NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3517, 9 August 1921, Page 25

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Unemployment is said to be increasing in Auckland and suburbs, several local bodies having dispensed with the services of men employed, on maintenance work. Charles Llewellyn Travissiek was committed for trial at Auckland on a charge of obtaining goods from the Farmers’ Trading Company and John Bums by false pretences. While the Tahiti has Leon in Wellington a. third class passenger, John MTntyre, refused to take tile oath of allegiance, and was not allowed to land. MTntyre is an Englishman, and is on his way to America. The committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, at a meeting last week, presided over by Sir George Fenwick, resolved to support the abolition of live pigeon-shooting matches, and also the coursing of hares in plump tone. A private letter received in V. ellington from Niue Island states that in connection with the recent murder of the policeman named Martin, one of the accused has been sentenced to death, and another native, Ulii M<,iu. to 10 years’ imprisonment. Details of the new contract between the Government and the Colonial Sugar Company arc not announced, but there is good reason for believijig that the price of sugar is going to bo reduced by at least Id per lb when the new arrangements come into | operation. The Conciliation Council had before it last week the chums of the wool workers, when tin agreement en several puma was arrived at, but the question ot waves and a special condition with regard to O.onaru, and also the question of the employment of youths, wore referred to tlie Arbitration Court. A meeting of the Thorndcn Branch, of the A.d.ii.bl. adopted a resolution in favour of an alliance of all .State employees’ organisations in order to resist and defeat what is dcserbied as a concerned attack being made on State departments with 111 object of lowering the already reduced standard of living. The bankruptcy returns show that three bankruptcies occurred during the month of July this year in Wellington, as against one for the same month last year. During the first seven mouths of the year seven bankruptcies have been reported in Wellington against four during the corresponding period of 1920. During a storm on the 2nd two houses at Mount Albert were struck by lightning. Chimneys were smashed, and bricks fell tlnougu the i.on roof of one residence. Forty feet of fencing was also wrecked, and a cyclist, who was thrown from his machine, lay unconscious on the road for a quarter of an hour. The chief hemp grader reports that for the 12 months ended July 51, the number of bales graded amounted to 67,776, compared with 94,622 for the previous 12 months, a decrease of 26,846 bales. I he total number of bales of tow graded for the 12 nioiHus ended July 8i were 15,225, compared with 21,008 for the previous 12 months, a decrease of 5783 bales. The retirement of Air J. Arbuckle from the position of general secretary of the Miners’ Federation is announced. T ho candidates for the position arc Mr \Y. lialderston (Blackball), Mr F. 11. Grant (Millerton), Mr J. O’Brien (Huntiy), Mr P. O’Rourke (State mine), Mr W. Franks (Pukemiro), and Mr W. 11. Smith (Rotowaru). A ballot, is now proceeding among tlie affiliated unions. An appeal ior funds to proceed with tho erection of a new technical senool in A e,lington is now placed on a definite ba -is as the result of tho appointment of a committee representative of < the citizens. The committee appeals to tho pubiio to provide £6OOO. which would carry a Government subsidy of £6600. Mr J. S. Howell and Mr J. "S. Swan have each lent £SOO free of interest for three years. Other straight-cut contributions received total £554. The Hon. C. J. Parr, referring to the strictures of Bishop Julius upon the Hokitji;n Mental Hospital has explained that at, the time of the Bichop’s visit an arcliit.ef in the Public Works Deparitnent was employed in drafting plans for the rebuilding of tho hospital in sections, with a view to feinting a small model institute at liokilika. Mb' Parr has shown from tlie report of the official visitor that everything po-.-iHe is being done for the comfort and health of the patients. The bricklayers’ dispute was before the Conciliation Council during last week, but no agreement was reached on the question of wages, the. representative of the employers strongly opposing the increase of wages of Id per Hour c.skou for. Ilio partial agreement will Vie held back until the Arbitration Court gives its decision in the Wellington and Wanganui disputes. Among the points agreed upon was that the country rate should bo increased from 3e 4d to ss. The Dunedin Presbytery has pronounced strongly against tho report of the Racing Commission increasing the number of racing days and total isa tor permits, and suggesting that ministers might introduce the matter from their pulpits. It was decided that a deputation from the Presbytery should meet members of both Houses of Parliament and that a. deputation should meet, the Prime Minister on the same question on his return to Wellington. In a report by Mr W. 13. AT Ewan. Dunedin City librarian, on the Free Pubiio Library, states that during 10 years a total of 1.603,437 volumes have been issued by lire lending branch, apart from the juvenile branch. He is becoming concerned over the stock of books. The books have s> deteriorated that there are 800 volumes waiting to be rebound, while 700 have been withdrawn from circulation owing to Ibeir filthy condition: so that now there are but 8390 volumes available for circulation, and many of these are dirty and in want of repair. There is no money available for replacing tho volumes. While sonic counCllor- took a gloomy view about the future of the library, others thought it would not. be long before money was available to re-pl-u-e books and provide new publications. The reports presented to die mutual eongregafional meeiing of the North-Easi Valley Presbyterian (Ihurdh wore of an encouraging nature. The roll number, including Op. .fin. stood at 424. The morning servioeJ v.-i”-i- hri u 1, t'ui. ■< 1 by the large and iiierea.-.'ng attendance of young people. 'i lie av iave number : : tho seranieni \\ i,s 259. ]| had been found neccs-aiy to disciu:iiinue. the servi'-es at Mount ('aririil, hut means were being taken bv visiluttion to keep in t - iiiTi v. ill: those remaining. At Upper Junction the sendees were increasing in interest and attendance, and the Sunday school was in good heart. The reports from

representatives of the 23 organisations connected with tne ohmch were ail encouraging. The ordinary collections, as a result of adopting the envelope system, showed a substantial increase of £165 11s 7d. During the year £2OO was paid off the church debt, which now stood at £IOOO. It was hoped within a few months to pay oil another £2CO. 1 lie enormous increase that was taking place m the Government departmental ex ponditure was referred to at a meeting of i tie Old ha .branch of the Farmers’ Union dy Mr Chnstie, who >aid Sir Francis Reil had recently admitted there were too many employees for the v.ork performed, but he did not intend to dismiss any, as it was winter tame. The employees of the Post and Telegraph Department and of tho rail- j ways were frying to combine with the employees of tho Education Department, I and if this combination took place they ; would l e able to dictate to the Govern- | moot what they should do. The way the 1 departmental expenditure was allowed to ; overtake the revenue was a scandal. Hie 1 charges on tho railways had been so put up that they do not get the same patronage, ! and when trains were taken off motor lorries cot a look in. and were used successfully in competition with the railways. As members were not in r. talking vein, the matter was allowed to drop. At the annual meeting of tlie members of the Xew Zealand Nurses’ Memorial Fund, the proposal ro increase tlie allowance to muses to £3 a week was d* f- rred in the meantime. At present 10 were being supported by the Memorial Fund. The pr nt i e-venue of £44 a year fr<>m bsoriptions just met the expenditure. Some diseussif n • >ok place as to the best method of increasing the number of subscribers and arousing public, interest in the fund. It was stated that, if Lie public understood how much *hcv were indebted to tlie nurses in time of illness, they would give more genma. Mv. Icub/ .Tellicoe was elected patroness, with Dr Lindn Ferguson ns president and F-‘r George Fenwick and Dr Wm. You ng (Wfliington) as v ire-pro-: iclents. Misa If. L. Williams was appointed secretary. The committee arc: Mrs Kidd. Mrs Olive Nicholson. Auckland: Airs A. O. Sandston, Dr T.. S. Atannii’g, UiirilPibury: Miss IT. Maclean, Air W. <’ MacGregor. K. 0.. Wel-lingl-m ; Miss Thomsen, M : ss TTo’ford. Messrs .Tames T3egg. G. W. Rattray. C. Russell Smith, Otago; Dr James Young. Invere::r-rlll : treasurer. Mr G W. Chnniberlain, ruilito’-s, Alessrs AA r . T. Monkman and ! D. Gra’.vford.