LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 27, 31 January 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The members of "the French Mission left by the Niagara yesterday, for Vancouver. They will spend three weeks in Canada prior to their return to France.

"We are practically adopting the methods of the Prohibitionists in trying to- get a catch vote," said Dr. M'Eyedy at the Rugby Union meeting last night. The speaker evidently regarded this as strong criticism.

When north-westerly gales prevail in Wellington, such as that of, yesterday, considerable difficulty is sometimes experienced in berthing, the harbour ferry boats at Rona Bay. In berthing at the bay wharf yesterday afternoon, thei Duchess was carried inshore, and her bow stuck in the sand. The stem swung round and struck the wharf, damaging tho belting and deck fittings, before the vessel could free herself.

Tlie question of the ramifications of the American Meat Trust was discussed at a meeting of farmers in MSsterton on Wednesday. Mr. J. C. Cooper stated that the American Trust controlled half the meat recprired by the Allies during the war. (Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P., said the Agricultural Committee of the House of Representatives had ordered the report of the English Commission on the subject to be printed and circulated. This report, he said, contained startling information concerning the ramifications of the Trust.

Competition in domestic trade and combination in export trade has a growing support in many countries, remarks the Mercantile Gazette, which also points out that this is somewhat at variance with the policy adopted in New Zealand, whens the local consumer has been exploited, has had to pay high prices, and the foreigner tempted with low prices.^ The surplus product was duniped_ on the foreigner. The new policy is more equitable, for it seems but right that our producers should compete in the local markets, as this tends to prevent monopoly and keeps down the prices to the consumer. But that is no reason why we should keep down the prices for the foreign' consumer."

Residents of Miramarare endeavouiing to secure sufficient supplies of coal for household purposes. The Miramar Municipal Electors' and Beautifying Association wrote to the Borough Council urging that it. should1 have household coal unloaded at the local wharf instead of at the city wharf. As the vessels that bring coal for the gasworks have household supplies on board as well, it is considered' unneces sary to have the coal taken to a city wharf for unloading. Councillor Chapman moved that a sub-committee be set up to go into the matter, but, after some discussion, the motion was defeated. The council ultimately decided, on the motion of. Councillor Green, that it could not take action in the matter at present.

"So far as the recent epidemic is concerned the danger of harbouring the contagion in clothes and books and cupboards is nil, for the reason thai the microbic agent does not live outside of the human body for a period exceeding 24 hours, or even a shorter period." This information was supplied by Dr. J. S. Reekie at the meeting of the Auckland Board of Education on Tuesday, when an inquiry was made by Mrs. F. E. Baume as to whether or not. a cupboard in a school containing pyjamas for the Red Cross Society was opened during fumigation operations. In respect to the matter the board's architect, Mr. Farrell, gave the assurance that everything possible was . done to thoroughly fumigate the school.

The need for a system of costing was stressed by Mr A. W Hamilton at the annual conference of the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen last evening. In the past, when probably only rough guess work was indulged in, the profit on some lines was very likely discounted by the loss on others. Nurserymen would be wise to confine themselves to varieties for which they were likely to have a demand, for there Were still some growers who planted far more sorts than they were ever likely to be called on to supply, particularly in regard to roses. If a propaganda for more extensive planting was instituted, it would result in the mutual heriefit to the nurserymen and to the people, by reason of the greater beauty and utility of home gardens properly planted. It was a matter of education, by means of advertisements, by booklets telling the people what to plant, and how to plant. The speaker believed that the profit sharing system was worth trying in the nursery trade; if successful it would go a long way to ensure the stability of the trade in the future. A central buying and celling organisation was referred to and advocated as a means by which office expenses, and also production expenses, by reason of the fact that growers would prcVluce what they could best grow, could be considerably reduced, and as a means 'to put a stop to a great deal of unreasonable credit.

M. Hammond proceeded against her husband, C. D. Hammond, at the Petone Magistrate's Court yesterday for a separation order with maintenance and custody of her children, on the grounds of habitual drunkenness and persistent cruelty. Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., considered the evidence was not conclusive, and dismissed the case. Mr. R. C. Kirk appeared for plaintiff, and Air. J. J. M'Grath for defendant.

A farmer in,the King Country, who was visited recently by a water diviner, discovered that right underneath the inglenook, where the big armchair stands, a. big stream of water- flows. Whenever the farmer sat down (reports Auckland Star) after his day's work his rheumatism used to give ah extra twinge or two, but this he put down to the exertions of the day, Now he says he feels sure it is caused by the stream of water running ■under where he sits. He says that as soon as ever the labour market adjusts itself he will shift his house to another site, where the water diviner says there are no underground streams, »ri(l whore lie oafish.* frtwfam from thrt vain* and ackeid tim rkeun^tism,

The C«:.vti'n>iv:i.:. ;n\iYM.l.:;i cf I-ip o: port of poatiig-o u^'mp.-; ii«. s been withdrawn.

An amendment of regulations provides that the holder of a trout license may fish for salmon in any river up to and including 28th February next, provided that no person, may take more than six salmon in any one day.

Control of the Silverstream Scenic Reservo has been vested in the following Doard—The Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Wellington district, and Messrs. J. Charleswort-h (Wallaceville), W. B. -Lees (Heretaunga), P. Eobertson (Upper Hutt), and ,0. S. Watkins (Lower Hutt).

In a letter to his father, Mr. W. W. Charters, Colonel A. B. Charters, C.M.G., D.5.0., describing incidents during the march of the New Zealand Division to the Rhine says : "Through all the villages and towns through which we have passed, there is intense hatred of the Boche. How he will live it down, goodness only knows. He will have a thick hide if he attempts to invade Belgium or France commercially."

Speaking ait a meeting in Eltham List night, Mr. D. M. Findlay, president of the New Zealand Moderate League, gave ah emphatic denial to the report of a suggestion made by the Rev. Mr. Gray, in Wellington, that the league was the mouthpiece of the ■ Liquor Trade, and stated that the only "cause advocated by the league was the protection .of the rights and liberties of the moderate public. Mr. Findlay added that in receiving the Rev. Mr. Gray's attention in this way the league was in good company, as Mr. Gray had stated in Auckland that the Liquor Trade had a stranglehold on the British Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George.

Deer-shooting regulations are gazetted. The season for Marlborough will be from 23rd February to 30th April, and no licensee is to kill more than six red deer stags or fallow deer bucks. No hinds, does, or fawns are to be taken or killed, and no stag may be killed with antlers of less than eight points. In the Wairarapa the season will be from Ist April to 31st May. Stalkers may kill four stags and six hinds, but no stag may be killed with less j than ten points. In other parts of tHe Wellington district the limit is two stags, and the smallest head to be taken ten points! The season will be as for Wairarapa.

Sir James Allen, Minister -for Defence, while addressing the. delegates at the Nurserymen's Conference yesterday afternoon, said that very few applications had been received from returned soldiers desirous of receiving general farm training with practical farmers. Provision had been made fpr such men to receive £1 and found from their employers. The Government •would, under its subsidised wages scheme, pay' a subsidy of £1 per week, half of' which would be retained until the men had satisfactorily completed their training, when the accumulated portion would be paid over as a bonus. Arrangements had also been made for the men to go on experimental farms, aud the farm that had been used by the Defence Department had now. been made available for returned men to receive instruction in farming methods. Through the beneficence.of people in the Wairarapa, another farm had been available, and the Government had undertaken to erect the necessary buildings.

The renovation, or rebuilding, of the Anglican Church at Russell, one of the most historic buildings in New Zealand, is a question that soon will ha.ye tc« be faced. The old church (telegraphs' the Post's Auckland co-respondent) has seen, upwards of 80 winters and summers, and the foundation blocks and a portion of. the weatherboarding on the weather side are in a stage of considerable decay. Bishop Averill, who recently has inspected the church, states, however, that a great deal of the timber in the church is still quite sound. He has discovered that there is an objection on the part of many people to the removal of the church, which forms such an interesting link with the' early missionary days in the Bay of Islands. "If," Dr. Averill says, "the church is thoroughly restored now, there is no reason why it should not stand for another 60 years, but it is work that needs doing well."

A soldier who has been "mfssing" for two years, and has been mourned as dead, turned up in Sydney recently, and was met by. his brother, who was in the Central Railway Station in the hope that he might obtain some news of the missing man. The brother, who is an Anzao, was anxiously scanning the faces of the returned men when another returned soldier asked him if he were there to meet anyone. "No," replied the Anzac. "My brother was posted as missing a long1 time ago, and since my return I meet every batch of lads that come back, artd if there are any from liis battalion I always ask if they knew my brother, or had heard any details of what occurred to him. There's a chap now," he added, pointing "to another, "who is from his battalion. I must—" Just then the soldier in the car turned his face. "He's alive," shouted the Anzac, and despite a wounded leg, he made a rush for the car wh'fch was about to move off. Leaping on the footboard, he threw his arms round the neck of the soldier. The latter, after a momentary start of amazement, flung his arms around the Anzac, drawing him into the motor as it moved off. . Both men were still vigorously embracing as the car passed out of sight.

The continuance of the netting of trout on Lake Kotoiti by the Government is regarded as inadvisable by Mr. Vernon H. Reed, M.P., who (states the Post's Auckland correspondent) has just visited Botorua. "Netting of trout in Lake Bbtoiti," says Mr. Heed, "was started, it was stated, for the purpose of reducing the quantity of fish in the lake, it being considered that this was necessary to prevent the food supply from becoming scarce. A day or two ago,- I watched a haul that" was taken m a spot favourable for the purpose,- and the result was seven fish. I was informed that the previous haul produced sixteen fish, but that, even, is a small number for the net. These poor results, and the fact that the fishermen in the district are experiencing difficulty in finding fish, goes to show that the sooner the Government stops netting the better it will be for the sportsman." Mr. Reed said the fish that he saw taken from the netVere in splendid condition, thus indicating that the object for which the netting was commenced had been attained. "At. present," he added, "it seems as if netting is being continued only for the purpose of supplying the Rotorua accommodation houses with fresh trout."

Many strong remarks have been used in describing the' state -of the roads in the northern half of the North Island, but a gentleman who recently traversed the Napier-Gisborne-R'otoruaroad states that the ordinary vocabulary is not expressive enough to describe* that " particular " road. At the time of his journey it was almost impassable owing to the accumulations of dust and sand which, in some instances at least, was eighteen inches deep. Except in the immediate vicinity of the towns there was not a yard of metal on the thoroughfares. Much of the land traversed was well fitted for settlement, to which the need of roads is the chief hindrance. With the present development of motor traffic roads are of groat importance, and many of the settlers interviewed stated their intention of agitating for the roada iii prokreuce .to ih& railways,

An Order-in-Council gives -the personnel of the Appeal Court thus: —First Division, Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), the Hons. T. Cooper, W. A. Sim, T. W. Stringer, A. L. Herdman; Second Division, his Honour the Chief Justice, and the Hons. Sir W. B. Edwards, F. R. Chapman, W. A. Sim, and J. H. Hoslting.

A frequent saying of Mr. R. Semple is that if Christ" had been in New Zealand during the war he. would have been "gaoled" as a "pacifist" or an "antimilitarist." He repeated his opinion as a member of yesterday's deputation to .Sir James Allen. "If Christ had been on earth, He might have prevented the war," replied the Defence Minister. He added that the teachings of Christ had not prevailed with the Germans, and therefore it had been necessary for other nations to act in self-defence against aggression.

An amended regulation has been gazetted affecting the time for the compulsory registration of Senior Cadets:—"Senior Cadets become liable for registration and training in June of the year in which they attain the age of fourteen years, or on any later date on which they cease to attend school. Those who attain the age of fourteen years between Ist June and 31st December will, providing they are not attending school, be posted at the posting in June that year, and those who are attending school will be posted to companies of Senior Cadets by officers in charge- of groups directly they leave school."

The extensions whicharebeilig madß to the accommodation at King George V. Hospital at Hotorua* in preparation for the return of wounded soldiers, are now in a very advanced state. The workshop buildings have been • practically completed, and are fcady to receive their equipment.-The Young Men's Christian Association institute, on the side of Pukerua hill, is well in hand, and the concrete work of the swimming bath, to which water is to be pumped from one of the hot pools at tne' back of Ohinemutu, is quite finished. The dressing rooms have a!eo been constructed. The detached wards of the hospital and the new officers' quarters are ready for occupation. . \ .

The advantages likely to-accrue to the Onslow Borough as a result of amalgamation with the City were explained to Ngaio residents at a public meeting held last night. The Mayor of Onslow (Mr. J. M. Dale) presided, and his opening remarks were on the same lines as his speeches at Kaiwarra and Khandallah. He congratulated Councillors W. Appleton arid Topp, who, he Baid, had done their utmost to -bring about amalgamation. The councillors were unanimously supporting the proposal' because they. felt, that there was everything to be gained thereby and nothing to be lost. Councillor Appleton stated that difficulties which had seemed insuperable had been surmounted, and now Onslow residents had a splendid scheme all ready for their adoption. As to rates, he quoted the case of property with an unimproved va.lue of £200 and a capital value of £800. The rates payable in Ngaio now were £3 15s 7d. Under amalgamation they would be £3 Is—a saving of 14s 7d. The cost of administration would be reduced from 17 per cent, to 5 per cent! He urged every ratepayer to vote for amalgamation, as by so doing the future of the district would be assured. , Tha alternative was stagnation.

After the eclipse experienced during the period of the war a movement ie afoot to revive amateur athletics in Wellington. The initiative has beetl taken by the Wellington Amateur Athletic Glub, .which- proposes to hold a special gathering hi March next. With- this end in view Messrs. A. Marryatt, A. Davies, and W~. H. Pollock waited on the Reserves Committee of the Wellington City Council yesterday afternoou, and requested the use of tlie Basin B«----serve. Mr. Pollock pointed out that owing to the war the club had no funds. Formerly, there were two rooms in the pavilion available to those in training, and he urged that at least one of those rooms —one with a shower bath—should be made available for twelve months at a nominal rental for the men who would be training. He understood that these rooms were at present in the occupation of the Cricket Association, but he anticipated no difficulty on that score. The. Chairman of the committee, (Mr. George Frost) said he was sure the committee would be pleased to allow the club the ■use of the Reserve for a Saturday halfday in March. They would consult with the Cricket Association, and let them know the exact date later on. There was one vacant room in the pavilion which no doubt could be made available for training purposes. It is stated there is a possibility that the March meeting may see the revival of the provincial championship. An application to run championship ■ events at the meeting is to be made to the local centre of the. N.Z.A.A.A.

Details of the suffering caused by the influenza epidemic in Tahiti and the neighbouring islands are supplied by Mr, Oscar Owens, of Papeete, under* date 28th December. The. epidemic, Mr. Owens says (telegraphs' The, Post's. Auckland correspondent), commenced in Ta hiti early in November, when the, Navt^» and Kurow arrived from Sati Francisco, the crews and officers being affected. Several of them were buried at Papeete, and shortly after the malady spread over Tahiti, Raiatea, and Morea. In three weeks natives and the whites were in a terrible plight. The local hospital was far too small to meet requirements of quickly increasing patients, and soon, despite the heroic efforts of a staff of five doctors, influenza had Tahiti in its grip. There is only one pharmacy in Papeete, says Mr. Owens, and its proprietor was one of the early victims. Every day it was a usual- sight to see a line of 20 to 20 vehicles in front of the establishment, together with a small army of pedestrians on the footpath and roadway, waiting their turn to be served ■with medicines. The picture houses, churches, and schools were ordered to be closed, and then all .business places of every kind came under the ban. Even the restaurants and bakeries had to comply, and for several days there was no bread, and the people had to be content with baking their own or using biscuits. The daily market was also closed, and, fresh meat and vegetables were hard to get. The malady nroved most virulent among the native labourers, and presently there was not sufficient labour available to dig graves, and a large number of bodies were burned in an immense pit which had been dug in the coiiner of the burial ground. No work otrald be done on the wharves, and several steamers were delayed for want of coal. The inter-island schooners were also delayed, as most of the crews had died. Consequently no communication has been made with outlying islands, for three months. Up to date of writing it is estimated that out of a population of about 4000 in Tahiti over 1000 have succumbed. It will take Tahiti many years to recover from the effects of the. visitation.

A wide range of Swiss Voile Flouncings in lovely designs, 27 to 45 inches wide, usually 4s lid to 25s yard, sale price 3s 9d to 19s yard at Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., Great Summer Sale. Call to-morrow.—Advt.

Full steam ahead. Everything buzzing like the busy bee. What's the reason? It's the big sale at "The People's Store." 'Tis evident AVellington {oik know a good thing, so if you wish to participate in tho wonderful bargains offering to-day omulatc the example of the bee, and get busy. This sale for 14 days only. C. Smith, Ltd., Cuba-street.—Aatt