LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17277, 29 September 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

" The battle-cruiser New Zealand is on the moat important ission ever entrusted to a unit of the British Navy," said the Rev. Thomas Crick, the warship's chaplain, in the coarse of an address at the Y.M.C.A. yesterday afternoon. He proceeded : " The ship is carrying officers who have been charged by the Imperial Government to co-ordinate the naval defence of the Empire. The New Zealand has also the privilege of showing the Empire flag in the seven seas."

The Avondale Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, which opened on Saturday, attracted a record attendance, which included a number of the officers and men of H.M.S. New Zealand. The racing throughout was of a very interesting character. The leading eventthe Avondale Cup— rise to a very exciting race, and, the judge being unable to separate Alteration and Blue Cross when the winning cost ww reached, a dead-heat was recorded. During the afternoon the sum of £40,191 was passed through the totalisator, which represents an increase of £17.713 10s compared with the amount handled on the corresponding day of last year.

An order-in-council has been made naming the electoral districts in which the poll, under the Legislature Act, will close at 7 p.m. The list includes the following:—Auckland West, Auckland East, Auckland Central, Eden, Grev Lvnn, Manukau, Para ell, Roskill, Thames, "and VVaitemata.

The price of sorated waters is to be increased slightly from to-day. The manufacturers state that the increase is due to the great rise in the price of bottles and raw materials, and in the cost of manufacture. The price of aerated waters wae increased from threepence to fourpence a bottle a short time ago.

The epidemic of false alarms of fire which, according to the police, ha« occurred recently, particularly in the Remuera district, led to two boys, aged 10, being charged before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., in the Juveniles' Court on Saturday with having smashed the alarm-boxes. One boy admitted having broken four glasses, and thus caused the brigade to turn-out on four consecutive days. On one occasion the boy was returning from church and, as he told the police, he wanted to see the brigade work, he threw a stone at the glass and ran away." The police were then set to watch the boxes, and a few days later the boy was caught in the act of throwing a stone at the glass. The case against fne boy was adjourned for six months, and his father was instructed to watch his behaviour more closely in the meantime. The case against the other boy, who denied that he broke „ any glasses, was dismissed.

The vital necessity of being prepared for any contingency which may arise in the future was emphasised by the captain of the battle-cruiser New Zealand, Captain 0- E. Leggett, at the Auckland Orphans' Club gathering on Saturday evening. He said a navy could not be made in a hurry, and those who wished to see it retain its supremacy must look ahead, and whatever was necessary to oe done should be done at once. (Applause.) An up-to-date navy would cost money, but most people would agree that there was no bettor insurance against danger and risk to the Empire than to maintain the supremacy of our power. Captain Leggett said he felt New Zealand would take its full share of the responsibility. He had no doubt that the people of the Dominion would see a great deal more of the Imperial Fleet than it had done hitherto, because the navy belonged to the Dominions as well "as to Great Britain. (Applause.)

A dismissal service was held at St. Mary's Cathedra, on Saturday morning, which was attended by the newly.' appointed Bishop of Melanesia, the Right Rev. J. M. Steward, and the members of his staff. Holy Communion was celebrated by Dr. A. W. AveriU, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, assisted by the Rev Dr. O'Callaghan. The Rev. J. R. Burgin, C.F acted as the ' bishop's chaplain. Bishop Averill delivered a short address and dismissed the Bishop of Melanesia and hie staff with his blessing. Bishop Steward went on board the, mission steamer Southern Cross about noon on Saturday. The vessel will remain in the stream until Tuesday afternoon, when if she has a clean bill of health, she will sail for the South-western Pacific, via Norfolk Island.

The Pakuranga Road Board's proposal to raise a loan of £1000 for the purchase of an allotment and the erection of a hall and a board building, was carried at the poll taken on Saturday. For the proposal 81 votes were cast and against it 8 were recorded.

"Modern Road Construction and Control" is the subject of an address to bo given by Mr. Leonard M. Sandston, M.A., in the Chamber of Commerce at 1.30 p.m. to-day. The lecturer is a New Zealander, who, for the past ten years has maae a study of scientific roading schemes employed in America and Australia. He has just concluded a protracted tour throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Discussing the question of the shortage of houses in Auckland, Mr. T. Bloodworth stated at a meeting held under the auspices of the New Zealand Labour Party in His Majesty's Theatre /last evening that one of the principal causes of overcrowding and high rents was the movement of the country population towards the towns. This was a bad feature in any country where wealth was derived largely from agricultural and pastoral pursuits. At present 55 per cent, of the people in New Zealand were town-dwellers, as against 39.80 in 1881. Country life should be reorganised so as to induce a larger percentage of the population to live in rural districts to develop the resources of the country. The piovision of better roads up-to-date and sufficient schools, together with easier access to land and better facilities for developing the land, would assist in retaining a larger number of people in the country, and would increase the prosperity of the Dominion as a whole. Regulations relating tc baking powder and custard powder are published in the Gazette. The word *' egg" must not be written 0,l or attached to any package which contains custard powder or baking powder. On the label or package containing baking powder the name of the principal acid material employed in the manufacture must be stated, and the name must be the one most generallv understood by the public. " J

The Cambridge Borough Council has decided to support a resolution of the Eastbourne Borough Council, favouring the introduction of daylight-saving in the summer months a.-* an economic necessity.

A comprehensive report on the wages of the whole staff of the Wellington Hospital is to be presented to the next meet, ing of the board, with a view to effecting general increases in salary,, °