LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 595, 25 August 1909, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Our football'readers will be pleased to learn that 'ThiT Dominion.; has secured the services of the well-known ; football scribe' : "Off-sido Mac"' (Mr; W. M'Ken ? ie) to write a special article on to-day's fixture. This, with photographs of both 1 teams, will appear 'in,to-morrow 1 s issue. ■'::':; .' '". On Wednesday next at 11.4? a.m. a depu T tation will lay a number of matters affecting the Wairarapa district before the Hon. R, M'Kenzie, Minister for.Public Workß. Evorythine is now in readiness to enable the: city engineer to proceed with the formar tioii of the Lyell Bay tramway .track,: and construction-'wprk iyiU be or to-niorrptv.. •'■ ; ',''!.".'.''"" :'■''' '■;':.'.' ■No.advice lias (Bays the Hon. J. A. Millar, ; Aoting-Minister of Finance) bepn re? coired as to what' financial ■■ arrangements the Prime Minister (Bir Joseph Ward) made whilst at Home.-,: ";' : ■■'-''■'■.■:, ■ ;.'.' -.■/•:■,•. ■'. During the course, of conversatiqn with: a DoJiiNMK reporter yesterday, the Ijon. J, A. Millar (Ministc-r for.' Immigration) stated that it was' proposed again to : - bring..:' into operation in the' summer. inbt\t3\a th'e,'system of assisting suitable.. immigrants to come to New Zealand.' ■•,,' ... .■: -\j. : ■/ V''•'!■•'. The scheme of centralisation in the bousing of the various labour' unions has now come into force, the General .Labourers', Cooks' and Waiters', Slaughtermen's, and Grboers' Unions having taken up their new quarters in'the Trades Council building in .Lower Cuba Street, together with the other unions that were already quartered in that huilding.

Yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Benevolent Trustees was attended by Mr. J'. Smith"(chairman), Bev.. W, A.. : Evans. Messrs. D. : Robortson, E. W.; Shortf, and T. Cook. The secretary's weekly report showed'that there were < 14, inmates of the intermediate home, as against 13 a : week ago, and in the main home 114 (males 84, females.3o),'being the same-.number as last : week'. ■ '■'.''•■

The'' best. Salvation Army, shelter in Ansr tralasia, according to Brigadjor Bray, men's social secretary of tho Army;' is.to bo erected on a spleudkf site recently purchaseel ■■ - iii Auckland, qut of a bequest of the late Mrs. Knox. ' Xhe shelter will prpyidq' beds and meals for the poor at a low cost, and there will also be a free, division 'under the terms of the will.' •' ".'".■•'.' 'i' "''.;■","','." : . '■"■. •■'■

In common with .their fellows',in Dunedin, the trustees of the local hospital ar,e experiencing some difficulty in collecting outstanding /'accounts.. "Patients from the hospital are not very good subjects to get money out of," remarked the chairman at yesterday's meeting of the trusteesj'"but,"-Ko added hopefully, i"'the collector is now giving practically, the whole of his time to collecting. 1 '

With refercpee to application for the establishment'' of a fog : signal-station' off ] Timaru, the Hon. J. A. Millar {Minister foy Marine) states that, so farj fpg signals have 'always been wprked from lighthouses by the keepers. A,b Jack's Point Lighthouse waa some: distance below Timaru Harbour he was obtaining reports 4s tp whether, there would be any danger of ships being misled if .a signalstatiqn were established thpre. ;!'.'

A, deputation from the Heath Estate' waitedoh the' Finance Committee of the City Council yesterday in reference to the negotiations which have' - been proceeding for some time post in' regard 1 to the council taking certain land ( in Willis Street for the purposes of street-widening. It is understood that as a,result of the deputation the owners of the land will make an offer to the council in writing. , ' '

By tho Paparoa. frqm London, on August 28, 120 tliirdrcla-ss 'passepgers are expected, including' 6!) ossistpd passengers (43 'adults and. 20 children). Of these 26 adults and \1 chiMron Wo been nominated by friends m the Dominion, and" the mpn have work guaranteed for them. Among frl'p newcomprs are 13 domestic sprvnnts, seven farmers, one form labourer, and one dajry farmer. Tho niou .bring capital ranging frpm £25' to £400. ;.'" "''..;,.. ',■•■„'.

A cable message has been received by.'tho Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture) from Mr. T. W. Kirk. Qprornmont Biologist, to the effect that the outbreak of Irish blight in Tasmania is hot so serious aa was anticipated, and -that tpero is muoh sound stock there. Referring to this ■matter,' the Minister 'states'' that it isi erroneously : . sin> pi>sod that lasmaruan potatoes are. admitted duty free. Ni> potatoes have peon imported jn'tq the Dominion since the end of June.

Applicants for work from tho Oitizpns' Unemployment Relief Committee still continue to call on tho hon. socfolary (Mr. Geo. Willis},' whoso list shows that over 800 applications havo boon taken to date, while another 200 havo applied and have'been refusod permission to put thoir names down, cither owing to thoir not having complied with the residential qualifications, or '.. else through thoir being possessed of lomo fund*. ',

Detectives Hammond; and Cameron arrested a man Inst night on a chargo of being about to leave, tho Dominion without making adequate provision for tho' maintenance of his. unborn child. .■•'.'

Something definite 1b expected to ho settled at to-morrow night's mooting of tho City Council with regard to the Wadeatown tram route. It is understood that it will probably bo decided to proceed with the "0" route. . . ■.'■■.■■.

"Wo havp got out of it fairly well with a contribution of £100 25.," said Mr. C, I Dasent, Mayor of Karori, when making a report to Ins council last night on the recent division of contributions by local bodies to tho proposed fever hospital,

It is understood that the tramcars will eontinuo to bo. used as free luggage-van's for tho present, a. scheme drawn up by the manager of tho tramways • providing for a small chargo for parcels over a certain size having been rejected by tho Tramways Committed of tho City founcil, .. Tho Wanganui Presbytery will'meet tomorrow niglit to consider the "call" from Brooklyn to the Rev.. 11, Hutson, of Forded It is understood that Mr. Hutson is disposed to accept the "call," and if it is sustained by the -Prcsbytory, -the induction will probably take place on September 14, ■■'.- : ■~

' Lggs is eggs" mthe opinion of the hospital tnisteoSj and with a view to making against the • time when' the price makes them more or less prohibitive, the trustees have adopted the recommendation of tho house steward at the hospital that 12,000 eggs should be. pickled, ."•' ■■■'■

Tho editor of the Palmerston morning paper, giving evidence in a civil action yesterday before the Palmerston magistrate, said that "the standard of the Palmerston paponrwas much higher than in any other part of tho colonies." ; ; After all, there is. nothing guite like leather.s ; ;

Mr.' A, L. Bertling, superintendent of the Newtown Zoo, and Keepers J. Langridgb and;R. ID. Harmer arc to. be appointed special constables to guard against Vcriielty to the animals in the Zop. The flppbmtnients are the result of an arrangement with the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; '

The Wellington Dog Show ppens at 9 a.m; J?Ti V' o^'l Street, opposito the Town Hall.. The promo.ters claim that it will bo the largest, show of its kind ever held in New Zealand. Prizes are . offored for essays by children. The show will be continued to-morrow and "''Friday, the hours each day being from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The confusion which arises from various strcots in the city, and in the suhurbß, /bearing somewhat, similar names.haß prompted tho city engineer (Mr. W. H. Mortpn) te give the matter attention, and, as a resplt, a report on the present position, and the means of obviating the confusion, by altering eortam of the street names, will. bo. placed before the ByJaws Committeo o| .the.coiinr cil at no very distant date. \

Tho contracts of Messrs. Hutchesonfand Campbell for the supply pf'hanging mils ahq hoisting gear for the'municipal , abattoirs, wore signed yesterday. Tho price for the hanging rails contract was £416 135., the unsuccessful tenderers being Messrs. D. orison and Co., £550; S. Luke arid Co;, £444 10s.; and W. Craotrec.and 50n,;£625 15s.' The prico; of..the", hoisting gear tender, was £263:75., tho unsuccessful tenderers';being Messrs.' S..Luke' and Co., £322, and WT Crabtroo and Spn, £324.'

In conheotion ..with tho : Lord Roberts trophy, competition, the Dominion , schools' team practised at Polhill Gully' under the supervision of :Major Cresswell and Captain Matheson. yesterday. Staff-Sergeant Major Rose was also present, representing the district office. The practice was most satisfactory, the team (including tho reserves) averaging 60 points.. Corporal Poison, of Weir lington College, wqs,top scorer witn 68 put of a possible 70. It is anticipated that.if the team kepps up .to practice form it will prove to bo: one. of the finofi.t in the Eniv pire,.;-:'■- , 'vj.~;,;.5,,.i • -.",.•.. ■, ■ '■; : ;:--- ''' ! !'i*i-"i- =■'•■'' f«'»'>- i'J'='vs;W . , ,- Private advices received in Christen arch from. England state that, Sir Robert' Stout hfiA entirely regained his ■ liealtli, and was greatly enjoying his. visit. .Hef had: iret '8 number, of the English judges' and many other interesting' people. On July 3,. Sir Robert Stout was in Lucerne, making it" a centre foriajnumber of excursions in Switzerland, and-was to attend the 350$ i anniversary of the University r of Geneva fib'm, July 7 ;to,lo. 'After; visiting Switzerland and a part of Hollaiid, it was understood that Sir Robert Stout; would ■ go to Shetland and Scotland, leaving : England for Not Zealand in'the second week of Ootiober.' '

Wallaceville,.. renowned for:, its. trout streams, and ■wattle-liiied hill road.: has so many advantages that its settlers; should be envied by. the jaded dwellers in towns, and by the exiles of the'hack-blocks.' Suburban trains bring tho ■ city within ah Ijpur's jour? hey fpf; this favoured dairyiug centre, and the,'■! jnilk-earts ply over the, best of roads. Howejer, Wallaoeville for many years has had a. want. Therefhas been no building— not even a .barn—suitable for.public gatherings. This want is now to be filled. A few energetic settlors have joined to put. up a hall on land lent by Mr. Jobn Alexander, and for tho future the youths and maidens of tho district can dance, or the elders meet in : solcynn'conclave without oramping themselvesf into, the little school. Ah opening function is being arranged; ,'. ; ■',-.",

At the last'meeting of the Cliristchurch Trades and Labour Council a lotter was recoiyed from tho Hon. T. Mackenzie (Ministor for /Industries 'and Commerce)' with, rdferisnee'to a statement attributed to him in various newspapers', :vir... .that industries' wero closing down for lack of labour/' Mr. Mackenzie stated that wfcxt he referred to Was that groat quantities of Manila hemp were being produced in tho Philippines by native labour at. sneh low prices as td, render it impossible for .New Zealand fibre to compete against the/Manila article.- His words had been as follow:—"There are a number of people iii this Dominion at the present time requiring employment, and there is a great .deal. of work to j bo- done, and these two.elements are not brought together. We know' that industries are closing down for lack of labour—trained labour —on the terms that the industries can afford ,to pay and / compete successfully against other, countries." ' ■ ';■'•;• ' ' ,'■■;

. "All round, the outlook is much more cheerful and hopeful than it was even a month' ago," says the Hon. J. A. Millar. ! 'Gradually the uiimbpr of applicants for emplpyment is dwindling down, and there should be plenty of work in tlie. spring. By circularising employers, tho Labour Department got a: good dea}. of, information as to the real ■ position qf affairs. A majority of the reports snowed that tho farmers had some work available, but they wished it done on contract. Some of the men, to whom it was offered accepted' this work, but othors again refused. ■:' As men left employment on public works: now they would not' be replaced. Money is undoubtedly edsior,, and though commercial and manufacturing enterprise has been somewhat restricted for a month or two past,' .everybody" is"'-more'., hopeful and optimistic, a'nd: eyen i\ay pnp can see that things are better arid will oontinuo to improve until wo have again : obtained oiir former condition of prosperous activity."

■■'; The' Benevolent; Trustees again had before them yesterday the'case of' a'widow concerning' t?hose circumstances, and the ; arrarigo-: monts'made by'., the trusteos to helpher, some complaints have lately been"made in print. It had been alleged by more/than one person, that the woman had told them that the trusteos had taken of a sura of money which had been subscribed for her benefit by the pnbiic,; and wore withholding it from her. It was also stated that her little daughter had called at "several people'B houses, telling a pitiful tale' and asking them to buy small articles of fancywork,.' The \yidow came before the trusteos yesterday, arid said she had not expressed dissatisfaction' with the arrjingomcti ta 'relating to t]ie money, the trustees explained trwit th«e money which she had voluntarily lodged >yith them was ■ being hold for bor, aiid they noped to be able to set her up in a small business, or otherwise assist her' to ; make good use of her little" capital.: In tJio meantime,, &bo couk) obtain suppljes of necessaries' cheaper through the trustees than otherwise. After discussing the' matter tfith her yesterday,' tho trostees decided)'''with her consent,: to retain the money pending. developments, and to continue to administer ,relW. -\ : : ■■'.'. :•. ■'■' :: ■•:■';. '.. ■ '

' Catching seagulls with fish-hooks, an 4 selling them to people who like to have thoin: in their gardens, is a practice which came under the notice of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last .evening. At Sho oriminal sittings of tho Buprcfiio Court to-yay, charges will bo heard against Horbort Pyke_ and Harry M'Gill (theft). Mary Ann Collingham (neglect of child), and Alfred Binder (attempted] grievous bodily harm). i Mr. Foster Fraser, author of "The Boal'' Siboria/" "Canada As It Is," and' other books of observation and travel, is to lecture at the 'town Hall on October 18,19, 20. and, 21, under the management of Mr, ll.' S. Sinytho.■'-.■ : ! . ■ ■'.-, ln ; reply to the Societ* for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals complaints as to urir identifiable- vehicles, the ,I'own Clerk ,has written that there are, a largo number of owners of vehicles who are not required by any by-law or Statute to; have such vehicles numbered; : Ho admits that, there aro doubtless somo who come \mdcr' : .the. by-law, and havo not complied.with iti but proceedr ings oxo taken whenever suoh a case is discovered,'. ', ■'. ,'' .;- : 1 The committee of the Wellington branch of the Society, for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals decided last evening that it would bo inopportune .to hold a conference of. kinr dred societies this'year, as the shortness of the coming session of Parliament would make it improbable that suoh a conference: wouM have any practical result in the way of legist lation. Only one reply had been received t< ilio circular letter that had been seiitio thfl societies in other centres., '. ,:'

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently wrote to the City Council with reference to. a certain prosecution of carters for overloading. : Information was desired by the' socjoty as to why no actiou was taken in other cases reported by the society, why no , fines were osked-ror in the first-mentioned case, and what tho mitigating circumstancos were. The 'Jovyn Clerk wrote in reply l thttt- he .had been instructed by the By-Laws, Committee to,! state' ; tliaij the evidence received by the cpmmUtoo v(&q treated as confidential,: and tha,tthe munir cipal, inspector had . acted under the committee's instructions. . ' Tho. committee wag; Satisfied that there was no cruelty to. animals in any of the, other oases reported op^-

It is not improbable that tho 'daily good* Berviopiin connection with tho small railway stations will bo restricted at an early date.: The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister fori Rail* ways) 'holds that a considerable earing; oould bo effected by fixing come of tho services at so many days per week; Under the present system' goods were consigned whenever.; received, and trucks did not carry their full capacity. Then again, if somo of tho stops were eliminated tho running of mixed trains would be expedited. If two.or three dayg per week were sot apart.for the delivery.of goods at the small stations it would result m a considerable saving-without causing inconvenience. .With a view to eceing what could be dono in this direction he wasobr tabling reports from tho various district tho Eubjcct.,' '.'■'"".; ; .'l Asked to,supplement hia remarks at Dun? edin regarding the possibility of eomo of of the CSvil Servants who had been retrenched being taken back into the service, the Hon.-J. A.; Millar told a/Chrwtchurcb; reporter that if continued to improve at the rate' they had recently ; itni proved,' and the \ growth of the country's trade was maintained, there might be room for some of tie retrenched' in the servipel. If additional hands were" required, preference would be .given to those yfho had beeni trenched, and had, while in the : serriop, ratisfaotorily performed their duties.. .He had no information as to the number; of men who intended to take advantage of tho Government's offer to place them on tho landApplications were' now being received, and the ballot would take plapo early; in October. '•'.'; ' ' _ ■'"■';' Tho Gfovernment has _not yet: considered the quoatioix of introducing legislation; ing; compulsory the installation ,pf wireless telegraph, apparatus on passenger steamers trading from New Zealand. The Hon. J. A. Millar : '(Minister.for Railways) says that, he believes tha Tit will be only a'short tune before all passenger vessels voyaging beyond a certain! distance from land.will have to be .equipped t >yith apparatus. ?J The anxiety m .connccVion',wVth the.: Waratah,: following the experience of other vessels in recent years, had suddenly given very grea< prominence . to' tho subject, both in th« United Kingdom and in the while tho United States had al&Q' taken the matt tor up.' : If any- action were taken hy the New Zealand Government it would probably be in-conjunctionwith Australia. At.anyrate it would. bo more satisfactory if tha ttommonwealth and tho .Dominion, co-oper-ated; in., taking action'. '' ''..-. The regular committee meeting' of the Society for the.Prevention of Cruelty to Anjmals was ■ held last evening, Mr. Jameson (president) in the chair. Others present Weroi Mesdanjcs'Williams and. Christie,'Misi Ludwig. Rev. S. J. Williams, Messrs; J« M. Richardson, 1 W. Watson, and T. Cook. The 'following' donations Were reported;— Messrs. Aitken, Wilson and Co., £1' Is. j Messrs. Bell, Gully, Bell and Myers, Skerrott and Wylio, and A. and.T. Burt, 10a, Gd. each; Messrs. W.H. Morrah, F. Meadowcroft, Brodrick and Co., and Misses Haydon, 10s. each; Mcsbts.D. A. Abercrorabio, Kitto and Graham; Jenkins": and Mack, Roberts,. Ltd.: W.H. Millward,. T. Whitehouse, E. H. Anderson, Miss E. Ludwig, and Mrs. Johnston, ■ £2 .'ssi - Mr G.' Winder, 6a. j T. A. Roberts.and "Friend," 3s. each;. R, Bell and Co., 7s. 6d.j Mosdanies Bristpw and Moss,' Miss Rous-Martin, C.H., Messrs. R'. .Johnston and;J, Hay,.2s; 6d. eacl}'; total, £8 12s. v \. .. '■' ~ y '''T;^.!y. Whilst 1 iii •Christchu.rch a deputation asked tho'Hon.-. J.. A. Millar (Minister .for Railways) whether he would consider a proposal that legislation should be.introduoeoj to remove''■'the legal difficulty that stood, ill the way of t\\ft Locorootjvo Drivers')'; Fir*, men's! and Cleaners', Association,.; being recognised.' In reply Mr. ■Millar- stated that he had discussed,the matter with a number of the men where the society was very strong, and ho had suggested that if tho legal, diffipulty. could not bo_ overcome, » plan:might be devised by, which, the 'Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants could be divided,into three: '.sections—locomotive", maintenance, and ■ ~of which would. have ; the right of. approaching Uji Minister, witli regard to its. own business, and be entitled to representation' ion', executive' of the.Amalgamated. Society.'■ H« had-.-never boon in hostility to the .Enginedrivers' Association, and-he hoped thatth« cordial relations that existed /between bha members of that sooiety and'tie Department would continue." He was always pleased to moot"' practical men from the different departments with whom,ho could discuss thorj affairs;. ■' ,-:•■;' ' '//■/ ':'■':'<■"':■'.,■"''-[■■ It has been decided by 'tho .Government not to proceed with the erection of any more workmen's homes until an amendment; ha» been made in the Act, giving more advantageous conditions for tho purchase of the hciusei: by tenants'. Upon this subject, the Hon, Jv A. Millar states that there is at present, provision' in the Act for the sale •• of tho homes, hut the conditions'are such that a: man'has to pay nearly double the., value' of house' and land beforo' they become his pr<£ pcrty.., Consequently' the'opportunity prof vided by the Act is not taken advantage or. and representations, have been 1 made on all sides that a niorc equitable sohemc should he devised. Ho.proposed to bring down an | amending Act. in the coming ' sfasioii! • that would provide for the purchase of. the homes I by tenants by payments of small instalments', 1 for ontho, building 1 society, principle, by which I capital dhd'interest were paid off m the form |of rent; .This amendment would make the purchasing clause a' reality,' and (hat .was what lid desired. The p'rocfwis of ..hews that wore sold 'would- bo.' 'cxpejwW .in'..,the" c^eotion'of additional ones, and in. future,.lbt ; . initial cost would be kept, at the tawifit possiblo: figure. Referring to tlie sivit-nmont by tho Acting-Primei, Minister, -.at 'Gifiv borno, that'Mr; Millar ,was. iricliiied to,.tirmli that workmen's, homes lip to. vliiv prtnenthad been rather, a' failure, Mr..:Millar' said th;.jf that was not his opinion at a.||.; The oi)q direction in which the schchio o6u3d bo - Im,provoflwas ini regard pnrchosing power. With the exoeptiop oMwp of the: cottages in> Wellington and'; tno ■ now' onoi at Addington, which had. not ■ yet boon balloted for, all tho homes wero tonanted.