LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9882, 26 July 1895, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

The Town Clerk has received * telegram from Mr. Crowther, M.H.R., to the effect thab the Rating on Unimproved Values Bill is to be of a permissive character. He states that he is unable to obtain copies of the Bill until it is introduced into the Assembly. The Town Clerk (Mr. P. A. Philips) has forwarded a notice to the residents in the Archhill district, who are ' at present supplied by water from the city main, that on and after the Slab December next the Auckland City Council will be unable to farther continue the water supply from the main column. The Council have, however, communicated with the chairman of the Archhill Road Board district, and state that they will be prepared, if required, to supply the district from the Reservoir by meter, on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed to. We under, stand that the City Council propose amend' ing the Waterworks by-laws. The City Schools Committee met last evening, there being present : Messrs. k J. Blades (chairman), Crowe, Squirrell, Adams, Farrell, Drs. Walker and King. A packet of literature was forwarded by Mr. Hart, of Napier-street School, which be had received. Letter received from Board of Education notifying that the inspection and examination of Napier-street School would take place on sth August, and be conducted by Messrs. Petrie and Dickenson ; Nelson-street School on the 12bh, ' and Chapel-street School on the 15th, by the same gentlemen; Wellesleystreet School on the 19thj by Messrs. Petrie, Dickenson, and Airey. The matter of home lessons was adjourned till next meeting, to enable the chairman and committee to peruse and consider the reports of the headmasters of schools on the subject. Mr. Worthington(Wellesley-street) thought home lessons were desirable when. parents took some pains to see that they were done properly. Mr. Hart (Beresfordsbreet) thought home work should be only limited in quantity and not at all perplexing in quality. He was averse to written home work for a large number of reasons. Mr. Carter (Napier-street) was in sympathy with the desire to curtail home work to reasonable bounds, but averse to its aboli- ' tion, except on the score of ill-health. Mr. Cronin (Nelson-street) was of opinion that the preparation of home lessons, when judiciously set, was productive of good. Mr. George Thwaites (Chapel - street) thought that the abuse of home work was the cause of evil, but that a little horns work would not injure any but a very sickly child, and such should be excused from all night study. All the headmasters were agreed that arithmetic should not form part of the "home work." It is understood that the members of the garrison artillery, torpedo men, and the Wellington police contingent who have been for some months quartered at Whaiti, Galatea, and other sections of the Urewera country, are to return to their respective depots and districts at the end of next week."' .. '■' , The lending branch of the Free Public Library is becoming increasingly popular, as is evidenced by the steady growth of the list of subscribers. An excellent assortment of books has recently been added to the shelves of the Library. It will be good news to subscribers to learn that a new supplementary catalogue will shortly be available for use and purchase. We have received copies of the first two ..■-,' issues of The Telephone, a weekly journal published in Gisborne by Messrs. Jones and Steele. lb is a well printed paper, and contains a large amount of interesting local and general matter. The opening article is entitled, "Faith and Progress," and in it the editor says:—" A firm belief in the stability of the colony, and its early ' recovery from , the effects of a depression which has been universal, also gives confidence in the progress of a district that is so rich in natural resources as is the Bast. Coast." ~-.,.-■ '/•■". .-

16 is stated that as the result of the various conferences between the committee of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and the honorary medical staff of the Hospital, that a toler- \ ably clear understanding has now been \ arrived at as to the management of the \ Hospital and the powers of the medical \ authorities. , ,*. \ Operations are being continued for boring for water on Edgecumbe's land, near j the Western Springs, with a view of ascertaining the depth of the scoria over the i clay deposit*. It is found at the Springs j from borings that there are 20 feet of scoria j over the clay. It is said that the clearing I up of this point will enable the engineers / to determine certain matters iii connection I with the extension of the water supply in ' that locality. [;,-.' In the return of the vital statistics for June, published in the New Zealand Gazette of the IBth July, the Borough of Birkenhead appears in a rather unfavourable light. It is generally supposed that that district, exposed as it is so fully to all the breezes that blow, is exceptionally healthy, bub the returns published prove that district to be the most unhe lthy of all the boroughs in the colony. The proportion of deaths to the thousand of population in Birkenhead for the year 1894 is returned as 22-86. whiie that of Auckland is 15 41. These are t.ie largest figures in the list, the next highest being 14-18 for Caversham. Wellington, which has not always the best of record* in a sanitary point, records only '82 deAths per 1000 for the year 1894, and ib is'certainly the duty of the local authorities of Birkenhead to ascertain and removs the cause of this excessive death rate. /With such a record, few will care to take up their residence there. i

The Newmarket Borough Councilmet for the transition of ordinary business lasb evening, when the following members were present .v-His Worship the Mayor (Mr. F. G. Clayton), and Messrs. Edgerly, Spooner, Angus, Whyman, Lumpkin, Page, and Hogg. fbo Streets Committee reportde that the repairing of the roads and footpaths hal progressed favourably during the past fortnight. They recommended that a footpath should be made from the comer of Park Avuiue to the eastern boundary of Mr. Lindsay'* property ; also, that a new lamp should to eiectod at the corner of Marketstreet, aid one on the Manukau Road. The report vas adopted. A letter from Mr. Ralph Ksesing re state of footpath in Park Road, vas referred to the Streets Committee. Accounts amounting to £50 6s 9d were pased for payment. The turncock reported that the consumption of water during the past fortnight was 340,000 gallons. Considerable time was spent in discussiig a new by-law with regard to the license if billiard saloons in the borough. The Council decided to fix an annual license fee of £20 per annum on all billiard or bagatele rooms other than those in connectior with the hotels in the borough, A slort time ago we drew attention to the fa<t that some wasps from Rarotonga had trim found in a letter bag which had come from that island on the bag being opend in the Post Office. It was anticipated that all or nearly all these " undesirole immigrants" had been killed, but several have reported having seen some flying about in the streets, and on one occasion one of these wasps was caught and killed, so it is probable that wasps of a dangenua kind are likely to be among the insect memies we will have to deal with in the fuare. The variety of wasp which has cone from Rarotonga is larger than the on so familiar in Britain, and is said to havt been introduced to Rarotonga from Tahiti,and to there from South America. By the list trip of the Richmond from the Islandi Mr. W. Greenshields got a quantity of inese insects preserved in spirits, which h> has placed in the Art Gallery for public information, and it is to be hoped that thcßa who see any of these insects flying atout-will do what they can to destroy tlem, so that if possible the few who have escaped here may be exterminated.

Mrs. Cdlings, who was one of the delegates to the Central Council from the Women's Liberal League, informs us, in reference o a statement in the Herald of Wednesday, that she had nothing to do with the- meetings which took place aba late hour, and which resulted in the retirement of .Mr. Fawcus. She was nob presenb ab any of these conferences.

A depuration, representing 32 ratepayers, resident ii and adjoining Normanby Road, Mount Elen, presented a petition at the office of the Mount Eden Road Board yest«rdaj morning, requesting that the Board should keep in repair Normanby Road anc adjoining streets leading into it. It seems that this road i* cut into deep ruts, in some places from half a fool) to a foot defp, by heavy drays carting road metal, tor which the Board receives all fees, taxes, and royalties from the contractors and seemingly upends the money in other pats of the district. The clerk -of the Beard informed the deputation that the petition would be presented to the Board it its next meeting.

For tome time past a steam launch has been udder construction at Onehunea by Mr. (greenwood, boatbuilder, the craft being made s to the order of Mr. T. H. Harwell, anil yesterday morning she was launched in the waters of the Manukau Haibour, in the presence of a* number of persons interested in her. She is intended to run as a tender in connection with the somewhat large fleet of fishing boats at presens engaged in the various parts of the harboir, and will effect more speedy landing of the fish at market than is possible with sailing boats only. She will also be used in trading in the harbour and for excursions. When fully completed she will be well found in every respect, and should prove a most serviceable boat. Her advent will also probably Have a great effect in extending the fishing industry in the Manukau, the fish of that harbour being particularly large and well flavoured. The launch reflects great credit upon her builder, who has put the be9tof material and workmanship into her construction.

The annual meeting of the Ponsonby Bowling Club took place last evening. Mr. W. J. Rees, retiring president, presided. There was a good attendance of members. The secretary (Mr. Ballantyne) read tho report, which reviewed the operations of the year, and the gentlemen were thanked who gave £68 18s towards the improvement of the green. It was stated the greens bad been topdressed and renewed at considerable expense. Flower beds had been laid out to make the grounds more attractive. Thanks were due to the caretaker for the manner in which he had performed his duties. The finances were in a satisfactory state, but it was recom mended that the subscription be £1 10s instead of £1, as the latter sum was too inadequate to meet expenses. Reference was made to the lamented decease of Mr. H. G. Bartlett, a member of the club, and it was resolved to forward a vote of condolence to Mrs. Bartlett. The club was congratulated on the harmony prevailing among the members. Mr. J. Stichbury (treasurer) read the balance sheet, which showed the receipts to he £199 10s sd; cash balance in hand, £6 8s; assets, £216 17s ; balance in excess of liabilities*, £140 18s lid. The following officers were elected for tire ensuing year :— President, Mr. A. S. Russell; vicepresidents, Messrs. J. H. Hudson and 1). B. McDonald ; treasurer, Mr. J. Stichbury (re-elected); secretary and general superintendent, Mr. R. Ballantyne (reelected) ; committee, Messrs. J. Court, J. Coe, E. T. Hart, and M. McOermott. The following new memberselected: —Messrs. Littler, Murray. Hutchinson, and Grainger. Prizes were promised to be competed for during the coming season by Messrs. Rees, McDonald, Coe, Ballftntyne, Tait, J. Court, and E.T. Hart. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers, and to the ladies who provided afternoon tea during the season.

A man named Cronley, or Tronley, wa found by Constable Maconnochie in Wellesleystreet shortly after midnight lying in the street badly cut on the head. He was taken to Dr. Hooper for treatment, who, after examining the man's injuries, ordered his removal to the Hospital.

By way of showing his practical interest in agricultural science, the lata British Prime Minister had decided to devote a certain portion of hie home farm at Dalmeny to the purposes of an' agricultural experimental station. The experiments, under the charge of the district analyst for Mid-Lothian, were |to, be conducted with a view to the elucidation of numerous points in soil science and plans physiology. ■ "■u'>y>:'' : -}:■■■

j* A singular book called " Oahspe, or th« Mew Bible," has just been presented to the Jree Public Library by H. 8. Trustee if the Children of Shalam, a religious community located in New Mexico. The work comprises about 900 pages, and is illustrated by portraits of some of the sacred personages referred to in the text. Oahspe contains about 80 books. The Book of Jehorih gives a general idea of the creation of man, and of vegetable and of animal life on the earth, and of the inorganic habitation of the earth and her atmosphere. With the Book of Sothanter, Son of Jehorih, commences the organic habitation of the earth and her heavens, and with the Book of Alishong the history is carried down for 6000 years, then for 49,000 years a synopsis merely is given. Ihe history is again taken up with the Book of Aph, 24,000 vears 8.K., and carried down to the Book of Lika. 3400 years B.K. The Book of Cosmogony and Prophecy is a statement of the manner in which the worlds were made, and the force that governs them, showing how light and heat, magnetism and electricity are manufactured, being wholly at variance with the present systems of yhilosophy and astronomy. The Book of ehovah's Kingdom on earth treats of the condition of things soon to come upon the earth. Two prophecies yet remain, of great importance to many people. They are, first, that a sunken continent in the Pacific Ocean shall be discovered, and which shall prove the origin of the story of the Flood ; and, second, that the present powerful religious sects, namely, Brahminism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Mohammedanism, shall go out of existence at a very early date.

The Technical School, in Rutland-street, still continues to attract young men and women to join the various classes. Up to the present time 120 students have been enrolled. Quite a number take two or more subjects each. The attendances are as follows:—Freehand, model and perspective drawing, 11; geometrical and mechanical drawing and machine construction, 16; architectural drawing and building construction, 16; carpentering and joinery (practical), 24; plumbing (practical), 11; shorthand (Pitman's), 13; alegbra and geometry, 11; cookery, 25; dressmaking, 22. Instructors and students have now got settled down to their work, and good progress should now begin to be made. As any person, of either sex, over 14 years of age, is eligible as a student, there is nothing to bar anyone from joining the school, and the fees are within the reach of anyone desirous of improving their technical knowledge. The female classes, as will be seen above, are well patronised, and young women are also students in shorthand, freehand, model and perspective. Some of them are about to join the wood-carving class. A concert promoted by Madame Alice Blackwood, who has a high reputation in musical circles in Auckland, took place at the City Hall last night, but the attendance was nob at all commensurate with the merits of the programme. Madame Blackwood, however, scored an undoubted success in her opening concert from a musical point of view, and her own contributions to the programme were received in the most encouraging spirit. Miss Haywood, who played the accompaniments, contributed as piano solos, " The Spinning Wheel" and " vivat Regina," and was deservedly appreciated. Mr. A. L. Edwards sang "Douglas Gordon" (Kelly), and Mrs. Baxter, who has already made her mark on the concert platform, sang "Call Mo Back " (Densa). An encore was inevitable, and in a bright, cheery manner, combined with expressive rendering of the music, she sang, " The Cows are in the Corn." At a subsequent stage she sang "Atthore" (Trotter), and was again encored. ' Master Percy West, a very small boy, played several pretentious cornet solos in a manner which showed not only careful tuition, but apt musical talent, and each of bis items was encored. Mr. Howard Chambers sang "My Life for Thee" (Adams) and "Out on the Deep" (Lohr). Mr. Eric Donaldson made his dtbut in the duet with Madame Blackwood, and he subsequently sang " The Gauntlet" (Stark) as a solo. His voice is a fairly good baritone, but some of his efforts were marred by nervousness. Of course the chief interest centred in Madame Blackwood's performance, arid her choice of items showed that she exactly ganged the public taste. Her opening ballad, " Ever of Thee" (Foley Hall), introduced the lady in the most pleasing manner. She has a fine commanding presence, and the first few notes uttered showed the audience that she has a rich ringing soprano voice, full of expression and of wide compass. That an encore thould follow was a matter of course, and she substituted "The Nightingale Trill," which more fully showed the capabilities of her voice. In the duet with Mr. Donaldson, " The Gipsy Countess," and in " The Cousins," with Mrs. Baxter, as well as in the plaintive Scotch song, "Auld Robin Gray," Madame Blackwood sustained her reputation. The duet " Larboard Watch," by Messrs. Edwards (tenor) and Donaldson (baritone), brought a successful performance to a close. ■ *

There was a large attendence at the Caledonian Society's Social in the Foresters' Hall, last night. Mr. Robert Barber presided, and Mr. Frank Braege was the pianist. Tho following was the programme:—Song, "The Steeple on the Hill," Mr. Veitch ; song, " The Last Words of Mother," Mr. Teague ; Skipping-rope Dance, Mr. J. Johnstone; song, "The Bonnie Banks, o' the Clyde," Miss M. Glover; Reel of Tulloch, Miss Mary and Master George Johnstone, and Miss Annie and Master John Simpson ; comic song, Mr. Furey ; clog hornpipe, Mr. Grierson. For the Scottish Song Competition the following contested :—Mr. Charles Marson, " Lassie ;" Mr. Langmuir, " Annie Laurie;" Mr. Menzies, " Be Kind tae Auld Grannie ;" and Mr. White, "Bonnie Dundee;" the voting resulting—Mr. Menzies, 88 ; Mr. Marson, 22; Mr. White, 19; Mr. Langmuir, 7. Song, "I'll Await My Love," Mr. Teague; song, "Sweet Marie," Miss Glover •' Auld Lang Syne." Several of the songs were encored, and altogether a most enjoyable evening was passed. Comparatively few person" read the testimonials which Professor Loisette has scattered broadcast! through New Zealand during the last few months, and consequently the public remain unaware that the great lecturer on Natural Memory has won the approval of nearly all the leading men of to-day for the services rendered bo their mental powers. Mark Twain (or rather Mr. Samuel ■ Clemens), acknowledges in most forcible phrases his obligation to Professor Loisette ; and one Cardinal of the Roman Church (not to mention a few Archbishops) has acknowledged similar success in his own case. The introductory lecture to the system is announced in our columns, for the City Hall, on Tuesday night. Mr. Chauncey M. Depew, one of the greatest after-dinner speakers in the United States, says that he owes his eminence to the servicer of the Professor.

In his annual report, the sanitary officer of Inverness-shire speaks of the prevailing custom of the residents of the islands keeping cattle nnd other stock in their dwellinghouses. He states that early in spring a few well-to-do crofters, who had persisted in this practice, were reported for prosecution, proceedings having been taken against four as test cases. One case was withdrawn, but convictions were obtained in the other three, and the parties ordered to provide byres apart from their dwellinghouses within three months. This did a little good at the time, more especially in the neighbourhood of the convicted parties. Building operations were commenced, but only in a few cases was the work carried on to completion, the great majority baring relapsed into the usual chronic state of apathetic indifference long before the end was attained. More drastic measures having been resolved on, a complete census was taken of this particular class of offenders. It was then found that a total of 167 dwelling- houses contained 431 'animals, comprising 397 cattle, 30 sheep, and 4 horses. This black list having been submitted to the committee, instructions were given to tako legal proceedings against 28 of the principal offenders. This is expected to have a most beneficial effect, as at least one case haa been selected from each town-, ship. :! . ■ ~, '■',-'""'

According to the statement of Mr. Gardner, late president of the British Board of Agriculture, it appears that the telegraphic weather forecasts with which for a time farmers had been .favoured, had not been, sufficiently appreciated to an extent that would justify him in asking the Treasury for a grant to carry on the work, but he was still open to consider the desirability of continuing forecasts in districts in which they had been appreciated.

In regard to the price for sugar beet, the Watsonville Pajaronian says :— The farmers say that they cannot raise beets at a profit at 16s per ton—the price announced for next . year— Mr. Spreckels says he cannot pay any more, except at a loss to himself. Junb what is to be the outcome nobody Seems to know. ■ An Australian paper, in reply to a eorres* pondenb, states that wood ashes contain all the constituents of plant food that the Ordinary or worn-out soil needs, except nitrogen. By their chemical action they render much of the inert nitrogen in soils available, and in that way may be said to furnish nitrogen. This is true ot lime, and on this power Of making nitrogen available the greatesb value of lime, when applied as a fertiliser, depends. Ashes also have a good mechanical effect upon the soil, especially heavy clay soils, which are made lighter and more porous, so that air and water circulate more freely. Ashes do not suffer waste by being washed out to the extent that is true of the more soluble and concentrated fertilisers sold in the markets —their effects are therefore more lasting.

In their annual report, the Council of the Cheshire Dairy-farmers' Association note with satisfaction that, owing to the favourableness of the season, crops were heavy, and dairy-farmers succeeded in producing a heavier weight of cheese at a less cost than the previous year. But unfortunately the makers cannot be congratulated upon having obtained a satisfactory market for the article when produced, lb had not been the misfortune of producers to suffer alone, for the distributors also had come in for a fair share of losses incidental to the great depression which prevailed during the lasb seven months of the year. One of the causes assigned for this unfortunate state of affairs was the ever-increasing quantity of cheese and butter imported into, the country every year. Statistics showed that between June Ist, 1893, and the same date of 1894, no less than 104,461 tons of cheese and 120,256 tons of butter were imported into Great Britain from foreign countries and the colonies. It had been pointed out, too, that railway rates were high in contrast with those of other countries. The farmer in New Zealand can "put his produce upon the Glasgow market at a less cost than the Cheshire farmer nan send his to Glasgow. The railway rates as they now stand tend to depress the British farmer and to encourage the foreigner in his life-work of competition.

lb is now some time since Auckland has been visited by any professional musicians of repute. The advent of Madame Breitschuck Marquardt and Professor John Marquardb (both of whom enjoy high reputations in the United States and upon the Continent) will therefore be hailed with gratification by all who can appreciate musical art. These two distinguished artists are passing through Auckland en route for Australia, aud have been induced during their brief visit here to give one concert in the City Hall on Monday next. The harp is an instrument which is now seldom heard, and the opportunity of hearing it played by such a renowned performer as Madame Breitschuck Marquardt is not afforded to everyone. This lady is of Russian origin, and comes from a family of harpists, her father, Hermann Breitschuck, being harpist at the Imperial Court, St. Petersburg. She studied under the best teachers in Germany, France, and Vienna until she reached the front rank of her profession, and has toured with great success through the principal centres of Europe. Professor John Marquardt, the violinist, was a pupil of Joachim, of Berlin and Emit Sauret, the great French virtuoso, and his gerformances are favourably compared with .emenyi and Wilhelmy. He has travelled an violinist soloist through Germany, France, England, and the United States, and was for some time Professor of the Cleveland Conservatory of Music. He was selected by Theodore Thomas as Concert Master at the recent Chicago World's Fair.

In the House of Commons, in reply to Mr. Acland Wood, Mr. Woodall, Financial Secretary to the War Office, stated that 40 per cent, of the meat supplied to the London garrisons was required to be home-killed, but that there was no restriction in relation to forage. He denied that either meat or forage of inferior quality was purohasod because ib was cheap. Foreign meat, be said, had been steadily improving in quality, and foreign bay was satisfactory. Some time ago a Victorian authority stated that there was a van horse in Ballarat that caught rats. Ib seems bhab the man in charge found a dead rat in the manger, and when he fed his horse again he kept watch and soon saw a rat slowly making its way to the manger. As soon as it began to eat his corn the horse laid back his ears and made a dive for the rat, caught ib in his teeth, gave it one pinch and a shake, let it drop, and calmly kept on feeding.

It is alleged that lavender having appeared in South Australia, settlers have decided to cultivate it. At first they thought the plants were weeds. A concert in aid of the Chapel-streeb School Band will be given this evening, in the City Hall, by the Auckland Leidertafel and other friends. An excellent programme has been arranged, and as the object is a very laudable one, we bespeak for the performers the hearty support of the public. The Band has been a very useful adjunct to the school,in bringing out the musical ability of the pupils, and also from an educational point of view. There was a good attendance yesterday at Miss Qough a cookery lecture, in the anteroom of the Choral Hall. The ladies have been much interested in this course of lectures. This afternoon Miss Gough will give a lecture on " Second Course Dishes and Raised Pie." A fine programme of music has been prepared for the concert to be given next Wednesday evening, at the City Hall, by Herr Zimmermann, the deservedly popular violinist, when no doubt a crowded audience will be present, to show their appreciation for the valuable aid he has always given, when required.

The component parts of an egg are said to be: Carbon, 55 parts; nitrogen, 16 { hydrogen, 7; the remaining 22 being oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur. Is skim-milk or cheese brain food? A paper by M. Becamp, which M. Friedel has read to the Paris Academy of Medicine, gives an affirmative answer. M. Becamp, apparently, has for some time past been devoting himself to the study of casein. He has found that it chemically differs from all other albuminoids with which he is acquainted. One of its properties is, when burnt pure, to make no ashes. He experimented on burnt casein, nob with the view of coming to the conclusion he now enunciates, but to an opposite one, namely, that there is no phosphorus in casein. In a number of experiments he found that absolutely pure casein contains 753 parts out of 1000 of organic phosphorus. He has also demonstrated the presence in casein of sulphur, and, therefore, that this substance is made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, ' phosphorus, sulphur, and oxygen Milk and cheese are accordingly brain restorers.

Dr. Scndder relates the following story of a precocious chicken :—A Brahma chicken now five weeks old—was brought into the house two weeks ago with a broken leg. On the same day a weak chicken, just out of the egg, was also brought in ; and, after two or three days, both chickens were kept in a box together. The older chicken soon assumed the care of the little one, brooding it after its fashion, and pecking any disturbing band. But the strangest feature was that, when a dainty morsel, such as a fly, was brought, it would call the little one like a mother hen, and give it the fly to eat. This had been done repeatedly, the sound made being unmistakably the food-call, though, of course, pitched on a higher key. Yet it could not have heard that sound for at least two weeks, and, in the ordinary course of events, should not make it for eight months.

In regard to the culture of furze, a Surrey farmer writes as follows i—"l hare read in the Agricultural Gazette of this week an article on growing gorse, and rather advocating it. In this district all the gorae has been completely destroyed and rendered absolutely valueless by the frost. We are cutting it down and burning it, hoping that it will spring from the root; but as a fodder crop it would be, as I have said, absolutely valueless. The thousand-headed kale is the only crop that survived the cruel winter with us."

T A grand skating carnival will be held'in the Columbia Skating Rink this evening. Prizes will be awarded by throe expert pages,