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Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1902, Page 2

We acknowledge tbe following sums in aid of the widow of the late Thos. Virtue:—Thos. Miller, 10/; W. 5/; J.P., 2/6; J.M.J., 20/; A.V., 2/6; K.I. M., 5/; H. Freeman, 2/6; J.W., 10/.

A social gathering of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. Auckland Branch, was held in Mr Smithson's rooms, when the members of tbe Society presented the secretary, Mr S. Tyson, with a valuable timepiece, in recognition of his valuable services as secretary to the local branch for six years.

A meeting of the committee appointed to consider applications for the position of clerk of works to the Hobson Bay Drainage Board was held at the City Council Chambers this afternoon. There were present—The Mayor (Mr A. Kidd). Mr E. Udy, Mr Ward (engineer), and Mr B. Gilmore (secretary). The four applicants whose names were referred to the committee —Messrs Shaw, Henderson, Bronstra, and Malcolm —were interviewed and thoir qualifications considered. Finally, it was decided to appoint Mr Malcolm to the position.

A collision occurred in Sydney harbour on the evening of the fit.h inst. between the ferry steamer Barangaroo and a boat belonging to H.M.s. Eoyal Arthur. The naval boat, in charge of Midshipman Mainguy, and containing a crew of seven, was conveying mail* from tbe Man-of-war Steps to Admiralty House. During the passage the boat's crew noticed the steamer bearing down on them, but it was at first thought that the steamer -would steer clear. Tbe steamer struck tbe boat on the starboard sidp. completely turning her over, and precipitating the crew in the water. The accident was witnessed by the look-out on H.M. ships Royal Arthur, Torch", and Penguin. The men-of-war immediately lowered boats to render help, and the searchlight of the flagship was flashed on the scene. A waterman named E. Rezer nicked np two of the men. one being in a very exhausted condition through receiving a blow during the collision. Tho remainder of the crew wore rescued. All the mails were lost.

Tbe tender of Messrs. Win. Crosh^r and Sons for an electric lighting installation for the Auckland Opera House has been accepted by Mr Geo. Abbott, and the work will be proceeded with as soon as possible, and is to be finished, ready for the Ist of December next. The' plant will consist of a Crossley Gas Engine of the special type made for electric lighting purposes, and a dynamo capable of light 375 16 candlepower lamps. The stage fittings will be very complete, and will comprise four borders with 40 lamps in each, and the footlights with 71 lamps. These lamps Will all be controlled by switches on the stage switchboard, and will be in connection with a patent, dimmer, by means of which all the lights, or a portion of them, en 1-e jrradually. lowered to almost or total darkness, a desideratum of much, value in connection with tbe stage effects. The auditorium will be well supplied with light (under complete control from the stage switchboard), and will also be supplied with electric fans round the walls. This local firm installed very successfully an electric lighting plant at the municipal Opera House at Wanganui. about three years since.