LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Bothasberg" formed tho subject of a very interesting lecture given, last evening by Captain and Adjutant Richardson, of tlie sth (Wellington) Uegiment. This, as most people still remember, was the engagement in wliicli the Seventh New Zealand Contingent fared so badly, there being 24 killed and 41 wounded, out of some 250 officers and men. The lecturo, which was in connection with a mess meeting of officors, was illustrated by photographs taken after tho engagement and by blackboard plans.

Seventeen organ recitals given in Auckland by Mr. Maughan Barnett

yielded a return of £256 4s. Mr. C. Collins, Wellington City Treasurer, has supplied figures for Mr. Barnett's rccitnls in Wellington, so that a comparison can be mado. Receipts for Mr. Barnett's last year (1912-1913) in tliis city wer© £330 7a., but this included £73 9s. taken at the _ farewell recital. In 1911-1912 tho receipts wero £231 Is. 6d., while in 1910-1911 they were £242 6s. Cd.

A donation of £2 lia3 been received from liis Excellency tlie Governor to tho fundi for the relief of the crew of tho Devon. Other amounts to hand are 10s. from Mr. E. Ealpin, and £1 from the Bodega. A concert in aid of the fund will bo given at the Theatre Royal on Friday evening.

In a ono-minuto interview yesterday, Major A. W. Jones, officer commanding No. 1 Company (Ohristchurch) New Zealand Engineers, who has just_ returned from a four months' visit to Australia, remarked: "Territorial affairs are progressing satisfactorily in Australia. I was very much impressed with tho keenness of tho lads. Of coursO, as in New Zealand, tho malcontents make their voices heard, but for the most part tho vouths do not att-ompt to evado their drills. While I was in Sydney I saw a parado of 20,000 cadets, and tho spectacle, owing'to the prolicicnt marching of the boy 6, was worth going a long way to see."

"I may say that the Government is fully impressed with tho need for tho improvement of the condition of tho teachers of back-blocks schools, both as to salaries and as to tho improvement of the residences," said tho Hon. J. Allen (Minister for Education) in tho Houso. of Representatives yesterday. "Over £8000 was spent in 1910 and 1911 in adding rooms, bathrooms, and washhouses —and in some cases an additional room —to teachers' houses in 200 of tho most urgent cases, and vory shortlv I hope to bo able .to consider a number of other similar applications from tho various boards."

Mufti and military uniform make a weird effeefc, but tlio mixture is often worn, especially by young Territorials who lack a. sonse of the fitness of things. Military overcoats over plain clothes aro common enough street sights. The matter has attracted the attention of tho Defenco authorities, and it is noiv officially notified that the practice must ceaso

Some. zealouß and active constable pounced upon a number of workless labourers 011 tho wharf nt 10 o'clock yesterday morning. To tho constable's way of thinking it was a case of "twoup," and 110 swiftly invaded the ring. A wholesale scatter of men took place in flight along the wharf, but the constablo made sure of one man.

Two interesting addresses were given at the mooting of tho Wellington Suburbs branch of tho Women's Political Reform League, Karori, last evening. Tho speakers were Sir. W. H. D. Bell, M.P.. and Mr. C. K. Wilson, member for Taumarumti. At the conclusion of tho address Mr. W. G. Tustin moved a vole of thanks to tho speakers, and a voto of coniideneo in tho Massey Ministry. This was seconded by Mr. L. I'. Davies and carried unanimously.

Asked by Mr. Atmore in the House of Representatives yesterday whether he would give an assurance to the llouso that neither he nor any of his col/eagues had approached ilia I'ablio (service Commissioiwrs in contravention al the VnbTu: Surrico Ant, tho i'rinw Minjslor said thai bi)Son> askiiv; .sntOi a question the lion, member should ho able to give some foundation in fact iov tho insinuation that Ministers were supposed to_'hav« actcd in contravention o£ tho Public Sctvico Act in their relations with tho Commissioners, but there had been uo breach of the Act such as was referred to in tho <j.uostiou,

General orders just issued in connection wifcli the Defence Forces state that in futuro the Signal Corps will be known as the Mounted Signal Troops and Divisional Signal Companeis, and will form part of tho corps of New Zealand Engineers ; the Railway Corps is to bo redesignated the Railway Battalions, and to form part of tho Corps of Engineers; and the Army Motor Reserve of Officers is to be redesignated tho New Zealand Forces' Motor Reserve of Officers.

Tho Government reoeived a communication from tho Public Service Commissioner in regard to tho position of temporary clerks in tho Public Service in the month of August,_ tho Prime Minister stated yesterday, in whicn ho suggested certain legislation, and tho Government requested tho Commissioner to 'Submit a Bill t-o give effect to his proposal. A draft Bill was recently received from him., and the Government proposo immediately to introduce it. "If there is one Department of State that wants rolling under a road-rollex and squashing into soino semblance of common sense, it is tho Railway Department," said Mr. T. H. Davey, M.P., in tho House of Representatives yesterday. Ho was referring to tho failure of tho Department to rectify, a coaldust nuisance at Christchurch. Mr. Davey declared that a number of properties at Sydenham had been injuriously affected by tho presence of a railway coal depot and that although tho matter had been brought under tho notico of tho Railway Department years ago and successive Ministers, including tho present Primo Minister and the Minister for Railways, had admitted tho gravity of tho nuisance, nothing had been done by way of remedy or redross. Tho people affected intended to seek redross either by petitioning the Houso or in the Supremo Court. Tho Hon. W. H. Herries said that he had already issued instructions that one of the properties affected by tho coal-dust nuisanco should bo purchased, and that negotiations should bo entered into for the purchase of a second property. Tho Department had been informed that if it did not buy the properties in question it would probably have to pay more in compensation.

Tho Minister for Railways has refused to adopt tho suggestion of Sir. W. A. Veitch, M.P., that casuals of three years' service should be added to tho permanent 1 staff, "I,regret I cannot adopt tho suggestion," said, the Minister, replying to a> question .in the House yesterday. "Workmen are casually employed 10 meet the emergency requirements of tho Department, and tho period of their employment is ex-

tended from time to time as circumstances warrant, and their services are only dispensed with when work slackens or 111 cases where they do not give satisfaction. In either case the Department must retain the right to retire tho men."

A protest was made in tho Legislative Council yesterday by the Hon. J. D. Ormond against "the very great inconvenience to tho public which is caused by tho writing of telegrams by. what ,ire called indelible pencils, but which aro often absolutely illegible." He asked whether, as tho saving of cost (if any) by tho employment of this system could not bo considerable, the Department, would not revert to tho old system. He complained in support of his request that he had on moro than ono occasion been unable to decipher telegrams. The Hon. H. D. Bell submitted the reply of tho Post and Telegraph Department to tho request. It was to the effect that the Department had received 110 complaint from the public against the transcription of sealed telegrams with indelible pencils. Tho use of indelible pencils was prescribed to guard against tho fraudulent alteration of telegrams, and not to save cost, and only avery few cases of had been reported in several years. Although not a pleasant day for- visitors, those who visited Whakarewarewa 011 Sunday were treated, to a lino dis-1 play by the Cauldron, which shot to a 1 great height. The water is stated by tho "Herald's" correspondent to liavo come up to the seats, and flowed down tho steps towards tho river. Tho Cauldron remained active for about 30 minutes, after which Poliutu shot to a height of over 100 ft. for 20 minutes. Tho Prince of Wales' Feathers was also active. Pohutu played again on Monday morning and gave a. lino display.

The House of Representatives jealously guards its privileges, Yesterday Mr. T. W. Rhodes sought leave to refer a petition direct to the Government because it raised a question of policy. This was objected to by Mr. G. Witty on the ground that it would bo a sliglit_ to go past the Petitions Committeo in the manner suggested, although it was quite truo that tho committeo could not deal with a petition relating to policy, and e-ould only send it back to the House. The objection was upheld, and the petition was reforred to tho Petitions Committee, Mr. Rhodes stating that he had been actuated .only by a desire to save time. Actuated by tho thought of Christmas and holidays, tho Young Women's Christian Association in Dunedin has organised a holiday savings club in all tho largo business firms. Tho schenic •is stated by a southern oxchango to havo met with favour, for already between 150 and 200 have joined, and more havo expressed their desire to join. The ideal of this club is saving in small instalments. Any 6um is acoepted from Id. up to £10. Whon any girl's account reaches this last amount she must draw it out'and deposit it in her own name. All the money is paid out a week before Christmas, to bo used for holidays or to be transferred directly to tho girl's own banking account. Nearly £16 is tho united total of small amounts to bo banked as tho result of a week's effort. A progress report received regarding the movement in hand by the Presbyterian Church authorities in aid of tho development of mission work at Canton, where the Church in Now Zealand now supports 18 missionaries, states that about £1500 of tho £11,000 aimed at is in hand. Tho organising secretary in Christchurch has advised Mr. C. R. Smith that ho has received £700 from Christchurch, £250 from Otaco, £140 from Auckland, £140 from Wellington, and £116 from Wanganui. It is stated that there is a considerable sum in sight. _ •

TWO TALBOT OPPORTUNITIES. | Tlie outstanding features of the best typo of British-built motor-car aro solidity and enormous Btrenprt.li of construction, an engine power fa.r in excess of nominal rating, and the extremo durability that is associated with most absolute honesty in the selection of materials. AU these characteristics aro possessed in a peculiar degree by the wellknown Talbot car, and tlio long and brilliant record of competitive successes standing to the crcdit of tho Tallwt in New Zealand is directly ascribable to tho flawless integrity with which these standaril British automobiles aro constructed. AVe have every confidence' therefore in recommending to the attention of those desiring a strong durable enr of ample power at a moderate price tlio two Talbots which aro at present in our garago at Christchurch for disposal. Tho Wgor of tlio two is of tho .celebrated 15-28 li.p. touring tyue, with a five-six srater body, and complete with lamps, \ screen, spa.ro wheel and in fact nil extras. The car has recently been re-enamelled in French grey, picked out with black, and is in thoroughly Read order. It would admirably suit a country hotel proprietor wanting a means of convoying guests from the i-railway station. This particular car has a, very <lno record of competitive sue--1 ccssc. The price is JS3SO, a s&whtfy snuil--1 lor Talbol, n Sire-senior towri));,' car of i b.p., wAh \Aio same cownMe eowpTOenV, ivnvl v\ls» in vocvlly good eo\ulitiou, is offered at .C&ifl. 'i'Jisso prices aro low, as wo need all our Chrisloliurcli garage space for new dock, and must clear all 'second-hand enrs. Send Sor -photographs nnd details to Adams, Ltd., agents for TaJViot cars, garasc Tuam Street. ChristohnTrh, near High Sstrect, establishment. 1 r-Advt.