LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Submitting the Finance Committee's report to the Auckland City Council last night, Mr. J. Stichbury, convener of the committee, stated that a great deal of work was now going on in the city; more, in fact, than ever there had been since the city was a city. The general account was, in consequence, going to the bad, and he appealed to members of the Council not to press too much for expensive works, or they would land the Council in a mess. Mr. Glover at once rose and complained chat none of the expenditure referred to had gone to his ward; in fact, he intended to move for a return showing the amounts expended in the various wards.

The waterworks engineer reported to the City Council last night:—The consumption of water for the week elided on Wednesday amounted to 17,800,000 gallons, and with the assistance of 400,000 gallons per day from Edgecombe's Springs, the pond is just holding its own. Two men have gone to Nihotupu to fix p. camp, and I anticipate making a start laying pipes on Monday. If so, and wo are not delayed by the contractors for ties!ling, etc., wo should be finished well within the contract time. The report was received, and authority was given to the waterworks engineer to purchase a boiler to work the Asylum pump if a satisfactory one is available. Mr. Masefield had the following motion on the order paper:—"That the finance Committee be requested to take into consideration the ways and means to procure sufficient pipes within 10 months from this date to supply the city of Auckland with from five to six million gallons of water per day and report to the Council." At Mr. Masefield' own request consideration of th motion was deferred for a fortnight.

A Pres, Association telegram published in vesterday's issue stated that the Master Bakers' Association of Wellington had entered into an agreement with the Southern milling trust to purchase only that combine turn's flout, and this applied to the whol c<|.ony. It would appear that Auckland was included in this arrangement, but i is stated that this is not so. Th: Auct land bakers were approached, it seems, bu declined to entei into any agreement, ant Messrs. John Burton and Waiter Buchanan of the local Master Bakers Association, state that the impression that local bakers are in any way a party to the arrangement is entirely erroneous.

At last night's meeting of the Auckland City Council, a letter was read from Mr. A. M. Myers, chairman of trustees of Cornwall Park, asking permission, on behalf of the trustees, to place the original deed, declaring the "Cornwall Park Trust," in the Auckland Free Library. Mr. Myers added:—"l, as well as 'my co-trustees, am of opinion that this deed, conveying, as it does, so magnificent a property to the people of New Zealand, should be placed in such a position that the benefi ciaries can at all reasonable times havi easy access thereto, and the memory d the generous donor be kept green in their hearts." On the motion of the Mayor, it was agreed to accept the deeds for the Public Library, with thanks.

The question of electric lighting for the city of Auckland will at an early date be under the serious consideration of the City Council. Some two months ago the Council resolved to employ Mr. Goodman, of the Westinghouse Company of Australia, to report fully on the question, and prepare specifications on which the Council can invite tenders. Mr. Goodman is expected to arrive in Auckland to-morrow, to commence his work.

Our Kawhia correspondent writes:—A Maori named Te Ake had his leg broken between the knee and the ankle at Oparaa last Monday. Sir. Hamilton was sent for, 'and arrived about ten o'clock p.m.. the night being rather stormy and the sea high. As both bones were broken, it was decided to send him to the Hamilton Hospital, and Mr. Symonds, the mail contractor, kindly put the horses in his brake and left a*J about twelve midnight for Pirongia.

The Kawhia Regatta Club announce tha* the annual regatta and carnival will be held on January 1, 2, and 3. Special efforts are being made to make the occasion attractive to visitors, and the Maoris have been requisitioned in the matter, with the result that a grand competitive war dance will be contested by teams from the various tribes. Substantial sums have been allotted for prizes in, the sailing events and also in the sports, while for the third day arrangements are being made for excursions to those picturesque inlets around the harbour, which have already achieved a name for Kawhia as one of the most charming beauty places in New Zealand.

The woman Wilhelmina McKenna & patient in the hospital, who jumped off the balcony of the Costley Ward of the institution on the morning of the 11th inst., but fortunately sustained no serious injuries, appeared at the Police Court yesyesterday morning, and was charged with attempting to commit suicide by jumping off the building in question. The woman, who was in a very frail condition, was not asked to plead. Sub-Inspector Mitchell informed the bench of justices that the case was one that required to bo dealt with by a stipendiary magistrate, and consequently he would apply for a remand till this morning, so as to allow this course to be followed. The remand was accordingly granted.

Mr. D. Ross, Stock Inspector, and Mr. Clayton, Government Veterinary Surgeon, had some unpleasant experiences at Putaruru on Tuesday (writes our Hamilton correspondent). They were engaged investigating the cause of sickness amongst a herd of cattle. They shot ' one beast, and jir. Ross, thinking he was dead, went up to him. The beast got up and charged mm. Mr. Ross ran away, but was brought up by a wire fence. The beast threw him to the ground and endeavoured to gore him, but he managed to avoid further injury till others of the party came up and shot the bullock. Mr. Clayton, in taking a sample of the animal's 'blood by a pipe, accidentally got some in his mouth, which poisoned him, and caused his face to' swell very much. Mr. Clayton took what remedies were to hand, and has now recovered.

Our Papakura Valley correspondent writes:—Another old resident of the Papakura Valley district has been called away in the person of Mr. Joseph Briddoek, sen., he baying died on Novembei 20 at the good old age of 75 years. The immediate cause or death was chronic bronchitis. Although Mr. Briddock has been in failing health for some time he only toot to his bed about a week before his death. During Mr. Briddock residence in the district he has occupied two different holdings, tb- first one being the farm now owned by Mr. J Murchison, but finding it too'small for hi* purpose hfi took up the farm tha' he and his family have since occupied, and. this, by persevering industry, hi brought from its virgin condition to a very pleasing homestead. The deceased always too!-- an intelligent interest m matters pertaining to the district, and was always willing to help in any movement for its advancement. The funeral took place on November 22, and a large number from 'the immediate neighbourhood attended to pay their last respects to one who was held in general esteem. In the absence of Mr. Hewett, Mr. Gould, of Otahuhu, officiated at the burial. Mr. Briddock leaves behind to mourn their Joss six sous and six daughters, his wife predeceased him by about six years.

Our Cambridge correspondent states that an accident happened tc a man named David Pretty on Monday. lie was engaged bushfelling in Buckland's Bush; and was cutting a stringei, which, however, was weighted by some overhanging boughs'. The consequence was that when the stringer was cut it sprang and struck him on the nose, breaking that organ, and knocking him to the ground. The fall caused him to sustain a broken rib. Pretty's mate Henry Arnold, conveyed the sufferer to Cambridge, where Di. Roberts attended him.

The arrangements for the Ponsonby Regatta, to be held on December 7, are approaching completion. The committee met in the Pousonby Club Hotel on Wednesday night to finally fix the order of events. A race for model yachts, four feet and under, has been added to the programme. The committee meet again to-night to receive entries.

Two horses owned by Mr. John Fabian, that had been left running out at Danne virke, got out of the paddock there a fewday ago, and went right through to Greytown. They were found waiting at the gate of their former paddock, and being noticed by a young man who recognised them, they were let in. Many cases have beer reported where horses have travelled long distances to get back to former homes, but the steeds in question beat many records, luring travelled fully one hundred miles.

.^^^..^——— Miinnrinn—i Numerous minor engagements continue t be fought in South Africa, though dotils are apparently not allowed to be pub* l2ied. The het result of these skirmishes ji4 been the oapture of Commandant .Jon* bit, several field-cornets, and a number of Bers. Joubert, it will be remembered, Vi in charge of the commando which captifed the British guns at Vlakfontein in gjtember last. Beater, a notorious de* fter from the Cape Police was also taken •pitoncr, and after being tried by cotirtjaJtial was sentenced to be shot, the sen* , tcte being carried out. It now transpires tit the Johannesburg conspirators, who intailed seizing the arms and ammunition of tb Rand Rifle Companies, -were acting in ciicert with Do la Key. The number of Bers still in the field, according to the l'retria correspondent of the Morning Post, jsunder 9000. The Times correspondent, Wever, gives the number as much higher. {$• Henry Campbell-Biuincnnan denies that jj has ever uttered a word calculated to etourage the Boers to prolong the war. A ccps of mounted troops, known as the ling's Colonials, has been formed in Lon£ci, composed of colonials. Mr. Balfour's hedth is improving. Twenty-five persons j. a Ve lt?en killed by a boiler explosion in Detroit M. Pichon, who was French Jlicistt}- in Pekin, denies that ladies belonging to he Legations engaged in looting.

A vjry handsome monument has been made fy Mr. Frank Harris to be erected over tie grave of the late Mr. Kidd by -order/of the employees of the Auckland Tranrjays Company. It is a marble structure sanding about lift high, and bears the following inscription: —" Erected by the Auckhnd Tramway employees as a mark of eseem for one of the best." On Sunday nextthe whole of the Tramway Company's em[/oyees will proceed to the Purewa Cemetery to see the monument. Vehicles wij leave each branch stable at two o'clock. / An inquest was held yesterday at Brigkin's Creek, before Mr. T. Gresham, cdoucr, on the remains of William Muir, aigumdiggcr, unmarried, aged about 56, Wlo was burned to death in his whare at Bigham's Creek on Wednesday morning. Eriderce was given by Alex. Sinton, storekeeper, and Matthew Burke, as to seeing de;easid previous to the lire. Dr. Hood also jave evidence as to examining the clurrid remains of deceased, and said that there was a hole in the right chest, due nresimably to the action of the fire. The arms were burnt off, and the body charred to ftcinder. In witness' opinion death was due to suffocation and burning while in a. stab of unconsciousness. A verdict to the effe<t that deceased was accidentally suffocaed in his whare and then subsequently buried, was returned.

To-morrow the popular Mercer Regatta ta'es place. In order to avoid the- crush tomorrow morning intending passengers wjuld do well to purchase their tickets at Auckland and Newmarket stations this e'ening. All arrangements are completed, jad a record attendance of people is anticipated, eager to have a good day's outing.

The machinery ordered from Messr3. Merrywenther and Sons, of London, by the Auckland Harbour Board for the new steam Cost and tugboat will arrive here in the course of a few days, having been shipped bj the is.s. Star of England. The lire engine is of the firm's Admiralty li Greenwich" type, with double cylinders and psmps placed horizontally. The machinery also includes two donkey-pumps, one of the single ram vertical, and the other of double cylinder horizontal type for pumping out bilge, feeding boiler, etc. The gear induces branch pipes and nozzles for various Size jets, the largest being 2£in diameter, and capable of delivering the wh«le of fire pump delivery, 1800 gallons per minute, over 200fb h/igh, in a single jet. The whole of the machinery has been tested under steam in London before shipment, and when the fitting in the boat is completed Auckland will possess one of the most powerful firefloats in Australasia.

A test meeting at Christchurch to decide the representatives for the New Zealand championship meeting resulted : 100 yds, A. O. Keating 220 yds, Keating; 440 yds, E. T. Harper ; mile, W. F. Simpson.

The time-table for the English mails for next year has been issued by the New Zealand Government. According to the newarrangements the steamers for San Francisco, commencing on December 20, will .leave Auckland on Fridays instead of Saturdays, as heretofore. The inward steamers are not due at Auckland until Tuesdays, instead of Mondays, the first Steamer under the new arrangements not being due at Auckland from San Francisco until December 24.

At Perth a brilliant meteorite was witnessed about eleven o'clock the other night. At that hour the southern sky became brilliantly illuminated, and a luminous body of enormous proportions was seen descending with great velocity. This notable sight was visible for about five seconds, and a minute after its disappearance a report like a cannon was heard, accompanied by an unmistakable earth tremor.

' Ten tea trade has been passing through a crisis, and news of this year's crop is anxiously looked for. Inquiry among the chief brokers, importers, and dealers show that in all probability there will be a decrease of at least 20,000,0001b in the production. The figures of a leading firm in Mincing Lane go to show that there will be a very decided shortage in the world's supply of tea. Shipments from India to London already show a deficit of 5,000,0001b. A Wolverhampton tailor, whose Socialistic instincts led him to drive some sheep to an auction mart and sell them, has been committed for trial. He said that if there were 2000 sheep in a field and he wanted half he would take them.