LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10407, 3 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A meeting of Justices of the Peace under the Juries Act, 1880, for the district of Auckland, was held ut noon yesterday at the Magistrates Court. Mr. H. \V. Brabant presided, and three justices were also present. The revised list for 1897 was submitted by Sergeant Clarke, on behalf of the police, who stated that all due care had been exercised in its compilation, and that only 4037 names remained thereon. Only one applicant was in attendance to show reason why his name should be struck off the list, but it was discovered on turning up that he had already been struck out.

Tho Native Land Court at Rawene, presided over by Judge Wilson, has been engagod recently in defining the Crown interests in various blocks, chiefly situated in Hokianga County, aggregating a total area exceeding twenty thousand areas. This land is almost all of good quality, and will bo admirably adapted for settlement purposes. Theso valuable blocks are situate at Mangamuka and Whangape, also near Rawene. Mr. Gill, Senior Land purchase Commissioner, has been assisting the local Land Purchase officer, Mr. C. F. Maxwell, in obtaining tho Crown awards.

In referonce to a paragraph which appeared in our issue of yesterday stating that tho City Council had consented to the landing of explosives in Mechanics' Bay, we learn that tho application was made by a firm in Auckland to the Town Clerk for permission to land blasting powder in Mechanics' Bay. The Town Clerk declined to grant any permit, and stated that no explosives eould be landed except in pursuance of a license under the Explosives Act) for the regulation and storage of explosives.

A man named William Henry Stead seems to have been born under an unlucky planet. He was alleged to have been robbed a few daye ago, and the case against the person accused was remanded owing to the non-appearance of Stead. Yesterday he accidentally fell over the Lower Hobson. street bridge, broke some of bis ribs, and was removed to the Hospital for treatment. Now that the police force has been strengthened by accessions, Inspector Hickson has detailed a constable in Vulcan Lane, whoso sole duty will be to keep it and its approaches clear of groups of the sporting and betting fraternity, and compel them to " move on." Laeb evening Mr. W. Nelson was presented by hie fellow employees (of Messrs. E. Porter and Co) with a magnificent tea and coffee service, on silver tray. Mr. G. Coleman, in making the presentation, referred to the gift as a mark of the respect and esteem in which he was held by them during a connection of sixteen years. Mr. Nelson feelingly responded, and regretted parting with the many friends with" whom ho had been associated so long.

An inquest was held by Dr. Phileon, coroner, yesterday, all the Shamrock Hotel, on the body of a child named Honry.' The evidence of Dr. Hooper was that the child was prematuroly born, and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. Anothor inquest will be held to-day, ati the resilience of Mrs. Cummerford, Upper Queen-streeb, on the body of »n infant which had been boarded out by the mother.

The boy Oatea, who met with an accident at the Onehunga Woollen Works on Wednesday, was nob so much injured as at first reported. Instead of losing the forefinger of his right hand, he only sustained a alighfi cut, and will be at work again in the course of a day or so. Professor Carl Schmitt has been appointed conductor of the festival to be held beginning of November, to be given on the occasion of the meeting of the Wealeyan Conference, Fourteen united choire and a large orchestra will perforin MendelitQhn'e grand oratoiio " Elijah."

The Auckland District Officers of the Independent Order of Oddfellows' Manchester Unity, Prov, G.M. Edward Leydon and Corresponding Secretary. Charles Samuel Wright, iiccompanied by P.P.G.M. Waters, of the Wellington district, paid a visit to Karangahake on Wednesday for the purpose of opening a branch of the Order there. Thirty-one candidates were balloted for and accepted. The Prov. G.M. read the beautiful initiation charge, and afterwards presented the Dispensation on behalf of the G. M. and Board of Directors. The following inombera were appointed to fill the various offices :-G.M. W. Cole, NG.; Brother l>. Sheehan, V.G.; Brother G. Knowles. Per. Sec, Brother Frith.C.S.; and Brother J. Kelly, Treasurer, A social and banquet in honour of the opening wae given by the new members, about 80 couples being present. The following toasts were given:—" Queen and Royal Family," Prov. G.M. Loydon; "Grand Master and Board of Directors," P.G.M. Leydon, responded to by Brothor P.P.G.M. Waters; "Auckland District, N G. Cole," responded to by the District Officers; " Loyal Karangahake Lodge, P.P.G.M. Waters,"responded to by Per. Sec. Knowles; " Kindred Societies," by Brother Bunyßn!; "The Ladies," Brother J, Kelly; "The Lodge Doctor," Brother fcllis; " The Press," Brothor J. Barrett; " The Sick and Distressed of Our Order," Prov. G.M.

It will be seen from our obituary column that an old colonist has passed away, in the person of Mr. John Buchanan, of the firm of Messrs, J. and G, Buchanan, monumental mason.", Wellesley-streefc. Deceased had been in indifferent health since last December, and died at his brother's residence, Franklin Road, at the ripe ago of 76. He arrived in the colony in 1861, and settled in Auckland in 1862, commencing business as a monumental mason in Wellesley.streot, where he has worked ever since. Mr. Buchanan was well known and respected. He was a native of Glasgow, North Britain. The funeral will leave his brother's residenco for Waikomiti to-morrow, at half-past one p. in,

We have received a communication in regard to the case of Mr. B. Cohen, watchmaker, who a few days ago charged his wife with " persistent cruelty" and acts of illusage. The case, ib will be remembered, was dismissed because the aots charged were committed before the Act under which the order was applied for came into force. Mr. Cohen has high testimonials as to character. We cannot, however, go into his matrimonial difficulties, but may suggest that it appoure to Uβ that tho best solution would be a separation by agreement.

Our Papakura Valley correspondent writes:—One by one the old colonist? are passing from us. One of the pioneer settler? of this district passed away on March 30, in the person of Mrs. Allen, relict of the late Mr. John Allen. The deceased lady came to the colony with her husband at about the beginning of the sixties, aiul after a abort stay in the town, they purchased land here, and through the force of perseverance and industry have made what was i> very inhospitable piece of land intu one of the best farms in the district. Mrs. Allen had attained her 70th year, and her end was just a gradual failing away, The funeral took place on April 1, and was attended by representatives of all the families in the district. She was interred in the Anglican cemetery, the Rev. Mr, Hewlett officiating in a feeling manner at the grave. Five tone and two daughters, with a number of grandchildren, are left to mourn their loss.

A meeting of the congregatiou was held at the uew Kingeland Wesleyan Church on Thursday, to bid good-bye to the pastor, the Rev. T. W. Vealie. There was a good attendance. Mr. P.. C. Whitham presided. The meeting was also in the nature of a geod-byo to the Rev. H. Bull, superintendent of the Pitt-dtrect circuit. Brief addresses were delivered by Messrs. J, VV. Bridgman, G. A. Buttle, and Rev. J. Smith, in which they referred to the work of the two ministers in eulogistic terms. Mr. Hodgson then, on behalf of the trustees and congregation presented the Rev. H. Bull with a large framed photograph of the Church with suitable inscription, as a souvenir of the dedicatory service. Mr. Bull suitably replied. The following presentations were then made to the late pastor, the Rev. T. VV. Vealie. An interesting letter from the Endeavour Society was read and presented by Miss Berry. The members of the Ladies' (iuild, through their president, Mr. J, Clarke, also presented a large and handsome photograph of the new church, suitably inscribed, as a souvenir. Mr. Hodgson, on behalf of the church in all departments, presented the Rev. T. \V. Vealie with a purse of sovereigns, and Mr. Vealie appropriately acknowledged the gift. A number of musical selections were rendered by tlio choir under the leadership of Mr. J. Bouskill. The secretary of the choir, Mr. C. W. Kayes, took the opportunity nf presenting their late conductor, Mr. R. C. Whitham, with a handsome silver-mounted walking stick, suitably inscribed. Mr. Whitham having acknowledged the gift, the congregation joined iti singintj " God Bo With You Till We Meet Again."

Those interested in the Samaritan Needlework Guild will be pleased to hear that tho case of clothing has arrived safely at its destination, ami given great satisfaction. The following letter has been received by the hon. secretary, from Mrs. Hugh Price Hughes : — " West London Mission, February 10, 1897. Dear Mrs. Davis,—Your splendid ease of goods has reached us quite safely, and has quite rejoiced our hearts. Thanks to your kind directions, I had no difficulty at all in getting it delivered here, and we are very, very grateful to you for your kindness in thinking of us ami helping us in this way. Everything will be most useful. You have sent us, in fact, just the very things that we want. Please tell all your kind helpers how very delighted and grateful we are. I will try and see if we can give some instances of the cases that the garmonts will go to help. - With much gratitudo, believe me, yours very truly, Rathkrine Price Hdohks." The Saraaritan Needlework Guild sewing bees recommence during this month. All ladie3 interested in the saving of poor littlo waifs and strays both in Auckland and London are heartily invited to join.

A new programme U announced by the All Star Novelty Company for their entertainment at the City Hall to-night. The performance will include an exhibition by Mr. J. Driscoll, tho Australian Blondin, The entertainment should be an unusually enjoyable one.

The Auckland Chrysanthemum Society notifies thab in consequence of the unusually cold weather having retarded the Blooms the show has been postponed until April 13, 14, and 15. It is anticipated that this will arid to the success of the exhibition. The time for receiving entries has been extended till April 9.

For the fourth of the Monday Popular Concerts, Mr. Dix has arranged an excellent programme, the details of which appear in another column. Mr. Arch. Wallace, who is reputed to possess an excellenb tenor voice, and who makes hie first appearance in Auckland, will eing Denza's "May Morning" and "The Carnival," by llolloy Mr. Arohdale Tayler contributes a song and a mueioal sketch, " Complaints." Miea Carrie Knight will sing two songa, and Mr Wynyard-Joss, who bo delighted the audience at the second concert of the eeries will give two mandolin solos. The first appearances at this series of concerts of Misses Ethel Boulton and Ida McMaeter, and Messrs. A. J. Patterson, Leslie Dix Reg. Burcb, and W. A. Prowee ate annouiicad. The programme is certainly the beat yet arranged by Mr. Dix, and there is little doubt that the fourth concerb will be as successful as the former ones have been.