LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 60, 4 December 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Eastern Extension Cable Company lias notified \ that the Cape Town-St. Helena cable lias been restored.

The following cases of influenza were reported bet-wen neon on November 27 and lionn on December lAuckland. 54 mild, G severe; Wellington, 40 mild. 3 nnennomic: Canterbury. 3 mild, 2 pneumonic: Otnsro, 2 mild, 1 pneumonic.

A Press Association telegram from Hamilton states: "A meeting of the South Auckland Dairy Association unanimously decided that any attempt by the Govonimhnt to purchase dairy produce during the coming season would be combated, Tt. was decided to ask the National Dairy Association to call a meeting to further discuss the matter."

The atiestion of (supplying liquor to men receiving special treatment at tlio Woodpide .Taw Hospital was again beforo l.lie Netiirucd Soldiers' Association 'nt Dunedin on Monday last, when a memhe.r described tho ca.se of a patient 'whom .he had recently seen thrown out of an hotel, dead urunlc, with his tongue hanging nut. 'Some friends had assisted the man home. It was a crying shame and sin that anv man undergoing spccial treatment should lie supplied .with drink. At this slairo a motion was wirrietf that the. discussion he continued in committee.

The State schools under the jurisdio tion of tho Wellington Education Board are to "break up" for the summer/vacation at middav on Tuesday, December IG. They will reassemble on Tuesday, February 3. This means practically seven weeks' holiday.

The iufectious diseases records for the Otago hospital district for the month of November aro as follow:—Scarlet fever; admitted G, discharged 3, remaining 19; diphtheria: admitted G, discharged 3, remaining II; typhoid fever: no admissions or discharges, one patient remaining; cerebro-spinal meningitis: no admission, one patient discharged, none remaining: influenza: admitted 1,, remaining 'I. There were thus 1G admissions, ? discharges, and 35 patients remaining in tho institution.

"Is New Zealand a drunken country?" is the question put. by the Moderate League in calling attention to the public meeting to be held in His Majesty's Theatre, on Sunday evening next, when addresses bearing on the approaching liquor poll will bo delivered by Mr. D. M. Findlay (president of I lie league), Mr. W. Perry', anil Jlr. R. A. Armstrong. Mr. A. Gray, IC.C., will preside, .

A man was arrested yesterday by De-tective-Sergeant Carney on a charge of theft of a'quantity of hose, valued at „C 5, the property of the Railway Department.

Interesting mention of, the rainbow trout was made ]>y Dr. Tillyard (of Australia) in a lecture to the Philosophical Society last evening. Dr. Tillyard considered the brown trout much superior to the rainbow from the sporting point of view. It flattered anyone who could not throw a Hy to go and catch a rainlxnv trout, he said, but that fish was so voracious at certain seasons that it would "jump at a red rag." It was not. therefore, a subject for scientific fishing. The brown tront, on the other hand, required a great deal of catching.

11l the Wellington Education Board's widely-extended district there are many teachers employed solely in,small schools who not only hiivo no certificates at all, but who have little opportunity of gaining tliem owing to theSlifiiculty in getting- professional training, such as i 3 afforded to young teachers in or adjacent to the city. In order that some such training may be given these teachers, part of this and next lyeek lias been set aside for training at Pongaroa in tho North Island, and at Blenheim in tho South. The training classes are being conducted by Messrs. Anderson ami Vfiidde, respectively, the organising tea* chers for the districts affected. In order that all sole teachers requiring this trainmg may benefit by it, tlio solo teacher schools havo Iwen closed, and will not reopen until after the summer vacation.

Colonel Young, commanding tho Canterbury district, made his first' official visit to Hokitika on Tuesday, and at an inspection parade of Territorials presented war decorations won on active service by local soldiers for gallantry in the field—Press Assn.

Instructions issued by General Hendoinu'ters state that an allowance of 355. will bo niado to every medical patient for whom tho first issuo of iv pair of Mailt boots is recommenced by a medical oliirar. This allowance will be in lieu of a. froo issue of light boots.

Tho Philosophical Society last evening constituted a National History and Field. Club section, and elected as president of the new section Professor 11. B. Kirk.

A Cliristcliurch man who hns just returned after spending some weeks in NelBon, states that the prospects for tho apple harvest in that district were never better. Stone fruit will be, however, practically a failure owing to leaf curl. Speaking of the shortage of houses, ho (old a reporter that in Nelson thero were no houses of a habitable character to be got l'or love or money, neither could they be bought. When he left the city tliwe were only two houses 'being built, and the builder was erecting one of them for him■gelf.

Babbit catching is apparently very remunerative. A Palmerston North resident has received advice from his brother in Centrat Otago that the rabbit industry is fairly on the boom in that locality. He says: "llabbils price this year something like .£lO per 100, and the boys have made very big cheques. People are falling over one another to get blocks for next season, as they are expecting prices to continue. The biggest return I liavo heard of yet is two chaps cleared .£ISOO each for the season, and one man made ,£9O for one week."

It in stated (says an exchange) that cigarettes are likely to 1m advanced in price. In Christchurch an increase from Bd. to 'Jd., and in the same, proportion for larger quantites, has already been made. Stocks are reported to be low, and the wholesale price of English cigarettes has a hardening tendency.

"I believe there is not hint; in Ihe world so interesting as insects," said Dr. Tillvard (a visiting scientist) in a lecture last evening. "1 have tried everything, from stamps upwards," he asserted, "and I have decided to spend the rest of my life studying insects." We had beaten the Hun, but we had not. yet. beaten the insect. And in futuro ono of the greatest fights of the race was going to be against such insect pests as tho blow-llv and the mosquito and other insects that mado life in some parts of tho world almost unendurable.

The General Assembly, of the" Presbyterian Church lias received an invitation from tho Rev. E. R. Harries to hold its next meeting in Tiumru. On tho motion of the R«v. W. J. Comrio, however, seconded by Dr. Gibb, it was dccided to meet noxt year in Wellington, it being understood that the invitation from Timaru would bo considered for tho l'J2l meeting.

Tlio General Manager of Railways, tho Union Steam Ship Company, and Anchor shipping Company have generously agreed to carry (lowers,, etc., free that mav be sent for "St. John Ambulance Day" (Friday next) adaressed to the Mayoress. Town Hall, Wellington.

Speaking at a meeting of members of Iho St. John Ambulance Brigade at Wangnnui, Colonel Barclay, Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigado for the Dominion of New Zealand, said that' h« considered that the future prospects ot tho work of the Oroer of St. John were brighter than at any previous period in its history. Tho immense amount of war work carried out by all ranks durum the past five years had done a great una! to establish the association and brigade as most useful and valuable institutions. while the invaluable services rendered by tho members of tho St. John Ambulance Brigade during the epidemic of twelve months ago had given the organisation . a great standing and reputo. The Commission which had mibsequcntly inouiml into, the matters connected with the epidemic had paid a high tribute to tho work of the members of St. John. There was lunch work to do in organising classes in towns and districts hitherto untouched, and a better understanoing with the Defence authorities as to utilising the personnel of the brigade in the event of national necessity would require to bi.' arrived at. Colonel Barclay strongly urircd tho formation of divisions of th» brigade at all places wliero association classes have been held.

The Auckland secretary of tho Trinity College of Music, London, lias received a cablegram from heaoquartcrs stating that the papers for the theory examination will not arrive in New Zealand' till about tho middle of the month. Tim examination was originally fixed for December (i. and is therefore postponed. Tt. is possible that December 20 may be fixed.—"Star."

Dr. R. J. Tillyard who, under an arrangement with the New Zealand Government, has come from Australia to study our insects in their relation to trout feeding, lectured last night to a meeting of the Philosophical Society. His subject was "Neuroptcroid Insects." Dr. J. A. Thomson, who presided, introduced the lecturer as "a distinguished Australian scientist and a Cambridge graduate." -Dr. Tillyard prefaced his lecture by drawing a sharp contrast between the reception he had met with from the Australian and the New Zealand authorities respectively when he had proposed certain scientific investigations under State auspices. From his point of view, the contrast was verv much in favour of the New Zealand authorities. "Neuroptcroid Insects" proved a very interesting lecture to tho members of the society, who had an opportunity of examining a number of living specimens as the lecturer went along. Dr. Tillyard received a hearty vote of thanks for his address.

Tlio census cards in connection with tho sowings of crop throughout the Dominion should now be in tho hands of the Government Statistician, and it i 9 to bo hoped that they will 60011 be available (writes "Agricola" in the "farmers' "Union Advocate"). It is a foregone conclusion that they will disclose a considerable reduction in the area sown this year. The rallier is jxirtly to blamo for this, and tho fact that wheat is not now looked upon as a paying proposition. One knows some farmers who have not got an acre in this year—men who usually have considerable areas under cereals. There is not much uso in talking compulsion in tho matter of growing wlie.it. The only remedy for tho problem is to depend upon Australia for our supplies, or to so help the industry that farmers will be sure of some profit from tho industry. If compulsion wero made the policy, the North Island would have to come under any regulations that may bo decided upon. The area of wheat there is a very small one indeed, though thero aro areas that are well adapted to that branch of farming. Ik tho southern end of this island there aro also districts that could grow wheat quite as easily as North . Otago and Canterbury. They would havo to bo brought in. If all did their duty, it would mean very littlo for each individual. But the brunt of tlio work at present falls on certain portions of the South Island. •

At tho last meetiug of the Duncdin Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. E. P. Jones moved: "That the Minister of Lands be written to urging tho necessity of a full inquiry and readjustment of r the financial regulations as governing 'tho advances and further assistance of soldier settlers, so as to enable them to have at least 25 per cent, of their money for current expenses." Mr. Jones said this might possibly give tho Minister a lead and let him know that the association had the welfare of men on the land at heart. He understood that four or live men had lately walked off tho Clifton Estate because they could not make a success of it. A member suggested that soldiers should be allowed a certain percentage of' their produce free. The secretary of tho association (Mr. G. M. Smith) said that the trouble was that tho Laud Board kept the proceeds of tho sale of tho men's produco as part payment of what they were owing the bojrd. Tho motion was carried.—"Otago Times."

Warm support is likely to be accorded (says tho Melbourne "Age") to a suggestion mado to tho Australian. Postal Department that a system of deferred telegrams should be instituted. Such a system, it is proposed, should replaco the present uso of lettergrams, which are restricted to messages of a social, domestic, or private nature, as distinct from those which aro of a commercial or official character. The Federal Economies Commission, in its recent report to tho Government, points out that tho exclusion of business people from participation in the benofite of the lettergram service has given rise to considerable complaint. The commission considers that the requirements of the business community should bo catered for by tho Postal authorities, and expresses tho opinion that if a system of deferred telegrams was in forco there_ would be sufficient grounds for curtailing expenditure 011 many non-paying mail routes by reducing tho frequency. The recommendation of the Economies Commission is that the charge for deferred telegrams should be a halfpenny per word, with a minimum charge of 9d. for inlajid and Is. for inter-Stato messages.

Preparations for tho opening of Milford Sound Track are now well under wav. and on "Friday the season stafl, comprising three married couples, and five trackmen, was dispatched (says the "Southland Times"). In connection with the track it is interesting to note thai: the ever increasing monetary cost of enjoying the good Ihings as well as IV> necessaries of life has been reflected in a riso of the track fees from 10s. to Its. Gd. per day for tourists.

Cvril Crisp, an employee of the Telgraph Department, was yesterday engaged in line work on Wellington Torraco when he fell 6ome thirty feet, sustaining il fracture of Hie left arm and injuries to his back. He was removed to the hospital. • Crisp is a married man, thirtv-two vcars of ago, residing ill Grant f!oad. The hospital authorities reported inst evening that bis condition was 'not serious.

Tho route march Arranged in connection with the Wellington Senior Caoet tournament will take place on Saturday afternoon. Sever, teams have entered from tho following companies:—Wellington Technical College (2 learns), Wellinirlon city (1), Thorndon (1), Wellington South (i), Scots College (1), and Post and Telegraph (1).. The distanco fixed for the march is five miles. Teams, which will be composed of twelve men wrli ami one n.c.o. in command, will leave I lie Garrison Ifajl. liueklo Street, at five-minute internils, commencing at 2.30 11.111.. ami will march over 11 course to be selected, finishing the competition at the point of starling. Though the march' will not be a "forced" one. it will have to be completed within a given lime in oroer that teams may qualify for points. liifles will be carried and compliments will be paid to all officers missed en route. The possible number of »oinU will be Hlfl. made up as follows:—Time, 50: first inspection, 10; march discipline, 30: and final inspection. ID. Five points will bo deducted for each minute of error.

Vivian Cliivers, a lad of lli, residing at Koro Koro, and working for Burns ami Co., engineers, Petone, bad liis cyca injured yesterday through the backfiring of an engine. Ho was taken to tho Wellington Hospital, where ho was admitted at 10 a.m.

Approval Ims been given !o the programme arranged for the No. a (Wellington) Group Kiflo Meeting, to bo held at' Trentham on January 31 alio February 7, 1020. Eight matches for Senior Cadets, to be firoil over ranges of. .twenty-live vards. will bo decided on tho first day, tlio matchcs for Territorials, reservists, riilo club men, returned soldiers, ana Legion of Frontiersmen having been set down for February 7. A sum of .C'',o lias been allocated for prize-money among the Senior Cadets, and over -£Vfl| will be available for distribution among other competitors, who will fire over ranges varying from 200 yds. to 500 yds, The latter matches will be made up as follows:—Application, 200 yds., seven rounds, rapid, 200 yds., fivo rounds; snap, 300 yds., seven rounds and one convertible sisrhter; and application, 500 yds., ten rounds.

Arrangements are being made for the formation of a central committee at Wellington to help regimental committees of units of the JJ.Z.K.F. in tho writing and production of regimental histories. The central committee will also provide nnv available records, photographs, maps, etc., on application. It will have the power to revise historiu, ifnd will make alterations, corrections, or suggestions' as may be considered necessary. For this reason manuscripts or proofs must be submitted to the committee as soon as they aro ready. An officer of each unit has been appointed to convene a regimental committee which will at once take in hand the appointment of a writer, ano arrange for the production of its history. In tho case of those units which have passed over their regimental funds to the consolidated canteen and regimental fund the costs of production and publication of the histories. including payment of the writers salaries, will be made out of the consolidated fund. All moneys derived from the sale of regimental histories Mill be paid into the consolidated fund, and tlio net lirofits will be credited to each unit concerned.

The lack of a substantial rainfall during the wast fMv weeks was referred to liv the TTon. J. G. Coatcs m a speech at Daranville. says the "New Zealand Herald" The Minister said that the dry weather was having an effect on grass, and consequently upon dairying. Some of the settlers had told him that no. thinir but a heavy fall of rain would help them.

The election-time humorist was in evidence at the meeting addressed l>y JirCliitha. Mackenzie at Hie Graljnn Boad "Methodist Schoolroom, rays tlio New /,ealand Ilcrald." A written question submitted' was: "In view ot the great scarcity of domestics, is the candidate prepared to support a proposal to all?"',, 1 } man to have a second or third wife r "After his first wife is dead.' asked Mr. Mackenzie, and was answered by a slcntnrian "No!" from the hack of tlio hall. The candidal? then said jocularly the ioea had something to commend . it. There might he one wife for the drawingroom and another for the kitchen, and en forth. However, he concluded that Now Zealand'had hardly reached the stace of considering such schemes.

Lecturing to members of the Philosophical Society last evening, a visiting jiustraliflH scientist (D l ** Tillysiru) saul tliat he was anxious tp impress upon tho Government the vaTuo of tho mavfiv, not only as a 'food for trout, but as ft lure for rlie iikq of anglers, tho may-tlv ho.d practically disappeared from the' Botorua district, and only, one variety was to he found in the laraw.era district. Anglers could do much better with the may-tlv than with the English flies thev bought. The mav-fly was second in value to the caddis fly as a food for trout, the lecturer observed later on. This latter fly was very common in somo places, but he was sorry to say that in parts of the Hotorua district it was almost impossible to find a specimen. The deterioration of tho trout there was no doubt largely dun to the disappearance of the- insect, and the problem of restoring the trout tn their former healthy condition was to a great extent bound up with that of getting back the caddis fly.