NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9716, 19 July 1917, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

Mr A. Varney, secretary of the Wellington V.M.C.A., who has been in France, will address Wellington mothers on war matters at the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-moirow afternoon. Mrs Luke will preside.

‘•Did tho accused live in tho house you refer to, or was it Helen Gott, an old Irish lady:-” asked Mr Jackson of a constable when defending a woman named Theresa Russell. Witness replied that Russell was a sort of “star” boarder.

Sir James Allen (Minister for Defence) rakes the sanguine view that tho war may be completed within the next twelve months. Addressing delegates at tiro Second Division League’s Conference yesterday, ho expressed 1 is belief that if this proved correct, not more, than two classes of the Second Division would have the honour of going to the front. “The National Government missed tho ’bus from the very start/’ exclaimed Mr MacDonald, of Southland, during a discussion on tho cost of living at the Second Division League’s Conference yesterday. “They had had no precedents to retard them. They had a clear field, and yet they did practically nothing. Prom tho outset they ought to have fixed prices of tho staple articles of living.” Tho Wellington Plumbers’ Union has filed an application for a now award. Tho claim is for, a minimum wage of 2s per hour, similar to the provisions of the demand of the New Zealand Plumbers’ Federation, made some time ago. An effort was made to obtain a Dominion award, but oiling to difficulties arising it is considered advisable to file separate claims in the different industrial centres. Tho Wellington case will come, before the Conciliation Council on August 6th.

“The downfall of women of this Class is duo. to men who use their bodies to gratify their Inst.” remarked Mr S. K. McCarthy, S.M., in tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when a woman named Theresa Russell was in the dock. “I have to deal with this case in tho public interest. Had this woman lived with the man who is stated to- have been keeping her as his wife, the police would have refrained -fro n interfering, but i believe that she did solicit prostitution on tho occasion sworn to by the police.” Defendant was sent to gaol for two years.

Air P. W. Jackson, in defending a woman of the unfortunate class wiio had been in and out of gaol all her life, said that the courts had not yet solved the problem how to effectually deal with persons of this class. Sending them to gaol was not a remedy. When such a woman came out of gaol she had nowhere to go except to jv woman of her own class, and' immediately eame under the arm of tho law again. No one would g.ve her work; no respectable person would speak to her, aim she would be compelled to starve unless she went back to her old life. “There is a remedy for these eases, concluded Air Jackson, “but the law, will not countenance it.” Sir James Allen (Alinister for Defence) replied yesterday to a question raised in the course of the Addrcss-in-Ucply debate by Air W. A. Veixch, AI.P. for Wanganui, as to whether there were in the New Zealand Dental Corps any dentists who did not belong to the Dental Association. He had asked for a report on tho matter, and that report stated that when appointments were made to tho Dental Corps the question of whether the candidates belonged to the Dental Association or nor was never raised. The Alinister stated that five officers, whose names he gave, who did not belong to the Dental Association, had been appointed. That,' he thought, should he a sufficient answer to the member for Wanganui. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon by Air W. G.- Riddell, S.AL, into the circumstances of the death of John Fitzgerald, whose body was found in Wellington harbour on Tuesday evening. Deceased, who was forty-eight years of age, resided with George Pyott, a wharf labourer. Both men retired to bed on Sunday night about 9 o’clock, and tho next morning Fitzgerald was found to be missing. On Afonday Pyott discovered a letter written by Fitzgerald, in which he stated ho was not going to a hospital or any home, but was going to make a decent break. Deceased had been ill for some time from heart trouble and other complications. A verdict of suicide by drowning wa« returned. A case was commenced in the Supreme Court yesterday before Air Justice Chapman, in which Alexander Duncan AlcLauchlan, commission agent, of Blenheim claimed from John Black, sheepfarmer, of Blenheim, the sum of £370. Plaintiff in his claim stated that defendant entered into a contract to purchase plaintiff’s right, title, and interest jn the Government pastoral lease. No. 149 A, of the grazing areas known as Leatliam Defendant entered into possession of the land and stock, and fulfilled the conditions of the agreement except in regard to a final payment of £450. A shortage of 165 sheep was admitted, for which the sum of £BO was allowed, which reduced the amount of the claim to £3TO. Defendant, who counterclaimed for £l5B 10s, for shortage of sheep and £4OO as damages, declared that he entered into possession of the land and stock, relying upon plaintiff's assurance that the stock was of a certain age. This assurance, he alleged. was not reliable. Air H. F. O’Leary appeared for plaintiff. A. W. Blair for the defendant. Further hearing was adjourned until Friday.

Detectives Torrance and O’Connor arrested a man yesterday on two charges of false pretences. Jt is unlikely that any revision of the Customs Tariff Bill will take place vhi' session, stilted the Minister for Customs in reply to it question asked in tho House of Representatives by Mr Talbot, member for Temuka.

The member for Clutha, Mr A. SMalcolm, asked the Prime Minister in tho House yesterday if ho would set up the suggested committee to .inquire into the meat trust. He was sure that members could place much valuable evidence before this committee.

Denial is given by the Defence Minister to the statement in the House iu question form by -Mr Poland, member for Ohincmurj, that no military funeral shall be accorded to any returned deceased soldier who does not possess a medal or other distinction. Ih a printed reply to a question put by Mr 11. J. H. Okey, M.P. for Taranaki, Air Massey announced yesterday that the report of the National J'.fficieney Board upon the essential industries of tho Dominion will bo laid before Parliament when Cabinet has had an opxjortunity of considering it. “Have he and his Cabinet yet discussed tho likelihood of restoring tho U. 4.5 p.m. train from Dyttclton to Christchurch!”’ a.sked Dr Thacker, M.P. for Christchurch Hast, of the Prime Minister in the House yesterday. Mr Massey replied that “tho matter k under consideration by Cabinet at tho present time.” “I ask for bail,” said Herbert 'William Gough, who was called upon to answer a charge of alleged blackmail in tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, lie was remanded for a week and Inspector Alarsnok in opposing the application for bail stated that, tho letters written by accused led one to believe that ho was not “all there.” Bail was refused.

“It is proposed to introduce legislation this session in the direction indicated,'’ stated the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister for Internal Affairs) in the House yesterday in answer to a question by Mr J. Craigie. member for Timaru, as to whether he would introduce legislation to extend the Kinemato-Kraph-film Act so as to provide, for tho censorship of posters and advertisements relating to picture shows. Dennis William QuiH appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, charged with the theft of a silver watch and chain, valued at £3, tho property of William Hannifin. Accused, who pleaded guilty, stolo tho ' articles from a bedroom in tho 'Thistle Inn Hotel, and sold them to a secondhand dealer. He was committed to tho Supremo Court for sentence.

“I desire to ask for one week’s leave of absence for tho member for Grey (Mr P. C. Webb) under special circumstances,” said Mr A. Walker, Labour member for Dunedin North, in tho House, yesterday. Mr W. Nosworthy (Ashburton) called oUt “No!” but, on the question being put by the Speaker, ho did not persist in his opposition and leave was granted accordingly. “Whether the Prime Minister will see that the Government will make provision for recording the votes of all soldiers at homo and abroad at general elections and referendum, and on all national questions submitted to tho people for decision by popular vote? This question was asked in Parliament yesterday by Air J. V. Brown, member for Napier. A sum of £2500 was placed on the supplementary estimates last year for country libraries, and distributed accordingly. It is not considered that under .present circumstances the ureency of the case is such as to require this provision to bo repeated’ annually. It is not proposed, therefore, to provide a vote for tho purpose during the current session.—The Minister for Education in a reply to a query asked by Mr Talbot, member for Temuka.

The importation from Australia of an adequate supply of feed wheat for poultry raisers in New Zealand was asked for in tiie House of Representatives the other day by Mr Hornsby, member for Wairarapa. In reply the Minister for Agriculture said that there is no legal restriction to prevent private importers obtaining fowl-wheat from Australia. The circumstances do not warrant the Government in importing it free of duty. "

During the week ending July 13th, eight married and fourteen single men registered their names at the Government Labour Bureau for employment. One was sent to Government work, and twenty-one to private positions. Hie weather conditions during the week under review have not been favourable for the placing of men at outside employment. There have been several * applications for ploughmen during the week.

“This man was only arrested last night, and' I ask he be remanded for a week,” said Inspector Marsack when Herbert William Gough, a young man, came before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., yesterday charged with blackmail. “The facts of the case are that defendant by a threatening letter to a lady demanded £3O to be deposited at a pertain place. A policeman was deposited in place of the money, and accused was himself collected.” A romand was granted to July 2oth. A few days ago Mr John Phyne, member for Grey Lynn, asked the Minister for Defence if he was aware that one of Maoriland’s heroes had been shot for desertion, and if the report was true, did the Minister approve of this arbitrary shooting of men. Sir James Allen replied in the House of Representatives yesterday that no information as to this case was available, and until the full facts are ascertained no opinion could bo expressed on the matter.

Information as to whether it is the intention of tho Government to hand over to a board consisting of a majority of members of the British Medical Association. the conscription of the New Zealand medical men. was asked for in the House of Representatives a few days aeo by Mr E. Fletcher. In reply the Minister for Public Health states that the Advisory Board, as its name denotes, can act only in an advisory capacity and recommend to the Department with regard to medical men who may offer their services for military work. It is for the Departments concerned to decide whether the services of those men who have been recommended for military duty are accepted or not. Tho secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr D. Seymour) wishes to draw attention to the .distinction between th© badges of the association and those issued by the Anzac Club in Dunedin. Only returned soldiers from the present war are entitled to wear badges issued by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, whereas the rules of the Anzac Club permit a man to wear a badge who fought in the South African war, or who has been discharged from camp before going to tho front. Tlier© is no relationship between the two clubs whatever. In this connection the practice of women wearing badges of the association is liable to lead to prosecution.

The iiro brigade received a call ru 3.b p.m. yesterday to a tbrcc-roomc< house, No. I, .Mired street, occupict by Thornes William Doldcn- The out break was extinguished before muef damage was dime, the kitchen mantelpiece, and some wall-paper being burnt. The tire was caused through some children playing with the stovj during the absence of liieir mother There was no Insurance on the contents of tho house.

Further information regarding tin trouble about the delivery of tin postal matter at the Auckland Pos) Office is sought by Mr J. S. Dicksonj member for Parnell. In the Hoiih yesterday, ho a.sked the following quos. tion: Whether the Postmaster-General will furnish tho House with the mini, her of persons employed in the duel Post Office, Auckland, and Telephone Exchange, also the religions denomina. tion to which each employee in those departments belongs ? Replying to a question by Air J. C. Thompson (Wallace). as to whether during his visit to England be brought under the notice of the Imperial air tboritios the shale-deposits of New Zealand as a source for tho supply of oil for the Navy, tho Prime Aliuister stated, “arrangements are being made by the Imperial Government for an exhaustive report on tho mineral resources of every part of tho Empire, New Zealand included, and an organisation has already been set up with this object in view.” The Right Hon. W. F, Massey gave notice in the House yesterday of bis intention to move that a Select Com. mittee bo appointed, consisting of ten members, to inquire into and report upon matters tending to benefit and encourage tho industries of tho Dominion, wdtli power to call for persons and papers, throe to bo a- quorum, tho committee to consist of Air Craigie, Air Forbes, Air Hudson, Dr A. K. Newman, Air Pearce. Air Poland, Air Sidey, Air Veitch, Air Wilkinson, and the mover. “Whether the Defence Minister will have regulations framed that tbo ! medical examination be made tho de-! ciding factor as to the liability of the State, so that if a man is passed as physically fit by the examining Alcdical Board the State shall take full re sponsibility from tho moment of his entering camp; and whether the Government will provide free medical and dental attendance to tho dependents of all soldiers?” This question was a-sk. ed in tho House yesterday by Air J. ,V. Brown, member for Napier.

About fifty returned soldiers arrived in Wellington yesterday morning from the South Island. They formed the North Island section of the contingent which landed at a southern port some days ago. On arrival there they were mot by the Mayor (Air J. P. Luke, C.M.G.), who welcomed, them on behalf of the city, and provided motor-cars to drive them to their homes. Those who wore bound for Auckland and other towns in the North wero entertained at breakfast at the Hotel Bristol, tho Mayor accompanying them. An interesting event marked tha passage of the Union Steam Ship Company’s Mararoa from Wellington to Lyttelton last Saturday night. It appears that the wife of a soldier had come to the capital to see her husband. Tho adieux having been said, she returned by tho Mararoa. During tho voyage a little stranger was ushered into the world. Tho addition tc the passenger list was successfully tend- * ed by tho stewardesses and kindly Jadj passengers. At latest advices ‘Tittk Mararoa” and her mother were reported to bo doing well. Donnelly’s Hair Restorer.—A real tonic. Cures dandruff, stops hair falling. Chemists, stores, ’ hairdressers, 2s fid. Donnelly’*, 65, Vivian street. •