LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16021, 13 September 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Huddart - Parker steamer Riverma, which was delayed at Lyttelton owing to a mishap to her engines, left that port for Wellington on Saturday morning and arrived at 10.20 p.m. While on her last trip from Sydney the steamer's high; pressure piston was damaged, and a new piston had to be made. This was forwarded by rail to Wellington on Saturday and will be fitted before the steamer leaves for Auckland direct on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. The date of her departure for Sydney has not yet been de- ! cided upon. (

Several hundred people visited the Maori camp at Narrow Neck yesterday. A troop of boy scouts and a boys' drum and fife band marched from Devonport to the camp. In the afternoon the band of the 3rd, Auckland, Mounted Rifles, under Bandmaster H. Seymour, provided a musical programme.

The offer of the bowlers to equip a borne for convalescent soldiers has been accepted by the Government. Advice to this effect was received on Saturday by Mr. A. M. Bryden, secretary of the Auckland centre of the Bowling Association, in a telegram from the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health. In expressing the thanks of the Government for the offer, the Minister suggests that the movement should be made one for the whole of the North Island, and requests the Auckland centre to secure the co-operation' of other bowling centres in the North Island in raising a fund for the establishment; equipment and maintenance of a convalescent home at Rotorua for sick and i wounded soldiers. The Minister also states that he is asking the bowlers of the South ; Island to establish a similar fund for the ' equipment of Hanmer on similar lines.

A half-caste Maori named Albert Asher ; was charged before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday morning with using threatening behaviour in Victoria Street on Friday night. Tne offence was admitted. Senior-Sergeant Rut-ledge said the accused and another man were fighting when the constable came along. The other man was not caught. The accused was fined 10s. An inmate of the Costley Home, a man of 84 years of age, was charged with drunkenness. He was convicted and was ordered to return to the home. A youth 18 years of age was also charged with insobriety. The magistrate expressed surprise at the youth of the defendant. Senior-Sergeant Rutledge said he had obtained a statement from him. A fine of 10s was imposed. Three other first offenders were convicted and fined 5s each.

The furnishing of the Soldiers' Club was completed on Saturday, and the rooms are now in readiness for the official opening, which takes place to-day. Only one of the two billiard tables presented lias been erected, the billiard-room being only large enough to accommodate comfortably a full-sized table, and a number of small card-tables. The room is well-furnished with comfortable chairs and lounge seats, and the walls are decorated with several good engravings. The reading and writing room conveys the same impression of comfort', a piano and well-filled bookcase, being included in the furnishings. A third room has been fitted up for the dispensing of refreshments, which work has been undertaken by a committee of ladies. The opening ceremony, which will be performed by tho Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, will only be attended by members of . the patriotic committees, soldiers, and those citizens to whom special invitations have been sent, but the public will be admitted to the club at 4 p.m., and the rooms will also be - open to-morrow afternoon and evening for the benefit of citizens desiring to see them. I

An interesting case dealing with the relations between an architect and his employer was opened at Pukekohe and concluded at the Auckland Magistrate's Court before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M. The plaintiff was F. W. Mountjoy (Mr. E. Mahorreyl, an architect, of Pukekohe, and the defendant was Alfred Lakeman (Mr. J. G. Haddow). a draper, also of Pukekohe. The plaintiff had been employed by the defendant to design and superintend the erection of a dwelling at Pukekohe. The developments which arose led to the defendant determining the plaintiff's engagement. The plaintiff sued the defendant for £27 12s by way of damages for alleged breach of contract. There was a counterclaim for £54 2s for alleged want of skill and for alleged negligence. In giving judgment the magistrate upheld the plaintiff** case, adding that he was satisfied with plaintiff's professional work and his efforts to safeguard the defendant's . interests. Judgment was given for plaintiff, with costs. The counter-claim, was dismissed.

It had originally been intended that the hospital ship should proceed from Wellington to Lyttelton and Port Chalmers yesterday, but the transport's departure had to be delaved until Monday afternoon. Indeed, it" is just possible, says the Press Association, that she may not be able to get away until Tuesday morning. This is. because it is inconvenient for several of the soldiers to be hurried off the ship. The period for which the crew were shipped expired at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and they were all paid off, but the majority of them will sign on again before the steamer's departure for the South. The steamer will now remain, in New Zealand waters until required for further military duty.

A confirmation service was held vesterday by Dr. A. W. Averill. Anglican Bishop of Auckland, at the Maori camp at Narrow Neck, when a number of the soldiers were confirmed. In the evening the bishop instituted the Rev. P. C. Davis as vicar of St. Columba Mission at Grey Lynn.

A contribution of £100 0s 7id will be made to the Auckland provincial fund for the provision of leather waistcoats for the men on active service, as a result of the street collection in Newmarket on Friday. Of this amount, £44 Is 3d was collected in the borough by a committee organised by the Mayoress, Mrs. J. H. McColl, comprising Mesdames Leek, Mattocks, Moore, Cooke, Bodley, Smith, Donaldson, Fish, Winters, and Dare, and Misses Kivell, A. and H. McColl. At the request of Mrs. McColl, the staff and the children of the Newmarket school undertook the conduct of a flower-stall and the sale of button-holes, and their efforts were rewarded bv the addition of about £55 to tho total. The amount raised will provide 285 waistcoats.

At a large meeting of contributors to the Sick and Wounded and Dependents' Fund, representing South Canterbury, it was announced that the £55,000 which had been named as South Canterbury's minimum quota, had been obtained within eight weeks, entirely by voluntary subscriptions, in sums from £1000 "downwards. The average per subscriber was £61. The subscribers agreed to form themselves into a legally-constituted society to assist in relieving sick and wounded soldiers and dependents, and favoured joining a federation of kindred societies, subject to local control of the fund. Delegates were appointed to attend the Wellington Conference on September 15*

The House of Representatives will go on with the Estimates on Tuesday, and the "taxation .. Biils will not make their appearance on that day. .The. Prime Minister stated on Saturday that they will be considered by Cabin it before their presentation to the House, and will be brought down during the week.

Generous support is anticipated for the appeal which is being made in Auckland I by tho French Club for funds to assist the French Red Cross Society. A concert will be given in the concert chamber of the Town Hall on the evening of September 30, and a number of talented people havo already volunteered their practical help. Souvenir programmes will be sold in the hall by the nurses of the' Auckland Hospital. Bcty scouts will also be in attendance tor any services which they may render, and the offers of help that have been received by the council of the French Club ensure the success of its effort. The following donations, amounting to £39 4s, have been received by the treasurer, Mr. J. F. Du Flou: — Court, Ltd., £10; W. E. Moore. £3 3s; O. H. Ernest, £1 Is: Macky. Logan. Caldwell, Ltd., £20; A Friend of France. £5.

Probates in the following estates were granted by Mr. Justice Cooper on Saturday:—Bridget Grace (Mr. W. Fallon), Benjamin Honeyford (Mr. H. G. B» Mason), Alexander Macbean (Mr. F. j Lowrie), Mary Marshall (Mr. C. M. | Calder). Michael McGrael (Mr. W. Fallon), j Sarah McGuire (Mr. F. H. Mueller), ; Fred. Shadbolt (Mr. C. M. Calder), James Watson (Mr. Moody). Letters of administration were granted in the follow-1 ing estates : —John Buchanan (Mr. A. Hanna), John Craig (Mr. H. J. Durham), j W. Dodgson (Mr. W. H. Armstrong), j Wm. George Gilbert (Mr. E. J. Prender- j gast). Robert -Love (Mr. R. R. Bell), Robert McCurten (Mr. C. J. Schnauer), and Elizabeth Tremain (Mr. C. M. ! Calder). \ An interesting seouel to the destruction I by fire of a number of films in the King | George Theatre on April 24 was a case j heard by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court on Saturday, when Walter George Williams and Frances Harman (Mr. H. H. Ostler), who traded under the name of the Universal Film Supply Company, of High Street, Auckland, proceeded against Robert L. Cleland (Mr. H. J. Durham), proprietor of the King George Theatre for the recovery of £123 10s. The plaintiffs stated that they hired nine films, including an exclusive picture, to the defendant. The films were not returned, and they now claimed the value of them. The defence stated that the films were destroyed by accident. The conditions were submitted to the defendant, who was simply bound to take ordinary care as lessee of the films. It was contended that as the accident was not the outcome of negligence, the defendant was not liable. After partly hearing the evidence the magistrate adjourned the case.

The work of the Field Engineers is described in terms of high praise by a member of the Expeditionary Force, writing from the front. " The Engineers, who left the Dominion in April last." he says, " have already made a reputation for themselves and earned the esteem of the other branches of the force. They have carried out a lot of important works and have converted into places of comparative safety and comfort trenches which formerly were to the infantry who had to occupy them looked upon with loathing and dread. The general a few. days ago expressed his satisfaction at the work done, and later the chief engineer of the Army Corps" formally conveyed his appreciation of tire energy displayed by the men and the excellent spirit shown by all ranks." The officer commanding the field troop is Major George Barclay. V.D., who. prior to his departure with the.fourth reinforcements.

was chief clerk in the railway traffic manager's office at Auckland."

A service in memory of the late Private W. J. Griffiths, who died of wounds, was conducted by the Salvation Army last evening. Private Griffiths was' formerly a member of the band of the city corps and went to the front in the band of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. The ceremony was attended by the members of the 3rd Infantry Regimental Band, Trades Union Silver Band, Temperance Guards' Band, and the band of the City Salvation Army, who marched from the foot of Queen Street to the Albert Street barracks. The Regimental and Army bands played the : Dead March in Saul during, the pro- ; cession. The service in the barracks was largely attended, several hundred people being uniblo to find accommodation. In the course of his address. Adjutant T. E. Holmes, who presided, expressed appreciation of the services rendered by the late Private Griffiths to the Salvation Army ! and to the British- nation, and ' offered Mrs. Griffiuhs*and other relatives the sympathy of the members of the Army. Reference to the sterling qualities of the deceased was made by Mr. F. W. Brinsden, who was Private Griffiths's employer for a number of jears. The band secretary, Mr Chapman, spoke on behalf of the bandsmen. The massed Regimental and City Corps bands played tbA National Anthem at the conclusion of the service. Last evening, at the Tabernacle, the Rev. Knowles Kempton conducted a service in honour of the memory of two young men connected with the church who have been killed in action at Gallipoli, Private Arthur Carbines, Taranaki Infantry, and Private Stanley Edmiston, Australian Light Horse. There was a large congregation. Mr. Kempton spoke from the text, "He that saveth his life is losing it, but he that loseth it shall guard it." During the evening Mr. N. Tucker sang the hymn, " Jesus, my Loving Friend," the words and music of which were composed by the late Private Carbines.

A large gathering of natives was held at Ohinenrutu on Thursday evening to bid farewell to members of the native military contingent from the Rotorua and other districts. Maoris were present from all parts of the district and from the East Coast and the Urewera districts. Great enthusiasm was shown, and the speakers emphasised the point that Maori blood had been shed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and that with God's help the Maoris would never go back till victory was theirs. Specially interesting speeches were made by Tamihaaa Tikitere,. of Rotorua, and Paora Ngamoki, from the Urewera. The latter, who lost sons "in the recent fighting, said that the fathers of those fighting in Gallipoli deplored that they, too. could not go to the war, and that, if emergency demanded it, every Maori, irrespective of age, would respond to the call of their King. To the departing soldiers was given a behest to uphold the honour and the reputation for valour of the Maori race, and to maintain to the death their duty to God and to their King.

The total rainfall for the 48 hours, ended at midnight, as registered by the Herald gauge, was l.lOin. Practically the whole of this amount fell between 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. on Saturday. The total rainfall for the present month is 1.29 in, there having been four days on which slight showers felL