LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 330, 17 October 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The railway arrangements for the Wellington races to bo held at Trentliam on October 21 and 24' aro advertised elsewhere:

Tho -Wellington Technical School intends to send a number of art, modelling, carpentering, and joinery exhibits to the big show at Palmerston North next week.

Judgment will be delivered by Mr. Justice Cooper this morning in the case of Kibblewhito v. Somerville. Sittings in Chambers will be held by the Chief Justioe (Sir Robert Stout) and Mr. Justice Chapman.

A series of lectures in " First Aid," to bo conducted under the auspices of St. Peter's Church of England Missionary Society, was commenced on Thursday evening at St. Peter's Mission Hall, Taranaki Street. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Dr. W. Kington Fyffe.

/ About 100 samples of milk taken' in tho Wellingtsn district have been tested during the last six weeks or two months'.by tho Government Analyst, Dr. M'Laurin. About 30 per cent, of tho first samples taken were found to be diluted with water, in sonie cases to the extent of 25 per cent. Later samples proved much better than the first, hut dilution was still found to exist. In some cases the milk had been skimmed, and tho proper proportion of butter-fat was wanting, but this was not so generally noticed as the addition of water. A number of prosecutions will be made as a result of tho tests.,

i Members of tho Wellington Cycling Club spent a most enjoyable evening at the club room, Willis Street, last night. Tho gathering took tho form of a' smoke concert, Dr. A. W. Izard, President of tho club, being in tho chair. Among the visitors were Messrs. C. H. Izard and P.- M. B. Fisher, M.P's., who personally contributed to tho evening's entertainment. Musical and othor items were contributed by Messrs. Ernest Parkcs, Leslie Hill, Pearce, Arthur Laurcnson, W. Bastin, Frank, M'Lcod, and T. 6. Carr. During tho evening, tho billiard "Crystallate Cup" was presontod to Mr. J. Hamilton. This trophy must bo won three times before becoming tho sole property of tho winner; this is the first win. Mr. S. Ciraino played the accompaniments.

A meeting was held in tho Mayor's room at tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon to raako arrangoments for collecting in tho city and suburbs on Ambulance Saturday (October 31). Mr. Seed presided, and about sixteen ladies were present, including Mrs. Hislop and Mrs. Rhodes. Various minor matters wore discussed, and it was agreed that ladies should bo asked to undertake tho collecting from the stands. Several ladies present offered to take charge of certain stands and to find for thomsolves the necessary helpers. A number of workers are wanted botli to take charge of stations and to help those in charge, and Mr. Avery will bo glad to receive the names of any willing to help. There will be another meeting to make arrangemonts, lit tho samo placo, next Thursday, nt hvo o'olocL

Tho Thorndon Bowling Club is to open its greens for tho season this afternoon. Tho coreniony will bo performed by tho Prime Minister.

On and_after Monday tho business in connection with tho tramways and electric lighting departments will bo conducted in tho uew building in Harris Street.

Tenders aro to bo called by tho Government immediately for tho erection of a now tourist hotel at Mount Cook. The hotel will bo built of tho rough boulders found about tho site.

Tho master of the Ohiro Homo desires to thank Mr. W. F. Eggers for a sewing machine, Mrs. (Dr.) Chappie for bound books for tho library, and Messrs. Wallace and Gibson for a quantity of straw hats.

The business of the head offico of the City Council tramways and lighting department has hitherto been carried out in the Town Hall. On Monday next tho staff take up their quarters in the Harris Street office.

Amongst tho Bills that were dropped last session was one under which the Wellington Technical Board was to be given power to acquire a certain block of land in Newtown adjacent to "Jam Tin Gully" as a site for tho now technical school. The necessity forthe Bill arises through tho greater part of the block being a city reserve, really part of tho old Town Belt, from which it was long ago .cut off by tho roading thereabouts. The City Council, on its part, is understood to be quite 'agreeable to negotiate with the Technical Board towards tho end referred to, and sought, power to deal with tho land in the manner proposed in tho Bill. There is little doubt that an arrangement will ultimately be arrived at between tho parties concerned, but nothing much can be dono now until Parliament meets in Juno next. The annual " terms " examinations of the Victoria College commenced on Thursday, and will continue until October 24. Candidates are being examined in the following subjects Latin, 154; English, 102; Education, 45; French, 20; German, 10; Mental Science, 58; Economics, 14; Mathematics, 71 ; Mechanics, 13; Jurisprudence, 50; Constitutional History,' 49; Chemistry, 21; Physics, 13; Biology, 19.' About 70 "exempted" studonts—i.e., students exempted from attendance at lectures—are also being examined at various local centres in the district. Wild pigs are often captured in this district (states tho Kaikoura "Star")', but it seldom occurs that a pig of 2641b. weight, cleaned with its head olf, is caught in any of the bushes of- New Zealand. A pig this size was caught at Claverley last week, and may be said to bo the record for a wild one. Tho tusks aro said to measure about 12in., and it may be safely said if this brute caught a man in a quiet corner, the chances of escape would be remote.

Mr. T. F. Dunhill, examiner for the Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.C.M., examined the pupils at St. Mary's Convent, Hill Street, yesterday. He will commence the local centre examinations at tho Town Hall (ladies' cloak room, downstairs) to-day, and will probably finish by next Monday week. On Tuesday evening, October 27, Mr. Dunhill will assist at the Musical Union conoert in the Town Hall, when lie will personally conduct tho performance of. his choral ballad, "Tubal Cain," which ha-s been specially prepared by the Musical Union. He' will also play, at tho same concert, tho Greig "Pianoforte Concerto,' under the baton of Mr. F. Leslie Peck, Professor of Music at WaHganui College, who was a contemporary of Mr. Dunhill's at the Royal College of Music. The Musical Union is also giving a performance of Stanford's "Revenge." The idea of associating Mr. Dunhill and Mr. l'eclc in the Greig Sonata was a happy inspiration of Mr.- Robert Parker's.

The fourth annual oratorical., competition of the Wellington 'Provincial Literary and Debating Societies' Union takes place in the Toiyn. pall-.Gopcert Chamber, to-night at 8 o'clock. "Eliitries 1 froni eight''"societies have been received,' and tho public should be treated to an interesting and instructive contest. The societies represented (with their speakers' names and subjects) are given in the order drawn for speaking:—Catholic Club, L. T.' Roichel, "William Wilberforce"; Y.M.C.A., C. J. Nicklin, "Sir George Grey"; Kent TerracOj J. S. Barton, "General Gordon" ; M. O'Kane, "Henry George," ; Karori, J. Caughley, "Henry V." ; St. John's, F. Redgrave, "Abraham Lincoln"; Victoria College,' J. M. Hogben, "Guiseppe Garibaldi" ; Vivian Street (Baptists), A. N. Proctor, "General Gordon." The patron of the union, Sir Robert Stout, will be'present, and at the conclusion of the competition will present the diploma to tho Victoria College Literary and Debating Society, which was successful in winning the annual debating tournament; also a gold medal to tho successful competitor at the oratorical competition, and a diploma to the socioty which ho represents. His Worship the Mayor, Hon. T. W. Hislop, has kindly consented to take tho chair. .

The "Westminster Gazette" comments quite judiciously on the New Zealand Court at the Franco-British Exhibition:—"There is an air of modesty and unobtrusiveness about the New Zealand pavilion. Beside the great Australian palace it seems to shrink into insignificance. Undoubtedly the late Right Hon. Richard Seddon would have looked on it disconcertedlyj as too faintly and feobly representative of that new Dominion which, in his own dreams, was to fill Great Britain with shops for the sale of New Zealand mutton. Nevertheless by means of its contents this small pavilion says all that needs to be sa.id. There is aoitlier pomp of style nor grandeur of scale; but examples of the extremely varied resources of the country are displayed with quiet effectiveness, and the appoaranee of the country itself, and the conditions under which its industries are. being developed, are so sufficiently illustrated by means of pictures and photographs as to produce in the possible emigrant.! vivid conception of the kind of life that he might- expect to lead if he were to join what is rather felicitously called 'the prosperous democracy of the Southern Sea.' " The sections of cheeses in the New Zealand Court are now cracked and split like a drought-stricken, mud flat, and the ""Westminster Gazette" promptly surmises that "the cheese, one would judge from appearances, will have some difficulty in competing with that of Canada."

In connection with the annual dog show at the Skating Rink, announcement of all awards save ono was made on Wednesday, and the next day the judges conferred as to tiie winner of silver cup No. 2 (presented by tlio Wellington Kennel Club) for the beat non-sporting dog or bitch in tho show; "Opan only to members of the Wellington Kennel Club" was a condition overlooked when tho dogs wore led out. In order to simplify the judging, Mr. A. W. Wilkins (judge of bulldogs) and Mr. S. Johnson (judgo of the non-sporting breeds) agreed to pick out the best dog in their respective sections and to consider thcso two for tho final. From tho bulldogs Mr. Wilkins. selected Mr. A. E. Nichoels's Bromley Swasher, and Mr. Johnson brought along Mr. J. H. White's Black Boy (pug). After discussing tho merits of both prizewinners, the judges decided in favour of the black pug. Now, Mr. Nichoels is not a momber of the Wellington Kennel Club, and someone said so. Bromley Swasher was promptly disqualified, and another bulldog unchained. When pitted against Black Boy, Mr. Johnson rather fancied this bull pup (Mr. C. Cutts's Sheffield Boss), and the decision was changed in his favour. Tho cup is won outright when awarded twice in succession or three times at intervals. As Mr. Cutis took the trophy last year with his dog Sheffield PjTjus, it was to become his n.bso" lute property if his dog were placed first again on this occasion.

While in Sydney Mrs. Rolleston, Toilet Specialist, of 3 Willis Street (over Carroll's) procured the solo agency of Dr. Aickin's Complexion Pilules, which are in reality the secret of pure blood and a clear complexion and aro very highly recommended by the Modi! cal Profession. C 739

Thoro are more ways than one of blendine tea, but there's only one honest and right way and that is to blend for quality. Many teas arc blended for value—that is, teas of certain prices aro lumped together in order to make certain of profit. Crescent Blend Tea is blended for quality, irrespective of the prices of tho teas required to mako the blend. It is a scientific combination of the strong robust teas of DnrjccUut} and tho fino delicate teas of Ceylon Two flliillinga por lb, from all btores.—Advt

Tho following aro tho winning numbers in the M'Grcgor Art Union:—First prize, 483, won by Mr. Crease; second prize, 403, won by Miss M. Herd.

Advice has been received that W. Johnston, of Otago, who was a member of the "All Black" amateur Rugby team which visited England, and who also made the English tour with Baskiville's team, arrived at Wigan on September 6, and signed on the same night to play for the Wigan Club.

Tho services of the volunteer squadron of "Dominion Scouts," recently organised in Wellington, have been accepted by the Government, and the oorps attached to tha cavalry battalion. As all tho. members arf ex-soldiers who have seen active service, and are in the prime of life, the corps should prove a valuable and serviceable one

The Under-Secretary for Public Works has written to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce that the connection of Raglan and Kawhia to the Main Trunk line by a branch railway was ono of several lines mentioned in the Public Works Statement, and a trial Burvoy would be made as soon as the services of a suitable departmental officer are available.

Workmen of the Public Works Department have been lining with slabs of marble the interior 'of the outer vault in connection with the late Mr. Seddon's grave on Observatory' 1 Hill. The interior of tho vault was not finished before. The contractors for the monument which is to surmount tho grave, Messrs. Edwards and Sons, have had the Coromandel granite, which is being used for the memorial, wrought at Auckland, where tho requisite machinery is available, and only the reinforced concrete work, and the erection of tho monument will be done in. Wellington. Mr. John Campbell, Government Architect, leaves to-day for Auckland, to inspect the stonework, which will como south immediately, if improved. It is expected that the memorial will bo erected within a few months' time.

At the meeting of the Wellington centre of the Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Inst evening, the chairman, Dr. Newman, referred to the desirableness of securing New Zealand representation on the board controlling tho Olympic games. Ho had discussed the question with Mr. Coombes, president of a number of Australian sports bodies, and that gentleman had expressed himself as being very much in favour of such representation being secured for this part of tho world. The doctor went on to say that tho idea of a New Zealand Marathon race ought to be taken up by the association, which might take into consideration the question of placing such an event on their sports programme. He himself was prepared to give a trophy for competition, if this event could be arranged for. Mr. Robinson, one of the delegates present at the. meetinn:, was rather dubious about such a race. Thev had, ho said, endeavoured to induce the Harriers to take up the idea of a long distance race, but they would not look at it.

In The Dominion of Thursday last, there appeared, in our report l of tho volunteer field tactics at Trentham oil Labour Day, a paragraph which referred to some misunderstanding between the Wellington Rifle Battalion staff and district headquarters, as to the time-tablo arrangements for tho special train for tho transport to and from 'Wellington of tho volunteers. As explained to our representative by Captain C. Harconrt Turner (District Adjutant 0.M.G.), the dolay arose through a misunderstanding. Tho District Office had previously been informed that tho battalion would . leavo Wellington at 8.45 a.m., returning to town .by tho train leaving Trentham at 4.3(1 p.m. Instead of that, tho returning train left Trentham at 6.30 p.m., an hour later, in pursuance of dofinite instructions from' District Headquarters. Strong exception is taken by Captain J. W. M'Donald, A.A.G., to the paragraph in question. Ho states that there was no ,imsunderstanding; tho..train waa scheduled "exactly 'as asked" for'by tho. battalion staff. Our representative was shown tho corr%fdntienoe":m riieferencfe thereto, which clearly showed that the O.C. Battalion had stated " . . . returning-to town at 5.30," and this was embodied in the instructions to the Railway Department. "Returning," said Captain- M'Do'nald, was -always interpreted as "entraining at the point of departure." So far as tho Johnsonville Rifles were concerned, ho concluded,- that corps had specially requested to bo allowed to liold a daylight parade at Johnsonvillo, and should not have been at Trentham at all.