LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12662, 16 September 1904, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

tit*) work of repairing the damage caused: to the roadway in Syniohds-|ireet, iiSSv the Cemetery bridge, by the Blowing out of a joint in." the main pipe of the city's water \ supply Scheme; was Mb such a formidable task as was at first anticipated. A large body of water had eaten its way for a distant of about 200 ft through the soft clay soil, directly the tram track, before it forced through the metalled road to the surface, and the falling in. of the road in several places gave indications of Serious undermining, with the result that the tram service riii this circuit was temporarily discontinued. . Mr. Cftiiaw; waterworks engineer, had a large slaw of workmen on tile scene yesterday morning, and the necessary repairs.to. the road were carried out with such expedition that by a little after four o'clock in the afternoon the Ml tram service waft vectored over this route. _•-* ■ Word has been received from the AgentCienerai in London that the Grey statue has been shipped by the Wakdnui, which sailed from Loudon for Auckland direct oh September 3. * v To-day the planet Mercury reaches bis inferior conjunction with the sun, or exactly between us and that body, after having been practically Invisible since 9th. .'He will remain so until about the 23rd, when he may be looked for in the early morning sky to the eastward. In his conjunction with Venus on the 7th ho appeared as a faint glimmering star to the south of her; and he will not again occupy the western evening sky, as he has lately befen doing, until November next. Before the business of the City Council began last evening the Mayor (the Hon. E. Mitchelson) handed long-service medals to members of the Auckland Naval Artillery, who were presented by Captain Clemens. There were also present: Lieutenants Howden, Salmon, and H. J. Cave. The recipients were: Lieutenant Cave, 12 years' service medal • Gunners Reid and Leigh,-20 years' service medal; Gunners Wilson and Fitzgerald, 12 years' service medal. Gunners Reid and Leigh had really put in 22 and 23 years' service respectively, and their medals were given by the Imperial Government. The Mayor complimented the volunteers upon their long and honourable connection with the auxiliary forces of the colony. lie noticed that the large majority of the men had to walk eight miles each time they attended parades, and as Gunner Reid had attended 60 parades last year ha had walked over 450 miles, and had also given 250 hours in the service of the colony. The company was the oldest in New Zealand, and took part in the Maori war, and over 30 long-service medals had been presented to this corps. Captain Clemens thanked His Worship for his kind remarks), and officers and men withdrew. Although there is a set of instruments, free from debt, stored at the Council Chambers, Onehunga has been without a brass band for over three years. However, the advent of the Austral Guards' Band has inspired enthusiasm into the music-loving people of the town,, and an up-to-date brass band will be formed almost immediately. A number of old players, including two councillors, besides a number- of others, have decided upon re-forming the old town hand. Already several donations have been promised. ■:.*■*,,. At the meeting of the City Council last evening, a report was presented by the city engineer on accommodation in public buildings, and recommending 17in as being ample for seating each person. The Mayor explained that 16m was the usual space allowed. Some of the councillors, being far from slim, looked into the report with considerable interest and some apprehension. However, a little light was thrown on the matter by another councillor pointing out that the average would be 17in, and that the thin ft margin ■which would go to the credit of those of more solid build. The report waft then adopted. ■ The powerful influence of fashion on the drapery trade was referred to by. Mr. Finlayson at yesterday's meeting in connection with the protest against the proposed increase of duties on "shoddy goods." "Fashion," he said, "especially in regard to the ladies, rules everything in this trade." If, he said, a certain article of clothing was not in fashion, no power on earth would compel a woman to wear it. "1 do not think," he added, "that ; even the' Bight Honourable Mr. Seddon himself would undertake the contractat any rate I would like to be there and see him make the attempt." ~..•'.'. ''■" Amended plans for the proposed new Public Library were submitted by the architect, Mr. Currie, to the meeting of the Thames Borough Council last night. The new plans do away with the living rooms, that were at first intended to be provided in the building for the librarian, and only i the library reading-rooms, etc., are now arranged for. The Council decided to adopt the amended plans, and also passed a resolution : authorising the purchase of an \ allotment and cottage facing I)a;yy;-stireet, I that adjoins the back of the allotment; on which the library building is to be erected, in order to provide a residence for? the librarian. , ....,.:. -.-■.■... ■-.■'■■■%■:■.'.. : A very comprehensive map, covering. the whole of the city of Auckland, together with the suburbs, has just been completed at the Heraid Lithographic Works for Messrs. Upton -and Co., of Queen-street. A feature. .. of the production is : the distinctness with which the streets throughout the ansa covered, the railway lines, tram routes (showing those existing, as well as those proposed), the boundaries of the various boroughs, and other important details are brought out. The Victoria Park, at Freeman's Bay, and Alexandra and Cornwall Parks, are included in the plan, which shows, in addition, a water front extending from Cox's Creek, on the west, to Hobson's Bay, on the east. All the highway districts are clearly sketched out, and the map shows very careful compilation. It should prove of great utility for reference purposes to all classes of business men.

Some interesting information was supplied to the City Council last evening from Mr. Win. Dalton, Commissioner of New York City, concerning the asphalt pavement used in the streets of New York, the town clerk having communicated with that gentleman on the subject. It was stated in the commissioner's letter that mineral of rock asphalt had been but little used, its superiority over the natural asphalt not having been demonstrated. Two residential streets were laid with this material in 1901, at a cost of two dollars 88 cents, the new pavement being laid on an old stone pavement as a foundation. The mineral asphalt pavement is considered to be more slippery than the natural asphalt, made from material obtained from either the Island of Trinidad, California, or. Venezuela. t The cost of pavement by this material, two inches of wearing surface, one inch of bituminous concrete, and on the old stone pavement as a foundation, is about one' doilai 50 cents, -with a guarantee to repair for five years. The cost of relaying the old stone pavement averages 32 cents per square yard, and concrete 76 cents for five inches thick, the basis of this calculation being 10 hours per day at 17£ cents per hour for labour.

The question of suspension of-smoking in tramcars cropped up at the meeting of the City Council last night, vrhei. Mr. ■ M. F. Carey, the acting-manager, wrote pointing out that smoking had been suspended in the cars because certain passengers on the Parhell section iasisted upon smoking in the cars at times which were prohibited by the company's notice, affixed in the cars. * The hours at which smoking was allowed were from -past seven a.m. to half-past nine a.m., and -past four p.m. to half-past six p.m. Mr. Carey stated that infringement of this rule had led to the annoyance of lady passengers, and ultimately to its suspension by the company. He asked for the Council to frame a by-law, as the company did not desire to suppress smoking during the hours abovenamed, but it was desirable to have a -law framed to give effect to the company's stipulated hours. The letter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee.,

,; Mr. L. J. BagTiall, before, the Mayor and Council, assembled in the Municipal Chambers last evening, rose and solemnly asserted ' that "the by-law is, a haps!" The effect was electrical. : " What was that'/" ask^d*;' the Mayor* evidently mistrusting his ears. " "I say the by-law is a bass." repeated Mr. '■. Bagnall. The particular , byrlaw was on,. ! relating to tile keeping pi fowls in the^ity. * It appears that. a,Mr. MeMath, who has the > good, fortune to have ah sieve and a-half of ' garden and orchard attached to his house ' " keeps a few fowls, which, M said, were no ' nuisance, and were, in fact, lost in this t spacious domain—in a manner of speaking. : He lived next door to the sanitary inspector, l + be said, and referred the Council to that '". gentleman; The Mayor was not to bt , turned from the by-law. There it was, " like the "Laws of the Medes and Persians, ' which altereth not." Mr. Bagnail moved, '"' " That the matter be referred to the Streets s ; Committee:? but the Mayor Wouldnotbudge. "We must abide by the by-laws," > he said,, and the Council passed to the nefct : business.

.Yesterday's sitting of the Police Court only- detained the presiding justices, Messrs. ■ L. D. Nathan and Moran, a quarter af an hour. There were but feveii charges to deal'• with, ell being drunkenness. Two first; offenders were convicted and discharged, ( and a third, who did not appear, had his * " bail estreated. Alexander Mclntyre. and • John O'Connor were each fined 10s and costs. '■ Michael Fisher admitted breaking the win- ; dow of a cab in which he was being con- ' ■■'■■ veyed, whilst drank, to the lockup. He ' was fined 5s a.nd costs, including that of ■ the damaged window. Another accused; who had no previous conviction against him since 1901 Was fined 5s and costs. • .' The remains of the late Mr. Edwin W. i. Lowe, who was librarian at the Thames"Public Library,, -were interred at the Shortland cemetery yesterday afternoon. Deceased was accorded a Masonic funeral, be ■'■■ having been a member ot Lodge Sir Waltei ' Scott for many years, and the members of . the Oddfellows' lodges were also present in considerable number. The Rev. Di. O'Cailaghan officiated at the grave, and the t Masonic service was conducted by P.M. : Brother W. D. Reid. At the meeting of ! the Thames Borough Council last night it ' was decided, on the motion, of the Mayor, to forward a letter of condolence and sym- "i\ • ■ pathy to the wife and family of the deceased. .... A meeting of creditors in the estate of ' Robert Dunstan, miner, Was held "at . the: : V 0 Thames yesterday afternoon. Mr. R. E;,° McGregor represented the official assignee,.and Mr. Wto*' Scott was elected chairmaa' of the meeting. The liabilities of th»' debtor were stated'at £177 83 Bd, and the; assets nil. The debtor stated that the reason he had. gone backward was because he had experienced four years' failure at tributing. The house and property at the;O:?-; Thames belonged to his wife, who had purchased them with her own money. He was ' at present employed at Karangahake at 9a ;;S;j per day. He had no offer to make to liia. creditors. After the debtor's examination had concluded, it was decided to request; the official assignee to further examine him. '' ' } The result of the inquest touching the death of. Thomas Webb, a shoemaker,. of Pahi, has been forwarded to Inspector Col-' ,;'' len. The evidence given showed that deceased had been drinking pretty heavily several days previous to his death. On the. night of the fatality he left the Pahi Hot*: , : at a quarter to nine p.m., and, as he had; ■to pass round the beach to reach Lis home, b® carried a lantern to pick his way, { ~ ' J < tin ground being strewn with large bouldej*. It was surmised that he fell, and was rendered insensible, being drowned by the tte- - '. ing tide. A verdict was brought in of de»&' "•• by drowning while insensible, through beiiiij' „ stunned by a fall while under the, influer,i* of liquor. ' •/ I-.,,..,-A commencement was madeyesierday with!' the dismantling of the Cemetery' bridge by the contractor, Mr. J. Patterson and his staff of men. The stout wire ropes affixed to| the sides and underneath the floor of. the structure Wei's the first to be dislodged. Preparations are now being made to weak* the whofe bridge, and remove the supports,; in order to " fell "the bridge in. '<>, body. . A largo lithographic plan of the Pounaiinl Estate, situate on the easterly slope of Gridtree Hill, which is now being offered for sale, has been completed at the Hebaiu works. The sale of this estate affords & rare chance of securing a really choice suburban site. One-tree Hill is noted for the quality of its volcaatic soil and the select, nature of the neighbourhood, and as .the property, in question is situated on tie : easterly, slops of the hill (thus facing therising sun), the attractiveness of the spot will be speedtily recognised. Mr. Thos. .P. CahOl, of Queen-street, Auckland, is Iho agent for the estate. - - v A Maori half-caste girl ' named Anils ' Glenister, aged 13 years, residing with lite foster mother at Taubei, about nine :niles from Morrihsville, died 011 the night' of tie 12th inst. (writes our Hamilton, correspond- . ; - ent), as the result of injuries received ||| through her clothes catching fire. The accident took place on September 10, and,.Bc-'^i'f | .; cording to the foster mother's evidence, -~; given at the inquest, the girl's condition. - was not soiious enough to (call iu medical aid. She ate her food- as usual .ind r did not complain., but suffered a rel&pse on' tie : 12th, and passed away shortly afterwwds. ■■, The deceased was not strong mentally or physically. A verdict of accidental death - ; : was returned by the jury. ■. ' \~ l In a judgment summons case at Christ* - ' church yesterday the debtor, an insurance j canvasser, said that his earnings did not j average mors than 35s a week, while plain- [ tiff declared that the man's manager told Juki I that ho irevei received less than ' £4/aM often got £7, a week. Debtor replied thai, the insurance business was so keen sow*! adays that many persons who insure stipulate that they should receive 3 portion 01 ' the canvasser's commission. That had to hi . given to do business, and "establish a record" at the office, and consequently tSi# ; -"v: manager? themselves often did not know what their canvassers earned. •" '-'.■'■■ There ie a split the City Coutiii's carters, a split of such magnitude as to en- , gage the attention of the City Council last evening. The Mayor explained that ha • had received a deputation of carters, conii'Esiing of two of-their number. One -ma * represent of carters who wished to' go : ,*>>'] to Motutapu on Labour Day, and the other was delegated to urge the claims of the - Labour Day demonstrators, who wished to keep the holiday in the Domain. The Cotmoil agreed that the carters could decorate their carts so as, to take part in the -procession, said ttu> Mayor, but so far as anything else was concerned he. thought the Council should take no further action, aid there the matter ended. Dr Sharman obstev- , ed;, however that the Council had no pow«rt« say wherv the men should go on Labour I Day. ■'-.'. .• ; ' .-■-':-"', .-■■■■:■> .\'-' -';v:¥ ! -Sftt!4 ' i The value of the finger-print system ifaS;||||| deafly indicated at the Central Police Court, Sydney, in a case in which a man ' was committed for trial on. a charge of bieaking and entering. On August 14, » : laundry kept by a Chinaman in Sydney ' was entered, and a number 01 shifts; am 1 collars were stolon. One of the door* [ leading from the kitchea to the shop haw . j only been recently minted, and the man, - j in forcing it open, had left the impression of soma of his fingers on it. These weie photographed by the police. Subsequent. ■ ly Sergeant Chllds, who' is in ; chwjftt',<» the finger-print department, took the BIOT of part of a man's hand at the centra* police station. When developed these wery compared with those found on the do°t» ' .1 and at the hearing of the case the ofleei - I stated that they were made by the If*"* : . | ■ person t< , s ,?-! The annual convention of the Chlft^* B :. ( Endeavoui Union takes place from SepW ; i ber 16 to 21. A series of meetings has 'been • .•; 1 arranged in connection therewith, the first ■ . ; of which will be the annual business meat- I ing to-night,, in §t. David's Ball,. W* 1 ',- .';j Pass.; '■'■ ' •'; i l. ' ff *j? ***** . > >\r,-fih '!

;.": The danger attending the practice of passengers getting off the electric tramcars whilst in motion was exemplified at Freeman's Say yesterday aftenm-oh. ?,tr. Latnpe, A shopkeeper, of Yletbria-slTe'et, was riding it* a Kihgfclaitd car, which was proceeding to the Pdnscitiby bftt-fi, azA not pulling up at Billingtor.'s corner; at the" foot of Victoria-street, where there is » stoppingplace, he tried to jump off. Instead of alighting on his feet, howeve,., Mr. Lampe Was thrown with some force on to the macadamised road, but luckily; escaped with nothing more serious than several painful bruises.

In a. letter read at the City Council meeting last evening the clerk of the Onehunga Borough Council pointed out the Inconvehienea caused to the people of Onelitiriga through residents of other districts boarding the Onehunga cars between five and six p.m., to the exclusion of passengers for Onehunga. The Council was asked to arrange for a higher charge being made to 'passengers entering the Onehunga cars, and travelling only a part of the way. The letter •was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee of the Council. The Taranaki Agricultural and Pastoral Society intends to make a new departure this year in connection with the judging of dairy cows. Formerly the practice has been to milk on the show grounds, but it hits long been recognised that this cannot form a true criterion of the animal's quality. It is now proposed to detail a steward at the farms from which the entries come. He -will take the samples, seal them, and send them (numbered) to an official tester. One point is allowed foi each pound of milk, ten points for ■ percentage of butter fat, one point for every ten days over the first 28 and up to 120 days after calving. The testing of the milk" is carried out in a public hall, the computations are made up; and the results are sent in sealed envelopes to ths president. On the day of the show he opens and reads them on the ground, after which the cows are classified and decorated, and their positions in the test stated.

When a case against a young lady, charged with having ridden her bicycle on the footpath, was called on at tho Christchurch Magistrate'.. Court yesterday, the police said that there was some doubt- about, the identity of the lady, as she was one of three or four sisters, who were very much alike. The case was therefore dismissed.

The Epsom Road Board affirmed, at its fortnightly meeting, the desirability of the Government appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the Auckland Hospital.

Heavy gun firing is to take place from Fort Bastion this morning, about eleven o'clock, fiom Fort Takapuna on Monday, about the same hour, and from all the forts on Wednesday next, about nine p.m.

The inspector of pclice at Auckland has been advised by Constable Cavanagh, of Ngarnawahia, that David Donald, of Waim&i, accidentally shot himself on Wednesday night. An inquest was being arranged yesterday.

An attempt was made on Wednesday night to enter the premises of Messrs' Harrison and Pons (writes our Whangarei correspondent), an auger having been used to make an opening in the panel of the door.

The monthly report ol the abattoir inspector, presented to the City Council last evening, showed that 573 bullocks, 198 cows, 3286 sheep, and 85 pigs had been slaughtered, and £49 15s 6d collected in fees.

Tho annual, examination of the Manger© school was held on Monday last by Inspector Petrie, who expressed himself as well pleased with the intelligence of the pupils. The gratifying result of 1130 per cent, of passes was obtained, there being no .failures throughout the six standards. - A Timaru auctioneer states that of late j the stock market prices show an upward tendency. In cattle the tone is much improved, while the sheep market is somewhat excited, . The demand for stock generally is considerably greater than the supply, especially in sheep. The imported Government stallion* Singlestick, was brought down from the Waikato on Wednesday, and shipped South by the steamer Takapuna yesterday. There were in the Auckland police cells list evening six persons (one female) charged until drankenness, and three persons charged with theft.