LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A correspondent ("15/143") writes to The Post, strongly protesting against the use that is being made of the soldier in the licensing campaign placards. The Returned Soldiers' Association should "be true to its ideals and tell the liquor people, and the Prohibition Party too, to leave the returned soldier out of their insulting caricatures."

In terms of the Municipal CorporationAct, which provides that no member of a local body shall receive remuneration for services rendered of more than £10 in any one year, an action was brought against Councillor W. G. Brown, a- member of the Waihi Borough Council, at the Magistrate's Court, Waihi, yesterday. The evidence went to show that he had received considerably over the sum provided for, and the seat was declared vacant.

Asked why, if wages were higher and conditions better in Australia, he had come to New Zealand to work, a skilled craftsman in the jewellery trade informed the Arbitration Court yesterday that, apart from the better climate of New Zealand, if a maji was careful he could save more money, even if he did earn 'less.

In explanation of his failure to affix stamps to four receipts for sums of over £2, Edward Pointon explained through his solicitor, Mr J Peacock, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday that it had been the practice of Laery and Co., with whom he had dealt for some years, to place stamps on receipts which he was about to sign. In these instances that firm did not place, the stamps upon the papers, and. the defendant had overlooked the fact. Mr. P. L. Hollings, S.M., imposed a fine of 10s, and costs, on each count. \

Two boys who were brought before Mr. P L. Hollings, S.M., at the Juvenile Court this morning, admitted having interfered with the tramway points in Rintoul-street. Acting-Senior Sergeant Wade said that though considerable annoyance had been caused the tramway officials no harm had been done. The Magistrate admonished and discharged the culprits. For failing to send a child to school regularly, John M'Millan wanned 10s, and 7s costs. Of five first of fending inebriates who appeared before Mr. Hollings in the Police Court, t\w were convicted and discharged after having spent a night in the cells, and the others were ordered to forfeit their bail (10s).

A dispute as to wages to be paid for papering and painting of a house in Ellice-avenuc was brought before Mr P. L Hollings, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this week. The parties were William M'Cullough, painter, and the defendant J. Monteith, motor driver, the claim' being for £8, 91 hours at Is lOd per hour • The defence was that the charge was an excessive one, and that the plaintiff had been far too long on the job Defendant offered £5 15s in settlement of the claim, but the offer was refused. After hearing evidence as to points raised by counsel, Mr. W G. Mellish, for the plaintiff, and Mr. E. M. Beechey, .for the defendant, the Magistrate gave judgl--ment for the amount claimed, with costs

"I may say that it is apparently a common practice for Chinese to. sell cigarettes and tobacco to children of almost any age, but in this case it does appear that the boy, who is only eight and a-half years of age, did tell the shopkeeper that he had been sent to buy cigarettes and matches by his father," said Sub-Inspector Emerson, when Joe Lcm was charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with having sold cigarettes to a boy under the age of fifteen years. "I am not going to accept that excuse," said Mr P. L. Hollings, S.M., to the defendant: "You are liable to a fine of £10, but in this instance you will be fined £1, and costs. , Parents must not send their children for tobacco.".

"Increased cost of living and other relevant conditions," are the reasons on the basis, of which applications can be made to the Arbitration Court to amend existing awards. ' With the first item the Court usually manages to deal without difficulty, but when it comes to "relevant conditions," the scope goes veryfar The case for the compositor _ before the Court yesterday included "relevant conditions," and Mr. A. D. , Robbie went deeply into conditions existing elsewhere, and drew from Mr. F Pirani, who represented the employers, the quaint description that the Union started from Japan, ranged through the United Kingdom, and finished in the United States, but, like the airman, they did not .get to Australia.

The increase in the amount of money being devoted to charitable aid was the subject of a good deal of discussion at the meeting of the Hospital aiid Charitable Aid Board this week A report from the Charitable Aid Superintendent showed that the expenditure for the half-year ended 30th September had ' exceeded the estimate by £2540 Compared with last year, the expenditure was higher by £2755, the excess on ordinary outdoor relief being £2329 The daily average number of persons in receipt of relief during the last month was 376, as compared with 201 during the same period last year. Cash 'grants had increased from £53 to £311. The reason for such a startling increase was attributed by members to the high cost of living and large families. Mrs. Beck said that men who were earrdng £3 5s and £3 10s per week, and had large families, could not properly feed and clothe their wives and children after paying high rents and other necessary expenses. The committee had been compelled, though veiy reluctantly, to make grants in such cases. Mr J : M'Curdy mentioned that there were cases of some men who he believed were "spongers," but the fact that there •were some bad cases did not entitle the board to reduce its assistance to deserving cases.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, before Mr P. L. Hollings, S.M., Matthew Babage, fruiterer, Cubastreet, charged A. Smith, who rented a room from him, with having assaulted him on 3rd October. Application was also made that defendant be bound over to keep the peace. Mr. H F. O'Leary appeared 'for the complainant, and Mr. G. Watson for the defendant. Plaintiff said that on 3rd October defendant assaulted him owing to a grievance regarding the removal of some iron, and called him a German. He was, he said, in answer to Mr. Watson, a Croatian, born under the Austrian flag. For some years he spelt his named "Babich," and four years or so ago he changed it to "Babage." Smith paid him 8s a week for the room ; he regarded Smith as a dangerous man, and had given him notice to quit. Smith refused to go, and he raised the rent, but Smith refused to pay He also alleged that on a late occasion Smith cut down his clothes line, and when he (Babage) entered the yard Smith had a heavy baton in his hand. He admitted ..that the information was not laid until 4th November. For the defence it-was denied that the assault had been committed, -and that Babage and his wife were the real cause of the trouble. His Worship reserved his decision until he has heard an action brought by Smith against Babage and his wife claiming £95 damages for slander.

. St. Andrew's Day (30th November) will be observed on Monday. The Government offices, law offices, and banks will close all day, and the City Council offices, with the exception of City Engineer's, public office, and the electrio light and rates office, will close at noon.

Mr. J. G. R. Bryant, Director of Returned Soldiers' Settlement in New South Wales, is on a visit to New Zealand. Mr Bryant is, mainly interested in soldiers' settlements, and he is making a particular study of the -scheme in operation in this country

The hall of the South Wellington School was packed to overflowing last nigh* at a concert given in aid of tho Sports Fund by Standard Five girls, assisted by Mr Donaldson, Mr. Warring, and Miss Feist. All present enjoyed the entertainment, although the performers had little time to practise.

While splic'fng a rope during the passage of the Pateena from Picton to Wellington on Thursday evening, a seaman named Edward John Martin, 41 years of age, accidentally gashed his left thigh owing to the vessel rolling. He was admitted to the Hospital on the arrival of the Pateena, and he is now making good progress. Martin is a married man, living at 45, Epuni-street.

Aii amusing story is in circulation on the Coast, touching the advice given by a- lawyer (says the Poverty Bay Herald). At one of the townships a, lot of driftwood was washed on to the'beach. Many of the residents, including the lawyer, piled up the wood, and sought vehicles to take it away. One man took another's pile, and the man whose pile had disappeared sought advice, from the solicitor regarding the possibilities of a successful action for the recovery of the wood. The solicitor advised that he had no action, and the man paid his fee. Straight away the man whose wood stack had been taken got a cart, and appropriated the solicitor's pile of wood.

The meaning of the word "elocution " was discussed at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Auckland Grammar Schools this week. The question arose in connection with the granting of reading prizes at the schools, and it was suggested (says the Star) that the prizes be known as "elocution prizes." Professor Thomas condemned the word, as being more or less of a new borrowing, and Mr. G. W Murray stated that it comprised declamation only. Mrs. Baume and Mr. Stanton, however, contended that it covered all the branches of reading, recitation, and in general dramatic art. Dr Reekie clinched the argument by stating that it was "a generally accepted word." . It was finally decided to grant the prizes, and -to confer with the principals of the schools as to their nomination.

The appearance of. children of school age at public performances was condemned in a letter received by the Auckland Education Board on Wednesday last from the Headmasters' Association. The association suggested that steps should be taken to prevent children from taking part in night recitals, and that the Education Department should be ask'edj to procure legislation against the participation of children of primary school age in such performances. In a discussion of the question (reports the Herald) the members of the,board expressed the opinion that while' the utilising of the services of talented children at miscellaneous public performances was reprehensible, there should be no undue interference with assistance by.- pupils in entertainment for purely school purposes. The secretary was authorised to draft a circular to the Department setting forth this view

The Wairarapa Returned Soldiers' Association, at' its meeting this week, discussed the matter of a poster in the interests of the liquor trade, on -which the association's badge was depicted. Mr. A.- E. Prentice, secretary- of the association', had written to the general secretary, drawing his attention to the illegality of the poster, and pointing out that it was likely to do the -association harm, the association having adopted an entirely neutral attitude on that question. Mr Douglas Seymour replied "that he had asked for a copy of the poster, on the receipt of which legal-proceedings would probably be taken. The secretary's action was approved, and the following motion was carried unanimously : "That in common with the declared policy of the N.Z.R.S.A. this association declares its neutrality in regard to the licensing question, and that it resents the action of the liquor parties in misrepresenting the N.Z.R.S.A. by illegally and without authority using the badge of the association to advertise the liquor cause, thereby endeavouring to influence public opinion into believing that the R.S.A. is allied to the cause of the Trade." The poster in question depicted a returned soldier in civilian clothes refusing the overtures of t&e prohibitionist advocates. Great indignation was expressed' at the liberty thus taken by the liquor party.

The temper of householders in the metropolitan suburbs is being sorely tried by the profiteer in regard to the price of potatoes (says the Melbourne Age of 19th November) For weeks past the general price has stood steadily at 4d per lb, except in some suburbs—Albert Park, for instance—where it has risen to 5d per lb, or £46 13s 4d pel ton! The fact is very clear that some people are making tremendous profits by bleeding the consumer. Potatoes are practically a necessity of life, and to the poorer' class this vampire-like greed is intolerable and inhuman But what can the victims do? The governing authorities make professions of sympathy and declare their readiness to appoint commissions to inquire whether there is any profiteering—next year So there is only one tiling the hapless victims can do. They can fight the profiteer on his own ground Let him keep his potatoes. This is the determination that householders in some of the suburbs have come to In South Melbourne and Prahran, and some other suburbs, a dopr-to-door canvass is being zealously conducted by a number of indignant women, who are urging householders to abstain from purchasing potatoes until the price has been reduced to a reasonable level. The movement is spreading rapidly, and many householders are confident that if the "strike" is persisted in for a further period a marked reduction in price will soon follow