LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12834, 6 April 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Ar die'close of last year there were in th* Auckland province 427 schools in operation (including 72 schools taught half-time). According to the Department's reckoning of two half-time schools as one school, the number is 391. There is still ... tendency lo increase the number of small schools in outlying districts, and several applications of the kind.are now under consideration. Owing, however, to the unformed condition of country roads it is seldom found practicable to take advantage of the provision made by the Government for the conveyance of children to and from existing schools.

It is stated that Messrs. Clifford and Parlour, who bought the. Tauhei Estate, of 6000 acrei, about a year ago, have said out for £17,000 to Messrs. Seifert Brothers. There are two flax mills or. the property. One has turned out over 300 tons of dressed fibre and the other mill has just started. The cattle running on the estate (over 450) have been purchased by Messrs. Allen and Harrison. The cattle are a fine lot, and it is said that M.. Harrison is sending 300 of his purchase u C.isbnrne for breeding

purposes,

Some interesting information as to toe inductions in teachers' salaries, due to the system of paying them upon the basis of average attendance, was revealed to the Education Board at yesterday's meeting by Mr. C. J. Parr, who moved a resolution upon the subject, as reported in another column. Statistics quoted by My. Panshowed that the teacher at Opitonui in 1905 was receiving £168 15s pet year, upon an average attendance of 55 pupils. In 1904 the attendance dropped to 17, and the salary of the teacher to £88. In 1905 matters grew worse still, for only 11 pupils attended the school, and the teacher received but £65, Thus, in two years (owing to the shutting down of a gold mine) th» teacher in question had to suffer a reduction in salary of no less than £103 Ids per year.

The Premier lias addressed a letter to Mr. T. W. Leys in connection with the opening of the Ley* Institute at Ponsonby, in the course of which lie bUics: —" his philanthropic work, towards which your brother ami yourself have dune so much, is now an accomplished fact, and reflects every credit and praise op those who Lave been connected with its establishment. Such an institution will provide a long-felt want in Ponsonby, and the library, with its readingroom, will prove potent factors for good among the young men of that district. The beneficial influences that such institutions create in a community should never be underrated, and your brother's memory will ever be revered. This, with other good work-', will live after bins.

The total number of teachers employed by the Auckland Education Board at the end of last year was 834 (368 males and 466 females). The proportion of male teachers is steadily growing, in spite of the meagre salary allowed them on entering the sendee as pupil-teachers. Several positions are still occupied by uncertificated teachers. Arrangements will soon be made for the establishment of a teachers' training college in Auckland.

Our Mauku correspondent writes:—Dr. Giles, one of the earliest settlers in this district, has left Mauku to reside in Auckland. He was here up to the time of the native disturbance in 1863. when he left on military duty, after which ho held a Government appointment as Warden on the goldfields in the South, and was after appointed R.M., Auckland. He retired a few years ago, and returned to his old farm at Mauku : but he recently purchased a property in the Mount Eden district, and has now gone to live there. The many friends of Dr. and Mrs. Giles in this district hope they may be spared for years to enjoy life in their Auckland home. Since their departure there only remains one of she first settlers in the district now. The number of district scholarships under teniae at the end of last year was 85 (27 seniors and 53 juniors). There were also live holders of junior national scholarships, and nine other scholarships were held by girls under special regulations dealing with a portion of the income derived from the Auckland Girls' High School endowment, lite regulations regarding scholarships are under revision, with a view to bringing them into accord with the new syllabus and with the provisions of th* Secondary Schools Act.

Our Mamaku correspondent writes: — Since the visit of the Premier to Rotorua, there lias been quite * renewal of activity on the part of the District Roads Department, and work lias been found for a number of hands on the co-operative system. It is, however, open to question whether this system applied to road works is in the best interests of the settlers. At the present time public money is being spent on laying out roads that are practically of no value to landholders, whereas the metalling and reforming of existing roads would hare been of real benefit to the district, if the work is completed before wet weather is set in. This expenditure of Government money in an Opposition member's elect-orate serves is a remindei of the near approach of an election, but settlers would have been better pleased ii' they had been consulted with regard to the method of disbursement. We have parsed very suddenly from autumn into win".'. . ; ...■ ..vitig been sharp frosts the last two nights.

The crowding question threatens to become rather serious at the Albert-street Baths unless sometning is done. It appears that at present the various schools the pupils of which attend the baths for instruction, in the natatorial ait find the halfhour limit allowed to them to be too short. The matter was before the City Council last week, and '.Me Education Board had it under consideration yesterday, and iu all probability the former body will arrange something that will put au end to what seems at present to be a matter of overcrowding. The headmaster of the Parnell school had a letter before the Education Board yesterday, protesting that the time allowed to scholars at the baths was so short that adequate instruction in swimming could not*be given. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the City Council.

Eur some time past (writes our Waihi correspondent) there has been a, steady stream of Australians arriving at Waahi, and some disappointment has been felt because in many case,- work lias not been forthcoming. It appears that in many parts of Australia Waihi is looked upon as an El Dorado. At present there are, according to Mr. Slevin, over 300 men out of work at Waihi, the long spell of dry weather being responsible for a good many men being thrown out, of work.

The roll number of scholars iii the Auckland provincial district at the end of last. year was 30.207, showing aa increase of y49 above the number at the end ui 1903. The average attendance increased from 25,114 to 26,107. The roll number includes 1785 Maori and half-caste scholars. A total of 159 prosecutions for breach of tho School Attendance Act were conducted by the truant officer during the year, and convirions were obtained m every cans but one,

There have been numerous complaints res;uilin - the noise created by the trams in Queen-street. At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board a pressman present ventured tc, inform the chairman (Mr. S. Luke), during a discussion upon an important matter, that the reporters could not hear sufficiently well to report the remarks of the various "speakers. This fact was due to the din set up by passing cars in the street below, and also by the traffic on the roadway beneath the side windows of the (boardroom—in Fort-street. The complaint of the pressman was courteously referred by the chairman to be members of the Board, whereupon the reporters were invited to seat themselves at the Board table, which they did. Even then the noise in the streets prevented a clear bearing of the whole of the proceedings. A little later Mr. A. R. Harris (one of the members) was constrained to raise a protest owing to bis inability to hear what was going on. He thought the City Council should be asked to have the noise abated. The inconvenience continued during the whole of the meeting, and it was a frequent occurrence for a member sitting on the opposite &ida of the table to a speaker to shield bis ear with his band in the effort to hear what was being Said.

The secretary of the Education Boaid (Mr. V. Rice) stated aa the meeting of the Board yesterday that no reply had been received fioni tie Education Department to a requisition for appliances required under the new syllabus. Mr. If. J. Oreeriilade leinaiked thai, this delay iu leplyiug was most unfair to teachers. The Government brought the syllabus into operation, sod tlien would not. provide the nutans to get to work on it. He moved to the effect that Government he again approached on the matter, and this step was decided upon.

Nominations for the election of a member for the Parnell Borough Council, to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Pel ford, closed at noon yesterday. The only candidate was Mr. Caleb K. Tapper, who was nominated by Messrs. M. J. Gay and J. Lcckr. He was declared elected.

Shortly after five o'clock last evening the Parnell Fire Brigade received an alarm from Brighton Road, where the curtains of a bedroom window, in a. furnished house occupied by Mrs. Rae, had caught lire. When the brigade arrived upon th* scene, however, the Humes had been extinguished, a few buckets of water sufficing 'or the purpose. Beyond burning the curtains, no other damage was done.

The Agent-General, iu 3. letter to the Hob. J. A. ToTe, hoH. secretary to the Grey .Statue Committee, acknowledges the receipt of a copy of the address 10 the Governor <>u the occasion of the unveiling of the statue of Sir George Grey at Auckland, with the photo, of the statue and copies of the inscriptions thereon. In asking Mr. Tole to accept his thanks for transmitting this record " of what Mill be a lasting memorial of New Zealand's greatest Governor." the Hon. W. P. Reeves says that he "need scarcely say how glad he is to observe that the statue is regarded as a successful representation of Sir George Grey.''

The boardinghouse which was burnt down iu Upper Queen-street at an early hour yesterday morning, was insured iu the New Zealand Insurance Company's office for £500. The building was the property of Mr. Love!!, caretaker of the Municipal Building. 'lire furniture, which was owned by Mrs. Braiu. the tenant, was insured in the Xew Zealand Insurance Company's office for £200.

The official opening of the cellars of the New Zealand Associated Winegrowers. Limited, at Gardeahyrst, Remuera, took place yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a number of invited guests. The function was an unqualified success, several speeches being delivered. The company, which has an authorised capital of £20.000, was promoted by Mr. G. V.. Alderton and others, who intend purchasing grapes from other growers in addition to those grown in the company's own vineyards. The opening of the "cellars" has taken place in time to catch the present season's vintage. The offices of manager and secretary are being filled by Messrs. G. E. Alderton and (L C. W. Morris, respectively.

An interesting announcement was made at the Mount Eden Road Board yesterday by the chairman (Mr. R. Udy) as to the great increase in the ratable value of property in the district. The Government, valuation fur this year was, lie said, £763,690, as compared with £605,304 for last year. Mr. Udy observed that 38 years ago, when Epsom and Mount Eden were one district, tke whole of the rates for the district; amounted to £70 only. He also stated that a great deal of building had been going on in the Mount Eden district during the past year. The credit bank balances for the month ending March 31, as read by the clerk (Mr. J. Web-ley), were: General account, £217 lis 6d; trust account £160 18s Id; waterworks account, £455 10s Ad; waterworks extension loan account, £224 18s 2d. The rates collected during the same period amounted to £903 6s 9d, of which £443 4s 2d were general rates and £204 16s lid water rates.

The attention of sportsmen is called to an advertisement in another column, in which Mr. A. W. Uhatiield requests their attendance, at a meeting to be held in his rooms on Friday evening next. It is feared that unless a temporary increase is made in the cumber of raagers employed, poaching will be rampant during the Easter holidays, and on the Saturday and Sunday before the season opens. The meeting is called in order that immediate steps should be taken to enrol a number of special rangers.

At a meeting of the Trades and Labour Council last evening, one of the delegates said that under the regulations the driver of a winding engine could haul up and lower men to any depth, but his certificate would not allow him to tale charge of a stationary engine, the regulations insisting on a first-class certificate. This, lie thought, was a. wrest, absurd condition, as the lives of meu were of mare importance, and the control of mining machinery more difficult, than the supervision of a. stationary engine. He desired the Council to move at the Labour Conference that the Covernmeiifc be asked to re-cognise a winding engine-driver's certificate as a first-class certificate. The Department should be asked to recognise the true value of r winding engine-driver's qualification, and also to see that the holder of the certificate drives the- engine and does not do other work about the place while a cheaper and unqualified man takes his place.

A decree nisi has been made absolute by the registrar of the Supreme Court in the divorce proceedings of George Henry MeKenzitj v. Helen (Sands McKenzie. Mr. Jackson appeared for the petitioner.

The Auckland rattan wicker workers' dispute,'which was to have lieen heard before the Hoard of Conciliation on the 14-th si., has been referred direct to the Arbitration Court for settlement.

The only inmates of the police cells last evening were two persons charged with drunkenness.

The receipts of the Auckjand Board o! Education from all sources last year (including a balance of £1533 8s M, brought forward from 1903!. amounted to £158.376 15* 9d, and the total expenditure to £158.727 6s 4d. This left a debit balance of £550 10s 7d. Tie administration account for the year .shows a credit balance of £4134 8s Id, as compared with £3843 Is 7d at the end of 1903. The building account began the rear with a debit balance of £2249 13s Id, and ended with a debit balance of £4076 17s. The other balances at the end of the rear were: On manual a.id technical account. £405 los 10d in debit; ami on secondary education. £2 7s lOd in debit.

Apparently the Government have had li deal with at least a few irregularities in connection with applications for Government billets. At yesterday's meeting of the Education Board a letter was read from the Department, which asked that, in view of the fact that the obsolete forms of standard certificates had been filled in and presented, any such forms in the possession of the Board be returned. This was agreed to.

In referring to Mr. Massey's Auckland speech, the Wellington Post remarks: — "It is a pleasing novelty to have a. Leader of the Opposition addressing .an enthusiastic meeting of 4000 people. Mr. Masscr has, of course, always been very popular in the North, but the fact that he could address so large a meeting for two hours, and cany it with him throughout, is * proof that he is rising to the responsibilities of his position, and gaining in weight and favour as he proceeds. A comparison of his speech with that of the Premier, to which be was replying, makes it absolutely plain that, despite the latter's taunts, it is the Opposition which has the policy, and the Government which is destitute of any policy and any idea except those of retaining the loaves and fishes for its members and supporters.

There was a good attendance at St. Paul's/ Wesleyan Church, Cambridge, on Tuesday night, when a farewell concert was tendered to the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, who arc about to take their departure for Hawera. Mr. Clark presided. Several speakers referred to the harmony that had existed between the pulpit and pew during the ihe years of Mr. Gibson's ministry. Mi". Reynolds referred to the good work done by their minister, and took the opportunity of presenting Mr. and Mrs. Gibson each with a, purse of sovereign*, the gift being a spontaneous expression of the appreciation by the people of their pastor. Mr. Gibson tendered the heartfelt thanks of himself and wife, and expressed his gratitude to all for the hearty co-operation he had received. Mr. Tude-_ hope, on behalf of the choir, presented Mrs. Gibson with an edition of the new Methodist hymn-book, in recognition of her valuable help and kindly assistance. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were also presented with an afternoon tea seivict by the Cambridge West congregation. Mr. Gibson leaves this week for Hawera, and is to be succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Deck.

The role of political tipster was essayed by Mr. Hutcheson at his meeting in Wellington the other night. From what he could learn, he said, the Premier was pxceedingly anxious to make another trip to the Motherland, to attend the conference in May—to leave his first lieutenant to do the housekeeping work, as he did in 1302. But he (Mr. Hutcheson) understood that the "housewife" was jibbing on it, and said:' "No, I am not going to do the washing-up ail the time." (Laughter.) The "housewife," in fact, was in revolt, and was sating: "If you want one of these two jobs why don't you say so, and leave mo ths other, and not leave me the reversion of this job when your star is waning.' 1 "Either Mr. Seddon will not go to the May conference on the preferential taris. or else there will be a new Premier,'' ftud Mr. Hutcheson- " That's my tip. - '

Attempts to discover a coreless apple have ben. a.? insistent and us unsuccessful as those made to secure perpetual motion. A few months ago a report reached the Victorian Agricultural Department that a coreless apple had been at last brought to perfection in the United States. Communication was at once opened up ■with the Agricultural Department in that country. A letter has now been received from the poniologist attached to the Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington. That official state* that he regrets to say he does not know any nurserymen who have grown the socalled coreless apple. "So far as I know." he adds, " the apple referred to is simply a ' sport,' and practically worthless." He says further that for more than a century people have been attempting without success to grow coieless apples.

It is notified in the Gazette that postage due stamps, discount stamps, or stamps cut from stamped paper (bill or cote forms, share transfer forms, or any other form stamped for payment of duties under the Stamp Act, 1882) cannot be used for prepayment of postage or for payment of telegrams. Stamps cut from letter-cards, postcards, newspaper-wrappers, registered-letter envelopes and embossed envelopes, may be used as adhesive stamps in paymeat of postage; and a "registration fee - ' stamp cut out of a registered letter envelope may be used on any registered packet, but not on an unregistered packet. Stamps of Earntonga, Nine, or Penrhyn Island may nut be used outside those dependencies [or prepayment of postage.

Several members of a New Plymouth syndicate, formed fur the purpose of acquiring the sole rights of" manufacturing in Tarauaki a patent compressed sand brick, are now on a visit to Wellington in connection with the business. On Monday 10 box*? of sand were sent to Wellington, where it will be mado into bricks, with a plant already working there. The syndicate (says the Tarauaki Herald) will afterwards decide upon the question of ordering a. plant to be set up at New Plymouth, proably near the breakwater. With a view to experimenting as to its suitability for mixing with sand a quantity of yellow subsoil, or tufa-, was also sent to Wellington.

Dining a heavy thunderstorm at Crankit's Plains, -New South Wales, ou March 25, a woman named Leonard, aged 46. who occupied a two-roomed cottage, was standing at her front, door watching the storm, another door at the rear being open also. Suddenly the woman wa.t thrown to the ground on her face. Upon being examined no sign of life could be seen. A messenger at once went to town for the doctor, but he found that life was extinct. No marks were on the body except a slight discoloration on the temple, where the lightning evidently struck her. Another woman in the room was also thrown down, but was nor badly injured. Pictures on the wall, and a lamp on the table, were smashed to atom.*.

On iLi? motion of Mr. McVeagh, who appeared for the administratrix (Mary Slierley), the Supreme Court has ordered that the official assignee shall administer the estate of James Bherley, grocer, of Auckland (deceased).

The estate of William Canned, stonemason, of Hamilton, has been declared bankrupt, and the, official assignee will call a meeting of creditors a*, an earljr date,