LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13030, 22 November 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

An important indication of the great increase in public interest in the political affairs of the colony was given last evening by what was, probably, the greatest and most,enthusiastic Opposition gathering ever held in the city of Auckland, when Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, and the Opposition candidates for city and suburban seats, . appeared upon the platform of the Opera House to address the electors. By seven o'clock the building was packed to the doors. : The stage accommodation was also taxed to its utmost, and eager listeners had even established themselves almost up to the roof on projecting portions of the brickwork. Outside the building, in Wellesley-strect, a large crowd, unable to obtain admission, were briefly addressed by Mr. Massey and other speakers, and the state of political opinion was manifested by the almost continuous cheering that went up from this overflow meeting. Inside the building the scene was one of unexampled enthusiasm, the Leader of the Opposition being greeted with prolonged cheering, and all through the speakers had a splendid reception.

The Auckland Weekly News, issued today, deals with a remarkable variety of subjects of both local and wide general interest. A striking full-page political cartoon illustrates the present situation, and conveys an excellent idea of the methods and aims of the rival parties. The double-page is devoted to panoramic views of the opening of the Kaipara Flats section of the North Auckland railway, .the Wangamii Agricultural Show on people's day, and the Auckland Automobile Association's monthly run. Among the current events are excellent pictures of the opening of the polo season on Saturday last, the Auckland Horticultural Society's Summer Show, Victoria Racing Club's Spring Meeting, the recent terrible tragedy at Ashburton, and some new candidates for Parliament at the coming general election, together with the usual number of high-class scenic and industrial views.

Two \\ cllingtonians who havo just- returned from South Africa give gloomy accounts of the distress in that country. The condition of many former New Zealanders is said to be pitiful, and the misery prevailing in the larger towns is very great. Before they left Capetown several of their countrymen appealed to them for a few shillings with which to purchase food. The Wellingtonians state that nothing would tempt them to leave New Zealand again.

11l the Supplement issued with to-day's paper will be found three clever cartoons on the tour of the New Zealand' footballers in England, and graphic accounts of the matches from our Loudon .correspondent. The Supplement a'.so contains an interesting interview on the growth of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and arrangements for the coming show; also, Volunteer Jottings, Labour Notes, "On Things in General," and other interesting articles.

The following contributions to the fund for the rebuilding of the Paroell Orphan Home have been received and are gratefully acknowledged: Mrs. A. Yates, Parengarenga, £X 2s; G. T. Yates, 21s; J. M. Tynan, 21s; B. Yates, 10s 6d; G. Harris, ss; N. M l . Dowell, ss; E. J. Samuel, ss; J. Butler, ss; 11. Truelove, ss; W. H. Hill, 5s ;• S. Yates, ss; W. Subritzky, 2s 6d; E. Burns, 2s 6d; E. Guerin, 2s 6d ; E. Greensmith, 2s 6d; P. Breen, 2s 6d; A. W. Buckland, 10s; Wilson and Horton, £25; Rev. H. S. Davies, 10s 6d; Sympathiser, Onekunga, 10s 6d; Rev. King Davis, 10s. The total amount now received is £2110.

The Auckland Harbour Board is calling for tenders for the laying of the foundations and tho erection of sheer-legs, and for a jetty in reinforced concrete, at the Calliope Dock. This work will complete the equipment of the dock as originally . proposed. The Board is also inviting tenders for the construction of about half of the proposed new Queen-street Wharf, in reinforced concrete. This work is a portion of the Board's new scheme. The work on the Railway Wharf is being pushed on with all possible speed. News from Samoa by the mail steamer Ventura yesterday stated that the volcano on the island of Savaii was still in very active eruption. The volcano has emitted a great quantity of lava, which has extended for miles over the surrounding country, doing a great amount of damage. The natives on the northern side of the island have everything in readiness to leave should it be deemed necessary, the boats being kept on the beach for that purpose. At Apia, which is 50 miles away, the shocks of ' the eruption ate plainly heard, and at night the molten lava flowing down the sides of the mountain is quite discernible, and presents a most imposing sight.

It is announced (writes our London correspondent) that Mr. J. Ramsey Macdonald, secretary of the Labour Representation Committee, has received a" letter from Mr. J. Rigg, M.L.C., president of the Independent Political Labour League of New Zealand, re the intention of the committee to send to Australia, Canada, and South Africa a Labour deputation representing organised Labour, with a view, to discussing the fiscal question, and to study colonial experimental Labour legislation, in which he -says: "I think it would be difficult : to over-estimate; the good effect such a visit would • have as regards New Zealand, and I have no doubt that ,as regards Labour legislation the representatives would hear much that would be instructive." ' The five-year-old child, John Heard, who was admitted to the Auckland 'Hospital on Saturday, suffering from the effects of being kicked by a horse at Karaka, died yesterday morning. An inquest will be held to-day.

The Journal of the Department of Labouri for the . month of November, dealing with J the state •of ..trade< in. Auckland, states | that in the building trades there is general I improvement,-but the supply of workmen is equal to the demand. The engineering trade is dull; a number of workers are but of employment, 6ome of whom have been permanent hands. Employers report that the boot trade is improving, notwithstanding the large importations, the English manufacturers having now picked up the American trade, which was checkcd by .the tariff. The clothing trade (factories) is rather .dull,..owing to overproduction of ready-made clothing. - . In the retail trade, grocery is : normal, with very little variation ; clothing and boots are somewhat depressed, owing to the unprecedented continuation of winter weather. The coachbuilding industry has got a good lift through the Electric Tramways Company placing considerable orders with local firms. Saddlery is dull. This industry is showing very palpably the effects of electric and other power superseding horse-power. As regards unskilled labour, during the month 98 men have been forwarded to work.

When the barque Northern Chief, which arrived from Newcastle yesterday morning, was 30 miles from the New South Wales coal port the vessel was completely enshrouded by moths for some hours. The moths were bo numerous that tho cabin doors and also the doors of the forecastle had to be kept closed to keep them out.

Several members of the Permanent Force are doing police duty in Auckland at present. This is due to the large number of city policemen required to give evidence in Supreme Court cases, and the country constables. who have to give evidence in the Supreme Court have to be relieved.

At the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. B. 0. Hendy and D. Hewitt, J.P.'s, two first) offenders were fined ss, and costs 2s 6d, in default 24 hours imprisonment, for drunkenness.

■ The only inmate of the cells at the watchhouse last evening was a man charged with drunkenness, and with having used indecent language. t

The little yacht Kia Ora, which was recently towed into Tauranga after being stranded on an island oft" that place, has been repaired, and left for Gisbome yesterday.

Mr. P. M. Hansen, managing director of the Electric Tramways Company, informs us that his company has decided to give an order for the construction of five cars locally instead of the four originally intended.'

Impey's City Band will perform the following programme in the Albert Park this evening, commencing at eight o'clock: — Quick march, "Alexandra Palace" (J. Janssens); overture, "Rays of Gold" (E. Villiers); valse, "My Memories" (D. Arcy Jaxonne); selection, "The Fortune Teller" (V. Herbert); barn dance, "My Lou" (B. Phelps); fantasia, "Echoes of London" (A. Leggett); valse, " Mavdurneen" (May Ostlere).

At a-quarter to twelve o'clock yesterday morning a fire occurred in field-street, Ponsonby. It broke out in a storeroom, which stands upon a block occupied by Mr. Masefield. The fire brigade were summoned, but on their arrival found the room destroyed. The damage is estimated at £20.

Owing to pressure, on our space, the report of the performance of Gounod's " Faust" 'by . the Choral Society is unavoidably held over, until to-morrow.