LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 773, 23 March 1910, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The railway arrangements for tho Easter holidays will be found advertised in another onlunin. This advertisement, which- us a simple matter of business it is essential, in the interests of tho railways of the colony and of the people- generally, should receive tho widest publicity, has appeared in the columns of both of our local contemporaries, ' and similar advertisements havo appeared, or will appear, in every metropolitan journal in New Zealand. But The Dominion has been boycotted as usual by tho Ward Administration, and we therefore, in the interests of our readers, publish tho advertisement at our own cost. It is a very remarkable thing that Mr. Millar, who professes to be so anxious to make the railways pay, should spend the money of the taxpayers in advertising in papers whioh, though supporting the Government, cannot, owing to their much smaller circulation, offer anything like the same return as The Dominion for the money expended. At the proper time wo shall let: the country know a good deal about this subject.. . . • . Cabinet yesterday approved of the amalgamation of the Lambton and Thorndon ,goods stations. Among the authorisations in connection with school buildings which, were made by Cabinet yesterday was one for £475, in regard to the Brooklyn School. Applications for. positions on the staff of the defence forces,- which will naturally be increased in the future, are being sent in to the Defence Department in large numbers. Already (it is understood) over 300 applications have been received. In some quarters it is thought that selection will be made by competitive, examination, but it appears more than ..likely that the selection will be carried l out by officers .who alrea'ly know the merits of the applicants. . . ■ : ..

Tenders are to be.called by the City Council for the setting-back of Goodall's building' in Willis Street. The block of buildings is the property of the corporation, and the recommendation of the city cngineeivis to be carried out, that extensive'alterations be made to the buildings, so that the first floor may be let, as offices, and the shops on the ground "floor may have adequate living rooms attached.

No trace has yet been found by the police authorities as to the whereabouts of Mr. P. F. Darcy, of Canterbury, who has been missing for some days. A number of garments, which have been identified as having belonged to Darcy, were, it will be remembered, found some* days ago on Happy Valley Beach. Additional information in the bands of the police now points to the fact that Darcy was not drowned as was at first surmised. It is understood that he was seen-on .or, near, the s.s. Mokoia prior to her departure: for Earotonga last Wednesday.

The driver of an aerated, water delivery cart had a.narrow ©scape from a serious accident in Buckle Street yesterday. As he was driving up the hill, he lost the reins, and whilst stand- , ing on the shaft-pole after: Laving recovered them was thrown, to the ground. Two wheels passed over the driver's legs, which were baflly bruised. At the- top of the hill the horses, which had commenced to bolt, were brought' to a by ;: Constable, Hammond, who is at present on a visit; to Wellington.

Thirty years' traffic has roared down Willis Street since Messrs. John Duthie and Co.'s warehouse, now undergoing considerable alteration to permit or the widening of Willis Street, was erected. The operation of slicing ten feet from the front of thesp premises, completed, yesterday in all save plastering 'and cleaning-up work, has not been devoid , of a certain gratification to the owners and those concerned originally in tho erection of the building. The pullingdown has served to show how good was the building-up. The removal of the brickwork called for great exertions on the part l of its demolishers,' and the plastering, which was done by Mr. Thomas Foley three decades ago (and is now being replaced in the new front by the same contractor), has shown by its perfect condition to bo proof against the ravages of time. Credit for such solid work must be given to the architect, the late Mr. Thomas Turnbull,' whose graceful design is being per-' .petuated in the new frontages, which will show to much better advantage in the widened street than heretofore. The • skill. and dispatch with' which an awkward job has been done under somewhat disadvantageous conditions reflect credit on the contractors, Messrs/ Campbell and Bourke. "

It is reported that Mr. H. D. 8011, K.C., of Wellington, has been retained as well as Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., to act with Messrs.' Russell and Camphell, on behalf of the Auckland Harbour Board, in connection with the big claim which the New Zealand Shipping Company has given notice that it intends to bring; owing to the dam. age which the s.s. Kaipara recently sustained in the Rangiteto Channel at Auckland., .-•..-.. ' .

Sometimes, and not rarely, people who have been treated at the hospital ; forget to bo grateful, but one or two letters which were read at yesterday's meeting of tho Wellington Hospital "Irustees showed that such is not always the case. Sbid one writer, addressing Dr. Hardwick-Smith:"l desire to tender to you and your able stag my sincere thanks for the niany kindnesses I received at your hands whilst, under your skilful and' attentive care at Wellington." Another correspondent wrote tendering ■ 'heart-' felt gratitude for kindness-and unfailing attention" to a relative in the hospital. "P cannot express to you just how we- , feel," the letter concluded, "but I want you to know we are truly grateful." ■■'■■.

At last night's meeting of the JKarori Borongh Council, it was reported that the council.. had, at a special meeting, accepted the tender of Messrs. D. Robertson and Co. at £679 12s. for the engine and stonecrusher. Other tenders received were Messrs. Nevin and Co. £715, P. R. Baillie and Go. £747 (with 'alternate tender of £900), E. W. Mills and Co., Ltd., £895 55., J. Chambers and Co. £867 6s. 6d., W. Crabtree and Sons £912, Richardson, Blair, and M'Cabe £1018 (and alternate tender of £935), A. and T. Burt, Ltd., £1600. The Wellington Savage Club is to assist at the opening of the newlyformed Eastbourne Savage Club, which will hold its first "korero" at Day s Bay on Saturday, April 2. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., has been elected Chuy Savage,of the now club. During the fortnight March 8 to March 22, 31 applications were received by the City Council for permission to erect, alter, or extend buildings, and in 24 instances plans were examined and approved and permits issued. The estimated value of the work for which permits were issued was £6049. made up as-tinder:—City, £1796; Melroso, £3963; Northland, £250; Onslow, £40. Shampooing, Clipping, JlairdrDssing, Manicuring, Face Massage, Treatment ol Falling Hair and Dandruff,! Combings made up. Natural Hair-pads. Mrs. Rolleston (over Carroll's), U Willie Bbnet 'Phone lm-AUrt.

Tho Benevolent Trustees met yesterday afternoon, Mr. John Smith presiding. There were also present the Rev. W. A. Evans, Miss Richmond, Messrs Cook, Short, and 'Wak'.htm. The se.-re-tary reported that there wero 119 ii.mates in the homo at present, made up of 70 malo and 3L iemale, in the main home, and 18 in the intermediate ward. Accounts amounting to £266 Is. 6d. were passed for payment.

Tho City Council decided last night that irrecoverable rates amounting to £318 3s. for tho year ending March 31, 1910, bo written off. The Mayor said the amount was a little abovo the average, but was accounted for by the fact that a number of houses had been untenanted for more than six months, and could not then, be collected; also, that certain properties had been taken over by the corporation, and did not now yield rates. Further, a sanitation rate had been struck in Mclrose, and was not collectable at the same time as tho ordinary rates. He had lookedcarefully into the matter, and was satisfied with the recommendation.

A meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. S. Jameson presiding. The inspector was instructed to consult the society's solicitor in regard to a case of alleged cruelty in which an insurance agent had taken charge of a horse in good condition and three weeks later had returned it with a sore back, girth galls, and sore mouth. The horse, it was stated, was in very poor condition. A complaint was received of alleged cruelty by driving horses on a rough'line of rails at Miramar. It was stated that the horses wero quite unable to get a footing on the sleeper?. The inspector stated that tho hollows between the sleepers had since been filled up, but ho would keep an eye on the locality. The following donations were acknowledged:—Messrs. A. D. Crawford and T. M, Wilford, £1 Is. each; Messrs. W. Wiggins and Magnus, Sanderson.and C)., 10s. 6d. each; Mrs. Young, "Two Friends," Rev. D. C. Bates, Messrs. H. Cook. Griffiths an. , Co., To»pasend and » Panl, Westport Coal Company, British Empire Trading Company, ss. each E. Tregear, C. Haynes, It, C. Brien, \V. Mansfield, and "Two Friends," 2s. 6d. each; Mr. King, 25.; "Friend,": 2s. 3d. Total, £6 7s. 3d.

The inspectors of the Wellington Education Board havo classified the schools on the ground of efficiency, as follows: — Good to very good, 53; satisfactory, 87; fair, 13; inferior, 8; total, 161. The inspectors add that in all but one of the schools marked inferior changes have been made in. the management, and the teachers havo loft the -board's service.. . . . '

The equipment for four more tramcars is to be ordered by the Tramway Department so as to enable cars of the box type to be converted into cars of the combination type, or to enable new cars to be constructed. Experience in the larger cities has proved that the palace and combination cars are much more serviceable for loading than the box cars. ■'■ " .

The City Military Band has been granted the use of Newtown Park for Sunday afternoon, April 3, with permission to take up a collection in aid of the band instrument fund.. '

The various cases concerning the welfare of European.' children who have, it , is alleged, been palmed off on to Natives in tie Wangan'ui. district will be heard shortly. Action is only beingtaken in those cases where it is believed that there is reasonable ground for .the suggestion that the children are met being properly cared for. The object of the proceedings is to see that dll-cared children ,are. removed; from .their, present surroundings. Speaking to a Dominion reporter. yesterday, the Hon. .Dr. Findlay (Minister for Justice) said that some of the prosecutions would, be under iihe new legis'ktion passed last. sessiqn.';whilst"the, others would be under the general proTisions of the Industrial Schools Act.

' The sittings of the conference of judges aind registrars of the. Native Land, Court have concluded and those who were present aro returning to their respective districts. It is understood that the report of the conference will not be made public for some , days.! ;

The tender of Messrs. J.. W. Wallace and Co. for a supply of ironbark poles for the Electric Lighting Department of the: City Council was accepted at last night's meeting of; the City Council.

, In the matter of the so-called "Free School' Books" the Wellington Education Board's inspectors , are somewhat , sceptical of the benefits of the present system. They poini out that as a matter of;fact the "books aro only nominally free, for jn practice the board is unable to avail itself of the option of allowing the o'bildren to take the books 'home. Such a course would necessitate a practically fresh supply every year, and after the original grant, the Department provides for (the/renewal of only some-ten per cent, .of the original supply to meet ordinary wear and tear. Thus the stimulating effect, on the child of the actual possession- of a new book is lost. This is a point on which teaohers, infant mistresses especially, lay great stress. ~

Mr. Robert Parker's special classes for primary school teachers are the subject of appreciative reference in the annual report of the Wellington' Edu<»tion Board's inspectors. The classes were well attended and the district is ' already reaping the benefit in the more thorough voice training and more melodious singing. later alia, Mr. Parker draws attention to the need of more systematic work and says: "If it meets with the approval of the board I shall be glad to draw up for circulation among the teachers a few practical suggestions for the weekly singing lesson, which would be useful to- teachers; and which would ensure some uniformity of. method in tie teaching of a subject which, however little it may be valued by the practical man, is becoming more and more recognised by'all authoritieson education as one of great physical and moral importance." The board has decided to accept Mr. Parker's offer. ■', ■. ■ : - •

Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, at yesterday's meeting of the Education Board, said he had received many complaints from parents of cadets who had gone to tho Kitchener camp at Lower Hutt. The complaints were so numerous that there must have been something very lax in the way in which the boys were treated. Some who went out from Wellington for the day had no food from tho time they left home until they returned. The chairman (Mr. R. Lee) said he understood most of tho boys fared pretty well, but that was chiefly owing to the kindness of residents inthe vicinity of the camp. The board took no action.

The Rev. H. Braddock has written 'to the Education Board, complaining that the' Korokoro School Committee has refused him permission to give religious instruction in the school after school hours. The Education Board did not see its way to -interfere, as the committee has solo control over the use of the school building.'

The disposal of street-widening debontures was referred to by the Mayor at the City Council meeting last night. Dr. Newman said that the council had the right to issue debentures up ■• to £26,000 in connection with the widening of Willis Street, and it had been found difficult to sell the whole of the debentures in the Dominion. If the council agreed to allow for the payment of interest in London as well as in New Zealand, £10,000 worth could be sold immediately. There would be only small exchange payablo on the interest, which was 4i at. par. The council passed the resolution, as sugr cested by the ilayor.

The Dunedin Y.M.C.A. hive pur-' chased an additional section for thesito of their new building. Tenders are being called for the now structure, whidi is to cost about £13,000.

The tenders far supplies, invited annually by the-City Council, have been referred ■to a special meeting of the council, to be called for Monday week, for the purpose of perusing them.

A conference has been arranged, to' be held on April 10, between the Fire Underwriters' Association and the Power Stations and Tramways Committee of the City Council, to discuss certain electrical matters.

During the past week the Willing, ton Homing Pigeon Society has flown young-bird races as follow:—From Dannevirko, 102 miles (80- birds,' representing 16 lofts): Messrs. Conder and Hoare f « No. 238 (979 yards per minute), 1; Mr. Bidding's No. 376 (978 yards), 2; Mr. Griffiths's No. 123 (975 yards), 3; Mr. Bailey's No. 232 (973 yards), .4 ; W. J. Richards 1 and Son's No. 114 (928 yards), 5; Mr. Lewis's No. 405 (924 yards), 6: Mr. Chapman's No. 131 (920 yards), 7. From Waipawa, 133 miles (40 birds, representing 12 lofts); Mr. PoweD's No. 438 (1083 yards), 1; Mr. Griffiths's No. 321 (1072 yards), 2; Mi. Elliott's No. 180 (1063 yards), 3; Mr. A. Clark's No; 4 (1066 yards), 4; Mr. Haynes's No. 30 (1059 yards), 5; Mr. Bidding's No: 374 (1057; yards), 6. In the race, from Amberley, 164 miles, Mr. C. Haynes'a b. c hen, No. 246, was the only bird home within the time limit (two days).

A deputation of 'Newto'wn v residents wpl appear at the next meeting of the City Council to urge that the extension of the tramline from Constable Street •into Kilbirnio should be taken ia ha&& by the counril. . ' ■:

The ceremony of affixing a comme-s morative tablet to mark the commence" ment of the new infectious disease* hospital in. ttie Wellington Hospital Grounds, will be performed by the Hon.G. Fowlds, Minister for the Hospitals and Charitable Aid. Department,';' this afternoon at 3 o'clock. A number of special invitations have been issued, and the general public are also invited.: Afternoon tea will be provided.

The city engineer (Mr. W. H. Mor» ton) has been instructed to submit to> the City Counoil a design and estimate of the cost of erecting a drinking fonn* tain at the Grant Road spring.

. The Petone Working Men's Club has. given a donation of £3 to the Wellington Hospital, to be used for the general purposes of the- institution* When the announcement was made.by Mr. J. W. M'Ewan at yesterday , ! meeting of the trustees, tihe chairman (Hon. C. M. Luke, ■ M.L.C.) moved that the heartiest thanks of the trustees be given to the dub. He also re* called the similar assistance that had been received in the past from -■ thev Petone Band,

"The people of Wadestown, havebeeo. wanting to know how it is tha.t the tramway has not been started," said the Mayor at last night's meting of the City Council. ' Dr. Newman explained that plans had had to be prepared, and the matter had to_be advertised in due form.. By the middle of next month the engineer'would be able to commence the work. .. '•■■■;.

: < The Wellington Education Board is year by year experiencing greater difficulty in finding suitable applicants for vacancies in, country schools. While a vacancy in, a city or suburban school will bring in : twenty to thirty, applications from experienced and certihcated teachers, for a similar position in , a, country school and . advertised at- the same time, there, is often not a singlecertificated applicant. The inspectors, in their yearly report,* state that the transfer system is the only way- to counteract this increasing disinclination on the part of teachers to take service in the country, districts.- Some definite plan of grading" teachers,, they further '.insist,- is necessary, to'render- such- a : policy effective.' Under some board? this is already done, but in the inters ests'of the : transfer system.'and of the teachers themselves, -the inspector* think there should be one uniform sya« tern for the whole Dominion.

Sis special windlasses, which wul cost about £50 altogether, are to. ba obtained by' the City Council, and* erected on the Lyall Bay beach for life-i saving purposes. .'. : .:. :'

The Cricket Association has bees, granted permission to fence off the seats in front of the pavilion at thai Basin Reserve, on March 26, 28, and; 29, for the test match,' Australia, v. New Zealand. A stipulation, has .been .made by the City Council that not more, than 6d. shall be charged for the reserved seats.

With a few to farther improving the! already much-improved Kent Terrace Reserve, the city engineer has been asked' to prepare a design and estimates o£ cost of two rockeries and fountains,, to be located on the asphalt portions' oS the reserve. ".■'■..-.• ~ .>.,

"They are in a filthy condition, and ■those who are responsible, whoever theyj are, should be ashamed of themselves."—Counoillor Devine, commenting on the windows in the pavilion at the Basia Reserve. The chairman of the Reserves Committee (Mr. J. P. Luke) 'undertook to look.into the matter., : . . .

The King's Theatre is to be connected directly with the Fire Brigade Station by telephone, so as to ensure an. immediate alarm m case of fire.. Several of the local. theatres and business place* are already fitted with the direct telephone connection.

/Two men named James Cumming and John Fennessey were arrested yesterday on a charge of having assaulted and. robbed a man, who was standing among the crowd which collected at the corner of Featherston Street and Lamb* ton Quay on Saturday evening.

The middle-aged man named.. W« Patrick M'Dermott, who .was lecentJy before the Court on several charges of forgery, will appear before Mr. Baselden, S.M., this morning, on the following additional charges:—(l) That, ..oil December 29, he did forge a request for the payment of money, purporting to be signed by , "J. A. Farmer," and did utter it to Joseph Ames; and (2) that, on December 30, he did forge a similai document, using the; name "T. Hutton," and utter it to Andrew. Patter* son. ....

Good ptogress is being made wiffi the preliminary work connected with the erection of the freezing works for the Wellington Farmers' Meat Cora< pany at Waingawa (says our Masterton correspondent). As soon as the work is further advanced, the contract will give employment to a very large number of men. . . ....

At a recent public meeting of thai Victoria League in Auckland, Captain C. A. Young stated that New-Zealand was tlie only country in the world that neglected the graves •of her distiu-. guished dead. The cemeteries left by the late Queen's troops were neglected —-one- had been sold by Government to a private individual—many graves wore unmarked, and the settler's plouajj passed, over them, although the locals ties woro knovn. In Soutii Africa all but six graves had been marked, and xrero being cared for by tie LoyaJ Women's League there, including those of Now Zealanders,. but no monotary assistance had been received from Now Zealand,-although it was known a sum of £700 had been subscribed for the purpose.-

A oomplaint was made by a city councillor last ovening that, when'temporary work was offering in connection with municipal elections, it was often given to men occupying permanent positions, whilo unemployed personi, in poor circumstances, were not given, an opportunity to earn a few shillings. The Mayor promised to mako inquiries inta the matter.