LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16918, 2 August 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Frost fish aro unusually numerous at tho trawling grounds at present, and the trawler Baroona, which returned to port yesterday rooming, brought in 34. Tinvariety known in New Zealand as the frost '' h is properly the scabbard fish, and . ..ore commonly found in the colder waters around the South Island. It is often caught by tho trawlers working outside Otago Heads, and is some!imps found stranded on the beaches, where they come into the shallow water to bask in the sun and are left by the tide. The more common variety is the tomcod, which abounds on tho Now England coast of America, being known as the frost fish because it is abundant in the autumn, when the frosts commence It is a good eating fish, tho flesh being delicate and tasty.

The New Zealand Flying School at Kohimarama, Lieutenant-Colonel Sleeman told the Auckland garrison officers last evening, is making amazing strides. It now has traditions behind it, inasmuch as many of its graduates have been fighting at the battlefront. In every way, added Colonel Sleeman, the school is doing singularly well. A sensational accident happened in Domain Street at eight o'clock yesterday morning, when a horse and cart fc 1 ' over a bank 20ft high. The horse, atta, tied to a cart, owned by Mr. W. Lovetl, and driven by Mr. Henry Morley, took fright and bolted, and the reins catching in the shaft, caused it to swerve over the bank. The shafts went through the wall of a shod belonging to Messrs. John Burns and Co. The driver escaped injury, but the horse was badly cut about.

The fourth anniversary of the outbreak of war will be commemorated in Auckland on Sunday, when a meeting of citizens will bo held in the Town Hall. The Empire motion will be submitted to the meeting, and musical items will be given. A public meeting for a similar purpose will be held in Marine Square, Devonport, on Monday night, at eight o'clock, when tho speakers will he Mr. W. J. Napier, Mr. William Wallace, and Mr. F. J. W. Whittaker. The Mayor of Devonport, Mr. J. Henderson, will preside. Tho Auckland Garrison Band will bo in attendance.

Permission for returned soldiers to wear uniform at the intercessory services on Sunday next, the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of war, has been granted by the officer commanding the district. Colonel G. W. S. Patterson. The staff and territorial officers will attend the service at St. Mary's Cathedral.

The congratulations cabled by the Auckland branch of tho Victoria League on Empire Day to Mr. Lloyd George, are acknowledged in a letter just received by the president of the league, Mr. W. J. Napier. Mr. Lloyd (ieorge expresses his deep appreciation of "this encouraging message from the Empire's citizens beyond the seas."

" When we beat the Germans, either next year, or earlier," was LioutenantColonel Slceman's phraso last evening. Thi6 remark was made in predicting his expectations as to the future in a casual allusion to one of his illustrations.

A memorial to two gallant soldiers who laid down their lives in France, Sergeant Henry I. Bailey and Lieutenant Allen Bailey, is to ho set up in St. Alban's Church, Mount Eden, in the form of a carved font-cover, presented by their father, Mr. J. D. Bailey, of Dominion Road. The design is by 'the Rev. H. B. Wingfield. Tho memorial is now on view in tho window of the Tonson Garlick Company. Tho series of socials arranged by the churchwardens and members of the vestry of St. Sepulchre's Church was continued last night Thero was a large attendance of parishioners and their friends, and a most pleasant evening was spent. Portion of a ship's lifeboat, hearing tho letters "mmera" on it, has been found on the beach at Kakaramea, near Patea. It ifl in all probability part of the lifeboat that was smashed when being launched from the Wimmera. Gisborne has not escaped a severe handling during tho stormy weather of the last week. The seas were so heavy that at high water they cut into sections in Victoria Township, on the seafront. Fences and fowlhouses were carried out to sea, and thero aro steep banks now where the sand was formerly level with the sections. Residents in the vicinity were greatly alarmed at the rapid encroachment of the sea, and spent an anxious period during tho height of the tide. Very cold weather has been experienced the whole way up the Fast Coast, and snow has fallen on the ranges to a greater ex- j tent than during any other winter within j memory. " ;

Tho constitution of a new police district, with Palmcrston North as it* headquarters, has been approved by the Minister 'or Justice. He has also approver., the nwing of a recommendation to the Governor-General for the promotior of Sub Inspector McKmnon to the rank of inspector from August 1. When this has been done this officer will be placed in charge of the new district at Palmerston North.

Two enemy aliens, Tnnv Kessara and Ivan Garmaz. were arrested at Wh.inearei on Wednesday and brought to Auckland yesterday. They aro to be interned at Somes Island.

Tho Christ-church City electrical undertaking produced revenue during the year ended March 31 last amounting to C 49.674 3? 4d. For the year er:d,-d March 31. 1915, the revenue 'was £26.299 7s 6d; in 1916 it was £24,492 18s -the decrease was attributed to a reduction of the charges; in 1917 it was £38,234 Os lOd. The number of consumers rose from 1625 in 1915 to 4906 in the last financial year.

Many changes are pending in the Justice Department staffs, consequent on permanent appointments being made to seven or eight positions. These positions have beer, vacant for some time, certain officers having acted in a temporary :apacity jp to the present time. Among the positions to be filled are those of deputy-registrar of the Supreme Court, and second clerk of the Court at Dunedin, Chnstehun.h, and Wellington; clerk of the Court at Ashburton, Feeding, Tauranga, Stratford, Waihi, and Reefton. There will in consequence of changes be many other vacancies to be filled.