AUCKLAND NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8541, 22 July 1893, Page 7

AUCKLAND NOTES.

Juiy 21.

A sad state of affairs was revealed at the inquest held at Hakaraa to inquire into the cause of death of John Cook. The evidence showed that deceased was a farmer, sixtytwo years of age, and lived by himself. A neighbour called at Cook's house, but found the door locked. Getting no response to his knocking he went away and did not return for the day. He again found the house in the same condition, and feeling unsatisfied communicated with the police. - The door was subsequently forced, when Cook was discovered lying on the floor in a frightful condition. He had had & fit, which rendered his limbs useless and precluded him from helping himself. Cook only lived two days after he was discovered. The jury returned the following verdict:— ** Died from a fit brought on by exposure and want of sustenance, he being without food for three or four days." A rider was added expressing regret that there was no medical officer in the district.

At last night's meeting of the Council a motion was .greed to that the Mayor attend the Executive Meeting of the Municipal Association to be held at Wellington on Monday to consider the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill, that has been introduced by the Government. The Mayor said thai he felt very indignant at the inroads the Government endeavoured to make in the working of Municipal Corporations. They were endeavouring to shirk their responsibilities and throw them on the Icoal bodies.

The City Council has paid no less than £312 to doctors for reporting cases of measles. The Mayor hoped that something might be done by the Municipal Conference to have the Order-in-Council authorising the charges rescinded. The little road district of Eden Terrace paid as much, as £30 for similar reports. At a meeting held this afternoon the Auckland Agricultural Association passed a resolution strongly condemning the Noxious Weeds Bill as utterly impracticable. It was pointed ont that some of its clauses would make it impossible to sell a load of hay in Auckland.