NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10279, 14 May 1919, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Yesterday, in the Supreme Court beroro the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) Reginald, Josepl, employed as a clerk in the » °' Australasia, Masterton, pleaded gu'lt* to the- theft of several sums of money, totalling £745, the property of tilt bank, fie was remanded till Saturday for sentence.

There appears to be little demand for labour of any kind from the Auckland provinco (states the ' &tar ). ± lle weekly reports of the local Laboui Bureau for the past fortnight show that within that period only seven me;, were placed in employment, and all privately. The Public Works Department, which from time to time calls for men, is not requiring any, while the drought is accountable tor tno absence of" calls from the country. in the city, likewise, a quietness prevails.

The net profits of the one-night concert given on April oth by the Wellington Bohemian Clubs in aid of the Returned Soldiers' Club appeal fund amounted to just on £3OO. At tho low prices charged for admission, this is considered a record, and is deemed satisfactory both to tho Returned Soldiers' Clubhouse Society and to the committee of management responsible for such a splendid result. Many of the leading business houses of Wellington contributed to tho success by their generous purchase of tickets, and apart trom amounts donated directly to the appeal fund.

An auction sale was held yesterday by Messrs Eric Johnston and <~o 0.. the reclaimed land, near the rung s wharf, of a quantity of damaged cargo taken out of tho steamer Bessa. There was a large amount'of paper more or less affected by water, including brown, writing, cardboard, and iaucy papor. which was sold by the pounoV Ulo goods also comprised bales of tobacco. kc S s of tacks, cases of screws, and rolls of wire gauze. There was a good attendance, and bidding at times was brisk. The sale lasted.from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. It was conducted by Lloyd's agents, Dalgety and Co.. on behalf of the underwriters.

"I had occasion to comment recently," stated the Hon. J. A. Hanan, at last night's meeting of the Wellington Boys' Institute, "upon the want of public spirit shown by the wealthy peoplo in this city in regard to educational matters; but it is a very pleasant duty for me to-night to congratulate you upon the fine public spirit shown by Mrs S. A. Rhodes in establishing and endowing the S. A. Rhodes Home for Boys in connection with this institute. Such philanthropic deeds do not slumber in tho dust ot forgetfiimess, and Mrs Rhodes will bo remembered by what she has done m that way for the boys of Wellington." (Applause.) v -r ' ' -

Colonel Cossgrove, V.D.; Chief Scout Commissioner, met Wellington scoutmasters last evening, when a round-the-table discussion took place. Mr William Allan was in tho chair. Many subjects were touched upon, but. in particular tho regulations providing tor Government protection of the bcout uniform were explained. '-These provide for the registration of"all Scouts and the troops,'as'well'as niemberß of troop committees and instructors. The uniform, as laid down in the Scout regulations, is now officially recognised, and tho wearing of it by any unauthorised person is an offence. Only one other country, tho United States of America, has granted registration of the uniform.

Mr F. V. Frazor, S.M.. heard a civil notion in the Magistrate's Court yesterday in which Arthur Hyde claimed possession of a tenement, witn rent amounting to £7 12s, from Charles Furness. The plaintiff said he wanted the premises for his own occupation, as he had to leave the house he was occupying. It was not contended that fh& defendant was not a good tenant. He had paid tho rent : regularly until notice to quit had been served upon him. The defendant said that he had secured a : house, but was unable to say when he could get possession. An order for possession was given, and the defendant was ordered to vacate the premises within three weeks. The plaintiff was allowed £2 Is costs. Mr H. F. O'Leary appeared for Hyde.

At yesterday's meeting of the Hutt County Council a, deputation was ro ceived from the Wainui Farmers' Union,- asking for support in securing a public traffic tunnel' through the Wainui hill, in view of the fact that a. second waterpipe tunnel is now being surveyed. Mr Cook, oliairman of tho Farmers' Union, said that as another waterpipe tunnel was about to bo made, he thought it a good time to atir up things and endeavour to havo a tunnel largo enough to enable traffic to go through as well as the waterpipe. Ho asked the council for- assistance in the matter. Councillor Cavanagh suggested that a deputation approach the Mayor of Wellington on the subject. It was resolved than beforo doing so an estimate of tho cost should be obtained.

A somewhat unusual case was heard beforo Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., yesterday afternoon in the Magistrates Court, when J. McOluggage. land agent, of Stratford, proceeded against Thomas W. Rapley, insurance manager, of Chri.Btoh.urch, to recover the sum of £SO. The evidonco given by tho plain-' tiff was* to the effect that he and the defendant had been interested in mining ventures some years ago, and that plaintiff, with two others, guaranteed a bank overdraft for Rapley at the Bank of New South Wales for £6OO. Of this amount, £4OO was on account of a gold-mining venture and £2OO for Rapley's personal account. Subsequently the guarantors were called upon by the bank to pay off the overdraft, and did so. The plaintiff alleged he had paid £IBO in respect to Rapley's private account and had applied to him for repayment. After a lapse of time Rapley gave tho plaintiff a promissory note for £SO. The bill was mostly in blank, and only contained £SO in figures and Rapley's signature. On the advice of plaintiff's solicitor, he kept the bill until such time as he thought the defendant was in a position to meet it. Ho then filled it in "On demand," and presented it at tho Bank of New South Wales,, Wellington, but it was not met. For the defence, it. was submitted that the dofendant was protected by tho Statuto of Limitations, but <a nonsuit was applied for on tho ground that the £IBO paid by 'the plaintiff was in respect to am overdraft of £6OO on a mining venture and that tho plaintiff was given authority to collect moneys duo to tho company in order to got reimbursed. After hearing 'the ovidenco, tho plaintiff was nonsuited, with £6 13s 6d costs. Mr P. Levi appeared for the plaintiff and Mr H. Buddie for Rapley.

The conference between representatives of waterside employers and deleRates from the waters-Mo unions throughout Xew Zealand will probably be reopeund to-day. The , following waterside delegates arrived in Wellington ye3terd;»r : —Messrs U. AleBrine. G. G. Farland, and Xugent ( Auckland), Thomas (Gisborne), A. Campbell .and Tiffeny (Port Chalmers). Other delegates are* expected to reach Wellington to-day.

The Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce has arranged wiiih Mr B. 13. Murphy, M.A., B. Com., lecturer on economics at Victoria College, to give an address to-night on '"How Best to Increase Industrial Production." It has been deemed desirable that an opportunity should be given to all members of the public interested to hear Mr Murphy and to take part in the discussion which will take place at the conclusion of the lecture.

Referring last night to the roll ot honour of the Wellington Bays' Institute, on which are inscribed l'Jo names, including that of Captain liardham, V.C., the Hon. J. A. Hanan said that it went to show the good influence that the institute had exercised and was now exercising on tho young people of the city. At his request, all present roso to their feet as a tribute of respect to those connected with the institute who had made the supreme sacrifice and others who had passed away dur« ing the year.

The finding of a district held at Featherston Military Camp on May 2nd having been confirmed by tho Commandant of the New Zealand Military Forces, is now promulgated. Private J. V. Rawlinson 71662, Uetails Featherston M.C.. was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour for "Deserting His Majesty's service and losing, by neglect, his clothing and regimental necessaries." He was also ordered to suffer stoppage ot pay until lie has made good the sum of £6 7s 6d, kit deficiencies.

At last night's meeting of the Karon Borough Council, Councillor Caughley moved the' following resolution:—"That an amalgamation committee bo set up, consisting of the Mayor, and Councillors Henderson, Mimt, Burn,, and the mover, and; that this committee he asked to report to the following meeting of the council ias to the best steps to be taken tt> bring about the amalgamation of the borough of Karori with the city or Wellington.'' The motion was carried.

At the Y.M.O.A. Hut, Trentham, the hospital patients recently wore the guests of Captain Luckham and staff, the entertainment taking the form of a billiard tournament and concert. An exhibition game between the winner —Private Lindsay—and Major Talbot proved an interesting; feature. As run-ners-up rivates Driver and Row played well. Mrs Pearson, of the Y.W.C.A., afterwards • entertained all present to tin afternoon tea. Mr Elliott, on behalf of the Y.M.C.A., thanked both her and Captain Luckham for the pleasurable nature of the entertainment generally.

It has been decided by the Marine Department to hold a magisterial inquiry concerning the wreck of the coastal steamer Queen of- the. South near Cape Campbell'." The''vessel has been abandoned to the underwriters. Levin and Co. are inviting; tenders for tho purchase of the huir< and machinery {cargo excluded). The cargo belongs to the underwriters and others. Ct includes 400 cases of benzine belonging to the Vacuum Oil Company, about 120 tons measurement of harvesting machinery ex tho ship Terpsichore, and a quantity of drapery and miscellaneous merchandise. The question of the disposal of "the cargo has not been decided upon yet.

With reference to "a statement thnt one of the men (who could not be identified) concerned in tlie Magistrate's Court was a member of the 'Society for the rotection of Women and Children,' " Lady Stout writes to bay that "the committee would like it to be known that ii> had nothing whatever to do with the case, and that there was no' man or men authorised to act for them." I/ady Stout adds that tho committee "will always be glad of any information which will enable it to prevent such unauthorised activities, and would like to warn tho public against persons' whose . business it is to frustrate the efforts of the society." We may add for general information that all communications and matters in relation to the society should be sent.to the secretary, Mrs S. Waters, 119, Willis street, who is tho only agent authorised to act. for the society.

Speaking at last nipht's meeting of the Boys' Institute, Mr G. A. Troup urged that more attention should be devoted to the boys, for that was the strategic point at tho present time. (Applause.) The churches were spendSg 90 per cent, of their revenues on o adults, and the same applied very largely to the expenditure of tho City Council, which so little recognised the need for helping such an institution ns theirs that it would not give them the small grant they had asked towards their tepid swimming baths. Mr P. S'raser, M.P., said that ho had been indignant to see that the council rad refused to grant a subsidy of .£IOO to the Hoys' institute for the swimming bath, although tepid baths were so badly needed in the city at the present time. He assured the committee that an effort would .very shortly be made in the council to have that remedied. •Ho considered the action of tho City Council in that matter was nothing short of a social criinc. (Applause.)

Final leave in England, for a soldier generally carries with it an urgent cabled request home for a remittance. Many such messages have come to New Zealand, and when the cables recently became congested, great dissatisfaction arose among tho New Zealanders in England owing to the delay in securing answers to their requests. Consequently tho High Commissioner in London, with the concurrence of the Minister for Defence, made an arrangement with the Pacific Cable Board to accept at Government rates a daily cable from the Staff Paymaster N.Z.B.F. in London to tho officer in charge of war expenses, Wellington, containing requests by Now Zealand soldiers to their relatives in tho ]>ominioii to send them money. By "packing" the cable in this way, great economy is obtained in cable charges, and it is possible for tho soldier to get his requost cabled for at a minimum of delay and cost. Since tho scheme started at tho end of February, nearly 1500 requests for remittances have been doalt with. Relatives when sending money should understand that it is essential for them to quote the full name and number of the soldier in their telegrams and letters in order to ensure that the monoy reaches the right person.