LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 277, 17 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Postal authorities have received advice from Sydney that the s.s. Riveiina sailed at 3 p.m. on August l 5 tor Auckland. She carried a small mail tor Wellington and the south. Three youthful adventurers from Wellington arrived in Masterton on Monday night equipped with a complete outfit for trapping rabbits, writes The Dominion’s correspondent. Their ages ranged from 13 to 15 years, and their ambition was to lead the care-frea life of tea hunter on the hills and plains ot Wairarapa. They quite forgot to inform their parents of their departure, but otherwise their preparations were fairly complete. Their tickets were obtained from tho railway tourist office on Saturday morning, but they omitted to inquire about tho train service. 1110 result was that on their arrival at the station on Monday morning then found that the 10.30 a.m. train had been suspended owing to the railway cut. Nothing -daunted, they retired to an emntv truck, and whiled away the time unti/the 4, p.m. train should start. by getting valuable hints from a hairraising “penny dreadful” . dealing wit adventures in darkest Africa. -o i we>l was their equipment concealed about their persons that the railway officials entertained no suspicions during the boys journey to Masterton. But in the meantime the local police had received information that tho youths were on the train, and as a result they were met at their journey’s end and placed in tedgiS for the night. Their parents were informed by telephone of heir whereabouts, and yesterday the would-be Tabbiters were returned to their homes. "Wo had summer with days ago,’ said Mr. T. M. Wilford, MI ~ who returned from America by the Marama. “It was a case of blue skies, liot sunshine, and white ducks, until the day after we left Rarotonga. Thagi it be’an to turn cold, with the result that most of us caught colds owing to the sudden change.” , A general meeting of the Lew Zealand Association of British Manufacturersand Agents will be held in the Chamber of Commerce to-day, at 2.30 p.m. The noting will discuss ct of Imperial trade, ’ and His Majesty s Trade Commissioner, Mr. K. W • -uaiton, will be one of the speakers. "I often think we impaired a lot of hearts in Egvpt,” said Dr. 11. J. M Lean ?n\he course of his “Exercises lecture last evening, “especially when one thinks of the work a horse did and a man d dI went away with a mounted reginlei , and I found that our horses wer ent allowed to be galloped for weeks aftci their disembarkation. lhe men had their 901 b. packs up in a couple of days.

Plans for the improvement of accommodation for the public at Athlete Park pre nared by Messrs. ol addon, i’avitt, and Dyett for the Wellington Ru’by Union, are now complete and provide for a seating accommodation for 7000 spectators.. Hitherto the unions •n-nnosals have been held up for lack of finance and tho state of tho labour market, but it is hoped to commence the work this summer, it the financial position will permit. The work will be spread over several seasons, as it is ot considerable magnitude. Ihoro are nineteen terraces of 470 test each, stretching practically the mil length of the ground. The first tier of terraces is approximately five feet above the present asphalted steps on the western bank, thus giving an uninterrupted vice to even the person sitting on the lowest seat. Three double entrances and two single entrances, consisting of broad flights of stairs, will “feed” the terraces. The present clay bank will entirely disappear as the work will be m reinforced concrete and the seats will be of timber This work is entirely different io the present terraces, which are only a temporary measure. _ ■ Veterans of the South African AV ar held a reunion last night in Dustin s Rooms, Cuba Street Mr. T. P. Halpin, the president of the association, piesided, and there was a large attendance 4 lengthy toast list was honoured, and there was an excellent Imusiwl programme.

When tho R.M.S. .Marama was eight days out from San Francisco, a large volume of smoko was seen issuing from tho vessel’s upper works. Upon investigation it was found that the excessive heat 'Made by the draught in tho funnel hud - caused some of the woodwork in the vicinity to smoulder. The ship’s hose was brought into play, and the. outbreak subdued without further trouble.

Three stowaways were taken off thn R.M.S. Marama on the vessel's arrival yesterday from San Francisco. They will appear in the Magistrate’s Court this morning.

"Girls are going to play Rugby football here," said Colonel G. F. C. Campbell at the Red Cross lecture last evening. “I hope not!” At tho meeting of tho Petone Borough Council on Monday night a communication was received from tho town clerk, Lower Hutt, advising that the /question of joint ownership and control of tho Petone gasworks and the alternative proposals submitted from the conference had been considered by his council at a special meeting. It had been decided that none of the suggestions were acceptable, and it had been resolved to reject them all and to proceed with the erection of works at Lower Hutt.

An innocent looking parcel caused a' good deal of amusement at the corner of Fort and Queen Streets (Auckland) tho other dav. Wrapped in brown paper, tied with blue ribbon, and bearing stamps as though it had passed through the post office, it lay on the Fort Street roadway just off tho track of the stream of pedestrians passing up and down Queen Street. The first man who noticed the derelict was surprised to find when he went to pick it up that it refused to part company with the roadway. He was obviously puzzled, but a light broke in on him when he heard a laugh from tho direction of .‘the pavement. Tho apparently lost parcel was nailed to the wooden blocking of the roadway. Several more passers-by essayed to retrieve tho stray, with tho idea of removing it to a place of safety, and soon tho little comedy attracted an audience. The news spread to the windows of the offices of the Victoria-Arcade and tho hotel opposite. The footpaths in Fort Street and Queen Street made excellent grandstand. So that by the time the nineteenth individual tried to rescue tho parcel the applause which greeted his efforts was "spontaneous and general.” Tho success of the turn eventually became so pronounced that the authors came to the conclusion that the only thing to prevent a block in the traffic was to remove the bait, which was accordingly dons.

At the banquet of tho Sydney Chamber of Commerce, the Acting-Prime Min. ister (Sir Joseph Cook) said that the savin'’ to Germany by the smashing of tho military machine was £25(1-000,tel) per annum, "Germany,” Sir Joseph continued, “used to spend £90,000,000 a year on her army. In addition to that there woi’e 1.000,000 men in the army who are. now in the industrial field, and if their economic value is taken into account, the total would not be less (han £250,000,000 a year. This, it will be seen, is a greater handicap to the Allies than the handicap we have placed upon Germany by reparations.” In the course of a lecture to tho Red Cross Association last evening, Dr. H. J. M'Lean, C.8.E., spoke emphatically on the subject of professional athletes. “Any sport overrun with professional athletes deteriorates,” he said. “One of the greatest causes of this is betting . . . but that is an aside!”

The Oval at Petone will l>e closed after Saturday next so that preparations for. the forthcoming cricket,season may be commenced. About a couple of hours was occupied at the Auckland Court by a case, in which a husband defended his wife’s application for separation and maintenance. "Tho day I take my bluey and get, will bo the happiest of my life,” was one of the expressions the husband was alleged to have used. Finally, Mr. H. W. Bundle, S.M., said ho would adjourn the case for a week, and then took husband and wife into a. private room to talk matters over with them In hopes of an amicable settlement being made. The dispute between the Crown and tho Maoris over the famous Waikaremoana area, which was to have been heard by the Native Appellate Court, has been adjourned sine die. The Court, consisting of Judges Jones and Brown, sat yesterday, when Mr. J. Prendeville, for tho Crown, stated that certain Natives desired time for particular reasons. The ''Government wished to give them evei-y opportunity. The “Chicago Tribune” of May 20 last, contained tho following paragraph, which illustrates the rather remarkable ignorance of Americans concerning New Zealand: —Tales of cannibals and head-hun-ters—of strange people and strange lands —will bo brought back to Chicago to-day by W. D. Boyce (who will arrive at 9 o’clock from San Francisco). Mr. Boyce, who will return with his son, Ben. b. Boyce, left Chicago about eight months ago at the head of the west by southwest expedition. He visited the interior of New Zealand and many other parte of the world never before visited by newspaper men and photographers. A party of nine men reached White Horse, Yukon Territory, from the Fort Norman oilfields, with glowing stories of the richness of the district. Members of the- party report that one well 50 miles below Fort Norman was recently capped, despite a heavy pressure. It is reported that fewer than a hundred claims have been staked so far. The trading post's at Fort Norman supply the district with provisions, there being plentiful supply of everything except salt.

An instructive sidelight on the altitude of mind of German business men is given in the following letter which the “Daily Dispatch" published recently. “Gentlemen,” wrote the German, "the goods you have had the kindness to order mo are ready for expedition, but I am sorry I must inform you that I cannot send it at tho present because of the measured unrighteousness which your country and our other enemies have done against us and think to run us down. I mean principally the 50 per cent, which is to bo paid from my Fatherland. It is impossible to make business with out enemies under these conditions! Wish you to receive the goods, please pre-pay mo the amount as per the invoice included. The goods will be shipped then at once, besides I beg to remark that any sensible German man has the conviction that our country has not induced the war but the others! Tho Frenchmen have preached the ‘Revanche’ since 4fi years, and Britain is not pleased tfiilt Germany has been a great and mighty country. The untruth of our enemies have done your effects.”

In a judgment summons case which wiw before the Magistrate's Court yesterday, there was no appearance of the debtor, and Mr. I’. AA T . Jackson, who appeared for him, asked for an adjournment. handing in n medical certificate of the debtor’s unfitness to appear. Mr. AV. L. Rothenberg, who appeared for the judgment creditor, was not satisfied with the explanation, and stated that he had reason to believe that tho man was able to get about. Counsel contended that in such cnees the doctor should bo called to give evidence, and to account ter his patient's disability. Mr. E. Page, S.M-, in granting tho adjournment, said that if Mr. Jackson desired a further adjournment, it would be necessary for him to call the doctor to give evidence. ■whilst at Papeete, Mr. T. M. AVilford, M. met Mr. C. M. Luke, of AVellington, who was very well in health, and appeared to be enjoying his holiday in tho Islands.

An outbreak of malignant malaria of unusual severity has added to the troubles of the Northern Territory, and is puazling the medical authorities, says the Melbourne “Age.” According to reports received by the Department of Homo and Territories, lire results have already been serious. In tho last three or four months eight deaths have occurred, and there are nineteen patients under treatment in the Darwin Hospital at tho present time. Further cases are reported from lhe southern parts of the Territory, infections having occurred over a wide area. The local authorities have succeeded in tracing tho carrier, whoso duties have recently taken him to many stations. The task now confronting the Health Department is to ascertain tho type of mosquito which is spreading the disease, and, if possible, discover the breeding grounds in tho hope of eradicating them. For this purpose Dr. Cumpston, Federal Director nf Public Health, has instructed Mr. E. F. Hill, an expert officer attached to tho Townsville bureau of tiepical medicine, to go to tho Territory and open an investigation. Dr. Bluiuer, tho quarantine officer at Darwin, is also to .take part in the campaign against the disease in the interior.

The sanctuary of the Hill Street Basilica has been enriched by a very beautiful and artistic piece of mosaic work, tho laying in of which has just been completed. The design, which was drawn by the Rev. Father Schafer, is ecclesiastical in character. It embodies the Son of Man as a central figure, with ths Paschal Lamb lying on the sevensealed book, and is emblazoned with the words “Ecco Agnus Dei” (Behold the Lamb of God). The figure of Christ is enframed in a cross of lilies —the emblems of purity. There are diamondshaped panels with the monograms of Christ and Mary worked into a floral design. The- colouring of the mosaic is harmonious and restful, and blends perfectly with the new marble altar steps and rails. In addition to the floor design, the predella has been clothed in mosaic, and the pillars and walls of the sanctuary have been similarly adorned to a height of three feet. At the base of tho pillars outside the communion rails apperfi’ two coats-of-arms, those of His Grace Archbishop Redwood and the Society of Mary, with their respective mottoes. The tiles were specially imported from England by Messrs. E. AV. Mills and Co., and were fixed by Messrs. A. Forbes and C. Sievwright, of that firm’s staff. The marble work was supplied and placed by Mr. Henry Glover, of Wellington.

Replying to an Auckland deputation regarding the Arterial Roads Bill, the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) said that one thing lie was trying to avoid was giving an opinion as to which work should he done first. The board to be appointed should have control, and would make recommendations as to the expenditure of all money on these roads, and the order in which the work should be done. [This was a national question, and should net be regarded in any parochial sense. It was a question where experts must bo brought in, because it was necessary that methods should be standardised, and therefore a great dal of information would be required before a start could be made. He did not want to go into the question of finance in connection with the proposed Bill until he had Authority to say what the tyre tax and license fee would be. It was of interest, however, that for a number of years something like £250.090 had been spent on the four roads it was now proposed should come under the new system of control. This sum would como under the jurisdiction of the hoard. tion, there was approximately £60,000 spent in maintenance, making a tota of £300,000 from the Public M orks and Consolidated Funds which would form the nucleus of a fund tor the scheme. Mr Coates said there was no intention of interfering with local authonty finance. Immediately this was done there would be difficulties. Uns was to be avoided and the scheme should be treated as affecting tho whole country, and not any district.

The Hon. D. H. Guthrie performed the opening ceremony on Monday in connection with the co-operative dairy factory on .the Tiratu Soldiers Settlement, near Dannevirke. This (says a 1 ress Association, telegram) is the first cooperative soldiers’ factory in the nonunion, and the scheme has been financed by the Repatriation Board,' wich granteil a loan of £5OOO at tho rate ol £3OO pel shareholder. Tho Minister and other speakers to the large gathering of settlers and representatives of local bo n prophesied a prosperous future for the settlement. The Minister urging efficiency as the chief essential for U°niinion prosperity, spoke optimistica ly the future prospects, despite the presen temporary depression. Dan-y prodne s in the future might not realise '-ucn high prices as during the war period but the world demand was such that payable prices were certain to be obtained.

“If a man says he’s going to get old, and takes it easy, he’ll get old! -Ur. M'Lean, in his “Exercises lecture last evening.

A public meeting of the new political pa’rtv is announced for August 24. and will'be held at the Town Hall. Mr. C. E. Statham, M.P., th.' Leader, will then inaugurate a series of public meetings throughout the Dominion, when the full policy of the party will be submitted to the country.

Mr. R. t'oombes, president of the Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand, conferred last eveiflng with members of the New Zealand Olympic Council. The proceedings, which were of an informal nature, were confined to a disj cussion of various Olympic matters, and during thZ evening opportunity was taken to return thanks to Mr. Coombes for the interest he had displayed in athletics generally during his visit to New Zealand. Mr. Coombes, in returning ■ thanks, said that his work was a labour cf love, and that lie would carry back to Australia, a cherished regard for New Zealanders. They could rest assured that he would do everything within his power to assist those at the back of athletics in the Dominion.

Tho aelicitor to the Municipal Association (Mr. T. F. Martin) has advised the Petone (Borough Council (hat it has no power to prohibit the holding of public meetings in licensed halls on Sundays.