LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9615, 13 September 1894, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Somewhat unexpectedly the mail steamer Alameda arrived yesterday afternoon, fully a day in, advance of her contract) time. Fine weather was experienced during the voyage, and the trip was a most enjoyable one for all on board. The time occupied on the passage was 19 days 1 hour, and the passengers were allowed sufficient time ab Honolulu and Apia to visit all the points of interest. Captain Morse and his officers, and especially those in the engine department, are to be complimented on the fast passage the steamer has made, and as usual she arrived in fine order in all dei partments. The Alameda resumed her voyage to Sydney early this morning. On the last trip of the steamer from this port to Apia she made the record passage, accomplishing the journey in 4 days 15 hours. Taking the eastern route the distance travelled was 1620 miles, and the average speed of the steamer was something over U knots the whole way. There were landed 160 tons of cargo and 150 tons shipped at Apia, the working being completed in 1$ hours. This is a record which Captain Morse and the officers may well be proud of. "<'••■ •■■ '.'>>-i'v; ■'.•:■.• .'-*■"•";■ ■

Miss Jervois, daughter of Sir William Jervois, arrived at, Wellington by the, e.s, Aorangi yesterday, on/ a, nine months' visit to the colony.' • *£i- ■;.;'/■

Th.f> mails brought by the mail steamer lameda yesterday, were of the following abea:—London, Augasb 11; New York ugasb 18; San Francisco, August 23* toQ(4nW August 30 ; Apia, September 6.' An influential and representative meet Hof citizens was held yesterday afternoon "be Mayor's parlour, to confer as to the JhIWW °i« a "y>K out a suggestion rioine public and tangible recognition * no s be made of the fact that toward? "| e .Ad of the present year Mr. p. a Ph»\' (the Town Clerk) completes a quarft of a century of public life and service > The meeting was thoroughly u " an "\is, that some such recognition should m as will doubtless bit the citizens* a whole, and a committee wag formed &gj ve effect to the proposal. Major. V Nelson George and Mrs. George returned, W the mail steamer Alameda yesterday \qm their visit to England. Mr. C. AHwris, who has been on a visit to EnglandVpHhe United States, returned yesterday bine Alameda. Mr. Inspector of Schools writes:—Yen ould oblige me by correcting a serious teprine in the report (in to day's issue) okay memo, to the Board ol Education. he sentence in question should read 1' follows:—" Absolute uniformity in thejtandard expected is hardly desirable, and! it were is nob attainable but I hope tba the personal equation will be reduced \i reasonable dimensions." There are oneor two other trivial misprints which air intelligent person will at once recognise» such.

Mr. Charles feooner has. been nominated by the Mayor o|NewmarketandMr. Lump, kin to fill thi extraordinary vacancy in the Newmark6!fsorough Council. The trial of JSeorge Fisher, second-hand dealer, charge: with receiving certait wire and kapq' etolen from the Direct Supply Company and knowing them to b* stolen,' was ccjtinued at the Supreme Court yesberdayi and occupied the time oE the Court and jury up to the midday adjournment. Thj case for the prosecution had been closet on the previous evening, and Mr. Baume yesterday opened the case for the defence and the accused and a witness were examhed. The jury returned a verdict of acqubbal, and the accused was discharged. 1 At the Police Court yesterday morning Mr. H. W. Nirthcroft, S.M., presided One first offenderfor drunkenness was fined 5s and costs, pi, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Julia Fletcher, for a third offence within >ix months, was fined 2us and costs, or three days' imprisonment. A case under the Institute Act was struck out. |. ... ; .

The only case on the criminal calendar now remaining lot trial is tha charge of manslaughter preferred against James Beard, described as a hydropathic practitioner. The charge against him is that, on the 29th of Ju|y, he did kill and slay one Eric Hart McCuHough, a child about 11 years of age, for whom he had prescribed certain treatment. A great deil of interest is manifested in this case, the circumstances being somewhat extraordinary in themselves. In this case, which is fixed to be called on Friday morning, the accused, whc is on bail, will be defended by Mr. Theo. Cooper and Mr. F. E. Baume. The question of fixing the hearing of this case was decided by His Honor yesterday afternoon. As the case then on trial was not expected to be completed, he considered it best not to call the manslaughter case before Friday, and jurors in attendance, except those in the box, were discharged from Attendance until that time.

Among the through passengers by the s.s. Alameda, for Adelaide, was Mr- J. J. Virgo, general secretary of the Adelaide Y.M.C. Association, and hon. secretary of the Inter-Colonial Council of the Australasian Y.M.C. Associations. Mr. Virgo was met ana welcomed by Mr. W. Brakanrig (general secretary), and Mr. Thomas Buddie (hon. secretary of the Auckland Y.M.C.A.), and shown the various places of interest in Auckland. During the afternoon he delivered a brief and informal address at the Y.M.C.A., to the members of committee and some other friends, on bis trip home, and the Jubilee celebrations of the parent Association in London. Mr. Virgo went home specially to represent Adelaide and New' Zealand at the Jubilee meetings "in London. These celebrations were, Mr. Virgo says, a grand success, and arrested and absorbed the attention of the London public in a way nothing else would do, as they were associated with the knighthood of Mr. George Williams, the founder of these Associations, and the freedom of the city" of London being conferred upon him. . By direction of the Queen Windsor Castle was thrown open for inspection to the delegates, 2300 of whom accepted the invitation. The effect of the Jubilee celebrations had been to give an impetus to Young Men's Christian Association work everywhere. Mr. Virgo on his way home visited Naples, Rome, Florence, Milan, and also saw part of France. In returning to Adelaide, by the 'Frisco route, in order to see the United States, Mr. Virgo was greatly struck while in America with the immensity of the work there. In the highest and best sense the Associations were Christian Clubs, and ' a large ' amount of of evangelistic work was being done, bub in a different way to that in vogue in English communities. The interior economy of these institutions . and their equipments were simply perfect. They bad the control of over 400 gymnasiums in the country. The best men obtainable are put in the positions of general secretaries, and many such men were personally independent, and to whom the salary was no inducement to service. While in London Mr. Virgo urged the appointment of a travelling and organising agent for Australia and h&w Zealand, and the English National Council have the matter under consideration, with a view of giving effect to the suggestion.'."

The election of members for the contested seats on the Auckland City Council takes place to-day, under the supervision of Mr. S. Brooking, City Returning Officer. For the Ponsonby Ward, the polling place will be the Oddfellows' Hall, Ponsonby ; and for the Grafton Ward, the place of polling will be St. Sepulchre's schoolroom, Symondsstreet. The hours of polling .ire from nine a.m. to 6 p.m. A great deal of interest has been excited aver the Grafton contest, inasmuch as it is the first time in the history of the city of Auckland that a matron has appealed to the ratepayers to give her a chance of sitting in the Council with the City Fathers. It remains to be seen today whether Mrs. Endean's appeal. is made ia vain. The other contestants are Messrs. George H. Powley (the outgoing member), R. T. Garlick, and W. B. White, who also on various grounds claim the confidence of the burgesses. For Ponsonby there is a straight out contest between Mr. W. J. Courtney, who formerly had a seat in the City Council, and Mr. Joseph Beecroft. Both these gentlemen are well-known residents in the district, and have each their enthusiastic supporters.

A meeting of the committee appointed to prepare information in respect to the proposed constitution of a borough of Takapuna yf&s held yesterday at Mr. Napier's office. Colonel Burton occupied the chair, and there also present: Messrs. E. W. Alison, James Ansenne, W. Berry, C. S. S. George, E. Harrow, and W. Thorns. After some discussion certain boundaries were provisionally agreed upon, and a subcommittee was appointed to obtain further necessary information as to. details. A sub-committee was also appointed to draw up a report in regard to finance. It was agreed that members of the committee should meet on Saturday afternoon to go over she boundaries.

We regret to record the death of an old and respected colonist in the parson of Mr. Charles Burton, who yesterday passed away at the age of 73, ab his residence, Ponsonby. Deceased, over twenty years ago, took over the extensive bakery business of Mr. R. Hale, Darnell, having formerly been in that l}ne in the old country. Subsequently he transferred it to Queen-street, where he carried ib on for many years. Latterly he has been acting as canvassing agent for the Colonial Mutual Life Association of Australasia. For the past few months he has been in delicate health, W complainb turning at last into chrome bronchitis. Deceased was a man of considerable intellectual ability, and was muca esteemed by those who had made n« acquaintance for his personal and spo»u qualities, He leaves a widow and grow* up family to mourn their loss. A njortaati service will be held to-morrow at All Haw" Church, a* a quarter .P* 8 * two W*lS3 the »ntermen«j will take place at fttWl*« Cemetery. • : • '

The Deronporb Torpedo Corps, Captau Parker were last evening exercised it infantry drill by Adjutant Grant. A sectiot of them also were put through a course Oj knotting and splicing under non-commisf sioned officers of the Permanent Torpedn Corps. The annual meeting of the Northe/ Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Compaq takes place to-day, at three p.m. / We have on various occasions referrejP pictures of historical interest from tF associations, executed by one of our F" artists, Captain M. T. Clayton. One £. latest which he has finished, and whicF 1 * 1 bo to-day on view at Champtaloup«a Cooper's, booksellers, is of Che shf*' n " dearour, Captain Cook, becalmed o(fP un ß Nick's Head, south head of Pover/Bay, on the 11 th October, 1769. TheEu/avour left Poverty Bay in the mcrning, Ad was becalmed in the afternoon off bf above point. Several canoes came iff, he occupints of which hold intercou safrith the explorers, some of the nativfc/going on board. A breeze sprang up infte evening and the Endeavour stood aiy to the southward. The ship is defied in the painting under plain sail, wp mainsail hauled up, waiting for a I eze. One canoe is alongside, and three thers have put off from the store with theiame object in view. The sea is smooth, tl sky calm, and the whole surroundings (the picture effective. Captain Clayton Is recently finished a companion picture | the north arm of Poverty Bay, with Endeavour beating into the anchorage. Yesterday Constable McAni ng arrived from Waitara in charge of P*ick Casey, who is charged with failing support his three children, who had to bjmaintained by the Charitable Aid Board. The St. John AmbulanceJAssociation announces in another column tl commencement of a course of lecturesro ladies on Home Nursing and Hygiei" Whilst this class is mainly for lacks who have gained first aid certificated affords an opportunity for rehearsal M those who contemplate going up for tie medallion examination this season, and tie fee for the course includes the re-exaujnation fee. The re-examination of all maJ pupils who have already passed either pne or two examinations is fixed for Wednesday, the 19th, and is purely of a practiil character, the written paper being dipensed with. We are informed that over f j members of the police force have the first-aid lectures this season, and acquitted themselves very creditably, ony four having failed to satisfy theexamjnMt. There are yet gome 15 policemen who wfcl to take advantage of this instruction, aal as the class is net confined exclusively » the police there are vacancies for a like number of other gentlemen, and application should be made forthwith. Dr. Girdler be the lecturer, ahd the class will meelj&b the Municipal Buildings— the day aifl hour will be announced in a few days,'

The footballer, Mr. Kay Tapper, of Parnell, who got injured on Saturday at a football practice mater, and taken to the Hospital fo: treatment, has sufficiently recovered as to be discharged.

There was in the lock-up last evening a man who appeared hard up, on a charge of larceny of a pair of boots, value 15s 61, the property of Benjamin McKerras, shoemaker, in Queen-street. It appears that Mr. McKerras, jun., heard a noise as of boon falling outside the shop, and on going outside saw the prisoner, and found that he had put the boots under his coat. He demanded the boots and gob them, and Constable Addison coming up at the time, took the man in charge. The accused said to the constable ho had been endeavouring to get work, but failed to obtain any. He is not known to the police, and is apparently a stranger.

St. Mary's Church, Parnell, was crowded yesterday afternoon with interested spectators to witness the marriage of Mr. ■James Preston Stevenson to Miss Mary Ashburnham White. The church was beautifully decorated with arum lilies and foliage for the occasion, and looked very pretty. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. George Mac Murray, assisted by Canon Gould, uncle of the bride. The bride wore a handsome dress of white silk, long tulle veil, and orange blossom wreath. There were four bridesmaids, who were prettily attired in heliotrope dresses. At the conclusion of the service the friends of the bride and bridegroom were entertained at the residence of the bride's parents, in Parnell.

A dramatic incident occurred ab the annual meeting of the National Shipwreck Relief Society, at Sydney, the other day. Among the many awards made by the society for gallantry in saving life was one to a young man, A. W. Grant, an engineer on the steamer Mermaid, who exhibited considerable bravery on the occasion of the terrible boating accident at Sydney Heads, early in the year, when the half-decker Ripple went down, and several persons were drowned. Grant was directly responsible for saving the life of a young lady named Miss Cantor, who added to the silver medal of the society a handsome gold scarfpin for presentation to Grant. Lady Duff had made the presentation, and the young man was retiring to his seat, when Miss Cantor, who was sitting near the platform, rose, and after thanking him publicly for saving her life, pinned a little spray of forget-me-nots in his coat. The graceful act was acknowledged by cheer after cheer from those present.

Probably the last lecture which the Auckland Shorthand Writers' Association will have the pleasure of hearing from their president, Mr. A. W. Kitson, was delivered by that gentleman last evening ab the St. George's Hall, nearly every member being present. The lecturer remarked how the orator, the minister in the pulpit, the merchant, the student, the press man, and the reporter all had used shortland, either directly or indirectly with the greatest benefit. Ib bad in fact entered into the daily life of thousands of people. It was impossible to estimate the number of persons using shortland, which stimulated the faculties and afforded the greatesb facilities for the acquisition of almost every kind of knowledge. Messrs. Jarrett, Heath, and McLean followed with a few remarks expressive of their great appreciation of Mr. Kitson s efforts in the cause of shorthand in this city, and the meeting terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer.

The fifth of the series of People's Popular Concerts will be given on Monday next at the City Hall. Miss Essie Falconer and Mr. Archdale Tayler will make their first appearance. Mr. John Fuller will sing "My Queen" and " We don't know how we Love them till we Lose them."

Mrs. Doyle, Miss Randell, and other members of the Bessie Doyle Concert Company arrived yesterday. Mies Doyle and the other members of the company are riding overland from New Plymouth. A lecture was given last evening in the schoolroom of St. John's Wesleyan Church, >y the Rev. S. F. Prior, entitled, " Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Contrasted and Compared." There was a crowded tttendance, some being unable to obtain admission. The lecturer gave an interesting and instructive description of the above cities, and their points of contrast. The lecture was replete with information, and .llustrated by an excellent series of limelight views of all the places of interest, public institutions, etc. The pleasure of a portion of the audience was Considerably marred by the conduct of a number of " genteel larrikins," who, when the gas was turned down for the limelight illustrations, would neither listen to the explanatory description themselves nor allow others bo do so. Mr. Prior made one or two significant halts, or pauses, in the course of his lecture, which should have been sufficient for anybody who could take a hint, but at last he was obliged to say that '*■ be would resume his remarks if the young gentleman in the gallery would permit him to do so." One ingenious youth raised the monotony of the continuous chatter by striking matches in the dark. The lecture was in aid of the circuit funds. A vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer, and the gentleman who exhibited the limelight v iews, by acclamation.

A grand plain and fancy dress carnival will take place at the Columbia Skating Rink on Tuesday evening, for the benefit of the manager, Professor James. Among the novelties will be the Maypole dance on skates, statue acts, grand march, and the exhibition of fancy and brick skating.

A number of Mends from All Saints' Church, Ponsonby, visit Panmure this evening, for the purpose of giving an entertainment in the Public Hall, in aid of the funds of the Church of England in that district,