LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3158, 9 August 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

As in former years, a frozen wreath of New Zealand foliage and flowers is to bo shipped to London by tho Navy League, to bo placed on the Nolson Momorial on Nelson Day (October 21). Tho zinc case to contain the ice has been supplied by Messrs. Sargood, Son, and Ewen, the soldering lias been carried out by Messrs. Bellinger Bros, and tho freezing is to bo done by the Wellington Meat Export Company. Tho wreath, prior to freezing, will bo on view at Miss Murray's, Willis Street, to-day, up till i p.m.

At 5.d0 o'clock last evening tho Firo Brigade received a call to No. 60 Karori Road, where a four-roomed house,.owned by Mr. .Richard. Duignan and occupied by Mr. Philip Baker, was slightly damaged. Some linen was being aired before the kitchen range when it caught fire. The paiper.around tho fireplace was damaged. Tho building was insured in the British Dominious Office.

Deer meat is to be sold in Wellington shortly in behalf of tho Bed Cross Funds. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society is weeding out some deer from.its Paraparaumu property,, and permission lias been obtained from tho Minister to sell the meat. Three Ccircasses were sent to Wellington on Tuesday for this purpose. Cabled word has been . received that Mr. J. T. Macky, a well-known Knox ►rollege, Dunedin, divinity student, who went to the front as a.Y.M.C.A. field-sec-retary, was knocked down and injured by a motor-car in France. Fortunately, ho is reported' to be "doing well."

In tho Houso of Representatives yesterday, Mr. R. A. Wright asked tho Prime Minister if all persons who arrive in New Zealand from Schleswig-Holsteiii are regarded as Danes. If so, is snch a policy not dangerous, seeing that it is quite possible for German spies to reach our shores under a Danish disguise?

Tho number of applications for patents received during 1916 by the New Zealand Patent Office was 1261, or 62 less ihan in 1915, being the lowest number received in any year since 1901. The greatest number of applications was in respect of milking machines. Tho number of applications for milking machine patents during tho past twenty-six years was IDO, of which 308 were from residents in New Zealand. \ glimpse- of the promptitude and enterprise with which Y.M.C.A. secretaries' at the front pursue their task of ministering to the comfort of (lie men who aro actually in the thick of it is contained in a recent letter from the front. The writer is a rolativo of Field-secre-tary Kay Baker, from Wellington, and they were both in the recent big offensive at Itessines. "Talking of Ray," he says, "I forgot to mention that the battle started in the early morning and bv eleven that morning the I.M.C.A. had a tea-buffet going in one of the German iluK-oiits on Messines Hill." lo follow the men so closely in snch a terrible battle and to bo in a position to help them in the very thick of it was an achievement of which the association may well bo proud. An interesting point regarding the re-cently-imposed duty on silk niece goode vis raised in the House of Renresontativo* yesterday by Mr. W. T. Jennings. Ho asked the Minister of Finance wh<;-'l-her tli© increase in (lip duty on silk would ho imposed on silk manufactured goods as well as on piece gond;, ami he pointed out that if a duly were imposed on silk piece goods, and no additional duty woro imposed on ma-if up silken gitrinouts, the result would lio that these garment) would be imported more freely, and that local manufacture of them would be prejudiced. Sir Joseph Ward said tlfat ho had askpd the head of the Customs Department for a report on this and other matters. Tie expected io have thn report on the following day. and he would then inform the TToii'O of wluil was to be done. Tf it should lm decided to impose additional dutv on silk garments, the duty would date from August T—thin to prevent importers from taking advantage of tho position by clearing goods in quantity. Tho Conciliation Council concluded thn consideration of tho builders' labourers' dispute yesterday. An agreement has been reached on all points except those regarding preference and tho data from which tho now award is to operate.

Another pronounced shock of enrthniiuko was felt lit Maslcrlon at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday. Last your the Now Zealand Patent Oflico received 882 applications for paleiits from residents in Now Zealand, '15 less than in 1915; and 418 from applicants outside- New Zealand, or 45 more than in tho previous year. The proportion per 10,000 of the population shows New Zealand 8 per cent., Great Britain 3.7 per cent., United States 5.7 per cent., and Australia 4.1 per cent. ,

Mr. G. V. Hudson, of tho General Post office- staff, and a well-known astronomical observer, states that he picked up, with an astronomical telescope, the big spot on tlio sun on Sunday morning last. This is only ono of several Fpote now dotting the face of the eun, but is the largest by far. Indeed, it is only one? in four or five years that so large a spot as the present ono comes under observation. Eβ states that it will to ontKi=ite the earth to-morrow, but whether it -would bo in tho contro of tho solar disc, ho could not eay—it may be a little above or below the centre. Asked whether tlio tTicory that abnormal spots on the sun could be held to have nny seismic influence on the earth. Mr. Hudson replied that he thought it was possible that they might have. It had been proved that they have an influence on the magnetic poles, and if that was so it was conceivable that they might exert foiees, not apparent to us, which might cause «irtli tre-mors.

Mr. Wiliouithbv K"i»ht. Lower Hull, vhon nslced l>v the War T!eH<-f Vssocintion to riuole a price for sittings of White Leghorn p?s;s in the case of n rc(uvnofl soldier who wished fo sunpleme'it his income by Tfriiw fowls, »eneron»lv made a pmsenl rf the ten dozen <*>w renuired. Mr. Knictht ly'vipvl H"! Wμ r ■Polief jUwf'ntiiui lo unoly in fnhn-» in the of (-lie New' Zealand Poultry who. he -was sure, -would onlv too iilpnso'l to helo «l«servi"!f men desirous of talcing up poultry work-

At Hie monthly m»etinc of the To Aro School ConiTiiitt™ the questions nf incr«R=v.:l {"miration nivl uniform of pohool were disenssed. An old boy donated t'\e full amount he received for wort- do™ at th» sclmMs tr>w.-m1» a nionic <m- T)n>i» fund. Tho cnmmiHee heint thoromjhlv "Hsßed with their b-nntment lir Hi* TMnroHo'i 'T!onrd_. de culpil not to win tho Pflinnl Cninnif+opV As=ocial-io" rluri"T W"! oi">r(-nov o r tin" ,- twin of nfllc. thouch admitHng was fumble of dflinp "ood work. Must-"' , -n-lm rli.l mis? n si nHMKInn"" f»nm the <2.W <V ,»nM yonrs. will bo Hip rrcini°it of n teatilP««inl it Mm -neyf lnnnrlilv iii»<>Hi><*.

The State Labour Department renorts fiat tliprp is little unemplovment in Hio nnmininn at present-. Tn WellintHn'i tliero was n, (jut-nlits of four men b=l: week, in Christohuroh a snrnlns nf fiffwii. nnd in Dnnedin a surplus of thirteen.

The following communication lias been received by a well-known English firm of spirit merchants, and a copy of it hns been forwarded on to its Dunedin agents for their information ae regards the run\ market (says the "Otago Daily Times"):—"We are instructed by the Admiralty and War Office to inform you that they are in need of further coueidorablo quantities of rum for the use of the Navy and ■ the troops at tho front, and to request that you will, therefore, with tho len.it possible delay, iimko, offers to us of whatever rum you find you can sparo for this purpose. As you are no doubt aware, etocks of rum in the importers' hands are now practically exhausted, and as freight cannot for the time being be spared for the importation of rum, the Admiralty and War Office are compelled to turn to the stocks which are held by dealers and distributors throughout the country for their immediate wants. We trust yon will bo able to assist the Government in this matter, and, in addition to furnishing what you can out of your own stocks, possibly you may be ablo to arrango witli some of your customers to forgo part of their recent purchases. Having regard tn the larsto stocks which aro held in the United Kingdom, we. cannot help thinking that if all will do their part there should be liltlo difficulty in supplying tho Government with their requirements, and in obviating any necessity for the drastic measures which have been necessary in some other directions."

At an inquest at Auckland last week on a medical student who was found dead in a hotel, Constable Hargreaves said ho found a tablet and a tumbler with a drain of liquid in it in the room, ami in Uie area under the window a tube of poison. Dr. S. A. Stride said death was due to poisoning. A. J. Parker, Government Analy6t. eaid in making an analysis of the contents of the tube lie found it to contain a very raro and deadly poison, the lethal dose being about 1-lOth grain. Thore still Temained In the tube enough h> Mil allont ton people. Tho poison was known only to medical men and others connected with scientific, matters. In all probability deceased brought it from England, as witneps doubted if it could bo obtained in Auckland. The glass contained the same poison. No medical man would carry the poison about with hiiji, as if the tube broke them would be extreme danger, even a little- on thn fingers being sufficint to cause death if carried to the mouth with food, or on a cigarette. The verdict was, that deceased committed suicide by taking poison while, in a state of depression.

Speaking at the AVoolston patriotic meeting on Saturday night, the Rev. F. C'opeland, who waa in German Samoa when the. war broke out, said that the Germans thore showed great elation over the advance through Belgium. When the German Governor heard of the fall of Liege, he "shouted" champagne for (lie .Samoa garrison, and when Namur fell he distributed cigars. Lager beer was served out when the nest town fell, but as the Australian Navy arrived the following day, no further "shouting" took place.

The investments of tho Public Trnst Office on March 31, 1017, included stocks bonds, and debentures, .-E1,.(27,478 lfe 2<l.'; mortgages, .£5,918,250 Gs. 9d.; advances to estates and accounts, .£202,036 Bs. Id.; and cash and fixed deposits 43407,5+9 2s. Bd. Tho assets of the Department totalled .£8,171,034 11s. id. On August 23 tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society will wait on the City Council and ask permission to fish in the city -reservoirs. Tho corporation stocks tho reservoirs with fish, but has previously objected to their being fished for. During 1916 the New Zealand PatentOffice received 51 applications for patents in _ connection with milking machines; 35 in connection with explosives, firearms and targets; 3(i in connection with cutting and 6awing and tools; 35 in connection with amusements, musio, exercises, and games; 31 in connection with boots and shoes; 32 connected with stationery and paper; 55 connected with furniture and upholstery, desks, blinds, curtains; 7 in connection with aeronautics, besides others.

"Regular reinforcements have been dispatched monthly during the year to maintain our Forces in-the field," states the Commandant of the- N.Z. Forces, in his annual report. "It is a matter for thankfulness and congratulation that again during tho military year ended May 31, 1917, no serious accident or delay lias occurred in dispatch or during transit of the transport or freight ships lo their destinations or on returning ships convoying invalids baclc to the Dominion. From reports and memoranda from reliable military authorities in tlin United Kingdom, Franco, and Egypt, it is satisfactory In know that the class of innn and their training supplied by the New Zealand Forces linve been pronounced very good.' Minor defects or differences of opinion as to the training have regularly been adjusted by IV method of n complete report on tho training of each draft: being forwarded to arrivo with the draft concerned. In return changes in training requirements and methods aro regularly received from abroad, and are at once p»t into practice in (he training camps."

An opportunity is olVering just now for parents or guardians to place suitable lads as apprentices on sailing vesbols. Particulars will be given on application in writing to Messrs. tr. Jl. Scales, LM., Wellington. His Honour Mr. Justice Hosting will sit in Chambers to-morrow at 9.30 to make fixtures in thn civil business of the Supreme Court. Tho gas supply will be turned on at 7 o'clock this morning.

The saddlery trndo in New Zealand in ;i bud way (sii.vs the Diinedin "Star"). Last February the exporters of solid nickol work intimated that Uieir prices in tho Old Country would bo raised by 100 per cent., and in addition ihe importers havo to pay the increased charges i'or freight and 'so forth. Iromiionsjory sundries are also hard to get from Britnin, as llieir works aro mostly turned into munition factories. Leather can bo got, at a price', and the saddlers aro doing their best to rub nlong. It may bo nowe to some that for many years nearly all tho saddlery used in tho Dominion, except bridles and breastplates, havo been mado within our own borders. But llio motors liave made- a great difference in the demand, and nearly all the shops arc now currying on with reduced staffs. In one of the leading shops of Dunedin two men can manage to turn out all tho work now required, whereaa seven bands used, to be regularly engaged before tho motors came in. Oil March 31 last tho Public Trust Office held on account of wills and trust estates ,£2,1-75,1, V!; intestate estates, MV?,031; mental patients' estates, .£217,5-H; convicts' estates, ,£2281; superannuation and Civil Service funds, .£752,201; Motional Provident Fund, .£119,630; sinking funds (Government and local bodies), .£2,875,229; Maori Land Board Fund, .£286,217; and under War Regulations Act, .£169,739. "In tho first month after the inauguration of six o'clock closing, my charity list in. my own parish of Surry Hyls, one of the most densely-populated parts of Sydney, was cut down by one-half, said tho Rev. B. B. S. Hammond in an address delivered at Auckland (says the "New Zealand Herald"). "Many businesses which were most effected by tho departure of men for the front havo revived since six o'clock closing of hotel liars was introduced. Saturday night drunkenness has disappeared, and in consequence early Sunday morning drinking has been greatly reduced. When six o'clock closing came in the police determined to clean Sydney, and for this purpose employed a motor patrol wagon. During the first three months of this work there was not a single case of a man or woman under the age of 21 years convicted of drunkenness."

In a message- to the editor of the Dunedin "Star," in reference to the anniversary of the declaration of war, the •Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) says: "Equally important is it for us to maintain our food supplies for the Mother Country and her armies. To do this it may and will be necessary to take power to conscrip labour not medically fit for military service, each, man and woman being allotted that service lie or she is best able to perform in order to help the great cause. Neither ago nor sex can count in the ultimate resource with which wo as a nation may yet be faced. 'Every New Zealander to his or her job' must be the slogan cry if tho war is to bo won." A wounded soldier in Walton-on-Thames Hospital, writing to his parents, says: "I suppose you often wonder what becomes of the quantities of ])atriotic stuff the women of New Zealand send .away? Well, all the clothes we have in hospital—shirts, singlets, pyjamas, handkerchiefs, etc.—come from them." A concert that is expected to attract lovers of good music is announced for Tuesday evening next at the Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street. The programme, which is under the direction of Mrs. Ernest H. Queree, includes such names as Miss Rene Queree, Mi , . Rupert Meats, Mr. Watson (violinist), and Mr. Hamilton Hodges. The proceeds are in aid of the Theosophical Building Fund.