LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A small fire occurred yesterday afternoon in a house in Mills Road, Borhampore, owned and occupied by Mr. Arthur Staples, Tho walls, and the contents of the kitchen were damaged., hut tho neighbours did good service," and had practically 'saved the situation by tho time the Fire Brigade armed 011 tho scone. Information was received in Mastertoil last night- states our special correspondent, that M'Leod's boot factory at Martinborough had been destroyed by fire. A conference was held in tho Trades Hall yesterday botwecn representatives of the ironToundors of Wellington and representatives of the Wellington Metal Workers' Assistants' Union. After discussing tho proposals submitted by the men, it was agreed, at the request of tho employers, to adjourn tlw conference for a fortnight. At last night's meeting of tho Wellington Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union tho nomination of officers was taken for the ensuing term. For tho office of president, two candidates woro nominated, ayd moro than the number, required woro nominated for tho offices of trusteo and ' committeemen. The poll for tho election of these officers will bo taken at tho half-yearly meeting of tho union this month. All tho other returning officers woro re-elected unopposed, including tho secretary, Mr. E. J. Carey, who has now been returned unopposed for tlia twelfth timo sinco his election in 1907. All alarm of firo was raised at tho Cuba Street end of Vivian Street at 9.25 last night, and it was found that tho bedroom of a two-storied house, occupied by Mr. Charles Maugin, fish and oyster dealer, 142 Vivian Street, was well alight. Just previously Sir. Mangin had boon upstairs to get some change, ami he is positive that ho left 110 light. However, the contents of this bedroom were practically destroyed, but the rest of the building was saved by tho smart action of tho Fire Brigade, who were promptly on tho scene. Tho contents of the room below were badly damaged by tho water, but the shop in front, es- I capod practically uninjured. Tho con-1 tents of the house and shop were insured for £200 in the Standard Office. . The building is in UlO hands of tho l'ublio Trustee. I

Tho Prime Minister stated on Sunday that the Publio Worlts Statement was ready, and would probably be presented «t an early date. H is understood that there is a distinct 'probability of the Eleetora-1 Bill being introduced very shortly. ' Tho Prime Minister has stated in the House that this measure will repeal the Second Ballot. 'What else it may contain Ministers h-avo declined to say, though very keen curiosity lias been displayed on the subject by-the members of tli-e Opposition. Amongst the important Government Bills which nre necessarily Biiirorin.g a 'certain amount of neglect in : the present unsettled state of aifairs aro tlto two big Labour Bills—the Shops and Offices Bill and tho Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill—figure prominently.

A temporary telegraph o-flieo has been opened at Buckle Street (Wellington). Tho office is a receiving office only., The church of St. Aidan, Rcmuera, which lias received during the past vea-r many fine gifts for its adornment from the congregation, was further clinched by gifts and memorials which wero dadicated on Sunday .morning by tho Rev. A. Fowler,_ vicar of the parish. Tho gifts comprise a very fine memorial brass with lettering in bronze to the memory of the late Samuel Jackson, recording his 5C years' residence in the districttile gift of his family; another memorial brass to the memory of George Gregory, recording his faithful work in tho parish of All Saints and St. Aidan's, erected by the parishioners; a massive chair and desk for the use of the clergy given as a lnomorial of a King's Collego boy who formerly worshipped in St. Aidan's; and a credonce tablo made to match other, chancel furniture given in remembrance of a confirmation. _ A littlo homily on commercial morality was delivered from the Bench nt tho Auckland Magistrate's Court on Friday by, Mr. C. O. Kettle, S.M. A witness, a painting contractor, in giving evidence, alleged that in order to secure contracts to paint foreign vessels lie had in somo cases to pay a feo of £10 to tile masters, and very often pay a fee to tho agents also.' Tho magistrate expressed surprise at tho existence of a system which lie ph'aracterised as blackmail. 'The witness-.further stated that he.put,tho_commission paid to the- masters aii'd' afeAntS '<su' to 'tho, prico as extras.; < Mr,. Ke.ttlo, . after referring to. tho immorality,'co'intpefoially, of sueh proceedings, said it was no Wonder the cost of,.living was rising: 1 The , deficit foil thv:-Working of the ChristcbiiEch" tramways for the year to date, says the V 'Press," is £2185, as against £3914, fqr tlio same period ill 1912. During- t'ho four week? ended October 5, '1,1555022 passengers wero carried, the net receipts being £9048, as compared with 1,206,875 passengers and receipts amounting to £9236 ill 1912. For tho year to date the net re-, coipts totnl £02,871, an increase of £1871 over the 'figures for tho corresponding period last year.

Exclusive rights in the fishing reservo, at Ellesmero have been .granted to the Natives of Kaiapoi, Bapaki, Little River, and Port Levy, by Judge Gilfed.d-er, of tho Native Land Court, Kaiapoi, the claims of tho Tamutu, Arow'hoirua and Kaikoura Maoris being disallowed.

A local tradesman who appeared at tho criminal sessions yesterday to serve on tho grand jury asked to be ekcused on tho ground of deafness. "Aro you ■ very deafp" asked His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman, in a low voice. There was no reply. "You are excused," said His Honour. Another who asked to bo excused because he had been in' bed threo weeks with a sore foot was not so successful, though one who pleaded that ho was over sixty years of age, and pioduced his birth certificate, was al-lonod-to leave. Sir James Graham, to whom ' a memorial was recently erected at- Carlisle, is best known to-day as being one of tho last if not the last Home Secretary to exorcise tho very obnoxious privilege of opening private correspondence sent through the Post Office. This was' in 1844, and tho letters opened 'wero those of Mazzini, who was suspected of being concerned in a plot against the life of tho Tsar, then oii a visit to England. This proceeding aroused tlio greatest indignation, but tho Select Committed that "was its outcome justified this particular instance, while condemning it in general. What tho public thought was shown by the issue of envelopes and seals marked "not- for Sir James Graham," which wero on sale everywhere and had an ■ ei.ormous circulation. It was stated on Friday last that Mr. H. L. Primrose had resigned his position in the Lands and Survey Department, to take an appointment with a private firm at Napier. This statement is erroneous, the true position being that Mr. Primrose is still iii tho employ of the Government, having been appointed an assistant surveyor iii - tho Hawko's Bay district. A horso yoked on to a wagon owned; by tho New Zealand Express Company,' was' standing 'in front ot Messrs. Hannah's boot -shop in Lambton_ Quay yesterday afternoon' in the restful, reposeful attitude that horses generally adopt. TJ.io wheel was clinhied. and to all intents and purposes the animal was, as quiet as its great woodon antecedent at tho siege of Troy. As with that • mythical creaturo, "however, the horso had unknown impulses, within him. There was a sudden pricking Up of ears,, and ho bolted down the street straight towards some verandah posts. There were four successive crashes, and A quartet of them collapsed to leave the verandah sagging. Oohsrtablo Forsyth now camo on the scene, and his firm hand on tlio roin-s stopped tho ox.oited animal. ~ — -^