LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1904, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

. c The Referendum Bill was "killed" by the Legislative Council yesterday, and the Mining Companies Bill was put through final stages. In the House tho Workers Compensation for Accidents Act Amendment Bill and the Maori Lands Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Bill were brought down by Governor s Message and read a second time pro forma. The Public Works Statementwas debated, and the Public Works Amendment Bill was put through final stages. The Lambton-quay police have in their possession a valuable St. Bernard, for which they require an owner. Arrangements have been made whereby the purchase of Mr. T. Price's building' for a District High School at Petone were to be completed by the temporary trustees to-day. If you arc looking for some suitable trimmings for the summer gown, turn to page 7 of this issue, and read what Kirkcaldie and Stains, Limited, have to offer.— Advt,

The Collinson curse (says a contemporary) seems to hang heavily over the Martinborough district. Since the night I when the bushman was shot dead in the lonely Te Awaite bush, tragedy after tragedy, accident after accident, has followed with almost ferocious regularity, and it appears as if the curse would continue till the murderer is brought to justice. In the little Martinborough cemetery lie twelve mounds covering tlio forms whose owners were the victims of violent deaths. During the past nine months South Wairarapa, and Martinborough in particular, has supplied more tragedies than any district of its size inAustralia. In the Appeal Court this morning, lengthy judgments were given (by or on behalf of tbp Chief Justice and Justices Denniston, Edwards, Cooper, and Chapman) in the appeal case of James Nelson Williams, of Hawkes Bay, against assessments made by, the Commissioner of Stamps in respect of land transactions between the appellant and his sons with the alleged object of avoiding the operalions of the graduated land tax. The tenor of the judgments was that the assessments made by the Commissioner were erroneous in some particulars, and orders for refund of certain amounts were made, though in respect of some of his decisions the Commissioner was upheld. On material grounds the appeal was allowed, with costs to appellast. In the appeal from a decision of iiie Commissioner of Stamps under secti&n 55 of the Stamp Act of 1882, concerning the stamp dutj payable on a deed of conveyance and memorandum of transfer from Letham W. Mackersey *and another to William J. Douglas and another, the point involved was whether the sale of freehold station property at a fixed price, and of the stock thereon at valuation was chargeable with conveyance of sale, duty on the purchase money, not only of the land, but also of the stock when ascertained. By three to two the judges upheld the appeal, the majority being Justices Demliston, Edwards, and Chapman, while the minority was the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Cooper. The question of costs was reserved. Medals won at the recent competitions held in connection with Harrison's Gymnasium have, been presented to the following: — Men's class: A. Murrell (champion), R. Paget (second), P. Paget (term), H. Coombs (merit). Ladies' class • I. Tingey (champion), E. Gyles (merit), D. Reid (term). Youths: Coventry (champion), A. Brown (merit), Duncan (term) Boys: W. Glasgow (champion), L. Davidson and H. Hyatt (merit), Keid (term). Girls: (i. Hegginbotham (champion), G. Tingey (merit), A. Highet (term). A meeting of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association was held last eveping, Mr. L. W. Ludwig presiding. Mr. W. T. , Churchward was elected Secretary for the ensuing season. Distances in connection with "White Horse Cellar" trophy were allotted as follows:— 100yds, Thorndon; 150 yds, Swifts; 50yds, Wellington. Permission' was granted to the Swifts Club to place a "Rowing Clubs' " ra^e on its carnival programme. It was decided to apply to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association , for the 100 yds and 440 yds championships to be , raced at a carnival to be held by the Centre. A firm interested in the fish trade reports that in all the fishing grounds from which Wellington is chiefly supplied — Napier, the Sounds, and the West Coast near Foxton — there is an unprecedented dearth of flounders, with, iv most cases, an equally unusual plenitude of soles. Also, the whitebait, which has been so abundant in past years, shows a general fall-ing-off. The West Coast— Foxton and the Grey River district — used to supply Wellington largely, but the supply this year is much reduced, especially "at Foxton, and seems to be to. some extent shifting to the East (ftast, where in the last season or two the Wairoa (Hawkes Bay) and the Hauraki Gulf have been prolific. At the * present moment, however, , f the West Coast (South Island) is the principal supplier. Recent rains and floods are blamed in some quarters for having depleted the rivers at Foxton and Wairoa. The Canterbury whitebait is mostly consumed locally. A small but very rich piece of quartz studded with gold was turned up at the Boulder Bank by the Harbour Board dredge, says the Nelson Mail. The specimen would probably assay lOoz to the ton. An expert, when ehown the stone, proclaimed that it was very like Buller atone, and that its presence was perhaps explained by the theory that the Buller once emptied into the sea near Nelson. The Vivian--Ingestre-Cuba streets section of the electric tramways was opened for traffic yesterday afternoon. The City Council had intended to notify the public by advertisement that the car* would start running on the section. The certificate from the Public Works Department granting permission for the opening of the .section, however, came to hand unexpectedly yesterday afternoon, and the Council immediately issued instnuctions that the service via Cubastreet was to be started at once. It is expected that the section between Thorn-don-quay and Botanical Gardens gate in Tinakori-road will be opened either to-morrow or Friday. In connection with the Navy League entertainment to be held on Friday evening in the Sydney-street Hall we are asked to^ state that any balance after payment of expenses is to be applied towards the purchase of naval literature for the use of the school branches of the League. The antiquity of gambling as a vice was dwelt on by Mr. T. H. Gill, in moving an anti-totalisator resolution before the Council of Churches last evening. Gambling, he said, was prohibited by Roman law, both during the RepubI lie and during the JMnpiro. As far asthe Republic was concerned, this was a pre-Christian enactment, though the antifamuiing enactments in the times of the impire may have been affected by Christian principles. The ground of the older anti-gambling enactments was hot to prevent demoralisation, but to preserve the people 'from, effeminacy. There were recognised in English law 'wagering contracts, in which were included such contracts as life insurance. Some peonle deduced from this this that you could not eliminate gambling even in business. But there a distinction. Under a wagering contract there was no payment without loss. Payment of an ordinary wager was not dependent on loss, but only on some uncertain event. The totalisator, by making gambling respectable, had drawn in many, especially women, who would not bet with a bookmaker. Mr. Clement Wragge insists that sunspots are responsible for the bad weather. But according to one speaker at a Pres•byterian social at Patea, the Bishop of Wellington has something to do with it. It was noticed that whenever the Bishop came into the district there was a meteorological disturbance. During the last gale the Bishop was at Hawera. The No-License League's fortnightly meeting is advertised to be held in the Alliance Rooms, Willis-street, ou Friday evening at 7.30 p.m. The Karpri Rifle Club and Wellington Guards will fire a match, 20 men aside, at Trenthain on Saturday next. All mjlk supplied by the Fresh Food and Ice Co. is pasteurised, as recommended by the Chief Health Officer for the colony, and is guaranteed free from pro •ervatives. — Advt.

A special general meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association was held in the Alliance Rooms last evening, Mr. W. R. Holmes occupying the chair, There were 15 delegates present. Thfl resolutions passed at the recent conference" held in Sydney in leference to the formation of an Australasian Tennis Council were placed before tho meeting. Tho Chairman thought affiliation would be a good thing, and he would like to see our tennis have a. wider field, a fctep which would be the means of improving the play and bringing forward young tennis players. The bylaws of the proposed Council were considered seriatim, and were agreed to with slight alterations. It was resolved to ask Mr. V. fl. Baxter to accept the position of itfew Zealand Delegate to the Council in Sydney. A letter -was read from the Auckland Association asking for permission to hold a championship tournament on Saturday, 3lst December, and the following Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Freeman moved that the Auckland Association be allowed to hold its meeting on the dates suggested, but that handicap games only should be played. The'Amk and Association's request was eventually granted on condition that the chamjliomhip be held on the .Monday. The Hawkes Bay Association wrote forwarding the programme for the Hastings Club, and asking 'for permission to hold a meeting on 26th. and 27th December. The application was granted. At the Magistrate's Court, Te Awamutu, five natives, who were charged with failing to register their dogs, stated that their refusal to pay the taxes was because they regarded Mahutu as their King, and not King Edward. Had they been instructed by Mahutu to pay the taxes, they would have done so. The Maoris found King Edward's power was greater than Mahutu's, and they were ordered to "cash up." The concluding services last evening ir» connection with the Wellington Baptist Sunday-school anniversary we^re well I attended. At the public tea 0 which was [ presided over by Mrs. Dallaston and the Misses Kirk, Fear, Webb, Carrick, Eglin, Lowe, and Tees, a second sitting had to be arranged to accommodate those who attended. The public meeting, held in the church, was presided over by the Rev. C. Dallaston, who, in his opening remarks, apologised for the absence of Rev. J. Diwson through indisposition. Greetings from the Berhampore Baptist Sunday-school were read^ The annual report showed there were 22 teachera and 242 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 174. A total of 8504 attendances had been registered for the year. Ten scholars had joined the Church. Missionary addresses had been given by Miss Peters (missionary from I India), the Superintendent, .and others. Scholars had secured three prizes and 24 certificates at the Sunday-school Union examination, and one prize and ten certificates in the Baptist Union, examina- - tion. There were 230 members of the 1.8. R.A. branch, and the report closed with a reference to the Superintendent, Mr. C. Godber, having completed 21 years of service last March. The Treasurer, Mr. White, showed that the finances wer» on the right side, the total receipts amounting to £129 8s 9d, the cred-it-balance being £11 Is Id. A sum of £72 5s 7d had been raised for foreign mission work, £26 7s 3d of which had been raised by the Junior Endeavourem. The Superintendent «ddressed the scholare on three points — The need of. prayer ; the need to read the Bible ; and the need to dp deeds of kindness, after which ho distributed the prizes won during the year. The scholars again sang a num.-. ber of hymns in excellent manner under - the conduct'ogship of Mr. T. Wilson, who was assisted by Miss Fear (organ) and Mr. C. J Collins (piano). After the benediction by the Chairman, a flashlight photograph of. the scholars was taken by Messrs. S. White and W.» Fear. The following officers have been elected for .the ensuing year :— Superintendent, Mr. C. Godber \ Secretary, Mr., C. S. Godber; Treasurer, Mr. H. J. White; Librarian, Mr. A. S. Nicol; Organist, Miss Fear; Delegate to S.S. Union, Mr. Rees Jones. The presiding Justices at tho Police Court this morning were Messrs. R. E. Bannister and C. W. Benbow. George Blumenschien pleaded guilty to having absented himself from the steamer Burgermeister Hackman without leave, and was ordered to be placed on board this vessel at Lyttelton. For insobriety John Cameron was fined 40s, in default levem - days' imprisonment. Two first offenders were convicted and discharged, and, another was remanded until to-morrow, in her own interests, as she had beep drinking excessively lately. James Trevor was fined 5s with 7s costs . for having placed building material upon Featherston-street without authority from the City Council. Alfred James, Albert Taylor, and H. Standeh were similarly fined for having left their horses and carts to remain on thd streets for a. longer period than was necessary for loading and unloading. For having cycled at night without lights Albert Sawtell and Henry Mainland were each fined Is with 7s costs. The residents of Island Bay who ren. dered assistance to the officers and crew of the La. Bella, when the vessel wan drivan ashore in Ohiro Bay last month are to be entertained at dinner to-morrow night, and will be presented with medals. Members of the Shakesr>eare Club an reminded by advertisement that the annual general meeting of the club is to be hem m the Art Gallery to-night at 8 o'clock. .The Wellington Junior Flying Club flew a race from New Plymouth on Saturday, an air-line distance of 200 miles. Five lofts ssnt 20 birds. The race wa« for a cup presented by Mr. S. Bernasconi, and the result was as follows : — R. Draper's "Westmere" (velocity 1300 yds per minute), 1; A. Andrew's "Blue Boy II.," 1278 yds* 2 ; W. Sapsford's " Pansy," 1260yds>, 3. All the birds homed with' in the time limit. The Superintendent of the Home for Aged and Needy acknowledges with thanks the receipt of a quantity of clothing from Miss Welsh, Tasmari-street, and Mrs. Brown, Crawfoid-str<jet, for the -isa of the inmates. Scandinavians in Wellington in favour of reforming the old Scandinavian Society are invited to attend a meeting afi the society's rooms, No. 42a Cuba-street! to-morrow evening Furniture carefully packed, stored, and removed by experienced men ; special low rates. New Zealand Express Company, No. 20, Customhouse-quay. Telephone 9*2. — Advt. Munt, Cottrell, and Co., general car-, riers, Customs alid forwarding agentu. Storage a speciality. Furniture packed and removed. Office : Queen's Chambers. Telephone No. 23.— Advt. Cluny insertions and lace. Extraordi nary value at C. Smith's, Cuba-street. White, siring colour, oi- black, washed well, 2d, 3d, 4d, sd, and 6d per yard; don't fail to see this lino. Torchon lace, new veilings, and all tho latest things m lace or chiffon for neckwear. Ladies' hem' stitched handkerchiefs, cheap enough tu> lose, Is, Is 3d, Is 6d, 2s per half-dozen Patent leather belts, a fine assortment juslt arrived, all tho fashionable colours, is id each. Boys' tunio belts, tan leather, R 6d. Infants Japanese bilk dresses and tunicu, smocked and trimmed, laco and insertion, tho prettiest selection in Wellington; prices right. Our ladies' canvas and crash jackets and costumes can't bo excelled ; v few with lnco coatees nnd fichus ; just the right thing. C. Smith, tho popular ofisk 1 draper, Cuba-street —Advt.