NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8784, 14 July 1914, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

A man was arrested by Detective Cameron yesterday afternoon on a charge that, on July Gth, at \vellington, he committed the theft of a quantity'of leather, valued at £1 IDs Bd, tho property of Arthur jjeorgo aud another. The quarterly meeting of tho Government Railways Superannuation Inuicl Board was held yesterday. Retiring allowances in favour of twenty-three members ' were passed, amounting to £2213 3s per annum. Allowances in favour of seven widows and twelve children vvero approved, the annual liability being £292. Tho sum of £2070 Os 2fl was passed for payment, representing tire refunds of contributions duo to contributors who bavo resigned or been dismissed tho service. A motion was put forward by tho Rev. C. H. Isaacson at'tho Diocesan Synod yesterday: “That in tire opinion of this Synod, tjre time has arrived to ■rive women the right of voting at parish mootings, and tho Synod requests the Right Rcvcrolid the president to bring this resolution before General Synod.” , Several members were of the opinion that lire matter should be delayed, for fuller consideration, and‘tho mover agreed to withdraw the motion, Which is to ho rc-introduced at the next session. Favourable comments work of tho chaplains at territorial camps were made at tire Anglican Synod last uirrht when Rev. G. B. Stevenson moved;—“(1) That this Synod commends to ths elegy and laity the work in the territorial camps, and asks for continued support." (2) r rbat the military. affairs’ committee consist of His Lordship tho Bishop, the Revs. Watson, Hormon and Compton, and Messrs Henderson, R. (J. Button, C. Burdekin, R- G. House, and the mover.” Tho motion was carried, and it was also decided that it be a recommendation to the military authorities that the bishop of each diocese be the senior Anglican, chaplain iu that diocese. : ■ Under circumstances that pointed to gas-poisoning, William Taylor, a butcher, aged sixty-six. was found dead iu a wash-Jiouso at his residence, No. 51, Tasman street, at 7 o’clock yesterday morning.' He had retired to bed as usual the previous evening, and at 3 n,m. ho arose, and informed his Wife that he was going to work. When Mrs Taylor went downstairs in the morning she found tho deceased lying on the floor of the wash-house, with the gas ring near his head and the gas turned on. Dr. Perkins, who was immediately summoned, pronounced life extinct. Deceased suffered a paralytic stroke about a year ago, and had been weak over since. He complained of feeling unwell on Friday and took little food during the day. An inquestwill probably be held to-day. One of the deputations which is known by Parliamentarians as a hardy annual, materialised again yesterday, when the Foxton Harbour Board approached the Prime Minister regarding the Foxton wharf. This structure is owned, by the Railway Department, hav'ing been handed over .when the Foxton Harbour Board a few years ago became defunct. The board, which was recently revived, now considers that it should be able to obtain the wharf at a reasonable cost, but the degree of reasonableness is the question over which for some time there has been a deadlock. Representatives of tho district,, inchiding Mr D. Buick, M.P., J. Robertson, M.P., J. Henessy (chairman of the board), and J, Nash (Mayor of Palmerston North), after a lengthy interview with Mr Massey, the Minister for Railways, and the Minister for Marine, came to the conclusion yesterday, on Mr Fisher’s suggestion, that the purchase of tho wharf should be first referred to arbitration to find the present value of the structure, and a fair price for the goodwill. If this course is apnrovod by Cabinet, it will be adopted by the parties concerned.

The outpatients’ department at the ■hospital "ill he to-morrow. Arbor Day, but urgent'cases will be treated at the main hospital. The following vessels are expected to bo within wireless range of Wellington this evening ; —Maori, Wahine, Alokoia, Warrimoo, Willoclira, Moan a, Arabura, Otaki, Mnkariui, and (via Chatham Islands) Kaipara. Owing to Lovcridgo ricking his ankle in the match against New South Wales at Sydney on Saturday, the New Zealand Rugby Union has derided to send Cockroft (South C'uuterbuy) to Australia by the Alaungamn on .Friday. ( During the month of June, tho Petone Borough Council sold Ido tons of coal to private consumers. New engines have boon installed in tho exhaust? house and alterations to the gas mains will be completed in a few days for the Ilutt supply roquirc-

Froin 2C3 tons of eoal carbonised at the Pctone gas works during the month of June, .'1,219,-100 cubic foot of gas was manufactured, tho average make being 12,2-11 cubic feet from a ton of coal. Eighty-two tons of coko were sold during tho same 'period and 100 gallons of> tar.

This morning at 10 o’clock a deputation representing the chartered clubs of New Zealand will wait upon tho Prime Minister in connection with the proposed amendments to the Licensing Act. Delegates will bo present from all over the Do.miniou. Tho speakers will be Messrs W. Dutliie (Wellington), T. R. Wdliams (Wanganui), and F. Earl (Auckland). Stray stock is becoming a nuisance in Petone. It was stated at tho council meeting last night that the ranger was watched, and a suggestion was made by a councillor that the ranger fa small man) should be dis- ■ guised and mounted on stilts, in order to secure convictions. Air Alacjenkins was appointed an additional range.'.'. Messrs McEwan and Carter, Ltd., of Petone, have notified tho borough council that they intend to take action for tho recovery of tho cost of a horso alleged to have been destroyed through falling into an open trench belonging to tho council. It "'Us decided last night to defend the action, and tho question of a counter-claim for the removal of tho dead animal was left to the council's solicitor to deal with. Tho Friendly Societies’ now dispensary is to be built in brick noxit the Congregational Church i n Courtenay place, with a frontage of 32ft by u depth of 80 feet. The tender of Messrs Campbell and Burko at £1935 has been accepted for the work. Other tenders were:—Howie and Matthews, £1939; Wm. Thomnson, £1972; W. 11. Bennett. £1993’; Wakolin and Hill; £2021; Murdock and Wallis, £2059; Fletcher Bros., £2092; H. M. Pairs, £2119; Hunt and McDonald, £2117; Humphries Bros., £23X5: M. Drain and Son, £2373; Moyer and Co., £2957. The Diocesan Synod yesterday discussed a motion by the Rev. A. S. limes Jones', “That this Synod commends to the sympathy of the. Church in this diocese the great work carried on by tho British and Foreign Bible Society, and that the first Sunday in May be observed as Bible Sunday, on which the relationship of, the , Bible Society with the aggressive work of the Church ho brought before tlio congregations of the Church and an opportunity afforded to those desirous of doing so to- contribute to the funds of the society.” Eventually 'the proposal to hold a Bible Sunday was deleted by moans of an amending motion, and tile resolution was passed iii tho following form;—“That tins Synod commends to the sympathy of the Church in this diocese the great work carried on by the; British and. Foreign Bible Society.” ' A cowardly manner of obtaining money was revealed in a charge against William Joseph Dwyer, a stock-ily-built young man, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. 'The accused was charged with attempting to obtain from Alice Goodman the sum of £3 by means of a certain false pretence. He was also charged with false pretences, and with the theft of a horse and harness,, both offences alleged to have . been committed at Auckland. A pica of guilty was entered on the first charge. It was explained iiy • Chief-Detective Broberg that about July lit accused was staying at a private hotel. There was also a young lady visitor there who had been unfortunate enough to lose her; jiurse. Accused commiserated with her, and said lie would help her out of her difficulty. He drew up a cheque for £8 on tho National Bank at Auckland, and signed it . Dobson,” the name under which he was staying at the hotel. Accused pointed, out that tho cheque was on an Auckland Bank, and suggested to the young woman that she should go to some business firm in tho city, who would no doubt cash it for her. If she was successful she could keep £5 as a loan and give accused £3. ‘‘Of course the cheque was valueless. That was his cowardly way of getting money,” concluded the detective. A sentence of one month’s imprisonment was imposed. On the application <jf the Chief-Detective, accused was remanded to appear at Auckland on Friday. The ease between two Marlborough river boards, in which an appeal from the judgment of the Chief ~Justico (Bir Robert Stout) is contemplated, was mentioned in tho Court of-Appeal yes, terday morning by Mr M. Myers, counsel for the defendant body. In the Supreme Court, tho. Spring Creek River Board applied for an injunction to be enforced against the Lower Wai•rau River Board against the continuance of a groyne in the bed of the Wairau river, it -being complained that such groyne bad the effect of preventing water from flowing into the Opawa river. His Honour, after inspecting the locality,.made an order that a part of the groyne should be removed, leaving three chains which would protect what was the old bank of the river; if the order were not carried out, the court would proceed further, and leave was • reserved to both parties to move. Mr Myers asked that the order be suspended, pending an appeal, and His Honour granted a suspension for a fortnight. Mr Myers yesterday informed the Appeal Court that a motion for a stay of proceedings had been filed, and an affidavit was also being filed, and he asked if the court could fix a day for the hearing of the-motion. - In-reply to a Question from the bench, he stated that there was an application to the Legislature to deal. with, the matter. The Chief Justice commented on the urgency of the case, ns the position was one which -might- place the whole town of Blenheim £n danger. He advised Air Alvers that the stay of proceedings need not- ho .gone on with. The hearing of the appeal was fixed for ' Tuesday-next, the 21st iast.

The cost of the sanitary drainage works now in progress at Pet one amounts to £17.930 19s Id to date. Of this total £9793 has been paid iu wages.

Mr Baillie has made a rearrange* incut of the hours of admission to the Gallery of British Paintings in Harbour Shed “U,” next ferry wharf. Tho doors will open at 9 a.m. and close at (i p.m. each day. The ,evening sessions have been suspended.

A reminder is given by the council of the Early. Sett lore’ and Historical Association in its aumml report that next January 22nd will be Wellington's diamond jubilee. The executive says it feels that special efforts should he made to fittingly commemorate this important event in the history of tho province.

It is reported that the new petrolelectric railway car is working very satisfactorily on the Jolmsonville run, ALessrs .1. Cndby and C. Hollard, J.P.’s, fined Raymond Hall, Horace Steadman, George Lowe, Ernest Cunningham. John Higgins, Charles Tiller, Bertram Bird. Samuel Turner, Anthony Conroy, and William Phillip each 5s at Ixiwer H'utt yesterday, for riding bicycles after dark without lights. For driving a motor-lorry without lights, William How© was fined 10s, ajid William Alclvor was ordered to pay 5s for leaving a hors© and trap unattended.

The case of the Oriental player Shearer, who was suspended for rough play in a recent Oricntal-Ponoko match, cropped np at last evening’* meeting of the Wellington Referees’Association. A letter was received from Air W. H. Church, who refereed in tho game, stating that he had oc* casion to order Shearer off for rough play. Ho did notseo'tho provocation the player was alleged to have received, as he (the writer) was at tho other side of the scrum. With regard to the statements appearing in the press that the match was rough or beyond control, Air Church gave them an emphatic denial. The match, lie said, was very willing, but at no stage was it rough, or out of his control.

As a- sequel to a'tram accident that occurred in Hopper street on March 18th, a case is to come before the. Wellington Tramway Appeal Board. The facts are: On that day an express was overturned by a Wallace street tram. At an inquiry into the affair, a charge of negligence was preferred against Motorman W. Bennett. On. June 2nd Motorman Bennett received notice that ho had boon reduced Jn rank to a fourth-grade ,motorman. Against this reduction ho appeals on a. number of grounds. Instructed by the Tramways Union, Mr A. W. Blair is appearing for the appellant. Tho appeal was set down for hearing yesterday, but on account of Motorman. Bennett being ill tho case was ad- - journed to July 27th. .. - . Tho first debate in connection, with the recently-formed iuter-Catbolic Societies’ Debating Union was decided last week at St, Anne's Catholic Clubrooms. Tho contestants were St. Anne a Catholic • Club (affirmative) and 'Wellington Catholic Club (negative), the subject being “ Socialism; Will it Work?” Mr G. Dee occupied the chair, and Rev. Father Herring judged the debate. Tho speakers for the tun clubs woror—St. Auue’s—Messrs 0. Iv. Foote. J. Fagan, and F. Galvin (leader): Wellington—Messrs .J. 11Grant, 11. '.Duffy,, and C. P. Mdvcnzio (leader). The debate proved to- bo most interesting and decidedly spirited, and St. Anne's were declared winners by 289 points to 268. Tho annual general meeting of tho Wellington Garrison Officers’ Club was held last evening at tho Alexandra Hall, Buckle street, Lieut.-Colonel Courtney being in the chair. Officers elected for tho ensuing year were Patron, His Excellency the Governor (subject to his approval); vice-patron, Colonel R. J- Collins,; C.M.G.; president, Colonel A. W. Robin, C.M.G.; vice-president?, Lieut.-Ooloucl lunicr, Surgeon-Major Holmes, and Majors Menzies and Petherick; hon. secretary, Lieut. Hodge;, lion treasurer, Captain Evatt; hon. r auditor, J. Hutchon ; management committee. Captain Richardson, N.Z.S.C., Captain Matthews, Captain Roaohe, Captain Wilkinson, Captain Gibbs,' Captain Simeon, and . Lieut., Gasquoino. “You have tho choice of being tried by a jury of by His Worship here,” explained Sergeant Kook to Arthur Willuun Fox, a wild-looking man who was cliargod in the Auckland Police Court on Saturday that he stole four doors of a house in which ho had been living at Paparoa. “if hd likes,” was - the unexpected answer. ■ “Which, is tuci best thing to do?” he inquired confidentially of the sergeant, when tho latter tried to explain to him that ho had to make a choice himself. When the laughter in the Court had subsided,, Sub-Inspector Johnston cold His Worship that a house in which Fox had boon living had been burned down. The landlord some time lately while looking for sheep on his run, came across four doors which he .recognised as belonging to tho house that had been burnt, and ho spoke to box, who admitted that he was keeping the doors, to put in another" house. " There was reason, however, the sub-inspector added, to believe that Fox whs mentally peculiar. The man Was remanded for u week for medical observation. In presenting their second annual report, the council of-the Jtarly Settlers and Juistorical Association ol - Wellington says it feels justified in congratulating members upon tlio lact vnat tho association --has successfully _ passed, through tho crucial stages ot its existence and established itself in a position of growing usefulness - and inllueiicer During the year fifty new- membera were elected, seven have resigned, five have died, leaving a total membership on Anril 80th, 19X4, of 190. Tho bal-ance-sheet discloses a very satisfactory financial position, the surplus of assets over liabilities being £7l 7s 4d. Sixmo the last report the association has published three "numbers of its “Journal,” all of which are exceedingly interesting and should prove" of considerable value- to posterity. The financial sido however, is regarded as far from satisfactory, and the whole question of financing the publication of"tho"“Journal” will be brought up at the annual meeting. Aii important development in the association work (tho report says) lias been the inauguration of the movement to erect a memorial at Petone to commemorate the landing of our first pioneers on the Petone beach in 1840. With a view to furthering this object a public meeting was held at Petone, at which the Mayor of Petone presided. The meeting was well attended, and the proposal was keenly taken up, A sub-committee was elected to cooperate with the association. A similar meeting is to bo held at tho.'Hutt at an-oarly date. The executive intend to vigorously push this proposal, and aim at being in tho position to lay the foundation-stone during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations nest January.

The total value of building issued by tho Petone Borough Council) ;i uce March lust a mounts to £10,207,' nn which fees amounting to £25 sr. have been collected. The postal authorities advise that the s.s. Mokoia, which loft Sydney at noon, and the s.s. iloana, which left at 3 p.iu. on Saturday, are both bringing Australian mails only, and aro duo (it Wellington to-morrow. Complaint was mado to the Petone Borough Council by Councillor Anderson last night that tho building of the ■ra-wall was proceeding too slowly. Mr oivio (borough engineer) stated that ‘0 timber that carno to hand was linkable, and had i;o bo returned, bonce delay.

■j. drainage engineer (Mr It. Fox) rted to tho Polono Council last t that a twolv'c-inch storm water cr. near Cuba street, blew out on / Esplanade and flooded tho ncW •Irainagb*trenches. Defective material •nul faulty joints caused the blow-out', which occasioned delay and required two engines to cope with the water. The princinle of observing the Sovereign's birthday and other extraordinary holidays on tho first day of tho week was affirmed by the Auckland Chamber nf Commerce on Friday as 1 1 1 0 outcome nf a suggestion from the AYellingtnn Central Chamber of Commerce. Tho president raised the question of the corvonionco of shipping, ■ hut members wore of opinion that on a few holiday occasions in each year the departnro^of i vessels could bo adjusted to lit in with tho leisure of the public. Tho chamber further resolved, on tho motion of Mr A. B. Roherton, that-tho Government! bo requested to amend tho existing legislation in tho direction of eliminating the observance of saints’ days as public holidays. “Tho White Angel of Central Africa” was the subject on which Air Dan Crawford lectured last evening. Tho Rev. A. E, Hunt presided, and thcro was a largo audience. .Mr Crawford devoted his remarks to the, work of his wife in the mission fields' in South Africa and tho difficulties she had to undergo during tho twontythreo years,they were there. Ho also, referred'.to the need for schools for; natives, and pointed out that five schools were already promised in New Zealand at a. cost of £IOO each. He. appealed-to tho audience to also assist: in this direction. Mo will give an address for women only this afternoon., in the Grand Opera House, ami al lantern lecture at the Town Hall in tho evening. The reception committee set up to; provide for the entertainment of the, members of tho British Association,j who will he visiting Now Zealand in September, met in tho Mayor's room last night. It was announced that five more names had been added to the hospitality sub-committee, making n total of forty-one. As accommodation for .about a hundred persons is required, the committee would bo glad to hear from further citizens willing to put tho visiting scientists up, Mesdamcs Bell. Duke, and Hadfield. Professor Laby and Mr G. Hogben were appointed an executive to allocate tho guests. Dr. Prendcrgnst Knight and Professor Laby were appointed a motor-car sub-com-mittee, and Mr A. H. Miles and Dr. Prondergast Knight were added to tho reception committee. The executive of the Wellington South Progressive Society motj last evening, Mr A.: A. George presiding. Tho secretary reported that provision had been made to, plant the new' park that the City Council had fenced in on Arbor Day. The Newtown school committee would assist, and Air David Pryclo, of Eeilding, had offered to contribute a number of young kowhai trees. A dozen chestnut tree., are being purchased by the society for the parkl Tho proposed arrangements for holding a. gala day were discussed, and lull power was given to the com mitteo to carry out a sehomo which, it is hoped, will make the event something more than a mere idle function. Tho question of town planning was introduced, but tho society, while favouring tlio proposals for the improvement of AA ellington, felt that they had got enough to deal with at present, and no action was taken. A resolution was passed calling on tho City Council to utilise the hall connected with tho Newtown Public Library for library, museum or public meeting purposes. A vote of condolence was passed to Air A. Crosby, who recently lost his mother.