LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Although it .stands prorogued at tlio moment ouly tilt Juno 5, Parliament will probably meet for the dispatch of bu.:iuo;s on Thursday, Juno 20. In tho course of an interview by an Auckland "Herald" representative at the beginning of the week, the Prime Minister said he had seen reported a remark by Sir Arthur Guinness, whom ho must regard as a quite impartial critic, as follows "All tho Ministers had entered Parliament since ho had, and he was convinced that they were conscientious, and determined lo do their duty without fear or favour." Two little girls, named Doris Anslow, 15 years of age, and Elsie Tonifrey, 10 years, both residing atKoro-Kr.ro, had an unpleasant experience on Monday evening (.-ays our Pclono correspondent). They had come from town bv the (i o'clock train, and alighted at Petoue. As a short rent ■ to lheir homes, they went along the .Domain track, which is overhung by bush, and in places very dark. After proceeding some distance, a man sprang out and caught hold of one of tho girls. She screamed, but her friend pluckily rushed to her assistance, and struck the assailant over the head with a. tin of treacle which she was carrying, The onslaught was too jiriwli for the man and he made off. Tho matter has been reported to the police. •In connection with the conference between representatives of the Ship Owners' Federation and the "Wellington Waterside Workers' Union regarding the hours stipulated by the latter for engaging labour, it is understood that t.h shipowners are agreeable lo the hours fixed, if they can get tho concession of an extra hour on Saturday morning. ? iiual settlement is likdv to take place to-day. _ The illumination of Davonport in honour of the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand commanded general admiration in Au.;klast last week, according to the "Herald." A seemingly continuous, undulating line of light, stretching from Stanley Point to Magazine Point—a distance of over a mile—nightly outlined the contour of the suburban waterfront. The effect wns obtained by placing torches in drain pipes a few feet apart. Above the line of light, apparently suspended iir mid-air, were rows upon rows of twinkling lights. This effect was obtained by placing over 000 torches on tho summit of Mount Victoria. Tho Devonport Borough Council (tho "Herald" stoles) is using about (100 torches in its schcmo of illumination. Mr. David M. Davis gratuitously illuminated the fuebell tower with electric light, installing a temporary plant for that purpose. ■ The oJiic-f returning oflicer (Mr. J. Ames) is of opinion that tho plan of tho ballot paper for municipal elections would be considerably improved if the spaco for the cross were placed before names of tho candidates, instead of nt the extreme end of the line, opposite the names. Proof that mistakes can, and do, occur owing to the distance of the space for tho cross from the names wasi given in . a rather curious fashion. It has been Mr. Ames's duty during the past week to return tho deposits paid by candidates, and to obtain a receipt ho used one of the ballot papers printed in connection with last week's elections. In two cases tho candidatc-s signed tb?ir names in the cross spaces opposite tho names of other candidates, evidencing iho senso of alignment is not accurately developed even in candidates for a local body.

Yesterday the Supreme Court offices were closed. Tho holiday was the'anniversary of the day on which his Majesty, King George V ascended the throne. 1 Three inon were arrested by Lambtou Quay detectives yesterday on charges of theft. Detective Mason apprehended a man on a charge of tho theft of a pair of boots belonging to, "William Henderson; and Detectives Hawle and Cameron arrested two men on charges of their having stolen 1" shirts belonging to Mr. W. 11. Gooday, mercer, Courtonay Place, and on overcoat from Messrs. Yeitch and Allan's shop in Cuba Street. Mr. A. ,H. Hindhiarsh, M.P., intends, lo 'submit a Bill to Parliament next session to prevent K.C.'s from practising as solicitors. As things now stand, a K.C., except when acting for the Crown, is.not permitted lo appear in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal unless a junior counsel from outsido his own office appears' with him. In addition to this, King's Counsel are not allowed to appear iii any inferior court unless -upon special retainer, carrying n fee of at least ten guineas. Mr. Ttindmnrfh desires to establish the samo conditions here, as obtain in England, where the work of barristers is distinctly divided from that of solicitors. Tho council of the Auckland branch of the Law Society has intimated that it cannot support Mr. Hindnlarsh's proposal. It is stated that a meeting of lawyers practising in Wellington is to L-e held this evening to consider tho proposed Bill. The first meeting of the Charitable Aid Committee of tho newly-elected Hospital Board for the Wellington district was held yesterday, when there were present: Mrs. D. M'Laren, Miss Richmond, the Rev. W. A. Evans, the Rev. J. K. Elliott, and Messrs. G. J. Petherick, D. Canipboll, and P. Castle. On tho motion of Mr. Castle, seconded by tho Rev. J. K. Elliott, Miss Richmond was unanimously elected to the position of cliairI woman. In order to afford all members of tho committee some practical experience of the administration of indoor and outdoor relief, it was decided that the committee should divide, one-half lo conduct' the relief work for ono month, and the other half for the next month, and so on in rotation. Some routine business was then transacted, and several applications for relief were dealt with. At a meeting of the Halaitai Ratepayers' Association held on Monday evening several assessment notices were produced, tlieso showing increases on the capital value of properties amounting in many cases from 25 per cent, to 40 per cent,, which was viewed with evident satisfaction by those present. Mr. John Caugluey,, M.A., ex-prcsident of the Educational lUstituto of Now Zealand. is lo deliver au address on tho Eible-in-schaols' question in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Friday evening. The meeting is open to all free of charge, and questions are invited. Mr. Caughley will deal with tho question chiefly from the teachers' point ot view, and the address should therefore be of special interest to all who are connected with the educational profes;-ien.

A remit in the following terms dealing with administrating Government Departments will be submitted to the Auckland Provincial Conference of tho New Zealand .Farmers' Union-.—"That (his union viows with grave concern a tendency on the part of various Government Departments lo place :he interests of the Department before the interests of the public, a lut would urge the Govonuuont to establish some system whereby the different Departments in their relations with each other would be controlled, ami any disturbance in Departmental finance equitably adjusted whero necessary, so that there would be no obstacle to their co-operation in tho interests of the general public." The iirst meeting of the Hospital Committee of tho Wellington Hospital and Chant-able' Aid Board will be held at Iho hospital at 2.80 p.m. to-morrow. The business will ineliy.le the election of a o.lmrman. the House Committee and .the. Otaki Committee. CAR ECONOMY AND THE HAYARD. A. keen demand has arisen in Into years for a light, moderate y-priced economical small ear. Such car'lill,"he requirements of the commercial IravelU or oi tho motorist who, owning a. fflg plea.' sure car, requires a small, reliable, client)' running ear as a (own runabout. The {>> li.l>. Clement ISoyaid is tho car that (ilk the bill. Its price is .t'2!ls, inclusive „r hood, wind shield, ami live lamps. It seats three pit'.-jns. Its weight is Vlcivi and its nominal li.p. ):!, practically hundredweight: lo (lie horse-power." ]|\ petrol consumption is one gallon ( 0 .in miles; lubricating oil, one gallon to nm miles. Tyres to last 10,000, cost ,£l7 '•>>, for four.covers. Speed, -10 miles per hour on the llat. llill-climbing ability: car c;u , climb the l'aekakariki Ilill on (he second gear at 15 miles an hour. It is built bv ,\. Clement, J.'nris, (he celebraled t'reneli automobile engineer, and its running ~x . pens;-, including allowance lor depreciation. do uol exceed .e.Vi yiev annum. ]| ran be had tinMi'.d in either green, dark blue, or French grey, and we can give delivi-n' in live minii t•.s. .Adams l.itniioil. Agents for t lenient Hayaid cars, ttarage, fuani Street, ("hriflehurch. Depots at Wangstini and riihiwfton North. Agents, Tour, i&t Motor Co.) Hastings.—Aclvt,

Amongst tho remits to bo tabled at fno Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union is one suggesting that the Government be urged that where possible inspectors of stock should bo veterinarv surgeons, and, wherever possible, the advice and assistance i\f Government velerinarics should be made available in all country districts at a small fee; also that facilities should be given for instructing young men in veterinary science." At 3 o'clock last evening a fire broke out in No. 21 llnining Street, a threeroomed house occupied by Wong I,aye. Two rooms and their contents were destroyed. "Now Zealand lmd n great opportunity of establishing its trade with the Argentine on a sound footing last year," remarked Mr. V. I. 'i'egner, of Buenos Ayres, to an Auckland "Herald" repre-tent-ative. "Owing to foot-rat and mouth disease breaking out aiming English stock, its importation into the Argentino was prohibited, and Now Zealand had a chance lo show what it could do. A number of sheep, podigrrs. Kommys and Lincolns, ivere shipped to Monlo Video, but unfortunately a number of the Lincolns were found to bo of poor quality. The impression. created was not, therefore, altogether satisfactory, but should the* prohibition against English stock remain this yeai' New Zealand may ' have another good chance." The saddlers' dispute will bo discussed before tho Conciliation Council at 10.30 o'clock this morning. In the opinion of many of the old residents (says our Wnnganui correspondent) tho gale which vented its full fury on Wavcrley on Friday last was the heaviest expcriehccd for the past twenty years. Much damage was done. A lurpe pane of glass from the front window of Mr, W. Davis's shop was blown in through the front portion against tho workroom door, scattering broken glass in. every direction. Largo brandies from tices crashed down at intervals, while ono large ))inus insignis snapped, off short at.tho roots, damaging several other trees as it fell. The rain completely wrecked the gardens and veuotablo beds. At Ngamatapouri tho rivir flooded and rendered tho ford dangerous, and several workmen who. atteinuptcd to gel across narrowly missed being swept away. . Members of the 2nd Regiment., who were endeavouring to obey orders in connection with tho forthcoming camp, ivero -unable to force their way through by Sunday morning to the rendezvous at Wavcrley, The sheep industry of Hunterville has assumed large proportions, and during tho month of April (stales our traveling no lower than head were railed awav, mostly fur freezing purposes. Two estates having an aggregate area of 1500 acres have just been acquired by the Government for closer settlement purposes, one in South Canterbury, and the other in North Otiigo. Both estates consist of ordinary good farm land, suitable for general farming or dairying. It is expected 1 hat they "Mill cut up into sections of 100 acres. Tho Government is offering for settlement in- tho North Island' at present an aggregate area of 211,000 acres of land. An area of 100,000 acres wil be available tor settlement before tho end of June. Tho I'rimo Minister was incorrectly reported in the north, wlien ho mado a statement on the subject of the new Parliament Buildings." What ho said was that tho first contract would probably bo for a sum of about .£150,000,> and that tho total cost of tho buildings would bo not less than ;E250,000, .but that he did not expect the buildings to bo completed in less than live or six years from tho present time. The contract of 1£150,000 will cover the erection of both Legislative Chambers, and various suites of rooms. The portion of tho building which is lo be creeled later will include the library and a number or rooms.

Leaving Auckland on Sundaw night, the Primo Minister reached Chakune at 7 a.m. on tlio following day, and after receiving a number of deputations, went: oil to Raetihi, between which town and Olialcuno it is proposed to build - a railway. The lino"has heWiiMllol'i'fd',! and a torlain amount of money for the prosecution, of tho work was voted by Parliament last session. Men ar» at present engaged in clearing tho bush away from tlio line, which the track will follow, but tho detailed survey has not yet been quite completed. For some year's to come, the principal work of tho railway will bo tho carriage of riiiiu and rnatai timber from tho forests, tfhich arc still standing in the district. Eventually the 1 line will bo carnal from Raetihi to Waiigauui, but this is a work for the more or less distant future. At Roetilri the Prime Minister was entertained by tho chairman and members of the Town Board at luncheon. A very large gathering of settlers attended. In tho evening, Mr. Massey was entertained at a banquet by tho Mayor, and citizens of Ohakune.