LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 316, 1 October 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Fourteen Chinese arrived from Sydney by the Ulimaroa yesterday. Of that number twelve were newcomers, and included a ] woman. " i The official opening of the Foxton gas service will tako place on Wednesday next. Mr. H. F. Allen, of Wellington, is tlio secretary of the company. • Four eases of enteric fever were reported in the city during the week ending September 19, which is a very high proportion. Fortunately the disease appears to have been practically confined to tlieso cases, . as only one caso has been since reported. . Messrs. Johnston and Co. advise that it is understood that the Canadian-New Zealand Line steamer Indravelli, now at Suva, is waiting there till tho arrival of the Manuka, which is bringing the American mails that were on board the Aeon when she was wrecked. 1 It is understood that with a view of further stimulating the farming industry in Victoria, tho Victorian Government, intends to subsidise the new Veterinary College to the extent of £4000 a year. The laboratory which it is proposed to instal is expected to bo the finest in Australasia. Despite tho numerous important works ' occupying tho attention of the City Engineer at present, waterworks extension is being carried on wherever it is justified and wherever the population is sufficient. A contract has just been let for £2000 worth of additional pipes for extensions through the Melrose district. Everything is in readiness for pushing on the tramway extension to Lyell Bay. The City Council has given the necessary authority, but an Order-in-Council is required before a start can bo made. The work is simple, and the distance is only half a mile down tho Onepu Road to tho pretty Lyell Bay beach. The engineer expects to have the cars running by Christmas. Taihape is considerably exorcised just at present on tho subject of Sunday cricket. The annual meeting of tho Taihape 1 Cricket Club having- decided, after considerable dis-' cussion, that tho Cup matches should bo played on Sundays as was dono last year, correspondents in tho local press are pronouncing strongly against tho proposal and tho principle involved. Nothing is now heard of the participants in tho recent bakers' "strike." A reporter mado inquiries yesterday and was told that most of the men had either gone away or had turned to other trades. Mr. H. F. Allen, secretary of the Master Bakers' Union, said that none of them had been reinstated, except thoso who were fortunate enough to be taken on during tho early stages of the trouble; It is recognised that this year's exhibition of pictures at tho Academy of Fine Arts js one of the best that has been known ill Wellington, and there is a very satisfactory attendance of tho public. Tho art union in connection with it is not quite an art union, but money prizes are given which, it is understood will bo devoted to the purchase of. pictures. Other pictures which have been sold aro "lii the Clinton Canyon," by C. H. Floworth, £15 155.; "Gum Trees," by Esmond Atkinson, £5 55.; and a portrait by J. Jameson, £6 6s. Tho total rainfall for. tho montlr which has just closed was 1.11 inches. There wero nino rainy days, the heaviest rainfall being experienced on September 22, when .31 inch was recorded. The warmest day of the month was yesterday; tho thermometer reading being' 62.8, a jump of 21.6 in fivo days, for on Septembor 25 the mercury dropped to 41.2. Tho gusty northerly was much-in evidonce, the vernal equinox, Septembor 22, being heralded in the usual boisterous fashion. Tho average velocity of tho wind for tho month was 43 miles per hour. Tho annual meeting of tho congregation of St. John's Presbyterian Church was held in tho schoolroom last evening, tho Rev. J. • Gibson Smith, Acting-Moderator of the Presbytery, presiding. Tho proceedings were of a formal character, consisting simply of tho reading and adoption of the annual report, details of'which have already been published. Mr. James M'Kerrow read tho report, and, in moving its adoption, commented eulogistically upon tho satisfactory progress evidenced in tho various departments of tho Church's activity. The motion was seconded by Mr. \Y. T. Glasgow, and- carried unanimously . . , 1 Mr. A. Hamilton, director of the Dominion museum, has received from tho authorities of tho Museum cf Natural History, New York, a series of 72 photographs of busts which havo been modelled for-that museum, representing the numerous, tribes of Red Indians, natives of the Philippines, and natives of the Arctic regions of North' America. Mr. Hamilton states that tho Maori busts which aro being made Mr. Nelson Illingworth compare very favourably with thoso iu tho American collection. Tho New York memorials aro life-sized portrait busts, but do not include costume, which Mr. Illingworth has introduced with good effects in his types. ■ A Dunedin telegram published yesterday indicated that the Salvation Army had been saved £1800 by a decision of Mr. Justice Williams' that they need not pay duty on a certain bequest. The legacy in question was left by Sir. Samuel Wilson, of Awambko. near Papakaio, Otago. Mr. Wilson'left all his property, to the value of £35;000, in four parts, of which two wero given to tho Presbyterian Church for various works in Otago, and two were devoted to the social work of the Solvation Army in Now Zealand. The army's share was practically half of the £35,000. Lieutenant-Colonel ■ Knight received a cheque for £15,000 on behalf of tho bequest, and then the question of stamp duty was raised. Tho army, objected to. paying duty on tho ground that tho money was being devoted to purely charitable: work,, and this view has now been judicially endorsed. : ' In moving a vote of thanks to Mr. J. A. Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian, at Foatlierston oil Tuesday night, writes our Wairarapa correspondent, Mr. A. Matthews, tho well-known owner of Waiorongomai, ; said that he thought that there was no man whom tho farmers of New Zealand could - so ill afford to loso as Mr. Gilruth. Though. wo could ill afford to lose Mr. Gilruth's services there was a melancholy satisfaction "in tho knowledge that what was New Zealand's loss was Victoria's gaiu. Mr. Gilruth's advice had always been most practical, ■ and ho preached tho doctrine of farming tho lands and proper sensible treatment of the stock. Ho preached a doctrine to sheepmen of change of food and less cocksfoot and less drenching. In responding, Mr. Gilruth referred humorously to some of his first troubles when he came to Now Zealand. Sheep ,wero not scientifically treated then, there being very little ploughing and manuring;' "It is some satisfaction to state," continued Mr. Gilruth, "that the face of the country has changed since thoso days, and there has been a great improvement in tho methods of tho ' sheep farmer, and also the dairy farmer." (Applause.) At the conclusion of tho special caso re-, latino; to the adjustment of accounts between the Eastbourne Borough and tho Hutt County yesterday, the Chief Justico (Sir Robert Stout) observed: —"I majr say that this caso shows one reason how it is. that there aro so many littlo bits of districts wanting to bo created into counties. If Sections 145 and 146 of tho Counties Act had been extended and a sort of local self-government given to each county, wo would have had largo counties and a better system of local government than now obtains. The cutting up and carving of counties is unknown at Homo, in America, or in Canada or Australia. Tho only county in New Zealand which'has not been materially reduced in size is the Southland County. This breaking up of counties leads to the destruction of local self-govern-ment. There can be nothing more plain, because-, the Government is being constantly appealed to for votes.oven for small'works, The different ridings of a county ought to be treated as different districts, and the counties looked upon as confederations. Then only one engineer and one county clerk would be required for each county, which would bo in every respect more economically managed. Another advantage is that largo counties could get loans at a cheaper rate. That, however, is not a matter for me, as I havo only to dotormiuo the questions be-, ' faro me us tho law at present stands." '

An address on "The American Fleet' will be delivered by Captain Richardson, Chief Instructor of Artillery, at the Petone Drill Hall this evening. Tho Post Offico received advice yesterday from Vancouver that tho aurora was affecting eastern wires, and traffic was being diverted with some delay. The enterprising burglar has been at work at Island Bay. Tho other afternoon he entered a houso while the family wore on tho beach, and abstracted jewellery to the value of £30 and a number of sporting mementoes. The polico have the matter in hand: Tho Fire Brigado was turned out at 3.58 p.m. yesterday to a shod alongsido a smokehouse' atachc'd to Messrs. Luxford Bros.' butchers' shop, 193 Riddiford- Streot. A portion of the wall and roof of the shed was' damaged beforo a bucket brigade, got tho flames under. In extenuating tho oratory of a Parliamentary aspirant last evening, his chairman somewhat curiously _ remarked that it was as yet only tho beginning of the campaign, and" tho candidate was not so eloquent as he might bo, but when he became moro of an old warhorso ho would speak better. The vital statistics for the Wellington district show that during the month of September 172 infants were born; 72 couples wero married in' church and IS others at tho registry office. '. Thero wero 43 deaths recorded. Tho statistics for tho, past nine months are:—Births, 1525; marriages, 970; deaths, 5G5. Building operations in Asliburton and tho suburbs appear to bo fairly active at the present time (states the '"Guardian"). Several new shops aro being built, while the erection of others is contemplated. Quito a number of residences are being built, or aro just completed, in various parts of tho town and suburbs. In connection with the opening of tho rifle-shooting season at Trentnam on Saturday, riflemen aro requested to note that the train arrangements of last year have been slightly altered for the coming season. Tho volunteer special train is timed to leavo Wellington on Saturdays at 1.55 p.m., Lower Hutt 2.16 p.m., arriving at, Trentham (Defenco siding) at 2.47 p.m. Riflemen will return to town by the. train leaving Trentham (Defence siding) at 6 p.m., arriving in Wellington at 6.48 p.m. "In view of the great expenso, aro you in favour of abolishing tho Biological Department?" was a question asked of a, political candidate last evening. 4 "I don't quite know what -tho Biological Department is/' confessed the chairman, "but I take it it is something rather classical. , I think it. is something to do with the Agricultural Department." "No," was the decisive declaration of a member of the audience. "Is it not?" inquired the chairman. "Catching flics—," explained the interjector, and further remarks wero lost in laughter. "You and I haven't been rubbing our heads together—as to the evidenco you should give?" Such was a query put to a young lady witness at the S.M. Court yesterday by a youthful-looking lawyer, who was endeavouring to undermine a suggestion by tho prosecution that the lady had been talking things over with the opposition in a way sho ' should-not have (done. Counsel did not realise what he had said until he intercepted tho smilo that floated round tho courtroom. When Counsel caught tho eyo of a blushing witness, and intercepted the smilo that was stealing round the courtroom, he s.-»t down in a hurry. A children's room is an innovation which Mr. A. Hamilton hopes to introduce into tho Dominion Museum when tho new building is erccted. Tho idea is an American one. A room is sot apart for the display of birds, beasts, fishes, and natural objects most likely to arouse tho wonder of small children. Tho oxhibits are attractively arranged in cases raised only a few inches above the floor, so' that the child can inspect them without the need for dangerous climbing feats. Tho room is fitted up like a pleasant drawingroom, rather than a cold, bare hall of science, and is available for classes of young children, accompanicd by their tcachc-rs. A number of school classes make use of tho Dominion museum at present./ With reference'to tho proposal to establish a separate Court of Appeal in New Zealand, it is of interest to note that all tho colonies with the exception of the Crown colonies and the South African States, have a tribune especially for appeal work. Theso colonies, which havo not independent Courts of Appeal, look upon tho Privy Council as their Appeal Court. 'Only'in;recent years has thero been a speciaU'Appeal Court in Australia. AVhen tho Court of Appeal was established in New Zealand—46 years ago— tlio population did, not excced 100,000 and thero wero ftrcr judges. At the present timo tho population is close upon 1,000,000, and there aro only six- judges. Excluding vacations,, one-third'of tho judges' time is taken up with appeal work. The question is, whether the time has arrived for the specialisation of the work in New Zealand. A rather curious incident enlivened tho proceedings at tho Departmental heads' Dominion Day supper on Saturday night. Tho chairman (Dr. Fitchett), in the course of a particularly happy speech, dwelt on tho excellent purpose such gatherings served in bringing those heads of Departments together, as they might not meet from year's end to year's end in tho course of their duties, and he instanced a case where on one occasion two "heads," who had been attending office in tho "largest wooden building" for a number of years, were, on being introduced, mutually surprised at discovering each other's identity. A little later in the. evening it transpired that one Departmental secretary was making judicious inquiries as to who, another bearded person present was, and, amidst a good deal of lighi! raillery, tho two were introduced. Nor was that the only incident of tho kind that occurred during the evening. ' The Methodist Church in Taranaki Street was well filled last evening, when the Rev. W.E., Bromilow and Mrs. Bromilow, who for thirty years carried on mission work in the South- Sea Islands, recounted the story of tliojr endeavours to christianise the heathen savages there. Both speakers were listened to with rapt attention, and demonstrations of appreciation were frequent, and thero is every indication that the missioners- will recoive very practical assistance in their endeavours to replace the missionary schooner Dove, which has been condemned as unsafe, by a larger and more useful vessel. It is stated that the Senior Endeavour Society of tho Methodist Church in Taranaki Street have donated £4—the amount of the-prize awarded by the Provincial Endeavour Union 1 for tho highest collections for missions—to the fund, while tho Junior Society of tho samo church has decided to hand over the '.'Eggers" prizo of £5 won by it in the junior competition for tho largest collections. A large number of passengers from- London are expected to arrive by the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's liner Athcnic, which is due next Sunday or Monday. In all, she has 681 passengers, there being 15 first saloon, 69 second saloon, and 597 third class. Of these, 325 are assisted immigrants, there being 237 adults and 88 children. Included in the number are 18 wives who aro coming to their husbands, 64 farmers, 28 domestic servants (6 for Wellington, 9 for Auckland, 4 for Lyttelton, 3 for Port Chalmers, and 6 for, various ports), 11 farm labourers, 2 shepherds, 1 poultry-breeder, and most other callings aro represented. The amounts in tho possession of tho assisted immigrants range from £2000 down to £25. A small batch of immigrants is expected to arrive from Liverpool by the F.H.S. liner Surrey about tho middle of this month. There aro in all 58 assisted immigrants, amongst whom aro 11 farmers, 9 domestic servants, 3 farm labourers, etc. They bring various sums of money ranging from £420 down to £25. A 6peclalty of Hair and Scalp Treatment is mado by Mrs. Kolleston. Ladies troubled with fiillinp: liair, dandruff, or any scalp complaint should call for advice (gratis) at her rooms, first floor, 3 Willis Street, over Carroll's, or telephone appointment 1599. Personal attention only. Certificated. < C 739 The men of New Zealand arc becoming qreat tea-drinkers, and aro now rather fastidious. There was a timo when they took anything in tho way of tea offered by the womenfolk, but now they want palato pleasure—thoy want Crescent Brand Tea every time. This blended tea has distinguished qualities, for it ia a , happy combination of the strong teas of Dar'l Aedws aud tho lino delicate teas of Ceylon. CBSS