LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1227, 8 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Postal authorities adviso that the s.s. Maheno, which left Sydney at noon on September C, for Auckland, has on board an Australian mail, also an English mail, via Suez. The Wellington portion is due to arrive here by (he Main Trunk on Monday next, September 11. Talcs of the boom times in Australia have induced several journeymen tailors to try their fortunes on the other side. Later cvidonco based on bitter experience bears out tho <ld edage to the effect that distant fields lookgre?n, but tho homo paddock is after all iust as pleasant-hued. Some tailors who emigrated have not been 1 fortunate, and they have not hesitated to write warning members of the trade in Wellington that things are not so good as anticipated. The matter came up for consideration at the last meeting of the Wellington Tailors' Union, when a resolution was passed to the effect that the executive committee deemed it inadv'saklo for tailors to migrate to Sydney, as there were moro traders there now than were required, ant in view of the improved conditions anticipated in Wellirgton ' during the coming months. With reference to tho proposed bylaws regulating motor-ear tralfie in the city, the ISy-Lows ■Committee'of l the City Council has reported that the draft regulations brought down by tho motor inspector for tho control of motor, traffic have been considered, and (he question of fares referred,to the motor inspector and the city engineer to look into, in connection with the suggested schedule submitted by a number of taxi-cab owners. The committee hopes to be ready with a full report for the next meeting of the City Council. Tho superintendent of city reserves has been authorised to send out upwards of 100 trees suitable for the locality to certain boys at Island Bay, for planting on tho island. "That from the commencement of next winter all adult players of winter games on tho city reserves be charged Gd. per head per game," was a recommendation which was submitted to the City Council by tho Reserves Committee last evening. The proposal was not regarded very favourably by several councillors, and it was ultimately referred back to the committee. • An inst-iaco of the obstacles which occasionally face tho election campaigner at suburban gatherings was forthcoming at Miramar last evening. Mr. F. T. Moore, Labour candidate for the Suburbs, had called a meeting for Hope Hall, Miramar, but on tho electors and the candidate assembling tho caretaker and the kiy of tho hall could not bo found. Search was made for both, but without success, and the problem was solved at length by an elector offering tho v.so of an unoccupied cottage in the vicinity. The candidate and the electors lit out across the moonlit field;; for tho cottage in question, and when a lamp, a few chairs; etc., had been subscribed by K-sidcnts Mr. Moore eventuallj got to work in the kitchen of tho cottage, tho electors ranging themselves around tje walls, the only three chairs availablo being allotted to ladies. Tho question of keeping the To Aro Baths open on Sundays till noon has been referred to the Baths Committee of tho City Council, on tho suggestion of Councillor Godber. Mr. Okcy is to ask the Minister for Mines whether, in order to assist in having the different parts of tho Dominion thoroughly tested for oil, he will grant a pound-to-ponnd bonus on the cost of all bores over 3000 ft. in depth. Dr. Te Rangihiroa is to ask the Government to remove the restrictions regarding the supply of ammunition to Maoris. He remarks that tho conditions which rendered such restrictions necessary have passed away for ever. Maoris, he says, are put to considerable inconvenience during the shooting season in procuring ammunition, and consider such restrictions a reflection on their loyalty. . Increases of salary, varying from .£lO to .530, have been granted by the City Council to certain members of the staffs of tho municipal libraries. Tho increases aggregale £iC\. The fresh plan of the proposed picturo theatre at Clyde Quay has been approved by the City Council, and a permit granted for its erection. The seventh annual debating competition for the Plunket Medal of the Victoria College Debating Society is to bo held in the Concert Chamber on Saturday, September IG. A largo number of Natives are now at To Kuiti holding a big korero. Amongst the subjects which will be discussed are the following Maori customs:—Combining of the Maoris in the North and South Islands, Laws Affecting the Native Race, Religion, and the Young Maori Party. It has been decided that, during the meeting, only those pakehas who have been given tickets will bo allowed to enter the pa. , This is on the grounds that the Natives consider that their white friends have not enough rcverenco for their habits and customs. A .notice in this week's Gazelle prescribes a close season for oysters at Nelson. The season so closed will be for a period of two years from to-morrow. The Finance and Property Committee of the City Council recommended to tho council:—"That the Catholic Boys' School at King Street bn exempt from payment of rates, as provided by Sertion 2 of tho Rating Act, 100 S." La-t night tho council adopted the recommendation. In the opinion of tho Acting-Mayor (Councillor .1. Smith), the time is rapidly approaching when (0 suit the circumstances of the extensive multiplication of the administrative detail work of the corporation department*, » paymaster will be required to supervise all disbursements. The English Pierrots will be passengers for Sydney to-day by the Vlimaroa,

The Chief Librarian (Mr. H. Baillic) is at present drafting a scheme for utilising tho proceeds of tho Jubilee Fund (recently handed over to tho City Council), which is to be placed on deposit. "There's a lot more of them going in for tollgalos, besides Wainiariuo," said the county chairman, at a recent meeting of tho council. This opinion was apparently the outcome of his "rubbing shoulders" with delegates at the Counties Conference (comments a country paper). When exploring on (lie hills adjacent, to Kim No. 1, Whakatane, a party of boys discovered a cave almost hidden by dense scrub. On entering, tho lads came upon three muzzle-loading revolvers and ono carbine in a fairly good state of preservation. The pistols wero encased in leather holslois. The official op9.iing of tho new State School at Normandalo, in tho Unit district, on September 30, is to bo made tho occasion of a public function, at which the member for tho llutt (Sir. T. M. Wilford) is to preside. Mr. R. 13. liell is chairman of' the new committee, and Mr. J. Harris Fccrotary. Tho new school is tho fii"st public building- to bo erected in tho Normandalo Vilkigo Settlement. Mr. Alfred Linley, of the West's and Royal Pictures Proprietary, leaves on an extended trip to Sydney and Melbourne by tho Dlimaroa to-day. The weekly meeting of St. Peter's Club was hold last night. Mr. J. T. Rash presided over a large attendance. Mr. J. W. Poyntou delivered a most instructive lecture on "Somo Interesting Facts Relating to Nature Study in New Zealand." The lecturo was illustrated by maps and diagrams, and the lecturer gave a verv interesting account of the bird and animal life peculiar to New Zealand a.s compared to other countries. Tho lecture was listened to with great interest by the ladies, and gentlemen present, and at the close a hearty vote of thanks was passed. The petition from the city tobacconists, fixing the hours of closing has been certified to as containing the requisite majority, and the council has affixed its seal to tho certificate. The Government offices throughout New Zealand will observe Monday, September 25 (Dominion Day), as a full holiday. A further list of barmaids registered under the Licensing Amendment Act, 191U, appears in this week's Gazette. The following unions liavo cancelled their registration under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act:—Denniston Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Brakesmen, Tiniaru Waterside Workers, aud Auckland Tramways' Union of Workers.