LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 829, 30 May 1910, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The s.s. AA'immera, from Sydney, arrived at Auckland yesterday morning, with English atlr] Australian mails on board. The Wellington and southern portions of the mail will arrive in town by the Slain Trunk express this afternoon.

Halley's comet, pursuing its course in space, is still visible in the heavens. A cloudless moonless sky, -enabled observers to get a splendid view of the wonderful visitor last evening, when the faint coma and about ten degrees of the tail were plainly visible in the western sky.

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the battle of Tsu-shima, the "modern Trafalgar," in which the Russian second Pacific squadron, popularly known as the Baltic fleet, was almost annihilated by the Japanese after a two days' engagement. -

A public meeting to bid fa.rewell to tho Governor will be h<?ld in the Town Hall on Wednesday next, to which all citizens are invited. Tho Garrison Band will play appropriate music. Mr. E. Hill will sing, and Mr. Maughan Bnrnett, will presido at the grand organ.

A sunfish, a very uncommon visitor to these shores, was found on the beach at the Point on Wednesday (says the "Kaikoura Star"), evidently having been washed ashore by the easterly sea that prevailed early in the week. Tho monster is, of a rough circular shapo, with body 10ft. long, 7ft. deep, and 2fi. 6in. through. Behind, are two vertical lins —evidently the fish's propelling power—the space between the tips of which'is 12ft. The skin is very hard and rough, and the flesh appears milk white, and the mouth and oyea are extremely small, appearing ludicrously so for such a huge body.

A branch of St. Mary's Convent, taking the form of a boarding-school for litt-lo boys, has been established at Seatoun, in a commodious, well-de-signed building situated ou the hill overlooking tho tram-track, and commanding an extensive view of Seatoun, and the harbour as far north as Somes Island. The school, which has accommodation for twenty boarders, has a large schoblroom, dormitoiy, refectory, and a tiny chapel. Tho playground is the top of a breezy hill above the school garden (where all the vegetables for the refectory are grown), and from where a fine view of Lyall Bay and Cook's Strait is obtainbrighter, healthier spot could hardly exist round Wellington for boys. The Rev. Mothor Mary Barnard, who is in charge of the school,, is doing all in her power to make the lads at home, and. that they are ' is evident from their buoyant spirits and healthy, happy faces. They already have a pigeon-house, a tent- pitched on the playground, and most treasured of all, a wonderful donkey on which excursions are made to the beach (in suitable weather), tho outer signal-station, and other points of interest in the immediate neighbourhood.

According "to the Health authorities, no fresh cases of plague have occurred at Auckland, nor have any more infected vermin been discovered. One of the patients is progressing so favourably that- he will be discharged in a few days, and theiother is also expected to recover, provided that no complications arise.

Mr. H. S. WardcH, president of the Noiv Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, wishes us to make clear a possible misconception which may have been read into our roport of the manner in which the "Leader" picture was recovered. The report stated that the holders of the picture asked him if ho would act in the matter of the restoration of the painting "and ho oonse-nfed." Mr. \Yardell states that he does not wish to be considered guilty of any kind of treachery, and in no manner did he make any bargain with the holders, he simply handed over everything to the police, who conducted tho negotiations which led to the arrest of the accused. Mounted Constable Mullooly yesterday arrested a man. on a charge of receiving £3 on terms requiring him to account for it, and (so it is alleged) omitting to do so. The -steamer Iluahine, from London, which arrived in tho stream last evening and will berth this morning, brings 30 assisted immigrants,, most- of whom are domestic servants or wives and children of previous arrivals. "Bled to Death" writes: "I beg to enter my protest against the conduct at tho present grand opera season. They charge 7s. (3d. for a scat, and when you arrive at the dressing-room there is a rush made for tips. A man hasn't- time to take off his coat when a plate is shoved under his nose. I think the Wellington public' are about tired of this sort of tiling." Tiie practice complained of by our corro-spond-emfc has become a general one at the Opera House here. Patrons, of course, can please themselves as to whether or not thoy "tip" tho attendant®.

Shampooing, Clipping, Hamlressing, Manicuring, Pace Slassago, Treatment of Falling Eair, and Dandruff. Combings made up. Natural Hair-pads. Mrs. Kolleston (over Carroll's), 11 Willis Stroet, 'Phano 1580.—Adyt,

On tho present occasion, the Gov--ornment steamer Hinemoa is taking longer than usual in her circuit of tho northern lighthouses, and she is not likely to be back in Wellington until between two and three weeks from date. She commenced the trip with a big programme of work in front of her, and was considerably delayed at Auckland by bad weather and neap tides. The work still tc bo accomplished includes the restoration of an overhead wire mail carrier between the mainland and the lighthouse at Cape Maria Van Diemen. This lighthouse like many others on different parts of the New Zealand coast is situated on an island, and while it must once have beon a very lonely s spot it can nov,< reckon on seeing at regular intervale the. Sydney mail steamer, 'and mnay of the large liners from Home. In addition, it is connected with the mainland by telegraph, and by a monthly mail. Very strong tidal currents run' in the narrow channel between the island and tlie mainland, and as tho steamer was not always able to work tho island in bad weather, or on running tides, the idea was conceived of connecting a wire from the mainland, on which would run a cage to sendl across mails, fresh meat, and general supplies. The idea was carried out, and though it was a fairly difficult task erecting the wire, it has had to be restored on but one previous occasion, so that the wire now to be erected will only be the third in 30 years. This is a long life for a' steel wire exposed to the weather, even though it is only used onco a month. It is recorded, however, that the cage 011 one occasion carried • something a good deal weightier • than vegetables or mails. One of the lighMieepers, who was about to be married, had been granted leave from a certain date, but when the time came the weather was tod bad to admit of a boat conveying him to the mainland. Determined not _ to disappoint his bride, he. stepped into the cage and hauled himself across to the other side. Fortunately the wire stood tho strain,' but there was a reckoning later on, as tlie Marine Department got news of the action, and matters were rather unpleasant for a time.

Many will regret to tern that Mr. William Colfey, of Oriental Bay, secretary of the Wellington Bosing Association, and a member of the Council of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, who has been ill for some weeks, collapsed completely on Friday last.. On Saturday he was taken to .a private hospital in an unconscious condition, and operated upon the same evening for, abscess 011 the brain. The operation was successful, and, though Mr. Coffey is far from out of danger, he has recovered consciousness, and the indications may be said to bo favourable.

The funeral of the late Air. A. I. Littlejohn, which took place 011 Saturday, was attended by a large lumber of representative" citizens. The Metropolitan Building and Investment Sooiety, of which tlio deceased was chairman from it-s inception up to the time of his. death, was ' represented by Messrs. W. M. Hannay, J. G. W. Aitken, H. Hume, W. Mackay, and the secretary, Mr. C. A. liwau. The AVel-. lington Chess Club, of which Mr. Littlejohn was a distinguished member, was represented by Messrs. W. 1 ? . Ba.rraud, G. Wright, E. W. Petherick (president), and F. K. Kelling (viceprssidenit). Mr. B. B. Allen was present as representative of the Wellington South Chess Glufc. Messrs. Petherick, Allen, and Kelling also represented the New Zealand Olioss Association, on the council of which body the deceased sat as delegate for tbe Rangitikei Olub. He was also on© of the three AVellington players on the Adjudication Board of the New Zealand Chess Association, besides being . referee for chess to the Wellington Working Men's Club. The Ivolbunio Bowling Club was also well represented. The service at the graveside was read by the Rev. J. R. Glasson.

"God help the people who are going to live at Piako," said a witness before the Silting Commission at Paeroa on Wednesday last, when referring to the prevalence of floods in the iiauraki Plains, the district recently opened by the Government for selection. The witness remarked that the settlers did not know what hardships they were being let in for, because there was' actually an overflow across country from the Waihou Hirer in flood time, for a distanco of 17 miles. The Hauraki Plains, he said, were invariably flooded badly in winter.

A retrial of Eberhardt Ferdinand Renner upon a charge of arson at Wadestown will be' proceeded with ' in tho Supreme Court this morning. Tomorrow tho first case on the civil list, James Alexander Hannah v. Charles Nodine, a claim for specific, performance, will be heard, and on Wednesday Alice Alary Austice will be retried upon a charge of performing an illegal operation.

An. election will'be held in July next for three seats on the Wellington Education Board, which become vacant by rotation. These are at present held by Messrs. Robert Lee (the chairman of the board), A. W. Hogg, M.P., and AV. H." Field, M.B. It is understood that Air. K. A. Wright, M.P., will bo a candidate.

What is known as the Triduum —three days' celebration and special prayers ordered by the Popo in honour of the Blessed Eucharist—was concluded at the Hill Street Basilica last evening. Tho services were given an added interest by scone special singing, in which the choir was assisted by members of Williamson's Grand Opera Company. In the morning Gounod's "Mass Soiouelle" was sung, the soprano solos being taken by Misses Lillian Irvine and Dolby (of the Opea-a Company) and Miss Twohill. Air. Rufiis Ferguson (tenor) and Mr. John Al'Gowan (bass) also assisted. During the offertory Sir. Al'Gowan. sang Luzzi's "Ave Maria." At last evening's service Hiss Lillian Irvine (who formerly attended St. Mary's Convent) sarig Cooper's "Ave Maria." very impressively.

In connection with a report' from Christchurch that tho university pro-, feasors of New Zealand desire to participate in tho tcachers' superannuation scheme, and will bring the matter before the Government by means of a deputation, Professor Kirk desires .us to state that the Professorial Board ol Victoria College, of which he is chairman, has, not considered the matter. West Coast papers state that Mr. T. W. Rapley, tho reeently-appoinied organiser for tho Liberal party, toured the Coast with tin. Prime Minister. The Stratford "Post" understands that the Mayor of that town has decided not "to sanction the use of th© Town Hall for Sunday concerts during his term of office. Tho ineonvenioneo of tho Wellington train servico was again emphasised at a meeting of the jVlasterton Chamber of Commerce on Friday (says our local correspondent). It was pointed out that tho Hist mail from Wellington arrived at 11.38 a.m., and the mail was frequently not sorted until 1 p.m. This ma'do it very inconvenient for business men to reply to city correspondence by 3.5 p.m., the hour at which tho last mail closes f6r Wellington. | Until the Minister for Railways can be convinced of the nature of the treatment which is being meted out to the chief centre ot this growing district—and (adds our correspondent) tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce should take a hand in urging upon the Minister tho seriousness of the position—it has been decided to ask tho postal authorities to bo moro in sorting the mails.