LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 43, 14 November 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The following canes of influenza were reported between noon on November G find noon on November 10:—Auckland, 8 mild, & severe; Wellington,. 8 mild, 1 pneumonic; Canterbury, 1 mild. The estimated population of New Zealand (exclusive of Maoris and residents of Cook and other Pncific Islnnds) on September 30 last was 1,152,002, of whom 580,296. wero males and 572,300 wero females. Including the. tMnoris and the others in the Pacific Islands, the population at tho closo of the last quarter was placed at 1,215,175. Tea merchants in Ne^- , Zealand have informed retailers that increafed prices will "bo charged soon, says One "Lyttelton Times." Tho position ifl that tho market in the Dominion is practically hare. Most packers have been able, to fulfil only portions of the orders' they received. Last week news was received from Colombo that tlio market had ndvanced there 2Jd. a pound. This advance does nod affect stocks coining to hand at present, ordered before tho advance was made, but they also show considerable advance, which will be passed on to the retailers. There will therefore lie increased prices very eoon, an<[ further increases when Uho recent Colombo advance-is passed on. It is expected that tho market will remain firm until tho fine teas are available, about January or February, when prices may soar again. The proprietor of a city millinery shop comments on tho prevalency of shoplifting within the past few days. The lady in question has missed no fewer than throe valuable blouses, and eho attributes the loss to tho operation of light-fingered shoppers. Some time ago tho Government took the dntv off Australian bacon, hums, and lard, till November 1. Yesterday it was iiiiimiiiice'J that the timi> hao been extended to December 1. This will cover all bacon, hams, and lard shipped up to Hint date. Tho immigration and emigration, returns for I lie month of October show timt the arrivals in the Dominion limnbored 2(162, 'as against 1257 in October, 1918, nml tho departures were 19W, as compared with 1091. The arrivals during Just month exceeded tbo departures liy 719, and in October last year the exceas was Kill. Considerable correspondence, from various parts of the. world, and particularly from the I'iji Islands, is being received by tho local Returned Soldiers' Association respecting- Uio gratuity and the method of payment. Apparently details havo not. been freely distributed, for in the case of Hie Islands many cx-soldiers aro ignorant as to tlhe allowances and gratuity they are entitled to draw. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) observed with some satisfaction at last evening's meeting of tho council that the health statistics for September showed Wellington to be in a very favouraplo position as compared with other centres. During tho month in question Wellington had had fowor deaths per thousand of population than any of. the other towns in New Zealand except two. He considered that tho city owed its good record largely to tho improvement in the qtinlily of its ii)|ilk supply, and to the cleanup which had recently been effected. Tho Power Stations and Tramways Committee reported to tho council Inst evening that during tho past threo months 477 new connections had been made to the Lighting Department, as follows :-.A.U!rufit. M; September, 210; October, 233. l-'or the s-mie period f>72 applications for new connections had been received. Tlip dissolution of tho Horowhenun Bpxing Association, which is no longer carrying on ita operations, is. gazetted*

Tho conference of senior oflicore of tho N.Z.E.K, which is to ho held at tlio Gar-. risen Officers' Clubroom, Buckle Street, ! on November 19 nnd (wo following days, j to discuss a number of matters ot inter-; ret to the Expeditionary Forco, includ-1 ing tho disposal of canteen and regi- ] mental funds, will be attended by l.lio | lolWiii":—Major-General Sir Andrew JI. | Ituiae'.l, K.C.U., K.C.M.G., iirifiadior-Gcnc'-ats A. JO. Stewart, C.M.G., 1J.5.0., H. 11. Hart, C.M.G., D.5.0., 1L J. M'Gavin. C.M.G.. 1J.5.0. (Director-Gen-era! of Medical .Services). Colonels C. W. McU-ill, C.M.G., D.5.0.. It. Young, f'UG D.5.0., J. J. F/sson, C.U.G., J. W. Jlu'tchen. C.M.G., C. K. R. Mackesy, OjKI, C.U.H., D.5.0., Lieutenunt-Col-<>nclV\V. S. .Austin, D.5.0., L. M. Shera, O.B'ji.. M.C., Ci. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., K. C. Allen, D.5.0., A. B. Clmrtew, C.1).. I) SO 1!. St. .). Bnere, N. S. Falla, C.AI'.G., D.5.0., 11. E. Avery C.M.U., D.S.O. G. Mitchell, D.5.0.. M. M, Gard - nor, D.5.0., E. J. Hulbert, D.5.0., J. G. j Hoache, U. 5.0.,. and Mr. J. L. Hay, 0.8. K., reprcsentaliive of the Y.M.C.A. The following clause in the Reserves Committees report was held over by the City Council last night for consideration at its next meeting: "That the committcu bo authorised to meet the Maranui and Lyall .Bay Life-saving Clubs to rearrange for (ho accommodation ol the two clubs j also that the building now used as a indies' bathing shed bo subdivided and s, portion sot apart for a life-saving club now being formed by tho ladies." The City Council last evening decided t<, forward a letter of thanks to Mr. E. G Pilcher for his donation to the Public Library of cloven volumes of the "Illustrated London News" of an early period. The Milk Committee placed before tho Citv Council last evening a report from tho' chief engineer and station manager at the milk station regarding works carried out and works in progress at the HnSiui' factory. The manager stated, that tho factory had now begun chilling tho milk which was being sent to town. Tho results of the treatment were verv satisfactory, as a distinct improvement was to be observed in tho condition or tho milk on its arrival at the central station The extensions of tho factory were progressing rather slowly owing to tho shortage of labour, particularly ot carpenters, and it was regrettable that the extensions had not been started much earlier. The rovonuo of the Eairwny Department for the period from April 1 to October 11 totalled ,£1,538,591 18s. for tho North Island lines and 18s. 4(1. for tho South Island,. making a gross revenue of .£2,702,064 lGs. 4d., as comparod with .£2,588,351 3s. 2d. in the corresponding period of 3nst year. Tho expenditure during the samo period totalled "5:1 088 770 Is. 2d.in tho North Island and ,4800,246 ■Jβ. Bd. in the South or a total of .£1,079,016 ss. 10d. as against £1719,477 Us. Id. Tho expenditure in tho North'lsland was equal to 70.76 per cent, of the revenue, and 76.52 per cent, in tho South- Island, riio total expenditure being equal to 73.24 per cent, as against 66.43 pe.r cent, last year. Group orders issued by Captain W. M. 801 l commanding No. 5 Group, state that Poihill Gully rifle rango is now available for use, and it is hoped that, while most of the musketry course will Iμ carried out at Trentham ano: other rangCß. this range will bo used to its fullest extent, as owing to its situation if. offers exceptional opportunities for riflo uractlco in tho early mornings and late afternoons. Application for the use of tho raiiL'O should be made to group headquarters. No one is to use the ramro without authority from group headauiirters. nor will indiscriminate shooting bo allowed. Tho following badges of rank have been authorised for warrant officers and n.c.o.'s of tho New Zealand Military Forces:—Warrant officers, Class 1: Stall sorgeant-niaior instructor, Hoyal Arm* and wreath; sergeant-major New Zealand Army, Medical Corps, Royal Arms and Geneva Cross; all othe'r warrant officers Class I, Eoyal Arms. "Warrant officers Class II: Quartermaster-sergeants New Zealand Army Medical Corps, crown and wreath and Geneva Cross; all other quartermaster-sergeants, crown and wreath; squadron, ,battery, lroou y or company sergeant-major, crown. Nc.o.'s Staff sergeant instructor and staff sergeant accountant, crown na<l four inverted chevrons on. forearm. With the object of fostering a spirit of esprit do corps among the Senior Cadets, arrangements havo been inndo by Captain W. M. Bnll (Group Commander) for tho compilation of a roll of honour containing the names of all former Senior Cadets who took part in tho late war. Officers commanding companies have been ordered to forward to tho "roup office tho names of all officers, n.c.o.'s, and cadets who have been members of a Senior Cadet company hi No. 5 Group since the institution ot tho compulsory training scheme, under tho following headings:-(«) Thoso who wero killed or died on active Bcrvice. showing where possible the namo of tho engagement or sector, and date; (b) those- who won honours, showing, where possiblo tho circumstances for which tho honour was granted; (c) all not included in above who went on activo service. Tho names of men who wero wounded Rhonld be "starred" for each wound they sustained, and the rosiincnt in winch each soldier served must also bo shown. Before inclusion in the final roll, Captain Bell intends to check all the particulars with the official documents at Base Records. As it is desired to compete tho list as soon as possiblo, it is lived that the necessary details should be"forwarded to Group Headquarters without delay. \. very plucky act by a child was witnossed on the beach at New Plymouth a few days ago. Some children wero playing among tho rocks, when a boy ot four or five years was caught by a wavo and washed off. The bigger duldrmi raised a scream, but a. girl about oiglit years old, withoat any hesitation, jUmped into the sou, and though tho water was over 'her shouldtc-Ts she eafcly brought the little tod ashore. But for tho prompt action of the littlo girl tho boy would havo been drowned before help fiould have reached him. Jn further reply to a question asked by Mr. G. Witty, M.P. for Biccarton, in the closing days of tho Parliamentary Region, the Hon. Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) has written that only canteen funds accruing from the date of tho Sling riot? were surcharged with the valuo of the damage done. Tho whole of tho canteen funds were not aft'octed. Iho effrontery of Rome dishonest people was illustrated on Monday in Fort Stmet (eays the Auckland "Star"). A Telegraph Department motor-van was standin"" outside the old post office, when ono of" tho Department's ntalf, coming out, saw a man calmly cutting through one of the straps which secured the "pare tyro ''of thft vehicle. He ran quickly inside again to fetch the driver of tho van and when hi; returned the. man, who had noticed him. was front?, leaving tlm tyre in place. He was not apprehended. The following recommendation of tlm Milk Committee wns adopted bv (ho City Council last night -.-"That the "WrtlinsiIdii Dairy l'Vi riwrs . Co-operative AffiocmI'on' Limited, be informed flint their miuest that milk Mow standard in M.lid 9 other thmi fat bo accepted at l-he m : lk f tation cannot 'be acceded to. Iho District Heallli Officer," tho committco reported, "states that lio is- of opinion that there is no reason for relaxation of the standard, but that any altoral.ion should rather bo in tho opposite direction." ... > An application for permission to subdivide a property in Kintoul Street was discussed ut some length by the City Council Uist evening. Part of _ tho area ■•vhicli it wan proposed to subdivide was residential, and part wns to bo used for brsineS3 purposes. Several councillors pointed out that there- was no gnaranteo that OTOn a few months henco tho whole urea would not again Iμ a residential one. T'hev feared, therefore, that to grant a permit, for subdivision might bo to toko ii «t(M> towards the creation of a slum. It'might establish a precedent wh:ch would prevent the council in future- from oxercising a proper restraint upon persons who. wished to subdivide their lnml. Councilor Luckio (chairman ol tho ByLaws Committee) argued that probably if (ho council consented to the subdivision the buildings would havo a greater chance of being occupied by tho owners, and so of 'being kept; in a good •dnte The fly-Laws I'ommilleo its-elf rirommpmUil 'the coum-il to refuso. the application. U thn end. the matter was referred back to the comiiiilleo for further consideration.

Tho Secretary to the Treasury acknowledges in tlm Gazette tlio receipt of 10s. conscience money. The delapidated condition, of tlio Kent Terrace, promenade was commented on by Councillor C. K. Norwood at the City Council Meeting last evening , . Tim fenco was, lie t-iiid, very disorderly, and tlio enclosure was somewhat iiiifeeniptHo was convinced that proper advantage win* not being taken of tho aesthetic possibilities of this reserve, and for one thing the unsightly posts and straggling wires should, he removed. Jl' something more pleasing to tho eye were substituted tor tho fence he thought tho public, would accord the enclosure tho respect it deserved. Jn Kent 'A'erraco (ho council had an opportunity of putting "something nice" before the people as ii relief to tho drab monotony of the streoki. Uβ asked that tho committee consider tho necessity of improving the reserve nnd submit some comprehensive scheme to tho council. Tho chairman of the committee. (Councillor Frost) intimated that the committee had had the matter under consideration for some time past, but hiid been delayed in tabling its leport i i account of certain improvements rii I lie tramway track in tho vicinity being contemplated, He considered, however, that tho fenco might very well bo removed forthwith, In tho course of a, general discussion councillors were agreed that something should ho done towards brightening up , tho promenade, and the Mayor suggested that the fenco should bo replaced with a concrete curb. Tho public, even to the small boys, would, he thought, reppsct such a. structure. Councillor. Luckio remarked that they would probjibly get some valuable information from tho City Engineer (Mr. W. 11. Morton) on his return from .abroad, regarding the general; benutification of reserves. . The tonnage of all classes of goods carried on tho Now Zealand Railways during tlio period April 1 to October 11 amounted to 2,937,50G tons, ns against 2,95G,392 tons in tho svme period of lastyear, there being a shrinkage of 78,886 tons. There wero decreases under all heads' except timber, and "other goods/' Minerals decreased by 190.759 tons. Tito live stock carried on the railways numbered 3,020,181 head, against 3,291,996 head, a decrease of 205,812. It ia notified in tlio Gazette that six Sambur deer (five hinds and ono stag) have boon, turned at largo in'the Kotoriin acclii.iatifation district, and that tho property in 6ucli deer and their offspring is vested in the Department of Tourists and Ileailth Kcsorts for a period of three years. A Press Association telegram from Blenheim states that the Government has acquired two properties in Marlborough l'or j-loldiors' settlement:—"Pike Bros.' farm of 2GI acres. Dillon's Point district, and Koskrugo's far/n in the samo locality of 15(i acres. Tlio Land and Survey Department is now subdividing (hem. Several other properties Siayo been rejected as too high priced or unsuitable. Mr. Harold Gregson, musical judge at tho competitions, is making arrangements to givo a combined organ recital and concert in tho Toirn Hall at tho conclusion of the present festival. Uuon tho recommendation of the Mavor (Mr. J. P. Luke) tho City Council last night decided that in the event of Karoi'i and Miramiir amalgamating with tlio city tho tramways in each borough shall be treated as an integral nart of Iho city service. This moans that after amalgamation no special rato will bo struck over tho tramways in tho two boiwhe, unless a similar special rate is being struck in tho city. A Press Association messago from Tauniartmui states that Mr. W. '!.'. Jenning3 owned a traffic bridge at Ongaruo on Wednesday. This is another link in the national hisdiway between Onganie and To Kour.l. establishing connection with tho West Taupo country. A Press Association telegram from Wαnganui elate* , .—As an outcome of tho controversy regarding tho premillenmal

doctrine, tho Eev. B. Ilutson last night announced that lie had written to tho clerk of tho General Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church asking Uiat ho might bo allowed to brine on a charge against tho Bov. Isaac Jolly of tgacllung in his booklet contrary to and inconsistent with the doctirino of inspiration of tho Scripture held by tho Presbyterian Church. To drop over a declivity of 23ft. in n motor-car, swoop away a lift, galvanised iron fence, negotiate tho trees of an I orchard, pass on out into tho fresh air of tho roadway, and bo able to say "It never touched me," is not what everj driver can Bay he accomplished whoa , practising for his "ticket." Yet it has boon douo, and tho sceptical waj- seo whero tho tornado on wheels made light of tho fence concerned by standing on Dyer's Pass Road above llio lthodes Convalescent Homo- (says a Greymouth paper). By some means the motorist--who surely deserves tho namo—passed over tho channelling and footpath oil tho right-hand sido of the road, in endeavouring to turn, and proceeded down tho bank at the bottom of which there is a galvnnisod iron fence. This obstacle was flattened for some distance by tho impact, and tho car went on, littlodamagod, through tho orchard. The Cilv Council last evening authorised the extension of the city tramways io Kaiwarra. Th'! Mayor states that tho work will bo proceeded: with when otherunrent works already authorised have hem carried out. Tho electrical linesmen in the employ of the City Council recently made application for an increase in wages, lhe application was declined by last eveiiimr's meeting of the council, after a discussion in committee. The Mayor informed a reporter that' the linesmen had alreadv received four increases sinco 1918. and two of the increases had been Rranteo! since April, 1919. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, writing (o ft friend in Oamnru, speaks of his future intentions. Hβ says: "I have had it so much taken ont of mo here, that I feel disposed to go into private life, or at tiny rate to have a good rest, and if my health keeps pood I think it right to place my services at the disposal of theGovernment; but if it does not I ma/ have to vacate tho post, and then I would make my way to Now Zealand at the ! earliest possible-moment. Please givo,my kindest regards to my many friends Hi your neighbourhood." Tho necessity of substantial improvements being effected in tho bathing accommodation at Evans Bay was urged by Councillor M. P. Lucltio at last night's meeting of tho City Council, in speaking to tho statement contained in the Keservos Committee's report that. it had received from tho Evans Buy Swimming Club a request for tho erection of a clubhouse at Evans Bay, and an offer to contribute tho sum of ..CIOO towards the cost of tho building. _ A report was, the committee noted, being obtained from the Acting Citv Engineer on the matter. Councillor Luctcie pointed out (hat on account of its proximity to the city many people- would avail themselves of the bathing facilities at Evans Day if proper accoiiimndiitimi wera provided. The proRent accommodation was neither decent nor anything: for tho council to bp proud of. Past exue.iid.iluro on bathing facilities at Evans Bay had been too patchyA comprehensive schenio was required. Councillor 0. Piwt, chairman of Hie committee, explained that the committee fully recognised that improved bathing accommodation at Hip bay was badly needed. The present sheds were an eyesore and spoiled the wholo drive. Willi a.view to something more substantial being provided, he suggested that when the Mayor browrht down bis progressive loan proposals provision ehould be made for a small loan for this mirpose. 'Die Mayor assured councillor? that he was entirely in sympathy with' their suggestion, which (it tho" proper timo would receive every consideration.