LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12071, 15 September 1902, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The ITuddart-Parker steaner Zealandia, which leaves for Sydney tliu evening, will take a very full cargo. . At this port 400 steep, 40 head cattle, and a large quantity of maize and other cargo, will be shipped. The steamer has also on board H)0 tons of grain and produce, from southern ports for Sydney, besides 90 carcases frozen mutton, and 23 quarters frozen beef, shipped it Lyttelton, for sale at Sydney. Six hundred live sheep and 100 carcases of mutton were sent to Sydney from Wellington by the Mokiia on Saturday.

At to-morrow's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. C. C. Dacre will move., "That as the business of storage of explosives has proved a financial failure to the Board, a conference with importers of explosives and shipping agents be held to consider the whole question."

The chief health officer, Dr. Mason, 'eft for Cambridge by the half-past nine train on Saturday forenoon, on business connected with the new Sanatorium being established there. He is expected to return to town to-day.

The newspaper reading-room at the Auckland Public Library, which has been undergoing a thorough cleaning out and renova* tion during the past few days, will be re* opened to the public to-day. The plaster work has been repaired, and the whole of ths interior of the room has been repainted and otherwise done up. The lending library will be closed for a week, and the reference library for a fortnight, for the purpose of cleaning up and renovating the rooms.

Whilst on duty in Alexandra-street yesterday, Constable Dart discovered that » portion of the roadway in the centre of the street had fallen in, leaving a cavity some 7ft or Bft deep, with an opening to the surface about a yard in diameter. The constable procured a packing-case and placed it over the hole to prevent accidents to traffic, and communicated with the city engineer, who instituted repairs to the roadway.

Parents will do well to keep a careful watch over their little children, as there seems to be a tendency on the part of our young folks to wander and become lost. Yesterday no fewer than four children, three little girls and one boy, of between three and five years of age, were found straying in various parts of the city, and eventually were taken under the temporary care of the matron at the police station, O'Korkestreet. It was not until late in the evening that the last of these little wanderers was claimed.

On Monday last a number of prominent business men and representatives of the Railway and Public Works Departments attended at the Wellington railway station , «* the invitation of the Pullman "Ventilator Company, to witness the working of tne automatic ventilator. The smoking end ot a carriage was fitted up with six of these little device?, and directly the tram left tie station the occupants began to smoke Vigor ousiy. Every ordinary aperture in tfte cat was sealed so as to throw the whole of the work upon the Pullman device, me »»r, though heavily charged with cigar smoke. did not for a moment remain foul, W«. v «";"' lators directing a steady current of air-into the car absolutely without dust or draught, in spite of the strong southerly gale pre vailing outside, and at the same tune the air vitiated by smoke and breathing WJJ gradually withdrawn. The test was DM* successful, and on the door being opened «t : the adjoining car, fitted with the usual » pliances, the difference was most marked, the one compartment being practical fog and clear while the other was thick jntf smoke and. foul ah-..

It is announced tbt Botha's relations Kfith Kruger, Leyds, nd Reitz have been ruptured. He attribics the failure of the recent conference v.ii Mr. Chamberlain to Eeitz's defiant lanuage, and says that the generals will uo< exclusively devote their time in Europe to raising funds to aid the Boers irnpovrished by the war. American warships live been ordered to Panama and Colon to prevent Colombian revolutionists mmbaiding Panama and interfering with the isthmian traffic. IA British army order ntroduces a number of reforms intended to popularise the army. Three piratical vesses have been captured ja the Persian Gulf fy the British gunboat Lapwing. The Ameican Tobacco Trust is stated to have lost . million and a-half in a futile attempt t< capture the British market. The Gernan army manoeuvres have concluded. Tta English critics praise the infantry, which they consider superior to the cavalry and trtiflery. The work of laying the section d the Pacific cabin from Vancouver to Faming Island Las commenced. Sir V.. farton has left Canada. Iu his farewell spe«h he said he hoped that Canada and Ausiraia were resolved to maintain the power aw prestige of the Empire. It is said that the Boer burghers are not interested m politic.-, their chief anxiety being to rebuild their huuesteads.

The Hut Lake- Chronicle says the wantof a branch bant at Rotorua has long been felt by the residents, v. ho are now about to requisition one of the banks to open a branch. That sich an important centre, a fast-growing tovn, and one frequented by go many travellers, should not have received attention before now at the hands of the directors of one if the financial institutions, is (remarks the Chronicle) more than surprising. Now that the matter has been taken in hand, aid a certain measure of support is to be gjarautctd, let us hope the opening of a bunch in Rotorua will be an accomplished fait at a very early dale.

Another of -Auckland's old citizens lias passed over to th; great majority, in the person of Mr. John Spencer, who expired at his daughter's residence, Pompaliier Terrace, Ponsouby, yesterday. The deceased, who was an engineer ly trade, had resided in Ire-land-street, for many years, and ■was formerly in t.ie employ of Messrs. Musefield and Co., Albert-street, but had retired from active life for some years, living upon a well-earned coupeteney. Mr. Silencer, who was 79 ye, of age, was- of "a very kindly disposition and will be sincerely mourned by many friends. He was a widower, and leaves a grown-up family of sons and daughters, and numerous grandchildren to mourn his loss.

The servant-girl difficulty obtruded itself into the Dunedin -Magistrate's Court mil Monday last (says the Otago Daily Times), when a. girl sued her mistress for payment of a week's wages in lieu of notice "of alleged wrongful dismissal. In her evidence the plaintiff stated th.it site went out every night, there was nothing to keep her from doing so, and got her half-holiday as well. She admitted being told to do the ironing oca evening, and going out to post a letter with permission and returning after eleven o'clock, some, four hours later. Her mistress; in giving evidence, denied that she was allowed off every night, and stated that one night she had not returned at all. and detailed the conversation that ensued when the young lady came back after posting the letter. It ran thus : " Maggie, you went out last night!" "I know I did." "Was it your night out ?" " No." " Didn't I ask yon not to go out ''." "Suppose you did," and terminated in mutterings apparently. Mr. Carew found in favour of the defendant, whose previous offer of payment the girl would not accept.

Owing to the advance on the price of coal, provisions, and stores, combined with effects of recent labour legislation, the Northern Steamship Company, through the Opotiki agent, informs the East Coast Guardian that the rates of freight on certain classes of goods have been increased as follows : — Coal and manures, previously charged 10s a ton, increased to 12s 6d: timber, from 2s to 2s 6d : wheat, from Is to Is 3d, and oats, from Is to 2s per sack.

The term for which Mr. Tom Mann was engaged to act as organiser for the New Zealand Socialist party has expired, and lie will leave for Australia on a lecturing tour this week. Mr. Mann gave an account of his stewardship to the Wellington Executive the othar night. Satisfaction was expressed at the work which he had done on behalf of the party during his South Island tour, and a hearty vote of thanks was passed to him for his services.

The local secretary supplies the following summary of the results of the examination in vocal and instrumental music, held by the Trinity College (London) examiner (Mr. Alfred Mistowski), at Auckland, last week, of which we gave an interim report. Higher examination (pianoforte), passed one, failed one; senior division (pianoforte), passed 20, failed four; intermediate division (pianoforte, violin, and singing), passed 22, .failed six; junior division, passed 13, failed nine; preparatory grade (pianoforte and violin), passed 31, failed 10; total, passed 87. failed 30, The iirst half-yearly examination in. musical knowledge under Trinity College is to take plate at Auckland next December. Upwards of 50 entries have been received already, and further entries will be receivable bv the local secretary no to to-morrow (Tuesday).

The Borough Council at . Feildiug has passed a by-law providing for the control of billiard-rooms. The original proposal was that the hour of closing be midnight, but a deputation of ministers and laymen belonging to various churches, attended with a petition signed by 400 residents, praying that the closing time be ten o'clock. After considerable discussion it was resolved to close at ten p.m., that the minimum age of persons admitted be 13 instead of 16, and that the police have the right to enter.

The stained-glass window which has just been placed in. Christ church Cathedral in memory of the late Mr. J. E. FitzGerald, Controller and Auditor-General, and his wife, is one of the finest yet brought to the colony. The pictures are beautiful representations, the deep rich colourings of the garments having been effectively worked into the stained glass. In the centre there is a representation of the Good Shepherd. The light on the left hand shows our Lord leaching His disciples, and that on the right, Mary at the feet of our Lord. Underneath, there is the following inscription : —"To the glorv of God, and in memory of James Edward FitzGerald, born March 4, 1818. died August 2, 1896 ; and of his wife, Fanny Krskine. born March 21, 1832, died July 8, 1900. Well .lone, thou good and faithful servant."

The committee appointed by the Christchurch City Council to meet the directors of the Canterbury Hall Company and consider their proposal thai the Council should purchase their property has reported as follows :—-■'The committee met the directors of the company. The directors offer to sell their whole property as follows: — Land. 2 acres 1 rood 18 perches, £6505; buildings, £20,102; furniture, £1206: total, £27.813. These figures are actual net costs and do not include any preliminary expenses in the formation of a company, etc. The directors are ready to fake* debentures at three per cent, for a. term of years for the paid-up capital, that is, £13,313. The actual cash required would therefore he £14,500. The directors further say that they will lie prepared to consider and if deemed advisable, submit to their shareholders any modification which may lie suggested by the Council." The committee recommended that the Council should not take the final responsibility of dealing with the oiler, hut. should Ultimately refer it to the ratepayers. If that proposal commended itself to the Council, the committee suggested that expert advice should be obtained as to the value of the land and the value and condition of the buildings; and that on receipt of those reports another meeting should beheld with the directors of the Hall Com- " piny to discuss and arrange the final terms to be submitted to the ratepayers. The report has been adopted by the Council, so that the question of purchasing the hall will be decided by the ratepayers. H.M.s Penginn left Sydney for New 2.ealaad yesterday..

Local feeling has been miming high in Balclutha over a proposed reception to returned troopers. A contention arose over a proposal to include alcoholic refreshments as part of the reception programme. The proposal aroused considerable opposition from the "no license" section of the community, and, after considerable friction, it has been decided to substitute afternoon tea for the customary beverages on such occasions.

A native prisoner named Andrew Haua was brought up bv the g.s. Muritai from Tauranga yesterday, by Constable Towns, to serve one month in Mount Eden gaol. t onstaole Hancox, of Gisborne, also arrived yesterday by the s.s. Zealandia, with three prisoners sentenced at the Gisborne Supreme Court to incarceration in Mount Eden gaol.

A large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Wellington on Tuesday to take steps to form a Young Men's Christian Association. His Worship the Mayor prei sided, and there was an attendance of close on 200. ft was resolved that an association be formed, and the Mayor was unanimously elected the first president. A provisional committee to submit, a complete scheme to a subsequent meeting was appointed. A subscription list was started in the room for funds to carry on the work, and £270 was promised, including 10 donations of £10 each. As this movement is the outcome of the recent mission conducted in Wellington by Dr. Torrey and Mr. Alexander, it was decided to send a telegram to these gentlemen at Christchurch, informing them of the successful start given to the movement.