LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During the past week the Men's Employment llureau in Ciliuznee Street placed 30 persons in (Jovernment and three in private employ. It also assisted one man by securing for him a reduced railway fare. The ollicer in charge of the bureau stules that light work is as hard as ever lo obtain. Heavy work is plentiful in the country districts. Skilled workers are much in demand.

At the Duiiediii Police Court yesterday a taxpayer was fined <C 2 for failing to supply a return of his assessable income by .lime 2. 1910 (states a Press Association telegram). The Department staled that it would be couleut willi a minimum fine, the objeel of the prosecution being lo give publicity, and also to cheek Hie practice of making no return, leaving it lo the Commissioner lo make a definite assessment.

Jiven members of Ihe Legislative Council, buys the "New /.ealauU Herald," aro not exempt from Ibe disabilities inllicled upon the general public in connection with the railway restrictions. Desiring to leave' Auckland on Monday nexl, in order tu be'in Wellington lor the opening of Parliament, an Auckland member of the Upper House notified the railway authorities on Wednesday that, he would be requiring a scat in the south-bound train ou llio day named, lie was informed at first: thai there, was no certainty that he could obtain a seal. This drew a repori: lhat ho inlea.l'd i" li-imml the train in any ca-.c. and that the railway authorities wou.'d have lo duly deliver him at his destination. Later, the M.L.C. was informed by telephone that if lie persisted in going by .Monday's train he must have his luggage at the Nation' by 8 a.nil .mi Saturday. This condition the legislator agreed lo comply with.

The Trninwaynien's Congress, representing the federated tramway employees of New Zealand, met recently at Chrislclntrch, and discus-ed. inter alia, a remit urging the federation, ;is Mich, to keep clear of political action. Speakers to the remit urged that, the allilialioa of industrial unions to the Labour I'arty was apt. lo raise within the unions political issues that tended lo dissension. The remit was adopted, and now, it is stated, llie Wellington Triuiiwaymen's Union i 5 the only tramway employees' union that remains aliiliaied tu the Labour Pmvv. The Wellington union will probably have lo decide soon whether its view' of political action coincides with that taken by the congress.

A man named Harold Gardner, residing at No. iff! The Terrace, was last cvenin" knocked down by a tranicar in Manners Street, opiwsite the Clarendon Hotel, and received an injury to his shoulder. This was attended to at the hospital, and Gardner then went home..

At last meeting of the Education Board certain members criticised the T.vall Bay School Committee for having "gone over,the head of (lie board in order to deputatiouise the .Minister about I lie acouiremonl: of a piece of land. The chairman of the committee (Mr. A. W. Croskery) yesterday made the following comment upon this criticisml he commitleo did not. go over the head oi tiio board as suggested. The board hud recommended the purchase ot the ground in quest ion. but nothing bad been done by the Depnrlmenl lor such a. time that tlie committee deputationiseil the Minister in order to back up the recommendation of the board. The committee, however, at all limes reserves to itself the right to deputatiouise the Minister, without the sanction of the Education Board, upon any educational C|iiesiions it considers to be of sufficient importance."

A decree nisi was granted by His .Honour ihe Chifi' Justice (Sir I'obori Moul) yesterday morning in the divorce case of Howard Harold Armstrong \v Gertrude Armstrong, which was heard earlier in the week. The ferouud of the petition was desert ion. The respondent was allowed J!45 costs. At the liearin?, Sir John Findlay. K.C., with bmi Mr. .1Morrison. njjjMwri'd for iho politioTior, and Mr. M. Myers, with him Mr. Hogg, for the respondent.'

.In connection with the Wailaki High Schooi memorial to ex-scholars who have fallen in the war, the principal (Mr. holier) offered -£500. and said (he boys wcte prepared to raise another by fore»oi'ii" their prizes, organising entertainments. etc.. II is. proposed Ihp I an avenue of oaks bearing, plaque? with I lie names of the, fallen soldiers insrribed shall lend up to the entrance. The suggestion was made at a> Hireling of Hie Masterton_ Progressive I.eague ihat loinponiry housing'in ihe form-of ienK nii r M he provided in c oith> itnnlo spot bv the local authorities during .[ijfi. summer months, It .was contended the rent from t.hfl would wore P'U for their erection.

\ horse attached to. a gig. in which were two women, run away at. Gisbovne, •and crashed through a, large plate-glass shop window, .causing .damage to the amount of JSMI. The horse was severely cut about the head, and chest, Ihe .occin panls of the vjliiclo-were not hurt. It was at first anticipated-that "the. new -consumptive-sanatorium at Wnkari would be completed about, the end of. the year, but'the contractors are,—like many, others being seriously hampered by the present railway "rest rictions. They can get neither sand nor lime by rail now, and they estimate that the delay involved will extend to at least three months, so .'.that.'the contract will probably not be completed till. March... They have to consider the question of using substitute, materials, nnd also- the em-; plovment of motor ami. dray transport in ulace of the railway service —Auckland" "Sir,!-." '

The Maoris who own the .picturesque lands that fringe the many beautiful bays and inlets of Lake Kotoiti liavo acted very handsomely in llie matter of giving tlieni to the' Government, as a scenic reserve (says tho Auckland "Star"). The idea 'ame first to the mind of-Sir Francis Bell, who has charge of scenic reservations, because he-saw that with the .rapid opening, up of llie-surrounding iands these beautiful 'patches'of .native bush that clothe the pretty promontories jutting into the lake, and also the borderlands, to the lovely little beaches on -the north shores of the water, were in grave d.-ijiger of being, destroyed by tho often unconscious but still more frequently uncaring vandalism of the pleasure flippers on the lake, After being npproachcd with the proposal tho Ngatipikiao tribe, owners of the.lands, gave them to.tho Government to be administered by a 'board consisting of a Government official as cHiairmati and representatives of the Maori owners. ' ■

The honour of leading the Dominion in the annual nurses' examinatioiiv has fallen to the Auckland Hospital two years in succession (says the "New Zealand Herald"). On the more recent occasion, namely, in the June examinations, Nurse Young, of the Auckland' Hospital, headed the list of successful candidates. At the meeting of tho 'board a month ago she was presented with a gold medal for having come out at the head of the-Auck-land' candidates, her wider success being announced at last Tuesday'.? meeting of the,board.

"Thank you for nothing," was the.tono of the Auckland Hospital! Board's reception of an offer from the Defence Department of the loan of a niotor-ambuhiiice. The .communication containing the offer stated that the Department had -10 war ambulances available- which it was prepared to len dto hospital boards. The Auckland board could have one on certain conditions. These were that flic ambulance should be kept in good order, and he pinced at (he disposal of the Department when required for training purposes, oi- in the event of mobilisation. The chairman. lAlr. W. Wallace, remarked that the Defence Department apparently wanted the hospital! boards to be responsible for these ambulances until mobilisation occurred again. Re'-did not think the people of the Dominion were going to tolerate military training, however. Members present expressed the opinion that jt wa- better to have ambulances thev could call their own, and Dr. ('. E. Afaguire said that a number of the. ambulances the Department was offering to lend the boards had • only canvas side?. Tho letter was formally received—"New Zea'aiid Herald."

The shortage of coal lias bad one good effect in the Taihape district. The demnnd for firewood thereby caused has resulted in farmers cleaving up their sections. Where three months ago was a mass of fallen timber and dead" standing trees, may now be seen hundreds of cords of firewood neatly stacked up- for disposal, Firewood is fetching from £2 to «£3 15s. per cord, according to length and duality, and it is very riuestionable whether ;u these prices the return per acre for firewood is not better than (lie royalty paiu for the bush for milling purposes in Ihe enrl.v days.

At the annual meeting of the committee of the Coal and Blanket Fund in Christehurch, Mr. H. Holland expressed the opinion that two questions appearing on the printed form of application lor assistance-one referring to the applicant's religion, and the other as to whether or not applicant attends picture shows—ought to be expunged (says the "Press"). The Dev. P. llule explained that the questions were a relic of the days when the fujid was administered by representatives of the, churches. Some ten years ago an effort was made to' prevent professional beggars overlapping on the fund. In one month a single family in Clii'ielehurch set itself doviq as belonging to the Salvation Army, the Presbyterian Church, and tho Anglican Church. There were nomadic famines that had to be dealt with. In Duncdin ou one occasion lie visited » colleague resident in that city, who was rung up on the telephone by a person who complained of being in distress. Mr. Rule, on a-king for the person's name, touiid thai it was that, of a Chrislchiircb family who had gone from one denomination tci another before it was driven out ot the cily. As !o I lie pictures, the question was inserted _ nil the form becausc some l'amili"s receiving help spent Ironi 7s. (id. to Ills, a week mi I lint amiisenienl. The commillcc. Mr. Rule said, fell llial. il was iniquitous if Ibey spent even half of that sum. II was ininuilou.s to spend even IK or 'is. n week ou piclures in the line months of the year, and apply for coal and blankets in the winter mouths, lie suggested that ibe q notions might lie eliminated from the application form and inserted in the -ii'de to visitor-. The retention or climinaliou of the quest'ions was left to ! he Mayor and Mr. Bulft.

Anions; the correspondence received recently by an insurance company, says nn exchange,-ww "a surprise packet" .contained in n registered envelope in the shape ul' i'KIII "conscience money."

The purchasers ol' land on (lie Cabramalia J'ark Kslalc )i;ive had a remarkable .stroke of fortune! (savs file "Sydney Morning Herald.") Tin: e.slaie us owned by (lie well-known properly .sale,-man, Sir. JTugh t'ritehard, of Auburn, who, it is slated, received a divine inspiration lo make a peace ollering by releasing from their liabilities all the client* on his books lo .Inly II on Cabnimalla l.'ark Estate and other estates. This lie has done by giving lliein clean receipts and free Iniosiers. The aggregate amount of-tho"jjifi" will, it is estimated, run into J-l!0.000. He. lias not only given a complete clearance lo those who have purchased from him land on the instilment Hvstei'i on his various ('stales, bill he has wiped onl debts owing him io over .WOIIO. One purchaser of bind on the Cabramalla Kulnle has boon handed a receipt for .(Mill, Iwo olheiv-' for .£2(!(l each, and several for over JjlOO. It would seem «l hat: I hose who were behind ill their payment* reaped Hie greatest. advantage. Several, il is slated, had taken advantage of Ihe 'Moratorium Act. and got sadly behind in their piiyincnls. They. too. gol a clear discharge, while those who struggled on and succeeded in paying oil' the whole of their indebtedness get nothing.

Mr. .1. K. Mae.Miuius produced exhibits of considerable inlere.sl at I lie Dnncdin I'etnniod Soldiers' Association Committee meeting recently in the form of a number of soldiers' confidential reeoro uinls. He explained that he lind picked these up about tlie wharf, where thc.ift were plenty more lying round. II appeared Hint some M hales- of these cams and other records were .being sent down to the Maluura paper mills, via lnverrargMl. and they were-evidently insecurely packed and carelessly handled. The committee decided, un the strength of Mr. M'ucMnnuiiV; representation, to make a strong protest to the Minister of Defence and send him a few samples of the cards picked up. and also to. make a similar proles! lo Hie officer commanding Iho dis'.riel.—"Olago, Daily Times."

The high esteem ill which Mr. A. J. M'illdowney, oi Iho Y.AI.C.A., is held by llie members of the t'ealhersion Military Camp was shown in a very enthusiastic maimer en 'I hursday nignt, ii: liiu Y.M.C'.A. building at the camp. Tlio hali.was crowded, cvciy available man who could bo present attending to iarewell Air. Al'Eluowney, who iviii be leaving shortly lor Australia. At a suitable interval during .'the evening Colonel 11. J. Al'Lcan,- C.b.8., on. bena.i' oi Ino boys in (lie hospital and camp, presented him with a. travelling-rug, a suit-case, and an autograph iitljuip, signed by ail tliu members oi the camp. A concert programme was .'endered, comprising song* by S.Q.AI.S. Shale-George, S.Q.M.S. Hell, Private Morrison, Private Webber, banjo solo by S.Q.M.S. Connors, sketch by Sergeants AlKins and Salmon; burlesque 'aet'b'y "l.en." More'ni• "comic-'speciality, Hunner Adingtbn; .nnd duet by S.Q.M.S. Shale-George, and ' Staff-Sergeant Palmer. The whole of the, arrangements were carried out mosi ably by too joint secretaries—Stair-Sergeants Palmer and Private W. Johnson, who imd'the assisi"a'ne'o'of"a willing'cbminittee.

In. his report on., the trade of-Samoa, Ihe British Trade Commissioner. Mr. K. W. Dalton, pays a. fine tribute (o tho work of Mr. W. M. -Matheson, the-liqui-dator appointed by. .the .Mew. Zealand Government; in Samoa, and of-Mr. PalMck, .tlio auditor. Mr. Dalton says it is'quite clear that the. estates of the D.H.I'.G. have been very ably managed (Since Samoa.was occupied by New Zealand, ancl considerable reseivcs have been built up. Last year, lie stutos, it seemed to'liim that the D.11.P.G. concerns had been managed by liquidator just as well as if not better than the D.H. managed the.m themselves, and that after (he war the coconut plantation will he ,in a much better condition, than they were at any time Samoa was occupied. Air. Victor Galway, Mus. Bach., late organist of St. Andrew's, Brisbane, who has been appointed organist and choirmaster of First. Church, Dunedin, ' arrived here yesterday from Sydney by the Durham. Mr. Galway has been nine years out from ■ Scotland, six of 'which have been 'spent, in - Brisbane, -where as a.n organist and accompanist, he has done good' work, but was compelled to leave Queensland owing .to his wife's ill-health. Mr. Galway is a firm believer in competitions and examinations as spurs to effort in music in the young. Ho is' to judge the music, sections at tho Dunedin Competitions next month, and enjoys such work, much of which fell to his' lot in Queensland. Air. Galway also believes that tho Government should have control of the music examinations in New Zealand, instead of allowing so much money to go out of the country annually to provide scholarships and bursaries in English' musical ' colleges. Ho is also an advocate for licensing teachers of music. There were, lie &ays, always musical quacks, and the best way' to prevent them gulling the parents of children was to have a strict examination of all applicants for 'eacliers' licenses.

Practical farmers express the opinion iliat there will bo a' very considerable shortage in the area devoted to wheat this season (writes the Geraldino correspondent of tho Christcliureh "Press"), and they anticipate that next harvest wit! not nearly supply the requirements of the Dominion. It appears that- several causes have contributed to deter farmers from growing more wheat. Due reason is that sheep need less labour and are more profitable. Another is that the cost of labour for cultivation and harvesting has increased materially, as also has the cost of thrashing, ami farmers arc dubious whether labour will be available for harvesting. Still another reason has teen stated, and this is that farmers' wives and families, being unable at times to secure domestic help, lind that tho work of providing for harvesters is too great a strain upon them. Farmers recognise that a short supply of wheat may be a very serious thing for the country, especially considering the possible difficulties in connection with transit] but they ask; "What can we do? We must "consider ourselves."

The Cluistcluu'cli Society for tlie Prevention of Cruelly to Animals lias been endeavouring to secure information ns to the probable 'cost of erecting a ilethal chamber as a means of killing; the various anima:s condemned by its inspector (.Mr. I). J. White.), says the "Sun." .At last meeting of the society a communication wo? received from the Sydney scciety statinir that such a chamber'could lie established at a cost of about .£lO. However, the letter stated that in London a system of electrocution bad been adopted with good success. The secretary was instructed to get into Ipiicli with the City Electrical Engineer, asking what tile cost would be for establishing a syslem of electrocution in Chrislchurch.

Branches of a new organisation—tho Royal Society of St; George, which flourishes extensively in Canada and the United States—have been established in Queensland and Victoria. It is a lionsectarian, non-partisan,' pursir patriotic concern, intended to be a rallying ccntro for all men and women who' believe in maintaining (tie principles of taw and order, and who support the monarchy as the symbol of unity in a ureal democratic Kmpire ot" British nations.

In yesterday's issue a typographical error occurred in the business announeement of Messrs. TCirkcaldie and Stains. Ltd. The iicw.ri'abVic, "Hawaiian cloth " was wrongly quoted at 2s. .Id. a yard, whereas .the correct price is lis. ;ul! per yard.