LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 257, 25 July 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The sum of £l5OO was taken at the gates at the Athletic Park on Saturday, in addition to which a considerable number of tickets sold in town prior to the match have yet to be accounted for. Including the sales from reserve tickets in the stand, it is expected that tho total receipts will approximate £2BOO.

A fire occurred in Tui Street, off Tory Street, at 6.55 p.m. on Saturday, in ft small wooden cottage. The flames had gained a good hold when the brigade arrived, as there was some delay in giving tho alarm. Although the brigadesmen worked hard, the building was completely destroyed. No details ns to ownership or insurances were available last night. The strong wind blowing at tho time gave the brigade a great deal of difficulty. Although no organ recital had been announced for last evening, a considerable number of people gathered at tho Town Hall, anticipating that a recital would bo held. It appears that it was not intended to hold a recital last evening as the hall had been let to the Caledonian Society until Friday next for its baznar, but the council officers failed to advise the public by advertisement that the usual recital could not bo held. Discussing the position last evening, tho Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) stated that tho idea was that an organ recital should bo held every Sunday evening when the hall was not engaged, and the hall being engaged for a bazaar thin week a notice should have been _ inserted in the papers stating that for this reason the recital could not bo held. Unfortunately no notice had been put i'.i the papers, hut this oversight would not happen again.

Among thane travelling with the visiting South African Rugby team are:--Mr. John Luyt, one of tho leading forwards in the 1912 Springbok team which toured England; Mr. R. Stanford, one of the agricultural representatives of de Beer’s proprietary, which is a big diamond mining concern in Kimberley and elsewhere in South Africa; Mr. Morris, hon. trainer; and Mr. M. C. Blackett, journalist, representing South African papers. On tho southern tour Mr. R. T. Bailey will act as the New Zealand Rugby Union's representative. A senseless and costly practical joke that may prove expensive to its perpetrators was enacted on Friday evening at Ngahauranga, when a steam roller (used for work upon the Hutt Road) with banked fires, was deliberately sot in motion by some pea-son unknown, and allowed to crash down the road and into lhe Ngahauranga .Stream. As the roller, which weighs about five tons, had to plunge over a bank'and down a sharp declivity into tho stream, it was considerably damaged in front, though the roller itself was not injured. There was an element of stupid cruelty, too, in the act, for there happened to bo a dog tied to one of tho big wheels, and, as lhe rope was short, the animal was lifted into the air with each revolution of the wheel, and then thrown violently to the ground. The police and city authorities are inquiring closely, into the matter.

Mr. Justice Hosking will deliver a lecture on "Agency Commission” to the members of the Wellington Accountant Students' Society on Friday »fxt.

The Church of England community in Blenheim have had manufactured a brass memorial tablet in mrinory of those members ’of tho church in tho parish who lost jtheir lives in the war. It contains about 52 names. and is to be Greeted in the Church of the Nativity, Blenheim, and is of attractive workmanship. The, tablet is view in -be window of Messrs. Littlejohn and Son, Lambtou Quay. According to the "members’ circular," issued by tho Federation of Master Printers of Great Britain and Ireland, in May last, tho printing trade was not in too nourishing a condition. At the end of April there were 13,755 males and 7G41 females wholly unemployed, and 31.889 males and 10,700 females partially unemployed, or a total of 44,319. These figures only represent the number drawing unemployment pay.

The day the Manuka left Sydney last week a peculiar tragedy occurred on the liner Osterloy. The vessel was being fumigated, and tho ship was searched and everybody ordered out of the sections about to be treated. Apparently ono passenger was overlooked, and when the cabins were opened up again a thirdclass lady passenger was found dead, in her bunk.

A valuable gift has been made to the Canterbury Museum by Miss J. N. Tcape, a former resident of Christchurch. and formerly of the N.Z.A.N.S. It consists of two studies of New Zealand bird life, painted by Miss Tcape. One. which is in water-colour, is of the native bittern, and tho other, in oils, is a study of the white heron. Miss Tcape, who was once well known as a Christchurch bird artist, possesses considerable talent as a painter of birds, and the pictures which she has presented will prove an important addition to the collection at the musdum.

In the article which appeared in Saturday’s DbMiNION under the 'heading “Conditions in England” (being an interview with Mr. Pearce C. Luke), one of the sub-headings was made to read "End of Motor Transport." when it should have been "Era of Motor Transport.’’ A debate from teams representing Victoria College and the Y.M.C.A. took place on Friday night in the Y.M.C.A. Tho subject for debate was "That it is desirable that tho Anglo-Japanese Treaty should be renewed." The affirmative was taken by the Y.M.C.A., represented by Messrs. S. W. Webber and O. E. Burton, and tho negative by Victoria College, whose speakers were Messrs. G. O. Cooper and J. W. Mr. C. B, Falconer, president of the Y.M.C.A., presided over a good attendance,_ and the Rev. Dr. Gibb officiated as judje. On a vote the audience declared itself by a narrow majority in favour of the Victoria College side. Dr. Gibb placed tho speakers in tho following order of merit: —Burton 1, Davidson 2, Cooper and Webber bracketed equal. Councillor R. A. Hartley has given notice of his intention to move the following motion at the meeting of the letone Borough Council this evening: "That in future no permit for the holding of Sunday public meetings, concerts, or entertainments in any of the borough licensed halls be granted without the permissiop of tho council having been obtained by resolution.” Tho presence of two smartly-dressed young women in the procession of unemployed in Auckland on Friday caused some little surprise amongst the spectators, states the "Star." The diversion was wholly unexpected, and not a few of tho public on the sidewalks were curious as to whether the women were serious, and really seeking work, for as they marched their countenances never lost illuminating smiles. Inquiries made, elicited the information that tho young women are seeking employment as tailoressos. having lost their positions in the trade in the retrenchment that took place in certain factories whereby now large numbers of girls are idle.

As an instance of what can ho done bv intelligent work on a small farm, an ex-southerner who owns 96 acres of land in the Papakura district, where the soil originally was by no moans fertile, has taken from this area during the past year a total of .£l3OO, states tho "Herald.” This was done by keeping good cows, growing good grass, and providing a moderate supply of root nnd fodder crops'. The average yield per cow for the season was .£4O. About 30 per cent, of their yield was sold as fresh milk to the citv. tho remaining 70 per cent, being sent to the dairy factory. The balance of the return was obtained from tho sale of surplus hay, etc. This farmer believes that he could obtain as large a return from Oven a smaller area of land. Most of the returns coma from pasture whicii is kept in excellent condition, but great assistance was derived from the growth of soft turnips, rape, and mniz.e. By far the best cropping results were, obtained from soft turnips, which can be sown from October to March, and which provide feed from the end of January to early spring, when grass is once more in good growth. Experience has shown this farmer that if other feed is provided besides soft turnips, the milk cooled as soon as it comes ijopi tho cow, and the turnips fed at night after tho milking is Over, no taint is found in the milk. As a matter of fact, he received fd. extra for quality through the driest parts of the year.

T'he courageous manner in which blind soldiers are facing life, some particulars of which were telegraphed from Wellington, is well instanced by an Auckland case, ' states the "Herald.’ This soldier having beqn trained in a handicraft at, St. Dunstan’s Hospital, arrived in New Zealand with his wife in March of last year. He decided to reside in Auckland, and the district repatriation officials were communicated with. They first arranged for accommodation for the couple, and arranged with the Patriotic Association for an advance to puroilase a house. On behalf of the soldier an officer of a Department Inspected various houses, and within six weeks the soldier was installed In a comfortable house. Tho Commercial Travellers’ Fund made a grant for furnishing. In his homo the soldier is now working nt his craft, the Repatriation Department arranging for the manufacture of certain parts arid placing the goods on the market. The soldier himself dug and planted n flower and vegetable garden, and is busy and cheery.

At Hastings recently two applicants for old-age pensions were charged with attempting to obtain a pension certificate by means of u wilfully false statement by filling in wrong incomes on forms. The Magistrate addressed a severe reprimand to tho accused, saying ho could fine them up to -C5O or three months’ hard labour. The accused were old men. nnd ho would not bo hard this time, but he wanted those concerned to know that if they made false statements and were convicted ho would have to consider sending them to gaol without tho option of a fine.

"But how could that happen in Ashburton?" Mr. Justice Herdman asked counsel in the Christchurch Supremo Court, when allegations of chronic alcoholism wore made against one of the parties in the case being heard. “This was a good many years ago," counsel replied. "I thought that it was impossible in Ashburton,’’, commented His Honour. "For those who know, sir, nnd those who want it," counsel eaid, "we understand that there are always places where it can be got."

"There are too many accidents in Christchurch," said the Mayor, Dr. Thacker, ALP., reeetiU.v. "High f-..--

and largo hedges at street corners must bo cut down. Dogs should not bo allowed loose in the central area.. Women with children, and particularly those who wheel children through the streets, should bo informed' of the risk —a grout deal of hydatids is disseminated by dogs and cats. Another danger is from uncovered garbage tins.”

When a returned soldier applies for work On railway construction works, he has to submit to a. medical examination. This many soldiers consider a hardship, involving loss of time and money. The matter was placed before the Department by the Grey of the R.S.A., states, the "Press." Replying to these representations, tho general manager of railways, stated that the work was very strenuous, and required applicants to bo physically fit. Tha stringency of the test, however, was relaxed in favour of many applicants who had been on active service.

Interest has been aroused in scientific circles in regard to the acid water of White Island, states the “Herald." Tho water evidently contains some properties not contained in any other water in New Zealand, us a request has come from Wellington for some of it for research work. A communication has been received by a local resident from the director of the Waihi School of Mines, stating: "I have liecn asked to try and secure a sample of the acid water on White Island for Professor Robertson*, of Victoria College, Wellington. He wants to do some roscarch< work, and is making a start with chlorine. The idea is that the atomic weight of chlorine in the hydro-chloric acid of While Island water may be slightly different from that of chlorine in salt.” The letter also requests that a fairly large sample be taken by the next party which visits White Island.

During a bankruptcy meeting at Wanganui, one. of the counsel present was endeavouring to ascertain how the stock in tn? estate had been valued. “Oh,”' replied one of tho creditors, "each side had a representative, and I also assisted." "I see," said the counsel, "the valuing, then, was done by arbitration” “Oh, no,” casually remarked tho creditor. " just produced a bottle of whisky and matters proceeded most amicably."