LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 76, 31 March 1914, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A large number of property owners in the city of Wellington who have neglected to pay their rates for the financial year, which expires to-day, will find when they square accounts with the Collector (Mr. H. L. Godber) that 10 per cent, has been added to the respective amounts. Summonses are being issued against numcious people who have not paid up. ' Mr. G. V. Hudson writes as follows: — "A large sunspot has just appeared on the sun's disc. At present, owing to its proximity to the limb, it is much foreshortened, but it promises to be the most important sunspot since October, 1912. It should be well placed for observation towards the end of the week." "An Opponent" writes to The Post pleading for a little more toleration in the attitude taken by the supporters of the Bible-in-schools when referring to those who differ from them. Tlie correspondent attended a meeting held in one of the suburbs last Week, and states that certain prominent opponents i of the Bible-in-schools were held up to ridicule. It would be well, suggests "An Opponent, '' if a little more Christian spirit were introduced in the' discussions. Regarding a resolution recently passed by the Petone Borough. Council calling upon the Government to pass legislation dealing with lights on vehicles, the Ministef for Internal Affairs (Hon. H. D. Bell) advised the suburban council last ev3iiing that the matter was receiving the attention of the Government, with a view to introducing legi&lation next session. Incidentally, it was decided that the attention of the Automobile Association be drawn to the fact that a number of cyclists are in tho habit of riding along the footpath on the Hutt road. Pursuant to notice, Councillor Townsend moved as follows at last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council : —(1) That the engineer be instructed to take^practical tests to ascertain the delivering' capacitj^ of the water mains both into the settling tank, and from the settling tank into Petone. (2) That all water mains in the borough for fire purposes only (with the exception of those in public streets), be immediately sealed, to be broken only in case of fire. Owing to the fact that the matters referred tt had been dealt with by the Waterworks Committee the Mayor (Mr. .1. W. M'Kwan) ruled both clauses out' of order. « Up to date, the following cases fiave been setvdown for hearing at the sitting of the Appeal Court, winch opens on Monday next, at 11 a.m. :— Thomas Scott Johnston, station manager, Glenmark, v. Ocean Accident Guarantee Corporation, Ltd., Christchurch ; William Nichol, jeweller, Taihape, v. Thos. Agang. farmer, Niho Niho; John Batger, grain merchant, Invercargill, v. Robertson Bros., grain merchants, Auckland j Frank Harris and Co., Ltd., and John George Restell, accountant, both of Auckland, v. Rora Hakaraia. aboriginal Native woman, Levin ; Fairbairn, Wright, and Co., Ltd., v. Levin and Co., Ltd. ; Frederick Ashton Price and others- v. Charles Henry St. Hill and others (will case). Unpaid subscriptions formed the basis of a claim preferred by Mr. D. Monarty, secretary of the Wellington United Furniture Trade Industrial Union of' Workers, in the Magistrate'? Court to-day, against W. E. Bateman. The union sought to recover the sum of £1 6s, being the amount of subscriptions due by the defendant up to the 12th day of February, 1912. Defendant stated that he had been ill, and that he had sent in his resignation, which the secretary declined to accept, owing to the subscriptions being slightly in arrears. He had left the trade, but had returned to it. _ When he went back again he paid his entrance fee, and all subscriptions for the period that he worked. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., who was on the Bench, gave judgment for the amount claimed. Mr. Levi appeared for the plaintiff union. Up to the present, Mr. L. A. MacDonald, of Halcombti, has received £16 13s towards the fund for a memorial to the late Mr. Vereker Bindon, who was for some years Inspector of Schools under the Wanganui Education Board. Mr. Mac Donald's list is made up as follows :— Messrs. John Stevens, Palmerston North, £2 2s 5 C. J. M'Carthy, Wanganui, W. R. Tuck, Wanganui, Gifford Marshall, Wanganui, W. A. Parkinson, Hawera, W. Castle, Wellington, Halcomb'e School Committee, and/Two Friends," Cunningham's,Fielding, £1 Is each ;- Sanson Old Boys' Association and H. I. Jones and Son, Wanganui, £1 each; A. Atkins, Wellington, A. L. Beattie, Napier, and J. 0. Bachelor, Palmerston North, 10s 6d each,- J. G. Wilson, Bulls, S. Strachan, Waitara, "A Sanson Old Boy," and L. A. Mac Donald, 10s each :, and a number" of small Bums. Mr. Mac Donald will be glad to receive further donations up till Easter. The Inspector of Awards, Mr. *R. T. Bailey, proceeded against George Astley (trading as the Wellington Tweed Co), before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., to-dayi for the recovery of £10 as a penalty for a breach of the Wellington Shop Tailoresses' award. The information set out that during the period Ist October to 3lst December, 1913, defendant had failed to pay an apprentice the rate of wages as' provided by the award. A penalty of £2, with costs, was imposed. Defendant was also convicted of another breach in respect to a Miss Tossman by falling to pay her the rate for journeywomen as required by the award. Judgment was entered against the defendant for £1 with costs. In another case, the Inspector claimed a penalty of £10 from W. Green, of Riddiford-strect, Kewtown, on account of a breach of the Wellington Bakers' and Pastrycooks' award for boarding an employee named Mawley upon his premises, contrary to the provisions of Clause Bof the award. The defendant was penalised in the sum of 10s, with costs. _ When the Public Service Commissioner took office it was found necessary to reorganise tho staff of messengers, as a large number were either past or rapidly approaching tho ago of retirement. It was at first decided that allowances to which messengers were entitled should be supplemented, so that tlu» minimum pension should be 30s per week. This decision of the Government was announced by circular by the Public Service Commissioner. It was afterwards found that that basis, if adopted, would work out unfairly in the case of men who were entitled to large superannuation. It was then decided that the basis should be ihat the Government should pay £1 per week, plus half the superannuation in every case, so that thereby those who had the longer service would properly receive the larger pension. In tho case of some messengers who were not entitled to large superannuation, the second process would work out to reduce their minimum below 30s per week._ It has now been decided, after consideration by the Government, that the basis of £1 per week, plus half superannuation, should be anhcred to, but that the minimum pension in all cases, should be 30s per week. To-morrow (Wednesday) t is Bargain Day at Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd. In the bargain room (first floor) ladies will find a wonderful collection of remnants and useful goods selected from various departments,, all of which are marked at I bargain prices, ■-r^dvt,

Mr. J. S. Evans. S.M.. will arrive in Wellington this week from Nelson in order to hear further evidence in the civil action Loo Shook v. Dr. ]?. Wailace Mackenzie, claim for gome three years' wages alleged to be due. The Catholic mission, which i» being conducted at St. Joseph's and St. Mary of the Angels' Churches, will be brought to a close to-morrow night, and on Thursday morning there will be a general communion ot men and women. At St. Joseph's last night the ttev. 'Father M'Oarthy preached a telling, sermon on " Intemperance." At a, meeting held in the Trades Hall, Dunedin, last evening, it was decided t\> form a union of agricultural and pastoral worker? other than shearers and i«hed hands, to be registered under the Arbitration Act. Twenty-live members were enrolled at the" meeting and offlco'beai'ars elected. Mr. (J. Bruce., secretory mid organiser, leaves Dunedin u>-/foy to undertake organising work. The meeting of the Upper Hutt Town Board, adjourned from Monday, 16th March, to deal wi«i 'financial matters at the close of the official year, was held last night, there being present: Commissioners R. H. Webb (chairman), F. W. Kemp. A. J. M'Curdy, and 1\ Robertson. The icport of the Finance Committee re* commending thn payment of accounts as per Bchodule, was taken as read and adopted without discussion. The prospects for a good display of" New Ze&lamK products at the Pahama* Pacific Exhibition are most encouraging. The secretary of the Central Committee, Ml 1 . O'Brien, has received numerous en« quiries from linns desirous of sending exhibits of wool, hemp, etc. Arrangements have already been made for moving pic* hires of the various New ZealaJM industries to be exhibited at the Exhibition. These moving pictures will include the wool, hemp, meat, fruit, butter, cheese, kauri gum. timber and mining industries. In regard to the proposed extension of Islington-street, Petone, a letter was received by the council last evening from Mrs. E. Hollard and Mr. C. T. Price, who stated the terms upon which they - are prepared to dispose of the land necessary for the work. Councillor Anderson moved to the effect tha.t the letter be received. This course Waft opposed by Councillor 'Forsybh, who moved that negotiations be proceeded with under tho Public Works Act. This was defeated, and the original motion agreed to. Citizens with an active interest in ' sane town-planning are preparing to give a, hearty welcome to Messrs. W. R. Davidgc and C. Keade. who will give helpful lectures here a few months hence. The Institute of Architects ha» ap» pointed a committee to confer with representatives of the Greater WellingtoA ' Municipal Association for the purpotio of forming a general committee to make all necessary financial and other ai-rango-mente for the Wellington part of the programme. In other district* the Government is being asked to furmch the money required, but the feeling hsra is against a call on the State, eseeub for free passes on the railways and tha cost of steamer travelling. It is lielieved that the general taxpayers, wlxj will benefit by a town-planning movement, wilt not grumble at their modest ■ sliare--th& transit expenses. __ Two communications— one from Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., and one from the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. 14. Mer-ries)---were received by the Petono Borough Council last evening regarding the Hutt'i'oad. Mr. Wilford forwarded, a copy of the letter recently sent by him to the Prime Minister, wtnle Mr Herriee wrote, enclosing a statement of the Government's decision in respect to apportioning the cost of the load. The Mayor (j.ur. J. W. M'Ewa-n) that the representatives of the local authorities who had mot to consider tho whole matter had not taken the necessary step^ to ask the Minister to vest the road in a board. No proposal for joint representation had been made. Personally, he suggested that they simp, ly "receive" the letters. A meeting would 110 doubt be Leld shortly to consider the points raised,** and councillors would be made acquainted with the result. At present they nm»t go about the matter very carefully or they might take a certain liability upon uiemselvee. After a brief discussion, it wm decided that the letters be received. In response to a request by the Petons Borough Council, the following opinion in regard to a certain aspect of the buPding by-law, and also tho question of setting apart a portion of the borough as an industrial area, was furnished by Mir T. F. Martin, solicitor to tlie Municipal Association, at the meeting of the council last evening. "I am of the opinion that your council has not power to amend the building by-laws to prevent flic erection of unsightly buildings. Such a by-law would impose a restriction be- , yond the requirement of the general law ' of tlie country. As long as the proposed building conforms to the requirements of the statute law (e.g., minimum Frontage, air sijace, etc.), and does nob constitute a nuisance, I cannot see that Its erection can be prevented. As to buildings likely to be objectionable to adjoining premises, I am not deal 1 as to what is exactly included in this term. The power to make by-laws is 'concernfrig the construction and repair of buildings. 1 . . . This refers to the kind of materials. To set up an Industiial area is to require that all business of a certain kind, e.g.,> manufacturing works, etc., should be located in an area expressly set apart for the purpose, and not elsewhere. This, in my opin|on, cannot legally be done, as it would involve a restriction upon the freedom of choice of business sites such as is not contained in the statute law governing local bodies : and in my opinion there is no power to create such a restriction by by-law. Your council has, under the Act, power to 'prevent a noxiottß trade being established on any particular site, but not be restrict the choice of such sites 1 as to say that such trades can be carried on only within an area set apart for that purpose." The Harbour Board has accepted tho tender of Messrs. Briscoe and Co., Ltd., for the supply of hoop, steel, and studs for the ensuing year. The firm's contract price is £2689 11s 6d. Other tenders received were as follow :«--J, Duthic and Co., £2716 15s 6d ; A. and T. Hurt, Ltd., £2842 2s ; Briscoo and Co. (No. 2), £2921 Us 9d ; A. R, Hislop, £2934 5 H. G. Anderson and Co., £3030 14s 4d; J. J. Niven and Co., £3152 18s. A very beautiful tablo decoration is the Real Maidenhair Fern in Pots. It is the natural fern, preserved by a new process. Prices, according to 'size, 4s 6d, 6s, 9s 6d, Us 6d. Kirkcoldio and Stains.— Advt. Value your furniture? Then get Vis to move it. Packing, handling, remov ing are an art with oh. Our motor moves furniture into or out of town. N.Z. Express Co., Ltd., 87-91, Custom-house-quay.—Advt. Tho winter jjpovte have how begun in real earnest in Wellington, and while standing m the chilly winds watchine the fleW eporte or the airman in hk thrilli'im glffry, we cannot help noticing between our moments of excitement the w |l wind* effect* on all „ round ue 'and To where do we see rent .port* who en ov the game so much as thow uho are TJil jn*t C. Smith's sports coat*. They koe» the wearers warm on tho chilliest. d«v and help that spark of real eKcitemcni to kindle all the while. The best * S coate obtainable in Wellington tire Tt C. Smith's, Ltd., 96, Cttba*tw»l.~Advt

Mr. W. G. "Riddel), S.M., to-day reserved his decision in the civil case 'William Galloway v. W. Liverton, claim for £45 for damages arising out of a collision between the plaintiffs and defendant's motor-cars. Mr. tT.C. A. Itislop appeared for the plaintiff, and -Mr. A. W. Blair defended. A surprise awaited Air. A. M'Cready la^t evening in the committee-room of the Working Men's Club, when he was asked, on behalf of some personal friends, to accept a purse of sovereigns, on the occasion of his departure for a few weeks' holiday at Wanganui. / Mr. M'Cready. recently had the misfortune to break his arm. . ' t Writing to the Petone Borough Council last evening, in regard to additional siding accommodation at the Petone railway station, the General Manager^ of Railways stated that at the present time all available funds had been allocated for more urgent and important works. The matter would, however, receive further consideration when the list of works for next financial year was under review. Mr. W. C. Cooper, who has for a( number of years Worked hard as secretary and treasurer' for the Karori Hockey Club, being chiefly responsible for the institution of the 'many pleasant euchre tournaments held last winter, was presented by the members of the club at the meeting last evening with a case of razors. Mr. B. Burn, the club's president, made the presentation., those present further^ honouring Mr. Cooper by re-electing him for, another term of office. The many friends of Mr. Alfred Earls, late of the Government Life Insurance Department, will regret to hear of hia death, whictf took place at an early hour this mprning at the Kensingtonstreet private hospital. Mr. Earls, \%io was a native of Australia, had been in indifferent /health for some time past. Recently he underwent an operation, and recovered suffttiently to go into the country f6r a few days, but latterly he suffered & relapse and succumbed. At an extraordinary general meeting of the Wellington Investment, Trustee and Agency Company, Ltd., to-day, the following resolution, passed at a meeting held on tile 10th instant, was confirmed : —"That the capital of the com,pany be increased to £200,000 by the creation of 100,000 new ordinary shares of £1 each, ranking for dividend in all other respecW pari passu with the existing ordinary shares of* the company. " Resolutions were also passed making_ provision for dealing with the additional shares and Amending the articles of association. The Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott) has made the following engagements for April ; Friday, 10th, three hours' service at Maaterfon; Sunday, 12th, preach at Cartertoti in the morning and at Greytown, in wie evening; Thursday, 16th, meeting oi the school trustees at Wanganui; Sunday, 19th, preach at Petone in the evening; Wednesday, 22nd, annual meeting of St. Mary's Guild in Wellington ; Tuesday, _ 28th, meeting of the Standing Committee in Wellington. On Tuesday, sth May, the Bishop will consecrate a church at Linton, and on the following day he will open a new church at Palmerston North. , "No reputable accountant would era.se or alter any original entry in a ledger/ remarked Mr. Justice Edwards yesterday afternoon, in the coui'se of a case in ■which fraudulent dealing with the money of a shareholder *in a company was alleged. Counsel for the defence stated that the man who altered the figures could explain^ his action. "He could not explain it," returned his Honour. "He might say he did it, but he could not explain it. Such a thing is inexplicable and disgraceful. I would not believe it can be done properly unless a. host of reputable accountants came into Court and told me so." The Wellington Church Chronicle, issded to-day, says:— "By the election of Dean Stephen as Bishop of Tasmania, the last of the- vacant Bishoprics is filled. It is noteworthy that men who have for some time lived and worked in Australasia were chosen in all cases— for Auckhnd, Waiapu, Kalgoorlie, Grafton, and Tasmania." The Chronicle points out that the new Bishop of Tasmania (Dean Stephen) makes the sixth Bishop in Australia who has graduated from Trinity College of the University of Melbourne. The sees filled by Trinity College men are Bathurst, Newcastle, Ballarat, Wangaratta, Nelson, and now Tasmania. N Mr. W. T. Mills, organiser for the Social Democratic Party, declined at a meeting of the Wellington Branch last night to accept renomination for the office for a further term. In conversation with a Post reporter to-day Mr. Mills _ explained that this will in no way interfere with his engagement as organiser for the remainder of the term for which he was elected, nor with his delations to or support of the Social Democratic Party. His action was taken solely because the duties of the office would make necessary a further postponement of important matters, including the publication of a new book, which require his presence in the United States. Mt. Mills proposes to leave for America as soon as possible aftep July next, when he has concluded' 1 his personal affairs. It is possible that he may put in some time in Australia en route to the United States. ' " Health js so essential an asset to the teacher,'' remarks Mr. J. S. Tennanty principal of the Wellington Training College, in his annual report, " that I feel constrained to make some remarks on that subject, more particularly as it ■is a very general opinion that the schools are not getting the robust type of constitution that the exacting profession of the teacher demands. The health of the students — more particularly in the case of the women— has not been as good as it should be. This has been specially noticeable in the case of those living in lodgings, and one of the predisposing causes has undoubtedly been the lack of supervision out of college hours — for students are often unwise not so much in the amount of work undertaken as in the manner of doing that work. The crowded condition of the buildings and the lack of space for proper recreation has prevented our doing much to counteract the results of vi'ong methods of study." In their annual report, the Inspectors of Schools of the Wellington Education District, state: — "Two of the oldest servants of the board, Mr, Clement Watson, 8.A., headmaster at Te Aro, and Mr. D M. Yeates, headmaster of -Hutt District High School, retired on superannuation in December. VVehavo repeatedly expressed our appreciation of the loyal service and high sense of duty shown by our teachers as a body, and in no instance have these characteristics been more strongly marked than in the case of these two For upwards of thirty years they have filled with every credit to themselves attd benefit to education generally, some of the most onerous and responsible positions in the board's service. While wishing them a long enjoyment of their weli-earned rep6se, we can only express our personal regret at the severance of an official association which, owing to their unfailing courtesy and skilful co-operation, has always been of a cordial and profitable nature," A boy aged ten years was brought before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Juvenile Court to-day, on 'a charge of stealing a bicycle valued at £12, the property of On Lee, The charge was dismissed, and the boy was committed to the Weraroa Training Farm.