LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 82, 5 October 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The feature of yesterday afternoon' 6 sitting of the House of Representatives was again the amount of time spent in fruitless discussion* on Select Committee reports on petitions. An hour was also devoted to discussing the amendments made in the Legislative Council to tho Gaming Act Amendment Bill, which included the provision of an extra day's racing to the Wellington Racing Club as an equivalent for the' day lost through the occupation of their buildings by sick Trentham soldiers. There were laughable passages between members of strong convictions during the debate. In the evening a start was made with serious business, and two small measures were read a second time, and the Land Laws Amendment Bill, which contains some important clauses, was similarly dealt with. The House rose at 0.42 a.m. It is obvious that the session cannot end to-morrow, as the Prime Minister last week suggested it might. \ j Members of sports bodies, who have fought strenuously against the Basin Reserve Bill, still fear, apparently^ that the City Council may obtain power this session to run trams through the central playground. However, folk -who have clear vision in these things say that the Bill will be among the " slaughtered innocents." It will not be killed by vote of the House, but will not be allowed to pass. The National Government is not committed to this local Bill. During last Friday afternoon, the objectors included vigorous members of all parties, and it was manifest that any attempt to push the Bill through would, mean a lengthening of tne session far beyond the Prime Minister's recent estimate. In the circumstances ffie Bill can be "counted out " for this year. Thb new stamp duties relating to cheques, mortgages, contracts, totalisator dividends, racing stakes, come > into operation on Ist November next. The Mararoa, from Lyttelton, this morning brought thirty.-two members of the 7th Reinforcements returning from their final leave. v Heavy increased charges for Press-tele-grams in New Zealand are to be imposed by the Government. A supplement to the Gazette issued yesterday sets out the increases, which range from about 35£ to 100 per cent., the bulk of the messages being charged at the higher figure^ Samples of the limestone found in the Manawatu Gorge have been analysed by the Agricultural Department, which reports that the stone is of good quality and quite suitable for agricultural purposes. The question of developing the deposits is to be discussed at a meeting of farmers, to be held in Palmeraton North' during Show week. The first of this season's dairy produce for transhipment to vessels loading for Home is coming to Wellington. A large shipment, comprising about 28,000 boxes, is being brought from Onehunga by the ■Corinna, which ueft the Northern port this morning. The vessel is due here to-morrow afternoon, and, after transhipping her cargo to the Rimutaka, will sail on Friday for New Plymouth, to pick up more dairy produce. From Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, with a request for support, came the following resolution to the Wellington Chamber yesterday : —"That, with a view to reducing the cost of living during the war, the Government be asked to negotiate with the Dominions of Africa and Canada, and the Commonwealth of Australia, with, a view to ar ranging for an interchange of foodstuffs." It was stated that reciprocal trade had been the subject of resolutions at the recent conference of Chambers, and the Federation Executive was now in communication with the Prime Minister regarding the matter. The conference resolution referred to trade generally, whereas Palmerston mentioned foodstuffs only. It was decided to reply, assuring the PalmerstoD Chamber of co-operation, and saying that the question was now before the Federation Executive. A suggestion of how farmers might contribute to patriotic funds in kind is made by Mr. A. P. Whatman, of Masterton. He thinks that every woolgrower in the Dominion should contribute one fleece from every bale of wool for the provision and maintenance of military hospitals. The appeal should be made through the Farmers' Union, and the wool be collected and sent Home in one lot, and carried free on the railways. Mr. Whatman calculates that as the output of wool is approximately 500,000 bales, equal to £10,000,000, at Is each, a contribution of one fleece per bale would realise a total of £200,000. Dairy-farmers and grain-growers could contribute, say, 2 per cent, of their output, and merchants 2 per cent of th_eir profits, to the same object. Thus a substantial sum would be raised without involving any great financial strain on anyone. A plea for the segregation, of all alien enemies was made by Dr. Thacker in the House of Representatives last night, during the debate on the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Bill. The doctor said that it was all very well for the Prime Minister to make arrangements for 'the re-issuing of licenses to the gumdiggers, but what had struck him was that no mention had been made during the discussion of the fact 'that a very large number of these men were Austrians. He contended that they should be placed on We of the islands in the same manner as other alien enemies. Incidentally, he mentioned that he believed "there were two soldiers in the Tauherenikau camp who could not speak a word of English, and who had learned their drill by coyping the other men. The Prime Minister, when replying, ,said that the attitude generally token up was that a large number of the gumdiggers in the north were Austrians. The fact was, however, that they were Crotians and Dalmatians, and their sym"pathjes were not with Germany, but with Russia. A large number of them had volunteered for service, and he had received a telegram to the effect that 200 of them were available for the front. That fact proved their loyalty. Also, in the way of contributions, they had been some of the most generous of the residents of New Zealand. On one occasion they had contributed £1000. At a carnival in Dargaville not long ago their , queen occupied third place on the list. ' During the recess considerable sums of money had arrived from these gumdiggers, and it was only right that he should place this fact on record to remove the misapprehension that existed. This is just a special reminder that to-morrow is Remnant Day at Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd. Remnant Day happens once a month — first Wednesday — and hundreds of attractive economies await you to-morrow. There is an advertisement elsewhere in this issue.— Advt For a winter in Gallipoli or Constantinople your soldier friend will appreciate a, "Balaclava." Call and inspect onr range at 2e lid. 0-eo. Fowlda. Ltd.,

After the Engine-drivers' dispute had been heard in country centres by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) the suggestion was made, and eventually agreed to, that all parties connected with the industry should be represented at a conference to be held in Palmerston North towards the end of October. At the recent examination conducted by the New Zealand Board of Surveyors in conjunction with the Federated Boards of Australasia, the following candidates passed, out of twenty-one presented : — Stanley O. Esam, Auckland; J. H. Adams, Thames; F. Mace, Napier; M. Burrell, Auckland; and A. L. H. Hay, Dunedin. "Suprema Situ" writes to the Editor asking if it is not time the attention of the proper authority was drawn to the diminutive flags usually flown from the Town Hall tower? "As- seen from thestreet the flags suggest postage stamps or the little toy flags carried by children. . . . Surely a flag bearing the ciSy coat of arms should be of reasonable size and the motto legible." Facilities afforded at the Money Order Office, particularly with reference to tho shortage of clerks, were the subject of reference by Mr. T. Ballinger at the Chamber of Commerce lately. At yesterday's meeting, the secretary to the chamber (Mr. H. D. Vickery) reported that when he interviewed the Secretary of the Post Office he learned that two extra clerks had already been put on in this Department. A very large and a very popular movement in Melbourne is the Alexandria club "billy" gift. By the first week in October 20,000 judiciously packed '-'billys" of uniform size will be despatched from the club to Australians at the front. Each billy is to contain either something to eat, something to read, or something to smoke. Every member of the club is making herself responsible for a certain number of "billys." Another comfort has been added to the equipment of the Soldiers' Club, Sydney-street. An installation of six hot showers is much appreciated by the men from Trentham, where the bathing facilities are still far 'below the need. The cosiness of the rooms and the tactful kindness of the management are now well known 'to the soldiers, and the attendance steadily increases -from week to week. The usual comment of those who make a belated discovery of the club is a wish that they ' had found earlier this pleasant place of rest, recreation, and refreshment. • The seheelite industry at the head of Lake Wakatipu promises to be of considerable importance during the next \ six or eight months (says the Wakatipu Mail). The high price being offered for the mineral is attracting a good many miners to the locality. The Glenorchy Syndicate, •which has secured a twelve months' contract with the British Government, is giving as high as £140 per ton delivered at their battery. This is nearly double the amount which was at first paid. The filip -which has been given the industry will, it is believed, attract considerable capital. In a tour of country portions of the Wellington Industrial District, the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) has dealt with many disputes. In the cycle workers' dispute a tentative agreement was arrived at. Arrangements were made for a further conference of employers and the Engine Drivers' Union. An agreement was arrived at in the Napier Painters' case practically on th 6 same lines as other awards operating in the Dominion. A trawling dispute also engaged the attention of the Commissioner a-t? Napier, mttters being adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties. Protests regarding the abolition of the system of cash deposits at the i Post Office have been numerous, according to the report of the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr. H. D. Vickery). At yesterday's meeting of the Council of the Chamber, the secretary stated that he had interviewed the Secretary of the Postal Department concerning the question, and had been assured that the Department could not continue to keep postal and cable accounts for various firms, the system having grown to such an extent. He would, however, consider the continuance of the system for a small charge. A member of the council stated that if the Department would _ accept cheques and give receipts there' was little advantage vi the deposit system. Mr. and Mrs. EA W. M'Kenzie, who recently presented the telegraph poles to erect swings for the use of the girls of the Taita School, yesterday gave two exercise horses, with spring board, to the boys. Mrs. M'Kenzie, in handing them over to the schoolmaster, expressed a hope that the lads would make good use of them, developing muscles that would be useful to them in the real battle of life after they had left school. The elder boys had been taken to Wellington to be shown how to use the horses, and it would be their duty to instruct the younger ones. Mr. Phillips, the headmaster, thanked Mr and Mrs. M'Kenzie for their thoughtful gift, as another instance of the genuine interest they took in the school's welfare. The boys gave three hearty cheers for the donors. In connection with several petitions from friendly societies praying for relief against alleged unfair competition by the National Provident Fund, the Parliamentary Committee yesterday afternoon reported as follows ii) the House of Representatives :— " In the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a view to co-ordinating the work of the friendly societies and National Provident Fund, both of which perform valuable service for the State, ■by granting sucb assistance to the friendly societies as will enable them to embrace to a greater extent all the Dominion's social insurance functions. And to ensure this a conference of the friendly with the Government be held at an early date. And that the evidence taken before it be "printed and circulated." The report was discussed, several speakers expressing satisfaction with it. Mr. C. J. Talbot said there was a good deal of misunderstanding between friendly societies and the National Provident Fund. Both bodies had done splendid work in their special provinces. Although there had been some misapprehension there was not the conflitft that some people seemed to think. The House agreed that the report lie on the table. Doctors, chemists, and students of science will be greatly interested in a picture showing the manufacture and deadly effects of asphyxiating gases, now being shown at Shortt's Theatre. — Advt. Two wants of the khaki man, stocked at Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners-street, Khaki Handkerchiefs at 6d and 9d ; good range suitable socks Is to 2s 6d.— Advt. Work good, charges reasonable, promptitude ! That's our service. We pass entries, forward parcels, move furniture. The N.Z. Express Co., Ltd., 87-91, Customhouse-quay. — Advt. The moving pictures have developed to such an extent during recent years that now we are able to see actuaJ reproductions of events from all parts of the world. It was stated a few days ago that, in spite of the war pressure in France, the Paris fashions were still keeping up, a.nd similar styles to those screened are now in view La C. Smith's Millinery and Mantle Showrooms There are smart model hats from l?s 6d to 47s 6d each* and dainty whit* pique oostuthfe *t 32s 6d each. C Smith, Ltd.,

The Washing-up Bill contains a clause to enable the Commissioner of State Forests or any officer appointed by him to dispose of trees from any State forest nursery at such price, and on such terms and conditions aa may from time to time be determined. The purchaser must enter into an agreement for the care and protection of the trees. Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commiisioner, left for the West Coast yesterday to deal with a goldmining dispute at Ross. ' He will be away from Wellington for about a week. A corporation employee named Shernick has been admitted to the Hospital suffering from a compound fracture of the right elbow caused while he was working a windlass at the Weinui-o-mata Waterworks. The Court of Appeal concluded the hearing this afternoon of the case in which John Wells Chapman, of Wellington, settler appealed against the decision of his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) to grant a fresh trial in the action in which Ramsay MacDougall, Pirinoa, farmer,* had sued Chapman for £3000 damages for misrepresentation m connection with the Bale of certain lands in the Waikato, and in which the jury had brought in a verdict for Chapman. The court reserved its decision. In the course of his presidential address to the Hawkes Bay Cricket Association on Saturday evening Mr. E. H. Williams referred to the passing of the late Victor Trumper, delivering a eulogy on the life of the deceased, whom he characterised as one of the finest sportsmen the world had ever seen. He (the president) had written to Mr. M. A. Noble stating that if it was proposed to erect a memorial he was sure that New Zealand would like to join in perpetuating Mr. Trumper'fc memory. He nad. received a reply agreeing to defer to th© wish expressed. Apparently the Government abandoned the intention of establishing a dairy school at Palmerston North. The Wash-ing-up Bill contains a clause - relating to this matter. Some time ago the Borough of Palmerston North handed over to the Government a borough reserve, once used as a racecourse, as an endowment for a dairy school and experimental station. The term* of the endowment were that unless "the school was established within two years the •land should revert to the Borough Council. The clause of the Washing-up Bill reinvests the land in the borough. The death took place at the Greytown Hospital on Friday last of Mr. John David Spring, an old resident of Greytown, aged 71 years. Deceased had been in indifferent health for some time past. He was for some time connected with the Railway Department, from which he retired some years ago. His wife predeceased him by some seventeen years. He leaves a family of three daughters and one son, namely, Mrs. W Sutherland (Wellington), Mm. N Olsen (Mangamaire), Mrs. G. E. Littlewood (Syd-. ney), and Mr. T. W. Spring (Foxton), to mourn their loss. The funeral took place at Greytown on Sunday.. The Rev. A. W. Compton conducted the service at the graveside, and the Greytown railway employees acted as bearers.' Another claim in connection with the Huntly mine disaster, which occurred on 12th September, 1914, is in process of settlement. Nineteen cases were settled, a« already announced, but recently Mrs. Ada Moloney, of Westpoit put in a claim for £1000, on behalf o. herself and her infant child, on accouiv of the death of her husband in tincataetrope. Mr. IT. . M. Wilford, oi Wellington, in whose , hands the case was put, communicated with Messrs. Jackson, Russell, and Tunks, solicitors for the Taupiri Coalmines Company who paid into Court the sum of £775. the amount awarded by the Court in the other cases. This morning Mr. Wilford applied to His Honour Mr. Jus. tice Cooper, to apportion the amount between the widow and child. His Honour said he would deal with the matter on his return" to Auckland. An Eltham farmer who has in the past sent occasionally a frozen bullock to Bamardo's Homes has just received a. note of appreciation from the Honorary Director in London. He says in the course of the letter : "It is no easy matter in normal times to maintain a family of 7000 boys and girlsand -to keep open doors for eveijy destitute child who I applies ; but owing to the increased cost of food 'and bare necessaries, and to a falling off in income, our difficulties are doubled. I am, therefore, specially grateful to you for the help which you have so generously sent at this anxious time of warfare." Last year the farmer in question sent to Borthwick's Freezing Works a bullock, which the firm generously killed and put into freezing chambers free of charge. They also arranged with shipping and insurance companies to take the carcase free of cost. When, however, the Government commandeered all the meat this bullock was taken along witb the rest. The proceeds of the beast were then sent Home to the homes.. It realised £10 11s 3d, a, very satisfactory result. ■ A money-lending transaction was reviewed by Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day. The plaintiff was L. W. Balkind, of Vivianstreet, and the defendant F. E. Enright, of Marakeke,. Hawkes Bay The claim was for £29 3s, balance alleged to be due on an instrument of security given in connection with a loan for £20. Defendant borrowed £20 from plaintiff, receiving £18 after interest had been deducted. The sum of £15 Is had been paid off in monthly instalments, but when these payments stopped, through sickness, defendant was billed for £29 3s, the two amounts making a total of £44 4s, which defendant, with a great display of negligence (according to the Magistrate), had signed for Defendant admitted that £7 was owing. Mr. P. W. Jackson, for defendant, asked that the transaction be reopened in the terms of the Moneylenders Act on account of the excessive interest charged. Mr Riddell, agreed to do that. "It requires no stretch of imagination," said his Worship, in giving judgment, "to arrive at the conclusion that the interest was excessive." Judgment was given for £8 19s, with Court costs £1 2s, and eolicitor's fee £1 6s. Mr. A- H. Hindmarsh appeared for the plaintiff. A Press Association message from London announces the death of Mr. George Edwardes, the well-known theatrical manager, at the age of 63 years. The late Mr. Edwardes was intended for the army, but adopted a theatrical career, and, in 1876, was engaged by/DOyly Carfe as acting manager of the Savoy. Ten years later he purchased a half interest in the Gaiety Theatre, and inaugurated his management by producing "Jack Sheppard," the first of a long and brilliant series of successes. Included in these was "Dorothy," "Carmen Up to Date" (to see which the public paid At the doors nearly £60,000), "A Gaiety Girl," "The Runaway Girl," "The Circus Girl," "The Toreador," and "The Orchid." In 1895 he took over the control of Daly's Theatre, and there produced a succession of charming musical pieces, including "The Geisha," "San Toy," "The Country Girl." "The Sin* galee," and "The Merry ' Widow. " At various times he ran other theatres ii conjunction with Charles Frohm&ii, Frank Curzon, and otheis. He toured practically ail his pieces in Australia, America, and South Africa, and was regarded as the busiest, and most experienced theatrical manager is London,- or

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