LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The guard of honour to His Excellency the Governor-General at the opening of Parliament on 28th August will be furnished by the N05."31 (Wellington City), 39/40 (St. James), and 26 (Newtown) Senior Cadet companiee. The Cadets are manifesting a great interest in the rehearsals for the ceremony, and'promise to' make an excellent display.

In consequence of the arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand, the next meeting of the City Council will be held on Tuesday evening next week, instead of on Thursday.

As a result of a ballot decided this weelc, it-will be compulsory for all members of the Wellington branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation to join the Sick and Accident Benefit Club and the Death Benefit Fund.' The voting was : For the proposal 1038, against 541, informal 30; majority 497.

Arrangements to purchase sections upon which to erect seventy-five workers' dwellings in and around Wellington are almost completed by the Labour Department. The Workers' Dwellings Board has now decided to erect fifteen houses at Petone, said the chairman (Mr. F. W. Rowley) yesterday. That meant that sixty houses would be erected in Wellington City.

Eeprying tb Mr. E. Newman, M.P., Sir Joseph. Ward said yesterday he\believed a part of the shipping control had been done away with, and when the troops were all conveyed overseas he thought they would release the whole of the ships used for transport purposes. When that was done New Zealand would be in a better position, as a number of refrigerated ships were being used for carrying troops-r-ven for carrying American troops. He had made representations after the war that some of the Argentine ships should be sent to New Zealand to lift meat. Mr. Massey: "They have given them." Sir Joseph Ward: "I am glad of that."

On Thursday afternoon, at the Wellington Girls' College, an address was given to the Navy League members of the college, numbering plos'e on 300, by Colonel Campbell, representing the League. The speaker gave interesting facts to show tho work that had been carried on in safety during the war. by merchant and troopships, thanks to tha successful efforts of the Navy. The Colonel pointed out the lessons that could be learnt from the flag, and urged the girls to be thoroughly patriotio all their lives. At the close of Colonel Campbell's address, Mrs. Richardson, on behalf of the Navy League, presented the college with a blue ensign. This kindness of the League was much appreciated by the girls, who gave Colonel Campbell and Mrs. Richardson hearty applause. Miss M'Lean, on behalf of the girls, thanked the visitors, and, through' them, the League, for ite kindness.

Instead of despatching business telegrams! as instructed by his superiors in the Paramount Pictures Supplies' Company, aa fifteen-year-old boy recently commenced the stupid practice of converting tha money to his own use, with the natural result that those who should have received' the telegrams 6aid harsh things about the manner in which the company carried out its business. Such a state of things could not longj go> on, and inquiries made, quickly sheeted home the blame to the boy. He was brought before Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Juvenile Court this morning, and pleaded guilty to tha charge' laid against him—the theft of 5s lid. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who appeared for the boy, and Mr. J. Dinneen, Juvenile Probation Officer, both referred to the excellent character of the lad previous to his giving way to temptation. Mr, Page admonished the lad, and adjourned the caae for six.months, during which time he is to remain under the supervision of the Juvenile Probation Officer.

Recently, .by _irection of the executive sub-committee of the N.Z.R.S.A. says Quick March), the general secretary submitted the following question to the Minister of Defence and to the Repatriation Board :—"Exactly what position do nurses and widowed mothers occupy with regard to benefits under the Repatriation Act?" In Ids reply the board's secretary (Mr, J. D. Gray) states that, as the law now stands, nursing sisters and widowed mothers of deceased soldiers "are not eligible for any of the benefits conferred by the statute." "With respect to nursing sisters," the letter continues, "the present difficulty has arisen, owing to tho definition •of a discharged soldier as it now appears in the Repatriation Act and tho Dischaj'ged Soldiers' Settlement Act. Attention lias already been, drawn to tho matter, and nn amendment will bo introduced nest session giving nursing sisters all the rights and privileges ot a discharged soldier under thosn Acts. I 'may say tint, in the meantime the Repatriation Department is prepared to consider the application, of any discharged nursing sister for assistance on its merits;"

Spurious coins aro again reported to be iv circulation; this time tho counterfeiter have turned, h'.a attention to the smallest silver coin. .Kx__loiit initiations have been discovered in Dunedin. It is Apparent, on close observation, that the coma have, been made of aluminium.

The annual conference of the Methodist Churches of New Zealand will be held in Auckland next February. "How many of them are married?" was a query that raised laughter when Mr. B. Keesing was giving details of the personnel of H.M.S. New Zealand to a meeting of the Citizens' Entertainment Committee yesterday. In the case of Thomas Donnelly, who was charged with having made a false declaration at Auckland as to his age, in order that he might obtain a marriage license, a verdict of not guilty was returned. The executive of the Early Settlers' Association is using all its energies to make the reunion of pioneers and their 'descendants, to be held in the Town Hall, on Dominion Day (26th September), a great success. The position in regard to workers' tickets issued by the Tramway Department is explained- by the Mayor, Mr. Luke states that with the concession granted the charge per mile to workersis .44d per car bile. The average cost to the department per passenger per car anise is .88d, so it would be seen that workers were being carried on the trams at a substantial loss.. The extra charge on workers' tickets was only sixpence, which was not a heavy loading. The workers themselves no doubt recognised that they were still being'carried at a low rate, and it was not their desire that the other members of the community should carry the ,f nil loading of the loss. The Public Service Superannuation Board met this week, Mr. J. H. Richardson, C.M.G., presiding. Twentysix contiimttiora retired under section 35 of the Act, by reason of age or length of service, were granted allowances totalling JBtes7 pen annum, and four contributors retired as medically unfit, were granted a_owa_eas of a total of £147 per ajinum. Retiring allowances were refused in five cases of contributors whom it .was sought to" retire as medic- j ally unfit, as the medical report- were not conclu-ive. Eleven widows and twenty-seven children were granted the statutory, allowance amounting to £549 per annum, In consequence of -etarementa under section 35 of the Act, accrued compensation to tbe amount of £7784 became a -ability of. the superannuation fund and a corresponding relief to the Consolidated Fund.

A public indignation meeting at Palmerston North last night (says a Press Association telegram) passed the following resolutions : (1) "That inasmuch as the insanitary, overcrowded condition of the' schools of Palmerston North constitute a menace to the health of1 the children and the welfare of the community,, this meeting impeaches the educational authorities' incapacity and neglect, and calls upon the Government to take steps to provide suitable buildings, and forthwitu put an end to such a scandalous state of affairs. (2) That failing a definite and completely satisfactory answer from the Government by 30th September regarding the Campbell-street School, this meeting recommend- the School Committeo to close the school forthwith, and assures the committee of their whole-hearted support. (3) That the Health Department be requested! to send an officer to the Campbell-street School' with a, view to oo_dei_n_ig the building. ■ (4) That t_is meeting demand- that the! Government increase the education vote to at least three, millions, in ord_ryto make possible comprehensive reforms to bring New Zealand into lirie with modern conditions."