LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 231, 24 June 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister of Education (Hon. C. J. Parr) sent the following cablegram to the Prince of AVales yesterday" Over 200.000 New Zealand school children send birthday greetings of affectionate loyalty and remembrance.”

Although the State schools did not observe a holiday yesterday in honour of the Prince of Wales s birthday, the occasion did not pass unmarked. In the majority of the schools the masters made reference to the birthday of the Prince, recalling his memorable visit of last year. In nearly all the schools ihe National Anthem was sung, preceded in some instances by the hearty singing of "God, Bless the Prince of Wales.” Bunting flew from every public building and many others in honour of the day. In the report of tho Social TVolfare Committee submitted to the Hospital Board yesterday, it was stated that of 97 applicants for relief in May, 14 eave unemployment as tho reason for their aj>plication. Tho chairman (Mr. F. Castle) said that the position seemed to be fairly stationary in regard to unemployment. If such cases were to increase it would be the duty of the Social Welfare Committee to get into touch with the Gov-, eminent Department that was concerned with unemployment. It was the function of the Government to provide work. Tho board could not do so, but it might cooperate with the Department in ascertaining whether applicants for relief wero registered among those requiring work, or whether they had been offered employment. The Rev. Dr. Elliott asked if applicants who were physically fit were required to do any work in return for tho aid given them. Any man with any self-respect would wish to "work it out.” The chairman said that in such cases they did try io give men a bit of gorse-grubbing or something else to do up at the home. t

A resolution confirming the special loan of £10,(100 for workers’ dwellings was passed by the City Council last evening.

The Government has consented to the borrowing of .£133,800 by tho Palmerston North Borough Council for various works .at 6 per cent.,- tho period of the loan to be ten years. Tho council has failed to obtain this money at a lower rate of interest. Th" chief item m the loan schedule is £100,009 for gasworks. Amending regulations under tire Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act issued yesterday, provide a scale of fees for licenses to keep private magazines for .the storage of explosives. ’The fee to be charged for each license for the importation of explosives is to be £1 for every 20001 b. or part of 20001 b. gross weight.

A. meeting of the Samoan Advance Tarty was held last evening at the U.S.A, rooms io consider the question of holding a reunion in August.. Mr. J. Thompson was voted to the chair. The Samoan Advance Party was actually ,the first war force sent out by New Zealand. It will bo remembered that war was declared on August 4., 1914, and by August 9 the Samoan Force, consisting of about 1500 men. was equipped and ready to embark on A ugust 9, and actually sailed on August 15. eflcorted by Psyche, Philomel, and Pyramus. and arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia, on August 21, where they were joined by JT.M.A.S. Australia, and Melbourne nnd the French cruiser Montcalm. From Noumea, the expedition sailed for Suva, arriving there oil August 24. The Advance Party arrived at Apia, Samoa, on August 28, and the British Flag was hoisted on the following morning with appropriate ceremony. The Samoan contingent remained in possession of Samoa for nine months, and were relieved by a fresh regiment from New Zealand. On the return of the Advance Party, the men were disbanded, and most of them joined the Fifth Reinforcements ipid this section of the Expeditionary Force suffered severely on Gallipoli. J he meeting last night, though not largely attended, was unanimous in tho decision to hold a smoke concert on August .7, and a committee was appointed to carry out tho arrangements for tho gathering which will be open io nil members of I lie Samoan Advance Party. Tn a letter Io (he City Council, ttl" *K«nox-i School Commit tee requested that Ihe tramway stop at Donald street should be made a compulsory one. I ha request was considered by the council last night, but was not granted. "Tho service in this district is only a twentyminutss one,” the Tramway Committee reported, "and moformen are instructed to slow down when peering Donald Street,** ‘

The following particulars «‘s to the position of tho comet were given last evening by Dr. Adams, Government As-tronomer-.—June 13, at Perihelion, 22hr. 29min. R.A., 15deg. 32min. north. June 23, 23hr. 41uflm It. A.. Gdeg. 14min. south. July 3, no houi-j 34min. R.A., 20deg. 40niin. south. July 13. Ihr. smiu. R.A., 29deg. 31min. south. For those people who have not got an atlas. Dr. Attains mentioned that on July 3 tho comet will be close to tho star Beta Ceti.

The Fire Brigade acknowledges receipt of a cheque for ss. towards their recreation fund from the Universal Film Alanufacturing Co. The donation was made in recognition of the excellent work done by the brigade at the fire at the Film Company’s warehouse on Sunday last.

A letter was received at last evening’s meeting of the City Council from jhe Mitchelltown Returned Soldiers’ Welcome Home Association formally handing oyer to tho Citv Council the memorial which has been erected at the corner of Holloway Road and Aro Street. The Mayor said that tie memorial was a very fine one indeed, and a credit t-:> all concerned. It. should be seen by everyone. (Tn his motion a letter of congratulation and thanks is to lax forwarded to the association.

The Northland Progressive Associal ion is to be informed by the City Council, in reply to a request (hat minimum fare cars bo run to Northland at rush hours, that it is not possible to do this nt present on account of the shortage of cars. A. suggestion that ihe Botanical Gardens cars be run through to North land will he given consideration after the winter months. At present these ears are run through to Karori Cemetery between 7 and 9 a.m., and between 4 and 5 p.m.

As there are "reduced” price sales being held just now, the matron of the AVellington Hospital has been authorised to spend -£4O on Christmas toys and goods.

In a report io the City Council last night, the 51ilk Connnittec stated that it°was negotiating with the farmers for a supplv of milk for next winter, and hoped to be in a position. Io report completed arrangements at an early date. The AVellingtou AVaterside Workers’ Union wrote recently' to the Hospital Board seeking a general entrance -pass to the hospital, in order to be in a position to visit union members who may be patients at any time. The union was informed that such a pass could not be issued, as it would set up an undesirable precedent. The union has asked to be allowed to deputationise the Iward on the matter, but the board yesterday discountenanced the proposal.

A boy four years of age, named Douglas Ronald Ferguson, died suddenly on Wednesday at No. 39 Hall Street, and at the inquest held the same day the coroner (Mr. F. K. Hunt, 5.51.) found that death was duo to heart failure, following upon an attack of diphtheria twelve months ago.

Consent was last night granted by the Citv Council to a proposal to construct a street 50ft. in width off Stokes Street, subject io the requirements of the city engineer as to construction, provision of sewers, water mains, etc.., being complied with. Application is to be made to the Public Works Department for consent to the laying off of tho street of a less width than 50ft. subject to the b’uldii.g lino being set bock a distance of 33tt. from tho centre line of the street.

An inquest will be held at 9.15 a.m. today into the cause of the sudden death of ’George William -Green, which took place at No. 5 Entrance Street on tveanesday.

Authority for tho erection of street lamps as under was granted by the City Council last night:-Armitage Street, N"-aio two lamps; Harbour \ icw Road, Norttiiand. one lamp; Borlasc Street, one lamp; Seatoun, four lamps. The AVomen’s National Reserve recently suggested to the City Council that the lower part, of the soldiers’ and sailors’ memorial cemetery at Karori should be reserved for war graves as 0™”°” by the Government regulations, and that the upper portion should be reserved for the burial of war veterans The organisation is to be informed that until the area of tho lower portion has been completely utilised, the council cannot see its way to approve of burials m the lipper portion of the area, but. that arrangements will be made for the setting aside of ground in the lower portion for the burial of war veterans, upon conditions that will ensure the graves a .” d hoadstone-s being in uniformity with the graves in other portions of the soldiers’ and sailors’ memorial cemetery. An error appeared in a paragraph published yesterday in regard to importations of Oregon pine. The secretly of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers Association (Mr. A. Seed) was quoted as stating that "business” in Oregon pine was likely to advance rather than decline. AVhat he said was that tho price of this timber was likely to advance rather than decline. American trade journals of recent date reported that tho price of Oregon pine was likely to increase towards the end of this month, but a letter sfr. Seed has just deceived from a San Francisco exporter indicates liiat the price has already risen.

“The houses on sections IG, 17, and 18 are now nearing completion, and should be finished in about two or three weeks,” stated tho City’Council’s housing superintendent in a report io last night’s meeting. "They will then require to be fenced, as ibis is not included in the contract. The house on section No. 19 is now finished Inside, and only requires to be fenced in. The house. on section No. 29 is now finished outside, and is being papered and finished inside. The roof is being put on house on seel ion No. 24. A start, has been made with the foundation on section No. 25/

Information with reference to municipal library subscribers, subscriptions, and book issues for ihe period November 19 1919. io April 20, 1920, and. for the same period of the year 1920-21, was contained in a report presented to the City Council last night. The library subscription for the earlier period was ss. per adult person, and for the later period 10s. Tn the five months of 1919-20 there were 4873 subscribers, the book issues were 130,728, and subscriptions totalled £609 2= fid. The corresponding figures for'ihe five months of 1920-21 were: 3338 subscribers, 130,660 issues, and £834 7s. fid.

The Hospital Board was informed yesterday. with reference io the medical treatment, of school children, that, ihe medical superintendent does not consider it is at present necessary to establish a special dav for iheeo at the out-patients department, but he is having records kept of the number of children attending, and will establish a special day if required. It is not considered desirable that temporary cases in large number should be admitted into the Children s Hospital. If a child, after a minor operation, has not recovered in ihe afternoon. it is admitted for treatment until fit for removal.

A request of the Wellington Education Board for a remission of rates on property in Thompson Street was not granted by the City Council, which considered the matter last night.

"It is more than possible that the Adelaide Road site fold tramcar sheds) will bo needed by the milk department, —The Mayor al last evening’s meeting of the City Council.

• A request for permission Io keep an apiary on poi-tio;a of the Karori waterworks reserve was not acceded to by the City Council last night.

The Mount Cook School Committee is to be informed that the City Council is not in a position at the present time to carry out improvements in the neighbourhood of the new school site, Mount Cook district.

"It’s not the same as the Y.51.C.A., bat. I believe that the Central Club is a very respectable one,” said tho Mayor last evening at the City Council. Reporting last night to the City Council upon the new award under which the employees at the municipal milk depot are working, the klilk Committee staled: "The increased wages amount to an extra Is. per week, or -t’7B per annum. The reduction of working hours from 48 to 4-f hours for eight months will not entail the payment of overtime to any great extent. The reduction of overtime from four hours to three hours will only entail extra charges when some abnormal condition. arises, i.e.. breakdown of machinery or transit. The quart of milk allowance has always been included as from the first .award made. The Court did not consider any decrease in the quantity in the event of shortage. The award expires on the same date as the award under which the vendors’ employees are working, viz., July 31, 1922.” Tho fee for croquet courts in the various districts was last night fixed by the City Council at £2O a court for the season.

The use of the Basin Reserve 011 August 13. with permission to charge for admission to the match, Queensland v Wellington, has been granted the Wellington Rugby Football League. In response (,0 an invitation of the Orongorongo tunnel co-operative party the Mayor and councillors are to visit the works on Wednesday next, leaving town at 11. a.m. The party will be the guests of tho tunnellers.

The Reserves Committee reported to the City Council last evening that they had arranged for the baths and toadies ami buildings thereon to be umler the control of the city engineer, who will to responsible to the committee. Plantations adjoining.the beach will to under the control of the Director of Parks and Reserves.

“That in view of the present financial position, one half of the, general rate only be remitted this year to spprts bodies,” was one of the recommendations contained in th" report of the Finance Committee to the City Council last night. The recommendation was adopted. .The Finance Committee of the City Council last night recommended that in order to make up the deficiency in the street-widening loan, authority should be granted for the sale of property in Adelaide Road acquired- for street-widening. The recommendation was adopted. A cablegram has been received by Mr. Hi E. Combs (secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union) from slr. G. W. Slade, who is now in Sydney, slating (hat ihe South African footballers are to leave for Wellington on July 7—a week earlier than expected. The stayor of AA’hipukurnu (Mr. E. A. Goodger) and the Town Clerk (slr. G. E. Fowler) interviewed the Minister of Public Works regarding certain borough matters. They were introduced by Sir George Hunter, 51. P.