LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 292, 3 September 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The boxing contest for the world's championship between Burns, of America, and Lang, of Australia, was to have taken placo at Melbourno yesterday. No word of the result' had coma to hand up to the time of our going to pross. It is probablo that tho rain experienced in Melbourno yestorday necessitated a postponement of tho event, which was to bavo taken placo in tho open. An extraordinary general meeting of tho AVollington Gas Company will bo hold at tho Chamber of Commerce noxt Wednesday, a.t' ll a.m., for tho purposo of confirming or rejecting resolutions, carried at the rccent special meeting. Tho nominal ' and descriptive roll of tho members of tho proposed now company of Dominion Scouts, together with a formal tender of tho corps' services to tho Government, was banded by Captain Gardiner to tho Officer Commanding the Wellington district yesterday afternoon. At a special meeting, of tho New Zealand Rugby Union yesterday, communications from tho Otago, Canterbury, and Southland unions, which suggested that a spocial meeting of delegates should bo held to further consider the question of improving tho laws of the game, wero dealt with. It was decided to hold a special meeting in Wellington ,on Octobcr 1. Tho appearance of tho Opera House was brightened last evening by the new dropcurtain which Mr. J.' 0. Williamson and Company have hung in substitution of the ancient one of red rep, which has done duty over since tho building has been erected. Tho now curtain is particularly _ handsome — of rich gold plush, fringed with a heavy gold-knotted fringe of fino workmanship.

The civil sittirigs of the Supreme Court havo been adjourned until Monday next, when tho case of the N.Z. Acetylene Gas Lighting Company, Ltd., v. Frederick Andrews and Cnarlos R. Bailey—a claim for £103 lis. 4d., interest alleged to be 1 due on a promissory note —will bo heard. There are no'further jury cases to be heard aj; the current sittings. Mr. Justice Cooper will hold a sitting in Banco to-day and sittings in Chambers and in Banco to-morrow. A dobato between tho Victoria College and Karori Debating Societies was held at the Ivarori Borough Council Chambers last evening, tho subject being, "That the best .interests of India would be served by granting soino govomment." Tho Rev. A. L. HanseU occupiod tho chair, and Mr. P. J. O'Regan was judge. Messrs. M. H. Oram, G. H. Gibb, and J. M. Hogben spoko for Victoria Colloge, and Messrs. C. Cathie, H. S. Hart, and J. Caughley for Karori. Victoria College won by 210 points to 201. Tho Wadestown Anglicans are to have a now church. A meeting of parishioners was held last evening, when it was decided to approve the action of tho -vestry in calling for tenders, and tho tender of Messrs. Taft and Obco at £1000 was accoptod. Tho building will bo of brick, and it will accommodate 280 people. The new church will bo in front of the prosent one, and the latter is to be used as a schoolroom. A special vote of thanks was enthusiastically accorded tho Rev. T. G. Kay in connection with his endeavours in starting the fund about five years ago.

Messrs. Morroll, Robertson, and Murphy, representing tho settlors of Hetaruko, en the Wanganui River, waited upon tho Minister for Lands (Hon. 11. M'Nab) yesterday to ask for a remission of. rent on account of the difficulties they had to encounter through bush-covered lands and want of access. Tno doputation was introduced by Mr. Jennings, M.P,, and supported by Messrs. Ross, Jennings, Remington, Hogan, liomsby, and Major, Tho Minister said he would obtain a roport from tho Land Board and make tho fullest, inquiry; Ho feared that if such a course wero adopted, similar requests would como from all parts of the Dominion, and land settlement would be thrown into a state of chaos. Be would see what could bo dono for those represented by tho deputation. Tho first number of tho "New Zealand Dental Journal," a quarterly publication devoted to the interests of-the dental pi ofession, reflects the 'highest credit on its compilers, and should in time becomo an influential. factor in forwarding the interests of the dental federation of tho Dominion. Tho issue contains an interesting editorial on tho dental school at tho Otago University an illuminating article on the duties of dentists as citizens, the official report of tho last annual meeting of the New Zealand Dental Association, with papers read thereat by Dr. Lowo, Mr. W. F. Goulstono, and Mr. W. R. Hursthouso, with branch association notes and correspondence and other items of interest to tho profession. The editor (Mr. W. H. Didsbury, of Wellington) is to bo complimented on tho excellence. of tho journal. Tho fact that tho suburban bodies have secured representation in tho control of the Auckland drainage scheme led Mr. J. Knoen to ask at the Harbour Board meeting on Tuesday why the board had not also been grauted representation.. The chairman replied that thoro was an agroement between the Oity Council and the Harbour Board, and the board could not go boyond that. As tho board paid no contribution it was not entitled to representation. To this Mr. Kneen retorted that tho board was paying all tho time to the cost of certain sowers, and tho drainage was going to pollute tho harbour, while all tho protection the board had was tho word "nuisance" in the agreement, which would causo endless litigation. He would givo notico of motion in this connection later on. Tho chairman replied that tho board wa,s quito competent to see that no nuisance was created- 1

_ At the meeting of (ho council of, tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce held yesterday a letter was received from tho .Napier Chamber of Commerce soliciting the support of tho local chamber in tho matter of pushing forward tho claims of the East Coast railway—tho Napier-Gisborne-Auckland line. The council decided to give the support desired. In the matter of - the amendments proposed to bo mado to the Bankruptcy Act a letter was received from the Auckland chamber, asking for signatures to a petition to ho presented to Parliament in that regard. After some discussion tho council decided that Auckland bo written to suggesting that "a 6 tho local chamber was on the snot it would be more efficacious if the Minister for Justice was waited upon regarding tho matter, the-deputation to'urgo strongly that a new Bankruptcy Bill bo drafted and passed this session, correcting tho deficiencies in tho present measure. It is not necessary to travel as far as Ngahauranga or Island Bay to- discover a real healthy "two-up" school in action. Tho game of "heading 'em" is evidently fascinating enough for its slaves to tako aU kinds of risk for an hour's play, and all tho vigilance of tho polico cannot avail against this firmly-rootod gamble. Any fino day for weeks past during tho sunny hours be-.tween-twenty and fifty youths and men could havo been seen openly at play in the lee of a stack of timber on tho reclaimed land between the foot of the new King's Wharf and Waterloo Quay. There were from twenty to thirty playing oil this pitch' early yesterday afternoon, quito visible both from tho water-front and Waterloo Quay, whoro thoir excited cries could bo heard, betting on tho toss of the coin. The only safeguard they trouble about is a man torched on tho top of an adjacent pile of timber. From this point of vantago he scans tho country round, seeing that no 0110 gets within pouncing distance. Tho polico know of tho local Monte Carlo,- but thoir ingenuity is set at naught by tho sentinel, and as "two-uppers" havo to bo caught in tho act they can play away with impunity. A constable might order the crowd to disperse, and the crowd might do so, but they could reassemble as soon as his back was turned and continuo the game.

A specialty of Hair and Scalp Treatment is made b.v Mrs. Rolleston. 'Ladies troubled with falling hair, dandruff, or any scalp complaint should call for advice (gratis) at hor rooms, first floor, 3 AVillis Street, over Carroll's, or telephone appointment 1599. Personal attention only. Certificated. C 739 The mon of Now Zealand nro becoming great tea-drinkers, and aro now rather fastidious. There was a timo whon they took anything in tho way of tea offered by tho womenfolk, but now they want palate pleasure—they want Crescent Brand Tea ovory time. This blended tea has distinguished qualities, for it is a hum combination of tho strong tons of Dar-' .>«sliAS and Uw ine delioatg teas of Ceylon, CBBB

It has now been definitely decided to hold tho next annual coiiferenco of tho New Zealand Dental Association in Wellington on January 4, 5, 6, and 7 next. At a meeting of tho directors of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company hold on Tuosday it was decided to declare an interim' dividend of 5 per cent, for the half year ended August 31. Tho news of the enthusiasm which attended Mr. Massey's meeting at Pahiatua has evidently spread abroad, as he has been invited to speak at four different districts. As time permits Mr. Massey will endeavour to accede to these invitations. , The young man Gwilliam, who was yesterday reported to have fractured the base of his skull through a fall from o scaffolding in Cuba Street, was not soriously injured, and has resumed his work little tho worse for the fall. Detective Cassells arrested a man yesterday on a charge of having, on August 30, assaulted Richard Coulson, a clerk employed at the Royal Oak Hotel, and caused him actual bodily harm. Detective Lewis also arrested a man yesterday on a charge of deserting his wife at Christchurch on December 13. Tho Convalescent Home' Trustee's met yesterday. _ There .were present—Mesdames Newman (in tho chair), Grady, Moorhouse, Brandon, Miss Coatos, and Mrs. Barron (treasurer). Tho matron reported that eight patients had been admitted and ten discharged.' She acknowledges with thanks gifts from Mrs. Snaddon, Mrs.- Earl, and a friend.

_ Tho blowing-out of an electric fuse in the lift at Fletcher's Buildings caused a good deal of smoko to issue from the buildings yesterday afternoon. Tho Fire Brigade was called out, but tho services of tho brigade were not required. Tho brigade was called out again at 6.8 p.m. to a chimney fire at tho National Mutual Buildings, at the corner of Customhouse Quay and Hunter Street. Tho value of the fruit grown in Now Zealand is now a million pounds a year, according to a statement made by Mr. T. W. Kirk, Government biologist, at tho meeting of the Philosophical Institute last evening. Mr. Kirk added that tho industry was only in its infancy, and tho area under fruit culture was increasing at the rate of over 200 acres a. year. A tremendous advance in fruitgrowing had been mado in this country during the past few years. We have received Messrs. W. H. Tisdall, Ltd.'s "Angler's Guido and Price List" for the coming trout-fishing season, which opens on October 1. The publication is a handy guido to anglers ■ gonerally, and contains plenty of useful information. There are also some excellent reproductions, of trout-fishing and river scenery from photographs taken by Mr.' Malcolm Ross, of thiscity. This is the fourteenth annual production of the "Angler's Guide," which may bo obtained gratis from tho authors'sports emporium, ■ Lambton Quay.

' The labour market, which is now normal, with an increasing demand for workers, will bo-, affected by tho arrival of the lonic next Wednesday with 307, assisted immigrants, Included in this number,, are 107 'children. Among the immigrants are 65 farmers, 15 domestic servants, six of whom are for Wellington, 14 farm labourers, two ploughmen, two wood-cutters, two bricklayers, a foresand a. dairyman. Ten of them bring capital ranging from £100 to £800. There is said to be a strong demand for farm workers all over the Dominion at' present. The lonic brings 532 third-class passecgcrs altogether, A few weeks ago it, was announced that there was to be a conference of Chambers of Commerce in Wellington at an early date. At the meeting of the council of the Wei- 1 lington Chamber of Commorco held yesterday afternoon tho opinion was held by those present that it was too late for tho decisions of any such confercnco to have effect on legislation this-session, and that being so it was inadvisable. to hold a conference at all this year. The council decided that tho most appropriate timo to hold a confercnco of chambers of commerce would be early in March next year, which proposal will-in duo course bo submitted to'the other chambers of commerce throughout the Dominion, r Whilst cycling across the corner of Jervoia Quay and Cuba Street at 8.47 yesterday morning, a young man named Harold Barnes, rosiding at 25 Hiropi Street, attempted to avoid a collision with another cyclist, and was thrown from his bicycle, -landing .under the front of a'tramcar which was travelling at a fair rato of speed towards . Wallace Street. Tho car was pulled up immediately by Motormau Dwyer, and Barnes was found to have been picked up by tho lifeguard. On being removed from under tho car tha cyclist was examined by Dr. Fell and pronounced to be suffering from a slight concussion of tho brain, had also injured one of his r hands and "received several bruises. Tho injured man was removed to his home. :

Sneaking to a Dominion representative yesterday about the fleet celebrations in Sydney, Mr. A. E. Mabin, who returned by the Moeraki, said he was in the thick of tho crowds and he could not help remarking that they were far better behaved than crowds in New Zealand. A lot had been written, he continued, about Svdney crowds, but it was absolutely unjustified, and caused a lot of prejudice. The crowds wero certainly onormons during the time tho fleet was' in port, but they wero good-humoured, and gave no trouble whatever. The illuminations were wonderful. The visitors greatly admired Sydnoy and its harbour. Sydney, thev said, was,a long way ahead of. Auckland, but they liked the Auckland people; The Australian welcome, continued Mr. Mabin, was very different to tha.t of Auckland, where the welcome was made a persona] ono. .In .Sydney there 1 was none of this slobbering, the sailors wero not chased, and they saw tho sights by themselves.

With reference to the reported possible closing down of some Wairarapa sawmills, writes our correspondent, tho sawmillers themselves complain that the principal reason for this stato of things is the stagnation which is at present affecting the Wellington building trade so far as native" timber is concerned. This statement is corroborated by Bush District sawmillers, who complain that ono of their groat disadvantages is the fact that it costs about as. much to rail timber from Eketahuna to Wellington, as it does to ship it from Puget Sound, America, to Wellington Harbour. It is evident, says our correspondent, that considering tho cost of production in New Zealand, tho. Dominion sawmillers generally consider tho railway freights here to bo an unmerited commercial tio on tho industry.

At ,i. meeting of the Hutt Licensed Victuallers' Association hold at Potone yesterday afternoon, reference was rnado to a rocont case in which a prfrson was fined for making a false statement on a claim for enrolment on the electoral roll. Mr. H. J. Palmer, who presided, stated that as thoro were said to .be several other cases of illegal enrolment of names, he thought it advisable to movo "That tho attention of tho Prime Minister bo drawn to the recent conviction of a person for a breach of the Electoral Act in signing a claim for enrolment, boing under twenty-ono years of ago, and as it is alleged that there are a number of other persons 1 who have also signed enrolment claims under similar circumstances, tho association urges upon the Prime Minister tho necessity for Departmental action boing takon to ascertain the facts, so as to prevent tho further development of such practices." Mr. John Young, in seconding tho motion, considered it a serious ma.tter if names of persons had been put on the roll who were not qualified to vote. He thought tho _ Department- should certainly make somo inquiry. Tho motion was carried unanimously, and a copy was ordered to bo sent to tho Premier.