LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15554, 11 March 1914, Page 8

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

The R.M.S- Niagara, which arrived at Auckland last evening from Vancouver and way ports, brought 408 bags of European, American, and Canadian mails. The Southern portion was despatched by the Main Trunk express last night, and the Auckland portion will be delivered in the city and suburbs this morning. The Manuka, due at Wellington this morning from Sydney, is bringing an Australian mail, the Auckland consignment of which should arrive to-morrow morning. The R.M.S. Makura, which is due to reach Auckland from Sydney on Friday morning, is also bringing a large quantity of Australian mail matter for New Zealand.

A meeting of the Auckland Drivers and Carters' P"nton was held in the Trades Hall on Monday for the purpose of taking a ballot on the question of secession from the United Federation of Labour. About 150 members were present. A ballot was previously taken on the question, but before the voting-papers were opened the chairman of the union declared it to be null and void owing to an irregularity in the proceedings. A second ballot was taken on Monday, when the members, by a three to one majority, decided to secede from the United Federation. The Drivers' Union was the only industrial union registered under the Arbitration Act affiliated with the Federation of Labour, and with the old Waterside Workers' Union formed the nucleus of the transport section.

An accident occurred at Onehunga yesterday morning to a telegraph messenger named William John Stoupe, aged 14£ years. He was riding a bicycle in Upper Queen Street, having just cleared a letter-box, when he says a cow which was grazing on the road rushed at him. and flung him off his bicycle. The boy was rendered unconscious for a while, and his machine was damaged. A resident nearby saw the accident and carried the boy inside, where he regained consciousness in about an hour's time. Beyond a few bruises he suffered no injury, and was able to continue his duties during the day.

The eleven members of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society have been appointed rangers under the Animals Protection Act and Fisheries Act, with the full powers of a constable. They are empowered to seize game illegally taken or which they reasonably believe to have been so taken, and also nets, guns, or instruments used contrary to the provisions of the Acts. The production of the appointment under the hand of the Government will be sufficient warrant for exercising the powers so conferred.

The Acclimatisation Society has received from Mr. F. L. Ayson, manager of the Exhibition aq'iarium, a letter in which he commends most highly the quinnat salmon and fontenalis trout fry supplied by the society from the hatcheries at Tapapa, both kinds of fish being exceptionally well grown. The information with regard to the salmon is gratifying, seeing that it was considered that the fish would not be so successful in this provinoe as in the South.

The life of a man who goes into the country to minister to the spiritual needs of the people is not always free from inconvenience. At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Presbytery it was stated that when the present' minister of the Tuakau district arrived some months ago the church grounds were choked with weeds and the buildings were in a state of disrepair. In fact, the church was so neglected that blackberries were growing through the windows. The minister, who had never put his leg across a horse before, found also that he had long distances to travel over bad roads. He bought a horse and faced the position with courage, and now it is reported that he is a fairly good horseman: and, further, has organised working bees and had the grounds cleared and the church painted,

A rumour of a somewhat extraordinary kind is current among the Maoris of the Waikato, reports our Huntly correspondent. It is expected that a large meeting will be held shortly, or as soon as the restrictions which prevent the Maoris from travelling have been removed, in order that the assembled tribes may discuss the advisability of sending "King" Te Rata and Tupu Taingakawa, his Prime Minister, to London to place the grievances of the race before King George, and to bring belore the notice of the Imperial Parliament alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Five Indian coolies from Fiji arrived by the steamer Navua early yesterday morning. It is stated that there are many more in Fiji who are using their best endeavours to qualify to pass the test required by the Immigration Act, so as to settle in the Dominion The coolies originally came out to Fiji to work on the sugar plantations, but the glowing reports received has no doubt induced many of them to decide to make a fresh start in this country at their native calling of hawking fruit and similar commodities.

The arrivals in the Port of Auckland for tho fortnight ended March 5 last (according to the report of the harbourmaster) consisted of six large cargo steamers, six intor-colcnial or Island traders, eight coastal vessels, one sailing vessel, and fie steamer Terrier for docking— a total of 22 vessels of 89,404 gross tons and 53,533 net tons; together with 278 local coasters of 42,322 gross tons and 24,071 net tons; making a total of 131,726 gross tons and 77,604 net tons. In tho same period the departures consisted of six large cargo steamers, 10 coastal vessels, and four inter-colonial or Island a total of 20 vessels of 75,353 gross tons and 45,934 net tons; together with 274 local coasters of 42,465 gross tons and 22,448 net tons; making a total of 117,818 gross tons and 68,382 net tons. The services of the Harbour Board's pilots were engaged by eight vessels of 27,170 net tons inwards and by six vessels of 20,068 net tons outwards.

The fact that the racecourse belonging to the Takapuna Jockey Club is situated at some distance from the borough of Takapuna, and actually within the borough of Devonport, was discussed at the annual meeting of the Takapuna Citizens' League on Monday evening. A suggestion was made by the chairman (Mr. W. Duncan) that an effort should be made to persuade the Jockey Club to alter its name so that Takapuna might be associated with the torough only. Another member remarked that visitors to the racecourse were often misled by the name. The meeting decided to invite the Borough Council to join with the league in representing to the club that it should alter its name and that of its course.

' The new carriage built at the Petone worl:sh.ops for His Excellency the Governor was given a trial run on Monday The car, which i s beautifully furnished' has three compartments. It was attached to the train arriving at Palmerston at 9.5 p.m. and after a very satisfactory rim was returned to Wellington..

A fine series of illustrations is containedin the edition of the Auckland Weekm News issued this morning. Of special interest to the people of Auckland is J ! page containing views around the receiv- V ing tanks at Orakei, which will be opened ' officially on Wednesday, March 25. T>, s illustrations enable one to gain a cleat" 1 idea of the immensity of the drainaoi ''"'■ undertaking that means so much to th« ***' city. Other pictures of particular local interest are those taken at the opening of ■'? the new Parnell baths, at the swim ma . carnival, and at the Auckland Rowing Association's regatta. A comprehensive picture, taken by flashlight, of the crowd at the final performance of the Royal Artillery Band at the Auckland Exhibition, on March 3, is also included. Other illustrations of interest are views of Giaborne, a series of pictures taken at the Manahiki Archipelago, north of Cook Islands, just after the destructive hurricane of January 8, snapshots at carnival* and fetes at Wellington, Blenheim and Hokitika, Harry Hawker flying at Sydney, a photograph of the record king, fish caught off Cape Brett last week groups taken at the Dominion Rifle Association's meeting at Trentham, Welling, ton, besides many other miscellaneous illustrations.

Much interest was displayed by th« ladies present at the meeting of the Ambulance Saturday Committee yesterday in an ambulance flag, which lias lately been presented to the Auckland ecu ire of the St John Ambulance Association by the Cen. tral Executive Committee of the association in England. The flag, which measures 12ft by 6ft, is of a pale blue colour, and has the cross of the association printer in black in tho middle. The presentation of flags to oversea branches is contrary to the custom of the executive, but an cxcetition was made in favour of the Auckland, centre in recognition of the fact that it was the first association in New Zealand to build and pay for an ambulance station.

The decision of the Grey Lynn Borough Council to give the electors an opportunity to decide whether the borough should amalgamate with the city cannot bo given practical effect for about six weeks. Before tho poll can be taken, formalities have to be undertaken by the council which will occupy fully that period. A special meeting of the council must be held to pass a special resolution, and not earlier than 28 dare afterwards, this ordef must be confirmed by another special meeting.

In order to discuss the question of the introduction of electricity in the Eden Terrace area, Mr. A. Wylie, city (ilea-. trical engineer, met the members of the Eot-d Board in conference last evening. H« stated that he had already received severalapplications from residents and manufacturers in the district for electric power," but was unable to give any definite answer until some arrangement had been made with the board He explained that, owm* to an agreement between the City Council'; the Telegraph Department, and the Traitf. ways Company, each utilised each other's posts where practicable. This meant that the cables conveying electric current could \ be introduced into the Eden Terrace dis-' \ trict without the erection of extra posts by means of overhead gear. He further pointed out tUt electric street lamp* ' WOuld ** ereeted without cost to the board ' there bein ß only an annual charge ' * or consumption and maintenance. Several mem bers of the board wanted to know if aDV cession would be granted to th» board if they allowed electricity to be introdu'ced into their district. They said that" both the. 33 company and the Tramways Company were rated, and they did not see why the City Council : should get something for nothing. Mr. Wylie mads lit quite clear that no concession, not even ' a few free lamps, could be expected! None had been, or would be, granted to any local body. He pointed out that the whole, cost of the extension would be borne by ; the City Council, and that the district ' ' would gain b.y the introduction of elefe tricity, as factories would be much more likely to be erected in the district if eleotrie power was available. After farther discussion, it was resolved to place the matter before the ordinary meeting of the f Road Board next Tuesday evening. f' Immodesty on the part of bathers on Milford Beach on Sundays was alleged at the meeting of the Takapuna Ratepayers'Association held on Monday evening- 1 When Mr. E. Mahony questioned the de- '| sirability of taking any steps to attract ; visitors to the vicinity of the lake, he if stanced some scenes which he said could be witnessed on an/ Sunday at MJford Beach. A number of bathers, he said, 101 l about on the sands clad in next to no clothes, and many of both sexes seem to ■ lack all modesty. He added that the shelters about to be built on Milford Beach would be quite inadequate for th» crowds, and suggested that more supers vision was needed. *

The postponement of the Prime Minister's ' next visit to Auckland will probably necessitate a rearrangement of the programme for his entertainment undertaken by supporters of the Eeform Party in the Auck;•' land West district. It was intended th| he should be entertained at a garden party in Point Erin Park on April 4, but as Mr. Massey now proposes to defer hjs visit Until the week after Easter, thj? gathering will probably be postponed. T&9 committee in charge of the arrangement! will meet to-morrow evening to considfi the altered circumstances. *

The subject of candidates to represent the Reform Party at the general elections was briefly considered by the Auckland provincial executive of the Reform Leagne at its meeting on Monday evening, ft was reported that supporters of the party; will contest most of the Auckland seats. After some discussion, it was decided tliaj> the selection of candidates should be «p> trusted to the branches of the league jn. the various electorates. A report was made by the organiser (Mr. A- A. Paape) upon his tour of the Bay of Islands electorate. He devoted a fortnight to the district, and addressed 12 meetings. Mr Paape said that the supporters of tjfc party in that electorate are very well organised, and he expressed himself as very confident regarding the prospects of the party so far as that seat is concerned."

Several improvements in the passenger service between Papatoetoe and Auckland are proposed in a petition to the district railway manager, to which 572 signatures have been obtained. Objection is nude that though the distance is only 11 miles, the journey to the city frequently occupies from 45 minutes to 60 minutes. In view of the rapid development along the rail-

way, it is suggested that a faster service should be provided. Attention is also drawn to the fact that there is no train) from Papatoetoe to the city, between 2.15 p.m. and 5.50 p.m., so that workmen who are now employed on the erection Of numerous houses in the district have to wait about an hour after the day'- work is done before they can return home. ■ The district traffic manager stated yesterday that a revision ofsuburban timetables is not immediately contemplated, but tie attention of the Department is now occu* pied with the details of a scheme for.,* . general rearrangement of the whole W* , way passenger service. Zfs