LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3147, 27 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Address-in-R-eply debate, which lias occupied four weeks, was brought to a closo in tho House of Representatives Jast night. The Prime Minister did not speak, and the House rejected on the voices the amendment that had been moved by Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) in favour of reduced reinforcements. Tho way is now clear for the business of the session. It is probable that an Imprest .Supply Bill will bo brought down in tho House to-day. The Legislative Council met tor a few minutes yesterday and adjourned until Tuesday next.

The Post Office draws attention to tho need for persons presenting parcels for dispath by post to address them on tho Iwdy as well as on any tied-on label. I his is to obviate the possibility of nondelivery of parcels through tho labels becoming separated from them. A parcel addressed merely by a tied-on label may bo refused acceptance.

I. he grading of cheese whs referred to at yesterday's sitting of the Military Service Board "To bo purchased by tho Imperial Government," said Mr. 1? S -lope, secretary of the Department of Agriculture, "cheese lias to bo of the lirst or second grade." "And what becomes ot the third and fourth grades?" asked the chairman. "The third grade is the lowest," was tho reply. "Well, what becomes of it?" "It is consumed on the Now Zealand market," said MrPope.

Mr, W. H. Field (Otaki) has asked the J. rime Minister if he has uny information as to tho truth or otherwise of the statement recently appearing in tho newspapers that persons are already coining from non-conscript Australia to buy up farms in New Zealand, which are thrown upon tho market by reason of tho conscription of our farmers and farm workers; and if it is true that Germans and members of other alien nations are also profiting in the same way; and, if theso reports aro true, whether no moro effective means than at present exist cannot at once be devised to save the farms of men who aro called away to serve their country.

The City Council decided last evening that the Kilbirnie Municipal Electors' Association be informed, in reply to their request for a compulsory tram stop at the junction of Wellington and Seatoun Roads, that tho council cannot see their way to grant same; but that, to obviate the possibility of collision with vehi"cles coming down Wellington Eoad, a combined "Slow Down" and "Stop On lienuest" sign will bo erected at this spot.

At tho next meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, tho following motion, by Mr. l< , . Castle will be considered: "That pre-niaternity and infant nursing work ]io taken un by the board, and that a suitable nurso or nurses bo appointed to visit houses and adviso where necessary on matters of hygiene and infant feeding."

In connection with tho two separate discussions on the time-limit to elapse before a penal charge is imposed, and tho ullaged cargo, by the Harbour Board on Wednesday evening, it was made to appear in our report that a youth attended to tho inspection of cargo suspected of being nllnged, which is not the case. The youth was employed simply to go through the sheds containing cargo which had been stored for a time, note the name of consignees, and advise them of the presence of such goods.

On the request of the National Efficiency Board, the City Council agreed last evening that the City Engineer should furnish a report on what was "most essential, essential, and partially essential" as far as the City tramways undertaking: was concerned.

Once again in the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. J. Vigor Brown wanted to know moro about Captain Malcolm Ross. Mr. Brown had some evidence that Captain Ross was. acting as censor of correspondence at the front, and ho thought it "an extraordinary thing" that he should receive ,£IOOO from tho Government and tnko this other work as well. He asked Mr. Massey whether ho knew anything of tho matter, but Mr. Massey had to reply that he had no knowledge whatever of it. In tho course of his final report to the Education Board Mr. J. Dineon, attendance officer, said: "1 found the attendance at several of the schools affected by sickneßs and wet weather, and on visiting the homes of many of the absent ones I found that colds and sore throats were the principal causes given for absence. There wero also some cases where the parents wero unable to' .provide tho necessary clothes and boots. Such cases I brought under the notice of the Ladies' Christian Association, and as a result of the prompt relief which was rendered the children are now attending school. . . . T have done my best to ensure the attendance of all children in the City, and with the assistance of both teachers and scholars there are, T believe, few, if any, not attending school. ... I would like , to place on record my gnibful thanks'to tho headmasters mid teachers of tho Wellington Education District for (heir co-operation and assistance in carrying out my duties during the pnst thirteen years. To the Press I would again offer i'ny thanks. To the board, its secretary, and other officers I shall always feel grateful for the trust reposed in me, as well as for the ready assistance and advice given me in times of need." Island Bay is to have a diving pier. This was decided ]>y the City Council last evening when tlio Baths and' Benches Com mil tee reported that they had authorised the City Engineer to prepare the necessary plans and specifications for tho ra-ection of n diving pier at Tsland Bay, for submission to the Wellington Harbour Board and the Marine Department .for approval, and upon approval beins obtained to same, tenders aro to bo called for the work of erection. The action of tho committee was approved. It was decided by the City Council Inst evening that the Miramar Borough Council bo permitted to drain the Mirnmar Golf Club's promises into the pity's outfall sower, subject to such conditions as arc stipulated by the City Engineer, and also subject to Ihe payment of a fee of £") per annum. AVo, the undersigned wholesale distributors hereby publicly recommend tho original and genuine "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help as the best for washing all clothes clean without injury to tho hands or fabrics;—Lovin and Co., Ltd.; Thompson Bros., Ltd.; Johnston and Co., Lid.; Baniiiil-.viiD urnl Huiilw. Lid.; r,td.; -\. P- Palerson mid Co., Ltd.; Joseph Nnthnn iind Co., Wri-'ht, Steplioiisnn sine! Co., 1",t<1.; Uery and Co.. Llrl.; OAm'M MamMacturins Co., Ltd-; Goo. Thornus and Co.; ]?. Houeo; W. 11. Bannatruo .<nd Co., Ltd.—Advfc-

Among the questions on the Order I'll nor of lliu House of Representatives is mm from Uγ. A. IC. Newman (Wellington Hast), who wishes to know: (1) Why staff sergeants-major going on active service aro compelled i|o go in some lower rank than their own? (2) AVhy staff ser-geants-major on duty in New Zealand are not allowed promotion to commissioned rank, however suitable they may be? (.'!) Why confidential reports on qualifications of permanent staff are not shown to the person!; concerned, as provided for in the King's Regulations? (■t) Why superior officers by confidential reports hnvo the power to inflict instant dismissal without compensation from which the person concerned has not light of appeal.; and whether ho wi'l redress this injustice? (5) Whether non-commis-sioned officers in the camps will be allowed to buy books and clothes at contract prices, as allowed to officers?

The member for Napier (Mr. J. Vigor Brown) lias given notice to ask the Minister of Defence: "(1) Whether he will relieve the anxiety of many fathers and mothers in New Zealand by stating the whereabouts of Lieutenant Grierson, whoso pro-German sentiments were tho subject of a public inquiry, at which Grierson was defended by the SolicitorGeneral? (2) Whether Grierson was given a freo passage Home and was discharged from the Forces on his arrival there, and is ho not now with our troops?"

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., held an inquest yesterday touching the death, of John Neil Black, a seaman on an oversea vessel, who died on Wednesday under somewhat peculiar circumstances. According to the ovidence Black, who was a married man and about 50 years of ago, was found lying at tho bottom. ot a companion-way on Tuesday, and died the following day before ho could be removed to tho Hospital. The Coroner s verdict, which was in accordance with the evidence of Dr. Pyffe, who made a post-mortem examination, was that John Neil Black died from tho effects of the chronic obstruction of tho large lww.el, coupled with. general tuberculosis. Authority was given the Mayor and City Engineer by the City Council last evening to settle certain claims mado against the corporation in connection with damages caused by tho recent floods. It was decided that they would bo settled only on a compassionate basis. Mr. W. H. Bennett protested that members of the council who woro not members of. tho Finance Committee should have the opportunity of perusing the Engineer's report before such authority, was given. The Mayor oxplained that tho small claims only affected damago done to the inside, of houses. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald asked for information about tho ■wash-out near Wilton's Bush, where a wash-out had occurred seventeen months ago, and he had been told that pipes of the same size were kid down again, ■with the result that another wash-out had occurred. On the production of the Engineer's report it was found that tho. sizo of the pipe had been increased, by 100 per cent, but the trouble had occurred through a big punga. fern having become jammed in the pipe. The Mayor severely reprimanded Ctounrilloc Fitzgerald for having made such, a grave imputation on tho capacity of the Engineer, -which, were it not refuted, would injure his reputation as an The motion giving tho Mayor and Engineer authority to settle the minor claims for damago caused by tho floods, was passed without a dissentient voice. Later on in the evening Councillor Fitzgerald stated that tho information that had been conveyed to him was incorrect.

Yesterday fho Tanners' TJnion Conference passed the following resolution:— "Acknowledged that picture entertainments and plays, can be classified as nonessential during the war, tho timo has arrived whon immediate action should bo taken by the. Government to levy a tax on same, and that tho attention of the National Efficiency Board be called to tho matter."

Tho last of Lyttclton first-o'mss sailing yachts, the Kia Ora, owned by Mr. J. H. Collins, is now on tho slip being converted into an auxiliary motor-boat (says tho "Press"). Her heavy lead keel, three and one-half tons in weight, has beon removed, and sho is now ballasted with a ton of interior ballast. Her draught lias been reduced from 6ft. Gin. to 4ft. Bin. The Kia Ora is being fitted with a 5 h.p. Stanley engine.

At last evening's meeting of the Citj Council, the City Engineer was authorised to grade and put in good order the road from the top of Constable Street along the Mount Victoria- ridge to a point opposite the site of the proposed new Infectious Diseases Hospital, in order to facilitate the building operations in connection with that institution.

"That is unmitigated snobbery and a very rank injustice," said Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha), in. referring to the fact that the Education Department makes an allowance to teachers who join the Ex r petitionary Force with commissioned rank, but pays nothing in the case of privates and non-commissionod officers. A teacher who becomes an jfficer has his military pay made up to the amount of the salary he previously received.

A large deputation of Wadestown and Wellington North residents waited upon the City Council last evening in connection with tram fares. The first speaker, Mr. R. Shallcrass. presented a petition, sotting out that the tram fares were very much higher at their end of the city than anywhere else. They approached the question on. broad lines, but they thought that the council should lay down as a primary principle that there should be equality of service, and that fares should be arranged with one idea of uniformity. Mr. E. C. Aderson. pointed out that the distance from the Government Buildings to Park Street was 31 chains, to the next stopping place on the Wadestown line, 95 chains, _ for which twopence was charged; which was not on a lino with what was charged over the. same distance anywhere else in the system. He also congratulated the council on having showed a profit of .£12,0(10 on the last year's working. Mr. E. Wylie pointed out that Wadestown people paid 3d. to travel one mile 57 chains, whereas anyone could travel one mile 32 chains (from Lambtou Station to Courtenay Place) for one penny. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) «vid that there were anomalies in the length of service, but they would tako into consideration the representations the deputation had made. The Mayor moved that the matter be reffrred to the Tramways Committee for a report. Councillors Frost and Luckie spoke sympathetically on the subject of the deputation's plea. The Fanners' 'Onion Conference passed tho following resolution yesterday:--"That it be a recommendation from this conference that the peoplo of the Dominion should economise by using more vegetables and less of the more costly food.}— vegetables costing only Id. to 2d. per lb — and that fanners be urged to ti'teml tin; cultivation of potatoes."

On the recommendation of the Tramways Committee it was resolved by the City Council hist evening that the tramway looj) at Dee Street (Island Bay line) should he extended to Dover Street, a distance of 420 feet.

The following unsolicited testimony wns received yesterday by Commissioner 11 odder, of the Salvation Army:—"June (i, li) 17, l'Vauce. —'Dear Commissioner,—l am writing you a very short l'oto to pay how much the men of this battalion appreciate what your nadre is doing for us. We nre lucky to have Walls with us, and he is doing wonderfully gco<l work. We are going off into action, ond he lids out of your funds provided the n en. with a hot supper to give them n. good' sendoff. Personally, I don't think he could make better use of the money, and 1 want to thank you as well as lni".--Tours very sincerely (Sgd.) Claude It. Weston, Major, 2nd- Battalion, "Wellington Infantry Regiment."