LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11826, 2 December 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

As English mail which left London on October 25 arrived roni Sydney by the mail ' steamer Sonoma 01 Saturday. The mail steairer Sonoma arrived from Sydney on Saturday morning aftei a quick passage across, no,withstanding that some bad weather was net with in the Tasman Sea. The engine; of the steamer are now in splendid workiig order, and it is 0011fident 1}- expected hat she will reach San Francisco well on contract time. The Sonoma had a large lumber of passengers for. Auckland, Samoa, and San Francisco, and a number joined the steamer at this port. Included in thoss :'or Samoa were a number of Samoan natives who are returning to their homes afti* a tour of the Continent. The cargo by Ihe steamer comprised the usual lines from Australia, and at this port was augmented )y lines of flax, kauri gum,, grass seed, hides skins, etc. The Sonoma resumed her voyage at a-quartcr past three o clock on Saturday afternoon, having been detained awaiting the arrival of mails for England from the Thames.

A deputation representing the Christchurch Chamber oi Commerce will wait on the Minister for ikilways to-morrow, and draw attention to the charges levied for goods and passengeis between Christchurch and Lyttelton, which are said to be higher than those charged m any other line in the colony. The deputation will also ask that the Minister for Marine be urged to modify the present regulations in regard to the adjustment of compasses of colonial trading vessels. The Chamljn- suggests that the Mercantile Marine superintendents at each port be authorised to waive the necessity, for specially swing'ng vessels for adjustment in cases when the compass record books kept by the masters are submitted for inspection when required and are approved by such superintendents. Another point to be raised l>y lie deputation is that the Government bej asked, in fulfilment of a promise made 10 y«ars ago by Mr. Ballance, to build a safe for explosives in the vicinity of Christchurch. In regard to the Christ-church-Lytteltoix line charges Mr. Laur;uson, M.H.R., sayj the users of the line pay £10,760 per annum more than the users of the Port Chalmers line, which, after Lyttelton, is the dearest in the colony.

There is little firther to report concerning the fire which occurred on the s.s. Weka at Onehunga earlp on Saturday morning. The cargo was found nob to be so seriously injured as was at /irst feared, but competent judges estimate that it will take fully £500 to repair the steamer, as the whole of the deck will have to be taken up and renewed, and also everything above the deck. It is thought that the damage to the machinery is only slight. The Weka is insured with, the National Insurance Company for £2000.

The Takapuna Jockey Club's spring meeting was commenced on Saturday afternoon, when the weather was beautifully fine, and the attendance of the public satisfactory. Several interesting finishes were witnessed, the principal race of the day, the St. Andrew's Handicap, resulting in a dead heat between Tauiiei and Sparkling Water for first place. • Trooper fell at the home turn in the Pony Handicap, and in the Cheltenham Handicap Tolsioi, Cuirasette and Orange and Blue came to grief. Fortunately the riders, Ross, McKay. Lindsay, and Porter, were not seriously injured, though all were severely shaken, and one or two of them sustained bruises and were slightly cut about the face. They were extremely lucky to escape so lightly, as when they fell the public generally anticipated serious results.

Wc are advised by Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son that the season for passengers to Europe and abroad during the earlier months of next year promises to be very brisk. This is partly owing, no doubt, to the attraction of the King's Coronation, which takes place in London about June 25 next-. Information has been received to the effectthat hotel accommodation in London during the period covered by the coronation ceremonies will be exceptionally expensive, although at present it is difficult to form an idea of what the charges are likely to be. By all the Suez lines applications for berths in March and April are coming in freely, and this applies especially to the White Star line, whose large steamers and low rates have brought this line much in demand. As announced elsewhere, Messrs. Cook and Soil recommend early application for berths, particularly for the sailings in months from February to May, on some of which steamers during this period even already it is almost impossible to secure anything like good accommodation.

The fourth race of the Auckland Flying Club was flown on Friday last- from Foxton, 253 miles airline, and resulted in a very successful race, the winner, Mr. E. J. Thomas' A.F.C. 94. doing the distance in 6 hours 25 minutes, making a velocity of 1145 yds per minute ; Master A. Bedford's A.F.C. 420, velocity 1104 yds per minute, second; and Mr. W. Ellis' Miss Cuckoo, third, velocity 1103 yds per minute. Eight lofts seat 27 birds, getting 20 home under 7 hours from time of liberation.

It is probable tb:*,t the Borough of Birkenhead will soon have a gas supply. Mr. H. Atkinson is forming a company, and has offered to supply ga-s to the Borough Council at 7s 6d per 1000 ft. This price the Council consider fair and reasonable. A number of residents are willing to take up shares. The strawberry season at Birkenhead and Northcote has been a very poor one so far. Ihe cause of this has been the prevailing dry weather with cold cutting winds and low temperature at night. The demand far exceeds the supply, and it is probable, if rain does not come soon, that growers will increase the price. Strawberries sent tc the Wellington market havo realised up it® 2s 6d per quart bos.

The Boers, to the mlmber of several hundred, attempted to cross the railway fl-est of Middelburg, in the Transvaal, but though they showed great determination they were repulsed with considerable loss. After the end of the present year ho one will be permitted to land in (Jape Colony or Natal without A sptbial permit certifying as to their character and means. According to the Pretoria corresponuent of the London Times, more troops are needed to keep the Boers 011 the move. lie says they are. becoming less pleased with the prolongation of the war, and that they should he hustled everywhere while in this state of mind. Captain Malum, in criticising the Boer war, says that though the uninstructed view may be that Great Britain has lost pr.jtige, foreign Governments know that the Empire emerges stronger and better, notably as regards the military aspects of the colonies. The pro-Buller agitation still continues, it being alleged that the real reason why General Buller was dismissed was because he refused to alter his Spionkop despatch. The Standard, in contradicting this allegation, hints that jf General Bolter's supporters are not restrained, the Government will be compelled to break their magnanimous silence, and also makes same vague reference to evidence which, if published, would cause a profound revulsion of feeling. Phenomenally high tides on the east coast of England submerged miles of count At Sunderland a tidal waVe '6ft high' did extensive damage to shipping. The health of His Holiness the Pope is said to 'be causing anxiety. Several newspapers announce that he, is slowly fading away.

The Supreme Court criminal sittings will be continued this morning at ten o'clock when the charge of having committed a breach of the Bankruptcy Act against T. WCut bush will be resumed". In the course of Saturday's proceedings some fresh evidence bearing oil the case came to light, some of which was of a rather remarkable character. A report of the case appears in another column. The only other case now remaining on the list is the retrial of G: S. Whiteside, indicted 011 a charge of forging and uttering, the first "having failed to arrive at a verdict. Jurors in tile Cutbush case will be required to be in attendance at ten a.m., and fresh jurors at eleven a.m. At the conclusion Of Saturdays sitting His Honor Mr. Justice Conolly intimated that the civil sittings would not commence until Wednesday. At St. Matthew s Church yesterdav morning the vicar (Rev. W. E. Gillam)." who a few days ago resigned his position on account of the trouble which arose in connection with the erection of the new stone church, announced to a large congregation that he intended to remain in the paTish. and he trusted that with health and the blessing of God he would spend liianv happy years in the work of the church. The Bishop had not said whether lie had accepted the withdrawal of his resignation, but. however; lie (the vicar) consented to be re-iioininatcd to the position, and therefore there would be no difficulty in the matter.

The Hon. 1.. Mitchelson was a passenger by the mail steamer Sonoma oil Saturday from Sydney. He states that the reason for the removal of the proposed duty on New Zealand white pine timber was agitation on behalf of Australian fruitgrowers and farmers, „who feared that if imposed the duty would cause a rise in the prices of fruit boxes and butterboxes. Their protests were yielded to by the Government, notwithstanding that a counter-protest was entered from Queensland to the effect that timber suitable for these boxes could be produced by that colony. -

The Shaw. Savill, and Albion Company's Steamer Matatua arrived from London on Saturday morning, bringing a cargo of 3000 ions of general merchandise. Some extremely rough weather was met with during the voyage, and in a gale in the Tasinan Sea the steering-gear was carried away, but, owing to the exertions of Captain Holmes and his crew, the steamer sustained no further damage, although a good deal of water came on board.

The local observance of St. Andrew's Day as a holiday was on Saturday confined to the Government and insurance offices, banks, and Stock Exchange. Sittings were held at both the Supreme Court and Police Court.

The fourth series of matches tinder the auspices of the Auckland Cricket Association was commenced on Saturday. The two matches at the Domain were not remarkable for any tall scoring; but at Devonport United" put up a total of 292 agwrist North Shore.

Ah old Thames resident, John Stangord, aged 76, died suddenly from heart disease, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. John F. Ludwig, Tararu, shortly after eleven o'clock yesterday morning. Deceased, who had been ailing "for some time past, had been attended by Dr. Lapraik, who will give a certificate as to the cause of death-

The Department of Public Health has issued a leaflet entitled " Scarlet Fever: How it is Spread, and How to Prevent it Spreading." It deals with the subject in useful popular form.

In the Seamen's Union v. shipowners dispute the technical difficulty which prevented the latter' application for the case to go straight to the Arbitration Court from taking effect has been removed. This has been effected by the union filing a reference with the clerk of awards for the case to be heard bv the Curt. The Conciliation Board, which was to-have sat on the dispute to-day, will not, therefore, do so. The Albert Park was visited by large numbers of people yesterday afternoon, to hear the first of the band performances it is intended to perform on Sundays during the summer months. The music was greatly appreciated. A sacred concert will be given in Knox Church, Para ell, to-morrow night in aid of the church funds. The programme prepared promises to be a most enjoyable one, and will comprise chorales by the choir, organ solos by Mr. J. F. Bennett, and other instrumental selections, besides vocal items by Misses Moody, Wayland, (iilmour, Kelly, Abbott, Rvrey, Mesdames Brook, Dawson, Coates, Messrs. Horace Stebbing, R. Dacre, R. S. Brio's, Stevens, and. Heard. Mr. Chas' Kings ford will play the concluding voluntary. An attractive item promised is the solo "The Children's Home by Mr. Stebbings, with violin obligate by Miss i_ybil Lewis and organ accompaniment.

An advertisement regarding the Observer Christmas Annual, published to-day, appears in another part of this issue. he number is very well got, up, and contains a large number of caricatures and amusing cartoons of well-known local notables. Its title, " Whimsical Auckland," _ gives an idea of the contents, which include an imaginary sketch of the condition of Auckland under State Socialism, the goldfields under somewhat similar government, picnicking with the City Council, and other sketches, each presenting some absurd situation, arid all freely illustrated.