LOCAL & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3160, 7 October 1914, Page 31

LOCAL & GENERAL

The practice of some local bodies, which has been followed by the Hamilton Borough Council, of transferring loan moneys to the credit of the general fund, in order to save interest on overdraft, has now been condemned by the Auditor-general. In a letter to the council that official stated that, although the practice was fairly general, the department was determined to compel local bodies to comply strictly with the law, and future breaches would be followed by legal proceedings. The Auditor-general also ordered a refund of £7Bl, paid out of the council’s streets’ loan for the purchase of a road roller, as he held that the loan was intended for the ‘'formation, metalling, and improvement of the streets,” a term which did not cover such expenditure. An appeal is being made by the retail tradesmen of Wellington to the public to assist them in keeping the greatest possible number of workers employed by continuing to make their purchases as usual, and to make them promptly. “If employers,” they say, “are to bo expected to maintain a maximum number of workers, the general public must help. T-his necessary aid can be given by the payment of' debts and by dropping ridiculous fears for the future —the fears which drive the timid into a penuriousness that may severely hit some industries. Employment must be based ou trade and industry. It cannot bo firmly founded on promises to pay, nor on largo reductions in the demand for commodities.

A well-known Wellington resident had a strange experience on a recent Saturday (says the Post). He was returning from Tawa Fla* on his bicycle, and alter leaving the Johneonville hill and entering the Ngarhauranga Gorge he came up with a motor car. The car was going at a quite moderate pace, so much so that the cyclist found himself overhauling it. When near the first bridge he was six or eight yards behind it. This would be about 5.15 p.m. The next thing he remembers is being stopped by two Territorials and a lady at Ngahauranga. This was at 5.40, for he looked at his watch. They called attention to his blood-covered face, and to the mud all over his clothes, and he heard them talking about it. The next thing he remembers is at 6.5 p.m., when he was at Kelburn avenue. He then found himself covered with mud from head to foot, and bloo'd all over his face; but i of how he came into that condtiion ho knows nothing. His machine was clean and : undamaged. Between the meeting with the j motor car at the bridge and the meeting ; ■with the two Territorials his memory is a 1 blank. Whether he collided with the car, | or fainted and fell when near it } or was \ accidentally injured in some other way, he j does not know. His injuries were not scri- j ous, and he was at his post on Monday morn- j mg as usual. Ho has, however, a vivid recollection of a lady who was in the motor car and of the gentleman who drove it, but that is all. Interviewed in Christchurch relative to operations of the Beef Trust in Australia, | Mr A. W. Rutherford, the well-known Can- j terbury sheep-farmer, who has just re- ! turned from Sydney, said: “ Queensland j is the great cattle country. Now, how- I ever, the output of the Queensland cattle stations has been secured, either by purchase or by private arrangemnt, by certain exporters, principally Swifts, Armours, Kid- ! man, and the British Union Cold Storage Company, so that there is no supply avail- j able to meet the deficiency in the south. ! That is the principal cause of. the recent rise in the price of beef. Another important factor is tlm conversion of what were cattle stations into wheat or dairy farms. All the beef exported goes to the British markets, and the result is a genuine shortage in Australia. It is said that it costs as much id sell beef in Sydney as it docs to sell it in despite freight and other charges. Soma of the slaughtermen are making up to £lO a week. Yes, the Americans are there. They don’t come into the limelight like the modern politician, but they are there all the time, and their agents arc busy in the Sydney market when the prices suit.” A branch of the New Zealand Moderate League has been formed in the Wellington North electorate (says a Press Association telegram). Mr A. Do B. Brandon presided over a well-attended meeting of electors, among whom wore a large proportion of ladies. The chairman said a league was badly needed to advocate the moderate viewpoint in all social problems. The remedy lay in example and precept, and not in restrictive legislation. If the sentiments expressed in the constitution of the Moderate

League were universally advocated by the loaders of public life, and if intoxication were treated as a matter of bad form, many of the causes for objection would bo overcome. A strong committee was elected. A Dunedin citizen writing to the secretary of the Navy League (Otago Branch) from London, under date August 7, says: “One may be pardoned for feeling proud to bo an Englishman in times like those. If it were not for the number of men in khaki you meet wherever you go no one would imagine anything out of the way was going on. Sir E. Grey is the man of the hour, and intense satisfaction is manifested on all sidee at Lord Kitchener’s appointment. Everything so far has gone splendidly, and the Belgians are the heroes of the day. • Wilhelm and his mad advisers will bo locked up in fortresses before many months have passed, where they will bo impotent to do any more harm, and where they ought to have been all these years. The reservists are responding magnificently, and the whole of the people of. the country are offering their services, if in any way they can bo of help to their country. . . . I had the extreme privilege of witnessing the assemblage of cur magnificent fleet at Portsmouth last month, and through the kindness of one of the officers of the St. Vincent (battleship) was invited on board, where we were during the Royal salute. How opportune that assemblage was is now apparent!’’ The increasing importance of the poultry industry is emphasised by the fact that the

Government has recently been advised by the Trade Commissioner at San Francisco that one of the largo American firms is sending a representative to New Zealand to be present at the beginning of the egg season (states the Now Zealand Herald). Owing to the dislocation of trade through the war, it is considered that an extensive trade will be possible with London, as the imports of eggs and poultry from foreign countries into the United Kingdom during 1913 amounted to nearly £10,000,000, the bulk coming from Denmark, Germany, Russia, France, and Italy. It is considered that New Zealand ought to bo able to help make up the shortage that must bo felt in the United Kingdom, and the Auckland Poultry-keepers’ Association has formed an Export Committee, which is taking the matter in hand, ) The enterprising burglar is making his presence felt in Wanganui (says our correspondent), on a recent evening the residence of Mr W. L. Young, in Hatrick street, was entered and a quantity of jewellery and other articles stolen. The thief entered the house through a window, and ransacked chests of drawers and other pieces of furniture in his search for hidden treasure. He was probably disturbed, for ho seems to have mad.o a hasty exit through the back door and back gate. A number of other houses in the same locality and in other parts of the fbwn have been entered; by burglars during the past few days. At Captain White’s residence, | in Guyton street extension, a quantity of j valuable jewellery was taken, and at Mrs ' Fleetwood’s boarding-house the burglar, or i burglars, made a good haul. The sum of ■ £l2 in cash, besides jewellery, was stolen from another place. Reference to the Jot of apprentices was made by Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Auckland Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Boys, he said } had much difficulty in learii- ■ ing a trade properly nowadays, for they were buffeted from one place to another (the Herald states). Too many of them wore taken on at one trade, and were then transferred to another lino of business. In his opinion, a proper register of every apprentice should bo kept by the Labour Department, so that the authorities would be in a position to see that every boy had a proper opportunity of learning his trade. The Labour Department official present promised to bring the suggestion under the notice of the department. ; Additional particulars concerning the big blow-out at the Taranaki oil wells show j that the well is now 2750 ft deep, and cased | to the bottom (our Now Plymouth correspondent telegraphs). During the past few days drilling operations have been in progress, principally in the sand formation, which has caused considerable trouble, the staff experiencing difficulty in keeping the well clear. Progress was, therefore, somewhat slow, but as the well deepened the gas pressure became greater, and at about 10 o’clock it became so violent that the under bore became beyond control. Oil, silt, and mud wore thrown high over the top derrick, right across the road, and

as far away as the refinery. One house, 200 or 300 yards away, received quite a liberal baptism —so much so that a number of men had to bo sent from town to remove the 'traces by an impromptu painting'. Ultimately the staff wore able to cap the boro, but the pressure was so severe as to out out the elbow in a very short time. This is a gas vein that has not been encountered at any other bore on the field, and, as the well clears itself of the accumulation of silt, oil appears in increasing quantities. The work of clearing and deepening No. 2 is also proceeding satisfactorily, and the manager anticipates that within a short time this well, too, will bo producing.

The proportion of British men among the seamen of tho British mercantile marine was briefly discussed at the annual mooting of the Navy League at Auckland. Tho president, Mr W. J. Napier, stated (says tho Herald), that he had the figures extending back for many years, and these showed that there had been a gradual improvement since Mr Chamberlain interested himself in tho matter 23 years ago. The proportion of British seamen had gradually increased, and to-day tho number of foreigners in the mercantile navy was not more than 37 per cent. If tho war had not broken out, and tho average increase in tho number of British sailors had continued for a few more years, the proportion of foreigners would have boon reduced to 20 per cent. Even now, if one eliminated cooks, waiters, and stewards from the total, one would find that tho proportion of foreign-born men on British ships would bo considerably loss than 37 per cent. “ Still,” remarked Mr Napier, “ British people should man their own mercantile marine, which should be tho nursery of the forces for the navy.” The difficulties encountered by colonial boys who wish to become officers in the Royal Navy was referred to by Mr W. J. Napier at tho annual meeting of tho Navy League at Auckland (the Herald reports). Two smart, clever young lads, sons of an Auckland profeeeional man, wished to become naval officers. They were of just the right type, and Mr Napier assisted them in putting in their applications. “’But it was simply heart-breaking,” said Mr Napier. ‘‘l had the greatest difficulty I ever had in my whole life. I wrote some five-and-

thirty, letters, some of them very strong letters, and the amount of red-tape and obstruction, and what I might call ‘ tomfoolery ’ I met with from the Education and Marine Departments of Now Zealand was simply incredible. The boys were capable, mentally and physically, and had boon thoroughly instructed by a coach of undoubted repute, but it was a most difficult task to get them admitted.” Mr Napier added that he had scores of letters in Ids office from boys who were anxious to join the navy and qualify as officers.

“ How is it that a man can run up an account of £IOO for taxi hire when he is without a penny of credit?” asked Mr PI. W. Bishop at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court the other day (says the Lyttelton Times). Tho case was one in which the Rink Taxis, Limited (Mr Harman), claimed £9B Os 6d from John Ebbingst.one Young (Mr Hunt). Mr Hunt said that the account had boon run up inside a month after the firm had been warned not to give him credit. The plaintiff, W. Hayward, said that when Young first came to him his account was guaranteed by Messrs Hill and Frazer, who had paid tho first two accounts of £2 5s and £3O 2s. After that Mr Hill suggested that Young should be made to pay cash. An account for £72 had been sent to Mr Hill, and Young had then got Mr Hill to certify that his account was still good. The Magistrate said that he had had incontrovertible evidence not long ago that Young had not been sober for six months. Ho could not understand how a man whose condition must have been apparent could have got the credit. Ho had run through £BOO in eight months. It was about gone now. After hearing further evidence the Magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff for tho amount claimed, with costs.

Some caustic comments were made by Mr Justice Donniston at the Napier Supreme Court last week, when an application for discharge was made by Thomas Henry Brinson, a bankrupt contractor, of Hastings, who, in two years, had incurred debts amounting to over £6OO. His Honor (says the correspondent of the Dominion) said: “ This young man, under age, starts business as a contractor. In two years he incurs debts amounting to £6OO, and now his counsel comes hero and asks me to turn a gentleman like this loose on the commorical world without his having the decency to put in an appearance. You seem to take it for granted that a thing of this sort is a matter of course. This man, who coaid undertake contracts at low prices, and take tho bread out of other people’s mouths, is, according to you, to bo allowed to start his speculations again. At 22 a man should stick to his carpentering if ho has not had experience. I will not grant anything. Let him stick to his carpentering until ho knows the business. This youth entered into business, plunged with other people’s money, and then sends someone to tho court to ask tho court to sponge tho whole thing out. It seems to mo that we are getting into much too easy a way of looking into those matters of speculative building.” Tho application was adjourned. Tho far-reaching effects of tho war were disclosed in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court the other day (says our correspondent), when a naturalised German was proceeded against for a debt of £47 18s. Defendant said that ho had no income and that he had been tho recipient

of no fewer than six summonses within the

last few weeks. As regards his personal position £4OO had been paid over to his account in Germany in July, but ho could not got a penny of it. He had, ho said, been a British subject for 25 years, yet some dreadful stories were now being told about him. He had been accused of being a German spy, and it was said that ho had been in Somes Island, but he was proud to say that the Government of Now Zealand, instead of crushing him, had upheld him. Judgment was given for £47 10s. Tho defendant is a well-known inventor of machinery.

Tho price of the 41b loaf has been advanced by making tho price 8d as from the Ist October.

Tho New Zealand Herald’s correspondent at Opotiki reports (says a Press Association telegram) that the smell of sulphur was very powerful there on the 30th ult. Clouds of steam were seen over White Island all day, indicating increased thermal activity.

Tho vital statistics for (September 2, 1913 and 1914, are as follow : —l9l3—Births 160, deaths 101, marriages 38. 1914—Births 101, deaths 73, marriages 48. These figures show a decrease in births and deaths, and an increase in marriages. For the quarter ending September3o, 1913, the totals were: Births 452, deaths 249, and marriages 136. For tho quarter just expired tho returns arc: Births 393, deaths 233, and marriages 145. From these figures it will bo seen that there has been a falling efi: in the birth rate, a slight decrease in the number of deaths, and 11 more marriages have taken place.

The foundation stone of the new Presbyterian Church at Tapanui was laid at 3 p.m. on the 50th ult'. in the presence of a large gathering. The weather was splendid. The Rev. Mr Horens presided, and after detailing the stops that led up to the proceedings that day, called on Mr John Edgax, eon., who has been associated with tho work of the local church almost from its inception, to lay the foundation stone. Congratulatory addresses were given by tho Rev. Adam Bogg (of Wallacetown, and formerly minister at Tapanui), and tho Rev. John Collie (Invercargill North). The other ministers present were the Rev. H. H. Barton (Dunedin), and Paulin (Kelso). Tho local brass band lent valuable assistance, and tho proceedings passed off most successfully. The foundation stone bears tho following inscription: —“ 1564T914, Tapanui Presbyterian Church. This stone laid to the glory of God by John Edgar, Esq., on the 30th September, 1914,- tho jubilee year of the congregation.” The architect (Mr Anscombe, Dunedin) presented Mr Edgar with a silver trowel on behalf of himself and tho contractor (Mr A. A. Aburn, Dunedin). The jubilee social took place the same evening.

I can assure hon. members that nothing lias caused more trouble than the fact that since. I came into office I have not allowed the shooting of the native pigeon,” said tho Hon. PI. D. 8011, in the Legislative Council the other afternoon. “And I don’t intend to allow it,” he added.

His Honor Mr Justice Sim, sitting in Banco last week, heard an application under “ The Mortgages Extension Act, 1914.” The application came before his Honor in the form of an originating summons, and asked leave to exercise the power of sale under a mortgage over some land. The parties to the summons wore Alexander Grand (plaintiff) and Alexander D. Black and another (defendants), and it appeared that the mortgagor had not paid any interest, and had left the farm, which was now vacant. Mr A. ,S. Adams appeared for plaintiff and Mr J. B. Nicol for defendants. An order was made in terms of the summons, no costs being asked for. His Honor also sat in Chambers and granted probate of the wills of Charles Bowie, Susan Alexander Duncan, Luke Walsh, and George Derbyshire; and letters of administration in re Janet M‘Arthur, deceased.

An irrigating engineer in Victoria is now being communicated with by the Cromwell Development Company. Ho has had many years’ experience in connection with this kind of works, and ho will very likely proceed to Cromwell as soon as the works are sufficiently advanced. Mildura, comprising about 10,000 acres, of which 7000 arc under irrigation, with a population of between 5000 and 6000, last year provided £400,000 of produce, and naid the railway £60,000 in freights. On this basis 5000 acres of Cromwell land would produce £300,000, and pay the railways a proportionate amount with a population of between 4000 and 5000. If these figures can be taken as an indication for Cromwell Flat alone, and with similarprospective irrigation colonies right up the Clutha Valley to Wanaka, Dunedin should soon regain its old position of the premier city of New Zealand, as it is already the “City Beautiful.”

Tho Mines Committee of the House of Representatives reported on the Ist upon a petition from Gore regarding tho waste of agricultural land by gold dredging. The petitioners suggested that an apparatus should, be fixed to the dredges so that tho soil could be deposited on top of the tailings of tho ground worked. The committee recommended the matter for tho consideration of tho Government. Mr Anderson spoke in support of the prayer of the petitioners, and pointed out that tho plan suggested worked successfully and economically in tho Waikaka district. Several members agreed that it was desirable that action should be taken in the direction indicated. Mr Scott (tho chairman of the committee) said that though the committee did not wish to hamper mining in any w'ay still a responsibility rested on Parliament to protect

the interests of the country as a whole. In the past considerable areas of valuable Laud had been washed away, and to some extent the practice was being- continued. Owing to rights, including valuable soil, having boon granted in past years, the Government, perhaps, could not make the proposed legislation retrospective, but it should at all events see that such waste was prevented in the future.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that during August the arrivals in New Zealand from overseas totalled 2727, as compared with 2746 in August, 1913. The departures last August numbered 1583, as against 1884 in the corresponding month

of last year. Mr H. L. Michel will definitely contest the Grey seat (says our Greymouth corres-. pondent). Mr J. A. Murdoch (Mayor of Kumara) will be a candidate for the Westland constituency, and Mr R. Bell (president of the Inangahua Farmers’ Union) for the Buller electorate. The trio are Reformers.

The celebrations in connection with the jubilee of the Lawrence Presbyterian Church were brought to a conclusion last Wednesdaynight by a social (writes our correspondent). There was a very large attendance, including many visitors from outlying districts, Beaumont, Tuapeka West, Tuapeka Mouth, and other outlying centres being strongly represented. The Rev. P. C. Durward presided, and on the platform with him were the Revs James Chisholm (Dunedin), T. M'Cully (Moderator of the Presbytery of Clutha), and C. Duncan (Methodist Church, Lawrence), and the Mayor of Lawrence (Mr James Robertson). Mr Chisholm was the principal speaker. He paid a very high tribute to the work of those who had been the pioneers in the church’s service, making special reference to the indefatigable labours of the late Rev. Dr Copland, a man of unusually high literary and scientific attainments, and some rather amusing stories were told, of the part played in those faroff days by his mare Peggy. Mr Robertson’s remarks wore also of a reminiscent character, and gave the audience a good idea of the difficulties and discomforts which had to bo encountered by the visiting ministers to the establishment of a regular charge in Lawrence. The musical programme was an exceptionally good one. The choir, which was a very full one, rendered a number of anthems, and solos were contributed by Misses Falconer, Vivian, Brown, and L. Browne, and Mr King. After supper had been served in the schoolroom, a presentation of a gold wristlet watch was made to Miss Erhol Hay in recognition of her work in decorating the church with flowers each Sunday. This wag made on behalf of the committee by the Rev. Mr Din-ward, who spoke in very complimentary terms of Miss Hay’s artistic ability, and the unfailing regularity with which she had carried out this labour of love. Mr John Edie acknowledged the gift on behalf of the recipient. Votes of thanks to the speakers, the choir, and visitors brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that when the Legislative Council met on the Ist a resolution similar to that passed hp- the House of Representatives was moved regarding the death of the Hon. T. Fergus. The Hon. Mr Bell spoke highly of the late Mr Fergus’s ability and good qualities, and. he was followed by the Hon. Messrs Duthie, Paul, Moore, Mills, and Mac Gibbon The Council then adjourned until 8 o’clock as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mr Fergus. At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board on the Ist, the following resolution was carried. “That this board desires to express its regret at the loss sustained by the community by the death of the Hon. Thomas Fergus, and to convey to his widow and family its sincere sympathy.” The committee of the Port Chalmers School, at its monthly meeting, noted with regret the death of the Hon. Mr Fergus, and resolved to place on record its appreciation of his efforts on the Education Board. At a' meeting of the Chapter of St. Paul’s Cathedral, held on Thursday, the Primate moved, and the Dean seconded, the following resolution The members of the chapter record their sense of pain and, deep regret caused by the sudden death of the Yen. Archdeacon Gould, vicar of the cathedral district since 1908. They recognise the regularity and efficiency with which he discharged his ministering duties and the kindliness of disposition which endeared him to so many of his flock-. They offer to Mrs Gould and the family their sincere and respectful condolences.” The motion was spoken to by other members of the chapter, and carried. A committee was appointed) to consider in what way, financially, the services of the late vicar could be recognised. The Primate announced that the Yen. Archdeacon Woodthorpe had been appointed to take charge of the cathedral district as acting vicar until a permanent appointment was made.

The following resolutions, which wore carried at a meeting of unionists, ■ held in Auckland on September 11, were endorsed at a general meeting of the Otago General Labourers’ Union in the* Trades Hall on Wednesday night; —“(1) That this meeting directs the attention of the Government to the continued rise in the prices of the necessaries of life, and considers the time has arrived for tho State to take full control of tho food supplies, and thus prevent tho wholesale robbery of the people. (2) That, with a view to stimulating industry and giving effect to tho first resolution, the Govern I'd-tei be requested to institute a State Bank of Issue, instead of assisting in tho exploitation of tho people by continuing to proclaim the paper currency of tho private banks to be legal tender. (3)

That, in view of the likelihood of a prolonged struggle upon the Continent, and the consequent strangulation of industry, this meeting considers it to bo the duty of the Government to see that production is increased instead of slackened (as is the tendency at present) in order that the inevitable increasing markets for New Zealand products may be taken advantage of to the fullest extent.” A singular and somewhat amusing situation has been created in New South Wales Methodist Mission circles by the receipt from the Kaiser of a bank draft for £1450 for the work of evangelisation in German Now Guinea (reported the Sydney Telegraph on September 19). Shortly before the outbreak of hostilities the Kaiser directed that a certain sum of money should be applied to the furtherance of mission work in his oversea colonies. Among these colonics, of course, German Now Guinea was listed. It is well known that Methodist mission work 4 m the islands of the' Pacific is controlled by un Australian board, which recently received the draft referred to. Before, however, the whole amount was expended in the manner directed, the upheaval came, and the territory was gathered in under the folds of the Union Jack. Now the Board of Missions is faced with a rather knotty problem— What ought to bo done with the balance of the cheque? It is understood that the portion of it which has been expended was paid away in accordance with the Kaiser’s wishes. Members of the denomination take comfort in the belief that if the rest of the money is used for the purpose of evangelising the natives, even though they did cheer the new flag when it was hoisted, all that is required in the circumstances will bo done. “Anyhow,” said a prominent churchman, “if it were reposted it might never reach the august subscriber.” Letters received in Wellington from Samoa last week boro stamps which arc sure to become exceedingly valuable in the eyes of philatelists (says the New Zealand Times), They are the German Samoan stamps over-printed in plain black letters “ G.R.1.,’ and the denomination “Id” or “gd” as the case may bo. Now that the island is a British possession it must, of course, have British stamps, and what more appropriate series could be found for one of the newest portions of the Empire than the old German stamps cancelled, as it were, with the proclamation “ Georgius, Rex et Imperatorl” In one of the letters received were three of the old ten-pfennig stamps transformed by the printing press into the one-penny denomination. “These stamps,” said the writer of the letter, “cannot now be bought for love or money.” The rector of the Waitaki Boys’ High School (Mr F. Milner) has reported to the secretary of the Navy League (Otago branch) the results of the speech contest for the silver medal annually presented for competition by the league. The subject chosen was “That Germany Stands Ethically Condemned before the Bar of Civilisation.” Mr Milner says: “Some dozen candidates from the senior school competed. The final was decided by Messrs T. H, Gill, M.A., LL.B., and T. R. Cresswell. M.A., who were inspecting the school at the time on behalf of the Education Department. The modal was won by J. H. Parr (secretary of the school branch). G. A. Troup was placed second, and L. H. Marshall and R. S. A. Graham equal for third place. The judges complimented the speakers on their grasp of the international situation.” A Press Association telegram from Greymouth states that Mr Justice Hosking has given judgment in a licensing case of more than ordinary interest concerning the issue of an accommodation license. At the last annual meeting of the Westland Committee application was made for an accommodation license at Waiuta, where no license previously existed. At the same meeting the Waiuta applicant objected to the renewal of a similar license at Humphrey’s Gully, 60 miles distant from Waiuta. The meeting eventually adjourned the Waiuta application and refused to forfeit the Humphrey’s Gully license. Objection to the latter was admittedly to clear the way for the Waiuta application. At the quarterly meeting the committee found that the Humphrey’s license had become void through non-payment of the fee, and granted the Waiuta application—a now license in respect to new premises 60 miles distant. The motion in the Supreme Court last month was to quash the Waiuta certificate, on the grounds that the committee had no jurisdiction by reason of section 128 of “The Licensing Act, 1908.” His Honor, in dismissing the motion, held that the committee had jurisdiction; that section 128, dealing with the removal of lapsed licenses, did not apply, the license in question having lapsed for non-payment of the licensing lee'. The amending Act, 1910 (section 30), dealt only with publicans’ licenses, and not with accommodation licenses. Non-payment of the renewal foe was not equivalent to a withdrawal under section 128. The motion was dismissed, and the license, as the result of the judgment, continues.

Though about 20 years ago the making cf glassware could bo counted among the dominion’s industries, it was not long before outside competition killed these budding businesses, and since then the dominion has relied upon importations for its glass supply. At one time, in the middle of the “nineties,’’ there was a glass factory in Auckland, and another one at Chaney’s, near Christchurch, where the sand was found to bo suitable for the manufacture of -glass bottles (says the Post). A fairamount of work was done at the Chancy’s works, and glass bottles were turned out in good stylo, but outside competition soon settled the industry, -which gradually was

put out of action. A business man of Christchurch said that as the raw material for glass making was available in New Zoland, and as the making of the coarser kinds of glass, such as bottles and window glass was quite feasible, the figures of imports of glassware would show that there was an opening for the starting of an industry that had done quite well in Australia, where there were some flourishing glass works. How deeply the British Ministers are personally concerned in the war is shown by the following -Mr Asquith has a nephew in a battleship. Sir Edward Grey also has a nephew under the flag. Lord Crewe’s son-in-law and Lloyd George’s second son arc both in the Territorials. Mr W inston Churchill’s brother' has joined the forces. Major Guest, the Liberal Whip, has joined his regiment. Colonel Seely, ex-Minister of War, is now with the Expeditionary Force. Mr C. F. G. Masterman’s brother has volunteered, and Mr Mastorman has also a nephew in the service. Mr Mackinnon Wood has a son under the flag, while a son of Dr Macnamara, who is himself a soldier’s son, and was born at Quebec, lias applied ro bo enrolled. Gerald Isaacs, the only son of another ex-Minister, who is now Lord Chief Justice, is with the Inns of Court Officers’ Corps. The eldest son of Godfrey Isaacs, who is now on his way home from Canada, will join the forces when ho arrives in London, if ho lias not already linked up with a Canadian contingent.

An exciting time was experienced by passengers on board the steamer Paroo, which arrived at Fremantle from Singapore and ports recently. The Paroo was delayed an extra seven days at Singapore, as the “all clear ” signal had not come through from the naval authorities. On the Saturday before the Paroo actually set sail for Australia news came to hand that the British steamer City of Lincoln, 5867 tons, belonging to the Ellerman’s Line (Limited), had been sunk off Penang by a German cruiser. The passengers of the City of Lincoln had been given 29 minutes in which to leave their ship. In view of this news the pasengers of the Paroo felt the greatest apprehension when proceeding down the Straits of Sunda. Nothing had been left to chance, and all the boats of the vessel were fully provisioned. At night all the lights were put out. Much to the relief of all on board, the West Australian coats was sighted, without anything untoward having occurred. The officers of the Paroo state that matters are very bad in Singapore since the outbreak of war. All the tin mines have closed down, and the coolies are being shipped back to China at the rate of about four or five thousand per week. Business was also very bad in Java, where paper money was now absolutely useless. The effects of the war upon the country homes of England -arc described in interesting style in a letter received by an Auckland resident from a lady correspondent who had been staying in Essex (says the New Zealand Herald). Writing on August 14 she states that some farm houses and the towers of two churches had been blown up, as they might serve as landmarks for the enemy. “ Spies are everywhere,” the letter states. “ A Gorman spy was caught in the grounds here the other day, and we are 12 miles from Colchester or Ipswich, quite in the country. In Devon spies have been caught in remote villages. Prices went up enormously when the war began, but have gone down. Petrol is dear, but a substitute is being provided—a great mercy. . . . Before the war I went to see an old lady at Felixstowe, who had a nice house and superb gardens on the cliff and terrace walks cut in the cliffs. Now I fear they are occupied by guns and her house blown up, as it was a landmark.” The Otago Provincial Council of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union has forwarded £5 to the dominion secretary as a donation to the Iluntly Disaster Fund. The Provincial Council of South Canterbury Licensees (according to a Press Association message from Timaru) passed resolutions last week protesting against the Prohibition Party promoting internal strife during an Empire crisis, and, recognising the liberality of the trade towards various patriotic funds, regretting that party bias construed Lord Kitchener's injunction to abstain from liquor into an order for total abstinence on all occasions, and warning the public against the assertions of a party - that has subscribed very little, and could embarrass the authorities by party warfare and by the destruction of £1,000,000 revenue in a time of serious menace.