LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 284, 25 August 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities have received advice front Suva that the R.M.S. Makura sailed on August 22 for Auckland. She carries 783 bags of mails for tlie Dominion.

Referring to the warning of the Mayor of Christchurch of a possible influenza epidemic, Dr. Telford, district health officer at Christchurch, said his office had had no advice from the general body of medical men indicating anything out of the way. Only three deaths from pneumonic influenza were reported this month. This is what would occur in any ordinary time.—Press Assn. Applications for work at gorse-grub-bing on tire Town Belt continue to pour ip to the Director of Reserves. Owing te a limitation of funds only a certain number of men can. be employed on this form of relief work, but the director is doing his best to place men, always providing that they work well, and that their coses are ones showing the necessity of urgent relief.

Advice was received by the Harbour Board last night that the eighth conference of the Harbour"’ Association would be held in Wellington on October 19, 1921. At the Harbour Board meeting last night the following tenders were accepted: —Messrs. A. D. Kiley and Co., Ltd., supply and delivery of steel reinforcements for Pipitea Wharf (.£4332 lie. Od.); Messrs. Stewart’s and Lloyd’s, Ltd., supply and delivery of steam pipes, valve*, etc., for hydraulic pumping station (£727).

As certain sanatoria formerly under the control of the Defence Department have now come under that of the Public Health Department, the standingsubcommittee of the N.Z.11.5.A. Executive has interested 1 itself in tho question of what becomes of the staffs when such transfers take place. In reply to inquiries from the committee, the Publi' Health Department lias stated:—(l) That no reduction in staff will take place for three months; (2) that at the end of three months tho most suitable members will be given the option of remaining on, perhaps at a reduced scale of pay, while a strong endeavour will be made to absorb the rest in othor Departments. At the meeting of tlie New Zealand Society of Accountants last night, the distribution of taxation was referred to by several speakers, and tiio following resolution mov;d by Mr. C. D. Morpeth was adopted: "That a commission of representative members of the business community and of leading Government officials, should bo set up to endeavour io arrive at a more equitable distribution of tho load of taxation, with particular reference to the onerous taxation on the incomes of public companies.” "Boxing is looked down upon by certain people,” stated Mr. 3. Ken- at a meeting convened for the purpose of forming a boxing association in Petone, ‘ but it is one of the finest sports one can witness. If we proceed with the formation r f an association it will flourish in Petone aud teach the younger generation tho noble art of self-defence. I am quite certain Petone trill be equally as successful at boxing as it has been at football." (Applause.) At about midday on Monday a motorcar, occupied by two ladies, collided with a train at the crossing opposite the Grand National Hotel, Petone. The front portion of the car was slightly damaged, but the passengers escaped injury.

An extraordinary story of a boy who was attacked, bound hand and foot, and then thrown iuto the Lane Cove River, was related to the Artarmon police, says >i Sydney paper. Tne boy, according to tho story of tho dramatic affair, saved Ins life by a desperate struggle to reach the shore. His name is Aaron Elenewyr Coote, aged 17 years, and his home is in Artarmon. In his statement, Coote said he left his home shortly after halfpast six one evening, and, after purchasing some fruit at a shop a short distance away, was passing a narrow laneway near Stoke Street, when two men sprang at him. A heavy blow on the head knocked him insensible, and he remembered nothing further at the time. On recovering bis senses ho realised that he was being carried through the bush towards tho river. This went on until, he supposed, a mile had been covered. When the descent to the water's edge had almost been completed there came a halt, and the youth's hands and. legs were tied with'cord. Still suffering from the effects of the blow on tho head, he was borno to the rocks fringing the river’s edge, and flung into the water. Apparently his assailants decamped immediately, for he saw them no more. No less dramatic is his story of how he saved his life. Summoning his full strength, ho wrestled with the bonds round his wrists. He managed to free ene hand, and, almost exhausted, scrambled towards the hank and hauled himself on to a rock. While on tho river in a skiff, at about seven o'clock, Messrs. A. G. O’Donnell and Leslie O’Donnell, who have a week-end cottage on tho upper Lane Cove, heard moana coming from the direction of tho rocks. They made for the Spot, ana found Coote lying helpless in his wet clothes, and with n broken piece of cord still round one wrist. They conveyed the vouth to a refreshment shop, where he soon rallied, and was able to go home. It was found that he had a slight abrasion on the head. He informed the police that he had 10s. 4d. in his pocket when ho was attacked and (his was mining. It was stated by the police that nothin!’ had been discover’d to cast doubt upon the story (old by Coote. It tho meeting of tho New Zealand Accountants’ Society last night the burden of income tax and the manner m which if is imposed, received attention. Mr Kidd said that tew companies or firms charged up income tax until it was paid, so the custom had been esrtLTisheil of paying income tax, for one year out of the subsequent year s prolit. Although few concerns would make any profits “in 1921, they would hove to, pay income tax unless income tax previously paid was allowed by tho Department as one of the ordinary expenses of the l>usim-s. If a company in 1920 mads a profit of .£36,000, tho income tax would bo £13,125 That would be paid and charged against the eclmptiuyls prefits in 1921, and assuming that in 1921 there was ft net loss of .£3125, the income tax would still have to lie paid on £16.000. The Department would not allow the tax of £13,125 to lie deducted, but would levy tax on this amount, less the £3125 loss shown by tho company.

It is stated that a big American syndicate is contemplating exploiting the mineral resources of tho Nelson district. Woolston Borough ratepayers, by a majority of about 70, yesterday decided to join Greater Christchurch. —Press Assn.

"Is a widow without children better or worse than au old maid?” was a question put to Mr. C. E. Statham, M.P., at fho Town Hall last night. The leader of the National Progressive and Moderate Labour Party replied that there was nothing in his platform bearing on tho question. Tho "Barracks" at Scots College will bo brought to a close to-day. The boys are to be inspected by General Chaytor and Colonel Melville. Tho public are invited to see the boys at their final day’s work.

The standing sub-committco of the N.Z.R.S.A. Executive at its last meeting decided to ask the Repatriation Department to give ample notice, i.e., the twelve months promised by the Prime Minister about two years ago, of any projected curtailment of benefits under tho Repatriation Act. Information had been received by the committee that there was a tendency at present to cut down tho £75 furniture loan to and that all applications for more than had to 100 considered by the Ministerial Board, instead of the Repatriation Board, which formerly had full authority to grant £75. .The volume of tourist traffic in the Dominion is increasing with the approach of spring, and a record in bookings is anticipated for the coining season. The traffic is now so great that it continues through the winter, particularly in the Auckland district. The tours now mainly patronised by visitors aro Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo Caves, and tho trip down the Wanganui River. Tlie arrival of the Niagara, the Tofua, and tlie Maheno last week considerably increased the number of local bookings (says the "Herald”). Early inquiries are being made at the Government Tourist Bureau regarding trips to Mount Cook and Milford Sound during the coming summer, as experience lias demonstrated that when the seasonal rush commences the accommodation at all the tourist resorts is overtaxed. Last season about 30,600 bookings wore made at tho Auckland Bureau alone,_ and a largo increase is expected during the coming season. Tho Tongariro National Park is becoming a highly popular resort for Dominion residents for both summer and winter holidays. Lack of suitable accommodation unfortunately makes it impossible to send visitors from overseas to the park. Last Laster about TDO people made the trip to the mountain, and many more would have done so if accommodation had been available. At present there are only two or three huts for the housing of holiday-makors, who have to provide their own outfit and provisions.

A meeting of tho Executive Council of the Competitions Society was held last evening, Mr. Partridge .presiding. His Excellency the Governor-General wrote intimating he would bo present and participate in the opening ceremony on Tuesday next. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) wrote accepting the position of vice-patron, and notifying he would also be present at the opening ceremony. It was decided to request His Honour Mr. Justice Frazer to again judge the oratory section. All. Bertram Flohm, elocution judge, wrote stating he would arrive fey the Marama on Monday next. It was decided that tlie official opening ceremony (owing to Bis Excellency tho Governor-General having a previous appointment) be held at 9 p.m. The secretary stated that details in connection with the competitions were well in hand, and a record attendance of the public was anticipated. The opening sessions of tho competitions will bo at the Town Hall on Tuesday morning next ami the competitions will continue until September 17, during which period some 850 competitors will appear before the various judges.

A deputation from the Wellington Trades and Labour Council will wait on local members of Parliament this afternoon, to urge the necessity of framing legislation to deal with the hours and conditions of Chinese workers in the furniture trade, so as to bring them within the scope of existing awards as applied to that industry.

Under the auspices of the Seatoun and Bays Progressive Association, Mr. Elsdon Best delivered a lecture on Tuesday evening in tho Seatoun Tea Kiosk, to an audience of between fifty and sixty residents. Tho president of the association, Mr. A. W. Parton, who was in the chair, introduced the speaker as an authority on the early days of the district. Mr. Best, who held his audience for wall over an hour, took them away back to the thirteenth century, and gradually traced tho history of the pioneers who came from distant lands to dwell on these shores. Much of interest to the local residents was given, specially relating to the stockades and the Oruaiti Pa, where Fort Dorset now stands, The speaker also gave interesting details regarding the idea of Miramar Peninsula being at one time an island, the sea stretching from Lyall to Evans Bays across the narrow strip of land, which is now built upon. Whether this was tho result of an earthquake, or recoding sea history docs not emphatically state. On'the motion of Mr. F. Black, a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to the speaker for the very interesting and instructive address. Mr. Parton also moved a vote of thanks to Mrs. Dakin for the free use of the kiosk, which was carried amidst applause.

A meeting convened by tho medical officer of health (Dr. M'Kibbin) for the purpose of setting up an Epidemic Advisory Committee was held in Dunedin on Saturday, this course being necessary (as the doctor explained) under the regulations, though there was no present evidence of severe epidemic influenza in the Dominion. Those present at the meeting were appointed tho Advisory Committee, and an executive committee consisting of the Rev. V. G. B. King and Messrs Speight, Hazlett, Rosevear, and Smith, was set up to frame, a definite policy, to consider the allocation of substations, end to approach tho local bodies and associations capable of assisting should the need arise. The proposal is to form a voluntary organisation, trained and prepared to undertake active duty on demand. The St. John Ambulance Association has undertaken to commence classes in home nursing and tho control of infectious diseases, and to enrol voluntary helpers, while assistance in imparting the necessary instruction is to be rendered by the Health Department. Dr. Pickerill (president of the local branch of tho British Medical Association) is to ask his association to consider the allocation of medical men to definite areas, and the services of the School of Domestic Science are sought in order that consideration may be given to an efficient means of providing food for isolated homes. "We public performers find much to interest us in our audiences.” remarked the city organist, Mr. J. Maughan Larnett, in his address to the Auckland Rotary Club. "I think they may be divided into two classes," he continued. "The first includes tho people who look upon good music as something worth listening to (an organ recital audience is an excellent example of this class), and the second consists of people who apparently have on idea that music, however good. Is simply an incentive to conversation." Ho said ho could not help thinking of this latter class when ho rend the following passage from a recent, book by an author catling himself "The Gentleman with the Duster”: "The root cause of all- bad manners, whatever form they take—selfishness. And selfishness, what is it, if wo examine it with attention, but a deep and most disfiguring spiritual defect?"

Tho members of the Academy of Fine Arts are s eminded by advertisement of the annual meeting called 1 for this evening.

Mr. J. H. Lynskey, headmaster of tho Eketahuna District High School, is at present visiting Petone, and next week purposes bringing down a team of schoolboys to try conclusions with the local school teams at football.

The man's body found in the harbour on Tuesday has not yet been identified The police have received no information us to his identity. Some interesting facts about the rabbit pest in Otago were (says the “Otago Daily Times") procured from the Hon. R. Scott, who knows the Central as well as any man can know it. Ho says it is quite a mistake to suppose that the rabbits are holding tho high country and threatening a general invasion from that position. As a fact Chey were practically killed out of tho Dunstan, Kakanui, Rock aud Pillar, and Lammerlaw Ranges by the severe snows of 1895 and 1908, and they have never since recovered. Ths numbers were in those years so reduced that the natural enemies—stoats, weasels, ferrets, cats, and hawks —have been able to keep them down. Though tho conditions vary in the different districts, speaking generally there has been in all that country a common altitude above which the rabbits have ceased to be a menace. Mr. Scott judges that altitude to be about 3000 ft. As for tho low country, there are still patches here and there where the rabbits cannot be got at, and in those places they still continue to bo a niusance to farmers; consequently, though poisoning, trapping, and fumigating are helping to check the pest, and though it is pretty well kept down in such stretches of accessible country as the Maniototo Plain and Ida Valley, there is an urgent call to destroy persistently and incessantly so as to balance bunny s amazing fecundity. There are thousands of baby rabbits now running about that will be bringing forth in three months.

The present position of the potato market was discussed in Auckland in an interview by Mr. T. Buxton, representative of the South Island Potato Growers’ Association, who arrived in Auckland on Saturday. Ho said. tho stocks of potatoes in tho south had teen considerably ) educed. The branches of the association, fourteen in all, were nCw preparing figures of the approximate stocks held. Reports made at a meeting in Christchurch in the last week in July indicated that the stocks were much lower than at the same date last year. Practical growers were of the opinion that tho yield had been from five to seven tons an acre against 10 to 12 tons the previous year, with about onethird 1 less in the area planted. A number of the growers, said Air. Buxton, did not intend to market the potatoes they held at the prices that had been ruling, preferring rather to feed stock on them. As far as could be gathered, there were practically no stocks in any part of the North Island. It was estimated that Auckland alone would require some 50,000 to 60,000 sacks during the next six weeks to supply the people before the new local crop could affect the position, while all other parts of the Dominion would have to draw supplies from south. There was every indication tliat all the available stocks would bo required. He added that,the quality of the potatoes held was good.