GENERAL NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14028, 3 April 1919, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

During the British elections it was discovered late in the evening that a girl aged 9j years was on the register, and on inquiry at her home it was found that she was in bed. When her parents were told she could vote, the little girl was hurried out of hed, and rushed oh to the polling booth. At another polling station a child four rears old who was on the voters’ list registered his vote. Wanganui builders (says the Herald) ridicule the suggestion made by -Mr Hnrst-Seagar that a workman’s house can be built for £250. They question whether double that sum would meet the; requirements of even a workman with really moderate aspirations. M ith the additional cost of lighing and drainre, to say nothing of fencing and outside conveniences, builders assert that it is absolutely impossible to construct four-roomed dwellings of even an inferior type—which are dear at any price—for £SOO. Wellington lawyers and their clients —are complaining about the long delavs that arc taking place in getting titled through the Land Transfer Office in Wellington. “It was not so had,” said one lawyer, “before the war, though many would not accuse the office of being in haste, but the delays that are now taking place are _ too serious, and in some cases arc hindering business concerning the transfer of titles. We are now getting out titles that we put into the office in August or September last, and from our experience it seems hopeless to expect to get a transfer through in less than six months.” Because of the activity of small craft and the distracting noise of sirens and whistles welcoming returning American transports, seriously interfering with their navigation and docking, the Secretary of the United States Treasury has issued nstructions to the captain of the port of New York that ail tugs, motor boats, excursion steamers, and other vessels keep at a safe distance of 300 ft from the incoming transport; that they shall not blow whistles or sirens at a distance of less than halt a mile, except to give necessary signals- shall not shoot streams of water from their ho. ae within half a mile exceed to extinguish a fire; and that no hand shall 'play in the vicinity while the transport is approaching.the dock. It is said sometimes: This is a public reserve, and everyone “ as a right to go on to it at any time. the question has to be debated by local >odies and it was mentioned at a meeting of Wellington sports representatives" recently. No one present soolce in favour of unrestricted entrj to nublic grounds, and Mr U. 1 • okcrrett. K.C., said that there was no more damnable heresy than that th whole public had a right to enter at all time soon ground simply because it was a public reserve. Ihe jdca of those controlling sports bodies is. of course, that thev should have the right to some reasonable control over the grounds on which they play, and that it is proper that they should he allowed to charge for admission to the grounds.