LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11539, 26 November 1900, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The spring carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club was held on the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon, when the weather was beautifully fine, and some SCOO spectators witnessed the excellent sports programme provided. The most interesting event of the day was the 120 yds Invitation Hurdle Race, in which G. W. Smith, Australasian and New Zealand champion, met the noted Irish hurdler, M. M. Ros«ngrave. It was a most exciting contest, ending in a victory for the Aucklander in the record time of 15 3-ss. Roseingrave figured as a competitor in the broad jump, and, starting from scratch, cleared 21ft lOin, thus establishing a fresh New Zealand record. Full details of the carnival appear* in another part of to-day's impression.

One of Messrs. Pullan and Armitage's 'buses, which left : Newmarket at ten minutes past seven on Saturday evening, was proceeding to town with a load of 27 passengers, and when passing the Parnell Borough Council Chambers the brake bar snapped. The horses feeling the pressure started off immediately, and dashed down th steep hill at an alarming rate, the 'bua narrowly escaping being overturned at the Selwyn Terrace corner, which is a rather turn. It was not until Mr. J. J. Craig's stables, in Beach Road, were reached that the driver, Samuel Church, was able to control the horses. The 'bus was full of ladies, who were very much frightened. It was mainly owing to the skill and presence of mind of the driver, who was greatly hampered by several gentlemen attempting to snatch the reins from him, that a serious accident was averted, as there was a good deal of traffic on the road at the time.

The Rev. J. A. Crump, a Wesleyan missionary, has recently returned to Australia with his wife and three children, after a residence of seven years in the New Britain Group. He brings with him the completed translation of tho New Testament, a work which was begun 10 years ago, also a translation of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Mr. Crump and his colleagues have since bee-i engaged upon the Epistles and the Book of 'Revelation, so that within the next 12 months the Native Church of New Britain will have copies of the New Testament complete in the vernacular. Being interviewed in Sydney, Mr. Crump was asked what was the future of the natives. He said he did not think that they had! any future. hey were doomed to "die before the inevitable march of civilisation. " Why civilisation?" said the reporter. "Ah, that is the problem," replied Mr. Crump. " And how do you like working under German laws?" " We have an absolutely free hamd, and the faster we can increase our stations the better the German authorities are pleased. They recognise that we are doing a great work amongst the natives, and they give us every facility for acquiring land, and generally extending our work. We are on the most friendly footing with the officials, and generally speaking we could not have better opportunities under British rule." Mr. Crump spoke highly of the laws put in force by the German Governors for the prohibition of the sale of liquor and firearms, and for the general betterment of the social condition of the natives. In our obituary column will be found recorded the death of Miss Eliza Tait Reid. Miss Reid was the youngest sister of the late Rev. A Reid, so well known in Auckland for many years. The Broughty Ferry Guide, of October 12 last, thus refers to the lady's death :—Many will learn with regret of the death of Miss Eliza Tait Reid, who passed away at Union Place, Broughty Ferry, last Friday, after a brief illness. She commenced her career as pupil-teacher at Mariner's School, Leith, and on completing her apprenticeship entered Moray House Training College, where she took and maintained a distinguished position. She was thereafter appointed to Langholm, and subsequently to Parkhill, Aberdeenshire. It was in March, 1879, that she received the appointment as mistress in the Southern School, Broughty Ferry, and, during the long period of almost 22 years, has laboured with much success amongst the young people of this community. Her whole life has been marked by an exceptionally high sense of duty and great devotion to her profession. Her sterling worth of character and striking personality have left an impression on pupils and fellow teachers alike that will not soon be forgotten. The residence of Mr. F. Tilson Smith, solicitor, Shelly Beach Road, Ponsonby, was broken into some time during Friday afternoon or evening, and a few articles of small value were stolen. Mr. Smith's mother and sister were out of town, and the house was closed duriug their absence, Mr. Smith sleeping in it only. The thief effected) an entrance by forcing open a window, the fastening of which was defective. He seemingly made a thorough search of the premises, but fortunately all valuables had been removed for safe custody, and he was compelled to take his departure with but small recompense for his trouble and risk. The Auckland Volunteer Cyclist Corps is now formed, ' and haa only room for a few) members, early application being necessary.

gaas= i f —u .m,.,.——— I. i ..m. It will be wen from our obituary column that Mrs. Taylor, relict .of the late Mr. Wra. Innes . Taylor, has passed away at Glen Innos, West Tamaki, at the age of 69. The funeral will leave Glen Innes on Tuesday. She leaves a grown-up family. ' The contractor for the new Loan and Mercantile warehouse and stores, Lower Albertstreet, is getting on rapidly with his contract, the bricklayers being now up to the second storey. .

The filling in of Freeman's Bay is going on rapidly, and in a short space of time the greater portion of the bay will be in a position to be utilised. In addition to the excvrated stuff being placed by Mr. Fallon, there is a large quantity of stuff being tipped there by private parties, under the supervision of the Harboui Board.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Colebrooke took place at the Waitakerei cemetery. There was a large attendance. Some friends went by railway to Henderson, but the greatest number on horseback, and all the neighbours in the district attended. A large number of wreaths were sent. An impressive service was conducted both at the house and the grave by the Rev. W. Jellie, B.A.

Our Thames correspondent writes :Detective McMahon and Constable Stevens arrested a man named Baker, at Kopu, on Saturday evening, on a charge of stealing scrap iron valued at about £6.

Birkenhead and Northcote strawberrygrowers are very dissatisfied with the season bo far. Owing to the cold searching winds and low temperature at nights the berries are very slow in ripening, and are often eaten by slugs and birds. Some growers with an acre of land in strawberries have not yet sold a box of table fruit. Growers in the Birkdale district complain of the damage done by pheasants and rabbits. The latter are fast increasing in numbers. [Own Correspondent.]

Quite a gloom was cast over Karangahake on Friday night, when it became known that Mrs. Scott, wife of Mr. A. N. Scott, headmaster of the Karangahake school, had died after a painful illness. Deceased, who was very much respected, was a daughter of Mr. J. T. Edwards, of Ohaupo, and leaves four children to mourn their loss. The body will be taken on Monday to Ohaupo for interment.

Two little children named Gaffey, were poisoned at Karangahake on Saturday afternoon through eating tutu berries which they got in the bush. Both children were very bad, and Dr. Smith had to work very hard to save their lives. They were both much better yesterday, and apparently are now out of danger.

Birkenhead and Northcote fruitgrowers feel that great credit is due to Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., for his successful efforts to obtain counterpoise stages for a vehicular ferry service. It is hoped there will be no delay in preparing plans and calling for tenders. When the service is completed it will greatly benefit fruitgrowers, and advance the value of all land in the district.— Correspondent.]

The funeral of the late Mr. F. J. Ray (writes our Thames correspondent) took place yesterday afternoon, the interment being in Shortland cemetery. The Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan impressively read the burial service. The managers of St. James' Presbyterian Church were the pall-bearers, and the cortege was a large and representative one, five carriages taking part. Numerous wreaths and floral tributes were sent.

There has recently been established in Auckland an institute for training students of electricity, and considering what an important part this power plays nowadays, the only wonder is that such a school has not been suggested before this. It is, we believe, the only one of its kind in the colony. The institute meets at the Auckland Electrical Works and Depot, High-street, of which Messrs. William Crosher and Sons are the proprietors. The classes are under the personal direction of Captain Bianch Brain, M.C.5.W.1.M.E., F.S.S.E., F.R.S.T., who has had several years' experience (manufacturing and educational) in electrical, mining, and military, work, and he is assisted by Messrs. Wm. Crosher and Sons. Instruction is given in classes on Monday and Thursday in each week, elementary from seven to tight, and advanced from eight to nine. So far there has been an average attendance of 17 students, and the interest shown in the work of the institute has been most gratifying to the promoters. The object aimed at by the institution is to meet the requirements of all persons desirous of acquiring a knowledge of the science and practice of electricity and electro-chemistry, as used in every branch of commercial life. Facilities are provided for giving a complete course of instruction, dealing with gas engines and dynamos (at work), electric motors, arc and incandescent lamps, accumulators, volt-meters, ammeters, dynamometers, primary batteries, induction coils, etc. The principal feature of the instruction is that it is essentially practical, and in this respect the complete plant on the premises is a great advantage. The testingroom is provided with a fine full-sized set of testing apparatus, as used in the large manufacturing works in England; electric blasting apparatus, for mining, submarine and military work, electric signal instruments, telephones, etc. ?-.

In the Legislative Council of South Australia, on November 15, Mr. Guthrie moved for an address to the Governor praying for the submission of the official correspondence in the case of the release of Johann Andersen, a Russian Finn, from Yatala Labour Prison in March last, to Justice Burnley, as presiding judge at the trial. The AttorneyGeneral secured the adjournment of the debate. The correspondence laid before Parliament disclosed the fact of an intervention by the authorities at St. Petersburg, who represented to the British Foreign Office their desire that the case of Andersen, who had been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for manslaughter in conjunction with a man named Pedro, should be reconsidered, and that the Governor of the colony (then Sir 1. Powell Buxton) should exercise his prerogative of mercy in favour of the convict. The Kingston Government twice declined any remission of sentence, and diplomatic correspondence was carried on to the beginning of the present year. It was stated that the Czar of Russia was taking a personal interest in the case, which was also the subject of considerable comment in the Russian press, as it was considered that there had been ? miscarriage of justice, judging by the published reports of the trial. Even as late as this year the present AttorneyGeneral advised that there should be no interference with the sentence. The Chief Justice, Sir S. Way, reported in March last on the case without consulting the presiding Judge, who was absent on a year's leaves and he stated that in his opinion there was no evidence whatever against Andersen, and recommended a free pardon. This recommendation was approved on March 5, and Lord Tennyson signed the free pardon the next day.

In the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales on November 15, the Premier, at the instance of Dr. Ross, furnished a return of the number of cases or samples of food and liquor that had been submitted to the Government Analytical Chemist for analysis during the last 12 months. Of 129 samples of milk 44 were adulterated with boric acid, 18 with added water, 2 with formalin, and 1 witb skimmed milk. Out of 20 samples of essence of lemon 11 were adulterated. Some were deficient in oi' limonis and coloured with foreign matter, 5 being made from methylated spirit. Of 15 articles of lemon syrup all were found to contain salicylic acid, and 5 tartaric acid. Of 14 tests of condensed milk 13 were found with boric aoid, 2 with skimmed milk. Five samples ot mustard were all adulterated with wheatflour, and 2 with analine colour. Of 4 articles of bread 2 were sour. Three cases of cheese were all putrid. Three samples of chestnuts were decomposed, and 2 of currypowder had strychnine present. Of 339 samples submitted for analysis 220 were genuine and 119 adulterated, the adulterations comprising water, formalin, boric, and salicylic acid in milk, skimmed milk, water in spirits, strychnine in kola nut tonics, and starch in cocoa. ...

The Journal of the Department of Labour for November is to hand. The report of the labour market is as follows: —The building trades in Auckland are brisk, and capable workmen are fully employed. The engineering trades are steady and fairly good. The boot trade is improving; ' and would be better except for want of sufficient machinists.- As to the clothing trade, it is busy all round, and a number of employers are asking for overtime. The retail trade (general) is fairly good. As to unskilled labour, there are a number of applicants, but the majority unsuitable for country work. In Paeroa- the building trades are brisk. Not much demand for unskilled labour. A number of men applied for- work, most of whom found work at the mines and railway formation work. At Gisborne the building trades continue active in all departments, all competent tradesmen being fully employed. The retail trade (general) is fairly brisk, and there are indications of further improvement. Bushfelling engages many local hands at remunerative wages, and there is still a demand for such labour. Shearing operations have started, most of the sheds having engaged their shearers for the season. As to unskilled labour, some of the men on the Government co-operative road works have been discharged, but have found other work in the meantime. The railway works are attracting labour from outside districts. The following is a list of the artisans and other workmen employed on the co-operative works under Government Departments for the month of October last: —Survey Department (Auckland district 504 labourers), 1702. Of these 35 are employed in the North Island nurseries and 43 in .the South Island nurseries. Public Works Department : Railways, roads, and defence works, 209 artisans end 1988 labourers. Grand total, 3899. On the railways there were at Kawakawa 58 labourers on WhangareiKamo extension, 1 artisan, 31 labourers; Hejensville Northwards, 2 artisans and 82 labourers; on Paeroa- 4 artisans and 91 labourers; Gisborne-Karaka, 6 artisans and 86 labourers ; North Island Main Trunk, 71 artisans and 658 labourers; on defence works, Auckland, 5 artisans and 3 labourers; Great South Road, 29.

Commissioner Tunbridge returned to town last night, having been on a tour of inspection of the police stations in Waikato, Rotorua, and Taupo.

The Auckland Flying Club's fifth senior members' race was flown from Foxton (250 miles airline) on Friday. Twenty-seven birds, icpresenting seven lofts, competed, with the following result:—Messrs. Ellis and Swann's Meteor and Miss Cuckoo, equal, first (velocity 1097 yds and 1071 yds per minute respectively); W. Flicker's "'A.F.C., 21," second (velocity 1051 yds per minute); I. Hopkin's "I.H. 37,'*' third (velocity 1049 yds per minute). This was another very close race. Nearly all the birds sent had homed in seven and ahalf hours.