LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 75, 22 December 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There -frag a rush for tramway concossion tickets as soon as the shops and depots which veiid them opened yesterday. Through tho morning papers tlio "early birds ' saw that a rise in pricc was to take place to-morrow, and tho cards were all cleaned out within a couple of hours. No fi'6sh supplies were made available. 'The few concossion tickets in the possession of tram conductors were disposed of before they had 'been an honr at work. Tho now concession tickets will be available to-morrow.

"Cold-hearted, unemotional science has condemned Father Christmas," states the "Age." Ho'is pronounced a menace to publio health, not because f his whiskers, but because of his playful habits. Small boys and girls, who are now making their annual excursions through tho wonders of fairvland, will hotly contest.the point, but, if" they are to save their beneficent patron-, they will have to educate him in the elements of modern approved sanitation. At present lie is -a grave offender, and the cold, inquisitorial eyo that .19 always 011 the lookout for germs, sees in him and his doings grave danger to the youngsters who delight in his antics. The auestion was raised recently by Dr. Cumpstoli, Commonwealth Director _ of Quarantine, who said it had been noticcd that Father Christmases as a class and street pedlnrs who trai'ie in whistles and other noi e e-producers, are in tho habit of giving a demonstration of the capacity of their wares by blowing them themselves, and then haiiiling them immediately to tho juvenile purchasers to "have a try.' Ho said lie could not conceive of a more dangerous practice. Maiiy forms of disease could be communicated in this way, the vendors being innocent carriers, who had 110 means of knowing what germs they mignt be passing ion, He expressed the opinion that the State health authorities ahoilld insist on the abaiidonmtnt j of the practice.

A lad, 17 years of age, named William Smith, was admitted to the Hospital last night in. a condition that indicated poisoning. He was found in a. state of collapse by tho police, who cnnveyei? him to the Hospital It is,understood that his condition- is not critical. The authorities have been unable .to ascertain his parents or to find out where he lives.

At the meeting of tho Mirainar Borough Council held last week a reply m tho council's letter was received from tho trafiic manager of the AVellington corporation tramways, stating that instructions had been issued that ' tho Ifiriiraar borough concession tickets wevo to be accepted on Sundays on the borough lines until further notice.

The Wellington Golf Club's tournament, fa be held at Ilcrotaunga on December 25, 27, and 28 has drawn numerous entries, and a most successful meeting is anticipated.

Theatrical managers of companies which were to have commenced tours of New Zealand at Christmas are still in a state of perplexity a? to what is likely ;lo happen if the Sydney steamers do not leave for Wellington and Auckland this week. The Marie Tempest Comedy Company (J. C. Williamson, Ltd.), and tho "Irene" Musical Comedy Company (J. and N. Tait) were due in Wellington and Auckland respectively at tho end of- this week, but the stewards' strike at! present looks so serious that it is possible that neither company will bo able to keep its engagement. If tha steamers do not get away it is more than probable that "The Man From Toronto* Company will fill the "Irene" dates in Auckland instead of proceeding to Christchurch,. nud will visiy the south at later dates than originally intended. Tho New South Wales State Orchestra is dub to leave Sydney frtr Auckland next week. Whether it wiil be able to do so depends on tho duration of the sfrike.

The "War Cry" announces that General Booth has appointed Commissioner D. C. Lamb, the head of tho emigration department of the Salvation Army, to be iir.trnational secretary for social affairs. 'J'his is a new ipost, due to tho extension and development of the Army's social work. Commissioner Lamb was closely associated with the first General Booth and the present General, theh fihief of the. B'.iiff, in the black day? of unemployment, which lirodtieed the "Darkest England" scheme. For 6cme years he was governor of tho Hadleigh Farm Colony, and is an authority on poor law and vagrancy, and on emigration and overseas colonisation.

Mr. A. G. Wallace, who for the past thirteen years lnis been associated with Messrs. Gi'ifiiths and Co., as auctioneer and salesman, is now taking up the position of sales manager for the Fruitgrowers' Federation of New Zealand, The objoct of the appointment is for a betiter distribiitioji of fruit throughout New Zealand. Mr. Wallace will direct.operations from the central agenfty in Wellington, which will shortly be opened.

Further formal evideaco was heard by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday concerning the death of William James Hopkirk, who was fatally injured in a. locomotive collision at the Thurndon railway yards on Saturday af.ternoou. Dr. E. H. M. Luke, house surgeon nl; the Wollinfeiort Hospital, in his evidence, stalled that Hopkirk died at the hospital at 3.35 p.m. on Saturday from shock following severe iiljurie-s, which consisted of a compound fracture of the left thigh, fracture of thfc bftse of thd spine, and rupturo of internal organs. .As previously arranged, tlie further inquiry was adjourned tb January 13'. Senior-Sergennt M'Nnmara appeared for the police, Mr. H. H. Stirling for the Railways Deparlment, Mr. H. V. O'Leary. for the widow of deceased, and Mr. P. J. O'Regan for Ernest Lucas, driver of the 6econd locimotivo.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cliurch was "prcaehud vacant" by the moderator, the llev. ]1. 13. Scott, on Sunday iiiumins. this, says the Auckland "Herald," being the soauel to the recent suspension ofthe Rev. A. A. Murray. Tlie attendance exceeded expectations, there being from 90 to 100 peoplo present. At Hie evening service, conducted by the Rev. G. jr. Macdonald, the congregation approximated 70 in number. A congregational meeting has been called for this evening, for th» pilrpo«9 of discussing th« rituatlov

Convicted ami discharged tor assault', Lionel George Hood, who appeared before Messrs. >T. AV. M'Ewan and J. ill. Burn, J.! 1 .'6, nt. Hie I'etoue Court yesiV'rday, was fined 10s. tor insobriety, and made the subjeet of a prohibition order. Jainos Frederick Mason, for drunkenness, was filled os., and for using obscene language lie was lined JSt.

The highest wind velocity recorded in Auckland during the k.st two years was registered at the Albert l'ark observatory during tho galo last week. Tho total wind pressure during the 21 hours ended at 9 am. ou Thursday was registered as 560 miles, an averngo of 231-3 miles an hour, 'l'he average velocity for the 21 hours ended 9 a.m. on Friday was 181-3 miles an hour. The next highest velocity wad registered on March 30 last,the average being 22i miles an hour; an hourly average of 20 miles was recorded ou the preceding day.

With hundreds of laden railway wagons standing on sidings between Lyttelton and liicearton, owing to the lack of accommodation in the cleaving shsds, many "cases of pillage and theft life being ro> ported, says the Cbristcluirch correspondout of all exchange. Already (here is evidence of depredations on a large scale, but the full extent 'cannot yet be ascertained, because consignees in lnuny . instances are unable to arrange for clearances of complete lilies, tjo serious has the positiou become that the shipping companies are refusing to accept responsibility in respect of Roods left standing in ojlen trucks, 'i'no Hallways UeDal'tiuent is not accepting its lull reSDonsibility, so that according to consignees they are solnewhac of a chopping block, while the two interests determine their respective liability. At the Christchurch goods sheds a fair space is alrcadv occupied with damaged and pillaged cases, oil wliich liability has to be determined. Before goods reach tho aiieds. owing to the congestion, UltY are often held for a long time on sidings. Such ridings' are patrolled, tho guards consisting lurgelv of superannuated railway servants, who have been specially engaged for the purpose. But the area to bo covered is n largo one, and t-he determined thieves have been able to evade tho' patrols. Of eourso goods are pillaged botli before 'Mid during shipment. Ono Christchurek firm recently . received a consignment of footwear, in which .£SOO worth had disappeared ill transit.' On the same vessel a consignment" of leather for a Dunediu firm was pillaged to the extent of 4:3000. Importers declare that pillayiiiK ol * railways is ail increasing trouble, and ■one wilick demands an illicient detective force.

liven it official circles tho futility of appointing a royal oommifision to inseaiigato tlio question of pilfering from tiic wharves is (juiie unreservedly admitted, ami it is liop-jd that the Federal Ooveritlnent will devko some more effective way of remedying the evil, states tbc Melbourne "Age." Evidence adduced before a royal commission woulO doubtless pro(.luce 'interesting disclosures, uud many importers would bo able to testify to sensational robberies, but there is general endorsement of the view already expressed that the existence of the evil was well known, and the real and immediate objective should be the adoption of measures to liml the culprits and put d stop to their nefarious practices. A commission, nt the end of a long and expensive mquirv—all commission's investigations arc long and expousive— only i'e commendations. as ineflcctual in t'loiiiselves as speeches in Parliament. Much more practical service would bo rendered if tlie existence of o. serious evil were recognised at tho outset, and the Com* monwealth, placing its Customs Departnient • machinery in cooperation with. State police uud special forces, instituted a campaign so well organised and rigorously oonductedi that the continuance of either petty thieving or wholesale broach■in" of cargoes would be iinu.e imposible It has even been suggested that such a campaign might provide an opportunity for tangible service oil tho part of that mysterious organisation, the ■ Common-' wealth Criminal Investigation branch.

Severe comment was made by His Honour llr. Justice Salniohd in the Supremo Court yesterday during tho hearing of a case in which David Henry 'Wallace appeared to explain why he had not surrendered to his bail during tho last quarterly sessions of the Court. It wa6 stated that Wallace had failed to pay certain compensation, as ordered by His Honour the Chief Justice two years ago,, and in addition, in May' of this year, when again ordered to find tho money, lie had not complied with the order. "You have treated tho order with contempt," said His Honour to the defendant. "I bcicvo you have paid some of tho money, but there is- .£SB still owing. You did not appear on November 10 to receive -sentence, with tlie result that you had to he. arrested, und until then you treated the orders of tho Court as if they were of no'consequence. I will fine you £20, in default two months' imprisonment." The defendant was allowed n month in which to find the money.

A special ineetinpr of the Presbytery of Wellington was held last evening, when Mr. Clin vies A. Kennedy . was duly licensed as a preacher. The service was conducted l>y tlio liev. J. A. Mackenzie, Moderator.

Thoufth there has been in certain industries marked trade depression during the past month, and thousands of. workers 'have been temporarily discharged from, their employment, an early revival iH confidently expected (slates the Melbourne "Awe"). ludecd, it lias already manifested itself in one or two industries, more particularly in the clothing trade. At present the depression is most severely felt in the boot trade, owing to the largo stocks on hand and the disinclination of manufacturers to increase the output while they ore confronted with a tendency toward reduced priccs. As a result, of the decrease in production for several weeks past, and the consequent clearance of a larger proportion of the accumulated stocks, it is expccted that normal conditions will bo regained early in the New Year.

The Melbourne "Age" predicts a fttrtlior shortage of policemen in Victoria. It dates: "There seems to be a strong possibility that the present shortage of ptlice, already acute enough, will soon bo mora accentuated, unlqss the Government takes early steps to make the force more attractive" for young men. A substantial number of long-service policemen, it is said, are to retire at nn early date, and an there are not sufficient recruits available to tako their places, the ranks of tho force will be further depleted. Ueeruiis must be men of good physique and oood character, usually of from 20 to 24 years of age. Tf thc.y pass the necessary testa they are paid ia«. a day as constables, with a prospect of getting promctiou and slnall increases in their wages as other members of tho force retire or die. Most policemen can attain tlie rank of'"senior constable before they die or retire; a fow luive excellent prospcts nf one day becoming sergeants; a very small nrmb»r. mav become superintendents some dav if tlie'y are diligent and lucky. As most voung men of good character and phvsiciue can earn froln 15s. to 20s. a day as'tradesmen, their disinclination to join the police force requires no explanation."