LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 19196, 12 March 1926, Page 11

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Wellington message reports that durum the mouth of I‘ebruary, 1920, the total births registered for the urban areas of the dominion amounted to 991, as ao-ainst 1,180 in January—a decrease of 189. The deaths in February were 430 La' decrease of eighteen compared with the previous month, Of the total deaths, males contributed- 288 and females 202. Sixty-two of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 14.49 per cent, of the whole number. Forty of these were under one year of age.

A deputation from the Returned Soldiers’ Association, consisting of Messrs A. C. Laing, J. M. White, and W. F. Forrester, waited on the Otago Land Board at its meeting yesterday and asked for better reading facilities for the new settlers at Wilden. They suggested a route which would save three miles cartage each way. The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr R. S. Galbraith) promised that the whole matter would bo carefully gone into by the board. He pointed out that the members of the board had every sympathy with the request, and would do everything possible to meet the wishes of the deputation.

The Gisborne Harbor Board held an invesigation yesterday into the-expen-diture occasioned by the repairs to the dredge Komn and the tug Pelican. After various reports and lengthy correspondence had been read, the members expressed the opinion that the hoard, through no fault of its own or its servants, nad been badly treated in

connection with the surreys of the vosgels, and a resolution was passed that it should confer with its solicitors with n view to taking notion, presumably against the Marine Department. The sittings of the Hokitika Supreme Court opened yesterday, before Mr Justice Adams. The grand jury found true hills in cases relating to charges of causing bodily barm and alleged negligent driving i'n connection with a motor collision, and alleged arson arising out. of four fires on the night of September 28, when the Methodist, Church was gutted. The court heard the charge of arson against John William Lnpsett, alias John Sinclair. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on a,ll counts.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Master Carriers’ Federation opened yesterday, the president (Mr D. J. APGowan) occupying the chair. Delegates were in - attendance from Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The meeting expressed concern at the many and excessive fees payable on motor vehicles. While it was recognised that taxation to provide for the formation and maintenance of roads was inevitable and necessary, it was contended that tho_ present method of taxation was inequitable in operation, and that legislation should he enacted that would divide the taxation fairly with regard to all users of the roads in the dominion. The following officebearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr R. M. Griffiths (Wellington): vice-presidents, Messrs W. A. Phillips (Auckland) and E. Smith (Christchurch); executive— Messrs F. Goodwin (Dunedin). F. G. Smith, inn. (Napier), J. O’Connell (Christchurch), G. L. Thomas (Waira-

rapa), A. J. Curtis, D. J. M'Gowau, and W. D. Irons (Wellington); lion, auditor, Mr W. I. J- Blyth; representative on Now Zealand Employers’ Federation, Air R. AI. Griffiths (Wellington).

The fortnightly meeting of Court Pride of the Leith. A.0.h., was held on Wednesdav evening, when there was a good attendance of members under Pro. A. W. Stables, the O.R. A large amount of business in the interests of the court was transacted, and the cricket team was congratulated on its further successes. Arrangements _ were completed to commence the playing of Association football by the court’s team. Nominations of officers for the next term were taken, and keen competition is expected when the election takes place. The toast of “ The Visitors ’’ was responded to by P.D.C.R. Bro. W. Sinclair (Court Little John), Bro. J. M'Nanghton (Court Molyneux), P.C.R. Bro. W. Himmel (Court Enterprise); and a special welcome was extended to Bro. S. M'Alillan, from Wellington, one of the old members of the court. Four new members were admitted, and the nominations of four’ candidates wore accepted. A pleasant hour at cards concluded the meeting.