LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1006, 22 December 1910, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is stated that.Powelka, whose capture gave the authorities so much trouble a few mouths ago, is now one of the most tractable prisoners confined in tho Terrace Gaol. He is employed in the hoot-making department of the gaol, and is reported to be a eoad worker. Bound for Mr. J. J. Boyd's private zoological garden at Aramoho, there arrived yesterday 'from Sydney two leopards and a puma. They travelled in wooden boxes, fitted with strong iron bars, front and back. The animals were landed in. perfect condition, and when approached by anyone showed unmistakable sicrns of being beasts of prey. One of the Jeopards has lost tho end of its tail, and it is surmised that its mate, who is much the quieter of tho two, 'could divulge some information as to Us whereabouts if she could speak. "I am very much pleased with the warm and kindly welcome I received on arriving in New Zealand to-day," Mr. J. Hodge, Labour member in the' House of Commons, told a reporter yesterday. Last evening Mr. Hodge accepted an invitation to attend a. function organised by tho Society of Railway Servants at Petone. To-night he is to be officially welcomed by the Trades Council, and on Friday he leaves for Rotorua, oil holiday intent. "I want to test the waters," ho remarked. After spending about three weeks at Rotorua, Mr. Hodge will visit Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland, finally paying a return visit- to Wellington. On leaving Wellington ho will proceed to Tasmania.

Hoisted upon a big lorry aiid filling a considerable area of space tho old octagonal bookstall, for so many years •located' at the entrance to the Queen's Wharf, made its exit yesterday, much to the satisfaction of. tlie carting fraternity. The structure has been purchased from tho Harbour Board by Mr. John A. Plimmer, who is presenting it to the Eliandallah Bowling Club, of which he is president.

Messrs. John Duthie and Company's tender of £3812 13s. 9d. has been accepted in connection with the- supply of pipes and fittings .for .high-pressure waterworks in the town of W'aipukurau. Other tenders received were those of Messrs. Mason, Strutters (Christchurch), £394G 3s. 9d.; Briscoe and Company (Wellington), £3921 13s. lid.; A. and T. Burt (Wellington), £4090. Our Hastings correspondent, states that Mr. M'Gafßn, of . that town, is the successful tendered for the Marton Borough Council waterworks Contract. Universal penny postage will, be in operation throughout Australia some time before next May. . ' •. Turnbull and-Jones have contracted to supply the City Council with 20 miles of 7-18 insulated wire,' at a price of £700. Unaccepted tenders:—A. ■ and T. Burt, £845; Greenshields and Co., £800; P. R, Baillio and Co., £772; R. Wallis and Co., £752; H. G. Anderson, £834 3s. -Id.; P. S. Lawrie and Co., £1142 10s.; Richardson, Blair, and M'Cabe, £11S0; J. Duthie and Co., £1206; S. Brown and Co., £1240 55.; A. D. "Riley, £1350; Empire Oil Co., £1610. Tho tender of Turnbull and Jones was also- accepted for the supply of 400 alternating current meters, at a cost of £516 17s. 6d. Unaccepted tenders:—P. R. Baillio and Co., £539 10s.; A. and T. Burt, £613 3s. 4d.; Cederliolm and Tollcy, £639 10s.; Lawrence and Hanson, £735 55.; H.'S. King, £635 10s';' 10cK; Greythorno George .(Auckland), £603 13s. 6d. '

Representatives of many nations arrived in Wellington yesterday by' the steamer'Moeraki from Sydney. ' There woro Swedish, Japanese, Danish,- Russian, Finnish,-and "English /passengers. All the foreign element passed the Customs test, and all were people of education ana means'.'i- : v ' - 1 '

' It lias been stated that tho grocers of Wellington will only close for holiday on the Monday (January 2) at New Year. Tho award, however, states that grocers shall close on Now. Year Day and the day following. Consequently' the public will have to lay in sufficient provisions to last them from tho Saturday; :until tho , succeeding "Wednesday morning at both. Christmas .and the New- Year.

Tho Wellington Land Board will allow the meeting which was set down for January 26, 1911, to lapse, and will hold its. first meeting in the New Year on Thursday, February 2. ■

The Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) will hold a Chamber sitting , at 10.30 this morning. The Hill will case will-be continued before Mr. Justice Cooper at 2 p.m.

A watch and chain lie at present at the police station awaiting an owner. It appears that while a gentlemrii was walking along tho' Seatoun beat'i towards the Heads on Sunday last, ho picked up a black vest, in .the pocket of which was a watch and chain. He abstracted the timc-piecei left tho garment on, the beach, and on arrival in town handed liis find to tho police authorities. Tho' watch Is inscribed "B. W. Beaumont, from the . Town Clerk, Wellington," but the local Town Clerk knows nothing whatever, of the matter, and so far tho police inquiries have not resulted in tho discovery' of the owner, of the watch.'

Queer experiences may befall a clergyman oven in educated Otago, remarks the Dunedin' "Star." ' As thus: One met the other day a mother, an old parishioner, leading' her little daughter. "Has this child ever been .baptised?" ho asked. "No, sir,"' the .mother replied. "Then it's about time that it was," he said. "Very good," was the response, '"will you do it?" The Minister consented, named a day, and the rite was duly performed, whereupon the mother, who had devoutly followed the service, said: "Thank you, sir, but that's just what tho other minister did when lie christened her."

Tho members, of the Wellington Harbour Board, together with tho staff, were-entertained by the chairman (Mr. K. Fletcher) at the close of tho last ■meeting for the year yesterday evening. After tho usual loyal toast had been honoured, Mr. Tewsley proposed the health of Mr. J. G. Harkness, who is about to visit the Old Country. . 3lr. Tewsley stated in the course of his remarks that Mr. Harknoss had done much to advance tlie interests of the board. Mr. Harkness, in reply, said that the Harbour Board had been chiefly responsible for tho growth of \\ ellington into such a fine city. Undoubtedly Wellington was destined to be by far the biggest shipping port in New Zealand. Mr. T. W:. Weston gave the toast of. the staff, which lie declared would be a credit to any-institution. On behalf of the staff, Messrs. Nicholls and Marchbanks aiid Captain Johnston rer plied to the toast. Tho health of the chairman was proposed by the Hon. T. K. Macdonald. Courtesy, tact, andjudgment had, he said, always been shown by Mr. Fletcher in the discharge of his duties. Other members who supported tho toast were unanimous in the opinion that Mr. Fletcher was making an excellent chairman. Mr. Fletcher, in reply, said that in his actions he had invariably been guided by, a sense of public duty.. Although lie had had on many occasions to take up a very strong attitude, ho did not believe that lie had lost a single friend. (Hear, hear.) Tho toast of ''The Press" was also very cordially honoured. "Auld Lang Syne" heartily sung, followed by an exchange of tho season's greetings, terminated a' very enjoyable hour.