LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3027, 14 March 1917, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The National Efficiency Board will moot again in Wellington as a body on March 20. Since their last meeting they have boon busy in the country preparing their organisation. Recommendations aro beforo the Government tor the appointment of several more local boards of trustees, but those have not yet been approved by Cabinet.

When tho appeals of threo Roman Catholic clergymen camo before the Military Service Board yesterday, Mr. W. H. S. Moorhouso, tho chairman of the board, addressing Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who appeared for tho appellants, said Do regretted that Jfrclibisliop O'Shea was not present, as bo wished to question him regarding certain statements lie was reported to bavo made during tho courso of a sormon delivered on February 25. Continuing, Mr. Moorhouso said: "As a board we expect to be subject to uncharitable criticism by the ungodly, but wo did not expect such criticism from so high an authority of a Christian Church."

Travelling in a train to Wellington tho other day, some people observed a man to bo in distress. 'I'hoy inquired if they could do anything for him. "No," ho said, "you can do nothing for me. I havo lost my five sons at tho war, and I. am just coming back from putting my wife in an asylum." A wool-buyer appeared before the Military Service Board yesterday, and ploaded strongly for an extension, of time so that ho might complete tho business he had in hand. "Honestly," observed the appellant, "I cajinofc possibly go into camp so soon." Tho board agroed that appellant's caso wae a hard ono, and advised him as to tho propor authorities to whom to refer Us appeal.

•'lf it is in the hands of intelligent, broad-mindod men, who know the world, 1 think a consorsbip of films is tlio right and propor thing," said Mr. Alee. Lorimoro, representative in Australasia, for tho Famous Players— Lasky aud Artcraffcs Picture Corporations, to a Dominion reporter yosterday. "In tlio hands of a singlo man with prejudices, as was tlio caso up till recently in Sydney, it did not turn out to be a fair thing, but tho powers aro now vested in a board of throe in Melbourne, who act for tlio Commonwealth Government, and aro said to be men of the right sort. I, know of some producing firms who luivo ruined thomselvcs and somo of their clients by making pictures that had objectionable features. It doosn't pay a firm io make tbom, and it doesn't pay a theatre to show them —in tlio longrun." Mr. Tiorimoro said, in reply to a question, that lie did not know- of any special theatres for children in America, but special programmes for children were often submitted during tho mornings at Komo of tho theatres in the States. A company tried to start a voguo for pictures acted solely by children, but. they did not appeal to the adult mind, and were discontinued.

As indicated a few days ago, there is need for householders to exercise economy in til* use of water at present. Yesterday tho water in the Morton Dam was fourteen feet below tho level of the overflow, and as day succeeds day, without any accession to tho supply, tho level must fall more rapidly as tho area of water in. tho big dam shrinks. In other parts of tho Dominion, notably in the north, thero havo .boon copious downpours, until floods have resulted in senous damage being done, but Wellington, has enjoyed a glorious but vory dry three months, and the dams aro feeling the drain in a way there is no misunderstanding. If such a state of affairs as exists at present prevailed in the middle of January there would be serious cause for anxiety, but with March well advanced a break should occur in tho woathor at any time. This has threatened now for tho past threo days, but the promise lias always been nipped in the bud, so that the need for economy actually exists, and should bo rigidly practised meantime.

Four Catholic priests in the Wellington and Hawke's Bay Recruiting Districts alone have been drawn in the fifth ballot:—Rev. Fathers Patrick Joseph Smyta, Wellington; Francis Lynch Dignan, Napier; James Joseph Fraher, Hastings; and Patrick Fmnertyy Neivtown.

James Coker, a middle-aged man, residing at No. 1 Edgehill, was admitted to tho Hospital yesterday suffering from injuries to his rbs. It appears that while working on the Railway Wharf Cokor was crushed between a crane and a railway truck. His condition last night was reported! not to be serious.

The Waipa Coiuity Council carried- a resolution yesterday recommending that all single men up to 50 years of ago be called up for military service before tho Second Division men are called.—Press Association.

According to a Press Association telegram from Sydney last evening, a fire destroyed fifteen business premises at Narrabean. The damage is estimated at £40,000.

After 18 mouths' service in Egypt and England, Surgeon-Captain P. T. Putnam, of Palmerston North Hospital, has returned. In an interview, ho said that ono of tho most astounding features of war had been Hie exceedingly small death-rate from disease, m comparison with previous wars, this boing duo to the great advance in preyentivo medicine and bettor organisation of sanitation in the camps. Dr. Putnam paid a great tribute to tho Tork of tho nurses. He said he thought that next lo Iho men lighting in tho front line, tho most deserving of credit are the stretcher-bearers and .the hospital aursoa.

Tlio ravages of tlio kea linvo been so bad this .your throughout North Canterbury that some of tho high conntry stations are taking unprecedented steps to moot tlio trouble.' Not only has the price per head been more than doubled, and guns lent and ammunition supplied free, but permission lias been given to shoot at birds hovering over or settled amongst sheop paddocks for tlio nighfc. No greater evidence could bo asked of the serious nature of the damage- done than that on tho chance of killing one bird a sheep-owner is willing to risk the lives of animals worth perhaps 3os. each.

itev. Father Murphy, speaking at the three masses ut tit. Patrick's Catkedral, Auckland, referred to the attacks now being niado on tho head of the Catholic Onurch by certain individuals who, lie said, were aiming at. stirring up sectarian strife in the community. ''How can Catholic people," lie asked,, "patiently boar this mudsliugmg at the revered head of the Church, the more especially when they remember that their kith and kin are laying down their lives in defence of the iimpiro and sheltering from harm those wiio aro basely slandering all that Catholics hold most sacred! . It is high time that those responsible for tho peace ot : tho country took action, for although the these pamphleteers and lecturers are mere nonentities and unworthy ol' uotico ;it ordinary times, just now tension is very strained, and there are some who may be led to placo crcdenco on these outrageous statements, and thereby sec'tarianism be rouseu, and who will gauge the consequences?"

A motor-lorry which travels between Opunake aud New i'lymouth collided with the new concrete bridge erected by the council uear tho Onua lioad. Such was the impact tliat the whole side oil' the structure- tumbled into the creek below.

Councillor Welch reported at yesterday's meeting of tho Hutt County Council that a deputation waited on Mr. J. P. Luke (Mayor of Wellington) in connection with the Day's Bay water supply and drainage scliemo two weeks ago. Mr. Luke informed tho deputation that nothing further couJd be done in this matter until special legislation dealing with the scheme was passed. ' Mr. Alec. Lorimore, representing the Famous Players Lasky Jl'imi Corporations in Australasia, who is visiting Wellington at present, said ho was connected ivitli .the Steffanssun Arctic picture.in New York. Ho conceived tho idea that the _ picture would be strengthened if one of the survivors could bo got to lecture with it. So_ he sought out Bartlett (the man who saved his follows from perishing when they were left marooned on tho island), aud found him to bo tho most modest and retiring man in tho world. Bartlett would not admit for ono second that ho had dono anything heroic, and positively shuddered at tho suggestion that lio should talk about it. Ho thought it would be degrading and lowering in tho oxtreine. "I don't believe Bartletl had any money," said Mr. Lorimore. "I'm sure he could not havo been earning more than twenty dollars a week, and I offered him a 'hundred dollars to mako a few brief descriptivo' remarks. Ho would not hear of it at all, and thought that what he had dono •was not nearly so hazardous a. feat as driving a motor-car down Broadway."

In tho Chamber of Commerce hall ] yesterday, Mr. S. Georgo Nathan, mi-1 der instructions J'rom tho trustees in tho estate of tho late Mr. Jacob Joseph, offered at auction tho freehold proporty I on Lambton Quay known as tlio Na- I tional Hotel, togothor with tho liceuso. j Bidding started at £14,000, .and rose I to £16,250, at which figuro tho property j was withdrawn. Negotiations with u viow to a private sale aro now proceeding. Ac the inquest lield by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., concerning the death of John Tait Craig on Sunday last, a vordiot whs returned that deceased mot hia death accidentally through falling from a window of his house. Tho evidonco showed that deceased wassixtyoight years of age, and subject to heart troublo and fits of giddiness. Tho circuit sessions of tho Supreme Court open at Masterton on Monday next. . There is a clean sheet so far as tho criminal calendar is concerned, out several civil actions and l appeals arc sot down for hearing. Very little interest is heing manifested in Masterton in the municipal elections (says our special' correspondent). It is anticipated that the present Mayor (Mr. J. M. Coradino) will bo returned without opposition. Ninoty-ono men, includmg Invcrcargill and Oamaru quotas, left Dunedin tor Trontbam yesterday to supplement tho Twonty-seventh Reinforcements. Au old sottler of the Wair&rapa district in tho porson of Mr. Henry Mutrio, aged. 56, died suddenly yesterday morning, says our Masterton correspondent. At tho inquest a verdict was returnod of death from heart disease. By a strange coincidence, a. brother of the deceased (John Mutrie) died in a similar manner a few weeks ago. Of fifty-one mon who presented themselves for examination before tho Military Medical Board in Masterton last week, only eighteen wore passed as fit for service. A' class in agricultural chemistry is being started at the Masterton Technical School. Tho first frost of the season is reported from Ohristchurch. Tho other night a sharp frost played havoc with tomatoes and marrows, and a Urge growor reported that half his crop of tomatoes was affected and l would probably bo spoiled.

An ofForfc is being made to establish the fruit industry on Banks Peninsula as part of the scheme for assisting returned soldiers. Many years ago Akaroa exported considerable quantities of fruit to southern markets, but the advent of the modern orchard pests and the cancellation of a regular service by cargo carriers to Dunemn put an end to that trade. Akaroa and the Peninsula generally, hotsver, still produce apples and stone fruit of excellent quality.

The area of land leased from Maoris in New Zealand is 2,020,410 acres. Hawkc's Bay heads the list with 733,273 i acres.

Writing homo, a lieutenant of the N.Z.8.F., comments: "The Ordnance Stores have treated us rather badly in tiie matter of equipment. When we received our £25 allowance we wero told quite clearly that a revolver, a compass, and a pair of glasses would be issued to us in England fiee. As it is, the value of these three items —£3 3s. for a revolver, £2 15s. for a compass, and £G 6s. for glasses—has beon entered uy in our pay-books, and we cannot draw pay until the full amount is wiped off. ;\fter the- war, or in tho case of our losing thorn in action, tho money is to bo refunded. That is all very well, but in the meantime it is oxtremely unfortunate for an officer who has made an allotnient. Ono officer in particular is only drawing 3s. a day, so it will be eleven and a half ■weeks before he has paid for his equipment and can expect to draw any money. There is a rcovainont on foot to liavo so much money deducted every week instead of deducting tliß whole amount—£l2 4s.—all at once."

' A rather peculiar marine specimen was washed up on the Sumner Beach tho other morning. It consisted' of a living mass about two yards loug and eighteen inches across, comprising hundreds of circular bodies, varying . in length up to about eight inches. The head of each was enclosed in a shelllike formation, and there was a bunch of hair at the end. Bach individual piece was sensitive to touch, and kept moving continuously. Numbers of old j residents and frequenters, of tho beach ; viewed the specimen, but none remem- | bsred having seen anything like it beI fore, and its identity remains a mystery.

The New Zealand Natives' Association Band will play at tho Basin Reserve at S o'clock this evening.

The Commandant of Trentham Camp acknowledges receipt of ono telescope presented to the officer commanding the Twenty-third Reinforcements by Mr. H. M'Lcod, Wellington. The telescope has been handed to Major AY. H. Meddlings N.Z.C.S.