LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10477, 24 June 1897, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The civil sittings of the Supreme Court will be resumed this morning at ten a.m. The Hikurangi Coal Company (Limited) put up a record last week. The quantity of coal placed on the rails and shipped during that period amounted to 1030 tons; this is in addition to tho coal required for local consumption. In reference to a complaint regarding an alleged diseased bullock beiug kilted at tho city abattoirs, brought under the notice of the city council by Mr. Glover ab last meeting, it appears that Dr. King, city health officer, has examined the oarcase, and reports to tho town clerk tliat he considers the meat quite wholesome and fit for human food.

A short sitting of the Police Court was held yesterday morning by Mr. K. F. Rich, J. P. James Chase, charged with having been found drunk and disorderly in Cus-toms-street, with having assaulted Constable Bozar, and with having damaged his shako, was remanded till the 24th inst. William Thompson, charged with having incited James Chase to resist the constable, was also remanded till the same date. A case in which Thomas Bird was charged with having neglected to send bis child to a public school was adjourned to the 30th inst. Half-a-dozen offenders in the way of drunkenness were brought up, and in most cases they were cautioned and discharged. A burglary occurred recently at the residence of Mr. Ralph Cavanagh,' at Paddington. Mr. and Mrs. Cavanagh,had been out for the evening, having securely locked'the house up, previous to leaving it, and on returning at about ten o'clock, they found burglars upon ihe premises. When they opened the front door, the figure of a man was seen near the back of the house. Me appeared to bo carrying something bulky in his hand, and the sound of footsteps could be plainly heard upstairs, as though another man was ab work in that quarter. Mrs. Cavanagh became frightened, and immediately closod the door. Senior Constable Hendon, who resides next door, was at that moment in his house, and the capture of the burglars might have been easily effected. As it was, however, they escaped scot free, leaving no clue behind them. When Mr, and Mrs, Cavanagh subsequently made an examination of the. premises, they found that a lady's watch and chain and other articles were missing. A number of goods which the burglars had collected were found in a bundle upstairs, j A wardrobe had been forced open, and the place generally ransacked. Entrance, ib is thought, was effected through the back door, by means of skeleton keys. Muttonbirding is an occupation which apparently keeps a considerable number of people in employment at the extreme south of the colony. Tho Western Star reports the arrival of a craft from the mutton bird islands with the Rivcrton and Colac Bay contingent, which comprised 17 families, numbering 50 individuals. The natives report that the birds were exceedingly numerous this season, and in splendid condition. The catch of each individual, young and old, may be taken ab the fair average of 1500 birds, or a total of 75,000 for the whole of the families. The average price is about 3d a bird, so that the season's operations, when the birds are all sold, represent* a total of £937 10s. Two Riverton girls are said to have made a record catch, taking 4200 birds betweon them.

Our Thames correspondent abates that Mr. D. Mahoney has prepared plans, and j tenders are now being called, for additions to the Miners' Union Hall in Queen-street, which will make the building quite an acquisition to the town. The front, with the walls six feet higher than at present, will have a fine bold appearance, and in the interior a stage is to bo erected, with a handsome proscenium. Leading from the stage is an ante-room 15 feet by 6 feet by 23 feet 6 inches, which is specially designed to meet the convenience of dancing assemblies and such gatherings. The present building has always readily let, but with the improvements as designed, it is expected the Hall will prove an excellent investment for the funds of the union.

An inquest was hold yesterday by Dr. Philson, coroner, at the District Hospital on Thomas Cassidy, the young man who sustained aei-ioue injuries a fortnifflit ago by being caught in the machinery of ft gas engine. The evidence of John Hocknell (deceased's mate), Dr. Moir, who attended to him, and Dr. Baldwin, Hospital Superintendent, was taken. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned by the jury, who added a rider to the effect that no blame was attachable to anyone. A correspondent writes to the Otago Daily Times as follows:-"Oftentimes complaint* are made as to the speed at which the trains on the New Zealand lines travel. A few evenings ago a striking illustration of the feeble locomotive power oftentimes employed was given. A passenger in a so-called ' express,' intent on reading, was suddenly reminded that the train was a mile beyond his destination, though it had stopped at the station. Ho was for a time perplexed, but so easily was the train crawling along that ho went tin to the platform, and, without the least apparent discomfiture, stepped off, alighting on his feet. When the guard's van succeeded in passing him he was quietly standing on the bank side with his hands in his pockets, apparently a casual trespasser and pedestrian upon the line. The editor of the Scotsman, who haft recently written in high commendation Of the New Zealand railway travelling, evidently failed to take in the whole situation.

JA Diamond Jubilee Carnival was given in the City Hall yesterday evening, the audience being large and enthusiastic, dee;, pite a multitude of counter attractions. Every step bad been taken to make the evening a success, the All Star Novelty Company having been apecia engaged. The programme, which included the beet up-to-date songs,and patriotic music, was an excellent one. Misi Emily Stanton and Mr. Franz Godfrey, in their tint appearance, gave every satisfaction., The Wining . was concluded by a laughable piece. Called, i "Thompson's Telephone." Tbia piece wa» '■decidedly amasUrpiece of fun, and Drought down the houii,"'""'"'"

Complete specifications in relation to the following applications for letter patents had' been accepted at the Patent Office, Wellington :~T. A. Branell, of Wellington: An intention (or an improved wire-strainer. R. B. Williams, of Melbourne: An invention for an improved machine for washing wool, cottonwaste, and the like. E. T. Allen, of Canterbury: An invention for a composition for cleaning harness, R, Loudon, of New South Wales: An invention for an improved bead for butter boxes, to facilitate access to their contents. W. 6. Clemoe, of Eltham -. An invention for an

improved horseshoe. Provisional specifications had been accepted for the following ; •-A. Baxter, of Dunedin: An invention for an improved wire-strainer. C. B. Keene, of Mew South Wales: An invention for

improved apparatus for straining wirefences. E. Moss, of Christchurch: An invention for improved adjustable spanner, J. Robertson, of Wellington: An invention for an improved wire-strainer. J. Robinson, of Christchurch: An invention for a metal shaft-tug for vehicles. J, Cookerell, of Victoria: An invention for an improved axle and box for disc-coulters, disc-imple-ments, and plough and other wheels. L. M, Gibson, of Waitara: An invention for insecticide solution; also, for insecticide powder.

The suit of Charlotte Rowling against the New South Wales Railway Commissioner*, in which the plaintiff sued for £500 damages for injuries alleged to have been caused to her through the neglect of the defendants' servants, was beard recently before Mr. Justice Cohen and a jury of four. The plaint set forth that on November 12,1895, the plaintiff was a passenger in a tram to Marrickville, and attempted to alight on reaching Chapel-street. Two people got out before her, and she followed immediately afterwards. When she got on to the footboard the guard blew his whistle, and the tram started, throwing ber on to the roadway on her side. She was considerably bruised about the side, and had a blow over

the eye. Plaintiff claimed that she was in bed for six weeks as the result) of the

injury, which she also claimed was caused through the neglect of the defendants' servants, And that she hud been in a weak state ever since. The defence was a general plea of nob guilty. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for £40 damages. Yesterday afternoon, at the Choral Hall, the children of the Band of Hope repeated, under the conductorship of Mr. Frith, the programme of action songs, ate., which they gave at the gathering on the Queen's Birthday. Owing to the heavy rain in the early part of the day, the attendance of the children and friends was not so large as it would otherwise have been, still the ball was three-parts full. The Rev. Joseph Clark presided, and delivered a brief address, in which he urged the young and old alike to stand to their temperance principles, and to not only hold what they had won, bub go in for further aggressive work. It would give him pleasure to take his part not only there bub elsewhere. The following additional items to the former programme were also given:—Recitation, "The Wanderer's Return," Airs. Burnett; a trio, " The Social Glass," Messrs, Firth, Moore, and Thorne; song, "In Gathering Roses look out for Thorns," Master Muldoon ; duet, " A Lady's Cup of Tea," Miss Marson and Mr. Frith. Miss M. Peate acted as

conductor of the orchestra, and Miss Vickery officiated as organist. Mr. Charles Hemus, photographer, handsomely presented to the committee 500 copies of the Queen's photograph, nicoly framed, for presentation to the children. One of these was given to each of the performing pupils. Votes of thanks wero accorded to the chairman, Mr, Hemus (for hie appropriate gift), and to Miss Willeston and Mr. Frith, for training the children. The singing of the " National Anthem" brought the proceedi ings to a close, Ib was intended to have ' photographed, as a group, the children's choir and orchestra, but the bad weather prevented this being done. The company appearing ab the Olympian Arena, late Agricultural Hall, is making successful efforts to popularise tho equestrian drama. Last night, " Dick Turpin's Ride to York" was again produced, the piece going much mora smoothly than on former occasions. The feats by the Fredo Family, Mdlle. Emery Kadoma, Mr. Driscoll, and the Connor Brothers, were very cleverly exeouted, and were quits as much appreciated as " Diok Turpin." For Saturday afternoon, the manager has announced a matinee performance, especially for children, who should be delighted with the show, the price of admission being 6d, On Monday night, a change of programme takes place, when the equestrian comedy, " A Member of Tattersall's," will be produced for the first time in the colonies.