LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 35, 5 November 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An unprecedentedly severe electrical storm struck Mangaweka on Wednesday evening. Many telephone connections were fused, the electric light installation was damaged, and the town was plunged into darkness. Olio clectric explosion was so severe that several windows were smashed by tho concussion. The residents for a time were greatly alarmed. —Press Assn.

Although there is a strict ban against tho importation into New Zealand of manufactured goods of German origin, there are representatives of German manufacturers quoting prices and booking orders for forward delivury. It is believed that they are looking for »n early revocation of tjie regulation. One agent has ton operating in Wellington, quoting German-made pianofortes at considerably below what .either English or American instruments can be purchased for. Many firms in New inland are receiving price lists business letters from German firms, written evidently in the belief that Vher« is no bar lo the resumption of commercial relations. The total estimated population of the Dominion on ..September HO, 1920, was as follows: —Males, 633,712; females, 615,847; total, 1,2-19,559. Tho Maori population as at the last census in 1916 was -59,7(6, and the .population of the Cook and other Pacific Islands, 12,797. Exclusivo of Maoris and residents of the Cook and other Pacific Islands, the estimated population, at September 30, was 1,186,986, made up of 601,227 males and 585,759 females. The increase during the September quarter by excess of births over deaths was 4096, and by excess of immigration over emigration 4168. The births registered during September quarter numbered 7698, an increase of 286 on the number for the preceding quarter, and of 1866 when compared with September quarter, 1919. 'Ijli-e" birthrate for the nine months ended September 30 ds equal to an annual rate of 25.65 per 1000 of mean population, as compared with a rate of only 21.55 for the year 1919.

The Defence Department intends to hold a sale of surplus stores next nionth. Articles to be sold comprise a large quantity of blankets, boots, men's underclothing and shirts, issued to the camps, and stores will be opened in. the garrison halls in each of the four centres from December 1 to December 8. In ordor to givo country residents an opportunity of making purchases, orders will bo received by post from November 26, and return deliveries will be made post free. None of the goods will be disposed of by auction, but will be sold direct to purchasers at fixed prices. In order to prevent anything in the way of trafficking in the articles the sales will he made in small lots only. Through the instrumentality of Colonel J. Pow, secretary of the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, a concession has been given to enable the association to make sales on special conditions to its members-

In respect to tlio fire blight disease which was found to havo severely attacked orchards and hawthorn hedges in the Wniksito district, officials of the Agricultural Department arc continuing to make a careful inspection of orchards, lint so far no serious spread of the disease has been reported (soys tlio "Herald"). Til I lie Rodney, W'niteniata and Udeii eonnlies, which' colilain a l(irgo area of land used for commercial fruitgrowing, |j 1( . <)ifloase been found in only one orchard, and this is an orchard in which tho blig-ht was severe last vear. 'I'iio. Department is now waiting for the decision of the Government on fie proposal to establish protective bfflts round the infected areas, the adoption of which would probably involve sonic expand U nve through the claims of the orchardist« concern?d for compensation. The mo>t alarming discovery mado by the Department's officials in their investigations was that hawthorn, whiel is used for hedges in some areas, carries the infection. In the commercial orchard areas the owners are cutting these hedges out voluntarily, l>ut where fruit is not grown commercially the attitude is usually ouite different, though tlio owners arc told that even if 110 compulsion is ulaced on them the blight will eventually destroy the hedges. Auckland strawberries of medium size have mado tli(;ir appearance on the Wellington market this week, 'but bo fM* the prico is above the reach of the genvrnl consumer. The season, hovMivvr, promises to be a good ono 111 the north, and there are prospects that before tho end of the month consignments will be fairly hieavv. Locally-grown strawborries havo beon" retarded by tlio cold and stormy weather which was experienced throughout October. The first election of representatives of the WeaOand ekotrio power district will take place on November 10.

Tho Wellington branch of the Navy League has set up .1 committee to make arrangements, for a fitting velcoim; to H.M.S. Chatham on hcj- arrival in these waters.

In regard lo the excerpt from tl*j report of lI.M. Trade Commissioner in Now Zealand (.Mr. If. W. Dalton), cabled from London, it was explained on inquiry yesterday that the reports of the commissioners in overseas Dominions are alwoys tent to headquarters in tho first instance, and are not available for publication 'bofor« they arc printed and released in London. Copies of the New Zealand report will not be available here until they nrrive from England, possibly next month.

Captain N. Kellv, late of the Australian Imperial Forces, referring to a cablegram published yesterday with regard to war graves, said that "Loyerne" referred to in tho cablegram is "1.0110 Pine," as 110 place of tho former name exists on the peninsula.

"I don't know how .we' ar r > going to get 011 if Ibis sort of thing goes on," said a master builder 011 being consulted hv a Dominion representative on the effect of tho latest mandatory bonus of Os.'to be paid to all day workers. "On the one 'hand we have people 'crying out about tho tall prico of building and the extreme difficulty in getting houses, and on tho other 9s. per week is clapped on to the wages of every man employed i» the trade—carpenters, bricklayers, plumhers. drain layers, tilers, and so 011. Of course wo nil know that: prices of thins* have gone up considerably during the past six montl\s-»j»nyonc ritli ;» household to maintain is painfully aware ot that, but whwre is it to stop? And. again, many people are condemning tho percentage melhod oi building, but how on earth is a man to give a contract price when such jumps 111 wages are forwd on him? I don't Fay the percental «vstem lias not its disadvantages tn those'who wish to build, but it seems lo me that it, has been forced on us as better than perhaps only a loose form of contract. Wo hear a lot about -prices falling, but so far there has been 110 such thing as far as building material is concerned. The tendency is rather the other way -about."

Tho Court of Arbitration will sit at various centres during the month ot a»vember. The itinerary is as iollows:— Napier, ' November 10; Wanganui, November 19; Palmerston Noith, No\pmbci 25; Wellington, November 20.

Sentence of six months' imprisonment was passed by His Honour Mr Justice Chapman, in the Supreme Court yesterdov 011 Charles Thornton Bitrhchl Mills, found guiltv by a jury of false pretences. Mr. P. S. K. Macassev appeared lor the Crown, and Mr- A. B. Sievwrigbt ior the prisoner. In summing up the ease, I-lis Honour referred to tile action of the ]irisom>r as a swindle. ills luul already received three previous convictions.

Exception to a statement made by counsel, thai in tho event of u certain decision of the jury "the Court- would cease to be a court of justice,' was token by His Honour Mr. Justice Cha-p----man in the Supreme Court yesterday. Stopping counsel in his address to the jury, His Honour said, with soinc heat: "You have 110 right to say that, Mr. . Ton have no right to attempt to bully a jury. This Court, olways has been, and will he. a court of justice." "I bow lo Your Honour's ruling," said tho lawyer concerned.

Consent to the raising of loans at tho rate of not more than 5J per cent, has, by notice in a Gazette, been granted to the following local bodies:—Mount Albert. Borough Council (road works and purchase of plant), .£100,000; Mount Albert Borougli Council (drainage), ,482,000; Morr.insville Town Board (drainage), ■£41,000; Piako County Council (purchase road-making machinery), .£31),000; Wanganui Borough Council (workers' dwellings), .£25,000; Ohura County Council (roading), ,£6000; Mangonui, County Council (erecting county offices), .£4500; Cromwell Borough Council (water supply), .£1200;. Morrinsyille Town Beard (purchase town-hall site), .£900; Foxton Borough Council (fire brigade station), .£7OO.

Regarding thie rate of exchange with America, an Australian merchant who arrived in Wellington by the Moa.na on Monday last, express.nl the opinion to a Dominion reporter that the old mercantile theory that a country could get rich o'hly by selling and never 'buying was long since effete. lie added: "Ideal commerco is that in which goods are exchanged for goods, and in which gold is a means and not an end. Balanced trade averts the exchange problems with which wo haver been lately overwhelmed. Exchange is essentially a commodity, and sublet'to the law of supply and demand. Tho American exporter' is tho biggest sufferer by tho low exchange value of the Jil as measured in dollars, because it adds about 30_ per cent, to his selling price here, and gives his British competitor that much advantage. Until t'V world trade strikes some kind of a balance, exchange will fluctuate. The recuporativo power of England has surprised many people, but liar experience of 200 vears as the world's banker cannot be lost in a day. London still fixes the rate of exchange, although some peopl ; s did not think so."

Tim following paragraph appears- in the Gazette, issued Inst night :—The following officers when travelling on the Public Service slmll be entitled to deck berths 011 steamers and sleeping berths on trains at the public expense: Officers at General Headquarters—General officers. Director of Military Training, Staff officers in charge "G,' "A." ana "Q'> branchesi Director of Artillery; Director of Ordnance Services; Director of Financial Services; Director of iUedical Services. Officers at District _ Headquarter—Officers commanding districts; chief staff officers,

Some trouble has arisen at Auckland between the waterside workers and the Sugar Company in regard to the employment of a certain man on one of the Chelsea lighters who is not a member of the AVatersiders' Union. The company Tefused to discharge the man and sent the lighter concerned away. Work is proceeding as usual.—Press Assn.

Sickness has been widespread of lute among the teachers under the Auckland Education Board. It was stated at the last meeting of the board that {luring the last month or two there had been more teachers absent from duty through illness Hum had ever been known before. It had been impossible ill several instances to supply relieving- teachers to carry on tho work of those temporarily incapacitated.

The irregularity with which overseas mails are arriving in the Dominion is causing « great deal of iuconv'enienco to importers of goods from abroad. Auckland merchants, in common with llfose ill other centres, are experiencing much trouble' as a result of invoices not arriving here beforo or at the same time that goods purchased in Britain or America reach the port of destination (remarks tho "Herald"). The burden of tho complaint made by merchants is that the present subsidised mail services between Vancouver and San Francisco and New Zealand, owing to the frequent use made by oargo steamers of tlie Panama route, is now ni' lillle value to them. Cargo steamers almost invariably reach Auckland before Olio mails by which tho invoices are dispatched. Indeed, it is a common oc-eurrcnce for goods to bo stored for some time pending tho arrival of invoices. In iliis connection merchants desiring to use imported goods prior to tho arrival of bills of lading, have to give to the shipping companies a letter of indemnity from their bankem to protect the companies ng'ainst wrong delivery. Then again, in the absence of a bill of lading tlie Customs Department permits importers to obtain possession of goods on board a vessel on payment of a deposit sufficient to cover the Customs dues, which are assessable only whentho shipping papers arrive here. Importers consider that the only remedy for this unsatisfactory state of affairs is a regular and speedy mail service. The New Zealand Customs Department, through tlie Postal Department, has made Arrangements with tlie Postal authorities in tho United Kingdom and America for the dispatch by cargo steamers of specially addressed letters, «t>ut this has not yet been carried into effect. It is contended that while this may to a degree relieve tho position, it can, at its best, be a makeshift only. Furthermore, it is explained that this' arrangement can by no means be taken a3 a guarantee that bills of Jading and invoices for goods 011 board any particular ship will 110 posted 011 that vessel, therefore importers will be no hotter off than under existing 1 conditions.