LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1867, 29 September 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho steamer Victoria arrived at Auckland yesterday in time to connect with tho south-bound Main Trunk train. Sho had on board an Australian mail, the Wellington portion of which will bo distributed this evening. A census of tho Roman Catholic population of Wellington City is to bo taken soon. Tho Roman Catholic Federation and tho St. Vincent de Paul Socioty will undertake tho work. A supplement to the Gazette notifies that the Commercial Bank of Australia, Ltd., proposes to commence business in Christchurch. Control, of tho Hutfc Road will bo discussed at a conference of representatives of interested local bodies, who havo beon asked by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) to meet him at his room at tho Tor, T ii Hall on Wednesday next at 3 p.m. "The book that is best for the children at Wanganui is best for tho children at Dunedin, and must be best for tho children at Auckland, too —tho climate can't make any difference."—Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., advocating uniform school books. The Fifth (Wellington) Regiment assembled at the Garrison Hall at 2 p.m. on Saturday, whence they marched through Newtown, to Miramar, for the first daylight parade of tho training season. They were played out by the' band of tho regiment. On arrival the men wore briefly instructed in a scheme of field tactics, based upon an attack on an imaginary enemy. Much good -work was accomplished, especially m skirmishing and reconnaissance. About half-past fivo the work ceased, and after tea and light rations had been served, tho men wore marched back to town, arriving there about 7 p.m. Somewhat unique is the Wellington Racing Club in the mattor of undertakings under its immediate control. The working of the totsUisator is conducted by the club's own staff, and last year tho Bum of £247,000 was handled. The whole of the catering and afternoon tea arrangements are also carried out by tho club's officers, and, in addition, accommodation and board are provided at Trontham for trainors and jockeys visiting tho race meetings. So also are boxes for tho horses. The amount of work involved in these undertakings is very considorablo, Tho actual wages paid during tho past year in connection with these works amounted to £3490. This is largely distributed among casual employees of tho club and residents of tho town. "From this point of view alone," said the club's president (Mr. J. B. Harcourt), when addressing members at the annual meeting of tho club, "a largo number of people would havo cause to regret tho abolition of racing." . I

Ail extraordinary aiid thrilling experience befoll Messrs. 6. D. Purdue, accountant at the Post Office, and E. Cohen, representative of the Press Association at Wakapuaka, on Thursday, whilo fishing from a boat off Cable Bay. Thoy had anohored about half a mile from the beach, and were enjoying good sport, when two whalos of considerable size were sighted some distance off, and they eventually caine right up to the boat, which was in imminent danger of being capsized. The climax was reached when one of the whales became entangled in some manner with the anchor line, and headed at great speed to sea, with the boat in tow. The situation was alarming to a degree when Mr. Purdue thought of a knife which had been thrown into the bottom of the boat, which he passed to Mr. Cohen, who succeeded in severing a few strands of the rope when the strain caused the latter to part. In the meantime the bbiit had travelled about one hundred and fifty yards, and was moving so fast that the water was swirling 1 from the bows. The fishermen got out their oars and lost no time in pulling ashore, a little shaken in nerves by their remarkable adventure. Messrs. Purdue and Cohen estimated that each of the mammals was from thirty-fivo to forty feet in length.

Members of the touring "Auckland League team, who leave for Auckland by tie Main Trunk express this morning, ' were last evening . conducted through the Parliamentary Buildings and Library by Messrs. Bradney and A. Glover, M.P.'s. The team speak in the highest ttrms of the hospitality meted' out to them during their stay here.

The system of distinguishing lights on the Auckland wharves, recently decided upon by the Harbour Board in connection with tho_ improvements on the water-front, will be put into operation from October 1. Thoro will be a combination of three lights on each of the wharves. The distinguishing colours will be as_ follows: —Queen's Wharf, three red lights; Hobson Wharf, three green lights; The ferries, green, orange, and red lights; and Northern Wharf, red and two orange lights. When the tide deflector to tho eastward of tho King's Wharf is completed, the leading harbour flash-light will be. removed from the King's Wharf to' the end of tho deflector. Tho distinguishing lights to be placed on the seaward ena of tlie King's Wharf in the near future will he red, orange, and red. The date of the official opening of the new Government Departmental Buildings at Christchurch has not vet been definitely fixed, but it is probable that it will be about tho end of the prosent month. Tho building was inspected on' Thursday by Messrs. R. Triggs, H. J. H. Blow, and J.- Hislop, who are making arrangements for the occupation of the accommodation available by the various Government departments. Thoy intend (says tho "Press") interviewing tho local heads of departments in connection with the apportioning of the rooms.