LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 101, 23 January 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities advise, that New Zealand mails were dispatched from London by the Athenic, via Panama, on January ID.

I'lie Secretary, G.P.0., advises tho resumption of full rate traffic to the United Kingdom, via Eastern.

The following letter has been addressed by the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' Association, to the secretary of the New Zealand Miners' Federation '"Referring to the reference in tho daily papers to a resolution passed by the ILuntly Miners' Union, which 1 understand was expressed in the following terms: That this union ask the federation to withdraw from the Alliance of Labour, and that the union be allowed to make agreements individually; the federation to have one representative at conference.' I am instructed to adviso you that the executive of this association has considered the- lluntly Union's proposal, and is prepared to accept its terms as a means of settling tile dispute. It is hoped your executive will also accept the lluntly proposal, and thus bring to an end the unfortunate deadlock which has continued for such a considerable length of time."

The wail of popular indignation that was roused in Auckland bv the granting of a telephone to Dr. Encllotsberger soon after his release from tho internment cainn seemed to have been appeased when ho lost his connection. But the mailer has been brought up again by the Returned Soldiers' Association, who, savs the "Star," have reason to believe that the alien doctor is still enjoying tho benefits of a telephone for' his "own use. In fact, tlie association has such shone reasons for believing' that he has the .right lo use something moro than the ordinary penny-in-the-slot telephone that tliev sent a deputation along to tho Hon. J. G. Coatcs, Postmaster-General, to ventilate their grievance against what f.hcv considered to ba another- encouragement lo Endletsbcrger to have the same rights and privileges as a British-born subject. The spokesman for the returned soldiers was their secretary, Mr. 13. P. Andrews, and ho said there was reason to believe that the doctor was occupying a cottage at Howick, and this within the last three weeks had been connected bv telephone, apparently, it was alleged, for the use of a ludy. Investigations made by the association had shown that the telephone had been installed at the instigation of tho doctor, who had aqplied for it in the usual manner. There were several vacancies at llin Ifowick bureau, where a day service onlv was in existence, the custom being for subscribars to provide their own material when they wanted a telephone installed. Mr. Andrews asked for an investigation if the circumstances, and the Minister nromiscd to probe the mystery.

The nrompt action of two men averted a drowning accident at Day's Bay vestenlav afternoon. An officer belonging to the liner Port Sydney was in swimming when he was seized with cramp. His struggles were noticed by the two men in question, and tho officer was promiitlr rescued.

A romantic little incident was witnessed in the usually prosaic atmosphere ol the Government Buildings on Wednesday, savs the Auckland "Herald." On the ton floor, outside the Land Board offices, there waited among others a middle-aged man, opposite whom eat a lady of about the same years. To pass the tedious time (if waiting, the couple entered into conversation, finding to their evident; delight, various common,' interests. They were bolli members of one religious denomination, had both lost their partners in life, and now they both wanted land. The consequence was that (he man proposed a matrimonial partnership, and tho eounle thereupon began discussing the pros and cons of the situation to follow

Approximately two thousand people journeyed lo F/isllnmrno yesterday bv the ferrv steamers.

Mr. 1. Snick, .1.1'.. presided over a short. sitting of the Magistrate's Court held yesterday morning. Waller Ashbridge, who was charged with (licit, was remanded to Wednesday, and was granted bail ji the sum of J!100 and one suretv of ,£loo,' or two sureties of ,£SO eacli. Allan Campbell, William Dunstan and Francis Ould were charged with deserting from I heir ship. They were remanded until to-day. For insobriety, Matthew Hudson, against whom there was one previous conviction, was lined 10s., in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Three first offenders were dealt with in tho •usual iMifiut./uauuer..

"In view of Iho urgent necessity for economy, officers controlling branches of the Detente Department or commanding, districts are reminded that tlicy are responsible that nil expenditure under (heir control is limited to the absolute minimum consistent with efficiency," slates a Genera! Headquarters instruction issued yesterday. "Hespnnsible tlficors must personally and carefully supervise the.organisation of-the stalls working under them, and wherever changes leading to economy withontloss of efficiency can be made such should be made tho subject of immediate action or recommendation. As demobilisation is practically completed, any Additional temporary personnel who are still employed to meet the emergencies peculiar to war conditions will now be dispensed with. As the work of the War Expenses and Pi.se Jiecords branches is still far from completed, considerable stalls must still he maintained in connection therewith; but officers in charge of these branches will effect reductions at the earliest possible moment."

An unrehearsed incident in the performance of "La Boheine" at the Christchurch Theatre lioyal created a temporary diversion in a serious scenc (snvs the "Press"). As theatre-goers arc aware,, stage trees are not real, trees, and a performer, brushing against one in the 6now scene, had the misfortune to knock the tree, a fairly tall one, over. It fell noiselessly amid the "snow." The offect of tho momentary touch of comedy was heightened and'the incident made somewhat grotesque by the unperturbed manner in which two of the performers tucked the fallen forest giant under their arms and departed ivith their load into the wings. A meeting, of the Independent Exhibitors' Association was hold in the No. 1 committee room, Town Hall, 011 Wednes. day evening, Mr. TT. W. Thompson in the chair. It was decided to form branches in the provincial districts and to hold tho next meeting in Wellington about the middle of February. The rmestion of agitating for the Tepeal of the amusement tax was deferred till the next meeting, several delegates being of tho opinion that the repeal of the tax might, rc-sult in heavier taxation in a new direction.

Apropos of tho allegation flint the New Zealand offices in the Strand, London, luck local 1 colour, and that tho clcrlw there who attend to the public know nothing about New Zealand, an amusing incident is reported (fays the "New Zealand Herald"). An inquirer, who had heard that our climate is the best in the world, and who wanted some information on the subject, was told that in New Zealand umbrellas were unknown. Acting on this statement, he arrived in Auckland minus that useful article, oniy to find tl\e first place in the eitv Hint he required to visit was an umbrella shop.

Four English mails aro reported to bo en route to New Zealand. The Mahia, which left England on December 12 for Auckland via the Cape and Ilobart, is bringing an English mail, and is due at the beginning of next month. The transport Bremen, due at Wellington next week, is also bringing a mail. The Wailcawa. which left Ssnii Francisco for 'Wellington on January 14, has 3179 sacks of mails; 1G52 bags contain parcels from America, while 1527 are English, Canadian and American correspondence and newspaper mails. The fourth English mail for New Zealand, left London by t.lie Athenic on January IG, and is due at Wellington about the end of next month.

A movement is afoot in Labour circles in tlio Dominion to establish Labour daily newspapers at Auckland, Wellington. Christcliurch, and Dnncdin, and a canvass for share capital has been already. started (says the "Press"). It is considered probablo that the scheme will prove moro successful in Auckland, and that tlio first of the four Labour dailies is likeiv to bo established in that city. This is based largely on the experiences of tho Labour Party in the northern city in connection with raising campaign funds for the recent general elections. In a comparatively short space of time the sum of J2SOO was collccted for the purpose, and this is taken as an indication that the proposed Labour newspaper will receive good financial support

The housing problem in Auckland remains acute, says tlio "Herald." Land and house agents report that there are practically no homes available i'or tenants. To-day the house-hunter must be prepared to' buy, otherwise his efforts are fruitless. liven tho average purchaser is not fre.o from difficulties, for the occupying tenant is generally loth to remove himself and family and plungo into the search for new quarters. The fact that the scarcity of building materials is delaying the erection ot n„-. dwellings accentuates the trouble.

Dr R. .T. Tillyard, of Sydney University, who has been engaged for the past few weeks in making an investigation into the question of trout food in the Rotorua. district for the New Zealand Government, is pessimistic with regard to tho future of trout fishing in the Kotorua district. The present situation 111,0 nutshell, ho said in Christchurch, was that nearly; all the rivers and lakes were appalling!} overstocked. The trout had taken out nearly all the insect food, and were now starving. Ruin faced the whole of tho trout fishing in tho districts lie had investigated unless drastic steus were taken, without delay, to grcatlv reduce the number of fish, especially destroying .the big fish, so that natural aauatic insect life in tho streams would liavo a chance to increase to normal quantity again. Supposing, for tile sake of argument, said Dr. Tillyard, that there are a million aquatic insects in or on a stream, and the trout eat 900,000 of them in a vear, the remaining 10 per cent, will lie sufficient to restock the stream with insect food for the next year, but the Dosition in a great many New Zealand lakes and rivers is that the.trouth have eaten 99.9 per cent, of insects, and tho result is that they cannot keep the supply of food up. Under these circumstances it is foolish to keep on restocking the rivers with fresh fry, thinking that t:he introduction of netf Idood will mend matters. What is needed is drastic culling of fish, so that the insects may havo a chance to re-establish themselves. The importation of many new species of Tasmauian dragon flies would assist. They are unite harmless, and only feed on the larvae of mosquitoes, gnats, etc. Dr. Tillyard will make another investigation of the trout food problem in the Rotorua. district in the autumn, as it is necessary to work on the problem both in spring and autumn

With, perhaps, much concern, travellers on the New Zealand railways lately liavo noticed the determined creeping in of the lipping "evil" (says the "Mawke's Bav Herald' ). It is suggested that if it continues it will soon be as common a practice as in England. On the larger stations nowadays porters are quick to serve passengers, and in some instances guards have been found to be very attentive. And ,of course, the usual tip is expected and liaid. It seems that the introduction of the system of reserving seats has been responsible for tipping being started. Passengers who have reserved seats usually require assistance in finding their carriage. This assistance need not bo sought, in fact, travellers do not have lime to look for a porter, because the latter, takes charge of tho luggage, and starts off for 'the train before the passengers realise they are on the station. The public is not to blame altogether for starting the tipping, for in most eases the hand of the porter is ready before the hand of the passenger can be withdrawn from his hip pocket. It seems to have come into vogue by mutual understanding.

J[cssm. E. L. Ilall and R. P. linker, chairman and managing director respectively of the International Correspondence Schools, leave for Sydney today by the Manuka to join tho Jlontoro on' route to Straits Settlements, India, Egypt, and 'England. During their three weeks' stay in New Zealand, they have (Jxhaiistively invwlinaii'd local conditions with a view to making such alterations in the curriculum of the institution that will enable the I.C.S. to meet the re(liiireuionls of New Zealand student.'* more elfeeiively in the future than m the past. During this week a conference of all the New Zealand agents has Ocen lieid in Wellington. An announcement was made that the new domestic science courses, covering the subjects of (dessmnking, cooking, and millinery would now bo placed on sale in New Zealand. A conference of all overseas managers is to be held at the head office, London, in August of this year, to be followed by a visit of inspection of the associated institutions in America. Mr. J. G.. Smith, general manager for New Zealand, will accordingly leave for EngJaud an.it tjio United States in July. next.

Mr. J. 11. Pagni, Royal Consular Agent for Italy, lias been advised by tho Italian Ministry of War, Home, that the Italian Government lias promulgated a decreo granting amnesty to Italian soldiers who liftvc committed various offences, including, that of not having answered tho call to arms. All Italians of military ago who resided in New Zealand during tho war up to November 4, 1918, and failed to answer tho call to arms, are (says tho Auckland "Herald") included amongst thoso who havo been pardoned by such decree.

A while ago tho Primary Schools Committees' Association discussed the subject of teaching children to 6iiig, mid ended by asking the Auckland Education Board to appoint specially trained teachers in singing for city and suburban schools. Tho senior inspector brought up this request at the last meeting of the Auckland Educational Board, leeommending that tho appointment of a singing instructor should be favourably considered. A good deal of discussion arose upon tho subject, and all tho speakers had good things to say of voico production, not merely as a musical asset to the pupils, but also because it improved tho speaking and reading voice. The chairman eventually moved that the board recommend the appointment most strongly to headquarters in Wellington.

"Tho problem of tho big city in the futui'o is going to be tho welfare of tho girl," said the Rev. Hoban, of Sydney, when speaking at the gathering of Methodists in Auckland. "Wo liavo clulis for men and pubs for men, and everything for men, but wo pay little attention to the wants of the young women in our cities. Nothing was too good for the girls, and provision of tho most elaborate and choice kind should be mado for their welfare. Especially should they have a lovely home to live in, beautifully furnished and tastefully arranged, for beauty ever appealed to the gentler sex, strengthening their high ideals of fife, and for that reason alone was worth all the cost and tho trouble. Ho hoped,that the Methodists of Auckland in their new forward scheme would make provision for a hostel that would accommodate at least a hundred young women who came to the city to earn a living.

The disappearance of Messrs. Fred De Lisle and William Woods, who left Auckland for the gulf in a launch on Christmas morning, and have not since been heard of. is. still a mystery (says tho "New Zealand Herald"). In spite of tho larce number of pleasure craft which were cruising about tho gulf during the holidays nobody appears to have noticed the launch after it left the inan-o'-war steps. Inquiries raado at all places where tho launch was likely to call have failed to clicit any information, In addition to this, all coasting vessels have been keeping a keen look-out for the missing craft.

Tho restoration of the old historic Anglican church at Bussell, which has been under consideration for some time past, will bo undertaken shortly, says ttio "Herald." The Government, in view of the conncction of the buildingwith the early colonisation of New Zealand, has agreed to assist in defraying the cost 'by a £ for i subsidy up to •i'2oo. ' It 'was at this church, then known as tho Kororareka Mission Church, that Captain Hobson, as Lieu-tenant-Governor, read his historic proclamation of British sovereignty over New Zealand, on landing at the Bay of Islands on January ,'iO, 1810. The residents of l'iussell and tho surrounding districts are bestirring themselves to raiso tho funds necessary to enable the church to be thoroughly restored. The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Dr. A. W. Avorill, who has just returned from a visit to the Bav of Islands, states that tho movement has been energetically taken up. During his visit to Russell a sale of work in aid of the fund was held, and this resulted, in the 6uni of about <£150 being raised. A decision has yell to be reached as to the appointment of an architect, and the method of carrying out the work, but it is cxpccted that it will lie put in hand shortly. Dr. Averill remarked that tho Government recognised that the church should be regarded as a national asset, and that it was intended to preserve as much of the present building as possible. -It will not be a difficult matter to retain what may be termed tho individuality of the old building which has weathered the 6uns and storms of between eighty and ninety vears. Several o£ the foundation blocks and a portion of the weather-boarding, particularly on one side, are considerably decayed, but otherwise a largo part of tho building is perfectly sound, and the old timbers will last for many more vears. Tho old bullet holes in the wall, which were mado during Hone Heke's war in 1845. will be preserved, and there will be no change in tlio interior of the church.