LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 33, 8 August 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

* Jl, ? Uml? el;, of T volumes in the Alexh£ t V 11'" Ul Libl'a O" that has been ckaified, numbered, and placed on the 20I0T T,at Mardl !ast > w" «■»«? witl?P v le,^ hole of th«v voiulu <* deal yith Pacific literature, including Australia and New Zealand., but the Ws in Moor and m the dialects of the Pacific -mos ly small books and numbering W Z, t ? ds-have »ot J^t been cata^ logued. It is estimated that four hundred new books have been added coms nei:rt ications ' °r °w °««^t &fnt^&ur G^ made possible by the'e.aminatTon o many Continental catalogues, besides the r?{° M f B!f« h <*»* «*e!ved. The great hulk of the. additions comprise .w6r& on the history, anthropology '"'etc' at 0 ' r ludi "S Au«*' »*fc th««i ?''■ a • a? e Works in literature, these being principally additions to sets thf?" Ky r 6 .lat?.^ rX TVnbull, such as (rtT»\ CiasS <?' *e'ChMnplein Society (Canada) publications, Hakluyt Society publications Navy Records Society publications. Advantagi was taken of a local sale to add some forty books on Shakespeare and drama to the dramatic section and early editions of Masefield and others to the modern-poetry section. <LTh£ I)efence Committee reported to the House of Representatives yesterday tnat it had no recommendation to make in respect of the petition of Christian Kienle, of Epsom, who sought compensation for alleged wrongs suffered through Ins internment during the war

At the 30th April, 1923, there were aoil- names on the Dominion Register of Aliens, as compared with 8984 twelve months ago. The principal nationalioqiV^t6^ were:—Nationals of China 2916; United States, 835; Jugo-Slavm 673; Germany, 729; Denmark, 579; Sweden, 446; Norway, 394; Italy 284Switzerland, 268; France, 203; Finland 165; Syria, 155; Poland, 131; Russia,

. Reporting to the House of Representatives yesterday, the Defence Committee stated that it had no recommendation to make in regard to the petition of Ralph Montgomery, of Durban, who as a native of New Zealand, asked for relief in connection with his services with the South African Forces durin°- the war. A similar report was tabled on the petition of Leo Sim. of Mangaweka, who desired payment of an amount alleged to havo been short-paid for his military services.

That waterside workers and seamen should have representation on harbour boards was urged by Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) in the House of Representatives yesterday. He did not know what amendments'had been made to the Harbours Bill by the Committee winch had considered it, but he did hope that something on the lines he suggested would be done. Certain property interests were represented On harbour boards, and it was equally as important that the maritime* workers, whose lives were often at stake, should* have representation also.

_ A series of experiments have been carried put on sea-water, by officials of the Dominion Museum, with a view to throwing light on the distribution of fishes along the coast. Samples have been collected from Wellington Harbour, Hutt River, Cook Strait, and Lyttelto.i Harbour. Tides, temperature, etc., have been recorded, and water tested for specific gravity, salinity, refractive index, total organic content, total inorganic content,. and various elements. It has not been possible to enter upon much new work in research. Knowledge can only be obtained on the fishing grounds, and for reasons of economy the expenditure which would be entailed could not be authorised. A work has been commenced on specific gravity of food fishes. It is hoped that it may be possible to correlate data so obtained with experiments on sea-water.

Tlie secretary of the Wellington Bed Cross Society, Mr. M. Galloway, intimated to the Peace Committee at its recent meeting that he had received correspondence from the New Zealand Council of the European Student Relief stating that an effort to collect clothing had been launched, and asking for the co-operation of the committee in the matter. This was agreed to. Later, at the same meeting, a letter was received from the New Zealand representative of Shaw, Savill, and .Albion Co., stating that the request to convey clothing received on beahlf of European student relief to England had been agreed to. Ti.o Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs also wrote intimating that his Department, under existing circumstances, could not agree to go.xls received on behalf of European student relief being carried frqe on the railways in the Dominion* " ',

The Postal authorities have recceived advice from Vancouver that the R.M.S. Niagara, which left Vancouver on the 3rd instant for Auckland, has on board for New Zealand 828 bags of mail.

An application by the Wellington Cricket League for the use of Athletic Park during the coming season was made to the Wellington Eugby Union's Management Committee last evening. It was decided to reply pointing out that at the present time the union could not see any prospect of letting the ground for cricket during the coming summer season.

During the year ended 31st March, 1923, 1805 cinematograph pictures, of a total length of 4.416,940 feet, were censored in New Zealand. Of these 42 were rejected and 115 were passed, subject to excisions. Four appeals were heard during the year by the Board of Appeal set up in accordance with the regulations made under the authority of the Act; three were disallowed, and one was allowed subject to an excision.

After having given consideration to the request for the use of 'Athletic Park in March next for a military tournament and carnival, the Wellington Rugby Union s Management Committee decided last evening that it could not see its way to grant the use of the park for the purpose. One member expressed the opinion that Newtown Park would be a more suitable ground for the carnival.

Owing to the majority of land agents' licenses not being issued until after the close of the financial year, states the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs, only 151 licenses were issued and eleven transfers were granted, as compared-with 1215 licenses and ten transfers during the previous year. In order to bring licenses into conformity with the new land agents' year provided in the Land Agents Act, 1921-22. provision was made to extend the existing licenses to the 31st March last, and 966 licenses were extended under this authority. The sum of £8376 was derived from fees under the Act. One land agent defaulted in connection with certain transactions, and the guarantors were called upon to satisfy the bond given on his behalf to the extent of the defalcations. From this amount the person who suffered from, the defalcations was reimbursed.

.Reference to the finances of the Tongariro National Park Board are contained in the annual report of the board, presented to Parliament yesterday. "During the period the park was under the control of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department," says the report, "an annual sum appeared on the estimates of the Department for administration expenses, and it is hoped that the Government may see its way to contribute a similar amount in the future for trie board's expenses. Beyond such subsidy the board has no funds for current expenses other than the receipts from fees payable by visitors to the park for camp accommodation, etc., so that the strictest economy requires to be exercised in all directions at the present time. It is. however, hoped that with the gradual development of the park, and the provision of better accommodation, fees from visitors will be largely augmented, and that at no distant date "the board's finances may be on a thoroughly satisfactory footing."

An interesting lecture on "Chemical Control in the Milk Industry was given at a well-attended meeting of the chemical^ section- of; the- Wellington Philosophical Society at' Victoria College onMonday, by Mr. L..Andrew, of the Dominion Laboratory. The speaker dealt chiefly with the laboratory methods of keeping check on the purity and quality of the milk ueed for city distribution, and stressed the importance- of keeping a rigid control of the supplies of mills coming into a city such as Wellington. His address was illustrated by a number of experiments, showing the various tests applied for different substances, ona of the most interesting of these being the freezing-point test by means of which adulteration of milk can be very easily discovered. Mr. Andrew showed that the sanitary side of the question was very important, and that it was necessary to keep up a fair standard of cleanliness. Perhaps the best way of doing this was to pa-v the farmers a little more if the milk was clean and a little less for dirty milk.

"It is usual in cases of this sort for a term of imprisonment to be imposed, but I will take the course recommended by the Probation Officer in this particular instance," said Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when a young man named Andrew Simpson appeared on a charge of failing to comply with the terms of his release on probation. Mr. S. Mather, on behalf of tho accused, said his client was now well established in business as a poster artist, and to send him to prison would be to make him lose any chance he had of making good. He had not reported regularly, because on each occasion he had to pay 10s by way of restitution, and he did not, have the money to spare. In accordance with the suggestion of Mr. Mills, the Probation Officer, the accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. The Magistrate remarked that he must observe all the conditions of his release or he would be brought up and sentenced on the present charge.

The fruit cargo which arrived at Auckland from Cook Islands on Wednesday by the Union Company's steamship Flora has proved very disappointing. The vessel brought about 13,000 cases of oranges, about -4000 cases of tomatoes, and about 1000 cases of bananas. The fruit was loaded at Aitutaki, Maugaia, and -Rarolonga. The Rurotonga consignment of oranges is reported to be about 25 per cent, bad, that from Aitutaki about 40 per cent., and the Mangaia ones about 50 per cent. The tomatoes, too, have also landed in poor order (states the "A Tow Zealand Herald"). The bananas were shipped at Rarotonga, the last loading port. They are in very fair order, and have carried well. It is estimated that about 4000 cases of the Flora's oranges will go to the/destructor, which will mean a loss of at least £3000. The practice of splitting fruit case battens, which saves no more than 3d a case, is responsible for much damage to fruit, the thin timber being so pliable that the contents of the cases are bruised.

"I was much interested," writes a prominent English engineer, in reply to a. Wellington correspondent, "in your account of the hydro developments in your country, but somebody is certainly going to burn his fingers. Such developments are wholly admirable, but what ore you going to use the 'juice' for in New Zealand? You cannot produce anything for export against products of similar installations in Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, etc., which are likely to be carried out more cheaply and have large markets to hand. Such schemes are almost all of slow development. Look at the number of years ago since Niagara was first utilised. Only a few days ago I passed the first great scheme in this country on Snowdon. It was put down, at legist twenty years ago on exceptionally cheap lines, and it is only quite recently that it lias bean worked up to full capacity. In all things of this kind you must have a market before you put down your capital, if you are going to avoid losing money." The answer would be that in existing schemes and those rontemphited in. the Dominion ihe marketis assured.

Tho largo number of New Zealanders now resident in Sydney-a number that is increasing—has given rise to the idea of forming a New Zealand Club Preliminary steps in this direction hav o already been taken.

The chairman of the Red Cross Peacft Committee Mr. M. Munt? stated at a recent meeting that the special, committee set up in connection with the appointing of a new director, .had, from a numHnrfonaPPf C Aatl°, nf' selected Dr- Claude Horton, of Auckland. This gentleman w*s considered suitable in every way Z*™ w I6\ The con™iHee ratified the appointment.

ustd iif y rt eUDnJ?tal a Perture-shoe, to be used i, connection with the propellor ?hfefpilel\repairs^einff out on JZ a ri ste?met Cobar, to increase her Messr pV?* b6en Col"Pleted by eETX .^^on and Co., Ltd., engineers of this oty. The shoe, which has been made to the order o f the Eastof the brassfomiders' art, and some idea that i fJ™ J? 9 Sathere<i tarn the fact, that it required a ton of bronze to cast £";, ; P?, bar ls undergoing an extensive and thorough overhaul bV-MeSEie d!fmH and f C?u' v,ho'have the fitting of the shoe in hand. That they became drunk at a party and missed their vessel was the excuse offered by two seamen. Leslie John Parkinson and William Joseph Crew who were charged at the Magistrate's Co»rt to-day, before- Mr. E. Page, S.M., with deserting from the steamer Arawa The evidence.showed that in all five' men had absconded, but the accused were the only ones who as yet liad been apprehended They had taken their effects off the boat on the Friday evening, and the Arawa had sailed at 5.15 p.m. on tho following day. The scheduled time of departure was 4 p.m., so they thus hand one and a quarter hours' grace. Mr. H. E. Evans, on behalf of the Shaw Savill and Albion Company, pressed for the imposition of a substantial penalty, and each defendant was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment.

When a letter from the Bureau for Municipal Research, Tokio, Jupan stating that new plans of the City of Tokio are being made and asking to bo supplied with some maps of the City of Lhistchurch, came before' the Cliristchurch City Council on Monday night Councillor W. E. Leadley moved that the maps be sent subject to the approvalof the Minister of Defence. The Jlavur:' "The Minister of Defence?" Councillor Leadley: "Yes, I don't think we shouldsend any maps to other countries without the approval of the Minister of Defence. ' The Mayor: "Why, these maps can be bought anywhere in the city." Councillor Leadley said he wished" to move his motion. "I'll second it." said Councillor W. H. Winsor. Councillor J. K. Archer said that he thought the council 6hpuld regard ii as a compliment to receive such a request (reports tin; "Lyttelton Times"). Councillor . Leadley's motion was defeated on the voices. and it was agreed to supply the maps without any restrictions.

On seven charges of" obtaining money by means of valueless cheques and three counts of forging cheques, a young man named Montague Henry- Pennycuick appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day. The total amount involved was £35 12s 6d. aiid Petone, Wellington,, and Palmerstou North were the districts in which the accused had operated. In statements to Detective Walker,'the accused liad admitted his guilt. According to Chief Detective Kemp, the accused had never been convicted for dishonesty, but seemed to have a mania for issuing valueless cheques. He had ben to gaol for this class of offence in 1920, and had been sentenced to two years' imprisonment again in 1921. He did not associate with bad characters, and appeared to be fairly clea.n living. The accused maintained that he had been unable to obtain constant employment and had, after sleeping out for several nights, resorted to this means of obtaining money. On the summary charges, a maximum sentence of twelve months' imprisonment was imposed, while the accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on the other counts.

"The police say he is a gentlemanly loafer," was Mr. justice Herdman's comment when Mr. Blakey, at the Auckland Supreme Court on Tuesday, was attempting to mitigate the crime of which Arthur. Troueon had been found guilty, namely, five charges of false pretences. Counsel read testimonials from Rev. Grant Cowen and another gentleman in favour of accused, but his Honour commented that the first-named must have been deceived, as accused's record was very bad indeed. He had been convicted twice before in connection with false -pretences. In the present case accused had obtained £12 odd from a waitress, £4 odd from another young woman, and £305 from another. His Honour added that in his opinion .accused entered on a campaign of deceit. He proposed marriage to at least one of these women, and made love to them all. On the strength of this he obtained money from them. "I have read some of the letters you wrote. -How they could be taken in,by such trash I cannot understand. You stand in the dock a confessed sharper and scamp." The plausible one was sentenced to; throe years' imprisonment. •

"A very important meeting ot the Auckland War Memorial Committee will be held this week," said the chairman, Mr. J. H. Grunson, on Tuesday. He added hat the treasurer would then report as to the amount subscribed to date, and the question of the final public ap--peal would be determined. This will probably take place some time in October. The preparation of the plans in accordance with the winning design is well in hand by the architects, and it is expected that the Citizens' Committee will be in a position to call for tenders for the work towards the end of the year. As soon as the plans are completed they will be publicly exhibited. "There is little doubt," said Mr. Gunson, "that by this time next year the building will have been actually" started, as five or six months should be sufficient, time for the tenders to be out. The competition which produced the winning design was, it will be recalled, a most successful one, and the plans, as they ara now being developed by the architects, promise to furnish Auckland with a, war memorial of outstanding significance. To complete the fund it is probable that-a further £50,000 will be required from the public, to whom an appeal has not yet. been made, for reasons already stated. The committee preferred to complete tho personal cpnvass over a wide field of citizenship and business interests before proceeding with the final appeal to the pub.lie. This personal canvass has produced-most gratifying results."