HEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10612, 10 June 1920, Page 4

HEWS OF THE DAY

A Press Association telegram from Wanganui stuUv? that the steamer Invercargill , which got astride the training wall in the river in a fog on Monday night, was refloated yesterday morning. The vessel is not damaged.

At the Town-Planning Conference yesterday, the- acting chairman, Mr Leigh Hunt, was given power to bring bcfo.ro the Minister the necessity foi making provision for public utilities societies. It was mentioned that in England these societies were doing such work as dividing up areas and erecting dwellings, and these should bo entitled to the .same advances as made to public bodies.

Sneak thieves were in evidence at Rllorslio during the recent racing. i A lady lost a valuable fur, which she bad left on a seat for a few minutes, and another lady had practically a new rainproof coat lifted during her absence in the tea-room. A Wellington visitor lost his overcoat and ' neckerchief on the first, day, and a wellknown Auckland resident lost his umbrella, stick, hat and gloves.

Circulars have been widely distributed amongst the various Labour and other organisations in the .city and suburbs drawing attention to the inaugural meeting to be held at the Trades Hall this evening in connection with the formation of a Eontpa.ycrs’ Protection League. 'Numerous favourable replies have hc.cn received by the conveners, and it is apparent the project will be largely supported.

Regarding the accumulated four weeks’ privilege railway tickets for members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, it is officially notified for tlic information of all concerned that the availability has been extended up to November 2nd, 1920, which moans tickets issued on November 2nd, 1920, expire on November 30th, 1920. This extension of availability is to bo absolutely final. .

"I .wish J cauld get some really live newspaper men. 1 want them,” said .General Booth by a “Times” reporter yesterday. • “The pay is very good — much ’<;! it, however, will be deferred,” he added smilingly. “Every day we call for more workers in some part of the world. 1 received only this morning by cable an appeal from Ceylon for more, officers for the Salvation Army there. During this last few years J have sent men to Korea. Japan, China, Uganda, and other places including Sierrc Econo, the ‘White Man’s Grave.’ Wc were the first missionary organisation to take up Christian work right on the border, of Tibet. I want more men,’ and yet more people for this work, and .that is one —but only one —of the reasons for my visit.”

The - Dost and Telegraph Officers’ -Association has a membership of 6750, comprised as follows; Auckland, 1163; Waikato-Kmg Country, .127; Thames, 189; Xeiv Plymouth, 143;. Wanganui,, 388; Manawatu, .283; Gisborne, 111 ; Napier, 340; Wairarapa, 220; Wellington, 1202; Marlborough, OS; Nelson, 143; Westport, oo; Greymouth, 118 ; North Canterbury,. 68E: Timaru, 156; Oamaru, Go; Dunedin, 589; Southland,. 271 • N.Z.E.E., 96. On April Ist, 1919, the. membership was 7681, but since that date 1083 members resigned from .the department, 128 from the association, and 85 did not agree to the new rate of subscription. As against those defections there were 270 now _mcmbors, thus bringing the total to 6750.

Afc the oonch'ivon of the Town-Plan-ning Conference yesterday, the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association was held. Mr Leigh Hunt presided in place of Mr Parr, the president. On his motion, the constitution as drafted at the last . mooting was formally adopted. Tt was stated that a New’Zealand organiser was needed, and Mr Wilson proposed that efforts he made to raise funds to secure one. On the motion of the chairman it was agreed to defer the election of officers 0 for two months, and _ that in the meantime kindred societies and local bodies, he asked to affiliate and to send representatives to the meeting, also to nominate members for the committee. Air Hall was formally appointed secretary,- pro torn., of tho New Zealand Association. ■

Tho wale of AVer Loan certificates through the Post Office, which was such a popular feature of the first War loan issued in Now Zealand, has ever (since been continued. These certificates are still meeting with a steady demand, and arc regarded -by the authorities as an excellent means of encouraging thrift and helping to secure tho’ financial stability of the country. People who have not much money *to invest are afforded a means of placing a small sum on fixed deposit for five or ten years. It has been suggested that the issue of the certificates might well he made a permanent feature of the finance of the country. There is a desire to encourage the small investor. A step in this direction is in making the bonds for tho new Government loan £SO instead of £IOO, as formerly.

At this week’s meeting of the committeo of tin; Wellington Automobile Club, the Taita School Committee wrote asking if the club was prepared to erect school signs. The secretary was directed to reply stating that tho club proposed to got a supply of sign boards of a uniform design, and would be prepared to donate same if the school committee would erect them. Tho secretary also reported that tho city engineer had intimated his intention of erecting motorists’ school signs in tho city. It was resolved that it bo a remit to the Now Zealand Automobile Union that a uniform sign warning motorists when approaching schools lie prepared itfid submitted to the union at the annual meeting, with the object of making tho sign of a uniform nature throughout Now Zealand.

Giving to the shortage of paner tlio strictest economy is to be observed in tile nso of paper in all offices of the Defence Department. Written connrmnicn.tio.ns are to lie avoided unless absolutely necessary, and personal interviews between Staff and dona, rtmcnt.nl officers will take the pbaco of written minutes whenever possible. Full-sized memo, forms are not to bo used wben e half-sized form is sufficient. Old Annv forms are to be ntilb’cd in offiees for mam- pnrnnses where foolscap bad previously been used. Roeeinl care is In be taken to limit Ibe use of cil'-clcncs in disnntcbilW. memoranda and l"tf."vs to one address. Prin t: n': will be. reduced to a minimum. Tim simply of th" New Zimbind Armv List is temporarily R!lspended, and an abridged list will be periodically issued in lien. Copies of orders and circulars, 'vbicli are now circulated in lame numbers, are to be reduced to a minimum. All demands for Annv forms, official paper and stationery arc to be reduced to a minimum by all concerned.

The chief librarian of the General Assembly library has notified that recess privileges in connection with the library will cease as from Saturday, and that all books must be returned on or before that day.

JJr'R. C. Gillies, who is well known throughout South Canterbury, has jusr sold his sheen run in the Hukn V»1 ley. The run comprises <915 acres <«f freehold and JOUO acres of leasehold, it is understood that the freehold realised between £OO,OOO and £05,000,

The secretary of the Wellington Automobile Club submitted' at the . last meeting of the committee an opinion obtained with regard to the legality of a motorist passing a standing tram Air, in which it appeared that tho City Council’s by-law forbidding a motorist to pass a standing tram car ou tlie right hand side stands good.

Harold Vouour, a young man, appeared on remand yesterday morning in .the Magistrate's Conn before Mr W. G. Hidden. <S.M., to answer a charge of having committed an indecent aet with inten: to insult ,or annoy certain persons unknown. A prima facie case was established, ad tlio accused was committed lo Hie Supreme Court for trial. I tnour was allowed bail in a sum of £75, together with a surily of a siuilar amount.

A successful concert was held in .tho social hall of the Wellington Boys’ Institute on Tuesday evening. An enjflyablo programme of musical items was rendered by tho institute orchestra, under tlie direction of Mr Ircruongeir, A prutty dance by Clara Saunders, a girl of twelve, and. a solo by Master'Chalk, were loudly applauded. Tho director explained the details of the competition for new members. which commenced yesterday, and great interest was evinced bjf the members.

General Booth, the Saltation Army’s commander-in-chief, in conversation with a “New Zealand Tiroes” reporter yesterday, stated that in the very cariy days of the war he obtained from tho British Government H;,OGO suits of khaki art £1 per suit. When the time came for payment the Chancellor of the Exchequei (Mr Austen Chamberlain) suggested that the price. £IO,OOO, should bo paid, and himself handed a cheque for ,£IO,OOO to the general to pay tho account. "Was that not a grateful act. which demonstrated that our services were being recognised,”-said General Booth.

Tho committee of the Wellington Automobile Club has decided to appoint delegate's to interview the .Prime .Minister with regard to the lack of petrol, and also to recommend that the Government should support the production of a locally-produced' motor fuel by granting a subsidy. The secretary has been empowered to proceed with tho ‘‘.safety first” campaign by having printed notices warning pedestrians of motor traffic. Tho secretary of tho l\ T ew Zealand Automobile Union attended the meeting of the committee, and was asked to explain the insurance scheme initiated by the union, jin which members of all affiliated associations will he given distinct advantages. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed to favour the scheme, and that a sub-committee he set up to settle detail.®.