LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 268, 1 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Only one bankruptcy was recorded in \\ ellington for the month of July. In July of last year none was reported, the number of petitions filed durin* the present year up to the period ended July Jl was 13, compared with three for the same period of 1317. Referring to the proposal that has been made by the City Council to Hie Government to arrange for the closing of Departmental oiiices at 4.30 p.m., instead of 5 p.m., in order to relievo the congestion on the trams after 5 p.m., the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated yesterday that lie believed the proposal was being considered sympathetically by (he heads of Departments, who realised that some «uch arrangement would lie in the interest of the community as a wholo. If some alteration cou,ld not 'be made to prevent gross overcrowding, it would mean (hat they would have to limit the numbers carried on the ears during rush hours, and possibly that would entail an increase of fares. On (he other hand, if the arrangement wore made to close down as many of Hie Government offices as possible at 4.30 p.m. it would mean that the cars would be carrying maximum loads over a greater period of time, and an easement would be given without the necessity of having to consider the question of raising tho fnres. Negotiations are also being carried on, with the Ferry Board of the Enstbourne Borough Council, with a view to arranging for tho dispatch of ono of their steamers at a reasonable length of time after 4.30 p.m. A case to decide whether a man classed Ci! is liable for servico was heard in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, says a- Press Association/telegram from Christchurch. Counsel for the Defence Department urged reasons why such service r.nuld be demanded. The Magistrate agreed, but as tho Department did not press for a penalty the defendant, R. W. Coulter, was; convicted without a fine. Advice to harbour boards to build for big ships was given by the Minister of Marine, Mr. AVilford, at the Harbours Conference yesterday. "In regard to wharves," ho said, "it might be well to ' point out that, owing to the increase in tho size of steamers and the increnso in shipping trade that will no doubt occur after the war, it is advisable that boards should look well ahead when erecting now wharves, otherwise they may find that in the course of a fewyears they will have too little water at (heir wharves and not enough space to accommodate tho ships visiting their ports." Tho recent blizzard which' extended over the greater part of both islands'is likely in tho long run to prove a blessing. Sneaking to Mr. E. A. Shrimpton, Chief Telegraph Engineer, one Canterbury farmer said that the two very mild winters experienced in the south in 191G and 1917 had given life to several peste, which had caused considerable destruction in the crops and orchards, and a real cold winter would; lie thought, liavo the elt'ect of eliminating them for a timo at all events. Many will remember the havoc caused among the orchards of tho North Island by the "brown rot" last 6eason, which meant the loss of hundreds of tons of good fruit. 'As the blizzard came at the right time of the year, before tho trees began to leaf, the farmer in question thought it would have a beneficial effect iii keeping back tho external growth until wanner weather prevailed. It would also be taneficial in the grain lands, which were always improved by a fall of snow at mid-winter. At tho annual meeting of the Society of Musicians tho following officers were elected:—Presidont, Mr. C. W. Kerry; vieo-prosidents, Messrs. L. P. AVatkins and E; Parker; joint hon. secretaries, Misses C. Simpson and K. Mowattj hon. treasurer, Mr. Harry 11. Tombs; acting- , librarian, Miss Heinemann; hon. auditor, Mr. J. H. It. Jack; hon. solicitor. Mr. E. Herbert Webb; members of "the council, Mrs. Caohemaille, Misses Kennedy. Heinemann, AYatkins, and Segrief, and 1 Mr. H. Temple White. After tho meeting the following contributed to a, musical programme;—Mrs.'L. P. Watkins, Mrs. Tombs, Miss G. .Kennedy. Miss C. Simpson, and Messrs. Harry Tombs, L. Cohon, and Lestrup. The Milk Committee of Hie City Council inspected the property of tho Fresh Food and Ice Company in Dixon Streot (recently acquired for tho purposes of tho municipal milk distribution scheme) yesterday afternoon. The property consists of a very substantial (brick building (16 years old) of two stories, and a large 'cellar. It stands on a Section with 60ft. frontage to Dixon Street by an .irregular depth (the maximum being about 120 ft.), and the building covers the whole of the site, In its- present state tho premises may not bo largo enough to deal as expeditiously with the milk as will be necessary .under tho scheme,, and it is on the cards that further land will have to be acquired to provide fi<r a through-, way for tho carts. The building contains a . large cooling chamber and a steam plant for power, and the rewssary means for washing the cans. ■ It will naturally be some little time 'before all' the arrangements are completed, end certain officers, notably the manager and assistant manager, will have to lie appointed before these can be comptarx'd. The committee have these matters before them at the present time. "Drainage into harbours is. a subject which requires to be vory carefully dealt with in" order to prevent offensive matter and silt going into harbours," said the Minister of Marine at the Harbours Confer'nee yesterday. "If offensive matter from towjis is allowed to go in it is liable.: to become a menace to public health, be-si-les spoiling beaches which are used as a place of recreation by. the public." Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co., at their rooms- yesterday, 6utaiittcd at. miction, under instructions from the Registrar of the Supremo Court a freehold property, land 42ft. x 124 ft., with fiveroomed dwelling (hereon,- situated m Harold Street, Kelburn Extension. Tho property was sold to Mr. Donald Butler for ,£570. -• - • At the' Magistrate's Court in Christchurch'yesterday, states a Press Associa-tion-telegram, Arthur -Richard.. Cole, charged with failing to-account for various sums, totalling .£7O, received mi behalf of the Eed Cross' Eund, pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. - Notice of motion lias been given as under bv Mr. F.-Gastle for consideration at tho next meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board:—"(1) That in 'order to ensure. a -more certain supply of milk for., tho board's requirements, steps bo taken' 16 acquire, either by lease, ordinary purchase, or by resumption (if necessary), a suitable "area of land for the establishment of a' milk farm. (1) That a. special committee be appointed to inspect properties suitable for a milk farm, and lo report'their recommendations to the' October meeting of - the bonrl." . An inquest was conducted bv the Coroner, Mr. AV.' G. Kiddell, SIM., 'yesterday, touching tho death of' Mrs. Emily Dnwnes, GO years of age, who died at the AVaitangi Boardihghouse, Boulcott Street, on Tuesday morning. Dr. Gibbs. gave evidence that death was duo to heartfailure, and a verdict was returned accordingly. . An appeal is to bo mnde for funds on behalf of the-men of the-mercantile marine later-in the year.- This-announce-ment was made at tho Harbours Conference by the Minister of-Marine (Mr. T. M. "Wilford), who lias been asked to lend his patronage to the effort. Jlr. AVilford said that ho would make no excuso for mentioning the matter to the.conference, because all delegates knew, how much the community owed to. tho men .of the mercantile marine. The appeal would bo launched later, when all tho Eed Cross and other funds had had theirtarn.

The Base Records Office announces that tho cause of the death of Gunner J. N. Jennings, who died at Featherston Military Camp Hospital on Sunday, was cerebrospinal meningitis. His next-of-kin, Mrs. M. A. Jennings (mother), of Worcester Street, Christcluirch, was prosent at his death. Arrangements have been made to dispatch the body to Christchurch for burial. Though Wellington does not observe Arbor Day, tree-planting takes place I annually at Mitchelltown School crounds. O.wing 'to the rocky nature of 'he soil ! and the exposed situation ma of tho trees planted do not survive, imt that fact does not deter Miss Woodward, the teachers, and children working hard each vear in an endeavour to beautify their surroundings. Yesterday a. large variety of trees wero nut in the ground, even including mulberries. The bend master (Mr J. H. Mnlcolm) and the chapman of the committee (Mr. H. A. W. M'Kenzio) piwinHv nlanfed ei'-'ht trees to the memory of'old Mitchelltown boys who bad made the ereat sacrifice for th»ir Kimr and country at the bafflofront. 1 be unmns of foiiinmniorated were:—ll. Wiriiw. S. PmiHi. F. Nelson. .1. Birthwick W nuty. F. Newman. W. i w d">i. and H. Nelson. A tree was planted two ypurs aeo in 'honour of Mr.'MCarthv, 'who was the first from the <o pass hence in honour's cause. I"o chnirmm briefly add.-ess.-d t»" children, who one and nil .nrniui«ed in watch over ' the welfare of each tree put in. Consideration of tho salt works question occupied some considerable timo at the last meeting of the New Brighton Borough Council, and the following motion was carried • unanimously:—"That this council views with considerable concern the Government's action in refusing to grant: a permit far the formation of a company for the establishment of. solar salt works at Now Brighton; that the establishment of such works would be of a national 'importance is undeniable, in view of tho great amount of money sent out of the Dominion every yeai in tho purchase of salt (,£100,000), and the enormous prices for salt ruling to-day quite prohibits its use for agricultural purposes. The council urges other local bodies, especially those in the vicinity of Christchurch, to join in requesting the Government to give immediate effect to the issue of tho permit." The Railway Department lias power to tako land from harbour boards at actual cost. In Auckland the Railway Department took land estimated to bo worth ,£212,000 for .£25,000. In Wanganui tho Department took by proclamation land on which the Wanganui Board had built a wharf at a cost of .£30,000, and then offered to lease ihe wharf to the board at a peppercorn rental for five years, alter which the board would have, to leave it* own wharf altogether.. Mr. Voitch. M.P., referring to this matter yesterdav, said that the present lack of corrdat'o-.i between the Railway Department, controlling land transport, and the harbour-boards, controlling sea transport, was becoming intolerable. Tho position was such that the Government should bo compelled -to define the powers of tho Department and not allow it to go on exploiting harbour boards. The conference passed a resolution to repeal the legislation giving the Department power to take land at cost. The conference deolared that the Government should pay full value for all land taken. . "I wish to utter a word of warning in regard to the question of harbour works being lightly entered into and without due consideration," said tho Hon T. M. Wilford in speaking tojlio Harbours Conference yesterday. every case in which cxpensivo works are to be carried out the best engineering advice should bo obtained, and, where possible, advice of engineers who have had experience with works where similar conditions exist should be taken. Ihe law requires that before tho works are commenced the plans must be submitted to the Marino Department for tho Marino Engineer's opinion and tor tho approval of the Governor-General-in-Council. lam sorry to say that there have been cases where, after such approval has been given, the approved plan l ; have not been adhered to. In 0110 case recently which came before my notice this failure to carry out the Marino Engineer's approved .plans has contributed to. 11 .very serious result, and a, consequent application to the Government for assistance to repair damage caused bv a board's own breach ot the law." - * ■ ' Ensign ; Vost, has been appointed malinger and Adjutant Trevarthen matron of the new Soldiers' Hostel erected by tho Salvation Army in Vivian Street The opening by tho Governor-General is to lake place at 3 p.m. to-morrow .( "The question of th 6 inspection of all gew used in working cargo, including gear belonging to harbour boards, is an important one, and, in my opinion, such inspection should be made by qualified Government experts," declared the Hon. T. M. Wilford (Minister of Marino) at the Harbours Conference yesterday. "I consider, and it will no doubt be generally admitted; that tho owners of gear should not be tho inspectors of that gear. It will clearly bo more satisfactory both to such owners and to the men working with such gear that there should bo independent inspection by Government inspectors." Field-Marshal Si<r Douglas Haig wrote recently': "I much regret to learn that the Church Army lost so many of its .recreation centres, which had to be abandoned during the recent fighting. One cannot pay, too high a tribute for the comfort and inspiration which the Church Army huts and other means of ministration have been to our heroic troops. It is announced that Lady Strathcona lias "iven yet another recreation hut to the Church" Army, in aid of the lost huts reylacement fund.