LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 211, 31 May 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

! The Koyal mail, steamer Niagara, -which arrived at Auckland nt 3.20 p.m. yesterday, brought a large English, American, and Expeditionary Force mail, amounting lo over 2000 bags. The bags wore to undergo fumigation before being landed' and .delivered. Tho Kauri, probably arriving' to-day at Auckland from Melbourne, is bringing a small, mail. The Sari Francisco mail by the Moana is only of parcels. Another Australian mail is duo at Lyttelton this week-end by. tho. Devon, which, left Newcastle on Tuesday.

The strength of tho N.Z. Expeditionary, l-'orco abroad is as follows: In Trance, 30; in the United Kingdom, 16.942 j patients in hospital in tho United Kingdom, 2530; number of men with wives and families in the United-Kingdom, 123! l; nurses and Eed Cross workers- to he evacuated, 162; total number evacuate'! from the United Kingdom since tho armistice was signed, 28,03!).

"lieraeraber, a.good boxer makes a. good soldier. I have naver known a, good boxer' who has not been a good soldier."—Major Swcetzer at the presentation of prizes after the boxing tournament at Trenthain. Camp last Wednesday..

"During , the last two or three years there have been' some noticeable changes so far as thermal activity 13 concerned," remarked'-Mr. E. M. Algie, a mem'ber of the Euanehu Ski-ing Club to a "Wanganui Chronicle" reporter.' "The great geyser at Kotetahi, on Tongariro, now sends out its column of steam and boiling water some 15ft. or 20ft. froiu whore it originally was. The large crater and vent-hole-on Ngauruhoe' w.ei'i much filled during the last eruption, and tho crater is now shallower by about 200 ft. The large crater lake on. Ruapehu appears to have been fairly active also, for the suow slopes leading down to the lake seem to be much more heavily coated with eu.lpb.ut-/ i aid not sufficiently acquainted with, volcanic phenomena," concluded .Mr. Algie. ''to say that enother eruption. of Ngauruhoe is iniinenent, but, during my stay this time, a' coinmii of black smoke did issue from the crater, and I believe, this has not happened for some time. This possibility of volcanic disturbance adds only cue more wonder to the vast attractions of this most; interesting district."

"As everybody is goin? for more money ■I don't see how we-can prevent bint being paid less." This remark was made br tlio chairmnn of the Board of College Governors (Mr. W. F. Ward) yesterday, after reading a note from Mr. S. P. Fii-th (headmaster of the Wellington College) that the music master Had revised ins fee to 10s. per quarter. ■ \

The Labour Party has chosen. Mr. William Gardiner Paul as its candidate for the Waitaki.seat at the general election. Mr. Pant contested Wailaki in 1910.— Press Assn.

".Miss M'Lean reports that another burglary took place at the Girls' College on May 12," announced the chairman of the Board of College Governors at yesterday's meeting. "On this occasion," he continued, "the burglars had bad luck, and only managed to get off with a few shillings. 1 beliove the Xormal hchool was burgled about the same time," said Mr. Ward to Mr. I'orsyth. The. latter said that was the case.

"While returning to New Zealand on {he troopship -Malta a soldier, after leaving Aden, threw , overboard' a postcard with the .-words, "If picked up, please return to —" (soldier's name). The postcard floated ashore, and was handed on to the resident nnval officer there, and subsequently forwarded _to Wellington Base '.Records, who sent it on to the soldier, who is a resident- of Dunedin.

In the Garrison Hall, Btfcklo Street, last evening Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Sleemun delivered a lecture on "Tim Value of the Territorial I'orce During tlm Great War" lo tho officers of tho garrison. There was an excellent attendance, among (tee present being General. Sir Alfred fiobin. ■ . , .

Replying to ;i question asked by Mr. E. H. Webb during'tho bearing'of a cruelty to animals case at (ho Magistrate's Court yesterday, a witness stated that decrepit horses were killed nnd used as food for pigs and poultry. Tho pigs and Hie Cowls iyero supplied (o (ho Wellington markets. "That is an interesting {act that the public should know," commented. Mr. Webb, after the witness had made the statement. '

A. prosecution under Urn Stamp Duties Act was heard by Mr. 1 , . V. Frazcr, S.M., at (he Magistrate's Court yesterday, when H. W. i'rpst was charged with having given receipts, for rent without allixiiig the necessary stamps. Evidence ' was given by Mrs, W. 'J. , . Johnson (hat she rented a. house in.Daniel Street from dc..--[endant. Sho produced receipts from defendant's office for £1 10s. and £li. which had not been stamped. It'or the defence, Mr. J. A. Scott said there, was no absolute authority to guido tho notions of landlords in ' regard lo (he giving of stamped receipts for--accumulated amounts of weekly rent. His worship said the point was certainly an extraordinary one, as there did not Becm lo bo any' authority. Before giving a decision he would prefer lo go into tho matter At tho same time.he did not; suegest that there was any attempt .at evasion of stamp duty.

Engineers, on coastal steamers; held n. meeliu" at (he Australasian Institute-of Marino Kngihecrs, Aitkcn Street, yesterday lo consider proposals from thn shipowners for n new agreement/ A fur* ther meeting will be held on Monday at I-.'.110 p.m.

A proposal Unit all bicycles and motorbicycles used in the city should be registered for a feo of (id. or.ls. a year is made by (he Jfnyor. of ChWstchurcli. He believes that' (his will slop bicycle thefts, as every person in possession of a bicycle would have (o produce ii registration card or a transfer certificate. Vl'lic money obtained in fees ho proposes should be spent in employing men lo remove large t-loncs and other obstacles from Ihc streets, and to smooth out thn hollows. .'lt is plated that it is a fairly common practice- (o throw slone.s out of "anions on the, streets, to tho cyclists' annovancc. Dr. Thacker hopes in this way to liiiiko (he streets both more convenient and safe.

The fowling of a diMrifl. rourl-inarti.nl hold at Vcatherston Military Camp on Mnv 2S having lwpn eonlirmed by tho Commandant, of Iho New Zealand Forces, is fftonmlgaled us I'ollowst-No. (10151 Private, I'. Walsh, Details, t'eaJliersioii M.(,'., I'oihkl guilty of "_<loscrlin<; flis Majesty's Sorvicu and losing by neglect life clothing and reyimr-tilni neeivi-aries," is sentenced to undergo detention fot ISO days, and to ho put under stoppage of pay linli.l hn has made, good tho riiim of J^'l2s. Oil. i'or I«it deficiencies. The Wellington Palriolie -Society's Band irill play (it Js'owkwJi Park tomorrow at i p.m.

Tuesday next, tlio King'. , ' ilirlhilay, will be observed as a bank holiday. Several undefended divorce cases will he heard in tho Divorce Court to-dny by tho Chief .Fiislico (Sir Dobert; Stout). Tho civil action, J. M'Cnllum and another v. 1.1. 11. Morris, »■ I'lnim of J1603 17s.damage?, which wns to have beun heard before it common jury cf twelve yesterday, will bu la.koii on Tuesday (Kins's Birthday) by tlie Chief Justice (Sir .Koberl. Stout). A meeting of past: and present students of Victoria University College, held this week, decided lo make final airatigoiiipnls for a reunion to ho held in conjunction with tho 19-0 capping celebrations. Tins is intended lo mark I ho twenty-first anniversary of the college and to welcome back tho large, number of university men i .who have been on active service. Tlioiifili several-such reunions Have taken placn in England'find America, I his is tho hnt of its kind in New Zealand, and .it. is anticipated that visitors from all over the Dominion will' attend. . ' • In the Supremo Court this morning His Honour Mr. .Tuatico IWwards will deliver reserved judgment'in tho case of Kathleen I.irldle v. Alary Jtolleston, in which the question of tho tenancy of a flat; in Hie building known as 25G Lambtoa Quay is involved. " . Thn Court of Appeal (.second division) has been further adjourned to Monday, ,Tuno !). at J0.30 a.m. for the .delivery ol reserved judgments. ' A meeting of 'delegates representing the various friendly societies of Wellington was held at tlie'liecliabito Hall on Friday. liHit, when it. was resolved that the friendly societies will take part in the procession at the peace celebrations. Various suggestions were proposed as to tho form'of tableau, and it was decided tu leave tbis in tho hands of the ladies lodges, the men promising any help, that may bo Ueedcd. Members of the friendly societies aro requested to turn out in im, regalia. Brother A. W. O. Travors was appointed chairman, a.nd a sub-committee consisting of Sister Bull, Brothers Gaudin, Godber, M'Laughlm, ])anes, Parsonage,' nnd Hoskins. was nlso appointed, with' Brother G. K. Taylor as lion, eecrotary, to carry out all arrangements.

One of Hie best methods of acqumn* accuracy in pronunciation in French is to .-hear a well-educated French lady or •gentleman speak.. As. it is not always a simple' matter for students of trench to command such a means, to an end, the next best thing: is io hear them, epeak "by proxy," per medium of the phonograph—o, method which has'ken .adopted in certain pliices for over a decade, past. At yesterday's meeting of the Board ot. Colics Governors!, Miss' M'Lean, pnncipnl of Ihe Girls' College (who has just returned from America), preferred a request for a grant of Jill), with which to purchase a phonograph and set;of instructional records in •French, bir J* ward Gibbes said *lic had heard one ol: them and did not think much of them. The voice'spoke tho words, too slowly, altogether. The chairman (.Mr. W. r. Ward) said that tho idea was to get the correct pronunciation, and the only way to do it was to hear the. words'spoken slowly over and over again. Ihe phono»rapu could always be speeded up. ' .He favoured'siving Miss M'Lean'a suggestion effect,.and the grant of "JEI9 was made torthe purpose.

The City Council's superannuation scheme cain'e in for pretty severe criticism ■at the last meeting of the Wellington Dairv Employees' Ijnion, which has members working in the municipal milk depot. ■ Speakers considered that the payments to )jo made by employees, were altogether too high. Some few even looked with disfavour upon the proposal to have a superannuation scheme or any kind. Finally the meeting carried the following resolution;— ''That the union enters an emphatic protest against tlio imposition of the suggested scheme -upon City Council employees. It is opposed.to the'coercive measures adopted for-its enforcement! and it will support a conference of "City Council employees discuss and aniend or end the scheme.

The returns from the second big Lsllot held of late by the Waterside Workers' Federation of New Zealamf -upon the acceptance or rejection of terms'.-offered bv the employers have-begun to reach the returning officer, Mr. J. Koberts, who i* al'O secretary'to the federation. Mr. L. Glover (president) and Mr. W. Currie are .igain.scruiine.ers. Mr. Roberts /•as stated that noiuforniation about the result: of tho .ballot will be handed to the Prere .until he has privately notified Hip various unions of the state of me poll, Hβ.expects that the complete returns will become available during the week-end].

A reference to the financial position'of the Maoris was made l>y the -/Mayoress, Mrs. iT.-H. Gunson, in opening the bazaar in aid of the • reduction of the debt on the Victoria School for Maori Girls at Aueklaud on Wednesday afternoon. She wished, she said, to diapel.the idea that, seemed to have taken. possession of the pakehn mind Hint the Maoris were a wealthy race. T.t was true, she said, that many "of the Maoris in the southern portions of the North Island were well-to-do, but these people had'three schools d their own to support and ivere not interested in the north-end schools. The SHayoress mentioned -the hospitality (shown by the northern Maoris last year to the passengers from the Wimmera, and said that thn shipwrecked party were astonished at (ho. lack of wealth amongst: their hosts. The daughters, of many of these very Maoris wore among the scholars at the Victoria School, which was now so urgently in need of funds.

"There are some wasters' among the returned Holdiere. and wo want the public to realise it," said Mr. 1). Seymour, at the Returned Soldiers' Conference at Christehurch. Ho mentioned that one of the. problems of (he IRetiirried Soldiers' Association was to dealvw.ith fiuch men, nnd they brought pressure to bear in ■order to try n;i<l overcome (lie 'difficulty. In most cases men who were 'wasters now' were wasters before .they went to (lie war, except a few whose powers of control and resistance had been weakened by .war experiences. There were also many men who claimed that then , downfall 'was duo to having been away at the war'who were worth "nothing at, nil " and the association had lo deal firmly with (hem. Mr. T. 1Y Andrews, of Auckland, also slated that in Ins opinion Hie wasters now wci:e.'practically all wasters before they went away.

Upon (he instigation -of-tho Society for the 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. William ■'Wilson, contractor, wns charged before Mr. ]■'. V. l.'Tazer, S.M., at tliu Maaistnile's Court yesterday'with, having been guilH- of cruelty to his four horses. Mr. ]!. H.'Webb appeared for the society, i and Mr. R. 1 , .- Von Haasl. for the ttc- ! fondant, who pleaded not guilty. -livideuce wns sfivoii by Inspector Henry, ot (he S.P.C.A., that the horses woto kept in a- email area in Old Customhouse Street. The section was covered with broken packing-cases, from which nails protruded, and I hero was not sufficient space-for I he. horses to lie down in comfort. Jf they did lie down, they ran the risk of being hurt by the. mil S. The inspector added that, one ot the hordes «w reduced to such n low condition that it bad had to !h> shot, .there was no wilier in. the section. Sergeant Lopdell said that if Hie. horses .moved aboulr, they, were in danger of -having I heir "feet" pierced by nails.. Defendant slated Ihsil it was incorrect to say Hint there-was timber lying all , over the ground. There was .plenty of room for •20 -horses' 10. move about. During the 'time. Iho horses wqre in. Hie section no instance occurred of injury being done to any of IJieni by nails. In respect lo the horse 4-hieb was shot, t.ho witness said (liiit the annual wan lieinsr taken lo Makara, but when it reached Hie I'osl. Office it broke down, and was iininedinlely returned lo the section. It was an "Id horse and was lo have been gi.vrn away. Defendant was going'lα de-« .sli'ov tho'liorse anil wns away makingthe necessary arrangements' when: the police arrived to shoot it, Ho'had no idea that: 11m animal was in iv poor condition, because it had not been- worked, for 18 months. Ui.-i Worship considered Hint it was cruel lo leave the horses in .The section as it was too small/. He did not think there was anything serious a boil I: 111 i> feeding and watering nrranßCnieiils. Defendant was fined .K(, with costs amounting to.-K! 1-s. PROFITS Ton caunot bo euro-that your-itvon.-linn is "yours" for very long unless you protect it with "letters patent." It ie worth your while—many a big fortune has sprung up from ■ seemingly . trifling :items-biit they wore patented boforo ."the other follow" got buey.- • CoMult Henry -Hughes; Lid., -Patent Attorneys, 157 JFeatheretofl. Street, Wellington.— Adrt.

■Willi reference lo the Press Association report of Dr, Brandon's (Wellington) speech at the Relumed Soldiers' Conference that men. wore wearing certain (Ici'ui'iilions which were not authorised, our correspondent telegraphs that ho did not: mention (lie 10UJ.) Star, hub- referred to .1 Uallipoli Bibbon, which «iiu<s returned soldiers worn wearing. This ribbon was not. authorised, and in fuel thorn is no particular ribbon represent ing this "campaign. ■'

:U n representative meeting' hold in Atasterton yesterday it was decided to form a branch, of Iho New Zealand Welfare League.

. '"I'liis is one of (he. most important (subjects Hint: we can give .a' strong expression of. opinion on," said Mr.. J, Hoddin at. tin , conference of Iho Auckland Farmers' Union, in discussing a remit (hid: if: is essential lo (he proper development of our latent; resources that no effort Hhiiuld be spared to iiMrnc't jlioso men of other parts' of the Empire who may wish lo emigrate liiid- become primary producers jo out Dominion.ami thai: a. proper immigration policy slioulu nt once be initiated to further this.- "Ft. eeerns to me," he continued,'"inconceivable that wo should have any Minister of the Crown who would hesitate ■ for dno moment in inaugurating a - policy that, will induce .immigration.'to "this country."' Those present.held a. similar view, and approved tho remit. :" : .

A Press. Association v message from Cliristchureh stales that at: the , inquest on (',. J. P. Gregory, who died from injuries caused through being run over by aJ railway tniclc. there w.is , nO. evidence to show how the-accident occurred-. The Coroner returned «. verdict of acci; dental , death, and added a rider that deceased, not being a member of the. railway staff, had no right to lie on such trucks or to be boarding them or alight-, ing therefrom.