Local and General.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 216, 14 August 1918, Page 4

Local and General.

The Minister of Defence has been advised that the 39th and 41st Reinforcements have arrived at a port ot call.— Press Association. I It is hoped that there will he a good attendance at the meeting of the Empire Service League to-mor-row at 7.30 p.m. in the Hastings Council Chambers. Mr. Mason Chambers will give an account of the Conference lately held in Wellington and the programme for the Hastings branch will be discussed. A final reminder is given of the meeting to be held m Oddfellow’s Hail tonight wiien Mr. W. D. Bayley, the well-known Canadian educationist will lecture on the question of liquor prohibition in the interests of National efficiency. Admission is free but a collect ;on to defray expeuses will be taken up. | Reports for last week show that there were 125 admissions re the camp i>•p t •> it 1 'Pit i ici 53 at Trenti am and 1' * \u |ti Tim ereati i nil, ■ ' I < ' -. t .n t a stinky Sell'. ‘ -> ' lira. There u uti ll i '•ini- in ’io rstren II a i i _ t, ,;n nes'eoro-q-.iual meinng.tic, but ofi<i one case was serious.

There is a heavy delay in tele-1 graphic communication to-day on all stations in the South Island. Heavy snowstorms are being experienced south of Kaikoura. < A plain and fancy dross ball is lieing organised in aid of the Pakeha and Maori M ounded Soldiers’ Fund, on Friday, September 6th. It will i lie held in E:e tvool room, Wh-rikatu i Freezing Works. A Marlborough soldier’s tribute, to Scotland: “I had a fine holiday in Scotland. The people cannot do enough foy you, and as for a Scotchman being mean—l don’t think they know the meaning of the word. I liked the country round Edinburgh ; it is very much like New Zealand on a small scale.”

A meeting of representatives from local educational bodies was held at Napier last evening, when it was decided to promote a conference of local bodies to discuss the whole question of the progress of education. Messrs Armour, Netvton and Loten were appointed a committee to prepare subjects for discussion ; and Major Urawshaw was appointed secretary of the conference.

Sitting in civil jurisdiction at the Hastings Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Messrs IV. Hislop and G. Land, J’s.P., judgment by default was given for plaintiffs in the following cases: Official Assignee in the Estate of A. B. Hansen v. Tame Tongi £6 5/6, costs 25/6 ; A. J. Vidal and Sons v. IV. F.. Doneley £1 10/6, costs 5/-; Tourist Motor Company v. C. Barlow £2, costs 12/-; F. J. Tonkin v. Frances Salvigney £1 14/-, costs 5/-. One of the results of the war which affects householders considerably is the high cost of hardware. Enamelled goods in particular have advanced very much in price, as stocks are now getting very short. Pots and pans have risen fully 200 per cent since the outbreak of war, and some sizes are now practically unprocurable. It gives a householder a surprise to be called upon to pay 9/6 to 12/6 for a kettle when the old one gives out, and with copper at the high price now ruling to buy utensils of that metal means a big expenditure. A telegram has been received by the. Secretary of the Farmers’ Union (H.B. Provincial District), from the President. Mr. H. M. Campbell in reference to the meat question and as the master is important a general meeting of the union has been convened for next Saturday in Chamber of Commeriw rooms at 10 a.nt. to consider the same. At this meeting the delegates who were appointed to represent this district at the Dominion

Conference will take the opportunity of making their reports. The meeting is open to members of all branches and it is hoped there will be a large attendance.

Writing to Mr. E. Newman, M.P. on the subject of his proposal that the surplus pyefit on wool romnian deered by the Imperial Government from now until the end of the xvar should be devoted to a fund for the lienefi., of dependents of soldiers of the lloval Navy and mercantile narine killed or wounded in defence <f the Empire, Mr. Ji. P. Hudson. 'I, P. for Motaok.i says: "On rec.'ipi. of y ur telegiam. 1 eircnlarisi d 1-tinners t. mens etc. in my eleclorate and so far al] replies live heart iiy in favour of wool surplus being devotrd to relief of ijepj'iidoms of

aiiiors and suggest rd. If I should have any objectors. I xx ill let soh know but. should you not bear from tie again, you may conclude that all ere are in favour.”

In his report to the Napier I'.oro’igh Council the Borough

ih’igim er (Mr. E. A. IVilli'rns says I i'’at: lie cousidei's th”.l tarred siirla.’c .i.'aca-xlain roads would not stand the heavy traffic in main thoroughfares n X.”.; • r. except for a. few’ years, on account of th cm being so nai row. ill hough ihe wearing surface was tunned of metal obtained from the ■iver l»ed quarry at Rede.liff, which is. much superior to that used on roads in New Plymouth and ■Jtlii'.m distrie’s and towns and t'most, equal ;o the Belmont, metal. This class of road would Im suitable I for our secondary roads but xvi-ere [ '..here is heavy traffic on narrow [ .■oads and those at the Port ami by i h.> Harbour Ih-.aid's sheds should ‘ijilouhtodly Ge of concrrtc, top Ircssed with tar and crushed chips ! c.e.

Paradoxical as it may apdenr, the ■ailing up of the Second ’Division Reservists, lias not eased, the demand for houses in Hastings ami Xapier. In both towns, the la.ter :.’spceia.lly, house hunters find it. practically impossible to secure a decent five or six roomed cottage nt a rent within the means of the average family. Vacant houses are eorta-inly more scarce tiiim they were twelve months ago. ami it is suggested that this may be accounted for liy the country families of married reservists coming to live n. .he towns while their husbands are serving in the Expeditionary Force. But whatever tile cause,, homeless house-renters are faced with a difficult problem when they set. out to find suitable homes in either of tht> ..owns named.

The Mayor of 'Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.), states that of late there has been quite an influx of Hindus from the Islands. Their indentures have apparently been conchided, and on account of shipping difficulties occasioned by the war the men were unable to return to India. The steamer service between New Zealand and the Islands offered the Hindu an inducement to come this way. and he appeared to be taking every adv.aul ago of the opportunity. Mr. Luke said he was interviewed every day by Hindus who wanted work. The municipal authority could not provide that work, the general Government would have to realise its responsibilities to these men. who. as British subjects, were entitled to some cnimler.ation. Mr. Luke state.! that he had referred to the Labour Depart merit the problem of finding work for the Hindus.

"’This is a most difficult position.” said the chairman of the First Auckland Military Service Board or. Monday (Mr. F. G. Burgess. SAL), “and it is the first case we have had where a whole family is habk. to bo stripped of its manhood, because the father, as well as Ingrown sons, come within the Mill tarv Service Act provisions.” The appeal was that, of Wm. A. Snr; rrvide, warehouseman. Major ( »til:iti said he did not think the .Act' ontomplated. when the ap.e limiys wen tixt'd. ti:e <•011X01-1 pt mg <■! 1 father as well as the sons. Appellant (13) said lie had one son at eamp and one just attaomd m.litai.v iiL'r. Mr. I’im' said t:i«' Board ha* l dealt with Olie <’•>.■- vh<ro i.i.hei am! son violin it .1 r .ip . Tin, ■ vso o o. . act lb- : sei. t mt it v, omd y; t.;..--st and i'o'.n for s;x imm. .y—j was just us good us awe die.

A case of diphtheria from Hastings . was yesterday admitted to the Napier Hospital.

Ihe New Zealand mails tor the United Kingdom, which were <llB- - from the Dominion on June 15th., have arrived at. their destination safely.

As the rmsmg Germans did not es<-cape from .Somes Island, it. has been announced that it will only be necessary to baxe an internal inqniry. - Press Association.

.. At the Hastings Magisf.rate’i* Court this morning, before Messrs W. Ilcslop ami G. Land, J's.P., a .soul h 12 x ears of age, charged with attempting to board a train whilst in motion, Mas admonished and ordered to pay costs 7,'-.

It is. reported that the Theatre CoinmiHee of ihe Hastings Municipal Theatre has decided that the fireman against whom coinplaints xvere lodged in connection with the Gaj’ipclli concert, is not to be admi. ted to the theatre as a fireman.

At W iipawa last night Mr. IV. D. Bayley, a much alive prohibition advocate, addressed a public meeting. For !)(> minutes he entertained his audience. After the lecture an organisation was formed to push the demand, for immediate prohibition of the liquor traffic.

The Ploughing match and Leai> ing Competitions to be held on Wednesday, August 21, promises to be a great success. Big entries are being received and there will be keen competition for the championship prize. Entries for ploughing events close with the secretary, Air. F. M. Quigley, at Hastings on Saturday night.

At the Hastings Magistrate’s Court- this morning, Robert Barchain was charged on the informa tion of the Education Board with failing to send his daughter Rachel to school. Defendant pleaded guilty and said his wife did not appear to understand her responsibilities. She purposely kept the child from school. Defendant was fined 5/- and costs 17/6.

Yesterday morning the drawing of the.third ballot of Class C., Second Division, was commenced by ttia Government Statistician ' (Mr. Malcolm Fraser). Five thousand names were drawn, leaving a balance of 3864 to be called up by “Gazette” in September. Owing to the absence from town of Mr. F, V. Frazer, S.M., who replaced Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., in Wellington, the latter acted as supervising magistrate as formerly. Captain Fraser, of the Salvation Army, Hastings, has received a lottcr froim Captain-Chaplain Green stating that the case of goods sent by the ladies of the Hastings Home League arrived safely and in satisfactory condition, and that the gifts were highly appreciated by the “boys,” who express their hearty thanks to the ladies for their kindness. Another case is being forwarded from the Home League by Captain Fraser this week.

The Soldiers’ Children Committee are going to open, a shop of xvar tnq iiies for exhibition purposes only and are asking everyone who has received articles from the war to loan them. Every care will be taken and all articles will lie returned in good, order. Mr. Sydney Martell his ii'idertnken to pa.v the shop, rent for the purpose, and the Mayor, who is president of the fund, and Mr. E. I’rntt, the Hon. Secretary will be glad to rceoivc the articles.

An inquest into the circumstances s.iirroiinditig the death of Mrs. Amelia Duckitt, of Napier, who retired apparently in her usual health on Monday night and was found dead, in her bed yesterday morning, was held before Mr. A. L. Beattie, J.P., (Acting Coroner) and a jury of fttur, at the Nri|>ier Morgue this morning, .'.fle.r b.earmg < x iil<■nee as io her previous health, which of late has been indifferent, a verdict was returned in accordance with the medjeai evidence: “That death was due to chronic inilammation of the liver, and heart failure.

The Soldiers’ Children Committee t'ttcL at Hastings last evening. Present: Mr. 11. I. Simson (president), Mcsdames Simson. Beamish, Perrin. Can.iv, Hoey fort, Pinckney, George Dugins,, Keith Hid and Mr. Pr&tk (lion. Secretary). A soldiers’ children wiye granted relief. Mrs. Pinckney and Mrs. Beamish and the secretary were elected to the Pat.rmtie supervising executive. Mrs. Simson mid Miss Beamish were appointed supervisors with the whole committee for the Red Cross Shop in aid of the British Red Cross Fund. Tiie secretary reported he had handed over £29 to tile French War Orphans Fund. Mr, H. Avery reported that matters in conneevion with the “Pop” <m the 30th. August were well advanced and it was resolved to donate one fhird of the net proceeds to the British Red Cross.

A Washington, U.S.A., news item, which should lie of interest, to New Zealand house renters, states that in communities where wa.r activities have suddenly added thou&'inds of workers to the normal population there have been eases of disproportionate rent increases. New Imndon, Conn., anticipating rent “profiteering,” organised a committee of workers, employers and public* spirit"»l business men to investigate complaints or renters. If complaints are found to be justified the Jamdord is called for a conference. If ho is obdurate, the facts of his mq ptriotic attempt to make war profits are published. The com. niitlee relies upon the force of aroused public opinion to bring him to time. The Uniled States Department yif Labour officially endorsed the New London Plan, and caused it to lie published H o that other communities, similarly situated, might adopt it. Under the heading “The Guard Across tin' Awe.” the correspondent. of ihc “Frankfurter Zeilung” on the Wi slern front concludes as follows an impressionist account of the forced inarehes that bronghfi Hrdier’s army into the line two mouths ami. “That was tine ad vaucc. But this advance we knew alreadv i’r<>:n ltd 1. We know it in i.he East, lint what we do imt_ know in the East is tin* enemy airmen. With every kilometer further forward they become more itnport.'imile. They are not reconnoitring, hi i are al tal king. They come in whole siiiuiiiri ns ; the bombs whine ihrimg'i tl » air and burst ; the • im-hme guns snra.i i;[" ami down the i-rovihd roads; ami tlie columns ;i e w it’ioiii any omr beyond only the roadside ditch. The' plagucy fellows are dii'eii off. but. they are

•oiii l>a.ek again, with new bombs iml fre<b nmmimilioti. Onr chasing •clielons cannot. l>e everv where nt. mc<'. And so it t!" l S ”ti day and nh'lr. No quiet Imttr, no sheltering ’alief. ’