LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 768, 17 March 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Owing to tho boycott of The Dominion by the Ward Administration as regards Government advertising we publish on page 2 at our own expense, in order that our readers will not be penalised, notices calling for tenders for cartage contract for Wellington (Thorndon), Wellington (Lambton) and Te Aro Railway Stations, training wall at Karamea, and police station, Manners Street, Wellington (alteration and . additions); also a notice as to the running of trains for the Masterton Races, at Opaki, on March 17 and 18.

"Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Sellars!" The name looked quite commonplace on the Mokoia's outward list of passengers for Tahiti and San Francisco, it did not invite introspective analysis as to the personality it shaded, and yet the shipping people chuckled audibly throughout yesterday as they picked the names out of a local paper, and rubbed their hands gleefully as the Mokoia departed without fuss or flurry yesterday afternoon on her long ocean voyage. It transpired that . "Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Sellars" were in reality. FieldMarshal Lord Kitchener and his suite, Homeward-bound. He had given strict instructions that his movements must not be divulged for the reason that he wanted to take his departure without any . demonstration on the part of the warmhearted "Wellington public; so all who knew were sworn td secrecy, and others only knew that "Mr. and Mrs. Sellars" were off on a trans-Pacific journey. There was a. small crowd to see the Mokoia off, and these discovered at the eleventh hour that ,Lord Kitchener was to be a passenger (and was not going south as reported), but it was too late to 6pread the news, and the Field-Marshal obtained that respite he so keenly desired.

It is reported that the new cadet regulations will bo readjr for publication in a few days. They will (it is understood) embody regulations enabling the development of a boy scouts branch and proriding for the utilisation of such officers of the boy scout- organisation as .may volunteer for the work.

Questioned in the north as to whether the Government had in contemplation the establishment of additional institutions similar to the Cambridge Sanatorium and adjuncts, the Hon. D. Buddo (Minister {or Public Health) replied in the negative. " '

Strong allegations as to the non-obserY-ance of the Sabbath in one of the rising townships on the Main Trunk line were made by the Kev. J. If. Archer, of Napier, in conducting a home mission day service at one of the Auckland Baptist churches, on Sunday last. One Sunday's programme in this ; township, he 6tated, ■consisted of a football match, a woodchopping contest, and the pulling down of the old post office. He added that he would let this story speak for itself.

Tenders will be called almost immediately by the City. Council for setting back the block of buildings in Willis Street which contains the premises of Messrs. Goodall and Lyons, with a view to. further widening of the street. The block will be converted into four shops, with officea upstairs.

The: twenty-fifth appropriation in connection with tho United Building Society, was held last night. The ballot 'resulted as under :—W. A. Kcay, .£500; C. Dompsey, i£3oo; and A. E. Cook, J2OO.

Upon hi 6 return to Dunedin from the recent (conference of officers commanding the military districts in New Zealand, Lieutenant-Colonel Smyth was interviewed by a reporter on the "Otago Daily Times." "As far as could 'Ire gathered from Lieutenant-Colonel Smyth," the southern journal states, "the present forces will carry out their training for another twelve months on the lines that have been followed previously, with the exceptions that infantry will require to go into camp for a week (morning and evening parades, or' full days, at their option); that paid daylight parades and Easter manoeuvres will not be held; and that the Battalion system will prevail—i.e., men will join, and officers will be appointed to, a battalion instead of to a.company as heretofore, being; then drafted into or appointed to. one tif the companies in the battalion, whilst the funds will be administered by the battalion staff instead./of by the companies themsolvos. ■ The training of the youths who will come under the general (compulsory) training section is not likely to be commenced for about a year. The complete rolls will probably be compiled in conjunction with the taking of the census next year, but a preliminary 1011 may be prepared this year."

A rather unusual position has arisen in connection with Eketahuna municipal affairs (says our local correspondent), and, from present indications, it would appear that the Mayor has every chance, if he persists in his attitude, of defeating a resolution passed by ; a majorityooff f the council. About a month back the Lighting Committee of the ootmcil' embodied a recommendation in its report to the effect thai the electrical engineer ' should ■ reecivo a bonus of .£4O in consideration of work done outside his ordinary duties. The Mayor strongly opposed the payment of the bonus on the grounds thnt the money had not been earned, and that, if it had, the' finances were not in a position to stand such a,payment. .An amendment' to tie adoption. of the Teport was moved by the Mayor, and a seconder was found in Councillor Haswell. The report, however, was adopted by five votes to two. The Mayor immediately gave,notice of motion to rescind the resolution, and, at the next meeting, this was rejected by four votes to three, the Mayor having gained another supporter. l Notice of motion was'again given to '.rescind . the resolution, and, at the ordinary, meeting on Monday night, this received the same fate as the one previously moved. Not to be daunted, the Mayor, who now contends that the money cannot be lawfully granted, gave further notice of motion to rescind tho resolution, recommending the payment of the bonus. The majority, of the council has grown/ weary of the Mayor's attitude, but as there is nothing in the Standing 1 Orders to prevent him moving notices of motion from now till Domesday, and thereby holding up the business of the council steps are, it is understood, to be taken to insert a clause in the Standing Orders in the direction of obviating a recurrence of the present position. In the meantime, tho Mayor metaphorically has the "bull by the horns," as, in the event of one of the majority being absent,, he can succeed with his easting vote in carrying the notice of motion, and even if the Standing Orders are amended in the direction indicated, it is doubtful if the amendment will apply to a past case.

Replying to the recent criticism, by Mr. Manuel', M.P., in regard to the attitude of the. Government over the North Auckland railway, the Hon. E. IFKenzie, Minister for . Public Works, says: "I am" very pleased to see —after all the misrepresentation that has occurred—that Mr. Mander now admits the existence of the Waipu range, which is incapable of settement, and along the foothills' of'■ which the eastern route runs for from twenty to twenty-five miles. Mr. Mander also imagines thai the railway by the western route would run along the Northern Wairoa Eiycr, whereas it ;wiU simply cross Vlcmit y of Tangiteroria. It is ?i t0 s f e where Mr - Mander finds the 1800 people on the eastern side of the 11 Kniwaka and JJ. Carroll s Gap, unless he includes the population of Waipu, which under : the most favourable conditions could never provide any traffic " worth speaking of either to tuo eastern or western route, owing to the mountain range lying betw ceil that district and tlie river." The members of the Waitotara County Council must surely have smiled, remarks the Wanganui Herald," when they received a otter from the Governmont referring to some noxious weeds on the council's property. The council decided to clear the weeds at once, and, with what looks like a delicate piece of sarcasm, resolved also to inform the Government to this effect. Says the paper Hooted: "It is a pity the council did not go further, and ask the Department of Agriculture why, when it is so fond of intimating to private persons and local bodies the necessity of eradicating noxious weeds, it does not serve similar notice Upon certain other Government Departments, notably tlie Railway, the Lands, and the Native Departments. When a Government insists so strongly—and rightly—upon private persons and local bodies keeping down noxious weeds, and also sends round inspectors to see that they do it, it seems rather disgraceful that it should allow its own land to become a noxious weed -■njffijatl*"-

The Prime Minister of England has evidently cast longing eyes in the direction of Now Zealand. Miss Meriel Talbot, the Victoria Lpague envoy, mentioned at her meeting in Auckland on Monday night that before her departure for Australasia Mr. Asquith remarked to her that of all the places which she was to visit,, he envied her most her visit to New Zealand. "And now I have visited all the countries in my tour, I understand still more the ustification for Mr. Asquith's appreciation of New Zealand, for here, even more than in Australia, I feel at home. Tour Dominion very much resembles Ensland."

"A step in which all engineers must be interested- is the proposed Australian Navy," remarked Mr. Erskine, the president of the Engineering Association, speaking at Sydney last week. Individuals might question the policy of the Federal Government in importing the ships in parts, and having them put together locally, but he was not going to touch on the political aspect, being satisfied to see an experiment of such a nature carried out m Australia. It would probably tax their engineers considerably to actually build warships here for many years, but by having the experience of putting the ships together, their. capabilities of going further would be sb demonstrated as to be a guide to the country's legislators when further action became necessary, and it did seem that the method adopted would serve as a good education; and unless •it proved a very expensive one he was inclined to think that Australia would \ benefit in the long run.

The beautiful blue pigeon, which at one time outnumbered any other of its feathered companions ■ inhabiting the timbered hills and valleys of Banks Peninsula, says the "Akaroa Mail," is almost a thing of the past.' One very fine specimen,' however, was seen above Barry's Bay, a few. days ago, which seemed to be in excellent condition both as regards plumage and fatness, which points to the fact that there is still some attraction for the pigeon. yet in the scraps of bush left about the ranges. "It is to bo hoped," the "Mail" adds,' "that advantage will not be taken of these birds', absolute fearlessness, and the few specimens we have, left will.be' preserved with the greatest; care. .There is no reason why ihe wild pigeon should not multiply even now, but they cannot, of course, increase to the extent of being useful as. ah article of food, nor is it necessary that they should be so utilised. There is many a Peninsula resident, however, who can remember procuring an easily obtainable supper of these toothsome birds when they abounded in great numbers in the bnsh, and even if it be but for the romembrance o£ those same suppers, which were a boon when food supplies were, few and far between, they should do their utmost to nrotect them."

- In connection . with the conversation with Mr. Hugo Gorlitz, which appeared in yesterday's issue, it should be made clear that the performance of Elgar'e oratorio, "The Dream of Gerontiua," given under the management of Mr. Gorlitz, took place in Westminster Cathedral, )iot Westminster Abbey, as was stated. Mr. Gorlitz made '".a brief reference to Eleohora Duse, the . great Italian tragedienne, who made lier first appearance in London under the impresario's management in "La Dame Aux Camelias" (the dramatic original of "La Traviata"). Duse was~ born in a wagon on the outskirts of Venice, being the ciiild of itinerant players, who toured the country in a rough kind of - caravan. She started in her profession by playing child parts in the primitive dramas and farces included in her parents' repertoire. Even at the aise of twenty, .when playing _ in provincial theatres, she gave no indication of the genius which four years later placed her in the forefront of theiworld's dramatic actresses. She has played tho leading roles in the Dumas' repertoire, "Magda," "Tho. Socond Mrs. Tanqneray," "Cavalleria Kusticana" (the drama), and in many of the plays of Gabriello d'Annunzdo, with whom she was in partnership for some time. .

It has been currently reported in this city that Cabinet, at its meeting this week, was to consider the Knyvett case, among other matters (remarks the Auckland "Herald"). No announcement as to what Cabinot did in the matter has yet,bpen,received.lt,,is,understood that one member of Parliament, a Government supporter, is.prepared, when Parliament meets, to move a vote of want of confidence in the present Administration, to. less, in the meantime, the matter - has been satisfactorily settled, and justice I done to Captain Knyvett.

Speaking it Waihi on Monday ereiimg Mr. J: Cameron, organising secretary of the New 7<ealand Anti-Asiatic Leagun, contended that if steps were not taken to prevent immigration the influx of Asiatics would, at no distant date, constitute a grave menace to the moral and industrial welfare of the white 'people of the Dominion. The Immigration Restriction Act should, ha held, be made to apply to the whole of the Asiatic race. The league would' approach Parliainent next session and nrgo an amendment to this end, and also .an amendment to the labour lairs, to bring Chinamen into line with European traders and workers..

A meeting of the International Club ras held last night , at the Hotel Windsor, when about fifty members were present; A selection for violin andpiano was placed by Mr. and Miss Walter, and an interesting paper oil "Women's Franchi9e"..was read by Mr. Gellatly, and this will probably be discussed- at the next meeting of the club.

Five Banco cases are set down for hearing to-day before Mr. Justice Williams. The Chief Justice, Sir Bobert Stout, is presiding at the; quarterly civil sittings. Directions will be given at a meetmg of the St. John''Ambulance Society to b9 held to-morrow to the . delegates who are to attend the conference at Christchurcb. s •.

In a religions census of the world which he has just 1 published, Dr. H. Zeller, Director of the Statistical Bureau in Stuttgart, .estimates that of the 1,544,510,000 people in the world, 534,940,000 are Christians, ' 175,290,000 are Mohammedans, 10,860,000 are Jews, and 823,420,000 hold other. beliefs. ■ Of these, 300,000,000 are Confucians, 214,000,000 are Brahmans, and 121,000,000 Buddhists, with other bodies of lesser numbers. In other words, out of every thousand of the earth's inhabitants, 346 are- Christians, 114 are Mohammedans, seven are Israelites,. and 533 are of other religions. • It is understood that the Defence Council will iiclude the St. .John Ambulance brigade' ui the new regulations, which inasmuch as they affect the brigade will bo submitted to Major Georgo Barclay, Y.D., Deputy Commissioner for New Zealand of the brigade, for consideration and .suggestions.-

With the _ object of : urging that all classes of New Zealand coal should be carried on the railways at the same rata instead of allowing a preferential .rate in respect of brown." coals and . lignites, as compared with bituminous coals, a deputation representing the West Coast colliery owners recently waited on the Minister for Railways. In reply, the Hon. J. A. Millar stated that while he conld not see his way clear to go as far as the deputatira had suggested, he believed that the special rates on' other than bituminous coal over long distances conld stand some revision. The tariff on coal was (he added) at present under consideration.

In the course of a recent address at Christchurch, Mr. D. M'Laren,' Labour H.P., said that it was generally believed that labourites and progressives in public affairs were dangerously lavish in their administration. If a man was open-handed, however, and wished to get a good grounding in tho administration of funds, ho had only to become tho secretary of a largo' labour organisation, and he would have critics in a very short time. As a matter of fact, it was only t'ho progressives that reorganised tho needs of the people, and were best ablo to deal with their affairs.

It is expected that work will be commenced on the Wadestown tramway about April 22 or 23. AppHcatiou is being made to the Government for the required loan. v

In regard to tho proposed Charlotte Street loop, the Mayor (Dr. Newman) and members of the City Council will interview Sir Joseph Ward in a few days to urge the setting back of tho fence of tho present Parliamentary Buildings, to provide a streot of 66ft. "width.

oliarapooing, Clipping, Hairdressing, Manicuring, Face Massage, Treatment of Falling Hair and Dandruff, Combings made up. Natural Hair-pads. Mrs. Eolleston (over Carroll's), 11 Willis Street, Thone 1599 a —AdtJ.

A deputation, introduced by Councilloi Luke, waited on the Tramway and Electric Lighting Committee of the City Council yesterday, to ask if the council would extend its electric lighting to Johnsonville. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Kodd (chairman of the Johnsouvillo Town Board), Bold, and 1 ? . J. Moore. Two propositions were discussed, the first being that the council should supply current to the confines of the town district, and that the Town Board should erect street lamps as required. This plan was favoured by the committee aa being less troublesome to the Council, bat tho deputation seemed to think t'jiat t!ie city should supply the electricity and erect and look after the street as well. It was pointed out that if this v.'ort was left to the Town Board' it would have to engage an expert who would have very little to do, whilo a member of the council's staff could visit Johnsonville at intervals without causing much expense. The deputation agreed to draw up a letter, which will be discussed .by the committee at a second meeting to be held on Friday.. The committee will discuss the matter and bring up a report at the next meeting of| the. council. Under _ the Municipal Corpora' Hons Act the City Council has power to I oitond its lighting to the neighbouring districts.

It appears that Dr. Teichelmann and . Guide Graham wore prevented by the inclemency of the weather from doing any exploration or mountaineering work on their recent trip from Mount Coot to Hokitika. They left Mount Somers on February 25 and Lake Heron station on Sunday, 28th, with tha intention of proceeding up the Lyell Glacier, at the head of the Eakaia, then to cross the mountains and come down the Lambert Kiver and the Big Wanganui River to Hende's ferry. Shortly after leaving, the station - they met with such bad weather that they wero prevented from carrying out that §lan. For ten days they were completely locked by the swollen rivers, but eventually they succeeded in reaching-Westland via the "Whitcombe Pass. They were camped at the head of the Rakaia near the Lyell Glacier on the eastern bank for five days. Eventually .after several attempts they succceded in crossing thtf Eakaia Kiver. Continued bad weather, kept them in camp at the junction'of the Loufer stream for. four: days. Last Fri< day morning the weather cleared a little, ani the journey homeward was commenced. From the Loufer stream tha journey was easy till, the saddle: was crossed, but thence onwards it was very difficult. The so-called track was. in a fearful condition, and this portion of tho journey' was very difficult. -Fortunately' they had a plentiful supply of provisions, and their camps were generally dry.

The Federal Treasury has sent an intimation to the banks that "supplies of tha new coinage will be forwarded on appli-. cation. The most noticeable feature about the shilling that has . been received is that the .King's head bears a crown, and that the Australian coat-of-anns on. the other side is remarkable for an attenuated kangaroo and a somewhat emaciated emu. The design of both animals was evidently taken in ■ drought time.—Sydney "Daily Telegraph."