LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10421, 20 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Town Clerk desires to intimate that on and after Tuesday subscriptions will be received at the City Council offices, and at the various Banks, in aid of the sufferers by the late Hawke's Bay floods. The Auckland Racing Club opened their Autumn Meeting at Ellerslie yesterday under most favourable auspices. The weather being beautifully fine there was a capital attendance, in fact it is regarded as a record one for this season of the year. The racing throughout was of an exciting character. The principal events of the programme were the Great Northern Champagne Stakes and Easter Handicap. The first-named event was won by Mr. L. D. Nathan's filly Miss Emmy, who, it may be remarked, was bred by the Messrs, Nathan at Sylvia Park; while tho Easter Handicap fell to Mr. T. Morrin's colt Daystar. The full account of the racing will be found in another column. About six o'clock last evening a oabdriver named Archer, while driving from the back of the grandstand at Ellerslie, accidentally knocked down an old man named FitzPatrick. The injured man was picked up by his friends and taken to town for medical treatment. The annual effort in aid of the Wesleyan circuit fund, at Aratapu, this year took the form of a concert and coffee supper, which was held on Tuesday evening. Mrs. J. Stewart and Miss Fitzpatrick both came from Auckland to assist the local talent. A large number of (ladies and gentlemen contributed to tho programme, which was varied and well executed. The accompaniments were played by Miss Cook and Mr. J. K. Scott. At the conclusion of the concert supper was provided in the anterooms, which, however, were too small to accommodate the number present, and many had to partake of their refreshments in the body of the hall.-[Aratapu Correspondent.]

The nomination of candidates for school committees in city and suburbs is now taking place. The only district in which special interest is being taken in the elections is in Ponsonby. lb is understood that the outgoing committee intend to stand again. They have worked harmoniously during the past year with each other and with the Board of Education, and have, during their term of office, given satisfaction to the householders, by their attention to their duties and promotion of the educational wants of the district.

The Christian Advocate (Belfast) contains a lengthy account of Mr. Yatman's mission in that city, Ib states that "no such scenes hare been seen in Belfast since the great Irish revivals of 1859."

.rhe annual road meeting in connection with the Auckland Cycling Club, took place on Saturday afternoon last, the course being from the Parnell fire bell through Otabuhu, over the Mangere Bridge, through Onehunga, and back to the fire bell. There were 13 starters, who all had to contend with a strong breeze, bub in spite of this great drawback, the distance, 20J miles, was covered in the record time of 1 hour 4 minutes. This is claimed to be the fastest ever done hero on the road. The following was the result:—W. W. Aulsebrook 1, P. Smith, jan. 2, W. F. Ramsay 3, R. Uelston 4. The following officials carried : out : the arrangements :—Meisri. 'W. Young, W. Uailam, £, Gordon, tod A. States.

Miss Ada Dtlroy and her company their second tfirtormance to a crowdJ 4 te " da " C at tie Opera House last evening and the brigt, entertaining pr0g,..?,? 1 put on could not have suited a h„2 audience betttr. Miss Ada Del™ 0.1?. charmed ereiyona with her graceful danew Her singing, too, ™ very engaging. m" James Bell, as a stage negro, created m of uproirioas laughter. He was ...j" 11 ? with a h>st of funnylsms, which, in addf tion to being specially 00 d, were n ai L new-a lather rare thing now-a-dav? \!7 Berlin vas encored for his sineine'of "Tk. Village Blacksmith," and Miss lit Sim raons ganed a very large share of applaud The oths members of the company wera also at heir host The same program™ will be epeated this evening.

The attraction of Bernard's Circus drew a large ittendanca to the Agricultural Hall yesterdiy evening, it being the company', second performance, Much appreciation was shewn of the very clever evmnant;. feats of the child Ethel and other artists. The eqwstrian performances of Hogan and the skilul wire walking of Kadama were also loudy appended. Another excellent featured the entertainment was thoexhibition <f tricks by trained Animal* especially those of the performing do» Laddie. R '