NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9722, 26 July 1917, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

The sum of £SOO has been promised to the Rev. C. F. Askew by an anonymous donor to build the north-ues porch of the Anglican Cathedral. According to a statement of accounts submitted to the Mellin o ton Harbour Board, at its meeting last evening,', the amount to credit in the current account at bank was £oO,J~U. The amount to credit in the Imperial account urns £2,895, and there was £60,000 on fixed deposit. Iho payments amounted to £43,022, including £41,793 for wages.

The members of the Farmers’ Union Conference will adjourn at 3 p.m. today for the purpose of attending tho laying of the foundation-stones or the Dominion Farmers’ Institute at the corner of Foatherston and Ballanco streets. Both the Governor-General and the Prime Minister will take part in the ceremony. One stone will bo laid by His Excellency and another by Mr Massey.

An excited delegate at the Farmers Union Conference yesterday commenced to punctuate his sentiments with the aid of a walking-stick, much to the concern of his immediate neighbours. As ho hailed from the Emerald Isle, he probably thought he was back to his young days waving a shillelagh. There was much laughter when one ot those in his near vicinity quietly removed the threatening stick from his hand.

A match was played at Tvarori links on Saturday, the 21st inst., between the Karori and Waiwetu Golf Clubs, which resulted in a win for Karon. The following wore the competitors, the name of the Karori player being mentioned first: —McLennan beat Dawson ; Siovers drew with Judd, all square; .Atkinson beat Hobbs; McKenzie beat Townsend; George beat O’Connell ; McKamara beat Roche; Guthrie heat Collett.

In the Town Hall to-night, Mr HM. Smeoton, of Auckland, honorary Y.M.O.A. commissioner, and Mr A. Varney, supervising secretary, who have just returned from visits to England and the Western front, wifi bo welcomed home. They will . tell the story of their experiences and illustrate it with a series of moving pictures and lantern slides, which are said to present actual war conditions most realistically.

In reply to a question by Mr J. Vigor Brown at Parliament a few days ago as to whether the Prime Minister will see that the Government makes provision for recording the votes of all soldiers at home and abroad at general elections and referenda, and on all national questions submitted to the people for decision by popular vote, Mr Massey stated that in the event of an election the necessary legislative provision will bo made.

Owing to the number of families of members of the Defence Forces settling in Tauheronikau, the school Jn that district has become overcrowded. To get over the difficulty, the Education Board propose to carry the senior pupils to Greytown, instead of enlarging the present school. Local residents think this an unwise step, in view of the probability of the war lasting for a considerable time to tome. They contend that it would be cheaper to add another room. The Education Board is to be written to, requesting increased accommodation.

Mention was made at the meeting of the Harbour Board last night of a claim for pillaged goods. Mr O. C. Daniell (chairman) said the claim would have to be met. A receipt had been given by an official of the board that the ease was in apparent good order and condition, and on _ closer examination by the importer it was found that the case had been opened in a dexterous manner and the contents pillaged. The value in goods that passed over the wharves last year was £7,000,000, and tho claims, paid for loss only amounted to £342. The depletion of farm labour by the exigencies of the war formed the" subject of an animated discussion at the Farmers’ Union Conference yesterday. A bold proposal was brought forward that this class of labour _ should now bo exempt from conscription, but was opposed by many delegates on tho ground that it would bo misunderstood. Although it was amended so as to considerably reduce its practical effect, it was ultimately counted out by eighteen votes to eight. It was, however, decided to recommend the exemption, if possible, of genuine ploughmen and shepherds until the grain-sowing and the lambing season is over.

Mr L. M. Isitt, member for Christchurch North, asked the Hon. W. Jl. Herries (Minister for Railways) yesterday afternoon whether it would not be possible to arrange for the steamer* train, to run down to the boat at JL/yttelton, instead of stopping at the station. The boat, he said, had been crowded the previous night, and it had been really pitiful to see some of the women dragging parcels and children down to the boat. Mr Herries: "Was the steamer at the usual wharf?” Mr Xsitt: "Yes.” Mr Heines said that he had understood that the train did run down to the boat. He would at once make inquiries into the circumstances mentioned.

Mr 0. J. Parr, M.P. for Eden, asked the Prime Minister yesterday when he expected to be able to give an answer to the 16 or 17 suburban members who had waited on him about a fortnight ago with regard to suburban railways. It was, declared Mr Parr, a matter of considerable importance to thousands of people in the Dominion. Mr Massey replied that he was not in a position to reply yet, but the matter had not been lost sight of. (daughter.) The question was now on tie Cabinet schedule, and with the consent of the Minister for Railways, he had had a very long interview with the General Manager of Railways (Mr Hiley). He could not say that they had arrived at any decision; hut as soon as they had he would be pleased to place the matter before the House.

Replying yesterday to a. suggestion made by a member of the Counties Association Executive, the Hon. G. VV. Russell (Minister for Internal Affairs) stated that legislation probably would be brought down this session requiring all drivers of motor-vehicles to hold certificates of proficiency. William. Charles Aubrey, for whom Mr P. SV. Jackson appeared, charged with assaulting Bela Graham by striking her on the face with a bottle, had liis case called in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. On the application of Mr Jackson, a remand for one week was granted by Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M. Mr H. F. O'Leary represented the informant in tho case. An action was commenced before Mr W. G. Riddell. S.M., yesterday in which Maynard King, signwrjter, claimed the sum of £l5O from Andrew Lawrence Mouat and Frank O’Sullivan, land agent, for alleged misrepresentation regarding tho dimensions of the property which plaintiff purchased from Mouat through O’Sullivan. Tho case was partially heard when it was adjourned. Mr A. W, Blair appeared for plaintiff. Mr T. Neavo for tho defendant Mouat. and Mr H. F. O’Leary for O’Sullivan.

Allan MoPhec, a wharf labourer, who was charged yesterday morning, before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., with using obscene language on tho Queen’s Wharf, shook his head when the Bible was handed to him to take the oath. Defendant, who was cold, and trembling visibly, hold up a hand. The constable administering tho oath was nonplussed for the moment, but the magistrate, taking in the situation at once, .saw the man desired to affirm, and administered til© oath accordingly. Accused called evidence in support ol his plea of not guilty, and was given the benefit of the doubt. The case against fiim was dismissed.

A young man, who answered to the name of Herbert William Gough, appeared on remand at the Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of: (1) On or about July 16th, did, with intent to extort or gain the sum of £3O from Alice Laughton by threatening to accuse her of an offence; (2) on or about July 17th did, with intent to commit a crime, attempt to cause Mary Newman to be affected with chloroform ; and (3) on May 11th did assault Mary Non-main. The presiding magistrate (Mr S. E. McCarthy) remanded the ease for one week, hail being allowed in one sum of £250, or two sureties of £125 each. A woman named Mary Hargreaves was fined £2, by Mr S. B. McCarthy, S.M., yesterday, for helpless drunkenness. Accused who had been under medical treatment for a week, was also ordered to pay 19s 6d expenses incurred in her behalf. Sub-Inspector Dew said that a sum of £lO had been received by the police, apparently from the woman’s husband, with a request that the expenses be' deducted from the amount, and the balance bo given to; the woman, to give her a chance of making a new start in life. John McKinnon, for offending for the fifth time within six months, by over-indulg-ing in strong drink, was’ sentenced to one month in gaol.

People in Wellington were paying S3a a ton for coal, and when they bought it in small quantities they paid over 60s a ton for it, declared Mr J. Payne, M.P, for Grey Lynn, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Wilford: ‘‘And the poor people have to get it in small quantities." (Hear, hear.) Mr Payne: “That is the trouble!’’ (Hear, hear.) But, he added, w-hilo the people in this city wore paying from 53s to over 60s a ton for coal, evidence taken before a committee Inst year showed that a southern coal company could deliver coal in Port Chalmers at 13s 6d per ton f.o.b. Why, then, were the people charged such outrageous prices for coal? (Hear, hear.) The meeting of the Petone Fire Board which was to have been held yesterday afternoon did not eventuate. Some feeling had been expressed by some of the members of the board in respect to the appointment made by the Government. When the previous meeting of the board was called, the Petone Council representatives did not attend, and yesterday the clerk to the board (Mr W. J. Gardner) received a communication from the insurance representatives stating that after duo consideration they had decided not to attend the meetings of the board pending the action ■of the Government regarding their representative. The letter also pointed out the impracticability of carrying out the business without the co-operation of the local members.

Work continues night and day at the Patent Slip, where the refloated barque is being repaired. One gang of men work from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m., end the other gang from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Most of the damaged plates that have to be removed from the hull hare been taken out and the men h> vo started to re-rivet one repaired plate that had been considerably buckled. It was being replaced yesterday midships on the port side. A lot of badlydamaged frames have yet to be taken oUt. They are being cut out l,y the acetone process, which projects u powerful flame that eats through the metal with remarkable speed. Entirely new plates will'-be put in at the places where the frames have been so badly damaged that they have to he removed. The barque will bo fully another month on the slip.

“How, would you suggest that the tax on motor-vehicles should be distributed to the local bodies for the upkeep of roads—on a mileage basis, or how?” asked, the Hon. G. W. Russell of the Counties Association Executive, who waited on him yesterday afternoon. Green Island, added the Minister, had a road a mile and a half long with thousands of motor-cars going over it, while a county like Waipawa with a far greater mileage of roads had comparatively only a few motor-cars running over its roads. How, then, could they adjust the subsidy as between the two ? Mr A. F. Jull (president of the Counties Associations: “1 think there are only four ratepayers in Waipawa who have not got' motor-cars.” * Mr Russell: “You can’t say that the burden is not well spread over that county, then.” (Laughter.) Mr Jull said that he had no patent method for the distribution of the tax. but the Government shonld substantially assist the local bodies because of the through traffic, whether by a tax on motor-cars or not. They did not care so much how the Government raised the money, -hut that was their suggestion. Let them have a tax on motor-tyres or benzine, or whatever the Goverimnent liked. Another der-:i-tationist stated that there were 60 miles of main road in Horowhenua county, and they took practically all the motor traffic from Wellington, whether to Napier or anywhere else. It was a question either of taxation and subsidies or toll-gates. The Minister: “They have toll-gates in Taranaki.” Another member of the deputation; “Toll-gates are out of date.” Mr Russell: “Yes; I am not in favour of toll-gates.”

Percy Charles Fite, charged with theft of £37 11s Od, moneys belonging to the Xcw Zealand Government, c&uto before Mr S- E. McCarthy, S.M., yesterday, at the Court, and was remanded for a, week.

Surgwon-General Hondersou. Direc-tor-General of Medical Services, informed a “Times’ 1 reporter yesterday that tho two cordbrcKspina] meningitis patients at Featherston wore improving slowly, and that there wore no other infectious cases in hospital. At Trcntham there was; a patient suffering from measles, the health of the rest ot the men in camp being good.

"Witness in a case in the Supremo Court yesterday said he was very annoyed when, (i collision took place with a cart he was driving and a motorcar, and would have nothing to do with the driver of tho car when. hi : approached him. Counsel suggested tc witness that he lost his temper. * Xol • replied Ills Honour, had his tern per and had not lost it.”

A base of “surprise packets” in con neotion with the recent patriotic “crusado” by commercial travellers m 1 at merston North has been forwarded to Mr W. Wiggins, saddler, by the secretary, with a. roQuest that the same bo distributed to holders of tickets in Wellington. The packets will be-., distributed to-dav from Mr Wiggins » shop on Lambton quay. “Will they take immediate ana energetic steps to train all women (fit for the industry and willing to be engaged in it) for farm work, in order that tho most essential industry should not be paralysed by the depletion ot the ranks of farm workers for Gtpurposes of our reinforcements?” is a question that tho hen. member lot Hawke’s Bay (Sir John Findlay) gave notice yesterday to ask the Government.

“The present freight by mail steamers from Vancouver to Auckland stands as high as £6 per ten,” stated Mr G. Hunter, M.P*. for Waipawa, yesterday afternoon, in giving notice to ask the Minister for Internal Atfairs “Whether, having regard to the present shortage in the supply of newspaper printing-paper, the Government will endeavour to arrange for the shipment of a supply to New Zealand from Canada at a fair rate ot freight?”

“There is no intention on the part of the Police Department to appoint women patrols. The Minister lor Public Health has under consideration the question of introducing legislation providing for the appointment of women inspectors for duty as patrol officers to assist and advise young people in certain circumstances.’’ This reply, was given to Mr Glover, member for Auckland Central, by the Hon. A. L. Herdman to a question asked in the House of Representatives. Replying to a question prut to him in the House last week relative to certificates issued hv Military Service Boards to Marist Brothers, tho Defence Minister stated yesterday that the decision in every appeal lodged on behalf of a Marist Brother called up Under the Military Service Act rests entirely with the Military Service Board that hears it. No certificate has been issued under clause 0 of the regulations relating to appeals in support of a-Marist Brother’s appeal for exemption from military service. “Have the Government been approached for assistance in the formation of a locally-owned line of oversea freighters; and, if so, will they favourably consider subscribing 50 ,per cent, of tho capital required and joining in the management—generally speaking, on similar lines to that in operation with the Bank of New Zealand, which has been so successful for tho Government and shareholders?'’ is a matter in regard to which information is desired by Mr Vernon H. Reed, M.P. for the Bay of Islands. It has been approved by the military authorities that the restriction ot five children on whose account children's allowance may bo paid shall bo removed in the case of soldiers compulsorily enlisted. Only in special cases is the voluntary enlistment of a man with more than three children accepted, but it hae been agreed that the, restriction mentioned above shall he removed in the case of voluntary soldiers with more than five children who have been accepted or who may hereafter be accepted for tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In both instances approval dates from Marca Ist, 1917.

In a very emphatic manner Mr Jennings, member for Taumarunui, asked the Defence Minister in the House of Representatives last night to look to his officials. They were making big blunder’s. He quoted the case of a soldier, Private Reid, who had been. chronicled as a deserter. This soldier had been wounded at the front, and was in the hosptial all the time. (Cries of “Shame!”) Anyone who is guilty of accusing a soldier of desertion when he was not guilty should be brought to account,” said Mr Jennings. “That unfortunate man came back here stigmatised as a deserter, and it was only recently the matter was set right. It is such blunders that makes feeling against militarism.”

At 6.15 o’clock last evening the Fire Brigade received a call to No. WSA, Taranaki street, a two-story wood and iron workshop, the top flat being occupied by Mr Fred G. Cudby, cabinetmaker, and the lower floor by Mr William George Clark, manufacturing confectioner. The upper story was ablaze, but the flames were extinguished without spreading to the underneath portion of the building. Mr Cudby’s stock and rooms were badly damaged by fire, and Mr Clark’s stock suffered from water. The fir© is believed to have been caused by sparks blowing in through a broken window from a neighbouring chimney. Thera was no insurance on the contents of the premises. The building is owned by Mrs James, of 10, Levy street. An inquest was held yesterday after, noon by Mr W. G. Ricfdell, S.M., respecting the death of John MoGhan, waterside worker, whose body was found floating in the harboUr, near the Railway wharf, on July 22nd. De. ceased, who had been living at Young’s boardinghouse, was last seen on July sth, when he was in company with s friend. He left his friend with the intention of returning to the hoarding, house, and nothing was heard of him until his body was found in the water. The Bench said that evidence had been given that deceased, who was about 40 years of ago. had lost a considerable amount of money at the races hut there was nothing to show that he committed suicide. He was not a heavy drinker. A verdict was given that .del deceased met hie death by drowning on or about July sth,-hut there was in. sufficient evidence to show how his body came to be in the water. *

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