LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The work of renewing the tram tracks in Willis street has been hindered somewhat by the aantinued spell of wet weather, but the contract is expected to be finished by Monday next. The tearing up of the old line has necessitated the throwing of traffic on to the Customhouse quay line, and it is anticipated that the tramway returns for the past three weeks will show a considerable decline in revenue. Shopkeepers in Willis street will welcome the completion of the work, for they complain that business has become very slack since the work began.

"I do not think Wellington believes in hygiene," stated Dr, Line, at the annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association on Tuesday. He said!,: "Count the number of windows with the blinds down, and think how much sunlight they like. Count the number of windows that are closed as against the number that are open, and pd?e the amount of fresh air that they like." He mentioned some of the streets that he often passed through, and expressed the opinion that it mieht be a good thing if Wellington had a "Fire of London," and the whole of the present area was wiped out between Kent terrace and Willis street.

Appreciation of Soccer football and of the services of the local committee was contained in a, letter received from Brother Louis at last night's meeting of the Wellington. Football Association. The letter read; "I am leaving New Zealand for a trip Home, but I would not go away without expressing my sincere thanks to you for the constant interest you have taken in providing good, clean sport for the pupils of the Marist Brothers' Schools. The game has been an item of very valuable importance in helping us to make men of our boys. I certainly owe you a great debt of gratitude. I desire, also, to thank the members of your committee who have assisted you in promoting the game."

"I cannot say whether we are following our pioneers as worthily in that direction as we might do," said the Gov-ernor-General (Lord Jellicoe), speaking at the celebrations in honour of the 80th anniversary of the foundation of Presbyterianism in Auckland. "I hope it is so, but lam not sure. (Laughter.), There is room in this Dominion for a' revival of religious sentiment, and if we follow in the footsteps of those early pioneers, developing courage, self-sacri-fice, and self-reliance, not only this Dominion . but the whole of the British Empire will be better for it."

With a long and varied list of 126 previous convictions, Bartholomew Mahoney, 49 years of age, appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, on charges of drunkenness and committing a breach of his prohibition "order. In each case, a fine of £1, in default seven daya' imprisonment, was imposed, the being ordered to find the money immediately.

In the course of his presidential address to the Otago Institute on the subject of nutrition, Dr. Malcolm had occasion to describe an interesting experiment on the growth of wool carried out in Germany during- the war time, states the "Otago Daily Times." It was now known that cystin, which is one of the aniino acids found in protein, is an important constituent of hair and wool. During the war it was found that the ■wool of German sheep was becoming im-' poverished, and a Berlin professor known to Dr. Malcolm conceived the idea that if cystin could be added to the_ diet of those sheep their wool would improve. Cystin is abundantly present in hair and_ hoofs and hides, and the professor devised an experiment by which it could be separated from this refuse. A group of sheep were then taken under observation and half of them supplied with cystin in their diet. A marked superiority was found in the growth of their wool. Dr. Malcolm said he hardly thought i twould be worth while to try the experiment in New Zealand and start boiling up old hoofs and hides, because for one thing it might not be necessary. Mr. VV. A. Waters, engineer to the Matlawatu-Oroua Power Board, who has been on a visit to Australia in connection with the supply of hardwood transmission poles to hi? board, hag returned to Palmerston North. Interviewed by a " Standard " reporter, Mr. Waters gave some details of what he had observed in regard to the supply of poles in the Commonwealth. '4The New South Wales State Forestry officials admit that the board is getting the test poles exported to New Zealand for many years," said Mr. Waters. " During my tour of tha coastal bush districts from which they are obtained, I saw 1000 cut poles, and observed the cutters at work. The contractors have had some trouble in getting these men to remove the sap as required in the specifications, and they appear to have had more the idea that what was needed was a dressed pole. That misapprehension has now been remove*, and at one of the depots where there were 200 poles stacked for insection there was a constant stream of cutters coming in to examine them, and thus get an idea of what was wanted. They have now found out what a large tree is needed to supply the stripped heart wood pole which we are securing." There was comment by the State Forestry officials that, did the demand for ironbark poles from New Zealand and elsewhere continue to be so great, it would mean that some other timber thaD ironbark would have to be utilised, as the supply was not by any means inexhaustible."

''As I already told some of your leading politicians in New Zealand, you are perishing for want of population, and if you can't get the right sort of emigrants from Home, then you will have to open your doors to Scandinavians, Swiss, and Dutch," said Mr. Julian Grande, th« well-known English journalist, before leaving Auckland by the Niagara. "They would make excellent settlers, and the next generation would become faithful members of the British Empire." At present, continued Mr. Grande, you in New Zealand, like other countries in the world, are suffering from the aftermath of the war, and you have still laws on your Statute Book which a-re a disgrace to New Zealand. "What are they?" asked an Auckland "Star" reporter. "Well," replied Mr. Grande, "you are anxious to get tourists to New Zealand, but if an American citizen or an Italian, Swiss,' or any. other citizen who is not a British subject lands 'here he has to report himself to the nearest police station within fifteen days after his landing, and if he wants to leave Auckland after fifteen days and go to Wellington, the moment he arrives in Wellington he has to report himself to the nearest "station there, and if he goes to Christchurch he has to do the same there. So that if he visits a dozen places within a fortnight in New Zealand he has to report himself twelve times. I am quite sure that whoever was responsible for this law must hays read up the old Russian law and adapted it to New Zealand. I am sure the public are not aware of this monstrous regulation. I don't see why an American citizen, or any other citizen, for that matter, should be treated in such an unfriendly manner. Possibly some of the gentlemen of youv Government whom I met will resent my criticism, but I am not doing it as an unfriendly act towards New Zealand. On the contrary, I boliovo I am rendering a oervio» to the country/-! ,

The jury emnanelled to hear evidence in regard to the charge of indecent assault preferred against an old man named William Nott Gooday, who appealed yesterday at the Supreme Court, failed to agree, and a new trial, to take place after the Cooper trial, was ordered by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout).

Reserved decision was given by Mr. Justice Reed to-day dismissing a summons for an order in respect of a partnership. The parties were John David Todd, plaintiff, and Frederick William Percival, Frederick William House, James Innes, ilary Lucy Fitzberbert, and Joseph Masters Clark, defendants. The order, which it was asked to amend, adjudged that a partnership between the parties in respect of certain land should be dissolved, and that one Silk should be appointed receiver, with the power to sell the partnership property by public auction.

The subject of land values in New Zealand was Briefly mentioned by Sir Thomas Clement,, of Tooley street, London, in the course of an interview at Auckland. Sir Thomas, who has been investigating farming conditions in the Dominion for some weeks, is an authority ou dairy farming as well as on the commercial side of the industry. "I cannot say anything about the land values in this country," he said. "I have no basis of comparison on which to value land that will grow hedges and shelter belts so rapidly as they are grown here." Only by the manner in which the remark was made could one gather that the speaker thought highly of the fartility of the soil that could give results such as. he had observed during his tour.

The Vancouver correspondent 01 the Christcjiurch " Press," writing under date of 13th April, states: " Admirers of the laudaible endeavours of the Hon. ! G. J. Anderson, Minister in Charge of Publicity of the New Zealand Government, to make New Zealand better known abroad may be interested to learn that the preaching of the gospel of New Zealand is attaining remarkable strides in various parts of Canada, not only in British Columbia, where New Zealand dairy products have obtained a wide vogue, but more particularly in Eastern Canada, notably in the, Province of Ontario. It is already known that Eastern Canadian dairymen have for several months been exhaustively inquiring into the successful methods pursued by their competitors in New Zealand, and have been battling valiantliy to stem the extraordinary demand for New ZeaTfeffd butter in Ontario and Quebec, a demand which has made great inroads into the domestic butter sales, but now New Zealand has attracted further attention in the big North American British Dominion by reason of the educational system adopted by New Zealand."

"There is always the, danger of fire through vagrants sleeping in sheds," said Senior-Sergeant Lander at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when James Robertson, alias Peter Burns, alias Johnston, and John Holmes, two middleaged labourers, appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., to show cause why they should not be deemed rogues and vagabonds. "They were found about midnight," continued the Senior Sergeant, "in a shed in the Kaiwarra railway yard. Kobertson had in his possession the sum of 2s, while Holmes's effects included l|d in cash." Both menhave long 'lists,' and Kobertson has just come out of gaol. The accused maintained that they had "their swags up" and had gone to the shed out of the "rain. They had only been in town about a week, and were returning to work in the country. The Magistrate decided to give them another chance, "but," he added, "if you don't leave the town immediately, you will be brought up again and sentenced to imprisonment." Convictions were accordingly entered, and the defendants were ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

Satisfactory progress -with the arrangements being made for Welcome Week, when various attractions will be provided with the object of boosting Wellington, was reported at a meeting of the General Committee last evening. The sub-committee, set up to make sectional arrangements are now at work, and much has already been done in the matter of outdoor entertainments. The Miramar Golf Club is arranging to put on an open golf tournament during Welcome Week. The Rugby Union will provide suitable football fixtures, besides which there will be the usual shield fixtures. These, with the race meeting, will proyide a full week of outdoor sport. Arrangements have been made for deciding the lightweight boxing championship of New Zealand during Welcome Week, and the Wellington and provincial billiard tournament will also be held. The Town Hall will be kept going for a week with various entertainments, and, if possible, one of the theatres will also be engaged. The Outside Entertainments Committea has arrangements for shop displays, band entertainments, and other matters well in hand. The committee desired that an industrial exhibition and motor show should be held during Welcome Week, but two obstacles—shortness of time available and want of a suitable buildifig—may prove insurmountable this year. An art union is to be held with a view to putting the association on a financial basis. In the meantime the committee is asking firms and individuals to guarantee a certain amount to carry on, and is meeting with a ready response. The committee is satisfied with the. prospects for a successful Welcome Week.

An ex-inmate of the Auckland Mental Hospital, posing as a warder from the institution in search of an escapee, created no little alarm at Epsom one evening last week. He called at several houses in Edgerley avenue and informed the occupants of his mission, while in one case where a woman was alone he obligingly searched the house for her, carefully .looking under <he beds and locking the windows. Never suspecting that the well-dressed visitor, whose age is about 30, was not genuine, several residents volunteered to assist in the search. They were made particularly anxious by the assertion that the escapee was William Anderson, who was charged with murdering a farmer at Tokorima in October, 1920, and being found not guilty on the ground of insanity was ordered to be detained during the pleasure of the Minister of Justice. For two or 'three hours, until about 11.30 p.m., likely hiding-places were explored, and then the residents, one by one, retired to their homas, leaving the "warder" to carry on the search alone. Next morning the Newmarket police were surprised to receive an inquiry from them as to whether the escapee had been recaptured, and they were still further puzzled when the mental hospital authorities d«siied that anyone had escaped, states the "New Zealand Herald." Meanwhile it was reported to the police that a motorist hud discovered a man lying prostrate in the middle of Manukau road at midnight, the .story told by the man being that he was knocked down and run over by a motor-car which did not stop. Constable Powe! decided to visit the hospital, and he found that the patient, who was declared by the doctors to have sustained no injuries at all, was identical with the energetic "warder." As a sequel the man is now again in the mental hospital, from which he was discharged in February.

Mr. Carman M. Croft, Assistant Canadian Government Trade Commissioner, who has been in Wellington for two or three days, returned to Auckland to-day.

"Getting money from the Government is rather like getting a seat on a traiucar," said Mrs. G. L. Stewart at the meeting of parents of pupils of the Girls' High School last evening. "You hays to be on the footboardi to get it. Mr. Massey has spoken of a surplus this year. The Board of Governors of tl-# College should bfc the first upon his doorstep while his coffers are, still full."

A young man, Edward G. Barker, was charged at the Police Court, Invercargill, yesterday, with escaping from the Roto Roa Inebriates' Home and was remanded to Auckland. Accused was stated to be a "dope" subject, and when arrested on a steamer had drug appliances with him. Counsel alleged that the conditions existing at Roto Roa were disgraceful. There was no censorship of letters, and the inmates received drugs and hypodermic syringes through the post. Accused had been sent to Roto Roa to get away from drugs, but was worse than ever.

A correspondent, "Karaka," writes to "The Post" complaining about "the disgusting, possibly dangerous, nuisance of liberation of sewage gas at Seatoun." Passing through Hector street at 5.30 the other evening, he was offended .by an unbearable stench from a man-hole. He states that there are "belchings" of this sewer gas on the Karaka Bay road, at the town end of the Seatoun tunnel, and in other places, and he suggests that the gases could be carried off, as in the city, by high standard ventilators. From inquiries made from the Corporation drainage officers, it seems probable that the nuisance has been caused through the recent heavy weather, which has placed a big burden on the sewage system. The authorities are investigating the matter.

Frederick Marryatt, . against whom there were six charges of theft, as a servant, of eums totalling £58 11s 2d, appeared before the Chief Justice' (Sir Robert Stout) at the Supreme Court to-day. When asked to plead, he admitted guilt in respect of three of the charges, but pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges. This plea was accepted by the Crown, and the prisoner was remanded for sentence until, Saturday. Marryatt, who was represented by Mr. H. F. O'Leary, formerly occupied the position of manager of the Weraroa State Farm.

"One tiling I want to warn you about," said Mr. G. Mitchell to parents of pupils of the Girls' 'College last evening, "that is that this confounded business of erecting temporary buildings at the present college simply serves to delay the building of the new college by so many more months." And some one added: "And a further waste of money." (When the present college was built, continued Mr. Mitchell, it provided adequate accommodation, but Wellington had grown since that day, and would grow much more in the.fucura. At the present rate the population was increasing at between thirty and thirty-five thousand _;er year, and that would mean that in twenty years the population would be doubled. Thosa responsible for education simply must look forward.

_ There were several members of Parliament present at the meeting of parents of pupils of the Wellington Girls' College last evening, and to them the Mayor (Mr. B A. Wright, M.P.) delivered a short address—he admitted that he was speaking particularly to them— on education estimates for the future. Year by year, h* maintained, provision would have to be made for the educating of a continually increasing number of children; as the population, grew so mu6t the vote for education. There Was another point; that in the past boys and girls left school at the age of thirteen or fourteen, but each year more and more of them were taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy- a secondary education. There was no other way. out of it ; Mi 1. 'Wright held; the vote must be increased.

"I will not say that the claims of education come before all other claims," said Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., at the meeting of parents; of pupils of the Girls' Oolkg"e in the Chamber of Commerce last evening, "for I believe that the housing question is more pressing end more tragical, for even the best education may become as rough if housing conditions are bad, but this much I do Lulieye, that in educational mattei-s the claims «>f the Wellington Girls' College come first." The problem of providing n.ore and more accommodation at secondary schools would recur again and again, but at least an effort^ should be r.'ade to look forward as far as. possible. In the future the requirements would increase at a much greater rate than they liad in the past for the reason that the time would come . when every child would receive the benefits of secondary education.

An innovation that is bound to win the appreciation of all travellers by the Union Steam Ship Company's oceangoing vessels is the daily publication of "The Wireless News," the first issue of which made its appearance on the Niagara last Friday on the voyage to Auckland (remarks the "Herald"). Passengers arriving by that vessel said.the first two numbers were a great success. The fact that the paper, price threepence, was delivered by the steward with the morning cup of tea, added to its .popularity. The publication con-, tains news from various parts of the \ world, transmitted from the Pennant Hills station, New South AYales, by the Wireless Press, Sydney. After the vessels pass beyond reach of the Sydney station news will be broadcasted from American stations, so that passengers will be kept informed of world happenings throughout the voyage. So far as could be ascertained, no arrangement has been arrived at with the New Zealand Government for the transmission of news from Awanui Station, so that it is not surprising that the only item of news from the Dominion which appeared in the Niagara's latest isßue was that a member of the "Peep Show" Company had burnt her arm and chest through an electric wire fusion. The paper consists of eight pages, six of them containing advertisements, and two contained news items which are cyclostyled daily aboard the mail boat by the wireless operator. On the outward" journey the paper will contain Suva, Honolulu, and Canadian advertisements, and New Zealand and Australian on the return trip. The publication ofV'The Wireless News" breaks new ground so . far as New Zealand and Australian vessels are concerned, but it is an established practice on the large liners running between America and England, and also on the Oceanic Company's steamers running to Australia.

In a Lamb ton quay window Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., are showing the very highest grade velour hats, in fashionable colours and black. Specially priced, 69s 6d, 755, 79s 6d. Make a point of seeing these.—Advt.

Comfort at the fireside. See our men's leather Albert Slippers, veldt sewn, in black or grey, 10s 9d; Felt Slippers, leather soles, 5s lid, 7s 6d, 8s lid. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners street.—Advt.

Grocers, kindly oblige by forwarding us your orders early for No-rubbing Laundry Help, Keep Smiling Floor Polish, and Golden Rule Candles to facilitate prompt delivery. A. Hatrick and Co., .Ltd., wholesale distributors.—Advt. Public speakers and singers praise the soothing and healing influences of Bonnington's Irish Moss. Quick' relief from, coughs, colds, and inflamed bronchial tubes. Is 6d, 2s 6d everywhere. Always ask for Bonnington's.—Advt.