LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 19 September 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

As a result of the Red Cross appeal in Masterton and surrounding districts, tho sum of £0615 has already been collected, our correspondent tolegraphs. This brings tho Wairarapa contribution to the copper'trail to over £20,000. An appeal for typewriters on loan is being made to New Zealand by Genornl Richardson. There is a dearth of typowriters in England; it is, in faet, impossible to buy thorn at oven fabulous prices. General Richardson is organising educational classes for soldiers during the demobilisation period, and the classes are beginning now. One of the serios of courses will be in business and office routine, and typewriting is one of the subjects to be taught. For the teaching of the subject machines will bo necessary, and he is aeking that some maohincs he loaned from New Zealand, to bo rotumed to their owners when the classes are closed at tho end of the demobilisation. Sir James Allen has issued a circular to the patriotic societies in the Dominion drawing their attention to the appeal, and asking them to do the work required in obtaining the typewriters. An unpleasant/ experience befel tho occupants of No. 5 Terrace Gardens late on Tuesday night. Nurse Murphy and her daughter, together with a returned soldier, Mr. J. Bastings., had just arrived homo from the city, when they heard a rumbling noise at the back of tho house. Investigation was mado by Mr. Bastings, but as he did not find anything untoward lie returned t<) tho drawingroom. Shortly afterwards a loud crush was heard, and it was found that a concrete wall had collapsed and had smashed in tho back door, besides doing considerable damage to the rear walls of the premises.. Botli Nurse Murphy and her daughter had a narrow escape from injury, and they just managed to eavo a 'small child who was sleeping in the vicinity of tho fall.

Ono of the proposals before the Victoria College Council lust night vfts that a sum of £2000 be asked from tlio Government for expenditure-on books for the college library. Sir Robert Stout asked for details, and' when ho was informed that one of the purposes for which books would be needed would bo for the School of Economics, lie said that be could give to the college his economic library, of several hundred volumes.'The suggestion was gratefully received. Professor Hunter remarked: "If we can get the books that way wo shall not need tho £2000,"

A meeting under the auspices of the Canterbury Industrial Association discussed tho question of the repatriation of soldiers, and appointed a committee to draw up a constitution in connection with the scheme.—Press Assn.

At n meeting of the committee of the Wellington' Returned Soldiers' Assooiation, reference wns mado to the remarks of Sir. Milner at the recent prohibition meeting held in tho Town Hall, and it was resolved that tho committeo express its appreciation of the attitude of His Worship the; Mayor in refuting ■ the statement made in regard to the Anssae dinner, and also that tho committee express its emphatic objection to the name of the returned soldier being exploited by any party, poli- , tical or otherwise.

The election of officers of Hia Majesty's Now Zealand Veterans for the ensuing year took place, on Monday, and resulted as follows:—Vice-presi-dent, Mr. R. Tingey; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Davidson; members of committee, Colonel Porter, Captniu Henry, Veterans Purdy, Brown, Waiton, and Robinson.

Tho secretory of the Wellington. Central Chamber of Commerce has written to the Superintendent of the Telegraph Department asking that the Department give consideration to the suggestion Ihat the regulations at present in force bo relaxed to enable inland code addresses being used as signatures .to ''telegrams transmitted within tho Dominion.

It was reported at- yesterday's meeting of the Education Board . that the Ronga School, Marlborough, had 'iMii completely destroyed by fire last week. Vne, building was erected in 1914. Messrs, M'Callum and Penny were/appointed a committee to hold an inquiry into the fire. At' present the origin of the fire is not known.

The proposals of the New Zealand Federation of Drivers' TJnionn for a new agreement have been forwarded to the employers. The drivers are demanding greatly increased wages, fewer working hours, and improved conditions generally. The present award expires on November 27 next. These new proposals emanate from the federation executive, whioli drafted them before the last general conference. They were then circulated- among the various unions, which instructed their delegates in tbe direction they desired. The employers have been written to asking that a conference should bo arranged, early in November so that the new. 'conditions will come into operation when tbe present award expires.

The annual conference of tho Associated Chambers of Commerce will be held in Wellington on October 30 nnd 31.

It is now deemed most essential that passports for presentation in the United States should be vised by tbe American Consul.

His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir llobert Stout),'in tho Supreme Court yesterday entered judgment for the defendants in the ease, heard decided by t'ho Court of Appeal, of Samuel Edward Fitzgerald, ship's steward, against Colonel C. 11. Macdonald and ouiers, members of a court-mairtial which tried Fitzgerald, sind which, it was contended by the plaintiff, was improperly constituted by reason of the fact that Major It. C. Kirk, an officer on the retired list, was included among the members of the court-martial. No costs were allowed cither side. Mr. J. Scott appeared for-Fitzgerald and consented to judgment lining entered. Mr. J. Preiidcville, of tho Crown Law Ofiice, appeared for Colonel Macdonald.

The Education Hoard intends to interview tho Minister of .Education to urge the conveyance \ of Ngahaiiraiiga Fcliooftchildren by rail to Kaiwarra.

After some pressure tho Education Department has agreed to a payment to tho Wellington Education Hoard of £39 per annum as compensation for tho part services of a typist used by the. school inspectors (who are departmental, not boaid, officers). Tho chairman (All'. Forsyth), at the hoard's Hireling yesterday, said he thought that the amount was most inadequate, lie said that it would perhaps he a fair tiling if that wore made a half-yearly payment, making £78 a year. Mr. G. London pointed out thai the board had to supply Ih« K»'l w' ,, ! , accommodation and a machine. .Kveu if only <niethird of her time wore, hken up in doing Work for the Government inspectors, thev would be getting it done cheaply at 80s. a. week. It was decided to refer tho matter back to tho Department for reconsideration.

At last night's meeting of the Onslow Borough Council n. letter was received from the Hastings Borough Council urging tho internment of nil enemy aliens. The letter was received without any discussion on tho matter. A 6oldier named Charles William Groves, a member of the Forty-third Reinforcements, was charged before Mr. 'F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with having committed bigamy at Wellington, on July 21 last, in that, being already married to Eva Phocbo Rossltcr, who was still alive, he went through a form of marriage with Pourl Alico Wring. Accused pleaded guilty. Inspector Marsack, who prosecuted, stated that when arri'sLod Groves admitted that when he went through the second inarringo he knew his iirst wife was still living. After Tho hearing of formal evidence, accused was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence Groves was also charged with having stolen a bicycle valued at £3. belonging to Alfred Parsons. Ho admitted 1 tho off once, which was committed on September 7. Inspector Marsack said that on the date in question accused went to a private hotel in Clyde Quay and asked for a loan of tho bicycle. He then rode the machine to a second-hand shop and sold it for 17s. 6d. On this charge accused was remanded for sentence- nntu the charge of bigamy is dealt with by the Supreme Court. ■ ■ The Education Board decided yesterday to renew its application for an additional room for the Khandallah School. Tho board agreed that ihe status of the Newman School should main unchanged, also that tho Eapawai School should < romain. Renewed application is to bo made for a grant for tho school at Solway, Mastorton. A Press Association telegram from Chrietchiircli states that tho Education Conference resolvod that it is desirable that picture Alms should be used ,in Behoofs, ar.d that the P'ducation Department should be asked te circulate films on the lines used by schools in the United States.

A valuable library of about 400 New Zealand aril other books, and a cabinet of inlaid Now Zealand woods, lias hnen bequeathed by tho lato Mr. Alfred Kidd to the Auckland University College (says the "Herald"). Official notification of the bequest was received on Monday by tho College Council torn the solicitor in tho deceased estate, who forwarded an extract from the will relating to the bequest. This expressed the fate Mr. Kidd's desire that the books and cabinet should bo housed euitablv in tho college buildings, and called '"The Kidd Collection." The council decided to make arrangements to receive tho hooks, and it was agreed that.an engrossed parchment letter intimating the council's acceptance.of the boquest'end its thanks be sent to Mrs. Ividd.

Lansdowno (Masterton) people will bo 'gratified to learn that the Education Department has authorised a grunt of £1656 for two additional classrooms to tlio scliool. Notification of tlio grant wns received by tlie Education Hoard at its meeting yesterday. An Aucklander who has retired from business hud a pleasant surprise last week, says tho "Star." A man stopped and asked his name, also if he had over been in business at Coromnndel half a century ago. 'Having learnt these facts, he remarked enigmatically, "I thought it must be you." A day or two afterwards the gentleman called at tho address given and paid an account that had been owing for just 431 years, also adding on extra pound for interest. "What a shock it would he to business men generally if this kind of tiling became epidemic!" \im the remark of the man who received tlio cash "after many days."