LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9488, 18 April 1894, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A splendid audience assembled last eve ing at the City Hall .to hear an address from Sir Robert Stout, M.1f.R.,0n "The Aim and Methods of the Liberal Party." Th hon! gentleman dealt moat exhaustively with his subject, traversing a wide range, and at the close received a hearty vote of thanks.

An English mail, via Briudisi, bearing date of March 9, was received from Sydnev by the Union S.S. Company's steamer Tahine last night

Yesterday forenoon, Sir Maurice O'Rorke (chairman of the Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School) visited the school and presented the six certificates for scholarships and the thirty. one certificates of proficiency won by pupils of the schools in the recent examination for senior district scholarships under the Board of Education. Sir Maurice also conferred the five senior and six junior Foundation Scholarships awarded by the Board of Governors. Mr. Tibbs, the headmaster introduced the scholars and aaid a few words of kindly encouragement to each 0' the recipients.

Yesterday was a busy day on the Queenstreet wharf, owing to the steamers Mararoa and Tasmania leaving for Sydney. Both steamers had a full complement of passengers, and towards five o'clock (the hour of departure) a large crowd had assembled to bid farewell to friends leaving. On arrival at Sydney this trip, the Tasmania is to be docked for cleaning and overhaul. The Union S.S, Company's steamer Talune arrived from Sydney last night, bringing a number of passengers for this port and the South. She also brought a consignment of twelve draught horses for Messrs. Paterson Bros. The departure of the Talune for Southern ports, Hobart, and Melbourne has been postponed until two o'clock on Friday afternoon

The Newton Schools Committee held its ordinary monthly meeting in the Newton Kast School on Monday evening last, the following members being in attendance :— Mr. H. Thompson (chairman), Mr. J. M. White (treasurer), Messrs. T. H. Martyn, T. McMauter, W. J. Macdermott, T. \V. Freeman, J. D. Gow, and J. Peak. In considering the list of candidates for a seat on the Board of Education caused by the resignation of Mr. Buckhurst, the votes of ihe majority of the committee were given in favour of Mr. Joseph Blades. The Chairman has received the following nominations for election to serve upon the new committee : — Messrs. A. Burfoot, T. W. Freeman, T. H. Martyn, W. J, Macdormotb, T. McMaster, T. W. Newcombe, J. Peak, H. Thompson, J. M. White, and A. Williams. With the exception of Messrs. Burfoot and Newcombe all are members of the present committee. One of the present members, Mr. J. D. Gow, declined to be nominated. The Committee are in correspondence with the Board relative to the overcrowded state of the infant department of the Newton East School, and are asking the Board either to build an infant school on the vacant allotment (school property) in Upper Queen-iitreefc, or to erect a school in the Eden Teri'aoe district.

An incipient fire took place yesterday morning in a "hop in Howe-street, occupied by Mr. Maurice Copeland, the other inmates in the upper storey being Mrs. Smith, a widow, and her daughter, Mis; Dutbon. About two o'clock Miss Button was awoke by a smell of fire, and gave the alarm. Mr. Copeland, on the ground floor, immediately afterwards also shouted fire. A neighbour, Mr. Fell, hearing the outcry, went out and saw fire under the counter. He at once broke the window and threw in a bucket or two of water which quenched the flames. The origin of the fire is not known. The premises and stock were insured for £120 in the National, but are valued at £200. There is but alight damage to building or contents.

Great excitement if being evinced in connection with the approaching Onehungt School Committee election. Nine member! are required, but no less than 19 candidates have been nominated. The following arv. the names:—Messrs. J. Beevers, W Brierly, E. Burdnn, W. Colledge, W. Dunwoodie, T. Fletcher, E. Gabland, J. R. Hendry, A. Hughes, G. Jackson, H. Kearin J. MciYlahori, J. Roberts, J. Rowe, W. Tapp, A. Schnauer, R. Smith, J. Stewart, and R. Sbych. The election takes place next Monday evening.

At the Police Court yesterday morning William John Robert Garrard was called to answer a oharge of having misappropriated the sum of £27 10a entrusted to him by his father, W. 0. Garrard. There was no appearance of the defendant. Mr. Madden, who appeared for the informant, said that a passage ticket had been forwarded to the defendant, but had been returned with a message saying that it was declined. The son had been very discourteous in hie reply, and did not even put the word " father" "sir." The ticket had been again forwarded to the son. He was instructed to ask the Bench for a warrant to have the defendant arrested. Mr. Northcroffc declined the application, and thought the informant might wait for his son's second answer. Mr. Madden asked for a further adjournment for a week, which wa( granted.

The Onehunga Presbyterian Church celebrated the second anniversary of their minister's settlement on Sunday last. In the morning, the Rev. John McNeil preached most impressively from Psalm xxiii. ; in the afternoon, the Rev. John Hendricks gave an interesting address to the young ana at night the Rev. Robt. Ferguson delivered his usual monthly lecture. Large congregations attended all the services. Ou Monday afternoon, the Kev. Mr. McNeil addressed a crowded meeting of children; at night the church was packed, even th« pulpit stairs being crowded. Mr. McNeil a address on "A Voice from the Condemned Cell" simply thrilled the audience.

Yesterday afternoon one of Mr. Seymour Thome George's sons, while on the beach, picked up a skull in the vicinity of Campbell's Point. It is in a fairly good state of preservation. It is doubtless the skull of some Maori who has been dead for many years. It has been either washed up or unearthed by the action of the wave.". The boy took the skull home.

The inquest on the bodv of Joseph Hoi land, at Kohukoliu, has been adjourned to the 16th May. The contents of the stomach are being brought to Auckland in charge of Constable McGilp, for analysis.

Our Birkenhead correspondent writes :-■- On Monday evening a lad about 12 or Id years of age, son of Mr. W. Dawson, settler in this district, was missed from his home, without any apparent reason for his absence. Yesterday morning word was sent to some of the neighbours, and a search party was organised. The whole district has been thoroughly scoured, but so far no trace o, the missing lad has been discovered.

The half-yearly mealing of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation was held ab «n Synagogue Schoolroom on Sunday last, M* L.-D Nathan, president, in the chair. The principal business was the election * president in the place of Mr. L. D Nathan who is leaving shortly for England, and also to elect a treasurer. M r. Isaac Pfcumps was appointed to the former office and Mr Arthur H. Nathan to the latter, both gen tlemen having already been office-bearers in the past and prominent menbers "'J?! community. A vote of thanks to the retiring president brought the proceedings to a close. A Maori named Paparuka has been arrested ab Hokianga on tent on a native girl, aged 14. The .°='"| ep . alleged to have been committed!>**-«£ temW.and the police have been looking for accused ever since. Prisoner w« remanded ab Rawene till the 26th instant.

Freeing Works are busy derating meat for shipment by the 16 Sa to London. It is anticipated But f fi 700 carcases of frozen meat will be from Auckland by this new cargo mer the shipment comprising beef, SO*-* a Kaurihohore correspondent writes:— » mv sad duty this week to record the 1 th of one of our best and most respected ,i r « Mr Duncan McLennan, who died 6 £r a protracted illness on the 10th April, A 74 years. Our lamented friend was K ?6 n in Ross-shire, Scotland, in the year k!'q He emigrated to Cape Breton, Nova c tia in 1837. In 1862 he removed to Prince vVard Island, where he settled down to Ermine, got married, and had six of a } ilv three sons and three daughters, all If whom with his worthy widow, now sur-ii-fl to mourn the lossof an excellent father el husuand. In 1880, Mr. McLennan B " me to New Zealand with his family, and Ltled down amongst us at Kaurihohore, where they all have proved a most desirable tcaoisition to our community. In all "laces where our departed friend's lot has en cast, he always identified himself with very good and noble movement. He was we Superintendent of the Sunday school, nil elder of the Presbyterian Church, and he cheerfully and zealously attended to all his duties as long as health permitted. is ho ever manifested his practical sympathy with everything that advanced his Muster's cause, or helped his fellowmen "we shall always miss his presence and counsel, and 1 would express my very warm sympathy with his bereaved widow iml familyA prisoner named Jas. O'Dowd was brought 63 Auckland yesterday by Constable Coughlnn from aiomatatini, on the East Coast, having been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for malicious injury to property. The anniversary soiree of the Auckland Tabernacle Sunday-school was held last evening. There was an excellent attendance. The tea tables were presided over by ladies of the church and congregation. At the after public meeting the pastor (the Rev. James Bl.ukie) presided. After devotional exercises the secretary read the 36th annual report. It stated that death had been busy during the year both with teachers and scholars, of the former Mr. Thomas S. Gibbons having passed away, a devoted and earnest worker. Twelve new workers had joined the teaching staff who were formerly scholars, and eight were lost through removal to other districts. The school roll was 450, staff of teachers and officers being 70. Three scholars had joined the Church during the year. The Bible classes were well attended, the young women's class being in charge of Airs. Blaikie. The infant class numbered 150 During the year the school boxes had yielded £32 lis lOJd, half going to the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, and the other half to the school funds. A large case of useful articles was sent to India as Christmas presents to the Mission children. A grant of £10 had been given from the funds to the Church, the order being reversed of former years, when the Church were appealed to for a grant, and a colection was taken up also for the Scripture Sift Association. The Temperance Society iras flourishing, and sixty-five pledges lad been taken during the year. The Christian Endeavour Society had 63 active members, 11 associates, and 11 committees operating in various branches of Christian work ; a junior Christian Endeavour Society Dad 19 active members and nine associates. Reference was made to the services of Mr. A. B. Shalders, leader of the school psalmody, and to those of Mr. Biaikie (the pastor), who had taken a very active and kindly interest in the school. The treasurer (Mr. J. C. Spedding), read the statement of accounts, which showed receipts to be £127 ISs 3d, and the credit balance, taking into account the anniversary collections, £97 7a 7d. Interesting addresses were given by the chairman (who referred to the excellent work done by the Rev. John McNeil), the Rev. C. E. Ward, and Mr. Rowntree, superintendent of the Sunday-school. The proceedings closed with the Benediction.

Yesterday evening Mr. H. G. Picton, lecturer of the New South Wales Christian Evidence Society, lectured in the hall of ■ lie Young Men's Christian Association, on •The Evolution Craze: Have We Come '; m Monkeys?" Mr. Downey occupied he chair. There was not so large an audiencs as the lecture deserved, owing to the counter attractions of Sir Robert Stout's address at the City Hall. Mr. Picton's vddiess went to show that the evolution theory was both unscriptural and unscientific. A number of questions were asked at the close of the lecture, Dr. Bakewell being one of the querists, and were answered in due course.

Last night Con3tab'e Finnerty arrested a man named Frederickson, on warrant of committment, for having disobeyed an order of the Court in March last.

Last evening the Rev. T. W. Vealie delivered, at the Kingsland Wesleyan Church, his popular lecture on " Some of the Characteristics of the American People.'' There was a good attendance, and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer for hi* interesting and instructiva lecture. Mr. Yealie will re-deliver it this evening, at half-past seven, at the Pittstreet Wesleyan Church.

The Rev. L. M. I*itt is expected to arrive here today. He made special arrangements to visit Auckland in response to Dr. Bakewell's challenge, and will reply thereto on Friday next in the City Hall, when the chair will be occupied by His Worship the Mayor. As the admission to dress circle is by ticket only, these should be obtained ay notified elsewhere.

The opening meeting of St. Sepulchre's Church Club took place in the schoolroom last night. There was a largo attendance of members and friends, the gymnastic exercises being under the direction of Professor Carrollo. The Rev. P. Williams was present dming part of the evening. The room has been excellently fitted up, and the club promises to be a great success.

Yesterday Constable Hobson, of Mercer, arrested on warrant at Mercer and brought to town, a man named Win. McDonald, who is charged with alleged false pretences, having obtained goods from Thos. Kelly, at Wade, on certain representations.

At the Opera House last evening the Amateur Opera Company produced tor the seventh time Offenbach's melodious opera, "Madame Favart." The interpretation of the piece was again marked by as much completeness and accuracy of detail and unity of artistic purpose as hitherto. There was a large and appreciative audience present. Most of the principal melodies were encored, and the performers received welldeserved plaudit,-. As usual the cachuca uance was re-demanded. As an interpolated item, Mr. Fuller gave a pleasing delivery ot Balfe's air, " (Jood Night Beloved." In the absence, during the first act, of Heir Sehmitt, who was at the Choral Hall conducting the rehearsal of "Elijah," Messrs. Impey and Eady acted respectively »»conductors To-night the opera will be repeated, when the performance is to be under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the Governor, Lady Glasgow, a!| d suite. On Thursday evening the opera Will be under the patronage of -is Worship the Mayor of Auckland and other leading citizens. p or the benefit of persons residing at Oiiehungii and intermediate stations, the railway department have agreed to run a special train after the performance on Anurtday night. Kcsoie Doyle, whose tour through the • aikato has been so highly successful, lias Postponed her dates for the .South to enable , ( er to give a grand farewell performance in 'he City Hull on Monday evening next, when ;i; 8 Kxcellency the Governor and suite will be present. In addition to the members 0 f the company the programme will be augmented by local talent, full particulars of which will duly appear. Owing 10 the illness of her father (A?ch«acon MaunseM) Mrs. Coates will be unM A^M 1 * *."' the Popular concert to-night. v 1 11 t>e > however, has secured the aiuable service of Madame Laura Daw. a contialto from th London uildhall Coljegeoi Music, who will sing "Daddy" and takV'S? the " eart is v »ung," " nd also music Uoate3 ' art in the concerted tori 1 '?." 8 "", 1 rehear of the Choral Society of H P ,' : eve »'ng, and in the absence bv m!' u rl Schrail t the baton was wielded } ait. r^que. whL W kL b p seen > advertisement elseSaturn. l - nard 8 Circus will °P° n on Perform? ev « n,n ß next with trained horses, So JS" 8 and moi,k «ys- There are '? ln the co, "pany some good P * neso clow tumblers, and jugglers.