LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16231, 17 May 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

An enemy subject named Josef Ferdinand John Zemanek, described as a\Bohemian. was • arrested yesterday afternoon by Detective-Sergeant Hollis. The officer acted under the instructions of the De fence authorities. Zemanek was escorted to Devonport, and handed over to the military officers for internment. He resided in Whitaker Place, and is a married man.

A boy, four years of age, named Victor Vincent Rixon, residing with his parents in Union Street, Newmarket, was knocked down by a city-bound tramcar at Newmarket yesterday morning. Fortunately he was caught by the safety guard in front of the car. He was taken ,s to the hospital by his mother, and, beyond a slight abrasion on the head and shock, he is reported to be uninjured.

The victims of the trap accident at Newmarket on Friday were, at a late hour last night, reported by the hospital authorities to be in a serious condition. Mrs. Kelly is still in a semi-conscious state, but Mr. E. Ireland has improved slightly.

A married woman, May Cecelia Kerr, died early yesterday morning as a result of taking a dose of poison. The deceased was in an unnerved condition on Monday evening. At about one o'clock yesterday morning she awakened her husband and told him that she had taken poison. He administered an emetic and went immediately for Dr. Dudley. In spite of the medical aid rendered, however, the woman died at 2 a.m. The couple, who lived in Market Road. Remuera, had been married for about eight years. The deceased was 28 years of age. An inquest will be held this morning.

It was stated in the Supreme Court yesterday that a settlement had been' effected in the case in which Arthur William Blanchard (Mr. J. R. Reed, K.C.) claimed from John Edward Butler, Ltd. (Dr. H. D. Bamford), a sum of £28 3s 4d, alleged to be salary due and £300 damages for alleged wrongful dismissal.

The question as to whether the dental hospital should be located in the city or at the general hospital was debated at a meeting of the Hospital Board a fortnight ago and referred to the Finance Committee: At last night's meeting of the board the matter again came forward. The honorary staff of the dental hospital wrote urging that dental accommodation should be provided at the board's offices in the city for reasons of accessibility and convenience. A letter was enclosed which had been received by the honorary dental staff from the Patriotic Association asking them to fix a scale of fees for treatment of soldiers' dependants, which would be paid by the association. The letters were referred to the Finance Committee.

A patriotic country schoolmaster wrote to the Auckland recruiting officer and offered to enlist. His application was received yesterday, and he stated that he was between 45 and 46 years of age, had a family of seven children, from 16 years of age down to five months, and was able to do most things necessary in an isolated district. He had his wife's consent to his offer to enlist. His letter concluded :— "Our household of nine lias no representative in the ranks; all my children are too young, therefore, if I 'can be of use I should be glad to know it." A letter was forwarded to him stating that his application was appreciated by the Defence Department, but it was recognised that his family responsibilities were such that his offer could not be accepted.

The formation work on the Waiuku branch railway is almost completed, and a start is to be made immediately' with the plate-laying, commencing at Paerata Junction. It is anticipated that in about two months' time a temporary service will be run by the Public Works Department.

One case of infantile paralysis was reported yesterday from the country. Two cases of scarlet fever were reported from the city and suburbs, and a few cases from the country.

. The entry of the New Zealanders into the fighting area 'of France has aroused considerable interest in the Dominion. In the Atjcklaxd Weekly News, issued to-day, the-, event has been pictorially dealt with in an adequate manner. Four pages have been devoted to the subject, and these should serve as an interesting memento of the important event. The series of photographs comprises typical bat-tie fields of France and other pictures, portraying the military activity of our Western ally, together with a panoramic photograph of the departure of New Zealand's twelfth reinforcement draft, and portraits of General Sir William Birdwood, the great Anzac leader, and of General Sir Alexander Godley, commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary | Force. New Zealandets being entertained on the Nile in Egypt forms another interesting feature. Various phases associated with the battle of Verdun appear, and several other interesting pictures are published. The number also contains several topical cartoons. Among other topics the opening of the Parliamentary session in New Zealand is illustrated. .The issue generally is an excellent one.

General evidence of prosperity was ob-! served by Mr. J. M. Mennie, of Auckland, during a tour of seven weeks in New South Wales and Victoria. He travelled extensively in both States by rail and motor-car, and remarked yesterday that although he had visited Australia annually during the past 14 years, he had never before been so greatly impressed by the evidences of prosperity. The contrast was most striking after the drought that was so recently experienced. Now the produce of the wheat districts was to be seen in great stacks at the railway stations, while the finest fruits were being sold in the city shops at such prices as Id per lb for grapes and 2d for apples.

The only business on the agenda yesterday for the ordinary meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, in committee, was finance. The accounts were considered in special committee by the board. It is pointed out by the chairman, Mr. H. D. Heather, that the Loan Bill introduced in the House of Representatives a few days ago by Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P., does not provide for a new loan. The Bill merely concerns the renewal of the old loan of 1884, which is maturing next year.

The official opening of the Westfield Freezing Company's works will be made on Monday, May 29. Advice was received by the manager of the company yesterday from the Prime Minister stating that he would be able to visit Auckland for the occasion and to declare the works open. The company will invite a number of guests to luncheon at the works at noon, and the ceremonial proceedings will follow later. A special train will be provided for visitors from the city.

Two disagreements between solicitors concerning arrangements that had been made previously between them occurred in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The magistrate, Mr. C. C. Kettle, addressing the Bar generally, said, " I am getting very, very weary of these constant disputes between .solicitors. It is very distressing to listen to them. Arrangements made outside the Court should be committed to* writing. In my opinion it' is most unseemly to see solicitors day after day accuse each other of breaches of agreements made outside the Court. Such things should be impossible." The magistrate added that he was sure half the time of the Court was wasted by all l kinds of disputes that should not occur.

So many members of the staffs ashore and* afloat of the Northern Steamship Company have enlisted that a supplementary roll of honour has had to be prepared. The original roll contains the names of 36 men who have left New Zealand on aotive service. Three of these have met their deaths on the battlefield and 13 have been wounded.. Two names have been placed on the supplementary roll, but there are over a dozen employees in camp whose names will be inscribed on the new roll when the men leave the Dominion. In addition to these, other enlistments are to take place during the next month.

. Fourteen Auckland City and suburban pork butcher? have been struck off the list of parties to the Auckland Butchers, Meat Preservers and Bacon Curers' Award according to an amendment of the award recently filed. i

A successful course of lectures was given in connection with the Grafton Library last yeaif*and in view of the popular appreciation of the first series,, the City Library Committee recently requested Mr. John Barr, chief librarian, to arrange a similar programme for the coming winter months. The new series will be in a measure supplementary of the lectures given last year, four of the addresses dealing with the aspects of the war. The first lecture will be given, probably on June 6, by the Rev. W. G. Monckton, of Takapuna, his subject being " The Present and Future Aspects of the War." The programme will be continued at intervals of three weeks by Mr. W. A. Beddoe, Canadian Trade Commissioner, "Can Germany Win ?*' Major C. E." Maguire, lately of the New Zealand General Hospital, "A Doctor's Experiences in Egypt." and Professor J. P. Grossman, "The Prospects of Peace."] In view of the Shakespere tercentenary celebrations, the programme will include a. lecture by Professor C. W. Egerton on "English Life in Shakespere's Time," I and a recital from the poet's works by! the Grafton Shakespere Club. The series will conclude with a concert arranged by Mr. J. Maughan Barnett. I

The Ladies' Committee of the Auckland branch of the Navy League continues its activity in the provision of clothing, etc., for the use of the men of the British Navy and of their dependants. Yesterday another large case of clothing was forwarded to England. The branch has remitted a total of £540 to the parent league to date, through Capt. E. J. Thomas, local president. It is intended to make a special effort in connection with Trafalgar Day.

For some years past office-bearers of the Devonport Presbyterian Church have been collecting funds for a new church building and it has been decided to commemorate the diamond jubilee of the charge by commencing building operations. The fund now amounts to £1670, and in addition it lias been decided to raise a loan for the same purpose.

Notice was given in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. A. Walker, member for Dunedin North, to ask the Minister for Defence for a return regarding the amount paid to medical men in the chief centres for examining recruits during the last financial year. The return also is to show public positions, if any, held by such men.

Referring to the extraordinary growth of the fruit industry in New Zealand, the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, in opening the National Apple Show at the Wellington Town Hall a few days ago, stated that during the last eight years the area laid out in orchards had advanced from 28,000 to 145,000 acres, -while the export trade had increased from 12,000 to 68,168 cases.