LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 90, 16 April 1920, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Reference to the scandal of the "coal queue" in Cuba-street was mads by Councillor C. H. Chapman at the meeting of the City Council last evening. He said he understood thece was. only one cash register in use at the State coal office. He thought the council should enter an emphatic grotest against the» methods 'used, and moved accordingly. The motion was carried unanimous-

In regard to the letter of the Greater Wellington Town Planning and Municipal Electors' Association, suggesting n route in connection with the proposed Tramway to Kelbura and Karori, the City Council decided last night to reply that the tramways manager is investigating the various possible routes to this district.

"In the interests of parents and children," a correspondent asks The Post to give publicity to the following letter :— "I have two children attending the Wel-lington-terrace School. The elder child, un absolute cripple, complains of a man (?) who had. made an attempt to get her awa> by offers of lollies. She says she was in company of a child whose mother 1 have interviewed. This child's statement corroborated the statement of my own child. It appears 'my child (who walks on crutches) in company of the other child, made a desperate run for it. it also appears- to me that unless adequate protection is afforded innocent children, the parents will have to move m the matter. • I would tike to add that these children live in the vicinity" of I'in&kori-road."

On the recommendation of the By-laws Committee the City Council last evening decided to make representation to the Minister for Internal Affairs for the introduction of legislation with reference to the registration of motor vehicles, providing for a distinctive mark to be attached to the number plate, a different colour being substituted e&ch year on registration. This proposal will facilitate the duties of constables or traffic officers v 'asitwillbe seen at a glance whether a vehicle has been registered for the current year. ' '

New regulations were gazetted last night for the holding of ballots under the Land Act, 1908, and the Land for Settlements. Act, 1908. The regulations give preference to men coming under the provisions of ,the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1915, and to landless applicants. It is also provided that every person who, subsequent to 11th November, 1913, is or has been successful in ■any land-ballot under the 1908 Acts, or the Disoharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, 1915, and who makes any disposition of his allotments or any part thereof, whether by way of assignment or sublease, "shall, unless the board, taking into consideration • the circumstances of the case, otherwise determine, be disqualified for the period of ten years after the date of such disposition from taking part in any other land-ballot under any of tha said Acts."

A mild suggestion was made to the deputation of ladies to the City Couhcil last evening, that wevity was necessary' in their remarks because of the length of the order paper. The speakers consequently eliminated much of the matter they had prepared. The subject of receiving deputations at council meetings was discussed later, *and the suggestion was made that they could go before subcommittees. A councillor suggested a time limit. Councillor Chapman: "Would you impose a time limit on lady speakers, your Worship?" The Mayor jocularly replied that ladies had the same civic and public rights as men, and they must submit to the same restrictions.

A great sigh of profund relief went iorth from the community last week, when it was announced that a settlement of the- Waihi trouble had been arrived at by mutual agreement (writes the Labour contributor of the Auckland Star). Auckland people—and by that term I mean the whole province of Auckland—have vivid remembrances of the desolation and distress caused by the last big strike at Waihi in 1913. Owing to the shutting down of the mines' at Waihi caused by the strike, a general exodus took place to other parts of the Dominion, and property consisting of houses and /urniture fell to a-ruinous value. Ruin stared the tradespeople in the face. It fook years to get things back to normal, and when a week or two ago the engineers struck, followed by the miners, and the mineowners preparing for a long struggle withdrew the horses from the mines, blank dismay fell on the- Waihi l people, from the Mayor downwards. A deputation to Wellington to the Government led to the setting up of a special conference, with Mr. P. Hally as chairman, and after proceedings of an amicable nature (so we are informed) a settle-ment-has been arrived at, which has been accepted by a ballot of the miners concerned. The men are to have an increase of 2s per shift, and the employei-s are to pay less than the wage asked for by the men, and both parties are satisfied. This is called conciliation, but call it what you will, no one is«.more satisfied than the general public; for the danger of these industrial troubles is that, !ike a bush fire, one nevervkno'ws where it ingoing to stop, unless* the wind changes. Mr. fjally's experience in industrial matters has been of great service to the <<rc.munity. He had a most difficult job before him, when ho left Wellington, to handle this dispute, and he did the t:.sk in a workmanlike manner. For similar services, Mr. Askwith, the British arbitrator, v-was made "Sir George," but — my thoughts are running away with nic, and I had better close.

A representative deputation of temperance workers attended a meeting of a ladies' committee set up in Wauganui to make the supper arrangements in connection with a juvenile gathering which is to be a feature of the Prince of Wales's visit to Wanganui. The deputation, states a Press Association message, protested strongly against a. former decision to include claret cup as a driitk on that occasion, but tho committee decided to adhere to its previous decision,

Authority wag granted by the City Council last evening to the City Engineer to make arrangements to carry out the work on the Orongorongo water supply scheme on the co-operative labour contract system. The Mayor spoke with approval of the system as successful elsewhere.

Special regulations were gazetted last night relating to the sale of New Zea-land-grown fruit for consumption within the Bominion. They provide for the grading and peeking of the fruit, apples and pears being classed "extra fancy," "fancy," and "C Grade."

Objection was raised by Councillor P. Fraser, M.P., to the recommendation of the Finance Committee to the City Council last evening that the use of the concert hall be granted to the Navy League, free of charge, on the occasion of the lectures delivered by LieutenantCommander Bourke, V.C. The ground stated was that the council had refused a similar application by the Waterside Workers' Union for-a meeting on behalf of the women and children of Broken Hill. The councillor moved to refer the matter back, but the amendment was lost by 13 votes to 4, Labour voting solid.

Mr. W. Sampson, who" died this week, just aftei- a concert ha-d been given in his behalf, has left a widow and eight children, most of them of tender years. The Salvation Army, of whose band the late Mr. Sampson was for many years a member, is collecting subscriptions with the idea of purchasing a house for the family, so "as to ensure the necessary accommodation as a preliminary. The property is to be vested in two trustees/and' it is hoped that the widow's pension, and the family earnings will relievo them from their present position of absolute destitution. A subscription list has been opened at the Evening Post office, and the ■Salvation, Army has already notified that it will give a contribution' of £50.

An adverse recommendation was before the City Council last evening from the Finance Committee on the request of the Thorndon Bowling Club for payment of £170 11s Bd, to cover loss alleged to have been incurred by the club, by reason of the council's proclamation over their land at Thorndon The Mayor (Mr. J. 'P. Luke, M.P.) expressed regret at the difficulty which had arisen. He was sure, however, that the bowling club would not ask the council to incur unauthorised expenditure. Councillor Luckie entered a plea on behalf of • the club. After further discussion, the matter was referred back to the committee for-further information as to prices obtained by the blub at the recent sal*.'

Thai money is not everything in life is illustrated by a case whioh has come before the Taranaki Hospital Board (states the Taranaki News). It concerns a lonely old man—he has •no wife or family, no relatives, and, apparently, no friends—and he wants to spend the evehing. of life in the comfort of the Old People's Home. He has money; in fact, his circumstances are very comfortable, but his money keeps him from the comfort of the home and the genial companionship which he seeks, because the board cannot extend its charitable hospitality toi those who are well off. All the law permits him to do is to make his wealth over to the board, and then they will care for him, and only theniwill he reach his happiness by making Aimself poor. ' . i '

Surprise was expressed, at the City Council last evening by Councillor Luckie.at a report of the Finance Committee that the Wellington Gas Company had disposed of its output of tar to an outside company—R-estar, Ltd., Wanganui, and that arrangements for the supply of tar ; to the council would have to be made with .the company- in question. The Gas Company held a franchise from the city, and should not have goii" past the city. 'The Mayor agreed, but pointed out that the tar previously secured frdin the Gas Company had not been dehydrated, and this the Wanganni company would do at a plant in Wellington. The report was received.

The Wellington Plasterers' Union, at its last meeting, carried a motion strongly protesting- against the utilisation of timber and labour for the purpose of decorations, platforms, and other erections, in connection with the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, when such timber and labour are urgently required for the building of workers' homes

The raising of loans by local bodies has been authorised, as follow :—Auckland Harbour Board, £100,000; Thames County Council, £50,000; Wairoa County Council. £8000; Onehunga Borough Council, £5000: South Invercargill Borough Council. £3000; Pahiatua County Council, £5000; Franklin County Council, £3000; Featherston County Council, £2500; Whakaki " Drainage Board, £2000; Biccarton Borough Council, £1000; Taranaki County Council, £1100; Rangitikei County Council, £460; Napier Borough Council. £5000; Greytown Borough Council, £3740; Pukekohe-County Council, £34,000; New Brighton. Borough Council, £52,000; Tau'ranga Borough Council, £19,600; "VYaimate Borough Council £7000; Whakatane Harbour Board, £6500; Stratford- County Council, £900; Waitemata County Council, £965; Masterton County Council, £400.

Since Mr. A. Chiaroni (Dunedin) reached London by the Remuera, says The Post's London correspondent, he has had a. busy time with, prominent artists, inspecting work likely to appeal to New Zeala-nders.' As a result, he has made a collection of between three and four hundred good* modem watercolours, oils, and pastels, as well as a selection of original etchings, the work of the father-in-law of J. is. Aumonier, himself a. very well-known London artist. There is work by Mr. Hedy Smith, (some of whose work is in the Canterbury Art Gallery), and Mr. Yeend King. Mr. F. J. Kell, who is the master of an important art school at Sydenham, will be represented by some very good water-colour canvases, his speciality being French figure subjects. An artist of the- original impressionist school, Mr. A. Qarruthers Gould, R.8.A.,1 will have representation. Mr. Chiaroni has selected a huge canvas by de Brianski. Other artists from whom selection of their work has been made include W. Luker, junr. (son of the famous painter), Mr. Henry H. Bulman, Mr. Albert Kinsley, and Miss Graco Joel. Mr. Ohiaroni, who is leaving for Italy in a few weeks' time, is going first to Bristol, to see Mr. G. E. Butler, the Wellington artist. Then, Until about October, his headquarters will be" at Lake Ooino. Three or four years will probably elapse before Mr. Chiaxoni returns to Dunedin. The pictures already chosen will be- sent out to New Zealand at an early date.

Lower Hutt has approached the City Council asking whether the council will be prepared, to consider the question of supplying electric current to the borough. The council last, night decided to reply that it hoped in the- future to be in a position to supply the adjacent boroughs with electricity. It wa& of opinion that one central authority could generate electricity more cheaply than the- various contiguous local authorities.

Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., have just opened/a good range qf all wanted shades in silk mending for hosiery; also in black and cream. Secure some now. —Advt.

Grocers, Listen ! "In every sense of service that thourenderest tbou thyself are being served". (Browning). Therefore, push Keep Smiling Boot Polish at 8d per tin.—Advt.