Untitled

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 24, 28 January 1918, Page 8

The ffir« Brigade ncefrsd * call at seven minutes past, four o'clock this morning to 143, Vltriantctreet, a. twostory building. -The ground flocr is oc cupied as a confectionery chop, yx> contents of which were eeverely damaged. The cause of the fire was toe spontaneous ignition of beneina &nd polishing rags. The occupant of the bulling is Mrs. Jennie Aitcheeon, who had too insurance on the contents, and the owner is Mr. Alexander. Hopkirk. The building, which was somewhat <I«unage(3, "is insured with the South British Company for £fl»O.

The Court of Appsal^ttings will be resumed on "WedniiSay. ; ',

The Kairang» County Council is asking the various county' councils in New Zealand to «npport the'following motion, which it has passed:—"That, in the opinion of this council, on account of the "bad- state of the roads throughout New Zealand,: and the ever-increasing traffic, the Government be asked to reduce railway freights on cement, tar, and bitumen to local bodies for-use in roadmaking, bridges, etc., to the same rate as coal, or, at least, to one-half of the present tariff. The council in so moving, admits thsfc now is not, perhaps, the right time to ask for concessions, but considers the making of permanent roads would be a national benefit, and would in time mean a great reduction of the ever-increasing loan demands, and the continual applications for subsidies or grants.

A further batch of cases arising out of the recent Miramri flaxmill dispute was before Mr. W. G. K. Kenrfck, S.M., at Palmerston North last week, when James Henry Torbit, Inspector of Factories, proceeded against -seventeen paddockers, scutchers, and mill-hands to recover penalties for alleged participation in a strike.. In the case against' Hope, a bench-loader at Miranui mill, Mr. Cooper consented to judgment for. £1 and costs, this being in accordance with the judgment given against the other men at Miranui. ' After hearing evidence the Magistrate dismissed the cases against J. M'Lean and Iffgram, they being temporary contractors,.and reserved his decision in the cases of the other scutchers and paddockers. Mr. Cooper entered a plea of guilty in connection with the employees at the Weka mill—Taylor, Whitmore, Eopata, and Swind—who were all fined 20s.

An experiment in what is practically the American "boulevard" system of street formation ie to be made by the Auckland City Council in Picton-street, Ponsonby. The council has decided to put down the outer twelve feet of ea-ch footpath, in gra6S, and plant tre!s on either side, the Reserves Committee to be responsible for keeping both grass and trees in order. . '

Amongst the conscripts called by ballot are convicts and others under sentence (says the Auckland Star)., The Military Service Boards have had some .rather ironical (scommumcations on the subject from such persons. In sending in an appeal to the local board the other day, one prisoner said he was at present serving a sentence; and he gave details of dates. He added: "I had been in gaol many times, and I have a very bad record indeed. ■. Another prisoner was even more matter of fact, for to prove his contention that ho was living at "His Majesty's" expense, he sent along the Police Gazette containing his photograph. With such frank and ample evidence and official particulars, the boards are enabled, to. grant exemption, and to strike such men off the lis? of the reserve. . „

The Commissioner of Taxes draws attention to the notification that the due date of payment of the Income-tax and Special War-tax is to-day. Additional tax will 'accrue if tho tax is not paid on or beforo 18th February.

Messrs. E. Johnston and Co. will soil tho balance of E. Anderson and Co.'s stock, also office fittings, at No. 60, Wil-lis-street., to-morrow,, at 1.30 p.m. On Wednesday, at their rooms, they will sell oak furniture, etc., also *00 rolls of 2-ply rubber roofing.

Messrs. .Williams and Co.. Ltd., will sell by ■auction, to-morrow,. at 1.30 p.m , in the Auction Arcade. Courtenay-place, a shop's stock of groceries, provisions, and hardware.