LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1267, 24 October 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On Hie occasion of a recent visit to For.ton, llr. Newman, M.1 , ., was wailed upon by a deputation villi reference, to the ilesiroil alterations at I lie Himitangi railway station, where the Samlon-Foxton. train joins the Government railways. Mr, Newman personally inspected the ground, a.nd as the result of representations made to the Department, has received a coininunication from thn Minister for ltailways to the effect that instructions have been given to have the necessary alterations carried out, and the work will be put in hand at an early date. In view of the increased traffic at this station, the settlers making use of it will appreciate tho improvements and alterations which the Department aro to carry out. "Yes" was Mr. W. H. D. Bell's reply as to whether he believed in a proper classification of tlv? Public Service. Askeil if ho considered promotion should bo Ruided or ruled by efficiency or long service, he answered'"Efficiency!"

Last Sunday was Self-denial Sunday with Uio Salvation Army. A special collection at tho Citadel, Vivian Street, at tho evening service realised .£BS for tbo fund—an advance of JC2S on a similar collection taken up last year. The general appeal closes on Thursday next. All collectors are requested to send in their lists bv that date.

There was a largo attendance at tho Town Hall last night to heir the debato between Professor Walter Thomas Mills and Mr. H. Scott Bennett, on tho subject "Do the unity proposals embody all the necessary features for the sound industrial and political organisation of tho working elates of New Zealand?" Mr. Edward Trogcar presided. The parlies put their sides of the subject amidst frequent applause, and tho meeting was enthusiastic throughout.

Thcro appears to be a strong probability that liio flying machine will be used next year as an attractive draw at race meetings and shows. Mr. Joseph Hammond, tho i\'ew Zealand avialor, who is now recovering irom a serious illness, was present at the llawko's Bay Show, and inlormcd a resident that ho would be prepared next year to make two flights at each day of ihe show, the appearance money to be j≥2so a day. It is understood* that the proposal is to be placed before the liairke's Hay A. and 1 , . Association.

The official returns of tho 52 principal railways in the United Kingdom for tho week ending August '20 roveal tho disastrous financial effects of tho recent railway strike. In one week there was a total decrenso ill receipts amounting to nearly half a million sterling as compared with the corresponding week a year ago, equivalent to 19.18 per cent. Figures compiled from the otiicial returns by the "Hailway Times" show that the aggregate decrease on tho 3o railways which distinguish between goods ta-afiic and passenger receipts iti tho seven weeks from July 2 to August 20 was:—Goods, ,£292,613; passenger, .016-1,059. For the same period the wholo of the 52 railways aggregated: —Receipts, «C17,(i67,957; decrease, .£508,972. A stiunge robbery of a cardinal's body was committed in the St. Fiacre Chapel at Nancy recently. Two cleaners in tho church noticed that tho flagstone of ono of the tombs had been displaced, and on further investigation discovered that tho tomb was empty. It should have contained two coffins, that of Cardinal do Jjqrraine, son of Charles 111, Duke of raine, and that of an army lieutenant, but both, had disappeared. No motive can be attributed for (lie theft.

Preparations arc being made by the central electoral office for conducting tlie Victorian Stale Parliamentary elections under tho preferential system of voting. Last week (slates the "Age"), the Chief Blcctor.il Officer assembled over a score of country returning officers in Melbourne nml conducted a mock election, in order to make them fully acquainted with tho system. They were already versed in tho simpler tasks to be. performed, as in cases whore there aro not more than threo candidates, and tho highest of them on tho list not hiiving secured a majority of the votes polled, the second preference voles given to the lowest are distributed between tho others, finality j>eing quickly reached. Not quite so simple is the work when there is a greater number nominated for the seat, and it is necessary to eliminate, say, two at the bottom of the list. Then it may happen that several of the second preference votes nn tho papers of (lie second candidate declared defeated are east for the candidal*) first set aside. Tlio=o voles being of no ava.il, tho third preferences have lo be resorted to, and placed to the credit of the candidates remnininq in the conre.wt.. The process is continued until ono of the candidates secures a majority ol Iho votes

A polition in bankruptcy by .Tolin Ward M'Kuiu, saddler, of Lower Hull, lias ))ooii (ildl Hitli the Oflici.il Assignee. The first Au.slr.iHan Esperanto CongrcFS will be held al the- Adelaide University on October 27. Delegates will arrive on Ihn preceding day, and will be welcomed by (lift Mjij-fir at Hie Town Hall Tlio congross will be opened by Hie Governor of Saudi Australia, in llio presence of (ho chancellor and professors of (ho university. Sir Samuel Way, Lieiitcnant-Gov-priior and Chief Justice of South Australia, is a patron of the congress. The Australian Naval Board is collecting a staff of wircloss telegraphists. A schnol in wireless telegraphy is being established at Williain.si,own,*and the erection of a small power station is now almost completed. Pn.iitions have been created for one chief petty officer telegraphist and one leading telegraphist, who must bo between 22 and flO years of age, possess a wireless telegraphy operator's certificate, and be <ix]>ericnccd in wireless signalling. Eight "ordinary telegraphists" are also wanted. They must hold a Slate school fifth standard certificate, mid havo had experience- in practical electrical and Morse operating work. Those appointed (o the positions must sign on for seven years' service.