LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10422, 21 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

AT the Warden's Court, Thames, Air. R, S. Bush commences an inquiry to-day as to the applications for mining claims and rights applied for on the Kauri Timber Company's leaseholds within the Hauraki goldh'elds. Mr. Burgess, clerk of the Magistrate's Court, Auckland, is to assist at the inquiry, and left for the Thames yesterday. The proceedings are likely to extend over several weaks, and in 'Mr, Burgess' tbsence, his position will be filled by Mr. Bawsou.

The Auckland Racing Club continued their Autumn Meeting at Elerelie, yesterday, when there was again a capital attend ance. Large fields were a characteristic ol the afternoon's amusement. The racing was, throughout, of a first-class character, and there were several very close finishes. The Autumn Steeplechase, which was the leading event of the programme, resulted in a dead-heat between Mr. H. H. Hayr's representative, Kingswood, and Mr. A. E. Byers' Miss Nelson. It is raroly that t dead-heat In a steeplechase is run off, but as the owners of Kingswood would nob agree to a division of the stakes, the horses were lenb to the post a second time, when Kingswood defeated his opponent. The railway arrangement*, as on the first day, were again carried out in a most satisfactory manner by the department. A full account of the racing appears in another column.

The Minister of Justice the Hon. Thoe. Thompson) isdesiroue of getting the transfer of the police station and the change of sites fixed up with the City Council, so that a Bill may be introduced at next session of Parliament for authorising the exchange of sites. The matter has been left by the Cabinet to the Minister of Justice as an Auckland member, and the bargain is one which appears to be greatly to the advantage of the city. First, a new police station will be obtained, at a cost of £6000; secondly, an eyesore to the Albert Park residents will be removed, namely, a decayed, bug-infested building, with its stable and manure heap in rear; and thirdly, the site ceded to the city will bring in a rental of about £160 a-yoar, in place of "nothing ii-yoar" from the nowen-streed section, which is at night the resort of hoodlums and loafers. It is proposed that the police station should be built in the centre of the reserve, with the armoury to the rear, and to have the two angles of the reserve neatly planted out. As the Govern, ment cannot remove the concrete building known as the armoury from the police reserve, some compensation will be required for reinstatement, but in view of the increased rental flowing in there should be no difficulty in adjusting terms satisfactorily, and thus secure to the city a much-needed public work— now police station. Mr. Thompson, as an Auckland member, is naturally desirous of seeing this muchneeded public work completed during his regime.

The election for Wellington suburbs is being carried on with a considerable amoub of bitterness. Referring to the personal attacks to which he has been recently subjected, Mr. A. K. Atkinson said ac. Kilbirnio that Mr. G. Fi'her had been introduced to do Mr. Wilson's swear ing for him, but the latter's performance at Wadestown showed that he was quite capable of doing that for himsolf. " Little Pecksniff," " petifogging little lawyer,"and "dishonest little prig," were among the polite terms which Mr. Wilson had applied to his opponent. Lady Stoat, in a letter to the Post, eays:—" I have been informed that Mr. Wilson ac his ladies' meeting at Petone this afternoon accused m 3 ol slandering him and his wife aud child. I positively deny having referred in any way to Mr. Wilson's domestic affaire. I have heard that he has a wife, but did not know that he had any family. lam quite ignorant of Mr. TO son's domestic relations, and the only thing I know or cure to know of him is that he ii a servile follower of the most corruptedministration that has ever disgraced thil colony. No doubt the spectacle of Mr Wilson taking off his glumes to weep, ami protesting'oii the public platform his dev<* (ion to his wife and child, was most touch, ing, but I doubt if it will have the effect ot improving Mr. Wilson's chances of election in Pelone. lam afraid the dodge ie toe thin even for the ' Liberals.' The" eiectori in that district, as far as I can learn, admin pluck and manliness even in an opponent, and are not likely to wish to be represented by one who ao far forgets his solf-respeet a« to descend to such a hysterical and theatrical display. I challenge Mr. Wilson U produce anyone to whom I made any r» marks in reference to hi.* domestic affairs oi his private character. The statement mad« this afternoon was a deliberate falsehood, and 1 am afraid Mr; Wilson wae qaitf aware of the fact that it was so when h« made it."

The April number of the Chronicle of th« Mutual Life Association of Australasia is te hand, and, us usual, contains much of inte< rest to the shareholders of that progressive institution. A from the speech ol a member at the last general meeting held in Sydney is particularly refreshing. The speaker said : " He was very pleased to sei so large an amount of absolutely ' liquid assets' readily available to meet any demand. He far preferred the directors' plae of ' writing down 1 for depreciation at once, as hie experietico of other companies had shown him tbut so-called reserve funds, instead of being, as the public supposed, available as cash, existed only on paper ai book entries." If this could liave been said in the near past of wine locnl financial concerns, how much of disaster would have been avoided in this colony ! The Association have a fresh Advertisement in our columni this morning explanatory of its nuw policy, oonferring "absolute assurance" in event of discontinuance of premiums.

The prisoner, Edward Hall, who ende* voared to commit suicide an Monday, a* the North Head, ha 3 been transferred to the Mount Eden Gaol hospital for medical treatment. He maintains a sullen and morose attitude, and appears to be suffering from mental aberration, the result of brooding over hia troubles. Mr. Beaton, gaoler, went over yesterday to the North Shore, to make some enquiries into the circumstances suarounding the incident.

"TTTbTend of July the two examiners tinted to conduct this year's examioa- ™ in instrumental and vocal music rLid will Bail from London. ro 'eesor Gordon S.unders (Mui. D., toon) registrar Senior examiner of the college, goes 'o frth Africa on July 23, and Dr. Charles % «nt lie D., Oxou) to Australia and KleS on July 29. It will be «membered that Trinity College i. the « it EnKli»l> institution which has Bent an "miner abroad to conduct its local examinations. A very large audience ae»in assembled -efterday evening at the Opera House to "J ess the performance of Mies Ada troy's Company, and the verdict of 'L. 9 was amply upheld in fact the iroßramnu was more acceptable than ever, it deine rom the frequency of applause. from to-night the programme will be completely changed. Easter Day was observed at St. Barnabas, k» two celebrations of the Holy Communion ,nd morning and evening prayer. The ' harc was more beautifully decorated than usual, mid the services altogether kriehter and heartier. Special music was rendered by the choir tho anthem, Hearken unto Mβ, My People," being m during the morning offertory and a L from the " Messiah," "He shall feed Hie flock like a Shepherd," being sung with eteat taeto and feeling during the evening collection by Miss Harper and Miss Mnbol gratia. Suitable sermons were preached k> the vicar. After the evening service the fi»r(Re». W. H. Johnston) was presented by Mr 0. Cooper, people's churchwirden,witu purse of sovereigns, as an Easter offering, on behalf of the " women of Sb. Barnabas' ratlin." Two other presentitlone were Lie during the day, viz., prayer and bjmn-books for the use of strangers by in anonymous donor and an inkstand and pens for the vestry. I regret to have to report) (writes our ffaluku correspondent) the death of Mr. Anthony May, senior, who cl:»d at the residence of his eon.in-law, Mi , . Anthony May, Maioro, on Good Friday. The deceased gentleman, who bad reached the ripo age of ft years, was a native of St. Tudy, Cornwall, and came to Auckland over 30 years igo.'nearly the whole of which time he has resided at Waiuku. He was highly reipected for hie quieb and unassuming diepolitinn. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was largely attended, the chief mourners being Mr. Kendal May (son), Mr. Anthony May (son-in-law), end a number of grandsons and granddaughters. The Kev. JJ, (J, Budd conducted the funeral service both at Holy Trinity Church and at the pare. The deceased gentleman had tbo misfortune to fall in his bedroom about a fortnight since, thereby breaking his thigh. The limb was get by Dr. Cloueton, but tho shock to the system for a man of his years proved too much, and he quietly passed away. The deceased leaves an offspring of two eons, three daughters, 21 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren. He was an uncle of the late Mr. Joseph May. Our Waiuku correspondent writes:— Universal regret was expressed when the news reached hero by telegram, on April 15, that Mrs. Charlee T. Hoskinge, of the Thames, had died the previous evening. The deceased lady was favourably known here for a great number of years. Mr, and Mre. Hosking arrived in Auoklind in June, 1855, in the ship Rock City, from England. Their first attempt to come to New Zealand was frustrated by the ship Polar Star, in which they were coming, taking fire a short time after leaving home. They were three days on the burning ship before they were rescued and landed at St. Helena. 'Returning to England, they made mother start, and landed in Auckland ns itated above. Not long aftor their arrival, they came to Waiuku, and started farming, chiefly in the dairy line, which they carried on successfully for a number of years. The deceased was noted for her kind hoipitality, and was ever At hand in cases of eicknoes, Her house was the home of ministers before the district was properly opened up. Having sold their farm, Mr. and Mrs. Hoskine removed to the Thames, where they have resided for the last seven yean. The funeral took place here on Good Friday, The i.B. VVeka with tho corpse, with a number of friends from the Thames and Auckland, arrived at 10 a.m., the body beinc taken to the Wesloyan Church, where it remained till 2.30 p.m. The Rev. F. B. Oldhatn conducted r.he funeral service, part being held in the church, and concluded nt the grave. The Rev. gentleman delivered in appropriate addrees at the Utter place. There was a laree attendance, the chief mourners being Mr. C. T. Hoeking, husband; Mr. Joseph Scott, brother, and Mr. I!. Ho«king, brother-in-law of deceased. The coffin was covered with beautiful floral wreaths. The cause of death was la grippe, followed by fever. Her age wai 71 years. At the Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club's Autumn Meeting, held on Easter Monday, the Auckland contingent who took part were successful in carrying off three events on the programme. H. G. Thomson won the Quarter-mile Handicap, T. Moncur the Hnif-niile, and B. Sutherland the One mile. A. A. Brook, the Auoklan-I cyclist, gained two siconde in the bicycle events,

A special meeting- of the committee of the TechnicalUtaes Association in Dunedin was held a few days ago. The principal business arose from the necessity of providing increased accommodation for the various classes at presont being carried on, the attendance at which has quite outgrown the rooms and appliances at the disposal of the committee. Tho classes have now been carried on tor eight years under very considerable disachantiiges, and a continuance of the present makeshift arrangements is very undesirable. In was therefore resolvod that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Burt, Cohen, Kobin, and Thomson, wait on the Education Board at its next meeting with the object of ascertaining whether that body is prepared to help the association to secure a permanent habitation.

A soiree in connection with the Maneero Weeleyan Uhuroli took place on Monday evening at the new public hall, Mangers, »nd was an unqualified success in every way. Tbe tables were provided and presided owr by the Misses Ronnie, Wallace, $llet, Wyllie, Kirkbride, Montgomerie, and Mesdames N. Robinson and L. Jones. Mr, W, Westney, jun., prosidod, and was supporter! on the platform by the Revs, S. Lawry, W. J. Watkin, M. Kirkbride, and Mr. J. Maesey, jun. The chairman in his opening address explained that the proceeds of tbe meeting were to go towards the painting and renovating of the church. A very complete programme was creditably tendered, after which the usual votes of thanks were passed, when " Ring the Joy Bells" was eun? by the choir, and the Kev. 8. Lawry pronounced the benediction. Misi M. Wallace presided at the piano, and Mr. J. E. Taylor w»s leader of the ohoir, which was aesieted by several friends from Onthunga. The singing of the Rov. A. Mitchell was highly appreciated. Judging Irom the large attendance, a considerable «ora would accrue towards the object in view.—(Own Correspondent). In order to encourage the cultivation of "igar-beot in Scotland the (jreenook Beetroot Sugar Association for the past few years have offered prizes for the best roots. l*rt year no less than twenty-eight powers entered, the competitors being from all parts of Scotland. The results of the competition wore as follow : — li J. S. Wallace, Ayr (28-09 tone per acre), £10 10.; 2, Walter Ovene, Castle Douglas (2433 tons per acre), £0 10s; Mrs. Simp «on, Bute (22-52 tons per acre), £4 ; John Holmes, BMioptoii (21-98 tons per acre), *210 i; and J. S. Wilfon, Tillicoultry (21-44 tons per acre), £1 10s. Taking the first ten competitors, the amount of sugar to the acre is more than that of the ton who competed last year, being 22'00 to 2088 tone, but the average of the whole is rather lower than last year. The red top variety »fttiu gives the best result, and very light Mils do not appear to be so suitable as heavier soils. Tho association aguiii offer *25 as prizes for the present year. It .Bight prove a stimulus to the cultivation of eugar-bett in this country if a similar •ystetn of giving prizes for the best roots *We adopted by one or more of our agricultural societies. Anyhow, the matter is Worth a trial, Afow years ago, tbe late Dr. S. Watson motived from Mexico aome plants of maize. These seedlings were examined by the protosor, and by him named Zea canina. According to an article by Dr. Harsh«reer, in a recent number of Garden and wrwt, this plant originated ai an accidental cross between the cultivated maize wd " Teoeinthe," or Bucblaena mexicana. It U further surmised that main may have tfgioit«d by hybridisation in tbie way.

The fourteenth annual meeting of the conference in connection with Churches of Christ in the Auckland district was held on Friday last in the Cook-"treob meeting house, commencing it 9.30 a.m. The chair was taken by Mr. F. Davies, who had been chosen president for the occasion. Mr. E. Viokery was elected conference secretary. The chairman welcomed the visiting brethren, end in his address mentioned the fact that this was the fourteenth annual conference meeting and the last that would be held in the Cook-street building. He also referred to the fact that the conference being 'a voluntary association did not possess any power to legislate for the churches. To claim any such power, or to attempt to exercise it, was believed to be an interference with the prerogative of Christ as the head of the church. Previous conferences had been a means of bleieing, as he trusted this one would be. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed a credit balance of £29 89 sd. It was proposed to reengage the evangelist (Mr. T. J. Hull) for a further term of twelve months. A circular containIng suggestions re foreign mission work was referred to the incoming committee to deal with. A paper was read by Mr. A. Kelly on "Our position in relation to the sects around us." This paper was a plea for the union of Christians on the New Testament basis. It was cordially received and submitted to friendly criticism, and it was agreed to hare it published. At 6 p.m. the public tea meeting was well attended. Provision for tho tea, and also for the luncheon at midday. was under the supervision of Miss Davies, who wai helped in her work by a number of the younger members of the Church. At half-past seven p.m. the hall whs filled to listen to a programme of speeches, recitations, and music Mr. A, M. Bryrlen pres'ded. On Lord's Day morning a large gathering meb for worship according to Now Testament touching, and at three p.m. Mr. A. Kelly gave an interesting address on "Candles" to the Sunday school children and friends. At » quarter to' seven p.m. Mr. Bull prSaclied bo n large congregation from the words of Pilate, " Behold the man." On Easter Monday a picnic was held at Epsom in a paddock kindly granted for the occasion by Mr. K.id'l. Tho day was fine, and the picnie passed off most successfully.