LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 58

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Private letters received in town last week convey (ho gratifying information, that Captain 71. T. Fulton has had the Distinguished Sen ice Order conferred upon him in recognition of the services performed by him in South Africa an captain of the Otago Company of the 4th New Zealand Regiment. In Dunedin, where Captain Fulton's military career was commenced, first aa a member and lieutenant of the Otago High School Cadets f>ndi subsequently as a lieutenant of the City Guards, and where he passed the -examination which secured for him his Imperial commission, the intelligence of the distinction he has gained will be received with especial satisfaction.

The Taviuni. from Fiji, brings news to Auckland that the federation agitation has been renewed. The Fijians are working very hard canvassing for a petition in favour of federation with New Zealand. The Government arrested two of the ringleaders, and deported them to the island of Caeata, on the ground that they were causing dissatisfaction among the natives and endangering th© peace of the colony. Other arrests are contemplated.

Further sales reported at the Art Society's exhibition m the Choral Hall yesterday are No. 51., "Anemones" <£3 3sJ, by Mrs E. C. Reynolds; No. 126, "Russell, Bay ot Islands ' (£5 ss), by E. W. Payton ; and No. 45, "Green and Gray" (£3 3sJ, by Miss Dagmar Ros«.

On Wednesday his Excellency th© Governor, acco-v.panied by the Hon. H. C. Butler, A.D.t 1 .. ih« Rr rV . P. B. Fraser (chairman of the Education Board), and Mr P. Goyen (chief inspector), visited the Arthur streefc and High street School?, making a thorough inspection of the work going on in all Uie various classrooms, and evincing a keen intercut in the same. The cadets came in for particular attention from his Excellency, and at the High street Gymnasium the subject of physical training leceived special notice, his Excellency expressing his couvietioa of its great importance.

The criminal c?se in which Patrick M'Caun, a well-known resident of Tapanui, was charged with rssaulting and wounding hi- \vif<-. was heard at the Supreme- Court on Wednesday, and le^uKed in the acquittal of the accused. Jam^s Hammond and James Wood, charged with offences against yoi;ng" girls, were convicted, and the former was* sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, and th© latter to three years' imprisonment, to* gethcr with a flogging of 20 strokes. William Wati,c''ar;*ed v.ith thp thefi of the sum of £347, pjc-aclod guilty, and was sent to gaol for two years.

The usual w^eldy mooting of the Benevo« lent Trustees was held on Wednesday, and attended by Me«rs P. Treseder (chairman). H. Gouiler, R. M. -Clack, J. Green, R. Watson, aud "\Y. Talboys. It was decided that tl»e annual election of six trustees takes place on Monday, December 2. Two deaths were reported during the week— Andrew Dimond (aged 67) and Carey M'Farlane (aged 75). The cost for the institution for the month of October was £317 16s 7d, or an average weekly cost of 5s 6|d each for 259 inmates. Accounts amounting to £106 14s 7d were passed for payment, and 22 cases of relief dealt with.

We learn from Mr W. P. Watson, general manager of th© New Zealand Coal and Oil Company, that the Government have promptly paid over the bonus of £5000 offered for the first 100,000 gallons of oil manufactured from j>hale in the colony. It will be remembered that the bonus was for a Jong time a standing offer made by the Government, and which no doubt served as an inducement to the company to erect the extensive works now in operation at Orepuki. All the conditions having been satisfactorily complied with, the enterprisng company has now received the bonus.

Mr W. Nicolson, of Ham»den, appeared before the Land Board on Wednesday to support an application that the money realised for certain timber seized on the Trotter's Creek reserve be handed over to the Domain Board for the purpose of forming a road to the reserve. Mr Nicolson, as a, member of the Domain Board, pointed out that as part of the road leading to the reserve wa& on Mr Parker's property he (Mr Parker) might close the road at any time and shut off communication with the reserve; also that the Domain Board had no funds to form a new road unless this money was available. Mr Nicolson further contended that the Domain Board had a perfect right to th© money. The Land Board had recommended the Government to have this bush reserved for recreation purposes. That was recommended on the 20th February last. On the 6th June the consent of the Governor-in-Cotmcil was given, and on the 24th June the timber was seized by th© Land' Board, and sold for something over £24 as having been illegally cut. Under the Domain Boards Act, Mr Nicolson pointed out, all money accruing from timber or any oilier source had to be spent in improvements, and the Domain Board held that they were justly entitled to this money. The Land Board, afterlistening to the leprescntations, decided to recommend the Government to refund the money to the Domain Board. On Wednesday morning, under i'ie supervision of their teachers, the scholars of the upper standards of the Kensington, Mornington, Forbury, Union street, and George sfc Schools availed themselves of the kind invitation of the committee of the Art Society, and visited the exhibition now on view in the Choral Hall, and youthful srtists among them no doubt had their ambitions quickened by what they saw. Other schools will nesd

•o hurry if they wish to do likewise, as tomorrow is the last day on which the gallery will be open.

After the statutory meating of the Clutha County Council on Wednesday, the council went into committee to consider applications for the offices of clerk and engineer. There were 48 applications for the former and 16 for the latter. On resuming in open council, after an interval of nearly two hours, it was proposed, seconded, and carried that Mr J. iWalker Johnston (of Gore) be appoin:ed engineer, and that Mr Angus M'Donala- iof Clinton) be appointed clerk.

At the Rev. Mr Greenhough's meeting, in the Garrison Hall on Wednesday, Lord Ranfurly referred to the ignorance of many people at Home, even to-day, in matters regarding the colonies. Lately, said his Excellency, a letter came to his hands, addressd to " Wellington, Hobart, New South Wales."

The Public Health Department finds that there is a mild epidemic of scarlet s fever all over the colony at present. The department has now far-reaching powers to compel 'enforcement of precautions, and will use them should any neglect on the part of the local authorities be brought under notice.

The Grey Harbour Board (telegraphs our correspondent) have information that leads members to suppose the Government intend taking over the Coal Creek mines and working them as a State concern. Owing to increasing shipping at the port the board is about to put up new wharfage accommodation of 600 ft.

The New Zealand Times states that Mr 3T. W. Sears, of the Lands and Survey Department, has, after two and a-half years' experimenting, perfected a new process for the reproduction of what are known in the trade as half-tone blocks. Those who have looked carefully at photographs as produced by illustrated magazines will have noticed that the ground of the picture is serrated as by a fine gauze screen. This, it has been admitted, mars the general effect of the photograph, although no one has hitherto discovered a process whereby traces of the screen would be effaced. It has been left to Mr Sears to devise a method thereby the use of a wire screen is obviated altogether. 'As a result the photograph is etched upon a copper or steel plate with such attention to detail as is scarcely known to the engraver's art. The pictures printed from the blocks are finer in tone and superior in appearance to the ordinary style, and it is possible that a -new and forward movement has been made in photogravure work.

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were continued on Thursday, the whole day being occupied with the hearing of the charge of attempted murder against Mary Pearce, or what is better known as the Raby Terrace shooting case. The hearing was concluded at 4.20 p.m., and after some three hours' absence the jury returned a verdict of unlawfully wounding, but with a l acommendation to mercy on the ground that accused had received great provocation. In a second charge ag-ainst accused she pleaded guilty to assaulting Elizabeth Gray. Sentence was deferred till next morning.

Tile Executive of the Otago Farmers' Union met on Thursday for the first time. A somewhat original proposal was brought forward by Mr Buckland, to the effect that •11 country criminal cases should be dealt with by jui'ies drawn from the farming class. The proposer did not hesitate in saying that he had been largely influenced in this opinion by the fact that convictions were hard to secure in cases of sheep and cattle stealing. The meeting, however, was not with him, and the only representative of the legal profession present pooh-poohed the idea and asked where such a 6ystem would stop, saying that in time each offence would require juries drawn from special classes to suit the crime.

Our Milton correspondent writes: — Early on Thursday morning a fire broke out in a three-roomed cottage, owned by Mr Thos. Joyce and occupied by Mr Samuel Garrett, which resulted in the total destruction of the building. The fire originated in the kitchen, through, it is supposed, a defective chimney, and was first discovered by Mrs Garrett. Mr and Mrs Garrett had only time to save the children and a few articles of clothing, no furniture being saved. The building being a wooden one, the flames spread rapidly. Mr Garrett estimates his loss at about £20. The building was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £75.

At the Catholic bazaar on Wednesday night a lady had her purse taken out of her pocket while standing in a crowd at the hall door. The fact that the crowd was not a large one goes to show the audacity of the. thieves.

The closing meeting of the season of the Central Mission Young Crusaders was held in the Stafford street Hal' on Thursday evening. The chair was occupied by the president (the Rev. W. A. Sinclair), who explained that the object of the society was to educate the young people with regard to the evils of intemperance, .gambling, and emoking. Recitations were given by Sister Clare, Misses J. Duncan, A. Sawyer, Myrtle DawSon, songs by Sisters Clare and Jean, and two dialogues by a number of young people. An address was given by Dr B. E. de Lautour, one of the vice-presidents of the society. He emphasised the necessity of "educating the children in the nature and effects of alcohol on the human system, and ■urged that this ghould be made one of the subjects in the public schools. He then presented a number of neatly-framed pledgecards to the members of the society. The Chairman stated that Mr R. C. Dawson hfcd gone to a great deal of trouble in

framing these cards, and the young people showed their appreciation of his work by a hearty round of applause. A book was also presented to Sister Jean for securing the largest number of pledges during the year.

Records in respect to attendance and gate money were made at the A. and P. Society's show on Friday. It is estimated that 16,000 people were present, and the sum of £518 was taken in cash at the gates. This is £47 in excess of last year's amount. A good deal of complaint was made by the family man at the heavy charge imposed by the proprietors of drags. Doubtless with visions of electric cars in the future they resolved to improve the shining hour, and they collected Is per head from passengers either way. The tram and train traffic was well managed. The charge here was 6d for a single ticket and 9d return.

Mr Connor's premises in George street were broken into for the second timo recently on Thursday night. An entrance was effected by the bakehouse at the back, used by Mr Lean, and the inner door was then forced. The thieves ransacked the cash register, but were only rewarded for their pains to the extent of 23. They then proceeded to remove a quantity of confectionery from Mr Connor's into Mr Lean's bakehouse, probably with the intention of walking off with it altogether, but whetfter it was that they were disturbed, it got no farther than that, and was found there yesterday morning. Things generally were pulled about, but apparently the money was all that was taken.

Our Greymcuth correspondent telegraphs that the seam of coal struck in the Brunner mine is only 18in thick, but is supposed to be a top seam. It is expected that the main seam will be struck 20ft further down.

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were concluded on Friday. His Honor delivered sentence upon the woman Mary Pearce, who had on the pree&ding day been found guilty ill the Raby Terrace shooting case, a fine of £5 being inflicted in each case. The rest of the day was taken up in hearing the charge of aggravated assault preferred against a bookmaker named John Fagan. After three hours' deliberation the jury brought ia a verdict of "Not guilty."

The Premier has received a cable intimating the safe arrival at Batavia of the two submarine mine steamers intended for the defence of the colony. •

Gratitude is not as a rule the prevailing element in our local Police Court, but on Friday morning the usual habitues had the opportunity of seeing that virtue fully exemplified. A short time ago a man was robbed of a considerable sum of money on the Wiagatui racecourse. Chiefly owing to the assistance of a young woman who has fallen into evil ways in this city the offender was arrested and the money, or the greater part of it, ultimately recovered. On Friday moraing this young woman pleaded guilty, for the third time within a short period, to inebriety, and would probably have been sent to gaol, only that Subinspector Kiely was able to state that a friend, meaning the man whose- money had been recovered, had resolved to give her a fresh start in life, and was going to send her home to the North Island by the steamer leaving iv the afternoon. The whole scene was distinctly a refreshing one.

Sir J. G. Ward, Minister of Public Health, informs \is that a case of leprosy has been discovared near Palmerston. The patient, a Chinaman, is isolated about two miles from Qther people, and all precautions are being taken to ensure that there, shall be no danger to the public. Every precaution is being taken by Dr Ogston, the local health officer.

The invitation of the Art Society's committee to visit their exhibition in the Choral Hall was largely availed of by the schools on Thursday, when contingents from the Normal, High street, Macandrew road, Albany. . street, . and Mornington schools visited the gallery, accompanied by their teachers. On Friday the older scholars from Caversham, High street, Aithur street, Anderson's Bay, Kaikorai, St. Clair, and Wakari schools were in attendance.

The Lyttelton- Times learns that Mr George Chapman, chief attendant at Sunnydale Asylum, has been appointed manager of the Inebriates' Home at Waitati, under the charge of Dr Truby King. The old Orakanui College is being utilised for the purpose of the home. The estate has aa area of over 900 acres, and the old college will be used for the men's quarters. The home for the women is situated about 200 yards from the men's home, and has entirely separate grounds.

An old-age pensioner and his wife have returned their certificates to the deputyregistrar at Christchurch (says the Press), stating that as they had had a small legacy left them they did not intend drawing any further pension money while the sum they had received lasted.

Mr H. D. Bedford definitely announces his candidature for the vacant Caversham seat. Mr T. K. Sidey notifies that if elected he will give a general support to the present Administration.

Further sales recorded at the Art Society's exhibition on Friday were: — No. 14, "Pansies," by Miss Martin, £1 iOs; No. 142, " Kadkouras, from Awatere Valley," by C. N. Worsley, £7 7s ; No. 66, '^Wallflowers," by Mrs Whitson, £1 ss ; No. 88, "Evening— Waitati," by W. Green, £17 10s; No. 84, "Poppies," by Mrs E. C. Reynolds, £l"10s; and No. 123, " Memories," by G. E. Butler, £20. The value of the=e is close of £50. The total number of sales during the season has been 39, of a total monetary value of £214 14^ in to jvjuci are tug art

union pictures 'old, 12 in number, of the total value of £64. This year's sales constitute a record, however, and should be very encouragiig to local artist- Tho exhibition was brought to a close- let evening.

The Right Hon. the Premier has received a cablegram from the Agent-general, stating that the War Office will accept offers by cable for the supply of meat for the army in South Africa, for which tenders are invited, if received by the 6th January next.

As the outcome of a deputation of the directois of the Orepuki Oil and Shale Company who waited on the Right Hon. the Premier on Saturday morning, the RightHon. Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward consented to visit the works on Monday. The Ministers left by special train, accompanied by the directors, with the exception of his Worship the Mayor, who had engagements fixed which could not be conveniently set aside. Severa 1 members of both Houses of Parliament joined the party.

The warm, steady rain which fell for some time on Sunday should prove a boon to country settlors if it was general. Heavy rain fell at Queenstown, as will be seen by the 'following telegram received by tho Telegraph Department at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday: — "Very heavy rain set in all round the district last night about 9 o'clock and continued till this morning. It has been showery here since noon, and heavy rain at the Head of the Lake. The river 3 are very high. The lake has risen four inches since 5 p.m. of Saturday, and now stands at sft above normal mark."

The vital statistics for the past month are : — Births 115, deaths 78, marriages 48. The statistics for the corresponding month of last year were: — Births 110, deaths 56, marriages 38.

The following are the Hospital returns for the week: — Patients remaining from the previous week, 103 ; admitted during the past week, 20 ; and discharged, 22. Thomas Day and Albert Saleman died during the past week, and the remaining patients number 99.

The theft of a silver watch was reported to the police as far back as the sth of December last, and no trace of the culprit was found till on Sunday, wher a youth named George Forgeson was arrested by Plain-clothes-constable Connolly on a charge of stealing it. The watch was stolen from the Glencoe Hotel, Glenavy, and belonged to a man named Wm. Henry Dray. Forgeson seems to ha\e kept possession of the watch all this time, and probably thinking ihe affair had blown over exchanged it for another watch. ~The police were thus enabled to lay their hands on him.

The Premier, who telegraphed to the captain of the Discovery, congratulating him on his safe arrival, has received a telegram in return, thanking him for his cordial message of welcome, as showing the sympathy of the colony in the undertaking, and stating that the captain, officers, and crew would be greatly honoured to receive the Premier aboard the Discovery.

The following New Zealanders have passed the first examination of surveyors under tho Australasian Federal system: — A. W. Creagh (Auckland), F. H. Jordan (Tauranga), M. F. Hazard (Waihi), H. T. Mitchell (Auckland), H. M. Kensington (New Plymouth), C. Cuthbertson (Invercargill), B. C. Basstian (Invercargill).

During the month of November the District Health Officer has been notified of the following: — Measles, 170 cases; tuberculosis (consumption), 43 cases ; diphtheria, 2 ca^e3 ; scarlet fever, 4 cases; leprosy, 1 ca^e.

A sitting of the Supreme Court in Bankruptcy was held on Monday morning before Mr Justice Williams. The Official Assignee (Mr C. C. Graham) applied for releasing orders in respect, to the estates of James Christie, Thomas Ryan, William Henry Wellbotirn, and William Kettle. The orders were granted. The motion for an order of discharge in re Thomas Chapman, farmer, Pomahaka, was ordered to stand over. Mr Finch) on behalf of the bankrupt, said that Mr Sim, acting for the Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association (who opposed), and himself had agreed to this course. His Honor said he would defer the fixing of next bankruptcy day.

About a dozen cases were brought before the Magistrate's Court on Mommy, but with the exception of one all were either adjourned or struck out. The exception was Smith's Creek and Bannockburn Deep Lead Company (for whom Mr Macassey appeared) against Andrew Lees, jun. (who was represented by Mr Stephens). The claim was on a judgment summons for £63, for calls and interest on 160 shares. Defendant was examined as to his means, after which Mr C. C. Graham (who was on the bench at the time) dismissed tho case. A number of the other cases were brought before Mr E. H. Carew, S.M.

The output of coal from the mines of the Westport Coal Company (Limited) for the month of November was 41,084 tons llcwt.

The examiner for the London Trinity College of Music (Mr Alfred Mistowski, Mus. 8., Oxon), who arrived in Dunedin last Tuesday, is at present conducting the annual practical examinations of the college. After concluding his examining tour in South Africa, Mr Mistowski came on to New Zealand in the Paparoa, arriving in Wellington on the 4th of last month. He worked his way up to Auckland, and then came down to Nelson and did the West Coast. He next came over to Christchurch, and examined at the different centres between that city and Dunedin. Last week he examined the candidates belonging to St. Dominic's College, and on Saturday comJfteuced. the examination of the candidates

of the Dunedin centre, of which Mr A. J. Barth is the secretary, continuing his work throughout yesterday. The examinations, which are being conducted in the Agricultural Hall, will likely be finished on Thursday. In all sections 144 candidates have entered, exclusive of those belonging to St. Dominic's College. Mr Mistowski goes to Invercargill on Friday, and on Monday leaves the Bluff for Tasmania.

A pickpocket was caught red-handed on Saturday afternoon and conveyed to the lockup, and his capture w\s effected in the following maracr. A crowd, among which was Mr George Esther, were standing outside the Pruicess Theatre waiting for the doors to be opened. The man attempted to relieve Mr Esther of his pocketbook, but that gentleman's attention being attracted in some way to what was taking place, the thief dropped the pocketbook and made a dasli for liberty. He was pursued by several of the bystanders down High street and along Maase street. On getting close to Princes street he encountered Constable Lane, who had just come from the direction of the Arcade, and who, hearing the calling out, turned round to see what was the matter. The man tried to evade the constable, but was unsuccessful in doing so, and, finding himself seized immediately, attempted to divert suspicion by pointing out another man in the distance as the culprit. The constable was not, however, to be so easily hoodwinked, and, keeping his hold of the man, caused him to disgorge two ladies' purses, both of which were well filled. These, no doubt, had been taken from ladies in the crowd outside the theatre, and one of them was identified by its owner. The other was not claimed, and both will, of course, be retained by the police until the man is dealt with. On being questioned he gave his name as Frederick Matthews, and said he came from Christchurch.

The origin of the fire which destroyed Mr Pryor's stable at North-East Valley on Wednesday night is unknown. Mr Pryor states that when he left the premises at a quarterpast 9 everything was all right. There were four valuable horses in the stable at the time of the fire. Two greys, unable to break their halters, were burnt to death in the building. The oth&r two animals bolted through the door immediately it was opened, but not before they had be-en severely burned. One of them had its eyes so cruelly injured by the flames that it was stone blind, and had to be shot yesterday morning. Mr Pryor had the horses insured for £105 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, and the harness, feed, and stock for £82 in the same office. He estimates his loss at about £30 above that amount.

"^.t the Dunedin City Police Couit on Monday last George Forgeson. aged 17, was charged with the theft, on or about November 8, 1900, at Glenavy, of one silver watch of the value of £2, the propeTty of William Henry Dray. — Mr Irwin appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty. — The Sub-inspector stated the offence was committed about 12 months ago. The lad was employed at Glermvy in the hotel, where complainant was also lodging and occupying the same room. The lad left on a certain morning, and soon afterwards the watch was missed. Some months later he disposed of the ■watch here by changing it for another, and the man who then got possession of the watch several months afterwards pawned it, and by that means the police were able to trace the ■watch, and the previous evening the young fellow was arrested when coming into town.— Mr Irwin said .the boy had admitted all this, and he would like to point out that he had no mother, and his father did not look after him. He had never beerl before a court b&fore, and he would ask that a small fine be inflicted to meet the case. The lad was only 15 wh&n he committed the offence, and was now in the employ of a town dealer. — His present employer having given the lad a good character, his Worship imposed a fine of 40s, to be paid off at the rate of 2s a week, out of which 10s was to go to the pawnbroker to make good his loss. We have to acknowledge receipt of Stone' o "ABC Guide for Otago and Southland."