LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

With a draft of returning troops on board, the Ulimaroa is due at Auckland early this morning from Egypt. From Auckland the vessel eome9 on to Wellington. The Chief Postmaster notifies that the New Zealand mail dispatched from Wellington on June 25 arrived in London on August 2. Reporting upon the proposal to extend the city tramways to tho Ferry Wharf, the Tramways Committee informed the City Council last evening that the General Manager of the Now Zealand railways was not prepared to withdraw tho stipulation, niado in 1916, that the council should pay the wages of a railway employee, who would act as signalman at the crossing. Tho committee recommended that the council mako further representations to the Minister of Railways with the object of having the condition waived. The council adopted the report.

Councillor Wright said at last evening's meeting of tlio .City Council tliat lie had hoard that the tramway employes had been paid time-and-a-half on the old rates, and not on the present rates, for the work they did on the Saturday and Monday during the peace celebrations. Councillor Hutoheson shared Councillor Wright's impression. The Mayor said tlwt he was surprised to hear such n suggestion made. After consultation with tho tramways manager, Mr. Luke said his impression certainly was the men were to be paid time-and-a-lunf oil tho present rate of wages. If the men had not been paid on that rate tliev would bo so paid.

His Lordship Bishop Julius, prehching to a oiwvded congregation at Okain's Bay, deplored the apathy concerning religion to be observed in tho Bays of tho Peninsula. He considered it was due to the influenco of their environment, and to tho prevailing prosperity. Mrrow valleys breed narrow thoughts. "People making money easily," he said, "often neglect the higher things of ljfe." Ho contrasted the poor communities of tho West Coast with the rich communities in tho Bays of the Peninsula. "Thcso rich bays," ho said, "are actually living on oharity, as they are unable to maintain themselves, and must be helped financially."

"I see," said a Wellington business man to a Dominion reporter yesterday, "that the Minister of. Internal Aft airs advises people not to dismantle their illuminations in order that they may bo used when Lord Jellicoo arrives. One can only gather from that statement that the illuminations that wero not allowed to ibo used at peace timo may be used when tho Admiral arrives in Wellington. I think tho Minister should be quite clear on the faint, for there are those who arc dismantling everything, and if there is going to be any show at all when H.M.S. Now Zealand arrives such people should be advised immediately, One thing many of us cannot understand in connection with Ihe Peace illuminations. Neither Wellington nor Auckland has a hydro-electric system, yet in Yi ellington all illuminations were forbidden bv the Acting Prime Minister, whilst Auckland was brilliantly illuminated (vido pictures in the weekly papers).

What is understood to bo the first inquiry of its kind under section 11 of the Post and Telegraph Department Act of 1918 was opened yesterday by Mr. E. Pago, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court. Being purely Departmental, the proceeding aro not available for publication. The Act provides for the holding of inquiries into charges of inefheiency or misconduct against officers of the Department. By Order-in-Council, the Gov-ernor-General may from time to time make regulations dealing with such inquiries and the punishment of officers found guilty of inefficiency and misconduct.

Sirs. Martin, of Martinborongh, has presented a number of canaries to the, Wellington "Zoo." The Mayor (Mr. J. T Luke) formally expressed tho thanks of tho City Council to the donor last evening.

The lately enlarged Kilbirnie Recreation Reserve, which is now greatly in demand for football by the youth of (he city, is to bo provided with a dressing shed. Tho plan of the now shed was laid upon the taiblo at last evening's meeting of the City Council and approved. Tenders are to bo called for its erection.

For a few years past tho pressure on office space in tho Town Hall has been aoute. Every nook and corner 111 the big hall is now occupied, and still thero is 'overcrowding in somo departments. To give relief until the council's long-defer-red building extension scheuio is given effect to, additional office accommodation has boon secured in that building ill Mercer Street lately occupied by the Red Cross Society, directly opposite Hie Mercer Street ontraiue to tho Town Hall. This is tho three-storv brick building belonging to the Consolidated Dental Company. The ground floor is to bo occupied by the chief sanitary inspector (Mr James Dovlcl, tho middle flo6r by different units of the City Engineer's department, and Hie top floor by the new housing.department that Is being set up in connection with the City Council's housing 6cheme, which now promises to actually materialise.

It was decided last evening by tho City Council that in order that better provision may bo made for the compilation of tho municipal electors' roll steps bo taken to appoint an additional officer to tako chargo df that work.

The Citv Council has agreed to nlk>\the uso of the Town ITall to the Y.W.C.A. on the occasion of its entertainment tomorrow evening, subject to tho . usual lighting and cloaning charge. This charge was imposed by resolution of the council at its last fortnightly meeting, on the motion of the Mayor, n-lio tain that now the war was over those people lesponsiblo for giving entertainments for charitable and philanthropic <hjncl< should }iay the, out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the hall.

In an address at Christchurch Mr. Isitt, M.P., said: "Those of us who will live through this next decade are not going to dwell in any sheltered valley.. Believe me, wo ore going to dwell in tho bare plain, swept by tho winds of opposing interests, and it. will depend upon you professing Christians whether the storm will sweep the miasma from tho air and lead to better conditions, or whether its pathway will be one of misery a,nd desolation."

Tho Chief Librarian of tho General Assembly Library (Mr. Charles Wilson) announces that recess privileges will cease ns from Saturday. All books must bo roturned before that date.

Tho taxi-cab stand in Dixon Street (off Culm Street) is to be removed to Lower Cuba. Street near the To Aro branch of tho Bank of New Zealand. This has been done on the recommendation of the City Motor Inspector (Mr. L. S. Drake).

The wild rush after houses for lea_so and sale still continues in Invereargill (says the Southland "Times"). The sign or advertisement "To Let" is like a magnet to a bunch of pins in its attraction. The people must have residences, and as bo many are wailing for a drop in the prieo of material before building, such a Iwom in values for very mediocre houses is unprecedented. As is only to bo expected, tho speculator has not let his opportunity slip, and some astonishin" instances of large sums made easily have been quoted. Ono man, once a carpcnter «ui(l now not a laud agoin". has bought and resold no fewer than 211 places during the past four months. Yery few of his ventures have shown anything but a good profit. "My best turnover, ho said, "took place when I sold one houso two days after I had bought it on tho instalment system for ,£sjO lor Abio cash." Beginning modestly by swapping" his own property for another, a young business man began in. February what has proved a very profitable little side line. Up to the present ho has cleared <£500, and is still on tho outlook for bargains. "May ho lose it all in a hurry," was the remark of a chagrined house-hunter to whom the storv was told. "He is a profiteer who is inflating tho ccst of living—that is all!"

Supplies of factory butter are very ebort in Otngo to-day (says the ;Otago Daily Times"), and tho, position will not l)e relieved till the ond of this month, when greater quantities of milk will commence to come in. Ota.go and Southland require a supply of about 15,0001b.-a day, but the stocks held in Dmiedin by the Ttup-ri and Pouinsula. and A\jut{iKi Dftiiy Companies are at present very smallabout GOO 561b.,boxes and the milk coming in just now is only sufiicient to supplement these stocks very slightly. Moreover, stocks in merchants' hands are negligible. It will therefore be seen that there will bo an acute shortage over the next few weeks. Tho local factories have in tho past r©licd on the North IsJfind for supplies for the months of August and September, but a. very dry autumn was experienced there last season,, and the milk supply went off very quickly, seriously reducing tho manufacture of butter. , . •. ir When the leasing of premises m Meicer Street for tho City Council staff was under consideration at tho City Council last evening, Councillor J. 0. Shorland suggested that, seeing how little the Concert Chamber was used, that chamber might be subdivided into offices, eo as to keep tho officers under the one roof, lhe Mayor stated that the Concert Chamber was used a very groat and was necessary for the various functions that were sd frequently held. As a matter of fact, tho idea should be to get the stalls away from the Town Hall altogether so that, they would not be disturbed at .their work by the organ plajing and the clatter of bazaars Mid other functions held in the Town Hall. Iho proposal to lease the premises i (in the Consolidated Dental Co. s build ing) was approved. Tho Powor Stations and Tramways Committeo of tho council last evening recommended that tho health patrols, appointed by the Public Health Depaitmont bo placed on the samo footing m l-card to tram passes as the nurses, etc., of° charitable and philanthropic institutions. Tho recommendation was adopted.

At tlio meeting of the Dunedni, Presbytery, savs a southern exchange, tie Rev J. Kilpatrick said 110 was not in the habit of complimenting tho liquor trade, but whon.the licensed victuallers acted as thev did at the peace celebrations In Duncdin in voluntarily closing, he thought it quito becoming on the part of the Presbytery to make acknowledgments. lie thought they should cou»ratulate tho Mayor and the community at large on tho success of the peace celebrations; and acknowledge tho action ot Uio licensed victuallers in closing on the Saturday. They were engaged in a traffic with which the Presbytery could not lmvo any sympathy, and would abolish tomorrow if possible, but when they did a gracoful thing in the interests of tlio public, it should be acknowledged. Hie llev. Graham H. Balfour said he would second tho proposal with pleasure, the Key W. Trotter (Moderator) said he did not. think tho celebrations could ihave been carried out with tho same decorum 25 years ago. ITo felt sure that the closing of tho hotels at the request of tho Mnvor had helped very much. The liesbytory accepted tho motion without dissent. . .

The prospects of obtaining hotel accommodation in raco week are not 111 any way improved through the cutting of train services (says the Ghristehurdh "Sun"). A reporter visited the offices of tho lending city hotels to inquire re"ardin" tho possibility of booking rooms for Grand National week, and in each instance the reply was tho same: Juil up." Wherever cancellations had taken placo tlho vacancies had been immediately filled. Several prominent garages were also visited and the proprietors stated that although North Island orders for race week had. been cancelled in many cases the local and provincial domand for cars hold good. Referring to the coal shortage and tlio railways the "Railway Officers Advocate" says-.—"The serious position in which the whole Dominion has been placed by the restricted train services due to the coal fainino should give the Goveminent and people some idea ot tno part played in the economic order ot things by tho Railway Department. When train services are running smoothly the public is inclined to underestimate tho value of tho great transport system of the country, and also to place a low assessment on all thoso connected with tho Department. The present crisis has caused members of tho public to pJacc in another setting tho words of an old song, 'Wo don't know how wo love tlieni till wo loso them.' Criticisms on tho management iu connection with the portion aro bitter, and in many cases malignant, jvhilst tho unfortunate officials coming in direct contact with the public have to bear the brunt of ficfcaclc. Our members may be > relied upon to carry out their duties with judgment and restraint. Their deep sense of loyalty to tho service will enable members to Shoulder their resjKmsibilitiee, and avoid any participation in tho wild criticisms being levelled at tho Department."

The Reserves Committee of tho City Couftcil reported to tho council last evening that they, had 'received an amount of JJIO from Mr. W. Wakeman, Pahiatua, for the purchase of native plants. The thanks of tho council had been forwarded to Mr. Wakeman for his donation, and instructions had been issuod for tho money to be expended m tho direction indicated by tho donor.

Nominal rental for an encroachment at Ilntaitai cropped up again at the City Council last evening in tho form of tho followinu clause in tho Outlying Districts Committee's report: "That tho.request of tho Education Board for a reduction in tho rental charged for an encroachment at Hataitai bo answered to the effect, that a rental of -E5 per annum be charged, and to be reduced ,to 10s. per annum, provided tho land is kept m proper order and condition to the satis, faction of tho City Engineer. The clause was adopted.. Mr W. Nosworthy will he a candidate for tho Ashburton seat at tho genera* election. Tho Tramways Committee of the City Council last evening reported, with reference to the proposed tramway extension to Che King's Wharf, that the General Manager of Railways could not approve tho extension, as it would cross nil tho wharf approach lines and be a serious obstruction to the working ox the wharves.

Striking light on tho relation between clean ami noiseless streets and the health of tho community was shown by l. ho figures in tlm possession ot Mr. \V. i). Craven, an American road expert, at present, visiting Dunedin. The figures concern New York. In 1892. with a population of 1,630,030, that city registered 44,329 deaths, or an average rate ot per 1000. In mil the city had a population of 3,200,197, but registered only deaths, or an average of 13 per 1000. The Health Department credits this remarkable decrease largely to the. extension of smooth pnvin<r during 'V; intervening years. In 1890 New lork had only 27 miles of asphalt street, but in 1015 the total mileage asphalted was 08" Those 082 miles wero all paved prior to 1890, but with stono blocks or brick or some other type of paving that could not be kopt so clean or so quiet ts asphalt.

A meeting of Territorial officere was lield in the Garrison' Hall, Buckle Street, last evening, to revive the old Garrison Officers' Club. The old club practically collapsed on the outbreak of war, most of tho members either going to the front 01 eliding in military duties at camps. Now that normal conditions prevail it has been thought desirable to reconstitute the club on broad lines, so that cverv officer merely, from the fact of being an officer, should have tho right to become a member of the club. This will avoid any of the unpleasantness experienced by the old club.

"in tho course of last evening's meeting of tho Oilv Council, referenco was made by Councillor AY. J. Thompson to the fact that a committee was set up some time ago to go into the matter of preparing the municipal electors' roll, and lie asked if that committeo had ever met. The Mayor replied that ho, could not say off-hand. Councillor Thompson saijl he raised the matter because iho basis on which the roll was prepared was unsatisfactory, and lie would like to see the system changed. The Mayor said that the reference to the roll \in the report under discussion was simply to appoint an officer tn take the place of the late Mr. It. M'lCcnzie, to assist' Mr. Ames in the preparation of the roll.

The following extract is from the annual report of St. John's Presbyterian Church"Owing to the exigencies of war-time economy, last year's leport was shortened, and the usual paragraph about the minister was, a\ his special request, omitted. We desire, therefore, the more heartily and emphatically to express our deep appreciation of Dr. Gibb's strenuous and devoted work during the period under review, and our grateful acknowledgment of the continued power and inspiration of his pulpit utterances. Wo wish also ■to refer particularly to tho pastoral work our minister. notwithstanding his multifarious other duties, has been able to perform, llav it encourage him to know how greatly liis visits have cheered and comforted' the many sufferers and afflicted folk who in these days of bitter trial and in the Valley of tho Shadow have learned the value of his sympathetic voice and loving Liand-olasp. Wo thank God for our minister. Dr. Gibb's store of strength and energy, on which we have often commented as seemingly inexhaustible. reached at last a breaking point iu the extra heavy work of last year, coming as it did to a climax with the epidemic of influenza. The office-bearers honed that with tho help of his annual holiday, he would get over the strain, but with the approach of winter, and for the first time in his sixteen years pastorate of St. John's ho was for a brief period laid aside from work. A severe chill, followed by an attack of influenza. coming upon a physical frame already taxed to the utmost, not merely bv the work of St. John's, but by his labours for home missions, the orphanBite, tho colleges, and the new campaign for Church union, necessitated a furlough of several weeks. This; by the blessing of God, effected a satisfactory recovery, and Dr. Gibb was able to resume duty, on tho occasion of the June communion, to tho delight and profit of ft large congregation.

Authority - was granted by the City Council last evening for the construction of ii road connecting Farm Road with Creswick Terrace, in order to op'en up tho property recently acquired by tho. council at Northland. Tho estimated cost is JSZSOO.

A correspondent oalls attention to what ho describes as the dangerous state of tho Dixon Street steps at /present. There are. ho states, several lo«o steps, and the top step of the fourth flight from the too has become quito loose, and tills when it is stepped on. If something is not done at onco, adds tlio correspondent, 'there will be a bad accident thero."

Yesterday morning the Petone schools broko-up for their term holidays. The holidays aro lo ex'.eml over a lorlniglit, and tho schools will reassemble 011 August 20. Tho principle of introducing an outsider to tlio membership of a City Council committee was raised at the meeting of tho City Council last evening in the form of a letter from the Master Plumbers' Union, whioh requested that ft master plumber should lie attached to the Public Health Committee, under the provisions of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1910. Tho Mayor said that lie did not think it was a matter which could be dealt with thero and then, and moved tlmt the letter bo referred to the Public Health Cotnmitteo for consideration.

An Order-in-Cpuncil is gazetted authorising the raising of loans by the following local authorities-.—Horowhenua, .£soo and ■£3000; Stratford County Council, Jj90.000; Feilding Borough Council, .£3OOO. The Gazette notifies that the appointment of Mr. Walter Isaac Nathan as Act-ing-Consul for Sweden at Wellington has been recognised.

The appointment of M. H. Segaert as Acting-Consul for Belgium at Sydney, with iurisdiction over the States of New South Wales and Queensland, andt also over New Zealand and the British possessions in the Pacific has bec-n provisionally recognised.

A meeting of Waitaki High School Old Boys deoided to erect a war memorial nt tho school at a cost of about ,£IO,OOO, the money to be raised by a personal canvass. Tho foi;m of tho memorial is to be determined later by subscribers.— Press Assn.

The Whakatane county, already noted for; its drought-proof soil, is now establishing a reputation for being winterproof (states a Press Association message). Dairymen report that grass is growing rapidly, the pastures being quite up to the ordinary' mid-September condition. Peach trees were .flowering at tho end of July, and willows were all abloom. These conditions Aro attributed to the lightness of tho winter rainfall, enabling thi* spring warmth to penetrate quietly. A grand milk season is-there-fore anticipated everywhere.