NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8776, 4 July 1914, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

The Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals proceeded against Low Doe in the Magistrate’s Court vosterdav for cruelly ill-treating a horse. ‘The offence was admitted. “It is very seldom that wc hoar of Chinese being cruel to their horses. They are usually very kind to their auimais; at; least, that is ray experience,” said Mr Cooper, S.M., m addressing tho accused. Lee said that hu did not think die horse was in such a bad condition as it proved to bo. A fine of -£3, with solicitor’s fee 10s, Court costs 9s, and interpreter’s fee 5s 3d, in default seven days’ imprisonment, was imposed. “Sunday trading” was charged by the police against Percy Rogers, licensee of the Shamrock Hotel, yesterday, in the Magistrate’s Court, It was alleged that on a recent Sunday a man named James Gilfoy.e, a milkman, was observed coming out of the Shamrock Hotel With a can. The suspicions of a police sergeant were aroused, and he questioned the man, who admitted that he -had a bovtie of beer in the can. As his story did not coincide with that of the licensee as to how ho came in possession of the liquor, tho prosecution fouowed. fine defence, submitted by Mr T. Young, was that the beer was a gift. Mr D. 6. A. Cooper, S.M., said tnat as there was no evidence of a sale, he would dismiss the information. Full details of the disaster to the Empress of Ireland have been received at the National Headquarters of the Salvation Army in Wellington. Originally it was reported that 109 Salvationists perished, but the total number that were drowned was 150 out of 170. The Canadian “War Cry” points out tha t the Commissioner's and Chief Secretary’s departments at National Head- , quarters. Toronto, both lost their chiefs, and in addition'the private secretary of each. The editorial department lost the editor and sub-editor, the finance department a brigadier, an adjutant, and a captain, and thp property department two adjutants, a captain, and a staff-bandsman. The “maker-up” of the “War Cry” and the artist also perished, while the immigration and special efforts departments and the Toronto divisional office were also heavily hit “The accommodation provided in the majority of cases for Government offices is just about as unsuitable as it could be,” says the annual report of the Public Service Commissioner, whicb was presented to Parliament yesterday. “It usually consists of a series of small rooms, which it can easily ba understood renders supervision an impossibility ; moreover, under such conditions an undesirable result is that the isolation of officers "brings about lines of demarcation fatal to good management, and destroys the community of interest. For the purpose of dealing with all matters of accommodation, a board reporting to tho Minister of Internal Affairs—consisting of Messrs R. Tnggs, assistant Public Service Commissioner: H. J. H. Blow, permanent bead. Public Works Department ; and J. Hislop. permanent head. Department of Internal Affairs—was sot up in September, 1913, and it has made recommendations for the rearranjiment of the new buildings at Christchurch, the Government Buildings at Auckland, and also at Nelson, besides providing for and learrnnging the accommodation in several of the smaller departments generally.

Hiram Pctherick Dexter, who pleaded guilty to seven charges of,theft of jewellery from hotels in the city, will be brought up for sentence in the Supremo Court at 10 o’clock this morning. Tho Customs regulations arc brought up-to-date by a “Gazette” supplement issued this week. Tho regulations, schedules, and forms cover forty-two pages, and refer to numerous branches of clearance. On the application of Chief-Detec-tive Broberg, Horace Arthur Cramond, late manager in Wellington for Cook’s, was yesterday further remanded to Wednesday nest on a charge of committing theft of £165 Os 8d from Thomas Cook and. Sons. Bail was allowed in tho same amount as before. The New Zealand Federated Woollen Mills Employees’ Association is moving in the direction of getting the hours for women and boys employed in woollen mills reduced from forty-eight to forty-live per week, as in all other industries. Mr 15. Kennedy, secretary of the association, has circularised the members of Parliament, asking for support in tho matter. Tho danger attending tho riding ol ono bicycle by two persons at the same time was demonstrated about 8 o’clock last night, when a cycle ridden down Majoribauks street by two telegraph messengers collapsed through tho front forks of tho machine snapping. One of tho hoys, William Hayfield, residing at Drummond street, suffered- contused wounds on tho nose and lips. He was attended to by Mrs Firth, of the City Hotel, and was then able to proceed to his home. At a meeting of the Miramar Borough Council last evening tho following committees wore appointed :—Public works, tho whole council; .tramways, Councillors Stone, Underwood, and Hawthorn; finance, Councillors Smith and Underwood; town hall, firo brigade, and band, Councillors Stone, Tracey, and Huntley; reserves and plantations, Councillors Underwood, Tracey, and Stone;, by-laws, Councillors Stone, Smith, and Hawthorn; electric lighting, Councillors Stone and Hawthorn. The recommendations of the Inspec-tor-General of Oversea Forces are now receiving the consideration of tho Minister for Defence, and some changes are to bo carried out at once. The Quar-termaster-Generals to have charge of tli© administrative branch and the Army Service Corps, and it is proposed to strengthen that section of the service. The general policy recommended of putting the administrative side on a war basis is to be kept steadily in view. Improvements in the military will, it is promised, bo gradually brought into operation. There was a good attendance at St. George’s Hall, Lower Hutt, last night, when tho question of establishing a municipally-owned motor ’bus service was discussed. The Mayor (Mr H. Baldwin) was in, the chair, and explained that tho proprietor of tho existing service had approached the borough council for financial, help. This tho council was not prepared to grant. After considerable discussion, it was decided, on the motion of-the Mayor, seconded by Dr Purdy: “That this meeting of ratepayers recommend that tho council proceed to take _ a loan poll for the purpose of establishing a municipally-owned motor ’bus service in Lower Hutt.” “The local money market continues steady, showing very little alteration since* our last issue (says the “Trade Review”). The bank returns for the quarter just closed should bo out next week, and theso may bo expected to show further improvement in the supply of funds as compared with three months ago, due to realisations coming in from the season’s produce. The export season, now practically closed, has proved a splendid one, eclipsing all previous ; records. For tho year to March 31st there was an increase of over a million, and the two months following that showed a further increase of over a million, also exports were maintained during Juno. Though this is makmg funds more plentiful with the banks, and will cause considerable benefit generally, the next few months will witness heavier demands on the banks, and consequently rates can hardly be expected to ease materially, though there will be an ample supply of funds for all legitimate requirements.” “Tho Post and Telegraph Department,” says the Public Service Commissioner in his annual report, “is pe-. culiar as compared with others, as under the Public Service Act transfers to the department from other departments are practically impossible, although there is nothing to prevent postal officers being transferred to other departments. This was at the request of the officers of tho depart-' nient, hut I am afraid the provision i,s one which is a disadvantage rather than an advantage to the officers themselves, as the rest of tho public service is now claiming through 1 its association that the same treatment should be applied to them. The full effect desired by all officers would be met if the restrictions were modified. The Post Office has facilities for training officers in certain classes of clerical work for ■which it is at times difficult to find officers properly trained in other departments, while, on the other hand, the Post Office is often in need of general division officers, who could be supplied from other departments instead of being engaged frem outside the public service.” A case under the Defence Act which is the first of its kind m Wellington was heard before Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when - William Allan pleaded not guilty to an information charging him with preventing Ernest Walter Loughlin from rendering personal service an der the Defence Aot.‘ Mr P. S. K. Macassey appeared for the Defence Department, and Mr Peacock for the defendant- Loughiin, a youth belonging to No. 31 Company, gave evidence to the effect that he was employed by Messrs Veitch and Allan, and that Mr Allan refused him leave to attend a parade on Saturday, March 7th; he only attended - two half-day parades, Mr Allan stating that his reason for not allowing him to go tc the others was that Saturday was the firm’s busy day. Captain Frandi, officer commanding No. 31 _ Company, in tho course of his evidence stated that when he saw Mr Allan on March 3rd the latter got very angry and said “if they wanted the lad they could keep him.” Mr Peacock' said his client did not dispute the facts, but had pleaded not guilty in order tc allow them to be brought out, as this was something in tho nature of a test case. In his establishment he had five cadets, and they were all required on Saturday afternoon. After hearing the defendant His Worship pointed out that it was not only the employer whe might he inconvenienced in these matters, and the law must be obeyed. A fine of £l, with court costs 9s, was imposed.

On Friday. July 2-lth, there will be a conference of delegates from the various branches of the Overseas Club held in the Town Hall. At the next meeting of the City Council. Councillor Tregear intends to move; “That the council take into consideration the question of the legal position of the road between the Wadcstown Post- Office and Wilton’s Bush.” Mr J. G. Coates (Kaipara) gave notice in the House of Representatives yesterday to ask the Minister for Marino whether he could inform the House if, upon the receipt of the report of Professor Prince upon the fishing industry of New Zealand, the Government would entertain proposals to make advances to fishermen and to assist the industry os is done in the mutter of advances to settlers and advances to workers. Representatives of the Island Bay Electors’ Association waited on. the bylaws committee of the City Council yesterday, and requested that three additional street lamps be erected in that district. The proposed localities are on West Beach (where there is a dangerous corner, a bln If projecting right over the road), in Eden street, and at the top of Melbourne road, where a zig-zag occurs. Consideration of the request was promised. A comprehensive little handbook describing the chief features of tho Wellington Zoo has just been prepared by the Rev. J. Crowes and Mr J. Castle, president and treasurer respectively of the-Wellington Zoological Society. The history and characteristics of the various exhibits are dealt with in a. series of most interesting articles? which, as it were, take the reader for a walk through tho Zoo. The animals and birds are excellently described, and tho information given will be as much appreciated by the citizens of Wellington as by visitors. Altogether the “‘guide,’ which is beautifully illustrated, reflects tho greatest credit on the compilers. At tho monthly 'meeting of tho Hutt River Board it was decided to erect groynes in tho upxicr river district, in order to protect laud that has suffered to a considerable extent by erosion. Mr F. Kershaw (overseer to tho board) reported that' the willow protection work at Belmont had been renewed at a cost of £7 bs; a. channel cut through the beach at Pitcaithley’s, and the extension of the groyne, for which rails were supplied by the Railway Department, completed at the same place. On the recommendation of the overseer it was resolved to. stop tho carting of shingle from a beach on the eastern side of tho river and erect willow protection work, Mr M. Laracy, Who was agent for the Marlborough Farm and Station Hands’ Union at the sitting of the. Conciliation Council held in Blenheim on Thursday, protested to a “ Times ” reporter yesterday against the attitude of the employers’ assessors. The sitting, he said, only lasted three minutes. Tho attitude of the employers was expressed in the following words: “Wo’ll discuss nothing, say nothing, and do nothing!”. Mr Laracy expressed tho opinion that the country’s) money should not be wasted by such an abortive proceeding. What the union now wanted to know was whether the benefits of the Arbitration Act were to be extended to farm labourers or not. With the idea of furthering horticultural work in connection with the Woreer Bay school, the committee wrote to the Miramar Borough Council last evening stating that it would bo of great advantage to tho teaching staff of tho school if tho small belt of plantation, abutting on tho northwestern boundary of the school ground, could be used by them for demonstration garden plots. They therefore asked it the council would be prepared to hand over to the care and control of the school committee the small pieco of ground in question. TUio existing shrubs would not bo disturbed in the slightest, and the ground would bo kept enclosed, as at present, with perhaps the exception that a small gate would ho required. Tho headmaster would undertake to become fuhy responsible to the council for tho care and condition of the ground. The council agreed to grant the request. Owing to various reasons the original itinerary of tho All-England Womans’ hockey team has not been found acceptable to some associations. The following itinerary has been definitely decided upon, the New Zealand Association intimating that no further alteration will bo pei mitted: —Saturday, August Ist, against Wellington, at Wellington; Wednesday, August sth, Manawatu, at Palmerston North; Saturday, August Bth, Hawke’s Bay, at Napier; Wednesday, August 12th, Poverty Bay, at Gisborne; Saturday, August 15th, Auckland, at Auckland; Thursday, August 20th, Wanganui, at Wanganui; Saturday, August 22nd, Taranaki, at New Plymouth; Saturday, August 29th, Nelson, at Nelson; Wednesday, September 2nd, West Coast, at Greymouth; Saturday, September sth, Buller, at Westport; Thursday, September 10th, South Canterbury, at Timaru; Saturday, September 12th, Canterbury, at Christchurch; Wednesday, September 16th, Southland, at Invercargill; Saturday, September- 19th, Otago, at Dunedin; Saturday, September 26th, North Otago, at Camara; Wednesday, September 30th, New Zealand, at Wellington; Saturday, October 3rd, New Zealand at Christchurch; Saturday, October 10th, New Zealand, at Auckland. The Willis street widening scheme is now receiving tho close attention of the City Council. The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) told a “ Times ” reporter yesterday that the city engineer is preparing plans, and tenders are to be called for setting the premises of Messrs Eaton, Osborne, and Brown and the New Zealand Bible, Tract, and Book Company back the requisite number of feet. The tenants desire that the work should be carried out with the least possible inconvenience to themselves. At an interview between them and the Mayor cad the engineer it was suggested that the shops be dealt with one at a time. The matter will be laid before the council shortly. With regard to the Duke of Edinburgh corner, a claim of £16,740 has been made in respect of that part of the old building which projects, tho new addition being in its proper line. That portion of the work must remain in abeyance until after tho decision of the Compensation Court. ‘ Negotiations with the tenant have to be completed as well. With regard to the premises occupied by Messrs Fear, Arnold, and others, the Mayor said that the council owns most of the property, and livtie difficulty will be experienced there. This matter will also be considered by the council at an early date. When tho whole plans ore finished, the work will be carried out gradually, a portion being done each year, as the* expense is being met out of revenue.

A public meeting will bo held at tho Town Hal! on Monday next at 8 li.in. to arrange for the entertainment of tho British and American scientists visiting Wellington an September. Brigadier (Jlover conducted the meeting at the Citadel, Vivian street, last evening, when the special salvation campaign of the Salvation Army concluded. it is understood that fair results have been achieved, hut* figures aro not yet available. The state of the footxiaths in Miramar was the subject of a eomx>laliit to tho Miramar Borough Council last evening by tho local Electors’ Association. The association intimated that it was time that the sidewalks, wera jiut in order, so that people returning to their homos on dark nights would not have to wade through x>ools of water. Tho matter was held over until tho estimates aro xuepared. On inquiry at tho hospital late lasS night it was ascertained that vlicro was no alteration iii the condition of C. Johnston, who was badly injured by a fall at tbo Ngahauranga moan works on Wednesday. Klaus Nelson, who was*struck by an empty coal basket on the hulk Coromandel on Thursday, was in much tho same state a» when he was admitted to tho institution. At I’otone yesterday, before Messrs R. Mothos and R. W. Short, J.P.’a, Cliff Ackroyd was fined ss, with cost? 7s, for riding a bicycle on a footpath, and William Cameron and E. Lintern were each mulcted in a like amount for driving after dark without lights. Mrs Jenkins charged Mrs McWhirteJ with using obscene language towards her. Both parties to the action am residents of Sandhills, Retone, and tho bench considered tho case was the outcome of a neighbour’s quarrel, and dismissed it. An incident, not devoid of a humorous side, ds alleged to hav© taken place at Rotono on Wednesday 'evening. Before the whistle announced that work was over for the day, a rumour, which quickly spread from department do department, wont tho rounds of tho railway shops that an inspection of kits was to bo made by those in authority. To give colour to the rumour tho large exit doors wore closed, and in view of recent prosecutions the men would not have boon suiqirised had an insx>ection of personal effects been ordered. The suddenness of tho rumour at knock-off time came as a shock to many, and it is alleged that the way kits and pieces of wood areoplaned over a fence gave one tho idea that a rampart was being assaulted. Still another deputation is to wait upon the Primp Minister in connection with the liquor question. Tho delegates will ho a number of wellknown citizens representing, tho moderate section of tho community. At a meeting held on Thursday evening, and presided over hy Mr A. S. Mcnteath, tho speakers were apiiointed and suggestions were adopted which will bo placed before Mr Massey. Tbo dexiutation will he received at 10.36 a.in. on Monday, and .will bo introduced by the Hon. A. L. Herdimm, In an interview yesterday, Mr Monteath explained that the supporters of the movement were independent of both tho -prohibition party and the trade; while they did not at all.agree with tho former, they felt that the. system under which the manufacture and saje of alcoholic beverages warn, conducted was open to considerable improvement. It was felt, on the. other band, that national prohibition would bring disastrous consequences to the whole community. A meeting of the Wellington Hookey Association was held last evening, Mr W. G. Morx>eth presiding. A lettci was received from the Karori Borough Council, intimating that the council was not prepared just yet to expend, any further money in forming now; grounds at Karori. It was pointed, out that tho council was preparing an estimate and was about to submit a definite proposal on tho question of - forming extra grounds, with a view to tho association assisting financially,. In connection with tho Aucklaml-Wel-lAigOon shield match, thei Northern. Association wrote, expressing the opinion. that tbo match should be played on September 12th, the date sot down for tho inter-island match to bo played in Wellington. It was decided to reply that it was difficult for the local association to alter the date of the inter-bland match, and suggesting September 19th or 26th, as suitable dates for the intcr-provincial match. Mr A. A. Bennett (secretary of tha local association) was appointed the local selector in connection tho selection of the representative North, Island team to play the South Island, Tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Soccer Referees’ Association was held last evening, Mr W. Monckton presiding. In the annual report it was stated that excellent work had been done by refert*™ and referees’ associations in New Zealand. While the ■ number of affiliated associations had remained at four, comprising Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago, there was no doubt that there wore a number of capable referees in other centres, and if there were a sufficient number of referees to form associations in some of these places, tho possibility of regulations by which such referees could be kept in touch with headquarters and eventually assisted to form associations, might be considered. One of the main drawbacks to tho game in outlying parts was tho scarcity of referees. It was almost impossible for the New Zealand Association to get into touch with referees in places outside the large towns; and it was suggested that tho governing body should do all they could in this direction through affiliated associations. No badges were distributod during the past season, bnt ■ large number would be sent out shortly. All the associations had been more active over the question of bn decs recently, and they were now bolding The desirability of baring uniformity opinion as to certain points involved in the laws of the game was emphas’sad. The ronort was adopted, ard officers for the ensuing vear were el o otod as follows; —President. Mr W. Monckton; vicepresident, Mr H- Mover: secretary and treasurer, Mr B. ,L. • o mon. V—ting* of the Referees’ Association will be’beid on the last Friday in each month duriurr tv -nasoTi.