LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 290, 3 September 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has forwarded !hc following letter to His Excellency the Gov< rnor-General (the En>.l of Liverpool) -.—"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excollehcy's dispatch of May 7 forwarding a specially-bound copy of a statement compiled by the Chief of the General Staff in Now Zealand, relating to the provision and maintenance of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Tho volumo has been submitted to the King, who received it with much interest; and I am commanded to request youi to convey to your Minister)! an expression of His Majesty's thanks."-

At a mooting of the executivn sub-com-mittee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association last night it-was resolved: "That the association congratulate Major J. B. Hirie on his elevation to Cabinet rank, ami the Right Hon. the.Prime Minister on-his action in appointing a returned soldier as one of his colleagues in the Government of New Zealand. In doing so, the association— a strictly non-party organisation—wishes to make it clear that its action would have been the same if Sir Joseph Ward, or any other political leader, had been His Excellency's chief adviser and had appointed a returned' soldier to Ministerial rank." . r

"How cold it is!" was a common observation in Wellington yesterdn.y morning. A glance across i;he harbour almost in any direction convinced anyone making eucli an observation that there was reason for the cold, for tho hills above Tinakori Road, along the Khandallah heights, on the Petone _ and Belmont ranges, and across to Wainui were clothed in a mantle of snow that gleamed white in the spring sunshine. During the early hours of the morning, the southerly storm which blew up at 10.30 p.m. on Monday brought along a taste of Antactic, unceremoniously defiant of the faot that it was <'.he second day of spring (according to calendar). The snow rested in slowly diminishing quantities until noon, when the bright sun's rays dispersed the white veil on many of the ridges, though there was still a keon bite in the air.

'.'We were instructed to add 135 per cetif. to the .net cost of tho article," said .a witness in the Magi-itrate's Court yesterday in giving evidence in.a civil action. "This would cover the landing charges, our profit, ami the wholesale. 25 pe" cent, discount."

The late Mr: Mackay, who as reported in another cokumn 'has left a 6um of 416,000 .for New Zealand charities, dted in 191". He cani9 to New Zealand from China about fortyfive years ago, and tor a number of vears conducted A furnishing warehouse in Brandon S-rcet.. He retired from business and during Ih'e last twenty years of his life travelled n jtvent deal between the Old Country rind- New Zealand, never rcniainini! lane; in ary country. Mr. Mnckav was uot married, and as far as is; known has no relatives in New Zealand

At 6 o'clock last night Constable Cleverlpy,,of the Wharf Police, was admitted to the hospital suffering from a broken leg The injUry was caused whilst wrestling,.

When the House of Representatives went into .ue new Legislative Chamber las , ; session there werii many and bitter complaints from members about the faulty acoustics of the new room. There was in fact a , very disconcerting echo, and those of the members not accustomed to much speaking in public were very, often quite inaudible not only in the galleries, -but inaudible also to their fellow members on the floor of the chamber. A special committee was set up by, the House to go into this and other mat terfl connected with tho improvement of tho comfort of members in their new homo, and this commit teo has been working for almost the whole of the recess on the problem of 'myroving the acoustics of the room. The committee- called to its assistance Professor Clark, lately teacher of physics at Victoria College, and with his aid a very effective set of devices has been.-used to stop the echo. Absorbent material bus been placed on the floor, under the ordinary coverings, and on panels of the walls above tho galleries. So skilfully has tho work been done that the presence of the foreign matter is not observable, and certainly the result of tlio work is an immense improvement in ibeacoustic propor-ti-!S of the chamber. The members of tho committee are well pleased with their work, and have some jrroumd for a feeling of satisfaction in,work well done.

Tho tepid swimming bath at tho Boys Institute, closed last winter for lack of funds, is now opeu daily and each ovening. The attendances . have been increasing every week, and consequently tho returns are more encouraging to the committee.

The following playen aro congratulated in Hie annual report of tho Cricket Association for special performances as follow —Seniors: W. A. Baker (Bast), for scoring 254 in an individual innings (a record); J. S. Hiddlwton (North), i'or scoring 210 in an individual innings; F. S. Middlelon (North), for scoring 217 in fin individual innings; J. S. Hiddlcston and W. J. Wagstall'e '.North), 307 stand for fifth wicket. Juniors: 11. Murphy, for scoring 127, 135, 177, 112, in successive innings. ;

Tho question of military training in secondary schools wne discussed at tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Secondary School Assistant Teachers' Association last evening. A resolution ( moved by Mr. P. M. Eenner, "That tins meeting fully endorses the value and continuation of military training in secondary schools," was carried, and Rafter some consideration tho following resolution, also proposed by Mr. Itci.uier, was passed: "While approving of the pamphlet 'Senior - Cadet Training', 1919/ this meeting calls the attention of the Defence authorities to the preient great loss of effort expended by Senior Cadet officers of secondary schools owing to the want of co-ordination betweon tho .military training in secondary schools aud outside unite."

A. Press Association message states that an unusual occurjence, the first of its kind in Wanganui, took place nt tho Supreme Count tliero yesterday, when n "tales" was called duringj the .empannolling of tho jury for the trial of the last criminal ensp of 'lie session. Tho number of available jurymen was very small, and. challenges made by counsel and accused exhausted the list beforo tho requisite jurymen were obtained. There wore a number of bystanders In the Court, and His Honour ordered tho doors of tho Court rooin to bo closed. Five men wero wanted for the jury, but only three were obtained in Court, and tho sheriff had to go abroad and summon othors. Half a dozen were secured, ana tho jury was finally completed.

Tho Whakafcane county clerk states that he is receiving applications for employment at tho rate of iivo daily and tho town is becoming full of unemployed. The men are coming chiefly in response to an advertisement for 200 men on the local railway work, .wluvo operations nro delayed pending the surveys.- As tho county riding loan lias not vet b?tm cujvied no work is available, uml there is no accommodation, which is causing dw trees.—Frees Assn.

The Post and Telegraph Appeal Board, which commences its r-itting tins afternoon, will bo engaged m Wellington for about six weeks.

Amom: the. most brilliant returned sol-dier-students who are hiking the Ucpatriiitinii Deßurtiiieiil'B commercial course in Auckl.iml are two men who w ( ere formerly labourers but who :il'<! now: unable to follow their old occupation.?. . The. proeress tliese men have made is reported to bo remarkable. ■ They are described ns "born book-keepers." Unfortunately tlie health of both has broken down, and the-v have been compelled to go into hospital fat; treatment.

The manufactured price of boots in New Zealand is at tho present time probably as low as anywhere in the world, bat tho price at which they are sold retail does not reflect tho fact in any marked degree, That tho manufactured pri.'e of boots in New Zealand is reasonable is proved by tho amazing fact that a Wellington manufacturer has received an order for a thousand pairs of men's boots from England, and for sale in the Old Country, which is probably the only order of the kind ever given in the history of the trade in this country. Tho manufacturer was quite prepared to execute, but before accepting ho made inquiries as to whether ho would bo permitted to export, and the Baord of Trade decided against him. He was asked as to whether lie considered the order he had received was an indication of a permanent trade between New Zealand and England in boots, and had to answer in the negative, which fact settled his chances of fulfilling the order.

The objection of Mr. R. T. Bailey, Inspector of Awards, to give evidence in a case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday was upheld by the Magistrate, Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M. -Mr. Bailey claimed exemption under section 100 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908. The caso concerned a claim for wages between master and servant, and the solicitors engaged in llie proceedings agreed that tho witness could assist tho Ccurt by his evidence.

An Anglican clerical missionary brotherhood is to be established in tho Waiapu Diocea;, with headquarters at Oporiki. Tho first priest of this brotherhood, tho Rev. C. E. , Hunt, has-already loft England, and the Rev. Canon Foster, Principal of St. Paul's Missionary .College, Burgh, Lincolnshire, will follow shortly, in order, to take charge of the brotherhood. Hβ hopes to remain in New Zealand for two years, so as to establish the brotherhood and see it adequately staffed.

In its annual report, tho Wellington Cricket Association places on record the very cordial relationship wliich exists, anil has existed for some years, between the association and the Wellington City Council, and its appreciation of the courteous and helpful manner in which the Reserves Committee has always dealt with any applications made in the interests of cricket. The committee particularly desires to thank Mr. George Frost for the' very valuable •• assistance given by him at all times. The committee records its true appreciation of the loss sustained by the Reserves Committee in the death of the late Mr. James M'Bean, who was one of the City Council's most valued officials. Mr. H. Thomas, of the Town Clerk's staff, is also thanked for his very able and valuable services.

The Wellington , Waterside Workers' Union held the monthly "stop-work" meeting yesterday morning. There was 'a full attendance. A deputation consisting of''Messrs. .Tames Roberts (Vy-retary of the Waterside Workers' Federation), L. Glover, J. G. Bruce, nnd James Liurenson was appointed to wait on the Wharves and Accounts Committee of the Wellington Harbour Board at its next meeting, to protest against the method of police supervision suggested by the board in respect to men leaving the wharves. The members, it was stated, would not work on the wharves under pcfice supervision. 410 was voted to the New Zealand AVork<>re' Union to assist in the work of orgnnis.in? the country workers. A return-, ine officer and two se-rutincers wero appointed .to conduct all bnißs taken during the year. Mr. L. Glover was appointed tio represent the union at the demonstration to be convened by the Wellington labour Representation Com-; mittee to nrgeunon the Government and council to provide efficient dwellings for workers.

The' To Awamutu Power Board Committee, when seeking provision for a loan for reticulation, was advised that existir.!? lecrislation does not allow of loans bv the State Advances Office for electric installations, as these are not included in the schedule of public works for State loans, (states a Press Association messaeei • In view of the widespread movement for electric development, the board decided to make urgent representations to Hip. Government for the necessary legislative amendment.

Mr. S. W. 8.. M'Gregor, Australian Trade Commissioner, arrived at. Auckland bv tho Niagara (stales a Press Aesooi&tiou message). He is visiting New Zealand to keep in "touch with matters affectimr, trade with Australasia and the Old Country. Ho will be in the Dominion six to eight weeks. He says there are irruat possibilities for the development of trwle between Australia and New Zealand and India, chiefly in foodstuffs, canned fruits, .tinned soups, biscuits, and butter. There could also be an extensive trade in tomatoes. ' We, on the other hand, reauired Indian jute, wheat sacka, caraets. laces, and embroideries. Tho idea was 'to foster British trade as far as Dossible and British standards as opposed ,to. American. '. ■ i

Sueakinc at tho conclusion of a bowlim* contest at Wavorleyi New South Wale 6. Sir Harry Lauder eaid:—"Now that lam in Australia I want to preach to vou. and I want to preach to others 'work.' I would like to know where the successful men of the world to-day would have been had they' joined a i union nnd decided to work six hours a day. ' You hear a lot about, equality also. I know that, all men are born equal, but when the race for life begins and the road strotehes out long and broad it is not for a. man to toll by the wayside, and then ask others to stop. On the other hand, he should- urge tho swifter ones on, and Inter-thev will return and help him."

Tho bodv of Mr. fl. H. Marshall, manner of the Auckland brunch of the Guardian Fire and Accident Assurance (Jompiinv, 1 was' found floating in the Parnell iiwimininß baths about 7 o'clock yesterday morning by two early bathers, who Drouir'ht the body to the side, and got it put of the water, only to find that life was extinct (states a Press Association telecram). There wns a hole like a liullnt wound in the corner of the left' eye, which suKcested tlfat tho matter was more than ono of accident. Aβ a rosult of investmations, it was found that a note had been left by Mr. Marshall, which disDosed of any suspicion of foul nlav. Mr. Marshall was very woll known in business circles in tho city. Rβ whs a married man, and leaves a wifa and family.

Tho advisability of introducing the daylight saving scheme into tho Dominion was brought under the notice of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on Jmdoy when a communication was received from the Hastings Chamber stating tli.it their body had decided to take steps to endeavour - to introduce a daylight saving measure by putting the clock torward half an loiw from October 1 to March 31 of each year. ..Tho co-operation of the local body was solicited, arguments put forth in favour of tho project being the necessity for preserving coal, as ovidenced by tho present shortage, anil tho pronounced success winch had attended tho measure in England .during 'the war. Several members spoko ot the beneficial results'that had been ■evidenced where the echemo had boon tried, and it was resolved that tho chamber support the movemontof tho Hastings body, and that tho Auckland members of Parliament bo requested to endorse tins action.

■A plea for one churoh service only on Sundays did not meet with mush favour at ft Church Union meeting in Devonport last woek. "Wo used to have only ono service on Sundays in the district in Scotland whore wo lived, and it worked well," said a speaker, "because it enablad tho minister to visit the homes of his congregation on the Sunday evening, and to enter into their modo of living, and fostered a true .link of comradeship between pastor and people, which 'led to lasting good, for thcro was more true religion in that remote Scottish village tliiin any other place we have ever been in. Much was to bo said from tho.people's point of view of only holding ono service each Sunday." . '

An abundant potato crop is expected in the Pukokoho district this season. A much larger area than usual has lxrn planted, and so fn>- Hie plants are lookin*,' extremely well, though the season is not yet sufficiently advanced to enable a reliable 'estimate to bo made of the probable increase- in production as comiwrcd witji the previous season. The excellent returns received last year, duo to the absence- of blight, have encouraged growers to plant freely, in the hope of Fmving another year froo from the dreaded pest. It is slated that cropping land at Pukokohe is now selling at high rates/ areas in favoured localities having real=Clsfl an acre.