LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities are advised that mails which left Auckland on July 12, per R.M.S. Makura, via Vancouver, arrived in London on August 16. The civil sittings of the Supreme Court have been adjourned until August 29. A Wellington traveller for hardware and other goods, who has just returned from a North Island trip, reports a greatly improved tone in Auckland and Taranaki. In those districts, he says, traders were once more beginning to place orders with some freedom, and altogether the feeling among business men was more cheerful and buoyant than was the case six months ago. This was possibly due to the improved prospects in the dairying industry. The Manawatu district was also showing a brighter face, but Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay were still “as dead as mutton” from his particular point of view.

In Laery’s Pharmacy, Palmerston North, on Thursday evening, some of the assistants were engaged in making up coloured fires to be used in connection with a torchlight procession, and had completed several packages, when one, ■ which was lying on the counter, exploded and broke into flames, setting fire to- some other fireworks which were being prepared (writes nur Palmerston correspondent). For a few minutes it looked as if the whole building would lie endangered, .and tho shop was full of stifling fumes. However, tho brigade was quickly on the spot and all danger was averted. It is estimated that it will cost about Xl5O to restore the fittings and cover other damage in tho shop, but this expense is fully covered by insurance.

On account of the extreme length of the cortege of motor-cars at the late Hon. J. G. W. Aitken’s funeral yesterday afternoon and tho narrowness of Willis Street, the tramway traffic on tho western line was diverted to Jervois Quay fir half an hour, as a precaution against accident, and in order that there would bo no blockage of the funeral.

The question of Sunday play on the Khandallah Bowling Club’s green was placed before a special meeting of the club on Thursday evening, Mr. J. Bevin (president) being in tho chair. A reporton the matter was presented by the board of directors, and this expressed the view that it was not in the interests of the club to commence Sunday play. The report was adopted xuwjiiuously.

All the Prime Ministers of the Dominions contributed messages of good will to the American Supplement published by “The Times” on July 4. Mr. Massey wrote (says a London correspondent):— "Looking back, as British citizens, nearly a century and a half, wo now get a proper perspective of the events which resulted in the birth of the American nation, and wo are able with the friendliest feelings and most genuine sentiment to join with our cousins across the Atlantic in the celebration of their, anniversary of independence. Wo trust that tho amicable relations which at present exist may never again be disturbed, and that the two nations, each under its own form of government, but learning from and respecting the other, may continue to be a blessing not only to their own citizens, but to. humanity as-a whole. There can bo no more satisfying vision than that of the two grffat "English-speak-ing nations with a common ancestry, with the same traditions and the same ideals, moving forward in close accord, and acting up to tho principle expressed by the British poet: ’They must be free or die who speak the tongue that Shakespeare epoke.’ I congratulate 'The Times' on the sentiment expressed in the publication of a Fourth of July Number.” Albert E. Kearns was yesterday fined 40s. by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., for giving a receipt for £6 and failing to affix tho stamps required. It has been mentioned that telephonic communication with Christchurch cannot bo obtained as readily as used to bo the case. One applicant for the wire on a Sunday morning was informed (per telephone) that only in cases of urgency, such as illness or death, could communication be obtained. On being consulted

yesterday the Chief Telegraph Engineer (Mr. E. A. Shrimptoil) stated that at certain hours when the street cars in Wellington and Christchurch were not running, preferably on Sunday morning, telephoning to Christchurch was as simple a matter as it ever had been. As a matter of fact the conditions had been mode a little easier than formerly. Writing from 1 England, Mr. John Prouse says that he had the pleasure of renewing his acquaintance with Sir Charles Santiey. for half a century England’s representative oratorio and concert baritone. Sir Charles Santiey, now in his eighty-soventh year, was remarkably well in health and-spirits, and said, that he believed’ he could sing Elijah as well ns ever he could. Ho wished to be kindly remembered to all his well-wishers in New Zealand. Mr. Prouse wrote that he believed Sir Charles was "good for. a century.” The fourth annual festival of the Wellington Competitions Society will commence at the Town Hall on August 30, and continue until September 17. The entries constitute a Dominion record, the total being 2248,, and every centre from Auckland to Dunedin will be represented. The silver cup presented by His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, for the boys’ elocutionary championship, is now on view at Messrs. George and George’s, Cuba Street. Members are notified that their tickets are now available, and the box plan for the season will open at the Bristol on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday evening, at the meeting of the historical section of the Wellington Philosophical'Society, Mr. .E. G. Pilcher exhibited an interesting collection of post marks, used before the introduction of postage stamps, also a number of the first Id. and 2d. English stamps, specimens of the old Metready envelope—the progenitor of the modern letter-card — and a set of New Zealand stamps up to 1872, when the last of the stamps with the full face portrait of Queen Victoria were issued. The intention was to show in brief the history of the Post Office and of means of prepayment for the carriage of letters from the fifteenth century till 1872.

The Registrar of Friendly Societies l?as found it very difficult to secure the annual returns of the various friendly societies as required by the Friendly Societies Act. Some of the lodges send in their returns but some of the country lodges are very dilatory, and it is necessary sometimes to take legal proceedings. Yesterday, Court Egmont, A.0.F., was summoned for failing to send in the annual returns. The lodge was fined. £2 and costs by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. A week or two ago the barman of the Cambridge Hotel was fined £5 by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., on each of two charges of selling liquor to a youth under 21 years of age. Yesterday tho licensee Of the hotel, Mr. H. G. Webb, was charged with the same offences. The breach on his part was, of course, technical, tho employer being responsible for the acts of his servant. Webb was fined 50s. on each of the two charges. "The difficulty in getting the timber we want is becoming rather a serious business with us," said the proprietor of a woodwork factory to a Dominion reporter yesterday. "I wanted some red birch tho other day for a particular purpose,” he said, "and tried every mill in the city -without success, and eventually had to buy some from a coachbuilder. I also wanted some first-class rimu, in certain sizes, none of them out of the way, and had the greatest difficulty in getting what I wanted. Eventually 1 was able to get the sizes required, but it took three mills to complete my little order.” •

Since his return to England teays a I.ondon correspondent), Dr. A. S. Herbert. who was Government Balneologist at Rotortia for 17' years, _ has been devoting a great deal of his time to his hook on the thermal districts of the Dominion. The publishers have already produced. two or three rough proofs of tho volume, which is to be called "The Hot Springs of New Zealand,” and in tho course of a few days publication will be proceeded with. The first half of the book deals with the hot springs from a scientific point of view, and gives an explanation of all tho thermal phenomena. The second half is devoted to the science of Balneology, the object being io create a real interest among the medical profession in Great Britain in the hot springs of New Zealand. Tho New Zealand Government, which is responsible for the production of the work, is to distribute 750 copies in Great Britain, and: 750 copies in the Dominion. The characteristics of delirium tremens were described by Dr. G. H. Thomson, in giving evidence at the Magistrate’s Court, Christchurch, during the hearing of ft manslaughter charge (states tho “Lyttelton Times”). The witness said that in cases of delirium tremens the patient, first of all shows signs of excitability, manifested by tremor of the hand, and his senses _ are very alert. His condition may continue in that state for quite a time; lie then becomes a subject of hallucinations, which are conveyed to him by his sense of sight, hearing, smell, etc. Thus ho may hear sounds and see objects, usually of a terrifying nature, which are purely arising from his imagination—a man may see devils or snakes or all sorts of weird objects, and his whole wish is to get away from them. He consequently struggles violently with any person attempting to restrain him, and in the case under notice Dr. Thomson said it took a powerful doctor, two porters and two nurses to hold the patient down.

In tho Supreme Court yesterday judgment by consent was entered by Mr. Justice Reed in a. case Public Trustee (Mr. O’Regan) v. Public Works Department (Mr. A. Fair). Tho caso was one in which tho Public Trustee asked for .£9OO damages on behalf of tho widow and child of William Henry Morgan, whose death occurred from injuries received duriiig blasting operations at Eskdalo (Napier). His Honour awarded the widow .£3OO and the child .£OOO. costs to be arranged. Copyists!—There are always crowds of these commercial pirates waiting to steal other men’s inventions. Take no risks—patent your idea nt once. For advice concerning patents consult Henry Hughes, ’ Ltd., Patent Attorneys, 157 Featherston Street, Welluigtom«-~Adrt.

The New Zealand Alliance of Labour is convening a conference of affiliated trades’ unions to be held at Wellington on September 7, to discuss unemployment and immigration questions. The new automatic telephone subexenange at Kelburn has been successfully "cut over.” The initial "cut over" only affected some 50 or 60 lines, but during the month this number should Tie increased to from 300 to 400, as oppoi’ttfli--ity serves to deal with the cables. The control of traffic maintained at tho busy corners of the city by the police has been most satisfactory, and a recent visitor from Christchurch spoke in high praise of the capable manner in which the traffic was being handled. One policeman (Constable M'Kee) on duty this week at the junction of Cuba Street and Manners Street, however, had an unpleasant experience. Noticing a woman crossing the street he gave the signal to a passing motorist to stop, and while thus engaged he was struck from behind by a tramcar. As a result he sustained injuries which necessitated medical attention, and l have hindered him from resuming duty yet. The tramway traffic is under the same regulations, and governed by the same bylaws as operate in connection with ordinary city traffic. It is not suggested, however, that the incident occurred ■through wilfully proceeding against a signal. "The relationship existing between the tramway department and the police,” remarked Inspector -M'llveney to a reporter last evening, “is very amicable; indeed, much kindness and assistance has been received from the tramway department.” A meeting is to be held in the Paramount Theatre to-morrow evening under the auspices of the Self-Determination for Ireland League, The meeting, though mainly intended for members of the league, will be epen to the general public. For some time past tho league suspended activities because of the negotiations between the British Government and the Irish leaders, and it is stated that to-morrow’s meeting is in no sense intended to mark any deviation from this policy, the intention being to report to members on the work of the league since its inception a few months back by Miss Kathleen Hughes. Mr. P. J. O’Regan will preside. A peculiar loss befell a bootmaker at Nightcaps. When he opened his shop on Monday, a dog bounded out, and disappeared. The contents of the shop were scattered about, and a number of pairs of boots were chewed up beyond repair. Evidently the animal had been sleeping in a corner when.the shop. Was closed on the Saturday night; and, to appease its hunger, had turned its attention to the boots. The loss is estimated at about £lO.

The gospel of self-h<llp as applied to New Zealand schools, advocated by the Minister of Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, last year, has produced most praiseworthy results in the Auckland district (states the "New Zealand Herald”). The secretary in the Auckland Education Board, Mr. E. C. Purdie, mentioned at last meeting that the promise of a £ for £ subsidy on voluntary contributions for improvements to schools had greatly stimulated the activity of school committee and the generosity of citizens, and, as a result, nearly £4OOO had boon raised by personal effort in Auckland during the last year, a larger sum than had been collected for similar purposes previously in the educational history of tho province.

A Chinese steward, who sailed from Svdney on the steamer Victoria for Hong-Kong on August 4, was considerably enlightened as to the wiles of confidence men, but made poorer by £3BO. He made the acquaintance of two men. They learned that the Chinese had ready money, and suggested to him that it would be considerably enhanced in value if he were to change the notes into gold. On learning when the Victoria was to sail, the men macle an appointment for the transaction to take place. The steward turned up at a house mentioned, and he was met outside by the cragsmen. Then he handed over the bundle of notes, and was told to "wait there while the men went inside. It dawned upon the Chinese after a long wait that the bargain was becoming rather onesided, and he told the police. A portrait of the late Mr. Justice Johnston, who sat on the Supreme Court bench from 1858 to 1888 was unveiled in the New Plymouth courthouse yesterday bv Mr. Justice Salmond.—Press Assn.

There has been recalculated from recent data the amount of rain annually falling upon the earth’s surface. It is found that it is equivalent to a layer of water of the uniform depth for the whole globe of about thirty-five and a, half inches. The amount falling on the land is equivalent to a uniform depth of twenty-nine and one-fourth inches. w Mr. C. E. Statham, M.P., leader of the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Party, will speak at a public meeting to be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday next, when the platform of the party will be fully enunciated by him. The new party claims to have a policy which should appeal to everybody It is expected that a big audience will attend next Wednesday, and the doors will open at 7 p.m. The meeting will be preceded by overtures on the organ, commencing at 7.30.