LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1416, 17 April 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ll'i- w.-l,il nutlioiilic; advise (hat fho F "" - i "\iirM. which left Sydney at G p.m. on we litli iiisfant, has on board an Ausvriiliaii mail. She is duo to arrivo here this nicrning.

Flour yas yesterday advanced ss. per ton (lie prices now being £$ ]ss. per ton t.o.b. south, nml J® lls. lid. ex store, Wellington, le-s the usual trade discounts.

The steamer Corinthic, which arrived from London yesterday, brought -ISO thirdclass passengers, two in the first saloon and 43 in the second. There was no sickness on board or accident: nf any kind during (ho voyage. Nearly all the thirdclass passengers have come to New Zealand for the first time. Included in the number are many youupr children. .About fifty per cent, of the third-class passengers are Scotch, and the remainder mostly hail from English countries. A few are from London. Domestic servants form a considerable proportion of the Corinthic'a complement. All of them were interviewed on arrival by Miss Bremnor, of the Labour Department, but the greater number had been engaged to go to places in vario-is parts of the Dominion. There were ten foreigners on board, including Germans, French, and Austrians. All passed the education test.

In the current number of St. Mary's Cathedral Magazine, and Diocesan Gazette (Auckland) it is stilted that during the eight days ho was on duty as chaplainmajor at thi! camp at Papiitoetoe, Cnuon Mac Murray never saw anything dono by a single man to which he could take exception. Drink was absolutely prohibited; (ho'conduct of the men was most exemplary; the interest taken in the work becamo keener dny by day; tho emulation between tho different companies was wholesome; tho development in physique even in such a sliort time was most "marked, and when tho camp was broken up he felt that the physical and moral benefits to the wholo regiment wero greater than in his most sanguine moments he had anticipated.

Several prisoners will come up for sentence in tho Supremo Court this morning beloro the Chief Justice (Sir Robert stout). Their names are: John M'lntyre, breaking nnd entering and theft at Otaki; John Lewis, theft at Wellinfjton; Albert Ayling, Sidney Baker, and Harry Williams, breaking and entering and theft UK Stratford.

Ihe Auckland oyster season will open on May 1, and, if the weather is favourable, those many people whose taste lies towards the enjoyment of this favourite shell-fish will be in no way disappointed (says tho Auckland "Herald"). Tho oysters are described as being in very good order, and in at least as good supply, as last season. The beds to bo picked this year are those, of Bamjitoto, Waiheke, nnd tho adjacent islands in the gulf, and of Mahurangi. 'Whether the oysters will bo on the market ijuickly after the opening of tho season will depend upon the selection of tho h'rst beds for picking. It may bo decided to start with Mahurangi, in which case tho first consignments may bo fow days late in reaching the market. Tho authorities have not yet determined upon the length of the season; that will depend upon the rate -at which the picking proceeds. The price of oysters last year was 12s. Cd. a sack; they may, on account of extra expenses, bo dearer this year.

The illustrated reading of the Oberainmergau I'assion I'lny in the King's Theatre, Melbourne, on Good Friday night was marred by tho disgraceful conduct of a number of disturbers in tho gallery. Apparently they had expected to see moving pictures, and probably some actual acting, nnd were disappointed. They expressed Hieir disappointment in discordant cries and insulting—occasionally blasphemous utterances. Mr. Walter B'entley unsuccessfully endeavoured to tire the disturbers out, but at length he rose and made an appeal for quietness. His remarks wero applauded by tho orderly section of the audience, and for a while even tho disorderly portion was quieter, but it was only for a few minutes, and then they yelled and hissed aud stamped to such purpose that there were long periods when not a word of his reading could l>e heard. Hundreds of people left tho theatre in disgust. Mr. Bentley stuck to his work until the picture of the Ascension put an end to an extremely painful experience.

It is learned, on the authority of Mr. Groves, who recently arrived in New South Wales, as the representative of South African capitalists interested in diamond mining, that the diamonds won from tho mines of tho Inyercll district are attracting much attention both in England and America (says tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). Mr. Groves, who lias visited the diamond mines at Copeton nnd Onkey Creek, nnd was much impressed with what he saw, writes as follows:—"A cablegram has been received from the South African representative of oiio of the leading firms of diamond cutters in Amsterdam, authorising the representative of the Donnainia mine (Pike and O'Donnell's) to ship all diamonds won from alluvial nnd matrix sources in the Inyerell district through the Hank of New South Wnles, and to draw at throe days' sight for amount of his valuation of diamonds shipped, It is now almost certain that the control of the new matrix mine will bo kept in Australian hands, and that a. diamondrcutting and polishing industry will be started in New South Wales by the end of this year. Tho dianunds from Copctoa already cu# and polished in Europe have convinced connoisseurs of their unsurpassed brilliancy, so much so that two American and one English orders for Copeton diamonds for necklaces have been, already received.

Omitted fro oi the subscription list as furnished to the Olympic Council on Monday night was the item "Collected by Mr. E. L. Chaffey, .£7 175.. 6d." The funds being raised aro intended to send New Zealand athletes to Stockholm to the Fifth, Olympia.l.

The Wellington Shakespeare Club is tn give a public reading of "The Meiry Wives of Windsor" at tho Sydney Street Schoolroom on April 23.

As it has been ascertained that the original dates fixed for the annual ieslival of the New Zealand Competitions Society in October and November will clash with those of the Oscar Asche Company in Wellington, the committee has deemed it advisablo to postpone the competitions for some threo weeks. They will now bo held at the Town Hall from November 13 to November 30. The poster syllabus will bo issued next week.

A Danish settler in the Waikato, who has learned to write English by means of a Dullish-English dictionary and copies of tho "Auckland Weekly News," in a letter to tho editor of that paper says: "I think a man that will not servo and fight for his own country, or tho country that gives him shelter and his living, hould be exiled or font to gaol for a lona period. 1, for my part, will (jladly jr. in in iiml take my training, nnd be ready if necessary to fight for tho defence of Xow Zealand,"

Yesterday Detectives Andrews and Lewis nrrestod a' man, who will appear at tho Magistrate's Court this morning, charged with theft of a pair of boots and a. pair of slippers.

Prodding- the City Council approve of the Deserves Committee's recommendation, a bear-pit will be constructed in connection with thn Newtown Zoo during the present financial year.

Fifty Thousand Mail Orders were received Inst y«ar by Smith and Cnughcy, Ltd., Auckland, from all parts of tho Dominion, customers everywhere being delighted with (he excellent; value and service. Smith ami laughey, Ltd., ]>ay freight or post--11 go on all orders for dnilii'iy, clothing, or boots to any address in tho Dominion. On cash fu to it'll re orders exceeding Ji" (toven pounds) in value, freight is paid by stmmicr to Wellington, or to any railway station north of Taihapc. reached direct from Auckland. A post, rnrd, iiddrej-pd to Smith iiiml Oiughey, Mil., reijuesliujj nimpl«!>nr I'fltsloip.irj will rcceito iiimiMlijite attention.— Aurt

Tho Industrial Association Insli iii|<lil. considered a suggestion emning from Urn New Zealand Competitions Surioly (lint, the assDciation shuulil oiler prizes for <•*• says written by ehililren nllitiiilini' I hit Wellington iiiul suburban primary wlinohi, •ho nibjoct i'tir (rued essay Id Im it .Ww Zealand industry. Tim iirf>|ms:il had Oi«t endorsement of the .scli<i<iliiiniilMii, liiil. they desired Hint when tint iiiiitn-i nf (Im successful competitors wimc pulilMinl u<i mention |ju made of Iho m:liu<il nlli-nili'd by thu competitors, (lint, lliu iw.nyi \i<written in .school under 11m fiiipei vlnl'iii of "lass teachers, anil Ilial Him leii|/lh mid (inio for llm eompusilimi let ii|ii.i!i(iiil, The resnlvcd l.li:il. Ill" rompd!lor.s bo rcfjnired In niilt , (heir rf-.-.nxi under supervision in the Town. Hull, Hint, prizes amounting to live ituinenn |». mviud. Ed, and that; other condition!) Im Used li.y the. Competitions Km-iety.

"It seems lo me," .snid Mr. It. Diin.inl, in the course, of liis address In Hie imcimbc;r.s of tin; j\eiv Zealand Clul, ye-lcivlnv, "that the special function of .N«>iv /.enliuiil is to (jive the oilier countries of Hut Kmpirc a lead in Iho niiiUi-r of H-ihlatinn. I Hiink that you should falto up :t very sjiorliiiK aUitiKlo towards liwhliitimi. When a proposal is niailo to inlroifiico imw H'lslnl'ioii in tho Old Country w« say, 'Oh, haiiK it, wo don't Know what tho dililciillies will be.' Out here you my, 'Oh, well, let us havo ,i shot at it"and hm> what Hie result will be."

J ho Inst of Mr. John ]3ni]lie'a mnmunniwit ot pnintiiigfi nrrivod from Jxmdon yesterday by (he Corinthic. A Mart i<< U, he made to linpaek (he pictui-es l/i-dav, and it is hoped Hint a start may be inndo wilh tho work of hangiii),' them before the end ol tJio wcok.

J.hc ll«sorvcs Coiiiinittoo will report lo •»M , y -u Cou, . R,il to-nioiTow eveniiiff: Hint with a view of making a start with a comnreliciL'iive scheme to beautify tho Jowu Belt, tho City Engineer, acting HiHler instructions from (he Jteservcs CominittH., has submitted a plan to improve r «-,°,? k of )0 <lcrcs ,V1 "K ,0 the west ot \\ elliiijjtun Terrace, known as Section Jβ, lon-ii JJelt." Tho committee has approved of the plan, and recommend the immediate adoption of samo so as to rivo the Department an opportunity of malimg a start with the work (luring the coming season.. The estimated cost of the work, including leucine:, planting, etc., is .MOO. Jhe land has already been cleared ot gorse, and the implanted portions, Jitter the fences aro orccted, can ho Jot for grazing purposes in small blocks.

.lho linlustri.il Association resolved last night to make a donation of .£SO to the National Art Gallery for the purchase of a picture. It was tho suggestion of the president (Mr. L. K. Partridge)—and his suggestion was adopted—that the association committee should have a voice, in the selection of tho picture. .

With the object of improving the management of tho prisons and perfecting the reform scheme initiated by his predecessor in office, the new Minister for Justice (tho Hon. 3. A. Hanan) has convened a conference of gaolers to meet in Wellington next Saturday.

An amusing incident happened at the Opera House last evening during Professor .Norwood's hypnotic entertainment. A group of subjects had been duly hypnotised and given the suggestion that they were a fishing party, and that the orchestral pit and the auditorium was a river alivo with big fish. One. "subject," in his enthusiasm, climbed from the stage to tho corner of tho dross circle, and so great was the alarm of ono lady patron who was silling near Die corner that she ineontiuently fled the spot, and made her way to the back uf tho circle, amidst shrieks of laughter fro.m tho audience, while the "subject" calmly sat himself on tho balustrade and fished among the heads of those seated in the stalls below.

Tho Hon. G. Laurenson (Minister for Customs) intends shortly to bring flic matter of a reciprocal tnrilf with Australia, before Cabinet, with a view to definite action being taken. Speaking on the subject to a reporter yesterday, he said that it was noteworthy that tho Commonwealth last year imported nearly .£500,000 of agricultural implements. Some articles, such as reapers and binders, could bo made cheaper and better in other countries, but the bnik of tho balance of the {lyricultnral implements could ),e mado better and cheaper in New Zealand than in any other part of the world. This applied to implements suited for use in Australia and New Zealand. Before the federation of tho Australian States, New Zealand exported many agricultural implements to Australia, and also a great deal or dredging machinery. Now agricultural implements wcro being imported into New Zealand from Australia. The real difficulty, tho Minister stated, was that New Zealand had so few articles from which' thii duty could be removed by way of reciprocity with Australia. It would not bo easy to arrange a tariff beneficial to both countries.

The Prime Minister (tho Hon. T. Mackenzie) told a reporter yesterday that lie. was anxious to provide facilities at the State experimental farms for young m«n to learn farming. Cabinet has authorised the erection of apprentices' quarters at the Wereroa farm, and Mr. Mackenzie stated that the building would include a room in which lectures could be given by officers of the Agricultural Department. The lads would give their work for the first three months in exchange for their board and training, for the next three months they would receive a slight remuneration, and their future allowances would increase in proportion to their industry and ability. Mr. Mackenzie hopes to widen the system so as to include other State properties.

Councillor Ball has given notice to move at the next meeting of the Hutt Borough Council:—"That no motor-car or motor cycle shall travel at a greater rate than 15 miles per hour in any part of the borough." "That tko speed limit around any street corner shall not exceed 8 miles per hour." "That the speed limit over any bridge or within 100 yards on either side of the samo shall not exceed six miles per hour."