LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3032, 20 March 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"The view I think we may have to take is that the war is of greater importance than house-building," observed the chairman of the third Wellington Military Board yesterday. The remark was provoked by appeals in behalf of plumbers. The chairman said that if necessary the building of houses should bo required to cease.

Reports late last night wore to the effect that John Dorno, the convict who escaped from the Mount Cook prison on Saturday, had not been traced. He was believed yesterday morning to be in hiding in Karori Park, but a search of the locality failed to bring about his recapture.

"I know a woman who spends as much on one hat as I would tpend on hats in five years," said Mr. L. A. Edwards, ill discussing at yesterday's meeting of the Central Chamber of Commerce the question of restricting the importation of non-essentials.

Hitherto the Defence Department have imposed a limit on tho payment of allowances in respect of the children of soldiers on active service. Tho allowance of Gs. 3d. per week per child has not been paid in respect of more than five children. It has now been decided to remove this restriction. It should bo noted that thero is another rule under which the Department refuse to accept the services of any voluntary recruit who has more than three children. The abolition of the restriction will affect only those men with largo families whe. enlisted before tho Department decided not to accept as recruits Kan with more than threo children, and those members of tho First Division who havo married widows with families. Altogether tho number of men affected is probably small. The consul in Wellington for France (Mr. JaruvS Macintosh) hy.s forwarded lo this n"ico a circular announcing tlin Lyons I'air, an official exhibition of inauin":ie-.,nrcrs lo 'nave Leon held in th« French oity from March 1 to March 15. It is iir.yossibla for New Zealand manufacturers or merchants to show at the fair this year, but there will be other I years. 1 his fair has been promoted

in ■~;,.-• !■ .- fila.-o oi the trr?J- German I'iiir hi l/nipsii:, whii.-i) uonlributed lo the commercial development of the enemy. Tho first Lyons Fair ttas held laefi eorisg.-

At the Auckland sitting of the Conciliation Council yesterday, a complaint was made of State competition in tho timber trado. A resolution waa carried unanimously requesting the Government to appoint a Royal Commission, of Inquiry.

The Commonwealth Dofonce Minister (Senator Pearce) has announced that men willing to undergo surgical operations to enable them to enlist will be sent to military hospitals.—Press Aesn.

"If cleanliness is next to Godliness, the plumbers should come nes-t to the priests," observed Mr. J. S. Barton, when appearing for a plumber at the Military Appeal Board yesterday.

A meeting of the National Kmeicucy Board will be held in Wellington todav.

As, owing to the war, the Eastbourne Borough Council has been unable to raise the loan, of £12,000, authorised by the ratepayers in 1015 in connection, with waterworks, steps aro to bo taken to endeavour to prevent the authority from lapsing. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Kelly) has been authorised to take tho necessary action.

"When the National Efficiency Board gets into operation, we are going to see big things happen," remarked Air. ] Watkins at the Wellington Industrial Association last evening. "Industries, or parts oE industries, may V>o considered non-essential, and it "is hard to say whore the ramifications of those industries run. It is quite time tho association took a proper interest in the board. There is no doubt wo have to give it most loyal support, but the interests of our employees and ourselves have to bo looked to."

A copy of a printed account of tlio proceedings on an occasion when the two New Zealand Ministers now in England visited the Now Zealand War Contingent Association has been sent to this office with the compliments of ■Us association. A very clear and complete account of tho aims and objects of the association, and of the very cxceliont work which it has been able to do for our soldiers in England was given by Lord Plunket, chairman of the Executive Committee, and tho two visitors oppressed the gvatitudo of tho Dominion to the ladies and gentlemen in England who' have remembered their erstwhile acquaintance with this country in such a splendid manner.

At a meeting of the Pliminerlon Progressive Association on Saturday, refcreaoa was mado to tho rejection of the proposal to raise a loan of £1000 for ctroet improvement. Tho association deems itself responsible for tho adverse 7ote, its active hostility boiug based on tie contention that the raising.oi money for a work of relatively minor importance would jeopardise the scheme now being advocated for a water supply, the necessity for -which has been accentuated by the prevailing dry spoil.

A statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with the Belgian Christmas Fair, held at Kilbirme Park on December Jo and 16, has been prepared. Tho receipts totalled £243 U. Kilbirnio is credited with £1021, Ha : toifcai £M, Roseueath £92, Maranui £92, Mirainar £"80, and Seatoun £79. The tea kiosk yielded £31, the mock court £17, concerts £7 145., donkey rides £2 18s., and motor rides 12k. 7d. The contributions wero:—Dominion Relief Fund, £600; .H. Beßiichamp, £1 Is.; and G. E. Leigliton, £5 ss. The oxpenses totalled £107 10s. 2d, The Bum of £2325 14s. 2d. was forwarded to tho Belgian Consul.

"The outstanding feature of. tho Conference of Industrial Associations held ia Auckland recently," said ii member afc last evening's meeting ot t,bo Wellington Industrial Association, "was the connection with the National Efficiency Board. Tho members were muoh impressed with the possibilities of the board in tho matter or the assistance which our industries need so badly."

"It is enough for a. man to offer his life, without his being financially ruined," remarked Mr. Oonsidine, a member of tbo Third JUlitary Service Board, yesterday, after expressing tho opinion that certain business rases should be taken in hand by the Miciency Board.

A proposal to place a a export duty on white pino timber was raised at the sitting of tho Conciliation Council in the timber-workers' dispute at Auckland yesterday. It was resolved that the Conciliation Council views . with alarm the proposed duty on white pine, and strongly urges that the Government, before giving effect to the proposal, should afford employers and timber-workers an opportunity of submitting their side ot the question. It was stated that the imposition of a duty would mean the closing down of a number of mills.—Press Assn.

The Returned Soldiers' Club is on; deavouring to form a returned soldiers band, and the manager of tho club will be pleased to interview roturned men who are anxious to join the band.

The scarcity of water locally called for a special meeting of the Cily Council yesterday, when it was resolved that until notico of the rescission of the resolution has been given, the uso of water supplied from the waterworks under the control of the council is prohibited for the following purposes:— Cleaning the windows of business and private premises by means of a hoße, for pubb'o baths, watering gardens by means of a hose, and ornamental purposes, such as fountains, ponds, etc.

At a meeting of tie Wanganui _Na'tional Efficiency Committee last night a strong complaint was, says a Press Association telegram, mado of the growing praotice of firms filling gaps on their staffs caused by enlistment by luring away the employees of opposition firms by the promise of higher wages. It was decided to bring under the notice of the Efficiency Board the necessity of the Government framing regulations to prevent employees_ leaving their present employment without a permit from the Minister or some responsible authority.

"The call of the National Efficiency Board for a reduction, of the works by public bodies," remarked Mr. H. D. Heather, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, "can only be made with, the object of leaving men free for more necessary employment under present existing conditions. No doubt this is the prelude for cessation, of all but really urgent works. I have no doubt it will be found that both the Auckland City Council, the Harbour Board, and other local bodies will respond to the call of the Efficiency Board, and still further reduce works. As far as the Harbour Board is concerned, it will probably mean that after certain necessary works have been completed on the eastern reclamation, nothing further will be undertaken in that direction. The board has only at the present juncture the eastern reclamation and the construction of the Central Wharf in hand. Work on the Central Wharf will probably be continued until tho allocation under that head has been expended. I may say 1 view tho coming year with a feeling of somo anxiety, from the Harbour Board's point of view. We are faced with a. falling revenue owing to less shipping visiting this port. Our board, ic should bo remembered, has only this revenue and its rents from endowments t-o carry on with. It has not rating powers like- tho City Council. That moans Ilia board cannot strikn a rain to make up any deficit ou its income."

The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. HoJiry Rotter, Masterton, was severely scalded a few days afro. Meningitis supervened, and the child died in a private hospital or, Friday night.

A reservist, who had lipcii drawn in .1 military ballot ~-nicl failed t-o reporl. himself, whs arrested on tho Masterton racecourse ou Friday. Hβ has been sent to the Eeaikoisfon Gsasjj

The Board of Trade, is visiting Napier inquiring into the price of meat. No steps will be taken until there is a. further rise in price.—Press Association.

In the Supreme Court at Napier, .yesterday, says a Press Association telegram, James and Arthur Goodall, two farmers, wcro found guilty of sheop and cattle-stealing, after a trial lasting all of last week. They were ordered to come up for -sentence when, called on, on condition that both enlisted. This they have done.

Replying to Mr. R. M'Callum, M.P., on the subject of the Second Division the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) says that the Second Division will bo classified. Hβ adds: "I note your suggestion that an opportunity should now be afforded to men in the Second Division to go before a Medical Board to have their physical status determined, so that they may be in a position to arrange their affairs if passed fit. I think you will agreo on reflection that such a course might cause grave hardship in many cases. Experience has shown over and over agun tlia't a man passed fit to-day may be rejected on a re-examination even one month hence, and vice versa, J and the chances of a reversal of the I medical verdict are infinitely greater ! after a lapse of three or six months. I j am sure ttio adoption of your suggestion would only prove a snare and a delusion to many men, because any examination now could not be accepted as final. 1 would like to make one comment on your statement that a prudent, married farmer will, once the First Division is exhausted, set about selling: his property if unable to procure a lessee who is ineligible for service. I desire to say most emphatically that the Government does not wish to forco any man to dispose of his property in order to servo. If a Reservist wbo is working his own farm, whether freehold or leasehold,, is unahlo to satisfactorily arrange for its managoment during his absence on military service, the Government is decidedly of opinion thai, ho should not bo called iip. He will be doing equally useful service in producing foodstuffs. Tt is obvious that any policy which forced a farmer to sell his property in order to servo would only encourage land aggregation, and the Government has no intention of permitting any such thing. However, you ore no doubt aware that this important question is now receiving the close attention of the National Efficiency. Board, and I am confident that satisfactory machinery- will be provided not only to ! de.i! with this, but to enable Now Zea- ■ lund to fulfil its military obligations ; Vi'.ile nsainteiiuns our essential indusj trie. I slwkM be glad to have your i v-o.vs on iho question of the .organisai tim of labcur for our primary indus- ! trios in order in submit them to the i chairman of the National Efficiency j Board."

At the meeting of tho Eoseneath and Oriental Bay "Ratepayers' Association last evening great satisfaction was expressed at the City Council's action in clearing tho gorse fro intjio Town' Belt, and at their promise to improve Grafton Road as soon as labour was available.

Residents on the main road between Hcretauiigii and Silverstream are anxious to havo the footpath, Tvhich has been formed between Trontham and Heretatinga, extended to Silverstream station. At present there is no .provision inado for pedestrians, and it is cousidered, in view of the heavy motor traffic on the road, that the absence of a footpath constitutes a danger. On tho Upper Hutt side of Trentham the footpath extends from Upper Hut! to a. point about half a, mile north, of Trentham. Tho opinion of residents is that fciiico the settlements of Silverstream, Herelaunga, Trentham, and Wnjlacevillo are linked in a continuous chain, iviili Upper Hutt, tho town benefits by that borough should be available. At present tie only street lamp between Silverstream and Trentham is the one situated outside the post oflko at Silverstream. Footpaths and lamps are the urgent needs of the district which, are being brought before tho Upper Hutfc Borough Council.

You may pay a higher price, but you' cannot buy a richer, more handsome, more luxurious car than the Hudeon Super Six. Price alone Sβ powerless to improve on its near perfection. The vel-vety-flexibility of the Hudson contented motor, the spacious seating accommodation, the deep leather upboletery, 'and its beautiful finish, make it a car to be proud of. May ire demonstrate this car to you ? THE DOMINION MOTOR VEHICLES, LTD.. G5 OOURTENAY PLACE, WELLINGTON.-Advt.

Bcattie is hard to rub out H'hen it comes to waking big sales of "No Eubbisg" Laundry Helpw Hβ is a champion of the first water, and gives one of the popular Thinker Note Books free with every Is. packet of "No Rubbing."—Advt.

Notwithstanding continual rises in price of leather, we can 6till quote good, stout Men's Boots lit 19a. 6d., 245. 6d.. 275. 6d., and 30s. Goo. Fowlds, Ltd.— AAvt.