LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 173, 16 April 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Secretary, General Post Office, has been advised that legal time has been advanced one hour in Netherlands from April 7 to September 2D. An Auckland Press Assncialinn message states that a large meeting of returned soldiers to-night unanimously passed a. strongly-worded resolution expression surprise at remarks attributed to the Chief Justice in Wellington regarding the soldiers' rum ration. Those pre-s-enl "pountcd out" Ihe Chief Justice with evident relish. An amending War Regulation is gazetted requiring importers of goods from Belnrium to obtain in respect of the gooda of origin and interest. A proposal to admit nurses who have returned fiom active service with either the Colonial and Imperial Forces to free honorary membership will be submitted at, the annual meeting of the Christchurch "Returned Soldiers' Association (states the "Sun"). The question, of extending the membership qualification to veterans' who have sorved in other wars than the prbjent one will also be <"onsidered.

The War Office announces that trade correspondence addressed to Esthonia and former Russian Poland will now be permitted under censorship. Trade correspondence for former German Poland and for Austria (not including Hungary) will be permitted under a strict censorship. Such correspondence must not facilitate the withdrawal of funds already notified or notifiable to the Public Trustee in England (or the corresponding official in anv part of the British Empire) as enemy owned, nor may it arrange for the payment of pre-war debts owing bv person's in the British Empire'to person's in former German Poland and Austria.

Now that the war is over, the intercollege 'Varsity Bister tournament has been revived. ' This evening the Auckland University and Wellington University teams will proceed to Dunedin, where the four New Zealand Universities (Auckland. Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago) will meet in oratorical and athletic contests. The Wellington team is us follows-.-Debating: Messrs. V. .Evans and W. E. Leicester. Lawn Tennis: Ladies-Misses Wolrlie, Easterfield, Sievwriffht Fcnton. M'Murray. and Salmonrl. Gentlemen-Messrs. C. F. Atmore, W. E. Leicester, M. JI. Smith, and A. Park. Athletics: Messrs. E. Aitken, A. Jackson, L. -\. Trac-ev, fi. Lusk, N. A. Barker, H. Williams, A.'Wiron. W. WaHdns, IC. Low, T. K. Bryan,. R. K. Scott, and P. C. Martin. Mr. Meldrmn is manager of the team.

"1 think it is about time that the citizens of Wellington woke up to the fact that we have four dam's, all miserable examples of engineering—," remarked George Henry .Tackson as he left the Court yesterday after being convicted and fined for using a hose to water his garden without having the supply passed through a meter. "I'm not standing for the Mayoralty," replied Mr. F. \. Frazer, S.M.; "go and tell that to someone who is."

The annual conference of the National Association of Spiritual Churches of New Zealand, will be held in the New Century Hall, Wellington, during Easter Week. Delegates from all parts of the Dominion will be present.

A high dive so daring as that made yesterday afternoon by two sailors on the American full-rigged ship Dunsyre, berthed at the Queen's Wharf, is worthy of note. An argument about swimming and diving had leached such lengths that one of the seamen on the vessel challenged his opponent to an unusually high dive, tho wager to be 25 dollars (£5). It was taken up with alacrity, and the man mounted the rigging and climbed out on to tho foreran! arm, over SO feet above the water. Fully clothed and wearing dungarees, the sailor took the water in fine style, and was soon on deck none the worse for his effort. The second party to the wager supported his claim to the full, and the argument was amicably settled without the passing of money. The carrying out of the wager was watched by a large number of wharf workers iu tho vicinity at the time.

■\ Press Associlaior. telegram from Mas-le-rton states that at an inquest held yesterday on the body of the returned soldier Archibald Johnston, who was a member of the repatriation guard at Featherston Camp, a verdict was returned of death from n revolver wound in the head, self-inflicted. The meeting of the City Council called for Wednesday has been postponed until !).3I) on Thursday morning. A scheme to erect municipal dwellings was ulnced before tho Wanganui Borough Council last week by a special committee which has been considering it at Hie renuest of the council Among the recommendation-, of tho committee were the following-.-(1) That the dwellings bo erected by (lay labour, and bo constructed of brick or gravel or coke breeze concrete, the council supplying its own materials wherever possible, and employing a competent overseer; (2) that the houses contain three, four, arid five rooms, and all conveniences, tho rents to bo 10s., 12s. (Id., and 15s. per week respectively; fi!) that tho council authorise the erection of fifty dwellings, twelve of which are to be commenced as early as possible; Ml that the three-roomed houses be semi-detached. The, proposals created much discussion, and consideration was deferred until next meeting.

An interesting story of the straight denline of the old-time Maoris was related bv Mr. J. 11. lveesing, at. the Native gathering to welcomo the returned Maori I'ohliers at Putiki. A number of Waikato Maoris who traded with a Jewish merchant in Auckland arrived in that city one Saturday in order to pay him. Tliev found tho office closed, and that (he merchant was away at the synagogue. There the Maoris proceeded, and waiting until after the service, met .the merchant. The latter explained that he could not do any business nor accept money on his Sabbath. The Maoris were then in a quandary, as that night tliev had to return to their homes. The next morning, when the merchant went down to his office, ho found a broken

fanlight, ami inside, on the floor, a bag of money containing the amount of the debt, and an extra leu shillings to pay for the damaged window

A voung man- .who was amongst tho dense crowd collected ill Queen Street, Auckland, on Thursday night to watch the announcements of the licensing poll returns, was stabbod in the shoulder by a hatpin wielded by an oxcited woman. '.I he woman was afterwards arrested on a charge of assault, states the "Star," and was brought before-Mr. .T. 15. Wilson. S.M., on Saturday. The young man said that lva was in the crowd, which was particularly dense, when ho felt n sudden pain in'his shoulder that caused him to jump, and he turned and saw tho accused behind him with a. hatniu in her hand. He had not. spoken to her. or said anything at all that might cause her to take offence. After ho had heatedly remonstrated with her about her action she moved away without giving any reason for her action, which was undoubtedly deliberate. Accused said that the thing was an accident. There was a very dc.nse crowd, and she removed her hatpin from her hat in order Hint it infant not stick into anyone. Then she endeavoured to get a small girl out of the crush, and in so doing must have accidentally pushed the hat;:'in against complainant. His Worship fined defendant .C 5, and 12s. costs.

A. Press Association telegram from Uunedin, states that the Hon. J. T. Paul, president of tho Federated Clothing Trade Workers, lias received an invitation from the National Trade Union League of America for a delegate from New Zealand to attend the Convention of Trade Union Women of Philadelphia in June. The matter will bo finally considered at the Clothing Trade Conference 'in Wellington at the end of April. At Kaitaiißiita yesterday Frederick Carson. depul.Y-manager of the Knitaii'.'iitii coal mine, was charged with failing to report forthwith an accident in which James Archibald Weir lost his life on January ill, also with altering the conditions of the dip before tho mine inspectors had an opportunity of viewing it. He was fined .£lO on each information with costs.—Press Assn.

A 'Press Association telegram states that at a meeting at Timaru last night it was decided to appoint a district nurse. - A leading tea merchant of Christchurch stated to a reporter on Saturday that, while ho hoped to see a slfaht reduction in the price of tea within the next few months, tho indications were not favourable. The release of shipping, with the consequent diversion of supplies into England and America, had made it difficult to procure ample supplies for New Zealand. There was no posibility of the price being advanced, but until the shortage in the English and American markets had been made up, local consumers could not expect a reduction.

A meeting of creditors in the estate cl Alexander Robert Lister, conmositot, I'liminerton, was to narp been held in (lie offices of the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy yesterday inorniin*.. It lapsed for want'of a quorum. The bankrupt's statement of assets iiml liabilities showed debts totalling .WI !>*■ fid., and no assets. The creditors (all unsecured) wero:-Kirkback, grocer, £7 Is. Gd.: Mrs. f'otlerell, money-lender, i:ll 10».: L. W. Balkiml, money-lender, X'T 195.; Thomas 0. ITayraek, fanner, Martinhorougli, ,Cll 15s Lwtor was adjudged hankrupl upon his own petition. "He staled upon oath tint he was a married man with three children. He had to support live people on £5 per wide. His debts (except the amount owing for rent) were contracted from three to five years ago. He did not drink or attend horse races, and he could make no offer to his creditors. The meeting was adjourned sino die.,

When, some lime ago, certain improvements to the Basin Reserve were carried out, a strip of tlio reserve skirting the tramline was added to the roadway for the purpose of easing the acute curves. The roadway lias been formed for some time now, but the sharp curves still remain. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated yestcrdoy that l.lie work had been delayed owing to a shortage of rails. All the rails which the council had on hand ■were needed for urgent renewal?, and the widening of the curves had had to wait, '['he City Council had completed the purchase'of the properly at the corner oi Kent TcrracG and Ellice Street, and the building thereon was now being vacated. A consignment of roils was expected shortly, and when these arrived three corners would immediately receive attention. It was advisable that Iho.woik should not be delayed any longer tnan was necessary.

When charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with failing to regis r c do<* Mrs. Koran Uyan explained tli.it come" time ago the animal had teen run over by a ear and she took it home antonded' it. A missing dog was advertised for. 'but it was not the one defendant had taken in. Unfortunately, since the information had been laid.. the unfortunate animal had been again run mer and this time killed. She admitted hnvn B the dog under her care for more than a fortnight without registering it but M. F V. Fwwer, 8.M.. merely entered a conviction and discharged defendant.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. V . V.Fmer, S.M, held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Robert Camphe 1 Niven. »*«" *dy ™ s found floating in the Boat Harboui on Monday morning. Evidence y* *»«» bv Airs Niven. who stated that her husband was chief clerk in the Government Insurance Department, and had suffered from a severe attack of influenza during the recent epidemic. He had not ten in good health since, and bad suffered from fit, of depression. Deceaaediras missing from his residence at ho llTKent Terrace at 5.30 on Monday morning. H h'ul not. been his practice to take early walks Deceased hod lately fre-i.'™} his Government position, and had had no worries excepting his liealtn. His Worship said this was another of these unfortunate ease? arising out of the recent epidemic. The verdict would be that, deceased was found drowned in the Boat Harbour, Wellington, on April H, there being no evidence, to show whether he committed suicide or accidentally fell into the water.

In connection with the extension of the activities of the Wellington lechnica College in order to provide for vocational training of soldiers, to which reference "as recently made, the scheme which has been outlined was-prepared by S • H. Bolton, the acting-director of the Wellington Technical College, who has devoted a peat deal of time and study ro this matter. As soon as Mr. Bolton has completed necessary arrangements, it is proposed to publish full details,