LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 103, 26 January 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Secretary of the General Post OHiee advises that a radio station :*_ now open in Tonga under the name of Nukualofa Radio.' Messages may be acccpled and should be routed via Pacific, and the radio rate is Is. Ski. per word.

Torrenlial rain fell in Christehureh all diiv on Saturday, necessitating the abandonment of all outdoor gatherings.Press Assii.

A meeting of the executive of the W'airaraoa farmers' Union was held on Saturday to appoint a deputation to utterview Ihe Prime Minister next Thursday with regard to the embargo on hides and the necessity of securing adequate supplies of manures for next season. The following will form the detuitalion:—Sir Walter Buchanan, M.1..C, M.-s-srs. li. K. Svk-s n:>d A. 11. M'Leod, M.P.'s, Hugh Morrison, ,1.0. Cooper.' and representatives of the AVcllington ileal Export Company, the dear Company, and the executive of the farmers' Union.

There are apparently some clever pickpockets operating in the city, and recently some of the fraternity have secured some excellent prizes. At the Trentham races on Anniversary Day » visitor from the Wnirarapn was relieved of ,-C-tii. Somo time ago a returned soldier withdrew a sum of money from a bank, part of the money being in gold, and placed the amount in his hip pocket. As a precautionary .measure the pocket, was secured with a eafety pin, but when he got to his destination the soldier discovered that his money had vanished. The most impudent and daring theft was committed in a Wellington bank. A man went, in lo lodge a sum of about ,£(10 to his credit, he made out his deposit slip ,and lined up to the counter to await his turn. He placed the money in one of his pockets, and when it cams to his turn to have the attention of the receiving teller the man discovered that all he had in his possession was the payin slip. The money had disappeared. The cheques were on other banks, and he immediately rushed around to the institutions to stop payment, but ho was too lale; the cheques had already been cashed by the enterprising pickpocket.

Mr. A. S. Fa ire, Local Deputy Public Trustee and solicitor, and Mr. G. Miller, accountant, both of the head office of tho Public Trust Office, have been appointed to the positions named with the object of developing business in the Poverty liav district, and left for Gisbome on Thursday last. The appointment of these officers will permit of nearly the whole of the work in connection with the administration of estates and the accounts being dealt with locally, and the avoidance of reference to Wellington in many matters, which has in the past involved loss of time and inconveniencu to those having business with the ollicu. Under this arrangement only such matters as the Public Trustee directs will be reserved for his decision.

Replying to Sir James Alien's invitation ti) accompany Hie Parliamentary party to Samoa, Dr. Thacker, M.P., has telegraphed:—"lt is not my intention tu proceed on the visit lo Samoa. 1 think it is quite unnecessary at this juncture to incur tho expenditure tho visit will cost, in view of the visit of the Prilico of Wales."-Fress Assn.

The New South Wales State Orchestra will pay a visit to Trenthani Military Hospital this afternoon.

Tho Wellington City Council, at its meeting on Tuesday night, will have before it the following petition:—"We, tho undersigned ratepayers of Wellington East, and Hataitai, supported by the ratepayers of Oriental Bay and Kosenealn,"respectfully desire to bring under your notice our "residential disabilities, due to the lack of through and rapid communication with the city. We, therefore, earnestly beg the Mayor and councillors of the City of Wellington to put in hand immediately the following, taken collectively—(a) The. regrading of Hawker Street, (b) The construction of a new road from Mueller Street to pass through (he reserve south nnd ensl: of the Convalescent Home, and to link up with Grafton Koad at the Fire Brigade station, (e) The institution of a motor bus service along tho above route (a and b), which service is to be maintained until such time as the Wellington City Council is able to construct an electric tramway line." The petition is signed by idi residents.

A number" of changes of clergy in CnMiolic parishes are announced:—Tho Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M., is leaving Timaru to take m> his duties as parish priest to llokitfkn, in place nl Rev. Father Clancy, S.M., who is going to Napier. The Dean will be succeeded bv Rev. Father Hurley, of Wellington. Tho Rev. Father Hartley, S.M., of Timaru, will take up professional duties at St. Bede's College," Chrislchureh, and his place in Timaru will be tilled by tho Rev. Father F. Barra, a military chapplain who returned a fortnight ago from service in France. The Rev. Father Kerley, S.M., parish priest at Temtika, is going to St. Bede's Christchurch, the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., of Wellington succeeding him, The Rev. Father O'Beirne, S.M., of Masterton, becomes parish priest of Levin. Rev. Father Stewart, S.M., of Waimate, has been transferred to St. Mary's Christchurch, and will be replaced bv Rev. Father Herring, S.M., of Blenheim. The Rev. Father Daly, of Upper Hutt, has been transferred to Dnnnevirke, and will be succeeded by the Rev. Father Minogue, a recently returned chaplain.

An effect of tho coal mind's' "goslow" policy was in evidence in Auckland on Friday "(states the "Herald"), when there was a temporary reduction of tho pressure at the city electrical power station. It was caused by the efforts that were, being made to economise fuel, and the low quality of some of the coal that was being consumed. Several machines and lifts in tho city censed,working about three o'clock and remained idlo until alwut '1.30 p.m., when the pressure was improved. The falling-off of power had a slight effect on tho tramway service, as the tramway power station was unable lo draw its usual assistance from the other station during the evening "rush" ixu'iod. There, however, was ; o serious difficulty and in the evening conditions were again normal.

There has been trouble in at least one sra.-;iih' place in Wellington over the. telephone service during last week. The cause of the suspended service was a short circuit, due to the ram finding its way into one of the telephone cables. Tho fault is being attended to.

The Salvation Army building programme In New Zealand for the present, year includes the comiilelion of tho men's 'industrial home at Addinglon, and tho erection of young people's homes nt Ashburton. Tiiiiaru,' and Oamani. and the extension of the young .people's hall in f'-hristchiirch. It is expected that work on the Addfngton building will begin soon.

The matter of safeguards on rVamcars was brieflv referred to at the last meeting of the Auckland City Council (reports an exchange). At the clove of the business on the agenda paper. Mr. H. N, Bagnall asked if the Public Services Cominittoe would report on Hie. cost of installing on the ears "dead-man's hand" controllers, and as to the desirability of installing them. The Mayor. IMf. J. 11. Ciinson,"ruled that Mr. Bagnall was out or order, a" the matter was not "ordinal'" business." but one of policy, and rntic» of mot ion must lie given. Mr. Bagnall said he would do th'<=.

T'op slicrbißP of cement is limiting itself Ml in riiristi'luii'cli (rpjiDi'ls nn exchange). I'or Hie first time for thr.-i, years moil of tlio plnstoriii;,' Ivhilo m\' unemployed. Some of Uipsp will prol«il)l\' be ,'i1isorl)B(l into otlicv work, pn Hint' Hip offoct upon Hip building tr.ido i> likely to continue oven nfter Hip pass, ini? of'tho cement shorlngn, ns it will take sonic time to reorganise, tho plastering 1.-vboui.

Wirlh's Circii-, which was to linvo opened its Wellington season to-night, Ims been delayed by Ixul weather in (.lie simtii, and the upeninjj lias had to be postponed, until to-morrow.