Local and General

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 139, 27 May 1920, Page 4

Local and General

The Hawke’s Bay Tribune will 4>ot be published cn Thursday, June 3rd.. (King’s birthday).

Mr. A. H. Mackay, Registrar Native Lands Court, was at the Hastings Courthouse this morning, engaged Hi paying out moneys, under orders of the court, to natives entitled to receive them.

The Red Cross workers will hold a shop in the Rising Sun Cafe, Heretailnga street, Hastings, on Saturday next (29th) in aid of the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Fund. The shop will be open on Friday to receive gifts.

At the Hastings Courthouse yester day afternoon before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M. E. Franklvn and his wife (Mr. E. -J. \V. Hallett) sued J. A. Macfarlane. sheepfarmer (Mr. D. Scannell) for £l2. alleged to be due for wages, in lieu o> a month’s notice. After hearing evidence plaintiffs were non-suited Defendant did not ask for expenses.

The Mayor (Dr. Thacker) states that he lias instructed his solicitor to ask the “Sun” newspaper to apologise for an article published on Saturday evening in connection with the children s ball and to pay £5OO to the Mai Memorial Fund. In aetault of Thacker says he will sue for £oooC* damages for alleged libel.—-“Lyttelton Times.”

The proposal to arrange for a direct shipping service between the L mteu Kingdom and New Plymouth was discussed at a meeting of Taranaki importers yesterday. It was stated that the Shaw Savill liner Mamari would leave Guidon in July for New Plymouth direct if cargo were guaranteed, and steps were taken to do this. Other vessels will follow as long as cargo is provided. Zamille in Auckland Star says:— “1 desire to announce that, spurred by the example of the ladies’ meeting last week 1 have decided that in future I shall not pay more than 14 guineas for a suit of clothes, two pounds ter for a hat, three pounds for a pair of boots, ninepence for a cup of tea, and a shilling for a packet of cigarettes, ihe cost of living must be met, by selfdenial.”

This afternoon a large deputation from the Central Progress (League of Wellington and members of Parliament, for the East Coast electorates wait on the Minister of Public Works at Wei-' lington, urging the speedy completion of the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme and simultaneous proceeding with the development of power at Waikaremoana. Mr. W. C. Whitlock joins the deputation as the East Coast Railway and Development League’s representative.

“The anti-'shouting’ law,” says “Mercutio” in the Auckland “Herald,” was revived for a few minutes at the Christchurch Court, when a barman ‘was fined £5 for permitting treating One cannot help feeling a little sorry for that barman. As there is probably not a barman or barmaid in New Zea land who now observes this particular section and few customers who do not feel at liberty to ‘shout’ if they want to, it would appear to be a case for a public subscription to meet the Christchurch man’s fine.”

The menace arising from the manner ui which sheep and cattle dogs are allo red to race about the Hastings streets, in the midst of busy traffic, was demonstrated in Heretaunga street yesterday afternoon, when several of these collies were chasing each other along the thoroughfare and one of them rushed blindly across the path of a motor cyclist, who was thrown violently but was fortunate enough to escape with cuts anti bruises. These uncontrolled dogs are becoming a serious danger and it is time the authorities stepped in and detetminedly put an end to a condition which is becoming intolerable and which would not be allowed in any other town of the importance of Hastuigs. At the Hastings Courthouse this morning, before Mr. R. M . Dyer, S.M. Hape was charged with (1) being drunk on the Hastings Railway platform, on May 26th. anil (2) on the same date, using obscene language in a railway carriage, between Opapa and Hastings. Accused pleaded guilty to drunkenness, but said that he did not remember anything regarding the; second charge. Guard Hunt, in his < evidence, repeated the offensive lan-; guage, saying that the women-in the train placed their hands to their ears, j Sergeant Hogan said accused was addieted to drink. On the charge of drunkenness accused, was convicted and ! a prohibition order issued against him ! and, on the charge of using obscene' language, he was fined £5 and wit-1 ness’ expense? 10/-. I

It is stated on reliable authority that quite a number of South Wairarapa station-holders intend subdividing their properties at an early date, and placing them on the market.

The Union Co.’s cargo steamer Waitemara, now at Auckland from Vancouver, has a large quantity of benzine for New ZealandOn H.M.S. Renown the Prince of Wales made a personal giflt to the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) of a framed autographed photograph of himself in the uniform of a captain in the Navy.

“I will never take on another game there. I had to run for my life from two Maori women.” So wrote a referee to the Wellington Rugby Union respecting his experience last Saturday at a suburban ground.

We have received from tho Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, a complete bound copy of the Treaty of Versailles, printed in French and English. Attached are facsimile reproductions of the signatures of the High Contracting Powers and also maps of the new German boundaries.

Tho proposal to hoist people up to Wellington Terace by means of electric elevators is not yet finally disposed of. Tfie City Council has postponed the matter until the council comes to a decision regarding improved access to the further side of Kelburn and the districts beyond.” Writes a correspondent to the “Manawatu Times” ;—Many newspapers and financial men deplore the speculative nature of land purchases now being made. If it were made clear that the income tax upon fill such profits must be paid, the possible payment of 7/6 in the £ would have an immediate effect.

Last month the large shipping, that entered the port of Auckland showed an increase over Apr! l ., 1919, of 17 vessels, of 82,735 gross and 62,936 net tons, a very substantial advance in overseas tonnage visiting the port. In this increase, however, one vessel, H.M.S. Renown, accounted for 32,200 tons, the largest vessel that has yet entered any Australasian port.

The secretary of the I’ost Office has received the following message from the Awarua Wireless Station:—A navigation warning sent uy Gordon Island states that the ma ster of the schooner Joseph Sims reports sighting two eggshaped floating objects, black in colour, apparently mines, a quarter of a mite apart, on the morning of May 22, in the position 36.36 15 south, 150.24 east. The objects were about four feet above water. The exuberant enthusiasm of a member of the Wanganui Education Board who took it upon himself to close ths Wanganui and district schools for a week in connection with the Prince’s visit, notwithstanding ' the frequent delays to which educatioh has been subject this year for various causes. iyas to have been discussed at Monday’s meeting of the board, but the matter was held over owing to pressure of business caused by the visit of the Minister of Education.

The day of the wooden railway wagon is passing. Questioned in Christchurch regarding the marked shortage of trucks, and the steps that the Department, is taking to overcome it, the Minister of Railways (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) stated that importation would be necessary before the difficulty—importation of ironwork—could be fully Overcome. It had been found that the wooden truck was not altogether satisfactory, and new stock would be ot iron, as far as possible. There the shipping difficulty came in. Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Education, visited Stratford yesterday, and received several deputations on local requirements. The necessity for a hostel in connection with the new High School was urged ana promised favourable consideration. A deputation asking that instruction in the effectl- - alcohol on the human body be part of the school curriculum was informed that the Minister, while sympathetic, could make no definite promise until he had met a Dominion deputation on the same subject which was expected to approach him shortly.

The Otira Tunnel has now beer, excavated to full dimensions to a distance of one mile 37 chains at the Arthur’s Pass end, where 65 men art working, and the lining has been completed to within four chains of that distance. At the Otira end 100 mei, are employed. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), while in Greymouth, mentioned that the engineers had assured him that the tunnel would be completed in twelve months’ time, though the electrification, the greater part of the machinery for ■which had been ordered, would take 18 months. Without being overoptimistic, fie hoped to see the tunnel in working order in two years’ time.

Referring to the alleged shortage of carpenters, the secretary of. the Auckland Carpenters’ Union said that while ,it was time that practically all available labour in the building trades was fully employed, it was not correct to say that there was a shortage of labour, and that that shortage was hindering house-building. Only a few wedks ago a vessel came here to be insulated. He had been asked by the owners to get 1-50 carpenters for that work, and had no difficulty* in doing so. When the vessel left, most of these men were available for building work, and had obtained employment. He considered it a difficult matter to decide which was not essential work. The demand for houses was to a large extent occasioned by the boom in trade generally, and to interfere with the building of factories or warehouses would interrupt the expansion of trade, and thus Check the demand for housca

Organised women workers in Christchurch are discontented at the action of the Arbitration Court in awarding them a “cost of living” bonus of only 3, - per week, Whereas male adult workers have been awarded 6/-. A meeting of protest, convened by the Christchurch Tailoresses’, Cutters’ and Pressers’ Union was held at the Trades Hall on Saturday evening. Mr. J. Roberts presided and the speakers were Airs. AlcCombs, Airs. Ada Wells, Alessrs. J. AlcCambs, D. G. Sullivan, Al.P.’s, F. R. Cooke and H. T. Armstrong. The following resolution was carried:—“That this meeting of Christchurch citizens expresses its dissatisfaction at the treatment of women in reference to the war bonus, of which men are to receive an increase of 6/perweek and women only 3/- per week. We are of the opinion that where women do equally rimportant work as men they should receive equal wage and equal increase under the Cost of Living Act.” In the case D. E. Davis, motor car proprietor (Air. D. Scannell) v. Arthur Cleave, of Auckland (Air. E. J. AV. Hallett) in which, at the Hastings Court, yesterday, plaintiff sued for £27 17/6 alleged to be due for repairs, the defence was that the car was difficult to start and, on plaintiff’s representative being asked what it would cost to put it in order, he replied about £3, whereupon the work was authorised, to about that amount, by the person who put the sale through. If the cost had been more than £3 the authority would not have been given. It was no> defendant who gave the authority, bm the salesman of the car. In reviewing the evidence, His Worship considered that defendant had authorised the work. After the car had been examined, plaintiffs communicated with defendant saying that a new carburetter was necessary to make the car easy to start, to which defendant replied that the car was “absolutely use. less to him unless it was easy to start.” Judgment iyas given for the amount claimed, with costs £6. Leave! to appeal was granted, the amouqtbeing fixed at £3O 12/5.

Mrs. T. Lindsay and the Miflses Lindsay (.2), who have been visiting Sydney, returned to Napier last evening.

The annual meeting of St. Matthew’s Church parishioners will be held tor- 4 morrow night in St. Matthew’s Hal/, Hastings.

The Napier Corporation tramcar No. • 4 broke an axle this afternoon in Hastings street. Temporary repairs were effected and the car returned to tho depot. There was only a brief suspension of traffic.

At the Hastings Court House yesterday afternoon, before ?Ir. R. W. I)yer, S.M., T? Clarkson. Ltd. sued Makarine Te Peehi for £3B 19/7 principal and interest on an instrument of security. Plaintiff was nonsuited on a point of law, with costs £3.

The Legion of Frontiersmen notify that they will hold a ball in the Hastings Assembly Hall on the King’s Birthday (June 3rd). Tickets may be procured from the committee, as advertised.

The City Meat Company, Hastings, announce m another column that they have decided to reduce the price of meat Id per lb., which will be welcome news to the public of Hastings and surrounding districts. Customers are requested to bring their own wrappers to enable the reduction being made.. \Ve regret to learn that the Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst is laid up with a mild attack of influenza. ‘ Owing to this indisposition, the presentation, which was to have been made him at the annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew’s Church to-morrow evening, lias been postponed. In connection with the recent thefts from the shop on the breakwater wharf owner by Mrs. H. Player, a young man named Arthur George Renney was charged at the Napier Police Court, before Air. C. H. Edwards, J.P., this morning, with stealing an overcoat and various articles valueu «t £5 7/9. Ac. cused was remanded pending other charges.

A very successful social evening was held last evening at the Y.M.C.A., Market street, Hastings. About 80 young people, members and the friends of the association, participated. A well arranged programme was submitted by the committee, with Mr. Reg Ball as M.C. Mr. Clifford Ferbrache assisted by Mrs. and Miss Cunnold and Miss Clark presided at the piano. A candle left alight near the window curtain of a bedroom in the Railway Boarding House, Hastings, was the cause of the firebeli being run at 7.45 last evening. The flame from the candle caught the curtain and spread to the wall, which got well alight, but the people in.the house went to work with buckets of water and succeeded in subduing the outbreak before the Fire Brigade, which arrived promptly, came upon the scene. .

In the course of an address recently given by the Government Meteorologist of New Zouth Wales, he said that a knowledge of ocean swells was important, as it gave an indication of coming atmospheric disturbances. The commotion of the ocean was transferred more quickly than the disturbance itself, which moved at the nite of about 400 or 500 miles a day. Sometimes the ocean swell gave two days’ notice of the approach ,of a storm.

Airs. I. Collins, of Charles street, Hastings, received pews this morning that her youngest brother, Mr. Edward Barrie, of Alania,' was killed at 6 o’clock last evening in a collision. It appears that deceased, who was only 19 years cf age, was riding a motor cycle when he collided with a horse and trap his death being instantaneous. Deceased had just gone into business as a coachbuilder on his own account.

Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs. Collins ana the boys’ widowed mother who lives at Mania.

The current programme of pictures at Everybody’s Theatre, Hastings, is an exceptionally good series, “ t The Wolf,” featuring Earle Williams, being an ideal production. Particularly fine is the magnificent photography—gorgeous glimpses of a mountain stream, of rapids, huge treeo, mountains ana craggy peaks, long vistas of valleys and wilderness. “Coax Me” June Elvidge in a comedy-drama of lively incident;, and amusing situations. The first . episode of “The Lightning Raider” is very exciting and bids fair to become a popular serial.

“Barbary Sheep,” screened for the first time at the Hastings Alunicipal Theatre last evening, was accorded a good reception, the large audience being greatly taken up with' it. It is the story of a neglected wife—-the gift of destiny placed in the hands of an Arab chieftain—and of the husband, whose passion for sport blinded his eyes to his wife’s allurements. Showing also is “Bill Henry,” with the wonder boy of the screen, Charles Ray, as the principal impersonator. A special musical score by the Alunicipal Orchestra. and the usual topical, scenic and educational subjects make up a grand programme.’ Is a racecourse booth licensed. premises? The police require a ruling on this point. Several magistrates nave, ruled that a racecourse booth, hqlding a conditional license, is not licensed premises. At the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, before Mr. S. E- AlcCarthy, S.M.. John May was charged with procuring liquor during the currency of his prohibition order, and also, with entering licensed pre->_ mises, being a prohibited person. Mr. McCarthy, after hearing evidence in full, said he would look fully into the matter and adjourned the case for a week.

A commercial traveller from England (says the “Eltham Argus”) who is at present visiting Taranaki, says that there is a likelihood of many printers, linotype operators, etc., being thrown out of employment shortly in the Old Country. The scarcity and the dearness of printing paper is preventing the.publicatoin of cheap books. Novels that were formerly published at six shillings cannot now be published under fifteen shillings, and the people will not pay that price for a book that can be read in three or four hours on a train journey. Some of the small publishers, our informant states, have retired from business, and others ar<i likely to follow.

in concluding an address delivered in Auckland, Dr. Newton, of London University, emphasized the duty of those who spoke English not to be content with present material profit. Prosperity would in time fade away when the inevitable slump following every great war appeared." They must keep the souls of the people alive by proper education. Plain living went with high thinking, and people must be taught that the latter was ’ better than the fleshpots qf Egypt. Education must war against ignorance. People must be educated in social science, and taught the folly of class war. The danger was that the prosperity now being experienced in England might have a tendency to .lull them to sleep again, and thus lose the important things ot the spirit.

A point of general interest to the legal fraternity in connection wiijtl the murder trial which opened *t the Auckland Supreme Court on Monday was the appearance of Air. J. C.

Alartin in the role of Crown Prosecutor. Mr. Alartinafter a distinguished legal caofeer, practically gave up practice about seven years ago, when he severed his connection with the firm of Devore, Alartin, and Prendergast. Since then he had been living in retirement at the Bay of Islands, but ha? been keeping in close touch with matters pertaining to the legal profession. It is understood that he is retained by the Crown for this cose only. Strangely enough, one of his late partners, Mr. E. E. Prendergast, is conducting the defence of tlw accused qian, Dennis Gun. F