LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2581, 1 October 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A question by Dr. Newman as to the date on which tho new law providing for an extra stamp duty on chequcs would come into operation was replied, te iil the House yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Finance. It ■was expected,, he said, that the Finance Bill would' be signed by tlio Governor to-day, and all tlie new charges there authorised, unless specially provided for otherwise, would automatically come .into operation forth.'' The new stamp charge in regard to cheques would come into operation on November 1.

A complaint about the regulation that soldiers who have returned from the war sick or wounded, and who have received their discharges, must return their uniforms, was made in the House yesterday It is stated that (.lie question bad given rise to _ much feeling at Timaru. The Prime .Minister replied to tho complaint in tlio absence of" the Defence Minister. Mr. Massey said that ho was not awaro of the regulation, but he presumed that the rule was that when a' soldier was discharged ho ceased to lie a soldier, and therefore, strictly according to the regulations, ho was not entitled to wear a uniform. Ho wished to say, however, that our returned soldiers deserved to be treated well. Ho would represent tho matter to the Defence Minister, _ and it was possible that something might bo done to meet tho difficulty.

About 7 o'clock last- evening a motorshed, owned by and adjoining the residence of Mr. James J. Burke, on tho Belmont Road, .near' Lower Hutt, was destroyed by fire. A five-soater car was boing attended to by Mr. Burke, and while ho was filling the benzine tank it is thought that the fumes ignited from a lamp which was near. Hie car was destroyed, and tho total damage is estimated* at £250. The owner of the car sustained burns about • the hands aud legs. Finance Ims been a- subject of concern to the Wellington Racing Club, since it handed'over the buildings to the military authorities in the winter. Referring to the matter at tho annual meeting last night, the chairman (Mr. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse) said: "I need not tell you that as a result of the occupation of the courso by the military authorities, our finances have been, sadly knocked about. We-have, however u the satisfaction of knowing that the .Wellington Racing Club has made, directly and indirectly, I think tho second largest contribution to' the- War Fund of any public or private body so far as I know."-

The balancorsheet of the assault-at-arms recently held at Newtown Park was not discussed-at the City Council last evening, but at one point in the evening's deliberations it was briefly 'mentioned. Tho question of charging tho society £20 Bs.'for damage to Newtown Park on tho occasion of the assault was under consideration, and Councillor Frost remarked: "If the Patriotic Society had kept the charges down to the same extent as we did, they would have been all right." Another councillor:' "Hear, hear! There would not have been £75 for motorcars." It was inoved by the Mayor at the City Council last evening that provision should be made in tho tramway estimates "for next year for the extension of the Wallace Street tramway, to Hutcheson- Road; . The estimated cost is £1500. Some of tho councillors said that thoy would like further information on the matter, and tho proposal was deferred. .. : . ' New tip-up seats are to bo installed in the Town Hall gallery.

The programme of the examination for elementary 'kindergarten certificates proposed to be granted under the authority of the Minister of Education to student teachers of kindergarten schools who desire to obtain a diploma for such work is set-out in this_ week's Gazette. The examination will be in the following subjects: (1) Knowledge of child nature (including the elements of hygiene and psychology); (2) nature knowledge; (3) kindergarten principles; (4) kindergarten- practice; (5) class teaching; (6) educational handwork; (7) blackboard drawing; (8). singing. The examinations are to bo held partly in the month of November or December, 1015, and partly in January, 1916, at the four centres.; Candidates before admission to examination for the certificate must (a) have passed the intermediate examination or its. equivalent, or have gdiuedi an intermediate certificate; and (b) have complefecl a course of two years' service and training in a kindergarten School or schools under the direction of one of the recognised kindergarten associations of the Dominion, or have completed a service and training of similar extent and character fo .tho satisfaction of the Director of Education. . . '

Many curious things rtaay be effected by Act of Parliament, but for unconscious humour the Gazette notice which transforms. a native to a European by ,a 'scrape of tho' pen, is difficult .to equal. The current week's Gazette publishes a notice to the effect that tho Governor, by an Order-in-Council, has declared a native (Hcnr.v Pokiha Asher, of Tauranga) to ■be a European.

Tho Resorves C-ommitteo of tho City Council has forwarded an account for £20 Bs. 4d. to the New Zealand Patriotic Society ("Wellington branch), being the accualcost of repairing the damago caused to Newtown Park by tho society's assault-at-arms held on September 4. Tho society guaranteed repairs up to £20.-

Tho vital statistics for Masterton for the month of September were as follow -Births, 22; marriages, 4; deaths, 12. For the .first nine months of the year the registrations were: Births, 192 j marriages. 62; deaths, 58., ■

Tho Masterton Lawn Tennis Club lias decided to hold its annual tournament next year, tho proceeds to be devoted .to the patriotic funds.. In order to afford facilities for tho men in camp at Trentlinm, the Wellington . Amateur Operatic Society has decided to admit soldiers is uniform to ','Les Cloches de Corncville" at tlio Grant! Opera Botiso to-night and tonioiTow iiicclifc at half-price. All profits go to tlio Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The Corporation authorities are about to make £200 worth of rflterntions and improvements to tho doors, exits, etc., in the Town Hall and Concert Chamber, in order to make tho buildinp: comply with tho regulations for licensing halls. Tlio ! City CquncH lias refused a request for a reduction in the rental charged for the Town Hall for tho Alice Parkinson Protest meeting. During tlio quarter ended yesterday there were fifty births and fifteen deaths in Petone. Chevrolet, a. handsome, powerful car, equipped cvcl 7 accessory of proven duality, and bearing; the hall-mark of Btreiigth, trustworthiness, and durability Your , inspection of the latest modal —self-starting, of course—is invited bv the Dominions Motor Vehicles, Ltd., G5 Courtenay Place, who will be pleased to demonstrate to you the superior qualities of tho Chevrolet car—Advt. .

■ HnrO the young men in mercantile pursuits a dteiro to wear email, good-wearing footwear? Then, the advice is, iaspect boots priced at 19*. 6d., 225. (id., 2ts. 6d., with Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.— Advt. , j

An excellent inducement for the New Zealand-born to bejome members of the' New Zealand Natives' Association exists in the arrangement the committee has made entitling members to receive extra disoounts off their trading accounts, and the association has issued to each member a neat little card containing the names of the firms who liavo made such concessions, embodiod in which is a cer« tifieato of membership. Twelve bankruptcies have- been recorded in Wellington thj? year as compared with nine during the corresponding period of last year. One bankruptcy was registered during the month ended to-day. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) desires •to acknowledge tho receipt of a cheque for £10 from Lady Kelburn, and £2 2s. from Mr. J. H. Helliwell towards the No. 2 Hospital Ship Fund. • Since the outhreak of the war up till March 31 last, 31 employees of the Tramways Department joined the Expeditionary Forces. In all those casesthe Corporation is allowing the men the difference between active-service pay and the amount they were earning prior to joining the Force. According to the annual report of the tramways manager (Mr. W. H. Morton) only one tramway accident during the year terminated fatally. In that case tho Coroner gave a verdict of "accidental death."

Still more picture theatres! Last evening the City Council dccitletl that nil application for permission to erect a continuous picture theatre in Manners Street should not bo granted, as tho proposal did not comply with regulations of the by-law, and also in viow of an adverse report from the City Engineer. Tho Selwyn Football Club held its annual smoke concert last evening, Mr. D. Weir, president of the Rugby Union, presiding. There were SO members present. Presentations were made to the following members of. the club: Most improved player in the senior fifteen, Mr. N. M'Phee; fourth team, Mr. S. H. Bramley best forward, and Mr. L. Roberts best back; fiftlr team, "Ir. G. Pegley (captain) be6t back, Mr. J.'A. Stick most improved backhand Mr. J. Smith best forward. Trophies wore also presented to .Messrs. Trotter and Haigh in tho fifth team for being' tho next best forwards. Musical items were given by Messrs. 'Miller,, S. Don, M'Phee, M'Carthy, Gnlvin, Dick, Boon, and Cooper. At a meeting of the Kurow Jockey Club held last Saturday it was unanimously decided to give the■-whole of the profits of the Spring Meeting to the .Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

Tho Prime Minister was asked in the House yesterday by Mr; Isitfc if lie was acquainted with the verdict of the Compensation Court- in regard to the While Island claims, that the claims could not be allowed because there, was not sufficient evidence as to tho manner in which the men met their death. Mr. Isitt though it was a matter that demanded tho. attention of the Government. Mr. Massey said t-ljat it appeared to bo a legal question, and ho did not see that t'he Government could take, any action in tho matter. ' He would have inquiries made, however.

A telegram signed by a number of Auckland residents interested in education or labour, or both, «sking that the Government place upon tho Estimates a grant of £300 towards the Workers' Educational Association was read in tho House of Representatives yesterday afternon by Mr. J. Payne. The Minister of Education, the Hon. J. A. Hanan, said that recognising tho valuable work of the association, he was favourably disposed towards the proposal. Tho grant, howovcr, would depend entirely upon the available finances.;

At 7.50 o'clock this evening a special parado of the ammunition column of the National Reserve will lie held at the i K Shed (first shedon the left after pass-, i ing Cable's old foundry ' in Custoiiihouse Quay), when the. "Last Post" will be ! sounded in memory of the late Captain Wilkinson, who died from wounds received in the Dardanelles. ' The late Captain Wilkinson was a, most capable and popular officer. He was an old Otago High School Boy, and the ammunition column, which was founded by the Old Otago High .School Boys,.invites the late Captain Wilkinson's friends, or others who may wish to attend, to be present,at the parade. Tlie following are tho results of the reccnt Trinity College, London, examinations held by the visiting examiner, Mr. S. Mye'rscough, at the Convent of the Institute de Notre Dame des Missions, Petone -.—Associate diploma (practical, to be completed by written work), Mary Bolton, 72; senior division, Erlynno Morris, 69 (pass); intermediate, Leon© Wright, 80 (honours); preparatory, Esine Cato 85 (honours), Christine Lacey 83 (honours). The examiner expressed his satisfaction with the work and the results obtained. At tho annual smoke concert, of the Selwyn Football Club last evening it was j announced that 31 members had gono to the front with Nev." Zealand s Expeditionary Forces.' Of that number six had been killed in action and four wounded. Included amongst those killed was Mr. J. G. Faulkner, who was an old secretary and a permanent member, of the club. . In a. letter from Gallinoli, Sapper E. G. Scrimshaw writes brightly of life at the front." The letter is to I'ieuteaand it savs tuat life out iiere is very enjoyable.' -V',., r/', tlo dug-outs, which are just like little houses to live in. "Wo are.'_ getting very good meals," and everything is first-class.- ' The distance between the trenches in most places is between 300 yds. and 400 yds., but at one point they are not thirty yards apart, and tho boys liavo great fun in exchanging hand-grenades. Our company has had very few casualties, especially for the dangerous work we have been doing. We are nearlv always in front ot the firing-line, and the bullets do sing over our heads. Some of the shells make vorv good music, too. We arc so used to* it now that- we crack jokes about them, as they hit a parapet oF the sap and cover us with dirt. _ 1' don't know how I have dodged the shrapnel that has landed around mo. Sapper i Scrimshaw is a South Canto.-,-burv boy. He is only nineteen years of a<'e, and has been awarded the D.C.M. siiice the letter was written. .

Tbo Tramway Employees' Union is to be informed by tho Gity Council, in reply to. its request' for an increase of wage's to night-shift men and trackmen, that the council cannot see its way to depart from • tho - ternis of the existing agreement. These days the war figvros in tho annual meeting of almost every society. At the annual meeting of tho Accountants'. Society it made its appearance, and the society .resolved: "We, as members of tho New Zea'and Society of Accountants desiro to record our unbounded admiration of tho heroism displayed by tho New Zealand Forces at tho Dardanelles, our sorrow at tlio heavy loss of life, our deep sympathy with bereaved relatives, and with tho wounded, and our earnest hopo that the Empire and the world may soon be enjoying the blessings of a permanent peace.