LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17256, 4 September 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The boy of 15, named William Farrell, who was missed from his home at Waikumete on Tuesday of last week, was found yesterday at Mangere. He stated that he had gone to .Auckland, and as he saw by an advertisement that a boy was wanted on a farm at Mangere he took a car to Onehunga in order to apply for the position. Night overtook him, however, and he was taken in by Mrs. Wilfred Davis, of Mangere. Suspecting that the lad had run away, Mrs. Davis would not allow him to continue his journey, but looked after him until the news of his disappearance was published. Attention is called by a correspondent to the loss of time that frequently occurs in calling up a fire brigade. In the case reierred to the house in which the fire occurred is connected with the Auckland Telephone Exchange, but the nearest brigade station is connected with the Onehunga Exchange. All who have had experience in making bureau calls will recognise the uncertainty of getting connected quickly, and the subscriber is helpless if the wire is engaged. On the other hand, the exchange attendant can instantly cut off any telephone and get connected to the nearest brigade. In some towns in England all a subscriber needs to do in case of fire is to call up central and say "This house is on fire." The exchange does the rest, in far less time than the most expert subscriber could do it. Much property might be saved if the Fire Brigade could arrange a complete system of alarms with the telephone exchanges of the city and suburbs, so that one or more brigades could be called up in ease of fire without loss of time.

The export of cheese from the Dominion during the week ended August 26 was valued at £431,397. The largest shipmentwas from Invercargill, £205.030, other largo amounts being as follow: —New Ply mouth, £86,086; Wanganuj, £37,946: Wellington, £40,220; Napier, £24,424, Lyttelton, £6819 ; Dunedin, £29,434. In regard to the dispute which has arisen between the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association and the parent body, it is understood that there is a prospect of an amicable settlement at an early date without the Auckland association resorting to legal proceedings, about which rumours had been current. A record was established at the Police Court yesterday, when 62 informations were set down for hearing. Most of these charges arose out of breaches of the city and suburban by-laws, and were disposed of before noon. The previous record was 58 charges "According to our valuers, you ought to get this property for £1000 or £1500 less than the owner is asking for it." eaid i the commissioner, Mr. R. P. Greville. to a soldier who applied to the North Auckland Land Board yesterday for financial assistance to purchase a farm. The soldier stated that the owner declined definitely Jjo make a greater reduction than £200. "Then there is only one thing to do, and that is to reject his offer,'' the commissioner replied. "I am sure no one else would give him the price hs asks." The soldier eaid he agreed, and added that ne would withdraw hia application. The District Repatriation Board report that during Jane, July, and August 83 per cent, of the repayments due by returned soldiers who obtained loans were made. For July and August the monthly repayments totalled' about £1000. In practically every case of default in the repayment satisfactory reasons were erven. The board is insisting upon a fairly high rate of repayment, so that the greatest possible use may be made oi the money in assisting other soldiers.

The question of erecting bathing sheds on Cheltenham Beach, in order that the whole of the accommodation at the tea kiosk may be utilised for the purpose of is now being considered by the Fubhc Works and Services Committee of the Devonport Borough Council. A report on the proposal will be presented shortly. A case in which a by-law penalised the employee instead of the guilty party— employer—came ender review at the Police Co<i,rt yesterday, when the driver of a waggon was charged with having his vehicle insufficiently lighted. The waggon was so heavily laden that the load prevented the red light of the lamp placed on the front of the vehicle being seen from the rear. The magistrate said thai in euch cases a tail lamp was necessary as insufficiently lighted elow-movirg £* Tf 6 dan g eT ° u « to fast-moving traffic At present the employee vr» charged with breaches when thev occurred, whereas the employer who* sent a brr£Xt°? ™P. r °P er equipped should be brought to task. Unfortunately the byrZJrti?" provl^-for thia ' and in «»it , respect it was unfair.

A naive description of a house property which a returned soldier was anxious to purchase was forwarded by a valuer to the North Auckland Land Board yesterday. The report stated that the house was fairly well built, but had several da fects now: (1) It wanted painting (2) the scrim was breaking away, (3) the chimney had sunk about two inches, so that the floor and ceiling were out of level (4) the iron was rusting in patches. sS? *l L borer °° u!d "* seen « Join'sWith these exceptions," the valuer said the house is an attractive one" The board regarded the report as an attempt at humour and decided that it could not recomment the purchase of the property. The Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church of England met in Wellington yesterday. The meeting is being attended by the Primate and the Bishops of Wellington, Auckland, Waiapu Christchurch, and Nelson, and the nishoV elect of Melanesia. * p A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by L - Hugh Robertson, butcher, Ng ar „a. wahia. The first meeting of creditors will be held at Ngaruawahia next Tuesday.

The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. H. D. Heather, recently com municated with the Prime Minister, pointing out the necessity for additional harbour accommodation, for which the board desired to raise a loan. A reply was received yesterday from Mr. Mass'ev. stating that he fully recognised this need, and assuring the board of his support when the matter came before the House.

The inadequate omnibus accommodation provided during rush hours by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company was mentioned at last evening's meeting of the Devonport Borough Council. It was stated that resident? living at extreme points of the borough were subjected to a great deal of inconvenience, especially ou wet days, on account of not being able to secure accommodation on the motor omnibuses. It was decided to draw the attention of the company to the matter.

An example of contradictory valuations was given at the meeting of the North Auckland Land Board yesterday. The commissioner, Mr. R. P. Greville, said the price asked for a property in Northern Wairoa was £2500, as asjainst the Government valuation in 1913 of £900. A recent valuation made by a large and independent farmer was £3000. while an- ; ..th'."- piuil'v !nri*p and ■'•<.!(-., >~» j firmer ;la el th i n'u- at £63 }. "T af i.' Hi. il'ni.-tratii.n of how difficult it i.- ~ r the board to come to a conclusion,'' the commissioner remarked.

The question of union with the Methodist and Congregational Churches was discussed at a special meeting of the Waikato Presbytery yesterday morning. A motion was paesed in favour of the union, provided that a, satisfactory basis could be agreed upon. An idea as to the extent to which building operations were restricted by war conditions was given to the Devonport Borough Council last evening. It was stated that during the five years immediately before the outbreak *of war 322 dwellings were erected in the borough During the five years ended August 4 1919, the number was 58. '