LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 193, 10 May 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

I\o cliango in the licensing returns was reported yesterday. Severn! additional official counts have itill to bo completed.

Ihe report of Chief Inspector Cameron on the infectious diseases in Waitaki hospital district for the month of .April all'oids most interesting reading (says the "Oainaru Mail"). Writing of Hampden the report says: "The Inst swabbing of school oluldrcn -and teachers took place on March 3. On'e diphtheria carrier was found, a boy. Three cases occurred on March 0, all of whom .had been recently in contact with this carrier. The latter was discharged from hospital on March 27 after negative swabs on March 13, 18, and 23. He was taken in the train from Oamani to Hampden by a neighbour who was bringing homo ii child of hcr» discharged from hospital the same day, after diphtheria. The former carrier took seriously ill of . diphtheria oil April !). and was removed to hospital on the Jltli. His mother sickened of diphtheria on the 13tli, and was removed to hospital on the 15th. It is worthy of special note that no cases broke nut during tile 13 days the carrier was in hospital; 'but a fresh outbreak occurred #<ix (lavs after lie returned homo. Also, no cases have been notified now .since tiie mother of the carrier was vmovpcl to ho-nitat, twenty days age. Tho Department of Agriculture lias also recently completed a cio-e examination of all the milch cattle in Hampden, the total examined being ltifl. belonging lo 48 owners. \'n trace of disease was found. Fowls were also inspected. Two fowls were discovered with lubcre-iilosis. No sign nf di*":i'e oinong cats or poultry was found either during the 17 months C:e diphtheria outbrejjk has exi.-ied."

The officer in charge of the filiu/.u.".-' .Street Kmploynient Bureau reports that: during the week the 'bureau found employment for "3 applicants. 110 states that there is n considerable demand for skilled labour. Carpentoi's. bricklayers, cabinetmakers, a -poultry export, and a jobbing printer are wanted. Apolieanis tor unskilled employment ale diltieult to place.

"The Kia Ora's draft landed at LyUellon at six o'clock yesterday morning. T'lio. disembarkation was carried out in rccortl time.—Press Assn.

'L'lic local millers- have decided to reduco the price of Hour from J.if> to -tit 10s' a lon (says the "Otago Times"). Tho reduction of 10s a. ton has been brought about, it is understood, in consequence of the cutting tactics of one or two millers, and the general body of millers anticipate being able to meet tho competition by dropping their prices. The price of ■A'l.s a ton was fixed by the .Government some, time-ago as Hie maximum which local millers could charge. later on, in answer to protests by millers that they were unable to pay the current prices for wheat, and charge.only ,£ls a. ton for llie Hour gristed from this wheat, the .Government agreed to give the millers a subsidy of ,£2 17s (id on each ton of flour manufactured by them. This course was adopted by tho Government 10, prevent any increase in the price of bread, The position that has iiow arisen is Hint the millers are to all intents and purposes using the subsidy of ,£2.17s Gd to enalilo them to cut the Government price of ,£ls by 10s a ton. It has been suggested that it' tho millers are prepared to sell (lour at. .CU 10s the Government would be dciug a wise' tiling to reduce its subsidy from ,£2 17s fid to ,£2 7s Gd. The'millers could (hen bring their prices up to ,£ls a ton again, (ho Government would save 10s a ion, and the cutting tactics would also be met; If something like this is not done tiie 'baker will simply reap tho bcnfiet of tho 10s a ton.

Tho Wanganui County Council has decided to apply for permission from tho Government to erect a toll gate on (lie main road-from Wellington to Wanganui, or as an alternative the Government grant ,£IO,OOO for the reconstruction of the road.—Press Assn.

A further.development, in the .Mackenzie Country is understood to be tho proposed subdivision of 80,000 acres ...of Crown land into four grazing-rims, to be thrown open for selection by returned soldiers (says the "Christchurch Sun"). There are several- other Canterbury settkutants which will be made available tor soldiers shortly, notably a block of approximately SOO aci'es at Orari, the area of the Coldstream Estato which was purchased, and the recently-acquired 200 acres nt I'cmlalton, the last-named cf which is-intended for fruit and. poultry farms. Single sections in the Homebrook and Leeston- sections are to be balloted for in about a month's time. Applications close this month for the Snowdale grazing run leases, too. Without flat wintering country,, as it is, the Snowdr'e proposition is largely a gamble,.'but the camhlinsr spirit is said (o be strong in ihe soldier, so that there will probably be plenty ready to risk the bad winters with the jooil.

Development- too late for use in the war of a motor fuel which adds ten miles an hour to tho speed of airplanes, and lias possibilities for use in automobile racing, was announced recently.by the United Slates' Bureau of Mines. The liquid, a combination of benzol and eyclolioxano- called- beclar, costs about a dollar, a gallon, so while of military value it is not regarded as .practical for commercial purposes at present. Another .combination ideveloped 'by tlio bureau consisting of benzol and gasolene lias been found to be more powerful than gasolene alone, and is exnected to prove of value in industry. The comoarative scarcity of benzol, however, makes its production to supplant gasolene on a larjje scale improbable in the immediate future.

An amusing incident- occurredshortly before the arrival of the north , express, conveying tlto.soldiers of the Hemuera's draft; at the Dunedin Railway. Station (says the "Otago Times"). The.train-was late,.and a large crowd was on the platform awaiting its arrival. At a quarter to ten a train from I'orfc Chalmers pulled in. The crowd, naturally mistaking it for the express, burst into a tempest; of cheering, and an astonished private soldier. who was merely travelling up from Port, and was standing upon the. platform of the first; carriage, was the recipient of nil ovation before the mistake was realised.

At flip latest weekly" meeting of nieniIcts nf the Mount Eden Women's .Adult School ;i resolution was passed protesting against the proposed expenditure of J;10fl for a big bonfire' on the top of MountEden os a part of the peace celebration (.states the "Auckland Star"). The opinion was expressed that at the present time there-is so much need inAuckland both as regards food and clothing ior relieving real distress that money spent iii the way suggested would lie useless,-while a .wiser aiid more humane eVoehdifure of such a sum ..might bring gladness and coin fort to many of those who lack even the necessities of life. .

A bleak' occurred at . Ngahauranga about noon yesterday in one of the 21-inch water mains. which. carries water, from. Waiiiui-o-mata to -the city. The burst was particularly -unfortunate, as at the present time the water supply is in iieed of consideration. A gang, utidor the direction .of Mr. • Dimes, waterworks ou-i'seer; was soon on 'he scene, and the matter of effecting-repairs, was immediately put in hand.. As a consequence of (lie mishap the .pressure in. the city was .reduced from over I'flOlh. to some-, thing like SDlb. per square inch. 11l conversation with a Dominion reporter,, the Mayor, Mr. .T. 11.I 1 . Luke said that-as much water was being used in the city at the present . time as. in .the middle of summer. ■The community was not receiving any proportionate . benefit, so the.only conclusion that could be come to was that a good deal of. waste, was going on. In view of the fact that an inflow; of .water, into the reservoirs at. Waiuui and Iv.irori was particularly desirable, the Mayor appealed to the citizens to use. absolutely 110 more water than-they essentially, require.

The liiattcr of' illuminations in the citv during (ho pence' celebrations was referred to by the .Mayor- yesterday; Sir. Luke said that under ordinary conditions the council would be particularly idea,' Sod that the city'should be brilliantly-' illuminated,' especially -the jiriiicipal buildings. Owing to .'the tremendous'strain on the :electric lighting plant, however, it would be difficult' for the council to respond to-anything like the deniands that we're likely to' be, forthcoming. Tlow ; ever, he would like lo see one- or- two of the chief public buildings illuminated in an appropriate manner. Whether Hie illuminations 'should be made as extensive as might be desired could only be. determined l).v the council, through its officers, as the applications for power came to hand. .

A special' stop-work meeting of ..Wellington waterside workers will be'.held at 10 a.m. to-dii.v. in the Altera ft Theatre, The. meeting iwill receive a report upon the Ixitlot' recently held lo decide wliqther the increase in wages offered by the employers should be accepted.

The quarterly meeting of the Publiu Service Superannuation Board was held on Thursday. Nineteen contributors, retired under Sectiun 35 of the .Act, by reason of age or. length ■ of service, were granted allowances totalling ,C 306- 4s. per annum, and eight contributor-, retired as medically unfit, worb granted allowances of a total of .£3.10 10s. per annum. . Tho case of one officer, whom it .was sought to retire as medically unfit, was referred back to the Department, with a request that further sick leave be granted. Twenty-one widows and fifty children were granted tho statutory allowances amounting to ,£IO2B per annum. In consequence of'retirements under Section 35 of the Act: accrued compensation to the amount of .E5752 became, a liability of the superannuation fund ""and'a corresponding relief to the Consolidated Fund. .

It is the intention of the Government lo send the Government Statistician to "England to attend a conference of statisticians of the Ktnpire. (o he held on a date to be fixed shortly. This decision is the outcome of a- recommendation of the Dominions Hnyal Commission Hint a conference of statisticians of the Empire should be held alter the war. and that sucji. wiuferenco should consider Ihe establishment of a permanent stalislical bureau under the supervision nf an Imperial Committee. 'I'Jic surest ion was agreed to by the Imperial AVer Conference in 1918, end it has la.lelv been considered by Cabinet. The decision of Cabinet is thai r. Malcolm l-'rwer is to atleud Hp conference. Now th-it the walls over, it may. be expected that a dale for the fitting of the■ conference will soon be fixed.

' No. 23/2302 Private •!{. K. A: Young, Details, Featherslon. found guilty by a emu-l-i'wlia 1 at b-.ing alwent witliout leave from February 11. I'JIG, until ap|.re'i""dcil I v the police' on April 8, t'JIH, and losing by neglect his clullii'ng and regimental accessories, lias been sentenced to twenty-eight days' detention, and -put under stoppages of pay until ho -has "made good thft'suur of '.£ll ss. 10(1.

A portion of'the. new Defence building adjacent to the Government, .Buildings is Hearing completion. . The. new building will be occupied by liaso, liecords uijd tho l'iiy Kiafielt. . More (ban Jialf. the space will-be used by .the I'ay Brancli, which W at present occupying.;!rented ..building in Brandon Street;'.- .. ...

The Makara County Council ivas informed yesterday thai; the Hospital and Charitable Aid. levy for the year: 1910-20 bad beep fixed, at ,£I2OB :11s. -Id;; This showed! an increase of- vCITO l-isr.-ld. as compared with.thelevy for the.past year. The county-.clerk-(Mr, W. L.- -Beech) said that.when the .council was first constituted in 1907 Hie rate was only ,1:370. He also reported that the levy on the county in respect to the epidemic expenses bad been fixed'-at ,£315 25., which brought the council's '-liiibilitv lo the Hospital and Charitable .Aid Board up to ,£1523 13s. -Id. Councillor E. Windlev said tho council should protest against' the "levy being raised -from year to year. ■ 'Die.-' trouble with the Hosnital Board was that bers of people who were able to p.iv their hospital fees failed to. do so. To a certain extent he blamed many'(if the doctors, wild sent into the'liospitiiljs for treatment patients whom they- thought might have difficultv in•paying ■ their medical expenses The- council decided to enter its. strong protest against the continued increase in the-■ Hospital'-levy.

The Early Settlers' md Historical Association is holding a meeting on Thursday. May 15, at Godber's Booms, Cuba Street, when members will be invited to give their reminiscences. A good'attendance is.'expocleo

The collier luiii; bound from Greymouth and Bluff to Dunedin, anchored oft'- the Bluff, on Thursday night owing to a broken cylinder. The ve-"?el signalled proceeding under easy steam, and. is expected to roach Dunedin this morning. —Press Assn.

Miss If. England will deliver an address on "The Women's Movement in Europe" at the Alexandra Hall,; Abel Smith Street, ..on Sunday evening at B._

In the Dunedin Police Court yesterday Messrs. ,7oilii Chambers and Son were charged with importing poison, to wit, sheep dip .powder, containing, arsenic, without seeing that the same- was packedill accordance with the-requirements of the Poisons-Act. The defendants, explained that this was'the first shipment from the firm which .had exported- tilt goods, and they did not know. how the rontents were packed. Defendants werefined .-<£2o and costs I'l 13s.

A meeting of the Green Island Miners' Union was held on Tuesday evening, and again adhered to their former decision not to Inko any action till o conference told lieeri held with,, the employers.- Almost half of the men who. wont.on-strike are.npw employed elsewhere, some at Kaitangatn and other mines, nncl some in various occupations, The secretary-of the union resigned his position so that lie might- take other employment. Tho mine-owners are willing-, to take,-'back their former employees .if (hey will go back. - The deadlock,, however, .continues, and the local supply of ccal .is. 1 still somewhat- restricted.—Dunedin "Star" of Wednesday's date.

; It was stated in an article which appeared in the Dunedin "Star," under the heading "New Ked Funnel,' Steamers," that the Leitrini and. Wcs.tmeath. had been torpedoed,;and sunk by the..Germans during , the ,war. The "Stur" reported later:—Although..this information has appeared in-, p.rint in many , reliable journals, it is incorrect. Tile Leitrim, which is one. of the fiiiest vessels ,of her : cla?s seen ..in 'these, waters, was at Wellington only a few weeks ago, when she 'brought general cargo from New York, and then sailed for Australian ports. This steamer was very fortunate during the war,' as she never '.suffered 'damage in any . way! The "Westnieath met wjth a mishap while the w;ir was iii .progress, when she ran.ashore on the I'rench-coast. The vessel w?.s. subsequently refloated, and repaired, and is still; carrying out good work in another.part of (lie world, Tlofh the Leitrini and. Westnieath are .'units of the Union. Stea.nl Ship, Company's fleet.

The Christcluirch correspondent-, of a Southern paper recently wired of the .chief difficulties,'experienced during the last- epidemic rresiilled from/a.' scarcity'of qualified : nnrses, and indications point to there being.very few-nurses-who would lie .immediately available if - the epidemic- recurred in the- near future in anything like u widespread form. The North Canterbury Jlosiiilal Hoard, with the object of being able to call on nurses at a moment's notice, advertised for the mimes of those wlio. would'he. available, and inquiries made''elicited-the information that tlie replies.,were decidedly disappointing; only seven'; or eight... liurses offering their services. ,;'As about iS 'to'2o oualified nurses are required" ..for'.- the depots alone, and it was recognised on the'last occasion that, they formed" the basis of the depot system,'the seriousness of the position may be' gauged. . JSxhaiis.ti.vo.search lias.failed to locate a'young ma.n,...Mervyn Foster .Greene (21 years old), who-has been.missing from his .'parents' homo iii .IhisseU . Street, since i'riday of last week- (states the-.Uiinedin

"Star"). The circumstances point to a tragedy. Search was commenced' on the .-Saturday, and on Sunday his overcoat was found hanging over-a fence near the dill's at Si, Clair. In the pocket were a sum of'money -and a'-'note asking that this 'sum bo given to his brother, lii the circumstances' the -police- have'_ Jieen searching "the coast line, fearing'' iho ivorst, -but on the other'hand it'is said tha t a youlig woman who knew 'hint' has expressed hei'self iis-almost certain that she saw liini since.-' The missing youth is about Tift. lO.Vin. : iii height,' bf slender build,-fair coliiplexioned-' with'] brown eyes,' thiii faced, xdeari: shaven, witlifpi'o-. ihmeiit nu'se. lie"was dressed' in a "dark suit, wore a-grey felt "-hat N with' black baud." 1 [is disappearance" is Vnljrely inexplicable to iill who knew him." ,

• At a.meeting at Auckland;' presided over by .Mi-. C'uttcu, S.M.; a Young.Citizens'.. leaguo was. established. , JJr,".Gutten . said, that the object was to., promote the general'welfare of young people.over m:1ioo1. age. . Many, young..people, did not get. a, fiiir.cluinee in life,, and.great .wastage .resulted!' The.'community lost' not only the benefit .of good, citizenship,' but its Welfare was endangered'. Members of Hie.league would be young people, but it was'suggested that .adult honorary; membership. should' also, be "provided.,. jVs for the...religious policy of tlio leiig.u6,._tlie .league' would be /noiirSectaMn on' the basis' of (rue -religious feeling and.reverence. for God.. ■ Mr.'.Cutten ..was.clcctetl firrt president.—l'vess'Assn.

Mr..' Samson, Director of Repatriation, staled-in Christciuireh yesterday, that although the Department had established a training-farm for- tuberculous soldiers near IValhcreton, where they could have Hie benefit of the best medical advice, skilled training, and healthy outdoor life, and had sent circulars to its boards and committees and had advertised in the newspapers, oiily one application for admission had been received;— Press Assn. ..

The "Sydney- Iteming -Herald", slates: "Peter- Halfpenny, of Hoi-ton- Park; Tiboobitna, -had been.dingo hunting in tho open country, and one lof his horses perished. Ho utilised the carcass for bait, and secured MO dingoes in . four week?, the best haul being 45 in one night. As the Milparinka Pastures Protection. 13oard pay Jl.per scalp, it will be seen' that the dead, horse, realised ,£l4O —no doubt a record price for a carcass. Dingoes and foxes are numerous around this district now, and are doing a lot of damage amongst .sheep, which arc very weak."

The Waterside AVorkcrs' Band will ploy at Island Bay to-morrow at 3 p.m.