LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 154, 27 December 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

With the temperature anything over 70 F in the shade seaside comfort was much . sought after yesterday. Probably the bays across the harbour were most popular, for the backing of shady bush and the pleasure of a cool trip in the ferry boat made Day's Bay and Rona Bay especially attractive. But Lyall Bay, with its off ei ing of a broad, sandy beach for surf-bathing, was also very popular. Patrons of the ocean beach, also, had no excessive worries regarding their means of return. If they missed one car there was another in a few minutes, and in any case they could walk. By the Government steamer Hinemoa to-day there sailed a fairly large contingent of lighthouse-keepers and their families, who hay« been changed, from various stations. The Hinemoa is making & tour of all the Southern lights. The lighthouse-keeper, judging by the ■ passengers by the Hinemoa, is a typeusually strong, sturdy, family men— who have grown hardened to the wild weather that often rages about the islands or headlands upon which their station* are situated. The children of the keepers, too, are usually somewhat shy and retiring, ac is only to be expected from their leading lives remote from the society of other children. The surprise visitor to a New Zealand lighthouse, on seeing the class of men sent away in the Hinemaa to-day, would have understood how it is that everything is kept eo.spic ahd epan—wood as if it Were nowly planed and brass brightly burnished. One by one the families by the Hinemoa will be dropped at some lonely station until the time comes for their next change. "A Visitor," in a letter to the Editor, protests against the antiquated way in which the Wellington Steam Ferries Company attempts ,to cope with tho entry of its passengers at Day's Bay wharf, and suggests that at thd wharf there should be two, or, say, three entrances, plainly labelled— one for adults without children, another for adults with children, and a third for .women with children in arme. "A visitor also suggest*? that there should b« a straight entrance to tho turnstile-, instead of a, crooked one. The • company ? he thinks, should "erect a structure which would form a lane six or seven feet long leading lo the turnstile." The fires Japanese-owned mercantile ship, manned entirely by Japanese officers and crew, to visit Auckland arrived yesterday. This was the Hakushika Maru, n vessel of 5000 tons laden, with superphosphates and sulphur for Auckland. Lyttelton, and Tim&ru. She leaves for tho south on Tuesday.

The number of bicycles stolen during last week in Christchurcb reached enormous dimensions, states the Lyttelton j Times. The police have found no fewer than thirty-two during the period stated, which makes a total of nearly sixty unclaimed cycles now lying at the police station. An admirable description of "manners" was given by Lord Moulton, Lord of Appeal, at a recent, dinner of thu Authors' Club, presided over by Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins. "Manners," paid his Lordship, "were the doing that which you should when you were not obliged to do it." He did not want to call it duty, and he would not call it morals. It was the doing right when there was no one to make you out youtself. Several of the geysers at Whakarewarewa gave unusually fine displays on Monday afternoon, reports the New Zealand Herald. At 2.30 j'clock' tho Prince of Wales's Feather, Pohutu. and Waikorohihi became active, and for two hours continued in a state of eruption, to the delight of a large number of spectators, mostly visitors to Rotorua. Pohutu's water was shot to heights varying from 70 to 60 feet at times, and the caretaker stated that the display by Waikorohihi geyser was the beat he had seeh, the water attaining a height of 50 feet. The weather was all that could be desired, the sun shining brightly, and the effect of the eruptions was described as beautiful. Regarding the naval and military tournament at Christchurch, our correspondent telegraphs :— The tournament was the eighth of its kind held in the Dominion, but this year it' far eclipsed all previous competitions. The competitions of every description in the naval and military calendar Were open to al) members of the Royal Navy and the Commonwealth and Dominion defence forces, and although there were few entries from outside, New Zealand.' the local competitors Were legion 2 and the promoters of the tournament were able to congratulate themselves that it i was the biggest thing of its kind held south of the line. The programme waß so long that four or five events had to 1 be got off at the same time, but the more spectacular events were located in the show ring, so that the public, of whom there was a large attendance even in the morning, could look on from grandstand and mound. The mounted events, such as lemon-cutting and tentpegging, were highly popular with the crowd, and were a novelty to many folkß whose only knowledge of military sports extended to a Lloyd Lindsay competition or a Victoria Cross race seen at an agricultural show. [ The output of timber from this district is going on at a constantly accelerated pace (writes the King Country correspondent of the New Zealahd Herald). ; The rate of increase may be realised from the fact that for the past three years the quantity sent out nas almost doubled itself every twelve months. Fol- j lowing are the figures from the railway returns for the section between Taomarunui- and Waimarino :-— l9lO, 4,974,300 ft; 1911, 7,646,600 ft j 1912, 14,162.100 ft. As the Taringamutu Company s mills lie within a few miles of Taumarunui, although not within the railway section referred to above, 1 their output may be included in that of the Taumarunui district. This would make an additional 6,118,900 ft for 1912, and "would Bwell the total for the present year to 20j281j000ft, cut and despatched from this district. As Mr. S. J. Clarke said recently on his return from Wellington, the time cannot be very far distant when, at this rate, the cutting which is going on southwards from Taumarunui and northwards from Taihape, must make a clearance of the forests in the King Country—and these are the only remaining forests of any great importance in the Dominion. Mr. H. C. Dannevlg, liead of the Federal Fisheries, who has done a considerable amount of marine surveying in Aus« tralian waters of recent years, questions the accuracy of tho statement, reported from Sydney, that the current running down the coast was flowing at the rat* of six knots an hour on. 7th December. The eurettt in question, which is known as the Australian. Gulf Stream, is a comparatively warm body of water. Mr. Diinnevig states that it has its origin in tho equatorial section of the Pacific. It is several hundred miles wide, and approaches Australia by way of Norfolk Island and tire south of New Caledonia, reaching the coast between Sandy Cape and Cape Moreton (Queensland). It then follows the coast line south, past Tasmania, until overpowered by currents from the Southern Ocean, which turn it away easterly again. Irom soundings made along the coast, Mr. Dannevfg states that the stream has a depth of about 200 fathoms (1200 ft). The recent acceleration in the speed of the current, which h© did not think could be as great as wae reported, was probably caused by a succession of strong easterly winds backing the stream up against the Australian coast, and ihus increasing and confining the volume. "Sometimes," he remarked, J'when the wind wa* off the land the stream Was blown away from the coast, and vessels trading between Melbourne and Brisbane did not feel its effects at all," It was announced in a recent cable message that Charles Rivier. better known as "Monte Carlo Wellß," ( had been sentenced to five years' imprisonment. Late English papers contain details of the trial. The charge against Wells was one of fraud is connection with the "Rente Bimensuelle," an enterprise which undertook to pay investors at the rate qf 1 per cent, per day, or 365 per cent, per annum, and to return the capital at tho end of three months. Floated in October, 1910, and largely advertised, it attracted so many investors that by April, 1911, when Wells fled to England, the Rente Bimensaelle had received subscriptions amounting to £80,000. The first subscribers duly received payment of capital and interest at the end of the first three months, and so the charge against the prisoner relates only to £33,600. Questioned by the judge as to whether he had "broken tho bank" at Monte Carlo, Wells replied, "Yes, not once, but ten times. I won altogether in 1889 £80,000, and in August 1910, during the existence of the Rente Bihiensuelle, I won at Monte Carlo £2,480 by my system." Counsel for Wells denied that his client had committed any legal fraud. There had, he Baid, been no dupes, and he instanced a letter to Wells by a photographer who sent him £4. The write* said, "1 know it must be a fraud, but I do not care as long as it lasts long enough to enable me to make money. I do not object to making money out of other people in any tyay. Counsel argued that the courts were not meant to protect either knaves or idiots, and he submitted that there was no case against his client. Over 2,000 of the Rente Bimensuelle dupes were legally represented. Notwithstanding that two days were observed as holidays this week, Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., ahnounee that their establishment will be closed at 1 p.m. to-morrow as usual.— -Advt. " Aei-tex " is the name of the famous light-weight underwear. We also stock, ! among others, the Roslyn unshrinkable*. Geo. Fowlde, Ltd., Manners-street.— Advt. Furniture removed, packed, and stored by reliable men. Ask for estimates. The Colonial Carrying Company, Ltd., 107-109, Customhouse-quay. Shipping and Forwarding agents to all parts of the world.— Advt.

Due here on New Year's Day, th© Shaw-Savill steamer Athenic is bringing a very large complement~-646— 0f pagBenjjers, the majority of whom will make their first acquaintance with the country. Of this big number 169 arc booked to Wellington— l 2in the first-clftos. 29 in the second, and 128 in the third. Auckland is given 179—10, 33, and 136 respectively, Napier 4S, Gisborne 16, Lyttelton 71. Tiniaru 14, Oam&ru 1. Dunedin 48, Bluff 26, Picton 2, Nelson 17, Westport 15, Greymoutli 10, Nfew Plymouth 13, Wanganui 20. The total number of imfnigrftnts, who are general* ly recognised a« those travelling thirdclass, is 502. The Hon. H. H, Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, when seen at Clirietohurch re. snecting the cable message referring to the visit of Mr. Frafser, the Commonwealth Postmaster-Generalj to New Zealand, stated that his information was that Mr. Fraser would leave Sydney on Saturday, and arrive in Wellington next Wednesday. It is Mr. Fraser's intention to discuss with Mr. Rhodes a number of questions of common interest to the Commonwealth and New Zealand. Amongst these will be the rates charged by the Atlantic cable companies for messages reaching Australia, via Pacino ; the establishment and equipment of Pacino wireless stations, and the installation oE automatic telephones. Many a time and oft has the scale of wages offered on the New upland coastal ruhs proved the undoing of Home tseamen on a boat trading out of an English port to the Dominion. At almost regular intervals, and with monotonous persistency, are sentences of one mouth's imprisonment imposed on men who have discovered that the wages they receive on the Home boats are below the New Zealand standard. One deserter recently put his side of the case before Mr. Riddell, S.M.. when he said: " Would you work for 16s a week when you could get 20s across the way?" Needless to Bay. that, though plausible, this is not a logical excuse for tne breach of the contract made when the article* are signed. To-day, at the Court, a man. formerly a quartermaster on the 8.M.8. Ruapehu, was given a term of one month's Imprisonment for desertion. This man, James Boyd, had deserted just exactly two years ago, at Wellington. Under an assumed name he worked his way home again on another ship, receiving for the passage the sum of £25. And now, after two years, he has come back to pay his penalty. Truly, the law bides its time, Mr. John H. Beatson,' one of the Commonwealth's representatives at the great International Horticultural Exhibi* tioJi, held in Lftndon in May, who has returned to Sydney, gives a glowing description of the enormous and magnificent character of the display. He says the exhibition waß vast' and magnificent. Its real character is suggested by the fact that oiib exhibit alone was valued at £150,000. That was Sir George Hoiford'6 exhibit of orchids. It measured 45fb in length, and was 20ft high. Sir George Holford chartered a special brain to convey the exhibit to the show, and had tho satisfaction of. winning the King's gold cup. The trade vied with each other in the staging and magnificence of their exhibits, and their beauty and colouring and perfection in growth were indescribably grand. They came from all parts of Europe, the United States, and «yen from far Japan. Then the popularity of the exhibition wait shown by tho fact that the gate receipts amounted to £25,000. From a hortlcultural toointof view the exhibition, the first of an international character to be held in London since 1869, was in all respecta a huge success. Various speakers at the meeting of the Gould League of Bind Lovers in Sydney referred to the demoralising effect of rabbit-trapping on the instincts of those children who were employed at it or who engaged in it m a pastime (reports the Sydney Telegraph). Mr. Dawson, Chief Inspector of Schools, said that tho slaughtering of rabbits was a degrading occupation for children, and made them cruel to all animals atid insects. They grew up callous, hard-hearted', and bloodthirsty. Tnose who could knock a rabbit on the head without compunction might by and by do the earn© to a man. Mr. W. W. Froggatt (Government Entomblogist) endorsed the sentiments. It was painful, he saW, to observe tho cruel habits that some children in the rabbit-catchihg centres had developed. He had seen them breaking the kg* of rabbits, and sometimes their backs as well, watching with fiendish delight the efforts of the maimed animals to escape. Mr. D. G. Stead (Naturalist to the Fisheriee Department) «akl a little while ago near Oberon he had noticed a group, of children, the eldest of whom could not have been more than 13 or 14 and the youngest about 3 y«ar» of age, catching rabbite as they were driven out of their burrowe by ferrets. When one was captured the eldest boy stuck a knife into ita body, and dragged it up and dowh, the eyes of the whole lot sparkling with enjoyment a* they watched the animal writhe in agony, its dying squeak evok> ing a shout of laughter. Movemente such sb that represented by tho league must lmv* a, civilising effect on the«o young barbarians. "The death of Viscount Peel remove* a man who played a very honourable part in our public life. No more majestic man ever sat in the Speaker's chair," says the Daily Chronicle. "Tall and Btately, austere Of countenance, he was the incarnation of dignity. Mr, Labouchere, whose levity was irrepressible, used to say that he never looked at Speaker Peel without thinking of Pharaoh. No greater Speaker has ever presided over the House of Commons. He dominated the House by the sheer majesty of his character*" Mr. G. K. Forteseue, Keeper of Printed Books at the British Museum, died recently, within five days of his appointed retirement from the post which he has held for forty -two years. t "He was looking forward to devoting his time to the study of his favourite period in history—the French Revolution," said an official of the Museum to a Daily Mail representative. 'With this object ho would probably have lived in London and become an ordinary reader at the Museum, just as Dr. Gavnett, his predecessor, did when he retired. "We fit all heads." The man who buys his hat, hard felt or straw, from Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., will have a perfect fit. No wind, train or boat draughts will shift it.-Advt. Don't bring baggage to station at last, moment. See the New Zealand Express Co. day before. The company <»tlfecU baggage, checks, and delivers at far end. 87, Customhouse-quay.— Advt. Just the day for a swim. Moot people know the pleasures of sea bathing, and tuko advantage of the holidays and the fine weather -to indulge in «. plunge in the briny. The thousands in the water nt Day's Bay enjoyed themselves in tho holidays owihg 1 to the fACt that the weather was perfect, and they were nl«o lucky enough to .have their bathing costume* with thorn. Thnro are many people who have nod got bn-ih-ihg coetuniOßj and it ie to those we would givo a word of iidvice. Get one at once. Doh't de!&s' it oho minute, bill, get it and get it at C. Smith's, Ltd., in Cuba«street. They keen the biggest Btock of these goods in town, ft-nd you can iret boys' and girls' one-pieco suits for 1« Del and Is 44d ; youths' and Votttiff Indies' suite for 1b 9d; hhd nW» and ladies' suits for Is lid and Bs. They also staok Canadians for men n.t 3e 3d Mid for ladies at 3s lid. Don't forget. It, is at C. Smith's, Ltd , Cuba-etroet.— Advt,