NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8732, 14 May 1914, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

At Dunedin yesterday, states a Press Association telegram, Pcrcival Church, a second-hand dealer, was lined £5 on a charge of failing to keep proper books in accordance with the Act.

“Milk cans are knocked ahont wdien being loaded and unloaded from trains, in a shameful manner,” said a .vitness at the Upper Hutt Court yesterday “The cans are treated worse than bricks, and after a few journeys look more like concertinas than milk cans.”

The old question, “When is a man drunk?” arose again in the Supreme Court yesterday'. Judge and counsel agreed that every man has his own standard, but Mr Justice Hoskmg, referring to the number of drinks a man might have consumed, asked, “What is the meaning of two or three?’” “I suppose,” responded Mr Wilford, “that it means four or five.” (Laughter.) i The Architects’ Registration Board met 'in Wellington yesterday. The board consists of Messrs Wales, Atkins, and Hurst-Seager (institute members), and Goldsbro, McKay, and Hooper (Government members). Mr Atkins was elected chairman, and. Mr W. Beauchamp-P 1 atts secretary. The board decided on the form of application for registration under the Act, and will non' deal with applications from those desirous of thus registerin g.

Speaking yesterday at a reception tendered to General Sir lan Hamilton in Auckland the Hon. J. Allen, Minister for Defence, speaking on the Dominion defence organisation, referred to work of the junior and noncommissioned officers, who had produced extraordinary results in the short time given them. In going through tho camps he (Mr Allen) w’as impressed by the immense developments that had taken place, and he desired, as Defence Minister, to express his delight at the work done by the officers and non-commissioned officers, states a Press Association telegram. At the Upper Hutt Court yesterday, Hazelwood and Co., general storekeepers, pleaded guilty before Mr D. G. A. Cooper. S.M., to twm charges of selling explosives without a license. Mr McLaren, who appeared for the Collector of Customs, said it was not the desire of the department to ask for a heavy penalty. Country storekeepers should realise that the sale of explosives without a license was contrary to law, and it was trusted that the present case would act as a warning. A nominal fine of ss, with costs 28s, was imposed in the first case, and the second charge was with' drawn.

Sympathy with the w'ants of the people in the hackblocks was expressed by Bishop Averill in an incidental way at a Bible-in-sohools meeting on Monday (states the Auckland “Herald”). “I know something about the back-blocks,” he said, “and I have the greatest possible sympathy for. those who are making demands for more railways and bridges, better roads, and new schools. I believe that the people of the backhlocks are the backbone of the country, and I am perfectly certain that they deserve all that they make out of the land and more, and all that they can get out of the Government.” These remarks were made to illustrate the argument that more comes to those who proclaim their needs and demands with a loud voice than to those who rest in silence under disabilities or grievances. The suburb of Brooklyn is progressing fast. The Municipal Electors’ Association of the district is about fo hold its sixth annual meeting, and in its report many improvements are recorded. A ten-minute tram service now rims all day, with a' five-minute service in the rush hours, and the duplication of the tramline is to he completed as soon as the tramway board has sufficient money in hand.i_ Baths will probably he constructed in the locality shortly. Nearly all of the houses have been connected with the drainage system, trees have been planted along Ohiro road and Mitchell street, a flagstaff has been erected on Sugar Loaf Hill, and the roads in the district hare been improved. In addition, the new Post Office has been completed and opened for business. The Electors’ Association views with great satisfaction the loan proposals with regard to Central Bark, and the playing grounds now being formed in the reserve will he sufficient for the needs of the district for a long time to come.

It is generally supposed that the katipo is the only poisonous spider in New Zealand, but many doubt if that is so; for since the timber of the •pinus insignia is being used for making boxes and for building purposes a diminutive specimen of the species araneina, that is very pugnacious, has oeen discovered. It bites freely, and sometimes proves poisonous. It is generally found under the bark of the trees, resents being disturbed, and attacks those who interfere with it. The spider is only about the size of a grain of rice, and is brown in colour, but its bite causes great pain and sometimes leads to blood poisoning setting in. Mr F. Mack, of Leamington (near Cambridge), who has a sawing plant and works in pinus insignis timber, was bitten by one of these spiders on the 4th inst. on one of his fingers. Ho has been unable to follow his calling ever since, and will probably be unable to resume business for some time. Several other people are reported to have been injured in a similar manner by spider bites, and in each case it was when they were cutting timber of the kind mentioned. The Rev. W. H. Walton, curate of ot. Thomas’s, Wellington, who had charge of the Church of England marquees at the Takapau camp, defends the military authorities against the criticism which was levelled at them by the Rev. W. Boys, of Palmerston North. Mr Walton says that the boys were very willing to control their speech, and be was pleased at the absence of bad language. “We don’t want chaplains who are only critics and lookers-on,” says Mr Walton. ‘T)id Mr Boys go out on the march with the men at all? Bid he walk along in the evenings amongst the men, or did be sit in the officers’ mess most of the time? Arm-chair criticism is easy, but is not worth much. The Tfevs. Tii'dd (Feeding) andThrmpon (Mastertoni. Brigndie- Wear© 'Salration Army). and Mr Rvnn y M.P A.) mil’ hear rr“ out r'm I ht that (he spiritual work dene in thr camp was an inspiration and encouragement to the chaplains, and showed that a better understanding between the young men and the clergy is springing up. But all this will be spoiled if we hay© much of this carping criticism which is so unjust and uncalled for.”

The following vessels arc expected to ho within wireless range of Wellington to-night;—Victoria, Maori, Wah;nc. Mocraki, Maunganui. Corinthic, Kia Ora. Tho Star of Victoria should be within range of the Chathams station.

It is stated on good authority (says tho “Manawntu Times”) that there is great demand for forms by property holders in Palmerston borough who are objecting to tho recent Government valuation. It is estimated that fully 90 per cent, are lodging objections, and that exception is also being taken by some to the limited time given to send in objections. Tho statement that at least 40 per cent, of the children in New Zealand ire “growing up in a state of practical heathenism,” was made by the Rev. C.’H. Laws at a Bible in State Schools League meeting at Auckland. He said that the last census returns showed that 192,000 children were attending the day schools, and that only 130,000 were attending Sunday schools. Many of the latter, ho said, were under five and over fifteen years of age, and therefore would not ho included in the number going to the day schools. Commander Hooper, of the Government training steamer Amokura, has received a cable message from a former Amokura hoy, Harold Davis, stating that he has passed his examination for a second officer’s certificate at Melbourne. Commander Hooper has also received a letter from another former Amokura hoy, J. E. Walker, stating that ho also has gained a second officer's certificate, and is now second mate of tho British barque Amulree, -which arrived at Newcastle from Buenos Ayres on April 21st. A total of nine old Amokura boys are now in possession of certificates entitling them to sail as officers. The contractors in the old days must have been really honest, and their work more than up to specifications, according to an illustration_ given .by Mr F. W. Furkert, inspecting engineer of tho Public Works Department, during his. lecture before the Philosophical Society’s technological section last evening. While in Rome recently, Mr Furkert said he saw a bridge over the Tiber which was built about 1800 years ago. It was in good order, and carried nearly all the traffic, which was considerable at the present time. On the bridge there was an inscription giving the name of the builder, etc., and it further stated that tho structure was guaranteed for forty years. A resident of an up-country town had a rather amusing experience of workmen’s accident insurance recently (the Christchurch “Press” reports). Having a specially hazardous piece of work to he done he took out a workmen’s policy for one month, paid the premium and received an interim policy or cover which rendered the company liable to pay compensation in the event of an accident. ihe work was duly carried out. fortunately without mishap, hut about a week after its completion the policy-holder was surprised to receive a notification from the company that it could not undertake the risk owing to its haz-. ardous nature, and that its agent would return the premium.

At the fortnightly practice of the Wellington Corps of St. John Arabu!-' ance Brigade over thirty-five women and men attended. The subject for the evening was “waggon drill” and all the details connected with lifting patient on to stretcher, lifting stretcher on to ambulance van, removing patient from van, were fully explained by Superientendent Hislop. of the Wellington Division. A squad of men was then put through the whole drill course, and afterwards several squads of nursing sisters went through the drill. The nursing sisters are most anxious to become proficient in this drill, so that they may he able to direct when necessary the loading of the ambulance, either in cases of accident or when sick persons arc being removed to hospital. Yesterday evening a party from the Wellington Working Men’s Club paid a visit to the Ohiro Home, and treated the inmates to an entertaining concert. The club’s orchestra, under Mr John McGlashan, rendered three selections in fine style—“ Chevalier de Breton,” “Hobomoko, an Indian Romance,” and “Couronne d’Or.” Songs and recitations were given by Misses Lindsay and Leary, Messrs D. Twohill and Charles, and other visitors, and a Maori troupe from Otaki contributed part-songs, glees, solos, etc. During the interval, refreshments, which hod been brought by the visitors, were distributed to the inmates, who much appreciated the thoughtfulness displayed. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr A. H. Truehridgo thanked the club for the fine entertainment provided, which was not the first for which they were under an ohVcation to the club. The winter that is now ending in northern latitudes has been an exceptionally severe one in Labrador and Newfoundland. The officers of the steamer Kia Ora, which arrived at Auckland on Tuesday morning from St. John (Canada), state that at Sydney, near Halifax, the temperature was the lowest experienced for more than fifty years. At one time the thermometer fell to ten degrees below zero, and those on board the ship had a very uncomfortable time. One officer, who had his hand severely frost-bitten, instead of applying the usual remedy, snow, rubbed the hand with a lump of ice, with the result that he was confined in hospital for a fortnight. Extraordinary precautions had to he taken on board shin, and even in the engine-room, which would appear to be hot enough under any circumstances. it was found necessary to muffle the ventilator .before a good head of steam could be obtained. Some interesting reminiscences of the early days of Pahiatua were given by Mr A. W. Sedcole at a Mayoral supper a few evenings ago. Mr Sedcole stated that when he arrived in the district there were only two houses. When the Pahiatua county was first formed, and the adjustment of accounts beixrme necessary with the North Wairarapa county, the late Mr Job Vile and himself were deputed to wait on the Wairarapa Council, at Masterton. The latter offered the Pahiatua county £6O and the uncollected rates at midnight on the last day of October, 188 S. The local council, however, eventually decided to ask the Auditor-General 'bo make an adjustment of the accounts, the result being that the Pahiatua county started with £6OO and the uncollected rates, instead of £6O- . Mr Sedcole was the first county clerk, and anted as -e----turning officer at the first county election. There was no doubt, he said, that the settlers made all the roads in the county, as they had raised about forty or fifty special loans to give them access to their properties, which they secured in many cases from the Crown.

Tho man Arthur Charles Wheeler, or T,Thrum, whose remains were washed up at Kaiwarra on Sunday, was an employee of tho Wellington Cleaning Company, and was married, his wife, it is understood, being in Auckland,, lie was paid on April 25th, and was expected to return to work on the 27th. but did not turn up. 'i'ho, identification established by the flinger-: print department was confirmed byi tho man’s clothing, which was recog-' nised by his fellow-workmen. A most interesting piece of mosaic work was produced before tho technological section of the Philosophical Society last evening by Mr F. W. Furkert. It was a slab of polished black marble, about eighteen inches square,in tho centre of which was a beautifully coloured bird clinging to the branch of a tree. The latter consisted of millions of small coloured stones, fitted so closely together that the divisions were not discernible. The whole formed a beautiful picture, and Mr Furkert said that he secured it while on his recent trio abroad. The technological section of tho Wellington Philosophical Society met last evening. Air A. Atkins presided, and there was a good attendance of members. At tho previous meeting Professor Easterlield read a paper entitled; “Iron and Steel," and this was discussed at some length last evening., A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Professor Easterfield for his lecture; Mr F. W. Furkert, of the Pub-, lie Works Department, then gave an, address entitled, “A Trip Abroad.” 1 He dealt with engineering matters in various parts of the world, speaking particularly of dams and bridges that had come under his notice while on his recent torn He had not completed his lecture at 10 o'clock, and the members present expressed a keen desire that he should continue his address at some, future meeting. Quickness to “size up” situations and act accordingly has necessarily to be a characteristic of detectives. A case illustrating this occurred in Wellington on Tuesday. While proceeding up Willis street in a tramcar, Detective J. Dempsey observed a man to ho lifting a number of plants from outside a shop into a bag s )je was carrying. Jumping off quickly, he inquired at tho shop, and ascertained that tho man had no authority to remove the plants. The detective then ran to a side street, into which ha had seen the man disappear, and apprehended him. Yesterday, before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., tho man. Herbert John William Vine, pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of sage and lettuce plants, the property of Frank A. Cooper, Ltd. A fine of 20s was imposed, in default seven days’ detention. Accused was also ordered to pay (3s) the value of the plants. During tho course of discussion on Professor Easterfield’s paper, “Iron and Steel,” by tho technological section of the Philosophical Society last evening, Mr J, Paterson said that it would be very interesting to have tho question of tho rusting of iron dealt with. In the course of his reply, Professor Easterfield said that to deal with that subject tho section would require to set aside a separate evening. for it was a very important technological problem. An enormous amount had been done during the last five years to ascertain the. real cause of rusting. “There are in India,” he added, “pillars of iron raised by the people probably more tliaii 3000 years ago, which have scarcely been damaged by rust, and this is remarkable in a country like that with its misty atmosphere. It is certainly a most remarkable fact that unknown people of those days produced an iron which wo should have very great difficulty in manufacturing at the present time.”