LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16327, 6 September 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Fnu'HF.r. particulars of the fire which broke out on the steamer Port Nicholson when the vessel was leaving Auckland last week for Southern ports have been received from Wellington. The Port Nicholson was just abreast of Rangitoto when smoke was noticed issuing from a ventilator right forward. The anchor was promptly dropped, and the ship's hose was brought into play. Smoke came from the forcpeak, and the water was directed on to the centre of the outbreak. The fire was soon extinguished, and an examination showed that only trifling damage had resulted to ship's stores, rope, canvas, etc. The cause of tho firo is unknown. As the forepeak is right away from the cargo, the latter was not affected.

Fourteen soldiers applied 'for assistance j yesterday at the meeting of the Claims Board of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association. Mr. V. J. Lamer presided, and there were also present Messrs. J. K. Ewen, E. Phelan, C. J. limits and H. D. Heather. In several cases assistance was rendered according to scale and necessity. It was decided in one or two cases to report to the Pensions Board asking for reconsideration. During the meeting the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Defence, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, attended in order to gain an acquaintance with the work and methods of the board.

A fairly satisfactory position in regard to employment in Auckland is reported by tho local office of the Labour Department. Skilled workmen in the various trades are kept steadily employed. Thero is a fair demand for men to do pick and shovel work, but the supply is limited. In all textile industries full staffs are kept ongaged.

Tho seventeen-year-old lad. Frederick William Nicoll, who last week was convicted of a scries of petty thefts from children, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, subject to his obeying instructions of (he probation officer, tho Rev. F. It. Jeffreys, was again brought before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., in the Polico Court yesterday. Mr. Jeffreys reported that tho lad appeared to lack a sense of his responsibilities, and rami suasion was not enough to keep him under control. He suggested that the 'id bo transferred to the Salvation Army Home, thence to an industrial school. His was really a semi-mental case. Ho was also suffering from injuries to the hand, having had somo fingers taken off as tho result of a tram accident some time ago. This, with excessive cigarette-smoking, had affected his heart. He was really to bo pitied, and required to bo brought up undei steady restraint. Tho magistrate said ho was sorry the lad had not takon advantage of his opportunity. Ho would he nominally sentenced to two months' imprisonment, tho warrant to he suspended as long as he remained at tho Salvation Army Home, and an application would bo made to have him transferred to Weraroa.

In replying to a deputation of carpenters and builders regarding tho question of employment, which waited upon him yesterday, the Minister for Defence, tho Hon. Jas. Allen, said that ho would bo pleased to bavo a list of all unemployed carpenters and painters in Auckland who were not included in the first division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve. Mr. T. Bloodworth said that the carpenters and painters left in Auckland wore nearly all married men, there being very few of tho first division amongst their number. Mr. J. T. Julian, as an employer, endorsed this statement, and added that thero were not many single men of any occupation left in Auckland. "The men," ho added, "havo turned out well."

Tenders for the erection of an additional wooden block of rooms at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, closed yesterday, hut, so far, none has been accepted. Tho proposed additions comprise an art classroom, science-room, and cookery classroom, each to accommodate 25 pupils, also an auxiliary dormitory for seven pupils. It is expected that the new block will cost about £1000. Mr. D. B. Patterson is tho architect

An inquest was held at the Mental Hospital yesterday by Mr, ¥. V. Frazer, coroner, into tho circumstances of tho death of Charles Sheard, a returned soldier, aged 35 years, who was found dead in a pool of water at the institution on Monday. Evidence was given to the effect that deceased was admitted to tho institution on April 28 last. He had seen sen-ice in Egypt, prior to which ho was a schoolmaster at Tiran. He waj, subject to epileptic fits. Tho inquiry was adjourned until Saturday. It is understood that the deceased wa s in a working party on Saturday, and when he was missed a careful search was made, bat it was not until Monday morning that 'lis body was found in the pool in tho grounds. It is supposed that he wandered away, and fell into the pool, as ho was not considered as a subject likely to take ha own life. An injury to the right eye is thought to have been caused in some way after death.

It was decided by the One-tree Hill Road Board last night to take over Green Park Road, a private street off Rockileld Road. Originally, it was agreed to take over the road if the residents concerned would collect £150. A deputation last nitrht waited on the Road Board with the announcement that £122 bad been collected. The board agreed to accept that sum and take over the road, tho money to be spent on the thoroughfare at the earliest opportunity.

A wide range of war topics is strikingly illustrated in to-day's issue of tho Auckland Weekly News. The doublepage contains tho latest photographs connected with the great British "push' against the Germans. These and other photographs cover many phases of tho advance. Roumania's entry into tho war is recorded by splendid photographs of some portions of that country, together with portraits of the King and Queen of Roumania. A fine view of the Greek seaport of Kavala, which ha s been invaded by the Bulgarians, is published, and there are other excellent photographs of war interest. A remarkably fine scries of flashlight pictures dealing with the night manoeuvres of New Zealand's seventeenth reinforcements forms a striking feature of the issue. Tho Roll of Honour this week contains the portraits of 185 Now Zealand heroes, who have suffered in the great war. In addition to tho war pictures, several subjects of local interest are illustrated. These include the wrecked steamers Tongariro and Stormbird, tho fire at Waiuku, and the outbreak at the New Plymouth Boys' High School. Topical cartoons and other sub-! jects go to make up a publication of unusual merit. In regard to the educational conference that is being organised by the Workers' Educational Association, to take place in [ Auckland at the end of October, a letter ! was received from the Labour Day Recepi tion Committee at a meeting of the association last evening, requesting the latter body not to organise any function that would interfere with tho Labour Day celebrations now being organised. It was :e----solved to suggest to the committee that one session of tho conterence should bo held in the marquee on the Domain on Labour Day. On account of the illness of Mr. A. E. Skelton it was decided to ask tho Hon. J. T. Paul to give a lecture on "Trade Unionism in New Zealand." A letter to tho City Council, asking for a renewal of the grant of £100 to tho Workers' Educational Association, was endorsed by tho council. A discussion took place on tho question of the problems of the Commonwealth, as outlined by Mr. Lionel Curtis. It was resolved that the Lectures Committee be asked to organiso in order to give more publicity to the various phases of the problem, and that the secretary bo instructed to get in touch immediately with the various debating societies in tho city, with the object of arranging debates on the subject. A ton-days' refresher course of instruction for acting-staff officers and noncommissioned officers, temporarily appointed, will be held at headquarters, lAm land, from September 21 to 30. In consequenco of statements made by soldiers on leave from the North Island I camps, that tho gramaphones sent for the ! delectation of tho men wero all taken by j the headquarters' staff, the Mayor of ' Christchurch wrote to the Minister for Defence. Ho received a reply that the number of gramaphones in the camp is limited, ' ! and that it had been decided to place them j in tho various hospitals and halls, such as the Y.M.C.A. hall, the Church of England Men's Society's hall, where the greatest number of men could get pleasure out of the music. It was not found possible ot desirable to have the gramaphones in the men's huts. Tho Mayor says that ho is entirely satisfied with the explanation.

The business of the Magistrate's Court is rapidly increasing. When tho Court opened yesterday morning there was insufficient sealing room to accommodalo tho solicitors who appeared to represent clients. During tho morning 184 undefended civil casos wore dealt with. The magistrate, Mr. C. C. Kettle, remarked that the number of cases in which debitcollectors were concerned" would soon inako it expedient to set apart a. special day, probably one day a fortnight, when these cases might be dealt with. He would consult with the clerk of the Court, and give the matter further considerat tion.

The censor of cinema films, Mr. W. Joliffc, will take over the duties of his new position on 'Monday, the 18th inst. The theatre which has been erected for screening purposes near the museum in Wellington is practically completed. 3t provides a range of 24ft, with a scrcouing area of Bft square, and tho work will to carried out by officers of tho photographic branch of the Agricultural Department. A circular has been sent out to proprietors of films, asking them to send in, for censorship purpose*, pictures ahead in New Zealand. On receipt thoso will be dealt with. After October 18 no picture may bo exhibited unless it has been censored.

The collier Xgahero left Wellington yesterday for Auckland with the largo hulk Elinor Vernon in tow. Tho hulk will bo used at Auckland for tho storage of coal. Tho vessels should reach port en Friday evening.

It is reported from Wellington that with tho no-shouting system tho consumption of liquor has not declined in ratio with tho reduction in tho publicans' receipts, which is estimated from 20 to 30 per cont. Tin's applies particularly to spirits, on which the margin of profit has been very small since the war forced up wholesale profits. "The 'heel tap' is tending to become a thing of the past," said one publican. "Supposing threo men ramo into the bar last week with a little leisure on their hands, nine drinks probably would bo bought. Each man would pay for ono round. But they would not take full drinks each time. After the first round they would be likely to content themselves with very small drinks, and tho house would benefit accordingly. But now the threo men aro very often content with ono drink each, and they make that a big one."

The gold-dredging industry on tho West Coast is being seriously affected by war conditions. A number of investors were hopeful that, by improving the dredges, installing greater power, and obtaining greater efficiency a revival would take place in the industry. It is, however, becoming increasingly difficult to get crews, while the cost of coal has, in some cases, nearly doubled; all dredgo supplies aro at almost famine prices, and the foundries are passing the full 10 per cent, war bonus on to the rate of wages they charge to the companies. Tho dredging companies cannot pass on the increased cost of_,output: indeed, they are getting slightly less for their gold, as they havo to bear increased bullion and insurance charges. It is feared that a number of West Coast dredges will havo to close down until after the war.

The matter of gifts to soldiers is referred to in a letter recently received by a member of the Advisory Board of the New Zealand War Relief Societies from Lord Plunket. He says:— Gifts in kind for men at the front, whether sent to us or direct to the military, all go to a New Zealand Military Gifts' Store at Southampton, and by agreement with General Richardson, we jointly decide how best to use them, so there is no overlapping. Gifts for hospitals in England or at the front arc similarly dealt with. Of course, things scheduled for any person or regiment or district wo send on as directed; where we are left the option we decide ourselves.."-