LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1142, 1 June 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On Saturday, June 3 (King's Birthday), the Post Office will be open m all its branches fexcept the. Money-order Department) from fl to 10 a.m. Mails by steamers sailing on that day will close at 8 a.m. The only dispatches ly trains will be for tho Wairarapa district, which will close at 6.30 a.m.; and those, for the. Manawatu, Wnnganui, Taianaki, Hawko's Bay, and Auckland districts, which will close at 8 a.m. There will be no day clearances of the city and suburban receivers. There will not'be any deliveries through the city and suburbs by the let-ter-carriers, but a delivery i ill be niado. at tho Drill Shed, Maginnity Street, from 9 to 10 a.m., of all correspondence which would under ordinary circumstances be delivered bv letter-carriers; also a similar delivery will be made from tho Drill Shed, Maginnity Street, on Friday evening, Juno 2, from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. The public delivery counter will be open at the chief office from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. on Friday, June 2. and 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday; Juno 3 (King's Birthday), for delivery of correspondence addroned to the post office. The parcels delivery counter nt the Drill Shed will bo open for delivery of parcels from 8.30 to 9.30 p.m. on Friday. Juno 2, as well as 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3 (King's Birthday).

It has now been decided to hold a magisterial inquiry into tho recent collision in the harbour between the ferry steamer Admiral and tho Niwaru. Tho inquiry will bo held as soon as the latter steamer returns from Lytfcelton. Assessors havo not yet been appointed.

Included in tho passengers who arrived from Sydney by the Aoraugi yesterday is an American, who is being taken back to San Francisco on an extradition order from Newcastle. He was a sailor on board a ship which recently arrived at Newcastle, and, in consequence of an occurrence on tho high seas, he was charged with murder at Newcastle, and handed over to tho American Consul. no is being taken back to San Francisco by a special constable from tho American Consular Department of New South Wales.

Yesterday tho North Island Railway Appeal Board concluded tho hearing of tho appeal of Joseph William Haughie, late fireman and acting-engine-driver, Cross Creek, against his dismissal for_ alleged failure to come on duty at the time booked, and being unfit to take charge of an engine through alleged over-indulgence in intoxicating liquor. Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., presided, and there wero with him Mr. C. P. Ryan (representing the First Division), and Mr. C. C. l.eo (Second Division). Mr. P. D. Clarke, enginedriver, Palmerston North, appeared for appellant, and Mr. TJ. Davidson represented tho Department. After hearing evidence, tho application was dismissed.

The buildings in Wellington occupied by the Government will be decorated and illuminated in honour of the Coronation on pretty much the same lines as on the occasion of the Coronation of the late King Edward VII, when a brilliant display was made. Preparations have been begun by tho Public Works Department and the electrical branch of tho Post and Telegraph Department. The Town Hall will "be decorated with bunting on Coronation Day. The City Council has also arranged for a frco picture show in tho hall in tho afternoon, and a free concert in the evening. Particulars as to the procession have already been published.

When the Aorangi was off Stephen's Island yesterday, en route from Sydney to Wellington, a lingo fish, estimated to be ISOft. in length, was seen disporting itself in the water. Its species remained a puw.lo to the interested spectators until one man, who claimed to have more than a passing acquaintance with tlio denizens of tlio deep, gave it as his opinion that, the monster was an unusually large blackfish.

The first session of the nineteenth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Wellington will be held in St. Paul's Schoolroom, Sydney Street, Wellington, commencing on Tuesday, July 4, at 3 p.m.

Late last night, Detectives Cassclls and Mason arrested two men, who will appear at the Magistrate's Court this morning, charged with cargo broaching on fbo steamer Drayton Grange.

An important deputation representing friendly societies will wait upon the Hon, J, A. Millar at noon nest luesday.

If the number of entertainments held nt (he Railway Social Hall is any criterion, then the Railway Mutual Improvement Club is apparently justifying the ends for which it was formed. Although Hie Department provided a certain amount of furniture, it was deemed necessary, in order to make the rooms attractive, to purchase a number of other fittings and, with a view to providing funds to meet this expenditure, n conceit was held at tho hall last night. A number of selections were rendered by Xernot's string band, and the Railway Oreheslra. Vocal items were contributed by Madame, Mueller, Misses Hcan, Lees, liodgers, and Miller, Mrs. Wray, and Messrs. Newton, Robertson, and Jones. Mr. and Miss Graham gave recitations

unci an exhibition of fancy skipping was given by Mr. R. Walker.

Although the number of passengers arriving from London by the Turakina yesterday was only ISB, live of this number were unable, from various causes, to immediately pass tho medical test. The Port Health Officer, having another vessel— tho Anrangi—in the stream nt the time, could not go into the casos exhaustively, but he will again examine tho passengers in question at 11 o'clock this morning.

Edwin James King, music-seller, of Wellington, has been adjudged a bankrupt on his own petition. The first meeting of creditors will be held at 11 n.m. on Thursday, June 8.

A somewhat peculiar illustration of Maori superstition was recorded at Rotoj'ua last week, during the special sitting of the Native Land Court. The case before the Court was one in which the Ngatiwhakane tribe, laid elaim to what thev alleged to be certain vnsettlwl shares in Rotorua town. While the claim was being inquired into last iliursdav, counsel for tho Maoris called an official witness, who was duly sworn by the Clerk of the Court. Tn handing Uio Bible back to the clerk, the latter failed to grasp it, and the Bible fell to the floor. Instantly almost the whole of the Natives in Court, numbering nearly 100, rose• to their feet, and cried, "A bad sign, tho caso is roakutu," and thence-on to the conclusion of their unsuccessful suit the .Maoris of the tribe sat mule and disconsolate, tho incident of the falling Bible being regarded by all i.s 'in indication that their causo was doomed.

The Wellington vital statistics for the month ended yesterday were as under, the figures for the corresponding montn last year being given in parentieses: Births, 170 (106); deaths, 91 (52); marriages 77 (50). The figures foi the five. months of the. present year show a decrease of 48 in births, and increases of 10 and 36 respectively in deaths and marriages when compared with the first five months of last year. The totals are as follow, the figures for 1910 being given in parentheses :-BirHis. 825 (873); deaths, 312 (332); marriages, 111 (103).

The Jewish Literary and Debating Society were entertained on Tuesday night'at the clubrooms by Mr. Joe Zaehariah (chairman), who gave the members "An Evening with Mel a. Spurr," the great society entertainer. Interspersed with a- general outline of his life and doings, numerous excerpts from his repertoire were given, including "Mrs. Brown's Play" and Brackens "Not Understood." At the conclusion, Mr. A. Rose expressed the appreciation of the large audience of the enjoyable evening spent.

Mr. J. P. Lnke, M.P., has received tho following letter from Mr. W. S. Short, of the Public Works Department :-"In further reply to your telegram of May 22, on the subject of the extension of the city tramways from Willis Street to the Exhibition, I have now the honour to state that the Hon. Mr. M'Kenzie has no objection to the City Council proceeding with the work of laying the tramway from Willis Street to tho Post Offico under the existing Order-in-Council, but before authorising any further alterations to the sidings ho wishes to examine tho plans, and this cannot bo done until he returns to Wellington."

That tightness across the Chost, that thick troublesome Phlegm, that running of the Nose, may be relieved and removed by NAZOL. It'has done it in thousands of cases, and it will do it in'"yours.— Advt.

Past and present officers of the Fifth Wellington Rifles met.together at a mess dinner at Godber's Rooms last evening, and spent a very enjoyable time. The function was a private one.

On Thursday night last a mysterious light was seen to pass right c\er Bnthurst. The object, which was described as a huge light, came from a southerly direction, and rapidly crossed to the north. The incident recalls the excitement created some two years ago u> paper balloons flying over tho town, but viewers of this object declare it moved too swiftly to 1m mistaken for such. What tho object was remains a mystery. Many people witnessed its movements.

There was a small Chinese colony on board the Aorangi which arrived from Sydney yesterday. A total of 50 Chinese, including four females, nre booked through to Tahiti, and eleven landed at Wellington. \