LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12697, 27 October 1904, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

At the Hospital Commission, Kilting yesterday, further professional evidence was given by Dr. Gordon and Dr. Inglis, the hitter's cross-examination' being mifinished when the Commission- adjourned for the day. Matron Howies, of the Northern Wail-Oft Hospital (formerly a, nurse in the Auckland Hospital), and a'number of ex-patients were also examined. Further complaints -were■made. as to the food, and it' was intimated that the contractors for the supplies would be called later on, and asked to explain matters. A full report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

> ;'.■ -, ■' An English mail, which left London on September 23, will arrive in Auckland on Sunday next by the steamer Osevestry Grange. ,■■;

Mr. E. Townshencl, Government grader, reports that this month's shipment of butter, which left Auckland by the Rotoiti for transference to the e.s. Rimutaka, at Wellington, consisted of 4733 boxes.

The public schools statistics for the Auckland district, for the quarter ending September 30, 1804, show the number of schools

(including 74 half-time schools) to bo 424, an increase of live. The teachers number

836, an increase a! 17, and the scholars on the roll 29,982, showing a decrease of 252, compared with the previous three months. The average attendance was 25,336, a decrease of 432.

■ In his sworn statement before the official assignee, Charles Bray, engineer to the v Ohinemuri County Council, stated that since September 1 last he had been earning at the rate of £300 a year, and £52 travelling expenses, but for two years prior to that he was contracting, haying left the position of engineer to the Kiwitea. County Council, for which he got £250 a year, and had to pay his own travelling expenses. When he left the Kiwitea County Council he was £400 in debt, and had no capital to start his contracting business. He had no .furnitufie. When he went to Paeroa his wife borrowed £100 from her family in. Wellington, which helped to furnish the house. He intended to consult his family and friends, with the view of making an offer to his creditors.

This evening, about ten to eleven o'clock, the star Alpha Tauri, better known mi Aldebaran, will be seen quite close to the southern line of the moon. The star is of the first magnitude, and celebrated! in .astronomical history. The conjunction should be a pretty sight.

Mr. Justice Edwards has granted probates in the estates of John O'Connor (Mr. Mahoiiy), and Win. Wyatt (Mr. Reeve). A petition to appoint new trustee in the estate of Alexander Cromwell (Mr. Brock) has also been granted.

Particulars have been received by the Gisbbrae Harbour Board, of the Marine Department's objections to the Taruheru River work.?. The Department considers that as a workable depth of water in the channel of the inner harbour largely depends on the flow of the tide into and .out of Taruheru and Wairaata Rivers, it is inadvisable to reduce the tidal capacity by the erection of breastworks. The riparian rights of owners of land along the river banks must also be considered. '.. "■:',■

During the five, years ended September, 1902, the number of accidents to employees in all branches of the New Zealand Railways Department totalled 1952, of which 1891 were of a minor character* involving neither loss of limb nor more serious re-: suit-. Of 36 deaths 22 occurred on the running track, and: 13 to the station staff. Twenty-five; accidents were attended by loss of limb or permanent disablement, '11 on the running track, and 11 to the,station staff. Of the minor injuries 815 happened on the track, 504 in the workshops, and 395 to the station staff. Of the total accidents almost one-half were on the running track; and the, balance about equally divided between the workshops and the station staff. I/."

At the Magistrate's CJourii, Te Awamutu, on Tuesday, before Mr. H. W. Northcroft, S.M., five natives residing in Otorohanga were charged under the Maori Councils Amendment Act, 1903 (writes our correspondent), with failing to register their dogs. Mr. gwarbrick appeared for the council, and the defendants appeared in person. The natives stated that their refusing to pay the taxes was because they regarded Mahuta as their king, and not King Edward. Had they been instructed by Mahuta to pay the taxes, they would have done so. The defendants were each convicted and fined Is, and ordered to pay the dog tax, 3s, and costs ranging from £2 9s lid, to £4 19s lOd. On hearing the decision of the Court, the natives stated that they could not pay the amounts, owing to their not, having Malnita'a instructions to do so. The magistrate pointed out that Mahuta was now assisting to make laws for the pakeba as well as for the natives. ■ The amounts must .ba paid, otherwise further proceedings would follow. '

At the Wailii Magistrate's Court yesterday, Caroline Collins was brought up on remand from Auckland, charged with the theft on July 6 last year, of a gold ring, valued at £15, a gold pin valued at £3, and a cribbage board valued at 3s, the property of Phillip Orchard, of Waihi. Sergeant Slieehan conducted the case for the prosecution. It was stated that the accused had been in the service of informant, but she was not .suspected. Six weeks after the offence had been committed the accused left the employ of Orchard, and proceeded South, but subsequently she came back to Auckland, and was taken 'in by the Door of Hope institution, where she was interviewed by Detective Kennedy. He told her of the suspicion thatrested upon her, and she confessed her guilt. The ring, she said, had been left at her sister*.'?. The pin she had lost, and the other things had been returned to Orchard. The arched was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. - Upon the application of Mrs. Hutchinson, matron of the Door of Hope, Auckland, accused was admitted to bail, and will be taken care of at the institution.

At the annual convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union in Sydney, much gratification was expressed at the effort recently made in the Legislative Assembly to close the Parliamentary refreshmentroom, or at all events the bar attached to it, except, during meal hours. The president of the convention, amidst-applause, stated that the very fact of the motion being submitted in the House, indicated the trend of public opinion. They were proud of the vote, and of the number who voted to have the liar removed. The Women's Christian Temperance. Union believed that their legislators could make the laws of the land upon a cup of tea or coffee, and that, strong drink was not necessary to clear brains. They believed the, House of Parliament would be better without a bar. The tone of the speeches at the convention generally indicated that the union is confident of realising its aims.

A meeting of ratepayers was held at the Thames yesterday evening, for the purpose of considering the proposal of the Borough Council to construct public swimming baths on the foreshore. The. Mayor presided, and explained the proposed works, the estimated cost of which., according to the borough engineer's estimate, was £1079.. After considerable discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Jan. Renshaw, seconded by Mr. Jno. Poulgrain, that the proposal be approved of, and that, a poll of the ratepayers as to the necessary loan of £1.200 be'taken on Wednesday, November 9.

The Tourist Department has purchased a dozen pieces of Maori carving, formerly part of a Maori house at Patene (Hawke's Bay); Though executed with modern tools, the carving follows "old models. The carvings, which are from Bft to 10ft in length; are to form part of the model pa to be erected at Rotorua..

From the Ist, pros, the >Titage on ne'ivspapers for Natal and Ceylon will be Id i>er newspaper, irrespective of weight. > •

The Tramway Company having decided to double the accommodation at'the Onehunga kiosk..warknuMi commenced operations? yesterday.

Inspector Citllen received a telegram, from Raglan last evening stating that a man Iliad been.arrested'there charged with theft at Ngaruawahia.

There were five- persons in the lockup Hast night charged 1 with drunkenness.