LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1853, 12 September 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities advise that the s.s. Riverina, which sailed from Sydney on September 10 for Auckland, has 011 board Australian mails, and a small English mail, via Suez. Tho Wellington portion is duo on Monday nest per tho Main Trunk express. Epidcinio bulletin: The 'District Health Officer, Auckland, reports: —No fresh cases in Auckland or suburbs; throe cases reported from Omapero, and one case reported from Kaikohe, all Natives. Several allegations of irregularities in procedure ftt past elections wero made by members of tho Houso of Representatives when the Local Elections and Polls Bill was being discussed last evening. Mr. F. H. Smith (Waitaki) asked who paid for the telegrams concerning election results which wero transmitted at the time of tho general election. He stated that in his own electorate, at the last general election, news of rae successes of candidates attached to the Government party (then the Ward Government) was transmitted by -.telegraph, while the success of Opposition candidates was not telegraphed. This statement, he said, ho was prepared to prove. Mr. J. Robertson (Otaki) said that ho knew of cases in which innocent old ladies wore piloted into a committee-room and instructed how to vote before being passed on to a polling booth in tho same building. The vagaries of a mad dog caused some consternation ill Tennyson Street, Groy Lynn, yesterday (says our Auckland correspondent). With foaming month it careered along the thoroughfare, and caused pedestrians to nm to 0110 sido to avoid tlio danger of boing bitten. Occasionally the animal sprang at fences, barking viciously tho while. Eventually the dog, wliich was a fairsized animal, turned into an open gato leading into the backyard of Mr. F. W. Brinsden's premises. Hero it rushed wildly about tho yard, snapping furiously. . Realising at once that the dog was mad, and tlliat it would he dangerous for tho animal to bo allowed to go into the street again, Mr. Brinsden shut the gato and rang up fhe police. He obtained permission to shoot the dog.

Wlion should a City Councillor bo called Councillor was a question which cropped up at tho meeting of the Citizens' Carnival Commit-too held' in the Council Chambers last evening. Mr. G. S. Hill.took exception to speakers referring to City Councillors as Councillor This and Councillor That at a meeting of citizens, and said that at such meetings they should be "plain Mr." The Mayor, in replying to Mr. Hill,, said that ho considered it his duty at any meeting held in tho precincts of tho Town Hall to address councillors in the manner objected to. : It was duo to their position for them to be so addressed, a remark which induced sympathetic applause. The Town Hall Clock Fund is expected to bo swelled considerably by the procoeds from a concert to be held in the Town Hall early in October. Final arrangements for tho conference of Civil Servants was mado at a meeting of tho executivo of the Civil Service Association this week. ' The conference opens in Wellington on. Monday noxt, September 15, and delegates (about 25 in all) aro expected from Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, Christchurch, Dunediu, and Invorcargill. Principal business will be consideration of tho Public Service Commissioners' provisional classification, many other matters of interest to tho Civil Servico will also bo discussed.

A tram shelter is wanted by residents of Goldie's Brae, and a largely-Bigned potition has been forwarded to the City Council asking for tho usual typo.. of shelter to be erected on Queen's Terrace. The enthusiasm and conviction among the girl members of the Auckland y.W.C.A. in connection with the building campaign was illustrated in a donation of 255. received from ono of thorn by tho secretary. This, according to 'tho "Herald," represents careful saving for the past three months on tho part of an English girl, who," when acting as stewardess on one of the coastal boats, used to highly value tho bright social gatherr ings of girls on occasions slto was in port, and also the opportunities afforded by the club and roading-room.

Tho "Otago Daily Times" states that the invitation which lias been forwarded from Australia and New Zealand to the Rev. G. Campbell Mbrgan, D.D., to visit this part of tho world next year or the year after is, possibly, the most representative and elaborate one which has ever left Australia. It consists of a bulky volune, bound in blue morocco, and, apart from, the formal invitation from tho Evangelisation Society of Australasia, it contains separate invitations from, with one exception, all the Congregational Unions of Australasia, all the Methodist Conferences, Baptist Unions, Presbyterian Assemblies, and Churches of Christ, representing many hundreds of thousands of Christians under the Southern Cross. Tho different Councils of Churches throughout Australasia have also included their invitations.

A Nelson syndicate lias taken up a coal-bearing area on tho West Coast known as Brown's lease, adjoining the Blackball Company's mine. It intends to proceed with development work immediately.

In future no Territorial officer will be allowed to go up for promotion until (states a District Order by Colonel Chaytor, Commanding tho Wellington District) ho has completed a year in his present rank, and unless he has fired his course of musketry and done his full service of parades, drills, and camp for the year. Tliero shall bo only two classes, namely, "efficient" and "non-efficient."

Tho. salo of sleeping-car tickets for tho Auckland express at, some central city office in Wellington is suggested in a question addressed to tho Minister for Railways by Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P.

According to a private letter received here, Mr. Arthur Angus, of Sydney, who has patented a device for preventing collisions on railway linos, lias Ik en asked to place his patent on a lino of railway leading from St. Petersburg to one' of tlio palaces of tho Tsar.

TWO'TALBOT OPPORTUNITIES. Tho outstanding features of the best typo of British-built motor-car ore solidity and enormous strength of construction, an eugino power tar in excess of nominal rating, and the extromo durability that is associated wjith most absolute honesty in tho selection of materials., All these characteristics are possessed in a peculiar degree by tho wellknown Talbot car, and the long and brilliant record of competitive successes standing to the credit of tho Talbot in Now Zealand is directly ascribablo to tho flawless integrity with which these standard British ■ automobiles are constructed. Wo liave every confidence therefore in recommending to the attention of those desiring a strong durablo car of ample power at a moderate price tho two Talhots ivhicli aro at present in our garage at Christchurck for disposal. The bigger of tlio two is. of tho celebrated 15-28 li.p. touring type, with a five-six seater body, and comploto with lamps, screen, sparo wheel and in fact all extras. The car has recently been re-enamelled in French grey, picked out with black, and is in thoroughly good order. It would admirably suit a country hotel proprietor wanting a means of conveying guests from tho railway station. This particular ear has a very fine record of compotitivo successes. Tlio price is X!iso, a slightly smaller Talbot, a five-seatev touring oar of 12-25 h.p., with the samo comploto equipment, and also in really gooij condition, is offered (it .£250. These prices aro low, as wo need all our Cliristchurcli garage space for new stock, and must clear all second-hand cars. Send for photographs and details to Adams, Ltd., agents for Talbot curs, garage Tunm Christpliurch, near ilioh Satrect, establishment, Advt,

Among tho passongcrs who arrived from Sau Francisco yesterday by the Tahiti was Mr. James A. Sproulo, lato of Tacoma, Washington State, "U.S.A. He is accompanied by his wife, son, and daughter., Mr. Sproule, with all tho frankness of tho Amorican, states plump and plain that ho is looking for a "location," by which ho means a business opening, and ho is going on to Sydney to look for ono. Ho states that, if lie is suited, quite a number of people in tho States of Washington juid California will follow. Mr. Sproulo has visited and been impressed with Australia and New Zealand beforo, and a number of his letters to Seattle and Tacoma papers on Australasia have been collected and published under tho titlo of "Beneath tlio Southern Cross." Not wishing to burn his bridges, ho is adhering to his real estate in Tacoma until ho sounds tho market in Australia and New Zealand.

In general orders, just issued, tho scales of pay of tlio New Zealand Permanent Staff are given as follow.:— Sergeant-instructors, £160 per year,; sergeant-major instructors, after three years' service, £180; after five years' service, if recommended by tho officer commanding tlio district, £200. Tlio particulars and conditions of appointment are also given, and it is stated that preference will bo given to qualified candidates in the following order: —(a) Present serving members of tho Royal Now Zealand Artillery and Territorials; (b) ox-members of tho New Zealand South African Contingents, ex-Territor-ials, and ex-Imperials residing in New Zealand.

Donations to the Hospital liavo been received from Mr. A. E. Mabin (£10), Mr. A. Whitelaw (10s.), W. P. Shortt, Ltd. (10s.), Reckitt's Oversea Bluo Company (£2 25.), collection Waterside Workers' Band (£4), and the Wellington District A.O.F. Lodge (£133). Says our Auckland correspondent:— A ease' in which a largo trading company is interested, and 1 which affects tho ownership of machines lot out under the hiro-purchaso system, will probably bo heard by the Supremo Court at an early date, either in Auckland or during tlio Hamilton sessions. It will bo remarkable for tho amount of evidence called. Ono of the counsel engaged on the oase stated yesterday that ho had already received 130 affidavits for perusal, and expected to got a few more yet.

Seventy-five applications for a £3 per week billet, as collector, wore received by tho Wellington Hospital Board. During last evening's meeting of the Citizens' Carnival Committee, Mr. A. A. Marryatt, as chairman of tho athletic section of tho Sports Committee, announced that they had cleared up their affairs, and there was a balance of £7 ss. to add to the Carnival Fund. Mr. John S. Swan points out that the erection of a large warehouse for Messrs. Cooper, Ltd., in Dixon Street, was not mentioned in tho list of buildings in progress in tho article on the city's progress which appeared in yesterday s issue. The contract price for that building was £7900. Among the buildings in contemplation, ho added, Mas the Roman' Catholic Cathedral, which was estimated' to cost about £90,000.

A draft by-law, for the regulation of motor-cars and motor-cycles, was boforo the Hutt County Council yesterday. A speed-limit of ten miles per hour was decided upou for tho Packakariki Hill, tho Silverstream Gorge, and all townships.

Wood-blocking is to be carried" on In Cuba Street Extension. Authority has been givon by the City Council for this work, and it is intended to preparo tho foundation of tho street for receiving tho wood blocks early next financial year. If tho finances of the council permit, the Mayor .will advise that tho work should bo expedited and carried out at an earlier date as tho road sttrfaco is in a bad state at prosont.

Town Belt improvement is a subject of somo interest at present. Treeplanting, farming (on the city engineer's plan), bowling-greens, and tennis courts are ideas in vogue, but nothing lias yet been achieved in the way of a general scheme. Tho_ Mayor, however, hopes to get tho council to put the matter in order soon. He informed a reporter yesterday that ho intended to ask the council to constitute tho necessary ' authority to produce a complote plan for tho Town Belt, and he welcomed a suggestion that a competition with suitable prizes should be opened for plans for the best utilisation of tho Belt.

The proposed loan for the end of the current year formed the subject of a question put to the Mayor (Mr. J. Pi. Luke) yesterday. He replied that a f reposition will be laid _ before tho 'inanco Committee within a month. Whilo not in a position to know the individual minds /'oi councillors, the Mayor gives it as his own opinion that any loan raised will include money to make additions to tho Town Hall.

During August of last year a total of 2470 persons left Now Zealand, as compared with 2436 who arrived. During the corresponding montli this year the showing is a deal moro satisfactory, there having been 2747 arrivals as against 1883 departures.

The Government offices throughout New Zealand are to bo closed for holiday on Monday, September 22 (Dominion Day). Dunedin holds pride of place for having recorded th© lowest death-rate for tho month of August of the four centres. ''The proportion of deaths per 1000 of population is as follows Auckland, 0.79; Wellington, 0.68; Christchurch, 1.12; Dunedin, 0.65. In this week's Gazette the Publio 'Sorvico Commissioner calls for applications for the positions of AssistantMeat Inspector, Deputy-Registrar of Patents, Wellington, and Caretaker of the Live Stock Quarantine Station at Motuihi Island, Auckland.

i By notice in tho Gazette tho close season for oysters at Nelson has been extended forgone year from September 7 > 1913 " . , j. Akatarawa Road is not familiar to oitv people, but the bush on the track from Upper Hutt to Waikanae has only to bo seen to bo admired. Suggestions have been made from time to tune that it should be sot aside'as a scenic reserve, and tho suggestion was again put forward by Councillor W. J. Howell at yesterday's meeting of tho Hutt County Council. Tlio question arose ovor a lottor received by the council protesting acainst any attempt to denude the hills on the Slay 'Morn Estate and calling upon tho council to. take steps to prevent this, as if the hills wero cleared there would bo a tendency for slips to occur, and tho riverbed might consequently bo blocked.' Councillors wore generally of opinion that nothing oould be done in this matter, and the letter was merely rcceivcd, but during tho discussion Councillor Howell mentioned tho advisability of some steps being taken to proserve tho scenio beauty of tho Akatarawa Road. Ho considered that the spot was of very great valuo to the peoplo of Wellington and tho district, and it required only a walk through the track to oonvinco anyone of that. Councillor Jolin Whiteinan said that it was no use talking unless they kept picniokors and pig-hunters out. Tlieso people frequently started fires, and onoo a firo started in a dry season it would go right through any bush.