LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1622, 13 December 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Please excuse- mo from to-morrow'g parade, us I wish to attend a cricket match. Wishinp: the parado every success, I am, etc., wrote a snorting "terrier" to the military authorities.

All the- local Territorials aro to bo called out in connection with the official reception to bo accorded to tho new Governor, tho Earl of Liverpool, on Thursday next.

On Mr. Evelyn AVronch's return to Wellington early in January, it is proponed to have a "round tablo" conference of representatives of tho various sub-branches of the Overseas Club in New Zealand. At thai: conference the policy of the club will bo laid down as far as New Zealand 18 concerned. Mr. Wrench toured Canada early in tho present year, and established the club firmly in all tho centres. It is also proposed to hold a conference of representatives of all the patriotic clubs in Wellington, next month, when delegates from the Navy League, Overseas Club, Victoria League, and Imperial Service Club will attend to discuss affairs of moment to the Empire.

A resolution formulated by the oxecxitivo of the New Zealand. Typographical Federation, sitting; in Christchuroh, which recently obtained the first Dominion award under tho amended Act, reads:—"That the federation has ho confidence in the Arbitration Court as at present , constituted; further, affiliated unions aro invited to discuss the desirableness of talcing steps to lay their views before the Government, and to urge that the Act be so amended that only those immediately concerned in ,nny industry should settle conditions of labour." The Wasco Boards of Australia are suggested as a model.

The new tramway waiting station in tho Posit Office triangle has bean opened to the public, and Is proving a great convenience. The station includes a private room for ladies and children, a large open waiting room, with entrances on each side, and a private room where tramway employees may retire to eat their lunches or rest whilst waiting to go upon duty. The solid brick walls, rough cast embellishments, and heavy Marseilles tiled roof give the station an attractive appearance.

Dr. Cockayne made a suggestion at the meeting of the Summit Head Association, Canterbury, on Tuesday, which should have its appeal alike' to lovers of New Zealand trees, and to botanists who delight in experiments which are worth while (says the Christchuroh "Press"). Dr. Cockayne declared • that all . native trees wcro capable of growing from seed, and to his mind it would bo good if a smnll area of land were.set apart, fenced so as to be rabbit-proof,.and.then sprinkled with seeds of New Zealand trees. A somewhat similar experiment had been made successfully near Oamaru. The only danger was that the growth of imported grasses might be too strong, and the seedlings might be choked. It was worth trying, however, for the planting would be inexpensive, and the success would give a fine example of natural afforestation. Mr. H. G. EU, M.P., was pleased with the idea. Every sort of tree, lie said, could be grown upon the hills. But he asked that native trees alone should be sown, for once others were introduced, tlio whole lost its individuality, and-its value as a natural exhibit.

It was prophesied at a meeting of the Women's Branch of the Political Reform League in Chriatchurch on Tuesday evening that the next election was going to bo a keen and exciting one. Mr. D. Jones said that he had urged Mr. Massey that day to address a meeting in Christchuroh immediately. Mr. Massey had replied that from an electioneering point of view it would be very useful to have a meeting at the present time, but he had important Departmental work, which would tako him the next two months to get ahead of. Ho was not"prepared to sacrifice the work' of the country to take on electioneering. "I think all tho more of Mr. Massey for his decision," remarked Mr. Jones.

The Wellington 'Furniture Workers' Union held their annual meeting on Wednesday night. Mr. D. R. Kennedy presided. The annual Teport and balanceshcot were adopted. The report showed a net increase of membership of 74 members. An item on the balance-sheot indicated that ifiiO had been paid as sick allowance to members of the union. As regards labour it was stated that all hands were fully employed at present, but there was no outcry for more men, and it would be difficult to place fresh arrivals. The bnlanoe-sheet showed a cash balance of .£687 13s. Gd., thus proving an increase of d£so in the last six months. The following, officers were elected for tho ensuing year.—President, Mr. D. R. Kennedy; vice-presidenfc Mr. C 4. P. Aers; secretary, , Mr. D. Moriarty; treasurer, Herbert Smith; inanasing committee, Messrs. H. Thompson, F. Makin, J. A. Denne, H. Mortonson, and A. H. Cooper. The secretary (Mr. Moriarty) leaves early next week for Auckland where he will busv himself with the Furnisher ;Workers' dispute there. The Headquarters Staff of the New Zealand Defence Forces have sent out a memorandum to O.C. districts notifying them of a proposal to form an Army Motor Reserve. Briefly the proposal is as follows;— Any person owning a motor-car and ipshing to become an officer in the Motor Reserve will send in particulars as to his car to-the O.C. district, who, if ho accepts the offer, will grade the motorcar according to seating- capacity and power. Thus enrolled, the owner of tho car may be called up at any time to (lo duty with his car on manoeuvres or on' staff tours. He will be paid at the same rate as a Territorial officer and will be allowed so much for his car according; to its grade. In. time of war the owner will placo his car entirely at the disposal of his district commander. lieutenant Hoby, of H.M.S. Cambrian, writes:—ln. your report of tie Hon. James Allen's speech in this mornings issue of The Dominiox he is stated to have said: "Commander Ward had said that he was not coming back to . these waters, and that New Zealand was not again to look for British officers in these seas." With reference to this, Commander Ward wires as follows:—'"I stated my personal regret at the action of the Dominion, so to speak, fending for themselves, in that it would make it'more difficult for those who wished to do so to come out hero again, where we had been so hospitably received. Mr. Allen, in his speech later on; did take this speech to imply that New Zealand would see no more of British naval officers." Commander Ward desires me to request you to correct tliis misquotation of his speech by Mr. Allen in your next issue. The registration of the Otago Litlio--1 graphers' Union under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, has been cancelled. Permission has been granted to the Methodist Churches to hold an open-air service on the Basin Reserve on Sunday .afternoon, February 10, 1913, at 3 o'clock I in commemoration of thu union of' tho two churches.

Tholma Synions, a little child 10 months old, residing at Charlton Avenue, oft Tory Street, had the misfortune to upset a pot of boiling water over herself yesterday afternoon. Tho child, who was badly scalded on tho left leg: and foot, was conveyed to the Hospital, where she is doing as well as can be expected.

The City Council last night granted permission to hold performances on Christmas Day at the following theatres, subject to the programmes for such entertainments beinsr submitted to the Town Clerk for approval: Opera House, Theatre Royal, King 1 ? Theatre, %Star Theatre, St. Thomas's Picture Theatre, New Theatre, Shortts' Theatre, People's Picture Palaco, and tho Ifmpress Theatre.

The Early Settlers' and Historical Association lias been granted the uso of Newtown Park on Anniversary Day, January 22, 1913, with permission to take up, a voluntary collection.

Tho Wellington Oifcy Council last night referred back to the Reserves Committee a proposal that the Wellington Zoological Sooiety lie granted permission to take up a collection at tho gates of Newtown Park on the first Sunday of each month or tho first fino Sunday following, tho funds to 1m devoted to tho purchase of animals for presentation to the Zoo and to advertising the band concerts.

Councillor Fuller thinks that tram passengers ought not to bo compelled to pay double faro on Christmas Day, and last night at the meeting of the City Council he moved that the resolution previously passed by tho council empowered the Tramways Department to collect double fares bo rescinded. He supported his own proposal vehemently, but it was late, and a sparse council could not be fired with any enthusiasm about it. When the motion was first put to the meeting, Councillor Fuller was so eager to voto quickly that he voted wrongly, and he was given a second opportunity. He was tho only councillor to support tho motion. Another motion in his name: "That sufficient oars bo provided on Christmas Day to cope with the anticipated traffic, and to minimise overcrowding," was ruled out of order. "That tho council decline to grant permits to sell fruit, aerated and mineral waters on the Lyall Bay Beach on account of the danger from broken bottles."—This was a recommendation of the Reserves Committee at last nighfs meeting of the City Council. Tho recommendation met with considerable opposition, and after discussion it was decided to exciso the. word "fruit." An amendment by Councillor Fuller to refer the. clause back was lost by seven votes to nine. The Governor has approved of the formation of an honorary reserve corps, entitled the King's Empire Veterans, -with headquarters at Auckland.

Official notification of tho acceptance of the services of the Wellington Old Navals Defence Rifle Club appears in this week 3 Gazette.

Tho formation of a coast defence detachment at Lyttclton, consisting of four infantry companies of the First (Cauterburv) Regiment, with headquarters at Lyttelton, is gazetted. Tho establishment will consist of one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, throe captains, four lieutenants, and two second lieutenants.