LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 297, 11 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The mails whioh were despatched from Wellington on July 17 arrived in Loudon on Februaryii. Tho Defence Department has been advised that the lonic loft the United Kingdom on Soptembe: 8 for Wellington, via Panama. , He* draft (No. 288) comprises 317 troops, 7 nurses, 5 Imperial officers, 3511 women, and 80' children. Tho lonic is expected to airive iu Wellington, about Ontolwr 23. A meeting of those interested iu the holding of sports celebrations on Labour Day was held at Petone last eveuiug. Tile Mayor of Petone (Mr. J. W. M'liwan) presided over a, fair attendance. Mr. Ohurehousa thought it would be a better idea to postpone the holding of sports until New i ear's Day. Tho Mayor was against any proposal to alter thu date. It was eventually decided that 1 those present form themselves into a committee to arrange for tho holding of sports on' Labour Day. Mr. 0. bitbery was appointed ssci o'tu-ry. With regard to a suggestion that any surplus profits from tuo celebrations bo donated to the funds of the lecal baud, it was decided to defer consideration of themutter until the next meeting. Perhaps the most degraded form of poaching is to stun trout by concussion when they are spawning in' the shallow waters of a river. A case came beforo u court up country. not so long ago in which an acclimatisation society's ranger canie upon a motor-car, whi.ii) occupants had gone down to tho river with their rifles to ind\ilgo in tiiis form of "sport." Tho ranger's first act when ho understood the situation was to let tho air out of one of the tyros so that the poachers could not get away with n rush. Then having seen thgui lit work— caught thorn, with llw goods, so to speak—he mado his presence known without divulging his olfieiil identity, and was invited to motor back homo with the party. At tho end of tho run the ranger quietly gathered up tho guns and bags of fcho "sportsmen," exhibited his warrant, and said that they would hear from- him later. In tlio Court tho offenders pleaded, guilty and wero fined ,C 5. Tho casa was referred to yesterday by tho secretary of tho society as showing what .queer ideas some people havo of "sport", Taking tho average worth of the sovereign in tho years I'JO'J-l!) as to the purchase of tho three lood groups (groccrirs, dairy produce, and meat) as u basis, its purchasing power (according to the Government Statistician's latest figures) has dropped to ]3s. 2d.; aiv.l, eimipareil with tiio worth of the sovereign in July, 11)11, tho purchasing power i>: the sovereign lias dropped to Its. Id, as fin as the three food group.-; are concerned, T> put it another wav, what cost 28s. i; 15113 now costs 31s.' 1-Jd. in WMlinglo: lids. 7d. in Auckland, 26-'. lll'.d. in Chri.'t church, mid 30s. .'I.UI. in Duncdin, so Hi; of the'four centre; Wellington has b?c tho hardest hit rcsp'.-cliiig i'uod, and ;■ rpgards clothes and rent .13 very ca-i !; in the lead as the nnst costly city i Nok Zealand from a residential point of view. j

The Kcbbcll estate, between the Wellington' Gas Company's property in Tory Street and Lome Street, has changed hands at a sum approximating «£22.0(1(>— ono of Clio biggest sales, in that vicinity for some years. Id is understood that charges of profiteering, laid against, a local firm of drapers, will bo hoard at tho Magistrate's Court to-morrow. One of the charges alleges overcharging for New ZealandniaiHifactured flannel. The case is creating a good deal of interest in trading circles. During the five days September 1 to 8, inclusive, li 7 case.; of influenza, were reported in New Zealand, 21 being mild, live pneumonic, and ono severe. Tlio Wellington health district had six mild eases, and one pneumonic case. Auckland had threo mild cases and one pneumonic. Canterbury and Westland nine, mild, three pneumonic, and ono severe; Otago and Southland, three mild. Quite a little arsenal of .arms has been collected fa'om poachers detectod by tho rangers of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. The most general form of poaching is the shooting of pigeons and deer out of season, and whon offenders are caught their guns aro taken posscstiion of by the ranger, and if on being prosecuted convictions aro scoured tho anus aro confiscated. Tho arms are then held at the disposal of tho Gov-ernor-in-Council. who has deputed his powers to the Minister of Marine, who, in turn, has asked tho Acclimatisation Society to deal with them at its discretion. As to what plan should bo followed came up for consideration at tho last general couierenco, and tho qucstion was held over, so tho lino of action to be taken by societies will not bo determined until next February's- conference.

Without tho necessity of appealing to tho Arbitration Court tho brewery workers in Wellington havo received an increase in wages as a result of an application niado for an amendment of tho existing award which expires noxt year. Tho union's original douiand was for an increase of 12s. Cd. per week over the ■rate granted by tho Court last year. Tho only matter at issue wa» in regard to wages, and nt tho firet conference between the parties •no settlement was arrived at. The delegates roported to the union, and a, further conferenco was arranged. At tho second cont'c:«ncc an amicable settlement was arrived at, tho increase granted being 7s. (i<r. per week air round, this to operate from September 5. \

That city and' borough councillors should bo elected for threo years, onethird retiring annually, was a proposal made to the conferenco of the Municipal Association of Now Zealand yustei> day by tho Deronport Borough Council. Mr. H. S. W. King (Mayor of Dovonport) s-tid that by the adoption of such a system old councillors would always he present to give assistance to new councillors. Mr. J. P.-Luko (Mayor of Wellington) favoured the present method of election. Ho did not think it at all desirable that they should revert to the old system of three years' tenure of office, one-third of the council -retiring annually. He did not think, however, that harbour boaiM and hospital' board elections should be field on tho sumo day as council elections. The present. practice was very cumbersome. After further disous.-ion tho words "one-third retiring annually' were deleted from tho remit. Mr. King then moved that provision ho made in the remit for Mayors to be elected for threo years, as well as councillors. Mr. Luko said ho was against the proposition, which would be only a'bar to progress. On being put to the vote the motion was carried.

A long list of hurts is detailed by Alfred Carter, of Bulls, who is petitioning Parliament for compensation in consequence of having been involved in tho Alain Trunk accident at Mataroa on November 8, 1918. Petitioner, who is a returned soldier, suffered the following injuries: Left arm broken; left collarbone broken; left breastbone broken; several left ribs broken; left lung pierced by rib; left hip badly bruised; right leg. badly bruised; right knee badly ricked; nervous system seriously affected. The financial losses detailed were: Suit of clothes, &7 75.; overcoat, -E3 175.; top' set df artificial teeth lost, ,£5 55.; hospital expenses,. ,£7 ss. In consideration of injuries and loss the sum of .£l5O h claimed. "'

Mr. T. M: Wilford (Hutt) is asking the Minister of Public Works it' ho willplace upon his estimates the sum of .£BSO for the purpose of' constructing a devia-. tion—which- is urgently necessary—iu the Hutt county at a point known as Stoke's Valley, the details of which ho.vo already been placed beforo him by the member for Hutt. "Thirty thousand new teachers would be required .in London when the compulsory daytime continuation classes were introduced," said a speaker at yesterday's conference on technical education. •' To introduce these classes herb would require three or four thousand new teachers, and while the speaker anI ticipated considerable opposition from | the employers to the classes, ho felt sure ' that the good to be obtained from euch. classes would 60on ho appreciated. The local office of Thomas Cook and Son has been advised that tourist business between England and Belgium has been resumed, nud that many thousands of people are Hocking over to the devastated area every week to view thegrim etfects of greatest war of all time. The places being most visited are Ostend, Zeebrugge, Tpres, Louvain, Ghent, Bruges, and Malines. One especially arranged, trity with experience, guides, well posted on the war and the ' war area, lasts a. week, and costs 35 guineas, but another, hardly bo comprehensive, costs 9J guineas, and also extends over a week. Referring to the trip advices say: "Except at the railway station there is not much evidence of destruction at Ostend. In fact, Ostend had donned a good deal of its pre-war gaiety. The Casino is open, races are taking place, and the inhabitants look forward to quite a season. But out against the eastern pier, her rusty and twisted' hull half-exposed, even at high water, lies the Vindictive, of imperishable glory." The case of a Christchurch. returned soldier wa.s mentioned in the House of representatives by Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton). Tho man, said Mr. M'Combs, >had lost his right arm: He was in illhealth, and was not fit for work. Ho was not. at present in a position to -undergo training. Ho had a wifo and three children, and was drawing "the miserable pittance of 30s. per week." Tho man, added Mr. M'Combs, had applied for a supplementary pension, and had met with a refusal from tho Repatriation Board, which had suggested that he should get into touch with the Repatriation Department with a view to obtaining employment of a nature suitable to. his disability. The soldier was receiving only 30s'., whereas the maximum pension was .£2 a week. The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) said ho could not inquiro into the case unless he had the name of the soldier. Ho suggested that Mr. M'Combs should sunply him with tho name... Mr. E, A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) has asked the Minister of Justice: (1) Whether tho J ustico Department has abandoned its intention of . building a now police station tit. Karori, tenders for which were called mouths n.go; and, if so, what is proposed to be done with tho section of land owned by tho Government? (2) Will he also explain why tho dwelling-house was purchased whicli is used as a. polico station, when all up-to-date building was promised? Hostels for technical school students were urged ns a necessity during tho discussion at yesterday's proceedings at tho conference on technical education. Mi'. T. Ballinger, of Wellington, stated Unit Wellington was badly off for hoslels, ami ! he cited an instance where girls comim- i from Wangainii were unable to obtain f accommodation in the city. The conference was unanimous on the need fur : such hostels, and it is to be rceom- j mended to tho Government that a por- j lion of. the education grant be'set aside j 'v this purpose. The Wellington Returned Soldiers' As- | .nciation has been successful in obtain- i ing thi! large Town Hull 'for tho ;i«- j journod ' extraordinary general meetim: ; on .Friday, at 7.30 p.m. A report will j ho furniMied by tho deputation which waited on Parliament in reference in : war gratuities. The secretary, Mr. Alt!- | rich, requests that all those who liavr : not yet obtained their financial' membership" cards will do fo before Friday nigh'., .is it is inconvenient to issue these at the door, and only members who nro in j possession of this curd will bo admitted. |

Tho Wellington Garrison officers aro proposing to institute a social'-club in Wellington on tho lines of the service clubs at Home. Tho question has been under consideration for some time past, and, at a recent meeting of the Institute, dt was decided to form a comniittco to take such stop* as may be necessary to give effect to tiro proposal.•' The clue is to bo called "The United Service Club," and the membership will bo open, on application, to all officers. It is proposed that this club shall bo established as nn officers' war memorial in the same way that the JKoyal Artillery and tho Hoyal Engineers aro establishing officers' club premises in London. An option has been (secured on a large li-roouied dwelling 'situated on Wellington Terraco (No. 'Ji>), and the properly has a reasonable amount of laud surrounding it to allow for building extension, tho parking of motor-cars, etc. Thero is ample room for a. lecture hall in which can be held tho usual series of winter lectures, and thero will also bo tho usual appurtenances of a club in tho way of billiard, writing and reading rooms, etc. Several bedrooms will lie available, and it is hoped to develop very soon full boarding arrangements for visiting officers, it is estimated that the scheme will cost from MM to .iiUliu to establish' on a satisfactory and permanent basis.

When the transport Chupra recently arrived at Lytteitun (says a Ohristciiurcii correspondent), complaint was made tliai the nitssing accommodation provided tor tho sergeants was uiisalisiactory, Doing third class instead ot second class, as law down in standing cites for New Zealand transports. The then mess president (Sergeant-Major W. E. Hah, of Chrislcliurch), who represented the'noncommissioned officers in the matter, has received a letter in which Detente Headquarters upholds the protests, and promises redress. Apparently the owners' of the vessel—the British-India Steamship Navigation Company—were entirely responsible, not havinir kept to the terms of the contract. The communication from Defence Headquarters states: "I have to advise you that the matter was officially reported, by the oflieer commanding the troops, and has now been fully investigated, with the result that instructions have been issued for the accounts of tho Gl nou-coinniissioiicd officers concerned being credited with the sum of £i each. 'This amount represents the difference between the cost of second and third-class messing for the voyage from the United Kingdom to NVv Zealand. The total amount involved w!<* be charged against the shipping company concerned." No Auckland candidate for the lihodos Scholarship has been nominated by the Professorial Hoard of the Auckland University College. Commenting on this fact the registrar, the .Kev. A. B. Chappell, stated that the war conditions, and the absence of many senior students from the college, had resulted in the board being unable to make any nomination — "New Zealand Herald." Very few applications have been made in Auckland for stock in the Victory War Loan of ,£10,(!OU,'JOO, which was opened to the public for investment on Saturday (states the "New Zealand Herald") The post office authorities state that tho amount subscribed so far is very much below expectations. A rather novel,point was concerned in connection with a compensation claim at the Arbitration Court in Christchurcll recently. Plaintiff had lost the use of several fingers in tin accident at his work, and in applying for compensation from his.employers asked the Court to take into consideration the fact that as a piano player he earned in spare timo nn extra 15s. a week by dance engagements. Mr. M. ,T. Gresson,' who appeared for the defendant firm, contended that that was no concern of the defendant. Mr. Justice Stringer (president of the Court) said that in regard to piano playing it .was a new point raised in the Court proceedings, and one in which there was a prospect of adding to the terrors/ of employers, for it might bo that an employee was a highly skilled performer. , Mr. Gresson referred to a similar application at Home, which had. not been allowed. A girl employed in a laundry was in the habit of earning a little extra by teachiug tho piano in .her spare time, and in applying for comnen?ation for an accident at the laundry, by, which she had lost the use of certain fingers, she asked the Court to take ■.that fact-into consideration..-.

"I aru.ono of those who feel that Now Zealand can be mado a- great industrial country as well ns nn agricultural country," said Mr. G. George (Auckland), in advocating compulsory daytime continuation classes at yesterday's conference on technical education. In dealing- with the euliject the sneaker,pointed out what Germany had achieved by adopting such classes.' In 1908, Mr. George, when in Germany, had an opportunity -of seeins the classes in operation, and they had then boen in vogue for three years. One employer told'him that he was convinced that the results obtained had more than paid for the inconvenience to employer-. jU first tho employers opposed the classes but they scon appreciated their advantages.' "Special classes in chimney sweeping were held, which included the making and repairing of brushes, ns well as instruction on .the scientific side," concluded the speaker.

Some attention was given by the conference of the Municipal Associations of New Zealand yesterday, to the question of peace memorials. The subject was brought forward by Mr. J. A. Nash. M.P. (Mayor .of Palinerston North), who moved:—"Thai; tho Government be requested to -pass legislation authorising local bodies to contribute moneys from their ordinary funds for the purposo of establishing permanent peace memorials and that the Government be asked {x sulwidise such expenditure as per scheduio already drawn up, find which does not apply to memorials of a permanent nature?' Mr. C. J. Parr, MX, C.M.G. (New Lynn), said the Government had a large amount of expenditure ahead of it for tho nexl; few years, and he did not think it would be worth while to ask it to subsidise funds for memorials. Other speakers took the view that moneys tor memorials should be raised from the public by subscriptions. Local bodies, they contended, should not be called upon to erect memorials out of ■their own funds. Tho remit was carried after it had been amended by tho elimination, of all the words after "memorials."

On behalf of the Takapuna Borough Council tho conference of tho Municipal Associikious of New Zealand was asked yesterday to support a proposal that the Municipal Corporations Act he amended to enable the biennial election of Mayor and councillors to be held on fcho fourth Wednesday in March, in place of the last Wednesjij in April, tho Mayor to como into ollico on the first Wednesday iu April in place of the first Wednesday in May. It was explained that tho objects of tho proposed ulcerations were that the term of office of tho councils would coincide with tho period of the financial year. Under tho present law a retiring council had charge for over one month of l;ho affairs of tho borough during a new financial year, and might inako heavy commitments which . its successors would liavo to recognise. It appeared only reasonable that a council should have control over tho finances from April 1, when a clean start was made, nud not havo ,la liake' up tho running after iivo or six weeks had elapsed. Mr. IX Dixon (Mayor of Hitwcra) said thero was no reason for adopting tho remit. Ho had never heard of a council making heavy commitments just beforo they wero going out of office, rno proposal was ncgi;l:ived.

An adventure with u shark is reported to linvo been experienced •by a parly crossing from Wuihoko .to Eotoroa lsliuul in the Salvation Army 'launch Iris it few days ago (says the "Ne\v Zealand Herald"). T.ho launch lia<] a punt of timber in low, ami when about 500 yards from the shore of Koloroa it was bumped with such force from below that the occupant* feared that their craft hud struck u submerged reef. Within i\ moment, however, a shark, about 20ft, long, v«ts secu circling the boat and a few seconds later it commenced to Tush the stem of the emit anil ' to { thrash the i.,i,it io Kiiiiu kiili us'(ail. The launch succeeded in reaching the shore in safety. On the previous day, three sharks, varying from a lOit. Gin. "shovel-nose" In a lit. "thrasher," were caught from the same launch. Thro? cases of lethargic encephnjilis wero reported to v the Auckland district health ollicer during the week ended al noon on Monday last. They compiled one case eacli at'Utahulni, ilunlly, and Tauranjja. No cases occurred duri'i« the previous week.

A raro and thrilling sight was -witnessed at Spongo Bay recently (says the Risborne paper). A resident, noticing it tremendous commotion in the wa.ier,. proceeded to the beach, «nd to ms amazement discovered a large shark and huge sunfish. engaged in mortal combat. Becoming exhausted they got stranded in shallow water, and -with the help of couio Maoris were finally captured. An order from London for 5000 sacks of oats in one line has had lo be turned down by a Uunedin merchant, although ihe 'handsome price of 7s. Gd. per bushel c.i.f. was offered. It is'doubtful (states a southern paper) whether there are enough oats now available lo meet 01ders of such magnitude; but,'quite apart from the question of supply, the rate of freight asked—namely, J;to 10s. per ton plus 10 per cent., less 5 per cent., or equal to practically 3s. lid. per buslieiubsolutely prohibited acceptance. Business in oats is resumed between New Zealand arid Australia. The s.s. Nga-' kutii is carrying 5000 sacks from Uunedin to Sydney. On her way she'will pick up more oats at 'l'imaru. and possibly she may add to her load at Lyttcltuu. It, is stated that the sales to Ansiralian buyers were effected at rates up lo is. Pi!. Ires on board, sacks in. Mi: !.i. J.ii.Mi'.- (Wnipawa) has asked tlio luini.-.l.'i- vi hands whether tho Gov-, orument will rt.vpcii negotiations with the Native owners with a view to the draiua'go of Hie J'oiikoua ].ake aiid the purchase of the land reclaimed. He states that by the drainage of 'the lake some of. the finest laud in tho Dominion, now unproductive, would be available for soldier settlement. ' ); A list of Auckland firms who have received certificates entitling them to fly the Repatriation Flag of Honour has been published in an Auckland paper. The list, which has been issued, by the district repatriation officer, Mr. P. 11.. Eurbush, contains the names of t'B employers who for the time being have fulfilled all their obligations in (he mntter of the repatriation of. their employees. _ The number of, employees in the oervice of these- firms' wno joined, the forces is upwards of 2COO.