LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

TnJ3 principle ofthe eight-hour day ia Now Zealand is evidently no 1 attended to Supreme Com* 'proceedings ia Auckland. Lost night th» juiy retired to consider ita verdict in a case, at 10.30 p.m., and did not return Until 11.15. On Tuesday it wa* nearly 10 p.m. befor tho Court rose, and judging by th. work that has yet to bo disposed of this week there is 'every, prospect of r continuance 4 the- night sittings ■ -

A prediction tha* fire insurant rates would require to be increased to tome oxtent was uttered by th Hon. 8. Thome George, chairman of directors .of the New Zealand Insurance Company, at the annual meeting yesterday. He pointed out that the establishment of fire boards throughout the Dominion meant a heavy tax on insurance companies, and as the companies had not found underwriting in the Dominion profitable during the last few years, and as they were not philanthropic institutions, it would be necessary to raise the tariff to meet Ihe new tax. A probable return to something nearer the rales of 1904 would be needful, he said. Ho also gavo an interesting summary of the position of the company, and the general inspector was able to tell shareholders of the very high esteem : n which the company is held in other parts of the world. A full report of the proceedings appeals elsewhere in this issue.

The' phenomenally high prices for butter ruling on the London market are attracting keen interest amongst those engaged in the dairying industry, and a great many who are not directly concerned are following the matter with close attention. Fever before in the history of dairying have prices reached anywhere near the rates now quoted at Home, of 148s and 150s per cwt, the highest previous quotation for New Zealand butter being 127e, At the opening of the season there were determined. attempts to bear the market here, and to get hold of Auckland factory outputs at Mich price* as 9£d and 9j[d per lb, and although those accustomed to look for cause and effect strenuously urged the factories to consign rather than sell on contract, many contracts were made, the factories Beaming to suffer from a mild panic. Still the agitation had the effect of forcing.up contract prices to 104 d and lOfd, and factories benefited accordingly. Those which did consign throughout the season are enjoying splendid returns; in the other cases it is the buyers who aro smiling. Taken all through, the conditions at present are of very great moment, and a special article on the subject, published in this issue, should be read with interest.. '

The six-roomed dwelling, workshop, and sheds, owned.by Mr. Robert Nicool, a settler, living two miles out of Papakura, and near the Hunua bush, were destroyed by fire on Saturday. According to tho polio© report/ which was received yesterday, a.fire started on Friday in the bush, about a mile away from Mr. Niccol's residence. No danger whatever was anticipated at that time, but at three p.m. next day, Mr. Niccol, who lives alone, was surprised to find smoke- entering the house. On looking out he discovered that the wind had changed and that the whole of the grass and scrub in the immediate vicinity of the place were on fire. Seeing that there, was no hope of saving the buildings, Mr. Niccol secured some papers and made a hasty retreat to a place of safety, there to watch the demolition of his premises. The house and furniture were insured in the Alliance office for £300, but Mr.. Niccol estimates his loss at £750.

Mr. Justice Edwards administered, a severe rebuke to a witness in an assault caee at the Supremo Court yesterday. The witness, a man in business, asked if he knew the principal witness for the prosecution, a girl, said he knew her "too well," and His Honor instantly re, quested an explanation of the term, whereupon the man said lie. had seen her talking to some boys. "Statements like those," said the judge, " are the resource of scoundrels, and it is infamous on your part that you should pretend to volunteer such to the jury without any cause whatever." Tim witness essayed an explanation. "Hold your tongue, sir!" said Hia Honor, "you have tried to blacken that young girl's name without reason."

The dozen big guns •which have been lying in picturesque disarray in Albert Park for tho laet 18 months, many of them belonging to' the historical past, are at length to be mounted and placed in position round the flagstaff, and'T yesterday the corporation -workmen were engaged in excavating for the concrete foundations which are to be laid. •

Owing to the dry weather root crops are suffering severely in South Canterbury, and unless rain falls soon tire outlook for water will be a very gloomy one everywhere. The turnip crops are seen in different stages of growth, some just breaking through s the ground, while others are well advanced, but without rain they cannot come to maturity. The rape crops are very. poor and not nearly go many lambs will be fattened as was anticipated a few weeks ago. Potato crops are now being lifted and they are turning out very fairly. They are free from blight and in good sound condition.

Iho Union Company's steamer Kittawa completed discharging her large cargo of coal at Onehunga: last evening. She will proceed down the harbour at' five o'clock this morning, in order to take on board a large quantity of explosives from a lighter, after which she will sail for New Plymouth and Greyinouth.

A fir broke out. in a, four-roomed cottage -owned by Mr. Atkinson, in Unionstreet', shortly after nine o'clock last night. The fire brigade were communicated with and arriving quickly upon tile tcene, soon succeeded in reducing the flames, but not before the two front rooms had been gutted. Tho oause of the fire is not known. The damage amounted' to about £100, but it could not bo ascertained last evening whether this was covered by insurance. A prisoner who came up for sentence before Mr. Justice Edwards at the Supreme Court yesterday morning pleaded for his freedom in order that he might marry. "That is thfi last thing you should do," said the judge, "A person possessing criminal instincts, leading him not only to one crime, but to a number is not the .person to get married, but the contrary. Unfortunately these instincts are hereditary." A man named Patrick Mullanty was adnutted to the hospital yesterday suffering from an injury to his thigh. "it appears that he was driving a horsy and cart in Freeman's Bay when the horse bolted and , -capsized. the cart, which went over Mull&nty's thigh. Another man named Thomas Guffey was also admitted to the [ hospital yesterday suffering from an injury to his leg, sustained while working on the wharf; Probate has been'granted by His Honor Mr. Justice Edwards in tho estates of John Johnson McKay, Harding Hawkeu, John Nearing, Albert Horton.-Alfred Spry Andrew**, Qcorgina, Elizabeth Katherine Saunders, Jessie Wtutaon, and James Burtt letters-of administration have been granted in the estates of William Arthur wears., Albert Richard Reed, Mirkm Emily Boyd, and Julia • *";•"■ I

'■The city and suburbs iui mites ~f «„ ,j mm enveloped* in a haste o$ r.nukfj jn>as*f.. day* Irons bush fires in lite BOtttJHuMt: '11* smoke at times ww so' d<ma© »a to alnitmi obscure the sun, which throughout the -day:' presented the Appearance of j a '■' huge' crjpjKrvbat!.' Towards six o'clock, as the sua d:«appeared in the west, its colour changed to a■ fiery red, giving the sky quite a peculiar; appearance. : ' Owing :id the density 'of i% smoke upon the -.'harbour No. 2 Carris ->n Artillery were .'unable' to carry out th»sf. targeS practice with, the- big guns, as intend* ed, and had to have recourse .to'. another form of drill ' • Until Ut« in bite night th« sm<?ke hung tc-'oul and Almost everyone experienced its effect*. Not for many a day have so many people complained of note eyes and throats. ■'.

Mr. J. <"t. Litheriand, a weH-ki.sow.tr sportsman, died very (suddenly .at the residence of Mr. IS. Toomau, Green Lane, yesterday. The deceased "was & resident of the Northern WalfOa district-,. An mqmi will; be held tit 10.30 a.m. to-day. *

In the Waikato is an experimental farm and vinery which the Agricultural Depaitment calls "Waeienga," but the New Zealand Times says that the traveller by rail will never reach it if he waits lor a station of that mane, because the Raj}, way Department persists in calling it "Wairartgi,", otherwise "stupid," instead of Waerenga-, or .*■ clearing,'" which, after the excellent native custom in naming, exactly expresses the nature of the locality. It is urged by the Railway Department, in extenuation of its continued inaccuracy, that there arc a good many other such cases, and it will be well tome day to tackle revision in a wholesale fashion. Post office spelling of Maori names is generally reliable, "Moumahaki" being an instance. The post office, unlike the man in the street, never calls it " Memohaki." Another instance of inaccuracy is in the Bail way Department's spelling of Taumarunui, which means a ridge giving treat shelter. The modern railway comet along, displaying in its bustling, up-to-date manner, a carelessness about letter accuracy in place names, and put* in an "a" where there should be a ' «," representing Tauniarvmui to bo a place upon the ridge where there is great cultivation.

After travelling *dons, the Main, Trunk railway lino, Mr. Remington, MP. for Battgitikei, says that he was much struck* wjth the tray in which Aucklauders are pushing business in newly -settled district*. In one township lie found four commercial travellers from Auckland, and all were as keen as possible Everywhere bo went h« saw cases of goods, Lents, etc., with Auek land brands upon them. Ho pays he does not begrudge Auckland 1/ share of the trade, but lie thinks Wellington business wen are foolish in not emulating the Northern merchant?. /

The New Zealand correspondent of the Times, writing on November 22, in reply to a letter from Mr. W. P. Reeves, published in the Times of September 14, says: "In his previous letter regarding the slaughtermen's strikes Mr. Beeves, chalhanging a contention in your leading article, wrote ' What you declared to be impossible is exactly what was done. The courts in New Zealand not only fined the men, but have been making thorn pay tho fines.' Mr. Reeves, wrote that M far back as April 11. On .Tune 27 I pointed out that some of the strikers not only refused to pay the fines bub had actually defied the authorities to collect them, In his last letter Mr, Reeves still pins hi* faith, to his statement regarding the payment of the fines. He states that, some £400 had been paid, and asks, 'Who would have gathered this, from your columns?' But this is only half the truth. Unfortunately for Mr. Reeves' argument I am able to give the true facte from a return presented to Parliament m the motion of one of labour members on October 24 last. The total amount of tho fines inflicted was £1335. Of this sum the return shows that only £485 was recovered! A simple sum in subtraction will enable your readers to judge between Mr. Reeves and myself."

Mr. C. J. Fulton, the New Zealand fibw expert, lias been for eou» months at St. Helena, where be was sen* at the request of the Imperial Government to report and, advise on the preparation, for export of the flax grown there. Mr. Fulton has written, to the Hon. It. McNab, staling that he started milling there on Decern*; her 2, and at. the time of writing ovarything promised to go on well. The mill was formally opened by the Governor, Lieutenant-Colonel Gallwey, in the presence of a large number of visitors from all parts of the inland. Mr. Fulton is of opinion that the industry,'if. carried on under good management, is likely to prove of very great benefit; to St. Helena. In Iris speech at the opening the Governor particularly thanked the New Zealand Government for allowing its expert to irendw valuable assistance. * -;"

An inspection of the Wangaulil Etonis being made by Mi". T. B. Cumuttfts, chairman of the River Trust, and Mr. JT. Stewart, C.E., consulting engine*!'. These gentlemen are examining the river works which have been carried out n»tb the object of improving navigation at the shallows, and they have another important object, that of reporting to the River Trust upon portions of scenic reserves which should to set aside for settlement. A strip of land a mile, -wide hao been set apart as a scenic reserve on each bank of the Wanganui, but this , arbitrate ■ allocation in come cases interferes with eattjcmenl without feafeguarding the beauty of the river in iha slightest' degree. ft. Will be suggested: to the, Government that a good deal of revenue could bo derived by: leasing a large area of low-lying fern land at tho Tausnarunui end, without prejudicing the scenic value of the route.

From observations made bv a Dnnedin resident it seems that the sparrow is a muclt-maligned bird, and that instead of being, an enemy he in a friend, whose introduction into New Zealand was justified. The observer mentioned writes m follows to the Otago Daily Time*:—"For the past month or more I have watched spsr'r rows in quite largo numbers diligently feeding upon something in 'the hedged around my residence. At first I could not make out what they were so greedily devouring, but close observation revealed the fact that insects, moths, and small caterpillars were "the objects of attraction. j The hedges are macrocarpa and maple. , My family has noticed the same thing, which seems to be general in the vicinity. 1 may state that last season the maple hedges suffered severely owing to the ravages of caterpillars, of which pee* it now requires careful inspection to fmd any at all At the same time - sparrows seem to have left turnip, radish, and other seeds almost untouched." The Government intends to advertise in New Zealand, New South W»l«, and Victoria for application*! for the position of inspector under the Fire Brigades Act, The salary will be £500. Alterations to the railway elation build-5 ing and Tatimarunui, involving anexpenditure of between £8000 and £10,000/. aie to be put in hand shortly. The inmates of,the police celh la*t night consistgd of l wo persona arrested on charges I of tnett, and oneoosn s a charge of drunkennea*,■:.:-.,.■':'■:'".; ■ ,■'■:■;■'■■;,;, /•; /■•..'..• .; 7\'}-..S" : :^'-/'A