NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY

Tho Chinese in Wellington , propose to observe Wednesday, tho 12th inst., as a holiday in commemoration oi the establishment of tho Xicpublic, that day being tho day on which the Emperor ILsuan Tung abdicated the throne. A branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia, Limited, has boon opened at Auckland. The bank, winch has 234 branches and _ receiving effaces throughout Australia and Tasmania, recently extended its operations m tho Dominion, with headquarters at Wellington. Regulations under tho Military Pensions Aet oi 1912 tiro gazetted this week. They detail the procedure in investigation of pension claims, and empower the Commissioner with full and free access to tho records of State departments, and all property and related documents, of tho applicant. _ Government officers must assist applicants in tho preparation of their claims. “ Tho police aro strictly prohibited from replying to any unauthorised inquiries mode by individuals or societies Becking information as to the character, respootability, or financial position of persona residing in their districts. If information of a general nature, or statistics, is applied for, instructions must bo obtained from headquarters,” states tho now polioo regulations. Tho annotmeement that tho Citizens’ Carnival is to bo hold during tho week before Easter, known as Holy Week, has been adversely commented upon by many. It is stated that Bishop Sprott has been formally approached by a meeting of clergy and laity of the Anglican Church, and asked to tako steps to make an emphatic protest against tho use of the days of that week from Monday to _ Good 1* nday, inclusive, for tho carnival. Tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce has received a letter from tho Mayor (Mr D., McLaren) requesting tho chamber to assist in making the Easter Carnival a success by appointing representatives to tho carnival committee. When tho matter was being considered at yesterday’s meeting of the chamber, Mr T. Ballinger said ho thought that body should join in and help. Subsequently Messrs T. O. Dawson and C. Jones were deputed to represent tho chamber on tho committee. In reference to the request of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce that Customs entries bo passed so soon as vessels are reported by “wireless,” a letter was received from tho Department of Trade and Customs at yesterday’s mooting of the chamber, stating that- tho Minister of Customs had decided that, provided no change of tariff was in immediate prospect, collectors might, at their discretion, permit entries to bo passed for goods at any time within seven days of tho date of tho expected arrival of the ship bringing the same. The chairman (Mr A. E. Mabin) said tho reply was very satisfactory, and Mr F. W. Manton deserved the thanks of tho chamber for bringing tho matter up. “ A constable shall always bo placed under tho control of a superior, but in tho execution of his duty as a peace officer he is generally called upon to net on his own responsibility,” states the now polioo regulations. “He should, therefore, ho a person of intelligence. discretion, active habits, and good temper. His first duty is perfect obedience to his superiors. He shall receive the orders of those above him with deference and respect, and execute them with alacrity. Ho must always bo on tho alert for the prevention of crime and tho protection of tho public; and ho must never omit to report to his sergeant, or other superior under whom he is serving, any circumstance that may appear to affect the public peace or the character of the force.” Tho question of the necessity for the employment of night porters at all hotels was discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, following upon tho receipt of a letter from Mr B. Van Staveren, of the firm of Messrs Van Staveren Bros. Mr Van Staveren quoted the recent fire at Marton as an instance of the need for keeping night porters, and it was fortunate no lives were lost. He urged the chamber to act with the Commercial Travellers’ Club to see that all recognised appointed houses kept night porters. Tho president of tho chamber (Mr A. E, Mabin) remarked that a man did take bis life in his hands when staying at country hotels. Tho opinion was generally expressed that the matter needed attention, and it was resolved to writ© to the various licensing committees in She district, pointing out that it was desirable that hotels should keep night porters. Tho demonstration of friends of tho Bible-in-Stato-Schools League is announced for the Wellington Town Hall to-night at 8 o’clock. The gathering .will be of a religious nature, tho proceedings being introduced and interspersed with hymns led by a choir of some 300 voices, under Mr Maughan Barnett. Hymn sheets will bo provided. Tho audience will bo let! in prayer by tho Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott, of Kent terrace Presbyterian Church, the Scripture lesson will be road by tho Rev. Dr Gibb, of Sfc. John’s Presbyterian Church, the concluding prayer will be said by tho Bishop of Wellington. A body of stewards, under tho direction of Mr G. A. Troup, of St. John’s Young Men’s Bible Class, will look after tho comfort and convenience of those attending. Tho Salvation Army has furnished a band of twenty-four officers to tako up the collection. The principal speaker will be the Roy. Dr Youngman, president of tho Methodist Conference of Australasia, who, on a similar occasion, was described in an Australian journal as *Tiko a lion fighting for its young.” At yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce complaint was made that the holding of the waterside workers’ picnic recently had seriously inconvenienced mercantile firms. Tho president (Mr A. E. Mabin) said ho could not blame the workers for taking a holiday, but ho thought the chamber should protest against tho holiday being given in tho middle of such a busy season. The chamber ought to express the opinion that when shipping companies wore making arrangements with watersiders they should have a little consideration for tho mercantile community. Tho holiday had upset 'tho whole business of tho port. /Tho whole arrangement which tho shipping companies had to ado with tho waterside workers twelve months ago had had ,a very bad effect on the community. “They were wrong in coming to that agreement,” ho concluded. ■ It was decided to send a resolution to tho shipping companies, calling attention to tho inconvenience caused by their having arranged for tho waterside workers’ picnic to be held at so busy a time. Mr O. Jones: “I move that tho resolution ho sent to tho labour union.” Air Mabin: “ And tho labour union also, if it is any use protesting to these people.”

The following vessels aro expected to bo within wireless range of V ellington to-night: Wimmera, Mahcno, Warrimoo, Maunganui, Tutanckai, Talune, Zealandia, and Marama. Asked by a “Times” reporter yesterday as to whether tlic 1' orestry Commission had yet been appointed, the t’rirno Minister (Hon. W. 1* • Massey) replied in tho negative. Tho names of tho gentlemen proposed had yet to be submitted to His Excellency the Governor tor approval. Detectives Rawle and Cameron yesterday arrested a man on a charge of having, on May 22nd, 1912, received the sum of £6 17s 6d on terms requiring him to account for tho same to tho Union Steam Ship Company, and omitted to do so. Ho will he brought before tho Magistrate’s Court this morning. A new tunic is now on issue to senior sergeants of police. It somewhat resembles tho uniform of a sub-inspector, but tho principal distinction between it and tho garment it supersedes is that thero aro no stripes on the right sleeve, a crown being worn instead, Tho tunic ia very smart in appearance, and is a decided improvement to the uniform. Over four thousand homo savingsbanks, in the form of stout little steel boxes, have up to tho present been obtained by savings-banks depositors residing in tho Wellington postal district. The boxes were first made available in November, 1008, and some are reported to bo presented weekly or monthly at the various offices for examination of their contents and tho augmentation of deposits. As tho result of a conference between the Flaxraillors’ Association and tho hemp section of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, it has been decided to add “ strike risks ” to tho list of “exceptions ” on contract notes exchanged between flaxmillers and hemp merchants. Tho president of tho chamber (Mr A. E. Mabin) explained yesterday that owing to the frequency of labour troubles in the country _ it had been found necessary to provide this additional precaution against loss. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. Fraser) informed a “Times” reporter yesterday that the engineer-in-chief to the department would on Saturday next proceed to the scene of the Otira tunnel operations with a view of making specifications in connection with tho uncompleted portion of tho work, inventories of plant and appliances already on tho spot, and the preparation of other information for contractors. These statements will, of course, need to be approved by Cabinet before fresh tenders are invited. Interesting details required in the description of offenders by guardians of tho law; Nose, straight, pug, hooked, Roman, largo or small; feet, largo, small, or proportionate; gait, slovenly, smart, active, erect, stooping, etc.; chin, round or pointed; general appearance, doctor, clergyman, clerk, labourer, miner, sailor, hawker pugilist, spieler, etc; particulars of whiskers, hair, eyes, complexion, build, dress when last seen, and numerous other clues to identity. Theca directions are set forth in the new police regulations. A six-roomed house at Knight’s road, Lower Hutt, owned by Mr O. C. Ross, of Masterton, and occupied by Mr A. Brooker, was practically destroyed by firo at 11.60 o’clock last night. The fire started in tho kitchen, and soon spread owing to a strong northerly breeze. Only a few articles in the front rooms were saved. The Lower Hutt Fire Brigade was promptly in attendance, and with the assistance of a strong pressure of water saved the two adjoining houses. Tho furniture was insured in the South British office for £IOO. The insurances on the building were not ascertainable last night. Tho North Island Railway Appeal Board met yesterday. Present—Dr McArthur, S.M. (chairman), Messrs 0. P. Ryan, and O. G. Lee. In connection with tho appeal of Fireman Humdell against his dismissal, the board resolved as follows: “Wo have tho honour to report that the Railway Appeal Board of the North Island has considered tho appeal of Fireman (act-ing-engine-driver) H. T. Humdell, of Palmerston North. Tho board considered the opening of Mr Davidson, on behalf of the department, and the admissions of Mr Livingston on behalf of tho appellant—the appellant being present—and, without calling evidence, unanimously dismissed tho appeal.” Consequent, it is stated, on the gentle suasion of publicity, several internal improvements in the working conditions of telegraph operators at the Wellington office have been made y the department, and tho murmurs of discontent have subsided. The staff has recently been strengthened By the addition of several more operators; the duration of spells has been Increased from ten to twenty minutes; and operators are no longer required to remain on duty for longer periods than their regular hours. Moreover, the question of examinations and the imposition of technical tests alleged to have little bearing on tho practical work "of operators is reported to bo under review by departmental heads. “The conditions have been so much improved,” it was averred, “that Wellington will lose its reputation as a hard-work-xl office, and become one of the pleasantest.” Tho officers express their grateful thanks, and appreciation of these thoughtful improvements by the department.