LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13990, 20 February 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Billiards are becoming more and more a popular indoor game and possess a keen interest for an. ever-increasing number of players. In view of this popularity and interest we have arranged with Mr. John Roberts, the * ex-champion billiard-player of the world, to contribute to the columns of the New Zealand Herald a series of articles dealing with the game. The first of there articles is published to-day, and will be found on page seven.

Some discussion arose at .yesterday's meeting of the general committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, regarding the issue of debentures for the £5000 loan, and it was ultimately agreed to fix the figure of each debenture at £5,. It was stated that many members had expressed a willingness to contribute a guinea or two guineas as a donation towards the erection of the hall for winter shows. The president said that a cite for the hall had been secured by the executive, the land taken being the property known a-s Edgcrley's, opposite Messrs. Pullan and Armitage's stables, in Manukau Road, Epsom. The area is 1£ acre, but the price to be paid for the land was not divulged.

The departure of the scow Zingara, wh ; oh was to have sailed for Christmas Island yesterday to salvage the wrecked steamer Aeon, has been postponed until about 11 a.m. to-day. Speaking to a Herald representative yesterday, Captain Robertson, who has command of the Zingara and also of the expedition generally, said that until arrival at Christmas Island he could not say what the scow would actually be used for. It was .probable that after the wreck had been inspected the syndicate concerned in the expedition would employ two or three steamers for salvage work.

Speaking to a Herald representative yesterday, Dr. A. E. Sykes, an ex-New Zeaiander, now holding a position at the College of Physicians and Surgeans in San Francisco, expressed the opinion that if New Zealand wanted American tourists to be diverted to the Dominion two persons should be sent through the United States and Canada with limelight views of this country. He suggested that these pictures might be shown one night free, and the next night at a small figure, which would defray expenses. He was convinced this would have a good effect. He was made anxious to come back to New Zealand some years ago by seeing some views exhibited at a camera club of beauty spots he had not visited when he lived here. He knew of at least 20 Americans who, having seen those same views, wanted to see the real, and came over here. Americans were good spenders, and Dr. Sykes thought that his suggestion, if carried out, would not only lead to tourists coming here who had 'done" all the sights elsewhere, but would induce a good class of emigrants to come and settle in New Zealand.

A suggestion has been made that steps should bo taken to secure a federation of all the agricultural societies in Auckland, so that they could mutually assist one another in many ways. Some 17 years ago the rules of the. Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association wore altered to permit of this federation, and for many years very successful gatherings were held of representatives of the various societies and associations. At the time of the formation of the Farmers' Union, however, it was thought the union would carry on the work previously done by the conferences, but there is now a feeling that the federation movement should be put into activity again and the matter will come before the annual meeting of the metropolitan body.

The clerk of awards (Mr. E. W. Cave) was advised yesterday that the Arbitration Court will commence its next sittings hero on 4pril 19 at 10 a.m.

In the literary Supplement issued fi to-day's Herald Tohunga writes on «*i Making of Languages," and Mr. G. W a Patterson on "Port Arthur .Revisited*'-'' " Tea Drinking in New Zealand " is the subject of an interesting article by New Chn "A Neglected Beauty Spot" gives gi glimpses of the scenery on the lovely J. per stretches of the Waikato. In v" column on Nature Notes, James Drum mond, F.L.S., F.Z.S., has more to tell rf the extraordinary movements of eels. (V tinuations of the serials, "The Lady of 1 Ashlands," "The Gable House," and "Th ■ Solitary Farm," are given, while humortm, illustrations, Local Gossip, London fashion notes, chess and draughts, science, literary and musical and dramatic jottings make '■'■ an interesting budget. ' A setting of the Electoral Court w« held, before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., yes,, terday morning, when the registrar l-epi electors for Auckland West brought for."' ward seven claims for enrolment. The registrar admitted two claims,' and the ; others the Court disallowed. r i;; The chief Government poultry expert (Mr. D. D. Hyde), who has returned to town after travelling through various parts of the northern country, states that th«! poultry-farming industry is on a far better footing in this province than in other parts of New Zealand. Mr. Hyde noticed a general improvement in stock, and, ha considers that Auckland easily leads If! regard to the production of eggs and poul. try. The supply, however, is yet unequal; to the home market demands, and for this season the time is not opportune for the fostering of an export trade. \\ "Perhaps more than anything .eke" said the Hon. Geo. Fowlds when speaking at the Technical College, Christehurch, " the success of technical education, depends on the employers of labour themselves." If the employers of labour would only recognise the value of the work done by the students by ottering rewards for superior equipment, they would make the attendance and work at the college much more attractive to the young people. If the employers could give time off, especially in the day time, without loss of pay, it'would help very materially, and he thought that arrangements might be made by which,the time spent in the classes should count aa part of the apprenticeship. A great deal in the direction of encouraging students was being done in Great Britain, and to put things in operation in New Zealand might require legislation; but if thetaanagers and the staff and the employers of labour, and even the employees, were- to discuss the question and come to soma agreement, he had no doubt Parliament would be willing to pass legislation- that would make such a scheme possible. :

The statement of the affairs of Harry Albert Towers, baker, of Devonport, who lias filed his petition in bankruptcy, 'shows' liabilities to the extent of £302 10s Bd, ;nd assets amounting to £231 16s 9d, the deficiency thus being £70 13s lid. The two principal creditors are Messrs. R. and R. Duder (£126) and Messrs. Smith and Co., of Auckland (£120). The debtor states that he lost about £40 shortly after start-/ ing business, 18 months ago, through horse bolting with his cart. He had also' expended £17 in furnishing a tea room which proved to be a failure. In addition, the rise in the price of flour, without a corresponding increase in the price of bread, had tended to prevent him from making a success of his business. • ■•

Complaint was made by several member! of the Agricultural and Fa6toral Association at the general committee meeting yesterday that the stock inspectors at* Ota* huhii saleyards, and particularly afctharecent ram and ewe fair, were too rigid in ; their method, and too exacting in inspection. Mr. C. Rhodes (Ellerslie) complained that 6heop haA been ordered into the dip! at five o'clock in the afternoon because ona tick had been found in a pen of. seven sheep. By that time the dip simply, contained a dirty sludge, and is more likely; to injure the sheep than benefit them. Mr. M. B. Kirkbride said one of his neighbour, had two pens of sheep dipped, and neii morning three of the animals died. Theft sheep were amongst the beet in the mar-i ket, and 17s 6d each had been paid for them. He failed to see the necessity for ; the dipping, when " sheep were dipped, once a year otherwise. The secretary was re-; quested to consult with officers of 7 the'. Stock Department in the matter. *'"*'; S

At the Supreme Court yesterday,Jnorning Charles Frederick Barker, a young man, who had been remanded for'sentence for uttering counterfeit coins in order that he might give information; as to who manufactured them, ,„ was again brought up. He, however,' had further information to give than that the coins had been passed on to him. His Honor said it was quite clear that an' ingenious counterfeiter had fabricated the coins, and not the prisoner, whom he did not think capable of it. Barker had chosen to; defeat the ends of justice by concealing the name of his confederate, and must, therefore, receive a salutary sentence.. A' sentence of one year's imprisonment with hard labour was passed. vj -

A meeting in connection with the unemployed was held yesterday afternoon, when it was explained "that, Mr. T. Long, president of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council, had sent a telegram during -the morning to the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), at Rotorua, asking if he would receive a deputation from the Trades aha Labour Council after his arrival in Auckland to-day, the intention being to enter a protest against the encouragement of immigration in view of the unsettled state of the labour market. Sir Joseph, in reply, regretted that his engagements would not leave him any time to receive a, deputation on this occasion. He would, huffever, shortly be paying another visit to Auckland, and would be glad to receive a deputation then. He suggested that, in the meantime, the representations might be made by letter.

The capital of the assisted immigrants on board" the Athenic, which will reach Wellington in a day or two, ranges from £25 to £1000. Of the 596 passengers m the third-class, 96 are assisted immigrants, and include 68 children. Nominated -by relatives n New Zealand are 168 (I.W adults and 54 children), who have work and homes to go to. The occupations** the assisted immigrants are given as :-p» farmers. 31 farm labourers, 40 domestics, 1 dairy farmer, 1 cook, 2 housekeepers, 1 shepherd, and 1 poultry-farmer. Twenty wives with their families, are coming m to their husbands. One man's capita \ £1000, and he is-said to be in receipt ol an income of £420 a year. Two other, passengers bring £250 each, several!,Wg The Kumar*, duo in Dunedin on the &A _ bat., has on board 154 passengers,, WJ» destinations as follow :~ Dune ° m \™> Lvttelton (33), Wellington (51), Auckland : (25). Napier (2), Gisborne (2), Timaru (4), Nelson (7), Wanganui (1). A couple of horses attached to one of * J. Craig's drays took fright at in* steam from one of the vessels m r yesterday afternoon, and carecredi ir Queen-street. At the corner AggMj street one of the pins was jolted out, oi axle, and a wheel came off, with the re that the runaways were brought to * " still without further damage kmiihb*