LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2474, 29 May 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The writ for the Taumarunui byelection will be issued to-day.

His Excellency the Governor has been promised 1250 pillows for the Hospital Ship. As this is the requisite number, no more of these mil be needed. Six hundred and fifty pillowcases have also been promised. This leaves only 600 more of these to be furnished.

Yesterday was the 100 th auniversary of the birth of the first white girl in Now Zealand. This event took place at the Bay of Islands, the father beiug William Hall, a shipbuilder, who, with his wife, was brought to New Zealand by the Rev, Samuol Marsden.

The number of calls to fires, or supposed fires, in Wellington during the year ended March 31 were 254, a decrease of 23 as compared with last year, Of these 41 proved to be false alarms (of which 22 were due to various causes, and 19 were maliciously given); 31 were chimney fires, 76 rubbish and gorse, and 105 aotual fires. The number of milicious false alarms received decreased by half compared with last year. A close watch being kept on certain points resulted in the apprehension of a person who was brouglit before the Magistrate and fined £5. Two small boys were caught and severely censured by the Magistrate for giving a false alarm.

The stewards of the South Wairarapa Trotting Club have decided to denote to the Patriotic Fund the net profits from their raoe meeting, to be held at Greytown on June 3, King's Birthday. Lieutenant Christopher, who represents the Camp on the Rugby Union Committee, has been appointed manager of tho Trentham Camp football team which is to visit Auckland.

The raffle for the "Old Woman in the Shoe" with her 30 children, promoted by the Misses A. and G. Stevens, of Island Bay, was drawn in the Mayor's Room at the Town Hall on Friday afternoon and tihe winning number was 2863 (Miss B. Clarke, care To Aro School). The money realised from this raffle was £84 175., which was handed over yesterday to His Worship the Mayor for tho Belgian Relief Fund. Mr. Luke expressed Ms thanks to the Misses Stevens for their effort. The promoters desire to thank all those who helped ill this work, and particularly Six. Brooks and tho staff of tho Bristol Piano Co.

The State schools of Wellington broke up yesterday for a week's term holiday. The schools will reopen on Tuesday; Juno 8, an extra day's holiday having been granted on account of tho King's Birthday occurring nest week.

In hiß annual report the Superintendent of tho Wellington Fire Brigade states, on the subject of lives lost and endangered:—"On May 17, 1914, at a boardinghouss in (jourtenay Place, George White aJid Susannah Ackerman wore burned to death; several others were badly injured, and were removed to the Hospital, where James Stephenson died on May 27 from septio pneumonia follbwing on the.injuries received. On March 29, 1915, at a fire in Moxibam Avenue, Mrs. J. Godwin broke her right leg while escaping from the building.

On the subject of private fira alarms in the City, the Superintendent of the Wellington Brigade says in his annual report:—"During the year only one additional private fire alarm conneotion has been made with tho brigado, viz., Messrs. C. Smith, Ltd. May I hero bo permitted to Btate that I regret more installations are not being made among the large and well-stocked buildings, where tho torrible possibilities arising from an outbreak of fire are most alarming when wo consider the large stocks required to bo carried. The only explanation. that can bo given for the indifference of those interested in this danger seems to be in the past immunity of the particular business concerned, and tho hopo that this gives of the immunity continuing, forgetting that fire gives no warning of its impending visit, followed by a late discovery and a tremendous task set the brigade. It is deplorablo to encountor financial loss and dislocation of business brought about by the destruction of valuable property, and worse still, in some cases loss of life, tlie more so when it becomes reasonable to presume that with the aid of tho many approved systems now on the market tho disaster might have been avoided by provision of ono or other of tho preventive measures."

Tho Education Commission is to sit on Monday at 10 a.m. in Room B, Parliament Buildings. It is notified thatany person desirous of giving evidence should inform the secretary of the Education Board at the board's ofliees in Mcreer Street.

Tho war lias made itself felt in almost wory institution in the country. Here is an extract from the animal report of tho Superintendent of tho Wellington City l'"ire Brigade:—"This deparimont, like all others, lias snfl'eied the. loss of several of its members, who lia.ve left lor the front; this is especially so from the ranks of the volunteer firemen, who will, I trust, uphold the traditions of the cloth, they have vacated."

In addition to the offers io provide' accommodation lor invalid and oonvaleei cent soldiers already announced, till} Minister of Public Health has received an offer from Mrs. Walter G. Johnston of her house "Highden," at Palmerstoa North for this purpose. The following offei'6 have also been reoeived:—From Mr. A. C. Caughey, Auckland, his residence of 21 rooms hi Auckland, as a convalescent hospital; Mr. aud Airs. F« Logan, Napier, their dwelling in Fitzroy Road, Napier, for twelve months, with a donation of £200 during that period towards the expense of main, taining nurse and staff: Mrs. Morrison* matron of "Woodsido Private Hos? pital, Burleigh Street, Auckland, three beds in lior private hospital.

An area of laud containing over 17,000 acres, in tho ICaipara district and situ* ated to the north of the Kaipara Harbour, has been set aside by the Gov* eminent as a sanctuary for imported and native game. There are a number of lakes on the blcek, hut apart from theso tho area is mainly composed of sand. Tho Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs, stated recently in Auckland that for the present tho block will serve an a means of proteoting the numerous birds that now abound on it. In tho oourse of timo the Government may establish hatcheries on the reserve tuid otherwise develop its suitability for tho purposes of a sanctuary for game of *arious kinds.

Thursday was the first anniversary of tho fatal railway accident at Whangamerino, where an oxpresa train from Wellington ran into a goods train which had just reached the station from tie north. Yesterday was the second anniversary of a collision between two traim at New Llynn on the morning of May 23, 1913, when several passengers wert injured.

In the vicinity of Zeitomi Camp recently a game of Rugby was commence ed between the old boys of Te Ante Ool« lego and the old boys of the Wanganul College. When the scoro was three all, the light became too bad, and the match had to be stopped, hut in the play that took place there were many, (lashes of that brilliant play which ga,ve the annual Te Aute-Wanganui match its importance, even though the game waa played on the sand.

The Italian fishermen, at tie Lowe* Harbour, says the Dunodin "Star," are overjoyed at the news that Italy is going to fight on the side of the AI J lies. On Saturday tlie.y hold quite a demonstration, and Italian flags were proudly flaunted in conjunction with tKa Allied flags. Thcso Italians state unhesitatingly that Austria was _ never. Italy's reai friend, nor is ever likely to be, "hence their rejoicing at the prospect of not only teaching Austria a lesson, but of bringing back under the Italian flag the Italian people in the Trentino and especially at Trieste.

A lad of 14 appeared in the Christ* church Court on Wednesday morning to answer for an unusual escapade. He had been travelling down to Lyttelton, and when the train was at Woolston ho put on the brake at the rear cai> riage. The guard blew his whistle, and the engine-driver put on more and more steam, but nothing happened until the lad's mate turned off the brake. The train then dashed off at excessive speed, hut it was, nevertheless, four minutes lato at Lytteltou. The lad was admonished, and his father was ordered to pay 10s. witnesses' expenses.

The gloom of conversation round the ravages of the war is (Sir Henry Lucy writes in the "Sydney Morning Herald") temporarily lifted by a story told by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of a night adventure. As he was returning to his home by a well-known Suiw roy golf links, night fell. He gave inn structions to the chauffeur to light up, As the process took some time, he got out of the oar and went round to the back to see if all wae right with tie rear lamp. At the same moment, the ohauffeur, concluding that his fare wag inside, started off at full speed, with intent to make up for lost time. In vain tho Chancellor followed, shouting at the top of his voice. It- was a windy night, and, unfortunately, the wind was in the wrong direction for his purpose. The unheeding chauffeur and the cap disappeared in the distance. It was an awkward situation, the Chancellor's home being five miles distant. Evidently the only way to Teach it was on foot. Plodding along he was cheered by the sight of a building fairly well lit up in front. _ He recognised it as the county lunatic asylum. Surely, her# he would get a lift. In response to his summons at the front door the hall porter made his appearance, and sharplv inquired the object of his. call. Mr. Lloyd George explained, and asked for assistance to complete his journey home. Tie potter shook his head, ana prepared to close the door. - "But, said the wayfarer, "I am the Chancellor oj the Exchequer." "Fes, yes,'' said tbi porter, gruffly; "we've got six of 'en inside. You go out of the gate, turr to the left, and you'll get home befon morning." There being no visible ap peal from this judgment, tho Chancel) lor commenced his journey, i and hat not gone very far when, to his delight, he saw his _ car returning. ■ The ohauffeur, reaching home and opening thi car door, found he had lost his pas< senger, and, in a state of amazed tr» pidation, went hack in search of him.

Reference to methods of identification was made by Mr. Justice Cooper at the Auckland Supreme Court. _ He explained that the man. then being tried had been pointed out to two children in the Police Court, and the latter had been asked whether the man mentioned was tie individual who had committed

a certain offence. "That is not a proper thing to do," said His_ Honour, "and I sav it with the authority of the Lord Chief Justice of England. . Every car© should be taken when witnesses are called upon to identify, an accused man to see that the test is an absolutely fair one." A "Why-Not" golf ball, recently sold by auction at Harrogate, England,, in aid of the Belgian Fund, realised no less than £10 lis. Cd.

A man named George M'l£enzie was admitted to the Hospital yesterday afternoon suffering from concussion, aB tho result of a fall on the pavement in Cambridge Terrace. He was unconscious last night.

Mr. A. Macintosh, superintendent in New Zealand for Messrs. Dalgety and has advised the Mayor yflr. J. P. Luko) that the directors havo voted the 6um of JSIOOO to the National Fund for tho Belief of Wounded Soldiers and Sailors and their Dependents. The money prill be available as soon as the Trust has been formed.

A "poley" cow on its way to the Rai)"iora market on Wednesday morning had worked itself up to a high pitch of excitement by t'ho timo it reached the town, and its performances created lialf an hour's sensation for tho market folk. After a short but very mad career through the main streets, varied with an occasional exploration of back yards, it finally sought a haven of rofuge from its pursuers in Mr. B. P. Brown s drapery establishment. It heralded its entrance with a vioious kick on tho plate glass of the door, and a respectable job for the glazier was the result. A counter opposite the door mot thu, force of its inrush, and a considerable fall in Manchester goods resulted. As may be imagined, the beast's entrance caused great consternation amongst tke young lady shop assistants, and they stood not upon the order of their going, but went at -once helter-skelter through the back door, and did not stop runniiig until they had put themselves at a safe distance from the dangers that beset thom. Tho cow in the meanwhile ranged at «ts own wild will through t'ho shop, and finally reached the Bhow room. A large table covered with a rich display of winter miiiinerj attracted its special attention, and it speedily had the table with its legs In the air and tho Paris modes scattered over the floor in sad. confusion. A large street crowd had by this time_ colleoted, end a number of the more inquisitive pressed inside and freely offered advice as to how to induce the animal to leave. The cow had, however, such a fierce appearance surrounded with its wreckage that no one would venture through the door of the room. Eventually the animal was deftly, lassoed; with a rope and dragged with every sign of reluctance through the bank door. Its escapade resulted in a nice little bill being presented to its owner.

The Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, attended a special screening of the patriotic drama "Will The.v Never Como?" yesterday. As Mr. Allen considers it will do much to stimulate recruiting, he has, wo are informed, extended his official patronage to publio exhibitions of the film.