LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9720, 16 January 1895, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A vebv largely attend! meeting of shopkeeper? was held yeste-jay morning at the Young Men's Christian Associaion Rooms for the purpose of consilerlng vhat day to recommend for the weekly lalf-holiday. Eventually it was decidnl ly aionsiderable majority to recommend "vVeineday. Mr. J. H. Taylor, of RAona, has this week returned from a six Roths' trip co Europe, in which he combied business with pleasure. During the ourse of his visit to the mother conn'y, he took occasion also to make a ten in Holland, Belgium, and France. In Belgium, the most closely populated cJntry of the three, he saw little real pferty, and the people seemed contented,. generally temperate. He saw moredrinking in a fortnight in Edinburgh an Glasgow than be had seen in the pre<ous ten years. While on the Continent ie found to his surprise that some of th British manufacturers were transferrinctheir industries to the Continent, owing to the uncertainty of their investment through strikes at home. They worked ircencert with the Continental manufactures, got cheaper labour, and found the Continental operative more docile and counted than his British confrere. Mr. Tjflor found that many of these transferad works were largely manufacturing fouhe colonies. Lately a number of mployees waited upon the Hon. W. Jenjiugs, M.L.C., in order to ascertain whetbd employers were justified in deducting a portion of their wa<;es to form a fund for nsurance against accidents, etc. It is state! that some firms have adopted this percentage of every man's wages being teducted weekly to form an insurance funo Some of the men demur to this procedure, as being members of friendly societis, which give an allowance in case of illrtss. Mr. Jenpings communicated with th? Government on the subject, and receivedjthe following reply from the Hon. W. P. peeves, Minis ter of Labour :—" Crown Lw Office endorses the opinion expressed h my former telegram. Employer cannot deduct if the workman objects. The Enployers' Liability Act gives no such tinver. They possibly rely on sub-section r, section 19, of the Truck Act, 1891, whichsays that the Truck Act shall not extend to prevent an employer from advancing ot of and deducting from wages mone; to be contributed by workmen to an' friendly or other society, but that can only be done with the workman's coDsenj, and in the absence of such consent seciion 5 of that Act applies, viz., that the entire amount of wages shall be actually paid in money and not otherwise."

A conference took place yesterday afternoon at the offices of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, betwjen the inspectorgeneral of Hospitals (Dr. MacGregor), the members of the Board, and the hon. medical staff of the District Hospital, on various Hospital matters, including the extension of Hospital accommodation. There is, it seems, £"2000 available for that purpose, and Mr. E. Bartley, architect, has prepared the necessary plans. Further improvements are required to make the institution complete, involving an expenditure of about £1000 additional, namely the establishment of an infectious diseases ward and a maternity ward. Some of the members of the Board are of opinion that the establishment of a maternity ward, with fees to make ib selfsupporting, would be a boon to country eettlers' wives who live in isolated places, where there is no medical man available for accouchement?. The Hospital nurses at present have no training in midwifery, and the establishment of a maternity ward would enable them to acquire the necessary siperience, which would add to their efficiency and value as certificated nurses. The Arawas left yesterday by special train for Rotorua, and their adventures while staying in Auckland will furnish material for endless koreros in the evenings at their kaingas and round their camp fires for some time to come. Not the slightest misadventure or misunderstanding arose between themselves and the Europeans during the whole period of their visit.

There was reported at the police Btation yesterday, the somewhat sudden death of Ueorgo Taylor, the infant son of Mr. J. F. Taylor, a resident in the Mount Roskill district. The child had been in fairly good aealth, but troubled with diarrhoea and whooping cough. The child died somewhat suddenly yesterday morning. As it had not been seen by a medical man in its illness, Dr. Philson decided to hold an inquest, which will take place to-day at the Eden Vine Hotel.

Although in Auckland little is being practically done towards bringing about the establishment of technical classes or a school of design, the Southern centres of population are not idle. In this issue the Otago School of Arts and Designs, through the secretary of the Board of Education, Dunedin, invite applications for the posts of teachers of painting, of building construction, and of machine construction. The young men of Auckland bid fair to be sadly nandicapped in such matters, as compared with the youths of Dunedin.

The young son of Mr. Leyland (of Jveyland and O'Brien, timber merchants), a lad of some ten years of age, met with an accident about a month ago at the Ponsonby Public School play ground, which is likely to lead to serious results. He was playing with a ball when in some way he tripped and fell, hurting his leg. The injury has developed into disease of the bone. Shortly after the injury to his leg, the lad sustained an attack of sunstroke, and the combination of complaints have had so serious an effect upon the otherwise healthy lad that his life is well-nigh despaired of by the medical men in charge of the case, l)rs. Haines and Knight. The parents of the unfortunate boy will have the sympathy of their wide circle of friends in their affliction.

The Costley Training Institution, Richmond Road, although not obtruding itself touch upon public notice during the past year, han been doing an excellent work. Nob only have a number of lads been trained »nd equipped for the battle of life, bub a number of girls have also been placed upon the foundation, in order to their receiving the requisite doraestio training. The trustees have taken considerable interest in the management of the institution, and the Welfare of the pupils. The annual meeting take** place to-morrow evenine at the institution. It is to be hoped that the general public will show an interest in the institution by being present upon that occasion.

At a meeting of the committee of the Auckland Swimming Club, held last even- '[>£, it was decided to send a polo team to Christchurch for the purpose of competes for the Polo Championship to be held there in February next. Also competitors for other events. Practices will be held in the Albert - street Baths each evening at half-pasb five o'clock, commencing this evening. . All members We requested to attend, as the selection "ill be made from those showing the greatest proficiency in the game. Most of the New Zealand" championship races are "lotted for Chrisbchurch this year, for which those going South will be able to , e^ter. s> ? . - '. ;•-■>, - : ■ .

A case of a very unusual character was heard at the Police Court yesterday before b Mr. Northcrofb, S.M. It was a charge (i against a man named Buchanan, a married c man with a family residing at Mount Eden, o of abducting from her home at Mangapai, a Emily Young, a girl under the age of 18 ii years. The Features of the case were of a t very painful character, and the conduct of t the accused was commented on in scathing fc terms by the magistrate, ' who reserved f judgment until this morning, directing r. that the accused should in the meantime be a detained in custody, and that the girl t (whose evidence, by the way, all went to c shield the accused) be placed in the custody c of her parents. l The Chairman of the Opuatia Settlement j Association notifies elsewhere that the lisb of intending settlers will close on the 31s« | instant, and requests applicants to call or j. write to him before that data. The Associa- 0 tion have now threa full survey parties at j work on the block, and are using every ~ effort to complete arrangements to enable <] settlers to begin bush-falling by the first of j May next. Quite a number of intending j Bottlers have recently visited the block, and without exception all have decided to take j. up leases. There are only a few further 8 names required to complete the number. e The management have, however, decided to close the list on the date specified, and * ballot for position of lots as soon thereafter as the surveys will permit. The leases , have to be signed by the Commissioner of J Crown Lands, and the rent will under the c provisions of the Acb of last session be f payable to the Public Trustee. ! Our Otahuhu correspondent states that J' Mrs. Robert MeGonagle, the wife of Mr. * MeGonagle, the well-known Government Inspector of Public Works, died suddenly ■ yesterday morning at aboub three o'clock. , She had been confined about two days ago, , but was apparently recovering. However, * Monday morning, her husband hearing a . gurgling noise went to her bedside, and in c consequence of her condition immediately sent for Dr. Rowley, but she died before a the doctor arrived. Mrs. MeGonagle was * well known and respected in Obahuhn. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Charles " Goodwill, one of 0 tah u h oldest residents. ° She leaves behind her a large family. Some of the elder ones are occupying good * position. An inquest was subsequently hsld by Mr. S. Luke, coroner, when, after * hearing the evidence adduced, the jury re- . l turned a vordicfe of "Death from natural l » s causes." j. Last evening the crews belonging to the t Devonporb Torpedo Corps and the Auckland j Naval Artillery who competed in the late r cutter race, were entertained at a banquet c at Mr. E. McKeown's, Queen-street Wharf., r by Mr. Alexander Alison, manager of tho j Devonpor* Ferry Company, who officiated r as starter at the race. Lieutenant Smith, t late of the Auckland Navals, occupied the \ chair, and Lieutenant-Commanders Parker i and Little, and Lieutenants Clemens, , Cowan, and Keefe were also present, t The usual toasts were duly given and t responded to, and a pleasant evening , spent. During the evening Lieutenant- , Commander Little took the opportunity of stating that Colonel Fox, in his speech to i the volunteer officers, had made a serious mis-statement in regard to a " round ' robin" being signed to have Colonel ' Goring removed from the command of the • Auckland district. As one who knew the 1 whole of the circumstances, he could say I positively that no such document ever ' existed, and an undeserved slur had been ' cast upon the whole of the officers of the ' district, with whom Colonel Goring was ' deservedly popular, ' The interment of Thomas Braukin, , fireman on board the s.s. Mamari, who ' was accidentally drowned on Saturday j night, took place yesterday at Waikomiti Cemetery. Deceased was a member of the ( Orange Institution and Provincial Grand Chapter of Scotland, and several members ( of the Order followed his remains to their last resting-place. The Rev. A. Peters , (Grandmaster of the Orange Institution) conducted the burial service. On Monday evening the Newton Schools Committee met in the Newton West school. j Present: Messrs. H. Thompson (chairman), T. H. Martyn (treasurer), T. McMaster, T. ' W. Freeman, A. Burfoot, J. M. White, W. J. Macdermotb, T. F. Newcombe, and J. Peak. Mr. J. L. Innes, who for the past five years filled the position of assistant master at the Newton West school, has been promoted to the head masters hip of the Tamaki West school, and enters on his new duties next month. The committee are recommending the Board to appoint Mr. E. K. Mulgan first assistant at the Newton West school, and are forwarding a letter to Mr. Innes informing him of their appreciation of his services whilst connected with the school. The committee had also to select a successor to Mr. Fell, second assistant at the Newton East school, who has been in ill-health for some time past, and owing to the state of his health is obliged to seek removal to a country school. The committee regret that Mr. Fell considers it necessary to take this step, and in considering the list of applicants have decided to recommend that Mr. Arthur J. Hill be appointed to the position. The committee are nominating Messrs. Henry Wilding and Alfred Richard Harris as candidates for seats on the Board of Education at the approaching election in March next. The fortnightly meeting of Court Nil Desperandum, No. 6495 A.0.F., took place last evening in the Foresters Hall, Karangahape Road. Brother E. Nordon, C.R., occupied the chair. Amongst the visiting brethren were D.C.R., Brother E. Chisman ; D.S., Brother Hy. T. Garratt; D.T., Brother Jas. Stitchbury; P.D.C.R., Brother T. McEwin, and a very large attendance of members and visitors from other Courts. An interesting part of the business was the initiation into the A.O.F. of His Worship the Mayor (Brother J. J. Holland). The initiation ritual, which was read by the C.R., assisted by Brother M. Keesing, P.D.C.R., having been concluded, the Foresters' "Fire" was tendered to visitors and newly-initiated brethren. In response thereto, many of the visitors expressed their pleasure at witnessing the initiation of the Chief Magistrate of the city,'and expressed a hope that he would actively connect himself with the working of the order. Brother Holland, in reply, expressed his gratification at becoming a Forester, and said he trusted to be able to work in the interests of the brethren and the order. A large number of amendments to laws were then dealt with, after which Brother Weir, the immediate P.C.R., was presented by the D.C.R. with a P.C.R. neck ribbon and framed certificate. Brother Weir suitably responded. It was announced that Brother E. Wilson, P.O. had been elected president of the Juvenile Court. An inspection parade of the two infantry volunteer companies, the Victoria and City Rifles, was held last evening on the parade ground at the rear of the Drill-shed. There were moderate musters in each case, aboub 30 of the Victorias under Captain Somers and Lieutenant Skinner, and 20 of the City Rifles under Captain Robertson, Lieutenants Dormer and Oakes. The latter company was unfortunately circumstanced. The men were disarmed, their arms having been called in to be returned to store. This company has had no fewer than four patterns and rifles together, and as ib was, of course, desirable that all should have the same arm, and there aro ample of one pattern in store, it was deemed advisable to have a fresh issue. They were nob, therefore, in a state .for inspection, hut subsequently they obtained rifles from the company's room, and were inspected by Colonel Goring, after which they joined the Victorias, forming one company. They were drilled by Adjutant Grant for about two hours in company movements, formations, marching, etc. Surgeon-Major Dawson and Sergeant-Major Scully were present ab the parade. The butchers, ib is stated, will present an independent petition on behalf of the trade, with regard to the weekly half-holiday, to the conference ef delegates to be held on Friday next. The butchers favour Wednesday as the most suitable for their business. Ib will be seen by advertisement elsewhere that Helensville has appointed Saturday as the day for the statutory halfi holiday. . ; Yesterday Colonel and Mrs. Dowdle conI tinued their mission ab the Salvation Army i Barracks, Albert-street. In the afternoon , there was a holiness meeting, and in the i evening, ab the. usual service, Colonel i Dowdle gave an address. At the close of 3 the service, which was largely attended, a I considerable number waited for the afterj meeting, which was of an exciting and imr pressive character. To-night Col. Dowdle 3 and Mrs, Dawdle will both address the meeting. -> ■**- -.- !*'■■>■•.■; ■' ■ • » :

A Maori war picture entitled "Too Late, by Mr. John E. Monltray, of Dunedin, has [says the Otago Daily Times) attracted a considerable amount of attention by reason of its historical interest, as well M on account of the excellence of the work which is shown in it. In selecting for representation such a scene as he has here conveyed to canvas, Mr. Moultray has acted with boldness, for the difficulties offered by the l fact that landscape, figure, and animal i painting are all embraced in this picture, t are materially enhanced when the descnp- { tions supplied by eye-witnesses o! the occurrences sought to be depicted are nob only meagre but also conflicting, and when 1 moreover, the lapse of time— this case the i lapse ot 30years—has wrought changes inthe g locality whore the incidents occurred. The j picture represents a scene at a settlers i farm at Pipiwhakau Bush, Poverty Bay, on the arrival of the troops sent to protect it, and on their discovery that the daring Te Kooti has been there before them, and has murdered the settler and burned his house. This scene occurred fully a month after the Poverty Bay massacre, at a time when Te i Kooti was dodging Colonel Whitmores t avenging column. The various figures in- -j troduced into the picture have all been studied from life, and Mr. Moultray has evidently bestowed great pains i .d em- J ployed much skill in his execution of the i work. • * Mr. R. Scott Ross writes to a Sydney t journal, concerning the present Tichborne controversy. He says :—" The idea thab Cresawell is the late Sir Roger Tichborne, is absurd. Yes, worse than absurd; I would use much stronger language, and say that the most solemn game of humbug has been brought into play. I write in this d strain, knowing full well that I am master , of the position. Dr. Manning knows well . that the lunatic in question is William Creßswell and nobody else. On 24th No- « vember, 1855, Cresswell arrived from Kng- < land in charge of several head of well-bred j cattle for the late Thos. Kite, of Bathurab, ' and was in his employ for some time, as , also in the employ of Mr. Davis, ( of Goulbourn. If space were permitted , me I could give you the history j of Cresswell's whole colonial life. Sir ( Roger Tichborne left England in 1803, ( and landed in Melbourne on 3rd July, j 1854, and died in the same year. His re- i mains lie in the pauper section of the Roman Catholic cemetery at Geelong. A long history of his death, etc., has been sent by me to the family, and the account has appeared in print. In November, 1891, the tame fuss was being made by certain partite aboub this man Cresswell as is being , made now. Ross then describes the result " of a visit ho paid to Cresswell ab the Parramatt* Asylum in 1891. Cresswell, who was < interviewed, was then quite sane. I" ( reply to a question, he directly denied j that he was Sir Roger, and said that ( he had never met him. He said he knew Arthur Orton, the Tichborne claimant, well, and answered a number of other questions which wenb to prove the truth of these statements. Ross says that Creawell's narrative left no doubt that he knew what he was talking about. Recently the Minister of Agriculture of Victoria had a long interview with Mr. Marks, the Consul for Japan, regarding a trade being established between thab country and these coionies. Mr. Marks , pointed out that in Japan we would find good markets for wool, flour, tallow, meat (particularly beef), butter, and fruit, and that in return thab country would send us rice, tea, and silk. It was pointed out that Japan was within sixteen days' steam of Australian ports, and that as the seas to be traversed . were nob usually rough, live stock could be readily sent to Japan. Mr. Marks promised to do all he could to assist in the development of the trade between the colonies and Japan, and to have regular and direct) communication established by a line of steamers fitted with cool chambers. He pointed out thab a treaty existed between Great Britain and Japan, by which the < British traders obtained a preference in the Japanese trade, and that it was open for . any of these colonies to avail themselves of the benefit of the treaty provided they decided to subscribe to the treaty within the next two years. Mr. Taverner stated that he would urge the Premier to bring the question of these colonies availing themselves of that treaty before the conferonce of Premiers to be held at Hobart, and should the other colonies decide to stand aloof he would then recommend the Cabinet to agree to Victoria subscribing to the treaty, so that the traders of Melbourne might obtain the benefits of its provisions and secure a trade with Japan in articles that are produced here, receiving in return goods and products neither manufactured nor grown in this colony. In this colony some of the Trades and Labour Councils are urging the Government not to sign the treaty with Japan.