LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13780, 19 June 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister for Education and Public Health, who is at present in Auckland, was engaged in the transaction of Departmental business yesterday. To-day the Minister will visit the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, at Parnell. With reference to the numbers of standing passengers allowed in the tramcars, it has been decided by the City Council to request the Tramways Company to put a legible notice in each compartment of each car, specifying the number of people allowed to be carried standing. The city traffic inspector reported last night that the traffic between 5 and 6 p.m. had been carried on very smoothly, without so much congestion at the starting points, and very few complaints. He also stated that the painting of cars was being proceeded with. The marked rolls used at the Tuapeka by-election have reached Wellington. A comparison of the names of those who recorded their votes at the poll with the names of the Mount Ida electors who were inadvertently placed on the roll, shows that not one of the 100 odd electors concerned in the mistake attempted to vote Thel" Attorney-General, Dr. Findlay, states that the fact that the Mount Ida electors on tho roll did not vote finally disposes of any possibility of the eluction being invalidated. ' i

The work in connection with the duplication of the J Auckland -Penrose railway line, apart from the Parnell bridge,'-is now 'steadily approaching completion. A start ha« been made with the laying of the steel joists arid the concrete decking of the extension of the R<muera Road bridge, at Newmarket. The pedestrian ramp has been finished, and - the ; new station building is nearly completed. The old building will be moved, and converted into a store office. The erection of the inter-locking cabin at Remuera is nearly finished, •whilst that at Ellerslie is in hand. The contractors for the erection of the new iron bridge at Parrel!, Messrs. Anderson and Co,, are now preparing the material in their workshops at Lyttcllon, but none of it has vet come to hand.

■■■Mr.,: A. Eoaser has written to the 'City Council relative to the prosecution of tramWay conductors for the overcrowding of cars, and, in the course of his letter, he says: —*' The evidence elicited in the prosecutions instituted by your Council against the tramway employees shows the utter unworkablenees of your Council's amended by-laws. The fact was made patent that your a&sistant-traftic inspector, Mr. Tester, boarded a car in plain clothes, and the conductor of the car failed to recognise him as a public official.._ The Tramways Union desires to bring most respectfully under your notice the- fact that ally traffic inspector should be in uniform, so that his position as a public officer may secure proper attention from the employee's of the company, and I am directed to ask that a uniform be supplied to him suitable to his position." The conductor, in reporting the matter to the union, said, " I did not know him from e bar of soap." The city traffic inspector, Mr. T. C. Turner, reporting in connection with this, said he failed to see in what way the mere "fact of a Council employee being in plain clothes or otherwise could affect the workableness of a bylaw. Ho had set Mr. Tester, the dog ranger, at various points to take the number of each car passing, and to- nolo the number of passengers carried, and report-. There was no necessity for Mr. 'Jester to conic in contact with tho tramway employees at all, or for them to know anything about it. The matter was referred to the Electric; and Tramways Committee. The City Council at last night's meeting passed a special order to borrow £9000 for the erection of buildings at the abattoir. The sum originally borrowed, £26,000. In erecting the buildings and constructing the yards, etc., sundry improvements have been introduced t< make the establishment as complete as possible. Electric power for hoists, light, etc.. has been installed, and diningroonis, lavatories, and a. manager's residence have been added, with other improvements, bringing the requirements, financially, up to £35,000; hence the additional loan of £9000. The chairman of the committee of the Maori school at Whakarara; near Whangaroa, who is at present visiting Wellington, stated to a press representative that the natives in his district take great interest in the education of their- children, and are fully alive to the importance of regular attendance at school. .Some time ago the committee 'made, rather a novel rule, with the object of penalising any parents who •failed to send their children to the school. A fine of 2s is imposed in each case, but if the parent is aroused to a sense of his or her responsibilities;, and sends the children to school, the amount is remitted. If, however, the offence is repeated, another line is inflicted, and at the end of the year the accumulated lines are. distributed | amongst the youngsters who have been re- j gular in their attendance. 1 ■'•■'-''. >

In connection With the exhibition of New Zealand industries the shopkeepers of Karangahape Road, Newton, held a meeting to discuss the project, and Mr. B. Buddie, of the Industrial Association, presided. The chairman 5 reported that in consequence of an increased Government giant provision would now be made to adequately light and decorate that portion of Upper Queen-street between Wellesleyfitreet and Karangahape Road, and arrangements would also be made for a band to promenade Karangahape Road. This announcement met with approval, and those present decided to co-operate with the Industrial Association by window displays ot New Zealand manufactures.

Sometime ago Christian, Ouicla. and Edwin Whitehead, children residing at Driving deck, Coromandel, offered to send some ferns and other bush plants for the city parks. The City Council accepted the otter, and, a further letter has been received from the children stating that they had gathered quite a choice variety of young trees, but the most beautiful tree ferns were too heavy to lift, so they could not send any. They had to earn- the para ferns seven miles through rough bush. The list included tanekahas, kowhai, nikau, native creepers, rimu, white box, etc., and a number of ferns. The writers added "We did not send you a bush lawyer, because we did not think you would agree with him. We were- very pleased with your letter, and proud to think that our little gift was so highly appreciated, and hope this lot will please you." Mr. W. Goldie, superintendent of parks, reported to lust night's meeting of the Council that the ferns sent by the children had all been potted off, and placed in the glass house to get them established, and the shrubs had been planted in the open. He pointed out that shrubs or native trees, lifted for transplanting, should not be above 4in or sin high, and the end of April or early in May was the best season to remove native plants. The Council accepted the ferns and plants with thanks. H.M.S. Encounter left for Wellington yesterday morning, and H.M.S. Pioneer went out into the gulf. The latter warship anchored off Waiwera in the afternoon, and will return to Auckland tomorrow. The Encounter, after a short stay at Wellington, will come back to Auckland to join the Pioneer in connection with the visit of the American fleet. During (lie past month a number of improvements have been effected at the ; tramway power-house. A supplementary flue and chimney, with an induced draft fan, have been added to the boilers, and will be ready for use in two or three weeks. It is of small capacity, bnt ft is hoped it will prove useful at times of heavy load. No. 7 boiler is now on its way, > and will be landed next month. The city electrical engineer stated to the City Council last evening that the power station was undoubtedly running better and much more smoothly than in the early part of the year, and the company was far better able to meet the load at times of heavy traffic than it was four months ago. The manager, he added, was awaiting instructions from Home regarding overhead feeders. During the past two months the bonding of the rails had been examined throughout, and defects had been repaired.

Mi-. John Marshall wrote to last night's meeting of the City Council intimating that ho had purchased the painting representing the departure of the Maoris from Barotonga for New Zealand, and he desired to prostmt it to tho Auckland Art Gallery as a companion picture to the one representing tho arrival of the Maoris hi Now Zealand. The offer; wag received with thanks^ .

mini ii i mam iiiiiiiilniiiii mi i m """XJfiS* The premises *! Mr. Geo. Carter/fatlflF, of Wellesley-stresfc -Wist-, were t-miei V ft . burglar between a late hoax on WedtHday night and'early yeeieday mornm;?, find. * quantity of clothing, to to*- value ofi£2o, wast stolen. The thief made a a uteii»?3fid attempt to oirii the fife. v.hi.!* contained 30*, but he managed to lay Uk hand.* on a shilling piece, which itmstitated .<, portion of the employees" ** tea fund."' '. He appears to have entered the building. byUh** back door, and mad* his exit by « wm| of the roof. . The matter has been tepdhed to the police. j After many hours of weighty |#al argument, the 'case Dufaur v. . Kea&fy 'and ;:/ .-> others," which ha* occupied the tttiptioft of "''■ the Supreme Court for live day*, las to*eluded laid yesterday afternoon. Jtdgnumt bring reserved. ' I'.c 'case i\a, -Almost unique in the number of leaj'nedijtuihorities quoted by counsel, and deputed on ' various benches'', in the ■' ceuttroafc ; were.. ■■ • over 150 volumes from the libra*", from' • which were called extract* on wiry possible phase of the question. At ihc ton- ■ elusion of the case, Mr. Justice Edward* hinted that it would facilitate hit labours . ' in coming to a decision if the a|horititw were not replaced for the time Inlng, "I 1 suppose you want a -judgment *oa»|time or ' another," said His Honor, signiiloajtiv., Mr. Justice wauls will sit I 10.50 i a.m. to-day. when the following jrteonoi* will come up for sentence : —Alfred foombea , and George Alien, convicted at ''dtmiiitou for breaking and entering with iteeiU to , commit a crime (the latter has al«o|uead<>.i i guilty to breaking and entering an! theft.?. Frederick Sherlock Joner will , apfear on : three charges of theft. 1., At last night's meeting of the City Coun- ■ cil, the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) fpottsd the result of the claim for eonljjlipation brought by Mr. W. H. Fuller «g»|st the city fur taking his house and land at the Grafton end of the new iVmi-txmercle bridge, in which the Court awarded £1200, each party to pay its,own cent**; , The Mayor said thai 12 months previously he had offered that amount to Mr. Fuller with, out prejudice. "Mr. Fuller would have been a wise man if he had. accepted that offer," added the Mayor. . >. An application was received some time ago by the City Council from the Auckland Tennir Association for the urorisum of tennis courts in the Domain, one lot at Stanley-street entrance and another at Parnell entrance, the estimated cost? be-in;; £1600. The city engineer reported that the cost of tennis courts, bowling green, , croquet court, and pavilion at the Paro**!! end would be £1300, nod the annual upkeep would be from £150 to £209. The matter was referred to the Works Committee, and it was decided to reply that tie Council, was unable to undertake this work out of revenue, but was promoting loan proposals, which included provision for lawn tennis grounds, etc., in Victoria . Park} and that while quite in sympathy with the desire of the association for grounds in the Domain, was of opinion that the laying oil of lawns in Victoria Park, being more centrally situated, would suffice for the requirements of the citizens for some time to coitto. - Two cases of.-horses having to be shot to cikT their sufferings have occttSfred th..' week. In the first a collision occurred between a trumear and a cart horse, which, had wandered on to the line near the Beninera terminus, the animal sustaining a broken back. Mr. Alder, inspector for tl* Society , of Prevention of Cruelty to Aniitials, was telephoned for, and he went out toltoinuera. and destroyed the 'horse. Later, Mr. Alder receiveda call to Nelson-street, where » trap horse belonging to J.. Harrid tod fallen into a" ditch in an adjacent section, and efforts to remove it had been unavailing. In • this case also it was deemed necessary to. put. an end to the animal's sufferings. Mr. Alder in each instance used the potent gun adopted by t|.e society for the destruction of animals,, v! ■;,.., . A* showing the importance wMeh at. . Inches to the Cambridge Fanners' Club (says the Waikuto Independent), 1 the secretary, Mr. K. Vealc, stated that % leading institution of Auckland had approached that body with a request. that it .should prepare and submit ft scheme in connection with the proposal to run a, fat stock train to Auckland. It is well, known that this district exports a largo quantity of stock over the railways, and the men intimately concerned will doubtless lie able to suggest a scheme that will meet with general acceptation. ■-.■-■■ -c . ■■:. . . The Railway Department has decided , to run special trains on July 9 and 11 in connection with the Waikato Winter Show, to be held at Hamilton on July 8, 9, 10, and 11, and excursion tickets will be issued from any station to Hamilton on July 7, 8, .9, and 10, and by trains arriving at Hamilton not slater than 2 p.nr. on July 11, available for return up to arid including Monday, .July 13. Entries for this exhibition wili.jlose with the joint secretaries (Messrs. R. B. Hestell and S. J. Bullock)' at Hamilton to-morrow, but the entries of local exhibitors will b« received at the Poultry Show at the Roynl Albert Hall to-day. "' The City Fire Brigade received a call to Quay-street yesterday morning, where some tar in boiling had bubbled over on to some woodwork opposite the Harbour Board'* buildings. The flames Were speedily extinguished. ; ::J Some anxiety was caused it Qnehungu yesterday owing to the wife of a. resident ' of Victoria-street having left home in the morning without leaving any*'trace,of t*fto direction in which she went. For some time past she had been unwell,' and suffered from melancholia. Up till last evening nothing had been discovered of her whereabouts, tThe City Council decided la&i evening to defer the erection of the bridge on the main road at Waitakcrei Stream until next spring, when the Works Committee wilt visit the site, arid meet the chairman and engineer of the county and the property- , owners interested, with reference to the proposed diversion of the roadway. Mr. Justice Edwards granted probate in : I the following estates yesterday morning: — j Elizabeth Cutler (Mr. Armstrong), Ernest. ! Warburton (Mr. Buttle), and Mary Smith ' (Mi-. Newton). Letters of administration ! were granted in the estate of Mary Maria 1 Butler (Mr. Hanna). [ The Auckland Ministers" Association has asked the City Council to contribute £60 per annum for the services of a chaplain to conduct burial services at ! Waikuroete cemetery, but the Council decided last evening that it could not see its way to comply with the request. For the past fortnight the total power generated at the city electrical station was 8278 units, the machinery working 151£ hours; the quantity of water used was 9700 gallons, while four tons of coal were, required, and four new- customers • (lighting) had been added to the list, making a total of 73. * On account of the large amount of adrerIking matter, and also to ensure correct classification, advertisers for traturday's issue of the 'Hkualp are requested to tend in their advertisemeulß as'. early',as I**' sible to-day, V