LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Free lodgings in tho cars which stand in the Wellington railway yards overnight are sometimes taken by thoso whose circunistancos leave them without tho wherewithal to buy shelter. Tho authorities, however, object to tho cars becoming a cheap substitute for a boardinghouso, aud aro prosecuting all who seek a night's repose in these railway car-' riages. Several nomads havo appeared ill the Magistrate's Court lately through being caught sleeping in the vehicles of the railroad. Yesterday threo more figured in tho dock. . Tho Devon inquiry will bo ro-openod in the Supremo Court at 10.30 a.m. today. His Honour Sir. Justice Chapman will preside, and the assessors will bo Captain W. J. Newton, Auckland, and Captain W. Waller, harbourmaster, New Plymouth. Tho executive of the New Zealand Sports Protection League met yesterday afternoon for the purpose of interviewing tho finally-selected five applicants for the position of secretary, vice Mr. A. Paape, resigned. After examining the applicants, tho committee reserved decision until another meeting, to bo hold to-morrow afternoon. A variot.v of sea shells (claimed to bo of some value), neatly packed in a glass case, wero presented to the Petono Council's Museum last Evening by Mr, G. Pointon,, sen., of Potonc. In moving a resolution of thanks, tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) stated that he had been informed that tho shells wero valuable, as they had been tound many years ago in a Jlax swamp in the district of Carterton. A gang of men were engaged to empty and cleanse tho upper dam at Koro lvoro (Petone) on Saturday afternoon. As tho water lowered and rushed away numerous rainbow trout wero stranded iii the silt, and lay temptingly by. Each worker as he scraped at tho banks thought of Sunday's breakfast; each smileij as he thought of tho handy little bag which ho had brought his clothes in, but each was thunderstruck when.'lio discovered that among thoso superintending the operation, was a representative of the Acclimatisation Society. The men worked until dusk and as tlioy made their way homeward-with enipty bags, they 110 doubt hoped that, next time, tho society would riot "bo in the know." .

An improvement is promised in the method of equipment for field troops of the Defence Forces, and equipment lists are' being printed setting out tho standard requirements of tho various companies, and theso are to bo adhered to as closely as possible. At present the. equipment of mounted and infantry signal companies is not according to any set standard.

'Mr. A. Bolton, grocer, is erccting a one-storied shop in reinforced concreto opposjto tlio tramway terminus in Courtenay Place. The walls are being mado sufficiently strong to boar two more stories. Mr. Hurroll is the contractor. Tlio tender of Mr. W. Brownman has been accepted for the erection of two small shops in brick, near to His Majosty'vi. Theatre, in Courtenay Place.

Rabbits are not nearly so numerous at Jlakafa as they were, and tlio locality is Jiot now in favors: witi sportsmen looking for a shot. Thoso who have taken the trouble to tramp tlio hills recently have iiol been roivardcd with large bags.

Tho Druids' Hall having been disposed of somo weeks ago, a meeting of members was lield last night, under tho chairmanship of Bro. Jenkins, to reeeivo the balance-sheet. This was accepted, tho members having for some timo had a full knowledge of tho trend of events.

The last military defaulter has been discharged from Alexandra Barracks, where he has been undergoing military detention, a course 'of training by way of squaring his account witli his country in torms of the Defcnco Act.

TWO TALBOT OPPORTUNITIES. Tho outstanding foatures of tho best type of British-built motor-car aro solid, ity and enormous strength of construction, an engine power far in excess of l nominal rating, and tho extreme durability that is associated with most absolute honesty in tho selection of materials. All those characteristics are possessed in a peculiar degree by the wellknown Talbot car, and the long and brilliant record of competitive successes standing to tho credit of tho Talbot in Now Zoaland is directly ascribablo to tho flawless integrity with which the9o standard British automobiles are constructed. Wo have overy oonfidenco therefore in recommending to the attention of thoso desiring a strong durable car of ample power at a moderate prioe tho t«o Talbots I which are at present in our garage at Christchuroh for disposal. The bigger of the two is of the celebrated 15-28 h.p. touring type, with a five-six soater body, and complete with lamps, screen, spare wheel and in fact all extras. 'JPhe car has recently .been - re-enamelled in French grey, picked out with blnck, nnd is in thoroughly good order. It would admirably suit a country hotel proprietor wantmoans of convoying guests from the railway station. This particular oar has a, very fine record" of . competitive successes! Tho price is nC!t. r >o, a slightly smaller Talbot, «■ fivc-seator touring car of 12-25 h.p., with tho samo complete equipment, and also in really go<xl condition, is offered at .£250. These prices aro low, as wo need all our Christchurclv garngo space for new stock, and must clenr all second-hand cars. Send for photographs and details to Adams, Ltd., agent l ! for Talbot cars, garage Tuam Street.. Christchurch, new High Sstreet, establishment. —Advt,

There is reported to be a shortage of instructors in- tho newly-formed Railway Battalion, but otherwise the training is proceeding satisfactorily.

One of tho Baddest circumstances of the recent 'terrible railway accident in Yorkshire—namely, tho death of Sir Arthur Douglas (says tho Auckland "Star") —was recalled by nil incident at tho sale of Mr. H. Winkolmann's collection of books on Thursday. A simplybound volume, catalogued as "The Dominion of New Zealand—A. T. Douglas," was offered, and thcro _ were no bid's. Then someone said: "Sir Arthur Douglas's book," and immediately bids camo l'rooly.

Whilst preparations for a day's washing were being made yesterday morning in an outhouse near Mr. L. A .Brown s residence at Ngaio, tho overheating of tho copper caused an outbreak of fire, and though tho flames were confined to the outhouse, tho residenco itself had a narrow escape.'

Improvement of the rifle ranges throughout the Dominion is being maintained, though (on account of tho heavy expense) tho work has to bo undertaken by gradual stages.

Members of the artillery and engineer sections of the Defence Forces m all four centres have arranged monthly meetings for lectures and discussions oil coast defence, battleships, and kindred subjects, in addition to their ordinary parades and drill. In view of certain statements which havo been made before tho Education Committee of the House of Representatives in reference to Dr. Hunter's ovidonco regarding tho Otago Medical School, it ahould be stated' that The Dominion's report was a summary mado by a reporter' from Dr. Hunter a draft of tho'evidence supplied by him to the committee.

A meeting of the executive of tho Wellington South Progressive Society was held last evening, Mr.- J. Castlo presiding over a good attendance of members. A warm discussion ensued on the policy of the leasing of portions of the Town Belt, and tho mcetuig ultimately unanimously passed a resolution disapproving of tho principle of leasing the belt to private persons or bodies, while no provision has been made tor recreation grounds for children. Tins resolution will be forwarded to tho City Council. ' The society holds that playgrounds for children are very -urgently needed. The meeting was adjourned until Monday next. By the omission of a negative in tho articlo on the Panama Canal published in yesterday's Dominion, it was stated that Sir James Mills "has been credited with disclosing important plans prematurely." The sentence should havo read that "Sir James Mills "has never been credited with disclosing important plans prematurely." In the Commonwealth House of Representatives last week iJho Hon. Minister (Mr. Kelly) stated that the Minister for Defence had decided to retain ■tho kilt as tho -uniform for the Scottish regiments. Tho Military Board had been asked to diranv up regulations m regard to tho matter. Tho authorities of Stanford and California Universities have cabled to Mr. W. W. Hill, secretary of tho Now South Wales Rugby. Union, asking him to go over and referee Uieir annual game, which will tako place at Palo Alto on November 8. Should ho go, Mr. Hill s expenses will bo paid. Tho American University authorities have paid Mr. Hill, and' incidentally Australia, a very lvi jli compliment in asking him to travel 14,000 miles to referee a game. Last year, when tOie Australian team toured America, Mr. Hill referred in this annual fixture, which resulted in a draw —three all. He evidently gave satisfaction to both -sides. The fixture is an event in the Rugby Union world! an California. The attendance is Generally % 000, at 2J dollars each, itfuch wprer sent-s at least a £10,000 gate. So great is tho interest ta.ken in the matdh that tho seats' aro all reserved about three weeks ahead. Numbers on the Harbour Board sheds and wharves seem to requiro, re-letter-ing or numbering. This was pointed out yesterday by a man who wished to ascertain tho whereabouts of "I" shed, and knowing that "J" shed was at tho foot of the Wool Wharf, naturally looked in that direction. After inquiry,

however, ho found tho shed a quarter of a milo away iu the centro of the Queen's Wharf. 'It is fairly apparent that letters are no guido to the location of a shed. There are three slieds 011 tho outer tecs of the Queen's Wharf, which are lettered (reading from north to south), "B," "C," and "H." On tho middle tecs are tho sheds "A,. "D," and "G," with "E" and "F" on cither sido of tho 1 entranco to the wharf. Fair sequence is obsorved along Jervois Quay, whore the sheds aro lettered "M," "N," "0," "Q," and "R." "P" has been dropped, and is the brand of tho uig brick storo'and offices 011 the northern sido of.tho approach to tho Queen's Wharf. A walk of almost three-quarters of a mile intervenes between "It" shed (near the Star Boating Club's shed) to "S" and "T" sheds, which are located 011 tho Glasgow Wharf. "K," "J." "U," "V," "W" and "X" face Customhouse and Waterloo Quays, and "Y" is 011 tho Taranaki Street Wharf. ..So far "Z" has 110 place in the board's, scheme. The sheds 011 the King's Wharf are simpTy numbered "1" and "2." This seems to bo a much simpler form of identification than tho somewhat confusing and scattered letter system.