LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 247, 12 July 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"There are ;|iiite a number of military defaultoix abuul," slid Senior-Sergeant. Willis in Iho Alugislrato'.s Court yesterday, in conducting a prosecution against; a. mini who hud given misleading answer? lo a policeman as lo his obligations under Iho Military Service Act. The police official furl her pointed out Unit-Iho only means of tracing defaulters was for I'.i'e police to nsk individuals for I heir military papers.

An impression lias j;n|- abroad Iha I the ■ iiciiilh>i- of the crow of tlic mine-sweeper Miiruuprite who was brought ashore on Thiirsila.v for hospital i ic;i I men I. was stili'urinj,' fi-oii! pnounomic inlliipinsi. t'apliiin I'. 11. Hall-Thompson, R.N. K.lovemiiUMil Naval Adviser* is our authority for . statins; Hint Mich is nnl Ihp ciise. 'i'ho mini is suffering fioin "I'dinarr pnemioniia, and yesterday was reported lo be in ;i rather hail way. The Marguerite loft again for Ihp war-linn; minefield off Capo farewell Inst evening.

Legal proceedings are being direcled against all I hose persons who have neulccfed lo furnish (lie necessary returns rciarding Iheir incomes, ami (he first batch of cases was beard by Air. P. V. Primer. 5.M... at Hie Magistrate's Court yesterday, when lines of £i each were imposed on ihe defaulters.

Tho State coal depot, in Lower < - üb;i. Street, opened ils doors yesterday for the receipt of coal orders," and, as the news got round, the place was once more besieged, with householders ho wished tii replenish tlio domestic bunkers. II is hoped thai, these orders will be delivered next week.

"A. good deal of money has been spent on bunling bv the Peace Celebrations Committee," said Hie Mayor I.Mr. ,1. P. f,uke) vestcribiy. "They spent some hundreds Tif pounds on Hug-, and if they are not going lo decorate Hie streets (as'was originally proposed)., 1 don't know what they arc going lo do with i.liem. Von see what Hie Alinister says. He is quite definite on the subject of illuminations, so that Hie whole of the cost of wiring the public buildings will be a direct loss. Still, under Hie circumstances I don't see I hat he can act otherwise and be consistent"

Probably Hie chief difficulty oncuuiiicred by Hie lecriiiling authorities during Hie war was Hie identification of individual reserves. The basis of the roll of the Kxpcdlliuuarv force Deserve was the National b'ogisier, taken in 11115. When piling in their notional registration schedules, men were required to give, their full names, iheir addresses and their occupations, in addition lo other particulars. But: the subsequent examination of the cards showed that many men had verv loose ideas on thesn' points. Many men gave incomplete names, vague address, and dubious <lcsci'ip.ions of occupations. The recently published defaulters' list'contains dozens, possibly hundreds of names, that are ihere. because the Defence authorities could not identify the individuals, who may actually, have served in the Kxpeditioiiary Force of have been rejected as medically unfit. Tho point may be illiufraled by quoting some of the "occupations" of men drawn in the first ballot. The following descriptions wore found on registration cards: "Puller." "helping father." "skiddy," "'.-hipping horses." "liovernnient,'' "general useful," "tree lopping," "labour»r and landowner.", "timber closer," "cow banging, "tonsoriul arlists." "light labourer," "cow spanking." When thes edescriplions were attached to such addresses as

"C.P.0., AYellinglou," it is small wonder that the authorities failed sometimes lo find the men. It. was not easy to discover that ".Tack Smith, general useful," was (he same person as the "John Smith, farm worker." who had been attested into the Expeditionary Force, particularly when Hie address had been changed.

If the 'Manuka- gels away again lo Sydney next'week, the passengers will probably include the members'of.-the Hoyul Comic Opera Company, who, under normal conditions, would now be playing in Australia. A return season was arranged for 'Wellington, and, failing a re-sumption-of the service, it was the intent iou to revisit Auckland, but i now there is a- reasonable possibility of getting awav again in a few days. If thai happens, it will mean the abandonment of (he proposed return season in Auckland. The Wellington season concludes next Tuesday night.

AVith the gazetting of the r<grading list for the public service, the special work for which Colonel lisson was attached as ;> special Commissioner lo iho other two t'ublic, Service Commissioners, has been completed, and he is to leturn to his position in the Treasury. The new rates of pav are. to take effect from April !. The cost of the increases in salary is not known, but the amount must be very large.

■Mow that 'things have settled down fey* a Press Association telegram from Timaru) it is found Hint: travellers by the Chrisfchurch-Dunodiu trains who have lo stay in the town a night ci-.n all be accommodated bv the oublh- end private, hotels. A little extra trouble is found dealing with returning soldiers for further south if numbering over -10 or 50.

Tho coa! shortage is increasing the difficulties of the Canterbury Hojintriation Hoard. The chairman of Hie Employment Committee (Mr. C. 11. Hewlett) slated on AVeduesdny at a meeting of the board that on account of the difficulty of gelling coal, various industries were effected and men were being put off work and were coming back to the board seeking other employment:.

The quarterly meeting of the Wellington Harbour Hoard Permanent Hmployecs' .Association was held in the Esperanto Hall on Thursday night. ■ A large attendance of members was presided over by Iho president, Mr. Bailey.. Many matters of general interest to the staff were discussed and dealt with, and the president's report of the recent deputation to the board was presented. The secretary was instructed to interview the chairman of the board for the purpose of arranging a suitable date for the meeting with the association, suggested by him at a recent meeting. A committee was set. up to arrange n suitable welcome lo returned men who were on the staff when leaving for the front. A donation of Jit Is. was made to Hie funds of the S.P.C.A.

In the report of the discussion on licenses at Wednesday's sitting of the New Zealand Pacing Conference, it was stated that the motion providing for the issue of licenses by a licensing committee of the conference was lost bv 21 votes to 12. This was hardly correct. The actual position was that there were 21 supporters of the proposition and J2 opponents, but the motion was declared lost for the reason that it failed to secure the adherence of the requisite threefourths majority of the delegates.

In order to introduce the new system of cadet training into the various colleges throughout Now Zealand. Captain Brocks, AI.C and members of the training stall's of Trenlham Camp are visiting the larger towns of New Zealand. Lieutenant Davis, musketry instructor, is Hiding classes in the south, while two members of The physical training staff arc at PalmorsloM North. Captain Brocks and Rcrgeant-Alajor Thompson, physical trainiim, are holding instructional classes in AVcllinston at AY'elliiHon Collere. SI. 'Patrick's College, and Banks CMc.c. The classes have been very successful, and the boys are doiii" all'thev can to heln their instructors. A squad of .''oo AVclliimton College boys will "ive a displav next Saturday at Newtown Park directly after the procession arrives. Captain Brocks will Rive this squad a nrelimiuarv trial on AVcdncsdav, after" which the college authorities will lake control. On Tuesday the Banks CoPeL'o bovs will have a parents day, am! they will givo a display, commencing at noon. ■i. rather amusing incident happened in a classroom at a Christchurch suburban school on Wednesday. The teacher was giving a lecture to Iho boys on tho recent European war, and mentioned the. fact I hat Ihe soldiers who fought at. Jerusalem in the Middle Ages wore called Crusaders. A small boy then stood up and said. "Please, sir, my father fought at Jerusalem, but ho was called a sniper."

The Aiding Lily Engineer has been asked to prepare a rppm'l on the illation uf belter access to Posonciilh. A depulalimi recenllv urged -tins matter on the allenlion of the Cily Council.

In Trenl.haui Camp Orders it is announced that (fe.MS I'lc. Daniel Collins, Details, laic (J Coy., Thirty-first. Peiuforcements, has been tried by district court-martial and sentenced lo imprisonment Willi hard labour for twelve months for deserting His Majesty's service and losing by neglect, his equipment clolhmg, and regimental necessaries. 61,49!) Pie. James Bergin, Details, lato B Coy., Thirty-first Iteinforceuienls. has also been ' .sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for two years for deserting His Majesty's service and losing by neglect his equipment, clothing, and regimental necessaries.

The Hon. W. Pcinbcr Uceves, lormerlv Jfii'h Commissioner for Zealand, has resigned the post of Director of the Loudon School of Pconcmics, which ho has held for the past; eleven years. The Court of Covernurs, in acccptim; the retaliation, have placed on record their appreciation of \[r. Heeves'* great services to education ami Ihe manner in which lie maintained the reputation of the school.

The Mavor (Mr. J. P. Luke. M.l'.) announced' at lost evening's meeting of (he I'ilv Council thai it "as propped to <!•.) some victory Iroc-plaiiling at Hie l!o----lanical (lurdeiis on July 111. He was "oiug to plant some trees, and he hoped Hint id tiers would be Inking pari, in Ihe function.

A story is told of two Sydney sportsmen wlni luul a wager. Each was to lisli lit AVov Wu.y separately, and .weigh in his Nggcsi icwiish against the other man's. 'Mr. A. culled at a Hunter Slrcet (Mi shop Hie previous eveninj! lo inquire what would he the cost lo pack in ice and semi lo Wo.v Woy the largest jewfisli in stock. The gentleman of the fish shop hundred would Mr. A. mind if it wa.s packed along with another, as if would save much ice. A. 'JO-pounder was being -'»! i"l'iuly lo send to Mr. li. Tableau! .lvxil. Mr. A., ruminating on lh» increasing depravity of the human mind.

A Press Association telegram _ from Timai'ii stales Hint n moderate full <>f snow in the .Mackenzie Country is reported. No great losses are anticipated.

The City Council last night unproved a suggestion of the Tramways (.unlinktco Unit .steps should he taken lo Check the use of excessively bright lights _on iiiolor-cais. The committee's ullonfion had been drawn to Hie matter by tho Tramways Union.

As a result of the recent entertainment given at the lirand Opera .House h.V the Diggers' Pierrots, tho Mayor's fund for Wounded Soldiers and Sailors has benefited to the extent of XVXI lis. :ld., which is (id per cent, of the net proceeds. The Mayor Muled yesterday that such a substantial financial result was very gratifying. Those who were present at the entdlainmeiit appreciated tins splendid talent of the performers, ;md he was sure the citizens would join with him in thanking the company for such a donation lo a fund intended to relievo soldiers mid sailors and their dependants who had not emerged frum tho war so successfully as (hey themselves had done. The Mayor's hum! was not y.ct (dosed, but hi;d"rcached the satisfactory total of JillU'lo. There was now JSH 17s. lid. in the bank, and tho sum of JL'.tOO would ha paid over to the War lielicf Association's fund immediately.

. The use of the Basin' Reserve has teen granlcd to Hie Wellington Hockey Ascialion, with permission to charge for admission on Jnlv ffi and August a. The Wellington Trades and Labour Council will have tho use of Newtown Park on Labour Day, with permission to charge for admission.

A suggestion that Hie Mayor's recent, statement that Hie City Council had three weeks' supplv of coal in hand might, cause the diversion of supplier <n oilier centres was made.by Councillor (.'. 11. Chapman at lasl night's meeting of the council. .The Mayor- replied plainly that he would make his own statements in his own way. "There are not sixteen Mavors." he informed the council. Mr. Luke added.that the City authorities would he verv neglectful of tneir responsibilities if Hiev did not. hav; I tree weeks' coal in hand for the tramua.vf and electric lighting The council's Coil Committee had interviewed Hie chairman of Hie YVeliiiiglon C'onl Committee, and was satisfied that the best possil.de was being done.

The portion of the Town Belt at Ihe rear of the Terrace Prison, at present: occupied bv Iho Prisons Departmrtt, was mentioned at last, night's meeting of the City Council. iThe Finance (.'omnullco recommended' hint the request of the Prisons Department for permission to continue in occupation of an area of the Town Belt until such time as provision is made for the accommodation of prisoners elsewhere than at the Terrace Prison, should bo acceded to, and that the City Solicitor should be instructed to tab the necessary steps lo safeguard the council in the matter. The Mayor (Mr. .1. P. l.uhe, M.IM said the Prisons Department hail occupied a portion of the Town Holt for a long time. The Department had recognised Hie council's ownership, but wished to remain in possession while using the Terrace Pri-on. He thought the request reasonable, but Hie council .should not lose any opportunity oF emphasising the desirability of the removal of the prison. The in-tiju-fion ought to be outside the city. Tho clause of the report, was adopted.

Dunns the war period the Wellington fiose and Carnation Club paid over the following amounts raised at its shows:— tfuo Ucscrv, <CS7 15s. id..; Mayor's Wounded Soldiers' Fund, ,H32 Ss. 7d.; Nurses' Memorial Fund. ,£3lB 9s. id.; grand total, cCGIS lis. 3d. There are funds in hand amounting to .C 55 ss. 4d. The committee of the club, in its annual report, tenders thanks to Mr. R. A. Nicol, seedsman, for his present of 100 roses to the Zoo, to all who helped with special 'prizes and personally assisted at its show in 1917. As no show was held during ISIS, no subscriptions were collected; consequently the club is not distributing any roses till next. year. Notice has been given bv Miss Rose Joseph to move jit the annual meeting: "That the name of the club be changed to the "Wellington Horticultural Society.'"

On the recommendation of the Milk Committee the City Council decided Inst evening to curry oil I: alterations and improvements lo tlie liahui Factory at * cost of £262(i. which sum includes a. refrigerating plant to cost «E150(1. Councillor Norwood explained that it was absolutely necessary for the mill; to he treated n't the factory, instead of having (o he brought to Wellington.

The vdrnCt of soldiers who arrived in Wellington by Hie Hiiuhine n tew days ago included Quartermaster-Sergeant W. J. Henry, D.C.AL. N.Z.M.C., who received his decoration "for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on April 25, 1915, at Gabix Tepe, Dardanelles. During and subsequent to landing Private Henry attended on the wounded under a very heavy lire, .allowing no danger to interfere with his duties. He invariably showed the greatest courage and presence of mind." Alter his .name had been mentioned in dispatches he still worked conscientiously among the wounded, as the following incident shows:—Many wounded men had been received who woidd have had to spend the night without covering, as nearly all the overcoats had gone with patients. He volunteered to take a squad to a depot ho had seen for blankets. It was a dark night, though tha sky was clear, and they had to avoid several lines of trenches ami barbed wire. Steering by the stars ho found the depot, got the blankets, and returned to the station without mishap. Sergeant Henry was invalided lo England about twelve months ago with typhoid, but his brother (CorpovaL E-, S. Henry) died of wounds received 'in Franco shortly before the armistice was signed.