LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10410, 7 April 1897, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The proposed track to tho summit of Rangitoto docs not appear to be much further under way than it was three months ago, but the Dovonport Borough Council (which is also the Rangitoto Domain Board) intends to loavo no stono unturned till it bo an accomplished fact. A meeting of the Board took place yesterday owning, when Mr. 0. Mays read a letter from Mr. F. Lawry covering a telegram from tho Minister of Lands, who had been asked for a sum towards the formation of the road out of th) amount placed 011 the estimates to be expended on the scenic boautios of the colony. The Minister said as no special vote was taken for the work, and the necessity was not particularly urgent, it was thought the matter might stand over for consideration by the Assembly. Mr, Cadman was approached on the matter when he was in Auckland last, and it was agreed to ask the Mayor to again communicate with him and bring the request under his notice. , Notwithstanding the boom which has taken place in the building trade for tho past few months, there is quite a scarcity of. good residences for occupation. Many persons in search of houses have been obliged to go to the suburbs to reside, failing to get suitable homes within easy access of tho business centres of the city. The experimental section of road-making (of half the street) from the foot of the Crescent to the intersection of High-street having set and become consolidated, tho city engineer is having the southern half of the street formed in similar fashion. The experimental test will bo watched with unusual interest, as if satisfactory the experiment will probably be extended on a larger scale to the leading traffic thoroughfares in the city. Mr. H. R. Walker, an ex-candidate for English Parliamentary honours at the last general election, who has been touring the colonies in order to make himself familiar with colonial questions of general interest, leaves for the Islands to-day by the bji. Ovalau, and goes 011 to Samoa, where lie will join the outward mail steamer en route for the United States. He was in Adelaide at tho time of the general election, when the women of that colony exercised the franchise for the first time, and as ho has been studying tho question of female suffrage, in view of the agitation which has arisen in England, the event was of some interest to him. During his tour through New Zealand Mr, Walker has seen some of the loading men on both Bides in politics, as also the leaders of the temperance party, in order to ascertain the actual effect of the female vote on the temperance question and prohibition, and other phases of social reform. He has approached these subjects with an open mind, confining himself to obtaining accurate data and statistics, which may possibly be utilised in the mother country in various ways.

Our Wayby correspondent writes The barn and cartshed and stables belonging to Mr. G. Belcher, of Hoteo North, were destroyed by fire on the night of March nthMr. Belcher was at the time away from home attending an agricultural meeting at Port Albert, and can throw no light as to how the fire occurred. Mr. Belchor's loss is

about £120. He has lost his spring trap and harness, dray harness, and a quantity of hay, together with a quantity of farm and garden tools, which were burned with the buildings. There is a email iusurance in the Royal, but I have not learned the amount.

It is pleasing to find that the Southern artists will be fairly represented at the coming' exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts. They are exhibiting a very fraternal spirit, and in their communication with the secretary (Mr. 8. Stuart) express the hope that the Auckland 'Society will have ft tuCCSMfuI sod prosperous exhibition. c t

The Hon. James Carroll is interesting himself in a project to connect Gisborne with Auckland by a light railway, junctioning with the Kotorua line. The natives express willingness to submit to special taxation to provide the necessary capital. Our Bombay correspondent states that an inquest was held by Mr. D. McClennan, J.P., acting coroner, on Monday at Kamarama, on the body of William Arthur Smith, hawker, Clevedon, whose body was found drowned in Mr. J. Reid's well, as mentioned in the Hkrald of yesterday. The evidence disclosed that on the body was found cash amounting to £7 10a 7d, and a pocket knife and pipe. There were no papers of any description found either on the body or in the cart. The evidence of Constable Foreman and Mr*. Smith, wife of deceased, showed that for the last two or three months the mind of deceased had bean partly unhinged, and that deceased's sister is at present of unsound mind and confined in the Av'ondale Asylum. The verdict of the jury was that deceased committed suicide while temporarily insane.

A special meeting of Presbytery was hold at St, Andrew's Church last evening, The business was considered of a private nature, though it appears that a motion, the outCome of the recent trouble in connection with the call to the Rev. J. Milno to that church, was tabled calling upon the whole of the elders of tlio session to resign Choir seats on the Presbytery. This after a warm discussion was negatived by one vote, the elders refusing to accede to tho request of the section of the congregation which asked their resignation, a letter being read to that effect. It is understood that the aggrieved members of the congregation, namely the portion who were in favour of the Rev. Milne's appointment to St. Andrew'.*, will make further ondeavours to get the elders to resign.

Yesterday forenoou, at a brief sitting in bankruptcy before the Registrar (Mr. Brewer) of the Supremo Court, Alan Wm, O'Neill, barrister and solicitor, of Auckland, was, on the petition of the Bank of Now Zealand (Mr. Buddie appearing), adjudicated a bankrupt. A similar petition with reference to Lewis O'Neill was adjourned until the 3rd May by consent. The Knights of l.abour have resolved to

write to tho Trade and Labour Council

proposing that Mr. B. Tillett should be requested to give two or three public addresses in Auckland, if his health will permit. They have also sont a telegram to the Premier (Hon. R. J. Seddon) expressive of their gratification at the erection of a statue to tho memory of the late Hon. J, Bal lance, formorly Premier of the colony. Nothing ib appears will satisfy some bicyclists, save having an interview with Mr. Brabant, S.M., in order that their privileges of going about tho streets of a night "scorching," without lamps lit, may be more clearly defined. Last night some flagrant offenders in these rospocts might have been seen traversing Victoria-street West, and other thoroughfares. In the contoat, policeman v. bicyclist, tlioro should be no doubt as to who should come out victor if constabulary duty is done. A couple of " plain clothes men," as bicyclists would soon detect tho offenders and put down what is becoming an intolerable nuisance.

Tlio lease for a term of three years of the Fish Market, which has been recently removed from Quay street and re-olectod on the Railway Wharf, was offered by auction at the Harbour Board offices yesterday morning, Mr. C. B. Kingswell, of G. W. Binney mid Sons, acting as auctioneer. The upset prico for the louse was fixed at £6 per month, but £4 per month was the highest bid, and in consequence tho leaso was not disposed of.

Three men, named Turner, Lee, and Moriarty (arrested by Constable Joyce) have been convicted at I'ahi for obtaining goods by false pretences. Leo was sentenced to one month and the other two men to two months' imprisonment.

As a proof of tho esteem and respect, in which the late Captain Conway was hold by his many nautical acquaintances in this city, some of them have decided to orect a memorial over his gravo in Symondsstreet Cemetery. Tho design seloeted is a neat and simple marble (Jothio headstone, with a trefoil flowered panel; tho stone bearing tho inscription Erected by the shipmasters of Auckland in memory of Captain James Joseph Conway, accidentally killed 18th March. 1897 ; aged 50 years. 'May He who rules tho billows speed us on our way.'" The work has been executed by Mr. James Buchanan, Victoria-street East.

The old building situated at the head of the Dovonport Wharf, and known as the Admiralty Shod, which Iws been practically unused since the reserve was vested in tiie Borough some time ago, will in all probability before many weeks bo turned into a gymnasium, an institution that has boen among the " wants" of the athletic youth of Devonport. At last night's mootin/of tho Council Messrs. 0. 0. Dacro, Alf. Cameron, S. Mays, mid G. Creetlij representing the athletic bodies in the Borough, waited on tho members to obtain permission to effect certain alterations in the building, which would fit it for the purpose mentioned, and said the athletes would bear all expenses. Tho councillors were in favour of granting tho permission, but decided to hold a meeting 011 Tuesday next and discuss the details of the scheme with the deputation before coming to a definito conclusion,

Tho secretary of the Auckland Technical School, Rutland-street, yesterday received the certificates from the South Kensington Science and Art Department, London, comprising one first class and eight second class passes in the art section. The lot previously received, which were for science subjects, had already been distributed to the successful winners. Students who pass tho various stages creditably will bo entitled to full certificates, and as these are now of recognised value all oVer tho world, it will readily bo understood that they lire worth competing for. The nejet examinations will take place in July of this year, and students are now being prepared for the event.

Tho rifle-firing competition for tho selection of two men to represent the Auckland district in the rifle toam, which it is proposed to send to England, will bo held on Saturday and Monday mornings at the Mt. Eden Range.

Yesterday morning the monthly inspection of the King's College Rifle and Cadet Corps, of Romuera, was held before LieutColonel Banks. Lieutenant J. Grant, acting adjutant for tho district, was also present. The cadets were in charge of Capt. Mayor, At the conclusion of tho inspection, Lieut.Colonel Banks expressed himself satisfied with the work of the cadets.

A meeting of tho committee of the Suburban Poultry Fanciers' Club was held oil Monday, when thore was a good attendance. Mr. C. Grey presided. Mr. Poster Dacre, the well-know poultry expert, of St. Alban's, Christchurcn, was unanimously elected to judge all classes at tho Club's Gold Medal Championship Show, to be held two months hence. Messrs. Priestley (a Melbourne fancier and Mr. Pryor (of Dunedin) were elected to the commitsee, and nine persons wore proposod for membership.

Last evening, at the Primitive Methodist Church, Eden Terrace, a concert was held in aid of the trust fund, and judging by the attendance present a most satisfactory sum should be realised. Mr. D. Goldie

presided, and a moat enjoyable vocal and instrumental programme was gone through. A very pleasant, evening was concluded shortly before 10 o'clock. The second annual meeting of St. Mary's Young Men's Gymnasium Club was held in the school room, Parnell, last evening, when the Revd. Geo. MaoMuaray wqs elected presidont, having with him Miss lloskrugo as secretary, and Mr. J. L, Brett as treasurer. The statement of accounts was read, showing a substantial credit balance, which, together with a number of new members, places the club on a very Bound footing, During the evening Professor Carrollo was' appointed to> the position of instructor. At the conclusion of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing members of the committee. ■

A correspondent "R" writes, in reference to the police constable's replies when requested to take tho name of the lad in charge of a horse and cart which collided with a buggy on Monday in Queen-street, stating that the constable did not act in conformity with sub-section 4 of clause 4 of the Police Offences Act, 1884. Anyway, his' duty plainly was, to take the boy's name, leaving further action, if necessary, to bit superior officers. ...