LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

I'lio third annual conference of the New Zealand National Association of Spiritualists was brought to a close yesterday morning. J lie next conference will be held' at Cliristcmircli. In the afternoon, tho delegates wero entertained at the Bcllevue Gardens, Lower Hutt. Tho following telegram was received by the Secretary of the General Post Office at j.40 p.m. yesterday, from the telephonist, 1 araparaumu: "A considerable amount of coal, canvas, rope, a cow, and men's wearing apparel (including a jersey, pair of trousers, and slippers) lias been washed up on tlie beach opposite Kapiti Island. A heavy south-west gale prevailed hero last night." The Fire Brigade received a call at 8.40 last night to a two-storied seven-roomed clwellinghouse at 11 Hansen .Street, occupied by Mr. Thomas \V. Macaulay, and owned by Mr. Hunt, of Karoii. Tho upper portions of the houso were badly damaged, and the lower story was damaged by snioko and water. Tho liro seems to have originated in a wardrobe. The contents wero not insured and the insurances, if any, on tho building wero not available last night. It was rumoured in town on Sunday that some human remains, which wero believed to have been thoso of one of tho victims of the Penguin disaster, had been recovered near Cape Terawhiti. Upon visiting tho scene, Mounted Constable Sims learned that a young man had noticed two bones in among some rocks about a milo from the bay where the boats came ashoro. Nothing was scon of the bones by the constable, who reports that it is probable the high tide is responsible for their disappearance. Some complaints were mado yesterday of tho discoloration of tho water drawn in the ordinary manner from tho city mains. On inquiry .being made into the causo of the discoloration it was ascertained that the heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday had caused a big. flood in tho Wainui stream, which had carried away a portion of the works in connection with the new dam at Solomon's Knob, consisting of a length of tho earthen works and wooden fluming. Tho extent of tho damage is not definitely known, but no time will be lost in effecting tho necessary repairs. The rate war that has been in progress in the aerated water trade for some months past (says tho Auckland "Herald") continues unabated. Tho original wholesale price of soda water, lemonade, and other "soft" drinks was Is. 4d. per dozen (exclusive of bottles). Two firms then brought their prices down to Is. per dozen, and tho majority of the others followed suit. Then a firm more venturesome than tho rest cut prices to 7d. per'dozen to tho shops and 6d. per dozen to tho hotels. Tho other manufacturers have not show.n any inclination to bring down their prices to this low rate, but are still charging Is. to the shops and Is., less 30 per cent, discount, to the hotels. It is stated that tho cutting tactics of tho firm that has made the lowest reductions are to bo sustained. In tho meantime the public seem to bo getting only a partial benefit from tho rate war, most of the shops still charging 3d. per bottle for soft drinks, whilst the publicans still get Gd. in the majority of cases. Tho retail trade in cordials, therefore, is very profitable just now. The air. lias of late been full of strikes, or rumours of strikes, but the possibility of united action in this direction on the part of the golf caddies was hardly expected (says the "Sydney Morning Herald"). Yet such a situation was created tho other day when members of tho Killara Golf Club arrived at 'tho Killara Station on the way to tho golf links, it was rather amusing to seq between 40 and 50 caddies congregated there, not,' as is customary, to seek patronage, but to inform tho golfers that they would have to carry for themselves. The lads made a decided demonstration of hostility, and marched in regimental order-to tho boundaries of tho ground, where they indulged .in ironical cheering and singing." The cause of the dissatisfaction was at once inquired into, and it was found that their action was due to three of, their number being ordered off tho links by tho caretaker. ..It was'an. opportunity for the-lads to ask for increased rates of pay, and they stood out for Is. 6d. for tho round of 18 holes, instead of the Is. hitherto paid. Upon the demand being refused a hostile demonstration was mado against tho players and two loyal caddies, who ■ we're designated "dirty little blacklegs." The two "loyalists wero visibly affected, and shortly joined tho ' ranks of tho strikers. The Auckland ."Herald's" Gisbomo representative mado some inquiries to ascertain how iar the opening of the Main Trunk railway had affected the East Coast steamer service, which has the ■ advantage of the larger and moro commodious intercolonial steamers. With iho exception of the Gisborno trade, which will bo for many years entirely dependent on oversea communication, much tho same condition of affairs exists as on the West Coast. Tho HuddartParker steamer Wimmera, on Wednesday, for instance, after landing her Gisbomo passongers from Sydney and Auckland, had a total of 14 through passengers aboard. As it happened, however, there was an unusually large contingent of Gisborne residents desirous of proceeding south- for tho Easter holidays, numbering over 150. In the ordinary course, before the Main Trunk was open, shake-downs" would have beon the order of the night's voyage, but berths were available for all. This was not a particular instance of tho diminution of the through East Coast trade, for the previous ship of this lino that passed here only had 16 through passengers. Tho sarnie thing, the reporter learned, applies to the Union Company's vessels, tho Waikarc from Auckland on a recent trip, having only 13 through s:\lcon passengers. On the other hand, the Napior-Gisborno service maintains its healthy proportions, but until matters adjust themselves a little better the establishment of a tri-weekly service oniho East Coast seoms as far distant as ever.