LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 18, 16 October 1907, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At least one local firm which deals largely in bottles,. arid claims to, havo made, full inquiry into tho. matter, denies 'that , any "corner" has been effected in this common but' necessary commodity. A representative of tho firm in question, speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday* stated that the paragraphs in the newspapors of late had had an undoubted effect on • tho bottle trade After the paragraphs first began to appear several regular suppliers demanded Is. 6d. per dozen instead ,of the customary price, about Is., and thoro was a tendency to hold out for top prices. However, ho could say, rogarding tho prices being offered in Dunedin, that no corner could be effected on 4000 dozen bottles. As a matter of fact, he could -take the newspaper man to a yard in Wellington which stocked 20,000 bottles. On two occasions his firm had wired to Dunodin asking for pricos, and each time a roply was received that 2s. 6d. would bo paid for delivery that day — an obviously impossible thing to do from 'Wellington. "I think it is fairly easy to seo round tho "corner," concluded the morchant.

A chubby-faced, bright littlo quarter-caste Japanese child was brought before Mr. Kiddell, S.M., yesterday, and committed to a receiving home, on the application of his mother, who explained that she was unable to support the infant. The father, .a halfcaste Japanese, was supposed to bo in Sydney, and the mother came here from Australia. She had been keeping the child in a .licensed receiving homo for about two yenrs. His Worship ordered the mother to pay 7s. a week towards the maintenance of hor offspring, who during tho hearing of the application gambolled about the room blissfully unconscious of what was going on. The decided victory secured by tho polico over tho " two-up " players recently resulted in a general exodus of tho " two-uppers" from tho city. The brigade has again advancod on the town, however, and the police have their eyes on several well-known gamblers who, they have every reason to believe, aro looking for qtiartors. Owners of premises aro warned accordingly. Monday next is Trafalgar Day, and the local branch of the Navy League is to mark the occasion by giving tho public nn elaborate entertainment at the Town Hall. Arrangements hnvo been made, through tho courtesy of Captain Bridson of H.M.S. Challenger, for a squad of man-of-war's-men to givo a display of cutlass and sword bayonet drill, as woll as other items of a less militant order. Lieutenant Colhird, R.N., is to have charge of the naval portion of the programme, which is suro to be attractive- in tho first degree. An organ solo will be played by tylr. ]?. Rowley, and a local vocalist has consented to sing "The Death of Nelson."

Over 33,000 calves were inoculated for "blaoldeg" in Tnranaki last year with satisfactory results, states tho chief veterinary officer in his annual report.

Tho memorial stono of tho now school-room for Knox Presbyterian Church, Lower Hutt, was laid on Saturday last by Mr. J. G. W. Aitkcn, M.H.8., who spoke highly of tho

noblo gift of Mr. and Mrs. Pcttord, of Blackbridge, Lower Hntt, who (without any solicitation) offered tho building which ho folt would bring blessing to tho children. Christian, teaching was more necessary through the exclusion of Bible teaching from tho day schools. After the ceremony several of the company present wcro most hospitably entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Pctterd at their residence Tho now buildings compriso a school-room 384 ft. long by 25ft. wide, with recessed platform, also two class rooms, cupboards, etc., and are designed and being superintended by Mr. B. P. de Bidder, architect, of Lower Hutt; the builders being 'Messrs. Swayslaml and Son, of Potonc, who have so far advanced'with their work that tho ceremony could have taken place under the almost completed roof of the main building.

A deputation was introduced by Mr. T. Wilford, M.H.R., to the Minister for Educa-

tion (tho Hon. G. Fowlds) on Monday, in regard to a school at Crofton. Somctimoago the residents there applied to tho Education Board for a school. Tho Boar.d admitted the requirements and suggested that a grant should bo obtained from tho Government. The sum suggested was in tho opinion of tho residents so largo that they held small hopes of getting it, and tho deputation was to ask tho Government to open" a school in the district forthwith in a temporary, building which was available there, and to pay tho' rent. This woiild meet the requirements until tho Government had purchased.a site for a permanent building. Mr. D. M. Findlay, and Mrs. Thompson, Crofton residents, als" spoke. The Minister said that he would be prepared, if application was made by tho Board to him, for the Government to authorise payment of the rent. A sgl-sioii has been offered to the Government at £65, and its purchase would also bo considered. ' ■ Tlio City-. Council's proposal . t.V borrow £100,000 for the-purpose of, draii'iig owe lying districts of the borough ml! c'.um before tho ratepayers to-day, wL; u ' the statutory poll will be taken.. , : Tho postal authorities advise that tho Winimera, which is duo to arrive from Sydney- to-day, has on ■ board 136 bags of Australian mails. There is a small "zoo" at theWWy.iglcn Technical School. Various cages,, containing fowls, pigeons, guinea-pigs and the lilrv are kept in the Art class-rooms, foi.'--"Art's Sake." If these animals have experienced any discomfort in their aesthetic environment, they will bo. relieved to hear that, the Society ■ for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has cast a benevolent eye upon them and intends to make a few inquiries into their conditions of life niid general comfort.

.Captain Willis, of Lyttelton, and Mr. W. G. Foster, of the Wellington M-jat Export Company have been appointed to act as assessors with Dr. A. McArthur, S.M.. at the Magisterial inquiry which is to be held at 11 a.m. on Friday into the circumstances -'surrounding tho outbreak' of fire on the .New 'Zealand[''Company's "steamer Turakina. .!.

A deputation from the Wellington, Cricket Association is to wait upon, the- Reserves Committee' of the City Council on' Friday to discuss _ various matter's of .interest and importance' to cricketers. .. . ;

Tlio Valuation Department, is'.now in its new rooms, in tho added wing of the Government Buildings. Only the electric light connections remain to no completed, and it is expected.,that this will bo done to-day. The Treasury officials will, occupy the'rooms just vacated by-tho Valuation .Department until their , own new rooms- are finished , on the floor above. Their stay in borrowed' prdinises is expected to last a fortnight. On the second iloor a portion of the Audit ■Department' is ' now harboured\in the big now room. . . • ' ■'■".•

The alleged laxity in the administration of the licensing laws was fully discussedat a meeting of tho Executive of ;the Petonc No-License Loaguo on Monday-evening, and a vigilance committeo was set up. ' ;

A slip occurred on the Government Railway lino at Mangatainokfli near Pahiatua, as the result of tho heavy rain on, Monday night, and two of the early trains yesterday morning werp delayed an hour or so, pending the removal of tho dobris. The time of 'the mail train, running later, was not affected.

A mooting of tho Teachers' Superannuation Board was held in the Minister's Room, Education Department, Government Buildings,- yesterday morning. Thpre Was a good attendance of members, and the Hoii. 'G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, presided. -TliO: balance-sheet < for the quarter ending September 30 showed that contributions, to the fund totalled £8135. Allowances amounted to £1455, and refunds to members who bad withdrawn, having loft the service, amounted to £183, leaving a balance at September 30 of £48,000. Retiring allowances to several menbors who had reached tho statutory ago for superannuation, advances to widows, and refunds to members who'had left the sorvico constituted tho principal items dealt with at the meeting. ;

Dr. Chappie has given £100 towards the Furnishing Fund of tho Victoria College Women Students' Hostel. In addition to this, the sum of £10 12s. Cd, was laid in contributions on tho. first pile driven oil Monday. Tho amount contributed by the mon students now totals'about £35. Mr. Allan, of tho firm of Mossrs. Veitch and Allan,/ lias promised to supply the furniture at net cost. Consequent upon an article, appearing in the Christchurch "Press," dealing with the case of the unfortunate leper who is isolated on Quail Island, a correspondent to that journal, who signs himself " Duty," and «>> closes his card, has made the following noblo offer in the terms quoted:—"Tho dread disease and its inevitable consequences will no doubt prove a great barrier to'many who would otherwise bo only too glad to help to ulloviatu tho misery and suffering of a fellow mortal. If it is any consolation to those interested in the case to know that a volunteer is not lacking to tiiko charge of tho unfortunate young man, I am willing, .in tho namo of humanity, to undertake all risk so that one. of our number may Hot have to spond his last days unattended and uncared for. , I might sny I'vo had'a medical training which may prove useful, should my ■proffered services bo called into requisition." Mrs. Ethel li, Do Costa, LL.I3. (noo Alhs Kthel It. licnjnmin of Dunoelin), after practising for some yenvs in th.it city, has commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor in No. C Natlian's Buildings, corner Grey ami Fentliorston Streets, Wellington.'Mrs. Do Costa lias the distinction of being the only lady practising at tho Bar in the Dominion. Intending clients can depend on prompt and carafc , '. 'ittentioii at lira. i)e Costa's liimda.

At a sitting of the Upper Hutt S.M. Court, held on Monday, several cases of offences under the School Attendance-Act wore dealt with hy Dr. M'Arthur, S.M. Pines ranging from 2s. to Gs., with costs 75., were inflicted. In one case, a boy, who was under tho caro of a guardian, was 11 years of ago, and had only passed Standard I. \ .

Like most other business men, , tho members of tho Wellington Industrial Associatioa look with a cold oyo of disfavour on the prosent multiplicity of public (holidays, many of which are neither useful nor ornamental. Business is frequently disorganised by these undesirable play-days, they hold, and the result is unsatisfactory and unprofitable to workers and employers alike. , The niattor was discussed ht the mooting of the committeo last night, and it was decided to oxpress'approval of tho Government's proposal to appoint Monday as the recognised day for holidays. A t the same time, tho opinion was expressed that promiscuous holidays should bo stamped out altogether. It would be much better, it was argued, to set aside t wcok, say, soon after Christmas, and roll all tho Saints' Days, etc., into one big carnival, A committee was appointed to consider the whole question. ' "'• ■': '

For some .time past the New, Zealand Industrial Corporation has been dead or dor- , mant. At sovcral of its recent meetings tha committee of the Wellington Industrial Association has discussed tho advisability of talcing steps to tresuEcitato the Corporation and galvanise it.into action again, it bqiug considered that it could bo made a distinctly useful institution.' At a 'meeting of the dustrial Association last night, Mr. F.'' C. Croaso, pi csiding, definite nctipn was, taken. It was rosolved to revive tho Corporation, a Wellington committee, was appointed, and tho secretary (Mr. Allen) was empowered' to request tho other . Industrial Associations'of tho Dominion to set up committees. The usual Visiting Committees wero set up.by the. Association, and two new-members were elected. • r .-.■', ' ; ■ ' • Tho Fire Brigade was called.out,at 10.30 yesterday morning to an' outbreak at No.. 6 Frederick Street. The building and contents were considerably ■ damaged;. vTKe .houso, which was occupied by Mr. John Stevens, alid owned by Mr. William Collier',' Boliltoh,' Vras insured in the Now Zealand office for £175. Tho furniture was uninsured. , -' ...'■',."'''.■ A long-standing. > grievance in ;■ swimming circles was ventilated,at the,annual, meeting of tho Swifts Swimming Club last a niember spoke in strong torms';fGgarding ■the inactivity of tho City . Council in'-tb*' matter of erecting acohcreto wallarouridith* Te Aro Baths. An effort';is to.bo made' to induce the Council to undcrtako the Vork»,.

The team of New. South Wales': Schoolteachers who are to visit Now Zealand on a cricketing tour in December will. be; represented at tho annual conference of .the '.ftaw Zealand Educational Institute, which is to bo held in Auckland. ■ ..

Dining last year, states tlta,/Veterinary; Department report, two' outr broaks. of disease i'i : pigs and cattle ,, respectively, diagnosed as' anthrax, caine under notice. Microscopical examination disclosed' undoubted' cvidenco of the anthrax.; bacilli. In each case the animals, were .on■lands dressed with bono-dust manure. _ ' .'•

There have been several changes in the veterinary staff during the year. Five vetcriliariaus .resigned,' arid two; .meat-inspeotora and ono assistant inspector _ died/ 'Four veterinarians woro appointed to the staff, though one of'them (Mr. fi. A. Reid) has not yet reachedtho Dominion. This officer was a ■member of' tho staff in 1901-3, but Resigned to attend the Pasteur Institute, Paris,. and his previous knowledge .ot conditions here should bte of considerable service.. Altogether twelve now meat-inspectors have been ■ appointed lV tho Dominion, which'lias been rendered largely necessary ,by the increase m abattoirs. ■■■'•■.■■ • ""• ■ ■• ; ■'•