LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Third Wellington Military Service Board will' resume its sittings in the old Parliament Buildings on Monday morning. The members of the First Wellington Military Service Board (Messrs. D. G-. A, Cooper, chairman, G. Williams, and D. M'Laren) have returned from Taranaki. '

A tribute to the men who had laid the foundations of education in New Zealand was paid by the Hon. G. W. Russell, at the Chriatchurch Technical College prizedistribution on Wednesday. In Canterbury particularly, said Mr. Russell, magnificent . educational endowments, which were now the pride of the Dominion, had been set aside. In those days, however, there had been no thought of technical training, and; Governmental primary education wa-s in its infancy. Consequently the endowments were almost entirely for higher education. With a full sense of responsibility he undertook to predict that there.would come a time when those, endowments would-be overhauled by Parliament, and some of the revenues set aside for „the gprposes of primary and secondary education.

'■How is 6 o'clock closing going to affect the union," •writes Private J. M'Kenzie, formerly prominent' in Wellington Labour circles, to the ■ secretary of .the Hotel Workers' Union. "I suppose it means cutting down the staffs of hotels, and consequently a decrease in union membership. lt*s quite certain 'that tba soldiers do not favour the 'reform.' I do not think that six men in the battalion could be found •vvJio. would be favourable to the change. Still, I suppose the war is as good as, won, which is something to be thankful for."

Reafforestation was among the matters discussed this week at sa conference between the Board of Agriculture and the National Efficiency Board. According to an official report, of the proceedings, it •was decided to again address the Prime Minister on the necessity for the creation of a separate Forestry Department under a scientifically trained forester. It was pointed out that the great work in front of him would be to develop a policy of conservation of the small remaining area of native forests to be left in New Zealand, and the regeneration of such portion of land which had been bush and was now useless for settlement ; to undei'-plant bush where suitable areas are available,, and to continue the planting of other areas suitable for the purpose. At the close of the meeting a joint deputation of the Board of. Agriculture, the Council of the Fosetry League, and others, waited upon the Prime Minister to urge that something should be done on the lines suggested.

Phases of the problems relating to ,the settlement of returned soldiers on the land were discussed at a conference held in Wellington this week between the Board of Agriculture and the National Efficiency Board. Included in the subjects considered were the opening up of Crown and Native lands, the cutting up of private estates, the best tenure for leasehold lands, and the purchase and subdivision of suitable land for the settlement of returned soldiers. The question of how to meet the case of returned soldiers who prefer to live in the country and who were willing to take up some light farm work but .'were unable for health reasons to undertake very heavy work, was also carefully considered. Various suggestions as to the best methods of helping men of this type were put forward, and it was finally decided to make a strong appeal to the farmers through the National Efficiency Boards of Trustees and the various committees of advice throughout the Dominion to take returned soldiers without farming experience and enable them to gain a knowledge of general farming work. ■ ■

There are wide differences in yield of grain even on contiguous farms, says the Timaru Herald, but tliero is a pretty general opinion in the Geraldino district that sheep pay infinitely better than grain growing, and many o£ the fanners declare that wore it not for patriotic reasons they; ■ would not have grown wheat this season. On' a Raukapuka farm wheat is yielding 35 bushels, but on a neighbouring farm the yields are considerably Jess. Speaking of one 90----acre paddock of wheat, a, practical farmer; declared "it wouldn't pay, at £10 gc&ushel."

Not a little anxiety has been shown regarding the supply of wool-packs and corn-sacks. It was reported to the Board of Agriculture this week that as the result of. enquiries which had been made, the Union Steam Ship Company .had written stating that a .^ssel had already left Calcutta this year with cornsacks and wool-packs, another was leaving at an early date; and that altogether there would be six sailings during the year, so that there was every reason to believe that there would be an ample supply of both wool-packs and corn-sacks for New Zealand requirements. . ,It was hoped that nothing would interfere with the arrival of wool-packs earlier than last year.

Included among the subjects dealt with by the Board of Agriculture at its meeting in Wellington this week were the following : —Uniform stud books and National Live Stock.Record Association, proposed legislation to prohibit the exportation of inferior sheep from the Dominion, arrangements, for. the present meat export season, desirability of having the judging of live stock at shows taught on the various experimental farms, the wheat question, organisation of women labour for farm work, proposed board in connection with scientific and industrial research, and Kitchener memorial scholarship.

Interest always attaches to the gatherings held under the auspices of the Early Settlers' and Historical Association of Wellington because of the manner in which the "good old days" are invariably Tecalled. They give opportunities for informal talks, and aro highly appreciated by both surviving settlers and their descendants. On Thursday next of these periodical "socials" will be held in Godber's Rooms, Courtenay-place. On this occasion" the Hon. G. W. 'Bussell has promised to deliver an address on early settlement in the Wellington province, and this should be of particular value and interest. There will be other speakers. ' An invitation to be present is extended to members of the association, intending members, and all sympathisers.

A returned soldier, Mr. W. Hart, who is employed at the Government Artificial Limb Factory, Petone, writes:—"On Saturday, -9th February, I was coming into Wellington by the. train leaving Petone at 7.20 a.m. 1 was waiting for the train ten minutes, and in the scramble was left behind, owing to the train beingl moved before numbers of passengers could get on. Ac I y&s on crutches I had to stand back and let the rush get on, as I was unable to push through. , .

I write this'as a protest against what is a. danger not only to myself but to dozens of others. There were three girls in front of me hanging on to the 6teps after the train moved out."

. Constable J. M. Cummings, who has been promoted to the charge of the TJpper Hutt station, was farewelled by his confreres of the Marlborough Police Force at the Blenheim. Station-house on Tuesday. Sergeant Kelly in presenting Constable Cummings with a wristlet watch, spoke of the good feeling existing between Constable Cummings and his colleagues. He was an energetic worker, and had always taken a deep interest in his work, and it must be gratifying to Mm to know that :his superiors had taken note of his energy and zeal. Constable G. Williams endorsed the sergeant's remarks, ?md Coustable Quayle also paid a tribute to the sterling qualities of their friend and comrade.

Lieutenant Johnston, who has' been awarded the Military Cross, was born in Canterbury, but went to Otaki in his early childhood, and received his education there. From the ago of sixteen he took a keen interest in military affairs. At that time he was in Feilding, and joined the volunteers, to which he belonged for five yearj, whilst working at the drapery trade. He then went to Taihape, and when the territorial system came into.force he received his commission as lieutenant, and was appointed O.C. in charge of the Senior Cadets, which position he held until going into camp in October, 1916. During his stay in Taihape he was in the employ of H. D. Bennett and Co. He sailed with the 25th Reinforcements, and on Bth pecember, 1917, was admitted to hospital suffering with trench feet.

A case, presenting some remarkable features camo before the Supreme Court at Dunedin this week. Last month a man na,med David Henry Hill-presented a monejt-order for 7s 6d at/the post office in Oamaru, and the clerk^ who was not accustomed to-the work, <made a singular mistake in handing to Hill the sum of £7 6s, instead of 7s 6d. Hill accepted the money and walked off, without acquainting the clerk with, the mistake he had made. Mr. Jvistifce Sim stated the law very clearly ,pn the matter, pointing out that if a man receives a sum of money which he must know was paid to him in mistake, and which he knew/he had no. right to, he was as "guilty of theft as if he had put his hand over the counter and taken the money. When charged with the offence, the accused pleaded guilty, and after hearing the facts his Honour released him on probation for twelve months, on condition that he refunded the money and paidl the costs of the prosecution.

The case against Joseph Stuart, licensee of the Imperial Hotel, Cuba-street, who was charged with keeping his bar open for the sale of liquor and exposing liquor for sale after 6 p.m., was further considered yesterday afternoon, before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., after The Post went to press. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for defendant. For the defence it was stated that the soldiers had not been served nor was any liquor exposed for sale. The two soldiers had stayed at the hotel previously, and" on the evening of, 19th January they came to the hotel to ask to be accommodated with bels. The licensee's wife told the men that she was not sure that, she could provide them with beds, but would do her best. Just at that time the barmaid camo in and the men started talking to her, just before the police arrived. Mrs. Stuart, in answer to tho police, said that the soldiers had been boarders^ and had come in seeking accommodation. The soldiers had not been supplied with liquor by the liconsee's wife or by any servant in the employ of the licensee. After healing the' evidence the Magistrate decided to inspect the'premises before giving his decision. ■' ■

Ruby Kirk, who was described by Acting-Sub-Inspector Emerson as a very old offender, was fined , £3, in default seven days' imprisonment, for drunkenness at the Magistrate's Court to-day when Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, 5.M.,. presided. William Wood, an elderly man, who has a long list of previous convictions against him, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment for behaving in a disorderly manner in Courlenay-place last night while under the influence of liquor.

A -meteor of unusual brilliancy was observed in Auckland, falling in the northern sky, about half-past 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning. A flash, which lighted up the surroundings like vivid lightning, preceded a flame in the sky reminiscent of photographs of a burning Zeppelin. A smaller shooting star then flashed across the course of the larger body. No explosion was noticed accom.panying the fall of either meteor.

A deputation waited on the Hon. 0/ W. Russell in Christchurch yesterday I 1 urge that some assistance should 'h given by the Government in startin; superannuation funds for employees o the smaller local bodies. Sir. Kusseli in reply, pointed out that existing legislation already gave any local body power to establish superannuation funds for tinbenefit of employees. Mr. G. Witty, M.P., said compulsory superannuation was what was required. Mr. Bussell retorted that Governments were not inclined to act m such matters as these unless pressed to do so, but at the next general election, which probably would be about a year from now, the matter could be made a subject for discussion.

"I assure you, no member of the staff has put me up to this stunt," declared Mr. 0. T. J. Alpers at the prize distribution at the Christchurch Technical College on Wednesday evening. The "stunt" (says the Press) was a denunciation, of the poor salaries which were paid to members of college teaching , staffs. "Let me tell you," continued Mr. Alpers, "that the heads of millinery. and dressmaking departments in our big stores, thewomen xuider whose direction your hats and gowns are made, would turn up their dainty little noses at the salaries paid to the men and women whose work is the training of the morals and minds of tlie students of the future. These meagre salaries for our educationists are a shame on our democracy."

At Stratford yesterday, in the Magistrate's Court, two employers, charged with employing deserters, were convicted and ordered. to come up for sentence within three ■ months. In these cases the Magistrate (Mr. Crooke) made an order in the form stated, because, he said, the amount of the lowest penalty was £50, and would be altogether too severe in the -circumstances. In a case where Robert Horace Phillips . was charged with retaining in his service a eon, aged 22, who was a deserter ■ and is now serving a sentence of eleven months imposed by a court-martial, the defence was that the son was not in liis employ, though allowed to remain on the property of the accused. The son was always a religious objector, and an appeal on this ground having been dismissed, the father denied -responsibility, and the Court held the evidence insufficient to convict.

The taking of evidence in the general appeal ' brought by James O'Hanlon, head barman of the Royal Oak Hotel, against his v conviction by Mr. S. K. M'Carthy, S.M., for a breach of the War Regulation regarding shouting, was concluded in the Supreme Oourt yesterday afternoon before his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout). O'Haulon, in the course of his evidence, stated that he had often been mistaken for Radomski, who is another barman in the same hotel and stated to be somewhat like O'Hanlon. Six witnesses, mostly employees at the hotel, asserted that O'Hanlon was not in the bar when the alleged offence was committed. Augustine John Radomski stated that he was in the public Bar from 6 p.m. to 7-30 p.m. Legal argument was postponed until Monday, at 10 a.m.. Mr> 0. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. M. j&ywgjare appearing for appellant, and MWfe-S. K. Macassey for the Orown.,

The quarterly meeting of^e Enblio Service Superannuation Board' was held on Thursday, Mr. 3. H. Rioharfaon presiding. Twelve contributors, retired 1 under section 35 of the Aot, by reason of age or length of service, wata granted' allowances aggregating 319? ■gey annum, and three contributors, retired, as medically unfit for dutjv were granted: allow-' ances aggregating £198 6e fee annum, including a speciall allowance of £76 per annum to a police officer whose medical' unfltness was caused by injuries received whilst on duty. Eleven, widows and' nineteen children were granted the statutory allowances, amounting to £445 per annum. The board declined to grant allowances to three contributors whom it was sought to have retired as medically unfit. In consequence of the retirements under section 35 of the Act accrued compensation to the amount of £3914 became a liabilityv of the Superannuation Fund and a corresponding relief to the Consolidated Fund. ■ . .

The fishing launch Maritana, which sank at the Croixelles after she had struck a rock on Wednesday, was in Wellington waters for many years. She was built in Auckland over, twenty years ago, and as a cutter-rigged yacht was brought to Wellington by hsr then owner (the late Mr. Vereker Bindon) to compete at the. Port Nicholson Club's regatta for a prize of £100. Owing to meeting with, rough weather on the run to Napier and calms in Cook Strait, she did not reach this port until after the regatta. £n order to give Mr. Bindon and.his crew a chance to try conclusions with the Mascbtte and Pastime from Lyttelton, and the first-class yachts belonging to Wellington, a special race was arranged, and the Maritana was beaten. A few days afterwards she was purchased .by Mr. Geo. Mcc and party, of Wellington, who after owning her for several years sold her to Mr. C.Y. Fell, solicitor, of Nelson. Subsequently she passed into the hands of Messrs. Ricketts Bros., of Nelson, who converted her into an oil launch and used her for fishing purposes.

An inquest was conducted yesterday afternoon by Mr. W. G. Biddell, S.M., into the circumstances of the death of Clement Frederick Johnston, iseven years of age, who died at the Wellington Hospital at 8.45 on Wednesday morning from injuries resulting from being run over by a. loaded brake on the Huttroad at Petone earlier the same morning. Arthur William Kilminster, farmer, Taito, stated that the boy had ridden to town with Mm four or five times previously. On Wednesday Me two-horse brake was loaded with potatoes in bags. Witness' left about 5.30 a.m., and the boy was sitting on top of the load in what witness considered' a safe position on the front of the load. When oppose the Petone Railway Station the hoEies started to trot down the incline. Witness turned to look at another vehicle, and when lie looked back he saw tlie boy slipping down. The deceased fell on to the horses' heels, and although witness at once reined in the horees the v brake was not stopped until one of the rear wheels passed over the deceased's body. The road at the spot where the accident occurred was fairly rough, and the brake passed over a, hoie just before the boy slipped off the brake. After hearing other evidence, a verdict of accidental dea.th was returned, no blame being attachable to tho driver of the vehicle.