LOCAI AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10020, 6 January 1896, Page 4

LOCAI AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Custcms duty paid by the Sugar Company, i one week lately, for the local consumption of sugar amounted to close on £2000. In the course of the year this company afcne has contributed to the Government revenue an amount nob far short of the whole of the Customs revenue of Knpier towi and the province of Hawko's Bay. It wai not without pood grounds that the Sugir Company complained, on a recent occasbn, of the Government's harshness in the natter of collection of the duty, and as was sated at the time the Executive did not seen, to recognise its best friends. An inqnirj into the circumstances attend. ing the death by drowning of the young man James Young, while bathing late at night at Ilmrcatiio Crock, was held at Man* fere, on Saturday, before Mr. S. Luke, coroner. Evidence was given by Hugh MoKeimie and Joseph Collhoun, after hearing which, the' jury returned the following verdict" That tho deceased, Jamas Young, was accidentally drowned in the Manukau waters, Ihumatao, between the hour of eleven p.m. and midnight on Friday, January 3, 1896. The? jury were also of opinion that Hugh McKenzie's conduct in striving to save the deceased is deserving of great praise."

At the Police Court on Saturday morning, before Mr. R. S. Bush, S.M., there were but throo cases set down for hearing. A man named G. W. Evans sued his two sons for maintenance, but after hearin" the evidence his Worship dismissed bothinforillations. The third case, also for a breach of the Destitute Persons Act, was ad journed.

Several new residences are about to be erected at Birkenhead, and to make the district more attractive the Borough Council intend making good roads and footpaths throughout the borough. Some of the residents have given handsome donations towards this object, and to further augment the funds the moonlight) excursion in the commodious electriclighted steamer Britannia takes place this evening, and should be largely attended. Mr. J. A. Beale and several friends of known ability will provide an excellent concert programme, and Hunter's Band of twelve porformers will also render various musical selections. The time of leaving and other information will bo found in our advertising columns.

An accident which occurred at Onchunga on Saturday afternoon shows that this schoolboy habit of ridine on 'bus steps is as dangorous to those indulging in it as it) is annoying to drivers. It appears that a boy eight years old, a son of Mr. Richard Webb, a gardoner, was riding upon the doorstep of tlio half-past four o'clock 'bus. Quite heedless of whether any vehicle was following or not, he left the step, and in running towards the footpath he was knocked down by a buggy driven by Mr. Gore, of Mangere, which was coming up behihd. Fortunately, the boy was thrown by the horse clear of the buggy, _or matters might have been worse. He is, however, as the result of the accident suffering from concussion of the brain, and a fracture of some bonus of his arm. Dr. Erson was sent for, and he attended to the lad, who is progressing a? I favourably as can be expected.

A country visitor to Auckland, Mr. James Clements, of Cambridge, had rathe* a novel experience, yesterday afternoon, of the perils of city' iife, He was walking down Qucon street, past the front of the Albert Hotel, when one of tho flower-pots on the windowsills in' the second storey was blown ovor by the fresh breeze and fell or. his head. After sitting down for a few minutes he became sufficiently recovered to go away to bis lodgings.

On Saturday morning two boys, nephews of Mr. Alexander Bell, farmer, of'Pakuranga, had a narrow escape of being drowned while bathing, and thus adding to the already long list of casualties in that way, The boys, accompanied by their uncle, and a farm hand named McAlister, went into the creek to bathe, when the younger boy, David Bell, aged 8, got out of his depth, McAlister, who could not swim, went) to his aid, with the result that they grasped (jach other and sank. But for Mr. Bell's timely arrival both would have drowned, as the boy was got out in an unconscious condition. Dr. Erson was called in, and restorative measures being usod the lad is now out of danger.

The Hon. Edward' Blake, M.P., Q.C., is expected to arrive in Auckland on Wednesday next, and on the following Friday evening, in St, James' Hall, he will deliver his promised ' address. Much. interssb is boing manifested to hear the gifted Cansdian orator, It was intonded that he should speak in one of the large ball;, bub their prior engagement prevented this, - . .?

An ordinary' meeting of the Devon port Borough Council will be held this evening,' at eight p.m. Business : Ordinary, Auckland Fire Underwriters' i Association, revision of committees, i etc. A meeting ; ol the Rangitoto Island Domain Board will be held ab close of business in ordinary meetitig, for the purpose of considering offer from Mr. H. .Branson of £15 for i buildings on the Island 'conditionally upon' till Board accepting surrender of the lease.' > -

No further trace haieen found of the escaped prisoner Alley.! Some persons f-re incline'} to the opinio from his men ial condition and his priously expressed sentiment, that he majhave mads away with himwlf. ' / A correipondent, >. iDawes, writingwithregard to '(Joud Phenomena, saysTh» parngrpf in the/ bc.ence column of Sa.urdiiy week's suppjbment ot the Herald, d.ecribiw a lumiti/us cloud, reminded me ola siular thing /witnessed some 20 years r.jp nff Leahursi in Derbyshire, a copy of foe reas noticj I forward herewith for compkftn. In /his caso the cloud approached toadside/and passed overheadA pheauenon jfi the sky.— About half-past sevi p.m/on the 14th instant the sky soutTard from LeahuiSt assumed an appcara© of extraordinary blackness, and soemetto presage a violent thunderstorm. This pdually spread and intensified till just b)ro eight o'clock, when a most singular s>ak or bar of cloud, tapering .at each end, fined in front of tho blackness and much wer in the atmosphere, being but littlobovo the hilltops. Its position was across fo valley, or east to west, and its length nearl;hevalloy'swidth. While still keeping theirao form, it increased rapidly in size, d we soon perceived that, it was floats; towards us at considerable speed, althgli tho whole *• atmosphere seemed in detcalm and clear, Tho upper surface was pu white and like driven snow, beneath it rembled a menacing thunder cloud. It m a weird and inspiring sight. SimlVneously with its approach a donse vapurivas observed to rise from tho River Lsrjent (though previously none had exis.eathere), and keeping pace with tho cl(ud[lrove across the country. To those peon who were not actually in it, this fog hadhe appearance of a driving hailstorm ming with such force that the people ou walking in the park took to their heols wil the utmost speed. As the cloud pnssedpverhcad a very cold wind swept past.'" The Otago Daily Times fblishes an interview with Mr. (I. McLeatin connection with the liquidation roceedings of the Colonial Bank. J. McLean said:—"The directors were inxious to secure the most suitable men r the position, and discussed long and c -chilly the merits of a number of applicant and names submitted for consideration. Jltimately tLey came to the decision tha the three men whom they had recotnmenc 1 were tho most desirable and suitable. J. Lamaoh had only recently, in 1894, beenVppointod to the board by a largo majorty of the votes of shareholders at a contests election, so he might be presumed, thereto! to have bad the confidence of the shalholders. But, apart from this, ho was a lan with exceptional banking experience, nd the directors believed that he would t able to deal with judgment and care \th the accounts which have to bo worke by the Bank of New Zealand on behal of tho Colonial Bank shareholi!t"s. Furterthan this, lie was himself a largo share!: Ider, so that in this way, also, it was to hi.- nterest to make the best of the liquidat n. As to Mr. Keith Ramsay, he was an Id and respected citizen of Dunodin and a competent business man. He had hided a deputation of shareholders whictj waited upon the directors recently with i view to securing representation by tbesha iholders on the board of liquidators, and /suggestion that he himself should be appointed met with emphatic approval on til part of the shareholders present on that [ccasion. It was well known that Mr. KeitHßamsay had at recent meetings strongly land adversely criticised the action of tie directors, but this in no way detored tha directors from giving effect to ulafc they believed to be the wish of shalholders. Mr. Ramsay was unwilling to sccept the position, but ultimately agreed, aid accordingly his appointment was recoJimended. Then as to Mr. Vigers. He haTassumed the inspectorship on Mr. Wat'in's retirement, and, as he had a thorough knowledge of every customer's account al the head offioa and the many branches and a 20 years' banking experience, it was most desirable that bis services should bo secured." i The Oddfellows of Howiek held their annual church parade yesterday al All Saints' Church, Howick. About sixtj or seventy of the Auckland brethren, representing Fountain of Friendship, William Tell, and Parnell Lodges, were present, and the building was crowded to excess. After service the members met at the hotel for dinner, and the visitors returned to Auckland much pleased with their reception, A lecture was delivered by Mrs. Sarah Draffio last night at the rooms of the Theosophical Society, Mutual Life Buildings, Queen street. There was a moderate attendance. The lecture was "Revolution of Orthodoxy, or Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward? Men." The subject, which was dealt with entirely from a Theosophist's point oi view, was listened to with great attention. The second race of the season, under the auspices of the Manakau Yacht Club, was held on Saturday. Eight boats started, the Mona (J. A. Skinner) coming in first, the Minnie IC. Schnausr) second, and the Startle (T. Briarley) third. Two performances were given at Bernard's circus on Saturday, namely, a matinee in the afternoon, at which there was a large attendance of children who took advantage of the reduction of the charges in their favour, and the usual evening performance, which was fairly well attended. The featsacrobatic and gymnastic-of the little girl Ethel were on each occasion the leading attractions. The gale which set in yesterday brought the season to a sudden termination, for the tent was blown down and badly damaged. It is, we understand, intended to get a larger tent, and open again in a month with an enlarged and reconstructed company. The Tivoli Comedy Company gave a performance in the City Hall on Saturday night. The various items were both well rendered and well received ; the new addition? to the company being especially appreciated. " You'll Find Out/' tho farce, was highly amusing, and Mr. Fred Royd" surpassed himself in his acting. The company will not give another performance until Saturday. Thero wero in the lock-up last evening two prisoners, namely, Charles Edward Smith, on a charge of larceny of a dish of plums value 2s 6d, the property of Mr. Arch, Clark of Remuera ; and Harry Williamson, arrested by Constable Lamb, of Kewmarket, on a charge of larceny of a tent and fly, value 17s fid, the property of Chas. Archer Wells. The Chrietadelphians have made arrangements with Mr. Robert Roberts, of Birmingham, to give a course of lect /res on their faith in Australia, ftew Zealami, and America. Mr. Roberts is well known is the author of "Christendom Astray," which went through several editions, and of maty other Christadelphian publications, and. Ie is said to be a fluent speaker and also a good debater as may be judged from the fact that he was selected to carry on a six nights' debate with the late Mr. Charles Bradlaugh. He has also takes part in various other debates on the Chriotadelphian doctrine. Mr. Roberts is announced to deliver three lectures in Auckland. The first entitled "What are Things Coming To?" will be delivered in St. James' Hall, Wellingtonstreet, to-morrow evening, and the second lecture, Christ's First and Second Appearing, What do they Mean ?" in the same hull, on Thursday evening, and the third lecture " Who are the Jews, Why are they scattered, What is their Destiny?" in the Masonic Hall, Karangahapo Road, on Sunday evening. A writer in the Canadian Horticulturist fays that the strawberry-raspberry is not generally known. It is a native of Japan, and is described as a magnificent fruit. In manner of growth it is somewhat similar to , the common raspberry. The young plants commence bearing when only about two inches high, and full-grown bushes yield heavy crops of fruit. The leaves of the 1 pl<int are somewhat like a rose bush. Tho fruit is of large size, a brilliant red colour, and very deliriously flavoured ; it resemble:) a huge strawberry very much, and hence we name, strawberry-raspberry. Being Bj eh a fine fruit, and so different from all other kinds, it will no doubt be widely ■■ cultivated when better known. It can bo | used for every purpose that strawberries . ® n d raspberries are put to. In regard to hardiness, it will succeed over a wide range 8 country. ' JI