Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4156, 5 February 1916, Page 4

Local and General.

The Government tax paid by the 'Wellington Racing Club in connection with the January meeting totalled. £6149 2s 10.—P.A.

A •‘Times” representative yesterday made enquiries with reference to an allegation as to the employment of child labor in this district, and it transpired that neither the Inspector of Factories nor members of the Edtß cation Board had heard anything of the matter.

The Postmaster-General has had official notice from the New Zealand Base Army Post Office thap on November 12 last 183 bags of New Zealand mails, chiefly parcels, and containing 7S registered articles, were lost at sea. The parcels would be among those despatched from New Zealand on September 23rd last, and ■the re-addressed parcels of earlier despatches.

A prohibition order was issued by Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday against a man on the application of his son. Neville Newbold, who appeared on remand on a charge of drunkenness, pleaded guilty, and was* fined the usual amount. Defendant was also ordered to pay medical expenses incurred, los 9d, in default .three days’ imprisonment, sentences to be cumulative.

A Gisborne member of the 9th Reinforcements, writing to his parents here, gives some first news of this contingent, although no locality is disclosed. He says they experienced rough weather for a day or two, but he was enjoying the trip immensely. Ho i; oniy missed one meal, and only lost one overboard.” The food was first-class on the transport, and much better than what they got at Trentiiam. ■ During the rough weather one of the soldiers opened his pox-t----hole and immediately a sea came through and nearly drowned about six of them. Another party were wad.)eel along the deck by a huge wave. The Otago Infantry were with them, and so they .got more bagpipes than enough, as the pipes were playing morning, noon, and night. Len. Lowndes was on one of the boats, the writer having seen him on the wharf with his kit. The prices in the canteen wer© very cheap, tobacco only costing 6d a tin or plug.

An interesting legal point arose at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the case of Hannah Williams (Mr. Burnard) v. George Rowland Williams (Mr. Coleman), a claim for £l2, maintenance arrears. Plaintiff had already proceeded against defend hut for disobedience, of the order, but owing to the altered circumstances of the parties, the information was dismissed. Plaintiff then brought a civil action against defendant for the amount. Mr. Coleman raised the question as to whether such an action could be sustained, as plaintiff 'had already instituted proceedings against defendant under the Destitute Persons Act. The point gave rise to considerable legal argument, but his Worship, after consideration, decided* that the former action did not prevent the plaintiff from taking civil proceedings.. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for the full amount, £l2, and costs £2 6s.

The J. C. Williamson company concluded the Gisborne season before another packed audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, when" they presented iUjss Muriel Starr in "Tinder Cover, ’-’ a new Amerxcm th ru a by Roy Cooper Megrue. Tt is an tociting and surprising story irgeniously and engrossingly told * Based upon the allegtoiois of bribery and “graft” in the American Customs Service, it is full of suirtl'ng situations and dramatic climaxes. Miss Muriel Starr, In t! o character of Ethel Cartwright, who, through a combination of circumstances, is made the tool of an unscrupulous Customs agent, was given full scope for her abilities as an emotional actress, and held the sympathy of the audience” throughout.” Mr.” Charles A. Millward, as Stephen Den by, was at home in a congenial role, and fairly revelled in the part of a famous secret service agent suspected of smuggling. The balance of the characters were well sustained by the brilliant company, and the drama was splendidly received by the large audience. The company leaves Gisborne to-day, accompanied bv many regrets that its season could not be prolonged. A watch that lias been to Gallipoli and back to Gisborne and still keeping perfect time is not a bad recommendation fer • GrieVe’s ■ (Jeweller) Wristlet Watches.*

A complete change of programme .) s being screened at the Worlds Hctures this afternoon and evening.

The Pacific Cable Board notify that deferred cable messages are subject to greater delay than this class of cable usually suffers.

The price of benzine was raised Is per case yesterday morning. This makes an increase in price of 2s lOd per case since January 1.

Mr. G. Broom, M.R.C.V.S., Government Veterinarian, has received advice that the Imperial War Office have issued instructions that they will not accept any horses under six years of age. Trouble will be saved by sellers observing this condition.

The “Maori” Motor Cycle, advertised by Messrs Johns Bannister and Co., Ltd., will be demonstrated in Gladstone Road on Saturday and Monday next by the Company s representative, Mr Large, who will ->e pleased to answer all inquiries. The weights for the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s summer meeting will appear in Monday morning’s paper, and acceptances will close at J. 30 p.m. the same evening with the secretary, Mr. D. R. De Costa, at the club s office, Childers Road.

The police cell at Marten in whidh the man John Harris hanged himself forms part of a new lock-up just erected by the Public "Works -Department (says the “Wanganui Chronicle”). The facility for such a happening is amply provided, and occasion was taken by the coroner (Mi. J. McDonald), at the inquest, to draw attention to the matter. Inspector Wilson, in reply, said tliat_the cells were recently built to a modem plan by the Public Works Department, but (he had never been consulted. He would convey the opinion of the coroner to the authorities.

The following instance of canine fidelitv is related by a townsman (states the" “Waitara Mail”). Wishing to “dispose” of a dog, he took it in a boa* towards the mouth of the river, and having attached it to a heavy stone in the usual fashion, he stood up m the boat and threw the stone and dog overboard. He had failed to notice, however, that the rope was round his leg. and the pull of the weight caused him to over-balance, and he followed the dog into the water, the rope at the same time breaking. The dog reached the shore, and then the owner of the dog also reached the bank. The dog was then in a state of great agitation with the man’s hat in his mouth. Needless to say the dog received a reprieve.

The practical nature of the training given at the Maori secondary colleges for boys and girls was the subject of some remarks by Mr W. W. Bird (chief inspector of Native schools) at the conference of the Native School Teachers’ Association at Auckland. He stated that at Te Aute the boys were given an introduction to farming methods, and were also taught carpentry. At the same time, their record in scholarship examinations indicated that their education in other subjects was on excellent lines. At the girls’ college there were classes for hygiene, cookery and dressmaking. If. after leaving the colleges, the pupils did not make a success of life, it was the fault of the environment into which they placed themselves.

A curious industry which has arisen within the last three years is that of washing paper money. The idea is, of course, American, and one that the average person would gladly see estab lished in New Zealand, for, especially since the war, the number of greasy, dirty bank notes is very great. If it were not for what they represent the t > would he burned as insanitary, and never admitted to any decent pocket or purse. A Miss Thomas is in charge of the United States laundry for paper money, and has handled as many as 75.000 dollar bills in one day. It is said that the expert counters who han_ die the notes can detect counterfeits while the bills are under cleansing more easily than in any other way. The machines, which are worked by electricity, are in charge of girls known as washers and ironers. One girl feeds soiled money to the washer, and another catches it as it leaves the ironer. All notes are ironed as soon as washed. Some bankers declare that those which have been cleansed on wet blankets, passed over rollers of soapy suds, and sterilised, then ironed* with heated rolls, sifted, and scrutinised, are more readily counted than even new issues.

Messrs. Samson Bros, commenced an important auction sale of drapery yesterday, in Lysnar’s Buildings, opposite the British Empire Hotel, Peel Street. The stock consisted or that held by Sterling House, whidii is being disposed of to close the business. Stupendous bargains were given, such as radiant a blouses for Is each and silk handkerchiefs for 6d each. Today fine table damask, sheeting, towels, blouses, and all other high-class goods, which are rising in price, will be offered. The sale starts at noon to-day, and brisk competition is expected, for the bargains are not nearly done yet.*