LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 261, 28 July 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An English and Australian mail, ex Wirani era _at Auckland, arrived in the city by last night's New Plymouth express. With kindly promptitude the Wellington Dramatic Society has dccided|to givo a performance of "The Guv'nor" at Pctone early next month, in aid of Mrs. Webster, widow of the unfortunate man run over and killed by a train in Wellington on Friday evening last. j Sir. J. Foster, one .of tho delegates to the Trades Councils' Conference/ has received tho following telegram from tho Secretary of tho State Coal Miners' Union, Greymouth:—"We know .nothing about any strike, nor does any secretary on the coast. .Must be a. rumour by somo irresponsible person. Certainly not coal miners. Pleaso deny it in council." . | Mr. James Bennio, architect, lias designed plans for a Now Trades Hall to l>o oreeted on a section of land in Marion Streqt, over which tho Trades Council holds an option to purchase. Tho Trades Council wire about to attempt to do somothing definite in tho matter when tho bakers' strike: occurred, which will probably postpono tho building schcmo for a time. Tho plans provido for an attractive two-story building, having <1 frontago of G2ft. by a depth of 90ft; Oil the ground floor are committee roomfe, a small hall (51ft. by 25ft.), and cnrotalicr's quarters, whilst upstairs is a largo hall (52ft: by 40ft.), estimated to scat 420 people, two committee rooms, and four, offices. Tho sito is contrally situated, and tho . hall | should be a handsome addition to tho architecture of what is at present a purely Irooidonlial street, '•

Polling for tho Education Board election closed yesterday. Tho official count of votes will not take place until August 11, at the ofiico of tho Education Board.

A deputation representative of tho unemployed will wait upon the Premier at 12.45 p.m. to-day, at the conclusion of a demonstration to be held at the Queen's Statue at noon. A meeting of the conimitteo of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association was held last evening, there being present: Messrs. A. Young (in the chair), Hurley, Hutne, Laishley, and Goldie. It was decided thattlio next championship tournament bo held at Nelson, to commence on Boxing Day. Councillor Luke has given notice that he will move at the next meeting of tho City Council as follows:—"That this Council is of 'tho opinion that tlio suggested dropping of tho Evans Bay Reclamation Bill for this session is inimical to the best interests of tlio City, and that, having regard to tho importmice of tho proposed work to tlio industrial and commercial development of tlio district, tho Harbour Board be invited to conveno a meeting of the Joint Committee to discuss tho present position." The tender of Messrs. Mitchell and King has been accepted by Mr. W. Turnbull (architect) for Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains' iieiv buildings on Lambton Quay. The building scheme comprises a large throe-story warehouse to cover the site of the recently-, demolished Occidental Hotel, and a threestory building that is to take the place of the wooden building on the corner of Brandon Street and Lambton Quay. Interior alterations to tho central (brick) portion of the block are also included in Messrs. Mitchell and King's contract. A loading Wellington architect states that tlio publication of the sketch elevations of the proposed new Parliamentary Buildings m Tiib .Dominion yesterday morning (oven though only regarded as basic ideas) forms tho strongost argument in favour of competitive designs being called for by tho Government. This authority states that tho designing of tho most important of State buildings should not be left; to departmental officers, capablo as tlioy may be for the execution of Departmental work. .This great chance of doing something big for tho coun-. try and posterity should bo thrown open to tlio architects of tho Doriiinion (including Govornment architects), tho prizo design to bo selected by compotont authorities on architecture in Australia or England. Tho Public Library series of lectures were continued last night, when Professor Hunter gavo an interesting address at St. Thomas's Schoolroom, tlio subject being "The George Junior Republic," a method of social reform. The lceturer explained that the republic was the result of tho venture of Mr. W. It. Georgo to deal with such social problems as arc presonted by our industrial schools. Last year the Professor visited the institution, and in his address he gave his hearers the benefit of his experience, and tho result of his observations. Ho severely criticised tlio_ methods adopted in Now Zealand of dealing with - industrial schools as unable to compare with those governing similar institutions in America. At the conclusion of the address, Professor Hunter -was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. "Has your attention been called to the statement of a member of a Trades Council that ho had seen more drunkenness in connection with State-owned hotels than any others in any part of tlio country?" askccl tho Itov. W. J. Williams of tho Premier yesterday. Sir Joseph Ward replied that lie had seen the statement, and he could only say that the gentleman who had' made it should havo reported the facts of tlio caso to tho authorities. It was unfair to mako such a general charge. No one of any responsibility had made any complaint, and lie fancicd that many peoplo must have noticed such a state of affairs had it existed. "Could lie not bo asked to give his authority?".said Mr. Williams. • Tho ■ Prime Minister replied that if people who made statements were always asked to give authoritv, too much time would be fallen up. Ho would givo every publicity.to any facts disclosed by any investigation that might bo made. 1 •

Tho question of the Now Zealand Dental School cropped up at a meeting of Otago members of: Parliament yesterday. Mr. James Allen said the school—which has'been established in connection with the Otago University College—was a great success. Indeed, it was a much greater success than the College Council evor anticipated it would bo. It was already doing an immense amount of good to tho community, and would bo of great advantage to tho colony generally. It had been started in a small .way, and it was never anticipated that it would grow so fast. At present thoro wcro no' fewer than 250 pationts attending at the' Dental Hospital, and the number of honorary dental surgeons had been increased to twelve. Somo of them came down every morning and assisted to deal with this largo number of patients. The school had grojvn to such an extent that a further grant had become necessary, The amount needed was £2000. It was decided to ask tho Government for a grant of that amount.

. Tho action of tho Trades and Labour Conference in heartily congratulating the unions which havo promoted strikes on the success of their ofEorts elicits strong protests from both the Christchurch papers. . The "Press" sees in it another flaw of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 'and adds: "There is now no possibility of mistaking what tho organised unionists mean so far as their representatives in tho Conference, are capable of speaking on their behalf. Tliey regard it as a praisoworthy thing to set. at dclianco the present Arbitration Act. and to break its provisions. They carefully expunged from' Mr. Miliars new Bill all the clauses prescribing penalties for either taking part in a striko or for fomenting, aiding, or abetting one. Tlioy have, therefore, evidently determined to keep tho striko as a weapon in reserve to bo used whenever tho.y think they are likely to gain anything by it. In the faco of this determination, what is the use of keeping up tho farce of pretending that compulsory arbitration can be relied °upon to secure industrial peace P

Some letters have been appearing in the London ''Spectator" on oompulsory arbitration in Now Zealand. Writing in tho issue of Juno 13. "Pakcha Maori" bitterly condemns tbe Arbitration Act and tho spread of Socialistic ideas in this country. "There riro fow well-informed Now Zealanders," lie writes, "who would agree that tho Socialism developed there was 'reasonable,' and I fear wo shall not have long to wait before tho bitter fruits aro" gathered; they aro now ripening fast." After enumerating somo features of our laws, such as "universal adult suffrage, a high protective tariff; lion-contri-butory old-age pensions, tho 'minimum wage,' compulsory industrial arbitration, limitation of hours of labour, paid Members of Parliament, Government- railways and coal mines, and many other forms of State Socialism, this writer expresses tho opinion, which ho believes to bo representative of tho opinion iield h,v a majority of well-informed Now Zealandcr?, "that cach and all of tho above examples of 'advanced legislation' have dono harm, and will ultimately lead to tho ruin, or at least to the complete stagnation, of tho Colony's trado." He further observes-"There is no analogy, of conditions between tho Colony and the Mother Country, and it would indeed be rcmarkablo if mere legislation had sufficed to ruin a country with such great natural advantages. Indeed, if Socialism and 'Protection ever had an opportunity to show at their best, they had it in New Zealand; yet in tho opinion of very many of tho residents they have had a bad, if not disastrous effect. Of eourso tho pinch is not so keenly, felt thero as would bo tho case here, for to prevent tho growth of an industry throws no one out of work; hilt tho lack of population which is so much deplored by tho Premier. (Sir J. G. Ward) and others is simply and solely duo to the Government policy of tho past' twenty years."

A speciality of Hair and Scalp Treatment is inado by Ill's. Rolleston. Ladies troubled with fulling liaii', dandruff, or any scalp complaint should call for_ aiTvice (gratis) at her rooms, first floor, 3 Willis Street, over Carroll's, or telephono appointment 1590. Personal attention only. Certificated. ' C 739 Crescent Brantf Tea broivs a strong rich 4 awny liquor, with a fine smooth toxturo, anil laves tho palate most agreeably. It lias a distinct and dolicious flavour, and is tho most favoured for the morning cup of tea. The quality and flavour of Crescent Brand Tea nover vary. Tho same to-day as it was yesterday, and tins prion is 2s, por 11). Obtainable from all troe'ers. CSBB

Tho Government training vessel Amokura loaves for Auckland to-day to be present at tho reception to bo tendered to the United States Fleet.

Two men wero arrested yesterday 011 separate charges of theft from tills. Detectives Broberg and Cameron arrested tho first mail 011 a chargo of theft of £0 from the till of the Hawko's Bay Fish Company's shop, and the other man was arrested by Detective Kemp on a charge of theft of £5 10s. from a till in the shop, of Frank Tucker, lory Street. . • Mr. John Collins, J.P., presided at tho sitting of the Mount Cook Magistrate's Court yesterday, and dealt with the following r 1 in S: — 1 K'hnartin, drunkenness, lined 10s. or 43 hours' imprisonment; fivo first oflenders, drunkenness, fined ss. or 24 hours ; Peter Brown, drunk and disorderly, filled 20s. or seven days'; Geo. Green and Marvel Gibson, drunk artd disorderly, 205., or seven days'. _ Tho No-Licensc deputation yesterday was informed by the Premier that a little time ago lie had been requested—not by members i i G collso League, ho hastened to add—to take, steps to stop people travelling 011 the trains from taking anything in the form of liquid with them. (Laughter.) How that 'was to be given effect to he did not know. Mr. Aitkon (laughing): Search them. (More laughter.) Tho Premier added that such a proposal was impossible 11V principle, because it meant interfering with the rights of the individual, and it would also moan the appointment of too many inspectors. (Laughter.) Another of the Library series of lectures will bo given in the Town Hall to-night, when Professor Mackenzie will lecture on "Lifo and work at a Medieval University." The lecturer will tako a typical instance of a University on the medieval model, and 110 will discuss tho manner of admitting students, their religious exercises, tho teaching staff, tho internal economy of tho college, and the various conditions -under which women wero admitted within tho college bounds. Tbe lecturer will also touch upon the history of higher education through classical, medieval, and modern times. Sir Robert Stout has been invited to tako the chair. .. 1 After all, it is but one short step from the. sublime to tho ridiculous, as tho Rev. A. Thomson, of Petone, must have realised at tho meetiug of the Council of Evangelical Churches convened last night at tho Y.M.C.A. Rooms for tho purpose of hearing Mr. D. M'Laren speak on "What Labour expects from the Church!" The reverend gentleman' was replying to certain romarks which had been uttered by Mr. M'Laren as to hours of labour formerly in vogue in Britain, and was of opinion that tho workers wero not much tho worse for it. Then lie waxed heroic. "What mado the Scottish nation what it is to-day?" ho asked, and from a still, clear voice at tho bnok of the hall came tho word "Porridge!" The assembly collapsed. Mr. Albert j. Allom. writes to tho Auckland "Horald" as follows: —I received yesterday from my _ daughter,' Mrs.. Alexander Montgomery, resident in Perth, West Australia, a copy of the "Western Mail," an illustrated paper, of June 27 last, which I beg to send you. You will pcrceivo that this paper at pp. 14 and 15 describes the opening of a new art gallery at Perth by tho Governor, Sir Frederick Bedford, and contains well executed illustrations of several newly acquired pictures. One of these is"On tho Surrey Hills," by B. W. Leader, II.A. Referring to the matter of tho stolen picture at Wellington it seems difficult to avoid tho conclusion that one or other of the pictures mentioned must he an imposition, or that His Worship the 'Mayor of Wellington has been cleverly taken in. [