LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2557, 3 September 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tlio High Commissioner Las advised tlio Defence Minister that the New Zea- , land War Contingent Association, has ! decided to provide accommodation • for 200 more patients at the Felixtowe c military hospital at Waltham, oil the 1 Thames. He also reports, that a great number of wounded are arriving. Every ' mail is seon and his wants attended to, 1 and in the hospital tho men are con- ' tent and happy. ■ A particularly mean, theft was com- . mittod (from tho backyard of a labour- j er's .house in Upper Cuba Street on ] Tuesday ovening. Tho household clothes had been w ashed the previous "day and left overnight hanging on tho lines. ■ Next morning the lines were bare, the ' whole of tho washed house, linens having ' vanished. The .value of tho missing ' property is some £2 or £3, no small mat- 1 tor for the owners. j Tlio following no* telephone exchange . regulation has been gazetted:—"lf pay- . ment of tlio charge for a bureau communication is not made upon demand," : the Minister of Telegraphs niay refuse' an exchange subscriber any further bureau communication until the outstand-. ing charge has been paid, and if the ' account is not paid within one month after demand the connection with the exchange may he discontinued without prejudice to any proceedings for the recovery of any moneys then duo or otherwise."" The conference of .iron masters and other experts summoned by the Minister of Munitions and Supplies to- consider whether it may bo possible to manufacture arms and munitions, in Now Zealand is to' be held at Defence Headquarters to-day. Brigadier-General Robin will be present, also _ Professor Scott, head of tlio Engineering School at Canterbury College, ,and Professor Easterfield, of Victoria College, wlio is interested in explosives. x All the ironmasters invited have promised to at- 1 tend, and these comprise all the leading manufacturers in the Dominion. Discussing the proposed conference yesterday, Mr. Myers said that he had'been inundated with applications from people anxious to help in tho manufacture of munitions, and he considered it was necessary that the conference should bo held. Then the'.Government would know exactly what the,' possibilities : were—whether wo could make munitions here or not. If'the conference was 1 satisfied .that, we conk! not, then it would be for tho Government to say whether we should do anything else. ' Perhaps it might he possible to . send workers Home to work in the munition factories there. "Don't you think the Patriotic Society is unwise advertising that Captain M'Laglen will "cut eight sheep in half. I know of some girls who were going, but it put them off when they heard that this man was going to 'murder live sheep!" Thus an intelligent | citizen to a Dominion representative, j Of'course, no such frightfulness is contemplated. The carcasses'of eight very dead sheep are suspended, and Captain M'Laglen's fea,t is to cut them in half with' his sword as he gallops by on horseback. As far as the carcasses tire concerned they will be cut in half a couple of hours earlier than if they were left to the butcher. . Tuesday, October 26, lias been selected ,as tho date for the performance of "Elijah" by the Royal Choral Society at the Town Hall. The' Wellington City Corporation tramways revenue for tlio -first twenty weeks of the current financial year was £66,659. In the same period last year £61,514 was received. The increases is £•5145. The working expenses increased £2054, and the credit balance went-up 'to the extent of £3367. : Our Master,ton correspondent states Sthati aidvice-Has tb'edn'deceived by iable that Lieut. H. Beresford Maunsell, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Maunsell, of "Bridge," Masterton, who had served as an officer in the Territorials and enlisted with the First Expeditionary Forco from Whareamn, East Coast district, has been, killed in action .at the Dardanelles. The deceased was educated at Wanganui College. In »' 'letter received by Mr. C. W. Palmer, Captain William C. Crutchley, for many years connected with the New Zealand" Shipping Company's sorvico, and one of the best-known deep-sea masters that ever cleared Pencarrow Heads for the Thames, writes that his health is failing badly. In token of his appreciation of Mr. Palmer's enthusiasm for Navy League matters, Captain, Crutchley (who was a commander in the Royal Naval Reserve) forwards him a bas relief in silvered copper of Lord Nclsdn, executed .by C. A.' Blackloy, saying that he did not know anyone who so well deserved it. With tlio plaque came an impressionistic water colour of the Nelson monument by night (by H. N. Bradbear), also a present from Captain Crutchley, whose 6tato of health many'in New Zealand will sincerely deplore. A few days ago the member for Wairarapa brought under the notice of the Minister of Defence a newspaper article, purporting to he a rescript of a letter by Major Herbert, _ commanding the Maori Contingent, giving a circumstantial account of a mutiny of Maoris on the troopship conveying them from ; Malta to Gallipoli. The alleged reason for the outbreak was tho excessive prices charged to tli© troops-for food. The Defence Minister states 'that' the newspaper account is There, was-''.no' insubordination among tho Maoris. / Certain trouble occurred because the ship's orew 'stole food from' the ship's stores and sold tho food to-the troops. Major Herbert found that the chief steward was to blamo, and put him in irons. Beferring to the matter in the Hoiue, he asked members to be good enough to make_ inquiries from him before giving publicity to statements likely to reflect discredit on the troops, - The formation of a zig-zag. connecting Wesley Road with Anderson Park is now being carried out. This connection will be a great benefit to the children attending the Terrace School from Tinakori Roaa and Northland. ' , ' The work of planting the Roy Street tram/loop with trees lias been completed. Tlio total number of shrubs used in the work is four hundred and fifty, and it was stated at last night's meeting of the City Council that a donation received from Messrs. F. Cooper and Son, permitted this woyk to be effected. A large party of membors of the' Wellington Savage Club is proceeding to Masterton to-morrow, and will provide the evening's entertainment at tho local Savage Club's korero. A featuro of the evening will be the singing of a now song written by Air. G. A. Troup, ; and composed by Mr. D. A. Kenny, the club's musidal director. ' With a vio\v to abolishing the cattlewandering nuisance instructions have been issued to tho City Engineer to select a site for tho erection of a pound in the Island Boy district. In connection with the request of the Aro Street, Taitvillo, and Mitchelltowh Householders' Association for the formation of a reserve at tho junction of Aro Street, Holloway Road and Raroa Road, opposite the Aro Street quarry, the .City Council deeided last . evening to adopt tlio engineer's idea of improving the locality at an expense of about £170.

Mr. C. B,j Morison, K.C., has been appointed arbitrator for the Welling- . ton City Council in the arbitration to fix tlio rentals in certain leases. A Press Associaion message from Pflhiatua states that the .late Captain 0. E. Clifton, killed in action, was for several years in business in Pahiatua; and was well known throughout the district. He was a very popular and enthusiastic officer, and was connected with various military bodies. He formerly held mini- ' erous public positions. The late Cap-' tain Clifton was greatly liked by all classes. One sou is in the Dardanelles, another at the Duntroon Military Training College, and tho widow and the remainder of .tlio famiy reside at Pahiatua. The condition of Hill Street- was the .'subject of inquiry by Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald, at the City Council last evening. "Do yoj intend to improve ; it?" he asked. "It, is in a. bad and | dangeroiiß state." The City Engineei stated, iit reply, that Hill Street, was to bo remetalleu. The Secretary to the Treasury acknowledges the receipt of 9s. 6a., the amount of an Australian bank note fox 10s. forwarded as conscience money tc the Collector of Customs. Tlio initial meeting in connection with the Hutt Valley Labour Day carnival was held at Petone last evening, the Mayor . (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presiding. It was intimated that there was a balance of £18 in hand, and the folloAviiig committee was appointed President, Mr. J.. W. M'Ewan; vice-president, Mr. E, Whitaker;• secretary, Mr. A. Skinner; treasurer, Mr. Kirlnvood. The question of tlio disposal of next carnival's proceeds was held over, and it was suggested that a memorial to Hutt Valley soldiers that fell whilst in action might' be'established. 1 There was no abnormal withdrawal of spirits from the Customs bond's immediately preceding the presentation of the Budget for.the simple reason that the bonds were practically cleared of stocks some weeks previously, owing to the merchants anticipating'a .heavy impost soon after Parliament met. As a ; matter of fact the'duty paid on spirits for the quarter ended June 30 last was an : astonishingly large amount. The quantity of liquor cleared during the , three months was 397,661 gallons, which produced £.318,049 in Customs revenue, as against £197,107 paid during the corresponding period of last year. Of that amount £93,486 ivas paid in Auckland, £70,961 in Wellington, £40,725 in Lyttelton, and £48,810 in. Dunedin. The fact that £120,942 more was paid in duty on spirits during the second quarter, of the year ihan was paid : for that quarter last year indicate.! at a glance the direction in which spirit merchants imagined: the new taxation would take. A peculiarity of their position is that whilst they must feel dhagrined at having had to pay out so heavily to release stocks from-bonds, they cannot very well express the smallest regret that the extra duty imposed was bo light. ' In compliance with Section 37 of tho' New Zealand Institute of Architects Act, 1913, a list of the names and addresses or the members of the Institute appears in this week's Gazette. "What progress has lieeii made with tho widening .of Park Road?" . asked Councillor Godber at last evening's meeting of the Wellington City Council. The City Engineer's answer wait "The plans are practically ready." At one time the lot of the visitor to Eotorua was at times made unpleasant by the rather shameless touting that was done by the Maori guides,, particularly among those about to visit the thermal suburb of Wbakarewarewa. This drawback was remedied by, regulation about four years) ago, sinre when. yisi- ■ tors have, been spared the importunities of the Natives. Still touting of another kind was permitted, which was consider- . Ed to be detrimental to the beautiful Government health resort; This has been <lealt with by the gazetting of the following by-law:—"No* person sliall tout in any, public 6treet, public dr.. Government reserve, or public place, for. boarders for any hotel or boardinghouse, i or for passengers for, or for the hire of, ■ any vehicle for transport of passen* gors." The latter part- of the by-law evidently refers to tilie touting that has been customary on the part _ of rival , coach and! motor companies, in connection, with the various trips. . The following temporary appointments of n.c.o.'s have been approved- by the i Camp Commandant (Lieut.-Colonel Pot-ter):—-N.Z. Veterinary Corps: To ! be ■ corporal, Lance-Corpl. .A.-;;A.'M*?® •i be lance-corporal, Pte. T.- T. Bell. 7th Reinforcements: A Squadron—To.be sergeants, Corpl. T. Dale-Taylor ; Pte. , Strickland (record clerk). G Squadron To be sergeant, Corpl. M. C. Poulton. E Squadron—To be sergeant-major, - Sergt. S. L. Wright. Orderly Eoom ' Clerks: To be orderly room clerks JN.Zi. Field Engineers, Pte. A. C. Brown rN.Z. ' Mcdical Corps, Pte; J. B. Hostick; A Companv, Bth Reinforcements, Pte. ii. V Kenall; F Company, Bth Reinforce* m'ents, Pte. E. F. Broomfield. _ ' Thieves have removed certain valuable plants from Central Park. and the Reserves Committee have authorised tie City Engineer to offer a reward ond to take such steps as are necessary to endeavour. to bring the culprits before .tlio .Court. m < . Captain H-A. S. Tyler, R.N., formerlv of H.M.S. Encounter, ill theso waters, and-now of H.M.S. Agamemnon, engaged in the Dardanelles fight, has written tho local branch of the Navy League tile educative work so enthusiastically dono in Wellington.: 'It appears _from tne ' letter that the Agimemnon had a few hours before H.CS Goliath was sunk been anchored exactly where that, vessel was lying when she was sent to tne After a personal inspection of the gvouhd Captain Tyler remarks on tlie exceptionally difficult nature ° f f ' landing, and the inaccessibility ot tne. country captured by the and New Zealanders ui their. assault on the Turkish position, J*® euemv had every reason to .look. upon as impregnable. . Congratulatory >£ ters liave also been received from Lords Islington and Plunkot, .each of whom were patrons, of the. league when > ui New Zealand; from Captain \\. F. niunt of H jNI.S. Fearless, and from Kin G&, of H.M.S. Sydney, .written from an outlandish place jn the South Sea Islands, and dated April fet. The first Wack ■face, tat lambs of this , season are bein? exhibited at the City Cash Meat Mart, Cuba-Street to-day.'

. Speaking to a Dominion reporter, the Minister of the Hon. J. A. ■' Hanan, said that the Press 'reports'of tho deputation from the Charitablo* Aid Board respecting the boarding-out system did not mako it sufficiently clear that tho board had completely failed to substantiate the charges upon which it based its claim to supervise the foster homes. Mr. Hanan said that ho had , invited, the board to givo liim, in confidonee if necessary, particulars of all tho cases of improper' or neglectful treatment of chiidreu,' or of unsuitablo , homes, . referred to in the board's rc- - '.cent discussions ou the ■ subject, : and that in every case brought forward'tho Department's answer was complete. £he Minister wished to make this.pubic . because lio felfc that the statements reflected vory . unjustly upon va large body of estimablo womou most of whom , in taking tho children into their fami- ■ - lies ; were actuated by tho very highest motives, and in the'care of these children frequently osliibited an amount of devotion and self-sacriiico that is above, all .praise. Mr. Hanan added that ho was in accord with the view now coming into prominence all over the world that the of children in association witlTsysteras of charitable aid should . bo prohibited. : " Up to the present date '-thirty-four Wellington Tramway men are on military, leave from the Traffic Department, ;.; ■ niri6' from the> car shed,, and, four from. other, branches of the department. . Thirteen others havo enlisted. The prt- , ; sent:-contributiou. of tho City, Council to make up wages of men 'on active service is £1650. .'lf all tho men who havo registered for service ■ are . called ■up the - annual amount of payment by '.the:.council.will be £2550. ■ The Mayor remarked at the City Council last eveu- . iiig that the council- should permit' anyone who wished to serve, to do so. The cost of keeping un soldiers' salaries I would bo heavy, • but the citizens would ■ not object. ■ Word was received 111 Wellington last . . evening that tho wife of Captain Saw- ■ .vers, of the South Taranaki Steamship y Company's Kapiti, had. died at Wanga■i at p'.m; yesterday..' According to telegraphic advice received here the Kapiti left Wanganui for Welingtbh at 4.20 p.m. Aii: endeavour was made to .acquaint Captain Sawyers of the sad :; circumstance, but; tho effort .failed 'as . tho vpssel had put to sea.' it is uuder:l..7. stood .'that .Captain Sawyers left , his home yesterday afternoon the late Mrs. Sawyers, who had been, in indifferent health, appeared' to bo much better. . The tram service through Cuba Street was complained about by a deputation which, waited on tho Wellington City Council last evening. Mr. W. Allan, the chief of the deputationists, said that . i.the.present service ;was entirely'inadequate. Thirty-seven years ago," in the days of the horse trams, .there was a ten-minutes' service, and then the popu- ■ lation of the City was only 22,000. Busi'ness had been lost through changes in ; tho tram: time-tables, and the remedy. was more cars. A duplicate line should, ; ho said, bo put through Cuba Street, andcould be, because there was one in v Manners Street, which was no wider. The Mayor told, the deputation that the council would have the matter consider- :; ed, and suggested that a committee of ' the Cuba Street' 'business men .should 'confer.;.with corporation representatives on tho matter. ' 1 • A discussion which amounted almost 1 . to a consideration of the merits ofraf- .... fling for patriotic.; purposes .took .'place at the Wellington City Council meeting- ■ last evening. The council had received . a resolution' from, the - Taumaruinii' Patriotic Carnival Committee. as follows: —"That tho Government'be-asked not to enforce the Gaming and Lbtteries Act during the present crisis, so as to euable art unions'on-.a larger scale, and with a, wider scope of.prizes, ; to be held—always providing tho sanc- '. tion of the controlling 'body for patriotic funds bo obtained—and the pio- ' .ceeds from tie art unions are for patriotic purposes only." ' Tlie Council devoided not to; agree; with the Taumarumii • 'resolution. The only /opponents' of this decision were Councillors. J. Fuller, L. M'Kenzie, and, M.' Coun- ; cillor Luckie said it seemed -.remarkable for Wellington to object/to others dozing -for a patriotic object what. Wellington itself had already done. Coun--'cillor Fuller said'.that for Wellington to oppose Taumarunui now,, would bo •-hypocritical. V Private John Patrick Ahem (killed fin action) was the eldest eon of Mr. E. r Ahern, of Otaki. .He was born in Blen- ' heim, but went to Otaki when only two years of age, and had lived there'practically ever, since. "Ho was: twentyseven years 'jof ago. _ v One of his brothers, Hugh Ahern, is nowat the Dardanelles. Three other young men from' ■ Otaki—Private.. Ernest^.-Mason, ' aged nineteen, Private Georne A. Bowker . (son of Mr..|Georgo Bowker), ■ aged twenty-seven, late of the Otaki Dairy Company, and Private Pallia Bopata— aro also amongst , tho Now Zealanders ■ recently killed. , •A boy of eleven years of age appeared before Mr, D. G. A.- Cooper, S.M., in tho Juvenile Cburt yesterday, and oil a charge of breaking a number of, electrie, light insulators, was ordered' to receive six strokes of the birch. . k .By. a notice in this week's Gazette, a long list of additional diseases' have been tiddsd to thosG slicdulGd '"under tTis • Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, ' In connection with the recent false fire alarms in -tlie City, .a reward of £2 lias been made by t"ho City Council to'fhe person whose assistance greatly helped the detection of the offender. Tlie City Solicitor has been instructed to ... prepare an amendment,to the by-laws relating to false alarms of fire, so as to cover, telephone or other means of false information .of fires. At present the by-law is considered defective.