LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 622, 27 September 1909, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Th« Mokoia, with; an English and Australian mail, arrived in Auckland at 5 p.m. yesterday; : Tho' .Wellington and ■ southern portion of .her; mail \vill.arrrv.e.by tho Main Trunk express.this afternoon." .. . : On the occasion o! tho second anniversary of The Dominion, the Editor: entertained tho members of .tho literary staff nt o dinner in tho Hotel Windsor on Saturday. ' Heads of pther.branohe's wero also present. A list of toasts was honoured, including those, of "The Dominion;", proposed by Mr. A. Blanton (manager) and- responded to by/Mr. CharlesEarle,' and "Our Contemporaries," proposed by Mr. M. 0. Keane, and responded to by Mr. H. Dimmer, Au appropriate memento of the anniversary was preDented'to Mr. Earle on behalf of the literary statT. Songs and recitations assisted to make pass.a very, pleasant evening. .

For, tho wcok ended.Saturday, tho Customs ravepHO collected at Wellington amounted to .£17,192 ils., beer duty / totalling .C 355 2s. Figures for the corresponding week in 1008 were respectively! Customs revenue i 12,320 os.' Wd„. beer duty .C 197 'IDs.., . . . Cable' advice has been received that the Moana left Sydnoy for Wellington at 2 p.m. on. Saturday, >Bh> i« btlaglng « laloon and St) tUeiage pueesgeri.

A Highly sensational story of supposed assault and robbery was told in Duneiin about a week ago by Mr. A. B. Taylor, a' commercial traveller, late of Wellington. Tho detectives have had tho matter in hand over since, states tho Dunodin "Star," and tho raon alleged to have been assaulted, robbed, gagged, and bound has' now admitted that his story was an invention. Ho tied himself up,, and was noither assaulted nor robbed. He gave several reasons for his extraordinary behaviour. One was that ho was not getting on too well with his people, ■ and he wauled to enlist their sympathy. Hugh Shannon, a. bricltraakor employed at Tonka's Brickworks, had the narrowest oscape from an untimely death on Saturday morning that ho is over likely to have. Ho was crossing Courteriay Place, opposite the Egmont Hotel, when ho absent-mindedly turned in tho centre of the tram track to whistlo his dog, Before ho know where he was ho found himself bowled over by a car proceeding eastward. Fortunately the motorman had noticed the man on the track just in tinio. lie opened his sand-bo.v, and jammed the brakes on hard, pulling the car up in its own length, but even thou it was too late to prevent the car knock, ing tho man down, and pushing him along under the apron for » yard or two. Onlookers expected that the man was killed, or at any rate seriously injured. Shannon was considerably dazed when lifted out from beneath the car, but beyond a ; few outs about his faco, which lookod as if it had been grazed along tho wood-blocks, he lacked any injury ol moment, Praise is,duo to the motorman for his action in pulling up the car so promptly. Ono of tho most conspiouous objects at tho Art Exhibition, which was opened on' Saturday .afternoon, is placed in tho centre of tho wall, above tho platform at tho ond of the room. It is in the placo of honour,' but at prosont It is nothing but an'empty frame. The pre-' sident, Mr. H. S.-Wardell, in his opening speech, explained that the society had been expecting a picture from Mr. Von der' Vcldcn, and so sure wan-they of receiving it by tho opening day that they had put up tho frame beforehand, but no picture had arrived. Tho explanation given by the artist-Was that there was a baby in tho pioture, and ho could not get,his little ; modal to sit still. Pclorus Jack lost yesterday the distinction of being the only inhabitant of tho sea speci.' ally by tho law. Tho protection, which-was given to him by an Ordor-in-Couuoil, expired yesterday,* and, unloss it is, rouewbd, Jack must be now like any other, whale so far as.legislation.is,concerned. He was protected for five years by an Order-in-Caunoil issued by his. Excellency J/ml Plunket on September 26, 1904. It is probable that tho Order will he renewed in next week's issue of the 'Gazette.The Order, which' is unique in'history, is as follows:—"Whereas it is enooted by,Scotion f 5 of the Sea Fisheries Act, 1894, that the Gov-crnor-in-Couneil, may from timo to time make '.regulations,* which shall'havo general 'force and effect throughout the colony, or particular force and effect only in any waters or places opeoinod therein, for,'among, other-things,- prohibiting altogether for. such period as ha snail think fit,- tho takiug of .any fish, and may by sueh regulations impose a penalty for breach of such regulations. And whereas it is desirable'to. prohibit: tho taking-of the fish or mammal'known I '.as Ricso's dolphin (Grampus Grieeus) in Cook stro.it'and tho adjacent bays, sounds.'.and estuaries; now, therefore, his Excclleuoy tho Governor of the colony of Now Zealand, jn: oxeroise. of the hereinbefore-, re-cited-power and authority, and acting by and with tho advice and consent of tho Exeoutive Council of tho sr.id colony, doth hereby:make tho following regulations:—Puring tho period of date of the gazetting of these regulations ,it shall, not be lawful'for any. person ,to tako'tho fislj or mnmnpl of the species commonly ./known as- RissoV dolphin (Grampus Grisous) in the waters of Cook Strait or of /f|',»'-bay»; Sounds, .and estuaries adjacent 'thereto! S.. Any person committing a breach of this,regulation'shall be ■ liable to A a penalty of not/less than fivo. pounds nor more than one hundred ponnds.—Alcx. Willis, clerk of tho.Esecutiye Council," ..-.'■.:, . .'-',• A model of a new aeroplane invented by Mr. N. .-. Jonassen, of- ishburton,. was 6hown,to & reporter'Ofjtho. "Guardian": last week, by tho inventor,- who: also gave a practical, dcmonstra-/ Hon,.'of tho".capabilities of .the.'contrivance. According to Mr. Jonassen,..the principle of, his machine ir entirely different'from.Anything that has yet appeared, and he:is.confident'that when a )aree"rhaohino is constructed- and fitted with: a motor-engine, he will be in a position to'-compote favourably'with any of'thb machines, - now. engaging public attention. Mr. Jonft'sscii's;model flies'./liko'a -bird, -behind a motor, to-ai height-'of #fifty feet. It is fitted -with- an. aviator ahd'-'propellor, :whioh cn.iv be 'regulated to, guide tho.machine'in any direction;: while the plane.v are fitted itt .such a'\vay' , as.t(>':ft>ake;it-impossib!a for the iliacbijio to;/keep/.otherwise.'than perfectly level.,/It is , Mr. JonnsSeh a: intention to float: a 'syndicate and build, a. large'maohine, and then compete: against-the machinos non in tho'exporimental stag6.in Brltajn- and on.the Continent. Mr. Jonassen said that he had been-studying-the question of: aviation for several years, bat though ho had -. constructed : the models . of quite a number of machines, his'present idea w;as'.the only one that had given him satisfaction, and confidence as to : its future capabilities; - ./■''-.. ; • ... ..-• " ' .'%ost, grey cloth bag,' containinggold watch,' tipd, with-back ribbon. If.returned iinnicdl-. atoly to Columbia 1 Hotel, finder suitably rewarded.". Suoh : Was-tho wording .cf.'an advertisement which'/appeared, In Friday's DomimlON. .The-'* advertisement had (ho desired effect, andthe scquol was- interesting.'■'■ A small boy.oalled on the lady, otvner/ on/Saturday, and she, 'delighted at haying her property restored, produoed ,two' .'gold coins—a sovereign and, a half-sovereign, and, bxposing them both, asked him wbioh ho would have, With that modesty which ,docs 'not/often distinguish the colonial youthi 'the .lesser, coin was solected. This so pleased tho visitor, ,who is ' travelling round the world, that she,'took, tho lad's name and address, promising; at, the same' time to send him;u prosont from''America.. '.-"■.■:■. ,■;...'■. ' The statement that Messrs.' R.-W. Cameron and Co. tendered for/a supply:of transformers for-:tho City Counoil,' which appeared iiv Saturday's issue, isvincorrcct, /The firm.does.not ' tender- for any-contract—it merely': supplies pricoa.'of material-. to- tho merchants. [''~. . A- twelvCrdays'. canvass for the sum of neoessary to open the Cliristohurch Y.M.C.A. free of debt-will be'' commencod on Saturday next.. ■ , "•'•,. ■' V '. ]'. '.'.-, -.' ,-.■ ■

ilis's Grace"PalotW tho -well-known'aotross, is;cb|ifido'nt,.thatjth« ,taßto of ', theatrical audiences is improving, and in conversation with a "'Tress": interviewer (lubtect tho .success of tho Aschc-Bvaytou'■ .season in Melbourno as ovjdouco of tho fact. ."Not only has the,..Shakespearean' season boon; tho, : most brilliant • ever* played- in- Australia," sho declared, "but tfio flnanoial results havo'.-bcon onormous.',' - Boyoud - this, again—and- - this ,is what I .want to emphasiso—it was tho ordinary playgoers: that, brbwded.; tho,, theatres in Mel. bourne ,apd Sydney—the gallery and family circle" peoplo', not alono the dress circlo patrbhs and the classos, who might bo expented to go ,as Shakespeare lbvors, This showed that there is sotting in a wholesome and much to bo -applauded elevation in the standard -* of ■' taste, of tho., mass of, playgoers: Tfnib, was, ■ and not. so long ago, wben ! Thb Face ,at. ,;tho ; 'Window,'! and cognate' inblodramatio- horrors. ••.would draw audiences, whilst good.plays.-wore .noglceted., But-this is not: so now, .lis .'.far' as Australia !is oouoorhed, as has-been' proved during the Ascho-Brayton seasai).':. What: is the casa m New' Zealand; I cannot'say, but knowing - th*. high standard of.audiences her>,-'I should think that, given equal opportunities .to. those:, in' 'Australia, Shakespearean plays- would be a great'' 'success here,- Of course,' it.;all' turns- upon the way they are (produced.','. ■ ,- ■■-~ ■•■

! The .blind. mkix' : with'- tho strident gramophone has appareptly,,fobbed -'the.'professioji of those-c'harabtcristios which'enriched the world by Elia's delightful "Complaint- on', tho Decay of 'Beggars.''. .'Withes?, ft Hotter., read.'to the Auckland Gity Council by,:a; harassed.'funr. who wanted to. know, if there were no relief frbm.a.'.lohg-Jstanding' nuisance, dt tho corner of 'Queen and Ciislonia Streets—"an'. abo'niinablo' street' gramophone, •'tho'. hideous' screcoh of. whioh ■ is: to. bo' heard' during' all the jbusir' uc.ssvhours■ of reach, forenoon..- Some' of- our; staff.-fecl that'flie Strain is becomingtoo great, and thit.nnlosswmothing' bo.dono in the matter moro 'accommodation will bo required 'in the Avondalb•'. institution. •..We, should bo, glad to -know. tho ''position.' regarding tbo. licensing' of street musicians (bo called). -They bolleot-.very large sums /of money and pay. no '■ rent." Tho last throi .words were underlined., Tho traffic inspector,, iii-.aa: attached report (reports tho "Star"),, tiprped ; that- tlieso men wero'nn abominable nm'sanbe, bnt,'boing blind, they'had* tho? sympathy of thb piibllc' They''would not be;pcrnn|ted to remain so long at one stand in futuro, and' would Ije .required to confine their instrumental efforts -to- one honr'atoach ploco frequented, '■ If that.did not abatp tho nuisance, further steps would bo necessary. It was resolved that .a reply be sent in.tefms of thb traffio.-inspector's'report. .' ,-

On Friday ovening. an oratory competition was 1 held %. tho. Sty' John's Debating Society, Dr, Gibb being in'the chair. There wero four competitors, \v|iowerb-placed by tho judge in tho followlnir ordot;—Mr. H. Eeid ("Horatio Nelson','); Mr. I'. Itedgratn ("John Hampden"), Mn M. Galloway ('Edmund Burkb"); nud'Mr. !.!' Andrew ("William tho Silent"), At the close of the meeting, Mr. ,H. Moid was appointed St,' John's representative at the oraforlwU compotltlou to bo held by tho Debating union on October 15 Is the YJJ.C.A. rooms,

Superintendent • O'Brien, of the Fire BriBade, acknowledges. rocoipt of a oheqiie for J)5 ss. from Mr. J. M, Richardson, for services rendered in connection with the good save" effected in connection with the VicJona Street fire last week. "In England and In-France,'during my recent visit,'; said Miss Grace Palotta to a southern interviewer, "I wns perfectly astonished to mark the marvellous improvement in the taste of the music hall'audiences, Time was when music hall performances were looked upon as being the lower rung of' tho professionol ladder. Not so now, however, In Lon-> don tho nncsf; artists in tho profession are ap. pearl us on the music hall stage in comediottas, playlets, and sketches. Thero is a refinement and nn appeal to educated taste, in thoso per» formances that mark a mnrvellous improve, ment in tho appreciation of audiences. - More. oyer, it is not only tho- more' refined class of playgoers that patronise tho music halls. They are crowded night after night by tho people, the masses; This shows, I think, that, given tho higher class of entertainments, tho pcoplt will patromso them." . .

lon small hoys of Sydenham, Christohurch; forming what was styled by- ; Sub-Inspector IJ, Oratb, a 'push," recently assailed another boy on his return from church, and gave him an unmerciful drubbing. He was rcsouod by the plucky interposition of two young ladies, who were somewhat roughly handled .in tho process. Tho gang did not disband then, but proceeded to maltreat other'< little- boys whom' they met. When charged ■ boforo Mr. W. R.Hosclden, S.M., with causing n broach of tha peace, some of tho young hopefuls stated that the roasan for the first' action" by tha "push" was that they believed the boy had said that ho would blacken.the faces of tho Sydenham larrikins with boot polish. Ono boy' stated that seven of,tho gang took an active part in the infliction' of ( £ho punishmont. Tho magistrate said that- ho had not tho power to order a whipping for such of, tho boys us were, over sixteen. Ho gave tho four boys undor-six-teen the option' of tailing six strokes of the birch rod or paying a fine of 205., and two of the.boys elected to tako the, whipping. Mr. Huseldcn said that for the sake of good order ' |f w lmpossiblo for him to, let the boys-off llßhtly. The. two who hod been manly enough ' ;to tako a birching would receivo tho minimum number of strokes, four. Ho thought this punishment would bo a sufficient deterrent to them and to other, boys, and if it was not he could order up .t,o twolvo strokes. AH tho other boys would.bo convicted and fined- iOs.* - each, .tho fines to bo paid'.at- the rato of sa. per woek. If they wero not paid tho .defaulters would bo committed to solitary confinement for sovon days, ,-• . i .. A raid on premises off Tory 'Street "whew sly grog-sollini was suspected to bo' carried on,was.modo by Sergeant Rutlcdgo and Con. stablo M'lvolvcy yesterday, morning: A quan. tity of liquor in bottles and demijohns was seised, and it is understood that a prosecution will- follow. ■ ■ '-. . '~..---

A.n. address to the people of Rarotomja ap. pears in' the "Cook Island Garotte" under the 'instructions of Lieutenant Colonel W. G. Gudgeon, '. C.M.G.,. (late Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands), who: desired tho some to bo published after his depnrturo. Tho writer says that iiv leaving,the Islands, after a rasi. denco.of eleven years, ho .expresses pleasure ia knowing, that;ho "is on terffis : of"friendship with all, thoso Maoris and' Europeans whose opinion is worth having." He bad seen many changes, the poople had greatly improved, and thero was" a better feeling among sections of the pcopld than there wasin 1898,\ It .had been represented to him that when ho had left tho Islands the Ngatt-pritaun wore to be reduced to tho'position of vassals. . Thoro never could be vassals under British rulb. • There could bo neither/slaves nor - vassals' in the British Empire.'. "You are a self-governing community,"'.'. continued. ; Licutcnaht-Colonel Gudgeon, "far removed from Now Zoaland, and you,, will never '■ lose 'tho ...privilege.'-of ■ self government so long as you deal: justly with your people: but do not forget that .they are subjects of. King EdwaVd, and undor his pro. lection; thereforo you must bo.guided by hia representative here. You will have a right to. demand his protection, but ho: will corfcunly demand your obedlohco'to tho law, Task you tp show the.same.kindb' spirit to my successor that you hoye shown.to me."' , Ecforripg t ' to Makea Danicla,'Jjicnte'nntit-Coloribl Gudgeon charged him w : ith'having caused much of tho recent troublo,- and wamedihim that tho pew Resident (Captain: T . Emnn Smith) was-not a man-to bo ilrifled ,with.' V '. ■.''-., ••'■■-.