LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12932, 31 July 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Very Reverend Father Hays returned from Rotorua by the express on Saturday evening, and is the guest of Mr. J. J. O'Brien, at Ponsonby. Father Hays intends to remain in Auckland for some weeks, and arrangements will probably be made by the committee for him to address the school children in the Drill Hall during this week. Invitations have been received for Father Hays to visit Waihi, Thames, Whangarei, and Dargaviile, and deliver addresses. Palmcrston and Wellington have also requested the reverend gentleman to return and continue his campaign in thoso places, but nothing definite has yet been arranged. Father Hays at first intended to return to Engla'nd, via America, and to board the San Francisco mailboat at Auckland, . but it is now more than 'likely that he will visit Sydney and Melbourne again and return to Engla'nd via Suez, in time for the next English summer. Father Hays says that his visit to Rotorua has done him a great deal of good, and that his health is very much improved. He says that Rotorua is a wonderful place, and that he has seen no place so interesting in all his travels. It is a place that should be advertised all over the world, said his reverence, when he reached the city on Saturday.

Mr. Jeremiah Beeliau, brother of the Hon. Win. Beehan, M.L.C., died suddenly at his residence, Grafton Road, shortly after midnight yesterday. The late Mr. Beehan, who was 53 years of age, retired to rest on Saturday night, apparently in the best of health and spirits. His wife noticing a change in him during the night sent for Dr. Murphy, who arrived promptly, but as soon as he saw Mr. Beehan he pronounced life to be extinct. It is supposed that Mr. Beehan died from some heart complaint. An inquest will be held at his late residence at three o'clock this afternoon. The late Mr. Beehan came to Auckland many years ago with his brother, and the two were in business together as drapers and outfitters.

A horse in harness bolted from Vincentstreet on Saturday evening, and turning into Welleslcy-street knocked over a man and woman, who were crossing the road. They were both shaken, but were unhurt. The horse was ultimately caught in Queenstreet, opposite the Herald ollice.

A British mail, via Suez, which left London on June. 23, arrived from Sydney by the Zealandia yesterday. Personal items and other interesting news from our London correspondent will be found.elsewhere in this issue. , .

The Police CommissiSn, consisting of Messrs. H. W. Bishop, S.M., and J. W. Poynton, continued its sittings at the Auckland Supreme Court Buildings on Saturday morning. During the course of the pro-' ceedings a somewhat sensational statement regarding his relations with Inspector Cullen was made by Sub-Inspector Black. The proceedings are reported at length elsewhere.

Our Whangarei correspondent states that Mr. George George, director of technical education, arrived by the Ngapuhi on Saturday morning, and returned to Auckland by the same boat. During his flying visit lie inspected the new manual training and technical building, but, finding preparations not so far advanced as lie had expected, he has decided to postpone the opening ceremony from August 11 to August 18. Meantime Mr. David Grant, the woodwork instructor from England, Will superintend the work of the carpenters who have been specially engaged to fit up the benches and arrange all the other necessary equipment of the classrooms.

A young man named Thomas Peat met with an accident while bush-felling on Mr. Wilson's farm, Himua, last week. A tree fell on his foot, almost severing it above the toes. His mates conveyed him to Clevedon; where the sufferer was attended to by Dr. Wheeler. Though progressing favourably, it is not expected that he will be able to resume work for at least three months.

The recently circulated report to the effect that the Wairakei Estate (Hot Lakes district) had been sold to a syndicate of ceutlemen concerned in the Taupe Timber Company has been denied

At the prohibition meeting held at the Grey statue last evening, the following resolutions were carried: —" That in the opinion of this meeting Sub-Inspector Black has shown an intelligent conception of his manyduties, and in his dealings with the. public has given them every satisfaction." "That a deputation wait upon the City Council to urge upon them the necessity of posting the city of Auckland with placards, pointing out the physical 'deterioration of the people, caused by the use of intoxicants as a beverage, and urging them to be abstainers." ■'

The following incident provides an illustration of the difficulties with which settlers in the back blocks have to contend:— few days ago Mr. P. C. Rose had a peculiar experience. He was driving cattle from Te Maika and Kiriteherc, and when going over a hill known locally as the Potaka the '.- mob became bogged. Mr.. Pose went .to the assistance of the cattle, but he,became bogged also. A companion had to throw a rope to him, which he placed round his waist, and was pulled out very much exhausted. Two of the cattle were choked with mud. This is the main road to Kiritehere, a block of land thrown open by the Government last year, and which is now all settled.

At the Warkworth S.M. Court, on Friday, before Mr. Dyer, S.M., W. Taylor, of Ahuroa, was charged with stealing two young beasts in October last, the property of John Week, who deposed that he saw accused driving cattle to the sale in April last, and, after some discussion, got them from accused. Mas6n, a witness for the prosecution, identified the cattle. , Detective Mahcr said he arrested the accused, who made the remark that he was going to the sale, and if no one claimed he would impound them. Mr. Reed (Auckland), who appeared for accused, reserved the defence. Accused was committed for trial at next criminal sessions, bail being allowed in two sureties of £50 each, and himself in £100. „

At the present rate of progress the rocky ledge iii the Mamikati Channel will shortly cease to exist, so successful have the operations by Mr. McMahon proved. During the past week a diver was engaged in locating the large pieces of rock blasted out, but will not be sent down again until next week, owing to the tides. Next week it is intended to, engage the auxiliary ketch Elsie, which will be loaded with the 1 broken rock, and convey the same to a place indicated by the harbourmaster, Captain Nealc.

A man named A. Blanch was admitted to the Waihi Hospital on Saturday evening, suffering from a severe cut over the eyes, and internal injuries, received through the collapse of a bridge. It appears that he was working on a bush tram, bringing some wood down, and when passing over a bridge the structure collapsed, and he fell a distance of about 15ft.

The Hamilton borough officials have received intimation from the Government that the erection of a new Courthouse will be proceeded with shortly. The Government acquired land for the purpose gome time 'back. The present Courthouse has long been inadequate for requirements.

Our Tc Kuiti correspondent writes: — "Up to the present time (July 28) no tidings of the missing woman (Mrs. Harding) have been obtained. The police are dragging the river and streams in the vicinity of her supposed wanderings, and a large party of horsemen and footmen has been organised by the-settlers in the surrounding districts.

Very satisfactory entries have been received for the Auckland Kennel.Club's annual show, to be held-in the Federal Hall on Friday and Saturday next, the list being larger than last year. Fox terriers still retain their popularity with fanciers, and form the strongest class, the entries numbering 41, including many prize-winners. Irish terriers come next, and the number of dogs of this breed to be benched will be 21, a slight falling away- compared with the 1904 show. Pointers follow with 18: entries, a large increase from last year,'and spaniels, bulldogs, Scotch terriers, and retrievers (retrievers numbering nine, as against two in 1904) • will be well represented. Pug dogs will show, an increase, but there will be a falling, off iii Skye terriers. In all classes upwards of 200 dogs will be benched, and a's they include some typical representatives of the various classes, the 1905 show should be a most successful one.

Mr. J. H. Want, K.C., who has returned to Townsville after a tour in Northern Queensland, said in an interview that he was forcibly struck with the sad effects of Federation in that State. It was a great pity such great possibilities should have had their progress checked by such an unholy alliantfe. Queensland had nothing to gain by Federation, and would have done much better by itself. Mr. Pilcher, who accompanied Mr. Want, said he was much impressed with the unlimited character •of the resources of North Queensland, but declared that the absurd fad of a " while Australia" should be eliminated from the Commonwealth creed. Then, and then only, would North Queensland become one of the greatest countries in the world, capable of supporting a large population and supplying employment to considerably more white men than was possible under existing conditions.

The Government of New South Wales recently finally decided not to experiment with the infectious disease discovered by Dr. Uanysz, of the Pasteur Institute for the destruction of rabbits. The following is a description of the disease:—" He has found a disease which attacks mostly the lungs of rabbits, and which after a time produces inflammation of the throat, mouth, and nose. Any rabbit that touches a diseased rabbit, or goes in the same burrow or pasture will get contaminated. The disease is eminently contagious, and the virus desiccated at 45 degrees Cent. (113 degrees Fahr.), still preserves its activity for 24 hours. The microbes of this disease have shown themselves absolutely innocuous to all domestic animals in Europe, also pigeons and fowls, j and of course to man."

A meeting was held at the Grey statue on Saturday evening, convened by Mr. W. V. Way, for the purpose of discussing the question of the unemployed of the city. Mr. Way, Mr. Aggers, and Mr. Brooks (a' visitor from England) delivered addresses on the causes of the present scarcity 'of work in the city of Auckland and district, and recommended that the Municipal Council and the Government be approached with a view to starting public works in order to provide employment for men at present out of work.

There was a' good attendance at the exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts on Saturday, both afternoon and evening. The exhibition will remain open all this week, from half-past twelve to five p.m., and from half-past seven p.m. to ten p.m.

Building operations in and around Onehunga arc proceeding apace, quite a number of new buildings being in course of erection, and others are about to be commenced.

There were 11 persons in the lockup last evening charged ■ with drunkenness, one with assault, one 'with vagrancy, and one with having liquor during the currency of a prohibition order against him.