LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 787, 9 April 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The mails .which left Auckland on March 16 by the s.s. Navua, and connected ■ at Suva with the Vancouver mails per the R.M.S. Marama, arrived at Vancouver at 11 p.m., on April 6.

Questioned yesterday with regard to the widening of Charlotte; Street, the Mayor (Dr. Newman) said that two or three years ago the City Council asked the. Government if they would dedicate some of the ■ land of the Government House gardens for the purpose of : widening this street'to 66 feet. This request was, at the time, declined. The Government now offer to assist in the widening of Charlotte Street by putting back the fence of Government House so as to give a breadth of 66 feet. This would give a very much easier grade for the tramway. There is an unexpected balance of some £1600 for. making the Charlotte Street loop, and the work would. have been done by this council, starting in. January! if this new proposal had not caused delay.: The delay was unavoidable,, because if the.', street is widened .to 66 feet the tramline will be constructed at a different angle and a great improvement will bo made to the city. ■ . ■';

At the meeting* of;•' the . Northern Bowling Association 'last evening, Mr. E. J. Hill mentioned that Mr. Wakeman, of Pahiatua, who was an expert in grasses, had been greatly impressed with the utility of Cumberland grass, which is used extensively on the Scottish greens.' Mr. Wakeman had reasons for suggesting that if the Wellington Club, or tho whole of the Wellington clubs combined, and sent Home to the Scottish Association, ' that it would ' send out a supply of seed. "Cumberland" grass, .Mr. Hill said, formed a splendid lawn, that could be walked over with impunity in hob-nailed boots. , . ; ■'-:'

With reference to the attitude _of certain members of the Hutt Licensing Committee in the granting ! of 'a license for the sale of liquor at Trentham Racecourse. Mr. Orton Stevens, a member of the committee, explains that the Racing • Club had complied with all the conditions laid down by the' Licensing Bench, and there was no valid reason for refusing it. The license was not a new or an extra one; the Racing Club had always held it. The committee had granted a conditional license threo months ago.

Messrs. Martin and Atkinson, barristers and solicitors',, have admitted ■Mr. Frederic Millward Martin, LL.B., son of Mr. T. P. Martin, into partnership with them as from April, 1910. The style of the new firm will be "Martin, Atkinson, and Martin."

A sitting of the North Island Railway Appeal Board was held yesterday. Mr. Haselden, S.M., presided,, and the other members of the board were Messrs. C. P. Ryan and M. Lee. The first case was the.appeal of Archibald Macdonald, of New Plymouth, against his reduction from the position of shunter to that of porter. The.second was that of Robert B. Milne, also of New Plymouth, who appealed against his reduction from signalman to porter. Mr. S. G. Smith appeared for, the and Mr. H. Davidson for the Department. Both appeals were dismissed.

Replying to the -toast, of "The Judges" at the Oxford Show on Thursday, Mr. J. C. N. Grigg told his audience something about, the principles which he considered should guide a judge of agricultural and pastoral live stock- "When. I. enter the judging ring," he said, "I have my mind firmly fixed on ; one idea—tho money value 'of tho stock IV have, to judge. I 6ay to myself, "What does this animal represent to the farmer in £ s, d. ?' and I don't worry about fancy points inbreeding." Mr. Grigg wont on to say that he thought attempts at fancy breeding vor'y often did more harm than good. Tho attempt to breed Shropshires with a coat of long wool bad succeeded in merely reducing the value of these sheep in the mutton market. Fortunately, such attempts carried their own antidote with them.

The Dominion Scouts paraded on Thursday night under Captain Dalrymplo nud Lieutenant Mahonoy, there being a good muster of all ranks. Sorgeant-Major Willis, Sergeant Berry; Corporal Sandham, and Corporal Clifford went up for the practical portion of their examination! under Captain and Adjutant P. Brandon and Staff Ser-geant-Major Dovey. Tho remaining non-coms, will probably como up for thoir'examination in a fortnight's time. The final shoot for the Squadron Championship Belt will tako place at Trontham to-day, when it is expected that there will bo some good shooting.

At the Masterton Magistrate's Court yesterday, Stock Inspector Webb laid an information against a Native, Joe Waaka, for failing to destroy rabbits on hia land, comprising 500 acres. Evidence was in support, and a'fine of £2 was imposed, with costs.

A correspondent, "Stunner,"- writes that he was tempted to purchase some apples last evening, and paid 6d. per lb. to a Chinaman for. what looked like a good sample of "Sturmers." On opening the bag outside, he discovered that all the apples were pappy soft, and half of them were badly bruised. What he particularly wishes to know is if people can be tempted to pay 6d. per lb. for such poor goods, why does Nelson want to. send the flower of her apple crop to London, as is being done? Sixpence a pound in Wellington ought to be as good as Bd. per lb. in London, and the risk is considerably less.

■It was decided at last night's meeting of the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. that the local officer be instructed to report on an allegation that a- professional had competed in an event at a recent amateur gathering. Detective Abbott, of Wellington, left for Sydney by the Moeraki yesterday, to bring over a man named Eobert Anderson on a charge of criminal assault alleged to have been committed at Wellington. The State Fire Department, which has been located in Panama Street, has removed to the 'Government Life Insurance Building on Customhouse Quay. "The reservists really have a good time, and moreover are well paid for it," remarked Captain Blunt, of H.M.S. Pioneer, in Auckland.' "Take, for instance, the case of an untrained seaman, in his first year's course of'2B days: He is paid 3s. 3d. per day,_ allowed Is. Bd. per day in lieu of lodging, and paid a retainer of £5, making a total payment of £11 17s. Bd. for the 28 days, doing 24 hours' training per week." The commander went. on to point out that 90 per cent, of the candidates, being ocean-going seamen, were placed in- the "trained", standard after their first class,\and so they only had to 'do 14 days' drill per annum, with an allowance of ss. per day each, an alternative allowance of Is. Bd. _per day in lieu of lodging, and a retainer of £8, making a total of £12 13s. 4d. "Why,it is nothing more than a holiday for them," Captain Blunt remarked. "We don't force the men to remain on board, but there are occasions when they are eager to do so. For instance, about 20 asked and were given permission to do their training during a recent, trip to' the Sounds. They had the time of their lives. It is probable that about the 24th or 25th of this month I shall be going to the Bay of Islands, and- I expect many /reservists will be anxious to go." .

Upon inquiry at the Labour Department yesterday, it was ascertained that so far-only about 650 of the 1200 factories in Wellington- have been registered.

; Sittings of the Court of Appeal have been adjourned until Wednesday next, when the case of his Majesty, the King versus Henry' Stephen Gobum, ! -manager of. a newspaper called "New Zealand Truth," will be heard. A point in this case, which was tried at the last criminal sittings in Wellington, was reserved by Mr. Justice Chapman for. argument before the Court of Appeal. The next case to be heard is that of; Bowron Brothers versus-. Helyar Wedderburn fJishop, S.M;, of Christchnrch, and the Commissioner of Taxes, the Court being asked to prohibit the magistrate from giving judgment in the income tax case recently heard by him, 'on the ground that he was without'jurisdiction. !

According ;to Washington correspondents, .President Taft begins, to show the effects of his hard work as chief of the United States Executive, and'more particularly lie constant strain to; which he is subjected by the Republican insurgents. Mr. Roosevelt' absolutely "thrived at- the White House, administering,the affairs of. 90,000,000 people,,-and was'never happier than when in the very midst of a rough-and-tumble political fight. Mr. Taft is of a somewhat different calibre, and-it'is well known among his personal friends that he would have preferred to have been appointed Chief Justice of the United States than to have occu-, pied the White House. And there is a growing conviction that if'at the end of four, years of office the welfare of his party should apparently demand a change, Mr.,Taft himself would not be anxious for the honour, of re-nomina-iiion. The Chief Justice of the United States is a septuagenarian, but he is hale and hearty stfll, and shows no tendency ? towards resigning. In a few yearß, however, it is remarked, _ there would be no reason for surprise if Mr; Taft left the White House to wear the ermine of Chief Justice, a position which he holds to be faUy as honourable : and just as dignified as that of the Presidency. :■.:.''

Deop-sea fishermen at Timaru are catching large' numbers of groper 'at the present time, and nearly every day about 30 barrels, M of groper, are sent to Christohurch (says a southern exchange). One day recently the whole fleet of oil launches secured'the record catoh for the port, totalling, no fewer than 700 fish.

The recent trouble at the Seddonville State'coal-mine has been settled. It will be remembered that two workers were suspended because it was alleged they were concerned jn the illegal finng of certain shots in the mine. The Government (it. is understood) at first' contemplated taking proceedings against the men. It has now'been decided to caution them and allow them, to resume work.

It is probable that lie fences round the small plantations in Courtenay Place will be pulled down by the City Council in the near future. It is the practice nowadays- in nearly all cities to have their reserves, with no fences at all, or with simply a low row : of boulders to keep the lines denned. The whole of: the reserve or park is then open to the public view without impediment. It may be noted that in connection with the Kent Terrace improvements a low iron railing fence has been erected- which does not interfere , with the view. In many American cities hardly any people have fences in. front of their private gardens. This makes American towns more attractive, and there is reason for thinking that the Wellington plan foUowed by so many people of erecting high galvanised fences in front of their gardens is now coming into disfavour. It is recognised in many cases that these fences are alike very unnecessary and very ugly. There can bo no question that, when the city reserves are all unfenced and citizens no longer erect ugly fences Wellington will have a far more beautiful appearance than it has now. It may be unpleasant, and apparently even dangerous, to meet a herd of bullocks in the Ngabauranga Gorge. A complainant, who waited on the Makara County Council yesterday, said that wkilo driving, he met a mob of cattle in the gorge, and the result was injury to himself and damage to his cart. Ho was unable to work for the next two days. .He bad claimed 9s. a day, and 15s. for the damage to the cart from the owner of tho cattle, but had received no redress. Hence his appeal to tho council. Ho also complained of motor-cars rushing down the gorge at excessive speed, without sounding a horn or otherwise notifying their approach. Councillor Bryant remarked that the council had been trying for two years to stop the furious driving of motor-cars, but without avail. There would bo a shocking accident there somo day, The.council resolved to refer the complaint to its solicitor for advice, and expressed its fullest sympathy in the matter. ■ ;

Shampooing, Clipping, Halrdresstng, Manicuring, Face Massage, Treatment of Fa'Hng Hair and Dandruff, Combings mad) up. Natural 1 Hair-pads. Mrs. Rolloston (over Carroll's), U .Willis Sn-net. Theme 1599,-Adxt

At first sight one is (aays the Dunedin "Star") somewhat startled by the statement that the Comirion.Tealth Government make a' profit of about 4|d. u? every shilling of the silver coined in Australia; but as against this most be counted the enormous loss to a ..u'bt in 8 applying new coin to' •eplace whai is defaced by'wear. The old and muti-' lated coin, when called in by the Neil Zealand banks, is fonwiirded to th« Government, who send it; to one of th« mints. 'At ordinary time's, of course, the banks refuse de'tericinated coin, as coins, and if accepted ;ii. all it is ai the metal value. With nearly every church collection parcel paid into the b'4nks some deduction hffs to be made. The other day a church officer went to a Duhedin bank with a specially ugly., lot of email silver of the face value of 7s. 6d., and he got 3s. &r it as old ; metal.

In a review of the recsmily-puHished book by the Rev. T. H. Sprott, vicar of St. Paul's, Wellington, oil the "Modern Study of the Old Testament," the 'Guardian" (London) states:—The.writer of this book explains that it "can lay no claim to ongms-lity," This is, perhaps, unduly modest on his part, tn any case, he gives us abtmdant evidence of reverent and thinking, and he has been aile to impart to his pages a freshness' and practical interest that should ■ make them attractive and .useful to many. Tho lectures, were prepared for a Sew' Zealand audience, and they are oil that account the mora to be welcomed.' W could hope that they are an earnest of much helpful work of a 6rm,uai 6or£ which we are to receive from oot fellow-' .churchmen at the Antipodes. ; We do not know a better account than tins of the gradual change which led. to the rise of modern Biblical criticism, and of the results which it has attaaied; nor would it be easy to name, any hook that, in a small compass, discusses more wisely and simply the difficult problems which crowd about the terms; Eevelation and Inspiration. Mr. Spirott acknowledges the valuablo assistgmce for which he is indebted to Dr. Barnes, tiwHulsean Professor at Cambridgis, who kindly undertook to see; baa wort, through the press. '. '■'•.'.'

An enthusiasts SooHash gsfljerira was held last-evening in the Professional) Orchestra's (3mb-room, Lower OriSi' Street, to form a social dub to ha.' called the Scottish Pipers' and Society. Over twenty werei,mads member's. Mr. Wm. M*Glashari Smi3ii was unanimously elected hon. secrefcaiy.; Mr. J. M'Lellan hbn. treasurer. Mx/Xl Bafllie to'act as pipe major, and 1 Mr. £ finky dancing master. The Manage ment Committee appointed will consisS of the following :—Mr. D. Scott, Mr. Dewhurst, Mr. J. M'Ardky Mr. ElBirss, and Mr. S. B. Shannon. The? objects of the society do not clagh witii any other organisation, as it is 'for in-i dividual playing and "dancing, r special, attention being green to JuTenifa dancers and preparing immrbers -.for l Caledonian gatherings. The evenings are Mondays, Wednesdays, andFridaya;.' when all parficnlars wiQ ba readSjji given.