LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities advise that tho 6.6. Manuka, which is due from Sydney to-day, is bringing Australian mails only. Tile Postal authorities advise that tlie Auckland-Vancouver dispatch of March 2G, which arrived at Vancouver on April 10 (two days late) reached London on May I—nine days late. iP'j the old City Council called for Thursday evening will not bo held. This has been decided upon owing to the fact that under the latest amendment to the Act the functions of a City Council cease as soon as a new council it) elected. . Reforenco was made at yesterday's meeting of tho Council of tho Chamber of Commerce to the proposed new Board of Irado and Industries through a letter received from the Canterbury Chamber. Mr. 1. Ballinger briefly rehearsed tho history of the movement, which had originated in Christchurch, and said that it was originally proposed that it should be called the Board of Trade, but thait subsequently industries wore included. The council was of opinion that the board should have tho broadest scope, but did not define its attitude towards the proposal at any' length. "That the council consider the matter of excluding tiis Press from its monthly meetings,'' was the text of a motion set down for consideration on the order papor for yesterday's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. Its considers tion was postponed until the next meeting. With respect to the letter from Mr. W. G. Wickham, British Trade Commissioner, referring to the effect of the existing preferential tariff on foroign goods (the text of • which has already appeared in The Dominion), Mr; C. W. Joties said that he had considered the letter such a good one that he had handed it to tile Press, He said that it was not his intention to deliver a lecture on political economy in his annual address—he only referred to it as one thing which tended to increase the cost of certain goods. He moved that Mr. Wickham be thanked for his letter. Mr. W. Bridsou mentioned the statement of Mr. Wickham that the figures respecting the preferential tariff had only been taken out at his own office, and saidlhey were also available at the Customs Department. Mr. E. H. Christie, writing to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, drew attention to a recent Press cable, message from Melbourne in which it was stated that the Chajnber of Manufacturers had waited on the Federal Prime Minister with a request that a surcharge of 25 per cent, should be levied on enemy goods that may be imported lor ten years after the war. On this subject Mr. Christie wrote! "I trust you will take up. this matter and advocate to the New Zealand Government that it should tax enemy goods. Otherwise the sentimental feeling may die out in time, and buyers, to protect themselves in competition, may be forced to buy cheap German lines agaiu. To prevent this, I advocate that a heavy preferential duty of 50 per ccnt. or more should be put on." It was decided to consider the matted in conjunction with other resolutions dealing with the same subject, and which ultimately would be discussed at a conference of Chambers of Commerce, proposed to be held in Wellington in July or August next. Tie first meeting of the new Eastbourne Borough Council will be. held tomorrow at noon, when thd installation of the Mayor and Council will take place, l At the meeting of householders' in connection with the Clyde Quay School the secretary, Mr. T. Forsyth, explained that under the latest amendment to the Education Act the nominations for committeemen had to be made a week prior to the meoting, and not at- the meeting, as formerly. This was a provision recommended last year at tho confer, encu of school committees, and was one which enabled the parents of children attending the school to see who was standing for election. It was, he thought, a wise provision, and one which would be appreciated by all parents.

The method adopted for the disposal of the horses irliioh were killed iii the destruction of Craig's stables has not (says the Auckland "Herald") been entirely effective owing to unfavourobl weather conditions. Altogether 208 oarcasses were recovered, and'-they wer» taken in scows to a point' about 11 miles beyond Tiritiri Island, and there thrown into the sea. _ This course was Sanctioned by the district health officer, whu considered that as the carcasses had been partially destroyed by fire they would not rise to the surface of tho water. Apparently a few of them dill not sink to'the bottom, and'under tbs influence of the strong t ides and heav/ winds that have prevailed during tb» pa6ti few; days a number of them hsv.i been driven ashore along the northern coast. The stranding of about 14 carcasses had been reported to the districthealth officer on Wednesday evening. Arrangements were made immediateb for the disposal of the bodies by burial, a party of workmen being dispatched bj launch. It is considered unlikely that the trouble will continue, hut in any case any more carcasses which do appear will be buried without delay. Stoats apoear to be on the increase In Otago. Writing to the Oh go Council of the Acclimatisation Society, Mr. Steven, curator at Clinton, reported' that he was often surprised that any of the ducks or pheasant managed to survive the invasion of stoats, which were more numerous about the place now than he had ever known before. While writing his report he happened to glanoo through the. window and saw. a 6tont taking an egg across the drive. If measures were not taken- to cheok the pest it would only mean a fow years before game birds in New Zealand would be a thing of the past. The council briefly discussed the matter, but took no action. "Lady Windermere's Fan" mot with a very excellent reception at the Municipal Theatre, Napier, 'on Saturday night, when the Plimmer-Hall Company closed their season at Napier. During the evening Mr. A. F,. Itenouf, in addition to acting as honorary auctioneer _as on the previous evening, much impressed the audience with a dramatic recila'tion of the inspiring,_ if accusative, poem "Bravo." The third Belgian flag 6old during the company's stay in Napier fetched £96, and for the' ttTree flags sold £311 was taken. The finding of a court-martial in connection with the failure of ten memheru of the 4th Reinforcements to join their vessels at Wellington was announced by Colonel Potter at the Treutham Camp yesterday. The mennvero sentenced to a term of ordered to forfeit a certain amount of pay. At a meeting of the executive of the Saturday Half-Holiday Association held last evening, it was unanimously resolved that in view of the fact that the burgesses of Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington have decided by public voto ■to have the weekly half-holiday ,on Saturday, any attempt to introduce legislation to deprive the people of the right to a poll will lie resisted to the utmost. Such resolution is to l;o forwarded to the Right Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) and the Hon. A. L. llerdnian (Attor-ney-General).

News has ■ been received in Christchurch that Mrs. Cotton, wife of Captain Fred. IT. Cotton, died at Rodham Hall, Horslev, Surrey, last month. Uotli Captain Cotton and bis wife were well known in New Zealand during tho years ISBS to 18S8, Captain Cotton being an athlete and an all-round good sport. Mrs. Cotton's death was caused by bronchitis, followed by heart failure. She leaves two . daughters and .her husband;