LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 264, 31 July 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

— & Mr. Justice Copper will hold a sitting in Chambers at 10.30 this morning. Tho Receiver-General (Mr. 11. J. Collins) acknowledges in this week's Gazette tho receipt, of 6s. "conscience money" forwarded to tho Railway Department, at Chi-istchurch. The Education Board yesterday passed a special vote of thanks to Mrs! Martin, of -Kilbirnie, for her promptitude in giving tho alarm at the recent outbreak of firo at tho Kilbirnie School. Mrs. Martin resides near the school. Mr. C. W. Palmer (Secretary of the Navy League) is already making arrangements in connection with tho observance of Trafalgar Day, October 21, and ho has forwarded a ''request to the naval authorities for tho presence of a warship in Wellington- on- that date. Tho lad on tho training ship Amokura, who was removed to' the Hospital owing to an attack of scarlet fever, was state.d yesterday to bo improving. Tho vessel was fumigated yesterday by tho Health Department, and she will bo detained until Monday at least. If there is any danger of tho spread of the disease, sho will stay in port. ' . The following report from tho Elcctrical Engineer with reference to tho street electric lighting was submitted to last night's meeting of tho-City Council by tho By-laws and Street Lighting Committee:—" Any complaints about street electric lamps have always received prompt attention, and it is the aim of this department to maintain its lighting above criticism, and tho drawing of our notice to any instance of unsatisfactory lighting will be greatly appreciated." ' A test of tho new destructor was made yesterday by the cngineor, Mr. Ormiston Chant, and tho City Council will hold a test today. Ordinary refuso was consumed yesterday, but a varied assortment will be used to-day. The object of yesterday's tost was to destroy the greatest amount in a given time, and to securo tho greatest expansion of steam at a , minimum of clinker. ' Tho minimum temperature required was 1650 degrees' Fahrenheit, and this was considerably exceeded. A notification in this week's Gazette, signed by the Judges of tho Supreme Court, states that for tho future the several offices of tho Supremo Court throughout tho Dominion of New Zealand shall bo-open daily, except on Sundays and holidays, and except also as hereafter mentioned, from 10 o'clock in tho forenoon to 3 o'clock in tho afternoon. On Saturdays tho offices shall close at 12 o'clock noon. During vacation tho offices shall close at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, oxcopt on Saturdays when tho offices shall closo at 12 o'clock noon. This order is to como into forco on August 10, 190 S. ! Reporting to tho Education Board regarding various matters pertaining to his Department, Mr. W. C. Davies. Instructor in Agriculture, said that, in addition to the work of inspection carried out, he was busily engaged in organising his experimental' laboratory at Greytown in readiness for the Spring School for Teachers to be held in September. These instruction classes are evidently growing ■in favour among the country teachers, tho Board 'was asked yesterday. to accede to a request from four or fivo members, of. the teaching staff of tho Pahiatua School for an extra - 'week at tho September term, in order that . they might attend tho school at Greytown.

Mr. T. M. Wilt'ord has given notico to move; at the next meeting of the Harbour Board:—(1) That in view of tlio proposed schemo for the conversion of the Hutt River into a harbour for shipping, which includes the construction of a dock, the acting-cn-ginccr of the Board bo authorised to obtain from tlio engineer of tlio Hutt River Board the details and estimates in connection with tho proposed work; (2) that in view of tho proposed schemo for the conversion., of tho Hutt River into a harbour for shipping, which includes the construction of .'a dock, tho acting-engineer bo instructed to prepare estimates showing the cost of reclamation at Ivorokoro and_ at the mouth of tho Hutt River for the information of tho Board, and whether it would ,be feasible to utilise the river spoil, when dredged, for reclamation Ijurgosesi

Tho Tiiparoa (Wellington) Defenco Rifle Club has been officially disbanded as from July 15. A notice in this week's Gazette states that the Nativo Land Commission will sit at To Arolia on August 2i, and at tho Supremo Court buildings,. Wellington, on September 26 when tho Waitutuma 1A and IB blocks will bo dealt with. Tho case of Amos v. Milsoni—an action to recover a sum of money alleged to have been paid to A. C. Elliott in connection with the sale,of a property in Hawker Street —did not. come on for hearing at the Supremo Court yesterday as was originally intended. It is probable that the suit will bo taken to-day. A sitting of tho Mount Cook Police Court was hold yesterday beforo Mr. Tlios: Bland, J.P. Richard Morris was convicted and fined 405., in default 14 days' imprisonment for drunkenness, and John Foley was convicted and fined 10s. in default 48 hours' imprisonment for a like offence. Four first offenders were convicted and fined 10s. Tho question of tho cost of tho new Hutt. pipe and traffic bridge was referred to at the meeting of tho City Council last night. Tho Mayor (Hon. .T. W. Hislop) said that a conference of delegates representing contributing local bodies and land syndicates had been held on tho subject oil tho previous day. It had, he continued, been found that an additional £100 or so would bo required for the work. Of that amount the City Council's share would bo £25. The Council approved of the allocation, and authorised the agreement to be completed, aud tho seal of tho Corporation affixed to the same. "Quito a lot lias been said ill the papers lately about a certain picture," observed Councillor Ballinger at last night's meeting of tho City Council. Continuing, he said: "From inquiries I have mads I know that tho ratepayers' ' monoy has not been spent in connection with the recovery of it. Will the Mayor give us his assurance that tho reward will not be paid out of the funds of the Corporation The Mayor: "I am not. going to givo you any assurance about the matter at all."—Councillor Hindmarsh: I consider that it was good business to pay £50 to get tho picture back." , ] Mr. R. W. Holmes, Engineer-in-Chief of tho .Public Works Department, who arrived back from Auckland by tho Main Trunk line last evening, definitely states that the lino will be sufficiently near completion for a train to run through with .the Parliamentary party on August 7. The rails will be laid for the whole distance, except across the Mangauuj bridge, this morning, and the bridge will bo finished next week. Tho tram will have to move.very slowly over v the incompleted portion of the line, a distance of about ten miles. Already an engine has been over the line from tho southern end as far as Manganui-a-te-ao. '' 111 the opinion, of the Education Board's inspectors, the leaving certificate, i.e., a certificate of competency in the subjects of Standard VI, does not impose upon candidates for examination a. severe enough; test, and tlioy favour the substitution of the proficiency certificate as a leaving certificate. The certificate of competency means that the holder lias passed Standard VI. Tho proficiency certificate also means that, but a much higher standard of work is required in English and arithmetic. Tho Education Board has now agreed to urge upon the Government the advisability of amending the regulations in tho direction indicated. Mr. Dowdall, who has been holding meetings at the Queen's Statue, states that when ho complained of being victimised by tho Harbour Board he did not refer to tho specific 'instance in connection with the Takapuna, in regard to which victimisation has been denied. Ho did not accept work then which would, have, broken in upon the dinner hour, because, having undertaken a scries of midday meetings, he desired 'to carry _ them through. ilis complaint of victimisation referred to treatment' accorded him by the. Harbour Board' during a whole year, and Mr. Dowdall . states that the Chairman of the Board (Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.l\) lias assured him that the matter will jnto._^ jS t R His Excellency tho Governor has received .from tho British Vice-Consulate, Punta Arenas, a letter advising young men, some of whom had accepted, contracts as winchmen and dredge-masters in Chile, that the contracts, though perfectly good ill' New Zealand, wore not worth tho paper they were written upon in Chili, unless legalised there. The contracts also, as drawn up in New Zealand, were, for £4 10s. per- week without specifying hours. In Chile a week was seven days of toil hours. There wero some of these New Zeajandors in tho country at present who had been out of work for three or four months, and wero at present almost destitute. The. Chilian lawyers wore making fun of tho contracts, which wero continually brought up in the courts, which was very galling to tho British. Most of the Now Zealanders had. been engaged at Dunedin., ' .

Tho Abattoirs, Milk Supply and Public Health Committee reported to the City Council last night that it had been interviewed by ' the representatives of the master butchers, who had their meat killed for them at the slaughtering houses, and who desired the Council to favourably consider the offer> of tho Banks' Co-opcrativo Mka't Company, Ngahauranga, to dispose of" their works for tho purposo of municipal abattoirs, and also by tho representatives of tho master butchers who did their own slaughtering, and wished tho Council to carefully go into tho relative costs of the sites before deciding upon' any particular site. , Tho Committeo would, it said, report to 'tho Council on the matter at a later date. Councillor Shirtclifl'e referred to the differences between the two sites and ho suggested tlmt as many, councillors as possible should inspect the sites next week. Tho riiceting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of Robert D. M'Farlane, tobacconist, formerly, of Mastcrton, which .was to have, been held at the offico of tho Official Assignee yesterday morning, lapsed for want of a quorum. Another meeting will bo called on Monday next, August 3, at 11 a.m. The statement of assets and liabilities shows that £280 Bs. 3d. is duo to the unsecured creditors, who .are: —Wellington: P. Hayman and: Co., £86 Bs.; Manaol, Harris, and Co., £<13 ss: Id.; Ellis, Manton,. and Co., £31 2s. 2d.; S. Scott, £33; Bing, Harris, and Co., £25; Smallbonc, Grace,'and Co., £14 25.; H. Pauli and Co., £6 lis.- - Dunedin: Anlfeld' Bros, and Co., £22, and Mendelssohn and Son, £19. The South Pacific Loan Co. is secured to tho amount of £13 10s. 10d., and the estimated surplus from tho securities, £11 10s., set off as a per contra in tho debit side, leaves a total deficiency, in tho estate, of £2GS 18s. 3d. . ( . At yesterday's meeting of tho Education . Board, a very favourable criticism ■ of the work done at the last school cadet encampment, of tho No. 3 Wellington Battalion Major Burlinson), held at tlio Lower Hutt Racecourso, was received from Colonel A. \Y. Robin, C.8., Chief of tho General Start, who bad visited tho camp and watched tlje cadets at drill, tactical exercises and camp duties. Tho Colonel, in-his letter, desired to mako it clear that ho had hot interested himself in the cadets with any desire to interfere or criticiso tho work of those responsible for their training, but bo had been deoply interested in tho work which had been done, and had considerablo pleasure in say-, ing that ho had been highly pleased with what he' had seen on the occasion of his visit.- The lads drilled well, and their manoeuvres in battalion formation testified to the thoroughness of their company drill. Certain questions lio had asked as to the riflo had been intelligently answered, showing tluit this important aspect of their training had not been overlooked. Captain M'Donaid said .that tho Board ought to feel highly pleased that tho Chief of the General Staff had been able to form so favourable an estimate of tho work of the cadets. Crescent CransT Tea brews n strong rich •awny liquor, with a fine smooth toxtnre, and laves the palate most agreeably. It has a distinct and delicious flavour, and is tho most favoured for the morning cup of tea. Tlio quality and flavour of Crescent Brand Tea novor vary. Tho sanio to-day as it was j-os". terday, and tho prico is 2s. per lb. Obtainablo from all grocers. ' ' „ CBS3 A'speciality of Hair and Scalp Treatment is mado by Mrs. Uolleston. Ladies troubled with falling hair, dandruff,- or any scalp complaint should call for advice (gratis) nt lier rooms, first iloor, II Willis Street, over Carroll's, or ' telephone appointment 1593. Personal attention only. Certificated, ,

7 J! 10 Management Committee of tlio Not wi g)y Umo » had not sufficient ess to warrant the holding of a meeting last evening. = b leaves for Napier thir tie* Ivftf ?"i °'\ way up Gunnery prao nf Hm \i ? CG place. '-The boys and girls Shin jTf" ? lgh ? Cllool WiU Visifc tho "!• P 1 Saturday afternoon, and tho vessel wiU leavo for Auckland tho following momB ? n 1 c!l , T t,lc .'Magistrate's Court will ocoupied by Justices on Monday morning oil account of the. absence of Mr. Riddell, and the fact that Dr! tL'Til'tf' n 1' to atten d a. sitting of the Hutt Court. Dr. M'Arthur will carry: oil tiic City Court on Monday, afternoon. \r?;'%' leV< i loi r nen - of settlement along tho fWi- ti ° r . re , aectet l in this week's Gazette. The official publication notifies t at tho election of commissioners to form Lof l a Town Board.of Ohakuno • will be If I°V ? nd , tbo fi«t meeting \l oi f wto tako -placß a week later. Mr. Charles W. Ritchie, of Raetihi, lias been appointed returning officer. Tho annual examinations for the Junior Uvil Service, • Junior National Scholarships ana i'reel laces will commenco on or about December i 9, and .for tho Senior Civil Service and Teachers' "C", and "D" Certificates on or about January 5. Entries for tho former must bo sent in by September 30, to the secretaries of the Education Boards, and tor tile latter to the Inspector-General oi schools by the same date. •- Tho question of tho erection of a shelter shea at the Government Station tramway terminus was referred to in a letter to the City Council from Mr. G. H. P., Fitzgerald last night. Tho writer stated that people used his shop iii wet weather. , Tho Town O.eik stated that the Railway Department objected to a- shelter shed near the work* shops, and the same objection applied to the I 1 cathcrston Street sito. The request could not Ijq acceded to. . , P 1 ] 3 . following resolutions will bo submit- ™;,'° .v 1 " 2 11 ' 0 ! 1 Parliament, which meets ■JV 0 A■™°ros oil Tuesday next:— t?i • 9; Nickliu: "That in the opinion i oust ls desirable tjiat means should bo adopted to secure tho return of lio candidate but those receiving an absolute majority of vo.tes." By Mr. R, Ritchie: 'That this House is of opinion that it is desirable that the State take over the whole of the liquor traffic, paying reasonable compensation to all to a serious extent affected thereby." ' Tho new Education Bill has received th« approval of the Wellington Education Board. At. its meeting yesterday, the following motion was tabled by Mr. A. H. Vile':—"That tho Board expresses its appreciation of the proposals contained in. tho Education. Act Amendment Bill in. reference to the salaries of'teachers in small country schools, and is hopeful that these proposals will bo adopted by Parliament."' Captain M 'Donald seconded the motion; "And we'll all support it," remarksd Mr. Hogg,, complacently, and they did so. *. / Another batch of immigrants from England arriyed by the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Rimutaka yesterday afternoon. They were met '"by Mr. A.i A. SI Danby, Immigration Officer, who went off to the vessel by the tender with the' Health Officer.' Of a total of 223 third-class passengers, the number of assisted immigrants is 75 adults "and 27 children under 12 years of age. : Included in the total of adults are 18 wives whose families total 47 children. There aro 15 farmers and seven farm labourers in the list, and also nine' domestic sereants, of whom four are for Wellington, four for Auckland, and one for Port Chalmers; Seven farmers booked for Wellington. They hava capital amounting to £527, £506,'£483, £200, :£IOO, £35, and £25 respectively; while two shepherds'have £25 each. ' The total capita! reported to bo in tho possession of tho imnn'. grants amounts to £3230. Of this amount a family of three brothers' and a sister aro stated to possess £1561.' : People nominated by near relatives in the Dominion were 3i adults, and nine' children; most of; them are .said to; be in fairly good circumstances. Tho nominated persons are billy accepted on the nominees guaranteeing''their upkeep on arrival in the Dominion. ' Mr. Dauby did all that .'was possible for the immigrants, who are a fair stamp, and arrived in excellent health. ;. v •'' : . i ;