LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Issue 73, 23 September 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

atIn the Legislative Council yesterday a resolution regarding Mr. Chamberlain ■was carried, the Arbitration Court Emergency Bill' No. 2 was pat through, all stages, and the Polices Offences Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. In the House of Representatives the Shipping and Seamen Bill was put through Committee. The Jewish New Year's Day was observed yesterday. Special services were conducted at the Synagogue by the Rev. H. Van Staveren. To-morrow is the Day of Atonement. Colonial mails which left Auckland on 21st August per R.M.S. Sonoma, via SanFrancisco, arrived in London on the afternoon of 31st September. Mail& which left Melbourne via Naples on 19th ult. per s.s. Oruba, arrived in. London on the morning of 21eb September — one day early. A petition jfy some of the shareholders for the compulsory winding up of the Waimangaroa Uold Dredging Company will be heard by Mr. Justice Cooper on Frida- It is opposed by the company.

The appointment of Mr. Justice Chapman is us a Judge of the Supreme Court and he has not yet teen appointed President of the Arbitration Court. That appointment, however, will be made immediately on receipt of M*. Justice Cooper's resignation as President, which was expected this afternoon. There are 104 Defence Rifle .Cl^bs in the colony, with a total membership of Confirmation classes in connection with St. Paul's parish will not be held this week. A list of unclaimed prizes in connection with the Tailoresses' Carnival is published this evening. .Persons having art union books are requested to forward butts and cash to the Secretary. The annual examination of surveyors began yesterday at the Colonial Museum Buildings. Nine candidates, preserited themselves. The Hon. G. P. Richard, eon is acting as supervisor. The sittings will last throughout the week. In pursuance of a direction of the Wellington Diocesan Synod at its last session a conference on the temperance question will be held in St. Peter's Schoolroom to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. Bishop Wallis will preside. All church people are invited to be present. At a sitting of the Bankruptcy Court, presided over by Mr. Justice Cooper this morning, motions for release were granted the Official Assignee in the following estates: — Smallwood and Gilchrist, Edwin James King, Frank John M'Donald, Ed-ward James Campion, , Emily Eliza Campion, Edward John Searl. The Court adjourned till Tuesday, 10th November, at 10.30 a.m. The .Nelson Education Board has received official notification that the conductor of the Foxhill School Enquiry (Mr. A. Turnbull, S.M.) has reported to the Minister of Education, completely exonerating the head master from the charges laid against him. To-morrow morning Mr. justice .Cooper will take the case of Francis A. Sheath and his wife, of Mangamahoe, v. Henry T. Hume, of Mataikona, sheepfarmer, an originating summons in regard to the possession of certain lands under mortgage. In the afternoon his Honour will hear argument in a phase of the action the Australasian Incandescent Gas Light *Cdmpany, Limited, v. Lockhead, and also on a summons to settle certain securities in the matter of F. W. Maddox and Co. 's Metropolitan Chemical and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., in liquidation. A Corean duck which aspired to emulate the feats of the ostrich has found its way from the game farm at Paraparaumu to a stand of exhibits in the Museum here. Investigation proved that the bird had included in its recent dietary fifteen two-inch nails, twenty inch and inch-and-a-half nails, a screw, a staple, and a pin. The duck's digestive organs wrestled with this hardware mixture for a full njonth, at the end of which time it became necessary to hold an inquest, tb» post-mortem disclosures being as stated aboye. The sitting of the Ma"gistrAte's Court to-day was presided over by' Messrs. J. P. Luke, Jas. Lockie, and T. S. Lambert, J.P.'s. James Jones, idle and disorderly, who still refuses to go to the Ohiro Home, was remanded for another week. For having allowed his chimney to catch fire, Frederick Knigge was fined 2s 6d with costs 12s. A prohibition order, to have force in Wellington, Newtown, and Hutt district, was granted against John. Kiely. For drunkennes Jas. Knight, twice previously convicted, was fined £1 or 48 hours. There was one first offender. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Counties Association was held last week at the Parliamentary Buildings, Mr. Majendie (Hutt), the President of the Association, in the chair. The balance-sheet, showing £88 in hand, was approved, the satisfactory state of the finances making it unnecessary to collect the subscriptions from affiliated bodies for the current year. It was de^ cided, on the motion, of Mr. Yon Reden (Eke£ahuna) to hold a conference in Wellington during the first fortnight of the session of Parliament in 1904,/ whatever the attitude of members on local government may be, and that the Government be requested to indicate any proposed legislation bearing on the question. The Wellington Scenery Preservation Society last night passed the following resolution : — "That the society views with, alarm and regrets the proposal, as outlined in the press, that the City Reserves Committee recommends the leasing of portions of the Town Belt for building purposes ; and strongly protests against any portion thereof being diverted from the purpose for which it was originally set apart. The society further considers these reserves are necessary for the health and pleasure of citizens of Wellington, and should never be alienated for any other purpose." The pastoral suburb of Northland and vicinity seems to be suffering for its fertility, the trouble being wandering cattle. Before the presiding Justices of the Peace at the) S.M. Court this morning, Mr. W. F. England, on behalf of the Karori Borough Council, prosecuted in two cases of wandering kine. . Catherine O'Connor's defence was that she did not own the cow — it was her husband's. She admitted she owned the property, but the cow was a different thing. The case was dismissed, the Bench intimating that the proper party could be sued. Geo. Gapes, for whom Mr. Bolton appeared, set forth as a defence that the Council had knocked down his fence in connection with a survey, and had failed to re-erect it. He admitted the wandering of the cows on the public street. A fine of 5s with costs 7s was imposed. Altogether 78 entries have been received for the annual examinations of the Incorporated Institute of Accountants, which are to begin on the 19th October in the four chief centres of the colony. They include 19t candidates for fellows' certificates, 38 associates, and 21 students. annual meeting of members of the Petone Lawn Tennis Club was held last evening, Mr. R. C. Kirk presiding. The report started that during the past season iseventeen active members had been elected, bringing the total up to sixty-seven, including thirteen honorary members. The club now possesses half an acre of ground upon which four courts are laid out. In addition to matches played with the city clubs, the club was represented at the New Zealand Championship Meeting held at Nelson, and at the Hastings, Masterton, and Wellington tournaments. Thanks were accorded to the President and Vice-Presi-dents for donations' 5 , to the various officers, and to the ladies who managed the afternoon tea arrangements. 'Hie balance-eheet showed a small debit, and the value of assets over liabilities was stated at £174 17s lid. The following officers were elected ; President, Mr. R/ C. Kirk ; Vice-Presidents, Drs. Ross and Perry; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. P. W. Jackson; Committee, Messrs. Conolly, Hawkins, Lynskey, Lilley, and Reid; Ladies' Tea Committee, Mrs. Young, Misses Morris and E. Penny; Delegate to Association, Mr. Jackson. It was decided to open the courts on Saturday, 10th October, if fit for play. Novelties in silk stock ties iv all the correct shapes and every shade of colour may be obtained from Kirkcaldie and Stains, Limited, at Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s- Id, 3s 6d, 4s 6d each.— Advfe..

The Executive Committee of ih« Industrial A&sociution met ia.,t night, Jir. T. Ballinger in the chair. On the motion of Mr. J. P. Luke, seconded by Mr. Finn, it was decided to alter the rulea so as to provide for two Vice-Presidents. All the members present (15) agreed to hold office for another year. The drafts of the annual report and balance-sheet were approved, and the Secretary was directed to have them printed and circulated. Commenting upon Mr. Seddon's meatshop scheme, the Buenos Ayres Standard says: "It may be that Mr. Dick Seddon is reckoning without the cold storage aud other meat 'rings' now so great a laclor in this country; and he may, discover that two can play at the game of securing a vast business at the sacrifice of profits. The situation is full of startling possibilities, and its development will be watched with the keenest of attention in this country." The Biological and Publication branch of the Agricultural Department, which recently contemplated removal to tho building vacated by Messrs. Levin and Co., has renewed its lease for six months of the apartments it now occupies ia CustomhojUEe-'quay. The quarterly summoned meeting of the Court Sir George Grey, A.0.F., was held last evening, Bro. E. Carter, C.R., presiding. Consideration of proposed alterations to district rules was held over. It was decided to oppose the introduction of a proposed death levy (scheme. The proposal to appoint three medical men exclusively for friendly societies was held over for further information. Bro. J. Robertson was appointed delegate to the triennial district meeting to be held in Palmerston North. On the subject of the Geological Survey, a correspondent who- signs himself "Keep-it-Dark" sends us a letter of such length that it is impossible to pub* list it in full. The statement of the Minister for Mines that Sir James Hector had been in a dual position, and that? the Government had not had the benefit of his services for years, is, he says, misleading. The Government took the control of the Geological Survey from Sir James and gave it to Mr. M'Kay, who is no longer able to do the neoessary field-work. He proceeds to argue that the Government Geologist should be allowed to report on ores found on private ground. The services of the experts in the Agricultural and Public Health Departments are freely placed at the disposal of the public, and he can see no reason why the mining experts should not be allowed to furnish reports, on ti sufficient fee being paid. \ A case of general interest was decided! at Masterton on Mond% by Mr. W. P. James, S.M. A Masterton cab-driver had been charged by the local railway stationmaster with plying for hire at the local station without getting a licenso from the District Railway Traffic Man« ager and without having paid the necessary fee. His Worship held that in the absence of express statutory provision upon the point the Railway Department had no power to impose a fee. The bylaw was therefore bad, and there was clearly no offence if no fee wero* payable. Defendant was willing to tak« out, a license but refused to pay a feo which was not payable. The information was dismissed. „ "-A day or bo ago," writes our London Correspondent under date 15th August, "I had a chat with a gentleman closely connected with the colonial butfer trade, through whose hands pass year by year thousands of tons of New Zealand butter. From him I learned that there were prospects of a fairly good time 'for butter producers during the coming season. ''There s is, however," he said, "a tendency on the part of producers to change their methods. Those who sold c.i.f. think they had better make a change. But I should advise them to do nothing of the sort. Stick to tho same method, and although you may loso one year you stand to make good your losses the next year, whereas if changes are mjde, they are pretty certain to bo made just when things are turning." "And what about cheese?" I asked. "Oh, New Zealand cheese producers will hardly want to change," he replied, "for they did so well last year. But butter producers would do well to ponder my advice — experience teaches that those who try to dodge the market generally get) caught by the market." Mr. S. Stidolph, Hon. Secretary of tha Veterans' Association, writes to us sstting out the objects of the Association. It is, he says, open to all who took part in the fighting during the Maori Wars, and to naval and military men who have served under the flag in any part (of the world. Members pay a contribution of 6d a month, and a nominal amount (purely voluntary) is subscribed at each, meeting. These modest funds are devoted, after paying working expenses, to assisting members in want.* Last yeaffv several members were assisted, and one had his passage paid to England. Tha committee thinks the Government might assist necessitous old soldiers by selecting them for such positions as messengers, caretakers, or any light employment to enable them to gain an independent livelihood. It is in contemplation to hold in aid of th© funds a musical entertainment and military assault of arms> in Which about two' hundred performers will take part, and at which demonstrations of proficiency will be given with old-time and modern weapons. Dr. Macpherson, in an address at Dunedin last week, expressed the opinion that all tubercular diseases could be stamped iout of the country in twenty years if proper means of combatting ' the scourge wera at the disposal of the medical faculty. If the malady were taken in hand during ite early stages it could be checked if prop*er sanatoria were available where the sufferers could get plenty of fresh air and dry atmosphere. The arrangements for the approaching bowling season , were put in hand last night by the representatives of the various clubs in the Wellington' district, who met for the purpose in the Welling, ton Club's pavilion, Mr. J. G. M'Kerrow presiding. It was decided to hold the first Pennant match on 14th November, and to leaVe the drawing to the Secretaries of the clubs interested. It is not yet certain whether the Thorndon Club will join the Pennant matches. The following Match Committee was appointed : —Messrs. Hueston, Veitch, Wylie, Brogan, and M'Kerrow. With regard to the Feathers matches, it was decided by draw that Thorndon should first play Newtown, which now holds the Feathers, tha other clubs competing in the following order • — Wellington, Victoria, Petone. It was resolved that Junior Pennant matches should be played, one rink from each club, and that the fiist of these matches should be played on 21st November, a week later than the Senior Pennant games. The draw for the Hill trophy resulted in the clubs being chosen in the following order : —Thorndon, Petone, Victoria, and Newtown. The following committee was appointed lo organise a local tournament : — Messrs. M'Lean, Hueston, Brogan, Sievewright, Wylie, and Veitch. The annual dinner of the Wellington Industrial Association is to be held ia St. Peter's Schoolroom on 26th October Messrs. George and Kersley are show* ing in their window to-day the magnificent collection of narcissi blooms used in decorating their warehouse yesterday. Three prizes are offered to customers what make the nearest guesses as to the acfcuafc auantity shown.-r-Advt.

The Government Experimental Farm at Wereroa, near Levin, is gradually being put into serviceable shupe, such as will make it both instructive and interesting to the fanning community. Just now a collection of hedge plants is being planted, a chain of each specimen being put in ; thus illustration will later on be made of the most serviceable hedge. It is intended also to have a. collection of grasses planted similar to that maintained at the Momohaki farm since 1896, and which proved of great interest to farmers and station-owners. The new orchard is well under way, shelter-belts are "being cultivated, and although the station is only in its initial stage it will well repay a visit by any one who is interested in farming matters. If tliere is no further outbreak of smallpox in Tasmania the New Zealand Government will probably shortly remove the existing restrictions to passenger traffic between this colony and Australia. Both the Minister for Public Health (Sir Joseph Ward) and the Chief Health Officer (Dr. Mason) scout the suggestion conveyed by a recent cable message, that the quarantine delays are likeiy to affect the tourist traffic to New Zealand. They point out that quarantine is only imposed on vessels arriving direct from Hobart to the Bluff, and that otherwise the only restrictions imposed upon passengers are that they must report themselves to the Health authorities for a brief period, and that this does not delay them at the port of arrival, as it may be done at any particular centre they desire to visit. A crowded meeting' of the Wharf Labourers' Union was held last evening in the office, Willis-street. Afc a preliminary special meeting it was decided to seek for an enforcement of award in respect to an alleged action of the Harbour Board in requiring a workman to wheel over the weight stipulated in the award (12cwt), and also to cite Messrs. Huddart, Parker and Co. for a reputed breach for employing men over six hours without an intervening meal-hour. A committee consisting of Messrs. T. King, T. Long, J. Green, W. Shepherd, P. M'Anulty, H. Guppy, and the Secretary (with power to add) was set up towards assisting a, distressed member. Eleven applications for enforcements of awards against Napier employers have just been filed with the Clerk of Awards — seven by the Wellington Saddle, Harness, Collar, Bridle, and Bag-makers' Union; three by the Wellington Timber Yards and Sawmillers' Union of Workers; and one by the Napier Drivers' Union. The Mayor (Mr. Tisdall) and all the Councillors were present at last night's of the Karori Borough Council. (Mr. F. Newman wrote threatening pro- * .feedings if something was not speedily ilone tq. keep water from the borough '•" croad off his property. The letter was not -jdiscussed. It was decided to take action ' ' a ratepayer who had allowed his '. 'jdairy stock to wander on i(he public road. : 'p?he Town Clerk was instructed to write ■ 'ito the Harbour Board to ask that body ' |to agree to a proposal to reduce the rate - .-.jlevied for the purpose of providing a .- .sinking fund for liquidating the loan of . ?£6OOO? £6000 raised by the Board. The Council decided upon this course, because the ■ • km returnable on the recent valuations -- .of the borough was much in excess of Jhat annually required by the agreement - . with the Board. A committee, consisting - J>f Councillors Spiers, Dasent, Pearce, and -.^Henderson, was set up to examine plans >!/tnd report at next meeting regarding * ■ '^roads proposed to bo made through Bell's ißstate. Keepers of piggeries are to be ■xaljed upon to comply with the by-laws -* within fourteen days. Some discussion followed upon correspondence from Mr. >E. Platt regarding a track or roadway ' . >£rhich ran through his land at Creswick. ;The Cquncil had notified that the track * followed the Old Military-road, and Mr. ./"JPlatt's solicitors now replied that the ■srack was on Mr. Platt's property, and • 'gave notice that if the Council could not „ ■ -tome to a satisfactory arrangement — he . |^as willing to make a reasonable offer V tjif the Council desired to take a chain •^road along the present track — he intend- " -jed to prevent the use of the track by the ' Jpublic. Beyond expressing the opinion I jthat Mr. Platt could not close the track, . l^no further notice was taken of the letter. ' Tenders close with the Harbour Board to-morrow for a contract which practically means the rebuilding of the Railway Wharf, which is to be widened to 90ft and slightly extended. Tenders also close for the contract for constructing the eastern wall of the boat-harbour at Clydequay, which, when finished, will complete the enclosure for the accommodation of small boats. Black Swan Butter is the highest grade of New Zealand butter. It is perfect in quality, texture, and flavour. — Advt. Its aroma tells the tale. The sense of smell never deceives. , Defiance Butter is perfect, delicious, pure, and good. — Advt. What you want is a smart, stylish Costume Skirt to wear with your blouses. C. Smith can. do this for you better than any other house in town. This is one of his great specialties. Ho has just opened up a very fine collection in black cloth with silk ptrappings and frills at 8s lid, 10s 6d, 11s 9d, 12b 6d, 13s 9df 14s 6d to 255 ; black satin doth, 17s 6d to 30a; black voiles, 35s to ft2s. The blouses are simply lovely. C.S. is always noted for his blouses, but this ceason eclipses all previous showings. Silk Blips, lace trimmed, 7s 6d, 8s lid, 9a 6d, lOs 6d, lls 6d ; handsome silk blouse, with and without lace yokes, 10s 6d, lls 6d, 12s 6d, 14s 6d, to 3Ss. New spring goods in every department at C. Smith's, Cuba-sfc. — Advt. y Now is the time to have your cycle overhauled. We enamel and plate machines for 30s; free wheels from 30s ; repairs to all makes of cycles. Oates, luowry and Co., Cuba-street. — Advt.