LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13647, 15 January 1908, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Sheep-breeders had but little reason to feel cheerful yesterday after the opening of the second wool sale of the .season, and those who got rid of their clips at the November sale may consider themselves fortunate. The market opened weakly, and grew worse as the day went on, there being a sharp decline in prices on all fleece wools. The highest figure was 9|d, attained in three instances, although one lot was passed in at 10,{d. At the first sale of last season prices ranged up to Is 2d, so that the drop is a very serious one. The decline is looked upon as reflecting the state of the lairge markets of the world. Particulars of the sales and references to the factors contributing to the weak state of the market will be found elsewhere in this issue.

lb would appear that the continued heavy traffic on the Rotorua, line, is overtaxing the resources of the Railway Department. Monday's train was three-quar-ters of an hour late in reaching Rotorua, and passengers complain that the journey is sufficiently long and tedious without the added discomfort entailed by such delays. On the journey yesterday the train was also behind time, though it wis despatched from Auckland punctually. The train was crowded, and about 90 passengers booked direct for Rotorua. At present most of the tourist traffic is confined to New Zealanders, and oversea visitors are not very numerous. A great many Aucklanders are making the trip, while there are alio many visitors from all the Southern provinces.

Mr. Midgley Taylor, who is now on a visit to Auckland for the purpose of reporting on the question of a complete drainage scheme for the city and suburbs, has made an extensive tour of the district in company with Mr. W. E. Rush, city engineer. He has been up and down the harbour for the purpose of inspecting the outfalls of the present and proposed sewers, and other points of interest in connection with the drainage question. He has also made a careful investigation, by both land and water, of Cox's Creek, Meola Creek, Motion's. Creek, Oakley Creek, Orakei Point and the Orakei reserve. All the chief features of the topography of the Eden County have been carefully studied, and the report which Mr. Taylor will in due course submit to the City Council should be one of considerable interest.

A deputation from the City Council, consisting of Messrs. J. Court, St Casey, A. E. Glover, Dr. Stopford, and the town cleft (Mr. H. W. Wilson) waited upor> the Hon. J. McGowM (Acting-Minister for Public Works) at the Star Hole! yesterday morning for the Impose of asking that section 117 of the Public Works Act Amendment Act of 1905 should not apply to Turner-street, a 40ft street oil Upper Queen-street, near the Prince Albert College. Under the provisions of the Act, the lessee of the Prince Albert College property, in subdividing the land, is required to widen Turner-street on that side by 13ft, and the City Council is compelled by law to pay full compensation for the same. The deputation considered that Turner-street, which was only 426 ft long and led into Liverpool-street, was not likely to become a main thoroughfare, and the Council had resolved that- the provisions of the Act ought not to apply to it. This resolution, it was stated, had been conveyed to the Department. The Departmental officers had inquired into the question, .and a reply had been received to the effect that the request would be complied with, provided that the owners of property on both sides of the street agreed to set back their buildings to 33ft from the street centre The Council, however, had been advised by its solicitors that the passing of a by-law to compel people to set kick their buildings would involve the payment of compensation, as the property-owners would Jose the use of the land. Turnerstreet was only a short street, and tus it ended practically in a cul-de-sac the tratlic was not likely to be very great. The Council thought that under the circumstances a width of 40ft would be sufficient. Mr. Wilson pointed out that the Council was not seeking to evade its liability in regard to the widening of streets, as it had already expended a considerable sum in widening various streets in different parts of the city. The present cate, however, was regarded as exceptional After hearing other speakers, the Minister accompanied the deputation to Turneretreet, and inspected the surroundings. Mr. McGowan deferred his decision.

The uncertainty of fishing adds zest to flic sport, but the uncertainty of the Ponsonby electric trains at times when they are most required is not a matter that is calculated cither to improve the temper of the average citizen or popularise the service. Stoppages have not been infrequent of latc_. and on two occasions quite recently between seven and eight o'clock, in the evening, would-be passengers have had an exasperating wait oi anything up to half an hour with the solitary diversion of watching the cars proceed in the one direction only.

The question of turning the Orakei Basin to practical account, by converting it into an attractive pleasure re-sort is being revived, and the matter will probably be discussed at the next meeting'of the Itemuera Road Board. Mr. J. S. Dickson, the chairman of the Board, in the course of an interview yesterday with the Hun. J. McGowan, Acting-Minister for Public Works, explained the proposal that has been mooted, viz., that if the Harbour- Board would hand over the reserve for the purpose, locks be placed at the bridge at the mouth of tho basin. By thus confining the water at high tide it would form a large saltwater lake of about 40 acres in extent, which would be admirably adapted for boating and bathing purposes. Mr. McGowan said that if .such a scheme were adopted be would do what he could to assst in carrying it out. '

For a New Zealand Cross, a very rare decoration, the sum of £170 was given at Sotheby's, in London, on November. 9, an amount exceeding by £100 What it was expected, even by the most, sanguine, to realise. It was the Cross that had been conferred upon Constable Solomon Black for bravery at the siege of Ngatapa, in 1869. The rarity of this Cross was attested in' the bidding, -which was begun by Mr. Barrett at £20, Mr. Baldwin being his opponent'. At £50 Sir. Spink joined the contest, but Mr. Baldwin won at the price of £170. In connection with the subject- of the presentation of the Cross to Constable Black, the following outline is given by the Morning Post..- —" In the Maori war there were many deeds of valour, but none more worthy of esteem than that shown at the siege of Ngatapa in January, 1869. A mixed force of military, constabulary, and natives, under Colonel (afterwards Major-Gcneral Sir) G. S. Whitmore, took this stronghold after a five days' struggle. Major Fraser, with Nos. 1 and 3 companies of the Armed Constabulary and natives, attacked the enemy's rear position, the extreme, right of Which, on a scarped ridge, was commanded by the Maoris' rifle pits and works, and a lodgment was onlv effected, after cutting out standing room with a pickaxe. The enemy made several sorties against this point, which was aa essential one for attacking operations, but it held by a party of 12 volunteers to the end of the siege. One of the more prominent of these brave defenders was Constable Solomon Black, who was awarded one of the very few New Zealand Crosses conferred for heroic services. This object, in silver, is in the shape of a Maltese Cross surmounted with a crown. On the obverse is a wreath of gold, on the reverse a circular band with the constable's name inscribed."

The need for certain repairs to the Oi-akei bridge was brought under the notice of the Acting-Minister for Public Works (the Hon. J. McGowan) yesterday by Mr. J. S. Dickson, chairman of the Remuera Road Board. The latter pointed out the defective .stale of several of the piles, and also the need for repairs to the approach at the Remuera side of the bridge. Mr. Dickson said that a new bridge might be necessary. The Minister promised to obtain a leport upon the whole matter.

The old story of taking to drink to drown sorrow was repeated by a man at the Police Court yesterday. Mr. Kettle, S.M., speaking to a young man who was charged with failing to maintain his wife and offspring, and who admitted having had a " few drinks" when he met a friend, said: " You have no business to spend money in beer or whisky or luxuries if yon have a wife and child to support, and they are in need, as. is the case in the present instance." "You would speak differently if you had the, trouble I had," wan the reply." "What you have gut to do, and others like you, is to play your part straight from the shoulder, and do your duty and keep away from the publichouse," added the magistrate. In another case, in which a prohibition order was issued, Mr. Kettle advised the wife to find out what publican supplied the liquor to her Husband, and give information to the police.

In connection with the meteor which was noticed locally on Monday evening our Waiwera correspondent writes:—" A peculiar phenomenon was witnessed at Upper Waiwera on Monday night. About 10 o'clock a large ball of fire was seen to drop in the heavens, and exploded, leaving a streak of blue fire after it. Soon after the people of the district were startled by a loud report and a continued rumble.'' The meteor was also witnessed at. Waiuku, the heavy rumbling following its appearance being distinctly heard.

The New" Zealand mails, via Suez, which left Wellington on December 6, were delivered iu London on .Friday last,,

The. Auckland Wj&kkmt Nutto published to-day contains among a wide variety of interesting illustration? a striking full-page picture of specia.'. interest to Axtcklanderg, showing the progress of the work in connection with the great ferro-ooncrete bridge ovpr the Cemetery Gully. A beautiful double-page harvesting scene gives a good idea of New Zealand's magnificent agricultural resources, whilst among the numerous current events dealt with may be mentioned the North Wand Bowling Association's to.irnamertt played on the Auckland greens, comprising li combined group of th«» contesting team*. Mrs. Myers leading off at the tournament, the progress of the game, 'and a fine group of the winning Carlton team. Other events include the Rowing Association's gala at Orakei, Bevouport Yacht Club's races, the dental conference, axemen's carnival at Kithara, opening new sports grounds at New Ply. mouth, Grand Orange Lodge conference, the Nimrod'fi. route to the Antarctic base, strengthening the Hamilton railway bridge, a fine catch of hapuka at Ganuet Island, Dick Tresidder who ie: to low against Webb on the Wangamii River, the worlds fastest torpedo boat destroyer, and a large number of other topical pictures.

"A vigorous public works programme has long been," says the Empire Review, "a characteristic feature in New Zealand policy. When financial conditions in New Zealand were much less satisfactory than at present the policy was subjected to much adverse criticism, but has, to all appearances, been justified by results. In these times, when prosperity rules in the Dominion, very little consideration is devoted to the subject, yet the recent statement of the Minister for' Public Works in the Dominion Parliament is well worthy of attention. It shows that for the current year the proposed expenditure on public works amounts to no less than £2,116,000, of which £1,000.000 is to be derived from new loans, and a further £800,000 will come from ordinary revenue in hand."

Upon inquiry at the hospital last night it, was ascertained that Mr. W. Shepherd, one of the victims ol the collision between a train and waggonette at Avondale on Monday, was still in a, critical condition. The other two persons injured arc progressing favourably, and should bo out of the institution in a day or two. Row, the man who was ujured in Freeman's Bay on Monday, by being knocked down by a, truck, continues in a critical state.

There are some people living in the country who ought never to venture out of the fields they know so well, for when they gratify the desire, to see city life they pay dearly for the experience. Ono such Mian was before the Police Court yesterday. He arrived in Auckland from the country a month ago, and then had £90 with him. One would hardly think he would find it necessary to steal a loaf of bread, but this was the charge preferred against him— stealing a loaf of bread from a restaurant. The man could not recollect how ho had spent all his money, though he romembered having given "a few fivers to chaps who were hard up." The magistrate, Mr. Kettle, said he did not think the accused had intended to steal. A fine of 5s and costs was imposed, and a prohibition order was issued against him.

Some 16 years ago Iho Rev. W. J. Mayers (deputation secretary of Dr. Bar. nardo's Homes) made a tour of the colonics, and, accompanied by eight musical boys, held meetings in many places. Mr. Mayers now contemplates another colonial tour on behalf of the homes, and will sail from England on February 21 in the Omrah. He will have with him a party of 10 trained musical boys, all of whom have been rescued and educated by the homes,'"anil who will give evidence of the benefits they have received, by their music, action songs, and drill. These kids will be accompanied by their musical instructor, Mr. Henry Aaron, who will be their accompanist. That these young musicians have been well trained seems clear from the fact that their instruments include handbells, Highland bagpipes, cornet, mandolines, ocarma-s, sleigh bells, xylophones, dulcimer, Glockenspiel, auto-harps, 'fairy bells, and bugles; and their repertoire, which runs into nearly 100 items, includes selections by Spohi, Stainer, Gounod, Sullivan, Wagner, Verdi, Elgar, and Ambroise Thomas.

The large scow. Eunice, left, Onehunga for Wellington yesterday, taking as part' cargo 131,000 ft of sawn timber. She wan towed as far as the Manukau Heads by the Torgauten, which is also bound for Wellington. The brigantiue Rio Logo, ballast laden, left for Wha.nga.pe early yesterday morning, and the collier Rosamond will leave Onehunga this morning for Greymouth.

It was popularly supposed that the Merchant Shipping Conference, which was held in London, and which was attended by representatives of New Zealand and Australia, had settled the lines of future shipping legislation within the Empire. At all events, the Conference took th« trouble to register some 26 resolutions, which were presumably for the guidance of the Imperial and colonial Legislatures. "Already, however," remarks a London paper, "the Commonwealth Government . is pressing forward an Australian Navigation Bill, which is alleged to be in conflict with some of those resolutions. Shipowners' representatives have had a conference on the subject with the Board of Trade and the Colonial Office, and the result is that the Government have cabled to the Commonwealth Ministry. This cable is to be followed by a. despatch setting out in detail the objections to tin' Bill. It seems a little disappointing, after all the trouble which was taken a few months ago, that it should so soon be incumbent on the Imperial Government to make representations of the kind now indicated."

A meeting of members of the Onchunga Chamber of Commerce will be held at Holmes' Hall this evening, when Mr. F. W. Lang, M.l\ for Mauukau, will address the Chamber on the proposed Manukau Harbour Board.

The Gisborne master butchers intend to issue their accounts weekly. Account* will bo made up on Saturday nighte and issued on Monday, and customers will be given until the following Wednesday to pay. In view of obtaining cash weekly a general reduction of a halfpenny per lb is made.

A grocer named John Louis Jones, carrying on business in Newmarket, was adjudicated a bankrupt yesterday upon the petition of his creditors. The first meeting of creditors has been fixed for January 21, «'it 2.30 p.m., at tins official assignee's office.

It is stated that there is a strong feeling in Anglican Church circj.es in Victoria that the Federal Parliament should be urged tc take over marriaje and divorce legislation at an early date with the object of passing a law restricting the facilities for divorce in some of the States. It is probable that some time this year action will be taken by the Church with a view to educating public opinion on the matter.

During the survey ot the Gisborne oilfield by the officers of the Geological Survey Department, special attention will bo paid to the economic aspect of the work. Where petroleum is found samples will bo taken and analysed in the Departmental laboratories.