LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 460, 19 March 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu train services will be discussed with the Hon. J. A. Millar by a deputation which Mr..W. H. Field, M.P., will introduce at 2.30 p.m. to-day.

A cheque for £15 15s. has been received by Superintendent O'Brien, of the Wellington Fire Brigade, from Messrs. D. \V. Vir,tuo and Co. in recognition of the brigade's efforts at tho fire in the firm's building on Sunday. Tho money will be added to the brigade's recreation fund.

A number of owners of dogs will be proceeded against at tho Magistrate's Court today on charges of failing to pay the regulation tax. On March 26, a number of owners of cattle which wore found wandering in tho suburbs will be called upon to answer charges dealing with the matter.

According to Mr. Grenfell, who appeared on behalf of the employers in connection with the grocers' dispute, yesterday, something which he could not understand made youths unsatisfactory workers nowadays. It might he want of parental control or an undue spirit of independence that w?s affecting their worth as workers. "I don't know why it is," added Mr. Grenfell, "but the fact remains that what I have said is the case."

While several ladies were being taken, off from the Queen Street Wharf to tho yacrtt Rangatira, in Auckland harbour, on Monday, they had the unenviable oxporience of being capsized out of a dinghy. Tho accident occurred just near tho yacht. Tho ladies were got aboard, however, though not before some of thorn had been in the water for a few minutes. Fortunately, beyond the wetting and tho fright the received, they were nono tho worse for tho adventure.

Captain England, formerly of tho Nimrad, believes that if the Norwegian firm which is negotiating for permission to establish a whaling station on Campbell Island is successful, a great deal of important exploring work will bo' done in tho Antarctic Circle. Tho whalers will have to go down across the circle, and they will keep a sharp lookout for fresh facts. Captain England says that modern Antarctic explorers are indebted to tho old whalers, who did splendid _ work in tho south, and laid tho foundations for much that has been done since.

An emergency meeting of tho . Harbour Board was held yesterday, called by the chairman for tho purpose of considering the best arrangements for tho disposal of tho' flax and tow ' left on the board's hands through tho late fire. Arrangements were satisfactorily made for tho disposal of tho same, and a contract was entered into by the board for the disposal of merchantable flax. At the samo meeting tho board unanimously passed a resolution of approval of tho actions of their wharfinger, Mr. Monro, in reference to tho lato fire, fully appreciating the work ho did in tho interest of tho board.

Arthur Rogers, onginc-driver at tho New Chum Consolidated mine, Bondigo, committed suicido on March 7, by jumping down tho shaft, a distanco of 1000 feet. Tho tragedy was discovered by George Kingsloy, shift boss, who found in tho cngine-houso a slato on which tho following words wero written: — "Find mo at bottom.—Arthur." Kingsloy then descended tho shaft, and found tho body. Rogers was a widower, and had been despondent of lato. Tho following letter was found in tho clothing of deceased: —"Dear Mother, —I am willing you all tho property I 'have. I can't givo off worrying, and I must end my misery. Forgive me. —Arthur. I can't stand it any longer."

Teas grown in different localities have different characteristics, and oven tho tea from any particular garden-is not the samo in two successive seasons. Climatic changes, differences of soil, exercise influences, and it is in the art of the tea blender to bring together the different teas and by combination to produce a particular flavour. Crescent Blend Tea is a choice combination of Ceylon and Indian Teas, and the flavour novor varieß, All 6toi'okeepors, 2s, per lb.

Twenty Natives have been appointed a General Committee for tho purposes of tho Urowcra District Native Reserves Act, 1896.

Tho Gisboruc Oil Company expects to commence boring operations at its well site near Whatatutu in a week's timo.

Sales of unclaimed property at the principal police stations throughout tho Dominion will bo held at noon on Saturday, March 27.

A statutory meeting of the Miramar Borough Council will bo held at 12.45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, for tho purposo of considering and amending the district electors' list.

Collections for tho sufferers by the Italian earthquake were made in all the Roman Catholic Churches of tho Wellington archdiocese. Returns to hand from about half the churches give a total of £100- collected.

On the heels of tho Premier's announcement that the Tourist Department is to bo "absorbed," comes tho curiously-belated notice, in last night's Gazette, that the Hon. T. Mackenzie has been appointed Minister in charge of that Department.

The proposal to establish a Fire Board at Wellington is not being allowed to drop. Councillor Ballinger will move at tho next

meeting of the City Council that tho resolution adopted over twelvo months ago—which was to the effect that a Fire Board bo not established—be rescinded

Tho agitation to gain special fishing rights for tho Maoris at Rotorua has borne fruit in a series of regulations which appear in last night's Gazette. The General Manager of tho Tourist Department is empowered to issue to Maoris not more than twenty special licenses in any one season to fish in tho waters of the thermal springs district. Tho fee is Is., and tho licensee may only fish for trout for tho use and consumption of himself and tho members, of his family. Miramar is bravely endeavouring to make itself a place of beauty, but its efforts in this direction are often frustrated by people who appear to look upon beautiful verdure as possessing no other uso than to provide | pasture for their cattle. At last nights meeting of the Borough Council, the Mayor, Mr. C. J. Crawford, said that they should do something this year in the way of trqeplanting. Ho moved that tho Town Clerk prepare a report-as to tho most suitable localities for planting. They did not, he said, need to do much, but they must do something at once or it would bo too late. They must also act with due consideration, for'last year they planted cabbage-palms in a place which' 1 they thought was inaccessible by destroving cattle, but residents frustrated their plans for beautifying the district by allowing goats to graze on the plants. The motion was carried.

A mooting of tho Hawke's Bay Land Purchase Board was hold yesterday, at which tho purchase by tho Government of the following properties was considered:—Tongaio estate, near Napier, 8400 acres; Itcpongaero estate, near Gisbornc, 5700 acres; part of Whakaupoko estate, near Gisborno, 2100 acres; Awamato estate, near Wairoa, 2400 acres; part of tho Ngatapa ruiij near Gisborno, 10,700 acres; Clyde Bank estato, near Wairoa, 9600 acres. The recommendations of tho board in regard to these estates will be forwarded to tho Government for approval. At a meeting of tho Canterbury Land Purchase Board, tho question of purchasing part of tho Orari Gorgo estato was considered.

Last night's meeting of tho Miramar Borough Council was attended by tho Mayor (Mr. C. J. Crawford), Councillors Bell, Brodie, Witt, and Cooper. Councillor Witt moved:-—"This council viows with alarm the endeavours which are being mado to make, Saturdav tho day upon which shops aro to close. If Saturday closing is carried in Miramar Borough, it will be a serious loss to storekeepers, who do a great portion of their trade with week-end visitors, and will also causo a largo amount of annoyance to tho residents in tho borough. This council,

therefore, calls on tho Government to repeal a clause that is unfair to storekeepers and tho public alike." The Mayor, who seconded tho motion, said ho was quito in accord with the opinions which it expressed. A great amount of trade was done with week-end

visitors, and if shopkeepers had to close on Saturday they would loso all this. Tho motion was carried.

The Wellington and 'Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board met yesterday, there being present :—Messrs. W. H. Morrah (acting-chair-man), P. Cohen, M. Murdoch,' D. M'Laren, and T. Hodgins, and the Hon. A. W. Hogg. Messrs. R. C. Kirk (chairman) and W. C. Buchanan, M.P., were unavoidably absent. Tho annual statement of receipts and expenditure showed that tho credit balance on January 31 totalled £2298 ss. The receipts aggregated £11,795 18s. 9d., and the expenditures £9497 13s. 9d. Assets were set down at £3701 9s. 9d., and liabilities at £2201 9s. 9d., the excess of assets over liabilities being £1500. Consideration of the estimates and appointments for the ensuing year was then taken. Arising out of this was an important discussion with reference to an item of £1800, upkeep of Victoria Hospital; This is reported in another column. The interim statement of receipts and expenditure showed that the credit balanco for tho month was £1042 17s. Accounts amounting to £821 13s. 3d. were passed for payment.

A strango light on tho by-products of the Ngaurahoe eruption is shed by the following, which has been sent to Tire Dominion by tho Rev. James Rattray, of Pongaroa. The writer says:—Several residents of tho Pongaroa and surrounding districts wero puzzled to account for a layer of fine pumice sand which, during last week covered tho landscape. The sand was very noticeable when it fell on any white article. The uneveuness of the fall was very marked. While in Pongaroa tho fall was very light, yet in other parts' of the district it was much more pronounced. At Matakona, for instance, a little to tho north of Castlepoint, on the coast, the fall had been' fairly heavy, tho scrub taking on quite a muddy appearance as a result, Maruka also experienced quite a coating of fine sand. On the verandahs of tho residences of Mr. A. Murray and Mr. Liverton, of Wailnki Valley, the sand was much in evidence. One housewife, who had loft tho front door open during the night, had the passage covered with tho sand. A resident of Pongaroa, who had left a white enamelled dish containing clear water and some vegetables intended for pickling on the verandah overnight, made the discovery in the morning that-the "ingredients" had been added to°in the shape of peppery-looking pumice. The telegraphed accounts of the eruption of Ngauruhoe explained the unusual occurrence, and as Pongaroa must be nearly 140 miles from the scene of the explosion some idea of its dimensions can be gathered. Tho discretion of somo Civil Servants is almost a vice. A responsible clerk in the

Service was asked by a Dominion reporter tho other day if he could say when his Department was established. '-'I could tell you," was the courteous reply, "but _ I would rather that you got tho information from tho chief cicrli. You understand that we are not supposed to give any information to the press." And, with further regrets and apologies, this very punctilious clerk piloted tho inquirer round a long corridor to tho room of the chief clerk, who had tho temerity to give this simplo information, without referring the matter to an under-secretary. But yesterday a moro surprising instance of Departmental reticence was discovered. A sub-offico was rung up, and inquiry made if certain peoplo who had arrived in tho Dominion tho previous day wero still in town, or if any information could be given of their whereabouts. It was known that tho people in question wero extremely likely to call at tho sub-office, and that it was hardly possible that their business should bo of any interest to the head office. After an interval for reflection and consultation of superiors, the reply was given that inquiry must bo mado of the head office; the subolbce was not competent, under the Civil Service regulations, to give any information. The inquirer urged that tho information could hardly be obtainable except at the sub-offico, and the admission was then made. "I niay tell you they have not been hero." "Then you know nothing about them; you have no information to give?" pressed'tho reporter, to which tho reply was given, "No." An officer who appeals to the regulations as his authority for refusing information which ho docs not possess should receive a monument from bis Department..

A private telegram received hero states that Mr. George Tripe, of Wellington, effected a plucky rescue at Chrislclwrcli .yesterday morning by saving a woman from drowning in tho river Avon.

Under the auspices of the City Corporation employees, a very successful social was hold at tho Druids' Hall on Wednesday, night. Tho function was held for the purpose of raising funds for tho widow of the lato J. Cronin, and, judging by the attendance, a good, sum should result.

Tho first term of tho Victoria College commences on Thursday next, March 25, at 5.15 p.m., when an address to new students will be given bv the chairman of tho Professorial Hoard,'later, at specified intervals as advertised, the professors will meet their students in tho various class-rooms.

After some vicissitudes, a marble cross has been erected over the grave of the Rev. 11. Coffey, late vicar of St. Mark's, in the Karo'ri Cemetery. The cross rests on two steps of marble', placed on a foundation of bluestonc, and the grave is surrounded with bluestone walls, which are mounted with marble. A previous cross, which was ordered from England, was lost in the wreck of the steamer Star of New Zealand, off tho coast of Africa.

Tho Native Council which sat last year' at Tahoraiti, for the purpose of compiling and agreeing upon an authentic history of tho Maori tribes who came to New Zealand In tho Takitimu canoe, assembled at tho Tahoraiti pa again on Wednesday (says the Dannevirko "Advocate") for the purpose of continuing the work. Tho council is being attended by several prominent chiefs from the Wairarapa, and also by Mr. A. Hamilton, curator of the Wellington Museum, and by Mr. Stowell, of the Native Department. These gentlemen are assisting tho natives with their advice, and when tho work is completed, it will probably be handed to the Government for publication.

Mr. J. R. Triggs, Conciliation .Commissioner for Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, in his recent tour through bis districts, interviewed tho Labour Department's inspectors at Timaru, Oarnaru, Dunedin, and Invorcurgill, to confer with them in reference to proceedings to bo takon in any disputes likely to arise. He also called on tho presidents and secretaries of the employers'_ and employees' associations in each district, to induce them to bring about, if possible, privato conferences between tbo parties, so as to endeavour to settle disputes without bringing them before cither tho Conciliation Council or tho Arbitration Court. Mr. Triggs

has arranged to attend any meeting in any part of his districts when requested to do so.

Tho annual meeting of the Sunday School Union was held last night, Mr. J. G. TV. Aitken presiding, and a Targe number of delegates being present. The annual report and balance-shoot were read and adopted, and it was reported that arrangements wero progressing satisfactorily for tho annual convention to bo held at Palmerston North dur-

ing Easter. It was decided to hold the annual scholars' examinations on July 2. Officers for the ensuing year wero elected as

follow:—President, Mr. R. B. Davis; vicepresident, Mr. W. Hopkirk; corresponding secretary, Mr. H. J. Thompson; minute secretary, Mr. H. D. Grocott; treasurer. Mr. TV. G. Holdsworth; secretary to 1.8. R.A., Mr. TV. J. Parsons; visitor, Mr. TV. Allan; auditor, Mr. D. R. Purdie.

When its mombers are in fighting mood, a meeting of tho Trades and Labour Council is almost as exciting as a strike or lockout. Though ranged in seats which closely resemble , pews, _ religious meekness is tho last characteristic which they display. Tho president, in a pulpit-liko box, enforces silence with prodigious thumps of a wooden hammer, but tho air is sharp with points of order, and there are seldom fewer than two expostulating members on their feet at once. Tho newly-elected president, Mr. TV. Noot, wielded the hammer last evening till he was' relieved, half-way through tho meeting, by tho new vice-president, Mr. E. J. Carey. Mr. Noot announced that, as president, ho intended to promote tho peace and amity of members.-."Peaco at any price?" inquired a scoffer. The president explained, with illustrative energy, that peace at any" price wfis^'n'dt^h'is'motto ;~'when fight was needed he was as good a, fighting man as any present. During Mr. Carey's occupancy tho "pulpit" was soro assailed with points of order, protests, and interjections, and when tho hammer failed to restore calm, tho chairman was fain to plead that some consideration should bo shown him on his first enjoyment of that authority. _ An argument as to whether certain unions were or wero not in arrears

with their fees, and how far tho secretary was responsible for not sending in accounts, led to' some very lively sparring, which so

delayed tho meeting that, after a threehours' animated session, the main business, which was consideration of tho annual report, was postponed till another occasion.