LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 14, 11 October 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A tram conductor named John Walsh was injured in Manners Street yester- s day afternoon. It appoars that the conductor was caught betwoon the car and a covered-in van as ho was stepping from tho side board'of the oar to the motorman's scat. The horso attached to tho express was knocked over, and in falling pinned tho conductor to tho ground. The man was injured about tho hips, and, after being attended to by Dr. Gilmer, was removed to tho Tramway Hotel. Tho shafts of tho oxpress woro damaged. For the quarter ending September 30 tliore were cloven bankruptcies in tho Palmorston North district. Yesterday, Carlyie Sydney Free, of Wellington, dentist, was adjudgod bankrupt. Tho first meeting of his creditors will bo held on Thursday, October 17, at 11 a.m. Lieutenant E. J. Marsden left Melbourne last week for Fiji, to bring over to Australia tho team of J3au cricketers who proposo to tour tho Commonwealth during tho forthcoming season. The team, which will bo captained by Ratu Kadavu, the horeditary princo of Fiji, and will include Ratu Pope, a doscendant of tho late King Cakobau, will arrivo in Sydney about tho end of NovomMr,

The cbimnoy-stack at the now destructor will cost £1325. It will bo built in forro-concroto. Mr. John Moffatt was the successful tendoror. as announced at the City Council last night. Tho School of Instruction for Officers finished yesterday morning, when those present wore given an hour's instruction in flag-signalling, and afterwards listened to a lecture on " Imperial Dcfonco" by Captain Lascelles. A similar discourso was deliyored by Captain Lascelles at tho Imperial Instituto, London, some little time back. Ho stated that the New Zealand forces, though weak in numbers and efficiency, were, nevertheless, an integral part of the Imperial dofeneo system, and wore., considered as such by tho authorities At Home. While in London ho had learned more; about tho state of Now Zealand defence ift one hour at tho War Office *han ho could have discovered in a day's porambulating from one Government offico to another, in Wellington. This Would show that the. condition Of affairs in Now" Zealand was not neglected by the War Office of to-day. At tho conclusion of the lecture, Col. Robin, Chief of Staff, expressed his appreciation of the way tho officers had given up their time to attend the course. The benefit of tho instruction would lator-on be seen in the increased efficiency of the corps. After lunch some of the officers paoked their kits and left by the afternoon train. The others will, disperse this morning. All. seemed highly satisfied with tho instruction given, and one officer stated that though his exponscs had amounted to £15 ho had considered it money Well kid out.

Notice of Cancellation of the registration of tho Wellington Corporation Tramway Employees "Industrial Union of Workers is given in tho " Gazotte." The cancellation takes place as from the date of publication.

The Magisterial enquiry into the firo which broke out on the Now Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Turakina is to be held beforo Dr. A. M'Artkur, S.M., in tho Magistrate's Court Building at 11 a.m. on Friday next.

An area of Ovor six acres in tho Mangaono 'Survey District has been set asido by Ordor-in-Counoil for a recreation reservo, under tho name of tho Kensington Park Domain.

Notice is given in tho " Gazette" of the Government's intention to take, Wmpulsorily, under tho "Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900," and its amendments, the CulverdOn estate of 25,155 acres, classified as follows 8910 aoros; secondclass, 9853 acres; third-olass, 6362 acres. Tho owners of tho land, and evory other person having any estato or interest therein, are required to servo their respeotivo claims for compensation oh tho Minister for Lands in the form and manner and within tho period provided by the Act. The registered owners are tho trustees of Sir J. Cracroft Wilson's estate, tho Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, and Mr. R. M. Macdbualtl.

The Reserves Committee reported to, the City Council last night .that applications had beon invited from clubs wishing 'to ' play at Newton Park and' the Basin Reserve. A number of clubs had already applied for permission, including large and important bodies, and smaller clubs also. It was desired to afford every facility, especially to the smaller.sports associations, and tho chairman (Mr., J. P, Luke) asked that authority' bo> granted the committee to deal with such applications from time to tittle, so that there might be no unreasonable delay. The necessary authority was given by the Council.

The Tourist Department is. combining enterprise with its Usual energy in making known to a jaded outside world tho refreshing charms of the new Dominion. For, somo timo past Mr. James Macdonald, the artistnphotographer attachod to the staff, has been in the Rotorua district,, taking biographic 1 pictures of Maori life and the thermal wonders of the north in active play. One excellent picture secured is that of two Maori canoe loads of Wahinos proceeding from Lake Rotorua up tho Ut'ahino Stream, and being welcomed at their destination by a crowd of friends with plenty of "tongi" and weird gesturing, characteristic of the Maori of a little while ago. Another picture secured is a fine, animated view of tho steaming cliffs of 'Lako Rotomahana, and still another is that of a full-passongerod launch maneuvering over the heated area of tho Lake. Those views are being sont to England, the Continent, and' America, to be shown in conjunction with others at entertainments given in those countries. This is advertising up-to-dato. It was agreed by tho City Council last night to call for tenders, for tho erection of additions to the lighting station. Tho Mayor oxplaiiied that room had to bo provided for now machinery and that it- would bo more economical to mako additions .in brick at once than to erect-a temporary building, which would cost at least £800. If the receipts kept up, tho cost of tho work could bb provided out of earnings.

Reeolleptibus of tho plague scare woro conjured up, at tho City Council last night by a clause in tho Reserves Committee's report. It was recommended that a lease on tho Town Belt should be terminated by tho payment of £10 by tho lessee in settlement of liabilities. Tho chairman stated that tho land.was taken years ago for the purpose of a plague hospital, but was never used. The question of tho loaso had been hangiiig in aboyanco ovor sinco, and it was quito timo tho matter was sottled. Tho Council thought so too, and agreed to tho Committee's recommondation. Last night tho City Council confirmed tho resolution passed on September 12, striking \ a special rate of ono fiftieth of a ponny in tho i' to provido for interost and sinking funon a loan of £15,000 to he rais-d )<■■ tho purpoßO of establishing an abat toir for the city. Mrs. Ethel R. De Costa, LL.B. (no< Miss Ethel R. Bcujamin of Dunedin) after practising for somo years in tha oity, has commonced practico as a bar ristor and solicitor in No. 6 Nathan' Buildings, corner Grey and Feat!ior~ i ston Streets, Wellington. Mrs. Do Costa has tho distinction of boing kio only lady practising ac the Bar in tno Dominion. Intending clients can depend on prompt and careful attention at Mrs. De Costa's hands.

There only remain two or three weeks' excavating work to do to complete Anderson Park, as the now Thorndon recreation ground is to bo called. There is still an "island" to bo hewn away; but a few more fino days will see it tumbled into position, where formerly the groat depression existed. This park will givo the citizens eight acros of level ground for recreation purposes, over two acres being the top of the decapitated hill, and the balanco the big gully that has been filled with tho hill-top. Steps are al-' ready being mado to commenco on tho work of formation of tho Duppa Street ground. There- is a deal of excavation to bo done, but it is a small matter compared with tho mountainshifting operations at' Kelburno and Glonbornio Road. The Duppa Street ground will bo twelve acres in extent, and will include a oyclo track which' may or may not bo included in tho main ground. Many aro asking when something is to done with Kelburno Park, Had it been sown with grass a few Weeks ago, citizens could havo relied I on a fine sward during tho summer, | but So far little has been done except to subsoil anddrain the placo.

The Minister for Tourist Resorts; (Right Hon. the Premior) has authorised tho engaging of 60()0 feet for the purposes o£ a Now Zealand Court at tho Franco-British Exhibition, to bo opened at Shepherd's Bush, London, on May 1 next. Speaking to a Dominion roporter, Mr .T, E. Donne said that ho expected that New Zealand would bo particularly well represented. Most of the goods now on show at tho Dublin Exhibiton, and some of those being shown at the Australian Natives' Exhibition at Molbourno would form tho basis of tho exhibit, which would be brought up-to-dato in a Variety of Ways Calculated to attract public attention.

"From now out, tho pzoplo of the Commonwealth will bo turning their attention to Now Zealand, and the current spell'of hot dry weather must benefit our tourist traffic. Among others to whom informatiom, has been supplied is a party of. Stato school teachers who propose visiting tlie'Dominion at tho end of tho year, and intond playing our teachers cricket, and thoroughly seeing the show places. As they will probably be accompanied by their wives, and sisters tho party will be about thirty in number; This statement apponred in the latest report of the Tourist Department's agent in Sydney .

Borough' officials have to play many parts in thoir time.' At last night's meeting of the City Council, for ■■ instance, it was recommended that tho rato collector, Mr. Chappie, bo grantod twelve months' leave of absence on full pay. Tho Mayor (chairman of the Mnance Committee) stated, in moving tho proposal, that Mr. Chappie had been in the Council's service thirty yoars, and had never had a holiday. Also, at.-various times, Mr. Chapplo had aoted.as town clerk, treasurer, etc., in addition to his,ordinary duties. The holiday was granted. . •

. Mr. 0. A. Matcher's freehold property at tho coruor of "Willis Street and Lambtoa Quay, was offoned at auction yesterday by Messrs. J. H. Bcthune and Co. The gross rentals amount to £1719 per annum. Bidding started at £16,000, and at £23,000 tho property was withdrawn, the reserve not having been reached.

The tondor of Muir and, Rose, at £9021, has been accepted for tho oxtension of Wellington College in accordance with tho plans of Messrs. Penty and Blake. The now building will bo of brick, two stories high.

The Government grant to the .■Wellington Military District for' the encouragement of rifle-shooting for the current year is £150, of which £100 is open to the public, and £50 to Volunteers only. The amount is subdivided over, the whole of the district. The officers representing tho various centres of tho military district are as follow.: — Wellington, Lieut. - Col. Duthio; Wairarapa, Lieut.-Col. Druramond; Hawko's Bay,, Lieut.-Col. Kettle; Wanganui, Lieut.-Col. Watt, V.D.; Taranaki, Lieut.-Col.;Okey, V.D. Tho competitions throughout tho district must bo completed before March 31,1908, arrangements to bo made with the local rifle associations for special matches to be fixed, under service conditions. Tho Post Office advises that a Brindisi mail, ex' Waikare, which left Sydney on October i), with 125 bags, is expected to arrive here by tho Manawatu train on Tuesday next. Tho holiday-makers of Titahi Bay on Labour Day were entertained by tho mombers of tho Motor-Cycle Club, who held some impromptu sports on the beach. The ovents were keenly contested. This outing served as a.preliminary or trial run, and by-laws are to be framed for tho control of futuro runs, which aro to take place periodically throughout the season.