LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 66, 11 December 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Minister of Defence has been advised that the ThiHiath Reinforcements bavo arrived at their destination without mishap.

Tho Telegraph Office adviso that persons intending to send Christmas greetings cable mossages to soldiers for delivery in England or France should lodge the messages not later than December 15.

There have been complaints apparently about the slow delivery of gift parcels for the New Zealand troops at the front. General Richardson, in a report to Sir James Allen 011 the subject, makes the following remarks: — "Owing to tho abnormal conditions which exist in France, it is quite unreasonable to expect the Imperial authorities to specialise on our goods. For example, when preparations aro being made for somemovo everything else is held up, and if our troops aro likely to bo moved from one part of the lino to another it takes weeks to got tho goods through, whereas on tho other hand, if all is quiet, and our troops united, tho goods are received more speedily. Wo never expect that they snail get to our troops in less than two or tKree weeks get to L© Havre, and we are quito satisfied that the military authorities in France do their best for us."

A letter from the Marino Department concerning tho dispatch of cablegrams relating to insurance ana cargo on vessels carrying troops from New Zealand was read at yesterday's meeting of the Central Chamben of merco. All such cablegrams will be required to be sent to the Chief Post Office, Wellington, for transmission to tho High Commissioner in official code. Tho High Commissioner would de-code the messages, vrhioh would be subject to censorship both in New Zealand and in London, and finally the mossages would be sent to the addressees in Britain. \

From time to time since the re-ex-amination of C 2 men was ordered by tho Defence authorities there have been complaints that men originally classed D had been called upon to present themselves for medical re-examination. The Minister of Defence has just received a memorandum from the Director-Gen-eral of Medical Services about these cases. General Henderson states that in the beginning the medical boards had not sufficient experience to guide them in the grading of men partially unfit for service. They did not fully understand that men must not be graded D unless they were mental or physical wrecks. It happened in practice that somo of the men graded D should have been ranked C or even higher. The Medical Board, whioh was re-exam-ining tho tiles of the 0 men had also looked over those of tho D men, and when it was apparent from the description of the condition of health of the men, and of their ailments that they should not liavo been classed D, and that possibly they might be made fit for activo service, the men had been called up for. re-examination. An inquest was held yesterday morning touching the death of Mrs. Susan Reid, a married woman of sixty-one veiirs, who was found dead in her room in No. 13 Pipitea Street. It was stated that deceased was seen alive on Friday afternoon, and was heard in her room on Friday at 8 p.m. At 9 a.m. on Saturday she was found dead m bed, and there was a cup containing poison in the room. After hearing the evidence of Dr. Fyffe, who had conducted a post-mortem examination, Mr. Eiddell, S.M., returned a verdict of death from poisoning, self-administered. In tho Bankruptcy Court yesterday, tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) heard a motion for tho discharge of Arthur Wheatley, who was represented by Mr. A. Dunn. The Official Assignee (Mr. S. Tansloy) did not oppose the application, and it was granted. The i Court adjourned till Kurilary 18. Many unofficial descriptions of the British "tanks" have given credit to American firms for the tractor system of propulsion employed in the construction of the moving fortresses. British engineers, as a) matter of fact, did not have to look to tho United States for their idoas. An English firm, Messrs'. Hornsby, fitted a chamtraek drive to a powerful motor-car w 1908, and showed that tho car could travel rapidly and securely on loose sand and over rough country. Their car was inspected on several occasions by the Mechanical Transport Committoo of tho War Office, and photographs show that tho Hornsby tractor, if armoured, would have been a very fair model for tho tanks at present in uso on tho West front. ' 'There is a good deal to be said, states the "Commercial Motor," 'm favour of a scheme that has been approved by the French Chamber, under whioh large numbers of agricultural motors aro apparently to be manufactured as quickly as possible after the war and put -at the disposal of farraers on easy terms: The essence of theidea is the supply, not only of machines, but of service depots where they can he maintained and repaired, and where spare parts will he available at a reasonable cost." These agricultural motors will do all the work that a horse can do, and may bo used also to drive other machinery. Their price I and their running coßts are to be low. Speaking before the public meeting held by the Civio League in Auckland on Friday to discuss town planning, Dr. Florence Keller put in a strong plea for the younger talent of the nation. "Give the boys a chance," she said. "When you are putting out plans for now buildings or laying out new suburbs, why not make it an open competition for all, and give the young boys a chance? At the present time all our buildings are erected and suburbs laid out by men whose ideas are in a rut. The younger men do not get a chance. Throw the plans open to all, and then let the experts decide what is best amongst them. Who knows the Auckland district better thaii the boys of Auckland? At a great competition held in London, open to allcomers, it was a boy or eighteen whoso design won the prize. W hen the plans for the proposed capital ot Australia wore thrown open to all, it was a young man who carried oft the honours. If the council would give only a mere pittance as prize it would bo a big thing to the young and ambitious boys* who would try for it. At the present time we crush out aN the originality in our boys and girls. There might be very amateur, plans sent m, but on the other hand there might be very beautiful ideas for the future planning of Auckland, and the idea, once started amongst the boys and girls would grow. As every building comes up to be erected it ought to be thrown open to all to try for it, and let experts dccido tho most suitable design. Who could know but we had great talent amongst us that never gots a chance? So it was the duty of the public bodies to "give tho boys a chance."

Tho football prizes won by the Porirua School will be presented at a concert nnd dance to be held on the evening of December 19. This school has done remarkably well this season, winning the public schools soccer championship, and now hold the banner, cup, silver medals for each member of the champion team, and silver medals for annexing tho six-asido tournament. The trophies will bo presonted during tho evening by Mr. H. A. W. M'Kenzie. "ADVICE TO INVENTORS" is ,tbe titlo of an interesting book full of valuablo information regarding patents. It gives o long list of suggestions _of articles, which need improving and simplifying. Send for li free copy of "Advice to Inventors" tojay,—Henry Hughes, Ltd., Feathoraton Street, Wellington.— Advt.

Exception is being taken by somo of the slaughterman in New Zealand to Australian slaughtermen coming here to take the places of men who havo gone to the front. It. is stated that a protest will be made. So far some 29 Australian slaughtermen are said to havo arrived here.

"America is in tho war with both feet, and in her we have_ a wonderful Ally. Her organisation is most complete, and tho whole of the resources of tho nation are at the disposal of tho Government. Essential plans are working three shifts, going tho whole twenty-four hours. Money is_ flowing in, and everybody is working with wondorful enthusiasm," such i 9 the view of Mr. Joseph Zachnriah, who has returned to Wellington after spending nearly two years in America, most or the t'imo in New York. Tho trnining c«iinpßj according to Mr. Zachariali, arc really small cities, and are as complete as every other branch of organisation. The American women, the Now Zcajnndcr says, nro doing wonderful work for the Red Cross and various war movements. During his stay in America Mr. Zachariah undertook voluntary work for tho Military Census Department, Now York. _ Ho took part m sovcral photographic conventions in America, and at different clubs, etc., gavo talks about Now Zealand.