LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10014, 28 December 1895, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

r,P*T i' issued with the Herald a V,d lithographed almanac for 1806, ' or li S ,l in rive colour?. At the top is a t j fff of Auckland city and harbour, fciken jr.,,. '.I"-' Windmill by one of tho members I : j„» ||hulk's lithographic staff. There , :<0 c iv,-n the Auckland and commercial j-'o ( ,f signals, he usual yearly calendar, n _the information requisite as to ocean -ervu-fs tor ISflB, postal rates, stamp jii u'S, a:i i h'fih '' les ' or al ' New Zealand. f American mail steamer Mariposa ifrjvc! Jr.»in Sydney last evening, after a ~t „ -• weather passago of a litblo over }. ir i.,\ v The si earner had a large p :!o; |u.«si',,|;eri= for this port and a j. . ■ ,;-..ler booked through to San Franci, i j-, i «iy ports. Three of the members pj i , -..-ens and Ministry (Hon. Hugh M*. iV". ■■ I'rrinier and Colonial Treasurer; ), .. r ,1 Hirues, Attorney-General ; and jj •, !■: b'Ti l'hilp, Minister for Mines and ivare passengers to Honolulu on a i:,\ :: ip At that port they will take j,, i , i.ii.m mail steamer and return to J,..:...* Among t lis passengers for San j. p , .v. ire Captain Halcrow, of the f.-.. in shin Alamela, which vessel was cj: ; « n i i Sydney Harbour recently by the (i s't'.uiii'i Indrani, and has since been I-, .; Mr I. V I'avics, of Davie? and Fohon, Bio:. ■>i'i!", Sydney ; and Mr. W. J. Walf,riv. in.ii.t for Mr. A. A. Zimmerman, the 'mpii'n bicyclist. Tho Mariposa has s'f.i .I in;:*! general cargo for San Frani«,v. i .oai.lmg 1250 bales of wool. She rwa'ii.w her voyage at two o'clock this b ; :e:i' • lr, «

An Kii'.'lish mail, of London date, Note'r>r I'i, arrived from Sydney by tho hist evening. Anglo-Colonial j• f -. .m.l other items of interest, from our I,- : ; in correspondent, appear in another p-: ot tins i^uo. T<e Mat oral election at Wellington ap p-.i:# '0 have excited more than usual i-i:,.:>-i- anil on the evening of the 14th IV , Vr. George Fisher, the newlyf a-'i Mayor, was entertained at Thomas's H».i. and presented by his supporters with in »ii "ess and a purse of sovereigns. Mr. J. Macini.i-.y, in making the presentation, fill fiat the enemies of Mr. Fisher had -»re.i that he was not to be heard of in p r.-« any more, but his friends were do|i>:mined that this should not bo so. Mr. Fi'lvi s success in the election was to bo m.i i «t?piiiiig-stone to a higher place, niicie Mr. Fii-lier had been such a brilliant crr.t'nent. Mr. Fisher made a suitable rep > alluding to the decisive victory of the e.ecnon, indicating a revived interest in ciumcipil proceedings. He then referred to tin. i,'r.>i\tli of the ci 'y, and to various rami"! il matters. On tho motion of Mr. F. W. t| iybittie.l vote of thanks wag ac-rM-de-i to the Mayoress elect, Mrs. (», ,-li j r.

Yesterday Dr. and Mrs. Purchas cele br.ited their golden wedding, Dr. Purchas p.:. 1 Mis« I'lullinor having been married at ?•. C.uiiorine's Church, Liverpool, on the CT:h December, 1545 There were ten of their children and 22 grandchildren present, as also one son-in-law and two riaightersin law. There were but three of no rircle unavoidably absent, namely, one c: Dr. Furohas's sons, who is at Edinburgh University graduating for the medical profusion, and two of the sons-in-law. A b'idescate was one of the features, and some beautiful bouquets (among them a beautiful bridal bouquet from Mrs. Howard llreenway) were presented to the aged couple, one of them being from Mrs. Barnow, who was herself a bride when Dr. and Mr. Purchas lan l»d in New Zealand in 1546. About 150 persons called upon Dr. an' Mr*. Puichas during the day, and tendered their congratulations to them.

An inquest was held yesterday at the retidence of Mr. John Earl, Smith-street, Pcnionby, by Dr. Philson, coroner, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of his young daughter, aged eight years. After hearing the evidence of Mr. Earl and Dr. Bedford, the jury returned a verdict of " Death from natural causes," namely, choleraic diarrhoea.

The Hon. Edward Blake, M.P.,Q.C., will deliver an address entitled "The Irish Movement," in St. James's Hall, on Friday evening, January 10th. Tho honourable gentleman is famous as an orator in the Senate, at the Bar, and on the public platform.

An inquest will be held to day at 10 a.m. on the body of James Mather Reston, son if Mr. G. S. Reston, whe was drowned at l'ine Hand on Boxing Day. It will bo held by Dr. philson, Coroner, at the reeidenceof deceased'* father, Mount Eden. Owing to the Coroner having to hold two other inquests yesterday he was unable to arrange to hold it earlier. The funeral of the deceased will take place at two o'clock this afternoon,

At the Police Court yesterday morninsr tho presiding justices were Messrs. J. Savage and A. Clements. For drunkenness one first offender was cautioned. Albeit Edward Alley was remanded for one w*ek on three charges 'if larceny. He was allied out on bail, and the sureties were fix''l at two of £100 each, and himself in £1')0. A cise against James Lavery, charged with assaulting one M. H. Frost, w is dismissed with costs against the informant, as he did not appear. Mr. G. N. Brafsey appeared for the defendant.

On Saturday night a house at Cambridge, occupied by Mr. Brown, carpenter, who lived alone, was burned down. The origin 0! the fire s unknown. It was insured for £75, and the furniture for £25, in the .Northern Insurance Company.

The Journal of the Department of Labour for December is to hand. In Auckland the building trades are reported fairly busy, the engineering trade much improved, the boot trade busy, and the clothing trade very bu<y. Steady business is being dine in the retail trades. As to uniui'.ied labour, it is stAted there are few on the books. At Gisborne the bmi ling trades are fairly busy, and the ret trade quiet, but showing signs of improvement. With regard to unskilled labour, there have been but few applicants for employment during the month. The bulk of the local labour has been employed ai <-eieral road contracts now in hand and at shearing. Oras'-seeding will commence shortiv. In November thero were 1891 labourer' on co-operative works under Government departments, and in the Public Works Department 193 artisans and C.'iO labourers, which, with 35 on the State farm at Levin, makes a grand total of '2740. Of these, 405 were under the S'lrsey Department in tho Auckland dij'tict; under the Public Works Department, 0 artizans and Si labourers on the Kamo-Hikurangi railway ; partisans and 8 labourers on the Paeroa-Te Aroint railway ; 40 men on north end of North Island Main Trunk Railway ; 4 artisans and 4 labourers on Hon wharf; and 4 labourers on Thompson's track. For the hangareiK .iii-i Railway Extension sleepers contract (SijOu) accepted: Kettle Brothers, r ®s' ii., h 2000 a- 3s; C. Kettle, Greymouth, '21100 a! as Id; W. P.. Kettle, Greymouth, 20(j0 at .'i-t 2d ; W. Smith and Co., Hokitika, 251/1 at 3s 2d. ' The spielers were operating on Boxing Day and several instances of pocketPacking aie stated to have occurred to and at the Ellerslie racecourse. It is not, likely tint ihev will confine themselves to the racecourse, but will take advantage 0 a outdoor gatherings to carry on their depredations. The police are having a surveillance of some of these gentry, whose identity is well known to them. A lad named Verran died at Coromandel on Thursday last of sunstroke. Yesterday afternoon a horse in one of Parker's 'buses fell down in Hobson-street, and had to be taken out of the traces. Mr. Halstead, veterinary surgeon, was sent tor, and paid the horse was suffering from apoplexy caused by the excessive heat. died in a short tin:?.

The tradesmen are said to bo very well satisfied with the result of the Christmas business, and state that it shows a satis factory increnso upod last year's trade. We have to acknowledge receipt of a Christmas card from tho editorial, commercial, and composing staff of tho News, New Plymouth, wishing "a merry Christmas." These good wishes are heartily reciprocated by tho Herald staff.

n ie! n ?S int °,, the death ° £ Albert drowlL Zi ' a K .ed seven years, who was luted in mL h circumstances.toWeatmnroi Herald, was held at PowChir M !trMli ' ofF Richmond Road, ooroS a 6 ft ' m ' y ? 9terda before the . , ' r ' Philson, and a special jury of thnV it eared / rom the evidence taken that he deceased ~, company with another tln> 1 *'T dM W ' ®P eer > wore playing on flfi °, t , he (lam ub Mr ' R. Warnook's factory, and that Crook, whilst in the act of throwing a piece of wood into the water, overbalanced himself and foil into the dam. Spoer gave the alarm, but when the deceased s father, Mr. George Crook, arrived, 10 lad had sunk, and tho body was not recovered for soma hours. A verdiot of Accidental drowning" was returned.

Some droll episodes occurred during tho taking of evidence before the Midland Kail way Commission. A miner from a district on tho West Coast, so inaccessible that those who reside there go by the name of "The Lost Tribes," was giving ovidenco in Wellington, After stating that .10 worked in the wild and remote district for year*, lie was asked by the Midland Railway Company's counsel how much a week he made on the averago. 11 Some* times more sometimes less," was the laconic answor. Being pressed to be morodefinito, he said, "Somot'imes half-an-ounco, sometimes mora ; it all depends on the woathor," " What is your average for tho last fire years,'' queriod the counsol. " Oh, I never koep a tally; as it comes so it goes." "Have you made a hundred pounds?" "A hundred pounds," said tho digger, " why I'vo spent more than that in whisky," The counsel collapsed, tho court roared, and tho general public laughed consumedly It was jocularly remarked that the Rev. L. M. Isitt should try his hand on " The Lost Tribes," and oven Sir Robert Stout seemed to approve of the suggestion.

It is estimated that nearly 9000 pleasure seekers were conveyod to the various holiday resorts on Boxing Day by the Uevonporb Ferry Company's fleet, and the Northern Steamship Company's returns show another '2000. In addition to thu above, the several smallor " packots" were kept busy throughout tho day, and takon as a whole thero must hare beon something like 12,000 persons afloat on Thursday. The race course was patronised by a record attendance of over 9000, 'and the vehicles of the several livery and bait stables were all engaged, so that ib is probably no exaggeration to say that considerably over 20,000 Aucklanderawereholiday-makingon Boxing Day.

Six cases of apples sent from the Goulburn district of Australia to India with the view of testing the market thore had arrived in good order with tho exception of one caso. The profit netted was per case, but the agent did not hold out any hope of an extensive market.

A correspondent writes The missions conducted by the Very Rev. Father Boyle ac I'anmure and Howick, concluded on Sunday List. It must have been very gratifying to Monsignor McDonald and tho Missioner to witness the very largo number of the faithful who complied with their religious duties. The churches in both dis'ricts were prettily decorated, especially the altars, on the great festival of Christma'. The Monsignor officiated at Panmure, and Fathers Boyle an 1 Hundley at Howick, the congregations being unusually large. The manner in which the churchos, grounds, and especially the cemeteries are kept, speaks volumes for the energy and taste of Monsignor McDonald.

Yesterday Mrs. Dr. Knight gave a Christmas tree entertainment to about 120 children, in the grounds of her residence, Severn House, Pon«onby Road, in aid of tho funds for Dr. Barnardos Home. The grounds were decorated with flags and bunting, and in the evening were lighted with Chinese lanterns, while the tree, ablaze with wax candles and loaded with all kinds of presents, presented a very pretty appearance. The youngsters were regaled with innumerable good things, and all obtained prizes. The affair was one of the most successful of its kind over hold in Auckland.

On Thursday afternoon the ladies of the Auckland Wealeyan Auxiliary Society hold a meeting in one of the class-rooms of tiie Pitt-street Church, for the purpose of exhibiting the contents of the mission box, which they intend sending to Mr. and Mrs. Fellows, New Guinea. Besides a great number of blouses for the natives, the box also contained calicoes, tea, medicines, text.«, knives, toys, fishing-hooks, cottons, thimbles, needles, etc. After viewing these tho ladies adjourned to the church parlour for afternoon tea. The Rev. Mr. Bull concluded the meeting with a few suitable remarks and prayer. The bo:: was shipped by the s.n. Rotomahana fo." Sydney, whence it will be forwarded t» New Guinea.

During the present week, Mr. C. Gaze, who has been 19 years in the service of Messrs. Brace and Co., High-street, and is retiring therefrom, was the recipient of a marble clock as a mark of esteem.

The Messrs. Reid Brothers hare again kindly granted permission to the M.U. Oddfellows to hold their Premier Picnic at Motutapu. The function eventuates on Saturday, February loth, 1896. A Gippsland farmer has lately planted five acres with peppermint. The trial last season of half an acre proved so successful that the venture of a larger area has been entered upon. The distillation will be done at Lindenon, but if the crop proves a payable one he will fit up a neccssary p.ant for future operations. On Christmas Day, Mr. J. Selby, the well known cyclist, left the Newton firebell at four a.m. and arrived at Hamilton East at thirty-live minutes past eleven. He .ost twenty-five minutes by stopping for '" c 1 between Huntly and Ngaruawahia. His actual riding time was seven hours 10 minutes, or two hours eleven minutes under his previous record over the same route. , , .. To-morrow afternoon the favourite steamer Eagle will run an excursion to Howick, landing passengers on the new wharf recently erectcd there, llowtck i* one of the prettiest watering places near Auckland, and is bound to become a popular resort. The steamer will leave the Jerry Tee at half-past two, returning from the Howick Wharf at five o'clock.

Mr. M'Mekan, of Victoria, recently inspected the fiaxgrowing districts of Ireland, and was convinced that flax could be giown in Gipps'and and the Western districts of Victoria profitably for local manufacture.

Mr. Hamilton, of Stratford, Victoria, last year put in about three acre# of castor oil plant, which was sown broadcast, it grew remarkably well. He recently set out seven acres which is expected to grow Bft high. Mr. Hamilton, who got the bonus tor a paddock of his flax last year, expects to get the same for the castor oil crop. The Northern Steamship Company notify elsewhere New Year excursion trips, on Wednesday, to VVaiwera by «.»- Wellington ; to Mahurangi Heads by s.s. Clansman ; and to Ruth's Island (Waiheke Passage) by the s.s. Arayle. On Thursday to W aiwora by the s.s. (jairlnch ; to Mahuranci Head* by the s.s. Clansman ; and to Ruth Island by the Areyle. Luncheon will be provided at moderate charges, and bands will bo in attendance. Yesterday evening at the Opera House there was again a crammed audience to witness the production of "The Span of Life" by the Bland Holt Combination. There could be but one opinion as to. too success of the piece. The drama will be repeated this evening. _ Tho Tivoli Company staged their Christmas pantomime last night for the second time, and the performance was, if anything, superior to that of the previous evening. "Muldoon's Picnic" went off without a hitch, keeping everyone in roars of laughter right through the two acts. Of the introduced items, "0 Fairy Wand," from Mar. tana, sung by Miss Harte and Mr. Fred Royd, was certainly therein. A-i"' *> Arcy and Mr. J. Hamilton were also well received in their songs, ami the ballets, by young ladies trained by Miss Griffiths, were neatly executed. Tho harlequinade was repeated with every success. The excellent music of Mr. E. J. Burko's orchestra contributed much to the enjoyment of tho audience, and the limelight, manipulated by Mr. C. a. Mackie, enhanced the beauty of the transI formation scene greatly.