LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13948, 2 January 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Northern Steamship Company's Waiotahi, which arrived from Coromandel early yesterday morning; picked up an open boat in the.Rangitoto Channel. There was no.indication of the ownership of the boat, which was painted blue, and about 10ft in length.

Owing to'the telegraph office being closed yesterday no information relating to the inquest concerning. the death of Captain Stein, of the Northern Steamship Company's steamer Ngatiawa, was received. As stated in the Herald of yesterday, Captain Stein disappeared from the Ngatiawa eome time after 2.30 a.m. on Wednesday. - His absence was not noticed till several hours subsequently, and his body was washed ashore the following morning. The Ngatiawa was yesterday reported to be still on the bar at Opotiki. : ;■..-',,

The Auckland./ Racing Club's Summer Meeting was continued at. Ellerslie yesterday, and the weather which prevailed in the morning" had the effect 'of drawing a very large attendance. The racing was of a fust-class character throughout. The 35th Great Northen Derby, which was a principal event, attracted a" field of six horses, Sir George, Clifford furnishing'th3 favourite in Husbandman, a descendant of Treadmill. The favourite won his race amidst, enthusiasm; and Sir George Clifford was warmly congratulated on the victory of his colt. A full account of the racing will be found • in our sporting columns. . . .

Much interesting matter is contained in the literary Supplement issued with to-day's HkraiA). Tohunga, writes on The Dash for the .Pole," while W. 8., To Kuiti, continues his article "Where the ,'White Man Treads." A further contribution from the pen of Mrs. Leo Myers regarding her recentvisit to London deals with "Women, their Clubs and Crusades;" while in his column on Nature Notes James Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S., makes special reference to city birds. Continuations of the serials, " The Show Girl," "The Solitary Farm,"and "Joy: A Happy Soul,", are also given, while humorous illustrations, Local Gossip, London fashion notes, chess and draughts, science, literary, arid musical and dramatic jottings are also present. -

The interprovincial representative cricket match between Canterbury : and Auckland elevens, for the Plunket shield, was commenced at the Domain yesterday, and will be resumed to-day. and on Monday. The Auckland team won the toss and batted, the first innings" total' reaching .239 ,runs. The bowling and fielding of the Canterbury team were excellent, with the result that runs came slowly. The Canterbury "pilgrims" had barely opened their innings when stumps were drawn for the day. The game is in an interesting position.

Weather conditions last evening appeared to be somewhat unsettled, and Mr. Stevenson, F.R.A.S., at 9.30 last night, furnished a report to the effect that there are indications of a disturbed state of the weather generally, with probability of a gale and rain from between north and west within the next few hours.

The Union Company's steamer Takapuna, which left Onehunga yesterday for Wellington, took away, amongst other passengers, 54 immigrants who had arrived from London by the Wakanui.

A true military maesed band performance, will be given at the Devonport Football Grounds to-morrow afternoon, under the auspices of the First Auckland Mounted Rifles' Band (Conductor M. Whalley Stewart) and in aid of their instrument fund. The bands from H.M.S. Powerful (Bandmaster V. Roberts) and H.M.S. Challenger (Bandmaster L. M. Barnet) will assist. During the week massed rehearsals have been held and it is, said that the effects of true military music will be a revelation to those who attend. The bands will meet at Wellesley-street, at two o'clock afternoon and march to the ferry tee.

The recent rains have caused damage on the road from the Henderson Hotel to Baxter's Bush, a cavity having been formed on each side of the road. There is now only about 9ft of road at one spot, and a slight accident occurred there yesterday. A gentleman was driving towards Auckland in a gig, when the horse suddenly took fright at the hole on one side of the road, and swerved, only to fall into the cavity on the, other side. An. idea of the depth of the aperature may be gauged when it is mentioned that the horse was lost to sight by those walking along the road. Strange to say, no damage wa6 done, but the driver and horse had a wonderful escape. This thoroughfare ie being extensively patronised' at the present time by picnic parties, who make the journey from Auckland in drags, and unless the road is attended to promptly by'tire local body, a serious accident may. -suit.

A man named-Joseph Turner, a resident of Mangere, met with an accident at the Auckland railway station last evening. He had come to the city by train, and was alighting on the platform, when he slipped and broke one of hie legs. He was conveyed to the district hospital by ambulance, and was admitted to that institution for treatment. :

The entertainments to seamen held at the Sailors' Mission ■. Hall, Lower Albertstreet, are largely attended by the sailors of this port. Messrs. Webb, Shaw, and Arnott do all in their power to make the sailors feel ,at home, and a good programme is always gone through, concluding with a cup of coffee to each visitor. That the sailors enjoy these evenings is shown by the large attendances. It ,s hoped that the ladies and gentlemen and children who have contributed to the success of these entertainments in the past will continue to assist during the year just entered upon.

In regard to the statement that Mr. J. R. Triggs had been appointed ■ ona of the Conciliation Commissioners under the new Arbitration Act (wires our Christchurch correspondent), Sir Joseph Ward told a Times reporter yesterday that the appointment of the Commissioners had not even been considered by the Cabinet yet. Although the Act will come into force to-day, it is not absolutely necessary that the Commissioners should be appointed at once. The matter will probably be dealt with as soon as the holidays are over. , .