NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10853, 19 March 1921, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

The North Island Railways Board of Appeal will resume its sittings at AVellington at 10 a.m. on Monday. In all probability the board will leave the capital for the South Island on Monday evening.

A short sitting of the Supreme Court in divorce was held yesterday, when Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, granted a decree absolute in connection with the suit brought by Maurice Roche, of Wellington, bootmaker, against Uttie Roche, on the grounds of desertion.

Quite a large number of southern yachting enthusiasts intend visiting Auckland at Easter to witness the I4ft race between the Dunedin-owned Heather and Lord Jellicoe's Iron Duke. Among the number aro Messrs A. *J. Hanlon, H. E. Moller, E. C. Nees, and E. Kellett, M.P., prominent members of the Otago Yachting Club.

Over 1200 immigrants will reach these shores during the next three weeks. The Waimana, which is due at Wellington on March 30th, has fully. 900 prospective settlers aboard, all exImperial soldiers and their families 1 , while another 305 immigrants are making the voyage from the Old Country per the steamer Shropshire, which is expected in these waters in the first week in April.

The shortage of water in Napier is still dangerously acute, and a continuation of the present dry spell will have a most disastrous result for the people of the city as the supply of artesian water is diminishing daily. As a result of inspections made at night time three residents have been served with summonses demanding their presence at court to defend a charge of illegally using the city water. Other prosecutions are to follow and the inspectors are still engaged in seeking offenders.

A big lump ef rock hurled by one party at the other was one of the principal exhibits in an assault case at the Ohristohurch Magistrate’s Court. “You are pretty good at putting the weight,” said Mr W. J. Hunter to the complainant, who was alleged to have thrown the missile at the defendant. “You ore not a Scotchman f” “No, I am not, thank God,” was the emphatic reply, which was received with -laughter. “I am a Dane, and I aim loyal to New Zealand, where I have earned my living.”

A half-caste Burmese, Arnold Stuart, a cook by occupation, appeared at the Napier Police Court on Thursday. Accused admitted that he had no means of support. The police said he came to Napier on Saturday, and when arrested had only 3d in his pocket. He was suffering from an injured leg, and could not get work. The justices decided that the best place where Stuart could get medical attention free was at the gaol, and they sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment without hard labour.

The people of Wa.iroa are of necessity a. long-suffering lot, and their present trials and tribulations are capsing much distress. During the waterfront Uold-up the town was dangerously near starvation point, and the termination of that struggle only brought false hope to the much harassed for now the bar is in a most obstinate mood. For many days now the daily advice has been either “bad hay,” or “bar improving.” If the improvement maintains its present rate of progress (says the Napier “Telegraph”), the YVairoa people will be a long time without supplies, and it is hoped that a good bar will he reported in the near future.

A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by Alexander Arnold Nattrass, garage proprietor, of Wairoa, and a meeting of creditors will be held on March 23rd.

Says the “Grey River Argus”: “In the estimation of the working class Germany is little, if any, less war-guil-ty than her opponents, and- she should not be bled white and economically crippled after ail her suffering, however caused.”

Reports from the Rangitaiki swamp state that the ragwort weed has made its appearance there. Farmers have been warned that unless prompt measures are taken to eradicate the pest, they may have the same difficulty as that which had to be faced by the Taranaki farmers.

Replying to a question in the House of Representatives yesterday by Air H. K. Holland (Buffer), the Alinister for Internal Affair® said he was not aware of any report having been received by his department- yet on the subject of the suitability of West Coast timber for paper-making.

The Postal authorities have received advice from Sydney that the Manuka sailed at II a.m. on the 17th inst for Wellington. She carries 1261 baas of mails and 140 parcel receptacles from Australia .and the United Kingdom, including four hampers for Fiji and one for Tonga.

A Masterton man has just - received a newspaper from America. This is how they advertise:—“Salesman. —I am looking for a particular- type of man, who is inherently honest, and who can faithfully .represent an organisation of national repute and achievement. Yon may be that particular man to earn 5000 dollars a year.” 1

Some farmers in Wangianui are endeavouring to charter a sailing vessel to send Home a consignment of -wool. It was rumoured in Wanganui this week that the charter had been finallyfixed up, but on inquiry being made it was ascertained that confirmation of the charter had not yet come to hand, although it was expected at any moment.

Sergeant Mosley, of the Auckland Harbour Board staff, who saw service with the New Zealand Forces, received a surprise pagket this week in the shTine of a box by post, containing a card from H.R.H. Princess Mary. The package was posted in London on February 15th, 1915. It seems to have chased him round the world for the past six year 6.

Some time ago the Waipukurau Borough Council borrowed £IO,OOO from the Government for the purpose of erecting dwellings. Thirteen houses of a very good type are being built, and already four are occupied and most of the others are under way. Building generally is very brisk and houses are being erected in all parts of the borough .

At a meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board this week, the chairman, Air A. Swarbrick, tendered his resignation. He said he felt that a great amount of work faced the board, and that he was not the man to accomplish it. The members of the board refused to accept the resignation, considering Air S'warbrick the beet man for the position.

An inquiry made by the Auckland Prices Investigation Tribunal regarding a complaint as to the chargee made by a local firm for painting materials had au unlooked-for result. It was discovered that, instead of an overcharge the firm had really made an undercharge, the transaction showing an actual loss according to the figures disclosed by the investigation.

The officials of the Napier City Council have been busy during the last few days serving warning notices on car owners who left their vehicles in forbidden streets of the city unattended for more than ten minutes. The warning set out that the next offence will be visited -jvith a prosecution. - The activity has had a most beneficial result in keeping the busy streets clear of idle cars.

The officers of H.M.S. Chatham were entertained at dinner at Dustin’s last evening by the Wellington branch of the Navy League. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, chairman of the executive, presided. No speeches were made, and the only toasts honoured were those of “The King” and “Our Guests.” Subsequently, the visitors were given much pleasure by a choice musical programme.

At the Wyndham (Otago) Court last week -plaintiff, Clarence Grass, in evidence, said he oould machineshear 160 to 190 a day of fair ordinary sheep (states the “Herald”). The award rate of pay was 30s with 10s a week bonus, but he had not shorn for less than 32s 6d and in one place 35s per 100 (no bonus payable in such case). The court: “Then you must make about £3 a day.” “Yes,” answered the witness.

The belief that the pohutuk&wa, or Christmas tree, will not grow where frost occurs is a fallacy, according to Air C. A. Whitney, who referred to the matter at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. He said pohutukawa trees he had sent to a friend in Norfolk, England, were growing splendidly, and he mentioned that trees of the variety grew at Taupo, where heavy frosts were experienced.

In the near future the Cambridge public will be provided with a new theatre suitable for pictures and general theatrical work. A local syndicate has had plans prepared, which have been submitted to the Borough Council, and a permit has been applied for. The site of the building will he a section beside the old bank building in Victoria street. The theatre will he capable of seating 800 people. The cost of the building will be approximately £4OOO.

A well-known Napier resident who has been in ill-health for some considerable time recently wrote invoking the aid of the Alaori “Miracle Alan.” The latter replied that he was not receiving Europeans, but enclosed a daily prayer of faith and offered to pray for the sufferer, who was exhorted to have faith. Tlho “treatmen,” says tho “Telegraph,” has been abandoned as unsuccessful, but it is not stated what amount of faith the sick man put into his demotions.

Was it true that so many men had been taken off the Upper HuttWaikanae road that it was likely that the road would not be finished this autumn? asked Air W. H. Field (Otaki) of the Minister for Public Works in the House of Representative* yesterday afternoon. Could not the Minister see his way to have the road completed before winter? The Hon. J. G. Coates said, that an .expenditure of £3OOO was required to finish the road. It seemed to him to be a case where they could leave the work over to the winter, and that- it would come in very handy later on for the unemployed.

Mr Frank Moore, of Bushy Park, An endeavour is being made by tlio Kai Iwi, lias a fat bullock, seven years Wellington Automobile Club towards old, which is said to be the heaviest the formation of a local club or assoin the world, weighing 36401b®. ciation in the Petone-Hutt district.

At the request of the Wairarapa Automobile Association, the AVellington Automobile Club has voted £25 towards the cost of fencing the Wellington side of the Rimutaka hill road.

The express stand on the western side of Clyde quay is to be abolished, and a stand erected at the rear of the tramway waiting ehed and adjoining the reserve at Courtenay place.

The Wairarapa Automobile Association has been congratulated by the Wellington Automobile Club on the enormous work it has undertaken in the fencing of the Rimutaka. hill road on tho Wellington side. A contract of one mile from the top of the hill has already been let and the estimated cost of the work is £250.

An additional regulation under the Arms Act, J 920. has been brought into force by Order-in-Council contained in the latest issue of the “Gazette” empowering the Controller-General of Prisons to authorise any officers of the Prisons Department in tho execution of their duties to carry lawful firearms and ammunition.

The Expiring -lows Continuance Bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Governor-Gen era]'.s' message yesterday, inter alia, extends till December 31st, 1921, the protection afforded to local authorities m respect of loans falling due : and also continues the rent restriction clauses of the Housing Act, 1919.

The reserves committee of the City Council recently received a deputation from the Board of Governors of the Wellington Technical College with reference to a lease of a portion of the town belt to be used as a playing area for the Technical College. The committee will , visit the proposed site shortly, and' will make recommendations at a later stage.

The Lyall Bay Electors’ Association is to be informed by the City Council, in reply to a request for the provision of a children’s playground on the recreation reserve at Lyall Bay, that the council is in favour of the establishment of such playgrounds, hut that owing to the shortage of funds it is unable to proceed further this financial year.

Mr R. P. Hudson (Alotneka) desires to ask the Alinister for Agriculture, what, if anything, is being, or has been, done in connection with the inti oduction into New Zealand of the Canadian black beetle for the purpose of exterminating or checking the spread of the blackberry, a pest which is increasing to an alarming extent on the west coast of the South Island?

At last night’s meeting of the City Council it was decided to make application to the Wellington City Renewal Fund Commissioners for an amount of £10,928 3s 8d for the replacement of tramway plant and material which has become worn out and incapable of further usefulness. The renewals, it was stated, included steel flues for boilers, coils for generators, and the re-laying of tram track.

A petition was presented to the City Council last night by Councillor Len. McKenzie, signed by about seventy ratepayers, asking that further connection should be provided between Alortimer. terrace and Durham street. It was pointed out that new access between these thoroughfares was required in order to avoid a big detour to residents coming to and from their homes.

For the second time the M ellington Automobile Association has decided to approach the firm concerned, in regard to complaints received from, members, of Sunday picnic parties obstructing motor-oars passing in different parts of the district. At tho last meeting of tho cl ub the opinion was expressed that the firm in question could hardly be aware of the fact that their drivers are so deficient in courtesy as not to conform with the rules of the road.

It transpires that the 110 waterside worker® who refused to resume work for 2) hours at the Komata on Thursday deny that they ceased discharging operations before the Harbour Board’s whistle sounded at 11.55 a.m. on that day. They claim that- the loss of half an hour’s wages for allegedly haring ceased work before the right time was therefore unwarranted. The disputes committee are investigating the matter.

The provision of a handstand at Wilton’s Bush was recently urged on the City Council by the Wades town Electors’ Association. It was decided on the recommendation of tho' reserves committee at last night’s meeting of the City Council to inform the association that the matter would be taken into consideration, together with other improvements in the same locality, when the estimates for next year were being framed

A telephone exchange connection with a street stand used by owners of vehicles plying for hire (according to a newly-gazetted regulation) will in future be made only on the application and at the charge of the local body controlling the street, the owners of the. vehicles making their own arrangements with the local body for tho right to use the telephone. Only one telephone connection, or, where more than one telephone is necessary, one group of telephone connections will be permitted with each stand, and each connection will be entered in the telephone directory by stating the situation of the stand and the class of vehicle using it. Air A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) wishes to ask the Alinister for Industries and Oommerce:—(l) How is it that in FcV.'unry corn sacks that were selling in Alelbourne at Ss a dozen were costing in New Zealand 17s 6d to 18s 6d a dozen; oatmeal in Melbourne £2O per ton, in New Zealand £24 10s, though oats are cheaper in New Zealand; (2) how is it that though the price of hides in New Zealand has gone down almost to zero, the price of boots is still so high; and why' coarse knitting-wool is costing 9s 6d per pound, while the raw wool is bringing about 6d; and why soap is about £2 10s per hundredweight, while tallow is worth about 15s per hundredweight? The fact that under the Govern ment’s housing scheme at Aliramar, covering about 60 acres of ground, only two acres is provided on the plans for a recreation area was pointed out at last night’s meeting of the City Council by Councillor S. Al. Stone. He pointed out that when the scheme was completed the area would he a very congested one, warranting a free 6pace of at least four acre®. The Alayor (Air J. P. Lnlce) said that the plans were in the hands of the engineer, and lie could not say whether they* had yetbeen finally approved. Councillor Luekio said that there was any amount of air-space in the vicinity of the Government block. Air Stone: “If you refer to the golf links, I would point out that that is private ground.” The I matter then dropped.