LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15005, 29 May 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Tire abolition of the mud and dust nuisance of the streets in and around Auckland was prophesied by the Mayor of Newmarket (Mr. D. Teed) yesterday at the ceremony of laying the first lithofalt paving block on Manukau Road. . Mr. Teed said thai, although Newmarket was one of the first districts to go in for a comprehensive scheme, of road improvement, it was pleasing to note from recent installation addresses that other bodies were also showing a progressive spirit. >■ In view of this, probably the next five or sis years would see the last of the mud and dust nuisances so long tolerated in Auckland. Daring the next few days the city Coroner (Mr. Thos. Gresham) will have his time fully occupied dealing with inquests. To-day an inquest will be held at the Avondale Mental Hospital on the body of a female patient from Hamilton, who died two hours' after her admission.' To-mor-row, at 10 a.m., the adjourned inquest as to the death of Hy. Alexander, who was knocked down and lulled by a tramcar in Beach Road on the 22nd inst., will be held at the new Coroner's Court. On Friday the circumstances of the death of Thos. Noonan, who was killed by a collision between a tramcar and a motor car at Epsom on Thursday last, will be inquired into. Prior to the inquest to-morrow the Mayor and City Councillors will formally open the new Coroner's Court at 9.30 a.m.

A dense fog enveloped the Waitemata and the eastern coastline yesterday morning. At sea. the fog, was particularly dense, and vessels leaving and approaching Auckland were forced to reduce their speed. Passengers who arrived from Sydney by the Wimmera found Auckland nestling under a bank of fog, a block of buildings here and there being the only indication of the city. The fog quickly lifted from Parnell and Remuera, and shortly after eight o'clock Devonport and the other marine suburbs were revealed.

The new Post Office at Ponsonby was visited yesterday morning by the Postmaster General (Hon. H. G. Ell), who was accompanied by Mr. J. H. Bradney, M.P., and Mr. T. Aitkin, chief clerk of the Auckland Post Office. After inspecting the building Mr. Ell authorised the tower to be built 10ft higher than the one proposed in the original plan and afterwards cut out. The new Chief Post Office was then visited, the builder's representative showing the party through the building. Mr. Ell expressed, himself as very pleased with the handsome structure, and promised to give consideration to several minor extra facilities in regard to mail matters, which were brought under his notice by Messrs. Bradney and Aitkin. Later in the day the Minister and Mrs. Eli inspected /the site»at Takapuna for a proposed new post office. As a result of representations made by Mr. F. W. Lang, M.P., the Minister has decided to have a telephone system installed at Penrose.

A rough passage was experienced by the steamer Wimmera, which arrived in Auckland from Sydney.at eight o'clock yester'day morning, after a voyage of four days 18 hours. The Wimmera left Sydney on Thursday afternoon, and bad weather was met with as soon as the open sea was reached. Strong head, winds retarded the vessel's progress, and an angry ; sea broke over her bow, and swept the forward deck. Unfavourable weather characterised , the voyage of the steamer until Saturday . afternoon, when conditions moderated, and the vessel proceeded unhampered until thick fos;. necessitated cautious travelling early yesterday morning. The fog lifted after daybreak, and the Wimmera berthed at the Railway Wharf at 8.30 a.m. No damage was done to the steamer.

A Maori woman, Eliza Haiti, appeared before Mr. E. C. Cntten, S.M., yesterday, to answer a charge of having attempted to commit suicide by throwing herself into the harbour from the Hobson-street Wharf. Chief-Detective Marsacfc, in applying for a remand, stated that on Monday the constable on duty in the vicinity of the wharf noticed the accused behaving in a most peculiar manner, and evidently preparing to throw herself into the harbour. When arrested she made the statement that her action, had been actuated by the fact that she had been disappointed in love. The case was adjourned for a week. . '•'

A conference was held on Monday between several employees of the Devonport Ferry Company and the heads of that concern to discuss, several matters .in regard to the improvement of the conditions under which the captains ,of the ferry steamers are at present working. Captains N. Simons, B. Poole, and, A. Beehre represented the captains of the company, and Mr. E. W. Alison and Mr. F. Bushell (chairman of directors and secretary respectively of the Devonport Ferry Company) represented the company, while Captain W. Bark (president of the Shipmasters' Association) and Mr. Nicholson (secretary of that body) were also present. An amicable settlement was arrived at, it being decided to grant increased pay, shorter hours, and 10 days' annual leave on full pay to captains in the company's employ. The new agreement will probably come into force early next month.

A little son of Mr. H. Jackson met with a painful accident (writes our Te Aroha correspondent) while playing on the Sports Ground. His fingers were caught on- the knives of a lawn-mower, and on© finger was almost severed close to the second joint. Dr. Kenny was promptly in attendance.

A claim for £3 2s 5d for groceries alleged to have been supplied was brought in the Magistrate's Court yesterday by R. Stark, a grocer living in Vincent-street, against J. G. Parker, whose wife keeps a boardinghouse. Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., presided. Mr. Dawson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Skelton for the defendant. In his evidence the defendant said that his wife had taken over the house against his wish. She had previously ran him into debt, and he did not wish to be again placed in. a similar position. There was no necessity for her to start a boardinghouse, as there were only three children to support, and a son in constant work was living with her. Witness deposed that though his wife received as much as £40 a month from the boarders, he never received any money from her. Referring to the question of the husband's liability, Mr. Kettle said that the plaintiff could not recover the money from the defendant, Parker. If a husband could show that he had supplied his wife with ample means to-enable her to obtain necessaries, and had in no way encouraged her to get things on credit, he could rebut any claim against him for debts contracted by his wife. Judgment would be given, for the defendant- " , :;f ; ~

The Waihi miners' strike provides ftf ' '•" I ; .'? subject"-for "? a further interesting series <* illustrations in this week's issue of tblT Auckland Weekly News, which is on , - sale to-day. Amongst the pictures a« ' teveral very interesting photographs show, '/ . ; ing various portions of the great works • standing idle and deserted, while then* -,',' are' also several snapshots of the strikers "' '' "killing time" in the streets of the town. ' The number contains a large variety of Q. lustrations of current events of interest ' V amongst which may be mentioned the ' celebrations at Wellington of the silver jubilee of Archbishop Redwood, the wreck of the Kotuku at Grey mouth, the important conference of local bodies at Wellington, the Epsom motor fatality, the New Zealand pigeon-shooting championship meeting at Wanganai, the driving 0 the first pile of the new harbour works at Wairoa (Hawke's Bay), the Waverley territorial camp, the mishap to the Haupiri at Wellington, the construction of the South Island Main Trunk and NelsonWestport railways, 'the Paris motor-bandit sensation, the wreck of the barque Gunvor on the Cornish coast, and others. In addition to these pictures, there are numerous scenic photographs of great inforest. On the double page are two unique panoramic views of Auckland cite and waterfront respectively. There is a fine view of Stockholm, the venue of the Olympic Games, numerous pictures from all parts of the Dominion, and a topical cartoon, making up an exceptionally complete and interesting number. "Some 18 months ago," said Mr. D. Teed (Mayor of Newmarket), in responding to the toast of "The Newmarket . Borough Council" in connection with the laying of the first lithofalt block on Manu- ■ kau Road, "the ratepayers emphatically decided against joining the city. The ,'; y Council then set to work on the etreefe improvement scheme, which was then in contemplation. A poll was taken and the* ratepayers heartily backed up the Council by carrying the loan by a majority of" three to one. I do not wish it to be ; thought that the Newmarket ratepayers - ' were opposed to the Greater Auckland movement, but they felt that an amalgamation at the time as proposed would ' have prevented Newmarket from receiving . full attention. In the event of the borough joining the city in the future ,the rate, i' " I payers would be proud of the fact that (1 M | they were handing over a district thai" had probably the finest streets in the Do> v minion." Vlf/ V f J A very deaf old man, of 71 years, John Campbell, was charged at the Police Court vi';,i;; yesterday, before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., with being an idle and disorderly person, ' i inasmuch as he had insufficient lawful \- means of support. The old man had been untO recently an inmate of the Costly Home, but yesterday morning was disco?-, ■ • ! ered lying in the Albert Park. Accused,';';/. I stated that he had left the home owing | to the fact that the food did not agrefl , I with him. He would like to be rent to j Roto Roa Island, as he thought there was , every probability of a fish -diet suiting , , ! him better. .Accused was remanded tall . Friday.- ,-; > J A new discovery of oil in. the vicinity , ] of New Plymouth is reported. Mr. Sorreoson, who ..owns" property da tW'^l"?! Smart Road, on which' considerable pffflsi,&'.* l pecting was ' : done , for,. ; kaolin, or pottery , j clay, had occasion last week to clear one , of the tunnels which had been driven, but'y'' which had choked. He had sot proceeded far when there was a terrific explosion <& I accumulated gases. Next morning on ift-;/,:' : i , turning to. the site he discovered distinfid' - indications of petroleum. ' p/ira^/■ •' ' " ' '" ' " '''■•■''■•■" ' '«'Wj The shipment of 5000 cases of ben 1 which was landed on Thursday last ife not appear to- have relieved ■ to any great extent—certainly- not -»titftef; ! as the prices go at which it is being »s':', tailed to the general public. The $$$ii; ■ prietor of a large. motor garage staged,V" , | yesterday that he is charging 14s per cu»yoywhich is little above the ordinary n **il|fi regular - customers, - but strangers have 40, pay from 17s 6d to 20s' per. case. -Anot|||| motor car proprietor is going no further "> i * - than to fill the tanks of his customer?"' " motor cars, and charges them at the rate of 153 per case, refusing other buyers out- : .-v 7right One' or two large ironmongers stato that they cannot get further supplies, and;,n ,■ for what little they have in stock aw asking 25s per case, A general grocer is still. selling at 15» per case to his . regular customers, but only has a limited quantity,, ffl It is generally expected that;: ordinary * I rates will prevail on the arrival of tha, ; direct steamer due here about July 4 next. ■■■,'■ -. ■■■'''■'" ■ ; ',v%k The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board met last evening. Them were present: ! Messrs- H. Schofield (chairman), P. J- • ! Nerheny, B. H. Potter, J. G. Rutherford, - F. Dye, P. M. Mackay, M. J. Coyle, V ._ H. EDisdon, J. S. Dickson, and J- Jenkut. l ; Br. Pabst, chairman of the Honorary' i Medical Committee, was also piresent. A | communication from the : Health Depart- ? ment was received stating that isome time ago the Crown Law Office advised the $ Audit Office that hospital and ' charitablft aid boards were "local authorities" within , the meaning of the statute, and the Audit Department therefore proposed that in future » charge be made against each board for the services rendered by the« Audit Office. Mr. Mackay remarked that;,; ;k, the letter should be received under pro* test. When money was wanted it suited'' the Government to class the Board as srl* f . local body. Mr. Potter said the Govern* , ment audit did not meet the requirements - of the Board. What was wanted was s. commercial audit. It was resolved to ' ; receive the letter, but that a strong protest should be recorded. '•' ( f "Hands off our reserves," was $* ymain argument in Mr. Allen's protest at'the Davenport Council meeting last even* , t ■ ing, against the erection of buildings our Cheltenham Beach, for the purpose of providing bathing and sanitary conveniences, ;, and a tea kiosk. After stating that he' considered the provisions of the Muni* . cipal Corporations Act would prevent the erection of the buildings on a reserve, be went on to say that there was not an inch ; too much land there for the public on holidays. It was conservatively estimated ; !v that 7000 to 10,000 people visited the beach on holidays, and there was now ||£f sufficient shade. The erection of the tee > kiosk would take away a considerable . ;; amount of shady reserve. vaII Increased hotel license fees are being urged by .the Giebome Borough >', and last evening a circular letter was read , at the Devonport Council asking for its support in a petition being cent to city ', and borough councils for ultimate presen- ' -,; tation to Parliament. The Devonport y councillors considered the matter to «».:,.;-.„ generally outside their province, and in •;: most cases refused to give publicity to ( their opinions on such a debatable ques-■,'■;■.> tion. One considered that the curtailment of licenses meant increased business, &nd||j|| therefore they should get increased .fees.-,, ; ■ Another said that if they wanted more ~ money they should grant more licenses. A motion to support the action of the GM-uv-borne Council was not seconded, ana " finally the letter was but formally ?ea4. The Art Society's Exhibition was wjl ~, | patronised yesterday, and much interest' i was shown in the exhibits. Three sal* took place, two pictures from the wm.- ;-";' of C. F. Goldio and one: by W. WnjjMß being sold. The exhibition will *» "F?J&&1 again to-day, and afternoon 4^'^|HBi; , provided. ". - •' ' { MM