LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Government offices will bo closed to-daj [St. Patrick's Day).

At to-night's meeting of tho Labour Representation Committee, a secretary will bo appointed.

A deputation representing tho Wairau Harbour Board will wait upon tho Minister for Marino (Hon. J. A. Millar) at noon tomorrow.

Tho Ohiro Homo is quite full at present, thero being 113 occupants in tho institution, a record number. Of this total, 81 aro males and 32 females. The highest previous total was 111.

The weekly meeting of tho Benevolent Trustees was held yesterday afternoon, when there wero present: Messrs. J. Smith (in tho chair), R. \V. Short, D. P. Loasby, J. Wakeham, the Rev. W. A. Evans, and Miss Richmond. A largo number of applications for assistance wero dealt with.

The Tarajaki Chamber of Commerce has decided to celebrate tho twentieth anniversary of its foundation by giving a dinner to tho Taranaki members of Parliament before next session. The president (Mr. T. C. Sclmackenberg) introduced tho matter, and suggested that tho most urgent want of Taranaki was the opening up of tho vast tract of idle country in the back-blocks.

The following donations were acknowledged at yesterday's meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: —Mrs. W. Nathan, £1; Misses E. Ludwig and Coates and Mr. H. Headland, 10s. each; Miss Rutherford, Messrs. H. Cook, R. M. Griffiths, AV. Wiggins, W. S. La Trobe, J. D., and Dr. Cahill, ss. each; Mesdames Croaso and Christie, Messrs. W. Mansfield and G. Paradise, 2s. Gd. each; Mr. H. Tonks and "T.M.," 2s. each; total, £4 10s.

A- white-whiskered, white-haired old man, who stated that ho had walked from New Plymouth to Wellington iu fifteen days, in search of w.ork, applied for assistance at yesterday's meeting of tho Benevolent Trustees. It was elicited from him that ho had a wife and grown-up family in Now South Wales, but he had not been over thero for sixteen years. By occupation he was a painter, and it was suggested that he obtain a permit to work under tho award rate. The man was given a bed at tho Salvation Army Homo for a week.

The power of tho inspector of tho Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to destroy horses without an order came up at yesterday's meeting of tho society, when the inspector reported that a solicitor had given, him' an opinion that it could not bo dono without an order from a J.P. He would take the action when necessary, if the society decided upon this course of action, but otherwise ho did not feel disposed to take tho risk. It was decided, after discussion, that tho inspector should exerciso his discretion in tho matter.

So far the fishermen operating at Flat Point (not far from tho entrance to tho harbour)' have secured about 120 tons of wharehou. Yesterday morning's ■_ haul amounted to 15 tons. Mr. Milasi, who represents tho majority of the fishermen, etates that ho has experienced considerable difficulty in getting skilled men to clean tho fish, which work must bo accomplished before they can be placed in cold storage. This should give a few of the unemployed a little work for a day or two. Should tho market provo profitable a considerable quantity of fish will be shipped to Australia.

The Bluff correspoudent of tho "Otago Daily Times" states that tho fishery returns for February—the opening month of tho season —are reported to bo good. Tho take realised £800, and but for the fact that hands were scarce, tho sum would have been at least £1000. Tho fish feed was very plentiful all round the islands, and although that brought tho shoals well together, it had the effect of proventing them from biting us freely as they would otherwise have done. The nor'-west* wind likewise interfered with, them in that way. Still, the season, as far as it hasi gone,.is considered good, and now that 'tho' hot northerly weather has cooled down, prospects are looked upon as being excellent.

Exceptional cruelty was alleged by the inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a paragraph of his fortnightly report presented to yesterday's meeting. Ho stated: "Having received numerous complaints of tho brutal treatment to the draught horses carting gravel from a place called the 'Bun Round,' tlireo milos from Island Bay, I visited the locality with a J.P., and saw two teams como out, ono with five horses and tho other with throe. I came to the conclusion that it was inflicting great cruelty in pulling the loads over the big boulders; and unless something is done to improve tho road, it should be closed to prevent further cruelty. The contractors informed mo that they were quite willing to pay their portion if the City Council would help them. If the work was stopped, several men would bo thrown out of work." On the motion of tho Rev. D. C. Bates, seconded by tho Rev. J. Glasson, it was decided to write to tho City Council and tho Makarn Road Board, calling their attention to the facts stated in ■ the report. \

The hand of the athlete may touch the next municipal election. Tho matter of convening a meeting of sports bodies as a step to united action was discussed at last niglit's meeting of tho committee- of tho Wellington Cricket Association. Mr. Vanco, tho lion, secretary, _ who brought up the question, said that it was considered that the attitude of the present council towards tho causo of athletics, as shown by its past administration of tho city reserves, had been generally of an unsympathetic nature. If any benefit was to bo derived from the completion of tho now recreation grounds it was necessary that the athletic community should endeavour to obtain some more sympathetic representation on tho City Council. Tho athletic vote, if properly organised and consolidated, was of such an extent as to promise a considerable amount of success in the proposed direction. It was decided to circularise various sports bodies in tho city on the subject. Messrs. Luckio and Vance were appointed to represent the association at tho proposed conference.

In regard to Parliamentary elections, there is ono law for the Maori and another law for tho European. Careful precautions are takon so that the member for n European constituency shall not be able to hold even a' temporary position in tho Civil Service while ho is occupying a seat in Parliament. It is even provided by tho Legislature Act that "a member of Parliament shall not, within twelve months after he ceases to bo a member of Parliament, bo capable of being appointed a Civil Servant; and if ho is so appointed ho shall bo subject to a fine of £50 for every day ho remains a Civil Servant." This appears to bo sufficiently explicit, but tho case of Dr. Buck, who has been nominated as a candidate for tho

Northern Maori seat, and who has not yet, so far as is known, resigned his position as a health officer, has caused attention to bo drawn to another part of tho Legislature Act, dovoted to Maori representation, which at least implies tho possibility of enjoyment of tho double privilego and emoluments. Section 183, says: "A member elected under the provisions of this part of this Act shall not bo capable of being appointed to any oflice of emolument under tho Government of New Zealand, so long as ho is a member of Parliament or- a member of the Legislative Council. If any such member at tho time of his election holds any such oflice of emolument as aforesaid, tho salary or emolument of such office shall neither ho increased nor ■ diminished during stub time as ho is a member." It appears,' therefore, that under this division of the Act a Maori member may continue to hold a Civil Service appointment held by him at tho timo of his election, though lie cannot be appointed to a new position, or receive increaso of salary. Tho two portions of the Act were separate- measures, prior to the recent consolidation of the statutes, and tho Maori regulations are as old as the '60's.

Teas grown in different localities have different characteristics, and even tho toa from any particular garden is not the same in two successive seasons. Climatic changes, differences of soil, exercise influences, nml it is in the art of the tea blender to bring tocether the different teas and by combination to produce a particular flavour. Crescent Blend Ten is a choice combination of Ceylon ami Indian Teas, and tho flavour never varies. All storekeepers, is. jjer lb.

Tho mails which left Wellington on February 6, per Ulimaroa, and connected at Syduoy with the Orient mails, per R.M.S. Orient, arrived in London on the morning of March 15, duo date.

The bricklayers' dispute, in respect of which the Board of Conciliation filed a recommendation on February 18, has been referred to tho Court of Arbitration for settle-

ment at tho instance of tho employers. The annual meeting of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council will bo held to-

morrow evening, when the election of officers will take placo and tho annual report and balance-sheet presented. The balance-sheet shows a good credit balance.

Occasionally, very occasionally, promoters of amateur theatricals meddle with copyright plays without being quite sure where they stand, legally speaking. A case of that kind, relating to tho comedy "The Guv'nor," was before tho magistrate yesterday, and is reported elsewhere.

Tho fortnightly mooting of tho Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday afternoon, there being present:—Mr. J. Jameson, Mrs. Christie, and the Revs. W. J. Williams, D. C. Bates, and J. Glasson. A circular was received giving notice of the forthcoming conference of antiviviscctionists in London from July 6 to 10, and inviting tho society to assist. Action was deferred until next meeting.

Tho secretary of tho Otago branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union has circularised

tlio various country brunches of tho union ou tho question of the immigration to the Dominion of farm labourers and domestic servants, pointing out that a largo number of people, who are not at all suitable colonists, aro being landed in Now Zealand. The union is taking this matter up very seriously, and as soon as replies come to hand a meeting of the executive of tho Otago branch

will be called. Messrs. Penty and Blake, architects, have received a number of tenders for the erection of a six-story block at the corner of Feathcrston and Hunter Streets, for tho trustees in tho estate of tho late Mr. W. M. Bannatyno. Tho tenders have to bo submitted to inter-' ested parties in England beforo any ono of them can be accepted. Tho building is handsome, though not ostentatiously ornate in design. The same architects aro calling for tenders for tho erection of a fine building in Grey Street for tho Alliance Assurance Company, whoso office was burnt out in the big fire of 1906. During the hearing of a case in the Court of Arbitration yesterday Mr. S. Brown (the employers' representative) put the following query to the Inspector of Awards: "You don't suggest that an employer is not entitled to take the very best men available—whether he is a unionist or not?" Mr. Newton replied

in the negative. "My own personal opinion," added Mr. Brown, "is that it is not the duty of an employer to go chasing round for a ivoi-kor wlib must be a unionist. It is the duty of the • secretary of a union to put workers in touch with an omployer who has vacancies on his staff."

Attention has been drawn to' the number of ex-patients of the Otaki Sanatorium, who, after leaving the institution, neglect to pay for the troament they have received. Ono of many cases was quoted at tho meeting of tho Hospital Board yesterday—that _of • a man who owed £70, and had only paid £15. As a consequence, the chairman, Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., stated that tho board stood to lose an appreciably largo sum, and he thought that defaulters should bo followed up. Ultimately it was decided that the matter should bo left in tho hands of the secretary, treasurer, and chairman to go into, with a view of taking action. A track for pedestrians to the summit of Mount Hector, which overlooks tho rest of tho Tararua mountains from a height of nioro than 5000 ft., is desired by Mr. W.H. Field, M.P. Later, he.thinks that a horse-track might bo made, without much cost or difficulty, on tho lower slopes of Mount Dennan, and a mountain house erected for tourist traffic, Tho ascent of Mount Hector would then becqjnp a popular day's outing, for Mr'. 'Field Was'satisfied, by a "recent trial which ho made .with/,Mr., .J.,, C0wan,, of the Tourist Deph'i ; lnit«t'," , hiid !; Ubtal"i'esido'iits I ;"that it is possible to leave Ofcaki, climb Mount Hector, and return to Otaki in ono day, if the day be a long day'of summer. The Hon. T. Mackenzio, Minister in Chargo of Tourist Resorts, will bo approached in the matter of a track. A boy, between 12 and 14 years of age, named Rudolf Bheyertz, who resides with nis parents at 13 Austin Street, met with a nasty accident yesterday, whilst cycling round Oriental Bay. Mr. A. T. Almond, proprietor of' tho Troeadero Private Hotel, was motoring from Oriental Bay to Evans Bay about 3 p.m., when, on turning a corner, lie found the boy lying at tho side of tho road with his bicycle beside him. Endeavours to ascertain how the accident took place were fruitless, since the lad was in'a semi-un-conscious condition, so Mr. Almond, with tho assistance of two men who wero passing, lifted him into tho motor-car, and conveyed him to Dr. Shand's, Vivian Street._ Tho doctor examined the lad and ordered his removal to tho hospital. At the hospital it was found that the injuries sustained wero not serious, amounting to a cut on the forehead. Saturday last' was the 40th anniversary of tho engagement at Otauto, when tho colonial forces, under command of the late Colonel Whitmore, attacked tho Maoris at their strong position on the south bank of the Patea River. Among tho survivors of ."Otauto" resident in Auckland (states tho Star") may bo mentioned Sergeant Shepherd, N.Z.C., who was severely wounded, and received tho Now Zealand Cross for valour on that occasion. Mr. Shepherd is in tho employ of tho Harbour Board, and still looks hale and hearty. Mr. M. J. Gannon, of the Deeds Office, also took part as a volunteer in the' engagement. Mr. T. Eyton, lato Sergeant, A.C., was ono of tho scouts engaged under tho late Colonel S. John, who commanded the force oporatiug on the north bank of tho Patea River. "Otauto" may be said to havo.been tho last important stand made by the Maoris during tho. West Coast campaign of 1868-1869. During tho hearing of some alleged breaches" of industrial awards, preferred a™ainst various employers by the inspector oF awards (Mr. W. Hood) at the Auckland Conciliation Court, Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., said that if ho found out that a workman in making a complaint ns to a breach of an award under which he was working had also been a wilfully offending party, ho would not allow him his expenses. Botli employer and employee should be treated alike for any such broach'of an award. Ho would not assist men who deliberately broke an award themselves, and then came into Court with a chargo against their employers. Mr. Hood said .that ho would not be able to get witnesses in that case. The magistrate: "I will see to that." Later, Mr. Charles Grosvenor, the secretary of the Auckland Employers' Association, said that as the employers' representative he must insist that when an employer was brought before the Court on an employee's information, unless the employee had been an ignorant party to tho breach, tho inspectors should issue a summons against him also. Tho magistrate fully concurred with theso remarks (reports tho "Aew Zealand Herald"), and said that there should bo equal justice on both sides.

Messrs. J. V. Luke, M.P. (chairman), C. J Crawford, W. Galloway, R. C. Kirk, J. Smith, and J. W. M'Ewan wore present at the monthly meeting of the Wellington District Hospital Board, held yesterday morning. At a statutory meeting to consider the estimates iind make the apportionment for tho year, 1909-10, the list (which appears -elsewhere) was adopted. The monthly financial statement showed a credit in the hank of £1010 18s. od. Outstanding dues from local bodies, patients' fees, and Government subsidy, amounting to £866 4s. 2d., will bo paid before the close of the financial year, which will leavo a credit balance of £69 13s. 4d. The chairman and treasurer were empowered to consult with Mr. F. do J. Clcro as to tho proposed additional accommodation for nurses at the Otaki Hospital. The' number of patients admitted to the Otaki Hospital during February was nine. Nino patients were discharged during the same period. Thero are nt present threo f omales and eight males undergoing treatment. Three patients wore admitted to and eight discharged from the sanatorium during February. Tho doctor's report on those discharged js as follows:— "Four able to take up their previous employment, the diseases being arrested; threo much improved; and one transferred to the Scddon Hospital as incurable."

It is expected that fivo or six weeks will bo occupied with the preparation of plans for tho conversion of the Mount Cook building into a museum. After that about three months will l)o necessary for tho calling and consideration of tenders, beforo a start with tho building operations can bo made.

Anxious creditors in Wellington are inquiring as to tho whereabouts of a local business man, who, it is stated, disappeared suddenly shortly after Christmas. It appears that he used great care in making' his preparations, for ho left ostensibly on a holiday, appointed a substitute, and got a start of at least six weeks. Tho man was seen at Auckland shortly aftor his departure, but nothing since 'then lias been heard of him. It is understood that when tho creditors come to reckon up, a very largo deficiency will bo shown. Tho pohco havo tho matter in hand. :