LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 28 July 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Councilor T. Forsyth's notice of motion to rescind the one passed by the City Council on Friday sanctioning a <£10,000 building scheme at Maramu reads that the motion be rescinded "in order that the committee should bring down a complete and definite policy relative to cost, tenure, and disposal."

A rumour has been circulated to the effect that a number of clerks in the Lands and Survey Department and other State Departments at Chriscchurch and elsewhere have not been paid since April, and that they could not bo paid until tho Minister of Finance returned and Parliament made the necessary appropriation. In referring to this rumour the Acting-Minister of Finance vtho Hon. A. M. Myers) said that: had this been so he would have been notified by the Treasury long ago. "I think," he added, "that tiie rumour has originated in the fact that arrears of pay duo to persons who have received increases for this year cannot be paid until approved by tho Commissioner. In past days, the payment of arrears could -never be made until the House of liepresentaidv&s had passed the appropriations; but, under present conditions, the arrears arc payable on the approval of the Commissioner. Tho Treasury is paying the arrears on receipt of approved vouchers from tho Departments. Tho suggestion that there is no appropriation is, of course, incorrect."

Overtime will probably be demanded by members of the City L.ounciL ii the meetings of the future areto be as late as'that held on Friday night. 1 hough tho proceedings commenced promptly at 7.30 p.m., tlie council) did not adjourn until 12.55 a.m. on Saturday, and then, as the tramcars had long ceased to run, and some of the members lived in distant suburbs, taxis had to 1m engaged to tako them home. The reason for this lengthy sitting was, as usual, deputations, unexpected debates (such as the one on the Sanitary Inspector s report), and the consideration (in committee) of the salaries of the staff of the City Council. On this question, which hut been postponed from time to timi, tho council deliberated for about an hour, struggling with anomalies which have long existed, created by the salary lists having been hitherto considered in section. When they were all listed together it was found that most extraordinary anomalies did exist,-and these the council has done its best to remove. Tho direction, of course, is towards a general rise, in which most of the heads an<l sub-heads of departments have participated, and tliero is, as the result, a joyous feeling among the stall at the Town Hall.

A Press Association telegram from Greymouth states that in spito of protests the leper patient at Blackball has not yet been removed. There is intenso indigation locally. Dr. Chesson's recent explat&tioii is regarded as far from satisfactory,

The lot of tho suburban dweller is not always a pleasant one, and the residents of l'etone and Lower Itutt have at present a good deal to complain about in the way of transit services. What with tho present railway restrictions and erratic bus time-tables, tlio ijuestion oi transportation between Wellington and these two suburbs is quito a serious matter. On Saturday night at about 11 o'clock there were at least 200 people waiting at the foot of Bowen Street, for a bus to take them home. Tlio bus was duo to leave at 11 p.m., but there was no sis;n of it up till ten minutes nasi; eleven. At a.bout a quarter past eleven someone in the crowd espied a motor truck coming down Bowen Street, and a wild stampede to obtain a foothold on the conveyance set in. This vehicle had been gono only a few minutes when what, looked like a bus was seen coining along the Quay from tho direction ot Lambton station, This bus was immediately filled to overflowing. Soon after another bus camo along from tho other direction, and it, too, was immediately filled. Later on. two more buses arrived and took away tlioso who had not managed to secure taxis or other means of conveyance. The last bus left somewhere about midnight. It seems a remarkable thing, said a Hutt Valley resident, that tTiere should be Into trains every night except Saturday.

The Anglican Synod carried a-resolu-tion constituting the licensed clergy and two laymen from every parish anil district the Auckland representatives on tho Taranaki Bishopric scheme, and providing for representatives already elected by parishioners continuing to sit.—Press Assn.

"A forty-hours week on a high .wagescale would mean tlio rapid destruction of our export trade, because we should have to charge so highly for our'exports that other nations would not buy them. More hard-working races would undersell us in the world's markets," says tho

"Sunday Pictorial." "We are npidly reaching this postiion in the coal export trade, owing to the high cost of winning tho coal. Wo lire nearing it in tho iron and steel trade also. Tho idea that by reducing work all round to forty hours a week, whilst retaining tho same rates of wages, wo could more readily absorb into our industries the demobilised troops rests upon a fallacy, 'ihe effect would bo precisely the reverse. T'ho cost of production would bo so high that our export trado would soon bo killed, and tho demobilised men, and many hesides, would find it . difficult to obtain work at all."

AVhen Mr. Allan AY.ilkio completes shipping arrangements for his tour of Now Zealand with a company of 15 artists, including Fraliswyde I-lunter-AVatts, ho will leave with a remarkably largo repertoire. In addition to ■ tho six good plays staged at the Theatre Royal ho will havo ready "Hindlo AVa'kes," "Candida," "Wind Man's Bull'," "Sho'Stoops to Conquer," and "Caiiiille," with tho option of reviving "Seven Drfys Leavo" and "The Rosary." The actormanager lias already loured the .nonunion twice, first in 191 C in Shakespeare, and then with tho two last-mentioned pieccs. To call forth applause at a religious gathering 011 a Sunday in a Scottish community would probably have been considered almost an impossibility a low years ago (remarks the Southland Times"). But tho public mind changed considerably of late, and at Sunday's thanksgiving service in tho Municipal Theatre hand-clapping was indulged in more than once, always, it must be stated, when something of an exceptionally stirring nature was said by the 6poftltcrs* There vrivs no doubt rib our tho. plaudits when tho Rev. 11. A. Sharp told of an experience 111 Auckland. N hue speaking 011 tho street he had been approached by a man, who asked lum if his (the speaker's) church was prepared to support a man who, rather tliau break the Sixth Commandment and be a murderer went to gaol for lus convictions. "My reply was," declared Mr Sharp, "that we are prepared to support any man who wants to keep the Commandments and v.-ho refuses to bo a murderer but wo will not stand by any man who refuses to defend the weak against the murderer."

The Roseneath Presbyterian Church was well filled vesterday afternoon, when a suitably inscribed tablet in memory of tho late Gunner John Black Smith, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, of Roseneath, was unveiled ]>y the Hon. •T. G; AY. Aitken, assisted by the Rev. Hugh Beggs. Mr. Aitken, during an address, laid stress 011 tho many fine qualities of tho late Gunner Smi f h, and the e=toem in which he was held by everyone who knew him. Tn conclusion, the Knenker said that not since tho Incarnation had the world be disturbed as dm'-, ins Iho last five year:--; bill, in Iho end, riirhleonsnf** had enw|ii<wl. The prim had been paid by the men who had made ths sunreme sacrifice.

A quantity of opium was found on board the oil steamer Euplectela when tho Custom.-; officials were searching the vessel at Ihe llolison Wharf (says tho "New Zealand' Herald"). The raid was a sequel to the discovery of a jar of opium on the person of one of the Chinese crew- when he was going on shore. The search revealed over a hundred capsules of opium such as are carried by pcopio who are addicted to tho drug. Two pictures of gieat historic value havo been presented to the Anglican diocese of-Auckland (says the "New Zealand Herald"). Captain Clayton lies donated an oil painting by lumself of iho departure of Bishop Sciw.yn m the yacht Undino from Knhinuirama on hi? first visit to the South Sea Islands and J, S. Jameson lias presented a handsome of tho poriniiU of tno archbifliops and bishops who took part in the coronation of King Lilward V 11. Both pictures now hang in tho boardroom 01 tho diocesan offices,

Several interesting points in connection with Church mission work were mentioned by Bishop Averill in his address to tho synod (says the "New Zealand Herald"). "Tho missionary problems in the Pacific are at the present time tremendous," he paid. "There are still numbers of islands where the Church is doing nothing, and many more where the work is quite insignificant in proportion to the need, it is mast important that Polynesia should be linked up in some way with Australia and New Zealand as a missionary dioccse, and that the Cook Islands should come definitely under our spiritual care. The 'good old days' of the Slelansian Mission have come to an end, if ever they existed, and if tho evangelisation of Melanesia is to bo taken seriously in hand there must at once be a division of the diocese into two, if not three, dioceses." Another question to be faced, said Bishop Averill, was the possibility of giving up the mission ship and attaching one or both dioceses to Australia. The question would probably bo decided by a commission which would meet in Wellington next month.

The London Missionary Society owns u small steamer colled the John Williams, which visits all the islands in the Pacific where the society's misMon stations are situated, conveying stores and mails to these lonely outposts of the Empire. The vessel has a native crew of 22 men. At the evening service at Trinity Congregational Church, in Christehurch recently, tho Rev. 11. Allen Job stated that when the .Tohii| Williams visited Sydney recently the crew were attacked with influenza, and :rix had died. The lives of most, of the others were imperilled, and they were so weak that they had been returned to their homes. Now, owing to the seamen's strike, it was impossible for the vessel to secure a white crew, and, the lonely mission stations were suffering hardship through need of stores. He appealed to the congregation to givo its prayers and sympathy to tho society in its present difficulties.

Tho matter of Government subsidies lo schools erecting rolls of honour or other war memorials was brought before the Otago Education Board by 111'. J. Horn, who slated that a number of country schools were carrying out such memorials on the distinct understanding that they would receive tho Government subsidy. Tho secretary of the board (.Mr. S. SI. Park) read a letter from the Department showing that the Government subsidy was strictly confined to rolls of honour erected within school buildings. Sir. Horn thereupon moved that the Department be asked to reconsider its decision, and to grant subsidies, also in respect of suitable rolls of honour or other memorials erected in the school grounds. The motion was adopted by the board.

Environment fashions men, and to many people living in the vicinity of some industrial works the discordant sounds issuing therefrom become often, in course of time, as sweet as music to them. Such a person was an elderly lady giving evidence in a,case at the Supreme Court in Christclmrcli, who stated that she would bo very sorry if she did not hear the mill at work, and it was not because her husband was employed there, it was simply that slio had become so accustomed to hearing thp noise that she lost without it. Mr. F. Wild* ing, K.C., said he had often heard other people express similar sentiments.— Christchurch 'Tress."

"The commercial community now seems to be regarded as a convenient clioppiugbloek when the Government is short of money," said the president of the Auckland Chamber of Coimricrce. Mr. M. M.> M'Callum, at tho annual dinner ol' the Auckland Land Ageuts' Association. When tlio Minister of Finance, lie said, was afraid to give the working man or - the- farmer an extra turn of the screw "thd good old merchants got it every time." Tho only thing that the merchant could do. ho remarked, was to pass on tho extra impost. "It is not always possible to pass it on," Mr. M'Callum added with a smile, "but we generally try to do so."—"New Zealand Herald."

• The minesweeper Marguerite arrived at Auckland from Wellington at noon yesterday. She will commence hor search for mines oft' the Three Kings after being docked.

Mr. H. B. Lusk won tlio championship of the Christchurch Golf Club, beating Humphries 5 up and i to play.—Press Assn.

At the meeting of the City Council on Friday ovoning, a letter was received from the Defence authorities asking for the use of tho Basin Reserve for the purpose of holding a review of Sonior Cadets. The date applied for was November 29. As this date is a Saturday, the application was referred to tho Reserves Committee, who would, as Councillor M. F. Luokio suggested, consult with tho Wellington Cricket Association, wliicli he had not tho slightest doubt would make its arrangements for that day to suit tho Defence Department.

For. some time past tho Hutt Biver Board has been considering tlio purchase of a motor truck, to ho used for enrtiilir slunglo from the bed of the Hutt' River, and on Saturday afternoon the members of the board journeyed to White's Line at Lower Hutt to witnoss a demonstration by a converted car. This car had affixed to its two rear wheels detachable, non-slip steel rims—a new patent. The rim, -which is about four inches wide, is flanged with flanges about an inch in depth and 'is affixed to the wheel by six clamps. This rim, it is claimed,; will convert any ordinary car into a tractor in a very short spaco of time. The car with the two rims' attached gave a remarkable exhibition of the possibilities of tho invention—travelling through mud several inches deep, shingle, sand, etc., with apparent ease. Tho rims may be affixed hy ono man in a few minutes. Tho members of tho Hutt 'River Board were favourably impressed with the demonstration, and anothor exhibition is to be given next Saturday.

"Local bodies tire not like tho Government, who keep . requests 'steadily in view,'" said the Hon. W. D, S. Ma'cDonald at Wairoa recently. "They get busy and spend money as fast as they can.

Lieutenant AV. Perry jvrs welcomed back to New Zealand last week by bis fellow-members of the oxecutivo of the New Zealand Moderate Leaguo. The president, Mr. D. 51. Findlay, said that Lieutenant Perry typified the New Zenland soldiers who, having fought for our national liberty, had' also saved the personal liberty of the tolerant section of .New Zealanuors. He had nlmost paid tho supreme sacrifice, and had come back disabled by the loss of his right arm, but 1 tho fighting qualities that ho possessed would stand to him in overcoming all difficulties. Tho Moderate League was glad to weleoiuo back one of its stalwarts, aud the members looked forward to Lieutenant Perry's able assistance. Hearing that Lieutenant| Perry contemplated taking a short holiday tour prior to again taking up business, tho executive took tho opportunity of presening him with a travelling rug as a mark of their esteem. Lieutenant Perry, in reply, said he wns particularly glad to find t-lio 'Moderate League etill going strong. The League stood very highly in the estimation of the soldiers, and lie was confident, from tho experience gained abroad, that the returned men would support it solidly in its efforts to preserve personal liberty. Tlio toasts of Lieutenant Perry, the President, and the Dominion Secretary were duly honoured.

. In Ohio the use of ferrets in catching rabbits is prohibited by law, but Adolph liutta, a bunk toller in Cleveland, has invented a. simple substitute for the i'crrot. liabbits live in burrows in tho ground. These have several openings, into any.- one of which (ho rabbit can jump vrlien pursued, and out uf any ono of wliicii it can leap when one or more of the others arc watched. Tho usual methud of catching rnbbits is to !iii up all the holes but two, to station a man with a net or hag at one of these, and to send a ferret down the other. The ferret: chases the rabbit through the burrow until it is forced bv flight to leap out of the only hole fiiat is open. Mr. Kuttn works as follows: He fills up all of the holes but' two, as usual; his little son stands with 11 wiro netting over ono of 1 tho freo holes, ready to catch tho bunny when it pops our, and ho inserts a long rub,bijr Tubo down the other hole. Putting tho enfi of the tube to his lips, ho shouts down ft. Tho noiso scares the rabbit; as effectually as would a ferret, and after only n few shouts tho bunny dashes out for safety, and is caught.

Insist on having N.Z.'s finest groatsDoclors' Cream 0 Groats. Dolioious and nutritious. Ask your Grocer for it.— Advt,

A brief but pleasant little function was held on SaiurUay morning, when Mr. H. Plimmer, on behalf of the committee concerned in the recent complimentary concert, presented JiV. Len Barnes with a cheque for M 9, being tlio net proceeds of Uio concert given nt the Town Hall on Thursday evening. In making the presentation, Mr. Plimuier said that it was always regretful for a city like Wellington to lose a good singer. They were all too rare, and die loss to a community of such >1 voice as Mr. Barnes possessed was just as acutely felt as would bo the loss of a valuable picture from the Art Gallery. Throughout the war period Mr. Barnes had always been a cheerful and willing helper in hundreds of entertainments, and it was thought a pity that sucli a performer 'should bo allowed to leave Wellington for America without some testimony as to the esteem in which lie was held. So the concert had been arranged, and the artists concerned, to whom tile success of the concert was so largely due, had 'hecn'ully • {,iven of their best for their departing comrade. In reply, Mr. Barnes expressed his appreciation of the high honour that had been done him in Wellington. It was Ji great surprise, and was all the more gratifying on that account. He especially wished to thank the promoters (Messrs. G. F. Wilson, H. F. Wood, and 11. Plimmer), the splendid assemblage of artists who had been brought together, and the interest the Savage and Orphans' Clubs had manifested in the occasion. It would always bo one of his most pleasant- memories—it was the sort of 'bing that a man remembered all his life, and he was not ungrateful. Before leaving for America, Mr. Barnes is to bo entertained by the Charley's Aunt Club.