LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 56, 30 November 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Telegraph Office notifies (lint from to-da.v telegrams iiiiiy be accepted ill ordinary rales for all offices in the South Island. .All offices will continue to close nt 5 p.m. , A 'peculiar after-effect of influenza, piwticularly in the case of women, is for the voca.l chords to 'be alfected. Sucli people limy be able lo speak finite clearly in the daytime, but after dark the voic« commences to get husky, possibly through Hie lidded moisture in the air after sundown. This affection of the voice gradually wears off with complete convalescence.

A Press Association telegram from Napier stales that -Mr. Arthur M'Carthy died last night from pneumonia. Mr. M'Carthy, who was Deputy-Mayor, a 'member of the Hnrliour Board, the Technical College Board, and other local bodies, was the most prominent of the younger public men, and topped the poll at the last municipal elections, and was generally regarded as possessing a brilliant political future. Ik had put up a great fight against double pneumonia during the last three days. His death is widely regretted.

An item in the Estimates of .£IOO for investigation of the mosquitoes of New Zealand; raised a question from Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington Kasl) in the House of Representatives last evening. In reply, the Minister of Internal AlVairs (11.011. G. W. J(ussell) stated that -the work which has been done at the Panama Canal in the direction of stamping out iiiosquitoe.s .showed that there was. justification for doing the .same thing here. Mosquitoes were carriers of disease, ami if the pioblem which they presented could be successfully dealt with 'in New Zealand it would more than justify the expenditure of Xloo.' A scientific ollicer had been engaged, i nd. his duly would be to go through the Dominion to prepare reports on die type of insects which were prevalent in this country, and to suggest methods for their eradication.

The Postmaster-General (Sir Joseph Ward) told Ihe House 61"Representatives yesterday a little , more about his scheme for air mail services. The. subject under discussion was the improvement of mail services in remote and inaccessible country districts. Sir Joseph Ward said that lie was quite satisfied as the result of inquiries he hud'made that in future it wuuld be. possible to improve very much the mail services to these remote places by carrying ihe mails by aeroplane. Thi,s had nothing to;do with the suggestion he had made- mioii jiftor his return from Home, which- proposal was for the" carriage by aeroplane of longdistance mails.- He had had a long interview a few days ago with representatives of the flying school, at Auckland, iind he was quite satisfied from the information given him that inland mails lo remote, places could be delivered regularly and speedily at' low cost.

'i'lip Minister of I,'aihvays (the Tlon. W. H. llerries) slated \z the House of liepresentatives yesterday that the present. O'eneral jMiiiiapei , . (Mr. K. 11. Ililey) wfiuld be retiring at the enddl I lie present financial year, and that he would not be reappoinlc.d. Mr. Hiley desired lo leave for the Home Country. Dr. Newman .said thai, he had heard that Mi , . I'l'riggs was io bo the new (jcneral Manager, but on this rumour Mr. llerries liart nothing lo «a,v.

The I'ostmaster-Cieneral is waiting for iiifoniialiou about (he latest wireless discovery which is said to make high aerials unnecessary. If the invention makes it easier to extend wireless communication, the Minister intends to consider tin , possibility of using it in' iVeiv Xciiluml.

Tbo Fire Urigade received a call at 3.15 yesterday afternoon to Kl- l'iddil'oid Street, where Messrs. Coo|ier and Thomson, cabinet-makers, have their business premises. The brigade's services were not. required, as the outbreak (iiniong some shavings) had been suppressed before any damage hud been done.

The man Krnest Charlelou Nash, who was on reported lo the police In- his wife as liaving been missing from home since 8 a.m. oil Wednesday, was yesterday reported to have returned In his resilience. Nash had recently had an attack of influenza and his absence, gave rite'to fears for his rifely.

Since tho Government has In.keti over a thousand elites of 'rozen blue cod Ic meet an emergency ereitcd by (he epidemic, the Labour Department has temporarily added fislimongory to its activities. J.t hns been disposing of tho lisli first to hospitals and urgent eases, ami then to retailors, on condition that the latter sell their supplies at not more Hum l(ld. per lb. Tho Department has seen to if; that the secondary towns, such as llnstertoii, l'almerston North, feilding, Wangnnui, and lUarton, have been supplied. The ijn intily "f fish still in hand is considered likely to meet the demands for about another week. It is wanted moro now, perhaps, than it was a week ago, on account of its being a useful Article- of dk'tfor convalescents'."

The matter of the replacement of the cab-e repair steamer Tulanekai was referred to in the House of .Representatives yesterday. JJr. .Luke asked flic Postmaster-General whether, it was the intention of the Government to procure a- new steamer to replace the Tiitunekai. If bo, he.would suggest to tho Minister that.he obtains a vessel which could fill in. her spare time in the carriage of State coal. There was a continual shortage of coal, and he believed that a Government steamer fitted for the carriage of coal would pay the Stale well. Sir Joseph'. Ward said that it was the intention of the Government to sell both tho Tiilanekiii. and the Hinemoa as opportunity, offered, and to buy. a larger steamer .to. replace then). The difficulty about the Tutanekai was that the cable tanks, occupied all the space I hat would otherwise be available., for cargo. The Government would not in future require a cable .steamer, however. , The Pacific Cable Hoard's steamer Iris was permanently.in New Zealand,.and it would be cheaper for the New Zealand Government to get repairs done by (his steamer.than to keep, a special steamer. The. larger steamer to be obtained would be useful for the lighthouse .service, would carry railroad material between, the two islands, and would occasionally carry coal. .

"It is my opinion that in this country members of Parliament are not paid, enough," said -Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Kenresentatives yesterday. "It is also my opinion that .Ministers ai'e not paid adequately. 1 say that-after a long experience." He said that the community got very valuable services from members of Parliament, and it ought to be recognised. The representatives of the people felt the cost of living just as other members of the , community ; did,' and most of them'had'to' keep up two homes for part of the year.

A report on the' working of the Lands for Settlement Act for flip year ended Jl'iii'ch 31. 1018, was laid on"-'the .table of the House of Kepresenta lives on Thursday. "The operations of the Department," stilted the report, "have been entirely confined to the piirclia.se of land for discharged soldieas. The number of properties considered during the year was -193, of.an area of 451,035 acres. This is very much below that of last yeni; but. still much' above the average. Tho properties were widely distributed, and none wisro of any great extent. As usual, many were found to 1 e quite unsuitable, and tin , prices asked were in several instances nearly double the taxable value. The' a'roa purchased for (•election was AQ,'2% acres, at a cost of ■1)410,286, and for individual'soldiers, JBl acres, at. a- cost of IHiTOfl." The report added that since April 1 lo September'l, 1918," further areas iuul been secured amoiiiiting to 2li,Sli! acre?, at a cost of J!3!1!),736, for selection, and r>92o acres, amounting to .C'SCJflft, for individual soldiers. "Gencnally the prices now "ruling." says the report, "are such that it is found next to impossible to sscuruland at a price, even without the addition of the nece«arv charges, thai "will leave anv great margin for working. ConsMiuentfy only the most experienced and energetic soldiers can look fen- I lie success they deserve."

The inhalation chamber established by the General Post Ofiice in Nathan's Buildings in Veatlierston Street will be available for use by the public on Sutidilv next bc-hveeu the hours of 10 a.m. and t p.m. Persons wishing to avail themselves of (lie convenience are aslrnl to , provide their own towels.

•\n inordinate thirst, which could not be quenched s owing to Hie holds being closed., caused a man named .William ITarland to resort to clilorodyne, and a week ago he -was arrested in Hie street on a charge' of helpless drunkenness, and when he appeared in Court be wn« in such a shaky condition that, he bad to be remanded for medical treatment, yesterday he was warn biwht before Mr. V. V. fc razor. S.M. who «iid, "I don't- think 1. can convict tliis-msii of drunkenness, for, though it i< certain-that he ■ ha.d . been drinkms clilorodyne, it is not certain that he bad also taken-too much liquor. As lie lias been locked up for a week, I think no trill bo w-fficiently punished it he. is ordered to pay 175.. (id. medical expenses. Tl'nrland w-.i* siven the option of seventytwo hours' imprisonment.

\ prp-s Association telegram from Ch'risiehureli Stales that Hope Whit, field Home was .yesterday sentenced to twelve .months' .imprisonment by courtinnrtiKl for disobeying the order pi a sunerior oKicer. It is understood that .motorists who have "loaned their cars to the various "Toup -organisations are. feeling sore about the Mayor's remarks at yesterday s .meeting of group officials respecting Hie expenditure incurred on account of motor-cars. Tt should be ninde quite clear that the remarks had no application to loaned cars, to the owners of which the Mayor and the community -enerallv are 'profoundly grateful, but referred" In the heavy totals for the ljire of (axis from professional owners.

Mthough a certain amount of reasonable latitude has been allowed hotelkecpers in Ihe observance of the Health Departments order closing hotel bars, a number of instances : .n which hotelkecpers have, in the language, of the man in the street, "made 'U too hot," have come under Ihe notice of the police, states the Auckland "Star." Jn consequence several informations have been issued charging licensee; of hotels with having comliiitled breaches of the order requiring thorn lo keep their bars closed. ■ .

Tiiranaki oil was mentioned in the House of Representatives last evening The Minister nf Mines (Hon. W. D. HMac Donald) said that (he big bore was going down, and would continue lo go down until the geological experts said it woiild be useless to go further, Many shallow bores had been put down durMie the last forty years, and Ihe experts of' (he .Geological DcparlmenJ considered that tho nroper (h-'-.ii; would be to complete a really deep bore. He hoped it would bo a success.

The Minister, of Public. Health. (Hon. 0 W. Kusscll) in the House of Representatives last night that it had been decided to make a grant of .UIOO to the i'luiiket Society for each Plunket nurse engaged for a full year, or pro rata for nurses not engaged for the' full year. Referring to the work of Dr. Trilby King i" Enu'land, Mr. lius-ell said (he Homo'authorities had cabled out to New Zealand asking (hal lie should lie allowed lo remain for a further year.. The request would lie placed before' Cabinet, and would no doubt lie granted. Member.- paid a tribute lo Ihe valuable work doiio by the Plunkel nurses in assistin« lo mi fesua rd the infant live-; of the country. Tho Hslimntc* provided for n grmil 'of ,E-JOOD for Ihe Plunkel nurses. l,ast-yciir a similar sum was voted, and .OT-' was expended.'-'

A liorrcspondenl, writes to the Chrislchiirch "Press":—There are miiny ways of killing a dog. l.iisl. wool; ,a! a Onilerbury ]iost oliivo ii slranjjer a telesnim addressed lo ii Wcllinglou hotel, and ivailing suliicwhal as follows: "Left my rariiel-bap in room l!l, plenni forward te Colfeo I'lilsicc, Uunedin." 'I'lio girl behind the counter explained I hat ill present only telegrams dealing wilh nitkiiess, deulli, trains, elc, could be aeccpled, and refused lo transmit the Iclcgnun,. despite (lie . traveller'.-: assertion of the lack of a clean shirt, and oilier details of distress. He retired to the wriliiiK-dosk, pnndercil deeply for , ii while, then wrote and reluriied wilh a. smile u,f Iriunipli. tine glance and, the ollieial passed the message. Three words had been prelixvd lo it to nialio it read: "(.irandmolhor very ill, left, my carpel-bag, etc., etc." Now ilip postmaster is expecting to find others using the talisman. We may anticipate the following: "Clriiiidimitlier vny ill, •.end .">!) singlets and -1(1 pairs underpants, as per sample," or, "Gmiidmnllier , xey? '%' put X~> on .Inker in WelfiJr llaiidica)i," or, again, "Ciriimlmolhcr very ill, a line baby bov just arrived, both doing well I' ,

Tlio Crimes Amendment Bill, introduced, by. Hip Minister. 61'. Justice, (the Hun. 'I'. 'M. Wilfurd), provides that any person convicted-on indictment or sentenced for any crime on a plea uf guilty •riiwler the .lustice's of the- Peace Act may, ih the leave of the Court uf Appeal, ji.-nl In Iliiil;.Court against his sentence mi the ground that it is excessive. The Court uf Anneal may quash Che sentence iiml'pa.»s any other-ficnlence warranted by law; whether more or loss sevwe. When :i motion for leave to iippeal against a sentence or conviction has been dismissed, the Court of Appeal may, if it thinks fit, order the'applicant to pay to the other party Urtho prosecution the costs of I lie - motion.

■Rear-Admiral Sir William Clarkson sidled at" Melbourne a few days ago Unit .powdered coal v:ns . behiß \used experimentally in the American. Navy. The (csls ill Sydney bud given encouraging results, but were not yet. complete: Powdered black coal had been used up lo the present, and experiments would.doilblless be. made .with brown coal from Victoria. Tho use of powdered coal would do away to a large extent with. Hie necessity for (rimming coal, ami, mechanic means would be adopted for moviiie the fuel from the luinkers to the furnaces.. This would save much labour. ' Experts consider that nil increase "of-7 per; cent, in fileain -power can be effected. . •

The followins; churches, will bold services on- Sunday :-St. Mnrk'e,, Diifferin Street; St. Barnaba-s's, Roscneath; St. Luke's. "W'adestowri; St. Anne'?, Northland: Wesley Church, Tnrnnaki Street. No service will lw? held in the Hebrew Synagogue to-day '(Saturday).. .. .; A Press-Association telegram from Sydney slates'that the restrictions on travelling between England- and Australia through the -war zones have- been removed; ■ : ■ . ■ ' ' •Sydney is en fete for the War Chest Fuiid. About .K30,000. has .been collected. —Press Assn.. ■ ■ • -. "

Church services will be held in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, 10-inorrow, at 11 oclock. .■ ' ■

Tho eum of approximately .ClfiCO has been..'subscribed in Masiertoir. towards (he-relief of distress arising from the inHiieriM epidemic. ' .. .

. The action of the Minister -of Justice in. appointing'a- number- of magistrates recently was criticised in, the House of(Representatives yesterday by -Mr. -W. B. Stewart. He said that the-Government had recently . appointed n> number of magistrates," ami tliere was a feeling in the profession Hint the - Government should have-given-consideration to the claims-of those. barristers who-had sacrificed their practices to go on active service. Ho hoped'that in future, if more .vacancies .- occurred, barristers returning from'the war would 'liavc consideration. The Minister raid that appointments had keen necessary' owing to the. lack: of magistrates.

That the Dominion should go in for a 'comprehensive programme of scientific research was n point urged by Air. .1Payne, (Grey Lyiui) in the House of flelire'sentatives last night, when the Estimates wore, -under consideration. He said thai: this should be done in the inlerests of the country's secondary "industries.- Mr. Payne also suggested that the Government should establish a clinical -research laboratory. . The Minister of Public. Health (Uoii\Ct. W. .Russell) said that the Government, was really providing in the ; present Estimates a sum of J-'2iT>o for scientific investigations. Hβ was not, going to say that that was suflicieut for a country like- Nev Zealand If ioO.OOO were provided it. would not be more- than New- Zealand could adequately expend on scientific research, ■but- for largo .developments of. this bud they, must wait until conditions became normal.' JTo felt sure . Hint when; the time was opportune the. Government would como down with more eo.mpnv hensive' proposals' for the purpose .of bringing live science to bear on (he industrial problems of the Dominion.

According to a cablegram received nn Wednesday -.by an Auckland hardware firm, tile ."position of the hardware market in New. York is sti|l.'iinsettled,.statos(lie "Hern.M. Tlie linn's agent reported that-lie did not expect, any radical reduction of forward .urieee as' a result of the cessation of hostilities, lmt he anticipated export facilities' to be much easier. The principal of the firm said hardware supplies, notably fencing wire and nails, were very lou: in. 2New. Zea-. land, but if .freight facilities in.America' were easier, as was likely to be the case, supplies in 'New 'Zealand would .begin (o get hack to normal. He', enrfsidered prices of hardware h> Hie Dominion would shortly he easier, on ,accoimt of freight' rates' being reduced and Ilioro being no "further necessity to ipay war risks on cargo. . .