LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1846, 4 September 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

His Excellency the Governor has remitted tho fino and costs imposed on Gunner 11. Deihl, of the D! Battery, Wellington, for failing to attend tho annual training-camp last April. At that time tho gunner was working in a very, isolated area, and was unable to attend tho camp. As .ho is still there, he has been granted exemption for n year.

. Cleared Dp: Tho two men, John Bryant and Robert Wilson, who wero reported on Tuesday night as missing, advised tho police yesterday afternoon that thero was no necessity for apprehension on their account. ;

"Steamer freight charges throughout tho world have been augmented in recent years in sympathy with tho increased cost of labour and materials required to maintain tho services," said the Prime Minister in reply to a question in tho House of Representatives yesterday, "and tho shipping companies contcml that the present rates between tho Old Country and New Zealand'aro reasonable when compared with those in forco between England and Australia or on other routes. The Government will, however, gladly welcome any lino of steamers which will givo cheaper freights on New Zealand exports and imports or do anything possible in that direction."

Tho position of persons temporarily employed in tho Public Service is touched upon in a question addressed to tho Prime Minister by Mr. T. K. Sidoy, M.P. Ho asks when it is proposed to •bring down the legislation in the interests of porsons temporarily employed in tho Public Service which tho Prime Minister recently indicated'it was intended to introduce? Mr. Sidey states that many of tho temporary clerks in tho Public Service have recoived final notice that their, services will ceaso after September 30, and as legislation to be effective in their interest should bo placed on tho Statute Book before that dato, the matter is ono of urgency.

Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P., gave notice yesterday in tho House of Representatives to ask tho Minister for Editcation wliethor ho is aware of the fact that for the position of scienco teacher, recontly advertised, in tho Wellington Training College, there was only one candidate, that ho was not a University graduate, and that before applying for the position ho first ascertained what other means ho would have of supplementing tho inadequate salary 'ottered.

"We have 'never seen a'' barbed wire fenco that will stop a boy," was a sentence in a letter from the Waihi Company, read at the mooting of the Auckland Board of Education yesterday morning (says our local correspondent). It was in reply to a request from Matamata that tho electric transmission lines ' should be protected. The company stated that it intoiided to give duo notice beforo turning on tho current from Horahora, and was prepared', to protect the. poles if it was deemed necessary. Mr. Purdie expressed tho opinion that -the company showed great faith in the virility of the New Zealand youfli.

"The Government should be asked to exempt New Zealand-made "wines from tlio effects of Prohibition," is a motion to be discussed at to-day's sitting of the Fruitgrowers' Conference.

In connection with tlio Brooklyn Church, a scheme is on foot for tlio construction of a small hall in which to hold boys' meetings. This will make it possible, also, to start a branch of tlio Boy Scouts, of which thero aro already many prospcctivo • members. The building is to cost about £50,. and tlio vicar (Rev. 11. H. Hobday) hopes to collect that amount in donations.

As most people now know, a traffic tunnel through Mount Victoria is' one of the principal items on the programme of the Hataitai Municipal Electors' Association, and tho mattor will bo further urged upon tho City Council l by a deputation' this evening. Other matters of interest to residents of Hataitai will also be brought under the notice, of the council by tho deputation.