LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Customs revenue collected at Wellington yesterday amounted t0 ( £2317 17s. 9d.

His Honour, Mr. Justice Button, will hold a sitting in chambers at 10.30 thisi morning at which tho list for the civil sittings; which open on Monday, will be settled.

To-day is the final day of the annual examinations of the University of New Zealand. Tho students of Victoria College intend to roliovo their feelings at a social gathering to bo held this evening, which the programme terms an " ahuareka." Literally translated, this curious word is said to mean a " burst-up."

Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Limited,, have purchased a section immediately to the rear of the promises of W. and G. Turnbull and C 0. ,, Limited, and situated at the corner rf Ji'oatherston and Waring Taylor Streets. Plans are in preparation for the erection of a now building on this section, for the exclusivo use of the company.

Mr. Eddie, of Pahiahia, tho owner of Tho Duko of Fife, the Jersey bull that took first prize at tho Carterton Show, was about eighteen days ago tossed by the trophy-win-ning animal clean over a gate, which treatment resulted in a broken rib and serious injuries to an arm and a leg. Mr. Eddio declares that the luck he has had with the bull outweighs tho unceremonious treatment ho received at its horns;-'.- ■ An important amendment is being made in tho Education Act, whereby children attending Catholic and Maori Schools will come under the co'mpulsory attendance clauses. "In several cases," commented the Education Board's truant officer, in his monthly report, "parents have, after receiving warnings from me, transferred their children from tho public schools to Catholic schools, and have thus been ablo to evade tho provisions of the compulsory clauses of the Act." Leaden-footed justice has at length overtaken an English firm named Dorey Luster and Co., whose advertisements of . cheap watches and jewellery, sent out in countless circulars, have victimised, among others, many hundreds of credulous Now Zealanders, anxious to get something for nothing, or nearly nothing. These people were induced to send their money homo by offers of tempting baigains,, and, when nothing came to them in return, they often complained to the police, who have received the confidences of such victims every month of the year. When jewellery was sent out in fetiirn for money forwarded, those who desired cheap valuo got something greatly cheaper than their expectations. Now the Police Department has received word that the head of this enterprising firm, Dorey Luster, has been declared a bankrupt, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment on several charges of fraud, so that those people who are still oxpecting paicels can abandon hope. Commenting on the first match of the New Zealand professional football team now in England, tho "Manchester Guardian" says: " Tho New Zealanders are a long way removed from being a,' scratch ' side. Thero can bo no doubt that the team, contains players—and a fair number of them —that are fit for any side, national or other. But, on the other hand, one was by no means ablo to go all tho way with the professional enthusiasts who hold that this toam is better than its amateur predecessor of two years ago. Allowing that tho match was tho first, that they are still not 'quite at home witli Northern Union rules, and that, for various reasons, they aro not yet at their best, one was quite unablo to see that they are even up to the levol of the 1905-6-team, or that they aro likely to become so.' There wore evidences after the game that not a tow Northern Unionists wwe a wee bit disappointed, and though not many of thom went sd far as to put it into words, one or two did so, adding, apparently with some misgiving, the hope that when the men settled down things would be better."

Mr. A. H. Vilo brought up the question or substituting pads for slates in schools, at the Education Board's meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr. Vilo considered that tho Government should be asked to do something in tho matter of supplying schools with sucl? apparatus as was required. It would be nr expensive item in a child's school equipment if pads had constantly to bo purchased. He moved that teachers in tho employ of tli* Board be informed that writing pads should not be substituted for slates unless with the consent of the parents. Mr. Hogg seconded tho motion, and in the courso of his remarks said that Avhorc slates wore indiscriminately handed about thero was serious danger of infection from unhealthy children. So'lon;* a3 each child was permitted to keep for its solo use tho samo slate there could not bo that danger. A child should keep its slato just as the Maori kept his land. Tho motion was carried.

Mrs. Ethol R. Do Costa, LL.B. (nee Miss Ethol R. Bonjamin, of Dunedin), after practising for somo yoars in that city, has commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor in No G Nathan's Buildings, corner Groy and Featheiston Streets, Wellington. Mrs. Dβ Costa has tho distinction of being tho only lady practising at tho Bar in tho Dominion. Intending clients Can depend on prompt and careful attention at Mrs. Do .Costa'e hands.

Argument in the Wade'patent case will be hoard before His IJonoiir the Chief Juttico (Sir Robert Stout) this morning. . Tho Education Board lias decided that payment of teachers' salaries per medium of tho post office is at present inadvisable. I The Government offices throughout the Dominion will be closed on November 30 in celebration of St. Andrew Day. St. Patrick's Collego sports will not be held on the Basin Reservo to-day, and consequently the Reserve will bo available for cricket as usual. Tho private residences of the chairman 6i tho Education Board (Mr. Robert Leo) an J its Chief Inspector (Mr. T. R. Fleming) ari to bo connected'with the Central Exchangi by telephone. Our Potone correspondent reports thai last night at about five o'clock a firo broki out in a newly-built unoccupied house is Bloomfield Road, Lower Hutt. Tho house, which was practically burnt to the ground, was tho scene of an outbreak a week ago. At the meeting of the Education Board yesterday tho Chairman (Mr. R. Lee), Mr. A. H. Vile, Captain M'Donald, and the chief inspector (Mr. Elemjng), were appointed t>. committee t.i inspect and approve tho plans for tho new technical school at Petone, V and forward them on to the Government., " You have no right to tell them what you believe 'about tho case," interjected the Crown Prosecutor whilst Mr. Wilford was addressing a jury yesterday. " That is quite true," replied .counsel, "but don't you often do the same thing yourself? Why I I have frequently heard you say to a jury: 'I believe you will have, no difficulty in this case.'"

Yesterday, a juror who was not present when his name was called subsequently explained that ho was under the impression that tho Court did not sit until 10.30. His Honour, Mr. Justice Cooper, who accepted the excuse, pointed out that the Court had not sat until 10.30 on the first mornings of the session, but would sit at 10 a.m. from now on.

Acceptance of the invitations to bs present at tho Wellington Boxing Association's final tourney at tho Opera Hoiiso on Monday ovenihg have been received from the Premier, who is patron of tho Association, and the Hohs. J M'Gowah and J. A. Millar. Mr. W. G. Atack, hon. secretary of tho New Zealand Boxing Council, will also be present. During his short stay in Wellington, Mr. Atack will confer with the officers of the local Association on matters associated with the administration of the sport in the Dominion as affected by the repealing of the Police Offences Act Amendment Act of 1904, and its replacement by another measure which found its way to the Statute Book this session.

A handsome silver cnp has been presented to tho Thorndon Amateur Swimming Club by tho Patron, Sir J. G. Ward. The committee has decided that tho cup is to be competed for by members of the Thorndon Club only, and that it be won two seasons in succession, or three times at intervale, beforo it , becomes the sole property of the winner. The swimmer scoring the mos't.ipoihts in! carnival and intor-week handipap club,events,,will hold the cup for tho season and until'it is won from him. The first race for which points will count for tho cup will take place on Wednesday evening, December 4. The clip will bo on view during the next few days at Armit's, Lambton Quay.

"The most.important event of the week," writes tlie Sydney agent of the Tourist Department, "is undoubtedly tho great coal strike, which is' likely to be far-reaching in its results. Already tho Union Steamship and Huddart • Parker Companies have intimated an increase in fares to Tasmania, and Melbourne, but this, at present, does not apply to New Zealand. Any increase in the passenger rates to the Dominion must have a seribus effect on the passenger traffic, and it is. a possibility that must be taken into consideration. ' If the increase only continues to apply to Tasmania the New Zealand tourist season must benefit accordingly. The shipping companies consider, however, there is every likelihood that an increase of 10 per cant, in New Zealand fares may yet take place." (These calculations appear to be somewhat discounted by to-day's cabled news as to the settlement of tho strike.) Considerable local agitation has recently arisen over the proposal by the Education Board to place tho new latrines for the Mount Cook School on the street frontage. The latest development was the receipt by the.Board o: a letter from Mr. .W. H. P. Barber strongly protesting against the proposal, and- asking, on behalf of the residents in the district, that further consideration bo given to tho matter. Captain T. W. M'Donald said that ho had visited the school and was convinced that the latrines could easily bo placed at the rear of the school buildings, where there was a good fall. Ho admitted that he had reversed his previous opinion upon the matter, but having now seon the proposed sito he was quite satisfied that it was iinsuit-' able. Mr. Allan twitted Captain M'Donald and other members upon their vacillation, and strongly urged the Board to adhere to its former decision. It was ultimately docided to hold the matter over pending a' further visit to the Mount Cook School.

The following appears in the latest report of the Sydney agent of the New Zealand Tourist Department: —"Inquiries from prospectivo settlors arc still plentiful, an J sdVeral agricultural labourers have announced their intention of going across. One man has £250 in his possession, and has three sons, the oldest of whom is nineteen years of age. Another man, whoso departure 1 hope to announce next week, has just arrival from South Africa. Ho has £300; and wilj go to New Zealand to start n business. Some of the inquirers possess the haziest of ideas concerning the Dominion, and I am afraid sonio of tho misstatcments made and circalated are inspired. For instancoj one man who called yesterday afternoon heard that Auckland, to which place he thought of going, was very much hotter than Sydney. This he was told by a man who hoarded hia steamer on arrival. At a later stage the same individual asked me why the New Zealand Government wanted only immigrants having £25 in thoir possession. This and similar misstatomonts wore given to him and fellow-passengors ns facts. Needless to say, he left the agency an enlightened man."

Miss Toild notifies that "Waitohi House," Picton, the Ideal Tourist House, is open to receive visitors for coming season. Situation and surroundings second to none in Marlborough. Letters and telegrams promptly attended to. 5851

A fashionably attired woman needs a perfectly cut corset* .artistically moulded to the "human form." C. Adams and Co., 35 Cuba Strcot, have a most up-to-date corset department, and a lady export is always in attendnnco for tjio purpose of "fitting." C. Adame and Co. aro agents for tho Messenger Corset Manufacturers. Your measure is taken by an expert, fitted and made to. your order within a week, inspection iuvited. C6iJ

The now tariff is to come into operation in the Cook group hnd other islands attached to Now Zealand on January 1.

'Notice is given in this,week's "Gazette" of the.intention of the Government to take cortain.lands in Auckland city for the purpose or,'the. construction of a now courthouse.

Bfuco Avonuo, Fitehett Town (above Brooklyn), is exempted from the provisions of section il7 of tho.public Works' Act, subject to the building line being set- back 83ft. from the contre of the road.

About a hundred oxcursionists loft for > Piotpn :by the Afahurii yesterday morning, tlio' attraction being tho Blonhoinv Races. Fine weather provailed, and thoso who participated in the outing had an enjoyable time.: The vessel left Wellington at 7 a.m., and arrived back at 10.30 p.m. Mombers of tho Education Board became prpternaturally gnra yestorday afternoon, when, a lettor was read from Mr. R. G. Knight, offering to present a wall copy of the Ten Commandmtrits to each school. One member, whose levity was proof against the eyo of the Chairman, suggested that the meriibers of tho Board should also have been favoured with copies. " Some of thom," ho suggested,. " might wish to hang a copy up in, their bedrooms.? Tho joke passed,' and the Board becamo ierious again. Mr. Allan moved that Mr. Knight's offer be accepted. This .was seconded and. carried unanimously. ~There was a sensational runaway in Mastodon .yesterday inorhing. A bldck pony, owned; by Mr. T. Dwyer, bolted down Que«n Street with its harness on; and dashed into tlio piate glass wiidows of the Now Zealand Clothing Company. Tho animal then dashed out : again, made a circuit of four streets, returned down Qteori Street, and was eventually captured war the Waipoua bridge. W^hen.captured it was bleeding from fifteen ■wounds. During the course of its short career, several people wore injured through being knooked dorni by tho maddened brute. 'Amongst these were Mr. T. Dwyer, tho daughter of Mr. C. Perry,, and Mr. F. S. Cooper. , Their iijuries were not serious, but they had narrow escapes.