LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 155, 26 March 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An Expeditionary Force mail arrived by the B.M.S. Moana from San Francisco yesterday, On March 8 there were 33,278 persons to be evacuated from England as belonging to the- New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Not all of them were soldiers, for seme of them were nurses, voluntary workers, and wives and families of soldiers.- The strength of the force in France on that date was 4502; in tlio United Kingdom, 22,805; patients in hospital in the United Kingdom, 4207; married men with wives and families in the United Kingdom, 1367; nurses and Red Cross workers to be evacuated, 337. The total number evacuated to New Zealand since, the signing of the armistice was 13,893. Dr. H. W. M. Kendall, M.R.C.S., in an article in the "New Zealand Nurses' Journal," contends that the Kccv-ige which devastated the Dominion nt the latter end of last year was. identical with Uie Black Plague of Charles Tl's reign. The primary cause, of the visitation is, the doctor thinks, undoubtedly due to emanations brought up to the earth's surface by the riso of subsoil moisture from dead bodies of man or beast, after more than ordinarily wet seasons. The disease, he says, is nothing new, and will always lie recurrent until cremation or burial in quicklime is universally ndoptod. That ordinnry burial does not destroy the poison has been proved by cases recurring as late as the 'eighties, after the accidental openin? of old plague burial grounds in London. Having once started, it is air borne, or can be carried by traffic and passed on through the air to places devoid of previous infection. No trace has yet been found of Mrs. Blacklook, who has been missing from her home in Tinakori Road for some weeks.

It is announced by the. Defence authorities for the information of soldiers discharged that as soon as a man receives notice of discharge lie is at liberty to accept remuneration for civil employment. This means iiesuniably that'during the period of leuvo "ranted to every soldier on discharge the man is not to consider himself debarred by regulation from accepting civil employment. Undischarged soldiers ere not allowed to take work in a civil capacity.

The Delungrn, the first Commonwealth ship built at Walsh Island, has been launched. The keel was laid on September G. She is of the Isherwood type of .cargo carrier, with a capacity of 5500 dead weight.—Press Assn.

On the honours board of the Karori | Borough Council there are 119 names, including two nurses, daughters of C'ouncillar J. ril'Kenzie. Fourteen of those whose names appear on the board have "gone West." The Karori Borough Engineer (Mr. G. W. Bingham) has been instructed to report on the feasibility of the borough in. traducing a water and drainage scheme of its own, or, alternatively, a water scheme only, and also as to the probable cost. The preparation •of a final report, survey plans, and estimates, is expected to cost .£2OO. Satisfactory progress towards recovery is being made by .Alexander Anderson, a waterside worker, who was admitted to the Hospital on Monday evening suffering from injuries received through being knocked down by a motor-tar in Courtenay Place. When speaking at the Pahiatua Farmers' Union on Saturday on the necessity for -farmers being tetter organised, Mr. J. E. Hewitt said that in the past the farmers had been far too prosperous, but "there's the writing on the wall," and farmers were not- going to have, such a prosperous time in the future. "We shall have to organise," said Mr. Hewitt, ''or we will go under." The point as to whether five "reputed" quart bottles of beer represented a gallon was under discussion in the Supremo Court at Masterton- yesterday morning. Mr. Justice Chapman said that for the past fifty years, to his knowledge, it had been an accepted fact that a "reputed" quart was accepted u& a. quart. "This fact is as well known as the physiological effects of the contents," smilingly said His Honour.

"The trouble about plaintiffs who get variations of orders on judgment summonses is that tliey fail to apply to the Court to have the orders put into force until the instalments mount to such a sum that they almost equal the (cfal amount of the debt," remarked Mr. W. G. Biddell, S.M., during the hearing of a judgment summons case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday.

•Two Dalmatians, Tony Exceg and Peter Sasto, were arraigned at the Magistrate's Court yesterday on a charge nf having failed to report for national service as required by the 'Alien Service Regulations, after having received notice from the Commissioner. One of the defendants stated that no notice had been received. Acting-Sub-In.speetor Emer.-on said the ease would have to be dealt with in Auckland, so the defendants were remanded to appear there to-morrow.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the North Canterbury branch of tho New ftenlaiul Educational Institute on Saturday morning, Mr. C. T. Aechman (president) said it was deplorable.to note the ignorance of mothers who kept their young children nut late at night at picture shows and ether nlnccs. thereby rnbbin.tr 6iich children of their proper rest. "Can you imagine a more pitiable sight than a mother wheeling along a push-chair containing a young child who had cried itself to sleep and whose head Was lolling over the side of the chair?" asked the speaker. Could the mother be made in realise her evnvo inistnke next day by the illness of the child, she would probably rennnf. but unfortunately the effects of such treatment were not felt for years.

The question of payment of councillors for loss of time while away on council business wo.s discussed at the last meeting of (lie Waihi Borough Council. Councillor Pipe moved that steps be taken with a view to having the Municipal Corporations Act amended in tho desired direction; aud that the allowancebe one guinea per day. The Mayor said that as tho Borough Council consisted chiefly of working men it was only right and reasonable that councillors should be paid for loss of time.

The rod deer shooting season for 1919 will open in the Wellington acclimatisation district on April 1, and eloso on May 31. The license fee for the Wairarapa South and Featherston reserves is £2, and the licensee may take four stags' heads and six hinds. Licenses can be obtained at post offices at Wellington,' Masterton, Carterton, Groytown. Martinborough, and Feathcrstoii For the area containing Butt and Featherston county (Wainui), Iforowhomui. and Jlutt county (Parajiaraumu), Tararua forest reserve, Taihape, and Shannon, licenses to take two heads can be obtained at po3t offices at Wellington, Ekotaluma, . Palmerston North, Featherston, Shannon, Tnihane, and others, for the sum of .£2. _ Regulation'', as to "tags" must be strictly adhered to. Each license holder must see that he receives a tag for each head ha is entitled to take, and directly after he has finished his season must return to the local secretary all tags not used, and a list of deer taken. The Tauherenikau and Oban areas are not open to stalkers, as the herds are not firmly established vet. Stags are reuorted to lie good and some find hearts are known to be in the Tararua reserve and on the Ruahine range. Details can be obtained from the secretary at hi* office, Westminster Chambers, 205 Lambton.Quay. Excellent sport has been obtained by anglers in tho Taupe district this season, th-J largest baskets having been secured prior to the beginning of the present month. Mr. Charles Stoddart, an English angler, who has fished the Taupo waters for several years past, states that about tho end of February the fish suddenly became scarce, both in the Waitahanm River and at its mouth. The majority of tho risk caught were in fine condition, and averaged between threo and four pounds in weight. Referring to conditions at the Waitahanui River, Mr. Stoddart says that a new channel for the entrance of tha river to tho lake hns been cut, with the result that the river level dropped considerably and did away with some finefishing Water. He states that there is lion- good fishing for one or two rods, but no more. Mysterious deaths of some draught horses have occurred lately at Takapnna, and so far the reason has not transpired. Tho Takapnna Borough.Council's horses, which are stabled at night, have not suited, but three hired horses left in the paddock died. The Government veterinary officer was called in, and as a result of' a post mortem states that he found traces of irritant ooison. The horses nppear to have staggered about and then lain down to die. Analysis of the food failed to disclose any sign of poison, and as far as is known no deleterious shrubs are growing in tho paddock. . The Tutuila. natives took advantage* ot the unprecedented weather for tho harvesting of their copra crop, which has resulted in the copra getting in earlier than over before (says the Samoiv Times"). It will also result in the largest crop ever produced in Tutuila. Compara. five data for the years 1916, 19V, and 1918 show respectively a total copra production of G3r>, 84U, and 1183 tons.

Details of the action which led to Dr. 3. D. Harks, of Clu-islchurch, being recommended for Hip Military Crow were received liv the last mail from England. Tlio men were heavily engaged at Havrincotirl: Wood and had been under faro all dav, the Huns shelling the woods at a range which menu? death to many men. The order hud brer, given to, retire but 80 manv were requiring medical aid'that Dr. Marks remained at. Ins post. During the operation of attending to the 1 wounded, a medical orderly standing by Dr. Marks was hit. by a shell. Llio orderly died three- days later, and but for tlie fact that that, particular shell did not burst twenty men would have been killed. The Germans'continued the shelling of the wood, the shells being heavily charged with gas, which niado the work of attending to the wounded more and more hazardous, but Dr. Marks stayed on until relieved. Later the medical oflicer who took over the work and the whole of his staff had to leave the fijld through being gassed. For a pleasing choice from ft Large Stock of Light or Heavy Texture Shirts at ss. lid. to 13s. 6d., visit Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt,

A Press Association telegram states that a report reached the South Dunedin polico early yesterday morning that a married man named Francis Owen M'Kny, a commercial traveller, residing in Brunswick Street, had shot himself in the head with a revolver. The injured man, who was removed to the hospital, is reported to be in a critical condition.

When an army service wagon, laden with two tons of stores, was negotiating the Silverstream Gorge at 11.30 yesterday, it went over the side and crushed into tho river. Two men on board the wagon escaped without injury.

The results of the November University examinations have been received and are being prepared for publication. The jurisprudence and constitutional history papers were posted to Professor Morgan at the Peace Conference, and in consequence these results, will not be called until later. Practically all the brickwork in connection with the erection of the newlire brigade station at the top of Constable Street has been completed, and a start has been made to lay on the roof. The station, which is three stories high on (he western side, is a pretentious wilding, designed on up-to-date lines, with ample space for fire engines and plant on the ground floor, and living quarters for about twenty permanent men above. The site overlooks Newtown to the wc«t, and commands an extensive view of the whole of North and South Kilbirnie on the eastern side, of tho hill. The great advantage- of the new; station being upon the crest of the hill, that divides two large residential area?: is the fact that the engines have a down-hill run for a start, no matter whence the fire or reported fire may be, an important advantage in the case of heavy motor-driven engines, as before any point is reached where an up-grade may be encountered the engines are well warmed up i to their work.

Several little wants the Hataitai Ratepayers' Association made known during the past month are now being attended to by the City Council. One of these is the titivatio'n of "the gates of Hataitai," the piece of vacant land to one side of the entrance to the tramways tunnel on the eastern side. At that point the Town Belt comes right down to the tunnel, and there is a triangular ajea of ground, which has been a sort of ' no man's land," which is to be made to blossom as a garden with flowering shrubs and plants, with a sent or two for tired folk. Another improvement already embarked upon is the widening of the upper or eastern end of Waitoa Road. There, on either side of the road, have been enroachments on to the road reserve on both sides ever since the thoroughfare was made, and it is now proposed to widen lhe street to its full width for the convenience of traffic and uniformity in appearance. Hataita) could be made a .great deal move attractive than it is from an aesthetic point of view if the numerous cuttines which 'flank-many of the roads were sirtably planted, and a few enthusiasts intend to try and urge resident to beautifv their own properties by trnUMig flowering creepers up the many nadside banks.

"Thu Maoris are a thoroughly artistio and cultured race-more su man ivo are," said Air, S. Hurst imager m iris lecture uu town-planning at AucKiaud on Saturday evening, Throwing on the screen souio hue examples ot -uaori carving on a meetniK-houso facade, lie said the ancient Maoris had ;dways aimed at the beautiful. New Zealanciers had a beautiful country, and w;ith the beautiful art of the Maoris and the traditions of the past, there was small excuso for thorn to neglect thu bnauuful m their towns and villages. The Government, he declared, had been tne of the worst tinners in this respect, rnd to illustrate his meaning he showed on the screen a view of the Government village at Lake C'oleriJj;e, situated uii the shores of the lake, and surrounded by'majestic mountains. This "village" \.as a haphazard and widely-scattered collection plain cottages and punitive "shacks." The result of this unscientific building, added CiKTspeaker, was that the workmen were only too glad to leave it, instead of being a satisfied community.

Speaking at Chrisbhurch on Saturday ol the dental students that would bo nvailablo for State eervieo as the result of the war bursaries, the Hon. G. \V. Russell said that the dentui eorvice of the "country would not have to wait until the first graduates were available. Now that the soldiers were returning the wholo of the dentists in the camps would bo liberated for civilian practice, and lie hoped that a great number of them would be employed by hospital boards under the scheme already set c ut. This scheme was not confined to the State schools, but was for the whole of the children of the country'. Examination without treatment was absolutely useless, and the policy was for the hospital boards to set up clinics where children could be treated. It was a big schema, and there would havo to "be enough dentists, say, to enable twelve to go into tlie Christchurch schools alone, Whether it' would be administered by the Public Health or Education Department ho could not say, but Hie need for it was shown by the fact that in one Wellington school out of 700 children only three bad perfect teeth.