LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Commencing' on Sunday night next the clearances from all street letterboxes and suburban offices at midnight will be resumed. From the eanie date mails now closing at S p.m. will bo closed at midnight. Concurrently the clearances from suburban offices at 7 p.m. and the Sunday clearances from street letter-boxes ; at 2 p.m. will cease. From Monday next the >money order and saviugs bank branch of the Chief Post Office will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4. p.m. In all other branches the hours of attendance will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. It is not yet possible to further restore service's which were curtailed from July 1 last, but the full services will be resumed' as soon as the return of officers now with the Army will permit."

The liner Tofua. left the Glasgow Wharf yesterday afternoon at 3.30 o'clock, bound for' Adelaide, en route to England. The vessel carried the Australian visitors who liave been stranded in Wellington for some timo past. Naturally enouirh the whole <if tho passengers weru delighted'when'the vessel drew out from her berth and those two hundred or so fric-nd.v and sightseers down to see her off raised a cheer, .which was quickly answered by those on board.

Speaking to a ChristcliuHi reporter regarding the suggested Aerial Win;' of the Defence Force, Colonel Chancy" Officer' Commanding the Canterbury District, stated that the flying schools already in existence in Now '.Zealand, and which have trained so many airmen for the Imperial Flying Corps, might either be utilised for the training of future aerial cadets or else bo taken over entirely by tho military. No definite scheme had as yet been drawn up, but the fact that these sjhools had been so successful in training officers for the Imperial Air Force, having (luring the war taught none but intending Flying Corps men, Vas a sufficient guarantee that cadets for. the New' Zealand Flying Corps-could lie trained in these, schools and then drafted into tho permanent air force. The main advantage of having these schools in New Zealand was that it would not he necessary to send cadets- to Australia for training, as is dune with :ili other Now Zealand permanent jStaff^officers.

When impressing the value of varied study upon a newly-inducted minister) the Rev. A. Wcdderspoon, of the Southland Presbytery, said that ;i preacher of the Gospel should read the daily papers, as many -magazines as possible, poetry, novels, and - humour from Aristophanes to Stephen Leacoek besides consuming deeper works. "About this time, Mr. Wedderspoon declared, "I give myself up to a few months of 'desultory rending.. \ .', At others I may concentrate for months on any .subject which comes into my head, borrowing and buying every hook bearing on the subject.that I can la.y. my hands on." '. ■ •■'• ■ • '■

The under-mentioned officers have been appointed to the instructional classes to bo ■ in /i'rentham Camp: Physical and bayonet.. fighting instructor, Captain A, W. Brooke, M.C. (Imperial ■ Forces); machine-gun instructor, Captain P.- B. Henderson, N.Z.S.C.; musketry instructors, Captain E; Purdon, N.Z:S.C. Lieutenant R. J. D. Davis, N.Z.P.S.; infantry drill instructor, Captain A; : ' Cheater, N.Z.P.S. ' •- •-

Mr. W. F. Worley continues his efforts to make better known the mineral resources .of the . Nelson district, though circumstances do not always permit of their profitable utilisation (says the "Colonist"). With, reference to chrome ore, he has received the. following letter, from the - Ministry of Munitions of War, under date London, O=tober 28: —"I am directed by tho Minister of Munitions- to acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 21, concerning deposits of chrome ore in New Zealand, and to convey io yo.i an expression of his thanks for bringing .'this matter to his notice. I am, however, to inform you -that ample-supplies of chrome ore at.present.Tieihg shipped to this country from well-de/iloped mines in other parts of tlie British Empire nearer than -New'.Zealand. For instance, large, quantities of ' Rhpdesian chrome oro are being obtained 'at the price of approximately £5 per ton, f.o'.b. Beira, and in view.of, the greater cost of freight:from New Zealand and the other shipping difficulties involved, Mr. Churchill would not- feel justified in recommending that H.M. Goverment should take any action of the kind suggested in your letter." •'.'.'■ '..-.■■■

A well-known settler in the ..Waverley district met with .a jsomewhat heavy loss last week in a peculiar-manner. It appears that a mob of fat wothers were left, near a crossing over a slight hollow, whilst the nuistcicr went to head off some stragglers.. On his return be found that the mob had rushed the crossing,-' with the result that a block had occurred, the hollow, to his dismay, being filled with the bodies of Eome 150 sheep which had been smothered.

That the salaries of'the principal players absorb the greater part-of the profits.of the moving-picture business was'declared to be a fact by William A. Brady and Walter W. Irwiu; representing the picture industry, before . tho United States Senate Finance Committee. It was stated that the ren-, tals of films bring to the producers something like 70,000,000 dollars (£14,000,000) a year,'and that salaries run from £7000 a year up. The witnesses appeared to protest against the proposed increase from 10 to 20 per cent, in the tax om admissions and an additional tax of. 10 per cent, on rentals in the new War Revenue Bill. Mr. Brady said that the taxes would amount to 2,000,000 (£400,000) a year more than the companies were making, and would force many theatres out or business. '...''

In an interview which a "New .Zealand Herald" reporter had with an Auckland firm it was stated that the large number of requests constantly received to open new accounts point- , ed to a tendency towards extravagance, which,was invariably, discouraged. The principle of "cash down"- was one of' the surest means by -which the impulse of the moment to purchase '.tempting , ' clothing far beyond the buyers' purses could be restrained. ''On the w.lmle," ho snid, "I think the majority of women have bought, sensibly and well during tho war years, placing quality first, iii a spirit of true economy, evon though they have to pay greatly in-, creased prices. There is always a certain .class of buyer who prefers the flashy, flimsy style of clothing to iho plainer, better-wearing kind, but I sinquite certain that these people have, not represented the majority of our. patrons during the war years." AYith regard to , footwear, it was stated that, .the expensive high, boots so popular last year are not being bought nearly so freely now. Last year, white boois of English make were priced as hicli as £2 17s. 6d. a pair, whereas the most expensive now ' selling, - of Leal make, were about £2 6s. The average price now being paid for a good f. - ,i'ado of women's boots or shoes was stated to he between 255. and £'2. A fairlystrong, neat , pair of; shoes, costing about 12s. before the' war, could i.ot bo obtained now at less than 215.. There was very little selection in..any. kind'of moderately good Hoots or shoos at any price lower than about 18s '

The various banks will he closed oil January 22 (Anniversary Day).

The inroads of the shag on trout were remarked upon, by Dr. C. Morton; Anderson at ;i meeting, of the council of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Association (states the "Press"). Dr. .Anderson first of all spoke of a conversation which he had 'had with Dr. Deybiipor.t, of Coalgate, .in. which Dr. Davenport had spoken of-the severe ravages of shags on the fisli in the" Upper Selwyn. Dr.. Anderson ■-then . remarked that he had lately bpen on'holiday'in; the south, and had fished the Whiterock stream, but with little success. One resident had shown him- a , , pool which had been thick with trout, but which had been practically cleared out by shags. The-.resident had told the doctor of one very significant incident which showed the likings of shags for trout: He had on one occasion taken a gun and gone out in quest-of-shags. Ono bird which he had hit had disgorged no fewer than three trout when shot. ' ■/' '■',■' '-..';. ; ■.■■•-' -■ :.-.<i:

At Monday's meeting of the council of the Chamber of .Commerce'in Christeliurch Mr. H. J. forwarded his resignation as representative of the. chamber on the Technical College, states a southern contemporary... The resignation was accepted with an expression of- appreciation of his. action in connection with the Goldsbury.cajse, which was supported. It was decided to forward the resignation'to the, Technical College Board, and 'to state that it was not the intention of the chamber in the meantime to appoint a successor. The following resolution was also carried: chamber withdraws' from representation on tho Board of Governors of the Canterbury Technical College, and declines ■ any further contributions towards the support of that institution, because it considers that, however good its technical teaching mnjr be, its general teaching is against the production -of loyal, responsible, and useful citizens."

/The members of the New Zealand Institute of Architects concluded their annual conference yesterday morning'by naying a visit to tho new Parliament Buildings, where, under the guidance of the (lovernment architect, they mndc a very thorough inspection of the buildings ' and -plmis. Afterwards the members formed themselves into an impromptu dcpiitritiop and waik-d on lh<> Ninisti'i- of TuhliV Works (Sir William Frascr), and thanked him for Jiis kind 7 ness in providing them with facilities fur inspecting the buildin.ts.

The rapid growth of the manual and technical branch of education the Auckland Province was reflected at Tuesday's meeting "of the Education Board, when the immediate expenditure of a considerable (simi of money on new uuildiugs was authorised. Tlie new school at Hamilton, the erection of ;whicli;is to.be put-in linuil, will cost over £4000. Final authority for the erection of new schools at Ngaruawahia and Hotorua was also given, tlie amount involved being nearly £2000. Tho old--infaiit'-departiiient-.at ■Northcote is. 1.0 be used for technical instruction, and riii engineering iroorn will, be ;adcletl .to Ihe AVliangarci Sclioql, if tho local. contribution is increased: Several, ptliei* proposals Jor new Boliools and additions are beforo the board; '

The Mayor, of, Auckland .(Mr. J, H. CriinsoiO ' proposes '■ to make certain suggestions-,to ■ the City Council--at its next meeting with the object of obtain-, ing the public opinion on tho-.subject of a. suitable war memorial for the Auckland province; Mr. Gunson.suggests that a prize should bo offered for the. best memorial scheuie suggested, and that afterwards a vote of-the people should be taken ,to decide which suggestion shall be chosen. He also.contemplates calling a public meeting to discuss the subject of a'war-memorial, which ho hopes will, be one representing the combined effort of the whole province. The question, of a peace memorial was raised at tlie Auckland Education Board, .when Mr. J. P. Kalaugher,-;. supervisor o£ ; manual-and technical -training,', suggested 1 that no better peace memorial, could be devised than one which--would not only commemorate the deeds of bur New Zealand troops, but would also by providing increased- educational facilities be of lasting benefit to the present and future generations. . "With--, this- objec.t he urged-that the board make-repre-sentations on behalf of. educational stitutions-.wfeii- the ■■question -of;-me-morials- was being considered by those who leading the movement. . •-.?

Our Featherston correspondent reports that within the past' few days the countryside has assuriidd a'com r plexion typical of the end of spring. The Martinborbugli district, in'particu-lar,-and the Wnirarapa plains' generally, have'shown a marked change, the verdant ■pastures becoming considerably parched by reason '6f wind and sunshine being lately prevalent. The growth of grass has been phenomenal throughout the 'spring and summer, and at one' stage danger from fires was contemplated. : The: unseasonable weather.experienced to date-has been remarkable. Coupled with'.:the .influenza epidemic factor the earlier weather conditions liaye , greatly retarded shearing, haymaking, and harvesting operations., . , ■:-, : .

The hospital ship .llarama is due at Auckland on January 27.

When the '4.45 p:m. train was leaving Palmerston North' for Danuevirke one day this . week, a woman . made a desperate ■ attempt to commit suicide.' About 200 yards- past the Hotel crossing 'the driver saw a. man,, woman, and child proceeding ■ along Main; Street. As the train approached , them, the woman rushed from the footpath and , , threw, herself on the rails. The driver immediately applied the , brakes,.; bringing the , ' train to a dead stop quite close.to ths prostrate woman. At this juncture the man appeared on. the scene, and. pulled the woman from the rails.. The trio left in great haste, ■ making their escape before./the train'officials-.could ascertain who they were.. The whole incident was .sudden and . mysterious, r,nd so far the identity, of-.the. people /ias not been established. ■ ■ The. sud* den application' of tho brakes broke some couplings .and'there was a, slight; delay before the train could resume.its journey. ......

The breeding-.of mules ■ was introduced in the Waiapu County some years..iago',' iirifcl, , according.-to! Government returns, there.are now no fewer than 84. mules .-, and ~ asses ,in ( tbc Waiapu district. "'' ' .' ';

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Congregational Church Men's Society in'"Adelaide, on "Men, Religion, and Reconstruction , ,", the. Rev. S; M.' Cox, of Perth, said the average 'man, 'in the Church did not take his/wort'in it seriously (reports the "S6uth Australian Register"). Church work ivas still'too '.(namby-pamby" and confused, and did not appeal to men'. Religion! was bigger than the Church. The war had raised the pointed question—"ls the Hindu who sacrificed Ms life in France as real a Christian as .the Aus-' tralian-who had done likewise?" They must recognise the permanent value of other faithe. They must change their attitude. Credal squabbles musfego if they were to win the respect of the average man, who judged all sects" by what they did. • Tho first great--de--mand on the Church was efficiency,' but there was little- of it there,, and the' fault lay with the'average'irresponsible' layman. The Church must' be-reebn--structed; for in the war men had-learn-ed to ask for 'sincerity and simplicity. The Church must awaken, wipe off its bad .debts,-, and . begin afresh. . That would -'mean''-crossing -off-the roll all non-working members'.?

The effect of-war conditions upon-, tho marriage' rate in the C'ommohwesilth is : apparent from the quarterly summary of. the Australian, statistics just issued (says the Melbourne "Age").' In 1914 the marriage .rate-was 8.80 per-1000,of tho mean population.- In -1915* the -rate advanced .to 9-.14. , but fell successively to 8.21 in.-1916, 6.87 in: 1917, and 6:70 in 1918. The decline "bus been common, in all the States. ■ The birth rate has' suffered'.-proportionately', -having declined from 28.05 in 1914-t0'25.52.in.1918. 'Victoria , 'claims the distinction of having more bi-' less consistently had the. lowest birthrate nndthe highest death; rate of .-.tho six Statos.for.some-years.,' The highest birth rate-last year (28.83)was in Queensland, and tho lowest (22.61) in Victoria. Victoria's death rate last year was. 10.13, its nearest competitor being Queensland, with 10,11'. The death rate in tho principal States ranged between 8.72 and 9.44 IJer 1000 of thepopuhition. The Northern ■ Territory's -death rate; which advanced fr0m'21.59 in 1914 to 25.16 iiv 1916., ami : declined, again to 14.93 in 1918, still remains as distinctive iii one direction as that of the Federal territory in another direction. The Fo'clOral territory's death rate.'which .lias never been higher than '6.89, dropped last' year to asflow" as 1.72. The reported explanation of• this phonoinon;i is ; tho persistent disposition of the population to die elsewhere. '.•"'.- .

.Unemployment.is .'reported to bo becoming greater among returned soldiers at Auckland. The number of .nien.seeking work at the.bureau (luring-the past few. weeks has been increasing .'daily, while the amount of work offering has •been. fur. below'.the demand. Many, of the. irien for. whom positions .could not bo found are unskilled labourers, and those who are suffering from some war disability, which limits their choice of work There 'arc .on the books at present the names cif 15(1 men who require employment immediately. At a meeting of" tho'Ohristcluirch Kqturnnd Soldiers' Association (states ?. ''southern excliaii'se) a discussion took place the, serious, nroblem of ui'-em-nloymont amongst the returned snldiers in the city. The sf'preCnry stated that. ho. hid 45 men on his 'bnnks «-lio ivern ?e n kin<j oniDlnvnieiit. Sine" November 1.1 ho hml n'iHinnd i>-o r | ; r or 37 inpii. Tt was stated during the. discussion 'iji'pt fiimc "i'ni|iloyer.s : ilM pn* nnm?nr to he "plnvinfr the witlrreinrd t» tije retiiniPil men.

■ The Mayor thanks Mr. Martin Chapman,! solicitor, for a donation of £20 to tho influenza' epidemic relief etnid.

A New Zealand coal : -merchant (according to a contemporary) says:— This will be tho worst year for tho coal trade in the wholo history of New Zealand. -The shortage is not-due to any "hoarding" of aback on the part of the coal merchant. Ho cannot get r supplies, and has to meet his-customers .as lest lie can. A merchant remarked that,it was no use consumers expecting to get a ton or oven half a ton offhand; it was a rjuestion of a few bags at a time to' tide .customers.overTtheir-.im-mediate wants. So far as can he ascertaiued it .is the": railways, concerns in the .manufacture"'of-"gas, 'and steam shipping companies' that are likely to be most seriously affected. Householders will suffer, tco,-but only to a modified'extent. ' -- : ; " ■

.-. Reference was made in. these columns revenue , and the price of goods of (he revenue and. th pric or goods of the com'parativoly extensive-.licet' of steamers coming to tho Commonweqlth within the next few- months, remarks the Melbourne "Age," and the question was raised as to the probability of the vessels, being loaded- to- capacity .for. Aus-tralian-ports. It was stated officially: on January 4, that advice to hural from Great. liritaii; indivated that... comparatively few of the steamers listed arc bringing full cargoes. Further, ifc is understood that some of tho vessels, apart from the "special ,, , fleets for Imperial Government, mirelinsps'-of-w.b>at and flflour, are coming , in. ballast trim, but the vessels on tho Homeward trip will .be exnerted to load, to canacity for the United Kingdom. It is also stated that- no relaatioh- of ■-tlie,-. Cnminoij•wealtli's importation lioenpins scheme is evident in regard to the ,Australianbound vessels now Hearing- Australia..-,

■ For nearly three" ■ years past (says the "Poverty Bay Herald"} a local.resident'has been puzzlea by die occurrence : of"a peculiar squeaking noise about his house, especially during tho still hours of the night. Search with a lantern failed to find the- cause. A K.ightj or .two ago\ tlie' squeaking became >more pronounced, and the following morning, -a. result of the- raising of several boards of the verandah ufloor.he found two beautiful young penguins that had evidently been hatched beneath tlio house. How they came there is a mys--tery, as.tlie parent birds, havo .-nsver been' seen. Three years, ago a penguin 'Tras caught on tlie rocks at Sponge 'Hav. and brought to thfi house bv a kd, but it subsequently disappeared,;

" A chiropodist, practising in the "West End of London, disclosed the astonishing fact to a military tribunal. td : wliich he appealed for exemption,- that he was making over £30,000 a year from his business. He said he had 180' annual subscribers, who formerly subscribed three guineas a week, and some of his patients paid four guinea's a week.''

■ 'The medical profession is evidently .hard at work examining into the .cause and treatment of the disease popularly ..known'.as "influenza,", which recently; spread over almost the entire ..world, says airexchange. The latest issue to hand of the "British lledical Journal" contains several articles dealing with this scourge, but so far as can be determined no authentic statement has yet been made regarding the exact nature of the disease and the main contribut-' ing causes of its alarming development. Great pains have'been taken to summarise the -evidence adduced from the statistical reports obtained by the Royal' Army Medical. Corps in France, ..but the upstiot of the report is merely to give an array of statistics regarding the percentage of those who have experienced various outstanding'- syinp- . Toms whilst suffering from, influenza and pneumonia. An interesting contribution to the discussion, and one' whoso lessons might be taken , k> heart by the New Zealand Health authorities, is in the matter of overcrowding which is shown to have largely helped the epidemic to spread.' ;