LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1487, 9 July 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. T. R. Fleming, Chief Inspector under the Wellington Education Board was asked at tho Education Commission yesterday whether he thought the average intelligence and capacity of the Sixth Standard product of our primary school system was os high to-day as it was suiuo ten years ago.- 'I hero had been complaints, bv merchants that it was not. Air. Meming explained that tho Sixth Standard boy of to-day was a 'much more satisfactory of raw material for the merchant than his prototype of 10 years agoi But he _ was scarce, for ho prepared to engage in further study 'either at tho technical school or the secondary school before committing himself to his life's work. What probably gave rise to tho criticism of tho merchant, said Mr. Fleming, was that some of tiie boys who left tho State school between the "Fourth and Sixth Standards, and had drifted aimlessly about for a while, had served for a time in mercantile offices—to the dis'satisfaction of tho merchants. A Sixth Standard boy of average intelligence, had greater initiative, and more general culture than this prototype of ft decide ago. In an.intcresthiß conversation with an Auckland "Herald , ! representative on Friday, I)r. W. P. Patorsan, Professor of Divinity at Edinburgh University, who was a passenger by tho Marama for Vancouver, stated that New Zealanders were in particular favour, at his institution, and were looked upon ns excellent students. Most of the New Zealandors: .entered tho university to take up medical work, and in every case, they liad done well. Two who had been through the collego . had been very .successful—Professor Gilray, who some tinio ago was appointed to the Chair of Literature at Otago University, and Professor Dickie, of Knox College, Dunedin. ,;.- ■■• ■- ■'■<■ A reduction in the charge of long-dis-tance telephoning has been authorised, by the Postmaster-General (the Hon. H. Q. Ell). Up till now, when tho special attendance of tho switchboard or bureau attendant has been required out of ordinary hours to make a connection with a long-distance telephone communication,'a feo of 2s. Gd. has been collected in addi-. tion to the charge for the communication. Tho charge has now been reduced to one shilling, the amount charged for re-open-ing a telegraph office. .-■'■'■■■ Seventeen slot cabinet telephones are to be cree'ed in prominent places in tho streets of Christchureh. They will be available day or night .throughout-the year. . . ' It was mentioned in the Court of Appeal yesterday that tho case of tho Minister for Customs v. tho Waihi Qoldminin(; Company would not come on for argument. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., stated that he had advised the company that it could not hope to •succeed.

When the Court of Appeal resumes tomorrow, it will hear two special cases under tho Public Trust Offico Act, 1908. This announcement was uade by tno Court yesterday afternoon in answer to a question by Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., who will argue, the case for the Law Society.

An enthusiastic meeting of tho Keltic Club was held last evening at the Burlington Tea Rooms. Mr. J. J. M'Grath presided. Aisot of rules and regulations, drawn up by a sub-committee, was, with various amendments, adopted. Tho ineoting then adjourned till Tuesday, July Iβ, when the hrst annual meeting will ?>e held.

The window display competition in Wellington-instituted by Van Ilouten's, of cocoa fame, was adjudicated, upon on Saturday afternoon. As the prizes were substantial (£ls, £1 10s., and .£2 10s), there woro many admirable displays made, both in the city and suburbs. Tho first prize was won somewhat easily by Mr. J. M. Porter, of-Ridriiford'Street, Newtown, whoso window was excellently laid out, and was packed with doviccs to catch the eyo and. hold the attention. Messrs. Hill Bros., of Cuba Street, whosft display was very attractive, secured the second prize, and' Messrs. Hill Bros., of Lambton Quay, whose "stacked" display was a handsome one, obtained tho third prize. The cheques will bo forwarded to the winners during tho week. A.rbor Day occurs on Wednesday, July 17. In view of extensive planting operations to be carried out on that day, the Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren) has communicated with the officers of the council concerned with a view to supplying several groups of people interested with trees and shrubs. A meeting will be held in the Mayor's room to-morrow evening. A special meeting of the City Council wilj be held on Monday nest to consider the recentlyi-published report of the Tramway Hoard. The annual emoke concert of • Messrs. Luke and Co.'s employees was held on Saturday evening at the "Tiffen," when i most enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. P. Lisle presided. Amongst the usual toasts honoured during' the evonin? wa-3 "The Firm," proposed by the chairman, and nbly responded to by Mr. H. Luke. Songs and Tecjtations were given by the following:—Messrs. Thompson. Yeomans, Jennings, Henderson, and, .Fitzgibbons. The duties of secretary were energetically carried out by Mr. Parker, assisted by his committee.

The Cost of Living Commission will probably finish hearing evidence in Wellington on Thursday.

A youncr man was arreJted by Detectives Rawlo and Cameron yesterday on a charge of having stolon a rug at (jamaru recently. '

Tho lato Postmaster-General (tho Hon. ! H. G. Ell) took the opportunity yesterday afternoon, on tho roof of the General Pest Office., to my a few farewell words of farewell to the head officials of the Geiwr.il and Wellington Post Offices. Ee regretted very much that ho had not lwen permitted an opportunity of carrying out same ideas that lie thought would mean on improvement in the service, and he'took occasion to thank all thoso who had rendered him assistance. duviii? his short tenure of oflico as tho political head of the Department. At the conclusion of the Minister's remarks, tho«e present, including the late Minister, were photographed.