LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The whole-hearted loyalty of the press of New Zealand found expression in the following motion carried yesterday at the annual conference of . the Newspaper Proprietors' Association:—"At this crisis in the affairs of the nation the united press o£ New Zealand wishes to record its deep thankfulness at the splendid courage which has been manifested by all branches of the Defence Forces of the Empire in the great conflicts which have taken place with a powerful enemy since the commencement of the war. Their courage and endurance have been an unflagging manifestation of the deep patriotic! spirit with which they are imbued, and it is in a similar frame of mind that the newspaper press of the Dominion now assembled in annual conference desire that a message be transmitted to His Majesty the King, through the Governor-General, expressive of its unswerving loyalty to the Crown, and its earnest prayer for the speedy triumph of His Majesty's Forces and their brave Allies, and for a lasting peace founded on the principles of righteousness and justice, and the liberty of the world." The motion was carried with cheers for the King, following which the •National Anthem was sung.

Mr. E. C. Hayton, of Hawera, has received intimation from the Minister for Defence, that this brother, Gilbert Hayton, has been awarded the D.C.M., and promoted to. the rank of sergeant. Ho already possesses tho Military Medal, which was won by him during tho severe fighting on the Ypres area last year.

Making appeal for the exemption of Carl August Berendsen, Chief Clerk and Registrar of Industrial Unions, Mr. P. W. Rowley, Secretary for Labour, told the Military Service Board to-day that the staff of the Labour Department had been very seriously depleted. Ont of a staff of 36 clerks they had lost 21 who 'had_ gone to the waj*, and four others— senior officers —two of whom had been appointed Conciliation Commissioners. The vacancies had been filled up as best could be done by the appointment, of girls and cadets. Mr. Rowley added that Mr. Berendsen was a corporal in the n.c.o.'s training class at Trentham Camp,'where he had been for about six months. The appeal wos the first lodged by the Department, and it would be the only one necessary out of a total staff of 85 until Class D of the Second Division was reached. The fact of Berendsen having been in camp for so Jong proved a rather formidable stumbling block, and the board reserved its decision in tho matter.

The examination of the judgment debtor in the case John Henry Hooper v. David Morris Owens, was to have been continued in the Supreme Court to-day, but was postponed owing to the temporary indisposition of the Chief Justice.

Lengthy evidence was considered by Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon in an affiliation case in which a young woman, represented by Mr. W. P. Ward, who was instructed by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, proceeded against Thomas M'Guire, tor whom Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared. The Magistrate adjudged defendant the putative father of complainant's unborn child and ordered him to pay costs, 42s anct witnesses' expenses, and to enter into a bond of £250 and two sureties of £125 each. In the event of an appeal security was fixed at £20.

Writing to bis father (Mr. Paul Cqffey, of Oriental Bay), from Belgium, Private Paul Coffey, who left with tho 27th Reinforcements, says:—"We have received a. lot of parcels from the Wellington Patriotic Society. They were much appreciated by the boys. The plum puddings turned out in tip-top condition, and I want you to see Mr. Luke personally and thank him on my behalf. We all had a good feed with the good things in the parcels. lam glad to say that' I also received a parcel from home, the first that I have received since leaving New Zealand." (As Private Coffey left nine or ten months ago, and parcels and papers have been sent at regular and frequent intervals, Mr. Coffey thinks that some serious mistake must have been made.)

Some of the prison reforms that have been effected in New Zealand were referred to by the Minister of Justice (Hon. T. M. Wi'lford) -when replying to a deputation at Napier, the 'Hawkes Bay Tribune reports. We have a prison at Waikeria, he said, working <m the honours system. Every morning five men start out with three-horse teams roadmaking. They take their billy and lunch, and they are away from the time they leave camp until they return with their teams. They go two miles from the prison, and if they do their work fairly .they get so many good conduct marks. Twelve marks is a day off their sentence. So far that had gone on for some weeks, and it was working all right. America boasted of its honours system, and he was telling them what we could do here.

A resolution protesting against tho discontinuance of special trains in connection with race meetings, as the roads were being badly broken up by motor traffic, was received by the Hutt Borough Council last night from the Manawatu County Council. Councillor Ward said no private person would be allowed to run the railways as the Department did. The curtailment of the trains caused 'buses to be. put on, and the roads 'were now in a disgraceful condition. Councillor Cotton did not believe in stopping races during the war, and he held that the trains should be run. It was unanimously decided to support ihe Manawatn resolution. Councillor M'Dougall said that, while the war was on, he did not favour race meetings, but the Government had allowed a certain number of race days, and therefore they had laid down a policy. As long as they allowed race meetings, they should run trains to meet the people's convenience and get revenue. The stoppage of trains and the allowing of races forced motors to use the roads, and therefore the cost to the local bodies was considerable. Councillor Walton said he favoured the resolution in the interests of the travelling public. He had never been on a racecoiu'se' in his life, so he was not talking as a racing man. The running of the railways was worse now than it was for te_n years.

A verdict of accidentally drowned was returned after the hearing of the evidence at an inquest at Levin on Saturday into the circumstances of the death of a little boy, Barney Rore, aged two years. The deceased went with his' parents to the beach at Hokio, near Levin, and was left alone while his parents gathered pipis. At the end of about half an hour, his mother returned to the spot where the cart had been left, and then saw deceased floating face downwards in the water, near the shore. She brought him ashore and called' her husband, who applied measures to restore respiration, but the deceased did not respond.

Reference, to the benzine explosion which occurred on the Huia last week was made to a Post reporter by the secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union (Mr. J. G. Bruce). Mr. Bruce said that the union had frequently pointed out the danger arising from careless handling of benzine, especially in reference to the use of naked lights. In this case it was only by the most fortunate of circumstances that no one was injured. There happened to be no men in the hold, and the hatch was only laid on, so that the explosion found a. harmless vent. Had the hatch been clamped down the explosion would probably ha-ve penetrated, to tho engineroom with fata-l results. It was time that the union's warnings were heeded, or else there would be an accident attended with fa'-vlities.

Whether a polling booth will record one thousand votes on the election day or only a few does not concern the electoral authorities, their duty and aim being to see that provision Is made in. accordance with statutory requirements. The cost to the State of some of the votes recorded in the, Southern Maori election must (remarks the Lyttelton Times) be a tolerable item. At Tahuahua, in Wednesday's election, two Natives exercised their suffrage. Tahuahua is an islet in Queen Charlotte Sound, .and a motorlaunch had to be chartered from Picton to bring in the return. The duties of the deputy returning officer and his associate at Slope Point, on , the south-eastern coastline, consisted' in the record of one doctor's preference, while if there are any electors in the vicinity of Reomoana they failed; to put in an. appearance, a blank being recorded at this booth.

The idea that 6hell shock at the front is responsible for many cases of insanity is without foundation (states the Auckland Star). Men have returned from, the front who have had to be confined in mental hospitals, but many of these would have fallen- victims to mental disease even without going on active service. It is noteworthy that since the war began 45 soldiers have been received into the mental hospitals from tho camps as against 44 returned soldiers. There are at present remaining in the institutions 23 soldieife from the camps, and 2? returned soldiere,

The following motion was carried at yesterday's conference of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of New Zealand : —"That this association desires to place on record its admiration of the gallant rally to the Colours of members of all branches of the newspaper and printing business of the Dominion, and its prayer that those who are now fighting on the war fronts, or have been xvounded or disabled, having done their duty nobly to their King and country, will be spared to return to their homes in this Dominion to receive the grateful thanks of their fellow-colonists. To the memory of the hallowed dead who have fought their last fight in defence of the liberties of the Empire and the world we record our reverential homage. Their comrades and relations will know them no more, but their deeds will live to inspire future generations and add fresh lustre to our nation's history."

The need for closer co-operation between the Government and the commercial interests of the Dominion was urged by Mr. R. Burns in his presidential address to the annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Burns suggested the appointment of a Minister, whose principal portfolio would be that of Commerce.

The Hon. T. M. Wilford is a keen disciple of Isaac Walton, and while in Napier becamo keenly interested in the Napier Anglers' Club, especially in the casting tournament. Wishing to show a practical interest, the hon, gentleman has intimated that he would have pleasnre in presenting the Anglers' Club with a trophy to be known as the "Wilford Challenge Cup," for annual competition. This cup will be held by the competitor gaining most points at competitions.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union was held to-day, and was largely attended by the pressmen of the Dominion. \The Chairman (Mr. G^ Fenwick) delivered an interesting speech on the objects and work of the union,'and a good deal, of useful discussion took place on his motion for the adoption of the report and balancesheet. Mr. Fenwick was re-elected chairman, and the retiring committee were also re-elected.

For the tenth successive year the Raglan County Council has (says the Auckland Herald) collected, before 31st March, the whole of tho rates owing by Europeans. For the rating year ending 31st March the total amount due by Europeans was £14,020, rate demands to cover which were posted on Ist September last, and the last amount paid on 20th February. ■ As to rates due by Natives, more than usual has been collected this year through certain legal action being taken. On Ist October. £3590 was duo by Natives for the present year's rates and arrears, and to date £445 has been recovered. The gradual passing of native land into the hands of Europeans, it is said, is greatly relieving the situation, and also bringing the lands into productive occupation.

A meeting was held at the Soldiers' Club, New Plymouth, on Friday evening with the object of forming a local troop of the Legion of Frontiersmen. There was a. very fair attendance, among those present being members of the Okato and Whangamomona troops, as well as a number of lady members. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., presided, and in the course of a few remarks welcomed visiting frontiersmen to New Plymouth. Continuing, Mr. Okey referred, to the splen-' did work which hrfd baen done by the Legion •■ throughout the Dominion, and explained that when war broke out they offered a large body of men, fully equipped, for service, agreeing to pay all expenses, and to provide horses. After some discussion, it was decided to proceed with the formation of a New Plymouth troop, and an executive was appointed to arrange details.

Criticism in regard to military matters was voiced at a recent meeting of the Waitem.ata Chamber of Commerce. Mr. F. Held't complained that advancement in .the New Zealand Forces was often gained through influence rather than through ability. Why was it, he asked that so many men fit for active service were on home service positions, which could be ably filled by returned soldiers. Messrs. j. W. Fordham, J. Henderson,, and A. H. Gentil referred to the action of the Defence Department in repeatedly altering the dates on which men were required to go into camp. Mr. Gentil said his son, on enlisting in April last was told to go into camp two months later, but subsequently the date was altered to September. In the meantime the man went to Australia and enlisted there. Mr. Henderson suggested that there should be a civilian represent tative on all military courts of. enquiry to .watch the interests of the taxpayers. This suggestion was referred to the council of the chamber with a view to having it brought before other chambers.

The matter of the future of Samoa was referred to on Friday by the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in his address at the annual meeting of members. Incidentally he mentioned the Island trade. He said that, notwithstanding the fact that merchants engaged in this business had been using every effort to capture and retain more of it during the past year, their had not been so successful as could be wished. Unsatisfactory steamer services and harassing Government restrictions, together with strenuous American and Australian competition, .had limited the amount of business, Mr. Burns drew attention to the resolution submitted by the council of the chamber to the Government, strongly opposing any suggestion that Samoa should be returned to Germany at the conclusion of the war. He thought it would be advisable that before the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward left the Dominion to attend the' Imperial Conference a public meeting should be held to more strongly voice the protest. Without doubt, it would be exceedingly dangerous to New Zealand if the Germans were ever permitted to regain a footing in the Pacific.

To have served in the forces of Great Britain, Canada, Australia, the United States, and Mexico, and now to be aj member of the New Zealand Forces, is the record of Mr. R. B. Pinchin, known on the vaudeville stage as "R. H. Sarsfielcl." Mr. Pinchin had been a soldier in England, Canada, the States, and Mexico before the war commenced. On the outbreak of hostilities he enlisted at once in Western Australia, and for three years was a member of the 11th Battalicn. He was discharged on account of loss of memory, but enlisted again in. Tasmania, only -to be discharged again. Then he came to New Zealand, and immediately joined the guard on Ripa Island. After a brief spell of this work, ho volunteered for active service, and was accepted. Mr. Pinchin is a son of Commander G. F. Pinchin, British Consul in Norway, who is well-known to ■many New Zealanders. He has travelled widely in Europe, America, and the British Dominions, either as a soldier or with, touring entertainers. After the war he proposes to settle in New Zealand, and establish a combined vaudeville and moving picture enterprise.

To-morrow will hold much interest for the buying public, for Bargain Wednesday offerings are to again be presented by Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd. This will be the- first Bargain Day since the sale closed, and it will be remarkable for the extra special snaps to be featured. In addition to tho accumulation of oddments and remnants for the past weeks, there will be a big offering of items left over from the sale. ' Be sure you call.— Advt.

Sheep doge are perhaps the most valuable and intelligent of the dog family, and should therefore be treated with some amount of consideration. The inspector for the society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Captain Henry) had his attention drawn recently £b the practice-in some parts of the country of hobbling sheep dog 6, when not on duty, by tying one of their fore-pawe to their collar. In one specific case the offender; was warned, and this had the desired' r effect. This method of hobbling, it; should be noted, not only causes the ani-i mal pain and inconvenience, but reduces! its working capabilities. . ' I

In some parts of Taranaki blackberries are a perfect curse, and farmers are only too pleased (the Eltham Argus says) to see people_ take the berries away in any quantity—a kerosene tin is the receptacle in general use. But not sufficient berries are taken; huge quantities are left to be carried all over 1 the province by birds and to seed luxuriantly. In Wellington blackberries are retailed at 4d per lb. What a pity it is that the consumers live so far away from the source of supply; if such were not the case they could have their blackberries for nothing, and they would be very acceptable in the present days of high cost living.

At last meeting of the Automo--bile Association (states the' Hawkes Bay Herald), some lengthy discussion took place concerning the Napier speed limits, and it is probable that some representations will be made to the Minister concerned in these matters to try and have a change effected. Regarding the different speed limits in various towns, one member related an instance where a Hawkes Bay motorist had, at Palraerston North, been cautioned by a policeman for travelling too fast. When he got to Wellington he kept to the allowance made in Palmerston North, with the result that he was censured by a policeman for travelling too slowly and 1 blocking the traffic.

When it was mentioned by the Hon. T. M. Wilford at the Napier deputation concerning the alien question that all the Germans from Fiji had' been deported to an unknown destination in Australia there was some comment as,to why a!! the Germans in New Zealand could noi be so interned. Mr. Wilford explained that in Fiji after the Seeadler incident: strong representations were made to the Imperial authorities to have such a step as was taken carried out. All the German population, which numbered aboui ;50, came-under the heading of suspicious, and consequently were interned. Similar steps would be taken, and had been taken, in New Zeala-nd wherever there was cause for suspicion. Otherwise the Government was powerless to deal with them. In connection with this matter Mr. Wilford denied a statement current in New Zealand that there were no British peoplt whatever allowed at. large in Germany. He knew definitely, he said, that these ■were.

A particularly sad case of drowning occurred at Tauranga last Thursday. Three little boys, Matty Mearns, aged four years, Barny and Bobby Smith, brothers, aged four.and three years respectively, were playing in a boat ou the Waikareao Beach. Apparently Uk anchor was lifted on board and the bout started to drift.. The boy Mearns ap pears to have jumped out with the youngest Smith boy, but Barney Smit'; was carried out into the Waikareao Estuary. A search was made after the ■alarm was given, and it was discovered that the boat had stranded on a small island near the Judea side of the est,. ary. Evidently, from the footsteps setin the sand, the little lad had landed and, probably being alarmed, had trie to wade* over the beach to the Jud<?: settlement, a short distance, and v.r. drowned. The body was recovers: about half a mile further along the beach. Efforts to restore animation weix fruitless.

Some satirical criticism of the Govei 1: ment's action in regard to the Raihv:r , Service was indulged in by Petone Bur oughi councillors last evening. Thi Manawatu County Council requester the support of the Borough Council in a resolution passed requesting the Rail way Department .to .run trains to rat* meetings owing to the greater expense to the country and the severe damage to the roads caused by the heavy motoi.' traffic. Councillor Cox thought the Government, might have displayed more backbone by prohibiting racing alto gether during the war. Councillor Jories : "But- the war is over." Couu cillor Cox: "How do you make time out? It is only just beginning." Councillor Jones : "The Minister said he was going to stop the trains till after the war, arid as the trains are now runnning the war must be over."' Councillor Brocklebank hoped it would not bo thought that, because race trains were advocated, the. council was in favour of the races. The resolution was unanimously supported by the council.

A question which has been much_ de- \ bated by the owners of motor vehicles and local bodies was again discussed by the Petone Borough Council last evening, . when the .. Makaia County Council forwarded a resolution for th« approval of the Petone Council, urging upon the Government the necessity of passing such legislation as will permit of some suitable form of taxation of motors. It was pointed out that great damage is done t<> the roads by the ever-incfleasing motor traffic, and that at present each local authority must, deal with the matter within its own boundaries, with the result that a vehicle passing, perhaps, orJy once through areas controlled by several local authorities is liable for a tax to each of I them. It was urged that the GovernI ment should take the matter up; and levy a just tax on all motor vehicles, to be proportionately allocated to the various local authorities. The Makara Council, having sent a remit to the Counties Association, the Petone Borough decided to send a similar remit to the Municipal Association. Following on a successful day's fishing, Mr. Silver, of Karaka- Bay, forwarded to the Hospital seven large hapuku, the receipt of which is gratefully acknowledged by the secretary. The War Belief Association acknowledges with thanks the receipt of £25 from Mr. Charles J. Ward, being damages received in his action against John Bull's Register. "You could not get a boy to drive a baker's cart for love or money—not if you paid him £3 per week," said a masI ter baker at the sitting of the Appeal i Court at Hamilton. "Boys won't come 1 into the bakery, either. They don't like I the early hours." .. I No present more useful to a soldier ! than a good pair of khaki socks, Is 6d, I 2s 6d, 3s 6d, Ss 6d, at Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners-street.—Advt. I Wellington ladies are greatly pleased! with the quality of Golden Rule Soap | Golden Rule Candles, and No-RubbivirJ Laundry Help. J. R. Burley.—Advt. I Passengers! Be happy! Check bag| igage through us. We collect, check, de-i f jiver on arrival. Tickets issued. 'If you have one please produce it. The ifew Zealand Express Company, Ltd., 87-91, Customhouse-quay.—Advt. ' Woman's sword is her needle. Witli your needle you. can help your country Follow the examples o£ the women <:' Europe, and make your own clothes s home. The New Idea Patterns make : easy for, you. to hay« serviceabls clothe.' in the most advanced styles, and tt> malu them with the dtmost ease. Ney Ides Paper Patterns are only obtainable iron C. Smith, Ltd., Cuba-street, Wellington Price 9d each, l^d extra for postage, Send for new issue of New Idea Fashioi Booklet, enclose- l£d for postage.-—Advt.