LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 58, 3 December 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Measles having been declared an . infectious disease, information is being received by the Health Department from various parts of the Dominion as to the number of ca.ses that are in existence. The Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) stated last night that in a few days it will bo possible to determine tho position as to thin epidemic, which he sincerely hoped would not become serious in the Dominion. "I hove received a communication from a gentleman in Auckland," added Mr. Rue»3ll,

"who informs mo that the epidemic is serious in the Mount Albert district."

The Telegraph Office nnnounces Hint the inland telegraph restrictions due to the influenza, epidemic will be removed on and from to-day, but offices observing curtailed attendance due to war conditions will continue to observe the same until further notice.

Replying to a question in the House of Representatives yesterday the Minister of Public Health said that the Government had under consideration the relief of distress resulting from the death of one or both parents by influenza during the recent epidemic. The Minister said that the Government would be in a position to make known its intentions in the course of a few days.

For the eleven months ended November 30, there have been fifteen bankruptcies in Wellington, as compared with nine in tho corresponding period (/f last year. In the Legislative Council yesterday morning the Hon. W. Earnshaw gave notine to ask the Government if they would take into favourable consideration some relief by wnv of extended holiday to those Public Servants who have, at great sacrifice to health, kept their post, and. the service running, during the late trying epidemic.

A suggestion was made in a question asked by Dr. Thacker ,in the House of Representatives yesterday that something improper was being done by the Defence Department in stopping the pay of eoldiers who had to have their leave extended in order that they might nurse their sick families. The Minister replied that the practice of the Department was to allow meii already on leave to have extended leave without pay in such cases, ordering them to await instructions about discharge. These men would on discharge receive a month's leave with pay, and their right to have this extra pay would not be lost by the fact that they had had their ordinary leave extended for a term, for which term the leave had been without pay.

In tho House of Representatives yesterday Mr. E. Newman gave notice to ask the Government whether, in view of the recent serious accident on the Paekakariki Hill, and other recent accidents on the same road, the local bodies ought not to be compelled to widen the road, the apportionment of the cost of the work anion? the local bodies interested to be done by a commission.

The City Council decided at yesterday afternoon's meeting-.—"That (he Wellington Education Board be informed that the council cannot depart from the terms of their previous decision to increase the charge for the supply of wrtei- to public schools from ,£SO per annum to 9d. per thousand gallons for the supply from high-level reservoirs, and 3d. per thousand gallons from gravitation supply."

Applications for tho position of Assistant Secretary of Hie Post, and Telegraph Department (vice Mr. F. V. Waters; deceased) are being called for by the Public Service Commissioner. As it is imperative that this important position shall be filled as soon as possible, Ihe applications are being called for by telegraph, and must be in the possession of tho Commissioner by Monday next. An Acting-Second Assistant Secretary (vice Major G. J). Dall, who ]-as gone to England as elinf postal officer with tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force) will also be appointed' in the near future. Other promotions consequent upon )ho two mentioned will be made in due course.

The position relating to the censorship of books was raised by the Hon. AV. Earnsliaw in the Legislative Council yesterday morning. Mr. Earnsliaw asked :i question on the point, and proceeded to make a statement in explanation, when the Hon. J. T. Paul interjected, "That's not a question, that's a speech." The Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) then rose, and requested that the Speaker should (Supervise the wording of the question before allowing it tq be printed. This the Speaker agreed to do, and the question in the form approved by him read as follows:—"Is it tho intention of the Government to continue! to maintain the present censorship upon so-called Protestant literature, including that now detained for investigation? Now our enemies have surrendered fleets and territories, and are suing for peace, does the Government consider the censorship any longer necessary? Will the Government state when they intend to release the literature that is now detained?"

Special consideration was asked for the dependants of railwaymen who have, lost their lives in the recent epidemic by Mr. It. W. Smith in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Smith said that tho representations had been made lo him from Ohakune, and they were to the effect that many railwaymen had sacrificed their lives by doing their duty and remaining at work during the course of the epidemic. The Minister of Railways said tjliat the whole matter of arranging relief for the dependants of those persons in the public service who had lost their lives in the epidemic would have to be considered by Cabinet. So* far ns he could sra every case would have to be considered on its merits. -He presumed that other Ministers in charge of other Departments would have eases requiring consideration. The whole question would have to bo considered as a whole.

The Wellington Choral Union is making arrangements for a performance of "The Messiah" to bo given at the Town Hall shortly before Christmas. The soloists will be Madame Russell, of Auckland (soprano), Miss Mina Caldow (contralto), Mr. .1 ohii I'ronsu (Imritono), and Mr. Sidney Butler, of Auckland (tenor).

Some interesting comments upon tho composition of various foodstuffs arc contained in the annual report of the Dominion Analyst (Dr. G. S. Maclaurin), which was presented to Parliament yes. torday. The report, which covers the period ended March ,11 last, slates that the examination of several parcels of smoked fish revealed that it was a common practice to smoke tin; fish in n very perfunctory way, and then wash with a solution of amintlo to give tho appearance of the thoroughly cured article. "This constitutes a fraud on the public," says Dr. Maelaiirin, "and. in my opinion, should not be allowed." A sample of flour sold for uso by the troops was evidently bleached with nibrngen peroxide. Bleaching was contrary lo regulations, being'both unwholesome and unnecessary. An inspection of the mill disclosed (he usual apparatus for the purpose, and continned the chemical evidence. "Very few infants' and invalids' foods were exam, ined during thn year," tho topnrl: continues. "The labels on cucli foods are in many cases misleading, mid a thorough investigation nf all on the market would appear to be warranted." At a meeting of the Polmewtoii North branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants on Sunday the following resolution was carried unanimously: —■'That this branch of the society strongly protests ag.iinst the action of the Minister of Railways in paying one section of the railway employees full pay whilst away from duty 'suffering from iritluenza, whilst the ether section only J receive half pay." .

Mr. E. P. Lee, M.P., had an opportunity while at the front some two years ago of observing the enormous amount of motor transport which is used to supply the needs of modern armies. In the House of Representatives yesterday he asked the. Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that liurgo numbers of motor lorries would bo .sold by the Imperial Government soon, the Government of New. Zealand would ascertain from the local authorities throughout Ihe country whether they required any of these vehicles, and if so whether the Government would make arrangements to /secureBomo of them. Mr. Jlassey replied that the matter had not been tost sight of by the Governmcnlj, and inquiries were being made as to .the priccß at which these vehicles would IJe sold. At the same time inquiries wero being made from the local authorities as to then , possible requirements.

In (lie course of his annual report, which was presented to Parliament yesterday, the Under-Secrctary of Internal Affairs (Mir. J. Hi.slop) stated that, no borough councils had applied, for tho iJsuo of regulations under Section 13 <f the Cost of Living Act, MS. "Tho cost of living question," he adds, "seems :o be regarded by local bodies as a subject for discussion ralher than definite action."

The Customs returns for November, compared with tho corresponding month of last year, show ii considerable decrease owing to the disorganised state of the port on iiccount of the influenza epidemic. The figures are:—November, 1818, .£50,992 10s. 6(1.t November, 1917, 4:87,302 10s. sd. The beer duty for the past month amounted to J218G7 1 3s. 2d., the figures for November of last jear being J2-168 Iss. 9tl.

Now that all the breweries in the.United States have closed, brewers declare there will be not more than six weeks' supply of beer on hand and consequently beer will not be obtainable after January. It is estimated that in New York alone-10,000 licensed victuallers or saloonkeepers will go out of business. . The revenue loss to the Government from the suspension of the breweiries in the next twelve months is estimated at X28,000,0{W. Two fine- gifts have been made to Auckland city by prominent citizens. One gift was'that of n property of 761 acres on the Manukau Harbour, owneewby Mr. Wesley Spragg, and the other an offer by Mr. John Court to construct and equip a playing ground for children nt Victoria. Park at a cost of JBISOO. Mr. Sprag«'s property, known us kaiteraki Park, adjoins the western uoundiiry o Cornwallis Park,'which was bequeathed to the' city by the late Mr. J. M'Lachlan. The "ift is to serve as an enduring memorial of Mr. Spragg's -on. Lieutenant Wesiey Neal Spragg, ot the Royal I'lying Corps, who was killed m action on January 1. 1918.

The annual report of the Native Land Purchase Board,-presented to the House of Representatives yesterday, stated that during the past year ninety-five blocks, compnsing 91,027 acres, were proclaimed Crown land; 143,145' acres were purchased, including purchases in blocks; partlj- ncnuired as compared with 143,525 acres acquired during the previous year. Negotiations ware in progress in respect of approximately 913,170 acres 1 rood 9 perches During the eight years that have elap. d since the passing of the Native Lai id Act, 1909, the sum of -£1,5(7,007 19s. Gd. has been expended through the Laiw Purchase Board in the purchase of Native lands for settlement. The total aiea of Native land alienated by way of sale during the same period is approximately. wSu acies, and. of this .total some 809,005 acres have been acquired on behalf of the Crown. In the_ Ijrewera Reserve which comprises 30 blocks, containing 056,000 acres, negotiations have been in respect of 23 bloeks. containing 437,719 acres, and up to Maich 31 last a total area of 248,10? acres had been purchased, or more than one-halt; 61,603 acres being purchased during the previous year. Arrangements vere.m train for the purchase of the remaining blocks. Preparations were also being made to negotiate for the purchase of a number of blocks in the Taupo district, and prohibitions against alienation by private persons had been issued. Referring to the issue of permits and passports, the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs, presented to the House of Representatives yesterday stated that the. number of applications from persons for permission to leave New Zealand for other countries had been well maintained, . a noticeable feature bein" the increased number of traveller to Canada, the United States of America, and Japan.

\ reference tq the milk supply o£ Wellington is contained in the report ot the Dominion Analyst (Dr J S. which was laid onHhe table of the Ilmise of Representatives yesterday. ■ Ihe report covered the yearly period ended March 31 1918, and stated that constant inspection and the imposition of salutary fines for breaches, of Hie regulations had checked watering ami skimming as c'ompaxed with former years. "It would also appeav," added the report, "that .more care is exercised in -.handling milk;- 'for although the present proportion of milks with excessive dirt—2 per cent.—is still hWi, last year over 7 per cent, of the samples submitted were unsatisfactory in this respect. Stale milks are in , much the same proportion ns in other years, indicating insufficient cooling directly alter milking and during conveyance, and also undue delay in distribution. J'roni a health standpoint stateness and dirt constitute the most serious defects in the city supply."

The flax blight is assuming alarming proportion in the Manawotii swamps (says an exchange). Its origin is a mystery, as it attacks not only the leaves in the swamps but is often noticeable m isolated groups -at great distances apart. The careful investigations so far made have quite, failed to locate the source ot the infection. As a consequence of the blight one. mill lias been dismantled.'

Yet another request for the production of the Magisterial report into the allegations of cruelty to persons in the detention barracks.at Wangamii was made ot the Minister of Defence by Mr. Harry Holland in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister said that the report was at present at Headquarters, but he would? make inquires about it. Recently the Prime Minister received a cablegram signed by Lord Plunket (president), Mrs. Lloyd Georgo (vicepresident), and Sir Alexander Roger (chairman) of the Overseas Club, London, stating that Dr. 'i'ruby King was doing invaluable public service lecturing in the principal- centres, and co-operating with the public health authorities in the United Kingdom in promoting infant welfare and national It was asked that on account of the good work he was doing, Dr. King should bo granted an extension of tirao in the Old Country, arrangements being made thnt he should reach Now Zealand in October of next year.- The Minister of Public Health stated last night that Cabinet hail approved' of the extension of Dr. King's leave of absence ns requested. Mr. W. ,T. Oliver, of Huyward Street, Feathcrston (who, with his wife and family, is just recovering from influenza), has lost his mother, a sister, and a brother from pneumonia, following on influenza, nil having died within n fortnight. His brother, 'Mr. Harry Oliver, who was a shcepfarmer at Ashhurst, leaves a widow ami eleven childdren, the youngest being only four months old.

Three candidates so fnr bavo announced their intention of contesting the Fnlmerston North sent, in I'arlinment, rendered vacant by tho dealli of tlio Into Mr. D. Buick. * They are Messrs. .1. A. Nash (National Government supporter) ■ K. H. Crobb (Independent), and T\ K. Needham (Labour). The lust-nnmctl is a returned soldier.

On Thursday a traveller from Napier by (ho express train had his journey unexpectedly interrupted at Dannevirke. It appears that he arrived in Napier from Oisbornn b> , the Arnhurn, and was attended there by a doctor, and was found to bo suffering from influenza. However, ho felt well enough on Thursday morning to travel, and left by the express for Wellington. The Napier Urcuugh Council, learning of hi.s departure, communicated with the police in Dannevirke, and on arrival of the train here the "sick" traveller was removed and escorted to tho hospital. Apparently (hero was little wrong with him,_ as he received his discharge from the institution on ]''riclay, and resumed his interrupted trip (o the capital.

Mr. John Castle announces in this issue that he will contest the Wellington South scat rendered vacant by the death of Sir. A. H. Hindmarsh.

The Auckland Citizens' Committee passed, a resolution protesting \ against Ur. jinctlctsbergor being released trom tho internment camp at the present time, it was explained «t the meeting that Dr. Endlotsberger had been sent to Kotorua under guard. He had been ier leased upon the representations of a certain professional man in Auckland 'in the. ground that Dr. Kmllelsberger was tho only man who understood the caso of the patient. Ho had been sent up from the island in the Lady Roberts, under instructions from Wellington,

Tho rose garden at the Nevrtown Zoo is looking its very best just ,it present, but many who in :he ordinary course would have visited the garden have oeen so busy fighting the epidemic that the roses have literally bloomed unseen. Provided tho rain holds oft', the display should hold its attraction for several days to come.

A defect in tlio legislation dealing with pensions was pointed out in a question of which notice was given by 31 r. R. A. Wright in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Wright said that a widow was entitled to a widow's pension, and in tho event of her death her children would be entitled to a pension. But in the case of a widower dying mere was no provision made for a pension for the children. This, lie said, seemed to be contrary to the spirit of the legislation, and lie suggested that this defect in the law should be rectified.