LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12587, 17 August 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

We have been requested to notify all who are interested in the woolclassing classes, that all classes will meet tit the Technical School to-day, respectively at '2.30, 4, and 7.30 p.m.

Tho Taranaki Plumpton Coursing Club will hold a meeting at Whareroa, Hawera, on Wednesday and Thursday, I 21th and 25th August. The programme* appears on another page.

Telegraph officers observing midnight cable Press attendance are to remain on duty on Friday morning- next, 19th inst., until 2.30 a.m.. for the receipt of the result of the championship sculling race.

There was a good muster of all corps at last night's battalion parade. Lieut. - Colonel Hughes was in command, and after the usual preliminary inspection the companies were given some useful field work on the parade ground opposite the Drill Hall.

The "Poverty Bay Herald" lijss received advice from London that Mr Lysnar, Mayor lof Gisborne, has finally concluded 'arrangements tVough Messrs Birch, Chrisp and Co. for a. loan io the Borough of Gisborne of £] 75,000 at 4 per at par.

CV. Spriggens mentioned at the Borough Council meeting last evening that the Borough Gardener had been busy * lately planting trees in Queen's Avenue, but that trees had been cut or broken off already. The Council decided to ask the police to endeavour* to detect perpetrators of wilful damage, and to offer £5 to anyone who would give information regarding the culprit.

In our advertising columns attention is drawn to the 28th anniversary celebrations of the local Baptist Sunday School, which takes plaoe on Sunday next. The scholars, assisted by a firstclass orchestra, will render specially selected hymns under the conductorship of Mr L. Spurdle. Services are to be conducted by the Rev J. Laird, of New Plymouth, and will be held at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. On Thursday following the celebrations will be continued by the scholars' annual tea at 6 p.m., and at 7.30 p.m. an entertainment. :

i The Borough Council last evening agreed to the proposal of the Wangamii Acclimatisation Society to liberate trout ia the Okehu dcm. The fish Trill be of great benefit in clearing the water, and the only trouble will arise ..when the ■ dam is cleaned out every year. The fish v/ould then, be out of their natural eleJm«nt; but the engineer thought lie 1 would bo able to get over the difficulty jby constructing, by the aid of "wire i netting outside the wall, a sort of reservoir for the fish, a.uicl afterwards replacing them in the'dam. The proposal to stock the water with trout was ; hailed with delight by ■several councili lors, who had \isions of "fish suppers" .on the occasion of the annual visit of inspection. ! In conversation with a well-known Brunswick farmer yesterday, a representative of the "Chronicle" learned ; that hawks are exceedingly troublesome in thab district just now. He had re- , cently had 11 good ewes destroyed by i these pests, the birds having picked ] the eyes out of the sheep and left them to bleed to death. He suggested j that it would be a good thing of a. premium were placed on the heads of hawks, and he signified his willingness to contribute £5" to any fund raised for that purpose. "It would pay us," h3 added, referring to the farmers of the district generally, "to club together and create a fund which would [ enablo 6d a head to be paid until the I district has been cleared of these ! wretched things. If we do not do some • I thing of the sart it will go hard with the lambs!"

In the early 'forties, when Wellington race meetings were held on Te Aro Flat, now a part of the bustling city, an incident occured that would amuse those of the present generation who are interested in racing (writes a correspondent of the "Petone Chronicle"). A certain mare which figured among the entrants had the reputation of being well favoured, but was so fractions that there was but one jockey who could manage her. Unfortunately, on the day of the-races, he happened to l>e serving a term in H.M. prison. Four of the stewards called on tlio gaoler, and asked for the services of the horseman. Consent was given on condition that he was< returned -on tha same day. Temperance (the m.iro in question) won the race, but tho rider did grievous injustice to the name of his mount, and returned to the gaol carried on ft'shutter by his four sureties.

j Mr Alex. Laird, of Taumartmui, and ' formerly of Wanganui, is at present in town, and his friends are pleased to see him looking well and hearty after the accident with which he met some little timG ago^ Chatting with a representative of the "Chronicle" last evening concerning, matters of moment ! along the Main Trunk line, Mr Laird sympathetically referred to the death of Katrina Te Waihanea, otherwise Mrs Alex. Bell, which occurred at TnuI maranui about three weeks ago. Mrs j Bell, though a Maori, was, he said. one of the "whitest" of women, and had proved a true friend to many of tli-P European pioneers of that district. She had been married for 45 years, and during that time her home had been noted for the kindly hospitality which she and her husband were ever ready to dispense. Mr Laird added that the widowed husband- is at present on a . visit to "Wangamii.

I A social evening in connection with Unity Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held on Monday 'evening;, Mr Anslev prpesidmg. , Th-ero was a. large attendance, and a most enjoyable •evening "was spent, A good musical programme was arranged. Items were rendered as follows: Pianoforte .solos,' Miss Siddells and Hooper: Bongs, Misses Love and Purnell, Mrs K'?ir, Messrs A Dunstall, Stenberg, and Coleman, Miss E. Beaumont gave two recitations, vocal duet, Misses Hooper ; trio. Misses Hoopor and Master Keith Siddells. The accompanists were Miss Hooper and Siddells. Rev Mr Rix gave a, most inspiring address. After tho rrogrammo Mr Ansley presented Mr H. Dunstall and Miss F. Love with a liandsomo loresent, in view of their approaching marriage. The' chairman mentioned the fact of their being very active members, and always willing to assist in the good cause. Dainty refreshments wore partaken of, and a memorable evening closed with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the usual votes of thanks.

■The members of the Orchestral Society are reminded of the weekly Jit BlCo'clockghtßlC o'clock ght the Museum »*

The posta! authorities advise that the Nammoo, which left Sydney on August 13 is bringing an Australian mail, one is due to arrive at Wellington on Wednesday afternoon.

{he mails which k-ft Wellington on July fe, per the s.s. Mokoia, and connected at Papeete with tlie San Francisco mail steamer, Mariposa, arrived in Irondon on August 13.

In consequence of recent legislation lut J,nl V C°, lmtry ' 1I(U »e^ officials nave had to be appointed at an estimated cost of £128, 202 a yea- exch «ve*of travelling and othw ex^^ The funeral of the late Mrs Hector Christie, which took place on Monday afternoon, was attended by alan 4 number of mourners. The last sad -i&s were performed by the Rev \ S Wil ton, and wero procsdpd by a s-bmn sernco at ths family residence. af ; ,n" v beautiful wreaths were sent by svnpatmsirjg friends. "

A JSorth Cauteroury farmer has made a bad mark against tho starling's name. Ho says that it is very destructive to the humble-bees, and in a season destroys large numbers of the insects Watching a pair of starlings through glasses one day recently he saw them systematically'catching humble bees and taking-them to the young birds m the nests.

A return of the estimated population ot New Zealand as for the Quarter ending Jims 30. 1910, is published in the Gazette. The total net increase, after allowing for deaths and departures, is /Üb. The -male population >h--ws a decrease of 30(1, while the female population hzs increased by 10D3. Th.& total estimated population of th~ Dominion is 1,043,347. The J.-pnrtm-.-s ■tran the county are s:>t dmvn at 10 - o<o, an excess of 3-I3G' over the nnivnh.

A meeting of settlors was held in t«e Board Office, Mangamahu, on the 12th m.st., Tor the purpo.se of discussintithe proposed conditions of labour now m dispute between the Shearers' Industrial Union and the Employers. Considering tbe short time there "was wherein to convene a meeting, there was a ran- representation of the settler-; of the district. Mr Wm. Park was voted to the chair, which capacity he filled in n very ablo manner. The different clauses were taken and discussed, and many of them were found wanting. Mr H Wilson was elected to. give evidence, ir necessary, at Pahnerston on August

.'it the Borough Council meeting last evening the Mayor said he thought the tJino Jiad arrived when the Borough ■Engineer should be supplied with a motor-cycle to enable him to travel quickly round the various works. He moved that the question be left to the engineer and himself. All members of the Council agreed that the engineer spent a very busy time, but the opinion seemed to bo that perhaps a motorcar would be the most convenient, especially when the engine?!- desired company, and the expense of a.car would not bo prohibitive. It was eventually agreed that the question of providing "some rapid means of conveyance" be left with the Works Committee.

The man avlio makes his own will is said.,to. !>o a favourite toast at lawyers' dinners. He gives the profession much work. .On-Monday last, when a Riwaka settler's will was before-th-e'Su--pr?mo Court at Wellington for interpretation > Mr Justice Cooper said, -with a meaningful smile: "Was this will prepared by a professional man?" "No. your Honour," renliod counsel, "h-e did it himself. I understand that he locked himself up for two. days; and was quite exhausted when he camp. out. In fact, he died soon after." His Honour: I- don't know what effect it will havo on mo when I come to coustruo it. Counsel: I assure you, your Honour, I found it a very exhausting task 'to read it

Great interest will be taken in the "Valkyrie" selection to be , given, by the Garrison Band at their recital oil Sunday evening. This selection is the band's own choice for the Ballarat conVest, and is arranged from Wagner's second opera, "Vnikvrie" of the now famous "Rin<r.' the "Rimy" consisting of "Tho Rhinegnld." "The Valkyrie." "Siegfried.'' and "The. Du.sk of the Gods." "The Y"!kynV is the most popular of the • V?imr." tl-e opening storm, the famous, " "Rirlp of the Valkyries," tho .'lumber, and fire music being the chief feature". Tbe< programmes to be : civ-en out on Sunday evening will contain a synon-s-'s of .this opera, nml. no doubt th? "udionee will find it both int?res':ingj and instructive.

Speaking to a ''Pre s' reporter on Saturday, the Hon. T. Mackenzie.-Min-ister ijn- .Agriculture, Buid th^.V th© recent shipment of fruit in t.i;e Old Country had -demonstrated that it was possible to land fruit successfully md at a price which would pay the givwer if the right-market was struck. The charges on snial1 shipments would no doubt bo heavy, but on larger shiprronts there shuijd bo a.. oon.sid 'rable reduction. Ihe great feature of the venture, however, was that there wore satisfactory prices to be had, and that the fiNiit could be convryed safely. The 'weaknesses and .strong points in connection with the handling of fruit between New Zealand and the Old Country had been discovered, and the result must be of great benefit to the trade.

Has a municipal corporation legal right to supply electric fittings and appliances as well as electric energy? So far as th<>. United Kingdom is concerned a recent judgment by Mr Justice Neville in the High Court limits the power of municipalities to the supply of current only to the terminals of the consumers' premises. Tlife case— 7 that of the Attorney-General v. the.Corporation, of Leicester, reported in another column of this issue—has been brought* under the notice of the civic; authorities J This morning the Mayor (Mr T.M. Wilfiord) was asked his opinion. Mr Wilford said the matter was in the hands of tho City Solicitor, who was instructed to ascertain how far. if.at all. tha judgment affected the operations of tha Wellington City Council. We hay* local statutes on the matters," said, the Mayor, "which, of course, are our {special* .authority. It may be emit© possible that we have statutes which give us authority which at Home <they have wot. It may, on the other hand, bo necessary to secure legislation. I cannot say at the present moment."

"Creating a healthy and rational public opinion in all matters of a social, commercial, and industrial character; inspiring electors, both town and country, with a true and spirited sense of their responsibilities; inducing broadminded men of integrity and ability to contest all public positions," runs part of the preface to a pamphlet entitled "Gljsbonte Harbour Matters." It is issued under the auspices of the Gisborne Progressive League, and contains many letters, which the chairman (Mr W. C. Crawford) wrote to the "Poverty Ray Herald." in detailed criticism of the alleged incomneteiica of tlio local Harbour B^ard. The letters indicate that the league has been r. closo student of local affairs, and the chairman has bo?n a vigorous 'critic. The concluding naraGraph of his final letter state*:" In view of the above statement of uneontroverted facts, the majority of the members of the present Harbour Board should be asked to justify themselves for the great expenditure on the river improvement, with such inadequate results, or to retire.'*

The Borough Council decided last evening not aiter the European names of the roads on St. John's Hill to Maori names as proposed by the Beautifying Society Cr. Liffiton said he was very glad that the names were not to be altered, as to have done so would have Wen very rough on the old settlers.

In the list which we published yesterday morning showing the lessees of the - various sections of the Technical School site, one line, that referring to Section 6 was inadvertently dropped out. This section, as we'll as Section 5, Avas leased by Messrs J. A. Thomson and Co/

At the Borough Council meeting last evening Cr. Holloway suggested that Brunswick Road should be widened to -the statutory 66ft. He thought the Dresent was a' favourable time, as there was a possibility of some laud being subdivided there. The proposal was referred to the "Works Committee.

In the engineer's report submitted to the Borough. Council last evening, he proposed that a wood-block crossing b-3 made at Thain's corner. The estimated cost, he said, would be £75, i.e., allowing for a crossing 75ft. by 9ft., with concrete foundation 6in. in thickness.—The proposal was referred to the Works Committee. Cr. Burgess then raised the question of the height of the road at this corner. He said it had been suggested that the road should be raised. The Mayor explained that all the levels had been fixed, but if the Council blocked any doorway they would have to pay compensation. The Council had endeavoured to come to some arrangement, but had been unable to do so, and had, therefore, been " reluctantly compelled" to abandon the idea.