LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3057, 19 April 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Secretary of the General Post Ofßce lias received advice tha,t a strict censorship of cable messages and radiotelegrams has been established in the United States. All cable messages for the United States or its possessions, and those for Cuba, Hayti, Panama, or San Domingo are accepted at the sender's risk, aud 'may be stopped or delayed without notice. No subsequent inquiry will be made into the disposal of any message. Messages for the Philippine Islands, Cuba (except Havana), and several other places must be written in plain English only. The radio services to Honolulu and Tutuila are suspended. An addition to tho historical collection which the_ Government has just begun to establish has been presented by Mr. L. Stowe, Clerk of Parliament. Tho gift is an autograph portrait of Mr. Alfred Domett, Premier of New Zealand in 1862 and 18G3, aud author of a well-known book of verse, "Ranojf and Amoliia." Monday next is St. George's Day, and 011 that account tho banks throughout the Dominion and the offices of the solicitors practising in Wellington will be closed. ' The "Trentham Camp Band, under Sergeant-Major Fox, will play 011 the lawn at the Trentham -races to-day and Saturday. . Winter just approaching—bo ready with a good raincoat, 555., 705., 905., 1055., at l*Wlds, Ltd., Manners Siroet.— Advt.

[ At yesterday's patriotic entertainment in the Grand Opera House, Mr. Robert drreig told a good soldierstory, beseeching tho returned nien present not to laugh prematurely "if it had whiskers." Three soldiers, who had been up in the front line, were walking along a road back to their billets, and each had a trophy to remember Fritz .by. One had a Prussian helmet, one a sabre, and the third one a door-knocker. They were met by some other soldiers, to whom the trophies of .daring were shown. They quite understood the sentimental \aluo of tho helmet and sabre, but asked the third man what he meant by walking about with an old door-knocker. "Well, you see, it's like this," said the soldier. I was knocking at a door of a house within the line of fire, when along came a shell, and blew the honso out of my hand!" Some rather unusual features attended a case heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Oliver Chittle was. charged with being a roguo and a vagabond, in that he bad insufficient lawful means of support. Inspector Marsack stated that accused had recently been before the Court on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person. He was then remanded for a week for medical observation, and tho medical report was that lie was weak. , The accused had been seen prowling about' Government House grounds, and when, accosted by a policeman said he had an invitation to meet the Governor. The Magistrate said that the accused must receive some protection. He did no work, and simply nandered about the city. He was not fit to go into a mental hospital, and, in the circumstances, the best thing was to send him to gaol. Chittle was sentenced to sixmonths' imprisonment.

At the conclusion of the last meeting of the Egmont County Council members, sitting as a board to consider steps to be. taken in connection with representation before the National' Efficiency Board, Councillors S. Campbell and S. Forsytli were appointed representatives of the southern end_ and Councillors W. R. Wright and J. Young of tho northern end, to assist and cooperate with tho board. Members of the council wore also empowered by the council to give evidence before the Appeal Board in any cases in which it is deemed necessary.

Referring to the frozen meat season of 1915-16, the annual report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce says:—"During the produce year 19151916, the total quantity of frozen meat exported was 3,453,340 cwt., and the estimated value £7,578,795. The Imperial Government has commandeered the entire outputs from New Zealand and Australia, and a considerable portion of the River Plate output. Por/tion of the meat thus commandeered has been used for British Army requirements, and some of it has been diverted to supply the armies of the Allies. This extension of the use of frozen meat on tho Continent should benefit the industry when trade conditions are again normal. It is understood that only a small quantity, of lamb has b&en retained for use by tho' Army authorities, and that practically all of it has been available for trade requirements in tho United Kingdom, at prices which have been 'fixed from time to time by tho British Board of Trade." A boy seven years of age,' Master N. Birdson. of Wellington, has presented to Canterbury Museum a sledge used by Sir Ernest Shackletoii's party in their recent explorations in the Antarctic, says an exchange. It will lie placed in the ethnological room, by the side of a'sledge used in Captain Scott's first expedition. Mr. P. C. B. Bishop has presented several historical invitation cards,' to be placed in the old colonists' section, including an invitation to the Mayor's bauquot given to Sir William F. D. Jorvois, Governor of New Zealand, on February 21, 1883. Tho Mastorton to Holmwood mail coaeli went over ail embankment at Blairlogie on Tuesday morning, with, fortunately, no serious results. ' Two insido passengers were somewhat shakeii, and two others on tho box. scat sustained a shock. None of tho horses were seriously injured. Tho whcels : of tho coach badly, collapsed, and another vehicle had to bo secured in order to complete tho journey. .

About 6 o'clock last'evening the fire brigade was called to a : fire in a fbjirroomed house in Webb Street, occupied by Mrs. Annie Meek. . The outbreak had occurred through the ignition ■'of some window curtains which had come into contact wijili a candle. The blaze was easily extinguished, and only a small amount of damage was done. "