LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 107, 6 May 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tlie Postal authorities advise that the Westralia, which sailed from Sydney on the 3rd inst. for Auckland, is bringing an Australian mail only, which is due here by the Main Trunk train on Tuesday morning. The Manuka, which sailed from Sydney on the 4th inst. for Wellington, is also bringing an "Australian mail only, and is due here on Monday next.

At the recruiting meeting in the City Council Chamber last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) expressed approval of the Hon. G. W. Russell's suggestion that the best way to get over the difficulty regarding the shortage of recruits was to call upon the 110,000 young men who had intimated that they were willing to go to the front if asked to. These young fellows would then have a chance of making good their word, and if a fair percentage enlisted the difficulty would be overcome immediately.

Lighting of private streets will be considered by the City Council shortly on a report from the Lighting Committee. Sir. George Lauehlan, the corporation's Electrical Engineer, is engaged in drawing up a report dealing with the whole matter. He proposes to classify the streets into three classes—(a) private streets which are to all intents and purposes public streets; (b) private streets and right-of-ways that are of a semipublic character; and (c) those which are private right-of-ways pure and simple. Mr. Lauehlan will classify the private streets in that order, and will make certain recommendations regarding each to the committee at its next meeting.

The National Philatelic War Funds auction for the British Red Cross was concluded by Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, the 666 lots producing £2874, which, with the contribution in cash, brought the total to over £3000 (writes our London correspondent). The number of donors runs into hundreds. Capt. W. B. Purefoy gave £15 for a New Zealand 1855 penny—a record price for this stamp. Mr. W. B. Smith, of the Strand, gave £135 for a very fine specialised collection of the issues of Victoria from 1850 to 1885, 513 in number, including many rare varieties.

Miss Rothenberg, who started a circulating library for men at Samoa, and who has since, at different periods, sent them parcels of literature, lias despatched by the last mail a further consignment, consisting of bound books and recent magazines. The forts are also being supplied with reading matter by Miss Rothenberg. Now that winter "is setting in time is. apt to hang rather heavily there. For some time past Miss Rothenberg has been sending New Zealand illustrated weekly papers to All Saints' Camp, Malta. In a letter of thanks, recently received, Major Mabin states that the first thing the wounded men invariable ask for on arrival there is for news of their homeland-

Is a man who has been in constant employment for many years a casual labourer ? This point cropped up at the Arbitration Court while the timber trade workers' dispute was being heard. One witness, in his evidence, said that one employee he knew of had been dismissed at a moment's notice after being continually employed for twenty-six years by one firm.. It was contended for the iniion that if a man could be dispensed with without any notice his employment must be casual. His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer : " A man who has been continuously employed for twentysix years can hardly be called a'casual labourer." Later, a representative of the firm in whose employ the man had been explained that he was a splendid worker, but grow too old for the lieavy work and decided to look for lighter employment. The witness further explained that long after the man left he had been financially assisted by the firm.

The Minister for Internal Affairs has notified the Auckland Hospital Board that his Department repudiates any liability for expenditure on the Devonport Convalescent Home, on which the board had spent £408 in necessary fittings and equipments. The ground of.protest is that the Home had not hitherto been used for the accommodation of returned soldiers. This action on the part of the Government was the subject of indignant comment by Mr. W. Wallace at the Auckland Hospital Board's lastmeeting, who pointed out that the board had accepted the free use of the building, and had furnished it in has'te in preparation for use by soldiers returning by the hospital ships, when the Government gave the board absolutely no information as to the number of soldiers they would be required to accommodate, and the board had to be fully prepared for eventualities. Tlie matter was referred to "the Finance Committee.

In giving evidence during the hearing of the timber trade workers' dispute at the Arbitration Court, an employer stated that at present the trade was very unsettled, with very poor profits usually. The amount of building was much reduced on account of. the increased cost of some of the material. Lack of labour was also a contributing factor.

His Honour Mr. Justice Edwards heard argument in the Supreme Court yesterday in an action brought by Thomas Alfred Newport Erost against the Palmerston Nortli-Kairanga .River Board—-a claim for damages and injunction. Sir John Findlay, K.C., and Mr. Hoggard appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. H. R. Cooper for defendants. Judgment was reserved.

Mr. T. Sutcliffe, local manager'for the National Insurance Company of New Zealand, has handed to the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) the company's cheque for £250 to be devoted to the sick' and wounded soldiers from any part of the Dominion. The amount is the Wellington branch's share, and is part of £1000 voted by the shareholders for the Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund. The balance will be paid over in equal amounts at the other three centres.

An interesting suggestion was placed before a meeting of fr'iitgrowers_ in Wellington on Thursday night by Mr. T. W. Kirk, Director of Orchards. Mr. Kirk said that it., originated with Mr. D. Cuddie, of the Dairy Division. In consequence of the lack of space on outgoing vessels there is a surplus of apples and other fruit which, it .is stated, would prove a welcome addition to the fare provided for the troops in camp. Mr. Kirk urged the organisation of a fund for the liberal purchase of fruit for the soldiers, and he said he was sure the fruitgrowers would meet the public half-way by selling the fruit at a cheaper rate. He was anxious to se3 some one take up the idea and push it forward vigorously.

A considerable amount of time was occupied in the Magistrate's Court yesterday with the hearing of al charge against Philip Francis Kean of impeding a tramway inspector in the execution of his duty. The evidence showed that an inspector had objected1 to certain passengers remaining on a- Miramar-bound car on the ground that it was overcrowded It was alleged that Kean put out/ his arm with the object of interfering with the inspector. For the defence it was contended that Kean did not wilfully obstruct the official. A similar view was taken by the Magistrate (Mr. D. G. A Cooper, S.M.), and the information was accordingly dismissed. Mr. J. O'Shea appeared for the City Corporation, while defendant was represented by Mr J. p: W. Dickson.'1'

The Wellington Central branch of the National Reserve has addressed the Prime Minister as follows :—Sir, —At a meeting of the, Wellington Central Branch of the National Reserve a statement was made to the effept that when a soldier was reported as missing his pay was immediately stopped, and that no pension was granted until he was declared to be dead by the Board of Enquiry. In the meantime his dependents were left without resources. As this idea is prevalent among not only the members of the Reserve, but the public generally, we would be pleased if you could inform us as to its truth. If this statment is 'true, we would be glad if you would take steps ,to have such an unsatisfactory state of affairs rectified.—(Signed) Frank Goldberg,