LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 278, 18 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr. W. Perry was talking last evening to the R.S.A. on the question of tha British Navy and the "one-Power" standard, and of the possibility of becoming a third-rate naval Power. Ships had to be built, he was saying—" Give us homes. Bill," called out an irreverent listener. "All right," said Mr. Perry, "if Britain loses sea power, its good-bye to the Empire. We pay 5s a head towards naval expenditure here, and at Home they pay £3! It is, therefore, up to us to help Ilio Empire again, as we did before, to enable Britain to bo the predominating naval power.’’ voice: "The surest guarantee of peace," Sir. Furry than, spoke of the decision of .the conference that interest on canteen funds should be given to naval propaganda. A reporter on a Masterton paper was shown a cheque paid out by the New Zealand Government as the full amount due to one "wood king" as hie share of the surplus war profits. The cheque was accompanied by a long type-written letter of instructions regarding receipts, etc., and the amount to which the cheque entitled the payee was one penny.

The Defence Department advise the death 6f Albert Edward Scott, No. 45,288. on Tuesday night. Tha funeral will leave Wilson’s Mortuary Chapel, John Street, Wellington South, at 3.30 p.m. to-day for Karori Cemetery.

Some amusement was caused during the hearing of a case of alleged assault at tlie Petone Court yesterday when counsel for the plaintiff said he desired to call Mr. Black as a witness. Mr. Hunt, S.M.: "But Mr. Black was the last witness." "Oh," replied counsel amidst laughter, “I moan Mr. White/' Before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at a sitting of the I’etone- Juvenile Court yesterday throe boys, whose ages ranged from 12 to 13 years, were charged with the theft of two books. The delinquents were admonished and each ordered to receive six strokes of the bireh. Two other boys, aged 15 yearn, for stealing a quantity of candles _ and eocoa, and a watch, were admonished and dis- • chargod.

There w<’ro two amusing incidents in tile course of Mr. Massey’s speech at the Cold Storage mid Ice Association’s dinner in London (writes tho official correspondent with (ho Primo Minister). “NS\v Zealand,” declared Mr. Massey, "is going io be the dairy farm of the Empire. You know, we havo got tremendous water-power there.’’ Mr. Massey paused and loud laughter immediately broke out. “I was waiting for that,” ho said, joining in the laughter, "but wo will not use tho water for mixing with tho milk, but for milking tho cows. I look forward to tho time when every farmer will have his supply of electricity. Many farmers have it already.” (Applause.) At another stage of his remarks, Mr. Massey said that something would have to bo done, and very soon too. to ensure that the people of England who asked for New Zealand butter got it. Mr. Hughes (Prim® Minister of Australia): “Hear, hear. (Loud laughter.) “No, no,” said Mr. Hughes. "I didn’t mean that—(laughter)—l couple with your remarks the name of Australia." Mr. Massey: Hear, hear.” (Laughter.) "Guards havo difficult work to attend to in clipping tickets, etc.,” remaiiod Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the I’ctone Court yesterday during the hearing of a case in which a man was charged with using abusive language to a ri W'' a J guard when asked to present his ticket “Tho least the public can do is to assist them in so doing.” ■V general meeting of the Wellington Wholesale Soft Goods Employees Association, Incorporated, was held at t e Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Jhe president, Mr. E. A. Batt, presided Alter disposing of tho business lor winch the meeting was held, a letter was received from Mr. G. Mitchell. M.l •> secretary of the Technical College Appeal Committee, which stated tho urgency for completing the north-west wing of tho college It was unanimously decided to contribute £25 to tho fund. Members expressed regret that, the association s funds would not allow a larger amount being Tho association sports committee is arranging Soccer matches between teams from Messrs. Bing, Harns and Go., Ltd., and Messrs. Sargood. Son and Ewen, Ltd., also a Rugby game between the latter bouse and Messrs. Ross and Glendining, Ltd. Jascha Heifetz, world-famous violinist, together with members of his family, arrived in Wellington by the Mam Trunk train yesterday from Auckland. Ho was greeted at the station by Mr. Horace Hunt (president of the 'Wellington Musicians’ Society) and many others, including the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., who was present in a private capacity), Mr. H. Temple White, Miss Adelaide van' Staveren, Major Macfarlano, and Mr. Henry Moschini. Mr. Hunt, who first met the virtuoso in Berlin in 1914, spoke -a few words of welcome to the distinguished visitor. Heifetz is at pnee striking on account of his pale face, slightly drawn cheeks, and large, brown, luminous eyes. He spoke to .Mr. Hunt in English, and seemed appreciative of the welcome given him, shaking hands with all present. After a short chat he left, for his hotel. Upon tho arrival of the South African footballers at Palmerston North they were enthusiastically received at tho station by a large crowd, and were taken to the Opera House, where they were the guests at a civic reception. Addresses worn given by the Mayor, the president of the Rugby Union, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the president of the South ■’■man Veterans’ Association, the latter presenting to Mr. W. Pienaar, the captain of Hie visiting team, a Maori pendant of greenstone, thus conferring upon him tho distinction of a chieftain’s badge. Mr. H. C. Bennett,: manager of the team,*’suitably responded, and in response To cheers the Springboks gave their war cry.

Dtidy Langer, the distance swimmer, who was here in June last, was swimming in New York on July 7 in coniP'jny with AVarren Kooloha and Ethelda Bleibtrev.

"Bartlett and Andrew had to kneel to got 'Tiny’ Freyberg to sit for his photo.,” said Mr. IV. Perry at last night’s meeting of tho R.S.A. "But tho colonel consented, and Mr. Andrew has presented the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association with a splendid enlargement.” A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the donors.

News has just arrived from Wallis Island, which is a French colony now, of a very clever scheme to get rich quick, writes tho Suva correspondent of the Auckland "Star.” In January last, a native trading coA.pany was formed to give goods in exchange for copra. The company went into high finance of the most approved 1 type. Instead of giving goods for tho copra, they gave 1.0.U.'s to the natives, which were nominally to to redeemed at certain stores for goods. Soon these "chits” were flying over the island in clouds; over 6660 in all are said to to in circulation. But unfortunately for the sellers of the copra no goods were forthcoming to meet tho indebtedness, although the copra had been sold and even shipped to Fiji. Tho position became so grave that the Resident took a hand and reported the matter to the Governor at Noumea. Tho Governor responded by coming in person on tho warship Aldobaran. mid caused the company to go into liquidation, with the Resident os liqnilator. Three chiefs have been deported to Noumea for an. indefinite term. And so ended this native attempt to best tho white trader. On Saturday at Dustin’s, Cuba Street, the bakers and pastrycooks will hold their annual dinner, when opportunity will be taken to unveil a Roll of Honour to members of the trade who fell during the great war Mr. Mitchell, M.P., has consented to perforin this ceremony. An invitation to all employers and employees has been- -extended by the local association, and a successful gathering is anticipated.