LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 19 November 1900, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The last- quarterly criminal sittings of the Supreme Court for the present year opens at eleven o'clock this morning. About 30 cases have been set down foi trial. Witnesses and jurymen should be in attendance at the hour mentioned.

Now that Penhryn and other islands of the Cook Group have come under the British flag it is very probable that a good deal of the pearlshell obtained there will in future find its way through Rarotonga and Auckland, instead of going by way of Tahiti r.nd San Francisco as heretofore. The Ovalau brought a quantity of shell from Penhryn on her present voyage, which will be transhipped to London from this port.

On inspection of the various cricket pitches in the Domain on Saturday last, the umpires had unwillingly to declare the ground unfit for play. The matches cannot, owing to the Spring Carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club on Saturday next, be resumed until December 1. Our Thames correspondent telegraphs that a similar fate met the goldfields cricketers on Saturday, so that it would seem as if the storm was more than local.

An inquest was held by Dr. McArthur, coroner, at the Waitemata Hotel, ma Saturday, as to the death of Wm. Exetw, ©£ Poro-o-tarao, who expired in the neighbourhood of Pokeno, on the Waikato down-train on Friday last. The evidence showed that deceased," who was 54 years of age, had been working at the Government railway works at Rotorua, and was on his way to town to meet a nephew whom he expected by the Delphic. He seemed in his usual health during the trip. At Mercer he partook of refreshments, and thereafter sat reading a magazine. He remarked presently, " There's good information in this book," and shortly after resuming reading he fell back dead into the arms of the person sitting next to him. One of his fellow workmen gave evidence that deceased often had to stop work on account of his heart beating rapidly, and then suddenly stopping. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

The remains of the late Mr. J. Smethurst, of Newmarket, who was a native of Lancashire, and who died rather suddenly on Friday last, were yesterday interred at Purewcj Cemetery. The funeral was very largely attended, showing the respect in which the deceased gentleman, who had resided for the greater part of 20 years in Newmarket, was held. A large number of private carriages followed the cortege, ana numerous wreaths were placed upon the coffin. The members of the deceased's family, of whom there are a number, were the chief mourners, accompanying the body to its last restingplace. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. J. T. Pinfold, of the Newmarket Wesleyan Church, who, during a memorial service in the evening to the late Mr. G. Kent, referred feelingly to Mr. Smethurst as being the second old identity lost to New. market during the week.

Our Aitutakt (Cook Islands) correspondent writes :—To show the prolific nature of the orange on this island it may be mentioned that the remainder of the last season's crop are now being sent away. At the same time a quantity of green orangesthe new crop— gathered from the same trees, are also being shipped. A large quantity of pineapples— the Aitutaki pineapple being considered the best in the —leave the island by this trip of the steamer. Some 120 tons of copra and 1500 cashes of fruit will be exported by the Ovalau this month (November) and I have ascertained that abundant produce will be forthcoming for the December trip if the steamer decides to come here.

The French authorities at Tahiti are about to subsidise a local resident to conduct ac automobile service round the island, for the conveyance of passengers and mails. II is intended to make the round of Moorea. a few miles from Papeete, which is one oi the most interesting parts of the island, owing to. its scenery.

Th funeral of the late Mrs. Potts, wife of Mr. W. H. Potts, president of the Thames Miners' Union, took place yesterday afternoon, the interment taking place in the Shortland cemetery. The cortege was one of the largest witnessed here for many years, showing the respect in which the deceased lady was held. Amongst a very large number of wreaths placed upon the coffin were two from the Thames Naval Volunteers (which corps also supplied the pall-bearers), one from the Thames Miners' Union, one from Captain Adams, on behalf of the Hauraki Rifle Company, and one from the members of St. George's Church choir. Dr. O'Callaghan officiated in an impressive manner at the grave.

Our Thames correspondent states that the Kauri Timber Company's sawmill at Shortland closed down on Thursday last, owing to the supply of logs at the company's Parawai booms having given out. The stoppage has thrown a considerable number of men out of employment.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Goldie) intended on Saturday to have visited the Niho-tupu-Titirangi district to inspect the work of the contractors, but postponed his visit owing to the inclemency of the weather.

The man Overend, reported as missing, has been discovered by the police. They have not yet succeeded in finding Buckley, but a man answering his description is said to have gone to Karangahake, and they are communicating with the police there on the subject. His brother left in the Tani>vha last night with a view of tracing him.

The Mayor intends to enforce rigidly the new regulation fixing the size of road metal. Accompanied by Mr. Knight, clerk of works, he visited the Mount Eden stonebreakers, and ascertained that much of the metal would not pass through the 3in regulation ring. The stonebreakers were informed that in future one or two samples would be taken from a heap arid tested, and if these were too large, the whole heap would be rejected.

The trustees of the Parnell Orphan Homo have received from past and present inmates of the Home, a handsome enlarged portrait of the late Mr. John Iteid, of Motutapu, the cost of which has been defrayed by them by voluntary subscriptions. This has been done in token of appreciating the generosity of the late Mr. Reid, through whose kindness they had spent many happy days in camping out in Home Bay,'Motutapu. The following letter accompanied the portrait : — " To the chairman of St. Stephen's Orphan Home, Farnell. Sir, —We beg you to accept for the Orphan Home a photo, of the late Mr. John Reid. The great kindness with which he always treated lis has endeared his memory in our hearts, and we hope that although his body lies where no stone can mark its resting-place, this token of our esteem may preserve his name always in our Home."

An Auckland gentleman who has recently made a tour of the Otago goldfields, and especially to the dredging industry, expresses himself as perfectly astounded at the activity in that branch of mining. The iron trades have their hands full in supplying dredges, which range from £3000 to £13,(700. A portion of this dredging material has had to be obtained from Victoria. Owing to the advances in iron and steel the price of dredges has gone up about 33 per cent. Most of the dredges were on gold, and the gold visible on "lie plates was worth £4 per ounce. The dredging boom seems likely to do for Otago what the alluvial discoveries did in the earlier days for the province. Every branch of trade seems to feel the impulse, and house building in the suburbs of Dunedin is going on apace. The crops are looking splendid, and the farmers will have a good innings. Coming back to Auckland he paid a visit to the Canterbury Exhibition, which was not so good, in his opinion, in variety of exhibits, as the Auckland one. With the exception of threshing machines and seed-cleaners, the Auckland exhibition had a much better display of implements. There was little in the way of improvement save in some local inventions, and these were not in the exhibition, but at the cattle show. The display of cattle, sheep, and horses at the show was very fine.

Entries for the Auckland Horticultural Society's Exhibition, which takes place in the Choral Hall on Friday and Saturday next, have, owing to the inclement nature of the weather on Saturday last, been extended until Tuesday afternoon. Keen competition is expected for the banner, which has been offered to the public school whose pupils obtain the highest number of points for children's exhibits. Lady Ranfurly's four silver medals for the best gardens hare nowarrived, and are on exhibition at Messrs. Yates and Co.'s.

On November 9 Captain Edward Williams, who in the early days was in the China clippers, and later in the New Zealand and intercolonial and Island traders, passed away at his residence it' Sydney. There are f<fw masters sailing out of Sydney more highly esteemed than the late Captain Williams, and years ago, during one of his voyages, he rescued the crew of an Anieri-, can vessel. The President of the United States, through the Consul-General in London, presented him with a gold watch, and his crew with substantial awards, the rescue having been accompanied by acts of conspicuous bravery. Captain Williams was in charge of the Kauri Timber Company's brig Vision when she was sold at Auckland.

A conference of Grazing Farmers and Selectors' Associations was commenced at Brisbane on November 7 for the purpose of taking action to secure remedial legislation, owing to the disastrous drought. A long discussion took place over the proposal to ask for the remission of rent for 1901. Eventually a motion embodying this was carried.

A miner named Isaac Hutchison died in the Wallsend Mining District Hospital, New South Wales, from the injuries received by a bla.st'ng accident. The deceased was employed by the Scottish Australian Mining Company, arid at the time of the accident was engaged in sinking an air shaft on the Lambton Colliery Estate. It appears that whilst he was tamping a shot of gunpowder the charge suddenly exploded, with the result that he was burnt about the face and the hands. He was at once removed to the Wallsend Hospital, and upon examination was found to be suffering severelv from shock to the system. He never rallied. The city coroner held an inquest on the body. The jury, in accordance with the medical testimony, returned a verdict to the effect that death was due to exhaustion consequent on shock to the system caused by an accidental explosion of a rhirjie of gunpowder used by t./" deceased for the purposes of blasting.

A special meeting of the Prolossional Musicians' Benefit Association of Australasia was held at Sydney recently. I'he business before the meeting was the consideration of the question of raising the financial status of the profession. The desirableness of forming a union to be affiliated with the Trades lull was discussed, but before taking final action in that direction it was resolved that a letter be sent to all the theatrical managers in Sydney who at present do not pay a minimum wage 01" £3 per week for orchestral work, slating that the members would be withdrawn after one week from date if minimum was not recognised. It was pointed out during the discussion that owing to the number of rehearsals and matinees members of theatre orchestras could not supplement their salaries' by taking pupils. A union of the profession, it was stated, had been formed in Melbourne and affiliated to the Trades Hall.

The Southern Cross Log (the organ of the Melanesian Mission) is to hand for November. It says:—The Bishop is issuing aquarter of a million sixpenny shares in the new Southern Cross. These are intended especially for children, although, of course, we are very pleased when children persuade " grown-up's" to buy them. There are already nearly 10,000 taken up in Australia. As far as is known St. Michael's, Surry Hills, Sydney, takes the palm foi taking the greatest number of shares, having bought 1250. St. Barnabas', Sydney, stands second with 1000. Many churches have taken 250 to 500 shares. The new Southern Cross fund now stands at £5000. Of this £2000 has been contributed in Australia, £1600 has been fiver or promised in New Zealand, and £1400 in England. ' With a big, strong, and united effort by the " grown-ups" and the children, the remaining £10,000 can easilv be raised, arid the ship bought before 1902. Which shall it be? A new shin, costing perhaps £15,000, made for the work, and exactly what we want? Or a secondhand ship, bought cheaply, refitted to meet our requirements, and never really meeting our needs? The London Missionary Society had no difficulty whatever in raising £17,000't0 build the John Williams, _ and they find no difficulty whatever in raising £7000 a year from Congregational Sundayschools to run her. • Surely the Church of England will find equally no difficulty in giving her mission to the Islands a new ship, and maintaining hei at a cost of £3000 or £4000 a year ! The Bishop will be in Australia until December 10, when he will go to -New Zealand to promote the ship fund, and find workers there.

The authorities at Papeete are still taking every precaution against the introduction of the plague, and all cargo from ports outside of New Zealand have still to undergo the process of fumigation.

The public have taken such a lively interest in the Parliamentary work of last session that a full house may be expected at St. James' Hall to-night, when Mr. Geo. Fowldn, M.H.R., will deliver his post-see-sional address. His Worship the Mayor will take the chair.

A plucky rescue from drowning was effected at the Balmain New Ferry Company's Wharf (Sydney) a few days ago, by Mr. Loftus Nutt, who is employed by the company as fireman on th&Jferry. As the steamer Me Mel was coming into the wharf a young lady, whose name ha» not so far been ascertained, in her endeavours to get aboard out of the rain, slipped and fell into tlie water. She was washed under the paddle-wheel of the steamer, which, however, was stationary at the time. Without waiting to divest himself of any of his clothing Mr. Nutt went to the woman's assistance and rescued her from her perilous position. When rescued she was suffering greatly from shock and the effects of the immersion, but was able to proceed to her home. On the same clay Mr. Nutt also rescued a man who had fallen into the water.

In view of the doubts frequently expressed by a number of fruitgrowers as to the possibility of eradicating diseases from their orchards. the New South Wales Minister for Agriculture thinks it will be of interest to growers to know that when th« remedies are consistently applied beneficial results are constantly reported. Quite recently a case came under notice where an orchard was badly attacked with San Jose scale. On the advice of the Government entomologist, the owner regularly and carefully sprayed the trees with kerosene emulsion, and an examination made recently showed that all the old scales were dead, the trees healthy and bearing a good crop. In view of the testimony frequently received as to the success of the remedies,* the New South Wales Government entomologist states there is no excuse for any man allowing San Jose scale or other pests to get such a hold as to kill his trees, or to spread to adjoining orchards to the injury of his neighbours.

James Vance, 54 years of age, a resident of Bradford (Victoria), went to Melbourne for the Cup, and was set upon shortly before twelve o'clock on the night of November sby several young men*in Queen-street, when going to sis lodgings. Vance was kicked and knocked about, and sustained a fractured skull. He was robbed of £4 in money. He was taken to the hospital, where he died next afternoon. Two young men, named Thomas Dowdle and Henry Johnston, were arrested on a charge of assaulting and robbing the deceased. The charge will be altered to a more serious one.

The Sydney Morning Herald states that the varied work of the Railway and Tramway Department necessarily gives opportunity for many inventions, and the Commissioners periodically have submitted to them all kinds of schemes for improvements in the working of the systems. A novel arrangement has just been brought under their i notice in regard to the provision of a looking- ! glass- on the front of trams and convenient to the motor-driver. The object is that the looking-glass shall be placed in such a position and at such an angle as to enable the motor-driver to see what is transpiring in the car behind him. The same principle is adopted on the railway tricycles, where the fettlers have a looking-glass placed on the ' outrigger so as to enable them to command 1 a rear view. The Commissioners, however, 1 have not seen their way to adopt the lookingi glass on the trams, believing that it would ; be more likely to introduce an element of j risk than protection against accident, by disj tracting for the moment the attention of the ; driver from his primary duty of keeping a j close watch in front.

The Very Rev. Vincent Grogan, the su- ; perior of the Passionists, died at St. Brigid's : Retreat, Marrickville, New South Wales, on ! November 7. He was a native of Rhode, | Ireland. He was bom on September 22, 1 1837, and was educated in Carlow College. : Three years after his ordiijation he was in I the secular mission, and he then entered the I Passionist novitiate at Broadway, Worcesi tershire, England. After his ordination he I fulfilled several offices in tho congregation, and after some years was elected head of the Anfrlo-Hibernian Province, which office he held for three terms, covering a period of nine years. At the conclusion of his third term of office he came out to Australia as Visitor-General, and so pleased was he with the prospects of the Australian mission that he determined to resign his high office in England as Provincial Consultor and come to Australia to take change of this distant part of the province. Since his return to Australia, in 1892, besides administering to the congregation in Australia, he had been an untiring missionary worker in the various colonies. His successor, Father Gregory, arrived in Sydney in January last. The cause of death was paralysis.

A very severe storm was experienced at Rockhampton a few days ago, lasting threequarters of an hour. The wind blew with hurricane force. Many buildings in different parts of the town were unroofed. The storm was accompanied with one of the heaviest falls of hail ever experienced in Rockhampton, and great damage was done to the mango and grape crops.