LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 258, 24 July 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The disbandment of tho Mercantile Riflo Volunteftrs, of Jnvercargill, is gazetted. Tho "Federation of Labour" will bo tho subjoct of discussiou by the Trades and Labour Council Conference to-day. Tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) leaves to-day for Mastertou, Where the next sitting of tho Native Land Commission will bo held. A tramway shelter, similar to that crected at Miramar Avenue, is to bo placed at tho junction of Mat'ai and Riniu Streets, Miramar.' V Tho sittings of the Court of Appeal have been adjourned until Monday, ' when, it is understood, judgment will be delivered in the cases of Scott- v. the King, and Judd v. Byrne, which were taken at the previous sit ting of ' the Court. t It is understood that a deputation ' from tho employees at the Railway Workshops, Petone, will wait upon tho Minister for Railways (Hon. W. Hall-Jones), at 12.30 p.m. ,to-morrow, with reference to an alteration in the time of departure from I'etonc of tho present 0.25' [i.m. train for Wellington. It is desired that the train shall leave Petouo at 5.15 instead. The introductory and official sections of the Tear liook for 1908 have been issued by tho Registrar-General (Mr. E. J. von Dadelszcn). Beside tho list of tho prinicipal civil servants, thoro is the Customs tarilf in detail, and particulars of depots for ship-, wrecked .mariners, harbours, graving docks, etc., are set out, and a list of the newspapers, of New Zealand is given. All is not buttorlish and flounders in tho fish triide just'now, according to a fisherman who appeared at the S.M. Court yesterday on a judgment summons.- During cross-examination debtor stated that'ho wa3 compelled to work night and day in order to mako a baro living, and then, very often, ho could just pay' tho rent. At times ho had to pay as much for his fish as he received for them from his customers. The tender of Messrs. A. Cooper and Son, of Wellington, has been accepted by tho Minister of Publio Works for the erection of a. post offico at Featherston. Tho contract price is £2394. The declined tenders are as- follow: —J. M'Konzie, Mauriceville, £2762; H. Trot'ma-n, Groytown, £2763 35.; Coradine and Whittaker, Mastertou, £2848; F. King and Son, Mastertou, £2900; H. M. Davis, Wok lington, £2905; W. G. Emeny, Wellington; £2915; A. R. Wallis, Carterton, £3629 18s.; M'Lean and Gray, Wellington, £3898 : 10s. An inquiry into tho circumstances connected with tho dismissal of Sergt.-Major Talbut from tho Heretaunga Mounted Riiles some time ago was commenced at tho Garrison Hall yesterday morning bofore a Military Board, consisting of Lieut-Colonel H. F. Head, 0.C., Permanent Force (President) ; Captain Pringlo (Manawatu Mounted Rifles); and Captain Charters (Groytown Mounted Rifles). Among the witnesses examined were Lieut-Colonel L. AV. Lovoday, foi> merly in command of tho Heretaungas, Captain Samuelj 0.C., and Lieutenant; Logan, of tho Staff of tho Squadron; Staff-Scrgt.-Slajor Dovey (District Staff), and Sorgt.-Major Talbut. The inquiry is oxpectod to last threo or four days.

When the deputation of labourers, liot from tho lecture-place at tho Queen's Statue, went ' to . interview tho Prime Minister oil Wednesday on tho housing problem, they did not seek to entor Parliament Buildings in tho ordinary way. A numbor of the deputation recently employed at tho buildings know of a back ontranee. To this door proceeded the deputation, and a little lator somo sixty determined, but orderly, men, gathered in tho corridor in the vicinity of tho Premier's door. Cabinot at tho timo was mooting, and immediate audience was refused; but. a later hour was fixed for an interviewwitli tho Minister for Health. Tho deputation went away, to return lator in tho afternoon, and "this timo thero was observed a man in blue hovering in tho background. Tho deputation, as already reported, received a patient hoariug from tfio Hon. G, Fowltfs,

Tho total rainfall in Wellington for Juno was 484 points (4.84 inches), tho heaviest fall being on the last day of the month, when 140 points wore recorded.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Robert D. M'Farlane, hairdresser, of Wellington, will bo held in tho Official Assignee's offico oh July 30, at 11 a.m. This week's Gazette notifies the formation of a No. 3 Battalion, Wellington Defenco Riflo Cadet Volunteers, tho Battalion to, consist .of A, B, and C companies of tho Wellington Collego Riflo Cadet Volunteers. The Compensation Court will hear tho case of Smith and Smith v. the Wellington City Corporation at 10.13 a.m. to-day. Mr. Justice Chapnian will preside, and tlio assessors will be : Mr. J. Trevor for tho claimant, and Mr. E. W. Sea,ton for the Corporation. Notice is given in this weekjs Gazette by the Registrar of Industrial Unions (Mr. Ed." Tregear) of iiis intention to cancel the regls- ; tratio.ii of tho Wcstport Gold .Miners' Industrial Union of Workers, pursuant to an application received to that effect. The new Keen an and Kroudo destructor at Clyde- Quay will be formally taken over by the City Council.on August. 4. On that occasion Mr. OniiisLuii Chant, A.M.1.C.E., representin;; tin- contractors,' will baud to tho Mayor a silver key embossed with a gold monogram. which has boon made for tho occasion by Mr. Fran I* Grady. Arguiue'.u. was not heard in the Court of Appeal yesterday with regard to the motion to ref.eu-.d an order for tho hearing of the ease between Hamilton Gilmer and- Allen Alagui ro (pininlifi's) v. Robert Dwyer (dofondaut) by a jury of 12. It is probable that the matter will bo disposed of on Monday. Strike pay is still coming in from outside for tho bakers on strike. Air. W. H. Westbrooke, secretary of the Trades and Labour Council, told a reporter that a contribution had been received from a Duncdin Union despite tho disapproval of the Otago Council. Money had also been, received from another Union. Following closely upon the .deputation which waited on tho Premier, the Cabinet has decided-to grant a £ for £ subsidy ,up to £4000 on money expended by tho Taieri County Council in repairing tho damage done by the recent floods. The Cabinet decided to grant £1000 to tho Taieri Drainage Board for tho same purposo. > On July 29, tho ratepayers of tho Karori Borough a.ro to tako a vote for £2000 to complete 'the Recreation Ground. As tho grounds stand at present, they aro not sufficiently' forward to be of any practical servico to tho borough. It is urged that if immediate steps aro taken to finish tho playing grounds, there will .tlion be'sufficient inducement to make a tramway extension scheme feasiblo. ■ ' , ■ Tho Wellington Pipo Band has, thanks to the patronage of the public at its recent concerts and. dances, liow succeeded in raising, tho first instalment of £100 towards tho cost of the,band's now uniforms. By next Christmas it is expected that twelve full-dress uniforms —eight pipers, threo . drummers, and one drum-major—will liavo arrived. Tho tartan to be worn is that of the Clan Macintosh. Tho old City Council./ Chambers at tho corner of Featherston and Brandon Streets were tho scone of another small outbreak of firo at 6.57 yesterday evening. Smoko was seen issuing from tho building,.and tho Fire Brigado on being called out found a firo in a rubbish, box underneath tho staircase. Tho outbreak was got under, after slight damago had been done to tho walls. On Juno 17, tho Brigade was callqd' upon to deal with a similar outbreak in .exactly tho samo place. According to a return published in the Gazette, AVellington is tho only centre that makes-any appreciable use of trade'discount stamps. During the quarter ended Juno 30,' £722 ss. worth of these stamps were sold \in this city, and £645 18s. worth were redeemed. During the samp period Auckla.nd only purchased £8 ss. worth- and ■ redeemed £B'4s.; which is dangerously ..near, to a perfect tyalaiice, but none, at all were purchased in' Christchurch :or Duhediri;' 'though a solitary shilling's worth was : redeemed in tho first-named city. ; Lifo in Reefton during June must have been a dreary affair, if tho official meteorological figures published in this week's Gazetto bo correct.' These • state that 8164 points (81.64 inches) fell during that dismal month—an average of over 2i inches per day,' but there is a sorious doubt that such a record was achieved, even at rain sodden Reefton for tho maximum day's fall (on Juno 23) is given as 155 points (1,55 .inches), which is sufficient cvidenco of a misplaced numeral. Doubtless the member for the district will .inake.it his business to repudiate the,inference that Reefton is tho wettest pla'co on earth., -

A rather unique meeting will bo held at tho Dresden rooms oil Tuesday next,' when tho trustees of tho long defunct. Wellington Orchestral Society are to hand ovor to tho uowly-fo'rmed society tho property and funds it (tho old society) stood possessed of when it ceased operations,- about eight years ago. The trustees of the old society woro Messrs. W. F. Parsons, W. J. J. H. Otto Schwartz (for whom Mr.'G. G. Schwartz has been acting during his brother's illness). Tho property to be / transferred consists of what is perhaps the finest library of orchestral music in tho Dominion, and 0110 of which the Exhibition Orchestra made generous use), the best set of timpani in the Dominion, and about £60 in cash. The new Wellington Orchestral Society, is. making splendid . progress under tho' ablo baton of Mr. Alfred Hill. ■ A roport received by tho police 111 reforenco to a lire on Tuesday ■ evening at the premises of Messrs. Pain and" kershaw, ironmongers, otc., Martinborough, states that tho old! portion of the firm's premises, tho implement store, and : tho koroseno store were destroyed, and part' of tho new brick building was damaged. The old building was insured for £4bo, the now building for £2500, bulk store for £150, and tho stock for £3500, all in tho Commercial Union Office. Tho total loss over and, abovo the insuranco is ostimated at between £2000 and £3000. It is stated that 60 cases of jceroseno, 20 cases of benzine, several kegs of blasting powder and ammunition formed part of'tho contents of tho stores, and when tho llame3 reached the portion of tho building in which these goods were stored aii explosion occurred. Several of tho fire-fighters wero injured—Alfred Brentnell, a carrier, who was assisting to save goods from tho ,store was sovcreiy burned about tho face, neck, and arms. A fireman named A. Bowden was also burned aboUt tho arms, and two other men, Edgar Roberts and Hugh M'Kay, received minor injuries. During tho Conference of tho Trades and Labour Councils somo friction between tho Canterbury delegates has been evident. Yesterday the matter was brought, pointedly under the attention of those present. Some of tho Canterbury representatives had endeavoured to mako it clear that they could only express their own personal opinions. While tho. voting powers of unions were being discussed, Mr. lf. K. Itusbridgo (Canterbury) agreed with a statement by slr. J. Jackson (Westland) that the representative of the workers should be elected on a democratic basis. Mr. G. A. .Parke (Otago) expressed his pleasure at seeing that a Canterbury delegate was ablo to express a definite opinion on something. (Laughter.) With somo heat, Mr. Busbridgo said that if tho delegates were so thick-headed that they could not understand his position—Mr. M. J. Rcardon( Wellington).: "I rise to a point' of order. This is a gross insult. ' Wo are not thickheaded." The Chairman (Mr. J. Thorn) did not see any harm iiv Mr. Parke's comment. Mr. Rusbridge: "I will withdraw it then, but members should know whcro,they arc. I fear wo arc only talking to tho Press.'l (Cries of "Oh I Oh,I") Tho next business was then proceeded with.

During Race Week tho Rooms of ■ Mrs. Kolleston, Hair Physician, Vnco- 'Specialist, and Masseuse (certificated) will he open overv ovening for Hairdressing, Shampooing; all Hair and Faco Treatments;. ady?ce free; personal attention. 3 "Willis Street (over Carroll's). Tolephone 1599. ■ C/ 39 Crescent Erar.d Tea brews a strong rich 'awny liquor, with a fine smooth texture, and laves the palate most agreeably. It lias a distinct and delicious flavour, and ia the most favoured for tho morning oup of. tea. Tho quality and flavour of Crescent Brand Tea never vary. Tho 6amo to-day as it was yes' terday, and tho price is 2s. per lb. Obtainable from all tracers, CBS3

Tho Governor has removed tho restriction as to alienation on that parcel of Native land in the Port Nicholson Survey District known as Ohariu,. section 77.

Tho Miramar - Borough Council recently planted over 300 -trees about the soenic reserves of the district .and other places in and around Seat-oun and Karaka Bay.

Money orders and correspondence aro forbidden by the Government to be sent,to the Kucrasy Company, Gt N. Freshman', .and E. 1/. Kecly, whose placcs of. business aro at the corner of Hunter and Bligh Streets, Sydney.

The hearing of the case of W. Blundell and-' others, trustees for the Brett Benefit 'r j ( a i'P°llants). v. .the "New' Zealand limes Co., Ltd. (respondents)'—which was to navei taken place yesterday—has been further 'adjourned until Tuesday. . 'I he proposal to form a sports club in 'Wellington is being well supported. Institutions ol the kind have already been established in Auckland and Ohristcliurch, and judging >y the large amount of interest which is being manifested in the ptoject, the formatioij of a chili' here ill keeping with tho importance of the' city will bo an accomplished iaot within the next month or so.' A subcommittee of the Wellington Boxing Association, which went carefully into the matter, Ims secured the,offer of the lease of promisos which would prnvo eminently suitablo for tho purpose, The proposal will bo considered at a meeting to be held on Monday evening.