LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 26, 25 October 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

— ♦— An outstanding question botween the Boys' Institute and the City Council/was settled last night. Tho Institute c'uimed £1800 for land taken for the extension of tho power-house. This was not agresd to, but at tho Council last night the Mayor said it had been decided give £1100 as: com-, pensation. The Council agreed to the proposition. In view of the fact that tho Crown- was successful in the action which it brought against tho Puketapu Sawmilling Company for the recovery of two strips of; laud included in tho To Aro reclamation, and situated between high and low water maris, it

will probably follow that a similar case against the Union Steam Ship Company will he Settled out of Court, tho. defendant; company conceding tile right of tho Crown. The writ in this case was issued over' a yea,ago, and it was agreed that tho :aiatter should stand over pending the decision a the first-mentioned case.

The Nelson " Colonist" , celebrated, 'ts golden jubilee on Wednesday last. -,:When first published, the paper ,was issued, twioe. a week at the price of sixpence a copy. . All• the staff of tho then infant journal a::o now dead with the exception of Mr. W. C. Nation, now of the. " Manawatu Farmer," an' 3 Mr. J. B. Innes, bookseller and stationer,' of this, city. ■ \

The Citizens' Bible-ia-Schools' League and representatives of School Committee.3 ,;ire to wait upon tho Premier at' .11.30 a.m. on Monday "to impress upon him the necessity of adding Bible-reading to the education ll syjlabus of tho State schools of this Dominion." ' , '

' There'was a small outbreak of fbi yesterday morning in a washhouso-at tin,back of a house in Frankville Terrace, oo:upisd by Mrs. Stott.. After lighting the copper fir-i Mrs. Stott left the washhouse : for a few minutes, and on returning after.a shcrt absence found a heap of clothes in front of without difficulty. Tho damage was. estimated at £1 ss. . .

✓ At last night's meeting of the City Council Councillor Fisher moved: "That the Library Commifctco b?> requested to consider tic question of setting up a brauch of: the Public Library at the Thorndon ond of the city. Councillor : Murdoch seconded. Councillor Maclaren, chairman of tho Library" Committee, ' explained that the 1 matter was engaging tho attention of his committee, and on that understanding: the' motion was, al-lowed-'to drop. ' ' •'•' , " Too olcl at forty is'frequently the cry; but'' there ' are some sturdyveterans whose daily' oxaniple makes the popular-phi a-.ie lookvery silly.' ' At tho Harbour Boards' Conference yesterday',- for instance, Mr. A. Kaye' told'how tho. Lyfctelton Harbour Board had a man working for it who Was we.l over .eighty, " and lie does his work well, too," declared Mr. Kaye, the reason that ho waa not pensioned off being that the Board had no superannuation scheme.

The three Wellington Battalions of School Cadets were given unstinted praise by ..the Education Board yesterday for their excellent, turnout on Dominion Day.. .Captain T. W. M'Donald, in reply to a remark which fell from Mr. William Allan, referring to the unnocossary and fatiguing delay to.which the lads were usually subjected to, said that 0:1 this occasion special consideration had been given by the authorities to this important, question/with tho rosujt that everything that was possible was.don" to ensure that the Cad. ts wero not over-fatigued during the military display at Nevt town Park. He was very pleased, he added, with the conduct and steadiness of the Cadets, and. he attributed not a littlo of .thp success-of the day to the co-oporation of those battalions.

The Post Office authorities advise that tho Mokoia left Sydney oil October 23, with 109 bags of Brindisi mail, which - shciild reach here by the express on Tuesday night, October 29.

Tho report of tho Truant Officer (Mr. J. Duncan) at yesterday's meeting of the Education Board brought Captain M'Donald. to his feet with the remark that this energetic officer had been working till all hours lately getting in certain returns of attendance for tho new school districts at Potono and Maraud. For ton nights 110 had worked until 1 a.m., and he (the speaker) certainly thought that tho Board ought, to recogniso this extra duty in a suitable manner. He moved that the Truatat Officer,bo voted:a bonus of two "uineas. After a slight, discussion, it was dccided that tho secretary, should report oil tho merits of the case at the next meeting.

Mr. J. W. Williams, secretary.to tho.Sliipmastors' Association, lias decided ti retire from the position,-owing to increasing pressure of private business, and has given three months' notice of, his intention to terminate his engagement. Mr. Williams has acted as tho Association's secretary fbr the last seven years, and tho abovo announcement ,t yesterday's meeting was received with general regret, several. members referring in tenna of high' praise to tho excellent work accomplished by Mr. Williams during his term of office.

Tho "School Journal" came in for a word of praise at yosterday's meeting of. ''ho Education Board. The editor proposed to issuo a series' of battle pictures in connection with tho journal, and sont a display to 'lie Board for its inspection. It was remarked that tho journal .was gradually finding favour among tho schools! Mr/ Hogg, observing that ho was, himself, a man. of peaco, suggested, amid laughter, tha; pictures for farmers would have been morp suitable. It was decided to thank the editor of tho " School Journal " for tho pictures.

During tho last twelvo months 153 children passed through tho Wellington Receiving Home, 105 through the Church Homo, and CG through the Te Omiga Homo.

Councillor Fletcher wanted to know at tho meeting of tho City Council last night whon tho blocking of Jervois Quay and CustomHouse Quay would be commenced. Tho Mayor replied that there woro some points yot to bo agreed upon with the Harbour Board and tho Govornmc-V

The needs of our growing army of child* ren formed an; important feature in yesterday's meeting ,of the Education Board.That settlement is rapidly spreading in and around Jolinsonvillc is evidenced by the, expedients which have been resorted to ia order to provide school accommodation for tho children. For some time past the Board has found tho school much, too small, and it has been renting tho Anglican Church' Hall for tho conduct of somo of the classes. At yesterday's meeting a sketch plan of a neiv infant school for Johnsonvillo was. submitted, and it was. resolved to go on with its erection provided a grant was obtained from, tho Department. Half an acre of ground has been. presented to the Board by Mr. H. D. Crawford for tho erection of . a school between South Kilbirnio and Mara/nui, and- the clerk of works was yesterday instructed to preparo plans of a fourroomed school to bo erected thereon. The question |0f making additions to tho Petone school was left in tho hands of a committee. It whs also reported that steps Were being, jt-akon to provide a residence for the tcacliar at Waikanae.

; Six out of the eight city State schools hare , nominated: competitors for the .Wellington Shakespeare Club's roading test to take place iin the Technical School on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. There aro two prizes—one for the best boy and tho other for the best girl—which" take tlie : form of.( a guinea'*', 'wortlr of- books and' a term's'; free tuition in elocution under Miss Hardinge-Maltby.. TSe selected l passagos toi be. read arei both- from;, .' Julius Caesar," : that for. boys being -An-t' tony's speech beginning, , "I doubt not your.' wisdom," and .ending- with "Dost thou- jie . hero." Tho lines to bo read by the girls aro Portia's, commencing, "You've ungently, Brutus, stole from my bed," and ends.'.'Make mo, acquainted with your cause of grief.",. The schools not represented are .the Mou.it Cook Boys'. and South Wellington. ' I ;

There was some barbed discussion at the Shopkeepers' Association's meeting yesterday 011 the sweeping-put question. ; . One speaker stated that the Inspector says that, no one is to sweep, the shop entrance. or., footpath after 8 a.m., while , another law. says tho assistant must not start work bofore that hour. Another well-known shopman said that lie was compelled to swe;p , tho pavoment in front of his shop or it 'would become objectionably filthy; yet'while lie "had to keep, a look out for Jimmy • Doyle 1" ■ It. was generally agreed.'that, it was nonsense' to prevent anyone sweeping the, footpath or checking cleanliness in any ' form; 'also that'the' Council's ways wcrs ridiculously inconsistent, 1 for while' tho' shop-' keeper was not' .permitted' legally to .sweep his' footpath, the dustman could make a. mess of it'with impunity whilst emptying the , rubbish tins.', Mr. Millington said that ' if the' Council knew its business it would:'' sweep the footpaths and shop' entrances for them—and tliat before 8 o'clock in tlie morning. Another dwelt on the Dutch habit, whore the shopkeeper was- permitted to scrub; his pavement, arid did so'with the greatest and most praiseworthy enthusiasm.

At the meeting of the Shopkeepers' Associ-.' ation yesterday afternoon .the President (Mr. H. Seaton) referred to the state of tho tram . waiting sheds in Wellington. They were so bad that'people were'avoiding using then as much as possible. In Sydney the -waiting sheds were ■' hosed out - overy morning, and wore kept perfectly cleans He did not know, why the Fire Brigado'-could not attend to ; the 'matter. After some discussion,- Mr.; Seaton moved that a letter''be-forwarded-.to the'- City Council , pointing-'- out the condl-. .tion of -the waiting-sheds, ■'■ and. asking ■' for.' them: to. be attended to. Mr. Millington also drew at-toption to the poor waiting accommodation atthe Govemment Railway Station-.

Mr. H F. Allen, secretary of j' the Ne.v Zealand Mastei Bakers' Association, has been advised that, at the request of the Melbourne Master Bakers' Association, tho executive of the Federal body, have deemed it advisable to cancel ;tli6 holding of. th'o .cohference this year in Melbourne. On account of tho late strilro in 'Melbourho matters are- somowhat complicated, and this' step : .is 'considered the aest under the circumstances. ' /

111 connection with the registration of telegraphic code addresses, thisweek's "Gazette saysA' code address must bo registered :n; the Post and Telegraph .Department before being used,' and may'bo registered; for any term not exceeding'one year (excopt in case, of first registration),'and not less than one month. Codo registration years end on- Da-.; comber, 31 only. In case of first registration..: if the period to December: 31 is three mont 13 or less than three months, the fee for tlw next full year must bo added to the fee 'or the period then: remaining of tho current' year. Tlie minimum registration fee in any case-will bo 55. : Where a telegram is receiviL bearing ail unregistered code address, it will ba delivered to the addressee, if ascertaine 1, on payment, in respect of l each ■ telegram, of a sum of Gd. for an inland telegram, 2s. for an.intercolonial telegram, and ss. for un international telegram'respectively. : !

The Wellington Opera, House Company has granted Mr. J. C., (Williamson a ten years lease of the Opera House, tho term to begin either on December 1 or. January 1 next. New. Zealand- has for some, years past beeil 3 wonderfully successful touring ground for the " firm's " travelling attractions, and the lease is only the culmination of negotiations which have been going 011 for some months past. It is not Mr. Williamson's intention to creata a monopoly, but it gives him tho power of selecting dates to fit in with tho. touring arrangements of his companies. As far as the Opera House Company is concerned, the terms qre said' to bo satisfactory.

Notico of the following motion to be moved at the annual meeting of Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has been given" That no amateur athieto be allowed, to compete'in any event, at any sports meeting held undor.tho N.Z.A.A.A. Rules unless or until his subscription to the club of which he is a member, is paid ; that all elub books bo made up as on tho first October in each year, and'a list of defaulters bo sent, in to the secretary of the Centre within seven days of closing of books; that each club bo supplied with a full list of defaulters; also, that- permission to hold, meetings..bo withheld by the Centro until such defaulter's list has been sent in." ■ " • -•

Duncan Street, South Kilbirnio,' has been exempted from-the provisions of section 117. of tho Public Works Act, 1905, subject to buildings being set back thirty-three feet from tho centre of the road. Ingestre Street has also been exempted from the same section of tho Act,'without any reservation.'

A fine selection of photographic: cards, Do : minion Day and E.M.S. Turakina on Fire, now on view at ZAK'S PHOTO DEPOT, 2-1 Willis Street. On sale at popular prices. CGfl

Mrs. Ethel It. De Costa, LL.B. (neo "li>B Ethel R-. Benjamin of Dunedin), after practising for some years in that.' city,'has commenced practice as a barristor and solicitor in No. G Nathan's Buildings, corner Grey and Fcatherston Streets, Wellington. Mrs. De Costa has the distinction of being the only lady, practising at tho Bar in the Dominion. Intending clients can depend on prompt and carofe* ittan. tion at Mrs. Do Costa's, han<)°-

This week's : Gazette dccrees that, the King's birthday (Nov. 9) shall bo observed' as a 'holiday on November 11, by Government' offices thoughout tho Dominion. At., the. meeting of-, tho.. City Council last night, tho, need' for- a shelter .near-the Post Office was urged. In reply tho Mayor said, tho . matter . would be dealt with when the now works were considered. , The special , order striking a: rato of l-50d. m\tlio £iis- a 5 tho £15,000 to bo exponded( by-tho.'Wellington. City Council in abattoirs is gazetted this week. The result "of tho poll sanctioning tho raising of; £100,000 ' .for ..drain.ago/. within tho Melroso district/ is . also notified;' in; this .weeks. Gazetto. ■ The City Council agreed 1 last' night: to refer- tenders; for- tho,. supply, of-;-tram.,rails, and itramway., material:■ to tho Tramways Committeo iwith power to act. Councillor Luko stated'-at; tho meeting of, the City Council, last ! night that, owing , to the.'urgency of other matters, tho concreto wall- to bo-placed round the To Aro-Baths had' .not yet ,: been' started. \ Temporary ' repairs,' however) would: be effected, forthwith in order to enable tho.baths to-be used during 1 ; tho ensuing season. 1 ' ' , .

At- Trentham on: Saturday a match > will bo fired between :tcams, : representing' the' Karori ■: Riflo Club and H.M.S: -Challenger. The''Club's* team-, will; .consist,of ?;Riflemen : Randell;': Grconwood; 'Tarr, Burns,. Kemp, Bnlford, r Marshall, Rabe, Ilodder, and Halliday.-, ":: ; >C <'. :! <■ ;"■

Tho''President (Mr..Horbert : Seaton) occupied t-lieehair at 'tho' raecting of the New Zoalai\dr Shopkeepers'' Association'; hold' yesterjd%aftbrnbon. Accounts amounting to Mi 14s':'- Dd:' were passed 'for. pa'j ; merit;, ';and the Boorothfy''(Mr.' H.",T\ ' Allen) . reported; tli>.t tliere. was "a; ! crodit 'balance of . £14 14s. Interesting discussions i on-> several .subjects ;aro reported'elsewhere in .this issue. i:..;

. Tile-.concluding-lcc'tiire'of"thf winter ses,' sion-'of/tho Garrison Officers' 1 Club was very successful and was.' attended- by a record muster-'of '.'officers< Tho' subject was. a continuation of Colonel Robin's lecture on "Tac tics'X'eading; up'-'tq- a- GenWal' Tour- for. iul Arms." '• ' : :

Comparisons '. between . Wellington . and 'Auckland;, are x . always!' interesting.,. The following: -are, the "comparative figures representing, the return'of .postal and. telegraphic revenue-,of;.the, two cities during the quarter ended;. September, 30,.1a5t. (the. Auckland figures',; being. thoso in parentheses) Postal— Private.box., and..;; bag-rents, ■ £143 -I,os. - Bd. (£GS Ds... 6i) j;' money/, .order commission, £1323',,''(£1058, ~..45;,.6d.); stamps ...sold, £24,291 3s. Old. (£15,321- 95., 2}d:); postal guides, £1- 175, ; iOd.! (£2 19s. 6d.); .postal note, c0mmi55i0n,...£352, ; 155. : 7^(1.. (£378 15s. 8d.); misceliaqeousi'. £14,135. 9Jd. (£11: 35. ( ljd.) ; . total,.. £26,130 os. (£10,838 Is. (3d;.).,-';: Telegraph—Telegrams, , £11,088. ,10s.. 6id. .(£9266,123.1 iljd.) j.telephono, exchanges, £591'-.145., 7d.. (£515,185. ;6d.).; miscellaneous, • : £45175..' 3d. (£lO3 Is. 7d.)»; total, £11,726 2s.":4|ii.' (£9884'135!-Oid.)'.' VGraiid totals: ''Wellington,';'" £37,856'-'' 3s. , 4d.; Auckland,' £26,722' 14s. 6Jd.' ' : .

-The' question ;'of,' granting- free ..tramway, passes.-,.was: discussed- at . tho. ■ City ; Council meeting ...last!, night. . Tli,o -..matter,, was; broachedo by- Councillor, Godberi , who moved, that :a; free pass bo giyen .to. tho nurse in ■ cliargo of -St. : John's, AmbuJauco. Councillor Fisher -,said that, if they were, going;, to grant free.ipasses to..'nurses, ■ they), should include; tliev Sisters Mercy;. and the Salvation Army.-. -At !the' samp time, ho. did not, know where the system: of free passes would,-stop t unless' they '.were -careful.. -Somo discussion' followed, : and oho, councillor expressed tho opinion ..that ; thero, ; wero ." thousands " of free,passes. ~Thij3 caused, a. laugh, .but Councillor vLuko:, quite ;,. soriously, said . lie' -was; ■ amazed;iat the/number, of, free passes lie had soon , his . travels. on tram-cars.. , The Mayor pricked; tho. bubble by-stating ..that . the . free' '.passes, {amounted.; to about fifty.. Eventually ;it ,^vas.-decided, .to, obtain , a full roport in: regard - to -the, questipn of ; fr.ee passes.,^' -, ( ' It .is reported, that tho Tablelands Maori meeting-house presented to: tho government b'yV.the late' Tamahau,. Mahupuku is, to ,l:e handed:over to the town of Martjnborough, provided tho town authorities: furnish a site forthe-building,- pay for the,-cost, of; its -.removal. ! '; v This,; meet-ing-housp ; is, .'per-, haps,:;.; thoV--- finest-iri New- - Zeala',rl. The sculptoring .;'is; „,very..';old,, ">-a. •>.'plendid testimony to the. ancient art of the Maori, and in marked contrast to some cf'tio 'worlc ■ turned.'in the llotorua meeting-houso, -aftsri wards sold for a largo amount;of money n. a Gorman '.noblcmnn., The. Tablolands building, is;valued at £4000, and it may be worfli this % aum. c Tlioro ■ was.< a proposal that. th*; structure, should: bo shifted to the Governmbrit Housoigrounds; -Wellington,, writes our Wairarapa correspondent, but this proposal, liko that of. the one regarding: a monument to Tamahaiu, seems to Have gone by the board." In his time Taniahau , established a record in tangis. His own funeral obsequies cost £1000, and there was much lamentation when Jib'died. However, liko many other men vho have gone before him, he appears to hz'A bv;n fcrgottcn. '