LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 309, 23 September 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities are advised that the s.s. Paloonn, which sailed from Melbourne for Bluff on September 18, carries six bags of Australian mails for Wellington. The R.M.S. Niagara, which sailed from Vancouver for Auckland on September 16, carries 730 bags of mails for New Zealand.

The question of weight of evidence arose in tho Court of Appeal yesterday, during the hearing of ail application for new trial by a prisoner undergoing seven years' imprisonment for a serious charge. Commenting on this question, tlio Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) said' that juries were, in New Zealand, not fond of convicting. "In Scotland," lie added, "where juries consist of fifteen men, prisoners have gone to tho gallows on tho verdict of eight, the bare majority."

The rumour that the schools of minra in the Dominion are to transferred from the control of the Mines Depart nient to that of the Education Depart ment formed the subject nf a question which Mr. It. P. Hudson (Motueka) yesterday asked the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister of Mines. Mr. Massey said that several statements had bepn made recently to this effect, but nothing official had como under his notion and no action was contemplated. Tho Ministers of Education and Mines had agrejd that thu position might best re' main as it was. (Hear, hear.)

Cost of delivory has made an increase in the cost of living throughout New Zealand. This fact is brought out impressively in a letter received by the Board of Trade from a Dunedin correspondent. "The bakers here," the correspondent writes, "have all reduced bread to 9}d. cash over tho counter. Several havo given up their carts, and depend entirely upon the counter trade. 'Those 1 liavo spoken to say that the innovation is - likely to become permanent, as they find it costs more than 2d. per loaf to deliver, for everything is so high in price and bad debts are becoming a more serious problem every month, for the percentage of workers who gradually get behind in their payments is increasing steadily." In Wellington the price of bread is 6d. per 21b. loaf cash over the counter and Gld. delivered. The saving by the direct method of cash over the counter is two-fold. In-addition to the lower price the community has tho benefit of a diversion of labour from delivery to more essential work, for lrhich there is a shortage of .hands at present.

A ten-year-old boy named Harold Richards, residing at 16 Maida Vale Road, Roseneath, fell a distance of about 20ft, over a bank at Roseneath yesterday, and Buffered slight injuries to tho faco and body. He was removed to the hospital for treatment.

Mr. Walter Tait, New Zealand manager for the Globe Sewing Machine Company, was picked up at Herno Bay, Auckland, last night in an unconscious condition, and with severe injuries to his head. Tlio extent of his injuries is not vet known. Mr. Tait, who went to Auckland from Wellington on business, is a married man.—Pi-ess Assn.

Tho Auckland Rugby League decided last night to take effective measures to prevent betting 011 football grounds, or interference with players or referees. It was also decided to exclude betting men from the League's grounds. During a discussion it was stated that betting was vory prevalent, and was having a detrimental effect 011 tho game—Press Assn.

An anomaly in tho pensions law was mentioned in the House of Representatives by Mr. Stntham (Dunedin Central). If a woman with childron is left a widow, the -State will pay a pension in respect, of tho children, but if (lie mother dies and then the father dies later, the children get no pension. Sir Willinm Herries said that the whole question of pensions amendments depended upon the cost and tho amount of money available. He would take a special note of the point raised, and have it considered.

The receipt of tho following donations toward tho Labour Day brigade dcrnon'stiation at the Hutt Recreation Ground is acknowledged with thanks by the secretary of tho Hutt Valley United Kim Brigades Messrs. Staples and Co., ,-C5 55.; Messrs. Lever Bros. (N.Z.), Gear Company, Messrs. Sclway, O'Halloran, T. M. Wilford, M.P., R. Eeid, and R. Lees, .£1 Is. each; Messrs. F. Jenness, Ifennington, W. T. Cotton, Slater, Shearer, Feist and Co., Cleudou Bros., Slinn,. and Short and Eraser, 10s. Gd. each. Trophies were received from Messrs. Lands, .T. H. Qarey, E. Battersby, Ronnie, L. C. Wray,' Macatiley, and Mrs. Pickard.

An appeal over a will dispute occupied the tho Court of Appeal yesterday afternoon, tho ease being fliat of Peter M'Donald v. Elizabeth Valentino and others. Tho appeal was made against a judgment delivered by Mr. Justice Sim. Tho case is proceeding, the counsel engaged being Sir John Findlay and Mr. T. M. Wilford.

During the 'hearing of a motion for new trial bv the Court of Appeal yesterday, counsel for tho prisoner referred to tho need of considering the feelings of the public in such matters. To this, Mr. Justice Chapman answered that he considered counsel was going too far. Tho facts of tlio case, and the decision had been shown to the public by the jury, as portion of the publio.

"Why is sugar not obtainable in New Plymouth?" asked Mr. W* T. Jennings (Waitomo) in the House of Representative yesterday. He had found that sugar could be bought in other centres, but New Plymouth had no supply at all at present, and much inconvenience was being caused to tho people. The Minister of Industries and Commerco (Mr, Leo) replied that New Plymouth lacked sugar because tho sugar workers in Auckland had gone on strike for a month. The refinery had been idle and so supplies of sugar were not available. Tho troublo was not peculiar to New Plymouth. The /jhmrtago was being felt all over the Dominion, although some centres may have •had largljr stocks than others when the utrike coinmcnccd. The sugar workers had now resumed work, and he hoped that bv the beginning of next week if no further trouble occurred, tho shipment of sugar to the various centres would be resumed. New Plymouth penpie would share equally with other people throughout New Zealand.

The last meeting of the Wellington District Repatriation BoaTd was presided over 'by Mr. T. S. Weston. Twenty-six applications for loans for the purchase of businesses were granted and two were declined. It was decided to subsidise tho wanes of three men undergoing training in trades, and to pay the training allowances of eight others receiving instruction at technical schools, etc.

At vesterday's meeting of tho Dominion Bowling Associntion, Mi'- -T. ' T - Harlow raised tlie question as to tho stamping of bowls. Ho said tlmt anyone who know anything about timber, particularly as applied to bowls, knew Hint changes took p ace owing to shrinkage; as tho wood gradnallv dried up. Tins, he maintained, •llTcctcd -a bowl sufficiently to negative tho virhio of a test stamp after a number of years. The 1909 stamp-tlie old N '/t B A stamp—was noiv useloss as an indication of tho bias of that bowl. Ho therefore moved that- tho 1909 stamp 1)9 done away with altogether as any criterion of tho condition of tho bowl; that fho 1913 hold good for tho present, and that a now 1020 stamp be nrocuicd fo- all future stamping of bowls. Mr. Mnrlow's motion was carried .it being agreed, on the suggestion of Mr. S. il. Underwood, that a stamp of a new design altogether bo procured to avoid any •'fakint'" or confusion with existing impressions. Tho Hamilton Law Socicty lias passed n resolution stating: "Owing to the size of tho district, tho Stipendiary Magistrate lias »ot time to disposo of all tho work This imposes groat inconvonionco and expense on tho public through ndiournruonte, and vrhoro urgency of decision i« important oporates to dony justice The position has long been serious, ■ind is now acute, and the society will 1» pleased to hear that the long-promised subdivision of the Hamilton district ha? been effected."—Press Assn.

It has come before the notico of tlia executive of tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association that some person has been accosting nursing sisters in the streets of Wellington who aro wenring the badge of the association, and asking for their authority to wear the badge. The secretary, Mr. R..J, L'. Aldrich, has requested us to state that no person lias authority to nsk this question, and strong action will be taken to prevent a recurrence of this insult. "Returned soldiers," said Mr. Aldrich, "aro proud to have the sisters associated with them, and pleased to see them wearing-tho returned soldiers' badge, but if the we'aring of it is going to bring insults with it, our honorary members will soon cease to exhibit tho badge which, we honour so much."

At the annual meeting of delegates of the New Zealand Golf Association, the Hamilton links came in for much praise from competitors at the tournament. Mr. J. B. MaeEwan (Wellington) said ho regarded the Hamilton links as unrivalled in tho Dominion—ho would almost go the length of saying "in Australasia." Mr. R. C. lurk (Hutt) said he had played on every ccurse of importance in New Zealand, and he considered the Hamilton course 6tood out alone and unique amongst them, and that there were no others in tho Dominion that presented the same novel features for a championship match or which were set in such delightful surroundings. Sir. 11. D. Gillies (captain) and Mr. A. K. Webb (secretary) were heartily congratulated by tho delegates oil the excellence of the course.

Chief Detective M'llveney stated at tho Cliristchurch Magistrate's Court on Monday morning that tho amount of thieving that had been going on about the railway goods shed recently was "simply appalling." Mr. S. K. M'Carthy, S.M., in sentencing a married man to one month's imprisonment for having stolen a. motor cyclo cover from tho railway station, said: "Tho position the Court is faced with is this—both the railway goods shed and the waterfront aro becoming unsafe for public property or anyone's property, and it is neccssary, in tho interests of tho public, that thefts from those places be dealt with firmly."

An allegation that Auckland police authorities influenced a female complainant to change her mode of dress before giving evidence was made by Sir. Allan Moody in tho Court of. Appeal yesterday, when he was appearing for Franklin John Smith (convicted of rape), who sought a new trial. Tho girl in the case, asserted counsel, wits given to dressing "flashily," and lie understood that an Auckland detective had instructed her to wear plainer flothes when giving her ovidence in'the Supreme Court. The girl, ■under cross-examination in tho Supremo Court, had admitted t.hat she had. been told to dress differently. Mr. Justice Edwards agreed with Mr. Moody that the police should not have taken the step referred to

The chairman (Mr. J. G. Harkness) reported at last night's meeting of tho Harbour Board that fitting arrangements had been made for the reception at Queen's Wharf of Admiral Viscount Jelhcoe of Scapa, Governor-Gene-ral-elect of the Dominion, 011 his arrival at Wellington 011 Monday. _ Mr. Harkness stated that if the. Corinthio arrived in good tinio tlier landing of His Excellency would take place either off tho Duchess or the Tutanokai. Tho wharves would lw open to all who coukl find accommodation and admission would not be by ticket. An address of welcome will be presented to Viscount Jellicoe by Mr. Hnrkuess on. behalf of tho board.

Preliminary plans of the proposed storo 011 Waterloo Quay reclamation were approved at last nighfs meeting of tho Harbour Board, and the engineer (Mr. J. Marchbanks) was authorised to complete working plans and specifications and to call for tenders for the erection of the building. Tho shed will bo 450 feet in length and 80 foot in width.

Three charges alleging the offence commonly known ns profiteering aro set down to come beforo tho city Polico Court at Dunedin. The charges relate to a geography book, a kitchen table, and n skein of wool. Tho informations are on the ground that these articles were Bold at unreasonably high prices, The charge against the bookseller will be heard 011 October 1 and the other two on Octobor 4.—Press Assn.

In reply t'o a question by Mr. M. W. Welch at last night's meeting of tlio Harbour Board, it was explained that there were 320 employees on.the board's permanent staff. Mr. Welch went on to Btato that he considered this number should be increased by 500 or at least doubled, as there had been a marked shortage lately owing, to sickness. Tlio chairman (Mr. J. G. Harkness) inti. mated that the whole matter was at present being' considered by a special committee set up by the board. There were considerable difficulties in the way, but the committee was going into the question yery fully. "Iu viAv of tho proposed erection of the city corporation's power-house «t Evans Bay, will the Harbour Board strengthen. and lengthen tho Mirauiar wharf so as to facilitate the transhipment of coal for thu council's nse?" The foregoing question waj asked by Mr. 11. A. Wright, M.P., at last night's meeting of the Harbour Board, and in reply the chairman (Mr. J. G. Harkness) stated that the matter would require a good deal of consideration .and the board's engineer would have to table a report on the subject. Mr. Harkness added that there had already been a proposal before tho board to increase tho length of the wharf.

At a recent meeting of the Wellington District Law Society, it was resolved: "That the society is strongly of opinion that section 3 of the Law Practitioners Act, 1915, should not be repealed." In this connection, the president of tlio society and the Hon. T. W. Ilislop will represent the society before the Statutes Revision Committee, and other district law societies will''be asked to support the attitude of the Wellington body." The section referred to reads as follows:—"No practising barrister of the rank <if King's Counsel shall also practise as a solicitor, either alone or in partnership with any other solicitor, and no certificate under section 45 of the principal Act shall be. issuod to any such barrister; but this provision shall not apply to any barrister at present holding the patents of King's Counsel."

A Press Association telegram from Christchurch reports that Mr, Ben ,T. Fuller, governing-director of John Fuller, Ltd., who was in Christchurch , yesterday, completed the purchase for his firm of the well-known Colosseum property in Gloucester Street. The prieo is not disclosed, but is understood to be well over .£12,000. It is tho intention •of the Fuller firm to erect an elaborate now vaudeville theatre on the site.

The recent increaso in postal rates has misled many firms that did not formerly enclose invoices with their parcels to do so. In some cases these invoices aro not merely descriptive of the contents of such parcels, as provided for in the regulations, but contain iu tho heading tho words "Dr. to," thus turning tho invoice into an account. Tho postal authorities stato that tiie enclosine of invoices so headed renders tlio parcel liable to a surcharge of double the postage such cnclosuro would havo cost if sent separately.

Mr. Jennings (Waitomo) has given notice of his intention to ask whether (lie Government will consider tho advisability of encouraging tobacco-growing in tho Dominion by tho payment of bounties on tho tolwcco pyoduced. In a note to his question Mr. Jennings says:—"The Governments of the Commonwealth aro encouraging the above proposition, owing to tho high price of tobacco; and experts have shown that tho gross .returns are as high as J3IOO per acre, while the expenses all round do not exceed JJ2S per acre."

Mr. B. A. Wright, M.P., has been approaohed by a number of prominent, citizens and asked to contest the Mayoralty at tho next election, on tlio undersianding that Mr. ,T. P. Luke does not intwul to offer himself for re-olection.