LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 290, 27 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"In case of a strike, what position are we in for coal stocks?" asked Councillor L. M'Kenzio at the City Council meeting last evening.' The Mayor stated that Mr. Morton (Tramways Manager) had never ceased to build up stacks for the electric light and tramways power-houses, and had secured every ounce of coal he possibly could. Further than that he could say nothing at present.

A complainant in a case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday wanted to know whether tho Court could absolutely mnke the defendant pay tho amount of the money duo undor a maintenance order. "The only -.lijng we can do is to hold tho threat of imprisonment over his head," observed Mr. F. V. Krazcr, S.M. "If you can suggest any middle course we shall lie plwsed to adopt it." "Well, I'd like to liavo him in my clutches for just fivo minutes," replied tho complainant, amidst laughter. The Court expressed no opinion as to what would bo the effect flif this proposal.

"What's this 'soul of the oorporathion,?" asked Councillor L. M'Ken/.ie, referring to ;i phrase- used ih thp report of the By-laws Committee "A corporation has no soul," said the chairman (Councillor AY. H. P. Barber), "it should hf< 'the seal of the corporation.' " (1.-nlighter.)

Independently of encli other, the Minister iu Charge of the Board of Trade and tho Minister of Marino decided to have inquiries by Commission into matters connected with tho fishing industry in the Hauraki Gulf. Mr. MacDouaM agreed to a Commission to inquire into the price of fish in Auckland, and Mr. Wiiford sir rood -;o have an inquiry sis to tho definition of trawling limits in tho gulf. On tho suggestion of Mr. Wilfoid it lias been decided now that them aball bo one inquiry to cover both matters. One represontstivo of tho fishermen and pno of Win owners of trawlers will sit on the Commission.

Flasmillin? operations are likely to bo considerably restricted in the Auckland district during the coming season. Inquiries rondo from merchants and others interested in the industry elicited the- information that probably n number of the mills that, were in uwriion last season would not reopen until hemp prices improved and better shipping fiioilitien were available. At present the British market is practically closed to New Zealand hemp, owing to shipping space not being available, and although a certain amount of hemp can be shipped to America the market ii> that country has shown a marked decline in prices tft lato.'. The mills have been closed throughout the winter months, but n number that closed clown early will reopen at the beginning of September.

The offer of Mr. J. J. Boyd, of Wellington unci Onehunga, to sell bis zoo at the latter place to tho Auckland City Council has been declined.

The City Council decided last, ovening to deny all liability for damage alleged to have been caused to the Ngahauranga Private Hotel by flood- * ing on the evening of Augyat 8

An inquest was conducted by the coroner, Air. W. G. Riddoll, S.M., yesterday afternoon, touching tho death of Thomas Waters, 5!) yours of age, >i pnrricr, who died at his residence, Main Jioad, Knrori, on Saturday afternoon. Kvidenco was given that Imp deceased had suffered from varicose veins for some years, but that although they had hurst previously, liu 'did not think himself in any danger from them. On Saturday afternoon lip was found lying dead on tho floor of his house, and it was evident that his right leg had been blooding. A vcrdiot was returned that death was duo t« haemorrhage, resulting ifrom the bursting of a varicose vein in tlie right leg.

Owing to the IJutt district, being in the new Otnki electorate (says the Otnki "Mail"), Mr. A, M. .Samuel, who opposed the Hon. T. M. Wilford at tho last general election, lias definitely decided" to contest the Otnki seat at t.ho next election.

Councillor J.'Caslle asked the Mnyor at last- evening's meeting of tho City Council as to when a, new superintendent of reserves was to be appointed. Ho .stated t-liM Iho position regarding the planting of trees at Newtowii Parkam! elsewhere was «. "disgrace." The Mayor, in the absence of Councillor Frost, said that tho appointment of a superintendent was not the easy problem sumo people, thought. If tho committee had taken the advice of tho export consulted, tile vacancy would have been filled long ago, hut they wished to feel confident that they were securing the right man. As a. matter of fact, there was a very limited number of men to draw from to fill such .i position. He always favoured getting a man in New Zealand if he could bo cot, but if not he thought they woufd be justified in going to Australia.

Tho Reserves Committee reported to tho City Council last night that they had applied to the military authorities for two months' leave, from military service for the recreation grounds overseer (Mr. A. L. Brewer), in order to permit him to finish his planting for the present season. Reporting to the City Council last evening, the Public Health Committee stated that they had received further complaints from a person hi connection with the carriage of general goods m meat wagons, and after makmg careful inquiries from tho corporation inspectors and tho abattoir manager they wero satisfied that the manager inspected all meat wagons before loading at the abattoirs, and also assured himself that the meat left the works m a proper condition. Tho committee recommended that the complainant be informed hi terms of the above. J. lie recommendation was agreed to.

A man was arrested by Detective ■ Torrance yesterday on a charge at false pretences. The accused will be brought before the Magistrate's Court to-day. A four-roomed cottage m Epuni Hamlet, Lower Hutt, together with the outbuildings, was totally destroyed by fire between 9 and 10,. o'clock on Saturday night. The Lower Hutt Fire Brigade was quickly on the scene, but, owing to tho lack of a water supply, was unable to save the building. lie house was owned and occupied by Mr. J. L. Critcliley. who had a risk ot £450 on tho building and £250 on the furniture. Last week Sir Jnmea Carroll celebrated his sixty-first birthday, and a number of Maori and pakeha friends assembled at tho Masonic Hotel,. <-.isborne, and congratulated Sir James on having reached a further milestone in his life's journey. Several interesting speeches wero made by representative Natives, all their speeches being couched in the Maori tongue. Sir James Carroll, in Ins reply, stated that he bad concluded thirty-one..Years oi continuous service in tho Parliament ot New Zealand, which was a record for the whole Empire. ■He also stated that ho held the record as far as leug-li of period was concerned in regard to Ministerial runic In conclusion. Sir James snid that it was tho first birthdPy ho had celebrated ws Gisborne, as on' most occasions Parliament had been / sitting, and his natal day had been celebrated within the portals of tlic Parliamentary Buildings.

An idea of the present cost if importing goods from the Old Country may be gathered from the following details regarding three cases of boots containing 182 pairs, says tho Auckland ".Star " This lob is expected to arrive I-γ steamer shortly. Tho accounts to hand show the cost of the cases alone i>; C 6 l-Is. 'Id. Tlieso sell at 3s. fid. each when emptied hero, The cost of case works out at 9d. _ per nair. Freight, insurance, war risk, and exchange tot up to another £42 on tho 183 pairs of boots. In fact, altogether the cost per pair works out at about 4s. 6a".

In connection with tlic proposal of tho Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Bonrd to purchase a farm in order tn ensure an adequate supply of good milk for tlio hospitnl, this chairman (Mr. H. Baldwin) states that two or tlirco farms, reasonably near the city, have already been placed under offer to tho board. 1 These offers, with any others that may come in in tho meantime, will bo considered at a meeting of tho Farm Comniitteo to be held on Thursday. The hospital authorities stipulate that the property must bo favourably situated, so that tho patients in tho "hospital may get tho hill benefit of frosh milk. It would be better if the farm were near enough to ensuro that tho morning's milk" should be delivered before midday—not a grave difficulty in theso days of fast-running motor-wagons. It is stated tlmtiittho present time fowl wheat is being imported from Sydney ami landed in store in Wellington at a price equivalent ro the f.o.b. price at. Lyttelton for Now Zealand <vheat. The only provision mndo in tho permit under which Biich wheat is a I lowed to

be imported is that it shall not be sold at a price higher than the New Zealand maximum price. As the wheat is lauded here at 6d. per bushel loss than tho southern wheat pan bo_ landed, there is no difficulty in keeping absoluto faith with tho authorities—indeed, it is being sold under tho price for New Zealand wheat. At n. special meeting of the City Council, held last evening, a resolution (by vroiy of special order) adopting tho Wellington City By-law No. 31 (relating to tho schedule of charges to be made by motor vehicles) was adopted, after slight amendments suggested by Councillor W. Hildroth had been agreed to. Another special meeting was held tr> accept tho surrender of a certain luaso of Tβ Aro reclamation hinds hold by Mr. Jacob M'Eldowney, which is being reissued in the form of two leases, under an arrangement tho particulars of which have already been published. Application is to be mado by the City Council to unconditionally exempt Washington Avenuo (Brooklyn) from the provisions of Section 117, of the Public Works Act. 1908.

At tlio meeting of tho City Council last evening tho application of tho Wellington Harbour Board for permission to erect a temporary building on a concrete foundation on tho breastwork opposite tho Marine Department's yard, for the storage of wool and other commodities awaiting shipment Iα England, was agreed to, subject to the board conforming to the usual icquirements uf the city's building regulations for tho lodging of a formal application and to the payment of foes, etc, for this particular building and nil future buildings proposed to be erected by the board.

"Stetson." The hat of the hour. Buy before the coming rise, September 1.. Gco. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street.—Advt.