LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10015, 30 December 1895, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

owiN-i to tha New Year holidays, the Her.ud will not be published on Thursday morning next, January 2nd. Advertisers please arrange their notifications ac-K-r'Ji:,g!y, ''•« i'lc-ilny (New Year's Day), the Ist •. being a ponal holiday, the post i::.': •• : be closed, Mails usually dey/,:.' ! -1 Wednesday* will close at seven p.r.. ii T lay, the 31st in.-ttnt. The cii:--? .• ... be open from seven to eight p.m. on T .y, the 31.«t, tor delivory of letters, in:!;; !i-;j those usually delivered by lettercarrier;. A'i i-;rju».s: was held on Saturday forenoon, by Dr. I'hilson, coroner, into the c:rou'r,- - :'.r,ces surrounding the death of L:;>- ,\fi:her Kenton, fourth son of Mr. G. S. I'.'.-t.in, Governor of Mount Eden Gao:. who was drowned while bathing on fr-xi ;• lay at Pine Island. Mr. Mark Coe <..• "'..-d foreman of the jury. The facts <•' t.,-: a'; lent have been already published i'i th f ; Hfkw.3, and nothing of much itn-f<or:j';-i. n.ts elicited. The witnesses were -'h- Michael Flannery (principal warder, '■''w. hiieii Gaol), who deposed as to 3teps 'ak"n to recover tho body, and Claudo Saii'.'i, a iad w ho was bathing with de- -'" !. and staled that deceased comp air. l r.f cramp shortly after going into t*''• H-.-.-r, Witness suggested he should return t . the shore. Ho swam out a little, Mi'!'.ri ''i iking round could see no sign of Pi i'.'.-t'.n, Presently he saw one hand ail ' ! ' ■••• I' ll of tho head come above water, 4 ®'l i -ml; out of sight. Witness gave an d| ri>: • .:««• men came and dived unsuccessj?-*' 1-' »j>o!<l Christian, acting-mate of 8.8. '-t- li, -ii-|, ,-ed to diving for half an hour for ij.,,; i without success, and the body Win •-1 recovered till six hours afterwards, the; ,rv -eturned a verdict of "Accidentally drv,v ; 1. i" The funeral took place in tho 'o.t-. •,, 11 10 cortffje being a lar»e one. Do- ' '-v.; buried at St. Andrew's Cemejp'. 1 p-jm, the burial service being con-c'-t'j Iby the Yen. Archdeacon Dudley.

Our r irotnandel correspondent writes * !l - !oi ce have been making diligent "'•l'Juy and have pretty conclusively P rrjV "' ihit the unfortunate man who lost ' u = by trie fire on Monday night last * 4, i".i!i.',-d Alexander Mackerel. Ib apt!..t a man of that name arrived in null, lei at about 11 o'clock, but has bfcvn bun seen since, He has a brother 1:1 ''i-h-j.-ne. I', was thought that other H r "were also lost, but so fat' as I can kirn tii.j unfortunate man named is the '" ! y 'tie missing. Tho lady and child 'poK'-u of turned up all right, bat they had " ia.low escape.

A v icanev having occurred in the •ewin.!nst Borough Council owing to the of Mr. J.nxjn to the office of Mayor, •' Mir l'irie, Rtturnint; Officer, fixed noon °'Saturday lust as the time up to which "otniniitiuii- would be received. Only one P e nlcir.itn, namely Mr. John McColl, who !oine years a(.'u had served on the Council, v '. a# "'" linated, and he was declared duly t-ect-.1.

e regret to liavo to chronicle the death ; , on of our oldest and most respected cit.Ztiie.i ,M r . Kirby Uedcmont Andrews, *' 10 died at his late residence, Albertrect ' yesterday, at the age of 71- Do- "■»*«! arrived here in the ship Arifchnesia years and commenced business wiortly after his arrival as a wholesale utclier, retiring after having earned ft otT >{>ctfncy. Deceased leaves a widow and ° n ° 'laughter (Mrs. E. D. Halstoad, of city) to mourn his loss. Ho will be 'tied by a very largo circle of friends.

I ll#r6 W -° two accidents on Saturday Pa Tbe firßb befel a ' was ?id?n„ named Samuel Burgess, who Paddock V' aCO ' 1O39 from P attQrson3 ! d limnh - : Newmarket. When opposite side STI a !' L ft doR rftn outl from the ide of tho road at the horHO, and it bolted. and .> was unable to hold the °"« in, corner Til th * r ,° Psr ' lß ». and »<> the old Union Q° Man " kau Road, above the thrown ?!■ 1 ' T iD ° 0, ' Factor y> he ™ mIT •! g hls heftd severely. Dr. S r , w » passing at the time, and moved°to V' piltioMt ' a "d had him iv i • home, at Newmarket, wliero „ B nd «* y pufc in three stitches into the I", burgess is processing gradually, S 1 confined to bed. The second accident occurred to a son of Mr. John Gray, cordial manufacturer, who was driving a vehicle laden with cordials. While passing underneath the railway arch, at Mechanics' say, a train came down the line from tho tunnel. _ Tho horse took fright and bolted, coming into collision with one of Martin's cabs, returning from town. Young Gray gob pitched off his trap, and bruised and shaken somewhat, whilo the polo of Martin's cab was broken, and one of tho horsos so injured thab it will probably have to bo destroyed.

Mention was recently made of the fact that tho Karawera steamer when off tho coast of New South Wales ploughod through immense shoals of fish, seemingly schnappor. Whether related in any way or nob to this oircumstanco, it is interesting to know that for the past two months schnapper have quito disappeared from the Bay of Islands and the waters of the adjaconn coasts. Are wo to look on this as indicative of migratory habits in these fish oxtonding to so distant scones as the other sido of Tasmansea? Or is there anything in the traditions current in volcanic countries that fish disappear from the coasts bofore earthquakes or violent volcanic eruptions. Tho potty larconist has been having a good time during the past week in visiting various residences in the Epsom district, and clearing out the larders of the good things provided for Christmas. Among the residences so visited wore those of Mr. R. S. Bush, S.M., and Mr. John Bull. Turkeys, hams, and sirloins of beef, etc., wore all equally acceptable to the nocturnal prowlers, and on Christmas morn the legitimate owners of tho toothsome viands had to be coutenb with such faro as was ab hand. The death has been reported to the police of Catherine Harvey, throe and a half months old, who died at the residence of Mrs. Baylits, wife of Mr. John Bayliss, labourer, Cross street, Newton. As the child was boarded out under the Infants' Lifo Protection Act, Dr. Philson, coronor, will hold an inquest.

Yesterday afternoon, about 1.30, a horse wit!i a dogcart attached, which had been hitched up near the railway station, bolted, and went up Queen-street, then into the Crescent, and was finally captured in Highstreet by Henry McGeehan, belonging to Kelly's livery stables, before any serious damage was done. From the inquiries of the police it appears the occupants, three young men fnm the country, after fastening up the horse, had adjourned into ono of the hotels for dinner, and whila so engaged the horse, through some cause or other, bolted.

A curious dispute arose at) Fotter's Paddock Trotting Club races on Saturday afternoon, between two men named James Martin and Adlart Thomas Wddon. As. far as the facts can be gathered Martin saw Weldon, in his vicinity, putting a roll of notes in his pocket, and as he (Martin) was about to back a horse he put his hand in his pocket and missed £10. Believing that tho notes he saw Weldon with were his notes, he clutched at them and got them. Weldon indignantly denied the charge, and it is understood evidence is forthcoming that he had drawn some £10 or £15 in notes at the totalisator. The police wore appealed to by both men, and the result was that Martin laid a chargo against Weldon of stealing £10 from tho person, and Weldon laid a like charge against Martin. Both men waro brought to the police station by Detective Chrystal, and the charges entered in the chargo-sheet. They were bailed out during the evening, Both men are respectably connected, and the whole affair it is supposed is the result of a misapprehension.

As a rule there is an extra press of business at the Police Court) towards tho end of the week, bub the sitting on Saturday morning was only of three minutes' duration. One first offender for drunkenness was cautioned, and Thomas Lackey was fined ss, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment for a second offenco. Thos. Richards pleaded guilty to having beon drunk and disorderly in Victoria Road, and ho was fined 103, with the alternative of 43 hours'. Mr. K, S. Bush, S.M., saton the Bench.

A Christmas treat was given to the old folks at theCoatley Home, by Mrs. Lonsdale l'ritt, and a number of tho ladies of Remuera, on Saturday afternoon. Cake, tea, and fruit were bountifully supplied, tho ladies poing round the wards and sorving the bed ridden first. Packets of tobacco were given to thoso who were devotees of tho weed, the Rev. Mr. Gillam, Ellerslie, making tho distribution. After the bountiful repast in the large dining-room, to which about 130 men and 35 women sat down, an entertain raent wis arranged. Songs were contributed by Miss Dudley, Mesdames Clung, Rhodes, l'ritt, Mai.-rs. Petrio, and Barber : pianoforte solos by Miss Parsons and •Master Finlayson ; violin solos by Misses Atkins and Bush, Tho old people of the Home were delighted with the treat and entertainment as being a pleasant break in tho monotony of their lives. Mr. Moss and Mrs. Moss, the master and matron of the Home, also aided in every way in promoting the comfort of tha inmates, and in aiding tho ladies in their good work.

A Press Association telegram from Now Plymouth, on Saturday, states that a force of police, under Inspector Thomson and Detective Gaul.ley, raided Jury's tobacconist shop, on Friday, and made ten arrests. At the Police Court, Jury was fined £50 for keeping a gaminghouso, or in default three months. Two men named Lovelock and Joseph Coburg were fined £5 each for frequenting tho house, and five others were fined £1 each also, for frequenting tho house.

The regatta at Crull's Bay, Waiheke, on New Year's Day, gives promise of being a very successful affair, yachtsmen generally entering into the matter with a good deal of enthusiasm. The residents of the island aro also taking a great deal of interest in the event, and have given a good many prizes for competition. The fir't event is to bo a Handicap Yacht Race, the first prize for which is a handsome silver cup, presented by Messrs. H. E. Patridge and Co.; and a sheep, presented by Mr. Croll. Thero are ten prizes in this ovent. The other events are:—Dingy Race for men (pair sculls); Fair-oar Dingy Race for ladies ; boat race for Waiheke settlers: Maori Dingy Race; Pair Sculls Dingy RaCfl * or ladies; Swimming Race for yachtsmen ; Wild Goose Chaise. The handicaps will equalise all boats of any das*. All entries are free, and yachts muse bo entered before ten a.m. on January 1, at Mr. R. Q. Reynolds' storo, Queen-streob Wharf, Tho whole of the eatable prizes are to bo cooked in a copper Maori, and presented in t>iO evening.

Last season there were made in Viotoria 239cwb of currants and 18,206cwb raisins. Tho grape crop was 293,842cwt for winemaking, 55,338cwt for raisins and currants, and 89,390 for table consumption. The acreage under vines was in Ruthorglon 7911 acres, Mildura 2880 acres, and Benalla 1091 acres. Hops occupied 608 acres, producing 4603cwt. Tobacco was grown on 141acresj yielding 7155cwi.

Wood ashes contain a largo percentage of potash, and will bo found an excellent manure for tomatoes. Not only do they correct any acidity in the eoil, bub they favour nitrification, and thoy supply carbonate of lime, of which a tomato crop requires at least 501b to the acre. A small amount of available phosphate will in most cases be sufficient for a successful tomato crop. Having made sure of an excess of lime, phosphates, and potash salts in the soil nitrogen should bo used freely but economically; a small quantity given frequently is much better than a large dose supplied all at ouce,

It is said thab pear or fire blight on pear and apple trees is best combatted by cutting out the affected branches.

Writing about the valuable properties of the grape vino, "Riviera" in Gardeners' Chronicle says" If our forefather Adam was of a philanthropic turn of mind, and knew the many properties of tho vino, he icasb hive felt a pleasure in handing down to mankind a plant which would prove in itself a miniature pharmacopeia, Perfectly ripe grapes are good for persona suffering from inflammation, such as gastritis, etc., whilst the unformented juice (wort) acts as a laxative. The seeds, or stones, are reputed as a popular remedy against dysontory and blood-vomiting. The ash from the canes act as a diurotic. The loaves, dried in the shado and powdered, are used in cases- of hemorrhage. Tho sap from tho you ig shoots is used for inflammation of the eyes. Dried raisins are an excellent pectoral for affections of the cheat. Whito wine acts as a tonic aperitive; whilst red wiim (which poots love to quote) is both nourishing and fortifying, if taken in moderation. Again we have tho vinegar, which is employed for so many purposes, and the oil, which is extracted from the seods, and is used in Southern Europe for illuminating purposes.

The Australasian Hebrew for December contains an interesting articlo on "The Australasian Jew in Art," boing a sketch of Mr. E. I'. Fox. A suggestion is thrown out for tho establishment of a Jewish college in Sydney.

A young man named James Alfrey meb with a serious accident at Waimate, Canterbury. Ho was cutting wood with ono of Mr. W. Hawkin's engines, and eomothine catching in the saw ho gave it a kick with his right foot. His foot struck the saw, and was cut nearly in two in an instant, Tho unfortunate man was immediately takon to tho hospital, and his injurios attended to.

The Live Stock Journal reports as follows Under the auspices of the German Landwirtschaftlichon Central Verein, 114 fillies of the cai t-horso type aro about to be imported into Germany for distribution in the province of Saxony, where they will bo mod for breeding purposes. They will, for the most part, bo chosen from British hoavy breeds, the Shire brood in particular, but a few will also be drawn from tho Belgian draught breed. The latter aro destined for Thuringia, a district adjacent to Saxony, as they are considered more suitable for that part than the English horsos—the country being somewhat of a hilly nature.

Heatloss light for illumination is probably in tho near future. Experiments have recently been conducted with the well-known (Jeisslor tubes by which rarefied air or other gas is rendered luminous by ail electric current. Recent investigations show that light sufficient to read by can bo obtained in a practical way, although at an expenditure of considerably more powor than is necessary for tho iticandoaconb or arc lights. Thero are indications, however, that some form of the Ueissler tubo will bo developed for practical use. In surgery, there can bo no question as to its value, as by its use it will be possible to pursue investigations in the cavities of the human body which, at present, can only be imperfectly carried on owing to tho heat) development by the incandescent) light.

A Washington publication recently offered prizes for " tho best original history of the United States in ono hundred words." The first prize was awarded for tho following —"The revival of learning, commercial rivalry, and religious zeal in Europe led to Columbus' discovery of America in 14112. Conflicting territorial claims and parental animosity involved English, French, and Spanish colonists in war«. culminating in English supremacy in 17VJ. England's oppression alienated colonial affection, induced revolution, hastened independence. Common cause and dangor begat colonial union ; tho woakness of tho confederation demanded a federal republic. Party differences tempered legislation. N'egroslavery precipitated civil strife, secession, emancipation. Federal authority supreme, reorganisation succeeded. Religious freedom, an unmuzzled press, invention, internal improvement, and universal education havo conspired to prosperity at homo and honour abroad."

At tho breakinir up of tho Arthur-street school, Dr. Stenhouse, of Dunedin, regretted that the manly art of self defenco was not taught in our school'. Our boys, ho said, were growing up with an entire absence of that pugnacity that characterised tho British race of yoara ago, Ho oppressed his disappointment that his boys did not come home with bleeding noses and black eyes.

A recent Bulletin of the Kansas State Agricultural College contains figure.') and descriptions of the plants of about one hundred and fifty common weeds of the State, Tho utility of such work is bo obvious, that it is hoped the managers of village schools will Mot* their children to work to discover and det:ct weed? in fiolds and hedgerows. In many case? this work may bo done oven in winter, and may bo made interesting to the children.

Wonderful as is Edison's kinetoscope, Messrs. A. and L, Lutniero have mado an improvement upon it which is likely to bo of great value. The new machine is called the kineraatograph. By this new adaptation, the images aro projected upon a screen, so as to bo visible to a large number of spectators. Tho apparatus may be used lor talcing photographs and for printing transparencies from the negatives. The results already obtained show the evolutions of cuirassiers, a burning house, a factory, street scenes, and a dinner party, all of which were thrown upon a screen at a recent exhibition in Paris.

If an illustration were wanted of the keeping qualities of Australian canned moats, it may be found in the fact that a tin of beef ovei twenty years old has jupb been opened in Melbourne, and found to be perfectly fresh, although not much flavour remained. This tin was ono of several found on a coasting steamer, and it is estimated that during the 20 years it had boon on board tho steamer the bojf had travelled some 400,000 railos.

On Friday evening "Jessica's First Prayer," with limelight illustrations, and music by the choir, was givoti in the Y.M.C'.A. Rooms. Air. C. E. Button read the larrativo, which was enjoyed by those present. Tho Rov. C. H. Yatman is in Wellington, where he has been holding good meetings. Ho oxpects to return to Auckland on Thursday, and will hold his opening meeting on Friday evening in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, when he will give an address to Christian workers. At a cattlo salo in Scotland not long since, a group of well-known farmers who were standing near tho rostrum kept up a running fire of comments on tho merits of the various animals as the sale was proceeding. At length, Mr. Eraser addressed thorn with tho mild romonstranco, "If you gentlomen would talk as much to mo as you are doing to each other, I would like it better." To this vory gentle hint, one of the gentlemen promptly replied, "Ah, but this sorb of talk disna' cost us onything." This naive statement of a solf-evidont faob was received with great laughter by the company. Tho Morning Post states that to encourage tho cultivation of flowers ab the railway stations on the Midland Railway Company's system, that company offered £200 in prizos among their stationmasters. There wore upwards of 200 entries for the competition, and the first prize was awarded by tho judges to tho stationmastor at Matlock Bath. There were in the lock-up iasb evening two porsons on charges of drunkenness, and Bolen Malletb on a charge of malicious iujury to property, by breaking five panes of glass and one door pane, valued 15s, in the dwelling of Wm. Geo. Garrard. Tho Northern Steamship Company will run an excursion to Whangarei to onable visitors to see the Whangarei racos. Tho s.s. Waiotahi will leave on Thursday evening, as notified elsewhere, and excursionists can return on Saturday evening by tho s.s. Wellington. Tho holiday programuio of the Tivoli Musical Comedy Company was again repeated at the City Hall on Saturday night, and in spite of the counter attractions there was a very fair audionce. The artists acquitted themselves very well, while Mr. Hamilton, in his song " Molly Reilly," was especially good. Tho two dances, " Littlo Alabama Coon," and the "Flag Ballet," were vory gracefully performed.