LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 15, 12 October 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A list of returning soldiers .appeal's on Page 3 of to-day's issue. A heavy English and American mail is due to arrive here early oi) Monday afternoon by way of Auckland. A big parcel post'mail from England is due hero within a few dayr. \ Reference to the shortage of doctors in Wellington was made at an inquest which was held yesterday un the death of a woman who was severely burned at a fire in Taranaki Street on Tuesday evening last. Oue o'f the witnesses stated that in company with a sergeant of the police be spent three-quarters of an hour in trying to obtain the services of a medical practitioner. "In these days-of the shortage of doctors," observed the coroner, Mr. \\. G. ltiddell, S.M., "it is well known that when accidents occur it is rather hard to get a medical man as quickly as one would like, but I do' not see bow- it can be helped." The C 2 Re-examination Board has concluded its sittings in Wellington, and has loft for the South island. It "will examine some 1500 First Division C 2 men in the south during tho next six or seven weeks.

Yesterday there were reported to be 182 men in hospital at Trentliam Camp, 68 being influenza cases One additional influenza case was admitted during the morning. Two cerebro-spinal meningitis cases at Trentliam were leported to be improving. "At Eeatherston there were 111 men in hospital, 60 or them suffering from influenza. No fresh case of influenza was reported at the morning sick parade. ,

"The Now Zealand Division has had frightful casualties at times, but 't has always had someone to step into .the vacant place," said Maior M'Gilp, D.5.0., last night. The Major added that .tho admittedly fine work .done by the New Zealand Division must be attributed in large part to the adequate supply of reinforcements.

William Drinkwater, hairdresser and tobacconist, was fined- at Danuevirke £20 and £10 respectively on two charges of illegally betting on his premises. There were previous convictions t'or a similar offence two years ago at New Plymouth.—Press Assn.

A Press Association message from New Plymouth states that a, large store, owned by Berry's estate, and partly occupied by Mr. Toms, engineer, was gutted by fire early this morning. The building was insured for £1500 in'the State Office, and Mr.' Toms's stock for *SOO in the State. The building is beyond repair, and the stock much'damaged. Mr. Smith's election committee had occupied pare of the building'during the'last week or two.

A new ten-shilling note has just been issued by the Bank ; of New South Wales for circulation in New Zealand. It is printed in scarlet lake ink on a very, pale rosc T tinted paper, in which the watermark "Bank of Ne,w South -Wales" is worked with a zig-zag border. Tho design of the new note follows that of the bank's issue in higher denominations, hut the lettering, ( of course, is. different. ■ The Chinese business people of Auckland closed their premises oil Thursday, in celebration of the election of Chi Shih Chiang as President of tbo Chinese Republic. This action, is being taken in pursuance of a request by the Consul in New Zealand (for China. A similar request made to the Chinese Association at Wellington was declined by tlio association, members of the association stating that Chi Shih Chiang was President only for the Northern Government, and that the Wellington Chinese could not regard him as President of China.

. The" superiority of British : animuni-' tion was mentioned by Major C. M'Gilp, D.5.0., when describing last night some of his experiences as a battery officer in the N.Z.E.F. Major M'Gilp said that some of the ammunition that came from America in the' early stages of the war ,was far from reliable, and caused damage to guns and casualties among British troops. He remembered a gun being split along its length by the premature explosion of a. high explosive shell on Gallipoli, Ho himself was nearly struck by a shell from his own battery, the shell falling short owing to inaccurate fitting in the barrel.

The discussion between tho Mayor, the chairman of the Harbour Hoard, and the General Manager, of Railways of the plans respecting Hie ueiv reclamation' apparently disclosed nothing new. The plans showed that the Kailway Department was looking well ahead,' and would need all the land that ivas ■ claimed. The Harbour Hoard would he given ten acres for shod' room, (piaysidc, and for special facilities ifor storing and handling coal, and live .acres would bo set aside as a ioadiwiy, to traverse tho quayside, linking up'the Hutt Road with.Waterloo Quay. The Thornclon Esplanade will, of course, liavo to go, and in that direction tho Mayor proposes that the monetary compensation gained from the sacrifice, should go towards provid : ni" another reserve at Wellington North. With the esplanade will go the Thorndon Baths, which have ste'adilv lost money for the council for years past. The ' Mayoral . suggestion is that one day. tepid baths might, be provided at the northern end.of the city.

.Duriii" the week ended at-iwon on Moiidav°last 157- cases of infectious disease were reported throughout New Zealand, comprising 87 of diphtheria, 31 of scarlet fever, 29 of tuberculosis, 4 of .cerebro-spinal meningitis, and 1 of- infantile paralysis. There were 18 cases of diphtheria, in North Canterbury, 10 in Auckland, 8 in Palmcrstim North, 7 in Wairarapa, and 6 in Wellington. North' Canterbury, with x 8 cases of diphtheria, 7 of scarlet fever, and i of. tuberculosis,. had more infec-tious'discaso'-'than any other district. Wo have received from "the publishers a copy of Wilkie's-War Map, No. Oj'ivhich shows, the-.fighting .-areas in Belgium- and -France from Ypres to Verdum It- is clearly printed- in colours, and is sufficiently'detailed to. bo a useful aid iir following the movements of the AVcsteni. campaign. .-.

immediately after the AVimmera'disaster the New Zealand '• Government cabled to the Commonwealth Government, and made representations direct to the shipping controller at Melbourne, supporting the liuddart-Parker. Com pan.y's desire to maintain their Syd-ney-Auckland connection' by utilising their'cargo boat, the Goulbunr, of 2300 tuns capacity.: Although this corres-pondence-was commenced during July, it has now been found (states'the Ho'.i. Arthur Myers, in a letter., to. the Auckiand Provincial Industrial Association) that the authorities m Australia had .definitely stated, that they could not t,eo' their way to release tins shin, oi any other, to ply in the service desired. As an alternative, the Tarawera was puf.-hito-.thf. service,-.and at present the Union Company is considering tho matter other retention-.. As a result of representations which Mr. Myers had been able to make, the Overseas Shipping Committee had been arranging' for two overseas ships to convey cargo from Sydney to Auckland, which has"relieving the "position to some degree, but there was no certainty what-; ever about the continuance of this advantage, whi«h. however,'-would not be lost sight of if the' Imperial. Government could see its way to- concur — "Herald." .'■■

At St. Alban's-Church','Eastbourne, during' the thanksgiving service at 8 a.m. last Sunday for. the unconditional surrender of Bulgaria, the Rev. 0. M. Stent, M.A., vicar, dedicated for use in the church a. beautiful double set of communion vessels, which had been' presented by Miss Mary Seddon, iii memory of her brother, Captain R. .1. S. Seddon, who was recently killed'' m France. A large congregation was present, including Mrs. E. J. Seddon, Miss )Mary Seddon, and Lieutenant and Mrs. Knox Gilmer. The new vessels, which are all nicely engraved, were used for the first time at the celebration of the Holy. Communion. It is intended to hand one set over for use in the new church at Day's Bay' as soon as it is erected.

During the month of August 37 cows, 651 bullocks, 4998 sheep, 521 lambs, and 40 pigs were slaughtered at the •municipal abattoirs at Ngahauranga— an all-round increase on the numbers killed during the. corresponding month of last year. The total fees, collected amounted to £514 Its. Id., being an increase of £23 Is. lid. on the return for. last month and £50 15s. lid. on the return 'for August of last year.

A young man named Norman Ben , uett was charged with having been' drunk on' the ferry steamer Cobar en the night of September 27. Defendant denied the allegation. Evidence was given by a deck hand on the steamer that accused appeared to. be drunk, and when at Bona Bay ho .fell in the water. Bennett said that the. _ reason why he appeared to be intoxicated, was that he had had a fit, and that made him look' muddled. In cross-examination, defendant admitted that ,h« was the subject of a prohibition order, and that on the day in question lie had had a. drink or .two. His Worship dismissed tho charge of drunkenness, but fined Bennett 10s., with costs. Bs., for breaking his prohibition order. ■ •At'the Magistrate 1 ? Court yesterday a plea of guilty was entered,by Mr. H. F. O'Lcary on behalf, of Arthur St'Lenaghan and' Joe Yerdon, who wore charged with having been found on tho Princess Hotel promises after the ordinary 'hours of closing. "It was a case of unrealised hopes." said Mr. O'Leary. "They went into the hotel, but : did riot'get anything." Each defendant was lined' £1,. with 7s. costs. Albert George Hoblis. was also accused'of lia'ving-bcpii' in the Princess Hotel when'the were required to be closed. stated that he had iutended to stay in the hotel overnight, and was on bis way to buy some .tobacco when .-i police constable accosted him. He denied having had any liquor there. Hobbs was fined £2, with 10s. costa.

■ A man named James 'O'Connor was charged beTore Mr. V. V. Eraser, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with lwing driven lorry over the railway crossing at Petone in front of an approaching train. Mr. J. A. Scott appeared for tho defendant, and entered a plea of guilty.. Acting-Suh-Inspcctor Emerson stated that tho driver of the engine-, sounded the whistlo when .ho noticed O'Connor nearing tho line, .-but the defendant continued to drive on.- ■ "There are two reasons for having a by-law to prevent cases of this sort,", said Mr. Erazeiv "Firstly, tho consequences of a train running into a motor lorry might be serio»s to the train; mid the second reason is that we don't wont to encourage neoplo to commit suicide." Defendant was fined 10s., with costs IDs. .:.■■■.-.

In " tlio- course of • his annual report, the Ilev.'W: Mawson, the) New Zealand missionary in the Ka mid Naam Hoi districts of Cliinn, says:—"There is no great change'in tliß nttiturlo - of the Chinese _ towards Christianity,'_ though it'is evident that the' old attitude of prejudice and suspicion is gradually giving way to one of tolerance. Nor do the Church returns in any way indicate that" the Chinese are yet willhit! in any great numbers to yield themselves to' Christ; There' is' willingness to' listen'to'-lho. Gbsip'el and ti) discuss its merits; hut much reluctance to yield to the claims it makes upon life' and conduct. Teacher Lei Kan-Chin noted this in his report of some colporteur work done during school vacation. It is an old calling of his. Ten years ago ho mot with abuse and threatenings because ho was selling foreign and Christian lioolts._ This year ho met in most places a civil welcome, was greeted as "Seen Sbang," and invited to drink tea. We have made some inroad on the enemy's territory, bnfc there are still strong en trenebments to be overcome."

Pick your Summer Straw while oiiv slocks a'ro large. Boaters, Bs, 6d. to 18s, (id. Toyo Panama, 10s. 6d. to 255, Geo. Fowlds, Ltd.-Advt.

r The Roman Catholic Church at Martinborough was totally destroyed liy I fire last night. The o'rigin of the lire is unknown.-? Press Assn.

Tho Rev. John M'Neill, who has just returned ilrom 'Palestine and Egypt, told the members of the Alderscnle (Englandl Y.M.C.A. that a soldier said to him. "is this the Promised Land?" adding, "Well, 1. don't know who they promised it to, but 1 don't want it. ; '

The long-pending dispute between Natives of-the Arawa tribe and the State as to the ..ownership of the land which "Wins the bed of Lake Jlotorua, will bo investigated at the bearing of a case in the Native Land Court at Rotorua on Wednesday next, before Judge Wilson. Mr. C. P. Skerrott, K.C., and Mr. F. Earlp. K.C., will appear for. tho Native claimants, and Air. J. R. Prendeville, of the Crown . Law •Department, and Mr. R. J. Knight, of tho Native Office, Auckland,, for the Crown.

An officer ■ who was amongst _ tho draft of soldiers which returned from Egvpt expressed himself as greatly impressed hv the fertility of the land over which the New .Zealand- mounted troops arc now fighting. As soon as they got off the desert, ho said, .they got into a rich, chocolate-coloured sou, the fertility of which was manifested hv the magnificent crops - 0f..-. maize which it produced. The British niilitarv authorities were so impressed with it that thev decided to put down 60,001) acres of the conquered country fear Gaza, in wheat. A competent staff was appointed for the project;;ploughs 'in large numbers- were secured, and -the .work was well in .hand when, the officer referred to left for New Zealand.

After a verv brief lull the' series of burglaries that'have been occurring m Christchurch was resumed-on Inesday night (savs the. "Lyttelton. limes ), when there'was an unsuccessful attempt to break into the Papanni Moreson Papanui.Road. Entrance .was gam; cd by cutting away a sheet of corrugated iron at the side of the building adjoining : the vicarage. grounds.. . -A.lieivv door leading into the shop was looked, and apparently some effort wasmade to "et through it. The theory is: ■that the burglar then left by tne side door, and went round to the .ront double entrance, where he"'climbed'a "wire "ate and-made very strenuous efforts to burst the door open with .a. iemmv, the-marks of a fiat tool like a cold chisel'being found near "We-lock and also under the door, Possibly the burglar was disturbed nerc, tor. there was no further attempt made to fcet into the building. On Sunday week last'a burglar went right through the, Pananui School and cleared out every •drawer and cupboard getting away with about £2 iu ; Lady-Liverpool and Red Cross funds. >

The following resolutions wore passed last night at perhaps the largest meet'in" of ratepayers ever held at Wanoa. -?1) That this meeting of ratepayers of the Wairoa Borough and County affirm the absolute-necessity or endeavouring to keep.the river mouth open until "such time as • better, means are available to deal with the import and export of the district. /2 That, this meeting of ratepayers ot Wmroa, borough and county, urge the Government to connect Wairoa, with \Vaiko-. kopn bv rail, the combined districts undertaking the construction of a deepsea -harbour at AVaikokopu.

"A fine soldier and a fine man • was the manner in which General Allcnby was described by an officer who arrived back in Christchurch from ftgypt. The officer went on to speak, or General Allenbv in'highly eulogistic terms, laying particular stress .upon the wa - )- in" which he fraternised with the •men, and interested himself in their need. "He takes every risk," the officer added, "and when- there is something doinc he does not direct affairs iironi behind the lines. He is away up with the men in the very front hue m all. English officers are not always idolised .by-colonial troops,, but Genera! Allcnby, is,'and he, in his turn,- has nothing but praise for the Australian and New Zealand troons. He has an Australian for his A.D.C., and he has stated more than once that the New Zealand Brigade are the best troops under his command."