LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Mr F. G. Radcliffe has resigned the conductorship of the Choral Union as from the close of the "Doris" opera season next week.

*» The death is announced of Mr W. S. Douglas, editor of the "New Zealand Herald." Mr Douglas, who had been associated with the "Herald" for over thirty years, succeeded Mr W. Berry as editor in 1903. He was in his fiftyeighth year.

There are 40 civil cases set down for hearing at the -Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Of these three will be defended, one being a claim for £150 for damage done by a bush fire. There are ten prosecutions under the Defence Act, and several informations by the Borough Inspector and Inspector of Mines. There seems to be enough work to keep the Court sitting for at least two days.

The Whangarei troop of boy scouts, who have been in camp for the pUst week, under Scoutmaster Williamson, held a camp fire evening last night, and had a very enjoyable time. Messrs Mason and Co. sent up a case of cordials and other friends contributed refreshments. During the camp the lads had useful training in ambulance, signalling and general scout work. Several scouts sat for the "Tenderfoot" examinations, and succeeded in gaining their badges.

Miss Isa McLean, second eldest daughter of Mr Murdoch McLean, of "Sunnyside Braigh," Waipu, died on Wednesday at her father's residence after a two months' illness, which she bore with great patience, writes our Waipu correspondent. The funeral took place* on Friday, when a large concourse of people followed the remains to the cemetery as an expression of sympathy with the bereaved relatives. The Rev. A. McDonald conducted service the house and grave side.

A Parliamentary evening will be held by the Whangarei Literary and Debating Society on Monday night. The Cabinet will consist of Rev. R. P. Keall (Prime Minister and Minister for Defence and Agriculture), Mr J. Harrison (Minister of Finance), Rev. W. Day (Minister for Lands and Posts and Telegraphs), Mr Higginson (Minister for Education), and Mr Driver (Minister for Railways and Public Works). The Rev. W. Heather will act as Speaker. After a Public Works Statement has been submitted by Mr Driver, various questions will be addressed to the Ministers, and then the Prime Minister will move the second reading of the Licensing Amendment Bill which provides that the majority at the next licensing poll shall be 55 per cent.

Who is William Wallen? The most reliable watchmaker and jeweller. Successor to E. A. Simmons, Cameron Street, Whangarei. Charges moderate. —Advt.

: An informal meeting of the North Auckland Court Executive was held yesterday when it was decided to circularise all local bodies that had promised subscriptions, asking them to forward the money at once as it was needed. The various canvassers appointed are also being circularised, the committee being anxious to get money in to meet liabilities.

'"Mr Wilson, member for Taumaranui, said in the House the other day that he' would undertake to find employment for 500 men at nine <md ten shillings a day and found. In answer to a question, he said the hours would be eight per day; in fact men could work six hours if they liked, because at 25s a chain for fencing a man could mske 15s a day of six hours. Mr Wilson is evidently an optimist.

•** Rifle clubs throughout the Dominion have been notified that the supply of arms for issue on payment is exhausted and none can be issued until the supply now under order from England comes to hand. This means many /

months delay and by the time the rifles arrive the shooting season will be so far advanced that the rifles "wil be of practically no use. The Whangarei Club which intended making an early start this year will not he able to commence operations as rifles can be neither borrowed nor bought. Only those who have their own arms would be able to shoot and as only two or three have them it will be useless going out for practice. The attitude taken up by the Defence Department ever since the compulsory scheme has been inaugurated is one entirely antagonistic to rifle clubs.

The decision of the Chief Justice that the running of moving picture shows does not constitute a municipal enterprise that may be legally undertaken has pressed hardly on the Foxton Borough Council. That, body in informing the Auckland City Council that the Foxton opinion was that moving picture entertainments came within the "amusement and instruction" meaning of section 299 of the Municipal Corporations Act, forwarded a statement showing that from October, 1911, till March, 1913, they had taken £3084 from these entertainments, and the outlay had been only £1372, and since then there had (been a further profit ,of £402. It was asked that the Auckland City Council should co-operate in helping to have a clause introduced into the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill to overcome the legal objection raised by the Chief Justice. This request was agreed to.