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Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 51, 29 February 1904, Page 4

The following letter has been sent on to the Minister for Public Works by the secretary, by order of the council of the Auckland Main Trunk Railway League (Mr R. R. Hunt): —"I am instructed by this League to draw your attention to the small number of men at present employed on the railway works North of Auckland, namely, 35 men, and our Commissioner informs us that not a shovel-full of earth has been removed since last autumn, the men being employed in outside platelaying, rather than upon excavating the tunnel to let the train get through, and so carry material to the second tunnel, which is to be constructed a little further on, on the line. It is evident to the League even the small vote of last session will not be expended at the rate that the work is at present progressing, and they urge upon you to increase the staff so that the present tunnel may be pierced quickly, as they have only about four chains more to do. Hoping that you will see the necessity of pushing on the work in fine weather."

Several accidents are reported by our Waihi correspondent on Friday. John Sullivan injured his arm in one of the stopes of the Waihi mine, and Wm. Gray as the result of a cut. is suffering from a poisoned hand. On Saturday morning the Rev. Wm. Pattullo's son and two other boys were proceeding to Waitekauri, and had got a little way on the Waitekauri-road when the horse shied and bolted. The trap collided with a fence, and the occupants were pitched out. When the horse finally came to a standstill its hind leg wa.3 terribly cut, a sinew being also almost severed, and the trap shattered to pieeee. The boys escaped uninjured.

A narrow escape of a more serious accident occurred on Collfge Hill on Saturday afternoon. One of Mr. J. J. Craig's carts, loaded with rails, was descending the hill, when the chain bracing the hind wheel broke. The rails slipped forward slightly, and, impelled by the increased weight, the shaft horso was unable to control the cart. The driver attempted to draw the horses across the street, but the leader fell on the tramlines and was dragged across on the pavement just below the Suffolk Hotel, where the cart was brought to a standstill. The fallen horse was considerably cut about, but the other escaped serious injury. Mr. J. F. Full-er, who was passing at the time, had a narrow escape of being run over.

At a meeting of the Grand Lodge of the Otago and Southland Druids, a motion was passed to draw the attention of the Government to the defective state of the law with regard to friendly societies, and urge the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the matter to enable the necessary legislation to be passed. The resolution is to be sent t<? members of Parliament and the executives of other friendly societies

While riding along Mount Eden-road last evening a young man named Gribble, who resides at Mount Roskill. had an unpleasant experience. First the rein broke, and he fell to the ground, and received a scalp wound nearly three inches in length. He mounted again, but the horse bolted towards Symondsstreet, and Mr Gribble ultimately adopted the dangerous expedient of jumping from his horse's back. Fortunately he was not killed. Nurse Price, who was passing at the time, attended to Mr Gribble in Mr Martin's chemist shop until Dr. Grant arrived. Ultimately Mr Gribble recovered sufficiently to walk home.

At St. Patrick's Cathedral last even- i ing the Very Rev. Fγ. Benedict, U.P., replied to certain statements made by the Rev. Gray Dixon regarding the Christianity of Japan. He said:—The frequent utterances of the Rev. Gray i Dixon regarding the Christianity of Japan are very misleading. He would have them believe that the Christian faith had no existence in Japan until of late years the treaty of 1900 had opened the country to foreigners. He would lead them to infer that his particular notion of Christianity, i.e., Calvinism, has been the civilising and evangelising force in reclaiming Japan iroui the darkness of paganism. After making reference to the noble work carried on by the Catholic missionaries, and the privations and persecutions they had to sutler, Father Benedict said Japan had been watered by the blood of 1000 missionaries and 200.000 native Catholics of every age and condition of life. In the year 1709 Father John Baptist Sidotti, the last of the missionaries, entered Japan. He was immediately taken prisoner and allowed to die a lingering death at Jedo. It was not until 180 years after the death of Fr. Sidotti that the missioners were again allowed in Japan. During the intervening years, however, the Catholics, numbering hundreds of thousands, presented the true faith, and with the advent of the missionaries marvellous advances were made. In 1891 there were in Japan 44,505 Roman Catholics, as against 10,000 in 1850. If the "Christianity" of Japan "represents Christ," as the Rev. Gray Dixon asserted, it could only be the Christianity identical with the Catholic Church. A two-horse trolley ladon with rails was descending College Hill on Saturday afternoon when the weight took charge. It carried the horses right across the footpath, with the result that a fence was smashed. One horse fell and was badly hurt-

The Auckland Cycling Club will hold a carnival on the Domain Cricket Ground on Wednesday evening next. An interesting programme has been arranged, and arrangements have been made for the effective lighting of the track. One of the attractions will be the contest between Brook and Davis over the mile distance. The winner of this will be sent to represent the club at the forthcoming championship meeting at Christchurch. There will be a procession of cycles motor cycles and motor-cars before the races start.

The proposal to celebrate the 100 th birthday of the British and Foreign Bible Society by observing next Sunday, March 6. as Universal Bible Sunday, has met with a most remarkable response. Their Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra have promised to be present at a special service to beheld in St. Paul's Cathedral, when the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach. Throughout the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand, united gatherings will be held. Full particulars of the local meetings will be given shortly. Before Bishop Neligan left for his tour in the North hf issued a pastoral note requpstiiig the clprgy in the Auckland Diocese to do all in their power to aid the work of this great missionary society-

It is not often that an Imperial soldier is found joining the colonial volunteer force. W. Bruce, late of the Gordon Highlanders, who served with the late Sir Hector McDonald, and under Sir George White, and who for the last fifteen years has been staff-sergeant-major at Tasmania, has joined the No. 1 Company of Garrison Artillery (Captain Clemens' company), and has been appointed company sergeant-major. During the late Boer War he occupied the position of regimental sergeantmajor, and holds the South African and Indian war medals. With such an experienced soldier as company sergeantmajor the No. 1 Company should become one of our best drilled and disciplined champions. At the last meeting of the corps Dr. McKellar was elected hon. surgeon, the Rev. J. J. Wilkins (Beresford-street) hon. chaplain, and Mr H. J. Cave lieutenant.

In the Albert Park yesterday afternoon, the weather being beautifully fine, the Waihi band entertained a large number of Aucklanders to a very fine musical programme. The recent contest selections at Rotorua were repeated with excellent taste, and a collection on behalf of the band funds realised £G. The band gave a sacred concert in the Federal Hall in the evening.

The carters' annual picnic, which was held at Motutapu on Saturday, was very successful. Special interest attached to the sports and the side shows. The pig-hunt caused a great deal of amusement. The results of the sports are: — 120 yds maiden handicap: First heat — Sandal, 1; Leslie, 2. Second heat— Matthews. 1; Williamson, 2. Final — Sandal, 1; Matthews. 2. Mr Reid's employees' handicap: Craig. 1; Fleming. 2. Carters' Union handicap, 120 yds: Williamson, 1; Smith, 2; Johnson, 3. 200 yds open: Lloyd, 1; Stannaway, 2. Married ladies' race: Mrs Spyve. 1; 'Mrs Baker. 2. Sinprle ladies' race: Miss Eva Morris, 1; Miss Spyve, 2. Sack race: Lloyd, 1; Fletcher/2; Jones, 3. Old men's race: Crawshaw, 1; Slade, 2. Committeemen's ra.ee: Beeston, 1; Way, 2. The Christchuch Operative Bootmakers' Society passed a resolution entirely disagreeing with the motion carried by the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council protesting against the stand t.-xken by Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.H.R.. on the land question, and strongly opposing tha> part of tne council's suggestion wherein they ask that Taylor's name be deleted from the list of those who from the public platforms of the colony are to advocate land reform." Several water excursions took place on Saturday. The carters' annual picnic was held at Mo-tutapu, and was very well attened. About 400 people went to the island in the morning boat, and another steamer in the afternoon was well pajtronised. The annual picnic of the Waitemata sawmill employees took place at St. Helier's Bay, whn about 250 people attended. St. Paul' 3 Sunday school's annual picnic was also held at :it. Helier's Bay on Saturday. About 400 people comprised the party. A new Wesleyan church is to be built at Buckland. its dimensions being 30 feet by 20 fpet. Tenders for the erection of the kauri uprights and weather-boards were opened by Mr. A. Wiseman, the architect, to-day as follows: C. J. Orchard, £294; W. Bell, £242; Bennett Bros., 1 £238; W. J. Hood, £227; E. Wngley, £226 17/; —. Blair, £219. A ne trustees i of the church meet this --eek to accept one of the tenders.

The contest of the North Island Brass Bands Association commenced at Palmerston JNorth to-dar on the A. and P. grounds, and will continue till Friday. Sixteen bands are competing, in addition to which 165 players are entered for solo, trio and qu.«vte;te competitions.

I The brightest cricket of the season was witnessed at the Domain on Saturday afternoon. The weather was ideal for cricket, the wickets perfect j and the scoring high, three individual

centuries being recorded in the two senior matches. Parnell ran up the formidable total of 372 against Eden, the runs being made in the very fast time of three hours and a-half. Mason played a dashing innings of 117, his runs being made in an hour and threequarters, and Sale made 113 in excellent style. Grafton, thanks to a splendid innings of 123, not out, by D. Hay, scored 264 against City, who have lost three wickets for 36 rune. Hay carried his bat right through the innings, and played almost faultless cricketThe brilliant batting was much appreciated by the spectators. Public interest in local cricket has evidently been stinmulated by the district scheme, and the attendances at the Domain on Saturday afternoons are beginning to be very satisfactory.

The committee of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta were the guests of Mr A. Alison at a fishing excursion yesterday in the Ferry Co.'a steamer Durham. About 20 members of the committee and a few friends made up the party. The outing was thoroughly enjoyed, and at a gathering in the steamer's cabin it was suggested that it should be an annual affair. Mr Alison was heartily thanked for his kindness in placing the steamer at the disposal of the committee. Various toasts were acknowledged. About 300 fish were caught during the afternoon, which was considered a good haul.

A visit was paid on Saturday afternoon to the Henderson Brick and Tile Syndicate property by about 50 shareholders and friends, who were taken there in the Advance- The syndicate has only been at work about three months, having secured an area of 22 acres on the bank of Henderson CreekHere good clay exists, judging by the bricks that were drying, and it is stated theer is from 8 to 12ft of the material to work upon. A drying ground has been laid out capable of accommodating 120 000 bricks. A short jetty has also been constructed, and a channel excavated in order to allow vessels to ge-t alongside at high tide. A large shed has been erected to cover the brick-making machinery, and the engine and boiler. Water is supplied by an hydraulic ram laid to a small creek on the property. In the shed five men were found at work making bricks and genera 1 satisfaction was expressed at the results achieved. The present machinery is capable of turning out 40.000 bricks per week, but the engine is powerful enough to run a second brick-making machine as well as another for making pipes. The syndicate propose erecting a Hoffman kiln, and expect in a fpw months to be able to place a first-clase brick on the local market.

The Hibernian District Board, sitting at Timaru. passed a resolution recording appreciation of Mr Wyndham's Irish Land Purchase Act. Other resolutions included one in favour . f the Irish language being taught in Catholic schools (Maori was rejected); that branches be established, if possible, in Great Britain and Ireland. Auckland was fixed upon as the next place of meeting. Mr C. Little (Auckland) was installed as president for the ensuing year.