LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 814, 11 May 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho bronr-e symbolic figure which is to surmount tho monument erected over the lato Mr. Seddon's grave was shipped from London last month by tho Arawa, and is due to reach Wellington on Juno 13./

. Habitues of the Lyall Bay beach intend to form a surf-bathers' club More the advent of next bathing season.

Speaking to a reporter yesterday, the Hon.- D. Buddo, stated that the Race Meetings Act was working very successfully. Out of about fifty applications for permission to conduct races, only two had so far been declined. The ground of refusal in both instances was that tlio clubs in question had not, allegedly, carried out u meeting prior to tho passing of the Act satisfactorily. Mr. Buddo- went on to say that the refusal did not prevent a further application at a later date. He pointed out that some of the clubs had been very dilatory in making their applications. In one case, he said, application was forwarded to the Department only a few days before the day fixed for the meeting. As a result, there was not time to refer the application to tho magistrate for the district, so other steps had to bo taken by tho authorities to as-, certain whether it would bo riglit to grant it. It may not be generally known that the licenses issued to clubs are not for a single meeting, but remain in force until they arc revoked or an alteration is made in the Act.

An indignation meeting, attended by owners and drivers of vehicles using tho Ngahaurauga Gorge, was held in the liechabite Hall, Johnsonvillc, on Monday evening to protest against the use of the motor lorry and vans brought into use in tho gorge in connection with a newlyopened stone quarry. It was resolved that a petition should be prepared and lie for signature at the premises of Messrs. Wilkes, Styles, and Leighton until Thursday; and that a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Ball, Bould, Bryant, Cook, Cassidy, Mildenhalt, Martin, Pile, Wilkes, M'Vicar, Styles, and Leighton, with power to add to their number, wait upon the Makara County Council at their, meeting on Friday next in connection with the above.

Up till tho present, passenger steamers have seldom been dispatched from King's Wharf, though they have been berthed there on arrival on more than one occasion. This afternoon tho Pateema, for Picton and Nelson, is to bo dispatched from King's Wharf instead of from her usual berth at Queen's Wharf.

k. meeting of ex-pupils of tho Clyde Ou'av School was held last evening to consider matters relating to the coming-of-age of the school and proposed presentations iii connection with that event. Tho Hon. J. H- Jenkinson presided over a good attendance. A sub-committee of ex-pupils was 'appointed to work with the "enerai committee, which will meet, next" Wednesday night to arrange - all details. Tho report of the collecting committee was very satisfactory.

The Wcstland, County Council is of opinion that the procedure for the compilation of county electoral rolls is imperfect, and that tho name, occupation, address, and qualification of every elector should bo fully set forth on the roll, so as to prevent fraud and misrepresentation. The Hntt County Council yesterday resolved to support the Westlnnd body in representations to the Government on'the matter. County rolls as at made up state only the namo of each elector and tho number of votes to which he is entitled.

The business of the criminal sessions will lie continued at 10.o'clock this morning when charges against Joseph Paul lliu-is .ami. Martin Haines, in connection with the fire >at the Rutland Hotel, Wanganui, will lie hoard.

Shampooing. Clipping, , Hairdressing. Manicuring. I-ace Massage, treatment of Tallin" Hair, and Dandruft. Combings made "up. Natural Hair-pads. jM rs . Rolleston (over Carroll s), M Willis Street. Phone 1500.—Ailvt.

In reply to a telegram sent by Mr. H. G. Ell, to the Prime Minister with respect tu a supposed suggestion in Ms Win ton speech that laljour should )je imported under contract, the Prime Minister' replied: "X' have not proposed anything iu the shapo of contract labour, nor is. there any intention of carrying out such a system."

Preaching on Sunday last in the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church, the Kev. .1. lv. Elliott, in illustrating King Edward's goodness of heart, related that when visiting one of his parishioners one duv, the subject of the King's health ivas budied upon, at which the parishioner in question went to a drawer, and produced a letter signed by his Majesty. The story attaching to the letter was interesting. The parishioner in question had nn uncle at Home, who had seen a great deal of active service whilst in the Army, earning for himself a pension. This ceased on his- death, leaving his widow in very straitened circumstances. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts was communicated with, but the reply came that nothing could be done for the old lady.. Then the Wellington resident, with, praiseworthy persistence, wrote direct to the King, . giving the details of the case, and registering the letter to make sure of its deli,-?ry. .Che Iviag at once replied, stating that ho would see that the old lady never wanted—and it was so.

Members of the "Peter Pan" Company travelled from Napier to Wellington by the Tarawera, and were to connect last night with the Mararoa for Lyttelton, en route to Duncdin. The late arrival, of the Tarawera, however, prevented their catching the Lyttelton steamer, and so their arrangements have been interfered with. After the Tarawera reached port last night, the Mararoa put back to the wharf, but 'as the Tarawera was anchored iu the stream her passengers were unable to transfer.

A large and handsome tea kiosk is in course of erection opposite the train terminus at Lyall Bay. It will bo ready for occupation and business before tho next bathing season opens.

Proceeding? in the Supreme Court yesterday were . somewhat delayed through the non-appearaneo of two witnesses subpoenaed ill « criminal case. Mr. Myers (Crown Prosecutor) asked th<at some punishment should bo inflicted, and his Honour .the Chief Justice ordered that both of the missing witnesses (one of whom was a woman) should be fined the amount of the expenses they were entitled to 1 receive. His Honour remarked that, according: to the Scottish system, each class of witness was kept in ia room, and placed under the surveillance of policemen. A witnesses' room was provided in the Wellington Court; with all conveniences, and witnesses were expected to remain in attendance till called on. At a later hour, both witnesses reported themselves, and, ■ inasmuch as the excuse of ono was that he had attended the proclamation ceremony, his Honour agreed to cancel the order that the witnesses should be fined.

Intense dissatisfaction was felt by the members of the mechanical staffs of the C4overnmeut Printing Office, owing to tho fact that their departments . wero not closed as was the case with other Departments of tho Civil Service on Monday and all day ydsterday. The Government Printer was informed that .the hands required for urgent work wero quite willing. to remain on, but tho workers as a body did not seo wily.they should bo treated, differently from other employees ill v the Civil Service. Yesterday morning' when the-. Government Printer announced- that tho 'uffico would, in accordance with the general request made to the citizens by the Government, be closed between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on account of tho reading of the proclamation of the accession of King Georvo V, the 'employees in question held what is described us an indignation meeting.' As a protest it was decided not to cease work during the hours mentioned, and to send a deputation to the Government on the subject. The Government Printer, however, insisted upon a cessation of' work. The matter was mentioned to the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister in.charge of the Government Printing Office, by , a reporter last night. Mr. Millar paid-that there had been a slight' misunderstanding. A number of the employees .'had been kept on fpr the special' purpose of preparing mourning stationery for ■ the Government offices and' other. necessary 'work, and they had formed the impression that they were not to be paid extra ior allowed other time off as compensation. The misunderstanding- was, However, removed (added the .'Minister), and the matter was satisfactorily settled.

Sir James Mills, .managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, had an interview witli the Post-master-General yesterday (says the Melbourne "Age" of Mar 3) 'in regard to the renewal for .twelve months of the contract for ' the carriage.of mails between Sydney and Vancouver. Sir John Quick, when ill office, agreed to an- extension of. the contract for a year from its expiration in about four months' time. The company, however, asked leave to substitute, for one of the steamers now maintaining the service another boat of smaller size and less speed. The Canadian PostmasterGeneral objects to the proposal. The in T terview was to ascertain whether it would be possible to come to a satisfactory arrangement. Sir James Mills pointed out that, as the contract was merely for an extension for twelve months, the company icould not be expected to go to the heavy' expense that it might be prepared to incur 'if' the extension were for a longer period. Jlr; Thomas admitted that there was much, force in the contention which Sir James Mills had .raised. He promised that the matter-should he considered. ; Sir James Mills,is 'about .to leave for England, via Canada. It is expected that ho will, when in Ottawa, have an interview with the Canadian Postmaster-General in order, if possible, to secure his - sanction to the proposed substitution.