LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 40, 16 August 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Advice of the embargo placed . upon the importation of Australian jam and fruits was received by- the Chamber of Commerce yesterday from the Depart'menfc of Industries and Commerce, with a copy of the offiical explanation of the reasons for this step. Members remarked that the council had already entered its protest against the system of dealing with such 'matters by Order-in-Council when "the embargo was placed upon the importation of gas stoves. At present this was the only way of dealing with suspected dumping, but i.t was probable that proposals for different machinery would be placed before Parliament next session. No further action was taken in the matter. The first of the war loan certificates which were issued by the Postal Depart-* ment to raise funds for the war are now maturing, and are notified that renewal can be arranged with the Post Office either in stock or bonds for five or ten years, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent., issued in multiples of £50, minimum £50; and inscribed stock in multiples of £10, minimum £100. Holders who do not desire to renew or reinvest can arrange for the amount of "the face value of the certificates to be deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank on current account, which is not affected by the moratorium. The Treasury has also, for sale securities bearing interest at 6 per cent., interest payable half-yearly. Investments may be either in debentures \or inscribed stock with currency of five or ten years. I

The solicitor to the Municipal Association has advised the Petone Borough Council that it has no power to prohibit thejiolding of public meetings on Sundays. Dr. Maud Fere, president of the Canterbury Ladies' Football Association, has been in Wellington to endeavour to ar^ range a football match this season with the Wellington Aotea Club. The visitor was much impressed with the local young ladies' knowledge ■of the game shown at football practice. The Petone Borough Engineer reported last evening * that the belt of trees over the stop-bank in the recreation ground had suffered rather severely during the recent heavy gales, and a number of them had been blown down. These .trees made good progress since they were planted, and would soon become a great protection to that part of the ground. Many people have I been watching with interest anr> some dismay what appears to be a/ needless destmctdveness on the part of'some of the Post and Telegraph Department's staff. They have recently taken.' down some of the leadcovered telephone cables in the city, and the succeeding step is to cut the material with an axe into short lengths for carting away. This destruction of a valuable commodity is not as wanton as it seems. / The lead covering has been, worn out beyond repair by erosion and. the friction of, the supports, and the cable is to be reduced to scrap. The lead is stripped off, and the copper wire cleanfed of its paper insulation, and there remain masses of the.two metals, both of very high purity. In the present state of the metal market, it is said, the scrap is worth something like the 1 original cost of the telephone cable. The cable substituted for the one removed » laid underground, and will have am indefinitely long life. ' The New Zealand Methodiet Times, in its August number, refens to the action 'of Bishop Julius in granting a. license to Rev. A. T. Thompson, a Presbyterian minister and New Zealand agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to preach in any church in the Christchur.ch diocese with the consent.of or at the request of the vicar. The journal says : "In availing himself of the permission granted by this license, Mr." Thompson has preached in a number of Anglican churches in Christchurch diocese, including the Cathedral. In a few cases his request has been respectfully declined. Witlh a Presbyterian minister in the pulpit of the Chtistdhurch' Cathedral, and a Methodist minister in the pulpit of the Nefeon Cathedral, it would almost seem as if 'little, lovely, loyal New Zealand' were, indeed, leading the way to that reunion of Churches which fires the hope and kindles the imagination of the world to-day* as it never 9id before," : ■ . "It appears (states the report of the Advisory Board of, the "Patriotic Societies) that ex-Imperial soldiers are arriving in New Zealand in some numbers. There are cases where the soldier is suf-' ferin'g from some war disability, and is, perhaps, in receipt of an Imperial pension. He may break down in health after his arrival in the Dominion, and be sent to one of the military hospitals. Naturally, he requires assistance, and at least hopes his pension will be made up to the' standard of our own men. The^ board might consider whether this class of soldier should be a charge on war relief funds, the Health Department, or even if he, should be discouraged from landing in the Dominion at all. There are other classes of Imperial men who also, require temporary assistance, and, in a small, degree, are receiving Kelp from some societies. The demands may, however, become too great to permit justice to be done to the Imperial soldier and, at the same time, to conserve the fundf for the benefit of our own men." Hydro-electric power requirements of Auckland province were placed before the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, by a large deputation -from the Hydro-electric League ■ (states a Press Association message). Mr. Coates said these schemes were of national importance, but the commercial aspect had to lie considered. They should rest on a sound foundation, and pay their'way without being assisted unduly by the State.. They asked him to find £1,377,000. "I have already said that before I can make a start, with the exceptin of pottering work, finance must be feecured so that the Department may be in a position to see the project through f in five years from the time work is commenced. ThafiNs still the position." Until Mr. Massey returned he would be unable to say how/the financial position*- was. Money could be got at a price. He did not doubt that the contractors would be willing to find money at 6 per cent., but •if that were done the contra'tcors would "take it out of them." It was/ his opinion that the country should do the work. He was not going to be hustled, off his feet; he was going to try to keep calm and carry through the scheme on commercial lines. He realised' that nowhere else in New Z^land were there such possibilities for the use of hydroelectric power, or would there be such a demand fot power. .Replying to a question whether the Government would consider granting a concession to anyone prepared to' develop the whole scheme, the Minister indicated that while the Government would consider any proposal for development of power he would not be in favour of concessions to private capital. Replying to an Auckland deputation regarding the Arterial Roads Bill, the Ministerfor Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) said that one thing he was trying to avoid was giving an opinion as to which work should be done first. The board to be appointed should have control, and would malce recommendations as to the expenditure of all money on these roads, and U>g order in which the work should be done. This was a national question, and should not be regarded in any parochial sense. It was a question where^ experts must be brought in, because it was nrceseary that methods should be standardised, and therefore a great deal of information would be required before a start could bo made. He did not want to go into' the question of finance in connection with.,the proposed Bill until he had authority to cay what the tire tax and license fee would be. It was of interest, however, that for a. number of years something like £250,000 had been spent on the four roads it was. now proposed should come under the new system of control. This sum would come under the jurisdiction of the board. In addition, there / was approximately £60,000 spent in maintenance, 1"-making a total of £300,000 from the Public Works and Consolidated Funds which would form the nucleus of a fund for the scheme. Mr. Coates said there was no intention of interfering with local authority finance. Immediately this was done there would be difficulties. This was to be avoided, and the scheme should bo treated ac affecting the wliole country, and not any district. Evidence of the rainy season is given in the report of the Petone Borough Engineer. The average weekly consumption of water used in the Borough during the last month was 28,000 gallons less than that of the previous month. The average maximum and minimum pressure had been 801b and 35Jb respectively, and the average weekly consumption 2,444,000 gallons. (

Several private properties in Petone were flooded during the recent storms, and some of the owners made claims' ou the Borough Council for damages. The question of the council's liability was referred to the Municipal Association's solicitor, who now advises that the council is not responsible unlesc absolute neglect can be proved. A business firm in Feilding has received a circular from Prague, the, capital of Czeeho-Slovakia, stating that a paper published in that city is an excellent advertising medium. The Feilding StaT comments in the following subtle terms : "Prague, which is now the capital of the new Czecho-Slovakia republic,, has one of the oldest universities in Europe. It was German before the war, which perhaps accounts for its knowledge' of business interests in Feilding." In Lytteltan last evening a man named John Connors, who, it is stated, wa.s under the influence of liquor, wandered on to the Mararoa to see some of his friends. He over-stayed his welcome, however, and the boat left for Wellington before he could land. This morning he found himself in Port Nicholson, and, a little later, in the dock of the Magistrate's Court on a charge of evading payment of his fare. Connors, who pleaded guilty, was. fined 10s, in default three days in gaol. "I understand that,one society is absolutely exhausted, and that several are on the' verge of exhaustion," remarked the chairman (Mr. Williams, of Hawkes Bay) at to-day's meeting of the Advispry Board of the Federation of the New Zealand Patriotic War Relief Societies. During a discussion regarding soldiers dependent upon exhausted societies, opinions were expressed that no society should be subsidised by a lump sum from the War Funds Council. Some members stated that there was no desire. on the part of their associations to be reimbursed from any other fund. The Hon. J. G. Guthrie performed the opening ceremony yesterday in connection with the co-operative dairy factory on the Tiratu Soldiers' Settlement, near Dannevirke". This (says a Press Association telegram) is the first co-op-erative soldiers' factory in the Dominion, and the' scheme has been v financed bj the Repatriation Board, which granted a loan" of £5000 at the rate of £300 per shareholder. The Minister and other 'speakers to the large gathering of settlers and representatives of local bodies prophesied a prosperous future for the settlement.' The Minister, urging effi ciency as the chief essential for Do minion prosperity, spoke optimisticallj of the future prospects, despite the present temporary depression. Dairy^ products in the future might not realise such high prices as during- the wai period, but the world demand was such that payable prices were certain to b< obtained. : .Amendments of the regulations con cerning the storage of benzine have beer agreed to by the Government, in re sponse to representations from the New Zealand Farmers' Union •as to the dim culty in which full enforcement of th< regulations would entail on farmers. II has'been agreed that no license will bi required if benzine is stored in quantitiei not exceeding 250 gallons, kept for pri vate use only, and not for the purposi of sale, stored on any farm or' othei premises exceeding ten acres in area, o: 58 gallons if stored on premises less thai ten acres in area, if such goods are kep in a thoroughly ventilated depot con structed of stone, brick, or concrete situated not less than ten feet from othe buildings, or in a thoroughly ventilate wooden frame building situated not les than 40ft from any other buildings, am if all such dangerous goods are kept ii substantial metal vessels which contaii not more than five gallons; so securel; closed that neither liquid nor vapour cai escape therefrom, and all due precaution: are taken to prevent accident by fire o: explosion. , ; The appearance of the sanctuary ii the Sacred Heart Basilica in Hill-styee; has been much enhanced by a beautifu piece of art mosaic and marble worl which has just/been carried out. Thi: embellishment has been made .possibli by the generosity of a parishioner, wh< wishes to remain unknown, and the de sign, which is notably ecclesiastical was drawn by the Rev. Father Schafer of St. Patrick's College. The genera pattern presents a cream' stone-colourec fan-shaped background, relieved bj fleurs-de-lys at regular intervals. Th< central figure is Christ under th< Paschal Lamb lying on'the seven-sealec book with the legend "Ecce Agnus Dei' ("Behold the Lamb of God"). The figur< is framed in a cross-shaped design o: white lilies and foliage. On each, side aw diamond-shaped panels with monogram: of Christ and Mary respectively, als( framed in floral design. Along the walli and communion rails runs a broad band combining all the colours of the scheim in parallel strips, with central red anc gren scroll ornaments. The coloui scheme is designed to match, in slightl) deeper, shades, the. present colouring oi the walls and ceiling. The steps of the altars, of the communion rails, as well as the rails themselves, are covered witk carrara marble. The predella has a maf of mosaic embodying the fleur-de-lys and general ornamentation of the floor pattern. Besides the floor, the walls and pillars of the sanctuary and side-altar* are covered with mosaic to a height of three feet, the pattern being an alternating design of monograms and crossshaped ornaments. At the base pt the pillars, outside the communion rails, are placed the coats of arms of His Grace Archbishop Redwood and of the Society of Mary, with their respective mottoes. A letter from an Apia / resident to a friend in Dunedin gives some sidelights on the happenings at Samoa' during the visit of the Hon. E. P. Lee, Minister of External Affaire :—"The visit was not much of a success, in spite of anything that may be said to the contrary. The letter forwarded to Mr. Lee, expressing the hopeless feeling of the taxpayers with regard to the future of . Samoa under New Zealand control, was signed by the twenty-five leading taxpayers of Apia. The native representatives of the various districts also prepared a petition, which I do not think was 'handed to Mr. Lee at the time, but held aver for reconsideration. So far as I know, however, nothing in it was altered, and it is to go forward.' All the \ dissatisfaction is caused by the New Zealand Government allowing the taxpayers no say in their domestic affairs, and not, as Mr. Lee stated in Sydney, because of total Prohibition. At the dinner, given by the Minister to the Chamber of Commerce, attended by more than thirty of the influential business men of Samoa, it was distinctly stated that the matter of' Prohibition had never been mentioned at meetings of the Chamber, nor could any reference to it be found in the minute book. Ma\ Gray, the Departmental secretary, gave nobody an opportunity to speak oil Samoan affairs, as it took- up all his time to explain what a fine country New Zealand is. - Everybody recognises this. Nobody criticises New Zealand in any way. But our people do criticise its administration of Samoa, and the apathy towards Samoa of the New Zealand public, who apparently take no interest in Samoan affairs, commercial or otherwise. According to our local paper a garden party was given to enable the residents to meet the Minister, and it is said to have been largely attended, but, as far as I know, none of the resident taxpayers were present, although, of course, there was a large gathering, nearly all of whom were officials, with possibly some members of the missionary societies."

The Town Clerk', Lower Hutt, advised the Petone Council last evening that the question of joint ownership and control of the gasworks and the alternative proposals submitted from the conference were considered by the council at a special meeting, when it was decided that none of the suggestions was acceptable and resolved to reject them all and to proceed with the erection of its own works. Thx> inon-appearanoe of a judgment debtor in the Magistrate's Court to-day, on the ground that he was not fit to appear, led to some comment,by counsel lor the creditor (Mr. H. L. Rothenburg). Mr. P. W. Jackson, counsel for ' tho debtor, handed in a medical oertificaw of unfitaess, but this did., not! satisfy \ 1 .Mr. Rothenburg, who said that he hail reason to believe the man was able to get about. He thought that, in such cases, i« iutuxe the doctor should ba called on to attend to give an, account \u. the patients disability. In granting tha adjournment, the Magistrate (Mr. E* Page) said that if Mr. Jackson, diesired a, further adjournment, it would be necessary for him to hay« the doctor, in Court. During the past few days a number of gold claims have been .pegged out on the hills at the back of Mangaiti, five miles from Te Aroha, and located about two miles from the old Tui workings, m what is considered very likely-looking country (says the Te Aroha correspond- ■ ent of the New Zealand Herald). The hills are a continuation of the main Ohinemuri Range. Rumours are afloat of splendid samples being obtained from ; a gully at the head of Death's Creek. No gold has previously been obtained from tins locality. Old miners are scept- ■ ical. ■ '■ Suffering from delusions that "thegirls ' were after him," a man named Michael ( J. Hynes was arrested by Sergeant But- ( ler yesterday on a charge of helpless drunkenness. He made his appearance before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.,"in the I Magistrate's Court to-day and surprised ■ officials by entering a plea of-not guilty. ■ Hynes did not think it necessary to , raise any defence, however. It«was cxi plained that the man had a ticket for • passage from^ Wellington to .Sydney in , ,his possession. The Magistrate/ordered r Hynes to pay 17s «6d medical expenses, I. and sentenced him to three days'\im- s • prisonment.; Hynes expressed his willing- • ness to leave for Sydney. It has-been decided to close the oval 3 on the Petone Recreation, Ground after. ! next Saturday, in order to make prepara- ■ tion for the forthcoming cricket season. /