LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1541, 10 September 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Jewish New Year holidays commence to-morrow night. Srato schools in tho Wellington Educational District, which havo been closed during tho past week for spring vacation, reopened yesterday, As Ion? ago as 18G1, tho lato Mr. J. Woodford brought out to Now Zealand tho Wheatstono A.B.C. telegraph instruments, which are now to be deposited in tho llusoiim. Jlr. Woodford was a personal friend of the late Prof. Wheatstone, and took a keen interest in electrical matters. Ho settled in ,Christ'churth, where he sold the instruments to tho Provincial Government of Canterbury in 18GG. From something like forty years they were never made use 6f, lying "unemployed" on the shelves o£ the Cliristchurch telegraph office. In 1000 thev were exhibited at tho Cliristchurch Exhibition, and thon were deposited in tho Post and Telegraph stores hero. A dispute has arisen between tho Wellington Stationary, Traction, and Locomotivo Engine Drivers' Union and the employers at Wellington, Masterton, Hawko's Bay; Palmei'ston North, and Wangamii. The Conciliation Commissioner (Jlr. P. Hally) has appointed September 2? for the hearing of tho dispute at Wellington, and October for the hearing at Pnlnievston North. Thos. J. Cain, Edward M'Connoll, and John Ifead have boon nominated as assessors for the union. The demands of (ho union are for a week of 48 hours, with wages to range from Is. ljd. per hour to Is. -tjd. per hour, according to tho class of engine driver.

A' debate was held at Victoria Collego on Saturday evening on the motion "That the measures ndonted in' suppressing the recent strike in Queensland were such as can. and should bo adopted in Now Zealand under similar circumstances." Thia was moved by Mr. B. H. Quilliom, sec- , onded by Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, and opposed by Jlr; C. Strack, seconded by Mr. W. J. _ Jt'Eldowney. A very interesting discussion followed. Tho general trend of opinion seemed to bo that though any body of workers might havo a perfect right to strike, unless precluded therefrom by express agreement, yet if that strike threatened the right of tho wllolo community, then the Government was justified in taking stringent measures to preserve order. The motion on being put was declared lost on the. chairman's cast!ing vote. The judge, Mr. J. A. Hanan, JI.P., gavo the society some very helpful criticism, and placed the five best speakers in the following order: —Jlr. W. .7. JPEldowney, 1; Mr.' H. H. Cornish, 2; J[r. G. Watson, 3; Mr. Mazengarb, 4; Mr. Hall-Jones, 5. A vote of thanks to Jlr. Hanan concluded the meeting.

A special meeting of the Miramax Borough Council was held yesterday afternoon, the. Mayor (Mr. H. N: M'Leoil) presiding. At a recent inccting of the council it was decided to raise a f-pecial loan of .£IBOO for the purpose of: (1) "Construction aud installation, of works for electric power supply and light; and (2) tho .provision of tramway cars ami shed for.same. It was decided at yesterday's .meeting to strike a special rato of l&. in the i£ on tho unimproved value basis. The- rate will be payable halfyearly during the currency of "the loan— a period of 26 years, commencing from March 1, 1912.

Tlife Auckland "Star" is making discoveries about Lake Takapuna. It says:— "People across the water are just begin-; ning to realise the very serious position of affairs at Takapmia, where the.constant drain upon the lake to supply the surrounding boroughs is lowering the level about eighteen inches a year, and it is feared that, if something is not. done to regtilato the pumping, the lake will be useless as a source In five years' time." It is a true 6aying that troubles never conio singly. In an. interview with a "Star" reporter, Dr. J. R. Philpots, of Takapuna, pointed on another danger which, ho'says, requires immediate attention. "I am pleased to notice,",, said tho doctor, "that the question of the Ink© is now seriously being taken in hand. Thero is, however, another item which is equally important—perhaps moro so than the recognised rapid depletion of the water, and the consequent reecdenco of its shores. I allude to tho decomposition of vegetable matter which must, in time; become a menace to health. It was a sorry day for all concerned when the valisnorfa spiralis was planted. This weed, unfortunately, happens to Ixj one of the most rapid-grow-ing in tho vegetable kingdom, and, further, it decomposes at a corresponding rate, setting free certain gases- which are very soluble in water, and rather add to its clearness than otherwise. Drinking a little—and that for a short period—can do no harm, but, when taken for months and years, it develops one of the worst forms of indigestion, with nU its coniequences."

People passing; the premises of Messrs. Smith and Caughey about three o'clock on Saturday afternoon were astonished to Bee water pouring from the roof on the display of ladies' boots in one of the windows (writes our Auckland correspondent). The members of the firm were communicated with, and one of the employees entered the premises. On going to the second floor ho found that three taps were running into the basins in the Indies' lavatory. The basins -had overflowed, and thus caused tho flooding of the lower departments. The water had poured into tile corset showroom on the first floor and damaged a quantity of the poods there, including some elaborate ladies' gowns. Prom this room tho water hnd f ound its way amongst tho ladies' boots on tho ground , floor, and thence- into the cellar, where a further quantity of ladies' boots was stored. It is anticipated that damage to tho extent of fully .C2OO has been caused by tho water. Subsequent inquiries showed that the water supply was temporarily cut off by the City Council at about 12.30 p.m., half an hour before the firm eloped its premises for the day. Some of tlio lady employees had evidently goneto the lavatory with tho intention of washing their hands, and. .finding that no water was available, had left; tho room without troubling to turn oil the taps.

Tho first meeting of the newly-formed executive of the New Zealand Rifle A-=so-cialion was held at tlie Garrison Hall yesColonel Collins was in the chair. The object of the meeting was to discuss the future organisation of the rifle clubs under tho new defence scheme,' and to forward the resolutions of the executive to General Godley as recommendations for his perusal.

At the performance of the Mission Band, at the Hospital grounds, on Sunday, afternoon, a collection taken up in aid of the institution, realised the sum of £i Ms. 3d. .

James Smith, Ltd., of the New Ilonse, Cuba , Street, hove given instructions to Messrs. Rogguvd and Pronse, architects, to prepare plans for remodelling their premises: They propose to a,dd two new storeys to provide accommodation for offices and workrooms in order to locate the whole of their tailoring and dressmaking departments under ono roof.