LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

_ "There has been a rise of 20 per cent, in cotton goods cabled to New Zealand since ttio armistice was signed,",said a local tradesman to a Dosiinion reporter. "People are expecting the price of goods to drop immediately, but I do not anticipate that there will be much change for at least eighteen months to come." A well-defined earth tremor was felt in Wellington at 11.35 o'clock on Sunday night. Tho 'quake was preceded by a peculiar sound, something between a crack and a growl. The shock was also felt througliout the Wairarapa.

Eetail business men in Wellington report that Inst w,eek saw nlmost a complete return to normal in receipts after three weeks of tho strangest experience ever known in the history of trade in this city. There is now dawning a hope that the Christmas trade will not be very seriously affected, by the break caused by the epidemic, though the' very rough and altogether uncertain meteorological conditions havo militated sadly against the sale of summer dress goods. As there has so far been no summer this is not remarkable. -The problem concerning those in tho soft-goods trade at tho present time concerns their buying policy. The prices ruling aie exceedingly high, and there is no immediate prospect of a fall, but' the fall must como sooner or later with the sharp competition that nvust ensue for the colouial trade as soon as the manufacturing centres of England, the Continent, and America swing back into the old groovo, and for that reason it is anticipated that retailers will indent cautiously for some time to come in order to avoid carrying large stocks of highpriced goods.

Some few of the soldiers of New Zealand have become engaged to be married whilo they have been in England,- and they will bo anxious to bring ihoir affianced brides out to New Zealand as soon as they themselves aro in assured positions again. Dr. Newman asked in tho House of Representatives yesterday whethar the Government would treat these young women in the same way in regard to passages to New Zealand as if the marriages had beon actually completed in England. Sir James Allen said that he did not think thero would be any difficulty about these affianced wives getting assistance from the Immigration Dopartment. He thought that arrangements had already been mnde, but he promised to make enquiries.

By a clause in the "Washing Up" Pill an extension of time is given to the City Council of Wellington for tho completion of tho Evans Bay reclamation work. The original empowering Act was passed in 1906, and the tinio allowed for tho completion of the work was seven years. ,In 1912 the period was lengthened to % twelve years, and now, this period having almost elapsed, a further extension to nineteen years is allowed, /

Restoration of the full , number of racing days ivas asked for in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. G. Witty, in a question addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Ministor said that tho schedule of racing fixtures had been fixed up till July 31. The question of whether the full privileges should be restored for the remainder of the year would be submitted, to Cabinet.

"When the Ministers decide whose liability it is wo will probably get something done," said a member of a local body, referring to the children orphaned by the recent epidemic. "On the one hand the Charitable Aid Board has all tho machinery for handlipg such cases— they could bo sent out to the Macarthy Home at Belmont, a iittlo paradise-, at once, but when tho Charitable Aid Board' was mentioned at the meeting some of those present shrugged their shoulders and screwed np their noses at the word "charity." Yet those same people said they would not mind if the allowance took tho form of a pension. The only possible difference might be that the money might have to bo found by ono Department - instead of another. There is nothing wrong with the word charity —it is an honest and very beautifiil English word—and why anyono should shy at it passes my comprehension. Anyhow, it may be best to wait and see what scheme the Government propose; it will hnvo to be a Dominion one, as Hie conditions in Wellington arc only reflections of thoso experienced elsewhere."

Captain (temporary Major) Jamas Herbert Graham Robertson has (says Foatherston camp orders) been granted tho temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel while holding the appointmout of P.M.0., Pcathcrston Canlp. Captain Bertram diaries Alexander Leeper, L.R.C.S., has been granted tho temporary rank . of major while employed in N.Z.E.F. training camps. Captain P. A. Wood (M.C.), N.Z.S.C, is promoted to the rank of major wMtet holding appointment of mounted rifles instruotor, JMI.C.

Writing to his son in Wellington a i London resident said on October 15:—I "The food question is gradually becom. ing moro acute. Wo are allowed to buy ■ Is. 4d. worth of moat per week,'and as moat is about 2s. lb. you can sen that I wo are not likelv to suffer from au overdose of meat. 'The shortago of fruit is a very serious matter. Only a very few plums were on tho market for about a week at Is. Jd. per lb., then they disappeared altogether. Cooking apples wore selling at from lOd. to Is. 2d. p/r lb., when the Controller fixed the price at Sd„ but very few arc to be seen. Dessert apples, such as Blenheim Orange or Cox's Orange Pippin, aro selling at Is. 3d. and Is. Gd. each, which is, I suppose, close on 6s. per lb. Bananas are to bo seen occasionally at Id. each. Butter is very scarce at the controlled price of 2s. 6d. per lb. Wo aro new allowed two ounces per weok, but that is to be further reduced to one ounce. Currants and sultanas are never seen now. I wish you could send me some, up matter what the price might be. Jam is also veryscarce, although I have managed to buy enough for my own use so far. Bacon and butter are tho two things we seeni te want the most. A nice large currant cake would be a most welcome addition to one's larder. The price is no object when one is hungry. Eggs are now worth Gd. each." A Press Association telegram from Auckland stales that the Auckland section of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association carried unanimously a motion strongly urging the executive to impress on the Department and. the Post-master-General the necessity for granting tho telegraph side direct representation in the administrating division. Mrs. Eobertson, who met with a serious accident through the capsizing of a motor'car on the Paekakariki Hill, her son-in-law (Mr. W. F. Williams, of Paraparaumu), who was driving, being killed, is making a good recovery in the Otaki Hospital. The hospital attendants consider Mrs. Eobertson as something of a marvel. This old lady (73 years of age) was thrown from a car, and fell about fifteen to seventeen chains down a precipitous hill, being very badly bruised from head to foot, sustaining a fractured arm (md very severe outs on her legs, and was lving exposed, m the f»ce of the hill for some twenty-sJfv'ft tions which would have i>een sunlcient to kill most robust young people—yet she ;s doing well at the hospital, and is wonderfully bright and ch. - °iful.

The French Mission, at present in Australia, has abandoned its proposed New Zealand tour.—Press Assn. The following temporary appointments have been approved by' the Camp Commandant at Featharston:—Cpl. W- JWoods, N.Z.A.S.C, to be temporary staff sergeant; Cpl. E. J. Whyte, N.Z.A.S.C, to bo temporary sergeant; L.-Cpl. T. C. L. Browne, N.Z.A.S.C., to be temporary corporal; Drivers J. A. M'lnnes, C. V. Fredricksen,' and' W. E. Peacock, N.Z.A.S,C, to be temporary corporals. Mr. R. A. Wright asked the Minister o? Defence in the House of Representatives yesterday whethor, in the event of the German prisoners now interned in New Zealand being returned to their own country at the conclusion of peace, the present guards, and especially the responsible officers, would be' given the opportunity of forming an escort. "I can make no promise of, that sort," replied the Minister. At a meeting of the Bngine Drivers, Firemen, and .Cleaners' Association held at Upper Hutt tho following resolution was passed-.—"That this branch 'of the association views with alarm the departure of the leaders '.f the National Government from New Zealand before any settlement of. their grievances has been arrived at, and call on their_ executive council to come to an early decision as to what steps they intend to take." A clause in a Bill to be pns'sed before Parliament disperses concerns the administration of Wellington city leases. In 1915 there was introduced the first legislation postponing the date for revaluation of these leases until 1917, and later legislation extended the time until 1919. It is now proposed that this extension shall apply, and be deemed to hnve applied to any renewable leases granted by the city of Wellington. . Referring to tho epidemic, the Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. E. P. Rishworth) last evening said that tho close inspection, of the borough had shown that tho general 6anitury condition of the borough • was verv satisfactory. A few minor cases had" been attended to, and defects readily remedied. Tho most, common fault was lack of attention to gully-traps, in which accumulations of grease were often found. Tho epidemic had certainly not beon aided by insanitary domestic faults. Tho "Wnjrarapa ' Age" comments strongly upon a report which is current that Feathorston Military Camp is to be used as a place of internment for Germans, a consumptive sanatorium for soldiers, and a place of treatment for soldiers suffering from incurable venereal diseases. A.Press Association cable message from Now York states that M'Naniarn, of Australia, and Magin, of Philadelphia, have won the six-day cycling race. "I have promised the railway societies that 1 will consult with them as soon as posriblo regarding the conditions in the railway service," said the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. 11. Hemes) in the House of Representatives yesterday, in reply to a question as.to whether locomotive men were going to got paid special rates for night work. The Minister added that he was not going to mako any increases until he know what his liabilities were. Tho railwaymen were asking for an eight-hours' day, and the question of hours and wages would have to be considered together.

Tho "Free Lance" Christmas Annual this year is a bright number, quite up to' the standard '■-f previous issues. Naturally the sketch fo and stories have n war flavour, with here and there an echo of ancient Maori days. Looal talent is well represented in verse, story, and pen and ink drawings.

On the motion of the Defence Minister the following resolution was carried by the House of Representatives yesterday: "That a committee 1» annotated to inquire into the epidemic which took place on the transport conveying the >\trtietli Reinforcements: to have rower to call for persons and papers the committee to consist of Messrs. W. h. Field, G. Fowtds, P. M'Calluni, A. S. It. Pcott, W. A. Veiteh. and the mover." The Minister mid that he hoped the committee would begin its work on Wednesday, and thereafter as might be arranged. Tn view of the fact that pence may nossiblv lie signed next year, the position of interned Germans fomied' the (subject of a question of which notice was (riven by the Hon. G. J. Garland in the legislative Council vested-day. Mr. Garland gave notice fa osk if the Government were aware of the danger to which German" would ho exposed when lib"reted from the internment wmns.of tho Dominion, and. if so, would they consider the advisableii~s of niacins those Germans on a vessel and landing them i:i H'fir own country by the time peace

Power is given to tho Wellington City Council by a clause in the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act to use part of the land reclaimed or to be reclaimed in the Evans Bay district for workers' dwellings, or for such other municipal purposes as the Wellington City Council by resolution may decide. The land affected is an area of about six acres.

A statement about the effect of tho epidemic on shipping in tho Pacific, with special reference to Samoa, was made to the House of Representatives by (ho Minister of Mariu© yesterday. Tho Minister said that a oablegram had been received to the effect that tho epidemic was raging at Tahiti, and all ships were warned not to go there. Many ships sailing from New Zealand were at present hung up. At Samoa, where the 'pidemic was raffing, condensed milk was badly wanted, but the Talnue could r,ot get her full eon'rdement in order to go there. There had been great loss of lifn at Samoa. He had been inquiring about the possibility of setting the Talune awav to Samoa with supplies »f condensed mill;. "Hectors to pioceed to Samoa wore available, and an endeavour was being made to secure nurses. He hoped that the Tallinn would »i-t awav the next day or tho day following. AD would depend on whether thev could man the ship. He did not think that the difficulty experienced in getting a crew could bo !»'t down to recalcitrant action on the ,>art of the men. Tt was well known that the m»n going down in the sea in ships had suffered' oeyerely from influenza.

A. suggestion was n'.ade to the Government yesterday that in view of the inoved urgency of doing something in imnection with t'iio housing problem in this country, the Government should take steps to obtain rights over supplies of building stono or other building materials. He mentioned that in Britain tho Government had obtained supplies of building stone as part of the preparation for (he house-building scheme undertaken by the Government. The Prime Minister said that the matter luid not been lost sight of. and inquiries had already been set afoot. The issues of August 1G and SO of the "Chronicles of tho N.Z. Expeditionary Force" have come to hand with the edges lightly damaged by fire and smoke, evidently due to some vicissitudes ashore or afloat, for which subscribers axe asked to make allowances. Up till tho time tho last mail left England fifty-one numbers of this paper, had been issued, but Nos. 31), 10, M, and 42 were missing. WhetheD they have been lost at sea or not is not known to the local agent .of the "Chronicles." The conclusion of peace will be commemorated in a fitting manner by tho natives at Te Puke. The local Maoris have paid into the batik tho sum of ,££oo for the. erection of a monumental arch, and they propose to raise another iJ3OO to place a statue on top of the arch, There has been a very noticeable difference in the appearance of the city, and in business generally, during the last two or three days, the Auckland "Herald" states. As conditions more nearly approach normal, people are coming Into town more freoly, and an atmosphere of renewed confidence and cheerfulness prevails. A few weeks ago the fact that Auckland was in the grip of the epidemic found its reflection not only in altered business conditions, but in'the whole aspect of the city; empty shops, almost deserted streets, and a prevailing gravity told of sorrow and apprehension. Now the characteristic optimism of Aucklanders is apparent in the city. Signs of the approach of the Christmas season are to be seen on all sides.

The release of the British prisoners in Germany has led to the resumption of negotiations between a British commercial man and a prominent Auckland business firm that were suddenly interrupted by tho declaration of war between England and Germany in August, 19H. The representative of tho Auckland firm, when on a visit to Europe* early in 1914, met the Englishman at Hamburg, where the latter was manager of a German business. Subsequently the two corresponded, and negotiations were in train for the Englishman to come to the Dominion and take a position in Auckland. Upon the outbreak of war the Englishman wrote stating that he was interned in Germany, and requesting that letters to him should bo sent to an address in England. A letter was forwarded as requested, and on Friday a cablegram acknowledging receipt of tho letter was received by the Aucklander. The 1 sender had just returned to England after having been an inmate of a German internment camp for over four years. ■