LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10084, 20 March 1896, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

His Excellency the Governor will pay a visit on Wednesday next to tho Rooms of tho Y.M.C.A., with a view of being shown over the various departments of the institution.

Tho Messrs. Tait Bro a ., monumental masons, Rutland-street, are at present executing a monument to the order of Major Elliot, which is to bo placed in tho Rangiriri Cemetery, to the memory of the brave men of tho line regiments (12th, 14th, 40lli, and 63th), and artillery (Mercer's battery), who fell in that engagement of Rangiriri, or died of their wounds shortly afterwards. The obelisk is of marble, and springs from a bluestoiie base to a height of 13 feet. In shields, on the four sides of tho shaft, will be placed tho names of the officors and men, and on tho bluestone base will bo an inscription stating that the memorial has been eroded by subscriptions from the various corps interested. The enclosure will have the necessary copings and blocks, surmounted by an ornamental iron railing. The design is neat and chaste. It is expectod that the monument will bo erected in a few weeks time. H.M. Navy have already placed a suitable memorial over their dead in the Rangiriri Cemetery. The Government have now a caretaker for the Cemetery, so that tho complaints made as to the neglect of tho military graves will be obviated in the future. To those old soldiers settled in the colony it will be a melancholy satisfaction to find that due respect is at last being paid to tho memory of their departed comrades in a fitting and appropriate manner.

Among the passengers by the s.s. Mahinnpua yesterday for Wellington were Messrs. Mounsey and Austin, tho Australian tourists, who hare had such an unpleasant experience in Auckland. They intend to interview the authorities in Wellington, and took with them letters to the Hon. Thos. Thompson, Minister of Justice, and Sir Robert Stout.

It is with regret that we announce the death of Mr. F. E. Fnirbum, for many years in the employ of the Newcastle Coal Company, Sydney, which sad event occurred at Kooky Nook, Whangaroi, on tlio loth inst., the cause of death being typhoid ferer. Deceased was a general favourite with all his many acquaintances, and wherever he went he always made many friends, so that his death caused quito a gloom all over Whangarei. He was a most promising young man, and was to have been married this month to Mis* Robinson, of the Upper Thames. Great sorrow is foilfor his relatives residing in Sydney, and for Miss Robinson, in their sad bereavement.

There are 290 objections lodged against the valuation of properties in Partiell Borough for rating purposes, and tho peculiarity in this instance is that 273 of the objections are lodged by the Borough Council against the valuations of the valuer on the ground that they are too low. The now valuation would mean about £600 reduction on the valuation.

At the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. Williams and Shakespear, J.P., Edward Docherty was fined 10' or 48 hours' impri'onmenfc for drunkenness, ar,d one first offender was dealb with in the usual manner. John Torens was fined 10s, with 15? costs, for allowing a horse to wander in a public street; and James Baker was fined Is, with costs 9«, for a breach of tho city by-laws by erecting a building without first notifying the City Council. Mr. Cotter appeared for the authorities, and did not press for a heavy penalty, as the Council only wished to warn others.

"A Citizen" writes suggesting that 1 bofore Mews. Mounsey and Austin leave a public meeting should be called by the Mpyor for the purpose of expressing the abhorrence of the citizens at) the infamous manner in which these gentlemen have been treated. The subject is indeed one for a public expression of opinion, for it shows a most dangerous police administration. Accounts of what has bton done have been cabled to Australia, and we venture to say will cause great astonishment there. That men should be dragged about in handcufis day after day, and that the police should refuse to look at the proofs of innocence offered, is simply shocking. The two gentlemen aggrieved left for Wellington yesterday, and probably will communicate with Ministers.

At St. James' Hall, Wellington-Street, last night, tin* Kov. W. Watt, Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, delivered his lecture on tho " History of Mission Work in the New Hebrides,' to a large audience. Mr. S. Clarke Johnson occupied the chair and in a few brief words introduced the lecturer, who then proceeded to deal with tho work in the Group from its inception in lS.'i9, when John Williams first landed teachers in the Islands. The discourse was of a highly interesting nature throughout, and showed that steady progress had been made, the work now being carried on occupying the services of seventeen ordained and one lay minister. Ihe Reverend gentlemen pointed out that a large re Enforcement would be sent on to the field of labour sometime during the present year, comprising five newly-ordained and | one lay minister, and nurse Phillips. The features of the lecture were suitably illustrated with a series of limelight views exhibiting the missionaries, mission houses, churches, and scenery, which materially added to the interest) centred in the speaker's graphic and pleasant description. The conference of fclio Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants resumed yesterday, and concluded the business set down on the order paper. They thon went into the question of grievances. A considerable amount of feeling was shown as regards several subjects that cropped up during the day's proceedings, notably in connection with the action of the executive on certain matters relating to the Canterbury branch. Although previous resolutions had done away with a great many grievances, a considerable number were placed before tho Conference yesterday evening. The Conference adjourned nntil this morning, and it is hoped that the proceedings will bo concluded to-day.

Tho re-opening session of the Auckland Caledonian Society was held in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, last night, there being present a lari»e attendance of mombers, Mr. W. C. Fraser in the chair. An excellent concert programme, comprising tho following items, which were almost without exception encored, was submitted and highly appreciated Pianoforte selection, Mr. F. Braggen; songs, "The Emigrant's Song," Mr. Lankham ; " Mary of Argylo," Mrs. Murray; "Where Will It End 1 (descriptive), Mr. Downey; " Robin Adair," Miss A. Ruiro; "Jessie, tho Flower of Dunblane," Mr. A. Tail; "Scenes that are Brightest," Miss A. Huge; "My Ain Dear Nell," Mr. Lankham ; " Let Me Like a Soldier Fall," Mr A. Taitj "Ho'e Not Guilty" (descriptive), Mr. Downey; cornet solo, "Annie Laurie," Mr. A. White; recitation, "The Relief of Lucknow," Miss Gardiner. After tho conclusion of the programme a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the several contributors, and the audience then rose and joined in singing " Auld Lang Syne." Tho accompanists were Mrs. Ruge and Mr. Bragge. Tho usual dance followed, Mr. Davis acting as M.C. , „ , The Rev. Mr. Dewdney, President) of the New Zealand Baptist Union, delivered an address last evening, at the Auckland. Baptist Tabernacle, on " The Work of the Union." Tho Rev. Jas. Blaikio presided, and the Rev. A. H. Collins was also on tho platform. He pointed out that as the Baptists adhered to the Congregational principle, such an organisation as the Union was necessary to undertake work which was tho joint enterprise of the Churches. Mr. i Dewdney then narrated the work done, • which justified the existence of the Union, ' sketching out the operations of the past J year.

The committee of the Amatour Athletic and Cycle Club are busy preparing for to-morrow's carnival, yesterday afternoon being spent in surveying the track, marking out the ground, etc. Tho turf is in splendid order, and should prove very favourable for A. Brady's endoavour to establish a record for the two-mile walk, whilst the cyclists also look torward to recording some very fast times. Brewer, of .Gisborne, arrived yosterday, and tho Waikato train of to-day should bring the Cambridge and up-country contingent, one of whom is Bell, who recently distinguished himself at tho Cambridge sports. The walking will bo judgod by Mr. G. Peaco, tin ox-champion, a better man than whom could nob well be procured. Fine weather is the only remaining auxliary to a capital day's sports, and as the club has usually been so fortunate in this respect it is to be hoped that Saturday will provo no exception to the rule.

In our advertising columns appears the result of tho art union drawing of the prizes in connection with the H. A.C.B.S. fete hold on the Domain Cricket Ground on the 14th inst. There was a crowded audience at tho Catholic Institute, Wellington-street, long before the drawing commenced, and there was manifestly a great deal of Interest in the proceedings. The drawing was under the supervision of ill'. J. J. Holland (Mayor of Auckland), Mr. Spencer Von Stunner (Mayor of Parnell), tho Rev. Father Madden, and Dr. Egan, and a committee of representative citizens. The prize-tickets (100) were placed in one box and tickets equal to the number for which blocks had been received were in another. Two children, called from the audience, drew the tickets, and tho numbers were called out by Mr. Holland. In regard to the prize-list, tho Mayor explained that there would appear to bo some misapprehension, and some appeared to think that there was an alteration, but such was not the case. Tho first five prizes were as they appeared on the tickets issued and tho other l),) prize? followed consecutively. The issue of tickets, wo are informed, was 20,000, and it i a estimated that from 15,000 to 10,000 have boon disposed of, so that the result of the art union should prove a profitable one and largely reduco tho debts 011 tho Roman Catholic Churches in and around tho city.

The Paragon Speciality Company, which arrives by tho R.M.s. Mariposa, open on Saturday overling at tho City Hall, and will givo a speciality entertainment evory Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. There will be new and beautiful scenery, all the pieces to be produced being capitally mounted.

Klaer's Komcdi Koder Circus, showing in the Agricultural Hall, was witnessed last night by another large attendance. On Saturday afternoon the management intends holding a matinee for children.

In consequence of tho enormous success of Mr. John Fuller's lime-lighb concert, lasb Monday, ho has decided to give a sories. Those will, i» future, be given on Tuesdays. The next one will represent) a trip from London to Niagara, including a magnificent series of coloured photographs of the famous Falls in summer, moonlight, and winter.

Mr. Leslie Buchanan, a basso from Christchurch, makes his first appearance, as does Miss T. A. llargreaves. Miss Katie Fit?,patrick also makes her re appearance, after a long absenco from Auckland.