LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 73, 19 December 1907, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Customs returns for Wellington yesterday amounted to £2778 6s. lid. The undefended divorco case, Arthur Perry (petitioner) v. Alice Madeline Perry (respondent), will be taken this morning by His Honour Mr. Justice Button, i The Premier said at Martinborough yesterday that he had authorised the establishment of a " post-office ". at King Edward VII Land, in connection with the southern oxpedition. Tiiis would then be the most southern post-office in the world. He had authorised the issue of 100 sheets of penny postage stamps for the "office," so that members of tho expedition could make practical use of the privilege, and send mementoes of this unique establishment to their friends. Photographic post cards of "Hospital Saturday" collection, and other interesting events, on pale at Zak'e Photo Depot, 24 Willie Street (pricj 44, each),

The compensation case, Thomas Campbell versus the Karori Borough Council, will be hoard this morning.

The City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) stated yesterday that tho plans and specilications for the municipal abattoirs are being slightly modified in accordance with the desires of Mr. Gilruth, and everything will probably bo ready to call for tenders about tho middle of next month.

Tho Wairarapa district is suffering considerably from a long-continuod season of dry weather. There has been a luxuriance of feed this spring, but tho growths all over tho plains are yellow and parched. The season is tho driest experienced, it is stated, for the past twenty years.

At its meeting to-night the City Council will consider the following business:—(l) Confirmation of resolution passed on March 14, 11)07, adopting "The Electric Light Fitters' By-law, 1907"; (2) Confirmation of resolution passed on May 23, 1907, adopting the Consolidation and Revision of "The Wellington City Corporation By-laws, 1907."

In his anxiety to get a "fare," a cabby so irritated a passenger from Sydney by the Warrimoo yesterday that the latter seized an offending whip wielded by tho jehu and broke it. The trouble that followed was settled by a constable, who, becoming aware of the facts of thevcase, ordered tho stranger to pay the cost of tho whip handle (35.), and took the names of the parties concerned.

Mr. Morrison, manager of the New Plymouth Freezing Works, was injured in an accident on the Kolburne tram line yesterday afternoon. One of his feet was badly crushed by a car, , and Dr. Holmes had to amputate three of'his toes.. The foot was lacerated very much, and a severe operation was necessary. Mr. Morrison was also badly bruised about the body. Last night he was doing as well as could be expected.

The Government Railway workshops' employees have decided not to come in under the Arbitration Act. The Government left it to the employees to decide-the matter, and ,the result of a vote taken , on December 7 was announced by the Premier yesterday at ilartinborough as follows:—For Arbitration, 226; against 2154; majority against, 11)29. No less than 891 men refrained from voting. Only six per cent, of the ; whole of the workshops' omployees were in afvour I of arbitration. i Tho fear of the enterprising burglar, is usually uppermost in the mind of the famijy man who is about to leave home on holiday,. especially when the' family is fortunate enough to possess , valuable plate. A wellknown member of the Parliamentary Hansard staff is reported to have fallen between the burglar and fire quite recently. It appears that,,before leaving for a well-earned rest at the end of the session, he stored his plate in Parliament Buildings for safety. The precaution saved the valuables from ; the hands of; the burglar only to throw them into the arms of the flames. Not even a spoon was saved. They were sons of tfye East, and stood in ' silence side by side in front of the dock . at the Magistrates' Court, a look of child- . like innocence on their respective countenances. They were charged with selling cigarettes and tobacco after 8 p.m..in contravention of the laws of the land, and both pleaded ignorance of the law and of tileEnglish language. "Do you understand English ?'.' queried the Clerk of the Court. A knowing shake of the head was the re- [ sponse, but -not,! a'facial muscle: moved to give an idea of what was passing through the Celestial brain. .. Eventually the case was adjourned to enable an interpreter to be procured. ' * ' , ' • ■ . •' ' It has been definitely decided by the officers of tho Wellington Garrison that the shooting for tho Government prize-money will, take ; place at Trentbam on January 22, 1908. The details of the mooting will be dealt with by a subcommittee of officers representing the various companies, and will bo. announced later. It is understood that the programme will be arranged on the same lines as at the previous meeting, subject to the approyal of the Officer Commanding the District (Lieut.Colonel Bauchop). • In order to make the meeting as attractive as possible, and worth, while for the men to attend, several extra prizes will be offered , by the. officers for competition. ]

Tub >, Dominion's "Casual ( Chronicler" came in for a little chaff at the hands of Mr. E. Tregar, the Secretary of the Labour Department, at last night's social. Said Mr; Trcgear: ' l " The Dominion has had the temerity to try to make fun of the Labour Department. I feel a cold shiver running down my back, when I think of it." (Laughter.) "It says wo are going- to givo away coupdns, and if you keep one of them fifty years you will have the right to free burial:. Now,; we don't issue any coupons. I don't say we wouldn't give free burials, but we would choose our corpses." (More laughter.)- Mr. Tregear considered that the Public Service Superannuation Act. (which, after The Dominion, was the- principal subject of his speech) would work, out far more advantageously than free burial coupons.

At tho conclusion of the first act of "Hie Highness the Bey" at the Opera Houbo last evening, His.Worship the Mayor (Hon. T. \Y. Hislop) appeared on the stage, and announced that amongst the many who were interesting themselves in tho good work being carried on by Rev. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, at Island Bay,, was Mr. Poltard, who had gonorously offered'to allow an innovation in the progranimo in favour of providing somothirtg extra to brighten the lives of the little ones at the Homo of Compassion at Christmas time. (Applauso.) This would appeal to the audience more eloquently than he could. (Applause.) After His Worship had made a dignified exit.from the blaze of limelight that flooded the stage, Miss Minnie Topping sang the pathetic song, "Only a Penny," from " Bluebell in Fairyland," to tho accompaniment of a rain of coins, which wcro gathered up iu the comedian's toll hat, while collecting boxes were passed amongst the audience. Later on in the porformanco, Mr. Charles Albert announcod, amidst applause, that tho suni of £12 2s. 9d. had been realised.

Mrs. Ethel K. De Costa, LL.B. (nee Mist Ethel R. Benjamin, of Dunedm), after praohsing for eomo' years in that- city, has menced practice as a barrister and bohoitor in No 6 Nathan's Buildings,, corner Groj and Featreiston Streets, Wellington, ilrs. Dβ Cost* has the distinction of being the only lady practising at the Bar in tho Dominion. Intending clients can depend on prompt and caroful af tention at Mrs. Dβ Costa's hands. You will find a display of euch dainty holiday frocks, morning dresses, protty blouses, charming millinery, etc., at Sirs , . Mathowson's Melbourne House, Lambton Quay. Tho prices will enable every lady in Wellington to look really emart and well dressed. Remember the addrese: Lambton Quay, opp. Bank N.Z. 6117 Ladies visiting Wellington during the Christmas holidays would do well to pay C. Adams and Co.'s millinery establishment a visit before going further. Tho millinery rooms upstairs will bo found extemsivo, and afford tbo best selection at reasonable prices in tho city. Costumes and blouses will bo sold at a reduction during December. Only addrees, 35 Cuba Street. C6M