LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1620, 11 December 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Them's magic in tho music of a military ljuiul," says a lively music-hall lilt, mid when that music is followed by n regiment of bold marines, as was tho enso yestortluy morning, the sight w-as particuluily exhilarating. In lira hot sunlight of n perfect summer's day, lira murinos of Ihe flagship .Drake nnil 11.M.5. Cumbrian, in heavy marching ordoi—knauMicks, fodder bags, water-bottles, cartridge belts, rifles, etc,, tramped round tho Queen's Drivo at quick march to tho enlivening music of the Drako's band. Coming back to tho Quay through, tho town, tho appearance of tho perspiring troops, with arms at tho slope, created no httlo excitement among tho onlookers, and thoro was a wild rush' from shops, factories, and houses to , seo tho troops go by. There is much military virtue in a brass band.

A monkey is not often placed undor arrest by tho police, but a case is now on record. A' man, who was arrested for cirunkouness in tho Mount Cook district on Saturday had with him a monkey running on a chain that was firmly fixed to his coat. The monkey had neoesssarily to l>o taken into custody with its master, and on Mondny. morning both were convicted and discharged. Another item of news from Mount Cook is that a Chinese was convicted for drunkenness—an unusual occurrence.

The stars were put to flight last evening by a magnificent searchlight display by the flagship Drake and 11.M.5. Cambrian. Half a dozen powerful searchlights played on tho'hills, harbour, ' and city at the one time from the flagship, filling the calm evening air with shafts of glorious light of dazzling radiance. AVhon the rays of one of the Drako's powerful lights was directed on to the Roseneath hills every detail was exposed as if.by a shaft of brilliant sunshine, and the smoke lolling out from the destructor. chimney became a thing of beauty under, tho influence of tho electric beams. At other times tho warships became "the centre point in an artificial Aurora Australis, tho lights being thrown out at even distances in a perfect arc, whilst high above on the mast-heads the electric Morse signals winked, in rapid repartee. It was a sight rarely seen in Wellington, and one which gave great delight to all beholders.

It was such a fine day yesterday, with a light wind off-shore, that the Minister for Marino (the Hon. F. M; B. Fisher) seized the opportunity to make his projected trip in tho Hinemoa to inspect possible lighthouse sites at Terawhiti, Tongue Point, and Karori-"' Bock. The Minister was accompanied by officers of his Department, and by master mariners who wore interested enough to make tho trip. The weather proved to be exceptionally favourable, and a landing was effected in safety at the points where such was desired.

Among the latest additions to the Dominion. Museum is a genuine cartonn age, forwarded to Wellington by the Egyptian Exploration Society. This is a complete head mask (with the face outline.in full relief), with which the ancient Egyptians were wont to cap the heads of their, dead after the embalming process, and was intended as an extra protection against the ravages of time. Mr._ A. Hamilton, the Director, has also received a magnificent collection of • Australian dragon flies, more commonly known as. horse-stingers, from Mr. Tilyard, of Sydney, the first authority on these insects in Australia. The collection consists of 110 named species, and includes dragonflics with a wing-spread-.of six inches, down, to tiny mites with, thread-liifj bodies. -.... Anchor exhibit, of •pro-' found interest to entomologists is a newlyfound interest to 'entomologists is a. newly-mounted collection of palaearctic butterflies from the northern countries of ■ tho eastern and western hemispheres. Most of the butterflies are noted for the extreme delicacy of the wing colouring, pale browns, greys, and occasionally pale frreens of the rarest tints predominating-. Tho collection is at present stored in a new cabinet in tho museum library. The 2000-year-old ■.Egyptian mummy, .which has kept its silent watch and ward near the main entrance to the museum, has been provided with a glass caso of light varnished kauri. / Mr. L. T. Beichel, who has lately returned from nn. extended tour abroad, .entertained the members of the Catholic Club and their friends last evening with nn account of. his travels. A very fine, selection of lantern slides (operated, by Mr. Ellis) greatly enhanced the evening's entertainment. . Mr. R-eichefs lecture wasmuch appreciated by tho large audience present. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to tho speaker at the conclusion of his address.

The following motion was carried at tho monthly meeting of the Wellington Operative Bootmakers' Union, held on Monday evening:—"That this meeting instructs its secretary to write to the Minister for Justice (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), and impress upon him the necessity of holding an inquiry in respect to the Waihi strike."

The band of the flagship Drake gave a delightful al fresco concert' in the grounds cf the Wellington Hospital yesterday afternoon. The splendid programme of music played was thoroughly enjoyed by both patients and the public. A collection resulted in the sum of £i Bs. 7d. being added to the general funds of the institution. ' ■ ■ ,

At last evening's meeting of the E«serves Committee of the City Council applications' for the position of forester— the official to take control of the Wellington Town Belt reserve—were considered. A recommendation will be made to the next meeting of the council.

"It is a lamentable thing that such a paltry sum should set a whole family by the' ears so that they will probably hate each other like sin for the rest.of their lives," said his. Honour, Mr. Justice Cooper at the Auckland Supreme Court on Saturday. The remark was mado in connection with a disputed will case, in which abouti,£2oo was involved. It was very lamentable, said his Honour, that there should ! ever have been a dispute over such a "miserably small sum, which would possibly be swallowed up in law costs before the end of the dispute was reached.

As a result of inquiries which he is having made in Scotland, Nova Scotia, Canada, Newfoundland, and other places as to modem methods of controlling and fostering the fishing industries in those countries, the Minister for Marine hopes to be able to place before Parliament next session definite proposals for the establishment of a Fisheries Department, to develop the fishing industry in New Zealand waters.

Following up hie promiso made to deputations during last session of Parliament, the Minister for Customs (tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) has called a confewi.w of pej'sons interested in tho l»ot s;muou-y for January H, at Wellington, to discuss a proposed revision of the tariff.

As ho has already stated more than onc-o, it is tho intention of tho Minister for Customs (tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) to place proposals for an amended tariff before Parliament next year. In order to mako himself thoroughly acquainted with everything connected with tho manufacture of goods locally, and also with tho distribution of louilly-mado and imported goods, it is his intention to inspect every factory of importance in tho Domlniou, and also ns many wholesale and retail stores us ho can in tho time at his disposal. During his recent stay in Christchurch, Mr. Fish'jr spent some time in the factories in that city, and ho will do likewise in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin, and somo of tho smaller towns.

While a Socialist was regaling an audience in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, on Sunday afternoon with his propaganda, two women, who for tho past lew weeks havo been carrying on a vigorous open-air evangelising crusado in tho city, arriving on the scene, coolly appropriated tho audience, and proceeded to tell it things about its salvation. Tho audience at first contended itself with making remarks, and the orator, still mounted on his soap-box, bore tho intrusion with commendable patience, and showed a sense of humour which alono prevented 'him from being angry. A moro unruly clement in tho crowd, however, soon grew tired of the evangelists, and hustled thorn out of tho way, leaving thorn to conduct their service outside tho ring of tho propagandists.

Mr. James Quigley, an Ashburton farmer, recently returned from a visit to his native homo in Waterford, Ireland. Speaking of the improvements in the general methods of farming throughout the County of Waterford and other parts of Ireland during his fifty years' absence," Mr. Quigley stated that- the methods had been quite revolutionised. Tho most up-to-dato ploughs, harrows, grubbers, and sowers, rollers, reapers anil binders, and, grass mowers were being used. The best of cattle, mostly wellbred Shorthorns, were kept, and good results were obtained. The draught horses were similar to those in New Zealand, though many of them showed better, breeding. With reference to the.- light horses, it was rare indeed to see one which was not purebred, and the owners took great delight in them. "

The Education Board offices will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from December 23 to' January 11. The following tenders were accepted at yesterday's nifeeting of the Education Board:—Fencing at Eoseneath, J. Mackenzie, .£54; alterations and window repair at Eoseneath, A. Seamer, 62 j additions at Porirua, A. Thornton and Sons, .£616 Os. Bd.; painting at Newtown, .£95; painting and repairs at Khandailah, R. ,T. Curry and Sons, .£46 17s. Gd:; lea?e of Section 27, Block IV, Mangaho, -for 7} years, at M per annum, R. Mitchell; Section 235, Block XVI, Alfrcdton, for 74 years, W. Branigan, at .£1 18s. per annum.