LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1677, 18 February 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The street-tarring operations for the year commenced last wqok. Thanks to tho patent tarring machine, littld time is wasted in getting over,the ground, and already, Feathcrston, Victoria, and Wakefield' Streets and Clyde Quay have been treated to a liberal coat of tar and sand. Where the traffic is not too heavy, this surface holds good for eight or nine months, and is an effective aid in checking the dust nuisance.

The somewhat dingy interior of the. Town Hall is being freshened by a coat of white paint. It is simply astonishing how plain white plastered walls retain the dust and assimilate dirt, not only in places within the publio reach, but hiffhi up near tho ceiling. The walls of tho Concert Chamber, which were white originally, have long since changed to a. verv feeble imitation of that colour.. This hall would look more cosy and comfortable'if tlie walls were picked out in warm colours, which would wear considerably longer than tho white paint. At a meeting of the Typographical Union on Saturday evening, called to consider tho advisability of appointing delegates to the Labour Conference which is to be held in July, it was decided by 30 votes to 17, to take no action in-.the matter. The new State coal-mine at. Point Elizabeth is expected to reach an output stage next month. When it is in full working order tho mino will'yield two thousand tons per day, jbut this volume of output will not bo ajtnined for some time. The employees of James. Smith, Ltd., Cuba Street, will hold their annual-picnic to-morrow at Trentham racecourse. Nearly a hundred assistants and their friends will leave by special train at midday. An interesting addition to tho growing Zoo family was made on Sunday,, in the arrival of two cubs, given birth to by the lioness lent tho City Council by Messrs. Wirth Bros., pf circus fame. la order to ensure the most favourable conditions and to prevent crowds gathering round tho den and exciting the proud mother, tho cage has been enclosed with corrugated iron. It is considered more advisable than ever now to secure possession of the lioness, which is under offer to the citv for the sum of .£IOO. Towards that' amount Councillor Frost (chairman of the Kesorves Committee) has already collected .£'lo, and hopes to secure tho rest within the next week or two.

Telegrams received in Auckland from Duuedin indicate that tho Otago Province will bo represented by a court at the forthcoming Auckland.Exhibition. Christchurch will have one, also. South Canterbury (including Ashburtdn), Wellington, Manawatu, Taranaki, Waikato (incfiOmg Tauranga,' Opotiki, and the north of Auckland), Whiingarei, and Cnrgaville. Altogether tho district?' court will cccupy about 20,000 feet of spaco.

A big South Pole Disaster Carnival, in aid of tho fund for the benefit of the widows and dependents of thoße who fell with Captain Scott, ia to be held in Lancaster Park, Christcburch, on Monday next. Tho members of the New Comio Opera Company are to assist.

Two children, Zeta and Raymond Hatton, both aged seven, were attacked by a snake recently when crossing a creek on their way honie from Hillside School to Mundooran (N.S.W.). Tho previous night's rain had caused the creek to carry o greater body of water than usual, and this prevented the children from crossing at the usual place. Accompanied by four others, thoy attempted to negotiate a crossing near home. As they were about to do so the children were attacked by a snake of the grey, variety, which struck viciously at their legs. Three wounds were inflicted on the. little girltwo on tho right and ono on the left leg. The boy was also bitten on the left leg übpve the knee. Fortunately, tho children were near their home, and after tho usual precautions were taken medical aid was sought.' Tho children were recovering, according to latest information.

A man was arrested by Detectives Lewis and Audrews yesterday on a charge of breaking and'entering the house of Frank Shannon at Island Bay, and stealing a five-shilling piece and a sum of £&.i The prisoner will bo brought before tho Magisi trate's Court to-day.'

Mr. Riosop, signalman at Manukau Heads, is under instruction to transfer to.Portland Island, as principal liffflt-house-keeper there. Recently tho Shipmasters' Association of Auckland and others asked the Marine Department to reconsider its decision, on account of Mr. Kiesop's long and varied experience at Manukqu Heads, it being contended that his knowledge of the bar was of essential banefit to mariners working the port. Tho Marine Department has replied stating that the request cannot be acceded to, and consequently Mr. Champion, principal keeper at Portland Light, transfers to the position of signalman at Manukan Heads. It is stated that Mr. Champion has had considerable seafaring experience, and also that he has a good knowledge of Manukau Heads, having been stationed for two years at that place. . There are 113 assisted immigrants on beard R.M.S. Arawa, which is due at Wellington from London this morning. Of tho number stated 81 are adults, and 82 are children. The High Commissioner in London nominated 48, adults and 5 children, and 35 adults and 27 children were nominated by relatives in New Zealand. Included among the "ossisteds' are

26 domestic servants, who are coming: out in charge of a matron'. There _ are M' wives who are coming but to rejoin their husbands. The majority of the assisted immigrants are farmers ' and farm labourers.- :!'.'■'

In addition to matters appearing under Law Keports, the following cases were also dealt with at the Magistrate's Court yesterday;—Adolph O'Berahowsky, for nV scnting himself without leave from the s.s. Clan Ogilvie, H days'imprisonment. John Murphy and William Kelly, indecency, JES each. Elizabeth Lindsay.Murphy, insobriety, if}>. or eovcn days'.' imprisonment. John Jame3 Thomas, disobeying a maintenance order, £1 Is. costs, .or W days' imprisonment. I '