LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10428, 28 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

This week'? number of the Auckland Weekly News has been enlarged to M pages, and will be found to contain a moat interesting budget of news and general reading matter. The Mews has for many years past enjoyed the enviable position of possessing a larger circulation than any other weekly paper in the colony, and no expense is spared by the proprietors in making the paper as attractive as possible to all classes of town and country readers. By reason of its large and ever-increasing circulation the Auckland Weekly News has come to be regarded in the light ol being the most valuable advertising medium in the colony. The first edition is pub« lished on Thursday mornings.

Arrangements are now being made between the Harbour Board and the Telegraph authorities, by which all vessels signalled from Mount Victoria <vill be posted up oatside of the Telegraph Office in Shortlaudstreet. This will, no doubt, be of much - service to merchants and others in the city, who are not in a position to see the signalstation from their places of business. When the Shire Liner Buteshire put into this port some months ago, with the loss of her propeller while on the voyage from ■■ Wellington to London, the Harbour Board 1 made a charge for certain fees for the ■ services of the harbour-master, but the agents refused to entertain the claim. Tin matter has now assumed another phase, ai the Dunedin representatives of the Line refuse to pay the amount except under compulsion. The solicitors of the Harbour Board are to have the subject placed before them, and if it is considered that there is a good case an action will be laid for the recovery of the amount.

In another page will be found the con< eluding notice on pictures at the Auckland Art Exhibition. The Exhibition re-opent to-day at midday and finally closes toil evening, when a promenade concert will take place. Among the ladies and gentle. men who will take part in the programme are Misses Goldsboro, Crowther, Hey wood, and Messrs. G. M. Keid, W. George, J. Warner, A. Mewburn, M. Trenwith, and Alf. Bartley. A very pleasant evening ii anticipated.

Gun accidents have been unusually frequent in various parts of the colony lately, the consequences in several cases being; very serious. A painful accident of this kind occurred to Mr. F. Murfitt, of Have' lock, a day or two ago. In company with Messrs. D. Watt and Peters he was out shooting near Mr. Douglas's swamp. Whilsl the party were descending a hill side thej espied a hare, and one of them sent one ol the dog to start it. The dog tripped up Watt and Murfitt, and in their fall the gun belonging to the former discharged both barrels and exploded, a charge of over 40 shot lodging in Mr. Murfitt's leg. He was conveyed to theHavelock Hotel as promptly as possible, and medical aid summoned.

Owing to the largely increased goods traffic on the Devonport Perry Jetty ol late something will probably have to be done to provide a separate place for the landing and embarking of cargo for the North Shore. Lately the traffic has been so great that the passenger traffic has been considerably interfered with, almost a block taking place at times. At a meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday the matter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee to report upon. Some time ago the Devonport Ferry Company approached the Board for the privilege of erecting a floating landing stage in order that pace could be kept with the demands made upon the company, but the Board decided not to entertain the subject. The question of the proposed rifle range at the aorth Shore camo up for discussion at the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday. The members of the Finance and Legal Committeo had visited the proposed site, and recommended that the request be declined, though from the remarks of the chairman it appeared that the deoision come to was not unanimous. It appears that if rifle practice was allowed during any time that the tide was low there was a certain amount of danger to passers-by owing to the probability of the bullets ricochetting. Ultimately the matter was referred back to the committee, in order that conditions should be drawn up under which the range could be granted.

A remarkable case of restoration of stolen property is reported from Christchurch. ' It appears that in September a party of gentlemen who were camping at Sumner awoke one morning to find that during the night their tent had been entered and their belongings ransacked. Jewellery valued at between £30 awl £40 was stolen, together with about £12 in cash. The police failed to obtain the faintest clue as to who was the thief, and the matter eventually passed out of the memories of all but those who were concerned in the affair. Last week, however, the subject was agreeably revived by the receipt through the parcels post of the stolen jewellery. The articles were addressed to Detective Marsack, and restored by him to the rightful owners. The latter very gratefully received their property, which included two gold watches valued at £10 and £17 respectively. Thi articles were uninjured and apparently in the same state as when stolen. San Francisco papers received by thi mail contain particulars of the death ol Mr. Charles Woodhouse, formerly of Auck' land, which occurred on March 12th undei very painful circumstances. His mangled body was found in a long tunnel, in Marin County, and it is supposed he was killed by a passing train. Mr. Woodhouse was an old Aucklander. He worked for the Auckland Gas Company for three years, and bad a large number of friends in this city. : v

a n-Miliar incident is repotted in conJff with the Bood. On tie Thursday vht More the diaasUr a son of Mr. Baker, 9m residence at Poketapo was washed •M bV the torrent, dreimttbijt ho saw the I*' ,ii,» carried dowiorivr, and that Star was drowned. Thiskrean, made Teh an impression on the lads mind that In Friday, when the rain ma falling in blinding sheets, be appealed tj his mother .id father to leave the house, : For a time »h« took no notice of the boVs pleadings, .nd the little fellow retired akfae to a cow,h»d which was on much higher ground In the house. Later in the d y Mr. Baker L not like the look of things and he, with th» remainder of the family, ]o|ned the lad •„ the cowshed. From this place they liibicquently witnessed the destruction of heir home by the flood, the We dream tLe thus fulfilled in part the family then made their way over the RWcliffe hills to Mr. H. Williams's residence a| Ashndge, where they were well cared for. {

A visit was paid yesterday by Messrs. Bristol and Kennedy to the horses and belonging to Bristols lOguescarriculum now in quarantine it Motuihi ,„j found all the animals in the pink of Jondition. Mr. Park, the Government terinary sur geon, remains on Iho island until to-day to perform certain [necessary testi.

Brunner was thrown into a slate of excitement recently when it becane known that Mr. John Grey, Jan., had committed suicide by typing off the top of the railing on th| WallsendTjylorville footbridge into tht swift-run-ning stream, 40 feet below. If seems (says the Grey Star) that deceased tots walking along with a younger brothfr, and when bait-way aoross the bridge »id he would take a divo, and, suiting the notion to the words, jumped over the rail into the stream, which at the tine was in high good. On reaching the water Gray rose to the surface and bade his brother goodbye. The current speedily cairied him down stream till opposite Rocky Island, where he sank and was never seen again. The deceased, who was 27 yean of age, was a iteady, sober, and industrious man, who appeared to live happily with all round him, IDS bis suicide is therefore all the more unaccountable. As he was a powerful swimmer it is possible that he never contemplated suicide, believing in his ability to safely negotiate the current. He leaves a wife and child.

The fortnightly meeting of the Women's Liberal League was held yesterday evening in tho Tailoresaes' Hall, Cook-street, Mrs. Bale presiding. One new member was elected, and one person nominated as a candidate. Mrs. Shorn, late delegate for Auckland at the Kational Convention of Women in Cbristchurch, submitted her report, which was read and adopted. In commenting upon the proceedings at the Ute Convention in the South Mrs. Shorn thought the delegates had pub too much work on their own shoulders, the result being that the business was done in a harried slip-shod fashion. Mrs. Hendre, who attended (he Convention as a visitor, agreed with Mis. Shera, and thought that the subjects proposed there for discussion were far too important to be dealt with in the hasty manner in which they had been discussed. While honouring the motives of the Southern women, she thought the manner in which resolutions had been pissed at the Convention was ridiculous. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mrs. Shera for the part she had taken In the Convention.

The anniversary soiree of the Tabernacle Sunday-school was held last evening, in the school-room. The tea tables were presided over by Mesdames Gibbins, Brown, and Phillips, and Misses Newton, George, Gilmer, Tundall, Batts, and Bosworth. An adjournment was made to the church for the after public meeting, when the Rev. Dr. VVolfenden presided, and made a few introductory remarks before calling upon the hon. sec. (Mr. George C. Garlick) to read the annual report. The report referred to the useful labours of Pastor Blaikie and Mrs. Blaikie in conducting the senior Bible classes. There was an average at tendance of scholars of 420, with 32 teachers. There were 679 vols, in the library. At the Sunday-school Union's Industrial Exhibition the school carried off 13 special, 27 fitrt.W aecond, and 17 third-class certificates, and these would be presented at the children's entertainment to-morrow evening. Out of 82 schools competing, the Tubernacle was second. As regards foreign missions, the school boxes yielded £37 8s 2d, and £27 went to foreign missions, the balance to the school funds. A box of presents for India was sent by the school during the year. Total receipts for the year were £157, and after defraying the expenses, there was a credit balance of £18s. The Rev. A. H. Collins, of Ponsonby, spoke on "Bible Study," and increased efficiency of teachers; the Rev. G. B. Monro, on " The Model Teacher," and the Chairman, on "Preparation Classes for Teachers." The children sang the special anniversary hymns, under the conductorship of Mr. James Culpan, Mr. Wells presiding at the pianoforte.

Two cases of diphtheria, both of which came from Ponsonby, were received into the Hospital last night. In one of these cases tracheotomy was successfully performed by Dr. Pabst,

A Prohibition meeting was held last evening (in the Wesloyan Schoolroom, Devonport. Thore was a good attendance. The Rev. E. Walker (organising agent), delivered a temperance address. The public meetings in connection with Airs. J. K. Barney's mission to New Zealand in connection with the World's W.C.T.U. were continued yeatorday. Mrs. Barney gave a Bible reading at 3 p.m. in ihe Social Hall of the Y.M.0.A., taking as ilia basis of her remarks Mark vi., 30—the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, and the gathering up of the fragments so that nothing might be lost. Mrs, Barney gave an account of the almshouse work, which was part of her departmental labour, in tho United States. In the ovening Mrs, Barney gave an address in the Lectur Hall of the Y.M.C.A. on "Called to the Rescue." Mrs. Schnackenberg (president of the Auckland VV.C.T. U.) presided. Mrs. Barney read the Crusaders' Psalm cxl.vi. She described the origin, growth, and Bpread of the W.C.T.U in America and the interest taken by the American women in America when they learned that through the exertions of Mrs. Leavitfc the organisation had been established in these colonies, and the Colonial women had come into line. She had nob come here to pose as a prison reformer and to criticise our prison system, bat to bring them into touch with the Women s Christian Temperance Union by speaking of its work, its methods, and the results. This afternoon Mrs. Barney will give an address to the W.C.T.U., '10 which the public are invited. In the evening she will lecture in the Pitt-street Church on "Fact and Fancy."

The inaugural meeting for 1897 of the Mount Albert Literary and Debating Society was held on Monday evening, and was presided over by the newly-elected president. Mr. Thomas Webb, who gavo an introductory address on the aim and objects of the society. There was a large attendance of visitors and friends, the programme was arranged by Mr. Thomas Allen, who selected for a series of readings " The Siege of Leyden, 1574," from Motley's "Riseof the Dutch Republic." After a brief introduction, givine the state of Europe, but more particularly the Netherlands, during the latter half of the 16th century, Mr. Allen called on the the following members to read without previous notice the portions selected: Rev. F. Larkins, Messrs. (jeo. Fowlds, Sydney Harbutt, C. Far ey, Wesley Spragg, T. Garlick, Brank Astley, C. Priestley, W. Farley, T. Webb and Mrs. Wilding. Recitations were given b y. M '« Bailey, Messrs. C. Priestley, and H. Harbutt. The musical portion was under the charge 01 Miss Spragg, and songs were rendered by Miss Schnaokenberg and Mr. Frank Astley. The various items were freely criticised, and the general opinion was expressed that the historical sabject chosen for the sight reading had been both intereiMwj and. in.tractive, while the recitationi and songs evoked general approbation.

The jubilee of the Anglican Church in Victoria will not be celebrated in the Ballarat diocese until 1891. ,The reasons given tor deferring it are that the Queens Diamond Jubilee is beinjf celebrated this year, that the bishop of the diocese is in England, and that Bishop Perry landed in PoTfc Phillip on January 23,1848, ana was (iMtaMod on January 88 of that year,

Complete specifications in relation to the following applications for letters patents hare been accepted at the Patent Office, Wellington :-T. Salkeld, of Victoria: An invention for improvements in gates, and actuating apparatus thereof. A. S. Ford, of Coromandel: An invention for an improved lantern for farmers and others. J. Bute!, jun., of Dunedin : An invention for an apparatus for generating and forcing smoke or noxious fumes into rabbit-burrows and the like. A. Hamilton, of Dunedin An invention for an improved drench for horses, cattle, sheep, and the like. C. M. Fox, of London : An invention for improvements relating to the treatment of wood, to render it uninflammable. Provisional specifications bad been accepted for the following:— 0. Skolton, of Taradale, N.Z.! An invention for an improved shafttug for vehicles. A. Hart and G. E. Andnew, of Victoria : An invention for an improved export case or crate for rabbits and the like. M. and J. A. Belk, of Palmerston North and Feilding: An invention or device for making or branding meat or carcases of mutton for freezing and export purposes.

The authorities of the Church of Christ, who sold the meeting-house in Cook-street to the Tailoreeses Union, are building anew place of worship corner of Pollen-street and onsouby Road. The ground costs some £300, and is clear, and a contract has been entered into at £175 for the new building, the contract for seating accommodation being held over for the present. The total expenditure when the church is properly equipped will be about £300. The small meeting honse in Surrey Hills will be removed to the rear of the new church, and will bo utilised as a school building.

The pupils of the Marist Brothers' College and schools, assisted by several local vocalists, repeated their dramatic and musical entertainment at the Opera House yesterday ovening, for the purpose of donating the proceeds to the Hawke's Bay Flood Belief Fund. The public showed its appreciation of the performance and its object by attending in good numbers, and the fund should bo increased by a handsome sum as the outcome. The programme was successfully gone through, and many of the items were encored. Sportsmen have not been successful amongst the ducks on the Waitaki at the opening of this season unless in the far interior, where good bags have been made. On the Canterbury side of the Waitaki hares are fairly numerous, although their numbers have experienced a reduction I during the past few years.

A novel entertainment is announced to take place at the City Hall on May 5 and 6, under the auspices of the Auckland Cycling Club. The programme includes an illuminated musical ride, in which all the members of the Club will tako part, also four bicycle tableaux, illustrating tho start and finish of the New Zealand championship, and Britannia's Wheelmen. What ib known as a "bicycle drama without words," entitled " Off for a Honeymoon," will be enacted by Messrs. K. A. Dexter and C. Curteis, and Mr. Dexter is announced to give an exhibition of safety trick riding. Misses Fitzpatrick and Featon, and Messrs. Archdale Taylor, Abel Rowe, Tom Adams, and Alf. Bartley are announced to render musical items during the evening. As will be seen elsewhere, the box plan will be opened at Wildraan and Lyell's on Saturday morning next. Bernard's clever circus troupe, now performing in the Agricultural Hall, drew a fairly large home last night. The wonder ful feats executed on the trapeze by tho child artist, Ethel, were a source of much wonder. The trick ponies, dogs, etc., went through their parts very intelligently, and showed careful training.