LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 46, 24 February 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The . Board of Trade at Chris tchurch yesterday considered applications for bonuses to help in the establishment of fresh industries, more especially glass works and sugar-^eet growing. The board leaves for Dunedin to-day.

The Lands Department informed the Lower Hutt Borough Council last evening that it was intended to shortly offer a numljer of unallotted sections on the Normandale Settlement for auction, either for cash or on deferred payment, at a reduced upset price.

The Workers' Educational Association made an application to the Lower Hutt Hutt Borough Council last evening for financial assistance. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Cotton, it was decided to request the secretary to give further information as to the aims and objects of the association.

It was a case of "we don't know when we'll get there,- but we're on the way," with tramcars this morning. The cars did not actually stop—except at the usual stopping places, but on up-grades they were as near to it as possible. The average journey took half as long again as the schedule time, and, in consequence, many people were late at their shops and offices.

Lower Hutt residents who are in the habit of disposing of their rubbish by depositing it in Princess-street would be well advised to discontinue this easy, but insanitary and unsightly, method, as a strict watch is being kept for offenders, and a prosecution is to follow immediately upon detection of the offence.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Methodist Church will open in Auckland next Thursday. Wellington will be represented by the Revs. C. Blair (Petone), W. Bowe (Jobnsonville), A; Header (Thorndon), E. Drake (Newtown), S. T. Reed (Kilbirnie), and, E. R. Warbnrton (Karori).

Professor J. Macmillan Brown has donated £1000 to the Canterbury College Board of Governors for the establishment of a bursary or bursaries in connection with the Women Students' Hostel. Tile donation has been made by Professor Brown as a memorial.to his late wife, and any -bursaries established will be known as the Helen Macmillan Brown bursanea.

In view of tho proposed increase in charges in hairdree3ing saloons, a meeting of the Wellington Hairdressers' Assistants' Union was held last evening, to consider the question of an increase of wages. The opinion was unanimous that too many members of the Union were receiving le3s than £4 per week. A deputation _ was appointed to meet the employers in conference next week.

Domicile in divorce cases is a matter not infrequently before the Courts inNew Zealand. A case in point came up at Auckland recently, when a petitioner, married in Atistralui, had left her husband and for fifteen years lived in New Zealand. Her husband had remained in Aiistralia. His Honour pointed out that the domicile of the husband was the domicile of the wife, and that, therefore, tha Court had no jurisdiction. The matter was allowed to stand over for the consultation of. authorities.

The question, of the power of local bodies to compel owners of high hedges which, obstruct the view of persons approaching the corners of streets to cut them back, was dealt with at last evening's meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council, when the town clerk, Mr. W. Nicholson, reported that the council had ample power to compel owners to cut back sack hedges. It was decided to compel the owner of the property at the earner,' of Waterloo and Waiwetu-roads to cutback bis hedges.

A Budden illness of six residents of Pukekohe, first diagnosed as influenza, a-nd subsequently as enteric fever, was recently referred by the Pukekohe Borough Council to the Publio Health Department. The men. had all partaken of the contents of ajar of beer, and an analysis Was made of the residue in the jar In a report to the Borough Council, the District Health Officer stated that no typhoid germs were found iv the jar, and he was afraid that too milch time had elapsed between the consumption of the beer and the analysis.

For long past educationalists have wailed loudly and consistently because the people took so little interest in edu* cation. Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell) M.P., suggested while speaking at the meeting of the Vogeltown and Morniigton Municipal Electors' Association that interest could only be worked up when parents were thoroughly dissatisfied with conditions. He urged the.' ratepayers to push forward their claims for a school—on a five-acre pl&ygvouiid—alr either Mornington. or Vogeltown, for th"c matter was of the utmost importance. He promised to give all assistance iri his power towards the improving of school facilities in the district.

The Lower Hutt Borough Engineer reported to his council last evening that for the month of the quantity of gas purchased from Petone amounted to 1,833,006 cubic feet. Of this amount 1,405,300 cubic feet was consumed for domestic purposes, 119,400 cubic feet for power, and 64,500 cubic feet for street lighting. The unac counted for gas amounted to 8.67 per cent. The figures for the same month last year were:—Quantity purchased, 1,427,000 cubic feet; consumed for do' mestic purposes, 1,034,800 cubic feet; for power purposes, 73,600 cubic feet; for street lighting, 62,500 cubic feet, The unaccounted for gas amounted to 17.9 per cent.

The following have been elected unop' posed to the Railways Board of Appeal i North Island workshops branch (loco motive and maintenance)) Mr. D. M'Kenzie, maohinist, Petone; North Island maintenance branch (exclusive of workshops), Mr. J. L> Churchouse, ganger, Petone:; South Island locomotive running branch, Mr. E.' 1 W, Henderson, engine-driver, Chrietchurch; South Island maintenance branch (exclusive of workshops), Mr. E. J. Dash, ganger, St, Andrews. Mr. M. Dennehy, land officer, Wellington, has been elected unopposed to represent the North Island First Di* Vision on , the Government Railways Supei'anmiation Fund Board. A biillot is now proceeding for the other Seats on the board, there being more than one nomination in each instance.

A dangerous verandaJi to an old buildingat the northern end of the Huttroad was brought under the notice of the Lower Hutt Council last evening by th« engineer, and it was decided to notify tha owner to rem6v« sain* or msiie it safe,

On the motion of Councillor W. T. Ootton, the Lower Hutt Borough Council was last evening constituted a branch of the Wellington Expansion League.

As the result of good rains and favourable weather, a fregs Association telegram from Nelson says the whole district is enjoying one of the best seasons ever known.

The Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. B. P. Rish worth) and Councillor W. B. Hardy were appointed to represent the council on a deputation to Sir Francis Bell at Petone this evening, regarding the proposed pageant on the Petone beach, on the occasion of the Royal visit.

The championship of the- Taranaki Rifle Association's Annual Meeting was won by Rifleman D. Roots, of Hawera, with the comfortable lead of 12 points, Rifleman E. Ballinger, of Wellington, being th© runner-up. Rifleman R. J. King, of Opaki, the present New Zealand champion, finished eighth.

Mr. E. P. Rishworth, Mayor of Lower Hutt, stated last evening that all the Lower Hutt soldiers having returned to the district, the time had now arrived to fittingly celebrate their return, and at the same time place on record the memory of those who would never come back. It was decided to call a public, meeting to take in hand the necessary arrangements.

Councillor Bennett writes:—"An error in your local stating that I intended to move for a special committee at. the next meeting of the City Council, has set some of your readers enquiring as to whether it was the intention of the Milk Committee, to provide soda water to go with its milk. Th© word 'mineral' in your paragraph: should have read' 'general.' "

This year the cubject for the inter- ' Varsity debate to be held at Easter is : "That.the Dominion should not have separate votes on the League oi Nations, but that the views of the Empire as a whole should be expressed by the voice of the representatives appointed by an Empire Parliament. or in some other way by the Empire as a whole." Wellington and Christchurch debate first, and Auckland and Otago follow.

Residentsijof Camp-road, Lower Hutt, are not enamoured of the name of their street. Councillor Mitchell introduced the question last evening, and on the suggestion of the mayor, it was resolved that should 'the residents petition the council, the matter of altering the name would be considered. Mr. X P. Rishworth stated that the name "Camproad" had historical associations in reference to the old military camps in the valley. •

A meeting of vesidente of Miiamar was held last evening, for the puij.ofo of arranging a farewell to Mr. M. W. Eowntree, who for :>isl;?n years has been headmaster of tile Mira'.uar !:<jhocl, and who is now being tranjferrKi. In the absence of the Mayor {.Mr. S. M. Stone), Mr. E. W. H. Kellow presided. It was decided to m.ise a rresemation to Mr. Rowntree oe sth March, /rid committees to make the necessary arrangements were set up.

Reinforced, concrete crib work has been adopted by the borough engineer of Lower Hutt in place of solid retaining walls for erection in the Hutt River near Melling bridge. The advantages claimed are cheapness and easy removal of location.

The present shortage of benzine is not expected to last long, but for the time being it is exceedingly acute in many districts. Some darry fanners have been unable to use their milking machines at all lately—a very serious matter for the! man with a large herd and unable "to secure adequate labour for hand-milking. Tho Prune Minister, in discussing the situation to-day, said that while the. shortage continues supplies . would be diverted from non-essential industries to essential industries, and, more particular-, ly, to tire dairying districts.

On the motion of the Mayor, Mr. E. P. Rishworth, the Lower Hutt Borough Council decided last evening to approach the Government with a request that a purchase board or commission be set up to arrange for the purchase of electric light fittings in large quantities, so that loca-1 bodies, in view of the inavailing of the electricity in their districts, might be able to purchase such •fittings at a cheap rate. Councillor Cotton, who seconded the motion, said he was afraid that there would be no power available for the smaller locaJ bodies from the hydro-electric scheme.

The following recommendation of the Reserves Committee of the Lower Hutt Borough Council was approved by that body last evening: "That the council expend the sum on the estimates for improvement to the recreation ground, viz., £100, on levelling a portion of tho ground during tie present season, and that, if possible, a further sum be placed on tlie next estimates for the same purpose." In consequence of this decision it was decided not to accept Mr. Dyke'B offer for the right to take a winter crop off the ground. ■

Tha question of the taking over of the street which unites Mellilig Bridge and Melling Station has on several occasion* exercised the minds of councillors of tha Lower Hutt Borough. The land belong* to the Government Department, wbdoh has steadfastly refused to put tho street in order, and, In consequence, the council has refused to take it over. The council last evening decided that!the requirements of the ratepayers demanded thai the street be taken over, and the clerk was instructed to Eec on what term* the Department would hand over the street. The engineer was instructed to prepare an estimate for putting the street in order.

One of Wellington'^ early settlers, Mr. E. H. Hunt, passed away in Nelson on Saturday last. The deceased gehtlemaoi, who was a. few weeks over 90 years of age n.t the tilne of his death, was a native of Somerset, England,. and arrived in Victoria in the gold-digging days of 1852, For some years he was a merchant in. Melbourne, during which time he had a long lease of the whole of King Island, in Bass Strait, with an area of 270,000 acres, which now carries a population of 1200 people. In 1868 Mr. Hunt journeyed from England to Wellington, across Panama by rail. During the 'seventies he carried on the business of a boot and shoe importer in the building now staading next the Midland Hotel on Lambtoii' quay. In 1884 he took up land in Taranaki, and later wer.t into flaxmilling on the Piako Swamp, in the Waikato. For the last thirteen years Mr. Hunt had been living in retirement in Nelson. Mr. Hunt had been a Freemason since 1863, and w&s always a staunch Imperialist. Of a generous disposition and honourable character, he was typical of the better class of the early settlers. Mr. Hunt is survived by his wife (now living in Nel* son), and the following sons and daughters :—Messrs. Fred. Hunt (Auckland), N. Hunt (Napier), H. R, Hunt (Taranaki), and A. Leigh Hunt (Wellington), Mrs. L. 0. Iloskruge and Mrs. H. P. Mills (Wellington), and Mrs.' Thos. King (Nelson).

All applications for public hall licenses made to the Lower Hutt Borough Council meeting last evenicg were granted; In the case of the King George Theatre a proviso was made in. regard to the in' stalling of some sanitary appliances.

Lovers of beautiful China should sea the fine display of Kent's "Old Foley" Ware now shewing ift fine of Kirkcaldi* and Stains, Ltd.'s, wihdbws. A choic« array of dMißiiS.—Advt,

There are 207 practising solicitors in the Wellington L*w District, 139 in the city and 68 in the country.

Councillor A. J. West, of Lower Hutt, is of opinion that the lighting of Ludlaracrescent and White's Line East is not satisfactory, and on his motion the Engineer is to make suggestions for the im^ provement.

It is interesting to read in the annual report of the Wellington District Law Society that many returned solicitors who served with the N.Z.E.F. have been found employment through the efforts of the Council. The annual Teporfc of the council remarks in this connection that it is satisfactory that no applications for employment are now being made, "most of the returned soldiers connected with the law appearing to have found employment and commenced to practise."

On the subject of "Daylight Saving Hours" the following paragraph appears in the annual report of the Wellington District Law Society:—"A petition was received by several firms of solicitors and a large number of law "clerks in the aity praying that the hours for the period- from Ist October, 1919, to 31st March, 1920,1 be altered, and that the houT3 to be observed be from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. A sub-committee was appointed to confer i*ith practitioners W the. subject and.Teport to the council.. The report showed that a large majority of the firms were opposed to the suggested change. The council, under the circumstances, was unable to grant the petition."

Several borough works of importance at Lower Hutt are being held up for want of cement. In his report to the council last evening the engineer stated that though he had been assured that borough work would have precedence, he had received only approximately one-fifteenth of the quantity of cement on order. Among the works held up are a new bridge urgently required on the Western Hutt-road near Mr. Mitchell's property and the setting up of the machinery in connection with the new pumping plant of the borough water supply. In order to conserve the present water supply, the sewage pumping, which is done by hydraulic power, has been cut down to th© limit of safety, but even so there is a severe strain on the present plant, and a continued dry spell would, the engineer states, create a serious position. In regard to the.cement shortage, Councillor Mitchell promised to see if he could accelerate supplies.

A,suggestion arising from the Wellington sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union that the producers and freezing companies in New Zealand should establish theii own line of steamers as an offset to the excessive rates on cargo ruling Sat. present, came before a meeting at Palmerston North recently. Mr. Ewan Campbell (Wanganui) spoke emphatically against the suggestion of establishing a line of steamships. The whole world was building ships, and the cost of getting one insulated vessel suitable to the trade would be between £450,000 and £500,000. 'There was not the slightest doubt 'that some day in the near future there would be ships lying in the harbours of New Zealand with no freights forthcoming. It had happened .before, and the community should be guided by previous experience. Personally, he would- not put money into such a project. One of the greatest troubles with. shipping from New Zealand to England was the back freight. Trading vessels went to all parts of the world to gather cargoes when returning to New Zealand, and in some cases came out in ballast. Such, then, was a dead loss, and increased freight charges had to be made to counter-balance it. In *ny_ case the existing r shipping com-' pames were dependent for their existence on New Zealand export prodioce, and would be prepared to meet the exporters, w .arriving at an equable agreement. Utner members spoke in favour of a conference between shipping companies, merchants, and producers, with the idea, m view of fixing an equable scale <# freight charges. The matter was put in the form of a recommendation to the Dominion executive, and carried unanimously.

That he ornelly tortured a dog by catching it with a fish-hook was the charge proved against a n elderly man, named John Harding, who appeared before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., in the Auckland Police Court laet. week. The evidence was to the effect that Harding set a line of formidable-looking fish-hooks, unbaited, decribed as medium, sized snapper hooks, at the foot of his garden in Howe-street, with th© result that a teTriel pup was caught. He released it by cutting the string, the hook remaining embedded in the animal's mouth. About four hours later a little ffirl got a butcher to cut out the hook.Harding stated that he and his family had suffered for many mouths past owing to dogs getting under his house and fighting there. Although he put up the. hooks he had no intention of torturing any dog. A. daughter of the accused, Miss Harding, who gave evidence on her father's behalf, fainted as she turned to leave the witness-box.' The Magistrate said the accused had done an abominably cruel thing, and imposed a fine of £10 and £1 17s 6d costs. A month s tiffie to pay wae allowed.

Preliminaries in criminal trials include the empanelling of a jury and the appointment by the twelve good men and true of a foreman. » The latter duty is usually performed in a somewhat perfunctory manner. Recently in General Sessions in Melbourne (report* the Age) Judge Moule, addressing ' the Crown Prosecutor, said that in his opinion the jury should not make its selection of a. foreman while seated in* the jury stand, but should retire to the jury room. It was most unseemly, he thought, to se© the jurymen looking at each- other; to hear one asking the other if he would take the position, and- find that a selection was finally made wholly at haphazard, without tho slightest thought about the appointed person's qualifications, and without some members of tho jury having been consulted in the matter. His Honour added that he realised that the retirement of the jury in the manner suggested would occasion some delay, but he believed that the result would be so much more satisfactory as to justify the ohange of procedure. Mr. Macindoe, for the crown, agreed that the course indioated was the proper one to take, It is expected that other Judges will have to be consulted before the suggested alteration of procedure is regularly adopted.

People with gouty tendencies can take Vitafer, All-British Tonic Food, without hesitation. t Vitafer is incapabio of forming uric acid. It is intended as a means of enriching the diet in protein —a function which ordinary diet does not do sufficiently. Insist on Vitafer, 4« 6d, Bs, and l'4s 6d. Your cheaust can secure it, if he has, hot got it.— Advt. -

All Wellington to know that we sell the "Keep Smiling" Boot Polish, "Keep Smiling" Lino Polish, " K«e» Smiling" Pumice Soap, and the brisk demand enables us to "keep smiling." Wardell Bros, and Co., agents lor "Keep Smiling."—Advt. 'The People's Store" has just landed an extra big shipment of linoleum and cork carpet. These are all in Armstrong's dependable grades, and include the latest ctcsighs; aJso Jaspb. ail extra, heavy quality, inlaid in blueJ, browns, and greys, at isjiecisil [Micas. Wfe alto have the special XX quality cork carpet, a notable grade for uso in public- buildings, fcto. C. Smith,' Ltd., 96-102, Cuba-iltreot, Wellingrton.^Advt.