LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9711, 5 January 1895, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Among the passengers who left Wellington for Onehunga yesterday by the Takapuna was Dr. McGregor, Inspector of Hospitals and Asylums.

Mr. A. Grant, the new District Traffic Manager, has arrived. Mr. Hudson leaves on Monday for Wellington.

Yesterday forenoon a singular accident occurred on the Queen-street wharf. About 9.40 a four-horse waggon belonging to Paterson Brothers, and driven by Thos. Lindsay, went down the wharf for a load of grain, and when rounding shed at the end of the wharf one of the leaders trod on a worn plate, jumped on one side, and went over the wharf into the sea, taking the other leader with it. The driver promptly jumped off the waggon, and cut the leaders adrift to prevent the oi;her two horses and the watreon going over also. This was successfully done. Willing hands at once got boats and secured the two horses in the water, and swam them round to the nearest landing-place, where they were safely got afhore, little the worse for their misadventure. The meeting of the Finance and Legal Committee of the Auckland Harbour Board, which was to have been held yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum, Messrs. E. W. Alison and A. E. Devore being the only members present. A meeting of the shareholders of Sharland and Co., Limited, called to consider certain alterations and amendments in the articles of association, rendered necessary by the recent changes in the conduct of the business, was held at the company's office yesterday afternoon. Mr. Charles Sharland presided. After the minutes of the last general meeting had been confirmed, Mr. T. 11. Ellis proposed certain alterations in and additions to the company's articles of association, which were agreed to, and these will be submitted for confirmation to a second meeting of shareholders to bo held in a month's time. During the voyage of Messrs. Huddarfc, Parker, arid Co.'s new steamer Anglian, from London to Melbourne, she steamed round the island of Amsterdam at a distance of a mile, while a careful survey was made by Captain Laws and the officers of the vessel. No human form could be Seen, but two white bullocks moving about on the sides of tho island were plainly visible. Amsterdam is a small island in the Indian Ocean, and has an extent of 4£ miles long by 2J miles broad. It is uninhabited, and its position is in 37*52 S., "36 E. .

It is something lamentable to note how the hospitality and good nature of the Messrs. Reid Brothers, the owners of the island of Motutapu, appear to be sytematlcally abused by some people, who seem to be incapable of appreciating either the one or the qthor. These gentlemen have a number of ostriches at Emu Bay, and that they may be no source of danger to the public who camp or stroll about tho island the birds are fenced in securely in a paddock. The proper time for stripping the birds of their feathers is next month, and if the birds are stripped before the feathers are ready for plucking the process simply leaves a hole in the skin, and the feathers do not grow again. Some miscreants on Monday last got hold of one of the birds and pulled out the feathers of half a wing, with the result that the bird is rendered unsightly for the future, the feathers also are not renewable. It is to be hoped that the perpetrators of such outrages will be detected and punished, alike in the interests of Messrs. Reid Bros, and of the true pleasure seekers who appreciate the kindness and liberality of these gentlemen in . ; throwing open their property to the public on holidays.

The obituary notices in to-day's Herald contain an announcement of the death of Edwin J. Kelly, son of Mr. William Kelly, M.H.R. The deceased was a bright and promising youth of 17, and was attending the Auckland Grammar School. A few days ago he caught a chill, which led to inflammation of the lungs, and although a strong and robust lad he rapidly sank, and died yesterday morning.

Two accidents occurred on Thursday on the Great South Road. Tho first occurred to u young bicylist named Robert Davidson, of Otahuhu,' who got thrown from his machine, through the breaking of a portion of the gear, and sustained somewhat severe injuries about the head and face. In the second case Mr. McLarnon, of Woodside, and Miss Jackson, of Waikato, were driving in a trap when ib capsized. Mr. McLarnon gob injured in the spine, and Miss Jackson also sustained some injuries, but both are now progressing favourably. It appears that. Richard Percival Norris, of Onehunga public school, won one of the Rawlings scholarships by 418 marks out of a possible 525-not 488 marks as previously stated.

Ab noon yesterday Mr. Edward A. Buckley, nominated by Messrs. R. Hellaby and J. McNair, was declared duly elected to represent, the Richmond Ward m the Newton Borough Council in the place of Mr. R. Warnock, who was recently elected Mayor of Newton. Our Pahiatua correspondent writes "A serious accident befel Mr. Arthur Tuckey, the well-known carrier, last week. He was driving down the Toritea hill, on his way to Makuri, when his horses bolted, going down the zigzag at a tremendous pace, with the result that the whole thine-went over the embankment, a distance of 30 feet. The brake must have passed over the poor fellow's body, for when he was picked up bv Mr J Ryan, another carrier, who was returning to Pahiatua from Makuri, and saw the accident, he was found to be seriously injured, his chest being crushed. He was unconscious until 11 o clock next morning Dr. Gault has roportod that he is progressing favourably. Great sympathy is felt for Mr". Tuckey and family, as he has been unlucky for some time past. Substantial sympathy was shown him in Pahiatua ; the concert gob up for _ his benefit in the public hall on Friday night last realised about £30, as the hall was crowded. I have always noticed that human nature is the same everywhere; when there is real need for help, help comes, and that right liberally, and from very unexpected quarters sometimes.

The annual mooting of the Southern Cross chapter of the Rose Croix, 18^ deg., took place last evening in Freemasons Hall, Princes-street There was the best attendance of brethren for years past, and a renewal of interest has been taken in the degree. One member was present from Dargaville. A candidate was perfected, and another nominated. The following officers were elected for tho ensuing year • Messrs. A. Kidd (re-elected), M.W.S. ; John Hunt, H.P. ; John Black, Ist G. ; George Fowlds, '2nd G. ; and H. G. Wade (re-elected), treasurer and recorder; Captain Tonge, equerry.

About half-a-dozen carpenters are at present engaged in putting down a new flooring for the Drill Shed. The work is being done by the party on the co operative principle, thomen being chosen through the Labour Bureau.

Mr. R. French, Past Districb Master Workman of Hie Knights of Labour, received a letter by the 'Frisco mail, from General Master Workman J. R. Sovreign (who has just been unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly of the Order), stating that he hopes to visit New Zealand during the year in the interest of the organisation.

At the Onehunga Police Court yesterday, before Mr. K. S. Bush, S.M., Alfred Wells and James Muir were charged on summons with disturbing an inhabitant of Onehunga by knocking at the dwelling of Mrs. M. McQuay on the night of the 24th December. The defendants pleaded not guilty, and his Worship dismissed the case on a technicality, viz., that the offence took place on the morning of the 25th. Henry Moffit was charged with assaulting John Weston at Sutherland's Tannery on the 28th December last, by striking him on the head with a bucket. Mr. F. Shortland appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty. Complainant and Dr. Erson were examined as to the assault. Fined 20s and Court costs £1 9s, or in default seven days' hard labour. M. Hartnett v. Allen Jackson, claim 10s 61 tor rent. Adjourned to 4th February next. Alfred Moselen v. Andrew Kelly, claim £5 15s 9d. No order was made, as the defendant swore he was not in a position to pay, being out of work. A number of other cases were settled out of Court.

The Otago Daily Times of the 29th ulfc., gives She following account of tho valedictory to Mr. A. Grant, district railway traffic manager, on leaving for Auckland. Mr. Grant was entertained by the officers and employees of the department at a valedictory social in Watson's Hotel last night. There were between fifty and sixty present. Mr. T. Arthur, who has succeeded Mr. Grant as district traffic manager in Dunedin, occupied the chair, and Mr. E. R. Ussher (district engineer) and Mr. <T. K. Logan (superintendent of telegraphs), representing otlur branches of the Government service, were vice-chairmen. The gathering included representatives of the railway department from Oamaru, Palmerston, Waikouaiti, B.ilclutha, Port Chalmers, Stirling, and all the suburban stations, together with all the officers in Dunedin. Apologies were made for the absence of Messrs. Lubecki ami Orchiston. After a sumptuous repast and after tin, health of the Queen had been honoured, the chairman proposed the toast of tho guest of the evening, and handed to' him an address expressive of regret at his departure. Mr. Giant, in the course of his reply, gave a resume of his connection with the railways for the past 21 years, and produced a copy of the first time-table which was issued in Otago, a copy oIF the first tariff of charges, and the first copy of rules and regulations of the service.

Yesterday Sergeant Gamble arrested a respectable looking middle aged man, named Joseph Buchanan, on a charge of abduction on or about the Ist January, at Mangapai, of Emily Young, an unmarried girl under the age of 10, she being in the lawful charge of her father, and without his consent. Last evening the recruits of the naval and rifle corps, were drilled in the Drill-shed, under the supervision of Sergeant-Major Scully, who was assisted by Bombardier Reed, of the Permanent Force. The recruits were divided into squads, and exercised in preliminary drill for au hour and a-half.

The district orders for the present month relating to the inspection and drill of the volunteer corps of the Auckland district will be found elsewhere.

Writing on the " doom of tho mistletoe," the following is what a British journal had to say on the subject:—"The age progresses, and the mistletoe, after being at one time worshipped, and since then tolerated, has got to go. At one time it was esteemed a plant of marvellous and magical power. Hound its quaint leaves and berries gather legends of the Scandinavian gods. By a spear made from its wood Balder, the son of Odin, was killed, as it was the only thing in animate and inanimate nature that had power to harm him. German superstitions credited it with conferring on frim who possessed it the power to see ghosts ; and, coming to England, the first pages of English history Dooks tell _ of the processions of white-robed Druids to the oak groves, where the mystic plant was cut down with a golden knife. And now the French Department of Agriculture, not content with the destruction of a plant of such legendary and historical interest, tells the peasant that mistletoe is 'capital food for pigs!' and further, that ' when there is a dearth of other forage cattle and sheep take kindly to it! ' Could insult further go? Fortunately the mistletoe still grows in many English orchards, and it is possible that the English farmer, finding half the countries in the world beating him in his own markets, may yet may turn his attention to cultivating the cherised plant and have cause to thank the French Government for its iconoclasm." What called forth the above remarks was the • fact that a law had been passed in France that parties who let farms had to insert the following clause in their agreements ".'•'hat the tenant be under obligation to destroy every year the mistletoe on his apple trees, or the same will be done at) his expense."

A conference of the local authorities, in terms of section 9 of the Shops an I Shop Assistants' Act, 1894, will take place on Friday, 18th instant), at noon, at the City Council chambers. A notice appears elsewhere calling a special meeting of the Helensville Town Board on Monday evening, the 14t.h instant, for appointing the day for closing shops within the Helensville Town district.

A special Treasury warrant having been granted, in order that experiments might be made in the cultivation of tobacco on certain estates in Kent, the trials were made during the recent season, and with satisfactory results, showing that the soil and climate of England are not altogether unsuitable to the growth of tobacco. Tlio plants were raised under glass, and put out early in June. In spite of excessive moisture and lack of sunshine, they throve fairly well. The crops were cut in September, when the leaves were of good colour and size, and when the drying process is complete the result is expected to be about 3cwt. of tobacco. Artificial methods of drying have been discarded, leaves having been simply suspended on holes in a barn, and according to . the latest news, the leaves were maturing satisfactorily, and only a few spots of mould could be detected. Our Albany correspondent writes :—" A most curious but well-authenticated case of finding a half-sovereign embedded in the entrails of a fish occurred here on January 3. One of our settlers, Mr. C. H. Colton. bought sixpennyworth of fish (schnapper) from David Clark, who sometimes goes round with fish in this neighbourhood. On cleaning one of the fish, threo in number, Mr. Colton found a half-sovereign, of date 1845, embedded in the stomach. The coin bears the mark of the fish's teeth, and when found was a good deal tarnished, but, on cleaning, was seen to be in a fair state of preservation. The fortunate finder intends having the coin mounted as a breastpin, as an interesting memento of regaining a, coin from the briny deep."