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Evening Star, Issue 24329, 19 October 1942, Page 2

There lias been comparatively little variation in the number of persons committed to prison fur criminal offences (states the prisons. report). The aggregate number of receptions during 1911 was 3,606, the number of distinct prisoners involved being 2.369, which represents an increase of 168 on the mini her committed to prison during 1940. This increase, however, is almost entirely accounted for by the coniraittals of poisons to prison during 1941 for breaches of the National Service Kmer.gency Regulations in respect of their military obligations. An analysis of the nature of the offences shows that, apart from this class of offence, there lias been little fluctuation in the number of offences under other headings. Offences against the person show a very slight increase, offences against property no increase, and it is interesting to observe that the number of offenders committed to prison for drunkenness Ims substantially declined. Viewed from the point of view of nationality of offenders, it is to be noted that the ratio of New Zealand-born is higher and the number of Maoris committed to prison again showed a small increase. The increase falls mainly in the age group between 20 and 30 years. Throughout this morning the stream of people to the Concept Chamber at the Town Hall for the now issue of ration books was steady. The district rationing officer lias asked the ‘ Star ’ to give publicity to the fact that many people are presenting their hooks with the “O ” coupon not filled in. In some instances this omission has caused confusion and delay. “ People would he well advised,” he said, “ to fill in the coupon in the manner already directed in the Press; to detach it, and have it ready for presentation to the teller.” Ho asked that in the case of children, the birth date be written on the counterfoil. “By following these rules the public will greatly facilitate the issue of books,” he continued. People are also requested not to leave the securing of the new ration books until the end of the week. The Concert Chamber will he closed daily between 12.30 and 1.30 for lunch. It will close again at 5.30, reopen at 7 p.m., and remain open until 9.

“ I believe our man power cannot stand the present drain. We have got to face up to the situation.” said Mr .1. A. Lee in the House of. Representatives, speaking in the debate on the Finance Bill. They had been told how many men were in the various forces, but they had not been told what they had got to meet in the future. They should also know what New Zealand would look like when the men being called up were in the field, what industries were going to bo maintained, and how they were going to be maintained. While everybody was conscious of the urgency of dealing with the problem, and facing up to it, they wore drifting on. The Deputy Leader of the House (Mr Sullivan) pointed out that surveys had been in progress for some time, and had been considered by the Win- Cabinet. Mr Lee said 'members were stumbling in the dark. He hoped that as rapidly as the surveys were completed they would also get a statement of the man power targets and he given the opportunity t» discussing the future policy of the Government on man power. The debate was adjourned, the House rising till Monday afternoon. —Parliamentary Reporter.

A resolution from the Taranaki County patriotic committees favouring the raising of patriotic funds ,by taxation was supported at a meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Patriotic Committee at Stratford t after a long discussion. Only one member voted against the motion.

There are now 6,863 New Zealanders officially notified as prisoners of war and four unofficial prisoners. The inquiry office states that, shorts are allowed to be sent in personal parcels, and also that service badges and medal ribbons may be sent in the quarterly parcels. An official explanation from the British Red’ Cross in connection with parcels which sometimes arrive at the camp with articles missing states that parcels are often damaged owing to sea water, and other accidents, and are repacked at Lisbon. The Post Office has arranged for a slip to be put in at Lisbon by the Portuguese authorities stating that articles have been taken out. In the Police Court at Timaru on Thursday, John Frederick Hammerley was charged with assaulting James Torrance, the faceconse inspector, at Orari, on September 26. The case occupied the greater part of the day. In giving judgment, the magistrate held that Hammerley was a trespasser on the course, and said he was satisfied that Torrance had not used excessive force in carrying out his duty. The defendant would be convicted of assault and fined £lO. 'The cross-action by Hammerley against Torrance would be dismissed. Hammerley indicated that he intended to appeal against the decision, and security for appeal was fixed at £8 8s in both cases.

Whether the wife of a soldier or other serviceman can retain her financial rights as a wife if she herself enlists is a question that is continually being asked of the Women's War Service Auxiliary, as recruiting agency for the women’s auxiliaries of the armed forces, says the ‘ Xew Zealand Herald.’ It is not possible to give a complete answer to the question, the latest information from the Army Department being that “ there is nothing to prevent a wife receiving her allotment, but the question of her eligibility for a wife’s allowance has not yet been determined.” In view of the time that the recruiting of women has been in progress and the necessity for securing the greatest possible number of recruits, it is felt by those concerned that early decisions by the authorities on this and other points regarding service conditions are desirable.

According to the .prisons report, since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1924 (Borstal cases), 3,003 young persons have been detained under this Act, either by original commitments by the court or by transference of youthful offenders from penal institutions or industrial schools. There have been 2.796 inmates released on the recommendation of the board, 2.574 being on probation and 522 on the expiration of their sentence. Of the total number released. 60 have been returned to the institution for noncompliance with the conditions of release. 262 were recommitted for further offences whilst on probation, and 514. or approximately 18 per cent, of the total released, have been sentenced for offences committed after discharge or on expiry of llieir period of probation.

At 8.29 ip.m. on Saturday the Fire Brigade was called to 20 Scott street, St. Hilda, where it dealt with an outbreak in a workshop attached to the residence of Mr F. Clarkson. Shortly before 11 o'clock yesterday morning an automatic false alarm from the Hillside Workshops called the brigade, which again turned out 20 minutes later to a malicious false alarm from the corner of George and Edina streets. To-day. at 5.59 a.m.. a further automatic false alarm called the brigade to the Hillside Workshops.

The system of payment for defence construction works was reviewed by Mr W. Sullivan (Bay of Plenty) in the House mi Saturday morning, and the suggestion made that, wherever possible, work should be tendered for on a competitive basis. The contractors, he explained, were asked to work on a schedule basis, but after the work was completed the department did not want to pav out fully because it'was discovered that the schedule was too high. He know that in his own district the cost of these works had been 15 to 20 per cent, higher than would have been the case under ordinary competitive tendering. The Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan) : There is also a clause that provides for revision. The member went on to state that even after tho contractors had submitted their tender the department had insisted on the schedule method. This was not the way to do business, and regulations for defence construction ought to be scrapped because nobody could understand them, and union secretaries could not interpret their meaning.—Parliamentary Reporter.

The catalogue of the Churchill auction for patriotic fuuds. the Dunedin sale in connection with which will be held at the Art Society’s rooms, Dowling street, on Wednesday next, contains 100 books on New Zealand. Australia, and the Pacific, 187 books, manuscripts, and autographed letters in a general section. 21 ptetures, statutes, and prints, 20 objects of historical nr other interest, and 10 stamps. A supplementary list brings the total number of gifts' for auction to 360. With curiously graceful forms and the flung spray of their spectacular progress briefly catching the rays of the oarlv morning sun a school of porpoises made their Way up channel towards Dunedin shortly before 8 o'clock on Sunday morning. The visit on this occasion was a short one; less than an hour later quick splashes and renewed excited shouts of children proclaimed the departure of the visitors.