LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 162, 3 April 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

At a. welcome home "social" at Leeston a strong protest was entered against the action of the Hon. G. W. Russell in iurbicldiii" the executive of the Lady Liverpool Fund, Cliristchurch, making a grant towards the building of the ueturned Soldiers' Club (states a Press Association message from Christchunh). Thi following resolution was carried: "That in the opinion of this meeting ot residents of Ellesmere County the l.alriotic societies, after they have satisned the purposes for which their funds vera raised, should have power to vote the surplus funds to any object they may deem'worthy for the comfort and betterment of returned soldiers."

According lo a statement by the officer in* charge of the Men's Employment Bureau in Ulniznee Street, the bkiileii trades n;e at present calling for so many men that not nearly enough are forthcoming to meet the demand, lhere is plenty of the heavier type of unskilled labour offering to those in search of employment, particularly in the country. Light'work is very scarce indeed.

In connection with the trip abroad of the city engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) the City Council has placed ilO'JI) to his credit at the bank to"cover , his expends (apart from his steamer fare to .America). Mr. Morton will leave to ; day with the good wishes of every councillor and officer of the City Corporation. After visiting the United States and Canada, Mr. Morton will cross over to England, tour Great Britain and the Continent, and return to New Zealand by way of Suez. A Press Association cablegram from Sydney states that a medical student named William Sim, a New Zealander, was found dead in bed with the gas turned on. "I have no sympathy with the small builder," Mr. E\ .1. Howard said in the ■Vrbitrution Court in Christchurch lust week. "He is the curse of the trade. He is the jerry-builder, unci ho pinches a bit of cement here ami a bit there, aud a board here and a board there, and establishes a low standard of house. He seizes the cheap labourer from the country. At the same time be enters into competition with the large builder, who will not stoop to liis tactics. I should like to see him forced back into the workers' ranks and become an honest worker." Mr. W. 11. Winsor said that the small builder in Cliristchurch did good work. .Terry-builders in the city had decreased in numbers during the past twelve or fifteen years. The- speculative builder-the "spec, builder," as he was called—was a credit to the city.

The Canterbury Progress League yesterday decided to call a conference of Canterbury, Westland, and Nelson members of Parliament to discuss the completion of the Otira tunnel. The speakers said the completion of the Otira tunnel demanded the weight of the whole of Canterbury behind it. Mr. Holland (Mayor of Clmstchurch) said it had never been disputed that the Government had schemes for electrifying the tunnel before it, but what the league wanted was for a scheme to be adonled before Mr. Lvan Parry left New Zealand. It was also ieeolve'd that deputations should wait on al! Ministers visiting Canterbury.—Press Assn.

The Wellington limber workers have decided to apply to the Arbitration Court, under the provisions of the war Legislation and Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, for an increased rate of wages to meet the increased cost of liviug.

The following is the text of a resolution passed «t a meeting of the Standing Committee of the JJiocese of Wellington recently-.—"That this committee desires to express its deep sorrow at the death of the Venerable. Thomas I'lincoiirt, Archdeacon of Wellington, and to put on record its high and most grateful appreciation of the immenso and varied services by him rendered, during 51! years of devoted and nnth'iii" ministcrihl life, as .well to this diocesu of Wellington as to the whole church of tlio Province of New Zealand, and tenders to the members of his family its most respectful and heartfelt spnputhy."

The Wellington City Corporation has another 3000 kilowatt engine on order at the present time, for the electric lighting power-house, anil the authorities are considering whether it should be erected, on its arrival, at the Mercer Street power-house, or whether a new aiul more conveniently-situated power-house (taking into consideration the coming of the Mangahao hydro-electric supply) should be bujlt, releasing the present valuable block in Mercer Street for otlicr purposes.

One of the effects of the shortage or timber in England, due to military needs, h:is been tho use of a much inferior class of wood for packing-cases for overseas consignments of drapery. Tho head of a well-known Auckland firm mentioned to ii reporter that it had suffered, considerable loss by damage to goods thus packed, through mildew and dampness from the sap in the timber, brought out In- the heat of the holds. Tho principal goods which had been damaged were hosiery and woollen-knitted wear.

Practically every picture enterprise interest in Wellington was represented yesterday at a demonstration of the fienby five-proof kiiifiina film spool, given at tin. Central I'ire Station yards. Kcpre-R-'iilnlivo:; of various insurance coinunnie< and of the business community generally were also present. Tho demonstration'was entirely satisfactory, the spool being put thrmish very exhuuslivp tests. Kilin issuing from a spool was ignited, mid it burned rapidly until it reached the spool when it instantly went; out. The test was applied in every coneeiviible manner, but in every test the automatic extinguisher did its work. The film is enclosed in an almost airtight container, and the theory is that combustion within the reel is arrested for lack of sufficient oxyeen.

At a meeting of the Otago Centre of (he New Zealand Swimming Association last night it was decided to take control 01 the New Zealand championship carnival next year. A committee was 6ot up to make the necessary arrangements.— Press Assn.

Many ueaee poems, the Mayor of Christchurch stated the. oilier night, had leached him in anticipation of the peace celebrations. Some ui : them lie would hand to the Musical Committee, but others (and the Mayor smiled inwardly) he would keep himself.

A resident of Invercargill evidently inspired by the work accomplished by two of the Empire's great men on (ho war has christened hie (.wo sons Douglas Haig and Lloyd George. His friends tiro wondering if there should bo a third boy whetner lie, too, will have greatness thrust upon him and bo called alter another of Britain's leaders. Ju such it case they hope to see justice done to the Navv.—"Southland Times."

At the last meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee the secretary reported that Ke had been interviewed by a soldier's wiie who hud her house sold over her bead, lie showed ner that under the War Regulations she could meantime remain in the house, whether it was sold or. i:ot. This she is doing, and the purchaser is now cooling his heels until he can find her another home.

According to a table given in.the New Zealand Bowler, there arc 220 howling clubs in the Dominion, with 10,684 members. The Auckland centre of the Dominion Bawling Association has 33 clubs with 1720 members, Auckland South 22 clubs and 1022 members, Taranaki 13 clubs and SCU members, Wanganui 9 clubs and 571 members, Manawalu !) clubs and -13S member.-., East Coast 13 clubs and 777 members. AVairarapa 7 clubs and 332 members, and Wellington IS clubs and 1142 members, making a total of 124 clubs and 6562 members for the North Island. The Christchurch centre has 23 clubs .and 1074 members, Nelson and Marlborough S clubs ami 307 members, West Coast i clubs and 1.>6 members, South Canterbury 7 clubs and 331 members, North Olago 3 clubs ;ind 126 members, Dunedin 21 clubs and 1199 members, South Otago 9 clubs and 203 members, Central Otago S dubs and 143 members, and Southland ifi clubs and 493 members, making a total uf Sfi clubs and 4122 members for the South Island.

A superannuation scheme lias been inau"urated by the Invercargill Town Council for "its employees under the National Provident Fund. It is expected that the first year of the scheme will cast the council but of this iOOS will be chargeable against the general fund. Fifty-one employees have decided to join the" fund, and the others will be given six months in which to make up their minds.

•V Press Association message from Dunedin states that the Court of Inquiry into the disappearance of Private George Mould has amended the decision as to the calling of further witnesses, ilie assistant purser of the Maori is to be asked to appear at Dunedin on Saturday, and Private J. C M'Gill is to be brought from Gisborne and examined at Eunedin on Tuesday. Captain Cameron ami Purser Munn will give evidence at Wellington.

This season's fruit crop in Auckland has been decidedly better than last year's, according to a representative of a local firm of jam-makers (says the "New Zealand Herald"). The brown rot, so prevalent among all stone fruit last year, lias not been nearly so bad among plums this season, although peaces have, been affected to a considerable extent.. 'J ho firm in question recently lost a ton of the latter fruit between Saturday and Monday from this disease. Now that the vnr is'over manufacturers will be able to divert their whole output to local needs, which have remained to some extent i.nsupplied owing tu the needs of the troops. Since the signing of the armistice about sixty tons of jam has been sent by sue firm to the New Zealand camps m England, and the last consignment of 10 tons will go forward this week.

A severe gale was experienced Inst week at Cable. Bay, Nelson. One of the chimneys in the old cable station block was blown down. Some apple..- trees fifty years old were twisted and broken to such an extent that only the stumps were left standing, and willow trees .ihiired a similar fete. The gale, which lasted about two hours, docs not appear to have been experienced.in any-other part of the district.

■Vt yesterday's meeting of the Navy League executive the following were elected members of the Education Committee for the ensuing year :-Colonel b. F (' Campbell, Capta.n Clnullcy, Mr. IS. Keeping, and Mr. Wm. Foster (president of the Headmasters' Association). It was also decided to place the sum of .MOO in War Certificate.; for the Palmer ) ; iize Fund.

>V Press Association cable message from Rome, published yesterday, stated that "the Pope has authorised the readin" of the Gospel during Mass in the Italian churches, and that similar concessions are to be made in other nountries." The Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., states that there can be no authorisation or concession about the matter, as the reading of the Gospel is an integral part of the Mass, the principal form ot worship. Probably what was referred to is a Pastoral lately issued by tho Pope on the question of Catechetical Instruction, in which he takes occasion to remind the clergy of their duty to road the Gospel to the people in the vernacular. His abridgment of this has evidently given a curious and misleading message . The annual meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Shop Assistants discussed the desirability of having the shops in Wellington closed at 5.30 p.m. Members observed that 5.30 closing was in operation in Auckland, Napier, Hastings, Wanganui, I'almerston North, and Masterton, and they strongly disapproved of the notion of the Wellington employers in delaying its introduction hero. Iho executive now has orders that if the. employers refuse to accede to the unions wishes when the matter is brought up at the sittings of the Conciliation Council it must immediately taue a ballot of the members to decide whether or not a stop-work meeting ought to be called to discuss means of securing l the change. ■\ meeting of ratepayers was held at Johnsonvillo last evening to consider the question of a water supply for the district. The proposed scheme was outlined to the meeting, and after a general discussion n committee of nine ratepayers was set up to inspect the source of'f/ipply and the catchment area, and report to a meeting to be held next week. The White Star steamship Cufic, which a i rived at Auckland on Tuesday, carries i<. complete armament for use against hostile attack. She also carries two guns

a type of which have not yet Ijeen seen in 'these waters. In uddition to a. 4.7 Kim on the poop-deck, sho has two lOin. liomb-lhroivers on the port and starhnard aft. These suns arc in charge of a trained man, imd tlioir purpose is to destroy submarines. They fire a 2001b. shell, and the guns huvn n range of liiOO yards. 'When firing at. a .submarine the object is not to hit the submarine, but to drop tho bomb about one hundred yards off tho craft, and the concussion of the explosion under water is sufficient to destroy the attacking vessel. Tile gun has an elevation of 10 degrees, and a depression of 20 degrees, and is fired on {lie same principle us the ordinary gun, with the exception that the charge is placed in the breech above the shell, and the shell, is ignited through u t'Mich-hole in tho breach.

Some time ago a terics of charges vera brought by the Veil. Archdeacon Gossett ag.iinst the Rev. C. R Perry (vicar of St. Michael's, Christchurch) alleging practices not in conformity with this teaching and regulations of the T'ravcr Book. Tho charges wcro heard by Bishop Julius, whose judgment was, Ojl tho whole, favourable to the vicar of ?t Michael's. The Veil. Archdeacon Cicssett appealed against this judgment, and tho Court of Bishops sal in the diocesan offices in "February to hear the appeal. Tho l'riniiito (Bishop Novill) presided and other members of the court viMv'llishop Averill (Auckland), Bishop Sedjiwiok (Waiapu), and Bishop Sprotl (Wellingtoni. The appellant was represented bv Mr. H. B. Achind, of Christchurch who addressed the court at some length,'nnd the respondent replied. The Court, of Bishops has decided to give its decision about the end of this month, when the General Synod will meet at Napier. The court will seizo tho opportunity of the' gathering at Napier to have a final conference before announcing its decision.