LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 210, 30 May 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A warning of possible increase in tram fares was given by the Mayor at tho meeting of tho City Council last nHit He said flint the accounts of tho department showed that only with the greatest care could the council avoid increasing fares. The position would be moro cleanly shown by figures to be presented at next meeting of tho council. J[ o hoped that the council would bo able to save some expenditure if the prices of somo materials sliouM drop. Thero is now plenty of corrugated iron on the local market, and Iho prices aro showing a downward tendency all over New Zealand. One' Wellington firm recently received such a largo shipment of back orders that it effected n sale of part of the shipment in Sydney. The price to-day was in the vicinity of „C 55 a ton. a drop of nearly 50 per cont. within seven or eight months. The wire market has been a trillo uncertain, but the fall in price has been even more marked than in the case of corrugated iron. In Auckland, wire has been sold ns low as .1125 per lon within the past two months. A license authorising the OpunaknTown Hoard to use water from the U'aiaua Hirer for the purpose of generating electricity, and to erect electric lines within (he Opunake town district, and portion of the Egmont county, is issued in this week's Gazotte.

Tho reduction in electric light charges which tlio old City Council rejected on the eve ol the election was mentioned at the meeting of the new City Council last night. The Mayor said that tho matter would bo considered with reference to finance as soon as opportunity offered.

Sir James Allen was asked (says a Christcliiirch paper) if (he Government will subsidise local bodies and other .organisations that entertain Admiral Jellicuc and ollicors and men of the New Zealand in Hie Dominion. He said that the question had been carefully considered by the Government, which had como to the conclusion that it could not help, m it had no authority lo do so. The Government, he added, would do some entertaining on its own account.

A Press Association message from Blenheim states that Mr. P. L. Ilollings, S.M., delivered an important judgment in the case in which TV. B. Gilling and Co. woro charged by the Inspector of Factories with employing three- female employees on the Wednesday half-holiday on April i). The defence stated (hat the emplovees received a half-holiday on April JO, referendum day, at their own wish, in place of the usual half- day. Counsel contended that the case should he dismissed as trivial under Section D 2 of the justices of tho Peace Act. Tho Magistrate agreed, and used his discretionary powers under the Act, nnd dismissed the case.

The evils which arise through land agents acting for both parlies in a land transaction, particularly exchanges, wers referred to by Mr. Justice Cooper in the Supremo Court at Auckland. The case in question arose over a, disputed ex change, and counsel was anxious to find ont whether on a particular occasion tho agent was acting for the plaintiff or the: defendant. "My own opinion," said .-the Judge, "is that* no agent has a right to act for both parties to a transaction. They do. and oases such as this occur." Mr. J. I?. Heed, K.C., remarked that solicitor?, often ha dto act for both parties. "But they do not charge both parties a fee," said the Judge.

A shag shot on one of Hie Waitaki islands recently was found to contain II young trout. 'Perhaps this is whore the 'missing' millions of salmon fry havo gone (savg the Oaman:, ."Mail"). It certainly tseems to account partially for tho poor front fishing last year, as tho river is dotted here and there all up its course by clumps of shags.

It has been suggested that the Government should make inquiries as to public feeling in tho United States, Canada, and other countries on the liquor question; but Sir Jamw Allen stated to a representative of the "Lytic! ton Times" that he : did not think any steps would be taken in.that direction. "Tho newspaper Press to-day is so powerful," he said, "that tho public is fully en-lightened-by it, and the Government does not need to do anything in the matter."

Free passes for six months on the city tram's an- to be given to returned soldiers wliu have lost legs during the war. The City Council gave this concession last night on the application of the Wellington' Heturncd Sold : ers' Association.

Tho relations between farmers and Labour formed the question of some discussion at the final nittings of the Wellington Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union. Two remits on the matter, one from the executive and the other from Te Horo branch, were considered in committee at sonic length. Finally, the remit from the executive was carried in the following form: "That a committee of representative members of tho union be set up to draft suggestions for legislation which will be acceptable both to farmers and Labour, and bo such as will meet with the views of the various thinkers who have the. good of the Dominion nt heart; and that immediate steps be taken to educato'public opinion in sound economic principles." Upon tho recommendation of Te Horo branch, the following resolution was carried by 26 votes to 23:-"That the New Zealand Farmers' Union as represented by this provincial conference cordially approves of tho Labour Party's suggestion oE a Tound-lable conference' to consider labour conditions, and is prepared to send delegates to such a conference if invited."

The subject of preferential voting was discussed at the final sittings, of the Wellington Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union. By 13 votes to 12 the .following remit from the Waikanae branch was carried:— "That in view of the excellent results from the adoption of preferential voting in Australia, the samo Bystem shall, without further delay, bo embodied in the electoral law of New Zealand."

Councillor P. Fraser has given notice to move at next meeting of the City Councih "'That the council agree to proceed immediately with the erection of bo rest-rooms for .women, situated in central and convenient positions." He ho* also given notice to movo: "That the engineer he instructed to prepare immediately a scheme to extend the present puhlic conveniences, for "both men and women; to establish new ones whore those existing are obsolete, inadequate, and insanitary, and at such other places in both city and suburbs where considered necessary."

At the last meeting of the trustees of the Invercargill Mutual Money Club, L,td.,i the secretary read an interesting letter from Mr. W. G. Garrard, secretary of the Christchureh and' St. Albans Co-operative Money Club (says tho "Southland Times"). Mr. Garrard states that he lias been secretary for 20 years, during which time the club has grown from a small affair started by a few enthusiasts into a large financial institution with a capital of over ,£50,000. The object of the club is to act as a. go-between between those with a few shillings to invest each week and those who want to borrow amounts on approved securities. No member is allowed to take more than ten shares, and the subscription to the club is one shilling per share per week. All money to members' credit is at call, and at the close of eacli halfyear the profits are divided back to the members by way of dividends. Tho Christchureh Club has paid as much a 9 Is. in the £ for the half-year by way of dividend, but their average dividend is '9d:in the £ each six months.

■ A proposal for the appointment of additional sanitary inspectors in Wellington was before the City Council last night. The recommendation of the Finance Committee was that two additional inspectors be appointed. Councillor P. Fraser moved an amendment to ilicrease the' number to four, two of them to be women. He said that more efficient inspection would do -much to improve the evils made apparent at the time of the epidemic. Councillor M'Keuzie sldd that the real difficulty was that the council had not wide enough powers under the law.. Ho did not admit that the inspection was not efficient. The advice of the chief inspector was that only certificated men ivcro useful, and he considered that two more inspectors would suffice, and councillors accepted his The Labour members pressed for the amendment, and especially for the appointment of women inspectors. The amendment was defeated by 3 votes to -1 the minority votes being those of the four Labour members. It was agreed on the voices that a report on the appointment of women inspectors bo presented at next mcetinE of tho council.

The following cablegram was received on Wednesday by a Wangauui drapery firm relative to the market for Manchester goods, and also showing a possible development arising out of the keeu demand from enemy countries: "Manchester improving daily. Values have advanced 15 per cont. Further advance of 10 to 15 per cent, is oxpected before end of July. This will be considerably greater if shipment is permitted to enemy conn, tries." ■ /;

It is reported (says the Christchurch Press! that Mr. J. J. Graham, a former Mnvor of Wnolston, and a member of th<> Lvtrollon Harbour Doard, Will contest the Lyttclton seat in the Liberal interest. Present indications ' pdint to I lie possibility of quite a small army of candidates seeking the suffrages of the Lyttclton electors. The silling member, Mr. James M'C'ombs, M.P., will be a candidate; Mr. W. T. Lester, Mayor of Lyttclton, has announced his intention lo offer his services; and other candidates spoken of aro Messrs. Orton Bradlev and Mr. G. Armstrong, J.P. (Mayor of Altaroa). Mr. H. G. '1311, M.P. for Christchurch Soulli, lias also announced his candidature for Iho Lyttclton seat, liegarding tho Ellosmerc scat, represented at present by Colonel the Hon. It. Heaton Rhodes, it is slated that Mr, James Coop, Little River, has been asked to bo a candidate in the Liberal interest.

Tho City Council last night adopted the recommendnlion of the Finance Committee, that "it is not desirable that tlio funds of local bodies should be applied towards the erection of general peace memorials,"

A start is to be made shortly with the first building in Cliristchurch to be constructed in reinforced concrete the "Press";. It will be a large warehouse and factory for the Wellington Woollen Company, will consist of four floors and a basement, and it is estimated to cost about £10,000. Tho building is to be erected in Lichfield Street, to the westward of His Lordship's Hotel.

Mr. I'. V. l'Vazer, coroner, yesterday held an inquest concerning the death of. David William M'Cabe, the three-year-old son of Michael Henry M'Cabe, a waterside worker. It appeared that the child had none out into the backyard of his father's house to play. Hissing him, his mother had gone to see what had become of him, and discovered his dead body in an excavation filled with water.Tho excavation had been made in tho course of building operations on the adjoining section. William Wilson, contractor, said that he had had a contract to excavate a cellar at. the rear of M'Cabe's fence. On the completion of tho work about three weeks ago there was. he thought, a space of several inches between M'Cabe's fencsooud the excavation. Apparently (he soil had crumbled since, and the hole had extended inside the fence. The coroner found (.lint the deceased child had met its dealh accidentally, hut he expressed tho opinion that whoever was responsible had displayed negligence in leaving a hole behind the fence of a dwelling without making everything secure. The father of the child alleged in his evidence that ho had protested to a workman against the coudition in which (ho hole was being left.

In tho Cliristchurch Supreme. Court in Bankruptcy, an application for immediate discharge in the caso of Edmund Peter Gill was opposed by counsel appearing for n Kaikoura creditor (states a Press Association message). Counsel said bankrupt had posed as a sharebrokcr, and his debts wero JillSO. and his assets nil. This was tho second bankruptcy of petitioner. Mr. Justico Herdman said the circumstances were suspicious, and an adjournment would be made (ill the next sittings in August, the Official Assignee to mako further investigation and supply His Honour with a supplementary report of such investigation.

Application for the use of one of tiie city reserves by the Rugby League waa reported upon by the Reserve* Comraitteft to the City Council last night. The report was that the League was being informed that the application was received after thp allocation of the reserves, and that the committee regretted that -tho request could not be acceded to, as all the grounds had been allotted for tins season.

A most unpleasant surprise awaited a Christchureh doctor on Monday night (says the "Press"). About 8.40 o'clock he left his motor-car standhg outside a building in Worcester Street, between the ■Square and Manchester .Street. Both head and tail lights were left burning. On returning a few minutes later he found only the wreck of his car. The near front wheel was. torn right off, one of. tho axles was considerably bent, and the body of the car was badly twisted, while there were various suifilJpr injuries. An examination of the tracks showeel that another ear had evidently crashed into the doctor's machine, then had backed and ultimately, driven on. Tho matter is in tho hands of the police..

A meeting was held in tho Trades Hall last evening for the purpose of calling public attention .to the inequities of the sentence passed on the conscientious objectors, and calling for the immediate releaso of all conscientious objectors. Mr. H. 10. Holland, M.P., presided over an attendance' which included a number of released conscientious objectors. Among the correspondence read out was .the following- letter, from Archbishop O'Shea: "I regrot that 1 shall be unable to' attend your meeting to-morrow evening re the conscientious objectors. I am in full sympathy with its object, and think that all genuine conscientious objectors 6hould be released at once." Messrs. R. Sample, M.P., and A. Graynlder spoke in support of tho'object-of tho meeting. Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., mentioned that a deputation of West.Coast returned soldiers had interviewed the Hon. T. M. Wilford for tho purpose of urging the relouse of P. C. Webb; also that a petition for the samo purpose was being extensively signed by returned soldiers. At tho conclusion o'f the meeting a committee was set up to work in conjunction with other committees in the Dominion for the purpose of organising public opinion demanding the immediate release of tho conscientious objectors now in prison. ,