LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 166, 9 April 1921, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Postal authorities _ have received advice from (Melbourne ‘ that (the s.s. Westralia sailed from that port at 3 p.m. on April 6, for Wellington. She carries 113 bags of mails from Australia, 565 bags from the. United Kingdom, and several bags from Africa. “New Zealand has never known a better Cabinet than the present one, or had a set of Ministers who worked) together better for tho good of the country," said tho Prime Minister at Waverley, on Thursday. "I don’t think that any trouble will come while I am away from New Zealand, but if it does, 1 have full confidence in the ability of my colleagues to deal with it.” A further interesting addition to t'he public Art Gallery in Whitmore Street is a fine water-colour “seascape” by E. Gouldsmith. This work has been presented by Mrs. Noel Barraud as a memorial to her 'husband, who died recently in England. The late Mr. Noel Barraud was one of the founders of the academy, nearly 40 years ago, and, as its first hon. secretary, rendered invaluable service in the promotion of art in Wellington, in recognition of which he was elected a liife member. Mr. Barraud, who was himself an exhibitor at the Royal Academy, was a great admirer of Gouldsniit.h’s work, and the beautiful picture just presented is regarded 'by the council as a most appropriate memorial to tiro deceased artist. -Mr. E. Gouldsmith visited New Zealand some 35 years ago. and painted a number of landscapes, some of which may be seen in private collections to-day.

The shooting season for imported and native game' has been gazetted <o commence on May 2 and end on July 31, in the Wellington, Wanganui, ' Feild.ing, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Marlborough, and other acclimatisation districts. In the Wellington district the following game may bo shot:- —Imported: Cock pheasan-.s, hares, Californian and Australian quail. Native: Grey duck, black swan, and teal. Tho schedule for Funding district is tho same as above except that teal are not mentioned. Spoonbill duck is included among the native game open in the Wanganui district..

“I think there are more bungalow houses in Hamilton than in any other town in New Zealand,” remarked Mr. Justice Hosking during the hearing of a case at Hamilton recently, in which the stylo of the house was involved. There were, he added, a good many bungalows in Napier, but far more in Hamilton, where the dwellings appeared to be mostly of the bungalow style. "A bungalow house is one in which you sacrifice comfort for appearance, is it not ?” he subsequently asked a .witness, an architect. Witness: “In many cases, Tour Honour."

The pitfalls that attend the pathway of education have long been tjie subject of humorous reference among tho teachers of the young. It is generally the scholar who provides the joke, due primarily to his ednfusion of similar words or facts. During the week, however, at one of Auckland’s leading secondary schools, the teacher was in error. Catechising a. junior class in French, he noted unusual proficiency in one pupil, to whom he devoted some time, passing on with a word of recommendation for her facility, but suggestin'’ an improvement in her accent. Jinlge of his feelings when on subseqnent inquiry he discovered that the pupil in question was a native of the south of France.—“ Star.”

All the Taranaki towns are getting cheap moat at present. In Hawera prime mutton is being sold at 3d. per pound, in cuts to suit tho customers, and at other centres similar conditions prerail.

Mr. Robert Caughley, recently’ appointed general manager for the Alliance Assurance Company. Ltd., has arrived in ■Wellington, and has assumed control of the company’s affairs. Mr. W. Skcgg, who has been appointed manager for the Auckland branch, will leave Wellington about the end of the month.

A progressive step in local body affairs is now well under way in Marlborough, the consummation of which will mean the reduction of ten local Iwidies to two. Some twelve years ago the 'Marlborough Borough Council was a body which exercised wide and important functions, but through parochial influences its powers have been filched away by the creation of several district road boards until now its only function is to allocate the gold revenue and for that purpose it only meetfe oneo <a year. The progressive idea is to reunite these road boards in one strong eountv council. The Picton, Pelorus, and Omaka Road Boards have already agreed 1° H' e proposal and the Wairnu .and Spring Creek Boards are favourably considering the proposal and within a few weeks it. is hoped vhat all the petitions will go forward to the Gover-nor-Genernl-in-Council. The new body will adhere to the old mime—the Marlborough County Council. Similarly the various river boards —Lower tVairau, Spring Creek, Tunmarina, and Pukaka —have agreed to come together and form one Marlborough River . Board, which will be in the interest’s of economy and efficiency.

Dr. Gibb acknowledges the following further donations to tne China Famine Fund Already acknowledged, ,£lOO 2s. 6d.; Jean and Lynette, L2; Mrs. Reynolds, 10s.; “Anonymous,” 10s.; “Friend,” ss. For five years past there has been listed a .£15,000 grant for railway extension in .Marlborough, but the present outlook does, not promise its early expenditure in that direction. Mr. Will Lawson, the progress organiser, recently suggested Hint the Government might be approached to divert the grant from railway extension to the betterment, of the road between Blenheim and Kaikourn, and so make n really good road to Parnassus (the terminus of the North Canterbury line). In that connection he submitted a plan of railway and. motorca‘r connection which would put Blenheim and Christchurch within thirteen hours’ travel, and at the same time make a fine scenic drive through interesting country. That could bo accomplished by a train leaving Picton ton (lie arrival of the steamer from Wellingtcm) at G. 30 a.m., and taking passengers "through to Wharonui (the railway terminus), where, they would bo picked up by motor-ears and taken on to Kaikoura in time for luncheon. After Inncbeon there would be’ a pleasant drive on to Parnassus, where the journey per rail would be continued enabling people to arrive in Christehui ch at 8 p.m. or 8.30 p.m. Mr. Lawson is convinced that such a route would be largely favoured by tourists, and would be oFimmense service to the whole cominanity of Marlborough who are more er less intimately associated with Christchurch in their business interests.

Tho Fire Brigade acknowledge the receipt of <£s toward the recreation fund from Mr. Priester, for their good services at the fire ar 193 Vivian Street on April 6. Tihe Native Trustee (Mr. W. E. Rawson) took up his duties on April 1, and in future-the Native work of the Public Trust Oilice w.ll be separated from the other, and will be dealt with by the new office. Under, the new scheme, facilities will be given to Natives to borrow on the security of their lands, and by this means it is hoped to encourage many more to go in for practical farming. Some interesting facts concerning proportional voting was made at Devonport by Mr Squire Taylor, who has decided to settle in this country, but who was for some years an aiderman in Saskatoon, Canada (states the “Star”). No one was satisfied until the proportional system of representation was tried over there. In theory .everything promised well, but when it came to voting and the actual test the fallacy of the system liecame apparent. They had made a law also in some provinces which made a ballot paper invalid unless the voter voted for the full number of candidates required. Tho law did not work well, because people Who felt they could not vote for the full number did not vote at -all, and great numbers y.oAraincd from going to the ballot box. The law would have to be repealed. It was thought that a good compromise would be that the elector would have to vote for at least half of the candidates, which would do away with plumping, which liad been such an evil in former 1 times in connection with their elections. At the last meeting of the council of the North Canterbury- Acclimatisation . Society, the chairman (.Mr. M. H. Godby) urged that sonic finality bo' reached in the “white heron case." Mr. Godby read a legal opinion from Mr. M. ,J. Gresson, who was by no means satisfied that the white heron was'native game In the opinion of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the white heron was native game and proceedings could be taken. Mr. Godby stated that the famous white herpn, he was informed, was now in the museum, which, as Mr. C. R. Clark had remarked, was the best place for it. It' would be "Gilbertiah, continued ...Mr. Godby, to send the ranger to the museum to seize- the bird, and for proceedings to be taken against the museum authorities. The secretary (Mr. C. W. Hervey): “it would be, seeing that I rang up Mr. Speight and told him that I thought tile Museum was the best place for it!” It was agreed to refer the matter back to the sub-committee set up to deal with it—Lyttelton "Times.’

The Rev. A. T. Thompson, agent for tho British and Foreign Bible Society, has been licensed by Bishop Julius to preach in any Anglican Church in the diocese of Christehureh. In a letter to Mr Thompson, Bishop Julius states that he had hoped to ‘have given the license personally. “It is,” he added, “I suppose, one of the first of its kind for some centuries, and is given with the general approval of the bishop of the province. Mr. Thompson is a Presbyterian. “I see by tho papers that tlie Government and the Southland Acclimatisation Society are falling into the American error of calling the wapiti the elk, said Mr. John Deans, of Coalgate, in a letter read at, a meeting of tho North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society’s Council on Wednesday. “The moose is the true elk, and it seems to be a pity that we should perpetuate tho American practice, which has grown up from ignorance, Would it be possible for the society to take the matter up and have it put right bsffore the mistake gets too strong a hold ?” Mr. M. H. Godby said that he had . forwarded a copy of the letter to Sir Heaton Rhodes. Dr. C. BiAnderson said that throughout both Canada and the United States the wapiti was called the elk. There were good heads of wapiti and moose at the International Exhibition in Christchurch, about fourteen years ago, and the Canadian Commissioner always called the wapiti the elk. In the circumstances, it would not make much difference what names the North Canterbury Acclimitisation Society used. Mr. Deans, however, was quite right; the moose was tho true elk, and the wapiti was a glorified deer. Mr. E. F. Stead said that the moose never was referred to as an elk in America, although it. certainly was an elk. Professor T. G. R. Blunt said that the proper terms should be used. On his motion, seconded by Mr. L. A. Shand, the question was referred to tho Deer Committee.

"About a fortnight ago,” Mr. E. F. Stead remarked at the last meeting Of the council' of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, "a flock of about 20 black teal was shot into by a party of men in a motor-boat, near the Waimakariri Estuary.” The shooting, Mr. Stead remarked, was at short range. Seven or eight of the birds were killed, but the.others immediately dived. One of those killed floated near a man who watched the shooting. He secured it, and it was given to the Museum. Members of the flock that escaped, probably at present were swimming in the river near Iho camping ground at Stewart’s Gully. There was a danger of the flock being wiped out. That w'ould be very regrettable, as the presence of the teal on the Waimakariri seemed to suggest that they might make their way to the Avon. Blank teal were absolutely protected, a fact, that should be generally known. On Mr. Stead’s motion, n. was decided to offer a reward of £5 for Information that will lead to the conviction of the. person who shot the teal two weeks ago, or who should shoot any other teal—“ Sun.”

The Vogoltown and Mornington Municipal Electors’ Association, at. their monthly meeting this week, unanimously decided to nominate Mr. A. R. Hornblow as a candidate at the forthcoming municipal elections. The valuable and practical work Mr. Hornblow has rendered for the district was hignly appreciated, and the meeting expressed the hope that, the citizens of Wellingon and suburbs would support his candidature. ”

In the ease Evans Bay Lumber Company v. Percy Lyster, mention o£ which was made in our court, report yesterday, counsel for the plaintiff states that judgment by default was given in error against the defendant.