LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 43, 15 November 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The 40th, 41st, 42rtd, and 43rd Mounted Bides are reported to have reached another port of call, all well.

A hospital eliip, outward bound from New Zealand, has reached a port of call, all well.

Sir Joseph Ward (Postmaster-General) announces that, owing to shortness of staff not only in Wellington, but also at other telegraph offices, there is an excessive accumulation of work. Hβ wishes the public to know that only urgent telegrams will have any opportunity of reasonable dispatch until the block is rtinoved. He anticipates that work will resume its ordinary course within a day or two.

The Legislative Couuoil met at 11.30 a.m. yesterday, and at 11.35 o'clock the Speakbv, Hon. W. C. F. Carncross, proceeded to Government House, where he wm presented to the Governor-General by the Loader of the Council, Hon. Sir ifrauois Bell. In the afternoon the Council assembled at 2.30 o'oloek, when the Leader suggested that the Legislative Council Amendment Bill should bo read a second time pro forma, and then bo referred to the Statuses Bevision Committee. The debit to could Iμ taken on thi? report bf tho. committee. This course was agreed to, and at 2.W p.m. the Council AdJGiirned until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday Mxt, When the debate on the AddrMS-in-RnjiJy will be resumed. Sir Francis Bell'explained that owing to the happy turn which the war had taken it would bs ntcessnry ,to amend tllnt portion rf the Address-in-Eeply which expressed Hie hope that hostilities, would soon cease.

"On behalf of Auckland citizens I desire to tender to you an assurance of deep appreciation and thankfulness for tho great national worE which tho Government under yourself and Sir .Joseph Ward.has accomplished," says the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Gunson, in a telegram to (he Prime Minister. "To its single-minded patriotism and devotion to duty our people owo much. On behalf, therefore, of our citizens, I congratulate tho National Government upon the cessation of hostilities, bringing ns it does inestimable personal relief from anxiety to thousands of 'N.Z. homes. My deep regret is that our community at this time should be prevented by widespread influenza from immediately suitably observing the occasion, which will be done in Auckland as soon as circumstances permit."

It is ppinted out by a City Council officer, in reply to a correspondent who complained in' yesterday's issue of the absence of Japaneso flags on armistice day, and Wednesday, that a large Japanese flag Ws flying from the Town Hall tower, which carried .fiVo flags in tho following order:—Union New Zealand Ensign, • Australian Ensign, American National Flag, and tuat of Japan.

Messrs. L. M'Kenzie, Earl Mivenzio (brothers), aiid Mr. James ■ M'Kenzie, 1.5.0. (brother-in-law) were, the chief mourners at the funeral of the late Mr. H. L W. Mlvenzie (of the city' corporation staff) yesterday afternoon. Among those present were the Hon. .T. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C., Messrs. J. E. Jenkinson. F. Kolling, J. E. Palmer, (town clerk), James Ames (city valuer), B, Tait (de-puty-town clerk),. J. M'Bain (chief committee clerk), H. Tait (superintendent of the fire brigade), C. Collins (city treasurer), and James Ames, jun. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Eev. James Paterson.

Maiiv school children in Wellington who have worked conscientiously all the your to qualify themselves for proficiency certificates are worrying at the present lime fie to their position in this regard, now that the schools aro closed and the prospects of any examinations ari> growing dim. An inquiry was lnade yesterday respecting this point, when a Dominion reporter -was informed that the difficulty would be got over by the inspectors consulting with the headmasters as to the average form shown by pupils of the Sixth- Standard during the year, and on that computation of ability tho allotment (if proficiency certificates would be decided.

The Eaihvay Department advises that the slip near Mataroa, on the Main Trunk line, has now been cleared, and the Auckland express trains are running through. •

Owing 16 the prevailing epidemic it has been deo-ided to postpone, the Wellington District Synod of the Methodist Church, which was to have been held on Tuesday.

Among the latest victims of the disease is Mr. John Dowdall, who died in AVellington Hospital on Wednesday evening. The Inte Mr. Dowdall, familiarly known to all Wellington as "Comrade" Dowdall, was well known as a Labour enthusiast. Ho was 50 years of age and resided at 5 Binham Street.

An inquest will be held this morning at 0 o'clock into v the- cause of death of Sarah Martha Watts, an elderly woman, who died at No. 36 Cambridge. Terrace some tinio on Wednesday Inst. The deceased, who was a tingle woman, rented a room at the above address. It is not known whether she had any relatives iu New Zealand.

The influenza epidemic is spreading in Dannovirke (says an exchange), and the position at present is a very serious one. In some cases whole families are laid up, and tlio necessary attention cannot be obtained. Only ono of the local doctors has 60 far escaped, and Matron llopper, of tho hospital, isdoing medical work. Numerous deaths have occurred as a result of the epidemic,, amongst tho victims being Mr. B. IF. Bobortshawe, who was a. well-known solicitor, <i member of tlio Borough Council, and a vestryman of tho Church of England. Another victim was Mr. Norman M. Kinross Whitr>, of Napier. Ho hud been io the show ut Palmerston, and since then had been on n visit to Mr. W, 11. Harlgill at Diinneviirke. Ho contracted a cold, infliion/.a developed, and he died from heart failure. Deceased, who was 31 years of age, leaves a wife and two children, ami was a son of Mr. W. Kinross White, of Niuiier. Messrs. Williamson and Co., Auction Arcndo, (,'ourlenay Place, have decided to hold no auction sales during the prevalanco of tho influenza epidemic.