LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160723, 9 August 1920, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Major Hobbs, Canadian inspector on civil aviation, has announced that transContinental Canadian hying will bq started within a year. Amundsen is sailing from Nome for the North Pole. He plans to steer tho Maud for Wrangcl Island, and thence drift with the ice pack. Amundsen ia coulideut this requires five years.

The Governor-General of Australia, at an impressive ceremony at Government House, Melbourne, presented the King’6 Colours to A.I.F. units in the Australian military forces. A Paris cable states that the Matin's Munich correspondent states: The Bavarian Government has decided only to correspond with France through Berlin, not through the French representative at Munich.

Former Imperial Army officers at Toronto have received unofficial cables asking if they arc willing to serve again. It is presumed the inquiries arc made from London with a view to a possible military campaign against Soviet Russia. An entirely new principle in international law has been established in a permanent International Court under tho League of Nations, providing that a State may be cited before the Court, thd judgment going by default in case of non-appearance.

Says a Sydney cable, the Princc r discarding all ceremonial, entered into iS refreshing country holiday, crossing tho country in the engine-eab. He drove tha train twelve miles, and later enjoyed 4 ten-mi 1? gallop outside Bathurst befoni proceeding west.

The closing scenes of the International Labour Congress, says a Geneva cable, were marked by demonstrations of sympathy and friendship between Germans and former enemies, particularly the Belgians, who said : “Now that the question of war responsibilities is settled, let bygones be bygones.” The Netherlands Navigation Company has started a Ilolland-Australia line, which will provide a regular twomonthly service from Rotterdam and Amsterdam for Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, calling at Antwerp, Lisbon, Genoa, and other Mediterranean ports if there is sufficient inducement.

Our Wellington special correspondent telegraphs that except for the Railway Department the Public Servants will commence to receive their cost of living increments within a few days, but railwaymen are unlikely to receive theirs until Monday next. The Government of India has instructed provincial Governments to inform officials that they cannot subscribe to the Dyer Fund (as a presentation to General Dyer) under the Government servants' conduct rules, but a number of military officers have already donated to a fund raised by an Englishman, which it ia stated now exceeds .£3OOO.

.Speaking at the inauguration of tha Pan-Pacific Association at 'Shanghai, formed to promote closer relations between America, Australia, New Zealand, China, and JapainDr Rinsch, ex-Minii* tor of Pekin, said China’s integrity and opportunity for development wore* >iho most important things before the world to-day, more so than tLv League of Notions. r

A motor car, owned by Mr Cave, Wcstmoro, and one of the Wanganui Motor Company’s cars, collided on Saturday afternoon at an intersecting street near Dublin Street .Bridge. Mr Cave’s car, with the force of the impact, was forced on to the side of tho street, smashing a verandah pole, damage, also being done io the radiator of the motor and the wind screen. The occupants of both cars escaped without injury.

The coal position in Melbourne is re* garded as graver than at any period since 1914. Householders’ supplies ar& unobtainable, and the quantity coming from New South Wales is far below, what is required to keep essential industries going at full power. Unless there is a marked improvement during the next few weeks many factories will be compelled to close. It is anticipated the authorities will take action, giving precedence to coastal vessels now delayed at Newcastle on account of preference being shown to consignments abroad.

The Council of the League of Nations at .Snn .Sebastian decided that an international financial conference at Brussels bo hold in the last week in September. Thirty Slates, including Germany and Austria, will participate. The invitation to the latter is tantamount to notice that they will be accepted as members of the League if they apply for admission. Each Government will be asked to present balance-sheets and renounce further issue of paper money. A commission of experts will attempt to arrive at an equitable arrangement in regard to ex, change with Germany and Austria, A London cable states that Ministers ami representatives of master and operative builders discussed a Government plan to accelerate house building. The Government proposes a mobile army of workmen available to proceed wherever required ; dilution of labour; and piecework ; the Government guaranteeing fiv<j years’ work, and making provision foxj bad weather, standard piecework rates, and generous maintenance allowances for mobilised men. The next move is a conference between masters and men. Meanwhile the men’s representatives say they will not have piecework or dilution of labour at any price. On the run from Castlecliffi this morning “Puffing Billy” was very nearly oh the verge of losing ths good reputation gained as a reliable old stand-by. Apparently “Billy had been on a “bender” during the week-end, and on the run to Castlecliff did not shape too well and could hardly boast of enough steam, to whistle up the seaside dwellers* Iffie engineers commenced to tickle his palate per medium of scrap boxes, etc., and after a few abnormal kicks “Billy” started on _ tha run to town, behind scheduled time. Progress was fairly good until Pmriri Hill was reached, and “Billy*’’ refused to drag the load over the incline. All the available passenger? Man-power was summoned, and with, this extra assistance the top of tha rise was reached. Here “Billy" recovered second wind and made good, time on the down hill grade to the Junction. “Billy” then demanded, a half-hour spell and several of the passengers commenced to walk, but to their surprise; “Billy” came rattling along and tj'iey were picked, up and taken as far as the Hospital, the institution evidently being, to “Billy’s” idea, a fit and proper place to make another pause for treat-r ment for internal complications* Later information received by the passengers on the eventful run was to the effect that “Billy” eventually reached the cemetery jA

The Miners’ Congrc® a i Genoa adopfcrii tie principle of a srs-bours’ working day.

Tie Press Conference at Ottawa agreed to incorporate a penny a word slogan in a resolution seeking a cheaper cable service.

London newspapers are watching week-end railway traffic. Since fares were increased they agree there has been considerable reduction in passengers, especially first-class, carriages being almost empty.

Tlie mildness of the season in Southland is exemplified by the early appearance ot whitebait in the New river. Small shoals have already been observed working their way inland. Enthusiasts of the early bird variety have been seen on the banks, several of whom report having caught sufficient for a dainty meal. According to reports received bv Mr VT. D. Lysn.ir. of Gisborne, from exon the site, oil-boring operations r.t \\ aitangi are proceeding slowly, but steadily. ’The bore for some time past has been passing through limestone formation, progress of a few feet only being made daily. The bore up to the present has been sunk to r. depth of 2GI feet.

A man, when charged at the Wellington Police Court with stowing away, said that in the Old Country he was told that there was an abundance of work in Now Zealand for every class of seaman, and he was tempted to stow away in consequence. Since he had landed at Wellington ho had not had much opportunity of proving the truth fulness or otherwise of the statements made to him in England.

It is stated in well-informed circles (“says the Oamam Mail) r-haD two prosecutions for improper transactions in wheat are to Ikj proceeded with in South Canterbury. In one case a firm in a big wsy is to be prosecuted for selling milling wheat procured as such at the Government price as fowl wheat at a considerable advance. Of the second case little more is known than that it is fof a breach of the regulations. Close on .£SOO worth of platinum was stolen on July 33rd from the Balmain (Sydney) works of a firm of wholesale druggists. The property consisted nf two platinum syphon pipes, each valued at -£240. Each pipe is e.bout six inches in length, and was connected with the machine tired for the distillation of sulphuric acid. The platinum disappeared itrvstenouriy. and when it was found to he missing the police were called to the works/ but they found no duo to the thief.

In England and America no less than New Zealand, there is an acute shortage of technical teachers, and the percentage of uneertificated teachers leaves Trench to be desired In England it, is estimated that a nntaher equal to 10 per cent, of the teaching profession needs to »e trained each year to repair wastage. Only this percentage is being Trained in Nit-w Zealand, and at this rate it will lie a long time before the services will be fully staffed.

Difficulties, both great and small, beset the building trade in Dunedin and they hamper the intentions of persons who wish to erect private dwellings. Timber is as dear as ever. It advanced in price last month by per 100 ft from the South and by 2/- ex yards in Dunedin. Bricks are only supplying immediate requirements. Cement is practically unprocurable. Owing to the genera! scarcity of material and the shortage of carpenters a jive-roomed cottage that used to be built in three months new takes six months. It is a trouble tq get a builder to give an undertaking as to time. The chief obstacle is the scarcity cf wood for joinery purposes. A recor.j. of 7892 words in one hour i- the exhU-itioa of typewriting made by Mr E. <l. Curtis, an ex-addier, and onee secretary to Lord French, wh‘i-3 famous car book lie typed recently. Curtis sat before a typewriter at the Business Exhibition. Agricultural Hal!, London, and succeided in heating tho world's record for high-speed typing. Ho was surrounded by an appreciative crowd who commented audibly while >he attempt was in in■ t'i L. addition io these distraction-, dash light photographs were taken, and the baud played. By an average of one word i>?r minute he heat the prevri'U- world record (held in Am erica i of bid words per minute for half an hour. Tiie judge said the test, matter was a religious subject, and t'io mailer was quite unknown to Mr Cun is. There were roughly 11 errors in a total of 3991 words. The typist received the test matter Torn a dictating machine, the <•;.•••;inders o; which were connected with h:s (■■■'. Tin- proportion of d-'-ad or unclaimed letters. lt‘ter-cardi. and postcards to the total number delivered, within the Dominion was 0.9! per cent, (states the annual report of the Post and Telegraph Department', tome 292,i29 letters find tiding letters addre.-.-cd to .soldiers and rcgisteiod letter-, wov opener! rnd returned to writers through the Dead Lector Okie- • i-.g,;:) w, rc returned unopened to c‘her r.-uiu - ;b 1T2,3c5 (iu-t-biding t’o-e atMiL-.-sc 1 to soldiers) were n -is.; :: .- ; ; 47 v .-.--iv destroyed; 134.rr, v.v; I.v chief postmasters * - . . whhiu New Zealand: -!- .2't \ erred bv chief postmasters t .;• muntries: ;i total of cHO.-L . ■ ■ red with 820,981 ’u 1 1 ive ji; usaud nine hundred and’ eighty live other articles were ittwred e, lorcign countries: liTl-'i err, r--t urnoci to tre senders through cue Dead Letter ''nice, and “7 H4 by chief portmasltis; 19,;j9ii v.. re ret-.rat'd by rhief postmasters to other countries; a total of 112.32S articles, compared with 122,c4-S in 1918. A most successful experiment, and ouu quite unique as for as New Zealand 13 concerned, was carried out by t.ha Napier Harbour Board oinciahs on the West; Quay recently (stales the Telegraph). li concerned the driving of ferro-concretc piles. The old method was expensive, alow, and most damaging to the piles, which were frequently fractured, permitting the salt water to come in contact with tho steel reinforcement, thus causing a corrosive action to be set up. The new method adopted was most successful, and it large concrete piles were simply ‘‘■sunk'’ into the earth in about half or. hour and without the slightest pressure being exerted ou the pile. The pile was constructed with a pipe running through the centre, and wiien the ■pile was in position a stream of water from the city supply was directed from Vue fire main to the pipe in the pile. The water, rushing out at the base, ■which was sharpened, loosened and then removed the the pile sinking deeper as the water cleared tho way. As soon as the pile was in deep enough the water was turned off and it was found that the concrete pillar was S embedded in the sand. It is ed that this system will save thousands of pounds in tho proharbour improvements, as less is required, no engine, no coal, -o-d 3*erc- is no risk of damaging the expense piks,

At tie inquest at Hamilton on a skeleton found at Rotokaiiri it was identified from tie boots and the remains of a bank boob as that of Charles Keane, aged 51 years, who disappeared from Hamilton a year ago.—Press Association.

The Minister of Public Works has been advised that the Otira workers have accepted the terms proposed for the renewal of the contract system at the Boa-ley end. namely 224/- per foot, and 10 per cent, bonus after a year’s continuous work.

The greatest concentration of seapower in the history of the United States Navy will occur by the conjunction of the Atlantic and Pacific fleets next January probably in the vicinity of the Gulf of Panama, for winter manoeuvres.

Reports are current of an extraordinary religious movement among the Maoris in Taranaki. It is stated that a native has been preaching and practising faith-healing. Five hundred people pjofess to have been cured “by the power of God and belief in His Name.”

The national conference in London of ship-building engineering trades and engineering unions decided to recommend unions to withdraw from tho agreement submitting periodical wage applications to the arbitration of the Industrial Court and to negotiate dircctlv with the employers in future. A hide that is stated to lie a record for Auckland, so far as weight is concerned, was disposed of at Tuesdays hide sales. The hide weighed 127 lb. and was sold at 15-1-ia pound. Allowing 51b for hair, this brings tho price to £7 15s Old for the hide. Had the hide been sold at the high prices ruling a few months ago. when stoct ox was sold at 3s 3d a pound, it would have realised the substantial sum of -£l-3 14s 6d.

A special meeting of the Borough Council was arranged for Saturday night to consider matters relating to the new Power House site, but it was subsequently arranged to deal with this matter on Tuesday evening. The Commission set up to deal with tho recent explosion at the Power House met on Saturday evening to arrange their report for presentation to the Council. The Fire Brigade had a. call at (3-13 on Saturdav evening, the outbreak being at a six-roomed house. No. 32 Plymouth Street, owned and occupied by Mr A. Mooseman, plumber. The fire started in a bedroom, and got into the ceiling, but the prompt arrival and smart work of tho Brigade soon put an end to it, the amount of damage being about £ls. The house was insured for £175 in the State office, and £75 in the Norwich Union, the latter also having a risk of £125 on the furniture.

The demand for sugar lias been reduced considerably, consequent upon the increase in price, and whereas formerly grocers were asked for 41b and 51b lots, they now receive orders for 11b and 21b only at a time. In future supplies of sugar are to be based upon the grocer’s turnover. It was thought that the higher price would result in a surplus stock being accumulated, but manufacturers are willing and able to absorb all the sugar available, and this implies that there is no immediate prospect of reserve stocks being gathered. Among the several North Island consignments of fat stock entered for the sales at Christchurch last week was one forwarded' by Mr W. Ryder, of Levin, which consisted of four wethers and five ewes of prime quality. Mr Ryder has just received advice that one of the wethers topped the market, realising the high price of £1) 10/, and beating the next best price by eg. Mr Ryder's consignment were a specially-selected lot, the weight of the wether which topped the market being 3001b, and two others were 2821b and 2701b. The fat, sales just concluded, which are held just before the Grand National meeting each year, are the most important in New Zealand, so that Mr Ryder may be congratulated ou his success. A new edition of the Municipal ■ Handbook, which has been published biennially since 1903, has just been issued by the Census and Statistics Office. Every effort has been made to make a volume of useful information carefully arranged for easy reference by those who are directly interested in local government or by students of municipal development and management. The statistical section covers the whole range of local bodies’ revenue and expenditure in many comparative tables which reflect the varied spirit of enterprise or economy in different localities. It is not the Statistician's function to comment on those figures. The local authorities have this responsibility in the notes on their nc'i districts, and this descriptv. o tu nor. practically constituting a < ..mprehensive guide-book, should interest the average New Zealander. Tbit feature of the Handbook has not been as well known to the general public as it deserves to be.