LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 259, 25 July 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities adviso that tho Wimmora, which left Sydney oil July 22, for Auckland, has on board an English and Australian mail for Wellington, which is due here by tho express train from New Plymouth on Monday night. The hearing of tho caso of W. Blundell and others, trustees of tho Brett Benefit Fund (appellants) v. "Now Zealand Times" Co., Ltd. (respondents) has been definitely fixed /for Wednesday next. Tho report of tho Racing Conference will bo found on page 15 of this issuo, results of music examinations on page 13, tho turf and boxing on pago 14, and articles on tho ■unemployed and labour and the liquor traffic, on pago 11. A now occupation has been found for tho Fire Brigade. An alarm was received from Hill Strort at 9.45 last evening. When the Brigade arrived it was found that there was no fire, but a gutter having becomo blocked with hail and a house flooded, the alarm had been sounded. The Frank Thornton comedy season closcs at the Opera House this evening. All admirers ot tho clever comedian, who has toured Australasia at intervals for a quarter of_ a century, will learn with regret that this will be his last visit to New Zealand. He is getting on in years now, and is looking forward to retirement on his return to England. "Might I take this opportunity," said tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones yesterday afternoon at tho oonclusion of his Budgot speech in the House of Representatives, "to thank the members for their kindness to myself in a trying illness." Tho messages ho had received in that period had been treasured, and although the period had been one of suffering and anxiety it had notwithstanding been in a sense one of the brightest times in his life. (Applause.) Ho would assure them that no matter whatever had happened he had tried to do his duty. (Long and continued applause.) "If you can't behave yourself go out of tho Court." The remark was addressed with considerable feeling by defending counsel in a case at the Magistrate's Court yesterday to a party interested in the case for the prosecution. Counsel, hurled a short broadside of words at tho discomfited party, and, turning to tho Bench, concluded warmly, "If he does not learn how to behave himself I'll turn him out of the Court myself." His Worship romarked that ho had not heard tho party in question say anything, and the incident closed for tho time being with a donial from the person challenged that lie had said anything. The members of tho Eastbourne Borough Council have a faculty which seldom deserts them for forgetting when a meeting is to be hold. Several times of ' late tho secretary and representatives of tho Press havo been almost, if not quite, tho only persons present at the hour fixed for business. Tho seorotary then rings up all the members of tho Council, listens to their explanations, and pleads with different men to como and mako up the quorum. Recently half an hour was wasted in this way, and yesterday fifty, minutes was spent ill patient waiting, varied by telephonic appeals to members, before it was established that no quorum would be available. Tho members present, including the Mayor who had boon the first to arrive, then held an informal meoting to decide a portion of the business.

The Auckland Society of Arts has initiated an excellent scheme for tho furtherance of tho interests of New Zealand artists by tho establishment of a permanent picture gallery in tho largo exhibition hall at tho Society's offices, Coburg Street. This gallery will be used as a central depot for the sale of works of art by colonial artists, and a choice collection of paintings has been hung there for public inspection. Tho nucleus of this .collection has been formed of unsold paintings from the recent exhibition, aiul added to by works forwerded by, artists who havo shown their approval of the idea by sending some really excellent pictures. The object aimed at by tho Society is twofold. The general public- aro provided with an oxcellont gratuitous exhibition of New Zealand art in its 'varying phases, and the opportunity is afforded connoisseurs and art patrons'of obtaining choice specimens of the work of our best New Zealand art.

In order that thero may bo no misunderstanding as to who will be> the Government candidate for the Wellington North seat, Mr. E. Gallichan, general secretary for the Liberal and Labour Federation, has issued a circular, a paragraph of which reads aa follows:—"I am directed by the Hon. the Premier to communicate with you with reference to the Wellington North District, and' to inform you that Mr. C. H. Izard is the Government candidate for that seatl He will bo pleased if you will cause the Wellington North mombers of the district branch to meet for tho purpose of furthering the above gentloman's candidature at tho forthcoming olection." A meeting of tho Wellington North membors of tho Federation was held last ovening, when matters concerning tho forthcoming campaign were dismissed, and a committee was set up to forward Mr. Izard's candidature, with Mr. Robert Fletcher as Chairman. The other candidates for. the seat will bo Mr. A. L. Hordman (Opposition),, and Sir. F. G. Bolton (Independent).

Tho trials and tribulations of sheep farmers do not altogether' depend on the rise and fall in tho price of wool. Some ■strugglors in tho wool industry were in Wanganui a few days ago, and seeing a nice lot of sheep for sale bought up a 800 ilock to fleck tho fields of Jiawhia. Kawhia is on tho West Coast of the North Island, and so is Wanganui, but to drive sheep between the two places is, if possible, not worth consideration, and they had to bo transported by steamer. The sheep, were shipped at Wanganui on tho Rimu, which sailed on Monday, afternoon last, but to tho surprise, of everybody concerned she had not reached her destination 24 hours later, but turned up at Wanganui on Tuesday night, after reaching a point about .twenty miles off Now Plymouth. Tho little steamer had struck a heavy gale and sea, and several of the sheep had been killed by tho knocking about they had received. Tho Rimu did not leave Wanganui again until 2.30 p.m'. on Thursday, and arrived at Kawhia at 1.30 p.m. yesterday.

Wliils the proletariat smoked its. afterdinner pipes and cigarettes near the Guoen's Statue yesterday, Messrs. Pritchani and Hickoy delivered fiery- orations. Mr. Pritcliard was in particularly good form, and the ears of certain worthy legislators must have burned most uncomfortably. Who, ho asked, was to blamo for tlio glorification of the capitalist, and tlio grinding down of tho workers?- The Government? No! Tlio Hon.. John A. Millar? Nol Who, then? and ho gazed darkly at tho mass in front. Then ho shot out a long forefinger at his audionco, tho front rank of which cowered visibly. You! You! You are to blame. Having dolivored himself of this _ tirade, ho turned his attention to tho Arbitration Act. "To H—ll with tho Arbitration Act!" ho shouted; and a casual looking individual leisurely abstracted his pipo from his mouth and saicl, without omotion " 'Ear, 'ear." Tho orator proceeded. "Iliavo boon callcd an agitator," he said. "Plimsoll was an agitator,; Keir Hardie is an agitator; and (ivitli magnificent omprossment) I am an agitator." No 0110 contradicted him. Mr. Hickey followed, and introducing his remarks by an earnest exhortation to a small knot of irreverent hangers-on to "Shut up!" ho proceeded to deliver himself of the usual " harangue" to,the "workers." By tlio timo ho had finished, Capital was writhing in mortal agemy on the ground, Labour's satollitcs were busily and enthusiastically twisting tho tail of the stricken monster, while Labour was enthroned on high. During Race Week tho Rooms of Mrs. Rolleston, Hair Physician, Pace Specialist, and Masseuso (certificated) will be opon every ovening for Hairdressing, Shampooing; all Hair and Faco Troatinontß; advice freo; personal attention. 8 Willis Street (over Carroll's). . Tolephono 1590. C 739 Crcsscent Brasti Tea brows a strong rich *awny liquor, with a fino smooth texture, and laves tlioi palato most agreeably. It has a distinct and delicious flavour, and is the most favoured for tho morning cup of tea. Tlio quality and flavour of Crescent Brand Toa never vary. The same to-day as it was yesterday, and tlio prieo is 2s. por lb. Obtainable from all grocers. CBBB

/ i ? ', rst Wellington Riflo Battalion (Lieut -Colone) W. G. Duthio, 0.0.) will be inspected by Colonel R. H. Davies, C.8., spector-Gcncral of tlio Forces, on Saturday, August 1, at 2.30 p.m. ■ ■'l 1, 0 of Appeal will deliver judgment m .ho following cases on Monday Scott Win;' 0 n S j Jutld v. Byrne; Abrahams and i Official Assignee; and the King v. Herbert Wallace Stewart.

,i to northern deputation yesterth°^° n - W - Hall-Jones said that it was ?to appropriate £170,000 for completing tho Main Irunk Railway. After that ho expected money would bo available for tho j. Auckland and a numbor of other

am""'"*! a m's-'iearing Mr. T. jr. Wilford, Chairman of the Harbour Board, was S" as saying at. the Board's mqetmg that he was solicitor to the Union uteam Ship Company and a largo shareholder '' ]l n Slip Company. Mr. Wilford really said that he was solicitor to tho Union Ojinpany wh'ch was a largo, shareholder in too i atent Slip Company.. She was very old and very feeble, and tottered up to tho witness-box at tho Old Ago Pensions Court on the arm of a white-' haired-old man. " What is your ago," ques-t-ioned the Magistrate. " What does ho say," inquired the aged applicant of her comrade. Iho question was repeated in the old lady's car. She did not know her age—sho had forgotten it. " How long have you been in New Zealand?" asked oric of tho- officials. ' Long enough,' my dear, long enough, my , a ' r ''.' , mu ttered tho old lady with some show of spirit. Direct evidenco was out of tho question, but evidence waS produced to show tnat_ a certain local citizen had known the applicant for thirty-five years. His Worship was satisfied that the evidenco produced ana tho appearance of the applicant were sufficient guaranteo that she was over the minimum age. • Dr. Chapnle informed a Dominion reporter yesterday that he had been with Mr. Robert Hogg to visit the dwellings in Adclaido Road to which reference was made by tie latter as a member of a deputation to the Hon. G. Fowlds on Wednesday evening. "The condition of the houses,"'said Dr. Chapplo, who is a trustee for tho deceased estate to which the property bolongs, "is such as to afford a very good example''of tlio grosa exaggeration indulged in by stre'etcorner orators. Nothing has. been done to improvo them since these complaints were made, and I invito anybody to go and see for themselves. There nre only a few very small matters that need attention. If those places wore to bs demolished, and all others that are worse, why almost all Wellington would bo in ruins. The musty smoll that was talked about was certainly not duo to anything structural'in' the' 'house.' As for the cottage at the rear, the. old lady was most annoyed with Mr.- Hogg, for making such complaints." .