LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tlie Postal authorities have received advice from Sydney, that tho s.s. Manuka sailed at 11 a.m. on March 17 for Wellington. She carries 1261 bags of mails and 140 parcel receptacles from Australia and tho United Kingdom, including four hampers for Fiji and one for Tonga.

For the convenience of holiday travellers during the holiday period, tho Railway Department has made arrangements for excursion tickets to officered stations on the South Island main lino and branches to be obtainable at Lambton Railway Station as well as at tho Central Booking Office in Willis Street.

“It is remarkable how sober nolice officials will make a person appear, in evidence, when they want him sober.” remarked counsel in a case in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. “And it is also remarkable—and I have mentioned this in similar cases—it is icmarkable how drunk they will make him, if they so desire.”

A fow remarks about what if feels like to be Finance Minister in a time of stress were made to the House last night by Mr. Massey. “I can remember,” he said, “one Minister of Finance who controlled the finances through a slump—a very bad slump—but it killed him. Eighteen months ago a gentleman who was for many years a Minister of tho Crown, and who knew the position of the finances of this country, said: 'lt docs not matter who takes tho finances; five years' of it will kill him.’ I don’t think it will kill me. At least, I hope not. But I liegin to realise the difficulties of the position, and I tell you, Air. Speaker, that I would not do the work I am doing now for .£lO,OOO a year, but for tho fact, that I am in it. and am going to see it through. All that I am anxious to do is the best I can for the country to which I belong, and the public affairs of which wo uro privileged to manage.” An Ordcr-in-Council issued recently empowered the Government to invest- the balances of public accounts in war loan certificates and Post Office investment certificates. This order was intended to afford relief tp original investors of small means, whose circumstances compelled them to realise before due date. _ The wholesale repurchase of certificates is not contemplated, as it is not desired to encourage trafficking in these securities, which largely represent tho war savings of the people. Application has to be made direct to the Treasury.

"As an example of tho Continental, and especially German, Competition, said Mr. F. AV. Riach, in chatting Io an Auckland “Star" reporter regarding his recent visit to Europe, “one English manufacturer told me that, ne could land his principal commodity into Jus warehouse from Germany at L'd. per lb. loss than what he could produce it for on his own premises. My own observations made it clear to me that tho jesolye to keep German goods ent of tho Old Country as much as possible has broken down completely under the pressure of £ s. d. And ono of the chief causes is to 1>& found in the KHnentnl>le circumstance that, while the people at Home are squabbling . about higher wages and shorter working hours, Germany is getting her neck down to. it in earnest, and her factories are running fwgnty-four hours <i day in shifts. Fortunnti’lv the industrial dislurbances were much less acute in the last days of the year, and when I left several trades were already feeling the beneficial effect of a renewal of operations. The hardware "Trades will, 1 think, he tihe first to recover from the miasmic effects of the pernicious agitator." Had ho not reported to the police that ho had been "taken down" at an illicit poker game on a train, travelling from Frankton Junction to Taihape, Patrick Sheridan would not Ijave had any trouble, but his complaint led .to his own prosecution. Tn the Magistrate s Court yesterday, befoj-e Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., he appeared to answer a charge of gambling in a railroad carriage. He made no 'excuse, other than that he had informed the police of the game. He was fined <£l and 7s. costs.

Messrs. H. Buddle. J. P. Maxwell, and John Hutcheson have written to the City Council accepting the positions of commissioners under the AVellington Abattoir Charges and Renewal Fund Act, 1919.

Investigation by the Auckland Prices Investigation Tribunal of an accusation against a firm of Auckland 'iierchants of having charged excessively for certain painting materials led to the droll discovery that, instead of hawing overcharged for the goods in question, the firm ' had in reality undercharged for them, the transaction showing an actual loss. .

A remarkable experience befell the first south express from Auckland yesterdjiy (says Wednesday’s Auckland . “Star”). Nearing To Awamutu the driver observed a man on the line ahead, signalling him to stop. The train was brought to a standstill and investigation revealed that about twenty feet of both rails was buckled into 'an S shape, this having been caused by tlie rails expanding with the heat. The train moved slowly over the bent rails and proceeded on its way. The damage to the rails wns firat dift covered by a surfaceman who waited to warn the driver of the express, which was Hearty due. Had the damage not lieen discovered in time for lhe express, to pull iip. tho l>end was- so pronounced that a serious accident might have resulted. In reference to the Government’s newhousing scheme at Alirainar, Councillor E. J. Barnett pointed out at last night’s meeting of tho City Council that onlytwo acres had lieen reserved for a recreation ground. He contended that the area would be very congested as time went on, and that the recreation grpund should therefore .ba -extended to four acres. The Mayor (Mr. J. P.'Luke) said the- city engineer had suggested certain alterations in the plans, but he (the Mayor) did not know whether a settlement on 1 tho point had been readied. Councillor M. F. Luekie said the subdivisions had been considered w'ith tlie view of erecting a good kind of house on them, and it had to lie borne in mind that there was an -immense amount of reserve area within a quarter of a. niile of the locality where the houses were to lie built. It was obvious that Miramar must become closely settled, but tho area was not likely to be congested. There was plenty of air space, and he did not think there was any risk. In-the Magistrate's Court yesterday, counsel was objecting to his client, arrested on a charge of theft, being remanded to appear at Blenheim. “AVhy. Mr. said Chief-Detective AVard. “it will be n holiday trip for you. A’mi should accompany your client across.” "At the country’s exjiense?” asked counsel. "AVell.” wild Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., “I should lie sorry to see yon taken across at the country’s expense!”

A letter was read to the City Council last evening from Mr. A. D. Crawford, of Miramar, stating that as several of the street names in Miramar had to be altered owing to duplication, he would like the right to rename them owing to the special interest his family had in this district. He mentioned that there was a public park reserve at the northern end of Miramar on the face of the hill, atel suggested that, this should be called the "Old Dairy Park.” ns adjoining this pari: there used io be a couple of cottages and stockyard buill in the ’forties, which was known in later rears as "The Old Dairy. The matter was referred to the By-laws Committee. on the motion of Councillor M. I.tickie.

The Patriotic Society Band will play at Central Park to-morrow afternoon.

The tender of Mr. IT. Stanford has been accepted by tho City Council for the erection of a shelter shed at Lyall Bay. According to a Press Association telegram from Christchurch, it is understood that Sir James Carroll will shori.lv be offered a scat in the Legislative Council.

The Municipal Employees’ Union 'has expressed a desire for «n agreement to bo entered into between them and tho City Council with regard to working conditions, cth., and has approached the council t<j that end. The council decided last evening that the request be not acceded to. Tn answer io Councillor J. Glover, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said the A rbitra’.ion Court had determined that tlie union had no standing, because it was not registered under the Arbitration Act.- The employees of the council belonged to various unions, ai d it was impossible for the council to deal with two unions connected with the same kind of work.

The city reserves and recreation grounds are to be closed for summer sports on April 2. and reopened for winter sports on April 30. Authority was granted by the City Council last evening for the erection of conveniences at Kelburn, Kilbirnie, and Wakefield Parks, part of the cost to lie cotributed by the District Fund.

The Wadestown Electors’ Association is to be informed; by the City Council, in reply to iis request for the provision of a hand stand nt Wilton’s Bush, that thet matter will 1>? taken into consideration. in connection with other improvements, when framing tho estimates for next.year. “Were the plans for tho Government houses nt Miramar submitted to the council ?” asked Councillor C. H. Chapman at last evening’s meeting of the City Council. The Mayor stated that the plans had to be submitted in order to get drainage and water permits. The City Council decided last flight to grant: .£lOO towards the funds of the Wellington Free Kindergarten Association

Amending regulations under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, 1915, are published in the Gazette. They provide that in futuito mortgages given as security for advances made for the purchase or erection of dwellings, mortgagors must reside continuously in such dwellings so long as any portion of the moneys secured by the mortgages remain unpaid. Non-residence, or the su'b-letting of the dwellings by the mortgagors without the consent of the board, will be deemed a breach of covenant, and the repayment of all moneys owing may be demanded.

’l’lie appointments of Messrs. H. W. Bundle and G. S. Clayton as stipendiary, magistrates aro gazetted. In the Supreme Court yesterday,, the Chief Justice (Sir .Robert Stout) gave reserved judgment, on an application made by John Somerville Jones (Mr. W. N. Matthews) for relief against the forfeiture of a lease of premises at 73 Manners Street. Jones had had a lease from the Catholic Supplies (Mr. J. Scott), but in Octolxw last, owing to las having been involved in irouble, his rent fell into arrear, and the lessors re-entered and determined the lease. This right they possessed under the terms of the lease. In refusing the application, His Honour cited several leading cases. Costs amounting io <£2 2s. were allowed against the petitioner.

The City Council intends to make representations to have the charge imposed by Tlie Impounding Act revised.

Mr. Coblje intends to move at. the next'meeting of the Harbour Board: — “That with a. view to the improvement of the very unsatisfactory state of labour matters on the waterfronts of the Dominion. the attention of the Government be. again directed to the 'resolution carried by this 'board in April, 1918, and also carried at the conference of the Harbours’ Association of New Zealand in July, 1918. Tho resolution reads as follows: 'To approach the Government with a request that the Harbours Act be amended in such a manner as to empower harbour boards to employ, control, and manage all labour required in tho loading and unloading of ships, and for waterside work generally, whether on wharves or on vessels. And that the Government be strongly urged to, give early effect to the request contained in the resolution.’ ”

The express stand on the western side of Clyde Quay is to be abolished,, and n stand will be created at Courtenay Place, nt the rear of i|!ie tramways waiting shed, and adjoining the reserve. The Salvation Army has replied to the Bible in Schools League’s question in regard to policy favoured. The Rev. R. AA'ood (secretary) has received "the following letter:—“l wish to say that Ido not think the Bible in Schools League should lie buried, but resurrected and kept a live thing. As far as the Salvation Army is concerned, we are not at all anxious regarding the point as to whether the ministers are to have access to the schools for tlie purpose of teaching tho Bible, but strongly contend that it should be one of the school books, and added to the curriculum, all children 'lining examined on it, as on other subjects. There should be no expounding of the Scripture or docjnnal teaching incorporated. Our attitude would be that tlie Book should be taken on its own merit, and let its own teaching have its effect upon the moral and spiritual welfare of the children .-Believe me to be, vours. in the victory of Calvary, Henry C. Hodder, Territorial Commanddet.”

The City Council has agreed.to change Ibe name’of that portion^ c-f Svtherland Bead, formerly known as Park Street, to Manchester Road. This road is s'tuoted in the old Melrose district, and extends from-Daniel Street in a s'miherly di.eetion to the top of tflio hill at the back of Newtown Park. '

Questions in the House about, the retaining wall at Thorndon—a work requiring to be constructed before Wellington can’have a new railway station —have been rather frequent during the last two sessions. Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South) made a fresh inquiry yesterday concerning .the time when a start was likelv to be made with the building of the wall. The Prime Minister (Right lion. AV. F. Massey) replied that the preliminary difficulties of the business - the preparation of plans and the negotiations. between the bodies interested in the work —seemed to have been smoothed over, or nt least to be on the point of being smoothed over. Ho judged it probable that it would not be long before a start was made with the construction. Even if legislation was necessary, he thought the work might be commenced and ratification of what was done given text session. Commodore A. G. Hotham, R.N., C.M.G., and the officers of 11.M.5. Chatham and Philomel were entertained at dinner by the executive of (he Wellington branch of the Navy League last evening. With the object of promoting closer co-operation and increased efficiency, a conference of delegates representing the iwwlly-formcd association of 'the field staff of the A.M.P. Society (ordinary department) was held in Wellington yesterday, the following being present:— Messrs. James Buchanan and 11. O. MT'arlane (Auckland), 11. de Costa (Gisborne), A. J. W. Carr and 11. W. Piper (Wellington). A. Aislabie (Christchurch), and IT. F. Maude (Oamaru). Mr. Amies, the manager for New Zealand, assured the association of his entire support and sympathy with the movement. The opinion was expressed that it should be requisite for life assurance representatives to bo registered on the same lines as a land and estate agent. It was thought that this would raise the status of the. profession and protect the public from unscrupulous misrepresentation.

Mr. A. M’Bain (chairman of the Lower Hutt Rugby Football Club) has received a letter from Mr. F. J. M'Comisky (secrotary of the Wellington Rugby Union), stating that representatives of his committee would bo prepared to visit the Hutt to view a ground which has been offered the club. Mr. M’Bain told a Dominion i-eixirt-cr yesterday that the union had signified its intention of acting in conjunction with the local club officials, with a view to settling the matter. If tho section offered is acquired, the club will then be in possession of. three playing areas.

A decree absolute was made in Qie Supreme Court yesterday by His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), in the case of Morris Roche (Mr. O’Regan) v. Ettie Roche. A decree nisi, on the ground of desertion had been made on November 11 last. The petitiqper was granted the custody of the youngest and the eldest children, the wife having the custody of tho only daughter of the marriage.

Reserved judgment relative to the payment of retrospective wages, in accord with industrial awards, was given by Mr. H. AV. Bundle, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after the AVellington Plumbers’ Union (Mr. D. M. Finlay) had sued certain employers (Messrs. G. G. Watson and Johnston) for retrospective pay, over a period of about four months. The Magistrate laid it down that claims made more than three months from the date of the commencement of the award could not bo.considered. Tho present cases, therefore, could not be considered on that ground. At the Police Court, Palmerston North, yesterday morning, Henry Levi Welland and Francis Cassidy were charged jointly with having stolen from a railway wagon at Awapuni woollen goods, tire property of Macky, Logan, and Caldwell, to the value of -£417 19s. 6d. On the application of the police a remand was granted to March 24.

Tho city engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) is at present visiting Arapuni (in the Waikato), in company with the Chief Government Engineer (Mr. F. W. Furkert), with tho view of testing the country at tlie site, of the proposed dam for the hydro-electric power scheme to see if it provides a sufficiently solid foundation for the dam-wall.