LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9581, 4 August 1894, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tim Herald Monthly Summary, for transmission by the next outward San Francisco mail, will be published next Friday morning. Those desirous of forwarding the summary to their friends in Europe, America, etc., will have ample time to do so, as the newspaper mail closes on Saturday next, at halfpast eleven a.m., up to which hour orders for mailing the summary will also be received at the Publishing' Office, Queen-street.' This mail will be due in London on Wednesday, 12bh September. " - The ceremony, of opening the Devonporb waterworks, it has been arranged, shall take place on Saturday next, the 11th insb. About 40 invitations to be . presenb have been issued. On the arrival of the one o'clock steamer from the city breaks will leave the Council offices for the Lake, for t>*e purpose of inspecting. and starting the plant. At 3.30 a return will be made to Devonport, where it is proposed to show the force of the water, by sending a stream over the post-office buildings, the highest structure in the district. Refreshments will be afterwards served in the Council Chamber. , ' t . " The second of the interprovincial football contests will be played at Potter's Paddock, Epsom, this afternoon, when Auckland, will • meet South Canterbury^. The visitors arrived last; Wednesday, and after the rest should be in fine form. During the last two or three days I they have been shown round the city by the local Union, and amongst othor plaoes have visited the Kauri Timber Company's works, the Sugar Company's works, the Freezing Company's works, and the Art Gallery. - Yesterday afternoon Professor Schmitb delivered an extra lecture to junior students in connection with the School of Music, in the Choral Hall lecture room. These will be continued during the second term, ami' should prove very helpful to , young students.

- Mr. Lang/ the dairy expert, lias returned front hin tour in* the Kaipara, district. ''The roads wore very unfavourable for travelling, but be tbitika bis trip will ultimately result in establishing , several dairy factories in those districts. He intends to make a visit in a short time to -the Bay- of Plenty district, from Katlkatl on towards the Opotiki district. • In connection with the paragraph referring to the' attempted burglary of Mr. Wright's premises, Karaiigahape Road, which appeared the other day, wo underi stand that the night watchman, Mr. W. h. Simpson, does nob get, the support he deserves. As the suburban police have to do day duty as well, they cannot 1 patrol the thoroughfare all night. The whole of the tradesmen of the locality should therefore make a point of contributing to the support of the private night watchman, who since ,he commenced his duties, has been the means of preventing several robberies. . In the light of accomplished facta it is amusing to, reflect upon the doubts that were >• freely expressed years ago, when the culture of the orange tree was first, publicly advocated here. On all. hands the orange and lemon trees are now found doing well, but in few places are they grown in sum i cient quantity, as to produce a sensible amount of fruit. A few trees in a garden indicate what the climate and soil can produce, but the produce from these few trees does riot supply the market demand for this class of fruit. The volcanic 'soils will no doubt be found to be the soils most suitable for this class of culture, and a sample of oranges left with us yesterday by Mrs. Allan Kerr Taylor amply proves that the soils in the Mount Albert district are admirably suited for this class of v frait trees. The oranges are of several kinds, and she states that the trees are bearing enormous quantities of them,* of which -tho family partake without stint or restriction. She is of opinion that, not only is the quality of the soil there particularly suitable for : orange-growing, bbatt t as water is always obtainable in the whole of the district at a depth of from thirty to fortyfeet from the surface, the trees find the necessary depth of dry soil they . require, with an unlimited supply of moisture to draw upon when the trees grow to a,good size and the roots penetrate deeply into the soil. Whatever may be the cause, she states that for several years the orange trees grown there have been exceedingly fruitful, and they are maintained in excellent health. The oranges were of good size, free from blemish, and of excellent flavour. The Woman's Political League is in motion, and it is understood they are greatly exercised over the Financial Statement. A public meeting is to be held under the auspices of the Society on Tuesday evening next, in the lecture ball of the Y.M.C.A., when addresses will be given by Mr. E. Withy, Mr. E. Bell, and members of the League. " All women interested in the welfare of the colony," according to the advertisement, are invited to attend. ' . The Ponsonby Navals held their annual social last evening in the Foresters' Hall, which was tastefully decorated with flags for the occasion, and which were kindly lent by Captain Sweater, of the Euterpe. Dancing commenced at eight o'clock, there being about -70 couples present, all volunteers being in uniform. Petty Officer Leikis and Gunner Morgan officiated as M.O.'s, while the catering was efficiently attended to by Mr. Wright," confectioner. At an interval during the evening the team of the Ponsonby IS avals, which competed in bayonet exercise at the Pukekohe military sports, were divided into two squads, and gave an exhibition of their skill in bayonet exercise, which was very effective, and much appreciated. A number of the members of the corps and visitors from H.M.&. Rapid and H. M.S. Wallaroo contributed songs during the evening. Lieutenant Graham (commanding) and Lieutenant Watson, of the Ponsonby Navals, and the committee of management left nothing undone to promote the comfort of the guests. V Among the other officers present were: Adjutant Grant and Sergt.-Major Scully(staS), LieutenantCommander Parker " (Devonporb Torpedo Corps), Lieutenant-Commander - Little (Auckland Navals), Lieutenant Oakes (City Rifles), . and Messrs. Askew : and Brazier (gunners of H.M.e. Rapid., and H.M.S. Wallaroo respectively). ' A very pleasant) evening was spent, and dancing was kept up with spirit till an early hour this morning. A meeting of the parishioners of St. Patrick's was held last evening at the Marist Brothers' school-room, to consider the question of presenting a testimonial to ; Father Hackett, who is removing to Te Aroha after seven years' service as administrator at St. Patrick's. Mr. J. B. Connolly, American Consul, presided. There were about 40 present. Mr. M. Sheehan was appointed secretary, and Mr. D. Flynn treasurer. Apologies were read from Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., and several laymen, apologising for non-attendance. It was decided after a desultory discussion, on the motion of Mr. W. Tole, seconded by Mr. D. Quinn, to present Father Hackeet, with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. The following committee was appointed to draft the address, and carry out the arrangements in respect to it:— The chairman (Mr. Connolly), Messrs. C. Canning, D. G. MacDonnell, M. Sheehan, and D. Quinn. A general, committee was appointed to collect fundsMesdames Hackett, McVeagh, Leonardo, Hiscocks, Nelson, Tutschka, Mahoney, Misses Ryan, Shanaghan, Gough, Nolan, McMillan, Martin, Messrs. J. D. Connolly (chairman), W.Tole, Darby, O'Brien, Nerheney, Quinn, Duffin, McCormick, Grant, W. Kane, Grant, J. B Graham, Sheehan (secretary), and D. Flynn (treasurer). The committee is to report) within a week the progress made by the committee and the amount raised. It was stated that the Hibernian Society, the Literary Society)' the Temperance League of the Cross, the Guard of Honour, and - other organisations intended to make presentations on their own account. Mr. Sheehan stated that Father Hackett had informed him that he did nob desire a money testimonial, as he knew * the ; state of the city and of his people, and had no - desire to burden them on his account: ; Those « present, however, thought that owing to the faithful way in which he had done his ministerial duty, the expense he would be put to through illhealth, that they could nob do less than mark by a pecuniary gift their appreciation of his high character and -devotion to duty. We have to hand the August number of the Monthly Record (Y.M.C.A.). The initial article is an account of the workers' social, at which Mr. W. H. Smith, of tho Helping Hand Mission, gave an account of | his experience with Y.M.C.A.'s in his travels around the world. " Our Library " j is a brief outline of new books recently [ added to the library worth reading. "Lex continues his crisp and incisive " Notes on the Union Parliament." ' Some interesting information is given concerning the China Inland Mission, and an. article for the Record is contributed by Mr. John Ash Stooke, Cheefoo, North China, on "The kind of Men and Women required for the Mission Field.": The leading article is devoted to "Jubilee Meetings in.* London." Among the views shown at Albert Hall, illustrating the fifty years' work of the V.M.C.A., was one of the Auckland building. The present number of the Record is a very readable one. The fire at Orewa, In which £200 worth lof property was destroyed belonging to Mr. E. Bond, appears upon a further investigation, to have some circumstances surrounding it of a suspicious character. Mr. Bond was uninsured, so that his loss is a total one. The fire took place in a large wooden building having two horses stalled at one end, and hay stored at the other. In the centre division was a workshop, containing tools and farming implements. A careful examination of the debris has shown that certain ironwork belonging to articles is not among the ashes, and the theory is that larceny was committed, and incendiarism followed to destroy the evidences of larceny. An ordinary meeting of tho Eight Hours Demonstration Committee was "held last evening, in Waters' Coffee Rooms, QueenStreet. There was a large attendance of delegates, Mr. Rycroft presiding. A considerable amount of discussion took place with regard to the best day for. holding the demonstration. It was ultimately decided that it should be held on the 9th November. Several other matters in connection with the function were discussed. The members of the committee are entering upon their labours with enthusiasm, and are resolved to make this year's demonstration a greab success,

■HI ii. _,i. ill Hi. 111 'j;j!■ys'iS-ggfj-S- 1 *? 1 '^ 1 ■l l^-!!'-^-,^KkfS^f • A meeting of master bakers wag held yesterday afternoon, at which the report ol Mr. Cowley, who went to Wellington on behalf of the.,petition lately got up by the Auckland bakers, was received. Cowley dtated' that the Premier had promised to bring in a Bill to amend the existing Act dealing with the sale of bread. There was a large attendance at the meet ing, Mr. Crowe being, in the chair. ' The annual' meeting of the Auckland Provincial Royal Arch Chapter, No. §, was held at Freemasons' , Hall, Princea-Btreet last evening. There was a very large attendance, when the following officers wep a duly installed and invested : First Prih-, cipal Z., M.E. Companion W. T. BriggLSecond Principal'H.,' E. Companion T.' Thomas; Third Principal J., E. Companii G. Fowlds; Scribe JO,, E. Companion P. X Duncan; Scribe N., Companion Dr. jp Walker; Treasurer, Companion J. T. Logan ; First Sojourner, Companion J. i. Webster,; Second Sojourner, Companion 1 .Coe; Third Sojourner, Companion C. TO Edwards; Organist, j., Companion T. lj\ Webb; Janitor, Companion E. Tongei Excellent Master, Companion S. Walker; VV. Mark Master, E. Companion P. a, Duncan ; M.E., Companion A. liidd; Past Third Grand Principal J l .,M.b;. Companion G. Powley; Third Grand Principal, M.E. Companion W. EL Copper, Past Z., acted as installing officers. The balancesheet and auditors', report submitted disclosed a very satisfactory position both in membership and funds, and was unanimously received : and ' adopted. A very handsome portrait of M.E. Companion G. H. Powley was presented, to that officer for his untiring efforts in the interests of the chapter during the past two years. Several new members were proposed. After the Chapter thej Companions adjourned to the lower hall, where an excellent supper was , done full justice to, and the usual loyal toasts I given and responded to. In the interests of the great social work carried on in the province of Auckland under the direction of the Salvation Army, Captain Foster, who has the management) of the Salvation Army Prison Gate Rescue Home at Panmure, where much useful work is being done in the way of reclaiming unfortunate men who had encountered misfortune, paid a social visit last week to Gisborne. He was cordially welcomed by many kind-hearted Christian people, to whom be stated that his mission was to endeavour to elicit practical sympathy from the residents of the locality in furtherance ? of Prison Gi.te Rescue Homes generally, which are designed to aid the fallen, and to house and feed those who have been discharged from the gaols and have no immediate prospect of being able to obtain em- * ployment or to sustain themselves for even a day or two.. Many of those who have thus been cared for have become useful members -of society. Yesterday Captain Foster, accompanied by Staff-Captain (Mrs. Holdaway) and Captain Boyd, left for Waitemata, where he will make house-to* house visits. A boy named O'Shea was brought down from Cambridge : yesterday, in charge of Constable Kavanagh, having been remanded to Auckland on a charge of horse-stealing. The case will come on for investigation on the 9th instant. A Maori named Pikere was brought up from Wangaroa yesterday, having beet sentenced by the local Bench to two months' imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol for cruelty to a horse. An amusing incident took place, las evening, at the City Hall, while the Sapic Urso concert was going on. It appeal that towards the close of the first part c the programme, an individual in the pit gc unpleasantly demonstrative, and wa assisted to an outside ticket. During tbi interval he had got into the archway, am went up the back staircase to the back o. the stage, apparently under the impressior that he was again getting into the Citj Hall by one of the ordinary public en trances to the building. This was just at i the beginning of the second part of the proram me, andHerr Scherek and Signor Sapic ad commenced to play a piano duet ii ; front,"when the Unknown, to the consternation of the ladies, in the dressing-room, stepped forward and executed a jig. : The ladies promptly banged to the door of the dressing-room, being unable to ; call for :or * procure assistance to deal with the unwelcome visitor, but the Unknown insisted as strenuously oh the door being left open, There was nothing for it bub for the ladies to get their backs up against the door and bravely withstand the siege. . Meanwhile, Herr Scherek and Signor Sapio, who were playing the piano duet, hearing an unusual noise behind - the scenes, felt that something was wrong, but could not make oat what was up. On finishing the item, they hurriedly went behind the scenes, and to the astonishment discovered the Unknown still dancing away, and the ladies almost exhausted' by their exertions in barring the door. The audience considerately waited till the devotee of Terpsichore had been handed out clown the staircase, and left to finish the rei't of his step on the asphalt. V The usual fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Union Parliament took place last evening at the Y.M.C.A. Hall. Mr. J. A. Tole acted as Speaker. There was a good attendance. After a number of questions had been disposed of, the motion of Mr. C. J. Parr (Premier) "That it is desirable to extend the principle of universal suffrage to municipalities," was called on as the first order of the day. Mr. Parr urged that the rights of individuals were more affected by the municipal laws than the general laws, ' that if the system of universal suffrage was | right for the electoral franchise it should bo so for municipal matters, the one exception should be where a special loan was to be raised, when the ratepayer should have * the power of vetoing. Mr. Bosser seconded the motion. Mr. M. G. McGregor opposed the motion, and moved as an amendment that it be discussed that day six months. Mr. Hough seconded thi amendment. Messrs. Boyle, Carr, Nordon, G. Gregory, and Wells supported the motion. Messrs. Twenty man ana Bruse opposed the motion. After the mover had been heard a division was , taken, which resulted in the motion being lost by 28 to 24. Mr. Parr, having made this a party question, announced they would resign and give way to better men. It is understood that Mr. McGregor was acting for Mr. E. W. Burton, leader of the Opposition, who was absent through indisposition. It is probable that Mr. Burton will be " sent for " to form an Administration, and thus thfl Conservatives assume the reins of office once more. The Heller Bonanza Coterie will open a brief season no the City Hall, commencing on Monday, the 13th instant. Mr. G. W. Heller brings with his coterie, a first-class reputation as entertainers. M adame Heller is spoken of as being very clever in mind reading, and many instances her audiences have been puzzled at the replies to their queries. Mr. Hellier's special lines are in physiological novelties, cabinet feats, etc. Mr' Percy Abbott, another member of the company, is spoken of as a vocalist and banjo soloist. The whole programme consists of mirth, music, and mystery. Mr. George Callender is at present in town : making the necessary arrangements. The Fiji Times of July 28 records the death of Mr. T. W. Barker. He was a native of Bridlington, ; York, England, and left England for Mew Zealand about 34 yelirs ago. He was engaged in farming and other pursuits for most of that time on Bank's Peninsula, Canterbury. He arrived in Fiji about 9£ years ago, bub for the last six years he has been ailing from bronchitis. . The citizens of Suva gave a ball on July 26 in honour of the visit of His Excellency Admiral N. Bowden-Smith, IS'aval Commander-in-Chief. The band of the ship played all the evening. There were about 150 ladies and gentleman present, including about twenty of the officer? of the flagship.