LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10626, 15 December 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tub Board of Conciliation for the Auckland Industrial District sab again yesterday in reference to a dispute alleged to exist between the Seamen's and Firemen's Union and certain shipowners. The employers first cited' declined to sign the agreement, as all vessels propelled other than by sails had not been brought within its scope. The Board afterwards referred t|io case to the Court of Arbitration. It is expected that Mr, Justice Williams will hold a sitting in Auckland early in the year to deal with the mattor. Mr. W. J. Napier has forwarded a reply to the letter of the Admiralty regarding the proposal to have one of H.M. ships in New Zealand waters for training boys for the Royal Navy. Mr. Napier thinks that the difficulties pointed out by the Admiralty are not insuperable, and would vanish in tho face of a determined effort to achieve the object in view. He urges that no mere question of routine or punctilio should stand in the way of any effort to make the naval crows truly Imperial ones, and not composed exclusively of men born in the British Islands, All the employers of tailorosses recently before the Board of Conclllatiun have now

signed the new log, and it) is hoped that) again things will work smoothly and well. At a special meeting of the Harbour Board, on Monday afternoon, the Board eat in committee, the business being the proposed additional wharfage accommodation for the Devonporb Steam Ferry Company. Mr. E. W. Alison, managing director of the Ferry Company, was present, and made a statement as to what was required, more especially regarding the shipment of cargo. Plans were submitted by the foreman of works, ehowing that the tee could be widened by 19 feet at the south end, and by 13 feet at the north end, with a landingplace for vehicles at the northern end of the tee. The estimated cost of the work was £550. It was resolved to recommend the Board to adopt the plans and call for tenders for the work. Pending the completion of the alterations, ib was decided to allow single vehicles on the tee, the Ferry Company to have control of tlio traffic. When the work is completed all vehicular traffic will be confined to the goods portion of tho toe. The usual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was not held yesterday owing to the absence of Mr. Cheeseman (secretary), who had been on a visit to Waikato. The colporteur of the British and Foreign Bible Society has been labouring in Helensville and neighbourhood, meeting with mqch encouragement. (She will next visit the settlements in the Northern Watroa, looking up the Maoris and giving special attention to them. Doubtless the friends of the Bible Society in the north will be pleased to see Miss Bedggood. A general meeting of the members of the Auckland Yacht Club ii to be held tomorrow evening. Amongst the business to be brought forward is the proposal of Mr. A, Buchanan for a new class of yacht (27 feet).

The stakes in the Meteor-Kobiri yacht race held on Saturday last are to be paid over to-day by the holder, Mr. W. BrookeTaylor; lb appears that the Meteor slightly fouled the mark-boat off the Queen-street Wharf during the race, but the backers of Kotiri have waived their right to protest, seeing that the match was a special one. Our Waiuku-correspondent telegraphs that Mrs. Speedy, widow of the late Major Speedy, died on Monday night. Although she had been quite an invalid for the last t\yo or ' three years, her death was unexpectedly sudden. " She was in her 80th year. The deceased lady was the mother of Captain Speedy, who'was at one time tutor bo the son of the late Kin? Theodore of Abyssinia, and who at present occupies an important position in that country. A resident of Hotep North, Kaipara, Mr. Aaron Fearson, farmer, was found dead in his bed on Monday morning.' f Deceased retired to rest on the previous night, apparently in perfect health. • i ■ A sad accident is reported from Albertland. A young boy, named Harry Partington, only son of Mr. Harry Partington, of Way by, was drowned ip Tehana Creek, while bathing. 011 Sunday last. A search was made for the body, and it discovered on Monday near the Topuni sawmill, Mr, J. Shepherd, coroner, held an inquest. A I verdict of "Accidentally drowned' 1 was re- i earned. 1 . • • Our fapakpra Valley correspondent WfitjesMrs. Daprock, relict of the late Major - Darrock, passed away on the 9th inst., at the residence of her son-in-law, Dr. G. E. Bodle, at the good old age of 91 years. The deceased lady had resided in the' district • for a number of years, and although nob ' able to get oat much, retained her faculties to pretty well the last. The cause of death was simply old age. Her funeral took place on the 12th inst., and was attended by ft large number of settlers . from this . and . other places. Numerous floral wreaths were sent by her circle of l acquaintances. The Rev. Mr. Hewlett officiated at! tho grave.—[Own Correspondent.] ' . ; ' *. A variety concert, tendered as a benefit by the, Burns', Club to Mr. John Henry, a very well and popularly known contributor at Scottish entertainments, who has bean unable to follow his occupation owing to a severe attack of illness, was 'held in the Foresters' Hall, : Newton, lasb evening, : in the presence of a full house. '' : ' ;' v |V ( : The anniversary soiree of. the Franklin , Road .Primitive Road Methodist Church was held last evening in the schoolroom, i There was a good attendance. v •y A sale of work was held yesterday afternoon and evening in All Saints' schoolroom, ;by the i two "sewing; beps of-All ! Saints' ; parish in aid of the funds of (he Mflaugriap Mission, . ■ - - > ;-vV,;\-'s ,