LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 328, 15 October 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

• Fourteen Chinese arrived from 'Sydney by tho Malieno yesterday. Of these only Wo have resided in the Dominion before. At ten o'clock this morning Mr. Justice Chapman will hear the case of E. J. Searl v Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., and L. do Laval. This 1 is a_ motion for a writ of prohibition to restrain proceedings on an order on a judgment summons. A new wate'rfalij' "feet' 'iir'hfriglit, has been discovered at the foot of Mount Houdsworth, near tho Mountain House. Parties of Masterton and Carterton residents who have lately ascended the mountain state that there is every prospect of a great profusion of the mountain flowers, which are now just coming into bloom. Tho track up tho mountain is at prosent rather rough. Four black pugs are exhibited at the Kennel Club's show this year—quite a new featuro. The dogs are tho property of Mr. J. H. White, of Palmerston North, and have been adjudged worthy of first prize in all classes open to them. Two Christchurch dogs were entered, but they have failed to arrive, so that Mr. White's quartet have undisputed honours. The siro (Jack Valentine) of one of these pugs was sold in Ensland for £250. At the quarterly circuit meeting of the' Masterton Methodist Church, the Rev. J. N. Buttle, who presided, reported 175 members on the roll, with two on trial. The balance-sheet, presented by Mr. H. Beale, showed a deficiency on the quarter's working. It was decided to deal with this before finally closing the accounts. Collections were authorised to be made during the ensuing quarter in aid of the Masterton Sunday School and Kuripuni Trust Fund. It was also decided to mako a retiring collection for the Local Preachers' Mutual Aid Association. On the nomination of the senior steward, the Rev. C. E. Porter was invited to labour, in tho circuit next year. Messrs. 0. Pragnell and T. Nowcoinbo were appointed substitute representatives to the Synod in Wellington.

The dress-ripper" is reappearing at the Opera Houso at great expense—to his or her victims. This demented being, whoso particular mania consists in cutting ladies' dresses and cloaks in the going-in and coming-out crowds at tho Opera House, operated during the last season of the Julius Knight Company. Since then this person's reason lias apparently returned, but a relapse has occurred, as on Saturday evening a young girl, who occupied a seat in the stalls,, had her coat cut badly up the back in'such a manner as to leave no doubt that it was done maliciously by someone using a sharpened instrument. The detectives have for months been on the lookout for the mischievous person who finds amusemout in the manner described, but so far admit themselves beaten.

The Minister for Lands (Hon. >R. 'M'Nab) has written to Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P. for Masterton, with referenco to the 1 acquirement, by the Scenery Preservation Board, of Mr. Matthcws's bush, near tho Masterton Railway Station, for tho purposes of a scenic reserve. Ho states that as the land in question is more suitable for domain purposos than scenic reservation, and is very highly priced, whilst no offer had been made by the local authorities or others to share the cost of acquisition, it was inadvisable to purchaso the land for scenery reservation.. The valuation of the land was over £20 per acre, and as fifty acres had been proposed for reservation, tho outlay for purchase money alone would bo over £1000, whilst the necessary fencing, supervision and maintenance would also have to be considered. The owner appeared reluctant to sell tho land, and stated that ho had purposely reserved the bush for future _ requirements. On the area of fifty_ acres it is reported that only somo six or eight acres of green bush now remain, in small clumps scattered over the flat land.

A little knowledge and a good deal of alo arc a dangorous combination. Tho sergeant of a polico station which will bo unnamed sat in the polico station busy with his pen. A footstep sounded from tho passago without; ho looked' through the open 1 window. A gentleman in evening dress appeared at tho outer door, and when he saw that ho had caught tho sergeant's eyo, saluted him. Then ho canio in, and, swaying slightly in tho doorway, remarked that he had como to givo himself up. The sergeant's oyes sparkled. Ho thought of nil tho murder mysteries stiii unsolved, of the headlines in the papers. "What for?" ho asked. "I want to givo myself up as a vagrant under tho Vagrancy Act. Can Ido it here?" "Certainly," tho sergeant answered brusquely. "I can arrest you, and if you plead guilty in court tomorrow, you'll get thrco months." "Three months I" tho gentleman in evening dress repeated. "Oh . . .1 suppose you'll give me a good soft bed for tho night?" "V board in the colls," repliod the sergeant. "Ah I" said tho gentlemnn, "I'll think it over," and ho wout unsteadily out of tho 1 Btatiom

A correspondent writes from Kaitoke to state, in reply to a request from Mr. J. Drummond, that tho first shining cuckoo of tho season was seen at Kaitoke 011 October 10. The Deep Sea Angling Club held a meeting last night, and as several proposals wcro ipado which before being dealt with needed inquiry, tlio meeting was adjourned till 8 p.m. on Friday. Opuinke has decided t-o instal an up-to-dato lighting scheme. Twenty-five ratepayers last week voted on tho question of raising a loan of £600 for that purpose. Tho proposal was carried; twenty-two voting in its favour. Errand and parcel boys have long been a vanishing commodity in Timaru of Tate, but it would appear that tho shortage of snpply lias now reached a critical point, for at least 0110 of tlio drapery firms is reported to havo taken to employing girls for tho delivery of parcels. Tho demand for good dairy cows (says tho "Taranaki News") has been so great during tho past month throughout the greater portion of tlio Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Wellington provinces that it is believed that fully a thousand more would havo been absorbed had they been available, without materially affecting the prices that ruled. Tho Rev. Leonard Isitt is announced to conduct a temperauco mission in the Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, beginning on Saturday night and ending 'next Thursday night. As one of the most ablo lecturers in New Zealand, Mr. Isitt will doubtless draw largo numbers to his various meetings. Tho list of subjects is advertised elsewhere, and will be found sufficiently varied and interesting to tempt all classes to hear him. As a reason for the escapes from Waiotapu planting camp' an exchange says tho following answer, which is authentic, explains some of the ills which captive flesh in that prison camp has to bear. "Privileges 1" burst out the prisoner with biting scorn. "Privileges do you call them? There aren't any privileges in that camp, mister. Why, hang mo, if they haven't stopped us now from going in to tho Rotorua dances 1 It was time to clear !" Two applications for. fixtures were made to tho Court of Appeal yesterday. Mr. Blair asked when tho motion to make 'absolute a rule nisi striking the name of Robert Moncrieff Cuthbertson off tho roll of solicitors could bo taken. It was decided to dispose of the matter this morning. With respect to tho case of Genet v. Geuot, Mr. Myers said that counsel were coming from Christchurch. It was desired that the hearing should take place this afternoon or sometime on Friday. Tho Court intimated that it would'tako tho case this afternoon.

One of the earliest of Nelson born settlers passed away on Sunday in the person of Air. Josse Jennens. Deceased, who was born in Nelson oil May 1, 1843, was well-known and highly respected. He was a resident of Nelson all his life, with the exception of three or four years which were spent in Taranaki during the Maori troubles in. the "sixties." The late Mr. Jennens was for twenty-nine years with. the firm of Messrs. E. Buxton and Co., but of late years (states the "Colonist") has carried on one of the most successful and up-to-date orchards in Nelson. Ho leaves a widow and four sous and one daughter.

Labour Day was no holiday for the Firo Brigade, no fewer than four calls being received. The first was at 7.40 a.m. to a chimney, firo at No. 7 Nelson Street. The second call was at 1.56 p.m., to No. 10 Pirie Street, whore a bedroom on the ground floor and a cupboard under the stairs, in a house occupied by Mr. John Duuham and owned by Mr. Jordan, were slightly damaged. Call No. 3 was to a chimney fire at No. 118 Vivian Street, and a later turnout was at 8.49 p.m. to tho Albemarle Private liotcl, Ghuznee Street, where tho contents of a bedroom on the second floor were severely damaged before tho flames were extinguished by the inmates and the fire brigade's handchemical machiue.

Tho■ _"Glorious> Fourth"i:'jiini..l,",AmeHca. is likely to lose., its deadly reputation, according to Sir. H. Baillie, Wellington. Librarian, who spent tho great anniversary this year in Pittsburg. "The celebration was sito of what I expected," said Mr. Baillie yesterday. "Thero was no noise at all." The use of fireworks in the streets was prohibited, . and the municipality furnished magnificent pyrotechnic displays in ' two parks, Mr. Baillie witnessing, for about throe hours, the finest exhibition of fireworks he had ever seen. Other towns are prohibiting tho sale of fireworks, and an attempt is generally being made to introduco more sanity and safety into the celebrations.

Among tho passengers from Sydney by tho Maheno yesterday was Mr. Alfred Liuley, of the Royal Picture Syndicate, who has been to Sydney in connection with matters kinematograph. Mr. Linley states that the kinematograph business is booming in Sydney, where permanent shows have been established at the Lyceum Theatre, the Palace Theatre, and tho Glasiarum. Ono night whilst ho was there tho Governor-General, Lord Dudley, and suite attended Mr. Spencer's show at tho Lyceum, where is now being exhibited the latest marvel, tho chronomegaphone. This is tho ■ long-looked-for combination of the kinematograph with the phonograph. By. an ingenious electrical contrivance the phonograph works in harmony with the pictures. By this means,. Mr. Linley saw and heard Harry Lauder sing several of his Scotch " comics." It is understood that the chronomegaphono will be exhibited in Wellington in about ten weeks' time.

Replying to' the contributed article in yesterday's Domikion on tho Railway Department classification scheme, the authorities state that the task of classification is a much more intricate one than our correspondent suggests. In view of tho large number of moil affected, it was necessary to proceed on t'ho lines of a general scheme, having regard to tho advantage of the Department as a whole. A few men may_ find themselves apparently under _ a _ disability as compared with others, but it is claimed that if these will look forward two or three years, instead of considering only tho immediate effect of tho system in their case, they will find that very substantial benefits are given by tho new classification. It is denied that cadets have been treated differently from other officers, or that great stress was laid by tho Department on the fact that the delay in bringing down tlio D.-3 was duo to casual clerks being placed on tho permanent staff.

A meeting of the Johiisonville Town Board was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. Rod presiding. There wero also present: Messrs. A. Mills, 11. Boulds, T. Bowler, S. Bryant, F. Simenson, and F. T. Moore. Mr. A. Mills was appointed treasurer, and the following finance committee was set up: Messrs. Mills, Bowler, Moore, and Bould. It was resolvod that Mr. Middleton, the engineer, bo asked to meet tho members on Saturday afternoon to go over tho main road contract. Complaints regarding wandering cattle wero renewed, and tho clerk was instructed to write to the ranger, asking for stricter super- . vision of the district. A deputation was arranged to meet tho Minister for Lands in regard to £150 subsidy received towards tho recreation ground expenses, and to st-ato that it had been applied in that direction. Tho chairman was appointed delegate to attend a meeting of delegates regarding tho Hospital Board election on December 1. Tho roadman's report was adopted, and accounts amounting to £108 14s. wero passed for payment. While in Sydney Mrs. Rolleston, Toilet Specialist, of 3 Willis Street (over Carroll's), procured tho solo agency of Dr. Aickin's Complexion I'ilnles, which arc in reality the secret of pure blood and u clear complexion and aro very highly recommended by the Judical Profession. C7M There aro more ways than one of blcndinc tea, but there's only one honest and right way and that is to blend for quality. Many teas are blended for value-that is, teas or certain prices aro lumped together in order to make certain of profit. Crescent Blend Tea is blended lor quality, irrespective of the prices of the toas required to make the blend. It is a scientific combination of the strong robust leas of Darjceling and the Duo delicate teas of Cevlon Two shillings per lb. from all stores.—Advt. Tho Dev. John Urquhnrt, Egyptologist and archaeologist, will lecture on "Have the Claims of the Bible been Sustained by Recent Research?" at the Vivian Street Baptist Churoh to-night. Mr. J. G, W. Aitken, M.P will preside. '' j