Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 66, 18 March 1907, Page 4

The first chapters of a splendid, short serial that will be completed in six instalments will be found on page 6 "of this evening's issue. It is unquestionably one of the best stories of its class written for some years, and no one should miss reading it. The author is Shippard Stevens, and the title "I'll Take That Bet."

The RJiI.S. Sonoma, en route from San Francisco, left Honolulu for Pagopago and Auckland at 10 p.m. on Wednesday last, twelve days behind schedule time. The steamer was six days late leaving San Francisco, and has lost on the first stage of her voyage as many more days. If the boat covers the remainder of the trip in the regulation time she should arrive bere about the 25th inst., but if present appearances axe to be taken into account she will be much, later. Advicee received by the Oceanic Steamship Company state that the Ventura will leave Sydney to-morrow afternoon, and is due to arrive at Auckland on Saturday morning. She is timed to resume her voyage for San Francisco at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

A cable message has been sent by the New South Wales Minister ior Defence to the Government of New Zealand extending an invitation to any military officers selected by the authorities in tius colony to visit the Australian encampments during Easter. Mr. Ewing hopos that visits of the kind may be general, so that officers of either forces may have an opportunity of profiting by the experience gained. in both the Commonwealth and New Zealand.

A scene which -was enacted at the Waihi railway station the other morning previous to the departure of the Auckland train exemplified the manner in which the local tradesmen are occasionally ■victimised. It appears that a certain individual, one of the very floating population, was getting away quietly without much fuss, but with some unpaid accounts in his pocket. Two wideawake creditors, however, got news of his sudden departure, and arrived on the platform a few minutes before the train left. After some skirmishing the delinquent was found comfortably seated in a. carriage and a three-sided argument followed, emphasised by the presence of a gentleman in blue. Seeing that no escape was possible, both accounts were reluctantly paid on the spot.

The chamois, eight in number, presented by the Emperor of Austria to the New Zealand Government, arrived at Lyttelton on Saturday, en route for Mount Cook, where they are to be liberated. They will be detained in a special enclosure at Mount Cook for the quarantine period of CO days, and will then be sefc at large. It is expected thai they ■will thrive famously in the Mount Cook country, and that a large and healthy herd ■will result.

A pleasing ceremony, fitting to the occasion, took place at the residence of the headmaster of the Mount Eden Public School on Sunday morning. The school is in the possession of the Union Jack, the New Zealand Flag, and the Flag of St. George and St. Andrew, and the idea struck Mr. G. Blake, of Mountain-road, who, by the way, is a native of the Emerald isle, to procure the flag of Ireland (St. Patrick), to be added to the school's collection. Mr. Blake was favourably met in his appeal by the members of the Mount Eden Bowling Club, the a™ necessary and to spare being readily obtained. The surplus is to be devoted to the Bath. Fund. The flag, a 12ft. one, is the work of Mr. E. Lβ Hoy, Queen-street. A deputation from the Bowling Club handed the flag over, and Mr. Blake, in a few well-ehos<h. remarks formally presented it to the school through Mr. A. Hoskinjr, headmaster, on behalf of the donors. The recipient suitably acknowledged the gift, and hoisted the flag on the school flagpole, remarking that his school was the first to show the spirit of Imperialism by saluting the national flag on the memorable Mafeking Day, when Lord and Lady Ranfurly attended at the school to unfurl the Union Jack. After an adjournment to Mr. Hosking's study and a walk through the class-rooms, in one of which the brass tablet to the memory of Connell ( a one-time scholar, who fell in South Africa) was pointed out, the deputation withdrew.

Yesterday a man named Edward Jones, who lives with his parents in Alex-andra-street, was admitted into the hospital suffering from a broken arm. The injured man, who was employed on the railway extension works at Taumarumii on Tuesday, was engaged in "jerking," when the handle of the machine slipped and swinging round broke his arm just below the elbow.

The delegates to the triennial meeting of the New Zealand district of the H.A. C.8.5., and a large number of the members of the local branches approached Holy Communion at St. Patricks Cathedral yesterday morning, and were subsequently entertained at breakfast in the Hibernian Hall, the Bishop, the Et. Rev. Dr. Lenihan, presiding. At the close Bros. Marlow (Dunedin), Sellers (Christchureh), and M. F. Dennehey (Timaru) thanked the Auckland members for the welcome and hospitality they had extended to the visiting delegates. At the invitation of the Bishop the Hibernians present adjourned to Bishop's Palace, where they were entertained by His Lordship. In the afternoon the delegates were driven round the suburbs. In the evening they attended at St. Patrick's Cathedral to hear the panegyric on St. Patrick delivered by the Very Rev. Dean Haekett, of Paeroa. A large number of delegates left for Rotorua. to-day, a few of them left for the Sooth this afternoon, and others are departing hence on Thursday next.

Mr. G. L. Peaeoeke was requested to continue correspondence with the Auckland and East Coast members with reference to the promise Of the Minister for Public Works to have a flying survey of the line from Motu to Waihi made commences.

The latest idea in regard to- the extension of the functions of the State as the provider of public services emanates from the Minister of EducationSpeaking at Christcnurch (says a Southr crn paper), Mr. Fowlds prophesied that the travelling of the public would be a charge on the general revenue and the passengers themselves would pay no fares. Many years must elapse before that point is reached, for such a step would involve the expenditure of millions in the acquisition and establishment of steamship and other lines of communication; and the suggestion has an actual flavour of Socialism in the "advanced" sense of the word. The argument is that not so very long ago the use of the roads and bridges was charged for through the medium of toll gates, and it is not impossible to picture a time when trains and steamers will be run, if not without charge to the individual passenger, at least on the postage stamp system. We do not know that the argument so far as it applies to absolutely free travelling is a sound one — for there is a considerable logical difference between the case of the road, the use of whk-h calls for personal energy and expenditure on vehicles and so on, and the case of a train or steamer, the free use of ■which would encourage idleness and shiftlessness. But the Minister's suggestion offers some good speculative thought.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board next Tuesday, Mr. H. Bradney will move: " That a committee be appointed to inquire into the working of the several departments of the Board. The members of the committee to be the chairman, Messrs. Parr, Mordoch, Kneen, Entrican and the mover."

The first public hall in the Onewhero district was opened recently with a successful social gathering, at which over 200 were present. Mr. W. Keys presided, and an excellent concert programme was rendered by Mesdames W. Hawke, W. H. Alexander, and G. Hunter, Misses Bayley (2), M. Goodwin, McFlynn (2), Collier, J. Liddle, W. and G. Brooks, Yorke, Smith, and R. Glasgow. Dancing was afterwards indulged in.

The engine of the Thames-Te Aroha train, connecting with the Rotorua. express, broke down on Saturday, and arrived twenty-five minutes late at Morrinsville Junction. Consequently the Rotorua express to Auckland was delayed, buf. it subsequently made good time to Auckland.

The Newton and Ponsonby tramway service was interrupted for nearly half an hour between 7 and 8 o'clock on Saturday night, through the derailment of a car at Pitt-street corner.

A young man named John Griffiths, living at Surrey-crescent, Grey Lynn, fell off the front of a Grey Lynn car while it was travelling up Hobson-street about 10 o'clock last night. He was picked up in an unconscious condition, and attended by Dr. Walker. Then he was received at the hospital suffering from a slight scalp wound. He is reported to be making good progress toward recovery.

The schooner Tamarii Taihiti, which came up to Auckland from, the islands to have on oil engine fitted, and to undergo a thorough overhaul, was taken out for a trial spin yesterday, with a number of invited guests on board. The vessel left the wharf shortly after Tiinp a.m., and cruised about the gulf, returning about six p.m. Part of the trip was made under the engines and part under sail, and the results in each case were engines are of 85 h.p., capable of driving the vessel at about b's knots per hour. They are of the Union type, and were supplied by Messrs. W. A. Ryan and Co. The overhaul of the boat was carried out by Mr. C. Bailey, junr. On the return journey, the guests assembled in the saloon, when Mr. S. D. Hanna proposed the toast of "Success to the Tamarii Taihiti and .her owners," coupled with the names of Messrs. J. L. Young and J. Winchester. Other suitable toasts were honoured, including that of Captain Brander, the master, who referred to the kindness extended to his crew and himself in Auckland. He felt sure the successful visit of the schooner to Auckland would be followed by other island vessels coming to the port to overhaul and refit.

Yesterday the harvest festival services in connection with Pitt-street Wesleyan Church were held, the sermons being preached by the Revs. T. W. Newbold and J. A. Luxford, circuit ministers. At the evening service Madame Chambers sang "With Verdure Qad."

On the 7th inst. the Court sat at Mercer to hear a case of assault preferred against Martin L. Adams, a settler at Pokeno, by Robert Munro. According to complainant's statement the parties had an argument in reference to a fence. Monro was in the act of walking away when he was hit on the head with a piece of wood, -which was thrown by Adams. Munro was knocked down with the force of the blow and remained insensible for some time. Adams pleaded guilty and was fined £3 and costs. The presiding Justices were Messrs Hunter, Webster and Ewing.

The Government has been informed that very contradictory reports have been received in London concerning the effect of the dry weather in Canterbury and Otago. The Acting-Premier states that the High Commissioner, with his usual alertness, has taken prompt steps to place the real position before the London dealers, pointing out to them that the drought was not anything like as serious as the cablegrams had suggested.

At a meeting of the 'Auckland Railway League, on Saturday, it was decided to telegraph to the Minister for Public Works as follows: —"At a meeting of the Auckland Railways League to-day it was resolved to wire requesting you to be good enough to put on sufficient men to open the North Auckland Trunk line to Wayby by the end of June next. (Signed),. Thos. Coates, vice-president."

Tke mail steamer Ventura, leaving here on Saturday nest, will take no mails for London, the Post Office having determined to adhere to its decision to send no more English mails by the line until regularity of running is secured. The vessel will "take mails for Pago Pago, Honolulu, United States, Canada, and the West Indies, but none for Europe. The mail agent will not accompany the vessel.

Competition does not appear to be a string element in Auckland art circles, for, despite increased prizes, the 1907 competition promoted by the Auckland Society of Arts, has only attracted the average number of entrants. Three classes have drawn entries, viz., the landscape (subject, "On Auckland Harbour"), head from life, and carved panel in wood. A special prize of £3 3s for study from a cast By a student under 16 years produced no entry. The soeietv's annual exhibition commences on April 24th. •

A lantern lecture will be given in All Saints' Schoolroom to-morrow evening by the master of the. mission schooner Sour .thettt iSSBS. ~4 l •-,

The-greaier portion of the 100,000 ova of the lake herring recently, imported by the Tourist Department, and taken to Botorua,.has. failed to hatch-out

.'A rider to the effect that the Government mig-lrt, with, advantage, appoint a medical officer to attend children in licensed homes for infants, was added by a jury to their verdict at an inquest held at Dunedin on a six months' old child, who died in an infant home in South Dunedin. The jury came to this conclusion, because it was pointed out that in many cases the patients in these homes are children of poor parents, who cannot afford adequate medical attendance. Tie home-keeper, therefore, very often has to pay doctors' fees out of her own pocket.

Findlay, who is serving a sentence for the Papakaio burglary (says the Oamaru "Mail"), is stated to, have thoroughly mastered the whole of the evidence given by the various witnesses at the hearings in the Magistrate's Court and Supreme Court, and is able- to quote freely from the statements of any particular witness. He had, moreover, recently given some study to the-science of finger-print detection, and during the hearing of the last case before the Supreme Court in Oamaru prompted his counsel with, several pertinent questions to be put to Mr. Dinnie, finger-print expert, in the case of his cross-examina-tion.

A driver of a motor car was proceeded against in the Magistrate's Court at Blenheim last week for £10, value of a, sheep dog killed by being run over by defendant's car. The owner of the dog was riding along with a pack. The dogs were very tired, and when the car was about 100 yards away the owner of the dogs pulled to the side of the road, but two of the dogs, not observing the approach, of the car, remained in the middle of the road. They were struck by the car, and one of them was so seriously injured that it had to be drowned. Defendant said he had taken all precautions, but admitted that he did not slow down until very close to the dogs, because he did not think there was any danger. After running over the dogs he pulled up, but thinking the dog had not been seriously injured, pursued his journey immediately. The Magistrate reserved his decision, but in commenting on the evidence said there was no more justification for running over a tired dog than over a sick man, and the loss of the dog was clearly due to the negligent) of tbe defendant.

The Dunedin Watteau, the property of Mrs. S. G. Smith will be taken Home with the British art collection at the Exhibition by Mr. Longden. It is understood that it is under offer to Sir Isidore Spielman. The picture is about lft. 10in. by lft. 6in., and is little the worse for its nearly two centuries of existence. It shows a group of figures Set in a rural scene with a back-ground of dark foliage. A lady on the right of the picture is gently repelling the attentions of a lover. She has red hair, and her dress is richly coloured in rose madder. The man wears a brown suit, with grey, high lights touched into it. On the other side of the picture is a younger girl, dressed in an "old gold" costume, with white satin. She wears on her bosom a rich blue-green ornament, painted luminously in very high relief- A youth who is conversing with her, another youth and maiden in the centre of the.picture, and two other figures dimly seen in the background are less remarkable. Some 30 years ago Mr. Smith bought at a sale another picture, which is supposed to be by Turner. This picture will be sent Home with the Watteau.

The Dunedin Coroner, Mr. C. C. Graham, held an inquest on Friday on the body of Robert Ernest Melrose, a boy seven years of age, who was drowned by falling into a septic tank at Mosgiel. Dr. William Allan stated tbat efforts to restore breathing -were continued for about an hour, but without avail. The tank was not yet in -working order, consequently the water was not in a state of purity, and its muddiness caused delay in the finding of the body. The tank was quite open, and there appeared to be no protection to prevent access to the water. John Dicker (gardener), residing at Mosgiel, deposed, that on Wednesday he was informed a child had fallen into the septic tank. Witness dived into the well, but on account of the muddiness of the water experienced great difficulty in finding the body. The tank was 40ft square, and belonged to the Borough Council. The jury found a verdict that the deceased was accidentally drowned in a septic tank belonging to the Mosgiel Borough Council, and added a recommendation that immediate steps should be taken to fence in the said tank for the prevention of similar accidents.

Dr. E. Schultz, Chief Justice of German Samoa, who acted with conspicuous ability as Governor during the absence of_ Dr. Soli, in Germany, is at present in Sydney. Having obtained six months 1 leave of absence, he has decided to spend it in Australia, New and the islands of the Pacific. Though Dr. Schultz has only been half-a-dozen years in Samoa (the Sydney "Telegraph" says), he is recognised as an authority on native customs and legends, having made a special study of them. He has jut published a collection of Samoan proverbs in book form, with explanatory notes. Dr. Schultz has been mnch impressed by the evidences of prosperity and enterprise in Australia, and hopes, after "he has visited New Zealand, Rarotonga, and Tahiti, to return to Sydney, when he will more closely study our method of government. He sails for Wellington on Saturday.

Should public school teachers be allowed to act as local preachers? This question was involved in a complaint made at the New South Wales M«thodist Conference, several members intimating their knowledge of cases in which teachers in public schools were precluded from preaching on the Sabbath Day. The speaker said the Public Instruction Department placed such a restriction on the staff on the ground that by going about preaching on Sundays the teachers rendered themselves incapable of performing their duties during the week, and, he pointed out, "to show the hollowness of this reasoning," that other teachers whose bent was not in the direction, of preaching, were allowed to go picniekino-, swimming, gambling, drinking, and so on on. Sunday without anything beimj said aa to the likelihood of those things rendering them unfit for duty. Rev. J. E. Carruthers explained that some time ago he saw the then. Minister for Public Instruction (Mr. Perry) regarding this question, and the statement thejT made to him was to the effect that the department were only opposed to teachers preaching and around the neighbourhood of the schools in which they taught, as their daily pupils included not only Methodists, but Presbyterians, Anglicans Congregationalists, Eoman Catholics, and so on. It was eventually resolved that steps be taken -with a n>

The Adelaide Tramway Trost dnrina the last few -weeks announced that thea -were anxious that tbe public should bin tickets, instead of paying money faret An.-order for 20,000 dozen was. given, and on Saturday, March. 9, the first issue <jS the new tickets at reduced prices was made available. By noon the entire je* sue was sold out. Another issue was sent ont as soon as possible, but these also were speedily sold out. On. Monday there was a third issue of 20,000 doBaJ and the extraordinary demand for iiekefa having abated somewhat the officials were able to make a big effort to bring thq supply up to the demancL" Several coin ductors say they sold as many as 100(1 tickets on one trip. The tickets-were eolj at 14 for Is.

According to Dr. Clark in "TheLaboufr Movement la Australasia," the people, o J the colonies regard the American Keputx lie as an. industrial and manufacturing nation, and themselves as engaged chiefly in primary, production. Bat, he writes? from, the standpoint of labour conditions this is not true. Nearly 27 per cent of the breadwinners of Austjalasia follow manufacturing and mechanical as compared with but 24 per cent in. the United States. Among primary product ers, the proportion of farmers, morethag half of whom are their own employers, ria , twice as great in America as in Au*i~ tralia and New Zealand. Therefore enw ploying industries are more prominent and wage earners have relatively more political strength in the Australasian colonies than, in tbe American Union, The ratio of urban to rural population is also higher in Australasia,- wherev/i7| per cent of the people reside in: cities of not less than 4000 inhabitants,, as co&v pared with 37 per-cent in. the United States. The average concentration;; of working population is therefore greater, in those countries, and the labour ele« ment has better opportunities fororgeJM isation. -/

Particulars of a murder at BumbetfJ' New Caledonia, were brought by-the r French mail steamer, which, arrived atf Sydney Teeently. It appears that;* nwi*" : named Portal, employed at the establishment of M. Hemion, had , a. qnarcel * with a comrade named Conrtet. .• Both had been drinking heavily,, and frinn words they came to blows. As the fight went on Portal found he was no' match' ; for his adversary, and drawing" ";»• knife he struck Courtet twice /in. tja heart, killing Mm instantly. Portal- ttm •at once arrested and taken, to- H'onmesL

A shocking accident occurred on Fein ruary 22 at Saint Louis, New. .Caledonia, A man named Constant west -fishing with dynamite. In order to'gei a betteri view of an approaching: shoiloi;fistula got up a tree. He fell down; a* he was •throwing a dynamite- cartridge, ■whiek as it exploded tore off his two arms-and injured; bis breast. He; died: the following day- . •

Another murder is reported front Fiji* the -victim being an Indian located at the settlement at Laucala Bay. According ' to the account a settler named Terebeni had a two-a.cz& block - of land ati ■Vaiuwaqa, subleasedfnrin-orieiDnki, and! made a living by growing' bananas,, rice, com, etc, and selling charebaL. He was." in Suva selling- his produce, and ■was seen in an Indian store making some pun chases. That is apparently the' lasii time he ■was seen alive. One monring: ai brother-in-law of Duki went to Tee. beni's to ask for;, the. loan of an-aia. - Jto the door was shut, he pushed' aside sow* of the grass -wall, and looking'irt smt* dead body lying 'on , the floor. He *£ once proceeded in to Suva and reported to the police court, and the pofiee.-irerei' notified. Tbe Indian polasmanj-eJotßc-i ham, was a.t once sent off to-tfesceneitbf investigate.

A large part of women's snffering comes from headache. No matter what the cause the cure, is always' found ii» Steams' Headache Cure, whreh ie. taste* less, easy to take, and acts Advt.

Notice! Exhibition of, eider-down: quilts in Smith and Gaughey'a- window. All latest colourings and; designs.—(Ad.)|

Just opened up! New pastel Anwaon cloths for dresses, etc. Spleadidv value;] also parcel of exclusive novelty blouse silks. Smith and Cang&ey's dres& department.—{Ad.) * : ■ ■ ;;

New Paris flannels; cashmere flannels, wool delaines; etc:, now showing in Smith and Caugheys dress- department; all new season's designs.^ldi)}