LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9722, 18 January 1895, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The City Council Has decided that no part, on its behalf, shall be taken in the conference which had been arranged for today to fix the statutory half-holiday. A majority of the members refused to have the onus cast upon them of deciding upon a day, when, as they thought, the Governshould have fixed it. The Mayor appeared to have been under the impression that possibly he becomes an ex officio member of the conference ; this view, however, is not held by the City Solicitor. After the meeting last night the Mayor telegraphed to the Hon. W. P. Reeves (the Minister for Labour) stating the facts and asking what was to be done.

There was a large attendance last night at the Costley Training Institution, Richmond Road, on the occasion of the annual meeting for presentation of the report and accounts. Colonel Haultain presided. The report and balance-sheet were of the most satisfactory character. They were unanimously adopted, and the chairman pave full replies and explanations in answer to any suggestions or questions. An excellent concert added to the interest of the gathering. A detailed report is published elsewhere.

Some time ago the City Council decided to extend the work of tree-planting in Patteson-street, Franklin Road, and Jervois Road. The trees are getting on fairly well, and when they get to maturity will form an agreeable shade in the summer season, as well as an ornament to the respective localities. Hore and there a tree has suffered from the handiwork of the irrepressible larrikin, but on the whole the tree-planting has turned out wonderfully successful. It is to be hoped that the beneficent practice of planting shade tree 3 in the streets will be extended as funds permit.

The Auckland Society of Arts Exhibition, which takes place next month, promises to be as successful as its predecessors. The usual prizes and certificates of merit will be given by the society for competition. There are two special prizes offered—the first for the best original work in any medium illustrating the word " Solitude, and the second for best study of a head from life (life-size) in oil or water colour.

The so-called improvements at the Drill Shed in the shape of a new floor, which is being put in by a co-operative party of workmen, are not likely to give unniired satisfaction. The men are doing their work faithfully enough, but it is said to have been carried out under the supervision of the Public Works Department without any reference to the volunteer officers, who know their own special requirements. Owing to the new floor being raised about two feet above the old floor there is a hollow space, which greatly increases the reverberation of sound in marching, so that the words of command cannot be distinctly heard. Another unpleasant result is that the heat from the gas jets is greatly increased and the temperature heightened. All the company rooms are now two feet below the flooring of the Drill shed, and their doors will have to be heightened, and the floors raised, or steps made down into them. It is stated that it was deeifl«<j inadvisable to . interfere with the old foundations, as they are in made ground, but instead of the present flooring, which acta like a sounding board, it would hav« been better to pack the inter-space with sawdust or to have formed a floor of wooden blocks on the old asphalt floor. One of the results of raising the flooring of the main hall is that, the guns in the gunshed cannob be wheeled in by the old entrance, and a fresh door will have to be cub in the western side of the hall to bring them in by the front entrance. In conseqence of there being no exit for the guns at present, the shot and shell practice of the "A " Battery, which was to have taken place on Saturday next, has had to be postponed for a week. How the matched flooring will stand the wear and tear of gun drill remains to be seen.

Judging from appearances there is a steady increase in the number of ▼.J-" 1 ' 0 " to the reading-room of the Free Public Library, for the purpose of using the reference department rather than of reading for mere amusement. Works regarding patents, inventions, new industries, ana trade ana" commerce generally are eager l ? ■ought after.]

. ' Daring the il»» b "- J.t lowing estates jf plfcced under t e chWe of the j trustee for matgemeU a nd)r £ x 5 ; t ,Si Hory Frtathey, Auckland, Dt , M of' estate, 7; JaW 2ckland, rafuVof s'tate, fc 5 **■*. Hnvnc- Hautapu, alue of estate, £JV ? Fanny Hewitt, Dargrille, value of est*. J," Minnie Hope, Auckland, value M 2 L £; Harry Pev,ze, Otahuhn, valk 1 State, £5; Freerick Unrlerwoci Auckland, value of state, £20; an Charles Walker, Kumeu value of estati

£ The operations in Fneman's Bay fj filling up the south-western portion of tl slv by depositing the silt from\he dredgu Junta there, are beginin* to make a respe table show in the way of reclamation. 11 « .noil" is transferred from the punts to boxed channel along which it runs till it pou?ed out on the flat and finds itoleve rrowds of youngsters are daily on the H* searching "the deposits for pieces of coa wood, and the usual jetsam and flotsam. Colonial postmasters are frequently pei „lexed and amused by the vague manne in which letters and newspaper* from tin United Kingdom are addressed, Thus i letter reached Sydney addressed "Victoria New South Wales," being intended foi Melbourne. Victoria, and nob the amaJ municipality of Victoria, in Sydney. AgmnJ letters have been received addresse "Adelaide, Sydney, New Zealand,' wbu i* very like addressing a letter, " Bnndu Boulogne, England." J The monthly inspection parade ot tf "A" Battery of Artillery was held hf night the muster being on the pare* ground at the rear of the drill shed. Th& was a good attendance under the commf* of Captain O'Brien and l-eiutenants IPcombo and Bosworth. Colonel Goring/as inspecting officer. The guns wertfot available but the corps was pub throp a conrse of dismounted cavalry drill. / The annual election of members /the Auckland Harbour Board for the ye] » nd the appointment of representatives»naer the Auckland Harbour Act, ISSJ take place next month. The City Cou£l are entitled to return four members. / A short time ago Mr. John Owe/owner of an extensive block of land in tl Kainu Valley, disposed of 5000 to 6000/cres, in farms of a few hundred acres eacJ He 3 now at Dargaville arranging fo/™ 6 subdivisional survey and sale ot the/alanca of the block, which will lead to arPcrease of settlement in that locality. We have to hand the ChinesjAustralian Herald, a newspaper recent? started in the interest of the Chinese, fi published weekly in Svdney. It seen* "> .be ,air patronised, in the shape of idvrtisements, by some of the Sydney rjercntile firms, and contains the general news t interest to the Chinese. It is an «"igh<page paper, well printed and gob up. The Auckland Sailors' Hflie is going along quietly. There are nobt present so many inmates as formerly, oing to there beinc a less number of sailin vessels frequenting the port. It has rt been found possible to make the instution selfsupporting, and the trustees lave to supplement the income with part f the interest from the endowment. Th< principal is, however, kept intact. The istitution has proved a very great boon to jafanng men visiting this port. Last evening the mission c Colonel and Mr*. Dowdle, of the Salvatia Army, was brought to a close at the Station Array Barracks, Albert-street. J>th of these officers gave earnest and npressive address*. The mission ttoughoub has been remarkably well atteied, and ib is believed a considerable amonb of good has been effected. Colonel am Mrs. Dowdle leave for the Thames, wher they will also hold a mission. ' A lecture was delivered i the Wesleyan schoolroom, Onehunga, n Wednesday evening, by Mr. C. C. Flemig, on " Notes of a Visit to Europe." There was an excellent congregation, tht Rev. H. Bull presiding. The lecturer ga3 an entertaining description of the leatng points of interest in his tour, securinjfor about two hours the close attention o bis audience. On the motion ot Mr. Norri, seconded by Mr. Roberts, a hearty vote 'f thanks was passed to the lecturer.