LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1798, 10 July 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is proposed to erect a light at Olturi ' Point, near the French I'ass, the Hon. i. 11. B. Fisher stated in tho House of .Representatives yesterday, and a sum of .£l5O, which is the estimated cost, Ims , becn^ placed on the estimates for tho cur- ' rent "year. As soon as the money is voted, arrangements can bo made to proceed with tho erection. It was formerly proposed to place a light on the Beef Barrels, for which a vote of ,£l5O was taken last session but on further consideration of the matter it was found that a light on Okuri Point would be of more use to vessels, During the discussion on "The Fighting Platform" at the Unity Congress yesterday, at Clause 2, which proposed "the abolition of the country quota; the election of all Judges by tho people; full civil rights to all public employees, and the removal of the Parliamentary disabilities of women," the Hon. J. T. Paul moved that the words "the election of all Judges by tho people" be deleted. This was agreed to. The argument in Court waß in regard to the work of a sculptor. "He did something after that discredited tho whole thing," said Mr. Justice Chapman. "Ho got into gaol over somo swindle or other." Mr. M. Myers: "Ah, well, your Honour, he may still have been an artist —an artist in more ways than one." It is not intended, the Hon. Jas. Allen stated in tho House of Representatives yesterday, to introduce legislation erapowering school committees to adopt tlio Nelson system of Bible-reading in schools. "The echemo was popular because some people wore going to get something for which somo other people were going to pay. This is a pliase of our national life in New Zealand."—The Hon. J. E. .Tonkinson, M.L.C., In the Legislative Council yesterday, when speaking on New Zealand's hydro-electric schemes. Tho Island Bay Town Hall was sold by auction by Messrs. J. H. Bcthune and Co. yesterday to Mr. C. E. Stevens (as agent) for .SldOO. The building—a comparatively modern one—is erected in brick, and has a frontage to Humber Street of 171.21 links by a depth of 181.83 links. A sum of money is to be placed on tho Estimates this year to compensate Captain Atwood, as recommended by the Petitions Committee of tho House of Representatives last year. It is not proposed, the Hon. A. L. Herdman stated in the House of Representatives yesterday, to appoint a Commissioner to inquire into matters relating to the Roto lioa Inebriates' Home, as suggested by Mr. M'Cnllum, M.P.- "The trouble, which has been caused by a few discontented individuals," the Minister added, "has now been settled, nnd matters are proceeding satisfactorily." Tho following tenders have' been received by the Public Works Dopartment for the erection of a courthouse at Martmborough:—Accepted: 11. Humphries. Grcvtown, .£704 9s. Declined: A.- R Wallis, Cnrterton, .£910; \C. L. Wakelin Wellington, JC975. 1 The Prime Minister informed Mr. T W. Rhodes, M.P., in the House of Representatives yesterday that under (lie stale approved by Parliament last vear, firstyear cadets in the Public S'ervice are receiving J-'SO por milium, and the same salary is being paid to second-rear cadels, who, under the old scale, received X4O for the first year. There was no provision until the Estimates were passetf to pay second-year cadets a higher snlurv than they wore receiving, but the whole "matter would be enuitably adjusted in connection with the classification, The results of the experiments being tried in other parts of Iho world in connection with motor-driven railway vehicles, the Minister for Railways stated in tho House of Representatives yesterday, are being closely watched and tho latest information obtained as each experiment is inn do. The results of oil-fuel ' elcctriciilly-ilriven vehicles have already been sent. for. A petrol electric motorcar of a type which has already been 1 found to give satisfactory results on the ' South African railways baa been ordered ; for trial m Now Zealand,

Proposals on the subject of increasing the salaries of magistrates, tho Hon. A. L. Herdman stated in tho House of Representatives yesterday, will bo submitted to Parliament during the present session. Tho Hon. Jnmes Allen informed Mr. G. Witty, M.P., in tho llouso of Representatives yesterday that ho does not. intend to cancel tho circular issued by tho Education Department by which the advantage of freo places and scholarships are withdrawn from those boys who for any reason fail to carry out the obligations imposed under the Defenco Act. The third session of nineteenth Synod of thp Wellington Diocese has concluded after n six days' silting. Most of tho country synodsmen left l'or their homes yesterday.

In reply lo a question by Dr. A. K. Newman in the House of Representatives yesterday the Hon. It. IL Rhodes stated that the Government had no present intention of establishing an institution for persons incapacitated by the loss of limbs or blindness where they can bo taught some suitable trade. Tlio Minister pointed out tlmt an institution—the Jubilee Institute for tlio Blind—existed in Auckland, and was subsidised by the Government. It would appear that this institution met the present needs of tho Dominion 'as regarded porsons afflicted with blindness. Moreover, tlio Hospital Boards of tho Dominion had always shown themselves ready to assist persons who were incapacitated 111 any way by finding them suitable employment 60 that they could provide satisfactorily for themselves aud their families.

Answering "a question by Mr. J. G. Coates, M.P., in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday, tho Hon. W. Eraser (Minister for Public Works) said that 110 local body should send in applications for grants without having first consulted its engineer. If local bodies would, however, persist in sending in lists of applications amounting to sums many times in excess of what they could reasonably hopo to have granted to them, then tho applications should lie marked in order of Deference. By adopting this method tho odvico of tho local bodies' engineers would bo given cflect to.

Tho widow* of tho late Mr. Henry Carmody, police constable, who died at Carterton on January 23, 1913, has petitioned Parliament for some compensation beyond the amount to which She is entitled under the Superannuation Act, the latter amount being insufficient for tho support of herself and her children. Petitioner states that her late husband became- seriously ill as the result of accident while ho was on duty as a mounted constable at a review before Lord Kitchener at Hutt Park, and that his death was ths ultimate result of the accident. Mrs. Carmody has four children, whoso ages vary from four months to five years. In connection with the Vallanco-Cook mission to be conducted in tlie Taranaki Street Methodist Church, a reception is to bo accorded to tho missioner in tho Wesley Hall at 7.30 p.m. on • Saturday next. The mission is to commence ou Mbnday next. The Fire Brigade was called out at 1.5 p.m. yesterday to an outbreak of . lire in a defective cliiinney in tho "Maoriland Worker" office, Wakefield Street. Very little damago was done, tho firo being put out almost immediately. A communication has been received by tho City Council from the Horowhenua County Council, asking the approval of tho former body to some suggested alterations of the Act governing the election of local bodies. The request has been referred to tho Legislation Committee for consideration. The Outlying Districts Committee of the Wellington City Council paid a visit of inspection to Kelbume and Northland yesterday afternoon, to inquire into the state of the roads, etc. At a meeting of tho Fire Brigade and By-Laws Committee of the City Council draft by-laws concerning fire-prevention, motor traffic, and cleanliness in markets were considered, and will be duly reported upon to the council. 1 Matters concerning the newly-formed Fire Brigadesmen's Union were also considered.