LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Dunedin City Council lias decided to place a loan on the market,: for immediate requirements, of £162,000 at 5£ per. cent., states "The Post's" correspondent. Big loans are falling due, and the"new'loan issues will total £587,000.

Customs revenue and beer duty in Wellington for January reached higher figures than in January, 1923. -The respective figures are :—Customs, £191,405 15s and £184,635 14s lid; beer duties, £6583 6s 9d and £6079 16s 2d. •

l)he Otago 14-foot yacht June, which was a contestant in the recent Sanders Cup races, is to remain in Wellington, having been bought by Mr. J. Poles, of -Petone.-' Wellington enthusiasts regard the purchase with pleasure, considering that the new yacht will help the sport considerably in Wellington. 'Through the generosity- of'the management of the King's Theatre, the exservice patients suffering war disability and under treatment at the Red Cross Home, Hobson street, and the "Wellington Public Hospital, will be entertained at a matinee performance at the.King's Theatre, commencing at 2.30 p.m., on Saturday next.

The Minister of Customs (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart), having been requested to determine, whether or not depreciated currency duty.should* be imposed I upon felt feats 'imported from countries with depreciated currencies (other than Germany, Austria, a.nd Hungary), those concerned are notified to submit within one month reasons for or against imposition of such. a duty.

The Conciliation Council hearing of the Shop Assistants' dispute, covering the whole of the Dominion except Canterbury, was continued yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. .Newton presided. Agreements were reached on very few points. The wages clauses, which were widely different in the claims and counter-claims, were referred to the Arbitration Court, practically without discussion. Tlie other main question, that of hours of employment, was also left over. ■

The report of the Emergency Com-" nuttee received at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington War Belief Association stated that the committee was still called upon to supplement the pensions of disabled soldiers, many of whom we're still being sent to hospital on account of receiving war disabilities; and others had been thrown out of employment as the result of the prevailing depression, and were therefore unable to maintain ""themselves and their deepndants on their war pension. ' Many of the men demobilised as "fit A" were still applying for financial assistance,'generally in the direction of provision of board and lodging, pending.their ability to. obtain employment.

At a meeting of the Central Hawkes Bay Power Board, held at Waipukurau on Tuesday, correspondence \yas read from the Commissioner of the Government Life Insurance Department offering £50,000 at £6 ISs od per cent, to cover interest and sinking fund for a period of 36£ years. The chairman (Mr. C. Pattison) mentioned that all sources had been explored and found "dry," and this offer was the best received.. Other local bodies were eager to snap up the money on • the same terms. Members agreed .that the terms appeared to.be as advantageous as the board could hope to get at present, but a shorter period for the loan, would have been more acceptable. A motion by Mr. E. A. Goodger was carried agreeing to accept the offer, subject to the approval of.the Minister.

A "letter wag received by the War Relief Association yesterday from :. the New Zealand Sheepowners' Acknowledgment of^Debt to British Seamen Fund, stating that in view of the recent acquisition of a farm property in the Rangitikei district for the purpose of training in agricultural pursuits sons of British seamen who were killed or who had been incapacitated as the result of service during the war, it had been decided to transfer the office of the fund from Wellington to Palmerston North. The letter went on. to state that it had also been decided, in view of the expenditure to which the 'trustees were committed, that disbursements. would now^ be confined to the assistance of British' seamen incapacitated owiiig to service during the war, and to dependants of Brtiish seamen killed or incapacitated owing to war service.

There has been quite an epidemic of burglaries and. thieving in Cmistchurch of late, the intruders meeting with varying success (states the "Press'!). On Sunday evening the premises of Butterworth Brothers, warehousemen, Lichfield street, were broken into, and 8s 9d in money, two. suit cases, and a quantity of shirts were stolen. The Petone Buildings, Lichfield street, occupied by Van Staveren Brothers, warehousemen, were also entered, and £13 in money and a number of cheques were stolen from the cash box. Cigarettes and tobacco to the value of £li were stolen from the shop of Mr. Bollington, a tobacconist, in Colombo street, on Monday niprht, and on Tuesday evening Mr. G. Jetford, fruiterer, in Madias street, interrupted a burglar operating on the till of his shop, but was unable, to prevent his" escape. But the thieves have not confined their attention to the city, and on Tuesday night stole from the fowlrun of Mr. C. Foster, Linwood, abaut 50 Whits Leshorn pullets t

According to advice received by the Postal authorities, the Moeraki, which left Melbourne yesterday for Wellington, is bringing 93 bags of mail from Australia, and 31 bags from beyond Australia (23 from the East and e"ight from Africa), and 36 parcel receptacles.

■An order has been issued by the United States Department of Labour (Bureau of Immigration), and re-pub-hshed in the "New Zealand Gazette," stating the conditions on which students seeking higher education may enter the United States. Such students are to be admitted for one year, with the understanding that the period may be extended if an alien maintains the status of a student.

A black-and-white snake about four feet in.length was recently. discovered lying asleep on the beach at Pakiri, North Auckland, by Mr. Hbri Harris,, of Pakiri, and the Rev. Tohupotiki Haddon, of Normauby, Tarauaki. It appeared to be dead when first observed, but, taking no chances, the men armed themselves with sticks .and attacked the snake, which endeavoured to escape (states the "New Zealand Herald"). It was killed and placed in a receptable for transport to the Auckland museum.

An instrument resembling the trident reputed to have been used by "Father Neptune" was produced at the Mugis*™*f.' s Couri 10-day, in a case in which William Gemmell was charged before Mr. E. Page, S.M., with having speared trout in the Tawa River. Constable U Donnell, of Johnsonville, gave evidence to the effect that the defendant said that he had been spearing eels but a search of Gemmell's bag had resulted in the constable finding several trout badly knocked about. The Magistrate imposed a fine of £10.

At a large meeting of Wellington scoutmasters, over Which the Commissioner (Mr. H. Amos) presided, it was decided to hold the annual competitions before Easier. The events will cover first aid, fire fighting, eignalling, etc. A meeting i s to be held on Bth February, with a view to forming a local association. The meeting decided on'a Boy Sscouts employment bureau, to be put into operation immediately, th e object bern" to find suitable employment for f i° y = PatroUea.der Ronald Cohen, 01 the Sea^-Scouts, was nominated for inclusion uvthe patrol to visit' England, and Scout Geoffrey p ca ], of Island Bay troup was recommended for the highest award for gallantry,* haying .saved the writ m men in the launch wreck at Island Bay recently. "You will see by the figures that we are down to £35,000. Of course, there are some loan moneys, and these are being paid vei-y well, though we know there is a proportion that we will never get back, remarked Mr. h. O. H. Triup &t yesterday's meeting of the War Re.'ief Association. It was stated that nn a""ual exPenditure was between £6000 and £7000. The secretary'stated that in five years the capital had been reduced by about £40.000, though they had actually spent oyer £100,000. The difference between the two amounts was represented by refunds from other societies and interest on capital. It was the opinion of Mr. Tripp that when the whole of the capital was expended the association would have to depend on the War Funds Council. With regard to applicants, it was stated that they were not necessarily getting fewer each year. The applicants last year were more numerous than the year "before, owing to force of circumstances—such as men breaking down.

.Among the men actually under treatment, m hospitals ,are a. number! whose' injury is of such a nature as to lieces-' sitate their beitig transported on spinal chairs. Fire 1-egulations governing the management of houses of public entertainment preclude sucli" cases attending I performances, as the chairs on- which they recline are regarded as a menace to egress in case of fire emergncy. By way of bringing these spinal cases into the sphere of enjoyment of good picture performances, the local branch of the Red Cross have arranged, by means of the purchase of an up-to-date portable cinema machine, to show in the ward at the home, Hobson street, a programme an Tuesday night of, each week. The society, on behalf of the patients, desires to thank the management at the King's Theatre for its kindly action in extending an invitation for Saturday's performance. It may be that public spirited citizens, mindful of the sacrificn through which the spinal cases came by their incapacity, -would welcome'-the opportunity of co-operating with the Red Cross in its effort to brighten the lot of the patients by undertaking occasionally to wheel the cot cases out. Voluntn*;s for this work should communicate with the secretary of the Red Cross Society- ■ . A totally unrehearsed event was witnessed on Tuesday by the large crowd <jf people who had gathered on the breastwork fronting ,the Calliope Dock to witness the speed launches run in .connection with the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. This was the swamping and capsize of the champion racing Urunch Pussyfoot. .Early in the afternoon Pussyfoot put up a thrilling performance by winning the Regatta Speed Championship with a speed of approxi-, inately 35 miles an hour, easily defeating the former-champion, Miss Auckland. The competitors were called upon to race -round the course three times, covering a distance of twelve knots, and as the competitors passed the dock at the completion of each lap it was seen that Pussyfoot was steadily increasing her substantial lead. She finished with a great burst of speed, and was careering round the finishing line preparatory to returning to her quarters at &t. Mary's Bay, when the gun-metal bracket supporting the proptilei shaft beneath the hull carried away and pierced the delicate hull (states the "New £ealand Herald"). The boat quickly ! filled, and, before she could be towed to a place of safety, turned right over and floated bottom upwards:. 9rhe owners, Messrs. Roberts and Harrison, were taken aboard one of the many'launches which quickly went to the rescue, and Pussyfoot was towed to the beach at btanley Bay, where she was righted and temporarily repaired before being taken to St. Mary's Bay. Green Stripe, the ™| le*P hydroplane owned by Mr. J. is Wilson, of Wanganui, which had won the open speed handicap race earlier in the day, was also entered for the championship, but it was found that ! r' .th? first, ra=s a. pin in the magneto ft. 2? -6 Jt efore the time wed for I the mam regatta' event. Miss Devonj port, a new speed launch considered to to *dJ u?S erous "val to Pussyfoot, failed to put m an appearance.

'«£**? utation arranged*by Mr, TiJiL, Wilford, M.P., win wait upon the Minister of Public Works at 10 a m tomorrow, to urge the construction of a bridge over the Hutt River at Haywards. The subject is one of great importance, affecting residents on both sides of _the river, and it is expected that the deputation will be a large one. The question of replacing lost certifacates of war service, supplied by the ■New Zealand Government, to N Z E F nien, was discussed at the last Dominion council meeting of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers" Association, and the 'Government was. asked to make : arrangements for the issue of duplicate copies where necessary. The general secretary of the New Zealand' Returned Soldiers' Association was recently' informed that the Minister of , Defence- has authorised the issue of duplicate certificates as long as. the supply at present in hand lasts Any member of the N.Z.E.F., who has lost his certificate of war service, should make application.to the Officer-'in-Charge of War Accounts and Records, Bucklestreet, Wellington, for a duplicate to be issued to him. The application musf be supported by a stamped- statutory declaration, setting out to the best of his knowledge .and. belief, how, when, and where the original certificate was lost. *

The South Canterbury Power Board proposes to set aside £uu~oo to obtain a report upon the possibilities 'of Lake Tckapo as a source of electric supply. Complaints are madjj of the uncertainty of the supply from Lake Coleridge^ Last night, says the Timaru* "Herald" of yesterday, the people of Tiniaru had another ' taste-of the vagaries of Coleridge power, and the Power Board's policy received a very poor .advertisement. After a poriod of distracting ttickoringg resembling Morse signals, accompanied by wide variations of pressure, the light, failed (at1 11.3 a p.m;) and plunged the town .into darkness and put astop to the wheels of industry depending upon Coleridge for power." Half an hour later the light fitfully came again, only to fail again in a few moments. After a stoppage of nearly an hour and a, half, the supply was restored (about 12.50 a.m.) much to the relief of userg of current for power and lighting purposes. Invariably on Friday evenings, the shopkeepers of Timaru have reason to complain of the poor supply of current for lighting, and on late shopping nights householders know immediately the shops are using current. .

The executive committee of the New Zealand Educational Institute, after carefully considering the new teachers' salary and other primary school arrangements recently outlined by the,' Minister* of Education, has decided to accept the Minister's suggestion that it be given a trial for six months, and" then, if 'it is found to be working inequitably in any.way, further consideration will he given to the matter by the' Minister, ihe new scale is now in operation. The resolution actually adopted is as follows : "As the Minister has promised to make amendments where the amended salary regulation can be" shown to operate inequitably or unfairly, -the executive requests branches to critically examine the regulations and their operation and forward their reoorts to the secretary in time for the preparation of a, report for • presentation to the annual meeting." I n regard to details, the executive passed a resolution declaring that whore less than the regular increment is to bo paid, the reduction in increment should be postponed, till the teacher's last year i,, _his grade; and also decided to ask the Department to restore the scale of salaries-lor pupil-teachers, pro?baUoiretsX^and' •.training '■ college students. ■ •'■ * •''■ ' ■ ' ■". .

How difficult ifc is for a, new-born in-fant-to become a Christian when born at sea, even when ministers of- religion are among the passengers, was illustrate ed during the recent voyage to Australia- of' the steamship Demosthenes^ says the Jtelbourna "Age." The trouble commenced with the arrival at sea of a little blue-eyed stranger on 7th' January. After considerable argument the parents, who were immigrants for-West-ern Australia, agreed to name the infant 'Margaret Demos." They thereupon applied to the welfare officer for a christening. They^ found, to their dismay, that, being a clergyman of the Nominated Uiurchcs of Christ, he did not "christen" children. The parents approached the ■only other-clergyman in,the first class, but he, being a Baptist, did not '-christen" either. Still undaunted, they approached the captain, but this being his first-experience as master of a passenger vessel he had his doubts and declined to play the leading role in such an awesome rite. Thus the parents and' the baby, and the_ other passengers, who were intensely interested in the proceedings, had to wait seven days in suspense until Albany was readied. There they arrived at a happy,solution of the grave' problem, for a Church of England clergy-: man was found to baptise the healthylittle creature "Margaret Demos."

Referring.l 6 the proposals made by the New Zealand Institute in regard to the housing of the Meanee telescope, recently purchased by the City Council for the citizens, the Mayor, Mr. 11. A. Wright, remarked > that for his partsince he •could not, of* course, speak for the council as a whole—he was not disposed to part with the freehold-of any land in the Botanical Gardens Beserve at Kelburn, butj no doubt, a peppercorn rental for.an indefinite period could.'be arranged. Then, again, there was the question of the dedication of the telescope to the New Zealand Institute, for the instrument was purchased on the understanding that it was to1 remain the property of citizens for all time. Probably, however, an arrangement could be reached whereby the telescope could' be dedicated to a controlling body under conditions that would carry out the spirit of the council's intentions. The suggestion of a. joint committee of control, consisting of representatives of the New Zealand Institute, the' City Cpuncil, and the astronomical section of the Wellington Philospophieal Society, Mr; Wright considered, was a good one. The telescope is now in Wellington, lying at the Town Hall awaiting the provision- of a suitable building. '

To the younger generation of Dunediir people mention of the sport of curling is the cause more of wonderment than of anything else, remarks the "Otago Daily Times.!' But once curling was a wellestablished sport in Dunedin. and amohz its enthusiasts were Mr. Thomas Brydone, "father of the freezing industry," and th« Hon. Thomas Fergus. In ±004 Mr.' D. Baxter; a Princess street merchant, presented a cup for the sport, and contests were held on a specially-pre-pared pond in Wopdhaugh. The tirst winner was J. M'JN"«HI, and after that J. Anderson. After a comparatively short '.existence the club's activities in Dunedin diminished, and the contests for the cup wero commenced among Central Otago clubs in 1900, Annual matches among these ,clubs, several in number, were then events, and until v they were held almost with regularity. Dm-, ing the war the cup was subjected, like many others, to neglect, but in 1918 it was again considered a, trophy to ba sought. Itwwass s then held by its winner* for the following yearg without attracting further competition till last winter, when th« Mount Ida Curling Club captured it. The; indications are that this historic cup and its 'attendant exciting competitions are not yet to be forgotten. Curling is a game having some resemblance to bowls, but it is played on ice, with largo. stones, each fitted, with a handle. The stones are slid ajone ths km toward; a mar^- «