LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 136, 4 March 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister of Defenco has received advice that on January 1 of this year the total remaining strength of tho force in Egypt, which has always been the base for the Palestine operations, was 142 officers and 311G other ranks, a total of 3255. '

New regulations to govern tho heating of shops and offices aro in course of preparation by an officer of tho Labour Department. The Department recently obtained by way of assistance some very valuablo information as to methods followed in England, where two commissions have investigated the subject. It is hoped that the new regulations will bo gazetted before the winter begins.

A defendant in a maintenance case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday stated that he was a waterside worker, but said that his wages were insufficient to enable him to eomply with tho terms of an ordor in. respect to tho support of his children. "What do you earn," asked Mr. I\ V. Frnzer; "£h «i week?" "No, I do not," replied the man; "I don't average more than £i 10s. a week." "It is astonishing how the wages of watersiders vary when they come into Court," commented tho Magistrate. "Just at present things aro very good on the waterfront, and a man ougjit- to be able to earn plenty. Conditions thero aro better than they have been for a long time."

The Labour Department has of late received very few applications made under that section of tho War Legislation 'Amendment Act which deals with the increase of rent. Formerly, quite a number of tenants availed themselves of the provision that, no increase in tho rental should be onforcible, and no order for the ejection of a tenant should be mado where it could bo.shown that tho rental already amounted to 8 per cent, on tho capital value of the dwelling. A suggested explanation for' tho falling-off in tho number of cases brought now is that rent? aro steadying, or that landlords, having grown more familiar with the Act, do not now attempt to increase tho rent where the oapital value affords no justification for such a stop.

Tho death occurred at tho Wellington Hospital at 7.55 o'clock last night of Mrs. Gentles, who' was admitted to the institution on Saturday afternoon suffering from concussion of the brain sustained as the result of «i motor accident in Wiltou Hoad. Mrs. Gentles was fi2 years of age, and resided at 237 Willis Street. On Saturday afternoon she was thrown out of a motor-car, which ran over the side of Wilton Road, just beyond Devil's Bridge. An inquest will bo held.

Of tho 6ixteen cases of drunkenness dealt with by Mr. Frazer at the Magistrate's Court yesterday threo wero those of men who wero arrested on Sunday. "Sunday drunks are going to he charged' double tees," declared Mr. Frazer. "We don't want to have drunks about the streets on Sunday. It is the only day people have to get about, and they don't want to be annoyed by the sight of drunken men." In the caso of Cornelius Phelan it was stated that he was arrested at 2 p.m. on .Sunday, and had two previous convictions for .insobriety. ''The ordinary lino for a third offence is £1," said His Worship, "but for you it will he £1 or seven days, and you will be prohibited. The penalty is .£2 for Sundays and £1 for week days." William Conrick, an old man, admitted that lie was in a drunken condition at 11 o'clock on Sunday morning, and that for the fourth time he had broken the conditions of his prohibition order. "You are an old man," said Mr. Frazer, "and I don't know what is the best thing to do for you. You ought really to Be on thq Island. What do you do for a living? Conrick replied that he was in receipt of an income from Australia. Convicted and discharged for drunkenness, defendant was fined £3, in default 14 days imprisonment, for the breach of his order. The third case was that of a first offender. "Yes, well," observed Mr. Frazer, "for a first offender the ordinary fine is 55., but for Sundays it is 10s., or 18 hours."

Writing of tho Wellington-Wanganm cricket match a Wangunui paper says:"The outstanding feature of Wellington s batting was the fine first wicket partnership bv Wilson and Hiddlcston. Both started confidently, and runs came freely, tho ppir playing beautiful cricket. Hiddleston forced the pace throughout, and though his display was marred by a couple of chances, it was a spectacular exhibition which the spectators fully appreciated. Timing perfectly, Hiddleston t'requentlv made the ball fairly flash to the boundarv, his cover drive being a particularly "fine stroke. Wilson played a quieter game which was marked by skilful placing. It was au object lesson in correct batting for young players. The way tho players ran short singles was another stiking point."

A double inquest, disclosing some (listressin" features, was held at Christchurch yesterday by.Mr. S. B. M'Carthy (Coroner). The inquiry was intoi tho circumstances surrounding tho death of the infant female illegitimate child of Ivy Trigance and of Ivy Trigance herself, a single woman of 20 years. In connection with the death of the child, whose body was found in a chest of drawers at the mothers late residence, evidence was given that tho cause of death was congestion, due to strangulation 'V verdict was returned that the child died as tho result of strangulation, intentionally caused by the mother. In connection with the death of the mother, who was taken to the hospital on lelv ruarv 2(i, a verdict was returned that death was due to septicaemia, the Coroner adding that the cause ol such septicemia was neglect after the birth ol the child-Press Assn.

During February (here was a decrease in tho number of births, 19G, in Auckland district, as compared with the corresponding month last year, 230. Deaths ««ro 97 compared with 84 in l'ebruary, HHS- Thero were 32 more marriages than for February last year, when thero were 70. The registrar performed 21 of Hi" ceremonies last month/ and in the same month tho, previous year ho ofliciatad dii OS nnnoomiv*.

One of the subjects the newly-formed Sonfoun and Bays' Progressive Association is to interest itself in is the urging forward of the proposed road round the coast from Seatoun to Lyall Bay. It is calculated that when this road is formed, and the road round- Scorching Bay and Point Halswell is thrown open, that 3(iramar Borough will possess ono of the finest marine drives in New Zealand. The whole of the road would practically be upon the Hat oxcopt the slight rise and fall to the Pass of Branda, and for the whole of the .distance a magnificent marine panorama of harbour and open sea would ha made available. The association intends to ask the Defence authorities to open the Point Halswell section of tho road at an early dale—if possible ou Peaco Day.

The circumstances of the death, of a returned soldier named Frederick Edwin Upham, 'J8 years of age, who died on Sunday morning, were investigated by the Coroner, Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S.M., yesterday. Evidence was given that deceased returned to the Dominion about August, 1918, suffering from shell shock. Dr. AV. Kington Fyft'e, who made a postmortem examination of the body of the deceased, stated that the causo of death was haemorrhage of tho left side of the brain. There was no fracture of the skull. Other evidence was given that deceased used to complain of headaches. On Saturday afternoon he went to the Basin Reserve to see the cricket match, and between 4 and 5 o'clock he was taken to his home, 17 Webb Street, in an unconscious condition. Dr. Line was summoned, but deceased never recovered consciousness and died about 4.20 o'clock on Sunday morning. Constable Gunn, of .Mount Cook, stated that he was speaking to the deceased at the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon, when he complained of a severe pain in the head. Witness heard that deceased died on Sunday morning and removed his body to the moi'frub. The Coroner returned a verdict that the cause of death, was haemorrhage of tho left side of the brain. There was no doubt that deceased suffered from some injury to his brain, but as to how it arose' there was no accounting.

Excellent sport in kingfisking and in the capture of large fish generally was obtained recently off Cape Brett by a party of Auckland sportsmen (says the "New Zealand Herald"). Prominent among the captures was stated to be a large Mako shark, Bft. )oin. in length, 4ft. Gin. in girth, and 3931b. in weight, which was secured on a rod and flax line by Mr. J. A. Thompson, of Epsom. Mr. Thompson, in company with Dr. Moir, of Auckland, Mr. W. Bransome, of Gisborne, and Mr. A. D. Campbell, an English sportsman, encamped for a month on Jackson's Island, Bay of Islands, and each day went by launch to the fishing grounds in the surrounding waters. The Mako shark was secured about a fortnight ago off Percy Island, near the cape. Unlike the common brown species, the Mako, when hooked, lights fiercely, and Mr. Thompson had considerable difficulty in landing him. The fight was most spectacular, the giani fish' leaping time and again into the air, and describing a complete somersault before plunging again to tho water. After playing the shark for an hour and a half Mr. Thompson succeeded in bringing it alongside the launch, where it was harpooned and, hauled aboard. The launch was undamaged, but several davs later the harbourmaster at Russell, Mr. Plynn, had the bottom of his dinghy broken by the nose of a Mako shark, which ho was endeavouring to land. The Mnko shark, of which the scientific... name is Lamina Cornubica, is found in many pnrfa of the' world, and is generally plentiful on the Now Zealand coast at this season. The fish is of a blue black line on the back, with a white belly. It has a pointed head, and tho long triangular teeth are greatly prized as .ornaments among the Maoris. Other nsli caught by the party were hammer-head-ed sharks, one of which weighed 4001b., and measured 30in. between the eyes, and a fine selection of kingfish, averaging about 801b. One swordfish only was seen, but the party were unable to hook it.

In the course of a suit for divorce in the Supremo Court at Christehurch last week, in which the respondent was a toxi-driver by occupation, the petitioner, ?n giving evidence as to his drinking habits, said that ho had como homo so drunk- that she had seen him fall down as soon as he got out of the car. Mr. Justice Herdman expressed surprise at such a fact. "Oh," said tho witness, "he was oil right as long as he was. at the wheel." "But how could he drivo tho car home?" further queried His Honour. "I don't know," replied the witness, "but ho did it."

Several million pounds have been paid under policies on tho lives of men who havo been killed in tho war, writes the insurance correspondent of a London paper. Nearly the whole of this expense has been borne- by the policy-hold-ers of tho companies in which the men were assured. The additional > burden imposed upon the various life offices has been, perhaps, four-fifths of the amount actually paid, because reserves were held for the policies, and some deaths would have occurred in auy event. In mutual life offices the whole of this burden has been borne by tho participating policyholders. In the majority of the proprietary offices, nine-tenths of the burden ha" been borne by the holders of participating policies. In industrial life offices tho burden has been shared between the policy-holders, the members of the outside stnff-who have not received the bonus which would otherwise 'have been paid to them-and (he shareholders. These millions of pounds constitute a just claim against the enemy, and policyholders, industrial shareholders, and the members of the outside staff of the industrial life offices might well urge upon candidates for Parliament that the enemy ought to make good the. losses which these three classes of the community have suffered. The precise figures for ordinary life offices are nob available, but it is'known that the war claims paid under industrial policies have amounted up to the present to about £6,500,000, and have involved payments in excess of the normal to the extent of over ,£5,000,000. This amount, and more besides, should be added to' the bill which the enemy must pay-

A protest has been sent to the Minister of Marine by the Auckland Yacht' and Motor Boat Association in regard to the regulation which came into force on February 1, prescribing life-saving appliances to be carried by pleasure craft (says the "New Zealand Herald"). The regulation states that vessel used for pleasure purposes only shall carry a sufficient number of approved lifebelts, so that there shall be one for .each person on board. In his communication to the Minister the secretary of the association pointed out that, whereas pleasure vessels have to carry one lifebelt for each person, launches plying for hire in river limits aro only required to carry lifebelts for one-third of tho number of persons on board, and if plying in extended river limits they are required to carry lifebelts for half the number of persons on board. A reply has been received from the Minister, in which he that lie will obtain a report on the matter and communicate with the association later.

A deputation of men and women waited upon tho Hon. J. A. Hanan at Invercargill yesterday, and naked for financial aid for a. children's house, for the care of children from two to five years of age during tho day, to relieve the mothers. Miss Birss said that owing to the necessitv of a nurse for the smaller children some boys and girls woro going into the< world with only a Third Standard education. The best thins; ™*° to^ 6 care of the 6mall children and give the older ones a chance. Mr. Hanan expressed sympathy with the movement, and said lie would confer with the Hon. G. AV. Ifussell on the matter. Finally, he said yo'.i wet the land and I will provide «. third of the cost of the buildinjf.—Press -Assn.

An elderly man named William Campney, employed by Goodson Bros., at Eotorua. met with ;i distressing accident on Thursday (says tho Auckland "Star"). Ho was working alono in the pumice pit. and was buried by a fall whon loading his dray. Very fortunately a Mi". Foley, who was passing the pit, lieai'd groans, and seeing the dray with no attendant, at onco secured assistance, with tho result that Mr. Campney was rescued from his very dangerous predicament. It was then ascertained that, besides being severely bruised, tho un-

i The Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister of Customs, informs us that the amount of Customs revenue collected throughout the Dominion for the month of February was cC36(i,789, and tho excise beer duty ,£24,721. The figures for the month of I February, 1918, were .£257,515 nnd 419,014 I respectively. William Hector O'Hara, convicted of | theft at Wanganui, and George Mauil hera, convicted of forgery and uttering !at Martinborough, will appear in the I Supremo Court this morning for sentence.

An inquest is to be held by the Coroner (Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) concerning tlie death of a waterside worker named Charles Olsen, 63 years of age, who died at his residence, 36 Martin Street, on Saturday afternoon. Olsen, who was a native of Stockholm, collapsed while walking about the backyard of his house, and died shortly after being assisted inside. He had suffered from chronic nervous trouble for some time.

Somo sixty illuminated certificates are to be distributed simong the voluntary workers in connection with the recent epidemic in the Miramar district, as small mementoes of a perilous time and duty we!! done. The certificate, which have been very artistically prepared by Messrs. Palmer and Mahood, bears the following lines, neatly engrossed in old English lettering:—'"We, the Mayor, councillors, and residents of this borough desire to place on record our high esteem and heartfelt thanks for the valuable and untiring assistance rendered by you in helping to alleviate the distress of the sufferers during the late severe epidemic of November, 191 S. With all good wishes for your future welfare, we have pleasure in subscribing ourselves, on behalf of the residents, etc." Then follow the names of the Mayor and councillors of Miramar.

In view of the New Zealand proposal to use the Bowen Falls as a means of generating electric power for the fixation of nitrogen from the air, the following paragraph from tho "Electrician" of November 15 is of interest:'—"The Japanese Government has decided to establish a laboratory for the study of questions i elating to the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Hitherto 20 million yen worth of ammonia for fertilisers has been imported, and it is hoped to mako Japan independent of foreign supplies."

Members of the City Council By-Laws Committee, with the Fire Brigade Superintendent (Mr. Tate) and the Chief Inspector (Mr. Doyle), visited the various picture theatres in the city yesterday morning in order to.acquaint themselves with the conditions bearing upon the request of the theatre proprietors for a modification of the by-laws. The proprietors have asked that, in view of the restriction of hours imposed by the Public Health Amendment Act, a limited number of persons should be permitted to stand at tho back of the theatres until there is seating accommodation for them, instead of their being compelled towait outside.

The followinar gifts to the Hospital are acknowledged bv the Camp Commandant at Trentham:-From Church of England: Magazines, fruit, cigarettes, and use of motor-car (for hospital patients); from Mr. H. H. Price: magazines and cigarettes. Tho Camp Commandant also expresses thanks to Miss Castles and party l«r nroviding a concert to hospital patients, and to Mrs. Hugh Lowe and party for providing a camp concert.

One of the most handsome and bestdesigned war honours boards, to commemorate the part played by its members in the war, has been designed and executed bv Messrs. Palmer and Mahood, of AYellihgton, for the Rangitikei Club, at Feilding. The design abjures the funereal altogether, and in the free yet discreet use of the primary colours, „a bright effect is produced by the picturesque draping of the colours of the Allies, with tho New Zealand ensign cleverly worked in at the head of the board. The wording is simple and to the point: "Rangitikei Club—ln commemoration of those who took part in tho great world war." Then follow, in two columns, tho names of thirty members of the club, six of whom made the supreme sacrifice. In one margin, flanking the roll itself, is an admirably drawn and painted bugler sounding the call to arms, and in tho opposite margin is a neatly-executed sketch of a military camp. The beard, which stands 6 feet in height and is 4 feet 10 inches in breadth, is a fine piece of work, which is being greatly admired.