LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 261, 31 July 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The ■ Chief Postmaster notifies that newspapers, etc., for neutral countries and tor United States of America may now be posted and sent forward to their desunutions in the usual 'way. Such articles are not now required to be sent under permit by publishers or recognised news agents only. A number of Imperial details reached Auckland by the steamer Mania from Sydney yesterday and will disembark to- ]??• lf ,m tuo Mahia ifs declared a clean ship. They comprise twenty-seven officers and two nurses—Press As6n. A footnote to a letter published in yesterday's .issue niado it appear that no word had yet been received of the departure of any but the first of the three troopships bringing back our troops from Egypt. As a matter of fact earlier in the week the Defonco authorities received word that sinco tho Ulimaroa loft Egypt fiho had been followed by tho Port Hacking (duo at Lyttelton about the middlo of next month), and later on bv tho Kllenga, which left Suez on July 23. Practically all our troops have now left Egypt.

"An unhealthy, wretched, disgusting and abominable thing," was how L'r. Wilkins, medical inspector of school children, speaking at Gore recently, defined tho use of what is somo times emphatically called a comforter or soother, but which in every day talk is known as a "dummy." it was, he said, ono of tho causes of bad teeth, ill-formed jaws and tho growth of adenoids.

Tho State schools of Wellington are to "break up" to-morrow for the second term holidays.' The schojls will resume on Tuesday, August 19.

A statement' made in t Wellington recently that there is likely to be a shortago of sugar in tho Dominion was referred to the manager of tho Colonial Sugar Refining Company yesterday, says a Press Association telegram from Auckland. He Hiiid he knew nothing of the impending shortage of sugar. His company expected to have its first season's shipment of raw material before August 8, and had plenty to go on with in tho meantime.

A Wellington lady ban just given to Iho Wellington lioyw' Inslituta a largo number of jtoys' Annuals on the covers of which tiie following has beoii written: —"This houk once belonged to u young New Zealand boy who loved it. When he grew to be a man ho toughl. in Ihu Groat: War and was killed. Now you know all about it I know yon will lab great caro of it, so thai manv bnys may read it also." The committee 'greatly appreciate the gift, and are having the binding on the books strengthened, and every effort will bo made to induce tho boys to tako more than [ho usual caro nl them as a moinorial to ono who mado the supremo sacrifico.

The Hon. G. AV. Russell. Minister of Public Health, stales, in reference to a recent outbreak of diphtheria at the Otekaikc Special School and the steps taken by the Public Health Department to check the spread of infection: "The District Health Officer, Dunedin, visited tho school on May 15, and carried out a third injection of diphtheria prophylactic (diphtheria antitoxin mixture). Eleven children wero injected; one was not injected as ho had had a heart attack on the last occasion, having heart disease. After the second injection ono child hail n slight reaction, but: nothing of note. Jvo cases of diphtheria have occurred at tho school since, so that tho result of the injection has been successful."

Mr. H. Holland. ex-Mayor of Christchurch, was waited on last night by a large nnd influential deputation and asked .to contest the Christchurch South seat at tho general election. Mr. Holland agreed to do so, but stated that| they would have to take him on trust so far as his political leanings were concerned, as lie could not yet declare which party ho would support. He would not, however, stand as au Independent, as bo recognised that under the party system an Independent member was no use. It lias been announced' that Mr. Ell, the sitting member fur Christchurch South, has definitely decided to contest the Lyttelton seat.—-Press Assn.

Dr. AV. J. Anderson, Direction of Education, is not rs- retiro until March 31, 1920. Cabinet has decided ("hat applications for the vacancy shall be called within the Dominion,

Speaking on tho subject of tho Blackball leprosy case, Dr. H. Chesson (District Health Officer) stated that the delay in removing the man had been occasioned by the necessity of erecting a new hut at Quail Island (says tho "Sun"). Leprosy was a rare occurrence in New Zealand, and huts wero not kept ready. Tho hut: was now completed, and the leper would bo removed to Quail Island this week. Dr. Chesson added that tho greatest care had been taken to prevent contact. Tho patient was isolated at Blackball, where he had lived for some months past. Both he and his singlo attendant, who had been with him for a long time, were under close and strict surveillance, and wero under the charge of a Blackball doctor. The fact of the man' 6 isolation at Blackball, while a hut was being built for his accommodation at Quail Island, certainly did not make the position any moro dangerous than it had been for the lengthy period that the man played football, and mixed with the public without restriction.

Tho Board of Governors of Canterbury College had need of a Latin scholar at its last meeting (says the Christchurch "Sun"). Tho jubilee celebrations of tho University of Otago are held.in February next, and the southern institution is sending out formal invitations in the language of tho Caesars. Tho Canterbury College Board received one.. After explaining its nature and adding that his Latin was not of the best, tho chairman (Mr. H. D. Ac-land) handed (he missive over to Mr. L. B. AA T ood. Mr. Wood acknowledged tho compliment paid him, but declined the honour neatly. As a graduate of a Scottish university, he said, he used tho Continental pronunciation of Latin. It sounded barbarous in English ears, so he would hand the invitation on to Dean Harper. But the Dean also declined the task, and the board had to fall back on the translation which had been already supplied by the Professor of Classics.

"The Americans are ahead of us- in the caro of teeth," said Dr. Wilkms in a lecture at tho Gore High School recently (saj-s the "Ensign"). The speaker went on to say that they had tooth-brush drill in the schools, and a day set apart to impress the people with tho necessity of. taking caro of the teeth. On tlus'day grcat processions would parade the streets with appropriate banners, mottoes and exhibits, prizes would bo offered for essays, and everything done to promote public interest. The Americans wero also ahead of us in the matter of attention to the feet, and they were turning out footwear designed on scientific lines to prevent the formation of bunions, corns, and feet deformities.

Detective Torrance yesterday arrested a woman on a charge of shop-lifting. The woman is alleged to have taken two blouses from an establishment in the city.

At tho meeting of the AA'ellington War Relief Association a letter was received from the Wellington Nursing Division of the St. John Ambulance Association, relunding the sum of J32IS 10s.,'.which had been advanced by the AVar Relief Association. Tho latter explained that, war now being over, tho Division had ceased its cutting-out anil making of garments, and would no further need the moneys so generously. donated by the AA'av Relief Association.

A deputation from the Christchurch Defence Rifle Club waited on tho Mayor of Christchurch recently, with a suggestion that a match for ten or twenty men from iH.M.S. New Zealand should bo arranged for one of tho early days of the ship's visit, against a team from the club, on three ranges nt 200, SCO and GflO yards. A similar match during tho last visit of the ship was, won by tho club. On the coming visit the club offers , to meet the ship's team, convey them to the range, give them lunch' and seo them off again. Tho Mayor suggests that' three medals should be given by prominent citizens for ■ tho best three marksmen in the ship.

"I have' endeavoured to get a four or five-roomed honso. but onco a man tells an agent he has seven children that is tho end of it. People don't want ueople with children occupying their houses," remarked a father of seven, in a tenement case at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court.

A Woolslon borough councillor, in moving at last meeting of the council that immediate application be made to the Government for tho expenditure of .610,000 for house-building in the borough, said: "The Government is going to have an election soon, and we may be able to got. this done if wo ask now, but wo won't havo much chance later on," "Wo would get the promise, anyway," supplemented the Mayor. The motion was carried.

It was stated by tho Mayor of Christchurch on Monday that the next meeting of the City Council will bo the two thousandth gathering of the council in ordinary meeting. Ho suggested that tho council might elect, to murk tho occasion in some way, but tho council spent so much timo in talk of other matters that it forgot tho anniversary—Christchurch "Sun."

Tho Land Board sat in committee the whole of yesterday dealing mainly with tho applications of returned soldiers.

A modern version of the historical incident of King Alfred and the cakes was enacted in Auckland during tho peace celebrations (says an exchange). I>'euriii; of robbery from the person, and equally afraid to consign valuables to an ordinary placo of concealment; in an unguarded house, an Auckland housewito conceived tho shrewd idea, of putting seven one pound notes in a tobacco box and hiding thorn in the ovon. Returning from tho celebrations, lull of tho spirit of rejoicing, husband and wife completely lorgot tho/hidden hoard, and lighted tin? fire in tho ordinary way. Somo time inter, recollecting that superheating is nut a desirablo treatment for paper-money, tho ovon door was hurriedly opened, and tho hot tin whipped out, Unfortunately tho oven had done its work with iv thoroughness which wou!l'd liavo sent tho average housewife into ecstasies under other circumstances. Nothing hut tho ash remains were found in tho tin.

A brilliant motcor was seen on Monday evening at about 5.80. when it was 6 till daylight (reports tho Timaru "Herald"). Aii observer states that when ho first saw it Iho meteor was not far from tho zenith and it travelled towards tho soulh-pn.sf. Its head was white, but its tail al first was bright rod but about half way of its visible journey it became electric, blue, apparently three limes nl. wide i; 3 Ihe p'.anel: Venus. At last it burst liko a nickel, into seven or ei v ghf fragment.! of about equal size, ni"i;l of lliein while but. one or two with a lingo of red or yellow.

An Bft. by -lUt. canvas, entitled "Landnig at Anznc," has been presented to the Government hy Mrs. G. It. Black, whoso husband was killed at the landing. The picture will he un view al the Art Gallery until about tho middle of August, when it will bo loaned to Wangamii for the opening of the Sargent Art' Gallery. Later the picture will conio backto Wellington and will ho exhibited in tho war museum.

A Profs Association message from Oamaru_ states that Mr. R. C. Young, aged 55, jeweller, who hail been long in business there, dropped dead at his homo .yesterday morning. Tko cause of death was heart disease.

To-night tho drawing of the Trentham Dominion Scholarship Art Union will take placo in the Town Hall. This art union is for tho benefit of tho soldiers' children, and has been very successful. The Mavor will preside to-night, and it is 'hoped that tho lion. G. AA T . Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs) will ho present. Admission is free, and the proceedings commence at 7.30.

A Press Association telegram from Tauranga states Hint a meeting of local hodies interested was held there yesterday to devise means of improving tho Matamata-Tauranga Road. It- was decided that the Government bo urged to provide the sum of J.'sfloo and take immediate steps to open the Maungatotara Block at Kaimai, and tho county councils concerned to consider the question of establishing a toll-gate as soon as practicable.

Tho jubilee services in connection with the Vivian Street Church of Christ were colobrated in tho Vivian Street Chapel on Tuesday evening. Mr. K. A. AV right, M.l'., presided. There was a largo attendance, and representatives from the various suburban churches were present. Prior to the evening proceedings a tea was given. During the evening services Misn Patching and <Mr. Grey contributed solos, and selections were rendered by Hid combined choirs of tho Wellington South and Vivian Street Churches. Short speeches, reminiscent of the early days of the church, wero given by tho "veterans" of the church, Messrs. Jordan, Ensterbrook, Kruse, Laurensnn, and Mason. One speaker, in outlining the progress made by the church since its inception, stated that the Alvian - Street Church, tho "mother" church, had, during tho past fifty vcars, formed branches in Pallia tua, South AVcllington Kilbirnie, Potone, Lower Hutt, and Hastings. At the close of the function each person present was given a souvenir, omblcniisiie of tho occasion.

Mr. Harry Tombs has been appointed local secretary for AVellington lor the Trinity College of Music, Loudon, in succession to Mr. Leon Cohen, who has taken up his residence in Otago, The examiner this year for practical work is Sir. Crcser, wiio is duo in AVeliington early in September. Tho irregular mails have caused several postponements, 'but tho examination postponed from June, and for which fresh papers had to ba set, will take place about the end of August, or early in September.

The position as regards unemployment continues to get worse and worse, and tho Canterbury Repatriation Board ie faced each week with a growing list of „ien who cannot get worK (writes a returned soldier in the Christchurch '"Star"). It is recognised that the railway restrictions have had a good deal to do with the present acute position, but that should not account for the number uf clerks who continue to bo unable to find employment. Most employers are playing the game, but there are still a fair number who continue to engage girl clerks for what are ostensibly men's positions. An employer probably finds that l'emalo lubour is cheaper, anil it is human (though not always humane) nature to keep expenses down. But some steps should be taken to make it impossible for women to be employed on men's work, now that the war is over. The Eepatriation Board should be empowered to-in-spect offices, warehouses, and factories, and investigate the position with a view of forcing delinquent employers to play the game.

The report for the year 1918-19 of tho British and Foreign Bib.o Society shows that during the year 8,746,963 copies of the Scriptures were issued, this figure being a decrease of 34Q.G<)(> compared' with the previous year's issue. Since tlie society was founded in 1804, 300,000,000 volumes have been issued, and since August, 1917, tho society distributed on its war service alone considerably- more than 9.000,000 volumes." The increased cost of production compelled the committee to reluctantly increase tho prices of most of the editions, but the society's popnlnr editions are now being sold at a heavier loss than formerly. Altogether the total expenditure by the society increased to .£339,704, whicli is .£64,000 more than in 1913, but contributions from auxiliary agencies, in England and abroad, rose to £112,158, whicli was JMfIOO more than Inst year. From legacies the society re-, ceived £49,994, this being a drop of about £4000 from the recent annual average. The benefaction of ,£19,400 by Lord Peckovor, of Wisbech, who had always been a municincent supporter of the society, was acknowledged in the report. The Xcw Zealand contributions to all funds make an approximate total of £5472.

The Pateena is now to leave AVellington for Onehunga on Tuesdays and Fridays instead of Mondays and Thursdays as heretofore.