NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9730, 4 August 1917, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

The timely and useful gift of a P a > r of crutches and ten walking sticks for the use of convalescent soldiers at Rotorua was received yesterday by the national committee of the T.M.C.A. from Mrs Gladden, of Potone. An inquest was held yesterday morning concent in g the death of Samuel R.tdclift'c Kiuiisbottom, who died suddenly at his residence in Stoke street. Deceased was seventy years of age. A verdict of death from heart failure was returned. A waterside worker, William Smith, belonging to tho coal department, was run over by a runaway horse attached to a lorry shortly after o o'clock last evening, on Waterloo quay, and had his right leg badly crushed. The injured man was admitted to the hospital at 6 p.m. for treatment. Smith, who is married, resides at No. 12, -Martin street. Counsel in a case in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, on examining a thermometer, produced in evidence by a witness, exclaimed: “Why, it is a cheap make, and looks similar to one that is given away with a baby’s bath!'” “it is supplied by the department, and its accuracy in registering degrees of heat correctly has not been questioned,” replied the witness. A motion of interest to civil servants living in expectation of the proposed war bonus was proposed in Parliament yesterday by Mr J. McG. Dickson as follows:—That there be laid, before the House a return showing all civil servants receiving £306 and upwards who last year received any addition to their ordinary salaries by way of war. boluts or otherwise. The following proposal was brought forward at the recent P'.L.L. Conference in Sydney; “That, prior to the disbandment of the combatant armies and the merchant navies employed in the war, they shall be utilised by an organised system of volunteer service, for restoring the devastated territories at the expense of the invading Powers, which shall also compensate the widows and dependents of all nonfcombatants, including seamen, who have lost their lives as a result of hostilities.” A prosecution of particular interest to business men was hoard at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M. The Labour Department took action against the Te Aro House Drapery Company foi failing to sufficiently heat their premises for the comfort of employees. When an inspector visited the premises the degree of heat in a workroom, according to a thermometer, was oo degrees, and the standard set ly the department wag 60 degrees. Decision was reserved. Mr A. W. Blair appeared for the defendant company. A sectarian 'matter was revived in the House of Representatives yesterday, when the member for Ashburton, Mr Nosworthy, put the following question to the Prime Minister: —■ Whether he, of- his colleague, the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, can refute the statement made by a Roman Catholic priest at WaerOngaahikn on Sunday, July 29th, to his congregation after the celebration of Mass, that “When Massey and Ward were in ittigland they wore interviewed by Bishop Cleary, ' and they gave him ; their promise that the Mafisb Brothers would not ho conscripted”? At the request of the Government, a conference of representatives of all the freezing companies in the Dominion was held at Wellington on Thursday for the purpose, of considering what steps can he best taken to utilise all the spado- and power possessed by the companies for the purpose of preserving all perishable farm products, including cheese and butter. Dr C. J. Reakes represented the Government, and fte conference was presided ortw by Sir George Clifford. After the position had been explained and discussed, it was agreed that tjie matter should have the very fullest Consideration, and that a report should he made to the Government at a later date.

Combines, said to be operating in New Zealand, are causing some concorn to members in the House of Representatives, and have given rise to quite a number of questions. Yesterday, in Parliament, Mr W. H. f ield put the following question to the Minister for Industries and Commerce: Whether he has yet, made investigation into the question submitted to him by the mombei for Otaki some months ago, as to whether or not there is a combine in existence operating throughout a large portion of the North Island of New Zealand, which is alleged to have for its object the control of the bacon and pork industry throughout the area mentioned; and, if such combine is found id exist, whether he will take steps to deal with it ?

A little incident occurred in iho House last'night which caused the, chamber to well-nigh shake with merriment. Mr Ptiyne, member for Grey Lynn, rose to make a personal explanation. Mr Speaker, With dignity: “Has the hon. member been misrepresented?” Mr Payne: “Yes, woefully so. I was up, in Auckland the Inst few days. As a matter of lack. I have Ijad a new baby given to me.” The laughter was loud and long, and Mr Speaker arose, and, in his best official manner, inquired “if the hon. member had a personal explanation to make?” Tho House was convulsed. Mr Payne: “Yes, very personal?” A loud shout of laughter aWoke the cohoes in the Ho Use, and it was Some minutes before the normal atmosphere was restored.

The doings of the Klu Klux Klan, a body of night-riders that sprang into existence in America in order to protect the white against the atrocities committed by the black race, is recorded in the history of the United States. The blacks had the upper hand, and tho members of the Klu KluJc Klan, whose horses as well as themselves were closely hooded in order to keep their identity a secret, oven, go it was stated, from each other, burnt premises and lynched negroes, who wore guilty of crimes against tho whites, without mercy. By these means the blacks were induced to submit to law and order, but for long afterwards the organisation remained in existence. Last evening the residents of the city Were given ocular demonstration of the appearance of the members of the Klu Kink Klan by n procession. The display, which was in tho nature of an advertisement, was intended to draw public attention to the fact that the great picture “The Birth of a Nation” is to be shown at the King’s Theatre this evening. At 7.30 o’clock a number of horsemen, themselves and their mounts hooded, With the emblem of the organisation—a fiery cross—rode through the principal streets of the city. The procession was the cynosure of ail eyes, and the enterprise cannot help but reflect in. the attendance at the King’s Theatre this evening.

“Do you wish to ask t-ho constable any questions?” said Mr S. Ji. McCarthy, S.M.. to a defendant in Urn Magistrate’s Court yoncrasy, charged with drunkennci--?. “No: but I will ask you a few if you like!’!' replied the accused. “Where are the witnesses?” The defendant, who was a first-offender, was remanded for seven days for medical observation. Th=> .National Committee of the r.M.C.A. ha s to acknowledge the following contributions to its war funds: —Oamnru Patriotic Fund, £100; Ladies’ Patriotic Tea-room. Wellington, £SO; Sir J. G. Wilson, Bulls. £•2O- Mr W. Callender, Wellington, £ls: Misses Webb and Van Stavcren. £5; Mis K. Lamb, Wellington, £1; P. W. M. D., Wellington. £2 2s; Sir Kenneth Douglas, Wellington, £1 Is; Mrs A. Martin, Pahiatna, 10s. Referring to the condition_ of the coastal defence of the Dominion, tho Defence Minister said in the House of Representatives yesterday that it Was in good order. The forts were all well supplied with munitions, and the defence authorities were quite satisfied that in the event of any trouble everything would be well —pot for a moment that any trouble wa* expected. The men who manned the forts had boon gi-adually replaced by men who wero not fit to go to the front. When a woman named Emily Foster was before the Magistrate's Court ye—terday on a charge of drunkenness, Sub-Inspector Dew informed Iho Bench that when brought to the police station Foster had a severe cut on Jier arm, evidently the result qf a fall. The services of a surgeon had to he obtained to dress the wound, and it was found that there was a warrant issued at Auckland for the arrest of the acetified for failing to pay a former fine. A fine of 20s was imposed. A request was made to the Defence Minister by Mr T. M. Wilford in the House of Representatives yesterday that a monthly report bo published for tho benefit of the people in New Zealand from the two generals commanding tho New Zealand Forces. In asking this, ho finite understood that any confidential information could not bo made nuhlic, but any details that could be given would be of great value to the people who hud relatives and friends at the front. Sir Jamos Allen replied that he thought this could be arranged. At Mount St. Gerard’s the Feast of St. Alphoiisus, tlie founder of the Kedemptorist Older, will bo observed with special solemnity to-morrow. There will bo High Mass at 10 o’clock, which will be celebrated by tho Bishop of Christchurch, the Right ReV.' Dr Brodie. His Lordship will also preach the occasional sermon. The Bishop of Dunedin, the Right Rev. Dr Verdon, will preside in the sanctuary. In the evening, at 7 o’clock, the Rev. Father Mnngan, C.S.S.R., will preach a special sermon on the saintly founder, after which Pontifical Benediction will be given. The altar and sanctuary will be suitably decorated, and special music will he 'rendered for tho occasion. The meeting between the Wellington College and tho College Old Boys at the Athletic Park this afternoon should provide one of the best games of the season, and consequently there (s likely to bo a large attendance. In the championship list Old Boys are running, level With Potone, while , the College team’s record is nearly as Rood. Potone have yet to meet the College in the second found, and this match will bo played on.tho 11th, arid If both Petouo and Old Boys maintain their present position, something put of the ordinary may bo expected when the teams meet for the play-off. Tho annual match between the two colleges is set down for the 18th, after which the Wellington College go on vacation.

The insufficiency of space to accommodate four growing boys in a slottelephono box resulted in tho door of the cabinet being broken. Three ol thO boys Were i%hsequently summoned for wilful damage and yesterday morning they appeared before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., to answer the charge. The evidence showed that one of the (ads went into the telephone-box to use fchio instrument, and his companions accompanied him to listen to the conversation. With, the doo» rinsed, the fit proved a> tight one, and as tho door opened inwards, the boys, during..their struggle to get out, broke the glass. Mr H. F. O’Leary, who tm neared for the three defendants, Undertook to pay tho cost of the dam age (Kls), and on that understanding the case was dismissed.

In defending a barman named Victor Noventa, who was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with supplying liqitor to a person under the age of twenty-one years, Mr J. J. -McGrath, Counsel for the defendant, said Noventa was employed at the Pier Hotel* In July a youth came into tho bottle store and asked for several bottles of beer, which, ho stated, was not for his own consumption, ho being a. total abstainer. The youth was asked his age, gave it as twenty-one years, and was supplied with the liquor. Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., who hoard the case, said that he had adjudicated in two similar cases, in each of which the boy looked older than the one concerned in tho case theft before the court. Tlic cases were removed to a higher court, and tho judgment of the magistrate was upheld. His Worship added that although a licensee was licensed to sell liquor, he need not serve it, and whore there was a reasonable doubt the sale should be refused. Accused would be coa‘victed and fined £5, with costs. - Mr R. E. B. Nicholson, V.D.M., secretary of the International Bible Students’ Association for Australasia, is at present making a lecturing tour of New Zealand, and speaking f,o largo and deeply interested audiences in tho centres and towns on the great spiritual problems of the day in the light of the Word of God. Ho is to addreat meetings iu tho Queen’s Theatre, Cuba street, to-morrow, at 3 and 7.30 p-m. ’Hie wort is untcctartan, and there is no collection. Messrs Baldwin and Hayward, patent attorneys and consulting engineers,’■ of 215, Lamb ten ' q uay, Wellington, report that recently they acted ,-us agents m filling the following applications for letters patent of New Zealand:—-J. Bail, Lower Hutt, cycle pump-holder; J. C. Shute, Hastings, comb-cleaner; D. Harvey, Box Hill, cultivator; E. W. Thurlow. Brighton, motor fuels; F. W. Wilson, Hawcra, brushes; C. Thornton. Auckland, medicinal ointment; Rudge-Wh it worth, Coventry, wheel; G. T. Ritchie, Sydney, ventilating rooms; W. Perry, MaMorton, protecting river banks; j. McLeod. Lyttelton, self-operating machine; A. E. O'Comior, Dutto, adjustable . ploughshare. J. Anderson, Waitaha, milk, cooler. - • Donnelly’s . Hair Restorer.—A reel Hair Tonic. Cures dandruff, stops hair falling. Chemists, stores, hairdresser--2/6. Donnellys. 05. Winn iU -eot. •