LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 169, 11 April 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A rumour was circulated yesterday to the. effect that the steamer Corinthic, returning to New Zealand two weeks hence, had on board a large number of cases of inlluenza. Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, stated to a Dominion rojiorter that his advice, which was recent, was that, there was no influenza on tho snip, and that the only sickness was mumps, of which there were four cases. It has been apparent from cablegrams and newsletters from London recently tlmt no decision has been made by the Imperial Government as lo the marking of the graves of soldiers who have fallen on foreign soil with headstones. New Zealand has always intended that every New Zealand soldier's grave shall be marked with a stone of uniform pattern regardless of tho soldier's rank, but tho design of stone has not yet been decided. Sir James Allen will be cabling immediately for information as to what the British Government intends to do, and as soon as the way is clear for going on with the New Zealand scheme a committee will be called together to selsct a design for tho New Zealand stone. S'cv-' eral designs, executed in different New Zealand ornamental stones, have already been submitted to the Government. A. few weeks ago the Jliuister of Defence telegraphed to the High Commissioner. informing him that relatives of New Zealand soldiers who had fallen in

the last days of the war were anxious lost their men might bo buried on German soil. Sir James Allen asked, on behalf of the relatives, for an assurance that tha men would be buried in France or Belgium. Tho High Commissioner has replied that the War Office is considering tho question, and that he anticipates no difficulty in meeting the wishes of tho New Zealand relatives.

Incidental referenco was made during Die inquiry into the disappearance of Privato Mould from tho steamer Maori to someone named Burns, who. 1 was supposed to have disappeared from the Maori on the night of January 27. A Press Association incssago from Dunedin states that some light is thrown on tho matter by a statement made to the Dunedin police on Januairy 29 by T. H. Jones, who reported that he was a passenger on the Maori on January 27, a;id that another passenger nmned Jack Bnssell Burns asked him what would happen if a fellow fell overboard. Both then returned to the cabin, after which Burns went out again', and that was the last Jones saw of him. Tho address of Burns's parents was given at Hereford Street, Christchurch.

There was a lively scene at Marshland on Tuesday evening (reports tho Christchurch "Press"), when tho Eev. Val Triggo and Mr. R. D. Martin gave addresses on behalf of tho efficiency campaign. The speakers were accorded a fairly good hearing, though there was every indication of a "hoodlum" element being present, but when they speakers left the hall they were menaced by a company of young mcu wearing masks and armed with sticks, who proceeded to make themselves very conspicuous. 0110 of them hurled a keroseno tin of water at tho Rev. Mr. Trigge, hut tho missile missed its mark and drenched one of the "bomber's" own friends. Tho presence of Mrs. Martin had an influence on the crowd, and after eomo trouble- tho speakers were ablo to get away unharmed, though the criticisms levelled at them were far from being complimentary.

The late varieties of peaches l.avo borne prolific crops this season (writes tlio Akaroa correspondent of the Christchurch "Press"). Much of the fruit is being gathered now for jam, preserving, and other domestic requirements. Tliero is such a superabundance of it, however, that wo cannot use it all here. Even Akaroa children sometimes become surfeited of peaches, raw, ripe, or stewed, served up three times a day. It ig a matter for regret that an arrangement cannot be made whereby this luscious fruit oould be readily transported to the city. One hears of peaches •' Being son) in the ChTistchurch shops at Is. and moro per lb! Here we would be glad tor someone to come and taker them away, at times, for Id. or 2d. per lb!

Mr. H. R. Wilkinson has written to the Christchurch "Press" with reference to a statement that the Boy Scout movement is a feeder of militarism. This idea, Mr. Wilkinson says, is quite wrong, and he adds: "It -would bo unjust for anyone to attribute to the Labour Party aims not included in their declared platform; it is equally unjust to ascribe to the Scout movement aims that arc distinctly repudiated by our organisation. We aro non-military, non-political, non-sectarian. In General Baden Powell's 'Scouting for Boys' (page 42) military equipment is absolutely forbidden. Our drill is the most simple possible: just sufficient to move the boys from place lo place. Our uniform is intended to attract and distinguish our boys, >nul to save their ordinary clothing, when they are out in the opsn. Our' chief aims is to make good citizens, boys and girls loyal in every relationship of life, and seeking to serve others without hope of reward. Wo train in various handicrafts: hut building, cooking, knot making. Many an accident has happened with horses, cattle, and scaffolding through a faulty knot. We train in fir6t aid, in cases of fire, drowning, and bleeding. Over 40 lives have been saved in New Zealand by Boy Scouts. 'A Scout is a brother to every Scout and a friend to all.'"

Tlio residents of Taumnrunui were astonished a few days ago to see an old-fashion-ed landau driven into the town drawn by a pair of horses and the driver on tlio box seat, having all the pompous appearonce of the Lord Mayor's coachman in the annual London procession. The landau was pulled up at the Post Qffice, where a woman and cliild got out to collect the mail, and it was learned that the driver had driven this strange coach and pair all the way from Wellington, and was on his way to Auckland to spend the winter. Between Taihape and Tanmarunui he met with some road difficulties, and had to build two temporary bridges over creeks before he •could get through. The vehiele was stuffed with bedding and provisions, and all sons or articles ■ needed on the way, and there was just room for tlio mail's wife and child to find a seat inside.

In referring to.the subject of pensions, Dr. Harrison (president of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association) stated that a case had come under liis notico of a man who had been invalided homo suffering from the effects of gas (says tho "Otago Daily Times"). Hq was discharged from the sanatorium, and at. present was lying in a very advanced state of consumption. After his dischaige from the sanatorium lie attempted to work for a few days, but found that' this was impossible. Tho military authorities found out that ho was attempting to work, and subsequently reduced his pension.

A special meeting of tho Wellington Harbour Board will be hold 011 Tuesday afternoon next for' the purpose of altering and amending By-law 19G.1, relating to storage, charges for cheese in the new '"I," store, as was decided upon by tho board' at its last meeting.

Messrs G. S. Hill and A. V. Famuli, representing the Wellington Swimming Centre, New Zealand Amatsur Swimming Association, leave for Palmerston North to-day to address representatives from Fending, Marton, Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, Foxton, and Levin districts with a view to the formation of a swimming centra in Palmerston North. A meeting will bo held at the same timo to form a strong club in I'almcrston.

"The better educated young men and women appear to be realising the pros, poets offered by the teaching profession," the secretary, Mr. E. C. Purdie, stated at the meeting of the Auckland Education Beard last week. Mr. Purdie said that the board had this year tilled all the positions for pupil teachers with applicants who had passed the matriculation examination, and all the probationers appointed matriculated, partially matriculated, or spent four years at a secondary school. There were 1-1 more positions to lie billed, and for these there were 94 applicants, all of them well qualified. "Such a thing has not hnpnened before," Mr. Purdio added.

Crawford Brothers' estate at Dargavilla has been purchased by thp Lands Department for the purpose of being utilised for settlement on that area of returned soldiers. The price paid for 4500 acres (says an exchange) was about =£31,000. Negotiations have been in progress for some time for the purchase ot this block, which is situated in the Av.akino Vallev about 11 wiles from Dargaville. It is described as a. really suitable area on which to settle soldiers, with every prospect of th?ni making a success of thei r venturo as fanners. The land is well watered, and includes hills as well as flat areas. It is well stocked at tho present time, and carries a large number of sheep.

A matter of considerable general interest is referred to by the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) in a letter to y \lr. W. H. Field, M.P., on the subject of an application by the latter for war tiophies for Levin. "The principle governing the distribution of war tropnies in the Dominion," say the Minister, "is that all trophies captured by tlie troops on the Western front are distributed between the towns in which the headquarters of each regiment is situate. War trophies captured by the troops on the Eastern front are dealt with in similar manner. Instructions have been issued by the Commandant, N.Z. Military Forcesj to headquarters of units that war trophies allotted to tho towns in which regimental headquarters is situate are not to bo considered the exclusive property of those towns alone, but as the profile "claims of other towns in that area must receive consideration Officers commanding units have also been instructed to confer with tile Mayors of towns in which their headquarters are situate, requesting them to communicate with tho Mayors of other towns in (hat area with a view of forming; a committee to deal with the distribution .of these trophies on an equitable basis. Any war trophies that may be allotted lo the regimental area in which levin is situate will lib issued to the Mayor of Palmerston North, and it is suggested', therefore, that lie be approached on the matter." Dunedin people are making elaborate preparation.-; to ensure that Peace Day in their town sliail be a day to lie remembered. 'Some of the street decorations proposed aro a main triumphal a roll over Princes Strce'.:, near Manso Street, the draping of power poles, which will take about 13,500 yards of calico of various colours, an electrically lit fountain in the Octagon Reserve, and tho route along the main street will be divi. Ed into bays or sections, each bay to bo devoted to a particular nation. Twenty columns bearing shields will be used to honour different nations, and the electric lighting of the route and main features will be made as much of as funds and plant will allow. Arrangements have also been made whereby business people may ensure that their individual designs may be in harmony with the general- scheme. Official bonfires will be touched off in various parts of the town and suburbs, and a great fireworks display ia to bo given in connection with a military tattoo. Pull publicity has. been given tp the arrangement;!, in order tliat residents may know just where they stand, and by what moans they can best assist. In the annual report of the committee of the Wellington School Committee's Association oeaurs the following paragraph; —"A matter of great moment, is ihb pro. pOKtl that classes should be formed to teach homo nursing and first aid. Tho lessons .loarnl during the recent epidemic are to the effect that much of the distress canned was through lack of knowledge, and your executive earnestly commends all committees to bring before the ■-householders the need of their enrolling for the proposed classes. To the Education Board ivc Heartily commend tho proposal that some of the subjects at present taught ill tho schools could with great advantage bo left out, and lessons in general first aid placed in (heir stead."