LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14047, 29 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Advjck was received from the London office of the Auckland Electric Tramways Company, Limited", yesterday, that the annual general meeting of (shareholders will be held in London on. May 4, and that the directors will then recommend the payment of a dividend of 6 per cent, on ordinary shares.

During the* conferences hold on Tuesday evening concerning the disputes in the carrying and ship, yacht, and boatbuilding trades, the question of the value of conciliation was discussed. The different parties represented were unanimous in the opinion that it was much better to settle disputes by conciliation, thus avoiding the friction which, in many cases, is involved iu compulsory awards of the Court. The delegates agreed that the new provision in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, if given a fair trial, would prove of great benefit, both to employers and employees.

Upper Queen-street, which inclined to the appearance of a " deserted village" thoroughfare for 20 years of more, has lately taken a spurt in the direction of building activity. Until three or four years ago there were practically no business premises between Grey Statue and Karangahape. Road, but about that time the warehouse now occupied by Smith and Caughey was erected. Later on four up-to-date shops were built on the King's Court property (formerly Prince Albert College) and two more are now in course of erection in the same locality. A modern'block of shops' stands at the corner of Queen-street and Lawry-street, and a second block at the corner of Queen-street and Waverley-street. The erection of the new Town Hall, which is now under way, is expected to give an impetus to building in that locality, and the line ,of Qaeenstreet shops should eventually extend right up to Karangahape Road.

The works at Grafton Bridge are now so far advanced , that the big main arch of ferrO-concrete will be commenced shortly: A regular forest of staging fills ..in the gap between the two great piers on either side of the gully, and this staging ehows the line of the arfch. Practically all the staging erected in connection with other parts of the bridge has - now been removed, and the massive and yet graceful structure is quite one of "the sights" of the city already. The approach from the Grafton end is being constructed, and spoil for the purpose is being taken from Bridge-street, which is thus being made nearly double its old width.

The demand for dwellings of modern size in and around Auckland still exceeds the supply. It is learned on the authority of leading firms that rents have in no way suffered of late, and that in some instances multiplicity of applicants has resulted in slight increases. The dearth appears to chiefly affect four and fiveroomed cottages, which class lias not figured so largely in recent building operations. A leading agent remarked to a Herald representative yesterday that the erection of a terrace in Turner-street is contemplated by the owners of King's Court. He thought that a, few buildings of this class; would relieve the congestion, especially in the city area, and as terraces have not come into vogue to any extent, in Auckland, the addition would be desirable from an architectural point of view. The ranks of house seekers are principally swelled by aspiring tenants prepared to pay from 10s to 15s, while inquiries are also made for houses with rentals of up to . £1- Several properties changed hands during last week, and a settled demand for suburban building allotments is also' reported. ' > ' ■

Eighteen applications were received: at the District Lands Office yesterday in respect to lands at New Lynn and Henderson hamlets, which have been thrown open for selection on renewable lease. They will be examined by the Land Board this morning, and the ballot will take place to-morrow morning..

The Union Company's cargo steamer Whangape, which sailed from Westport on. the 7th inst., with a cargo of coal for the Admiralty, had a tremendous battle with the elements en route to Melbourne. When she arrived those on board were unanimous in the opinion that it has been very many months since the vessel passed through such an ordeal. Almost as soon as Westport Harbour was cleared the Whangape ran into a fierce gale from the westward. Immense waves dashed against her bows, and spread over her decks, sweeping any loose articles before them like "chaff before the wind." Her progress was considerably impeded, and it was not until the wind veered to the south-west that anything like headway was made. But even then troubles were not ended, for the gale still raged with violence, and culminated in a final effort, after five days of fury, just before passing Cape Schanck. . •

Rather an ingenious defence was advanced in the Police Court yesterday by a man who was charged with, driving a vehicle round a corner at more than a walking pace. Defendant, who spoke with French mannerisms, said he had stopped momentarily at the corner. The by-law forbade the trotting of a horse round the corner, but, he contended, it did not forbid starting to trot at the corner, as he had done. Defendant crossexamined the constable and sergeant who gave evidence against him, with a view to showing that as they had been in conversation, he. might have pulled up momentarily when they did not see him. The Bench was unsympathetic, and inflicted a fine of 5s and costs. Defendant said he could not pay. Sub-Inspector Hendrey said the procedure would be by distress. Defendant : "Then all my property will belong to my wife, and I will go to gaol."

The contemplated sale by auction of the timber formerly belonging to the now 'bankrupt estate of W. J. Stokes, of Kare Kare, was postponed yesterday for a week. At the meeting of Stokes' creditors on. Tuesday last it transpired that the sale had been ordered by some of the wages men, who had taken out liens, but the timber was claimed by the legal representative of Jas. Moore and Sons, of Melbourne, under a mortgage, as well as by the official assignee, on behalf of unsecured creditors. Both the latter served notices on the firm of auctioneers concerned not to sell the timber. The question of ownership will, it is thought, have to be tested, and probably no sale will take place until it has been decided.

A painful accident occurred at Papakura on Tuesday afternoon (writes our. correspondent). Some chaffcutting was being done at Mr. Mill's place, when a young man, engaged in feeding the machine, was caught in the machinery, hie left hand being cut off. The driver of the engine noticed the young man lurching, and immediately stopped, the engine, otherwise the whole arm would have been drawn into the machine. First aid was administered, and the young man was then sent to the hospital.

A Jersey cow caused some excitement at Pukekohe on Monday afternoon by entering the hotel at that place. Three men on horseback were endeavouring to drive the animal along the street, but the beast declined to go, and seeing the hotel door open charged through the hail and into the back yard.

The petition lodged by Pepene Eketone to upset the election of Mr. Henare Kaihau as member for the Western Maori District will come on for hearing before two judges of the Supreme Court at Hamilton on May 10. Mr. F." Earl will appear for the petitioner, who, it will be remembered, was one of the candidates for the seat. The petition is based on the ground that certain irregularities occurred. -

The New Zealand Government trainingship Amokura, Captain G. Hooper, returned to Auckland yesterday morning after an enjoyable fortnight's cruise up North. During the vessel's absence from Auckland the Amokura's boys completed then- o!a*s firing. • First honours in both grades-were carried off by Masters Talbot (Aujkhnd) and Woods (Helensville) in their respective classes. The cadet* were also put through a.lot of useful drill. While the Amokura was at Russell she was visited by Hi's Excellency the Governor, who expressed his pleasure at the capital manner in which the boys went through their drill. The Amokura will take in a supply of bunker coal at this port to-day, and wilt sail for Wellington, via East Coast ports, to-morrow afternoon. . She is at present berthed at the Calliope Dock Wharf.

The reclamation work at Freeman's Bay is proceeding satisfactorily, the Auckland Harbour Board engineer (Mr. W. H. Hamer) stating, yesterday that a considerable amount of , tipping, has been done from the Gas Company's excavation works during the past two years. Mr. A. J. Entrican, when addressing the Auckland Citizens' League meeting, on Tuesday night, made a point of the fact that within 12 years the ratable property of Auckland will be added to by 100 acres of reclaimed land. The Freeman's Bay portion of the scheme will embrace 67 acres, and the Mechanics' Bay, or eastern portion, the remaining 30 odd acres.

Nominations closed yesterday for the election of three members each on the Epsom and Avondalo Road Boards, The only candidates nominated for the Epsom Board were Messrs. W. K. Bloomfield, John Edgerley, and Alf. McDonald, who were declared duly elected. In the case of the Avondale Road Board eight candidates were nominated for the three vacancies, viz., Meters. A. J. Morrish, G. J.. Pengelly, A. Service, T. H. Spargo, W. J. Tail, F. Walker, A. H. White, and J. Woodcock. A poll will be taken on Wednesday next.

An < incipient. fire was discovered about four o'clock yesterday afternoon under the house of Mr. F. Chalmers, of Cox's Bridge Road, Ponsonby district, by a passing resident. . It appears that a boy about six years of age set a light to some straw under the house, but the outbreak was extinguished by a garden hose and buckets before any damage was done to the house. Both the City and Ponsonby Brigades turned out, but their cervices were not required. The house is owned as well as occupied by Mr. Chalmers.

"The amount of bush suitable for milling purposes in Westland, and which will still take, years to cut out, is surprising," said a member of the Timber Commission to a Wellington reporter. "I was impressed more with the future prospects of the timber, supply in Westland than the present. Circumstances at the present time render the profitable working of the great timber forests' a very difficult task. Each year will diminish the supply of available timber in other parts of the Dominion now in. competition with Westland, with the result that the latter district must eventually benefit, and with the , completion of' the Midland railway, Westland's supplies will be. brought more into touch with the markets of the South Island. Not only this, but ..the probable revival of the mining industry in Westland will make a difference to the mills. The timber on the West Coast i<s. certainly of a better class than what is to bo found at the present time in Southland."