IN OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 76, 23 December 1907, Page 9

IN OTHER CENTRES.

PRESENTATIONS TO MR. W. A. HAWKINS. Mr. W. A. Hawkins, who has been Deputy Registrar of tho Supreme Court and Clerk of Awards at Wellington for the past thirteen years, and who has been appointed Registrar at Dunedin, was presented with a purse of sovereigns by members of tho legal profession on Saturday morning. Mr. T. Young, vice-president of the Wellington Law Society, who made tho presentation, referred to Mr. Hawkins's unfailing courtesy and anxiety to assist members of the profession having business at the Court. Many of the members of the Law Society had gono away from Wellington on their holidays, and he trusted that Mr. Hawkins would regard the gentlemen present as a deputation from the Society, which, as a body, ontertaincd tho highest respect for him. On bohalf of the Society' Mr. Young expressed tho best wishes of the members for Mr. Hawkins's success in Dunedin. Mr. H. D. Bell, K.C., president of tho New Zealand Lav/ Society;. said it was generally agreed that the olficors of the Court exercised an important function in keeping members of the profession in order. So long as statute law gavo control to officers of the Court, members of the profession would have to submit to them, .and mako the. best of it. With regard to Mr. Hawkins's courtesy and desire to meet the convenience of members of the profession attending the Court, ho could not'speak too highly. As an officer of the Arbitration Court Mr. Hawkins would, ho . thought, bo - greatly valued in Dunedin, for he had had considerable and varied experience in Wellington. Mr. Bell rofcrrcd to the principle of overtime which had been adopted by the Arbitration Court,, and hoped Mr. Hawkins would exerciso some control over tho learned judges who desired to sit out of hours. Referring to the high'responsibilities attaching to the office of Registrar in' Courts outside/Wellington—for in places like Christchurch and Dunedin tho judges wero often away from tho Court, and the Registrar was so frequently left to exercise his own responsibility iu important matters —Mr. Bell said he had no doubt whatever of Mr. Hawkins's qualifications for tho position, and he congratulated him upon his appointment.

(FROM OUR SVECUTi CORRESPONDENTS.) I . 4 . AUCKLAND. • Dcocmbor 20. Colonel Goring, president of the Defence League at ■Whangarci, combats tho Hon. R. M'Nab's statement at Otautau, that tlio defences .of the Dominion are in a forward condition. Tho volunteer force, (on paper), is 20,000, he says, 3000 of these being cadets, and at least 130,000 modern rifles are needed. Auckland provides only 3000 men for tho defonco of tho .coast'line from tho Bay of Plenty to tho North Capo,, with no railway, and very few roads of communication. This handful is not equipped to take tho field, having no transport, commissariat, medical staff, machine guns,'or field artillery. New Mining Diploma. With the object of encouraging students to take a systematic course of study when through any cause they are unablo to take th-; degree, the Auckland University College Council has decided to institute in connection with tho recently-established School of Mining Engineering an associateship diploma, which may bo gained in either mining or metallurgy. The course occupies threo years in either case, and is intended primarily for those who arc unablo to spend the four yoars required for tho B.E. degree of the New Zealand University. It is hoped that tho majority of those entering this course will havo passed the matriculation oxamiriation.' This is not essential, but intending associateship students must produce- satisfactory evidence of their knowledge' of English grammar, composition, spelling and punctuation, arithmetic, algebra, and freo hand and model drawing. A good working knowledge of tho above subjects is the minimum of what is absolutely necessary in order to make reasonable progress in the subjects -required by a j mining or metallurgical engineer. Tho student must attend nine-tenths of the classes in each subject, for tho work must bo thoroughly done, and exemption from this regulation can. only be granted on account of illness o'r some exceptional cause aftor special consideration by tho Professorial Board. The examinations are conducted by the professors and lecturers, and arc held at tho end of each term in tho case of school of mines subjects, and at tho end of the year only in preliminary subjects. The teacher is the solo judge of tho fitness of tho student to pass in his subject, and tho year's work as a whole is taken into account when making.tho decision. In the event of a student failing' in ono subject of the year's .work, ho must obtain additional 'instruction in that subject and pass tho next examination in it, hut failure ill two or more subjects entails a repetition of tho whole year's work. In his vacations'* and before entering the, final year of study, he must put in at least six months of practical work in coal and mc'tal mines if taking tho mining course, or in metallurgical works if taking tho metallurgy course, so that he enters his final year, with some practical knowledgo of his subject, and is thus able to reap tho full advantage of the instruction offered. " \

Thefts from Boats. t ■' ■ Cases of theft from water craft aro so constantly occurring hero that there is an outcry for tho supply of a motor launch to tho polico. Last season tho owners of pleasure', boats were subjected to a good deal of annoyance and inconvenience by a number of mon and youths • who wont round tho water front stealing lead from tho yachts, smashing skylights, cutting the and committing other such acts of depredation and it would appear, from complaints which have already been made, that ,thoso who take their pleasure on the Waitcmata arc again experiencing trouble in this connection. A motor launch was recently broken into and pilfered at Orakei, ■' access beiiig gainod to the craft by smashing tho skyligut. Tho engines wcro tampered with, and, after vainly trying to set tho boat going, to the detriment of cortain parts of tho machinery, tho marauders cut up tho cushions in tho cabin. Altogether damage to tho extent of about £C was done. I'ppair3 wcro at. Ponsonby, but as 'soon as tho boat was ready for launching she was again visited, this timo two. new. batteries belonging to the motor being taken away. Last Sunday a local motor..launchowner called on some friends at Howick, and when ho returned to liis launch ho found that a vital part of the engine had been moved. ' Fortunately, another launch was passing at the timb, aud it.took the disabled one in tow. December 21. Tho scheme to make an csplauado or drive from St. Helicr's'Bay right along to Cox's Greek, beyond Ponsonby, is taking shape. A report on.tho question of tho proposed csplauado ,was submitted to'the committee meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday by tho sub-committee- recently appointed in connection with tho matter. Tho sub-committoo recommended that plan. "-V.'-TJ" bo substituted for the plan. "A," and that the Board's solicitors bo instructed to prepare a Bill for submission to . Parliament dealing with the riparian rights involved in tho proposal. It was agreed, on tho motion of Mr. W. J. Napier, to adopt tho recommendation, aud to request tho Board's solicitors to embody the Bill required in a general measure embracing all legislation which it is intended to submit to Parliament on behalf of tho Board.. Plan ."A," which, had boon previously adopted, provided for .a. winding osplanade which would hug the facb of tho cliff for the greater part of tho. beach. Plan " V.TJ," on tho other hand, shows a straight lino from Beaumont Street (at the western sido of Victoria Park) to Ponsonby reef, a. curve round tho cliff, and thonco continuing in another straight lino to tho entrance to Ponsonby wharf at the foot of, Wallaco Street. This proposal will ennblo a larger area of land to be reclaimed than would bo possible under tho previous proposal, and will also afford a longer approach, and consequently an improved grade to tho streots at the top of the cliffs. The revised lino crosses the site of tho proposed new city baths at Shelly Beach. It will therefore bo necessary to placo tho baths a short distance further out'than was intended.

Land Board—Workers' Rates. Some of the occupiers ' of tho workers' homos at Ellerslio have been lax in paying up their rates, and tho matter eamo before the Land Board yesterday in tho shape of a letter from tho Clerk of the Road Board, asking the Land Board to meet tlio payments. It was decided to inform tho defaulters that unless tlioy paid tho local rates for water, etc., promptly, the water would bo cut off, and probabl ytluv sections would bo forfeited for breaches of the conditions. It, is understood that a good demand exists for workers' homes in tho suburbs. . Another matter that tho Land Board had to deal with was that of the settlement of the Sclwyn Estate. It appears that some time ago Miunaku settlers asked tho Board for tho option to take up a portion of tho Selwyn Kstato as a cattle sanatorium. A special Act was passed to meot their wishes, and after the Department had gone to: th o expense of subdividing, a ballot was taken amongst the sottlors. Now those who drew good sections are willing to retain them, but those who drew tho rougher sections will not take them up. The Board took tho view that it was unfair to lot tho settlers take tho eyes out of the block in question and leave the poorer sections to tho Government to deal with. A resolution was consequently carried to cancel rights to leases in tho case of applications where settlers have declined to completo or havo failed to reply, and to reopen tho land under the ordinary lands for settlement conditions.; It transpired that the settlors inspected and approved of tho land before tho Board opened it. • Memorial Bath. The "Jeaunio Fowlds Memorial Bath," which is to bo opened by, Lord Plunkot at J'oint Chevalier on Monday afternoon, has been presented to tho school by tho Hon. (.too. and -Mrs. Fowlds in 1110111017 of their late daughter Jeannio, who attended tho school. Tho bath has beou erected at a cost of betweon £300 and £400. It lias been completed for several weeks, and during tho unusual hot weather prevailing lately tho children' hnve onjoyed tho pleasure it provides. Tho bath is constructed of ferroconcrete, and is 75 feet in length by 30 feot

in width. At tho. shalldwest'-fentUtho' depth of water is 2 feet 10 iuopes, and at tho deepest part it has 7 feet'B'inches "of water. The batli is enclosed by a' galvanispdvrpn- fence 8 feet in height, and at ono end' is" situated an open shed and twq;dressing rppms,-,-.;•■;..

' '■ CHRISTCHUEJChV;^:./ 1 ;-:^

....v,;.::.'.'DccbmbGr : 2o.-' : The "Press," commenting on.the .rebuild-: ing of Parliament Houße,,regards;,tho dcci-' sion_ to drect a temporary, odifico for/next session and to remit the "question of tho'new. buildings to Parliament "'as ' : a;",wi£6' 'Oh'eV "There is already," it'rorrtarksj" 1 "a"'strorig divorgonce of opinion .as-:-to -What should, bo dono. Sir Joseph Ward'.s ■ suggestion! that the Government House. sito,- 1 shQu](l,J)p, ! takqn, over for the new Parliamentary",, and his remark that 'in'" tlw tatter tho Government would"have 'to : '. pro vi'do r 'fof the needs of tho next'lso or, 200 , ye'aTs; have" created an impression'thatr.a needlessly "ex-; travagant sehome m'ay. ; be proposed/;- Wo. are in no hurry, -as the . Premier-, jump at hasty conclusions, 'but'w'o,know Sir, Joseph Ward's optimistic",' and Say" free-handed,, way, of doaling'with things; and his claim that the question 'of •'reconstruction l should be looked into froih'thotßtaridpoint'.of the future development qfnthov country.', that is bound to grow enormously, beyond, its-pre-, sent dimensions does .give sonie; : grp'und. for" the fears that" are- It will bo waste of money 'unless flic'-Parliament" House is a solidly built'"and'. 1 arranged structure, witfr,suffic'ient' y architce-: tural' graco to : bo a credit Ho-'the'Dominion , j; but thoro is no necessity.for < extravagancey nor, so far as wo can for -'.seizing upon the Government" House-'•sito;-" iThe-"exisfing-site is an admirablo one and'can'acdpmriib'dat'b"' buildings quite as largo;' aS f arp"rcq\ttrctt. a ''W,fV are not called' upon at' this present" stage- ofdoyolopment, whon money is : so;urgently-"re-quired for other purp'6Bes," > tdl"liifild'"fbr • *thb"possible needs of Novy ■ Zealafid turies honce. It will- bo quito''-sufficient''if wo look ahead for two or-three'g'erieratiojisV It must not bo overlookcd'-'th'at" if : mont House.sifo.wore tak'bh aho'ther'GAVeri't; mont House would have to be built;' I 'and,; notwithstanding the prosperous "condition" w tho Dominion, we do ndt-'thiriF, considering! tho condition of thelTdlri'ohioiie'y?market|'anil': tho urgent need for mont- works, that tho "present- time :r -iß ; ;'suit- : able for sinking so largo'ari'amou'ni;' of puiji' lic money in new buildings' J as,'Sir'-'Joseph' Ward seems to contemplate." ''"""J"^'"; I ',

J£ 'i.'.S . . 21f--' A report baring bcen"cffculatc3"that 'Mr? Jamos Bcnnot does not ''iiiterid i 'to i -s'de'k"''r67. election, that gentleman authorises'••tho' statement that ho will: siahcFfor'tho/iiow Tuapoka electoral district, that is"' if -TParlia-'-ment next session res6h-'ea : "''i'6't' ,i M;'iftte'i , fbro with tho recently-proolainied ;ü boundarios'. "■'•'% Tho following resolution 1 - "was-~carri'ed ? a£ tho meeting of tho cxecut : iv.o''bf'.th'b.Cbunoili of Churches: "That this ccutivo of tho Dunedin-'GounciP'oFtho Gh"ris'- rtjau Churches highly pF'tho' pr<> visions of tho recent 'Ga'm'iiig ! ' f Act; fi ' ; wni6h' ; mako illegal all. factory, •'shop/;'and" street' betting, closes, all tot-6 -'shops makers' offices, and forbids^h"o : publication'.of betting news; also ap'pfeciates\tho ''go'pd ~'i<£' suits already .attainedi' r 'which' l'aro''Undpub:tedlyin tho moral interests 'of : the'peoplo; biiti'rd-"' grets that a lega) status'has'.Weirgiven'To boolcmakcrß, and "that'tho totalisatpr'..is l 'al- 1 lowed, to remain ,a, legal''instrument 1 of : gambling.". .;-■.:.:■ ?-■?:■■■ _-f There is a report 'curreiit '■■' ' in 'thb."' RtiHburgh district that'tho\Gbternliibnt I{ intbrid , s i to throw open'tho Orma'glado run,^-which" falls in noxt year, in ; th , 6 :> interdsts.'bf'"c)6'ser'settloment; and, with.tbat bjijeet, 'Steps''are;; also to bo taken to acbuirb-'tho-homestead: block, which contain? sbhm'Veally.' chbicb 1 Tho Rov." Vi. aii'^'siit)iprity:-bii r t!ic licensing question,-'has"returned tour of Europe and America-.." : "' : .-' f> '! ; ': : " :'':■''.; The benevolent trustees -recehtly''. -fbuhd: thomselves in a dilomma r .'-'.''AMang' : :tlVp;''a]ipli i { cations for relief was one en'l'chalf 'tif ■'two' children, aged six and-:.thrco;:--Their mother' is in tho hospital, and the father, unable to work, .appeals to charity 'by "■< moans of a street phonograph. Ho is willing to assist them, but on rainy 'days'lie is' unable to go out,' and his takingsr vury.-from 9d.| to ss. per day. '.Sister Alicp,, 1 whb pleado|d tho children's case, said that-it would he.illegal to place the .voungcr,;phiid.- : out,';to board in any but' ;u registered homo, and thero was not a vacancy in any.lstaih.-in Dunedin, nor in any orphanage. Sho.suggested-'■g'ottffi'g a woman to look after tho-two ChildrfenC'S"'Tlie' trustees pointed to the.expense bf this;"'butthe Sister said it would "cbst ; i7srffor""eac!i child in a registered h0m0..-The'matter iwas left in tho hands of tlib'chairman.i-'te'v -<■>

\t is understood that; .tho. Southern Steam-' ship Company has, tovday-purchased '• "the' steamer Kotaro, which*-has between Auckland and-.Gisborno;i aiul'i'that she will be put on the. Otigo'. coast iat'oiico. Tho- Rev. James-r.-Qhisiiolnr," .the: - ne'xt Moderator of the Presbyterian; General''Assembly, is to bo provided'iwithia'newihahso; tho Roslyn ccngrogatibir tender, at £1275. The a Presbyterians of Otago treat their .»<•>■>? ' Tho North Otago A. andwP. .'Association; which gave £2200 for "34 acres: for? "Show, grounds, to-day sold six?acresi.for~-£1330, % leaving tho'Society withi^S-:-across costing £870. ■ ■ -sad ;-.<i ciici -.Vf'o': ■.'.-.•io>: Constable .■ Edwards comcs?-frOm' .'Christ; church to Duncdin as police photographer.' l ''' The racohorsc Curiosity;,was '■winningr.tho Alexandra Handicap ycstbrdayJwhe'n ho broke ;i blood vossel. • rr-.-:":r- :r.T;,£ ~r.:'.c,-'l _Mr.'Gil P. Hoskins,-"-who , has"''bcen'"iriana: ging. Fuller's ontertainment»in''tho absence of Mr. John f.wasntondcrod" 1 !! sond-oif last night byJa»HumborJ'o£*cpresciU tativQ.citizens,, and .was.-prosbnteftktWith "-is purse of sovereigns; ::i The I'ow Clerki-Ipre-sided, and tho speakers included'.'twd:' City Councillors. Mr. Hoskins'.'is-going; for' a short holiday to Australia'-witluhis'-wifoj-and will then return to Wellington.--.- ■■- '^<,\i:.\

Napier;;:, "^..^l

•'•; V'!'Decembor"<-26.-■• At a mooting of Napier, was decided, on tho mo'tioirof the ; chairman (Mr. J.' Vigor Brown), 'to'-incroaso tlio- wages : of general.labourers by .Is. .per:ilay r ':c.;Th'o Chairman stated that he had' been' prompted to movo in this direction "by- reason l that"ho liad been informed by.',tho;secretary that : tho Board was losing its best-.men,cand.,if;.koin<s thing was not clono' men left. Mombors expressed themselves "iii' general agreement with.: tho/member stating that tho .Board, in common with othor employers, was Ending that'wages were going up., ,-v ; -; .irT.d.; o-r-"!? Tbo annual clist'ributioii./'of a prizes in-.-'epn-nection with tho public schools tools placo to-day, and tho children were: disinisseu for the summer holidays.. At'-the-Napier.^ trict School, Master' ceived a special prize, in recognition of.liis having accomplished tho lino record of having passed through his eight 'year s' school career, from the infants' class.tp.tho Sixth Standard, without missing a day.' - •-* ' Somo agitation has taken .place recently as to tho pneo of fish caught locally, it boing stated that consignments ..from tho ..trawlers wero being exported to -•Wellington- -and sold cheaper tlioro. To meet "this difficulty;'a fish market was opened' this taibniihg j ''''h'nd :: a fino catch from ono of '.tho_trawler's"','was offered by publip auction'. 1 of,.tJip thing attracted a largo' : 'atteiidahcp. .of 'tho ■public,, and, as a result. oOhb,brisk!biddiiigf tho wholo consignment' .was-spld..'-,-..';B.uiidles of flounders realised fromlsitb Is; Id-.y-whilo different varieties of round-fish sold:from-ls.> to 2s. It is intended,• if-tho 'stippbrt'Of tho public warrants it, to' hold- ; similar sales 'tc' ? gularly. ' :r :' "'."'!"' "•-':"'-' ''-"'; An interesting feate'ro.,bf "the?.successful pcrfonnanco of tho " Messiah." iri St., Paul's Church last- ovening was. : tho'fact .'fciiafc-.tliQ conductor, Mr. J. Chiidwick,,' andohls wifo,' Mrs. Chadwick, who. saug in the. chorus; are on tho ovo of celebrating .their golden wedding. Both performers-arc -still-'' leading moinbers of-tho musical,org\ani&atibh, and'afo popularly known to the^.public;of,'N.i}picT.' ;'''"'' Sub-Inspector Dwycr,".wbb,''for 'tlib' past-few, months has boon in .!charg polico station,. leaves.,'bn. ; Fridqy ti fqr. Chris.t-i church. Ho will bo succeeded,.-.by Inspector MacUoncll, who has bwu^oiusickliloavb^c-o" As tho result of. a.pgtitj.p.ll^,promoted by tho legal fraternity, to"Tetaiii"'tho services of Mr. E. C. Cuttcn v S.M, r; in Napior/.-tho following roply was to-day" icceivod-'frbitf the Under-Secretary of- Justice by^Mr.'-P;Jjpgaiij',

[president 1 of the Hawke's Bay District Law 'Society:—" I am directed by the Minister to iinform you thaTho is much gratified to loam (of tho. estimation in which- Mr. Cutten is !-held;-but that ho regrets that tho exigencies ;of the public servico will not permit Lim to comply with, the, petitioners; -request."-.,

;"-'"'" ''NELSON. "

*"•"'"" : '~' r '~. ■""" '' '.'•■■■ "December 20." week has-been marked by'verj'. hpt..w.eather:-..-.With the; exception.;.of : one, day. and ..night, during.which a-fog -from thd"sea"lay upon tjio' .city, .and rather seri-ously-interfered, with shipping, tho week lias boen r - prid* of '-brilliant 'sunshine "and warm, j moonlight-night's. .•■ The '-business '-'streeta' begin, to wearvtheir Christmas .look, and.'holK 4a.Y.y,isi,tprs, aro,,arriving .by each steamer.,-./ ...In', tbo" OTuntry. districts,'"farmers'declare ' that rain is badly needed, but maiiy of "tho crop's' and'pastu'res iro looking particularly welljvarid' a 'fine promise of fruit ir' tho; orchards.-.'-; .-.-:: -■■■'. ••-.-;■• •— ■■'■■■■ -••-.-' ■■ At-'-a-meeting-of-tho City Council -on- Fri-v :day/ev6huig,,it was' decided that ' ago works,, bd continued by day labour unti!;;a; repprt, is. ,reCoiye<l;. from. Air. : Mestayer,. th« ; designer qf.'thp scheme.^ in-' eluding' tho 'Mayor,' word" in"favour of affirm-" . ;ing the principlo that all work in connection ;with the newdrainago bo dolio by day labour, .but their proposal was- not carried. Tho ; City Engineer;-,- in,- reply : to <■&■■ . question,- expressed"" tho opmioli;.tliat.T;ho"'work"'"c'o'uld be ■dono by day,labour well .within-. Jlis estimate ' ! and within tho time- Specified.- ■— ■ ; Oirrftheosnnw-evening i .'tho..Nelsonv College • Old^BoysLAssociation-hold -its 'annual meet- '' ! ing.t"DiTl'Gihbs .was,,hcartily-xongratulatcd'' ' j tliqVC'.ollegd,.B.b'afd ; of, j Governors, and..reelected.to'.tho.presidency of. ■ tlia'/Association r''' '''.'-■'"'..". '.'■"'• '■"'.'*.", ', /' C"".„'•'!'" : !'.TH6..lcriii' concoVK'.'bf''tho'.!"pupils .of'.'SKo'. I S.Qh'ppl;';df' Mnsic.'.was" held 'lasOveek ."in/the' ; presence.of,.a! good-audience.".Tlio pVbgramnib- . WaV throughput excellent,, perr .' ; formers; a.c'quitt'dd'. thdmsdlvbs' in/a" wnv'tliaV" | the "a";'.compo^itioii"."pf : .- hightmerit...bJr'Herr, Julius Lemmer,-thd Principal. : ; ;.-' '.■_. ■■'■''■ '. ■.','; 1 -- : -'Oil Batu'rdfiy-rh6rrifh'g'-'a.:p'eS6njEation waj; jmado to_slr; H. Mdner, who-has boon "pro- 2 . ■ ininont-Xn .affildTic "cTfclcSj" and;whoris*lleaving :f.Qj. , .Karanica,'...:.]\lr J '.Cr.ess.veil .mado'.tho.rpre- , pj^lidllnlf."..' of : Q.Vc]yigjClub, i; and;"si)pko' df. tho' serv''ic'es. r l|r. f ? Mfliiprjiad. rendered; .in tlio capacity of so*' •rptai'y.:;"-';. "-;;I'*1 '* r - "•";'-''''"-,' -".;■• --'- ."-■"■'•-

; ;-'At;AVak6f]gld .'tbc.ro is;, a\ moyonicnt ;to a-';'new; 'post-office....;.'/Tho -present;. : qffi'cc'.'is ! at Wo 'railway 1 station',' and ftiere hC : that I th.Pro;;shb-al.d'.b'o'h-biiildi--ing;sct speml'lyajtort;^ business; with' a'- separate officer;-"iir charge.; '. Wakefield' is; "tho busiest' country, 'station' 1 ori ,tho'lMj_and .i.ts the.asi- ; cadet;-;lids'-also" cha'rgia.. ioFHho-'post', Eblegraph; ficleplibnor. irisufariboi' and. other .business. Under thS';ytircufn- r . stance's, ; fiUeii; : liis • difficult'-position. ' but- it'-isvfelt -that'-tho' postal :b\TsmesTr6f\thb r jfl'aeo : 'is r sufficiently "largo -tJ>. i^arran'tf-'fT'charigo/being" 1 niatlcV.'';•'■*::" v**?'. ( ;i At)|th"o_ l monthly v nieetnig ; '6^jtl!eOha'nib^f;' • oFCoiiimeree; •stlio--'Qiairman' : |(MrV'- ; 'Al-' H.'Bislc yf'referred"tb:"the ."■ treatment'• of■"tha ■Chnniber' Vy' thp r 'Harbpiir Board, r and'in ; p'artjcjilar' to' 1 tho ; recent 'report ■• of'• thp> chair- : man o?-tiro-latter ' body. "Mr;-"Cock moved-'a" '.resolution asking tho ' : Bbard ; for- definite'•in"'':' .formation regaruing-'thp;dcpthrpf water in' ;tho harbour.. The. iiiformatibh.Vas. desired in orderVto'secure tho' early ■inclusion*of Neli sou .'among,'..tho;; .ports'-';bf .."call--; of English ;steii'm.brs'.'' ''C.bnsidcrablc.;diseusisioh ; followed;;' • irXwlncb •members of.'tho Harbour..' Board toplrpart'. .',','' .'''*''.'■'••'"' 'X''^ : ."incciSJig of Board',': "Air:'; ;JFy' TV; Veyscy,; hea3m"astbr ; qFthb"' . ; Fqxh'iU':''; 1 School,'.''was;;'. appointed •' assistant', I .ateth^f"Jib js'j,Central Sohobl.';/:- • ; -:.-';-\; ! "''Good; progress lias 'been -.madovwitli tho : building: of tho Girjs 1 Central;'Schpbl,~oii;''thb; x ' oldtgapl-sitei]." ThofsituatiohV.is-a;- good 'ono. , and. -tiio!: 1 i it's '■■ fed4iied • : robfj'; wakes addition':fe>'-tfibf.p3ii». city:. ' '' '; '".'v;' ' On'Tncsda'y : distribution in connection -with..tho Girls'-.': andBoys' Collcgos/.'wasihold'.in-thb Assembly College; ~Thero was alarge friends. off,tb,9,..Hon|.; George Fpwlds,' i A. T. Magnmity. "showed .-that tho' Colleges their., own, bu& * making".' v 'ffsq-3llent; progress;.'%;','. , : .•'■'' ' •

;'^NEW^RLYMOLrrHi.;-';

w'A-'jnoqliing'of Ctlip" Marslaiid Hill-Memorial held,'ja'st.-.tiight'. .-.This:;;Cpnilbjtiio.,. was. formed at,a public,'meetingjseuie months agp-'t6jVaise-. : fituds-.f6r- the; erection of, a -suibablp .memorial; to. theV Colonial and tlie : Maori .-wars." A.-iiionumGntj^nllribp-erected on -M'arslaud Hfll I .'qyerlbpking-,tkc'■.-town, of "New-Plymouth: and.,,- «isito.-.j,■': p£-\,; \'- tbo-"..:■. barrack's whore' • the,;;'; .residents.,.-;.; took ; ; ; refuge vf.hon-;.; ; -.,:tW ■ y.Xown ?.-.,•.; ,was '—.;,.surroundw' byVMaoris," .The -funds'vnow in sight-amount • tSr;£Goo7'incljidin^v£.3o(l:.from,.the Govern.; merit. v lt was d.ecidc'd.to invite..designs!front pppplo.-.-,->vitlijfsufficicntu patriotism .to -gr'atuk tously.'.'assist' fclie Committee. -.-* .--■'«' ;■.,'.■.;.:., " December- 21 U',-' Despite tbe/irainfall-.reported all over -tha Dominion", the "drought hero .cpntiuues!" Last night made a gallant- effort" to rain, but failed' afterr.half -an(hour-:; -: Heavy, dews-at nighty a •.counteracting 'effect on., tho. veryr.dry ' weather, by' keeping•'"tha surfaco :'moist: andean .abundant fruit crop isrpromised.'-tlusTiScasoiv." There have been no-lato.! f rostsj--and-the ■ Frimley.''; peacb-rtrees a'rol-crowded with: fruit':to-such- an' extent that a record yield is .-.assured. .The'plumtrees.-; arp.-, thus, early .'bonding' uridor.; their burden;' and' "will..also return:a 'rccerd.'liar-' vcst,T... whilst' -the :vincs ; are •'showing - ' every indication of.?a bemitifu) suppljv.' ;'.-'.'-'i••'-.>