LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10033, 21 January 1896, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Thk Little Barrier expedition lett in the Nautilus yesterday morning at daylight, with tho intention, as already stated, of evicting Tenetahi, and tlio natives who had received notice to quit the island. If the wind should prove favourable for landing jii the island, and completing tho operations .•ontemplated, the Nautilus may be expected back to day or to-morrow.

The line Shaw, Savill. and Albion Co. largo steamer Rsingatira arrived from London yesterday afternoon after an excellent voyage of 54 days. The steamer, which is still under command of Captain G. Burton, R.N.R., comes into port in very neat order, and had pleasant weather throughout. Sho brings 0000 tons of genera: cargo, 3000 tons of which are for .Auc'k! .mi and the balance for Southern ports, l'here is also a consignment of six prize Fotnney Marsh rams which are to be landed at this port, and several pens of yrize fowls. The rams are in splendid trder, and their appearance shows that Ihey have received special careat the hands of Captain Burton and those on board.

It will be gratifying to many people to see, from the report of the meeting of the K n.'itoto Island Domain Board, in another column, that active steps are about to bo nkc:i to open up an easy track to the cone jf this mountain. When such facilities are Ml Tiled there is no doubt this will become ;» most popular scene for excursions, tho commanding view of the Hauraki Gulf, v i h its islands and promontories, and of ■„.i the picturesque surroundings of Auckland city and harbour, obtainable from the triple peaked summit of the mountain being Inds-cribably beautiful.

The team of Australian athletes who competed at the Championship Meeting have ju-; reached home. They are enthusiastic in praise of the treatment received throughout their visit, and deeply impressed with 'he motive power of New Zealand winds, Mr. White, the secretary of tho New South Wales team, candidly admits that the chief factor of the non-success of the Australians was that they simply were out-classed by the New Zealanders in the majority of the stents. He considers that no one hero could touch Bennett, the young Dunedin runner, in a mile, and the only man who might beat him in three miles is Biggs, and he would have to be very fit to do it. Bennett, altogether, is a phenomenal runner. There is not any one in New South Wales who could stand a chance with the New Zealand hurdlers or walkers who competed at the meeting. But for the wind causing his knock out, he thinks Kerr would have won the long distance cycle events.

The annual meeting ef the Auckland Harbour Board was held at the offices of the Board yesterday at noon, there being present: Mr. Malcolm Niccol (chairman), and Messrs. W. Thome, Farrell, and Kent. The Chairman pointed out that the meeting h.iH been called in accordance with section 55 of the Harbours Act, 1878, but as the accounts had not yet been audited, it would be necessary to adjourn until the audit had been made, and moved to that effect. Mr. r.urell protested against the waste of members' time, and asked the reason of the delay ? The Chairman pointed out that the Government Auditor was usually very busy about this time, and the same delay occurred every year. Mr. Thome said that the account.* of the Bank of New Zealand, which were ten times as voluminous as those of the Harbour Board, were always audited to time. The motion was then put to the treetng and carried.

For some time past, Ma jor Harris, M. H. H., has been urging on the Government the necessity for erecting a new punt and landing at Tuakau. He has received a telegram from the Government that it was decided to construct the punt at a cost of £'.!50. This, although welcome news to tiio many settlers who had hoped that within a reasonable time the bridge would be constructed, is not quite what they desired. While not altogether satisfied with a punt instead of a bridge, as advocated bv the member for the district, they have accepted the improvement. Major Harris pointed out the danger to life which threatens from the use of the punt at Tuakau, and the absolute necessity tor a bridge across the Waikato to Churchill and other bush districts in the Raglan county. It has been distinctly notified that imnli were not available for the bridge, anil the settlers ivill, for the present, have to content themselves with the ben they can get in the v.ay of an improved punt.

A special meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council was held lost night, to consider the question of the half holiday. A petition was received from a number of burgesses requesting that Wednesday be the day appointed. Mr. Burden considered that Wednesday should be the day ap pointed for the half-holiday. Mr. Liking thought as a number of ratepayers had considered it worth their while to take iteps in the matter, their wishes should be acceded to. Mr. Jack&on thought this half-holiday movement was a piece of nonsense, and ho objected to the principle of a compulsory half-holiday. He was of opinion that the closing of shops was a matter of hardship to some people. He considered that if butchers, tailor", and grocers' shops should be closed, the same rule should apply to publichouses. Mr. Nixon quite agreed with Mr. Jackson. If, however, there was'to be a half-holiday, he thought Saturday the most suitable day. Mr. Mackenzie was in favour of granting the request of the petitioners. It was resolved that Wednesday be the halfholiday for the ensuing year.

Last evening a soiree and musical entertainment was given at Beresford-strcet School. There was a large gathering representative of the various Congregational Punches, the special object being to bid 'aruvvell to the Rev. Joseph Robertson, of Adelaide, formerly pastor of Bedford-street Church, who has been Ikying a visit to this city. The Rev. (J. Butgeee ( who presided, said that during his ihininry be had found name of Robertson " household word in Auckland. The Kev. B L Thomas and the Rev. R. Laish'ey both spoke in highly eulogistic terms of Mr. Robertson and his ministry. Mrs. Lyons, in a short but appropriate address, handed a bountiful ring to the rev. gentleman, asking him to convey the same to Mrs. Robertson as a souvenir of the affection' of the ladies of Beresford-street and sister churches. * Mr. Robertson in fitting terms accepted the gift on behalf of his wife, In the course of the evening Miss Edmonds sang "The Better l.and Miss Davis, " Home, Dearie, Home;" Mr. Hookey, "Queen of the Earth," and Mr. Edmonds, '• The Death of Nelson." Mr, Robertson leaves to-day for Adelaide. 4 ' • .* —

The Government) Entomologist (Captain Broun, F.E.S.) has returned from bis visit to the Kaipara orchards, and found thftb the Paparoa and the M«ungaturoto districts wore wholly free from the codlin moth, He also found one orchard in the Pahi district 1 , though surrounded by other orchards where the insect was, to be wholly free from the moth, He gave instruction? how to try to keep the places now not affected free in the future. Last night he was on his travels again, and left by'the Clansman for Mangonui and the districts inland from that township, where ho is likely to remain for ten or fourteen days'. : "'

The Adelaide Advertiser has the following respecting the 'death of Mr. "Monte" Browne "On Christmas Evo Mr.' Monte' Browne, a well-known theatrical agent of Victoria and Now South Wales, wont from Broken Hill to Jamestown as advance agent for the Warsaw Family. He mado all arrangements for their' appearance in the latter town, and departed on the next day on similar business elsewhere. On Saturday, the 4fch inst.,,ho returned to the Hill seriously ill, and was admitted to the JamestOwn Hospital. On Tuesday morning, 7th inst.; he died, and in the evening he was buried. Tho local papers state that efforts were made to communicate with his wife and relatives in New South Wales and other parts, but without success, and as the unfortunate man had neither friends nor monoy, he had to be buried by the State." In reply to a telegram from tho secretary of the local Cricket Association the Wellington authorities intimate that the Wellington eleven will in all probability be able to play on Saturday and Monday, February '22nd and 24th. The visitors, it is feared, will be unable to bring their strongest team. In yesterday's issue appeared the obituary notice of Mr. Geo. Banks, of Lake Road, Devonport, at tho ago of 71. Deceased was brought up at the Bay of Islands and resided thore during the Northern war. Deceased leaves a widow, an unmarried daughter, and son (Mr. Geo. Banks, builder, of Dovonportl. The funeral took place yesterday at O'Neill's Point Cemetery.

The united mission services of the Rev. C. H. Yatman were continued yesterday. At half-past twelve ab the meeting for business men in the rooms of the National Association, there wag a large attendance. Mr. Yatraan's subject was upon "The Application of & Higher Power to Men in Extremity." At the afternoon sorvice at half-past three in the Y.M.C.A., the hall was woll tilled, when he gave a happy address upon "The Need of Stability and Strength in Christian Life." At night in the City Hall Mr. Yatuian'g address was on "Daniel." The lessons of his life showed six things which had made Daniel a man of character—(l) he had God : ('2) a purpose ; (3) prayers; (4) influence: (5) converts; (6) trials. There were a number of inquirers. To-day there will be the usual meeting for business men at half-past twelve. Ac three o'clock in the afternoon Mr. Yatman will give an address to children in the City Hall, and in the evening ab a quarter to eight in the same building his subject will be "Job."

We are informed that in the working out of time, intervals, and distance allowances, in the boys' pigeon race from Huntly to Auckland on Saturday last, the order as given by us yesterday was maintained. The oxact times were as follow:—Master B. Angus's No. 31 Ist, time 2h. 6m.; Master S. Howie's Gadgett 2nd, time 2h. 10.Jm., and his Kettledrum 3rd, 2h. 11m. These two birds were bred by Air. Parkin. The boys are to be congratulated upon the success of their race, as all their birds were practically squealers, their time for the distance showing much better than that of the adults on the previous Saturday. At the committee meeting he'd last night three other races were arranged for, viz. : Paeroa, February 8; Te Awamutu. February 18; and New Plymouth, dato to be fixed. Prize money will be paid any day by the secretary, between twelve and one o'clock.

There is every indication that the second concert of the Court Singers, which takes place to-morrow evening, will be an unqualified success from every point of view. The programme, which is an entirely new one, comprises selections from tho foremost composers, special care being taken that tho vocal items are those which are just now most popular in the art centres of Europe and quite new to colonial audiences. Tho Court Singers may with some confidence expect a crowded house. Tho Orchestral Union will again take part in the concert.