LOCAL AND GENERAL,

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL,

A lawyer ill almost ovory factory is needed nowadays, according to the Hon. C. 31. Luke ; to guide the employer at every turn amidst tho multiplicity of awards and regulations and penalties with which industry is harassed. The effect of all this ;vas so irksome, Mr. Luke declared in tho Council yesterday, and the pressure so great, that it was scarcely possiblo to put up with it.

Important transfers are at present under consideration with regard to several of the leading police officers of tho Dominion, and it is expected that an oificial announcement will bo made early next weeL

In accordance with the directions of the Arbitration Court, representatives of tho parties concerned in the Cooks' and Waiters' dispute will hold a conference next Tuesday to consider certain questions which have beon sent in by the Court. Messrs. Scott and M'Culloughj members of the Court, will attend in order to assist in bringing about a settlement of the case. The union has appointed tho president, vicepresident. and secretary to attend on its behall.

As indicated in The Dominion a few days ago, the Harbour Board has granted Messrs. John M'Leau and Sons, contractors for the dock, an extension of seven months, in which to complete tlio'dock. This is practically tho time the work has been suspended by the board, owing to the difficulties caused by "laitance" in the concrete when deposited on the bottom of the harbour at the dock site. This extension will give the contractors up till July next to complete the work. _ They are importing a plant to deposit the, concrete for the floor of the dock by means of steel tubes (a method which has already been described in these, columns).

The secretary of the local branch of tho Navy League desires to acknowledge a special donation of £2 25., received from Mr. J. B. Harcourt, who was recently elected a vice-president of the League. This is the third donation of. that amount made during the past three weeks, whereas the special donaions made during the whole of last year totalled only £2 12s. 6d.> The seven vice-presidents of the Masterton subbranch recently donated £5 apiece, increasing the funds of the sub-branch by £35. This sum is to be used mainly in furthering the interests of the Leagtio in tho Wairarapa School branches.

The St. John|s Debating Society, at its weekly meeting which was held last night, discussed the following subject:—"That Party Government is conducive neither to progressive legislation nor effective administration." After an interesting and lively, discussion, tho motion was negatived. Dr. Gibb, who was in the chair, placed the first five speakers in the following order: — D. Patterson, H. Andrew, J. Robertson, D. Douglas,, and Anderson.

Arrangements will soon bo put in hand in connection with the Labour Day celebrations. Mr. Carey, president of tho Trades and Labour Council, informed a reporter yesterday that preliminary matters will be dealt with during tho next fortnight. It is not definitely known what form tho demonstration will take, but in all probability the council will arrange for a similar programme to that which was drawn up for last 'Labour Day, which took the form of a sports and picnic gathering. It has beon decided that the Management Comriiitteo of the council shall have control of the 'arrangements. _ As was tho case last year, outside unions will bo asked to co-operate in making the whole movement a success.

Points at issue between sliearars and their employers will lie further discussed beforo Mr. P. Hajly (Conciliation Commissioner) at Napier, at an early date.

The contract price of the wharf to bo erected for the Tokomaru Sheep Farmers' Freezing Company at Tokomaru Bay, by Messrs. Donald M'Leau and Co., is £7500, not £2500 as previously stated. 1

, Reporting to the Feildiug Borough Council on tho work of the Municipal Conference, tho Mayor (Mr. Goodbehere) voiced tho complaint of tho Mayor of Wellington that the Government had taken no notice of the recommendations of previous conferences. Councillor Piraui said that, , in 1900 when he was in the House, he had taken all tho proposals of the Municipal Conference up to that time, and had put them into the Municipal Corporations Bill which he had prepared, and they were put through the House without any trouble. He had never received thanks from the Municipal Conference, however. He added that all that was necessary to get the recommendations of the conference embodied in an Act was for some member of the House to take up the matter in the right way.'

The Wellington Seamen's Union has .made an application to the Trades and Labour Council for reaffiliation. 1 At Thursday's meeting the council accepted the application, and passed a resolution extending to the Seamen's Union a cordial, reception back to tho council. Mr. Carey, president of the council, informed a reporter that a large number of applications for affiliation had been made within the la-st few months.

The Lands Department is continuing its policy of subsidising medical clubs in sparsely settled districts to maintain medical men. During the year 1909-10 the sum of £972 10s. was so paid.

At the Anglican Synod yesterday the Rev. J. A. M'Niclde presented a report that established a record for brevity. Speaking on behalf of . Reports Committee No. 1, he simply said it had no criticism to make and no recommendation to oiler.

Two rather fine albatrosses made their way to Wellington shores recently. One was found alive at Island Bay, the other at Seatomi. -Mr. J. Hounsell, who happened to discover tho bird at Seatoun, presented it to the Newtown Museum. It has been treated by the taxidermist, Mr. Youill, and now makes a fine exhibit. Tho bird measures 10 feet across tho wings from tip to tip. A lady at Seatoun is said to be in possession of the other bird.

Tho librarian of the Newtown Library, in conversation with a reporter, yesterday, stated that guite frequently as many as sixty juveniles from tho schools visited the library in the aftornoons ill search of reading matter. He also stated that about 120 new volumes were put on the shelves monthly.

A Diocesan Conference of the Church of England Men's Society will be held in tho Sydney Street Schoolroom a.t 7.30 o'clock this ovening. Tho Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Wallis) will preside.

Tlio annual social and dance of tho Wellington City Corporation employees was held in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, last evening. The function was a great success. About 20U people attended tho dance, and the programme was carried through without a hitch. The committee were ably assisted by Messrs. Davis and Sinclair, the secretaries, and Messrs. Trippott, _ Morris, and Harris, masters of ceremonies. An oxcellent supper was provided l by Messrs. Philp and Bishop, caterers. Among tho guests were his Worship tlio Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P.), several of tho councillors, and tlio officers of tho corporation executive staff.

The Banco sitting which Mr. Justice Cooper was to have held yesterday was adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-day. The following aro the cases to be heard:— Martha Piraui v. Frederick Pirani, of Foilding, an appeal in a Magistrate's Court action for maintenance; Eastern Extension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company, Limited, v. the Commissioner of Taxes, a question of costs; and Makerua Estate Company, Ltd. v. Maltc-run. Drainage Board, adjourned motion for an injunction. Tho Court of Appeal stands adjourned until next Tuesday.

Footballers and those who are interin the Rugby gamo will find much to interest and amuse them in "Players and Slayers," a little volume by Mr. Leo Fanning, a well-known local journalist. Mr. Fanning has a lino ol his own, which is eccentric, but highly entertaining, and which is refreshingly different from the line followed by some dull writers on football. He writes very well, and his standpoint is tbat of the philosopher: he sees in football a world within .a world, and although he inclines to meditation and metaphysics, ho does not lose contact with the more practical conception of llugby as a thing anything but meditative and abstract. Jlr. Fanning was himself a practical footballer, and he writes with knowledge of every aspect of Rugby. Tho most valuable part of bis book is the series of interviews with the author's brother,/ Mr.' "Bernie" "Fanning, who dogmatises upon the game out of the fullness of knowledge, and who has some very interesting things to say about the "old-timers" ho has played with. Our copy is from Gordon and Gotch.

Tho ownership of a valuable property in Auckland, fronting Queen, Victoria, Elliott, and Darby Streets, has been in doubt. The property, it is stated, was originally an education endowment, but was allowed to be used as security for a loan in connection with the Auckland ■Hospital. Tho loan having expired, the question arose as to whether .the endowment belonged 10 t-lic Auckland Education Board, the Education Department, or tho Hospital Board. It is now certain that the property will revert to the educational authorities. The Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, states that legislation would be introduced to ensure that the endowment would be used for educational purposes. Questioned as to whether tho land would be handed over to the Auckland Education Board or the Education Department, Mr. Fowlds said he was not at present prepared to make a statement on that point.

The city fire brigade received a call, shortly after 3 o'clock" yesterday afternoon, "to 121 Tasraan Street. An outbreak of fire was found to have occurred in a ten-roomed dwelling, occupied by Mrs. James Wilson, and used as a private hospital. A defective fire-place oil the ground floor was responsible for the outbreak. The damage done was trifling, being confined to the char-, ring of a mantelpiece.

"locally-manufactured military accoutrements are proving equal to the imported Imperial articles," stated the Council of Defence in its annual report, which, however, would still appear to bo dependent upon the English manufacturers for supplies of circular tents, mess-tins, water-bottles! campliettles, and water-proof sheets.