LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In reference to the statement that tho Minister for Ruilwnys had written to the Harbour Board, asking upon what terms tho board was prepared to part with an area of land adjoining tho Te Aro Railway Station (part of tho old dock site) for railway extension, Mr. Fletcher (chairman of the hoard), who was seen by a Dominion representative yosterday, stilted that the board had not yet considered tho letter, and therefore could say nothing about tho matter. Tho land was a very valuable endowment, and would bo needed urgently in tho future for wharf extension purposes, but until he had the feeling of tho board on tho mntter lie could Kay nothing about tho basis on which any of the land could bo parted with. Two special general meetings of the Auckland Tramways Union wero held at the 'Prudes Hall on Tuesday. Tho "p.m." shift mot at 10 a.m., and tho "a.m." shift met at eight p.m. Both meetings were well attended. With regard lo tho proposal to run a continuous car sorvico on Sundays from 12.15 p.m. onwards, it was decided by tho members at bntli meetings to unanimously protest against tho proposal. It was argued by o. number of tho most prominent members that tho union had all to loso and nothing to gain from the suggested alteration. As was announced in The Dominion yesterday, on and after Monday next Te Aro .Station, instead of Lumbton Station, will bo tho terminus of the morning and evening trains running to and from tho Wairarnpa. The times of arrival and departure of those trains from Lambton wilt stand unaltered. The train which leaves Ldnibton for Woodville at 7.50 a.m., will leavo Te Aro at 7.30 a.m. The train which leaves Lnmbton for Masterton at 4.15 p.m. will, leavo To Aro at 3.55 p.m. Tlio train which arrives at Lambton from Masterton at 11.50 a.m. will'reach Te Aro at 12.7 p.nii Tho trnin which arrives at Lambton front Woodville at 7.20 p.m. will arrive at Te Aro ot 7.37 p.m. Two prisoners will como before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert .Stout) in tho Supreme Court to-morrow, to be sentenced for offences to which tliey have pleaded guilty in tho Lower Court. They aro Harold Ketterer, two charges of theft; and Thomas Dickson, theft and detaining postal packets.. Captain Barclay, secretary of the Wellington Branch of the Overseas Club, has been advised that Mr. Evelyn Wrench, the London organiser, will make Auckland his first placo of call in New Zealand, iu order thnt ho may see Lord Islington before his Excellency leaves tho Dominion. Mr. Wrench will arrive in Wellington next Wednesday. In a letter to Mr. Wrench, Sir Robert Baden-I'owell says:—"l must congratulate you on the very rapid and successful growth _of the Overseas Club throughout the Empire. It was evidently needed, and its value is evidently appreciated. I only hope that it will go on and do a great work for the Empire. It can do this if members are not content to sit still and tolk, ,but bestir themselves to do things; and I am glad to see that in tho best centres they are already doing active work. I am, of course, specially interested in the cases whore they have taken up boy scouts and sea scouts, and I believo Hint in_ this direction tho members have nn immense field for doing a great national work, and one which will bind the Empire together, through its rising generation, with a bond of personal touch, loyal spirit, and practical efficiency." A meeting of the executive of the Wellington Zoological Society was held last night. The Rev.. J. Crewes presided, and there was a good attendance. Arrangements wero made for a deputation to wait on the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Education, to lay before him certain matters considered to be of international importance arising out of an address recently delivered by Dr. Mitchell, secretary of the London Zoological Society, and matters mora of local interest. Mr; Alien will receive the deputation next Tuesday morning. A sub-committee was set tip to arrange competitions between artists and young: students in tho drawing and the planting- "of animals which have been presented to the Zoo.''The secretary was authorised to get two more flamingoes and to try to get beavers, scrub turkeys, brush turkeys, and bower birds. The society will also make inquiries about another brown bear and a chimpanzee. Tho assistant commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade (Mr. H. H. Seed) invites those interested in St. John ambulance work to witness a series of competitions in First Aid and Home Nursing at the Garrison Hall, Buckle Street, ,to r morrow afternoon.