LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

$ A Vaneolver mail, via Auckland, is expected to como through from Now Plymouth by the express train to-night. Permits for buildings of the constructional value of £47,737 wero issued by the City Engineer's department during the last fortnight. In addition to these, permits for buildings to the value of £7851 m the Melroso district, £1193 at Wadestown, and £350 at Northland wero issuod — in all 32 buildings of a total valuo of £57,133. Foxton is to have a gas lighting service from October 1. The announcement was made yesterday at a meeting of the Wellington proprietary who liavo secured a concession from tlio Borough Council. Mr. H. F. Allen, secretary, informed a reporter that the building should bo completed this week and tlio service should commence from the dato mentioned. Considerable damage was done to the liona Bay wharf by the recent gale. Two or three piles wero rendered shaky through tlio action of a scour which set in, and two are actually swinging loose. In addition, tlio whirling action of a current caused by wind and tide has dredged a hole of about seventeen feet depth under the wharf. A contract for additions to the wharf was recently let. The Mountebank Dramatic Company intend staging "Our Regiment" at the Opera House on September 28, 29, and 30, in aid of the funds of the Wellington branch of tlio St. Ambulance Association. It has been decided that tlio proceeds shall be devoted towards tlio cost of purchasing an \up-to-date ambulance carriage for uso in the city. A suitable horse ambulance is worth about £150, whilst a motor ambulance would cost as much as £800. Tlio probabilities are that the association will not bo able to afford the moro expensive vehicle. Some time ago subscription lists were circulated among the State schools of Wellington soliciting contributions towards the Canadian Memorial Fund, a fund that was being established to purchase the historic Plains of Abraham at Quebec as a national reserve in connection with the tercentenary celebrations at that city. It was stretching tlio crimson thread of kinship considerably to send tho hat round the schools in the Wellington district. Lists were sent to 88 schools, and the sum of £19 7s. 4d. precisely was realised when they closed a few days ago, an averago of a little over 4s. a school. Tho Hutt School headed the list with £1 14s. 4d., but thero were others that only produced a few coppers. Tho residents of Brooklyn, having an eye to tho future, have asked the Education Board for additions to their school. It was thought by some that the addition of -two rooms to the existing school would be sufficient. The School Committee, however, sent a deputation to tho' emergency meeting of tho Education Board last week, urging that application be made to tho Government for a grant for four rooms. It was pointed out that over one hundred building permits were issued last year in Brooklyn, and that thero was likely to bo a very considerable increase in tho school attendance in tho near future. Tho board decided to defer consideration of tho matter till the ordinary meeting, as members were desirous of discussing the claims of Stokes Valley in connection with thoso of Brooklyn. The oft-repeated statement that the greater portion of tlie Wairarapa Valley was oncc a great sheet of water is being borne out by the continued yearly natural reclamation of the present portion of tho Wairarapa Lake (writes our correspondent). It is difficult to estimate the annual extent of tion, which is being done by the rivers, but in one instance alone Mr. J. 0. Bidwill mentioned that what was two hundred acres of swamp thirty years ago is now a beautiful, well-kept pasture. Mr. W. E. Bidwill states that in his time—and ho has resided near tho lake during tlio past thirty or forty years—tho waters have receded fully a mile from his private residence. Ho thinks that it may bo that tho lake will bo filled up, but tho process, he says, is now much slower than in former years. There was a possibility, however, said Mr. Bidwill, of the whole of tho old area being again flooded owing to its low-lying state. At tho present time both the Ruainahaiiga and Tauherenikau Rivers arc performing tho work-of reclamation, and depositing in tlio lake tlio thousands of tons of soil torn from the mountains and tho valley of the Wairarapa.

Excellent models of a Dutch ambulanco waggon and Dutch travelling car have beon presented to the Dominion Museum by Mr. Haycock. Mr. D. M'Laren, who was to have spoken at tho Queen's Statue yesterday oil " Fraudulent Arbitration," had to postpono his address by reason of the violent wind, which threatened to outvie any orator who over spoke there. At a meeting of the Branch Committee of the New Zealand Civil Service Association last night, it was decided to hold a social evening for officers and their friends in October.' A connnittco of ladies in tho servico is being formed to help tho General Conunitteo in making the event a succcss. The Otago Education Board recently decided to take legal opinioii upon the question of hanging tho Decalogue upon the walls of school buildings. That opinion has evidently been favourable, for the secretary of tho board now writes to a member of the Wellington Board that a resolution has been passed empowering committees and teachers to exhibit tho Ten Commandments. The annual conference of tho New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers' Association commences this morning in the General Post Office buildings. Seventeen delegates will be and matters affecting the welfare of officers will bo discussed. Mr. J. Alexander, the president, will occupy the chair, and Mr. C. S. Plank is secretary. Tho conference is expected to last until Friday, and on that evening a smoke concert will be tendered to the visiting delegates. " Ono of the pleasures of tho Maoris," said Mr. A. L. D. Frascr, M.P., during his -lecture last evening, "was the flying of kites." Sometimes the kites wero used for magic'puijioses, and the lecturer described how tradition told that "once, when two Maoris princes had mjsteriously disappeared, a kite was flown to discover their whereabouts. It settled over a lonely spot, and on search being made the bodies of tho princes wero found hidden away and covered with twigs. A sitting of the Native Appellate Court was held yesterday in the 'Sydney Street Schoolroom before Judges Seth-Smitli and MacCorniick and liaureti Mokonuiarangi, assessor. Tho business consisted of ail appeal by Kooro to Wliare Pakaru against a decision of the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court given on June 13 last, in which confirmation of a'transfer of tho appellant's interest in a block of land at Palmerston North to ono Allan Sherman was refused. The appellant was represented by Mr. J. J. M'Gratb, and 'after hearing argument 111 support of tho appeal, the Court reserved its decision till September 16. ■ Tho agitation conducted by Mr. Wilford, M.P., the Rev. F. A. Bennett, and others, 011 behalf of tho Maoris at Rotorua, is apparently about to bear fruit in legislation. Tho Hon. Mr. Millar, M.P., has introduced a short measure entitled tho Fisheries Amondment Bill. It provides that the Governor may from time to time make regulations for the 'issue to Maoris of liconses to fish for trout .and perch at such rate, not oxceeding five shillings for the whole season, as ho may proscribe. If the holder of any such license is convicted of any breach of the regulations of tho Fisheries Act, his license may bo cancelled by the convicting Court, and 110 shall not be entitled to a fresh license during tho remainder of tho season. The question whether Melbourne is to be short of water in tho coming summer (says tho Melbourne "Age") remains to be answered. Tho recent rains wero not very heavy in the watershed. Tho level of tho Yan Yean reservoir was 1G feet G| inches on August 29, and it has risen only 3 inches since then, bping some 3 feet lower than it was at this time last year. A marked improvement is, therefore, necessary before tho quantity of water stored equals tho supply held just prior to a season in which the level becamo so low as to cause fears of a famine. For the fortnight ended August 29 the average. daily increase of water in tho reservoir was 17,095,715 gallons.'«" During that period Melbourne drew 23,712,857 gallons daily from tho Maroondah service, and 849,190 gallons daily from'the Yan Yean. Operations for augmenting the supply by drawing upon Coranderrk .Creek are progressing, and the water supply committee of the Metropolitan Board has received tenders for the cartage of steel pipes from tho Healesvillo Railway Station to the pipo line. In The Dominion of September 7 the news appeared that Mr. Geo. Turner, son of Sir George and Lady Turner, had succumbed as tho result of an accident sustained in Melbourne on the morning on September 5. Tho "Age" states that "Mr. George Turner and a friend were sitting on the station platform when the 11.45 train from Camberwell came into tho station. Precisely how tho accident occurred no one appears to be able to state, but Mr. Turner apparently attempted to step on to the train before it had come to a standstill, and he was thrown down with great force. Senior Constable Breen hastoned to Mr. Turner's assistance, and at once saw that he was seriously injured. After 'first aid' had been rendered, Mr. Turner was removed in an ambulance to tho Melbourne Hospital, whero -ho was admitted by Dr. Downes, who found that the patient had sustained a compound fracture of tho left leg and a simple fracture- of the right thigh. In addition, he was cut about on the head and nose, and was suffering severely from shock." Deceased was 27 years of age and unmarried. Commenting editorially on an approaching meeting of local supporters of the Opposition party, the "Gisborne Times" says:— "Those who are alarmed at tho immensity of our public debt, which has now reached £66,000,000, and tho reckless financial methods of the prosent Government, those who are sick to death of tho objectionable and disastrous system followed in the expenditure 011 public works whereby tho public purse is utilised to provide patronage in order that a particular party may be maintained in power, those who realiso how the present Government is signally failing in the task of land settlement so that, instead of attracting fresh settlers, our own are leaving for Queensland, those who can appreciate the gravity of the present industrial crisis brought about by the utter incapacity of the Government to enforce its own laws, those who look in vain through tho dreary record of Parliamentary proceedings for some glimmer of real statesmanship and honest desire to foster national welfare, all these owe it to themselves and to the country to see that their views obtain full expression at the coming elections." At a meeting of the headmasters of the city schools, held yesterday, tho question of participating in the Dominion Day celebrations on September 26 was fully - considered. Mr. Robert Lao (Chairman of the Education Board), Captain T. W. M'Donald (a member of the Board), and tho officers commanding Nos. 1 and 2 Wellington Public School Cadet Battalions (Majors F. A. Henipleman, and A. M'Kcnzio), wero also present. It was decided to co-operate with the Government in carrying out tho full observance of tho occasion, and tho various school committees will be invited, by circular, to assist in tho arrangements. A sub-com-mittee, consisting of Miss Helyer (Mount Cook Girls' School), Messrs. Wm. Foster (Clyde Quay), T. C. Webb (Normal School), nud Captain M'Donald, was appointed to arrange details. In connection with tho parade of the cadet battalions at Newtown Park, it is stated that very complete arrangements will be made for' the comfort of the lads, and that there will bo 110 reason to apprehend a repetition of tho prolonged standing about, complained of 011 past occasions. Last year, tho cadets and their officers had nothing to complain about, and this year the prospect has been made even brighter by tho fact that tho boys will be provided with lunch at the Alexandra Barracks. A specialty of Hair and Scalp Treatment is made by Mrs. Rollcston. Ladies troubled with falling hair, dandruff, or any scalp complaint should call for advice (gratis) at lic'r rooms, first floor, 3 Willis Street, over Carroll's, or telephone appointment 1599. Personal attention only. Certificated. C 739 The men of New Zealand aro becoming great tea-drinkers, and are now- rather fastidious. Thore was a time when 'they took anything in tho way of tea offered by the womenfolk, but now they want palate pleasure—they want Crescent Brand Tea every time. This blended tea has distinguished qualities, for it is a happy combination of tho strong teas of Darjeolmg and the lino delicate teas of Ceylon. CSBB

It is reported that the great volcano on North Savaii has of late grown less and less active, and that it appears probable that it is lapsing into a state of rest. An emergency meeting of the Wellington Education Board was held ono day last week, when tho position in regard to the Upper Hutt School, which was recently wrecked, was considered. The contractors for tho removal of the school aro expected to complete their contract. Tho additions and alterations to the Newtown Public Library aro rapidly approaching completion. Already the left wing, to bo used as a lecture room, is almost finished, and is being used temporarily by the lending department of tho library, while tho room in the centre originally used for that purpose is undergoing alteration. The preliminary inquiry into the collision of the steamers Waikare and Kaipara on Tuesday night last at tho wharf was held by the Collector of Customs yesterday, and several witnesses were examined. Tho Collector will report to the Minister for Marine. It will bo remembered that while tho Waikaro was leaving tho wharf she struck tho Kaipara, damaging that vessel's stern railings, and a lifeboat on her own poop-deck was smashed in'. At the invitation of Dr. Wallace Mackenzie, a number of New Zealand-born residents of Wellington will meet in Godber's llooms 011 Tuesday evening to discuss tho proposed formation of a Wellington branch of the New Zealand Natives' Association. It is argued that such an organisation would be valuable to encourage social intercourso between New Zealanders, to inculcate a moro patriotic sentiment, and to urge New Zealanders to take a hand politically in moulding the destinies of tho Dominion. Tho caso of a man a consumptive, with a wifo and two children, who was ordored to vacate his dwelling, was brought up at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Benevolent Trustees. The chairman (tho Hon;' C. M. Luke) remarked that in spite of the, fact that arrangements had been made some time back which were considered sufficient for a long time to come, the consumptive shelters at Wellington Hospital wero full. The Otaki institution was intended only for less advanced cases. Mr. R. C. Kirk, a member of tho Wellington District Hospital Board, said that if Dr. Ewart (medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital) had among his patients one deserving to go to Otaki, he would bo conveyed there, and thus allow room for the caso under discussion. It is reported from New York that an. astronomical clock, the invention of Dr. Herman Bumpus, the director, which shows all tho movements of tho earth, has been placed on view at tho American Museum of Natural History. The museum authorities 'state that 110 similar device has before been exhibited for the instruction of the public. A storeopticon representing the sun is placed at a distance of 10ft. from a globo of paper composition, 4ft. in'diameter, which is illumined from tho lons in such a. mannor that only half of the sphere shows the light as tho globo slowly revolves and chauges its poise by means of mechanism connected with a small steeple clock. Tho slobc derives its movement from tho working of the clock, and the shadow of a wire placed at tho back of tho lens, which corresponds to the meridan of New York, and which is thrown upon the sphere, shows tho time of day with mathematical accuracy. Tho Maoris possess customs and sayings which strongly resemble many that are part and parcel of our civilisation. "For instance," said Mr. A. L. D. Fraser last evening at St. Thomas's Hall, "when a child sneezed the old English custom was for a mother to place her hand upon its head and say 'God bless you.' The Maori mother did the same, and her words wero 'All blessings bo on you!' " Again, it was an old saying that the two sources of quarrels and trouble generally wero land and women. The Maori said, "Through land and women we are destroyed." A lady of our civilisation to-day, was attracted by the striking, the brilliant, the thing that glistened; it might bo of material objects or of the intellect. The Maori proverb ran:. "The woman on shore is like the kalmwai at sea," and the kahuwai, said Mr. Fraser, the Maoris caught by trailing a glistening piece of pretty pawa shell behind their canoes! ' The following resolution is to be placed before • a special meeting of tho Athletic Park Company" Notice is hereby given that an extraordinary _ general meeting of tho Wellington Athletic Park Company, Ltd., will be hold at Armit's Rooms on Friday, ' September 25, for the purpose of considering and, if it is thought fit, passing the following resolution as a special reso-' lution —i.e., that the company be wound up' voluntarily under tho provisions of the Companies Act, 1903, and that C. H. Izard, solicitor, bo hereby appointed liquidator for tho purposes of such winding up, and that the liquidator be and hereby is empowered to'-scll the lease of the Athletic Park Company to the Wellington Rugby Union, upon this terms and subjcct to the conditions of tiie agreement for sale mado between tho NeW Zealand Rugby Union, Registered, of the first part, the Wellington Rugby Union, Registered, of the second part, and the Pairk Company, of the third part." If the said' resolution is passed by the requisite majority, it will- be submitted for confirmation as a special resolution to another meeting of shareholders. An unusual amount of local interest attached to a caso heard at the Upper Hutt yesterday, beforo Dr. A. M. 4 Arthur, S.M., and Messrs. Davis and ' Wilkins, J.P.'s. Jailies Brown, agent for tho Rev. Mother Frdrices Dove, objected to a notice served upoii him requiring him to cut down all pine trees on tho Catholic Church property wit/hin 33ft. of tho Main Hutt Road. Mr.. Fair for tho obj'wtor, and Mr. M'Ciird}', clork, r/ipcared for tho Town Board. Evidence was given by George Benge, chairman of the board; to the eftect that in'.his opinion the trees as they wero at present were detrimental to the road, as they overshadowed. In cross-examination witness admitted that the trees did not keep the sun off tho ron.d on the western side. The Bench did not call any witnesses 011 behalf of the objector, Dr. M'Arthur stating that Mr. Wilkina and himself agreed that the complaint should be dismissed. Mr. Brown planted tho trees ill question some 40 or 50 years ago. Ho recently cut down a fine avenue of pines in tho'same locality in accordance with notice given.-. On that occasion 110 omitted to give notioo of objection within 14 days. Thq hew colonial institution which has recently: been formed in London under the title "of the Imperial Colonial Club and Over-seas-Union has issued a circular notice setting out the objects of the club. These are as 101% :—l. Tho extension of good feeling and a cordial understanding between Great Britain-and her colonies, and between London, as. the capital of the Empire, and tho English-speaking peoples overseas. 2. The entertainment of all persons from the colonies, aud vnembers of other English-speaking peoples owrseas who are in England on any political mission, connected cither with the affairs of O tlio colonies, or tho commercial reciprocations of the world. 3. Tho receptiou of .allt.foreign ambassadors, Ministers, delegates, iifyd rulers who may be in Loudon 011 missions affecting the colonics, or connected witiiVthe maintenance of the friendly reciprocity of\ nations. 4. f is suggested that a reception shall be he>d once a year in tho interest,«{ the colonies (011 a date to bo fixed) ;• and;, at the half-year from this date, to hold fit the club an organised meeting of discussion: to which delegates of the Peace Congress (or ■ oilier congresses) thon in London, members cf tho press, and others shall bo invited, fho subject of which shall bo tho consideration of intercolonial commerce and the progress of nation's. The circular announces thai "the club will be conducted as a first-class, social West End club." The following are the New Zealand vicepresidents:—Lord and Lt>d.\ i'iunket, Hon. \V. I'. Reeves, Sir E. dtai.ia&uv Nelson, Sir Lambert 11. Ormsby, Mossr.v. Spencer Uollan, Louis Pharazyn, Win. Collins,'Charles Edgar, and Harry B. Vogel. ' ir you arc conremplailng, removing, ;no tlrst thing you should do is obtain a quotation from J. Keir, 3G Jervois Quay. He has had many years' cxperienco in this class of work, and is in a position to pack, store, and removo any description of fnrnitnre. Ho also clears goods through Customs, and dispatches packages and parcels to any address in 'tho world. Telo. ' phono No. 11S0. CSGfI