NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10282, 17 May 1919, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Constable Anderson arrested a man on the wharf yesterday on a charge of theft of four sets of boxing .gloves and two punching balls.

Messrs Harcourt and Co. report that there was -an excellent attendance at their rooms yesterday, when a section in Cuba street, having a frontage of 36ft Sin by a depth of 60it, was offered for sale. The bidding started at £SO per foot, and quickly advanced to £63 per foot, at which figure it was sold to Mr F. D. Davis, of the Upper Hutt.

At an inquest at Gisborne on Victor Sorenson, who died under an anaesthetic at the Cook Hospital, a verdict was returned that death was the result of sudden heart failure during the admintration of an anaesthetic at the Cook Hospital, and that ail reasonable precaution was taken* by the anaesthetist and the general staff, and that no blame was attachable to anyone.—Press Association.

Since the commencement of the training classes at Treniham Camp in January over 250 cadets, territorials, and n.c.o.’s have taken courses in physiijal training, musketry, and drill. As proof of the value of the courses, numbers of letters have been received from parents testifying to the benefit their sons have received, and expressing regret that the lads were not able to stay longer. The course extends over a fortnight, and the fact that a number of n.c.o.’s have attended for the second and third time is another proof of its value.

A meeting of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union will be held at an early date to receive tho report of the delegates who attended this week’s conference with the employers. Another ballot will be hold to, deal with the acceptance or rejection of the latest terms. It is understood that the employers have conceded- an advance on their recent offer of twopence increase per hour, which was rejected by the late national ballot of the watersiders. The conference, so far, has- not progressed any further than the* subject of increased payment. ■ It is probable that representatives-.from the employers and the watersiders will meet shortly ns a committee to go into the matter of certain anomalies existing in tho present agreement, which in other respects will not be altered. A Press Association message from Invercargill states that in view of tho dissatisfaction existing among returned soldiers over the Government’s land policy and the urgency for a national land policy to increase : production to meet war charges, the Dominion executive of tho Returned Soldiers’ Association has drawn up a land scheme to bo considered by the coming Dominion conference. The association’s scheme constitutes a land bureau in each branch organisation and a central Dominion executive. Soldiers and experienced civilians sire suggested as members of the bureau, which shall disseminate, amongst returned soldiers information with regard to land, and induce as many as possible to take up land, also to report on all properties tho Government proposes to take up for soldiers.

Mr A. N. Longton, hooking clerk at the ThorndiJn railway station, who appealed against his supercession by other railway officers, and whose appeal was sustained by the Appeal Board, hut quashed by the Minister for Railways, received yesterday the following official notification from Mr R. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways:—“Dy of the Minister for Railways, I forward a copy of the finding of the North Island Railway Board of Appeal in the matter of your appeal against your having been superseded on D 3 ofr 1918. After fully reviewing your case, the Minister regrets that, having regard to your insubordinate conduct, he is unable, in the interests of discipline, to confirm the finding of tho board, and your appeal has accordingly been dismissed. The board’s finding was as follows: —“In the case, while we are satisfied that on tho occasions charged tho appellant’s attitude towards his superior officers was insubordinate, we think the circumstances disclosed that to deprive, him of promotion would be to punish excessively, especially as it is generally admitted that in all other respects he was a competent and efficient officer. We, therefore, think that his appeal should be allowed.”

A petition to which numerous signatures are being attached in the Woirarapa asks the Government to undertake the deviation of the Rimutaka railway lino. A route has, been surveyed, and levels taken for the construction of a line through tho ranges, with an outlet at tho Tauherenikau gorge. This route would give an easy grade, but the residents of the Waifarapa do not favour it, on tho ground that it would not open up any good country. The route most favoured is by moans of a tunnel through the hill into tho Wainui-o-mata valley, then through tho Orongorongo valley, with an outlet into tho Wairarapa below Feathorston. By • this means, it is stated, some excellent country would be opened up, and the saving in coal consumption, working expenses, cost of maintenance, and general upkeep of tho lino by way of tho Summit would be sufficient to pay the interest on tho construction cost. The petitioners intend also to ask the ’ Government to straighten the Runmahunga river by directing its course through the Pouawha lagoon. By doing so the Wairarapa lake would be turned into a fanning area of 43,000 acres, and tho 60,000 acres which surround the lake and which are subject to flood during six months of the year, would be kept dry..

No fervor than twelve prisoners will come before His Honour tine Chief Justice for sentence in the Supreme Court to-day.

The troopship Arawa will arrive at Wellington early this morning from London via Lyttelton with returned troops for the North Island, and original passengers. Tim vessel will berth at No. 4, Queen’s Wharf.

Some anxiety was caused to tiio parents of two little children through their wandering away from their homo near the Terrace Prison yesterday morning. The yongsters, however, were found some -ours later safe and sound.

The Governor-General has returned the Epidemic Commission Keport, stated tb« Hon, G. W, llusaell, Minister for Public Health, to a, "Times" representative yesterday, and it has been sent on to His Excellency for his consideration.

During the March quarter the population of New Zealand increased by excess of immigration over emigration (including members of the Expeditionary Eorce) by 12,581. This includes 490 females. The natural increase during the same period was 3676, and of this number 1920 were females.

The small steamer Wakatu, which arrived at Wellington at 8 o’clock last night from Lyttelton, acted as mail boat. The hold-up of the Maori last evening will result in the southern mail being brought to , Wellington again to-morrow by one of the “mosquito fleet’’—the yVootton.

Some time ago the midnight clearance of all street letter-boxes in the city and suburbs was resumed. The notice-plates in many cases do not indicate this, as it is not intended to change them until the full service has been restored. The restoration of the full service is expected in the course of the next few weeks.

A hold-uo of the coastal steamer Storm at Wellington under novel circumstances was imminent yesterday. The officers and engineers strongly objected to the sheets on, their beds on account of them being too - small. Eventually the difficulty was overcome by larger sheets being procured, as, the .result,of representations being made to the owners.. The Storm sailed at 6 p.m. for Wanganui.

At the conference between the representatives of the Timber Workers Onion and of tho employers, with reference to the- application of the union for an increased war bonus, as provided for by the amending legislation passed last session, no agreement was arrived at. A ballot of members ol the union is now proceeding preparatory to taking Arbitration Court proceedings.

Mr W. Cable has given notice that at next Wednesday’s meeting of tho Harbour Board he will move:—“That the -■ engineer 'be ''instructed to revise tho plans of the Thorndon reclamation, so as to make provision therein for a floating dock berth, with access, the whole to be embodied in tho finished reclamation seteme; and that the board take the necessary steps to -ask that Parliamentary powers do granted to the board, so that the work can he proceeded with when the board decides to do flfr.-tfi-i-w. •

An amended' regulation~ gazetted this week provides that the number of managers of technical schools shall not be less than five nor more than nineteen. This will take effect at the election of boards in July, August, or September next. The object of the regulation is to prevent hoards becoming unreasonably large. Provision is also made for tho representation annually of a public association or a local authority giving a monetary contribution towards the cost of a site, or a building for, technical school purposes.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board nest week Mr B. A. Wright, M.P.. will move, in pursuance ot no tice given: —“That the Wellington Harbour Board invite a conference oi employers of waterside labour in Wellington to meet, at the earliest possible date in order to consider the best method of improving existing conditions and of formulating a scheme which will tend to the greater, permanency' and efficiency of waterside labour, in the mutual interests alike of employees, employers, and the general public.”

The Arethusa, the excellent training ship for boys, is seeking help to carry on its work. An ~ advertisement in this issue announces that gifts sent to 164, Shaftesbury avenue, London, W.C., England, will be promptly acknowledged. The Arethua statistics for 1918 show that 104 boys were sent into the Royal Navy, 16 entered the mercantile marine, lo passed the advanced Navy class examination, 45 good conduct medallions were - sent to old boys, 50 boys passed the first aid examination, and 23 medallions, 26 proficiency certificates, and 4 awards ot merit were given for life-saving tests.

The necessity for assisting tbo importation of skilled female labour for the boot trade was urged upon the Hon. G. W. Bussell by a deputation from the Bootmakers’ Efficiency Board, representing the bootmakers throughout Neiv Zealand. Mr W. Hammlll pointed out , that the Repatriation Board had granted a sum of money to teach returned soldiers certain branches of the shoe industry, but unless a certain amount of female labour was available to work in conjunction with these men, the boot manufacturers would not be able to keep the men employed. They ' were asked to assist in repatriation by employing these men, and they were anxious to do so. There was at present) in the Dominion sufficient work for 200 men, on the machines, and this would mean employment of at least 100 girls to keep them supplied. In reply to a question by the Minister, it was stated .that the average wage of women in the boot trade was over £2 per week. The award rate was 35s a week. In reply, Mr Russell stated that he' had. given the question of labour careful consideration, and was satisfied that if. this Dominion was to effectively carry the burden the war had imposed upon it and was to prevent millions of pounds from going out of this country, it would have to increase its industries and increase production. He pointed out that the shortage of labour was felt, not only in the boot trade, but in many othet trades fls well, and it was not likely that the Government would grant assistance as regards imported labour to any special industry. It would be for the Ministers of Emigration and Labour to consido? what scheme was to be formulated, if any. He would represent the views of the deputation to them.

The ferry steamer Maori was still unable to leave Wellington last evening for Lyttelton, owing to a shortage in her crew. There vacancies for eight firemen, but it is anticipated that the necessary men will be obtained in time for the vessel to Jeave here on Monday night. The Monowai, which left Wellington at 8.35 o’clock last night for Lyttelton, took a full complement of passengers.

The bodyguard and guard of honour to take part in the reception to Major(ieneral .Russell, H.C.M.G., will bo composed exclusively of returned soldiers, and it is that a large I number will .take part in the procession. which leaves the Midland Hotel at 11 a.m. In this issue the secretary notifies members of the arrangements. Special arrangements have heen made for cars to convey disabled men who are •unable to walk.

Small boys have a grim sense of humour at times. When the German prisoners were marched across from Narrow Heck camp to the torpedo wharf ,at Devonpprt on their way to be sent back to their own country a number of lads playing on the beach recognised the position, promptly lined up, and as the men marched on board the Lady Roberts shouted. ‘‘One, two, three, out.” The last word is very significant, for ‘‘Out! Out!” was the war cry of the Saxon forefathers whenever they assembled to beat back the attacks of viking raiders on English soil.

The possibility of a new departure in regard to the banking business was foreshadowed by the Hon. Arthur Myers, Acting-Minister for .Finance, in his reply to the friendly societies' deputation on Thursday. The representations of the societies, said Mr Myers, opened up immediately the question as toi whether the present system in effect in New Zealand in regard to banking facilities wask sufficient. It was a very big question, and one that was heing considered. The societies had the opportunity for banking with a bank guaranteed by the State, and the stability of other banks would not be questioned; but wlhiotheo the banking facilities were sufficient for the community was being considered, and would be considered by the full Cabinet on the return of the leaders from England.

Tlie right of the Press to report proceedings in open court was the subject of a discussion at the Auckland {supreme Court on Thursday morning. When it had been announced that a settlement had been reached in the case of Menzies r. the Bay of Islands Hospital Board, Mr J. R. Reed (for the defence), stated that it had been agreed between himself ..and Mr Ostler (for the plaintiff), that ho should read a statement in reply to certain allegations made by the plaintiff. As these allegations had not appeared in the newspaper reports of the case, he and Mr Ostler had agreed that the statement should not be published in the Press. However, he proposed to read it in open court, in order that it might bo heard by the jury and others before whom the allegations-were-made. Mr Justice Cooper remarked that he had Ho power to order the reporters to refrain from taking down and publishing anything Mr Reed might say in open, court in the present case, though he could prevent them from seeing the document afterwards. The matter must be left to their discretion, and the most he could do would he to suggest to them that it would bo advis-. able not to publish the-statement.

Replying to the friendly societies' deputation on Thursday, the Hon. j; A. Ha nan said that Abo issues raised by the speakers were not new to him. Ha had all along recognised that war conditions had affected the societies seriously, and that some of them had found themselves in embarrassed financial conditions. The <aovernment had recognised its duty, and had come to their -assistance by giving them some, financial aid/ Sir Janies Allen had told them that tho question of* sickness of soldiers after discharge had been before Cabinet. He (Mr Hanan) had submitted a scheme, and he hoped to submit a further report, but the matter was one •of considerable difficulty. The Defence Department contended that it provided for after-discharge sickness. The representations, of the deputation were to the effect that m a few years’ time conditions would arise which would make a serious claim on their finances. That must be recognised. He was with Mr Myers in bis proposal to alter the conditions of the maternity bonus; and ho intended to write to New South Wales to obtain particulars of the friendly societies’ banking facilities. He assured the deputation that m all matters touching friendly societies ho had received whole-hearted assistance from Cabinet.