LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 19000, 23 July 1925, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The members of the University Commission (Sir Harry Koicbol and Mr Crank Tate), with DrMarsden (assistant Director of Education), were entertained last evening at a dinner by the senior and junior staff of tho University at tho University Club, Dowling street. Dr Hercus, president of the University Club, was in the chair. Speeches were delivered by the chairman, Mr Tate, and Dr Marsdon. Mr Tate gave some of his impressions of university education in New Zealand, and suggested some directions in which New Zealand might do well to copy the methods and practices of other lands.

The conference between the Master Grocers and the Assistants’ Union of Wellington resulted in a complete agreement for a now award. The chief feature is the restoration of 9 o’clock closing on Fridays instead of 8.30, it is understood at the initiative of the union. In return the employers concede closing at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday instead of 1 p.m, Wages are fixed on a new basis of age, plus experience, instead of age alone. The minimum for an assistant twenty-three years of ago or over is £4 12s 6d, as against the present rate of £4 ss.

After hearing representations from the tobacco trade, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce passed the following resolution;—“That this chamber, being convinced that the interests of the retail tobacco trade are being detrimentally affected by the amount of illegitimate trade now taking place as a result of defectiveness of the present law to suppress after-hour sales, is of opinion that _ the Government should enact immediately legislation necessary to afford to the law-abiding trader the measure of protection which he has a right to expect.” A case possessing extraordinary features was heard in the Magistrate’s Court, Oamaru, yesterday. Constable Voyce some weeks ago missed his bicycle. He saw a machine in the street which he identified as his, and asked the resident who claimed it from whom ho procured it. The resident stated that, he had found the body of the machine in a rubbish heap some years ago, and had assembled it. As the number was missing, the constable hud an information against the resident for theft. After the case for the prosecution lint! beau heard, counsel for the defence asked for an adjournment to enable him to produce another bicycle which had been found in a stable. When the second bicycle was produced Constable Voyce identified it as his, Scnior-searpeant Shanahan then sapl an honest mistake had been made, aiSi'asked leave to withdraw the charge. The magistrate said there was no doubt that an honest mistake had been made. It was unfortunate that the missing bicycle should have belonged to a constable. No odium in the circumstances could attach to Constable Yoyce. Counsel for the defence stated that there were features about the two bicycles which did not correspond. The magistrate said be was satisfied, however, Hint an honest mistake had boon made. He agreed to the withdrawal of the charge, and made an order that the publication of the name of defendant lie suppressed. There was a largo attend,voce of members of Court Woodland’s Pride at the meeting held on Monday evening last. The C.7L, Sister W. L. Davis. presided. An official visit was received from Courts Pride of tin Lsilh and Saint Andrew’s. Invitations were accepted from the Loyal Dunedin Lodge, M .TT., and Court Pride of Dunedin. Tlio attention of the members was directed to the anniversary of the Juvenile Court, Star of Dunedin, on July 20. The toast of “ The Visitors ” was res ponded to by P.C.R. Bio. T. Scofield (Court Saint Andrew’s) and O.R. Pro. Dennett (Court Pride cf tho Leith). Two members were admitted by transfer, and the nominations _ of sis candidates were accepted. After the close of the court theorem mi was spent in games and dancing.