LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11806, 18 September 1916, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The story of a solicitor's absentmindedness was disclosed at the Magistrate's Court to-day, apropos of some remarks that were made regarding the efficiency of the staff. The Magistrate observed that he had made undue reference to the abaff, inasmuch as it now appeared that the Fault of which he had complained lay with the solicitor. The solicitor had complained regarding a certain judgment summons, but it now appeared that the summons was waiting in the office for the solicitor to amend, and he had been telephoned to several times to that effect. The solicitor replied that ho had not been given the messag*

A case is set down for hearing at the Supreme Court at Gisborne this week in which the sum of £5Ol is claimed as damages for alleged slander, the parties being Maoris. There was some intention of having a Maori jury, but it ia understood that a " nalt and hnif " Jury will hear the case, half tho number being Maoris and half Europeans. It is about thirty years since a similar jury was engaged- Tho proceedings will necessarily be long. The evidence will have to be translated in the ordinary way, and on account of Maoris being on the jury all addresses by counsel and his Honor, and remarks by counsel to his Honor will have to be translated.

Lndor Clause 3 of the regulations snder the War Regulations Act, 1914, the Attorney-General has power :o order that shares held by enemy subjects in New Zealand companies, or in tvhich enemy subjects possess legal or equitable interests shall be vested in tho Custodian of Enemy Property. Tho Government thus takes over these sharo interests until the end of the war, drawing the dividends and holding tho funds m trust. By a " Gazette Extraordinary " issued last week the At-torney-General (Hon A. L. Herdman) exorcises thia power in regard to certain specified shares held by persons res'dent in Germany, in the Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand, Ltd., and Hailenstein Bros.. Ltd

Each Sunday still sees a contingent of golf players, seeking recreation on the municipal links at Berharaporc, fiear Wellington. The position, according to the " Dominion," is that the by-law against Sunday golf passed bv tho City Council has yet to be confirmed. It will come up for confirms fcion at next Thursday's meeting of the council, and seven days after will berorne law. Whether it will be a good law will then have to be proven. As the Town Belt is free to all citizens for all i'me the deed of dedication is an interesting document—it is a doubtful point as to whether people engaged in knocking a hall about with a club be prevented from doing so, even by the Citv Council. The law w-'Il b<» tested by Sunday players, if the council authorities provide the opportunity ,whcn the by-law comes into force.

An ingenious method of defrauding acclimatisation societies was reported at a recent meeting of the council of the Auckland Society. It was stated that in their campaigns for the destruction of hawks, some societies paid as much aa Is 6d per head for birds. The payment was mado by some bodies on the production to the secretary of the legs of the destroyed birds. Other societies including the Auckland body, paid 3d for every beak that -wap brought to the secretary or his auth orised agents. It had been found that dishonest hawk-shooters received payment for tho production of the feet of the birds in one district and sent the beaks of tho same birds to another district, where payment was again made. It was suggested that uniformity of method of payment throughout tho country would be the only affective means of dealing with tho matter.

The Secretary for Labour (Mr F. W. Rowley) has returned from an official visit to Master ton, Napier and Gisborne. This completes a tour of the Dominion, with the exception of Auckland, which will bo visited in a few weeks. One of the most pleading features of Mr Rowley's visit to Masterton was the flourishing condition of the Solway Settlement, where there are eleven settlers on areas of some five acres. These have been very successful, the holders making good use of the land. The settlement is close to the Wairarapa Freezing Works. There is a big demand for houses in Masterton, and the Department has arranged for three new dwellings to be built there, also three at Hastings, as part of the present year's operations. Mr Rowley says he found Hawke's Bay looking beautiful; much rain had fallen, and the result is a plentitud-e of luxurious feed.

Copie*' of the new five-pound notes Issued by the Bank of New Zealand have, been received in Chris tehurch. They ere slightly 'arger than the old five-pound notes, and the design on them is very different. In the first place, it is much more elaborate. There ia not a pin-point on the note which is not covered by penmanship. The witer-maiks tire varied, and include much scrollwork apd some floral designs. In the centre of the note tbere> is'an immense figure "5." There are small " o's" in the corners, and the word five" in letters at top and bot.toiji. The old sketches, representing a New Zealand scene before civilisation satne, and the half-civilised Maori and missionary, hare been reproduced. The striking difference between the new notes and the old ones is the blending of the groui'.d colours on the former. Thesa colours are green, brown, pihk and orange, which sometimes run into purple. 71ie bank of the no v.- notes ia- coloured in the same way. It is a. device -which, it is stated, precludes any possibility of the notes being successfully photographed. Its C.D.O. Band gave its weekly concert in Cathedral Square on Saturday night before a large gathering of the public. Under the conductorship of Mr A. J. Merton an interesting musical programme was performed. A collection made on behalf of the Women's National Reserve totalled £lO 12s 4d. In mentioning the object of the collection the Mayor (Mr M. Holland) said that the Women's National Reserve had undertaken to provide a clubroom where soldiers on final leave could obtain refreshments free of charge. There was no fund to help the club, which was kept going by subscriptions. Citizens would realise the usefulness or the refreshment room and donations towards its upkeep would be welcomed. An address on the »eed for men and youths keeping physically fit was delivered by Major C. B. Morris, of the C.D.O. After the performance the Mayor entertained Major Morris and the band at. supper at tb t > Carlton Cafe, and an enjoyable evening was spent. Mr Holland "-poke in enthusiastic terms of the assistance the band had given to patriotic funds, and mentioned tbat £530 had been raised by the band's efforts. During the evening a cornet .solo was contributed by Sergeant Woods, a cornet duet by Sergeant Woods and Bandsman J. Lillicoe, and songs by Bandsman LiJlicoe and Mr S. N. Robinton (secretary of the band). Lieutenant A. J. Merton played the accompaniments.

]>aßtless Cleaning. Messrs Hastie, Bull and Pickering are showiag today's methods of cleaning. Their latest Vacuum Cleaner is a marvel. It is simply pushed along like a Carpet Sweeps and the dust is drawn up like magic! Price 455, Ductless Mops 9d to Ss 6d, a. Dust)e*s Broom 7* f»ci, Du?tlu j s Puaters, ete., :.-.re alpy shown.