LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Some discussion took place in tlie House of Representatives yesterday ■upon « petition in which a number of Tasnum Bay line-fishermen cbimed redress of an alleged grievance against trawlors. It was submitted that these vessels had depleted the fishing beds and ruined the lino-fishing industry in Tasinan Bay. The A to" L Petitions Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make upon the petition, and it transpired later that the fishermen concerned had not led any evidence. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister of Marine) suggested that a representative of the fishermen should make representations to the Marine Department in order that inquiries might be instituted, Mr. J. H. Uradney (chairman _of the A to L Committee) said that it would ho as reasonable to insist upon hand-milking (as against machine-milking) as it would be to restrict' trawling in the interests of linefishing. Trawling must be encouraged, ho Bind, if the markets' of the Dominion were to be supplied with cheap fish.

Tim tender of Messrs. Cnirns and Paton, of Hi'.vclock Xortli, has been accepted by the Minister nf Public Works for the erection of a new post office nt Waipuknrau. Tiio contract price is £2592. Other tenderers were:— V,. A. Lultivll and Co., Hastings, £2020; J. H. Adams, Walpawa, JC26PS; and John Wiulovc, Waipuknrau, £3201 18s. od.

Some strong remarks were made in the Supremo Court at Auckland on Tuesday by His Honour Mr. Justice Kdwards on the- subject of wires deserting their husbands. "Under air Act that formerly existed," he said, "it was possible for a man to obtain a decree requiring a wife to return to her duties, and in the event of the refusal to dn so, enabling him to get relief by the dissolution of the bond that bound him to an enforced single life and to misery. In tho session of 1007, however, the Act was repealed, as the outcome in some measure -.if an unfortunate remark from the Supreme Court Bench, to the lasting regret of those who were able to consider the matter in an impartial spirit. No person who can reflect on the problem, by setting aside all consideration but that of morality, can say that it is desirable that a man should be tied to a woman without being enabled to live with her." His Honour, the "Herald" states, concluded by referring to the fact that under the. existing law a deserted husband cannot get relief until the expiration of a live year's period of desertion.

A notice appears in this week's Gazette calling attention to tho Government distribution of the sum of £4000 in subsidies to public libraries. Tho distribution is to take place on February 0, and no claim will bo recognised that shall not have been sent in due form and received by Use Secretary for Education on or before January 2G.

The actions of gallery "packers" at the Melbourne theatres arc again the subject of controversy. Complaints having been received with reference to tiio treatment of the gallery patrons of the Opera Mouse, a visit was paid there one evening by an "Age" reporter. When practically the wholo of the gallery was comfortably full the two packers began, ordering tho people to sit doner, clearing gangways, and at first doing quite legitimate work. But as time wore on, and large numbers of men and women continued to lie admitted to the gallery, tho packers worked over the gallery again, and compelled various rows to scjueeao yet tighter together, in order that some late comers might, be forced into thorn. The late comers had paid a shilling at tho door, but in several instances they were forced into the. rows of persons who had paid the two shilling early-door fee and patiently waited an hour for tho pert'onmmco to begin. On what principle late comers are selected for these special favours is unknown, but many shrewd guesses were made.

Excellent reports are coming to hand daily in regard to tho condition of tho trout in the various streams in the Auckland Province, states the "Herald." A few Auckland fishermen who were able to spend a few days on the upper reaches of the Waiignimi River obtained splendid baskets, the fish in that locality being remarkable for their condition. In tho ITorahora River and other streams in the YVaikcio, largo catches have been reported, spinning files being used with success;. The fardistant Rangitaiki Stream, on the porders ci' tho Urewca • Country, has been prospected by a few enthusiasts, whoso liiok prompts them to recommend it with confidence. Tho Waiiinu and WnJinak.iriri Nl reams in the Oicoroiro locality have also provided good fishing, while those who have visited Lake Taupo have been well pleaded with rcsillls.

Notice is gnoii in this week's Gametic of the disbamlment of the llnnmer, Lyttelto'i!, Heawiok, and Tory Channel l)e----fence Rillo Clubs, Acceptance of the services nF tho Hyde and Waimca l)e----lorv.ic iiiiie Clubs is also notified. The military old age and widows' pensions, payable for the mouth of December under 'he new Act, will be paid on December "0 instead of on January 1.

As the result of a cable message from tho Commissioner of Police at Ssn Francisco, Detective-Sergeant M 'llreucy and Detective Uailey yesterday arrested a, passenger on board the Tahiti on a warrant, issued under the provisions of the Extradition Act. The man is being detained on suspicion of being identical with a man nameTl Unnie, who is "wanted" in San Francisco on a charge of forgery.

Tho criminal sessions of tho Supremo Court, at Auckland, which were brought, to a conclusion on Tuesday, have, been remarkable, tho "Herald"' points out, for the number of acquittals. Tho names of 30 prisoners were on the list, for trial. _ Of this number six pleaded guilty, and against one the grand jury tailed tn find a true bill. The number of prisoners actually placed upon their trials was therefore 23. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty in 17 cr.ses, finding the prisoner guilty in. five cases. hi tho remaining case tho jury disagreed.

Advices to hand from Colombo contain particulars of a remarkable wireless "incident" that has created more than ordinary interest, and in shipping circles lias demanded an urgent ly:,! exhaustive inquiry. On November X tlic steamer Sah.lanlia readied Colombo from Australian ports, and the captain reported that earlier in tins week the wireless operator had notified him thai, lie had received this message:—"Cabin filling, can't last five minutes. M.O.K. 1 ' "M.0.K." is the. code word of the R.M.S. Omrali, which readied Colombo from Sydney on Thursday, October 30, all well, and resumed her voyage to London on the evening of the same day. On the captain of the Saldanha receiving the. message he cruised around in the vicinity looking for boats or wreckage, and was delayed 24 hours. At tho time tho message was received the Saldanha was ahead of the mail steamer, so tho vessel's course was turned accordingly. Oil reaching Colombo the matter was reported, 'but the Saldnnha's commander was informed that tho Omrali had arrived and departed as usual on her regular- mail contract day, two days prior.

Although tho Victorian land commissioners in America have been unable to induce American farmers to dispose of their holdings and take up land in Victoria, the result of their mission (says the "Ago") is not altogether fruitless. Advice was received last week by the immigration authorities from Mr. Fricfcc stating that 80 land seekers, representing 125 persons, proposed taking jiart in an excursion to this Stato next month. According to the cablegram there are '20 land seekers (3G persons) on the steamer Sonoma, duo in Sydney on December 8, "9 (39 persons) <m the Tahiti to arrive a day later; while 30 (50 persons') had signified their intention, of travelling by the Niagara, which will arrive in Sydney towards tho end of the month. Mr. Fricko expresses tho opinion that about 30 of the excursionists will take up land immediately after arrival.

. The optimism displayed by the Nippon Yusen Kaisha in pkcinp; the large 8000-ton liner Tango Slaru in the Australian service appears to be fully justified, as the vessel left Sydney last week on her first homeward trip with a record cargo. The trade between Japan and Australia is daily increasing in volume, and it would appear, says the ''Telegraph," that the Japanese arc looking to Australia for many products, as tiro consignments are becoming more varied each trip, Knr instance, the Tango llaru takes largo shipments of Hour, fertilisers, sulphate, o fammonia, earthenware pipes, okine, tallow, bran, leather, soap, bcche-do-iner, shells, lead, timber, sandalwood, and old copper. Our preserved meats appear to be in demand, as she has 2D tons and 900 eases in her holds. She also took 230 eases of butler, but probably the. most important'item is her wool cargo. Tin's consists of 3-159 bales of lvooh and 40" bales of wool tops, which is the largest consignment of wool vet taken there by tiie N'.Y.K. .

One, of the witnesses at the hearing of the application of tho Merchant- Service Guild for preference to unionists, in the Arbitration Court at Sydney Inst week, was called to deny an allegation, that he had told a guild'oflicial that he stood out- of the guild for i'wir of losing his billet. Ho told tho Court that ho had two conversations' with guild representatives, tho second occurring five months ago. "He called mo a crawler," said the witness, "and 1 asked him what he meant. Ho said, 'You koepontof the guild with the idea of crawling ahead of your fellow-officers. You luidc-nniiio their feet, and go over their heads by being a non-member of tho guild.' " Then the witness, a- man of small ■stature, explained how the interview ended. "I told him I would not allow my own father to call ino a crawler, and pave him two minutes to get over tho rail. He went within two minutes," added the witness. •

An emissary of the Red Federation was travelling on tho Main Trunk line recently receiving subscriptions on liehalf of'the strike fund. At one- station some hard-working men poured money into his hands and backed it iip with tho query, "Shall we como ou! ?" ''No, was snapped hack at them. "Wo don't want you out; kesp at- work. Wo want vour 'money to help tho stfitcers. And. these workers meekly retired to the imsli, where thev worked by the; sweat of their brow in order to fulfil the- commands of the Labour bosses.

At a recent horticultural show in a ITangitikci township (says an exchange) on exhibitor brought along a sponge sandwich of unusual size, and was recommended by another exhibitor to out it in half and maUe two onirics. This was done and the sandwio'li entered as two c-xliibils. After this section had been indeed, an inspection was made and'it was I'nnnd that one half of the sandwich had boon awarded first jimo and the other half second prize. i That was not so bad. At- a recent show in W-dnrnpa a lady, made two exhibit;; of batter from the same rhnrniiiK. One gained a first prize and the other was not even mentioned.

The sjoat-raisinc; industry of I'iji is ■wumir.K la rue dimensions. One settler has a Hook of 13,000, awl supphfs them to tho Hindu population for moat. Korenllv two cuterprisinß men imported several mirc-bred-animals from Italy'