LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13435, 13 March 1907, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The largest, and finest panoramic picture of Auckland ever printed will be given away as a special supplement with this week's issue of the Accklano Wekkly News, which will be published to-morrow. It measures 48in by 18in, and is a highlyfinished .tinted half-tone photographic reproduction, representing with remarkable clearness and fidelity the whole shore frontage of the city, with Mount Eden as a noble and imposing background. Apart from its artistic merits it conveys, as no previous work of the kind has ever done, an impressive and faithful idea of the Auckland of to-day, the great extent of the city and its suburbs, and the ineffable charm of their natural setting. For this reason it is peculiarly suitable for sending to friends at a distance, while it is worthy of being preserved by every colonist as a unique picture, which time cannot fail to make more valuable and interesting. Orders for the Wkkkly News shonid be sent in without delay, as a large sale for the number is anticipated, and' those who neglect to procure copies early run the risk of being disappointed.

The strong north-easterly wind, which has been blowing for some weeks past, still continues along the coast, with a heavy sea, and is interfering considerably with the movements of the local steam and sailing craft. The s.s. Aupouri is harboured at Parengarenga, the s.s. Waiotahi at Opotiki, and the s.s. Mangapapa at Whakatane. During Monday and yesterday a strong north to north-easterly wind was blowing on the west coast, with at times ft fairly heavy sea running. The Rarawa encountered this on her passage up from New Plymouth yesterday morning, with the result that she did not make port until a-quarter past ten a.m.

When the absence of the usual summary of accounts was remarked upon at the meeting of the Devonport Borough Council last evening, Mr. J. Webster (clerk) explained that he was prevented from preparing the customary statement through the auditor having possession of the borough books. "Isn't it last year's accounts he is auditing" asked Mr. E. W. Alison. The clerk replied in the affirmative, whereupon the Mayor retorted that it was a very unsatisfactory audit system which did not provide for an audit earlier than 12 months' after the closing of the year. "The auditor told me some books are two years' behind, through the Department being short-handed," remarked Mr. Handley. "Well, it is most unsatisfactory," commented Mr. Alison. " Under the conditions the system affords no protection to the public at all, and strong representations should be made to the Audit Department, with a view to an improvement being brought about." On the motion of Mr. Handley, and seconded by Mr. Forde, it was decided "That the attention of the Audit Department be directed to the unreasonable delay in auditing the books of accounts of public bodies generally."

The chairman of the City Schools Committee (Mr. P. M. Mackay), at a committee meeting last evening referred to the need for city and suburban representation on the Education Board. He paid a high tribute to Messrs. Barriball, Laing, and G. Edgecumbe, describing them as men of zeal for the cause of education, and in fullest sympathy with its advancement ; but they were not city men. When the committees of the city and suburban schools wished to interview members of the Board they had to go to either Messrs. Parr or Bagnall, who were representatives of the Thames. It had been understood that the ward system was only a temporary arrangement. Some resolution, he thought, should be passed by the householders of the city and suburbs, that they should have men on the Board who would represent' their interests, and who would be more cognisant of their circumstances and needs than gentlemen living in the country, and at a distance could be. Mr. F. E. N. Gaudin asked where the fault lay. The chairman replied that if then? were suitable men coming forward for the city and suburban representation the country representatives would not oppose them. It was decided to take the necessary steps to bring the matter before householders at the next annual meeting.

The headmaster of a city school in calling the attention of the school committee 'to the need for painting his school, urged as an argument that "as the Education Board is seeking to awaken the latent artistic talent of our children a coating of light green paint should he applied to the building in question. The present condition of the paint and its dingy hue offends the artistic sense of the children, their eyes having now been opened by the teaching of the art. instructors of the Board." One of the members of the committee at the meeting last' evening wanted to know if there was any particular objection to orange in place of green paint The committee resolved to forward the application to the Board of Education for favourable consideration.

To-day the triennial movable meeting of the\New Zealand district of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society will be opened in the Hibernian Hall by the district president (Brother P. J. Xerheny). It is expected that some 50 delegates, representing 37 branches, and 2500 members, will be present. , A large number of the delegates arrived front the South by the fiarawa at Onehunga yesterday, and were welcomed by officers of the Auckland branch and other delegates. The meeting is expected to last for three days (day and night sittings), and to conclude on Friday. On Thursday night the local branch will tender a smoke social to the visiting delegates, and on Saturday the visitors will attend the St. Patrick's Day celebrations at Motutapu. On Sunday they will be present at Holy Communion at S".. Patrick's Cathedral, and will afterwards attend a breakfast in the Hibernian Hall. Bishop Lenihau will occupy, the chair, :'■

Another large ; shipment 1 of sheep 'arrived; at Onehtinga yesterday morning, when the ».«. Trtrgautcn arrived Troth Picton with 1200. '.

Owing to the ' accommodation in the Masonic Hall. Primes-street, not being sufficient, the meeting of Freemasons belonging to the New Zealand constitution, called for to-morrow (Thursday) evening. for the purpose of receiving an official visit from His Kxcclkncy the (Jovernoir, .*& grand master, will he held hi the Royal Albert Hall, Albert-street. We are informed by. the grand superintendent thai no special invitations • have been issued.

A young lad employed by Mr. .J. K. Hammond had an exciting experience at Hamilton on Monday morning. Hi was harnessing a horse to a buggy at Mr. Hammond's bouse, when by Rome means the animal was startled, and made on* down the drive. The lad hung on the. reins until he saw the closed gate loom into sight, when lie jumped out of the vehicle, landing on bis head, and slightly stunning himself. The horse made a beeline for the small gat» at the side of the drive, and, negotiiititijj the passage safely, attempted to coax the vehicle through too, hut the law of nature, known as the inertia of rest, had not been reckoned with, for the posts refused to budge, consequently the body of the buggy remained behind, whilst the shafts were broken away. The horse stopped quietly a yard or two along the road.

The Political Reform League social will be held at the Federal Hall this evening commencing punctually at eight o'clock. As there are four political addresses to h delivered by the header of the Oppositbi (Mr. W. F. Masaey), Mr. W. H. Herri**/ M.H.R., Mr. K. W. Alison, M.H.R., and Dr. H. Dean Batnford, the speakers will be strictly limited to a-quarter of an hour each. [Several songs and recitations will be contributed during the evening.

The Kawhia paper is responsible for the statement that a -petition, signed by 200 electors, was presented to Mr. W. M. Bankart, of Te Mata. asking him to allow himself to be nominated as a candidate for the Taumaninui seat at the next election, but that that gentleman declined.

Dr. Valintine, of the Health Department, attended a meeting of the trustees of the Northern Wairoa Hospital on Monday, and addressed them on the practice of giving a Governmental subsidy on subscriptions. The practice, he said could not be continued. He advised that the hospital should fall into line with those institutions conducted under the general scheme, and pointed out that an immense saving could be effected in the hospital expenditure. After Dr. Valintine had addressed the trustees they carried a motion to th« effect that the subscribers be. called together and recommended to fall in with the doctor's views.

The prawn fishers at Hunter River, New South Wales, say that if it were not for the trade in dried prawns which has been established with the Chinese, the industry would'be nearly extinguished, owing to the viiiremunerative prices often returned by Sydney agents. This year one party of fishermen received a return of Is 9d for 10 baskets, each, containing upwards, of 40 quarts. The prawns for drying are cooked in the ordinary way, and then spread on sheets of canvas. When they are thoroughly dried the shells and heads are easily separated from the fleshy portion, which can be sold to the Chine*© in almost any quantity at about 9d per lb, and as high as a shilling a pound ha a at times been paid for extra choice samples. Thus treated the fishermen got « return of about 7s a basket. ,

The Maori kaingas 'all along the coast from -New Plymouth to the Waimale Plains and beyond (says the Taranaki News) are practically deserted just now on account of the big tangi proceeding at Parihaka over the death of the late tohunga, Tohu. Loads of provisions are pouring into Parihaka from all quarters, and the storekeepers are consequently reaping a big harvest. One Maori spent £84 in one shop on Thursday for rugs alone. Tohu's £5000 put aside to cover the cost of the tangi is eaten up almost already.

A VVairarapa farmer, interviewed by th« Daily Times, admitted that growers were "hanging on" to their- grain, and. taking the risk of a fall or line in the. market. He agreed that the present price is abnormal, but was convinced that it was going to remain as high, and lie contented the view that Australia would be enabled, in the event of a still farther advance in prices, to export sufficient of her surplus to New Zealand to keep prices at a normal level. "Let us suppose," lie wild, "that the present allegedly high rate of 2s 9d per bushel for oate is maintained, and wo find that for first-grade Australian oats to be retailed in New Zealand at the price necessary to compete with the New Zealand product, they would have to be purchased at from- Ik 8d toil's lOd wholesale in Australia—a most , unlikely matter." Other graingrowers ventured the opinion that exceptionally high juices would rule for th* rest of the .season, but not being in a position to know intimately how matters stand in other colonies, would not hazard any conjecture regarding imported grain.

While one of the cadet battalions was in camp at Chrktchureh, Colonel Loveday arranged with the proprietors of Wests' pictures to photograph a rquad of signallers at work. This was done while the Doys were flashing a message to Lord-Ro-berts, wishing him good health and success in establishing the cadet movement at Home. The photograph was a great success, and after being shown at the Exhibition, was sent to Lord Roberts.

There is apparently an opening in Maaterton for a matrimonial agency. The Wairarapa. Daily Time* say»: —" Stationholders are finding it difficult to get married couples, while on the other hand several able-bodied young men are seeking life partners in order to obtain situation*. Some enterprising person might avail himself of an opportunity to turn to practical account the condition** obtaining in two branches of the labour market, besides furthering what is usually considered a progressive object by the community at large.

A difference of opinion has occurred between the Education Department and the Wellington Education Board regarding the provision of education facilities for the Dyer settlement and Muhunoa, each of which is distant about two and a-half miles from Martinborough and Ohau respectively. The Department takes up the position that it would bo better that the children should be conveyed to a central school rather than the number of small schools should be multiplied, on the ground that such a course would be not only more economical, but more in the interest* of the children, and it is stated that in each case the inspectors have reported in farour of the conveyance of the children. For the Dyer settlement a school to accommodate the children would cost from £200 to £300, and for Aluhuuoa the cost is estimated at £51?, *n<l hi each c««e, of course, a staff would have to be provided. The Department has finally offered to provide for each place a specially-constructed van for the conveyance of the children, and there the matter rests at present. [