LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5213, 1 March 1904, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Japanese fleet is still hovering about Port Arthur, five thousand Russian reinforcements nave been thrown into the fortress, fighting is reported to have taken place south of the Yalu, and traffic on the Trans-Siberian railway is in a very congested state—these, are the main points of to-day’s news from the seat of war. The Japanese appear- for the present to be intent on harrying Port Arthur with torpedo boats as it is recorded that the sending. of Russian cruisers from the harbour on Thursday “failed to entice the Mikado’s fleet within shorter range.” The fact that cruisers left the port on Thursday shows that Wednesday’s attempt to block the entrance did not succeed. So far as the fighting in Korea is concerned each side claims to have a success. The map wnicu appears on page seven of this issue, along with a detail view of Port Arthur harbour, will be found useful by readers who' desire to follow the movements of the opposing forces. Owing to the increase of business at Taihapo Post Office, it has been decided to place a postmaster in charge there, and Mr R. Boyne, of the Dunedin office, has been appointed. Mr H. M. Gore, secretary of the New Zealand Academy of 'Pino Arts, has been appointed treasurer of the fund that is being raised for the benefit of the widow and children of the late Mr J. M. Nairn. The amoants promised so far amount approximately to £IOO. Mr Gore will now receive contributions to the fund.

Tho vital statistics for February are ns follows iu regard to Wellington:— Marriages, 01; births, 124; dcallis, 82. Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association will hold a dinner at tho Bodega, this evening (unless exceptional circumstances prevent .tho arrival of tho lonic in time) to welcome tho new headmaster, tho Ecv, C. FI. Moreland.

At tho meeting of the City Council last night the Mayor moved : “ That application be made to tho Gqvornor-in-Council under # tho Public Works Amendment Act. 11X13,- to exempt Owen and Constable streets from the provisions of tho Public Works Act, 1900, in regard to street-widening.” After a short discussion, the motion was lost by nine votes to live.

When tho s.s. Mapourika. was on her '•‘record” trip from Nelson to Wellington on Saturday evening last, her eighty passengers had a sxfiendid view of “Pclorus Jack,” the big fish that is such an object'of curiosity to strangers. As the steamer was going through' .tho French’Pass, “Jack” was to be soon playing in front of her bows, skimming along ahtsj’l and occasionally leaxjing cvi t of the water.

An inquiry into the death of William Naylor, who diod x frora tho effects of tho cab accident of last Friday evening, was held at. the Wellington Hospital yesterday afternoon by Air James Ashcroft, District Coroner. Mr Mudgcway, owner of tho oab and horses which Mr Naylor was iu charge of, testified that both tho horses were old and quiet. Ho had heard that one had run away before, but that was before ho owned it. It came out in evidence that iMaylor had suffered from heart trouble, but it was made fairly clear that death had been caused by a fracture of the skull; A verdict of “Accidental death was returned.

There are to be no Easter encampments this year, and tho volunteers in some districts have received the announcement [unfavourably, a circumstance which led tho Premier 'last night to remark, speaking at the Navy League meeting, that he hoped they would realise that the manoeuvres winch the Government proposed to. substitute l for these encampments would givo them an opportunity of doing something in a practical way. It was, ho announced, intended that one of the meii-of-war should be treated as a- hostile cruiser, and that notice should bo given by signals in-various places to have tho forts manned, and to have tho inland forces converging at different points, so as to l strengthen and support tho forts. By doing something in this way, said Mr Seddom., a conttlngencty which might arise in our colony could be prepared for. Tho first meeting of the Wellington Miniisteirs’ Association this year was held yesterday afternoon. The Rov W, Shirer presided. Tho proposals of the City , Council to license church buildings and gchood-rooms were discussed, and it was decided to seek further information* as to the Council’s Intentions. Tho secretary of the association furnished a report of tho reply given by tho Minister for Justice to the deputation that recently waited upon him in regard to tho Stipendiary decision concerning tho Gpldon Grid case, and tho association passed a resolution dissenting from the attitude* taken by the Minister. It was decided .to take a discusdi'on on the proposed union of the churches at next monthly meeting of the (association, tho Rev Li' Gibb to give an address by wa'y of introduction. The secretary of the association, the Rev W. J. Elliott, intimated his intention tO' resign that office owing’to his early departure from the city.' There was a representative gathering of citizens at tho Colonial Mutual Buildings yesterday afternoon to see a demonstration of the Robertson autotelephouic fire alarm system. The contrivance is a most ingenious one. There is a central alarm-box 'to be fixed on each floor of a building, and from this radiate small leaded pipes charged with a super-sensitive chemical which, on any sudden rise of temperature, sets an alarm bell going outside the building. The mechanism also shows on a dial tho number of tho floor on which the fire has occurred, rings up the Eire Brigade Station, and for throe minutes keeps repeating a phonographic record setting out the name of the firm or house where tho fire has occurred, and the location of the fire. At yesterday’s experimental demonstration a pan of methylated spirits was set on fire in the room and in exactly twenty-five seconds the alarms were set going. - The undivided opinion of the gathering was -that the invention was one that ■would of its own merits come into general and permanent use.

Rev Dr Gibb write:—X wish to give an unqualified contradiction to the statement in tho “New Zealand Times” on. Monday that “forms and chairs were placed in all tho passages of St. John’s Church” on the evening of'the 21st ult., when tho Rev J. Alwyn Ewen occupied' the pulpit. Forms and chairs were placed in front of the fixed seats, the space between these and the pulx>it being of considerable dimensions, but the aisles were clear from end to end. I admit that prior to tho Chicago' disaster the aisles were frequently blocked with forms, hut since then tho office-bearers have been most careful to keep these clear, even at the cost of turning people from tho doors of the church. It is also an efrror to state that the authorities are taking no steps to have ecclesiastical structures put in a safe condition. In common with, I presume, all , tho churches of tho city and suburbs, wo have received an intimation that a license must be procured for St. John’s. That license wo Jiavo applied'for; and before wo get it, it is to be supposed that we shall have to satisfy the authorities that the building is perfecly safe, or to take such steps as they may deem needful!© render it safe. [Our information was obtained from a gentleman who was present on the occasion referred to. and who is positive that the aisles were blocked. Dr Gibb’s admission of the previously prevailing practice supplies full justification for the action of tho City Council.—Editor /‘New Zealand Times.”] ' ; .

The Wellington Physical School com-me-ces classes next Monday. Mr Dovey, who has been re-engaged as instructor, was for pevon years instructor at Harrow School, England, and holds a first-Oiass instructor’s certificate from Aldarsliot. The annual'meeti g- is.to bo held in Hie gymnasium next Thursday evening, when prizes won at competitions will be presented.

“Phonographs given away at The Talkerics,’ Willis street,” is the heading of on announcement appearing on page 3 in this issue.

A registered 1 nurse is "wanted for the Government Sanatorium at Rotorua. “Accordion” materials for blouses, gowns etc. is the latest novelty advertised by Messrs Georg© .and Rersley, of the Economic. Messrs Kempthome, Prosser and Co. have a chemist's business for sale. The City Council publishes the schedule in another column of land taken for the purpose of widen’ng lane. Messrs J. H. Bethune and Co. advertise details of land which they will sell on Ufa 16ih inst. .

Messrs Sidey, Mjecli and Co„ will pell furniture, men's suits and goods of all descriptions at their rooms this afternoon.