LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 52, 25 November 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Now that the repatriation of _ the workmen from the overseas Dominions and colonies who volunteered their services for tho production of ships and munitions during the war is completed, His Excellency the Governor-General has been commanded by the King to give publicity to His Majesty's appreciation of the valuo of tlio services rendered by the men who volunteered from Now Zealand. His Majesty understands that tho excellent behaviour of these volunteors, and tho sustained and steady application displayed by them in their work, have earned tlio highest praise.

A casualty list issued yesterday reported that Lance-Corporal B. V. Arundel, of tho Auckland Infantry Regiment (next-of-kin, his sister, Mrs. E. Singlo, of Frasertown), had died of sickness in New Zealand on Thursday last.

Thero are about 500 to 000 men in New Zealand who dono air wotI:, and who could be constituted a reserve. "Captain Isitt is taking charge of the equipment that is down here," said Sir James Allen in Christchurch. "Wo have got four aeroplanes, and wo are considering also liow many of the 100 machines offered by the Imperial Government it will be wiso to accept._ I have no doubt that 6omo of them will bo accepted, probably 25 of thein, but consideration lias to bo given as tx> whero wo will store them. Meanwhilo thero is a scheme b»ing presented to me for keeping hold of the men who have had flying experience."

Tho following letter ha.s been addressed by the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association to the Prime Minister:—"lt lias been reported in tihe daily Press recently that General Birdwoocl will bo visiting; Australia in the near future, and I liav.6 been instructed by my committee to inquire whether your Government.intends also to extend an invitation to the general to visit these shores. In suggesting tihal) this should bo dono, niy committci! feels confident that not only •will Gonwal Birdwoocl receivo a most cordial welcomo from returned soldiers throughout tho Dominion, by whom he is regarded as a personal friend, but also by tho general public, which is fully aware of the manner bo has endeared tbimself to tile iiien of tho A nunc Corps, lly committee therefore trusts, if indeed it" has not already been done, a most pressing invitation will bo extended to General Birdwood at tho earliest possible moment."

Tho Pacific Cable Board report as follows: "Clear of United Kingdom traffic all along the line."

The hearing of argument in the case of the United Fanners' Co-operative Association, Ltd., in liquidation, v. David Joseph Nathan is fixed for to-day. Tho mailer will bo heard by His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Mert Stout).

As instancing the enthusiasm displayed bv Senior Cadets in their training it is interesting to noto that so many entries have been received for tlio routo march competition in connection with tho military tournament to be held on tlio Basin Reserve on Saturday that the officials have had to eliminato it from the programme. In consequence a. separate half-day will be set apart for route inarching, and the distunco to be traversed will bo increased to five mile.s. So keen are the lads that in several cases whole companies have entered for tho event, and so a.s not to curb their ardour there- will 1m separate competitions for companies and for teams representative of companies.

In the office of the marine superintendent at Auckland, (dates an exchange, at present there is reposing a wooden block, measuring perhaps tome sixteen inches by ten, which is an excellent example of the edible capacity of worms. This salty emblem is a small portion of the liuil of the unfortunate schooner Laurel Whelan, which is having an enforced stay at Papeete. It was brought to Auckland the caj>tain of tho island steamer Mora, early in the week, and lurid accounts of the ship's deterioration are to hand from the officers and crew of this vessel, 'i'liey state that divers nro constantly at work scraping thick clusters of barnacles from the sliip's bottom, and that other means of refitting are being employed. It is not thought likely, however,, that tho vessel will he able to "go down to the sea again" for many weeks.

The possibility of yet another increaso in tlio price of tea was forecasted by Auckland merchants last week (states the "Herald"). In some of the retail houses pound packets of tea are still selling' at 2s. 2d. and Ss- Gd., but tho supply is limited, and with increased cost of landing the prico to the retail consumer will inevitably increase also. ' It was stated l>v one merchant that tea was being sold in Auckland at a lower cost than it could be landed there, but when existing stocks aro exhausted tho price, must advance. One factor in tho present shortage is held to be the conversion of the United State.? from a coffee-drinking lo a tea-drinking country. Before tlio war comparatively* little tea was consumed, and a considerable portion of even that was green tea, practically unknown in New Zealand. The troops returning from the front, however, took with lliom a decided taste for tea, and their conversion has apparently spread to homes throughout their country.

Officers associated with tho Senior Cadets of >!o. D group, AVellington, are arranging for a boxing tournament for the lads to be held in August and September of next year. Somo of the Cadets are already in training for the tournament. A miniature rifle competition for the evenings will also bo held' in tho Garrison llall, lasting about a week, in September and October of next year.

The police arc on the alert for certain peoplo who have, in the absence of tho owners or occupiers, been making free of certain "baches" in Lyall Bay. iNot only have they' in some instances burglariously entered such places, but they misused the crockery and furniture and left the places in a disgusting condition. Tlio. crime is a serious one, and it is to bo hoped that, if the offendere are caught, thev will be severely dealt with. It .is understood that such depredations as mentioned nre not unconnected wiui night joy-rides (per-motor-car).

The matter of incompetent persons (notably children) driving motor-cars in tih; borough was mentioned at the Lower ITutt Borough Council meeting last night, when one of the councillors asked whether "or nob drivers of motor vehicles Were holders of competency certificates It was pointed out that, a competency certificate was necessary in Wellington, but in the Hutt Valley licenses were issued for the vehicle, and anyone could diive,

Councillor E. J. Guiness moved at last night's meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council tliati the town clerk should bo congratulated on the fact fet the borough's accounts and balance-sheet had been returned from the Auditor-General without comment. The Mayor remarked that this was not unusual, but that nevertheless it wins a matter for congratulation. The motion was carried.

Examinations of Territorial and Senior Cadete n.e.o.'s for first np|K)intment to commissions will be bdd ijt the l'almerelon North Show Grounds on Thursday, February 10, and Friday, February 20, 1!)20. This will be preceded by a district voluntary course of instruction at tlio sanio placo extending from February Hto February 18. AH candidates must report to their group or area officer not later than December 9 for personal interviews. Applications from schoolmasters of secondary schools who are eligible and desirous of presenting themselves for examination will also bo received.

Tho Prince of Monaco, in addition to tho distinction he enjoys of keeping tlio biggest gambling establishment in the world, also lias tlio reputation of being a distinguished scientist who makes a speciality of maritime mritters. His opinion respecting marine dangers growing out,of the war will.be likely to attract the. attention of tourists. In a speech read before tho Frenoli Academy of Sciences recently lie said that a considerable number of mines laid in the early part of the war had been carried through tho Channel and tlio Bay of Biscay along the Portuguese coast and thence to the Canary Islands, the West Indies, tho Azores and back to European waters, after a journey lasting four years. These mines constitute a permanent danger along tha course of tho Gulf Stream from Now foundland down to the United States coast. The stream appears to protect the American coast.

It is an interesting commentary on local talent to find that of the six chief elocutionary and vocal championships at the recent Competitions four should go to competitors from the South Island. In tho elocutionary section for ladies the senior and junior competitions were won by Miss Bessie Thomson and Miss Winnie Beck respectively (both pupils of Miss Helen Gam'ner). and in the junior championship the runner-up was Hazel Johnstone, also a Gard'ner graduate. Tho ladies' vocal championship .went to Miss Olga Wacked, of Christcluirch, and the men's vocal championship to Mr. Robert Laffertv, also of Christcluirch. Most of tlio southerners left by tho Maori last evening with their honours thiok upon them.

It wa.? made to appear in a Teport of a case heard in the Supreme Court last week that Miss Bremner had ceased to bo in charge of the women's branch of the Labour Department. This was not correct, for Miss liremner still has charge of that branch.

A great attraction at tho Caledonian sports meeting to bo held at the Basin Reservo on "Boxing Day will be the appearanco of Messrs. Mason, Wilson, Lindsay and Wilton. These four athletes attracted great attention when in England and France, and it is interesting to note that they established a world's record for tho milo relay race. ' addition to that each one secured cli,...)|)ionship honours, both in running 'and jumping events.

Mr. W. Pryor, secretary of the New Zealand Shipowners' Federation, has forwarded tho following letter to tho ohnirman of the Wellington Coal Trade Committed "Dear sir,—At tho annual meeting of this federation, the work dono by the Wellington Coal Trade Committee during tho very difficult times experienced in recent yours, in conseqnenco of tho shortage of coal, was discussed. In connection therewith I was instructed to write, expressing, tho appreciation of mem bora of this federation with the very valuable services ' rendered to tho community generally by your committee. It is especially desired that I should convey to you the thanks of mombers for what was dono in connection with shipping, and to acknowledge that without tho assistance of tho committee it. would have been impossible to keep tho coastal trade of the Dominion going. Will you therefore be good enough to convey to tho members of your committeo tho best thanks of tho New 7en]aiid Shipowners' Federation, and this •r-tf(i«sion of appreciation of the manner '8 which tho committee's va.lua.blo and {Serous duties were performed."

A Press Association mcssago from Cliristehiirch states: Archdeacon Elisor lias just returned from Te Araroa, where his. dandier, Nurse Eusor, recently died from typhoid contracted while acting as a volunteer nurse for suffering from typhoid. The Archdeacon intends taking legal advice with regard Ito proceeding* against the JlenJtli iJcmlmm

In Ins report (n the Lower Unit Borough Council presented to tlio meeting by dm engineer last night, lie slated that a request: had been made to linn recently lor I'lin loan of a small i>nn>i> by u lirm who required it. for use to meet ni emergency. lie had made no charge ~ir its use, but hail passed a debit entry through tho books to ensure that it was not lo.it sight 01. ,Subsequently tlio ' 'tun cu'i'li informed him that there was a resolution of tlio council jiroliibilijitf the loan of the borough plant without a feo being charged. This resolution vis passed at a meeting held on July - J7, 1911, and it appeared to refer only tu timber. As it is possible that a similar request a-,ay 'be made at any time, and that tho engineer himself may require to 'borrow plant or tools for use in a. sudden emergency, he asked for a ruling as lo wbother he was to lend plant or not. II they were agreeable to its being lent, wa«i a feo to be charged? It was decided that tlio policy of the council be maintained, and tliat a reasonable lure, be paid by private individuals for tlio use of tho'council's properly when required in an emergency.

An important meeting of the Wellington U.S.A. will take place in tho Masonic Hall. Boulcott Street, _ at 7-30 to-night. Tho business for discussion is urgent, and all financial members am requested to attend.