LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17032, 13 December 1918, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Provision for Christmas cheer for soldiers in hospital and convalescent home« in the Auckland Provinco was yesterday made by tho Joint Committee of the Red Cross Society and tho Order of St. John. At a recent meeting it was decided that tho Christmas cheer scheme should be placed on a Dominion basis, but difficulties have arisen which necessitate each centro working for its own soldiers. Mrs. J. B. MacFarlane, convener of the Ministering Committee, reported that there was in hand a small sum which could be used for this purpose. Tho committee accordingly agreed to donate 3s per head for the provision of Christmas cheer, to be supplemented, where necessary, from loeaJ funds.

A resolution amending tho constitution of tho Auckland Kindergarten Association was passed at a meeting of tho council held yesterday afternoon. Two additional members of the council will bo elected nt the annual meeting next February. Messrs. O'llalloran and E. Brooke-Smith, honorary treasurer and secretary, have consented to earn' on tho work of their respective departments until their successors aro appointed. 5

During tho quarter ended September 30, 1918, 2,514,150 units were sold to Auckland consumers, according to a statement presented by tho city electrical engineer to tho City Council last evening. This shows an increaso of 488,159 over the corresponding period in 1917. The revenue for the quarter totalled £23,467, as against £20,167 in 1917, an increase of £3300. The working expenses were £7589, .as compared with £7531 for the third quarter in 1917.

Tho escape of Count von J.ucknev and 10 other prisoners of war from Moluihi Island took place a year ago to-day. The prisoners were recaptured on the stow Moa, near the Kermadec Islands, on December 21, and were brought back to Auckland oil Boxing Day. Count von Luckner and Lieutenant Kerscheiss were interned on Ripa Island, in Lyttelton Harhour, shortly afterwards, but they were re-transferred to Motuihi on May 11.

A letter from tho Auckland Education. Board, drawing attention to the urgent need for providing more accommodation for pupils attending manual training so'iiol!, was received by tlio City Council last evening. It was stated that the cost of enlarging the three centres at Mewmarket. Newton, and Ponsonby, would bo £1950, of which it was hoped £650 would be raised by local contributions. The council was asked to receive a deputation from the board in regard to the matter The matter was referred to the Finance Committee, which was empowered to receivo a deputation.

With the cessation of hostilities, and tho removal of tho restriction against women travelling abroad, shipping companies, during the last few weeks, have been deluged with inquiries from peoplo desirous of visiting England and the Continent. Most of theso inquiries are with reference to passages by steamers leaving in February, March, and April, and there is every indication that shinning companies will'have considerable difficulty in coping with the demand between March and August. The ordinary time-table of somo of the companies has not yet been resumed, but it is anticipated that that will come about early next year, for which period the bookings are already fairly heavy. A water-colour painting of Glencoe, by H. D. Hillier, offered by Mr. T. W. Leys, for the Art Gallery, was accepted by the City Council last evening. A letter of thanks will bo sent to Mr. Leys.

The necessity for adequate quarantine provision for sick and wounded foldieiis was touched upon at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee of tho Red Crow Society and the Order of St, John. "In view of the important part our members have played during the epidemic," Raid tho Hon. G. Fowlds, "and realising tho urgency of the matter, I think wo would be quite justified in asking some questions at tho executive meeting to be held in Wellington next week." This view was unanimously approved, and a resolution passed instructing tho secretory, Mr. H. D. Robertson, to ask the executive to inquire what provision is being made for the adequate care of sick and wounded soldiers during a possible period of quarantine.

Regarding the relaxation of restrictions on the ÜBO of code language in inland telegrams, the' Postal Department notifies that it applies to any private telegraph code, a copy of which has been deposited with the deputy chief censor at Wellington,' Telegrams containing private code may bo accepted only from well-known firms or persons, and each telegram must be endorsed " private codo deposited with censor" and such endorsement signed by the sender. A donation of £000, collected during the Kawhia provincial Red Cross campaign held recently, was acknowledged at yesterday's meeting of tho Joint Committee. The campaign objective was set at £1000, and although this was not quito reached, another «um will bo forwarded later on, Tho , committee received the donation with thanks, members express, ing appreciation of the success of tho campaign.

A man named Thomas Wallace was arrested by Detective Hammond yesterday, on the charge of stealing a diamond ring, worth £30, at. Napier, in July last. The executive committee of the Rod Cross Society will meet at Government House, Wellington, next Wednesday. The futu.ro policy of Red Cross activities throughout New Zealand will bo diseased, and directions issued to all centres with regard to the continuance of tho work.

The Mayor at tho close of tho meeting of the City Council last evening wished members of the council the compliments of tho Christmas season, and thanked members of the council and corporation staff for their loyalty and support. Mr, Gunson briefly reviewed the work of the council, and referred to the fact that tho close of tho great war opened up a very bright prospect for 1919. Mr. A. J. fentrican, senior member of the council, and other members, paid a high tribute to tho personal character of the Mayor, to tho most successful manner in -which ho had performed his many and onerous duties, and the dignity -with which he had filled tho position of chief magistrate of tho city, Particular reference was. made to recent personal attacks made upon him, and members assured' him of their warmest sympathy and support. I

The centenary celebrations in connection with the New Zealand Methodist Church will tako placo in 1922. It was decided by the Auckland Synod yesterday to recommend to the conference that the occasion be marked by suitable thanksgiving gatherings, and tho raising of a thanksgiving fund. The Rev. Samuel Leigh landed at the Bay of Islands on February 22, 1822, and the first Methodist service was conducted at Whangaroa on Sunday, June 8, of tho same year. ■ ' "