NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10284, 20 May 1919, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

The line is now cleared at the scene of the recent accident north of Taihape (states a Press Association telegram). The Auckland-Wellington oxpress came through yesterday morning, and the ordinary time-table is likely to be resumed on Tuesday.

"He does not give me any money to keep the house going," said .a girl wife, the mother of two children, who sought a maintenance order against her husband in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. "He brings home enough meat to last a week, but supplies no other food."

During the hearing of a separation oase before Mr F. V. Frazer. S.M., yesterday, tho defendant complained of his wife's habit of reading in bed. "My wife comes to bed at 11 o'clock at night, and reads papers and novels till 4 o'clock in tho morning by candlepower, and I am in fear of the houso being burned down,"-he informed tho court.

While some carcases of lamb from the Pukerahi works were being loaded on the Port Sydney at Timaru last week (states a Press Association message) it was found that a number had black spot and mould, and about 1500 were sent back to the works to bo picked over. The New Zealand Rofrigerating Company states that the lambs were frozen early in 1917, and were purchased by the Imperial Government, but could not bo shipped earlier owing to the shortage of shipping. Of tho carcases senf back, it is expected that about 200 will he condemned. Tho cause of the trouble has not yet been definitely ascertained.

The voting figures in regard to the special licensing poll have not been materially altered for some days past, but tho votes of the 729 men who- arrived in -tihe Arawa and the 575 men on the Carpentaria will bo counted this week*. There aro three other troopships—the Paparoa (600 men), Devon (22), Rimutaka (670><—the votes of which have yet to be counted, and the last of these vessels is due a few days before the end of the month. The votes, about 200 in all, of the soldiers in Samoa, will not be counted until the arrival of the mail from Samoa, in the second week in June. The final result of the poll, therefore, cannot bo made known for some throe or four weeks.

A deputation from tho Navy League waited on tho Mayor of the city yesterday'respecting the coming visit of H.M.S. New Zealand. The Mayor said that he would endeavour to have tho Town Hall ■placed at the disposal of the officers and the men of the vessel, and facilities would be given for them to make it their centre while in Wellington. x Luncheons ,n.nd dances could bo arranged, and iilie observation cars emild be used for the entertainment of the visitors. The festivities to mark the visit of Admiral Jellicoe later oh would have to be further considered. N'o doubt there would be a ball and other functions. A meeting mitrht bo oilled next week to. go more fully into these matters. *

A Press Association message from Gisborne states that the steamer Arahura arrived there at 8 o'clock yesterday morning from Auckland after a rough trip in the Bay of Plenty.

A man named Arthur Knight, staying at the Gresham Hotel, fell in Laihbton quay early last evening and fractured ono of his legs. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Tho Acting-Prime Minister stated yesterday that ho had received no official advice with regard to the intention of the British Government-, reported in a recent London cable message, to hold the Peace celebrations on August 3rd, 4th, and sth, if Peace is signed.

A Press Association message from Pahiatua states that the drapery and fancy goods shop of Victor Levy was entered early on Sunday morning, and a quantity of drapery and jewellery stolen. Entrance was obtained through windows. The missing goods are valued at about £IOO.

The Flaxmill Owners' Association has given notice to the secretary of the Employees' Union that it is its intention to cancel the agreement under which it has been working and wJiioh provides for a minimum wage of 14s per day. The union will hold a meeting on Saturday next to consider the situation which has arisen.

General Russell received a civic welcome when passing through Dannovirko yesterday. The Mayor, Mr E. A. Ranson, delivered a .speech of welcome, which was fittingly replied to bv General Russell. Cheers were given for the General and Lady Russell. There was a big attendance, including many returned soldiers.

Martin Samuelson, a fireman belonging to the crew of the steamer Ripple, got into difficulties with a tramcar in Manners street at 2.30 p.m. yesterday and was thrown down. Ho escaped with only a few face abrasions, but might have suffered severe injuries had not the motorman, Joseph Carruthers, smartly stopped, the tram. Samuelson was able to proceed on his way after a few minutes.

As the necessary firemen to fill the eight vacancies in the Maori's complement were not available yesterday tho Monowai left Wellington'last evening, in tho former's running, for Lyttelton. The Monowai will sail from Lyttelton this evening for Wellington, taking the ferry run again. Advantage is being taken of the hold-up of the Maori to effect some boiler repairs while the vessel is at this port.

Dr. Watt, district health officer, interviewed yesterday as to the number of diphtheria cases recently notified in Wellington, stated that there was nothing to cause alarm. When winter came on more was heard of diphtheria than at other times, but the reports to hand showed that the number of cases just now was by no means large. The hospital authorities, who were also approached, stated that only about a dozen diphtheria, patients were under in the institution.

Shortly after 6 o'clock last evening the Firo Brigade received a call to 27, Roxburgh street, a two-storied sixroomed dwelling, which was well ablaze. There was a strong southerly breeze, which caused the flames to spread rapidly, but the brigadesmen soon had the conflagration in hand and prevented it from spreading, although the building was almost t gutted -and the contents we're' severely damaged before the fire was extinguished." ' The adjoning; house, No. 29, occupied by Mrs Jamieson, had the roof slightly damaged by fire and tho contents slightly affected by water. The fire started in nn upper room occupied by a femalo boarder, who rushed downstairs and informed tho occupants that the house was on fire.

It is reported that the-Wairoa bar is now completely blocked to shipping. This is a serious matter for the people of that district (states a Hawke's Bay paper), as they will experience considerable difficulty in getting supplies. The only means of surmounting the trouble is by surfing, providing thft weather is suitable, or else by landing supplies' at Waikokopu, both methods necessarily very costly. The local bodies of Wairoa are sending a strong deputation to Wellington to urge the Government to construct a railway from Wairoa to Waikokopu. This movement is consequent on the Government refusing to spend any more money on the present harbour. It is sincerely hoped (adds the paper) that the deputation will be successful in their efforts, as this district, in common with the rest of the East Coast, has been sadly neglected in the past. A recent telegram from Auckland stated that there was plenty of labour available in that district so that there should bo no excuse for the Government not at once undertaking this important work. At the present time, Wairoa is practically isolated, and the residents aro in dire straits in the matter of supplies.