LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13872, 5 October 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

An English, mail, via. Suez, arrived from Sydney by the s.s. Victoria yesterday. 'Personal items and other interesting news from our London correspondent will bo found elsewhere in this issue.

The Minister for Justice, in replying on Saturday to.th© complaint made by, an Auckland justice of the peace that the justices here were called upon too frequently for Court work,-:-" and urging that a permanent. Police Court magistrate should ' be appointed, stated that there was no necessity for another magistrate in Auckland; that Wellington only ,had two, and that as the work there was quite as heavy as in tlie Northern city he saw no reason why Auckland should have a third magistrate. A leading member of the legal profession, in speaking to a Heiiai,d representative on the subject, stated that what was advocated was not that Auckland should have a third magistrate, but that the present assistant magistrate, Mr. R. W. Dyer, should be- relieved of his present circuit, of the North, and 'stationed permanently in Auckland. Wellington, he pointed out, had two resident magistrates, one of whom occasionally spent an hour a fortnight at the Hutt, bo that Wellington therefore was much better off than Auckland was. While the business here was greatei, and was constantly expanding, the Wellington magistrates were able to devote the whole of their time to disposing of the business there. ' Here, Mr, Dyer was more often away than not, and the bulk of the work fell on Mr. Kettle. " It is," he concluded, "another instance. of now Auckland he to suffer, while in the South they are treated with every con-

The proposal to form a,-union among those employed in the local hotels, restaurants, boarclinghouses, oyster saloons; clubs, and tea rooms lias now assumed concrete form. A meeting for the purpose was held in Palmoreton Buildings, Lower Queenstreet, yesterday afternoon, about 40 be•ingpresent; and after the situation had been discussed it was unanimously, resolved to form a union. The statement was made that in a few months' time the union, would probably consist of a thousand members. The unions in, Dunedin arid Cliristchttrch already had that number each, while in Wellington the numerical strength ran in"to fully 1500. It "was also stated that if ■possible the local union would enter into an agreement with the employers,, but if the employers refused to meet them they would light the matter out in open Court.

->'■ The members of the . Training College Advisory Board (Mr" C. ,'/. Parr, chairman of the Education Board, Professor Thomas, Mr. D. Petri*, chief inspector, ; and Mr. H. A. Milnes, principal) paid » visi* of inspection to the new Training College building in Wellesiey-streo 1 < East on Saturday afternoon. '":. General ' satisfaction ,; was expressed at the'exterior and interior .of the building, which, it was considered, met the most exacting requirements: The Board went into the question of the furnishing and equipment of the building, and made arrangements whereby the whole of this work will be carried out prior to the opening, in a. month's time. A report will be presented at the next meeting of the Education Board. ".•■?-.' ' ) Mr. J.' Graham Gow, the Government Commissioner for Trade, has returned to Auckland, after a visit to Dargayill: and Heleneville, on Government business connected with the kauri gum industry. It is understood that-it is the intention of the Government to better the conditions of the kauri gum industry, and as an initial step Mr. Gow has visited the North to gather all possible information, and he will submit a report to the Prime Minister at an early date. This afternoon Mr. Gow leaves Waipu, where he will remain for some days. The heavy downpour of ; rain which occurred on Friday 'night and Saturday morning has had a most beneficial effect on the country, which.now looks beautifully fresh and green, and should afford excellent pasturage for; the ensuing dairy season. Horticulturists in the city and suburbs have also had reason to be thankful for the heaven-sent rain . as many of their gardens were badly in want of it, and as a result, are now wearing a refreshing appearance. In view of the, recent dry weather the municipal authorities have had occasion,: to fear that unless the weather "broke, there might possibly have been .a shortage of water in the summer months, as in order to ensure a sufficient supply, it is necessary that the winter rains should come in due season, and soak into the ground. The fall, therefore, came as. a somewhat -welcome relief to ■• the minds, of the officials, though they could have wished that it had continued longer. The total fall measured for the 24 ; hours tip till 9.30 on Saturday morning was .55in. In sentencing a young man at the, Police Court on Saturday ; for having given a false fire alarm, Mr. Kettle, S.M., severely commented on the serious consequences that might ensue as a, result of giving a false alarm of fire. An authentic alarm might be given while the fire-; men were absent, probably ■ aft some distantpart of .the* city, in answer to a false alarm, and ii was quite easy to conjecture that grave results might follow.:

At a meeting .of the -'Auckland Headmasters' Association, presided over by Mr. J. R. Whitaker, the question of the promotion of teachers • ; was discussed. ■ Mr. E. C. Purdie, a member of the Board of Education, was present by invitation to explain the- scheme of promotion' that he lias brought before the Board, A similar scheme, based on the same principles, was accepted,by the Board of Education some years ago, but was nob brought into effect.- Mr.. Purdie, in explaining his scheme, said that it was an attempt to solve the difficult problem of grading and promoting teachers according to. an equitable and well-defined plan. He said that as there seemed no immediate prospect of a promotion scheme for . the whole Dominion being brought into effect the Auckland district-was peculiarly fitted to try the merits of ■ a method of grading which is based upon efficiency, service, and academic attainments. Mr. .: Purdie's proposals, which have already been published in full, were considered in detail, and 'approved of fully, except that a slight alteration in the allocation ;' of marks lor efficiency.. etc., , was suggested. Gratification was ex prefixed by members -that a proposal which, go much affected the welfare of the teachers should have been brought forward by Mr. Purdie, and he wa*, accorded a hearty vote of thanks. It was resolved to write to,the Board of Education expressing. approval of Mr. Purdie's scheme, and urging its "adoption. * ; j( <

Although a watch was kept on the passage down to New Plymouth and or/the return trip to Onehunga, nothing was seen on the Takapuna of the escaped ■ prisoner John Bishop, . who disappeared from I that steamer on Friday morning, while en route to Waiotapu prison camp, under the control of Warder Brophy. Bishop and his fellow-prisoners were dressed in ordinaryclothes, and this, of course, assisted him in getting away. The timber trade on the Manukau has been very brisk of, late, especially during the past week. The barque Triton has made a, start, on loa4'Ug her cargv of 650,000 ft, the Torgauten took away a full shipment for .Wellington, the Cbrinna had 12,000 ft, and ' the v Reliance and Hawk; brought full cargoes of timber from' Hokianga and Kaipara for the Onehunga Sawmilling Company. The resolution of the Legislative Council with regard to keeping up the birthrate by lessoning the burdens of married members, has excited the admiration of the Standard of Empire (writes our London correspondent). It says:—"The whole question is no less urgent than it is" delicate and difficult, and it is typical,of the matter-of-fact; courage or New Zealand's legislators that it should have reached Parliament at all. Whatever action our kinsmen may take in the matter will assuredly be, watched with deep interest, not alone throughout the ; Empire, but in France particularly, and in all the centres of Western civilisation." . ' A boy of 15 years of age has been missing from his. home in Mount Eoskill since Friday last. He lei**- for his work on Friday morning, and has not been seen since. Ho is described as being sft high, with'a pale face, dark hair, and brown eyes, and .when last seen was wearing a brown coat, a blue-and-black jersey, and short knickers. ■■■'■■'■■■■-■ V ..■■:■■■■■■■■■■ . - ■- ■:■ . The Union Company's steamer Corinna, the "butter boat," arrived at Onehunga on Saturday with general cargo. She left again yesterday morning for New Plymouth and Wellington, taking away her first shipment of butter tlii« season, : totalling : 2995 boxes, as against 2500 kst:ye;u In addition, the Gorinna took away 12,000 ft of .QMS. UMMa Md mw*

■'■■" The tourist season is apparently going t,« i ' "■ Bommenco earlier this year than last. Al- j. ready a number of oversea visitors have i arrived, and are "doing" Rotorua, Te - ■ Aroha, and other thermal resort*, \«hilo ' several aie en route to Wanganui River. The attention directed to the Dominion by the visit of the American fleet is ; expected to mean an exit influx of visitors' to Auckland this year, and there are indications that the coming summer and autumn months will see a record tourist traffic to the thermal and scenic centres of "Auckland Province. An American gentleman,' at present in the city, stated to a HkrAld representative yesterday that in '' " '' many of the" large cities of America the wealthy residents were looking up New, Zealand guidebooks a* they have never been looked up before, and while the ab- , sence of the former San Francisco mail ', service would militate against the tourist : traffic, still, he expected to see more'.-. '.-i. Americans - coming to New Zealand this „ Year than in any previous year. ' During the discussion on the Public Works Estimates (wires our special correspondent in Wellington), Mr. Massey asked for some information in regard to the proposed bridge over the Waikato River, at .' Huntiy, for which r. vote of £250 (on account of £10,000) has been taken He asked the Minister in charge, of raids (the Hon. J. McGowan), whether it -was intended to call for tenders for the bridge, say, before the end of the year. The Minister replied that he would', not 'like to give an assurance "that tenders would be invited ' before the end of the year. The Govern- . ment, however, intended going on with the work, and he did not mind giving an . assurance that it would be proceeded with#|S|f in the near future. Mr. Massey said that he was glad of this assurance, and added, that he ' hoped tc be making an applica- ; tion for another bridge over the same river before long. . Mr. Edwin Hall, secretary of the Auckland Agricultural Association, has been making a round of the most important of -. the agricultural shows, experimental stations, and so on (writes our London correspondent). He has also been pursuing some investigations relative to New-Zealand mat- , ters at the library of the British Museum ■" and at the Public 'Record Office in Chan-cery-Lane. Mr. Hall is in Buckinghamshire just now. He expects to be in England for at least two months longer. The return ' journey to New Zealand is to be made,by way of .America, and Canada, as Mr. Hall is anxious to visit the United States Department of Agriculture at Wash- , ington, and similar agricultural centres in Canada, to ascertain what is being do* - in ■ those countries fot the assistance of farmers. it|Sj§ : While in Scotland Mr. Hall obtained fiom' the West of Scotland Agricultural Society the results of their investigations relative to the best varieties of cats, and the heaviest , cropping oats; he secured samples of some , of the best descriptions to forward to New Zealand for trial in that country. He hopes, while in Canada, •to obtain for his association the reports and bulletins of the various agricultural institutions that he may visit on his way out. i ; -: ;'■;:/'.'' ; '-; ■ v ;^-r- .:":>;:,:■ ;--\:';,;: : i;;-;:^/ : :: ,'; ; ':^- : ;f :^';: '- Lord Plunket forwarded to the Secretary • , .of State for the Colonies, on September "> v 16 (telegraphs our Wellington' correspon- >' dent), a request from the Rev. Mr. Gibb ■, that certain clergy should be appointed chaplains to the fleet, so that the Prwby- ;; terian Church should have the same opportunities that obtain with" the Anglican and ' Methodist Churches, and.be able to .-.-.; minister'. to the needs of their co-religion-ists on board His Majesty's- ships-.!; . - four' principal ports of New Zealand. "If'' ' this request can be granted under present. regulations," wrote the Governor, "I de- ; sire to support the application." - The local coastal sailing vessels which " have been detained in port for the past . two or three days, owing to adverse . winds, were able to get away yesterday ; ; morning. No less than fifteen ''wind-,' , jammers" took their departure for various coastal ports. • The members of the Harbour Board in- ~''■; tend, paying a visit of inspection to the various harbour works, and arrangements - will probably be made for the visit to take .place this week. All the wharves at present under construction, the Calliope Dock works, and the -reclamation at Freeman's Bay-will be included in the round, and it -.'tis probable that;- at the same time, a yisifc .' - will be made to the sites proposed for a new wharf at Birkdalo. Last evening a well-known business man ■ of Svmonds-street rang up the Herald Office to give an: advertisement in reference' ■ to the loss of a ladies' handbag. He had just finished dictating the advertisement, \. and was hesitating as to what amount he , should fix the reward at, when 'by a strange coincidence a citizen knocked at his door with the bag in his hand. The order for the advertisement -wnc immediately can- • celled. • ■ ' ■ . ' - , • -■_■ A Press Association message states' that " '. a* a Sunday-school demonstration at Pal- ,' merston North on Friday night His Excellency the Governor, who distributed , prizes to the scholar's who were successful ." in the recent Wellington examination, delivered a, stirring address on the necessity for religious instruction. Lord Plunket •■ pointed out how the Turk* and Japanese, with inferior religions, were prepared to sacrifice themselves and die for their be- . ' lief. Now, therefore, he said, Christians, with their noble, religion, should d-> all they could to assist its teachings. The -contractors tor the erection of the , Scddon memorial at the junction or the sis roads near the Royal Oak. Onehunga, have entered upon the final stages of the work.' ; and the architect, M_. John Park; antici- ■ pates that the structure will be ready in -', good time for the unveiling ceremony, . -.which is to take place early in November. . , Originally it was intended to expend £800/ on the memorial, but although the plans ; • were not modified, it was deemed advisable to use a less expensive quality of stone, thus reducing the cost to £550. Towards this latter estimate, tlio sum of £400 ,-' : has been, guaranteed or subscribed, leaving another £150 to be made. up. At the invitation of the Socialist. League Mr. I. Wak. was present at their openair meeting at the foot of Queen-street yesterday afternoon, and gave an address t , on establishing : a public fish market for • Auckland City. The following resolution was carried :—" That, te ensure cheap fish t for the public arid remunerative returns to■ .'f fishermen, and in view of the successful re- \ ' snlta attending State intervention regard- • ing the oyster industry, the- Government be asked to take a further step in advance by opening a public. market in Auckland " City foi the disposal of fish." A commit- - tee, composed of Messrs. J. Harle, W. Peek, England, R. F. Wav and T. Wake, ' ' was appointed to.draw up details for sub- , mission to the Government, and to act as a deputation te Sir Joseph Ward when he" arrives in Auckland. The same resolution ' was. earned yesterday afternoon at the. ' 'j Political Labour League's open air meeting. l ■ " '.''-'"'-':■'- ' ;i ' : ''''- : ; ; -';:''''V :: :' :V ''ilv: ? : :..V:^;. : '. , \:;':vMV;v ' On tjie petition of Messrs. Abraham ;<" d ; ; Williams, Palmerston North, Norman , Joseph Levien, ihixmillei, Whakatane, has i been adjudged a bankrupt The first meet- r , ','-' ing of creditors will 'be held on Thuxsditff ,■ ' , lostoteifi;';>'-' : .;^':;,:^