LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The French Tahitian military contingent, which arrived from the Islands by the Moann on Saturday, spent, an" interesting, and enjoyable forenoon at the Wellington Zoo to-day. The visitors, under Commandant Spitz, were accompanied by Councillors Frost, Thompson, and Barber, Messrs.' Crewes and Castles, of the Wellington Zoological Society, and Mr. J. Wright. The party was shown over the Zoo by the custodian! Mr. J. Langridge. Lieut. Gentry represented the Defence Department. Commandant Spitz desires, on behalf of the Tahitian Contingent, to convey ' their thanks to those who have so kindly devoted their time to entertaining the visitors, whose stay in Wellington, he says, has. been both a memorable and enjoyable one to the whole party, which leaves to-morrow for Sydney,*'en route to Noumea. \

A personal explanation was made in the Legislative' Council yesterday afternoon by the Hon. J. T. Paul in reference to an interjection made by a Councillor during the the debate on the second reading of the Military Service' Bill in tie Upper House. He said that the reason, why he referred to the incident was because he .was anxious to keep the standard of debate on the highest possible level. During his reply the Leader (Sir Francis Bell) was reported to have stated that it was unfortunate it had fallen to him (the Hon. Mr. Paul) to oppose the Bill when he was the only man of military age in the Council. If there was any point in such an argument, then it was just as logical to say that other Councillors supported the Bill because they were outside the military age. But that would be a most unfair suggestion to make. He had made it quite clear during his remarks that lie was casting no reflection on any member of the Council. If there was anything in the argument it would be just as reasonable to say that certain members were opposed to conscription of wealth because they were wealthy men. But this also would be an unfair argument. A man could quite conscientiously oppose the Bill independently of what his age was. He had spoken in public, halls in Dunedin and in the province before all classes of men and women, and no exception had been taken to his attitude. It remained for him to go back to the Council to find a dishonourable' exception to his universal experience, and he w,-vs prepared to say that the gentleman lie referred to was not the honourable gentleman who was the Leader of the Council.

The law offices of the city will be closed on Friday next. (Prince of Wa-les's Birthday).

The eighteenth anniversary of the Congregational Church, Newtown, was celebrated last evening by a tea meeting, which was foilowed by the annual report and business affairs. The Esv. W. A. Evans presided, and speeches were given by the Re,vs. J. Reed Glasson and A. E. Hunt. ' During the evening musical items enlivened proceedings, the whole .proving a- very successful function.

Mr. P. N. Denton, of Messrs. w: Littlejohn and Son, procured,-.;when lie was living in India, a full-length photograph of the late Lord Kitchener bearing his-signature, in 1909. Mr. Denton is willing -to supply twelve copies of this fine autograph picture at £50 each, the money to be handed over to one of the patriotic funds. Mr. W. Howard Boath, of Carterton, has given £50 for the first copy, which may be seen in the firm's window. The Mayor, Mr. J. P. Luke, has seen the photograph, and has written approving the scheme for adding tc the patriotic funds. Donors should apply direct to Mr. Denton. "Traveller" writes protesting against the manner in which the side gate recently placed in the fence running along the southern extension of the" Lambton Railway uStation is treated.by the authorities. Sometimes,the gate is open and proves a great convenience, but at other times—of ten - when it is most required, at rush hours—it. remains closed for no apparent "reason. "Traveller" admits that it may be advisable for the gate to be closed after a certain hour at nighit, but pleads for an "open-door policy," or, if that is impossible, for some system or consistency in the use of what should be a valuable means of. ingress and egress.

The Magistrate's Court was occupied yesterday with the hearing of the case hi which. Margaret Adams, of 19, Homestreet, claimed from Henry Walden and George Buckley Walden, executors of the estate of James Walden, deceased, the sum of £45 for services rendered in. nursing and attending the late James Walden prior to His death. The defendants claimed that the plaintiff had received the amount, but this was denied. After hearing evidence the Magistrate (Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.), decided to adjourn the cuso in o-det that the receipts might be produced. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for- plaintiff and Mr. H. Hill for defendants. The intricacies of the linotype and the totalisator pale into absolute insignificance beside the cash reigster, as exemplified in a case at the Supreme Court- to-day. ' The machine on exhibit had pretty pink and blue buttons studded over it, each of. which, according to counsel, meant a differing special feature. "What does ■' appro' mean? " asked Mr. Neave of the I manager. " Goods sent out on approval," was the answer. "I see," commented his Honour; "you don't send out a pound of butter on approval, but the machine provides for ' appro' on goods of that character."' I Three whales were captured in' Cook Strait last week by the Perano party. There were exciting circumstances coni nected with the capture of one of the whales (reports the Marlborough Press). The Bolina made fast, and the whale, in its violent struggles, manaj:." '. to get the rope round the propeller. The whale tried to sound, and everyone thought the Bolina would be 'towed under. She prepared to go down stem first. The water was pouring into thn engine-room, and Messrs. Perano and Toms, with coats and boots off, were just ready to dive into the sea when, the rope snapped. The Crescent next made fast, and again the rope became entangled round the propeller. Luckily, before any da-mage was done,, the propeller cut -the rope. The Cachalot then made fast, ! and time the party was successful :in killing its quarry. The Bolina was towed, in,.and fs 'undergoing repairs at Picton. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., George and Alfred Smith, trustees in the estate of George Edward Hill, proceeded against Eileen . Margaret Rtzgibbon, widow of the late E. J. Fitzgibbon, solicitor, to recover the sum of £188 12s 6d, interest and rent, due by the late Mr. Fitzgibbon. The action, was brought against the widow, she being sole legatee and executrix of her late husband's, estate. The facts were admitted by Mr. E. J. O'Eegan, who appeared for the defendant, but it was stated that the estate was without money. The Magistrate. suggested that the. parties might adjust the matter between them, but Mr. A. M. Salek, for plaintiffs, said he had been instructed to press for payment. Judgment ,was accordingly given for the full amount, with costs (£5 15s). During the brief debate on the first item of the Estimates in the House of Representatives last night, Mr. G. J. Anderson, made reference to an incident which had come under his notice in connection with the Otekaike (Otago) Home for Children. He stated that- four years ago the child of one of his constituents had been examined by an expert at Otekaike/ and the parents had tjeen informed that the child was suitable for tho home, and would be benefited by the treatment there. Two years ago he had brought the matter up, and he wanted to know when the extra accommodation would be ready, and when the childcould be taken in. Since that time another examination of the child had been made and intimation had been given to the prentsthat.it was now too old for the institution. Mr. "Anderson expressed dissatisfaction at the delay that had taken place in preparing the added accommodation. Some officer in the Department must be responsible and should be severely censured. Two years ago the Minister liad 'stated that lie would take the l-esponsibility, and, this being the case, he was also blameworthy. He added that he wished to exonerate the present Minister of Education (who did not hold office at that time), also the officer in charge at Otekaike, who was thoroughly competent and efficient and in no way to blame for the delay. In the interests of children who should be placed in the home, he hoped that the additional building which had been erected^would be speedily ready for occupation.

At the .last sittings of the Supreme Court at Nelson, the jury disagreed iii a. case in which John Reedy claimed £1000 from tho Wcstport Harbour Board for injuries alleged to have been sustained v.'hilo'in the board's employ, and a new trial was ordered to take placo at the present sittings of the Court. The Nelson Colonist now states that a. settlement has been reached and the case will not now come on for hearing.