LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2341, 24 December 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

9 The sittings of the Coart of Appeal have been adjourned, until 10.30 a.m. on December 30. The following hours of attendance will be observed at the Telegraph Office on December 25 and 26 and January 1, 1915. Christmas Day: Office open from 9.30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Boxing Day: Office open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m to midnight. All country offices opon from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. only. New Year's Day: Office open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight. All country offices open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. only.

The Prime Minister informed a Dominion reporter yesterday that the Government have completed negotiations for the purchase of the wellknown "Glenmark"' estate in North Canterbury. _ This estate, consisting of 11,500 acres, is all close to tho railway, is very easy to road, and is particularly suitable for close settlement, and for agriculture. The property was held by tho trustees of tho late Mrs. Town*nd.

Mr. H. Bodley has handed in to this oflico a supply of calendars w" 1 lch he has donated to the Belgian Belief Fui-d, and which he proposes shall jo sold at five shillings each. Wo have pleasure in acting as intermediary in the sale, any any person who has a few shillings to spare for a deserving causo can obtaia a calendar at the public counter of Tub Dominion Office on application.

The executive committee of tue New Zealand Employers' Federation is being asenihlcd in "Wellington on January 0 for tlio purpose of electing an employera' representative on the Arbitration Court vice Mr, Wm, Scott.

A man was arrested by DeteotiveSorgeant M'llveney and Detective Bailey yesterday on a charge of theft of £9, tho property of Albert Rowland Currant.

A Commission, to consist of Mr. G. Hunter, M.P., and Mr. T. H. Davey, lately member for Christchurch East, ia being set up to report to the Minister of Internal Affairs on the allocation of additional totalisator permits in terms of Mr. Hunter's Bill or last session. It will be remembered that tho Racing Commission which sat some years ago to reduce the number of days of racing in the Dominion, extinguished several of the smaller country clubs. This has always been bitterly resented, but any attempt on tho part of the Government to redistribute tho existing permits would have just as surely met with .opposition. Mr. Hunter's Bill was welcomed as a solution of the problem of how to do justico to the smaller clubs. In all, thirty new permits aro to bo issued, to be apportioned to country racing clubs, trotting clubs, and hunt clubs.

The New Zealand Government hati decided to dispatch the Tutanekai to assist in the search for the trawler Endeavour, overdue from the Macquaries. The Tutanekai will sail on Saturday.

The effects of the German attack upon Scarborough, Whitby, and Middlesbrough are exceedingly far-reaching in their stimulating influence upon the British. A young New Zealander, Mr. Ralph Appleton, of Clyde, Otago Central, has just deoided to make for the front. He haß been swayed by patriotism in general, but what has made him most determined to go is the fact that his father's native town was bombarded—Whitby. It might be further remarked that all Yorkshiremen in New Zealand greatly, resent the unwarranted descent upon defenceless ports on their coast, and that it is quite likely other recruits will follow.

Mr. Annesley, who holds certain sideshow concessions in the Panama-Pacifio Exposition, to open in San Francisco on February 20, has completed hiß arrangements to take a troupe of Maoris to the big show. Tho Natives, who were secured at Rotorua, will do hakas, poi dances, sing their Native songs in their old-time costumes, and so provide an entertainment which will have the element of novelty to the American public. The troupe is to leave lor Son Francisco by the Marama on January 7. Strong exception was taken by the Wellington branch of the Land Values League to any proposal to rescind rating ou unimproved land values. The following motion was passed with reference to the matter:—"That this league strongly condemns Councillor Luekie's proposal to rescind rating on unimproved value in this city, and would point out that to revert to the old vystem of rating land and improvements necessarilv means that every bousenolder would bo obliged to pay increased rates, in order that wealthy land speculators migho pay less." It was resolved to summon a meeting of citzens if any move is made in the direction indicated by Councillor Luckie.

The "Otago Daily Times" understands that the Hillside Workships have received instructions from headquarters to make a start on the construction of 600 iron wagons. The authorities are now taking out the quantities and sizes of steel plates and rivets necessary to be imported for the building of s the wagons. It is considered questionable, however, whether tho Government will be able to get all the plates it may require while the present unsettled conditions prevail at Home. A sensational inoident is reported from Murchison (says the Nelson "Mail"). While the Motueka River was in flood, Dr. Warneford and Mr. Bathe, Government road overseer, were crossing it in a canoe, when a floating log was struck, and both the occupants were thrown into the flooded waters. They were swept down, but, fortunately, they were enabled to catch hold of the top of a tree over which the waters had 'washed. • Their plight, was observed, and Messrs. C. O'Brien and M'Nee pluckily swam out on horseback, iji'd passed a rope to those in peril, anc" it was not long before the doctor and the overseer were rescued. Dr. Warneford is unable to swim, and had it not been for the plucky rescue work of those in the vicinity the incident might have had a more serious termination.

A good story is being told (says the Christehurch- "Sun") about the recipient of one of the white feathers which are being posted from _an unknown source to most of the single men who are eligible for service at the front, and who have not thought fit to volunteer. The young man in question waß at a loss to understand the reason the feather had been posted to him, and asked a friend what it had been sent for. "I expect it is because they reckon you are a bit of a cocktail," remarked tho more enlightened one drily. "Good Lord, is that it?" ejaculated the recipient of the white feather. "I thought one of the girls had sent it to me because I was Cock of the Walk."

The Canterbury Cricket Association's selection committee has selected the following team to meet the Otago eleven at Lancaster Park on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and the following Monday: —C. E. Beal, J. H. Bennett, H. A. Bishop, C. BoxshaU,T.> Carlton, R. G. Hickmott, W. R. Patrick, D. Reese, D. M'K.. Sandman, H. B. Whitta, P. Woods. Reese will be unable to go north with tho touring team, which will leave next week, and ho will be replaced by D. M'Lachlan, while A. W. Thomas is twelfth man. F/ Butler is, however, first emergency batsman for both the Otago match and the northern tour.

A meeting of Hataitai residents was held at the bowlers' pavilion last evening for the purpose of forming an area of the Wellington branch of the National Eeservo. The formation was effected, and Mr. J. H. Bellamy was appointed secretary of the'area. _ The following canvassers were appointed: Messrs. Shepherd, Grant, Amos, Hothcrson, Bayfield, Arcus, Pye, Seville, Christie, Eurkett, Tolman, Leigh Hunt, and Elliott. All thoso at the meeting were enrolled.

The contest for the general secretaryship of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand has resulted in tho re-election of Mr. M. J. Mack, the present general secretary, by a majority of 3228 votes. The polling, which took place at 47 branches throughout New Zealand, was as follows:—M. J. Mack, 4876 votes; M. Lee, 1648 vote 6.