LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 1, 27 September 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The House of Representatives will meet at T.oQ p.m. to-day, but probably will adjourn immediately in order that members of tho Ministry and of tho House may attend the civic reception to the new Governor-General in the Town Hall. If the civio reception should happen to bo postponed for any reason, the first order of the day for tho Houso will be tho Master and Apprentice Amendment Bill, which has been put through committee. Then will come the Expeditionary Forces Amendment Bill and the Westport Harbour Bill.

Tho Government Astronomer states that a large spot is visible on the sun. As it is as yet near the sun's, limb (or edge of tho disc) it is foreshortened, and is not sufficiently clear to be seen without a telescope; but ns it moves across the sun's disc it will bo moro favourably placed, and early next week it should bo visible to the naked oyc.

Thcro is a lull in tho property market just now, partly owing to tho industrial iinrest, but more particularly to the difficulty of getting possession of nouses when sold, except where the property sold is in possession of tho vendor (says tho Auckland "Star"). There is still, however, a keen demand for hemes in nice localities. Thoro is a better demand for sections, but here again not much business 'has been recorded. It is stated that one effect of the Government's new taxation proposals in regard to local bodies' debentures is diverting moro money into mortgage channels.

Exaggerated inflection is one of tho pitfalls in studied elocution in adults as well as juveniles. Mr. Stanley Warwick, tho judge in elocution at the Com : petitions, put his finger on the spot on Saturday in commenting on a class, and inferred that exaggerated inflection could be as objectionable as none at all.

Twelve cases of pneumonic influenza were reported to the district health officer, Auckland, during the period from noon on Monday to noon of Friday, as compared with *10 cases notified during the corresponding period iu the preceding woek.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Gold Mine Owners' Association was held in Wellington on Friday. The following officers wero elected: President, Mr. George Stophenson (Reefton); vicepresident, Mr. C. Rhodes; executive, committee, Messrs. E, G. Banks, S. Leah, H. W. Hopkins. T. H. Lee, H. Stansfield, and T. S. Weston; auditor, Mr. W. C. Stephens. It was decided to make representations to the Government with a view to securing an extension of the time in which Axiel wotorfod drills <ire to bo installed in quartz mines. A special conference of the New Zealand Drivers' Federation is to be held in Wellington to-morrow, to draw up claims for a new Dominion award and to deal with general business.

A strong argument in favour of dehorning cattle was adduced by Mr. S. J. Ambury at tlio annual meeting of the Auckland Fanners' Freezing Company. He said that hundreds of quarters of beef were condemned as unfit for human food every season at the freezing works owing to injuries received by the Aninmlo through being homed by other beasts in transit by rail or steamer. This was a great loss ,to tho owners, but it was !» trifle compared with tho Buffering caused to the animals. Tho plea for dehorning was supported by Mr. R. Reynolds, who said the practice had been widely adopted in tho Argentine. Ho knew of n. herd of over 10,000 an which last year only three beasts were damaged in transit, tho injuries being caused by faulty railway trucks.

Tho solicitor engaged to defend Samuel Thorn, in connection with Pukekawa murder charge, Mr. R. A. Singer, has been proffered assistance in the matter by "one possessed of supernatural powers" (say tho Auckland "Star"). In allying herself with tho defonce (the volunteer is a lady), sho writes to the advocate (hat at I a.m. on a specific date blw got "a call" respecting a certain individual, and that subsequently she was rung up at the eerie hour of 3 a.m. with a further spirit message on tho subject relating to details of the tragedy, but the messages as transmitted by her seemed to bo oracular rather than delmite The"same medium of calls from behind the veil ranged herself on the side of the polico with supernatural 'tips at tho timo of the Mount Eden murder, but even with this uncanny help the criminal investigation department failed to arrive at n material solution of the affair. Many tranicars on Saturday afternoons run as far as the Athletic- Park only, und tuo solo intimation to the public is the writing in ««aik on tho black number board in front of the car It has been suggested that by next lootbalt season tho tramway authorities should liavo included "Atlilctio Park" among the destination signs over the hood in trout of tho car.

It ia necessary for a newspaper reporter to have, amongst other qualifications, an acute hearing. There are occasions, however, when the best ot' ears may not register correctly. At a recent social gathering at Scatoun, Mr, A. Crawiord, in giving'a dotailed history of the borough, referred to the origin of the name "Miramar" and its meaning. As to the latter it was reported that the word meant "the whole of the sen," whereas Mr. Crawford slates that he gave it as "Behold the sea!" This correction is given to obviate any misapprehension as to the meaning of'Miraiuar in the future.

At a, special meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Federated Typographical Association on Saturday night, the following resolutions wore passed:— "That this meeting, having carefully analysed the terms of the new award, instructs its constituent unions and members thereof to charge increased wages, bonus, piece rates and overtime from May 1, 1920, and accept nothing less, as thero is no ambiguity or doubtful phrasing in the award icgardiug these mutters,'? It was also resolved :'TL'hat lettors bo sent to the Master Printers' Association and the Newspaper Proprietors' Association expressing regret at the evident intention of the associations in endeavouring to break an agreement entered into in good faith, after conferences and conciliation proceedings with the representatives of the typographical unions."

Applications for Trentham scholarships for tho children of New Zealand soldiers and sailors should be made to tho secrotary, Mr. James M'lntosh, of Wellington, not later than October 31 of each year, but for the year 1920 applications will bo received up to November 80. Bursaries awarded will commence not earlier than January 1 following application.

An interesting visitor to tho Wairarapa P. and A. Society's show next mouth will be tho mare which wont to tho war and did her share from beginning to end of it (states tho "Wairarapa Daily News"), iked by Jlr. A. D. ll'iiaster, of the Lower Valley, by Saracen from a Letho mare, bought and broken in by Mr. (afterwards Trooper) ]?. A. Deller, and sold to tho Defence Department on tho outbreak of war, tho maro Zelmti (renamed Bess) left New Zealand with tho Main Body, being allotted to Colonel Powlcs. She did good service in Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine, then was taken to Prance; went with tho N.Z. Division to the Rhino in Germany, and finally was returned safely to Now Zealand. Sho is probably tho only New Zealand-bred horse that has such a remarkable record of travel ond ndventuro, ".ud it speaks well for the care taken of her, and her splendid temper and constitution that sho has come back in Duo condition. Colonel Powles states that ho will be pleased to send hoi" to the show, although sho is riot yot re-acclimatised and wears as yet too Ion? a coat to be got into show condition for competition in any class. The maro will, however, bo a very interesting addition to the exhibits, especially to all lovers of * good horse.

Tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Associntion advertises :i mooting in its club rooms, 292 Lauibton Quay, for Wednesday next at 7.30 p.m. This meeting will not bo confined to returned soldiers only, but will bo open to all who aro iuterosted in war pensionswidows, mothors and nil other dependants. A von- important motion will be moved nt tho meeting calling upon the Government to increase the pension, (.nd in order that the ideas of .the publio may bo thoroughly understood, local membors of Parliament have also been invited to attend. Similar meetings will be held all over New Zealand. In tho Police Court, Auckland, on Saturday, says a, Press Association telegram, Dnnioi Murray, who has a bad gaol record, was sentenced to eevjan days on bread and watfcr for making a frivolous charge against four warders, who, lie asserted, hiad knocked him about, the allegations, on inquiry, having been disproved. Murray is now Berving a sentence of two years' imprisonment. A charming example of the work of the Auckland artist S. M'Crackon has been presented to tho Public Art Gallery by the Hon. Dr. Collins. The picture, which is ono of tho collection now on view at tho annual exhibition of the Academy of Filne Arts, is entitled "Portrait of'a Lady" (water-colour). At tho opening night of tho exhibition a large oil painting, "The Weald of Surrey," by the same artist, was acquired by the Acadomy for tho permanent gallery.