LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2423, 31 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Postal authorities advise that the s.s. which is duo from Sydney to-day, is bringing Australian mails only.

A demure, sweet-faced littlo lassie stepped shyly and quietly into tho Mayor's carpeted sanctum yesterday afternoon, holding in her hands a small, well-filled leather bag. "Well, what is it, gillie?" asked His Worship genially. "Please, I've brought some money Iroiu f-he concert," she said, and with that the leathern bag was dropped 011 the desk, tho resultant clink indicating its contents. it was then explained by the mother that her daughter (Mis's Kva Douglas, of Newtown) had organised a little concert in her own home in aid of the Belgian Fund, and the result Was a bag-full of silver" and copper, making in all the sum of £1 25., an amount which should keep some of the poor little children from wanii toi a timti. The Miyor heartily thanked :ie little worker in the great cause.

A Magisterial inquiry into tho mishap to the Union Company's R.M.S. Marama, at San. Francisco, on January 29, will be opened at the Magistrate's Ctiurt, Wellington, at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The New South Wales Navigation De-. partment has held a preliminary inquiry and has suggested to the Marine Department in New Zealand that the above course should be adopted. Captain W. J. Reed, of Auckland, and Captain Post, of the Government steamer Tutanekai, have been appointed nautical assessors. It is probable that the inquiry will be adjourned till a future date.

"Fantastic business" was the term applied % Mr. A. W. Hogg at yesterday's Education Board meeting respecting the regulation requiring members of Education Boards to declare their travelling expenses before a Justice of the Peace. Some people, Mr. Hogs; thought, might bo under the impression that members of Education Boards were dishonest or tried to make money out of their attendances. He said lie would like to make it clear that members did not make a cent, or charge a cent more than was legitimate. Sir. J Kebbell remarked that the allowance for travelling by the railways was sixpence per mile one way only, and the chairman (the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken) expressed the opinion that an allowance which worked out at 3d. per mile was very inadequate.

The "Wellington City Council has now a Rang of men employed on the Ilutt I!oad. between Wellington and Petone clearing; out the ivater-tables and surface drains. No great amount of road-mending ivorlc will be done until tho winter sets in. Tho Government reoently suggested that the Cit.v Council should take over tho supervision of certain obligations which oxist on tho part of tho Wellington Meat Export Company with the Government respectinn certain sower and pipe easements on tho Ilutt- Road, but His Worship tho 'Mayor says that, the council has quite enough to do to look after the i-otid. without attending to the Meat Export Company's obligations. Each year the contributing local bodies eoncernofl in the upkeep of the road will iio billed for their sliaro of tho maintenance, and, if not paid, a demand will *e inado on the Government for flie money.

Regarding a letter which appeared in The Dominion, asking tho City Council why the proposed new tramslieds s'noulH not be built on Town Belt land instead of paying Tor land for that purpose at Kilbirnie, tlio Mayor'(Mr. J. P. Luk'o) stated that he did not believe that tho council had any power to erect suoh a structure on the 'lown Belt,' nor did he for one moment believe that one councillor would, favour such an intrusion ou tho peoplo's domain. To do what was proposed he was afraid that tlicv would have to invoke the aid of Parliament, and ho was not at all sure, that Parliament would agree to it. Tho reasons why tramway slie'us were erected in the triangle between Hussell Terrace and Riddil'ord Street were too obvious to enumerate. With increased accommodation there and at Kilbirnie, it will not be necessary to erect sliol-ter-sheds on the site of tho old liorse-

eni-slied.s iu Adelaide lioad, which site would now be available for some omcr UUI'IIOGS.

Tho Gisborne Harbour Board, as a measure of patriotism, paid six months' full salary to the assistant clerk in the engineer's office, who has to the war. It was decided to pay him halfwages for the remainder of the period lie is engaged on active service, but the board's solicitors advised that extension of leave on half-pay was illegal, and would have to be rescinded. The board accordingly rescinded tho resolution.—Press Association.

Messrs. F. L. Combs (Mauricevilla West) and J). E. Leslie (Masterton) have been nominated as delegates tc tho annimt conference of the New Zealand Krlucaiiona! Institute, to be held iu Wellington iu July. further nominations must be posted to Masterton not later than to-day.

Law points reserved for the Court of Anpi&i in the ease of Ilex v. Duerkop, alleged trading with the enemy, will "not be argued until sfter the Easter holidays, as other fixtures will occupy tho Court in the meantime.

Captain G. C. Smith, Marine Superintendent at Wellington, held ail inquiry yesterday into the circumstances surrounding the death of the seaman, H. Vinceri, who was lost overboard from the F. and S. liner Westmeath on Wednesday afternoon, March 24. After evidence had been taken the papers were forwarded to the Marine Department.

The Public Worta Department has informed the Christchurcli municipal authorities that after Sunday next electric current from tho Lake Coleridge installation will be available continuously.—Press Association.

Messrs. M. O'Brien and Co., Limited, Christchurcli, received advice yesterday that their tender for the supply of military boots for tlie Now Zealand Government had again been accepted. The contract, says a Press Association telegram, is for 1250 pairs per month. Four children belonging to the same family who came before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.. yesterday, in the Juvenile Court, were taken out of tho control of their parents, two being committed to tho Wellington Receiving Home, and two to St. Mary's Home, Upper Hutt. An order was made for the father to pay 6s. 6d. weekly towards tho maintenance of each child.

Two small liovs who were responsible for the fire brigade turning out recently to answer a false alarm, appeared before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, £.M., in the Juvenile Court yesterday, charged in this respect. Mr. .T. O'Shca appeared for the City Council, and in stressing the seriousness of the offence said that it cost tho brigade five guineas in wear and tear every time it was called out. The Magistrate soverelv admonished the offending boys and discharged them.

"You're lucky, till' information will be dismissed," said tlie Magistrate to a seaman at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Tho seaman in question was charged with deserting from tlie Kaikoura while that vessel was at Tiinaru. The vessel had since left for Monte Video, while beyond the fact that accused admitted his identity and that he had gone aslinre, the police had no evidence t» put forward.

As tho lesult of a meeting held on •Monday evening it whs decided that the Wellington Orchestral Society be resuscitated, and a meeting is to be held on Thursday week to elect officers, etc.

The new Training College building is now ncai ing completion, and should be ready for occupation about May. The much needed accommodation • will be welcome, but the inconvenience of having the students in Kelburn and their practising school at® Thomdon will be a severe strain 011 the students' limited liifle. Tlie infant school at Kelburn can provide teaching practice for little more than 10 per cent, of our students. During the year the possibility of securing the Terrace Gaol site for tho whole institution was considered, and while recognising the difficulties in the way of making the change, at so late a stage, I regret that the board could nob see its way to make what I feel would have in the end been the lesser sacrifice. and at the same time secured for all time adequate room for an institution that must continually expand. —Extract from the annual report of tho Principal of the Training College.

"In view of the somewhat ceneral feeling that overmuch time may easily be devoted to university, as opposed to professional, work, I feel perfectly confident in saying that the best teachers will, with few exceptions, he found amongst those wlfo have sufficient ambition and interest in their profession, to take every opportunity of improving their _ general education," says the Principal of the Wellington Training College in his annual report. "The university provides that opportunity in its highest form."

The City Council decided last evening that application should be made to the District Land Registrar to issue the necessary titles in connection witbthe Te Aro Reclamation property.

"During the year (says the annual report 011 the Wellington Training College) the new Training College regulations, which allowed alternative scheme" of staffing and salary, ivere considered by the Board of Advice, and after consultation with the Inspector-General, Scheme Ilf, with sonic slight modifications, was adopted. Tlie effect of the more liberal scale of salaries was at once apparent in the increased number of applicants for college positions."

The New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society is to be informed by tlie City Council, iu reply to their statement that the Day's Bay Scenio Reserve requires more attention generally, and in particular as to the paths, that the council is obtaining a report from the Town Belt Forester on the reserve. .

The following have been appointed a Rural Workers' Organisation Committee:—Wellington: Messrs. W. C. Noo't (president), J. C. Bruce, A. Parlane, JI. Whalen, Jf. La racy, L. M. A. Reardou, D. Moriarty. Christchurch: Messrs. F. E. Ellis, J. Cooper, E. Kennedy, Hiram Hunter, William Boone, I'\ R. Smith. Waimatc: Messrs. A. Cook. J. Smith, R. Eddy. Tiraaru: Mr. A. J. King. Oamaru: Mr. W. Johnsfone. Dunedin: Messrs. J M'Allan and S. Boreham. Gore: Mr. A. J. Middlemiss. Masterton: Messrs. A. M'Leod and J. A. Nicholson. Invercargill: Messrs. T. O'Bryne and J. Aikweiller. Auckland: Messrs. A. Rosser, T. Long, and T. O'Kane. The committee has power to add to fts number.

The men frho are going to build the hut on Mount Alpha left Greytown yesterday morning to pack tho material to tho site.

An indignant denial is given by Madame Melba to the statement of the l?ow York "Review," published the other day, that she had accepted an oiler of £1000 a -week to appear at tne Keith vaudeville theatres in the United States. "There is not a word of truth in this American canard, and I am very sorry it was published," she writes to an Australian paper. "I liavo not been approached with any such offer, so I cannot have accepted it. Moreover, I shall never sing in vaudeville."

The Reserves Committee reported to the City Council last evening that they have instructed tho City Engineer to report as quickly as possible on a suggested site for, and the estimated cost of constructing, a new reservoir at Williams Park, Day's Bay.

The general question of the length of leases of unoccupied school sites was raised at tho meeting of the Wellington Education Board yesterday by Sir Walter Buchanan. He said that the matter had been before the board some time ego, whon he raised tho question of disposing of reserves which would never be of use for school purposes. Objection was raised to tho sale of these reserves, but some improvement was needed in tho method of dealing with them. It Would be within tho knowledge of members of the board that the School Commissioners whon they had charge of tho larger reserves favoured twenty-one years' leases. A fouiteen years' term Was too short for tho leases. In many cases improvements had to bo made before the settler had au opportunity of getting any return. The matter was referred to a committee consisting of Sir Walter Buchanan, Hon. J. G. W.- Aitken, Mr. A. W. Hosg, and Mr. J. Kebbell. .

Tho cost of widening Crawford Road is to be borne in equal shares by the district fund and the tramways department, and the district fund is to-bear one quarter of the expense of purchasing any properties required in this connection. This decision was made by the ( City Counol last evening.

Tho grievances of settlers on the banks of the Wanganui Rivor in respect of the freight rates charged by tho river steamers, were brought under the notice of the Prime Minister yesterday by a deputation from Taumarunui, introduced by Mr, 11. W. Smith, M.P. Tho complaint of the deputation was that the schedulo of prices under the river mail contract was ambiguous, allowing tho owners of tho steamers to charge practically what they pleased. The Prime Minister pointed out that the new schedule of rates would have to be submitted for approval or revision to the Wanganui and Taumarunui Chambers of Commerce, and to the Department of Lands, Alter the deputation were informed of this they were satisfied, one member stating that if they had been awaro of it they need not have attended. Mr. Massey said the new contract had to be entered into within sixty days from July 1. They did not, he added, desire to interfere in nuy way with tho tourist traffic. The Government knew that there had been innumerable complaints about the service, and its desire was to arrange for a schedulo which would bo much more satisfactory to the people who had to use the river than they' had up to the present timo.

The Hataitai division of the National Reserve mustered for their weekly drill last evening. Eighty-three members wero on parade, and they performed, a route march of about four miles, headed by the drum and bugle band of the Kilbirnie' Cadets. During their march the men showed particularly good form.

The following is an interesting extract from the Wellington Inspector's annual report on the district schools: — In. composition we have no fault to find as to lack of. matter or freedom of expression. The vocabulary of the average pupil is still more restricted, however, than, might reasonably bo expected from the amount of general reading which ib done nowadays. This poverty of vocabulary is to blame for auch faults as the misuse of the unfortunate words "get" and "got."- The following sentences, for instance, collected from the composition exercises of a single school are examples of this failing:—"After dinner I 'get' cleaned." "Charles , I 'got' executed." "I've 'got' a shilling in my pocket." "I 'got' to school late." "I've 'got' to inilk ten cows." "The children 'got' tired of playing." "When we 'got' to Auckland we 'got' our luggage together and 'got' off the train."

Fast progress is being made in fruitgrowing in tha Nelson district. During the last three years (says an exchange) over 3000 aores have been planted in trees, consisting of 500,000 apples, 27,000 pears, and 12,000 stone fruits. Exports have risen from 18,000 cases in 1912 to 33,000 cases in 1913, and to 66,000 cases in 1914.

The annual report of the Wellington 'District Inspectors of Schools says:— "Thesummarising of our inspection and examination reports shows the efficiency mark of 140 schools to range from satisfactory to very good, that of 19 to be fair, while seven are classed as distinctly inferior. Tho percentage of schools bdow satisfactory is somewhat larger than was the case last year, and though changes in the management have been made in the majority of these schools (which as a rule belong to Grade 0), the difficulty of finding suitable teachers for the more remote and isolated localities in the district is still .very great.

A serious misunderstanding has ap; parently been caused by a statement which has been published regarding the delivery of cargo per the C. and D. liner Star of India. 111 tho paragraph referred to it would appear that consignees of goods would be unable to obtain delivery of goods for at least a fortnight after the arrival of the vessel at Wellington owing to the ship not having brought cortain documents. Messrs. AV. M. Bannatyne and Co., Ltd., local agents for the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, Ltd., state that such is not tho case, but that delivery orders may be obtained immediately after arrival, as customary, on presentation of bills of lading.

"Tho usual difficulty was met. when tTie matter of allocating tlio university ■work had to bo i faced," says the principal of Bio Training College in liis annual report, "but acting on the experience of previous years, about 50 pet cent, of tho students were strongly advised to take not more than one class. The actual attendances were: —English 71); Latin, 23; French, 4; German, 2; Education. 50; Mental Science, 17; History, o : Biology, 16; Geology, 4; Chemistry, 2; Physics, 1; Mathematics, 2."

A letter is to bo forwarded by the City Council to tho Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, conveying the appreciation of the council at the minner in which the recent championship meeting Was conducted, and their gratification at tho net result.

Two additional motor cycles are to be purchased for tho use of the emergency men in tho Corporation lighting department.

During the year ended this month there will have been erected 75 additional street lamps in Wellington. These lamps have made a considerable improvement in the street lighting of tho City, according to a report presented to the City Council last evening.

The financial summary presented to the Wellington Education Board yesterday showed that,a rather remarkable recovery had been made in tho short .v>aee of five weeks. On February 19 llie debit balance was £5028, while on March 2(j the debit was only £725. Tho chairman (Hon. J. G. W. Aitken) explained that the reason was thai the Government hud made a Inrg" payment on account of icli.ml buildings.

It. was reported at yesterday's mooting of tlio Education Board that the Government Jiad agreed to pay tlio superannuation contributions of those teachers who have gone to the war. The suggestion of tho Island Bay Electors' Association that tho Town Belt section opposite Wakefield Park should bo reserved for a women's and children's ground, has been adopted by the City Council, and instructions liavo been given to the superintendent of reserves to plant the shelter belts at the north and south ends this season.

Improvements at the Greytown District -High iSchcol were requested by a deputation which waited on tho Wellington Education Board yesterday. It is desired tlwt the ground shall bo asphalted, and that the headmasters residence shall bo considerably altered and bettered. 'J'he ground is said to be good in summer, but inuddy in winter. 0 The chairman of the board (Hon. ,). G. W. Aitken) informed tho deputation that tenders were to be considered that day for some asphalting at the school, and ho assured the deputation that their representation would be carefully gone into. A seaman was arreted by Constablo Wilson yesterdav on a charge of desertinrf from the Westmeath on Eebruaiy 17^last.

The Wellington City Council lias agreed to the request of the Pa'hiatua Borough Council for {lie services of Mr. Geo. Lauchlan, the lighting engineer to tho council, in view of the fact that Mr. Lauchlan will not be required to leave Wellington to advise on the pronosed Pahiatua electrical installation. The work is to be carried out in Mr. Lauc'hlan's own time.

The Imperial Union of Teachers proposes holding a conference in England in July, and the Wellington Education Board lias been asked to nominate representatives. If anv teacher happens to be' going to England by July, ho or she will probably bo given the opportunity of representing, this district at tho conference.

During the absence of Major Barclay, the Dominion headquarters of the St. John Ambulance Brigade has been transferred from Auckland to Wellington.

In commenting yesterday upon the Hospital Board's dairy farm proposal, reference was inadvertently made to the Hon. H. D. Bell as the Minister objecting to the board's procedure. _As a. matter of fact, it was the Minister of Public Health, the Hon. 11. H. Rhodes.

The members of the Plimmer-I-lall Dramatic Company, which is devoting tho wholo profits of its New Zealand tour to the Belgian Relief Fund, were accorded a civic reception at Palmerston North on Monday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. J. Nash) expressed his pleasure at being able to extend this welcome to the members of' the company. He praised their generosity, and Baid he felt that the public would recognise the efforts they wore making in a substantial manner. He said ho also felt that their efforts should be recognised in some maimer, and tho welcome gave him a fitting opportunity to do this. Ho congratulated the management on its decision thus to help tho Roliof Fund, and wished' tho company a most successful tonr. ic . . SS