LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 61, 15 March 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Several important city questions will be discussed at the next meeting of the City Council on Thursday evening, ">Oth March. What is generally looked upon as the Investigation Committee's most important report, namely, that of dealing with administration and organisation in the City Engineer's department, will probably be laid before councillors. The question of winter milk supplies for the city may also be discussed.

During the hearing of evidence in the ships- stewards' dispute, before the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon, Mr. S. A. Smith, chief steward of the Wahine, contradicted evidence, given on the previous day, to the effect that the men ou the Wahine had no bath. Mr. Smith stated that therewere seven saloon baths on the Wahine, which were available to stewards after the passengers were ashore. Permission to use them had never been refused, and he thought the stewards were aware of the position. Mr. Justice Frazer expressed himself as quite satisfied with the explanation, and said there had apparently been a misunderstanding.

A Press Association message from Invercargill _ last evening states that advices received from Wellington indicate tliat, m accordance with the recent decision of the Minister of Kaihvays, officers with over 40 years' service should retire, the following transfers affecting administrative officers of the Southland section have been arranged:—Mr D 7™i t afc Present occupying the position ot chief clerk at Wangauui, to be district traffic manager at Invercargill in secession to Mr. A. W. Morgan, who is about to retire; Mr. Hutchison, chief cierk at Invercargill, to be transferred oil promotion to the position of chief clerk m the district traffic manager's office at Wellington; Mr. E. P M o ir transport Officer at Christchurch, to be chief clerk in the district traffic managers office at Invercargill. /*!/ \?• . Sa£ cl' wh° is the chairman of the Taieri River Trust, is officially informed, by the Minister of Railway/ tnat the question of preventive measures against the flooding of the Taieri Plain has had careful consideration, and it is decided that, in addition to the £75 000 which will be contributed by the Government through the Public Works Department towards the total cost of proposed works, that the Railway Department is willing to contribute £10,000 towards the cost of extending the railway bridge at.Otokia, which work the Minister understands is included in the whole plan of works intended to be covered by the estimated total expenditure of £150 - 000. This will reduce the sum to be contributed by ratepayers to £65,000. It is understood (states "The Post's" Dunedin correspondent) that a poll will be taken before long as to raising this £65,----000.

People living in the more fashionable suburbs of Auckland have lately been called upon by two men who introduce themselves as representatives of insurance companies. They are glib of tongue, respectably dressed, and go about their "business" with a very bold front. Householders are asked to ' admit them to their homes so that they may look at the furniture, with a vie<> to ascertaining if its 'value is sufficient to warrant insurance for a larger sum than may be set down on any existing policy. The audacious pair, who tender no genuine credentials, even went so far as to carry their operations into dangerous territory—the home of a local stipendiary Magistrate (says the - Auckland "Star.") Needless to say, on that occasion they drew a complete blank ! It is believed that men of this type have a sinister motive in wishing to* gain access to homes of a good class, and some who liave been imposed upon in this respect may later be the recipients of visitors who prefer darkness rather-than light, and who go about their work the easier for a comprehensive plan of the house.

Writing on the subject of slipshod English, a correspondent says in the Auckland "Star" that "New Zealand is losin"her objective. Very soon the words 'me5 and 'us' will have become obsolete," states the correspondent. "There isa widespread though quite unaccountable idea, even amongst young people just left school, that when two objects are coupled together in one sentence, they thereby automatically become entitled to the nominative form. The most elementary knowledge of English grammar would prevent the perpetration of such atrocities as 'between you and I,' 'let you and I have a talk.' etc., yet such expressions as these are constantly used by the most respectable-looking people without turning a hair, and their listeners as a rule notice nothing amiss. In sentences such as''lt is wrong for we men,' we get another common form of. mistake. The peculiar thing about this particular n-ram-miitical error is that, it is usually made through ignorance, not carelessness, many people seeming to be under the impression that the objective case is something low and improper, the less used the better, except, of course, in the sentence 'It's me,' where the 'me' is invariably rolled out with the most triumphant assurance. Our public schrol teachers ■would do well to give the rising generation some enlightenment on this very simple matter."

. The Marama, which left Sydney at U a.m. on the 14th instant for Welington,_ carries 83 bags of mail from Australia and 191 parcel receptacles for the- ■ Dominion.

'It js in a terrible state," remarked Councillor Bowler, in reporting to the Makara County Council upon the condition of portion of the Makara road. A suggestion that a further request be made to the City Council to repair the road was adopted.

Your Medical School is one .of which to be proud;" said Dr. William J. Mayo, the noted American surgeon, durin" the course of his address to members of the Dunediu Rotary Club, reports the Otago Daily Times." The speaker stated that he had paid a visit to the Medical bcnool, and had been greatly impressed. There were also a splendid lot of medical men in New Zealand, added Dr. Mayo.

The secretary of the Otago Hospital •Board has received a letter from the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnasts, stating that the society has secured admission for Miss M. L. Roberts to the School of Massage and Remedial Gymnasts, at St. Thomas' Hospital, London. Miss Roberts, who was in charge of the School of Massage at. the Dunedin Hospital, was granted six months' leave of absence to qualify as a, teacher of medical electricity, medical gymnastics, and massage.

The latest proposal made by the Mayor for an inclined tramway to Roseneath, connecting up with the ordinary system at Hataitai. and thus making a circular "route via Courtenay place and Oriental Bay, is what is favoured by the women from Roseneath, who waited as a deputation on the City' Council on Thursday night. This point was stressed by Mrs. F. W. Downs, the first speaker at the deputation. The reason why this latest scheme is strongly supported is that, while the inclined tramway will pass up the quarry face at the present Oriental Bay tram terminus, there will be no necessity to change cars.

The officers of the Imperial Squadron are looking forward to their visit to New Zealand, and hope to obtain pig-hunting, deer-stalking, and fishing, when they arrive here, according to advice received by the Wellington -Navy League Jrom Australia. Arrangements are also ready in hand by the sports section of the Citizen's Committee to have several parties conducted on expeditions. Local sports bodies desiring fixtures to be arranged for the officers and men should' communicate with the chairman of the committee, Mr. Barry . Keesing, through whom the itinerary is being fixed, as this will, avoid clashing of dates.

"A poll of ratepayers of Dunedin on the proposal to authorise a municipal loan of £200,000 for tha purposes of reconstructing certain streets in permanent paving, also kerbing and channelling in backward or undeveloped portions of the city, and generally to provide funds for the improvement of streets under the control of the City Council, was taken yesterday, and carried by a two-to-one majority on a very small poll. According to a Press Association message the figures for the proposal were, 2093 for and 1010 against. Informal votes numbered 31. The number of ratepayers and freeholders on the roll totals 16,300.

The proper, training of constables employed in traffic control in Auckland was strongly urged by Mr. G. Henning at a meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association. He said he considered constables should specialise in this particular work. Young and inexperienced constables only added to the trouble .'.t busy intersections. The- consensus of opinion was that constables rapidly improved by experience of traffic at particular corners—they learned their job. Those- new to the work, on the other hand, were a positive menace to traffic. It was decided to bring this view to the notice of the Superintendent of Police with a request that as fay as possible the same constables be engaged constantly on traffic duty.

The amount of traffic passing through the .Ngahauranga Gorge was tlie subject of an interesting return placed before the Makara County Council yesterday by the clerk (Mr. W. L. Beech). During the fortnight from 28th January to 11th February, the traffic was as follows:—Horsedrawn vehicles, 666; motor-cars, 2527; motor-lorries, 1518; motor-cycles, 513; push bicycles, 154; passengers, 10,009; ■saddle-horses, 40; shoep, 27,410; pigs, 1693; cattle, 743; weight of goods carried, 3406 tons. The Sunday tallies, ou 3rd and 10th February, included in the above, comprised 716 motor-cars, 53 motor-lorries, 157 motor-bicycles, and 4214 passengers. The traffic from and to Wellington, through the county, related to the Hut-t County, Stratford, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Marten, Botorua, Kiwitea, Gisborne, Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua, Eketahuna, Waipawa, Auckland, Hawera, Patea, New Plymouth, Horowhenua, Oroua, Eltham, Manawatu, Wairoa, and Taupo.' A scheme having for its object the publicity of his business, led to the appearance in the Magistrate's Court yesterday of William Corcoran, the proprie-—, tor of the Paragon Tailoring Company, ou a charge of commencing a lottery by which a prize of money might be gaiued by chance. The facts as outlined by Chief-Detective Kemp, were that on the Bth February defendant displayed in his shop window 25 coins consisting of 22 sixpences "and 3 half sovereigns, all of which were gilded and placed on separate pieces of cardboard numbered from 1 to 25. Competitors were asked to fill iii an entry form stating on which pieces the halfsovereigns were displayed, the first correct reply to be opened taking the prize of £1. The competition closed on the 15th February, and two casual pedestrians were invited to open the forms. Twenty entry forms had been opened before the correct number of' coins was found. Between 80 and 90 forms had been received. Defendant contended that his scheme was not a breach of the Act. The Magistrate (Mr. C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M.), reserved his decision. ft

Nine deaths from summer sickness among children ranging in age from a. few months to 12 years are reported by Dr. Chesson, relieving district medical health officer at Auckland. The cases occurred in Avondale, New Lynn, and Glen Eden. The Health Department at once made a thorough investigation, including bacteriological examination, and established that the trouble was caused by the bacillus which produced enteritis, more commonly known as summer diarrhoea. "The organism is generally carried by flies," said Dr. Chesson to a "Star" representative, "and there is more than a suspicion that milk has by this means been contaminated by the bacillus, which we consider to be largely responsible for the trouble." The malady is extremely sudden in its operation, and one child died 5^ hours after the first onset. Dr. Chessou emphasised that every effort should be made to clear up backyards and other breeding grounds of flies. His investigations in many backyards revealed in many cases disgusting filth and carelessness.

It is of interest to home milliners that Kirlicaldie's have received new stocks of Soft Sparleije at 2s yard. Hard Sparterie 2s 6d yard, real Spartcrie in sheets at 2s and 2s 3d sheet, White Buckram Is 9d yard.—Advt.

Although Bonnington's Irish Moss will relieve the strongest man's most stubhorn cough, it can be given with perfect safety to delicate children. 2s 6d and Is 6d—Advfc.