LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 132, 27 February 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

' The Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted to £7509 Is. " Jf all wo licar is correct, wo maj shortly have to appoint a new Superintendent of the Fire Brigade," said the Mayor at the Council meeting, last night. - The Wellington Navy League has decided to devote £12 to the purchase of books to bo presented as prizes to school (children. Local schoolmasters, aro being consulted as to.tho competitions for theso prizes. His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman yesterday observed that, owing to tho largo number of cases set down for hearing at tho forthcoming . periodical sittings of the Supremo Court at Gisborne — tho civil'cases number thirteen — tho sittings at Nelson would liavo to bo postponed, probably until March 23. ' Tile Coroner's inquest conccrning the death of Angus M'Kiniion, a scamon, who fell overboard during tho last trip of tho Wnrrimoo from Sydney to Wellington, will bo held this morning at 11 o'clock. Tho inquiry was to have been held yesterday afternoon, but was adjourned owing to the noil-arrival of the, Worrimao from Sydney.,

A sitting.in Chambers will bo held Honour Mr. Justice Button this morning. The City Council, at a special meeting last night, adopted, with formaj amendments, the proposals in regard to tho leases of its endowment lands at Mangahao, Pahiatua, as set out in last Monday's issue of Tee Dominion. ' The representatives of tho Stonemasons' Union and tho employers have agreed, without tho necessity- of appealing to tho Conciliation Board or tho Arbitration Court, to an increaso of wages,' and to forego tho claim for preference. Lieutenant Glendinning, of D Battery, has received permission to attend gun praetico with H Battery. This is in accordance with a scheme instituted a few months ago, which provides for artillery officers visiting other' districts in order to gain experience. A' meeting of representatives of Unions affiliated to tho Trades Council was held last night, when proposals for tho establishment of a paper devoted to labour interests was discussed. The proceedings were chiefly confined to a consideration of ways and means. ■ In a general order by tho Council of Defence attention is drawn to tho fact that there seems to be doubt as to tho duties or work for bands at field or Easter manoeuvres.It is suggested thnt they should- bo practised as stretcher-bearers, also in first-aid duties to their corps; where this is not practicable they should augment tho.field hospital and bearer corps.

At . a riieeting of creditors in the estate, of Philip' Henry Gosse, carrier, of tho Lower Hutt, .held in tho Official Assignee's office yesterday, the resolution passed 'at a previous meeting, to accept a composition •of £950 for tho unsecured debts upon certain terms, was confirmed. Slight alterations were agreed -upon respecting tho realisation of tho estate. T[io terms of settlement agreed upon will bo referred to tho Supreme Court. With reference to the "Daily Mail ""Overseas Empire Day shooting competition, full particulars of which wero published. in The Dominion of February 14, it is stated in general orders by the Council of Defence that Major J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., superintending officer for - rifio - clubs, will issue the 'necessary details. .-All correspondence on this subject is to be addressed to him at "Headquarters, Wellington.". A meeting, of t tho directors of-the Press "Association will be held "at Napier to-morrow. On March 4, a; meeting of subscribers to the Association will be held in tho same town, 'and it will be followed on tho next day by a meeting of-tho Newspaper Proprietors'.Association. '■ ..Messrs., G. 'Fenwick.. ("Otago Daily Times"), G. G. Stead (Christchurch " Press L. Bluiidell (Wellington), and W. G . A tack (mariager -.of the Press Association) leavo Wellington to-day for Napier'. At the Hospital "Board meeting yesterday statements that had been made the previous, meeting,, regarding an alleged; reluctance'tb receive Maoris at the Otaki Hospital unless they, paid the foes, were taken strong exeep-' tion to,', and it was resolved that it be left : in the hands of .the Chairman and Mr. R. C. Kirk .to obtain a full statement from the officials as' to the number. of Natives that have been in, the hospital for; the last twelve months, and to mako such particulars public;.:,. ; .. . ■*. ''• < It is stated that officers of tho Union Company's. steamers, are going to -support'.'the temperance party in their .efforts to abolish packet licenses on coa'stal, traders, owing to a certain clausoM'n tho'Act passed last session .not meeting, with their..approval.,. The portion of the new Act complained of. is Subsection B of Sectioii' 4, whicli reads as follows"No liquor shall bo sold,, supplied, or given .on board any such vessel by any person ,to any, officer or member, of tho'crew 6f such vessel' without the written authority of tho master!"

, About forty members of tho Wellington Accountant"Students' Society diverted themselves last night by holding in the Chamber of Commerce hall a,mock meeting , of. sharer holders in;:a limited liability company. - Mr:' J. S. Barton represented the chairman of directors, 1 Mr. A. J. Petherick the secretary, and Messrs. C. B. Robertson and W. Harrington . other dignitaries; of the imaginary company. An amusing discussion took place on a unique annual report and balance-sheet, and in -connection with the election of officers.. Tho Hon. J. Barr,' M.L.C., of Christchurchy president of the Workers' Political Association, has written'to tho Minister for Education. conveying a resolution-passed by tho Exeeutivo of the. Association, that it is desirable that tliere should be women sitting as.assistants with Mr.'H. W. Bishop, S.M., during .'the inquiry ( in connection with Te Oranga Home. It is felt that not only would tho presence of tho members of their own . sex inspire, confidence in thoso young women who might ; be : brought forward to give evidence, but questions might be suggested by women which would entirely escapo tho male .mind.. There is quite an exodus of'tho resident Judges from Wellington at the present time. The Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) has left to resume the presidency of tho Native Land Commission, which will hold sittings, in the Auckland district during tho nextfew weeks. Mr. Justice Cooper is conducting sittings at Wanganui, and subsequently will, proceed to Napier to hold sittings there. Mr. Justice Chapman leaves Wellington this afternoon to take the periodical at Gisborne, and Mr. Justico Button, 'whoso term of office as a temporary Judge expires at the end of this month, leaves Wellington. <for Aucklandthis afternoon. For a week (or, perhaps, longer), commencing on .Friday, the business of tho Court at' Wellington .will be conducted by His Honour Mr. Justico Edwards,' who 'will subsequently take the sittings at New Plymouth. .<

The Government steamer Hinemoa,: which arrived from Westport yesterday, is timed to sail at 3 a.m. to-day for Tho Brother] Lighthouse, to land stores and now. lightkeepers.. .Thence.'she proceeds 'to Stephen's Island to land Mr. Scott, lighthouso expert,, who is to instal incandescent burners to replace: the old-fashioned ones. Several persons will then bo conveyed to Tata Island, which tho Government aro: acquiring. They represent tho Government and tho present owners of the island, and an inspection will bo raado so as to onable them to collect ovi-' denco for the compensation case which is to bo held 6arly in March. Tho. island is said to contain valuablo limestono and i other mineral deposits. It was for a period worked by tho Marlborough Cement, Lime, arid Coal Company, now in liquidation. Tho Government; intend procuring from tho island material for harbour works and other purposes. Mrs. Etliol E. Do Costa, LL.B. (neo Miss Rtlicl R. Benjamin, of Dunedin), after practisinp; for some; years in that city, has commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor in No. G Nathan's Buildings, corner Grey and Featherston Streets, Wellington. Mrs. Do Costa has tho distinction of . being the only lady practising • at. tho Bar in tho Dominion. In- . it'iiUinp clienta can depend on prompt and careful attention at Mrs. Ue Cocta's hands.

Reserved judgment will bo delivered to-day by His Honour Mr. Justico Chapman in the Ohiro.Bay case, Baylis v. Carroll. A conference of officers of tho Salvation Army witli Commissioner M'Kie, head of the Army for.: Australasia, will bo commenced today, and ' will, continue all, day to-morrow. Tho conference-will bo of a private nature. His Honour. Mr. " Justice Chapman will 1 hear argument this • morning relative to . motion to set aside an interim injunction restraining Mrs. Arini. Donnelly and others from .driving stock on- to tho South Waimarama run, Hawko's ]3av, which, is in the occupation of Miss Gertrude Alice Meinertzhagen. At last night's meeting of the City Council Councillor Ballinger said-ho noticed that Mr.J. G. Harkness, speaking at tho Harbour Board meeting, had stated that tlio' Council was selling water'to the Borough'of .Onslow at ninep'enco per thousand-gallons:' His own impression was that tho prico'was ono. shilling per thousand. Tho Mayor said'the point was. of 110 particular importance; but 1 inquiry would bo mado. >> . ■ . * The Public Servico Superannuation. B.oard hns adopted resolutions for ■ thoi'-'workiiig of the scheme. The Board hh3,.,referred to Cabinet the question of' tho to bo .returned frqjn tho insuranco -by the Public Trustee to civil servants'-who'-transfer, from the compulsory insurance scheme .to!,the; superannuation fund. Cabinet 11: ; bo-".re-. quested to formulate the' conditions..relating, to the cash payments to-be madoVto -cout-ri-, butors under the insurance scheme.-'- , It was stated at last night's meeting of't-he. City Council that tho Order-in-Comtcjl \for ; the abolition of the Wellington. Firo.''B.oard v ; had been prepared, and was only waiting c for, tho signature of the Governor. Councillor Biss gave; notice to move at tho next m'eeti J ing: "That a committeo of five'members.of' the Council'be set up to deal with all tors' affecting the Eiro Brigades of the'citjt; such committee; to submit a comprohehsivo'v report within six weqk-s of tlio requirements: of the brigades, more especially with regard, to station plant and men.'-' There are about one thousand Natives in 1 Wanganui and other districts interested in tho, first meeting of the Maori Association, whicli-was held-, there on Monday.The business consisted of the election of officers, 'which resulted..as follows :- — . President,. Te Heu Heu Nikeno;:'forty vice-prcsidents, representing district; branches ; ■ secretary and treasurer,- Charles. I'ajata. The headquarters of'tho Association are to be at Wellington,' where the next meeting will be held during the session: The Executive Committee, has. also been/appointed from Native chiefs' and intelligent young Natives .of education in the various districts. The Maoris are: taking • great interest in the movement:

'(Some attempt has been mado in tho New Zealand Press to identify the missing English baronet, Sir Genille-Cave-Browne-Cave, with •the latb Colonel Wilmot Cave-Browne-Cave, who • resided for-many, years at Motupipi, near Takaka, in tho Nelson province, and whoso widow ..is now Jiving in Wellington.' ,Tho late Colonel Cave-Browne-Cave was a re-, tired offioer' of' tlitr Indian Army, and had served with distinction in tho China wars! He was first cousin; to'tho late Sir Mylles. Cave-Browne-Caye, father of tho missing Sir Gonillo,- who only succeeded to tho baronetcy a few months ago, and; who'is' generally be- | lievod to bo somewhere, in America. Tho family is a very old one of Gorman', descent. :' Specifications .have' been, prepared'; for-the approval, of the Commonwealth 'PostmasterGeneral; calling' for tenders to instal . wireloss telegraphy. It is proposed to fix an installation at Promantle, arid to establish communication between a point in Queensland and Papua. At a later date new conditions will be drawn up for. linking Tasmania, and Victoria. Premantle has beep, chosen instead of. Rottriest. The system, is, intended to bo used more': particularly l in with the, new English mail contract. The Postal Departriient. is working in conjunction with tho Defence' Department in 'determining'the general conditions -. ' In / the : . course of a conversation with a Christchurch '■'} Press " :reporter, Commissioner M'Kie, of: the' Salvation Army, stated that the Army in Australasia had now ninety institutions under its control, thirty-four of which had been opened since he .took over the command- six and a "half years ago. "It takes £100,000 a year to maintain these in--'stitutiousj" declared, ; " and tho people who pass through ..or, .benefit by them -earn 85. per cent, of that* amount. This, leaves 15 per cent, to be secured by any little" capitation ,wo get from the Government, 'or dmtions, that may come to us from our own folks, or, outside. If anyone can do better social work- than that let him have a try.". !

Consideration of no less than 260. questions in regard, to. railway, work, will .form 1 one division of the enormous; programme to, bo dealt with at tho biennial conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants,'which will commence its; -session in tii Oddfellows' Hall -to-day.i It is expected •that■ tho: conference' will bo'j occupied for; a week with questions dealing with the railway ..service—rate. of wages, running ,• of trains, and kindred,'matters 'and for a second week' with questions -affecting the Society es an organisation. A preliminary meeting- will 'bo held at 10 a.m. to-day, to decide the order of business. • Tho question of the control of : tho official Review is likely, it is said, to produco a lively discussion,, but this'will probably not take place until tho second week. As regards tlio departmental questions for - consideration, the conferenco will afterwards place its /recommendations before tho Minister '.in an. ..interview. Tho conference, consists of nineteen delegates altogether, in addition- to the President and General .Secretary, but not all the delegates will be present. '

As the result of an organising tour of the Canterbury district by Mr. Ei J. Carey, secretary of tho Wellington .Cooks' and Waiters' Union, tho Canterbury Hotel and Restaurant - Employees' Union,: 'with a membership' of fifty-six, has been -formed.'. Tho Union, of which tho iHon. V T. 13arr, M.L.C.j is president, and Mr-., R. S.. Bailejy of the Christchurch Trades' Council, is temporary -secretary,.'has held its. first .meeting, and is now well-established. The condition, of tho workers in this 1 particular trado, said Mr. Carey to an. interviewer, sijood in need of improvement. Although in somo of tho. smaller hotels, tho workers received higher wages than thoso provided for in the Wellington'award, tho hours in all hotels wero long, especially in tho larger' hotejs. From thirteen, to fourteen. hours a day appeared to bo the averago number of hours,' worked. ! Tho .statutory' half-holiday was'much appreciated and gtncrally well observed., With regard to the registry office for hotel workers coilductcd by tho Licensed Victuallers' Association, ho believed it was the 'intention of tlio Association to discontinue tho office; alto- i gether in tho near future. • Lalest Picture' Cards, Hutt Valley Sports, Y.M.C.A. Swimming Sports, and Star' Boating Club events, at Zak'« Photo Dc.pot, 2i WillisStveet (4d. each).