LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16204, 14 April 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

An apprentice named Francis Stoup, aged 20, employed by Messrs. A. and T. Burt, Ltd., fell through an opening of the first floor of the premises owned by Messrs. Winstone, Ltd., in Customs Street yesterday morning and received severe injuries to his head. Stoup, who resides in Cameron Street, Devonport, was engaged with other men installing an electric lift in the building. He stepped through an aperture intended for the accommodation of a grain elevator. He fell about 15ft and was rendered unconscious. He was conveyed to tho hospital. Stoup was reported at an early hour this morning to liave regained consciousness.

A charge of permitting persons to loiter in the passage of the Princess Theatre was preferred against the manager, Joseph McMahou in tho Police Court yesterday. The information was laid by Mr. J. B. Lindsay, traffic inspector. The evidence submitted was that Mr. Lindsay found a number of persons standing in tho principal passage during a performance. Tliis was said to bo a breach of the bylaws. Counsel for the defendant submitted that tho by-law was intended to prevent persons from standing in the passages leading immediately to the seats of the theatre. Tho object was that in the event of a panto peoplo occupying the seats should have a free exit. It was contended that thoso standing in the main passage would automatically move towards the street in the case of an emergency. The magistrate, Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., held that a conviction must be recorded. Frederick Mills, manager of Everybody's Theatre, was also convicted on a similar charge. The question of penalties was deferred for consideration.

Tho Consul for Belgium, Mr. A. M. Ferpuson, reports the sale, on 'behalf of the Belgian Relief Fund, of 159 acres of land at Rukuhia for £718 9s 3d. This land was donated by Dr. E. E. Porritt, of Wanganui. The purchaso money carries a Government subsidy of £ for £.

The danger of discharging firearms in the city was emphasised in the Police Court yesterday, when William Claud Silver admitted that he fired a pea-rifle on February 25. Tho defendant, who lives in Wallace Street, Ponsonby, borrowed a pea-rifle from a relative, and took it to his house. Ho inserted a cartridge, and when he tried te get it out, found he could not do so safely. He therefore went into his yard, and, putting up a board as a target, fired at it. The bullet passed through the board, and, a lady, who was passing, was struck in the shoulder. Sub-In-spector Mcllvoney stated that defendant had a good character, and had at one time been a member of the police force. Tho magistrate, Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., said that in view of the heavy expenses involved, he would merely convict defendant, and ordered him to pay 7s Court costs. The defendant intimated that he would enter into an arrangement for tho payment of hospital expenses.

The question of an electric lighting ! scheme for the Birkenhead and Northcote i districts was discussed at a combined meeting of the two councils last night. The Mayor of Northcob, Mr. G. Fraser, presided. Mr. J. P. McPhail, Mayor of 1 Birkenhead, detailed the steps taken by his council, which had obtained a report and estimate of a scheme from an engineer. Mr. F. E. Powell, C.E., stated that, while an electric light and power scheme for the four north shore boroughs was a workable and business-like proposition, ho was convinced that a combined scheme for Birkenhead and Northcote would prove far more advantageous for these districts than the larger scheme. The total cost of the installation, including the power 6tation, was estimated at about £10,000. The opinion of the meeting appeared to be that the project was a sound one, and would be more than self-supporting after the first two years.* It was decided to gather further information for a joint scheme, and to hold another meeting in three months.

A copy of a resolution passed recently bj tho North Canterbury Farmers' Union was received in the following terms, at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland executive of tho Farmers' Union:—"That this executive strongly urges upon the country the necessity for practising the strictest economy in regard to the purchase of goods and machinery outside the Empire, and expresses regret at the heavy American imports, which greatly prejudice the financial position, and therefore assist our enemies, and which further accentuato freight difficulties with Britain."

A poultry-farmer named John Knowles, residing at Favona Road, Mangere, was kicked yesterday while milking a cow. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital in the afternoon suffering from injuries to his left ankle. Mr. Knowles is a married mail, 49 years of age.

A somewhat rare, but commendable, method of prosecuting a public work was put into practice recently at Neyj Lynn. The residents on Titirangi Road, many of whom have occasion to go to the city daily, had to take a road not quite direct to the railway station. It was found that they could save nearly a-quarter of a mile by a short cut through railway property. A local committee, headed by the Rev. 0. A. Lyon, with the help of Mr. ('. J. Parr, M.P., succeeded in obtaining the concession from the railway authorities of a right-of-way through their property. The railway engineer provided some timber for a bridge, and a workingbee of all the residents spent busy Saturdays making the read and bridge, which were finished to the satisfaction of all i concerned. ) The following resolution, which was moved by the Mayor, Mr. H. H. Holland, was carried unanimously at the last meeting of the Christchurch City Council :-- " That this council places on record its abhorrence and horror of the inhuman and brutal treatment accorded British prisoners in Germany, and calls on the New Zealand Government to send immediate relief through some, neutral country/'- J

"When the ships are "available;" stud Me. E. Clifton, who acted as representative of the New Zealand Government at the recent Panama Exposition, *' I am convinced that New Zealand will "be abls to look forward to a very large demand for her stud sheep. The exhibition of pnrebred New Zealand sheep at the Exposition brought about a very great demand for such stock. It had been expected that the Dominion's sheep would create a good deal of attention, hut the favourable comment that was beard among prominent breeders in tbo States was entirely beyond all anticipation. A grand prize was awarded for New Zealand's exhibits of crossbred wool, and a large number of other prizes for other types of wool."

During the month of March the number of books consulted in the Auckland reference library was 5823 volumes, a daily average of 188. Of these volumes 264 are classed as general in character, 626 in philosophy and religion, 895 in sociology. 1229 in language and literature, including fiction, 456 in science, 1197 in arts, 1156 history, travel and biography. In the lending departments there were issued 6846 volumes, of which 2055 volumes are classified as general literature, including magazines and reviews, 4594 fiction, and 197 works suitable for juvenile readers. The number of visitors to the Art Gallery during the samo period was 8617, a daily average of 278. Additions to the libraries during the month totalled 283, of which 133 volumes were added to the reference library and 150 volumes to the lending departments.

A letter from the Recruiting Board w»3 received at a recent meeting of the Hutt County Council, expressing regret that the council had not conducted a personal canvass of the county area. Mr. Howell moved that a letter be sent pledging each councillor to canvass his particular riding, and suggested that other members were shirking their responsibilities. "And," he added vehemently, "if the councillors do not want to do this work, I will take it upon my own shoulders, and will find others who are more patriotic and who think more of their country." The motion was defeated.

A reply has been received by Mr. C. J. Parr, M.P., from the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister for Agriculture, in regard to representations recently made by him that when the location of a proposed State experimental fruit farm is being considered, the claims of the settlers at Swanson and Henderson be not overlooked. The Minister stated that the whole matter of additional agricultural and horticultural stations for the North Island is at present under consideration. In regard to the need for a horticultural station in the neighbourhood of Auckland, he was having the matter carefully looked into and i* the money could be found for such a purpose the claims of the Swanson and Henderson districts would not be overlooked.

Referring a few days ago in Wellington to the arrangements that have been made for the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers in New Zealand, the Minister for Public Health, the Hon. U. W. Russeil, stated that provision had been made at Rotorua for 400 men. The Hanmer Hospital, which was now practically completed, could take a further 250 men. The Taumaru Hospital, which was the name that had been selected by Sir Francis Bell for the convalescent home which he had given at Lowry Bay, would accommodate between 50 and 60. It would therefore be seen that full provision was being made by the Department for the carrying out of the new scheme.

The official assignee, Mr. W. S. Fisher, was notified yesterday that John William Sutton Austin, farmer, of Alfriston, near Manurewa, has been adjudged bankrupt. Tho first meeting of his creditors will be held at the official assignee's office on Wednesday, April 19.

" Hundreds of both single and married men in the Civil Service with dependents are ready to enlist if the Government will only make up tie difference between military pay and Public Service pay," declared Mr. F. J. ilouat, a candidate for election to the Public Service Board, at a M meeting at Wellington a few days ago. "I have no doubt whatever that a large number of them will immediately step into the ranks if guaranteed half their Public Service pay in addition to the military pay,"

The offer by Colonel W. H. Sefton Moorhouso, of Canterbury, of the use of his motor-launch for convalescent soldiers on Lake Rotorua. has been accepted by the Minister for Defence.

The annual meeting of the Manukau Water Supply Board was held last night. In his report the chairman said that repairs had been effected to the pumping station at a cost of £750 17s 2d. During the year 654 meters had been installed. In the board's district, 73,857,000 gallons of water, of which 56,221,000 gallons were supplied by the City Council, had been consumed. It was stated that considerable opposition to the minimum water charges fixed by the board had been manifested, and in order to give the ratepayers an opportunity of discussing the matter, it was decided to adjourn the meeting for a fortnight, and in the meantime to circulate copies of the balance-sheet.

Speaking in Wellington a few days ago the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Jas. Allen, said he had issued instructions to the officers of tie Defence Department to remove from the list of recruits the names of men who had entered for branches where their services would not be required within the next six months. These men would bo informed that there were no vacancies for them in their selected branches, and would be invited to transfer to the infantry. If they refused to transfer they would be treated for the present as men who had not enlisted. "It should be remembered that at least six months elapse between the date of a recruit's first appearance in camp and his arrival at tho front," said the Minister. " A man who has enlisted in the ambulance or artillery sections, and is so low down on the waiting list that he cannot be called up until, say, November next, is not available for actual service before May or June, 1917. New Zealand needs the single men without dependants now." At the recent annual meeting of the New Zealand Shecpbreeders' Association, the president. Sir George Clifford, referred to the extensive practice of export of inferior sheep from the Dominion. These animals, he said, were ~ut forth as representative sheep, and reflected on the good work of breeders who sent good quality sheep. The matter had been placed before the Board of Agriculture, which had replied that it had no statutory power to deal with the matter, and suggested that the association should take action, as the Romney Marsh Association had done. Sir George remarked that the board had rather missed the point. The association had no autocratic power to interfere at the ship's side. The Romney Marsh Association had been ouoted for work that it had not (lone. Ho thought the association should go beyond the Board of sericulture and approach the Minister, with a view to stopping the export of inferior eheep. The proposal received the support of many ! representative breeders,.