LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9975, 12 November 1895, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Sir George Grey Statue Committee was held last night in the Mayor's room, in the Municipal Buildings, Mr. Sunford, in the unavoidable absence of His Worship the Mayor, presiding. Further considerable sums were handed in and reports furnished by the collectors, an amount of routine business was transacted, and the meeting was adjourned for a fortnight.

At the Supreme Court yesterday a sitting in bankruptcy was held before Mr. Justice Conolly. Mr. Brassey applied for the discharge of John Codling (a bankrupt.) Mr. M c A lister, who was for the Official Assignee, offered no opposition, and the order was granted.

By the China Navigation Company's steamer Tsinan, which left Sydney on October 31 for Hongkong and Jap ui, Miss ebster and the two Miss Reids (of Now Zealand), and Miss Thomson (of Victoria), who are going to China under the auspices (-f tho China Inland Mission, were passengers. They proceed to the training home in Yang Chau prior to beginning active missionary work. Another missionary, Miss Brown, who is going to Corea under the Presbyterian Board of Missions, wa» also on board. In the saloon before the departure of tho vessel the Rev. R. Bavin, who is secretary of the China Inland •Mission, conducted a farowell service, when the Rev. John Yaughan, Dr. Deck, Mis 3 Bavin (formerly of the China mission), and others wero present.

At thePuliceCourb yesterday morning, before Mr. Henry Wilding, J.P., two man were charged with having house breaking instruments in their possession on Novomber 10, without lawful excuse. On the application of Sergeant Gamble the accused were remanded till the 19th instant, as the police had only arrested them late the previous night. For drunkenness one first offender was fined ss, with tho usual alternative. Joseph Howie, found drunk on Sunday, was fined £1, or in default seven days' imprisonment. A fine of 10s with the alternative of 48 hours was imposed on * second offender named Myra Grunt.

In another column Mr. Malcolm Niccol Announces that he is .a candidate for the office of Mayor of Dovonport.

Initiatory steps are being taken towards the erection of a handsome new churoh to take the place of the present St. Matthew'a Church, Hobson-streeb. Several local architects are engaged giving their views as to the proposed church. It is intended ultimately to Invite designs for the church in both the colonies and London. A premium of £250 is to be given for the two best designs.

While a boy was bird nesting in the Alberb Park he found some stuff and a quantity of keys (17), of which 10 were afterwards discovered to be skeleton keys, a dark lantorn, a bottle of oil, chisel, and sundry instruments for picking looks. The police authorities were informed, and Acting-Detectives Bailey and Quirk were despatched on Sunday night) to the place, and lay under a tree for some two or three hours, awaiting developments. Near ton o'clock a man wont to the place, and shortly afterwards they arrested him, and Bailey took him to the Highstrceb police station, Quirk remaining on the watch. On the man arrested boing searched at the station a bag ho had was found to contain eleven detonating caps, five plugs of dynamite, » coil of fuso several feet in length, nine pick-locks, and a fine file, etc. Some timo afterwards another man came on the scene at the Albert Park, and Quirk accosted him. The man asked if he (the detective) had seen his mato about. After some further conversation, Quirk arrested him, and took him to the police station. The two men were locked up on a charge of vagrancy, and they gave their names as Thos. Kenny and Butler Wilkinson. They are said to bo Americans, and have boen here about two months. Kenny has lost a hand, apparently tho rosulb of an aocidenb. Accused were brought) op at the Police Court yesterday on a further clmrg'o of having burglars' implements in thoir possession, and remanded.

At a quarter to twelve on Sunday evening a fire broke out in a house situated in Mounb Smart Road, occupiod by Mr. M. Bronnan. At the timo of the outbreak the house was tenanted by Mrs. Brentian, her sister, and three children, who fortunately were able to mako their escape without injury. The fire brigade arrived on the scono about twelve o'clock, but were not able to render much assistance owing to the want of water, and tho building was burnt to the ground. The damage is covered by insurance as follows House, £120; furniture, £80, both in the Norwich Union.

A fatal accident occurrod at Five Dock, Sydney, on November 6, by which a man named Duncan Gilander was killed. Tho deceased was a wood and coal merchant, and had been to the gasworks at Mortlake with his horse and dray to obtain a load of coke. While returning to his residence in Walker-street, Redfern, he stopped on the Parramatta Road, Five Dock, to feed his horse. The animal became frightened at the eight of a mob of horses being driven in the direction of Camperdown, and while Gilander was endeavouring to arrest his horse it bolted, throwing him down. Gilander's bond was crushed between a wheel of the dray and the embankment of the footpath. The two drovers of tho mob of horses immediately went to his assistance; bub when picked up the man was quite dead. Deceased was 57 years of age, a native of New Zealand, and has left a widow and family.

We notice by the New Zealand Gazette that Mr. Thomas Russell, of London, has become an interested party in Mr. J. C. Firth's New Zealand patent for drying pumice. The same Gszotte contains notice that No 7232 patent has been sealed, being tho patent of Mr. J. C. Firth for prepared pumice for insulating.

The Little Barrier case, which was set down for hearing at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, was adjourned by consent until today.

We have received from Mr. A. Heather, agent of the United Insurance Company, Limited, a copy of the Company's report and balance for the year ending 30th September, an extract from which appears in another column, from which it will bo seen that the company is in a sound financial position, and entitled to rank with the leading colonial companies.

A pasjenger on board the Tarawera, named John Clark, accidentally fell down a staircase on board the vessel, and received fracture of tho collarbone and contusion of the head. He was taken, on the arrival of the vessel, to the Hospital for treatment.

During Sunday night the publican's booth on tho Ellerslie racecourse was entered by some persons, and some of the stock, tho property of Mr. H. Tanner, of the Avondale Hotel, who had the rights of the booth at Saturday's races, was stolen. Yesterday Constable Lambe, of the Newmarket police station, arrested four lads—James Magee, Cecil Cole, Harry Quelch, Arch. Grubb—on a charge of larceny of a. quantity of cigarettes, value 53, the property of Henry Tanner.

A fire occurred at an early hour yesterday morning in Winchester-street, Newton. A small wooden building was destroyed, and another containing three rooms, unoccupied, was destroyed partially. The damage is about £8. The property was owned by Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons, and was uninsured.

A boy at Dcvonport, whose name could not be ascertained last evening, foil off a horse, and was severely injured.

In connection with Island work of H.M. s. Dart, a letter from that vessel, received in Sydney, gave particulars of an interesting shark episode. A marine, who has a reputation for expert shark-fishing, fastened to one which, when hauled aboard, was found to contain a sheepskin (thrown over from the Dart two days before), two fish each five feet long, nine crabs, a lot of tortoiseshell, " soup and bouilli" tins, and two sheets of brown paper. The shark measured 14 feet long, six feet in girth.

Our Kaiwaka correspondent writes " I havo to announce the death of another resident of Kaiwaka in tho person of Mr. Richard Harwood Wedge, who died on Sunday, November 3, in the 70th year of his age. The deceased gontleman wai born at the Rectory, Borough Green, Cambridgeshire, England, where his father, the Rev. C. Wedge, M.A., of Caius and Christ Colleges, was for a period of 69 years the rector. Tho deceased in early life imbibed a passion for travel, and after a few years spent in that pursuit entered the Royal navy, being appointed midshipman in H.M.s. Brilliant, on board of which ship young Wedge remained for several years, seeing much that both charmed and gratified a spirit that constantly longed for adventure and change. It was while serving on board this warship that Wedge, still a young man, met with an experience which nearly cost him his life. H.M.S. Brilliant being cngagod on a surrey of the coast of Africa, was also ordered to keep a strict watch over slave vessels. On one occasion a slaver was observed. A launch was gob out, manned by officers and men from the ship. The object was the capture of the suspicious craft. Unfortunately the launch came against some sunken rocks and broke up, when all hands perished save two, Mr. Wedge being one of the saved. Becoming invalided, Mr. Wedge elected to remain at the Cape. This was in the year 1849, Being a man of undaunted spirit, coupled with great natural ingenuity, the deceased gentleman took up the role of builder, in which branch of business he was successful. In 1552 Mr. Wedge married a Miss Gibbons of Capetown, who as a wifo of many yours, is now left to mourn her great loss. Some years afterwards Air. Wedge decidod upon another change, oraburking for this colony, arriving in Auckland in November, 1804. Having selected some land at Wainui, a start was made at farming, which turned out fairly successful. Catching the gold fever, Mr, Wedge made his way to the Thames goldfield, where ho remained for eight years. A move was then made back to Wainui, as Mr. Wedge was suffering much in health. It was at this period that the duceasod and his wife camo to reside in Kaiwaka, Unfortunately Mr. Wedge never regainod his health, which had been a source of anxiety to his family and friends. Tho deceased gentleman boro his sufferings with Christian fortitude and resignation, death being due to senile decay. The deceased gentleman was a skilful wood carver and a chaste designer. The remains of the late Mr, edge were interred in tho cemetery, Hakaru, on Tuesday, November 5; a good gathering of friends being present at the funeral. Exquisite floral wreaths were kindly sent by Mrs. Littin and Miss liowmar. The Rev. Mr. Wyatt, in a most impressive manner, conducted the burial service. > The deceased leaves a family consisting of three sons and four 'laughters for whom much sympathy is felt."

A serious accident ocourred to Thomas Moyle, second steward of the steamer lona at Ohiwa on Sunday morning last. While endeavouring to right a punb which had overturned with the hoisting gear of the steamer, the hook of one of the blocks broke, with the result that the block and gear came down by the run, striking Moyle. who was standing on the deck, on the head, inflicting such severo wounds thab he was rendered unconscious. Everything possible was done for him by Captain Stein, and thoso on board the steamer, and he was taken ashore to the hotel, and the doctor ao Opotiki telegraphed for, bub lie had nob arrived when the steamer left on Sunday afternoon, and it is not known to what ex] tent Moylo has beon injured.

The usual weekly meeting of the Prince Albert College Literary and Debating Society was hold last evening. The president, Mr. T. Jackson, M.A., occupied the chair. The literary business for the evening was a deb*to, the subject being, "Has Journalism been Beneficial to tho Growth of English Literaturo during the Present Century?" The Rev. S. Lawry ably took the affirmative, and amongst other arguments pub forth by him contended that journalism furnished the training school for many men who had become famous in English literature, and that the reading of newspapers and journals cultivates a literary tnsto. Air. A. B. Chappell made a good defence for the negative side of the question, Speeches were made by Messrs. Bowie, Bollard, Smith, Bull, and the President. The openers replied, and when the vote was taken it was found that there was a majority of seven for the affirmative.

The Ladies' Bonovolent Sooioty having fixed the date of their first grand floral fete at Potter's Paddock on Saturday, December 7th, a fete which, if successful, -hoy intend repeating yearly, now ask the co-operation of the various societies, fire brigados, and goneral public, hoping that they will give their assistance nob only by attending in largo numbers bub also by sending every description of vehicle ab their con.-nand decorated with flowers, overgreens, ferns, and banners, also horses, ponies, donkeys, go-carts, etc., according to advertised schedule. Prides will be awarded to the bosk decoration in each class. Entries close on November 25th, and should be senb to Mr. Ewington, Coombos' A*" ado, Queen-streob. In a few days they lupo to exhibit in some shop windows in town illustrations of decorated vehicles and equestrians. Any willing to givo prizes are roquestod kindly to send them to Mrs. Nelson, St. Paul's Vicarage, who will secure some place to exhibit them. Those fiites are held with great success on the Continent, and are being adoptod in England. Surely we may hope with our abundance of flowers, genial climate, and hearty co-operation of the public, that a floral fete held in Auckland for such a deserving cause may be a great success.

A tableaux and concert) were given last evening at St. Thomas's Schoolroom. There was a crowded attendance, and the audience testified their appreciation by hearty applause. The orchestra rendered several overtures. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Morrin, Misses Chrystal, Dunningham, Armstrong, May Dunningham, Messrs. Dunningham and Watts. Tlio tableaux were "Jacob's Dream" (two scenes) ; " Ruth and Naomi," with song: "Ruth," by Miss Dunningham; "David and Saul" (two scenes), with song by Misi Chrystal; " Ahasuerus and Queon Esther" (two scenes), with selection from the cantata of " Esther," by Messrs. Watts and Dunningham, and the orchestra. Everything went off most successfully, tho various tableaux being beautifully staged, the Court of Ahasuerus presenting a truly luxurious Oriental appearance. The proceedings closed with the Doxology. The performance will be repeated to-night.

The Auckland Rescue Society mot yesterday afternoon at tho Y.M.C.A. Mrs. Davis (preEidont) occupied tho chair. Tho following resolution was carried" That the Society begs to draw the attention of the Premier to tho fact that juvenile prostitution of both sexes is rampant, and on the increase in Auckland, and desire that some stops bo at onco taken to suppress tho evil." It is suggosted that a special constable bo appointed to look after tho matter. The Tivoli Musical Comedy Company will give a performance in the City Hall tonight, and three succeeding nights, when the musical-farcical comedy of " The Little Sentinel" will be produced, and tho comedietta of "Slattery's Home." Johnny Collins and Carl Browne will make their first appearance.