LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1017, 5 January 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The prizes awarded to the, successful competitors at tho Wellington district rifle championship meeting at Treuthani 011 January 1 and . 2 wore. presented by .Colonel K. J. Collins, Y.D., J. 5.0., Chief Executive Officer of the Dominion Rifle Association, at tho Garrison Hall last evening before a fairly good attendance of territorials and tho general public. During the evening selections were played by the Garrison Band, a display of bayonet drill and physical exercises was given bv a squad from the Wellington City lii'Hes, under T. Davis, Gunner Duncan contributed a recitation, while songs were given by Lieuts. A. Mee, E. W. Wilkinson, Bugler Beale, and Mr. Dave Kenny. The AVellington City Hifles, whose shooting team had won the senior teams' shield in 1906, and since the 1907 competition had won the trophy thrice in succession, and so were entitled to its permanent possession, were formally presented with' the handsome shield. It was announced, amid applause, that the company had generously handed tho trophy. back to the association, to be competed for as the Wellington City. Rifles ohallenge shield.

During liis holiday visit to Rotorua, the Hon. Dr. Findlay was waited upon by .a deputation of European and Maori settlers at Wairakei, with a request that tlie Government should snbsidiso the services of a medical practitioner for Taupo and district. One of tho arguments advanced by the deputation was that if the subsidy was granted the services of the doctor could be mndo available for serious cases of illness at the Waiotapu prison camp.' ' Dr. Findlay promised to bring tho matter before Cabinet.'

Four Chinese, three Russians and an Austrian, arrived from Sydney by tho Warrimoo .yesterday, and all passed the Customs test satisfactorily.

Altogether 190 fewer, people arrived in Auckland during 1010 than in 1909. Last year's total was 11,026, as against 11,222 in 1909. The departures showed an increase of i"i, the total for 1910 being 12,007, as compared to 11,533 in 1909.

That tho best class of building timber is now becoming scarco is exemplified by a case which was stated to an Auckland reporter the other day. A house was recently completed in ono of the suburbs of tho northern city which contained manv different kinds of timber—rimu, lnatai, totara, Oregon pine, and other cheaper timbers being used for different parts of the house, and only the doors and sashes being composed of kauri,. A few years ago most residences were built almost entirely of kauri, .but that timber is so scarce now that cheaper material has to be used.

Arrangements arc being made by tho Public Works Department to erect additions to that portion of tho Parliamentary Library wing fronting Molesworth Street. Tho work is to bo completed before next session begins.

The annual conference of the Primitive Methodist Church of New Zealand will bo opened in Wellington oil Thursday next, January 12, and will continue until the following Thursday. Some six hundred Natives, representing every tribo in the North Island, aro at present assembled at Waimariuo, discussing Native land matters, and Native affairs generally.