LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 137, 8 December 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Press Association telegram from Auckland to-day says : —The Prime Minister states that the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) has consented to examine the departmental files and make a recommendation to the Government regarding tho Post Office bonus.

Official reports from the apiary instructors are to the effect that the honey crop this season is likely to be patchy, though it is expected that many localities will produce, on account of skilful and scientific manipulation, their average crop.

The annual prizes in connection with the Wellington Girls' College next Thursday afternoon will be presented by Mrs. Massey in the Grand Opera House. On the following afternoon the Hon. Sir Francis Bell will present, at Wellington College, the prizes won by the pupils of that institution.

While at Christchurch, the Prime Minister (Mr. W. F. Massey) was approached by Mr. C. A. H. Hutton, the organiser of the All Blacks, brass band which it is proposed shall go on a tour of Australasia- and England, with a request for a Government subsidy. Mr. Massey said the application would receive every consideration if it were submitted in writing.

A reluctance on the part of inmates of the Pakatoa Island institution to register as electors was discovered by a party canvasser, who last week visited the various places of abode in the Hauraki Gulf, says an exchange. The authorities were willing to allow the women facilities for being enrolled, but there was a general disinclination among them to place their names on the roll in view of the fact that their address would appear as Pakatoa, public knowledge of which they sought to avoid. Similar fine feelings were, however, not observed at Boto Roa, in the case of male inebriates.

Appreciation of the work of the military authorities during the war period, especially in connection with the arrangements made for the arrival of drafts of troops from the front, was expressed by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) at,the annual dinner of the Wellington Patriotic Society's Band on Saturday evening. He had always received every assistance, he said, from the Defence Department in making his arrangements for the welcome of the men. Mr. Luke also referred to the excellent work that had been done by the people of New Zealand in caring for the men, both at home, and at the front.

The route march competition held by the senior Cadet Companies of Wellington on Saturday resulted as follows :— No. 30-35 Co. (A team), 1, 84points;No. 31 Co., 2, 83£ points; No. 30.35 Co. (B squad), and No. 39-40 Co., 83 points ea^h, 3. The route was from the Drill Hall, Buckle-street, via the Basin Reserve, to Adelaide-road, Newtown, Roy-street, Sutherland-road, thence on to Qu.een'sdrive, Craw ford-road, over Constablestreet, and back through Adelaide-road to the Drill Hall. Marks were awarded for the turn-out before starting, discipline, time taken, and turn-out at the end of the march. Lieutenant-Colonel R. H, Row, D.5.0., one of tho judges, addressing the lads subsequently said the .contest had been vsry close. .Small details, such as long hair, and slightly unclean rifles, had meant points lost for some of tlie squads. He heartily congratulated the boys on their fine performance. Cheers were given for tho winners and the losers.

An account of the-very practical help that has been given to a blind soldier and his wife was presented by Mr. A. W Jamieson (chairman of tho Canterbury Repatriation Board) at a, recent meeting of the board. The report stated that,_ in tho first place, .the Returned Soldiers' Association took action which resulted in the adjustment of the soldier's pension. The notice of the Canterbury Patriotic Society was then directed to the case, and tho society's executive entered most sympathetically into the matter.' As a result of several conferences, a special committee was set up, with the result that a house of five rooms, an acre of land already planted, and poultry, were supplied. Furniture was provided, and wallpaper was being donated by a member of tli,e board: Arrangements were being made for the Master Painters' Association to carry out the work of inside renovation. It was also possible that electric light would be installed. Donations for the purchase of a gramophone had been received, and it was hoped to supply the instrument and records before 'Christmas. Tlie property would be vested in trustees, but no interest would be charged. Mr. Jamieson said that this would show how satisfactorily the Canterbury Patriotic Society had carried out- its work, and it would meet with the approval of every citizen in Crmlerbury. In reply to a question, the Chairman Isaid the couplo had not applied for one penny, and they were more than ua.isiled with what had been done for them.

Mr. J, Hialop, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, returned from a visit to the North on departmental business on Saturday.

Two watersiders will be called before a Magistrate shortly on charges arising out of the recent disturbance at Mr. Fred Pirani's political meeting in the Alexandra Hall.

An enjoyable promenade concert was given at Lyall Bay on Saturday afternoon by the Wellington Municipal Tramways Military Band. A programme of popular selections was rendered. . It is intended to give further open-air performances at this popular resort.

Mr. Colin N. Littlejohn, of the Otago Boys' High School (who recently returned from the front with the rank of major), has been appointed science master at the Waitaki Boys' High School. Mr. Littlejohn was on the staff of the Waitaki institution for two years before receiving an appointment to Dunedin. He went into camp in November, 1914, and returned to the -Otago Boys' High School in July last.

The Fire Brigade was called out early on Sunday morning to attend to an outbreak at No. 9. Bidw ell-street, a sixroomed house, owned and occupied, by Mr. James George Clark. The fire considerably damaged the kitchen and din-ing-room. The cause of fire, it is stated, was the fusing of electric wires. The building was insured in the Victoria Office for £ .00, and the contents were covered by a policy of' £100 in the same office.

On Saturday a launch race was run by the Port Nicholson Motor-Boat Club. Five competitor.- started, but the weather was not ideal for the race, and ai choppy sea made the going hard, Tho scratch launch, Waione, made a good pace in spite of the heavy sea. The results are as follow :—Veronica (ISmin), 2hr 38min 52isec, 1; Nellie (12min), 3hr 38m_n SSsec, 2; Marie (18mi_i), 3hr 41min 35sec, 3. Also started : Puriri (32min), did not finish; and Waione (scr), 3hr 41min 50sec.

Sir William Fraser has stated that a tender for a new general post office in Christchurch has been accepted. In the new building will be situated the money order office and savings bank office, the letter-carriers' rooms, and the automatic telephone exchange. The building will be built of brick, faced with Oamaru stone, and will be of the usual Government design. Tlie cost of the building will probably be over £20,000, and quite 50 per cent, above the pre-war estimate. Presupposing a good supply of labour, it will probably take about two years to erect it.

Mr. H. F. Wood, the popular Wellington tenor, intends to leave for Australia early in the New Year, and he will take up his residence .in Sydney. This fact was announced by Mr. C. O. Odlin at the annual dinner of the Wellington Patriotic Society's Band on Saturday evening. The Mayor (Mr. J. P Luke), in proposing Mr. Wood's health, said that Mr. Wood would be greatly missed from Wellington, as he had performed an excellent service to the citizens, at both patriotic and charitable entertainments. Mr. Wood suitably responded.•

As a result of the recent bazaar held by the combined parishes of St. Joseph's and the Sacred Heart (Thorndon), the Rev.. Father Hurley, S.M., Administrator of St. Joseph's, has been enabled to reduce the debt on the new girls' school opened recently in Buckle-street to the very small sum of £370. A little over twelve months ago a contract was let for the sum of £5582. It is expected that the small sum now owing will be liquidated within six months by .-the. debt extinction fund, which is still being continued. From this source £650, has been received so far, and the balance (£750) promised is expected within the next six months. The debt extinction fund scheme has worked most successfully in St. Joseph's parish. By that scheme the sum of £1000 was raised for the purpose oft extinguishing, the debt on the Marist Brothers' residence, and for the new girls' school previously mentioned £1400 was raised.

"The Fossil Insects of Australia"' was the subject of an address,, illustrated with lantern '.slides, delivered by Dr. R. J. Tillyard, M^A., the well-known entomologist, at the Dominion Museum last evening. Dr. Allan Thomson (Director of the Museum) presided over a large audience. The oldest fossil insects were found in the upper carboniferous .strata in tho U.S.A., and in France. It was thought that those discovered in America were in the Devonian strata, but it was ascertained later that the strata had been turned bottom up. Of these fossil insects about 5 per cent, were net-winged, while 95 per cent, were cockroachesi four to five inches long. There were fossils right above the strata already mentioned, but none had been found in the Tiassic, that next above the I Porman, until the 200 fossil insects discovered in the Newcastle coal measures in Australia. He had found that 40 per cent, of these were cockroaches. Dr. Tillyard showed some excellent slides of I a number of these fossils, and also gavo results of his investigations. The strata where fossils were found were, in ono case, about 70 million, and in the other j 100 millions, years old. The lecturer was given a hearty vote of thanks.

Special meetings of the Christchurch Tramway Employees' Union were held last week for the purpose of discussing the position which has arisen in connection with the dispute with the Tramway Board as regards wages and conditions. The meetings were not open to the press, but a Lyttelton Times reporter was informed by an official of the union that although tlie matters in dispute had been thoroughly discussed, there appeared no prospect of an immediate settlement. It was practically a deadlock at present, and the union was not desirous of going to the Arbitration Court because the Court would only grant an increase of a penny an hour. He added that the tramway employees' wages were lower than what general labourers received in some parts of tho Dominion, and they wanted a bigger increase than the Arbitration Court was likely to give them. "Is there any prospect of a strike or the union going slow?" asked tho reporter. "I don't think so, and I sincerely hope not," replied the official.

Kirkca-ldie and Stains, Ltd., are showing a very fine rango of the newest styles in Art Bead Necklaces—just the thing for Christmas gifts. Call and see them. —Advt.

No Rubbing Laundry Help with Golden Rule Soap is our favourite blend for washing all clothes clean without rubbing. C. H. Bonthron, Hopperstreet.—Advt.

Eldo"!y people relieved of arduous work wlv.n removing. We take down, pack, deliver furniture. The New Zealand Express Co., Ltd., 87-91 CustomHouse Quay.—Advt.

A glance at tho numerous and varied window displays of scaeouablo apparel and special Xmas 'and New Year gift articles at "The People's Store," will convince* you readily of the extensive variety of fhe newest goods to select from. Hero you see Costumes, Blouses, Neckwear, Ha:>dkereliiefc, Gloves, and Hosiery, Children's Books and Novelties, beautiful _ Silks and Biousiujs by tho yard, dainty Lingerie, an extensive range of Napery, all nt the wellknown value obtainable always at C. Smith, Ltd., "The .People's Stove," 36-102, Cuba-street, Wellington.—-Advt. 4