LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 854, 28 June 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

When "assured finance" was mentioned of the University reform meeting last night, Mr. A. E. Atkinson remarked that the words had a familiar ring. "Governor's speeches for the last fifteen years have undertaken to provide local bodies with an assured finance," he said. "It pleases them, but they remain just where they were before."

A conference of those interested in the liquor trade throughout New Zealand is lo bo held in ■Wellington during July. Tho ordinary meeting of the Wellington Licensed Victuallers' Association is to be held to-day.

Application has been made to the Labour Department for 20 first-class tunnel workers for tho West Coast. Ono of tho conditions is that workers must pay their own fares. The Department is also oelecting men to meet a demand for twelve good carpenters for the Hawera district. Good wages are promised' and fares are to bo paid. Employment is also offering through the Department in several other localities. Altogether Hie state of the labour market is reported to be much better than it was this timo last year, tradesmen generally, with tho exception of painters, being fairly well employed.

Truthfulness, not politeness, characterises tho following little anecdote told by the Taranaki "Herald":—When tho baker boy was making his usual call a few days ago, the mistress of the houavasked when the price of iiread was going to bo reduced. "So long as tho people oi New Plymouth pay 4d. there wont be any reduction!" was tUo reply.

The Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Wellington issued a circular to kindred societies throughout New Zealand yesterday, suggesting that a conference of delegates should bu held in this city during the session. There" are two objects tho society has hopes of achieving if the conference is held The first is to urge tho Government to push through the Bill brbught before the Honso by Mr. Geoige LaureuBon, M.P., during the session of 1908, tho terms of which provido for tho better prevention of cruelty to animals; and, secondly, to urge tho Government to subsidise subscriptions (which it docs not do.at present).

At Petono to-night, Colonel Kobin will make tho presentation to the Petone Navals of the challenge shield won by them as the most efficient garrison artillery corps in the Dominion.

Tho sitting of tho Bankruptcy Court, which was set down for yesterday, was adjourned until July 25.

On tho motion of Mr. ,T. W. Macdonald, solicitor to the Public Trust Office, the Supremo Court granted probate of the wills of the following to the Public Trustee :<-Arthur Herbert Vickeriuau, of Greymouth, shipping agent; Francis Jardme, of Leamington, ironmonger; Edward Chalmers Cargill, of Duircdin, gentleman; George Kobert Stevens, of Greytown, farmer; John Cliphauo Jackson, of Cabbage Bay, farmer; Annio Simpson, of Petone, widow; Katherino O'Brien, of Wellington, widow; Francis John Liardet Hills, of Wellington, settler; William Blackmore Baker, of Hororata, clerk; Archibald M'Lean, of Putaruru, railway ganger; Charles Stubbs, of Xumara, manufacture!. An urrtci lo leaso lands in the estate of Christina Higgle, of Wangamii, was also granted.

Considerable heat marked a debate at the Wellington Typographical Union's meeting on Saturday evening on the question as to whether the. union cuuld contribute funds to tho Labour Federation, with which bou'v it recently decided to affiliate. The Typographical Board had considered the point, and to facilitate mattors, had obtained a legal opinion, which was to the effect that the funds of tho union could not be contributed ti< tho federation. As tho decision vitally altects tho political aspect of trades' unionism, there were some lively remarks. Finally tho discussion closed on tho understanding that affiliation would be' an infringement of tho rules of the union.

Tho benefits of the educational system now in force at Invercargill Prison for youthful offenders (says the "Southland Times") is receiving recognition from the various judges of tho Supreme Court, who now make a point of committing young prisoners direct to tho Invercargill Gaol instead of waiting for the Prison Department to order transfers from other prisons. Within tho past ton days nine youths under sentence have arrived at Invercargill, two coming from Auckland, three from Wellington, and two each from Christchurch and Dunedin. During his recent visit to Invercargill on Supiemo Court business, Mr. Justice Williams paid a visit to tho prison foi tho purpose of making himself thoroughly acquainted-with tho new methods lutro. ducod by the Minister for Justice (the Hon. Dr. Findlay), and expressed his cordial approbation of the working of the system.

Writing to the Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture), the secretary to the New Zealand Farmers' Union at Dunedin in a recent communication says: "At a meeting of tho executive of tho union, a resolution was passed congratulating your Department on the vory crqditablo exhibition made by it at the Winter Show."

No fresh developments have occurred in connection with the outbreak of plague in Auckland. Both patients are making good recoveries.

A deputation from tho Pharmacy Board is to wait upon the. Hon. D. Buddo, Minister for Health, to-morrow afternoon, for tho purpose of urging certain amendments in the, Pharmacy Act.

Speaking at the presontation of prizes at tho Hautere Cross Eifle Club social last week Mr. \V. H. Field, M.P., intimated that he expected shortly to hear of the rifle clubs of New Zealand being placed on a much .improved and satisfactory footing, particularly in regard to ammunition allowances. Ho read a comparativo table showing tho allowances made to Australian and New Zealand clubs respectively, wherein it was shown that in the past New Zealand had been much behind Australia in this respect. He also read n copy of n, letter written by him to the Defence Minister, pointing oiit the difference in the allowances, and asking that New Zealand clubs receive at least the same consideration as tho Australians. The Government had led the way in national defence, and he hoped that in this matter they would also load. Much interest was now being taken in rifle clubs by the public, and in his request ho was being supported by all 'tho country members of Parliament in the "Wellington district, and also by many from other parts of tho Dominion.

Over two hundred applications have been lodged at the District Lands Office, Auckland, in respect of lands open for application until yesterday, and which aro to l>o balloted for on Friday next. Under the O.K.P. system there are 1G sections of second-class land in the AVaol'ii and Punakilere districts, and nix sections of first-class land in tho Waihi South, Mnunganinngero, and Kawhia- North districts. For renewable lease there is one section in the Tahawai parish, while six sections of national endowment land in tho Patctere North district are open for selection. A lot of pastoral land, comprising 1280 acres, situnted in the Hauraki-mining district, is'also available,.

At the conclusion of tho Clarko-Mey-nell season in tho' Optra House, Auckland, when "The Hypocrites" was produced, Mr. 11. K. Roberts was (says a northern exchange) the recipient of tho greatest send-off over accorded to an actor in that city. The many friends of Mr. Roberts teudcred him largo numbers of floral tributes worltetl in Ahrions designs, leprestuting - his initials, "XL It. 1t.," after which the wholo audience roso to their feet, Riving him rousing cheers, and singing, "I'or lie's a Jolly Good Pcllow." II r. 71. n. Hunt, a local merchant,- entertained Mr. Eolwrts and 'a hundred friends at a supper, where many, expressions of appreciation of Mr. Roberts both as an actor and an old friend were proffered by those present, and Mr. Roberts, who is an old Aucldnnd boy, spoilt a very pleasant- evening iu their company.