LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9477, 5 April 1894, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The visit of the Mayor of Nelson, Mr» Francis Trask, to Auckland has nob been allowed to pass over without recognition on behalf of the civio dignitaries of Auckland. Yesterday forenoon Mr. Trask was shown through the Public Library and Art Gallery by the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. J. Holland. Subsequently Messrs. Trask and Holland were driven to Onehunga by Mr. Ehrenfried, and they waited on Her Worship the Mayor, Mrs. Yates. They were courteously and cordialiy received by Mrs. Yates, and had about an hour's conversation on municipal matters generally. Mr. Trask was deeply impressed with the business capacity and grasp of municipal matters of the Mayor of Onehunga, and grateful for the cordiality with which he had been received. In the afternoon Mr. Trask was taken for a drive to Mount Eden and round the suburbs by Mr. Holland and Mr. A. Kidd. He expresses himself thoroughly delighted with his visit to Auckland, the natural beauties and advantages of which he greatly admires.

A London cable of March 16, which appeared in the Argus of the 19th, but for some reason was riot forwarded to New Zealand, stated that Leopold 11., King of the Belgians, who disappeared from Brussels in such a manner as to cause some anxiety, had been discovered to have gone on a visit to Montreux, on Lake Geneva. He travelled and was staying at that health resort incognito.

Yesterday morning a great gloom was cast over Auckland when it became known that Mr. R. Garrett had, under revere mental strain, shot; himself at his residence at Otahuhu. The deceased gentleman had been very greatly worried in regard to the depression in the gum trade, and on Tuesday received intelligence by cable that he must prepare for a heavy loss. He had been previously suffering from insomnia, and this latest news, coupled with the severe illness of a daughter, appears to have completely overturned the balance of his mind. The funeral will take place to-day from the deceased's residence, at Otahuhu. A brake will leave town early in the afternoon, as notified elsewhere.

The hearing of evidence in the alleged "long firm case" occupied the Supreme Court the whole of yesterday. All the Taranaki, and Thames witnesses were disposed of, in order to enable them to return to their homes by the first opportunity, and the examination of the Auckland witnesses will be resumed this morning.

Atthe Magistrate's Court yesterday morning before Mr. H. W. Northcroft, S.M., a man named John Symons, for being found drunk in Gore street, was fined 10s, or in default four days' imprisonment with hard labour. Jones Husain Ali, Chunder Deep, and Mungoo Lingh, three Hindoo lollie dealers, were charged with having on the 31st March, assaulted Abdul Khan. Mr. Oliphant appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. McGregor for the defence. On the application of Mr. McGregor the accused were remanded for a week, bail being allowed.

It has possibly never struck some people how cheaply one lives now a days on a steamer in the intercolonial trade. Mr. James Mills pointed out in Sydney the other day that throughout this season the Union Steamship Company have been carrying passengers by their finest steamer (the Mararoa) from Sydney round by Auckland to Lyfcfceiton and back, a journey that occupies 18 days, for £4 10s—that is to say, it costs them 5s a day. The consequence was that a great many people availed themselves of this trip, and simply remained with the steamer until she returned to Sydney. Presumably, said Mr. Mills, the community benefits by thisthe company doesn't.

About 11 o'clock last night as Constable Jones was on duty on the Queen-street Wharf, near the Water Police station, he heard cries down the wharf of "A man overboard." The constable at once ran down, picking up the life-buoy as he went. On reaching the man-of-war stops he heard sounds of a man struggling in the water, and striking a match saw a man getting on to a whart stringer, from which he again fell off, and went down. When he came up, four or five yards from the steps, Constable Jones threw the buoy fairly over his head, and the drowning man grasped it, but again let go through weakness. He managed, however, to get hold of the line, and the constable going down the steps up to his middle in the water got hold of the man, and brought him ashore. It appears that the man, whose name is Richard Hiscock, of H.M. s. Curacoa, was going down the wharf with his mate, to wait for a boat from the ship, when in some way or other he fell into the water. His mate gave the alarm, which brought down Constable Jones to the rescue, and to that officer's prompt action Hiscock owes his escape from drowning.

The opening lecture of the School of Music in connection with the Auckland University College took place yesterday, in the lecture hall. There was a crowded attandance. The students wore the Onslow medals. Before the lecture began Professor Schmitt announced that Student Lorrigm would sing a song of her own composition. This wi<s done, Student Reeve accompanying, "Professor Schmitt then delivered his lecture on " " Haydn," and gave an interesting biographical sketch of that eminent compose. I the reformer of instrumental and chamber music, and contemporary of the reformer of opera music, Gluck. The lecture was illustrated by a portion of Symphony No. 3, performed by Students Harper and J. Reeve, the aria "In Verdure Clad," Miss Bleazard; and "In Native Worth," Mr. J. Fuller. These selections gave graat pleasure to the large audience. At the close of the lecture, Mr. Arnold proposed, and Mr. J. H. Philpott seconded, a vote of thanks to Professor Schmitt for his interesting and instructive lecture, which was carried by acclamation. Sir Maurice O'Rorke then presented the certificates gained by last year's students, and in his speech referred to the fact that Auckland should send more students to these instructive lectures. The Lady Mayor of Onehunga proposed a vote of thanks to Sir Maurice O'Rorke, which was carried with loud applause. It is to be hoped thab the young people of Auckland will wake up to the advantage and pleasure derivable from the study of music, and so increase the number of students.

Our Hamilton correspondent, writing yesterday, says:—Never had a Hamilton audience such a musical , treat, and one of which they showed so enthusiastic an appreciation, as in the performance of Miss Bessie Doyle and her company in the Volunteer Hall last night. The large hall was full from top to bottom, the fair instrumentalist eliciting on her appearance a hearty ; round of applause. Never before have we seen performer and audience more thoroughly en rapport, or more genuine and enthusiastic admiration of a great master of art. u

A correspondent) send* us th a » rf ,~ J-555 — have it on reliable anrt. l ''m?! Miw?ey has made a tone rid«» 7tha,r; & his present candidature^ >^1? Tea, days ago,'when he was Mangawai that hia wife was d to a ' he started for home on ho«X ? ÜBlyi,l > there immediately after he a<£ ; froa » meeting. He forded the riv«. eßsed * Albert With his horse, and after m & i P ° tfc reached Helensville, whore h^ U °[ l e ® 3rt horses, and remounted, reaching i C f han fN the following evening, after eov • a °& miles. This should tell with Tk ,* 1,6 Mr. Massey appears' to be afl 9 iesdomesticatod man, for wn ,? oroQ Rlily tatio. from the Waited ' £»■ waited upon him, he told them he rat « not finally decide until he hiH „ ° ald with his wife. The ladies of the fc # ted should appreciate the character anrl h- 1 ail's yr- "* retora "As H°hM s °l- °Si?" hly Hebrides Missionary Association was & m the Young Men's Christian AwSai Rooms, beginning at half paß t twn „ There was a .good attendance of i,?®' During the afternoon the Rev Mr fit sen, a missionary returning to the v Hebrides, gave a lengthy description of 17 work in the Hands. His visit was m l" appreciated, especially as he had 'to 1» during the afternoon to catch his for Sydney. An interesting letter £ Mrs. Lamb was read, in which she . pressed her hearty thanks to the A s **" tion for the two mission boxes sent to her at the close of last year. Two ri,*Lletters from Mrr. Watt were also re"i 8 giving most encouraging reports of in the mission work on Tanna. work was steadily proceeded with duri™ the afternoon. " An incident of a pleasing character took place on Tuesday evening last. Mr n Bell, of the Riversdale Tannery, AvondaU being about to settle in the Waikato hii many friends decided to present him 'and his better half with some testimonial indic-i tive of their esteem. Mr. Bell has for about seventeen years been intimately con nected with the rise and progress of Avon dale, being a very energ.itic worker in everv cause that tended to promote the educa tional, moral, and social welfare of the district. His talents being of a versinu nature, he was never at a loss to provide an entertainment. Any occurrence of local or general interest would be sure to be chronicled in verse in a humorous and original style, and recited at one of the many social gatherings in the district. Mrs. Bell for some time officiated as organist to the Presbyterian Church, but owing to in. creased domestic duties, she had to resign. After a varied programme, in which the following ladies and gentlemen took part viz., Mesdamej Tuck and Grey, Misses' Harper (3), Messrs. Walker and Nesbitt also some items by the choir under Mr.' Bell, the chairman, Mr. B. Johnston, in a few heartfelt words, made the presentation to Mr. Bell of a beautiful writing desk and to Mrs. Bella handsome dinner service! Mr. Bell replied, and briefly reviewed his connection . with the district, and closed with "a little thing of his own," entitled "Good-bye," which was well received by the audience. Several gentlemen representative of the district eulogised his unostentatious bub eflective manner of working. Refreshments were handed round daring the evening.

At their shop In Karangahape Road, the scene of the recent robbery, Messrs. Court Brothers had on vew yesterday the safe from which the bottom had been cut, the half-burnt hat which had been used by the thieves to shade their lights, the roll of corduroy of which a portion had been used as a fire, and the tomahawk and other tools which had been left behind. These reminiscences of one of the most audacious cases of breaking and entering which has taken place in Auckland for several years attracted a considerable amount of attention.

The quarterly meeting of the Grafton Road Wesleyan circuit was held in tho Newmarket church on Tuesday evening, The Rev. W. Lee was in the chair, with the Rev. S. J. Serpell; Mr. R. Froude (senior circuit steward), and fourteen members. The income for the quarter was £113 7s 4d; expenditure, £138 2s sd, leaving a deficitof £24 15a Id. A circuit debt of £113 has been paid off, special efforts having been made for this object; Owing to the unsatisfactory state of circuit finance, it was suggested thai; members of the church be invited to contribute quarterly in support of the work, and it was resolved that the circuit and society stewards be a committee to consider the proposal. It was also proposed that lady collectors for each church be appointed by the leaders' meeting, such ladies to have seats in the quarterly meeting. The hearty thanks of the meeting were tendered to the Rev. W. Lee and to the Rev. S. J. Serpell, on the eve of their departure to other circuits, Mr. Lee being appointed to Palmerston North, and Mr. Serpell to the Thames. General regret was expressed at parting with two such faithful and estimable men, and best wishes were tendered for blessing and happiness in their future labours.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Auckland Shorthand Writers Association last evening, Mr. A. W. Kitson varied the usual subject for address (viz., matters relating to shorthand) by giving a most entertaining description of "An Hour in Paris." He referred briefly to its past history, and the vast improvement in the great city at the present time. He mentioned among the fine buildings the Church of Notre Dame, the Church of Madeleine, the Church of St. Sulpiee, with its magnificent organ, and the Palace of the Louvre. He described the Boulevards, the broad, well-kept streets, the fortifications round the city, and the numerous beautiful public gardens. He alluded to the efficient means of passenger traffic, the purely continental custom of doing business on Sunday, the large military force in Paris, and concluded by referring to the very extensive commercial connection of Paris with every part of the world. Mr. Kitson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks at the close of the meeting.

Yesterday evening at the British Hotel a smoking concert was given by the Auckland Rowing Club, to receive the P™.' sentative crew, recently sent South, and Mr. Keefe, the amateur sculling champion. Mr. J. Marshall, president of the club, was in the chair, and there was a crowded attendance. The Chairman gave the toast of " Our Representative Crew," which waj drunk with three ringing cheers. M r ' Keefe responded. Mr. Graham afterward* submitted the toast of " Our Visitors. Mr. Crosbie, of the Union Rowing Club, Canterbury, responded in a generous speech, and saying that if Mr. Keefe had not been hampered in the recent contest, things would undoubtedly have been dine re . During the evening an excellent niusica programme was rendered. It is understo that the club committee intend taking action in regard to the decision of the lington committee overruling the deeisi of the umpire, in ordering another when Keefe's boat was hampered by backwash of the umpire's boat.

The quarterly meeting of the Manuka" Wesleyan Circuit was held at Mange Monday last. There were thirteen officebearers present, the Res'. H. Bull P re^ u 5' The number of members was reported to 188, and 6 on trial. The income for tM quarter, including £23 4s 2d P roc ® j the Harvest Festival, was £1-'- 11 9 i> . expenditure £130 15s 2d, leaving a . balance of £8 3s lOd. Mr. H. 7. Dajj was heartily thanked for fcJl ® ircu jt manner in which ho represented the at the recent Conference. A' Bec 'V w 0 f thanks was passed to Mr. F. Andrew, Otahuhu for having conveyed the Otab friends to the Circuit Convention at W«o hunga on Oood Friday free of c • meet «»!«>/ expressed the hope arrm > -nts would be made to ensure Visit to die colony by the Rev. i l 0 the Cook, Connectional Evangelist British Conference.

The entries for the Chrysanth Show close to-day at 5 p.m. The mittee have this season includedl in schedule a wider range of flowers formerly, such as dahlias, g attraocut flowers generally. Among the tions furnished by the ladies flowers. an exhibit of hand baskets The ladies may (from th ® . er tfi while compete in three classes of bouquets. the usual class for juveniles, q „et„ «to to mode »(| '» itoW to Hall under jnperv won, 1' "SfontrlM. produce, as formerly, . numerous No entrance fee is required.