LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 237, 1 July 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Press Association telegram from Timaru states that the steamer Kauri, which has arrived from Melbourne, brought DO hags of mail -matter.

The Kuapehu, bound irom London- to Wellington with troops, arrived at Newport News on June IS). She-is due here about July 120.

The Pacific Cable Board notifies that the cable from New Zealand -to Norfolk island lias been repaired.

The now firewood depot to be established by the Government in Davis Stf-eet will he under the control oi the ilonl A. iiiyers, who is doing his utmost to relieve any distress caused by the eoul shortage, not only in Wellington but throughout New Zealand.

A uimi named David Laughlin, 35 years of age, residing in 251 Willis Street, 1 fell down oil the Perry Wharf yesterday afternoon and sustained a fracture of the right leg below the knee. ' He was admrtted to the Hospital at 3.30 o'clock.

The meeting of the City Council arranged for yesi-e'rclny afternoon to consider the estimates for the year and also, on accumulation of notices of motion was postponed on account of the peace halflioliday. The meeting will be held. <.-11 a day' yet to ,be fixed.

A'Press Association telegram, from Nar/ier .states that the representatives of the I'resoyterian Church have secured an option over sufficient flat and hill land at Te Jlata for tho purpose of establishing boys' college, and even, if thought advisable latjr, n .university college. The proposed college will have au agricultural l'arm attached to itl The option is terminable on November 30, being the cluse of tho next General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

"It is unfortunately necessary to direct the a ttention of tho authorities to the fact that addresses of a Bolshevik character have been delivered in Auckland, and thero is no guarantee that (hey will not lie repeated," remarks the "-New Zealand Herald." "Tho Government has at the present time very wide powers in "suppressing disloyal and seditious utterances, and they should bo used to prevent propaganda which is of so poisonous a character that it aims at reducing New Zealand to the condition of Russia and wrecking not only the State but all constitutional liberties. So great is the freedom all men enjoy in tho Dominion that thero is in every quarter a strong disinclination to interfere with the right of public speech, but it is obviously dangerous to permit that right to bo grossly abused and the very privileges- tho State maintains to be directed against its Existence. Bolshevism is o monstrous and immoral doctrine, the. enemy, aliko of the Throne, Parliament, and religion. If we permit it to be preashad in Now Zealand, whether by foreigners or others, wo run tho risk of reaping a harvest of violence. It is true that the Dominion offers an unfavourable soil for the seeds of Bolshevism, but it wero belter to prevent the. seeds being sown at all."

At 10.30 to-day a coiifercnco convened by tho Central Chamber of Commerce oi representatives of local bodies and chambers of conunorco in the Wellington provincial district will be held in tho Farmers' Institute buildings, I'eathereton Street. The main objects of tho conference are: (1) To consider means to' improvo tho access between We'.lingtoii city and the country districts by rail aim road; (2) the opening of lands for closor settlement; (3) the discussion ot matters of general interest and benefit to tho province of Wellington. The confer, enco will open at 10.1)1), and an address will bo delivered by the president of tho Central Chamber of Commerce (31r. C. M; Luke).

Tho Jorvois Quay bandstand has been practically demolished, and the woodwork'of the. rather handsome superstructure'' has been, transferred to Oriental Bay, in readiness for its re-erection on tho site especially provided for it on tho now Parade. Hitherto tho long unused bandstand has been painted dark negative 'Colours, which have had the_ effect of blurring tlifc observation until fow people wero actually aware that thero was such a structure in tho centre of tho city. Tho idea of tho City Engineer (Mr. AV. 11. Morton) was, when tho pavilion was re-built, to paint it white, so that it would stand out as a decora, tive feature of tho much-improved foreshore of Oriental Bay. 'I'ho concrete foundations of the stand have been ready for some iluys, and it is hoped that l;h<> bandstand will bo re-erected in' time lotthe official peaco celebrations.

Mr. Tom .Pollard, tho veteran theatrical producer; passed through Wellington yesterday en rout? to Blenheim, where ho is to supervise a performance of "The Mikado" bv the Blenheim Operatic Kocicty. While in Wellington Mr. Pollard held a consultation with some of the members of the cqipmittob of the Wellington Operatic Society, as tho result of which it is anticipated that an announcement as to the opera to be produced will be made tliis week.

A sitting of the Mount Cook Polico Court was presided over by Mr. H. D. Hanlon, J.P., yesterday morning. Two first offenders for insobriety who failed to respond to their bail wore eucli fined 10s, in default 2-1 hours' detention, and another who did put in an appearance was mulcted in a lino of 55., with tho alternative of 3-1 hours' imprisonment.

The inquest into the circumstances of the death of Miss Mary M'Padden, aged 4-1 years, at her residence, 339 The Terrace, on Sunday afternoon, will - take plaeo at the Courthouse at 9.30 o'clock this morning.

A Press Association telegram from Wanganui states that the adjourned inquest on the body of a newly-born 'male child found in a drawer in the domestics' quarters at tho hospital was concluded yesterday. As a result' Boborta Marshall Gibson, the mother, a young woman, was charged that, on Juno 11, sho did 'murder her newly-born child. She was remanded till Thursday.

A deputation from t hi' Petone Bowling Ciub. asking for a reduction of the rates on the club's property, was recived at (lie meeting oi' ..the Petone Borough Council -last evening. Mr. G. D, M'Ewan said that the club's finances were at present, in a doubtful position, as the membership had decreased considerably lftteIv. This men lit a big loss of revenue for tho olub. There was a considerable sum owing on a, mortgage on the club's property. It was staled that in addition to the ordinary rates payable the club paid on annual water rate. Councillor Tovey said ho thought that some amount should bo remitted. It was not as though the club was a strictly private body, visitors wero always welcomed on the ,j?reen, and he thought the club was more of u public institution. He thought that tl)e combined rates were rather exorbitant. Councillor Bedingfield said lie thought that by granting a remission ■thev would be creating a dangerous precedent. They could not treat , various clubs and ratepayers differently. All should ba treated alike. It was finally decided to reduce tho water, rale to ls„ and to |cavi! the general rale standing.

The question.of the establishment of a Chair of Education at Canterbury College and'the proposal that the professor appointed should be rector of the college wn's again before the Hoard of Governors yesterday (states a Press Association message from Christchureh. The Professorial Board intimated Ihiit It viewed the proposal to appoint a rector with misgiving, and asked the board to waiv? the mailer for the present in order that the Professorial Hoard might l have an opportunity of making recommendations whereby an appointment could be made in accordance with the spirit of the Empowering Act. After discussion further consideration of the matter was held over till, next meeting.