LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13049, 14 December 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The resolutions in regard to the extension of secondary education in Auckland; which were pass&l at the recent conference between the Auckland Grammar School Board and the Auckland Education Board, were brought up at yesterday's meeting of the first-named body and adopted. The resolutions, which have already been published in these columns, affirm the desirableness of the re-establishment of the Auckland Girls' High School under the control of the Grammar School Board; that technical day classes be conducted by the Education Board, and that the Grammar School Board make temporary provision for carrying out the required extension until the re-establish-meiit of the Girls' High School takes place. The Grammar School Board, at its meeting yesterday, decided, on the motion of Professor Brown, to ask the Education Board to grant the Board a lease of the Howestreet reserve, for the purpose of -. the High School, at a peppercorn rental, pending the passing of the necessary legislation for the transfer of the land. Professor Thomas and. Messrs. Luke and Bagnall were appointed to assist the headmaster (Mr. J. W. Tibbs) in securing temporary accommodation of a suitable character.

A humorous incident in connection with the recent Parliamentary elections, comes from Te Arai (near Mangawai). At a meeting of the Auckland Education Board a fortnight ago a letter was read stating that the public schoolhouse had been, burglariously entered, and the assistance of the police was called in, with a. view to tracing the offender. A letter from the guardian of the place was read at yesterday's meeting of the arid quickly dispelled the breaking and entering theory. According to the constable, the custom was to hang the school key near the steps, so that the schoolroom might be used when required. Hearing that the Opposition candidate intended using the building for a political meeting, a wily Government supporter sought to checkmate him by hiding he key. The candidate, however, was not to be robbed of his chance of -ddra:-sing the electors, and made his way into the school by means of one of the windows, afterwards .finding means of openiifg the door. It was this that gave rise to the burglary r^sry.

The Mayor (Mi". A- M. Myc-rs) received the following .letter yester&y in mply to the. congratulatory cablegram _nt. Ism Auckland to Lady Cors. ;iao .Mu x, < : ti» occasion .of her ,riage: • •-•' De& ' Mv Mver: j.— i -iho-uM' be very giUtefi-! if _/<•« would coway to the Mothers' l. : . «o;t wl th.o VfAae-v.. j?i:l girl l ? ci -.i/ est thanks J* .-:' their moss fried ouble n w \

good wishes. Lara deeply to>;- \ed !>;{• remembrance of me. I hope iba. v , some daj I may have' the grea.l- pleasure of 'seeing them again. With kind regards aw! giatet'ul thanks.— am, yours,' Comstance Mn KCS-Gaskw >

An inquest was held at DevonporL yesterday, by the coroner (Ma T. ' \-*lv>ta); into the death or -Harold Witrwlck Cox, aged 24 years, who fell off a 'but, at Dovonport 011 Tuesday and was run over, under 1 circumstances already reported. Dr. Herbert Cox, father of the boy, said bis children were in the habit of riding on the front of the 'bus, but so far -as he knew this was the first occasion on which the <i<- 51 ed did not sit on the seat in-medi-al. next to the driver, Parsons, who was reported to he a most, careful man. A. A. Parsons deposed that the boy fell between the wheel and the swinglctrcv. Witness pulled up within 10yds. Ci-arles Sinton, who was ox (he 'bus -it the. ti.ao of the r;.e.V'2Kt, said there was room enough for aU fi\-c children, who were on the front ol the 'Us. The horses were going slowly at the ihui. J>r. Laing certified that death was due xi> crashing, there being a livid mark across the child's hack, v; though'a wheel had passed over it. The j';.y ).•<■- turned -i verdict of accidental death, vvi'Ji a rider to the effect that in - future the practice of drivers of 'buses in Devonport conveying children of tender years in front j of their vehicles bo discontinued when such, children are not in charge of a responsible person. ;

Heavy rain sot in I.itt evening, and continued without intermission up to an early hour this morning. There was an especially heavy downpour between so ,01" and eight o'clock in the.evening.' The rain will do a great amount- of good to the pastures aid gardcai. - "

The following contntitioos to the fund ' for the rebuilding of tie Parnell ; Orphan Home Lave, been reeen.-d, and are;grate- -yfully acknowledged:—J W. Robinson, £1 13s 7dj Norfolk Island ] r&ianesian scholars, ' : per Ven. Archdeacon Cpinins, 10s 6d; G. v ' Speight, £s; T.J., IDs; jiwuected by J. N. : • Berghan, .35 17?. 3d ; Pair Woman, Hawick, Is; Singer Ser/ing Macjine Company, 21s; ■, per Miss Gane {ascor-d list;, Is 6d W. w'. Hill, ;235; Anon., 'in tiemory of a godly father, is: C. W. Clark, 10s j. P. Rhodes, ' , 10s ; : Loco. ' Running. Department, per a' V. Macdonalu, £7 7., ld'> V. C. Hamer' C-v ton, 21s. The total amount received i» now £2213. - \ Ponutu geyser, at Wiikarewarewa, has 8 been unusually active sinii'e the Bth of last, '?/. month (says the Hot Lakci'Ohronicle), hav- 1 v ing played at intervals each day sinco that '-i date. On Sunday morning there was a -■ fine display, and again or) Monday night. - •*, Unfortunately, there arc' no means by which the caretaker' call notify those ; in Rotorua of the probability of the geyser playing within a ffw minutes, and many of the visitors foil to see this most interesting spectacle! Some months ; ago we advocated that the caretaker's M whare should be connected with the telephone exchange, and had this suggestion been carried, into effect, it would" have " proved of great benefit to the public generally. We trust the matter will bo taken ;: up by the townspeople, and, . failing the Tourist Department installing a telephone, '.V they will obtain permission to place a tele! : M phone in tha caretaker's whare. ,V -

Mr. M. P. Carey, of Auckland, was amongst the New Zealand ens who had the privilege! of witnessing the match between the New Zealand footballers and the Middle-' sex team. The play is described by Mr. Carey "a« a fine exhibition. "In fact," he • says, " the New Zealanders went through the English boys like 'quicksilver." The New Zealanders, he says, have created a very favourable impression at Home, both for their gentlemanly conduct as well aSj their admirable qualities as footballers.

Owing to reduction having' been carried at the Manuka# local option poll, much interest is being taken in the election of the next Licensing committee. At present the committee consists of Messrs. JJ.' McLennan, A. R. Harris, J. Rowe, D.' Neil son, and W. Westney, jun. The latter is a temperance man, who secured a seat owing to the retirement of the late Mr. Burden. It is reported that the temperance party intend nominating the Rev. W. • Slade, Messrs. G. H. , Douglass, jbY Norris* S. Ban 1 , and W. Westney, jun.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony at Three Kings College yesterday, the Rev. \V. blade said the time was coming when it will bo necessary, in the inarch of events, to acquire the Maori lands for settlement, and he hoped that .;.the Maori* would be the first to settle the land. (Applause.) f -io take the lands, and hand over so much money per annum to.the Maoris,, would ruin them as a race, for.the salvation of the Maori was in teaching them to work, anil his idea Was that Maori experimental farms should be started, and the Maori boys trained to fanning pursuits. ■ After that each Maori should be given a start with a farm, and by that means the " taihoa" would be knocked out of them.. (Applause.)

The death is announced of Mr. B. Bailey who was for 25 years headmaster of Ponsonby school. The late Mr. Bailey arrived!:. , in the colony in 1874, and took up the old i"' Pflnsonby school, which then had an attendance roll of 60 children, which was increased to 800, with 23 teachers. ''Many ~-. ':, professional and business men .at present ■V occupying responsible positions in, Auck- '• land owe much to the late Mr. Bailey. On his health failing Mr. Bailey was compelled • to relinquish scholastic work, and he went to live at T6 Aroha West, in 'retirement.; Mrs. Bailey and his son and daughter sur- ; vive him. ■.■■■.vi

The post office authorities notify that the penny postage rate for newspapers posted in New Zealand,; irrespective of weight, ha« now been extended to India.

The new steamer for the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, which has jusfc •been completed by Mr. C. Bailey, jun., will be launched from the builder's y&ixis, Custom West., at half-past eight o'clock this morning.

Three important cases under the Income Tax Act have just been concluded in . the Wellington Supreme Court in Banco, before the Chief Justioe and Mr* Justice Cooper. The cases are: The Commissioner of Taxes v. the Miramar Land Company, Limited, Commissioner of Taxes v. the Miramar, Limited, and Commissioner of Taxes v. the Upland Land Company. The cases involve claims for income tax amounting to about £10,000, being a tax on the profits realised by dealing in land. The Crown was represented by Messrs. H. D ej and W J. Napier, while Messrs. Chapman, Treadwc-11, Skerrett, and Dr. in ay represented the companies. On S y Mr - Napier replied on behalf of Lie Crown. • Their Honors reserved judgment. The principal objection of the compares is that as they have paid and tax on the land they ought not to be lz upon , 0 pay income tax on the profit liiarJfj-Dy selling it: * •

! j A portion of the Bickerstaffe settlement* \ '* v " '*•>,? seres, will bo thrown open h ' elft -'^ on 0,1 sease in perpetuity at th» "' Tj OSi " 011 the 28th in st- The v- .tfienv.i " } < K m be reuted at i'V' Ai3 £'~ weighted with " ; 22. »*•".* manuka felled. The »c'u<m is about six miles from Mfeuneatur"f(n° St Office aDd creamery, .and fronts j ae.Otainatea River. ...

* 'Tho fime.v&f of the late Father Wust took place oil Tuesday at Havelock cemetery, .Ngaruawahiju Ths remains • ;-re conveyed by road from Hamilton, a lar,-,. ind reprosc""'j7'.' cortege following. U : ? as **>! aim. rites ax- the grave were ' earned out most laipressivdy by the Rev. Mer Corcoran, assisted by r,)ie Rev. Father Darby* Hamilton. Father Wust retired from the parish of NgaruawahTa . and Huntly ]asl February, and Ills place was taken by th« Rev. Father Corcoran, of Puhoi.

An old Auckland resident in the -person of Mr. Henry James Smith passed away yesterday at the ripe age of 89. The lata Mr. Smith left London for Melbourne iji 1848, and arrived in New Zealand in 1853. He has resided in Auckland province ever since. Ho was well known at the Bay of Islands o.:, a builder, which business ha followed iVthe Waikato. He resided fo* xr?i Try years at Te Arolia, but had lived in .».u; .r :a; i i.'hy for the past 12 months with l'"-- v 1- ' summing child, Mr. Henry. Willi;«i r.n-rti, of Jervois Road. The laM Mr. Snii-ii was a widower since 1849. •

There arrived by the R.M. Coaching Company s coach from Taupo on Monday afternoon (says • the Hot Lakes Chronicle), one of' the finest specimens of. the ; brown trout that has yet been secured in the district, and the first of its kind, ,we under-. stand, that has been caught;with the minnow,, in Lake Taupo. The r ; fish, 1 which ; .weighs 2141b, /isd is described as a beauty* is .destined !<.>;■ the Christohurch Exhibilion. > -

There wasoo r tie person in the lock-up . U -J- 1 r%V,;' the charge being drunkenness* ; • ' -' : •. V ; • V 'V' \ '• :.v ■.

Mr. Frank Lawiy, M.H.R. for Pamell, ; •" ■ tt-3£ entertained at' Ellerslie on Tuesday 1 by the local branch of the Liberal and I |§$i' Labour Federation, in honour of his return j HiH to Parliament. Mr. Wilkinson presided. ■ Mr. Fran]; Fitfc congratulated Mr. Law 17 upon his return to Parliament. Mr. Lawrv, fi?C"in reply, said Liberalism had won the day, and lie sincerely thanked the electors for X C once more returning him as their representative. He promised not to leave a stone '•,<1 unturned to have justice done to his " constituents. Mr. IT. J. Greenslade referred !-* to the good that the present Government Mt : -'- had done. Ho would support the present legislation, and see that the North Island (i. got its fair share as well tis. the South. h ■ JJr. W. Johns also spoke. An entertainCment directed by Mr. 11. Chatwiu was &,i given, in which the following assisted: — fe- Messrs. Purccll, Gallagher, J. Elliott, D. ft- Brett, Smith, M. Mackanini,. A. Elder, amd E. Y. Young, and Master Mudford, Misses Purdy, M. and 15. Austin. j

There was a good attendance at tho Devon port Presbyterian Church last uight, when a. carol service was given by the combined choirs of the Devonport Presbyterian and Knox Churches. An interesting programme was gone through, consisting of solos, hymns, and■ carols. Tho soloists were Mrs. Sutherland, and Misses M. Cardno.'A. Gilmour, V. Moody, A. Mudge, and M. Saunders, and Mr. Fair. The conductor was Mr. F. J. Bennett-,, and the organist Mr. B. Buddie. . A sermonette was preached by <&!ie Rev. Ivo. Bertram, M.A. The proceeds of the service are to be devoted to the choir fund of the Devonport Presbyterian Church.

When she was four days out from New , : York on her trip to Australia find New -.Zealand the well-known Tyser line steamer Star of Ireland was struck by . a cyclone, and for some hours underwent a particularly trying ordeal. The hurricane '- blew with terrific' strength, and. caused mountainous seas, which frequently broke on board, and kept the decks in a. con- • tinual) state of flood. It was naturally found impracticable for the vessel to proceed with ordinary speed In the face of such opposition, and her engines were consequently "slowed down" until he conditions improved. The vessel combated the storm splendidly, and finally emerged from : the engagement unharmed.

*-f Now is the time to attack the sparrow jf-'C. . pest (says the Timaru Herald), as there is ftj \ • so little seed for them in the country that the birds are keen to accept anything that may be provided for them. Mr. J. Mahony, ! member of the Levels County Council, informs us that ho saw a most successful experiment ' upon'sparrows, with the recipe V i,'." given by Mr. J. F. Douglas to the Secre-l-'l tary of Agriculture last year, or the year •" * before. This recipe requires the wheat to be moistened, with milk (on the outside merely), and then sprinkled with finely- ' powdered strychnine, and well shaken to 5, distribute the poison over the wheat. 'The ril'M* birds should be fed for a few days, preferTi £ ably with wheat among chaff, until they 1 become accustomed to feeding on the spot then they take the poisoned grain readily, and M'r. Mahony states that they fall in ••• hundreds. - 1 ■ - ■ Sunda Singh, an Indian hawker, who died at Sydney (N.S.W.) recently, was cremated at Hay. " A pile of ; wood was collected for the purpose, and the coffin, containing the deceased, was conveyed by an. undertaker from the hospital to a spot where the JpC' 'pyre , had been erected, four of deceased's co-religionists marching after the hearse. When the funeral procession arrived at the spot arranged for the cremation, the coffin : ' '- was placed on top of the pile of logs, some lighter .wood being placed around. Kerosene was poured on the wood in several places, -Vf /and then the pile was set fire to shortly after four o'clock. No ceremony was conducted by those carrying out the act of incineration, , owing, as one of them explained, to there being no Hindoo prieiit in the district. The burning of the body took „ several hours, four Hindoos watching patently. After the life bad gone out the watchers 6tated their intention of recovering ' deceased's teeth and finger-nails from the ... ashes, and forwarding them to his rela- / tives in India, to be subsequently thrown into the Ganges. m A sharp' comment on the West- Australian Licensing Act was made from the Kalgoorlie Police Court bench the other day, at the close of a case of Sun day-trading, preferred against Patrick Quealy, a local |S||||ss publican. Defendant explained that the fpiPlf funeral ■of one of the members of his family ' " took place on the day in question, and that after the funeral "he asked the friends who had attended tho funeral to have a drink. This apparently constituted the offence. * " The presiding magistrate (Dr. Kerney), after ,• conferring with other justices on the Bench, said: "The case is dismissed, and it is j ■ considered that the law is a fool." Candidates are (says an exchange) sometimes caught tripping when called upon to - answer questions. Are you in favour of permitting a man to marry his deceased's wife's sister?" one of them was asked* the v'; " other night. " Most certainly," was the '* prompt reply ; "it is already the law." "Well, then," he was next asked, "would yen permit , a man to many his widow's ffeip niece'/" • "Yes," answered the candidate, •$0 ; without a moment's hesitation. Then a S3® titter started in a corner of the hall, and \V , gradually spread over the whole audience, gathering strength as .it went, , until it had swelledinto a loud roar of laughter. And ajjjj&i it wag only when the candidate got home and thought the question out with his wife that he discovered how he had put his foot - in it.