LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 300, 15 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During their tall at Newcastle (New South Wales), the New Zealaitders returning to tho Dominion by the Ellenga created a very favourable impression by the exemplary behaviour, and were specially complimented by the municipalities of Newcastle and Carrington. A Press Association telegram from Christclmreh states that an enormous sea swept along the eastern coast of the South Island during Friday night, inci'dentally causing extensive damage to protective works on tho foreshoro at New Brighton, storm reached its full violonco at New Brighton at six o'clock on Saturday morning, when the beach, on both sides of tho pier was a swirling waste of frothing waters, extending as higih as the tops of tho outer sandhills. Mr. Massey told a story at a dinner on Saturday evening about-his first coining into- Parliament twenty-five years ago, and how lie got tho news of lus election. Ho was elected for a back-block constituency, at a by-election. The political centra of the district was forty miles from Auckland. On the night of tho poll thu returns were not yet complete— ho hud a lead of a hundred, and there were thirty returns to come in—and lie 6et out the next day to ride with a friend to Auckland, still in doubt as to the result. He reached Devonport, on his way to Auckland, aiid was by this "time very keen to loam the best or. tile worst. On the ferry boat there was a man rending the paper, and lie asked him what had been tho result' of the election. The man, who did not know Mr. Massey, replied, according to Mr. Masse.v's way of telling about it: "That fellow Massey is in." "Only hp didn't say 'fellow,'" Mr Massey explained. The action of tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association in asking =£150 for two years' service as a gratuity has not been discussed by the Auckland Association, eays a l'ress Association telegram from Auckland. So far as tilie latter is concerned, tho decision of the N.Z.It.S.A. Conference still holds good. A deputation representing. Southland interests, headed by Mr. G. J. Anderson (Mataura), interviewed the Prime Minister on baturdiiy. to ask for the restoration of through trains between Invercargilt and Clirislchurch. The speakers urged that the- Railway Department did not save coal by breaking tue journey at Dunediu; and that very great public inconvenience was caused by an arrangement that made a two-days' jourey of a railway run that could be completed in about twelve hours by a through trai, Mr. Massey replied that one of the difficulties in the way of restoring through expresses was the late arrival of ferry steamers at Lyttelton. It might be possible to get a through train to connect with the Maori, and lie hoped- tho Waliine would soon be back in the ferry service. He would conbiilt with the Genoral Manager of Railways, and see if the request of the deputation could be granted. An improvement would be made if it was at all possible. In our report of the proceedings at the deputation which advocated the claims of Tonsrariro National Park to more generous recognition at the hands of the Government two errors occurred. It ivas Mr. J. A. Butler, president ot' the Ohakune Chamber of Commerce, not Mr. Parke, who opened up the discussion with the Minister. Dr. Newman was reported as having replied in answer to ail interjection that the area of tho park was thirty acres. As a matter of fact the latest proposal is to include in tho nark a total area of 100,000 acres.

A meeting of Northland ratepayers was held on Saturday evening at tho residence of Mr. Lance George, convened for tho purpose of combined action to obtain improvement of Knrori Road and construction of footpath. Mr. S. Clarke Johnson presided. Several speakers emphasised tho pressing need of a properly constructed footpath' from tho Botanical Gardens to tho Horseshoe Bend. Very strong comment was made regarding tho existing condition of tho thoroughfare. It was pointed out that upwards of two years ago the council requested property-owners to set their fences back to the ne-.v alignment, and stated that unless this were dono by a given date legal proceedings Would follow. Some of those present at the meeting admitted the receipt of the summons. Since that time nothing whatever has lieen done, and the residents themselves must now give publicity to the matter. It, was resolved that a petition should be prepared, that a deputation should wait on tho Mayor, that a further meeting be wiled to receive the report, and, if necessary, tako further action with llie. deputation to the City Council. The proposal before the meeting was the immediate widening and construction <5f the footnath along Knrori Road, from a point opposite tho Band Rotunda in Botinicnl Gardens 10. a point near (he Horseshoo Bend. Other matters of importance affecting the district were discussed. but it was considered advisable to concentrate on tho work of greatest urgency.

I Harry Lyon, a single man, employed as a greaser oh the s.s. Essex, fell from a tramcnr in Willis Street on Saturday evening, and received a slight concussion. He was taken to the hospital. His condition last night was stilted to be not be not at at! serious. A very regrettable incidont occurred at tho West Coast competitions, nnd is reported by the local papers. One of tho competitors in tho prepared speech question dealing with a New Zealand subject, gavo it as his opinion that there was only one remedy for maltcw, and that was "to haul down the Union .Tack and hoist the flag of republic Ireland in its stead." He was promptly rebuked and disqualified by tho judge, Mr. L''ar(|iihar Young, of Christchurch, who said it was an insult to war-stricken parents present, and a sentimont he was sure no decent Irishman in the audience would associate himaolt with.

Twenty-seven Indiana and twelve Chinose arrived from Sydney 'by the Koynil Mail steamer Makpru, which arrived at Auckland on Tuesday. The Indians a>!l passed the education test, and the poll tax was paid on each of the Chinamen. All were therefore allowed to land. The death at the age of 103 is announced of Mrs. F. G. Hill, of Oainaru. lire. Hill, whose maiden name was Marj Little, was born in Dumfries, Scotland, in 181 G. Her first husband, Ml'. James Liltie, died when her only chiid was eight years of age. Subsequently she married Mr. Frederick Goorge Hffi, with whom 6ho came out to New Zealand in tho sailing ship Dunlillan. Mrs. Hill and her second husband settled in tho vicinity of Anderson's Bay, Dunedin. Of later years, Mr. and Mrs. Hill lived a life of retirement. Latterly bronchitis restricted her activities, and to this ailment she uiitimately succumbed. A Christchurch wholesale hrin has noticed retainers that owing to the continued higher cost of raw coffee, which has advanced from .£l5O to <£210 per ton during the past month, they have been compelled to increase the price of pure coffee by 3d. per lb., and blended by 2d. per lb. An authority on tlie subject says that the failure of tiio Brazilian crop is the principal reason for the existing condition'of the coffeo market. As Brazil supplies nine-tenths of the world's production of coffee, this was a very serious matter. On top of this there woe a great deficiency in Germany and Central Burope. Some American exploiter? had also got busy and cornered supplies. Tils price of Indian and Island "offec has risen in sympathy with Brazilian, a lactor in elevating the prico for Indian coffee being the depreciation of the rupee. "We have only five months' supply in hand," says the merchant, "and even higher prices may have to be. paid for new consignments. It is doubtful whetherpcopie will buy coffee at. tho enhanced prices. Apparently the daylight saving plan now ill practice in flit; United States is not popular. John Dunn, Son, and Co., of New York, state in a circular to hand by mail: "This Bill passed by Congress annulling the daylight saving plan _ now in practice was vetoed by the President, and an effort made to pass it over his veto was unsuccessful, but probably further attempts to go back to tho old system will ba made." As Lord Jellicoe's motor-car neared tho Junction shortly after 8 o'clock the other morning two ladies, waving a Union Jack, were seen standing in tno road (says the Dunedm "Star"), llie car stopped, tho ladies approached, and Lord Jellicoe got out, and, raising his hat, wadted for themi to speak. Ho was told that they had . had the honour of seeing his back from the 6tage of His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday utternoon, but they wished to see him face to face, and "would he accept a slight gut in remembrance of his visit to Dunedin?" The gift look tho form of a greenstone tiki, with a card on which were the words "Kia Ora. ijord Jellicoe was both touched and delighted with the gift and the manner ot its giving I-Ie stood for some minutes chatting witti the ladies. Then he shook hands, mounted hts car, and sped north, while the ladies walked, to the tramway terminus more than delighted with their trip. Such was the last, and not the least happily expressed, farewell to Lord Jellicoe on 'his leaving Dunedin. At a sitting of tho Mount Cook Police Court on Saturday, before Mr. \\. H. Gov J.P., Patrick M Carthy was fined . 205., in default three days' imprisonment, tor insobriety. In his farewell speech at the Palaco Theatre, Sydney, on the 2nd. tnsi.,, Sir Harry Lauder mid: There is a oall from your Government to-day in the best cause tho world has ever I knowu-the l'eaa Loan. (Cheers.) I want you all to do your very best. You were tar iromh? war zone,' but it was nwtul. The wuko of the Iltvii is tho abomination of desolation, ior ho knows no mercy. Now they talk of German goods coming here, ajid of Gorman markets opening Stand togetlicr and keep theui out. (Cheers.) Develop vour own resources, supply 3 ourselves, work hard, down with the go elow" policy. I fail to see why tho slacker and shirker should eain the wine as the honest, hard' trier. (Clieeis.) It we open the, German markets our sons have died -int vaui, (Cheers.• I heard a woman the other daj all ex nectation for German sills stocking, tone wouldn't feel like that if she had buned a son iu France. And let them m) U'us. The British Umpire nailed closei up _ is tho League of Nations. Loud c 1 wis.) Yes: w ; e were getting a little cold before the war, but*when the Mother's call came wo all rallied together with a. thrill, all tho sons of Britain, g that first-born son so long separated, America,' rushed :.nto the field whe tilings grew hot. (Cheers.) Let tho union thus cemented never be-broken again iu this ivorld. (Cheers.)

•V very serious position has. on .account of the continuance oi the goslow" policy at the coal mines;in to Auckland province (says the iVw Zealand Herald"). There is a generalshoitalic of fuel among retailer* in the cvtj, and although this has been a. maiked feature of the trade ior many the position has lately been accentuated bv tho decrease in production. J\oi ie< serve stocks of cqal are hold by re Jileis nor have they been for a considerable time, and if a dealer obtains a qwwt of coal one day it is very, quickly gone, in fact, toiquote an expression used .0) one dealer, to whom the matter was referred the retail coal merchants are leading a. "hand-to-iiiouth existencCoal merchants in Auckland depend on local mines for supplies, and the effect of' the "gwtow" poliey ha> placed their businesses in « perilous position For probably eighteen month.., S lust week, no'coal from mm* has been allocated to Auckland letailcia by the Coal Trade Committee. lh« Omana arrived Irom Newcastle last In day, and it portion of her consignment of'coal was distributed among retailers, but was very quickly absorbed. The exciting sport of pig-hunting may still be indulged in within easy distancta of the centres of civilisation in New Zealand (savs the "Wyndhani Herald ), Mr. Alex. Kankin, who is employed on "indium Station, in odd times within the past eighteen months killed no .fewer than 500 pigs by shooting oi knifing them. Two other men from Owaka were given a contract to k! *' 3o^,- s ; per snout, and m a month deioted to 'the special work, fulfilled their conto . It is necessary to keep down the natui.U increase of pigs, or sheep-fanning would bo rendered unprofitable in the which pigs frequent. J pigs eineige from their cover, generally .it nijit, and raid the flocks, particularly m ing season, thus taking a heavy toll. Mr. Cyril J. Ward's motor-car, which was taken from outside the Opera House (Christchurch) on Ihursday nigh., was found in a wrecked condition on Lincoln Hoad, near the .Mount Jlagdala Home, on Friday niouuug (su>s the . ' The ear had evidently been run into a telegraph post, with such force as to smash the crossbars of the post. Ihe windscreen of the car was smashed, also one of the wheels, and, in fact, the tvies and tho engines appealed to be the onlv parts fit for further nse. So tai, the persons who took the been discovered, though, J> bloodstains on the automobile, thej weio evidently injured. In these days of tho "go-slow" policy bv the coal miners the foilowuig reuiaiks bv Mr. Hughes, the tonimomu.illh l'rimo Minister, on his , letl " L 'Australia are of interest: ie striction of out .3 : restriction of output, but that spmt of careless indifference to. productioJi must be condemned unsparing}. I" 0 ., who counsel restriction .ol o. 1-it a . b enemies of Labour, and it the r ™"» bo heeded will surely lead it to destine ion The workers have everything, to gain and nothing to lose by increasing output. They are. no,v.powjeiiul enough to insist'upon their tair slnuo of thai which is produced. The more they produce Ihe greater their share will be. fhe less they produce the less they will get. Messrs. Sargood, Son and Eweii have decided to consult their employees for suggestions regarding tho possible furtherance of tho firm's interests (»ajs nil exchange). The suggestions have t o bo handed in every Monday .morning, and a reward of XI is given in each branch to the man making what is considered by the management to bo tho toost sugKcstion The scheme has now been carried out for two weeks. "Wo have got tho men thinking," said the manager of ono of (he South Island branches, when questioned regard id# results, aad wo have secured quite a number of ( thoughtful suggestions."

I Steps have been taken to create a reviewing Department of the Public Trust Olliee to review estates under administration. Mr. M. 0. Jianiett lias been ap- ' pointed chief inspector. In establishing i the division the I)card desired to 'ensure that the following requirements should be complied with:—(a; That the administration of each estate is promptly ana efficiently conducted; tb) tual wie .payment uf estate and succession duty is 1 made within the statutory period; (e) I Uiat the profitable utilisation or every ■ asset ;s carefully considered, and in parI ucuwr tliat ail debis are ciosely followed up; td; tiiat tho cuven.i irs and conditions atwciied to leases aiu mortgages are properly observed; te) that continuous ana careful supervision is exercised over tho operations of companies and institutions m which the Public Trustee may for the time being 'be holding shares, scrip, or debentua-s on Uuiiaif ot estates; (!) that tile operations of'all busi ness undertakings under mo control of the i J ubiic Trustees arc regularly scrutinised. The rubbitskin sales in Dunedin on Monday of last weeic were marsed by ! towi ucuuiy. Jill -ne oiicnugs weie purcnaseu, at rales lun.y equai to and in some eases exceeding i/jae of a lortnigut ago, Ujju &mail uiie, specially enuite, leaiisea luuu. per lb., and six bales ol selected uoes urougiu- l'Jou. j.s liiitce winter skiiis run nve or six to tnu lb., one can sto mat there is money ia raobits. Tney are a better commercial prutAwiiiim lie 4s. cactt, surely, wan iamos iit Los. The total realiseu at tneso sates cannot be iar snort or «ei(K),«iO. These liyn prices, we are lolu, ale caused entirely oy tile American uemauu. and it looks as it' tney win continue, because a weauny country Uiat lias put 60 inuen money into ssma cannot allord to let tne values urop.—uuueuin "alar.'" Our stock of ricvs in Dunedin is running out (says the ''{star"), ft is tnrce moulds sinci; any rice was landed lioio now Australia, iroui .whence we get Lite milk of our supply. 1/uueuin meiouanis are selling ill very simui parcels only, uno oi Cue representatives oi a icuuing liouso said recently timt tlity were utuveriiii' only a bus or two at a time, and il anyone wanted live bags in one lot ilo couia not get so mucli. T'lie lowest price to-day was' 50s. per cut. lor a long periud tiio price stood at li-fs. and Sis. Aoou.t six weeks ago it advanced to 30s. So that'the present fignre means a recent advance of ids. it is said tuat i.u uii yudumiuy tnurb Will DO 110 l'«j* Quctiou ior a time. * ( t Mr. G. Hunter, of Auckland, lectured in the Alexandra Mull lust iiignt, under tho auspices of the Social l/einocratic Party.'on "The Eights of Children." Ho 6pose of improvements required in the environment of children and in social conditions generally; m order tiifit the auw generation might sturt life m the riKht way. A Press Association telegram from Gisborne states tuat the Waikohu county valuations have increased from i2,000,00u. ti> «£y,i>Ov)»UllU.