LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3002, 13 February 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Gazette cntaining the names of the men drawn in the ballot last week will bo issued this morning. The telegrams informing the men directly concerned of thoir selection for service have been dispatched during the last twentyfour hours, and these telegrams will be followed at onco by the official letters. '

Tho Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, stated yesterday that it had been determined that ail passports that had been issued to women to travel to tho United Kingdom should be cancelled. This was now being done.

The Railway Rolling Stock Commission commenced its sittings at Wanganui yesterday. Tho evidence of local inspectors showed that rolling stock was never in a better condition.—Press Association.

Gisborne's "splendid" isolation has hcen tho tliome of many a traveller's talc, but from present indications (says a Press Association telegram received last evening) local residents aro likely to suffer from an overdose of isolation as a result jf vessels boipg held up at other ports in consequent of the waterside disputes. As far as can be seen at present there is no possibility of- a steamer either from Auckkr.d or Napier until next week. There is already a noticeablo shortage of flour, sugar, and potatoes owing to vessels carrying on their cargo last week, but tho position is not regarded as serious. In tho meantime mails are seriously disorganised, but business people are.using tho telegraph.

A Press Association telegram from Wanganui states that John Clark, a member of the Twenty-3econd Reinforcements, who was remanded for sentence at tho Supreme Couxji on a charge of the theft of £22 at Taihape, escaped from the local lock-up and is still at largo.

At last ovoning's meeting of the Petnno Borough Council tho draft of a by-law was submitted limiting tho speed of traffic in the borough as follows:—To 15 milos per hour in the narrower stroots (including Jackson Street), 20 iu tho wider streets, as per schedule, 8 at intersections, and 6 round corners. Tho adoption of the proposed by-law or somo. modification of it will take place later.

Wrong thinking caused tho wnr, and only right thinking can bring it to :in early finish, consequently Wellington grocors aro to bo commended for giving the "Thinker" Note-book free with ovary la. package of "No Rubbing" laundry Help.—Advi,

Tbc manufacturo of pig iron from irousaud will bo commenced early iu March at tho works now in course of erection at Moturoa. by the New Zealand Iron Ore, Smelting, and Manufacturing Company (says an exchange). Tho works consist chielly of a magnetic separator, which separates tho iron from the saud; a coal disintegrator, which pulverises the coal; a mixer, whero the coal-dust and irousand arc mixed with a solution; retorts, whore the coal and iron arc made into coke; and tho furnace, wliore the coal is burnt and the molten metal is drawu _ off into pigs ready for use. The various portions of the plant Bre excellently arranged, and tho best advantage is taken of tho law of gravitation. A branch line connects tho works, which lie within easy distance of tho breakwater wharf, with tho Government railway lino.

A very important issue was raised at the sitting of tho Second Otago Military Servico Board at Goro. A young man who had been called up appealed on the ground that his services wererequired to mauage his father's run near Pembroke. Tho chairman (Mr. Day) 6aid that, in cases like 'tliis tho Government should have power to compel men who bad retired from similar occupations to take up tho running for those who had to go, and also to utilise the services of mon who had been passed as St for home service By pasing legislation it could commandeer the services of everybody in tho country. This caso only emphasised what, tho board had been considering in connection with a number of small farmers who had been drawn, and who pleaded that they could not got anybody to look after their farms. Thero wero a number of retired farmers in the country who wero unable to go to tho front, and who, by' giving up a littlo of their leisure, could take tho nlaco of younaer men who .wero compelled to go. Tho appeal was dismissed. The Industrial Efficiency Board has been provided with permanent offices in tho building on "Wellington Terrace that was formerly the rosideuco of tho lata Mr. W. H. Quick. Tho rooms are now being furnished and adapted for their new uses, and tho board' will hold its fii'Bt mooting thero to-day. A complimentary luncheon is to bo tondered to Sir Ernest Shackleton aud the members of his party by the Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association in tho club rooms at 1 p.m. to-day.

A pathetic littlo group appeared before Mr. L. G. Reici, S.M., in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. ?jIS central figure was a woman, wlip horo in her arms ■ a tiny infant, and was accompanied by her husband, who is hlind. She was charged with stealing £5, tho property of a person who had employed her to clean out certain premises. She pleaded guilty at tho time of committing the offence, Inspector Hondrey stated, tho woman had a hoy seven or oight years of age lying iii_ "hospital dangerously ill, and in addition sho was just about to give birth to tho little child that she had with her in Court. Her condition was not known when the information was laid;. . . "I should like to submit that this is a case whero leniency should be shown," ' said the accused's husband to His Worship. His Worship agreed that it was such a case, and ordered the woman to como up for senteneo when called upon. He further ordered her to pay to the informant the sum of 35., this being the only part of the stolen money that had not been returned. The whole of tho light refreshment rooms in Masterton were closed on Sunday (says our special correspondent) pending the decision of the Wellington Magistrate in respect to a city prosecution.

A very line rain occurred in tho Wairarapa on Sunday night. It will go a long way towards relieving the anxiety of farmers (says our Mastorton correspondent). The gauge in Mastorton registered 1 inch 10 points. Impressive services were conducted on Sunday in tho Salvation Army Citadel, Vivian Street, by Commissioner Hodder, who was assisted by the Chief Secretary (Colonel M'lnnes), tho occasion being tho farewell of four officers, who will procoed in a day or two to China on mission work. The names of the officers aro Captains Wilkinson, Smith, and Andrews, also Adjutant Newton, all being capable women workers in the Army in New Zealand. Commissioner Hodder, who has spent seven years in Japan, being at that time in charge of the! work there, gave during the courso of tho day two missionary addresses to large audiences. .It is understood that General Booth is, just commencing his work in China. Hitherto tho efforts have been confined to Hong Kong, but opportunities havo arisen which aro now being taken hold of, and by April 1 officers from all parts of the Army (tho four who aro leaving this week being New Zealand's quota) will meet in Peking, where they'will settlo down to a study of tho language and customs preparatory to tho work of teaching, social uplifting, and conversion of the Chinese. For the further benefit of New Zealand soldiers passing through 'Cape Town, Commissioner Hodder has cabled Commissioner Eadie, the Salvation Army's representative in South Africa, tho sum of £50. Many letters have been received expressing gratitude for the kindness and attention shown to our men by the Salvation Army at Capo' Town.

The air yesterday was distinctly fresh, tho wind coming up in a strong breeze from tho south. Toward tho latter part of tbo afternoon tho wind died down to a flat calm in tho harbour, and the temperature-perceptibly softened. A chilly nilit followed. Tho official weather report states that ram has fallo uin many parts of tho country. Cooler weather is to bo expected, with high winds veering from west to southwest, and showery conditions. At the typographical conforenco a union representative stated that if workors and employers conferred together they could combiuo to clear away tho disabilities which proprietors experience in meeting unfair competition/and thus by organisation make it possible for tho employers to concede better conditions to employees. _It was suggested that an intermediate body should be set up in connection with each trade, consisting of representatives from both sides, to negotiate such matters as they arise, and to consider any special conditions arising that might necessitate modification of any existing agreement. During an interval in tho business of tho Magistrate's Coyrt yesterday, Mr. T. M. Wilfoi'd, on behalf of tho feajal profession of Wellington, paid a tribute to the work done by Inspector Kendrcy during the time ho has been stationed in the city. Ho said that the inspector, who is leaving for Wanganni, had earned tho respect and esteem of every member of tho profession who had been associated with him. Inspector Hendrey was not a man one could quarrel with. Ho had none of that aggressiveness that- made inauy a Court a bear garden. A thorough knowledge of criminal law and an unfailing courtesy wero other characteristics which ho possessed. Mr. "Wilford concluded by wishing the inspector evory. success. Mr. L. G. Roid, S.M., who was outhp Bench, also voiced his appreciation' of Mr. Hendrey's qualities. "I havo_ been struck," ho said, "not only with his ability, but also with his extreme fairness." Tho inspector's reply consisted of an expression of thanks and tho plain assertion that ho had endeavoured to do his dnty. In tho afternoon he was the recipient of a case of pipes for himsolf and a tea servioe for \Mrs. Hendrey from the officers and men at lambto? SUtioni

A middle-aged man named Lambert was working a derrick on a coal boat yesterday morning, when a falling basket of coal struck his shoulder and broko it. Ho was removed to the' hospital.

Tho exploring ship Aurora, is discharging stores and collections, and later will bo thrown open for public inspection for a fow days. Tho ship brought back skins of seals and penguins and other specimens collected by the scientific staff, of tho expedition, and also a large quantity of'stores, provision having been mado possibility of the vessel having to spend a season in the Ross Sea. A small chargo is to ho mado for admission to tho' Aurora when she is opened for inspection, the proceeds being set asido for tho widow of Captain Macintosh, who lost his lifo in M'Murdo Sound. Tho "Rev. S. FioKimg, of St. Matthias's Church, l'addiiigton, Sydney, has received a letter from Ids sou, Lieut. M. U. Fielding, referring to the death of Captain AVyatt Rawson, son 'of tho lato Sir Harry Rawson, who was an officer in tho Bucks Light Infantry. Liout. Fielding and tho late- Captain Rawson wore in tho same company, and participants in the action which ended

fatally for Captain Rawson. Lieut. Fielding writes:—"Wo havo boon in, and arc not out of, tho big show—at least tho surviving remnant of us are. Wo really bad' a had time- holding on to a very difficult position for five days. I. cannot tell you -much about things, but I gathered 120 men and three officers, all that remained of "the regiment, aud formed a defensive flank on the Te-fl. Wo had just simply to stick it out. This, too, after wo had fought a retreating bombiug action down tranches up to our waist in mud for. over thrco hours. Our casualties, of course, wcro very heavy. Poor old Rawson was killed coining to, visit nic, and only four of tho regimental officers who wont into action camo out. I was blown up twice by shell-concussion, and am onTy just beginning to get back my normal thinking powers."

Yesterday for the second time the Third Wellington Military Appeal Board was advised to send to the front the idlers beforo calling on men who are needed horc. The matter*, is beyond tho scopo of tho board. Tlio first to bring tho mattor up was a mother whoso sou was drawn in the ballot. Yesterday Mr. William, Cable, foundry proprietor, appearing in support of a boilermakor, urged! that unskilled 1 men should go beforo the trained and the skilled. The racecourse men and tho street loafers should bo got in first. Alderman Griffin, at the meeting of tho Sydnoy Water and Sowerago Board on January 1, called attention to a paragraph in tho "Syduey Morning Herald" with regard to notices at Cordeaux dam, such as "Go slow," and "If you work hard you will die soon. ThoySvero endeavouring, said Alderman Griffin, to increase the water storage capacity for tho supply of Sydney, and nothing should bo allowed to interfere with the making of the Cordeaux dam. He thought that tho board should notify tho Works Department, and also, if possible, tho police and the shires in the district concerned. The president (Mr. Milner) said tho Department knew all about it. But what could be done? Tho practice could not be stopped. If men carved notices on the trees what could be done? He thought harm was done by giving the matter publicity. The sooner they put a blanket over it the better. The subject then dropped.

No restrictions against women and children travelling by sea to other Ijhan what are known as the danger zones aro being enforced by the Commonwealth Government.. People may travel from Australia to New Zealand and to America and other places as long as the routes aro not by way of these zones. So far the restrictions only apply to journeys to British and European ports. The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr. Bamford) has stated that he hadrecei'ved a great many applications since the restrictions were imposed from women who were desirous of travelling with or without children to Great Britain. Ho has, however, had to refuse these requests., and ha wishes it to be understood that passports will be issued only on the most urgent grounds.

The manager of the Returned Soldiers' Club has received from tlio J. C. Williamson Co. about 100 free tickets for "Damaged Goods" for the use of the members of the club.