LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 48, 20 August 1917, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Frees Association telegram, states:— *■ A'Dunedin produce firm received a cablegram from Melbourne on Saturday stating that all business had been stopped by strikes.

■Money Order Offices were open on Saturday evening to facilitate war loan transactions, and a fair amount of business was done. It is expected that the sale of certificates will commence in earnest this week, when the publicity campaign begins to take effect. In a number of the city churches yesterday references were made to the issue of the loan. The attention of the people was drawn to the present state of the war operations, and they were exhorted to see that the Government did not lack money to carry on New Zealand's part.

Mr. J. W. Frostick, Canterbury Commissioner on the National Efficiency Board, left for the South on Saturday evening.

To-day's . charge-shes* at the Magistrate's Court contained the. names of three first offending inebriates, who were dealt with by Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., in the usual way.

Should an ambulance be subject to the same speed limits as ordinary wheeled traffic? This question has been the subject of correspondence between the City Council and the Hospital Board. The council considers that danger arises from the speed at which tlhe Hospital ambulance travels; but the board urges that its conveyance should have at least the same privileges as the Fire Brigade engines. In certain cases—for example, in diphtheria which' has been allowed to go too far—a. few minutes' delay in the performance of an operation may be the difference between life and death. While urging that the ambulance should be_ permitted to travel as fast as it can within the limits of safety, the board has instructed its drivers to avoid the congested thoroughfares of the city. "The catchment area is one of the best assets of the district," said a deputationist to the Onslow Borough Council on Saturday evening, when protesting against the letting of the area for sheep grazing. Serious injuries were sustained ou Saturday by a young man named Shaw, who was riding his bicycle out from Christchurch along the cycling track. He anfl Ids machine collided '■vith a train at the Riccarton-road crossing, despite the fact tliat an offici3J was waving a. danger flag 1 and was shouting to him to stop. He was carried on the cow-catcher'of the engine for about 100 yards, and when he was removed to the hospital he was suffering from concussion and a badly lacerated scalp. . It having- come to the knowledge of members of the Otago Education Board that unauthorised text books were in use in some schools within the board's jurisdiction, the following motion, moved by Mr. J. Wallace, and seconded by Mr. R. H. Todd, was unanimously adopted by the meeting yesterday (reports the Otago Daily Times of yesteixlay): "The board having learned that unauthorised school j books are in use in some of the schools would again draw the attention of head masters to the board's circular; and state that teachers should obtain the approval of this board for any book before introducing it, even without cost' to the children, into a classroom, and though a teacher's zeal in doing so may be commendable it opens the door for an a-ct of abrogation of the board's ruling concerning approved school books." A committee, under Lord Selborne, has formulated a scheme to make available for suitable applicants from among overseas soldiers and sailors who have served the Empire, the academic, scientific, commerciaJ, and industrial educational facilities of the United Kingdom, and has ascertained that the universities and the technical schools will wel-. come such men, and provide for a oneyear course of etudy, specially designed for all needs. The committee has sufficient funds available to commence, and the New Zealand Government has been asked to nominate one disabled New Zealand soldier for.a course at the university, beginning soon. In advising New Zealand University College Councils to this effect, Sir James Allen asks: "Will you please suggest for consideration the name of a New Zealand disabled soldier whose studies were interrupted by the war? To enable nomination to be acted on without delay, it will be well to suggest a disabled man now in England or France." Some criminals are clever; others are merely dull and stupid. Peter M'Carron comes under the latter heading. To-day, in the Magistrate's Court, he was charged with being disorderly while drank in Manners-street on Saturday and also using obscene language. like many of his class he had no hesitation in completely denying the allegations, and was eager to air an imaginary griev- j ance against the police. Coming out of gaol on Saturday he went to a Ihotel, and there caused three pints of beer to disappear in a manner which suggested that the enforced confinement had caused an abnormal thirst to develop. Apparently the liquor went to M'Caraon's head, and he behaved in a. stupid manner, which could only end in his return to prison. Addressing the accused, the Magistrate (Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M.) eaid that-his behaviour might easily have caused a riot. For the language, which was of a disgusting nature, M'Carron was sent to gaol for three months, while in respect of the other charge he was convicted 1 and discharged. There hare been some big prices paid for fat stock during the past week (writes "Agricola" in the current issue of the Farmers' Union Advocate regarding conditions in the' South Island). The high water mark was reached at Addington last week, when the Grand National sale was held. This usually creates a lot of interest and records for the Dominion have been made there. However, this time there were no records broken, though very big prices were' given. For instance, one fat bullock fetched £62, and fat wethers brought from £7 to £10. It must be remembered, however, that these animals were exceptionally good. They were show beasts for the most ppwt, and were probably bought for advertising purposes. They were specially kept and prepared for the sale, and were not bought altogether with a view of making a direct profit out of them. Ordinary sheep were dear at this sale, however, and it was hinted that the price of meat would ha.ye to go up if the buyers were to make anything out of the business that they did in the sales that day. Prime wethers brought 50s, and ewes 435. All sheep advanced 1 in price by about 3s per head. The Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association is aifc present enquiring into the circumstances surrounding the case of a returned soldier irho desired to complete his term of apprenticeship as an engineer. The association has (says the Otago Daily Times) received the following particulars from the soldier referred to:—"On discharge I started work at the Company, Dunedin, .at the rate of 35s per week on the understanding that on the completion of one year's work I was to receive, papers stating that I had served my apprenticeship to the engineering trade. At the end of the time mentioned I was informed that they would not give the papers to me <m account of their having -to commit perjury. ... In the course of enquiries as to whether any time would be allowed, and as to the best method of finishing my apprenticeship, at a living rate of pay, I approached the Department of Labour. I asked whether, on account of service at the war, and also on account of my extreme ago in finishing my time (if I had still another year to serve), they could not allow me any time off my apprenticeship, or guarantee me living wages. They asked me whether I was a volunteer or a forced man, and then informed me that as a volunteer I was not entitled to any time, but that if I had been forced to serve I -would have been entitled to some allowance. ... In closing, I beg to state again that I am not thinking of any benefit to myself, but it could easily happen to others, and as the war progresses there will be many more apprentices of all trades coming back disabled or sick, and it is only fair that 1-h.ey should have a square deal, both in regard to time and wages."

A programme of music was played in the Hospital grounds, yesterday afternoon, by the Salvation Army Band. The delightful weather enticed many people out of doors, and the band's effort* were greatly appreciated. A collection in aid of the Hospital funds realised £3 11s 7id. / . ■ "The mere fact that a man is a miner does not exempt him from military service/'.aaid the Chairman of the Second Otago Military Service Board at Riverton. "He must be producing five or six tons of coal a day. We cannot afford to keep miners for development work. ' Such work should stand over in a time like this." / On a charge of stealing ingot tin and lead-headed nails to the value of £233 .10s, the property of some person unknown, John Griffen, foreman for Taylor and Oakley, Christchurch, has been com- . mitted for trial. Taylor and Oakley had in stock tin similar to that found in the possession of accused, but both members of the firm said that to their knowledge none of their tin had been stolen. "Never in the history of New Zealand has such a week-kneed Government as the present been in power," stated Councillor Appleton ait the meeting of the Onslow Borough Council on Saturday evening, when a letter from the Napier Borough Council was-before the council. The letter stated thai, at a recent meeting of that body, a motion was passed, advocating the taking over by the Government, of the control of "the food supply of .the country. Councillor Appleton moved that the resolution be given the council's support. This motion was seconded by Councillor Gardner, and car- . ried. A confirmation service was held in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral by the Bishop of Wellington (Right Rev. Dr. Sprott) last night. The candidates were preseutei-by the vicar, the Rev. A. M. Johnson. In an earnest-address, the Bishop emphasised the importance of faithfulness in small things. In these days when the world was being thrilled .with great happenings people were apt to think the performance of the small duties of life did not matter very much. In normal times it was the faithful performance of duty by average men and women in all walks of life that made life itself endurable and human progress possible. An inquest was held by Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., on Saturday concerning the death at the Wellington Hospital on Friday of William Frederick Cox. Deceased was operated on by Drs. Barclay and Christie for an extensive cancer of the tongue. He died while under the anaesthetic (ether) after the operation, but before leaving the operating theatre. Dr. Fitzgerald stated that he administered the anaesthetic, and found Cox in a fit state to receive the same. The Coroner returned a- verdict that death was due to heart failure, caused by shock resulting from a prolonged operation and anaesthesia. A motion has been adopted by the Auckland Hotel and Restaurant Employees' Union protesting against the adoption of those clauses of the Budget which propose to inflict further taxation on working-class necessities. The union also opposed the proposal to penalise workers in the matter of entertainments. "While the sons, fathers, and husbands are fighting to protect New Zealand's wealth it is monstrous to propose to make the women and children pay a tax every time they ittend a picture show. The picture entertainment is essentially a working-class entertainment, and there is not the slightest doubt that it has saved man a poor mother's heart from breaking during this sad period. We suggest that if the entertainment tax is insisted on that at the very least the sixpenny s'sate.be exempted, as is done in Australia." The past winter has. been a particularly mild one (says the Christchurch Sun), and an illustration of this comes from Akaroa, a recent visitor tbsre stating that many orange trees growing in the open were in full bearing. One treo possessed four or five dozen oranges of a size fully equal to the average Island fruit. In fact; one enthusiastic orchard. ist was endeavouring to cultivate the lemon as well. But the instance recorded is illustrative of the brighter side of winter. The reverse shows that owing to the mild conditions grub and insect pests may ravage crops and fruit a-gsin next summer. The grass grub has been shown, to be flourishing under the su«> face in North Canterbury. In one South Island district, however, this pest will not be prominent for some time. The rocent floods in the West Taieri caused, thousands to be washed to the surface, where they could be scooped up in bucketfuls. The recent Budget proposals formed the subject of an address given to a large audience in the Alexandra Hall last evening by Mr. J. M'Combs, M.P. He auotod the Statist and the Bankers' Journal in challenging Sir Joseph Ward's statement as to the amount of the British thousand million loan taken up tax free, and said that the "readjustment" of the excess profits tax had been to abolish it altogether, because of so many anomalies. In England the method pur sued was to abolish the anomalies and to raise the tax from 60 to 80 per cent., which Mr. Bonar Law had estimated would produce an extra £20,000,000. The speaker also criticised what he termed the failure of the Government to grapple with the problem of the cost of living, and contrasted the different treatment meted out to the wheat-growers of the Dominion and the miners in their "go. slow" policies. The former had forced the Government to give them an advanco of 66 per cent, on prewar prices, but when the miners went "slow ' for a 17 per cent, advance their leaders were arrested for sedition. An incident which was unique in the history of racing in the Dominion took place at the Riccarton racecourse on Saturday afternoon. Shortly after 2 o'clock "interest in racing was entirely interrupted' by the appearance over the course of a. big biplane from the Canterbury Aviation Company's grounds. It flew over the course in a steady breeze, and amidst the cheers of the spectators the aviator gave an exhibition of flying, banking high in turning until the cart wheel was nearly down, and nose-diving, followed by a steady planing with hifl engine shut off. He circled round the course several times, flying now high, now low. The machine.was put through its paces gracefully and easily. Several times the aviator passed up, and down over the lawn, and after coming low to wave an acknowledgment of the applause he mounted again and made off back to the aviation ground at Canterbury Park, after providing at once an entertaining interlude and a fine lesson of the ea«e and confidence with which the expert bird-man can fly. A lady who uses Desert Gold Tea says: "The flavour is so delicious and the price so reasonable that I would not like to go back to any other brand."— Advt. Needing Storage? Excellent accommodation available m brick-built buildings. Goods, baggage, furniture stored. Rates, lowest current. The New Zealand Express Co., 87—91, Customhouse-quay.— Advt. Spring renovation. Now that the dull and dreary weather is passing the home is your next consideration, and new furnishings are needed in almost every household. C. Smith, Ltd., "The People's Store," Cuba-street, Wellington, have just opened ■ a fine range of Shadow Tissues, suitable for looße covers of every description. These include many now smart designs. The single widths arc 2s lid, 3s 3d, 3s 6d, 3s lid yard, and the double widths are Sb, 5s 9d, 6s 6dj 6s lid.yard. Don't fail to tee these splendid values.—Aclvt.