LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1808, 22 July 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities advise that the mails which left Wellington on Juno 13 per s.s. Willochra connectcd wjth tho Brindisi dispatch, per R.M.S. Marmora, and arrived in London on July 19. One of the first impressions a visitor gets of Wellington when arriving by sea is the bare and rocky-faced Ward Island, one of the landmarks which defines the fairway. Filled with Arbor Day enthusiasm, a party of yachtsmen recently decided to try and improve tho appearance of the island by planting it with hardy nativo trees. A start with the work was made during tho week-end, when a party of nine yachtsmen proceeded to tho island in a motor-launch. Contrary to the expectations of most of the party, a fine depth of rich, black soil was .found on tho top of the island. The cliff-face fronting the city (tho western aspect) was planted with ice-plant, and as many as_ seventy native trees were planted in suitable and sheltered positions. These consisted of taupata, ako ake, poliutakawa, cabbage, koromiko, and three kinds of native flax. A good many of the trees were surrounded with cement casks, with the ends knocked out, which should serve admirably as guards against tho buffeting of tho wind during the nursery stage. Harm is anticipated from tho rabbits which swarm on the island, but a poisoning campaign is to bo followed by the yachtsmen interested, to give the young trees a fair chance. The trees planted were supplied by tho City Council.

A kinematogTaph display representing a series of flights mnde recently by the monoplane designed by Mr. Percy Fisher, of Wellington, was given in the tea-room at Parliament Buildings last night. The film commenced with a picture of the machine, with planes folded back, being towed along a road by a motor-car at a fairly smart pace—this to show that the little machine is easy of transport. The actual flights took place at Pigeon Bush, near Featherston. The machine, piloted by Mr. Reginald White, of Wellington, roso to no very great heights, but it seemed to be quite under the pilot's control, and it certainly did fly. After this display some pictures of farming operations in New.Zealand, which havo been prepared foil the Agricultural Department, were shown. Lost of all was a really gobd series of views of the arrival of tho battlecruiser New Zealand in Wellington. In caso there may bo some misunderstanding, Monday, August 4th, is tho date of tho annual gathering of tho Wellington Branch of tho Koynl New Zealand Association of liis Majesty's Veterans, at which his Excellency tho Governor Ims intimated his intention of 'being present. The notice which was published yesterday in The Dominion omitted to state tho date of tho gathering. In spite of the threatening weather on Saturday afternoon, a large number of enthusiasts wore busily engaged planting trees and shrubs on tho zigzag at. Cam Street, Island Bay. The local Municipal Association had charge of the arrangements,' and many of tho residents materially assisted by donating monoy and shrubs, also timber and wire, for protecting fonccs. In all, 108 trees were planted, and in a year or two the appearance of this street should bo much improved. • At last evening's meeting of tho committee of the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society, tho names of over seventy applicants .for'admission as active members were received. These are to submit themselves to tho musical director (Mr. D. J. Kenny) for vocal trial at the latter's convenience. The first rehearsal of "The Geisha" is to be held next week.

A special meeting of the Neivtoim Soliool Committeo was held last evening, when tho correspondonco recently published in a contemporary regarding tho discipline at the school was considered. After some discussion a resolution was passed stating that in future a parent who lias a complaint to make against tho discipline of the school should not in the heat of the grievance ru6h to the headmaster, but should forward the complaint to the committee. Also that tho committee desires it to bo known that the "caning" complained of consisted of one light stroke with a small cane, and it regrets tho scandal which a public body ahd a public servant have been exposed to, for what is now admitted by those most concerned to have been a trifling matter. Tho "Official Year Book of tho Commonwealth" for 1013, just to hand, is a model of what such a publication should bo. Its 120G pages of reading matter are naturally pretty closely packed with statistics, but throughout tho explanatory matter essential to a right use of tho statistics is liberally supplied. Tho "Year Book," which is tho sixth issued by the Commonwealth, is an indispensable reference to all who wish to follow Australian affairs closely. Among the new features this year are articles dealing with the mineral springs of Australia and with labour and industrial statistics. The oparations of tho Mnteniity Allowance Act aro also dealt with, and a description of native Australian fodder plants is included in tho miscellaneous section. In ah appendix appear details of tho voting at the recent elections, and tho names of tho new Ministers and tho now members of| Parliament.

"IF-IT WERE MADE IN ENG. LAND " Sixty-five years ago two blacksmiths started business in a small smithy in Indiana. Their capital amounted, to ,£l3. Their business policy was to give tho best of quality in their work at tho lowest possible price consistent with quality. To-day the business started by those two blacksmiths is_ known as the Studobaker Corporation of Amorica. It has a capital of eight millions' sterling, and the value of its annual factory output of automobiles is thirteen millions sterling, in addition to a big business in horse-drawn vehicles. Tho business policy of the Studebakors is the secret of their success, and tho now Model 35 h.p. Studobaker oar which is creating such interest among motorista in New Zealand is a striking-example of that policy of "best value for tho lowest price." Thoso who have seen the new 35 h.p. Studebaker say:—'"lf this car were made in England its retail price in New Zealand would not bo under ,£750." A powerful light ear, embodying the best and latest English practice in overy detail of its construction, with electric self-starter and clectric lamps, and a hundred other little luxuries and refinements, for .£395, including all "exh-as," is something to startlo.Now Zealand motorists. That the wonaej-ful valuo of the Studebaker is appreciated is proved by the fact that wo have sold over twontv during the past week. Tho 25 h.p". Studebaker is another car of wonderful value. If it camo from England wo could not sell it under .£SOO, but its price is .£295, nil complete. We have also for sale an Auto-carrier delivery van at JEI4S, a Cadillac delivery van for'.£l2s, a Talbot delivery van for .£250, and a Studobaker delivery van for .£295. Adams, Ltd., N.Z. Agents for Studebaker ears. Tuara Street, Christchurch. Depots at Pn\merston North and Wanganui. Agencies: Tourist Motor Co., Hastings; J. Bond-Grove, Ghuzneo Street, Wellington; R. Ford Hutchinson, Ekctahuna.— Advt.