LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 453, 11 March 1909, Page 4

LO CAL AND GENERAL.

!V; '.'. liuj ;s ■v:- bi\i>s iwlt ■ I fey i iir-iv Audd.p.l i'o..t 0..i0., i:: the modified plans. A meeting of the Metropolitan Hockey Chil) was to have been h'elil last night to dcciilo what grades the clnl) would play in the competition, but it was postponed. A heavy civil list has been set down to come, before the .Magistrate's Court to-day. tt is stated that the total number of cases to be called numbers 213.

It is anticipated that at to-night's meeting of the City Council, the question of what courso is to be followed in consequences of the rejection of the loan proposals by the ratepayers will come up for discussion.

The Government has m-c.'vrd the petition of certain messengers in the Government linikliiigs, who are asking to bo exempted from the operation of the age-limit as applied to tho Civil Son-ice. The matter will bo considered by Cabinet at an early date.

Sir Joseph Ward has received a telegram from the caretaker of tho Pukctca Stato Forest, stating that a fire has broken out there, but no serious damage has been dono so far. Tho Puketoa Forest, is in,the- Bay of Islands district, and is one cf the finest remaining kauri forests in the north.

Complaints have lately reached this office that tho Government has not yet paid tho expenses of some of the candidates who had to go to a second ballot under the new legislation which came into force at the last general election. It -will bo remembered that it is provided in the Act that all tho lawful expenses, up to £50, incurred by each candidate in connection with a second ballot shall be defrayed by the Government. When this matter was mentioned to tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) by a Do.minio.nreportcr last night, ho stated that all the claims that were in order had been, authorised and paid. There were, however, one or two which wcro not in order, and these had been referred to the Law Officers of the Crown.

Tho first duty of tho purser of ii steamer leaving New Zealand, Sydney, or Melbourne is to collect tickets, the object being to locate as speedily as possible those, if any, whose purse or purpose has not been equal to the prico of a ticket. Summary ejections on that account are made nearly every trip, and it is astonishing what Sherlock Holmes instinct has been developed in discovering stowaways. One was located on tho Warrimoo a few minutes after leaving tho Union Company's Sydney Wharf on Saturday last. A signal was hoisted off Circular Quay, and , soon a waterman, evidently in waiting for such jobs, sculled out against a stiff nor'-caster, and narrowly escaping being swamped, got hold of a line. Then the stowaway was ordered down an unstnblo rope-ladder, crestfallen at missing the chance of getting to New Zealand.

A reputation for blunt outspokenness was gained by tho Hon. 11. M'Kenzie, both amongst mining and agricultural people, during his recent tour in tho north (states tho Auckland "Herald"). With regard to tho route of the Stratford railway extension, tho "Herald" says that thero would seem to be a strong chance of tho routo to To Kuiti or thereabout being hotter favoured in official quarters, judging by tho Minister's remarks on tour. He was, however, always very pronounced in. tho statement that if a promiso was made to put tho lino in tho Ongarue. he was not going to recommend the breaking of that promise. Settlers i allChlong tho rival routes gave Mr. M'Kenzie cordial receptions, and tho organised and impromptu luncheons and'"hop-beer parties," and so on, wero frequent.

A pathetic story, quite true, is told in Sydney in connection with the visit of Admiral Sperrv and tho American fleet to that port. A littlo mite, who waved a tiny flag from the cliffs at South Head as the fleet proudly entered Port Jackson, taking for excuse the fact that his birthday fell upon tho same date as her own, wrote to the Admiral, asking him in quaint baby talk if ho had noticed;her,little-flag.-, .as lio i.camc through the Heads. In a charming letter the Admiral replied that he had of course noticed her flag—that it stood right out among all tho other flags, and he said how sorry he would have been if by any chance that one flag of all others had not waved him a welcome. • Later on tho Admiral wrote to the little girl, telling her how the fleet Had arrived at Manila, and how he had missed her little flag among the many flown. Since the receipt of tho last letter the littlo flag-bearer has died, and her parents have written to Admiral Sperry informing him of the fading away of his "little Australian flower."

From twenty to thirty men from tho Broken River' co-operative works came to Christcburcb by the evening train on Monday, and seemed to regard their decision to "come out" with equanimity, and, in somo cases, witli elation. When spoken to regarding the labour troubles some of tho men expressed the opinion that moro men would be coming out soon, the reason they were staying being that they did not have enough money on band to pay tho train fare. It was stated that one gang of men had worked a shift at the now rate and had earned from us. to as. 9d. a day, including tho expenses of tho horse, and had then left work. Tho men were not very definite as to what they would find to do in Christchurch, but expressed the opinion that they would soon "drift out again to other employment. Those that have remained on tho cutting will have a month in which to ascertain whether their work is being paid well enough. They have signed on for a month, and will have to give it a trial for. that length of time, for their pay is only monthly. The Labour Department sent seven men to tho works on Monday, and eight on Tuesday. A representative of the "Lyttelton Times" was told by a man who is of a party which is going on with tho work, that experienced men working eight hours per day could earn 9s. Gd. to 10s. at tho rate paid, viz., Is. 3d. per truck. He said that tho engineer was offering a fair price, and tho whole cause of the trouble rested with the men themselves, the majority of whom were inexperienced and unfit for the work. The man remarked that it was pitiful and painful to watch those men trying to work. In order to earn 9s. the men had to work up to their full capacity. The men remaining seemed quite satisfied to accept the truck rate, and are now steadily working.

Tlio amount which has so far hecn contributed to the Hector Memorial Fund is only £230 (states a circular which has been issued by the committee). This is quito insufficient for the purpose of commemorating in a worthy manner the services rendered to Now Zealand by the eminent man of science whose name the memorial is intended to bear. A special appeal is therefore made for further subscriptions to the fund. It will bo a thousand pities if tho' project has to be abandoned owing to in. adequate financial support. The ccntr.il committee which was set up in Wellington last year, with tlio view of raising money to establish n memorial, lias now been reconstituted, and issues tlio present circular in conjunction with committees, appointed by the New Zealand Institute, and !>y friends of the movement in Auckland, Wellington, Cliristchurcli, and Dmiedin. The form of the memorial must depend upon the total amount which is ultimately collected. It is believed by the promoters that the general feeling is that the most appropriate memorial would bo a research prize, open to all New Zealand workers (whether members of the University or not), in those branches of science in which the lato Sir James Hector was most actively interested. The lirst essential, however, is to have a substantial sum of money available, in order that the memorial may be made a creditable one. It is considered by the promoters that competition for the award should bo restricted to Now Zealand scientific workers, and it is proposed that the fund shall be ultimately vested in the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, which will frame the necessary rules for its administration.

Teas grown in different localities have different characteristics, and Even the tea from any particular garden is not the same In two successive seasons. Climatic chances, differences of soil, exercise influences, and it is in (ho art of the tea blender to bring together the different teas mid by combination (o produce a particular flavour. Crescent Blend Tea is a choice combination of Ceylon and Indian Teas, and tho flavour never varies. All storekeepers, 2s. pet lb.

A nurobor of letters to the Editor are in type and will appear at the earliest oppoilui.i'.y. 11 v.il assent has born 7-rlcd the Consoli-!.it-i Shipping and Sca.'.n's Act of last year, and it wilt bo gazetted to-day. Henry W. Trotman, confectioner, of Wellington,' was on Tuesday adjudged bankrupt on' n creditor's petition. • The mooting of creditors will be hold on March IS. It is estimated that as no licensing elections took placo in tho Wellington, Wellington South, or' Wellington Suburbs electorates; nearly £10!JU was saved by the City Council. At tho monthly meeting of the-Welling-ton Accountant Students' Society, held last evening, Mr, A. do fl. Brandon, D.A., delivered a lecture on tho "Law of Banking." Mr. D. T. Stewart was the chairman, and there was a good attendance. A vote of thanks was passed to tho lecturer. Four surveyors will lc;yo for tho Mount Arthur district, between Nelson and Karamea, and four moro for tho Bay of Islands district, within tho next few days, to commence the gold prospecting operations which tho Jjovcniment has decided to institute. A Government geologist will supervise the work of both parties at intervals. Tho annual meeting of delegates of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand, which was to have been held at Blenheim this Easter, will be held instead in Wellington. Tho meetings, lasting a couple of days, will probably'take placo in the hall of St. Patrick's College. They will be devoted to discussion of the clubs' interests and rules. Mr. A. H. Casey, of this city, is tho president of the federation.

Tho monthly meeting of the Yorkshire Society was held last evening, Mr. T. H. Coltman presiding in tho absence of Mr. Wilford. Two new members were elected. Mr. E. C. Hayton gave his experiences on a recent trip Home, and the secretary, Mr. H. Wilcox, gave a Yorkshire reading. A vote of condolence was accorded the Rev. J. Dawson in connection with his recent bereavement.

Tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) has received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Otago, a telegram stating that Oof) applications have been received for sections on tho Kauroo Hill Estate, which is being thrown open for closo settlement. Only two allotments have not been applied for, and it is expected that these will be taken on Saturday. The examination as to the means of applicants was proceeding when tho commissioner sent the telegram.

As soon as his other Ministerial duties will permit, tho Hon. J. A. Millar will resume his interrupted inspection of tho Now Zealand Railways. He will go over the Midland Railway from Christchurch to Greymouth, and will then proceed to South Westland, and back through Greymouth and Westport to Nelson anil Marlborough. Ho will then have gone over, since assuming office, all the Government lailways in New Zealand, with the exception of somo of tho branches from Christclmrch.

Tho paragraph in Monday's Dominion, containing tho annual report of tho Wellington Hockey Referees' Association, and mentioning tho proposed conference of _ New Zealand referees to obtain a uniformity of rulings, has already resulted in action being taken by the Napier and Wanganui Associations, both of which have written the Wellington secretary (Mr. S. George Nathan) asking when the conference would be held. Mr. Nathan is inviting the associations to appoint delegates, as the conference will take place before the season starts.

This morning, at tho Magistrate's Court, a case of interest to shipowners will bo heard. The Wellington and Wanganui Steamship Packet Company figure as defendants, and will bo represented by Jlr. A. L. Hcrdman. The question at issue is whether the shipping company shall pay overtime to an A.8., who also occupies the position of lamp trimmer, at £8 per month, and who is required to get steam up on 'the'donkey-engine between 0.30 a.m. and 8 a.m. ii Jhe plaintiff's,claim Is. 3d. pe£ hour overtime for,.such jv work. and the 'Shipping" Company "contend that the extra money received by tho person occupying tho dual position of A.B. and lamp trimmer fully' compensates him for the work. Another case which will be of interest is that of tho steamer Manaroa, on which a second-class ordinary seaman has been also acting as lamp trimmer at £4 10s. per month. In consequence of the cases, Captain M'lntyro, of the Stormbird, did not proceed in his vessel to Wanganui yesterday, and tho Manaroa is being detained in port till this evening.

A meeting of stago employees was held in the Opera House on March 1, with tho object of forming a stage employees' association on tho linos of the organisation at present existing in Victoria. The association will be of tho same nature as a union, and will work to benefit stage hands generally. At present tho rates of wages paid vary as the manager or controlling authority desires, and employees may also be shifted from one branch of work to another. The association will endeavour to stcuro fixed rates of wages and conditions of uinploymcnt. At the meeting tho rules and log of tho Victorian Association were read, and after one or two slight additions had been made were ndo'iterl. Similar meetings have been held in Christchurch, and it is anticipated that a move will shortly bo made in tho same direction by tho stage employees of all tho principal towns. It is proposed to have one united association for New Zealand, and fo amalgamate with Austialia as soon as possible.

Dr. J. M. Bel!, Director of tho Geological Survo'y, who has just returned from the south, gave a Dominion representative yesterday some interesting particulars of tho recent work of his Department. During the past two field seasons special observations have been carried on at the Franz Josef Glacier, with tho object of testing tho rapidity of the glacier's movement, the advance or retreat of its frontal face, iho extent of the snowfields, the movements of the tributary glaciers, and other phenomena. These observations, which lately Dr. Bell ha-s been conducting in person, will be continued from time to time. The copper deposits of the Aniseed Valley, Nelson ,aro being closely studied, and a topographical survey of the Karamca.division is being made. This area contains much coal-hearing strata, and probably other mineral wealth will be discovered. A survey of tho Grcyraoutlv coal fields, and an investigation of tho petroleum springs_ at Kotuku, arc other works in hand. An important feature of tho work of the geological survey, Dr. Bell points out, is the collection of. information with regard to the flow of rivers, which is of direct commercial value as regards the generation of electricity from these streams. In the Hokitika district, tho investigations have already led to tho adoption of hydro-electric schemes.

Bribery of a licensing committee in connection with an application for a. license is tlio allegation which Mir. Justice Sim will investigate as special commissioner in the Oliinomuri case. Tho text of his commission is as follows: —"Whereas it has been_ alleged that in connection with an application made to the Licensing Committee of the district of Ohinemuri in or about tho month of June. 1900, by one Maurice Goggan Power for the grant of a license in respect of. premises situate at Waihi in lieu of his then existing license in respect 'of promises situate at Paeroa, money was naid to several members of the committee as bribes to support the application. And whereas it is exnedient that full inquiry should bo made in the premises: I. William Lee, Baron Plnnkct, Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council thereof, do hereby appoint you. William Alexander Sim, to bo a commission for the purnnse of ino'iiring by nil lawful means iivtxi the allegations aforesaid, and also as to the necessity or expediency of any legislation in (he premises. For the purposes of your inquiry you are hereby authorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, documents, and wvit'ngs you deem necessary, and also to have before yon and examine on oath or otherwise, as allowed by law, .ill witnesses and "th"" persons whom you think capable of affording you any information in theprovisos, provided that if any charee is made against any person it shall not be innnired into linHl at least forty-eight hour? after a copy of the charge has been served on him. the charge to bo in such form and to be served in such manner as you dirct." The report has to be furnished to the Governor on or before the end of tho present month.

All t:<;';ili'! of l'e 1 ';' vr 'hu:' nlli l|-- hoid this iiJi -il'-v :i K: r;V. s! <T iiu!!.r.'; a ; si.; oui J t..u Jj.c «l J k..M, Wiiiorloo Quay. The Methodist Conference err '"d-d its sittings at the Taranaki Street jvstcrday morning, when there vvie abuifc twenty members present, Tho business done consisted of tho formal work of reading and signing tho journal of conference ■Revolvers havo lurked in many citizens' pockets sinco the garrotting cases. It would appear from yesterday's proceedings at tho Magistrate's Court (reported elsewhere) that a certain onus rests on all who go out armed at nights. And this onus is by no means ft pleasant thing. An unusual trade dispulo occurred tho other day and will form the subject of a case at the next sittings of the Arbitration Court in \\'ollinglon. It appears that theio has been some trouble* about what workers should do /tho plastering in connection with expanding steel work, and two men refused to do it on one of the large city jobs. _ Tho charge against tho men is that of striking. The time-ball on tho tower which was destroyed in tho waterside lire in tho early hours of yesterday morning will be mu:h missed by shipmasters. Precisely at noon every day tho ball fell, so as to enable them to correct their chronometers. Once a week, on days announced, the ball was timed with special accuracy by tho clock at tho telegraph office, which for tho present will bo the regular authority for shipping time, without any such convenience as that which has so long done faithful duty.

The jubilee of the Wairoka fight, in Taranaki, the first engagement of tho Maori war in which the volunteers took part, will bo observed in March of next year, when it is hoped that most of tho survivors will assemblo to commemorate tho anniversary. From a list which has been carefully revised from year to year, and just brought up to date, it appears that 168 volunteers and militia bore a part in tho engagement. Of these, 88 aro dead, having fallen in tho battlo or died since, and no fower than 70 survive. Of the 88 dead about 40 were past their prime when tho fight took place. .Among 1 the survivors aro Mr. T. Humphries, Commissioner of Crown Lands for tho Wellington district, and Mr. Q, W. Hursthouso, Chief Engineer of the Roads i Department, who were youthful comrades in tlio Lands and Survey Department when tho war broke out, and happen now to bo retiring together under the Superannuation Act. Another survivor of Waireka is Mr. 1!. C. Hainwion, o! this city, who' was formerly Public Trustee.