LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 194, 12 May 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Australian passengers who landed from tho Canadian steamer Makura will arrive at Wellington from Auckland this afternoon by the Main. Trunk express to connect with the Manuka, sailing on Wednesday for Sydney.

Four of the crew of the Union S.S. Company's intercolonial steamer Manulta have died of influenza since her arrival at Wellington from Sydney on April 28. The vessel was released from quarantine ou Saturday, and berthed during the morning. The. two latest deaths, those of a fireman and a seaman, occurred on Friday night. The burials took place on Saturday morning.' All of the men who have- died were the first sufferers adinitted to the Somes Island Hospital,_ and their condition was bad from the start. There are still four more serious cases. One patient who was seriously ill is notv better, and four are convalescing. Yesterday four of the vessel's crew wero a,llowed to leave the island, and about ten contacts will probably be allowed to come B6hore to-day.

It is very likely that there .will be no . interference' with the tramway service during .the peace celebrations. The tramway men have felt, that they should receivo some consideration, seeing that they would have to work when the rust of the community wero enjoying the gaieties incident to the occasion, arid a general meeting of tho Tramways Union was held yesterday morning , to consider certain proposals which wero made by the Tramways Department. Tho department suggested that the ordinary service should be maintained, but that by way of coinpensatjon the men should receive time and a half rates and two days' extra holiday, to be taken with the annual leave., It is understood that the position was thoroughly discussed, and that the offor of the department was accepted.

Aβ a result of a conference with the Hon. G. W. Russell over the payment of block doctors' fees, representatives of the Christclnirch branch of tho British Radical Association have agreed to supply the Minister with particulars as to the circumstances under which block doctors operated in Christchnrch, also proposals witjj regard to a recrudescence of the influenza epidemic—Press Assn

Tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) will open the criminal sessions of tho Supreme Court this morning. Thero are eighteen cases, four being added to the. list during -the week-end, these being: Khristjan Henry Jensen, charged with assault causing actual bodily harm) Jamee Arthur Pollard, two charge.? of breaking, entering, and theft; Charles Edward Rossiter Ruddick, alleged theft of it- motor-cat.

One of the most interesting aspects of the shipping trade has been the increased number of sailing vessels arriving in the Dominion from tho West Coast of tho United States of America, bringing cargoes of case oil and quantities of general cargo, says the annual report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. "Some of these vessels have made extremely smart trips, and have shown that Hie day of the sailing vessel is by no means over. Tho present position regarding this doss of shipping is tho difficulty in obtaining hack loading to tho United States of America, particularly in view of the falling off in the demand for hemp. During the past three months eome vessels have left New Zealand ports with part cargo only at low rates of freight, and, in other cases, in ballast, return cargoes being unobtainable."

The Hon. G. W. Russell states that tho embargo upon passengers travelling from Australia render? it impossible for miners to land in New Zealand. He hopes that before long, the position will'have sufficiently improved to enable a restricted passenger service to bo instituted by which New Zealanders at present in Australia may be repatriated. This can. not take place until the conditions at tho quarantine stations are such as to ennblo a full ship's company to be handled. Till then it is not considered desirable to relax the conditions of the embargo.— Press Assn.

The following remit, dealing , yrith Stale advances and privoto loans, will be discussed by tho provincial.conference of the Farmers' Union, to be held in Wellington at the end of this month:—J'That the attention of the -Minister of Finance bo called to the present unsatisfactory matters in connection with State and private money-lending institutions. That where security is good the State should provide money at reasonable rates for farmers' needs, and should restore the table system of mortgages and provide in every mortgage covenant for payment of sums before due date without forfeiture of interest."

At the quarterly meeting of the Public Service Board, nineteen contributors, retired under Section 35 of the Act, by reaEon of age or length of service, were granted allowances totalling .£3067 -Is , , yer annum, and eight contributors, retired as medically unfit, were granted allowances of a total of JS33O 10s. per annum. The icase of one officer, whom it was 6ought to retire as medically unfit, was referred back to the Department, with a request that further eick leave be granted. Twenty-ono widows and 51 children were granted . the statutory allowances amounting to JIO2B per annum. In consequenco of retirements under section 85 of the Act accrued compensation to tho amount of .£5782 became a liability of the superannuation fund and a corresponding relief to the Consolidated Fund.

Fifty cases' of southern apples infested with San Jose scale were condemned by the local Government inspectors last week. Thie infection is regarded ae very 6eriou9, for although easy to control if takon in hand properly, it rapidly kills treea if allowed to run its course.

"The question of pillaging of cargo has been a matter which has been discussed by tho chamber for many years, but probably the losses incurred by tho commercial community in this direction hnvo never been so great as during the past two years," states the annual report of tlie Wellington Chamber of Commerce. "Tho position is tho more serious owing to tho high price of commodities. Insurance companies have found it necessary to increase their rates for cover against pillage. The matter has been discussed by tho Harbour Board, and during the year there have been many cases upon which convictions have been obtained in tho Magistrate's Court. 11 seems difficult, if not impossible, to find n remedy. Pillaging mny take plnco in the country of shipment, in docks and oversea ports, on the voyage, during discharge in Now Zealand, or in harbour board sheds."

Featherston Camp Orders state Unit No. 61.595 Private B. Gamilnrar/.i, Details. Featlierston M.C., having been found guilty by district court-martial ot descrtiii-.; It is Majesty's service, and losing by neglect his clothes and regimental necessaries, has been sentenced In bo imprisoned with hord labour for two years, and to be put under sloppages' of pay until ho lias made good the sum of .EG 13s. sd. for kit deficiencies.

Tho tram eeryice in Willis Street wae disorganised slightly shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon owing to nri overhead wire carrying away near the corner of BoulcoU, Street. A repair gaiift w,i3 soon at work, and as ioon us possible Hie normal running of the cars was resumed.

While playing football at Newtown Pnrk on Saturday afternoon n, young njan named Thomas Cunliffo, who resides at 1C Upper Data lioad, Hataitai, had tho misfortune to fracture his right leg. Hβ was admitted to tho Hospital for treatment.

Appreciation of the work done by tho Salvation Army on. behalf of the New Zealand troops is expressed by BrigadierGeneral G. S. Richardson in a letter to Commissioner Hodder. "The New Zealand Salvation Army has raised largo sums of money on behalf of the NonZealand soldiers, and I can certify to this money having been judiciously spent in the interest of the men," says General Richardson. "The Salvation Army organisation, through the medium of Major Green and the various Salvation Army chaplains, has assisted me to a very great extent. Large numbers of men in London have been personally assisted from Salvation Army funds. The Salvation Army has also established huts in the various camps in England, it large hostel in London, where our mon on returning from the trenches were able to obtain accommodation equal \» iliav of any good hotel in the city. At Etaples a large hut was erected by the Salvation Army, and every one of the reinforcements passing from England to the Division wero entertained, and their social needs provided for by New Zealand Salvation Army. Also the sick from the various hospitals in France were looked after in the samo institution. I am deeply indebted to all chaplains and-tho Salvation Army, who have worked so hard for the N.Z.E.F. in the interests of their relatives in this country."

A email boy named Harry Harris, residing at 8 Luxford Street, was knocked down by ii motor-car at Island Bay on Saturday afternoon, and received an injury to his chest, which necessitated his removal to tho Hospital. His condition is regarded as serious.

The following subscriptions and donations to tho Returned Soldiers' Clubhouse Society are acknowledged :—James Macintosh, «Cl 2 10s; V. Riddiford, .810; Blundell Bros., Ltd., JCIO; C. R. Smith, .£8 j Bell, Gully, 8011, and Myers, ,€5; T. A. Duncan, £o; Mrs, Seville, JH-, Miss Car. ter and friends, ,£3; Mrs. Miuidell .S2 10s.; Smih and Smith, Ltd., <£2 25,; L. G. R-eid, £2 2s: Bristol Piano Co.'s em. ployees, £2; "5.D.," £1; Harcourt and Co., £2; Gerald Fitzgerald, £1 10s.; Busy Bcb Club, -.£1; Mrs. Scales, £1; H. T. Ellins'hani, -£1; Mr. Pollen, £1; Wellington Central Union. W.C.T.U., "Anonymous," 10s.; Mrs. M'Kerizie, 10s.; .1. Jl'Kay, 10s.; Barry Keesing, 55.; F. V. Ruthcvfurd, 55.; "Returned Soldier," 2s. Gd.; total, .£77 to. 6d. ' The Bristol Piano Co. has tuned the society's piano gratis.

A stranded American submarine chaser was sighted by the Kia Ora when nenring the-toast of San Domingo, an island in the West Indies. The captain of tho disabled vessel hailed the transport, and asked. to be taken in tow, explaining that his boat had been stranded for twenty-four hours and could not proceed owing to some water having got into the petrol tanks. The Kia Oia accordingly took the submarine chaser in tow, 'but the cable parted twice, and just after making a start for the third time an American troopship was sighted, which came along and look over the job. The incident happened about twelve hours' , steam from Snn Domingo, and general regret wa3 expressed by the soldiers at missing a call at that interesting port.'

The Mayor of Christchurch intends to apply to the military authorities with tho object of purchasing cheap supplies of surplus blankets for the benefit of the poor in Ciiristchurch. Hβ also intends to communicate with the Minister of Munitions to eecure the retention in each coalyard in the city of a small reserve of coal on which the recipients of coal orders may draw. This will ensure that the poorest people will never suffer from an absolute coal famine. It is also intended to lay in supplies of firewood, and the Mayor has already received an anonymous donation of bluegum lengths.

» In tho Juvenile Court on Saturday four small boys came before Mr. 1\ .V. Frazer. S.M., to answer charges of theft. They entered certain premises, fitolo articles, and did damage. Senior Sergeant Wade said the cases were brought with the object of warning boye against such practice. The lads were warned by the Court as to the necessity of Rood behaviour in the future, and were told that they not only broughttrouble upon themselves, but on their parents also. The Magistrate adjourned tho cases for a year, ami during that period they are to remain undor the supervision of the probation officer. The parents were ordered to pay the costs of the damage done by the boys.

The Pcaco Tieaty, including substitutions, ran into .13,098 words, Excellent dispatch .was given by tho telegraph authorities in the Dominion, but there was some hitch in arrangements outside, as 'transmission stopped altogether for hours at a time, and delivery was stretched over some thirty-six hours. In addition the sections did not arrive in sequence, and fiaps were-loft which eeriously interfered Svith prompt handing in to the telegraph office.

A member of the Mount Cook police proved a good Samaritan in arresting a "Sunday drunk" yesterday afternoon. The inebriated person was a sailor, who was considerably "under the influence," and when searched at the police station ho was found to have ;E2G in English money and 50 United States dollars in his. possession. Until he is liberated again his money at any rate will be in safe keeping.

A meeting of the special inspectors who co-operated -.villi the city's inspectors during the epidemic of November last will be held in the Mayor's offico this afternoon. The purpose of the meeting is to consider thu sanitary conditions of the city before embarking on a campaign to remove any sources of danger to t.he health of the- citizens.

A Press Association message from Chvistchurch states that in connection with tho civic reception to General Russell, tho Mayor is arranging for a film to be taken of the arrival of the transport, tho disembarkation, street scene*, and the reception in Christchurch.

The Northern Howling Association, having gono out of business, has arranged for the distribution of a balance in hand of i;l00 (after the year's levy of clubs affiliated to the association had been paid to the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association). This =CIOO had been placed' on doposit. The trustees of tho Northern Bowling Association recently decided that the balance be donated, and it was unanimously agreed that it be allocated as follows :-Y.M.C. A., iGO; St. John Ambulance, .£6O. The balance, ainonnting to £i 12«., was voted the lion, secretary to cover expenses incurred since active operations had ceased. The trustees also decided to present the roller top desk to the hon. secretary (l[r. ,1. J. Roberts), as a small token of respect for the work he did on behalf of howlers generally during his term of office as ion. secretary and treasurer. The books and records of the lato association have boon placed in the keeping of Mr. Roberts, and the banner and shield have been placed in (lie custody of the Wellington Bowling Club.