LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11822, 27 November 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tttr thirl trial of Dr. Wilkins, charged with man-laughter, was commenced at the Supreme Court yesterday. The evidence ad. duced so fee has been similar to that given at the two previous trials, when the juries failed to arive at a verdict. The accused is on the pnsent occasion defending himself and yesterdsy bis manner of cross-examining the witness's brought him into conflict with His Honor the Judge, who spoke very plainly on the matter. The defence will be heard this (morning,, and the case should hnish to-dat

A telegrin has been received by Inspector Cullen from Constable Joyce, of Pahi, stating thai two boys named Ralph Rowsell and Afclmr Johnson, were arrested on Saturday list on a, charge .if theft at Whakapirai. ami that on being brought before the Court Johnson was fined, and Rowsell sentenced to six months' imprisonment. The latter will be brought up to Auckland to-day.

An inquet into the circumstances surrounding tie death of Andrew Ferguson, who died from the result of injuries received by tilling from a lift at the General Post Offici, was held before Mr. Thomas Gresham, coroner, and a jury of six, yesterday. Evidmce was given by Dr. Walker, J. Ward, .. C. Spinley, and Dr. league, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental deatl"," no blame being attachable to any person.

A well-attended meeting of the share* holders of the Auckland Co-operative Terminating Biilding Society was held at St. James' Hall last night, Mr. Richard Walton in the clair. The following appropriations were allotted :First group, £400, by ballot, the numbers drawn were 486 and 324. Second group, £400, by sale, the premium received was £80 2s. Fifth group, £40u, by ballot, the numbers drawn were 971 and 972. Sixth group, £400, by sale, the premium received was £82 12s. The scrutineers appointed to conduct the anpropria*> tions were Messrs. Patterson and Lockie.

The Ponsonby firebell rang out an alarm at eight o'clock yesterday morning, the cause of which was some smoke that was seen to be issuing from some rubbish in the yard of Mr. P. Darby, who resides in Jervois Road. No damage was done, and p, few buckets of water were sufficient to extinguish the outbreak, which was confined to some, straw and empty cases that Mr. Darby had unpacked, having recently arrived from Wellington. It is supposed that some children ignited the straw with a match.

Auckland is very rich in thoroughbred sires, but the list is to be still further added to. Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan, the owners of the Sylvia Park stud, have purchased in England- a descendant of the famous St. Simon, named San Francisco, who is a full brother to the Two Thousand Guineas winner St. Frusquin. It is expected that the horse will be shipped to Auckland at an early date.

A telephone message was received at aquarter to five o'clock last evening, by the police, from Commander Parker, officer commanding the Naval Artillery Volunteers, encamped at Fort Cautley, stating that yesterday forenoon Mr. Grainger Ward and Mrs. Ward (wife of Mr. Edgar Ward, of the Kauri Timber Company) had left Cheltenham Beach in a black-painted dingey, and up to the time of telephoning had not returned, and tnat some members of the corps had noticed something floating in the harbour, which had the appearance of a capsized boat. Captain Parker sent a boat's crew to investigate, but they had not returned, and fires could be seen burning, and signals of distress made from Eangitoto. Police assistance was asked for. Sub-Inspector Mitchell immediately communicated with Captain Coyle, of Fort Cautley, who sent the torpedo corps steamer Nile to the rescue. Fearing that an accident of a serious nature had happened.a Herald reporter proceeded to Devonport last evening, and learnt that all the parties had returned safely. It appears that Mr. Grainger Ward and Mrs. Edgar Ward went for a pull in a small pleasure boat to Rangitoto yesterday morning, and landed in the vicinity of the beacon, the weather being beautifully fine and the sea smooth. Later on the wind rose and a nasty heavy sea arose, and they were unable to get back. The signals made by them were seen by Captain Fisher, of the Mount Victoria signal station, and he immediately communicated the fact to the naval camp, and three of the navals, viz., Messrs. Double, Elliott, and Cawley, volunteered to go over in a boat to render assistance. On arriving, their boat was capsized by the heavy sea within 100 yds of the shore, and stove hi on the rocks. All got safely ashore and lit fire to attract attention. This led to the Nile being despatched to the spot as stated, also the p.s. Birkenhead, which had been chartered by Mr. Edgar Ward, and the party arrived home shortly before ten o'clock last evening; none the worse for their adventure.

Our Waiuku correspondent writes: —Another very old identity and a highly respected settler has just passed away in the person of the late Mr. Charles Trick Hosking. The late Mr. Hosking was born in , 1826, at Kingsbridge, Devonshire, and came to Auckland in the ship Rock City in June„ 1855. Shortly after landing he went to Taranaki, but, owing to Maori troubles, returned to Auckland. In conjunction with his uncle, the late Mr. Charles Trick, he started Brigham's Flour Mill at Riverhead. in 1856. About two years later, again in conjunction with his uncle, and also the late Mr. George Eraser, he started Thornton, Smith, and Firth's Flour Mill hi Queen-street, Auckland. After several years, in 1864, he commenced farming on his land at Waiuku, later known as '* Spring Gardens," which lie successfully carried on for sixteen years. He was a staunch Methodist, and with his late wife was most hospitable in entertaining ministers and others visiting the district, the former usually making " Spring Gardens'' their home whilst remaining in the districtOwing to failing health the deceased sold his farm and removed to Hawera, where he remained a. few years, returning again to Auckland and residing at the Three Kings for a short time, thence removing to the Thames, where he remained till the death of his wife about five years since, when he returned to Waiuku, and has since resided with his brother (Mr. Caleb Hosking) ab "Fernleigh." In former years the deceased toook an active part in church and temperance work, being choir-master of the Wesleyan Church, and a Good Templar. The funeral took place on November 24, being very largely attended. A short service was held at his late residence, and also at Wesley Cliurch. which was draped in black, where the Rev. G. T. Marshall gave a short address, and the organist (Mrs. Barriball) played the Dead March" in "Saul." The .service was concluded at the Waiuka Cemetery, the deceased being laid beside his late wife. The chief mourners were, Mr. C. Hosking, brother, and Messrs. C. J. Hosking and W. Hosking, nephews of the deceased. The coffin was covered with floral wreaths.

The atrocious charges which are being brought aginst the conduct of British troops in South Africa by the foreign press, and we regret to say by some British politicians, are creating a bitter fcb"- They are utterly groundless, and Lord Durham lightly characterises those who indulge in them as either fools or knaves. Even the German press is growing ashamed of lending its columns to the vile abuse of our troops, and is now publishing contradictions of the charge!? that it has permitted to be published. Mr. Asquitlf rigutly expresses the real facts when lie asserts that bo war has ever surpassed this one in the courage, endurance, and humanity of the British army. The United .States' has forbidden the bombardment of Colon. Earthquakes in Armenia have caused the loss ©f 130 lives. British trade representatives; are to visit Russia nest year. The corporation workmen have bee/' effecting a lot of repairs to the tiuv street lately, rnd it is estimated that 2000 yds if metal have been used during this moii/i. which is double the quantity used diu/ig previous months. ' / Quite a number of folk from Ilottna and surrounding districts journeyef to Taupo a week or so ago in order to represent at the opening of a new sulphurpaih recently built at "The Spa" bv Mr) A. Warbrick, to the order of Mr. J. Gnlhi/her. The special coaches supplied to conve/ the rhetors left llotorua at six o'clock a.m., and picking up one or two more passjdgers at Whakarewarewa proceeded on thei/journey. The day was beautifully fine,,'and a tool and pleasant breeze blew refreshingly. The party was under the direction the popular representative of Messrs. kobertsou and Co., Mr. Melville, who, fibm the start to the finish of the Ion? jounfey, endeavoured to keep things going mejrlly by his genial manner. The party stolped at Waiotapu en route, where lunch wis partaken of, and, after a brief glimpse of the sights, the coaches moved on agata. An excellent view of the famous EninbowMountam was obtained on the journey, an] about lour o'clock Taupo was reached. lire the visitors were met by the genial h<st and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher, proprietors of "The Spa," upon whose invitation the travellers had journeyed thither, 'ihe welcome was a most cordial one. Tie ceremony of opening the new bath tock place as soon as the guests had rested and refreshed themselves. The bath, a sulphur spring of excellent mericinal merit! is well built over and nicely finished. Jr. Gallagher's daughter, Kathleen, broke'a bottle of champagne upon the Hoor and declared the bath open for public use. The bath has been designated the " Kathleen Bath." Dr Close-Erson, who was present at the ceremony, speaks very highly of tin medicinal properties of the waters around Taupo. The next day was spent in visiting the famous Crow's Nest Geyser, aril other wonderful sights of the' neighbourhood. Whilst at Taupo a splendid view of the enow - capped mountains across the lake was obtained. Nothing could lave exceeded the kindness of the host an 3 hostess to their guests during the trip, aid everyone returned from Taupo with the most pleasant recollections of their visit

Chrislchurcb Truth has been Examining into the working of the Lands Department, and in the course of a recent article has the following: —" At Belfast tie re is a settlement for workmen's homes, known as Kapuatohe Hamlet. The Government purchased it for about £50 an awe. Money was spent freely in cutting it up and advertising it over and over again. All the plans and illustrated maps we have, referred to were prepared and circulated, and only one section, the only small farm in the block, and not a workman's home, has been leased. The settlement is practically a dead loss to the Government. Probably many of our readers are familiar with the Kaiwahi settlement. This cost about the same amount per acre to buy, and now out of twelve sections only sis have been taken up, so that the Government is losing heavily on it. The Tarawahi settlement is an even more glaring example. It consists of 36 sections, bought at a cost, including reading, of more than £130 an acre. Of these twelve have been, taken up, and the remaining 24 are still vacant. The major portion of the settlement is thus unallotted, and it is easy to compute the enormous sum the Government will lose annually on this costly speculation in land."

The Polynesian Gazette of November 19 Bays: —" Federation masters have again been coming into prominence lately, and the, leading spirits in the movement seem to be waking up again. During the last few weeks seme of the Fijians, who are known to be working hard for the cause, have been unusually active, and in fact a petition for federation with New Zealand has been going round the native villages for signature. It was stipulated at the same time that those who signed it were also to pay amount ranging from Is for men to 3d for youths, in order to provide a fund to meet the expenses of a deputation to England on the subject. This, however, we hear, did not meet with the response anticipated, as, although the Fijian might be willing to sign the petition, he was decidedly averse to putting his hand into his pocket. In many other ways the native emissaries spread their views throughout the villages, and at length the Government decided to take action, and bring the two ringleaders, Arorosa and Savanaca Radomodomo, under the provisions of Ordinance No. X. of 1887, by which they can be confined in any particular district. ' It was resolved that these two men should be confined on the small island of Oneata, olie of the Lau Group, for two years, and warMilts were accordingly issued for their.arrest. Avorosa was arrested on Monday, and goes to his exile in the Kia Ora tomorrow morning. Savanaca had; up to the time of writing, escaped the constable.''