100 years ago — from our archives
Enrolment checks
WHAT constitutes ‘‘reasonable grounds’’ for belief by an employer that his employee or employees have enrolled under ‘‘The Military Service Act, 1916’’, is a matter on which the police and the employer may have widely divergent views. An employer who simply asks his employee whether he has enrolled, and takes an affirmative answer as a ‘‘reasonable ground’’ for belief that his employee is so enrolled, is held by the police authorities not to have fully complied with the provisions of the Act. Employers should, therefore, safeguard themselves by requiring each employee to produce his certificate of enrolment. The management of one of the largest firms in the city has already decided to adopt this course.
Court fracas
The decorum of Magistrate’s Court proceedings at Milton was rudely disturbed on Monday, when an excitable person (who was appearing for his wife, charged with allowing cattle to wander) became abusive and defiant to the Magistrate (Mr Acheson), who ordered him out of court, and the abusive language continuing, ordered his arrest.
On Constable Fox proceeding to carry out these instructions a rough and tumble ensued around the court room, before the witness (G. A. Lilburne) gave up the struggle. The court was adjourned to give the man time to cool down and apologise, but on again being given the opportunity he declined to apologise. Thus the unusual event terminated, but further proceedings are to be taken.
Convalescents’ therapy
‘‘I wish some of you ladies could see the needlework done by your boys,’’ said Mr A. Varney, Y.M.C.A. secretary, in addressing a meeting of soldiers’ mothers at Wellington on Friday afternoon. He was referring to the ‘‘hobbies department’’ established in the Y.M.C.A. hut at Hornchurch. The convalescent soldiers had ample time on their hands, so all sorts of things were provided to give them some interesting occupation, and perhaps start them on a new career.
They mended their own clothes, knitted, and so on. Then there were carpenters’ tools and carving sets, and the Maoris were threatening to flood England with Maoricarved walkingsticks. This hut at Hornchurch, which was regarded as the finest of its kind in England, was practically under the complete supervision of the Williams family of Hawke’s Bay.
Wolf Harris’ gift
On Saturday morning (says the Dominion) Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co. received advice from Mr Wolf Harris to pay out on his behalf the sum of £1000, for the relief of soldiers’ dependants in New Zealand.
This money will be equally distributed between the four centres. This is the third occasion on which Mr Harris has contributed a like amount for the purpose named.
Decline of Kumara
Kumara, famous in the golden days of the West Coast, and renowned as the political birthplace of the late Hon. R. J. Seddon, has evidently fallen on evil days. With the decline of its goldmining operations, and a dwindling population, one after another of its institutions have closed down.
During the last few weeks its hospital has been closed, the post office has ceased night deliveries of mail, its Mayor (Mr Murdoch) has left and taken up his residence in Hokitika, and two of its principal hotels have finally closed their doors. — ODT, 25.7.1917.