LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 25 July 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Advice has teen received that R.M.S. Aorangi sailed from San Francisco on July 23 with: 769 bags of mails for New Zealand and 19 for Australia. "I don't know of anybody who is better able to detect a roguo than your Worship." This rather complimentary bouquet was thrown up to Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., by a lawyer at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. At 9 o'clock last evening tho fire brigade were called out to tho New Zealand Express Company's building in Herbert Street, where an incipient firo had been discovered. One bucket of water was sufficient to stop the outbreak and no damage of any consequence was done. The Missioner to Seamen (Mr. W. E. Cocks) desires to warn tho public against contributing to any person soliciting donations on behalf of the Missions to Seamen unless such persons produce authority for so doing. Mr. Cocks states that he has information that some unauthorised individual has been making use of the forthcoming bazaar to get subscriptions. At tlie annual meeting of tho Wellington branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute this evening the following motion will be discussed: "That this District Institute, wliilc feeling bound, in defence alike of the national system of education, and of the personal liberty of tea'chcrs, to oppose to the uttermost tho programme oi' the Bible-in-Sehools League, would welcome any effort on tho part of the clergy to introduce into the schools of this district the Nelson system of Bible lessons."

A new bathing by-law was passed last evening by the City Council. The new law forbids male persons to loiter and remain in the immediate vicinity of any ladies' bathing shed. A further provision is to the effect that no person shall enter the water at Lynll Bay. and proceed seawards more than 100 yards. An application by Mr. J. J. Boyd for permission to run in tho city and suburbs six motor buses was referred by tho City Council last evening to tho city solicitor for nil opinion. The Headmasters' Association will hold its annual meeting 'next Saturday morning, in the Education Board finilding. Two matters for discussion arising out of the annual report will bo tho urgent need for increased salaries for teachers, nnd the "deplorable understaffinj of schools."-

The preliminary plant of a proposed skating rink and picture theatre in Molesworth Street wero approved at last night's meeting of tho City Council. The tender of Messrs. Richardson, M'Cabe, and Co., Ltd., of Wellington, lias been accepted for tho supply and delivery at Wellington, Christcliurch, Auckland, and Dunedin of tubular telegraph poles. The successful tenderers' prices were:— lfift., lis. 2d.; 18ft.. 12s. Gd.; 18ft. 9in., lis. 7d.; 20ft. (1:101b.), 21.«. Gd.; 20ft. (2itlb.), 355. Gd.; 25ft., Ms. Gd. Councillor Fletcher drew the attention of the City Council last evening to (he new building erected at T.ambion Station by the Government. It was one of the most hideous things he had ever seen. The advertisement. board was also being extended right along Thoniibn Quay, and it by no means improved Hi: r.npearnncc of the city. The Mayor >oid the council had no power to iniirferc with buildings erected by the Government.

In order to have always under his eye tlio exact financial position respecting the estimates, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke) is having furnished by the City Treasurer a monthly statement showing bow much money has been spent to date on the various works itemised on tho list of estimates. A similar return is to be furnished the council each quarter for the saino purpose. By this means it will bo seen at a glance at what rate the money is being spoilt, and the expenditure can bo lessoned or increased as circumstances require. The council of tlio New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies' Association yesterday appointed the president (Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp), tlio treasurer (Mr. H_. H. Ostler), and Mr. F. E. Lowe as the Executive Committee for the incoming yeai. Mr. Mactlonald, M.P., has given notice to ask the Postmaster-General in the Houso of Representatives whether it is true that the oablo connecting East Cape Island with the mainland is broken past repair, aud, if so, what steps-are being taken to renew communication. "An invention that shows considerable merit has been placed' at the disposal of the Postal Department. It is the work of Mr. A. B. Pliilp, a P.O. messenger in Wellington, wliu claims . . . that lht> invention will prove a great space saver. The mechanism is a simple arrangement of hinges and clasps, so that the hamper, when empty, can be collapsed and will take iro no more working space than if tho sides, top, and bottom were piled one on top of the other. The factor of sfcorago for empty hampers is a considerable problem in most post offices, and this invention appears to find the solution. Tlio work of setting up or collapsing; a hamper is very simple, and does not occupy, even a stranger, moro than a minute. The hamper has yet to stand the test of usage, but the inventor is sanguino on this score."—"The Katipo." Judgment will he delivered by tht> Court of Appeal this morning in the following cases:—Bollard 1 v. Belcher; Perry v. The Commissioner of Stamps; Pitcher v. Dimock; Playle v. The Riverdale Dairy Co.; M'Gregor v. Fraser; Rex v. Willougliby; and Rex v. Aitken. 1

Tho next sitting of tho Court of Arbitration at Wellington has been set down for August 5. During the hearing of a civil action heard by Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, evidence disclosed tho fact that a married man who had to support a wife aud child, and was receiving only .£3 per week, was able •to hand to 'his wife 15s. each week for the purpose of payiug off a first and second mortgage on a section of land at Khandallah. This caused his Worship to remark that tho couple lvad set a very good example in tho way of looking after their money. "If other people took as much care.of their money there would bo less misery and less hardship," was tho concluding remark that descended on the court from tho bench. The idea that motor-cars should be taxed for the upkeep of the roads is not being lost sight of. Tho matter is made the subject of a remit to the Counties' Conference by the Kangitikei County Council. That body's delegate will move: "That the Government should impose a moderate tnx on motor-cars and that proceeds of such tax lie handed over to and be expended by the local bodies in maintaining and improving the roads affected by motor traffic, a special board being set up to allocate the distribution of the proceeds of such tax, and that the amount of the tax vary according to the weight of the car, and due consideration be taken of tho purpose for which tho oar is used, a higher tax to be imposed on cars plying for hire." The Legislation Committee of the City Council reported to the council last night that they had completed consideration of the draft' Standing Orders, which wore now in the printer's hands, and would be completed and circulated to councillors in timo for consideration at the next council meeting.

An extension of the provisions of the Widows' Pensions Act is suggested in a question addressed by Mr. 1).. H. Guthrie, M.P., in the House of Representatives, to the Minister in charge of pensions. Jlr. Guthrie states that there are cases where widows have been lcfhwith step-children depending on them and solely supported by them who cannot claim the pension, and in some instances very great hardship l is inflicted by what appears to have been an oversight when the Act was passed. Mr. Guthrie asks the Minister to consider tho advisability of extending' the benefits of tho Act so that widows with stepchildren dependent on them may claim

the pension. Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P., gave notice in tho House of Representatives yesterday to ask tho Minister for Lauds whether lie will instinct tho Geological Department to inspect and report uipoii the various coal outcrops in tho provincial district of Wellington, with tho object of providing chcaper coal for tho people. Permission to use the Basin Reserve and to charge for admission has been granted to tho Wellington Hockey Association on August 30 and September -0, and to the Wellington Football Association on August 23. The Wellington Rugby Football League (Northern Union) has been granted the use of Neivtown Park on August 16 end September 13 and 20. Tho League's application for tho park for matches on August 2 and 30 was last night refused by the City Council, and the application for tho park for tho match against Auckland on September 27 was postponed until a later meeting of the council. Another of tho League's applications which has been refused is that for a fence at Anderson Park, to enable charges for admission to be made. Tho City Council lias recently received complaints with regard to tho usG of a skating rink on Sundays. Last night it was decided to take no action ill tho mooter, as it is doubtful whether tho use of the building for private skating on Sundays is a contravention of tho bylav.

"IF IT WERE MADE IN ENG. LAND " Sixty-five years ago two blacksmiths started business in a small smithy in Indiana. Their capita! amounted, to .£l3 Their business' policy was to give tho best of quality in their work at tlio lowest possiblo price consistent with quality. To-day the business started by those two blacksmiths is known as tho Studebaker Corporation of America. 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 busines? in horse-drawn vehicles. Tho business policy of the Studebakers is the secret of their success, and tho now Model 35 hp. Studebaker car which is ■ creating siicii interest among motorists in New Zealand is a striking oxamplo of that policy of "best value for tho lowest price." Thoso who havo seen the npw 35 h.p. Studebaker say:—'"lf this car were made in England its retail prieo in New Zealand would not be uudor .£750." A powerful light car, embodying the best and latest English practico in every detail of its construction,, with cloctric 6elf-starter and electric' lamps, and a hundred othor little luxuries and refinements. for .£395, including all "extras," is something to startle, New Zealand motorists. That tho wonderful valno of the Studebaker is appreciated is proved by Hie fact that wo have sold over twenty during the past week. The 25 h.p. Studebaker 19 (mother car of wonderful value. If it camo from England wo could not sell it under .£SOO, but its prico is X 295. all complete. \Vo havo also for sale an Auto-carrier delivery van at .£145. a Cadillac delivery van for ',£125, a Talbot delivery van for .£250, and a Studebakor delivery van for .£295. Adams, Ltd.. N.Z. Agents for Studebaker cars. Tiium Street, Christchurch. Depots at Pa'.morston North and Wanganui. Agsncies: Tourist Motor Co., Hastings; J. Bond-Grove, Ghuzneo Street, Wellington j R. Ford Hutchinson, Eketahuna.— AAvt,