LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Postal authorities adviso that the s,s. Manuka, which is duo from Syduey to-day, is bringing Australian mails only.

The following is an extract from a private letter written by Captain Lionel Haisoy, lt.Ni, to the Countess of Liverpool, in which he conveys the most sincere and appreciative thanks of his officers and men for the sum of money so generously contributed by the people of this Dominion ill response to Her Excellency's appeal on behalf of H.M.S. New Zealand:—"lt iB now over eighteen mouths since we in this ship regretfully left tho shores of New Zealand, and never can any of us forget what was done for us during our stay in the Dominion, and for that reason alone we have always felt that we are a part of that Dominion, hut in addition to this we havo been constantly reminded ■V kind and _ thoughtful acts that although the ship may bo out of sight she is never out of the minds of the people. This crowning aot of generosity only confirms our knowledge, and we in our turn hare always endeavoured, and will always endeavour, to repay the Dominion. for tho confidence rcposoH in us."

Mr. M. Cabfe, Assistant Tramways Manager, has returned from an official visit to Auckland, where the Tramway Company's officials showed him oyer their well-appointed repair shop, which is a very up-to-date adjunct to an electric car service. Mr. Cable states that he was informed in Auckland that the adoption of tho general Saturday half-holiday had been prejudicial to the tramways revenue, as not nearly the number of people went to town from tho suburbs now as was the ease when all the shops were open and doing business. This business was not compensated for By .the late night on Friday, which had in the main ' benefited the suburban The average working man who arrived home at 6 p.m. or thereabouts was, as a rule, not inclined to go to town, and so the tramways revenue and the city shops suffered.

The annual report of the committee of the Wellington Rugby Union says: "The St. John Ambulance Brigade continued its excellent work at football matches during the season. In extending our thanks to members of the brigade we desire to emphasise, on behalf of our players, our indebtedness for many and prompt services rendered, not only at the Athletic Park, but 011 all our playing areas scattered throughout the district." All invitation to the New Zealand Government to nominate five delegates to an international Press congress, to be held at San Francisco in July, has been received. ■ through Mr. E. Clifton, New Zealand Commissioner at the Panama Exposition! Delegates to the congress are being invited from every association and institute in journalism in each nation, as well as from every Stat© and national association of journalism iu the United States. The. Postal authorities advise that in addition to packed week-end cable messages, the acceptance of which was prohibited in January last, packed defer-red-rate cable messages are now prohibited, and must be refused. Each message must be complete iu itself, and must not contain messages for two or more persons. This applies to all routes.

In Order to show sympathy with the movement set afoot by Messrs. H. Plimmer and Winter Hall for raisingmoney for the distressed Belgians, Messrs. John and Sidney Kirkcaldie purchased 200 gallery tickets for "Lady Windermere's Fan" yesterday, and are presenting them to the members of the staff of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains. A parcel of two hundred 1 tickets was also purchased by Mr. F. H. Mather, on behalf of Messrs. George and Kersley, with the same laudable object in view. The Salvation Army Institute at Trentham military camp has recently undergone extensive improvements and additions, and is "low capable'of seating over 000 persons. A solid wood floor has been laid down, and sliding doors have been erected. These will add greatly to the men's comfort during the winter months. On Saturday the Chief Secretary (Lieut-Colonel Powley), who was accompanied by Mrs. Hodder formally conducted the opening of 'the enlarged institute. The troopers express the greatest .satisfaction at the Army's thoughtfulness for their welfare.

In n letter to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce from tho 'J'e Kniti Clinmlior of Commerce regarding a through road connection betweon Wellington and Auckland, it is stated that the only gap in the communication occurs in the Waitomo County. "It is understood unofficially," fiavs the letter, "tlmt the difficulty in the way of the further advancement of tho road is the disinclination of the authorities to road Native land, and this should scarcely be allowed to stand in the way of a national work." The council decided to support the movement for a through connection by road between the two cities.

"The trouble with scarlet fever is that some people get it and do not know it," said a member of the Haivnra Hospital Beard oil rhursdav. "that is why, wa enuu«t stamp It out,"

Referring to the manner in which members of tlie Oriental Football Club are responding to the cal. of their King and country, the annual report of the club says that 42 active members, who took part in tho season's competitions, 11 hon. members, and 1 life member are already at tho front, while several more are at present in camp at Trontham.

There were no criminal caseß set down for hearing at tie half-yearly session of the Supreme Court in Masterton on Monday. His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer, who was presented with a pair of white gloves, in accordance with a time-honoured custom, congratulated tlie district upon its immunity from crime. At the monthly meeting of the Taraliaki executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on Thursday, the following motion, moved by Mr. Dunn and seconded by Mr. Maxwell, was passed regarding the war tax: "That the Taranaki executive of the Farmers' Union considers that the fairest way of raising the estimated revenue required through the war would be a percentage increase on all existing taxes."

Living within "Coo-ee" of a railway train, there are few who think and less who care about the troubles of the way-back settler and his wife and family (says the Stratford "Post"). Yet, in tho confines of tho Beyond, back of Whaugamomona, exists a man, who, in order to give his wife a taste of civilisation once now and again in the gathering years, has to carry her on his back over sis rivers in his journey, to and from the nearest township. To the helpmate of this man, even Whangamomona fashions must make her feminine heart ache more for freedom. On the Opunake-Te Roti railway (according to tlie Hawera "Star") work is being steadily pushed on, _ and anyone passing along tho Te Roti to Matapu Road will notice cuttings and fillings at various points. Altogether between forty and fifty men are now engaged, spread out in gangs of five, or six at •Vveral points. Most of the work just at present'is being focused on one of two deep concrete culverts near the Te Roti end, and as soon as the concrete has sufficiently settled the steam-sliovel will expedite the earth-filling work. Gangs of men are also at work on the Matapu section, where the construction is very easy an'd simple, the country being almost dead level for a numbor of miles. The line is at present authorised as far as Kapuni, and the construction of this length should be a very easy matter, provided sufficient votes are put on the Estimates to enable the work to be carried on.

A special meeting of the Onslow Borough Council was held last night, when matters connected with the water supply proposals were under consideration. The Mayor (Mr. C. C. Crump) presided, and other members present were Councillors B, Lynneberg, R A. Nicol, A. H. Hoby, J. C. Gardner, 0. Bowden, and E. C. Aldersou Councillor Brown wrote apologising for absence, and stating that ho was heartily in support of the gravitation water supply soheme.. The meeting at once went into committee, and subsequently it was reported that it had been decided to obtain an outside engineer's opinion on the whole question of the water Supply and estimates, and a further legal opinion on the whole subject. Mr. Joseph Allan, who died at Dunedin on Thursday, at the age of 57 years, was a son of the 'late James Allan, one. of the early pioneers of the province, and was born on the Hopehill Estate, Allanton. He received his education at the Union Street School, the Otago Boys' High School, and the Ota go University. After qualifying as a Government surveyor in May, 1879, he was appointed to take charge of a survey party at Roxburgh, and held the position with oredit. Subsequently, Mr. Allan returned. to Hopehill, and took charge of the estate, which he conducted successfully for a number of years. A few years ago, however, he found it absolutely necessary, on account of ill-health, to take a muchneeded rest, so he leased the property to a tenant, and relieved himself of the care and worry of management. Mr. Allan was an honorary life member of the_ Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and also a member of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

An old resident of Auckland, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Pirie, died on Friday at his residence in Parnell, at the age of 81 years. Before coming* to New Zealand many years ago, Colonel Pirie was a famous rifle shot, and held many valuable trophies won in England and the Islands. He was formerly major and a'djutant of the Ist Regiment of the Royal _ Guernsey Militia. In 1879 Cqlonel Pirie came to New Zealand, and was for many years actively connected with the volunteer forces. He reached the rank of lieutenantcolonel, and was at one time instructor in musketry, inspector of ammunition, and a member of the Officers' Examination Board. He only retired from active military work a few years ago. The deceased > was also a director of a number of mining companies at various times. Colonel Pirie was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, an enthusiastic bowler and a keen musician.

The members of the Geo. Willouahbv Pantomime Company, who are to'WOr New Zealand, will arrive in Wellington from Sydney to-day. The tour commences in the south.