LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11536, 22 November 1900, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, accompanied by Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., visited the works of the Colonial Ammunition Company (Limited) yesterday afternoon, and spent a considerable time inspecting the machinery and plant for manufacturing ammunition. He expressed himself more than pleased at the result of his visit, and stated that he had little idea such an amount of machinery- was required to manufacture small arms ammunition, nor had lie any idea of the extent of the manufactory. The impression derived ■was that AucW&nd possessed a " live and very important industry" in its ammunition works. Mr. A. C. Whitney also showed the visitors the manufacture of tools for placing in the machinery for cartridge-mak-ing. Mr. Hall-Jones stated he had nc idea these tools were made in the factory.

Before the Minister for Public Works leaves for the South, the Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie) intends having an interview with him, particularly with reference to + he Mechanics' Bay sewer. For this work, which it is anticipated will cost some £4500, the Government have granted a subsidy cf £1500, the Harbour Board pay £500, and the balance will be paid by the City Council and the Parnell Borough Council, the city being of course by far the largest contributor. The work will be carried out by the City Council, and the preliminary preparations are now being pushed on. There is a probability, however, that it will be impossible to complete the work by March 31, at which date, being the end of the Government's financial year, it is understood the Government grant lapses if unexpended. Mr. Goldie will place the position fully before Mr. Hall-Jores, and endeavour to come to an understanding so that the money may be available after March 31, provided the work is pushed ahead with all possible speed.

News by the 'Frisco mail, with reference to the Auckland electric tramways, states that the contract foi the whole of the work ! was to be finally disposed of by the Board' of Directors, at a meeting to be held on October 26 (about a week after the mail left), and that the company at the time of the departure of the mail were making arrangements foi an engineer to leave as soon as possible for Auckland, in order to proceed with the (Construction of the lines. Yesterday Mi, P. M. Hansen left for Wellington by the Ngapuhi, to further the issue of the Order-in-Council authorising the construction of the suburban portions of the electric tramways;. On October 19 and 2,0 the suburban local authorities gave notice by advertisement of their intention to apply for the Order-in-Councib The 28 days' notice given in the advertisement expired on Friday last, and since then, Mr. Hansen, with the consent: of the various suburban bodies interested, has been preparing a memorial tc the Governor. The memorial, which applies to the Governor for the Order-in-Council, has been signed on behalf of the various districts interested, and Mr. Hansen, on his arrival in Wellington, wil' discuss the matter with the officials of the Public Works Department, and it is expected the Order-in-Council will issue before the end of the yeai. This will grant power for the construction of tramways direct to the local bodies concerned, and, in accordance with the preliminary agreements, the local bodies v ill subsequently delegate their powers to the Auckland Electric Tramways Company. It is expected that the deed of delegation will be signed at the beginning of the new year.

Among the passengers by the Alameda were Superintendent Smith, of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, and Superintendent Gilberd, of the Napier Fire Brigade, who were representing the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand at the International Fire Brigades' Congress in Paris. They visited all the principal fire stations, not only in Paris, but in the United Kingdom and in America. Superintendent Gilberd states that in American towns, of about the same size and population as Auckland, the fire appliances are very complete, compared with what i- considered necessary in colonial towns. In Honolulu, for instance, which has a population of not much over 20,000, the fire brigade station and plant were most complete, and there were 42 paid firemen attached to the brigade. Superintendent Smith left immediately on arrival for Christchurch, and Superintendent Gilberd will leave for Napier on Saturday. They will present a joint report to the Government as the result of their investigations.

The young man, J. E. Palmer, the assistant messenger at the General Post Office, is stated to be recovering from the severe accident which he sustained at the post office lilt..

In a private lettei to Mr. J. H. Witbeford by the mail steamer Alameda, Mr. J. D. Spreckels writes that he has gone to Philadelphia from San Francisco in order to push on the work of the new mail steamers Sonoma and Ventura. The delay in the work, Mr. Spreckels writes, has been most aggravating, and had upset all the business arrangements of the company in connection with tin inaugurating of the new threeweekly mail service. In consequence of the demands made upon Mr. Spreckels' time in the matter, it is not probable that he •will visit New Zealand until the beginning of next year.

During the hearing of the Mangonui 'hooting case at the Supreme Court yesterday a few words passed between His Honor and Mr. Baume, the counsel foi the prisoner. His Honor said he could not see the object of certain cross-examination, and expressed the opinion that it was nonsense to put ib before the jury. Mr. Baurne retorted that he was not in the habit of putting nonsenso before the jury, and objected to questions, which the conducting counsel deemed were absolutely material to his case, being characterised in that manner. His Honor said the counsel for the defence was th„ only member of the Bar in Auckland who treated him with insolence. If he did not conduct his case properly he would be ordered to leave the Court. Counsel said he was prepared to do so then, but would not consent to his examination being characterised as nonsense. After some further remarks, His Honor asked Mr. Baume to proceed, and conduct his case with courtesy to the Bench.

Miss Ethel M. Mcintosh, daughter of the headmaster of the Onehunga district school, has distinguished herself at the recent University College examination. Miss Mcintosh has been awarded the premium for Latin by the Professional Board, in addition to which she passed well in French, mathematics, and applied mathematics. . She obtained a junior district scholarship at the Epsom district school, being then only 11 years of age, and a year or two afterwards a senior district scholarship at the Auckland College and Grammar School, and finally a certificate of merit at the junior University scholarship examination. Miss Mcintosh is now an undergraduate of the University, and intends following the usual course for a degree.

At the meeting of the Auckland University College Professional Board on Tuesday, premiums were awarded to the following students of St. John's College ■: — English, Mr. E. de C. Clarke : chemistry, Mr. L. V. Halliwell ; physics, Mr. C. G. Aickin : biology, Mr. G. B. Stephensen ; geology, Mr. F. C. bong ? jurisprudence, Mr. L. V. Halliwcll : and history and political economy. Mr. E. K. Mules. These premiums are for successes in the terms examination held last month, in which examination the students of St. John's College gained nine first places.

A cable message was received yesterday in Auckland, stating that the proceedings instituted by the Acetylene Company against Henry Markwald, of Melbourne, for an injunction to restrain him from selling carbide of calcium, for use in the manufacture of acetylene gas, had been brought to a termination, when the Chief Justice refused with costs an application by th: plaintiff company for a commission to examine witnesses abroad, thus quashing the monopoly claimed. There has been a long standing doubt as to whether the Acetylene Company could legally uphold the sole right of the sale of carbide of calcium, and the present case was instituted as a test case.

On Wednesday afternoon Mr. De Ruse, the well-known expressman, met with a painful accident. Ho was coming down Upper Pitt-street with a load of furniture, when his horse suddenly stopped, and he was precipitated to the ground, getting cut about the face and head. On getting up he was quite dazed. Hi was taken to his home by some of the bystanders.

Our Tauranga correspondent writes: — One of our local chiefs, Ngamanu Tupaea, grandson of the late Hori Tupaea, who was formerly the chief of highest rank in this district, has apparently dropped in for good thing. Ngamanu's fathei, Hamiora Tupaea, married for his second wife Arihi te Nairn, great-granddaughter of Te Hapuku. one of the largest landholders in Hawke's Bay, and from this connection Ngamanu has inherited considerable property, which he has just gone down to Napier to see after.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. D. Goldie) has received from Archdeacon Walsh, of Waimate North, the sum of £2 14s 9d for the patriotic fund, and the sum of £2 18s for *he Indian famine relief fund, these sums being donated by the management of a concert held there on November 9, from the proceeds of the entertainment.

In yesterday's issue appeared the obituary notice of Mrs. Colebrook, wife o." Mr. Geo. Colebrook, of Henderson Valley, who died at the age of 73, having arrived in 1865, in the ship Armstrong. She leaves 11 children, 62 grandchildren, and one great grand-, child. Most of her children are married, and reside in various parts of the colony, and one of her grandsons is in the war in South Africa.

It is intended by Mi. John Bollard, district coroner, to hold an inquest to-day upon the woman, Mrs. Barr Brown, the wife of a gumdigger, living at Hobsonville, who died suddenly at that settlement on Tuesday evening.

It will be seen from our obituary columns that another old identity has passed over to the great majority in the person of Mr. Daniel Caley, at the ripe age of 83. He came out from the Isle of Man to Auckland in 1859, with other Manxmen, and was for many years in business in Auckland as a baker. Subsequently he retired from business, and settled in the W'aikato, where some of his sons were engaged in fanning. Some 10 years ago he returned to Auckland, and has lived in retirement. He was connected with the Wesleyan Methodist Church all his life, and was the oldest local preacher in Auckland. Deceased has been laid aside, for a few weeks past. He leaves a widow, three daughters, and five sons, to mourn their loss. He was much respected and esteemed by those Mho knew him. Tomorrow (Friday), at half-past two p.m., the funeral will leave his late residence, New North Road, for Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, where a short mortuary service will be held, after which he will ha* interred in Symonds-street Cemetery. \

The chief veterinary surgeon (Mr. Gilruth) regards the cases of swine lever discovered in the Auckland district as by no means of a serious character, and does not think there is any ground for alarm. He says the origin of the disease has been traced and restricted to two or three pigs. The fact that in most cases pigs are kept in f>addocks or in enclosure- where there is a air amount of room prevents the spread of the disease in a herd with the rapidity which often occurs in Great Britain, where the animals ar usually kept in close contact. In the majority of outbreaks there has been little of note, but there were two (one in the North Island and one in the South) which had certain elements of interest.

fhe Bazaar Committee in connection with the Thames Hospital new building fund purposes holding a photographic competition in conjunction with the bazaar, which is to come off on the 29th and 30th inst., and December 1. By advertisement in another column it will be seep that prizes of 10s 6d each (cash) will be given for the best landscape photo, and the best comic photo.

Our Tuakau correspondent writes:—On the 14th inst. the remains of the late Mrs. McGahon, sen., were followed to then last resting-place by a large number, but a further number, owing to it being sale day and Court day at Pukekohe, could not attend, although wishing to do so. The deceased, who was 75 years of age, has lived among us for the last 25 years a good Christian and neighbourly life, enjoying the respect and esteem not only of her own immediate relatives but of all those who knew her. She leaves two sons and two daughters and fortyone grandchildren living. The Rev. Father Ahearne conducted the funeral service.

It appears that the girl Ada Cole, of Mount Eden, got possession of a razor and made three cuts in her throat, and is now under the care of Drs. Grant and Marsack. She is 15 years of age, and this is the third attempt. On the first occasion she attempted to poison herself with the phosphorous of matches, the second time she unsuccessfully tried hanging. When before the Court on atempted suicide she was released on probation for 12 months. Her present wounds are said not to be dangerous, and she is progressing favourably at the " Hohipere " private hospital.

On Wednesday afternoon the committee of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board went out to the Costley Home. The members present were Messrs. Bruce and A. P. Friend, their mission being to have brought before them about a dozen of the old aged pensioners, men and women, who receive a shilling a week of their pension for pocketmoney, and who were charged with going out of the Home and getting drunk. Some of the parties were very abusive to the members of the committee, and said that they would not submit to have their liberty curtailed, that the statements were untrue, and that the manager (Mr. Moss) had a "down" on them. The report book was examined, arid it was found that id some cases the police had brought the parties back to the institution under the influence of liquor, and that the manager had " stuck up" others who had come back in a. similar condition. The committee stated that they would not have such a scandal at the Home, and that any future offence of the kind would be visited with punishment, by having leave stopped for six months, the shilling a week pocket-money forfeited, or the offenders would leave the Home altogether. It was never intended, in the first instance, that such a class of persons should receive old age pensions, or the sober, industrious section of the community be burdened in such a manner, and this will account for the cost of old age pensions going up by " leaps and bounds."

Complaints have frequently been made as to the muddy condition of the roadway between the railway station and the Northern Roller Mills. The roadway is utilised as a cabstand, and much inconvenience is felt in getting to the cabs, especially in web weather. The attention of the municipal authorities has been called to the matter, but the Mayor points out that the Railway Department is entirely responsible for tie maintenance of the road. Probably, if no improvement is effected, the City Council may call the attention of the railway au thorities to the matter.

An appreciative letter has been received by the Union Company's staff at Westport from Captain West, of the steamer Penarth, heartily thanking them for the assistance rendered him in the perilous time experienced during his recent visit to that port. On that occasion, through the agency of a phenomenally high flood in the river and a heavy gale, his vessel, laden with 3000 tons of coal, threatened to break away from her berth, an occurrence that would have caused a great disaster. Captain West thanks all the officers and crews of vessels that were at Westport from the 28th to the 30th ult. for their voluntary efforts to prevent disaster.

Most Europeans are under the impression that John Chinaman is careless of personal comfort, and that his heme is devoid, not only of luxuries, bub of many of the ordinary necessaries of life. This may be so in some cases (says the Wellington Post), but, judging from the appearance of the bedrooms in the Chinese house which was raided by the police lately, some at least the Celestials like their ease. The coverlets on the beds were made of silk, and were padded, while the furnishing ot the room was by no means uncomfortable. One man —he who escaped through a window— a photograph of a winsome Chinese maiden by his bedside, evidently the reminder of happy bygone days.

We have to hand the Monthly Record (Y.M.C.A.) for November. Tho Rev. G. B. Monro continues his " Travels by Sea and Land," being in this number a description 'of his visit 'to the Holy Land. He says: " Having received an . introduction from the esteemed secretary of the Auckland Y.M.C.A. to the hon. secretary, the Rev. J. H. Adeney, of the Jerusalem branch, we inquired at the close of the service where he resided. We were disappointed to find that he was away at Safea, for a holiday, but Mr. Day, who was acting as secretary in his absence, gave us all necessary information about the Y.M.C.A. work in Jerusalem. Though this work is most trying, it is, in some ways, encouraging. There are about 40 members, who are active and interested. The work on behalf of young men is difficult everywhere, but from the report of Mr. J. Stuart Holden, who in 1898 visited Egypt and Palestine, as the representative of the English National Council, it must be specially so in these countries. It was encouraging to hear from Mr. Day that the Y.W.C.A. is also active in Jerusalem, and that thev have even more members than the Y.M.C.A.*' Mr. Josiah Martin continues his series of papers on " Tonga and the Tongans," the present paper being on " Education of Tongans." A number of new books have been added to the library of the institution. Reports are given of various agencies of the association.

In reference to the statement made by our London correspondent, that Mrs. " Alien " Baker's latest work, " Another Woman's Territory," has been appearing in the New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Mr. T. Cottle, editor of the magazine, writes that the serial has not yet appeared, but the first chapters are to be published in the December number of the magazine.

There was a young man in the lockup last evening, the charge being one of lunacy.