LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 263, 31 July 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A new scale of charges for toll cmnnuniealions lias been instituted. For communications from subscribers speaking from their own telephones, hall rates will be charged up to twenty instead of ten miles. An invitation has been extended by the New Zealand Government to overseas journalists attending the World's Piesa Conference to be .held in Sydney to visit New Zealand. Those who come to. the Dominion will, be afforded all possible facilities for seeing the country. Delegates to the conference of the New Zealand Fanners' Union yesterday emphasised the need of proper nursing facilities being provided in backblock settlements. Tho conference adopted remits from Auckland and Southland, urging Hint more provision should be made for competent nursing and medical services in the outlying districts, and that the Government should bear the cost of maternity expenses in all, cases of need. . It has been decided to purchase for use as the Soldiers' Home decided upon by tho Canterbury Patriotic Society Mr. Justice Her.dnian's residence, Papnmn Road. Christchurch. The purchase price is £5000. The Patriotic Fund (says a Press Association message) will pay tho price, and put the property in order for occupation by the soldiers. The property will then be put in the' hands of trustees, and its control will be handed over to the Red Cross Society. The Government will provide medical attendance, muses, orderlies, and military rations.. The first shipment of green pens from Nelson was sold yesterday by Messrs. Griffiths and Co., auctioneers, at 9s. 6d. per peck~, of 71 b. This is, the holiest price on record in Wellington for this vegetable. The subject of charitable aid beard levies was discussed by the conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday, when protests were made that the present system of raising funds was inequitable. After a detailed discussion the following remit from the Otago branch was carried: "That in the opinion of this conference the levy on local bodies for the purpose of raising the necessary funds for hospital and charitable aid purposes unduly taxes the holders of rural properties, and that tho Government bo asked to alter the law, bo as to raise money on a more equitable basis." It was announced) by Mr. W. J. Polson . (Fordoll) at yesterday's sitting of the New Zealand Farmers' Union conference, that a sum of 20 guineas had been collected from delegates towards the funds of the Workers' Educational Association. On Mr. Poison's suggestion it was decided that the money should be handed over in aid of the general funds of' the AV.E.A., ' and not subscribed towards any provincial.' fund. How a milk vendor may a breach of the milk regulations quite innocently was exemplified in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning before ~lr. J. S. Ifca'ns, S.M., when James Mills, a milk vendor in Aro. Street, was charged with selling milk deficient in solids. The facts were that a live-gal-lon can of milk was left at the shop, and Mills, who was ill in bed, did not take the can indoors or cause it to bo. taken inside, and a customer, thinking (o save flie vendor trouble just, dipped her jug into the can and took her ply of milk, but in doing so took most* of the cream. This explanation was accepted bv the prosecution, for whom Mr. J. Prendeville appeared, and a heavy penalty was not asked for. Mills was convicted and'ordered to pay 17s. 0d costs.'

Tlmt the law has a very long reach and can stretch'over years was brought Inline lo a man named Harry Willis in the Magistrate's' Court yesterday when lie was "charged, before Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M., with failing to register in the Reserve oC the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Willis instead of enrolling cleared out and hid himself in the bach country, and for .three or four years wandered about in the hinterland between Waiouru and Napier. He was eeen on several occasions and some efforts were made to secure him, but he always managed to elude bis pursuers. Willis, of course, did not take bis portmanteau with adequate supplies of clothing for a prolonged stay in rough country, nor yet did he deem toilet requisites to l>o of any value to him. In course of time lie developed a tattered appearance, his hair grew and grew till it reached to his shoulders, and bis beard reached down to his belt. In this unkempt,' condition be wandered on (o the Oruamatua station, where the station bands, elated at the prospect of capturing a genuine wild man, bunted him down on horseback. When they discovered the reasons for bis long sojourn in Hie wilds bo was handed over to the police and on July 11, at Tailuiwe. be was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, for being an idle and disorderly person in that he possessed inHuflmient lawful means of support. Yesrerfiay Tie had another three months' imprisonment imposed upon him. Hemits from Auckland and Wellington were carried by the Farmers' Union conference yesterday urging that no charge sliould be made for rural mail services, "" The City Council has been fortunate enough to sccuro 100 tons of cement, and is at present pushing on with all speed the readjustment of the levels of J.ambton Quay, between Grey and Willis Streets. There were- sixly-four applications received by the College Governors for tlio position of headmaster of Wellington College lo bo vacated by Mr. .T. P. Firth at"the end of the year. They have been winnowed down to some ex'.ent, and next week the board will probably be in a «position to make a definite appointment.

A meeting of the Executive Council ok tlio Wellington Competitions Society was, held lost evening, Jtev. A. E. llunt<prcsiding. Correspondence was received from n number of choirs intimating their intention to compete. The Dominion Council of tho New Zealand Piping and Dancing Association wrote agreeing to endorse any action taken by tho society in connection with the national dancing section. It. was decided to issue a limited number of membership tickets, and these are now obtainable from any member of tho executive or the secretary. The secretary stated- that entries were freely to hand, and a f.Vge entry was now assured. Competitors are' reminded that' entries closo on' Monday week, August 9. On the motion of Mr. R? Leslie Jones the Lyall Bay Municipal Electors' Association unanimously decided on the following remit lo be discussed at next meeting of the Eastern Suburbs' League: "That the Eastern Suburbs; League should start a movement agitating for a 'tfainway Board Co lie appointed by ratepayers in lieu of the present method of management." Mr. Jones, at the unanimous request of the executive, has withdrawn his resignation as secretary of the association, and will continue to net m that, capacity. Three men were charged in ihe Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. J. S Evans. S.M., with wilfully committing n grossly indecent act in the Athletic. Park. On behalf of the police it was s'ated that the cases hnil been brought to draw attention to Ihe inadequate sanitary arrangements &t the Park. The evidence'showed that th 6 three defendants had done everything possible to avoid giving offence, and counsel'"for the defence (Mr. C. W. Neilsen) said that the Pugby Union was itself ito blame, for if it provided adequate accommodation to meet tho circumstances no nuisance would occur. The Magistrate held that there lind been no wilful commission of an indecent act, and dismissed the informations. Tho New Zealand Rugby Union has been advised from Sydney by cablegram I that ithe International Board of RugbyControl has approved of l he new rules providing for-no charge; '.hat the player: who makes a fair catch must take the kick; providing for the ball to be kicked off at half-way after an--unsuccessful kick at goal; and also providing that all serums are to be within ten yards from I fouehlirie in the twenty-fives. The rules come into operation immediately.

Our correspondent telegraphs:—U a conference of delegates from Dannevirke and AVoodville/boroughs it .was decided to form an electric power board for an area comprising these districts,, with Weber County as the outlying area. ■It-wis announced at a meeting of the Levin Dairy Company that .C 78.000 had been distributed among the suppliers last season, telegraphs our correspondent. The second annual meeting of the Island Bay Cottage Garden Society was held on Thursday. The annual report and balance-sheet disclosed a healthy slate of affairs both socially and financially. The society has now a membership of over 150, and a number of new members were elected at the meeting. Three shows were arranged during the year, and also a dance, all of which were well patronised. The next show of the society will be in December, which will afford rose-growers an opportunity of competing for the I.ockwood Challenge Cup. Mr. I 1!. J. Co'.ley was unanimously re-elected president of (ho society, and Messrs. Jaekman, Dixon, and Evans will continue as lion, treasurer, hon, secretary! and assistant hon. secretary respectively.

Mr. ,T. M'Kenzie, director of reserves, has been provided with- an office in the Town Hall (under tho stairs leading to the Concert Chamber gallery), and will bo able to be seen there at stated hours by lessees and all those persons having business in connection with that department of the City Council's activities. During the present season Mr. M'Kenzie has plan-ed that nice little triangular section to the north of HataKai entrance to the Mount Victoria tunnel, which lias been always more or Jess of an eyesore. Ho anticipates that the shrubs will'do well there, and in time will add to ttie picturesqueness of the locality. Some planting is also being done on tho Kilbirnie side of the Town Belt. Tho tender of Mr. W. M'Cullough has l)cen accopted by the I'etone Borough Council for the purchase of its motor garage. Shortly after 6 o'clc*k last evening a man named Albert Matthews, residing at Lower Hutt, was knocked down in Lainton Quay by a motor-car driven by Honry Fratley,, who ulso lives at Hutt. Beyond some slight abrasions on the face, Matthews was not seriously hurt, and was able to proceed to his home. There lias been a rouiarkablo run of frosity weather in Wellington this week, but in the light of Ohakuno's experience wo havo yet to witness a real "old man" frost. In a le'.ter written to a Wellington friend on Wednesday last an Ohakuno lady stated that .that night thoy were experiencing the thirteenth consecutive frost; with exceptionally cold nights and clear, sunshiny days. Ou Sunday night, the letter wont on, "I puis some corned beef in my safe outside, and by tho morning it was frozen, and was too hard to cut, The milk also was frozen and had to be melted beforo it could be used."

At a meeting of the Kew Zealand Bxecutivo of the Eed Cross Society a letter from Brigadier-General M'Gavin, Director-General of Medical Services, was received supplying a list of the hospitals, convalescent homes, and vocational workshops in connection therewith, which have been closed, as follows:— Knpx Home, Auckland. Miramar Convalesent Home, Wellington, Epsom Convalescent Home, Auckland. Devonport Convalescent Home, Auckland. Y.M.C.A. Annexe, Christchurch. Featherston Military Hospital. Te Waikato Sanatorium, Cambridge. Wanganui Convalescent Home. Auckland Military - Annexe (for in-patients). Anzao Home, . Karitane. lnvercargill Convalescent Home. Soldiers' Ward, Napier. 'In addition to the above tho Chalmers Military Hospital, Christchurch, and the military section, Duncdin' Hospital, will bo handed over to the respective hospital boards on July 111. Tho Director of Vocational Training applied for a further grant cf ,£SOO towards providing further equipment for the vocational workshops. This was approved. A return was presented by the secretary showing that £12,781 os,' Bd. had been expended by the Red Cross Society for, providing workshops and .£O6BO 17?. sd. for equipment required in connection therewith for vocational training.' It having been explained that the grant asked for by the New Zealand Red Cross Commissioner in London to provide an agent: at Calais was not for the purpose of assisting visitors financially to visit the graves of New Zealanders in France, but to provide advice and guidance "to relatives to enable them to find 'the graves which are situated in many different parts of France, a grant of i'fiOfl per annum for two years was approved.

According to the Dnnedin "Star," n good story,, which has (lie added merit of beinpr true, is told by a Dunediu gentleman who has just returned from a trip to the United States. He was conversing one day with a school teacher in a populous district, and mentioned that he en me from New Zealand. "New Zealand?" reniiirM (he pedagoene. obviously searching his memory. mo see, was New Zealand in the wnr, or was she neutral?" The vis'tor from Dunedin had no adequate reply ready, hut thought of 'many stinging rejoinders when it was too late. People who "lake a class" in Auckland Ihese days evidently do so wholeheartedly, for an hotelkeeper complained to Hie iKilice on Saturday that Hint afternoon there had bsen 105 down (126) glasses carried away from his bar counter. "It is becoming a serious malter in the c : ty hotels, and in the soft, drink •slums, loo." stated .Senior Screen nt M'Nnmarn in the Auckland Police Court this week, in regard to n case in point.

Tt. i,s understood (states a Greymouth Press Association telegram) that the Great Western Timber Company, which was formed to ejnloit a large hush area in the Okaritn d'slrict. has nnnlied for protection of the area it is intended to operate, on. It is al'o timleislnnd that Ihe Crown onnosc= (he application, on the ground that the company has not complied with certain sections of the Mining Act.

The Government haß extended an invitation to overseas journalists attending tlio World's Press Conference to be held in Sydney to .visit New Zealand. Those who do visit this country are (to bo offered free passes on the railways and steamera. Simultaneously with the rise in the price of sugar, the price of factory-made biscuits advanced an average of 2d. per lb. all over the Dominion. Through the courtesy of His Worship the Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke, the students undergoing tuition in dairy farming in connection with the Defence' Department's vocational training . scheme at the '1 renthnm Military Hospital, paid a visit io the Municipal Supply Depot, Dixon Street, on Thursday afternoon. On- arrival at the depot the party was received by the manager, Mr. 11. A. Ward, who, in a brief address, outlined the salient features of the milk-producing and supply industry, emphiioising in particular the importance "of the application of hygienic and industrious methods if the farmer would do his duty by the pull'c and profit by his venture. The process of analysing the milk for Iho purposes of detecting impurities and securing to the consuming public the supply of an unadulterated commodity was also demonstrated by the analytical chemists in the laboratory, after which Mr. Ward led the party on a tour of inspection of the. whcle plant. At the conclusion of tlio visit, Captain Galloway, M.C., thanked the manager and his" staff on behalf of the visitors for the kind courtesy shown. The transport of the party to and from the hospital was in the hands of the Red Cioss Society, who discharged the duty efficiently, thereby contributing materially to a most enjoyable outing.

Two Chinese women arrived at. Auckland from Sydney «r Wednesday by the Tahiti. They were 'put through the ■■riucation test by the Collector of Customs, and were 'permitted to enter (ho Dominion. The total num'bor of Chinese who have arrived at Auckland since the beginning of the year is -IG4. Tn-accordance with the decision of the ''risons Department the evacuation of 'he JCaingarca prison camp, in the Taupo '1 strict, has been completed. Mi', ihe'ne, head forester, at present in charge •if the property of the Forestry Department, is making arrangements for extensive additions to the premises in the near future. A large staff will be transferred to the camp to be established at tjieen Lake, where other work is being r-sirried out. The block-ship luhigenia, which was raised out of the mud at the mouth of the Bruges Canal a few weeks ago, represented a weight of -faOO tons. The ship was sunk 18ft. in 'the mud, and, by means of a water hose from a lirefloat 28 9in. lifting wires were passed by divers round the hull. Each of the lifting craft employed had a raising capacity of 100(1. tons. The whole of the protective deck of Hid block-ship had to be made water-tight. The work of lifting the vessel was in charge of Commodore Young, who had been lent by the British Admiralty to the Belgian authorities. The cost of the work is being borne primarily by the Belgian Government, which is to be recouped for its outlay -by Germany. A large amount of salvage off the Belgian const has now been successfully' ''.ompleted, including tho raising of floating docks which had capsized dredgers which were lying on top of each other, bucket dredgers lying upside down, and cranes thrown over the side of the Mole. All the work was carried out. in waters infested with mines... Tho most remarkable task was the raising of tho Iphigenia, which line been placed alongside tho jetty at Zecbrugge. ,

The approaching increase in postal and telegraphic rates has led an enterprising Christchnrch resident to announce, by r/Jvertisement, to commercial and business men, his willingness to deliver monthly accounts, circulars, etc., at less cost than postage. It may not be generally known that the privilege, or monopoly, of carrying letters enjoyed by the Postmaster-General is very jealously guarded. Sub-section 1 cf section--20 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908, states that: "No letter-shall be carried for hire or reward otherwise than by post"; and Regulation 15 of the J'ost and Telegraph Regulations states that "any person conveying I (otherwise than by the post)' a letter not exempted from the exclusive privilege of the- Postmastcr,General, incurs by law a iipi">.lt»- ~r p ' ,f ! tor every letter so conveyed." Whether "monthly accounts, circulars, etc.," tv-iui: under the definition cf "letter" appears to be a moot point. 11.M.5. Temerairo sailed from Portsmouth on June 'I on a. six months' training cruise with Prince George and other naval cadets. The Prince will be subject to the same strict discipline as his ccnirndes, and his hammock will be slung between decks with theirs. A large and comfortable gun-room is provided for the cadets, and there they will take their meals and undergo instruction. At sia the upper deck will be used ns their recreation ground; The sea chest formerly allotted to a midshipman is not required by tho present-day cadet until ho is drafted to a- ship of the Fleet, and a mahogany chest of drawers is available for each cadet, his name .being engraved en a brass pkto. Many names rc-presenting families renowned in naval history appear on chests used in the present voyage. With the Prince of Wales, holding the rank of captain, touring in the Renown, two Princes of the blood Ecyal are now afloat ns nival officers for the first lime since the present King and his brother, the late Duke of Clarence, sailed together round the ivorld in tho old Bacchante » years ago. Tho King and tho late Duke of Edinburgh are the only members cf the Royal Family who remained in the Navy long enough to be given command of ships. Tho Fleet is now looking to Prince George as the future sailor Prince. "The Labour Party and Its Critics" will be the title of on address to be delivered by Mr. P. Eraser, M.P., at the Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith Street, on Sunday evening, at 8.