LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 135, 25 February 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An interesting development in which most of the local churches are represented has lately matured in this city. Tho organisation known as the Ministers' Association ceased to exist some months ago, but when it resolved to disband it set up a committee charged with the task of bringing into existence if possible a council of the churches. Years ago _there was a body so named in Wellington, but it only partially represented the churches, as it did not include tho Anglicans. After prolonged deliberation a council has been formed, in which the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methudist, Congregational, and Baptist churches and the Salvation Army are represented by four delegates each, two of them clerical and two laymen. The constitution of the new body defines the object of the council as "co-operative effort in the promotion of civic, national, and international righteousness, and the furtherance of the ideal of church reunion,'* and mutual encouragement in the work of the Lord." Membership is open to all bodies that confess the historic Christian faith. The council, which was formally constituted last Friday ovening, elected the Rev. Dr. Gilib as its first president, Mr. C. Swiney secretary, and the Hon. W. Aitken treasurer, and these, with the "Rev. A. M. Johnson, the Rev. J. R. Glasson, and Major Colledgo (Salvation Army) form the executive.

At 8.20 last night the Fire Brigade received a call to 81 Abel Smith Street. A fire had broken out, in one of the bediooms, destroying the contents. Tho house is occupied bv Charles Green, and is owned by Mrs. Brcoks, tho contents being insured in the New Zealand Insurance Co. for £200. Tho cause of the fire is unknown.

John Laidlaw Walling, who was convictcd in the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday tor keeping a common gam-ing-house in Willis Street, and lined £00, was on Friday adjudged bankrupt.

A Press Association telegram from I'cilding says two men named M'Kee (10), single, and Rowan (32), married, have been arrested in connection with tho assault on tho llevs. Stockwoll and Miller, and were remanded. Five summonses have been issued against ihi! men for disturbing tho Ilev. Howard Elliott's meeting. A citisens!, meeting in Feilding protested against mob law.

Giving cvitlenco beforo the Defence Expenditure Commission on Saturday morning, says the I'almcrston "Standard," Lieutenant-Colonel T. W. M'Donflltl said that tlio persecution of himself for what he had said in evidence about officers' travelling allowances had already commenced. The chairman said ho would like the colonel to let tlio commission know of any persecution so that they could take steps to protect him. The commission hacT been appointed by the Government, and the Minister and General Officer Commanding were extremely anxious to knoiv the truth. They wanted the colonel or any other witness who could help them to _ come forward. Colonel M'Donnld said that his superior officer had fold him to tell what he knew, and he (witness) was going to do all he could to assist the country in this matter. The chairman said that the evidence given by Colonel M'Donald was very clear and very valuable. He or any other witness would be protected, and Colonel M'Donald replied that lie was glad to have that assurance.

The "Chronicle" states that there were several moments of excitement at the fire in Wanganui 011 Thursday night. When the alarm was given, an hotel waiter named Ellery Scott hastened towards Mrs. Foster's room, having heard that she had not got out, and on his way was instrumental in saving the life of a lady guest who had become hysterical. While getting out through a bedroom'' Scott's coat caught 011 a bedpost, and the moment of detention saved him serious injury, as a blazing beam fell a yard ahead of him. Three firemen worked at one stage from a precarious vantage point 011 the first balcony, and there was a cry of horror from tile crowd when a quantity cf blazing debris fell among them. During the fire-fighting .operations two of the firemen, Messrs. Yearling and Lampitt, wero somewhat seriously cut about, but fortunately escaped serious injury, although their injuries necessitated medical attention.

"Horses are so cheap this year that wo have been offered thu use of them for nothing, if we would feed them," said a witness at the Defence Expenditure Commission at Palmerston North on Saturday. Witness added that the offer had been refused, as no horsHS would be required for the Territorial camp this year, except tho horses that are kept permanently.

The following resolution was passed at Lhe annual meeting of the Wairarapa branch of the Teachers' Institute on Saturday:—''That, having in view tho unprecedented importance of educational reform and' progress, this gathering of teachers wishes to state that, the most essential reforms arc ail of a practical character, viz.: (I) Better selected and more highly-trained teachers. (2) More improved_ classroom accommodation. (3) Smaller filussiis , the maximum being 40." .Mr. C. A. Gumming was elected president of tho institute for tho ensuing year.

"llacing clubs have done admirably in assisting the military authorities,'' said Lieutenant-Colonel M'Donald at the Defence Expenditure Commission on Saturday. He said that in the Manawatu district and in other places racing clubs ungrudgingly placed their buildings and grounds at the disposal of the authorities without charge, and in a good many cases also spent the whole, or nearly the of their profits for war purposes. The chairman: That's good hearing.

A Gisborne official expresses the opinion that tho wreckage found on the Wanganui beach is not connected with that found near Te Arnroa. It is about 30ft. in length and 14ft. in width, and is covered with marine growth, but with few barnacles. Tho timber, which is Oregon pine, shows signs of being charred.

A short sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held on Saturday morning, Mr. S. 15. M'Carthy, S.M., being on the bench. For being found drunk in Tinakori Road,. William Waters, against whom there were three previous convictions, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Two first offenders for insobriety were each fined 10s., in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. James Ford, residing at 255 Riddiford Street, was knocked down by a motor-car in Lambtou Quay on Saturday, and sustained injuries to his head. He was admitted to tho Hospital at 1.40 p.m.

John Fairmen, residing in Adelaide Road, fell off a tramcar at the corner of Kent Terrace and the Basin Reserve. He was admitted to the Hospital at 2 p.m. on Saturday, suffering from a slight concussion of the brain.

A poultry, pigeon and cage bird society lias been formed at Hastings, and application is being made for affiliation with the New Zealand Poultry Championship Association. Mr. A. F. Leipst has been appointed president, and Mr. R. C. Sachs secretary.