LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 98, 25 April 1917, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The anniversary of Anzac Day (25th April) is being fittingly commemorated to-day. A service in memory of the gallant men who/fell at the landing on GallipoH is being held in the Town Hall this afternoon, and this evening the returned soldiers;" will hold a reunion and dinner in the same building. The New Zealand Beturned Soldiers' Association sent the following cable! to General Sir A. Godley: " Please- convey heartiest greetings .from New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association to .comrades at /the front and to commander 29th Division. New Zealand returned soldiers 1 are proud of recojlections of Gallipoli associations."

Speaking at the Manawatu Philosophical Society last week, Mr. C. T. Salmon explained that the proposed alteration of th'e 1 time-line in New Zealand;- from 11.30 to 12hrs. east of Greenwich had several distinct advantages. In the first place, it conformed'to the international agreement on. the subject fixing time-lines at exact hours east or west of Greenwich; secondly, noon in New Zealand would occur when the sun was still to the east of both Islands.

Since the Returned Soldiers' Hostel has been opened at ■ Newtown, states the annual report, 13,921 jneals and 4724 beds have been supplied and paid for. Also 1931 meals and 685 beds were supplied and not paid for. "These," adds the report, " were supplied to men who became stranded in the city from as far as Invercargill. In some cases soldiens were sent to us by the War Relief Association, with an ordei" for one, two, or three weeks' board 1, then left on our hands to be turned adrift. We are thankful to say that with a few ,exceptions our trust has been rewarded, and the men have improved in their habits, and we hope will eventually realise their responsibilities afe citizens. Of tho great bulk of the soldiers who have, passed through our hands, we feol proud to know that their health is firmly re-established,' chiefly owing to tho excellent care of our matrons and- tihe good food supplied ihem. Returned soldiers, whilst await-, Ing medical or pension boards, have been accommodated/from all over the Dominion, several ,6f whom were without sufficient means to last until their pensions had been paid to them. We feel that the -hostel has more than justified its existence " ■

A renWkable instance of the homing instinct in the common linnet is reported by a resident of Wellington. About a year ago his son caught a linnet, which was put into a cage, The bird was afterwards given to a friend, but managed to escape after being several days away from home. It immediately returned to its former owner, and perched on the top of the cage, wliich was after that loft open and food and water placed inside. Every day the linnet used to-visit the oage for food, and soon became quite tame. Then about October lafct it disappeared, and the young'owner despaired of ever seeing it again. However, yes-terday,-he was amazed to see the bird hop inside tho cage as of yore. Whether it had been on a. migration or had been captured and ■ managed to escape is not known, but the fact remains that it was able to find its way back after an absence of over six monthls.

"This is the sort of thing that has always puzzled criminologists," remarked Mr. P. W. Jackson, in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when pleading on behalf of Alfred Henry Lawrence, charged with wilful and obscene exposure. It appeared that Lawrence had deliberately offended a number of young women on several occasions by his contemptible behaviour, and counsel, although not attempting to excuse the offences, was asking ■Mr. L. G-. Reid, S.M., to deal jis leniently as possible with the accusecl, who had respectable connections. The acts, said Mr. Jackson, could not be ex-plained-—accused was unable to account for them himself—and he could only put them down to mental a-berration through drink. The Magistrate :. " There can be no mitigation for this class of offence unless a-person is insane." Mr. Jackson : "Well, I submit this is a case of insanity." The Magistrate : "Well, I am going' to send" this man to prison, and I am not sure that I .'should not send him to the Supreme Court to be dealt with. The sentence is two months' impvifvnment .on each charge,, the terms \o be eujuulftiye."

The French tricolour was flown to-day from the French Consulate in honour of Anzac Day.

Following on the recent suggestion by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), work at the office of the Education Board has for the past few days been carried on botween the hours of 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The board to-day confirmed the secretary's action in the matter.

The Inspector of Awards (Mr. G. H. Lightfoot) proceeded against Godber'E, Ltd., pastrycooks, in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, to recover a penalty in respect of an alleged breach 6t the bakers and pastrycooks' award. It was alleged that the defendants employed two females in the bakehouse, and to do hot-plate work. In the course of a statement to the Court, Mr. J. Godber stated that there was a- great shortage of labour at present, and women had been employed to do certain finishing work. The Magistrate (Mr. W. G. Biddell, S.M.) gave judgment for plaintiff for 10s.

The last meeting of the present Karori Borough Council -was held last evening. The Mayor (Mr. B; G. H. Burn) thanked ■the councillors generally for the way they had helped him during, the period he had been associated with them, and expressed regret that some of the councillors were retiring. The Mayor also thanked the borough staff. for valuable work done, especially the Borough Engineer (Mr. G. W. Brighamj and the Town Clerk (Mr. W. F. England). Councillors R. Faire and W, C. Cooper addressed the council, explaining their Teasons for retiring—in each case business pressure. They .both hoped at a Safer' date to offer their services to the ratepayers.

A Waihi miner named F. L. Groshinski, who appealed for exemption before the Second Auckland Military Service Board, sitting at Te Aroha, stated that he objected to taking up arms against his blood relations. Both of his parents, he said, had been born in Prussia, and had settled in the Dominion over forty years ago. His father was now dead. In reply to questions, he said he wa-s willing to serve within the Dominion, but not abroad. Further examined, he declared that he would not fight against the Turks, Austrians, or Bulgarians. The military representative said that.the only course open to the board was to dismiss the appeal, ■ and . leave the .authorities to deal with the appellant, this being done.

Following a collision in Customhbusequ»y between a motor lorry and a tramcar, Leonard Cloake proceeded against the City Council to' recover the sum of £25 damages. The case was heard in the Magistrate's Court; before Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S.M., yesterday, when it was stated by the plaintiff tlhat while his motor lorry was standing in Custom-hoasc-quay the step of a pafesing tramcar struck and damaged a wheel of the lorry. Evidence was given that the motorman on the tramcar thought he had sufficient room to pass the standing vehicle. The Magistrate reserved his decision. Mr. E. M. Beechey appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. J. O'Shea (City Solicitor) for the council.

Further evidence has been heard by Mr. E. C. Cutten,= S.M., at Auckland, in connection with^the death of Harry M'Cabe, a fireman, who was found dead in the stokehold at the Auckland branch of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company. Alexander Wyllie, f electrical engineer in. charge of the city powerstation, said the council supplied the Freezing Company with 230 volta of power.. The lead, he found on examination, to be in good order. During an experience of twenty-five years he had never known of 230 volts continuous current causing ' any serious shock. He, did not think death was caused by the lead. Witness had received a shock from a 1000-volt circuit without injury. The contact in this instance'was''short and not very good. E.vidence in support of that of Mr. Wyllia was, given by George B. Winkfield, chief electrician to the Pacific Cable Board. 'Mr. Cuttenreservedl his decision.

A promising New Zealand officer, Lieutenant E. Ballard Dalby, R.N.R.," and an extra-master of'the Port of London, was killed in action sea, on 18th March last, probably at the time of the German raid on Ramsgate. Serving all through H.M.S. Carmania's commission, and following the sinking by that vessel of the Cap Trafalgar, soon after war broke out, he rose to Toe second in command. He was then transferred to a warship. Previously the late lieutenant had seen "considerable service under the New Zealand Shipping Company,' which ha left to report himself at the Admiralty. A brief while ago he was married in London to Dr. Marjorie Middleton, niece of Sir John Middleton. SergeantMajor Charles Dalby, of the Main Expeditionary, Force, Ist Wellington Battalion, since invalided home to New Zealand, is a brother of the deceased,and met him while in England. There are other relatives in North Canterbury.

A bui%lary, occurred at the Awapuni Camp during the Easter! holidays (states the Manawatu Standard). On Easter Sunday 'night or. early on, the following' morning the 1 Y.M.O.A. Hall was broken into, and the safe removed, bodily from the building to a y place of seclusion, where ity was leisurely fobbed open by the burglars. The officer in. charge of the Y.M.O.A. at Awapuni-, Mr. fl. E. Grainger, in addition to the duties he performs there, had acted as banker for a large number of'the men, and on the eve of the camp Breaking, up for the Easter holidays had the sum of £122 10s belonging to the men under lock and key, in the safe, in-addition to other of their property,- and an amount of £38 of Mr. Grainger's' was also deposited there. Mr. Grainger prevailed on the men at the last moment .to take thedr money with them on. holiday," whidh they did, and he removed-his' own cash, fco that when the safe was taken away on the following Sunday night the enterprising burglars were only rewarded with the sum of 16s, which had been left in .the", safe. Mr. Grainger returned toAwapuni on Monday," 16th inst., and at once discovered the loss of the safe, and after searching the course and surrounding properties, found its remains down the creek behind the camp, about a quarter of a mile away. The safe was broken, up, and papers, and. other contents scattered about. The camp canteen was also found to Jiave been' burglarised,' presumably on the same night, with goods to the estimated, value of £30 removed, the missing property including one and a-half dozen putties, tinned fisft, tobacco, cigarettes, and other, articles. .. :■/ .. , ' ■'." . . ■ v '■ ;

.. This morning • in the Magistrate's Court a young man named Erasmus Paisley Robertson was • charged with stealing a bottle of wine, valued at 10s, the property of - the ' Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company. On the application of Detective-Sergeant Cox,:the accused was remande* till Monday' next. Bail was allowed. „■■■.. ' '

Several changes have been made in the syllabus of examination for entrance to the Royal Military College of Aus tralia. One language, either French oi 1 German, is now a compulsory subject. A' knowledge of geometrical drawing is expected, and the students are required to take cither chemistry or physics as a subject. .

A claim for laundry work was heard in the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. L. G Reid, iji.M., yesterday, when the Excelsior Laundry Company proceeded against Nicholas Bertanew to recover the sum of £8 4s 4d. Defendant counterclaimed for £7 11b, the value of twentyfour tablecloths and two pyjama suits, which defendant alleged had not been returned from the laundry. Decision 'was reserved. Mr. W. L. Rothenberg appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. V. W. Jackson for the defendant.

The trustees of the Cawthron estate, Nelson, are purchasing a, further £5000 worth of war bonds, making £10,000 so invested. Under the late Mr. Caw-

thron's will a fine observatory is to be established at the southern end of'i Britannia Heights, Nelson. The site is, 48 acres in extent, and commands a magnificent view. The trustees have purchased 26 acres as a site for the Ca'wthron Institute. The land acquired is at Annesbrook, a few mile,? out of Nekon. The foundation stone of the O'Conor Home, Westport, founded by the late Mr. Eugene O'Conor, ex-M.3? for Bul]er, was laid last week by Mr J. Colvin, M.P. for Biiller, who, with' His Grace Archbishop Redwood and Mr. A-Leaver, Mayor of Westport, is a trustee of the hoard constituted undetY the will to administer that portion of the estate.

Mr. G. Girling-Butcher is the secretary to the hoard. The building was design-

ad by ■ Messrs. Swan and Swan, F.N.Z.1.A., architects, Wellington, and is being erected by Messrs. Watt and. Scanlon, builders, Westport. It will provide accommodation for ten, boys, ten girls, five men, and five women, with the necessary accommodation for the Sisters of Mercy. The building will be completed before the end of the present year, and will cost between £9000 and £10,000.

'Writing to the Mayor, returning his councillor's pass (No. 13), Mr. John Fuller, jun., a member of the old City Council, states:—"l hope' the future wearer will have no superstition as to the number, as I have had- very good luck, with the exception that owing to my business spreading all over Australia and New Zealand, I was reluctantly

compelled to get' extended leave from the late City Council in lieu of putting the ratepayers to an election expense had V taken the course of resigning. I respectfully suggest that the present City t Council should take >Jeps to get the Municipal Corporations Act amended bo that the sixteenth candidate who just misses being elected should become a councillor ipso . facto •in the | event of resignation or vacancy, and thus save^the' waste of money that eventuates in the high cost of a poll in a city like Wellington, where the ward system is nonexistent."

A sum of £1500 is now in hand for the furnishing and equipment of the Soldiers' Social Club at Trentham. The , special committee established by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke), which lias been endeavouring to raise £2000, has received from the .Auckland, Cliristchurch, and Wanganui Patriotic Societies the price of a billiard-table each. , It is hoped that a similar donation will be received from Dunedin. In addition £25 has been received fj-uui Now Plymouth, and with local donations of £1017, the fund now , totals about £1500. Mr. Luke is very desirous that the remaining £500 should be raised, and looks to the generosity of citizens in this respect. As winter is coming on. and the men now are able to spend r ■ few evenings in town, owing to the i ■-. dilation of the railway service, the ai ■ rival of the furnishings and billiardtables at Trentham will be specially welcomed by the men in khaki. The Full Court heard further argument yesterday in the case regarding interpretation of an agreement between Messrs. Cole, Crump, and Cundy, milk vendors, and the Wellington Dairy, Farmers' Co-operation Association. Ths Bench was occupied by Chief Justice '(Sir Robert Stout) and their Honours Mr. Justice. Cooper and Mr. Justice Chapman. From the statement of facts placed before the Court, it appeared that by % an agreement entered into on Ist October, 1914, the association agreed_to supply the plaintiffs, Cole, Cramp, and Cundy, with certain, quantities of milk. There were certain- preferential clauses in the agreement. ' The point at issue was whether the agreement had been properly carried out —whether the quantities of milk arranged for under the agreement had been duly supplied. Mr. M. Myers appeared for Cole, Crump, and r -y Curiay, and Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. R. C. Kirk for the association. The Court reserved its decision. In its annual report, the Brooklyn School Committee states that a section, adjoining the school on the south side of Washington-avenue is about to be hand-, ed over to the school. This will give a playing area of about 90ft by 60ft, and will prove of great service to the scholars - Two bubble fountains have been erected ; and the committee urges the neceesity of providing more of them as funds permit. The committee suggests the foU lowing matters for future • considera-j tion:—The supplying of school reJ quisites; the urgent need of more facilities for technical education; the question of writing; and the urgent necessity of improving the school grounds, ilessrs. G. N. Evans, E. B. S. Hill, I) R. Kennedy, E. E. Mara, T. M'Doweli. N. It. M'lsaacs, G. W. Slade,, and A. J White (sceretary), have been re-nominated for election, and Messrs. C. V. Holcroft--15. J. Healy, T. R. Murphy, A. Turnei. and W. C. Webb have also been nominated.

The Court o£ Appeal yesterday reserved its decision upon the application for a declaratory judgment regarding the will of the late Hon. William Barnard Rhodes.

No fewer than 1000 aheep have disappeared from Mr. W B. North's station at Kohatu, Kelson, during the past 15 months.