LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 36, 6 November 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During the four days ended at noon on November 11, there were 3!) cases of influenza notified in New Zealand, 21 of them in Wellington, of which 2 were pneumonic. Altogether there wore throe, pneumonic cases, and one other severe ease. The cold snap felt in Wellington yesterday manifested itself in a phenomenal hailstorm between and Kaitoke. The hills and low-lying land contiguous to the railway line hail the appearance of being covered with a light fall of snow. .In sonic places the hail lay inches deep. The War Regulations for the safety of ships and cargoes made by an Ordcr-in-Council, dated October 10, Wl7, have been revoked. The watorsidcr.s were engaged on the City of Winchester nil day yesterday shifting the coal to the 'tween decks. Tho hose had again to be called into action several times daring the day owing to the heat. Work was continued to 10 p.m. in removing the coat in proximity to the bulkhead adjoining the insulated hold. It is hoped to have sufficient coal moved this inorning to permit of an examination being made to ascertain what damage has been done to tlie ship. Tho Eastern Extension Co. notify that the Mauritius—ltodriqucs cable has been restored. Further coal from a hulk was discharged at the Mirnmnr Wharf for tho Wellington Gas' Company yesterday, and sufficient gas is available, for the time being at least te iß'.'er al' demands. About G.la p.m. yesterday, a middleaged married man named Alexander Burnett, a tailor by trade, was found lying in the kitchen of his house, 17 Rugbv Street, with his throat cut. The Mount Cook police were informed of the occurrence, and they sent for Dr. Henry, wlio. after dressing tho wound, ordered the man's removal to the hospital. Although the cut in Burnett's throat was. about three inches long, it was not of a serious nature, and no fears are entertained regarding his recovery. The revocation of the Soldiers' Businesses Regulations, 1918, is announced by a Gazette Extraordinary. Tho demand for houso property in Auckland city and suburbs, wnicli becamo acute toward the end of this war, is still maintained and several fairly largo places in the suburbs have recently cnanged hands. Inquiries from the leading properly agents revealed that though the demand tor ordinary residences of five or six rooms is increasing owners are reluctant to sell even at large increases on the original cost of tho buildings The result is that the ageuts are unable to fill the demand, and probably fewer transactions are new taking place in ordinary suburban house property than was flic ease a year ago. The demand for vacant sections is said to be not nearly so keen as would naturally be expected in view of tho acute necessity for houses This is accouuted for by the fact that building material, besides being extreme' ly expensive, lias been difficult to obtain, and psople have been endeavouring to purchase houses instead of attempting to get them built. That they are prepared to purchase as soon as there is reason' able surety that a -house will be erected within a given tinie is indicated by the fact that directly ;\ building is started on a section tho builder is inundated with applicnlions for the purchase of the property.

A request for the extension of the time within which'application may be made for a bonus for the manufacture oi pig iron in this country was made to the Government by Mr. S. G. Smith in tho House yesterdav. Mr. Smith said that the term for the bonus provided for by Parliament had expired in December. 1916, and he asked that this time should be ei'tended in the interests of the company in Tarauaki. which had been struggling against adversity throughout the war period. Mr. Masses said that the question was one for consideration by Cabinet, and he would ask the Minister of Alines to see that the question was brought before Cabinet.

Tho concrete road is coming a littlo sooner in AV'ollington lhan was anticipated as far as the mid-city is concerned. Owing lo (he raising of the level of the new tram-tracks on Lamblmi Quay, it has become inclumhent on the City Council to re-form the ordinary road surface, and instead of building up the road and rojaving the worn woodblocks it has been definitely decided lo lay down a permanent concrete road, with a surface of asphalt, which workis lo be undertaken at once. Tn mainparts of the city the wood-blocks are, quite bare of any surfacing, and have become somewhat dangerous to man and beast in wet. weather. Tt is intended to commence 'tarring and sanding the streets so affected as soon as the weather is more settled and labour is availMo

The Sarjeant Gallery Loan Exhibition has been so successful Ihnli it is to remain open another month (stales a Press Association telegram from AVanganui). Over ten thousand have already Visited it, and numerous sales have been effected. The council intends to hold anothoi exhibition next year, to which contributions are being invited from art centres throughout the world.

The salaries of all members of the staff of tho Bank of New Zealand have recently been reviewed by the directors., with the result (hat the" war bonus has been made a permanent addition lo salaries, and other increases have been made. Each officer of, the bank was considered separately, and in fixing the, amount attention was given to length of service, position, and responsibility. Circulars notifying officers of the nosy scale are now being distributed.

A noticeable increase in the number of overseas visitors to New Zealand is reported by the officer in charge of the Auckland Government Tourist'. Bureau. Many Americans have recently arrived by the A r ancouver lwmtp to make a tour of the Dominion. America is apparently undergoing the same experience as England with regard to difficulty in securing pnssages on overseas vessels, hosvever, and the demand by people desiring to visit New Zealand is much in oxce-'s of the accommodation availablo to bring them. The near approach, nf the Christmas holidays is also bringing a large number of inquiries from local residents, and there i.s every indication that record business will be done by the Tourist Department during the coming summer.

The wreck of the Tainui is gradually disappcaring list sand silU it up, anil only a Utile twisted iron can he swn al: high water. The Court of Inquivj abandoned a visit: to t'ho meek at Gore Bay, as it seemed improbable Hint any tliinj useful would be learned owing in the battered slate of the hull. The wnvV is Raid to have been sold to a lociil resident for a small sum, and lie has been salvaging brasswork and oilier fitting", but the work :lpis been arduous, entailing much haulage over rough country.

Writing to a Christehurch friend on September 2 a resident of.'London said: "I expect ivc shall soon have (lie, wiiilci on us now, and a very hard winter by all appearances. Things promise io bs worse than when the war was on. AVo have to bo rationed again; only Is. lOd. worth of meat for the week, and lion, of butter and 12oz. or fiugar. Milk Is", a quart. Bread has roi\o up. again to-day, and tinned milk wont up last week. We have sent in for our new ration cards. Wo have just got tho Harvest Moon coming up; thank goodness there is no longer any fear of air raids."