LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 177, 21 April 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

«— —' It is understood that Constable. Simpson, of Thorndon, is to bo placed in charge of the new polios station, which is to bo opened at Day's Bay. The 'enterprising burglar got in some of his fine work during the holidays.' Two houses, one at Thorndon and the other on Wellington Terrace, were broken, into, but nothing of any value was stolen 1 . : It is stated that a considerable amount of betting with juveniles has been indulged in of lato by certain bookmakers. Wo are informed that more than one layer of odds will bo haled before the Magistrate's Court at an' early date to answer charges of betting with infants.' The Associated Hoard of the .Royal Academy and Royal College of Music, London, will hold examinations in theoretical subjects at all centres throughout tho Dominion on Saturday, Juno 6th. Entries closa on May 1, at the Wellington I'iano Co.'s premisesj Lambton Quay. Kntry forms may be obtained''from - all mnsic houses. 1 Jtri, Etliol IT. 89 Oest*, LTj.B. (aw Miai Ethel It. Benjamin, «f Dunedin},'after 'practicing, for some years in th.ik; city, has com. menccil prnctico as a barrister and solicitor in No. C Nathan's Buildings, corner Grey anil Feathorston Streets, Wellington/ Mrs. DeCosta has the distinction of heine tho only lady practising at tho Bar in the Dominion, In. tending'" olienti can depend on'prompt and careful attention at Mr*. Ot Gosta'i hands.

Tlio. Firo Brigade was called out at 8.58 yesterday morning to a small outbreak amongst some gorso in th'a roserve at the top of Ellico Street.

The patient who escaped from the Mount View Mental Hospital last week was found wandering about the wharf on Sunday, and was taken back to Mount View. During his absence from the institution, the man had provided himself -with a change of clothos.

A Press Association telegram from Masterton states that the members of the Fairview Rifle Club entertained the Opaki Rifle Club at Fernridge yesterday. This was the last gathering the Club will hold, as they have decided to throw in thoir lot with Opaki. 1

"I don't know whether the true man comes out or whether it is his worst part. At any rate, this is something horrible." Such was the comment of Dr. M'Arthiir, S.M., yesterday, when dealing with a young man charged with disorderly conduct whilst drunk, and also with having used obscene language. ,

Mr. Sainsbiiry, a Gisborne chess player, sent a biblical excuse for his absence from 'th? Chess Congress yesterdays Without quoting the text, he, referred his friends to Luke xiy, 20. They looked it 1 up, and on rending "I have married a wife, and therefor?) I cannot come," they telegraphed their congratulations.

' A correspondent "Humanity"; tells of "an incident at Wadestown on iFriday last. Ati unfortunate parrot, which, had!escaped from its captivity, with a piece of; chain'[attached to one of it legs, was caught by the chain' in a telephone wire, and'hung there flutter, ing helplessly and buffeted by -the v wind., It was rescued with difficulty by Bome passers-by, and'its appreciation of, the kindly treatment it received at the hands of- its I rescuers was, our corresponcknt states, pathetic to witness. . ' , '

A feeble'old man/ seventy years of age, was found wandering about Jervois Quay by a policeman .at 12.30 . yesterday'.morning.. The night was bitterly cold and choorless, and the old man, who stated that he belonged to Hastings, . said, he had lost himself. He was given a bed at the police station for the night, and yesterday morning was given ah orcler on tho -Salvation Army Hotel. Arrangements are •boing.' made <to provide the old man with a ■ ticket ba'okt to Hastings. ;• .. '• \'

The National Defence League of No\jf Zealand is t,o hold its first conference in Wellington this week,fin Messrs. W; H. Turnbull's rooms in Panama Street. ■ The conference will be opened at 10 a.m: to-day by His Worship the Mayor. The League's objects are to secure the peace of this country and tbo safety 'of its women and children by training . all,.'able-bodied men in the use .of arms; to impress upon the Government the necessity for keeping in the colony rifles and ammunition in sufficient: quantities .to arm such men; to 'procure preference,in employment for those who by personal sacrifice'have rendered themselves oihoiont deionder3- of their country.'

A oonforence of delegates of |,ho various engine; drivers' 'Unions was opened v in. tho Wellington Trados Hall" yesterday morning. Tho delegates presont wore Messrs. J. Haymes (Otago), F.' Ashman' (Canterbury), yJ. tyead (Danuerirko), R.-Russell (Napier), T. Milligan, J. Olivor, and C. Foster (Wejling- ' ton). Mr. Foster'iff as' al'si)' prosy, for: Auok-' land. Mr. Haymes..was elected chairman, and Sir. Oliver secretary'.; It,,was mously decided to form' a federation undor the' title 6f.:'the- New; Zoalan(i;'Federated Engine Drivers'. ;and Firemen's Industrial Association of Workers.,' : The oonforence then .formed itself , into a committee for the purpose of .drafting a oodo ; of. rules.', ', .A social gathering in'cpnrioqtion! with,.the .was held .last evening. . . .;, • .

■ A. few weeks ago, Madame Ada Crossley journeyed to Paris and' saw - Sarah i Beruhardt in her newest' and one of her. most poetic plays—Prince Charming in " La Belle au Dormant" ("The Sleeping Beauty "). Writing to an Australian friend about -the performance, Madame Crossloy says:—"Absolutely wonderful. She i looked- the Prince to perfection, and her voice was ' goldetjer) than ever. The young Princess, too, was a protege of Madame Bernhardtr—very, very clever; and bewitchingly pretty;. The love scones were wonderful, and. the wjiole tiling most poetic." It is highly provable that Madame Bernhardt, who is now rehearsing a version of " FaSist," in whicli she is to play Mophistophelos, will include this new rendering of the old fairy legend in tho repertoire she will bring to Australia for her tour of the Commonwealth next year.

"Passenger" writes the. arrival of car No.'B (which left tha carshed at - about 11.15 yesterday morning), at tho intersection of Pirie Street and Kent Terrace, aft altercation took place between the inotormari and conductor, as to which route the car was to proceed. The 'motorman contended that he,had received; orders to take ( B route, and tho guard that he had boon instructed to got an .Island Bay ticket-box, and go via Courtenay' Place. As. his tickets would not: be the right ones for B route; tho ciir went via Vivian Street.; It'is; not to draw attention to the difference 'of opinion between- those in charge of the car, but to exonerate them from any; blame in the matter, as it is the official or officials, who give contradictory orders to the men at the shed. Now, I wonder if it is not time that the best traffic manager obtainable was prooured, one who has had experience in the management of a large tramway service. ■Then Buch mistakes as occurred this morning would not happen, as : when. orders i aro issued to: men in charge of. cars ' they' would both receive the same directions." • ■ ' No one (the Hon. G. Fowldstold a "Liyttelton Times" interviewer) who had not actually \seen the native schools could appreciate the work they were ; doing. The teachers were applying themselves to their work with magnificent enthusiasm, and were achieving results that, were of the utmost value to the country.' They were giving of their very best to tho children, not''only teaching theni to read and write and to turn these accomplishments to the best account, but also training them in habits of order and cleanliness and industry. There was scarcely one native school among the ones he visited which could not be set up in thoso respects as an examplc to tho Jiuropean .schools. "The floors and desks and walls of almost all the schools I saw would .bo a credit to any secondary school in Canterbury. Tho teachers seem to have iiifofcted the children with thoir enthusiasm, and they are working togethor in a way that promises tho very , best results. Nothing that ; I have •eeii.on my travels lias pleased re more. I am beginning to feel that in the matter iof education, at any rate, we are d«ing our duty to the native race. Upon.this part of our native policy," he added emphatically, " there can bo no two opinions. The children must have the boat education and the wi&t opportunities we can give them," . ... < „