SHIPPING NEWS BAD GEAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 276, 18 August 1919, Page 11

SHIPPING NEWS

BAD GEAR

'■*■- ,' ; ':•■ .' \ PHASES OP THE MOON. " AUGUST. . . „, , Day. . Hr. m, «rst quarter •'4 . 741 a.m. Full moon '...- ;-.,. 12 * ■■ 5 9 a.m. , Last Quarter „19 326 a.m. \ *ew moon 26 3 7 a.m. MOON. X Moon rises to-day, midnight; sets, 9.58 a.m. to-morrow. > TIDE, To-day, 9.40 a.m.; 10.10 p.m. • • To-morrow, -10.33 a.m.; 11.2 p.m. SUN. Bun rises to-day, 6.39 a.m.; sets,'s.ll p.m. ARRIVALS. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16. KARAMU, 8.5. (6.50 a.m.), 934 tons, M'LelJan, from Greyinouth. K'IKAU,. s.«. (7.10 α-in.). M? tone,. Hay, from Nelson. ' ■' OIUBI. b.b. (8.5 a.m.), 9179 tone,. Vine, Iroin Glsborne. . \ JIATAi'UA, s.s. (10.15 a.m.), 7299 tons, Greno, from Auokland. -" HINEJIOA, s.B. (10.39 a.m.), W2 tone, 80llons, from Westport. % „,.. . ITAKAK.OA, 8.8. (10.55 a.m.). 8598 tons, . Irwin, from Lyttelton. ALEXANDER, s.e. (2.« p.m.), 377 tone, Wildman, from TaraKohe. •MANAMA, o.b. {10.40 p.m.). 122 tons, ITNoilago, frorii Lyttolton.. ' SUNDAY, AUGUST. 17. KiIPPLB, B.s. (10 .p.m.), 370 tons.. Carlson, from Napier. WAIRUA, s.s. (1.20 a.m.), 143/ tons, Deiley, from Picton. JTAPOUEIKA, a.e. (1.25 a.m.), 1203 tons, U'Donald, from l'icton and Ncleon. WAITANGI, s.s. (1.35 a.m.). 171 tons, risk, from Patoa,. ■ ' HAWEBA, s.s. (5.30 a.m.), 174 tone, M'Kinnon, from Patea. ' KAPITI, s.B. (3.30 « ; .m.). '242 tons, 80-w----yers. from Waneanui. SHROPSHIRE, s.s. (6.25 a.m.), 12,184 tone, Hunter, from Napier. TUTANEKAI, Government steamer (6.55 a.m.), 811 tons, Post, ■from Lyttelton. MAOKI, 8.8. (8.55 a.m.), 3412 tons. Cameron, from Lyttelton. „,,- KAITOA. e.B. (11 a.m.),' 319 tcoa, Wildman, from Neleon. , BREEZE, (1.10 p.m.), 553. tone, Tane, from Wanganul, ; OPIWA, 8.8. (3.5 p.m.), 110 tons, Niche las, from Blenheim. " ; ■ ■ NGAKUTA, B.S. (7.40 p.m.). 1250 tons, Powell, from sGreymouth. , .•_..-., KARU, 8.8, (7.15 p.m.), 267 tons, Braidwood, from Lyttelton. ; ' BUfIU, 5.8. (9 p.m.). 165 tons. Fletcher, from Napier.- •" ■ ' DEPARTURES.SATURDAY, AUGUST 16. WAIMATE, e.s. (12.15 p.m.). 6969 tons, Jakepeace. for Lyttelton. ■ , KOMATA, a.s. (12.30 p.m.)', W94 tons. Bold, for Westport. _ '■ ;■ NIJCAU, 8.8. (210 p.m.), 248 tons, Hay, !lor Nelson. , „.: WANAKA, 8.8. (5.85 p.m.). 2924 tons, Ylynn, for Newoastlo. ■ MiRAROA, 8.8. (7.50 p.m.). 2593 tone; ,Irwln, for Lyttelton. ROSAMOND, 6.5. (8.30 p.m.), 721 tons, Oox, for Timaru. - . ■

EXPECTED ARRIVALS. Ngatoro, Greymouft, Suftust 18. War Soldier. AucEland, August 18. Kokiri, Greymouth; iiUiftSt 18. Ngakuta, Greymouth, August Iβ. .ttuapehui. Auckland, Aujust w. Buru, Napier, August, 18. Mokoia, Lyttelton, August 19. • Kararoa, Lyttoiton, August 19. Nikau, Nelson, Auguet 19-; ■ Mapourika, Picton, Nelson, August 19.Mana. Wan'zanui, August 19. - Baden Powell, New Plymouth. Ang-ast 19. Wakatu, Kalkoura, Anmst 19. ■ Oorlnno, New Plymouth, August U.Maori, Lyttelton,,August 80. Kaitoa, Nelßon, Auguet 20. Komata, Wcstport.rAugust a). Essoi, Newca6tlo, August 20. . H.M.Sr New Zealand, Sydney. August Zα. "- Opawa, Auckland, Augnet 21 ■ y PROJECTED DEPARTURES. Maori, liyttolton, Auguet !3. Kaitoa, Nelson, August 18. Manouilka, Plctou, Nolebn, , Anguet 13; ' Manaroa, Lyttelton, AugUßt 18. ' • Blenheim, Sounds, August 18. ' Alexander, Nelson, Coast, August 18. Waverlijy, Patea, August? 18. Waitanji, Patea, August 18. Brcezo, Lyttelton, Dunodin. August Iβ. Invercarjnll, Wanganul. August 18. -.. Wairau, Picton, August 181; Ngakuta, Dunedln, August 18. John, Wanganul, August Iβ. Hawera, Patea, August 18. Opawa, Blenheim, August 18. " Kuril, Napier, August 18. Mararoa. Lyttelton, Auguet 19. < Nikau,-Nelsoti,,.Ausust 19. i Mokola', r AocTclana; via Ooast, A'neuet 19. Ripplo, 'Naplari, Qisborne, Akltio,.Aus. 19. Karu.-NjfwrPlymbuth, Auffust 19. Karamu, Groymouth; August 19/ Oorinna, Dunedln,■: Augusji 19. . Kahika, Greymouth/ August 19. • Maori, Lyttelton, August 20. KaitoaPNelsdn, August M. '" Mapourika.;Picton, Nelson, Ausuit M. Kapiti,; Wanganui, August 20. Ilineraoa, Cook Strait, lighthouses, AnSrust 20.'- • .-;; , . '■-..■ Jlaniika, 3ydfloy, Angust 20. Matatua, Lyttelton, August ffl. Mana, ■ Lyttelton; Timnru, August, EO. Baden-Powill.'.New:Plymouth. August'2l!. Wakatu, .Kaikoura, August 20. Phropshire..-I)ondon, August 21. Kennedy, Pb.ttOn,'.Au£r«st 21. Rua'pchu, London, i August 23. ' OVERSEA STEAMERS, AJAHA (F.S.). left'-Lpiidon Aug. 2 .for Auckland. Due about, Sept. 20.. ■< ATHENIC:(S.S.A.), left I«ndon July 14 for Wellington. Due September 1. AUSTEALPLAIN, lgft,;New Tork July 3i • for Auckland; Duo. September 4. ' ATESHIRE CF.S.), left London Aug. 5 for Wellington. Due about Sept 20. : OAMAIIA (S.S.A.), due Napier Me, 18 from London. . OORDOBA. loft- U.K. July 18. Due Wellington Aug. 30. • CORINTHIO (S.S.A.), left Plymouth Aug. 9 for Wellington. Duo Sopt. 24.DUEHAM (F.S.). left Liverpool May 21 for Australia. Duo Wellington August 21. BLLENGA, left Egypt July 23 for Auckand. Duo August 20. ; ; , ESSEX ■ (F.S.), duo at WollihEton from [ewcastle August 20 to load. ■ GIESSEJT (CD.), left London Juno 23 for iVelllncton. Due August '26. . . HOEORATA (N.Z.S. Co.). left London July '3 via Ouiic. Due Wellington September 15. f KAIKOUJEA (N.Z.B. Cp.), to load Oauada ' in Sept. for N.Z. / KAUAMBA (S.S.A.), Inft London July 9 . for Auckland and Wellington, via Cape ■''■ Tmvn aiid Hobart.. Duo Sept. '6. KUMARA (S.S.A.). loft London July £5 ! for Port Chalmers. Duo Sept. 7. JfAMARI (R.6.A.). left London .Tilly 0 for Auckland. Due August 19. MASULA (A. '&, A.), left Now York July 18 . for' Aucklarid, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. Due 'Auckland, Aug. 29. ' .MATATUA (S.S.A.), left United' Kingdom Juno 23 for Auckland. Arrived Aug. 7. ' Arr. Wellington Auguet 16. ' NEW ZEALAND. II.M-.5.; doe Wellington aboiit August- 20 from Eneland. OPAWA-(N.K.B.- Co.), left Sydney Autr. 5 fov Auckland. Arrived August 10. Duo Wellington August 21. ORAEI (N.Z.B. Co'O, left Newcaollo July U for Auckland (arr. July 19), Giahorno. ttnd Wellington. 'Arr. V/elineton i.us. 16. PAPAEOA- (K.Z.S. Co.) to. leave Avonmouth early Sept. for N.Z. ■ POET ALMA (0.D.), leaves Now York in- ' August for Australia and New.Zealand. POUT HACKING- (O:D.).'lpft London July 1 for Lyttelton. Due August 20. , .PORT LYTTELTON (C. and D.) loft Ply. mouth Juno 17 for Auckland Napier, and Wellington, via. Australia; duo Auckland 'August 21. POET MELBOURNE (0.D.), left London July 4 for New Zealand, via Australia. Due here September 4. PORT NAPIER (0.D.), London to N.Z., via Australia. At Sydney July 7. Arrived Auckland July 28. Then Gisborne and W«l- ---' PORT SYDNEY (0.D.), to leave Unite* Kingdom August for Auckland, Napier, and Wellington, via Australia. ' ' REMUERA (N.Z.S. Co.), to leave London Sept. 6. for N.Z. SOMERSET (P.S.), loft. Plymouth' Aug. 8 for Wellington. Due Sept. 23. , TAINUI (S.S.A.), left Plymouth Auc 8 for Wellington. Duo Sept. 25 ) TOFUA (U. 8.8.) left flan Franoisco August 5. Duo Wellington August 29. WAIPARA (N;Z.S. Co.). to leave Montreal August for Auckland; Wellington, Lyttelton and Australia. , WAITIUSA 1U.5.3. Oo,), loft 'Frisco July JS .for Auckland and Australia, Dne Auckland August 22. WAITEMATA (U.H.S.) left Calcutta Auk. T for Sydney. Auckland. WoUiagton, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. Duo' Auckland middle September. WAIWERA (8.5.A.), dno Wellington Aug. 23 from Newcastle. Then loads. AVAR SOLDIER (Murray, Roberts) lefl 6afaga (Red Sea), June 30 for Auckland and Weill npt-on. Arrived August 8. Due Wellington to-day. WESTMEATH lA. & A.), left New York July 20 fdr Wellington and Auetralla. Due Wellington Aujust 29. WHANGARATTA (N.Z.e. Co.) :to' load at Montroal in August for Auckland,. Wellln"ton, Dunedln, and Auatralin. ■■'■ ZEALANDIO (S.S.A.), due N.Z. early Sept; to load. ' ;.-• ' , . . SAILERS. ' , ; Vessel. J?°,',V ■ V ' iDne. San Francisco to Wellington:Jcannctlo July s .. - -Sept Bertie Minor Jn1y.31,.-' ■ ... -. Oct. San Francieco to Bluff'r--, .'• Amy Turner July,2a-. .;.-■.. «ept THE niNEMOA.,. Tho Hinemoa arrived back from her tour / of tho southern lighthouses on Saturday. / On Wednesday the tender will nrooeod to Tho Brothers, Stephen. Island, and ' Okuri Point to land supplies. '

TUB BERTHAGE LIST, To-day's berthn.go list is as under:— Shropshiro—King's Wharf. ~ Ituapeliu—Glasgow W&arf. ' War Soldier—King's Wharf. Matatua—Tarana-ki Street WhaTf. Katoa—Railway Wharf. Maori—Ferry Wharf. Breeze—King's Wharf. Kapiti-Glasgow Wharf. Waitangi—King's Wharf. Hinomoa—Ferry Wharf. Kokiri—Thbrndon Wharf. Waverley-King's Wliarf. Hawora—Glasgow Wharf. Ngakuta No. 1 norlh Queen's Wharf. ' Ngatoro—No. 1 north Qu«en.'s Wharf. Jlapourika—No. 1 Queen's Wharf. Wairau—No. 11 north Queen's Wharf. Opawa—No. 13 centre Queen's Wharf. Jlanaroa—No. 13 south Queen's Wharf. Kaitoa-No. 10 Queen's Wharf. Kani—No. 12 Queen's VYliart. Ripple—No. 3 Queen's Wliarf. Buru-No. 7 Queen's Wharf. Tutanekai--Clydo Quay Wharf. . BY TELEGRAPH. " '■ . OVERSEAS. SYDNEY,' August 17. Arrived.—Albemama, from New Zealand. COASTAL. SUNDAY, AUGUST 17. ' ' AUCKLAND. Arrived—H.Jt.S. Geranium, H.M.S. Marguerite, and H. 21.5. Mallow (11 a.m.), from sea; Palooca (8.30 a.m.), from Suva, NEW PLYMOUTH. Arrived—Baden Powell (4 a.m.), from Wellington; Corinna (11 a.m.), from,byttelton; Kittawa (10 a.m.), from Nelson. . 'iiY-TTEI/COiN: Arrived.-lfararoa (9.60 a.m.), from Wellington; Waiinato (8.30 a.m.), from Wellington. WANGANUI. Sailed.-Brcezo (12.50 a.m.), for Wellington. GRISYMOTJTH. Sailed.-Kokiri (2 a.m.), for Wellington. SATURDAY; AUGUST 16. .- NEW PLYMOUTH.'. Sailed.-Earawa (8 p.m.), for Onehunga. PATBA. Arrived.—Waverley (11.30 a,m.), from Wellington. NYDIA BAY. Arrived—Tainui (7.50 a.m.), from Welling- • ton. . ' AUCKLAND. Sailed.—War Soldier (0.30 a.m.), for Wellington irSuapchu (7 a.m.), for Wellington. PORT AHURIRJ. Arrived.—Ripple (12.45 a,m.). from Wellington. LYTTELTON. Arrived.—Wootton (2 a.m.), from Wellington. THE MOKQIA. By Teleerantt— Vrirn, Axsoci&tlos. Dunoditl, August 26. The Mokoia, which is sailing this evening for East Oowt ports' and Auckland, will be a full ship, with ZlO saloon and 40 steerage passengers. There are 67 sa'loon passengers lor Wellington. The oargo totals over iiGOO tons,' including 6W) tons for Wellington. X . THE OPAWA. The NW* Zealand Shipping Company's liner Opawa berthed at Auckland, last week, after an absence of 18 months. She has had an • extonded passage from Loudon, having sailed on May £J last. Tho Opawa came via Cape Town, which was reached on Juno- 15. A email Quantity of cargo was lifted there, and she sailed four days later for • Melbourne, arivirng on July 13. Thouce she .proceeded to Sydney, Brisbane, and Newcastle, coalinj at the latter port. She.returned to Syd-. ney, and sailed for Auckland on August 6. Tho Opawa has gerioral cargo, tlio Auckland portion, amounting to about ltflO tons, the majority of which is steel rails. The weather throughout tho trip was generally fine. Captain V. 0. White-Par-son is in command, and. has. with him the following officers:—First. O, Lamb; second, S, Gawthorpe; third, J. MKie; fourth, S. W. Fißher; chief engineer, W. Bonce; second, G. Armstrong; third, J. Gillespie; fourth, J. Kobertson; fifth, R. Hughes; sixth, ,G.. Huggett; chief refrlperatins, W. Graham; second, W; Wootoii. T l 'B Opawa is scheduled to lcavo Auckland to-morrow for Wellington.

PASSENGERS BY TALtJNE. ' • The Talune, which, sailed for the Inlands last week, took the following passengers :- Missea Hoole, Breman, Holinau, Roseoo, Horuiff, Heritage, Mesdamos Neale, Reynolds Johnson,' Tibbette, Russell. Walker, Do-wspn: M'Korrow, Dennis, Hunt, M'Ken«le, Corkill, Edwards, Messrs. Westwood, Oorkill, Joyce, Captain Boss. Ncale. Sergt. Gulliver, Norton,. Tlbbette. Russoli, Haneen, Howard, Darrpok, Lβ .Baa, Powell, Blßoman Walker, Powell, Shoppard. Denniß, 'loornan.- ■■ Edwards, Rot. Evans, do Francoour, Hunt, -. Enear, ■ M'Kcnzio, Thomae, Paterson, Walk, Eocles, Wiloox. Annandale. Partridge, Cochrane, Matthews, Canning, and 67 socond-clasi, in-oludinse-38 soldiers., "" THE STRANDED' ARAPAWA. Further attempts were to' have been made on .Thursday to refloat the' Northern ' steamer Arapawa, which Btranded on the Woltara, Bur, 15 days at*. Salvage operations were suspended, owing to the tides having been unsuitable since the vowel stranded. In the Interval heavy anchors havo been told out to seaw'ard in rwuliness for a, tide suitable for haulins the vessel off the beaon. Tho Northern Company'ssteamer Kimn Iβ at Waitara to assist, if possible. ' SUAPEHU DUE TO-DAY. To complete Homeward loading; nnd to bunker the Ruapehu Is duo in port early tluii mornine; from Auckland. The vesael is to sail at daybreak on Saturday next, but passengers must embark tho previous evening. ■ HATATTJA AKEOTES.From Auckland the Matatua arived at Wellington on Saturday morning, to continue the, discharge of her Home i areo. Bho ia scheduled to sail; on Wednesday for Lyttelton and Duriedin. QIESSEN LEFT ALBANY. The Commonwealth'and Dominion Line have recsived advice that tho Giessen, which is bringins a draft of returning troops, left Albany on the morning of Aususfc 14 for WoUingtoa, via Jiobart. Tho/vessel io duo here on Ausuet 26. WAE SOLBJ.ER DUB TO-DAY. TVith a carzo aC basic rtiosnhalc, tho Whit Boldier Iβ fluo at Wellington to-day from Auckland to continuQ her discharge. ' . WIRELESS FKOJI MAMARI. ' A wireless from the master of tho Bhaw-Savill ctoamer \Mamari received on Saturday stated that ho expected to reach Auckland at 6 p.m. to-moirow. The vessel has a draft of returnins - troops on beard. TJIE WESTERN COMET. Tho Lvokenbach steamer Western Comet sailod from Auckland laat week for New York with a-full cargo loaded at Lyt-' tolton' and Auckland; At Auckland sho lifted 7JW packages of gum, 1026 bales of flax, 1263 sacks of copra, 250 casks of tallow, casliß of pelts, and two tons of sundries. MESS-TABLE GOSSIP. Mr. A. M'Rao joined the Rosamond as pwser .on Saturday. . Mr. P. Davies sipned on the Wanaka, as extra-officer on Saturday. Mr. A. B. Douglas, sooohd engineer of tho Waniika, left tho vessel on Saturday, and Jtr. 0. M'Vicar signed on In , that ° Mr W.' A. Cairns has joined the Wanalta as third engineer, vice Mr. E. Rnowstubb, signed off. , . , „ The accountant at the Gisborno offlco of tho TJnion fitoam Ship Company (Mr. J Doylo), who has been in the • service there for tho past twelve years, except for a, sojourn -at Rarotonga on one occasion, has received uotjee of his transfer to Dunodin. Ho wfi bo succeeded by Mr. G. 0. Dunsford, of Picton.

Tho Kiiramu is to leave for the West Coast to-morrow. . . ' Tho Wanaka got away on Saturday for Newcastle to load for Now Zealand. The Oorinna is expected at Wellington to-morrow from KcwPlyaioutli, and lu the ovonine in to proceed to Bunedin. The Moh-oUi is due to-morrow from telton and Dunedln, nnd is to sail in the evenlnc: for Napier. Gisborno, and was to have left Lyttelton on Paturd°v for Picton and Onehunga, The Kokiri. coal-laden, is - duo from Greymouth to-day. . , , Tiin Wa-imatc Kot away on Saturday for Lyttelton and Dunedin. to completo XiCT Bre«. is to sail for Lytn,e?, to a t for Now Plymouth and Greymouth to-morrow, takfor Hn.yclock Pelomis, and Kmdimni Sounds, .tho Blnnheim i» ,'V™ Wclliottnii iliifi evoning. %Jr Mi Wostport, Greyn.outh, «d Hokitika. tho Aleiamlpr is to leavo Wei--from--Napier to-day, and, is to sail in tno e X n &a h v e ffXcS- to commence In tho Toito trade about Thursday.

6 WATERSIDE WORKERS' COMPLAINT INSPECTORS TO BE APPOINTED ' Samples of faulty gear used on the New Zealand wharves were placed before- the. Minister of Marino (Hon. T. M-. Wili'ord) on Saturday by a deputation ropresentiiig - lilio waterside workers and consisting of Messrs J. Q. Bruce. J. Boborts, T. Briudlo, and J. Laurenson. Tho "exhibits" included wko ropo of very poor quality (stated to bo Japanese in origin), badly rusted wiro rope, and inferior and ■defective coidago. The deputation stated that thero was an accident a day, on. the New | Zealand wharves, and that tho inspection of gear was not sufficiently prompt and thorough. Mr. Bruce said t'uo waterside workers considered that tho chief officer of the Marino Department 6hould be a seaman, not an engineer. An existing grievance was that complaints about defective gear ltad to bo made to the _ Department through routine channels instead of to inspectors on tho spot. Beforo an official reply was received the work probably was finished and the ship' had gono. With regard to hoisting gear, the responsible officer at present was a departmental engineer, who might not have expert Knowledge. Additional _ inspectors were needed to oarry out the regulations aliready issued by the Minister. Mr. Roberts said the deputation wantod the Minister to put into eifeotive operation the recommendations of the Waterside Commission. There should be on engineer to deal with complaints about deck machinery, and a mau with 'seafaring experience to inspect running gear. The arrangements in Wellington for dealing with complaints were not satisfactory. Complaints had to go to the head office of the Department, and so they wore not dealt with immediately. Mr. Laurenson said that,about a week ago, when a certain ship was lying alongside a tWollingtooi wharf, ho applied to thesMarino Department for an inspection of tho winch. A clerk told him that tho request would have to be presented in writing and that tie Department would then consider the matter. Mr. Laurenson. went to the head inspector of machinery and got the o&me reply. Everything had to be put into writing and would be considered. That meant that the ship was gono before anything Iwd been done. An overseas steamer had come to Wellington, recently with her Winches in a very bad way. She hod been handling ooaf during the wax with,cargo winches, and had almost shaken, them to pieces. But by the taino the union could got a complaint considered through the official channels the ship had gone. \ Mr. Lauronson showed tho. Minister samples of defective gear. Some of the wire rope had fewer strands than were required under Lloyd's standard. Single wires taken.from a rope could be broken easily in the fingers. "I think it is Japanese," said Mr. Laurenson. He suggested a inimimun of 15-inch, wire for coal and 2-inch wiro for cargo, with a maximum of 2i inches. A testing house whs required for a'uuniug gear. Mr. vVilford; That matter was dis- • cussed before. Wo sent to England to find all about' testing houses. / ' Tho Minister, in reply, said he appreciated'the importance of tho points that hod been raised;' Ho could claim somo oredit for the issue of tho new iogulaiions, which would bb eifectivo when tho rest'of-the-necessary machinery had been provided. The chief request of tho deputation was that inspectors should be appointed. Cabinet had authorised hini on tho preceding day; to appoint seven inspectors under tho regulations. Ho was proposing to appoint two to Auckland, two to Wellington,! one to Lyttelton, and two to Duuedin. These inspectors of gear would be appointed as soon as possible. Tho cleaning' and disinfection of holds and other i sanitary work came under the regulations, and ho hoped to bo able to appoint inspectors capable "of .attending to all these duties.' He meant to hayo men fit for the jobs. He was not going to tolerate delay in dealing with complaints. Thero must bo no running from ono 613cer to another. Any person would have the ■ right to make a complaint to an in-, spector, and it would be dealt with at onco. Tho new inspectors of gear would have nower to deal with hulks and Harbour Board gear. Be did not beliero it right to allow any employer to Inspect his own gear. An inspector of machinery was not the mau to deal with running gear, at all. The inspeotor _of gear should be a man with practical experience. Mr. Wilford added that he would consult with experts beforo he came' to any decision regarding ■ the standardising of ropes. The deputation thanked the Minister.

The monthly meeting of the Petone and Lower Hu'tt branch of tho Society for the Health of Women and Children was held' last week. Present: Mcs(bunes Kirk (president), Harman, M'Caw, Moek, Wfllianw, Holmes, CWI- -- Burd, Yeoman, Hutknancs, Mitchell and Cook. Tho secretary reported that an experienced medioal man had promised to deliver an epidemic lecture 'at Petone as soon as ho can make it convenient. The branch,' recognising tho need of a district, nurso in the Valley, has brought tho matter before tho Health Department, and it is hoped that.before long a district midwife "will bo secured for Potone. During the month Nurso Hadccko was welcomed at a very pleasant afternoon tea <it the residence of Mrs. Andrews, Britannia Streot. The nurse's report is as follows: Number of visita paid to homes, 64; number of new cases, 18; expectant mother, 1; mothers shown how to prepare liunnvniscd milk, 11; adults . .visiting rooms, 163; babies visiting rooms, 145;-cases under supervision, .91. ■-■■~ . .