LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1550, 20 September 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Regarding the dO-foot whale -which hns been washed up at Castleclift v |jy a recent 'blow," our Wnnganui correspondent states that the carcass is somewhat knocked about, anil competent opinion is to the effect that it is not worth the trouble and expense of "trying out." Tho Salvation Army has been permitted by the City Council to take up a street collection in aid of their "rescuo" work on Saturday, October 12. A carbon copy of a letter issued from the City Town Clerk's office, which copy was not as clear as it might have been, led to some strong comment by the Mayor of Onslow last evening. After struggling to read the letter, Air. Holdsworth remarked as ho held up the offending document: "The next time we get such a copy as this we should send it back, and for a readable copy. It is disgusting to have to read thisuiing." The fino public office in tho new General Post Office, in IVatherston Street, is to bo equipped with three telephones for the use of the public. These are to be erected in small, sound-proof rooms at one end of the chamber. Stamps will not be sold over the ordinary counters in the new office,, but will be dispensed from a rotunda to be erected in the centre of the apartment directly under tho great lead-lighted dome. A most enjoyable entertainment ivas given by the Wellington Gas Company's orchestra in the New Century Hall last evening. The orchestra, which is making steady progress, played a number of selections in capital style. Mr. W. Turnbull, architect, is calling for tenders for Mr. J. It. Blair's building on Lambton Quay, which was destroyed by fire whilst in the occupation of Whitcombo and Tombs, Ltd. After an exhaustive inspection it has been found necessary to demolish the northern and western (back) walls down to the level of the first floor, and the southern wall to the level of the top-floor windows. Alternative tenders are being called, one for the restoration of the building as it was prior to the fire, and another for a fireproof steel-frame building, with floors of reinforced concrete. Tenders close on ■Wednesday next. How to live for an indefinite period in Melbourne on a threepenny "bit has been explained by a well-known city restaurateur, apropos of the free counter lunch. AH that the man possessing this slender capital has to do is to go into an hotel and buy a packet of cigarettes, and lie can eat as much as ho likes, On coming from tho hotel he has only to plead that sie is hard up, and can easily sell tho packet of cigarettes for- 3d. to a sympathetic listener. Thus he gets back his original capital, plus a free feed. Getting hungry again, the enterprising immigrant spends his capital of 3d. to buy another packet of cigarettes from a philanthropic liotelkeeper, enjoys another free .feed, and returns to tho street to repe.it the performance of selling his stock. And so on, ad infinitum. The narration of this anecdote aroused roars of langlitor from a meeting of representatives of temperance organisations, which was held in Melbourne on September 10 to discuss tho counter-lunch question. The following was a committee recommendation which was made to the Citr Council last night—"That, tho taxi-ca)> proprietors who have been granted tho use of telephones on public streets be informed that, at the expiration of tho year for which the telephones have been paid for by. the contributors, a renewal will not bo permitted unless each telephone on each stand is equally available for all persons using the stand, and that it will be necessary for them to co-operato as recommended by the City > Engineer."

An extraordinary vacancy having occurred by the resignation of a memlter of tho Public Service Classification Superannuation Board representing contributors in Departments other than the Post and Telegraph Department and the Police Department, an election will bo held on Wednesday, November 13, to fill the vacancy. Nominations will be closed on Wednesday, October IG, lfll'J, at 5 p.m. Otnki is now a town board district, according to an announcement in tho Gazette, published last evening. The old post office at Kilbirnie was burned down last evening. Tho following list of tenders for tho supply and delivery to the Post Office of 150 or more bicycles, exclusive of lyres, is published in the Gazette for general information and Rankine (accepted), Wellington, .£G 12s. Cd. per machine. The unsuccessful tenderers were: 1?. E. Saville (Wellington), £7; W. A. Scott and Sons (Dunedin), ,1!7 12s. Cd.; B. Thomas (Wellington), JCC 13s. Gd. The dispute which has arisen between the Wellington Tailoresses' and Pressers' Union and tho employers, was continued before tho Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) yesterday. During tho adjournment from Wednesday the employers cited, communicated with other employers throughout the Dominion, with a view to getting their opinions of the demands of the union. Having obtained the necessary information, the employers were able at yesterday's hearing, to state that they could not comply with tho union's demands, and consequently the dispute will now bo taken to tho Court. A return regarding land purchased ini Palmerston North for workers' homes was presented to Parliament yesterday. Thti amount purchased was 24 acres 3 roods 10 poles. The price per acre was XIOO. The names of tho vendors were Messrs. C. A.. Loughmui, A. Jull and W. J, Quinbrick. The date of purchase was August 28, l!)l)B, This land was let for grazing purposes until May, 1812, when the erection of six workers' dwellings was begun. The remainder of the land is still let for grazing pending the erection of more dwellings. The amount of revenue derived from the land is .£134. The return was asked for by 11 r. Buick, tho member for the district. At next week's meeting of the Harbour Bourd the chnirman (Mr. Fletcher) will movo—"That tho amendments to by-laws-Nos. 27, 191, 192, and 272 having been, duly approved by the board (July 24 and August 28, 1912), and printed and advertised in compliance with Section 47 of the Harbours Act, 11108, be now adopted and passed; that they come into force on October 1, 19)2; and that the seal of tho board be now affixed thereto." A petition, asking that training hostels be established in connection with technical schools, has been considered by the Education Committee of tho Houso of Representatives, and recommended for the favourable consideration of tlio Government. Flames issuing from the chimney of tho Hutt Valley Timber Company's premises gavo cause for the Lower Hutt Srighdo to turn out at about 11 o'clock-last uight. Tho brigade was soon on tho scene, but there was no need for the' application of water, as the flames had then subsided. It appears (reports our Pctone correspondent) that somo persons bent on trouble, had moved the fire-hose reel from the station, and when the brigadesmen came to run it out they found that it was gone. It was quickly found, howover. T'lio Department of Hospitals, etc., has granted a loan of ,£IO,OOO to enable the Hospital Board to erect and equip an out-patients' and pathological block. The Public Trustee wrote stating that ho was prepared to entertain the loan at 5 per cent., provided tho'first instalment would not l>o required till January next. The City Counoil decided last night that the use of the city reserves for winter games should be discontinued after Monday, September 23. It was also resolved that in future tho city reserves should lie closed for winter games after the second Saturday in September, and for summer sports after the last Saturday in March. An interesting lecture on the subject of "STown Planning".will bo delivered .at the Town Hall on October 14 next liy"Ml\ Hurst Seagar. At tho Arts-Club concert last evening it was announced that his Excellency tho Governor would preside. Tho Mayor (Mr. D. MTiaren) also announced that the City Council had decided to let tho Town Hall free of charge on that occasion. There is to be no charge for admission.