NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8737, 20 May 1914, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

The traffic superintendent of the tramways (Mr M. Cable) informed a “ Times ” representative yesterday that improvements are being made in the destination signals on the cars as new ones are being built. For instance, the anomaly which so confuses visitors to the city by some cars bearing the sign “Lambton station,” and others “Government Station,” will be got over by the signal “ Lambton Station” becoming universal. Similarly, in all the new signs, 14 Ma-nawatu Station has been cut out, and “ Thorndon Station ” substituted. This will make the destination of railway-bound cars a simple matter compared with the' puzzle which is now set for strangers to the city. The lettering of the new signals also has the improvement of being larger than on the old type, and much more easily distinguished at night. Reserved judgment was delivered in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday by Mr W. G. Riddell. S.M., in the case in which William Wilson sued David Robertson and Co., Ltd., for £75 10s, being the price of a number of girders and three and three-quarter tons of railway iron. Of this amount, the price of ten single iron girders and the railway iron, amounting to £2B 10s, was admitted, and the balance in dispute was £47. Defendant counterclaimed for £l4 for the use of plant and labour in removing girders from buildings in Cuba street to defendant s foundry yard and storage on six compound girders, which, it was submitted, they agreed to store and not to purchase. His Worship gave judgment for plaintiff, for £75 10s, with costs £9 9s. Judgment was also given for the plaintiff on the counter-claim. Mr H. E. Anderson represented the plaintiffs, and Mr T. Young the defendants.

At Christchurch yesterday, says a Press Association telegram, Susan Hobbs, a maried woman, was fined 40s on each of three charges of shoplifting. The police said she walked into shops, threw an overcoat over her arm, and brazenly walked out.

The United Federation of Labour Jre-cently invited trades unions to send •delegates to a conference to be heid in July to consider Labour matters. The circular came before the annual meeting of the Wellington Hotel Employees’ Union, and after consideration, it was decided not to send delegates to the conference, as the members were not in sympathy with the methods of the federation.

The Prime Minister (Right Ron. W. F. Massey) stated yesterday that on the whole the poultry industry in the Dominion was doing well, but it ihad been handicapped during the last two years by the high price of feed. The Government was now considering the establishment of a poultry farnu near Christchurch to replace the ond at Burnham, which was recently closed down. There was a heavy fall of snow on Mount Egmont on Sunday. For some distance below the Mountain House there was fully two feet of snow on the track, says the “Taranaki News,” and the ranges have not had such a heavy coat for many years as they had early on Sunday morning. A few people made the trip to the mountain from town, and were able to get within a quarter of a mile or so of the house by motor-car, but had to walk the remaining distance owing to the depth of the snow. At a sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday, presided over by Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., two lads, twelve and ten years of age respectively, were charg ed with breaking and entering a house land stealing therefrom money and articles to a total value of £lO ss. After receiving a severe cautioning from His Worship, both lads were discharged, on condition that their respective fathers paid £3 17s 6cl each towards the damage done. An order was made for the restitution of rho articles recovered. It was learned from the PostmasterGeneral’s office yesterday that the new wireless regulations which are to come into operation on July Ist are now in the hands of the Crown Law officers, and will not be available for some time yet. The regulations are making it compulsory for vessels carrying over a certain number of persons to carry wireless telegraph equipment. This means that vessels such as the Pateena, Mapourika, Arahura, Monowai, etc., must be fitted. From the Crown Law Office the regulations will go to Cabinet for consideration.

The Daylight Saving Bill was dealt with at meetings held in the south recently by Hr W. Shallorass, general secretary of the New Zealand Sports Protection League* Speaking to a “Times” reporter yesterday, Mr Shallcrass said that although this was not a subject that concerned the people in th© south very much, on account of their getting a long period of twilight during some months, all the largo centres supported the proposal, but the same interest was not manifested in country districts. There was, however, no decided objection to the measure. It is quite possible that the league will decide to make a more prominent feature of this bill in the future.

Is a father responsible for the debts of his son, when the latter has • left the parental roof? was the interesting point which cropped up in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. A. E. Mann, boot and shoe importer, sought to recover from R. J. Gillespie, the sum of £1 7s, being the value of a pair of boots delivered by plaintiff to defendant’s son. The claim was defended, Gillespie contending that as his son had left his homo and struck out for himself, he (defendant) could pot be held responsible for debts incurred by him! It was stated that plaintiff had supplied goods to defendant’s son before, and defendant had always paid. Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., who was on the bench, said that as plaintiff did not know that th© son had left home, judgment would he for him for the amount claimed. Mr J. C. Peacock appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Smith for defendant. Australian wine makers have recently been endeavouring to dissociate their products from the Austrian wine of North Auckland. Some complaints regarding Austrian wine Were laid before the Prime Minister in the north, but the similarity of the words “Australian” and “Austrian” led to a telegraphic error and tho publication in several newspapers, including Australian newspapers, of tho complaint as having reference to “Australian” wine. The secretary of one of the Australian Wine Growers’ Associations promptly telegraphed to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and was somewhat puzzled on receiving the following reply:—“Replying, your telegram, report evidently mutilated in transmission. Was speaking at country meeting and reference was not made to Australian wine, hut to wine made by Australian gumdiggers in North Auckland district, and locally known as Australian wine.” On inquiry it was ascertained that the same telegraphic error which led to the inquiry had been repeated in the correction. The reference was to wme made by Austrian gumdiggers in the North Auckland district and locally known as Austrian wine.

A very peculiar accident occurred at Pungarehu on Tuesday, when Mr James Fleming, a well-known settler on tho Cape road, had a miraculous escape from drowning, says the “Taranaki Herald.” Mr Fleming went out to work on his farm, being engaged in removing some fencing, and, following the custom adopted by many farmers, instead of rolling up the wire, was hauling it away in long lengths. To do this ho attached one end of the wire to the side and at tho rear of a dray, and then proceeded, to drive across the farm, dragging the wire after him. Mr Fleming had to go down a slope in order to negotiate a creek, but the wire cut a bole in the top of tho hill and eventually became a fixture, with the result that the horse and dray were tipped clean over whilst crossing the stream, and Mr Fleming himself was pinned down in the stream, face downwards, by the dray, which was resting across his right leg. Luckily, however, his head was just above the water, which was not so deep there as in that part of the stream where the horse lay. The animal was entnnsrled in the harness, and after struggling for half an hour or so was drowned. Mr Fleming remained in his perilous position in icy cold water for fully four hours. With wonderful presence of mind he had scooped up all the stones within reach in order to make a pillow for his head, in case he should faint, hut ho never once lost consciousness

The following vessels will he within Wireless range of Wellington to-night; —Ulimaroa, Victoria, Maori, Wahinc, Tahiti, and Warrimoo. “Old Artilleryman” writes advising those uninitiated ones, who happen to be near the big guns when they are being fired on Friday next, to keep their mouths slightly open during the shooting. This, ho says, is the precaution used by gunners against injury to their hearing.

The almost continual rain that has been falling since Friday last has not had very much effect upon the waters of the Hutt river. A southerly gale, accompanied with heavy rain, docs not bring down the valley the quantity of water that comes with a gale from the north.

Tho public desirous of witnessing the big-gun shooting-on Friday will obtain an excellent view from the hills overlooking Fort Dorset, near Seatoun. They should endeavour to seek a location which will enable them to see both the operations from the fort and the effect of the shooting on the Devon, also to sec the fall of the shot between the Hongkong targets during the initial stage of the battlepractice. The chairman of the Wellington S.P.C.A. yesterday suggested the holding of an “animal Sunday” h> the churches, as is done in London, where one Sunday a year is set aside and in all the churches a sermon is preached on “Mercy to Dumb Animals.” It was decided that Bishop Sprott and the Ministers’ Association ho written to, asking if it would be possible to hold such a Sunday. The suggestion was made that the observance should be on the same day in all the churches. . Those who are interested in the development of the fruit-export industry might well take a hint from the description of a case of lemons opened up by a Blenheim fruiterer this week (says the “Marlborough Express”). The method of packing was a work of art. The paper used for the lining of the case and the covering of the top layer presented beautiful pictures of scenery and other tourist attractions in Italy, and the wrapping of each lemon was similarly illustrated. This ingenious form of advertising could ho happily associated with such exceptionally handsome apples as our own country is capable of producing. Mr R. W. Shallcrass, general secretary of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, returned to Wellington yesterday from a visit to the Southland and Central Otago branches of the league. In conversation with a “New Zealand Times” reporter, Mr Shallcrass said that he addressed good representative gatherings at each oen- , tre where a branch was formed, and each branch expressed great satisfaction at the manner 'in' which the league had assisted various sports. The organisation in every centre ivas complete and the members were full of enthusiasm. In his tour he received public, expression of broad-mindedness towards all classes of sport, and with one or two exceptions candidates for Parliamentary honours at the next general election were favourable to the league’s policy. The Wellington Trades and Labour Council has issued the following circular to unions in regard to the conference to be held concerning the cost of living:—“ln. response to a request from several unions that the council urge the Government to give effect to the- findings of the Cost of Living Inquiry, it has been decided to invite all unions in Wellington to send one delegate to a conference to he held in the Trades Ha’ n Thursday, June 25th, at 8 p.m. .no council will place a summary of the findings of the Commission before delegates, and will ask them to consider 'the best steps to he taken to place the matter prominently before the public and Parliament. Wo sincerely trust that you will cooperate with us in this very important work, so that the meeting will be thoroughly representative of organised Labour in this centre.” The importance of getting the cash in cases where subscriptions arc promised has been borne in upon the officials of a certain local association (states the Christchurch “Press”). A subscription of a fairly largo sum was promised by a gentleman who died before lie handed over his cheque. As the amount was not mentioned in the deceased gentleman’s will his execu tors raised legal objections to paying it and a somewhat complicated process has had to he adopted to give effect to the promise. The association is to obtain the sum promised on the undertaking of ' one of its prominent members to guarantee the repayment of the amount should the chief beneficiary under the will (who is still a minor) decline to recognise the association’s claim. The ossociation, on the other hand, has undertaken to indemnify the member who has guaranteed repayment of the amount.

Sydney would be nracb more beautiful than ifc is if it were embowered ii. foliage, said Mr W. B. Griffin, tin. Chicago architect who is carrying oir the Federal Capital design, last week Ho said that he did not want to set trees in the busy streets, but they could be planted in some of the quieter streets of the city, and throughout the residential areas. They could not have too many of them. In Mew Zca land the same mistake was being madr as in Australia. People were planting European trees and Australian trees. He liked Australian trees, but not in Xcw Zealand, which had a most wonderful flora of its own, and that was what, one wanted to see when one went there. These hew countries were losing their original characteristic features. It was a mistake to try to repeat the Old Country flora in a new country. They should make the most of the good things of their own country.

“Is there a gold mine in my fowl run?” a bird fancier down the har!x>ur side is asking himself (says the Dunedin “Star”). There seems to be some reason for the query. Recently ho killed a young rooster, and while drawing the fowl preparatory to cooking it, ho was surprised to find in the “crop” a email lump of bright metal almost as large as a pea, and having all the appearance of a gold nugget. A second piece' about the same size as the first was subsequently discovered, followed by the gleam of a third but smaller piece. Was it a case o f the goose and the golden eggs slightly varied, or was the find merely bar-' metal? Going round to Port Glia' mere the bird fancier submitted V find to a jowe'ler, who, applyhg t u usual teste, declared ir to bt curir<fod. though there were ijid>.~* ions an alloy. The question now is win Mier there is an alluvial deposit ir that fowl run, or whether the fowl run occupies the site of some dwellinghouse burned down in the past, the burning building serving as a smelting pot for the domestic jewellery.

To-night members of the local nfio clubs are to meet at the Buckle street d'rillshed fur the purpose of preparing for the inspection by Sir lan Hamilton on Saturday afternoon. Mr if. Findlay, at the conference of Hntt and Pctone Councils on Monday night, advocated the taxing of wages to pay the hospital levy. Mr Findlay’s contention was that single men received treatment at the hospital free of charge, and the man with an interest in the district had to bear the burden.

The Wellington Hospital Board has land for a site for a hospital in tho Hutt Valley, in Lower Hutt, close to the hills. Mr McEwan, at tho conference held in Petouo on Monday, criticised tho position on account of its dampness, and Dr Purdy pointed out that an ideal spot could bo found at Rand wick (near tho pipe bridge over the Hurt river), which would serve tho district very well. Several Maori skeletons were dug out of a sand pit lost week at Orini. Tho skulls found are those of adults, excepting one, which appears to bo that of a child. There arc full sets of teeth in a perfect state of preservation in each head, on© of wliich boars an indentation on tho crown, suggesting that the unfortunate owner mot his death by a severe blow. The remains were found about two feet below the surface.

Two nominations have been received for th© vacancy on tho Miramar Borough Council caused by tho resignation of Councillor Bell. Mr Henry Hawthorn has been nominated by Messrs. G. W. Houchen, H. E. Richards, E. U. B. Henderson, H. A. Smith, and W. E. Tomlin; and Mr John Telford by Messrs J. M. Geddie and H. N. McLeod. Nominations' close nt noon to-day, and a poll • will bo taken on Wednesday next.

An argument over music at Lower Hutt recently resulted in blows being struck, and in consequence a man named Benjamin Campbell was taken before Messrs G. A. Chapman and J. Cudby, J.P.’s, charged with assaulting Samuel Henry Carter. Accused pleaded guilty, and was convicted and fined £5, with costs 28s 4d. Jasper Anderson and Andrew Sterling Alexander had judgment given against them for £7 16s and £5 3s 6d respectively on debts to Thomas Burt.

t Mr A. Peters, of Messrs Peters and Son. carriers, of Lower Hutt, had a narrow, escape from serious injury while driving over the Wainui-o-mata hill. Mr Peters was in charge of a team attached to a timber waggon, and when rounding a bond of the road, the loaders became startled at the approach of a motor-car. The animals swerved and cleared a fence. Luckily, a projecting tree stump held tho waggon, otherwise horses and conveyance would have rolled to tho bottom of tho hill. Tho horses were cut loose and got back on the road without material damage.

Tho balance-sheet of the Manawatu A- and P. Association, presented at yesterday’s' meeting of the committee, showed that the total receipts for tho year amounted to £6574 17s 3d, and the expenditure to £6028 8s lOd. Tho left a credit balance of £366 8s sd. In their audit note tho auditors, Messrs Rutherfurd and Connell, stated that the books ,of the association were excellently kept, and reflected tho greatest credit on tho secretary. The committee passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr 'Penny _ for tho good work ho had done during the past year. The. balance-sheet was adopted.

A telephone message, received at the “Times” office from TJetono early this morning reported that a large 40 horse-Ipower inotor-oar belonging to Young’s Arcadia garage, Petone, was completely destroyed by fire on tbo Hutt road about 11.30 o’clock last night. Tho car was engaged in conveying a man and woman from Hutt, and when opposite tho Petone drillshod stopped through lack of petrol. In order to refill the tank the driver placed the tail-light on tbo seat as far away from tho tank as possible and proceeded 'to pour petrol in from a tin. Apparently the vapour became ignited, for in a moment tho car was enveloped in flames, and before tho fire brigade could arrive had been destroyed. “X object to affidavits containing slang,” said Mr Justice Cooper, at the Auckland Supreme Court. “In the one before me tho word ‘billet, 1 instead of the right word, ‘situation,* is used several times.” When preparing such documents solicitors should use English. The term “billet” had probably been adopted to some extent in English, in the sense mentioned, but, nevertheless, it was slang. The old English word “billet” could only be used in reference to tbo quartering of soldiers. “I like to see the English language kept undefiied.” said His Honour, “and I think an effort should be made to preserve its purity.” Counsel addressed bowed to the ruling of the judge, but mentioned that in a recently-published dictionary, some 100 pages were devoted to words exclusively used in the Australasian colonies, though he could not say if “billot” was included in the list.

The extent and quality of the oysterbeds in the Bay of Islands greatly impressed Professor E. E. Prince, Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries, during the inspection he made in company with Mr L. F. Ayson, chief inspector of fisheries, last week. Professor Prince says that there are no rock oysters in Canada, and he was pleasantly surpris. ed by the size and conservation of tho Auckland beds. Opportunity was taken during the visit to the Bay of Islandti to gather further information regard’ ing the fisheries generally in those waters. During the return voyage of tho Hinemoa from East Cape, experimental trawling will be continued in the Bay of Plenty and off tho Coromandel Peninsula, to test the fishing grounds in that area. Tho work will be continued during the vessel’s cruise round the northern lighthouses, Tho examination of the deep l water fish, eries is only one department of the investigationn; undertaken by ProfessorPrince. He lias arranged to visit tho •principal fishing ports in order to get into communication with those already engaged in developing the fisheries, and in the distribution of fish to the con. snmers. As the time at his disposal is limited, Prnfoasor Prince will bo able to visit only typical rivers in the various acclimatisation districts. Special attention will be devoted to the fisherics of Lake Ttntorua and Lake Taupe A rnotor-cvelist ves*e?-dav did a won'd"'fnl •■hi"*, and iAe-V.-n*a'lv had a Toe.* T—-'d n rf l .J rcea-v> from a serjnuc --v 7 l wt.l- .ornpr from Cuh^ -"■r.-et hie tr-V e-de-l +„ Bn p cycle. w :+ h its rider, skidded around in three distinct circles. How the cyclist managed to keep hiv balance wan a mystery, but when he recovered his equilibrium he rode off, apparently not even dazed by his unusual experience.