LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11691, 28 June 1901, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

At last night's meeting of the City Council the waterworks engineer reported that the quantity ot water pumped during list week was 18.470,300 gallons, or 2,000,000 gallons above the average. This was accounted foi by filling up the reservoirs as the pend allowed. Pumping from Avondale Mas discontinued last Saturday, and there vas every prorpect of Edgecombe's Creek reing stopped at the end of this wdek. The pond had come upl2in during the ■week, and was still rising 2in per day.

The Auckland Electric Tramways Company has accepted t 1 ; ■.■ ier of Messrs. John McLean and '■ '-.<.■ >■'•• . \-f33 Is 3d), for the work of laying ii.\" :■"■• li ■■ . from ine '.three Lamps, vi; ' ■■■"':.<-. iLH, .nd Parnell, to Newmarket. a: i. . ■■-';-' Council meeting last night, tie ■:..:-. ;.;icer reported that, so far as the engiiiconng work, surveying and preparation of the plans was concerned, the company was making satisfactory progress, but the actual work of laying' the rails had not progressed as provided for in the deed of delegation.

The City Council has received a claim from Mr. Smythe, father of William Smythe, who was killed by a fall of earth at the Nihotupu waterworks, for £400 compensation. At Fast night's meeting, the letter was referred to the Legal Committee. Sir. Patterson wished to know whether any steps had been taken to secure the Council against accidents of that kind, not only as regards contractors, but aLso men in their own employ. The Chairman 'Mr. P. Dignan) said every precaution had been taken. Mr. Stkhhury remarked that the claim wis merely a formal one, as the man had been insured by the contractor.

The funeral of the late Captain V.'. Henry Colbeck took place yesterday from bis residence, Gladstone Road, Pamell, and was h.rgely attended by old colonists. Shortly after two o'clock the cortege moved off for St. Mark's.' There were about 30 carriages. The chief mourners were the sons of deceased in Auckland, namely, Messrs. J. C. Colbeck, Arthur Colbeck, Frank Colbeck, and \V. B. (Jolbeek. The Auckland Holler Mills (Company (of which deceased was a dileetor) was represented riy Messrs. T. Peacock (chairman), J!. Hellaby (director), P. Virtue (manager), and the Auckland Club lof which deceased had been president for :aany years) was represented by Messrs. F. &ftri (president), Schwartz Killing, <>. W. B. Patterson, and W. A. Ryan. Among those present were the Rev. George MacMurray (vicar or St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell), ike Rev. William dittos (superintendent'of Wesleyan Maori Missions), Dr. Rei'l, Messrs. Seymour Thorn* George. D. B. McDonald, D'Arcy, E. Anderson. F. Hull, W. S. Wilson, A. P. Wilson. J. M. Shera, M. Clark, Wm. McLaughlin, B. Armitage, Jas. Burtt, J. A. Beale. D. W. Duthie, '1. J. Steele. Alder Fisher, H. Gillies. On reachin" St Mark's Cemetery the first portion of the burial service was conducted in the church bv the vicar (the Rev. Wm. Beatty), and the "second portion at the grave, m a •verv impressive manner. The casket was of polished rimti. with brass mountings, and was covered with beautiful.wreaths sent by sympathising friends. Deceased was buried beside the remains of his wife. Mr. Gay, undertaker, supervised the whole arrangements.

The Thames police have, it is stated, received information which is likely to clear up the mystery attached to the finding of the body of "the infant found buried at Keavesville a few days ago. Detective Miller leaves for Tairua this morning to make the necessary inquiries,

An inmate of the asylum died yesterday, a widow, aged 73. She was admitted to the asylum in 1393. About a fortnight ago she had an attack of jaundice from which she xievci cecovered, and died as above. An inquest was held yesterday by Mr. Gresham (coroner), and a verdict returned in accordance with the medical evidence.

An elderly man named Charles Carter, an old age pensioner, who for several yews past kept a small grocery shop in Albeit-street, Thames, died suddenly at his residence, i nncess-slreet, shortly after tout o'clock yesterday morning. Deceased, who was a widower and 77 years of age, had not been in the best of health for some tone past, but had been able, to attend to his shop, and was there all day Wednesday. Yesterday morning he rose from his bed about three'o'clock, and went into the kitchen. His granddaughter, hearing him there, got up and asked him what was the. matter, and 'he replied that he was not feeling very well. About four o'clock he became worse, and on a neighbour being called in Dr. Bond was sent for, but before the latter arrived the old man had expired, the apparent cause of death being heart disease; but as the. doctor had not previously attended deceased no certificate to that effect, could be given. Deceased was born in London,. England, and Lad been a resident of Thames for many years. He was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. An inquest will be held this morning.

All the members of the local contingent of volunteers, who journeyed to Christchurch, in order to take part in the Royal reception, returned, under Captain Parker, to Auckland yesterday, by wav of Onehunga, with the exception 'of the" A" Bat tery and the. Auckland Engineer Corps, who v. ere allowed to remain in Christehurch a further day in order to recuperate after the bad trip they experienced during the journey South. The returned men, about 500 strong, arrived at Onehunga at half-past two p.m. yesterday, by the sis. Rotoiti, having been conveyed from Wellington to New Plymouth by special train. All were in the best of health and spirits, and were met. by the local military authorities, and brought on to Auckland by train. The men marched to the drill ground, in Wel-lesley-street, headed by the Garrison Band, which, prior to the dismissal of the men to their homes, struck up the air " Home, Sweet Home."'

A case that created great interest among the Austrian gumdiggers was heard at Paeroa yesterday afternoon, before Messrs. Coldough and Hamilton, J.P.'s. M». Porritt appeared for the prosecutor. Grubieh, and Mr. Moss for the defendant, Lukoi. It appeared from the evidence that the prosecutor .and the defendant had once been friends and lived together, but had since fade-' and, on .Tune 13, they had some s f " .._ • .;. The defendant, who is a

it man, believing he had been inch') prosecutor, who is rather I ■ '■■ coking, rushed at the latte>, and, it wt.. alleged, struck him three times, and had to be restrained twice afterwards from repeating the assault. The defence alleged that the prosecutor's account was greatly exaggerated, and that defendant had pretended to be more angry than he was in order to Lighten the prosecutor, and prevent future annoyance. After hearing defendants evidence, the Bench decided to convict and discharge him. each party to pay his own costs. The Bench remarked that the witnesses for the prosecution had ail given the defendant a good character as a quiet, inoffensive man. and the only mark on the prosecutor being a slight scratch on his face, the assault must have been a trifling one.

Mr. J. IT. Witheford, M.H.R., will address the electors of Auckland City on Monday evening next, July 1, in St. James' Hall. On tins occasion, the meeting being of a nonparty character, electors are invited to hand in particulars of matters they desire attended to during this session. Mr. Witheford will be glad to meet any electors desiring to see him on Parliamentary matters, at the Harbour Board offices, to-day (Friday), between three and five p.m.

Tlio Thames No. 1 and Haurahi Rifle Corps intend competing on Saturday week for the Thames district belt. The conditions will be: Distances, 300 yds, 500 yds, and 600vds : six shots at SOOvds, and seven shots at 500vd and 600 yds.* The Bisley system of scoring will be observed.

On Wednesday afternoon, J. Connelly, while engaged on a truck-filling contract at Waihi mine, was in the act of spragging a truck wheel when one of his fingers gotcaught, inflicting a painful cut and disabling him. Dr. Forbes dressed the injured finger.

The new Roman Catholic Church at Onehunga is nea-ring completion, the workmen being at present engaged on the tower and spire and the plastering of the exterior of the building. The structure, when completed, will be a most imposing one, and the venerated parish priest, the Right Rev. Monsignoi Paul, is deserving of warm praise for the success that has attended his efforts.

A boy employed by Tanner Bros., butchers, at Waijii, inflicted a severe gash to his left hand, severing an artery, while attempting to sharpen a shop knife on a steel. The cut was so bad that the blading could not be stopped for close upon three hours. Every attention was paid to the sufferer, who is progressing as favourably as can be expected.

There was a good attendance of members at the quarterly examination of the Auckland Shorthand "Writers' Association on Wednesday evening. The following gained certificates : — At 80 words a minute : Misses K. Raker, M. Beaumont, R. Edwards, M. Protheroe, I. .Smith. 11. Walker, and E. Watson. At 100 words a minute : Miss M. Buttle. At 140 words a minute: Miss A. McKee. The examination was conducted by Messrs. Leece and Gordon, assisted by the committee.

Our Cambridge correspondent writes: — Messrs. W. Souter ami Co. report the sale of 1300 acres of the Rukuhia Estate, near Franktoa, making about 10,000 acres sold already from this fine estate.