LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1327, 3 January 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities advi.se that the s.s. Ulimarna, which left Sydney at noon on December 30, lias on board an Australian mail. She is duo to arrive here to-day.

"Name days" is Ibc latest way of honouring those people who contribute tho sum of J:8 2s. and upwards to Pearson's "Fresh Air Fund,"' and parties given by'the directors to tho poor children of England's overcrowded cities are distinguished by the name of tho donor. The subscriptions received from New Zealand arc blocked, but they are enough to warrant tho appointment of fire "New Zealand Days" (from July 5 to 11). "From tho ends of tho earth (says tho summer report) contributions came to hand from lovers of children. 'A Mad Australian' giive a day's holiday to six little ones of tho Homeland by a postal order sent from South Yarra, Australia, Sixteen shilliuss was collected at Kymbaida, a place thirty miles from any 'town, and 12,000 miles from Home. Nino thousand miles nway tho cry of tho children was heard by two distinguished Indian potentates, Kajah Kishcn Kumar of Biiari, and Bahadur. Krishna ' Sail of Naini-Tal, who forwarded donations. And so tho story runs. The grand outcome of it ail is that 239,580 poor children of the great cities of the t.nited Kingdom wero given 'fresh air' holidays. It remains to mention that the total cost of tho outings was X12.09U Os. 10d."

Nothing of note occurred yesterday in connection with the dispute between tho Harbour l-'crrics Company and its ■ employees regarding an increase of wages. It is assumed that' another conference will be hold, but the date of meetinir has not yet been fixed.

The secretary of the Miramar Volunteer Tire Brigade desires to acknowledge with thanks a donation of a cheque for .£25 from the Wellington Gas Co., Ltd., towards the equipment fund.

Mr. C. Ihewliss, while appearing in the role of Father Christmas at a Christmas entertainment in Lah (Vic.) State School, had a sensational experience. After handing each child a present, Mr. Thewliss was standing at the school door holding a Chinese lantern, when the lantern ignited, and set firo to his costume. In a few moments he was a mass of flame, the costume being of a very inflammable nature. It was quickly pulled off, several people haying their hands badlv burned in assisting. Mr. Thewliss was severely burnt about the neck, hands, and lace. "

Giving evidence before the New South Wales Totalisutor Commission in Auckland, Inspector Cullen stated that from his 36 years' experience as a member of tho police force, he was convinced that tlie totalisator was the best and fairest nu>ans of betting. In his opinion the regulation of betting, by means of the machine, tended to decrease the volume of betting. It did away also with the objectionable credit system, which tempted persons to speculate beyond their means, and in many cases to commit acts ol' defalcation in order to keep their betliiiß engagements. The statements made in Sydney'a. few mouths a»o by llr. H. iUayju, the well-known Sew Zealand trainer, to the effect thah agents of Iho loUilisator solicited commissions • from workmen and factory hands as thoy left their work, was discredited by the inspector. Ho said that he h;ul never received any complaints of this character, but it was a common filing for bookmakers to have touts out for such a, purpose.

Interesting information has just been received in Syeluey concerning (he finding of a fine' pearl in Torres Htraife. A na-Mve diver named Lufimail was fortunate enough to get a pear-shaped pearl, which was sold for the largo sum of X'3oo. Oul: of the proceeds he. paid the Papuan •Industries, Ltd., nt. Batlu, the boiit-debt due (o Iho company, and also the balance of fhe debt on the London Missionary t>o-i-ip.ly Church at Mabuiag (amounting to ,C 72), Ihe village to which be belongs. He made tlio latter gift us a thank-offering, and quite voluntarily. The boat has no\v become his own property. ' ■ ■

There was a lively scene in the Palnierston North Square on Sunday 'evening; when Mr. -Freeman, a Socialist who nnsuccp'ssfully (jontcsted the AVellington Central seal, essayed to deliver an address near the Hank of Australasia. Socialists in Wellington had been holding street meetings denouncing in rather violent terms the defence system and the military authorities. Many young fellows in Wellington resented some of the things said, and took an active part in the street meetings on the oilier side. Mr. Freeman had no sooner started on Sunday night (says the "Manaivntu Times") than a number of young fellows in uniform sang choruses anil expressed their disagreement with the speaker, who could not get an innings. Presently a young fellow in civilian clothes —it 13 suggested that ho had hastened away and got out of uniform—got up, and, amidst general plaudits of his mates, delivered an excellent speech in favour of military training. The police took Mr. Freeman's name.