LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1231, 13 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The mails which left Wellington on August i, per the s.s. Ulimaroa, and connected at Sydney with the Brindisi mails, per the R.M.S. Orvieto, arrived in London on the morning of September 10. "That one representative wreath or emblem should ho procured by tho wholo of tho New Zealand branches for the Nelson Column on Trafalgar Days," was the unanimous decision of the Navy League Conference yesterday. The City Tramways Engineer (Mr. Stuart Richardson) and the AssistantEngineer (Mr. Cable) met the executive of the Tramwaymen's Union in conference last evening, and discussed tho various matters in dispute between the corpcfration and the union. The decisions of the conference will form the subject of a report to the Tramways Committee of tho City Council. A new six-pounder gun with an effective maximum range of seven miles has been perfected, and has been taken up by the United States naval authorities (says a recent New York cablegram to the Sydney "Sun"). Practice trials will begin at "Sandy Hook within the next fortnight, and various types of shrapnel shells will bo tried. The new gun is a most effective weapon, and will send a shower of shot over a big area after the manner of a skyrocket. A ■number of important buildings and additions to be erected in Aucklnnd are at present in tho hands of architect* (writes our correspondent); and tenders for the works are to be invited shortly. To cope with the growing tourist traffic the owners of the Wnverley notel havo decided to increase the accommodation of that building very largely, and a fourstory block of shops adjoining has been acquired for the purpose. It is also announced by the owners of tho Grand Hotel that additions are to be mado to meet the increasing demands for accommodation. Tenders have already been called for tho erection of the fine new court-house at tho rear of the present Police Court. The building, which is to be a two-story one, is to be fitted on improved lines. A four-story block is to bo erected from the design of Messrs. Wade and Wade on the site where tho two-story building at present occupied by Messrs. Andrews and Clark is situated. Mr. J. Currie, architect, has in hand extensive alterations and additions to Firth's Bond in Albert Street. _ It has been decided to nut on an additional two stories, with a flat roof, and to remodel the frontal appearance. According to Mr. W. J. Napier, of Auckland, one of the delegates to the Navy League Conference, which opened in Wellington yesterday, the monetary contribution paid by New Zealand for the naval defence of tho Empire, is inadequate from every point of view. A brief discussion on tho subject took placo at tho conference yesterday, but it was generally agreed that the question should be deferred in order that reliable data might bo collated for the information of members. Mr. Napier's motion was expressed as follows-.—"That the contribution of New Zealand to the cost of tho maintenance of tho Imperial Navy should bo based upon tho relation which the population .and trade of New Zealand bear to the population and trado of the United Kingdom."

The tender of Mr. Percy Hudson has been accepted by Mr. John Swan, architect, for the erection in Hawkeslono Street of school buildiugs for the Marist Brothers. The contract price is .£lßl7 ISs.. and the architect's estimate J!IBGS. The building, which is to be erected iu wood, will contain four large class-rooms, a covered way, cloak-rooms, and a large shelter-shed in tho basement. Special provision has been made for light and ventilation. Dr. Arnold Izard will address electors at the Social Hall, Wadestown, to-night ut 8 o'clock. At the meeting of the Industrial Association last night a letter from Mr. John P. Luke, M.P., was read, iu which the writer stated:' "I have put myself in communication with the Minister that is likely to act in the matter of the office of 'Minister tor Education." "Who is the Minister?" was at once asked round the table. No member supplied an answer. Seekers after horseflesh, says an exchange, should make a trip to Woodville, where a horse was disposed of for tho magnificent price of 3s. last week,