LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1537, 5 September 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A slight hitch, on questions of principle, ha's caused some delay in the negotiations which are at present proceeding between the Eastbourne Borough Council and the Wellington Ferry Company with regard to the proposal for tho purchase of the ferry steamers by the borough. It is hoped, however, that further negotiations between the parties will Temove these obstacles.

The city fire brigade received a call to the Wellington Hospital Laundry at 8.59 o olock last evening. The fire was caused by an electric iron being left standing. Ihe contents and the machinery were slightly damaged.

At a meeting of tho executive of tho E?rl.y Settlers' and Historical Association of Wellington, held last night, it was decided that the association should hold its inaugural reunion of members, early settlers, colonists and sympathisers on the evening of Dominion Day, September 23, in tho Cncert Chamber, Town Hall. It is proposed that the evening should take the form of a conversazione and that several leading citizens and early colonists should give short addresses on the early days, these speeches to be interspersed with musical items, and light refreshments would be provided, thus giving those present an opportunity to move round and renew old acquaintances and yarn over old days. The executive further resolved to publish a journal, the finance to be guaranteed by those who have the matter at heart, and as the result of a canvass in tho room the sum of eight guineas was guaranteed. The secretary, Mr. R. K. Lyon will be pleased to hear from any who would like to help in this work.

The Mayor of Miramar has given notice that he will move at to-night's meeting of the council: (1) That an estimate be prepared of the cost of connecting Miramar wharf tramway with the electric tramway system at Miramar Avenue intersection; (2) That information be obtained as to the facilities which the city is prepared to extend in connection with bulk freightage over city lines, and tho use or sidings.

A well-known clergyman told a good story a few-days ago at the annual meetV l ,?, of , ,H. ns Anglican Church, Milsons; Point, Sydney, with Admiral King-Hall in the chair. The story had a pathetic as well as an amusing side. Ho was, he said, going through Aigylo Cut, Millers Pouit, Sydney, where he met a man who was very drunk. The man said: Where do I live? Take mo home." The clergyman with some difficulty got him homo. Next day he called on him, finding him sober. The man said, "I am under an obligation to you." The clergyman replied, "Oh, no, you are not." The man 'repeated his statement, and, on"'receiving the same reply from the clergyman, said, 'Well, I hope to be able to do tho same for you some day."

An interesting question, very much to the point, was put by Dr. Morris, a member of the New South Wales Pure Foods Commission, in the midst of a discussion as to abattoirs and tho quality of meatSupposing," Dr. Morris nsked abruptly; I get a very nice joint to-day, and a tough one to-morrow, whose fault is 'it?" The witness under examination was Mr. W. G. Acocks, secretary of the newlyformed Meat Industry and Abattoirs Board. He said it was a very hard question to answer. Tho butcher might very well have thought the meat he was sending along was tender, instead of tough, "They say, you know," Mr. Acocks added, "that the working bullock fattened quickly is nice and tender, while the bullock that is fattened slowly makes tough meat."

One of the chief drawbacks which in tho past stock exhibitors at the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society's annual spring 6how have- had to contend with has been the late hour at which the special stock trains have arrived at Hastings, necessitating the unloading of the stock in the dark. This drawback will in future be removed. In consequence of representations made to tho manager of this section of the railways, that gentleman has promised that arrangements will be made in future for stock trains to leave the Wairai-apa and West Coast stations at such times as will enable them to reach Hastings about 5.30 p.m. This will mean that the stock can be unloaded in daylight. No doubt this boon will be greatly appreciated by stock exhibitors.

A well-attended meeting of the West Coasters' Association was held at the Hotel Cecil last night. Mr. Robert Vinsen presided. A report of the annual social, which was held in the Town Hall on Monday night, stated that there had been 500 people "on tho floor" and 250 in the gallery. The expenses were stated to have totalled about iIBO, and it was said 1 that there would bci a small credit balance. The matter of a new hall was brought up, but was held over, because one of the principal guarantors was not present. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded all who contributed to the music programme at the social.

An accident which might have been attended by more serious results occurred at the Mangapapa (Gisborne) school during tho lunch hour one day last week. Some paper was being burned, and ono of the boys produced a cartridge. The next thing was an explosion. The shot scattered about, hitting some of the boys on the legs, and some on the shins. Fortunately, most of the lads were only"peppcred," but they received a great fright.

Slowly tho new Kelburno Astronomical Observatory is being inodo ready for practical work. Tho installation of llio big telcscopo has been delayod by tho wet weather, but on Tuesday tho cast-iron, pedestal which is to support tho instrument, was embedded in tho conerolo base, and tho tclescopo will bo placed in position very shortly. Authorities on astronomy, including; tho Government Astronomer (Mr. C. ft. Adams) will deliver lectures on astronomy, which should lend to popularise tho study of tho heavenly bodies.

A deputation representing the members of tho Public Service will interview tho Minister for .justice (tho Hon. A. [~ Horilman) on Tuesday afternoon with regard to tho provisions of tho Public Servico Bill.

An incident which might bo used as an argument in favour of (ho Greater Ashburton scheme, under which IJampstead might enjoy tho privileges of the highpressure water supply, occurred one day last week (says tho Ashburton "Guardian"). A boarder was intending to havo a bath, and for this purpose a number of saucepans wero requisitioned to boil tho water. Theso wero left standing on tho stove. Among them happened to be, unfortunately, ono containing n stew, which was being cooked (or a meal. Thinking that this also contained hot water, tho Iroarder carried it to tho bathroom and emptied the contents into the bath, when, to his horror, he discovered that ho bad wasted tho dinner!

Tho Maoris of tho "Wairarnpa have initiated an interesting movement, which is to culminate in a largo and representative gathering in Carterton next March; of chiefs and influential Maoris from the Wellington, Hawkc's Bay, and. Gisbonie districts (states the "Carterton News"). The object of the assembly is to bring together, and to havo recorded, tho genealogy of important families of those localities away back to the first canoes, and, in connection with them, the history of New Zealand (Aotea-Roa) so far as they have it from tho legendary chronicles which tho tohungas have orally carried on from generation to generation j and, in addition, tho personal recollections of old men still living, with tho incidents they havo heard from their fathers and grandfathi ers.

The scarcity of fish in Cook Strait was evidenced last night, when the steam trawler Energy returned to port with nothing excepting a large quantity of crayfish on board. The- Energy generally trawls off Palliser Bay, and fish are generally very plentiful there, but (states the captain) bad weather must bo approaching, as there was notliing but crayfish there last evening. However, twenty largo sacks of very live crustaceans will l>e placed at the disposal of the public this morning.

Evidently Mr. Isitt objectsto the breeding and importation of bulldogs. Yesterday ill tho House of Representatives he cited the case of a lad who was bitten recently at Oriental Bay by an ill-manner-ed brute, and he asked tue Minister for Justice whether the police were alive to tho number of attacks made by bulldogs on people in various places. He asked finally: "Will tho Minister consider what additional precautions can, bo taken to safeguard the people against these dogs?"