LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15821, 19 January 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A boot manufacturer stated yesterday that in consequence of the rise in the price of leather, the price of boots would go up by about 10 per cent, or 15 per cent. "When will that be?" he was asked. "Immediately," he responded. " Thereis no help for it—no way of avoiding it."

The scow Combine, which capsized oH the Nelson Street jetty on Saturday morning, was righted on Sunday, and towed to the slip yesterday, where she will be overhauled. The machinery which was aboard her and went to the bottom is being recovered.

The water supply in Paeroa is now lower than it has been since the supply as installed about eighteen years ago. The reservoir on the Taranaki Creek, our correspondent states, contains at present only about three feet of water, instead of the usual depth of 25ft. The old reservoir has been turned into the pipes in order to augment the supply, and it will be necessary for residents to exercise considerable care with the water until the rain comes. The present summer has been the driest fo • years.

Th', work of the Remuera Fire Brigade was referred to in highly complimentary terms by Mr. J. Dempsey, chairman of the Remuera Road Board, at last night's meeting. The men had been called out a great deal during the last two months, he said. Excellent work had been done, and the board's policy in keeping the brigade had been fully justified. If the district were to remain as it was, it would bo wise to go in for a motor-reel. When the recent fire broke out in Newmarket, he rang up for the Remuera brigade, which reached Newmarket in remarkably quick time. The thanks of the board were due to the brigade. A motion in that direction was adopted.

A large number of passengers travelled by the Main Trunk express which left Auckland for Wellington last evening. So manv people desired to travel that at the last moment two extra carriages had to be provided. This caused a little delay. Included among the £00 passengers leaving by the express were many of the Southern bowlers who had 'n Aucklard for the tournament They were given .in enthusiastic farewell by the local bowlers.

A meeting of the creditors of Edward Crawford, machinist, of Auckland, was held yesterday. Mr. Peak, who appeared for one of the creditors, asked whether the bankrupt had any .'hares in a, piano company, and was informed that so far Crawford had forwarded no books. His sworn statement, however, gave his assets as nil. The meeting was adjourned until February 9 as th* bankrr.pt was at present in the hospital.

If the new railway proceeds, as contemplated, outside Point Resolution there 'rill bo an are)* of about 15 acres between the railway and the shore. This area, it is suggested, will be utilised as a salt-water lake, the railway embarkment being provided with suitable culverts and floodpates for the ingress and egrets of the tide water. Several yachtsmen have expressed the opinion that the art could easily be ((inverted int'> a. safe anchorage and harbour for yachts and motor-boat*. Thev consider this could b> d'>ne if the embankment is made of sufficient height above the sea level to allow of the. pat>sase of the smaller vessels through arches.

Cable advices received in SyJnev rorecently stated that five German prize steamers were sold by auction at London it. January 6, the prices aggregating .€150.725. A Liverpool shipowner purchased the £chle<?ien, 5556 tons, a Xorddeutsche- Lloyd steauior, formerly in the Australian trade, for £65,000. The Li\erI«x>l Chamber of Commerce had previously passed a. resolution urging the Government to hast the sale of prize ships in order to combat the scarcity of steamers for ordinary trade

Recently the Mayor sent a f-y,.'' the Minister for Defence urging stantlilly reduced fares should be chJS$ to members of the reinforcement d 3? now in camp at Tnntham. whejjlS?!.! desired to travel on the railways fort? purpose of visiting friends or relative, • districts far removed from WeDjiigisl The Hon. J. Alien has i-niicd that he expects to make an aiuiounoeoS m the course of a day or two. The complaint that members of th« peditionary fo.ee. enemp-d at TrentlJ!' have to pay full railway fares ling to see their relatives has "Ifis brought under the ; t..,e 0 f ji Minister of Defence by M:. P k p *** lard, MP. The Muster has tmlJf ... —as proiaj|j to make inquiries rcgaru.: the matt*. Two Chinamen and on- I "hineso W{aßte were among the pas*ei.c«-:s who arrrrri by the Riverina from M.dnev ves'.i»»d "■ The last-named v as the wife of one of til Chinamen, who had maiie .> tup to Cim*. in orde. to bn .q her t - N ew ZeaUrJ He is a naturalised Br;i..-'n subject otherwise the \oman «o-.!d not, j»,_ hern allowed to land. :'•.•• , .._-.- tiatnialw Chinamen can bring thfir wives to tk Dominion.

Ever since the unmr- n airietttata, examination was adopted . > ~ examination «- f the Ne« /.•-.:and Socia» of Accountant? there l.a- '..-m a £jj. off in the number of stud':.is anxjotn to qualify as accountant.-. 1 .:■; ember d aceountaii'y student* in i.. .- was over 99p but List year only a -.it iV: --iudeat6su for th» examination. In .-.;.-: to conSjj," f.e position a conferee .• if members tf •ie examination commit;.. ..f the Sociei T v Accountants will be held in WellinrtQ, to-morrow. Invitations have been issnj to the lecturers in accountancy attach** to the four university collets. The land lecturer. Mr. W. 11. left for the South last ft -h*. to attest ti» conference.

Shortly alter ten o'clock last evenia; flames were seen issuing from a vacant section off Calliope Koad, Dermport, in the vicinity of Bond's timber oil The section was covered with jorse, wii, afforded admirable fuel for the fiaases. For a time there was every indication thai the fire would spread to some dwelling, houses in the vicinity. The Devotport brigade, which -rive just as the fits reached a fowlhou.-e in an adjoining *&. perty, promptly checked the outbreak. S"

The question of closing the Onelnmß, Zoo was again before the Borough Cornel last night, when a letter was read frtaa Mr. J. J. Boyd's solicitor slating that a the event of the council proceeding tj enforce the borough by-law aDd close the zoo be had been instructed by Mr. Boyd to proceed to test the validity of tit council's action, which be would do under the Declaratory Judgments Act, 1908, mi obtain the opinion of the court by in originating summons. l"he solicitor asked if the council would be prepared to irarre the question of a month's notice should

such be necessary. If so he would proceed at once to file a summons for hearing. The town clerk intimated that Mr. Boyd was now i'. England and the council ra awaiting a reply from him before talk? action. The solicitor's letter was referred to the council in committee next Monday night.

Complaints have been made to the Mayor to the effect that inadequate protection is provided in some cases for n>:;4 which is being conveyed along the thoroughfares. One correspondent informed Mr. Parr that at 750 a.m. last Fricfor carts passing along Beach Bm& laden with meat were enveloped in ckrais & dust, and the carcases were not properly covered. Mr Parr has called for a report from the chief sanitary inspector.

Already there are activities in Libera circles in regard to the municipal elections, to be held in April. On Monday three delegates from each of the Auckland industrial unions will meet, and elect * committee to draw up a programme, voting the opinion of Labour on maUen municipal. When this programme -to been endorsed by the unions, candidates will be selected who will support it» J

Feeling references to the death of Mr. Erni Bond, formerly a member of tk» Remuera Road Board, were made by tie chairman, Mr. J. Dempsey, at last evening's meeting of that body. A motion of condolence was ordered to be sent to Mb. Bond. *}|

The question of amalgamation with il*-j|| city was brought up at last night's meeting of the Remuera Road Board by tie chairman. Mr. J. Dempsey, who stated | that, although the board had received jf»J| official information regarding the dale of [ the poll on the issue, the Government had communicated with the returning officer,-' he understood, and advised that the poll be taken on the date suggestedFebraaJT--' 17. He moved that the Auckland City Council be requested to furnish the board,;; with the terms and conditions of amalgamation, which would be acceptable to w» city. The information would be given to * the public. A special meeting of tie hoam, will be held on Monday next to go into the question. Mr. G. W. Murray obj<Kl*d to any discussion of terms, which mige» , obscure the issue. The motion was earned- g

The following was the state of His Majesty's prison, Auckland, for the w»» ending January 16:—On remand, 5 mafes; awaiting trial, 15 males; sentenced to &*» 4 males; sentenced to bard labour, males, 9 females sentenced to inipns*" ment, 2 males; default of bail, 2 mates; received during the week 23 males, * female; discharged, 35 males, 3 ferns!** Total in prison. 279 males, 9 females.^

Three interesting tables, showing «**. number of unemployed who had applied"*., work at the Labour Bureau, Auckland* during the week* ending January 2, Ja ll ?*, ary 9, and January 16. were placed I*"?*■'.:,■ the Finance Committee of the Auckland Citizens' Patr otic League yesterdayDuring the week ending January 2 only? men. 10 of them married and 21 of tb«a " single, applied 'or work, employment «*»& found for five single men. The fcflj**' ing week the applicants increased to At* married men totalling 85 and single i»*b 117. In that week places were found'* 15 married men and 32 single men. *■■ week there was a flight decrease, the *? plicauts being 74 married men ana single men. making a total of 158 B *™" The Labour Bureau was successful l** l week in finding work f.-i 20 married oca and 14 single men.

A meeting of Mount Koskdl ratera.« B will be held to-morrow n:ght in the pnhW school, opposite the Veterans' Home--- ('. C. Davis, who has convened the rot**ing. will lay his views before the Taxpayers on the question of the amalgam* tion of th whole, or a part, of the Moo** Roskill Road District with the Borough," Onehunga, -jl4

The Remuera koad Board met la- | night. There weie present: Messr V7 Dempsev. chairman. P. Spencer, A..* I **'"? rold, S." M. Moore Jones. C. H. F nn *f' ] J. B. Paterson, and G. W. Murray. Vt . . , , ,f tb* chairman reviewed the progress "* district, and hi* remarks appear • . .■ where. % £■£?!,