LOCAL AND OENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1394, 21 March 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND OENERAL.

The Thorndon branch of the Amalgamated Society of l?ailway Servants has unanimously endorsed the"proposals of the biennial conference in regard to Professor Mills's unity scheme, and earnestly recommends members to vo'.o in favour of giving effect to the same.

During the year, fays the animal report of the Chamber of Commerce, o committee of the chamber has had in hand the drafting of rules for on association of chambers of commerce throughout the Dominion. It is proposed to register the association under the Incorporated Societies Act. It is hoped that the association will be an accomplished fact within the next month, and that a conference of chambers will bo held in May or Juno next.

According to the Chamber of Commerce annual report, the Postmaster-General does not expect that the now General Post Office will bo ready for occupation until July at the earliest.

Some time ago what purported to bo a genuine "man fish" was placed on exhibition,in a Napier shop window, and afterwards presented to the Borough Council, lo bo added to the collection of curiosities in the museum. The specimen was bought in America, and was supposed to l;e the remains of an actual fish. For some time past the curiosity, which had the body of a fish with a very man-like head and chest and forearms, has been adorning the walls of one of the rooms in the council chambers. The other morning one of the officials was surprised to notice that what had been looked upon by many as a skull of bone had been eaten away by a rat. Part of one arm was also missing, the rodent evidently having made a good meal. The substance is undoubtedly a composition, and the arm was kept in position by a wire and not a bone. The head was supported by a stick, and it is evident the thing was a clever fal;o manufactured for (he purposa of swelling the returns of somo American factory. The specimen will not be exhibited in Hie museum.

The first report-of the. recently-consti-tuted. Tramway Boaid lias the following interesting noio on the tram strike:—lt is to bo remembered that the revenue, car mileage run, and number of pas-un-

ijers carried for the current year were considerably affected by the strike. The total loss in revenue due to tho strike was .£2300, and the net loss JCI2OO.

The flasmillers' dispute, about which an agreement was arrived at between tho parties sonio weeks ago, will come before a council of conciliation shortly, hi order that n recommendation may be made to the Court to embody tho terms of tho agreement in an award. Probably the cn?e will bo dealt with about April 3.' Other disputes pending, and the date on which they will be heard are as follow: Plasterers' dispute, March 2G; Grocers', April 2; Iron and Brass Moulders', ■Wellington, April 15; Napier, April 17; Palmerston, April IS; AViuiganui, April 22.

At a special general meeting of the Wcllingioa Performing Musicians' Industrial Union of NYptkers, held on Sunday, the following resolution was carried: "That the dispute between the union and the employers be referred to tho Conciliation Commissioner for settlement." It is probable that the dispute will bo investigated by a conciliation council about April 25.

"Tho proposals of the N'ew Zealand Fanners' Union for a through railway booking system by rail and sea throughout the Dominion were taken up by your council" (notes the tho Chamber of Commerce in its annual report). "Tho Minister for Hallways was asked if he would institute such a system. Your chamber circularised the other Chambers of Commerce and tho representations made had the support of twenty-two chambers. The innovation would not o;ily bo a source of revenue to the Kailway Department, but would be a great convenience to business houses in forwarding goods, and to fanners and others desiring to market their products."

Regarding loft parcels at railway stations, tho council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, in its annual report, says:—"ln conjunction with the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, your council took up this matter with the Railway Department. It suggested it would bo desirable if left* parcel labels were issued in triplicate instead of in duplicate as at present, thus providing a receipt in the form of a triplicate docket for parcels delivered at left parcels offices. Your council believe that if this system could bo introduced it would be a matter of great convenience to the business community. Tho Railway Department have intimated that they are looking into the matter, but nothing definite has eventuated."

Tho last two days of the private sale of oil paintings and water colours are announced by Messrs. W. H. Tnrnbull and Co., who report a very good sile. Among the pictures sold wero the following:—"Capo Miscno" (Professor K Riecixrdi), "In tlv> English Channel" (Aldridge), "On the Thames" (Aldridge), "Wcvlvjurne Farm" (Sherwood), "Early Morning" (Coward), "A Cloudy Night" (Gozzard), "The Village Church" (Goodman), "The Evening Hour on the Downs" Woodman), "Rural England" (Gozzard), '•'.Near Cantlev" (EdwardsV "A Surrey Farm" (May)", "On tho Road to Grubmere" (Edwards), "Tower Bridge" (Chas. Dixon, R. 1.1. "Ainalfi" (Professor Loria), "Wine and AVattr" (Francesco Coleman), "The Lo.ror Pool" (Fred. Elliott), "Bridge over the Att-.stel" (J. Van Kling), "At the Spinning Wheel" (Bompiani Battaglca), and others. A number of fine works are still available, and well worth inspection by art lovers,

At a largely-attended dinner, held at tho Grand Hotel, Melbourne, on March 15, in connection with the Educational Congress, in tho course of a speech, the Prime Minister said the Commonwealth Parliament had been accused of not minding their own business, but if any State or people of tho Commonwealth desired the Federal Parliament to tako charge of tho education systems of Australia, it would havo a ready response from himself n.yl his colleagues. Until it had that poweri there was little to be said regarding the position. If the time should como when the people of Australia gave to tho Federal Parliament tho power, it would readily assist and forward tho interests of education in the same manner and in the snme degree as it had attempted to carry out the other great branch, namely, defence. One was as essential as the other. Indeed, if ho wero asked which ho should put first, he should say the education of the child and the man.

On March 15 tho Commonwealth Club of Adelaide entertained Ml. George Titiieradge (a member of the Plinvmer-Dennie-ton Company) who spoke on dramatic art in its relation to trades unionism. He said that an actors' union was a desirable institution, but if it affiliated with the Trades Hall and its demands were granted it would moan not only the stagnation, but probably the ultimate deterioration of (he art. If (lie dMi)amh hocame law it would be impossible for any iiieelrica] manager, probably with one exception, to make a living in Australia. He referred particularly to one clause restricting imported artists to not mnro than two lor tho ono piece. He said It was essentia! that Australian art should keep in touch, with the great wutro* of tho wwli.

At a meeting of tho Brisbane City Council last week Alderman A. ,T. Kayrnoiid was elected nmvor. In returning thanks for his election, Alderman J!aynioiiii said that some people said there were 510 possibilities in Queensland. Let him stale that he landed in Queensland with a wife and two children, and with only lis. 7d. in his pocket, and had to sleep on the river bank.

After twenty years of Liberalism there is more discontent amongst (ho workers to-day than ever, and yet some people say that. Liberalism is (lie friend of labour — "J he Voice of Labour."

"Death Duties" was the subject of a ectiirc which was delivered to the Wellington Accountant Students' .Society hist eveningjj.y Mr. .1. S. llarlon, K.1.A.,' N.Z. J he difference between the old system of charging duty on deceased estates and the provision of the Act of lilOD, and tho effect upon accounts, were fully gone into. Mr. h. W. llntit F.1.A., N.Z. (in the absence 01 the president) occtipied (ho chair, and !i largo number of members were present. Invitations have been issued by tho chairman 0 f ( i, G AV e lij ng ton Harbour Board {.Mr. 15. Hotelier) for a trip round the harbour on Wednesday, March 27 the occasion being the nnnual harbour inspection by members of the board.

The women's mission, Hill Street, was brought to a close yesterday morning. Tho mission for men was opened last evening, and will bo continued for (en days. Sermons will be given morning and night.

Lieut. Knox, of the Navy Loaguc, has recently been (he guest of n.li.H. the Prince of AY'ales at York Cottage, Samlringham. On a former occasion ho lectured on British and foreign warships. This timo "New Zealand" nas the subject, and the, Royal I'rinees appear to have been greatly interested in (ho coloured slides of New Zealand scenery. Tho latter were supplied to Lieut. Knox by the Wellington authorities of the New Zealand Tourist Department, and have been shown in numerous parts of Great Britain in connection with Navy League lectures, for some two years past. During his stay at York Cottage Lieut. Knox presented to each of the lioyal children illustrated books on New Zealand which had been obtained from Sir William HallJone.;, the High Commissioner.