LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 33, 10 February 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"Careful consideration" is promised by the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Alien) to a request of Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., for the release of Messrs. Cummins and O'Ryan, undergoing sentences as a result of the "Green Ray" prosecutions.

"The men in Egypt and Palestine have always felt that they were not so much thought of and considered as others. That feeling has not abated," states Captain Hine in a letter to the Minister of Defence. Sir James Allen remarked to a- Post representative yesterday that the failing of the men mentioned was due to a misunderstanding of the facts. They might not have have appeared so much in the newspapers, but they had been considered just as much as the others. All arrangements made for the Main Body and Reinforcements applied equally to the men in Egypt and Palestine ac to others.

The Liberal-Reform truce, by which party organisation is suspended, continues—but Labour's campaign goes on throughout the country. Meetings are being held in various districts of the two islands; preparations are being made energetically and extensively. Mr. H. E. Holland, UP., will leave for the South this evening on his way to the West Coast. He will work through-the Grey and Buller electorates.

The Greater Wellington Town-plan-ning Association has decided to Write to the [City Council, asking it to submit to the association any proposals for the erection of lodging houses it may at any time contemplate. The association points out that similar questions are often referred to other bodies by the general Government, and it is considered that the City Council would be setting up a precedent that would bo of distinct advantage to the council itself and to the community as a whole.

Reports have been published recently regarding an outbreak of influenza among the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd New Zealand Mounted Rifles Reinforcements while they were on the voyage to Egypt. A letter received by Mr. C. E. Levien from his son, Private E. Leviert, who was on the ■ transport, gives reassuring particulars. Writing from the segregation camp, Moascnr, under date 25th November, Private Levien gives details of the call at Colombo, and then goes on to say : "We got away, and all went well for a day or two, when men started to go down with the flu, We had at the finish about 250 down, but, thank goodness, most are well on- the way to recovery. We had two diei; one two days before we arrived at Suez, and one that night, both from bronchial pneumonia. When we got up hero they sent us to this place, Which is about two miles from the other camp. The boys, however) are recovering f«_t, and in a day or two will be with the remainder. . . .

Everyone out here seems fairly well, although most are getting over this bally flu. which has been rampant in this .country. The weather is all that could be wished, nights cool and the day nice and warm."

Yesterday, about 150 of the contingent of Rarotongans now camped on Somes Island . came ashore and attended morning service at the' Cambridge-ter-race Congregational Church, where they were welcomed by the Rev. A. E. Hunt, whose remarks were interpreted by Mrs. Chaplin, the daughter of a former missionary in the Cook Islands. Mr. Hunt paid a tribute to the splendid character and behaviour of the Rarotongans under all circumstances, and delivered an appropriate sermon! The men, who .are notably musica'f, sang a number of their hymns, which take the form of a solo and a well-harmonised' chorus. Among those present was -Major-General Sir 'Alfred Robin, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces. Subsequently parties of the men were entertained by the V.M.C.A. and the Salvation Army, and later many of tho Islanders visited the Zoo. Various functions .have been arranged for them during the present week. Some surprise has been expressed that the visitors have been asked to pay on the city tramways, it being considered that as these men come from one of our own island! possessions the granting of tramways privileges would be a graceful act. The officer commanding the Rarotongans desires to express his thanks on behalf of the contingent for many kindnesses ex--tended to the men, and in particular to ill's. Pomare of the Maori Soldiers' Comforts Guild, and Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis, of Auckland, who have come down to the Janie Seddofi every day with gifts for the quarantined soldiers. The Rarotongans are to be given a social welcome in the Cambridge-terrace Congregational Schoolroom on Wednesday evening next.

A conference representing agricultural; instructors from various education districts throughout the Dominion was held at Christchurch on Saturday to consider matters in connection with the policy of agricultural instruction in the State primary and secondary schools. A number of remits were discussed, and various proposals adopted with a view to effecting improvements in the present educational system.

The tourist business at Taupo this season, like that at Rotorua. has been prejudicially affected by the epidemic, and by the bad weather of early summer. .Tust before Christmas, however, a considerable influx of visitors set in. ;md business since has been better than anticipated in both places.

The ladies' yacht race was fixed for Saturday last, ,but as a high wind was blowing the committee decided to postpone the event until more suitable weather conditions prevailed.

Coal scarcity in Dunedin is being met by the use of manuka blocks as fuel, thus going back to old colonial days. The blocks are sold at 3s a bag or 30s a half-cord, delivered in the city.

Whilst coming out of the- Rikawa Valley recently, states the Motueka Star, Messrs. Trewavas Bros, saw unmistakable evidence of the carnivorous taste developed by the hawk, especially in regard to shfeep. They saw the bird fly up from the carcase of a sheep, which had been noticed on the roadside a day previously alive, though weak; and an examination disclosed the fact that the inside of the animal had been torn out and eaten.

On Saturday, a youth of 18 years, named Norman Hicks, was riding on the front of a cart at Ohariu, when the horso kicked out, breaking one of his legs. He is getting along well at the Hospital.

Speaking of the manner in which returned soldiers had been treated, Mr. E. P. Andrews, stated at a meeting of the Auckland Returned ..Soldiers' Association, that one man went to work for a patriotic farmer. He worked for thirteen weeks, milking sixteen cows night and morning, doing- a little scrub-cutting in between, (reports the Star). "At the end of the thirteen weeks the tarn." eaid Mr. Andrews, "had the cheek to ask for his wages. The people for whom he was working were absolutely horrified, arid lold him he was already getting £1 a f/eek from the Government. We sued that patriotic farmer and got judgment. The farmer's wife said the money would •■ever he paid until there were two moons in the sky. We did not get the money direct," he concluded amidst laughter, "but we sent in a bailiff who sold the tows, and so we got the money."

Sportsmen who have fished in Lake Tnupo this season (says the Auckland Herald) express the opinion that, netting on a scale much more extensive than that hitherto adopted is neceseary if the lake is to be restored- to the pride of place it formerly held in the estimation of anglers. They declare that it is now so much overstocked that the trout are unable to find sufficient food, and that, consequently, the proportion of "slabs" in the catches is very large. One gentleman averred that it is necessary to take 600 to_ of fish Out of the lake, and declared that the present netting operations would remove only about 30 tons. It has been estimated that there are at least 1000 tons of trout in Lake Taupe. Netting in Lake Rotorua has proved efficacious so far; probably a more drastic programme Would still further improve the condition of the fish.

Some very interesting matters were' mentioned by Mi\ A. Gilbert, president of the Stoke Fruitgrowers' Association, at the last meeting of that body. Mr. Gilbert' pointed out that this year Nelson would have to supply most of New Zealand with apples, as the crops in the other districts were mostly greatly on the light side. Apples would have to be sent to Auckland and Invercargill, but the facilities, for getting them there were not good. He strongly urged direct steamer connection at intervals between Nelson, New Plymouth, and Onehunga. Every year many Nelson apples go to Auckland, and this year the demand would be much keener. A direct boat would mean that the fruit would arrive in very much better condition. There was always a good market for Nelson fruit at New Plymouth. It was decided* on his recommendation, that the Chamber of Commerce be invited to join in representations towards securing the service. ■

On Saturday afternoon there was a big crowd of spectators on the Petona beach to witness the exhibitions of lifesaving by the Lyall Bay Surf Club. The Petone Municipal Band was in attendance, and rendered a programme of music. The surf- club' members then gave demonstrations of land drill and rescu? work. The first attempt, at rescue was a strenuous one, the water being very choppy with a strong northerly blowing. The distance was 750 yards. The following members took part : Messrs. Peareey (patient), Plattes (support), Delamere (belt), Gotlick, M'Gillivray, M'Kinley, and A. M'Kinley (supports). The team were accorded a hearty reception for their fine display. The alarm rescue was well carried out. Several swimming events were held, and the display given by Plattes, the Wellington champion, was much appreciated. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) thanked the members of the Lyall Bay Club for coming out and giving them such an interesting display. The St. John Ambulance Brigade Petone Division were in charge of the arrangements. An effort is to be made to form a life-saving club in Petone.

Consideration was given by the Auckland City Council last Week to a recommendation by its Electricity Engineer that the Tramway Company should be given two years' notice of discontinuance of electric supply, as owing to the increased winter load for lighting and radiators, together with progressive extensions, the supply to the company Could not be continued longer than two years more. Councillor E. Davis thought that the matter might be deferred for further consideration, as it meant giving up a' customer that paid about £4000 a year, and it might be better to extend the electricity plant than to lose so large a customer. Conncillor Trevethick replied that the matter had been fully considered, by the Public Services Committee, and the fact that the Tramway Company was a very large customer had been fully appreciated. ; But the committee felt that with the "difficulty of producing th« power in present circumstances, and the fast extension of "the demand within the city for light and heating power, it was justified in accepting the engineer's 6uggestion. Tho engineer's recommendation was adopted.

Mr. Malcolm Larney, of Waihou. who intends to contest the new Rotorua seat at the next election, is a returned soldier, but at present is attached to none of the existent political parties.