LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 220, 11 June 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In his last- two rcporb to the Firo Brigade Committee of Tho City Council Superintendent 11. Tait has had cause to comment on tho number of fires ana alarms of fires caused through children playing with matches. The committee decided that it would be in tho interests of tho whole community if parents and others would always see that the household supply of matches is kept out of the reach of small children, as it is easy fop serious; damage to be done with a single match. Children should be warned of the danger they run in-play-ing with matches, but the surest remedy is to be careful to keep them out of their way. If the Huns had won tho war, one of thoir aims was to impose their guttural •language on an unwilling world. To show from what an awful calamity we have escaped it has been noted that the German name for a tank is the single word, schutzengrabenvernichtungsautomobil. That was probably what our tanks looked like to theut during the first attack. It.is understood (says the Auckland "Herald") that Mr. Henry Rothery, contractor, Te Kuiti, will contest the Waitomo seat at the forthcoming general elections. "All sorts of diseases might arise from such a filthy 6tate of affairs," remarked Mr. F. V. Fraiier, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in a case in which "William Compton was charged under the city by-laws with allawiug My larvae to infest his stableyard. A corporation inspector stated that defendant had been warned to clean up his stables, but had failed to do so. "It's all very well for. the City Council'to live a tilt at the Health Department and for the Health Department to have a tilt at the City Council," said Mr. Frazer. "But when the question of a menace to health is boiled down an individual is often at fault. Defendant will h? fined £j and costs." An object of much interest in Pictou last week was a large sun-fish, measuring 10ft. 'Jin. by Gift., which was on view on the waterfront. The monster had been in tho vicinity of the Grove for some weeks past, and it was caught by Mr. H. M. France and his son, rifles and harpoons being used effectively after an exciting chase. The fish weighed approximately two tons. At a meeting of the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce on Monday iiight the question of ths deplorable sly grog' traffic in the town came up for discussion, states a Press Association message. It was unanimously resolved that the chamber make strong representations to the authorities with a .view to having the traffic suppressed. . An amazing escape from a serious accident occurred at the junction of Manners and Herbert Streets between 3 and i p.m. yesterday. A lorry,turned rather sharply from Manners Street" into Herbert Street just at the moment that two women, walking along Manners Street, started to cross tho Herbert Street intersection. Before the women knew what was happening tho horses were on them. Tho elder of the two fell on the road so close to tho stamping feet of (he horses that passers-by screamed with anxiety, and as tho horse's near hoofs cleared tho struggling woman on the ground tho wheels followed, and missed her by a;, inch as, the lorry was pulled up. The women were quite uninjured, but both suffered from shock.

A "stop-work" meeting of (lie Wellington Waterside Workers' Union was held in X store yesterday morning for the purpose of receiving recommendations from the executive. When seen by a Dominion reporter, Mr. J. G. Bruco (secretary of tho union) said that he had nothing to mako public,

The Waverley War Memorial Committee has instructed Messrs. Cloro and Williams, architects, to prepare a design for a hall and institute, to be erected in their town. The building will have n large vestibule, in which will be placed relics and mementos, and in addition reading room, billiard room, games room, rel'resniueiit room, and quarters for the caretaker. The style of tins building will be monumental in character, the Doric order being that adopted.

At Monday night's meeting of tho Chiistcliiircii City Council it was decided to set up a committee to consider the (iiiestioii of a munieina: inns supply 'for Greater Cliristchurch.—Press Assn.

Mr. Justice Herdman delivered judgment in tho Cliristchurch Supreme Courl yesterday morning in an action nenrci on May 30, and brought by William Roberts, chicory grower, against Huston, " Ltd., Cliristchurch, seed merchants, and Montgomery and Co., Cliristchurch, merchants, who were joined ns the third party. Plaintiff, whose case was that chicory seed supplied by deforciant wns inferior in finality, was awarded damages for £Yi6'i 10s. lid., with costs.—Press Assn. A very handsome honours roll for the Lumsdeh School is now to be seen in tho premises of B, Martin, Ltd., Manners Street. The roll is inscribed on a large oaken shield, which has a decorative background of imitation bronze with a fignrt, of Britannia, in high Telief en one side, gracefully resting her arm on the top. of the shield as sho looks pensively ni the names inscribed thcreun. The design is quite arresting in its quiet strength of character. In . connection with tbe non-payment of funeral fees to undertakers by Ihe Government, details of which were published last week—it will "oe remembered that the accounts were referred to the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Ai-1, Board for adjustment by the Health Department. Tiie board passed the matter on to its Charitable Aid Committee. That committee reported that the task was one it could not undertake, so '.he whole matter has been returned to the Public Health Department "without prejudice." The undertakers concerned have definitely refused to/ accept the reduced price per funeral suggested by the Minister, and they now await the Minister's-de-cision on the matter.

At a meeting of the Daunevirko branch of tho Returned Soldiers' Association on Monday evening, a motion was carried emphatically refuting a. statement by the lcev. Howard Elliott at Woodvillo that the New Zealand Heturned' Soldiois' Association is being controlled by Koman Catholics.—Press Assn. Tho committee of tho Wellington" Oper-atic-Society lias decided to produce another opera this year, and ciioice of a work will be made before the end of the present month. Tho services o*' Mr. Tom Pollard will bo once more secured to produce the opera.

As was indicated some time ago (says the "Otago Daily Times") there is a probability that the City Electrical Engineer (Mr. M. C. Henderson) will be tent oil-a business visit to Britain and A recommendation which will bo laid before the council on Wednesday night states that the committee is of the opinion that, in view of the probability of the further expenditure of a'large sum of money on extensions to the power plant, and the possibility of improving, the efficiency ot certain portions of the existing plant, it would be well for the electrical engineer to pay a visit, .to Great. Britain and America to get first-hand knowledge' of the most modern developments in electrical machinery. 'J.'he council will thereby be assured that when the timo comes to purchaso the now plant, the engineer will be in a position to recommend machinery which will bo tho. very best of its kind and the most suitable for tho'requirements of tho Depaittment. Tho committee accordingly recommends that tho engineer be authorised to proceed on the suggested visit at the earliest convenient date. It is probable that the engineer would be absent from Dunedin for about six months.

Speaking at St. Paul's Church, Devonport,- on Sunday, the Moderator of' tho General Assembly referred to the days of tho Reformation, and said it was wrong to suppose that the Reformation in Scotland was duo to German agency. What made tho Presbyterian Church so strong to-day was that its first impressions wero got from, that great scholar and thinker John Calvin. The Scottish Reformation owed its first life to French influence, and at a linio like this it was good to remember that such was (lie case. The Finance Committee of, the Duncdin City Council reports that it. has now received definite information with respect to the present-day cost of erecting the proposed new Town Hall. The estimate for the building at the time the do. signs wero prepared was ,£37,887 ; and the figure now given by the architect for carrying put the work to-day is ,£51,500. 'Plie committee recommends that, in view of the heavy advance in the cost, further consideration of tho question be deferred for a period of. six months, when it is possible that tho prices of building materials may havo receded somewhat.

"Any man who says it is not necessary for the nation to bo prepared in tho future should be put into' a mental hospital," said Brigadier-General G. S. Richardson at the Auckland Orphans' Club on Saturday evening. The general was discussing the lessons taught by the war, and ho said that, nationally, the chief, lesson was to bo prepared. If Great Britain'wished to maintain her present place among the democracies of the world, and .to retain the Empire which the men of New Zealand had helped to defend, she must- be prepared. If, the Empire find 'been in a state of preparedness probably the late war would not have been prevented, but the struggle at tho commencement might not have been so markedly one-sided.

Referring to suggestions that a local laud coimnittco should be established in Tc Kuiti to assist returned .men who are seeking land, Sir. J. D. Vernon, chairman of the To Kuiti branch of the'- lieturued Soldiers' 'Association, stated that lie had interviewed the Crown Lands 'Authorities, and he was- convinced that local committees could not be successful, as too great an opportunity would be provided for log-rolling. People who could not sell their land to anyone else desired to foist it on to the Department, and the association should not have a hand in such dealings. If any soldier wanted land he could be examined in Te Kuiti and trips to Auckland or New Plymouth for that purpose were unnecessary. It was- decided to take no action in the matter. A splendid move to promote the comfort of soldier out-patients iii Wellington is being made by the Y.M.C.A. A large number of men, who are all returned, from service abroad, have been attending daily at the Garrison Hall in Buckle Street for medical treatment, etc. Ini winter the big draughty hall is scarcely an ideal place for sick men to sit about in, and this fact, has caused medical officers ! considerable regret. Lieutenant-Colonel Hogg (Assistant" Director of Medical Services) recently mentioned the trouble to the National Committee of Jthe Y.M.C.A. ' Tho committee has now instructed Mr. A. 11. Sansum (field secretary for Wellington district) to establish in the hall a buffet where the men may obtain tea, coffee, cocoa,' hot soup, sandwiches, and biscuits while they await the doctor's -summons. Mr. Sansum said yesterday that tho buffet would lie opened on Mondav next, under the sign, "As it was in the firing-line, so it is here—all free." He expected that from 100 to 200 men per day would avail themselves of tho hospitality of the buffet. ' Tho work entailed will be carried on by members of the Ladies' Auxiliary, under Mrs. J. W. Fossette. I

The Wellington Labour Representation Committee has been inviting affiliated bodies to suggest who shall represent the Labour Party in the next contest for the Wellington seats in Parliament. When all the nominations are in, they will bo put to ii ballot, in which the < l *eial Labour candidates will lie chosen. The Wellington Stationary Enginedrivers and Firemen's Union, upon receiving (he committee's circular at last meeting, nominated the following—Mr. P. Eraser (sitting inember), for Wellington Central; Mr. R. Semnle (sitting member), for Wellington South; Mr. A. W. Croskery. for Wellington* Suburbs; Mr. A. L. Monteitb, for Wellington East; Mr. ,T. Seed, for Wellington North.

The local Defence authorities are providing a special voluntary course of instruction in infantry training for officers and n.c.o.'s of Territorial and Senior Cadet units. The course will begin on .Tune 16 and continue till June 23. Two hours per evening on all days but Sunday will be devoted to it.

Chief Judge Jackson Palmer, of the Native Land Court, is nt present laid aside with illness, and Judge H. N. Jones lias been appointed Deputy-Chief Judge. Mr. Edward Atmore, of Napier, has definitely decided to contest the Napier sent at the next general election. Mr. Atmore is to como out us an independent with a stroii" sympathy for the platform of the recenfly-l'ormecl Welfare Party. The responsibility of hospital and charitable aid boards to maintain the in. digent wives and families of men whose, lives had been taken by tho State or who. have been imprisoned for crime caused an interesting discussion at the Hospital Hoards' Conference at Stratford last week. Mr. C. D. Sole, acting-chairman of the Stratford Board, stated that his board had to spend about .£IOO per annum on the wife and family of a man who had suffered the extremo penalty of the law, and, as 6ome of tho children were very young, tho liability would continue for some time. His opinion was that tho State should, in such cases, accept responsibility for the dependants. He could give many instances of tho assistance the board had been obliged to give the families of criminals. Mr. Frasor, chairman of the Taranaki Board, said thematter had come before every hospital board, and tliev had felt very sore about it. As a result of the last sittings or the Supreme Court in Now Plymouth three "grass widows," with their children, 'had been thrown for maintenance upon his board. It was very unfair to put a man in gaol for twelve months and leave the hospital board to keep tho family. There were cases still moro annoying. An alien had been'interned, and the wife and five children were left on the hands of tho board. They naturally thought the Defence Department, the author of the damage, would pay, but it said it would do nothing of the kind. It was decided to have the matter brought up at a Dominion conference.

A carpenter named Harry Taylor, 73 years of age, died at his residence; £ Frederick Street, yesterday morning, and as the cause of death has not been ascertained an inquest will be held. About seven months ago the deceased was employed on a building; and fell a little distance to the ground. Since then he had complained of a pain in the chest. On Monday ho had difficulty with his breathing, but refused to 'have tho advice of a doctor. Yesterday morning he took ill, and Wore the services of a doctor could be obtained ho expired.

The Bishop of Wellington will unveil two memorial windows to the latv Mr. P. V. Waters on Sunday morning next in St. Mary's Church, Karori. The late Mr. Waters was choirmaster and layreader at St. Mary's for a'great number of years, and was a most enthusiastic member of the parish. The parishioners are placing tlie.se windows in the church to perpetuate the memory of one who rendered such devoted service to the parish: The subjects of the windows are most appropriate, and are to fill the windows in the chmr. One represents St. Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Sacred Music, and the other King David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel. The "Wellington section of the Legion of Frontiersmen has decided to form a rifle club, also a signalling corps. Members of the Legion have decided to take part in the peace celebrations procession. Messrs. H, M'Gregor and Hursthcuse have been appointed to represent Wellington at the conference to be held at Hamilton on June 25. Many men are anxious to-day about having shorter hours (writes the Melbourne "Argus"). They would like to out down the working day to six hours, to. four hours, to nothing at all. They seem to think that the shorter the working time the nearer we get to perfection. Probably, however, if the-law of health in mind and body wero fully known, we should find that, just as there is a maximum lime beyond which it is bad to work, so there.is a minimum lime beyond which « man must .work or ho will becotno unhealthy. Also, it is being assumed without thought and without examination Uiat all men in nil occupations should work about the saine number of hours per day. Yet if a man be writing a book on a difficult subject the .creative effort of that work will exhaust him more in four horn's than if lie worked in his garden all day long. So this dcmaiid for equality of working time is also merely another fallacy. But the most important fallacy of all is the assumption that the 1 welfare of' men depends chiefly on the length of the leisure time they may have; whereas the truth is that their welfare depends not on longth of leisure, but on the way in which the leisuro is employed. This is one of the most important problems before the workers of-the world today. If some miracle were to happen m N;iture whereby as a consequence all men had endless leisure, then, we aro afraid, as human nature is constituted, mankind on the whole would become degenerate and would die out. For men have not yet learned how to uso their leisure, and consequently, it is their working habit during their working time that really helps them most; their leisure is often 11 time of mere waste and decay. How to employ their leisure, then, becomes an urgent Question. At the Duncdin Polico Court yesterday a young man named Albert Williams was charged with being a rogue and vagabond who imposed on a charitable institution, states n Press Association' message. Tho accused pleaded guilty. The evidence for the police showed that the accused obtained £l~ in money, clothing, board, etc., from-, tho Soldiers and Dependants' Welfare Committee, as the result of a statement that 'he had been wounded in the knee and cheek in th" Soinmc, Battle. He received, massage treatment at the, hospital and _ went round town on crutches. The police discovered that accused had been in camp under the name of Dent from January till April, 1916, but there 'was no recoru of his having left the Dominion. Mr. Cumming, probation officer, said that a few men wero making a business of falsely, representing themselves as returned soldiers, and an example should be' made of the accused. The accused was remanded for a week, 'pending further inquiry and: tho probation officer's report.