LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 56, 30 November 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities adviso that the It.M.S. Sonoma, which left San Francisco for Sydney on November 23, has on board 368 bags of mails for New Zealand, including ID2 bags from the United Kingdom.

Only one petition in bankruptcy has been filed in Wellington during tliis month, the same number as in tne corresponding month of last year. For the eleven months the number rof bankruptcies was . nine, while in tho eleven months of 1919 there was one less,

A complaint from the Union Steam Ship Company that the new oxtended service from Wellington to Picton and Nelson had not been at all well supported by business people, was received at yesterday's meeting of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Regarding the special service maintained by 'the Arahura and Jlapourika, the company stated that while no margin of profit was asked from eithor vessel, the result of the servico so far showed that both steamers were working at a heavy loss. In six trips to and from Nelson, the Mapourika had carried only 277 tons of cargo, tho average being 23 tons per trip. The position with regard to tho Arahura tVm slightly better, tho average being 55 tons per trip. The com-pany-considered that shippers and importers were indifferent and had shown a lack of support. Members of tho chamber considered ftiat the new service had scarcely yot boen given a fair trial, and that business would naturally increase from tho first of the New Year.

. "Every enoouragement should be given to tho formation of mercantile guilds," said Mr. M. A. Carl' at y&sterday's quarterly meeting of tlio Wellington Chamber of Commerce, "Tho Trades Hall aud its policies aro not in tho interests of commerce."

Tho yacht Waitangi left! Wellington for Auckland at G run. on Saturday. Tho weather since then- has not been favoutable, northerly winds prevailing muoh of the time, and it is not expected that the Waill&njji will make a fast run. A non-stop trip was contemplated when the .yacht left Wellington.

Over 800 eggs were collected yesterday by tho scholars of Lyall Bay Sohool for tho children's ward, Wellington Hospital.

In the course of a private letter Sir. E. J. Gravestock (representing ,T. and N. Tait) says that the vocalists who are to accompany the Vorbrugghen Orchestra to New Zealand in January are Miss Filsy T'reweek (soprano), Signor Balboni (tenor), and Mr. Carl Formes (baritone). Miss Ireweek is well known in Wellington, having siing here with the Choral Union, besides which she was a member of Willianison'9 Grand Opera Company a year ago. Signor Balboni was the Faust in Gounod's opera of flint name, with the Gonzalez Company, and made a distinct impression here' in "I Pagliacci." _ Sir. Carl Formes .was the leading baritone of the Williamson Grand Opera Company. The tour will commence at Auckland. The Wellington dates axe from January 20 to 27.

A conferenco' of public lieahih officers is to be opened in Wellington to-day. The Minister of Health (Hon. C. % J. Parr) has arranged to attend the conference this morning. Questions of method and organisation aro to be discussed.

The standing sub-committee of the NewZealand Returned Soldiers' Association has been instructed by the Dominion 'Executive to make a protest to the Minister of Agriculture, on behalf of tlio returned Eoldier poultry-farmers of the country, against the importation into New Zealand of Chinese egg-pulp. It is contended that thare is practically no cost of production of the egg-pulp in China, as tho eggs from which the pulp is made aro collected from wild fowl. On the other hand, the returned soldier poultry-farmors of Now Zealand do not object to the entry of egg-pulp from tlio Commonwealth, as in Australia a cost of production i 9 entailed. No objection is raised, either, to the price of eggs in New Zealand being controlled by the Board of Trade. It is understood that a deputation from the Chriatchurch U.S.A. will interview the Minister of Agriculture oif. the subject in Christchurch today-

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce, through His Majesty's Trade Commissioner, has received a circular regarding the British Empire Exhibition, to 'be held in London in 1923. The exhibition is not being organised for profit, but any surplus funds that may bo available a't its close will be devoted to somo public or charitable object. It is to be financed by means of credits obtained on the security of a guarantee fund, to which the Imperial Government will contribute ■£100,000, contingent on guarantees from other sources being obtained of not less than .£500,(100. It is hoped to obtain guarantees for at least .£1,000,000.

A. discussion on the necessity for increased trade with the United States of America lead to an amusing interlude yesterday at the quarterly meeting of tlio Wolliugton Chamber of Commerce. One member had finished a short address on the benefits likely to acorue from such incroases in trade, when another rose, displaying a bulky parcel. "I have listened' with intorest," he said, "to the speech made by Mr. . Now, I will show you something." Tho parcel was accordingly unfasened, and before tha astonished gaze of the other business men, a large, rough stone, somo eight inches square, was displayed. "This," continued tho owner of the stono, "is portion of a shipment of shaving soap that my firm imported from. America. Needless io 6ay, it is the first specimen of that of shaving soap I have ever seen, ■ • . Following the "handing in of tho exhibit,' the discussion tuyied to tho subject of cargo pilfering, members complaining of the great amount of such thieving that went on at present, and of tlio modern system of "pillage insurance," which, one .member contended, was not legitimate. The meeting was unanimous in its condemnation of cargo-broacliing, it being maintained that on certain boats no cargo was safe.

During a dinner to the English cricketore in 'Sydney, ifr. F. O. Toone, manager of the \tenni, mentioned that cricket "ashes" were not as mythical as most people supposed. Ho said .that he had seen the "aslies" in England. Speaking on tho subject later to a reporter Mr. Toone said that tho ashes were in the possession of iflie manager of the first! English team, and were at his home in Bromley (Kent). "After the last test match in Sydney," said Mr. Toone, "one of the stumps used in the game was burned to ashes, and enclosed' in a golden casket-in the shape of a cricket ball. The remainder of the stumps were arranged at the back of the stand on which the casket stood."

Old Boys' Day will he celebrated in the Wellington College ground's to-day, frhem, cfiokot, shoolTing, swimming, and iVjmiis matches will be held. Additional interest is given to this year's gatherins by the fact that it is expected.to be the last one which will be held prior to tho retirement: of. the principal (Mr. J. P. Firth). This evening a gathering will bo held in the main chamber of the Town Hull for the purpose of honourinpt Mr. and Mrs. Pirlh. 'Ihe Mmister of Education will be present to represent the Ministry.

Tlie remains of 'the late Mr.' D. M. Litchfield will be buried this morning, the funeral leaving his late residence, Pipitea Street. There will, be ti short service in St. Paul'fl Pro-Cathedral, commencing at 9.30 o'clock.

The administration of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act came in for criticism at last night's meeting of the Wellington U.S.A., when the matter of .housing was being considered. "The Act was administered liberally for a considerable tim&" remarked the chairman (Mr. W. Perry), "but that liberality has been curtailed to a certain extent, and it is now next door to impossible for any returned soldier to bo grantod a loan for the purpose of purchasing a house already built." "The closing down of tho D.S.S. Act was an absolute farce," said Mr. W. Pascoe, chairman of the association's Land Bureau Su'b-conimittee. " The Government were shirking obligations due to you. The Government appreciates tho fact that purchasing houses already built does not ease tho house problem, but there are hundreds of houses in this town .which ought to be commandeered for you men because they are standing idle in order that the owners may get tho highest price available."

"Parties need to consider carefully before marrying when itaay are 51 years of age," remarked Mr. R. Matthews, in tho Auckland Magistrate's Court recently, during the hearing of a maintenance case. It was an instance thatl might have been in the elder Weller's mind when he advised Sam, "Bevare of the Vi(idcrs." In this particular instance the defendant had married a. widow with a family, and 1 by law became re-m-cuisiblo for tho children under sixteen years of age. At the request of counsel the hearing was adjourned for a week. The husband then came to the front, and addressing Mr. B. C. Cut-ir-n, S.M.. said: "Will you request my wife .to keep herself reasonably quiet duvine the week." This elicitcd the pfcmpt response from tho wife: "And tell hh sister, who lives in the house, not to carry my husband 1 yarns." His W'-rahip said: "My advice is lb have as' little to say to each other during the week as possible," and one counsel added: "Better not snealc to one another at all."

At the Magistrate's Court, 1 Lyttelton, )>eforo Mr. M'Carthy, S.M. (sa.vs n Press Association telegram from Christclmrch) Usui Moiclii, ohief steward of the Japanese steamer Hukushiku Maru, was charged that he did import into New Zealand opium in a form suitable for smoking contrary to section 2 of tho Opium Act. The information was laid by Sir. \V. J. Wi'ntt, ■ Collector of Customs at Christchnrcli. The caso for the prosecution was that behind n loose board in a cupboard in accused's cabin wa6 found four tins labelled "selected best fruits,-" but which in reality contained opium in a form suitablo for smoking. For the defence the' purser and captain deposed that accused joined tho ship in Japan just prior to tho vessel sailing. His predecessor had been suspected of smuggling at .Seattle and Portland, Orejjon. Ho v.as admonished, and along with the ship's carpenter, desertod the ship at Shanghai, tho pair leaving all their clothing and oltects and forfeiting their wages. Accused denied all knowledge of the presence of the opium. The Magistrato held that accused had completely answered the charge against him and dismissed the information. A further charge of 'being in possession o£ dutiablo goods was also dismissed,

The Wellington Commercial Travellers' Association is raising- a fund for the children in tho hospitals, orphanages, aud homes of Wollington. Tho fund is called "Tho C.T. Fund for Children's Christmas Cheer."