LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The. lalosl' demobilisation report shows that on September.2B the strength of the N.Z.F.F. in France was G'.', in the United Kingdom 2M'J, patients in hospital 20", men with wives ami families in the United Kingdom ,1:15, evaenalod since the iitmif lice 4-1,515.

Passengers by (lie Moana, which berthed Yesterday, reported tliul Srsn Francisco was absolutely clear of (he influenza epidemic v.hcu the vessel left that poll.

The Jewish Day of Atonement commenced at sundown last evening. Special sci vices are being held in the synagogue to-day.

To add to Hie complexity of the food problem, potatoes are now tcteliiiiK an I'.lniornially high price, anil judging from reports from the south there is not likely to be any casement until the early new crops come in next month. 'J'he prices ruling in Uio markets yesterday wore XVI 10s. to ,£l3 per lon lor sound lines.

Speaking to a .Dominion reporter yesterday a 'pn-songcr from San Francisco stated-that liquor was practically 1 unob : tainable in that city. Me also stated that, a few private people or means bad got in ii supply that would last them for about, two years. Whilst (he Moana was at San Francisco «nrLv last month between twenty and dirty battleships of the American Pacific fleet were anchored in the harbour. Mr. Leu Barnes, tho Wellington baritone, who lcit for Sau Francisco about two months ago, srrng his way into popularity on board ship, and the night, be- . for: the strainer entered the Golden Gate the passengers presented him with a purse of sovereigns, or the equivalent in dollars. Air. Karnes took Villi him a letter of introduction from Dr. Bradshaw, of Chrislcburch, to 'Mr. Edwin J.emarc, the City Organist of San Francisco, and the Wellington singer writes that Mr. Leinaro is doing all ho can for him. Critics present at the. Bohemian Club when Mr. Barnes *ang predict success for him in the United States. Among the. great artists' to appear Ihis season in San Francisco are Ada Forrar, Mischa Klniau, and Tetrawiini. A peculiar position'was revealed during the hearing of a maintenance case before Mr. .1. F,.' Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court, Dune.din, on Wednesday. In answer to n question why he had allowed 4:111 arrears to accrue, the defendant said he had been in legal custody for fifteen months, and had therefore been unable to earn anv money.-' Senior-Sergeant M'Jwimarn stated that the man had been confined on the inebriates' island for tho time stated, but on. his release had refused to accept, work as cook 'on tho' island at £'\ a week. As tho accused denied this, the Magistrate adjourned the ease so that evidence on the point, might, be called. JTe remarked ..that, owing to the circumstances! of the cute, (hero seemed to )r little, hope of recovering the. amount of the arrears. Owing to the Town Rail and Concert Chamber being fully booked up. M.he Wellington EetUrued Soldiers' Association will hold ils extraordinary general meelins in the Svdnev Street Schoolroom on Friday, October 10. at T.Ufl p.m. This is expected to be one of the. most important meetings yet, held by the association, owing "to the fact that a conference is to be held shortly and remits are to be prepared and delegates appointed. In the,course of the annual report of Ihe tramways department, it i* stated ihat the epidemic of last year proved fatal in tho case of fourteen men employed in the various branches of tho service. The loss of revemic'attendant upon the epidemic is set down as about

£MW. On March 31 last Hie Wellington mu-nii-.ipal tramways staff totalled 612 hands, comprising 72 officers and MO employees.. Them is n movement in favour of placing Macqiiarie Itfand, now a Ta'smn'nian dependency, under Federal control as a refuge for bird and animal life and a meteorological station. When the question was raised some time ago. Tasmania atked -ilG.flilfl for the island, and the mn.tlerMa.p-cd. 'More recently the 'Minister of Home and Tcrritories(Mr. Glynn) has renewed the negotiations, as an indirect result, of Captain Hurley's statements about the great destruction of penguins and sen elephants on the island. An inoniry into the circumstances surrounding'the death of Isaac AutonolV, an art dealer and picture frame maker, who died at the Hospital on October 1, 101!), was held bv the Coroner, Mr. W. G. Tliddoll. S.M.,"at the Courthouse yesterday. The deceased, who was JO years of age, was a married man with a wife and child, and resided at Happy Valley. On June 23 last the deceased was found with r, cut in his throat, and was removed to the Hospital. The deceased had linen in the institution on other occasions to ho treated for phthisis. The medical evidence was to the effect that the deceased died from acute phthisis, and n verdict was returned accordingly. Sergeant Oriiickshnnk conducted the hi-' qiilry on .behalf of the police. "Ft was a common thing' to throw fruit about the fruit markets," said a defendant in an assault case at the.' "Magistrate's. Court yesterday. "Andaro the Hindus made the bnlt of this fruitthrowing?" asked Mr. E. IVe, fi.M. "'So," replied the defendant; he had never seen fruit thrown at a Hindu. "All officers concerned in dealing with Medical Board papers of. returned soldiers (says a general instruction' issued by Defence Headquarters) are directed to trec.t such papers and all other communications which affect a man's pension as 'very urgent,' and on no account to retain them longer than -absolutely necessary. This is essential hi the interests of the men .concerned in order to obviate delay in the assessment and paying of pensions." At the Duncdin Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr. Bartholomew, S.M., gave, his decision regarding recent charges preferred against watersider.s that, having the use of certain premises, they used (he same as a common gaming-house. The defence raised was that the defendants did .not have "use" of the premises within the moaning that expression, had in the Gaming Act. "use" connoting more than mere physical use. The Magistrate upheld this contention, and dismissed the cases.—Press Assn. A tribute was paid io the Hew L. Hard at. a meeting of the Centre Executive of the lied Cross .Society, when the following motion, proposed by Mr. J. A. Flesher "(chairman), was carried:—"That the executive desires to place on record its appreciation of tho ■ self-sacrificing work performed by Hie l;ev. L. Hard in conducting the Red Cross Inquiry Bureau for the purpose of obtaining information concerning killed and missing soldiers. The bureau was first established by this centre in October, 1315. and afterwards was extended tr> cover the whole Dominion. The Tlev. L. Hard took charge in ,lunc, 1017, from which time the workdeveloped considerably, entailing a vast amount of correspondence, time and (rouble, not only on his part but also on the. part of those who co-operated with him.,. The executive would tender the V>v. I. Hard its warmest thanks for his splendid services and congratulate liim on Hi" success which attended his efforts."—Christchurcli "Press." At the Protestant Political Association uu'ptiug un Thursdav night, the president, Mr. Kwnn M'Gregor. said, he wa= an employer of labour, and had men at one lime' in his employ who arc now worth their thousands by their own hi. rtnstvy and IhnTt. The resources of New Zealand were beyond comnarison with nnv other country. "Wo had clay of .inch n quality that would make the finest pntlcrywarc without requiring to be mixed as it is in Englivnl. We bad the best ore lor steel and iron, (hat our needs could lie saimlicd. and leave sumo In export. The Government .-hould "iicotirage the development of these indiwtries, bill thev were bumpered llnwili the unrest canned bv Ibe extreme agitators who culled them'clvcr worker- _ ami who seemed to be "reing Hi'ir fe'l.'w- • nni"ide- to rovoliilion end ilv.-lriicliipi in Ibi* Dominion a- in i'ii«iii. Knglnml i„u| ~1-ewhere. It w.-i ''i<?l> Ibne Ho.' \w -ilizflis .if New /""bind should be ari!">:ed to know, miri r-ili'-e Hi" nnn-.o ~r lli"s:i peo'ole. who l-d mm sH;- ;ii "i- ---,„■„,:•■•• end so ■•■ tl'i-.T In 10.-e. but rvi'l<|!ii|ig to g-rin be clai'ilii!'." !'"■• ~'.:..', i,„-...,m„,l |.-. ~|'„.r.-. Cun-biblc V. (•'•"■■■"'• ■-•' '■ • yesterday on a charge of tbefl i.f two iil I), litis of corneil beef and I luce tins ol condi'ii-'cd mil!;. AiioHiei' man wh* arivstnl oa a charge of receiving the above gouds.

, An enthusiastic - meeting of officers attached for duty with the Senior Cadets in Group V. was held in the Garrison Officers' Club on Thursday evening. Tho meeting was called to discuss arrangements for the Senior Cadet tournament, to be held on November 2!l, and it finally gave its approval to a programme, inchiding the following items:'"Rifle exercises, lug-of-war, route, marching and bugling. In addition to the items mentioned (|uile a,-number of other competitions were projected, and n Variety Committee was formed to cater for the entertainment of spectators by sucli humorous specialties as might commend themselves. A mussed physical drill display by the competitors \vill be a feature of the tournament. The interest that the Cadets arc displaying in the project augurs well for its chances of success.

Once more at the City Council Councillor P. Eraser wised his voice against Uiscnmmatiou in letting the Town Hall free of charge. Referring to the privilego bavins been granted to the Kelluirii. Hoy Scouts, Councillor Frases said that only recently the free use of the Concert Chamber bad been denied the Waterside Workers' Union for the concert in aid of "the poor little children of Hrokcn H.ni;*"* When questioned at a previous meeting as to the cause of the need for the concert Councillor Frascr said that owing (to the poor steamer M>rvic.es;, he had no details. When he raised too point on Thursday, the Mayor said Hint ■there must always be a" certain discrimination, but. thev were not to give the hall free for the benefit ■of the strikers at Hvoken Rill. On the- ot.iicr hand tho Scouts had done excellent work through the war and during the. epidemic, and it was a movement he, and he . believed every olher councillor thought, should he encouraged as one conducive, lu the good training of the boys,

The Appeal Court yesterday concluded ttrc hearing of the appeal brought by.George Hunter Catc*, of Auckland, tliu respondent being Arthur (lupin Conning Glass, also of Auckland. The appeal was against the judgment of His Honour Mi. Justice Husking given in the' Supreme Court, Auckland, wherein His Honour refused to give judgment for the appellant, who was the plaintiff in tho Lower Court, on the jury's lindings, and granted tho defendant Glnss-a new trial in respect lo one matter. After hearing argument by Air. C. I'. Skerrett. K.C., whojvith Mr. Vailance, of Auckland, appeared for Ihe respondent.'ami the reply of Mr. ,1. 11. Heed, K.C., who with Mr. J. C. Peacock appeared for the appellant, the Court reserved decision.

Tho consent: of Hie City .Council has been given tho Kelburn and Karori Tramway Company to install a now enstiie and hauling gear in connection with its tramway.

A-I'i'css Association message slates Unit Ihe mascot of the battle-cruiser New Zealand, Hie bulldojj Pelorus Jack, was handed over by Captain LogKclt to the Deputy-Mayor sis a. gift to the citizens of Auckland, The "able sen do;,'" wits immediately dispatched to Motuihi Island, where it. wilt require to remain in quarantine, about six months. The period may be less, seeing that since leaving Australia on board the' New Zealand, TcWus Jack lias not. been ashore at all. In the meantime- its silver harness and its gold collar have lieeii taken possession of by the Superintendent; of Park", who will eventually bo the custodian of the rlog. ■ ••' .

Tim dying hours of the conference of tho Counties' Associating).yesterdnv wert somewhat enlivened by a discussion on motor-car speed limits, and the'president 'Mr. A. E. Jull) was asked if he could indicate, how motorists could Iw compelled to idhcro to speed limits as fixed by local Ijodics. "Yes." remarked Jlr. Jull, "I have ail'idea which I have always consistently advocated, and it is this: That nil motor vehicles'should be lilted with a device which, when the epced limit: was. exceeded, would automatically ignite the petrol and blow the wholo thing up!" (Loud laughter.) Subsequently, tho conference passed the following resolution: "That in the opinion of this conference it is desirable, that a uniform speed limit for all motor vehicles not exceeding 30 miles pbv hour bo enacted" •

. The address presented to Viscount Mlicoe by the Auckland Harbour Board Was recently on view in Auckland city. The front cover, made cf puriri, is probably one of the finest figured pieces which hasvloft New Zealand. .In the centre is the Admiral's coat of arms, a beautiful examine of. the wood carver's.'art. 'Suv~ rounding this is. a centre 'panel "of inlaid woods, composed of black niaire, silver pine, rimu, kunri. Now Zealand ash, tariare, tanekaha, rewa rewa, with greenstone inlaid in tho corners. . The outside of this, panel is a. border,of richly carved clematis.' The inside of Jhis cover is also inlaid with woods, including.a panel of mottled, li-tree, surrounded by a border of wood from the.ship Boyd, whose crow was massacred at Day of Islands. The back cover is of puriri, with inside panel of mottled totarn and marginal border of silver pine and Now Zealand cedar. The live pages (if which the address is composed arc finely illuminated. —Auckland "Star."

"If vou saw a man fishing for tomcats with a hook and line, you would probably consider it cruelty," remarked Sir. IT. S. S. Kyle in an address delivered at the. annual iiieetinj; of (he Cliris'.ehurch Society for the Prevention of Cruelty te Animals, "yet. it is not considered cruel 'to catch fish in. that way." In the course of his remarks Mr. Kyle pointed out thai; it did not always mean that « laino animal was in pain. Regarding the transport of cattle, be expressed the opinion, Mini it was not necessarily cruel to deprive them of food or. water. . 1" the case of cattle on shipboard, it was found that they were apparently too frightened to chew the cud. To give cattle water on a two days' train journeywns likely to accentuate digestive troubles. A good story comes from I'oxton way., When the Otiiki were on. portion of the -road for a distance of 1.00 yard l ! or. so was covered with water to a depth of about a foot. An enterprising Maori, who was forced to absent himself from the sport owing to shortage of cash, hit upon nu expedient for making the da; profitable. He donned a pair of long gum boots, and put up a stake aI: each side of the wai.er. As motorists approached he hailed them and informed them Unit, there was a bad washout, and that if they wished he would pilot them past' it. The drivers were only, too willing to accept the proffered help, ami, needless to say, their gratitude took a substantial shape. It is said that flic Maori was rewarded for his absence from the races by amassing the mini of ovei £o for thu day's work. At a late hour last night the Hospital reported I hat the two men who sustained serious injuries in Ihe motor-cycle accident on Thormloii Quay on Saturday last were making favourable progress towards recovery. Air. W. T. Jennings (Taumariinui) has riven notice '.o ask the Aliiiister of Alarine if he will help small harbour boards in ihe direction of obtaining a Government: dredge. He states thai it is beyond the power of a number of small harbour boards to obtain a suitable vessel for dredging purposes. Small harbour boards like Alolueka, Waitara, and Alokau favour Ihe proposal. The latest demobilisation report shows that on September 20 the strength of the N.Z..E.F. in I'rance was G2, in the United ,Kingdom 21-12, patients in hospital 207. men with wives and families in the United Kingdom -1135, evacuated since Ihe armistice 1-1,815. ■ "We don't-realise what the mothers have done in Ihis war, and 1 think some memorial of tliem should be creeled," declared Mr. .1. S. Barrett, in responding to n toast at the smoke concert of Ihe Canterbury Automobile Association. On it, he considered, should be inscribed Nausea's epitaph to his wife: "To her who had the courage to.wail." Was there anything liner? he asked. He doubled it. When I hey thought of those splendid women wailing durimj lour years of war, their heart in Iheir moulh every time Uiere was u knock al the dour, wailing for Ihe fatal telegram to come, and instead, members id' Ihe association rami' with their f'ovs. il wn< worth it. (Hear. hear.)-C!iri.-tchiMvh "Press." AI bill meeting of tli" Auckland section of the Public Serviie \.->oeialiou, a resolution win passed; "Tlnl this seel inn cnniiniitrc views with enneorn the alteration made in Hi" pcr-onucl uf ',!»• numiioHed member- of Ihe Anpenl Hoard •i"d sii!f»i'st< thai the uppers of the sir•ice sbnn'.tl be he'd oyer ui'l iNueh lime as 'ie njipoiuled chairmen i- in a im-iiina '■ • -il in'dial caiinciiy, end. lail'iny tbi-. , I'm! ii »l'ipcm!iep\ magi-;!rale lie op-, piinlcd to the piisitiun.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Christchurch Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. -Mr. 11. S. S. Kyle discussed the question of the desirableness of applying anaesthetics to horses about to be operated upon, and slated that the lata Mr. George G. Stead was nt one time in favour of file application 01 a general anaesthetic, but after witnessing flic process, tying the horse up, an'li the application of Iho anaesthetic, he caiuo to the conclusion that less pain was inflicted when an operation was performed without anaesthetic^,

Captain Arthur Fair, M.C., who was practising as a barrister and solicitor with Messrs. Chapman. Skerrett, Tripp, and Blair before the war, returned by the Adolph Woernianii on Thursday, bavins served three and " half years in Egypt, Syria, with Die Suffolk Jv«-gi-uient.

In the course of his remarks in Iho ■House of l'epresenlatives concerning prices charged by a certain boot linn for repairs, Mi\ (.!. Willy referred lo a pair of children's boots, Ihe soles of which were peeled oil' in Ihe presence of members of Ihe House. "The-c," the firm concerned slate, "represented a special Imilmen t for shoes or bonis 100 small lo be turned and I reared on Iho 'last.' They have to he. I rented ivilh a special solu•tion, involving the use of masiicalcd rubber, which lo bo treated with turpentine. The process will not. stand many nails. If Ihe little shoes had been treated 'liuml-scwu,' the only other met hud. (ho foreman who does the work says that his labour and wages for the work would have been about 4s. witnout material."

The much-discussed matter of daylight saving received waul attention nt last : meeting uf the Christchurch Cily Council, when a resolution from Ihe .Knsllioi'inc Borough Council came under' i-i-\imv. The Basl bourne Council was of opinion thai: it was essential to the interests of Hie people of (he Dominion that the Definition of Time Mil'., as introduced in Iho House of Heprcseiitnlives by Mr. T. K. Sidey, should be placed on the Statute Hook v.itliout dela'-. The fact, that so much serious ?om slid incmivenience was benm sustained •bv the whole community, owing lo Iho iasuliicicut supply of coal from Iho, mines, apart from considerations of public henllh and economy, showed (he <lesiraliilifv of introducing a scheme of daylight saving at the earliest opportunity. The resolution was received—Christchurch ""Sun." . The Waterside Workers' Band will render scleclions nt Lynll Bay to-mor-row, commencing at II p.m.