LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 280, 22 August 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Of tho Somerset's mails H7 mail bass and 128 parcel receptacles arrived in 'Wellington by the Mararoa yesterday morning. The Mamari, which has arrived at Auckland with I roups from the United Kingdom, did not bring a mail. Tli? Essex, which arrived at. Wellington early this morning, from Sydney, has on board 337 bags of mail matter. The Tofua, which is due at Wellington on August 28, from San Francisco, will also have a mail on board, but whether matter from the United Kingdom is also being brought is not yet, known. The Wairuna, which is duo at Auckland from San Francisco, it is understood, lias a parcel mail oniy. The troop train with 290 men ex the transport Mamari arrived in Wellington from Auckland ahout. 12.-15 p.m. yesterday. All the men were in good health, and they were enthusiastically welcomed at Thorndon Station by a large number of people. There was a good attendance of the Voluntary Motor Corps, which did excellent work in transporting tho Wellington men to their homes. The total number of men for Wellington city was 116, the remainder being for districts in the South Island. Men for Nelson sailed last evening by tho Nikau, and those for Canterbury and Otago went south by the Mararoa. Troops for Picton and Blenheim will leave by the Mapou.rika at noon to-day. The Christcburch Health Office's biweekly bulletin regarding influenza in North' Canterbury states that there are fourteen cases, three of tho pneumonic type, nine mi'.d, one medium, and ono I moderate—Press Association. Tho meteorological summary for tho i month of June, published in the Gazette, states that the aggregate rainfall was considerably above the average in South Otago and in' the Hawke's Bay and Waligantii districts, and slightly so in parts of Canterbury and Westlnnd, while ekewhero it was generally below. According to the Gazette issued last evening, 229 acres in the Waitohu Survey District, 320 acres in the Mangaono Survey District, and 9G| acres in the Mount Robinson Survey District have been set apart for salo or leaso to discharged soldiers. ' From April 1 to July 19 of this year there was carried on tho Government railways 2,785,790 head of live stock, or 119,171 head more than in tho corre ; sponding period of last year, while tin; weight of goods carried was 1,748,723 tons, as against 1,755,292 tons, a decreaso of GSG9 tons. For some days past a number of valueless cheques have been operated upon by an individual who has given the detective branch considerable trouble. Tho investigations revealed tho fact that on Wednesday a motor-ear was stolen, presumably by the same individual, and as a result of telegraphic instructions to the country districts, a man was apprehended at' Eketahuna on Wednesday evening. He was arrested on charges of issuing twenty valueless cheques foi various amounts, and also with the theft of tho motor-car. His stay in custody, however, was short-lived, for soon after his apprehension, he made his escape, and.so far has not been recaptured. A Press Association telegram from Christcluirch states that residents have been greatly perturbed for several weeks past owing to a series of burglaries, tho latest occurring on Monday. Yesterday' afternoon the police arrested seven boys, ranging from 13! to 15 years of age, and preferred against them eighteen charges of breaking and entering. The boys will make their appearance in the Magistrate's Court to-day. At ft meeting of the Otago Education Board tho truant officer reported that tho practice of employing childron at such early hours in tho morninr as to interfere with school work was increasing. He had written to tho Minister of Education suggesting that a conference of tenant officers be held to bring the position before the Minister. Approximately 20!) ehildren from seven to fourteen years worked on milk carts two to live hours before attending school, the pay ranging from 3s. Gd. to 10s. Tho position was worst in Cavcrsham, Green Island, and North-East Valley. Tho board decided to draw tho attention of the Minister to the Department's promise in 1918 that tho subject would bo taken up and to ask what had been done.—Press Assn. "There never was a time," remarked tho Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., at the Conciliation Council in Christchurch, "when monumental masons were so busy us at present; in place of half-empty yards there is a forest of tombstones. ]f anyone can afford lo pay increased wages it's the monumental masons." When Mr, J. Tait, representing the monumental niasoic, said that increased wages would increase the cost of tho work, Mr. Harr said: "Tho people have the money—when alive they spend it on picture shows, and, when dead, on monuments."—Christchurch "Press." The Union Line steamer Jicana ("ays the San Francisco "Examiner" of July .'!) was the first steamer to arrive from foreign ports yesterday after the dry law became cfiVclive. She solved the liquor onestion as far as ships are concerned. Tho Customs authorities had orders not to interfere with liquor on hoard so long as it was kept on board. All the inspectors had to do was to see that it was not brought ashore. After a conference with Customs men Captain A. E. Barlow gave special orders that, no liquor was to be used on tho ship while in port, and that tho steamer would consider itself "dry" until after it leaves and is outside the thrco-mile limit,

The deprivations of hotel licenses in Victoria for the financial year of 1018-1!) have now practically been completed (says the "Age"). Since the beginning of this year 95 hotels have been deprived 01' licenses, making a total of 223 deprived in tho two and 11 half years since the amended law came into force. When the amendments were being introduced it was pointed out that in many districts the operation of the "statutory number" prevented the closing of many unnecessary hotels. Under the new provisions the vote for "reduction" was deemed to have bee'll carried in every district. In the two and ahalf years hotels have hot 11 closed in 11-1 different licensing districts, and in 80 of tliP.=2 districts 1-10 hotels were closed which, under the old provision, could not have hren touched. Tho total number deprived of licenses to dale is 1277.

A warning was issued by the chairman of the Kepatriation Board (Mr. James Begg) in the Dunedin Police Court, in the course of an application for the rehearing of a complaint for maintenance (says the Dunedin "Star"). This warning rr.vi to the (fleet that returned soldiers w'.id had obtained grants from the board for tlie purpose of purchasing furniture, tools, and other chattels would be committing an offence punishable hy imprisonment or fine if they disposed ol' the goods in any v. ay without lirst obtaining the permission in writing of the officer in charge of tho department. The rehearing of the ease mentioned was granted, and the order varied by the discharge of the security, the matter, to be finally seitled at a 'filer date.

For some time past the Petoiie Borough Council gasworks have been very short of coal, and it was found necessary'to placo restrictions 011 street lighting. Last week, as things had still not improved, further restrictions were imposed, a ban being placed 011 the exhibiting of lights in shop windows in the town. Yesterday morning a number of jnciil business men waited on the Mayor of Petono to ask for some reduction in the existing restrictions. Mr. Carey, speaking for the deputation, asked if permission might lie .granted to have the shops closed half an hour earlier on nights other than Friday, so tlir.t a full ■prp.ssiirc mny bo had "Fridfiy nifjht, t.lie late night. Mr. Anpleyard, the borough gas manager, said that it would he impossible to revert to normal conditions for some time to come, bnt he saw 110 objection to granting the request of the shopkeepers. ' It was finally decided, to grant the request, and to allow a full pressure of .eras for to-niqlil. The riucstio" of restrictions would be considered at (lie council meeting 011 Monday. w|>en future arrangements would he made. Mr. Carev, 011 Mialf of Wis denotation, thanked the Mayor for his consideration.

•Vt a recent meeling of members of the Victoria Bowling Club it was decided, in order that the commemoration of peace be suitably marked by Hie club, the recommendations of a special committee were -unanimously adopted. A sulJieient sum of- money will be provided to establish two perpetual prizes, which will be awarded every year at. the Technical School, with the approval and co-opera-tion of the authorities. Tho prize), which will be of the value, of .£5 caci and known as the Victoria Bowling Club's peace commemoration prizes, are to be awarded annually to the secondyear students who attain the highest positions at tho annual examination. Discretionary power is to bo exercised by Hie director in carrying out the -principle of tho awards to tho best advantage in the purchase of text-books, instruments, etc. The vesting of tho prizes in the board will be purposely arranged so that all branches of technical education may bo served, and especially that encouragement, may be offered for study and advancement in those brandies which at present n.ro not so fortunately endowed as others. In order that the si-heme may be properly representative of the individual feeling of the membership it is intended thai lo give expression to tho wish of the meeting its suc-ce.-s shall lie readied by the spontaneous, generous, and oqi.al efl'oit of the whole of the members.

The conference which lias been called bv the Repatriation Board to discuss tho housing question will be held on August 29.

. An amending award was filed yeslertiuy bv tho Arbitration Court in respect to the Wellington (twenty-five miles radius) wholesale merchants', storemen, and packers. . This award provides tluic an ordinary week's work shall consist of forty-four horn's, except where a factory is carried on in conjunction with tho store, when the week's work must not excced forty-eight hours. Time worked bv storemen or packers in excess of the hours usually worked in any day in tho establishments shall be considered overtime, and shall be paid for at the rate of time and a half. An ordinary day's work shall not exceed nine hours, and anv time worked in excess of nine hours shall be paid for as overtime. The amended award becomes operative on September 1.

The case of the Bank of New Zealand v. Alexander Russell, a claim for £807 3s. foil, for moneys due and interest, which was set down for hearing before Mr. Justice Edwards yesterday, was postponed, as '.lie parties were in negotiation for a settlement.

A cood deal of comment lias been passed ou the youthful appearance of many of tlio crew of 11.M.5. Now Zealand. There are not many among, them who bear the appearance of hard-bitten mariners who have braved the battle and the breeze over a long term of years. A casual inquiry as '.o the age of the youngest sailor on board the battleship elicited the reply that he was .fifteen and a half years old.

Mr. John Prousc, the Wellington baritone. returned from the south on Wednesday morning by the Maori. In Dun-, odiij he sang the prophet's «iusic in "Eliiali" for about the sixtieth time in Now Zealand. Mr. Prouse states that the choir in Dunedin was excellent, and confessed that, even having heard the choruses sung so many times, he thoroughly enjoyed hearing them once more so well sung. The quality of the tone was admirable, thanks to an infusion of many fresh young voices, and their training by Mr. Sidney Wolf left nothing J:o lis desired. The other soloists in t"icoratorio wero selected from among tlio members of the society, and- got through their work quite well.

"A great deal too much meat is eaten in New Zealand," said Professor Worley in a lecture at Auckland. "The quantity consumed is out of all proportion to tho amount of pro'.cin required by tho bodv." He referred to tho large amount of nutriment contained in fish, particularly salmon and herring, and stated that the poor of Loudon had by necessity learned that kippers, bread, and cheesii, all cheap fcods, were of high nutriment. He expressed regret, that nothing had been done in New Zealand lo determine the food values of New Zealand fish, but said there was no question that all classes of fish contained in high proportions the requirements of the bodv. and should form a great part of the average diet.

Farmers are often doubtful as to the saving to be effected by having good roads, and are unwilling to rate themselves to provide for improvements to roads. Interesting evidence on. the subiect is given (says tho "Taranaki Herald") bv the oxpcriencß of settlers at the White Cliffs, whero a road was recently metalled bv means of a special loan. As Ihe result of the improvement in tho road surface carting from tho factory is now dono at ss. per ton less than the old rate. The sum thus saved is enough to pay Ihe special rates'of nil the suppliers and leave £5 over. Besides this gain the suppliers themselves had a good road instead of u bad one. and thus save much time and wear and tear to vehicles.

_ Thirty troops belonging to Wellington citv and district, ox the Port Hacking and Somerset, arrived by the Mararoa from Lyttelton yesterday morning.

On hii; return from Americn tho Rev. iilr. Hammond, who is president of (ho .N'cw South Wales Alliance, told an interviewer that he was present at the convention on June 17, at which tho league against the tale oi alcohol was formed, find lo which the loading countries of Ihe world gave their signature:). Ou tho Monday following tho introduction o? prohibition the police courts, for tho lirsr linio in Ihe history of San Francisco, were empty. He returned with the full determination to make Australia the first (Irv continent, America was tho first dvv nation.

The importation of the periodical implication kiioini as "Tlio Call: An Organ of International Socialism," published in London, is prohibited by a notice appearing in last night's Gazette.

An Order-in-Council is published in (he Gazette prohibiting the iimpoiiation of saccharin of foreign manufacture.

The following have been appointed deputy registrars of births, deaths, and marriages for the districts named:—Mr. G. M. Gilbert, Opunake; Mr. F.. .T. Shearer, Kaponga; and Jlr. Y. J. Delany, Uhakune.

The telegraph offices at llopelands, Maku and Ngaawapurua, and the telephone office and bureau at liaiwniwai have been closed.

A returned soldier, enamoured with the idea of getting 011 the land, recently married, and took up n hush farm near Waimiha, in the King Country (states the Auckland "Star"). 'Die young couple were willing to start life together in_u three-roomed house, and to furnish it. They bought a modest amount of useful furniture, and also bought e. sufficient supply of stores to last them throughout the remainder of the winter. 'L'hey were young and ardent, and wished to settle on their place at once; hilt, alas, for human hopes, the railway would not carry their furniture to the nearest railway station to their home. This, they thought, was an obstacle to he easily overcome, and a wagon was hired to take the stuff into the backblocks, but here, again, they were thwarted, for a big sup had taken placo 011 the road leading 011 to their new homestead, and 110 efforts were being made to clear it away, for there were 110 means available to clear the obstruction, and again the railway blocked (ho way by not allowing men to travel who could have done the job. The young soldier-farmer says there is not much in pioneering when there are so many difficulties to overcome. "But once I get in." he says, with soldier'.v optimism, "I'll make things hum, and try to forget the initial difficulties."

.At the Christchurch Magistrate's Court (states the "Press"), an application was made by ei father for a prohibition order to be issued against his son, a recently returned soldier, who is permanently crippled. The application was opposed by the soldier, who said ho had fought for three and a-half years, and lie considered lie was entitled to his liberty. His savings-bonk book showed that lie had withdrawn in three weeks .£59 out of tile J!23D which had been put into the account from his allotments. The Magistrate said that at that rate the youii;; fellow would not have a penny left in 15 weeks' time. It was a pity that the power qf operating on the lmiik account could not lie taken out of the young man's hands. The latter remarked that lie did not spend nil the money on driiq£ and said h» helped other "Diners," who would hare helped him if lie money. "Why don't you work?" asked Mr. Bailey. "Work! T'.m done for work. My knee is paralysed." "Then that is nil the mora renson why you should look afler your money,", remarked Mr. Bailey, as 'lie recorded the issue of the ni'ohibition order.

Mr. Chapman intends, to at t-lie next meeting of tl:o Harbour That; a comprehensive return oe prepared 011 the matter of the'Prinstman "grab," showing: (a) Cost. (b) Cost of upkeep, including repairs, wire rone, etc. (c) Statement on depreciation of grabs, cranes and wire rones, (d) Statement as to whether the cranes used are suitable for work with the grab, (e) Statement of charges made' for the use of cranes and grabs. (0 Statement showing whether economy is secured bv the use of the grab under present circumstances.