LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 146, 21 June 1904, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hi» Excellency the Governor will hold ft levee at Government House on Friday, the 24th June, at 4 p.m. Uniform, ovening dress, or morning dress will bo worn. "Thero nre districts which seenx to care nothing about the politics of their member or the character of their member, so long as ho comes back loaded witn spoils from the Treasury," said the Leader of tho Opposition, speaking at Huntly last night. The present system of allocating grants, he continued, must be improved. Ho believed they ought to go in for graduated subsidies, not for colonial works, hut in regard to small applications for roads, etc. These subsidies should bo paid by the Government in proportion to the rate struck by the local body, and they would, he declared, bo quit© sure that the local body that wanted tho money most would strike the highest rate, and so get the highest subsidy. Tho new Governor was not unmindful of the compliment paid him yesterday by the veterans who braved the discomforts of the weather aud turned out in force to give him a welcome. After the- close of tho official proceedings at the dab in the Post Office square, and before he reentered his cab for the- drive to Parliament Buildings, Lord Plttnket walked through the ranks of the old warriors and exchanged a few words with several of thorn, a kindly consideration which was generally appreciated, both by the veterans and by those of the public who witnessed the* incident. Inspectors of stock throughout tho colony havo received instructions to deal Htringently with any ca?>es of sheeji infected with lice. Tho inspectors are to see that no sheep are offered at auction unless dipping has had satisfactory results. The colonial mails which left Auckland on the 20th May via San Francisco, pet R.M.S. Ventura, arrived in London on the 19th inst., one day late. Our special sale to-morrow of black :md bluo dress mntcrials should interest warty every woman in Wellington. The whole of otir stock of these will be silbjecb to this discount to-morrow. For full particulars see our advertisement on pago 7. Kirkcaldio and Stains, Ltd. — Advfc,

The colonial mails which let Melbourne on 18lli May per R.M.S. Marmora, via Brindisi, arrived in London on the moruing of the 19th inst., ono day early. The statement mude by an Auckland paper that Mr. U. Seth-Bmith, recenllyjippointed (Jhief Judge of the Native Land Court, will probably retire from the position, and thiil Judge Jackson Palmer will succeed him, i» without foundation. The Tourist Department is accustomed to receive euma queer applications from timo to time. Recently an Australian resident wrote enquiring whether the Department cuuld put him. in the way of acquiring a couvenient island, ou which ifc appeared lio contemplated establishing a communistic settlement. He desired ono somewhere- in the neighbourhood of the Kermadc-cs). The reply of the Department \va« something to the effect that it did not happen to have an inland in stock at tho time, but it would keep the matter "steadily in view," and possibly might ba able to assist him later on. This morning, Alice Malcolm, for whom Mr. S. A. Atkinson appeared, proceeded against her husband, Robert John Malcolm, for disobedienco of a. maintenance order for her support. The defondant, who made no appearance, -was ordered to pay forthwith, in default ono month's imprisonment. Warrant to be suspended till 28th mat. The members of the Old Wellington Nitvals' Association attended the church parade with the Navals on Sunday morning, about forty members turning out, some of whom belonged to the Naval Brigado from its inception. , The valuation of Petono Borough has jiust been completed by the Valuer (Mr. Alex Webster), who estimates the valuo at £41,227 2s, as against £34.000 last year— an increase of £7227. Tho Mayor remarked last night that the Borough could congratulate itself upon this evidence of steady improvement in values. If this valuation was sustained it would produce, by the Is 2d general rate, £2404 18s. The bouquet presented to Lady Plunj ket on her landing was tied with led and green ribbons, bearing the inscriptions "Haeremai," and "Cead mille failthe," painted thereon by Miaß Sybil Johnson. At Mount Cook Police Court yesterday, before Mr. T. S. Lambert, J.P., William Findley, for being drunk and disorderly, and also other charges, was fined 40s, or fourteen days' hard labour ; Robert Henderson, for drunkenness, was fined 10s, or forty -eight hours ; Patrick O'Halloran, for a similar offence, was fined . ss, or twenty-four hours' ; Samuel Austin, for drunkenness, was fined ss, with the u&ual alternative ; George Wm. Jnckßon, for a similar offence, was fined ss, or twenty-four hours ; two first offenders were convicted and discharged. Last year, sajd tho Leader of the 1 Opposition, speaking at Hunlly, we increased our indebtedness by half a million for preference shares in the Bank of New ' Zealand, by £100,000 for State firo insurance, and by £100,000 for scenery purposes. He thought it would be better for the colony to invest half a million in .railways than in Bank of New Zealand shares; better to invest £150,000 in roads, nnd open up our districts, than in a State Fire Insurance Department; better to invest £100,000 in bridges and telephones tlian in purchasing land for scenery purposes. We had been wasting borrowed money on fad 6 and extravagance, and as a result the lives of nwny of our best settlers were miserable fpr want of ingress and egress to their holdings. His Excellency Lord Plunket, after the swearing-in ceremony yesterday, said he had one important and very agreeable duty to perform beforo the close of the ceremony, and that was to say that beforo he left Ireland to start upon his loug journey to this beautiful country ho met his Majesty the King, who was "then making a tour. His Majesty had instructed him to impart to the people of . this colony his deep and undying interest in their affairs, and his sincere hopt for their continued prosperity. "Tho King," shouted the Premier loudly, and the spectators of the interesting scene responded with cheers. The lawsuit which originated in a collision between a cyclist named Elsie Wrigley and a cab-driver named Harry B. Kennerley at Little Karaka Bay on the Bth May, was settled by Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., to-day. The plaintiff, Miss Wrigley alleges that she was knocked down and severely bruised and cut, and had her bicycle badly damaged, in consequence of the defendant's careless driv- ' ing, whereforo she claimed £11 9s 9d. His Worship snid the case resolved itself into a question of credibility of evidence, and he considered the witnesses for tho defence spoke rather of what they thought was the case, than of what actually took place. Tho defendant, ho thought was on tho wrong side of tho rood, and did not give plaintiff a fair amount of room' to pass. Judgmtttt was for ptaintifi, represented by Mr. Lewi, for tho amount claimed, with £5 19s costs. Mr. Young appeared for defendant. Court Lady Glasgow, No. 8261,, met last evening in the Foresters' Hall, Lambton-qua-y, Sister Colquhoun, C.R., presiding. The election of officers resulted as follows*. — C.R., Sister Brown; S.C.R., Sister Dallas. S.W , Sister Cochrane; J.W., Sister Thompson; 5.8., - Sister Dimock; J. 8., Sister Jones; Secretary, Sister Hutfchinson ; Treasurer, Sister Overend ; Minute Secretary, Sister Bull ; Assistant Secretary, Sister Pethcrick. The Wellington Chess Club has no less than twenty-thi'ce competitors striving ir its annual handicap tourney for the Petherick Shield and other prizes. The fifth round is set down for decision this evening. Six players have not yet been beaten — viz. , Bamcs, 3—o3 — 0 ; Connell, Trathen, and Gottschalk, each 3£ — i ; and W. E. Mason and Morton t each li — i. Messrs. Lane, Chatfield, and Bock (each 2—l), Fruluuf (3—l), and Tanner (2^ — 14) are also well to the fore. Next Thursday's match with the Working Men's Club team is being looked forward to with great interest, and is expected to v furnish the closest contest yet- held betweon these two clubs. The International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania, are making a prominent and unique display at the St. Louis Exposition. A large building, devoted entirely to tho schools, has been erected just inside tho main entrance near the Wabash Station. The first floor contains an- exhibit of the International Correspondence Schools' kxt-books and methods of teaching, and of the work done by students (including specimens from New Zealand students). On this floor daily demonstrations of tha' method ot teaching foreign languages by phonograpii are made. The second floc-V fins been set aside for the exclusive use of students and their friends, and contains , a mail department, information bureau, parcel room, reading room, writing room, and ladies' department. Desks, lounges, writing materials, etc., are provided. Visitors from New Zealand, whether ntudents or not, are invited to avail themselves ot these conveniences. Tickets, which will entitle the holder to all of the privileges of the building during the Exposition, can be obtained from the head office for New Zealand of tho schools, Manners-street. You ought to obtain what you ask, aa you only apk what is good when you ask for Black Swan Butter.— Advt.

Petono Councillor Bowles i "It seems to me the football clubs run our recreation ground. It is a public recreation ground, but when anything is on there, Wednesday or Saturday, people, have to pay sixpence- to set! these players who play for their own satisfaction and nobudy el.se's." Councillor Piper: ''And if you don't charge you won't lyivo tho Rugby Union or any one olso play theiv." The Mayor pointed out that theiv was an agreement with tho Wellington Rugby Union, but it would be open for Councillor Bowles to bring the matter up again when tho renewal of the agreement was proposed. Councillor Bowles thought tho Council might do something to improve tho Recreation Ground, especially in the- matter of seating accommodation, and tho Engineer .was instructed to a&ctrtain the coat of cast-iron seats. The Council decided last night to prepare somo ten acres of tho land to the north of the et<vp-bank so that it can be uaod next year for football purposes. It was evident from tho remarks of Councillors that they aiv bearing in mind tho offer by tho Wellington Rugby Union to take seven grounds at Pctone next j'«ar if available. Last night, two seuuien named Edward Collins and Daniel Murphy went on board the barque River Bayno, lying at the Queen's Wharf, and refused to leavo until forcibly removed by tho polioe. This morning these mon, who had previously been before the Court, wero sent to gaol for fourteen days by Dr. A. M'Arthuc, S.M. Collins was also sentenced to seven days' for resisting Sergeant Miller, and was ordered lo pay 14s, in default two days' imprisonment, for wilfully damaging the uniform of Daniel Burke, a- Harbour Board employee. Jos. Rhodes M-aa sent to gaol for three months on a chargo of vugrancy. Jas. Bourne, a seaman on tho Gothic, was fined 20s, in default seven diys' imprisonment, for having used obttcene language on the Queen's Wharf last night. For insobriety, Thos. Cajmon Mas fined 20«, or threo days, and Susan M'Laughhm wna convicted and discharged. Ten first offenders were also dealt with, a prohibited person m - i\s convicted and discharged with a caution for having been found on licensed promises. For helpless drunkenness at the Lower Hiitt, Robert Cato was oidored to pay 17s od in default throe days' imprisonment. It was a long wait for many Mho gathered within the precincts of Parliament Buildings yesterday afternoon for the " swearimg-in " ceremony. To make mire of their seats, many of the guests entitled to a position beneath the roof of tho portico put in an appearance 6oon ufter luncheon, while the "outside" public took possession of all tho surrounding eminences, or else hung itself over tho rails of the iron fence surrounding tho grounds. The dais had been erected on t!he very steps of Parliament, and was .roofed with coloured cloths and flags, and carpeted with maroon cloth. The WeiMngton Naval* formed tho guard of honour, »nd were drawn up on either Hide of the steps, while the Guards lined the drivo to the loft of the entrance Gates, their red coals forming a bright picture against tho sombre green of tho nhrubberien. Presently it began to drizzle, and umbrellas cropped up like mushrooms in all directions, but the unfortunate military "stood cosy" and ijonked in silence. The Garrison Band inarched in and took up a position on the Inwn immediately in front of the dais, and they were followed soon after by a brilliantly tmiformod staff of officers of lho land and naval forces. Tho Governor tmd Ministers arrived in due course, and tho oaths Mere administered os stated yesterday. As Lord Plunket appended his signature to tho documents a flag tboared aloft— a signal to the battery gunners — and a gun boomed in ro,ply. William Lee, Baron Plunket, X.C.V.0., was Governor of New Zealand. Tho "Premier called for throo cheers, and they echoed in response, with an addod three for her Ladyship, and the crowd voluntarily gave "ope for Dick." Tho metltpds of tho managers of tho .Petono Technical School camo in for some criticism at tho hands of Councillor Piper last nigbt, when tho Borough Council was conaideritig tho question of making a grant of £30 to the school. He complained that the energies of the Board ■ivero too much devoted to clawjes not at nil necesuiiry to leaching a trade to a ,Uoy or girl. It was not paying enough attention to the arts ana crafts. The Board was practically running a night nchool. Ho know theee classes wero allowed under tho Act, but he thought moro could bo done in an industrial community; they did not want their boys, in learning a trade, to bo taught Latin or (indent English. Why should the- Council be called upon to contribute, towards what was practically secondary school eduaUfton, which was quite beyond its iicopo? G'owxaHor Castle, who, is aJbo Secretary of tho Technical School Board, «trondy defended the Bourd'a action. Tho 80-called- night school contained I*l or 13 student.?. There w<*rc 24 pupils in t"ho icarpeofcry classes, and 23 in the scientific cutting and dressmaking, and another growing practical class was tho shorlEand and- typewriting. The Board was also no-w preparing to start a chiss for mechanical drawing and machine construction, and us pupils came- along for differpnt trades tiie Board tried » to open up classes. It must get financial assistance, nnd for valuntary eubicripticHw it got a subsidy of £ for £ from the Government. After some furtlwr discussion, in which Councillor Piper reiterated his first opinion, tho Council decided, on tho motion of Councillor Bowles, seconded by Councillor Macfarlane, to make provision for tho granting of £30 to the school. Wilton's Old English Cough Linctus docs not stop at relieving, it cures the bad cough or cold. Try it. — Advt. Merchants and Importers are requested lo tend all their Customs papers to the New Zealand Express Compnny, 20, Customhouse-quay. Telephone 92. — Advt. Munt, Cottrell, and Co., general eartriers, Customs and forwarding agents. Storage a speciality. Furniture packod and removed. Office ; Queen's Cham* Uers. Telephone No. 23.— Advt. Bargains Again. — During tho presont •iveok C. Smith, Cubn-streel, is offering iiome rnro bargain*. Lovely silk volvel^>, I* lid t>cr yard ; panno pi tithes for millinory trimmings, 1» 6d per yard ; coloured pannei, It per yard ; black and coloured valvotceha, f» per yard ; fanoy blouse silks, 1* per yard. Thot<o goods wero bought cheap, and are boing sold cheap. Bargains in all departments at C. Smith's, CubavOtreet. — Advt. To-morrow (Wednesday), at 2.30 p.m., •jt thoir rooms, Fe«ther»ton-irtro©t, Messrs. J. JLI. Bcthun.o and ; Co. will hold an I auction sale. Under instructions from tho txocutors in tho estate- of tho Into Mrs. Francos Bothuno thoy will offer tho freehold property at tho corner of Wollingtontorr«cG and Mouul-ntroot, having frontages of 195 ft Win to WcHinftton-terraco, 171 ft lo Mount-stroot, and 165 ft 6in to ft 6ft right-of-way on tho northern sido of tho property. On tho land is preoted tho family reridonca known a« "Hsrwkhill," No. 138, Tho Terrace, containing 1* rooms 'with convenienqe*. also outbuilding!. The property in Btiitablo for subdivision. In Clm enme ostato freehold Town Acre No. 1091 will be offorod, having a frontapjo «f 132 ft to South-road by a dopth of 330 ft. h ib within two mihutes' walk of tho jtitiotrio tram route, and ia suitable for ,Hif.'dfviwion, Stocktaking sale. Fbr ond month only "Zcalandia cycles will bo subject to 15 per <;ont. reduction for cash. Como early and (sccwe ft bargain. Oatesj Lowry and Co,, .ZoaUndia Cycle Works, Cuba-streot.— Advt.