LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2370, 28 January 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"The war has caused a tremendous demand for remount and artillery horses," said the Prime Minister at the Levin Show yesterday. "With the First Expeditionary Force nearly 4000 liorses were sent away, and only 1.9 per cent, were lost." TTiis, added Mr. Massey, was a wonderful result,_ and pointed_to the possibilities of an important trade in horses. between New Zealand and oversea countries.

Two members of the crew of the Corinthic were arrested on board that vessel yesterday charged with stealing four parcels of mail hags from tho mails. The bags were found to be missing when tho vessel arrived here and some members of the detective force bearded the vessel yesterday, and after searching the seamen's quarters discovered four of the missing bags. The contents of the bags were missing and odd postal parcels were found. Most of tlie stolen mails are missing. At about 11.30 last night the portion of Lambton Quay opposite the Kefburn cable car terminus' was suffused with clouds of smoke. A_ small crowd soon gathered, and anxiously scanned the upper stories of surrounding buildings tor the flames to appear. The smoke died away, however, and still no flames came. Soon the crowd in turn faded aW j y ' k' lo advent of a very calm and collected policeman, who informed the remaining few stragglers that it was a false alarm, left the Quay silent and deserted.

Charges have been set down as follow I for hearing at the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, which open in Wellington on Monday nest: Joseph Nohra, *? r S er y'. ?ncl uttering (two charges) ; Jack Dilhmore, assault and causing actual bodily harm; Alexander Mitchell, theft of cattle (two charges); Frederick Jackson, theft from, dwelling (two charges), attempted theft, and assault; Arthur Leonard Anssel, assault and attempted indecent assault; Albert William Foote, theft; Allan George Smith, receiving stolen property; Arthur Hainsworth, carnal knowledge. Considerable applause greeted an observation made at the Levin show yesterday by Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., to the effect that he was sure that a great many of those present hoped and trusted that when the final returns for the Parliamentary election came to hand they would show that Sir. Massey had a comfortable majority.- _ Tho thermometer touched 85 degrees m the shade at Masterton yesterday afternoon. This is the highest registration of this summer.

_ A Magisterial inquiry at Napier lasting two days, into the circumstances attending the destruction by fire of a fancy goods and soft drinks shop run by Richard Ridsdale has concluded. Tho Magistrate's verdict was to the effect that there was no evidence from which it could be reasonably inferred that either Mrs. or Miss Ridsdale intentionally caused the fire; that the insurance on the stock and fittings (£850) greatlv exceeded the value at the time of the fire; and that the stock and fittings, insured five years previously, had never been reinspected or revalied on behalf of the insurance company.—Press Association.

A member of the mounted forces at Trentham writes:—"l. have been informed by various Wellingtoniaus that it is their intention of doing their best to get the city plaoed out of bounds of the camp, and I must say that it reflects very grave discredit to them for jtrying to do so. I myself, being a [ member of the Third Expeditionary Force, am just as great a sport as any man . under the sun, and I like to. see fair play, which is not being given. At this all important moment with the Empire I think it is only fair for everybody to do their best to help and brighten things up a bit. for the forces instead.of trying to do the opposite. K there' is so much of this scandal and misbehaviour going on as reported would you be so kind as to enlighten me in tho matter? Why is it that there is never more than one-half per cent, of the mounted forces found in +he guard tents at roll-call on tho morning after leave?" v "I am _a_ fanner myself," said the Prime Minister at the Levin'show yesterday, "though I know that many of you - imagine that the only turnips I raise are ostrich feathers."

At the Police Court, Florence Neville (states a Press Association message from Christchurch), a married woman, was charged with shop-lifting. The evidence disclosed that the woman had abstracted articles from a counter, and gave them to her child, aged nino years. When questioned, the child, at the mother's request, said it was the thief. The woman was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on, and the child was sent to a receiving home. A man was arrested by Detective J. Dempsey yesterday on two charges of stealing bicycles. He will appear before the Court this morning. The Life and Work Committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has decided to urge members to adopt midday intercession in, connection with the war (states a Press Association message from' Napier). Five persons charged with trading on Sunday were before the Court at Christchurch yesterday. They were convicted and discharged. It is stated that the defendants were under the impression that as they sold soft drinks they could remain open. They are the first cases of the kind heard in Christchurch.— Press Association. A party, comprising five members of the Westport Chamber of Commerce, arrived at Christchurch from Westport, via Nelson and Marlborough, yesterday, having traversed.the distanco.(4B7 miles) in 24 hours' actual travelling time in a fully-loaded motor-car. The party will commence the return journey on Saturday.—Press Association. At a special meeting of the Masterton Borough Council on Tuesday evening, the weekly half-holidav for the ensuing year was fixed for Thursday. A request from the Greytown Borough Council that Saturday be observed as the day for closing was not entertained. Part of the business of the Wellington Harbour Board last night was to approve lists of payers of dues—persons, firms, or corporate bodies who 'have paid the sum of £3 or upwards in respect of harbour dues during the year ended December 31, 1914. "I beiieve the German Emperor was once on one of these lists," remarked the chairman. "I don't know wlic.ther ho is still." Nobody could- enlighten the chairman as to whether Kaiser Willielm has a right-to_ vote for the election of members thin year.

Already much dealing up has been effected since the bursting of tile Bluff reservoir on Friday hist, and the business section, with the exception of Ward and Co.'s grain stores, lias resumed its normal appearance. A critical examination of . tho reservoir (appeals to show that the water had not actually reached the top of the embankment when it gave way. Evidently erosion took place at some point in that part of tbo wall now indicated by a tremendous gap of 50ft. x 12ft. As no one saw the actual commencement, tho starting point may never be known. Mrs. Bulkrs, who was injured by being caught in the flood, is progressing favourably, although she is suffering severely from shod*. Sonic indication of tile force of the torrent may bo gauged from the fact that it cut a track down the side of the hill through thick scrub, actually eating out a gorge 10ft. deep, and carrying rocks weighing tons down the improved channel, and leaving them in extraordinary positions. Hundreds of sightseers went dowiVfrom Invercar--cill on-Saturday, and Sunday.

A representative and enthusiastic gathering of Auckland business men attended the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon to present to Mr. J. H. Gunson a requisition asking that lie 6uould allow himself to bo nominated for the position of Mayor at the election in April. There were about 200 present. Mr. Gunson, who is chairman of tho Harbour Board, promised to reply on Saturday.—(Press Association.)

Certain statements have been published to the effect that a member of "0 v en ' Zealand Expeditionary Force how m Egypt was murdered in a house in a low quarter of Cairo,' and that yet another member was done to death for uump; pullod a veil off a Mohammedan S"'i, t'he Orari, n Inch has just returned to this port tf T^, a J" lg + C 4. arrle , d 5011,6 of the tro °P s nf nil ?^ ates that ho heard nothing; at C^ro SUC H°^ U r nCes w - hile he ,vas T" misconduct bv some troops, but New Zealanders were S;s: s ™"- d k «« 3

t;™,! 7 7?' at tll6 , nsw ' TU,CS for the National Reserve have been issued from eohf? U nVlft S> i j T ?'| iD stc n branch I going right ahead with practical work. K»M Mtel ™ executive held on Tuesday afternoon it was dccid,a general meeting of members of the branch at the Concert Chamber on Friday evening, for the purpose electing a president, vice-president, and committee of ten. When this executive is set up it will at once proceed with the definite division of the district into drill areas; and both drill and rifle practico may be expected to be in full swing at no distent date. A meeting of Petone residents is to be held at the Council Chambers on Monday evening next in connection with the formation of a local branch of the reserve, at which the Mayor of Petone will preside, and Mr._ W. Leslie, hon. secretary of tile Wellington district, will explain the objects of the reserve.

Late on Tuesday evening a fire broke out m a six-roomed house in Huia. Street, Petone, owned by Mr. Jtidd. of Tane, and occupied by Mr. James. The local fire brigade managed to check the names before any serious damage was done. The outbreak occurred in the bath-room, and is thought to have been caused through a lighted candle coming into contact with some clothes on a wall. Tile dwelling was insured in the) State Fire Office for £300, aud the furniture inthe Ocean Office for £150. The damage is estimated*at about £50 'oa tne building and £15 on tlie contents. At a meeting of the West Coasters' Association, held last evening, arrangements were completed for the miners' display in connection with the WellingP'? mOl1 d Jubileo procession which' will bo held <n Saturday. The miners'display will be a novel attraction, depicting the early scenes on the West Coast during the old gold rush days.. J lie old stage coach will be seen and l swaggers accompanying it. The miners'-' cradle and beach-combers' mining outfits will also bo seen at work.' It is intended to crush a quantity of quarts which has been brought in'from Caps, lerawhiti. J his will bo done at Nowh town Park by the usual mining pro-\ cess, and the public will "be'able to seoi now the gold is won from the rou"hi and turned out ready to be sent to tlio bank.

Recently a trooper named Eric Couk son was assaulted by a man in Manners Street, and as a result is at present an inmate of the Hospital, sufferin" from a broken jaw. Yesterday a talL-povrerful-lookmg man, named John* Johnston, appeared before Mr. W. G. iuddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court} charged with assaulting Coulson so as to cause him actual bodily harm.. The* evidence in tho case was onlv partly heard, as Coulson is still an inmate of tne Hospital. Evidence was given by 1 James Henry Evans, holding a teni - *} porai-y appointment in the Forces, thati. he was with Coulson on January 22 s in Manners Street. Accused and a com-' panion _ met them, and accused's, companion rushed at witness with with a pocket-knife. Witness struck> the man in self-defence.. Later, accused assaulted Coulson, and witness assisted' to arrest Johnston. Dr. M'Gaviit gave evidence to the effect thatt he had _ attended Coulson, and. 1 found his jaw broken in two; places. Ho estimated that Coulson would be in the Hospital anothen three weeks as the Tesult of the injury.After hearing tho'evidence of these twi witnesses tlie case was adjourned toe Wednesday nest. Bail was allowed in! £50.

For some obscure reason, says any Auckland paper, a number of recruit® who_ go as far as the filling in of tlioi preliminary forms do not again make ait appearance, to undergo the medical test,' This_ was so on Tuesday, when twelve-, applicants who had .been accepted ten-, tatively did not oorae forward.

A Dtmedin exchange reports that Miu Frank Drayton Bamfield died at his residence, St. Leonards, on Monday, aged 58 years, after a long illness. The-de-ceased was one of the best-known business men of Dunedin. Ho arrived ins New Zealand by sailing ship in 1880, and joined the commercial staff of tha' "Saturday Advertiser" and "Evening Herald," then under the direction of the late Thomas Bracken. Subsequently ha joined the staff of the "Evening Star," 1 and thereafter his tender secured tlid lease of the Government railway advertising; which he held for 15 years, and! relinquished to join the firm of G. Aw Findlay and ■ Co., warehousemen, in which he was- a director till his death. Mr. Bamfield leaves a widow and three sons. The eldest is in the Wellington, Woollen Company's employ, the second' with the Union Bank,' 1 Wangahui, and; the third in the Public' Trust, Wellington.