LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlio Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted to £1996 los. lOd. ' - Edward John Searl, caterer, Wellington, was adjudicated a bankrupt yesterday on the petition of Robert Hannah, who was represented by Mr. Blair. The awards in tho compensation cases Fitchctt v. tho City Council, and Harrington v. tho City Council, are to be delivered at 10.30 this morning. Argument with respect to a petition of John Wade for leave to extend tho. term of a patent relating to a skylight was heard by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday morning. Tho case was adjourned until Friday next. Sinco tho Arbitration Act came into force 1419 permits have been applied for and 1272 issued to u:idor-rate workers in connection with awards. Twenty-thrco permits of this kind woro issued in connection with industrial agreements. \An Invercargill Press Association telegram states that Mr. Atkinson M'Dowell, who has been collector of customs at Invercargill for six years, retires on a pension as from April with tho usual three months' leave. Prior to that date Mr. M'Dowell had forty-four years' service in tho Department serving m Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch,' Lyttelton, and Greymouth. He proposes to sottle in Canterbury.

Speaking to the motion for the adoption of the'annual report at the meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals yesterday, the President (Mr. J. Ilott) remarked that the parent society in England' was'inaugurated' as" 1 far' back as 1824. Tho lato Queen Victoria became its patron in 1835, and in 1840 the word "Royal" was prefixed to the namo' of the society. The work of tho Home society has assumed vast proportions, and its importance and usefulness is so universally recognised that " Animal Sunday " has become an annual institution. On that day special references'to tho work of tho society are made from the pulpits.

Mr. J. W. Bridge, tho well-known local dentist, spent some days in Durban and Capetown whilo abroad,and describes the condition of things at both those South African ports as '"awful." There are thousands out of work and suffering from actual want, and thousands want to, get away to anywhere, so long as tis out of Soutli Africa. "Tho country has been given back to tho Dutchman," sail Mr. Bridge; "the Britisher is being pushed out everywhere. The compensation authorities arc compensating the Butch, bub not thejoyal British,and if it came to a war again England would find it difficult hi pick up volunteers in South Africa. The nation has simply handed back to tlii Dutch tho control of the wholo ccuntry, and the sacrifice of blood and life counts for nothing."

A Wellington grocer, when brought before his creditors, stated that bad debts were the chiof cause of his indebtedness, and he quoted a sum of £30 he had lost in ono month to ono customer. When crossexamined, it was divulged that his owings were very heavy, and that ho had spent certain sums in buying Government discount stamps, and also a cash register, which cost him £75. When he had paid £30 off the price of the register the vendor took possession of it again, and retained tho £30 that had been paid. The question was raised whether there was any legal warrant for such action, particularly as there had been no registration as a bailment. The Official Assigneo said ho was waiting for a good case lo have the point settled by tho Court, but did not admit that this was the type of case ho meant.

According to a private letter received by Mr. Neil Galbraith, treasurer of the New Zealand Rugby Union, from Mr. James Lanagan, \vho toured Now Zealand and Australia recently' as a representative of Stanford University, California, the Rugby game is making voryi satisfactory progress in America. The Rugby season was in full swing at the date of writing, October 6, and teams had been organised by tho Englishmen 'and colonists in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Many of tho preparatory schools have also taken up tho game, and according to Mr. Lanagan prospects aro bright for the permanent establishment of Rugby on tho coast. On tho Saturday after the lottor was written tho Stanford first year mon were to play a toam from the University yf Columbia. Tho Stanford seniors aro aaid to be making groat progross, tho backs 'earning tho game moro rapidly than the forwards. In another season it is expected tho Califdrnians will bo looking for glory outsido of America. Mrs. Ethel R. De Costa, LL.B. (nee Miss Ethel R. Benjamin, of Duncdin), after practising for some years in , that city, has .commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor in No 6 Nathan's Buildings, corner Grey and Featherston Strcots, 'Wellington. Mrs. Do Costa has tho distinction of being the only lady practising at the Bar in the Dominion. Intending clients can depend on prompt and careful attention at Mrs. De Cosfci's hands. If you aro contemplating removing, tho first thing you should no is obtain a quotation from J. Koir, 12 Feathorston Street. He has had many years' experience in this class of work, and is in a position to pack, store, and rqniovo any description of furniture. He also clears goods through Customs, and despatches packages and tiercels to any address in the world, Jfol. *■*»*, JJ« 1 "0. C 560

Tho Amokura, which lias returned from her cruise in Cook Strait, is to proceed to Lyttclton to attend tho regatta there on December 26. It is understood that races will be provided for the boys of the vessel. Mr. Lothbridge, M.H.R. for Oroua, has offered to present to the Government fifty acres of land (valued at from £20 to £26 an acre) at Feilding on the understanding that tho Dairy Experimental School will De established there. A man named Leydon, employed in the Post Office, was arrested by Detective Lewis yesterday on a charge of theft of a postal packet valued at £3. Leydon will be brought before tho Magistrate's Court'this morning, when a remand will be asked for. Very complete ■ arrangements are being made for the welcome to be accorded to Sir James Mills, chairman of directors of the Union Steamship Company, at the Town j Hall at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 28. The price of tickets has been fixed at 165., and tickets may bo obtained from any member of the committee. : Mr. J. J. Meiklo writes Asking us to publish a letter which he has forwarded to the Minister' for Justice, contradicting a statement made by Mr. Hornsby to the effect that ho (Meikle) gave a bond for £400 for the loan of £37, the bond to be met when Meikle ' received his compensation. Mr. Meikle further accuses certain members of misleading the House and so interfering with the course of justice. . ■. * •

The oil of good fellowship .was poured ,on the troubled waters of' political strife last evening, when the Premier entertained the members iof both Houses, the parliamentary officials, and members'of the Press Gallery at supper in Bellamy's. In all 120 people were present! The toasts honoured wera "Tho King," "Our Host," and "The Leader of the Opposition."

In returning thanks at a meeting of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athlotic Association last night for his re-election to the office of president, Dr. A. K. Newman emphasised, the necessity for tho early selection of the team to defend the championship banner won by the centre , ! representatives last, season. Dr. Newman expressed his willingness to financially as-, sist, if necessary, in tho proper organisation , of such a team, and laid special stress on the need of proper coaching and training' facilities being provided for tho men. ;

Two Wellington boys, Masters Eric and St. Leger Reeves, achieved distinction at the Wangamii A. and P. Show this week. In the public school competition Erie Reeves gained first prize for' freehand drawing in qutlino of a plant, animal, or bird, and his brother St. Loger was awarded first prize for the best drawing-of any animal. It is interesting to note that Master Eric, who is not yet thirteen years' of'age; gained the gold medal for brusliwork design in the class up to seventeen years at tho recent Exhibition, and that St. Leger Reoves, who is under ten years of age, and is a mere beginner, competed in a class at Wanganui in which the age limit was fifteen years.. Both boys are pupils of Miss. Sybil Johnson, of Wellington.

The committee of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club has decided to encourage the public to follow yacht races closely this season. The .steamer Pilot has been chartered to follow: this afternoon's sailing contests, passengers being carried at Is. per head. If the venture turns out a success the Pilot will be chartored for every racing Saturday during'the season."' Tho following entries have been received for to-day's races: —First-class: Waitangi, Ngaira, and Syren j second claEs: Janet,' Mahifaa, Petrel,'Muritai, Nancy Stair,' and Taipare; third-class: Malua, Wariho, May, Mahaki, Nikau, Ibex[ and Pirate. These entries should provide a good afternoon's.racing, and it is anticipated that by the .next racing Saturday (Novombor 30) the number of entrants will bo considerably increased. . ■

Examinations were held during the past month by the examiners of the Inspection ff Machinery Department at the towns of Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Ormondville, Wanganui, Waikanao, Wellington, Nelson, Reefton, Greymouth, Christehurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Two hundred and fifty candidates in all were examined, and for the following classes of certificates: —First-class marine engineer, second-class marine engineer, third-class marine engineer, rivor engineer, marine engine-driver, marine enginoers of auxiliary powered veaaels (both for sea-going and river trade), first-class stationary engine-diver, stcohdolass stationary engine-driver, locomotive'and traction enine-driver, and winding enginedriver (for mining certificates). Of the number who sat 170 passed their examination successfully., • . .... .;, . '

An opportunity for a pleasant-outing will be afforded the public nest Thursday in connection with the Marlborough races. An excursion has been, arranged by tho Union Company for the first day of the meeting, and the Arahura will leave the wharf at 7 a.m., reaching Picton at 10.30.' At Picton a special train will await the passengers, and take them to the Riverlands racecourse, which will bo reached by a quarter to twelve. Tho races will commence at. noon, and the last race is run at ten minutes to five. Immediately after the last race tho. train will take tho passengers from the course to Picton, which will bo reached at about six o'clock, and the Arahura will immediately rotum to Wellington, thus allowing those who take advantage of the trip to reach their homos before ten o'clock at night. The racing club has agreed to admit passengers by tho Arahura to thocourso free of charge.