LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 100, 22 January 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The hospital ship Maheno, which left New Zealand about a mont'i ago for Suez, has been reported from Colomho, and the ship has left that port for the Red Sea.

The Chief .Postmaster notifies that on account, of to-day .being Anniversary Day there will only be one delivery by Wellington postmen. This will commence at 7.30 instead of 9 a.m.

The Wellington portion of Draft No. 205, which landed at Auckland' from the Ruahine on Monday afternoon, arrived by train from the northern city at Thorndon Station at 4,45 p.m. ycsi terday.' The men were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), and were disposed of under _the direction of Captain Priotor, military landing officer. Captain W. Pryor, of the Motor Volunteer Corps, was present with between thirty and forty motor-cars, and saw to the dispatch of the men to their homes. The Wellington Patriotic Society's Band, under Mr. W. Jupp, was also present. The authorities handled the men very speedily, and tho enclosure was oleared of all men twentyfive minutes after the landing. Quito a large number of people were present to receive the returning men,

Representatives of the Karori Borough Council met the Finance Committee of the Wellington City Council yesterday to discuss a possible basis on which the suburban borough might come into the city. The discussion was preliminary only, and the proceedings were not open to the Press. It is well known that the chief obstacles to union are financial. There are now no others, but the 'financial differences between two bodies may not prove easy of quick settlement.

One of the matters considered by Cabinet yesterday was the order of reference to tho Epidemic Committee «et up some weeks ago. It is understood that the questions to be investigated have now been defined, and that the order of reference will be finally fixed at the next meeting of the Executive Council, probably to-morrpw.

'An alarming story that has been published by a contemporary regarding an alleged outbreak of influenza on board a transport conveying the Forty-first Reinforcements, is not supported in any respect by official information. The Forty-first, Forty-second, and Fortythird Mounted Reinforcements left together, and there is no evidenco that an outbreak of influenza occurred on their transport. Letters that have been received from soldiers who were aboard the boat make no mention of suoh an outbreak.

Both the Maori and the Mararoa havo full crews engaged at the regular rates at the present time. There is a definite shortage of firemen in tile New Zealand ports, but the shipping companies hope that this difficulty will be overcome gradually. The decision of the companies not to employ "runners" has cleared the air by putting a plain issue to the men, and by making it impossible for casuals to draw higher wages than firemen.

A delegation from the Syrinn Society of Wellington called on General I'nu at the Midland Hotel yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock, to bring to him the greotings of the Syrian residents of this city on the victory of the Allies. At the same timo, they presented the general with a very fine Maori-carved pipe, which they desired him to keep as a memento of bis visit hero. In a few words, the genera] expressed to them bis most hearty thanks for their greetings, and reminded them that traditional links of sympathy had always tied the French and the Syrians. Ho also thanked them for the proofs of friendship which the Syrians had yiven to Franco, both in tho distant past and during the,great war, arid for the practical token of the good feeling which now exists between tho Syrians and the JTcenorn "

The lighthouse tender Hmemoa is delayed in port at Wellington- through the want of one seaman. The ship should have sailed on Friday. A deficiency of three sailors was on Monday reduced to one. The Marine Department asked the crew to take the vessel on her trip to the North Island lighthouses, without the one man. but they refused. Every effort is being made by the Department to get the ship away as she is behind time. Her overhaul and then the search for the missing boat from the abandoned barque Aryan, put back the Hmemoa in her work of visiting the lighthouses.

The Waterside Workers' Band will play at.the Basin lteserve at 8 o'clock this evening.

The secretary, G.P.0., advises that the Eastern Extension Co. notify that the delay on deferred rate traffio to and from tho United Kingdom during the present cablo interrirptions is about nine days both ways.

Regarding the prospects of work being found in Christehurek for returned soldiers, recent inquiries elicited the. information that light work or work for unskilled men is practically unobtai!> able. Men of doing pick' and shovel work and skilled workmen possibly could be placed. The number of returned men seeking work at present is' comparatively small, compared with the numbers which h'avo been dealt 'with in the past. In one month in Christehureh there were no fewer than 80 seeking work, and in time they were found jobs. At present things are reported to be rather quiet in the Christehureh workshops, and as harvest has not started, and on account of the unsettled weather recently experienced is likely to be later than usual, there is comparatively little demand for country workers.

According to Mr. A. C. Henderson, ranger for the Waimarino Acclimatisation Society, the Raetihi bush fires had a bad effect on the trout iii the Make tulcu, Makara, and Orautoha Streams. The potash from the burnt logs had been satried by recent rains into tbeso streams, and it is presumed that this has killed the trout off, for the three streams in question are practically depleted. ■ The two larger streams in the Raetihi district, viz., the, Mangawhero and- Manganui-o-te-ao, were not so badly affected by tho w>tash, and the fishing has been fairly ;gopd._ The streams in the Taumarumii district are all moderately well stocked,- and' the fishing reports are favourable.

The executive of the War Relief Association yesterday resolved to send a letter to Mr. -»ilartin Chapman, K.C., thanking him for a donation.'of £105 to the funds of the association.

' The fortnightly meting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Anmals took place last evening, Mr. E; Meadowcroft presiding. Included in the inspector's report were three cases of horses working with sores, two lame, one working without shoes, and one. torse and one dog destroyed. Subscriptions amounting to £8 7s. 6d. were received, including £1 Is. each from the N.Z. Farmers' Distributing Co., and the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Woollen Manufacturing Co. . . '

Recent information from the Motueka district is to tho effect that raspberries and hops are very late, this year, and, as regards raspberries, the yield this year will be in pounds as compared with tons last year (says an exchange). v As to hops, while they were in bloom this time last year, they are not this year fully grown. All stone fruits, including apricots and peaches, are reported to be very scarce. On the other hand, the apple orchards, especially those in the Upper Moutere district, are flourishing, and the indications aro that there will be a plentiful yield.,

While bathing off Sirius Cove beach, Mosmnm, recently, says a Sydney paper, Bichard Simpson, aged 13 years, who had been bathing only for a few minutes in a few feet of water, was attackedby a 12ft. shark, which tore such a gaping wound in his right thigh that he died almost, immediately.

A child was killed at Springlands, near Blenheim, in remarkable'circumstances last week. The. victim was a seventeen-month-old boy named Leslie Vincent Bugler, whose parents roside in Ward Street, Springlands: The deceased was in charge of his elder brother, and was being wheeled about in a pushcart whilst his brother was delivering newspapers. A horse and trap were left on the ■ sido of the road, the wheel being'secured and the reins tied. The child was left in his pushcart near the horse* and trap while the elder boy delivered a paper near by. The pa.per was thrown over the gate in the usual'way, but the wind caught it and carried it near the horse and trap. The horse became startled and bolted towards the child, striking him on the forehead and knocking him out of tho pushcart. The wheel of the tran apnarently passed over the child's head, inflicting severe injury.. Death was almost instantaneous,

The question of modern facilities in New Zealand for training youths for the naval service was the subject of a resolution by the Auckland branch of the Navy League at its last, meeting. In view,of the Prime Minister's visit to England, it suggested'that Mr. Mnssey should arrange with the Imperial Naval authorities for the' establishment in New Zealar/I waters of two suitable war vessels to be used as training ships. This resolution was communicated to the Prime Minister, who replied that the suggestion will be 'carefully considered when the Dominion's _ naval poliov is under review during his visit to the United Kingdom.

The point as to whether small dances for which a charge is made for admission are subject to the amusement tax has been exercising the minds of some dancing enthusiasts in Auckland (says the I "Herald"). In order to clear the matter up an inquiry was made of the chief of the amusement tax section of the Stamp Office in Wellington. A reply has now been received to the effect that if an entertainment is a dsiice simply it is exempt from taxation. The intiijation is ndded that if it should happen that different persons should sing a song or two at a dance that would not cause the exemption to be forfeited.

"Perhaps you will have a vision Y in the meantime .as to where the type-' writer is," remarked Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in remanding a man for sentence on ft charge of having stolen a typewriter. The Magistrate refused an application for bail, as he considered that it might spoil the vision,

A "Lytteltou Times" representative was informed by Colonel J. C. Nichols, A.D.C., commanding the Otago'military district, that, as the outcome of a' recent conference in Wellington between the district staff officers and the headquarters staffj it has been decided to make a considerable reduction in the existing establishments of the forces in New Zealand when the work of demobilisation has been completed. As far as effect has already' been given to this, policy, but it is found "that a considerable number, of the men who were previously employed in. administration work in connection with the camps and the Military Service Act will be required for demobilisation and repatriation duties. Colonel Nichols stated that a considerable, amount of time at the conference had been devoted to the discussion of demobilisation plans-, and as for as the Defence Department was concerned thes" w*>re now complete. The De-

••"iiiilir.itior f\)mmitt'"\ '-hirh has been drawing un plnns iir Wellington in connection vitli demobilisation for over a year lias been keeping in constant communication with, headquarters in.Eng-. laiirl in order to co-ordinate the work. !$ both. 1 ends.

The hon. treasurers of the Wellington Navy League King George Fund (Mrs. Hall-Thompson and Mr. It. Darroch) acknowledge' the sum ol £8 received from the Komaka Flower and Horticultural Society for the benefit of the mercantile marine.

Since the establishment .of the Central Police Station in Waring Taylor Street, it has been necessary for prisoners coming up for trial to walk publicly through the streets to the Magistrate's Court, accompanied by men in blue. This has unduly exposed to the eyes of the curious those who, guilty or not guilty, have had the misfortune to'fall for the time being into the hands of the Law. Yesterday a desirable change was introduced, when the police put into commission, a new motor "Black Maria," possessing accommodation sufficient for any ordinary batch of prisoners. The van will now daily ply over the way which prisoners have recently traversed on font.

Australia appears likely to be thrown on its own resources for its linseed requirements. The temporary disability (says the "Age") sliouM p'rov&-Ix> be an ultimate blessing. The Director of Agriculture (Dr. Cameron) has been informed by the Director' of the Commonwealth Bureau of Industry that the Indian Government is disinclined to permit the continued export of raw linseed to Australia in preference to the oil, as the exportation of the feed is adversely affecting the oil-pressing industry in India. Apart from this, a short-ago of nil cake for military for->i;e purposes is being brought nbput. The recommendation is made ih?t all the linseed required for the production' of oil in Australia should he erown locally, and that farmers should receive encouragement to firobark of this form of cultivation. Victoria farmers have already been induced to cultivate flax for fibre and oil by the guarantee by, ; the Commonwealth on behalf of the Imnerial Government, of £5 per ton for flax in the sheaf. It is understood that ths Comiionwpnlth Government is considering the advisability of guaranteeing pii evcD higher price for crops grown in 1919 i

The failure of the QusensHnd sugar has been much greater than was at first supposed, and, in order to make good the shortage, which ■ amounts to about 40,000 tons, the Government lias made arrangements for purchasing _ a sufficient quantity outside Australia,. One shipment will come from Mauritius, and the balance from Java. The disastrous cyclone in Queensland about a year ago affected the crop very considerably, i the Assumption being that the high winds injured the root systems. Severe frosts in the winter added to the damage,, and, in addition, there has been a groat reduction in the. density of the cane. Whereas in previous years 8J tons of cane has yielded one ton of sugar, at the same places this year 13 to 14 tons of cane has yielded only one ton .of' sugar. The generally accepted opinion that the price of British drapery and clothing manufactures will fall rapidly is not borne out by recent advices from London (says the "Lyttclton Times"). One of the principal firms jn Canterbury received a cablegram this week from its London bouse, reporting an increase of 100 per cent, on tickings, and a further cable' message stated:— "Prices all departments continue very firm; no reductions likely many months; linen further advanced."

' A oable message to the Melbourne "Herald" states that marriages of Australian soldiers in Britain now average 800 a month, which ;'s an increase of 40 per cent, since the armistice was signed. The total number of Australian soldiers who have married in Britain is 7518,

No more serious indictment of the inefficiency of the'detective force could be made (says the Melbourne "Age") than the actual results of its work as disclosed in the monthly returns to the Chief Secretary.- The return for December shows that the number of crimes reported during that month was 683, whilst arrests were effected in respect of only 48 cases. In 45 cases ho offence was disclosed as a result of-investiga-tion, and the number of crimes tbat has gone undetected in a single mouthis 590. ■"'■■;• A mass meeting:of citizens:will be held' in His Majesty's Theatre, Courtenay Place, at.8.15 o'clock on Sunday night next, under-tho auspices ot the New Zealand Moderate League. Mr. A. Gray, K.C., will preside, and addresses on the moderate aspect of the liquor question will be delivered by Mr. D. M'. Findlay, president ,of the league, and Mr. H, A. '- Armstrong, Dominion secretary.