LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 23, 26 January 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In contrast to the vigorously worded protest against the National Government which was decided upon at a public meeting held at Napier this week, the Piime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) has forwarded the following reply : "I have to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of even date, transmitting copies of resolutions passed at a public meeting held in Napier yesterday, the •contents of which, have been duly noted."

Farmers at Plimmercon, anxious to send to parket from the Railway Station, have hitherto laboured under considerable disadvantage, owing to the fact that the road leading to the trucking yards crossed the railway line, which made the work not only difficult but hazardous. Some years ago the Department acquired a strip of land with a view to -remedying the defect, but nothing was done to open up the new road. Mr. EL A. Wright, M.P., -wrote asking the Minister of Railways if the Department- would at least erect the necessary fencing and provide a gate so that stock could be safely driven to the yards. The Minister hae replied that instructions have been given to carry out the work.

Proceedings were taken against two city milk vendors at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon. The George Nash Milk Distributing Company (since in liquidation), charged with selling milk containing 6 pel cent, added water, came in for severe comment from Mr. S.E. M'Carthy, S.M. "Men who sell milk which is not pure are nothing less than thieves." The defendants were fined £20, v with costs. In the case against Stavelj and Weight, who have since dissolved partnership, Mr. A. W. Blair, for the defence,, said that the defendants were not aware that the milk was not up to standard. The deficiency amounted to .35 per cent. A fine of £5 and costs was imposed. Mr, J. Prendeville, of the Crown La.w Office, represented the Public Health Department.

A return supplied to the Minister for Defence (the Hon. Sir James Allen) by the Director of Base Records shows that the total number of officers, n.c.o.'s, and men returned to New Zealand up till 31st December last, and discharged and gazetted out of service, was 14,141. The total up till 30th November, 1917, was 11,110. Nineteen officers (including two nurs«s) were gazetted out during December ; 539 ii.c.o.'s and men were discharged in the same period from the Main Body and its reinforcements; and seven n.c.o.'s and men of the Samoan Contingent were discharged. Up till 30th November, 1359 officers, n.c.o.'s, and men had returned to duty; and three (seven less four discharged) during December. The number of officers, n.c.o.'s, and men awaiting return to duty was 31; awaiting discharge'; 299; under treatment in hospital, 348; in convalescent homes; 14; out-patients, 265; on sick leave, 56; on special leave, 37; deceased as at 30th November, 50; deceased during December, 0; deserted, 2; in prison, 2. The total number of officers and men returned to New Zealand as at 30th November was 13,434; and- the number returned to New Zealand during December last was: Main Body and reinforcements, 694; Samoan Contingent, 13; total, 14,141.

Giving Tub reserved decision in the Waihi Magistrate's Court in regard«to a charge of selling adulterated milk, heard last Court 3ay, Mr. Page, S.M., said that the Act made it mandatory that samples of milk should be divided into three parts. In this case, owing to the breaking of one of three 1/jttles,, the inspector divided the samples into two parts only. The magistrate said that the mistake waß not merely a technical one, but a substantial one, and the information would therefore be dismissed.

It is not generally known that the Wanganui Harbour Board possesses the first locomotive of its kind built in New Zealand. It has been in constant use and is now in need of repair Discussing this matter at the last meeting of the board; a member said the engine "should be placed in the museum."

The fine weather which has now apparently set in will be very welcome to the farmers of this district (says the Wanganui Chronicle), though it is feared that the damage done by the rain will in many instancee make the harvesting almost an impossibility, owing to the crops being so badly "laid."

"The work was too much for me," said Charles Sullivan at the Magistrate's Court this morning, when charged with being unlawfully absent from his ship. Defendant went on to say that after the day's work was done he had to set to again and cook for the crew of the scow, and he considered that he was riot fairly treated. Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, ,S.M. recorded a conviction and ordered Sullivan to-be handed over to the master of Ms vessel.

A sheep-farmer, whos.e property is situated in the backblbcks, gave the Military Appeal • Board at Palmerston an idea of some af the labour difficulties farmers had to contend with. He usually employed a, married couple, but owing to their likes and dislikes changes were always taking place. In. the case of one couple, their son did not like the place, and they left. Then another couple came, and this time the wife did not like the place, and she complained that her husband was kept shearing till 6 o'clock at night. The chairman of the board (Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, SiM.) remarked that such an attitude was unreasonable. Some people had a poor conception of the fitness of things at times like the present.

What is said to be a record in longrange rifle shooting in Auckland was put up on the Penrose range last Saturday by Rifleman 0. E. Harrington, a youthful member of the Ponsonby Defence Rifle Club. Firing on the 600 yds range, he compiled 48 and on the 700 yds 49, thus making 97 out of a possible 100 points. On the 700 yds range Harrington registered sever bulls in succession, following with an inner, and finishing up with two consecutive bulls. In fourteen shoots—Harrington's only experience 1 in marksmanship (says the Herald) —the youthful rifleman has compiled 1088 points. He has to his credit the Kohn trophy, for five shots on the 500 yds range, gaining 27 out of a possible 30 points.

At the conclusion of a prosecution for infringement of the motor by-laws in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr. G. G. G. Watson j counsel for the defendant, suggested to the Magistrate that it would be far more satisfactory to all concerned if the police, when laying traps for motorists, were directed to use a stop-watch or other mechanical device to check the speed. The. present position was unsatisfactory, as it resulted in a conflict of opinion between the constables and the motorists. Mr. J. O'Shea, who appeared for the prosecution, said that the use of such a device would be difficult, but his Worship (Mr. S. E. M'Oarfchy, S.M.) pointed out that the court was entitled to have such evidence. Mr. O'Shea said he would bring the matter under the notice of the Corporation officials.

"The only buyers of land just now are Germans, because they can supply more labour," was the statement of an appellant .who appeared before the First Wellington Military Service Board at.Palmerstoh North on Thursday. The ap. pellant said that recently four Germans' had bought 17 farms in the Epngotea district and converted them into sheep farms, presumably, in Jiis opinion, to lessen the supply of food to the army. Appellant's statements (says the Times) ufcre corroborated by another farmer who had no personal.interest in the appeal, and he added that the land in the district was essentially dairying land; and on account of the aggregations of small dairy farms into sheep runs, the Rongotea Dairy Company had now to go very far afield for its cream., Mr. M'Laren (a member of the board), said the board could do nothing in the matter, but he advised the settlers to take the matter in hand and make representations. to the Government.

A claim for damages that should serve as a warning to owners or managers of theatres was heard in the Magistrate's Court at Auckland on Wednesday; when F. G. White, restaurant proprietor, sued the Dominion Picture Company for £5 15s, the cost of a new suit of clothes, the trousers of which had been torn on a projecting nail by plaintiff while taking his seat in the semi-darkness in the Queen's Theatre. He had been unable to get the material matched, so he had been forced to get a new suit. Joseph F. M'Mahon, manager of the Dominion Pictures, agreed that it was quite possible that such an "accident" as described had befallen the plaintiff, whom he advised to go to a tailor, to get the garment neatly repaired. . Witness had received a claim for 37s 6d, the price of a pair cf trousers, but had omitted to send it on to his directors. The magistrate gave judgment for £2 5s on the claim, together with £1 12s costs.

Arising out of certain appeals heard before the First Military Service Board at Whangarei on Wednesday, in classified cases where appellants lodged appealforms oh grounds .that they had been wrongly called up, and belonged to a later class,' but did not attend to substantiate appeals, the board and , military representative (says the Auckland Star) appealed to the Press to give further publicity to such cases in order to facilitate proceedings at subsequent sittings. ••■ Where a Second Division reservist was called up, and claimed he was in a different class, the onus of proof lay with the appellant. Until he. produced, proof otherwise, the Government deemed him to be lawfully and correctly called up. The sending of a written appeal to the contrary was not sufficient, and could not be recognised by the board without personal attendance to substantiate the appeal. It was" also advisable, and, in fact, absolutely necessary, for such appellants to bring with them convincing documentary evidence to substantiate their appeal, such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, life policies, the family Bible, or other acceptable proof.

After hearing the evidence in a ease at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon against Percy Withers, who was charged with driving a, motor car at a reckless speed, Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., said he preferred to believe the statements of the constables to those of the occupants of the car. Defendant was fined £2 and costs.

A bankrupt country hotelkeeper stated at a meeting of his creditors in Invercargill that the introduction of 6 o'clock closing had had no noticeable effect on bis receipts. Ho now sold more liquor during the day.

Frederick George Read, a taxi-cab driver, was fined 20s, and costs 17s 6d, by Mr. S. E; M'Carthy, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday for overcharging.

Palmerelon North, which, has jaboured so long under the drawbacks of its out-of-date telephone system, is now within measurable distance of seeing the latest automatic system installed (states the Standard). Before the automatic system can be installed the overhead wires will have to be removed and replaced by the underground cable system. This work will take from four to six months to complete.

"I was arrested inside my own gate," said a man who was charged at the Mag istrate's Court to-day with using obscene language. "You were drunk/ said Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., "and the constable was quite within his rights in arresting you. You cannot do just as 'you like even in your own home: You have to behave yourself."

The Viti Company and the banana buyers, says the Suva correspondent of Auckland Herald, have arrived at an agreement with regard to the prices to be paid for bananas during 1918. In order to prevent overlapping and to create a. personal interest ,:n the native plantations, each buyer is to be allotted a defined district. It is hoped the arrangement will result in improvement in the quality of the fruit.

Lengthy evidence *vas heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon in a. case in which Elizabeth M'Fariane, whose husband recently returned from the front, wa6 charged with keeping a house of ill-fame. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who represented ohe defendant, held that the evidence was not sufficient to provo so serious a, charge, and the Magistrate, Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, upheld the contention and dismissed the case. y

The Eev. J. Moore, of the Mission to Seamen, has received a letter of appreciation and thanks from Sir Arthur Pearson, Bart., chairman of the Blindei Soldiers' and Sailors' Care Committee, acknowledging the receipt of £2 10s, the proceeds of a. lecture delivered some little time ago in the Seamen's Institute, towards the funds, of the St. Dunstan's Blinded Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel.

A vacancy, having occurred in the Devonport Borough Council, Mr. J. Wilson, Returning Officer, has drawn the council's attention- to the clause under the War Regulations prohibiting enemy aliens from voting at local body elections. Mr. Wilson pointed out that it would be very difficult for him to decide who were enemy aliens and who were hot, and he suggested that, as an alternative, public notice should be given by advertisement that all enemy aliens, who did vote were liable to a fine of- £100 and three months' imprisonment. The council adopted the suggestion, the Mayor, Mr. J. Henderson, stating that it would throw the responsibility in the matter on the enemy aliens themselves.

Dr. Thacker, M.P., stated at a meeting in Napier on Thursday of the Waikaremoana Hydro-electric League that no less a sum than £300,000 was paid for the annaal imports of paper into New Zealand, and. that be himself with three friends had had a ton of paper of different kinds made from birchwood by a-i electrical method in Christchurch. This paper was in every way equal to the imported article, and he considered that when the Waikaremoana scheme was in operation it would be possible to make all the paper that New Zealand required locally. Hawke's Bay, he said, had the wood, and what could be better as an occupation for returned soldiers than a trade of such national importance as papermaking.

• The British Government recognises the value of advertising in all their activities. . They spent £600,000 on advertis* ing. space in the interests of their first recruiting- campaign.,. Large sums were paid for advertising a "Thrift Campaign' and in connexion with floating their loans. A London paper just to hand says: The following sums were paid to the principal newspapers in connexion with the Government loan publicity campaign—Daily Mail, £2680 15s 9d;'Daily News, £1434 7b 6d; Daily Chronicle, £1082 Is; The Times, £1050 10s 8d; Daily Telegraph, SIOO7 Is lOd; Morning Post, £737 8s lid; Yorkshire Post, £655 10s lid; Glasgow Herald, £636 4s lid; Scotsman £536 18s 6d; Manchester Guardian, £410 Bs. Of course many morethousands were expended in advertising the loan in the other London and provincial papers.

Tha small bird pest, which seems to be doing so much damage in other districts, according to reports, is giving less trouble in Ellesmere year by year. The Christchurch Press states that a few years ago the birds consumed an. enormous quantity of grain, but owing to the vigorous campaign of deetruction •waged by the. Ellesmere County Council, in the free distribution, of phosphoruspoisoned grain, the birds have been greatly reduced in numbers. It was a common experience a few years ago to see-flocks of hundreds of sparrows rising from fields of corn, but nowadays one eeee only a few dozen occasionally, even in places where there are trees affording plenty of shelter. The amount of money saved must run into 'some thousands of pound 6.. Just at present the farmers are all looking forward anxiously U> the' early wheat threshing returns. These should prove unusually interesting.

" tt took a, solemn argument and deliberation oh the part of three learned judges of the High Court in England to decide that ice cream was not ' meat' within the meaning of the statute," said Mr. H. D. Acla-nd, amidst laughter, in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, when a number of cases involving charges of Sunday trading on the part of shopkeepers were being heard. In the cases in .which Mr. Acland was concerned (sa-ys the Press), a constabk had called at certain local refreshment shops and been served with ginger beer or lemonade. Mr. Acland continued, that in view of recent decisions in. Wellington, it appeared that a person couW be served with such drinks at the seaside on a Sunday, but not in town. "If it is not a» offence to drink lemonade or- ginger beer at New Brighton, why should it be in Christchurch?" he asked. "It seems-to me that the only place where one can get such a drink on Sunday is a licensed public-house, where, I take it, the licensee must serve any drink called for except intoxicants. I submit that soft drinks are now a necessity. Social conditions have changed within the. last seven or_ eight years, and many peoplt living in rooms depend on these places foi theii refreshment. Surely, they do not have to go to the seaside if they want a drink othei than water." The Magistrate held, however, that offences had beer committed, bj the sale of soft drinks. A meal was a different iriattei, but soft drinks and ice cream were not necessaries. Fines were inflicted in each case.