LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1963, 21 January 1914, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tim postal authorities advise ; that s.s. , Winocftrn, which Wt Sydney for Weiingtflii on January.l 7, lias on bonnl Australian mails,, which are: due hero t'iiis morning. .:..'. ■ .■■■''■'

The postal authorities adviso tbftt- on Anniversary Dny only one delir.'ry will lie made by letter-carriers in Wellington, to commence at 8 a.m.

A "take dow/i" which will probably cause laundry agents and laundry patrmis to be very careful occurred in the city a few days ago. It is the custom when pno leaves a parcel at a laundry's receiving depot for the parcel to bo numbered and n duplicate of .the number ticket to bo handed to the person who leaves the parcel. When the patron calls for his boiled shirts and rainbow sox he presents his 'ticket.. If was departure trom strict adherence to tho rule of no duplicate no parcel which caused trouble in a certain agency the'other day. Someone called without a ticket, but described the parcel sought so well that tho agent gave it- out. A few minutes later the holder of-tho ticket walked ■'■ in, and—— i .■' 'V'." ". -- ■''■". ■

Seeing that the anniversary of ■Wellington is at band, perhaps the following item may be worth ' recording, writes our Greytown correspondent :--"Jn the early days of. settlement in the Wairarapa, over lialf a century ago, Mr. Sam. Oates wanted some Hour brought over the Riimitaka Hill, and for mint of a. better conveyance lie utilised a hand-barrow and wheeled the flour from Wellington to the XVnirarapa; In addition to tho flour lie put other things oil the .vehicle, arid pushed them along. Mr. Gates is also credited with bringing tho first blue gum trees to the Wairarapa."

Fivo strokes of.'thc birch wero awarded to each of two lads yesterday morning by Mr. W. G. KitklcU, S.M. Tho lads hailed from l'ctone, where they had got into trouble through entering a shop and misappropriating a few shillings. There . were throe in tho party, and their ages were 12 years, 11 years, and 9J years. The two biggerlads were birched, and are to be kept indoors every evening (except Saturday) after 8 o'clock. ■ The youngest boy was committed to the. Wellington Receiving Home.

The wages claim for £182 taken in tl?o Wellington Magistrate's Court by All Shook against Dr. Francis Wallace Muckeuzie was Iα have boon continued before Mr'. J. S. Evans. S.M., y<>str-r----day, but it was adjourned owing to lite unavoidable absence of counsel for the defendant. Continuation of the hearing is now set down for 10 o'clock this morning. ■

Hearing of the Merchant Service Guild dispute was to have taken place yesterday before tho Conciliation Commissipner (Mr. P. Hnlly), but owiflf to the illness of Mr. \V. Pryor (one ot tho assessors for tho employers),^it Was decided to postpone tlie matter for few days. Captain Petersen and Sir. W. H.'G. Bennett are the other assessors for the employers. Tlw name-s or the Guild's assessors have already been published.

"The baby show only realised 2s, 6(1.," said the Mayor (Mr. J. P, Luke) when rpferrinf; at Inst night's citizens' meeting to tho Carnival of last year. "J think that was badly managed," said a lady present, and 'the Mayor responded, "Yes, 1 think it was."

Late last .rear the sitting of the Court of Appeal was adjourned til! yesterday morning. Yesterday tliore wero 1110 Judges in the city, and tiio Registrar (Mr. D. 6. A. Cooper) formally made a further adjournment till January 31.

Tlio palace curs, of Trhicli there wer-o formerly a considerable numltei' rumring in the streets of tho city, are being rapidly transformed to comply with re* ceni,;'leg)siattpnv>TEle\'en cars' have how been converted into the central entrance, two-'eempartffi-eut type, ono lifts ireen made into a long box car, and in oiie other tho seats have been cut throughto make a central passage-way. More of these cars, converted to allow the conductor to pass through, a central passage, will \i6 running shortly.

Tlie Inspector <>t'Factories lias, some fit'temi cases pending against different Wellington firms for alleged breaches of tlie Factories Act. A number of these will be taken at tile Magistrate's Court Ott Ffiday.

At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday Mrs. D. M'Laren gave notice to trove at noyt meeting that the board set up a tomffiitteo to inquire into and report on the advisability of establishing a convalescent home for children. Regulations under tho Board of Agriculture Act were agreed to at tho ilicfcting of ihc executive yesterday. Tho Government docs not intend to nominate the four members, to represent it on the board until after the eight .to. lie selected by tho A. and 1 , . Societies have been chosen. The first meeting of Cabinet held this year took place yesterday. It had been irapsssiblo to hold a mooting prior to this, owing to the illness of the Prime Minister, and tiiero has been a lingo accumulation of business in the meantime. Meetings will probably be held' daily until this business has been dealt with.

Sir. Evorshed, of Kodaikanai Observatory, India, who is in Nelson selecting a site for the Cnwthron Obsevyatary, is at present camped at tiae Third House clearing, on the Dun Mountain Track, says the "Mail." He is accompanied by Mrs. Hvcrshed and Mr. Western!, of Canterbury, an euthiisiststic amateur astronomer, who has kindly placed Ills services at the disposal of Mr. Evershed. They arc makino; observations simultaneously from different points. Other localities which are considered to bo suitable' sites will lw? inspected later on. It is undeistood t/iat, so far as he has gone, Mr. Kversjied is very pleased with the prosnects of Nelson for tho establishment of an observatory.

The members of tho Auckland v touring cricket team will arrive in WriHngtoai this afternoon and go on toChrislolnireh to-night. Th-ey nlay Cantorbury and then return to Wellington to play on January 29, 30, and 31.

"TRIUMPHS" SCOOP THE POOL IN THREE- DAYS' TRIALS ATCfiBISTCHUBCa.

Ono of the strongest points afeoiit the "Triumph" motor-cycle, is the cojisisttncy of its performance. Other "Jong suits" of the- "Triumph" affr reliability and economy. We tiro in Hie happy position of being able to offer abundant wraof of thesis assertions. Last 3 - «ir whon the resulis of the North Canterbury Jfotof' Cyeiing Club's animal reliability Ifiate were worked put it was found that tho "Triumph" riders were first in tho private owners' class, first in the trade class, first in the petrei consiHnptkm test, and first in the teams' Competition, sweeping the board. In this year's trials, run onJanuary Ist, 2ml, and 3rd, over a 4G5milo route, including the stoop hill at Oknin's Bay. nml the Zig-zag, with tho roads in bad condition, there was ft field of twenty-seven riders, and all live leading mates of motor-cycle w«e represented. There werp no fewer than nino nf those big twiii-oylimier machines. Wβ hnvo been told reewitly that tbosn twins aro mißlity cronomical on wttol, but, on (his occasion, the "Triusnpu" nphehl His honour nf tho singlo-cylindor brigade b.r Retlinir lowest pelrpl consumption. Yoii spo this time there was nn oflicml test for petrol ransnmption. The result board runs as follows:—'Private Owners' Class— V. Coiiehmari. "Trinniph," 1; IT. lVnrcp, "Triumph," 2. Trade ('lass—F. ITaivorth. "Triumph," 1; 0. B. Brown, "Triimiph," 2: J. H.' Michael "Tfiniiiph." 3. Teams' Competition— f. Hnworth, G. B. Brown, and J. H. MirtAel, "Triumphs," 1. J'elrol Consumplion— V. ll«\north, "Triumph," 1. It is unnecossary to point the moral or adorn the tale. There is <i big shipment of the Litest "Triumphs" arriving shortly, owl intending purchators will Im> well advised to lxwk thsir ord*rs early. Adainsi Ltd., Hieh Strwt, Christclniwn ,• Deisots at Pahiierston Xotth and Wnnganui, also Tourist Motor Co., Hartinw; and Sutherland and Eaakiue, Morccr St. Wellington..- Mn. -. .;.....■.. ■ . ■*

.'' A' plunging'' duo; of cab horses, an oscitcd cabilriver, and aji apparently "nonchalant policeman, who endeavoured to quieton .them, two .excited and frightened people (one a lady;, who craned their heads dangerously out of Uk< windows of tim cab, and an interested crowd who watched t.iio proceedings from the sidewalk, from the tops of' caw, from tiixis, expresses, fabu, and from upstair windows of buildings, formed the feature proper in a story without words enacted nl the intersection of Manners and Cuba Streets at midday yesterday. The unusual an* tics ef the horses continued for only two or thi'eo minutes, yet in that time six or seven cars, a number of taxis, motors, and expresses were lield rip, and a crowd gathered as if by .magic— SB crowds invariably da. At length the strong arm of tise law (coupled with t.ha efforts of the driver) succeeded in getting the cab out of the centre of the intersection of the streets. By this time t.lio people in t'bo cab were thoroughly alarmed. As snon as the cab came to a standstill the male occupant stepped out as calmly as ho ctfnld and helped the frightened ladies ont; tlio baggage followed. The driver expostulated. Ho knew that ho was losing a fare, but the occupants of tiie crtf.i preferred tho safety of terra firms, and, whilo tho driver endiMivoiired to quieten the retiring horses, t'honian in the cab slowly walked back to his hotel, a. dress-basket in either hand,. and two trembling women bringing Hp the rear. "Hard hick for tim 'cabby,'" remarked a man from a coi' as the jnotofroan restarted the car on its interrupted course.

Kvery batsnuui- who knocks tip over 100 runs in the Victoria College-Can-terbury College cricket match, which opens to-day on the Wellington' College ground, will bo presented with a bat by Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co.

A deputatioii from iho Seatouu Amateur Athletic \jCJlub wafted upou tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) yesterday to make a request that mi tidcqiiatc itan seivice' bo nin to tho suburb to-mor-row, when there is to be mi athletic sports meeting under live club's aujßpic«s. The cliairmati of the Traniways Board (Mr. W, H. Morton) said that the board would b<? prepared to do everything possible to run cars wlwre they wore required, and the claims of Seatoun would have consideration. Hβ could not say that any definite number of cars would be put on the fun., but if tho traffic was ottering the, board would do everything possible to copo with it.

The. following unions yesterday rogistp.rcd with the Labour Depart* inent wider tho Arbitration.Act: —Stats Coal-miners, under tlio _ name of tho Point Elizabeth and Liverpool State Collieries; the Wellington Mnaicipnl Tramway Powerhouse Employees (formerly in the Tranivrays union); tho Dennis-ton Goal-misiers, and the. Millerton iUitl Granity Coial-inineh.'

In connection with the Westlancl jubilee celebrations the* following story is recounted in a- southern exchange:— On 0110 occasion the Warden., Dr. Giles, was holding a court at the Lyell. Ho had witli him a well-known limn named Jack Tcmporicy, who nutod in the doiihlo capacity of policeman and clerk of court. A prisoner, .1 l>ig German, was brought before'the Court charged with disorderly conduct. After h-cvi-ring the evidence tho Magistrate said: "Twentyfour hours' imprisonmnent." Tho orderly interjected: "But, your. "Tivonty-fonr hours' imprisonment," repeated tho Warden. "Is there any mors business ?" "No," replied Tom.perky. When the Court was cleared it was explained to Dr. Giles that there was no gaol in tho town. Tho Warden replied that tl>ft best arrangement possible .must he made. Rom.g a itian of resource, T-oni-,pe,rley hit on. tho idea. of eliaiiiistg tho prisoiior to a lojj Or fallen tree, and tho offender was !eit for. sofno tinio iii that position, hut on returning sohio time after to see how bis prisoner was getting on, tho astonished cnnst&blo found that ■tho powerful Gorman had tallied oft with tlio log—bo had stolen the gaol. Tho matter 0.1 continuous telephone communication between Christ«)iurch and Dimcdin was brought beloro tho (Mr. Rhode's) at ■Christchtueh on Monday by ft ticpmn■tion representing tlio Obau'.be rof Commerce and the Stock Exchange. U was pointed out thai; al present Christchurch could telephone direct to Timaru, and Duiiedin coiild reach Oama.ru. It was dssirable to bricJgo the two points, so that til-ore could lie telephonic communication between Dune-dsn and C'hristchurch in the daytime. Wellington and Auckland Were connected, although not so in tho daytime. Tho North Island apparently had a greater advantage than tlio South Island, hi reply, Jlr. Rhodes said.that ho had the matter before him. He had not been able in make provision .011 this year's Estimates, but he would endeavour to do so next year. A iiew circuit would bo required'right through _to Dwnedin, . because tlio intermediate linos were ail fully loaded. He would do his best nest year. Wliffl the Now Zealand cricketers return to Wellington on January 28 .they will bring with them Piki, the clever Rugby football half-back, who was injtercd iii Australia last winter during the,tour of the Maori team. Piki haß had a bad-time. Ho has spout twentythree weeks in the Princo Alfred .Hospital with his fractured leg, but is at , last able to get about with the, aid of crutches. Mr. W. W. Hill escorted him to tho Sydiwy Cricket Ground to seo tho New Zealand cricket match. During his long spell in the hospital Piki has been 10.0k.0d after by Mr. J. It. Henderson and Air. J. H. Clayton. Piki had a very bad lime, n.s tlio hone Was splintered, and a number of small pifices had to bo removed. But he feels that all will come right., though he is, of course, finis-lied with football. At the meeting of tlio < Wellington Messpital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday, Mr. 1\ T. Mooro asked leave to move without Jiotifco that the- Medical Superintendent of tlio Hospital (Dr. Hardwick Smith) bo asked to furnish a comprehensive report dealing with tho dangers of venereal diseases, and the best methods to combat such diseases. He felt sviro that all members would re* cogftiso the necessity of this. Tito "British Medical Journal", had a very, farreacbing article on this They qiiits recognised that tho timo had covno when tho hospitals should not be crowded with cases of this kind. Mr. H. Baldwin oppesed the motion. Ho cons.iftercd that the Medical Superintendent had plenty to do without drawing up Such a report, which would, in all probability, bo thrown into tlio waste-paper basket. Mr. J. Smith said that thd Medical Association, at its meeting ltcxfe months proposed to deal with this sub' ject. 'Mr. Al.oor© gave notice to move tho motion at fiext meeting. Aft amusing incident, showing how great luistitlf-es ffiav arise from the prooowjoived notion that because a water cart sprinkles water, as a general rule, it will do so always, was discovered by a motorist down Southland . way last week. It appears that it is a Wollfocogmsed habit. ai-uoag some motorists to come within, tbo radius of tho sprinkler in order that the tyres may be cooled bv'tlto water. But a rccent exporienc.o allows that witter carts do not invariably sprinklo water, and that tlioso who do not recognise such a contingency of their carrying some other fluid may pay dearly for their experience. When _ a Imrough cart was engaged in sprinkling tho streets with tho greasy, -tarty ".Kiton" fluid last week, <i country motorist, who had como some little ;dis* taiice, saw it at work and mado n '.-light detour to got within range of what ho believed to be water. The result wnft that when ho looked at his car th.e following morning tho motorist had occasion t<> .wonder whether someone had played, a joke on him hy tarring <sno tide of bis car, and it was not until ho iVa.nied of tbo special treatment hOing applied to' the roads that ho began to msq light.