LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12395, 20 February 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Captain Edwin wired at 1 p.m. to-day as follows: — Easterly moderate to strong 1 winds, glass fall, tides good, sea moderate.

The only accused before the Police Court this morning was a man named Barker, who was charged with being/an idle and disorderly person. He was convicted by Mr J. Williams, J.P., and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

The first shipment of building timber from the West Coast arrived this morning in the little steamer Jane Douglas. The shipment was not, however, a large one, consisting of but 22,000 feet. of rimu. The Sash and Door Company were the consignees.

A Nelson telegram states that the Theatre* Royal was crowded on Tuesday night wheu a concert was given by Madame Clara Butt, Mr Kenncrley Rumford and party. At 'the close of the concert, there was a scene of great enthusiasm, Madame Butt and Mr Rumford being escorted to their hotel by a cheering crowd. An indignant chorus rose on the night air just outside the Telegraph Office last evening about 9 o'clock. Some jo-er had hapjrened on a stack of messengers' bicycles by the door and "let /eight tyrftb, dtmn mister." Vigorous pumping and dire threats of vengeance * followed from the boys, after which peace again brooded o'er the -scene.

"Will you direot the jury to decide that there is no evidence on which a jury can convict," asked counsel, of his Honor 4n a case at iJie Supreme Court yesterday, during" argument on a law point. "Well," said\ his Honor, "it might not be much use doing that. I told a jury a little while ago that the evidence 'was insufficient, but they convicted the prisoner, and they might do the same again."

It is not generally known, says the Dominion, that margarine can be bought in Wellington. It is made in New Zealand, packed in neat butter boxes like those used in the export trade, and sold by the 561 b box at 7d per pound. This ie practically only half the price of the best butter,and doubtless those people of small means who have, at- present prices, had to refuse their children butter, may adopt cheap margarine as a substitute.

A man who was running a booth at the Gisborne races last Thursday was astonished when he was called upon by the local inspector of factories to stop the gale of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes, as it wah the statutory half-holiday. A Gisborne paper remarks that the Labour Department has never moved in that direction before in any part of Poverty Bay. The new regulation in this direction only came into force recently, being the outcome" of last session's Shops and Offices Amendment Act.-*

"I would advise the police to go to private houses where bridge is ( played for large amounts, and surprise some of the bridge player*, in preference to making attacks on innocent, unfortunate men for throwing dice in these out of the way places, where- there is a total lack of recreation, and where the men are prevented from having a little amusement among themselves." These were the somewhat forcible remarks of Mr Wilford when addressing the jury in a gaming case at the Court yesterday, in which a charge was alleged Against a man of keeping a gaming house. . '„ ' ■ A

A' fracas occurred on the train reaching Feilding at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, is which a Chinaman was severely handled by a young man who was travelling in the same carriage. The facts elicited by, an inquiry showed that the man offered the alien a drink from a bottle of beer in a rather impudent way, and the Chinese retaliated by kicking the free dispenser of the- beer. A well-directed blow from the fist of the white man cause the blood to flow -freely from his opponent's face, but the Chinese was more frightened than hurtr

At a meeting of the Dunedin Education Board yesterday the- question of uniform school books was discussed. The inspectors furnished a report opposing uniformity, and the Board carried the "following resolution: "That the Board express an earnest and emphatic protest against eruch a proposal as a uniform set^ of school books being forced upon the schools of the Dominion, as being opposed alike to the best interests of education and of the. freedom of the people. The Board will offer strenuous opposition to any endeavour to •imbue, the minds of children with one set of fdeas from one end of the Dominion to the other.A very' enthusiastic meeting of* ladies was held at the\ Orphanage on Wednesday afternoon. It was resolved that all present form themselves into a general 'committee, and work together towards, having a pale of work early in June. The election of president was left over till next meeting. Mrs Siddels- was elected vice-presi-dent, .Lurs Grant treasuerer and Miss Vine secretary. After other business was transacted it was resolved to meet again at the Orphanage on Wednesday, 26th insrt., at 3 p.m. Donations of material- to '-work up or money to get same for; the sale of work for the benefit of the Orphanage or goods of any kind will be thankfully received by the commit-ee. They may be left a£ the Orphanage 41, Keith Street.

The 1 Wanganui Courthouse, the main court-room especially, has on many occasions been the subject of advene comment, regarding its appointments, general convenience, acoustic qualities, and other defects, these facts having been remarked upon at different occasions during Supreme Court sittings, when juries form part of the court procedure. The latest to 'allude to the Court's shortcomings ia Mr T. M. Wilford who, in rising yesterday to address a jury on behalf of a prisoner for whom he was appearing, prefaced his bddress by remarking to his Honor, Mr Justice Cooper, that the place was quite unfitted for the purpose, one being as it were, practically on the toes of the jury. 'jL'Jae l>x»il<li*»g, lie saicl, liad -done service for over 30 years. > His Honor .responded that the matter was not one for him to deal with, but might, however, be noted by those concerned. '

Wanganui .s the proud possessor. i)f the champion band, the champion sculler, and the champion Highland dancer tytcGrutfr and Co. have had the honour to still further add to the records of the town-. We liav just landed the. largest number of parcels ever received by the local post office. They completely fill one ot our large window?, numbering about 250 parcels. 'All the very latest — they only left London on the Ist of January, 1908 — winter novelties. According to dame fashion's latest decrees are embodied in this^ |hipmcnt and we hope to announce a 'special showing of these new goods. — McGraer and Co.

The soothing and healing- properties of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, its pleasant taste, and prompt and permanent cures have made it a favourite with people everywhere. It is especially prized by mothers of small children for colds, croup, and whooping cough, as it always affords quick relief. It contains no opium or other harmful drug, and may be given as confidently to a baby a« to an adult. For sale everywhere,