LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1170, 4 July 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Funny things still happen in the country districts.' To-day, a lecture is to be given in Havrera by the Hon. T. Mackenzie, and an official naming was given last week, "Dress circle, evening dress imperative." An irate person wrote to tho Hawera "Star" about it, and was informed in a footnote: "With reference to the matter alluded to iu the foregoing letter, the management of the lecture informs us that the primary cbject of the notice was to secure uniformity in tho dress circlo out of compliment to his Excellency the Governor. This is quite usual."

The medical inspection of 1 those who have registered under the compulsory training provisions of tho Defence Act will be commenced as soon as the record books have been completed, which will be in two or three weeks. An official communication 011 tlio subject to area officers sets out that in arranging centres for medical examination, men aro not to bo asked to travel such a distance as will require them to bo absent from their work or to be away at night from their homes. 111 all rases, men who have como tho longest distance are to lxj given preference. It is also set out that men should be'examined in tho larger centres first, and' tile smaller centres afterward#, and, further, that inspection should be carried out at men's homes or places of employment as. far as possible. " In this district the following places for medical inspection have been selected Garrison Hall, Wellington; Hrillslied, Lower Hutt; Town Hall, Upper Hutt; and I'orirua. The examination will bo conducted by tho following medical officers:—Colonel J. E. I'urdy, Licut.-Colcnel C. M. Begg, Captains Elliott, narty, Holmes, and Ross.

Proceeding from an allegation that a number 6f Chinese traders, who stock both fruit and groceries, conduct a trade in groceries at hours when the white trader is compelled to have his premises closed, a largo number of city grocers are petitioning the City Council to fix a universal closing hour for those engag-. Ed in selling groceries. If six o'clock were fixed by the council, Chinese fruiterers and grocers would be unable to sell groceries after that hour. It is expected that the petition will come before the council shortly. To take effect it must contain, the names of a majority of those engaged in tho trade.

A letter received in Cambridge a fewdays ago (states _ the Manawatti "Standard") lends additional colour to tho rumour that the Hon. T. Mackenzie illtends to contest a North Island seat at thi coming general elections. The letter says it is common knowledge in his electorate that Mr. Chas. Hall, M.P. for Waipawa, is to be given a seat in the Legislative Council. It is interesting to note in this connection that tho Hon. Mr. Mackenzie lias just "spent a holiday in the electorate."

| Arrangements are being made for hold'ing a camp at Palmei-ston North for the officers and non-commissioned officers of the district, in preparation for the general training camp, which will be held some time between now and the end of September.

Wo have to acknowledge receipt of a further sum of 10s. from E.N.B. (Stratford) in aid of tho I'resli Air Fund for the benefit of poor children in London.

•: The animal classification list of licensed and certificated teachers is published as a supplement to the New 1 Zealand Gazette, just issued.

A hopo that the residents concerned would not trouble the Tramway Department of the city for concessions and reductions was expressed by the deputyMayor (Mr. J. Smith), when he opened the Wadestown line yesterday. Nothing could bo less wise, ho said, than the granting of concessions which the line was unable to l>enr. Fares had been fixed at the lowest possible point. It was anticipated (hat there would he a loss for three years, but they looked to the advancement of tin district bringing back the amount of the loss in a few years. No doubt Wadestown would advance just as Brooklyn had done.

One of the most useful little pocket guides in New Zealand at the present time is the "Bradshaw." This handy little bobk contains all time-tables ami mail services and a lot of useful information for everybody. It only costs a penny, and can be obtained everywhere.*