LOC4L AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 288, 1 September 1919, Page 4

LOC4L AND GENERAL

- ... fr— -■ A slmrp shook of earthquake was felt in the city shortly afler (en o'clock yesterday morning. The Men's Employment Bureau in Ghuzneo Street assisted 34 persons during the past week. It placed 28 in Government, and two in private employment, and secured reduced fares for four. '

The annual conference of the New Zealand Secondary School Assistants' Association will open in the west building. Wellington College, at 9.30 to-morrov. morning.

Application;, 105 in number, deah with under tho Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, at the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Land Board, represented advances totalling closo upon ,£IOO,OOO. It is noteworthy that while for some time past the applications received from discharged soldiers have been in -respect of city properties, the hulk of the applications now are for farms.

Notifications of influenza reported to the Christchurch Health Officer for'the half-week ended Thursday were:—North Canterbury, IS ca;<\s (four pneumonic., 13 mild, and one memum), Ashburton, two cases (one mild, one severe.), South Canterbury, one case (pneumonic).

Consideration was given at n meeting of the Wellington Boilermakers' Society last week to tho housing question, and the following motion'was carried unanimously:—"That this society views "frith apprehension the present serious congestion obtaining in this city (in the matter of house accommodation), such congestion being fully recognised as far from conducive to both public health and morality. and sincerely trusts the greatest publicity will bo given to this vexed question, and drastic and early steps be takon to bring about an amelioration of this serious state of affairs, and pledging itself to give its hearty co-operation in any endeavours to bring about a muchdesired improved condition of living."

The will of tho la.te Mr. .Peter Smeaton, formerly of Sargood, Son and Ewen, who died in Dunedin last week, provides for bequests of JCIOOO and all the net income therefrom, for ten years, for the benefit of New Zealand soldiers engaged in the recent war, ,£2OO to annuities and the Town-pinnping Society. ,£I6OO to the Otago University, payable on the death of a legatee, the income to be used for a research scholarship in science. An additional provisional bequest to the Dun. edin University will, it is hoped, bring the total sum to -«£'SCOO for scientific research. The sum of .£IOOO is to be invested and the income paid to the Dunedin A.rt Gallery Society for the purchase of oil and water-colour paintings.

in the Juvenile Court on Saturday morning, before Mr. E. Page, S.M., three boys, the eldest of whom was not more than eight years of age, were charged with breaking and entering an untenanted house at Island Bay and stealing two perforated chair seats and a key. ActingSenior Sergeant Wade said that the more serious part of the offence was that after entering the house tho hoys behaved in a disgusting manner. After hearing the evidence of Constable. Eedican, arid the statements of the boys, the Magistrate decided to dismiss the information on tho ground that tho youngsters did not realise the seriousness of their offence. The parents were ordered to share between them the cost of cleaning the house. No order was' made with respect to the chair seats, as it had not been shown that the boys had anything_ to do with them. One of the boys promised to return the missing key.

Cabled advice has been received in Christchurch (a correspondent recently telegraphed) that the value of the'rupeo on tho Calcutta market has again advanced, 'the latest quotation being 24 13-GM. It is oxpccted, though it is not stated, that a similar rate rules on the Colombo market. A further advanco is anticipated. Export business in Calcutta is at a standstill.

Nominations for the election of two managers to represent the n/irents of day scholars attending tho Wellington Technical High School will be received by Mr. G. L. Stewart, returning officer, up to noon of Tuesday, September 16. Tho roll of parents, now complete to. July 5, will- close at 5 p.m., to-morrow. Nomination forms may be obtained from the offieo of the Technical School, Wakefield Street.

Two cases which came before the sitting of the Arbitration Court at Christchurch the other day concerned interpretation of clauses in existing awards, and' after their hearing Mr. Justice Stringer remarked that it seemed to him a most deplorable thing that at a time when so much stress was laid upon employers and employees meeting in harmony such questions should bo raised. All parties should lw fair and reasonable, as in the presentation of these cases some friction must occur.—"Lyttclton Times."

Eaißins, and rico are flic latest goods to run short in the grocers' chops in Cliristchurch says tho "Lyttelton Times"). In some eliops rice lias been refused to customers for some days, and now raisins and sultanas are on the list of tho unobtainables. Tiie explanation of those shortages is that accumulated supplies have been held up in Australia by the shipping , strike, together with other groceries and general goods. Tho accumulations must be very heavy, as tho hold-up has continued for an exceptionally long time. It is expocted that the goods will come to New ,Zealand soon, bat the transport service lias been so severely deranged that no definite information is available. New Zealand is in. au unfortunate position an respect to Australian' shipping strikes, which hold up in the Commonwealth ports, not only Australian goods ordered for Now Zealand but also foreign goods, which, by present arrangements, art' taken first to Australia and are transhipped there for this Dominion. A city f racer, asked if, in tho case of tho New Zealand accumulations being brought over rapidly and being placed ,on tho market immediately tney arrive, a glut would result, replied: "You oan take it from me that there is no chance whatever of a glut. Tho market is too hare, and tie people have been without too > long, to ina&e it probable that the goods will iiot sell straight off."

Mr. W. Goss, at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Employers' Associa. tion, said that most employers in Christohurch were helping the Kepatriation Board to place returned soldiers in their former billets. A few eases were known of where the soldiers had not been treated fairly.' 1 One man had served tor three years, returned to the apprenticeship ho had left, and was paid'the same wage, 10s. a week; another man, employed by a local body, served in., four years and throe months/ und, on returning to his employment, was paid th» same wage, 255. a week. Another iniu\, who should be earning more than c£t a week, was paid the wage he earned, when he entered the ranks. IGs. a week. They were exceptional cases, but they rihould not havo occurred—"Lyttelton Times."

Force of habit was well illustrated at tho Magistrate's Court at Cliristchurch the other day, when about seventy offences under the i.'efencc Act/principally failure to attend drill, were considered by the Magistrate (Mr. T. A. B. Bailey). A staff sergeant-major, who was prosecuting, was recounting details of a certain delinquent's drill record, when the Court was startled by an exclamation: "As you were!" from the sergeant-major, who explained that ho was tendering tho wrong record. The incident caused not a little aiLusement.— "Lyttelton Times."

"The Diggers" is not i new designation (says an' exchange). The first English Communists were so called. They formed a minor political pt-.rty in tlie seething days of 1619, when our forefathers had cut off Charles's head and were looking about to see who should next rule. The term "The Diggers" was given because tlieso people dug up other people's land near Weybridge. Their spokesman was one Winstanley. They had mi idea that by the overthrow of King and Lords the Saxons had at last sot ;he tetter of the Normans. Of tlieso '"'-niirnir.-ts this vise was written by Ebenezer Elliott: "What is a Communis? One who has yearnings for equal division of -unequal earnings. Idler, or bungler, or both, he is willing to fork out his penny and pocket your shilling."

The letter of an anonymous correspondent wis summarily dealt with by the executive of tho Dunedin Returned Sol'.lmrs' Association. On the secretary reporting lie- had received a letter without any signature, a member moved that it bo destroyed and consigned to the wastepaper baslcot. This was promptly done. —Dunedin "Star."

Mr. Arthur Lilly, of Manchester Street, Christchurch, has been informed that his younger brother, Captain Leslie G. Lilly, after serving with the Westminster Dragoons throughout the Egyptian, Palestine, and Syrian campaigns, was demobilised on May 2. He is remaining in England, having been appointed manager for -Messrs. Smith and Lister, of their newly-formed branch in

tho West End of London. Mr. Lilly left New Zealand in 1913, and, previous to the outbreak of war, represented this firm in U.S.A. and Eastern Canada. Ho was at ono time a member of the Otago Itussars.

The Magisterial -inquiry into the Heathcote tramway smash last May is dragging wearily on its way (says tho Christchurch "Press" of Saturday's date). For four days' proceedings the official reporter has so far compiled 96 closely typed foolscap pages of questions" and answer.?. So far no evidence has been called for the Tramway Board, but it is expected that on Monday Mr. Dougall (who is representing the board) will open up his -case. It is hoped that the inquiry will be concludcd on Tuesday night.

Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce dinner at Christchurch, Mr. .T. J. Dougall prophesied that when the people of New Zealand realised the magnitude of the work Sir James Allen had done they

would erect memorials to him. Like every other man he might have been at fault upon occasions, but he had never faltered throughout tho war, and wo knew now that ho was right and acted rightly. (Applause.)—Christchurch "Press."

In the wrarse of a letter to his parents in Dunedin, Mr. Harry I. Cohen, manager for tho theatrical producer, Mr. Walter Hart, in .Chicago, states that since the "great drought" arrived in the States the room rates in hotels have gone up 50 per cent., and the restaurant charges in the hotels have also jumped greatly. He adds that all the decent eating houses in the States are attachedto. hotels.

During the last few weeks many people hftvo been surprised to see a few sovereigns and half-sovereigns in circulation (says the Adelaide "Advertiser"). No one has been able to explain where the gold coins came from, and it Is certain that if they get into the hands of any banking officials they will not be permitted to. go ojit again." Every gold coin that is paid 'into a bank is impounded. and only on special occasions will the institution pay in gold. Even then the sum must be email. When asked last week if he could suggest where the gold at present occasionally handled in business came from, a leading Australian banking official replied: "I would not like to say definitely that such is the ease, but I have good reason for believing that the sovereigns and half-sover-eigns have been put into circulation by German settlers who changed notes nni other coins and paper for gold at tho outbreak of war, and have been hoarding it. It was known pretty well in banking circles nearly flvo years ago that gold was going .out freely in certain places, and I suppose now that peace has been signed and there is no longer need for keeping it lying idle the holders arc paying out occasionally in gold, In certain Gorman localities t there has been much more silver in circulation during tho last few weeks than there has been for a long time." '

Labour Day will be celebrated on Monday, October 27, of this year. The Labour Day Demonstration Committee has secured the use of Newtown Park for the date in question, and is making arrangements for tho usual sports.

A petrol-driven "Black Maria" has arrived in Christchurch for the use of the central police, and the old horse-drawn vehicle is to be scrapped (says the "Lyttelton Times"). The new equipage i: of the_ type that all'the funny stories nre written about, and the big body appears to be a bit .bulky for the chassis. But for the Tioyal Arms,' in fact, tho turn-out might be taken for a dustproof meat wagon, but it is nevertheless a great improvement on its predecessor in. the matter of comfort and convenience. There are two little peep holes in front of the body, from which the guardians of the law may keep a watchful eye on their charges,! and two narrow seats at the rear provide a precarious perch for two slender constables. Alongside the body there are stretchers and other handy appliances. ,

The operation of rating on the unimproved values was the subject of inquiry bv the Cambridge Borough Council from local bodies. In a communication to the Birkenhead Borough Council, the town clerk of Cambridge mentioned that of the replies received 177 had been favourable towards rating on ,the basis of unimproved value, while 28 had been against. The annual conference of directors of technical schools and supervisors of manual training f-rom all' centres in the Dominion \yill be held in Wellington (probably at the Education Board's room), on September 9. This conference will be followed on September 10. 11, and 12 by u special conference of members of governing bodies and directors of technical schools convened by the Board of.Governors of t.he Christchurch Technical College.

A document of unique interest ana historical value has been acquired by the library of Canterbury College from the representatives of the Maude family (says the "Lytielton Tunes"). It was written in or about .1461, and is a genealogical tree of the British Kings with their pedigree from Noah ' downwards. It ends with Edward IV, and was written. in the interests of the Yorkist cause. It has been in. the possession of the same family since it i was first made. In the margins an abstract of history is given at great length, ana. this narrative, which is largely legendary, runs to more than 8000 words. It is written in monkjsh Latin, with much use of abbreviations, in a beautiful hand, on thin parchment. Tho whole roll is eighteen feet long and .about thirteen inches wide, and it is profusely and brilliantly ornamented with colours, which are as bright and fresh now as when they were first laid on. A complete edition oV handbook of the roll has been prepared by members of the staff of Canterbury College, and will bo published shortly by Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs. Tho edition will givo a complete transcrip of the Latin text, on English translation, an introductory explanation, with the history of the Maude family and its probable connection with the roll., and notes. The manuscript will be exhibited in the library at Canterbury College, as soon as tho printing is completed. with the handbook', so that can lv? seen and readily understood by all. It is probable that a public lecture will ba given by a member Of the staff, sliowin? lantern elides of parts of Hie roll and explaining tho text, as soon ar, 1 lit; handbook is available. The Board of Governors have iust voted a subsidy of jC2o towards the expenses of nrinting. which will be considerable. The Government nlready has given a subsidy of the same amount.

Tin: secretary of the Canterbury Education Board has sent the following telegram to tho Prime Minister:—"Tho RailWay Department is refusing the board':) teachers tickets to return home for the vacation. The position is intolerable. Can yon do anything to remedy matters?"— Press Assn.

At the reception to bo tendered to Sir Joseph Ward in the Town .Hall this evening, the chair will bo taken by Mr. C. B. Norwood, who will welcome th(> guost of tho evening on bohalf of tho Liberals of Wellington. The committee expects all the members of the Libera! Party in tho House to bo present in tho seats reserved for them on the platform. The. doors will be open at 7 p.m., and tho reception will commence at 8 p.m.

The shortago of shipping between Australia and New Zealand has lately placed in short supply many lines of foodstuffs and household commodities, notably methylated spirits, vice, sago, tobacco, and matches (says the "New Zealand Herald"). Tho two former articles are at present practically unprocurable in Auckland, and tho prices of rico and sago have greatly increased. A representative of one well-known Auckland wholesale firm mentioned to a reporter that a shipment of JJICOO worth cf matches had beer, lying in Sydney over since last October. Before the war these goods came out to New Zealand in tin-lined cases; now tho cases are lined with tar-paper, and Australian shipping will not lake them under hatches. As they can 1» carried only as dock cargo, they must await a suitable vessel, otherwise tho whole shipment would run tho risk of being ruined by 6ea water. It is hoped that tho settlement of shipping difficulties will now relievo the position, and that goods long orei'dos will siwrtlv como to hand.

It is very gratifying to announce that at the present tinio there is no reason to anticipate in this district u recrudescence of the outbreak of influenza, says the "Otflgo Daily 'rimes 0 oi' Friday's date. Practically nu cuscs have been notified in and around Dunedin during August, but <i lew cases have been reported from the South Otago district, though fortunateiy none ol a serious character. Dr. llughes (.district health ollicer) has been working with tho local Influenza Epidemic Committee, and in the event ot a recrudescence all arrangements are completed to meet the outbreak on the lines adopted previously. Influenza appears to be still uiiriy prevalent in Cnristchurch. For the current month, up till Wednesday, 21 cases 01 simple influenza and 15 eases of pneumonic influenza had been notified, The percentage of cases has, however, shown a steady decrease since the' beginning o: the month. Daily bulletins of like position in Christchurch are being forwarded by Dr. Chesson (health oflicor there) to Dr. Hughes.

-Ll luu peauj •i.uieuulioiic, Duutdiu niiHitf ao guud »i ahow ill Uio way oi UluUiiiialioiia as an.y cily iu me i/omm,ijii. homo say it Mas Me Lest tobservca tnc "our"';., 'liia cust or t"u<s acitiai tu tuo corporation \.as uii. jui wo outlay was' on piaUL, and us ereclion aiiu tiucing -uovrn. J.ms gi\es point ai.ii du.t>irauun to the laci tuai. me Wiupori electric suppiy is a great noon. Air. i-ieuuerioji, ti.e eieaiicai engineer, ieliunieu to a "aiar" rcpurter in conversation that tht> extra quantity ot power UiMid ior uicse illuminations uds uoi more or not jnucn inure tuau ma average supply to ouii oi tae cuiei luercantiiu uoeia. stated in jigiuec, me citra caliie to i-A; or -aAJ iiurte-uoner, aim n'anion yields,. btiOO.

i'looi present indications there is not a \iiij gieat uem u i jii\mi m tae uootretiUUiig lnuuaiiy tsaja tne Llifiatchtacii

"ri'.sa a uii'wmiuroii mm liaa just l'tcen en ttti ucvuuui lioin an Au«imnan MUl'cilUUSo lll'lll glYllig llttUlils w mo aceuuiic reimeieu, alia in u tag, taat travellers' aim unect. umtra'mll ue suivlieu only on uie distinct uiiuersUmuing that tuo gooui are to bo cimrged at tuo prices current on ttie day oi uispiiteh. Au accompanying letter states liiat' Ule Austi'ii.idu iiriii in question lias rccuivcu lroin ita various inaiiuiacturers news oi an advance on all Australian iiiaiiuiuutiirus oi anything up to 5U per cent., and sucn au advance haves tho A nsv I'd mi n mater ior similar goods witn an advantage oi aoout 75 per cent, in tliu latest qtKuations troni Lnglaud and America, ,'i'he letter proceeus tnat it was believed that lurcher heavy advances would occur. A world-wine Buortnge in Itauier «as no douut .about to occur.

HVairokei is tiie coming resort, anil itotoruu wiii have to took 10 its laurels," sliil a traveler to a'Uaikuto '"limes" representative in ltoiorua recently, it is understood that the com-, pany which has purchased the wliole estate will spend dtiuu.uou 111 forming tennis courts, croquet lawns, wwling greens, golf courses, etc. Work has already eon.mc-iiceii, and building is going apaco. It.is said of Wairakei that it has all the sights and wonders to be seen at ICotorua witnin a small radius, and no ■long and tiresome trips have to bo taken, i'lie syndicate is said to consist of wellknown Auckland business men, with p.enty of money behind them.

Lxhaustive inquiries irom residents 011 main lHauumds un the coast, iueiudins i'e halm, which is tiie nearest point lu White Island, substantiate Saturday's message, and empliasisu that reports of anything unusual occurring a;, White Island are absolutely wituout' foundation, states a Press Association message troin Opotiki.

Whatever you, do, don't pay a deposit on the land you choose," was the nuvico Riven to some returned soldiers by tho commissioner. Mr. it. M. bkcet at a muHniir of - the Auckland Land- Board, list us ger 011 the job, and we will light to see you get a good deal. The board is always pieaseu to see returned men, and vou will iind it the best father von ever iiad.-"-".\cw Zealnd Herald."

Lance-Corporal S. B. Williams, an Australian, called at Buckingham l'alace for the autograph of the lung and secured the autogiaphs of the Jung and &"««• Williams wrote a letter to Lord faUimiordham (the King's private secretary), and called with it at the Palace ami sard, "I have u letter for Lord < Stamtordham.'. Impressed by his uniform, tho foocui.ui passed Wiliams on through many sets 01 court officials until ho readied Lord Stamfordham, who secured the autographs for him. Williams then called 011 tiie Archbishop of Canterbury, who introduced Jiirn to 14 'bishops, alt ot whom sighed lii.s book. Williams has now the autographs of all the leading generals and statesmen, as well as those of President Wilson, the Prince of Wales, and llueen Alexandra.

Mr. Geo. Frost (chairman of tho Teciinicai • Education Board) and Mr. John S. Swan, ot' Wellington, are at proseat in Uiristclmrcii consulting ,iir. J. H. Howell (the new director oi tilt, Wellington Tecunical College) on tlu, plans of tho new structure. It eeems that Mr. Howell favoured n different main .entrance to tue college than that provided by Mr. W. S. I,a Xrobe. The latter gentleman in his sketch plana placed the main entrance on tne western side of the block facing the top end of Taranaki Street, but Mr. .Howell was inclined to favour the southern end ot the building, whioh idea, if tollowed, would mean the re-planning of the whole building. It is to explain to Mr. Hoivell more clearly thau can bo done in writing tho configuration of tho, land —tho soutnorn half of Alt. C'bok—and disposition of the streets that lead to the area, that Messrs. Frost and Swan have gone south. The ontranco planned> by Air. La Trobe was done deliberately. There is at present a piece of ground fronting Taranaki Strec-t, which may fall into the hands of the Technical College, and would serve to give direct acccsa to the' proposed main entrance without going up as far as Hankey Street. From tho present outlook it is not likely that much work will be done this year in connection with the erection of tho new college.

A Waiigamii merchant (according to the "Chronicle") received by last week's overseas' mail a letter from a well-known British manufacturing firm; in tlib course of which the following interesting_ and significant paragraph appears: "Wo have been shown a spoon of Japaneso manufacture which, is being sola in the Australian market at a. ver> cheap price. It is offered and marked as Doing nickel silver, and in appearance is oxaclly like tho British article. On removing a portion of the surface, howover, the article was found to consist oi brass, coated thinly with mckei. \ The danger of using articles of brass in 'connection with foodstuifs is ioo obvious to need emphasis. So far as can be judged,, iv month's use would lay bare the motal of which this spoon is composed."

j At a meeting of the staff of the Te Aro Ileuso Drapery Co., Ltd., the goneral manager, Mr. Thomas Forsyth, explained that was fully in sympathy with tho earlier closing of shops. He had not made an announcement sooner because an agreement was made the principal retail drapery houses of the ,city "that in view of . the probable announcement of a uniform award for the Dominion no individual action should be'taken in tho capital city that might prejudice tho hearing of tho award in other -centres." Out of loyalty to that decision of the Wellington conference lie had so far refrained from going back on his word, but us there has been a general recession by. tho Wellington drapoi-s from their agreement he felt that ho was free now to adopt 'the modified hours, and that Te Aro Houso would close as from September 1 at 5.30 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays. This applies to all employees whether in workrooms, office, or shop. In concluding Mr. Forsyth added that ho looked forward to the time when tho Shops and Offices Act would bo amended, so as to do away with tho lnte shopping night for all time.

Tlio development of aeronautics in the United States is on a scale_ scarcely pos- I siblo of realisation in New Zealand. While in Chicago, Messrs. Boyce and ■ Fleming, who have lately returned from | a visit to America, 6aw tho aerial post j leave for Cleveland and Ohio on more than one occasion. The mail (they informed a "Southland Times" representative) is carried in a gigantic baskot ap. rangement attached to tlio aeroplane. The Chicago evening papers are also carried to the outlying towns by aeroplane, while one firm of clothiers Kav'e been enterprising enough to adopt this method of send-' ing out their travellers to the various towns.