LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1857, 17 September 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho postal authorities advice that tho s.s. Manuka, which sailed lrom Sydney on September 13 for Wellington, has on board Australian mails only. Sho is due hero to-day. "I see thoso sort of things in the newspapers," said tlio harbourmaster (Captain Johnston), when asked as to a dispute between the Harbour Board and tho Merchant Service Guild, as to tho desirability of substituting a flash light for a fixed light on Falcon Shoal. It was subsequently proved, however, that since Juno last year the question had constantly been before tho board, and Captain Johnston is usually in attendance at the board meeting. Tho closure was 'mentioned in the Houso.of Representatives yesterday by Mr. G. Laurenson, M.l\, who professed to consider that this method of summarily ending a debate might advantageously be adopted in tho New Zealand Parliament. Both tho Primo Minister and tho Leader of tho Opposition declared emphatically that they wore opposed to tho introduction of tho closure. "You used to threaten to do it, but you never tried to," remarked Mr. Massoy. "I don't beliove in it," said' Sir Joseph Ward. "Well, neither do I," replied the Prime Minister.

Ths New Zealand Ac ado ray of Fine Arts lias purchased Miss Frances Hodgkins's picture "Tho Hill Top," and, with the assistance of several other members of Parliament, "A Dutch Canal," as a gift to tho National Gallery. Among other purchasers of pictures at Miss Hodgkins's recent show have been the Hon; J. R. Sinclair, M.L.C.,.Dr. Fyffe, and Dr. Hay. Miss Hodgkins is returning in October to Europe, where the .further progress of this successful New Zealand artist will bo followed with interest by her fellow colonists. "Tho Friday late night in Cliristchurch is steadily gaining favour. Many of th© tradesmen think that it will bo onlv a question of time when tlio Friday lato night will be as popular and as profitable as Saturday evening was iu the past."-—Labour Journal. Tho now Britannia Picture Theatre, next tho Duko of Edinburgh Hotel, m Manners Street, is expected to bo ready for occupancv towards tho end of next month. A lease of the new premises iias been secured by Mr. A. Linloy, formerly part-proprietor of tlio King s Theatre. Tho most usual thing affecting the Dptic nervo is over-smoking, according to a Wellington doctor, who was engaged in a caso in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. • To Auto railway station (Hawke's Bay) will for tho future be known as Opapa. The change took effect as from yosterday. "People talk about the cost of living now," says Mr. John Stevens, of tlio Manawatu, in an article in the latest "Early Settlers' Journal." "In the 'fifties, and 'sixties men used to get 3s. Cd. and 4s. 6d. per day. and numbers of men had yearly employment, ranging from £40 to £45 per annum and found; but after a few years, owing to their steady industry and thrift, they were able to acquire homes _ for themselves, and hundreds of their descendants now residing between Wanganui and Wellington, thanks to tho foresight of their progenitors, are tlio most prosperous settlers in tho Dominion. Unfortunately, instead of saving some portion of the many £40 and £45's which thoy now receive many times over during a year, the generations of to-day know nothing of thrift, and caro less about it. Tho tefalisator, football, and pictures are all uppermost in tlie ! riiinds of thosb Whose ancestors know tho valuo of thrift-, and enjoyed tho great pleasure of the old-day rational sports and reasonable prosperity."

The conference between tho shareholders and directors of the Bank of Now Zealand on'the Banking Bill proposed to bo submitted to Parliament lias been postponed until Friday next.

Epidemic bulletin: —The District Health Officer, Auckland, reportsNo fresh cases are reported in Auckland or suburbs. Olio Maori caso is reported from Waikino, Bay of Islands.

Reference to tho ponding alterations in connection with tho East Coast steamer service was made at tho Gisborno Chamber of Commerco by tho Mayor (Mr. J. R. Kirk), who suggested that representations should bo made to the Union Company protesting against the running of any boat inferior to tho Monowai. The suggestion was agreed to, together with a proposal to make further inquiries as tp wlien tho Gisborne-Napior ferry sorvico was to be resumed. Mr. Corson pointed out that it looked as if they were going to have the Tarawera on again this year during show time, and- it was decided to urge tho company to substitute a better boat.

Auckland's long-projccted canal between tlio Waitemata and Manukau Harbours will probably bo advanced a stago on October 7, when a representative conference of the local bodies interested is to bo held. The Auckland Harbour Board is at present investigating tlio merits of various suggestod routes. The triumphs of the Gospel among the lepers or the Empire were related interestingly last night by Mr. Wellesloy 0. Bailey. Tlio lccture was delivered in' tlio Baptist Church, Vivian Street, before a good attendance. It may ho mentioned that iu India alone the lepers number 250,000; the "open sore of India" tlio disease has been called. Mr. Bailev is tlio founder of the Mission to Lepers, and his outlino of tlio work of introducing the Biblo to the unfortunates was entertaining indeed.

Representatives of the joint executive of tho United Federation of Labour and the Social Democratic Party will meet on Friday, September 26, to discuss tile new Arbitration Bill.

Improvements at the lighting station. Mercer Street, arc to be. carried cut bv Mr. J. L. M'Millan, who lias signed a' contract for tho "building of boiler and turbo beds" at a prico of £318. Other tenderers for the work were: Messrs. Sanders Bjos., £339; Mr. M. H. Knielit, £393; and Mr. A. E, Hurrell, £421.