LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities advise that the AVillochra, which sailed from Sydney on Hay 17, has on board an Australian mail. She is due to reach Wellington to-day. The Prime Minister told a reporter last evening that it had been found necessary to mako some alterations in tho plans of the new Parliamentary Buildings, and as a consequence it had been impossible to call for tenders up to the present time. In ull probability, lie added, tho difficulty would be got over in. a few days, and tenders would probably bo called about a week hence. Tho firos which took place in the North Island some months ago cost tlio Government ovol ,£IO,OOO in defraying the cost of gross-seed to re-grass Crown lands, and in assistance to Crown tenants. Cabinet passed tho accounts yesterday. t "Ho has been present at every lunchcon," was an argument stressed by a speaker at the Kew Zealand Club's annual meeting Inst night when ho was orating in favour of tlio election of a certain member as president. The ratepayers of Eden Terrace have (says a Press Association telegram from Auckland) prepared a petition to tho Governor asking for a poll on tho question of joining the city under tho Greater Auckland scheme. The petition was considered by tho Commissioner of Crown Lands and tho Valuation Officer, with tho result that it will be forwarded to the Governor. A wireless message received last evening stated that tho Willochi-a, from Sydney, will arrive in port at 5.30 this evening.

A man was arrested yesterday by Detectives Lewis and Andrews on a chargo of having,, on Monday night, assaulted one George' Burt, with intent to rob him. Ho will appear in court to-day.

The damago caused by the recent flood at Wainui-o-mata is being rapidly made good again- by the City Engineer's staff. The seating of tho main, which) was' disturbed by the stream, lias been replaced, to that the threatened danger to the big water-pipe need no longer be feared. It is just possible that the .Railway Department will bo able to clear away tho debris in tho big slip at Ngaknuranga sufficiently to enable the City Engineer's men to repair the broken main thoro in. a few days. This, however, is by no means certain, for it is impossible to say what difficulties may yet bo mot with in the removal of the huge heap of earth.

Discussing tho over-supply of labour in the market in Wellington, tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) stated yesterday that there was no doubt that the position was becoming. more serious as tho winter approached. This ho had opportunity for judging by the number of personal applications he received lor work. People were, ho thought, coming from the country districts and from other parts of the •Dominion in search of work, but all the work that was at all likely to be undertaken here could be done by the workers now available. The city had no loan money to expend this year, and could not therefore absorb uiucli, if any, of tho surplus labour supply. Ho wished to. make it quite clear that the unemployed must not look upon the city as a haven of refuge.

A Chair of Bacteriology is to 1m founded at Edinburgh University with tho proceeds of a bequest of .£30,000 left by the late llr. llobert Irvine. Tho sum in question represents the accumulated dividends oh 230 JCIO shares in one of the companies working tho guano deposits of Christmas Island ill tho Pacific.

There is u movement afoot to bring about an understanding between tlio Now Zealand branches of the Merchant Servico Guild and the Australasian Institute of Marine Engineers for the mutual protection of their interests. Contrary to a statement which lias been given publicity, this combination has not yet been brought about, although negotiations are proceeding. Jlr. Wallace (local secretary of the Institute of llarino Engineers) states that it is Quito wrong to say that "it is a fact that such a combination has been established" (vide our evening contemporary), "as tho institute is not in a position to agree to any such combination without the consent of tho headquarters council in Australia, and that has r.ot yet been obtained. A joint committee, has been set up, and has held meetings, but up to tho present tho final basis of ; operations has not been decided. It is not anticipated that there will be any opposition to an arrangement being • come to between Hie officers and engineers—indeed, it is in all probability a movement that will spread to "tho other side." The police authorities of Hull are (says tho "?«)«• York Tribune") seriously considering sending men to tho western part of America to take lessons in the uso of the lariat. A cow-puncher has recently been in Hull giving exhibitions, and the police have been,so much impressed, that they have decided that it will be a? good tlnug to have a number of their men trained to use the lasso, which it is believed will provo of value in saving drowning persons, stopping runaway horses, catching thieves and pickpockets, and saving life at fires. Twenty men have been selected from tho liuu constabulary to go to America. It is expected to liavo them there in timo for tho spring round-up on Bar Seven lianch, at Albuquerque, New Mexico. The experiment is being watched with much interest by the J/ondon police, who are considering adopting it for the regulation of motor traffic if it proves successful at Hull.

The Seamen's Union have appointed Messrs. D. Donovan, J. Carney, and F. T. Allen as their representatives at the Unity Congress in July. Tliera have been ono or -two cases of Gcarlet fever at the _ Sunnysido Mental Hospital,' and complaint was made that tho cases were not properly isolated. Mr. G. Witty, M.P., mentioned the matter on Saturday to tho Hon. It. 11. Rhodes, and tho Minister informed him that slops had already been taken to secure isolation. It further measures wero necessary they would bo taken promptly.

Tho actions which the city corporation proposed to take at the present sittings of tho Supremo Court against two lessees ot' portions of the Town Belt for failing lo keep their holdings clear of gorso and noxious weeds aro to be allowed to stand down. It is understood that tho tenants have set about clearing their land as required. Another action, Boyd v. tho City Council, a claim for J?2000 damages, alleged to have been caused to plaintiff's property in Grafton Koad by tho flood which occurred in February, 1910, will come before a spccial jury lato in tho sessions.

Three arbitrations—possibly the first of many—concerning the rentals payablo on resumption of certain city leases on expiry of the first term of leaso will shortly be "decided by tho arbitrators appointed.

Tho speed of motor-cars, in the opinion of the Chief Justice of Now Zealand (Sir Robert Stout), was summed up by liiui yesterday in the following words: "As I see cars travelling the crowded streets of the city, it is amazing to me that there are not accidents every day."

Tho conference of representatives of local bodies to bo h'eld to protest against the very substantial incrcaso in the levies for hospital and charitablo aid expenditure has been fixed to be held in the Mayor's Toom, Town Hall, at 10 a.m. on Thursday week (May 29). His Worship tin? Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) will preside. Keprescntatives will attend from the Wellington City Council, Onslow, Miramar, Karon, Eastbourne, Pctone, and Hutt Borough Councils, the Jphmsonvillo and Upper Hutt Town Boards, and the Hutt, Makara, and Horowhenua County Councils.

A curious motor accident happened on Sunday ovening in Oxford Terraois Christchurch. Tho car was running along the roadway at a smart pace, when suddenly the wheels became locked in somo way, tho result being that tho car charged through tlie fience guarding tho river bank, down the bank and into the river. By means of block and tacklc and a squad of men, the car was hoisted out again. There was only the driver on board when tho mishap occurred, and he fell into the water. That was ireally this only inconvenience he suffered.

The Government steamer Tutanekoi, which has been waiting without success for a week for a chance to repair ths broken cables in Cook Strait, returned to port yesterday under orders to discharge her deck cable-rcpairihg .plant. This has been decided upon after careful consideration, owing to tho persistent bad weather, and tho fact that there is little chance of an improvement for some time to come (vide the opinion of tine Government Meteorologist). The Tuianeltai will be dismantled as a cable steamer, and on Thursday or Friday will leave for Akaroa and the south to act as tender to H.M.S. New Zealand. This service was promised the people of the south when tint- battlecruiser first arrived, and if th's> Tu.taiwkai was not available,-tlie Government would be under the necessity of en«aging tho services of other steamers, which would bo an expensive matter.

Many of tho representatives of local bodies about Wellington aro much concerned over the big increases in tho \|osl«tal and charitable aid levies for tho curivnt year. "It has come home to us moro definitely than ever this yeitr that wo don't know where we aro regarding our rates," remarked one representative to-a Dominion- reporter. "We might say that there will not bo any increase, and say it honestly as Mayoj' or councillor, when down comes the board with its demands, which have to be met, whatever they are. What the public do not recogjuise is that thei Wellington Hospital and Charitable Ai<l-Boaa'd is-a. direct taxing body, and being so, a sharper eye should lie kept on its doings than is the case. All they do is to sit 'down, receive the reports o'f their responsible officers as to what may bo needed during the coming year, tot nip the lot, and striko a pro rata, levy on Hie contributing body. One thing that should bo discussed is whether the board is making the ll?st possible use of its endowments. Judging by the manner in which it has absolutely neglected to utilise the greater part of the land it possesses fronting Adelaide Koad, this sK-ms to be a department which needs looking after." Tho Timaru Hospital Board has, according to a Press Association telegram, resolved to prosecute a young woman for travelling by rail when suffering from diphtheria. Two doctors, members of the board, said this was a very serious matter, as tho Consequences had proved. The voung woman did not know she was ill, and a source of infection. Tho resolution stated that'a penalty 'was not to bo asked for, but that as a means of warning others the prosecution should bo instituted.

At 9.28 p.m. yesterday tho Fire Brigade was called to 222 Tiuakori l?«ad to suppress a firo in a fivo-roomod two-story dwelling occupied by Mrs. Minnie Ilobinson, and owned by Mr. Sampson, who lives in Malcolm Lano, off Tinakori Road. A bedroom upstairs, with its contents, was somewhat damaged by fire. Tho causo of tho outbreak was a lighted candle, left with two children, who vent to bed and fell asleep, leaving it burning. There was no insuranco on the contents. Tho insuranco on the building could liot bo ascertained last evening. Discussing tho prohibition placed on tho use of preserved .albumen by the Puro Food and Drugs Act, which is to coma into operation on April 1 next, a leading Wellington pastrycook, who noted what tho Minister for Public Health iiad to say unon the matter when approached in Chvistchnrck last week, stated that tho ell'ect of the restriction would lx> stimulating to the egg-raising business in New Zealand, if it proved tho reverse to tho public. He raised tho point that Die blocking of this ingredient, which was largely used by many pastrycooks, would mean ft largely increased demand for eggs at oil seasons of tho year, and consequently enhanced prices, not only to tradespeople, but to tho public as a whole. The Minister appeared to stress tho point that the Act would not operate against stocks on order. If that was tho case, what was to prevent any pastrycook placing an order for preserved albumen that would keep him going ior years —ten or twenty years? If that were done ■—and he did not see how it well could be prevented—iho Act would operqto arbitrarily against the pastrycooks who had not placed long-distonco orders. It was <i nice point,' one of many which tho operation of tho Act' would disclose.

There are forty-seven beneficiaries interested in the HiilersJen Estate, purchased by the Government for closer settlement, 'i'lioy are tho seve.u sous and fivo daughters of Mr. Williai.i Walkor, of Alelbourne, tho four sons and two daughters of Mr. Henry Walkor, of Middlcsboro', Yorkshire, the one son and; seven daughters of Mrs. Hannah Lamming, of Brigs, tho four sons and two daughters of Mrs. Elizabeth Neave, of Wdnterton, the 0110 son and six daughters of Mrs. Elizabeth I'iiuier, of Lincoln, tho 0110 son of Mrs. Mary J. Richardson, of Torworth, and (he three sons and lour daughters of Mr. Ucorgo Walker, of Blenheim. It is.understood that there will be 110 reservation of tho lionicstead block or any oilier part of tho property on behalf of tho vendors.

A Now South Wales resident was very much surprised tlio other day when tho Customs authorities demanded .£l9 from him Iwfoi'a tlioy would hand over a package of water colour, sketches executed by a little girl in England. The sketches were merely childish drawings of 110 value, ami had been sent out in onfcr that the recipient (Mr. W. H. Lang,'of Corowa) might compare them with tho artistic efforts of his own little girl ,aged 13. Tlicr© wero nineteen sketches in the packagv, and it apppars that the Australian tariff do. mauds' Hie payment of ,£1 each, or 25 per cent. 011 the value, whichever may bo the higher, 011 all oil or wat/.'r colour paintings not produced by an Australian artist or an Australian student abroad. The Department remained unyielding, and Sir. Lang decided to let ilicm ke;-p the sketches.

Tile liev. 11. C. Martin, the secretary of the Hoval Army Temperance Association of India, will visit Australia next month to confer with the various Governments on the subject of the inimi«ration into Australia of retired European soldiers wlio have served in the Indian Arnyv

Tbo quarterly meeting of the Teachers' Superannuation-Board was held yesterday morning. Twenty allowances, ranging from X'll 13s. <td. per to ,£l5O per annum, and totalling ,£I9SS ISs. 2d. por annum, wero authorised. Allowances to tivo widows and live children. totalling; X'los per annum, wero granted, as wero also refunds totalling iilMl &=, 7d. to persons who have left tho education service.

Some stir has been occasioned in shipping circles in Sydney by tho enforcement of 'Section HOG of tho British Merchants' Shipping Act. Tho Act provides that wary ship carrying f>o or more steerage jinsssugers must pass inspection by a medical oilicer. This officer is appointed by the State Treasurer, inspection being made of the vessel before sailing, (o certify that Die steerage passengers and crew of tho vessel arc m a fit; state of health, and aro not likely to endanger -tho safety of travellers. Section .'IOO of the Act has never been rigidly enforced in New South Wales, although passed in Great Britain 20 years ago. A. start was to be made last week, however, with_ a thorough medical inspection of the Xorth German Lloyd liner Zieton before she took her departure for Bremen.

Tho St. Jlark's Toting Men'ft Club conducted a debate last evening on tho subject of the wo?kl.v half-holiday. Sir. Q. Smith supported the claim of Saturday, and was seconded by Sir. Jones, whila Messrs. G. ltelnndes and D. Jlacdonald spoke in opposition to tho universal Saturday half-holiday proposal. _ A lively general discussion followed, in which a number of members took part and eventually tho claims of Saturday to Vb. tbo da} of tho universal half-holiday wore affirmed by a small majority. Apropos of the City Council's decision to have a by-law drafted to end tho hatpin peril, it is interesting to note t,hat in America, State after State has joined in tho war against hatpins. Louisiana's now law says the points must be covered. The penalty is a fine of 10 dollars or imprisonment for five da>'6. Now Jersey's, statute requires a guard for every point.' . A woman who disobeys may bo fined from 5 dollars to 20 dollars, and half of it goes to the informer.. Several women in that State have been seen with oorks on tho -ends of their pins. In Connecticut there is a penalty of 7 dollars, or prison up to 30 days, for thoso who wear pins that protrude. In no one of tlieso States liavo arrests been reported. •