LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 248, 13 July 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Kclbjarno tram sorvice was temporarily interrupted-on Saturday night, owing to a mishap occurring'to 0110 of tho cables. Sentence; will bo passed' on tho following prisoners by Mr. Justice Edwards at ten o'clock this morning: — Walter Donglii, housebreaking and theft at Ormondvillo; Munga Wilinonga, breaking and entering and theft at Hjiwera. Tho bricjk promises of the .Union Steam Ship Company at tho corner of Customhouse Quay and .Johnston Street woro sold for removal on Saturday by Messrs. T. K, Macdonald and Co. Tho salo realised £180, and tho conditions aro that the site is to be complotel.T cleared within six weeks, with £1 a day penalty for any clearing work to bo dono after that timo. Mr. W. Wilson was tho purchaser. Tho 1 old Occidental Hotel— once considered tho leading Wellington hotel, but which |had degoneratod with the progress of nioderij building requirements—was sold for rotnovjtil by tho same firm a few days ago, realising £237 ss.

A poll will be taken by tho Karori Borough Council on July 29 on a proposal to raiso £2000 for the completion and improvement of the recreation ground. A special kororo will be held by the Savage Club on Saturday evening next. Tho programmo will bo provided by a number of talented Maoris under tho direction of Mr. Ngata, M.P. Tho lirst "ladies' evening" will bo hold at tho Town Hall on Saturday week. Subscription lists in connection with tho Wallaco Testimonial Fund have now been distributed throughout tho Dominion. On Saturday afternoon tho sum of £20 was collected at the Athletic Park, and a satisfactory amount was received at tho Petone Recreation Ground. Already over £50 has reached the treasurer. Oil Saturday afternoon tho bus which was convoying members of tho. Karori Hockey Club Junior team to Miramar broke down, and the occupants were lucky to sustain no injury. When turning round by tho Basin Reservo, tho turning gear broke. The team had to complete their journey by means of a tramcar. A claim for compensation has been made against tho Wellington District Hospital Board by Harry Wilcox (generally known as Harry Roach), of Otaki, farm labourer. Tho matter has-been'referred to tho Arbitration Court for settlement. In his statement of claim, Wilcox sets out that ho sustained a heart strain whilst performing concreto work and stumping for tho respondents at Otaki on February 4 last. Tho result has, ho alleges, been total incapacitation for seven months, and will, in all probability, bo permanent partial incapacitation. He, therefore, claims £300 as compensation.

Detective Cassells arrested'a man on Saturday evening on a charge of theft of £27 9d. from Peter M'Ardlo, contractor, oil April 4. Detective Cassells also arrested another man on Saturday on a chargo of desertion from tho warship Challenger. : Detective Willianis arrested a man on a charge of theft of a watch and chain on Wednesday last. Another man was handed ovor to tho polico on Saturday on a charge of. stealing a watch at Wellington on May 27 Each of tho men will bo brought before the Court this morning. A meeting for the purpose of forming a branch of the No-Licenso League was held in tho Worsor Bay Schoolroom on Friday night. Mr. Robort Hall, who was subsequently clected chairman of tho League, prosided, and addresses wore delivered by- tho Revs. F. W. Isitt and J. H. Comrio, and Mr. W. J. Holyer. All present, with two oxceptioiis, signified their intention of becoming members of the League, and a meeting is shortly to be held for the purpose of formulating a schemo of campaign. Residents of Karaka and Scorching Bays are much exorcised just now over tho erection at a prominent part of Karaka Bay of a building which is regarded by thorn as <aii eyesore and a disfigurement to tho otherwise pleasing surroundings of this popular seasido resort. ' It is contended that tho building in question has been erected in contravention of the borough by-laws, and tho residents feel so strongly on tho subioct that they havo made complaint to tho Borough Council by way of petition urging tho removal of tho offending structure. One of tho chief grounds of protest is that the erection of a building of tlio class complained of depreciates the valuo of all property in tho immediate looality. The Council has promised to inquire into tho matter, which certainly requires investigation.

At St. Thomas's Hall this ovoning, Professor Kirk (of Victoria College) will, under tho auspices of tho Newtown Public Library,- deliver an interesting lecturo on " Tho Ancostral Forms of Well-known Animals." Tho lecturer does not propose to discuss alio, genoral science of evolution, but to tako for the subjects of his-remarks, familiar types, tracing, for. oxamplo, the gradual development of tho horso from its five-toed form to tho present characteristics of the species, and touching upon Dr. Andrews's striking discovorios in Anciont .Egypt recently. .Tho next two lectures will also be given by members of the . professorial staff of tho yictoria College. The first of those, "Lifo and' Work at a Mediaeval will be given by Professor M'Konzio, and tho next, " Tho Goorgo Junior .Republic, a Method of Socipl Reform,'.' by Professor Hunter. Tho headmasters of tho Wollington city and suburban schools, at a meeting hold in tho Teachers' Room, Education Board buildings, dccided to form a Headmasters' Association. Mr. G. Macmorrnn (Torraco Soliool) outlined the objects of the Association, and it was decided that rujes ho drafted for consideration at a subsequent meeting. There were present:—Mr. Flux (Soijth Wellington), (chairman), Messrs. Macmorrnn (Terrace), Watson (To Aro), Parkinson (Newtown), Foster (Mount Cook Boys'), Webb (Normal School), Barry (Roseneath), Worboys'(Kilbirnie), Poison'(Northland), Pope (Kaiwarra), Routitroo (Seatoun), Stuckoy (Island Bay), Bennett (Karori); Joplin (Wadcstown), Darro'ch (Mitchelltown), and Jenkins (Khandallah). Apologies were reooived from Mr. ■ Grundy (Olydo Quay) and Sir. Bethuno (Johnsohville). Mr. G. Macmorran (Torraco) was elected as'first president of tho Association, and Mr. William Foster (Mount Cook Boys') socrotary. Tho next meeting will bo held on July 25.

The following letter was forwarded on Sat-' urday to the Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward) by Mr. C. Palmer (sectary to the local branch'of tho Navy League) Sir, I bog to advise you that at a meeting of the local Executive of tho Leaguo held yesterday, extreme satisfaction was shown at the recentlyoxpressed intention of your Government' to substantially increaso the amount of tho Dominion's naval contribution. It is specially gratifying to tho .Leaguo to notice that tho : increased grant is to be made unconditionally ;' and that tho naval authorities are not to be trammelled with stipulations as to the location of any of tho warships. It has always been ono of the main contentions ,of the League that thero is lio local defence at sea—that, in the words of that eminent authority, Sir Frederick Pollook, "ships are ships and forts are forts, and there is no worse waste than to make a good ship do duty as a middling fort"—furthermore, that in tho event of a reverse to the' British* Navy tho safety and security of tho oversea trado and commerce of this Dominion would bo equally prejudiced whether such a reverse occurred in < tho waters of tho Northorn Hemisphere or in the Southern seas.

The pharmacists of tho Dominion havo, within the last .year or two, showed a commendable interest in legislation affecting professional matters. A matter which tho chemists intend to move in shortly is tho control of tho vending of opticians' goods (spectacles, pince-nez, eye-glasses, otc.). Stioh goods ma.v now,' it is stated, bo purchased wholesale* by any person nud hawked through tho country, groat ham often.boing dono in this way. At tho recent confcrenco of chemists, it was pointed out that a person without teeth could got along better than jmo. deprived of his eyesight, yet dentists had to bo certificated, whilst anyone could sell spectacles. Tho chomists argue that vendors of opticians' goods_ should undergo a certain examination in sight-testing, and they intond a littlo later' 011 to ask tho Government to bring down a measure similar to the Sighttesting Opticians Act, 1906, of Now South Wales, which has proved an effective check 011 people who mako a pretence of testing tho eyes, and mako GOO or 600 per cent, on tho goods sold. _ This Act provides that a person shall bo entitled to bo registered as a sighttesting optician, (1) if ho holds some recognised certificate, (2) if prior to January 1,1907 ho has been bona fido engaged in the practice of sight-testing, or is at tho timo of the commoncomcnt of the Act an assistant, over' 21 years of age, and has been bona -fido engaged in the practico of sight-testing, or (3) if ho has passed tho examination in sighttesting required by tho Council. IlairdrossjnK is an art that should bo studied by all who desire to improve thoir personal an. poaranco. Mrs. Ifolloston instruots ladies, also dresses hair in tho latost and most beebmine stylos, including the Ondtilo waving. 8 Willis Stvoot (over Carroll's). Tel. 1599. C 739 Crescent Brand Tea" hroivs a s;ron» rich' 'awny liquor, with a fino smooth toxtnro, and laves, tho palatemost.agreeably. Ie has a distinct and dolicious flavour, and is tho most favoured for tho morning cup of tea, Tho quajity .and flavour of Croscont Brand Tea novor vary. The same to-day as it was yesterday, and the prico is 2a. per lb, Obtainable from all crocerß, CBBB

For tho week ending July 11 the Health Department reports the following cases of infectious diseases:—ln the city—scarlet fcter, 8; diphtheria, 1; tuberculosis, 1.. In the Hntt County—scarlet fever, 1; tuberculosa, 2. ' A middle-aged man named Anderson, said to bo a recent arrival from tho Old Country, was admitted to tho Hospital on Saturday suffering from a wound in the abdomen, apparently inflicted with a razor. Anderson was in a serious condition when he arrived at the Hospital, and was by no means out of danger last night, Tho imports into Wellington from Europe last yoar wero valued as follows, tho exports, where any, being given in parentheses:— Franco, £25,819; Spain, £2119; Portugal, £824; Italy," £4727; Austria, £4830; Switzerland, £5483; Greece, £10,509; Germany, £107,637 (£(310); Turkey, £3774; Norway, £1090; Sweden, £9953; Belgium, £28,802 (£14); Holland, £14,641; Denmark £917. Last week good work was done in the Houso of Representatives. The Budget was submitted, and tho Loan Bill put through all its stages. The Meiklo Bill was completed, two small Bills were read a third time, and others wero advanced to various stages. This week the Second Ballot Bill and the debato on tho Financial Statement will bo amongst the important items. The Arbitration Act Amendment Bill will be out of tho way for at least three weeks. Some important departmental reports are also expected. Last week the • demand upon the printing office was fairly severe, and copies of tho Labour and Lands Department reports havo yet to be obtained. Tho majority of the Bills on tho Order Papers liavo now been circulated.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P., addressed a meeting in the Y.M.C.A. Assembly Room, Mr. Holmes occupying the chair. Mr. Laurenson dealt with the necessity for everyone having an ideal in life. Ho pointed out that they were living in the most remarkable ago this world had passed through, and change was rife on every side. They had seen a revolution in maritime matters, new methods applied to agriculture, and a complete change in ideas of education. Religious thought was also subject to the same law of evolution .which obtained in other domains of human thought. _Ho advised his hearers to read tho biographies of all great and good men, and to aim at making their lives useful, and if. they did that tlioy would secure the maximuin happiness in this life in this world. > '• . Tho Maori Congress will be formally opened at the Town Hall at 3 p.m. to : morrow by His Excellency the Governor. Sir Robert Stout, who arrives from the East Coast today, will preside, and tho Prime Minister (Sir J. Ward) and Mr. Massoy, M.P. (Leader of tho Opposition), will speak. Several delegates, including the representatives of tribes of the East Cape, Wairoa, North of Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and other parts, have already arrived in Wellington. The executive has issued invitatipns to all tho leading citizens of Wellington to attend tho opening ceremony, at .which Maori songs and glees will bo given by the Rev. Mr. Bennett's Maori Choir. - Invited guests_ are requested to bo in their seats by 2.45 p.m., as no reserved seats can he guaranteed after that time.

In regard to the Poisons Act, it has bceii pointed put to a Dominion reporter that by an amendment to the Act made in 1876 ciilorodyno was added to the list of poisons, and it is enacted that poisons shall be laheU icd in white letters (on a red background) 111 block letters not less than a quarter of an inch in depth, a regulation which is said to ho frequently broken. It is further' stated that if an order for a quarter-dozen Of ciilorodyno is included in a, general g, ct-ry order tliero is seldom any'demur, but 110 reputable chemist would sell three bottles of ciilorodyno unless under special cirfcuni.~taiiees that would liavo to be explained. A hew Poisons AcJ; or an amendment to tlie present one is, it is .'understood, to be brought down this session when this matter will probably bo dealt with. A few weeks ago somebody raised tho question in tho Press of the Amokura's usefulness as a training ship for boys, and Captain Hooker was given tho opportunity in these columns to reply, to the doubter. Evidently tho local branch of the Navy Leaguo havo no doubts as to tho' schooling in seamanship given the boys on tho Government training vessel. It has resolved to ask tho Government,to allow two yoars' service on tho Aniokura to count as one-..year, at sea, so that boys from the ship embracing tho nautical profession will not have to spond a year brass-polishing. , At this rate brass boys will become as scarce a- commodity as office or factory boys, all a rapidly dwindling commodity if Mr. Tregear's figures bo correct. ■ ' Tho disputo in connection with tho payment and, conditions of employment in tho bookbinding and papei--ruling trade in "the Wellington industrial district has, at _ the instance of tho workers, beon referred direct to tho Arbitration Court for settlement. Following is a summary of the alterations wliioli the workers claim should bo made in tho existing award: —Reduction of the_ hours of labour from 48 to 45 j increase in the minimum wago from £3 to SIS' 55.; rate for casual labour to bo Is. Cd. instead of Is. 4J(I. per hour; Easter Saturday to 'be awarded a holiday, and when work is done on .that day it shall bo paid for at the rate of doublo time; when work is not done on 'Christmas Day and ■ Good Friday ordinary rato to bo paid; clauses 9 and 10 of old award to bo omitted; clause 11 to bo amended; by tho insertion of definitions of bookbinding and paper-ruling; and bookbinders' cutters to be brought under the award,;

To protest against somo of the provisions in tho Pawnbrokers' Amendment Hill, a deputation of Wellington pawnbrokers on Saturday interviewed the Hon. Dr. Findla.v (At-toniey-Goneral). Tho deputation showed that the profits of pawnbroking were small compared with thoso of other businesses. Bomb years ago thero wore top pawnbrokers: in Wellington; to-day tho numbor was reduced to live. • The provisions of the Bill objected to, would reduce the profits by 75 pur cent., and it would mean that sonio of the businesses would have to be abandoned. I)v Eindlay, in replying, .said thero iiad bopn. no largo general demand for t-he Kill, but several cases had came, to light in Dunedin which showed that a3 high as eighty per o>nt; interest had been charged 1 lie pburor classes, whoso circumstances compelled them sometimes to put things in pawn. ivouU require to be proteotcd. He' admitted thai the pawnbrokers wore "doing, a useful business, and that there had been' no complaint against them. They also gave useful assistance to the polico in tho tracing cf .criminals. But it was a question af fact as to whether tho business could bo conducted with a lower profit. Ho promised, before the Bill passed tho Council, to allow tho pawnbrokers to giva evidenco beforo a committee.

There is talent in a number of oil and wator-colour paintings by Miss' Ellen Von Moyern, now being exhibited at M'Grcgor Wright's Studio, Tho mo3t pretentious canvas is a study entitled "The Spirit of the Prairie," in which tho artist has selected, hersolf as the mpdol. It is tho sharply-, defined .figuro of a pretty girl with halfclosed eyes that look distantly out of the forofront of tho picturo. The flesh-tones . aro true, and thero is an open-air briefness about tho figuro, which does not., altogether ohscure tho winsome wistfulness of tho expression that may bo intended for dawning womanhood. Thoro is a rather pretty sunset effect, but othenviso tho background lacks dcihrito character. Miss Von Moyern is particularly happy in some half a dozen Maori skotches, ono of an old chief with tho rlioumy oyo and grey wiry hair of ago boing quito good. An nmbitious painting i 3 that of a mother and her baby boy entitled " Tho Strength of tho .Empire." Tho woman's faco, soft, tendor, motlier-swcet, aglow with tho warmth of complete happiness, is quito fascinating, but tho artist has hardly been so successful with tho child— children aro so hard to "catch." ,\"Romanco" is a pretty girl rofiding a book—the girl is well painted, but there is a suspicion of stiffness m tho manner in which the book is being hold. Other nice little canvases aro "The Fisherman's Daughter," a windblown girl on- the seashore; "A Glimpso of Taranaki," sunset through tho bush idea"A Starry Night," and Ohincmutu, with tho Maoris pottormg round tho steaming pools. Thoro aro also a .number of line sketches in water-colours 011 Academy board—figures and faces several of which show promising talent. I