LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1255, 11 October 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Information was received from the steamer Tofua, which arrived at Auckland from the Islands on Thursday, that there was a great scarcity of shipping labour in Samoa. It was difficult to get sufficient men to work cargo, and traders wero contemplating the advisability of importing labour. Already one trader had experimented with 19 Punjabis.

'l'ho dogs which aro to be used in Captain Scott's expedition to the Pole left Kobe 011 September 3 for Sydney, cn routo to Lyttelton, and aro duo within the nest fortnight.

In connection with the collecting campaign ill Wellington on Hospital Saturday, Mr. «Tas. Godber lias offered to proviso refreshments to tho lady collectors stationed at tho corner of Cuba and Vivian Streets, and at tho Courtenay Place terminus. Messrs. George and George have donated arm-badges for the collectors. The Imperial Consul for China (Mr. C. Lang Chu) and his staff havo sent a donation of .£1 to tho funds of the Wellington Hospital. At Monday night's meeting of tho Brooklyn Batepayers' Association, exception was taken to a -statement made by the secretary of tho Tramways Union that special cars aro unnecessary on tho Brooklyn section. It was pointed out that, even with tho special cars, tho service was unable to cope with the traffic. Tho tramway manager's action in keeping the cars "on was appreciated, and tho hopo' was expressed that, when tho rolling stock is increased, tho old five-min-utes' service will l>e resumed'. An officer of (ho Lands and Survey Office at Christcliurch is proceeding lb tho head of the Waimakariri lliver to explore the glaciers there and to select a sito for a tourist hut. Tracks will have to be formed before the country can be reached by ordinary travellers. There is said to bo some magnificent mountain scenery around the head waters of Iho

river,' but so far very little exploration lias been undertaken tliero.

The Ciisbornc Chamber of Commcreo lias (states tho Uisborne "Times") written to the Sew Zealand Whipping Company, the Shaw Savill Company, and the Tyser Com-

pany, suggesting they should join in putting ono vessel per month on the berth to carry direct shipments for Ciisbornc. The chnmbor hoped that alter a. conference with the companies interested a reply would bo given that would lead to tho initiation of the direct shipments, which the chamber believed would be remunerative to the companies ami tho Gisboruo importers.

At Monday's meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, a copy of Mmj. report of tho inaugural mcetiiig of tiio British Imperial Council of Commerce was received from the London Chamber of Commerce, and the local chamber was invited to appoint, a representative—preferably <i resident of London. It was ultimately decided to obtain further particulars before coming to a, decision.

The trams on tho Brooklyn lino are now running to their new terminus in front of tho post oflieo, via tho new lino from the corner of Willis Street, down Customhouse Quay.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has resolved to renew its prize of twentyfour guineas for proficiency in reading, composition, and arithmetic in tho local public schools.

Tho Wellington Chamber of Commerco is constantly receiving inquiries from British, Continental, and Eastern houses for representatives and agonts in New Zealand. Tho secretary of the chamber has instituted a "trade openings file," which members of tho chamber are at liberty to iuspcct at any time.

The Wellington Accountant Students' Society will hold a "mock trial" under the Companies Winding-up Act at tho Chamber of Commerce to-night. Liquidation accounts of an imaginary company will_ bo placed Ijeforo students by tho liquidator, who wiil examine them upon ccrtaih alleged irregularities. Dr. M'Arthur will act as judge, and tho students will bo assisted by members of tho legal profession.

Mr. Jlassey was incorrectly reported to have said at Levin that the first speculator in tho Mokau lands sold for i! 85,000. Tho sum mentioned was ,£75,000. Tho larger price was paid in a subsequent transaction.

Mr. Hine askod tha Government in Parliament yesterday to state whether they had any information relative to tho prices and prospects of dairy produce this year upon tiie London market. Sir James Carroll stated that notice must be given of tho question in the ordinary way.

In connection with New Zealand's conthe Homo Rule Fund, Mr, Martin Kennedy has received an official receipt for the second instalment of .£ISOO. This is signed by Bishop O'Donneil and Messrs. J. E. Kedmond and John Fitzgibbon, trustees of tho Home Rule Fund. With the receipt came a letter from Mr. John Rodmond, thanking all who bad assisted ill augmenting the fund. The letter also stated:—"l need not say that we, and the whole of Nationalist Ireland, _ are deeply grateful for this most magnificent and generous support. Wo are now entering on the last lap, and nothing 6bort of somo quite unforeseen political earthquake can prevent the early triumph of Homo Rule."

Messrs. John Fullor and Sons have forwarded to the curator of tho Dominion Museum a film of tho Coronation celebrations in London in Juno last, and another illustrating tho Royal procession to the Guildhall on the day following tho Coronation. In a letter accompanying the gift, Messrs. Puller state. —"We beliovo that in future years these pictures will be valuable as historical records, and will bo looked on with great interest by generations to come."