LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2386, 16 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The postal authorities advise that the s.s. Ulimaroa, which is due this morning from Sydney, is bringing Australian mails only.

An earthquake shock was felt at Christchurch at -11.40 a.m. on Sunday. Buildings at Burnham rocked, and a low rumbling noise was heard.—Press Association.

Hearing of the petition lodged against the return of Mr. Vernon Reed as member of Parliament for the Bay of Islands seat will be commenced in the courthouse at Kaikohe at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, before their Honours Mr. Justice Chapman and Mr. Justice Hosking.

A start has already been made with the preliminary work in connection with the extension of the Constable Street tramway to South Kilbirnie. A large gang of men have been set to work to widen Crawford Road, which at present varies in width from 17ft. to 19ft., and has to be widened to an even breadth, of 35ft. in order to provide for a double track of rails. The Order-in-Council has not yet been issued by the Public Works Department, but the widening and filling work is being gone on with in anticipation of an early authorisation.

"The local police cell phenomenon Ludmit Gronica again took his place in the dock of the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Inspector Hendrey explained that the police, were still, mystified as to his nationality. Some letters had reached the police from Victoria, however. and these were addressed to Gromica, but their oontents were unintelligible. These letters had been forwarded on to the Profossors of Victoria College to decypher if possible. The strange little person—the object of these remarks —stood with an utterly vacant expression, on his face, and there was not-even the flickor of an eyelid when, he was further remanded with a direction that gaol medical authorities furnish a report as to his mental condition.

At tEe annual meeting of the Garibaldi Club, hekl this week, the following were elected ofiicers for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. J. Vitcttn; vicepresident, Mr. John Vitett-a; treasurer, Mr. 11. Moschini; comniittco. Messrs. V. llosimini and G. llenai; trustees, Messrs. F. BofTa and E. Rondanina (reelected) ; auditors, Messrs. A. P. Trada and W. Foglia (re-olectcd); secretary, Mr. TJ. Basso. Tlio balanco-slieet showed the finances of the club to lie in a satisfactory condition. As a mark cf appreciation of tho services rendered dicing his tenure of the office of president 'for the past four years, Mr. G. Penni was unanimously elected a life member.

" The limit in assurance was unearthed in Mnsterton on Sunday, whou a stranger to tho town unsuspectingly visited the house of n police constable, iuid. #sl<pd to b* directed to » ely-svog-J3BC2,

A long-felt want is being supplied at Thorndon, whero the work of giving Molesworth Street a serviceable surfaco has already been commenced. The new faco of the road is to be one of heavy tarred macadam, and to ensure a long life, this is being given a concrcto foundation similar to that which is usually provided for wood blocks. Molesworth Street is one of Thorndou's main arteries, and tlx) modernising of this old street will be beneficial in many ways, not the leaßt of which, will be the check it will bo on tho dust nuisance.

The members of the Wellington City Council are to pay their annual visit of inspection to the waterworks at Wainui to-morrow. Some added interest will bo lent the visit in view of the recent decision of the council respecting the drafting of a definite plan for supplementing the water supply by tunnelling through the hill and tapping the waters of the Orongorongo Stream on the other side. It is only a matter of a few J ears when tho capacity of the Wainui watershed will be equalled by the demand, when it will be absolutely necessary to draw supplies from other sources. • The Orongorongo watershed has alrady been deeded to the Wellington City Corporation, and the expediency of getting ahead with the preparatory work has been emphasised by the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton).

Tho secretary of the Wellington Hospital and ; Charitable Aid Board (Mr. J. Coylo) will be pleased to receive donations of books, illustrated papers, and for the benefit of patients in the Hospital. If donors will notify the secretary of their, addresses per telephone any such donations will be called for.

There is a point of interest in. regard to the original' Northern Waixoa horticultural undertakings (says the "New Zealand Herald"). Over one hundred yeara ago peach stones were planted on the river banks. They were the re-, suit of Captain Cook's visit, 140 years ago, when' he distributed peach stones amongst the Maoris, who, in their peregrinations, disseminated the kernels of the successive fruit crops. In time extensive peach groves appeared, and in these old plantations there are to-day found under the present trees layers of peach stones a foot and more deep, and of abnormal size. For a century and a half the successive trees had no pruning otherwise than the accidental breakage of branches, and yet the offspring of the original growth continue, in many instances, to bear luscious, large peaches, and in all cass luxuriant crops J)f beautifully-coloured and richly-flav-oured fruit. So to-day, profiting by such an object-lesson, many settlers annually raise hundreds of seedling peaches by the simple mode of scattering the stones over their cultivated areas. The young trees are then planted in rows a few feet apart, and at the expiration of a few years, if their yields prove unsatisfactory, they are uprooted, and space is left for "further seedlings. In scores of cases the best_ samples of peaches nave been so obtained. Similar results have been obtained with oranges, the seeds of which half a ceiltury ago, were planted by the pioneers. To-day in the Tangiteroria district the outcome of such experiments is discernible in the fine, healthy trees which annually produce the' best of sweet oranges, particularly when hedged in with tall manuka. As in the case of the old peaches, these trees are hardy to a degree, and well withstand the insect and other pests which cause devastation amongst highly cultivated varieties.

An event of importance at Eketahuna to-day will be,the annual meeting of the Wellington District Oddfellowß, Manchester Unity. The district officers are Bros. S. Guy, G.M.; J. S. Wily, D.G.M.; G. E. Godber, Prov. C.S.; T. S. Powell, treasurer; and, with the Wellington delegates, left Wellington for Ekethuna v yesterday morning. The committee, in its annual report, states that at the outbreak of the war it at once took steps to write to all lodges, asking them to keep the members' contributions good who had joined the Expeditionary Forces, and it is believed that all the lodges have don© so. The committee also suggested that all lodges should levy their members Is. for the purpose of a War Distress Fund, as it considers that before the war is _ settled there will be many cases of genuine distress; 6uch levy to be paid into the district, who shall receive all applications, and grant relief as may be required. Several lodges agreed to the proposal, and Masterton, Unity, Rose.of Sharon, Victoria Diamond, and Martinborough Lodges have already sent in tho full amount of Is. per member. Other lodges have the question under consideration.

"There are a lot of things . about Thorndon Station that want rectifying," said Mr. J. F. Atkins, at the meeting of the Tellington Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday. "The other day I saw a woman struggling along the platform with two heavy parcels and two children. Where were the porters? These men get union rates, and I think it is positively disgusting to see them ueglect their duty as they do." Another member: If you want a porter to carry your luggage, you've got to give him a tip. . Mr. Atkins: A porter won't dodge work when he sees a tourist. He will dodge it fast enough when he sees an. old face he knows. He goes fot- tho tip every time.

At the sitting of the Wellington District Licensing Bench, to be held on March 1, the following applications for transfers will be dealt with:—The Pier Hotel, from Robt. Hunt to Patrick Jas. Grilfen; • the New Commercial Hotel, from A. A, E. Hardcastlo to A. R. Durrant; the Occidental Hotel, from J. H. Fairbaini to A. M. Dempster; the City Hotel, from J. J. Firth to M. J. Donnelly; the Occidental Hotel from J. H. Fairbaini to C. E. Aldridge.

The Prime Minister has intimated his intention of being present at the Mastcrton Show on Wednesday. He will return to Wellington'in the evening.

Fishermen at Eussell have had some most exciting sport lately. Two wellknown Australian sportsmen, Messrs. Andreas and Dempster, made a record catch, landing in ' one trip the largest kingtisli caught this season, weighing GOlb., and the largest shark ever caught at Russell. The shark, over nino feet iu length, belonged to the "muku" species, a particularly ferocious kind, and gave liis captors a most exciting three hours'chase. The "muku" is a sporting shark, and « very strong swimmer, and in his efforts to escapo towod liis captors' launch several miles out past Cape Brett, at times leaping liis full length out of the water. It was only aftor an exhausting stnigglo that tho shark was finally killed and towed into Russell. On Saturday, whilst kingfishing, tlio samo > party li'ooked a largo a word fish, but. it cut the line 6ft. aboro the hook and escaped. ~k few days lator, liowovor, it was captured by Mr. A. Campbell, boing tho only swordfish over caught ill these wators. Wlion measured, it was found to bo over nine fcot in length, and weighed close upon 2001b.

The fishy taste which lias been noticed in tlie Wellington water supply for, tho past couple of autumns lias developed again this season Tho tasto is very unpleasant, but tho authorities have always declared that tho water is still wholesoiuo, although not palatahlo.

In January, 1914, the engineer of tho Otago Harbour Board submitted a report relativo to the proposal to erect a wool storo and dumping plant at Bunoditi. Tho annual report states that as tho inattor involved n considerable monetary expenditure, further consideration has been postponed.

The Mayor of Mnr.terton has been promisod a pair of white swans for tho park lake by the Hon. John Dutliie, of vSVclllaston. •

A conference of representatives of freezing companies, shipping companies, and two or more members of the Board of Agriculture, as representing the producers. will bo held in Parliament Buildings on Friday next, to consider tho shortage of shipping and other matters of importance connected with the 'ex-, port of frozen meat. No doubt the conference will consider the communication received by tho Government relating to the supply of meat for the troops. On this point the Prime Minister stated .Yesterday that the communica.tion he had from tho Home : authorities was most indefinite in character.

"Absolutely wonderful!" was thecomment of the Prime Minister on tho Post Office Savings Bank figures for the first month of this year. In the month of January deposits exceeded withdrawals by £215,202. In January," 1914, the excess of deposits over withdrawals was £105,135, so that last month's figures are £110,123 better than those for January of last year.

Tho "Gdemsey Advertiser" of January 2 states that 400 men of the militia of Guernsey and Aldemey have completed their training and are proceeding to tho front.' They guarantee that "before long they will change tho name of Germany's capital to Berin. They will knock T out of the jrface."

Tho financial operations of a party of Maoris at the Ellerslio races on December 29 were rudely disturbed by one of their number, who was acting as treasurer, being put off tho course for alleged bookmaking. The Maori, Rameki Paij previous to bis ejection from tho course, had been observed by two racecourse detectives to' be making entries in a race-book; and to be receiving money. The book, which was taken from him, was found to contain names of horses and people, against which were entered various sums of money. When charged in the Police Court, Auckland, with bookmaking the defendant, through bis counsel, Mr. J. R. Luadon, maintained that ho was only making up totalisator tickets' and _ sweeps, and that lie was not bookmaking. The book, which was taken from mm by the detectives, he said, was not his own, and he denied being the author of the entries. Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., having compared the defendant's writing with that in the book, came to tho conclusion that the defendant had not written the entries. What he had boon observed by tie detectives to write was quite innocent and apparently meaningless. The charge was dismissed. The nature of the sustenance which' tho Waikato Hospital Board has been called upon to provide for one of the recipients of charitable aid, was shown in an account received by the board from a Te Kuiti merchant, in account with this particular dependent of tho boni'd, who receives aid to the amount of 15s. weekly. Tho list of luxuries upon which the > supposed indigent gentleman has been feasting, includes bananas, tinned herrings, Brazil nuts, lettuce, cream crackers, apples, honey, eggs, walnuts,, sauces, lozenges, vermieilli, sago, macaroni, and pine apples, while additional articles, such as tea, milk, and salt, were ordered in regular quantitiesj tobacco, matches, envelopes, and writing paper appearing frequently on the list. A couple of boxes of Holloway's Pills added a finishingtouch to tb« account. The board considered the case worthy of investigation, and the member of Te Kuiti was asked to inquire whether or not tho relief was being misapplied.

' An Auckland commercial gentleman, who has just returned from a sis weeks business trip through the Dominion, when chatting with a representative of the "Auckland.Star" on Saturday morning, said that right throughout the South Island, as well .as the north of New Zealand, there is a feeling of optimism that uugurs well for the future. "The only ones who, to my mind, are not playing the game, are some really wealthy people, who seem inclined to hang on to their money on account of tho war. This, to my mind, is a great mistake. If they would only act as if no war was in progress, it would tend greatly towards restoring trade to normal conditions."

A boat capsized off the North Head (Auckland) on Friday last, with the result that the two occupants had a narrow escape from drowning. It appears (reports the "''Star") that two residents of Devonport were out fishing in a small dinghy, wheii, iu pulling in the anchor, one of- the men caused the boat to capsize, and the next moment both were struggling in the water.'The captain of the Aupouri, which wa6 inward bound from the North Coast, uoticed the plight of the men in the harbour, and immediately stopped hi 6 vessel. At this time the Harbour Board'? launch Waitemata was leaving th'a Devonport wharf, and the captain, hearing the cries of distress, turned the bow or the boat in the direction from which they were coming. The men were found clinging on to the bottom of the overturned' boat, and when they were lifted on board the Waitemata were both in an exhausted condition.

The secretary of the Petone branch of the Social democratic Party wrote informing the local council that as the outcome of a. resolution carried by his party recently, he would ask that the council open a depot for the,supply of machine-made bread to the Petone public. It was decided to reply stating that the council had no legal power to accede to the request, and on Councillor Townsend's motion it was agreed to forward the letter to the Minister ol Internal Affairs, asking that facilities be granted the council to sell bread.

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Fluenzol Proprietary, Ltd., was held yesterday. It was reported that sales had largely increased, especially during the summer, n cnths. In addition to quantities purchased by the Defence Department, and out of canteen funds, gratuitous supplies haa been mado by the company for the usa ■ of the men aboard the troopships.

In yesterday's issue we published in error, an announcement that the summer sale of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and' Stains, Ltd.. was still in progress, whereas the'£ ale ended the previous Saturday. This error was regrettable, inasmuch as numbers of the public who follow this firm's advertising with interest liavo ucon disappointed. However, we wish to make clear that auj, disappointment was entirely caused by ourselves, and not by the firm 111 question. We would like to add, further, that Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains advortisomont on the leader page of tms issue is of speci.il interest to our lady, teaders, as it calls attrition to tile fact that thev have now opened up their new autumn millinery styles, which arq said to bo better than ever this season.