LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1922, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister' of Education states that he knows of no intention to abolish education boards1 cm the soore of economy. That there was such an intention was stated at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board, when attention was directed to what were declared to be inspired newspaper articles on the subject. The position in regard to local educational government, said Mr. Parr, when the subject was brought before liim, stood to-day just where it did before. Nothing fresh had happened, and lie knew nothing whatever about the newspaper articles alleged to have been inspired. The Auckland board seemed to be rather afraid of its own shadow. It was extremely improbable that there would be any legislation on the subject during tlie comI ing session. "I have never concealed my impression," ha added, "that an overhaul of the educational machinery in regard to local government, will some time be necessary, but the present is I certainly not the time for it." lln view of the amendment of the Valuation of Land Act, 1908, enabling sports bodies to obtain reductions in the assessment of the capital and unimproved value of their grounds, the City Council decided last night that no remission of the general rate, or portion thereof, should be granted to sports bodies for the current year. The first case of grape-fruit to be brought to Auckland from the Islands arrived by the Flora. The fruit, which was of particularly fine quality, came from Aitutaki, where; attention is now being given to its cultivation. The grape-fruit is not well known to New Zealaiiders, but those who have tasted it in the United States regard it as a delicacy, for which they would, willingly pay almost any price could it be procured, in New Zealand. Up to the present, however (states the New Zealand Herald), the only overseas shipment which lias, reached the Auckland market consisted of about eight cases, sent from San Francisco two or three years ago, The Government fruit inspector, Mr. G-. Harnett, at-ated yesterday that he bad been informed that a good trade in grape-fruit could readily be opened, up with, the Islands once New Zealand people came to know and appreciate its. piquant flavour. There was no need at all to depend on Califorei an supplies, for the Cook Island fruit was in every way equal to the best the United States could send. The main point was to place a few shipments on the market at a low price, and so enable the public to become acquainted with it. A few weeks ago the City Council decided that rat-catching operations in j Wellington should be brought to a stand- i still. Since that tiuie the Public Health Department has suggested that the council should retain the services of a ratcatcher for permanent work in the city., Last night the Health Conmiittoe recommended that the proposal of the Health Department should not be adopted. |

The Postal authorities have received cable advice that the mails which left Wellington on 22nd April, per Remuera, via Panama, arrived in London on 4th June. A resolution from the Gore Borough Council, proposed to be forwarded to the next meeting of the Municipal Conference, "That all the amusement taxes collected in the district be paid over to the local body in that district, or Town Board, as the case may be/ was supported ,by the Wellington City Council last evening upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee. A large and representative meeting of the Frankton branch of the A.S.R.S. passed the following resolntion: "That this branch strongly protests against the Government's proposed second railway salary reduction, and pledges itself to support the executive council in any action it may take to prevent the cut being put into operation." Praise was made by the Mayor, Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., at last evening's meeting of the City Council of the highly satisfactory work done by the Town Clerk's staff during the period of Mr. Palmer's absence on account of illness, and specially mentioned Messrs. Tait, Petersen, and Thomas. Councillor Luckie remarked: "It goes to show what good work" we get from the staff all along, and we don't underwork anyone." Mrs. O. Blake, writing to The Post, takes exception to a statement made in the Supreme Court, that members of the Springbok Rugby team were accommodated at Island Bay at Us per day, "accommodation which they, stuck for only a couple of days." Mrs. - Blake states that the members of the team stayed at her place at Island Bay the allotted time, and when they left a. letter was forwarded to the proprietress thanking her for heir kindness, to the team and the happy, time they had at Island Bay. Whether the cost of living has come down or no the man in the street is prepared to argue fully, but at any rate tram rails are cheaper. It was reported at last evening's meeting of the City Council that Messrs. John Duthie and Co. had obtained a quotation for a heavy rail to be laid in Willis-street, between Manners-street and Larabton-quay, next summer at £15 4s per ton, whereas the last rails landed by the Tramway Department cost £30 per ton. The necessary authority was given the general manager of. the department, Mr. W. H. Morton, to place an order for 100 tons of rails to arrive in time to allow the work to be commenced before Christmas. Referring to land settlement, the Auckland provincial president of the Farmers* Union, Mr. R. D. Duxfield, said, at the conference this week, that the manner in which the farming resources of the country were being developed was remarkably slow. In 1917 the farm holdings,of the. Dominion numbered 79,539, representing an area, of 42,744,719 acres. In 1921 the holdings numbered 84,076, and the' area 43,546,757, ;m increase of 4450 holdings and _ 802,038 acres. This could not be considered satisfactory, as" during the four years • mentioned practically the whole of the soldier settlement had taken place. At the last meeting of the executive council of the Wellington Competitions Society, the Railway Department wrote granting the issue of tickets at excursion rates to visiting competitors under the age of twelve years. The Programme Committee recommended that, in response to requests from choirs outside of Wellington, arrangements should be made whereby it would not be necessary for visiting choirs to remain in Wellington to perform at the final demonstration concert. The secretary stated that inquiries for copies of the syllabus were coming to hand from all parts of the Dominion, and a satisfactory entry was assured. In accordance with a recommendation of the Works Committee, instructions were given by the City Council last evening that a bylaw should be framed to require efficient rear lighting of vehicles so as to show the extent of projecting goods, and also to require the proper roping of goods on vehicles. The suggestion was opposed by Councillor H. D. Bennett, who said that there was a tendency to rash, into fresh bylaws, j and already there were enough bylaws ' for people to, guard against. He moved that the suggestion should be referred back to the Bylaws Committee, but the clause was pissed on the voices. Regarding the method of railway construction adopted in the Dominion, a speaker at the Auckland Farmers' Union Conference this, week said, he had a wide experience of railway construction, and considered the New Zealand method the moat wasteful in the world. He had constructed railways in Australia, South Africa, the Malay States, and other places, and considered the cost of constructing the railways in the Dominion at least 50 per cent, too great. An essential feature of railway construction should be rapid completion. A line that was completed was earning money; an uncompleted line Was incurring a liability for interest. The most satisfactory way io build railways, he said, was by large contracts on the open tender' system. The Hutcheson-road ;' tip was once again mentioned at last night's meeting of the City Council, when the Public Health ■ Committee recommended that in future tins and like material be not received at the tip unless they have previously been crushed to suitable size. Councillor W. H. Bennett, chairman of the committee, said that the object in future was to get householders to consolidate tins before sending them to the tip. "In other words," remarked Councillor Bennett, "lot them get the axe on the tins." "What about a tank?" asked Councillor L. M'Kenzie. "How are you going to smash that with an axe?" "You have a try on your own," replied Councillor Bennett, "and see how you get on." (Laughter.) Councillor M'Kenzie thought the council would have to he reasonable. He moved that the clause he referred back to see if the committee could not devise other means for the disposal of tins, etc. The council, he considered, should have some method of crushing tins at the tip. The recommendation of the committee was adopted. An alleged breach of undertaking in connection with an agreement for the purchase of a property was the subject of a case which occupied the attention of Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., for some time' at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The parties were J. G. Hanafin, of Christchurch, plaintiff, and Mrs. Olive Gaudin, of Wellington, defendant. The facts briefly were that the defendant sold a property to the plaintiff subject to a mortgage of £500. She gave an undertaking to obtain a renewal of this at Hanafin's expense. Instead of doing this, however, she arranged with the plaintiff to accept a Bat mortgage of £800 prepared at her expense. Plaintiff alleged that he agreed to this conditionally upon bis retaining the right to repay certain instalments at quarter dates.- This the defendant denied, and she made a counter-claim for £15 8s as costs of the preparation of the mortgage, which she waß compelled to pay owing, it was alleged, to the plaintiff's failure to complete the agreement. The plaintiff's claim was for £9 18s sd. being increased interest which the defendant was said to have agreed to pay. Judgment was reserved. Mr." W. N. Matthews appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. N. S. Johnson for the defendant.

A formal resolution was passed by the City Council last evening authorising the raising of a special loam of £10,000 for milk supply purposes, to be called "The Wellington City Milk Supply Loan, 1922." 1 The hearing of the Wellington Belated Printing Trades dispute was resumed befor* the Conciliation Council yesterdayj and the principal matters at issue were referred to th« Arbitration Court for settlement. The City 'Council has decided to do its own book-binding repair work in connection with" the libraries. Mr. H. G. Biamley has been appointed bookbinder to the council, and quarters for htm will be located in the Newtown Library. . Drunkenness, three breaches of a prohibition order, and entering licensed premises were the nature of charges preferred against a woman named Margaret M'Hugh, alias Hargreaves, at the Magistrate's Court this morning. It was stated by the police that the woman had no means. The woman was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and was fined £10, with the option of three months' in gaol, on the other charges. To-morrow, the 10th inst., is the anniversary of the death of the' late Et. Hon. R. J. Seddon'. As in former years, the West Coasters' Association will mark the occasion by ■ placing a laurel wreath on the Seddon Statue in Parliament Grounds, Molesworth-street, at 9 a.m. It is expected that Sir Joseph Ward and other Parliamentarians and prominent citizens will he present. A cordial invitation to attend is extended to all West Coasters and the public generally. The Roseneath Electors' Association is to be informed that the City Council is not' in a position at the present time to provide an extension of the drainage system to serve properties at Weka Bay. Two new pairs of boot* found in the possession of Thomas Henry Moody and George Henry Babbage, when arrested for drunkenness, led to the appearance of the men before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate^ Court to-day on charges of theft of the boots. A storekeeper at Paekakariki had identified the boots as his property, and he valued them at £2 10s. The men had been in his shop on the' 2nd June. The Magistrate agreed to give the men the chance of a fine, which he fixed in each case at £5, with the alternative o£ one month's imprisonment. His Honour Mr. Justice Salmond had a word or two to say of expert evidence at the conclusion of the hearing of the case of Abraham Whittaker, mercer, v. Rouse, Black, and Son, coachbuilders, a claim for damages for alleged negligence on the defendant's part in allowing a car to fall from a lift, at the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. As usual, the expert evidence had proved to be' merely guleswork, Baid his Honour, and | that being so he must guess himself. I The car had suffered damage, but he I considered that the claim made was exaggerated, and therefore fixed the damages recoverable at £150 and costs. The City Council is sending a letter of thanks and appreciation to the'office of the London Daily Telegraph. The paper has been forwarded to the Public Library free of charge for a period of three years. . Pastoralists may be interested to learn that the Department of Agriculture has been advised that the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company are shortly despatching the Matatua to South America. The vessell sails for Montevideo, leaving Wellington, the final port, about 25th June, Other loading ports will be Bluff and Port Chalmers. It is understood that space has already been booked for 200 sheep for the South American port, and it is expected that the balance of the space available, which is for approximately 200 sheep, will be taken up. by shippers desirous of forwarding small consignments. . The death occurred at Kaikoura a few days ago of Mr. Charles Evans, 'an old and respected settler. Born in Gloucestershire in 1836, Mr. Evans came out to New Zealand, landing in Wellington in »1860, after four months on the voyage. Later he went to Picton, and afterwards engaged in farming operations on the Peninsula. He proved a most successful farmer (cays the MaTlborough Express), and was the first to undertake th« planting of lucerne in Kaikoura. He had been an invalid for about six years. He is survived by five sons—John (Christchurch), Arthur, Thomas, Albert, and George (all of Kaikoura) —and three daughters—Mrs. A. Marsden and Mrs. J. G. Wight (Petone), and Mrs. A. C. Renner (Kaikoura). His wife predeceased him by a few weeks. When in Nelson a few days ago, Mr. W. G. Morrison, of the Forestry Department, in an interview with Mail representative, said : "That every county and city council should have its own forest for future timber supply cannot be denied in view of the trend of. modern events. Not only will it prove a profitable and lasting investment for the ratepayers' money, but the time is coming when it will be one of the most necessary and pleasure-giving adjuncts to a city's environments. Most councils have, at the present time, quite large reserves vested in city interests and which are not bringing in adequate returns in their present state and which, in many cases, are overrun by noxious weeds constituting an eyesore rather than otherwise. Now is the opportunity to turn_ them into revenue producing forests which will stand as a monument to the foresight of the councillors of the present day." "In Auckland I attended a meeting of the Rotary Club for the first time," said Archbishop Julius, speaking at Christchurch. "I was the guest at one of the club's luncheons. I learnt of the club's objects and principles, founded on Christianity, and that they are carried on to the ordinary business life of its members. A great change is coming. It will come by Bolshevism and revolution —God forbid it—or by people turning to more Christian, more righteous ways. Our civilisation is only partly Christian. It is touched by Christianity, but is not rooted in it, and until it is there will be no rest. Is it to be Bolshevism, or is it to be what the Rotary Club will help to bring about? The club may bring it about in part only, but it is on right lines. It says: 'We.have to study Christian principles, and to carry them into our business, commercial, and social life, especially our business life.' I was glad to see a layman stand up and ask God's blessing on the club's efforts to make Auckland a pure and hply city. In Wellington I attended a Rotary Club again, and I again found laymen trying to bring into expression in their business life' the great Christian principles. When that takes place in the cities, God's blessing will come upon the community." Like many other famous musicians, Sir Frederick Hymen Cowen, who is in his 71st year, made early display of his | genius, and was only six when he pubj lishad his first composition—a waltz— following it two years later with an operetta. His first public appearance was made at the concert room of Her Majesty's Theatre when he was eleven, and since then his whole life hag been devoted to music. His achievements as a conductor, and as composer of a long I and varied list of wovks, among which his cantatas, like "The Rose Maiden" and "St. John's Eve" are prime favourites with all choral societies, were recognised by a knighthood in 1911. There are some in New Zealand who'may recall his conducting of the .Melbourne Exhibition Orchestra in 1888. A letter of thanks is to be forwarded by the City Council to Mr. H. A-vMat-thews for his presentation of a white magpi6 £°. the zoological collection.

The Postal authorities have received cable from Sydney that the Moeraki left at 2 pjn. on the Bth instant for Wellington. She has on board 116 bags of mails for the Dominion, including 40 from Australia and 76 from beyond, of which 23 are from the East. The Tahiti, which left Sydney at noon on the Bth instant for Wellington, carries 266* bags of mail for the Dominion, including 197 from Australia, five from beyond, 17 from the East, and 64 parcel receptacles. A letter of thanks and appreciation is to be forwarded from the City Council to Mr. T. Ballinger for his' action in arranging not to'build out to the correct alignment of property at the corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee streets, but to splay back the corner so as to improve the sight line at this place. In pleading on behalf of Lillian Rigarlsford, who was charged at the Magistrate's Court to-day with transacting business on Sunday, Mr. A. B. Sievwright remarked that his client was new to the business. One constable went to the shop, he said, and wanted some jubes for his cold, and the other constable had not had a smoke for several days and wanted some cigarettes. (Laughter.) The Magistrate (Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.), fined the defendant £1 and costs 7s. "Seeing that a father is liable to prosecution for failing to send his child to school, would you be in favour of prosecuting the Minister of Education for failing to provide sufficient accommodation for those children who are willing to be taught, but for whom there is no room," asked Mr. Forbes Eadie at Monday night's meeting at Mount Eden, Auckland. Mr. J. Caughley, Director of Education, replied that he appreciated the real idea at the back of the question, and he could assure tha meeting that the Department was doing its best to deal with the vexed question of overcrowding. Sports bodies desirous of making a charge for admission to Newtown Park recently waited on the Reserves Committee, asking that the City Council should not, in addition to cliarging the rental of £10 10s per ground for the season, charge the 20 per cent, of the gate takings on occasions when permission is granted for a charge to be made for admission to the ground. The committee stated that it was of opinion that to accede to the request would be to depart from the present policy laid down by the council, also that the departure would involve a revision of the whole question of charges for use of reserves. It could not recommend that the request be acceded to. The report of tHe committee was approved. The following motion was passed at a meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Hockey Association held in Christchurch :—"That this association expresses its sincere regret at the death of Mr. Ernest Norden, for many years president of the association, and desires to place on record the inestimable services rendered by him jn the interest? of the.^ame."