LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 166, 8 April 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Chief Postmaster notifies that there will be no afternoon delivery of correspondence by letter-carriers on 'J'hui'ssiltty.

Saturday was the closing day for ihe receipt of nominations in coiineclipn with (he election by the general public service of two members •of the Public Seryicb Board of .Appeal. The unly nominations received were those of Jlr. Charles <le Kant Andrews, of the Valuation Department at Dunediii, and Mr. Arthur Jlarryatt, of the Government Life-Insur-ance Department at .Wellington. . 'Iht> I'elurninif officer (Jlr. A. 'ij. Jtarkmaim, Chief Clerk, Post and Telegraph Department) has declared ilie»e two oiheers duly elected.

Amending regulations are gazetted referring to the prices to bo paid by tho ti(;veriinient for this season's .wheat. The. price is to be (is. Cd. per bushel up till tho end of April, and thereafter there u> to be an increase of ono halfpenny pot iiiunth lip till August. Thereufler the price will remain steady at 6s. Bd. per bushel. In the North Island and in Nelson and Marlborough the price is to bo the same us for the South Island wheat districts, with the addition of 4d. per bushel. The conditions in those northern districts are to lie f.o.b. ut nearest 'port, or a price equivalent to this. The words of the Official Assignee (.Mr. Tniisley) for the year ending December 31, WIN, show flint during that period 41 applications in bankruptcy were received from debtors and 10 from creditors, Assets realised by (he assignee amounted to .£22.872, and the sum of .£t8,,')57 was paid in dividends. Sundry payments amounted to" JiOiWt, During the year there was a total of 51 bankruptcie:). These were made up as follow:—Labourers, 10; farmers, 5; fruiterers, II; clerks, !l; hotelkeepers, i: taxi-drivers, 2; married women, 2; and one each of the following:—Auctioneer, baker, bicycle dealer, blacksmith, butcher, cab proprietor, chef, contractor, drover, flax-cutter, hawker, machinist, marine dealer, milkman, motor K'arage owner, painter, plumber, post office employee, restaurant-keeper, suddler. sales'.nan, stationer, slock agent, and taxi proprietor. These are made up of 12 employers, 1G working on own account, and 23 working for wages.

Cabinet has decided, on the recommendation of the Hon. T. M. Wilford, that no mure money is to be .spent at \\ airoa in the altempt to reconstruct the harbour works at that port. Mr. Wilford hits advised the port authorities to concentrate on the scheme for the establishment of a harbour to serve the district nt Waikokopu, some miles distant from Wairoa The Government has not yet considered the question of making a grunt for the construction (it harbour works at this latter place.

Detective Carney yesterday arrested a middle-aged man for mi alleged breach of the War Regulations. Accused will appear before the Court to-day,

The Auckland "Star" says:—Although the knowledge that the Niagara has arrived in our , waters with influenza, on bnanl sends a certain nervous thrill through people who have yet vivid memories of the horrors that stalked Amongst us a few months agu, and is I he- .-or! of thing likely to let rumour loose. Auckland is (it the present time comparatively free of influenza in its noxious form'. Of the halt-dozen cases which have been reported in the city and suburbs in the past week, all save one were of a very mild type.

"Money is undoubtedly plentiful at present," says the "New Zealand Trade IJeview," "and must remain so for some time—at any rate until there comes any siiljitiintiiil call for funds. As we remarked in our last is.suc. the bank returns fur the December quarter iihotvcd an excess iii deposits of nearlv two millions, and from January 1 up lo March 2i payiveiils by the Imperial Supplies Department for our produce amount to over filleoii millions, while our imports for January and February total five millions. There has been, therefore, a substantia! iifcretion d '.'funds during Hie quarter, a:id the bunk returns should show a substantial excess of deposits, over advances. The indefinite postponement of the niacin)? on the market of (he promised war loan is making the money position somewhat unsettled. Building companies and other lenders have a heavy supply of funds in hand awaiting investment, and there is only a moderate demand for mortgage purposes. There should, therefore, be plenty of money available when the loan comes on the market."

The Akaroa correspondent of the Chi'istchureh "Press" wrote on Thursday:—"What is probably the most interesting memento of the war that has yet. come to hand is an old faded Tricolour, presented by the Mayor to the Borough Council at its meeting on Wednesday on behalf of Private A. Laurenson, a returned Christehurch soldier, who was recently staying in Akaroa as Ihe guest of one of our French families. The (lag has a notable history. On the blue is a heart-shaped device in fern leaves, within which are inscribed the words: "Souvenir of entry into Fontaine au' Pirie by the New Zealand Division. France, "October, 1913.' Private Laurenson relates how, when the troops swung along the streets of the town, a dear, white-haired French dame of U' years, staggered forward and wrapped the Hap around his body. From*the story she told, it appears that on the capture of the place by the Germans, the old lady had hidden the flag, resolved to'fly it forth again when the enemy was driven out. She had no doubt, bl-ave heart, of the ultimate issue of the struggle! She added, further, that she \yiis almost certain the flag had played its part in the tragic war.of 1870. The flag will be placed in a position of honour on the walls of the Council Chambers, Akaroa, a fitting resting-flace in an old, historic French settlement on this side of\ the world. The council resolved to wrile to the Mayor of the Fontaine an' Pirie, asking him to forward, if possible, the name and address of the old lady."

Telephone exchange subscribers are rdvised that all connections for which subscriptions are unpaid on April 15 will be cut off.

A meeting wa6 held in the Ponsonby Hall last night to inaugurate the Wellington Burns Club, Mr. W. Kraig presiding. A committee was formed to draw up a constitution, aid report to the next general meeting, the date of which will be advertised. The committee consists of Messrs. M. Duff, D. Campbell, G. S. Millar, W. Kraig, and Mrs. Duuean and Aliss Pickthall.

At the Petoue Railway Workshops yesterday the following resolution was passed by the members of the A.S.R.S.: "That this meeting urges upon the executive the saving to the Department of working five days per week of -li l.ours, thereby also giving the men the full value of the four hours as granted by the Minister of Railways."

An object-lesson in expert cargo-pillag-ing, as now practiced, was given by a Uueen Street firm of ironmongers, who exhibit in their window three small cases, supposed to contain American engineers' tools, which were delivered lo the consignees filled with an assortment of hardwood blocks, hollow building Hies, and pieces of iw:k (say.s the Auckland "Star , '). One, small case shown in tlie window should have contained n bench drill, but holds nothing but a block of hardwood, cunningly wedged in the centre of tho ca'so by a number of small wooden strips nailed to it mid the case sid&s. Tins work could not have been carried out unless the thief hud had plenty of time and been free from dantier of disturbance.

A. Press Association telegram from Oamani states that after a successful season of nine nights and a matinee, drawing packed houses. "Our Reveille," n brilliant extravaganza organised by William Lints, was concluded on Saturday. The proceeds, which total nearly a thousand pounds, will be devoted to. the Returned Soldiers' Association.

■ An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of John Halliday Brown, who was found dead in a stableyard on Sunday morning, was held by M.r. F. V. Frazer, Coroner, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. 'I)ecensc\l, who was employed as a driver for Muni, JJuttrell, and Co., was a widower, t>l year's of age, and resided at Ko. 11 Street. Evidence was given to tlio effect that. Brown arrived at the stables in Litt'.u George Street at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday under the influence of liquor. After stabling his horse be went to bis lodgings. He returned to the stables at 7 p.m., in a, state of insobriety, and this .was the last occasion on which be was seen alive. M 1i.45 o'clock on Sunday morninir Smylh Kyle, head stableman for }[unt, Cottrell, and Co., found the deceased in on excavation in the blableyard with bis head doubled under bis chest. Deceased' had apparently tripped and fallen into the excavation. Deceased bad no right in (he yard after putting his horse awav.' The excavation in the yard was due to certain improvements which were brine made to the stable buiUlin.es. A verdict was returned to the effect that death re soiled from a broken nc-c.l; sustained through accidentally falling into an excavation.

It would appear that a number of fruitgrowers, especially in Canterbury, Tinve not made themselves acquainted with Iho Government regulations regarding the destruction of apples and pears which may be affected wil.li codlin moth and black snot respectively, says the "Otago Dnik Times." As a consequence the local fruit ■inspector has condemned several lines ot these fruits which have been sent forward from Canterbury, the Taieri, and the. citj and suburbs. As the t.i'.«es are also burnt, and the- consignor has the transport expenses to pay, tho growers must suffer a considerable loss as a result of their carelessness.

On Friday morning Mr. G. Wittv. M.V.. telegrnuhed to (lie Hon. W. 1). S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, ivith regard to. Australian cattle tick, which is now prevalent in the North Tsiand, asking what steps ho was taking to prevent, the spread of 1 lie trouble, especially to tbe South Island, stales Uu? Ohrislchureli "Press." Laler in the day Mr. Witty received the following relilv from the Minister: "Deceived your telegram regarding e.-.ttle tick. This i»nl bneti receiving suecial attention for Ihe last twelve months, and *nnei"! regulations were gazetted considerable time aro. A year ago officers were se"i In Australia to look iiite the nuestion dipping cattle as carried nut there, 11 now proposed to huilrl dins on tVn .-aine lines as in tliat ■ country and it. innke dipping compulsory, Tbe Department has the lnnlti'r well in lin'<d, :\>".\ i hpv is absolutely no necessity for anxiety. Knster will soon be here. See our li\rse variety in suit eases. All sizes from Bs. 6d. to 975. 6d., nt Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt.

The late Abraliani George Jagoe, whose will was proved in Chnstchuryu i>n Friday, left JiIOOO to the Sisters of Naznretli, of Nazareth House, 0:300 to a fneiid, aiifl i'2oo to the <son of the friend. _ H.c left a life interest in ,£S(HXUo his «sicr in Oiimaru, and the remainder of hitf estate (which was sworn at .£15,000) to hie sister's children, together with a reversionary interest in the JESOOO.

The advantages of concrete roads, compared with all other forms of road construction, were urged by Mr. S. Jliu>t Seager during a. lecture delivered _at Christchurch on town-planning. Concrete roads, lie said, had been thoroughly tested in California, and 'it had been found that they were one-third more economical than the best macadam roads. If ve had concrete roads in New Zealand we could save one-third of the petrol and tyre billj a total savin- of .£632,000 per annum. Speaking subsequently, the Mayor of Christeluircli (Mr. H. Holland) pointed out that a disadvantage of concrete roads would be the noise made by .the traffic. There was a demand to-day for tar macadam roads, tecaiue of their "silence."

On Friday the entry for the Peace Celebrations Choir at Duncdin was closed, the choir roll beinp; 7!K), which should constitute a New Zealand record for an adult choir, fays the "Otago Time.-.' Such a body of choristers should supply some inspiring eingiiifr.

An ex-Baleliitha sir! is employed n= a chauffeur in Christchurcli nnd lias hyjd her present position' for p.bout two years, proving an expert driver and ([into a .capable mechanic. She attends to ?J her running repairs, and, under favourable condition, can replace a punctured tyre in >cvi»u minutes.

Soldiers' railway passes are the subject of a telegram forwarded to the Jlon. W. IT. Hcrries, Minister of Railways, by Hie Mayor (Mr. J. V. I.uke). The tele'rruni reads:— "Kcspcctfully urge you give instructions that preference over railway lines a( all times shall be given to returned soldiers, so as to enable them to travel within the period of their passes. Last Christmas .1 stressed ibis mutter with your Department without success. Soldiers returning near holiday periods will be debarred from availing themselves of their right granted in eonsiderntion of service to country."

Lttdv .Smith Dornen, spsiiking in the Egyptian Hull, London, under the auspices of the Blue Cross' Society, slated that the number of trained dojjs in tlw French .Army totalled 18,000. There were four kennels within a radius of fifty miles of Paris, where 700 doss could be. treated. During; the war dogs were employed as sentinels, dispatch carriers, ijumninition guards, rat hunters, and convoys'of small vehicles, guns, sleighs, and last, but by no means least, in the work of seeking the wounded. It had been found that .sheeji dogs were the most amenable to training. In this connection a younc! Harvard man in the American ambulance in France relates the following:—"Last evening two fellows came round with a couple of fain'.•us Red Cross dogs. We were anxious to see them at work, so I ran off and hid in some bushes. Lying down, I placed my hat under me so that the c!i« could not find it. I'e. finally discovered me; and as he was unable to find my cap, put Ms nose in my pocket and pulled out my handkerchief, which he took back. A few minutes later he led his owner to the placn where 1 lay. They told us that tlie dog had saved 150 lives in one day."