LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It is announced that a New -Zealand Army JMedical Corps has been constituted and established as a unit of the Permanent Forces.

Amendments to the regulations Tinder the Public Service Act gazetted yesterday provide that all the days of absence in excess of the number of days allowed for sick leave shall be deducted from the annual leave of absence granted for recreation, provided that,_ where such excess-leave has been on half-pay, the number of days to be deducted from the annual leave shall be reduced by onehalf, and, furtfief, that where such excess leave has been without pay no deduction shall be made from the annual leave. In special cases, the Commissioner may, on the recommendation of the permanent head of the Department, grant further leave. • \

Loss to the Railway Department through the competition of motor traffic was referred to by the Hon. J. G. Coates at Hawarden, Canterbury, on Wednesday (reports the "Press"). The Minister stated that in some Cases it would pay to scrap branch lines and turn all attention to roads. There were lines which were commercially unsound, and when in competition with the roads, the two might go on cutting each other's throats until both were bankrupt. Mr. ft. W. M'Villy, General Manager of Railways, stated that last year the loss on thej-ailways was £254,000, of which sum £234,000 was in respect of the 26 branch lines, the bulk of which were in Canterbury and elsewhere throughout the South Island.'

Fees arid expenses which may be paid members of the Main Highways Board are gazetted. It Is provided that the fees which tlie board miay pay out of its funds to any member for each day he is travelling or occupied in conneetibh-with the business of the board are to be £2 2s per day. As to travelling expenses, the allowance for personal expenses which the board may pay out of its funds to any member travelling in connection with the business of the board shall- be £1 5s per day. When a, member leaves and returns to headquarters on the same day, fee and actual and reasonable expenses only shall be paid. -No claim of any member of the board for fees or travelling allowance or expenses shall be recognised unless such claim is accoriipamed by the certificate of such mem, ber stating that he was engaged in connection with the business of the board during the period claimed for.

If Wellington has been backward in the past m the matter of boosting her own advantages,, public.m S n. and public bodies are at any rate making an effort now to compete with other centres in the Dominion in that respect. At a meeting of the committee of the Wellington Carnival and Advertising Association last evening.it was decided to issue three pamphlets for the purpose of advertising the city and, the district. The first is to be d fairly elaborate publication* containing phonographs and descriptions suitable for Sending abroad, The second will be Circulated in the Dominion ; it will cSrisisl of eight folder pages containing descriptions aiid illustrations The third will bear valuable information concerning tlie port and a statement of shipping arid port charges, It is proposed to distribute it amongst Chambers of Commerce, shipping companies, business firms, arid the Pfoss throughout the t Empire and United States. '

The registration of the following industrial unions has been cancelled by 'Gazette" notice :--The Ne\y Zealand United Master Bakers' Industrial Associatibii of Employers (Auckland), Auckland Provincial Shipowners 1, Ship, laeht, and Boat Builders' Union of Employers (Auckland); Hqkianga" Waterside Workers' Union of Workers, Wellington Electrical Engineers aiid Traders' Union of Employers, Feilding Branch ot the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners Union of Workers, Wellington Industrial District Butter and Uieese lactory Workers' Union, Wellington Shipwrights' Union of t Workers Waimate County Coach arid Motor Builders Engineers, and Blacksmiths' Union of Employers, Nelson Freezing Works Employers' Union, Stoke Fruitpackers, Fruit-graders, and Orchard Employees Union'(Nelson)j Grey Valley Union of Workers (Bfunhert4"Msi new dWss has bfaowri Streps." That is what Mr. J. W. Shaw, MA heard a young woman say the other r&', so ¥^ oU hlB audience at the Value of Education" meeting at Auckland (states the "Star"). "Did you ever hear anything more vulgar and ignorant? asked the speaker; There were sony people in New Zealand who considered therselve-s as bearing the cast of Vere de Vere when they spoke in this offensive mutilation of tlie Oxford bleat. They thought themselves awfully smart, yet their mispronunciation of the diphthongal sounds was much more offensive than the dropping .of the "h" by the Cockney. This Vulgar affectation was driving some people to the opposite extreme, since they were afraid that by proper pronunciation they might be mistaken as belonging to the affected type. Unfortunately there were academies in New Zealand which existed for the sole purpose of teaching the young to speak in an affected manner. If the two faults mentioned could be eradicated New Zealanders as a class would speak the-purest English in the (world, since we had no climatic disabilities conducive to a nasal accent or any other peculiarity.

That ignorance exists regarding the situation of New Zealand and the towns in this country is not a nlere fallacy (remarks the Dunedin "Star"). Whether the system of teaching geography in other countries leads to this result is not known, but many who travel abroad—and it was particularly noticed by members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force—find that there is a decided lack of knowledge in other countries of this part of the world. The most recent example of this is, shown in a letter which a local firm received from a large firm in England with whom it has dealt for. years. The letter was posted with the address: "Messrs. merchants, Dunedin, South Africa." As the post mark shows, the fetter travelled to Beaufort West; an inland town of 2000 inhabitants in South Africa. Why it should have been sent to that town is not clear. The postmaster there, however, evidently has but a vague idea of the situation of our town, for he readdressed the letter to "Dunedin, Australia." Eventually it/ reached the addressee here. This incident is further evidence of the need for an extensive publicity campaign by the Government of Now Zeulund.

A declaration has been gazetted dissolving the Gas Officials' Guild of New Zealand (Incorporated), as it is no longer carrying on-its operations. The first\/election of the Marlborough Wectnc Power Board has been fixed for Saturday, 24th November. Eight members will comprise the personnel of the board, Marlborough County having foulrepresentatives, and Awatere County and Blenheim. County two each.

A letter of protest is to be forwarded from the Seatoun and Bays' Progressive Association to the City Council against the decision to grant the Tennis Association the use of the two acres of land which were the subject of a deputation to the council ,at' its last meeting. The association maintains that the land should not be handed over unless other grounds of a similar area- are allotted.

The first meeting of its thirty-first year waa held by the* Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals this week. Mr. D. E. Leslie presided. The inspector reported a number of eases of cruelty, and mentioned that a few animals ha 4 had to be destroyed. A communication asked if the society would assist in getting strtiy cats Jcilled in the lethal chamber in the same manner as dogs were destroyed. v The society offered to assist in overcoming difficulties if those requiring cats killed would communicate with it.

Consent has been given to the following local bodies to borrow the sums of money mentioned :—Central Hawkes Bay Power Board, £150,000 for reticulation; Utataihu Borough Council, £69,900 for drainage extension, streets improvement, quarry and plant, and'park improvement; Aew Plymouth Borough Council, £54,500 for electric light extension and power works; Dunedin City Council, £10,000 for workers' dwellings; Castlepoint bounty Council, £7000 for erecting bridge over Whareama, River; Woodville County Council, £1780 for constructing and widening the Manawatu Gorge road.

Tangible evidence of the coming of electric power in the Hutt Valley is now to he seen at the Valley's Power Board yards, which resemble a logging camp. The advantages of being adjacent to the railway yard is- very evident, as the poles are being skidded straight out of the trucks into the board's yards. The shipment comprises both dressed and rough poles, the dressed ones being intended for the. town streets, and the others for the country districts. The board expects to shortly call tenders for the distribution and erection of the poles. .. . .. .

The day might come when New Zealand's secondary industries would be of paramount importance, but that day was not yet, said the Hon. Mr. Nosworthy in ah address at Inve'rcargill. The principal aim to-day must be to encourage the development of the land, which was not producing anything like' it could produce if sufficient ' population and ftioney were available. With deeper fertilisers and cheaper labour, no one could have any conception of what New Zealand could produce. Production alone would reduce the National Debt and bring a measure of prosperity.

The proposal that a summer carnival be held in Wellington next January was endorsed, at a meeting of the committee of the*~-Wellington Carnival and Advertising Association last night. The dates were fixed as from 19th to 26th January, inclusive. Consideration is to be given to the question of providing suitable entertainments for Christmas and New Year, and the committee has already decided to hold a further art • union, offering £250 as first prize, and one hundred _ smaller prizes. Attractions for Carnival Week are now being drawn up. Amongst the principal functions will bethe races at Treritham" and the Sanders Cup yachting contest.

A suggestion that the Railway Department should fun-motor trains to give a faster passenger service on the branch lines was made by , a member of a; deputation which waited on the Minister of Railways (the Hon. J. G. Coates) and the General Manager (Mr. M'Villy) at Chfistchurch, says a Press Association mess.age. In reply, Mr. M'Villy said that he had difficulty in getting- any evidence to show that such trains were paying. He was in touch witli all companies in the United States, Canada, and Britain, and as far as he could gather none of the motor trains had got past the experimental stage. However, the Department was watching the position closely, with the idea" of making trials in New Zealand if the Te-, suits in other countries justified it.

Comments made by Judge Moule in the County Court in Melbourne on the Subject of club badges will be of special interest to members of all kinds of clubs. Three ex-members of the Commercial Travellers' Club were sued on account of their failure to return the badge's. It was explained that a rule of the organisation provides that when a badge is issued the member must deposit 15s, which amount it ;*anded back to him on his giving .back the emblem. Certain privileges are associated with the badge when a traveller is on the railways or on a steamer, or in an hotel and other places ai>f institutions, and it was urged that onry persons who had paid their subscriptions as members were entitled to these privileges. Th c intrinsic value of the badge is only 7s 6d but Judge Moule said he thought there should be a penalty apart from tEe order of the Court for return of' the badge. One defendant, who declared that he had lost his badge, was directed by his Honour to pay £5, in- default of handing H over _ In the second case the damugea, which were not fixed, will be reduced to Is on return of the token The costs of the proceedings are to be'borne oy the ex-members. Th c third defendant gave the club its badge affer gettine a summons, and he was ordered to pay HobaTt S6rViCe °f the process »

• A very healthy financial result is disclosed in the balance-sheet of the Wellington Carnival and Advertising Association m connection with the Welcome Week campaign. Cash in the Bank of JNew bouth Wales amounts to £1027 18s 7d, cash in hand £13 12 S 9d, while the fmuiture is valued at £2 19s 6d makVn S' a rr total accumulated fund of £1044 10s. The expenses incurred in many of the entertainments were much in excess of the receipts, but these losses were offset by ventures in which no costs had to be borne and the association gained a clear profit. The principal receipts were as follow, the cost of each entertainment being given in parsntheses :— Miss Beere s recital, £99 Is Ud (£79 17 S 7j)!r.^STfc n? fc °? era House. £12 10s leim} oaW'' P, lcJ ures. £58 17s lOd i*« m oil b ° J yS boxin «' £30 lls 3d too 19a 2d); dance recital £17 IPs lOd (£59 ll s ' 2 d); "Pair of Silk Stock*i £1° 7* lOd (£54 6s); first jazz, fwi?n M (£25 SS); tug-°f-^r, £8 Is 5d (£69 Is 9d); first citibens' ball, £136 6s 6d (£B3 5s 7d); boxing, £74 ll s lid (£3O 133); children's ball, £91 16s 9d (Sni i4s ld); 6econd J3ZZ> £57 11 s9d ill? ?s 2d); third jaz Z , £31 17s Sd (±.41 15s); second citizens' ball £92 15s lOd (£55 19s 2d); Association football match, £25 16s 3d (£25 17s 8d) • billiard tournament, £15 18s 7d (£5 15s 6d); programmes, £179 3s 5d (£153); procession, £39 10s (£2i6 3s 8d); shop windows, £24 10s (£22 9s); side shows, £149 15s (£lO 19s); community singing, none (£l3 6s); art union £1617 2s 2d (£763 7s 3d).; Wellington Racing Club, £500 (none); sundry donations, £23 (none); motor exhibition half shavo profits, £413 15a 3d (none).

The trustees of the Downs Estate have /orwarded a donation of £2 2s to the Fire Brigade recreation fund in connection with the fire at a building owned by them and occupied by Messrs. Archer, Cuba street.

After, some discussion, members of the Maori Ethnological Board at their first meeting on Tuesday appointed « subcommittee consisting of the Hon Sir Maui Pomare, the Hon. A. T Ngata, Mr. Elsdon Best, and Dr. Buck, with power to add to their number, to inquire into the possibility of dispatching an expedition of investigation into ethnological questions to the Pacific Islands, especially Tahiti and Eaiatea.

A tnr boiler, used in conjunction with a spraying outfit for rejuvenating the wood blocks along the waterfront,' became overheated this morning, causing the lead to the spray to burst into flame. Prompt action by one of the workers in pulling- the pipe away, and dipping it over the wharf into the harbour, prevented a more serious conflagration. As it was, one of. the men had his left hand severely burned

Old boys of t h e Christchurch Boys' High School from many parts of the Dominion will assemble at Straven road Riccarton, at 9.30 next Monday morning, when His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral will lay the foundation-stone of the new school. The committee of the Wellington branch of the Old Boys' Aslociation requests that members who hava decided to visit Christchurch for the Carnival will be present at the foundation ceremony.

At the last meeting of the Dunedih Manufacturers' Association pointed criticism was made regarding the lack of steamer service between Dunedin and the West Coast, states a Prees Association message, and it waa decided to write to the Union Steam Ship Company and ascertain if a better service could be given. The company has now replied that it is agreeable to run two steamers monthly between Dunedin and the West Coast.

An invitation has been received by the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club from the Royal Italian Yacht Club to be represented in the race for the Mediterranean Cup, to be sailed between yachts of the 6-metre class, built in 1920 or later, early next February. It is suggested that visiting yachtsmen may participate at the same time in the annual regattas of Menton, Monaco, Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Tpulohnes, and Marseilles. The local club will hot be able to take part in the race, biit it is gratifying to know that the bond of fellowship ■'among yachting enthusiasts is sufficiently strong to result in the sending, of such an invitation half-way around the world.

At the annual meeting of the Wanagnui Baptist Choir, says a Press Association message, members of the deputation to Mr. Temple White, adjudicator at the. recent Wanganui competitions, explained to their choirmaster that their action had been misunderstood by the Press. There was no intention of apologising, they stated, for any action he had taken in Bympathjf with another competing choir. This was in his private capacity, and he wag at perfect liberty to take what action he pleaseS. The only object the deputation had In view was to express td Mr. White the satisfaction of the choir as A whole, including the choirmaster, with the judge's decision upon the performance of the Baptist Choir. Mr. Eminett was Unanimously reappointed choirmaster and expressed himself satisfied with the explanation given.