LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1605, 23 November 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities advise that the s.s. Victoria, which sailed from Sydney at 3 p.m. on tho 20th instant for Auckland, lias on board an Australian mail. The Wellington portion is due to arrive hore by Main Trunk on Monday next, the 25th instant. A meeting of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society- was hold on Thursday at 5 p.m. in Sir Robert Stout's room, Supreme Court Chambers. There were present: Sir Robert Stout (who presided), Miss H. R. Richmond, Dr. M'Artlr.ir, S.M., Messrs. E. Arnold, nnd B. Cnnnings. Apologies were received from Messrs. W. J. Kellow and T. S. Lambert. The report showed that the meetings of tho Executive Committee in Dr. M'Arthur's room, was of great use, for each case had the fullest investigation before relief was given; also full particulars of each 'prisoner's financial position when he is released are obtained. Tho members discussed tho indeterminate sentence of various prisoners, and its great good lo the community as a whole. Sir Robert Stout gave aii expression of opinion that at some future date the American principle of prison work would be adopted, so that prisfin labour would pay for its own maintenance. During October tho following ex-prisoners were helpedNino men, 1C bods and 10 meals; three men, fares to places to work; two men, cash given; two men, freights; one man, advertisement. "New Zoaland_ apples, for quality, will easily hold their own in competition," remarked Mr. A. -M'Kee, a Nelson 'fruitgrower, in tho course of an interview yesterday. "It is not generally known that in 1901 at Mobart, in 1907 at Brisbane, and this year at Melbourne, New Zealand apples were awarded pride of place." Heard at tho competitions—Mother of competitor, to tho judge: "What do you think of my daughter's oxecution?" The judge: "I think it's an excellent ideal" Counsel will be numerous in tho case I of tho King v. tho Merchants' Association of Now Zealand, which is to be com: menced in tho Supreme Court oil Monday before Iho Chief Justice. This is the first claim for a penalty under the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910. Tho At-torney-General- (the Hon. A. Tj. Herdman), witli Sir John Findlay, K.C., nnd Mr.'H. H. Ostler, will conduct the caso for the Crown. Tho Wonganui City Band bazaar is .6X£ected to shovr a net profit of .£6OO.

Tho Salvation Army City Band will (weather permitting) plav in tho Public Hospital grounds on Sunuay afternoon, at 2.-15 o'clock. Tho collection will lie in aid of tho hospital funds. A lad of seventeen years, John Neil, a plumber's assistant, fell from tho roof of u houso nt Island Bay yesterday, and broko ono of his legs. The ceremony in connection with tho openinjj of the new qhief post office by tho Prime Minister (Hon. W. I!\ Massey) on Wednesday afternoon, was attended by from 8000 to 10,001} people. By tho timo the ceremony was commenced, Queen Street, from Customs Street to Quay Street, wii/j densely packed, except for a opace specially oleuri-d in front of a largo platform - which had been erected in front of the building, over tho footpath. Poles set on the front of the dais served to supply festoons of flags, and bunting was ilown also on lines stretched across Queen Street, while flags flew from poles on the building 'itself. The scene was a most imposing one, for the wide street, densely packed with enthusiastic people, clearly indicated the great interesttlie public take in such functions. By the time tho speeches began tho crowd was so dense that it was in many places difficult for anyone to move. The hugo audience was very orderly, and the speakers, especiallv tho Prime Minister, received very cordial - receptions.—Auckland "Herald." It is twelvo montlis since the Wellington City Men's Brotherhood undertook the support of a sister to work among the sick and needy, and tho firet anniversary of tho enterprise will be oelebrated on Sunday. The Itov. Henry Howard, of Adelaide, will speak at a pleasant Sunday afternoon demonstration in the New Thentro, at which Sir I(o!>crt Stout will occupy the chair. Tho programme will lie supplied by prominent competitors in the New Zealand competitions, Miss Betty Purdom anil Master Pankhurst. Morning and evening services will also celebrate the anniversary. Edwards, Charles Henir, storekeeper, Kilbirnie South, has iiled a petition in' bankruptcy. A .meeting of the creditors in this est.ite will be held at the Official Assignee's office on December 3, at 11 a.m. Referring to a caso heard in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, Mr. G. H. Blackwell, chairman of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, told a "Star" reportor that- the company had imported hundreds, of girls, and there had been very few lapses. Latterly, it had employed no agents, ono of its own staff engaging the labour in England. However, the directors had decided to cease the importation of labour altogether. The difficulty was that the company was unable to secure hands in Now Zealand, and had had to close the order books because of the shortage of labour. It was a question whether it would not have to develop, the importing side of the business and sacrifice the manufacturing. The girl concerned in the case referred to is being sent back to England at the company's expense. A fortunate person, who was in tho happy position of "never being, without a pound in his -pocket," made his appearanoo in tho witness-box nt tho Auckland Supreme Court on. Wednesday. He was quite a yonng man, and stated, in Teply to the Crown Prosecutor, the-Hon.. J. A. Tolo, K.C., that ho had never been in want of money, and bad never been without <£1 in his pocket. "You lire better off than most of us, then," said Mr. Tole. "I hopo you will' always have it in your pocket." "Perhaps yoni always back tho right horse," smilingly interpolated his Honour, and witness, amidst laughter, responded that "tho races did not owe him anything."'