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Otago Daily Times, Issue 17684, 23 July 1919, Page 4

The steamer Niagara, which arrived at Vancouver on Sunday, 13th inst., left that port on Wednesday last. Tho Prime Minister (Mr Massey) and Sir J. G. Ward were passengers. Tho Niagara should reach Auckland about Monday, August 4. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the New Zealand mineowners have consented to meet representatives of the miners on August 1 to discuss the miners' recent demands and to endeavour to arrive at a dominion agreement. Advice has been received by the Defence Department that draft No. 277 is returning by the troopship Athenic, which is due at Wellington about August 23. The vessel has 65 officers, 20 nurses, and 327 other ranks of the N.Z.E.F., 8 officers, 22 other ranks Imperial details, 358 women, and 75 children.

A district court-martial will sit at the Kensington Drill Hall at 11 a.m. to-day for .the purpose of trying Private T. M'Aweeny on a charge of desertion. Lieutenantcolonel D. Colquhoun, D.5.0., will he president of the court, and Lieutenant W. S. M'Crorie and Lieutenant F. L. Hunt members.

Seventeen bags of Australian mails arrived early yesterday morning at Lyttelton by the Ngakuta. The letter portion shou . be to hand in time for delivery this morning.

Foremost among the workers in the Returned Soldiers' Building Fund campaign during tho peace celebrations were the members of tho Commercial Travellers' Pierrot Troupe. From their stand in Dowling street they conducted a thriving business in flags, badges, art union tickets, etc. Their efforts resulted in £300 being added to che fund.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the report from Wellington that steps are being taken to reappoint Professor von Zodlitz to the position of professor of modern languages at Victoria College was discussed by the executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association last night. It was decided to make an emphatic protest against the suggested reappointment of von Zedlitz and to request that no alien enemy who has been interned be allowed to be reinstated in any position, and, further, to demand that any German or enemy alien at present holding a responsible position be removed from office.

The mild weather which prevailed throughout the early part of the winter season has at last given place to bitterly cold winter winds and rain, with occasional severe frosts (says our Kaitangata correspondent). The _ ground has been well treated to conditions which should reduce damage by pests during the summer time. Cr Douglas has made arrangements whereby the inmates of the Anderson Bay Home, the Benevolent Institution, and tho Ross Home, will be taken through the city to-night in motor cars to view the torchlight procession and the illuminations. The annual meeting of the Parker Aeroplane Improvement Company was held last evening. The chairman of directors (Mr F. Parker) presided. The business before the meeting was purely formal. It consisted of the adoption of tho report and the election of .an auditor and two additional directors. Mr James Brown was elected to the former position, and the directors appointed were Messrs A. E. Usherwood and D. N. Mackay. A meeting of directors will be held when certain information is received from England.

A private letter received in Dunedin from Rabaul recently gives some idea of the violence of tho earthquake that visited New Guinea last May. "I have something more exciting to tell you," says tho writer. "First .of aIL about 5.30 a.m. on May 7 wo were visited by a tremendous earthquake, which did considerable damage besides giving our nerves a nasty jar. Our bungalow got an awful ' doing.' It was shitted nearly a foot off the piles. Most of the piles were broken—mirrors, chests of drawers, wardrobes, lamps, and various other things went crash to the floor with rather destructive consequences, and generally the place was in an awful mess; But the most serious thing was the damage to our tanks. We have five, and four of them were hopelessly smashed. The other one went off its foundations and managed to get a few holes in its sides. Colonel Macbungalow got a ' doing' too. Three of their tariks went down into a ravine, and buried themselves in the earth. There were some serious falls of earth along tho road, too, and for three days nothing except foot traffio could get 'by. There was a tidal wave, but it was small, and did no damage."

It is announced in the Soldiers' Guide that the Polico Department will reappoint any ex-members of tile polico force who have served at the front and whose character at the time of discharge from the police force was satisfactory and has been so maintained in the meantime, provided that they are passed 'by tho police surgeon as medically fit for ordinary police duties, or, if not, are qualified and able to perform clerical duties in district offices, etc.

Instructions have been issued by General Headquarters to the effect that tho harsh expedient of arrest is not to bo used to apprehend soldiers who have failed to keep appointments while under medical treatment Following is tho instruction:—" Undischarged soldiers who absent themselves while under medical treatment are not to be arrested as deserters. Such cases should generally bo discharged, and the Commissioner of Pensions informed that the soldier has failed to take advantage of tho medical treatment available. Cases presenting special features should be referred to General Headquarters for decision."

In the Police Court at Port Chalmers yesterday, before Messrs J. Watson and J. M'Lachlan, J.P.'s, Joseph Gatt was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and on a charge of casting offensive matter he was lined 10s. Norman James Jackson was charged with drunk«mvss and with damaging a watch chain and sovereign case belonging to Duncan M'Kenzic, publican, whilo the latter was ejecting him from the Provincial Hotel. One sovereign was lost out of the case, but theft was not imputed. The accused, who pleaded guilty, was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and on tho charge of committing mischief and damaging property ho was Cned 10s and ordered to make good the dnnuvgra, which wit estimated at £3-.

Tho Mararoa, which was hold up at Ljttelton on Friday in consequence of tho desire of the crow to participate in tile peace celebrations in Ohristehuroh, resumed her running in tho ferry service on Monday oven-

T'ho driving of tho concroto piles to be used in the construction of tho bridge which will span tho new devjation cut rn tho Kaitangatii lakes drainage canal is now (being proceeded with. Mr H. O. Campbell will submit the following motion at a meeting oi tho id arbour Board on Friday afternoon: —"That the board communicate with the. Postmasterguncrai with a view to ascertaining wuoii the present mail contracts for Vancouver and San l<Yancisco expire in order that opportunity may .bo given to tho importers and merchants of this city, to take action to get a flat rato for the iour main centres, both inward and outward, in the new contracts wliich will bo made."

There- is at present (says our Kaitangata correspondent) an exceptionally keen demand for building sections at Port Molyneux, which is likely to become one of the most popular seaside holiday resorts on the east coast of the South Island. Several inquiries lor sections have recently been sont down from Christchurch and other northern towns. A number of sections have recently changed' bands at figures not thought of a few years ago. Tho sub-committeo of tho Harbour Board set up to considor the appLcation of the University Council for &j acres at Lake Logan for recreation purposes has brought forward a report stating that it has had a conference with. Dr Cameron, Dt Lindo Ferguson, Mr Chapman (registrar), and representatives "of tho University Students' Association, and recommends that, as soon as the Lake Logan area ,13 available, 20 acres be leased to the University Council for recreation purposes for 50 years, at an annual rental of £100 for the first 10 years and thereafter £200 per annuin, the University Council to bear any rates or taxes which may bo payable on tho ground leased, and to secure tho necessary legislation to give effect to the recommendation. The recommendation will ibe considered at a meeting of the board on Friday.

With reference to a complaint made by a returned soldier correspondent in yesterday's 'limes that forage caps instead of slouch hats are being issued to Territorials and Cadets, we are informed by the locai Dctence authorities that such, complaint ho* already been anticipated by headquarters. A recent memorandum from Wellington states that Cadets in future will receive only hats. Territorials will have caps issued to them only until such time as me P ... stock has been used up, after which they will receive nothing but hats. Thus in a short time the whole of the Territory, forces in New Zealand will be completely equipped with hats. Our. London correspondent states that in a paper read beiore tne itoyal Colonial Institute Major K A. BeicUer discussed "Agricultural l/rganisation in Itciat.on 10 uk ■Colonies." He strongly advocated that farmers should group themselves m co-opera-tive societies and that tiiese societies snouiu federate as had been done in .New Zealand, where the movement was very fully de veloped. He even envisaged an imperial federation ol agricultural co-operative societies in Great Britain and in the dominions, and- suggested that they might own steamships ot their own. Major H. H. bounds (Auckland) and Mr E. W. Relph (Chnstoburch) took part in the debate. Mr Relph uttered a warning against any attempt to launch out on grandiose schemes at the start He is a great believer in the movement, which he has seen grow up from infancy in New Zealand, but his advice ib to concentrate on some particular bit oi work whore co-operation will bo of obvious service, and then as its benefits are appreciated to extend in other directions,

An impudent attempt at a bicycle theft occurred on Friday, m broad daylight, and in one of the busiest parts of Chtistchurcn. Two cyclists, while engaged on business in the Press Company's offices, left their bicycles against a window in the company's buildings in Worcester street. A few minutes later two young men happened along and without hesitation took possession of the bicycles and rode off along' Worcester street. Their act was, however, almost immediately discovered,, and a pursuit was instituted, with the result that the bicycles were recovered, but the would-be thieves succeeded in making good their escape, after abandoning their intended spoil The Postal Department advises that from midnight to-night the censorship of all cable and wireless telegrams for offices throughout the British Empire will cease. Both cable and inland telegrams written in private code may 'be despatched on Thursday. Telegrams to those countries where a' local censorship is still in force are accepted at sender's risk. Brazil, China, and Bolivia have notified that the censorship has ceased.

Arising out of a communication received by the Wellington Labour .Representation Committee from the 'ienants' Protection League (which was signed by all tue daiegates to the Government Printing Oiuee Association) an -animated discussion on the present housing crisis took place at the Trades Hall at Wellington on Wednesday. It was pointed out by several of the delegates that they had received notices to vacate their homes, and this was said to be the case with hundreds of other workers. On top of this was the continual dread and uncertainty of the people who rented houses that they wore likely to receive notice at any time as a result of tho continued speculative selling of houses over the tenants' heads. Another result of the scarcity of houses was the terrible overcrowding that was prevailing. One delegate instanced numerous cases where overcrowding was rampant, which had, brought about the position of tenants exploiting the sub-tenants of rooms. Five, six, arid seven persous in ono and two rooms were instanced, which, it was pointed out, was dangerous to the health of the community. At the conclusion of the discussion a resolution was carried unanimously directing tho attention of the Government and the City Council to the alarming house famine in Wellington. The committee emphatically pointed out that the patience of the people had already been overstrained, and that the greatest responsibility in the present intolerable situation rested upon both national and civil legislators.

Tbo Rev. J. E. Ward, Presbyterian Maori niissioner, speaking of a special trip to the Urowera Natives states the Auckland Star), said that the portion of the country where formerly Rua held sway is now very qu;et. The "prophet" is living quietly at Mangapohatu,' and his temple has beon demolished. The Government has acquired much native land thereabouts. Non-sellers of land in the blooks being acquired are debarred from using timber on their land, which imposes a hardship on Natives. Roads in Tuhce and Rotorua districts are only just passable for motor traffic. With prison labour suitable metal available, it should be possible to considerably enhance the natural beauties and roading system of the Rotorua district. There was much inquiry for land around Galatea, but he had heard of no successful ap-'icant. On© large block had been tied up tor over 20 years. r lhe Urewera forests on the lower slopes were rip© for timber milling, but no timber options so far had been authorised. The Natives were industrious, raising stof 1 !: and cutting large quantities of grass seed It had been sug gested that access to tho inner Tuhoe could be obtained by "locking" tho Whakatane River in places, and by similar treatment of other streams, so as to allow logs to be either barged or rafted down the stream— a cheaper method than a light railway. A bridge was badly needed at Te Whaiti, and 20 miles of road from Ruatahuna to Waikarcrcoana urgently noeded repairs.

Tho committee of the Returned Soldiers' Association has arrangements well in hand for tho third annual balL As in previous years the function will bo hold in tho Art Gallery Hall, and present indications point to an oven greater success than has hitherto beon attained.

Tho half-yearly purple lecture and past officers' decree meeting of the Otago District, M.U.1.0.0.F., will bo held at Port Chalmers next Thursday.

Best Coir Matting, 18in, Is lid; 27in, 2s lid; 35in, 3s lid yard; 36in, bordered, 4s lid yard.—At Mollisons Sale.—Advt.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia corner of Bond and Rattrav streets (next lelegraph Office). TeJeplioue' 1059 — Advt.

The art of washing clothes clean without ?.o ,?g! „ b ,°S ] S to co PP e r 6oz of the pure ~x, -A'", ?,. T Soa£) - udcJ small Packet of >.o Rubbing" Laundry Help; boil briskly for thirty minutes, then rinse thoroughly blue, and hang out. Result will delight you.—Hunter and Etheridge (Ltd.).—Advt. Electric Incandescent Lamps, Drawn Wir,. Metallic Filament, Philips Manufacture. 16 <io. Si., and 50 candle-power. Prioe * 3 each Special terms for quantity order's "- iurnbull and Jones (Ltd.), Elcctrio Enei. neers.—Advt. *"

Whisky perfection—Watson's No 10 tho favourite of all who know. Order it.—Advt. For Chronio Chest Complaints. Woods Uroat Peppermint Cure.—Advt.

Eyestrain !-Consult Mr Peter G. Dick, *->.±i.U.A., i'.1.0. (Londonj, consulting and oculists' optician.—Peter Dick, jeweller W 4SO Moray place. '