LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 239, 3 July 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

_ During tho year 191S-19 the return from licenses to the City Council totalled ,£0892 3s. 3d. Of that amount publicans contributed Is.; auctioneers, <£127 Si dogs, Jt',lß(! 125.; carts and expresses, ,£319 175.; public halls, .£209 155.; wholesale licenses, ,£IOO. Motor-cars only yielded ,£l9B, and motor-cycles ,£77, 'whilst hawkers paid ,£205 lfls. (licenses only). Corporation auction sales yielded .E2OO 19s. od., made up as follows; Hawkers" stands, .£217 10s.; unolainied dogs, -£22 <te.; articles in tramcars, Ml ss. At present the headquarters of tho Y.M.C.A. is tho repository of many rare and interesting souvenirs of tlio association's connection with the war, and .such is tho accumulation of material of all kinds that it is proposed to make a display in some central show window in tho near future. Among tho exhibits arc tho calico banners on whicli the men of certain sections recorded their thanks for special gilts mado them by specified towns or districts. These usually havu a heading which sets forth the name of the donating district, and scrawled below at every conceivable angle in ink pencil are tho names of hundreds of soldiers and their addresses. These "banners or gratitude" are real souvenirs, as in nearly every case they have been in tho trenches and under fire. In onq caso two "Diggers" were killed whilst raeding tho names on one of theso sheets as n hung outside a dug-out in tho lire zone. Ono of theso quaint banners bears Hie heading, the "Eozedders' Best." Ono wag has added three alleged signatures to the genuine ones. Theso are "No. 909,09!), Private W. F. Massoy, the hist man to leave"; "No. 999,998, Pie. Joo Ward, last but ono to leave"; "Private James Allen, tho Man who Stayed at Home." It is understood that theso souvenirs are to bo returned by the Y.M.C.A. to the districts or towns named on tho sheets. Other exhibits consist of specimens of tho able work doiio by patients at Torquay, Codford, ana etsowhere, under tho educative scheme originated by the Y.M.C.A. and afterwards taken up by the British Government. Here aro excellent specimens of architecture, line drawing, lettering, needlework, wood-carving, silk embroidery, basketwork, and metal work, often artistic and beautiful, made by men who were formerly carpenters, painters, tailors, etc. Splendid work iu that direction was dono by Mr. Thomas C. Eastwell, who was a wonder at imparting knowledge in a dozen forms of applied artcrafts.

Twice this winter has the coal from the Northland School been stolen, the 3nst occasion being within the past few days.

•The discussion of some of the remife before tho local bodies' conference yesterday occupied a little more time than one of the delegates, at least, though necessary. The delegate in question rose and said: "I'm getting fairly old, and I don't want to die of senile decay before this conferenco is finished. If wo aro going to take as much time over every remit as we aro taking over this one, I expect wo shall never get home." The chairman reminded the conferenco of tho time-limit fixed for speeches, and said (hat he would have to enforce it more strictly.

In reference to the recent statement of the chairman of the AVellington War Belief Association that he thought the time had come when returned soldiers who attempted to obtain money from the association 'by false pretences should be prosecuted, the general secretary of the New Zealand Koturned Soldiers' Association remarked that the proposed action was somewhat belated. As far back as August, 1!?18, the executive had passed the following resolution;—" That this association gives its hearty support to tho prosecution of any returned soldier who has defrauded a patriotic society or similar body, and urges this course in the interests <f returned soldiers gonerally." Tho resolution had been widely published in order to strengthen the position of the patriotic societies. Tn the view of the executive the patriotic societies were trustees of public funds, and the question what punishment was. appropriate for those who attempted to impose on them ivas a matter to be decided finally by n properly-constituted body, namely, a court of law. The inevitable result of failing to take appro-pri-aio action in view of sentimental considerations or possible unpopularity among an irresponsible, section of the public, had apparently happened, namely, that the impostor was encouraged to go further than ho previously dared to do. So far as the association was concerned it could only welcome the proposed course and regret'that it had nut been taken sooner.

As an indication of tho keen demand for land in Canterbury, especially by discharged soldiers, it is estimated that there will be close, upon 500 applications for certain areas in the Cheviot district, which are to be thrown open for selection shortly.

Tho adjoiwned annual meeting of the Unit Licensing Committee, which was to have been held yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum.

nrignilicr-ociier.il A. E. Stewart, D.5.0., lias mooted the idea that, the. Y.M.C.A. liul. which diil such notable service fur the men of Iho New Zealand Division at Sling Camp should be brought out to Now Zealand in sections and re-erected in Wollington ns a fitting Y.M.C.A. memorial of tlic war. Whether tho idea is practicable- tins yet to be con. sidered, but many "Diggers" spread over New Zealand have cause to think kindly of (he old hut at Sling—especially those who experienced a winter on the bleak Salisbury Plain.

Sir. U. W. Shallcrass, general secretary of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, has returned from tho south ■after attending very successful meetings of the Obgo and Canterbury branches of (he league. Tie slates that there is a rery strong feeling in favour of tho reestahlishmcnl of all forms of sport, on a scale even mora extonsivo than during pro-war limes. In the matter of physical training, tho people generally appcavetl to favour the development of a. system through organised athletic sports rather than a compulsory system savouring toi< much of militarism. In Christchurch a very' interesting discussion took place on the question of the amateur status. The opinion was expressed that in this period or reconstruction the position should be reviewed, not with the object of nil axing the present definition, _ but for the purpose of bringing the various branches of amateur sports more into line, aiv providing a system of reciprocity with one another. The league has been asked to call a meeting of the governing bod if to discuss tho question.

At this week's meeting of the Mai'awatu Dugby Union the referee in the match Western United v. Awaluiri rolK.rted that one of tho Awahnri players had kicked another player in a scrum, and had also struck two blows at a Western United player. After somo inquiry tho chairman pointed out that it was "only fair to tho union that the police should take action in connection with the assault, and in this case ho had instructed tho police accordingly. It was eventually resolved to disqualify tho player complained of for life, and to warn him off the grounds.

Mr. G. J. Harford (Mayor of Feilding) moved at yesterday's session of the local bodies' conference: "Thai the conference rccuiests Parliament to bring down a workable graduated or prohibitive land tax. to discourage land aggregation." Mr. Harford pointed out (hat tho Government already had legislation on the Stnlutc-Book to prevent aggregation of land, but it had never enforced the measure. The Hon. D. Guthrie, Mirusver of Lands, had told the speaker privately that so far as he knew there was "comparatively litllo aggregation" in tho country. As a matter of fact, somo of the most c.vtensivo aggregation was go.ing on in Mr. Guthrie's electorate. Upon the suggestion of another delegate tho mover added to tho motion u clause urging the, Government to put into operation the compulsory purchase provisions of the Act already passed. Tho motion was carried.

From Mr. W. E. Morton the Mayor has received an interesting illustrated brochure giving particulars' and many beautiful views of ,the Mount Lowe railway (out of Los Angeles, U.S.A.). This mountain railway is well known to all tourists as providing one of the most delightful jaunts in Southern California. The mountain railway proper, which rises C2ft. to every 100 ft. in length, is 3t!ooft. long, and the ears are hauled by hitching on to a travelling' eablo (as in the case of the Kelbu.rn-Karori trninwayj, and there has not been an ncci dent on the Hue for twenly-fivo years.

In the near future, telegraphs the Christehurch correspondent of an exchange, a number of farm properties are to bo. thrown open in Canterbury for soldier settlements. With the exception of a emtf.l quantity of dairying land, they consist of agricultural country. All have been surveyed for subdivision, so that Ihe dates of the ballot should soon be announced. Probably the best known of the properties is 1039 acres, part of Coldstream, near Hinds, which was owned by tho Studliolmo estate, it lias been subdivided into 11 sections. Three hundred and six acres at Hadlow, near Timaru, have been cut into threo blocks. At Opihi, in tho Geraldino district, si:; aJ'.lotments have been obtained from 1110 acres, and six sections from Kakalm, which consists of 1100 acres in the saiue district. At Hinds, Wairuna, consisting of 750 acres, has been divided into seven lots. This is high-quality land. In addition to these subdivisions, properties as follow liavo recently been secured, and are now being or arc about to be survey* ed: Threo hundred and eighty-two acres adjoining the Doyleston railway station, which will bo subdivided into four sections; Mr. Shipley's property near Newpark, of 7-15 acres; and Mr. Buddenklau's Wairere, near Staveley, containing about 2000 acres.

In reply to a cable message sent to London by the Canterbury (N.Z.) Branch of the Navy Leaguo with reference to moneys held there for tho relief of the dependants of men of the Poyal Navy and of the mercantile marine temporarily attached who have Iwen lost or incapacitated during tho war, the following has been received: "Balance in hand is approximately .£300,000. New claims increasing enormously, especially from the mercantile marine; about two .hundred enses being relieved weekly. Anticipate greater incrcoet shortly. Keeping substantial amount education commitments for term of years. Can well employ any further sum generously sent.—(Signed) V. Biscoe Trifton, treasurer, the Navy League, London."

The Otago University Museum has received from Mr. Percy Sargood a collection which, it is hoped, may form tho basis of a representative American etnnograp'hic section, though owing to the lack of cases, it cannot for tho present be put on exhibition. The collection consists of a beautiful series, numbering several hundreds of arrow heads, spear points, scrapers, and various other objects in flint, agate, calcedouy, and obsidian, which demonstrate the technical skill in suck work oi the Indians of tho South-West. Perhaps tho most interesting object in the series is a grizzly, bear executed lo the life in black flint. Another aspect of ancient American culture is illustrated by an extensive series of stone pestles, varying in height from a couple of inches to as many foot, which in pre-Kuropean times fulfilled several purposes, being most commonly used to grind nuts and maize to flour. With them are a group of stono mortars. A number pf grooved axeheads, adzes, sinkers, and similar objects complete this part of the collection, the rest of which consists mainly of fossils from the SouthWest. Among these may be mentioned (lie complete skull of a mammal of lir mitive type, and several ammonitics which retain the irridescent colours of life. Mr. Sargood has expressed (he wish that duplicates shall be used for further enlarging the museum collections by exchange

As a result of (he curtailment of the railway services, all railway travelling post offices have been discontinued as from Tuesday, and all sorting on trains has ceased. Mails which have hitherto been sorted between Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, and Wellington will be sorted after their arrival here. That will entail considerable delay in delivery. Mails from places between Auckland and Wellington will reach tho post office here shortly after 1 p.m., and will lake fully two hours to sort. In order to effect delivery tho same afternoon, \ho postmen's 'delivery in Hie business area of tho city, which usually commences at 2 p.m.. will have to be deferred until after 3 p.m. Tho afternoon deliveries in tho residential parts of tho city will commence at the usual time, so that Auckland correspondence will not ho delivered till tho following morning. Mails from New Plymouth, Wauganui, Nanier, and intermediate pieces will reach Wellington at !) p.m., and Hie principal mail from the Wairarapa at in p.m. Arrangements have been made for sorting Ihese mails on arrival, >.o that, correspondence for private box-hnlders will lw delivered tho same niehf. During the continuance of the curtailed mil way service, the poking box for Into letters at the Thermion station will have to lie withdrawn. Late foe letters for dispatch liy the Main Trunk train mo.v, however, be posted at the Chief Post Office until noon.

A Press Association message from Wanganui states that arrangements are now in progress for the amalgamation of the Gonvule Town District, which is th» largest suburban area, with Wanganui borough. The Gonvillo Town Board decided last night to raise a loan of ,£50,000 for streets, improved water supply, and drainage,

On Friday (says au exchange) the dorsal fin of a large fish was seen above the water in Oamaru Harbour, moving in pursuit of a penguin, that dodged and turned and twisted to keep out of its pursuer's maw. The penguin obtained safety by coming nshoro, but the hungry pursuer'had followed it too far, and was in shallow water. Tho pursuit was witnessed by a number of people on shore, and one of then), arming himself with a boat hook, struck the fish close inshore, and succeeded, with tli"_ assistance of several others, in hauling it. ashore. The fish proved to be a shark of a species unknown in Oamaru. While 'it'was hardly as broad as it was long, its girth was about equal to its long h. It was about Oft. long, with a sharks mouth and teeth, and gave its captors some trouble in getting it ashore.

The conference of the New Hcitond Federation of Labour yesterday discussed tho report of tho Board of Trade upon the coal industry. The following reaolulion was adopted—"That this conier'.ice declares that the only solution of .no coal problem is in public ownership and control of tho mining, transportation, and distribution of eoal, with ailccmate representation of tho workers on the board or boards of control, and therefore condemns tho proposals for the private control of the mining industry with State guarantee of dividends to private shareholders as embodied in tho Board of Trade's report."

The following tenders have been accepted for the right to keep 'bookstalls at railway stations for a term of five years from July 1, 1919'.-Auckland, John Buchanan, Mii; Pukekohe, John Patterson, ,£10; Frcmktc.u Junction, J. J. Bushby, ,£BS 165.; To Arc-lift, G. C. Deverell, £i; Paeroa, F. E. Flatt, Rotorua, W. 11. Howard, Jc%; Taumarunui, J. J. Bushby, £3s; Ohakune, Mrs. B. Mitchell, £bi; Marlon, A. E. Finmmore, .€266 18s. Bd.; Palmerston, li, Connor, .£320; Thorndon, William Aloo, £•418; Lambton, Samuel Wyatt, .MO; Napier, Mrs. A. F. Mills, ,8110; Chri'-l-chureh, G. V. Bean, .C47-J 10s.; Dunedin, G. 11. G. Hammer, .£346; Invereargwl, C. W. h. Kodgers, £127 10s.