LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 26 July 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The unsatisfactory arrangement of our telephone , index hag evidently perplexed Sir Walter Buchanan, as it has perplexed scores of other people. Ho has tabled in tho Houso of Representatives tho following question addressed to tho Govcrnmont: "Whether they will devoto some attention to tho wretched state of telephone index to tho Government Departments in tho city of Wellington, and tako .the necessary stops to amend tho same." Mr. H. M. Campbell, M.P. for Hawkc's Bay, does not like tho bookmaker and liis trade. Ho intends to ask the Minister for Justice whether ho will so amend and administer tho Gaming Act as to mako it impossible for persons carrying on tho business of bookmakers, layers of "tote" odds, or doubles to remain in this Dominion except in his Majesty's prisons. General approval was expressed by members of tho Wellington College Board of Governors yesterday at tho Government's action in providing for the registration of school colours, badges, and monograms. Mr. E. Leo said that the adoption of scliool uniforms was now general in England, and it had a really good effect on the scholars. Tho honourable gentleman threw the apple of discord right on to the floor of tho House," said Mr. G. W. Russell in tlio Houso of Representatives last evening, alluding to tho Hon. F M B I'lslier. "And you got the pip," was tho instant rejoinder of that Minister.

lhe Public Service Commissioner announces m tho Gazette that as the number of female applicants already qualified for cadetships in tho Public' Service very greatly exceeds tho number of suitable vacancies likely to occur for them in 1913 and 1914, it has been decided not to admit female candidates to tho Public service Entrance Examination of November 1913. This notification docs not aftect the admission of girls to the Intermediate Examination (for scholarships, senior free place, and other purposes) to bo held at the same time as the Public hemoo Entrance Examination, as separately notified by the Inspector-General of Schools ("New Zealand Gazette," May 1, 191oJ. After having dealt with several military defaulters in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr. W. G. Kiddell, S.M., ordered them to leave the Court. This action on tho part of the Magistrate caused one defaulter to ask, "Why are we asked to leave tho Court?" Tho Magistrate: What age are you P"—"Twenty-one," wag the reply. "Have you been asked to leave tho Court ?"—"No." "Well, don't ask questions." The defaulter left. Judgment on certain phases of. the action known as "tho sugar caso" will l>o delivered iu tho Appeal Court next Wednesday. Tho Minister for Education has refused to subsidise the amount of £133 expended by the Wellington College Council on tho equipment of the observatory at tho Boys' College, the expenditure not being such as to come within the terms of the Act. The council decided yesterday to ask tlio Government to place a special vote on the Estimates. One of the "dramatic works" to which tho law of copyright is made applicable nnder the Bill now before Parliament is

"choreographic" work, a system of indicating the various movements in dnncing by eigns set down, on paper. The Bill also extends copyright protection to architects' plans which are designated "architectural works of art." This is a new departure in New Zealand, and in England tho protection of plans dates from 1911. Protection of kinematograph films is another new feature embodied in tho Bill. Dr. Fyffe will resumo the Sunday afternoon organ recitals at the Town Hall tomorrow, and ho will play the following items: "Imperial March (Elgar), "At Evening" (Dudley Buck), "My Heart , Ever Faithful" (J. S. Bach), and "Sonata" (Peace). The Assessment Court will sit on Friday, August 8, to hear objections to the revised valuation rolls for certain portions of the city, and for the Whareroa Riding of tho Hutt County. Tho subject of Bible teaching in schools was 3nentioncd atlast night's meeting of the Wellington branch of the Education Institute. Mr. 11. A. Parkinson had given notice to move on the subject, but as the hour was late his motion was held over. Further particulars wero received in Sydney last week by tho Island steamer Kulambaugra of tho annexation of Wallis Island by tho French; cruiser Kersnint —one of tho Pacific squadron. The event took place on June 9. Previous to that date France merely held a protectorate over tho island. The annexation was carried out with all due ceremony. Tho commander of the Kersaint and his officers assembled ashore in full dress, and after tho march past by tho native militia tho native chiefs formally handed the ishnd over to tho French Government. Tho hoisting of the flag was followed by a salute of 21 guns. When the Kulambangra called, a, native parliament had been selected to govern tho island. Faituna Island was also formally annexed by tho Kersaint with much the same ceremony. Wallis Island is situated about 300 miles duo west of Samoa, and Fntuna Island lies about 130 miles south-west of Wallis.

A meeting of the sub-committee of the Ward Reception Committee was held last night to make final arrangements in connection with the reception to be tendered to Sir Joseph 'Ward on his arrival in Wellington. Sir Joseph Ward will leave Sydney by tho Niagara on July 28, and is to arrive at Auckland on August 1. Ho will roach Wellington on August i. The, Reception Committee- will Bieot him at tho Thomdon station, and after several speeches of welcome have been delivered ho will be escorted to the Royal Oak Hotel. His Worship the Mayor has been asked to preside ovor a public welcome at the Town, Hall in the evening. After tho reception at tho Town 'Hall, ho is to be escorted to tho House of Parliament. Freo tickets for admission to tho proceedings in the Town Hall,which are to bo free to everyone, will bo obtainable from various places in tho city. Notification of these will be given later.