LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4082, 21 June 1900, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Yesterday was the 63rd anniversary of Queen 'Victoria's ascension to the throne. The Royal Standard was flown from Government House in honour of tho anniversary.

The gunboat Lizard, Commander John C. Watson arrived in the stream from the South at 4 p.m. yesterday. She will probably go North from here to meet the flagship Royal Arthur, at Auckland.

A committee of departmental officers has been appointed to exaniine the competitive designs sent in. for the new post and telegraph offices at Foilding, and to report to the Minister for Public Works.

Those engaged in the dairying indus, try will, no doubt, appreciate the action of the proprietors of the “New Zealand Mail” in providing them from week to week with such a large and valuable budget of information and news in reference to their business. In this week’s, issue of the “Mail” are some very practical notes and articles on the different stages of dairying. The members of the Dairy Commissioner’s staff are pictured on the illustration pages. Late dairying news appears, as usual, on page 27. '

Through representations being made by the New Zealand Shipmasters’ Association the practice of dropping the time-ball at noon each day-, which had of .lato years fallen into partial disuse, has been resumed oy the Harbour Board , and the hall is now dropped daily from the old tower at tlie foot of the Railway Wharf. For the exact adjustment of chronometers a flag will be hoisted at’ the same place on those days on w-hich the time of noon at 1 Greenwich; has beeff; calculated, which will occur two or three times a week. . Tins should lie welcome new-s to visiting shipmasters.

The stamps which the Victorian Postal Department has just put in circulation for-the purpose of augmenting that colony’s Patriotic Fund consists of 20,000 of the face value of 2d each and 40,000 of the face value of Id each; to ho sold at 2s and Is each. They are beautiful stamps, and the -designs are unique. One is in green colours; and represents two mounted scouts meeting an infantry picket on. a South African kopje. The other is in bronze colours, and represents a Victoria; Cross.. A portion of the issue will be forwarded to the Victorian Agent-General in London for sale there.

The “’Daily Graphic”-has published in fac-similo a copy of the “Ladysmith Lyre,” the' paper which, according to the editorial announcement, was to “appear every now and then” during the siege. Merriment bubbles in every page. It is full of news which, as the prospectus guarantees, “you can absolutely rely on as false,” and never perhaps did a paper contain such undiluted mendacity. Here and there the obverse of humour—which • is pathos—■ Shows itself “Do you want a Christ--mas pudding? Ton will 1” begins the announcement of Our prize competition”’ There are pictures, too. One officer says to another, “We’d better take our umbrellas,, old chap ; I fancy; it’s going to-shell”- Journalism would have been the richer if Lady-smith had been compelled to keep up its spirits for another week or two. Country readers of the “New Zealand Mail” will find the latest cable news of the South African and Chinese wars in this week’s issue, published today, together with articles on the position in both countries., The week’s babies on the principal questions of the day will also- ho found in the columns of the “Mail,” besides lengthy- references to important events within the colony. Current events are well illustrated. Some excellent stories are published in this week’s issue, besides some more chapters of Miss Ethel Turner’s “Three Little Maids.” “The Sketcher” and

“News Items” .also , contain much very intetesting matter. The dramatic and literary columns contain some good criticisms and gossipy news. Ladies will find much to interest them in the columns of the “Mail,” and loVers of horse-racing, dogs, hockey, and out-dbor games have been liberally catered for in various special columns. The Dunedin and Kaikorai Tramways Company’s steel wire cable, ex Waikato, was safely conveyed on Saturday afternoon from the Dunedin railway station to a vacant section in Stuart street, near York place. The rope and reel weighed 10] tons, and was carried on a lorry specially built for heavy loads by Mr Galloway, the lorry and team of 18 horses belonging to the New Zealand Express Company, Limited. The rope which is nearly two miles and a half long, was manufactured by Frederick W. Scott, Stockport, England, the local agents being Messrs A. and T. Burt, Limited. The Tram Company has the whole of its machinery now at hand. The concrete foundations are completed, and (says the “Otago Daily Times”) a start will be made with the erection of the machinery immediately. Tenders have also been called for the power, house and ear shed. The cars are being manufactured locally by Mr Mark Sinclair. At the half-yearly summoned meeting of Court Sir George Grey, A.0.F., Bro. T. R. Key, U.R., presided. The question of taking up additional shares in the proposed friendly' societies’'dispensary, was held Over. ; 'A sum: was voted towards preparing an. emblematic display in connection with, the Peace Demonstration, and a committee was appointed to carry ;put-the.'various arrangements; ’ " lb was decided to support the- proposal’ that fheTPrieticlly Soeities Vigilance Council control the orphanage. , ,’A Cote ’ was - made ,towards the “expenses, of the'-annual, banquet tp be held on Friday, the 20th July. The secretary, was directed to- have , the now bylaws printed in accordance with the directions received from the Registrar, i It was decided to recommend that the -present District Officers be advanced one step, and P.C.R. Bro. J. W. Helliwell was nominated for D.J.B. The following officers were elected for the ensuing six months:—C.R., Bro. E. Harris; S.C;R., Bro. J. Moody, S.W., Bro. A. Cochrane; J.W., Bro. W. Lightfoot; 5.8., Bro, J. Gayson ; J. 8., Bi-bJ E. Brewer; M.S., Bro. J. IV. Helliwell. P.C.R. Bro. G. Key was re-elec- : ter auditor. - -

The ■ large audience at the Missions to Seamen last evening most thoroughlyenjoyed the entertainment provided for them. The ambulance lecture by Mr Moore was on “Bandaging.” Musical items were given by the following; Miss Peterson and Messrs Smith and Lowe. Mr Woods (s.s. Hinemoa) again charmed’ the people with his phonographic selections. Rapid progress is being made wit!) the Gisborae-Karaka railway, one of the new- lines, authorised by Parliament last session. The formation is well advanced and proceeding rapidly, a ’supply- of sleepers is about to be procurred from the West Coast, and it is probable that platelaying will be commenced in the course of the next two or three,months. There is every probability- of the line being opened for traffic next summer. A fog of unusual density, and dampness bung over the city and harbour long after sunrise yesterday morning. So thick was the fog in the harbour after 9 a.m. that even the Takapuna had to keep lier whistle going, as she went out. Ashore the density of the atmosphere gave large buildings only fifty yards distant :he appearance of a mere shadow-,-but about- 10 o’clock the sun broke through the fog and shone put bright and warm for the rest of the day. ! A miraculous escape from a fatal accident occurred at Mr Thompson’s naxmill, near Feilding, on Tuesday afternoon. Mr G. Lowe, the manager, w-as passing under the shaft when he was caught by his clothes, and after being whirled round, was thrown some distance away. Every stitch of clothing w-as torn off Mr Lowe. Medical aid was obtained from Feilding, when it was found (that although the injured man had received a severe bruising and shaking, no bones were broken.

| The Government has as y-et given no satisfactory answer with respect to the matter of the Victoria University- site. Perhaps the lassitude of the public in regard to the question largely accounts for this. Meanw-bilo the College Oounfcil is afraid to purchase books for its Students because it has no safe place to put them in. Mr Blair stated lastnight that he and Sir Robert Stout had tried to get an answer from Ministers in response to requests by the Board in regard to the provision of a: site, but had failed.

1 The Excelsior Lodge of Druids held its fortnightly meeting in the Rechabite Hall on Tuesday evening, Bro. E. JackSon, A.D., presiding. There w-as a large attendance of members. Two members were initiated. The senior trustee, Bro. O. Neilson, PA., tendered his resignation, which was accepted with regret; a letter of condolence w-as ordered to be sent to. the widow of a deceased ane’mocr. A. committee was Appointed to arrange for an emblematic car in conjunction with the Pacific Lodge for the torchlight procession on the occasion of the peace celebrations. ; Certainly the most prominent war cor. respondent in Africa at the present time js Rudyard Kipling, and since his arrival at the seat of war the jiublication of his impressions has been eagerly looked for uy the British people the world over. Four of the first of his characteristic letters appear in fhe columns of the (‘New Zealand Mail,” published to-day, ahd they should provf a genuine treat to those who are following the fortunes of the British Army in South Africa, and who have had to tan tent themselves With the- frequently- commonplace descriptions of African events which have generally appeared in the colonial press. ; Among the many interesting curios bropght from, the South Sea Islands by the Tutanekai was a native canoe from Rarotonga, with outrigger and paddles complete. This craft is an object lesson in what can be don© by- human hands withput the aid ot modern appliances, for not even a nail or tack is used in its eonsiructiou, the hull having been skilfully hollowed out of the trunk of a tree, and anything in the way of a fastening is done with a coarse native twine. Many other mementos of the trip, il the shape of native mats, ornaments, and various kinds of coral were brought back, as well as a large quantity of island fruit.

1 The half-yearly meeting of the Wharf Labourers’ Union, liekl last night, was ito well attended tnat the members were forced to retire to & larger hall. The secretary’s balance-sheet showed the union to be in a flourishing condition, for-notwithstanding that the six'months’ expenditure had been unusually large, the result of the year’s operations showed a substantial balance. Mr Fuller was re-elected president, and the treasurer and secretary wßre also re-elected. The whole of the other offices were Tilled.' Mr J. Brunton and Mr T. Lmig were elected delegates to the Eight Hours Union. It was proposed that the union should hold a smoke concert or “social” as an anniversary celebration ; the matter was left over till next meeting. Some eleven new members Were elected, making thei union’s membership close on 420. / ' The Wellington Law Society was, described 1 as a “cormorant” by a. member of the Victoria College Council last night.; 'Mr Hogg said he had been asked to bring about legislation to prevent one section of the legal profession robbing the other. He explained that country practitioners were continually complaining that, althougn tney were obliged to pay an annual subscription to . ..the society’s library, they got absolutely no benefit from it. On the other hand the society was alleged to be piling up funds at a great rate, and to be becoming, in fact, a. wealthy corporation. The Acting-Chairman (Mr 'Blair) thought that these statements would be found to be exaggerated. It lhad been frequently reported that the Law Society had made donations to various libraries, and that as new sets of books arrived the old ones were distributed to other districts. The deibate arose in consequence of the receipt lof 'a letter from-the Law Students’ Association asking the council to buy law 'books for it, as .the Law Society i would only allow access to its library !on payment of £2 2s per student. Considerable indignation was caused at | the Wanganui Education Board meeting | on Tuesday by the impertinent nature of a,communication from the' Secretary for Education. ■ In response to a. request from him, the chairman had supplied a full account of the Marten School difficulty. and the Secretary for Education wrote,curtly acknowledging the information and warning the board of the possibility of capitation allowance being stopped by .the department. Of course it was pointed out that the capitation was payable under statutory' authority, and that no such power as that alluded to by the -Secretary existed. Every member of the,board condemned the. tone of the letter,' and it was decided to communicate with the Minister and ask for an explanation. ' It would appear, says the ‘‘Manawatu Standard,” that the Education Department is sadly in need of an official letter-writer, for another letter to' the board stated-that" in future only the proportion of the “perspective” building grant due could be advanced. Probably “prospective” was meant, but how> a “proportion of a prospective grant” can be made'up would make a nice problem for the next series of examination papers prepared by the Education Department.

The Board of Conciliation will resume the hearing, of the dispute in the match-making tract© on Friday morning at 10.30.

Several members of the \ ietoria College Council expressed the opinion last night that for a young man to become a medical student in Wellington would be a waste of time, as ho facilities existed for furthering his studies. A curious phenomenon is reported from tho Hurt. ’ A window in a house there facing the east has been found to have lut'd photographed on it an outline of tho Rimutaka range of hills, which are clearly visible on the glass when it becomes moist.

’ At Mount Cook Police Station yesterday-, before Messrs; W. R. Dwan and J. Kays, J.-’sP., two first-offending drunkards were convicted- and discharged, while a third one was fined ss_ : on account . of unruly conduct whue in custody. ■ John Delaney- was fined 10s on a charge of being drunk and disoruerly. On Friday the Wairarapa natives will celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. On Saturday the Europeans will make a. presentation at Papawai to the chief Tamahau in recognition of bis services to the district. The Native Minister .(Hon J. Carroll) will be present on the occasion. ’ At a. special meeting of the Wellington Taaloresses’ Union last night it was decided to send three members down to Dunedin to give evidence, before the Court of Arbitration in regard to the united factory log, which was brought before tho Conciliation Board by the federation of the unions of Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch, and referred by- the Board to the Court. Tho award of the Court will embrace the factories in all the centres excepting Auckland. Tho monthly meeting of the Friendly Societies’ Council was held at Richards’s rooms, Cuba street, last night, Bro. J. Mackay (president) in the chair. The secretary presentod the- annual report and balance sheet, which were adopted after some discus,sioii. - The secretary was warmly complimented on the manner in which he had carried out his secretarial duties during the last twelve months, andl ho was. accorded a hearty vote of thanks and a, small bonus. Tho balance-sheet of the funds connected with the Friendly Societies’ Orphanage w-as also presented, and showed that a, very substantial balance had been handed over to the trustees. The report from the dispensary- committee show-ed that arrangements w-ere still in hand, and a copy of the revised rules was presented to each delegate. A special meeting to consider the rules will be held next Tuesday-. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. Before the meeting separated the president reviewed the work of the year, and pointed out the great- help the council had been to the friendly societies in general. He deplored the non-success of the appeal that w-as made throughout the colony for the holding of a Friendly Sbcietjpsk Parliament, which it w-as proposed should be held in Wellington during the session of the New- Zealand Parliament; and expressed the hope that the project would be carried out next year; The election of officers for the ensuing year will take place at tho next meeting of the council.