LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 154, 27 December 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sir James Allen at Dunedin yesterday announced that about 10,000 troops, mostly sick and wounded, are expected within the next three months, which should clear the English hospitals of sick and wounded. The Prisons Board will leave Wellington on 13th January, and visit the prisons at Waimarino, Waikeria, Auckland, and New Plymouth. The body of the late Mr. C. C. Kettle, for many years S.M. at Auckland, was cremated at Karori, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased. Death occurred in Auckland. It is reported that the prisoners in the Dominion gaols behaved remarkably well during the recent influenza epidemic. At Invercai^gill, for instance, there were about one hundred of the inmates affected, and something like seventy at Auckland, and those inmates who were not affected in the great majority of cases did really good work. The tug-of-war at the Catholic Picnic yesterday was won by a team consisting of F. Sheehan. J. Kelleher, T. H-urlihy, 11. Todd, J. O'Connor, T. Fahey, P. Harrington, and J. Gallagher. The run-ners-up were captured by J. C. prbmgool, and Mr. A. Bain was the judge. The winning team donated the .prize money, £2, to the Catholic Education Fund. Ten flaxmillers between Shannon and 1 Palmerston North are erecting a sub- ' stantial series of wires connecting their mills with the Palmerston North exchange. The cost will run well into four figures; But will be more than covered by the anual saving in destruction by fire. In case of fire alarm in any flax area (says an exchange) the millers will be able to mobilise an army of firefighting flax-workers, numbering a thousand men, at short notice. . Artillery fire has been perhaps one of the most costly features of the present war. The War Office some time ago worked out the exact.coet of each shell fired by British guns, and the figures are astounding. The firing of a 9.2 inch howitzer shell has been equivalent to blowing into the air a, sum of £20 4s Id; the shells for 8 inch howitzers cost fil4 Is 3d; 4.5 inch howitzers, £3 15s Id; while every shell fired from the ordinary 18 pounder gun represented an expenditure of £2 2s 7d. When it is remembered that as many as 2000 pieces ol heavy ordnance have been firing as rapidly as possible over a small section' of ground for long periods at a time, it will easily be understood why the war bill has reached euch enormous proportions. The Wellington Telegraph staff had a very busy time during the holiday, although there was a slight falling oft' in the traffic as compared with last year. For the period 21st to 24th December the number of messages handled was 82,310, as compared with 83,027 for the same period last year. The staff finished operations at midnight on Christmas Eve, and started work again at 8 o'clock, on Christmas morning. From 12.30 till 2 p.m. all hands were, by the order of the Secretary (Mr. W. R. Morris) released to enable them to spend their holiday at home, and the consideration wa» greatly appreciated. The messenger staff —boys and girls—are reported to have done their work exceedingly well. The public is reminded ..that when the other' departments of the office are closed, stamps to any-amount may be procured at the 'telegraph counter. , Judging from the evidence called before Mr. F. V. Frazer, 5.M.,.: at'the Magistrate's Court this morning John Wilcox apparently made an unfortunate mistake in wreaking his vengeance on Ernest Newson, the wrong man.' That both Wilcox .and Newson lhad been in trouble, however, there was no doubt whatever, for" one had a pronounced black eye, and the other both eyes sadly discoloured. The evidence called by the police was to the effect that Wilcox rushed out of a hotel right-of-way, struck Newson, apparently without provocation, and then bolted'along Lambton-quay arid up Mee's Steps, where he was caught by Constable Graham. So great had been his excitement that in that brief space of time he had forgotten the affair completely. Wilcox this morning explained that Newson, or, at any rate, a man in a light grey sujt, had blackened his eye a few minutes previously as a finale to an argument which took place at the rear of the hotel, and when he saw Newson, whom he was confident was "the man in the light grey suit," he struck him. Wilcox was ordered to pay a fine of £1 and 12s. witnesses' expenses or to spend a week in gaol. An account of an expedition by Australian destroyers up the River Sepik, in New Guinea, has just been released by the ■ Australian Navy Department. The expedition took place in the very early days of the war, and was commanded by Commander C. Cumberledge. Jk was undertaken partly for survey purposes, although the primary object was to round up any v German forces that might have escaped into the jungle. With the assistance of native\guides a shore party succeeded in tracking down and capturing a Serman officer. They then proceeded in small vessels .into only partly surveyed waters. Landings were effected along the river, and 6everal native villages were visited. The party found the natives very distrustful at first, but soon established friendly relations with them. At one -village which was visited by the expedition it was observed that the natives, nearly all wore armlets constructed of the threaded vertebrae of a> human being. The people apparently had never seen a white man, and the members 'of the expedition had a somewhat uneasy feeling when the natives crowded .round them and touched them on the arms and face with evident interest, not uiimixed with curiosity. The villagers all carried long spears and bows and arrows, but they did not attempt to use their weapons. In fact. they became quite friendly in time, and parted on the best of terms with the visiting expedition. At tht^ farewell dinner which was tendered by the Commonwealth Government to the members of the French Mission, a painting of the La Perouse memorial at Botany Bay was presented to the mission, and caskets of Australian blackwood to its individual membei's. Yesterday the Acting-Prime Minister received a letter of thanks from General Pau, in which he said :—"The idea of presenting tho French Government with a picture of the La Perouse memorial, painted by an Australian artist, is one which goes right to our hearts, and which will he very highly appreciated not only by the French Government, but also by tho people of France. When placed in one of the galleries of Paris, this painting will tell the French visitors hot only of tho glorious page in the history of French discoveries, but also of the feeling of the Commonwealth to our country. La Perouse belongs as much to Australian as ho does to French history. He is a link between our two nations. Will you allow me also to mention that the hundreds of thousands of brave and fine boys of Australia who hrtve fought at the Front ill Europe belong also both to Australian and to French history. In the name of the French Mission, in anticipation of similar action by the Freivh Government, T beg you, dear Mr. Wn-tt. to accent and to convey to the Commonwealth Government "bur deepest and most sincere thanks for tins beautiful gift, which will wiviuH <>l-H' »<>'t collection and will'remain as a Inkon ot tho ppi'dinl fj'lsiwlahip ssisfcing between our two peoples,"

On the beach at Oaonui, near Opunake, on Boxing ' Day, a German mine vas found, also life-buoys. An Australian soldier was sentenced in London last week to nine months' imprisonment for forgery. Counsel for the prosecution stated that accused stole a blank cheque form and forged the name of Mr. W. M. Hughes, the Federal Prime Minister. Lieutenant James D. Sloss, of the Royal Air Force, who died of wounds in France on 23rd November, was the third son of Mr. E. Sloss, Cheviot. He was educated at the Spotswood School, and at the Waitaki Boys' High School, while he took his flying ticket'at the Canterbury Aviation School. He left for England in December, 1917, completed his training there, and had been about a month in France when he received the w.ounds to which he succumbed. Sergeant George B. Cooper, who has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field of action, left New Zealand in April, 1,916, with the 11th Reinforcements, and proceeded to Egypt, and then to France, where he was attached to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion, being wounded in the first Somme battle in September, 1916. On recovering from his wounda he joined up with the 12th Nelson Company in May, 1917, and has been continually 6n active service. He is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. i'W. H. Cooper, of Morningside, and prior to enlistment was farming at Wakanui, Canterbury. A serious view was taken of a charge of having used obscene language by Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., who presided at tho Magistrate's Court this morning, and the offender, Waino Rautio, a foreigner, was sent to gaol for a month. Acting Sub'lnspector Emerson said that the man, who was a member of the crew of the Mapourika, had gone down to the ferry wharf yesterday afternoon, and was noticed by a Customs officer to go up and speak to several little girls. The police were informed, and it was found that Bautio . had used most disgusting language to one of the girls, who was about sixteen years of age. The man was wanted again on board his ship. "Yes, and he can go back—when we've done with him," said. Mr. Frazer. Beorre leaving Sydney for Auckland, General Pau and members of the French mission were inoculated twice, as an example to the rest of the community. Some of the members of the mission have been inoculated previously as protection against various diseases. M. Corbiere, who was a, major in the Balkans, ha-s undergone the operation on sixteen occasions. The medical staff of the New South Wales Board of Health have had revealed to them by grateful victims of the inoculation needle some unexpected virtues of the "influenza" serum. One man returned a few days after his second, and ordinarily final, dose, and asked if he could have some more. He was asked why, and his reply was, "It's cured all my corns. They've nearly gone, and one more dose will sure finish them." He was in deadly earnest. Another patient also returned for more. He was an old man, and said he had suffered from rheumatic inflammation of the finger joints. He declared that the serum had cured him. The Board of Health officials say that^not one complains that bad effects have been noticed after inoculation has been received. Complaints were ma-dc at the last meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board regarding the quantity and quality of certain food at the Taih'ape Hospital 1 during the epidemic. The matron, Miss Rolling, denied the allegations. Evidence was given by Miss Fleming that she had acted as cook at the hospital from-August to 2nd December. On only one occasion had she made soup for patients; she had never had sufficient milk for milk puddings during her term. Patients and staff always had skimmed milk for breakfast, and very often were short of milk. There was sufficient mfeat when the matron was. on duty, but during the matron's illness, very often there was not enough meat for cither the kitchen "or the night nurses. The nurses fared better than either the patients or the domestic staff. During the epidemic the matron and Nurse Williams were absent, and there were only two probationers to do all the work of the hospital. Dr. Boyd (formerly of Wellington), medical officer at the hospital, said he had never received complaints. ■ He rarely ordered s6up, but, had he done so, the patients would have got it. He considered the inquiry a very petty business. • A vigorous statement on the question of his enforced retirement was recently made by Judge Docker at the conclusion of. one of the New South Wales western Courts, when farewell speeches were made by the members of the Bar. Judge Docker remarked that it was common^ knowledge that, by virtue of an Act of Parliament recently passed, he had to retire at the conclusion of the business this year —the Friday before Christmas —after having completed 38 years of service. He was over 76 years of age, thus exceeding the'limit prescribed- by the new measure. He was not sorry, for at his age he welcomed the coming rest and freedom from responsibility, even though he had strength and ability to continue the work. He would have retired before had not the war occasioned tho upsetting of all schemes and plans for the future, and in response to representations; and because of t-ho need for economy, he had consented to continue his work. -He felt keenly that he had been called up to relinquish work.* It was a violation of a contract entered into between himself and the Government. His appointment as a Judge had been called upon to relinquish work. the*mental power to continue work and to his being of good behaviour. However, the Government had thought fit to do What the Germans had done and about which the Empire had gone to war—tear up a "scrap of paper," as the Germans termed it. • The possibilities of several new industries in Australia, and of development of existing industries, have recently formed the subject of consideration by the Com- ! monwealfch Board of Trade,'which has presented its monthly report to the Federal Cabinet. In connection with the leaf tobacco industry it is interesting to note (says a Melbourne paper) that the board considers the information available showed that tobacco growing in Austi-alia. was in a very unsatisfactory condition, but that if better methods of cultivation and curing could be introduced and suitable assistance given, there was a wide field for the expansion of tho industry* a 8 the soil and climate in various localities were favourable. At present only about one-tenth of the leaf usod in local tobacco works was of Australian origin. The ■ assistance provided by the Bounties Act of 1907 and 1912, which expired in June, 1917, bad failed to lead to the desired result, and inquiries are being made with a view to finding a solution of the difficulties. A proposal to establish the meat-bag knitting industry led to the receipt by the board of an application For an exemption from the war-profits tax. and a temporary bounty of Is 6d per 1b on the finished article, pending revision of the tariff. The board, after inquiry, decided that it could not recommend the payment of a bounty. In regard to tho canvas, tarpaulin, and linen aeroplane fabric industry, the board decided that tho local production of flax must be considerably developed befofre it could be established on a commercial basis, and further consideration of proposals was deferred until January, when the present crop will have'been dealt with, and it will be possible to form a better idea as te the ni'obubl* flax petition in the near future.

The influenza epidemic at Westport ?a well in hand, states a Press Association t Aegram. Great numbers of people havfi Uken advantage of the fine weather during the holidays to get to the beaches, where bathing has been largely indulged in ' ■ An Adelaide paper states that German has fallen into disfavour among university students. In 1913 the number of candidates who sat for German in the junior, senior, higher and commercial examinations was 264, while 553 sat for French. This year only 68 students took German as a subject, while the number examined in French was 661. Keplying to Mr. Mackay, in the Federal House of Representatives^ Mr: Groom, representing the Minister for Repatriation, stated that the average cost of bringing the wife of a soldier of the A.I.F. from Britain to Australia was £30. If the wife paid her own fare, he added, an application could be made for a refund. The following official wireless message has been received at Sydney by the American Consul-General, Mr. Brittain ; "New York.—Chemical engineering laboratories at Columbia University announce a perfected new drying process by which meat and fish can be kept indefinitely, and then restored to their former state of freshness by the application of water." It is believed that this will increase the world's meat shipping capacity more than twelve times, making refrigerators- unnecessary. Dr. Seigfried, of the French mission, in discussing with the- Now South Wales Chamber of Manufacturers recently the position of trade between France and Australia-, said that the mission was prepared to recommend to the French Government the necessity for establishing a bureau in Sydney, where buyers could inspect samples and be put in touch with French manufacturers. This, he said, would be -done immediately. They would also recommend to the French people the necessity for sending direct representatives of the various firms, who could quote prices and take direct orders. The question of shipping was receiving their careful consideration. Mr. Lee, Premier of Tasmania, recently wrote to Mr. Watt-, ActingFederal Prime Minister, suggesting that the Commonwealth Government might take into consideration the question of reimbursing, out of any war indemnity received, the State Governments for, amounts directly incurred for repatriation. Mr. Watt, in reply,, said it was not the intention of the Commonwealth Government'to make application to the Imperial authorities for consideration, in view-'of the heavy expenditure Australia had incurred. It was not the intention of the Government to allot any portion of any indemnity it might receive to any of the States. Mr. Lee, commenting on the letter, said it would come as a surprise to many people to learn that the Commonwealth would not make representations for a share of the indemnity for Australia. The Hamilton Sub-provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union at a recent meeting discussed the question of taking definite and direct action in politics, but nothing was decided upon. One speaker pointed outi that only 6000 of the 24,000 farmers in the province were members of the union, and the need for better organisation was-urged. The chairman (Mr. E. H." Hammond) considered that the apathy of the men entrusted with the supreme position—the Dominion Executive—reflected right through .:ihe v.union.'; He thought the top-end would have to be altered before there could be any improvement from the bottoms If there" were, six live men'on the executive there would be a decided change^ •■'.;lt was not fair that the men entrusted, with safeguarding the interests of the.-farm ersy and bringing them before Parliament, should meet'only once a year. Attempts to remedy the serious.shortage of copper coin in Australia, which, is likely to prove particularly annoying during the coming Christmas shopping period, are still being made by the Commonwealth Treasnry . officials (reports Melbourne Age of 10th December). A further;cable message asking for supplies has been despatched to the authorities in 'India, as no reply has yet been received to requests already sent. Arrangements have also been made to put into circulation about £70 worth of pennies held by one of ths banks in Western Australia, 'and, with a view to augmenting the supply, all the banks have been asked "to get.into touch with gas companies and other firms who use slot machines in connection with their business, with a view to the more frequent clearance of the machines. Previous representations to the gas companies of Melbourne were markedly successful. ■ Carrying a <?argo, consisting of maize, general merchandise, and about 1500toii3 of explosives, including a quantity of dynamite, the steamer South Africa, which berthed on 9th December in Victoria Dock, Melbourne, was on fire while approaching th« Australian coast. The fire (says the Age) was discovered in the steamer's bunkers, and for three 'days members of the crew were kept busily engaged in fighting the outbreak. Fortunately the fire was ultimately subdued before it assumed very serious proportions, but valuable coal was consumed, and when over 60 miles west of Cape Borda the steamer was practically without coal. A wireless message was sent out giving information of the vessel's need for fuel, and it is understood that immediate arrangements were made for a tug .to proceed from Adelaide with a fresh supply of coal in search of the South Africa. In the meantime, however, the steamer proceeded under very" easy steam to Adelaide, but was obliged to burn a quantity of maize as fuel. For some time past there has been an embargo on the importation into Australia of American and foreign soaps. In 1916 a proclamation was issued prohibiting the importation of soap from all countries with,the exception of the United Kingdom, but subsequently the embargo was modified at the wish of the Imperial authorities to permit of the introduction of soap made in Allied countries. The embargo on American soap was, however, continued after America's entry into the war for the reason that arrangements had been made by the Imperial; authorities with France, Italy, and certain Allied countries that all possible supplies, of glycerine should be made available for use in Britain for munition purposes, but no such arrangement had ' been made with the United States. Advice has been received from the British authorities (says a Melbourne paper) that the restriction is no longer necessary, and that there is no objection to the importation of soap from any. neutral country or from America, into the Commonwealth. Steps are therefore being taken to lift the, embargo. 'Che Vice-President of the Executive Council informed 1 Senator . Gardiner (N.8.W.) in the Senate a few days ago that no official information was available as to whether the Sew Zealand Government had removed the embargo against the importation of soap from America. Although the'■importation of soap into the Commonwealth was again to be per^ nutted, similar action in regard to other trade restrictions with America could not be taken at present. Senator Gardiner said he would Rive notice of a censure motion if the Government did not remove these restrictions.

Mr. Alfred Crawley Stubbs, mauager of the Union Bank at Oamani, is dead. Deceased was 45 years of age. The Auckland Star states that the pohutukawas (Christmas trees) are only now coming into bloom at Takapun'a and at other points along the coast, from two to three" weeks later than usual. The low temperatures of October and (November were probably the cause of this late efflorescence. Lieutenant J. H. Catchpole, ' MX., who was among the draft of returning soldiers who arrived in Hawera this week, left Mokoia in August, 1914, and won his sergeant's stripes on Gallipoli during the big August offensive, when his two elder brothers were killed. Going to France, he won, his commission on the Somme, and later gained the Military Cross at Messines. Lieutenant Catchpole is returning on duty furlough. At the cloae of the service on Christmas morning, the elders and managers of j Knox Church, Lower Hutt, waited'upon/ their minister, the Rev. James M'Caw,/ and on behalf ■of church members and friends Mr. Williamson, session-clerk, presented him with a cheque for a substantial amount as a mark of appreciation of the work of Mr. and Mrs. M'Caw and the affection and, regard in which they are both held by the community. Mr. and Mrs. M'Caw intend leaving for a holiday during the month of January. Sergeant David MlLaren, third son of Mr. J. M'Lareh; of Parnell. Aiickland, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. Sergeant M'Lareri h a son of the late Mr. David-. M. M'Laren, the well-known clerk of works for the City Council. The recipient of the decoration left with the 13th Reinforcements, N.Z. Engineers, and is an unmarried man, thirty years of age.' Another Auckland soldier, who has been awarded the Military Medal is Corporal A. G. Keith Wilson, gon of Mr. Allan Wilson, of Northcote. Corporal Wilson enlisted on attaining his twentieth birthday, and left New Zealand with the 22nd Reinforcements. He arrived in - France as a private in June, 1917, and, with the exception of the capture of Bapaume, has taken part in all' the important engagements of the Division since that date. He has been twice slightly wounded, but is still with his unit. Numbers of British repatriated prisoners, who arrived in England this month, bear marks of the latest form of Hjun barbarity. Many have extensive tattooing on their faces, necks, and bodies, including iron crosses, German flags and Imperial eagles. The victims declare that the tattooing was "executed in most cases through sheer German deyilishness, and sometimes as . punishment for minor misdemeanors in prison camps. Many soldiers bear words "God saye the Kaiser! Gott strafe England'!" upon their foreheads ,or necks. They have also tattooed snakes, designed in .red and blue, extending from the cheeks to the shoulders. The commonest design is that of a spider, called "the spider of death," placed above the eyes, with its legs extending over the man's head, c-ars. neck, and face. Many of the victims are now in hospital undergoing a long process of skin grafting, in order to obliterate the imprints of Hunnishness. 4 , : Mr, Bedford Sherriff, who was born at Tunbridge Wells,' Kent, in 1835, and arrived in New Zealand in , 1853. lias died at Gisborne. When the Maori' War . brokei out' Mr. Sherriff joined the old Wangaiiui Cavalry, under Captain Caineron'f as a lieutenant, and among other affa-its of .that kind was, in the fight at; Turan^arika. He also fought on the East Coast, taking part in the action at Oamarunui, and received the New Zealand war medal. Prior to the war, he took part .in several movements in Wa«, ngaiuii, being an ■ original member awdf foreman of- the old hook and ladder company of the fire brigade;" and also an .original member of the first Volunteer" band in Wangamii. After the war 1 he was engaged' in militia duties there for some time, and in 1870 left for Napier, being said to have been the first man to take a bullock-dray from the West Coast to Hawkes hay. After a year or two, in Napier he'went to Gisborne, where foi .a time he was town clerks '