LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 21 May 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Miss Gainsford, one of the missionaries belonging to the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, who has 'been' engaged in work at Brahmanbaria, India, will address a women's meeting at .Richmond Baptist Church to-morrow afternoon, at 3 o'clock. All women are cordially invited to attend.

The weekly meeting of the Presbyterian Litorary arid Debating Society was held on Tuesday evening. Mr Irwin, presided over a large attendance. The debate, "Are picture'shows harmful to the rising generation ?" proved a great success. The affirmative side was taken by Messrs Walker. Angus, Rowe, and Cooke, and the negative by Messrs Widdowson, Boyes, Mackenzie, and Mead. On. a vote being taken, the affirmative side was accorded the decision.

Some technical questions regarding the management of a yacht were discussed at the inquiry at Wellington on Friday into the Pilot-Atalanta collision. ''How long would it take to cast off the mainsheet, and commence to slack- away?" asked counsel 1 of an expert witness. "Three seconds, I should say," came the reply. "Only three seconds —are you sure?" persisted counsel. Witness: "It would take me three seconds; it would probably take you three minutes." "Oh! It might take, me three hours. I think it would," replied counsel.

Australian manufactures to-day are, according to the president of the New ■South Wales Chamber of Manufactures (Mr Pratten), in something of the position of little Willie, who got lost. "Well, well, it will be all right," said a sympathetic neighbour to his sorrowing mother; "everybody in the neighbourhood knows, him." "Oh, nobody will know him to-day," his'mother answered, "because I've just 'washed him !" (Laughter.) The mud and dirt of prejudice (Mr Pratten continued) that used to begrime, local industries were rapidly being washed off, and they we're proud to say that, everybody knew Australian manufactures now.

The Australian Minister for Defence (Senator E. D. Millen) stated recently that an invitation had been received from the New Zealand Government for on or more- oif the ships of the Royal ■Australian . Navy to visit the Dominion. "The Government," said Senator Millen, ''has given -a most cordial, reception to the suggestion, and it is now most probable that such a visit will ibe arranged towards the end of the. year."- It is hoped that the whole fleet,"-with the exception of the submarines, may cross the Tasman Sea. There is no doubt, says the "Sydney Morning Herald," that an ■enthusiastic reception will be" given to the fleet in New Zealand, where the new policy of Mr Massey's for the establishment of a. local navy on Australian lines has been received, with growing approval. It is felt by both Governments ' that the proposed visit would do much to convince the people o'f New Zealand as to the community of interests in defence matters, which, exists between the* two Dominions, and to foster the same healthy naval sentiment in New Zealand * which has been created in the Commonwealth.

Recent Home files show that plantation rubber has 'been in much greater demand lately, in 4haijp contrast to the comparatively subdued state of the market for Para descriptions. This activity has, apparently, no't been confined to London, and Continental experts, it is stated, express rather more hopeful views with regard to the outlet for rubber in the near future. As various Australianowned rubber properties are no'w approaching the producing stage, it is to be hoped that this cheering opinion is justified. While the manufacturing trades are now in the most active period of their year, and the general demand from consumers has been on a large scale, it must not be forgotten that production of plantation rubber is expanding rapidly. Figures taken from official and other reliable sources show that the area (planted in Malaya, Ceylon, and other Eastern countries, has increased, from 551,000 acres in 1906/ to 1,132,000 acres in 1912. The estimate for 1913 is 1.245,000 acres ; and what will be planted in the future must necessarily be guesswork, 'but a net progressive increase of 25,000 acres per annum is assumed, after allowing £dr a certain acreage ;being abandoned annually as a result 6f th= existing and possibly permanent, low price of rubber. According to the latest statistics, the world's production of rubber last vear was 115,000 tons, of which 44,000 tons was plantation, 41,000 tons Brazilian, and 30,000 tons came from various sources. Consumption for tho same period is stated to be 112,000 tons, and that for 1914 is estimated by (Mr Henry T. Br ice at 126,000 tons, as compared with a prospective production of 124,000 tons only/ In this calculation plantation rubber is set down at 64,000 tons, an increase of 20,000 tons on the 1913 figures, 'but ICOO tons less is expected from Brazil, and 10,000 tons less from other sources. The moot point about this estimate is the anticipated expansion of 14,000 tons in the consumption, which seems to imply, either a recovery in trade or a drop in the .price of rubber.

Half-price Millinery Sale! To-morrow and Saturday are the last days of Special Millinery Sale. All Trimmed Millinery exactly half-price.—Auckland Clothing and Drapery 'Co.*

Our Motucka correspondent wires that the result of the Borough Council election held yesterday to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of -Mr P. G. Moti'att to the Mayoralty, was as follows : 11. Buckeridge 196 votes; M. H. Staples 64.

At a meeting of the Motueka Horticultural Society, held on Tuesday evening, advises our correspondent, it was decided that the Society should be represented at the forthcoming show at Palmerston North, and the arrangements were left in the hands of Mr L. G. Duncan, ot Riwaka.

Tho weeklv meeting of the Presbyterian Literary and Debating Society -was held on Tuesday evening. Mr Irwin presided over a large attendance. lhe debate, "Are picture shows harmful to the rising generation ?" proved a great success. The affirmative side was taken bv Messrs Walker, Angus, Rowe, and Cooke;_and the negative by Messrs Widdowson, Boyes, MacKenzie, and Mead. On a vote being taken, the affirmative side was accorded the decision. •

Tb.« member for Auckland West (Mr I J. 11. Bradney) refevvo.d to the recent strike, and was constantly reminded «t it. during his address at tho Windsor Theatre, ' Ponsonby, on Monday rught (savs the "Herald.") At question time he'was asked to explain his action in voting for a measure preventing peaceful picketing. The reply was emphatic. "I do not believe in peaceful or any other kind of picketing," said Mr Bradney. "There is no' occasion for picketing in this country. In any case, how can there be peaceful picketing when men are in the state of mind they were in during the strike?" Later, in answering a question as to whether he would try. and induce the Government to provide work for the unemployed; Mr Bradney said it was not the duty of the. Government to find work fo-r them. Such a procedure would tend to create Workers were wanted, not "hangers-on, who loafed and let their wives go out washing.

Fruitbrokers are of the opinion that the rapidly-increasing export trade AViUi South America will not appreciably aJfect the local market for many years to come. There is,always a good demand in the Dominion for first-class fruit at profitable prices to the growers, and it is believed that New Zealand oi-chaidiste will find that jt will, pay them to.pK cc_a, portion of <neu- yields in Alio market Then the fruit industry is aending steadily, it being recognised that Se prospects are good for those who.are prepared to acquire expert knowledge J Suit'culture l It is who studv the development of the iidus ti-v that it is not entirely free from the 'plcXcive spirit, but that element does not, as yet, predominate.

Sydney would be much more beautiful than it is if it were embowered .in folTao-e, said Mr W. B. Griffin,, the Chicago architect, who is.carrying out the Federal capital design, last week He said that he did not want to see trees in the busy streets, but they could be planted in some of the quieter «treets of the city, and throughout the residential areas. They could not have too many of them. In New Zealand the same mistake was made as in Australia. People were planting European trees andAustralian trees. He liked Australian trees, but not in New Zealand,, which had a most wonderful flora of its own, and that was what one wanted to see when one went there. These new countries were losing their original characteristic features. It was a mistake -to try to repeat the Old Country flora in a new country. They should make the most of the good things of their own country.

In the course of the 'marine inquiry at the Magistrate's Court at Wellington on Friday into the Pilot-Atalanta collision last month, the proceedings were on soveral occasions the cause of merriment. One witness was asked to state the crew that were aboard the Pilot at the time. "Well," lie said, reflectively/ "there was the captain, the chief officer, the chief said the examining counsel. .J- 'That'sall," continued-the witness, amiki'general laughter. At a later stage tlie same witness waxed indignant at the misdoings of certain yachtsmen in the < harbour. "Why," he said, "some of them come right up. to the side of a stdamer and go about and some cut right across your bows. If you speak to them they •put their fingers to their noses (illustrating the action), and you know what that means!" Counsel disclaimed all knowledged of any' significance that might be attached to the mystic sign. "Well, I don't know what it means either," finished the witness, amidst more laughter. ' ' ' > . ,

The extraordinary divergence of medical opinion as to the sanity or insanity of Thomas Edwin Brown, who was charged with having mxirdered Constable Hickey in Sydney, and, was acquitted, but afterwards detained, on grounds of insanity, cannot be passed over without con-ment, (says the "Sydney Morning Herald.") The evidence of no fewer than 13 doctors was taken in and the conclusion of six of them was completely opposed- to the conclusion of tho other seven. "It is," the "Herald" proceeds, 'high time that medical men were given such a training in the diagnosis of madness' that such a conflict of evidence should" in future be put almost beyond the bounds of possibility. The public, in a case of this sort, docs not know which set of doctors was right. What it does want is the assurance that its medical men will in future obtain such a training in this important department of modern medicine as will make impossible the occurrence o'f any of tho terrible mistakes for which the absence of such training leaves only too obvious an. opening."

Only two more days ! All our Trimmed Millinery at exactly half-price for Friday and Saturday only. See windowfull in Hardy-street.—Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.* \

Mr S. .Winn, Nelson, agent for Douglas motor cycles* has received cabled advice that in. the famous Isle of Man trials Douglas machines von the light-weight class, doing the distance in record tune. The same "n:ake of machine also reoeiv--cd second, fourth, and sixth places—a most -gratifying performance, proving once again the remarkable power of this wonderful machine*

Have you seen the Millinery TV mdew ' All Trimmed Millinery at oxa.uy nailprice for Friday and Saturday, only.— Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co. The game of baseball, winch is. so popular in the United. States, will bo played in Wellington during the coming season. The Whisky that will please your palate—Watson's No. 10.* Tho famous ' •R.oslyn" Writing Pads obtainable from all Stationers and Store >,... - ah f>r\ an.-l Is *>«" h The Inckv No. V is the beverage oTateon'TNo.' 10 is tha Whisky of tne "'We have a fine assortment of styles in Warner's Rust-proof. Corsots, in order that we may accurately and comtortaoiy fit every woman who comes to our counters for a Corset. Nelson drapers. Trappers! It's crand when you come in from the "round" to be able to make a hot cup of coffee hi half a minute. You can do it with "Camp. Camp is in liquid form—read-made. Just stir in boiling water, and you have a warm comforting drink of tho nicest coffee ob tainable.*

Throe seamen on the Kapuni, who refused duty yesterday, and caused th*o vessel to be delayed, were each fined two days' pay with 16s costs, at the Magistrate's Court , at Wellington today!

The present members of the Nelson ■Coursing Club, and. anyono olso interested, are invited to be present. atr a meet in.r to be held to-morrow mglyt. .Grounds ha"ve bosn secured, and all is in readiness to' hold the coursing matches. Ihe-meet-'in K is called for the purpose, of artrfnging a programme.

Sunday was,one of the worst days experienced in Pictou for very many years (states the "Press"). Ihe .fierce southerly gale « at , its • height throughout the day, bringing with it icy-cold blasts from the *mow-;cla<t mountains arid almoet incessant . shower* of tain. The hurricane wrought*a,considerable amount of damage throughout the district, trees being uprooted, tolccranh poles levelled to tho ground, top» of chimneys broken off and window*, smashed, and altogether it was a day •t*> be remembered. v . '

Que tho settlers .who drew a section on the Hillersden Estate arrived in Blenhoim last week with'a waggon-and team of six horses, with which he had "trekked" from Geraklvne, covering a difitanco of over 300 miles. The .journey occupied manv dav*ji and the gritty traveller had much outspanning to do : but he covered the "-round without mishap, and'reached Blenheim in the best of spirits. _Ho reported, says tho Marlborough, Express" that the only difhculty;. of any consequence that he. experienced>a3. .m the crossing of the Ccxrway fiver; .

"It is the first time I have ever been before the 'beak,' " waa / tho ; unusual re-, mark of a defendant at the Auckland Police Court the other day, when he was offering a number of reasons why ho should not be fined heavily for exceedin<T the speed limits "I did not catch your remark," said Mr Frazer, with a suspicion of a smile. "I said it. was the first time I have ever been before the Bench," replied the defendant with perfect composurel .

So far the police*have failed to find any trace of the persons who passed tho bogus £lO-notee in Auckland at",Eastertime. Careful compilation of the number of notes reported to have boon passed shows that the* operators must have gained about £BOO by their operations. The notes were probably printed in America. '

A number of 'specially equipped motor, vans are being constructed for the Commanwealth Postal Department..-for- tho delivery in Molbourne'of. parcels'of agricultural produce sent" through tho post. Tho system is-to-take- effect on Ist July; The Federal Postmaster-General',has. re' ceived a report from the United'; State*, that last vear 300,000,000 parcels were carried, and that tho new service had been mainlv instrumental in turning- a loas into a profit of over £BOO,OOO. ' v

"I object to affidavits containing slan<V said Mr Justice Cooper, at the Aucßland Supreme Court. "In the ono' before me the word 'billet-,', instead of the right word, 'situation,' iB used several times." When preparing such documents, he continued, solicitors . should use English. The term "billet", had probably been adopted to some extent in English, in the senso-mentioned, but,* nevertheless, it was slang. The old English word "billet" could only bo,, used in reference to the of soldiers. "I like to see the (English language kept undefiled," said his Honor, "and I think an effort; should to preserve its purity." • Counsel'addressed bowed to the" ruling of .the ( , judgo, but mentioned that in «. recently-pub-lished dictionary, some 100. pages -were devoted to words exclusively used in the Australasian'colonies, though ho could not say if "billet" was included; in' the list. ■■■'; ' -A;: •' ;

The Pure Food and Health Society is starting a campaign to promote tho cleanliness of meat, both im shops and in transport' from market to shop;,'and from shop to customer, writes a correspondent. "One of tlie chief evils which we have to combat is tho splashing! vby motor omnibuses and cars-of meat displayed outside .shops," says an official. We have J had inspectors taking notes; of this, and find that' it is not only dust, ' or -chiefly dust, that, makes. the. meat dirty. Dirt is also picked up by meat being driven from markets to shops-in an open cart, with a driver, perhaps smoking a pipe, sitting on or- loaning against the meat. Then it. isf again distributed uncovered or at any ratb_ not wrapped -up, and x in many cases a. joint is carried under his arm to the door : by the butcher'B boy. We are sending round to leading butchers samples of dust-proof bagsi, such as are evon now U6&d by leading "butchers. We are also approaching the market committees of \ leading towns to prevent big loads o* moat from going out in open carts.. —London correspondent.

Tho disastrous results of,'youthful and hastv marriages wore strongly commented upon by Mr Justice Cooper in the Supremo Court at. Auckland. Expressing tho hope that his words might have a warning effect, ,Ins Honor pointed out in the course- of a case, that his experience had showed 'that marriages wore often enterod into without inquiries 'which ordinarily would be made if an employee' wcro Doing engaged. In this case a woman s life had practically been spoiled, her hxisbnnd's drunken career c&mmoncing on th* day of the. marriage.' was a rao4 "unhappy one. « A girl o. only nineteen had married a young man who, according to the evidence, must have been given to excessive drinking before marriage..* Accepting the evi« clenco of the girl and her mother tliat thev wore unaware of this and that the marriage would not have taken place had they possessed thb knowledge, • tho case showed that there ought to be somo system by which before, marriage actually took place some inauiry should if not by the parties themselves, by tho person officiating at the marriage, as to tho character and hal>its of those who presented themselves for marriage.

A Duncdinito who has been revisiting his native land after an absence of_somo veavs, sneaks in glowing torms of the life in Western Australia, Avherc he is now domiciled. Though ho is patriotic enough to feel proud of this city of learning, 'vet he regards tho capital the Western State' of the Commonwealth 1 , which is about, the size of Duncdin as regards population, as a much pleasanter place in which to reside, ho being quite, enamored with tho free social life which prevails there and .tho general condition of labour. In. a plirne.e, ho endorses tho savinf that -Duncdin is a Scotch city. Incidentally, this ex-Dunedinite remarked that quite a number* of New. Zealanders have made Western Australia their jhomc, and perhaps tho beat evidence of their prosperity is their declaration that they have no intention of 1 returning to New Zealand to settle down, although, of course, they are keenly interested in the welfare of tho, land of their birth.

A. Blanket Special for Friday and Saturday! 25 pairs of all-wool South. Canterbury Blankets —jj 'bed size—weighing sj!lbs, for 19s 6d pair. Usually 22s 6d. —Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.* .