NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Nine boys, whose ages ranged from twelve to fourteen years, were brought before Mr W. G. Eiddell, S.M., at the Juvenile Court yesterday on charges of stealing 15s worth of fruit, the property of Peter Eobertson Russell. They were each ordered to receive six strokes of the birch. The following recommendation of the hospital committee was referred back, on the motion of Mr B. R. Gardener at the board meeting yesterday: “That the gardener and overseer’s report that the poor yields of milk supply from the herd at Otaki'is due to the purchase of inferior stock, is substantially borne out,” Mr Gardener- quoted figures, countersigned by three Otaki farmers of long standing, showing that the herd at Otaki hospital grounds was giving very good results. Some of the expert slaughtermen who are now out on strike are very contemptuous iu their references to the work of the amateur killers who have taken their places. One of the men who used to work at Petone assured a “Times” representative yesterday that the amateurs are not killing the sheep, but are murdering them. “It is shameful,” he said, “and if the inspector of the S.P.C.A. were to go out there he would have a busy time prosecuting for cruelty.” Another slaughterman declared that if the strangle-hold were barred the amateurs would never, kill anything, for now they practically twisted the necks of the lambs before they could finish them off. Satisfactory progress, E “ stated, is being made with the extension of the State collieries at Point Elizabeth, and the department hopes that regular supplies will be available from the new mine in another month. Hitherto the work of extending the railway lor the extra four miles has been done by using the sinking and depreciation funds, in connection with the old mine, blit the department wishes to obtain this money back and invest it in reproductive quarters. It is accordingly to tlio officials tuat> provision has been made in the new loan for extension of the State coal business. The sum allocated is said to be £IOO,OOO. The new seam comprises excellent coal for steam purposes. Just at present, the supplies are equal to the demand, which is not great during the warm season. The new mine will doubtless yield full supplies before next .winter*

The Mayor and Councillors will pav their annual visit to tho TVainui waterworks to-day, leaving the council chambers at 9.30 a.m. The unfurling ceremony of tho Royal Standard of Scotland in connection with tho Roseneath School, Wellington, will take place at the school next Saturday at 3.30 p.m., in the presence of their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool. According to the “Lancet,” definite experiments that have been made proved that tobacco smoko is a powerful germicide, and that it rapidly destroys the bacillus of cholera. It is reported that at Greenwich Workhouse tho inmates, who are all more or less heavy smokers, enjoy comparative immunity from epidemics. At an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Wellington Trust Loan and Investment Company* Ltd., at the Chamber of Gommerca last evening, the resolution adopting new articles to the exclusion of all the existing articles of the company, which was carried at the annual general meeting on the 3rd inst., was confirmed. A deputation from the Horowhenua County Council will be received by tha Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at its March meeting to hear reasons why Horowhenua County should bo severed from the hoard’s rating area and added to Manawatu.. Tho secretary is to prepare a report of the number of patients who annually, oome from Horowhenua County. A few days ago, according to a cable to the Sydney “Sun,” there was a huge mountain slide in Argyllshire. Tens of thousands of tons of rock and earth crashed into a valley and filled the bed of the river Croe, a huge lake being formed. A shepherd and his family rushed for safety while tha debris thundered past, and were successful in reaching a navea. The Wellington Charitable Aid Board during January assisted 63 cases. The total number of persona affected was 178, comprising 79 adults and 99 children. Twenty-one widows were assisted. The weekly rations granted totalled 610, and £4O 17s was given in cash grants. The number of cases in tho Ohiro Home on January 28th was 114. In the country district* (Hutt, Horowhenua and Johnsonville) 28 cases were relieved, 320 rations granted, and £l7 7s 6d given in cash grants. Pity for tho folks who,are compelled to work seven days a week was ex-' pressed yesterday at the Methodist Conference by Mr L, M. Isitt, M.P,, On his proposition it was agreed; “That the conference, having been informed that there are classes of workers still struggling to secure a weekly day of rest, is of opinion that every man and woman is righteously entitled to one day’s rest in seven.” The motion was prompted by tho receipt of a telegram from Mr E. J. Carey, secretary of the Hotel Employees’ Union, expressing a hope that the conference would nob dissolve without recording its endorsement of the principle of a, weekly day of rest. A conference of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners of New Zealand is, sitting at the Beehive Chambers, Wellington, to discuss matters of organisation and a Dominion award. The delegates are:—Messrs William Beveridge (president), Ivor Hazell (secretary), J. E. Heyes (representing tho executive), A. G. Cook (Auckland), •F. A. Moody (Christchurch), A. Needham (Dunedin), J. W. Aitcheson (Napier), C. Provan (Invercargill), F. W. Weir (Wanganui), F. Singleton (Wellington). Local organisers: Messrs H. Bamfield (Auckland), G. Blatherwick (Wellington), Edward Kellett (Otago), and W. HWilson (Hawke’s Bay). In connection with the preparation of the municipal rolls for the ensuing elections, it has been stated that those who had voted at tho last Mayoral election and not at the election of councillors two years ago would have their names struck off tho roll. The Mayor says this is not correct. Having discussed the matter with the returning officer, Mr Ames, he finds that those who voted at the Mayoral election of 1912 will be kept on, though, of course, those who failed to register their votes at the last council election will have to re-register. Altogether about 7000 names have been deleted. In order to make certain, however, that they are on the roll, all citizens should visit the municipal offices and inspect the lists for themselves. Tho current issue of the Salvation' Army’s “War Cry” is a specially illustrated Antarctic number. The froniaspiece is particularly attractive, being a life-sized picture of Captain Scott with two of his favourite dogs, backed by a view of the exploring vessel. la addition there are several Antarctic scenes well reproduced. Concluding an editorial on the fate of the expedition, the editor says:-—“No imposing monument marks the place of burial,' but a rough cross and a rude cairn' are the solitary memorials to another, record of human daring and self-sacri-fice that will live long in the memories of all those who are capable of appreciating tho magnificent qualities of pluck and uncomplaining endurance possessed by the brave dead. Wc, in common with others the world over, condole with the bereaved in their appalling loss, and deplore the sacrifice, however praiseworthy tho object, of lives so valuable.” An offer of £125 from the Ancient Order of Foresters, Wellington district, for the endowment of a cot in the Children’s Hospital has been made to Wellington Hospital Board. - Tho committee at yesterday’s board meeting recommended the acceptance of tho offer, the cost and equipment of the cot to be home by the lodge. Several members questioned whether this amount would cover the cost of tha establishment of tho cot. Mr H. Baldwin pointed out that although there were 4000 Foresters in the district (extending from, Gisborne to Picton), only the children of the 1000 Foresters in Wellington city were likely to come in, Mr B. R. Gardener explained that tho £125 would carry a subsidy of £l5O, bringing the total for the cot to practically £275. The chairman (Mr_ J. Trevor) said tbey must guard against creating a precedent, as many other societies might want to come in on these terms. Mr D. Robertson urged the acceptance of the offer, which he believed was one in the right direction. Seeing what sums they were writing off every month, the bulk of the cots did not pay at all. These societies should be encouraged. Mr J. Godber reminded the board that it had been laid down as a precedent that a lump sum of £250 should be paid for a private cot, or, in the alternative, £2O a year. Mr Baldwin mentioned that if the hoard rejected, tho offer it might find itself in tho position of having to ultimately treat the same children at the hospital free of charge. An amendment by Mr A. H. Hindmarsh, that tho recommendation be referred back to tho committee for further consideration, was rejected by one vote. The board .accepted the offer of tho cot., ,

To comply with a petition signed by over 15 per cent, of the ratepayers oi Upper Hutb, a poll is to bo taken next month on tlio question of rating the property in tho township on tho unimproved values. A Press Association message from Christchurch states that tho Mayor, councillors, and 500 citizens of Timaru visited Christchurch yesterday and wero shown tho places of interest and entertained by tho Christchurch civic authorities. A now overland record for long-dis-tance wireless communication has been created by tho United States Army Station at Eagle, Alaska. The operator thoro talked with Florida, 4000 miles away, picking up tho Key West Station while talking to Maro Island, off the coast of California. A petition containing 163 signatures is to bo presented to tho City Council to-night asking for bettor facilities for bathers at Island Bay. Swimmers in this suburb have greatly increased in number during the past season, and it is considered that hotter provision should bo made for their accommodation. Messrs Hall, Stout, and Lilliorap have served tho Commissioner of Crown Lands at Invercargill with a summons [n Mr Gavin Brighton’s lease case. The plaintiff’s intention is that tho case snail be in tho nature of a friendly puit in order to decide the question of law at issue. The caso is cited to ho heard at tho Supremo Court at Invercargill sittings commencing next week, subject to the Crown being agreeable to this course. Tho president of the Wellington Zoological Society desires to intimate that as tho conduct of the society in relation to tho movement for the purchase of the lioness has been misrepresented in some quarters it should bo distinctly understood that while tho money to purchase the lioness Is being collected bv gentlemen outside the society the latter is in no way hostile to tho City Council or any outside workers who are trying to improve the coo. The society desires the purchase of tho lioness, and heartily approves of ■what Councillor Frost is doing in tho matter. It has been decided to hold the Napier competitions this year during the Easter holidays. Messrs O. N. Baeyertz and Barry Coney are to bo the judges, an excellent syllabus has been prepared, and Napier people have responded generously in the matter of special prizes. Napier is one of the most attractive places in New Zealand in which to spend a holiday, and visitors may bo certain of keen and friendly rivalry, hospitable entertainment, and amusement a-plenty. The festival begins on Easter Monday, March 24th,, and entries close on February 26th. The secretary, Mr W. A, Smith, will give all information to intending competitors. Tho Canadian-Australasian Royal Mail steamer Marama, which arrived at Auckland on Sunday morning from Vancouver, via Victoria (B.O.), Honolulu, aud Suva, was five days behind her schedule time, having been delayed for elver three days at Vancouver, when waiting for tho European mails. The mails were delayed in the first place owing to rough weather making it impossible for the Cunard steamer to leave the Mersey. Heavy weather was again responsible for the delay in the transit of the mails across the American Continent. Reports received by the Marama state (says the “New Zealand Herald”) that the heaviest snow-falls' known tor thirty years cn the Pacific took place while tho vessel was at Vancouver, and railway traffic was considerably hampered. Tho stormy weather was severely felt at Vancouver, and before the Marama left that port there was 4ft of snow in the streets. The weather was also bitterly cold. The vessel eventually cleared Vancouver on January 26th, but was again delayed for 22 hours at (B.C.). The General Manager of the State Fire Insurance Department, Wellington, has written' to the town clerk of Hastings acknowledging receipt of the council’s letter requesting that consideration be given to the question of reducing fire premium rates in the borough. In reply the general manager states that he is unable to make any recommendation to tho Government on (he matter until ho has had an opportunity of looking into tho position on the spot, and ho will not do able to visit Hastings till about the end of March. In tho meantime ne wisnea tu point out that the present position of Hastings was not less advantageous than that of many other towns in the Dominion whore fire-fighting appliances are equally efficient, and where tho State Fire Insurance Office is not called upon to refund 7.38 per cent, of its premium income for the maintenance of the fire board. The fact must not bo lost sight of that eight years ogo, in consequence of tho operations of 'the State Fire Office, the rates were reduced 83 1-3 per cent, on dwellings and offices and 10 per cent, on business risks, and since then on the whole She fire insurance business had not eon particularly payable in New Zealand. However, he would look into the matter at tho earliest possible date. The “Napier Telegraph” remarks: At the last gamble in this district (not a week ago) for the lease of a section of Crown land, 310 persons sought to “take tickets.” The Land Board thinned these down to 190, thus rejecting 120. It is said that those rejected wore persons whoso occupations did not suggest that they could make use of the land if lucky enough to win at the raffle. Assuming this to be a justifiable method of deciding beforehand who should and who should not have a chance in a venture of this kind, then 190 bona fide would-he settlers were eagerly competing for one section of Jaud of 160 acres in area. The point is, putting it shortly, that there is intense land hunger evident, and not nearly enough land to meet the demand. Now contrast this with the Government’s expressed intention to spend tho public funds in financing an Immigration scheme designed to bring in to tho country 25,000 persons annually. It is claimed, in support of the scheme, that tho newcomers will bo able to “got on the land,” and thus add to tho number of direct producers In tho Dominion. But how are they to get on tho land? With 190 “approved” applicants for one section of land as above, and 120 applicants not permitted to take a ticket in tho gamble to decide who gets tho section, it 100 Its as if tho chances of people already in tho country to acquire laud are rather remote. How, then, are tho 25,000 newcomers who arc to arrive annually under the Government’s immigration policy, to got land to settle upon? Is it not certain that they will mostly have to drift to tho towns, and thus help to disorganise the general labour market?