LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Reform "Year Book" (1913), a copy of which has beon received, covers a fair range of interesting subjects. It is published by the authority of tho National Executive of tho Reform Party for tho use and information of members throughout tho Dominion. It is on the lines of English party "Year Books," and its main object i§ said to bo "to provide, in a eoneiso and accessible form, somo political information likely to bo of use to those supporters of the party who aro actively interesting themselves in the return of Reform candidates to Parliament." Particulars as to officers of the various branches of the lcaguo aro given. Tho constitution and tho personnel of tho Legislative Assembly aro dealt with in nutshell form. Brief biographies of tho members of both Houses aro included. The advent to power and some of tho aims of the Reform Party aro briefly surveyed. Parliamentary' procedure and elections aro explained, and thero is tabulated 1 information about previous. Parliaments, tho Primo Ministers to date, and national finance. Results of elections for ten years back aro also given.

In replying to the toast of Lis health at tho banquet tendered him at New Plymouth on Tuesday, His Excellency the Governor said that it was his most earnest endeavour to go, with Her Excellency, to all the chief towns in this Dominion!, and naturally this took some little time, especially- when they were confined as muoh as possible to tho capital citv when Parliament was 1 in session. The Mayor had alluded to tho fact that, contingents had been sont from New Zealand to South Africa, and Ixo was proud to bo able to say that ho was associated with the second and third contingents in that countiy at a period when all realised how helpful and needful such aid was and how it brought the Empire closer together, the sons of tlio Dominion serving alongside our own troops. Continuing, His Excellency said that by a strange coincidence ho had noticed 1 whilst visiting Marsland Hill tho name of tho ship Curacao, in which ship his father served for three years in tho Australian—now Australasian—station. Judge Kenny had told him that he recollected Veil his (tho speaker's) father bcin« in this town and fighting irii this district against tho Natives at a timo which now was happily relegated to the past. They were all proud to ho asaooiated with their Maori brothers, and they _ too were equally proud to |)o with their 1 white brothers in this Dominion.

As long asi tho weather remains favourable, tho work of salvaging material from the wrecked Devon will continue. The harbour steamer' Admiral returned with a good load of stuff from' the wreck yesterday afternoon. This included tho piano, parts of the refrigerating machinery, ship chandlery, saloon panels, chairfe, and cabin fittings. Somo of this material was landed at the King's Wharf yesterday, and the remainder will bo taken out of tho Admiral's hold to-day. Bio next load is expected to reach Wellington early next week. To-day Messrs. Johnston and Co., auctioneers, acting on behalf or Lloyd's, will sell a quantity of salvaged material from the Devon iin tho Harbour Board's J Shed.

Tho classification list in connection with tho Post and Telegraph Department, which lias been occupying the attention of tho Public Servico lnissionorS for a. month or two past, has now been issued in Gazette form. Tho list sots out in tabulated form the name, naturo of duties, dato of appointment, length of servico up to March 31 last, and tho salary of every officer m tho service, under specified classes, tho maximum salary attainable being set out at the head of each class. 11l tho Commissioner's introductory paragraph ho says:—"Any officer dissatisfied with his classification as shown herein may forward to the Commissioner, v"™~ in the time prescribed in section 31 or the Act, a notice of . appeal _ setting forth the grounds of his dissatisfaction, for consideration of the Board of Appeal. Anv appeal which is likely to roach Wellington later t'liaii thirty days from the date hereof must bo accompanied with evidence showing that this notification was not in the hands of tho appellant moro than thirty days before the date of posting of tho appeal to the Couimissionor^'

Tiio rock-hopper penguins brought to Christchurch from the Macquarlo Islands by tho Tutanekai aro not -thriving. Only ono now survives.

"Is it really true that you aro married?" asked Inspector M'Grath of a foinalo defendant ill tlio I'olieo Court at Auckland i on Monday. "Well, |>erJiaps riot quito," slio answered. "You sco, I hope to bo marriod on Monday next." When pressed further, she explained that she had had two other husbands. "They are hotli dead," slio added, "each of them committing suicido."

Complaint was recently made by Mr. R. F. Bollard, M.l*. for Eden, to tho Minister of Railways against tho "intolerable nuisance to travellora on tho Main Trunk express of being awakened every half hour by ticket-inspectors and guards." The lion. W. 11. Berries, Minister of Railways, informed the House of Representatives yesterday that the matter was under consideration, and that in view of tho widespread complaints, ho lioped to bo ablo to announce that tho annoyances would bo mitigated; but at tho same _ time, tickets of passengers joining tho train at way stations must bo inspected.'

Much lias been niado recently of a rumour which had somo currenoy, to tho effect that tho Government Labour Bureau had sent two coolies to got employment in place of two white men, at. a jiursery at Avondalo, Auckland. Tho Prime Minister stated yesterday in tho Houso of Representatives that the report was incorrect, and that ho was informed that tho two coolies referred to Had been sent out to the employer, by a registry offico keeper.

Tho question ofi how to deal more thoroughly with tlio inspection of pork is now receiving tho careful consideration of tho Government. Tho Departmental officers aro preparing a special report on tho subject,

Replying to a question by Mr. J. Payno in thi» House of Representatives yesterday suggesting that nurses ,wlio woro entitled to register in 1901, but who failed owing to various circumstances to do so, should bo allowed, by special legislation, to register now, tho Hon. R. H, Rhodes, Minister of Public Health, said that tho Government did not proposo to introduce legislation for this purpose. "There is nothing," ho replied, "to prevent such unregistered nurses from nursing patients and generally earning- their living, provjded they do not attend cases of midwifery without the t assistance of either n qualified and registered medical practitionor, or a midwife. It is generally admitted that tho standard of nursing in New Zealand—gonoral and maternity—is of s l»e;h ordei, and the, admission of unqualified nurses to tho register would bo a retrograde step." "

A suggestion was made recently by Mr. E. Newman, member for Itangitikei, that tho Government should set aside a portion of the National Endowment Lands as a permanent endowment for tho agricultural colleges to bo'erected in both islands. Tho Hon. W. F. Maesoy stated, in the House yesterday that tho suggestion made would bo considered when tho question of agricultural education was under consideration.

Tho Telegraph Department has gangs of moil busy at present putting another wire through from Christchurcli to Kaikoura which, when finished, will provido a metallic circuit. Only a'few moro milos have to bo covered, and the work should be completed shortly. When finished tlio lino will give a good tele, phono communication between Kaikoura and Christchurcli, and will bo available as an emergency line, 4 should tho main south telegraph line over tlio Whalcsback give trouble.

Writing from Sydney Mr. Arthur J. Sawyer, tho wireless expert w'Jio was attached to tho Mawson Expedition at tho Macquario Islands, states that ho is about to leavo for the Solomon Islands and New Hebrides in Mimection with the establishment of stations there by the Amalgamated Wireless Company. There 'is already a station at Port Moresby (Britisn Papua) and 0110 at Fiji, so that with stations at the New Hebrides and Solomon Islands tho islands of this quarter of tho globe will practically be all connected up. The only important group not yet provided with a plant are the Cook.lslands. s

A sensation was caused at Scarrotts, near Te Kopuru, Auckland, on Monday night, when it was reported that a highwayman, with a revolver, ■ had held up two citizens and demanded of them, their money or their lives. It is. stated by the "Star" that 1 a Maori and a gumdigger were travelling tho road, one on horseback and the other oil foot. At u quiet place thoy were suddenly startled by a tall, well-built white man springing out of tho tea-tree and covering them with a revolver. • Ho demanded of them their money, else he would shoot them. Tho robber wore a dark suit, hut otheiwise his identification would bo difficult. Reluctantly tho two men parted with the fifteen shillings in their possession, and then they were allowed to proceed. They reported the matter to the police, who are now pushing inquiries. It is believed that tho highwayman wa3 really waiting for a couple of gum-buyers who wero reported to be carrying big sums of money.

A request for permission to harness tho Hunua Falls Ik order, to supply electrical currents for tho surrounding districts is being forwarded to, tho Giovenior-Jn-Oouucil Iby tho Manukau County Council. At a meeting of that body on Tuesday tho chairman (Mr. H. It. Mackcnzio) referred to tho movement which had been started in the Papakura, Manurowa, and Papatoctoe districts in this connection. He thought that whilo tho schemo might not materialise for a few years, it would sooner or later dovelop into one of outstanding importance. Ho looked forward to tho day when tlio 'country districts surrounding the Hunua Falls_ would not only be supplied with electric light, but would also have electric current for the driving of milking machinery, ctc. Members of tho council, (says tho "Star") agreed that tho 1 schemo was worthy of serious consideration.

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