LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1409, 9 April 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Threo penguins of the crestcd variety have been received at tho Wellington Zoo from Captain Hooper, of the training ship Amokura. The birds arrived in fine condition, and givo every promise of doing well. There are already two penguins at the Zoo, ono of tho crested kind, and another of a small bluo variety. All going well, five penguins will henceforth sport in the waters of the seal pond.

The election of a Parliamentary repre. sentative on the Victoria College Council was held yesterday, the candidates being Messrs. Charles Wilson and A. R. Atkinson. Though the voting papers had to be handed in yesterday, tney will not be opened and counted until Monday next. A week's grace is provided in ordei that all members of Parliament and members of tho legislative Council residing in the Victoria Collego district may have ample time for their voting papers, posted yesterday or last niglu, to reach Wellington.

At the first genoral council meeting of the English Institute of Journalists for tho current year, held jn London on February 10, Mr. G. B. ffodgson (president) in the chair, it was reported that tho important changes recently made extending the insurance privileges to members, especially in respect ot unemployment assurance, were working very successfully. During the last financial year the financial position of every department and fund of the institute had improved, and tho employment registers had increased in activity. Tho successful action of the institute in protecting and improving the status of journalists in respect of the copyright in their contributions was reported, aud the council directed that the support of the institute should bo given to promote in tho interests of journalists the Libel Bill to be introduced bv Sir George Toulmin. Authority was given for holding this year's annual conference at Brighton.

Ihero was a crowded attendance yesterday at an all-day picnic held in the Mission to Seamen Institute. Mr. F. S. Shell, the missioned presided. A- lengthv nvogramino of sports, games, ctc., was* indulged in. A tug-of-war was held, in ,). a ' €am rom the coasting boats defeated a team from H.M.S. Encounter. Ihe Hurunui's ship band, under Bandmaster George Harris, was present, and its playing was highly appreciated. Prizes generously donated liy Messrs. Speed, Reeves, and others, were won by the following:— Messrs. Bagstaff, Moore, Wliatmore, Whaler, Butcher, Dawe, Miss Leisk, Miss Cleaver, and Mrs. Creag. An enjoyable concert took placo in tho evening, when items were rendered by the following:—Miss Bignon, Messrs. Smith, Axford, Sanderson, Chatman (H.M.S. Encounter), Bethel, Butcher, Smith, Whelan, Beauman. Wnrans, Hawkes, Weedon, nnd the band from the s.s. Hurunui. Prizes won during the day were presented during tho evening by Miss Dement. Hearty cheers for the Mission and tho Missioner, tho ladies, and all who had assisted in tne picnic, brought a very enjoyable day to a close.

Between one and two hundred people arrived at the Queen's Wharf yesterday morning with the .intention of proceeding to Pic'on by the Maori. Op account ot the state of the weather, however, the trip was abandoned.

On account of the weather comparatively i<uv people took advantage of the ferry steamers to visit tho various resorts round Wellington harbour yesterday.

Oil Friday Professor Easterfield (New Zealand University), accompanied,by Mr. J. B. Connett (says tho "Taranaki News"), visiteil tho works of the Taranaki Petroleum Company, and was shown over tho whole of the oompany's lvoTks, and was greatly interested in the developments. Some time ago tho professor supplied the company with an analysis of the oil then flowing from the bores. Other visitors to the works included the visiting team gf Auckland bowlers, together lyith the local bowlers. They were met at the works by the directors and the manager and taken to all three bores, which were flowing splendidly. The visitors were ijrcatly interested and surprised at tlie amount of oil stored at the works.