LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 615, 18 September 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho postal authorities adviso that'an English mail, ex Osterley, will arrive in Wellington, by tho s.s. Mooraki on Wednesday morning next. Tho Hoeraki will also bring an Australian mail.

"If members of Parliament would keep themselves aloof from constables, it would bo better for tho constables."—Mr. Bishop's summary of the effect of a phase of political influence.

"Were you not one of those who made ii sort of battle-cry, or war-cry, perhaps a kind of political cry, of your intention to turn tho schoolmaster out?" asked Mr. Baurne, K.C., of a witness in the Supremo Court at New' Plymouth on Tuesday. The witness was slow in answering, and his Honour intervened, saying , that there was no more impropriety for a man to take up this stand as a candidate for'a school committee election than for a,man to stand for Parliament with, the avowed intention of turning the Goycrnraent out. Thoro was , a quiet smile amongst those who were aware that Mr. Bnumo has the right to write "M.P." after? his name. <Mr. Baumc, in tho fervour of his address to the jury, let tho Parliamentary cat out of the bag, and continually referred to Mr. Spence, counsel on the other side, .as' "the honourable gentleman." His attention ,was drawn to tho fact, and Uβ explained, 'Tour Honour will quite . understand how I havo fallen into the mistake."— "Taranaki Daily News." ' .

In connection with tho claim put forward for Nelson that it will ere long rival some of the bigger ports in the matter of visits from ocean liners, it is interesting to noto'that-, tho Tokomaru, now loading at London, is to make Nelson a port' of call, and arrangements are being mado for the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company to'load another vessel in January to call at Nelson. \ "" '.'"!...■!-. •

t To emphasise his contention for higher pay m certain, police positions, a witness at the commission yesterday - remarked, "The man that empties my. "dust-box gets 10s. a day, and he has no examination to pass and no responsibility.". Mr. Bishop. (Commissioner): "Ten shillings a day, does ho? Wages seem to bo high in Wellington'." Witness: "Yes, and he's very particular, about! emptying tho box." According to Chief Detective Broberg's eviat tho Police Commission, a detective is penalised by being stationed at Wellington because the work is harder, and especially bocause the rents are tho highest in New Zealand. Mr. Bishop (Commissioner): "Do you know wo have it in evidence on oath that the rents at Napier are higher than anywhere else in tho Dominion? It came as a Burprise to me, but there! it is." Witness!"lam surprised. There are acting-detectives in my office paying a pound a week rent." Mr. Bishop: "The average at Napier, according to the evidence, is 195," ,Tho witness advocated increased house allowances.

'Judging from the crowd which assembled on tho Queen's Wharf to vitness.-the Moana's departure ■ for Sydney last evening, the members of the "Jack and Jill"- Pantomime Company must have made a lot of friends in Wellington. • There is a great preponderance off'Girb?' in tho company, and they added a touoh of brightness to the scene, for half-an-hour before sniung time"-'shouting..-gay good-byes to : the "boys'.they, left behind,, Itiwas'an animated seenef. ■■ Ghls ..between 13 and 1G ye<srs swarmed all over the boats on the •■•p- ---| mast deck, whilst the "show., girls", and ballerinas proper posed as 'picturesquely as tho crowd would, permit on the promenade deck". One girl went below, and framing her. laughing face,in a port-hole talked vivaciously to' her friends ana admirers on the wharf.. .The Pantomime Girl has. proved irresistible, to judge'^from .the- sad , males wlw fluttered . a pathetic fairies last wwng.,- ?} „, ,:'.},'",„■„ , ol ,in-,'.- : ThVfeelings dta theatrical'manager"! on being asked when his company is to open after it hao been playing a fortnight in the town: are bettor imagined than expressed. .'But whatever they are,' Mr.- George Goldie, secretary of the New Zealand, Lawn Tehn'is Association, can appreciate them. For a couple of years has tho Now.Zealand As6ooiation been battling-to be'-olassed : ae a nation as far as tho Davis Cup matohes areconcerned, and not merely as one of the States of Australia, as is at present tho case. Sheaves of correspondence have orossqd the Tasman Sea in this regard, and' the (luestiou has been debated at numerous meetings in New Zealand and - Australia, 'yet on top of all this, Mr. Goldie, by the last mail from Sydney, received a letter from the Australasian Union, mildly asking New Zealand's reasons for wishing to become a separate and distinct entity in regard to the Davis' Cup— the bluo ribbon of:the tennis'world. Needless! to Bay, these have , been reiterated over and over again, and at present a referendum of the States is being taken on tho, point. The news has reached Wellington that Tictoria hoe decided, to support New Zealand's .request for Davis Cup nationhood," but , so for the opinion ,of the other Australian States is not know.n here. In connection with the recent contest between America and England (won by the former), it ehould be explained that Australasia is the present holder, and England and America were the challengers. The representatives of these two nations have played off, and America will now have to come to Australia to ■ play the holders. New Zealand was represented in the team that won-tho cup last season by Mr. A. F. Wilding, of Canterbury. .'.■■■•■■■' ' .■■' . ■ . . ... ~-. A very.handsomo monument has been erected at.Knrori Cometery by the travellers of tho West Coast of tho South Island to the memoir of the late Mr. C. E. Bird (drowned in the wreck of the Penguin in Fobruary last), who for a number of years'represented Messrs. T and W, Young on,tho, Coast. ■ '

Mr. Bishop, S.M., put somo interesting 'questions to Colonel Collins at the Police Commission yesterday. _"I have a dim arid shadowy idea, said Mr. Bishop, "that the police might bemade a: sort, of nucleus in the matter of defence. Do you think it would be of value for every constable: to be taught during training, tho use of the.rifle?".. Colonel Collins: "Decidedly; but it'is not for mo to enter into tho queshen of the defence of, tho Dominion." Mr. Bishop: "Just so. But do you see any praetical diffloulty?V Colonel Collins: ,r No7 dnd I think the idea is , a practical one, and would be useful." Sergeant Gaffney, of the headt quarters office, in his ovidonce, said that it would, be a good,'thing for constables to be taught the use of the rifle. Three months' instruction in the caro of the riflo would fit him for practice; at'the butts. > Much of the drill of rocruits could be dono with the rifle, and marksmanship could bo encouraged by voluntary associations and competitionsi among moinbers of the force,"' ■-'■■■ " ■■'• •■■ ■

1 The sheaf of correspondence which has passed between tjie City Council and tho Gas Company lnreforenco to the right'of the company to lay its mains from Constable' Street to Miramar, without tho consent of tho council has attained', bulky .proportions, and-still tho difficulty is not settled. A statement as to the position'.of the. City Oounoil in : tho matter will be mafeby the Mayor at nest.Thursday's meeting.--Although no official pronouncement has bean made, tho feeling , appears to bo that the council will not reopen tho negotiations on a fresh basis. ■•■'.'' .

The lectures under tho auspices of tho City Counoil will be continued on Tuesday, whon Dr. Bell wil ldiscourso on tho history of Weihngton Harbour, Tho following lecture will bo on October 11;- when Professor Laby will speak of-Professor Euthorford and his investigntions. The succeeding lectutes will bo Rivou by -Mr. Slaughan ■Barnott, Mr. G. M: Thompson, M.P.,and'Dr. Borphetti. ■ "■.

. The .crematorium: at tho Karori cemetery is within measurable distance of starting its career of usefulness. The regulations under which the cromiitbriuin will work are expected to bo gazetted 'next week. .

_ A further supply ( of on* hundred "Hot roint - electrical-irons has. boon received by tho Jjiloctrioal Department of the City Council, tho second shipment having ■ beoh ordered as n result of the success of tho trial order. Mr. J. J. PranWyn, evangolist of tho Church ot thnst,' Vivian Street, has nccoptod a call to tho Church of Christ City Tomplo, Svdhcy. Ho and his family leave Wellington on Friday, December 3.',-..'...

'Mr. 'J. Thorntbn, headmaster of Te Auto College, Was entertained at dinner yesterday (says a Press Association telegram) by tho Old Boys of the--college..'-The Hon.. A. T. Ngata presided, and among the: guests were Mr. Juuhco Cooper, Dr. Buck, M.1 , ., and Dr. Pomaro. Tho chairman presented-.Mr. Thornton'with-an autograph album and a substantial cheque on bohalf of the'-Old-Boys. The cliairman. culogisod Mr., Thornton's work on behalf-, of the fduration of the Maori race, and speoohes in a similar strain woro also mads by Mr. Jusiica Coopct and Uu Biuk. ,

/According, to A; southern 'exchange, the ton*. Ist trnflic to Stewart Island promises to bo heavy this season | nlready orders for accommodation havo been booked at Halfuioon Bay. Our Woodville correspondent states that a unanimous vote was cast in favour of the loan tor a water extension to Bakerstown at Thursday's poll.

Iho Reserves Committee of the City Council has of late been considering the question of tile allocation of the areas to be set aside for bona udo sports purposes. The available areas are being thoroughly inspected, and a report will be tabled at next week's meeting of the council, covering tho sections ; available and their rental value. Tho work of tho committee will prove a boon to upbrts bodies.

With the opening of tho cricket season within sight; tho Reserves Committee of tho City Council has shouldered the task-' of preparing a schedulo dealing with tho different applications for the several pitches on the reserves tUcit the council will havo available during the season. A report on the matter will bo submitted to next Thursday's meeting of the council. ■ ■'. •

•Unusual activity has for somo time past characterised tho tree-planting operations in?v£" r £ teil ty the Reserves Committee of the Uty Council, and tho city has already lieguti to show that the arboreal efforts havo not been fruitless, i It has now been found necessary, however, to slacken off tho paco, and a mild sehomis of retrenchment will nocossitato some half-dozen casual labourers loeking about for other means of employment. •

A deputation from the Wellington Cricket Association waited on the Reserves Committee of the City Council yesterday, and made representations as to the desirableness of the council acceding,as far as possible to tho requirements of the association for the ensuing season. Tho deputation made certain requests .as to tho uso of tho Basin Reserve and several other matters of intorest to cricketers. The subjects will be fully considered at tho next meeting of .the • Reserves Committee.

It is stated that an application, having its origin in Northland, has been made to the City Council, asking that a portion-of tho cemetery reserve should be set apart for a recreation ground, but, from. jvhat '■■ can bo learned, tho council cannot deal with the application:at present owing to certain disabilities. Delegates from the Wellington East Cricket Club will support tho following notice of motion at next week's meeting of the Wellington Cricket ' Association;—" That all; - active, members of any-senior district club, attached / to tho Wellington Crickot Association, if under 18 years of ago, ehall pay an annual subscription of not less than 155., and, if over that: age,.not less than 305.,-to such distriot'club." v A meeting' of tlioi United' Irish Lcaguo was held last:night in St.' , Patrick's. Hall, and ' speeches advocating' Homo Rule were made by Messrs. Carrigan, O'Kano, Dee,'-and Lawless, Next Friday evoning details will bo arranged, for a series of "socialn," thai first of which will bo hold towards tho ond of, October...-...

Tho final of a series of progressive ouchre tournaments between members of tho Fire Brigade and tho Wellington Volunteer Fire Police was hold last night in tho Central Fire Station, when the Firo'Police camo out victorious. Lieutenant Cusack was the highest Bcorcr, with Mr. C..-.W. Tandy Becond. ■,

The construction, of a small,reservoir on the .■ top of tho hill in the Botanical Gardens Be-' ■ serve, to supply water to the high levels in the immediate vicinity, has engaged the'at* tontion of the Baths and.Reserves' Committee of the City Council of lato, and the committee, will brine; forward a'recommendation at next Thursday s meeting: of tho. City Council, to the, effect, that, the. work should bo proceeded with, . ■ !.• •"•'". .'■•:," '.- ■■'."•

The. first 'witness' at the Polico Commission ; this morning will be Inspector ElliEbn. : All tho other ofliccrs of the forco have given oyi.., deuce with the exception of tho commissioner! It is understood that ho will ask for, journment of a few days, in order to review" the wholelof the' evidence, and prepare his .statement. 'Tho date fixed for tho presentation of Mr. Bishop's report.to the Governor is Sop. teniber 30, but it appears not-improbahlo that an extension.of time will bo necessary. ■A> Napier syndicate'is getting from Home a new kind of machinery ' for ' dressing flax, which it intends to set up-near Fnxton, where it has scoured some Jiox. Tho now plant (reports tho "Hastings Standard") will turn, out the fibre much more rapidly than-the old process, Within forty-cighf hours from the time' the green. ilax>leayes: tho swamp the hemp will '■ be ready , for,-,'ejiport.. ■-■■Tho ~oxa.ct,-nature 0f..,tho new process . JB-,not'known>except -to those concerned in its venture, but it is understood to include 6team: drying.. "<• '« l -•.■'-:• ~,..■: The final debate of Debating Societies -Union's, tournament will be between ■ the Y.M.C.A. and Karori Societies. It will' take " ■ place in about four weeks'time. . ; ..

.The decision of,tho Harbour,Board,to"iostal > the eleotrio light on tho wharves is beingjriven ,'■' effect, to at once as far as the Eng'sWharf is concerned: ■■ The new wool shed is also to be lighted with electricity. -/. ■'. ■•'■. •."-■•;.••■■-.■■

Work has been commenced by the Tramway Department on the'new "eross-over" at Courtenay Plaee, which is to facilitate' the running of the cars, more especially those on the Kilbirnie section., Tho work will he completed on ; Monday or Tuesday, • advantage "being taken of the.night hours to push it on.i: ■ . =

; It is understood' that •the; first' week's working of the new tramway concession tickets inaugurated, by the Tramways Department has proved highly satisfactory from ' tho' departmental, viewpoint. ' ' ■ '.. ■■■■'.

The whole of the pipo works, for , tho new turbine at the city lighting station,'are on board the Tysor linor Indralema,. now at Auckland.; The pipes ehould arrive next week, and a further • fortnight should 6ee the big machine, in running order. ' . . ■

'-. Tho City Electrical Department is making satisfactory progress with tho work of 'substituting metallic filament street lamps for the old carbon lamps. -The staff, is at : present engaged-at Maioribanks' "Strcot, Hawker Street, Roxburgh Street, and the northern ends fo Brougham and Austin Streets.''.' •'> ''■ '■•:•' .•:■.,.-'. ' ,V : : -•■ - :"

A matter, that has been before tho Police Commission on more than one occasion is apparently among the things that are "hung up": pending the return of Sir Joseph Ward. The Chief Clerk of ;tho Police Department told, Mr. Bishop, •' S.M., during, tie inquiry ; yesterday that papers'relating to Dγ, Sharinan, : police surgeon at Auckland, had been sout ; to Cabinet, and Cabinet had referred them to the Prime Minister—"and there ■ thoy ore." Mr. Bishop: "I have stopped several witnesses re--ferring to this matter μntil I could got hold of the papers, but I -recognise that it ' is not your fault." The Chief Clork: "I have tried to get hold of them." /■'■'■' "■■";■ ■'■.-.■ ■'■ ,

The recent opening in Wellington of the Tattorealls Club was tho sabject i of some straigaUorward * speaking - by tiie Hon. J. T. Paul, MiL.C., : at ; the •opening of o/churoh fete in Duuedin (efcites tho ''Otago Daily Times"). Tho Primitive Hcthodi6ts of. iJuuedin,, he said, were concerned with, a housing problem, andtliey would have noticed that they had had. a housing problem" iu Wellington of another $ort. 'Die present was tho iirst opportunity he had had on a public occasion of referring to the housing of thoSbookmakt-rs in Tattcrsalla Club'.in-Wellington;- Ho did not want'to introduce -any namby-palnbyism into public life, but he wished to say,,that-ho was very hearty in his condemnation of -.that particular institution. "I take it," ho said, "thut wo as pubiio men havo extolled tliis'institution "and theso people as being' likely , to promote the \celfaro of pubiio lifo and .natiouin character. 1 toko up tho,"position-that the bookmaker docs wot fulfil; aty. lftoful function in the" conimuiiity whenMre'do not introduce him-whore wb want the bosfc results and the highest character,, aud accordingly .wokeep him out wherever possible. Thcveforo, in' the best" interests; 1 will : continue to condemn tho bookmaker." Continuing, Mr. Paul said it was his bolicf that sport had a very useful place in tho community, and they should engender the spirit of sport. Some years ago'in Victoria pedestrianism was very largely supported by the pubiio, but the bookmaker was gradually introduced, and ho killed tho sport. Just in the same way .the bookmaker got his tentacles on bicyclo racing—ho had been in tho sport himself—and killed it. also. That was tho sort of influonco'n. bookmaker had on different sports, and that was his influence on! tho community, The"remarks made by. Mr. Paul • evidently " fully met the views of those Who were' present.'"'.".' . ■ .

■ Tho Bluff fisheries .of late'havo been jJrccanous. A fen- good-wcathcr tokos havo been moro tnan counterbalanced by a succession of gales and unsettled weather.. On Sunday' last the Stewart Island oarrior oaiaoin to the Ulnif ■with-70 oases, picked un at tlio various island stahone. Tlusie tlio fifist consignment of nny note for weeks past. Gcrioral appearances, states tho correspondent ,of tlio "Otago Daily Titnos," nro upt indicative of; an immediate recurrence of more settled .weather.': ■■ , ■ :

A Qovenimeut advertisement, which, owins .to-tho boycott* of Tim Dominion by tho Ward Administration, wo insert at our own cost, in pnlcr that our'readers shall not.bo 'ponaltswl by tlio action 'of Ministers, will bo Vountl iu another column. It rolnUw to railway tenders.

_ J.O increase the efficiency'of-, the Tliuindoa Railway Station.-until a uew\station <vui be bmlt.lo take the traffic of .both those, now existing, a dock is to bo' provided at tho north end, on the left side of tho pixssont platform Tins will necessitate tlio removal of eomo buildings, but the constmotion- of the dock will pormit of two train* beong handled s'moltttuoaiulj at the eUtion. y