LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13520, 31 October 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wireless advises that the Mocraki, Athenic, and Turakina will probably be within wireless range this evening. It is estimated that the local gasworks produce approximately 80,000,000 cubic feet of gas annually. The output of the works has increased 100 per cent, during the last five years. Reports to hand from all parts of the Masterton district give the average lambing return as 85 per cent, but many owners have only obtained 70 per cent. The lambing is considerably poorer tjmn last year.

The Old Boys of tho AVangttnui Colloeiate School are holding a re-union in Palmerston North on the second evening of the show in that town, Thursday next. It is expected that Old Boys from all parts will be present. The latest sufferer from military training is the Horticultural Society, which body has been notified that the Drill Hall will not bo available for shows in future. The society at its meeting last night, decided to approach the Agricultural Association and ask that body for the use of their Produce Hall.

In and around Wanganui 1165 Cadets and Territorials registered under the compulsory military training scheme. Of these 199 have been passed out as medically unfit or for failing to attain the standard required. Some of these will he called upon for a further examination in twelve months’ time, while others will have issued to them a certificate of exemption.

An interesting addition to the Museum is an old oil painting, presented by Mr Albert A. Gower. The canvas, which is said to bo at least 100 years old, was found covered in dust and dirt in an old house some years ago. It had apparently been cut from the frame, and there is no indication of the artist’s identity.

The annual meeting of the Royal Life Saving Society, Wanganui Hoad Centre, takes place in the Borough Council Chambers on Thursday evening. It is hoped that a large number of persons will be present, as the objects of the organisation must appeal to all, namely, to minimise the great loss of life from drowning, and to teach those possessed of ordinary human pluck the best methods of rescue and the resuscitation of the apparently drowned, and to develop the humane side of one of the noblest of our pastimes. The touch of nature which makes the whole world kin has pervaded the entire history of the Societv. It has so appealed to peon’ in al would would shauldanw uold andd of all classes in every clime that at present its aims are known in all parts of the British Empire, and in most European countries.

The adjourned hearing of the Mangawcka Town Board case was held before Mr A D. Thomson, S.M., on Saturday, when, on the information of J. Johnston, application was made to have Messrs W. A. Officer and E. E. Hornblow ousted from office, on the ground that they had accepted money for business done whilst umiiihi rs■<>;' the Mangaweka Town Board, contrary 1o the provisions of the ‘Municipal Corporations Act, 1910. Mr. Hussey, of Huutcrvillc, appeared for the plaintiff (J. Johnston), and Mr Lyon, of Marton. for the defendants. The matter was one for legal argument only, and after hearing counsel the Magistrate stated that a broach of the Act had been inadvertently committed, and declared the seats vacant. One guinea solicitor’s fee was allowed, but no costs.

Professor T. G. R. Blunt, who recently returned to Christchurch from a visit to the Old Country, spent a good deal of time in France and Germany, and ho states with some emphasis that in neither of these countries did he see the slightest signs of ill-will towards' Great Britain. Some important and delicate questions were under discussion at the time, notably the Bagdad railway, the first and second spy cases, and the enormous navy vole in Great Britain this year, but no unfavourable comment of any kind came under his notice when he was on the Continent. The absence of ill-feeling towards neighbouring nations was also noticeable in England. As a matter of fact, the people at Home seemed to take things much more calmly than the people out here did. They seemed to ho quite satisfied with the condition of the fleet, and to hold a belief that it was sufficient at the present time, and was likely to be for some years to come.

It is estimated that, over ope hundred thousand attended “Henley Day” on the Yarra on Saturday. Whether or not an employee 'in a hotel must he a Unionist will bo decided in a test case to be heard at the local Magistrate's Court on the 14th inst. The Weather Hiireau reports as follows:—Westerly winds moderate !to strong. Squally and expect unsettled aid cloudy weather at times unsteady, glabs little movement, but fall after twentyfour hours; tides poor; sea considerable on the coast. “ r Mr P. Halley, Conciliation Commissioner, who has been engaged hearing disputes here lor the past few days, leaves for Palmerston North to-day, where he* will attempt to effect a settlement in the furniture workers’ trade dispute. From Palmerston Mr Halley goes to Wellington. It is, anticipated at the offerings at thfe first wool sale will total some 4000 bales, a drop of 400 odd from last season. The clip is much heavier this year than the last, and whatever difference there is in' the prices realised should be more than made up by the extra weight of the wool. The New Plymouth Borough Council submitted- to the ratepayers proposals to borrow ii 12,000 for electric light extension, including installing plant, in view of the introduction of electric trams. The proposals were carried by 142 votes to 14. This department has been very profitable ever since its inception. A great scarcity of labouring men is being experienced in the Pahiatua district just now. The other day for some Government work at Mangatuna six men had to/ be sent np from Wellington, as there wore none locally available, and for work at Mangamairc there were no men availableAn appeal in forma pauperis is being made to the Privy Council in the Ah On gaming case. Ah On, a Chinaman, was recently convicted and fined at Napier for keeping a gaming house, and on appeal the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, instructed by Messrs K. G. Jellicoe, instructed by Messrs Dolan and Ferguson, is acting for the appellant, and will represent him in England. , “Very pleased with report. It is evident the matter has been given careful consideration. Many thanks and best wishes," is the context of a telegram sent by Mr M. Donnelley, of the New Zealand Hallway Officers’ Institute, to Mr Witty, M.P., ,a member of the Railways Committee of the House, with reference to the Committce.’s report on the Institute’s petition.

“I tip the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie as the next High Commissioner. Ho is the host man the 'Government could pet, and I don’t think ho would object to the position. I have no' inside information, but that is my honest opinion.”—A prophecy by Mr A. W. Rutherford during his remarks to the executive of the Canterbury branch of the Farmers’ Union on Wednesday. At the Auckland Magistrate’s Court recently a young chauffeur pleaded guilty to a charge of -having driven at a furious rate and on his wrong side of the way. Sub-Inspector Hendrcy said the defendant and another chauffeur were apparently engaged in a motor race on cither side of the road, and they made so much dust that the number on the other’s car could not be scon. Accused was fined £1 and .£1 Is costs.

Mr P. Halley, Conciliation Commissioner, sat in Wanganui yesterday in the furniture trades dispute. All points, in dispute were practically settled, except that of hours. On this matter, on account of the scarcity of competent tradesmen, the employers would not agree to a reduction. They also desire, for ■ the same cause, the increase of the proportion of apprentices from one to three tradesmen at at present to one to two. The dispute has been referred to tb« Arbitration Court for settlement. Mr AY. Kerr, S.M., gave judgment for the plaintiff in tho following civil casM at the Magistrate’s Court this morning: —Lockwood and Inman v. T. Hodgins. ,£l 10s; J Buchanan and Coy. v. A. Gurney, £2 Is 'ld; S. H. Manson v. R. Malcolm £2 12s; Wanganui Chronicle Coy. v. K. G. Thompson, £fyi 17a lOd; Horsley and Harris v. A. Gurney, £2 7s 2d; Baggett and Potts v. J. C. Vincent, £52 7a 4d.

A local merchant was fined XI by Mr W. Kerr, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, for two breaches of the Drivers’ Award, by which two drivers have been paid X2 3s per week instead of X2 4s. Counsel for the defence stated that the broaches were due to inadvertence on the part of the employer, but there was no excuse for the employees, who could not fail to have been conversant with the terms of the award. The Insncctor of Awards then proceeded against the men. who were fined 10s each