LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1734, 26 April 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An excellent definition of tlie absence of hope or tho minimum of chanco was given in the Magistrate's Court yesterday during the hearing of the case of Hansen v. tho Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia. Mr. A. Blair, who appeared for Hansen, mado some remark respecting tho chances of tho decision of the Court going in a certain direction. Mr. O'Regan (counsel for the union): I supposo vou think I liavo "Buckley's chance." Mr. Blair (laughing): No, I think you liavo about tho sauio chance as a celluloid dog would have chasing nn asbestos cat through Hades. "I believe," said Mr. E. 11. Kirkcaldie, ono of tho counsel engaged in the Manaroa inquiry, last night, "that tho red light in Wio French Pass is the only red light which signifies safety. It is customary for red lights to signify danger." In a narrow, busy Wellington thoroughfare yesterday a sergeant of police and a constable stood wifcji stop watches, taking the speed of motor-cars and motor-cycles. Many passed iu tho fifteen minutes during which a Dominion reporter was looking on, and every ouo of them broke the speed regulations. "It has been suggested that a number of the members of tho 'ticket' nro interested in tho city leases. Is that the particular axe they have,to grind?" This Question was a surprise sprung on some •of tho municipal electors' "tickct" candidates at Newtown last night. Mr. Martin Luckie, speaking for himself and Mr, Buddie, said that they luid no idea of •assisting the. lessees' to have their rents rcduccd. Ho would endeavour, for his part, to seo that justice was done to tho city and to tho holders of the leases, and lie was not seeking election to tho council in order to act as the special pleader for the lessees. Ho would safeguard the interests of, the city in all quarters affecting tho leases, and ho would oppose tho claims of lessees if- tho interests of tho city required it. Rather a welcome finale to tho serious business which was transacted at tho monthly meeting of the Wellington Technical School Board last evening was a pleasant little supper, which was tendered, to tho members of the board and the press representatives by Miss Rennie, cookery instructress at the school, and her assistant students, after the meeting. Supper was dispensed in the cook-ery-room, and the night being chilly, tho hot sbup and other delicacies wero very ■much app"eciatod. ICdntlly criticism of a very complimentary naftfre fell from the lips of tho guests at the conclusion of tlio repast, and in responding to these flattering e'ulogia Miss Rennio expressed tlie hope that the occasion might to frequently repeated. Mr. E. A. Fullbrook, manager of the Municipal Fish Market, has resigned his position to tako up other work. His successor lias not yet been appointed, but it is possible that Mr. Aylward, tho former manager, may resume .the Tiosition. ! _ The monthly meeting of tho Wellington Technical School Board 1, was held last evening, there being present: Tho chairman (Mr. D. Robertson), and Messrs. J. E. Fitzgerald, G. Frost, and A. H. Field. Tho statement of finances disclos-. Ed a debit balunce of A r )l9 11s. 4d., as' against a debit of ,£l4B Bs. Bd. for the corresnonding period of 1012. As a per contra" there were submitted statements showing amounts due to tho board totalling £1731.

There i 9, according to bur travelling correspondent, who was recently through Iho Nelson Province, a particularly _ interesting relic in Dovediue, which might with advantage, if it can bo arranged, bo placed in tho Nelson Museum. This is tho musket which was the cause of the wellknown Wail-ail mussacre, lien" Blenheim. This is now in tho possession of a lady in Eovedale, whose father, Mr. Tyne'll, owned tho weapon. Most people who know anything about tho affair are well aware that tho discharge of tho gun was accidental, but of course t'he Maoris thought— and no doubt reasonably so—that the shot was intentionally maue. Anyway the cheif's daughter was killed. Immediately tho Natives turned on tho pakehas, and the dreadful massacre was perpetrated; and now tho gun which caused the mischief is hanging up ill a quiet farmhouse in Dovedale.

The Secretary of the local Wednesday Half-Holiday _Association (Mr. A. A. George) has received a letter from the secretary of the Auckland Association suggesting tlmt some scheme of co-operation should bo established by which those tradespeople throughout New Zealand who are interested in maintaining Saturday as an op'eu day may approach Parliament in or<ler to secure better protection than the law now affords them. It is suggested that they should iuako representations to have itlio law amended to provide that a larger number than 10 per cent, of tho voters should bo required to sign a requisition to havo a poll token, and possiblv that polls should not bo permitted at such frequent intervals as onoo in two years. It is expected that tho projcct will have the hearty support of those Wellington shopkeepers who now close on Wednesdays. It was stated during tho hearing of the civil action Hansen v. tho Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia, ' that tho union had o. credit balance of .£1550.

Tho Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laron) made a statement to a Dominion reporter yesterday' on tho subject of a city loan which Ims given . riso to somo controversy between his opponent for the Mayoralty (Mr. J. I\ Luke) and himself. Tho position wa«, Mr. M'Laron stated, that there was a city improvement loan of J!100,000 which hail to be mot and that the City Council had mado provision to pay off ,£25,000 of tho-amount next year. "As proving that my statement is correct,' said Mr. M'Laron, "the council passed a resolution in September, 1912 that arrangements bo made to pay off the <£25,000. This loan was raised in 1879 and lias to bo paid off in four instalments of .£25,000 at intervals of five years, starting in 1911. Tho first payment will bo made in September, 1914. Where _ Mr. Luke seems to have gone astray is in assuming that the final payment in 1929 was a repayment of the whole amount of the loan."

CAR ECONOMY AND THE BAYAJRD. A keen demand has arisen in lato years for a light, moderately-priced, coonomical small ear. Such a car fills tho requirements of tho commercial traveller, or of the motorist who, owning a big picaeuro car, requires a small, reliable, cheaprunning ear as n town runabout. The 8-]2 h.p. Clement Bayard is tho car that fille tho bill. Its price is .fiißS, inclusive of hood, wind shield, and llvo lamp 3. t It seats threo persons. Ha weight is llcwt,, and its nominal h.p. 12, practically a hundredweight to tho horse-power. Its petrol consumption is ono gallon to 40 miles; lubricating oil, ono gallon to 500 miles. Tyres to last 10,000, cost .£l7 2s. for four covers. Speed, 40 miles per hour on the flat. Hill-cfinibin(t ability: car can climb tho Puekakariki Hill on tho second gear at 15 miles an hour. It is built by A. Clement, Paris, tho celebrated French automobile engineer, and its running expenses, including allowance for depreciation, do not cxceed .£52 por annum. It can l)o had finished in either green, dark blue, or French grey, and wo can give delivery in fivo minutes. Adams Limited, Agents for Clement Bayard cars, Garngo, Tunm Street, Chrislehurch. Depots nt Wanganui and Pahncrotou North. Agents, Tourist Motor Co., Hastings.—Advt.