LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13905, 12 November 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The number of through passengers by the Main Trunk train yesterday showed a falling compared with the first day. The Wellington contingent, which included several people from Christchurch, was estimated to number about SO, and some came on to Auckland from places further up the line. A.. fair proportion of the travellers branched off 7 for Rotorua, as on the previous day. The weather being favourable and atmosphere clear, those who made the journey by yesterday's train had a good vidw of tho mountains and other scenery, and there were many expressions of delight from the passengers at the nature of the country the train passes through. '< i • . The greater part of yesterday was occupied at the. Supreme Court in the trial of a, man named, William Richard McLean, alia* Murphy, alias William Loft, on a charge of having attempted to murder Constable Malier, 'at'Taumarunui 011 July 30. The details of tho offence, as related^by the constable, were of a shocking description, and cvidMfec was called to show that accused had previously threatened to murder Malier, s'ncl a tec! that after his arrest he declared that ho had meant to murder him. The jury, after a retirement of 60 minutes, fortnight in a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to 20 years' hard, labour. On receiving his sentence McLean created a sensation by fighting tho aiders and constables and attempting to escape, it taking 15 men to overpower him ( v Two other prisoners were dealt with during the day. One or two good hauls of fish have been made recently in the Manukau Harbour, the fishermen concerned having probably been fortunate enough to strike "schools." In one case reported, 174 dozen came to the net; in a, single day, and in another case 100 do*en. It is complained in some quarters tliit the Manukau fish are not offered t'or'eale to the residents of Onehunga in jniy appreciable quantity, and that they liave to obtain supplies in Auckland. Aleadiug fish merchant states that this is unavoidable. There would not, he considers,' ho trade enough to warrant a dealer In 'keeping a separate establishment at Onehuago. He doubts, in fact, whether one fish ..hawker could make a decent living the it. Hove, as elsewhere all over the world, it is necessary for fish to bef brought to a central place for distribution. Another point is that fishermen can obtain more io Auckland for their fish in the "off" eoason than they could by mailing i>; Oneliuuga. 1 ... t ■

The statement that the sawmilling industry in the Taihape district is in a bad way, principally on account of the large importations of Oregon pine to the . Dominion", is hot regarded very seriously by some of the Auckland fsawmillere. It- is an undoubted fact that a good deal of Oregon is coining into New Zealand, but Oregon is not a cheap timber, and commands a higher price than rimu. There does not appear to be a very great demand for it m Auckland, at any rate, because several Auckland sawmillers who have stocked it to replace medium kauri, have used very little, if any, of it. ' One leading-Auckland sawmiiler attributed the undoubted depression in the timber trade to the tightness of the money market, preventing people from borrowing money for building purposes. The money market was so stringent at the present time, he' said, that it was hard to borrow at 6 or 7 per cent, on the beet securities. This gentieman also expressed the opinion- that the bulk of the Oregon timber was being bought more as a speculation than anything else. In /speaking at Eden Terrace last night, Mr. Oliver Nicholsoh, who is opposing the Minister for Education •• for the Grey Lynn seat, repeated the remarks made bv him at Archhill on Monday night in regard to the teachers' salaries and the " sympathetic interpretation" of the Act, which had . been promised by Mr. Fowlds. Ho said that the Ministers by their action liad overridden the Act, and usurped the functions of Parliament, which they had arrogated linto themselves. "It is," he added, "nothing but a political bribe, and if such a thing can bo done in one Department of public service, what guarantee have we of funds not being illegally used in other Departments One result of the improvement of the status of school teachers which will be brought about by tho new Education Act will probably be the receipt by the education boards of New Zealand of a large number of applications from English teachers to be placcd on the employment lists of the boards. Two such applications were revived by the Auckland Board yesterday, and the secretary (Mr. V. E. Rice) announced that these applications were coming in from English teachers as a result of the increased salaries and the introduction of the superannuation scheme. The chairman of the Board (Mr. C. J. Parr) said ho thought that the time was not distant when there would be a system of interchange between New Zealand and English and Canadian or American teachers. Such a system, he thought, would be of great mutual value, tending as it would to increase the " exporience of teachers, and to brighten their outlook. Soino interesting innovations have been made by the Auckland Society of Arts Committee iu conncction with the art competitions for nest year. In order to meet the representations of a number of the students, special prizes will be offered for studies from the nude, the antique, and tho head. In. tin* first class only those competitors showing sufficient merit will he allowed to enter for tlie competition. Mr. C. F. Goldic, the well-known artist, has offered his sex-vices as director for the lile,classes*, if sufficient enthusiasm is shown in the in novation by large entries. The committee hopes that- not less than 30 or 40 will enter for these classes. Another new class is a competition for elementary shading in black and white, for which a special prize has been offered by Mr. B. A. Armstrong. The other classes are for. landscape painting from nature, and.a special prize offered by Mr. E. E. Vailc for a carved panel in wood. Entries for all the classes close on the 16th inst. The exhibitions are not confined to members of the society, and entrance is free. Referring to the death of the "wild man," Jack Fitzgerald, who was recently found in the bush in New South Wales, in a deplorable condition, with hair hanging down to an enormous length, Mr. John Casliel, of Papakura Valley, writes:—"l may mention a little incident which occurred in connection with this singular man, and which may interest many readers of your paper. 1 I knew this' man many years ago on the < Thames goldfield, where I saw him contest. J ing in a wrestling match against three other ! well-known athletes,' their names being Manning (a half-caste Maori), Robinson (a blacksmith by trade), and his own brother, Jim Fitzgerald. • Everyone at the time thought ' big' Jack Fitzgerald would take the prize without much difficulty, ; but the contest ended by the half-caste winning easily. I aiu quite certain this is the same man, from the description given of him, even at this remote period. When I knew him ho used to wear long ringlets,' coming down to: his coat 'collar." The steamer Tuirangi, which arrived at Kaipara from Auckland on Tuesday, : had a somewhat rough time. Fine to moderate weather was experienced until crossing the bar at Kaipara on Tuesday, when a big roller struck the steamer, smashing the back cabin. The sea also swept clean over the wheelhouse. The damage to the Tuirangi was not of a very serious nature, but a more serious item was tlio destruction of four tons and a-half of sugar, caused through water getting into one of the holds. • > In the opinion of several members of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council ginger should be admitted into the Dominion free of duty. At last night's meeting of tho Council a delegate remarked that Sir Joseph Ward had stated that one could have "a, free breakfast with the exception of ginger." Another delegate considered that ginger was a luxury, and in order tnat they might have a. free breakfast they should get it placed on the free list. (Laughter.) At tho presont time they could not all afford to buy ginger. The majority of those present treated the suggestion with groat seriousness, while others regarded it as a joke. 1 It was ultimately decided, However, on the motion of Mr. Long to write to tho Prime Minister, asking him to put ginger on the free list. . . A child, 12 months old, named Rosetta. Louisa Bea.sley died at the residence of her parents, Bellwood Avenue, Mount Eden, at noon yesterday as the result of a severo scalding received on Sunday last. It "appears that on the day referred to ft little girl of coven was playing with the baby, and accidentally let her fall into a bath of hot water. The mother's attention was called to what had happened by the child's screams. A*medical man was sent for, but . death ensued, the scalding having been very extensive. The City Coroner, Mr. Gresham, will hold an inquest at Mrs. Beasley's residence this afternoon. Discussion took place at the Auckland Trades and Labour Council meeting last night over the speed of tram cars traveling down Symonds-street and Pitt-street. Mr. Spratt, who brought the matter forward, said that the speed of the cars out,of,the city was limited to 15 miles per hour, but he was of the opinion that they travelled at a, higher rate of speed . in Symonds-street- and Pitt-street. He moved that the matter of the speed of tram cars be referred to the Auckland City Council. Mr. Peak moved an amendment that the matter be deferred, and this: was 1 ••jireed to '

The tender of Messrs. Winstone, Lioit«L -for 18,000 sleepers for use in the construct v? 'I tion of the Takapuna tramways system wCfl has been accepted by the Takapuna* Tram* ways and ' Ferry Company.; The contract " - price is £3957 15s. Following were thj other tenders received .* T. Henderson Auckland, £4561 los - 4d; Wallace and Co., Wellington, £4095; West Australian ' Hardwood ' Company, £4267; S. Brown Wellington, £4106 i3s 4d. A tender also received from the Taumarunui Totafo Company for a portion of the sleepers. ' / None of the remaining King Country tim". ' isS ber millers tendered, owing, it. is believed to the fact that they are supplying all * tho sleepers they can produce to the Government. , ' fells The Hon. George Fowlds, Minister for Education, returned to Auckland from - Ilelensvillc yesterday, accompanied by flit Mrs. Fowlds, and his private secretary, ft Mr. W. Crowe. On arriving at Helens' 1 j villa the Minister was met by the chair- ■ man (Mr. Jas. McLeod) and members otM the Town Board. Mr. Fowlds visited - both the Helensville Hospital and the sanatorium. Tho second bath building has *' >, been erected, at the sanatorium, and there -- us now, also, a large swimming bath. -Tliltlfl Helensville springs arc growing in popu- / larity as they become more generally 'I: known. ' • . "X'i 1 • " Unfortunately the pleasure of my home- 4 '§■ coming lias been somewhat marred," said'-' Mr. George George, director of technical " education, in acknowledging a .welcome ■ from the Education Board yesterday. ' He' i found, 'ho said, that at headquarters there ; ■? ' was apparently not tho same earnestcess in iregard to technical education that their-'- • might be. He referred to the cutting j'";/": down of the capitation grant, and said that" ! in every country that he had visited during .his recent tour he had been greatly struck by the liberality with which money was voted for educational purposes. "We have in New. Zealand," he went on to 'say, "the' ■' finest raw material in any part of the world, but we cannot make progress "itflfls developing it without money. If the peopl* of this country will only realise tho iri£t?|gi mense importance of education, in a genera- "' -"I tion or two we will have the best educa- M tion system in the world." •' C ■ .. 1% The circular sent by the Minister for Education to education boards notifying |pfi that a capitation grant would be made toii3v provide for the issue of free class book* } i to the primary classes and the first and „ second standards, has been considered by. the Finance Committee of the Auckland. Board, which, in reporting to yesterday's meeting, recommended that information as*!;-/ to the probable cost should be' obtained - from the Headmasters' Association and , -'f from the booksellers' before the acceptance; of the grant upon the conditions named.. The report was adopted. • t 1 - y - - ; . •• "* " The State is doing much for you young >. 1 people, and. I ask you to see to it that you . M do something for the State in return." These words were addressed by the chair- ' man of tho Education Board (Mr.i C. J.' Parr) to the students of the Training Col- - • lege, at yesterday's opening ceremony in' the new building. He was speaking of theits^.^ exceptional . advantages which the college! > conferred upon the students,fand'- be remarked that he did not know of any other . profession that was receiving similar bene* fits from the State. In view of all that the ' State was doing for them ho thought that the Government had a right to expect from 'v"" them that they should willingly do. theiy pa it after leaving the college in carrying ■ , out their work wherever - required, 1 not only as efficient teachers, but as broad-minded b mc-n and women. .*. s . J s ,& x ' The art union in connection with Labour ' \ Day celebration was drawn last evening afc 1 the union's offices. The winning numbers' : were: First prize; 9709;. Second prized 3661; third prize, 8906; fourth prize, 5041; fifth prize, 2439.' The winners will receive their prizes on Saturday, from two to three p.m.; at the union's office. . : ■ ... • . .v. ' . ■ v The entries in connection with the Auckland Show continue to come in rapidly, ■/" ■ and a further large batch is expected to be sent in by the winning exhibitors at the'.Ci'j; Waikato Show, opened yesterday. Entries in all classes, including the grading points contest in connection with the butter ex»|jj|j|f ports, cloze next Saturday, at five p.m., And it is expected that when the totals are ' made up the list will be the largest yet received for tho metropolitan fixture. / •- Applications closed yesterday afternoon, , i at the Crown Lands Office, for five sec* . tions of second-close land opened under the > optional system. The ' sections are situated . in Hobaon, Otamitea, Rodney, Waitemata, and Whang Counties, and average from r 49 to 146 acres. In all 25 applications - • were received, and there will be a ballot, t in the case of each section. The ballot jfj was announced for r to-duy, but has been. - postponed till November 19, in order to . permit of the meeting of the Land Board for ■ the ' examination of acplicaute being held. * ,* •; : - After suspending operations for about, three y<%r« (writes our Mamaku corres- ■ • pondent) the Stock Department have again v started work at Arahivi. Mr. *J. MeSheen's tender for ploughing * and. fencing : - having been accepted. It is intended to ! } institute. an experimental station for the / p; purpose of investigating, what is known • as " bush sickness," "which affects the live ;;: stock throughout an extensive area of conn' : try in this part of the province. >Tl»,»" cause of the., disease is ' still obscure,' : but it is known that it attacks only: rumi- : nating. animals, and only after they.' have been a considerable time in the district.' ; : s|| A change of country soon restores the animal to good health, if removed when tabe- , faction is first observed. • ' ■ At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Education Board it was resolved,,'on tlw chairman's motion, that during the abseiico on leave of the secretary (Mr. V. E. Rice) next year, Mr. 11. Crowe {inspector|| of schools) bo appointed acting-secretory and treasurer, with a salary at the rate of £500 a year, Mr. Crowe to thereafter - resume his duties as inspector of schools at his present salary. On Mr. Edge- l-. enmbe's motion it was decided that tor '; the same period Mr. R. P. J. Ray, chief clsrk, be designated assistant-secretary, with a bonus addition' of £25 to his pre- |;|[|g sent salary. On the motion of the chair- -; ~ -|| man it was also decided that Mr. G. H. Plummer be temporarily. engaged as as-sistant-inspector, with a salary at the rate of £520 a year and travelling allowance. ! v - ' ■ 1■ • In connection with the fire that destroyed Mr. S. 13. Darrach's confectionery fac- ||| tory in Cromwell Road, Mount Eden,' early - u on Tuesday morning last, inquiries • made by the police have elicited the fact that the occupier of the adjoining property, at tho back of tho factory, was burning a heap of rubbish sft away from the building.. on tho previous night". He put several buckets of water on it before retiring, but -, p it is thought that the flames broke out ; again, and that a spark from the heap set, fire to the lollic factory. property destroyed was estimated to be worth about .£IOOO, and the insurance (in the United g office) was £400. , 4 ' .- C The building, permits a issued bv.-t£|Js; I Christchtu-ch city surveyor during OctW y . numbered 40,' representing £19,400-..., • |j