LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities ndviso that the s.s. Wimnicra, which sailed from Sydney on Wcdnesdiy for 1 Auckland, has on hoard Australian and .English mails, via Suez. The Wellington portion is duo on Monday next.

Mary Brady, who pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday last to n charge of having uttered .counterfeit coins, will appear before the' Chief Justice this morning for. sentence.

A decree nisi was granted yesterday by his Honour the Chief Justice: (Sir liobcrt Stout) in tho divorco suit Mary Elisc Ncill v. Thomas Neill, upon receipt of certain affidavits which had been called for. Mr. C. I). Morison, K.C., with him Mr. M. J. Crombie, appeared for the petitioner.

On inquiry at tlio local office of the South Tnranalci Steam Ship Company yesterday it was ascertained that the Knpuni, which had straiided in the Patea. River 011 Thursday, had been practically refloated. Her bow was in 7ft. Gin. of water and it was expected that tho vessel would bo at Patea Wharf last ovenins.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society will bo held in tho Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday next, when the report and balance-sheet will be considered. The council of tho society is making a strenuous effort to induce thoso holders of licenses whoso whereabouts can bo ascertained to attend and oiler suggestions for tho promotion of sport and of the aims and objects of tho society.

A short, time ago it was stated that the Nippon Yusen Ivaisha Company intended t) extend its present Japanese-Australian steamship service to Now Zealand, but as no official confirmation of- tho statement could be obtained locally, tho Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce communicated directly with tho head office of tho company in .Tapanis reply has now been received to tho effect that tho company is not at present iu a position to consider an expansion of its Australian service to the Dominion, or tho inauguration of a direct service.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the new building erected as a station for the St. John's Ambulance, was dedicated yesterday afternoon by Bishop Crossley. His Excellency the Governor attended the ceremony. The building cost .£3500.

Brandishing a revolver and crying: "Hands up!" a youth held up a lady cvolist. ou the Tamaki Koad (states tile Auckland "Ilerald"). On a shot being fired over licr head, tho cyclist quickly dismounted, but the youth turned and flocl. It was subsequently ascertained that lie went at once to Sunday school. His cscapftde is thought to liayo hoen but «\ boyish prank, with no serious intent, as lie had been out shooting rabbits. It is understood that the police will take action iu the matter.

Food for thought for anti-militarists, of whom there were several in y ourt taking notes, was Supplied in the Auckland Police Court on Wednesday. Out of the 50 defaulting Territorials who oanie before the magistrate, 011 y two, according to the "New Zealand Herald, had any objection io military service, tho iemainder being summoned because ot their neglect to comply with tho regulations. The majority of the eases disclosed forgetfuluess to inform the authorities of change of address or to ascertain upon what nights parades wero held. One 01 tho two objectors said that military training was against his religious views, so lie was told to make proper application for exemption on religious grounds. the other one' said ho had 110 intention ot drillin", as he did not believe in it, but was unable to give any further reason for his objections. He added that he intended to clear out as soon as possible to Australia. "As far as military (raining is concerned," commented the magistrate, "it will 1)0 a case of out ot tho fryingpan into the fire." A fine of aml costs was imposed. The annual election of three members of the Wanganui Education Board will be held shortly. The following numbers, who retire, are eligible for re-election:— Southern Ward-Mr. Alf. Vwrv. {:<■"" tral Ward-Mr. D. 11. , M f' Northern Wnrd-Mr. P. 0 »ca, M.A. In addition there will b? an extraordinary vjicnucv iu the Central A\«ivd, couscd b,i the resignation of Mr. 3 Aldridpe, and for which it is stated that Mr. T. Harris, of Itaotihl, will bo a candidate.

Tho "Ilawke's 13ay Herald" says: Iho two fatal accidents which Irnvo taken placo ill this district within tho last few days should once more cull attention to the dangers attending level crossings in this country. ... It seems to us that tho Government will be forccd to proude such safeguards in all cases where there seems a reasonable prospect 01 dnngci whatever tho expense may be. J. hey should certainly shift their notice wards frrther baak from tho crossing, as was recently suggested to tho Minister, and at all really dangerous crossings provide an automatic bell. The public is entitled to look for this measure of protection.

The engineer's annual report on tho Wanganui tramways states that tho nnancial result of the year's working may be considered satisfactory. Iho profit shown bv the borough balance-sheet is »C 309 os. *9d., but to this must be added, in order to ascertain tlio true net profit, a sum of c£2:?.5 lf«., being accrued mileage uncharged, also a further sum oil account of advertising", as the current year had. been charged with half tho commission on live years' contracts for advertising on the cars.

"I think that most of tho Tules are not worth tho paper they are printed on," was the remark of a member of tho Wellington Boxing Association at last night's meeting. I think it is time that we had a set of rules on which to work the association on up-to-dato lines" was another remark.

1 Reference was made at the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Sports federation lost evening to certain remarks which had been made at the recent conference in Wellington of the New Zealand Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with Tegard to the conduct of coursing meetings and pigeonshooting matches. It had been stated that tho hares used at coursing meetings were not afforded -a humane chaucc of cscapo at enclosed courses. The secretary of the league, Mr. A. Paape, informed'tho meeting'last ovening that upon reading tho report above referred to, lie had at once got into communication with tho various' coursing and gun clubs throughout $ew Zealand, and was arranging for the collection of data, which could bo submitted, 1 when the time came, to the proper quarter. The Union Company's steamer Aorangi, which, arrived at Wellington from San Francisco, via Island ports last evening, brought 3650 cases of bananas, 3101 cases of oranges and 2321 cases of dried.fruit.

The Christcliurch "Press" retails that some sensation was caused in the earlier days of the West Coast by a striking installed of self-abnegation on [the part of 0110 of the local patriots. A grateful local body with which he was connected voted him a substantial sum (about =£150) for his services ill obtaining Parliamentary grants for the district. In a very proper and dignified letter lie expressed his gratitude for this mark of appreciation of his work, but said that he did not look iov any material 'reward, and lie begged to be ■allowed to return the amount. Tho story goes, however, that it was his own cheque which he sent tack, and that this was promptly dishonoured!