LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1033, 24 January 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

. In a state of uncontrollable excitement over Jlr. Roderick M'JCenzie's.disparaging remarks upon the prospects of the Blen-heini-Waipara railway, tho Kaikoura "Star" refers to him as "the Minister .for Public Works and other phantasmagoria."

Taking advantage of the glorious weather yesterday morning about 700 excursionists boarded -tho Union Company's steamer Maori and crossed to Picton. On arrival at the other side of tho Strait many journeyed to Blenheim and those who remained at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound amused themselves in various ways. A start was mado for home about 3.40 p.m. and after a smooth, trip hack tho Jlaori landed her freight at the Queen's Wharf at.about 7 p.m. Some 10' passengers went across in the vessel to join tho Pnteena at Picton for Nelson, and 20 passengers returned to Wellington.

At the Mount Cook Police Court yesterday Harry Keogh, for drunkenness, was fined '20s. with the alternative of. seven days' imprisonment. Peter Chalmers and John Brackenridge Love .were each convicted and discharged. Caroline Smytne, with a list of previous convictious against her, was declared a. habitual drunkard and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Martin Conden, also charged with drunkenness,' was .fined ss. with an alternative of 24 hours' detention and the same penalty was imposed in respect to seven first offenders.

It is estimated that between 3000 and 4000 people took advantage of the beautiful weather yesterday and crossed. the waters of the harbour, to the various bavs and pleasure resorts. The ierry Company had all their-available boats out, and in addition chartered the coastal steamer Queen of the South to assist in the traffic. The Duchess, Cobar, and Queen of the South worked teis side ot Hie harbour, while the Admiral attended to Petone., -■■"''•

In an editorial note of yesterday m the carpenters' dispute it was stated that ttte commissioner ■ induced .the union to. reduce its demands'to a,44-hour week ana Is: 4d. an hour. This should have read Is. Od. an hour'.' The theatrical firm of ; Clarke and Meynell Proprietary, Ltd., intend to extend' the' sphere of their. business .to London. On January 17 a lease was signed and dispatched to London securing for a term of years a .theatre there in conjunction with a well-known manager, and it is the intention to stage there musical comedies early this year, lne purpose will also be achieved of ascertaining the suitability of these plays for Australian taste and requirements, it is also intended to have, musical plays written by some of the leading people in this line in London, and after a trial at the firm's theatre they will be transferred to Australia. A similar process will be tried with regard to the engagement of artists for Australia, who will first do a season at the firm's theatre in London before being finally engaged to appear under ' the Clarke and Meynell management, in Australia.