LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1741, 5 May 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

\Advico Received by the postal nutliomtios states that the Moheno, which arrived at Auckland from Sydney at 1.30 p.m. yesterday, brings Australian and English mails. Tho Wellington portion of these mails will nrrivo- here by tlio Slain Trunk express this aftcrndoil. The Postal authorities adviso that the Aorangi, which sailed from San Francisco Oil April 30, has on board mails from America and the United Kingdom. She is due to reach Wellington on May The "southerly" continued to blow- in force yesterday, and officers of vessels arriving in port yesterday, reported that there was _ still a heavy sea running in Cook Strait. The Pateena had a rough trip across the strait from Pieton, taking about 55 hours for ' tho run. The West Coast packet Mapourika, which arrived on Saturday night, ato met with .bad weather. Tho ferry strainer Mnraroa, which left port at 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, did not arrive in Lyttelton until about 5 p.m. yesterday. On Saturday evening the collier Kaitangata made an attempt to leave port, was was only ablo to reach tho entrance, the rougher water outsido turning her back. Sho camo, back to the stream at alwut G. 30 p.m. yesterday morning. Another attempt was "made by her captain to leave for Westport, but tho conditions were again bad, and the vessel returned to her anchorage in the stream at noon yesterday. Forty-tlireo years ago the Hon. W. Fraser niado his first visit to Grcymouth —landing and leaving the same day. About twelve years ago ho made a second trip as member of tho Midland Railway Commission, while his third trip was niado last week to inspect tho State Coal Mines. Teuders havo : been received by tho Government for the installation of automatic telephone equipments in Auckland, Wellington, Blenheim, Hamilton, Masterton, and Oamaru. As theso tenders aro of a highly technical character, and could not liavo been dealt with in the ordinary way by the Tenders Board, that body has had associated with it in connection with tho consideration of tho automatic telephone temlfers, Messrs. J. (Irehiston (Chief Telegraph Engineer) and T. Buckley (Chief Electrician), of the Post and Telegraph Department. No particulars regarding the tenders aro yet available, but it is understood that the American iirm which vends the Strowgor system and tho Western Electric Company of England have both tendered. . Judgment will be delivered this morning ill a case staled for the opinion of the Supreme Court by the Nativo Appellate Court, under Section 50 of the Nativo Land Court Act, 1000. Tho case concerns u block of Native land known as Mangatainoka 1 B.C. No. 2. The hearing took place in October last before a Full Bench. A Court of Appeal judgment will also be delivered this morning in the case in which the Hound Hill Mining Company, Ltd., nVc appellants, and tho Ourawora Gold Mining Co., Ltd., respondents.

Somo demonstration was made at tho Auckland railway station when Constable .Smyth (who has been transferred to lireymoutli as a consequpnco ol' his activity iii connection with tho nowly-lurme'd Police Association) left Uio city. A dozen constables gatuered on tho platlorm. Presently they tunned a ring round Hie departing constable, t.«ng "For tie's a .tony Good l-'i-110-.v," and cheeml him lustily. When he, get aboard tho train t'hey cheercd him again, and sang "Auld Lang JSyne." As the train drew out, the asseaiir.ed constables gavo cheers for "tho association." Prior to liis departure, Conit a hie Smyth was llict by a largo gathering ol members of tho lorcc, A presentation of a silver-mounted umbrella and a caso of pipes was made to him. The members ol Hie force win arc most active in Auckland in the movement lor better conditions slate that the men in the Auckland police district arc being steadily -organised. Forms of application lor membership are being distributed, and a large number have already been returned by men who are now enrolled as members ci the association. The oliico vacated by the transfer of Constable Smyth has been tilled by the appointment of a new -secretary, who has been given ail assistant. The committee of the association met last week and received information that virtually every constable, married and single, in the Danedin police distri:t luid joiu'sd a branch of the association there. A promise has been received that in the event of any "trouble" in Auckland, tho men now stationed in Wellington will decline to bo transferred there. ' Tho committee is in communication with the Police Association ill Sydney with a view to obtaining information, regarding its organisation. A "Herald" representative was informed that the committee has deoided to comnninicato a statement of its aims and intentions to the public, and that this will be dono in. a few days.

The first rehearsal of the Royal Wellington Choral Society, under tho baton of Air, Christian Hellemann, took place on Friday evening at St. John's schoolroom, "Elijah" was thu work undertaken, and though tho weather was almost as bad as it could be, there was n good attendance. Air, Hellemann demonstrated at onco that he was used to handling big bodies of voices, and while .he has a particularly happy manner in explaining what he requires, he is firm in exacting his points in interpretation, and in getting out of tho choir a good, responsive effort. It is understood that "Elijah" will bo sling in conjunctioli with "The Creation" at a festival .which is to be held in August. In answer to the request for another recount by llr. William Hobbs (who tied with Mr. H. Preston for the last seat on the Eastbouftro' jJorough Council, and lost it in the. drawing of lots), the borough clerk (Jlr. J. 1). Avery) -has replied declining to proceed further in tho matter. Acting on legal advice, Jlr. Avery lias informed Mr. Hobbs that lie has done all that is demanded' of ham by statute, and that if another recount is desired, Mr. Hobbs may proceed by way of application to the stipendiary magistrate. . On Wednesday last tho Devonport (Auckland) Borouglr Council took a poll on the advisability of installing olcctric light, either by private contract or by tho Borough Council. Tile result was as follows:—l:i favour of private .'contract, 5G2; in favour of municipalisation, 413. Oakland sees San Francisco's announcement of two now tall buildings and raises us ono skyscraper. That will keep us studying our hand for n few minutes. —"San Francisco Call." Free cookery demonstrations are to be given by Miss Carter at the Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, An Tuesday and Wednesday next. Mi6s Carter is a medallist in cookery, and comes with 1 tho reputation of being especially proficient in imparting instruction. Alter tho demonstrations she intends to form classes for advanced and plain cooking. Tho members of the new borough councils in the vicinity of Wellington will make tho usual statutory declarations at meetings to bo held 011 Wednesday next. MoSt of tho 'meetings liayo been fixed for noon.

At 5.37 on Saturday afternoon the City Firo Brigado was called to Messrs. Burke' and Co/s wool store, at Thomdon. ■ A good deal of damage was done to wool and hemp before. the outbreak was. suppressed, but the amount of the damage has not yet been assessed. Tho oontcnts of tho building were insured. Meteorology for April: Tho total rainfall in Wellington city last month was 2.82 inches. There wero H days with rain, the heaviest rain falling on April 13 (I.2Giu.). In April last year tho fall was 1.02 inches, and the averago for (lie' corresponding months of the last nino years was 3.21 inches. A farmer at ltewa, in tho Oroua County, who was formerly a resideut in tho Palmerslon North district, is reported to have received a legacy of four millions.—"Manawatu Standard."