LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A Suez mail, which left London on September 18, will arrive by the s.s. Zealandia from Sydney to-morrow night.

In to-day's Supplement will be found the report, of a most interesting interview on the subject of rescue work in Auckland, with Miss Hudson, who came out- from England recently at the invitation of Bishop Neligan, to take charge of the Women's Homes which are being erected at Otahuhu.

The Union Steamship Company announce their annual summer pleasure cruise to the West Coast Sounds and Stewart Island in January next. The favourite steamer Waikare, which has made such a name for herself in these cruises, has been again selected to make the trip, and will leave Melbourne about January 6, proceeding to Hobart, the Bluff, and Duncdin. \. The cruise will commence from t\e latter port on January 16, the steamer 'going to Stewart Island, and then to the Sounds. Twelve days will be spent in the most picturesque of the Sounds, the steamer returning to Dunedin, via the Bluff, on January 30.

The heavy easterly gale which has prevailed during the past few days blew itself out yesterday, the wind going more into the northward. There was still a heavy sea running on the coast yesterday, and masters of vessels arriving. all report exceptionally bad weather. The s.s. Clansman, on her trip to the north and back, met with very bad weather, and was detainee at Russell for some hours, not reaching Auckland until about three p.m. yesterday. The s.s. Waitaugi was barbound at Tairua for a couple of days; and only arrived back at Auckland yesterday morning. The s.s. Waiotahi left for the Bay of Plenty yesterday afternoon, having been detained in port since Wednesday morning last. There was quite a fleet of the sailing colliers windbound at Marsden Point yesterday.

Our Wellington correspondent states that Mr. P. M. Hansen, managing director of the Auckland Electric Tramways Company, is in Wellington, with the object of urging an amendment of the Tramways Act so as to enable the company to increase the width of its cars to Bft, as the present width of 7ft 6in, the maximum limit-now fixed by the New Zealand Tramways Act, is found inadequate.

The Albert-street premises of Mr. P. Larseu, lapidarist, were tampered with on Thursday night or early yesterday morning. The police discovered that a padlock, the only fastening of the door, had been wrenched off, but the shop was not entered so far as could be ascertained, and the police were not informed of anything being stolen.

The registrar of the Supreme Court (Mr. H. C. Brewer) has been notified by Mr. Justice Edwards that he-will-not-arrive inj, Auckland until after the conclusion, of the sittings of the Court of Appeal. His Honor has forwarded copies of new regulations regarding the procedure in connection with obtaining probates, letters of administration, etc., during his absence from Auckland.

The arrangements for the mass meeting of men on Saturday next, in connection with the Diocesan Synod, are being vigorously pushed forward. Tickets have been widely distributed in all places where men most do congregateon the wharves, in the factories, and the streets. Most shops in t Queen-street,are also actively disseminating them. .Dr. Thomas, the- organist of the Cathedral-, is in charge of the musical arrangements. To gain admission a ticket is not absolutely necessary, as all men are cordially invited. - ;

Mr. J. F. Montague, to whom the credit is due for the formation of the Auckland Shakespere Society, and to whose personal efforts much of the success attained is attributable, was yesterday presented by the members with a gold sovereign purse, suitably inscribed, as a mark of their appreciation of his valuable work. Mr. Hugh Campbell, president of the society, made the presentation, a number of the members being present.'

The Rev. W. Ready has returned from Rotorua, Te Aroha, and Cambridge, where he went for the benefit. of his health. He has come back much improved in health, and will preach at St. John's Church, Ponsonby, to-morrow night.

A painful and rather curious accident happened at Waikino on Wednesday to a man named Diamond, who was at work on the Waihi Company's fluming, when he slipped, and fell face downwards on a plank, a projecting nail entering his face close" to the right eye., inflicting a very nasty gash. Diamond was taken to the Waihi Hospital, where his wound was attended to.

The opening chapters of a new and powerful serial story, entitled " Held Apart," by Mr, R. Norman, Silver, a popular writer, appear in to-day's Supplement

"Our Thames correspondent states that *?! Mr. A. Kosser, of Auckland, addressed * well-attended meeting -of Thames fishermen I in the Miners' Union Hall last night upon the ■advantages of a Thames ~ branch being§ formed of the Auckland Fishermen's Union. § As a result it was decided to hold another meeting "on a future date to 'consider the; advisability? of forming 'a branch of the unii>n> the opinion being expressed that a' little, time was required, for, the Thames; fishermen to.discuss the. proposal amongst' themselves before coming to a definite conclusion. The annual deputation from the London Missionary Society will arrive from the South by the Westralia to-morrow, where they have been having very good meetings. Dr." R. J. Ashton, 8.A., who comes from Kachwa, North India, is making his first visit to New Zealand, and has been engager! in medical mission work in India since 1891, and will have a very interesting story to tell of the influence of medical missions in that land. The Rev. .1. King, who accompanics him, is the organising agent for the society for Australasia, and has visited NewZealand many times. ._ During their tirffc they will conduct services and public meeting's on behalf of the society.

A very handsome gift has been made to St. Mary's Cathedral by Mrs. Morrisby, in memory of her late husband. Mr. A. H. Morrisby, in the shape of a large brass eagle lectern 'of very beautiful design. The lectern, which stands about 6ft in height, is a very great ornament to the Cathedral, and will be formally dedicated by the vicar at the morning service to-morrow. , The Bishop of Auckland will deliver the fourth of the series of special addresses to wen. in the Cathedral to-morrow at the evening service.

Michael Tobin, of Pattesou-street Auckland, boot dealer, was yesterday adjudged a . bankrupt on his own petition. The first meeting of creditors will he held at the official assignee's office at half-past two on Friday, the 30th hist.

The Woods-Williamson Dramatic Company, after a highly successful tour of the Upper Thames goldfields, returned to Auckland yesterday. They leave on Monday for New Plymouth, where they commence if tour of the South.