LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 23 October 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The new time-table for the CastleeliffGonvillo tramways appears in another column.

Tho latest addition to the Telephone Exchange is No. 457, Mr. A. H. Mackavrs residence. Peakes Road, St. John's Hill.

Our travelling reporter states that last week- a family of young weasels were discovered n ,; slack of oatci tulonging to Mr .Stewart, of Stanway road. A slaughter o* the innocents look place, but the- juivtiUi unfortun i*e.y escaped the same tate.

Tho Fire Brigade received a call ab .2-40 p.m. yesterday to Swan's brewery ('situafced bailie.corner of Ridgway and Wilson Street),'where an incipient blazo had been discovered. Tho outbreak was quenched before the arrival of the Brigade, whose services wore not required.

Tho supervisors of agricultural training; (Messrs. Grant, Brown and Banner for Central, North and South respectively) met on Thursday to discuss the present position with respect to the teaching of agriculture in our primary and secondary schools. Tho inspectors explained their views, and as a result of tho deliberations a series of recommendations will be made to the Board by tho supervisors.

On August 21, an elephant, crazed, it is said, because of its keeper's failure to give it water, burst its chains and escaped from a wild west show in Englewood, a suburb of Chicago. Hundreds of persons wero terrorised by the maddened beast, which, in its flight, smashed fences, uprooted trees and overturned ono or two kmall buildings. Police sent in waggons to capture the elephant wero forced to climb trees. Showmen finally coaxed it into a corner and shackled it.

A^ tho Magistrate's Court yesterday Mr. Kerr gave judgment by default in tho following civil cases :—Shepherd Bros. v. F. Copley, £1 15s. 6d.~; K. Lloyd and Co. v. S. McMillan, £1 ss. lid.; A. C. Lennard v. X. C. Shield, £10 Gs. 8<l.; Burnett and Mcßeth v. A. H. r.nd H. D. Towgood, £12 18s. 6d. ; Ratana and Mita v. Jos. Branee, £1 os. ; G. W. Wilson v. J. McFadyen, £1 9s. 6d.; S. J. McKee and Co. v. J. Mahoney, £1 165.; A. Wells v. Chas. Trillo, £17; D. R. Walker and Co. v. Jas. A. Duigan, £6 lls. yd.; Holloway, Hogan and Caddy v. Aropeta Tamunui, £52 10s. ; L. Hodder v. Geo. H. Peacock, £7 15s. lOd. ; A. C. Lennard v. J. and M. Houlahan, £14 4s. 6d.; A. C. Lennard v. H. Cooper, £8 15s. Bd. ; A. C. Lonnard v. T. Sexton, £5 10s. lid.; T. Dickson v. M. Storey, £2; Christio and Wilson v. G. Watts, 13s. : Jas Thain and Co. v. Sam Waitero, £20 2s. J. E. Glover sued Frederick Stringer for £3 2s. 6d. for value of ■mooriiuis taken. Defendant admitted taking tho. moorings, but contended they were bis own. After hearing lengthy evidence, tho S.M. said plaintiff had not proved Ins ownship. and gave judgment for defendant, with costs r.<rirrcfrating £4 17s.

A matter of importance to parents of children attending tho Wanganui Board of Education schools was dealt with by Mr A. 1). Thomson, S.M., at tiie Palmerston Court on Monday, when a number of parents were proceeded against by Mr C. J. D. Skinner, Truant Officer,' for not having their children at school, as required by law. Among thorn was Frank K. W. Sewoll. The Truant Officer said the boy went to the Tiny Town matinee. The excuse made was' that he had whooping cough. The lather said there- were two sides to that story. He explained that the hoy for years had been subject to a cough. On this particular morning his cough was very bad, and ho (tho father) did not let him go to milk his usual cows, and kent him home- from school. There was no thought then of Tiny Town. Tho boy was seriously ill. In tho afternoon he was better, and he was allowed to go to the matinee, which was bettor for him than going to school. ,Ho wished to know why the Truant Officer had made an ■exception of him. and not .summoned others. The Truant Officer said he had the scholars paraded before him. and warned thorn against attending tho pantomime. If defendant had not given an incorrect excuse, he might not have, been summoned. He had not previously >v?»on a had offender. A fino of 2s. without ■co-ts was inflicted. In *sereral other cases fines were imposed.

Auckland grown new potatoes are selling at 2*d per lb in.Wellington.

"By gum, you get your moneys worth on this train," said a tired passenger to Wanganui last night, when '""Weary Willie" stc-imed into Aram>/io station.

Tho dates of wool sales to be held under the auspices of the Wellington Woolbrokers' Association during the current season, are announced elsewhere. Other information of importance to pastoralists is also given.

Tho V.M.C.A. temporary office has been removed from the shop in Imperial Buildings in the Avenue, to upstairs in tho samo building. Mr. C. Heinold has lent both of these to tho Association treo of charge.

Miss W. Henderson took onei first prize and three seconds, and Miss K. Henderson a second for art needlework at the Hawke's Bay Show. Both ladies are pupils of Mrs L. J. Watkin, instructress for the Wanganui Education Board.

The question of the protection of the river bank at Taylorville was referred to by Mr T. B. Williams at the Council meeting last evening. The Mayor said he had a note of it and it would bo dealt with now that the new engineer had arrived. Probably a Royal "Commission would have to be set up.

The New Zealand cadets who have beeu touring Canada will arrive in .Wanganui on Saturday, and will stay till Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. A* welcome will be tendered them at the Drill Hall. As the cadets (21) are to give a demonstration here, the opportunity will probably be availed of by the Labour Day Celebration Committee, whose sports take place on Monday.

According to a communication received by the Borough Council from the Borough Solicitor last evening, the contractor for the installation of the new engine at the power house has practically declined any responsibility in connection with the recent explosion. An agreement has been made with him whereby the damage is to he repaired, but the contractor's legal responsibility is not prejudiced.

At the Borough Council meeting last evening, Cr Spriggens (Deputy Mayor) reported on the recent visit which councillors made to St. John's Hill. A large amount of work had been pointed out as being necessary, and the requests were very reasonable, especially as the works would be done out of the district's own loan. The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

At the Borough Council table last evening, Cr. T. B. Williams brought up the suggestion that the Tramways Committee should consider tho advisability of selling tickets for 14 car rides For one shilling. He considered that it would encourage the traffic, and be a tonvenrenq? to pjassenjgers and tfo conductors when the trams were crowded. Tho opinions of councillors varied on the point, which was left for the Tramways Committee to thrash out.

At a meeting of the Feilding District Cricket Association held on Monday n'ght (writes our tra.elhng reporter;, a letter was read from the Wanganui Cricket Association thanking the committee for the generous nosnitailtv '..:

tended on New Year's Day, inviting a team to Wanganui during the coming season. Cricket enthusiasm in Feildin& district runs high, and there ds no doubt that Wanganui will have the pleasure this year of reciprocating Feilcling's hospitality last season.

Col.-Sergt. H. Harrison, of the Q.P.S. Cadets, was recently presented \vitli the Colonial Ammunition Company's cup for the highest score in last year's class firing in the provinces of the Dominion. His score was 85 out of & possible 105, the highest score engr ived on the trophy being 87. This .& tho lust occasion in tbc seven years of th* competition that the cup has been wor. by a pupil not belonging to a District High School. Marksmanship is evidciiu./ a strong iojs.ure in the Har.v-oii family, for three U others of the vi- - ncr have won fam \

It appears (writes our travelling reporter) that the motor railway carriage which arrived at .Marton Junction on Monday is to go further north than Taihape, dts destination being Frankton Junction. It is understood that the car will be employed on the line between Frankton and Putoruru, near Rotoru-a. It seems a great pity that a petrol train with a little go and dash could not be engaged on the Wangaimi section for the benelit of those in a hu ;/ ? and a " Weary Willie" service retimed for politicians and -others,,,to whom uirr o is no object. In the meantime, the introduction of motor railway traffic •and its attendants results in connection with suburban services, will be watched with considerable interest.

The Chairman of the Tramways Cqm-mitt-eo (Cr G. Spriggens) last evening quoted some interesting hgures relative to the traffic which has taken place on the Castloclifr'-Gonvillo lino siacm the through tra'iic started last Thursday. The total takings for five days were £107 6s. 4d., the amount of traffic on the borough's portion of the line being £43 2«. Out of the remaining £64 4s 4d, the borough has to be paid for car mileage a sum of £46 ss. Cr. Liffiton referred to the misunderstanding Avhich tho public seemed to bo under in regard to the fares, and he explained how the borough collected its portion of every faro over the borough's portion of the line, whether the .passenger travelled from the Post Office or from Aramoho. The Tramway Board got tho benefit of all fares taken in. the Tramway Board's district, but tho borough has to be paid for all the miles run.

Mr F/. Wood, of the Wanganui Garrison Hand, who played solo corndt for the Woolston Band at the recent Duncdin Band Contest, has received the following appreciatory letter from thfc conductor: "Oct. 21st, 1912. 17, Mannings Place, Woolston, Christchurch. Mr F. Wood, —1 feel it is my duty, in justice to yourself, to personally thank you for your efforts on behalf of the band during the past fortnight. Certainly we have ha ji the worst of bad luck, but that is not your fault You havo worked admirably, and your flaying in the band and solo work* has tjeeii of a very high and artistic standard. 1 am thoroughly satisfied with your playing, also of "your excellent conduct, and it has been a pleasure for mo to have met you and made your personal acquaintance. Wanganui should be (and no doubt is) proud of you, as their soloist. lam sorry that WooLston has not one like you. Accept my sincorest thanks, and may good hick accompany your future efforts. —I am, yours eincerelv, A. Mullinger, L.lt.A.M."