LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11430, 21 July 1900, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

We reproduce in the Herald Supplement to-day some of the notices which appeared in the English and American newspapers respecting last year's Christmas Number of the Auckland Weekly News. They arc only a few out of many, but they suffice to show how high and world-wide was the appreciation of the Number by those most competent to judge of its artistic and literary merits. Our distant critics are unstinted in their praise, and frankly acknow- [ ledge that the production compares favourI ably with publications of a similar kind produced in the Mother Country. The press both of Great Britain and the United States has now come to regard the annual issue of the Christmas Number of the Auckland Weekly News as registering the highwater - mark of illustrated journalism in the British colonies; and that it faithfully reflects the opinion of the reading public is proved by the increasing popularity of these handsome annuals, and the large circulation which they enjoy at Home and in America. It is extremely gratifying to find that our efforts to produce a publication which in point of excellence and interest will challenge comparison with the best work of a similar character produced anywhere else, have met f.'ith such widespread and cordial recognition ; and this gratification is enhanced by tho fact that in making known in various parts of the world by means of these Christmas Numbers the varied life and scenery of the colony, as well as its industries and products, we are in no small measure contributing to its advancement. This year's Number, it may be added, is now in preparation, and will, we confidently predict, be the best and most, interesting that has yet been issued.

On the first page of our Supplement we publish another of Riidyard Kipling's war stories, entitled " Folly Bridge," which gives a variety of amusing details showing the characters gathered at present in South Africa. On Monday we will publish Part I. of "The Outsider."

We understand that the whole of the members of the City Council will accompany the Mayor (Mr. Ooldie) on a trip to the Nihotupu Falls on Tuesday morning. Among those also going are Mr. Wilson (engineer). Mr. Metcalfe, C.E., Mr. J. Carlaw (waterworks engineer), ami Mr. Atkinson. The object of the visit is to inspect, the waterrace track which has been surveyed between the N'ibotupu Lower Falls and Titirangi, a distance of eight miles, thus enabling the Mayor and Council to judge as to the practicability and efficiency of tho proposed water supply scheme. The Mayor left Wellington yesterday morning, and will arrive in Auckland to-dav.

At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association the question of breeding horses suitable for cavalry remounts was discussed nt some length, and it was decided to memorialise the Government on the matter. It was generally agreed that the stamp of horse required could be bred at a remunerative figure, provided arrangements could bo made with the British War Office authorities, for a ready market, and the New Zealand Government is to be asked to import or subsidise the importation of a number of suitable stallions and mares for breeding purposes.

The following telegram was sent yesterday to the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. D. Goldie), who was attending the Municipal Conference in Wellington: —" Large meeting of cyclists last night unanimously resolved to request Municipal Association' to ask Parliament to pass Bill giving cities, boroughs, road boards power ho form cycle tracks, give cyclists' right to same, and levy tax for formation and maintenance." Complaints are frequent as to the state of that portion of Khyber Pass Road immediately nbnvo the railway bridge. The dip in the roadway renders it impossible for the storm water to be carried off, and for the lack of metal tho recent downfall of rain has made this part of the road *ery heavy, which causes much inconvenience, not only to vehicular traffic, but to travellers by 'buses, who frequently receive a fair splashing of slush in their faces. Tin's portion of the road is under the control of the Epsom Road Board, who should certainly take some steps to improve such an important thoroughfare.

lii I yesterday'd issue ■it Was stated in P London cablegram that the Rev. John M : kins had been selected in London to Buccal "i the Rev. Joseph, Parker in the;pa S tSte of Beresford-Street Congregational Ohuroli •Auckland/ il The Selection Committee ] c on ; sisted of the chairman and. secretary, of tn|P Congregational.Union, and the chairman J® the Colonial Missionary Committee. > if* ?S Wilkins was educated at the New Collect and at Nottingham Institute. ,Ha cofti menced his ministry in 1839, and took chW of Marlborough Church, Old KentMlJli London, in 1892. The Congregational Yea! S .Book states that the church lias a' membership of 360, and a congregation of 900, fjjfll about 580 children in the Sunday-scSijM; So far as known, none of the Auckland Con)?? gregationalists arc personally acq«aint t f. fI with Mr. Wilkins, but judging from tlfeM when he entered into the ministry ie'Jfft believed to be in the prime of life, sa y about 35 years of age. '-^|-

A petition is at present being ciretriattj for signatme by ratepayers in the Auckland borough, with a view of calling upon tho City Council to,submit a proposal to introduce the system of rating on unimproved values, instead of the annual letting value of buildings and land, as at present in force. It is contended that a rate of 3d in the £ on the unimproved value of the land of tin city, as assessed by (he Government valuatore at the last general valuations, will pro. duce a sum equal to that now paid under the present system of rating. tei A meeting of the Legal and Finance Com. mittee of the Auckland Harbour Board "vai held in the Board Buildings yesterday afternoon, when there were present; Messrs. M. Niccol (presiding). \V. J. Phil", son, W. Thome, and A. Kidd. A letter from Mr. A. Buchanan, asking that certain/ concessions be granted to one of the lio'ard'j tenants, was received, a reply to bo sent that the concessions would be granted. A letter from Mr. C. A. Harris as to a p,!. vate wharf, was referred to tho harbourmaster, to look into the matter and report,'.'

A mass meeting of the workers of Auckland, under the auspices of the Trades and Labour Council, is to be held at the Grey, street fircbell this evening, for the purpose of advocating the pushing on the Northern Trunk railway, via Stratford. The committee of the Main Trunk Railway League have declined the invitation to send delegates to the meeting, for the purpose of advocating the Stratford route, for reasons set forth in a communication which appears in another part of this issue. Vw:

Our Papatoetoe correspondent writes:-;" Though Arbor Day, as fixed by the Government, was not. owing to the approach ol" the standard examinations, observed by tha pupils of the Papatoetoe district school, yet tho boys have made strenuous efforts of late - under the guidance of their head teacher, to'; further improve the school grounds. A large number of native tree*— totana, birch, , ; cabbage, etc.— been planted, the old I pine logs sawn and piled together for burn-; ing, and an eleagnus hedge planted. . A' flagstaff, 55ft high, is also to he erected, and a handsome Union Jack. 15ft by 7|(t, - lias already been obtained. The funds bare s been subscribed or collected entirely by the pupils, ono pupil having collected no less than £3 12s. It is proposed to unfurl tho flag at tho commemoration of pence, to burn the logs, and to have general rejoicing.

The ball in the Choral Hall, given rsjeatly under the auspices, and in aid of the fundi of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, realised the handsome sum of £57. In addition the society has received a number of special donations. " S

Nominations of candidates for the two vacancies on the Auckland Harbour Board, caused by the resignation of Messrs. W. Gunson and H. D. Heather, closed yesterday afternoon. The following three gentlemen were nominated —James Buchanan MacfatLino (nominated by Messrs. John Burns ml Richard Anthony Carr), Alexander Alison (nominated by Moncrieff Murray McCalltim, Thomas Henry Hall, and William Hellaby), and Charles Craven Dacre (nominated bv R.

Mitehelson, C. Hesketh, and M. Browne).

A poll will bo taken on Friday, August 3, at the Harbour Board offices. jk

A narrow escape from a fatal accident occurred in the Karangahakc Gorge yestsi'-'" day morning. A driver named Reybtim§| was going to Wailii with a load of chaff, when a block of stone, weighing r.bout 20?'tons, fell in front of the leaders of the team, grazing the nose and foot of ore of the f horses. Traffic was blocked for an 1 our or;'.;-

two until the obstruction was removed./■ § The employees of Mr. G. Mcßride, Vic-toria-street, gave him a surprise party at his >■ ■; residence, Mount Albert, on Thursday even- \ -

ing. They, with their friends, to the number of about 40, went out by special brakft'; and, though unexpected, were most cordially received by Mr. and Mrs. Mcßride and family who thoroughly entered into then* of the occasion. One of the visitors brought a phonograph, with a fine selection of Edison's newest records, which added much to

the enjoyment of the evening. Mr. E. W. Twiname, the organiser of the affair, man' aged admirably, both as caterer and asM.C, and it is only fair to say that his calls on both vocalists and instrumentalists were in

all cases cheerfully responded to, each vicing;: l'-\ with the other in contributing to the pleasure of all, which none seemed to enjoy more & thoroughly than Mr. and Mrs. Mcßride. g] After supper one of the oldest employees of || the firm, whore connection with it dates from 1886, said a few appropriate words oil' £• the occasion, pointing out that such meet- m ings of employer and employee were truly - : :M " conciliation" meetings, and tended to ob- 'y viate the necessity for legal conciliation and gj arbitration. In his remarks he also pointed ! y> M out that on all such occasions the employees v. fl were received by Mr. Mcßride as personal" |j friends. Mr. Mcßride responded, fully en-;.. || dorsing all that had been said and express- . ': : § ing his pleasure on this occasion, and hoping £| there would be many similar ones. "Aula £| Lang Syne" was then most heartily sung by || all present, which terminated a most enjoy' |j able evening. , _ jpg |j Young boys continue to appear at the., . M Police Court on various charges. Yester- - M day two boys were charged with cruelly ,jj| illtreating a horse bv chasing it to such an . h extent that it fell down and died. A' gen- -. | tleman who tried to prevent them got only || " cheek," and an impertinent reply for bis _ j| pains. The Magistrate administered a .|| sharp reprimand, and fined the boys #1 j| apiece, with costs. . hj At a chamber sitting held by His Honor -i 1 Mr. Justice Conollv yesterday probate m» " | granted of the wills of Thomas Stringer. | Luther Halliwell. and Joseph Grindrod, de- , | ceased. Leave to sell real estate in the ,j| estate of Thomas Edward Fitzgerald (a luna- -.; | tic) was granted, on (he motion of Dr.. g Laishley. ~ i

At the meeting of the Auckland Institute, - i to be held on Monday evening, Mr. D. M Petrie, the chief inspector of schools, « •'■ j| give a popular lecture on the sexual theory g in plants. The lecturer will trace the ..- m history and development of the theory, and ■ M will notice the principal advances that have || been made, and bv whom. He will also •f| describe the chief obstacles, duo mainly to • || philosophical misconceptions and unskilful' || experimenting, that have had to he over- p come. The true significance of sex W,■■-p plants, and light thrown upon it by hybrid | or mongrel plants, will also he briefly con- v. ,| sidered. The lecture will be fully m* i, ft

tratcd by diagrams, and should attract » good audience. ' '

The following letter from General White. v .|| in acknowledgment of the gold brick fop • || warded to him by his Grevmouth admirers. ■.:.1 has been received bv Mr. W. D. Revingto«> [| Grevmouth:- 4, Draycott Place, v,adogi»%-1 Gardens, London, S.W., May 24. 1900. . ! v _; Dear Sir,— have been deeply touched .T S| your letter, dated March. 1900. which »«-.y-| only just reached me, as it was written under _ the impression I was still in Ladysmitb,, an y: | was addressed there. I have also to thank ..-. |j the subscribers for the very handsome ana | original »ift of tho brick of'gold which « | have so munificently given me, and on tvjiic ~ g they have had inscribed so flattering a test*_,, mony. Please convey to all who were gow | enough to join in doing me such an honni | my deep sense of gratitude. It is an ad" |j tional source of satisfaction to me to »W ■£ that this present has come from New #* landers, who have so patriotically ma ", c ° t u : I mon cause with us, and helped to blend to , Empire into one united whole. Believe m a dear sir, yours very sincerely, 6- ''• L ' j White." * it

The Rev. Frederic Warner has iet»n*J . J> from his holiday trip, and commences " v seventh year's ministry to-morrow. .""' ■ ' in Melbourne Mr. Warner receive "5 • tares from a church in Queensland, but ' H has decided hot to accept the same.

>, Another old colonist has passed away in the person of Mrs. Wilson, relict of thedate John Wilson, blacksmith, of Kuranui, one Of the old settlers, who arrived.in Auckland by the Jane Gilford in 1842. Deceased died at her son's residence, Thames. Deceased was, with her late husband, one of the early pioneers. She leaves seven sons, 34 grandchildren, and 14 great granchildren. The Government has appointed Mr. H. A. Gordon Auckland Royal Commissioner, to settle a land dispute between Samuel Southerly, of Auckland, and the Public Trustee. Our Coromandel correspondent telegraphs:— Coromandel Harbour Board has resolved, "That this Board request the Governor to dissolve the same, and vest the harbour and wharves in the Coromandel County Council." About four years ago, at the request of the County Council, the Harbour Board was constituted, the members forming the Board being the members of the County Council. Power was given to levy certain dues and shipping charges. In due time an agitation was set up against the wharf dues, and as a result they were abolished. The shipping charges were, however, continued, and, with rents, provided the sole revenue, which has been proved to be insufficient to pay present running expenses. It is now proposed that theCoromandel County shall undertake the maintenance of the wharf, with lighting and other incidental expenses. It is not clear as to whether the shipping charges will be abolished; if so, (lie whole cost of keeping the port open will practically fall upon the county.

An inquest was held at Thames yesterday, before Mr. Albeit Bruce, coroner,' upon the body of the man who was found drowned at Waiomo on Thursday, but no evidence was adduced is to the man's ''dentily, or as to how lie came to his untimely end. A verdict of found drowned was returned. The following are the correct tatoo marks that were on the man's arms, and by which his identity may possibly be discovered: —On the right arm, just above the wrist, is a bust of a female, encircled by a wreath, in the centre of the forearm is a Scotch thistle, encircled by a wreath; immediately on the muscle or biceps is a bust of a female, encircled by a wreath; and on the side of the muscle is a large pyramid. On the left arm, just above the wrist, is a bust of a female, inside a wreath ; on the muscle is a mermaid with a crown, encircled by a wreath, the mermaid's arms being extended, whilst in Lei' right hand she holds a harpoon, and in her left hand a small fish. There is also a flag in the centre of the forearm.

.Our Thames correspondent telegraphed last night:—Mr. George Price, jun.. son of Mr. George Price, of the firm of Price Brothers, ironfounders, left here for Auckland to-day, en route to England, for the purpose of gaining information and generally improving himself in matters concerning his trade. Prior to leaving his fellow employees in the foundry presented him with a valuable Gladstone travelling bag, as a mark of the esteem ,n which he is held by them.

In the production of wheat and oats the Patea-Hiwera district, in the North Island, and the Taieri district, in the South, run very close in point of yield per acre. Taieri's average of wheat is 44.89 bushels, per acre; Patea-Hawera, 42.86 bushels. In oats the order is reversed, Patea-Hawera being 54.14 bushels and the Taieri 50.43. In both cases these are the best yields for the colony. In the aggregate production Ashburton County stands first with 1,711,995 bushels wheat, and Waimate South next with 1,129,869 bushels. In oats Southland and Wallace aggregate 5,080,468 bushels, Ashburton coming next with 1,331,295, then Akaroa, 1,242.462. Patea is to the fore again with the best average yield of barley, 43.21 bushels and Waimate South next with 42.56. Selwyn-Akaroa has the highest aggregate foi barley, and Hawke's Bay the highest average yield. Of the total yield of rye for the colony, namely. 52,214 bushels, OtagO produced 34,420 bushels. The best average yield of rye was Hawke's Bay's 30 bushels to the acre.

For the last, five or six weeks there has been a regular outbreak .robberies and burglaries in the suburbs, of Sydney, and a great many complaints have in consequence reached the police. Last week a remarkable ocurrence took place, which is expected to lead to some interesting disclosures. About one p.m. Detectives Roche and Brown, accompanied by Sergeant Meyer and Constable Walker, of Newtown, went to a house in Castlercagh-slreet, and found that two men that they wanted had just left it, under rather startling circumstances. It appeared that the two men were playing with revolvers, and one of them shot the other, accidentally. The wounded man was taken by his mate (the man that shot him) to the Sydney Hospital, to get the wound dressed. The detectives went to the hospital, and announced who they were. One of the men dropped a letter, but the detective secured it. It turned out to be a remarkable document, and should prove very interesting reading when published, as it discloses, to a Melbourne friend, a remarkable plan of operations. The men were brought back to the house in Castle-reagh-street. On searching their bedroom, in which there were three beds, a revolver and a supply of cartridges were found under each bed. One of the men said that only for the accident they would have given the police a lively time if they had known thev had come for them. There was also found in the room a quantity of acid, gum, hairdye, a number of hats, etc. One of the most curious of the finds was a pair of handcuffs. The two men subsequently explained to the police that thev had 'those articles for practising with, and they gave a performance gratis. In one instance, notwithstanding ha! the handcuffs were interlocked, one of them, with the aid of his teeth, easily slipped them off his hands.