NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

On Labour Day, next Monday, the letter-carriers will make one delivery only, leaving the Chief Post Office at 3 a.m. The Minister for Defence .stated yesterday, in reply to Mr D. -1L Guthrie (Oroun), that ho would look'iuto the question of exempting members of established fire brigades from the operations of the Defence Act. “A mining bill will he introduced this session. Its leading proposals will bo seen when the bill is circulated. This was the roplv of the Minister for Minos (Hon. W. "Fraser) yesterday to a question put by Mr J. Colvin (Duller). A dilapidated and undersized, hawser, giving evidence against a similarly dilapidated man who had stolon his coat, was asked by Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, “Do you ever use that coat on any occasions?” “Use that coat,” returned tho witness. ‘‘Why! I have worn it for seven years.” “Instructions have been given to tho chief surveyors that when land is being cut up for settlement they are to confer with an officer of the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of ascertaining whether suitable areas can bo provided for bee-farms.” This was a statement made by tho Prime Minister yesterday, in reply to Mr J. A. Young, M.P. In tho Supreme Court case of Barrow v. Feaver, heard in Chambers before Mr Justice Denniston, the application by tho plaintiff for leave to issue a writ of attachment is adjourned until Friday week to give the defendant a locus poenitontiae —in other words, an opportunity to comply with the order of the court in connection with a judgment delivered in Christchurch against him for specific performance of a land transaction, his application for the setting aside of such judgment having been dismissed. The art union prize in connection with the campaign by the Orphans’ Club bias been won by Miss Sloan, of Wadestown, who takes the ten guinea nugget. The draw took place last evening at the concert given by the Orphans’ Club in tho Town Hall. His Worship the Mayor, who declared the result, congratulated the winner and congratulated the Orphans’ Club on tho work it was doing. The total amount in hand is still £l6O short of the amount required. “We are open to receive cheques from to-night onward,” said Mr Batt, in stating the position.

Replying to Mr H. Okey, M.P , the Prime Minister stated yesterday that reports regarding the practice which seems to have obtained in Canada of adding water to New Zealand butter having reached the Government, its agent in Vancouver was authorised in March last to obtain legal advice and to take proceedings if circumstances warranted. In the meantime, however, the Canadian Government brought two prosecutions, and fines were inflicted on the offenders. The New Zealand agent was thereupon instructed to keep the matter in view, and to prosecute if a case could be obtained. The Canadian Government was now being asked not to allow its officers to relax their vigilance. Why was it, asked Mr G. W. Bussoil, M.P., of the Prime Minister yesterday, that the old messengers who were dispensed with at the beginning of the session, and were to be paid £BO a year pension, had not received a copper of their money? Some of these messengers, he understood, were destitute. The Prime Minister replied that authority would bo asked, _and he had no doubt would he granted, to pay the old messengers the pensions arranged for them. Ho was sorry to learn that 'up to the present no payments had been made, but the matter was under consideration by the Treasury, which would ascertain whether it would be possible to make the payments before authority was actually granted by Parliament. In the case of the youth James Burdette, who was charged with being found in a common gaming house at No. 5, Haining street, and who pleaded not guilty, Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., delivered his reserved judgment at tlie Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. His Worship remarked that though the youth stated that he did no't go into the house for any unlawful purpose, yet while ho was there the proceedings were going on. Ho was not prepared to dismiss the case, but ho did not think that a conviction would prejudice the youth’s position in the Railway Department. Entering a gaming house was an offence, not a crime. It would be a lesson for him to be more careful in future. Accused was convicted and ordered to pay court costs 2s,* or undergo twelve hours’ imprisonment. As an official volume the New Zealand Rugby Union has adopted an interesting and instructive book prepared by Mr I. Hyams, containing records of the matches played by all oversea football teams that have visited this country, and of all the New Zealand teams that have played since 1882. The work is a monument to the enthusiasm for sport which has actuated the compiler, for it is all typewritten by Mr Hyams, is handsomely bound in black, and bears an inscription in silver, thus combining the New Zealand football colours. The collecting of the records has been no small task, but it is more than justified by the result, which shows at a glance the scores in any match played during more than thirty years past, the names of the teams engaged, the names of the scorers, and how the scores were made up. On the first page are shown the matches played by New Zealand and provincial teams against representatives from other countries. There have been 196 such matches, of which 140 were won by the local combinations, 47 lost, and nine drawn. It is worthy of note that in these matches New Zealanders scored in the aggregate. 3120 points, and the opposing teams 1053. The book also contains the “roll of honour” of all players from 1884 to 1913. with the years in which they played. The value of the work is increased by a series of appropriate, photographs, and the whole forms a record that should he treasured and kept up to date by the union as a necessary part of its equipment.

The Appeal Court lias been adjourned till Tuesday next, at 10.30 a.m. Tho New Zealand Government will make an exhibit at the San Francisco Exhibition, “and it is hoped that private exhibits from tho Dominion will bo numerous and worthy of our industries,” stated tho Hon. W, F. Massol yesterday, in reply to Mr T. K. Sidoy, M.P. The postal authorities advise that tho s.s. Niagara, which sailed from Sydney for Auckland on Monday, has on board an Australian mail, also an English mail via Suez. Tho Wellington portion is duo to arrive por Main Trunk express at 6.50 a.m. on Saturday. A first offender for drunkenness at tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning was fined ss, or twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, by Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M. Somewhat surprised, tho defendant exclaimed; “This happens to bo my first appearance in the Police Court.” This, however,. made no difference, the next case being at once called on. Asked by Mr J. Payne, M-P., whether ho would this session introduce a bill to make it compulsory for tho company which has been selling premium bonds illegally to refund all the cash paid for the bonds, the Hon. W. F. Massey said yestorday that it did not appear that such legislation was necessary, as every purchaser of premium bonds who objected to the bargain he had made had his remedy open to him. Tho Minister for Public Works (tho Hon. W. Fraser) this morning will open the tramways conference which he has convened to discuss the draft regulations relating to tramways, other than cable lines. The conference, which will meet in the Town Hall at 10 o’clock, will bo attended by tramway experts and representatives of local bodies and tramway unions, and will bo presided over by Mr R. W. Holmes, Engmecr-m-Chief of tho Public Works Department. “The Government has arranged its programme so as to expedite business and suit the convenience of Parliament and tho public. Tho measures referred to as having been given priority are measures of much public interest and importance.” This was the reply ot tho Prime Minister to Mr J. A. Hanan, M.P., who asked why the Government was delaying at this late stage of tho session the introduction of an amending bill dealing with tho licensing laws, and had given priority of consideration to several measures of minor public importance and interest. Tho Prime Minister was asked by tho Hon. J. A. Millar yesterday whether he will this session bring in legislation to exempt building societies from the operation of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, as under the present law every officer of those societies taking part in any ballot for loans was liable to a heavy, penalty. In reply, the Hon. W. F. Massey said that the Government had not been made aware of tho difficulty referred-to, but would consult the Law Officers of the Crown on tho subject, and if it he found necessary would introduce legislation for the purpose. Southland streams will be well stocked with fish next season. At the council meeting of the Acclimatisation Society tho other night, tho president remarked that ho had read a paragraph stating that no fewer than 513,000 trout had been roared in the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society’s hatcheries at Hagley Park this year, and placed in tho North Canterbury rivers. The stock committee’s report showed that almost double that number had been hatched in the Southland Society's ponds. In addition to 300,000 fry already distributed, the stock committee recommended the distribution of 500,000, making a total of 800,000. Intimation of the forthcoming visit of Sir William Lever, of Port Sunlight, to the Dominion, inspired Mr T. M. Wilford, H.P. for Hutt, to ask the Prime Minister yesterday whether an officer could be delegated to make an abstract of valuable documents relating to profit-sharing and co-part-nership, laid on the table some months ago at the instigation of tho member for Hutt. Air Wilford remarked that tho reports were too bulky for members to wado through, and Sir William Lover was one of the chief advocates of profit-sharing and co-partner-ship. The Prime Minister replied that he would look into the matter. The annual smoke concert of the Wellington Football Association was held last evening. Mr J. Paten presided. During the evening tho prizes for the year were presented to the winning teams, which were as follow: First division, Thistle; Charity Cup, Hospital; second division. Diamond; Challenge Cup, Marist • School; third division, Y.AI.C.A.; fourth division, Marist School; Henderson Memorial Cun Marist School; fourth division Challenge Cup, Y.AI.C.A.; fifth (A) division, Alarist School; fifth (B) division. Karori; sixth division, South Wellington; Thistle Cup (schools). Technical; sis-a-side (A) medals, Technical; six-a-side (B) medals, Karori School; Scouts’ banner, Kelburne. A musical programme was presented and various toasts were honoured. -.Notice has been given by Air G. W. Russell (Avon) to ask the Prime Minister : Will the Government bring down an amendment to the Public Service Act so that officers who appeal may have the right to appear before the board and state their cases, and also so that officers whoso appeals are declined may be entitled to something more courteous and reasonable than tho curt reply, “Disallowed,” without any reason being given for the decision? “Surely,” adds Air Russell, “an officer who sends in an honest appeal against a classification that may affect his status, salary, and superannuation for life is entitled to more courtesy and consideration than is being given in the replies sent out over the rubber-stamp signature of Mr A. J. Benge, secretary to tho Commissioners and the Appeal Board?” “No prohibition order in the world would make anyone sober against his will. Your own experience will tell TOU that,” said a woman to Air F. \. Frazer, S.AI., at Auckland on Monday, when she was charged with entering licensed premises while prohibited. Amidst kmd laughter the magistrate asserted that his “own experience had lot got that far.” The woman explained that-sho had committed a rash act in going into the hotel for somebody else, but sbo bad forgotten that the was prohibited. Sub-Inspector ’ohnstone expressed h;s surprise that she had forgotten, especially. as she had been convicted several times for breaking the order. The accused went n a to say that she had given up drinking now, and asked that, if fined, she should he allowed time to pay, as she could not take the money out of her husband’s wages. “He is such a good man. Your Worship,” she said, “and he doesn’t even know 1 am here today.”

The following vessels are expected to be within wireless range of AVelhngton. to-nightßiverina, Waliiuo, Manuka, Alaungauui, Niagara, Maori, and (in range of Chathams) Numeric. The members of Parliament who visited Stratford and Hawera this week' to lay before tho residents there the Liberal party's ideals, wore asked by the Liberals of Kltham to give addresses also in that town. They wore unable to do so. and the invitation, has now been extended to other members of tho Liberal party. Two nominations have been received for tho vacant seat on tho Aliramar Borough Council. They are:-—Dr, Edith Huntley, of Aliramar, nominated by Air W. E. Tomlin and Air 11. R-. Robortshaw, and Air A. H. Griffiths, of Soatoun Heights, nominated by Air John Brodie and Air H. E. Richards. Tho poll will be taken on Wednesday next. To-morrow morning, at 10 o’clock, the coroner will hold an inquest concerning tho death of John AlcKechnie, quartermaster of the Alonowai, who -disappeared at sea on the trip from. Lyttelton to Wellington last Thursday. There is a provision in the Shipping and Seamen Act for the holding of an inquest when the body of a missing seaman has not been recovered. Notice has. been given by Air J, Payne, M.P., to ask the Minister for Defence whether it is a fact that fines levied by military officers for various breaches of the regulations are being used for the establishment of officers’ clubs; and, if so, whether this is not a most improper course to be allowed to continue, inasmuch as it will tend to make tho officers too zealous in fining for minor breaches with the object of substantially aiding the funds of their clubs. At Esperanto Hall, yesterday; afternoon, Air W. L. Edmanson, F.8.E.A., president of the Wellington Esperanto Society, gave an interesting, lecture on “Esperanto.” The occasion wna a meeting of the Housewives’ Union, and the lecturer dwelt bn tho value the language had been to him during his travels on the Continent, Airs Donaldson, president of tho union, introduced the lecturer, and at tho termination of the discourse expressed the union’s indebtedness to Mr Edmanson. Several complaints have been madA by members of the House this session regarding the presence of strangers in the lobby, and yesterday Mr J. Craigia (Timaru) mentioned that tho other evening, while a division was in progress, he noticed two or three strangers in the lobby smoking cigarettes, and with their hats on. They were locked up along with members. The Speaker recalled a similar case, earlier 1 in tho session, when ho had given instructions to the responsible officer to keep strangers out of the lobby. Members had complained of great inconvenience because there was no place to take their constituents, and ho had arranged for another waiting-room at the end of “the tube.” He would see that tho rule in regard to keeping strangers out of the lobby was en< forced. The annual meeting of the Welling* ton Zoological Society was held last evening, tho Rev. J. Crewes presiding over a large attendance of members. Sir Robert Stout apologised for absence. Tho Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), who attended, said the City Council looked upon the Zoo as an asset to the city and a benefit to tho whole district. They should not, however, put too many animals in the gardens so a» to encroach on the playing area. Tha report and balance-sheet were adopted. Besides the council, the following officers were elected: —Patron, Sir Robert Stout; vioe-patron. His Worship tho Mayor; president. Rev. J. Crewes f vice-presidents, Messrs D. McLean, O. J. Lockwood, B. Read, W. Jack, R. A. Wright; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Castle; auditor, Air R. H. Chinohon. The secretary was in. structod to try to arrange for another series of art competitions. The latest modes in hairdressing ac* cessories from London and Paris may bo seen at Airs Rolleston’s. Fresh sup. plies are imported regularly. Ladies should note the address: 256, Lambton quay. . *