LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 222, 13 June 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Ngakuta, which arrived at Lyttelton on Wednesday evening from Newcastle, brought four hundred'bags of Australian mail—Press Assn..

The white population of New Zealand at the end ot' March was estimated at 1.124,030. If the Maoris and tho residents of the dependent Pacific Islands were added the total was 1,187,203.

Tho Government Statistician states in the May number of the official "Abstract of Statistics" that the war increases in food prices and rents from .Tuly, IDH, to April, 191!), is 28,38 per cent. It is not practicable at present to calculate index numbers to show the increase in retail prices over the whole of the domestic expenditure of an average household; but tho three food groups and rent, in regard to which the above increase of approximately 28 per cent, has taken place, cover the most important and necessary items in the average domestic expenditure, and form more than half of the total.

It was announced at last evening's meeting.of limbless returned soldiers that the City Council had decided to grant free passes on the trams to legless ro turned soldiers for a period of six months. Pending tho issue of the six month passes, the usual monthly passes would be available. At the expiration of the six month passes the question of making a re-issue would be again reviewed by tho council. A vote of thanks to tho City Council was carried by acclamation.

By notice in tho Gazette the Government declares acute primary pneumonia, pneumonic influenza, septicaemic influenza, and fulminant influenza to bo infections diseases under the Public Health Act. Further, the three kinds of influenza are declared "dangerous infectious diseases/'

'Tales of the sensational wages earned b\- rabbiters in Southland are coming to hand (says the luvercargill correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times'). Two men in the Bircmvood district are making from to «£5 a. day. .The catches in these cases average 150 per day, and tho supply does not seeiu to bo' 'diminishing. Rabbits have multiplied rapidlv in the province during tho past year or two owing to the scarcity of labour, so that those engaged now have a rich harvest. 1 Skins of good quality are worth 9d. on an average, and it is 'understood tlint a rise of 25 per cent, will take place before the season closes. However, the rabbiters have to work hard for their money, and the present iveathar conditions are anything but conducive to comfortable, life. In many cases also they havo to provide their own- means of sending the rabbits to tho market, and farmers have been known to ask bonuses.

"Would there bo any objection to training a one-armed man to lie a. noxious weeds inspector?" was a .inestioii asked by a. limbless returned soldier at last, evening's meeting of tho limbless soldiers. General Hichardson said lie thought it was a capital suggestion, and he would put it before tho Ministerial Board.

A Press Association telegram from Christehurch states that business is unprecedentcdly active in regard to city nnd suburban properties, and there is also a 'big demand for areas, running from two'to ten .acres'. Land and estate agents are unable to meet the demand, which is not. regarded as a boom, hut solid inquiry by persons anxious to secure settled homes. Despite increased cost, the building trade is brisker 'than it has been since the war began, and in numerous oases purchasers of vacant sections are holding until the cost of material comes down.

Shareholders (< the Bank of New Zealand me reminded that the ordinary general meeting will be held to-day at 11 o'clock.

"I have (.-ome to the conclusion that the proper agenuy for these limbless men when travelling around about theis limbs is the secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association, who should, after inquiring into their cases, 'be able to arrange for their transport to the different institutions and charge it up to Defence Headquarters, and thus do away with all this red tape," was a remark which brought forth loud applause when delivered by General Richardson at last evoning's meeting of limbless soldiers. The Long Service Medjil has been awarded to Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel D. C. Bates, Reserve of Officers, with service of over 20 years. An amusing sidelight on the life of our soldiers in Egypt was thrown by Mr. D. N. MacDiarmid in tho course of an address at Dunedin on mission problems in the Sudan. According to the universal custom in Mohammedan countries. where the woman is reduced to the level of a beast of burden, Mr. MacDiarmid 6aid it was a very common sight to see an Egyptian family moving with the man lolling .at ease on a donkey, while his wife and little children toiled- behind staggering under' prodigious loads. Our soldiers somehow never became accustomed to this sight, and it atways seemed to annoy them. They usually took in hand to teach the fellaheen proper Christian manners by making the man dismount, relieve the woman of tier lead, and give her the seat on the donkey. This became such a habit that the little native caravans got. into tho habit of -always dodging a side path when they saw our soldiers approaching.

Complaints by the limbless men of the treatment they received at the hands of the authorities were very general at InsJ. evening's meeting of limbless returnee soldiers. One man stated that he lost his leg nine months ago, was measured for the limb 6even months ago in New Zealand, and it was only last week that he was informed. that it was ready foi fitting. Another maiv- said that he lost his duplicate limb a:nd two kit bags whilst travelling to Tiraarn some months agw, and although ho had made inquiries he had not received any and had come all th'e way to Wellington at his own expense to get the matter put in order. The Department had not paid his expenses, and who was going to pay for his board whilst attending the limb factory in Wellington? A variety of other" complaints were mentioned, 'and General Richardson assured the men thaihe would go into the individual oases and- see that everything was made right.

A meeting held at Ngaio last evening decided to form a branch of the Onslow Progressive Association. Mr. J. H. .Terrain was elected a vice-president, and Messrs. B. J. Lynneberg and W. H. ,Clark were elected members of the executive. It was decided to hold a meeting on IViday week to consider urgent works in the district.

.By Order-in-Council gazetted it is provided that tho duty on "tractors driven by gas, oil, or electricity for' uso in stores or warehouses, or upon wharves or pavements, or for similar use," are to be subject to the same Customs duties as motor vehicles for road traffic— 10 per cent, if of British manufacture, and 20 per cent, if made outsido of tho British Empire.

Tho dispute which has been existing for some time past between the school teachers of the Auckland district and the Education Department in reg.yjl to the grading upon the Defiartmont's classification of 49 Auckland teachers will conio before Mr. Justice Stringer in tho Supreme Court to-morrow. Tho form of procedure will bo a motion for a writ of mandamus to compel tho grading officers of the Department to carry out a decision of the' Teachers' GradiTig Board which is ulleged to have been disallowed. Mr. E. C. Blomfield is acting for tho New Zealand Educational Institute, which has taken the matter in haud on behalf of the teachers, and it is possible that the Solicitor-General will appear with the Hon. J. A. Tole, K.C., for the Department.

The question as to whether married soldiers who are receiving treatment as outpatients of hospitals and are now nearly ready to bo discharged can be granted loans for the purchase of furniture was recently referred by the Auckland Repatriation Board and some of the' southern boards to the Director of Repatriation. Tho Director, in his reply, stated that boards will doubtless find it advisable to grant financial assistance in tho direction indicated to many soldiers, but that each case will havo to bo decided on its merits.

A rare and curious relic in the form of a boomerang discovered in the New Hebrides has .been presented to the Otapo Museum by Dr. Bowie. There aro only a few of these -weapons, which point lo an affinity with Australia, in existence, and none has been made in recent times.

Although it was expected that the Conciliation Council would this week give iinal consideration to the shop assistants' dispute, it is now stated that tlm matter will have to be held over, possibly , for a. week or two. The Commissioner has byn absent from Wellington during the past few days. •

A scarcity of .flowers of all kinds at the Auckland florists' shops has followed tho recent prolonged drought. It is practically impossible to procure flowers for house decoration, and even the garden.v in the Domain and tho public parks have a more drab appearance than is customary at this time of tho year.

The fact that two issues of the 1/31; of New Zealand ten shillings note, differing slightly in tho details of the design, are in circulation appears to have caused some people to decline to accept the noten. Both notes are good and may safely bo accepted at tho face value. Tho "10 shillings" has been omitted from tho two top corners of the second note, but it romains on tho lower corners. This is the only difference between the two notes,, and it does not in any way affect the validity of either issua.

In reply to a letter sent to the Dominion Conference of the Eeturned Soldiers' Association, conveying fraternal greetings and an assurance of cordial sympathy, Mr. Hiram Hunter, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, has received the following from tho general secretary of tho soldiers' organisation:—

"Dear Sir,—l am directed by our conference to thank your association for its letter of greetings and to acknowledge with pleasure your offer to support this association in matters of commoh interest. I regret that pressure of conference work has prevented an earlier acknowledgment. In reciprocating your good wishes I am 'directed to say that the conr.tructiori placed by certain newspapers upon the receiving of your letter bv (he conference was in no sense either inspired or approved by the conference, and that you are at liberty lo use this communication in correcting the false impression which has apparently been created. In conclusion, I may say that if mattors of common interest are being dealt with by my executive, at the timo of your conference, we shall be glad to take the opportunity of laying thom before you. With best wishes for the success of your conference.—Yours faithfully. Douglas Seymour, General Secretary." i.

"I must say it has been my experience oil through that the 'limie' is anxious to take every opportunity to fettle down," said General Richardson at iast evening's meeting of limbless soldiers. "And I found when visiting hospitals (Lat they were by far the most cheerful of all tho patients."

Last evening the Finance Committee of the City Council reported that the City Engineer had prepared ■ estimates for work proposed to he done in the Onslow district, and lh.it the same would be. considered in connection with the gen- 1 eral estimates.

Mr. M. F. Luckie has given notice thaf he will move at the next, meeting of the City Council: "That the council enter into negotiations with tho Educilion Department with a view to oiFeriny to lease to the Department suoh nortion? of tho Town Belt as may be suitable for the purpose of the erection thereon of State Schools to take the places of thosi at present, situated in Willis Street, Tory Street, liiddiford Street, and other congested areas in the city." Councillor Luckie said it was tho same motion h j had submitted last .year without finding a seconder. He wished to see if hewould have any better luck this yew.

The presence of elements other thap water in the earth may 'be detected through the power of tho ' 'diviner." Referring to the recent demonstration of water divining at Miramar, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.), stated that ho could well remember as a boy the diviners at work. in his native county of Cornwall endeavouring to locate tho lay of tin. and copper lodes. They used to go about with a forked twig, precisely as did tho water diviner?, and the twig used to become animated and break off when over a lead of metal. Copper was always considered a deal more sensitivo to the diviner's power than tin.

The Milk Committee of the City Council reported last evening that they had received a ren.uest from the Hawera Borough Council*for tho services.of the assistant general manager to advise then? on the question of milk supply. The committee regretted that they were unable to spare the services of tho assistantgeneral manager at present, but were informing the Hawera Borough Council that, tliev would be pleased to supply any information that was available on the subject of milk supply. -Tho decision of the committee was agreed to.

Mr. Ernest Drake, the Auckland tenor, who is being farewelled all over the Dominion prior to his for England, has no reason to complain of any lack of generosity on the part of the public. The Dunedin concert netted him .£ll3. and the Auckland one ,82$. He has still to receive farewell benefit' concerts at Gisborne, and Wanganui. Mr. Drake is to appear here in "II Trovatore" at the end of the montlh with tho Wellington Choral Union.

Tho directors of the United Insurance Society of Canton, Ltd., have .resolved to riubmit proposal to shareholders at an early date for the purpose of convert-' ing tha existing silver capital of tht company into sterling, and for increasing the capital so converted to the sum of £2.000,000, divided into 200,000 shares of ilO each. Legislative sanction has been sought for the proposed conversion.

T block of land, consisting of 33 or 35 residential sections, lias been purchased at Miramar by the Wellington Gas Company. The land is on's, hill' slope, with Ira Street on the west side, and facing the Miramar Council offices on tlio sonth. Tho purchaso has 'been mado with the object, in an experimental way, of providing dwellings for employees of the Gas Company at the Miramar works. The locality commands a fine view acros* the Striats in a south-westerly direction and all over the Miramar flat to the west. The site has also the great advantage to gasworks employees of being quite near to their work. Development -will not, however, be proceeded with nntil conditions become a little more favourable for building operations.

The Public Health Department, has prohibited the milk from one particular farm coming into Wellington owing to the number of. cases of enterio tevet traceable to milk from tha|: farm.

Speaking on' tramway finance at last evening's meeting of the City '.Council tho 1 Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that the return for the : last period was a little better than- the preceding period, but thev were still on the border line, but perhaps the time had not arrived when thev should consider the raising of the fares. They could wait, perhaps, for another month before going into tlmt matter. Councillor Luckie pointed out that the ratio of working expenses compared with revenue could not go on much "longer before they would either havo to increase fares or shorten the sections. The ratio of working expenses to revenue had increased to his knowledge from 60 per cent to 75 per cent, within a' few years. Councillor Forsyth said that percentages could bo mado to prove anything. All that really counted was the J3 s. d. shown at the end of tho year. To that Councillor Luckie retorted that the percentage only had to go on increasing to bring tho tramways to bankruptcy.

The Invercargill 6ectiou of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association con dciuns the new classification.—Press Assn

The City Council decided last evening that tho Wellington Competitions Society's request for a rebateon tho rent of the Town Hall in connection with the rcccnt competitions be declined.

"That the Minister of Defence bo asked to supply- the council with several pieces of ordnance for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Cemetery at Karori," was a clause in the report of the Public Health and Cemeteries Committee submitted to the City Council last evening. Councillor P. Eraser submitted that it was not in the social interest of fte community that implements of war should be exhibited ill the cemetery. It was, he thought, a retrograde movement to wish to show theso engines of death and destruction in the city. He hoped that it was a custom that would be relocated to the past. Councillor R. A. Wright warmly supported the clause. He would be very glad to see such implements of war relegated to. the past, if all the other nations were of the same opinion, but it was the attitude of men such as Councillor Fraser who talked of peace, peace, peace, who helped to bring about war. He believed in being ready to defend one's principles individually or nationally, and much as he would; and they would all, like lo See war ended, that was not to be, and there was nothing like being ready. The Mayor also supported the committee. Ho thought it was only fitting that these implements of war should bo exhibited in the manner, proposed, aud thev would not (as had been suggested bv Councillor Hutchison) unduly harrow tho •feelings of relatives of 6oldiers buried in tho cemetery by showing some of the guns with which they won the war. The clause was adopted.

The By-laws Committee reported to the City Council last evening that the proposal for the erection of additions to Victoria College, the external walls of which are to be constructed with a cavity, bo acceded to in accordance with Hie recommendation of the Acting-City Engineer. The report-was agreed to.

At a meeting of tho Social Democratic Party held at the Trades Hall last evening the following nominations were made for the selection of Labour candidates for the forthcoming general election:—Wellington North, Mr. J. Read; Wellington South, Mr.lt. Semple;-Wel-lington- Bast, Mr. T. Brindle; Wellington Central. Mr. P. Fraser; Wellington Suburbs, Mr. 6. Ward.

The By-laws Committee of the City Council reported last evening that they had received a report from tile motor inspector with reforenco to the question of returned soldiers taking up taxi work. The committee were of opinion that returned soldiers should not be encouraged .to take up this means of livelihood, as the number of cars plying for hire at present exceeded the demands. Tho com luiltee had notified the Repatriation Department accordingly. The council approved.

In accordance with tlhe request of the Melrose Electors' Association, the City Council agreed that the name of thi western portion of Rodrigo Street bt changed to Antico Street.

In a report furnished to the Cib Council last evening by the Acting-Tram-ways Manager (Mr. M. Cable) that otneer staled that' the large water tube boiler ordered last year had been delivered; and the work on the foundations wa< now well in hand. It was anticipated that tho 1000 kilowatt geared turbine ordered early in 1910 would reach Wellington fn about two months' time. In th° meantime arrangements had been mad? to proceed with work fn the foundations. There was no information available at present concerning the probable date of delivery of the 300 kilowatts traction set ordered from America and proposed to ho connected to one of our engines in the lighting station. In view uf thi work which the assembling of these .plants will entail, it would be toward; the end of the year before they would be available for service. .