LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 23, 27 July 1922, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A correspondent ("Younger Generation")' writes as follows to ThePoet"Will you inform me who is responsible .for leaving the church in the- Boltonstreet Cemetery month after month in its present deplorable condition? Windows broken, paint peeling off, and, if information is. correct, the church, in which Bishop Selwyn preached how used as "a tool-shed, and the roll, of honour and the memorial brasses contained ill the church closed against the inspection of those to whom they are near and dear. If the City Council; church authorities, Diocesan Board, or whoever is responsible cannot be awakened to the sense of their.responsibilitiai, surely one of the many societies in Wellington will see to the restoration of this historic building, if not for their own credit's sake, for the sake of example to, the younger generation." The only denominations of "Victory" stamps now remaining on!sale in New Zealand ' are 2d (halfpenny 6tamps reprinted), Id, and lid. Further supplies of "Victory" stamps are not being printed by the Post arid Telegraph Department. Fivepenuy stamps of the King George series are about to be issued. . The total number of slot telephones in u«e in the Dominion at the end of the year wa5.339/ as against 319, af the end of the preceding year. Generally speaking, installations in business centres continue to return revenue sufficient to cover working-expenses. Those in residential areas are not so remunerative, and.-'it .has been necessary during the year to withdraw one or two slot telephones owing to the decrease in revenue, the receipts being- much below the cost of maintaining the service. The Tevenue for the year amounts to £20,188, being an increase of £1982 over the previous year. Farmers are complaining over their inability to find a market.for their beef; the Armenians are dying in thousands of starvation! Would it not be possible to purchase beef from, the farmers at reduced prices and send it to the relief stations in Armenia? asked Air. R. A. Wright, M.P.", at the civic 'reception tendered to Dr. Wirt, United States Commissioner in connection with the Near East problems. , For some years past the people of Belmont have felt that a great danger exists through the lack of a light at Belmont railway station. Every passenger has to cross the line to reach, the main road, and this, on a dark night, is said to be most dangerous. The subject was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Leader of tho Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford), who pressed the claim on the Minister of Railways. The Minister replied that he would have the matter looked into at once, and, if it was possible to do anything, he would do it. Mr Wilford : "The residents will light the lamp if one is put there." | Tilt Bul-ler Progress Leaguo resolved at a meeting held at Westport last night to make strong representations to the Government to remove the imposition of an additional 6d per ton on new coal leases. The"'mover said- that old leases paid &d per ton, but new leasus had U pay Is per ton. This was an unfair handicap, as very often the acceptance oi rejection of tenders depended-on. 6d per ton less. -He'further* said that if the Government imposed £d per lb on all butter or cheese produced bj new factories, or on wool produced by:new companies, or extra charges, per foot.on all timber produced; by new sawmilling Companies, there would be a howl from oue end of the Dominion to the otter;.yet it was-an injustice such as this that was being done to new coal companies, and it would seriously hamper development if the extra royalty were not removed. For each telephone in, use in the Dominion there are 13 inhabitants, aocording, tc the annual, report of the Post and Telegraph Department. There are 94,683 telephones. •■ Of that number 10,----678 are in Auckland, 11,405 in Wellington, 8265 in Ghristchurch, and 6098 in Dunedin. In Wellington there are 10 inhabitants per telephone. The total revenue received last year was £614,367, an increase of £80,832 on the previous year's figures. The report states :■— "Despite the fact that■■ all" previous'records in regard to new connections have this year been eclipsed by the-connec-tion of 9259 subscribers, there still remain 6132 on the \vniting-list, as'rcomSiirod with 7374 for tho vein1 ended 3lßt* Ja«h, 1921," '.'..;

A shock similar to former •h&lcee was, felt at Tawpo at 3.60 yeaterdjty. It was fairly sev«re, but no i damage was done. The properties of the Kanieri Sawmill Company, Ltd., comprising j> large area of millable timbers, two sawmills, and a connecting iron tramway, were sold by public auction at Hokitika yesterday, Mr. r. W. Deighton, of Christchurcli, being the purchaser for £15,100. The poll taken in Auckland on a, proposal tc raise £10,000 foi the establishment of a zoo, of which £800 is for the purohagt of the animals in Mi. Boyd's zoo at Onehunga, was carried by 2454 votes to 1013. The Onehunga zoo has been tho subject of- considerable litigation, is the proprietors contested a bylaw passed by the Borough Council prohibiting the keeping of wild animals. !'With their homes destroyed, their fathers, husbands, and brothers massacred, their bodies lean and emaciated through the ravages of famine and pestilence, and they themselves subjected to every conceivable insult, the lot of the Armenian women is a particularly unhappy one. But there is one person to whom they could turn with absolute trust for friendship and protection—that person was the British 'Tommy,' " said Dr. Lincoln Wirt in •pleading for assistance m affording relief to the Armenians las' evening. Reference to tho death of the latt Mr. William Cable was made at last night's meeting of the Harbour Board. The chairman (Mr. J. G. Harkness) said that m the fifteen years he had been a member of the board, the late Mi. Cable war a staunch advocate of the interest* of the poii* and city. Mr. Cabl« had been chairman of the board for two years., and had always shown a clear insight into it* activities. The following motion was earned :—"That the Wellington Harbour Board records on its minutes its deer regret at tho death of Mr. William Cabte, who for fifteen years had been a valued member of the board, and: who, from 1904 to 1906, had filled with marked ability the office of chairman. That the board further resolves to record its appreciation of the late Mr. Cable's valuable services and his constant zeal for the welfare of the port; and directs that a copy of this resolution be forwarded tc the widow and family of the deceased gentleman." The North Canterbury Hospital Board decided yesterday to urge the Minister of Health to allow unmarried women to be admitted to the St. Helens Maternity Hospital. Dr. P, C. Fenwick, who moved a motion to this effect, quoted from a report by the council of the British Medical Association in New Zealand upon the subject of illegitimate children. The council recommended that tht State should admit the women concerned to its institutions. The present system drove these women into the hands of '! child murderers." Single women admitted to such institutions lould be described as married, so that other patients would not be aware that they had.not a legal standing. "It is not a question of morality, but one of humanity," added Dr. Fenwick. "These women have either to go to the abortionist' and have the children murdered, div go through months of misery." His suggestion might not be the ideal one, he said, but it was the only humane thing to do. The motion was carried. The Government motor service is the subject of an interesting reference in the annual report of the Post and Telegraph Department. The paragraph is as follows :—"With a view to effecting economy, Government decided towards the end of 1921 that all motor vehicles in use by Government Departments in the chief centres, with the exception of Police; cars, were to be controlled by the Poet and Telegraph Department, which would issue them, -is required, on applicatioi by permanent heads of Departments. The scheme, which. involves much rearrangement, is gradually being brought about, and at present is working very satisfactorily. The concentration of vehicles under one control is already showing a ■distinct economy, and this will be more noticeable as the scheme progresses. In the past, different Government Departments have procured different makes of cars, lorries, and cycles, with the obvious .result that spare parts had to be stocked for the various types. Now that vehicles are to be under the control of the Post and Telegraph Department, every effort will be made towards standardisation of type, with a view to a reduction in the variety of spaa-e parts and fittings. It will, however, be realised that this will be possible only when the great variety of vehicles recently taken over have reached the end of their usefulness." Some apposite remarks were passed by Mr. H. W Bundle, S.M., in the City Police Court, -when dealing with the application of a boy of 16 for exemption from military training on the ground of religious objections (states the Otago Daily Times). In such a case, the Magistrate said, the military authorities should get the boy to see his chaplain. The' Court -was hardly the place for a theological discussion, and if the boy really held these beliefs it was not a, proper thing that they should be ( dragged out in Court. In the case in.,question, the boy and his mother belonged to an unorganised sect, which had no definite creed, did not believe in the Orthodox Church, and were .content to describe themselves as Christians—those who sought in daily life to carry out the teaching of Christ. In another case exemption was granted for. 12 months to a boy whose father has a dairy farm and a milk run. Tha father explained his circumstances, and said he simply could not afford to pay a man to let his boy off for military training, but he was loftily assured by the Magistrate that the Courtcould do anything, and that his son would have to drill next year. ' The Dead and Missing Letter Branch of the Post and Telegraph Department is always able to supply an exceptionally interesting portion of the Department's annual report. In the report for the year 1921, it is recorded that tho proportion of dead or unclaimed letters, letter-cards, and post-cards to' the total number delivered within the Dominion was 0.44 per cent. As many as 226,076 letters registered letters) were opened and returned to writers through the-Dead Letter Office; 38,385 were returned unopened to other countries; 80 were re-is6ued; 57,009 . were destroyed; 253,776 were returned by chief postmasters to senders within New Zealand; 40,528 were returned by chief postmasters to other countries; a total of 595,854, compared with 700,455 in 1920. Eight thousand and twenty-one other articles were returned to foreign countries; 2525 were returned to the senders through the Dead Letter Office, and 103,552 by chief postmasters; 27,----813 were returned by chief postmasters to other countries; a total of 141,911 articles, compared with 153.328 in 1920. There were 5413 letters and 3294 lettercards posted without addressee ; 17,400 letters were wrongly addressed; '. 114 letters boro libellous addresses, and were intercepted; 32 letters were discovered to bear previously used stamps; and 9204 Teirislered letters wero unclaimed. Three thousand six hundred and twelve newsDapcrs and 3408 books ;md other articles were 'Vercived without addresses. Jinny of these were subsequently applied for and delivered. Altogether 24.950 newspapers were returned to publishers. Tliert were 5507 inquiries made durinc; 1921 for postal packets nlioigecl to have been posted find not delivered. In 3166 of the inquiries— moril thai) half of the total number— the investigations mv.de by the Depart; men I resulted in tho missing articles bciug traced or accounted for.

The Westpoit Borough Council elected under propbrtiong.l representation, resolved last night on a majority vote to revert to the "first -past the post" system for the election for both Borough Council and the Hospital Board. There are '43 accounts in the Post Office Savings Bank exceeding £5000. Nineteen of these accounts are in Auckland, and 10 in Wellington. Of the smaller accounts, 84,195 in Auckland do not exceed £20, and there are 90,----936 such accounts in Wellington. The annual debate between the Christchurch and Wellington Accountant Students' Societies will be held this year in Wellington to-morrow evening in Accountants' Chambers. The subject of tho debate is, "That the establishment of a State Bank is in the best interests of the Dominion." The Weilington society will take the affirmative and Christchurch the negative. "Ther« is the matter of old age pensions," .said Mr. Sastri, addressing his counts-men ip Auckland on Monday "When in Wellington'l broughl this under the notice of the Government, and when you get old—that will;not be for some considerablj time to come, I should imagine—you may get the benefit oi' that Act. (Loud applause.) I ha>ve been received everywhere, not a« a black man, not on my face value, not on my appearance, but as a white man, internally and externally," he concluded. "From the hospitality and courtesy I have received everywhere, marks of consideration from both officials and the general public, I have come to the only conclusion that it is possible to arrive at, my mission has found a sympathetic people. (Applause.) I think I can assure you that before many months are past, most of what I have asked will be granted." (Loud applause.) Suggestions for the establishment of woollen mills in Masterton were discussed by the Masterton Chamber o! Commerce on Tuesday. ■ The chairman stated that several business .' men had agreed ,to pu> as much as £500 each into the venture, and a total of froir £6000 to £7000 had been promised. The Wellington Farmers' Meat Company had imported the machinery for a woollen, mill some time ago, and was prepared to sell it, and, if a local concern were started, was, prepared to discuss taking up shares. Anything from £70,000 to £100,000 capital woul<? bi required. After discussion, a committee- consisting of Messrs. C. E. Daniell, J. Caselberg, H. P Hugo, .W. S. L. Dixon, H..F. Pither, and Dr. G; H. Scholefield, with ! power to add to -their number, was ap- : pointed to gather all possible information for a future meeting. "I have. been, inundated with inquiries from youths, women, and men for membership to tho newly-formed Amateur Badiofone Broadcasting Association in Dunedin," stated Mr. D. G. Mitchell, the hon. secretary, to an Otago Daily Times reporter. "I have close on 100 names of intending members, and that should swell considerably as the days go on. Our next .meeting will decide wh'ethei we will be able tojbroadcast on a large m minor scale. In regard to the cost of an installation, he stated that persons mechanically inclined should be able to make the apparatus themselves (excepting the telephone receivers) for a small cost, while the price of a crystal set, sensitive enough to hear the radiofone, would cost in the proximity of £6. "Valve reception, of course, was ahead of anything else, but they should keep to the simpler apparatus first. As time went on the valve would automatically take its place. Valve recepl tion to a beginner was sometimes a very , expensive luxury, as a slight touch sf the thumb over and above the happy medium might mean a cost of over £2. The com- , mittee was having a strenuous time, bnfc the success of the society was now assured. Lecturing on "Earthquake* and Volcanoes" at Auckland, Professor V. W. Burbidge described the earth as a cooling globe, -with a solid crust about 30 miles in thickness, gradually becoming more plastic. The whole earth' crust -was pulled by gravity toward? the centre, he said, -and at a depth of 40 * miles tho pressure wa? estimated to be 150 tons to the square inch. Th cooling of the earth also caused shrinkage, which teud.«d Us open the outside and crinkle up the inside in the same way that a rubber eraser cracked and split when bent. This I meant great strains in the crust of the earth, which had been pushed up to ! form mountain ranges. Deposit* of 1 rivers loaded the crust with shelves of sediment, which had been found in some cases to be 30,000 feet deep. This enormous weight bent the crust in time and caused faults or breaks in the earth In Marlborough such a fault extended for 90 miles, and in other parts of New Zealand these breaks were clearly discernible. In the Califomian earthquake of 1906 a break occurred along 270 miles of the earth's surface, the two sides of the crack moving Bft to 15ft horizontally. The crust for tour and five miles on either side of the fault alsf moved. Earthquakes the lecturer described as the shaking of the ground resulting from a movement of part of tha earth's crust, the shock travelling alpng the earth like sound along a. wire, in waves. Earth- , quakes, he said, could be prophesied by measuring the tilt of the earth's crust. In the thermal district Irom Ruapehu to Whitt Island there was great n««d for j constant observation of volcanic data and recording of subterranean activity. Lawyers in India are apparently no less subtle in, finding convenient exit* from a difficult position than ■ their brothers in other parts of the world, according to'Mr. Srinivasa Sastri's account of how they contrived to support the non-co-operators without loss to themselves (reports thft New Zealand Herald). The Court pleaders professed the utmost enthusiasm for Gandhi's doctrinos, but' when he wished them to throw the machinery of justice, out of gear by withdrawing from the Courts they would only promise not to accept fresh briefs, but declared they nrast proceed with tho cases already in hand. Ac these would 'provide the lawyers with work for .two years ahead, their sacrifice in the cause of Gandhi was a mere profession, said Mr. Sastri, ac they knew that by the end <of'that time the non-co-operative movement would probably be dead. So Gandhi's thrust at She law Courts was foiled. Member? of the Rotary Club obviously enjoyed Mr. Sastri's story against representatives of the law in, their midst. Kirkcaidie's Sale goes with a swing! Our genuine savings appeal to the most critical buyers, as we know they must; If' you have not yet made, first hand acquaintance with these bargains, then you have lost two valuable days! Can you call to-morrow ?—-Kirkcaldie and "Stains, Ltd.—Advl. Mr. A. W. Martin, Rupture Specialist and Sole Controller of the Dr. Sherman. Method of Treatment, will bring his seventeenth visit to Wellington to a close at the Hotel Cecil on Saturday, the 29th, at 3 p.m., and will leave for Auckland. Xo cases will be taken after the hour mentioned.—Advt. „ .. Great value in socks at Fowlds's Winter Sale. See all-wool English warstud i!s lid.or two for sb. All-wool Wolsey worsted 3s 9d.—Advt. Tho better times campaigners favour all housewives singing "Home, Sweet' Home," etc., while No-Rubbing Launday Help is doing the weekly washing. J. "Gestro.—Ad-vt. Every, cough strains the delicate membranes of the throat and lungs. Get Bonnington's Irish Moss—it will soothe. Vhe irritation, stop the cough and en» sure relief.. Is 6d aw* *5 6A.—^Ms*.