LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16575, 26 June 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

" The most popular man and woman in the United Kingdom to-day," declared the Right Hon. Mr. Massey at the Town Hall

yesterday, "are King George and Queen Mary. I believe they are the most popular man and woman in the Empire, and they are entitled to be so, for the good work they have done and the splendid example they have shown to their subjects." A coronial inquiry into the circumstances connected with the death of Percy McGill, who died in the Auckland Hospital on Saturday as the result of injuries received at Kohimarama Flying School, was yesterday conducted by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M. Evidence was given by Dr. C. E. Maguire, P. R. McGill, V. C. Walsh, and F. S. Gordon. A verdict was returned by the coroner that the cause of death was a fractured skull and laceration of the brain. The deceased was employed as a mechanic at the Kohimarama Aviation School, and while interestedly watching the testing of an engine he apparently went too close to the propeller. He was struck by the blades, and received the injuries which causod > his death. No blame wis attachable to any person. A resident of Huntly, Mr. John Kinson, was admitted to the* Auckland Hospital about nine o'clock last evening, suffering from fracture at the base of the skull. It is stated that Mr. Kinson fell from a tram while it was passing the Grey Statae.

A breakage in the main 24in pipe which conveys the city water supply from Waitakers occurred at Henderson Valley a few days ago. In consequence a considerable amount of water ran to waste and flooded the flat country in the vicinity for some distance around. The waterworks engineer, Mr. J'. Carlaw* sent out a gang of men, who effected repairs. It was found that, the recent rains had undermined the pipe and caused some of the joints to be blown out. Discussing the entry of the United States into the war, Sir Joseph Ward said yesterday that in New Zealand it

was hardly realised how fine a feeling this entrance of America on the side of humanity and civilisation had created among all classes in the Motherland. "It had a

splendid immediate effect," he said, " but it is secondary, in my opinion, to what the lasting nature of the action of the United States portends for the,future. The immediate effect, apart from the moral side, reinvigorated, so to speak, the whole war finance of Great Britain, an** after all it must not be forgotten that the financial burden imposed by this great war upon the Motherland wan so stupendousthat, when the war started, no man living ever contemplated the possibility of 6uch gigantic operations being reached. The United States coming in has made all the difference in the world, and responsible men at Home now look forward with equanimity to carrying the war to victory. No such victory could be achieved unless the financial power of Great Britain was such as to ensure itself meeting all engagements until the end arrives, whenever that may be. Upon the financial point there is now no possible doubt since the United States has thrown in her lot with the Entente." An application for a separation order from her husband was yesterday made by Mary Chaytor (Mr. Singer) before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court. Dotails of ill-treatment she had received were given by complainant. Defendant agreed to the order being made. Maintenance was fixed at 25s weekly, the magistrate ordering the payment of £25 for past maintenance. A resolution of the United Eire Brigades Association, airing the National Efficiency Board to classify firo brigade work as essential service, was sent to the Mount Eden Borough Council, and came up for consideration at a meeting of the council last evening. One member of the council suggested that the matter was one which might be referred to a committee. Tho Mayor, Mr. 0. Nicholson, said he did not think the question was one for the council to consider. He moved, pro forma, that the letter be referred to tho Fire Brigade Committee of the council for report. Mr. Shackelford said he thought enough exemptions from military service had already been granted, and the council should not do anything to increase them. He moved, as an amendment, that the letter should merely bo received. This view found favour with the majority of the council. The competition in the British meat'

I market between New Zealand and Argen--1 tine producers was briefly commented on ; by the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon ]in replying to a deputation representing ' agricultural interests. He said that 70 per cent, of the meat produced in the Argentine was in the- hands of a meat trust. Argentine beef was put on the British market in very large quantities, because it could be purchased at a much lower price than New Zealand beef. Hecause, also, the Argentine was about half the distance from England that New Zealand was, two cargoes could be supplied from there as against one from the Dominion." There was a movement in Britain to give New Zealand preference against the Argentine, but it would not be brought into practical oporation until after the war.

The visit paid to France by Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward some months ago was referred to by the Prime Minister in an interview yesterday. "We saw as many as possible of the New Zealand soldiers," said Mr. Massey. "This was at' the commencement of the European winter, when tho men were going into winter quarters, and not much righting was taking place. I am glad to say we found our .men in the best of Wealth and as cheerful as possible under the conditions which then existed. Naturally our soldiers were delighted to see the, members of the New Zealand party. Our boys have given a splendid account of themselves on every occasion, and are highly respected both in camp and on furlough. While there are plenty of miseries and hardships to put up with, it is only right to say that the organisation is good. Their equipment is good and their health is well looked after. We visited and inspected on different occasions all our hospitals, notably Walton, situated about 18 miles from London on the Thames. This is one of the finest equipped military hospitals in England, and the same remark applies to all our other hospitals where our sick and wounded are located.

The extent of building construction in the Mount Eden Borough for 12 month'* ended March 31 last was disclosed in a report presented by the town clerk at a meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council last evening, in which it was shown that the following building permits were issued during that period :— houses, valued at £24,783; five shops and factories, £5540; one church, £2200; 37 alterations wad additions, £2664; 28 sheds, £612; total value, £35,795.

In replying to a deputation which waited upon him yesterday afternoon to urge that more refrigerated shipping space should be allotted to Auckland, the Prime Minister said that when in London he was unablo to obtain New Zealand butter and he could not cat the other " wretched " stuff that was available. Mr. Pacey jocularly remarked that the next time the Prime Minister visited England a special box of New Zealand butter would be provided for him. " I'll keep you to that promise," said Mr. Massey.

Towards the close of their stay in London/ Mrs, and Miss Massey were the guests at a gathering arranged by Mrs. R. D. D. Maclean., A miniature of Mr. Massey, handsomely mounted in gold and leather, was presented to Mrs. Massey as a gift from New Zealand women in England.

A question in regard to the American harvest in relation to the demand on shipping space was put to Mr. Massey yesterday. " I do not think the American harvest will affect shipping much," was the Prime Minister's reply. " The wheat can be stored and shir-ned as required. There is plenty of storage available, both in America and in Canada. It may be expected that the American shipping trade will be able to release ships for our trade, but, of course, everything depends upon the success of the means that are taken to cope with the submarine campaign."

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, has selected Monday, July 9, as the date of the banquet to be given in his honour at Pukekohe, by the residents of the Franklin district, do celebrate his return to New Zealand. Sir Joseph Ward has accepted an invitation to be present, providing his engagements permit.

The board of directors of the Y.W.C.A. tendered a welcome yesterday afternoon to Miss Elsie Griffin, the newly-appointed secretary. Mis s Griffin, who for the past two years has been studying at the association's National Training School in New York, will return from Australia in time to up her secretarial duties in August. In welcoming Miss Griffin, Mrs. J. McKail Geddes referred to the difficulties experienced during the four years that the association had had no secretary, and expressed great satisfaction that it, had been possible to appoint an Aucklaiider to the position. Musical items were rendered during the afternoon by Mesdames Neave and J. Stewart, Misses I. Glasson and A. Hamon.

An incident in connection with the war against submarines was related by Mr. Massey at the civic luncheon yesterday. In one of the English ports he saw an oilfuel vessel which had been torpedoed by a German submarine. The vessel had aboard an old-style gun, but one that served its purpose. After she was struck, the gun wjis got ready for action, and just then the submarine rose, so close to the steamer that it was with difficulty the gun was depressed to bear upon it. But the gun was handled so promptly that the moment the submarine came to the surface she was sent to the bottom "and there," added Mr. Massey, " she now lies."

An interesting phase of the work carried out by the New Zealand War Contingent Association in England was mentioned yesterday by Mr. John Grigg, of Longbeach, Canterbury, a member of the association's committee. He said that maw New Zealanders had relatives in England, whom they wished to trace, and by an arrangement the association had made with various postmasters it had been found possible to put soldiers in touch with relatives whom they had never seen. Much happiness had resulted from the system, of which New Zealanders took full advantage.

Speaking yesterday of the spirit of the New Zealanders, Sir Joseph Ward said that in visiting the hospitals in England he never saw a man who was not cheerful, however badly he was wounded. They never met a man who did not say that as soon as he was strong enough he would be anxious to return to the front to rejoin his comrades. Moreover he had never heard an opinion other than admiration expressed by anyone who met the New Zealand soldiers, either in the field or in civil life. A middle-aged man, Arthur Ernest Clark (Mr. Mahoney), appeared before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, on a charge of incest. The evidence disclosed some shocking details. The accused, who pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the Supremo Court. The statement mentioned in a cablegram from London last week to the effect that the position of the King's representative in New Zealand probably would be raised to that of Governor-General when the present term expired, was mentioned to the Prime Minister yesterday. " I think that this is very likely to he so," said Mr. Massey. He said that the suggested change would be only in consonance with the status of tho Dominion. A suggestion that the Epsom Convalescent Home, which is not now being used, should be utilised for a hostel for returned soldiers has been made by Mr. V. J. Lamer, chairman of the Claims Board of tho Patriotic Association. Mr. Lamer states that in his opinion nothing is more necessary for returned men than an up-to-date hostel, where they could receive the home comforts and treatment so essential to their welfare. "A place such as this," says Mr. Lamer, "with proper fare at a cheap rate, and with someone in control who would take a fatherly interest in the men. would constitute one of the most useful and beneficial institutions that have been devoted to the welfare of returned soldiers." The Auckland Provincial Trades Unions Conference passed a resolution last night supporting the request made by a deputation to the Hon. A. M. Myers, that the boy, John Daintry Birch, who recently underwent a surgical operation, should be removed from the gaol infirmary, where he now is, and replaced under the. care of the operating surgeon. The conference also urged that as the operation was a State experiment the cost of hospital treatment should be a charge upon the Government, and should be refunded to uie boy's father. "I yet credit sometimes for being an optimist," said Sir Joseph Ward at luncheon yesterday. " I rather rejoice in it. I believe I would have been dead and buried long ago if there had not been the spirit of optimism in my composition.'