LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 304, 17 September 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho vital statilsties for the four metropolitan areas show that the births in August numbered 797 as against Btfl in July, a decrease of 43. The deaths in August were 522—an increase of 51 as' compared with tho previous month. Of the total deaths males contributed 270, females 218. Eighty-two of the deaths wero of children under five vears of age, being 15.71 of the whole number. Fiftyeight of those were under ouo year of ago.

Mr. G. Witty, M.P., who has been interesting himself in tho question of the reduction of rents of hotels on account of G o'clock closing, has received _ a letter from the Prime Minister stating that he had conferred with the Minister of Justico on the subject and is advised that tho question is one of the interpretation of tho law. Mr. Massoy TCgrets, therefore, that the Government cannot advise those concerned. Ho suggests they ehonld consult their solicitors.

When the main city streets wero woodblocked by the City Council in the year iM, there was a good deal of discussion as to which was the best available hard, wood block to withstand the traffic in tin's elimato and under Wellington's somowlmt freakish weather conditions In order.that future generations of townplanners might draw wisdom from ex-pu-ience, it was decided to lay down test sections of blocks between Stewart Dawfon's corner and Plimmer"s steps, on Lambton Ouay. The blocks then laid wcro jarrah, black butt, and tallow wood —all Australian hardwoods. These blocks have just been lifted in connection with the readjustment cf the lovels of that thoroughfare. On being consulted as to whether the test had borno any fruit, the City Engineer (Mr. W. 11. Morton) said that all sections had stood nj? to their work in first-class style. None of tho three sections showed any appreciable signs of wear, and nothing could bo picked between them. An inspection showed that tho blocks bad come rip clean, and still well-coated with tar, and none showed any signs of "fraying' at tho top. The whole of these blocks are now being re-laid, and from appearance thoy are good for another twenty years.

A well known Wellington builder and contractor who is strongly opposed to the sy&tem of contractors only accepting work on a 10 per cent, basi?, made the following statement to a reporter- yesterday: "lam glad to say that tilings generally in the building trade arc now a bit easier, and work is wain being accepted on a contract basis with certain latitude to meet existing conditions. Our firm has already accepted contracts, and I do not think it will be long before the 10 per cent, system goes by tho board."

Tho registers of 4J per cent. Inscribed Stock 19.19, and 5 per cent. Inscribed Stock will bo closed from October 1 to 20 inclusive for the purpose of is.suing the half-yearly interest.

An animated discussion took place at the City Council moteing last evening "on a recommendation of tho Public Health, Committee for authority for a portion of the cemetery reserve at Karori to be iaid out as a re£i park and garden. Councillor W. IT. Bennett: raised the question of the propriety of allowing games to be played so near'to the cemetery,- The Mayor said that tho happiest days of his boyhood were spent on a ground adjoining a cemetery, and be did not agree with Councillor Bennett that there was any desecration likely or intended in the proposal. Councillor B, A. Wright said it would not be very nice to hear the shouts and noise from a football match in the middle of the burial service. Finally it was decided to refer the clause back to the committee for further consideration,

The premises of Messrs. D. S. Patrick and Co., drapers, Cuba Street were entered early on Wednesday morning, burglars forcing a window at tho rear of the premises and stealing a quantity of goods. The articles were valued at £1.!0, and included ladies' wearing appeal, knitted coats, gloves, stockings, blouses, undcrclothing, etc.

Tho use of a portion of tho Kilbirme Reserve during tine summer months was granted to the Wellington, Baseball League by the City Council last evening, subject to conditions recommended by'tho Director of Ecserves.

The properties of Robertson Brothers, trustees of late A. Hatnck, and "\\. 'llardwick-Smith in the Hawera ace imatisation district, have been declared sanctuaries for imported and uativo game.

A preliminary meeting of Newtown residents was held last night for the purpose of forming a branch of the National Defence League. Mr. A. Gray, KC„ president of tho Wellington District Council, presided. The aims and objects of the league were explained, it was unanimously decided to take steps tj form a strong Nowtowa branch, and an-influciitital committee was appointed with a' view to organising a general meoting for that purpose.

A petition from Robert Wilberfoss for a remission of penalty ou income tax in the estate of the lato Hamilton Gilmer, was presented to Parliament yesterday by ilr. J. P- Lukei (Wcllfogtou Nortn). Tho petition sets out that ho is secretary to the managing trustees of the estate. A demand for £1778, balance of income tax due, was sent to him by the Commissioner of Taxes together with a notice of assessment. The petitioner, not being awaro that in the case of a special assessment such as thfe was, the demand was sent simultaneously and was the iinal notice, .overlooked it. Consequently, the time for payment was exceeded, and a penalty of .£l7B accrued. As this situation was due to his own oversight he had no option but to pay the sum out of his own pocket. He was very much overworked at the time and had lost the services of his head clerk, tlnb disorganising his ofiico routine. As there was no intention of avoiding payment he asks that tho 10 per cent, penalty should be remitted, and that tho Government should accept in its place interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum on tho £1778 for the period over which default was made, this amounting to £33. By thjs means he claims that tho State would be reimbursed against all loss.

Tho "Wellington City Council have given authority for the erection of a memorial wall at the soldiers and sailors' memorial cemetery, Karon, at a cost of £500.

On tho recommendation of the Milk Committee, the City Council decided last night that in view of the urgency of securing supplies of milk for next winter, authority lie grouted to the committee to arrange for tho appointment of a buver to travel tho country districts. The appointment is to bo temporary for a period of twelve months, and is to' be then confirmed if so dcsii'ccl by the committoe.

Tho beautifying of school surroundings is rooommonded by the Wellington Edn, cation Board in its annual report, which states:—"The board is pleased to note that an increasing, number of committees rccogniso how important a. factor in education is the cultivation ofthesenso of tho beautiful. The board for the fifth year granted trees to those who required, them for tho school. For theso plans of improvement, tho advice of tho supervisor and his assistants is always available. T,ast year fifty-five committees raised locally' J52257 17s. ad., which, with £ for £ subsidy, was spent to benefit their schools. Tho amounts include ,£3OO for a manual centre at the Hutt and .ftlOO for a new site at. Martiuborough."

The Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) recently expressed a desire to know the minds of the teaching profession iki regard to the question or basing appointments and promotions on the Dominion grading list. The executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute accordingly circulated voting papers per medium of tho official organ, "Na-lihnn-l Education." At a meeting of tho executive, hold last svening, it was reported that the voting returns were coming to hand rather tardily and that (here was a danger that the full returns would not be to hand in tirao to onablo the Minister to- be in possession of tho mind of tho profession when considerimg amendments to the Education Act in regard to the appointment of teachers. Tt was dccVded. to close the voting on Saturday, September 25, after which tho votes will bo counted.

Monday week, September 27, is to 1)6 observed as Dominion Day by the Government offices.

At tho annual meeting of the Petone branch of tho United Christian Association, iiie Rev. J. A. M'Konsde was elected president and the Rev. C. Blair secretary A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Carey, tho retiring secretary, who had occupied the position from tho inception of the association.

Tho Tramway Employees' Union has been granted tlvo free uso of tho Concert Chamber for the purpose of an entertainment for the benefit of the family of a deceased motorman.

At the annual meeting of tho Petone Ri'flo Club tho following officers were elected for the ensuing years-Patron, Mr S V. Burridge (re-elected): presi dent, Mr. B. L. Flaws (re-elected); deputy-presidents, Messrs. J. Liddlo and C. B.'Morris; hon. secretary and treasurer Mr. J. Scott; delegates to Welling ton Rifle Clubs' Union, Messrs. Flaws, Morris, and Liddlo; committee, Messrs. A. Ballinger, 33. Ballinger, J. Carter, D. J Guinev. and S. Knight; shell steward, Mr A Weir; vice-presulents, Colonel A. F. 'Roberta. Messrs. F. Jennys W. H. Ballinger, Jnr., G.PhiHiff, C. H. Bird, ,1. H. Navlor, A. Coles, H. Baldwin, L. P. Rishworth, B. P. Bunny, V. Riddiford, T. Ballinger, W. H. Ballinger, Senr., T. M. Wilfovd, M.P., J W. M'Ewan. W. Donovan, B. Jteid, G. Trovethiok, W. .Tudd, W. T Cotton ,T. Cotton, G. A. Chapman M W, Welch, F. Reid, W. F. Ayson, B. C. Kirk, and J. Maclachlan. Following tho Tcquest made to the City Council by a company for the issue of a quarterly or yearly bain ticket to a nnrso employed by them, it was d»cMcd on'the recommendation of tho Tramways Committee, to decline the request.

Mr C M. Banks writes to state that bis iemark at the Chamber of- Commcrco yesterday was not that bo envied tho small shareholder under tho new inconio tax, but that tho small shareholder was "more; to bo envied than sympathised with. lhe point that Mr. Banks wished to convey was that in spite of the present high income tax most shareholders, including small ones, were better off than they were when the tax was quite a small one. At a meeting of tho Auckland City Council last night ft was stated that there was only sufficient coal in band to keep tho trams running for eight more days.—Press Assn.

Complaint of bad road conditions at Wauestown was made by Councillor Bennett at Hist evening's meeting of the City Council. He stated that portion of 'the main road to Wilton's Busli had no side channels, storm water being taken away by a ditch. Portion of the road was only 11 feet wide, and in view of tho ever-increasing motor traffic, this state of affairs was a menace to children. Ho had personally visited the source of the complaints, which lie had not found exaggerated. It was stated by Councillor L. M'lCeuzic that proposals to witdei! the road and niako necessary alterations had been considered by the Outlying Districts Committee, which ho considered was alive to its 'responsibilities. Tho Mayor stated that Wadcstown was entitled to a fair deaU It was no use having a reserve at Wilton's Bush unless there was proper access to it.

With tho object of keeping all who aro interested in the making of milk products in touch with tho latest developments iln. tho theoretical as well as the practical side of their business, tho executive of the Now Zealand Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., Hamilton, lias undertaken the production of a monthly, farm journal, "The Dairyman," which is being conducted by Mr. 0. E. Cuming, late editor of the- "N.Z. Tanner," and Mr. E. P. Connell, late instructor ilu agriculture of tho Department of Agriculture. We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the now journal, which is a well arranged paper of _G4 pages, containing a mass of information of interest to dairymen and numerous oxcellent illustrations. The directors of the company announce that the publication will be mailed free to every supplier, but outsiders may become subscribers.

A special order authorising the raising of a ,£IO,OOO loan for workers' dwellings was confirmed by the City Council last evening.

The rescuo of passengers from a stranded steamer was effected by the Athenic on her last voyage from Wellington to London. On Mav 3 the Altaic picked nu the S.O.S. signal from the American steamer Munamar, . which was stranded on Gardenicr Reef, San Salvador, lhe Jfuriamar was in a very dangerous position, and had 87 passengers on board. Captain Crossland decided to go down to the- stranded ship and take oft the passeniors. The- Athenio had a full passeiiEor list and had not a single berth available, but tho purser had beds made up in the various public rooms. On arriving at daybreak, tho chief officer, Licut, Commander P. R. Vaughan, .D.b.C., RNR., left tho Athenic in charge ot boats for the rescue work. Al passengers were safely transferred with their blggage in two hours, and the A'chemc proceed to Norfolk to d.sembark them, arriving there three days later. The passengers were unanimous in their praiso of Captain Cropland and ns officers for the great comfort they all. received on board be Athenic after •their trying experiences. The Munamnr belonged to the Munsoji Line, of New lork,and was bound from Cuba to New \oik.

The City Engineer has been nithorised to wake arrangements for the collection of houso .refuse in the Karon and Onslow districts, and for the inshtution of a sanitary service itteto ■low district. Councillor Forsyth urge, that all, not only a part, of household fuse should be coleeted. At present certain kinds of rubbish were left behind by the collectors, and instanced what the cleaning up week had cost. If that amount (£1500) was spent every war tliev could have a clean-up we* every week. Tho Mayor was ermpathetc, and when the plant and labour was available Mr. Morton would give the matter attention. His difficulty at present was to get a place to put the rubbish in. ttnd also iho Orations of the destructor.

Tho manager of tho corporation tramways reported to last night's meeting of the council as follows on the loss of revenue due to the recent coal shortage, "Tho tramway tra,me revenue for the week amounted to £3910 as compared with £0180, the average for tho ast two months, and consequently tho low in ear revenue due to the week's stopp 4 may safely be placed at £2270. In addition to this thero was also a considerable loss due to the supply of power to private consumers being cut olt. Tourists from Ainorica and England ii-hn oossees currency m the form of TroasurVnoles of the £5 ami tho £1 denominations, are finding that they en.fer a substantial loss in converting their lea th into Bank of New Zealand notes ind tho vouchers of other banks operat- ?"" in the Dominion., Several Anns in Wellington are ■ buying these British notes elving M 17b. Gd. for the £5, and I , for the£l notes. .■ Generally, bnsioss people in this city will not accept British notes. The Ml in the reinU™ value of tho £ sterling to the dollar was demonstrated recently by aresii™t obtaining £2 ss. for a ten-dollar American biif, Cook's estimating the dollar value at 4s. Gd.

Tho Finance Committee reported to tho Citv Council Inst night that it had con «entcd to tho St. Joseph's Orphanage bazaar bonking of tho Town Hall from October 27 to November 0 inclusive. These dates include two Saturday evenings.

Tho annual sailing race between the respective watches of the training ship \mokura was held yesterday in a brisk northerly Pcttv Officer Gould was in ,l,argo of the crew the- rfarloan' watch, and Potty Oflicor White commanded tho port watch crow. A rectangular 'course was laid out over a distance rf nine miles. The crews showed considerable skill in tho handling of their boats in a tricky wind. An exciting and keenly-contested raco resulted in a dead heat. Tho coxswains were afterwards complimented by the commandor on the skill and judgment shown in the handling of their craft. Iho raco was for tho challenge cup presented by the Hon. A. M. Myers.

Tho City Council has agreed to vomit tho general rates duo on the Karon Bowlinn Club's property for the year 1920-21, subleot bo tho council s usual conditions.

"It would bo laying down a. dangerous doctrino to hold that a Maori woman who had been living with a wliito man should be deemed, without having made any application to a registrar for a certificate, to have been validly married."—The Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, in the course c-f a judgment delivered in the Supreme Court yesterday.

Tho excellent work done by hostels for young men and women is touched on by tho Wellington Education Board in its annual report. Tho report states, inter alia:—"To their credit, bo it recorded that three philanthropic institutions— tho Friends' mid the Students' Hostel, and tho Y.M.C.A.—provided accommodation for nearly one hundred of tho young women pupil teachers, but there wcro still twenfv, and all the men, who had to find room for themselves. This' year the numbers are substantially greater. In a city, to the State Departments of which hundreds of young people are annually drawn, thus filling up every available place, suitablo or less than suitable, tho accommodation for tho students, that' is an essential condition of efficiency in study, is not to bo, found. Over a year ago tho board," with tho Victoria College Council, presented tho' facts. The ca.-e is unanswerable. There i.?, moreover, tho almost equally urgent case of the junior female assistant. Tho cose is now not less but much more urgent, than before, the number of students being since tho new year increased to 186 in all. It is inconceivable that tho State will longer neglect a plain duty. The maximum of efficiency certainly cannot be reached until the question is faced."

"I think we are mutilating a .portion ■if the city that should be beautiful, said Councillor J. Hutchison at Inst nveiiing's meeting of llio City Council. He was speaking against the forming of a tram lino between Courtenay Place and the Bas:h Reserve. The Mayor /dated that a report on the matter would bo presented at a later date by tho Tramwavs Committee.

A considerable amount of interest is boing taken in the third annual festival of the Wellington Competitions Society, which will commence at the Opera House on Tuesday next. The season, which will extend over a period of 17 days, will be the largest festival of the kind that has ever 'been held in New Zealand, and entries have been received from, all pars of tho Dominion. The judges of the (lancing section will be Mr. J. C. iulton, Wellington, judge of Highland dancing, and Mrs. Clelland, judge of fancy danciii". The action of the committee in securing the Opera House is a decided advantage, and will secure mure comfort for all concerned. The be* plan is now open at. the Bristol.

The Citv Council decided last evening that street lamps should be placed at 1-tankey Street, Washington Avenue, Bridge Street, two lamps to be placed on ■ Moxliam Avenue, subject to tto School Committee contributing citlwr an annual charge or lump sum towards the cost of one lamp.

Dealing with receipts and expenditure, tho annual report of the Education Board for the Wellington district states that there was on deposit with the Public Trustee, the Bank of New.Zealand, and -n War Loan Certificates on December 31. 1919, a tot'al sum of £14,000. Owing to tho fact that Government grants due to the board were not received until after the close of the year, thero was on that date (December 31) a debit balance of £5080 3s. 7d. on the current account. Outstanding cheques amounted to Xoit 15a 3d. Tho net balance to credit on December 31, 1919, was £8395 Is. 2d lho receipts for tho year amounted to £258,214 3s. 2d., and tho payments to £2G0,517 17s. 10d., the excess of payment* over receipts having been £2273 Ms. m. This sum, deducted from the.net credit balanco on January 1, 1919, viz., £10, MS 15s 10tl„ leaves the net balance on December 31, £8395 Is. 2d. as stated above.

At last night's meeting of the City Council it was resolved that the tramways manager be authorised to make certain alterations in the tram track between Manners Street and Courtcnay Placo in accordance with a plan submitted.' This referred to certain structural work to be done in connection with the gradual demolition of Halls Turkish Baths . (opposite the Grand Opera House). The proposal entails tho building of a false front back to the new alignment of tho street, which would be the first step in the widening of Manners Street at that point.-

Reference to tho relief fund for the people of Central Europe was made by the Mayor at last night's meeting of the City Council. Mr. Luke said he had been approached on the matter, but did not wish to | call a public meeting unless he was assured of a large attendance thereat. Already substantial, subscriptions had been received in aid ot the fund.

A new scale- of charges for carriers was authorised last evening by tho Wellington City Council, when amendments wore made to City Bylaw No. 31 (AmencU meat, 1918). Councillor M. Luckie outlined the amendment, stating that the committee had considered the matter thoroughly, the high price of benzine being taken into account. Tho proposals had been generally approved by those concerned.

The mysterious disappearance, in September of last year of a young dental student named William Richard Sidney Hobbs, whilo on hi* way from Dunedin to Hamilton, was recalled m tho Supreme Court yesterday, when tho Public Trustee asked for an order for the presumption of death of tho missing man. Tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) was on tho bench, anil Mr. F. E. Kelly represented the Public Trustee, while Mr. C. H. Treadwell appeared for an insurance company holding a risk on the life of Hobbs. Whilo returning to tho North Island Eobbs booked a passage on tho s.s. Maori on her run from Lyttelton to Wellington on September lli, 1919, and between this time and tho arrival of tho steamer at Wellington ho completely disappeared from human ken. It transpired that the berth taken by Hobbs was not occupied, but a handbag belonging to him was found in the saloon of the Maori. In order to wind-up his estate, which consisted of a life insurance policy .for £800,. tho Public Trustee asked tlio Court to presume that Hobbs had been lost at fiea. Mr. Treadwell opposed the application on tho ground that the evidence shown on affidavit was both insufficient and unsatisfactory; further, it wns all "second-hand" evidence. His Honour said ho was satisfied that not only was the evidence insufficient, but that further eviidenco supporting the Public Trustee's theory could-bo obtained. Ho accordingly adjourned the case sine die, in order to enable further evidence to be secured.

The proposals of the Land and Income Tax Bill affecting municipal trading were criticised by the Mayor at last night's meeting of the City Council. He considered that where public concerns were not competing against private enterprise they should not be taxed. It was noither wise nor'fair to tax concerns working entirely in tho interests of tho public. He added: "It's not a fair thing to tax utilities. The Government may have something to say on electric lifrW, as wo 'are in competition with tho Gns Company, but I do not agree with tho proposal." Mr. Luke said that money parned bv trams, etc., had never been put into*tho general fund. As long as tho Post Office. Railway Department, ami Telegraph* Office were not taxed, the Government had no right to tax the municipal enterprises of New /'Caland. Tito tax on debentures was a .difiercnt matter altogether. Councillor P. hraser considered that representations should ho made to the Government on Hie- matter from the Municipal Association ol New Zealand. Councillor M. Liicloo said that tho Bill was a complete detmrtme from known methods, and its disposal was a vital matter. "Wo are not stacking up profits for the debenture holder he said. "We are carrying out public utilities for the public alone, .(ho taxation will have a deleterious effect on local traction, lighting, heating and the ,11 supply of tMs city." "*J f" said it was only the cities who wic: so vitnllv .affected. Councillor Chapman these businesses to make, the lot of e people easier,, because private enlcrpn.e was not working in that direction.

According to a notice in the Gazette letters of naturalisation have been granted or endorsed in respect of Voldomnr G. M. Hondrilksen (Danish), Wellington ;'olof A. Gullstrom (Swedish), Pnlmoreton North; Sybil Bertha Hare (American), Fcilding, and Joseph A. Bohuler (Swedish), Inglewood.