LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The few lady delegates who attended tho Ilospitr.ls Conference for tho most part emulated the tactics of "Brer Kabbit," who "lay low and said nuilin," but ono of them scored a hit yesterday before tho conference rose. Catching tho chairman's eye when congratulations and votes of thanks were tho order of tho day, Mrs. Wilson, a North Canterbury delegate, claimed "the privilege of her sex, the right to say tho last word." Then she told the delegates that she did not possess the gift of facile sjioech which impelled somo tiresome persons to get upon their feet to say nothing in particular on every possible occasion. Tho shaft went home,'and the conferenco laughed. Nevertheless, Mrs. Wilson continued, she had been very much impressed by tho majesty ami dignity with which the proceedings had been, conducted. She had" learned that men could decide to do nothing in very much more impressive fashion than members of tho other sex. The conference took tho baner good-huinouredly, but Mrs. Yt'ilson did not have the last word after nil, for both tho chairman and Dr. Valintino took occasion to remark before tho conferenco adjourned that its labours were likely to bear good fruit. The Inspector-General, indeed, stated that the Hospitals Conference of 1911 was likely to have a very much moro important and practical bearing upon tho work in which its members were engaged than any similar gathering that had preceded it.

Thero have been several complaints recently of shop windows being damaged by scratches, evidently made with a diamond. Last evening Constable Kemeley arrested a man on a charge of scratching four business windows in Cuba Street.

The annual examinations in connection with the Sunday Schools' Union were held in various schools and halls throughout tho city and Suburbs last evening.

It has been strongly suggested that the Inspector uf Police should detail a couple of his force to form a queue outside the Town Hall for the popular concert to be given there by tho Sheffield Choir this afternoon. The amusements so far have been such as to reflect the greatest credit on the management, and as there is sue to bo a big rush for seats this afternoon, the idea, is commended to tho controlling authorities in the interests of order and comfort.

Lieutenant Brian L, Hewitt, E.N., late of 11.11.5. Pioneer, and now secretary of the Navy League in London, writing to tho local branch secretary, says: "Lieutenant Knox has shown mo your letter to him, and I may say that arrangements have been made with Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son, by which a steamer has been chartered for the use of visiting members of the League wishing to see tho Coronation Review. I have seen quit? a number of people from New Zealand lately, and hope shortly to see many, mere. ... I shall always bo only too pleased to do anything in my power for any visitors from New Zealand, whether menibsrs of the League or not, as I have very pleasant recollections of the many kindnesses received in Now Zealand during my two years' service on that station.'

A Bill to provide a pension fund for tho clergy of the diocese qf Duncdiu has been introduced to the Anglican Synod by Can:n C.urwn Siggers. It provides tnat every clergyman shall pay an annual subscription of JH, and every parish or parochial distiict an annual .subscription of Xfl. end upon attaining the age of C 5 years each subscriber shall receive .C 3 a year for every year he has subscribed, subject to a clause providing that until the capital of the fund reaches .£7OOO all subscriptions shall be capitalised, and tho amount payable as pension shall be liable to such pro rata reduction as the available income from interest only shall permit of. Thus, subject to this clause, a man who joined at tiventy-flve would receive a pension amounting lo .£l2O a year. The Bill also provides for tho wife of each subscriber who shall have paid for her inclusion in the benefits. The capital with which it is proposed to start is .£3OOO, viz., ,£ISOO at present to tho credit of the fund and iIISOO now forming part of tho cemetery fund capital. After some discussion ,the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee, which will report' to t!ic next Synod.

A suggestion was recently made by tho Department of .Railways that ornamental arches should bo eliminated from tho design of tho* new chief post office at Auckland. The ' protests which were immediately made against tho suggestion have ovideutly been cil'cc.tivo, lor as far as can be ascertained the Department has taken no further action in support of its objection that the arches would interfere with tho traffic to and from tho railway station. In tho absence of official instructions (says the "Herald"), tho erection of the arches will be proceeded with immediately. The foundations foi the arch between the post office and Endean's buildings have been put in, anu within a month the handsome structure will be completed. The arch over tho southern entrance will be finished soon afterwards.

The monthly meeting of the Board of Governors of Wellington College and the Girls' High School was held yesterday, there being present: The chairman (Mr. A. de C. Brandon), and Messrs. \V. F. Ward, and W. 11. V. Barber. Tho monthly statement of finances showed that after allowing for prospective payments amounting to .£llß6 17s. Sd., against cash in hand totalling .£IOSB 3s. Bd., there was a deficit of .£l2B Us. As a set-oil outstanding revenue in tho shape of fees and rents totalled .£2915 Us. Bd., there being therefore, on paper, a credit balance of .£2787 Os. Bd. The open business transacted was purely of routine character. It is estimated that 125,000 peoplo travelled on the city tramways on Coronation Day. Tho official rchirns show that 110,0.11 tickets were sold, but this takes no account of concession tickets and shilling cards.

At 10 Haining Street last night suddenly appeared Sergeant Kutledge and Constable M Kelvoy. As a result of their surpriso visit they arrested two Chinamen. Tho officers found on..the premises a quantity of paraphernalia connected with opiumsmoking, and also opium. The Chinamen will bo brought before a magistrate this morning to explain matters.

On the motion of Mr. J. W. Macdonald, solicitor to the Public Trust Office, tho Supremo Court yesterday granted to the Public Trustee probate of tho wills of tho undermentioned deceased persons: Arthur Anderson, late of Mauawuru; Cathcrino Kcppel, lato of Lawrence, widow; John Hamilton, late of Wellington; William Georgo Broad, late of Napier, chemist; Keuben Isaacs, lato of Duncdin, general dealer; John Boreland or Borland, late of Miller's Flat, miner; and Margaret M'Carthy, lato of Dunedin, married woman. An order to administer was also granted in respect of the estate of Elizabeth Aitken, late of Dunedin, married woman. His Honour also authorised the Public Trustee, as administrator of tho estates of William Henry France, late of Nelson, engineer, deceased; and William Steele, lato of Hamilton, farmer, deceased, to sell the realty iu theso estates.

The July number of "Bradshnw" will bo obtainable on Tuesday. This .useful liltlo penny book contains all time-tables and mail services of Wellington (and Wanganui. A handy littlo book and guide for everybody."

A duplication, consisting of Messrs. Deller, Woltcrs, and lluniiy, introduced by Mr. W. C. iincl-hiiau, J1.1'.. will wait on the Hon. 11. iluiido iii regard to racing matters, at la' o clock to-day.

A petition is being bunded round Lovin in favour of calling " meeting of burgesses at an early date ior the purpose oi discussing the Earing Commissioners' report in connection with the Levin racecourse. It is being extensively signed.

A noticeable feature of tho Sheffield Choir is tho splendid baggage arrangements. Each member has a number allotted for the lour, and one's effects are distinguished solely by this number which is painted in bold ligures on each package. The New Zealand Express Company, who handled the baggage, found this a welcome detail in the sorting and distributing of Hie eight hundred odd packages they hud _to deal with. A vary strong staff of' clerks, men, and carts enabled tin's company to get through tho arduous task of delivering very shortly after' the train came in. Tho members of t'iic choir were distributed from West Beach, Island li?y. ; V Wadcstown, and from Karori.to WrooLt'i.