LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 293, 30 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Now Zealand hospital ship which is now on a return voyage to this country is reported from a wnv port "All well."

_ The telegraph messengers of Wellington aro, it is understood, applying for an increaso of live shillings pur week on their present ssalary of 15s. The reason given is the , "high cost of living.".

The war risk of Is. per cant, on coastal freight in Now Zealand jias been raised by 2s. per cent, on all freight which makes the passage of tho zone made dangerous by the possibility; of floating or anchored onomy mines. The increased risk affects all freight through tho Strait for tho West Coßst ports "of tho South Island, and that shipped direct to Sydney by. steamers making Wellington their final port of departure. The now rnto does not affect East Const freight.

Tho Minister of Internal Affairs recently asked the secretary of tho Superannuation Board to prepare a report dealing with tbo widows and de-IK-ndnnts'oF officers of tho servico v-ho have lost their lives in tho war. Tho report shows that up till August 12 the tntnl amount payable nnmially' Uj widows is ,£BB2, and to 'children "£7Bl, n gross total of £1663. The total .'imouiit received on account of the deceased contributors, including the part paid by the Government, is £2638 Bs., or just about sufficient to provide the benefits for one year and eevcn months.

Gar No. 120 has made its appearance on tlie tramway tracks of Wellington during the past few days. It is a very handsome car, built on the double combination principle, admirably fiuishod throughout, and a credit to the carbuilding staff at Newtown. On? improvement in the now car is the brass hand-grips at the end of the sant-backs on either side of the aisle in the open part of the car On the older cars of this type passengers forced to stand in that section of the car have not besn provided with anything in the way of straps or grips, and tho result is that when rounding a comer or n fiirve, or when a car suddenly pulls up, those standing involuntarily clutch tho shoulders of th6se more comfoHably accommodated. The brass grips will give standing passengers. a deal myo security, ana will protect those sitting in a crowded car. The provision of the grips is a tacit admission that standing as a practice is not objected to. There are at present two moro "combinations" on the stocks, which should be ready for the tracks at the end of nest month.

Writing from Palestine in June, Lieutenant Frank Moore, of Johnsonville, says: ''The alleged beautiful,, Valley of the Jordan is a of a place for poisonous snakes. Two of our men lost their lives from bites. The vipers had twisted around these num's legs while the,, , slept. Tho Australians grub the reptiles by the hen (I and tail when their quarters are invaded, but I would not tounli one for ten pounds."

The Chatham Islands representative of the "Lyttelton Times," writing on August 19, says: "Tho s.s. Himitangi is a total wreck on the north-west coast of the island. She struck on the Jfonau reef near Tupuangi, and lay between two reefs. After a few hours she began to lenk, and the water rose to above the Pliiiisoll mark. The captain and crow landed safely, and after a low days were conveyed to Waitangi, where they awaited the arrival of the relief ship. An endeavour was made to salvo what was possible from tho wreck, but since heavy gales followed the steamer , h.is almost disappeared from view." The Magisterial innuirv will tie opened before Mr. W. G. PuddHl, S.M., nt tlio Magistrate's Court at 11) o'clock this morning.

Tho annual meeting of tlio executive of the Federated Seamen's Umon of New Zealand commenced yesterday afternoon. By resolution the ireeting determined that no information about its proceedings should be given to tho Press. "Stetson," The hat of tho hour. Buy before tho coming rise, Sopteniber 1. Geo. Fowlds, TM-i Manners Street,—Advt,

Tho Government has determined in accordance with the Public Service Act of 1912 to abolish tho position of Srerclnr.v of Agriculture, and to create the position of Assistant Director-Gen-eral of tho Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce! By Order-in-Council gazetted the importation of articles supplied directly or indirectly by the Regal Postcard Company, or the Regal Post Card Supply Company, of Sydney, Now South Y\ ales, is prohibited except with the consent of the Minister of Customs. A valuable collection of natural history specimens was left by the lato Mr. Henry Suter, who died recently at Christchurch. Mr. Suter vas ono of the most notable scientists of the country, heinec the author of tba book on New Zealand mollusca. At thn time of his death Mr. Suter was engaged in describing and identifying fossils for the Geological Survey. Mr. Suter directed tho Public Trustee-, who is executor under' bis will, that his collection of molhuca and other natural history specimens should not ho sold without the consent of his t\Vo sons, and he has left a note to his sons instructing them to offer his collection to the Dominion .Museum. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon.,G. W. Russell) said yesterday that on the question of the purchase of the collection, which was at preseiit housed in tho Canterbury Museum, he was awaiting proposals froni Mr, R. Speight, curator of the Canterbury Museum, au'l Professor Chilt-OHj of Canterbury College, who were acting as trustees for the sons in the matter. The Director 6f Basfe Records (Major Norton Francis) writes:—"My- attention has been drawn to a. complaint in the report of tlie Returned Soldiers' Association Colnriiit-tee that when the last draft arrived from Sydney they were not notified of tho arrival. This was incorrect, (is notification was, on August 14, sent them on the ijsual printed form, confidentially advising the date and place of arrival of tho said returning draft; and, moreover, the general secretary of the New Zealand Association was advised by telephono that the draft was returning by the ordinary passenger steamer from Sydney. , ? A 'Wellington gentleman who travels extensively remarked to a Dominion reporter on the backwardness of tho Now Zealand jy.ihvays as regards postal arrangements. "I have travelled all over New Zealand," he said, "and nowhere have I seeii any mails picked up mechanically at tb6 flag stations or non-stop stations by the. through expresses. The conclusion I am forced to arrive at is that mails to and from those plains are either sent on to a station where tho expresses stop or ara dispatched by a Slow train, either of which methods means delay as far as tho dispatch of ulnil matter is concerned. I have travelled all over the world, and cannot name another place where they do not have this simple device for picking up mail-bagß whilst the train is moving. They bad them in Engr land and Ireland over forty years ago-— but New Zealand'lias not got that for forward yet. The wonder is that tho people in tho country do not cry out for the express dispatch of their mails." It is understood that the device men- , tioned was tried oiit experimentally by our railway authorities about ten years ago, since when nothing appearis to have been done in the matter.

Tho Farm Committee of the Wellington Hospital 'and Charitable Aid Board bold a meeting yesterday afternoon, when, it is understood, somo farm properties adjacent to Wellington submitted to the board for acquisition. The deliberations of tho committee were not open to the Press. Referring to the proposed reclamation at Thorndon, between the Esplan-. ade and Thorndon, which is said to be so urgently desired in the interest of tho city and the port (and which was onco more discussed b,y the Harbour Board on Wednesday evening), the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated yesterday that on behalf of the citizens, be joined in the protest that was made by the Harbour Board against the attitude of the Railway Department in holding up this work, by which the Department was likely to benefit by as much as any other body. It was time, lie eaid, for the Government to step in and say definitely what steps, if any, it intended to take to forward this reclamation work iu tho prosecution of which ,tho City Council was concerned equally with the Department and tho board. The position was not at. all satisfactory, and an it was only reasonable to oxpoct that' the- commerce and trade of Wellington by sea and rail would increase sit tho termination of the war, it was high time some defined scheme was adopted and thn work commenced. ' The lure of tho dance makes a strong nppont to the men in khaki in tho camps, ns the weekly soirees at tho Town Hull on Saturday nights prove. On a recent Saturday evening it was calculated that there were present about 500 soldiers and 700 ladies, and the floor space was so densely occupied that the couples had snino difficulty in moving round in the mazy wait/,. Ihnt the floor was crowded only seemed to add a zest to tho dance, and every man present-not to mention their partners—thoroughly enjoyed the evening These dances have been in vogue over since tho 6 o'clock closing qf hotels came into force, and their popularity is ever on tho increase, a testimony to the "ood management.of tho Mayor, Mrs, Luke, and the good ladies associated with them.

A member nf the Wellington branch of the Navy League (Mr. F. H. Luxford, <tf Waikanae), in forwarding his subscription, adds his opinion of the necessity of a strong Navy League. 1 hope," he says, "that Britain will not be compelled in the peace terms to reduce he- Navy to a great extent, for, sifter oui experience of Germany brealcmiz treaties, it is our only safeguard, and pliould we have to reduce to a email Navy it may -eventually bn the l:ro.iKup of the British Empire."

In connection with the students' rempetitions to lie held in conjunction with the annunl show of the Now Zealand Academy of Fine Arts (from Septcmbor 28 to October 12), a gold medal has been awarded by Mr. L. J. Brabin, of Wellington, to the student exhibiting the best work in the competitions, mid a silver medal will be presented to tlm student showing the work next in order of merit, the award of the secretary of tlio ncademy (Mr. J. M'Donnld). Mr. M'Donald has received advice from the secretaries of the Victorian Art Society and the Royal Art. Society of New South Wains, stating a representative number of paintings by Australian artists will he forwarded to the show in Wellington, which should add greatly to the liiterpse the exhibition is likely to create.

It is understood that a big field of coal has been located o» the State mine reservo at Point Elizabeth (says the Wcstporfc "News"). The quality is ■omothing between a lignito mid a lirown coal. Outcrops had observed, indicating the presence of the black diamonds, but it was only recently that the extont was known. Had the field been thoroughly prospected before coal mining was entered upon, the railway would probably h".vo boon carried along the coast instead of making a diversion inland, and thus liavo enabled the whole iield to lc worked more cheaply.

Solving the price question of Footwear. Hannah's Shoe Sale continues to attract crowds of buyers, but; tliat is not surprising, consitlcriiis the wonderful bargains offering. Come and dig out a smart pair of shoes for yourself or for nny member of your family. You'll save money. Thousand? to choose from. Every pair reduced. See our Show Windows. R, Hannah and Co., Ltd.—Advt.

Advice has .been received at the Base Records office that 66,211 Private. Joseph Thomas Barrett, of the Q.M. Stores, Trentham, died suddenly in Trentham Camp at 5.45 p.m. on Tuesday, the probable cause of death being heart failure. The Coroner's inquiry takes place to-day. Deceased's next-of-kin is Private Felix Barrett (son), Ordnance Stores, Trentliam.

The gangs . of Jngo-Slavs employed upon public works have lately been augmented by the sending of small supplementary drafts to tho OngarneStratford railway works, to Manganai, and to Kerepehi. Latest reports from tl'e various centres of operations Miow that the Slavs are now carrying on their work contentedly and industriously. A number of farmers in the Auckland district are employing Jugo-Slavs in milking on shares,. under permit from tho alien employment branch of the Defenco Department, the "Now Zealand Herald" states. Mr. John C'tillen, 1.5.0., from whom permits for such work have to be obtained, stated tliat as share-milking was a profitable occupation, and- would be acceptiblo to many returned'soldiers, he made a practice of writing to all farmers who desired to employ alien labour, and apVealed to their sense of patriotism. He suggested to the fanners that, in loyalty to tho men who have served the Empire, they ought to placo themselves in communication with the Discharged Soldiers' Employment Bureau, to ascertain whether ex-soldiers were ti'-ailable for tho work. So far, Mr. Culien added, lie was not aware that hi;! remonstrance had.had any effect.

Speaking at a luncheon at tho National Liberal Club, London, on Juno 26, Mr. John Hodge, tho Pensions Minister, said that he was going to make in a short time a great public appeal for £3,000,000 at least to give that assistance to disabled soldiers and sailors which the Royal Warrant did not allow him to raako. Ho did not want to sond the man suffering from tuberculosis into the workshop, for that meant sentencing him to death, bat he desired to place him on'the land, and that,, he considered, was .the proper function' of the Ministry over which he presided. • A world's record in riveting was created recently at Messrs. Workman, Clark, and C'o.'s shipyard in Belfast, when 1115 7-Bin. rivets were driven in the floors of a standard ship in one hour by a riveter named John Moir, exceeding the previous hour's record by 184 rivets, John Lowry, of Messrs. Harland and Wolff's, having, driven 931 rivets in the last hour of his day's work, when lie established the world's record for nine hours by putting in 7841 rivets.

How the post may beat tho telegraph was demonstrated recently when an experimental aerial return "mail" was run between Paris and London. Letters were sent from Paris and replies brought back within 400 minutes. The swiftest Hying was on tho Paris-to-London joifrney, over 200 miles in 150 minutes. The times wero, to use post office terms: —Paris: "Last collection," 12.50 p.m. London: "Delivery," 3.20 p.m. London: "Last collection," 4.30 p.m. Paris: "Delivery," 7.30 p.m. Tlio experiment was. organised by two airmen, MM. Dovionne and Lorgnat. Tho "mail" left Bezons, seven miles this side of Paris, on a seaplane at 12.50 p.m., and was in' London at 3.20 p.m. The return trip was started an hour later, and reached Paris at 7,30 p.m.

Tlia awards won in the recent scholars' examination of tho Sunday School Union will ho presented by His Worship the Mayor this evening in St. John's Hall at 7.30 o'clock. The Lower Hutt scholars will receive their awards on September 9. •