LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 151, 20 March 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Customs; revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted to £2249 14s. id. i:

On Saturday morning Mr. Justice Chapman .will pass sentence on tho following prisoners: Ronald Grant Gilbert, alias' Geo. Moore, breaking, entering, and theft at Wellington; Sullivan' Matthews, .breaking, entering, and theft at Eketahuna.

Tho tender of Mr.' H. H. Knight has boon acccpted for the erection of additions to the Now town Free Publio. Library. The contract prico is £4495. Othor tenders received were as - follow:—R. J ...and E. A. Grimmett, £3835; James Trevor and Son, Ltd., £5021; W. J. Parsons, £5467; Henry Ranson, £4888; A., Seamer, £5145 ss.

Telegraphic business was delayed last evening through the gale interfering with tho wires, but the telegraph staff made-the bost of a difficult job. Between Wellington and tho Hutt a couple of wires came down, and business with the north was further interrupted through four wires failing between Wellington and Otaki between D.30 and 10.30 p.m.

It is understood that tlie cruiser Pioneer, of the Australian Squadron, which is now at Hobart, t will arrivo in Wellington in April, and remain till May. The visit is in connection with the cruiser's duty as the training-ahip of tho Squadron in Now Zealand watert. The Pioneer is also expected to visit Auckland in June, July, and August. Lyttelton will be visited iii September, and Ootober, and Dunedin in November and December. 1 • 1 '>

Thorp were 127 • violent deaths in New Zealand during 1907, 95 of which were classed as accidental.' Eight of those latter were caused by fractures, and 17 by falls. In four cases, deaths,resulted from tho de'ceased'being run over by a train, three by being struck by tram-car, three crushed by dray, truck, etc., two while getting off tramcar in motion, and thrco by an accident at tho Auckland Dock. Nino deaths were from burns or. scalds, 16 by drowning, 12 by suffocation, ono by poisoning; besides four from accident'at birth, and 13 others. Four deaths were classified as homjeido. Of 28 suicides, eight wero by shooting, two by cutting throat, eight by poison, four by hanging, four by drowning, and two others.

Chimneys on fire wero responsible for two alarms yesterday.

Tho list of successful tenderers for the supply of stores to the Railway Department for tho next threo years occupies some thirtyfour pages in this week's Gazette. 1

" Vague evidence is worthless," observed Judge Sim during the hearing of tho Wharf Labourers' dispute yesterday. "Why don't tho Unions collcct statistics. I think that is the least that they might do."

" Ayhen an application for a new award is being made," remarked Judge Sim yesterday, "it is not necessary to cover nil the ground that was gone over at tho time tho existing award was made. i What is required is evidence in support of grievances which have arisen."

On behalf of tho omployers, it was argued, during tho hearing of the Wharf Labourers' dispute at the Arbitration Court yesterday, that steady coal workers could, under present conditions, earn from £IGO to £2CO per annum. The earnings of ono man totalled £226 last year.

At tho annual meeting of tho Trades and Labour Council last ovening the election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. W. H. Hampton; vice-prcsidcnt, Mr. G. H. Lightfopt; secretary, Mr. W- H. Westbrooke; minute secretary, Mr. B. Conchio; tre&suror, Mr. M. Ames; trustees, Messrs. D. M'Laren and 0. Foster; librarian, Mr. A. Carter'; management oommitteo, Messrs. A. Parlane, W. Noot,. A. Bloch, E. Burton, and D. M'Laren.

Mr. P. 'M. Page, for some time in the service of tho Defence Department as confidential clerk to Major Hume (commanding the R.N.Z.A.J, is . severing his' connection with the Department in order to enter into private business at Fox ton, and was yesterday presented by Tiis comrades of the Permanent Artillery with a handsome case of pipes and a cheque, as a''token of their regard.. Major Humo /mado the'presentation with an appropriate speech, to: which Mr. Page suitably replied.

Mr. Stidolph, hon. secretary of tho "Wellington Branch Royal.Now Zealand Association of H.M. Veterans, states with regard to tho benefit to be given by the Mountebank Dramatic: Club in aid of the Veterans' Homo (Auckland), that this is not connected with l tho Royal Zealand Association of H.M. Veterans of Wellington—who are to be given a benefit by the Thespian Club on July 14 and 15 in the Opera. House:—in aid of their bpnpvoleiit fund, which !is ' for yeterans in sickness and distress. >

Several of the witnesses called in support of the claims, of the workers in the Wharf Labourers' dispute; winch , was partially hoard by .tho Arbitration Court yesterday, stated that they sometimes ; worked long periods ' at a. stretch. One witness declared that in view of the fact that six or seven hundred men might bo required ono day, and only fifty the next; an employeo had to take, work, whenever it offered. Another witness' stated that one' occasion lie worked for G4J' hours with intervals only for meal hours. V' . v.

A lad, fourteen years of ago, was brought before Mr. Riddell, S.M., yesterday .in' tho Juvenile Court, charged with having stolen £1 18s; Irom a resident,, of .Kilbjrnio., ■ Thp boy was committed to the Bumham industrial School.. Three children of. tender years, who wore without means' .of subsistence,were committed to' receiving homes. 1 Tlie Wellington' Master Bakers' Association met last evening, but nothing was done respecting the adoption of the coupon'system of purchasing bread;'-' The meeting was postr poned for a/fQrtnight to allow time to" enquire into,-tho ,liest system' of issuing the proposed cash coupons. ' i

Tho ]|ire Brigado received a call by teley phone last, evening at 7.20 o'clock to a .fl.ro at No. 11 Windsor ; Place (oft • Ghuzneo Street). Tho chouse, a small two-storied,, six-roomed building, was well alight, when the Brigade arrived on the scene, and the reflection,'was lighting up the whole of the Terrace. - At one;time it.looked as if, with the high wind,'a considerable fire would result, but tho Brigade was able, fortunately, to avert this. 1 The', with- all its contents, was destroyed. The occupants were Mr. John Christopher and family. The contents' were uninsured. People who wero in the house at the time stated that the origiji was somewhere in the. second, story. An adjoining liouso occupied by Mrs. Lena Beddell had a portion of the roof and passage damaged by fire, and a small quantity of water gained admittance.

During the hearing of the Wharf Labourers' dispute at tho Arbitration Court , yesterday, Judge Sim asked Mr. M'Laren, tho secretary of the Union,- whether , the . employees would accept an award based, on the Lyttelton award. Upon a reply in the negative having been given, His Honour observed: "You are citing only those clauscs in' the Lyttelton award which suit the employees, and rejecting others which appear to be disadvantageous. 'Why can't you accept the provisions as a whole P" Mr. M'Laren: "Because the conditions are dissimilar." His Honour: "In what way? You have told us only that the cost of living in Wellington is from 20 to 25 per cent.i higher than in Christ-church." Mr. M'Laren: "Well, for ono tiling, • tho, method of coaling at Wellington is different." His Honour.: "It seems to me that you were much better off when you were without an award." Mr. McLaren: "We arc seeking to regain in' a peaceful way what was lost at the time -of the strike." 1

Is it tho policy of the Government to use the frontages of railway stations for the purposes of advertising hoardings? Judging by Wellington's noble station at Thorndon Quay, one would easily conclude that tho persons responsible were strangers to all aesthetic decency, for the front elevation is plastered with all manner of advertisements —brandy and whisky advertisements for preference—from end to end. Te Aro railway station, though not situated in nearly so good an. advertising quarter, 1 already has a cognac, whisky, and sarsaparilla advertisement disfiguring its front, and it is only a matter of time when the building it-self will be obscured by gaudy disquisitions on Fakemy's, Soap and THngamy's Pure Teas. Why the. front of railway stations should be used in: this manner is difficult to imagine, and if it is held to bo a legitimate means of raising revenue, why not arrango to let advertising space on tho front of the Government Buildings, the Customhouse, and other Governmental. structures in the city. It' is making an invidious distinction to allow advertising on some, and not on other, publio buildings.

Mrs. Ethel R. do Cosia, LL.B. (nee Miss Ethel K. Benjamin, of Dunedin), after practising for some years in that: city, hns'commonced practice as a barrister npd solicitor in No. 8 Natlian's' Buildings, corner Grey arid Fentliersfon Streets,' Wellington! ' Mra. De Coßta has tho distinction of being the only lady practising at the Bar in the Dominion. Inj tending clients con depend on prompt and [careful attention at Mrs. De Costa's hands.

The Hutt County Council will sue for all rates outstanding after March 31.

This morning the Arbitration Court will continue the hearing of the Wharf Labourers' dispute. In the aftei-noon the hearing of the Bakers' dispute will be commenced.

The chiof causes of death in Wellington during t-lio year ended December 31 were:— Cancer (50), phthisis (45), heart disease (51), apoplexy (25), pneumonia (23). Old age accounted for 51' deaths.

" All the men who stand about on the wharf do not want work," observed one of tho witnesses for the- 'Wharf - Labourers' Union yesterday. Some men go,down to tho wharves simply to gossip. Others," again, join the groups of workers, so\ that i thq polico will nci "yag" tktai.

. It not infrequently happens that in crossexamination answers which dp not support the claims .of the side by whom th# witness i 3 called are elicited. During: tho hearing of tho Wharf Labourers' dispute yesterday one of tho witnesses for the Union stated in reply to a representative for the employers that the conditions in tho clause of tho Union's demands relating to the carrying of coal would be unworkable in the case of vessels where long distances' had to bo traversed.

Tha premises of Messrs. J. Pierard anil Co., manufacturing jewellers, of Lambtpn Quay, were entered on Wednesday night, and a considerable quantity of jowellery was stolen. The thiof or thieves entered at the .back of the shop.' An unsuccessful attempt i»s enter the same premises was made eight or ten days ago. The method then adopted, was to gain access first to -the;rear of an adjoining shop through a window, .then to' pierce the wall into Messrs Pierard and Co.'s. . . '' i

"You are not speaking.by the card," observed Judge Sim yesterday to a witness, for the. Wharf Labourers' Union who stated that during the past three years tho cost of living in Wellington had increased between 30 per cent, and 40 per cent.. Continuing; His Honour remarked that -the increaso had not amounted to more than 20 ' per cent, during tho,whole period . tho arbitration system had been in force. " Statisticians' say otherwise," submitted Mr. M'Laren, secretary to the Union. ; "I am 'nformed otherwise than by statisticians,", rqjoined His Honour.

As the outcome of Palmnrston .being selected as the site f<jr the'dairy, school, Levin residents, who had been expecting that the Government. experimental farm at .Wereroa would bo used for the purpose, are advocating that that property be'' now put to better use than at present. A meeting of townspeople and district .residents, is to. be held at Levin on Saturday evening; and it is probable that a resolution will be passed asking the Government to either cut the Stilts firm up, and use it , for settlement, or utilise it to better i.advantage .than at; present. • Tho farm comprises 800 .acres ,of the best- land in. t-he locality, and its • subinto 50 to-100 aero sections would assist the advancement, of fc-evin. - Another point adyonced is that 'this large area does not yield rates. ■- -':.y--V'

A few weeks ago a deputation of 'farmers waited' on the Hon. ■ W. •• Hall-Jones (Minister for Public Works), and, objected to the utilisation of the Ohau River for a high pressure water, - supply- for , Levin.- . /Tho grounds of-the'objection' ivero.. that- their riparian rights-' would he 1 " affected .by the, lowering of the waters of the river. Tho Minister obtained a report from Mr. -Holmes (Engineer-in r Chief), . and thq latter states that the quantity, of- water , that is ever, likely to'be used in Levin in a; legitimate manner would make practically .no difference in the quantity of water available for. irrigation. Mr. Holmes continued that there was a suitable spot ; in the valley of the Makapika (a northern tributary of- the Ohau) for ■a - small. dam to provide a watei'r supply for Levim This spot -was about ,400 feet above Levin, so that -if a good-sized main (say nine inches in diameter) 'were laid from, there to the town, a working pressure of about 1201b. per square' inch could be relied on. ' ' ~V' \

: ' The following letter has'been sent, by the local branch of the Navy League, through Lord Plunket, to Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Pooro, C.V.0., the new Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Squadron:—"Sir,— The -"Wellington branch of the Navy League desiro to extend a hearty welcome to you on your taking over the'* command of the Australian Squadron; and trust that aK no distant date you will .pay 'a visit to -this port. The presence of a .warship here, particularly. one flying tiie flag of an Admiral, is a, never-ending source of interest to the local people, and helps the League greatly in its endeavour : to • educate public opinion to a full appreciation of the necessity of maintaining British naval supremacy. Thera are 1500 juvenile adherents of the Loaguo here. By the dissemination of suitable literature, the boys and girls are interested in n'aval history, and are taught to realise the privileges and responsibilities jf British citizenship. The youiig people look forward keenly to tho visit of H.M.'s ships. —We are, etc., T. W. Hislop, president of Wellington branch of the Navy League; Cecil W. Palmer, lion, secretary."

: The wind blew bitter cold down the rainswept city street, and . pedestrians pulled 'their, coat collars up and met one another 'with.' such greetings' as .-"Rotten : weather.?" Paper boys slunk into doorways, and thought of the inhospitable nights to come, while business men hurried homeward, building hopes of blazing hearths and snug armchairs. All this occurred in tho winter hours of yesterday afternoon, when the hot blazing days and waterless tanks of a. few weeks ago seemed a fable as ancient as the Arabian Nights. There was quo familiar figuro trudging homeward in the rain who seemed to.be a part of a brighter, warmer world— the ice-cream man. Surely, there was no business for him in such, weather 1 .The thought iVas hardly thought, when a youngster, blue with cold, pulled '-Mr. I. Scream's" coat-tail, and . chattered " Tco cream, please I" Always ready, to oblige, the man pulled up, lifted a metal, lid from an invisible receptacle, seized a little pink holder, and ladled into it a spoonful of yellow stuff that had no place in the Nimrod's diotary. The youngster glued: it to his lips, and went off sucking up frozen sugar as eagerly as if the thermometer wore standing at 90 in the shade. Another boy could not resist the example, and he had a "creamie," in between selling papers' with half-frozen hands: The ice-cream habit among, tho gamins of the street appears to be as irresistjblo as the whisky habit is to the toper, and afternoon tea to the ladies;

All ladips desiring to. beautify their lialr, also render it glosaj and in Rood condition for tho rariouß' balls, etc., during the comirij; season should now 1 book appointments' with Mrs. ltolleston, Hair Physician, of 3 Willis Street (over Carroll's). Courses of treatment, lricludiiiK necessary lotions, from 30s. Advice free. Tel. 1599 •

Mr. Justice Chapman will hold a' sitting in Chamber? at 10.30 o'clock this morning. According to the estimated population on which the Registrar-General (Mr. E. J. Von Dadelszon) bases .his vital statistics for last year in the current week's Gazette, tho population of Wellington and suburbs (exc'uding Petone and'tho-Hutt) is only 827 short of-the population of Auckland and suburbs. ' .

Tho contract for the Western Hutt bridge, to bo erected across tho Hutt River at Camp Road, (about half-way .between tho Lower Hutt Station and Belmont), has been'secured, by Mr. Dawson, of Pahiatua, at a figure approximating £ISOO. Tho cost' oif tho bridge is , being borpo. by tho Government, the Borciir,! Council, and tho landowners who will, benefit

Tho structure will be adapted for light traffic. Messrs. Pinny, Bennett, and Loos, wero' appointed to canvass the 'landowne>rtt Mr. F, J. Pinny ooilecfced the following, subscription's:—W. Brown, £5 55.; Bunny ; Pethcrick, and Ayson, £1 Is. ; F. JT. Pinny's £10 10s.'; H. Kingston, £10; • Dr. Pomare, £5; D. Speedy, £2;, J.;,Mitchell, .£5 55.; Boulfcon, Zohrab, an'd Blundell, £10; C. T. Jfatusch, £5 55.; Johnson, £3 35..