LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 815, 12 May 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It.' was decided by Cabinet yesterday that no holiday should be observed on tliis occasion on Empire Day (May 21). Speaking to a Dominion reporter on the. subject, the Prime Minister remarked that this decision hud been arrived at for various reasons. In the first place, there irns the new King's Birthday on June 3. Then, again, the usual ceremonies relating to Empire Day could not be carried out* this year owing to the. death of King Edward.

Tho perennial question, "What is an expert?" came up in a special form before Sir. Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court yesterday. A witness for the defence in the marine insurance ease had been asked several questions as to the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Duco when she put to sea on her fatal voyage. The witness was an employee of the Harbour Board and an ex-seaman, but had not been to sen. for the last 2.5 years. Mr. Skerrett, K.C., contended that such a man was not ijiiulificd to instruct a jury as to the seaworthiness of a ship. He could not be expected to know anything about tho construction or flotation of a ship, the management of weight?, the centre of gravity, or tho meta-centres. Sir. Justice Chapman remarked that seamen without much knowledge might have forced upon them the necessity of judging whether it was safe to send a ship to sea. He had had a case before him in which a man who was not oven a seaman had had to take such a responsibility. Sir. Skerrett asked his Honour to take note of his objection, which he made on principle. His Honour: "The , evidence may not be of much value, but I can't eay that it is. inadmissible." Mr. Hosking, K.C., for the defence, .pointed out that there was provision in tho Shipping mid Seamen Act to enable seamen to refuse to go to sea in a ship which they did not consider seaworthy. He suggested that this showed that they were recognised as boing capable of forming a judgment on the matter, even if they did not know anything about meta-centres and the other things mentioned by his learned friend. Mr, Skerrett said that did not affect his point. The examination of the witness then proceeded.

In ordor to pave the way towards closer acquaintanceship, and a better social understanding between commercial travellers, heads of departments, and managers, the Commercial Travellers' Club, following the load of similar institutions in Sydney and Melbourne, is instituting raidday luncheons, the first of which was held yesterday. The luncheon was most enjoyable, and a,U who wero present were of opinion that the' innovation (as far as this club is concerned) is a good one. To niako this possible the club has been to considerable expense in equipping a modern kitchen and in making provision for a dining-room.

Inquiries for the Sydney steamer were boing made at the wharf all day yesterday, but no information was forthcoming until 5.30 p.m., when a telegram from Farewell Spit, announced that she had passed east at 4.45 p.m. ■ Fke arrived in the stream early this morning, having probably been delayed by heavy weather.

Among the matters which engaged the attention of Cabinet yesterday was the complaint of deforestation along the AVangaiHii, River. It will bo remembered that during last seufon Mr. Hosan, Jt.P., in particular, urged upon tho Government the necessity of ■ preserving; the scenic spots along the noted water-way. Upon this subject the Prime Minister remarked to a reporter last night.that it wns very desirable that steps should be taken to prevent the destruction of the most important portions of tho forest areas in question. lii order that the whole matter, might be investigated it had been decided that the Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister) should meet tho Citizen's' Committee at Wanganui as soon as possible after the funeral of King Edward. - ;

A deputation from the Wanganui Education Board will wait upon the Hon. G. Powlds (Minister for Education) this morning with reference to various questions ■ arising out of Government grants to education boards.

The law's provision allowing nn accused person to challenge jurors called to weigh thu evidence for and against him was discussed yesterday in the Supreme Court, when tho Rutland Hotel fire prosecutions came on. There were two accused, and their counsel claimed the right to chal-lenge-twelve jurors—six for each of the accused. The Crown Prosecutor said that in previous cases objection had been take-n to the- course proposed. Mr.. Wilford (for the accused) remarked that if each accused had boon • represented by separate counsel twelve jurors might have been challenged., The Chief Justice (Sir Eobert Stout) ruled that Mr. Wilfovd might challenge six jurors for each accused, intimating on whose behalf the challenges were inade.

• An' interesting experience which befell the diver (Mr. May) at present .engaged on salvage operations in connection with the Waikare wreck, who had been inclined to ridiculo tho statement that the blue cod will attack any moving objects under water, no matter how formidable they may seem, is told by the Bluff correspondent of tho "Otago Daily Times." While Mr. May was pursuing his submarine researches, a big cod suddenly hove in sight, and showed unmistakable evidence- of a design to join in the undertaking. Tho diver made at least threo splashboard movements to drive it away, but tho fish was not to be so easily disposed of. Hβ seized the diVer by the linger, leaving incised wounds sufficient to testify to tho wholeheartedness .of the assault. It was not until . the diver brought his sheath knife to bear on the subject that the question at issue, was finally disposed of and the cod driven off.

In accordance with a decision arrived at by Cabinet yesterday, the grado on the section of railway between Auckland nnd i'rankton, near Tuakau station, is to be reduced.

On a recent Sunday evening, the Eev. M'lJonald Aspland, preaching in the Courteiny Phce Congregational Clinch, narrowly escaped serious injury from a bar of iron which had been hurled through the. church window by some person outside. ' Siuco then \the culprit has been located in a person of weak intellect. A severe reprimand was all that could ho administered under the circumstances. .

At. the Mount Cook Police' Court yesterday, before Mr. T. S. Lajnbert, J.P., two first offenders, not appearing, were each fined 10s., in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Henry Young was charged with being intoxicated in Buckle Street. Ho pleaded not guilty, but the charge was proved, and accused was fined 55., or twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Louis Cade, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, nnd was fined 55., with the usual alternative. A first offender, who pleaded guilty to a charge of insobriety, was convicted and discharged.

Handy letter-boxes are a direct incentive to correspondence. This is recognised by tho postal authorities on tho Continent and in America, as result ot which .small boxes are placed in convenient niches in streets both in the business and residential parts of the larger towns. This policy is being recognised by the Postal 'Department in New Zealand, which intends, at no distant date, to multiply tho number of boxes in the centres. One argument supporting the policy is that a person will hesitate to write u letter or two of an evening if he knows there is a walk of half a mile to the nearest pillarbox, but if there, is a box handy that will take ' prompt delivery of his mail matter he is left without an excuse for postponing his correspondence. Whether this argument holds good in New Zealand remains'to be proved, but the authorities, guided ■by the experience of older countries, are convinced that thero is a good deal in it, and arc resolved on giving it a trial.

Seventeen native passengers arrived in Auckland 'from Calcutta by the Apnrimn on Monday, and were to leave for Fiji yesterday, by the Navua.

On account of the death of the King the Pnvnge Club's korero, .arranged for Saturday'evening, has been abandoned. The next korero will be held on May 28. Shampooing, Clipping, Hairdressing. Monioiirins!, Face Massage, treatment of Falling Hair, and Dandruff. Combings made up- Natural Hair-pads. Mrs. olleston (over Carroll'* 14 Willi, Street. 'Phono 1599.-Advt.

Get next to Nature. Don't drug for coughs and colds—take "Dingo" Kucalyptus, tho pure product of the euco>'">tu3. 1* bottle everywhere,—Advt.