LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10424, 23 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Stirring and vigorous speeches were made at the quarterly meeting of tbe National Association last night on "the present) political ieeuee," and they wero listened to < with yery marked interest by those present, Mr. E. Bell warned the people that the entrance of w«men into political life was a dangerous experiment ; and after Mr. Gat« land of Awitu, had subjected the recenl financial statement to some severe criticism, - Dr. VYallis in a clever and at times amusing '» speech condemed the action of both Govern- - men* and Opposition during the recant' leesion. This called forth a spirited replj fiom Mr. Masaey and Mr. Alonk also , explained the position at some length. Tin ; latter gentlemen deplored in the warmest '; terme the apathy and iudifference of thi j people in matters political. Several country | members were present, and took part in the •: proceedings. |. In view of the fact that the mail : J steamer baa on board Butler, on bis C ;V' way to Australia for trial on charges of % murder, unusual precautions have been '■> taken tq prevent the Maripo.<a being over- ,: run by the morbidly curious. The wharf adjoining the mailboat's berth will be "i barricaded off, and no one allowed on board until all the passengers are landed, without) a special permit. The Auckland police - have received instructions Jrura the Com- \ mieaioner of Police to render ml the assist- ' ance in their power to the Sydney detectiwi who have Butler in charge, and to contra any crowd that might gather. Building operations continue fairly brisk in various parts of the city and suburbs at present, though signs of a lull are not ■ wanting. Several new houses on the Surrey ■ Hilli, facing the Great North Road, are in course of erection, and the building of a .' new ChriiUdelphian (Jhurch in Pollenstreet (near the Newton Borough Council offices) is soon to bo commenced. The present structure is to be moved back, and used _as a Sunday-school. The building permit* now being issued are not so numerous a* was the case a few months ago, and some of the work for which tenders have been called will not bo proceeded with ab present, A meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board Committee was held yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. J, Napier, chairman, presided. There were also present : Messrs. Glover and JSutrictn, In reply to a letter tram Mr. Wilson, it was decided to state that the Board did not require a supply ol patent) gas buoys. The question of the teredo-proof piles constructed for use'at tin Dew jetty was considered, and it was agreed to inform Mr. Hadle'y that, as they were . nob constructed to the satisfaction of th< -, foreman of works, or in accordance with th( specifications of the company, they would ■ not be driven. In order to cave the time ol ' the foreman of works while inspecting - the variouj works about the harbour it wai ■. •greed to recommend, the Board to purchase' • I * bicycle for aw Id bit department. \

The HnddarfcParker steamer Anglia arrived from Southern and EastCont ports nitarday morning. The delay of the Lamer w»« oaused by her having U anchor faiideof Wellington Heads from Tlursday Uening until Monday owing to the bad ■lite of the weather. On reaching Wellington Heads, Captain Hood found tkafc the ■eather wae too severe to attempt to go " „ sn j decided to anchor in Worsr Bay nn ljl it moderated; and the steamer -mained there until Monday, wht.n the uUMge wae resumed to the North, fine Esther being experienced along thecoait. The special committee appointed by the (Xty Council to consider a proposal to build jhildren'i hospital, in commemoration of jler Majesty's record reign, has recommended that a public meeting be convened, to consider what would be the beet method of marlting the occasion. For this purpose, g public meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, on Tuesdny week, at hilf-pa«t two o'clock.

When Mr. Jmtice Williams autkoriaed a •ill of £4 P or Bliaro on tne shareholders of the Ward Farmers' Association, a person holding five shares waited on His Honor, .nd said lie was quite unsble to pay even the firit instalment. His Honor, of course, could do nothing in the matter, and told tht shareholder that lie wruld have to lettle with the liquidator, remarking, however, that hie liability on the shares was josb'like an ordinary debt to a tradesman. This early indication of defmlt on the part of the small shareholders, says the Dunedin gtar, does not augur well (or a hearty reiponee to the call to meet the demands pide on the official liquidator. The call is payable by instalments, but in the event of default being made in the payment ot one jnitalmont, the whole amount at once becomes duo.

gome time back the Government were jnproached with the object of brinfjingabout tn (Iteration in the manner of conducting the ballot for lands open for settlement, so H to give local applicant! the preference in lODie cases. It was urged that in some Initances men from other districts who had been successful in the ballot, subsequently entered into competition with tho«e residing in the district where the land was situated, and thu» reduced the price of |»bour. The Government have evidently decided to make no alteration in the system U no change in the conditions of ballot has yet been made.

Something; should certainly be done in the direction of putting a stop to the use of disgusting language in the streets, on the part of young hrrikiue and girls, ninny of tbf latter not being in their teens. Some of these possess a vocabulary of the filthiest. Lust night, in the time taken to walk from the foot of Wakefiold-streec to half-way down Queen-street, two separate instances occurred in which young tricks were heard to make use of the vilest language ; and the obscenity was bawled out so as to be heard twenty yards away.

An accident occurred yesterday afternoon it Farmer's Hill, Great South Road. It appear* that Mrs. Goodwill, of Otahuhu, Mrs. Williams and two children, were driving to Otahuhu in a roadster, when Crawford's 'bus, which was behind them, accidentally collided with the trap, break ing it. The children were Knocked about and injured. Mrs, Goodwill also was severely shaken. The party were taken to the Harp of Erin Hotel, and attended to. A cab wat telephoned for from Auckland, and in about two hours they were able to be taken to Otahuhu,

Matters at the Hospital apparently are not in Finooth as is generally supposed, and should the friction increase it is not at all improbable that Auckland may stand alongside Adelaide with a " strike" of its honorary medical hospital staff. Those composing that staff do not appear over well pleased with things as they are. Twice recently the Charitable Aid Board has eat <n camera to investigate complaints. One well-known medical man has felt it his duty to write to the Board as to the strained relations at present existing.

On the night of the 16th instant« steam launch, owned by Mr. E. C. Frost, storekeeper and flax-dresser, Lower Tuakau, was burned while anchored on the Waikato River. Mr. Frost returned from Huntly at five o'clock on tho previous evening by the launch, and anchored her a short "distance from the bank, having first put out the fire. On going to the anchorage next morning the launch was found to be miss ing. A search resulted in her charred hull being found at the bottom of the river, where the launch had been anchored. The launoh, which was used for carrying flax and other goods, was not insured.

The following nominations were received on Wednesday for the Mount Roekill Road Board annual election :—Messrs. A. Boyd, W. J. Greenwood, W. Greenwood, R. P. Kinloch, H. Moody, and (J. Worrall. Aβ there are only four vacancies a poll will take place on May 1. Mr, James Torringten has been elected unopposed for the extraordinary vacancy on the Board.

Messrs. Pafcereon and Co,, the well-known bus and livery stable proprietors, have just removed into their new premises in Clarence-street, Devonport, which aro utiUsed for carrying on the North ShoreTakupuna bus service, etc. The new buildings cover half an acre of ground, and are fully equipped for the purposes to which they «re devotoil—a large 'bus and carrying business. Provision is made for storing 300 tons of feed, and accommodation is made for 100 horses, harness room, caretaker's rooms, and offices. Mr. R. H. McCallum designed and constructed the building.

Veaterday afternoon an accident ocourred on the wharf which led to a horse and dray backing over the wharf, and the animal being drowned. The dray belonged to Messrs. Wright Bros., forwarding agents, «nd was being driven by Robert Buii. The horse, it seems, got frightened by a barrel placed in the centre of the wbarl, ind which the Harbour Board employees were using in connection with some repairs on the wharf. When the horse and dray went over into the sea the accident wns noticed by the crew of the steam launch Beatrice, who put off to render what assistance was possible. They managed, to get the horse free from the dray, but they Were unable to rio eo before the horse was drowned. Messrs. Wright Bro?. estimate their lone at £30, namely £25 for the horse, »nd £5 for the harness. Tho dray has not been raised yet.

The interesting discovery of quicksilver wade in excavating for the Waihi Gold Mining Company's new offices in Shortlanditreee, caused very considerable comment yesterday. Some surmised that a quantity of quicksilver had been, years ago, washed there from a photographer's studio, or in some other way. But as the find was made lone 14 feet below the surface, and as there is apparently a seam of from one to two inches thick crossing the property, others told it to be a natural deposit. Yesterday, during the dinner hour, the workmen panned off, for their amusement a small pottlo full of commercially valuable merCqry. Owing in some degree to the fact that it . Was understood to be the doling night of I- the Easter Carnival, the Drill Hall was, at ■I in early hour yesterday evening, filled to I overflowing. The reduced price of admis--1: ''ion also helped to swell the attendance. ;i The trade in bazaar articles, which were \-\ being sold at nominal prices, wa? brisker r Han ever. The management have decided :•':,. to finally close on Saturday night, but the ■; tornival will not be open this evening. as % preparations will be mad* for a Rrand ii 1 promenade concert and olearing sale, toM$ morrow. !& The Auckland Banjo, Guitar, and Man- , dolin Club have juit returned from the :". Wwaes, having made a most successful ; Wp through Tβ Aroha and Paeroa, On Monday night they had a crowded houei, id the performance wa« a most creditable ' 'one, every item being thorongbly appreciaM. The services of Mr. Arthur Towsey Span just been eeoured by the club, and - Withiuchan able instructor this talented ;-, ; eombipation should retain the excellent me they have made (or thenuelvej. I: The «iith of Mr. P. R. Dix'e popular .Wncerts is announced for Monday pen*; If .when, in addition to the usual mmical I Programme, Mr. Charlef Cooper's Mfrio- ; ttma of the "Land of the Moa" will be I. Riven, Amongst the artistes witting, are 1 Mr. Abel Rowe, Mi« V. <>eUtop, m Mr- <■ *wW»leTayler. ' .

: At the Agricultural Hall last night ' Bernard's circus »gain drew »>«g* * ttiei,d " l»«, the excellent programme being greatly *»]oyed. There will be • matiew OQ B»tur-