LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11787, 17 October 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Herald Summary, for transmission by the next outward San Francisco mail, will be published to-morrow morning. Those desirous of forwarding the Summary to their friends in Europe, America, etc., will have ample time to do so, as the newspaper mail closes on Saturday next, at 11.30 a.m., up to which hour papers for mailing may be obtained of runners at the post office." This mail will be due in Loudon on November 16.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd) and some of the members of the Finance Committee of the City Council. Messrs. James Stichbury and J. H. Hannan, paid a visit of inspection yesterday to various works. They first went to the city abattoirs and surrounding lands, the Government being unfavourable to the continuance of the abattoirs on the present site, and a fresh site will be reported upon. In. passing, they visited the slaughterhouse of Messrs. Hellaby, and then inspected Cox's Creek bridge and Hobson-street bridge and approaches. Both of these bridges have been redccked, and as well as the Cemetery bridge, will be repainted. They then visited the establishment of Messrs. Sengar Bros., at Hobson-street Wharf, where they saw the dipping process of pipes for the new (waterworks. A large quantity of pipes are in hand, and the second scow load is being sent up to New Lynn this morning to Archibald's landing. Seagar Bros, seem to be making every effort to secure the bonus promised them by the City Council, and it only remains for Mr. Lovett, the carting contractor, and Mr. Henry, contractor for the reservoir, to complete their work within the specified time, when the water will be available for the Auckland public at the end of February or the beginning of March. They then proceeded to the Beach Road, in order to ascertain if it were possible to secure traffic along that route without destroying the plane trees planted there, but they were unanimously of opinion that these would have to be removed so as to provide for the traffic while the electric tram-lines are being laid. Every effort, however, will be made to save them if possible.

The Mayor sent a telegram yesterday to the Premier, as follows: — Several returned troopers from South Africa have been waiting for some time for medical examination. Kindly state when examination can take place, and by whom." The Mayor sent the telegram at the request of several troopers, who stated that they could not get the necessary information, possibly owing to the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Davies, officer commanding the district, and his staff,

The contractors for the electric tram-lines are jmaking excellent progress With the work. The most of the men have been withdrawn from the western section, owing to its being about completed to the Three Lamps, I'onsonby. With the exception of a little metalling and rolling on the upper part o$ College Hill, the work is finished. On the eastern section the lines have been concreted along Custom-street West, and the rails laid down for the most part of the thoroughfare, while parties of men are breaking up a section of the Beach Road.

A special meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was called for last evening on the requisition of three members, for the purpose of considering matters pertaining to hospital management, but was declared illegal owing to the necessary notice provided for by the standing orders not having been given. Mr. Joan Gordon was the member to object to business being proceeded with, and in doing so he pointed out that as two clear days' notice by circular had not been given to members, any business transacted might be subsequently called into question and declared illegal. Several members opposed Mr, Gordon's contention, but the chairman, when called upon to give liis ruling, reluctantly declared the meeting illegal. It was decided that the meeting should be held at the Board's offices at two o'clock on Monday afternoon next.

We have been visited (writes our Churchill correspondent) by quite a chapter of events. On Tuesday, the Bth, a sharp frost, on Saturday, 12th, death of a valuable mare, and last, but not least, a fire which destroyed a large shed belonging to Mr. Hallet, and which was used for various purposes, among others for hackling by the ropemaker. This occurred on Monday, 14th, about dinnertime. The only one in the shed was a lad, about 11 years old, who had been sent to hackle by himself. This lad's version is that he must have trod on a match, for he saw fire coming from his right foot, but as the police have been sent for some more light may be forthcoming by-and by.

A private letter placed at the disposal of the Melbourne Ago gives the following particulars oi the inciting to mutiny incident : — The enclosed photo, of the courtmartial's finding was taken from the original at Middelburg (Transvaal), where we now are: 'July 11, 1901. Lieutenant J. Steele, Fifth Victorian Mounted Rifles. Offence charged, " Endeavouring to persuade persons in His Majesty's colonial forces to join in a mutiny." Pleaded not guilty. Found guilty, and sentenced to suffer death by being shot. Commander-in-Chief's minute: "Confirmed. I commute the sentence to one of 10 years' penal servitude.—Kitchener. July 29, 1901."' This man Steele came to the right half of our contingent (which includes the fifth contingent), and was proposing for us to pile arms and not go out under Colonel Beatsou until he apologised for an expression he made use of concerning the left half's unfortunate affair at Wilmansrust, in which, if you remember, they lost two pom-poms and a lot of menno doubt you are already acquainted with the particulars. The words he used, I have reason to believe, were 'You are white-livered curs.' He afterwards made an apology through the agency of Major Umphelby. The men thought he ought to have apologised personally, and this consequently led to a lot of unsoldierlike talk and discontent, and as Steele was overheard by someone in authority, the matter was taken up, and Steele was court-martialled, with the above result."

On Tuesday a fire took place at Taupaki, at the residence of Mr. Gray. It appears that Sirs. Gray put some tea-tree or a colonial oven, and went out for r. short time to the yard tc wash. On going into the house she found the flooring in front of the oven on fire. She endeavoured to put out the fire with some buckets of water, but it proved fruitless, owing to the flames spreading. She got her arms, face, and hands scorched in the attempt. The damage sustained to the house is estimated at £60. There was no insurance.

The special services at Knox Church, Parnell, conducted by Sisters Miriam and Winnie, are still well attended, and are of such a character that both old and young are benefited. The Gospel in song and story is proclaimed nightly, and the sweet melody of their cultured voices find? a response in every heart. The Gospel addresses and Bible readings are listened to with the deepest interest.

Mr. J. G. Reid, of the head office staff of the Government Life Insurance Department, received leave of absence in April last to enable him to attend the Lewis PhonoMetric Institute in Detroit, United States America, for treatment of a defect in his speech. The Insurance Recorder says that in a letter to a friend in Wellington, Mr. Reid states that the treatment has proved so successful that he was able to address a meeting after having been about a week in. the institute.

The Union Company's steamer Hauroto arrived from Slney and the Islands yenter, day afternoon. The steamer has made * very fine trip \1 the way through, and conies into portallv a day ahead of timetable date. TheL-uiroto brings one of the largest cargoes < fruit from the Friendly Islands which h; yet come to Auckland and the consigniVnt is in splendid order! Besides her cargtof fruit, the steamer brings over 500 Us of raw sugar for the Colonial Sugar Company from the various mills in the Fiji Coup.

A case of anthra has been discovered at Mount Albert, butrom the reports of the Government veteriny surgeon, who dealt with the matter, appears there is no great reison to feaia spread of the disease if proper precautics are taken. [t ,-,p. pears that a dairy cw had died some time ago on a small projrty at Mount Albert, and another death ccurring on the same property the case ime to the knowledge of the Stock Department. As to the animal it was impssible to ascertain if the death was due i anthrax, but a postmortem was held a the carcase of \hs second animal, and seciinens sent to Wei. lington for bacterioloical examination. The result is that the cast has been pronounced one of anthrax J1 precautions were taken, the carcases hing deeply buried in lime, and the propeiy, including the animals, which have bee - , in contact, has been quarantined. It is toped that no other deaths will occur, ht meantime stockowners are warned to report to the Stock Department without dlav any cases of sudden deaths among catte that may occur.

The Executive Comnittee of the Army League, in England, Ir.s published the following extracts from olders issued by General Sherman in 1864, vith the suggestion that they might be put in. optration" against the Boer guerillas in South Africa:—"Yo® may order all your post, aid district commanders that guerillas are tot soldiers, but wild beasts, unknown to tie usage of war. To be recognised as soldier they must be enlisted, enrolled, officered, uniformed, armed, and equipped by some recognised belligerent Power, and fiust, if detached from a main army, be of sufficient strength, with written orders from some military army commander to do s>me military thing. The use of torpedoes in flowing up our cars and the road after they are in* our possession is simply maliciofi. It cannot alter the great problem, Mit simply makes trouble. Now, if torpeioes are found in the possession of an eneny to our rear, you may cause them to be put on the ground, and tested by waggon oads of prisoners or, if need be, by citizen; implicated in their use. In like manner, if a torpedo is suspected on any part ot the road, order the point to be tested by i car-load of drawn by a, long rope.' Of course an enemy cannot complain of hii own traps."

The local secretary & the Trinity College,' London, received a caile message yesterday from the visiting eximiner, to the effect, that he would arrive in Auckland by the Rotomahaua on Sundty, and will hold vocal and instrumental examinations on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, anc Thursday next. Subsequently he is to proceed to New Ply'mouth. The candidates will receive immediate notice of the day, hour, and place the examinations are to take place. The visiting examiner is Mr. Alfred Mistowski (Mus. Bac. Oxon.).

A few days ago ib wts suggested thai Christmas comforts should be sent to th» New Zealand contingents in South Africa In accordance with the suggestion His Worship the Mayor intends to convene a meefr ing of those willing to assist in providing Christmas comforts for the Auckland men still in the field.

Those interested in the totrist traffic to the Hot Lakes district are looking forward! to a very busy season, and although the summer weather has hardly yet set in,< quite a number of tourists are on the move, and the hotels and boardinghouses at) Rotorua are well patrorised. Messrs., Thos. Cook and Son and the Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan report that the past winter has been unusual}/ brisk, and look upon the early start new being made as' an indication that the Hot Lakes district j' 7 ; will experience an unusually large influx * during the coming sunmer months. Trip! F are provided for by tie agents interested over the principal roiies from Auckland V to Rotorua and back, and cover all the sights of note in the tlermal district and the Wairakei Valley wonderland and Taupo, but in the case o, south-bound passengers, the course gentrally adopted is to proceed overland by ".lie popular route covering Rotorua, Wairrkei, Taupo, and the Wanganui River.

It has been decided to hold an inter' university college carnival at Christchurch during Easter, 1902. Representatives from the various university colleges will meeß j and hold contests in athletics, lawn tennis, and debating. It is proposed to hold the tennis tournament on "Easter Saturday and Tuesday, the athletic sports meeting on Easter Monday, and the tournament debate on Easter Saturday evening. Delegates from each college ar< to be selected from students who have attended lectures within 12 months from Eister next, and there may be not more thai three for each event. The lawn tennis tournament will consist of championship angles, and combined matches, and the atlnetio sports will include all the usual running and jumping events. Canterbury College has for some years worked energetically to bring about this meeting, and deserves every credit for its success. The students there have generously offered to provide ' accommodation at their own private houses for visiting delegates, and the Victoria College students have also invited Auckland representatives to be their guests en route to Christchurch. The Auckland University Students' Association have decided to support the scheme, and are intending to send down c strong team, / Judging from the enthusiasm displayed already, the carnival should prove a great success.

At the Thames Police Court before Messrs. Walton and Hetheringtou, justices of the peace, Alexander Andus, alias Stewart, on a charge of stealing a silver watch at Hilcutaia, the property of one George Smith, was committed for trial at next criminal sittings of the Auckland Supreme Court. On a further cliargJ of stealing another silver watch at Paeroa, the property of one Win. Mclntvre, the ao cused was remanded to appear at Paeroi this morning. i

In reference to sheep-shearing feats,j A.M.,' Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, writes:— "In your issue of October 3 I notice 9 from ' Shearer,' re sheep-shearing extraordinary. I think I can give the NeW Zealand record: At Station Peak, Canter-', bury, in 1880, James Capel sheared 272 big sheep in nine hours; the same day 14 1 shearers sheared 2793 big sheep, an aver-' age of 199£ sheep per man, in nine hours. I would be glad to heai if anvone can go one better." •

The Hot Lakes Chronicle, writing of the Auckland Weekly News Christmas umber, says:—" Pis without doubt one of the finest productions the colony has vet issued. The illustrations, which are profusely distributed throughout the number, show an example to many of the Homo journals in the art of reproduction. The subjects dealt with, which are exceedingly diversified, range over a wide field, em* bracing everything typical of the life and scenery of the colonies. The reading matter is quite in keeping with the illustrations."

Tenders for the removal and re-erection of St. David's Church and hall on a new site* nearly opposite St. Sepulchre's, IChyber Pass Road, were received yesterday by Messrs. Mitchell and Watt, architects, a 3 follows:Jas. -A. Penman, £S9B (accepted)* Coiwill and Robert-shaw, £1175 ; Grayson Bros., £1297 : R, R. Ross. £1453 ; John Davis, £1477 ; J. Farrell, £1483 ; BKaty, £1493 ; Jas. Lye and Sous, £1525 i J. E. Ellingham, £1597. It is understood that the hall, with additions, will practically make it a new hall.

The police authorities received notifies t-ion from Constable - Sefton, of Kaitais, that three prisoners were coming up in th# s.s. Paeroa, en route for Mount Eden* having been sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment.

The British are pursuing large numbers of Boers in South-eastern Transvaal. Lord Kitchener's weekly report states that 26 Boers have been killed, eight wounded, and 194 taken prisoners, and that 42 have surrendered. Captures of cattle, guns, and ammunition are also reported. Great Britain has formally acknowledged Habibullah as the new Ameer of Afghanistan, and Lord Curzoti has transmitted to him King Edward's good wishes. It is stated that Li Hung Chang is pressing for the recession of Manchuria to China, and suggests that an envoy be sent to St. Petersburg to arrange the matter. A Russian loan of £25,000,000 lias been coldly received both in' France and Germany. President Roosevelt has created a sensation by declaring that he will not pander to political cliques to secure nomination to the Presidency in 1904. though ha will be deeply grateful if the people re-elect him. The French aeronaut, Count- Vauex, who attempted to cross the Mediterranean in a balloon, dropped into the sea, but was rescued by a French cruiser.

The s.s. Talune arrived at Sydney from Wellington yesterday. The s.s. Westralia left Melbourne yesterday mr Hobart and the Bluff.

Quite an epidemic of influenza prevails at Paeroa, nearly half the population being affected. Dr. Smith is one of the victims, but he in nearly all right again.

Our Hukerenui correspondent writes: — A fearful accident occurred here to a two-year-old daughter of Mr. Lindsay. It appears she was playing with a box of matches, which got on lire, and before assistance arrived she was so fearfully burned that, although Dr. Hall did everything possible, the poor little sufferer passed away.

An elderly man named Burgher, an eld pensioner, and an inmate of the Old Men's Refuge at Tararu, wandered away vrom that institution yesterday (writes our Thames correspondent), and called at several houses in a most eccentric manner. At one of the houses he stated that the caretaker of the refuge had poisoned him, and that he wanted some mustard as an antidote. This was given him, and he partook of about half a tiiiful, which procedure made him very stupid and helpless. Shortly afterWards the caretaker, who had missed him, came along and took charge of him until such time as he could telephone into town for the police. Constable White was thereupon sent out and brought the man in to the hospital for examination. It is probable that steps will be taken to have him committed to the asylum, for he has been acting in a strange manner for some time past.

A strange-looking fish, about 10ft ong, was caught in the Hauraki Gulf a day or two ago by a local fisherman. In appearance it resembled a cross between a shark and a porpoise.

There was an alarm of fire rung out yesterday forenoon, which proved to be at B;:gn?ll Brothers' mill. Freeman's Bay. It turned out to be only an incipient fire, a spark from the engine having caught the roof. Superintendent Woollev. »f the Auckland Fire Brigade, with a detachment of men, and Captain Field and the Ff 1vage Corps, however, went over. The fire was promptly suppressed.

An English mail which left London on September 13 will arrive at Auckland by the mail steamer Ventura, from Sydney, on Saturday next.