LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 876, 23 July 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Shortly after eight o'clock last ovening an express collided with tram-car No. 31, proceeding from Nowtown to Karori, a short distance, past the Karori tunnel. Tho driver of the expross was thrown into the road, and sustained a slight cut on the forehead. Motorman Fairo escaped injury. Conductor Hopburn, through the sudden impact, was. thrown through thi. panel window of the door of the car, but also escaped uninjured. The express was much damaged, but the tram suffered little.

Tho burgess roll for the City of Wellington in 1843 contained just 152 names. They were printed on a single sheet of moderate size, of which a framed' specimen may be seen hanging in an annexe to the Oddfellows' Hall on Lambton Quay.

Speaking yesterday on tho subject of native bird protection, tho Hon. Mr. Buddo expressed keen regret at tho almost total disappearance of the huia. Several expeditions to tho country at the headwaters of tho Wanganui River uid failed, he said, to discover a single specimen. A few wore known to exist on tho islands around tho coast, and further efforts would be mado to locate surviving individuals ou the mainland, with a view to their propagation in sanctuaries-

The total numbnr wlio entered foi the November, and January tests in connection with junior national scholarships, junior free places, and the Civil Service was 7207, or lioO more than in the preceding year. 'In the several examinations the numbers present worn;— Civil Service, etc., 2369; junior national scholarships and junior free places 2214; Civil Service senior, 443; certificate examinations, 1482.

A very interesting lecture was given by Mr. 11. Robertson at last night's meeting of tho Wellington Railway Mutual improvement and Social Club on tho Wostinghouse brake. Mr. Robertson went into the subject of brakes very exhaustively, giving a history of them and outlining the improvements which had been effected during tho last 260 years. Speaking as an expert, with a wide experience, Mr. ltobertson stated that he found the brakes in this coun-, try in better working order than in any other country which he had visited. Mr. Robertson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his lecture.

The following letter has been received by the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board (Mr. It. Fletcher):— "Sir, —I have the honour to inform you that at a meeting of the board iield yesterday the report of the deputation from this board, consisting of the chairman (Mr. A. J. Entricaii) and Messrs. W. J. Napier and G. W. Basley, which visited Wellington last week for the purpose of protecting the board's interests in connection with the Harbour Amendment Bill, now before Parliament, was received. The members of tho deputation commented upon the groat kindness shown to them by yourself during their stay in your city, and it was unanimously resolved that a vote of thanks be'passed to the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board for his courtesy extended to the deputation from this board on the occasion of their visiting Wellington."

The chairman of the Technical Education Board (Mr. T. Ballinger) laid before members last evening the following statement in regard to the board's incomn and the sources whence it is drawn During the period from 1906 to lf)0!), inclusive, tue City Council contributed towards the support of technical education a total sum of £1033. The Government dunng the sanib period contributed £26,334. The Government provided buildings ol an annual value of l:7!>0, and the City Council land having an annual value of £6UO. The Government made an averago annual contribution dm ing the above-mentioned period of years of £6583, and tie City Council an average aunual contribution of £258. The Industrial Association contributed during the four years £145, an annual average of £36. Private gifts tolallcd for the four years £181), an for each year of £45. Other receipts (fees, etc.) amounted for the four years to £6404, an average in each year of £1601.

' The gift 'of river-front land made to the town of Wanganui (mentioned in yesterday's issue) is about 30 acres in extont, and includes the famous Patakataka Pa. In addition to the value of the gift as a pleasure ground for all time for the people of VVangaiiui, Patakataka possesses many historical associations. The pa was originally built by Tukarangatai, the famous ancestor of the Ngapaerangi tribe, whose rights extended down river as far as Aramoho. Tukarangatai's people became a mighty tribe on the Wanganui River, and though their ancient' glory has departed, a few of them still remain. They still remember with pride that their ancient stronghold of Patakataka was never taken by any invader. In later days the pa was .rebuilt and strengthened against invasion by the Waikato Nativos, arid near it was the famous rock which, legend asserts, was enchanted, and, sinking into, deep water, the spot was tabooed, becoming the hiding place of a famous taniwha, or dragon, long the terror of the Wanganui River Natives. Many other logends and facts of Maori history are associated with'Patakataka. It is also a place of great natural beauty, easily reached from Wanganui,.being only 15 miles distant.

Last evening the St. John'B Literary aDd Debating Society held an Imperial Parliament election, Mr. J. Boal being in the chair. After some interesting speeches, those present elected Mr. S. Sadler as their .representative.

In connection with the opening of the new Baptist Church at Brooklyn a series of evangelistic meetings is being held by tho Bev. Sir. Elliott, of Auckland. Dr. Henry and Mr. Potts, who aro passiug through. Wellington, wore risked to conduct last night's meeting. Notwithstanding the state of'the weather, the church was very well filled, and those present joined heartily in the ■singing of the hymns, led by Mr. Potts, in a manner which showed that they thoroughly agreed with him when he haid that singing hymns was just as much a part of religion as listening to a sermon. Dr. Henry took his, test from John is., 25: "One thing I know, that whereas 1 was blind now I'see." Hβ said that in his opinion the keyword of the Bible was "obedience." The doctrine of submission was very liko the doctrine of salvation.. Tho tspoaker received a very attentive hearing.

A General Order just issued states that the tasks for tho Engineer Shield will not be held in future'. The marks awarded for tasks will be allotted for practical work during the annual training camp. Officers commanding Engineer companies, in forwarding their syllabus for camp, will therefore not allow time for tasks.

Efforts are being mado by the Auckland members of Parliament-to arrange a Parliamentary trip to Auckland at tno time of the winter.show. A fair jiuiutiKt of memliHia liavo expressed thuir desire to attend the sho>v and there ia prospect of a special train being put on. The Minister for Agriculture (Hon. T. Mackenzie) will not be ahlo to go north owing to pressuro of work.

■ At 8.49 o'clock last evening the Fire Brigade were summoned to Bryant, May, and Bell's match factory at Newtown, oil account of a slight conflagration which might havo proved serious had it not t>een for the sprinkler system which has been installed throughout the building. The fire had evidently been caused by an overheated stove, which sot fire to the receptacle trays containing matches. On the heat reaching a certain degreo the sprinklers opened out and kept the outbreak in check until the brigade arrived, when the flames were quickly suppressed. yond the loss of a number of trays and some damage to 'the flooring the damage caused was of a trivial nature.

So far the police have been unable to secure , a clue in connection with the robbery of £200 from Messrs. Martin, Eurrell and Sneddon's works at Solomon's Knob dam, Wainui.

In a letter to a resident of Masterton (says our local correspondent) tho Prime Minister states that he will pay an early visit to that town. He also acknowledges tho information that Mr. O. A. Pownall intends becoming a candidate for the Masterton seat at the next election.

Arrangements having been made for Air. R. M'Nab to .speak at Blenheim this evening and Nelson on Tuesday evening, it will not be possible for him to return in time to give his proposed address at the Garrison Officers' Club on Monday evening next. The committee of the club have, therefore, postponed the lecture until n later daln. Members and those who have specisil invitations are requested to note this.

Shampooing, Clipping, Hairdressing, Manicuring, Face Massage, Treatment of Falling Hair, and Dandruff. Combings made up. Natural Hair-pads. . Mrs. Eolleston (over Carroll's), I 'Willis gtteot. 'Phone 1589.—Advt

The following prisoners, who have pleaded guilty in the Lower Courts, will be brought before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) for sentence, at 10 o'clock this morning:—George William M'Donald, of 'Wellington, forfery, uttering, and obtaining a cheque y false pretences at Palmerston North; August Rewi Wallace, theft Jiom a convent at Otaki; Kenneth M'Gregor, criminal assault at Majton; Charles King and Frank Dean, assault with intent to rob at Wellington. His Honour will sentence, next Tuesday morning, Otto Frank Benson, who pleaded guilty to two charges of theft at Feilding. The oa-se of the Makerua Estate Company v. the iUakfiruu Drainage Board, a motion for an injunction, will be heard by Mr. Justice Cooper in Banco this morning. Tho revenue of the Cook Islands foi the year ended March 31 was £7655, and tho expenditure £8230, states the annual report of the Cook and other islands. The cash surplus at the end of the year wa-s £4437. The revenue in the Island of Niue amounted to £1683, and the expenditure was £1260. The credit balance at the close of the year was £1629. The increase in the Cook Islands trade was very substantial. The value of the exports was £73,653, ah ugainsl y6U,U3'2 for WOS), an increase of £13,001. Imports amounted in value to £67,737, an increase of £12,716 for the year. In Niue the value of the exports amounted to £12,203, 'an increase of £50 ( J6 over 1908. The imports (£10,047) showed an increase of £3589. A contract has been let at £582 for tho erection of a new Roman Catholic school-chapel at Wadestown. The building will be of timber, allow of seating accommodation for about 200. The work is to be completed in three months. A telegraphic report'of a meeting of tho Canterbury Executive .of the FarMers' Union was brought under the notice of the Minister for Lands yesterday by Mr. Witty. The report complained that after valuers had assured settlers there would only be a certain increase in their valuations they found, on the notices coming in, that there were larger increases, and the notices were in too late for an appeal to be lodged. Mr. Rhodes said he bad intended to bring up this matter, but he was waiting for fuller information t-o come to hand. Sir Joseph Ward.eaid he had called for a report. It was stated at the evangelistic meeting held at the Brooklyn Baptist. Church last evening that since his arrival in April last Dr. Henry has conducted 226 meetings, nearly 70 of which took place in Dunedin in three weeks. The Court of Appeal has'adjourned until Monday next, when it will take the Auckland patent case, Wade v. Hartley. Other appeal cases yet to be heard are those of the' King v. John Morris Schapiro (relating to the bookkeeping of the defendant, who is a bankrupt, the King y. Charlie Grbich (Auckland), and the Manukau Wafcei Supply Board v. the Attorney-General. The last-named case is of interest to local bodies, as it is concerned ;with the powers, of the appellant body in connection wit htke providing of build-, ings for carrying out its functions.