LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9444, 26 February 1894, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

"is ExciiixKNCY the GOVERNOR will leave tomorrow in H.M.s. Curacoa for a cruise in th Gulf. Lady Glasgow, Mrs. Stewart, and Lady Augusta, accompanied by Captain Stewart. A.D.C., attended divine service at .Paul's i as t evening. It has been now definitely settled that Lady Glasgow (who has kindly consented to perform the duty) will formally open the exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts on Wednesday evening iu the Choral Hall.

Tho ordinary meeting of the Auckland •Harbour Board will be held in the Boardroom to-morrow afternoon, at half-past two 0 clock. The following motions, deferred w consideration from last meeting of the : Board, will again come up for discussion : -Mr. Witheford to move: 1. "That we foreman of works be instructed to deepen the water alongside Birkenhead "'•arf to provide the necessary berthage accommodation for ferry steamers, cost nob «>_ exceed £30." 2. "That the secretary frwu * t0 the Board a statement showing th n total amount of dues received from we Colonial Sugar Refining Company's «°nts, situated in Birkenhead borough, <h°Tj u tlw total amount expended by v ° harbour Board on the wharves in the trough of Birkenhead." di The , officer commanding the district (by "'strict order in our advertising columns) "jviteg the whole of the officers of the lnM U '!. ecr force in the Auckland district, '"eluding »ii officers of tho district staff, BnTi him at the officers' room, Drill-shed, orcl ♦ rsda evening, at half-past seven, in eoc7 to make arrangements re the, Easter et »ct«npment.

The officer •in-oharge of the Auckland Telegraph Department; (Mr. W. S. Furby), who baa been on leave of absence in order to visit Europe, returned yesterday ,by the Mararoa from Sydney by the ' Suez route. He left* here, accompanied by Mrs. Furby, via the San Francisco route, visiting the Chicago Exhibition, and touring the United States and Canada. They have also visited Italy, Franco, the Old Country, and Pa'estine and Egypt. Mr. Furby states that everywhere ho went New Zealand was well spoken of, but Australia, through I the failure of some oi the financial institutions and the numerous commercial exposures arising out of land booms, was in rather bad odour at homo. >,

In another column wo publish an extended report of the tenth fruit, flower, and vegetable show, held on Saturday, under the auspices of the Birkenhead and Northcote Association. • lb was in every respect the most successful held since the inauguration of the Association, the number of exhibits being much greater, the arrangements better, and the attendance of the public larger than on any previous occasion. In fact, so satisfied are the committee, that they have under consideration the holding of a day's exhibition next year. The show was formally opened shortly [after two o'clock, by the Hon. E. Mitchelson, M.H.R., who gave a short and appropriate address on the occasion,

The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, the jubilee of which, in the colony, was held on Saturday, was started about 1809, and is tho wealthiest friendly society in the world, consisting of nearly three-quarters of a million of members, with a capital value of £8,000,000. The Auckland Oddfellows started February 27, 1844, the first lodge being the' Fountain of Friendship Lodge, the Good Intent Lodge (the second oldest) being established in the year 1850. The Auckland district and the lodges in connection therewith (11) have a membership of over 1100 members, and possess funds to the value of £50,000. Its affairs are administered by a Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Corresponding Secretary. Most of its funds are invested in property in and around Auckland. The trustees are Messrs. Soering H. Matthews, T. Cole, and F. G. Fowler. The auditors are Messrs. J. J. Holland (Mayor), J. McConnell, and W. E. Lewis. Meetings are held half-yearly, and all the lodges are kept in close touch with the district. At the Jubilee held on Saturday between 7000 find 8000 excursionists visited Tamaki.

The death was reported on Saturday evoning to the police of Mrs. Mary Anne Senescal, age 90, a widow without family, who died alone in a cottage in Wynyardstreet, Devonport. She was last seen alive about 7.30 by her noice, Jinefer Morley. It appears that on the night of the 15th ult., deceased gob burned about the body, through her nightdress taking fire, and had never fully recovered the shock, though the wounds had healed. Dr. Roberts had attended her. Under these circumstances, and as Dr. Roberts was willing to give a certificate of the cause of death, Dr. Philson, coroner, did nob deem it) necessary to bold an inquest.

There were two stragglers from H.M.S. Guragoa in the lock-up last evening. They had gone oub to Avondale in search of "green fields and pastures new," and by a singular coincidence Mounted Constable Kelly was on the same mission. He interviewed them, and they accepted a pressing invitation to enjoy police hospitality in Chancery-streeb.

Considerable interest was taken yesterday in a Gaelic service held in St. Andrew's Church, Alten Road, and conducted by the Rev. J. M. Fraser, of Dunedin, and although the weather was unfavourable There was a very good attendance. The whole service, including the singing, was in Gaelio, and the sermon, the text of which was I. Peter iii., 15, seemed to be greatly appreciated by those who were thus afforded an opportunity of listening to a sermon in their native tongue. The main object o£ the preacher was to impress on the congregation the example which Christians should set bo the outside world.

i Mention was made in these columns a few days ago that the brewers and wine and spirit merchants of this city were arranging to have a picnic. It is now stated that the project has fallen through owing, it is rumoured, to two of the principal brewers not being favourable thereto. This is greatly, to be regretted,as. the employees of i this particular trade can appreciate a day's outing as well as those engaged in other businesses. Attention is directed to an advertisement re the picnic which appears on page four of to-day s usue. A considerable number of exhibits were received on Saturday at the Choral Hall for the forthcoming Art Exhibition of the Society of Arts. There are to hand nearly 300 exhibits of all kinds, and a number of important works are anticipated to be delivered to-day. In conjunction with the Art Exhibition will be the annual exhibition of the Auckland Photographic Club, and of the Auckland China Decorators' Society. The exhibition will be opened in the Choral Hall by Lady Glasgow, at a private view and conversazione of members and friends on Wednesday evening. Thi3 announcement will be received by the members of the Society of Arts and the general public with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. The annual picnic of the Young Women's Christian Association was held at the residence and grounds of Mr. J. L. Wilson, Remuera, on Saturday afternoon. Tea was served in the grounds, various games were indulged in, and an enjoyable afternoon spent. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson endeavoured, in every possible way, to promote the comfort and pleasure of their guests. A service was held in the Mission I fall in the evening, which was filled, about 230 being present. Mr. Wilson delivered a short address of welcome. After a solo by Mrs. J. Stewart No. 526 (Sankey's), Miss Macdonald gave kindly advice to the young women, and traced the worldwide work done by the Y.W.C.A., and its direct influence on missions. Mrs. Scott West (President of the Association) spoke on the subject of " Life." She referred in a feeling manner to the late Bishop and Mrs. Hill, and how great the influence of their lives had been during the 12 years they had resided in this city. God wanted all to live bright, beautiful, useful lives. That opportunity might be the last she would have of addressing them, and she would, therefore, like in bidding them good-bye, to leave with them the First Epistle of John iii. 2, " We shall be like Him." Mrs. de Carteret then sang ths ! sacred solo, No. 499 (Sankey's). The Rev. T. F. Robertson gave a shor*} address on '"The Importance of Christian Service," 1 love being the true motive power. The Rev. L. Fitzgerald (of St. Matthews) spoke of the possibilities of the young lives of those before him.,, He urged the importance of developing their bodies by suitable exercise, and then the mind should be cultivated by literature and a love of art, &c. What was to bo desired, was a sound mind in a sound body. He spoke of the desirability of cultivating a sympathetic manner, as a means of winning others to decision and Christian duty. The Incarnate was the true and only standard for human imitation. A few earnest, words were spoken by Mrs. Gdnling on the importance of young women making a good start in life, by becoming true Christians, though ib involved trials, difficulties, and opposition. It would prove to be the best course now, and the end "everlasting life." The 494 th hymn having been sung, the meeting was closed by the Rev. L. Fitzgerald pronouncing the Benediction. At the Police Court on Saturday Mr. H. IW. Morthcroffc presided. Three offenders for drunkenness were dealb with in the ordinary way. Angus Macdonald appeared to answer three charges of embezzlement. He was remanded for eight days. A large number of cases under tho Destitute Persons Act were investigated, some of which were of a very interesting nature. At St. Benedict's yesterday, the High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father Downey, during which tho Rev. Father Gregory referred to the practices of spiritualism and necromancy. The choir sang extremely well Haydn's First Mass, and Mr. John Fuller sang Capocci's duet, " O Bone Pastor," with Miss Lorrigan at the oflortory. Ab vespers the Very Rev. Father Downey preached, and the Benediction service was given with music of a very devout character. _ ' . ■ . .. , On Saturday Fillw' Circus troupe folded their tents and got everything in readiness . for their departure .for Sydney in the eveninsr. They left shortly after, ten o clock by the Waihora. There was a considerable , number of people on, the wharf to see the . ! steamer go. Besides the circus people the • 1 vessel took a large number off saloon, and ; Borne eighty steerage passengers.