LOCAL AND GENERAL'

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3190, 14 September 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL'

A Kress Association, telegram from Auckland slates that the Farmers' Union Executive carried a resolution: "That the proposals of the Government regarding hotel hours are a reasonable compromise." It is notified in tho Gazotte that the Imperial Government has decided to take over the control of tho importation of baoon, hams, and lard from New Zealand. These articlee can only bo imported into Great Britain under a licence to bo obtained by the importer from t'lio Controller of Import Restrictions. When exporting bacon, hams, and lard to the United Kingdom exporters in Now Zealand should be satisfied that their consignees havo obtained a licenco to enable tho goods to land. James Lust, a tramway conductor, was Inst evening crossing Lajnbton Quay to attond to tho tramway clock opposite tho Governmont Buildings when a motor cyclist (eaid to havo been., travelling on tho wrong side of tho road) knocked him down. Lust received injuries to his right sido, and had to bo removed to the Hospital. He is a marreid man, residing at 4G Epuni Street. His condition last evening was not considered critical. • Tho British Minister at Rio dc Janeiro reports that for tho purposo o£ obtaining the release of cargoes on board tho Gorman vessels -which originally took shelter in Brazilian ports, the owners of such cargoes should forward tho documents in support of their claims thereto to their representatives in Brazil, for presentation to tho Inspector of Brazilian Custom's. Tho documents must bo authenticated by a Brazilian consular officer* It is addad that cargo which may be cleared in transit for other countries is subjebt to payment of freight and transit dues. Arising out of a case Tpceutly before the Relief Committee of the 'WelHcgtoo War Belief Association is the question of tho employment of persons under the age of 21 in breweries. The matter lias been brought Ijefore the notice of the Hon. X. M. Myers, who (the committee reports) has expressed 1m intention to. submit to Cabinet the-suggestion of the committee that it would opjiear necessary to pass legislation insuring that no perEon under 21 years be. 30 employed. Captain Pitt and Mr. A. P. Whatman, who were delegated by the Dominion Conference of the I'armors' Union to

draft proposals for submission to Vuilia,meut in Teferonc9 to tho acquisition cf land for settlement by returnee! soldiers, have prepared euggoahons which they ore submitting to the executive of the union for approval. At last evening's meeting of the Trades Council it was decided to engage the

Town Hall fo rthe purpose of holding a citizens' demonstration against the cost of living. A' committee was set up to arrange various matters in connection with the meeting, which is to be held within tho next three weeks.

It is notified that a proclamation has boon issued by tho Imperial Government prohibiting the importation to theTJnited Kingdom, except under licence rf the Board of Trade, of tho undormontioned goods:—All machinery driven, by power and suitable for use in cutting, working, or operating on wood, including sawing machines of all descriptions, seneral joiners' mortise, tonoii, and boring machines, lathes and 'rounding machines, box and cask making machines, and all machines accessory thereto, scraping and sandpapering machines, wheelwright machinery,. firewood making and bundling machinery; wood-wool, wood-fibre, ,and wood-pulp machinery; saw sharpening and setting machines, saw stretchers and brazing apparatus; all machines for grinding planing-irons or moulding-irons; electric motors up to one-half hprseipower; bacon, hams, and lard other than lard from neutral countries. During the present yearl nearly sJft. of rain has fallen in 1 Auckland, or only 3in. less than tho total fall for 1916, which ■ stands as a record annual fall. The abnormal fall has ca-used tho lowlying localities in some of the suburbs to be Beriouely flooded, and it has also caused extensive erosion in the cliffs on the shores of Auckland Harbour. Considerable damage has been done to both publio and private property at Parnell, Ponsonby, and the suburbs on the northern Bide of the harbour. In one or two cases houses havo moved elightly, and the residents are taking steps to prevent further damage and encroachments. The warm hospitality extended by Australians to New Zealand soldiers retu/rn-

ing from the front was the subject of eomo appreciative remarks in Auckland by Major H. W. Smith, who returned to tho Dominion recently after serving continuouslv at tho front, for wer two years. 'The returning' contingent, which numbered well over 100, was royally entertained at Melbourne," said Major Smith. "Tho citizens, Hed Cross Society, and varioas patriotic organisations vied with one another. Tho men were feted everywhere. Motor-cars were placed at their disposal to visit various points of interest, and gifte of fruit and cigarettes were showered upon Uβ. The continent was sent by special train from Melbourne to Sydney to embark for New Zealand. Wo were met at the latter city by a representative of the Government, and during our ten days' stay there were housed in two of the finest residences in Sydney—Rose Hall and Graythwaite, which have been $iven to tho Government by the owners for the use of convalescent soldiere. Our •stay m. Sydney was one ronnd of entertainments,, theatre narties, dinners, and sight-seeing trips. Tho officers were taken on a trip to the famous Jonolsm eaves, lasting three days. The Premier's private secretary and officials of the Tourist Department in both Melbourne and Sydney and members of the New Zealand Association were especially zealous in doing everything they could think of for our entertainment."' The question of what constitutes a substantial meal was discussed at considerable length by members o< tfte Conciliation Council whioh sat in Auckland on Tuesday in tho dispute between tho Auckland Restaurateurs' Union of Employers and the hotel and restaurant employees. The award at present lays down that employers of girls in hotels, restaurants, and tea and refreshment rooms shall provide the latter with two substantial meals a day or pay them in lieu thereof Is.,for ■each meal. It was held by the assessors for the employees tliat this arrangement had not been adhered to.in inany cases, nnd that the girls had been supplied with a cup of tea and cakes or sandwiches, which was considered insufficient. Mr. Harle Giles said that in his opinion a substantial meal should inclndo meat and vegotables but the trouble was that the Court had not defined what a substantial meal should be. It was pointed out by an assessor for the employers that many unroll tearooms could not provide such a meal for its staff, to which it was replied by the union representative that theso employees should be given a shilling \o purohaso a substantial meal for themselves. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to refer the clause to the Arbitration Court for a definition.

The fretting of the Oamiiru stone used in tho Central Free Public Library is once more causing a good deal of comment among those interested in the structure, and building generally. A few years ago tho outer surface of the stone ornumentatious and. panels was found to bo wasting under the influence of the weather, and it was then decided to endeavour to preserve the etono from further erosion by, giving it a coat of speci-ally-prepared paint (though painted stone is considered an architectural tmomaly), but thut surface has long since peeled off in places, and tho peeling process has become responsible for tho removal of a good deal of the surface- of the slnne iteelf. There are places where the stone has fretted away to a depth of over an inch, and tho result of this jrradual disintegration has given the library a pocKmarked appearance.

Tho Wellington War Belief Association has been advised tliafwhero uionoy is wanted is to ' look after men on leave in England, not for the men in the Bring line. , Tho Foathorston and Cartertou branches of the Second Division League are (pays our Featherston correspondent) to be represented by Messrs. A. C. Holms (secretary) and H. F. Toogood at the Provincial Confersnce to commence in Wellington this afternoon. 11 is expected that Greytown will also be represented, a meeting to form a_ branoh having been air&nged for last night.

For tho sake of convenience find the provision of more space the wliolo of the offices of the Wellington Education Board imvo been remodelled, during tho past four or livo months. The change is ono that is decidedly for tho butter. Tho public, office, where all general inquiries should be mado and forms are jiven out to tho teachers, now faces tho visitor on entering the main doora, uud tho big worn at the rear of that office (formerly used by tho typists) will now bo tho repository for tho board's printing and stationery, forms, and reports. Tho office of the secretary is immediately to bo left (formerly tho inspectors' room), and whero the board room \va9 is now the office of the board's architect and builder —a fine, big, sunny and well-lighted apartment. On that sido of the. building n room has also been provided for the board's truant officer. Tho new board room is at the back, and is a portion of that largo apartment formerly used by tho Technical School as a class-room. To the'right a largo section of tho big corridor has been glazed in as an clKc-e where special inquiries are to bo made, through a slide admitting to tho office of the chief clerk and accountant. Off that room again is tho typists' room (formerly the secretary's). The alterations havo meant tho utilisation of much of what was waste space, a lightening up of tho back rooms, and better working conditions for tho whole of the staff. Commissioner H. C. Hodder, speaking about tho war activities of tho Salvation Army, said that immediately the British Government intimated to the public the need for economy in food the Army got to work, and within five weeks opened,, in the crowded centres of London, 32 communal kitchens, and prodded dinners containing the maximum of nutriment at a minimum cost. The result vas that some 17,000 families immediately availed themselves of that' practical lesson in economy. Later several communal kitchens were opened in largo piovincial towns throughout England, and became the standard for those established by the Government, who sent officers to insptjpt and report on their working. ■ In tho Juvenile Court yesterday, Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., hud before him a youth charged with theft. Chief Detective Boddam stated that the '.ad was employed as a telegraph n-essenger, and when delivering to Mr. Charles Mirams, manager of tho Parsons Trading Com-' pany, saw a cash-box on the-table, and could not resist the temptation of tt.king it. Ho took the box, opened it, and stole the contents, J23 Bs. The parents of the lad wero respectable people, and .£3 Is. of tho stolon money had been recovered. The Magistrate severely cautioned the boy and convicted him, and further ordered him to report himself once a'week for sis months to the probation officer. The Masterton Chamber of Commerce ie dissatisfied'with tho work of organisation in the Dominion. In the course of its annual report it says:—"Entry 'upon the fourth yearv of the war finds New Zealand etill lacking in the matter of organisation generally.. Tho patriotic spirit shown in the sacrifices made of manhood and money continues without abatement, but for organising producing power, manufactures, and industries nothing has.been done, although Ucal au-. thorities, Farmers' Unions, Chambers of Commerce, and Labour organisations exist ready to devote their energies to the work so urgently needed >if given the opportunity." • The National Committee o£ . the Y.M.C.A. acknowledges the following subscriptions to enable it to carry on its work of providing for the wants of our soldieis:—Marton Ladies' Patriotic fcfcop, £7"T; Sir. F. J. Hintz, Taihape, £5; Methodist Bible Class Girls, Stratford, £3 iffs.; Hutt Patriotic Guild, £3; Young Ladies' Presbyterian Church Guild, El•tham, £2; Mr. T. Masters, Fending £1 Is.: Mrs. A.'C. Morton, Pemberton, Marl-, borough' Bast Coast Ladies' Committee,"Mother of a Soldier at tiie 1 'ont, £1 each; TCrs. Priest, Pabiataa, Ms.; Mrs. D. Owens, Mosgiel, Miss S. A. Wilton, Marton, Mrs. C. Beckett, Pemberton Ids. ea*i- ''hi" and Mr. K. Whale, Marton, ss. ea&<; Mrs. C. E. Bamford, Jlangawela, -ts. 6d. ■ ' : ■ '