LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11686, 22 June 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Mr. Alfred Kino, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, returned from Wellington yesterday, whither be had gone owing to the illness of out of his sons, who is attending college (here. The lad is Buffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever. Mb. Kidd leaves for Wellington to-day tc attend her sun in his illness

The Auckland City Council are now about to deal with the question of paving with asphalt, or with wooden blocks, or otherwise, the whole of Queen-Street-.from the wharf to Wellesley-ureel. The Electric Tramw itv Company are bound to complete matteis "by June ne.Nt year, and the City Council have on their part to prepare the roadway in Queen-stiT?t on each side of the tramlines from tin 1 wharf to Wellesleyslresc. Towards this work they have '.n hand the sum of £11,000. The Council has received tenders for the reconstruction of the roadway—either hi asphalt blocks or in compressed (smoorb) asphalt, together with the maintenance for 20 years, at the end of which time the mad is to be handed over in thorough repair. The tender for reruns.! ruction in asphalt blocks is £16.800. with live years' free maintenance, and £10.000 for the 15 years' maintenance. Total cost for block asphalt and 20 years' maintenance £26.800. of for compressed (smooth) asphalt the cost would be £18.400, with five years' fit? maintenance, and for remaining" years' maintenance £90010. Total cost for compressed asphalt and 20 years' maintenance £27.100. Practically. the terms are. .€II.OOO cash on completion of the work ; balance divided over the five years during which the contractors maintain the road free ; and the maintenance for the following 15 years would be from £600 to £666 per annum, according to whether blocks or smooth asphalt is selected. In a report on asphalt streets in the City of London to the ("curt of Common Council, (he London city engineer says : "In nearly all the main streets of the city v hieh have been paved with compressed asphalt, it has remained down during tho contract term (20 years) without an entire relay, while in some instances, in minor streets, with small traffic, where the contract term has been extended, the pnverr.ents have been down for 30 years. On Hblbom viaduct the pavement was down for 17 years, in London Wall for 20 years, and in the Poultry and Choapside the pavement was down for 19 years before it was relaid." Tlolborn viaduct has once more, after the above experience, just been again laid down with asphalt. It is claimed for asphalt that if the roadway be kept clean tlere will be no slipperiness, but, in any caie in the future, there will be more and more motor power and less horse traction in towns. Whatever is decided on, it will Uke six months to get the material on the gtnund, so that there is no time to be lost ii we are to have the electric, trams running in Queen-street by June, 1902. Proposals Lave also been made to the Council to pare Queen-street with wooden blocks of rliffeient kinds, and also with scoria stone. Tile Council have now available a considerable amount of expert advice, and practical experience, and ought to be able to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

The many Auckland, Thames, and Ohinemuri friends of Mr. Robert McAndrew, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. McAndrew, of Paeroa, will (writes our Paeroa correspondent) regret to learn of his death, which took place on the Tatiiwha on the up trip from Auckland to Paeroa on Thursday night. Deceased had been ill in Auckland for some time past, and as he expressed a desire to come home, his wife and mother decided to - lako the trip. He seemed fairly strong when setting out on the journey, and walked from the house where he was staying to the cab which was to take him to the steamer. He seemed exhausted with the effort, however, and he had to be carried on to the steamer, upon which he expired about an hour after the vessel left the Auckland wharf. Deceased, who was 28 years of age, leaves a wife and two small children, with whom deep sympathy is felt, as well as for the sorrowing parents in their sad bereavement. The interment is to take place on Sunday,

A correspondent writes as follows :—" t have often heard that* Maoris could die whenever they wanted to, and the following story almost proves it. Among the natives who journeyed from Wanganui to take part in the recent demonstration in Rotorua was one suffering from pneumonia. On arrival at his destination he was so unwell that a doctor was called in to see him the everting of the nay before the Duke's arrival. The physician's orders were that he was to be kept perfectly quiet, and all excitement avoided. The doctor called to see the patient the next morning, and after examining him, repeated his orders of the previous even? ing. On leaving the whare he encountered a friend of the sick man, the medico saying in response to inquiries that the patient could not last more than two hours. Native like, the sick man was so informed. He doubted the truth of the statement at first, and appealed to one of the chiefs standing by, who upheld what had been told him. 'Well,' said the sick man, 'I come all the way from Wanganui to see this big rangatira, the 'Luke, and I no like die before I see him.' He then struggled into what clothes he could, despite the protests of his friends, and supported by two companions, walked near enough to the grandstand to get a view of the Royal visitors. They were pointed out to him, and he was satisfied. He returned to the whare, and was dead within ten minutes."

The Rev. J. J. Cairney, from Otago, who has been assisting the Rev. R. F. Macnicol, at St. James' Presbyterian Church for some months past, has, we learn, acceded to the desire of the congregation to remain for a year. Mr. Cairney has been preaching with much acceptance, and it is hoped that the lengthened assistance will allow Mr. Macnicol to thoroughly recuperate.

Our Paeroa correspondent states that a young man named Moore had his forefinger completely severed at the first joint by the fall of a heavy piece of quartz in the Crown mine, at Karangahake. His hand was also badly hurt. A miner at the Talisman mine was hurt by a bucket falling on his head and inflicting an ugly gash: and a man named Revan was injured in the railway tunnel by a fall of earth, which struck him on the back of the head.

Directions have been given by the New South Wales Minister for Works for statues of Sir Henry Parkcs, James Squire Farnell, Daniel Henry Deniehy, Di. Lang, and Sir James Martin to be fitted in the niches outside the Lands Office building, in Sydney. These statues will be in harmony with those already in position at the building, and will be constructed of sandstone.

Mysterious stone-throwing has been going on at- the residence of Mr. James Carroll, of Glenleo Estate, Campbelltown, New South Wales. Although the place, which is situated at the foot ot a high cliff, was closely watched by the police and others day and night, the bombardment of the house" with stones was kept up at regular intervals. No clue could be obtained as to the cause of the nuisance.

Our Kaitaia correspondent writes:—The young man, Marquis Williamson, who was accidentally drowned in the Awanui River recently, was buried at Te Kumi on June 14. Mr. G. W. Puckey read the burial service. This is the second sou that Mr. Isaac Williamson has lost by drowning within the last 12 months. The bereavement is, therefore, a doubly sad one to him, and his: family, and much sympathy is felt for them.

The many friends of Mrs. Williams, of the Mission of the Good Shepherd, Grey-street, will learn with regret that the doctor has oidered her complete rest for some months to come. For some years past this lady's work has been well known and appreciated in Auckland. We sincerely hope that the rest will restore her to the full vigour of health. But it must be a pleasure to her, as it is a satisfaction to us, to know that the work she began is organised on a basis which gives promise of its permanence and development.

On his retirement from the Mayoralty of Onehunga Dr. Erson also decided to resign his other public appointments, and his resignation as justice ol the peace has now been gazetted..

, His Majesty the King, vho is being kept, ,'fully informed by cable by its son, the Duke of Cornwall, of the Royal ;o}o-gre3s, is stated to be greatly delighted s\ the reception which the Duke and Duehel* have met with in New Zealand. The Lib?ijl party in England arc apparently hojelessly divided among themselves regarding the war. One section is actively pro-Boik and is advocating unconditional surrender to '.he. enemy; the Leader of the imposition is denouncing the conduct o; the war as barbarous, while Mr. Asquith, who represents the more sane section, jei.{< with Mr. .Balfour '!i declaring it to be thj most bumanelvcondrcted war ever wag*} He also repudiated the pro-Boers as ir.tilled to speak for the Liberal party. \] v H. Canmhe.ilBaimerinan's charges of b-fbaritv were also severely denounced by Mr. Austen Chamberlain, why characterised :,ifm as infamous and unbounded. The pro-toer campaign in England has revived the foreign clamour against that country. Flinch journals are. now urging a boycott of IVitish goods until the independence of the Sui'li African republics is conceded. The mortality in the concentration camps in tie Orange River Colony, which is very h:rh. is attributed to the disregard by the loers of senitary arrangements, and'the neglect of children by the women. land Charles Jb-resford, who is somewhat of a pessimist, s iys he is filled with anxiety owing to the want of strength and proper organisation of the. Mediterranean fleet. On Monday evening Mr F. G. F.wingtou frill deliver a lecture at die Aukland Institute on " llrains versus Musde in the Production m Wealth." Tie subject should be interesting. We bear i good dial about, "the woikers" and '• the producers,'' but, those terms arc wry often vsed by persons "who intend them to a.pp'y only to manual labourers. According to economists "potential cm>r'.:v is the soiree of all wealth," but th? mo-1; of the with) is carried on as much by mental as muscular energy, and no doubt. Mr. Kwngtou will give sonic interesting jnformatbn mi this question. The New York World has an sit ale on a mask of Napoleon, which is in sew York, and which is supposed to he one cf the three bronze masks of Napoleon Bonaparte, taken by his physician at Si. Helena. Dr. Automarcbi. We have one in Auekjind. left to the cay by Sir George Grey. It is absolutely authenticated. But our .Tty Council think so little of it that they lave it without any card or ticket to tell wial it is, and to give its history. Messrs. E. C. Pilkington md Co.. the Well-known Auckland secdsnvn, have justissued their new season's catalogue. It is & comprehensive but compart publication, very neatly got up. and conains not only lists of all the infinite vanuty of seed-. plants, trees, dealt with Ly Messrs. PilLk'gton. but a large amount .if practical and. ValuaV. 1 ? information whlh is specially suited for Northern farmers The catalogue is a striking proof of the vonderfully wide adaptability of the Auckland climate. Agricultural seeds, fruits, Covers. fore«t trees. are mentioned that ranee from the verge of the tropics to the edgeof the arctic zones, and every variety ntentmie'l seems to have been thoroughly tested mil its merits catalogued. Great at'entior is given by Messrs. Pilkington *o grasses specially adapted to •:• the Auckland soils, unc to the latest varieties of root crops and preen crops for stock. Fruit stock, flowers, aid shiulis. ornamental and. useful, are represented The catalogue, which was printed at die Hkrat.p Printing Works, is very attractive in appearance, and the matter is excellently arranged. 'A wedding that creited a. great deal of interest took place at the Roman Catholic Church, Taupiri. on Monday, June 17. The Contracting parties were Mr. G. E. Severn?, of Auckland, and Miss Maud Lovell, daughter of the late Mr. W. H. M. Lovell. ami Mrs. R. E. Lovell. of the Tautdri Hotel. The Rev. Father O'Carroll officiated. The bride, who looked very stylish in a stoneblue cloth ti .welling costume, with white brocaded satin vest, and black picture hat, carried a lovely shower bouquet, and was 'given away \iy her brother, Mr. C. R. loved. Mr. McAndrew acting in the capacity of best man. The bridesmaids were Miss K. Harris, of Hunt'.y, and Miss '.'. Ivilgour, of Thames*, both cousins of the Lricle. and were vevy becomingly dressed in blue costumes, and each carried a basket of ■white camellias. The present from the bridegroom to the bride was a handsome gold cable bangle, and the bridesmaids each wore a pretty gold brooch, also the gift of the bridegroom.' A large number of friends ami relations of the happy couple sat down to- a sumptuous wedding breakfast at the residence of the bride's mother, and the vhole township turned out to bid the happy couple God-speed, amid a plentiful shower of rice, as they departed _by the half-past one p.m. train for Auckland. The picsents to the I ride ware numerous ami costly. and showed I hat the recipient enjoyed the esteem of tin: whole district. In the evening a large number of friends, at the invitation of th« bride's mother, assembled at the hall, where a very pleasant evening was spent. A conference of electrical engineering experts of the various branches of the Australian Postal Department' commenced in Melbourne en June 4. The main purpose of the conference was to institute a thorough inquiry into the existing system of telephoning in each State, with a view to submitting reccrnniendaiions for the removed ■of detects in construction, maintenance, working, and management. It was suggested that consideration should be given to questions relating to local exchanges, trunk lines within the States. inter-State tumk lines, and the telephoning of telegrams. 'Another interesting suggestion was that oi instituting i, local " telephonognim" service, this being the departmental definition of the practice of receiving messages by telephone and sending them out as in the ordinary wav with ttlwnms. Otlr- subjects brought Within the scope of consideration were the messt-riger service, tic establishment id public bureau.', and automatic " -eoin-m-the-slot" telephone, end also matters cficcin.g fire alarms and other public services, the Postmaster-Genera! pointed out that "in dealing with construction the meih"us of un-derground!-.it! and ferial construction should be considered." He also directed that inquiry sdioaM he made and a report furnished as to the desirability of introducing a system of high-speed telegraphy, such as the "Wheatstone automatic." between the State capitals, and also with respect to am' < ■'• aer matters alfpctim; the construction, maintenance, and working «1 the telegraph .mc-s of the Commonwealth. A fatal fire occurred at Mr. William Elan's homestead at Finley (Victoria) recently, the house and its contents being destroyed. The eldest boy. aged eigh* yea,:, who was sulfering from rheumatic fever, was the victim. The parents retired to rest at eleven p.m.. and it is supposed that a loduring the night rolled out of the fir.p.aco and fired the house. The occupants, suetdenlv roused from slumber, Dad onreh turnto escape, arid in the excitement ot saving the vounejer children the smk boy was a. first "forgotten. Mr. Blair, however, climbed through a window of the blading house and rescued Ids sick child, who ■:.„ burned ■erereiv on the face, feet, legs, ami aims. The b.'.v was in ft love state, sufter.ng Beverelv from shock, and died nest morning. Mr. Blair himself was badly burned on the face, hand-, and feet In rescuing the hoy. A case of some interest lo lady shoppers was decided in the Adelaide Court, before Mr. Justice Bur-dey, a fev days ago. Mi's Lemotte claimed £190 damages from Messrs. John Martin and Co., drapers, who had been holding a lire salvage sale. Miss Lemotte stated that she w.-is ill the shop on May 4, when she was accused by a shopWalker of stealing goods. She was pushed into a room, a constable was summoned, ami the contents of her ba- were emptied, ilie shop-walker failed to identity any ot the article, in the bag. Miss Lemotte stated that she was asked fur the receipt lor the • goods it. her bag. but she could not produce them, as she had not puich:.,sed the article., at Martin's. The defence ~,c that defendants had not cast anv imputation on un " tiffs character, and had tried to make reparation for the mistake, which was admitted. The Court held that an illegal detention had taken place, but thai the oflence was mitigated ov the bustle of business- at the time/ and £25 damages was awarded.