LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1693, 8 March 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Settled <alm has now succeeded to tlii ngitation in maritime circles, which was caused by the dispute between the Uniou Company and its marine.engineers. 'J'bc* agreement arrived at on Thursday has not yet been registered, but it will be shortly. / The parties are at present engaged in dealing witli the formal details leading up to registration. Sir Jas. Hills was interviewed yesterday,' but declined to supplement what has been already said about the agreement. Asked whether tho concessions _ to the_ engineers would have any effect in the immediate future upon fares 'and freights, he said that ho had not y<jt had time to consider tho mitter; nothing has yet been done in connection with the demands of the coastwise • engineers for better wages and conditions.

A start tvill lie made next week to connect up the old 24-inch main from tho \\ amui reservoir, with the new length of pipes which have been laid across the now pipe bridge at tho Hutt. The pi]>c3 have been laid across tho bridge for some' time, but the new length, including the section which is to connect the now pipes with the old ones at a point on the stopbank to (he west of the bridge, has to bo laid and the junction made, with the old main. Another work yet to be done in connection with tho old main is to raise the pipes about 4ft. at the Waiwetu bridge. Still another alteration to be made in connection with the old main is at that point whero it traverses tho bed of the Korolcoro Stream precisely where the railway lino crosses. In view of the possibility of a mishap qt that point, ithas been decided to place the pipes on a concrete way already constructed, which bridges' tho stream a little to seaward of the railway line. Tho main also passes beneath the bed of the Neahauranga and Kaiwarra streams, but in those places it is not thought necessary to interfere with it.

A special meeting of the City Council is to bo held on Wednesday next c t 8 p.m. to clear the order paper pf all business not dealt with at Thursday's meeting.' On March 18 the Hon. W. H. Hcrries (Minister for Railways) will open a recently-completed section of the North Auckland railway, extending from Te liana to Kaiwaka. Sir Jas. Mills, managing director cf the Union Steam Ship Company, ivaa questioned yesterday regarding the new regulations which are to be issued by tho Marino Department, requiring the installation of wireless apparatus on intercolonial and ferry passenger steamers. Sir Jas. Mills had little more to say on the subject than that the regulations, when they appeared, would lie complied with by his company. The intercolonial passenger steamers, he remarked, were already equipped with'wireless. As tho ferry steamers, tho installation seemed scarcely necessary, as three-propeller boats were engaged in this service, and tho runs were short. Asked whether the Union Company might not forestall the projected regulations by immediately equipping the ferry steamers, Sir Jus. Mills replied in tho negative. It took some time, he added in explanation, to obtain wireless plant.

April 22 has been decided upon as the date of the conceit performance of Bizet's opera, "Carmen," by tho Wellington lioyal Choral Society.

THE "TRIUMPH"' STILL ON TOP. The Christchurch-Kaikoura-and-back record still stands to the .credit of Mr G. B. Brown and his full roadster "Tri" umpli," and the new record mndo last Thursday has been buried almost as soon as it was bora under the crushing weight of two hours and twenty-ono minutes The principal features of Mr. G. b' Brown's great ride on Saturday' have been given full publicity. On Bth" February he rode alone. Some capital wns made out of the fact that on a previous occasion lie was accompanied by anolher rider, and, though the precedent Ihus set' has been followed in the subsequent attempts upon the record by riders of machines other than tlio "Triumph," MiBrown decided to demonslrato his faith in "Triumph" reliability by riding alone He rode the same full roadster threespeed "Triumph" as lie rode when he established tho record on January 17. Tlio onlv difference in the conditions was that lie knew the road. It must be remembered that this Cliristchurcli-lCaikoura ride was suggested by "Triumph" competitors presumably as n course ,on which their machines had a tetter chjmeo against the "Triumph" than any other. The course evidently does suit their machine—when tlioir machine is going well—but it quito as evidently suits the "Triumph" just as well, and a great deal better. So the result of this little sporting controversy has been to establish tho "Triumph" as the l>est "cross-country" motor-cycle, as well as tho best sneed machine, tho best machine for reliability, and the best for hill-climbing. Tho latest "Triumphs" are now to hand; prices: fixed engine. .£7oi free engine. £80; three-speed, ,£Si Ills. Adams, Limited.. Cliristclnireli. Branches, AYanganui. I'almerston Xorlii. Agents. Sutherland and Rankine. Wellington, and Tourist Motor Co.. Hastings.— S/lvt.

In discussing the matriculation examinations on Tuesday last, wo stated that a compulsory science paper was a recent innovation about which the haziest; ideas prevailed. Tho syllabus now to hand set.s out the position as follows:— A candidate may present six from the above list of subjects for examination, and shall be required, to pass in live as follow:—(1) English, (11) elementary mathematics, (3) Latin or Greek', or German, (4) except in llio case of a candidate who passes in Latin or Greek, que of the iollowing subjects: Physical science, natural science, agricultural science, to) ono or two other subjects to bo selected from those not already taken, provided that in any caso only ono of tho subjects, physical science,- natural science, agricultural science, bo selected." It will thus be seen that a candidate who .passes in 'Latin or Greek is not' compelled to pass in science to succeed. A Chrislchurch reporter mentioned to Lieutenant Gran, of the British Antarctic expedition, that it had been rumoured that lie intended to lead ail expedition to the Antarctic in about three years' time, the object of the expedition being to gaiii further scientific knowledge. 'Lieutenant' Gran smiled, and remarked that ho thought it was too early vet to sav anything about t'ho matter. He did not deny that, tho thought was in his mind, 5.-,% ? ul >jcct by remarking that Nothing definite has been fixed vet. It is o long time off,"—Press Association. -V Clark, lion, secretary of tho Wellington Homing Pigeon Society, writes :-'ln reference to the paragraph ] i ." .'^y s Hojuxion in reference to ho'nipg pigeons that' landed on the Jvunlnno on _ her'homeward vovogo in November last, it may interest your readers to know that the birds were competing in a race from Duuedin to Wellington nnd were liberated at 4 a.m. on the day on, Inch they landed on the boat. In tins race a large numlrer of birds wero lost, and it Is probable that the two mentioned above wero tho survivors of a batch that took tho wrong course." Tho Public Trust Office safe deposit business is one that is steadily increasing. Up till tho present SG boxes luxf ouiid clients and from to-day another Ml boxes will be available to tho ptiljiic tho annual charge for which will vange from .£1 to .£2, according to the size of the- box. riie little steel boxes, which range in size from six to twelve inches, door measurement, and are over two l'e"t deep, are absolutely lire, rat, and burghu proof, and are ideal for a person wishing to store jewellery, valuable papers, i.r /even money, anil are a particularly handy safe deposit for anyone leaving the citv tor a time.

The Union liner Maunganui, which left Wellington for Sydney at 5.25 p.m. yesterday was a very full ship as far as'her passenger accommodation was concerned. She took away over 500 passengers, ninny of whom intended proceeding to London by liners sailing from Sydney. Tho resolutions passed by tho recent conference of fire boards at'Christclmrch .wero formally -presented yesterday to the Hon. H. D. Bell (Minister for Internal Affairs). A small boy came up before Mr. Kiddell, S.'M., at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday for failing to comply with tho Defence. regulations. ' "How old are youf" said his' Worship. "Fourteen, Sir," said the boy. "Very well, leave the Court as quickly as possible," rejoined liis Worship.

Prom a reliable authority it is gathered that the sawinilling trade at the Main Trunk mills is very dull at tho present time; in lact, it has not been so quiet for somo years. Trade with Australia, which is usually fairly brisk, is at a standstill, few orders being received from that waiter at the present time.—Auckland "Star."

A leakage'of electrio current at Alexandria on February 26 caused some extraordinary happenings (reports tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). The steel snots of a horse drawing a lorry, driven by George Lacey, wero magnetised. Tl;o animal leapt into the air and collapsed lifeless on the roadway. Tho driver, not knowing the cause, jumped from the lorry and received a shock. A large crowd gathered, and 1 two"or threo"dogs were also "shocked." Shortly before this incident another man drove past the spot in a cart. His horse, receiving a slight shock, bolted, and narrowly missed collision with a tranicar and a vcran-Jah post.

A widow appeared before Mr. C: C. Kettle, S.M., at the Auckland Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning to answer an 'application for judgment summonses. She surprised tlio Court by mentioning that she had seventeen children, of whom fourteen were living, four of whom were married. One daughter sent lier per month, and two daughters earned about 30s. per week. Out of that she had still to maintain nino children. After hearing the statement the lawyer said he could not think of asking for an order.

In connection with the Easter Carnival, it lias besn arranged that tlio following bands will play, selections at Newtown Park on Sunday afternoon, March 23:— Tramways, Waterside .Workers, sth Regiment* Pipe, Jupp's, and City. The order of playing was determined by ballot.

■ During the eight , days which the Minister for Customs (the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) has been in Auckland (says the Auckland "Herald" of Thursday) he lias received no fewer than 42 deputations, the majority of which related to the revision of the Customs tariff, which he proposes to make next session. Ho has visited 31 factories in order to gain personal ■ information of ttye industrial enterprises of the city. Speaking to a "Herald" representative, Mr. Fisher said that he had spent the whole of one day in investigating the project for the construction of canals between the Waitemata and the M,muknu, not with a view to any action being taken by the Government, but becauso ho considered the head of tlio Marine Department should be acquainted with important projects contemplated by such leading loch bodies as the Auckland Harbour Board.

Tlio origin of,the Auckland University College was described by Mr. W. J. Napier, at the gathering in honour of Sir Maurice O'Borke, on Wednesday. He said that some 30 years ago, Sir Maurice O'Korke called upon him at his lodgings at eleven o'clock at night, and nsked him to get ten young men to meet Sir Frederick Whitakor, at seven o'clock next .morning. He .undertook to do this, .and next morning the party met the Prime Minister in one of the rooms attached to tlio Supreme Court. They were introduced as young men desiring to secure higher education, but handicapped by the lack of means, for the fulfilment of their purpose. Persuaded by tjie eloquenco of Sir Maurico O'Korke, and the representations of the others, all of whom except ono ore still alive, Sir Frederick Whitaker undertook .to place from the unauthorised expenditure account to the credit of himself (Sir Frederick Whitaker) and Sir Maurice O'Borke, for higher education. Professors Walker and Tucker were cabled for, and in that way the Auckland College was brought into being.

A very successful social was hold in tile Y.M.C.A. Boys' Department last niglit. About CO boys were present. Mr. Lawrence occupied the chair, and Mr. Dimant told a few stories about the making of Christian boys. Mr. Mabin and Mr. Baker and staff looltcd after the tea. Many boys are expected to be at the camp at Easter at Waikanac, where every care will be taken to look after the boys. The People's Service of the Central Mission will be held to-morrow evening the New 'Theatre, Manners Street. The Rev. E. 0. Blamires will spnak 011 "Tlio Man Who Fell." Mr. T. C. Newton will be the soloist Announcements of to-morrow's Church srrviccs will bD found on Page 1 of this issue.