LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9546, 25 June 1894, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tin report of an interesting interview which our special correspondent at Weill t on has had with Captain Russell, on ti i Government policy as disclosed in the (i vernor'a speech, will be found on age

The Collector of Customs, Auckland, who li.;.- to carry out. the Oyster Fisheries Ac; of IVJ.tinds it necessary, for the protection of the legitimate fishermen, to strictly enforce the requirements of section 107 of the i.'u-tonis laws Consolidation Act, ISS'J, which says : —"That the owner of every ship cr boat, whether decked, partially decked rr open, not being of the burden of 100 registered ton.-', and not belonging to any shall paint or cause to be painted upon \he outside of the stern of such ship or boat, in white or yellow Roman letters, of not less

than two inches in length, on a black backfi'Dimd, or black letters of the same size on a white or yellow ground, the name or ",er of the ship or boat, and the port or phici- to which she belongs, on pain of fortexture of such ship or boat not so marked, wherever the same shall be found/' Tin action, Miss A. A. Wriglcv v. Mr. T. Fisher, claiming t'2oo damages for alleged libel, occupied the Judge of the Supreme Court and a jury ot four the whole of Saturday up to nearly six o'clock. The j. lintiff was in the box the greater portion (>: the day, and was subjected to a very lengthy cross-examination at the hands of Mr. t otter, but throughout she exhibited a cool self-possession remarkable in the case i: a young woman who appeared for the firs: time in Court. Further evidence in M.j'i art of the plaintiffs case will be taken to day should the criminal sittings not into:fere with the progress of the case. A special meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board w ill be held to morrow afternoon at half-past three o'clock, to consider report of city engineer and foreman of works to the Board on Auckland drainage, slid to confer with the Legal Committee of the City Council as 10 the lc-r. means of otherwise disposing of the silt and offensive sewage at present being deposited in Auckland harbour. The new superintendent of railway matters at Auckland and Newmarket workshops, Mr. A. V. Macdonald, having arrived here a few davs back, went over both branches last Friday and Saturday, and assume-' control as from to-day. The loconative superintendent at the Newmarket section, Mr. H.Jackson, who is transferred to Wellington, leaves by the steamer Takapuna this afternoon. He has been eighteen years in the railway department in various positions, not only at Auckland, Wanganui, Aldington, and Nelson, but at other railway centres, where he performed valuable services, relieving at times other superior othcui- for temporary periods. During the lutrer years Mr. Jackson was at Newmarket he supervised things .so as to Slive satisfaction and confidence to his employers, whilst at the same time showin.' employees that he was both strict iiii! thoroughly impartial, and it is needless to Id that ho leaves with the hearty and well deserved good wishes of everybody, r.ihcial or otherwise, with whom he was brought into contact. Previous to quitting I.;s duties la-t Friday evening, he mot all his office staff, foremen and workmen, as they finished their week's labours, bidding tarn good bye, and wishing everyone of them future success, good health, and contentment. It was evident the kindly greetings were mutual.

The criminal sittings of the Supremo Court will be resumed at the Supreme Court this morning, when Emily Florence -Mc Cullum, acquired on Friday evening, on a charge of undertaking to tell fortunes, will appear to receive her discharge. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Tole, will then announce to the Court what course lie intends to pursue, with regard to the indictments against Madame Zephey and Madame Veaux, who are also charged with undertaking to tell fortunes by means of palmistry. A meteor of unusual brilliancy v.as observed yesterday evening at half-past seven. It made its appearance in the sky just above the Hospital, an.,l travelled slowly until it disappeared in a line above the Tabernacle. The nucleus was of a beautiful translucent blue colour, arid the tail of a fiery red. it cast a brilliant light on the t.i-tij, and was greatly admired by a number of people who ere taking shelter horn tine of the passing showers under the Verandahs at the topof Symonds-street. Yesterday John liranfc and .Tames Graham were arrested by Detective Chrystal and Detective Bailey, on a charge of forging and uttering atOliinemuii, namely, abom. the l.'ith Juno, a cheque purporting to be drawn by James McLennan on the Bank 'Jt New Zealand at Ohinetnuri, and did utter the same to one George Martin, at Onineinuri, knowing the same to be forged, Tlie iiiliecrs received information at 9.80 o'clock on Saturday night concerning the ! 'fh»ir, arid at one o'clock on Sunday morning arrested the accused on description. On Saturday Constable Addison arrested » man about .SO years of age, who said he bad been here only a week, on a charge of bni y. (lis delusion was that people had C'jiiqui<-d to kill him, and lie besought the ['•'"'eetion of the police. Nothing is known hi antecedents. in our obituary columns will be found ici" id-*! • Ik; death of an old resident, Mi's. ' .MeKenzie Frascr, relict of the lute K'-'V. la .-. McKenzie Eraser, formerly minister of St. David's I'resbytorian Church. The •1 -'Ceased lady since her husband's decease Ft* lived in retrement in the suburb of M nint Eden. A woman named Mrs. Woodford, of Newton, has been received into the Hospital, having sustained a fracture of tile thigh. She was hanging out some clothes, and got on a chair to do so, when {'be s!ipp.-d and fell, anil thus met with the '"jut. Mrs Woedtord was attended toby Br. Sli.-'i :•> in in the first instance, and is pitig— '.Ii g favourably. The-,.. , ~ •' ii diot. for men for the bush settli-«.!, i.;.. :•> the aipoua survey district, Dai- .~. A place on Saturday. Thirty-*:t-li' .. - '• • d been handed in, and the bn ... . -t'iil were a follows: —S. ila:" i. i ; naer, 11. V, Veen, J. W. McAncny. i.'.t-ry, R. A. Milne, R. F. Wil'1 '. A. Liwrence, W. D. Caitching, G. '''"ill.. Mr. Keneiuijton conducted the ballot.

Lone; beforo the announced time of service tlio City Hall was yesterday evening crammed with one of tho largest congregations ever gathered together in Auckland, to hear a sermon from the Rev. T. Do Witt Talmage. Very large numbers were unable to gain admission, and the rev. gentleman had to address those outside, so thab they should not bo disappointed. During the sermon the congregation frequently broke into involuntary applause.

A rather daring attempt at burglary was perpetrated at throe o'clock on Sunday morning, at the residence of Mrs. Sorners, l'onsonby Road. It appears that at that hour Mrs. Somers was aroused by hearing a noise, apparently as of someone tampering with the front door. On getting up and coming downstairs with a light, as also calling her son, aha saw two men at the door, who, on seeing the light, ran away, The police were informed, and on investigation it was found that the blacksmith's shop opposite had been entered. Ihe only things missed from there were two ash pans.

The Mount Eden rillo range has been placed at the disposal of tho captain of the H. M.s. Wallaroo for rifle practice for the crew.

On Saturday an old offender named Robert Leary, about 7G years of ago, was arrested by Constable Russell, of Newton, on a charge of larceny of a pair of boots, value 6d, the property of Thomas Prosser, bootmaker, Karangahapo Road. It appears Mr. Prosser saw accused pass his window, and a few minutes afterwards he was informed a man had gone off with a pair of boots. Mr. l'rosser followed Leary, who had a pair of boots under his aim, which ho identified as his property. Leary was detained, and the police sent for. Constable Russell came and charged him with tho larceny. The constable states that Leary frankly admitted tiie offence. Ho said ho wanted to get into gaol till the winter was over. The previous night ho had slept in the Domain, and before that at Mount Eden, and the public parks. Ho said he had tried to get into tho gaol when at Mount Eden, but the warders refused to have anything to do with him. The anniversary social union of tlio Otahului LO. L., rs'o. 14, was held in the Otahuhu Public Hall on Friday evening. Messrs. J. Harper (W.M.), James Willis (secretary), and the other members of the lodge did all in their power to make the evening a pleasant one. Recitations and songs were given at intervals between some of the dances. The dancing was continued until early morning under the courteous and able management of Messrs. E. Harper and O. Morrison, M.C.'s. The music was good, and the floor of the hall perfect for the dancers. Messrs. W. Dixon and K. Absolum were present as representatives of the local lodges of the Oddfellows and Foresters. At midnight an excellent supper was provided. Visitors were present from Auckland, Howick, East Tamaki. and surrounding districts. The spirit of neighbourly friendliness and sociability which prevailed throughout rendered tho evening in truth a social union. A splendid musical programme is offered for tho second of the popular orchestral and chamber concerts promoted by Miss Clarice Brabazon, the popular piatiistc, and Mr. S. Adams. It i- to take place this evening at St. James's Hall. Some of the best amateur talent available in Auckland is included in the list of performers, amongst them being Miss Lizzie Warren, Mr. (-. A. Reid, Miss D.ivies, Mr. A. L. Edwards, Mr. T. Adams, Miss Heauey, and other well known vocalists. Owing to Mons. H. Casier having broken his arm, Mr. A. L. Edwards will tako his place. The marked success which attended the first of these concerts leaves little doubt of the attractions of the present, one. The meet of ho I'akuranga hounds took place on Saturday, at Bleak House, Pakuranga, the residence or Mr. Every Maclean. There was a very large muster of lady and gentlemen members of the hunt, besides a large number of visitors and subscribers, ail being most hospitably entertained by Mr. Maclean. Some very fair runs wore afterwards obtained, and the sport throughout was enjoyable. On Saturday evening Mr. If. X. Abbott received a cable menage from Sydney, informing him the Montague-Turner Opera Company left for Auckland by the s.s. Tarawera on Thursday last. The company open at the Opera House on Friday evening next. The Rev. Dr. Talmage will appear at the Opera House this and to-morrow evening. The title of to-night's lecture is "Tho School of Scandal," and of to-morrow's, " House Hunting, or Happy Homes." Tiiis morning, the celebrated preacher will meet the members of the Ministers' Association, in the parlour of the Tabernacle, and he will afterwards return the visit of the Bishop of Auckland. At the Opera House on Saturday evening a variety entertainment was given as a farewell benefit to Mr. James Mouney. The members of the Failing and Mooney troupe, recently performing in Auckland, gave their services, and were assisted by Miss Amy Vaughan and others, and although the weather was unfavourable there was a fair audience.

The fifteenth popular concert will be given in the City Hall, under the conductorship of Mr. A. H. Gee, on Wednesday next, when a splendid programme will be presented. Mrs. Birch, a lady just arrived from London, where she has performed before large audiences with immense success, has been engaged for this concert. Mrs. Cooper will also assist, and Haydn's humorous trio, " Maiden Fair," will be repeated, this time in character. Miss Milly Heywood, the brilliant pianiste, will play two pianoforte solos, and will also act as accompanist. Mr. Archdale Tayler, Mr. W. Martin, .Mr. H. L. Brett, Mr. Howard Chambers, and Ma°ter Percy West, the boy cornetist, will also take part. Mr. Gee's items will bo " Across the Far Blue Hills, Marie" (by request), and " The Woif." At the Choral Hail, last evening, Mr. W. H. Drarfiri gave a theo-ophieal address, entitled "The Religion of the Future." Thero was a large attendance, considering the state of the weather, and the lecturer received a most attentive hearing. The popular lady violinistc, Miss Freda .Marsden, has enlisted the services of a large number of amateur and professional friends for her musical entertainment in St. Sepulchre's school to night. A programme has been arranged of a most varied character, including songs and recitations, illustrated by pictures produced by the etho-oxygon limelight, songs and recitations by Mr. Leslie Dix, a ventriloquial performance by Mr. If. Ray ward, part songs by members of •Sr. Sepulchre's choir, violin solos by Miss Marsden, and musical contributions from other performers. The Columbia Skating Rink, as will be seen by our advertising columns, will be resumed on Thursday evening next, under the directorship of Mr. If. Vincent. Great attractions are to be ofiered to the public, and limelight effects will bo introduced on the opening night. The second day's Show of the Newton Pigeon and Canary (dub held on Saturday at ihe foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, proved very succe-sful indeed, the attendance during the afternoon and evening being very large,_ and the exhibits were admired and criticised. Of course the carrier pigeons, owned by Mr. A. Cotes, of Devonport, and Mr. George Towler, of street, which took part on the previous day in the great homing match from To Awamutu to Auck. land, proved a great attraction to a considerable number, and a hope was generally expressed that such flights should frequently take place, mid that fanciers should encourage them. The members of the club, and especially the president, Mr. \V. li. Sowden, left nothing undone on their parts which could promote the interest of visitors in the Show, and explanations were readily given in answer to every enquiry, and they are to he congratulated on the marked success which has attended this their fifth annual Show. The art union in connection with the exhibition will be drawn to-morrow night. The prizes have been on view for the past few days in the window of Air. Cobley's shop, Pitt-street. The following are the awards of the special prizes, twelve of which were allotted to pigeon classes and seven to canaries. Pigeons:.). Walker, Dragoon cock ; G. Towler, Antwerp hen : J. Walker, Barb black cock ; J. Walker, pouter cock; W. J. White, owl silver cock ; T. Bach, magpie cock ; J. Walker, turbit cock ; J. Walker, Scotch fantail cock ; J. Johnson, tumbler kite cock; G. Towler, roller feather-legged cock ; J. Walker, Salrnette cock, and A. L. Edwards, cock in selling class. Canaries : J. S. Cob.ey, Yorkshire yellow ticked; E. B. Sowden, Yorkshire nuff ticked; M. A. Buckby, Norwich buff ticked ; C. Collins, Norwich buff clear ticked ; W. B. Sowden, cinnamon yellow ; W. E. B. Moore, cinnamon crested, and W, B, Sowden, lizards.