LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 448, 5 March 1909, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Wmmera, which left Sydney on Wednesday, has on board nn English and Australian mail, which is duo in Auckland on Sunday. Tho southern portion of tho mail will reach hero by tho Auckland express on Monday afternoon at 4.25 p.m. Mr. Justice Denniston will sit iu Chambers at 10.30 o'clock this morning. The arbitrators to assess damagos in tho caso of Mrs. \V. M. li'iold versus Allen Maguire will bo: Mr. J. G. Holdsworth (land and commission agent) for plaintiff, and Mr. James Ames (City Valuer) for defendant. The requisition asking tho Mayor (tho Hon. T. \Y. Hislop) to contest the Mayoral election next April, was presented to him last night. It contained 4256 signatures, and was 44 feet in length. Tho question of tho roads through tho Rhodes -Estate, tho negotiations as to clos'ing them, and the consequent compensation, came beforo yesterday's meeting of tho Financo Committee of tho City Council, wlin it was decided to forward a proposal to tho trustees. If this proposal is not acceptcd, negotiations will be at an end.

An amusing episodo took place at tho Gisborno Polico Court on Monday. A Native, who was fined for assaulting a Chinaman, declined to pay tho fine, and a warrant was accordingly made out for his commitment to prison. Thcro being no polico constablo available to tako the man into custody, tho latter undertook to convey tho warrant in person to the gaoler, and hurried away to prison, remarking that ho hoped ho would bo in' t imo for dinner. The final report of tho Native Land Commission (Sir Robert Stout, C.J., and Mr. Jackson Palmer, Chief Judgo of tho Native Land Court) will bo presented to the Governor to-day. It is understood that tho report will eompriso important recommendations with regard to the block of 56,000 acres in tho Mokau district alleged to liavo been leased from tho Natives by Mr. Joshua Jones. If tho recommendations of tho Commission aro carried out, a largo area of valuablo land in that district will bo made available for settlement. Tho question of increasing fire insuranco rates on certain risks will probably bo considered by Cabinet next week, as tho result of representations from tho recent conference of managers of fire insuranco companies. The companies aro said to havo expressed tho opinion that profitable business cannot be dono at tho present rates." The Prime Minister has stated that tho State Fire Office would incrcaso its charges on certain risks, if it wero shown that business could not be carried on othenviso without a loss. It is understood, howovcr, that, though the State Offico made a loss last year, its position is moro satisfactory at present, and Cabinet may see no necessity for increasing charges.

Tens grown in different localities have different characteristics, find even tho tea from any particular garden is not tlio same in two sucoossivo seasons. Climatic changes, differences of noil, exercise influences, and it is in the art of tho tea blender to bring together tho different teas and by combination to produco a particular flavour. Crescent Blend Tea is a choice combination of Ceylon and Indian Teas, and tho flavour nevor varies. All storekeepers, 2s, per lb.

Sittings of tho Court of Appeal in Wellington aro fixed and gazetted for 11 a.m. on March 29, July 5, and October 4, 1909. Rules of tho codo of civil procedure arc by this week's Gazottc ,revoked, and now ones provided to take cffect from April 1, 1909. , ' Our Dunedin correspondent writes:— Bookings for tho tour of tho West Coast Sounds are coming in' very freely, and tho Taluno should bo a full ship when tho timo for departuro arrives. By a regulation gazetted this week there is to bo no close season this year for mullet or kanao in tho waters ol tho Dominion inside a lino drawn from Capo Kidnappers to tho southernmost point of tlio Mahia Peninsula. In this woek's Gazetfa tho regulations prescribing <he forms of declaration to bo made by applicants for land under tho Land Act, 1892, aro revoked so far as they relate to lands not already offered for selection and in lieu of them others are made. Messrs. D. M'Larcn, M.P., C. H. Chapman, W. C. Noot, and M. J. Reardon have been nominated by tho Seamen's Union as candidates for seats on the City Council. The nominations will corno beforo tho Labour Representation Committee. Tho valuo of certain seasido property is apparently ono thing, but tho selling price of tho same property is quito a different matter. A witness who owns property at ono of tho bays, which property lie valued at £800, stated that in tho present state of tho market ho could not get £200 for it. "I will tako an order for 10s. a week, your Worship," remarked counsel in a judgment summons case at tho S.M. Court yesterday. "Do you think the debtor will livo long enough to pay it oft'," asked Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., looking at tho amount of tho debt. "It is a pretty big sum, £158," replied counsel, "but I'll tako tho order." Daily meetings of tho unemployed continuo to be held at tho Grey Statuo, Auckland. It is understood that a movement is on foot to arrango for a deputation fa'wait upon tho Minister for Education during his presence in Auckland. Some of the mon liavo oxpressed satisfaction with the Primo Minister's intimation that steps are being taken fa pro-, vide work for thoso in need of it. • ■ The Chief of Staff of tho British Army has replied as follows to a letter from Colonel Robin,' Chief of Staff, New Zealand, who is in continual communication > with him regarding work to be done at the forthcoming Easter manoeuvres in tho Dominion-"Wo aro glad to road your memo, and hear that there is prospect of holding manoeuvres in New Zealand. If they learn fa apply the principles you havo indicated, thoy should bo deemed to havo done good work." A combined meeting of the members of tlio intermediate and junior sections of tho V.M.C.A. ' boys! department respectively was held last night. Mr. W. Eglin presided, and tho Rev. J. J. North gave an interesting address. Tho Easter Camp Circular is now ready, and boys can bo enrolled for membership forthwith. The total cost for four days (inclusivo of train fare)-is:—Boys, 15, to 18 years of age, 6s. 6d.; 12 fa 15 years 4s. Gd. Tho camp will be held at the old racecourse, Otaki.

Another illustration of tho bad times which carpenters and joiners are passing through was given by a carpenter who appeared at the S.M. Court yesterday morning 011 a judgment summons. Debtor stated that ho was .willing to work, but was unable to got anything to do. For - the, past three months ho hau been looking for employment without success, and had tried 30 or 40 places. Since October last ho had not earned 30s. a week on tho average. Ho had a wife and. family of five, and had no means, and no property.

Although St. Ann's Club has only been in existence a little over six months it is in a flourishing condition. Recently two fine billiard tables wero installed in the largo hall. A small addition has been mado to-tlio hall in tho shape of a room which answers a dual purposo. In tho daytimo. a number of children belonging to tho overcrowded school in tho district are taught there; and, in ,tho evenings, it will bo occupied by members of thp literary and debating. society, which will commence its sessions' next -week. Another small building has also been secured for tho purposes of a gymnasium.

"I have seen more drunkenness in tho city of, "Wellington during my short stay hero than 1 liaro seen" in Christehurch iu six months," said tho Rev. W. Ready yesterday, in replying to a deputation from tho Ministers' Association to the Methodist Conference. Ho went on to.say that as ho was proceeding homo at 10.30 o'clock-one evening lie mot twelve young men, and eight out of tho twelve were intoxicated. Wellington was tho headquarters of tho Now Zealand Allianco —it needed to bo tho headquarters of tlio wholo of the forces of God to combat tho evil of drunkenness. Somo remarks by a member of a deputation from the Ministers' Association that waited upon tho Methodist Conference yesterday drow from Mr. Arnold, M.P., a defence,of tho press of Wellington. "If members of the conferoiicc," he said, "knew "tho difficulty there is in connection with reporting such a conference as our own, I am sure they would not give tho criticism that has come out in regard to tho reports. Wo must remember that tho daily press caters not only for Church readers, but for tho public as a whole. I am suro that 110 conference could wish for fairer or more lengthy reports than this ono has received." (Applause.) "Tho money was given to him by a young woman to enablo him to start a business," said counsel in a judgment summons caso at tho S.M. Court yesterday, referring to a debtor. Debtor denied that this wan so, stating that the monoy had been given unconditionally. Ho was a single man, earning £2 7s. per week, and would ofl'er to pay 3s. or 4s. per week off tho debt. "What!"' exclaimed his Worship, "a single man earning £2 7s. a week- offering to pay Bs. or 4s. per week to a woman who has lent him the money 1 An order will bo made for tho payment of £1 per week." "You can go now!" concluded his Worship with emphasis.

Tho matter of froo school books was mentioned to tho Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, by a " Herald" representative, and tho Minister replied that lie was awaro tho Auckland Board of Education had complained that tho books could not be provided out of tho sum allotted by tho Department, but several education boards had managed to find tho grant sufficient, and had started 011 tho svstom. ' The Education Department required a very largo sum yearly to carry on its operations, and, naturally, ho could not grant as much monoy for many tilings as ho would like to. Tho grant foi\ free school books should bo sufficient to enable a good start to bo mado.

A social meeting was held in the Kelburno Presbyterian Church-room last night to further celebrate tho opening of the church last Sunday. Dr. Gibb occupied the Addresses were delivered by the Revs. Gibson Smith and Kennedy Elliott, and tho Revs. Comrio and Sliirer wero also present. A statement as to the growth'of the congregation and its finances was rend by Mr. Campbell. During tho evening songs wero sung by Miss Caldow and Mr. ft. D. Caldow, a duct was rondored by Mrs. Burko and Miss Johnson, and a recitation was given by Mr. R. Brown. Refreshments, which ■ wero. greatly appreciated, wero served by ladies of tho congregation. Altogether the meeting was highly successful, and auspicious of tho future prosperity of the congregation. Tho Rev. C. Connor, formerly of Napier, will supply services on Sunday . Judging from statements mado at tl.o Trades and Labour Council last night, tliovo is a probability that a polk will have to bo taken in Wellington and suburbs shorilv ,~n tho Saturday half-holiday question. "Tho petition in that behalf was tho subject of a report by Mr. A. Blcc'n; who said that 3267 signatures had been obtained. Thoro were, besides, lists out all over tho citv with a good many names on them. Ho had, in company with a delegate from Christchurcli, interviewed Professor Sahnond, counsel to tho Law Drafting Office, who had given them valuable information. They intended to mako sure of tho petition being legal, and with this view, ho would dovoto three or four davs moro in getting signatures. Mr. Carey, Mr. Muir, and others wero doing good service, and ho hoped tho petition, which had to bo presented ou March 27 t would finally comprise 4500 signatures.

Mr. Joseph M'Cluggage lias boon reappointed a member of .tho Taranaki Land' Board. ' Regulations regarding,staffs, siflarics, and allowances, which nro to bring Native schools into lino with public schools, aro published in this woek's Gazette. They came into forco on March 1.

Tho scalo of expenses to be paid fa-wit-nesses other than medical witnesses for attendant at coroners' inquests nro fixed by this week's Gazette as follow:—For every day's attendance at an inquest and necessary absonijo from place of abode, Cs.; and in addition for every night's necessary abscnco from place of abode, 4s.

Tho following aro gazetted as officiating ministers under tho Marriage Act, 1008:— Church of England: Revs. G. 0.- Cruick- ' shank, F. G, Harvie, 0. V. Howard, C. M, Jqnos, 11. N. Roberts, E. H. Strong. Primitivo Methodist Church: Revs. Harold Sharp, G. K. Smith. Salvation Army: Adjutant Frank E. Mclksham and Adjutant John H. Powick. Tho tender of Mossrs. M'Lean, Donald, and Co., Wellington, at £17,G7u, has been accepted for tho construction of a wharf at Grahamstown. Following aro tho unsuccessful tenderers, with tho amounts of their tenders: —Messrs. Maurico O'Connor, Wei- • £18,652 Cs.; G. Nicol, Auckland, £19,3j4 Is. lid.; R. B. Martin and Co., Auckland, £20,631; Fitzgerald and Bignell, Groymouth, £21,684; G, M. Fraser, Hamilte'i, £21,752 9s. 7d.; Homo and Matthews, Wellington, £24,988 7s. 10d.; Rhodes, Watson, and Son. Dnnedin, £26,054 19s. 3d.; A. 'Watson, Auckland, £27,448. At Wesley Hall this evening at 6 o'clock a tea meeting will bo held. A feature of the 'tea will bo tho decoration of tables to represent tho various missions supported by the Church. Between 7 o'clock and 7.30 p.m. Mr. Harland will render a select programme on tho organ, and this will bo followed by the missionary meeting, to bo addressed by Sister Nellie (Maori missions), Mr. Yung-Hang Hwang (Chinese Consul for New Zealand), Mr. w. C. Francis, of New Guinea, and Rev, W. Slade, of Dunedin. At noon on Saturday tho Methodist Conference will adjourn, aiid hold a picnic at Day's Bay, whero cricket • and tennis matches will bo played against local teams. Tho Mission. Band will bo in attendanco. Pains and penalties will continuo fa be tho lot of motorists who attempt speed records in tho vicinity of Upper Hutt, At this week's meeting of tho Road Board, it was decided to put down travelling at high speeds in the township, as soveral narrow escapes had been rcooruod. Warning notices are to, bo sent to several motorists to ceifio travelling at excessive pace. Complaint wa6 also . made that ayclists w-oro travelling without lamps at night, and it was decided to follow tho course hitherto adopted—namely, fa warn tho offender onco, ana then to prosecute for subsequent offences.,