LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1253, 9 October 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Maheno, which arrived at Auckland from Sydney yesterday morning, brought an English and. Australian mail, tho southern portion of which will reach Wellington by this afternoons Main Trunk express.-.

His Excellency tho Governor has received from the Earl of Stradbroko, the secretary of tlio "Georgo" Fund, an acknowledgment of tho .£7O collected in New Zealand. Lord Stradbroko informs his Excellency that a total of .£.3400 was collected throughout tho Empire, and it is proposed to present his Majesty the King with a Uadgo of tho Saint Georgo out of this sum. and to invest tho remainder to provide a scholarship for boys going into tho Wavy.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday tho Citv Fire Brigade received a call to 51a Adelaide Eoad, and on arrival found that a fire had occurred in a furniture factory occupied by Mr. Charles H. Harris, and owned by Mr. Martin Kennedy. The building, a two story wood and iron structure, was rather badly damaged in tho lower portion, tho upper story suffering from smoko and water. It was thought that the outbreak originated in tho ground floor, and was caused through a gas ring, used in connection with the making of glue, having been left alight. Even-thing appeared to be safe at noon when the employees coased work. Tho contents of the building wero insured for JISOO in the Guardian office.

Councillor Hindmarsh has given nolico to movo at tho next meeting of the City Council: "That a penalty of J!GO be enforced against tho firm of Messrs. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., for tho non-perform-ance of it? contract within the stipulated

The Wellington Zoological Society is making preparations far its commemorative concert and exhibition. Several prominent musicians aro giving their services, and Fullers, Ltd., have promised to mako tho pictorial part a success, and tho Government' is lending tho kincniato(rriiph pictures specialty taken when the King and Queen were hero as the Duke and Duchess of York. The Governor is the official patron of tho society, and the special patronage of tho Speaker of tho House of Representatives, tho Prime Minister, tho Leader of tho Opposition, and all the local members of Parliament is being given for the commemoration. As his Majesty tho King lias long been a great patron of the London Zoological Society and its Zoo, and the first anniversary of Iho Wellington Zoological Society is in tho year of tho King's Coronation, there is to be a blending of the Coronation with tho anniversary celebration in the commemoration.

The meeting to bo hold in tho Conoort Chamber of tho Town Hall to-night with reference to the Daylight Raving Dill has already attracted a considerable amount of attention amongst the public, and should bo very well attended. The proposal is a novel one, and though it has been befqre Parliament through the medium of Mr. Sidey's Bill for some two or three sessions has not hitherto been treated seriously by members, and consequently has not had the consideration, which might otherwise have been accorded to it. Its effect in enabling workers of all classes to make more use of the daylight, hours in the afternoon in the summer months must necessarily have far-reaching consequences, and, it is claimed by the advocates of tho proposal, should result in a considerable improvement in tho physique of the rising generation, if tho difficulties which may exist in connection with bringing such a revolutionary change into operation can be successfully overcome. The speakers this evening will include Messrs. Fisher, Herdman, Sidey and Isitt, M.P.'s, and Mr. G. V. Hudson (who propounded the proposal in a paper read bofore the New' Zealand Institute as long n»o as 1895). His Worship tho Mayor, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.F., will take tho chair. It is hoped that there will bo a large attendance.

The underground river at Mount Arthur, near Tiii, on the Nelson-West Coast railwav, which is said to have been discovered bv Mr. Petrio, of Auckland, is to be explored by tho Government Tourist Office under the charge of tho discoverer. Tho Hon. K. M'Kenzie is now communicating with the Minister in chargo of tho Tourist Department with a view to dispatching a party in November.

The 6.5. Mapourika will leave Wellington for Picton on Tuesday a(tc-TUoon next at 5 p-m. for tlie convenience of visitors to the Marlborough Racing Club's spring mooting, which will bo held on Wednesday and Thursday next. A steamer will return from Picton on Thursday evening, so- that visitors will only be two days away from the city. The mooting is likely to be a success, as good acceptances have been received by the club.