LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10426, 26 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Auckland Racing Club's Autaroh Meeting was brought to a conclusion at Ellerslie on Saturday last, in most bcaati-

ful weather, and which in a great degree contributed to the large attendance that was present, the racing throughout was of a very interesting character, and thi contest for the Steeplechase proved to bt one of the most exciting races that lias ever taken place over the Auckland course. A full account of the racing will be found on the third page. What might have been a very .serious accident occurred in Pohsohby Road at about nine o'clock p.m. on .Saturday niijht. Id appears that Air. N. Wood; of Mount Albert, was returning home in his buggy in company with Mr. John Harding; ol Hawke's Bay. They were driving quietly, with a light, and on their own side of the road, when one of Parker's 'buses came rapidly to meet them Mr. Wood called out, but the 'bus had such speed on that it could not take its own side quickly enough, and the vehicles met with a severe sbdcS. Mr. Wood's buggy, was turned half round, his horse poled in the chest, and the buggy damaged. The horse behaved very quietly, and the occupants landed safely without further damage than a slight nervous shock to Mr. Harding, who is advanced ic year?. The horse (ft grandson of the celeorated Musket) is a valuable one, and ibis not yet certain whether it will be necessary to destroy him. Mr. Wood states that had his vehicle been a wheeled one, he it afraid a far more serious result would have to be reported, as the shock must have over turned it.

It is the intention of Bishop Verdon, of Dunedin, to immediately commence the work of the erection of an orphanage. The site chosen is close to St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, and the building, which will ultimately be an extensive one, ii planned on the most modern principle. Hitherto the Roman Catholic children from the district have been sent to St. Alary'i Orphanage, Nelson, a system which, besidoi possessing no few disadvantages, isatteiidcd with a cood deal of expense. Bishop Verdon is leaving for Australia to attend the ceremonies in connection with the consecration of Dr, Ihvyer as coadjutor Bishof. of Maitlaml. No* South Wales. Bishop Grimes, of ClimtcliUicli, it is understood leaves for Home almost immediately.

A private letter has been received by a friend in the South from Air. R. McNab, formerly member for MataUra, who is now travelling in Europe, giving some particulars interesting to colonists regarding the Indian plague. Mr. McNab writes:—"] had a long conversation with the Bombay passenger* on the Oceana on the subject 61 the plague anil its likelihood to spread to Australia and New Zealand. They all told the same story, and it is as well to know it, to allay public fear. The disease is engendered by dirt and fifth and filthy living. One gentleman, belonging to a mercuri; tile office, had lived all the eight or nine months of the plague in Bombay, and was going Homo for a holiday in the ordinary course. Ho told me that the white population went in and out to business as usual. The greatest interest centred in the cables— the manner in which outsiders were treating the disease. The stories of great crowds leaving Bombay related to only the lower class of the natives. The death rate of the European element had not appreciably increased, and the Europeans did not regard it with one-half the fear they had for smallpox or cholera." Since the above was written cable messages have been received stating that owing to the splendid efforts of the medical profession, backed up by all the resources of the Government, the plague has been reduced almost to vanishing point.

A maintenance case of a somewhat unusual character was heard before the Stipendiary Magistrate on Saturday. A robust-looking man, about 36 years old, brought an application for a maintenance order against his wife. Mr. S. Hesketh appeared on behalf of tho defendant. The complainant gave evidence that he and his wife had lived together up to March 23 last, when the latter sold all tho household property with the intention of leaving him and going over to Sydney. Ho held a teacher's certificate Under the Education Board but bad been out of employment fd some time. He bad tried without succes! to get work at his profession. His Worship asked if he could not obtain other means of (Subsistence. In reply the witness said hi had been brought up to a profession and not a trade. If he had been brought up to trade he might be supposed to do manual labour; as it was he could not. His Worship : " You should take any work you Can get. If you can't live by your brains, vott should live by your hands." Hr. Hesk'eth said he was surprised that an able-man like the complalahfc had the audacity to stadd in the box and make such an assertion. The application was dismissed.

The danger of allowing boys of no experience of boating to enjoy themselves on the water, unless attended by some one capable of looking after them, was exemplified yesterday, when two lads, while skylarking in A boat, capsized Ihe frail craft. A passing yacht promptly wont to the rescue, those on board managing to get the boyi on board before they had been very lone in the water. Without the yachtsmen assistance the lads would have a hard fast in reaching the shore.

It does not appear to be generally known that one df the outbuildings at tbeCostlej Home has been set apart for inmates suffering from cancer. Such, however, is the case, while in a portion of the same build ihg the consumptive patients are located. The manager (Mr. Moss) is of opinion thai such precautions are absolutely necessary, and while every possible attention is paid to the Unfortunates so afflicted, they are, as far as the conveniences will allow, isolated from the other inmates. The building is clean and homely looking, and the patient! express themselves aa being not only satisfied, but deeply grateful for the kind attention bestowed on them. There are of presents 173 inmates (117 men and 5C women) in the Home.

A change of programme was put on a* Bdrilflfd's circus last Saturday evening, and drew » good house. Mr. Charles Naylei made his first appearance, with much success. . To-night's performance is to bf given iihder the psti-onago of the actingmayor, the i..councillor?, and others. The proceeds will be devoted to the Hawked Bay Floods relief arid.

Ail interesting discussion took place at Ike last meeting of the Otago University Council regarding the advisability of insbitoting University extension lectures. The proposal was brought forward by the Rev. A, Cameron, who stated that he had often thought of bringing the matter up, but had generally been a little sceptical as to whether we had large enough centres in New Zealand to make the scheme a success, Visibly they might find someway of working it in connection with the technical classei in Duriedln. Univeriity extension lectures might be given in such centres as Invercargill, Balclutha, and Oatoaru, and the council might arrange for the lectures. Each centre was asked to guarantee about £20 to cover the expenses of the lecturer and so much for travelling expenses. There were 12 or 14 lectures in a full course, and the lecturer was supposed to be in attendance an hour after the lectures for private conference with the students. At the conclarion of the course an examination was held. He had had a letter from Professor Harper, of Melbourne, in which that gentleman said that the s:heme had been asuccess there. The working men's bodies had not taken much interest in the scheme, and the students that had not come forward bad nob taken advantage of the examinations; but tailing it all round the scheme had been a success. He also had a letter from the secretary of the Board in Melbourne, and be likewise said that the scheme had been a success. The movement had extended to Hew South Wales and South Australia, and (5 had been a success all round. Dr. Hocken was Under the impression that there was something superficial about the idea of these lectures. They were not like 3 well-devised course of university training, but they struck him as being something like ambulance lecturos, which wero not nearly of so much value as they were popularly supposed to be. It was eventually decided to set up a committee to consider the proposal.

Two rather painful accidents are reported from Onehunga. A boy named Oisson had bis toes cut off at the first joint, through coming in contact with a broken bottle while playing football with naked feet. The next day his brother William broke his collar-bone while playing the same game. Both boys were attended by Dr. Erson. . The Americans think that New Zealand ought to feel proud, as it was the home of the champion, Fitzsimmons, but we are somewhat slow to claim ctedit. Fitzsimmons came to New Zealand with his parents when quite a lad, residing at TimarU for some years, following tlie trade of a blacksmith. His sister is the wife of Constable Carlyon, who was for some years stationed at l'onsonby. He was born at Helston, in Cornwall, ou June 4, 1862. Hi 3 first appearance in the ring was in 1880 in New Zealand, when he won a competition, the prizes for which were given by Jem Mace, and this Success caused him to throw tip his trade as a blacksmith and embark on a pugilistic career. He first visited Australia, and fight alter fight was won in rapid succession, among the defeated being the two brothers, Bill and Jack, of Frank Slavin. Ho was said to have been beaten by Jim Hall in the spring of 1890 at Sydney, but over this battle the friends of Fitzslhimons prefer to draw a veil. He met Hall three years later and was victorious in foiir rounds, this struggle being a memorable , one, from the fact that it was at this battle that Mr. "Abington" Baird contracted the cold, which, after a few days, resulted in his death. Peter Maher twice, Joe Choynskl, Dan Creedon, are some of the more noted of (hose he defeated.

The Town Clerk has made application to (he authorities at Wellington, through Mr. Vic.kerman, for permission to have tho Government House grounds thrown open for the daily use of the Auckland public during the absence of the Governor. At presenb the grounds ttro opeh on one or two days in the week, but in Lord Onslow's time they were open daily while His Excellency was in other parts of the colony, This permission was, however, withdrawn during Lord Glasgow's term uf office. At the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, which will be held to-day at half-past three p.m., in the social hall of the Young Men's Christian Association Buildings, a detailed and interesting report will be given of the proceedings of the Society during the past year. No le?a than 138 cases have passed through the hand? of the Society, some of them of a very painful kind, while the moral influence of the existence of the Society probably even more than its actual intervention has exercised a

most salutary influence in the community. It is deserving of the cordial support of every citizen that has sympathy and compassion for the helpless and tho suffering The annual meetings of householders in the various school districts take place this evening. The time and place of meeting of the principal town and suburban committees are as follow {—Auckland City, St. James's Hall, 7.30; Ponsonbv, Ponsonby Hall, 7.30 i Parnell, Public School, 7.30; Newton, St. George's Hall, 7 30; Newmarket Public School, 8; Grafton Public School, 8; Devonport School, 7.30; ICllerslie School, 7 ; Epsom School, 7.30 ; Lake School, 7.30; Mount Albert School, 7 30; Mount Eden School, 7-30 ; Mount Rosdtill School, 7.30; New Lynn School, 7.30; Northcote School, 7.30 Onehutiga School, 7.30; Otahuhu Public Hall, 730; Remitera School, 7.30; Birkdalo School, 7.30;

Mangere School. 7.30 ; l'anmure School, 7 It is to be hoped that the householders wil attend these meetings, and see to the election on the school committees of thoughtful, intelligent men, who take a lively interest in the educational affairs of their district. In Ponsonby, where the circumstances surrounding the last annual election are still fresh in the memory of the residents the school committee make a special appeal to paronts to attend the Ponsonby Hall, and vote. They have done excellent work during the past year, and are prepared, if again elected, and their hands strengthend, to endeavour to secure from the Board of Education still further help in the way of promoting the efficiency of the district schools, both as to accommodation and equipment.

There was another large attendance at the Easter Carnival, nt the Drill Hall on Saturday evening, when brisk business was again transacted at the various stalls. In addition to the ordinary attractions provided Mrs. Piatt, and Messrs. Roth and Leslie Dix contributed vocil selections, while the instrumental item' of the Silver Star Orchestra were a!.- ■■ are-itly enjoyed. Miss Barker and Mr. P. K. Dix (to whose management the succss." of 'hi- carnival is ' in a great measure due) ncbnl as iiccoui panistß. The returns so far are deemed most satisfactory, but a considerable -urn istill expected as the result of the sales of the handsome Chinese stall, which proved such a great attraction at the carnival. The goods remaining unsold are to be disposed of at a later date when several attractive novelties will, in addition, be provided. An interesting concert was given in the Devonport Wesleyan Sunday-school on the occasion of the annual distribution of prizes to the successful scholars in the year's work of the school. Mr. Ford (superintendent) presided, and distributed tho prizes. Isabella White obtained the promior place with the very creditablo total of 402 marks out of a possible 416, Cyril Johnston being first of the boys with 372 marks. The Misses Chamberlain and J. Clark, and Messrs. , Warren and Harvey rendered solos very acceptably, and Mr. Smith responded to an encore for one of his popular recitations. One ol the most successful items of a good programme was the duet by Messrs. Broughton and Warren, which was also warmly encored. Miss Ford acted as accompanist, and also played a pianoforte Solo. , MTakapuna on Friday last a most sue- :' cessful concert was held in the Lake Hall. Tho place was crowded. The object of thd jt concert was to secure funds to pay for tile ; ; . harmonium now in use at the Rev. RobettFer- |' . Wson'sSuiidnyafternoon services. Anoxemia lent programme of songs, recitations, and ini strumental pieces was rendered by the following artistes: — Mesdames Alison nntl I, Tracey, Misses Rendell (2), Taylor, Budge, S Stevenson, Thomson, and Chapman, and | Messrs. Hookey, McMurtrle, Reld, Skeatos, 1 Long, and Beltvorthy. The Rev. Mr. m Ferguson announced that the following ft gentlemen have been asked to form a comi: mittee of management for . the future % services: Messrs. Budge, Todd, Wallace, 'iX Frater, and Sinclair. After the usual votes '¥- of thanks the entertainment concluded with W "«od Save the Queen*" The Takapuna ;J''.;>. ladies kindly provided coffee in the ante* % room for friends from a distance. The ' result of the concert it the wiping Out the '," whole debt on the harmonium.

The quarterly meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute was held in the Wellesley-street School on Saturday. Copies of the report of the fourteenth annual meeting were laid on the table, and it wae decided to distribute as far as possible amongst all the teachers in the province. The present anomoly existing iri regard to teachers' certificates was the first Subject dealt With. It wna pointed out that whereas the holder of an E certificate was supposed to be legally qualified to teach all the subjects required by our Byllabns, and to take charge of any school) the recent regulations of the Board debarred all who held only that certificate from obtaining larger schools. The various members present), whilst agreeing that every effort should be made to raise the status of the profession by encouraging its members to qualify by obtaining degrees, contended that there should be one teacher's certificate which would enable the holder to be deemed eligible,or any school under the Board. lb Was afso decided that the Hoard be respectfully requested to adopt the following suggestions in the matter of the promotion of teachors:—l. That the inspectors acting an ft Board be requested by the Board of Education to select from the best of applicants for a vacant position a certain number of teachers whose names shall be forwarded to the school committee and to arrange those names in order of merit. 2. That it is of the highest importance that in a selection the opinion of each inspector shall be asked. 3. That in selecting teachers whose names shall be forwarded to committees tne Board shall restrict the number to five.

The sixth of Mr. P. R. Dix's Monday Popular Concerts takes place at the City Hall this evening. Several novelties nro announced, including a new military song, "The Volunteer Soldier," which will bo sung by Mr, Abel K,owe with limelight views and chorus. Mr. Archdale Tayler sings selections from "lolanthe" in character. Mr. Cooper's myriorama of the " Land of the Moa" and "Hinemoa" should alone be well worth seeing. The programme also includes the well-known names of Mr. Wynynrd-Joss, Misses Knight and Fitz patrick, whilst first appearances are announced of Miss Gelston and Mr. R. H. Buttery, of Adelaide

Tho concluding performance of the Ada Delroy Company attracted another good house on Saturday evening, all parts being well filled. As before, the graceful dancing and clever acting of Miss Delroy, the comicalities of Mr. Bell, tho "dretim visions"of Madame Bell, and tho respective contributions of the other members of this talented company wero received with loud applause, encoros being frequently insisted upon. The members of the company, Which has enjoyed a very successful season in Auckland, leave for Sydney to-morrow.