LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1482, 3 July 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities adviso that tho b.s. Mausganui, which left Sydney at noon on Juno 29, has on board an Australian mail. She is duo hero to-mor-row.

The postal authorities advise that Americau and English mails via Vancouver aro duo in Wellington to-day. The annual conference of the New Zealand Post nnd Telegraph Officers' Association was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lamblon Quay, yesterday morning, under the presidency of Mr. J. Mulvey, of Jnvereargill. Nineteen delegates from all parts of t.ho Dominion atitcndeit. Matters affecting tho hours of work,,nnnunl leave, ovcrtimo, nnd superannuation wero discussed in camera. The conference rose at 5 p.m., and will resumo again this morning. The delegates will lie entertained this evening by tho Wellington branch of the association.

A street accident occurred at the corner of Harris nnd Victoria Streets at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. A light dogcart, owned and driven by Mr. \Y. .f. Haines, of Mitchclltown, aiid n wood and coal cart were drawn up, head to Wad, about fcix feet away from tho water channel, whilst the respcctivo drivers indulged in a momentary chat. Whilst so engaged a heavy dray attempted to puss between the vehicles and the gutter, with tile result ih.it. the c.o-.i 1 cart iv;t> swim.; round liv a grazing collision, .struck, the flap <'f nl« fl*l», <ttKl toko it Mt&u oft juet nwido Uu> hub.

Important enough to shippers was a point which was raised by Mr. Leigli Hunt nt tho mealing of tlio Chamber, of Commerce yesterday afternoon. It touched oil a judgment of tho Supremo Court in a dispute between consignors and a shipping company over a shipment ot chair winch went (ustray between I'icton and \\ ellingloii. Tho position was that chad' (marked with a. certain brand) had been delivered at Picton for shipment to Wellington. That it was actually delivered was indicated by tho fact that tho shippers had been given a shipping lioto signed by tho purser of tho steamer. It was alleged, howover, that that chaff did not arrive in Wellington, and the consignees had sought to recovcr, but had failed. The point which Mr. Hunt emphasised was that tho purser's receipt had apparently not been accepted by the- Court as proof that tho goods had been shipped. It appeared to him, therefore, that nil that any shipping company had to do when goods went astray was to raise doubt as to whether they had ever been shipped. A shipper could do no more than see his goods delivered on a wharf, and obtain a receipt for tliem from tho receiving officer. By tho Supreme Court's judgment, however, the onus was apparently placed upon tho shipper proving that the goods had actually been shipped. He thought that this formed a matter in which people interested might have tho assistance of the chamber. After a 6liort discussion, tho matter was referred to tho Legislation Committee of the chamber for a report.

Tho state of the roads ovej tho Rirnutaka and Paekakarilri hills has been agitating tho mind of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce. At 'tho meeting of tho council yesterday a letter was received from the clcrk of tho Hutt County Oouncitl (in reply to one forwarded by the Chamber) stating that he had Wen directed to Bay that tho County Council was maintaining these roads fairly cfliciently, and that it was unable to further improve them. Tho president (Mr. Jlnbin) explained that tho Hutt County Council had rather missed tho point. What they had offered was ,that if the council approved, tho Chamber .was propared to go with tho council to tho Government to ask for assistance in putting tlieso roads into better order. Tho wirfaco of tho roads was fairly efficiently maintained, but thwe were comers, bends, and grades that were far from safe. It was decided to call tho attention of tho Colinty Council to tho point at issue as far as tho Chamber was con. cemed.

Of the many good works carried on for the benefit of children and others who are especially in need of help, several belong to the Church of England, and a full account will be given of thestf works at tho meeting in St. Peter's Hall, Ghuzneo Street, to-night, at which his Excellency the Governor will speak. .

A pleasing instance of a firm's thought for its old employees has recently been demonstrated. Cinder tho will of the late Mr. Henry Hayman, senior partner of the firm of P. Hayman and Co., each servant in tho employ for ten and twenty years in eaoh branch respectively received a legacy. Those coming under the latter heading received double tho amount of the former. The presentation of chcques to employees in tho Wellington branch took place yesterday. The net cost of tho Valuation of Land Department during tho year 1911-12 was •ES2DO.

Tho State subsidies paid to 391 libraries amounted to J34000 last year, tho largest amount being .£862 paid to tho Auckland Library.

At a meeting of tho council of the New Zealand Acadcmy of l ? ino Arts, held on Monday night, the president announced that ho liatl received a letter,from Ml-. J. N. Williams, of Hastings, offering for presentation to tho National Gallery a painting by tho Italian artist Salvator Eosa. Tho gift was accepted with pleasure, ond a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Williams for his generous and publicspirited action.

Last , evening tho port harbourmaster, Captain Johnson, received a communication from Mr. Hasll, manager of tho Norwegian whaling fleet, stating that tho Raltura. ' arrived' at Russoll, Bay of. Islands, yesterday. Mr. Hasll stated that ho regretted that ho had been unablo to call at Wellington, so as to afford tho public an opportunity of visiting tho "floating factory." The vessel had struct tho recent gale, and tho captain had consequently decided to go on to Russell. Tho vessel left Westport on Saturday morning.

The steamship company formerly known as tlio Huddart, Parker and Company Proprietary, Limited, having sold its business and assets to Huddart, Parker, Limited, tho old company will cease to do business in New Zealand as from .Tuly 1 Tho new company of Huddart, Parker, Limited, has been incorporated, and has taken over all the assets and liabilities of the old company. Tho now company will carry on businoss in the following places:—Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Duncdin, Invercargill, Gisborne, and Napier.

Tho Government havo not yet decided who is to succeed Colonel Burnett-Stuart (of tho Headquarters Staff], who, owing to ill-health, is resigning his position, but the probability is that another Imperial officer will bo imported. Tho Hon. A. M. Myers (Minister for Defence) stated last evening that tho point had not yet been definitely determined, but that probably no New Zealand officer would bo available for tho vacant position,