LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10131, 14 May 1896, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

His EICELUXCY the Governor, the Countess of Glasgow, Lady Augusta, attended by Captain Preston, A.D.C., were present last evening at the ball in the Choral Hall given by the St. George's Rowing Club. Major Elliot, private secretary to His Excellency the Governor, returned yesterday from Wellington. A dinner party will be given at Government House this evening-

The Herald Monthly Summary, for transmission by the next outward San Francisco mail, will be published tomorrow (Friday). Those desirous of forwarding the Summary to their friends in Europe, America, etc., will have ample time to do so, as the newspaper mail closes on Saturday next, at halfpast eleven a.m., up to which hour orders for mailing the Summary will also be received at the Publishing Office, Queenstreet. This mail will be due in London on Wednesday, June 17-

This evening Mr. W. Crowthor will address his constituents in the City Hall at eight o'clock. The meeting will be presided over by His Worship the Mayor. Mr. 'It jwtheris likely to deal with some important topics during hi* address, such as the M dlanU Railway, railway management, tht Bank arrangements, the tariff as it affei '.s our industries, etc.

Th. question of the chairmanship of the Board if Education was brought up again a« yet erday's mooting, the discussion, bowevc ,-, being of a much more amicable and coi dilatory nature than was the case as the: ecent/raca*. Regret was expressed on al! 'jands at the proceedings of the previous meeting, and any fears of a storm that might have existed when the members seated themselves ac the table were dispelled by a statement presented by Mr. Udy, stating that he purposed vacating the chair at the next meeting of the Board, which was fixed for Wednesday next. The statement also contained a notice of motion which Mr. Udy will move on Wednesday next, to the effect that line election of a chairman of the Board be proceeded with. After the discussion, prior to proceeding with the ordinary business of the Board, Mr. Muir and his colleagues left the room, for the purpose, we underntand, of obtaining legal advice as to the best means of allowing the business of the Board to be conducted without creating a scene, and at the same time without jeopardising the position he claims to hold as chairman of the Board. From the subsequent proceedings it would appear that he had been advised to absent himself from the meeting, and to write apologising for such absence as chairman of the Board. This ho did, and when the meeting opened Mr. Lambe moved that Mr. Uly bo voted to the chair, to preside over the business in the absence of the chairman, Mr. Muir. The motion created some little discussion, but a harmonious state soon prevailed, and business was transacted, though a decided undercurrent of antagonism was noticeable when matters relating to the chair came up for discussion, and on one or two occasions almost boiled over.

The estates of the following deceased persons were placed in the hands of the Public Trustee for management during the month of April:—Sarah Holmes, Hutt, estimated gross value of estate, £11; Wm. Harry Ingram, Frasertown, value of estate £230; Hector Kirkpatrick, Gore, value of estate £60; John Oscar Manloy, Mgaire, value of estate £900 ; Frederick Augustus Martyn, Auckland, value of estate £60; John McDoagall, Mokoia, value of estate £10; John Newton, Palmerston North, value of estate £273; Samuel Richardson, Helensville, value of estate £5; and Benjamin Thomas, Auckland, value of estate £5.

There were two prisoners in the locklast night on charges of drunkenness.

lb ,8 understood that the question o f the drainage of some of the uncompleted stations in Arthur-street (about the only street, if not the only street, left undrained in Alma Place), and '" P° nßOnb ) r Road, will come up for discussion at the next meeting of the City Council. The city engineor regards the works already referred to as necessary, and which he would be glad to see finished, as completing the drainage of a block, and its connection with the oity goneral sewage system, but he is simply subject to instructions. Yesterday the sanitary inspector visitod Arthur-street and neighbourhood, but owing to the channols in that street and Ponsonby Road being sooured by the storm water from the prevailing rain, that official could get but a poor notion of the insanitary state of affairs usually prevailing. It is stated that two fresh cases of typhoid are reported in the neighbourhood of Pompallier Terrace. A short time ago Mr. J. Becrof called the attention of the municipal authorities to an offensive spot off Jerv"is Road. All the satisfaction he got was to be told that "he was making a mountain out of a molehill." A short distance from the place is the residence of the Rev. A, U. Collins, whose daughter was seized with typhoid, and is only now convalescent. It is stated that Mr. J. Swales, who proved himself one of the most painstaking ward representatives that ever represented Ponsonby in the City Council, contemplates standing again on the first vacancy. During his term of office he personally inspected the streets, and courteously listened to the representations of ratepayers. It is to him that the residents in Arthur-street owe the concreting of a street channel on one side, which, with the occasional cutting: down of weeds on the footpath, the cleaning out of the stagnant pools of surface drainage in the grass-grown courses, and a few loads of scoria on the footpaths constitute all that the resident ratepayers have seen for their rates during the last quarter of a century.

I In the Otago Daily Times of the sth instant, Miss. H. R. Morrison, late secretary of tho Dunedin Tailoresses' Union, makes a spirited defence of her conduct in relation to the Union, and deals with a number of the charges which have been preferred against her, and which appeared in a report of a special meeting of the Union, published in the same journal on the 28th ult. Miss Morrison's letter certainly puts a vory different complexion upon matters, and she clears up many of the charges in an apparently satisfactory manner. The balance sheet presented, it seems, was only a provisional balance sheet, and the money refunded was paid on the understanding that it was paid under protest, and would be returned when the matter was cleared up. The explanation given by Miss Morrison as to why the Union had nob been registered at the time under the Trades Union Act appears to be eminently satisfactory. Miss Morrison thus concludes her letter :—" I would ask tho committee and members of the Union, whom I have never knowingly wronged, bub for whose welfare I have earnestly fought, to now lay aside all feeling and allow mo a full opportunity of collecting the necessary evidonce and carefully investigating the matter, when, I am sure, I can clear up the mystery." Miss Morrison's numerous friends in Auckland will rejoice to see her hope realised.

A telegram appeared recently giving details of the accidental death of Mr. Christopher Thompson (56) and Arch. Thompson (19), father and son, who were drowned offPohara Beach, Takaka, Golden Bay, on the sth instant, through tho upsetting of their boat. The -two- men, were father and brother; ;ot"Mr.' Herbert) Fell, of this city. Mr. Thompson came to New Zealand in the early 'days as orderly to Major Willis, and saw a good deal of service in the Maori war. On his discharge from the Berrico he settled in Wellington, taking to farming.' Some time afterwards he sold the farm, and later 'oh se'ttlM in Picton, where he brought up a large family." A few years ago he left Picton, and wont to Tekaka, wnere he lived until his untimoly end. He was greatly respected, on Account of his integrity and geniality. Deceased leaves a widow, three daughters, and four sons (Mrs. Fell being the youngest daughter) to mourn their sad loss.

The death of a patient in the Hospital, named Kate Fisher, was reported yesterday to the police authorities. It appears that she was received into the institution on the 2iith February, suffering from burns which she had received accidentally.

Our Pokeno correspondent writes l :~lb id ; with much regret I have, to record the death of Mr. J. Simmonds, who died last Sunday evening, the 10th instant, at his late .residence, Mangatawbiri Valley, after a'long and lingering illness. He ma an old settler, and leaves a grown ,up family, to mourn their loss. .'.-,.., . ...

A presentation is being got uo to Mr. Arthur Towsoy, late organist of St. Matthew's Church, by some of the members of the choir and congregation, as an expression of sympathy with him in his recent troubles with the vestry, etc. It is not yet decided what shape the presentation will take, that being left to be settled by the subscribers. A meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society was held last evening at the school room of the Ponsonby Baptist Church. There was a good attendance. The Rev. A. H. Collins presided. A series of views of Indian and Ceylon Missionary life and work were exhibited by Mr. A. Thorn, who was for a quarter of a contury a resident of Ceylon, as a coffee and tea planter, and the descriptive lecture was given by the Rev. Chas. Carter, who was for 30 years a mis sionary in Ceylon. Views were shown of the first Baptist Mission station in India, and other places. Also of mission stations in Ceylon, of tea planting, groups of natives, of Cingalese and Tamil, high caste and low caste, etc. Portraits were shown of Moffat, and of Comber the pioneer of the Baptist Congo Mission, who with his brothers and sisters laid down their lives in the mission field, being each stricken down in succession with fever. The Rev. Job. Blaikie gave a brief address, and moved a vote of thanks, which Mr. S. H. Matthews seconded, to the Rev. Chas. Carter, and to Mr. Thorn for the excellent and instructive entertainment they had provided. The retiring collection was in aid of the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society's work in India. The proceedings closed with the benediction by th© chairman.

A second wrestling contest between the veteran athlete, Donald Dinnio, and J. Sutherland, the New Zealand wrestler, has been arranged, the latter laying odds of £30 to £20 that his opponent cannot throw him three times, Graco-Roraan style, within the hour. The date has not been arranged, but it is understood that the match will take place in the Agricultural Hall next week.

A meeting of the Women'* Democratic Union was held last evening at the residence of Mrs. D. Chapman, Cook-street. Mrs. Colling* (president) presided. The ruleß of the society were adopted. It was decided to allow reports of meetings by correspondents to The People (Wellington) and the Star (Brisbane), a woman's paper. Among the objects of the Union are :—(1) The education of women in political and economic principles; (2) to advocuto the improvement of laws specially affecting women; (3) the romoval of political and civil disabilities on account of sex; (4) that in the public service women should bo equally eligible with men for receiving appointments, having regard always to fcho physical capacity of the sexes, and that equal numbers of both sexes should bo appointed; (5) equal pay for equal service; (0) that all laws—civil, criminal, and administrative—should be based on the principle of absolute equality of the sexes; (7) that the present system of free, secular, and compulsory education be maintained; (8) to secure the right of the electors by a three-fifths majority of those who record their votes to control or abolish the liquor traffic; (9) that all candidates for Parliament must pledge themselves that they will take practical and persistent steps to induce the Government to apply these principles to the administration of the public service Among other matters agreed upon, no question of creed is to be raised, and any discussion, on same is to be strictly prohibited.

Ab the usual weekly meeting of the Auckland Shorthand Writers' Association last evening a lecture was delivored by Mr. A. G. Jarrett, thesubjeot being that gentleman's experiences as a shorthand writer both in the old country and iu the colonies.

1 The classes at the Auckland Technical School are now fairly started for the second terra. On Thursday evening last, the new mar ling and graining class was opened, Mr. Charles Blomtield being the instructor in charge of this department. _ Twelve have already enrolled, and additions aro expected to bo made to-night. The industrial classes at the school are all well attended, a fact which speaks well for the estimation in which the facilities now afforded at the Technical Sohool are held. In order to keep pace with the times and t"> suit the requirements of all classes of the community, it has been decided to open a cookery class for young men and others, To those who bachelorism, oro engaged at surveying, or go yachting or camping out, or whose other oirourastances require them to do their own cooking, the proposed class should be a great booth If the requisite number (seven) enrol in time, the class will be started next week. The ladies attending the cookery classes have expressed themselves well pleased with the excellent! instruction provided, and they have sent their domestics to the evening classes, so that they too may become proficient in the art. The class is under the able supervision of Miss J. P. Millington, One of Fletcher's large gasstovesis used.and pupils not only gen the dishes prepared and cookod but are supplied with the recipes. Anyone fourteen years or upwards is eligible to join the school. As showing the interest taken in the school by the ladies it may be mentioned that the ladies' afternooncarvingolass is now larger than since the opening of the school last year, and Beveral others have intimated their intention of joining. A notice respecting some of the classes appears iu our advertising columns.

Aproposof war materials, relics of stirring times In the New Zealand war turned up at Newcastle last week in the shape of two cannons which played an important part in that Strife. These historic guns have been placed in position, and appropriately enough, by the President of the Bowling Club, Lieutenant-Commander Gardlner.J

The Church Missionary Association of New Zealand deputation, at present visiting Auokland from the headquartors at Nelson, namely, tho Rev. F. C. Chatterton and Mr. Holloway, hon. secretary, were prosont at St. Mary's parish hall, Parnoll, last night, when a meeting was held similar to that at St. Matthew's on the previous evening, for the purpose of making known the objects, working, and requirements of tho Association. The attendance was fair, and the meeting was opened by the acting-vicar, the Rev. Curzon-Siggers, who also introduced the visitors. After Mr. Holloway had explained the Association's objects, etc., the Rev. Mr. Chatterton delivered his lecture on Japan, which is one of the mission fields, and Motived an appreciative hearing.

A largo gathering of young mon assembled in the Ponsonby Wealeyan schoolroom on Tuesday evening to attend the adjourned business meeting of tho Gymnastic Club. The president (Mr. W. Thome) occupied the chair. Business of importance respecting the finances and plant was transacted, and the club promises both financially and numerically to be a great success, It was decided to add. the names of Messrs, VV. B. Scott and C. J. Greon to the committee. The meeting then adjourned for a week, to receive the report of the general committee

A sacred cantata entitled " A Daughter of Moab," was rendered by a full chorus and orchestra, last night, in the Onehunga Proßbyterian Church. Owing to the inclement weather, there was only a fair attendance of the public. All tho pertermors proved that they had been diligent in practice by the efficient manner in which the cantata was rendered, and Mr. Harry Prime, the conductor, is to be congratulated on the euccoss attending his effort, A, duet by Mrs. Irwin (treble) and Miss Hnfris (alto) was much appreciated. The '■plaintive solo, "Oh I am Undone" received a careful rendering by Miss Robb, as also di,d; trto other solos sung by the same \\ij, The chorus " Home Again" was rendered with spirit, the parts being well balanced, but a chorus of male voices was weak. Undoubtedly tho gom of the evening was the treble solo, " Hear My Prayer," Mrs. Irwin, together with chorus by first and second trebles and altos. The tenor solo's were all taken by a visiter from Auckland, whose well-trained voife was heard to advantage. The efforts of kite choir wero ably seconded by the orohestr*, under tho leadership of Mies Amy StaJrenson, the latter's rendering of " The Wedding March" being deservedly applauded.

We would again remind those interested of the grand concert with limelight effects, "Ah Evening With Our Famous Sacred Sdnt and Hymn Composers," which takes place this evening in the Auckland Baptist .Tabernacle in aid of the fund for repairing 'ttVuuildiue. Some of our beat vooalists, ladilia and gentlemen, have tendered their ices, and the programme is one of the most Attractive and varied which has appeared for some time past. The Hibernian ball took place last night in theCatholio Institute under the auspices of the Saucta Maria branch, No. 2, of the H.A.0.8 S.,and the boisterous weathor did not prevent some sixty couples being present and spending a very enjoyable evening. The hall was tastefully ornamented with flags and nikau palms, and over the stage a banner bore the legend, " Cead Miile Failthe ;" for these decorations Mr. Scholium was responsible Messrs James Smith and P. White acted as M.G.'s., and the committee, as follows, are to be congratulated on the unqualified Buccess of the affair i-Mesdames Little, Kane, Misses Walsh, Knight, Malin, Smith, Hawkos, Dean, Messrs I'. J. Nehemey (chairman), Hugh Doffin, J. Smith, O'Suilivan, O'Connor, Swan, and Stead (sec). Exoellotit music was contributed by Mr. Alf. Marriago's band, and a very inviting supper was set out in an ante-room,

A satisfactory attendance witnessed last night's performance by the combined circuses at the Agricultural Hall, the many novel, clever, and interesting itoms submitted during the evening finding: much favour at tho hands of patrons. The feature of the programme continues to bo the aerial trapeze performance by the clover child artist, La Petite Ethel, whose double dislocation act excites much wonderment and admiration.

Despite the unsatisfactory state of the weather yesterday evening, a vory fair attendance was prosent to witness the unique and clover variety entertainment provided by the Lawton Novelty Company at tho Opera House. The programme of the previous ovoning was repeated, every item of which was received with well merited approval, the contributions by Mr. Harry Fitzmaurice and little Florrie Ranger being most emphatically redemandod. Tho pugilistic encounter between tho kangaroo "Jack" and Profossor Williams, and the trapezo act by "Ouda" were also featuros of the evening. Tho programme will be repeated to-night,