LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 19661, 14 September 1927, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A ]?ress Association message from Napier states that the Royal Commission which is inquiring into Napier Harbor affairs ■ yesterday concluded the hearing of evidence from about fiftywitnesses. The proceedings extended over five weeks Counsel will bo heard m Wellington on Tuesday next. The commission consists of Mr J. S. Barton, S.M. (Wanganui), Mr A. C. Mackenzie (engineer, Melbourne), and Mr J. B. Waters (merchant, Dunedin). At the monthly meeting yesterday of the committee ot the Early Settlers’ Association the secretary reported tho deaths of thirty-four early pioneers of Otago, whoso ages varied from 70 to 94 years. The average age of those pioneers was 84 years, the sum total being 2,856. One passenger •by the Phillip Laing (1848), one passenger by the Mary (1849), and one by the Mooltan (184,9) were included iu the number.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the Mount Albert Borough Council at a special meeting decided to dispense with tlie services of its engineer, Mr W. H. Cook, on tho general ground that the administration of his department had not been satisfactory. In spite of a,u appeal by Mr Cook, supported by tho New Zealand Society or Civil Engineers and the chairman of the Ratepayers’ Association, the council declined to make any specific complaints against Biq engineer. There were two dissentients to the passing of the motion.

Tho Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce last night passed the following resolutions:—(l) That the suggestion that the salaries of members of Parliament should ho increased is most inopportune, and that apart from tho question, of the additional expenditure, which must come out of the pockets of tho people, it would set a. bad example in tho matter of economy, which the country is so badly iu need of. (2) This chamber views with grave concens and disapproval the recent increase in the income tax, as it is felt that if additional revenue is required it should be obtained by economies rather than by additional taxation.

An application by counsel for a rehearing of the case against John William Hop© of failing to comply with an order for the maintenance of his wife in England was granted by Air E. K. Hunt, S.AI., in the Police Court, Auckland. The grounds for tho rehearing were that .Hope is not the John William Hope mentioned in the order, and that he has never been allowed an opportunity of having the evidence against him as to his identity weighed. Mr Hubble, who appeared for the maintenance officer, asked lor an adjournment for fourteen days, in order to consider tho points raised by counsel. Tho magistrate agreed to the adjournment, au<l Hope was released on condition that he reports daily to the police.

North Taieri Church held a social evening last Thursday in the local hall. There was a good attendance, and a very pleasant time was spent in parlor games and competitions. A word of praise is duo to Alessrs Badcoek and Pugh for the able maimer in which they controlled the evening’s entertainment. The ladies provided supper, and were accorded a vote of thanks tor this service. Tho benediction by Mr Badcoek closed a very enjoyable evening. Tho visit of the OLakaii Maori Entertainers to Alosgiel was a great success. Air R. Morrison was chairman, and announced the various items. A minstrel troupe entertained the audience lor about half an hour with choruses, solos, duels, dances, music, and in between tho “ corner men ” fired off many local hits, which amused the audience. Those responsible for this part of the programme were Alessrs J. Russell, S. Karetai, H. Eorsyth, R. Kaaiiu, It. Douglas, R. Potiki, T. Russell, G. Karetai, G. Ellison, D. Ellison, J:I. Ruputa, D. Alartin, and L. Brown (piano). About a dozen Alaori maidens wore very successful in choruses, dances, etc., and took part in an amusing play with sonic of the sterner sex of their race, as follows;-—Airs Dougin,. R. Karetai, Kathleen Aloorc, Alon Ellison, Madge Russell, Hino Ellison, .Miss Dull. Tho following choruses and part -songs were included, showing the parly to he very proficient in this respect:—Chorus, ‘ Macro Alai I’a’; trio, ‘ Waiata Maori ’; part song, To Karo Karo’; chorus, • Nga Alibi’; and chorus, ‘ Arolia Nui.’ Some rousing halms were given. Tho poi dances were very pretty. Mori Ellison and Boh Potiki sang very acceptable solus. Tho chairman explained that tho proceeds would go towards renovating tho Alaori Church. Designs lor (ho Cook centennial stamp and coin commemorating the sesquicentemiial celebration, to he held at Honolulu in 1928, have been adopted by tho Captain Cook Commission. The designs have been taken from engravings of Captain James Cook and Irom artists’ drawings of incidents of his visits iu .1778 and H 79. Captain Cook discovered flic Hawaiian Islands when he touched at Waimea, Kauai, and was killed the. following year at Kcalakckua, Hawaii. 'Die request lo issue a, 50 cent commemorative coin will lie brought he lore, the Federal Government by Governor Farrington in aeeordanr-e with a resolution adopted by the 1927 Legislature. Elaborate [dans lor tho celebration, which will he held in August, arc being made by the commission.