LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9503, 5 May 1894, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

His Excellency the Governor and party return to-night from their Dargaville shooting expedition. Captain Clayton, A.D.C., and Professor Schmitfc left yesterday morning for Southern Wairoa, to enjoy pheasant) shooting at the latter gentleman's country residence.

Among the guests at Mrs. Alfred Nathan's "Ab Home" ab Bella Vista, Waterloo Quadrant, on Thursday evening, were Captain Sir Henry Ogle, Bart., and some of the officers of H.M.s. Rapid.

In consequence of the unfavourable weather the Mayor has postponed the trip to Nihotopu. The gentlemen invited will please note that intimation of a visit on a future day will be duly notified.

The annual meeting of shareholders in the Northern S.S. Company was held yesterday afternoon, under the presidency of Mr. Cruickshank. The report, aud statement of accounts were unanimously adopted, and the retiring directors, Mr. Melville and Captain Anderson, were re-elected. The dividend will be payable on Monday.

Yesterday Detectivo Chrystal and Constable Hinton were engaged on the case of breaking and entering, at Mr. Jamieson's, Surrey Hills, with regard to which Mrs. Jenkins, of Kingsland, stands remanded. They have recovered a quantity of goods from persons residing at Kingsland, Morningside, and Waikomiti, which are alleged to have been sold to them,

No further light has been thrown upon the Wyndham street fire. The block i 3 insured by the Sailors' Home Trust in the Commercial Union for £1100, and the damage to Mr. Thompson's shop will be about £170. Mr. Hare's loss will be under £100.

The shop of R. T. Raid, Vincent-street, was entered on Thursday night, and a quantity of tobacco stolen. This is the eecond time this shop has been burglarised and tobacco gone amissing.

Messrs. L. D. and A. H. Nathan have presented an ancient MS. (in Hebrew) of the "Megillah." Book of Esther, to the Auckland Free Library.

The Waitemata County Council decided yesterday that they were prepared to willingly facilitate the acquisition of the proposed park at Waitakerei, provided the Council were relieved from the cost of opening or maintaining additional roads in connection with the reserve.

Mr. James Napier writes from Waihi, under date May 2nd : —" Mr. J. Courtney (iruer, secretary of the Cassel Company, must be more than fully aware that I did not retire from the management of their works at Waihi, but was discharged, evidently to make room for another."

At their meeting yesterday afternoon the members of the Waitemata County Council and the officers of that body received an invitation from Mr. Edwin Harrow, of the Lake, to lunch with him and inspect his property and its improvements. He promised them all a hearty welcome if they would visit hi 3 "humble home." The Council decided to pay a visit to Mr. Harrow's place on the Saturday after the next meeting. •

The forty-fifth annual report of the Australian Mutual Provident Society was issued to the members yesterday. It is wonderful to note that in spite of the depression which ha? existed in the colonies recently what a magnificent business is done by this society. A glance at the report and balonce sheet, which appears in another page shows it has issued 9,908 policies, assuring a sum of no less than £2,859,997. The cash surplus for division amongst the members is £448,790, which yields reversionary bonus addition? amounting to £910,000, the certificates for which will be issued shortly. This office truly maintains its claim to be the wealthiest and largest life institution doing business in the colonies, and we can congratulate the members on the magnificent report presented to them.

Mr. A. B. Wright, road engineer, returned yesterday by the s.s. Clansman from Russell. He formally took over the Kawakawa coal mine, on behalf of the Crown Lands Commissioner, and posted the necessary office notices on the ground. It appears there are two local syndicates each desirous of obtaining possession of the ground and working the mine. The Government has stepped in, meanwhile, and have taken possession themselves. In all probability the Government will pub the mine up to public auction, subject to conditions.

At one o'clock this morning, Constable Lowry found a man named Patrick Cavanagh.inoneof the outhouses at the rear of Government House. He arrested him on a charge of being on the premises by night, without lawful excuse. It appears a pair of boots were missed out of the same building the previous night, which led to a look-out being kept. Kavanagh was found in the grounds at 9 o'clock last night, and ordered out by the servants, and Constable Lowry met him, and identified him as he came out of the gate. At one o'clock a.m. the constable was making his usual rounds at Government House, when he found Kavanagh in the outhouse, and took him in charge. Kavanagh admitted coming out of gaol 011 Monday last, and it is believed that his familiarity with the outbuildings of Government House arose from his having been one of the hard labour gang employed in cleaning up the grounds.

_ There were the usual number of applications for relief before the committee of the Charitable Aid Board this week, bub they were simply renewals. No outside cases have come under the notice of the committee.

The time-table for the New Zealand Government, railways and the WellingtouManawatu and New Zealand Midland Railway Companies' private lines, for the Ewnth of May, is now issued.

The Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands have passed an Act regulating the landing of aliens in the Hawaiian Islands, .Shipmasters are subjected to heavy penalties for landing undesirable persons, such as idiots, insane persons, paupers, vagabonds, criminals, fugitives from justice, persons suffering from any loathsome disease, stowaways, etc. Messrs. Cruickshank and Co. have furnished us with a copy of the new law which is now in force.

Tho total rainfall during the month of April barely exceeded an inch, being considerably under half the average of the previous 27 years. The temperature was 2deg. below the average. Ib is understood in Onehunga that the Sanitary Inspector, acting upon instructions, paid an official visit yesterday to tho residence of Dr. Erson, and examined the whole building, with the idea of submitting his report to the Borough Council. This body meets on Monday evening next, when the whole question of sanitation is sure to come up for discussion. We have received from Messrs. J. B. Gilfillan and Co., the local agents of Messrs. Sutton and Sons, several publications issued by that well-known firm. Sutton's Farmers' Year book and Graziers' Manual for 1894 is handsomely got up, and is chiefly a catalogue of various grass seeds, together with much useful information added. There is also » brief report upon the state of the farm and crops in 1593. There are a number of whole page illustrations of several field crops, such as red clover, Sutton's Yellow Globe mangel, Sutton's Mamouth Long Red mangel, Sutton's Golden Tankard mangel, Sutton's Crimson King Swede, Sutton's Champion Purple-top Swede, Sutton's Perfection Hybrid turnip, Sutton's Favourite Purpletop Hybrid turnip, etc. When farmers are planting crops, it is advisable to always obtain tho best seeds of the besb strains, even though they cost a little more money. Tho "Souvenir of a Visit to Messrs. Sutton's Seed Establishment" is an elegantly gob up publication. It is a reprint of an accounb of «» visit to the establishment by a representative of the Mark Lane Express, London. Ib gives an accounb of the rise and progress of tho Sutton establishment. " Cabbagt. as a Field Crop " is a small publication in which the Thousand-headed cabbage is strongly recommended as a valuable crop for stock feeding. This plant is said to be the most valuable of all stock-feeding plants for general use, as all classes or stock are fond of it, and as it produces a greater quantity of food on the same area than any other plant known.

A man named Harold Edmonds was taken to the Hospital yesterday, who got his spine injured while in the vicinity of the lift of one of the city hotels. A woman named Mrs. Sealy was also removed to the Hospital last night in an enfeebled condition. She had been living by herself, and appeared to be suffering from lack of care and suitable nourishment.

The Monthly Record (Y.M.G.A.) for May is to hand. The initial article is on " Personal Recollections of the late Bishop Hill." An address by the Rev. John MacNeil, Victorian evangelist, aC the annual meeting of the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association, is given at length. There is a sympathetic article on the death of the Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, LL. E., an ex-president of the Young Men's Christian Association. The closing passage of the notice is as follows :—" The men of his date and stamp are fast passiug away. The life and example of such men as Dr. Maunsell should stimulate young men to a life of selfsacrifice, and to work for the good of others. The Association has lost a true friend, but there is cause for gratitude to Cod that His servant was allowed to live to such an old age, and to maintain his mental faculties and cheerfulness to the last. His cheery countenance and advice will be long remembered by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance and friendship." It is notified that the London City Corporation intend to spend £1000 in entertainment in connection with the Y.M.C.A. Jubilee. The Jubilee sermon will bo preached in St. Paul's Cathedral on the 6th June, by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Ripon, who is one of the most eloquent preachers of the day. On the evening of the same day a great Jubilee gathering will be held in the Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington. Tho programme of the conference promises to be exceptionally good, and all the arrangements, as befits the occasion, will be on an elaborate scale. Notes on Current Topics, and miscellaneous reading conclude a readable number..

A very enjoyable social gathering in connection with St. James' Ladies' Benevolent Association was held last evening in St. James' Hall, Wellington-street. There was a large attendance, the Rev. R. F. Macniccol presiding. An excellent musical programme was submitted, and acceptably received by the audience, who snowed their appreciation by hearty applause. The opening number was an instrumental trio by the Aliases McMaater and Mr. R. Walton. Miss Jenny Pollock followed with a recitation, "A Very Naughty Girl," which was very cleverly rendered, and took immensely with the audience. Miss Hastie was very successful in her eong, " The Last Milestone," as also was Miss May Falls in her number, "Killarney." Excellent items were contributed by Misses Lye, Austin, McMaster, Mrs. Edmonds, and Messrs. H. McGibbon, R. Walton, A. J. Entrican, S. McCuskrie, and Falls. At an interval refreshments were supplied by the ladie3 of the Association, to which full justice was done by all present. Before proceeding to the second part of the programme the chairman said he desired, on behalf of the lady members of the Association, to convey their good wishes to their secretary and treasurer, who had recently entered into the bonds of matrimony. The ladies desired to show their appreciation of Mrs. Carter's past services, and therefore took that opportunity of presenting her with a token of their high esteem. Two of the lady members then presented Mrs. Carter with a very pretty dinner set. The choir was also to the fore, and presented Mr. Carter with a silver cake basket with best wishes for his future happiness. In addition to these two presents, Mrs. Carter was the recipient of a very handsome bouquet, presented by Mrs. Edmonds. Mr. Carter replied in suitable terms acknowledging the gifts. He said he had always been pleased to do what he could for the welfare of the church, and hoped to be long spared to assist them in the future. The proceedings were brought to a close with the pronouncing of the Benediction. Mr. Walton made an efficient accompanist during the evening.

Recently we noticed the " Echos de Nuit" waltz, composed by Mr. Walter Impott. This popular waltz has been so favourably received by the Auckland musical public, and throughout tho colony, that the firsb edition is nearly exhausted. Tho publisher, Mr. Arthur H. Wright, High-street, notifies elsewhere thab a large second edition will appear nexc week..

As notified elsewhere in our columns, the Y.M.O. A. library will be re-opened on Monday next, at noon. We understand that a complete reorganisation of the various sections has been effected, and about 100 volumes of new books added thereto. The regulation as to fines will bo strictly enforced in future, and new subscribers will find thab bespoken books are promptly called in as soon as due. This feature should prove attractive to book-lovers, who, on account of the large number of subscribers in other libraries, may have experienced some little inconvenience in this respect.

This afternoon the Auckland Amateur Athletic Clnb hold a meeting in the Domain, the proceeds of which go to the Garrett fund, for the benefit of the widow and children of their late president. A capital programme has been arranged, and a splendid afternoon's sport should result. The past management of this club has been such that the public can rely on the events being started to time. All that is necessary to the success of the meeting is that the weather should be favourable, and providing that the morning is fine the ground will be in first-class order.

The McComish benefit concert will take place at the City Hall on Friday evening. An excellent programme has been arranged. Four brass bands will march to the hall, and the best musical artists of Auckland have kindly promised their assistance.

There has been another change of officers in the Salvation Army here. The new divisional officers are Staff-Captain and Mrs. Holdaway, and Captain Harlow has arrived to take charge of the city branch of the Army.

An interesting lecture on the Greab Pyramid and the other pyramids of Geezeh was delivered by Mr. Leith in t.he Poresters' Hall, Newton, lost night. The attendance was small. The leoturer went at length into the various theories which have been sec up with reference to the purposes which the designers of the pyramids had in view. He illustrated his subject by means of numerous Biblical quotations, and pointed out what he considered the most probablo theory. Numerous limelight views of the pyramids materially assisted the audience in grasping the lecturer's arguments. There was a good attendance last nighb at the Opera House to witness the third change of programme of the American Novelty Company. In the first parb Mr. Mooney got a double encore for the comic song, " Come Along Sinners," H. Flahorty for his song, " The Irish Jubilee," Misses Delroy and Lvnno for their song and dance, " Man, Poor "Man." Mr. Fanning brought down the house with his song, " Weep No More," and had to respond four times. In the second part Mr. Mooney scored his biggest success of the season with the song, "Happy •lira," his high kicking being wonderful. Misses Delroy and Lynne for their song and dance, " Mamma's Advice," had to respond to an encore. Mr. Fanning had to respond no less than six times for his song, " After the Ball." Misses Delroy and Lynne and Mr. Mooney had an unaininous recall for a three-song and dance, "Golden Drummer." Miss Ida Holbein sang "The Rank and File" with splendid effect. The farce, " The Lunatic Asylum," sent the audience away in good laughing humour. To-nighb is the lasb night of the company in Auckland.

The Druids' committee are evidently nob at all disheartened by the facb of the postponemenb of their grand concert, and seorn determined to add greatly to the effect, by means of the extra time, with the elements a little more favourable. On Monday nighb thoy intend to gob off their pageant, leaving Newton at seven o'clock sharp. The route to bo traversed will be as follows :—From St. George's Hall to Pitt-street, down to Hobson - street, thence to Victoria-street, into Albert-street, on to Customs - street, turning ud Queen-street to the City Hall. This should give the public amplo time to witness the display and secure comfortable seats within the building before the concert starts. It would bo as well for intending patrons to purchase their tickets at once, and thereby avoid tho crush which is certain to result at the doors when the procession arrives. The concert programme has, fortunately, not suffered in the least by tho postponement, each of the performers kindly consenting to suib thenar selves to the circumstances. All tickets dated for lasb night (Friday) will hold good for Monday's performance, and it is to bo hoped that the ancient brethren will have better fortune ab their second attempt than what greeted them yesterday.