LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12267, 11 May 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

As English mail "which left Loudon on April 3, arrived from. Sydney by the Zealandia this morning.

At the Supreme Court on Saturday, David Sommerville, who had pleaded guilty to the charge of arson in connection with the late fire at Messrs. J. Reid and Co.'s, was brought up for sentence. Mr. Justice Conolly, in a lengthy addressto the accused, commented on the total absence of evidence of the motives of gain or malice, and said the act of Sommerville seemed to have been more that of a lunatic than of a sane man. His Honor said that as criminal intent was not proved, but rather disproved, the case could be met by probation. Sommerville was admitted to probation for 12 months, and ordered to find sureties for his future good behaviour. Elizabeth Snelgar, of Takapuki, was acquitted of a charge of assault, on the ground of insanity, and was ordered to be sent to the Avondale Asylum. The Newmarket arson case and the alleged libel cases still remain to be disposed of. The former will probably be taken to-day.

There was a good deal of excitement in Onehunga on Saturday night due to the arrival in the borough of some iron tramway poles. Naturally, the residents jumped to the conclusion that the deadlock in the negotiations bet-ween the Tramways Company and the Borough Council over the question of iron poles v. wooden poles had been settled, and this conclusion was strengthened by the circulation of a statement that a settlement had been arrived at, on the basis of Wooden poles from the Royal Oak to the junction of Trafalgar and Queen Streets, and iron poles along the main street. It appearsj however, that the advent of the electric trams in Onehunga is not so near as the residents imagined. A Herald reporter asked Mr. Hansen last night if any settlement had been arrived at, and was informed that no overtures had been made on either side, and that there is no prospect of the company agreeing to iron poles in Queen-street, Onehunga. The iron poles landed in Onehunga on Saturday evening were apparently taken there by mistake. They were intended to be taken to Epsom, where they are necessary to cany a. complication of overhead wires near the tramway depot which is being established there. Mr.' Hansen says that somebody has made a mistake in carrying them on to Onehunga, and they will have to be removed from there this morning. The Onehunga Borough Council meets to-night, when the tramway" question will be dealt with.

A special meeting of the Auckland Grammar School Board was held on Saturday afternoon, to appoint a collector of school fees and rents, in the place of the late Mr. Oliver Mays. There were present: Sir Maurice O'Rorke (chairman)., the Hon. J. A. Tola, Professors Brown and Thomas, Messrs. A. Kidd (Mayor), L. J. Bagnall, 11. Farrell, P. M. Mackay, and Dr. Roberton. There were 129 candidates for the position. The applications were considered in committee, the choice falling upon Mr. W. A. Gumming, architect in the local office of the Public Works Department. Mr. Gumming came to New Zealand from South Australia, and received a,n appointment in the Public Works Department in 1894. He was transferred from Wellington to Auckland in 1895, and from May, 1896, until March last he was one' of the teachers at the Auckland Technical School.

The alleged defamatory libel cases were again mentioned at the Supreme Court on Saturday manning. William Richardson, owing to an apparent misunderstanding, was not present. The other defendant, William John Bell, was present, and on being called upon was unformed by Mr. Justice Conolly that Mr. Tole, Crown Prosecutor, had filed a replication to the plea put in by the accused on Thursday. His Honor said the accused must submit to this replication, or be prepared to argue it. Accused, who was not represented by counsel, said he had not yet seen a copy of the replication, and by consent it was decided to allow the matter to further stand over till this morning.

The football season was opened in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, when about 3000 persons visited Alexandra Park, Epsom, to witness the first series of matches in the Rugby Union district cup competitions. The match around which most interest centred was that between the City and Newton first fifteens, a sternly contested game ending in a draw, each team scoring three points. North Shore beat Suburbs very easily, and Ponsonby experienced no difficulty in defeating Parnell. A sum of £70 was taken at the gates and grandstand enclosure, although ladies were admitted free of charge. Full details of all matches played will be found in another part of to-day's paper.

An accident, by which a man named Geo. Crowther, an employee of Messrs. A. B. Wright and Sons, had his left forearm broken arid his rigtit leg severely lacerated, happened on Friday evening in Symondsstreet, just below the East-street intersection. Crowther was driving an express cart, when the horse slipped on the tramline and fell, breaking one of the shafts and damaging the harness. The unfortunate man was thrown heavily on to the macadamised road, with the result as stated. He was removed to Dr. Grant's residence, and there received attention, and was; ultimately taken home to his residence in James-street, Grey Lynn, in a cab, by Constable Hodgson. An outbreak of fire was suppressed iu au incipient stage at the residence of Mrs. Woolams, in Liverpool-street, during Saturday forenoon. The woodwork near a gas stove by some means became ignited, and in attempting tc suppress the flame Mrs. Woolams and her daughter both received some severe burns. The city fire brigade were prompt in their action, and it is estimated that a few pounds will cover the damage,.

Additional, particulars with refe the awe of the woman Bridget J6h **< ** siding in Upper Queen-street, » m ™" suicide on Friday evening by drinWi *** M in which match-heads had bee" iP ***** " are that the woman went into th ll!?* 1 ' Mr. William Black, her next d, ° f hour, and informed his wife of ' ,J? ,neigbdone The woman held a tun fct ha <* hand which contained a little wt m 6r some partially dissolved match-lbJ!? '"<* handed 5s to Mrs. Black with a£' Sh » the money be expended on a nfcffi! th *t her burial. Dr. Walker and £fis?** Inness were summoned immediately Jcemetic being administered it vi' s ff" a ? cl a! 1 she was in no immediate dan»r i*' Johnson is now proweasinc favmkki "' the hospital, and will be charl l-C at tempting suicide, at the- Police bonrTi - aU the week. Lourt during

At St. Andrew Presbyterian: C% mh m terday morning reference was made to .1 death of Mi,, Graham, of Kotorut \«» many years she nay been a mmber r,f c? Andrews Church. She Maw f,f Stdeeply religious spirit, and had ende£L° £ sell to a large circle of friends by U»J. fulness of her nature and her coitantft* \ lines*. Reference was alsomade to N den and untimely death of Mi* "vv, i Whitaker, an adherent of the church V the bereaved friends of both the gJttlp 4°" of the congregation was expressed, {J: I token of respect the organist played « v" Dead March "in " Saul " at the close rfS service. -f "*

The Arehhill tramway line is tc be k spected to-day by Mr. Weddings, of ft, Telegraph Department, on behalf of the Government, and as scon as the line baa bees passed as ready for traffic the Tramwav, Company will start a service of cars upon \ k

The Society of Ark Exhibition at th« Choral Hall was once more well patronised on Saturday afternoon, when the ladia, 0 { the society again dispensed afternoon tea to all lovers of art who put in an appearance the attendance was the largest of any after' noon for the last six years. The manil " ment tender then thanks to the ladies who assisted, including Miss \on Megs™ Ml Hemus, Mrs. Oliphant, and any others* cob before mentioned. In the evening' the at tendance was also excellent, and MarmWs band discoursed sweet music as usual. Chrinsr to the quality of the works on view there is quite a demand for art union tickets, pur. chasers of which will learn the result of their investments this evening, as the art union will be drawn at nine o'clock. All holders of books are requested toretura them before eight o'clock for that purpose.

At the Paeroa Magistrate's Court t wo boys named R. Majury and Victor Detta were lined £1 each, and ordered to pay, the value of the beast slain, £6, and cost; £12 3s 6d, between them. The S.M. (Mr. Bush) cautioned the boys, and pointed out to them what a serious offence they had committed.

Mr. Tlios.' Mellor, conductor of the Waihi Brass Band, who has just returned to Waihi from a six weeks' visit to Australia, wher* he was under engagement to the Rockhampton Bands' Contest Committee as a judge in the Rockliampton Bands' contest; on the 11th ult., remarks that the contest; in question was the largest ever held in Queensland. In addition to judging at Rockkampton, Mr. Mellor performed a similar duty at Mount Morgan. Here also the contest was a record one in the matter of competitive bands. By the local newspaper reports it would seem that Mr. Mellor's decision in every instance gave satisfaction. Mr. Mellor refers to- his visit as being of great benefit to him from a professional point of view, 'he having had the privilege of hearing some of the best bands and musical organisations in Australia. In response to an invitation by Signor Hazon, the conductor of the Italian Opera Company, Mr. Mellor attended a recital by the Orchestral Spciety of Sydney, of upwards of 100 performers.'

The Toronto Globe of March 27, to hand by the last mail, contains an interview with Mr. Edwin Hall, secretary of the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association, who was in Toronto on his way to England. Mr. Hall gets quite a prominent place in the Globe, with "flare" headings. JHa told the reporter that he was looking into Canadian agricultural methods-, particularly farmers' mutual insurance companies, in connection with which he was getting information from Dr. Hunter, provincial inspector of insurance in 'loronto. He also referred to the outlook for trade between New Zealand and Canada, and in this connection thought there might be a profitablt trade in lambs done by New Zealand with British Columbia if the duty were not prohibitive. Mr. Hall also gratified th* Canadian people by telling them of the dairy experts New Zealand has got from that) country and of the great growth of th« New Zealand dairy industry under the same system as is now in force in Ontario. .

A syndicate of Wellington and Christchurch men has arranged for samples of copper ore from the Aniseed Valley dis--trict", Nelson, being sent to tit Mowiii Lyell Company's works, Tasmania, to-get-tar with some live tons of sulphide or* from the United lode, and a ton of low! grade ore from the Monster lode, that it may be practically treated and the result* ascertained. Some 17 years have elapsed' since smelting operations were carried os in the Aniseed Valley (says the Colonist), but since that time there have been many scientific developments. Years ago th« expense of treating the sulphide ores wa* very great, owing to the necessity of roasting these in order to drive off the sulphur, but it has since been discovered that th» sulphur is a blessing instead of a hindrance, for that under a powerful blast the sulphur serves to smelt the copper. We an told that two per cent, ore is profitably treated by this process, whilst the United ore runt from seven per cent, upwards, and contains more gold than the Tasmanian stone.

The Belgian Consul-Genera] for Australasia has sent us an official circular with reference to the Universal and International Exhibition, which is to be held at Lieea in 1905, and which is to last for at least sit months. It will include artistic, scientific,, industrial, commercial, and colonial sections. The exhibition will take place in the valley at the confluence of the Meuse' ana the Ourthe. The circular state. :—"Tho cities of Brussels and Antwerp organised in the past Universal Exhibitions which proved highly successful ; our large Walloon City, having regard to its topographical situation, the importance of its population, the art treasures it has been accumulating for centuries, the numerous and really important industries of which it is the centre, the extent of commercial relations which it has succeeded in establishing all over the world, may look forward to an equal success. Theindustrial basin around Liege is in the position to give the metallurgy, mining, machinery, arm manufacturing, electricity and automobilism groups such?, character _ and importance as have perhaps never been realised at former exhibitions." Steps will no doubt be taken to make an effective exhibition of tho products of New Zealand.

A conference of some 20 of the evangelical clergy of u.e diocese of Melbourne was held on April 3C at Holy Trinity vicarage, East Melbourne, presided over by the Rev. Canon Sadlier. The conferer.e was a continuation of a meeting held soon after Bishop Clarke* enthronement in March, at which objection was taken tc the assumption by the JJisnplof Melbourne of what is known as the ; eastward position" in the communion service. - letter from the Bishop announcing that w was his rule to adopt the eastward position, and that he intended to follow thaif practtice, was read and discussed at the c * ference, and it was decided to address no wither correspondence to the light reyerep gentleman.

Mr. Gresham (coroner) held «u inquest at Northcote on" Saturday morning w «■ quire into the circumstances surroHuawi, the death of John Sutherland Ueoj* plumber, 42, au unmarried man, >« 10 . < - u " l nutted suicide at his home at Northcote o« Friday evening by cutting his throat »» a razor. After hearing evidence, tft- w returned a verdict to the effect that *> ceased committed suicide while mentally, «., ranged.,