LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1833, 20 August 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlie postal authorities advise that the s.s. Ulimaro-a, which Failed from Sidney oa August 16 for Wellington, has on board mails from Australia only. She is duo to-day.

'Tor a big man you've got a email voice, said Mr. Quin (Eltham) when, one of the vice-presidents (Air. Ritchie, of naitotara) was addressing the Association Conference yesterday, a remark which caused roars of laughter, and at tlie samo time caused the speaker to raise his voice, an example iwhich was lollowed by subsequent delegates, at anyratij for a time.

Slate advances to fishermen to enable them to obtain their boats, nets, and other gear on moro favourable terms than is at present the caso are suggested in a question which Mr. OK M. Thomson has addressed to the Minister for Marine in the House of Representatives.

Speaking gene: illy, younger children have niC'To defects than older children, except in the case of vision, according to Mr. G. Ifogben, Inspector-General of School?. Lecturing to the .Eugenics Society last night, he said that as the doctors could find no physical reason for this, they put it down to defective lighting of tho Schools and 'unsuitable work. Town and country children started about equal in tho matter of vision.

"Science and Art" was tho unusual title of a Bill, of which Mr. Fisher gave notice in the House of Representatives. "With special reference to literature?" asked Mr. Or. W. Russell, from his seat on tho far side of the House. "It is a collection of your speeches," blandly replied the'Minis-'' ter for Marine.

"Can you pay this honest debt?" asked counsel for n .judgment creditor in tho Magistrate's Court, before Dr. M'Arthur, S.JI., yesterday. "No," replied the debtor. '1 have got a doctor's bill to pay, and I have also to pay my lawyer s bill." "You let your lawyer's bill 6tand over for a while," remarked his Worship. "It's not an unusual thing, your Worship," replied counsel, with a smile. "s>'o, I don't suppose so," concluded his Worship,

Jackson Head beacon had been reported as having gone "out, and with the object of re-lighting it, tho Government steamer Hinemoa left Wellington early yesterday morning. On arrival at the beacon it was found that the pilot-light had been extinguished, and thus the main light could not be lit. Tho cylinder was 'replenished with gas, and tho light was burning when the Hinemoa left yesterday morning.

Assisted immigrants to the number of 122 are coming to New Zealand by tho New Zealand Shipping Company's Rotorua, which is duo in port from London this evening. They comprise 18 farm labourers, 32 domestic servants, and 72 separated families.

Material which is to be used for constructing the new light on Karora Rook was taken out by the Government steamor Hinemoa, yesterday. ' Mr. l'mser, lighthouse expert, and a few men accompanied the vessel. The full complement of men will not 1)0 required till the initial stages of erecting the light have been completed. When the Hiiiemoa reached KaTori Rock, it.was found that flio weather was too rough to effect a lauding, so she returned to port.

The member for Auckland East, Mr. A. M. Myers, is to ask the Minister for Education whether, in view of the fact that tho proposal 'in the Budget to raise tlio amount of yearly increments of teachers' salaries from «£5 to .£lO affects only those teachers who have not yet reached the maximum, he will sta'to if the Government have any proposals to make affecting tho large number of teachers who have already been several years in their present positions, and, having reached the maximum, have no further increments to receive.

Notico was given of no fewer than 17 motions for returns in tho House of Etpresentatives yesterday. Seven returns nut of that number are being asked for by Mr. Witty and four by Mr. Russell.

At tho meeting vrfiich is to bo held in the Town Ilall to-night in connection with the forthcoming Marsden centenary addresses will be delivered by Bishop Averill. of Waiapu. Bishop Sprott, of Wellington, and Bishop Julius, of Christchurch.

A .thoroughbred op motordom just arrived at christceurch. At this eeason of the year tho young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of gee-gees, and sporting similes come readily to the pen when one oomes to describe the latest, daintiest, and most luxurious'of motor-cars of the Minerva breed to arrive in this city. Tho Minerva is noted, not .particularly because it is equipped with a Silent Knight engine, the apotheosis of the motor engineer's art, or because the celebrated Antwerp firm turns out the best Silent Knight engines in tho world, but rather because (lie name "Minerva' 'on .1 oar denotes tho limit of attainablo perfection in materials, mechanism, finish, and design. Tho three-seater cream-coloured H. 25 h.p. Minerva which is at present awaiting a purchaser in tho garago of Adams, Ltd., malces a distinct apical both to the aesthetic and engineering faculties of the experienced motorist. At a time when the city is crowded with American cans, built primarily for cheapness, a car such as this latest of the Minervas comes refreshingly to tho eye. In every detnil it evidences tho eye of tho artist and the brain of the master mechanician. Tho section wind-screen, tho electric lighting installation, th.) low. luxurious seats, tho beauty of the upholstery, the fino flowing I'nes of the body—trim as a yacht from stem to stern; without corners, gables or projections—all these aro but a tithe of the refinements and excellences of this thoroughbred among modern ci\rs. And tho price? The price is fixed 011 an honest basis. Tho London price of the chassis .is jE3iO, of the body and extras ,€B7 1?., and of the C.A.V. lighting sst X'lO 12=. Sd. To these charges are added the cost of importation only. The car is one to be proud of, and Adams, Limited, invite correspondence from anyone who is interested in motors, to whom photos and . narticulars will be posted.—Advt,

A return was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday 011 the order of Mr. L. M. Isitt, setting out the amount of liquor taken into the several NoLicense districts ill the Dominion during tho year ended December 31, 1911?.- Following were the amounts (to tho nearest gallon) for the districts adjacent to "Wellington:—Wellington South, beer and stout 865!) gallons, brandy 2G, gin ami schnapps 43, rum whisky 2811, wine' 333: total, DMO; Wellington Suburbs, beer and stout S3OG, brandy 17, gill and schnapps 40, rum 4, whisky 215, wine 232: total, 6815.

It was decided at yesterday's Counties' Association Conference to suggest tho amendment of the Counties Act so that the county balance-sheet should be deposited in place for inspection instead of being advertised in. a newspaper, 0113 supporter remarking that tlio would be better spent on the roads than in the publication of a balance-sheet which few pecplo understood, even if they isaw it. That particular section of the Act, lie thought, was drawn up by newspaper men and lawyers.

Fi-slii sold at the municipal market during the past two months realised «£3GG Is. 7d. Tlio council's commission upon tlio sales amounted to .C3G 12s. 2d. Tho council also charged 12s. 2d. for smoking fish, making its total receipts for tho two months .£3B is. id. The expenses were: Salaries an<l wages, J23G; telephone chaises, 411 55.; wrapping paper, etc., .€1; making a total of JE3S 55., or Bd. more than the receipts. These figures arc contained in a report to the Markets Committeo by the manager (Mr. P. H. Alward). Tho report says that during the same period (June 17 to August 16) there has been fish of some description 011 sale every day, although at times it has been very lato in the day before coming to hand. There has also been a good' Bupply of rabbits, 7!18 pairs being sold sinco Juno 21. The smoke-house which has been erected has proved of great Service, and it is now possible to deal with all the fish that arrives. When there is a surplus of fresh fish it can now be smoked, and sold on the following day, tlius obviating the chance of loss to the senders.

During a discussion at yesterday's Counties' Association Conference with regard to the date of tho holding of the annual meeting for the election of the chairman of the council,. Mr. Everett (Waiinea) remarked that at their annual meeting all they liad to do was "to elect a chairman, pass the dog tax and go home."

A petition bearing 4770 signatures was presented to tho House of Representatives yostarday, asking tho Government "not to give. tho Wellington City Council power to slop tho running of motor-buses on the stroets of Wellington and suburbs, as wo would find them a groat public convenience."

A return dealing with tho incidence of the graduated land tax, called for bv Mr. A. M. Myers, was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Myers's questions were answered as follows"The revenue from the graduated land tax for 1913-13 was ,£251,275; of this, i>rl>aii land paid .£71,191, and rural land X 180,084. The increase in the Tovenuo from the graduated land tax for 1912-13 over tho previous year was .£40,161. Of this it is estimated that urban land paid .£13,078, and. rural land ,£33,083."

"You would bo a good fellow to depend upon at the next election," said the president of the Counties' Association to a delegate (Mr. Coop, of Wairewa) who said lio was trustee of five estates, when a remit was discussed which suggested that a trustee should exercise his votes for the trust estate in addition to anv votes ho had for his own property. Tho motion was carried on a. division after being declared lost.

A deputation from the executive of tho Municipal Association of New Zealand will wait on the' Local Bills pommitteo at 10 o'clock this morning in connection with Bills before the House.

"The danger of publishing statistics unless you explain exactly and fully what they m!ean is very great," remarked Mr. G. Hogben duiring "his lecture on "Tho Medical inspection of School Children" last night. He instanced this American case: A wliolo sdhool of children was examined', and only ono child* had • sound foith, and that one had spinal trouble. "So," Mr. Hogben' said, "the' statistics might be read to tihe effeot that there was not ono healthy child in tihe school; but all tho doctors of tho town, and some from other towns, went to examine the .children, and they found them just about as KeaMihy a set of youngsters as could be found anywhere."

When told by tho president of the Counties' Association Conference yi'sterdciy that his council was not c.ctiin cciding to tho Counties Act, Mr. Welch (Masterton) calmly replied that that portion of tlio Act was not fair and therefore his council did not comply with it.

Following were the unexhausted authorities for loans held by the Government on Juno 30, 1913:—Aid to Water Power Works Account, .£420,000; . State Coal Mines Account, *£25,000; Scenery Preservation Account, JG35.000; Navel Defenco Act Account, .£301,500; Wellington-Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Account, ,£5320; Railways Improvement Account, •£95,470; Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Account, ; Native Laud Settlement Account, <£450,000; Maori Land Settlement. Account, <£450; Land for Settlements Account, ,£900,500; Opening up Crown Lands for Settlement Account, ,£74,045; Rnngitaiki.Land Drainage Account, ,£10,000; New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Account, .£5,024,000; total, .£-,451,285.

There was a disposition at yesterday's ccrierenco of the Counties' Association to abolish road boards, druiaa?e imards, riv.ir boards, haibour boards, and other bodies, and the president (Mr. A. E. Jull), though describing some of these bodies as excrescences which needed decapitation, remarked subsequently that in their anxiety to merge the road districts they wero merging the spirit under which road boards were administered.

Many applications aro being received by tho Eastbourno Borough Council for the position of manager of the new municipal ferry service. Applications closo on Friday next.

The Thorndon branch of tho Amatav mated Society of Railway Servants, at its meoting held* on Monday, passed tho following resolution: "That this branch of the A.S.R.S. is opposed to the action of tlio Executive Council in presenting a counter petition to Parliament to that of tho Engine-drivers', Firemen's, fliid Cleaners' Association who aro seeking for recognition of their society, as we are Grmly of the opinion that the time has arrived when they should have the solo right of representing matters affecting the locomotive members' requirements, thereby removing the petty squabbling that has been filling a prominent space in the organs of both societies."

Messrs. Baldwin and Rayward, patent attorneys, report that the following applications compiled from the "Patent Office Journal," have been made -recently for letters patent of New Zealandll. J. Boeken, Palmerston North, washing fibres of fibrous plants; G. A. Bay tor, Auckland, teat cup; W. Hawkins and Lobb, Auckland, spring-seated riding raddle; C. W. Seymour, Christchurch, casting irictals; G. F. J, Kennedy, Hastings, fences'made of wire netting; A. Burgess, Palmcrston North, propelling boats; J. Philipson, Wanganui, bed shield; A. 11, Cramvell,' Auckland, measuring relative distance of bowls from jack; Craddock and W. Scott, Christchurch, electric lamp holder shade carrier.

Tho following officers of tho Wellington Land Agents' and Auctioneers' Association have been appointed: President, Mr. A. T. Bflte; vicepresidents, Mfessrs. W. S. Bennett, aiulW. 11. Turjibull; committee, Messrs. T. 13. Dwan, J. Fanning, S. Harcourt, J. T. Horn, H. E. Leighton,' A. L. Wilson., and L. H. B. AVilson; secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. E, N. Wright.