LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10129, 12 May 1896, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

His Excellency the Governor, the Coun» teas of Glasgow, Lady Helen Boyle and Lady Augusta, attended by Captain Preston, A.P.0., were present at the performance of the Mandolin Club, in the City Hall, last eveijing. Lacy Alice and Lady Dorothy, accompanied by the Hon. James Boyle and Captain Feilden, A.D.C., left last evening by the M. Clansman, for Russell, on a visit to Mr. Guy Williams and Miss Williams, of Pakaraka.

Two English mails arrived from Sydney by the Tariwvera yesterday, the London date being March 27 and April 3. AngloColonial notes, latest mining news, and other items of interest will be found in another part of this issue.

The subject of the notification from the Warden's office, cnllintr in the mining leases prauted by the Warden soma time ago over !»nd in the occupation of the Kauri Timber Company at Tairua, was' under the consideration of the Council of the Chamber of .Mines yesterday. There was a general opinion that the rights of those who had occupied and worked their claims for years should be respected, and a motion was carried affirming that all titles granted by the Warden should be indefeasible, and if any other rights exist with other parties the Government should satisfy those other parties. lb was further agreed to forward the resolution to the Minister of Mines. In the course of conversation it transpired that the Kauri Timber Company were not averse to a settlement, and that an amicable settlement of the whole question might be looked for. In regard to the proposed Industrial Exhibition at Wellington the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. J. Holland) has received from Wellington a circular in regard to the space proposed to be allot ted to each centre. There will be 13,000 feet available for Auckland, and a request is conveyed in the circular that the local executive should bring the Exhibition prominently before the citizous, in order that Auckland may be worthily represented. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland and Mr, Arthur Nathan are the local executive in connection with the Exhibition.

The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce takes place this afternoon, in the Hall of the Chamber ol Mines, Shortland-street. Among othei matters to be dealt with are the important questions of freight arrangements, Land Arbitration Court, landlords' claims in bankruptcy, and the advertising of the colony.

The ordinary meeting of the Charitable Aid Beard was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. C. Stichhury presiding. The returns from schools, and the report from the dispensary, which were laid on the table foi inspection, were adopted, the latter showing that 615 prescriptions had been dispensed during the past fortnight. A letter was received from Mews. Coultharcl Bros,, on behalf of John Bates, asking a reduction of Hospital fees due for treatment of applicant's wife and other members of the family, who were recently in the Hospital.. It was shown that the applicant was in poor circumstances, and totally unable to pay the amount, and on offer of one third in settlement of the account was referred to the Fees Committees for consideration. A similar report from the police concerning a man named Kelly was deferred for consideration. The Inspector of Hospitals wrote re certain rules and by-laws of the Board, the communication being referred to the Rules Committee and Public Trustee respectively, the latter for opinion concerning certain points. The usual batch of applications for admission to the Cnstlev Home, and for charitable aid, were dealt with, and the reports of the House Committal and honorary medical staff, read ansi adopted. The former advised that, the addition to the Nurses' Home comprised ten rooms, instead of eight, as originally intended, and the architect was instructed to draw out plans and specifications of the cost, etc., to ho presented at the next meeting, During the past fortnight three deaths—one male and two femaleshave beet*, recorded, and the number of patients remaining in the institution are 130-92 males and 47 fcnales. The tender of Mews. Kempthorne and Prosser for drugs for the ensuing th.*?s years, was accepted.

The Union Company's steamer TakApu:« came off the ground at the Manukno last night at- high water, and leaves this morning at. nine o'clock for New Plymouth and Wellington. Passengers are notified to proceed to Onehunga by the 7.5 a.(«. train. The company's steamer Corinna will leave Lyttelton on Wednesday evening with the Southern mails for San Francisco and Europe, and will tranship same to the Takapuna at Wellington on Thursday, the Takapuca reaching Onehunga on Friday night,

The report of the medical superintendent of the Hospital, read at Yesterday's heating of the Charitable Aid Board, showed the number of cases of typhoid fever at present in that institution to be no less thin fifty, which is far in excess of any dumber previously known in the hospital at t)he one time. Of these no leas than ninetein have been admitted during the past fortnight, as against fourteen for the previous two weeks, and seven of the sufferers come from Onehunga, where the fever seems to be showing no abatement.

At the Police Court yesterday before Messrs. A. Clements and J. Calnan, J.P.'s, Harry Vincent Martin was remanded for eight days on a charge that he did 01 May 9, wound one Edith Ellen Williami, with intent to do bodily harm. Mr. Brassey appeared for the accused and said tie affair would be found to have been an aooideub. Bail was refused, Several cases of drunkenness were dealt with, and four boys named respectively Andrew SommervilU (16), Robert Chappel (18), John James Chappel (1(5), and Alfred Chappel (14), voce cautioned for having been found by right) in the Jewish Cemetery. One of iae lads said they were going mushrooming, and were only waiting in the cemetery. Sergeant McMahon stated that couplainta had been made of boys sleeping in the spot mentioned. Before Mr. P. Tiernsy, J.P., Edward Rollins, otherwise Professor Starlight, of boxing fame, was reminded till the 13tli inst. on a charge of having illtreated his son, aged eight years, and two boys were fined for fighting in Elliott-strset.

One of Auckland's very early settlers, in the person of Mr?. Nancy Ann Maxwell, wife of the late John Maxwell, died at hor residence, Rocky Nook, Mount Roskill, yesterday morning, at the ripe old age of 79 years. Mr. and Mrs Maxwell arrived in New Zealand in the early fifties, and some 30 years back settled at Rocky Nook, where they were engaged in dairy farming, the run occupying the major portion of Rocky Nook, which at that lime was, like the remainder of the Mount Roskill district, a mass of rock and fern and waste land. Mr. James Maxwell, son of the deceased, went through the Waikato war,

On the arrival of tho s.s. Tarawera yesterday morni'.ig from Sydney she hoisted the police flag, and kept in stream for an hour and an half, till the police came aboard and made it thorough search of the ship for articles belonging to passengers, which were reported as missing shortly alter the vessel left Sydney. Several passengers had missed artioles, namely, throe gentlemen their overcoats, and another, a gold-headed stick. A lady passenger lost a mackintosh anil a pair of opera glasses, which were valued at £25. Sergeant Kelly, Constables McClellan and Oliphant.a daubeequently Detective Chrystal made a rigid search, but none of the missing things could be found, and it is believed now by Captain Sinclair that the articles were stolen just before tho vessel sailed. The Tarawera did not leave Sydney till seven o'clock 011 Wednesday night, and it was quite possible in the darkness to take away small articles. Just before leaving five suspicious-looking characters, without ticket, were cleared off the vessel. Considering the number of idlers who swarm aboard the vessels on departure or arrival, and make themselves free ol tho run of the ship above and below, the wonder is that more of the passengers' effects do not goamissing.

Yesterday a fire broke out at 1 p.m. at the residence of Mr. Siddle, near Penrose, which resulted in the total destruction of the building. It appears that the fire originated through a spark catching the shingle roof. Mrs. Siddle and her daughter, who were in the house at the time, were unable to suppress the fire, and directed their attention to saving the furniture, part of which was rescued. The house was insured.

At the Police Court, Aratapu, William Henry Wharerau, a native, belonging to Pouto, was charged on May 5, before Messrs. T. Webb and M. Harding, J. P.'s, with having, on the '25th April, at Waikari, violently assaulted S. Gumming, storekeeper, of that place. Mr. J. W. Proudfoob appeared for the defence, and Mr. John Harrison acted as interpreter. The witnesses for the prosecution were Mr. and Mrs. Cummiogs, and a eleven-year-old lad named Ernest Williams. Wharerau called at Cummir.g's house, and was asked inside, ana a dispute arose over defendant's account, and a saddle and portmanteau which had been swapped and re-swapped between their.. Accused appears to have struck Cummings on the forehead and rendered him insensible, and also struok hi; wife, who came to bis assistance. He then dragged him outside by the collar, and there further struck and kicked him, causing much blood to flow, and left him apparently dead, when Mrs. Cummings followed him with a stick. After hearing the evidence, aud counsel's address, prisoner was given the option of paying a fine of £5 and costs f,'2 13:, or in default one month's imprisonment. Two days were allowed prisoner in which to find the money. Prosecutor, his wife, and boy, did not olaim their expenses.—[Own Correspondent.]

The fatal effects of Peart's dive at Sydney were realised by few in the audience. This item was the last on the programme. ft hen the unfortunate man disappeared into the tank the audience commenced to leave, under the impression that there had been a successful performance. Only a few who were close ao hand were conscious of the tragedy. No bones were broken, death being caused by impaction on the vital parts.

Yesterday Detective Chrysfcal arrested on warrant Thos. W. Seaman, on a charge of larceny of various small sums of money from the Pukeatua Highway Board, be tween August and December, 1895.

The weekly meeting of the Prince Albert Albert College Literary and Debating Society was held last evening, there being a good attendance of members and visitors The proceedings took the form of an " Ollii Podrida," consisting of original poems, letters, and essay., upon many and varied subjects. These were freely criticised, and a most profitable evening was spent. During the evening several new members were elected, and others nominated. The next meeting of the Society will be held on the Ist of .lone, the commencement of th:> B econd College term.

The third grand change of programme by the Law ton Novelty Company, at the Opera House last evening, was witnessed by a large and decidedly enthusiastic attendance, the 'chair business' introduced in the first part finding much favour. Mr. Harry Fitzmaurice made a capital interlocutor, and the corner men introduced a number of fresh conundrums and topical hits that kept the audience in high glee. A new and catchy overture, entitled ' Maijenette,' by the full strength of the company, the grouping of which was most artistic, opened the programme, and met with a hearty reception. Mr. Harry Fitzmaurice gave a most acceptable rendering of the ballad ' The Armourer's Daughter,' and Little Florrie Ranger had to respond to an emphatic recall in her clever serio-comic song, entitled 'Oh, you great big Darling,' which found a most capable exponent in this miniature artist. The mandolin selection by Miss Eunice Fernandez, the ballad by Miss IClfie Morella, the comic Irish specialty by .Mike Maher, the serio-comic contributions by the Misses Violet Bishop and Stella Tudor, the hornpipe by Miss Alice Maher, and the medley by the. Grey sisters all went to make up a most acceptable first part. An amusing btutorial act, by the Messrs. Norris and Williams, introduced the second portion of the programme, which comprised a number of capital sketches by the several members of the company, including a ballad by Mr. Harry Fitzmaurice, and a descriptive song by little Florrie Ranger, both of which were re-demanded. The pugilistic encounter between the fighting kangaroo, 'Jack' and Professor Williams, and the aerial performance by ' Ouda' proved a fitting con-, elusion to one of the best variety programmes ever submitted at the Opera House.

The Rev. F. C. Chatter ton and Mr. Holloway, a deputation from Nelson in con. nection with the Church Missionary Association of New Zealand, will give addresses, illustrated with limelight views, this even, ing, at St. Matthew'si schoolroom, and tomorrow evening at St, Mark's parish Hall. It is intended to start another Bowling Club in the suburbs, this time at Mount Eden. A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Bowling Green for the district, will be held in WaitoM Hall, Mount Kden Road, an Friday evening next. Mr, J. J. Holland {Mayor of Auckland) will preside.

The lessee of the Agricultural Hall, Mr. Bobco Wilson, it to be complimented on his enterprise in'amalgamating with St. Leon and Bernard combinations with Klaer'e clever Circus Company, needless to say the capital programme brought about by the innovation has meb with marked approval at the hands of the large attendances who nightly witness the performances. A feature of the show is the clever trapeze act by the child artist, La Petite Ethel, while the several other items presented are also most heartily applauded. Last evening's performance was brought to a close with an amusing equestrian farce, entitled, •The Tailor in Trouble,' which sont patrons away in high good humour, An entertainment was given last night in the Public Hall, Onehunga, under the auspices of the Onehunga Fire Brigade, in aid of the Brunnerton Relief Fund. The following programme was gone through, Mr. Percy Meredith acting as accompanist. —Overture, ' The Fairy Queen waltz,' Muses Mulkere; Song, 'Waiting,' MissM. Taylor; song, 'Hear the Wild Wind Blow' (encored), Mr. Percy Moredlth ; recitation, 1 Mary Queen of Soots,' Miss 0. Halloran ; comic song,' Close, vory Close'(encored), Mr. A. Kelsall ssong, 'The Football Song,' Mr. W. Bray; song, 'The Fairy Gates,' Miss Robertson; gymnastic display With 201b Indian clubs, Mr. 0. Paltridge; violin solo, 'Home, Sweet Home,', Miss L. Robinson; vocal duet, 'Bhren on the Rhine,' Misses A. and M. Taylor comic song,' My Miriam's Wedding Day,' Mr. Maunsell (encored); song,' Dublin Bay, 1 Mr. Percy Meredith (encored); oomio song, 'Rovrdy Dowdy Boys, 1 Mr. W. Bray (encored); recitation,' Ladybird's Race,' Miss A. Taylor : song, in character,' Tho Chicago Exhibition,' Mr. A. Kelsall ; gymnastio display with Indian clubs, Mr. G. Paltridge. At the close the room was oleared for dancing, which was kept up till an early hour. The attendance was wall, but it is expected a balance will be available to assist the Brunnerton Belief Fund,

"A Visit to the Channel Islands" will form the piece do resistance at Mr. John Fuller's ninth limelight concert, whioli takes place this evening at the City Hall. Tho history of these beautiful islands is very little known anion? New Zealanders, therefore the entertainment should prove both entertaining and instructive. Miss Blanche Tobias makes her debut at these concerts, whilst Miss Marie Quinn will make her reappearance. Two selections will be rendered by Mr. R. H. Buttery, basso, and Mr. John Puller will sing " The Blue Alsatian Mountains" and "The Death of Nelson," the latter song being profusely illustrated with grand limelight effects. Mr. Albert Lucas will recite " The Bells,'' a soul-stirring poem by Edgar Allen Poe.

An important announcement in connection with "The People's National and Patriotic Concerts," is made in our advertising columns, viz., the engagement of Mr. William Mackenzie, the popular Scottish baritone, and late of the Bessie Doyle Company, who is to re appear before an Auckland audience at the first concert next Monday evening. In addition to this, Mr. Albert Lucas is to act as delineator, and will give several new recitals. The British Navy is the special attraction for this concert, the views for which are entirely new, and thedioramic effects have not previously been placed b >fore an Australasian audience. Others artistes taking part are Misses Coleta Lorrigan, Kate Best, Amy Bates, and Mr. Leslie Dix, an old favourite, makes his reappearance.