LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10180, 15 June 1911, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr T. F. Hall vws last evening eloct♦m! to the committee of theCbristchurch Literary and Mimical Competitions Society. Latimer Square has been much improved by the removal of the wooden fence round it, and the Council's workmen are busy putting new turf down on several tracks that have been made across the grass. A Press Association telegram from Hawera states that at a representative Jieeting of local bodies and dairy factory companies, held at Knpnni yesterday to consider the Opunako railway. a resolution was carried urging upon the Government the urgent" necessity for constructing a railway line connecting Opunake with the railway system. * The "cold snap" experienced during the past few days has largely increased the number of applicants for coal and blankets. The Mayor stated to-day that very large numbers of old people were applying for relief, and he believed that in most cases they- deserved help if it were available. A committee, of which Miss Cardale was secretary, made thorough investigation into each case, and the most effective use would •be made of all the money contributed this year. The latest contribution is £3 3s, from Messrs P. and D. Duncan. The Mayor has received another bulletin from the Health Department in "Wellington in regard to the plague in Auckland. Tt deals with the week ending Saturday last, and it shows that four persons were under treatment on June 6, and that two had been discharged during the week, leaving two still in hand. Fiftv-nine rats were examined during the week, but infection was not found in any of them. The last plague-infected rat was found on May 31. "Apparently things are improving," was the Mayor's comment when he read the bulletin. A question of political etiouette was fatsed by Mr G. W. Russell, M.P. this morning, when he introduced a deputa* tion.to the Hon G. Fowlds. Some time H°U ¥ r , G * Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools, visited the Phillipstown bchool to obtain information for a departmental report. Mr Russell, who \s the member for the district, following •what he believed to be the proper course, did not accompany the officer Later on he ascertained that both Mr Ed. Ell and Mr C. A. C. Hardv, two other members of Parliament, were ©resent at the time of the visit. " I that I was somewhat out-march-rcl, ' -Mr•Russell said, "especially by | v l ' ■ ' "k° - a^lol 'gh a member of the board of Education, was opposed to the proposal to raise the status of the school, which I was working for and which was the object of Mr HogDen's visit."

Proceedings in the Japanese Parliament have recently been niarkod bv lively scenes, which suggest that the E resent Government is far from popuix. The liveliest scene took place on « proposil brought forward by the Govincnt to mcreaso the pensions of officers. The, Minister of "War expressed his regret tluit the increase was sinnli, and explained that the finances of the State did not warrant a higher increase in the pensions. He was followed bv the leader of the People's Partv, the member Kurahara, who took the Government to task. The Minister then replied, beginning his speech: "Mr Zobara has just said." He Mas not allowed to proceed any further, for the words were the cause of a great uproar. _ It seems that the name " Zohara " is the Chinese equivalent for the name of Kurahara, and as such was used to express contempt. It was ■s if one member had called another by a nickname with an opprobrious meaning. The scene lasted some time, »nd blows were freely exchanged, until the Minister of War apologised.

At the Ashburton Court to-dav before Mr T. E. Upton, J.P.'"and Mr H. _A. Lloyd, .T.P., a J man named Kenneth Armstrong, nineteen years of age, was charged on remand with having obtained by meajis of false pretences a " King Dick "' motor cycle. valued at £65, from John Grunt, a cycle* de-iler. The evidence, showed that accused had gone to Grant's shop and purchased the motor-cycle, offering in part payment a second-hand motor-cycle he had obtained from Christchurch on trial, and for which he was to be allowed £lo. Accused took the new machine away and "subsequently delivered the second-hand machine. The following day" accused Tva.s arrested, and the machines were returned. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed for trial at the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, accused in £IOO and two sureties of I'oO each. Arthur Lux ton. on a charge of having assaulted Reuben Carpeudalo, an old man. at Tinwald, was eonvic.ted ■nd ordered to pay witness's expenses. A charge, against Luxton for having Used obscene language was dismissed. There's no necessity of your being ireak. anaemic, listless. Be vigorous - full of dash and spirit—be up and doing—Steams', Wine of Cod Liver Extract will make you. 6 i_

It is understood that petitions favouring tho reprieve of Kaka will be considered by the Cabinet to-morrow.

Not a single station in the dominion reported rain this morning. Most South (shind .stations and several North Island towns experienced a frosty night.