LARRIKIN ISM AT SEASIDE RESORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1892, Page 2

LARRIKIN ISM AT SEASIDE RESORTS.

From all quarters we hoar complaints of the scandalous abuse of the privileges allowed by land-owners to visitors to seaside resorts. An owner at Putiki Bay, Waihoke, recently advertised the closing of his grounds against excursionists in consequence of the wanton destruction of beautiful pohutukawa trees which adorned the dills. In a recent number of the "Now Zealand Fartnor" it is stated by a correspondent that tourists and excursion isbs have been setting fire bo bhe timber on tho Kurioi mountain ab Raglan. Ib is nob there only that thie has boon going on. even in the country districts. The vandalism shown by the boatmen and yachting parties in the Whangarei harbour and on the East Coast is most shocking. Trees that book hundreds and hundreds of years bo grow are desbroyed in a night. Beautiful old pohutukawa, tarata, kohowais and other trees have been destroyed by fires which wore lighted to boil the toa kettle or roast oysters for a pleasure parby. Such fires are frequently left, and the eel grass affords a ready passage to the roots of these old trees growing along the margin, and once the lire has reached the roots it is extremely difficult, as people know who have tried, to extinguish the flames, generally resulting in the old giant pohutukawa tumbling head-down in the water dead. Some of the branches of trees which have thus been destroyed, when alive reached over the tide 60 to 70 feet from the bank, forming beautiful shady places for picnic parties when the tide was out, and when in, they beautified the coasb with a border of deep green to the margin of tho water, dipping their leaves in tho waves when swayed by tho wind. At the Christmas season the pohubukawas are rosplendenb wibh brighb colours. Whab a ruffianly acbion ib is bo destroy bhese grand old brees thab never will be grown again, converbing the Lluffor headland into a naked uninteresting object. Surely the law should be brought to bear upon any persons kindling tires so as to destroy or endanger the property of those who reside or own land by bhe seaside.

A few days ago we published a paragraph drawing attention to the destruction by fire of fifty acres of grass and fencing on bhe esbabe of Messrs Reid Bros., of Mobubapti. This, however, is only a small mabter compared with the depredations which.the generous owners of thab island have suffered in return for their hospitality, aa may be gathered from the following communication, which we have received to day j— (To the Editor.) Sir,'—Messrs Reid Bros., of Mofcubapu, were much pleased with your article re the burning of some 50 acres of grass, fences, etc.,

which as yon say may have been accidental, but bhev ask how about the stealing and destroying of dttings of valuable ducks ami fowls. That could hardly occur-accidentally. Within tho last three weeks, on one of tho excursion days, one of Mesers Reid s employees observed some excursionist taking particular interest in a line Aylesbury sitting upon Eom/ 10 or 1- eggs, which in another week would have become young duckling? worth probably 40s to 50s the brood, llavingoceaeion to roturnafterabout an hour's absence, ho found both <*scursionist and sitting had disappeared. The gravity of the offence will be better understood by tho. public when they learn thab the Me3.--.rs It-;id Bros, have just imported ». small lob (15) of similar fowls and ducks at a cost of £100. Mr Reid said he feared thab the result of this sorb of treatment — especially if continued —would be closing of Motutapu to tho public.—l am, etc..

A FnKQire.NT Visitor

The dismissal tho other day ab the Police Court, by two Justices of the Peace, of a case of wanton destruction of property in an out-district, does not afford much encourngement to the police to bring forward of thia kind, which are always difficult to sheet home ; nevertheless we hops they will not bo discouraged in thai efforts bo punish larrikins, well-dressed and otherwise, who recklessly light fires or wilfully destroy property bo which they obtain access by the goodwill of tho owners. The more reputable members of society who enjoy these privileges ought also to act independently for tho common good, and make ib their business to bring to justice anyone who is detected in the perpetration of a wrongful act. Unless this is done, tho privileges nor/ enjoyed by the public at many favourite resorts will unquestionably be cub off. lb is surprising to us that the owners of Motutapu have so long and so patiently endured the losses and annoyances bhoy have been subjected to through throwing open their island to tho public.

We are glad to notice that Miss Lilian Edger, M.A., is a candidate for election to ono of tho vacant soatcs afc tho Board of Education. More than one half the scholars and two thirds of the teachers are of the feminine sex, and yob they have no distinctive represcntabidn ab tho govern, ing body. This is nob the case in Great, Britain, where a considerable proportion of tho Boards include women among their membership, an addition which is found to have very groat advantages. Ab bite recent-, election for bho London School Board bhe Tower Hamlets district returned Mrs Ruth Roman ab tho head of tho poll with a majority of 2,251, the candidate polling no fewer than 14,257 votes. Miss Davenport Bill was elected for tho city, and Miss M. A. Ere for Finsbury. Miss Edger has peculiar claims upon the eloctor3, possessing the distinction of being the first" lady admitted to the M.A. dogreo in New Zealand. Sho has an intimate knowledge of educational matters, and is well qualified in every way to advance the interests of education in this district.

Alfred Kirk appeared at bhe Police Court thia morning, and was fined 20s and costs or three days in default for having been drunk yestorday. Bridget Grace pleaded guilty to having neglected to clean the yard of premises occupied by her in Chapel-street. Mr George Goidie, Sanitary Inspector, deposed that ho visited defendant's premises in Chapel-street. The place was very unclean, and privy so filthy that ib could not be used. The yard was also in a dirty condition, Tho Bench, Messrs W.Crowther and S. Y. Collins, inflicted a fine of 10s and costs.

The following statement published in last night's " Gazette " shows tho railway revenue and expenditure for the financial year to the termination of tho four-weekly period ending January 2, 1892:—"North Island : Revenue, £275,426 13s 3d (Auckland, £33,292 19s Sd) ; expenditure, £178,711 16b lid (Auckland, £55,100 2s lOd). South Island, total, £540,260 3s lid and £350,350 Bs. Grand total : Revonue, £815,686 17s 2d ; expenditure, £520,062 4s lid. The grand totals for corresponding period last year were : Revenue, £026,615 12s ; expenditure, £532,856 5s Cd.

The Board of Education to day decided to place the Queen's College (Dr. McArbhur) and Ponsonby College (Miss L. Edger) on the same footing as the Auckland Grammar School, in respect of junior and senior scholarships, provided each of these institutions complies with the requirements of bhe Acb, viz., inspecbion by authority of bho Board, and some minor conditions. It was poinbed out that successful candidates will have tho option of selecting any one of the approved secondary schools for tuition in terms of the scholarship awards.

A sitting in Chambers was held this morning at the Supreme Court before His Honor Mr Justice Gonolly. Probate was granted in the deceased estates of Joseph Newman, Thos. Bray, William Faulder, Peter McInnes, Corbebb Wm. Cooke, and Joseph W. Frewin. Letters of administration were granted in the estabes of James N. Ward and Chas. H. Moon (deceased). A mobion re Moses whambers(deceased) for such commission bo oxecutor as tho Court will allow, was referred to the Registrar to report, and an order was made as prayed to sell real estate in the will of Jas. Hand (deceased). A motion for an inquiry into the sonndness of mind of John 11. Salmon was ordered to stand over till the first sitting in Chambers after the 19th inst. An order was made re Boylan v. Bloxsome that charging order nisi issued on the 30bh January lasb be made absolute. Costs wore allowed. Ilia Honor also made an order as prayed for bhe examination of wibnesses ab Dunedin in bho action Wallace v. Maxwell. Probate was granted in the wills of S. Norrio and A. Chapman on the 25th ulb.

The inquest) on the body of James Hughes, who committed suioido at his house, Vernon-sbreeb,-Freeman's Bay, was held ab bho Freeman's Hobel yesterday atbernoon. Mr J. M. Barringcon was chosen foreman of bhe jury. Evidence was given by James Elynn, who cub the body of deceased down, Minnie Keatley, Janet Hughes (widow of deceased), and Constable Clarke. Mrs Hughes deposed that she had been married 31 years, and thab her husband had boon given to drink for 24 years, but he had been specially intemperate since last Christmas. She had no suspicion when she left bhe house on Wednesday nighb that deceased intended to make away wibh himself, although on previous occasions he had many a time threatened to do so. Dr. Philson, the coroner, said it was his own opinion that the man fully intended to destroy himself, and was guilby of whab is known as fclo de se. Tho jury reburned a verdict to the effect thab deceased hanged himself whilst temporarily insane.

A question is frequenbly raised in bhe R.M. Courb as bo whether receipted documents have been stamped as required by law. A case in point cropped up at the R.M. Court yesterday. The defendant aeserbed bhab a promissory note produced was not stamped ab bhe bime he signed ib, whereupon the plaintiff went into the wibness box and swore bo bhe conbrary. Dr. Giles, R.M., referring to the question raised, said that where one man asserts that a stamp has been cancelled and another man can only say that the stamp was not there when he signed, he (the Magistrate) mueb hold that the stamp was there rather than the contrary. If "the stamp were put on immediately after the defendant left the room he would a till be prepared to say the document was stamped"at the proper time, and would regard it as one occurrence unless the document were pub away, and etamped ab some subsequent period.

Telegrams have passed between the scorotaTios of the Wellington and Auckland Cricket associations with regard to postponing the iuterprovincial match a week. It has been found impossible to do this, however, and it has been finally decided thab the Wellington team will leave for Auckland on Saturday next. It i- quite certain thab the two Blacklncks and Crawehaw cannot get uwav, while Fitasimmons ir. also doubtful. Ie is expected that tbe beam will be strong as regards bowling, but the absence of the Blacklocks and Crawshaw will considetably weaken tho batting department. The following team has been picked to represent Wellington in the Intel-provincial match with Auckland on the !2fch and 13th inst. :—E. Uplift m, E. Fitzsiwmons, C. Cross, F. Taylor, L. M. Harris, R. C. Niven, F. Adibolt, W. Frith, C. Core. 1). M. Fuller. F. Holdsworth. Dryden *nu unable to obtain the necessary leave, otherwise the team, as far us bowling is concerned, would have been tho strongest it is possible to get together here. The poll taken at Devonport yesterday for election of a Borough Councillor to hit the scab occupied by the late Mr Joseph Glenuy resulted in the election of Mr F. J. Hammond, who had 122 vot'-s against 72 recorded in favour of Mr O. L. Peacock c.

Mr Haywood Cr'spe, of Stanlake, Manku, has beeti nominated a.s a candidate for a seat on the Board of Education. He is a country sottler of 30 years' standing, and as such has always taken a warm interest in educational matters, and has had a good deal to do with our public schools as a member of School Committee, etc.

The February Civil Session of the Supreme Couit will be held on Monday next, before Mr Justieo Conolly. The cases set down for hearing are as follows :—

Robert Jenkinson v. Auckland Freezing Company, claim £211 for work clone, and £200 damages. Counter claim between tbe same parties, to rectify a deed and for an injunction to restrain plaintififrom proceeding. Edward Hammond v. Robert Jenkinson, claim for £466, amount of a dishonoured promissory note. .John Goodacre and others trading as the Waitemaba Sawmill Company' v. James Hendry, claim for £105 Bs, balance of amount realised on tho sale of certain timber.

An interesting discussion took place at the meeting of tho Ciby Council last evening upon tno question of tho payment of tho contributions to bho Charitable Aid Board. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Board, pointing out thab the Council's contributions had been due for some months. Tho Mayor explained thab tho usual custom was bo pay ab a cerbain time quarterly. Still if tho Board was entitled to the money, he would say pay it. Ab bhe same bimo if withholding paymenb would teach the Board economy, ho would say keep it back. After a lengthy discussion, it was resolved to pay the money.

The way iti which flax will continue smouldering is exemplified by the fact that tho debris is still burning at the 9ite of Messrs Cooke Brothers' factory, Upper Queen-street. Tho matter was referred to ab the meeting of bhe Ciby Council last overling by Superintendenb Hughes, who wrote stating thab he had pub ib out several times, and found bhat it had been repeatedly fired. The Town Clerk mentioned that he had communicated with owners, who had promised to extinguish the flax and remove it. Tho Mayor said thab bhe whole matber was the question of who should look alter salvage. He thought ib was the duty of tho Salvage Corps. Ho did nob think it was the duty of the police to watch the debris for days, while flax was smouldering. He moved that the Underwriters' Association be communicated with upon bhe subject. Cr. Luks considered that the Council should nob be pub to bhe expense of paying for bho Brigade to keep turning out to quench tho fire. The motion was adopted with a view to going into bhe whole question.

To the Editor: Sir, —Ib is surely time the municipal authorities abated the dangerous nuisance which has existed for nearly a fortnight on the scene of the late fire in Upper Queen-streeb. The sparks flying from tho burning debris are a source of great danger bo the buildings in bhe immediate neighbourhood, and the smoke nuisance is well-nigh intolerable. It is a grave reflecbion on the efficiency of our civic body that bho safety of buildings and the comfort of citizens should apparenbly be of so little consequence bo bhem. — Yours, etc., McLeod Bros., Upper Queen-sbreeb.

A judgmenb of considerable importance to commission agents and others was given by Dr. Giles ab the 11.M. Court yesterday. Mr Thornes, commission agenb, sued to recover £11 5s commission, under an agreement to sell certain property ab Tauranga. The property was nob wibhdrawn until the defendant wrobo inbimabing bhab he had himself disposed of it. M r Thornes claimed the full amount of commission, winch the defondant declined to pay, and tho Magistrate, holding than there had been a breach of contract, awarded tho plaintiff £5 12s 6d, half the amount claimed as da.nages, wibh cosbs. The case is reported in anobher column.

Tbe return published at Wellington in last night's " Gazette " shows that bhe number of Brriva.iß in the colony during the year endeci 31st December last was 14,431, and the rir-parbures, 17,629, leaving an excess of emigrabion over immigration of 3,198. Since last Ocbober bho balance has been ab least. 1,000 per month in our favour, and in view of bhe bad times that have set in on the other side, the influx to Now Zealand is likely to continue.

A return published in the New Zealand " Gazebbe " shows that the total estimated population of the colony, inclusive of Maoris, on 31sb December, 1891, was 675,775, made up of 358,913 males and 316,826 females. The increase from sbh April (the date on which tho census was taken) to the 31st December was 7,399. The exce«s of births over deaths for that period was 9,045, but from this had to be deducted 1,646 representing the excess of departures over arrivals.

The annnal statements of accounts of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for 1891 show; Recoiptf, £57,397 4a 8d ; expenditure, £38,798 9s lid; surplus, £18,598 14s 9d. The assets, including accrued sinking fund and harbour works "mprovements, amounb to £473,228 4s 3d, and the liabilities (loan) to £204,265 4s sd. Tho wharfage dues returns show that, compared with 1890, there was, in 1891, a decrease of 7,931 tons general merchandise, 44,781 tons grain, and 5,581 bales wool on which dues wore paid. There was, however, an increase of 16,422 tons coal and 729,743 superficial feeb timber The dock dues amounted to £1,503 and dock expenses to £440, leaving a credit balance of £1,063.

Ab bhe R.M. Courb yesterday William Caron sued William Luke for £46 Is, amount of a promissory note and interest. Mr Griffiths appeared for the plaintiff and Dr. Laishley for the defendant. Dr. Laishley said there was no defence, but bhe defendanb had come into Courb bo ask His Worship bo give bime for paymenb under secbion 47 of the R.M. Courb Act. Tho defendanb had already paid a large sum in inbeiesb, and if forced to pay bhe atnounb ab once he would bo placed in distress. His Worship said, with respect to the request for time, it could only be allowed where ib could be shown that the defendant had nob meanß to satisfy the judgment at once. Judgment was therefore entered for the plaintiff with costs £5.

The Thames Counby Council lasb night passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Brodie for the valuable services he had rendered as bhe Council's representative on the Drainage Board. It was also decided to increase the contribution to tho Board to £20, and charge for water supplied to the Big Pump.

It's a peculiar bhing (writes our Melbourne correspondent) that 1, an ex-Ivevv Zealrmder, should have been selected by a, metropolitan journal to write about tho New Zealand fish, the great variety of which astonishes tho people here. -he nsn, when 'it can no longer bo sold as fresh, is smoked here and cold at double or trob.e the price smoked fish would fetch in Now Zealand. The weather, which is very hot just now, is making the people tuin their attention to our fish, which is considered a perfect delicacy, and rebailed by the " Store" at about the same price as meat. Indeed, as to the success of the enterprise there can be no doubt, a3 a visit shows it to be patronised by all classes, and still seems to bo increasing in public favour. ihe whole of the space in tho next two or three steamers to arrive has been luiiy engaged, and this surely is a sufficient Elgin that' the management are not atraid ot the venture turning out other than a succors, while opening up a new industry for Now Zealanders. The shop is_ fitted up on a 'stew principle, and is the only one so fitted here. Floors, walls find ceilings are all tiled, while the counters are all marble, so that ifc can bo washed out daily with the hose, and thus avoid all tho objectionable smells noticeable in other shops. The windows are fir-ted up as cool chambers, so as to keep tho fish in a frozen state, while similar chambers are provided for game and poultry.

• News from Lake Taupo states that there has been a remarkable increase of thermal activity in that district, lately. Mount Ruapehu, which until last year was regarded as an extinct volcano, has been belching forth immense volumes of steam ; and Ngauruhoe, the active volcano on Tongariro, is hot right down to its base, and emits a dense and suHocating smoke, while some visitors aver thab the crater is horning actively. The great geyser at Taupo, the Crow's Nest, is very active, as also are bhe geysers ab Orakeikorako, on the Waikabo River.

The danger of leaving back doors un" locked wa3 shown ah the Ptilice Court this morning. A woman named Jessie Wingate pleaded guilty to having stolen two umbrellas, value £1, the property of Georgo Ashby. Sergeant-Major Pratt explained that Mrs Ashby secured tho front door, bub left the back open when she went out. Tho umbrellas were in bhe bedroom in tho morning, bub when she returned they had disappeared. Detective Chrystal found that the defendant had pawned one umbrella for a shilling, and he subsequently mob bhe woman carrying bhe other one. The Bench sent her. to gaol for four months with hard labour.

A woman named Norah Williams was charged ac the Police Court to-day with being an habitual drunkard. She said she was suffering in the back from kicks, but had not been drunk. After hearing tho evidence, the presiding justices, Messrs W. Crowther and S. Y. Collins, pointed out that there bad been 14 charges against the woman last year. They sentenced her to three monbhs' hard labour. Tho woman said she was unfit to work, and really required medical treabmenb. Mr Crowther remarked, " You will be besb in gaol, and will be better when you comeoub." The defendanb as eho left the dock said with a tragic air, " I'll never come out again," but even this dread possibility did not evoke sympathy.

Another defeat was recorded against the Picturesque Atlas Company at the Wellington R.M. Court last week. The case was one brought by the Company against W. T. Claridge, claiming £10 10s for 42 numbers of the work. Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., in giving judgment in the case said that the agreement signed by bhe defendanb in the matter was dated March 19bb, 1880, and was for. 42 parts ab 5s each. The publishers on their part promised to begin delivery in 1886 or following year, and to complete delivery of,. the series as soon after publication as possible. The defendant 6wears positively that the agent represented to him that the ordor was for the deli very in monthly parts. The agent was not called for bhe defence, and it wa3 stated by other witnesses that he had made similar representations to them. This evidence was tendered co show system and bo prove frauds, and on ib he felt obliged to hold that the agent did fraudulently misrepresent the purport of the written contract, and thab the defendanb had.the right to rescind it. It also appeared to him (in the absence of any express stipulation for the Company to have the fight to deliver in bundles of 6 bo 12 as in Jessup's case) that the delay for 9 months ai'tei the first number was published before tendering any was a breach on the part of the Company of the conditions for delivery as soon as possible afber publication. He therefore gave judgment for defendant with costs, £2 3s.

The cricket championship matches in the senior and junior classes which were commenced on Saturday lasb will be continued to-morrow on the Domain. The senior contests are Auckland v. Parnell and St. Mary's v. Unibod. The Wanderers and Vicboria Clubs have also arranged a match. The following will represent Victoria: Layer (Captain), Holdaworth, Howard, Crabbree, Smith, Thomas, Craig, Ellis, McKillop, Mackay, Molloy. Wanderers: Whelan (captain), Waddingham, Wakerley, Taylor, J. Mills, I. Mills, Thomas, Donald, Rowe, Johnson, Clarke. A return match will be played tomorrow between H.M.s. Tauranga and the Surrey C.C., the firßt match having ended in a draw. The following are the teams : — Tauranga : Hooper, Pack, Routley.Woods.Coggins.Bennetb.Richards, Elliott, Crook, Cutler, Vassie. Surrey: Whabford, Howard (2), Pardington, Russell, Hall, Brown (2), Smith, Noonan, Walters, Gallagher, Currie. The Belmont team visib Otahuhu to-morrow afternoon, where they play the local team.

Hugo's New Idea Minstrels will occupy the City Hall to-morrow night and every successive Saturday nighb till further notice. Ib is inbended by tbe management to provide variety programmes for the mass ab cheap prices of admission. A popular programme has been prepared for tomorrow.

Our Hamilton correspondent wires: — The two accidents recorded yesterday are not so bad as at first thought. Mr Crosby, of Kirikiriroa, who fell from a waggon-load of oats and broke three ribs, is doing well under Dr. Kenny. Donald McKinnon (nob Jbhe racing man), thrown from his horse at McNicol's farm, only fractured one rib, and. although unconscious for some time, is doing well. The weather yesterday was about the hottest on record. Rain is badly wanted. Harvesting is getting on well, and nearly completed.

Readers of to-day's issue will find published bhe latest prospectus of the Orchestral Union. This sets forth the present condition and plans of the Society consequent upon the engagement of Mr Arthur Towsey as their new conductor, and coutains an outline of tho programme for the ensuing season. Applications for membership may be made at Eady's, Hoffmann's, and Wildman and Lyell's. The terms are 10s for two tickets, and 15s for four, which admit to all rehearsals and concerts during the season.

Common jurors summoned to attend the Civil eittings of tho Supremo Courb on Monday nexb are notified that their attendance will not be required.

At the annual meeting of the Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association ab Welhngbon lasb nighb Mr J. Dubhie was elected president, and the Hon. J. G. Ward one of bhe vice-presidents. The report showed that the Association was in a flourishing condition the roll containing bhe names of about eighty paid-up members.