LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 851, 24 June 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

. Tho postal authorities advise that tho Wimmera, which left Sydney 011 June 22, for Auckland, is bringing English, Brindisi, and Australian mails. Tho Wellington portion should arrive here by the Main Trunk express on Monday next. According to ths Prime Minister tho coming session will last not more than, four months, and will bo productive of a good deal of valuable legislation. A matter which is now occupying tho attention of tho Harbour , Board is an application by Messrs. John M'Lean and Sons, contractors for the dock, for an extension of the time of the contract, to enable them to, get a plant from England for lowering concrete to the bottom of the harbour at the dock site through steel tubes (in tho manner which has already' been described in these columns). Floor and air space was at a premium in tho Government Shipping Office yesterday, when tho crew ot the Arahura was bei'ig signed on and off. At tlio same time, the "crew of tho dredge Paritutu was' teing paid oft', so lhat a total of nearly 70 men required admittance to the office. The space, however, was inadequate to accommodato them, and they, had to bo taken in relays. The shoal alleged to exist in. tho Waitara roadstead has again baffled tho "efforts of Captain Bollons to locate it. On- .tho previous occasion whou tho Tlinomoa visited tho vicinity, Captain Bollons swept the roadstead in tho bearings given, and when the search failed it was suggested that the bearings given were iuaccurate. On tho present occasion other bearings wero given, and the signalman at AVaitara went out on tho llincmoa and indicated the position where ho had at times seen shoal water. The Ilinemoa was, however, unablo to discover any obstruction in tho neighbourhood, and nothing of the description of shoal water was observed during hor stay in tho roadstead. Speaking at the ' City Council meeting yesterday afternoon, tho Mayor (Mr. i. 'M. Wilford, M.P.) said he wished to thank councillors for their assistance and co-operation in the welcome to his Excellency the Governor, and to convey to them bis Excellency's thanks for tho civic wolcome and his appreciation of the completeness and thoroughness of tho arrangements. His Excellency had expressed his sense of gratitude at the excellent turn-out.

Messrs. Eeed and Reed, architects, of Sail Francisco, who designed the Public Trust Office in Wellington, at the instance of the lato Mr. Seddou, had the misfortune to lose nearly tho whole of their blue prints of plans in tho great fire of 1906. They have, however, been fortunate enough to replaco most of their prints, and have written to AYellington asking for a copy or photograph of tho plans of tho Public Trust Office, easily tho most handsome building in this city.

A deputation from the Wellington Tobacconists' Association will wait upon tho Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Labour) with'' reference to tho various matters which havo engaged their attention lately.

Councillor Atkinson has given notice to move at tho next meeting of the City Council"( 1) That the following resolution passed at a meeting of tho Wellington City Council, held on June 10, 191 U. ,bn rescinded: 'That the Banks Meat Company be given twelve months in which to erect freezing works.' (2) That tlio recommendation of the Abattoirs, Miik Supply, and Public Health Committee that the council strongly protest .against the reissue of a meat export slaughter-house license for the Banks Meat Company be adopted, 011 the ground that the granting of such a license would be a plain violation of tlio law." Amendments to tho rules ns to lifesaving appli luces for ships are contained in last night's Gazette. The first schedule of the Ordcr-in-Council of November 2,1, 11)03, is revoked, and a new rule is made in its place.

At the January meeting of tlio Wellington Education Boarl, Die secretary submitted a list of works at that time authorised by the board. The authorisa-* lions totalled .£2171 os. 2d., including somo JEGO2 of immodiito urgency. The last-mo.'itbncd su.<?i has now been reduced to XISS lGs. The works authorised to April last are estimated to cost .£2-130 lis. Gd., and a good many of these are very urgent. The question of ways and means is troubling the board a good deal. At the adjourned meeting of tho City Council yesterday there were present the Mayor (Sir. T. M. Wilford, JI.P.), Councillors Luke, Cohen, Ballinger, Atkinson, Bovine, Carmichael, Hindmarsh, •ShirtcliiVe, i'lctchor, and M'Laren, M.l\ A resolution was adopted in favour of obtaining a site for a public market, aiul instructing the city engineer to report (o Hie council on the matter of suitability and cost. Councillor Luke's motion, asking the city engineer to report on improved means of access between the city and its eastern suburbs, was also agreed to. The motion of Councillor Ballinger in favour of the establishment of a fire board was then allowed to lapse, owing to the lateness of the hour. The motion will be brought up again by Councillor Ballinger.

The Chief Justice will deliver judgment in Chambers at 10.30 o'clock this morning in the case Milne v. Olivecrona.

A Chamber sitting will be held by the Chief Justice at 10.30 this morning.

Shoro rates of pay from tho time of arrival at Wellington until the timo of signing off were claimed by tho members of the crew of the dredge Paritutu, wlien they were being paid off yesterday. Tho dredge arrived in the stream froni Paisley on Tuesday, afternoon, and tho men contended that their agreement ceased from tho time that she dropped anchor, and that therefore they were entitled to labourers' day wages until actually paid off. Eventually the master of the vessel agreed to give the men a bonus of 10s. each, in addition to their pay.

Two amounts of conscience-money were received by the Government during' the past week. One was for ,£l, "tendered as restitution to the Postal Department," and forwarded to the secretary of tho General Post Office. The other sum wafor a similar amount, and was forwarded to the same official from Auckland.

A Gazette Extraordinary issued yesterday contains ihe statutory proclamation referring to the assumption of the government of New Zealand by Lord Islicgton.

It is understood that Professor Scott, of the Engineering Sehool in connection with Canterbury College, who is at present iu Wellington, is conducting an inquiry into complaints lodged in regard to the decisions of one of the officials of Hie Inspection of Machinery Department.

The disbandment of the Rongomai Defence Kiilo Club has been approved by tho Government.

Subject to certain conditions as to the building line, a portion of Kodrigo Eoad, Kilbirnie, has been exempted front the provisions of Section 117 of the Public Works Act, 1908.