LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 241, 4 July 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Conciliation Board will hear. ovidenco at Wanganui in tho Engineers' disputo on Monday.

Mr. J. Doyle, City Inspector, states that on account of the short supplies of fruit only two or three street hawkers applied for stands at the monthly distribution yesterday.

In addition to thoso classes of Wellington Harbour Board employees, who were granted increases of wages and salaries at the last mooting of the Board, a number of other sections of tho staff have now petitioned for similar consideration.

Tha Patent Slip Sub-Committee of tho Wellington Harbour Board met yesterday morning and decided to ask the'delegates of tho Patent Slip Company to meet tnom on Tuesday or Wednesday next in order to continue the negotiations for the purehaso of the Slip by tho Board.

Tho ■ Firo Brigade was called out at 2.45 yesterday afternoon to a slight outbreak of fire at the Opera House. A little daisago was done to tho flooring in a passage off ono of tho ■ dressing-rooms at the back of the stage. The fire is supposed to havo been caused through rats setting some matchos alight.

The present labour crisis is to bo fully discussed at a meeting of employers of labour, called by the Wellington Employers' Association, at the Mssonie Hall on Tuesday night. All employers aro' invited to bo present. The Arbitration Act proposals and tho bakers' strike will be dealt with, and speeches will be delivered.

The consulting engineer of the City Council's Gasworks Acquisition Committee has been instructed to droTT up a .report on the whole question of the proposed acquisition of the property of the Wellington Gas Company by tho City Corporation. The Coinmany's directorate havo been requested to afford the engineer every facility in carrying out tho work. :

Tho carrying away of the storm water caused by tho rains has given a good'deal of . trouble to suburban residents. Another complaint is that springs havo brokon out in a number of backyards. Those_ troubled by theso inroads asked for the aid of tho Council officials, but tho Courioil can do nothing when the atprm water and springs occur on privato property, and tho owners must do the necessary work themselves.

An snjineer named A. Shipcott, aged 31, and a natrr® of Borland, disappeared from the steamer Ruapshu between 11.15 on Thursday evening, and 6.45 yestgrday morning. He was seen to como on bo*rd. but when the second engineer Trent to call him in tho morning he could not bo found. Last night, a sailor named Joyce, of tho Janio Soddon, picked up a eap in tho harbour, with the New Zealand Shipping Company's badgo on it. The second enginocr states that ho has no doubt that the cap belonged to Shapcott. Nothing further has been heard, of tho man. .

. The annual dinner of tho Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Show was held in tho Arcadia Hotel last evening, between forty and fifty exhibitors, judges, and mombers attending;, The chair was. occupied ,by tho vice-president, Mr. D. Murphy. After the toast of "Tho King" had been honoured, Mr. W. G. Grenside proposed the health, of the visitors, who, he was glad ; to see, were present in such numbers. In meeting together thoy were able to compare notes, ■and ideas that were certainly benofici«l to breeders, and the shows in different parts of the country. Messrs. M'Gregor, Ross, and Merrick responded. Other toasts honoured wero "The Wellington Society," "The Judges," "The Specialist Clubs, and "The Press." Messrs. Donaldson, Twohill, and other contributed to tho harmony ' of tho evening.

Mr; A. H. Guthrio presided at a meeting called yesterday for the purpose of forming a Magpie Pigeon Club. Local members and outsido representatives attended in good' numbers. The convener (Mr. Gutnrie) stated that ho had received a very largo number of replies to his circular, all of a most oncouraging order. The meeting decidod that it was desirable to form a club, and oleoted officers pro torn. as follows:—' President, Mr. G. A. Macquario (Nelson), secretary Mr. A. H. Guthrie, committee Messrs. T. R. Boyes, Gardiner, E. S. Falk, H. W. Littlejohn, and F. H. Stairmand. It is tho intention of tho Executive to consider tbp constitution, draft of rules,, subscription, etc., and to report at a future dato, when it is intendod to take a ballot of all members in tho matter of tho appointment of a permanent executive. , Owing to tho ever-increasing number of subscribers to tho Telephone Lxchango, tho present • form of shoet lists is to giyo way to the more convenient Telephone Directory to bo issued shortly by the Post and Telegraph Department, on similar linos to the book list publishod some time ago, which mot with much favour by tho business men and tho public generally. In addition to tho alphabetical portion being indexed.in a manner to make rapid reference possible, tho numerical and classified'portions will be added—a much-needed system, which was greatly appreciated in the experimental publication somo two years ago. Tho directories will bo issued every six months, and kept up-to-dato by means of a supplementary page, ■ specially adapted for fixing in the book; tnese will be issued by the Department as ucccssary. The 'telephone lists in book form should prove a welcome improvement on tho present sheet list. Advantages in. favour of the book system will be that thework is up-to-date to tho time of publication, and tho numbers of subscribers in rotation will be appondad at the end.

There is now' a prospect of tho most valuable portion of tho Groy Collection at the Auckland Free Public Library being housed in a fireproof annexe. The librarian has reported to tho Library Committee'that . a building 16 feat wido, 20 feet long, and 15 feet high would accommodate all MSS., valuable books and show-cases, and the comraitteo has expressed to the City Council the hope that the now annexe for tho _ more valuable portion of tho • collection will be a fire-proof building capable of exhibiting the collection and not merely a strong-room. At the present time a westerly depression is moving across Now Zealand bringing with it an unusually low barometer. Mr. Cljeesoman, of tho Auckland Museum, explained to a "Herald", representative on Thursday that theso, westerly depressions, which are truo cyclones, did not last longer than four or . five days in ordinary circumstances,: but the peculiarity of this particular atmospheric visitor was that it had already extended its stay ovor a week, and there were no signs at present of its passing away. During the whole of this period, the barometer has remained porsistently low, ranging from 30.37 to 30.5 reduced to sea-level. The probabilities aro that in a few days the wind will voer to tho southward, tho glass will riso, aiid fino weather will be experienced.

A speciality of Hair and Scalp Treatment is ■made by Mrs. Rollcstou. Ladies troubled with falling hair, dandruff, or any scalp complaint should call for advico (gratis) tit her ■ rooms, •first itoor, 3 Willis Street, over Carroll's, or telephono appointment 1599. Personal attention, only. Certificated. C7S9 Crescent Brand Toa brews a strong rieh *.awny liquor, with a fine smooth toxturo, and laves the palate most agreeably. It has a distinct and delicious flavour, and is tho most favoured for tho morning cup of toa. The quality and flavour of Crescent Brand Tea never vary. Tho samo to-day aa it' was yesterday, and tho price ia 2a. per lb. Obtainable from all grooeie,

Detectives Williams and Kemp arrested a man last night on several charges of theft of copper boilers.

Maurice Ziman, a poultry farmer, of Lower Hutfc, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. The first meeting of creditors will bo held on Tuesday.

Tho work which tho City Council lias docided to do to tho To Aro Baths will bo commenced right away, and it should bo finished about Christmas time. A concroto wall' will bo erected round the baths.

Tenders for tho erection of tho new General Post Oifico for Wellington have been called, and contractors aro digesting the plans as rapidly as possiblo. It is expected that tendors will ho called for the Auckland Post Offico at tho end of nest month.

On Monday morning Mr. Justice Cooper will pass sentence on the following prisoners: —John Donghi, theft at DannevirkoWalter Donghi, housebreaking and theft at Ormondyille; Josoph Kenny, alias Jiorrissey, breaking, entering, and theft at Wellington ;• and Arthur Joseph Wicks, false pretences at Wellington.

For a considerable time past shipowners have complained at intervals about cargo broaching going on while vessels' are discharging at Wellington. Last night, in answer to a call from tho wharf, Constahlo Leclcio proceeded to the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s steamer Ruapehu and arrested two, men on a charge of broaching cargo.

Tho present wet weather is having tho effect of hampering tho progress of - some of tho City Council's works. Tho woodblocking of Customhouse Quay has been retarded, but it is expected that Jcrvois Quay will bo reached about August.' Other works delayed by the rain are tho Oriental Bay retaining wall and tho outfall drain at Island Boy.

Tho cattle-wandering nuisanco in the suburbs is again being complained of, and .a number of cases will bo brought before the Ceurt. In his last annual report, the Inspector (Mr. Doylo), sfeites that during the year 144 persons were charged with this offenoe, 143 were convictcd, : and the aggregate fines and costs amounted to £112 195.,! but th« trouble still continues. .

The Union Company is claiming £3500 for the pumping services rondcrcd by tho tug Terawhiti in extinguishing the fire on the Shaw, Sarill and Albion Co.'s steamer lonic, as she lay alongside tho Glasgow Wharf a few weeks ago. The cosßpunys charge for pumping work in connection with the firs on tho Turakina is said to have been in exjess of the amount mentioned above.

During the lengthy sitting in camera by tho Waterside Workers' Conference on Thursday, a remit wiSb reference to tho voting powers of unions when electing representatives to the Arbitration Court was discussed, and the Press representatives were subsequently informed that the Conference supported the principle of one : vote fcr each fifty or. part thereof of the membership of a. union. We are asked to state that this was not the resolution ultimately adopted. The motion actually adopted was: —"Every union shall take a ballot of the_ members, and tho recommendation of that unjpn shall be on a basis of tho votes cast by the members."

Somo months ago Mossrs. W. G. Turnbull and Co. relinquished tho branch agency of tho Sliaw, Savill cargo steamers -which came to 'Wellington from London, via New Zealand ports. It is now, announced that Messrs. Daljjety and Co. have accepted the agency, whioh his latterly been carried on by Massrs. Levin and Co. Tliey commence their agency 'with the. arrival of the Tokomaru, which is due about a "month hence. Mr. F. H. Taylor, who has been connected with the New Zealand and African S.S. Co. since its inception in Yvellington, has been appointed manager of the new departmont. Mr. Taylor has been connected with Homeward and inter-colonial shipping affairs for tho past fifteen years, and formerly was connected with, the Huddart, Parker Co. .

It is 'stated .that the Americans have a Hand '"in'' almost' "feveiytHibg' on" th'p; face of tha globe ; .bat considering their great forest resources','it.is' somevrhtt 1 surprising to learn that somo of them , are interfcsted in the timber production of this country. ■ < That.this is a fset, , however, is borne out by a letter of, inquiry from Culifornia shoivn toour Wairarapa representative by Messrs. Ross and M'Grcgor, of Mosterton, and referring to a New Zealand-forest of thirty million feet of timber, advertised for sale some time ago in Tms Dominion., The inquirer, a Mr. T. A. Enloe, of Pinolo, in the State .of California, forwarded tho newspaper outting, and "offered to make a deal straight away. Unfortunately, for him, Messrs. Ross and M'Grcgor were forced to inform him that tho property had been sold.

There are eighteen cubicles for men and twelv# for women at the Otaki Sanatorium for Consumptives, and, .strange as it may seem in.viow of that provision, there are far moro fomale applicants than male. At present tlio whole of the .female cubicles are occupied, and there are applicants awaiting admission, but there are no fewer than nine vacancies for male consumptives.-; If this could be taken as evidence that male consumptives are decreasing in numbers it would be an occasion for rejoicing, but it is known unfortunately that this is not so. Applicants who are ratepayers <f the Wellington Hospital Board District (which is bounded by the Horowhenua and Hutt counties) are given the preference, but, after that, tlioso 'applying from beyond the district are admitted to the : Sanatorium.

Only two cases liavo, so far, been set down for hearing at tho sitting of the Court of Appeal, which opciis at 11 o'cleck on Monday morning. They are as follow: —Rox v. Wallaco Herbert Stewart, and Williams and Kcttlo v. tho Official Assignee in tho bankrupt estate of George Henry Harding. It will bo remembered that Stewart was tried at :the 'last session of the Supreme Court at Wellington on a charge of having forged a signature to a receipt. l Tho jury returned the following verdict: "Guilty, but wo find that prisoner had no'criminal intent." lii view of the fact that criminal mtention or mens rea is a necessary ingredient of tho crime of forgery, tho Court reserved tho point as to whether tho verdict was equivalent, to one of "not guilty." It is understood that application will )>g mado to havo tho motion • for cetiorari and prohibition recently brought before Air. Justice Denniston, nt Cbristchurcli by the Blackball- Miners' Union removed into tho Court of Appeal. Chief Justico (Sir Robert Stout) will arrive' in Wellington on Tuesday.

Can a .witness ■ bo compelled to answer a quostion by , either a direct • affirmative or negativo? An interesting observation on tho subject was mado by Mr. Justice Coopor during tho hearing of tho slander action yesterday. " I insist upon vou answering 'Yea' or 'No' to i»y question/' urged' counsel for plaintiff. "But I can't," replied tlio defondant, who was being exhaustively crossexamined on a vital point. His Honour, interposing, said that he'had, always under-: stood that a witness was entitled to answer questions in his own words. A question might be put in such a form that a witness could not answer it correctly by replying either "Yes" or "No.". • The incident recalls a story which illustrates how a rising barrister was once "hoist with his own petard." A witness .had confidently asserted that some questions required careful consideration, and, what was more, could not, evon then, be correctly answered by a direct affirmative or negativo. " What nonsense," counsol replied, "I should like you to.put such n question to rae." Without hesitation tho witness, asked: "Have you stopped beating your wife?"