LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 164, 7 April 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

According to a statement issued by too Priise Minister yesterday in reply to a question asked during tbe past session, a revised railway tariff is in course of preparation and will be issued as soon as possible. The work is well advanced, but the date ot issue cannot be definitely fixed. The installation on the mail train between Wellington and New Plymouth of heating apparatus similar to that employed on the Auckland and South Island express trains was advocated last session by Mr. Masterg (Stratford). The Prime Minister yesterday issued the following statement on the matter:—“Material for steam-heating of carriages was ordered by the Department some months ago, but it is doubtful whether It will be to hand in time to enable additional trains to be equipped before the winter." A Dunedin Press Association message states that owing to the financial stringency the War Memorial Committee has postponed for six months the attempt to niise funds. "If we were to arrest every man who was drunk we would not have prisons big enough to hold them,” remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Lower Hutt Court yesterday, in malting a defendant, who alleged that on occasions when he had been found drunk by the police he had not been arrested, the subject of a prohibition order. “We only arrest the worst cases,” concluded His Worship. At an early hour yesterday morning a greaser named James Petrie, belonging co one of the vessels in port, was admitted to the hospital suffering from a fractured wrist. He fell on the bottom grating in tho stokehold of his ship.

A former member of the Australian Imperial Force writes, stating that the number of Victoria Crosses awarded to inembers of the force was 64, not 44, as stated in the review published in yesterday’s issue. ...

An office has been established in No. 1 committee room at the Town Hall, where the new valuation rolls may be inspected. Moat sold at auction in Allen Street continues to fetch fair prices. Sides of mutton of fair quality were sold yesterday at from Bs. to 95.; hindquarters, from ss. 6d. to 6s. 6d.; and shoulders from 2s. to" 2s. 6d. A quantity of beef also realised satisfactory prices.

“No request such as that referred to has been received,” is the answer of tho Prime Minister to the following question, of which notice was given in the House last session by Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato): "Has the Prime Minister received any request from the Imperial Government that legislation be enacted with a view to compelling every purchaser of German goods in New Zealand to pay a proportion over to the New Zealand Government?” The reserved judgment of Mr. Justice Hosking in tho case of Mrs. E. Miller v. G. W. Jenner, argued in tho Supremo Court on March 2, was read by Mr. Hawkins, Registrar, yesterday morning. The plaintiff claimed a decree rescinding her contract to purchase for £950 tho defendant's! apartment business in Oriental Terrace. She also claimed a refund of her deposit paid to his agents, and alleged that her contract was conditional upon a verbal stipulation that the owner of the premises should agree to renew the lease for a further term, and should further consent to the transaction, neither of which terms was fulfilled. The non-disclosure of certain onerous terms was also relied upon. The defendant denied that any verbal conditions were made find counter-claimed for specific performance of the contract or in the attemtive f«r '(damages for non-com-pletion. His Honour held that stipulations for a renewal and the consent of the landlord had been made, and that a good title to the premises contracted for had not been shown. He gave judgment for the plaintiff on both claim and coun-ter-claim with costs. Mr. C. W.-Nielsen appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. A. Fair for the defendant.

The question of introducing legislation having for its object the fixing of calorific standard of gas is now Under consideration, according to a statement made yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The following candidates h»ve been nominated for the positions of representatives for Petone and other districts on the Wellington Harbour Board (two representatives being required): Walter Thomas Cotton, John William M Ewan, Maurice Whitewood Welch. The election will take place on Apr-1 27, in conjunction with the municipal elections.

In reply to a question asked last session by Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South), the Prime Minister has issued a statement to the effect that the Government will during the recess consider the advisability of appointing a commission to inquire into and report on the follow mg matters suggested by the member: (a) tho defects of the existing methods of waterside control; (b) the desirability of changing the present systems to ensure permanent employment under good conditions, and regularity of service; (0 the most practical method to adopt lor the reform of existing conditions“The Public Service Association stands for the principle of promotion by merit, with seniority as a makeweight when other qualities are' equal', therefore the appointment of Mr. Verschaflelt as an Assistant Public Service Commissioner has our support, and our hearty approval:” states the “Public Service Journal. “In addition to his natural ability, and high educational qualifications, he possesses an experience gained during his term of office as secretary to the I übl.ic Service Commissioner which must be ot great value to himself arid to the Commissioner, also an advantage to the service. This practical application ot tho principle of promotion by merit should encourage young officers to strive to quaufv by study and by a zealous dischaige of their duties, for the prize positions in the Service which are coming closer to their reach."

The question of what cc P inl J 6 ® lon Tl^) e trustees of the estate of the late Robert Pharazyn were intended by the testator to receive under his vviß vas further argued yesterday in . Cha before the Chief Justice (Sn R°bwt Stout). The trustees were represented by Mr E G. Jelliooe, and the tenants m remainder under the will by Sir Francis Bell. His Honour reserved judgment.

"All tho charges made by Mr. Young and others concerning the laxity of inspectors and surveyors of ships were fully dealt with, when it was found that no vessel left any port in New Zealand in. an unseaworthy condition, stated tne Prime Minister in his reply (issued yesterday) to a question asked last s°ssio n bv Mr. F. N. Bartram (Grey Lynn). Recently the Auckland ferry boats • were under review as to their seaworthiness, the statement continues. “After full inquiry it was shown that all boats were in good and efficient condition, and also that there had not been any mishap to the ferry boats since their inception. the arduous duties of surveyors of ships m New Zealand in connection with all snippin"f matters have been satisfactorily performed, and the shipping in New Zealand has been very free from accident ot any sort traceable to neglect in the matter of survey.”

Tho four city members, Messrs. J. P. Luke, C.M.G., R. A. Wright, G. Mitchell, and Dr. Newman, are endeavouring to arrange to wait on the Prime Minister .at 10 a.m. on Saturday in reference to the price of bread and butter. Tn reply to a question asked at tne end of last Parliamentary session, the Hon. J. G. Coates stated yesterday that a Bill dealing with main roads would bo drafted at an early date, and that two or three months would be allowed for local bodies to consider its contents and make suggestions. The final publication of tho Bill would be made after the suggestions had been carefully considered.

During Hie recent session of Parliament/Mr. R. P. Hudson (Motueka) asked tlie Minister of Agriculture what, if anytlhing, was being, or had been, done in connection with the introduction into New Zealand of the Canadian black beetle for the purpose of exterminating or cheeking the spread of the blackberry. The Hon. W. Nosworthy has replied: “No action has been taken in connection with tho introduction into New Zealand of tbe Canadian black beetle for tho purposes stated; but inquiries are being made as to its actual utility, and also Lis to- whetlher any detrimental results in other directions might follow its introduction.”

“The Native Land Purchase Board I* negotiating with the Native owners for the purchase of the Urewera blocks, and so far 329,115 acres of the reserve have been acquired,” stated the Hon. J. G. Coates (Native Minister) yesterday.

“Reports furnished by the Industries and Commerce Department,” states the Hon. E. P. Lee in reply to a question put by a southern member of Parliament, "show that, whole-meal bread can bo secured on request from practically r.ny master baker in the Dominion. The Government, however, cannot proscribe for the people any particular class of Bread.” The Department obviously has been misinformed regarding the supply of whole-meal bread. People who require this bread find that it is manufactured by very few baiters. It is true that many bakers produce "brown” bread made by adding a varying proportion of whole-meal to white flour. "I would advise tho board to plant, plant, plant,” said Mr. H. D. M. Haszarrl, formerly Canterbury Commissioner of Crown Lands, bidding farewell to the Selwyn Plantation Board on Monday. “If all tho money raised from our endowment is put back into the land it w.ill benefit 'tho province and return manifold the expense.”

"The Government does not consider the setting up of a recess committee to go into the question of soldiers’ pensions necessary," is the reply of the Minister of Defence (Sir Heaton Rhodes) to a request made during the recent session of Parliament by Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South).

IVhile Parliament was in session recently, Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) asked whether the Government would impose a special tax on all foreigners who resided in New Zealand, and were not naturalised as British subjects. In a note to his question he stated that France charged £4 per head per annum on all foreigners staying within her boundaries. The reply issued yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs is that it is not proposed at present to impose such a tax. The Minister presumes that tho number of unnaturalised foreigners in New Zealand would not be sufficient to yield any substantial revenue.

A Press Association message from Invercargill states that Mr. James McFarlane, a retired merchant, was found drowned in the Riverton estuary on Tuesday afternoon.

Regulations are now being prepared for the settlement of gum and pumice lands under the homestead system. The Minister for Lands has explained already that the first block to be settled under this system will be an area of some 20,060 acres of gum land near Helensville, north of Auckland. The settlers, under the legislation of last year, will occupy this land rent free for a period of years, and will be given financial assistance by the Government while they are bringing it into productivity. Then they will have the right to acquire the freehold by instalments, the advances that have been made to them being capitalised for this purpose. The eighteen pictures purchased in Europe for the Mackelvie Trustees by Dr. T. AV. Leys, have arrived m Auckland, and all but two have been unpacked. These pictures, however, will not be open for public inspection immediately, but the Board of Trustees intends holding a special exhibition shortly, for which purpose a frame is now being erected in the Art Gallery.

Asiatic immigration was the subject of a question asked in the House last session bv Mr. AV. Parry (Auckland Central). The reply of the Minister of Customs was made available yesterday. .it was as follows: “Under the Immigration Restriction Amendment Act 192«. Asiatics are not allowed to land in New Zealand except in pursuance of a permit issued by the Minister of Customs. There is no need to fear any influx of these races while the legislation now on the Statute Book remains in force.