LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Members of the Court of Arbitration will leave for Auckland by train this morning. It is expected that the sittings in the northern centre will occupy a month. The inquiry as to allegations made against certain persons who have acted as members of the Ohinemuri Licensing Committee will be opened before Sir. Justice Sim at Auckland on March 29. A ballot for £1000 from the funds of tbo United Building Society was held at the Chamber of Commerce last evening. Tho successful shareholders were Mrs. Goldie (£500) and Mr. R. Armit (£500). , During tho sittings of tho Court of Arbitration yesterday tho President stated that it was probable that another sitting would bo held here in May. Among other matters which would most likely corno up was the dispute in the bootmakirig industry. Seldom, perhaps never, has any New Zealand chamber of commerce touched the question of No-License. But there are signs of a change in this respect. According to tho notes of our Masterton correspondent (appearing elsewhere) tho subject may be introduced by a Masterton delegate at the conference in Wellington, beginning on April 13. For somo timo, trout fishing obtainable near Lake Taupe has been beforo tho public. Lately, corroborations of vorbal statements have come to hand in tho form of "twenty-pounders," which have been on exhibition locally. A visitor to Tokaanu, the centre of tho sport, expresses dissatisfaction at trolling being introduced on river Tongariro, and prophesies a great diminution of fishing in the near future. He further explains that in tho past tho bank fisherman bad a chance with either fly or minnow ; but since the coming of the "troller," practically no sport is obtainable. A month's Quarantine on Somes Island will probably bo tue lot of passengers by the Corinthic, which should arrive from London on Monday. Twenty-two cases of measles and five cases of scarlet fever are on board tho vessel. Tho measles patients will probably have accommodation found for thera in town, and tho scarlet fever sufferers will be taken to tho hospital. The remainder of the passengers will require to undergo a period of quarantine as "contacts." Somes Island offers house accommodation for 300 people. No difficulty is expected in preventing tho further spread of the disease ; and tho working of tho ship TV-ill not be hindered.

At the next meeting of the City Council, Councillor Ballinger will move: —"That the council takes steps under the provisions of the Firo Brigades Act, 1908, and its amendments, to apply to the Governor for an Order-in-Council declaring the City of "Wellington to be a firo district under the Firo Brigades Act, and that the necessary poll of tho ratepayers of the city in conncetion therewith be taken on the same day as tho coming election of councillors is held." Councillor Ballinger will also move that tho resolution adopted somo timo ago—that a Fire Board bo not established in Wellington—be rescinded.

When the city of Dunedin was a scattered hamlet, and yot the principal town of a province that was just in the grey dawn of its prosperity, Captain Cargill, Superintendent of the settlement, purchased from one Dent, of Londoiij a large clock, which he hung near tho Speaker's chair in the hall in which the Provincial Council periodically assembled.' That was 60 years ago, _ and tho old clock, passing through many vicissitudes, has solemnly ticked out tho days and months and decades. It hung for long in the Normal School, until once more a chango in tho order of things moved it on, and, the Hon. Thomas Fergus taking an interest in the venerable timekeeper, it found its most recent rcst-ing-place in tho Education Board's room. Now tho board, in conclave _ assembled; has bequeathed the instrument, in trust, to the Early Settlors' Museum, whero it will once more be associated with tho omiaal chair and table.used by tho Speaker of the Provincial Council.—"Otago Daily Times."

Professor Mackenzie's letter to tho_ Victoria College Council, drawing attontion to tho fact that tho water was cut off for several hours each day, and the risk from fire that existed in consequence, has been made tho subject of an inquiry; It has been found that between tho hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. the demands of the lower levels is such that the water either does not reach tho collego pipes or merely dribblos through. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that in case of an outbreak of firo a lead could be obtained from the fire-plug in Glasgow Street, Kelburne, only about four chains away across the bowling green. It is thought by some that in any case the college should not wholly depend for water foT firo emergency on the city service. It should have au independent tank and reservoir services of its own, as do similar institutions at Homo and On the Continent, or in lieu of that, tho sprinkler system might bo. installed throughout the building. In any case, it is assuring to know that the Kolburno water system is within striking distance of the rear of the college. . •.

Professor J. Macmillan Brown, who returned some three months ago from a tour of China and Japan, left yesterday for Sydney en route to England. After spending a month or two in the Old Country, ho will visit Spain, and will theuco set out on an extended journey through South and Central America, visiting Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala,' Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, New Mexico, and thencc through California to San Francisco, returning to New Zealand about the end of the year by way of Tahiti.; Professor Macmillan Brown's object in visiting the Central American States is the investigation of the wonderful ruined cities of the once powerful and cultured Maya nation, who occupied the country at the timo of the Spanish conquest. The remains of their great cities and temples are among tho archaeological wonders of tho world.

Thirteen Chinese stowaways who woro seeking an entrance to Australia wero discovered at Otaru, 11 days out from Hong Kong, on a recent voyage of the turret steamer Orange Branch. The "Argus" describes graphically the character of the hid-ing-places from which they were disintcrrod: —"A terrible sight tliey were—halfblind in -the unaccustomed light, with limbs swollen from the cramp of 20 days, boils from head to foot from their diet of raw rico and potatoes, and condensed milk sucked from holes in the tins. The first four were found beneath a wooden flooring, lying upon the bare iron of the hull above the screw, with tho temperature at lOdeg. Fahr. The cubic air space of the four was less than 100 ft. The other nine were dragged from a hole which had been cut in the decking of the storeroom. The planks had been sawn, so that a close examination might have detected it. But even then tho cuts would have been mistaken for the joined ends of tho boards. Down thcro against the throbbing, freezing skin of the ship it was pitcli dark, and tho smell was almost unendurable —a badger's den was eau-de-cologno to it. Those who know what seasickness may be, alleviated as far as possible by fresh air and the attentions of the steward, may form some idea of it in a temperature 22dcg. below freezing point, pinned where movement is impossible, and standing up a vain dream, 15 human beings packed into a space loss than an ordinary suburban bathroom. Yet these men stood it for 21 days for the sake of coming to Australia."

Teas grown in different localities liavo different characteristics, and oven tho tea from any particular garden is not the same in two successive seasons. Climatic changes, differences of soil, exercise influences, and it is in tho art of the tea blender to bring together the different teas and by combination to produce a particular flavour. Crescent Uleml Tea is a choice combination of Ceylon and Indian Teas, and tho flavour novor varies. All storekwporß, 2s. per lb.

The annual competition for the First Wellington Rillo Battalion shield for shooting will be fired at Trent-ham this afternoon. A number of corps will also complete their company competitions. Tho ranges and targets allotted aro as follow: —Soninicrvillo range Battalion shield match, 3 —18; Soddon range —Petono Rifle Club, I—4; Permanent Force Uiile Club, 5. Collins range—City lliiles, 13; Karori Riflo Club, 14—17; Zealandia Rilles, 18—20; D Battery, 21-22.

Said tho Hon. J. A. Millar yesterday to a deputation which was asking for new railway buildings at Paremata railway station: "Wo aro told in tho press and on tho platform that all renewals on the railways should be paid for out of revenue, but I can tell you that if that policy were adopted your children would bo older men than you aro to-day beforo thoso now station buildings wero put up. Thero is another way, and that is to raise tho rates, but you don't want that, ajid tho Government does not want it."

Merchants in tho Wairarapa havo a legitimate grievanco just now. Our Masterton correspondent states that at tbo last meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Graham brought up tho matter of discrepancy in weights registered by tho two weighbridges at Wellington and Masterton Railway Stations. Tho speaker quoted instances to show that the Masterton bridge weighed moro por truck than the Wellington ono. Members agreed that tho matter was sorious to local merchants and others, and decided to draw tho Department's attention to tho question, and ask to havo the bridge tested.

A landmark of 19J years' standing will shortly disappear from Waterloo Quay, for tenders aro now being called by the Railway Department for tho purchaso and removal of Messrs. Cable and Co.'s Lion foundry. Tho original foundry was established somo time in the early 'sixties, by Messrs. E. AY. Mills and Co., and was first situated in Aurora Terrace. Before 1869 it was removed to what was then tho outermost point of tho Lambton Reclamation. Then it was ono of tho most prominent buildings in AVellington, for on that part of tho shore there wero only two others—Nathan's, which is still standing, and Kirkcaldie's, which has just been demolished. The new site of tho foundry is at Kaiwarra, where building operations aro now in progress.

Tho Wellington Shakespeare Club, which is to hold its annual meeting on Thursday evening next, has decided that tho plays to bo studied during the approaohing season will bo: "Hamlet" (first quarter) and "A Winter'sVTalo" (second quarter). Tho reading classes arc to commence on Saturday, March 27, and Monday, Much 29 respectively. Mr. J. W. Joynt has received notification from London of the affiliation to tho British Empiro Shakespeare Society of the Wellington Shakespeare Club. The British Shakespeare Society, which is firmly established all over England, is a very powerful body! which does excellent work in fostering the study of Shakespeare by means of readings, dramatic performances, aud essay and elocutionary competitions, in which many of tho first actors and actresses ,in England frequently participate. Its president is Mr. Sidney Lee, tho vice-presidents, Messrs. Geo. Alexander, Arthur Bourchior, H. B. Irving, Forbes Robertson, Lewis Waller, and Miss Ellen Terry. An imposing list of patrons includes tho namo of Sir Joseph Ward.

Paremata residents have been somewhat scandalised by an occurrence which, if not unique, is, fortunately, very unusual. An old lady who has long resided in the district was recently taken ill, and was admitted to the Wellington Hospital and placed in the ward for incurable eases. Scarccly was sbe installed there when the caretaker of tho Paremata cemetery received orders to open up the 'grave of her lato husband in preparation to receive another body. This was done immediately, and tho gravedigger excavated down until ho reached the coffin which had lain thoro some 20 years. The grave Tias now remained open about three weeks (according to a well-known settlor, who told tho story to a Dominion reporter yesterday),- apd the old lady, now; removed to the hiain hospital, was well enough to sec visitors a day or two ago. There has been a good deal of ; talk'about/the . digging of tho grave, and residents comment upon it as a very unseemly proceeding.