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Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 142, 17 June 1910, Page 4

The following is Mr. D. C. Bates' weather forecast for 24 hours from nine a.m. this day: "Strong winds to gale, southerly; expect damp and cold weather; rain probable; probably a Very cold night; glass rise."

The Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for 'Agriculture) has decided to take up hie permanent residence in Wellington; Indications at present are that when the ceims is taken next year it will- be found that the trend of settlement in the South Island has been to a very considerable extent from Central Otago to Southland, and that when the Representation Commissioners get to work they will have to give an additional seat to Southland, at the expense of Otago. Thi3 entails the possibility of the disappearance of the Hon. T. Mackenzie's present electorate (Taieri), and> if that should happen, it is quite possible that at the next general election he will contest a seat in the North Island, perhaps Whangarei.

The Finance Cominittee of the Wellington City Council, having recommended that "on ground of public expediency" the Council"should not let tile Town Hall to Joseph MeCabe, the wellknown historical, rationalist, and scientific lecturer, a deputation, headed by Professor MeKenzie waited on the Council last night, urging that the Committee's recommendation be rejected. The Council adopted that course, so that MoCabe will lecture in the Town Hall.

On. Sunday afternoon, next tie Ven. Archdeacon Calder, assisted by the Rev. Mark Sutfcon (Vicar at Devonport), will dedicate and open for public worship'a new Anglican Church at O'Neill's Point, Holy Trinity Church choir also faking part in the service. The building occupies the site of one that stood for a number of veans, hut was destroyed 'by fire, and the worshippers that attended it drifted for the greater part to the Takapuna Church. The growth of population of late, however, has accentuated the want of a place of worship, and the new church has accordingly been built, being completed save for certain furnishings! There will be accommodation for about 150 worshippers. The erection of a church at Stanley Bay is also under consideration, and plans have already teen prepared, the site having been purchased eome time liack.

' A farewell lecture by Mr. J. T. Leafe will be givea at the to-night.

i The secretary, of the Auckland Builders,. Contractors, and General Labourers' Union wrote to the City Council last night asking if it was a fact that the ■Council had decided -to "reduce "working expenses, and thereby discharge a. number of workmen." If this were correct, the writer went on to say, his union considered it a most regrettable action, in the face of such a. large number of men •being at present out of employment. His union urged upon; the Council the desirability of reconsidering the proposed retrenchment at the present juncture, and: thus enable a large number of men to tide over the most trying season of the year. The union had now fifty men out of work, and the Government 'bureau books showed 200. The letter was sent on to the Works Committee.

Puriri trees are to be planted on Jer-vois-road between Heme Bay-road and Marine-parade, in place of -the cabbage ■trees that were cut down some time ago. The City Council has found that cabbage trees are liable to a fungoid growth in the province of Auckland, and this is particularly so.in the case of trees grown in the streets.

When preparations to lower the second shift men at the Taupiri Extended Mine ■were being made yesterday (says our •Huntly correspondent), part of the machinery ■'belonging to the winding engine gave way, which necessitated the men returning £o their home3. The first shift men, who had been down about one hour, were alao compelled to leave off work owing to their inability to send coal up the shaft.

Passengers to Chris tfehureh by the Southern express yesterday had an op-' portunity of seeing an excellent mirage when the train was near TJTna.ni, telegraphs our correspondent. For several miles the Southern Alps were reproduced on the east out to Sea,"al> a distance equal to the distance of the Alps from the train, with remarkable faitmulness in regard to colours and other details. It is not unusual to see these phenomena on the plains near Timaru at this time of year, but yesterday's mirage was exceptionally clear. A Christchurch scientist wlio has studied these phenomena says that the mirage was caused by cold dense air. Such occurrences are not uncommon in. New Zealand. In warmer countries such as Australia mirages, caused by hot air. are seen fairly frequently;

The resignation of Mr T. Ritchie and Mr E. K. Mulgan, Inspectors under the North Canterbury Education Board, created two vacancies,, one of vrhieh has been - filled ■by the appointment of Mr T. Hughes, MA., headmaster 'of the Walthani School, says our Christchureh correspondent. At its last meeting the Board resolved to offer to Mr Hughes the position vacated by Mr Ritchie until the end Of 1911, the Board taking into consideration hia loßg and efficient service as a headmaster, the active interest that he had always taken in educational matters generally, and the fact that on two previous occasions he liad discharged the duties of acting-Inspector to the satisfaction of the Board. Mr Hughes has decided to retire from the service at the end of next year, and this fact also influenced the BoaTd in arriving at its decision to offer him the appointment for the intervening period. Mr Hughes ■has written to the Chairman of the Board accepting the position. Applications for the position vacated by Mr Mulgan "will"be invited immediately.

People.-who-, rhirve'relatives -buried in' Symonde-6fcreet Cemetery would do wefi to have the grraves looked to if in need of repairs. The City Council is going to spend £500 to put the place in order, and they -want tie people to take their Share in attending to this neglected spot. Last night the Council adopted ■a suggestion by.Mr R. T. Michaela to the effect that all persons interested in the graves be notified to put dilapidated fences (and there are scores of them) in repair, otherwise the fences will be removed. TJie Council also approved the suggestion to undertake the keeping of graves tidy at an annual enaTge of not legs than five shillings. Mr.R. Tudehope made a good suggestion for the care of the many graves of old soldiera now in such a shocking state. He thought it would show nos-pect ifor the~ dead and inspire Teverence in trie present generation'if the volunteers and cadeto could be induced to take the work in hand.

The lady's hat of formidable dimensions figured in the deliberations of the Otago Rugby Football Union on Monday night. Mr. Harris Said it had been suggested to him that the Union should take steps' to stop the large ha,t nuisance in grand stands. Two gentlemea sitting behind hats Of this description •had been unable to see one of last Saitmatches. The chairman said he did hot know who v»uald take such a matter up—certainly no married man would have the temerity to do so. A little gentle persuasion might meet the case if large hats become obstacles in the grand stands.

The proprietors of the houses in Geraldine -wtjch formerly held, licenses as hotels have posted notices on their doors of their intention to apply for licenses. At the last annual meeting the Ashburton Licensing Committees refused to grant licenses. The licensees then applied for a mandamus directing the Committee to grant licenses. The Court of Appeal, however, dismissed the motion for a mandamus, but granted the petitioners the right to apply to the Privy Council on finding security. Ifc is understood that this security is now available, and that the licensees intend to put in fresh applications for licenses to the Ashburton Licensing Committee. The Committee has already held that it has no jurisdiction to grant licenses.

As the copper coins which were ordered by the Federal Government v*.der the Coinage Act have not yet been miated, the Imperial Mint authorities have suggested that the original design should be altered by substituting the head of George V. for that of Edward VII. It has been suggested also tha.t on the reverse another design should take the place of the Commonwealth coat of arms, in order to obviate the ■danger of fraud through silvering coins. The design on ithe reverse may take the form of the -word "Australia"'across the centre, with a laurel wreath around it, and with the denomination of the coin bordering on the ed^e.

With Customs officers of the United States and Mexico as interested spectators, Mr. Charles K. -Hamerton recently gave a practical demonstration of the usefulness of the aeroplane for smuggling purposes. Three times within an hour the aviator darted over tho frontier, carrying American articles from El Paso, Texas, to Junrez, in Mexico, and returning laden -with Mexican goods. The flights covered a distance of fifteen miles. The aviator landed outside the Mexican and United States towns quickly and without mishap. The officials admitted that the chance of detecting such a smuggler on a dark night was exceedingly remote.

' "Rugby "Union Annual" for 1910, price 6d, noiw on' sale at all stationers, and at the "Star- -, Office.—-(Ad^

! Tie Grey Lynn Parks Coinmittee hwlast nigit, and agreed to observe' ArW Day for the purpose of tree-planting qv idea is to apply to the. Government'i\T estry Department for 400 9 r 500'snitah'» trees, and then get residente -to assist Z planting them on Arbor Day. It fe jl" intended to' solicit the assistance of'th ■ eldest scholars in the Grey Lynn on that occasion so as to make- them-tak an interest in the preservation of'thi trees they assisted to plant.

A question of interest to propesfcj, owners and also to local bodies'.washiaii at the Compensation. Court, PukekoW last Wednesday, when Mr. G. p. J.P., of Whangarata, claimed from. tw Pukekohe East Road Board £60 as ages to his farm on account of the Board having diverted stormwater road on to his property. The', eyideice was to the effect that a drain was <W through his property by the BoarS. fo carry off storm water from the road channels. Mr. A. L. Forster, civil ena. ' neery deposed that no other course".waj open to the Board, and practically no damage had been done. The Court I'd j that damage "Sad not been proved;: anjihe verdict was given for the Board;%it a costs. Mr. 'Scott-Smith was president ' and Messrs. Jeffries and Ussher'acted' as assessors, air. A. E. Skeltoa appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. C. J. Pan for the Board.

A case has been brought under our notice (says the '-"Otago Daily Times'!)! which verifies the charges laid against some.property-owners that they.are nt willing to accept as tenants persope who have families; In this case the; agreement to let had actually been eonehidei : but when the: day for taking possession came the owner of the house declined to give it up for the reason -that; the' would-be tenant had children., Suet action was not only harsh but absurd/aa it happens that the youngest of tha.-chil-.' dren is about 12 years of age, ,andthere- :- fore old enough to know better,thiaito injure the property. This is the setond case of the kind" , brought under notice recently, and.-the. action of_theviand/ lords seems to furnish a vivid commentary On the ever'inereasing cry thai the ! cradles should'be kept full. Similar complaints emanated from Auckland Mine 12 months ago, When this action of.certain Tiotelkeepers who refused to acconunodate persons wTin families was tie sub-' ' Jeci of severe comment. It may also be remembered that in America a legal de- : cision was obtained By the action of a high-spirited lady, such decision Ijeing to the effect that a property-osvnef.could not refus6 to accept tenants 'on ttie;.sole ground'that they possessed famUieeo-AjK parently the "no encumbrance".''feiisa dies hard, and' will not: become- estiatt till healthy public opinion , administers the coup de grace.. -'.. Jack Rabbit, who for a quarter'"qf/ii century has threatened this great district with ruin <eaV3' tie "Wairaiapa. . Daily Times"), has really been' the main- \ spring of its progress and prosperity. He i has forced a thousand settlers .fJßSiear i and improve their properties when they,: .did not want to clear and improve them, and he has compelled them' to destroy all harbour for Jack and-his relations, until it hae come to be recognised that under certain conditions Jack and lie Tlttitlew \ family may Taeconie manageable. - A Falmersfcon lady has had a peculiar•"': experience with a needle: :~TOi.en Ehesw&s twelve -years of ■•agef' into the* first finger of her left-halfcs It lioke off, and' the piece' was~.ntrts.estracted until yesterday,after, when over a quarter of an.incJi of needle was drawn out of ■ the-erid'c* limy finger. Except that loccaeibnaHy ■the.' finger was a little sore, no inconvenience was experienced by having* the lengta'o! 'needle embedded in the digit.'. The Roman Catholic priest, Father Sheridan, at Lithgow (N.S.W.),- has ' commenced a crusade . against what: is ' termed "indecent dancing." lie inde-;' cent dance is a particular kind of .waits / ; with the faces pressed close together. At•..'" the maes on Sunday week, Father Sheri- "' i dan denounced this form of dance in very, strong terms, and; declared his resolve to \ do all in his power to put it down. : If '..-. members of the congregation participated ■ in the dance he,said they would mot be permitted to approach the sacraments. Some time ago ih6 Kail-way Department erected an overhead bridge leading to the Otahuhu railway stiitkin. ;At each end of this bridge iB;-a-steep flight, ot steps, to aseend ; .«nd desoend'wliich;.re- _. ?uires no small amount oil exertion; even;' or young" people! Elderly ladies sometimes find the task quite: beyond": their, strength, and it- is quite, impossible;for a lady to wheel a pftrainbufetor. -up-tuid down them, or even' to i&egotiate j&em with a baby in arms. These stops.wiicl are knowii locally as Jacob , *" ladder,'-ire. positively dang'erous, especially at nigW., Some time aso tie OtahuhiiEoad Board made representations to-the ;,- for rampetl approaches, rind the Jotter day Mr Lang, member for Ttweived a letter from Mr MiHiri;;MSus- ,: ter for Railways, stating that tie M-■H'-ay Department was prepared -to erect ramped approaches, the ■ only condition *beiag that the Koad Board should demj_ the cost, which would amount id'.£.3(lo. The Board hav£-. c6rain\iniea'tefl~~ with . Ellerslie and othtr local bodies avlo have ramped approaches; but can find no: precedent for this peculiar condition, -'w... . . •.- • -■ ■ jj

White canaries are almost.as rare as black tulips. So far, as is ■.known. L tliwe are only two white canariee- in. : «» / world at the present'moment; Onejsin England, the other is Dow in Ellington, on view at the Poultry- Society , * show in St. Stephen's sehoolrooia; Wellington. To obtain a -White canary, is the lifelong object of very many, fanciers, : but the colour is a. "sport' , of~na«ire that resists most attempts of man to secure it by artificial selection. In tto respect it is like the black tulip. W' white, canary of England was. shown last year at the Jubilee National; Cage Bird Show in.the Crystal Palace,.W&v : don, and naturally attracted very. nM» ; , ;; attention and received . considerable notice in the. Press. It *aa desttibett as the first white.canary ever seenJ.ine exhibitor "was a Mr. W. bird'was staged effectively in a Msck .- cage, with a screen of brown : paper ;»■;• ; ward off possible draughts.. Tlic; <»»■.-,• cage, and the bird's glistening black eyra threw into prominence the snowy f»S|| ness of its plumage. The English wMte,>., canary is a "sport" from a JP aI V,T, ordinary Yorkshire canaries. white canary (the second in exisjems/;,.-. is the property of Mrs. Maud Maran, ■.. of Maryborough. It was bred eighteen months ago from a pair of buff vanes gated birds, the coek bird hf green crest and wings: while the hen\^ : . slightlv variegated and not crested. -.AB* ; ,- : . Martin kindly -consented to show;■ .tM.. ; white bird at the Wellington Society?show, but, as it is delicate, like most-. "sports," great care has to be taken *o protect it from the cold. ■Aa. cap. sereotlon cofr prises natty patterns and .nobby sn?p» that wiU appeal tto riressv vnuntt n*. Geo. Fowlds. —.(Ad-i _ \ ;-U;;