LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1427, 30 April 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A slip on the Main Trunk lino near Erua, about five, miles south of Waimarino, held up the down express from Auckland for just over threo lionrs yesterday. Tho delay also affected the clearing of tho down New Plymouth mail train through Marton by about lis If an hour, as the express was given precedence for rjglit of way. The line is now clear.

"I confess that I like the American commercial man's manner better than tho Englishman's," said Mr. M. Manthel, who has just returned from a trip to tho United States. "When you go into a big English commercial house and state that you wish to see the manager, you arc, as a rule, looked up and down, cross-ques-tioned as to your business, told that the manager is a very busy man, etc., etc. In fact, they do all they can to freeze you and 'put you off' so to speak before they have any idea of what your business may be, and of what advantage it may be to the firm for the manager to sco yon. Contrast this wjth. the American. Go into an American office, ask the same question, and everyone will try and help you to see him as soon as possible—everyone in the office is trained to 1)0 pleasant and polite, and you arc mado to fed at ease right away. The manager welcomes you warmly, listens attentively to what you have to say, and even if it does not lead to business he preserves the same charming air, and is courteous and hospitable to the last."

"For every pound that the Valuer can see has been spent on the land, tho settler has probably spent another pound that can't be seen," said Mr. J. Gcorgetti, of the Wellington Land Board, at a social last night. He went on'to explain that the valuer would probably allow to 30s. an acre for logging, stumping, and burning, and 15s. tor grassing, and he would not think of the insurance of the men, the packing of the grass-seod, and the other expenses and labour before there was a sole of grass. Five or ten pounds an acre might be spent on the homestead paddocks, with nothing to show for it.

John Lewis, who escaped from the Terrace Gaol on Thursday, and was recaptured on Saturday, will be brought before the Magistrate's Court to-morrow morning on a charge based on his recent exploits. Tho position taken up by the New Zealand Olympic Council, in threatening to withdraw the nomination of G. N. Hill for the Olvmpind unless the council receives the balance of tho money promised bv Auckland is (says the Auckland "Herald") causing apprehension amongst athletic enthusiasts in this city. Tho position is that, although the money has been promised, several collection cards have not been sent in, and repeated requests for them have not lreen complied with. Matters, however, will bo fixed up within a few days. The secretary of the Olympic Council has been informed of this.

Tho Prime Minister (Hon. T. Mackenzie) states that Cabinet cannot reverse its decision, in regard to tho close season for native pigeons, and it will ask all New Zealanders to co-operate in preserving these beautiful birds from destruction. Cabinet has opened the season for paradise ducks with the condition that the bag must bo limited to twelve birds. Police and rangers have been instructed to watch carefully' and see that this limitation is not exceeded. If the privilege is abused, says tho Premier, it will not again bo given.

The opening of the Auckland oyster season is fixed for Wednesday next, May 1, and upon that dato some two dozen men will commence (he work of supplying the Government depot with the popular shellfish for distribution, to dealers and consumers. Picking will commenco on the Mahnrangi beds, consequently the first of the supplies will not be to hand for at least a (lav after work commences. The prospects for tho season arc reported to lie good, both as regards quantity and quality. It is not proposed to open the Waiheke and Raugitoto beds at all, unless those further afield prove inadequate to meet the demands made upon them. The Government depot will not retail the oysters, tho minimum quantity supplied being olio sack. Tho price will bo 13s. Gd. per sack, as against 12s. 6d. last season.

A curious little experience was related by Mr. Bevan Brown, headmaster of the Christchurch Boys' High School, in a. lecture which ho gave at Canterbury College on Saturday evening on his recent trip to England and tho various places of interest ho had visited on his travels. In the course of his remarks (shtes cur correspondent), Mr. Brown said that while travelling through the Riviera ho found himself in tho compartment of a railway carriage with four strangers. Happening to mention Christchurch, New Zealand, ho was overheard by one of his carriage companions, who turned to him and asked him whether he know tho lato Mr. T. E. Taylor, with whom the speaker was acquainted. Ono of tho other travellers thi'n entered into the conversation, and stated that his wifo was living iu New Zealand. The third stranger next owned up to having been born in this country. Only tho fourth party remained silent.

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Messrs. Win. 11. TurnbuH and Co. announce that an exhibition of water-colour drawings arc now on view at their gallory, Panama Street.

Messrs. A. L. Wilson and Co. will hnl<! b. furniture sal« at their rooms, Broudon JtlCftt, oa lift? J,