LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1069, 7 March 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is expected, though no official utterance has yet been made, that the removal of the headipiarlers of the Wellington Defence District (o Palmerslon North will mean the transference of LieutenantColonel Chaytor and the office staff of four clerks. There is a movement afoot in Wellington to inaugurate musical and elocutionary competitions on the lines of those held in other centres of New Zealand. A similar movement was started here about a year ago, but, after two or three committee meetings were held, the movement came to naught. Those who are at the bp.ck of the present endeavour aro likely to go through with it, and those interested will bo advised shortly of the date and location of the preliminary meeting. The Auckland yacht Viking, under charter to his Excellency the Governor, is now almost ready for sea. Sho has had a thorough overhaul from truck to keslson. All the beautiful mottled kauri panelling in the cabin has been re-polish-ed, and the upholstering has been renewed. The standing gear has all been overhauled and renewed whore wanted, and new running gear throughout. The hull has been painted black, with a broad gold band, which gives her a very smart appearance. This is not tho first time the Viking has been painted black, as .some years ago she wore black for two or three seasons. There is a little more copper to go on the bottom, which will then complete the overhaul, and as soon as tho dock gate is in position, she will be floated out ready for commission. She will carry a master, A.8., cook and steward. The decision of Cabinet to grant £ for <C subsidy to local bodies in connection with Coronation celebration expenses has preceded any application in this respect from local bodies. Tho matter, however, was raised in Parliament during; last session. The Coronation medal, which is to be distributed among school children, is of aluminium, and is about tho size of a half-crown. On one side, arc the profiles of their Majesties wearing their crowns, and on the other arc the Royal Arms, encircled with a wreath composed of roses, thistle, and shamrock. Bound the edge of one side ore tho words: "To commemorate their Majesties' Coronation, 1911." Attached to the medals is a piece of red, white, and blue ribbon. It is understood in connection with Dr. Cliesson's appointment to tho Health Department that he is to relieve Dr. lfrenglcy, Wellington District Health Officer, of some of his duties. Dr. Frengley's district comprises Wellington, Marlborough, and Nelson, and he has also been appointed medical secretary for the conjoined Departments of Hospital and Charitable Aid and Public Health.. "It is a Karori job now," said the city engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) when questioned yesterday as to the progress being made in repairing the damage which was caused to the Karori Main Road by tho recent heavy rainstorm. The city, Mr. Morton explained, had completed its portion of tho work. Tho two smaller slips, one of which undermined car-line, have been restored. Tho big slip on the right-hand side of the road will still absorb a considerable amount of spoil. King George of Tonga 1 is having .a"3oft. ■. cutter built for him by Mr. C. Bailey, junr., of Auckland. The King, who is at present visiting Auckland, is a keen yachtsman. Somo years ago he had built for him by Mr. R. Logan, of Auckland, a smart 5-rater. It got damaged in a hurricane., and dismasted. It was sent down to Auckland for repairs,, and was returned "as good as new." As a result of the visit to Dunedin of two priests of the Community of the Resurrection (Anglican) a branch of this society, has been formed at Dunedin. One branch for the whole of Now Zealand was started in 1908, under a secretary in Christchureh, but owing to a largo increase in the roll of members after the recent mission, Father Rees, C.R., the Warden, gave permission for the formation of a Dunedin branch. The chief object of this association is intercessory prnycr for the C'omiunnity nf the Resurrection and their work. The associates' rule is a very simple one. Those who do not care to undertake the obligation of prayer may help on the work' by annual subscriptions, small or large. The remains of Mr. Sidney Day, of Christchurch. wcro cremated at tho Karori Cemetery yesterday. This is the fourteenth cremation which has taken place in Wellington. The next sittimr of tho Supreme Court in bankruptcy will bo held on Monday, May 1. Mr. Justice Chapman will hear to-day the cases of William Taylor and Robert Taylor v. Martin Kennedy and Felix Campbell, a claim for XIOO damages in respect of the erection and leasing of premises for a bakery business in Adelaide Road. A sitting in Chambers will be held by Mr. Justice Cooper. Yesterday was tho last day for receiving ballot papers for the election of two members to represent' the Post and Telegraph Department on the Public Service Superannuation Board. Any ballot paper bearing yesterday's post-mark will be accepted. Fifteen days are allowed to elapse before the papers are opened and the poll declared. The candidates on this occasion are Mr. H. A. R. Huggins, Mr. W. M'Kickle, Mr. A. T. "Workman, and Mr. W. R. Thompson. Tho representatives for the Police Department, and for the General Department, have been appointed without ballots. Several applications have been received to join the National Provident Fund. Mose of. these conic from the smaller centres—from post offices iu out-of-the-way townships, where, apparently, tho scheme has been a serious tonic with tho settlers. In such places tho post office, where the provisions of the fund are given publicity, is largely the centre of the life of the community. From inquiries received, stales tho superintendent, people do not seem to be aware of the simplicity of the procedure necessary to join. As a matter of fact no medical-examination is required, and a suital.de applicant can become enrolled immediately.