LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5007, 3 July 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Seven pojico probationers, who' had been undergoing a course of instruction at the Mount Coot training depot under Sergeant Gordon, have been sworn into tho police force. They aro being drafted off to different parts of the colony. Tho following tenders were received by the Public Works Department for tho Mangawoka Polico Station contract : —Accepted—Jensen and Morris, Taihape, £627. Declined—P. McGrath £650; P. J. McDonald, £661: A. H.' Christie, £B4l. ■Mr Coleridge, architect, has left for Auckland on business in connection with tho Veterans' Homo. The building will be completed early in October, and it is anticipated that by November. it will bo fulfilling the practical purposes for which it has been called into existence. As an instance of some of the anomalies in tho existing licensing laws, it was mentioned by the Chief Justice yestoi-day that if a man made a false representation and bought liquor ho was fined £5, while if he made false representations and bought no liquor he was fined £lO.

As the Old Age Pension Department was nob satisfied that a certain old digger was using his pension money properly, it insisted upon him receiving the money through an agent. The pensioner and the proposed agent appeared before Dr A,. McArthur, S.M., yesterday morning. The Magistrate made an order that tho agent should receive tho pension money; for one month and then report ns to the pensioner’s conduct during that time. Mr H. S. Wardcll, Acting-Coroner, held an inquest at the Mount View Asylum on Wednesday, concerning the death of a male patient, aged 41 years. Tho evidence showed that deceased was admitted to tho asylum on January 6th, 1902. suffering from melancholia. Ho continued in the same state until February, 11903, when ho developed signs of general paralysis, which progressed until death. A verdict that death was duo to general paralysis of the insane was returned.

The importation of swine into tho colony from New South Wales has been prohibited, as from to-day. An area of XCu7 acres in tho Ngutunui district, Auckland, has beep, set apart for settlement by the Lauds Department. A block of land of 2990 acres in tho Danucvirko Centennial Block will shortly bo opened for selection under tho Land Act. Tho _ killing of native or -imported game in tho district surrounding Waikaremoana has been made an oilcnco under tho Animals Protection Act. Certain now regulations fixing a scale of costs and fees payable in connection with mortgages under tho Government Advances to Settlers Act have been put into operation. The burgesses of Onslow borough aro to meet at 8 o’clock to-night in the Wadostown schoolroom, to consider tho question of tho borough streets through the Highland Park estate, Wadestown. Councillor Kvans drew tho attention of tho City Council last- night to tho inconvonieuco caused to subscribers to the Newtown Library through' tho hours during which it was closed from 5 pan. to 7.30. Ho moved that tho library ho kept open from 3 p.m. to 0 p.m. each day. Tho proposal was adopted. “I am thoroughly disgusted with the state of our streets and footpaths,” said Councillor Luke last night. ‘‘With a city like Wellington,which calls itself the Ilnipiro City, we ought to soo that tho roads aro in a proper state and fit for peoplo to walk on. That can only bo clono by getting sufficient money to carry out these works.” Tho proposal to tako over the island at Island Pay recently in tho possession of tho Melrose Borough Council, gave rise to some jocular observations at tho City Council meeting hast night. It was suggested by Councillor Dcvino that a steamer should bo chartered to visit tho island. Tho Council agreed to tako over tho new territory. According to tho Town Olork’s report during tho year ended March" 31st, 3,01)1,808 passengers were carried over the city tramways as against 2,791,903 for tho previous year, an increase of nearly 300,000 in twelve months. Tho receipts for tho same period increased by £2,39G over tho previous year and tho working expenses by £3277 the latter being due to increased charges for fodder and larger payments in wages.

A deputation approached the City Council last night, and suggested that tho time was ripo, in view of the installation of tho electric tramway system, for cutting through tho Basin Reserve. Tiio deputation pointed out that a considerable saving would bo effected by avoiding present four sharp curves. This could bo done by cutting through the reserve. Tho Council is considering tho matter. ■ n.-a

Tho recently-formed branch of the Hibernian Society at Newtown last evening elected the following officers: President, Bro E. J. Eitzgihbon; vicepresident, Bro. P. J, Guthrie; secretary, Bro. P. J. Sullivan; treasurer, Bro P. Barry; warden, Bro E. Eubick; guardian, Bro A. Eubick; auditors, Bros M. H. Pitzgibbon and P. Green; trustees, Bros T. S. Philpott, J. Pearcy and P. J. Guthrie; sick visitors, Bros D. O’Meara and T. S. Philpott. The meetings of the branch will bo held fortnightly. As tho outcome of a dispute between the director's of tho Opera House, tS^n'- 1 , pany and Jlr George Musgroye, onTthe subject of tho free scats which by agreement each theatrical company has to reserve for directors, Mr Musgrovc Iras issued a circular to tho shareholders of the company, setting forth- his view of the case, and stating his intentions in tho event of tho directors insisting upon the continuance of the “free scats” clause. In consequence of this, wo believe, a meeting of shareholders has been called for nest week, to consider what steps should be taken.

Tim annual report of tho Town Clerk, laid before the City Council last night, set forth that the present street-widou- , ing works would, ou completion, ,cogt, £171,000. From this there would in the aggregate ho assets in hand valued at about £IOO,OOO. which with other adjustments, should reduce tho actual nob cost to under £60,000. At a meeting of thq City Council last* night it was decided, on tho motion of Councillor Winder, seconded hv Councillor Evans, that a committee consisting of Councillors Smith, Jorgensen, Barber, Wiltshire and the mover he set up to bring down a report as to the cost of street-widening. A return prepared by the Town Clerk shows that during the past year there were twenty-five ordinary meetings of the City Council, 33 special meetings and 205 committee meetings, making a total of 263. Councillors Evans and Luko top tho list with a total of 150 attendances each, the Mayor comes next with 137, Councillor Godbor and Todhurst tie with 135, Councillor ; Darina comes next with 121, and tho other attendances are—Councillor McLaren 110, Councillor Murdoch 103, Councillor Winder 107, Councillor Nathan 103, Councillor Barber 77, Councillor Izard 63, and Councillor Smith 23. The latter was absent from tho colony during portion of the year.

When the City Council mot last night motions of which notice had been given by Councillor Barber regarding the taking over of private streets and the promotion of tho Basin Reserve Bill; hy Councillor Godber regarding tho obtaining of tho sanction of the doctors of Melroso for tramway extension to Brooklyn, Island Bay and Kilbirnio: and hy Councillor Winder respecting > the calling of tenders for a retaining wall at Oriental Bay and tho amendment of the by-law relating to footpaths at residential sites were all postponed to the nest meeting of the Council. Tenders received for additions to tho house of the Superintendent of Reserves were referred to the Reserves Committee. ,

At the meeting of the City Council last night, tho question of tho increase of pay to Corporation labourers was mentioned by the Mayor, who reported that tho increases wore to take place where tho men were supposed to bo deserving. Councillor Dovino moved to havo tho wages increased sixpence a day all round in accordance with tho recommendations of the Reorganisation Committee. Councillor Barber seconded this. Councillor Luke proposed as an amendment, which Councillor Smith seconded, that tho mattor he referred back to the Reorganisation Committee, with instructions to bring down a report to tho next meeting of tho Council. On a division, the amendment was carried hy seven votes to six. Councillor McLaren moved as a subsequent amendment that tho report of tho committee previously adopted hy tho Council be put into operation, hut, tho Mayor ruled that it was tho same as the original motion, and would not accept it. Councillor Dovino subsequently gave notice of motion to havo the wages of those labourers receivina 7s per day increased to 7s 6d, °

‘■Something has got to bo done with that destructor,” assorted Oonnciljor Luke at tho City Council table last night. “We might have to go to the people for a loan. I hope and trust that later on we shall put a proper destructor there.” Tho committee of tho winter show (says our Palmerston North correspondent) has issued invitations to tho members of the Government, the Speakers ol both Houses and members of tho Legislature to attend tho forthcoming show. Mr J. O. Lane, tho secretary,' received advice last night that the date of the opening, 2Sth inst., is acceptable to his Excellency. hilo tho Him. C. H. Mills and Mr W. il. Field, M-1L.i1., wero in tho Wallaoevillo a ll d Upper Hutt district in March last, it was pointed out to them that inconvenience was caused through the fact that tho 3.10 p.m. train from Upper Hutt did not stop at Wallaooville on Saturdays. This matter waa represented to the Railway Department by Mr Mills, and Mr Field has now been informed that instructions have been given for this train lo stop at Wallaoevillo on any day when this is required. A mectiug of tho Management Committee of the Wellington centre of tho New Zealand Boxing Association waa held last evening. Mr G. 0. Radio prosided. It was decided that entries for tho forthcoming tournament, to bo held in tho Opera llouso on August Cth and 7th, should close on July 2olh. Mr W. Coffey was authorised to represent tho Wellington centre at a meeting of tho Now South AValos Boxing Association. It was decided to add a bantam weight class to the programme of film tournament It was reported that thirty-two nominations had already been recoivod for the various competitions of tho tournament, which waa receiving substantial support, and promised to be ft groat success Councillor Barber lodged a protest to tho City Council last night against what ho considered an irregularity in tho Council’s decision to apply tho heltormont to properties in Adelaide road. -ilo said the report of tho Finance Committee, containing this very important clause, was not laid on the table at the Council meeting. No notice was given that such business waa coming on. According to standing orders those matters should he given proper notice of. Ho thought it unfair iuid uui’ust to spring things on tho Connell in such a manner. The Mayor pointed out that tho matter had come down in the usual way in tho report of tho Finance Committee, which mot on tho same day aa tho Council mooting.

About G. 30 yesterday morning a fire occurred in the Stewart Hardware, Timber and Glassware Company’s factory. Tho Firo Brigade upon arrival at tho factory found the firo in tho ihoiler-houso in tho south-western corner.of tho building, and also on the first floor, abovh the joiners’ honchos. Tha brigade quickly got tho flames under control. Tho moulding machine at tho back of tho hoilor-houso was tho only thing which appeared to he seriousy damaged. Mr Stewart estimates that the loss by fire will be covered by £IOO. Tho building is insured in tho Commercial Union Office for £750 and for a similar amount in the South British office. These two offices also have policies for £1991 each on tho stock and machinery. A deputation from tho Socialists’ Society, headed by the president, Mr W. ]H. Hampton, attended the City CouuI oil meeting last night to protest against tho sale by tho Council of land in Elizabeth and Nitken streets. Tho deputation considered it would bo a retrograde step to soil the land. Mr Hampton pointed out that one municipality in England received sufficient from rents to pay the whole of tho municipal expenses. If the proceeds from the sales, he said, would covor tho cost of street widening the rent would surely be sufficient to covor tho interest on the full loan. Mr Hampton then made a reference to the manner in which the Byko corner was disposed of; it was not put up at auction. Tho Mayor: It ,was put up to public tender twice. That is what tho law provides. Will you withdraw? You said it was dona improperly. Mr Hampton : T impute no improper motives to tho Council. Tha Council has tho request of the deputation under consideration.

Tho quantity and valuo of gold exported from the diifcrent ports of New Zealand tor tho month of Juno was as follows, tho figures for the corresponding month of 1002 being given in parentheses :—Auckland, 28,i3100z, £1)8,459 (15,60i0a, £54,884); Nelson, 36740 a, "14,696 (21580 z, £8612); Westport, 1 100z,£4040 (23000z,£9200); Grojraouth, -1nez, £13,499 (15,02Z0z, £00,00e)); Hokitika, 43430 z, £17,376 C25280z, £lO- - Dunedin, 21,5900z,£8G,472 (365U0z, £14,299); Invercargill, X6730z, £6292 i12070z, £4828): total, 64,0750 z, valued at £240,834, as against 42,4660 z, valued ,at £162,024 for Juno, 1902. For the first six montlis of tho year tho export amounts to 257,1970 z, valued at £'J: /,- 822, as against 232,4020zj valued at £890,446, an increase for the first hall of this year of 24,7950 z, valued at £87,376 over the first half of last year. The silver exported from Auckland during Juno was 150,3240 z, valued at £14,770, as compared with 42,7440 z. valued at £4898 for the same month of 1902. Alterations in the time-table ou the railway from To Aro to Lower Ilutt, bo come into operation next Monday, are advertised in another column. An opportunity to purchase bools and shoes at low prices will ho given on Saturday, when Mr A. Lindsay open s hia half-yearly sale. Messrs 11. Matson and Co., the wellknown auctioneers, woolhrokers, land, brokers, etc., of Christchurch, have an advertisement in another column of special interest to those having money to invest. Tho New Zealand Clothing Factory announces a special sale of men’s mackintoshes. Some convincing prices are given in our advertising columns. Messrs Turnbull, Watkins and Williams will sell by auction at tlidr rooms to-day, at 2.30 o’clock, two modern sevenroomed bouses in Austin street, fitted with every convenience, a well-built sixroomed house on large section in Mein street, and a new six-roomed villa residence opposite the Botanical Gardens. An advertisement elsewhere states that Dr Mason recommends the use of anti-typhoid tablets. Messrs Macdonald. Wilson and Co. announce in our auction column that owing to the largo number of lots in the catalogue, they were unable to complete the sale yesterdav of household furniture, etc., at No." IS, Macdonald crescent. They will continue the sale tats forenoon at 10 o’clock sharp, and sell the contents of six bedrooms, also a, , r i’’; quantity of hod linen, blankets, table linen and sundries. The Jubilee Goldminhie Company noi:fies that call No. 3 will be payable next Wednesday. Levin and Co.. Ltd., agents for the ship Ki!dalton,_ from Glasgow, have a notice to consignees in lanolhor coltnna. W r , Cl. H. Goodall. of Maslerton, adds a dairy farm of -12 acres to his advertised list.