LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10408, 5 April 1897, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Mr. C. E. Button and Mr. Theo. Coopor leave to-day by the Takapuua for Wellington, and aro engaged as counsel in tho tippeal by the Cassel Company against the decision of tho Registrar of Patents refusing to amend the specification of the patent for tho cyanide process. Mr. Button is acting with Mr. Stafford and Mr. Hall in support of the decision, while Mr. Cooper is associated with Sir Robert Stout as counsel for the Cassel Company, Mr. Cooper will also remain in Wellington to attend the sittings of the Court of Appeal, commencing on 26th instant. The cyanide case is to be taken before His Honor the Chief Justice at Wellington on the 12th April.

Tho Coromandel harbour has been silting up of lato, rendering tho arrangements at tho present wharf unsatisfactory for shipping purposes. Tho Minister of Alines, as the result of representation*, sent Mr. Reynolds, C.E., to l.'oroniandol to make an inspection with a view to deciding as to the best site for a now wharf in tho harbour. I'reece's Point is spoken of as the most likoly locality for a wharf to bo erected. As yot nothing has been definitely settled.

With reference to the returning officer's statements, as appearing in our issue of Saturday, we are informed that they are not quito correct. It appears that ho wrote and interviewed tho Mayor, but tho Town Clerk was not cognisant of such interview or of any arrangements. Whan Mr. King wrote a letter addressed to the Mayor on March 16, the Town Clerk wrote In rbply, calling his attention to the known fact of the Mayor's unavoidable absence from the office, and suggesting he should call, and as ho wrote in a style seeking to imply something quito foroign to tho matter under discussion, the Town Clerk wroto again in reply, and stated he saw no need for any such correspondence, and if t hero were any more lie should refer it to Wellington. It was after this note Mr. King replied ho would do likewise. At the first finance committee on the 24th lilt., Mr. King's requost would have boon considered, but there was no quorum, bub on the day following the Town Clerk brought the matter before tho Council recommonding an imprest of £75, Tho Council, howevor, referred tho matter to tho Finance Committee (with power to net) up to £75. Mr. King was immediately requested to forward particulars of accounts, etc. (when he did so vouchers did not accompany tho account). Mr. Kevon, Mr. King's clerk, was told whon ho brought the account that perhaps if ho took it, to the chairman of the Finance Committee he might authorise an advance cheque. This, bowevor, after poru'ing the account Mr. Trenn-ith declined to do without tho committee's approval, and as ho had to leave town the following morning and could not rot urn till Saturday, and nobody olso could sign a cheque, it was arranged lo call a special mooting of tho committee on Monday at two p.m. The vouchers were only sent to tho Town Clerk's office on Saturday morning.

The annual " wayssgoo'e" of the Nkw Zealand llkrai.b companionship and machine department, etc., took place on Saturday afternoon, Pnterson and Co. provided lilt) coaching accommodation, and the party drove nut to tho Falls lintel, llendorson (Mrs. Hope, lioenseo), this being the second reunion at that establishment. On reuniting the lintel, after a very ploa-ant drive, they discussed a capital lunch, and then proceeded to engage in a cricket match, tho tiro teams being captained respectively by Mr. Imnkloy and Mr. Blowden. Uunkloy'n team went in first, and wero disposed of for 35 runs. When Blowdon's team had scored .'l9, with a loss of only five wickots, the stumpß woie drawn, as it was too large an order to get thorn out in a short nftornoon. In tho eVcnlng Iho company sat down to an excellent dinner. Mr. J. Edwards (engineer) presided, and Mr. 0. M. Main (Hrrald staff) occupied the vice-chair. Full justice having been done to tho good things provided, the remainder of tho evening was dovotod to harmony—songs and recitations. Among those who contributed to the programme wore Messrs. Edwards, Main, D. 11. Salmon, J. Darby, Dunkloy, G. Mills, R. Wilson, D. Steele, E. F. Gnrlick, Craddock, Barlow, Klowdnn, McSporran. Mr. Salmon played tho pianoforte accompaniments. At ton p.m. the entertainment was brought to a close with throe cheers for the proprietors of the Herald accompanied with musical honours, and a like number for the hostess (Mrs. Hopo), who had left nothing undone to minister to the comfort of her guests. The drive home was beguiled with social chit and song, and Auckland was reached shortly before midnight-.

The action brought by the City Council against William .). Speight, manager of the Government Insurance Department, for the recovery of £96 16s 3d, rates alleged to bo duo in respect to the Government Insurance Buildings, Queen-street, which defendant holds is not ratable, being vested in tho Queen, was continued at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday forenoon, before Mr. H. W.JBrabnnt, S.M. Mr. Thomas Cotter, solicitor for plaintiffs, replied to Mr. Theo, Cooper's address for the defence, contending tliab tho Rating Act of 1894 made both the valuation list and tho rating book Conclusive evidence, and that the property in question was not exempt from rates. In support of his contention, counsel quoted the various statutes and authorities bearing on the matter, argument extending over two hours. Mr. Cooper did not reply. His Worship reserved his decision, and informed counsel that he would notify them of the date on which he would give judgment. An inquest was held on Saturday, by the District Coroner, nt tho residence of Mrs. Cummerford, Uppor Queen-street, on the body of an infant which had been boarded out by the mother. Tho verdict was, " The child's name was John Henry Nolan, and death resulted from imperfect nutrition."

On Saturday afternoon Mr. Taylor Warnook, of the well-known firm of Warnock Brothers, met with a painful accident in the vicinity of his residence in Richmond Avenue. It appears that Mr. Warnock, with tho assistance of one of his employees, was breaking in a young horse. The two men were seated in tho trap when the horn became unmanageable and bolted. The vehicle was evontually ororburned and badly smashed, and both occupants were thrown heavily to the ground. Mr. Warnock was not so fortunate as his companion, who escaped with a few bruises and a shaking, for he fell on his head and received a nasty wound. He was at once taken home, M Dr. Bedford, who was soon in attendance, found that his patient was suffering from concussion of the brain. He is now progressing favourably, and it is hopod that lis will soon have completely recovered from the effects of his accident.

An accident occurred at thoKiwitea sawmills on Monday whereby Mr. Holland, one of the proprietors, lost the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, through contact with the planing machine. The accident occurred through Mr. Holland slipping near the machine,"

A young man named Percy Basley sustained a nasty cut on the forehead on Saturday morning last, whilst at work in the Victoria Gold Mining Company's mine at Thames. It appears he was engaged lowering tools by means of a windlass from No. 2 level down to an intermediate drive below, when he accidentally lost his hold of the handle of the windlass, the result being that the handle struck him a severe blow' and inflicted the wound as mentioned above. He was at once taken to the hospital, where the wound was stitched by Dr. Williams, after which Basley proceeded to his home.

The half-yearly meeting of the Hebrew congregation was held at the Synagogue, yesterday morning, Mr. Isaac Phillips, president, in the chair. The half-yearly statement of accounts was submitted by the hon. treasurer, Mr. A. N. Nathan. A communication was received from Melbourne and Dunedin, proposing a united congratulatory address to Her Majesty the Queen, on the occasion of the celebration of tho Jubilee, from the Jowish residents of Australasia, to be signed by tho officers of the various communities and other Jewish officials holding high positions. This was approved. Mr. P. A, Philips moved, and Mr. 1. Alexander seconded, "That a vote of condolence and sympathy be conveyed by a letter to Mrs. Ehronfried, on the sad loss she and the community have sustained by tho death of her lato husband, who was a liberal supporter of the Synagogue, and an equally liberal supporter and dispenser of charity, regardless of denomination. Mr. N. Goldwater was elected a member of the committoo, vice the late Mr. Ehronfried. A vote of thanks to tho chairman terminate'! the proceedings,

The funeral of the late Mr. John Buchanan, monumontal mason, took place yesterday afternoon, from the residence of his brother, Mr. G. Buchanan, Franklin Road. The interment took place at Waikomiti Cemetery, the officiating minister baing the Rov. R. F. Macnicol. There was a good attendance, there being some ten carriages, and the chief mourners were Mr. 0. Buchanan (brother), Jas. Buchanan, Ed. Buchanan, J. ft. Buchanan, Win, Andorson, U.E. (nephews), ffm. Buchanan (grand nephew), John Buchanan, E. Buchanan, and other friend?. Among other old settlers present wero Captain McGregor, Messrs. M. G. McGregor, solicitor, Jas. Lylo, F. L. Prime, A. J. Enlrican, and Crombie. Tho coffin was placed in a vault which had been previously prepared for it, and ib is intended to place a handsome monument over the remains of decoased.

"Pictures continue to arrive for tho coming Society of Arts Exhibition, and somo Southern artists whose work has not beon neon in Auckland for years past will be oxhibitors. All bids fair for a very good turnout, and the lovers of art will not have cause to complain. Local artists havo some exceptionally good work for the occasion.

On Thursday morning a lift at the promises of Messrs. McKee and Gamble, Wellington, dropped suddenly to a lower lovel through tho sudden stoppage of tho water supply. An omployoe just stepped off in timo to savo himself from what would probably havo been a serious accidont. A dobnto took placo on Friday evening last, in tho rooms of the 1.0-O.T. Lodge, Newmarket, on the question of federation of the colonies. Tho chair was occupied by Captain Loßoy, and there was a good attendance. Mr. J. Kays and Row A. Mitchell opened in favour of the colonies becoming a foderateel people. Mr. M. Cook and Mr. Derrick opposed. After a lengthy debato, in which several gentlemen took part, the question was put to the meeting, and carriod in the affirmative by a largo majority. Mr. Kays having replied, a vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to it close Tho lodge propose holding sovoral opon-air meetings during the coming quarter. On Friday evening the Rev. W. Watt, for 28 years a Presbyterian missionary in tho island of Tanna, gave an interesting lecturo on " Tho Islands of Now Hebrides.' A numbor of limolighb views wore exhibited illustrative of mission work, also portraits of missionaries and views of the native churches.

Last Thursday evening a conversazione was given by the members of St. David's choir. The guost of tho evening was Mr. .1. H. I'hillpot, late organist of the church, who was presented with an illuminated address and a folio organ copy of "Hymns Ancient and Modern." as a token of the inspect and estoem which lie won from the choir during his term of ollico. The presentation wan mado by the Rev. R. Scott West. Advantage was taken of the occasion to welcome Mr. Jamos 15. Warner, the new organist. There were in the lockup Inst evening four persons on charges of drunkonnoss; a male lunatic, and Win. McCallum (on warrant of commitment) one months' imprisonment for failing to oboy an ortlor of tho court made at Whangnrei.

Petitions to bo adjudged bankrupts have been Mod by G. J. R. Dormer, storekeeper, Kailm; 'and J. E. Walton, surveyor's assistant, Auckland.

Two men mimed Oonsadine and Dunn ware arrested nt a lute hour ln«t night for being illegally on proinisos by night without lawful excuse.

The following is the official result of the licensing election for the Franklin district! -Flttvell, 227 votes; Gallagher, 'Mi Manning, 210; MoLennan, 384) Wallace, 2GB; Wright, 250. Mr. Manning, of Waiului was the defeated candidate.

Great destruction has been caused in the Point Chevalier district latoly through dogs worrying sheep. On Friday night last Mr. Walker's farm Was visited, and nine fine Lincoln sheep out of the Hock were killed,

Tho weekly entertainment given In the City Hall on Saturday night by Messrs. Crawford and Moore's All Star Novelty Company wan Well patronised and favourably rocoivod. Mr. Clias. Hugo, the popular end man, made his reappearance One of the features of the programme was the wire-rope walking of a recent addition to the company's rank*, Mr. James Driscoll, from Australia.

This evening, at the City Hall, the fourth of Mr. P. K. Dix's Monday Popular Concerts takes place. This concert promises to bo a most enjoyable one. Apart from the general excellence and variety of the programme, the first appearance of the new tenor vocalist, Mr. Arch, Wallace, should attract a large audience.