LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A somewhat lengthy list of business is sot down for tho sitting in Chambers at tho Supreme Court this morning.

Prior to tho opening of tho sittings of tho Court of Appeal on Monday morning, Mr. Justice Cooper will hold sittings in Bankruptcy and in Divorce.

Notice has been given of the withdrawal of the appeal in the case J. Doyle v. tho Furniture Workers' Union. It will bo remembered that plaintiff brought an action against defendants for £100 for alleged wrongful dismissal from tho union. Upon judgment being given in favour of defendants, plaintiff lodged notice of appeal. Tho matter was to havo been dealt with to-day.

The hearing of tho actions, John M'Lean and Sons v. tho Now Zealand Times Co., and samo v. tho Wellington Publishing Co., has been postponed sino dio, pending tho outcome of negotiations for their settlement. Plaintiffs claim £2000 damages against oach of tho defendant companies for alleged libol, arising out of the publication of a report of a discussion at tho Miners' Federation, on conditions of labour at tho Otira tunnel, in conncction with which plaintiffs are tho contractors.

The Vice-Consul for the Netherlands, tho Hon. Charles Jolmston, has been advised by the Consul-General for Australasia, that tho exhibition at Amsterdam of various samples from tho Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand has attracted many visitors, a number of whom have written to tho ConsulGoneral for further information. The samples from Now Zealand includo scheelito, building stone, copper oro with molybdenum, antimony ore, iron ore, greenstone, leather, and tannin material.

In a report upon a visit of inspection to. tho outlying districts about Pongaroa and Webor, tho Education Board's Truant Inspector (Mr. J. Dineen) mentioned that some of the worst offenders with regard to irregular attendance were the children of members of school committees. Somoof tho children, boarded out by the Education Department, were making unsatisfactory attendances, tho reason for. absence given being milking, hay-making, and minding babies. In one instance, four members of a family of six children, ranging in years from 3i to 13J, had to milk 29 cows night and morning, whilo their stepfather milked six; tho mother of the family was dead; and the children's lot ,was doscribed as a hard one. Tho board decided to. endorse tho action of. its secretary in acquainting tho Education Department with tho unsatisfactory nature of the school attendances of the "boarded-out" children.

"Tho present method of lodging petitions regarding closing hours with the City Council is ridiculous," said Mr. H. F. Allen at a meeting of tho Now Zealand Shopkeepers' Association, held yesterday morning. Tho remark was mado' apropos of a statement mado by a member that many of tho names on tho Trades' Council Saturday half-holiday petition wero not on tho roll of municipal electors. "What should be done is that tho petition should bo lodged at the Town Hall, and .cveryono who desired to sign it should have to provo his qualifications as an elector and one of the trade concerned. Hero, peoplo go frontdoor to door with a petition, and his experience was that peoplo could be persuaded to sign anything—cveu their own death warrant.. They often signed their business death warrant without knowing in tho least what they wore doing." _ Tho chairman (Mr. Seaton) said that it might bo oven bettor to have tho petition at tho office of tho Labour Department, where they had complete lists of those engaged in different businesses in Wellington.

"What is a boot-retailor?" Tho point cropped up at a meeting of tho Now Zealand Shopkeepers' Association yesterday morning. It arose out of a petition which has been signed by certain retailors of footwear, to bo presented to tho City Council, praying that all boot-retailers close their places of business at 6 p.m. Included in tho list of signatures are those of drapers, mercers, and others who sell boots as a side lino to their main business. Hearing of this .petition, those boot salesmen who are in . tho 1 liabit of closing at a later hour than 6 p.m. havo obtained signatures to a conn tor-petition. Their signatories include a number of secondhand dealers who include boots in their stock-in-trade. It was stated at the meeting that tho Chief Municipal Inspector (Mr. J as. Doyle) had ruled that second-hand dealers could bo so included, but the chairman (Mr. Herbert Seaton) oxpressed a doubt on tlio grounds that Dr. M'Arthur had ruled that a Chinaman who sold tobacco and cigarettes could not bo classed as a tobacconist. That was very unfair to tobacconists who had to close at 8 p.m., whilst Chinamen could keep on selling up to any hour. Tho question which then arises is—if a second-hand dealer whoso main lino is old clothes, and who sells boots as a sido lino is a boot retailer, why should not a soller of fruit and vegetables, "who also purvoys tobacco and cigarettes, bo classed as a tobacconist?

The now arrangements in Parliament Houso will _ givo members much moro freedom from intrusion than they enjoyed last 'session. Tho main corridor alongside t-lio chamber of tho Lower. Houso, which was formerly a much-frequented thoroughfare, will bo in l'uturo strictly a Members Lobby, and no unlegislativo foot may bo set therein. This arrangement will bo made possible by tho provision of, now entrances to the building for tho uso of occupants of tho ladies' and public galleries and representatives of tho press. Tho galleries for Legislative Councillors, ladies, and tho public, will stretch riglit across tho end of the Chamber wlicro tho l'ress Gallery was placed last session, and will bo entered from a vestibule occupying the contral part of what was formerly hor Excellency's drawing-room, ami latterly tho Legislative Council Chamber. Tho remainder of that apartment will bo taken up by waiting-rooms for ladies and tho general public, and tho "lounge" of last session (formerly tho vico-regal conservatory) will bo tho tea-room of tho future. The tea-room of last year will le used for committeo work. • Tho Speaker's chair will faco the windows of tho chamber, and members will sit round him on upholstered benches, disposed in semi-circles. The Ladies' Gallery will contain 24 seats and tho public gallery 29. Workmen have been busy in tho Houso all this week, and substantial progress has also been made with the now Legislative Council building. Teas grown in different localities liavo different characteristics, and even tho tea from any particular garden is not the sanio in two suecessiyo seasons. _ Climatic changes, differences of soil, exercise inlltionccg, and it is in the art of the tea blender to bring together tho different teas and by combination to produce a particular ilavour. Crescent lilend Tea is a clioico combination of Ceylon and Indian Teas, ami tho Ilavour novor varies. All storekeepers, 2s. per lb.

It is notified in the Gazette that the Wellington Cooks' Association (Registered) is dissolved.

All Government offices will bo closed frcm Friday, April 9, to Monday, April 12, for tho Easter holidays.

Tho Postmaster-General has gazetted orders forbidding money-order and postal corresponde.ico for Paul Raymond, 430 Bourko Street, Melbourne, and for Freeman and Wallace, Christchurch.

The postal authorities advise that tho Mokoia, which left Sydney on Wednesday, has on board English, Australian, and American mails, which aro duo hero on Monday afternoon next by tho express train from Auckland.

Tho exchange of positions announced on Saturday whereby Detectivo Cassells, of Wellington, was to go to l'almorston North, and Detective Quirke, of Palinorston, was to como to Wellington, has been temporarily suspended.

"It is in the nature of an advertisement, but I don't seo why wc should not advertise one another's wares," observed tho Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop) last night when moving that tho City Council thank the Mayor of Timaru for his gift of a picture of Caroline Bay.

Tho body of the late Mr. C. Hudson, Commissioner of Victorian Railways, and formerly of Wellington, will be brought hero for burial. The Chief Commissioner (Mr. Tait) has cabled informing the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) that the remains, accompanied by the lato Commissioner's two sons, will leave Sydney by next Saturday's boa.t.

Tho trades and Labour Council has taken to heart Mr. J. A. M'Cullough's suggestion that more unions should bo brought _ under its banner. Messrs. W. Noot (president), E. J. Caroy (vico-prcsident), and D. M'Laron, M.P., have been appointed to wait on nonaffiliated unions with tho object of inducing them to join. They will also combat a proposal which will como beforo _ tho annual meeting of the Wellington Drivors' Union for secession of that body from tho council.

Among tho questions asked at last night's meeting of the City Council was tho following by Councillor Luko: "Will tho Mayor request tho engineer to submit an estimate of tho cost of erecting a shelter-shed in tho post office square?" It was tho opinion of Councillor Luko that a building of tho kind in that locality was very necessary. If possiblo it should bo erected before tho winter set in. His Worship replied that lie would ask tho engineer to report on tho matter.

The Hon. A. W. Hogg, Minister for Labour,' has written to Sir. D. M'Laron, M.P., regarding certain complaints made by tho Otago Agricultural Labourers' Union. The Minister states that tho ■ Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act has not been suspended. Tho Government cannot an extra batch of 'inspectors, but specific intimations from any sources, as to lack of necessary accommodation or other matters provided for by tho Act will rocoivo tho careful attention of tho Departmental officers.

Some objection was raised at tho Education Board meeting yesterday to tho use of schools as polling booths at the licensing elections. It was contended that at soino of tho schools, where perhaps only about seven votes were recorded during tho day, thero was quite an unnecessary stoppage of tho school work, not justified by the insignificant demands made upon the building by the exigencies of tho event. On the motion of Captain M'Donald, it was decided that a return of all tho schools which were to bo closed on the date of the licensing elections bo furnished, with a view to further action being taken in protest.

The monthly meeting, held last night, of tho Central Pharmaceutical Association—including Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson,, and the West Coast—pissed a resolution to tho cffect that the present half-holiday arrangements aro working quite satisfactorily, both from the chemists' and the public's standpoint. It is claimed that, .under , tho present system—pharmacies closing alternately, instead of all on ono day—tho public can obtain mcdicine on any day-of the week, while ono compulsory half-holiday for chemists would destroy this advantage. Tho Tasmanian Pharmaceutical Board has granted New Zealand reciprocity on tho basis ol qualification by examination.

In tho opinion of tho Masterton School Committee, the annual School Comniitteo elections are not sufficiently advertised,' a circumstanco which,, it wa§ stated, conduced in somo degree to the apathy, which characterised tho public attitudo towards such elections. At tho Education Board's meeting yesterday, the suggestion of tho Masterton Committee that tho elections should bo moro freely advertised, was considered. Incidentally, it was stated at tho meeting, that somo thirty or forty elections h\ 1908 had lapsed for want of sufficient public interest, and fresh elections had to bo held, and tho opinion was expressed that a better system of advertising would be moro economical in the long run. Action in that direction will probably he taken in connection with tho approaching annual elections next month.'

The residents of Pctono wish 'to have a properly-constituted high school, and to dispense with the district secondary classes which arc at present being; conducted there. But there are statutory difficulties in tho way. It is specifically stated that no high school proper may bo established within five miles of a district high school unless tho population of the district reaches 30,000. Petone has not yet a population of this sizo, and considerably less than fivo miles distant is tho Hutt District High School. Hence it follows that a high school proper can only bo effected by tho disestablishment of tho district high schools at'Petono and tho Hutt. This was tho question which the Education Board had before it at its meeting yesterday. Tho consensus of opinion was to tho effect that the time was not yet ripe for tho establishment of a high school proper anywhere in "tho Hutt Valley. For its futuro guidance, however, the board decided to obtain a legal interpretation of tho statutory provisions governing tho establishment of such institutions.

Steamers arriving or departing from Wellington have & strango fascination for tho public of Wellington. It is only natural that people should meet or farewell their, ft tends, but over r.ud beyond theso there is usually a vast crowd m attendance on tho_ wharf' to hinder tho bustling business associated with such minor events. Witness the anh'al any week of the Sydnoy boat and noto the crowd that almost blocks the quay alongside which tho vessel is being berthed. They aro roped back until tho lines aro mado fast, then they swarm round tho gangway and give officials 110 end of trouble in their endeavours to keep a clear way for passengers and those on legitimate business. A largo number witnessed the departure from tho wharf of tho Athenic (for London) at noon yesterday. Some of tho passengers took a chancoof missing tho steamer altogether, as 'at midday at least a dozen passengers wero still in town when tho White Star liner was on tho move outwards. Fortunately for tlioni silo had to wait in the stream for a. couple of hours for somo papers, or they would liavo been left behind. Their consternation on learning the vessel had left the wharf was amusing, Sometimes a steamer does leave on time.

Several important stipulations liavo been imposed in connection with tho re-grant of preference to unionists in tho groccry trade, in view of tho recent discussions ill tho Court of Arbitration, with respect to preference and tho V-alno of tho employment-book, tho provisions relating to tho matter in tho now award will bo read with interest. It is declared to bo tho duty of tho union to keep at the ofiico of tho Labour Department an employment-book, wherein shall bo entered from timo to timo tho names and addresses of nil unionists who aro out of employment, "together with a statement of tho branch of tho trado in which each such member is proficient, and tho names and addresses of each employer for whom such 'member has w6rk?d during tho twolvo months immediately preceding tho determination of his Inst employment." To secure preferenco a member whoso nnmo is on the employment-book must bo equally competent with non-mem-bers to perform tho particular work required to bo dono, and must bo willing and ready to accept tho employment offered within 21 hours after notification has been given to the, Labour Department by tho employer that ho requires such worker.

A meeting of Eastbourne residents will bo held at the sehoolhouse on Saturday evening to discuss the question of electing mayor ami councillors tor tlio borough.

Sinoo last Sunday week tho fire brigadi' has had four alarms—all false.

Tho plays selected fqr study at tho weekly meetings, of. tho Wellington Shakespeare Club during tlio coming winter aro "Haiulot" and "A Winter's Talo.

A mooting of tho Polico Provident Board was held yesterday. Several refunds were dealt with, but no new pensions woro granted. Tho lion. Dr. Findlay presided at tho meeting.

Advico has been received by tho Acting Secretary of tho General Post Office (Mr. W. R, Morris) to tho effect that tho post and telephono office at Koropeti, in tho Piako district, opposite tho Thames, was destroyed by hro on Wednesday night.

Councillor Fisher has given notice of motion for consideration at tho next meeting of tho City Council: "That tho by-law relating to tho keeping cf poultry confirmed at a recent meeting of tho council bo rescinded." ,

Tlio death-rates ipor 1000 of population in tho four chief cities during February wero us follow:—Auckland, 1.22; Wellington, 0.49; Christchurch, 0.66; D.unodin, 1.04. If tho suburban boroughs aro included tho rates aro as follow: —Auckland, 1.00; Wellington, 0.47; Christchurch, 0.68; Duuedin, 0.91.

The applicants for inclusion in tlio ballot for sections in tho Carriugton Estate will bo examined beforo the Land Board at the Courthouse, Carterton, at 10 a.m. to-day. The ballot will take ploce at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Tho next ordinary Bitting of tlio Land Board will take place in Wellington on Thursday, April 1.

Tho first term of this year at Victorii College commenced yesterday. Professor H. B. Kirk, in his address to students, gave some valuablo advice. Ho urged new students to devoto themselves to their work, and also to tho social sido of tho univcrsitj life, not allowing their interest in sportß to outweigh their interest in study. A social to now students will bo given' by tho Students' Association on Saturday night.

The Miramar Borough Council are proposing to make an alteration in tho tram faros on tho Miramar and Seatoun sections of their tramways. _ It is proposed to issuo a monthly double-trip per day ticket at 3s. Gd., and a monthly single trip per day ticket at 25., tho fares for casual passengers to bo 2d.; workers and children Id., as at present. Tho tramway guarantors havo been asked to assent to tho proposal.

St. Luke's Church, Wadestown, will bo consecrated by tho Right Rev. Dr. Wallis, Bishop of Wellington, on Sunday next, at 11 a.in. Churches are not consecrated unless they aro freo of debt. Not only is St. Luko's Church freo of debt, but tho vicar (tho Rev. T. G. Kay) has insisted on every seat being free, so that thero will bo no pow rents. Tho church will bo supported by voluntary contributions.

Tlioro are 162 schools in the Wellington education district—an increase of three for 1908—affording instruction for 17,416 scholars. In their annual report, tho board 6 inspectors stato that 128 scholars wo?o classifled for efficiency as being from satisfactory to good; 23 were fair, and ton inforior. llw last-mentionod are chiefly in charge of uncertificated teachers. Low salaries _ and isolated positions make these places difficult to fill satisfactorily.