NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10508, 9 February 1920, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

A Press Association telegram from Sydney states that a Government “Gazette” declares tobacco a necessary commodity.

The next boat from Sydney, tho Manuka, is to leave that port at noon to-morrow for Wellington, where she is due next Saturday.

Wellington has a pretty lengthy list of applications for .severance of marital bonds, but Auckland goes one better. The number of divorce petitions ■to bo heard at tho civil sessions of tho northern court, opening to-day, is 63, said to constitute a, record. It exceeds by two the number sot down for hearing at tho last session of 1919. Tho cases include 15 cases held over from last year and 30 new petitions. AVellington with 31 applications takes up o. very subordinate position.

The urgent necessity of providing safeguards in respect of level railway crossings was emphasised in a resolution passed by the Invercargill Borough Council, which is being submitted for tho approval of local bodies throughout New Zealand. In addition to passing a similar resolution, local councils are being asked to request members of Parliament to press it upon tho attention of the Government. General support is being given to the suggestion made.

It was recently mentioned ’in tho columns of the “Times” that harked and fencing wire had of late shown an abnormal increase in price. The increase has attracted attention and caused public comment elsewhere, fur at a recent meeting of the Auckland A. and P. Association, what was called by the president “a surprising increase” in tho cost of barbed wire was mentioned. I used to buy this wire a.t about 85s a cwt,” said the president, but when I wont to buy a cwt this week it cost mo 03s.

It was mentioned in the “New Zealand Times” a few days ago that Auckland was advocating the establishment of “safety zones” in tho city. This has now boon affirmed by the Auckland City Council, a report on the subject from the committee of tho whole council being adopted. This proposed that such zones should Lo placed at tho top of Symonds street and at tho terminus of the chief post office. Tho necessary bylaw will he enacted to enable tho application of the principle to'other, parts of the tramway system in the city should it be doomed advisable.

The practice of more than one person riding on an ordinary motor-cycle is dangerous. In Wellington, whore it is quite common, several accidents (one fatal) have resulted. Tho Auckland City Council, says tho “New Zealand Herald,” has decided to take stops to put an end to it. On tho recommendation of the. finance and legal committee, a draft by-law was adopted declaring it unlawful for more tnnn one person to ride on a motor-cycle, the bylaw nolb to apply to any person riding in a proper side-car. Dr Thacker’s timely, and valuable, information as to the making of jam with only half the quantity of sugar usually employed, has been put to the test by more than one Nelson housewife (says tho “Colonist”), and ’found to bo in every way a success. Dr Thacker, it may be remembered, said tho oilier day: “If you first of.all boil the fruit for twenty minutes it w'.’l only bo necessary to put in half the ordinary quantity of sugar. Bailing dentroya the mollassic acid in the fruit, and that acid absorbs a tremendous amount of sugar.”

The Government is pushing on as quickly as possible with the housing scheme authorised by the legislation of last session, but, as with private concerns, lack of materials, etc., has hindered operations to some extent. Meanwhile steps arn being taken to provide the necessary officials, and today tho appointment of eleven housing inspectors is announced, their names being as follow: —Messrs E. Findlc, J. T. Kibblowhitc, W, H. Gardiner, W. A. Baldwin, A. T. Grandison, J.' Al. Murdoch, •G. A. Baker, \V. T. Conibcar, H. E. Lobh, \V. H. Ahum, and A.- L. Sneddon.

An explosion occurred at 10 o’clock on Saturday morning, through the bursting of a soda fountain carbonate!in the Lambton tea rooms. Lambton quay. The proprietor, Alt- Alay, was adjusting a leak -in the vicinity of the safety valve, and just as ho had completed his task the carbonater, which has a maximum -pressure of about 2001 bto the square inch, blew up. 'Fragments were scattered all over the frpnt of the premises, boles wore made iu tlie floor and ceiling, while the frpnt windows wero cracked. There wore two female assistants in the shop; fortunately neither were injured. The shop fittings and goods were badly damaged, and necessitated tjio closing up of thei tea rooms for a- couple of hours.

Pace time always presents a grave difficulty to the hotels iu Gisborne, the accommodation at which is not equal to tho demands made upon it b.V the influx of sporting visitors. Those who know Gisborne in this respect always take the precaution of booking accommodation well ahead. Even in normal times visitors' to Gisborne have difficulty in securing accommodation, but with the limited number of hotels, and the shortage of staff's which is so general, race times are not welcomed by the hotel management. For tho carnival which started last Thursday, nil accommodation has been booked for weeks past, and to sleep on the floor in a shakedown was tho lot of many a race visitor.

Tho North British and Mercantile Insurance Company is the latest, of tho big British offices to find that its New Zealand business necessitates tho open ing of bra*ch offices in Wellington, whore it has been represented for somr. forty years by tho well-known hrm of Messrs Murray, Heberts and Co., Ltd. Mr A. H. Miles, the managing directoi of Messrs Murray. Roberts and Co., Ltd., whose firm will continue itg connection with tho "North British,” and who has teon intimately connected with tho company’s business during practically the whole time that it has been operating in tho Dominion, has accepted tho position of director to tho com pany in New Zealand. Tho now offices of tho company are situated in Bouth’a buildings, on the comer of Peathorston and Johnston streets, where the company will carry on fire, accident, murine, and all other olasscs of insurance business, except life. This old-estab-lished British company was founded in 1809, over 110 years ago, and during that time it has built up reserves and funds exceeding £24,000.000. which should prove an additional attraction in those requiring insurance protection. Mr David K. Wilkie', who is the superintendent for New Zealand for tho company, is in charge of the now branch.-i-Advt.

Friday was one of the hottest days experienced in Mastertou this season, SS.S degrees being registered during the afternoon.

' At a Fahiatua auction sale a sack containing 1401 b of sugar realised 4H 4s. under keen competition. The cost per pound exceeded 7d.

The arrival of 2000 tons of coal at Auckland has temporarily relieved the shortage. Further shipments of 8600 tons of Newcastle coal arc expected to arrive during the week.

The Union Co.’s cargo steamer Waikawa arrived in the stream at Wellington yesterday morning with 2800 tons of general cargo from Vancouver and San Francisco.

A railway guard named Ernest George died suddenly while on duty on Saturday night at the Summit, Kimutaka line. The body was taken on to X'eatbcrston, whore an inquest will be hold.

A meeting of citizens will be held in the .Mayor's room, I’etone. this evening, to protest against the action of the Education Department in selecting the Woburn road site lor the Hu IE Valley High School.

Up to the present no complaints of profiteering have been received by the Labour Department at Gisborne. Complaints received by the department have to bo forwarded to the lloard of Trade to be dealt with.

The hospital authorities reported last nig'hit that there was no change in the condition of . the man named Frank Fenby, who was admitted to tho hospital early on Saturday morning suflermg from a self-dnliicted bullet wound in tho head. Fcnby’s condition is regarded as critical.

It is notified that Public Service officer’s who, owing to their absence with tho Expeditionary Forces, were unable to complete the Public -Service Senior Examination, will he given a final opportunity of sitting for the necessary additional subjects at tho examination to be held in January, 1921.

Representation is to he made, through the Governor-General, by tho Anglican Church authorities with the object of asking the Prince of Wales, during his yisib to Wellington, to lay the foundation stone of the ne-w cathedral, which is to he erected in Dufferin street. .

Luring a discussion at the meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board on the coal shortage, particularly as it affects the-dredge Kaione, Mr W. J. Poison said if the Prime Alinister’s optimism in regard to coal was like a,s optimism in regard to meat it was not worth much.

A man named Charles Grayndlor, well-known in Labour circles, was arrested at his residence m -Mortimer terrace by Sergeant AlcLoan at 8 p.m. last night on a charge of wilfully illtreating a boy under the age of 14 years so as to cause him unnecessary suffering. He will bo brought before tho court this morning.

Owing to tho exceptional warmth and brilliance of the week-end weather, the seaside resorts of Wellington were thronged with bathers and sight-socra, Tho trams and trains travelling to and from the suburbs were packed almost to overcrowding, and tho various stations presented a scene of constant activity. Those of the tramway and railway staff's on duty wero taxed to their utmost capacity.

Exception was taken at the meeting of tho Thames Harbour Board on Thursday night to_ the proposed new bridge across the Waihou river, having an opening span of only 36ft. This was considered inadequate for the safety of steamers passing through, it was decided to write to the Marine Department, protesting -against the opening span being an obstruction to navigation.

Heavy supplies of fruit, particularly of Bon Chretien pears, continue to bo received at the wholesale markets in Auckland. The disease known as

"brown rot’’ is increasingly prevalent in stone fruit,- particularly nectarines. .In some oass tile fruit, which was apparently quite sound when picked, has developed the “rot” within a few hours. Fruit is plentiful in AVolliujfton, and apricots and peaches of first-class quality arc being retailed.

In reply to an inquiry concerning what the Government intended’ to charge for electric power in bulk from the Horahorn works, the member for Waikato received the following reply from Sir William Fraser, Alinistor for Public Works: —“As soon as tho members of the Power Boards in tho Waikato district have been elected, I intend to convene a meeting to fix rates and ■ allocate to each board its share of the power available.'’ The Fire. Brigade was summoned at an early hour on Saturday to deal with an outbreak iu a five-roomed cottage in Lome street, opposite Tory street, owned hy Messrs Thompson Bros., merchants, and occupied by- Air John W. Thurlow. Tho flames wero extinguished, but the house and its contents were seriously damaged by fire, smoke, and water. Tho furniture and effects are insured in tho British Eagle Office for £IOO. ■ The cottage was covered by a risk in the Commercial Union office for £275.

A lecture entitled “If Christ Comes Again What Will He Teach?” was delivered bv Air O. Jinarajadasa, under the auspices of tho Wellington Theosophical Society', at the Town Hall last night. There was a very large attendance, the Concert Chamber being all too small to accommodate those who desired to listen to tho eloquent Indian orator. Air Jinarajadasa dealt with his subject iu a most interesting manner, suggesting that if Christ again came to earth He would teach the gospel of love. His remarks were heard with deep interest and at the conclusion the lecturer was heartily applauded. In respect to the indignation meeting which, was hold atHataitai to protest against the dismissal of Air A. B. tit. Remain, Mr C. J. Duffy, tho managing director of the Wellington Alilk Vendors’ Association, Ltd., in a lengthy explanation, states reasons why Sir St. itonrain was dismissed. In the explanation All- Duff says that in January the municipal milk department wrote to say that if the employee was no), removed by tho company, notion would ho taken without further notice. Two days latter the deportment, in a communication to tho company, stated that if tlie agreement was not carried out and tho department's requirements attended to the company's license to sell milk would bo cancelled. Air Duffy, in conclusion, says -that tno directors of tho company will, if ,dosirod to do so, justify themselves in the action they took at the next general meeting of shareholders.