimed that Wood was employed as a porter, 1 and that a breach of the Wellington Hotel Workers' award had been Committed. Evidence was given by E. Kennedy, assistant socretary of the Hotel Workers' Union, that Wood had been sent to work for Mrs. Paulsen as a porter. Mr. J. J. M'Grath.iwho appeared for the defendant, contended that the ease should be dismissed, as Wood had been employed as sub-manager, a which was not covered bv the provisions of the award. Wood's position was temporary, and had he proved suitable his appointment would have been confirmed. Mrs. Paulsen Rtated in evidence that she always kenfc two porters and a sub-manager. She did not remember whether Wood had had a day off or not. Mr. W. G. Pidflell, R.M., who

hoard the case, said some mistake appeared to hnvo heen made. In the wages hook Wood had signed as having worked sovan days, hut in tho holiday book, in which the signature was different from tho wages book, lie was shown.as having received a holidav. It was impossible to have' had a holiday and yet have worked seven days, but the weight of evidence was that he did not get a holiday. The matter was of a trivial nature, as the man had only been employed for a fortnight. All licensees should see that their books were koot correctly. Judgment was Given for the Inspector of Awards for 10s.. with ss. costs. l • / "Wharf thefts have becomc so common that Judges of tho Supreme Court are imposing quite heavy sentences of imprisonment on men who steal from the wharves, and Magistrates have to do the samo tiling," remarked Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M.. during the hearing of a caso at tlio Magistrate's Court yesterday, in which a watersido worker named Walter Cowan admitted steal-

inc 2s. worth of fruit belonging to Ilia Union Steam Ship Comrany. The offence took nlaco on 'Wednesday. It was stated that accused was enmloyed in unloading operations on tho Moana. Dnrintr the course of the work a Quantity of fmit became scattered about the wharf, and at mid-dnv Consfahle Cleveriov found accused walking off th« wharf with Is. worth of bananas and Is', worth of ori"if""< concealed in the sleeves of his oilslon. Senior-Sergeant

Willis stated that the mail had worked on the wharf for some years, and bore a pood character. Cowan stated Mint lie dirt not tliink there was any harm in taking the. fruit ni it was kin? about the wharf, mid h» h«d intended to take it to n. siok child in the hospital. His Worship said that wharf pillaging hart pone on to snch an oxtent that it was necessary to take severe measures to stop it. Tt was the small thefts added together which meant a considerable sum in the course of the year. When a man tried to hide the fact thel he wsstaking fruit, even if it were Iving about the wharf.'he was committing theft. It would he ridiculous to imprison Cowan, hut as ho was not in very iroort circumstances, ho would not inflict n fine. Accused, however, would ho ordered to report to the Probation Officer for a period 'of twelve months, at intervals to he fixed bv that official. On Monday next, at the Garrison Hall, Buokle Street, the Governor-Gen-eral will present to' next-of-kin the following decorations won by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force officers (since deceased): Military Cross and Bar, T.-Captaiu N. J. H. Gavin, R.A.M.C.; Military Cross,, Captain J. Keir, Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment; Military Cross, Lieutenant K. J. Tail, Auckland, M.R. The proceedings will he brief, with 110 speeches beyond a short introductory address by tho Govornor-Goneral. The Commandant of the Forces, Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, with the principal staff officers, will bo present, and' there' will be a parade of 500 Territorials and Senior Cadets, representing all city units, including a guard oF honour from the sth (Wellington) Regiment, and the Regimental Band. The general public will be'admitted to the hall up to 8.20 p.m., and the proceedings will commence with the arrival of His Excellency at 8.3(1. Conditional upon his being valued for death duty at over £00,000, the late Mr. R. H. Rhodes, of Bluecliffs, St. Andrews, South Canterbury, has (the Christchurch "Sun" reports) bequeathed the sum of £2000 to the Timaru Borough Council fov improving and beautifying Caroline Bay. Under the same conditions, the sum of £10UU is left to the Church, Property Trustees to invest and ÜBe the interest for the upkeep of the Anglican Church uud grounds of tho parish containing the Bluecliffs homestead. Mrs. Rhodes is left £1000, with all the furniture ami. household goods. Also, sho will have the uso of tho homestead, and about IUU acres so long as sho remains a widow. During widowhood, too, sho is to receive £2000 per year, whichwill be reduced to £1000 if she marries again. The residue of the trust fund is to be held for the children, the eldest son taking a double part, and the others sharing equally. Tho executors are: Messrs, F. J. Rolleston (limnru), A. a. G. Rhodes (Christchurch), H. Llworthy (Craigmore), and M. H. Godby (Christchurch). They are expressly authorised to carry on tho business of sheep farmer and other businesses carried oil by the testator. A peculiar aooidefit occurred on Sunday to a Patea resident, Mrs. Hunter, who slipped and fell, striking her windpipe on the edge of a bucket, dislocating and almost severing it (roports the "Press"). Sho was at once removed to the hospital, where an operation was performed. A 6nip for men who wear Trousers, 6izo 4. Wo are offering a limited line at 10s. 6d„ worth easily 15s, 6d. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners. Street.—Advt.

The Minister of Justice (Hon. T. M. Willord) stated yesterda.y that ho had for some lime been considering a 6et of proposals for the administration! of tho Police Force. He had found in existence a number of anomalies, and tho task of righting tlicm all had proved to lie one of tho most difficult that h'> had yet undertaken. _ Ho bad made a number eft recommendation* to Cabinet, and until these had beem considered by Cabinet he could make no further remark on the mafipr. lie said that his proposals were ccrtamly far-reach-

"People in New Zealand, said the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Alien) to a reporter yosterday, ' are every now and then communicating with the Red Cross or the War Continent Association in England, asking I'ofinformation with respect to sick or wounded soldiers in hospital or convalescent home. The Dofenco Department is now so complete with respect to reports of casualties that tho public mav rely on receiving ifrom its regular and reliable information about sick and wounded, because it conies from an official source. I should be glad if commuricntions about casualties were sent to Base Records, AVellington, and not to the Red Cross or tho War Contingent Association, bccause that merely means duplicating the work, and in some instances has led to incorrect information being supplied. I may add that I have consulted the Red Cross people on the subject, and they quite agree with my view."

■ A notice in district orders states that in many instances applicants for mufti allowance are returning military clothing in a muddy and greasy condition, and, further,' that the condition of some of the garments is quite evidently not due to fair wear and tear. It' is to bo clearly and distinctly understood that garments, when returned to group commanders, are to bo in a clean condition, that is, free from mud, grease, etc., and that 110 articles obviously unserviceable through other than fair wear and tear are to be accepted.

In connection with the recent patriotic concert held in the Town Hall by the Savago Club tho gross proceeds a.mounicd to £171 Bs. fid. Tho fol-

lowing allotments have been made l by the club Citizens' Christmas Gift Fund, £60; Red Cross Copper Trail, £20; St. John Ambulance Brigade, Overseas, £15; British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, £15; New Zealand's Tribute to France, £25; Crippled Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel Fund, £25; Salvation Army War Funds, £10; Wellington Returned Soldiers' Club House Society, £1 17s. The amount to the Returned' Soldiers' Club House Society is being supplemented from the funds of the Savage Club to tho amount of £28 35., making their total £30.

Intending passengers for Sydney and Hobart by the Union, Company's Manuka on Saturday are adv/scd by, the company that the vessel will now sail at 11 o'clock at night, instead of at 8 a.m., as advertised yesterday.

A married man named Henry Charles Brown, 38 years of age, was suddenly taken ill about midnight on 'Wednesday at his residence in Holloway Road, oft Aro Street, and died at an early hour yesterday morning. ' The deceased had been an invalid for the last five years, and four years ago had been an inmate of the Wellington Hospital. It is thought that death was due to an internal complaint. An inquest will probably be held to-day.

The offer of the Defence Department to -present the city with two machineguns (war trophies) was accepted by the City Council, last evening. One machine-gun is to be placed on the first floor landing of the Town Hall, and the other is to bo installed in the Newtown Museum.

The City Council decided last evening to grant the application of the ; Wellington South llifle Club for permission to erect their club roll of honour in the Neivtown Library, subject to the council reserving the right to insist upon the •emoval of the board if a. general scheme For a district roll of honour is adopted. It was reported to the City Council last evening that the recently-planted reserve at Herald Street had been wilfully damaged, and the council decided to offer a reward to any person giving information that will lead to the conviction of those responsible for the damage. The new scale of taxi-cab fares submitted by the taxi-cab drivers is at present being considered by the Traffic Sub-committee of the City Council, and the committee expects to submit its recommendations at the next meeting ol the council. A small, but very elaborate and-ex-pensive entrance is being provided tc the Bank of New Zealand from Customhouse Quay, where formerly a plair unobtrusive door admitted to the bad premises. The now entrance admit; to an elaborate stairway, and also tt a. new cleetric elovator that travel! from the basement to the top floor. Tin whole of the door lintels, walls balustrade, pillars, and lift-well ar< of white Cattaro (Italian) marble, witl: a rich ornamentation of beautifully marked grey marble from Sandy Baj (Nelson). The combination is harmon ious rind richly artistic, and gives ai air of rare strength and opulence to ,thi new entrance. The cost of the worj is in the vicinity of £2000. Mr. C. J. Parr, C.M.G., has forward cd the following letter to the Ministei of Defence: "Sir,—lt is pretty widcl; stated iu Auckland that eight month! ago some forty quartermaster-sergeant! with considerable experience at thi front were returned to New Zealanc from France for the purpose of under taking their duties in the New Zealanc camps, and so relieving men on lionn service who are doing this work at present. I am informed that up to tli< present date no work has been fount for these men. They have been in camj for eight months, drawing Bs. a dnj encli, with practically no_ employmentThe reason for this, it is alleged, ii that Headquarters is unwilling to maki any change, but insists 011 retaininj the men in the stores, etc., who havi been kept there since the beginning o the war. I shall be glad to know who ther the facts herein stated are sub stantiallv correct, and, if so, what ex plnnation there may be of so extra ordinary .1 proceeding as bringing fortj officers, with experience especiallv vain able for New Zealand, from England t< New Zealand merely to knock about ir camp, filling in time doing nothing while drawing the pay of active service —(Signed) C. J. Parr." The contribution of thirty-nine pic turcs, oils, water-colours, and etching! from the artists of Sydney to the an nual exhibition of the Academy of l r im Arts, which opens here 011 Septembci 28, should create morn than usual in terost among the art lovers and artist: of Wellington. Advipe has been re ceivcd by the secretary that despiti tho fact that members of the Koyal Art Society of New South Wales are en grossed in the preparation of work foi their own annual exhibition tl\py hav< been able to gather a fairly representative collection for tho Academy's show Sigtior A. Dattilo-Rubbo, who has actec as organiser, and whose virile work i< represented in tho Academy's permanent collection, is sending nine pictures Y. Wolinsky five. T. S. Watkms five Alfred Coffey,, six, W. Lister-Lister two, A. Marriott Woodhouse three, I! S. Wakclin two, Miss Eirene Mort two W. M. Whitney two, Neil A. Gren four, and T. Muir Auld two. In addition tc these it is .anticipated that a furthoi contribution will come to hand fron members of the Victorian Artists' So ciety in Melbourne.