LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15626, 4 June 1914, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The body of Charles Bain, a steward on the Monowai, who was reported to have fallen into the harbour from the King's Wharf on Tuesday night, was found in that vicinity at about 7 a.m.' yesterday by Constablo Hainsworth. An inquest was subsequently held at the city mortuary before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M. Captain A. M. Edwin, master of tho Monowai, his officers, and tho chief steward gave formal evidence, but could not state how the deceased came to be in the water. The constable deposed to a wound over the man's eye, which seemed to indicate that ho had struck a pilo in falling from the wharf. The coroner returned a verdict of death by drowning, there being no evidence to account for Bain's fall into the water. The death and the recovery of the body were notified to deceased's parents in Dunedin.

Tho Auckland portion of the Australian mail, landed at Wellington yesterday from tho Ulimaroa, is expected to arrive by this morning's Main Trunk train. The mail was a small one, consisting of only 25 bags. Tho steamer Makura, which is expected to arrive in port at eight o'clock to-morrow morning from Sydney, is bringing an English mail of 420 bags. Ql this number about 150 are for Auckland.

A3 a Iramcar was going up Wellesley Street East late on Tuesday night, a man endeavoured to board the car while it was in motion. He was prevented from doing so, however, by the conductor, with unfortunate consequences, for the conductor's bag of money and tickets fell on to the roadway. Nearly all the money was secured from the <?uic the man who caused the trouble meanwiilo being lost in tho inevitable crowd which soon collected.

A political addre'Js will be delivered by the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W, F. Massoy) in Christehurch to-morrow evening. The meeting will be held in the King's Theatre, a comparatively small hall, but the largest that could be secured. Mr. Massey will arrive in Christehurch this evening.

Eighteen thousand rate have been examined by the bacteriologist of the district health office since the last case of plague was discovered in Auckland on May 31,1911, and not one of them has been found to be infected with the disease. Thirteen years ago tho first appearance of plague in Auckland was recorded, and the disease recurred in isolated cases at intervals of three years until 1911, the autumn at the close of each period being marked by two or three cases, with eight cases in the last outbreak. As the disease is communicated from stricken rats to man, a vigorous campaign was undertaken against conditions likely to protect the vermin, the City Council and the Harbour Board cooperating with the Health Department in the crusade of cleanliness. Discussing the matter yesterday, the district health officer (Dr. R. H. Makgill) stated that, as the dangerous period of February to May had passed without any appearance of the disease, and every rat examined during the past three years liad been found free from it, it was safe to assume that plague had been completely stamped out.

The review of territorials and senior cadets held yesterday morning, had been arranged for an early hour, so as to interfere as little as possible with the holiday. If the weather had proved too wet for tho review a salute of 21 guns would have been fired at 7.30 a.m. by tho A Batter)-. The majority of the members of the battery, therefore, slept in the Drill Hall in case their services should have been required early in the morning. Fortunately, however, the weather was fine and the review was held, the salute being fired during its progress.

A Liberal League has been formed in Wanganui, with the object of advancing the interest of the Opposition Party at the next election (telegraphs our own correspondent), but it is quite possible that there will this time be a union of Opposition and Labour forces in an endeavour to return Mr. Veitch, as against the Reform candidate. Mr. Fred. Pirani. The hitter's chances, however, aro regarded as being excellent.

While some boy? were playing in the I Cambridge railway station yards on Tuesday evening, one of their number named J Arthur Croxford, aged 13, had the misfortune to get his feet caught in the turntable (telegraphs our Cambridge correspondent). It was found necessity to .-wure medical attendance, and administer an aesthetic before he could be extricated. The lad was removed to a private hospital, where one toe was amputated. Both feet and legs are badly bruised as the result of the accident.

"The Auckland Province hits increased its output of dairy products immensely of late years," remarked Mr. J, Burgess, of Warca, when speaking at a conference of dairymen at Hamilton yesterday. "But,"' ho asked, "has it been the result of better methods of dairying in such matters as herd testing, or ha s it been brought about on account of tho fact that more land has been brought into occupation for dairying? If the latter is the cause, add to it the former cause and the output will increase to such an extent that it will follow as a natural sequent* that you will secure tho roads of which some of you are so much in need."

Jn a race programme where jumping events constitute a feature excitement of the thrilling order not infrequently presents itself, and such was the case at EUerslie yesterday. During the running of tho Oreat Northern Hurdle Race Donzel fell when about three furlongs of th« journey had been covered, and three of the other contestants running in his immediate wake were as a result brought down in turn. Donzel, though struggling hard, failed to rise, and it was apparent that he had suffered a severe injury The horses still in the race had again to pass the point where the aeeirent occurred, and the injured home, which was lying near the rails, could not be pulled off the course before another round had been completed. However a plucky constable stood near the horse, and this, combined with the loud cries from the onlookers war the point acted as a warninc to the riders as they approached the danger zone, and to the relief of the crowd there was no further accident. On examination Donzel was found to have, fractured one of his legs, and, hi« case being hopeless, the animal was destroyed.

A deputation representing the Bnnedin General Labourers' Union, which waited upon the Prime Minister recently, stated that the general labourers had never been represented on the staff of the Labour Department, and urged that a man there from their ranks should be appointed. One speaker said that the general labourers should have a representative in tho Labour Bureau. The secretary of tho union alleged that breaches of the labourers' award had been committed and no action taken. Mr. Massey said he would look into the complaints made regarding administration, and would do his best to remedy them. The Department would be administered fairly and impartially while ho was at its 'head.

Tho boisterous weather yesterday M more severely felt along both coasts inff in tho harbour. The wind came from th» west m strong squallt, accompaniea bf ram. At mid-day a fairly high m J. running in the harbour, but not sufficient to interfere with the ferry services. Heavy sea were breakiD S on tho Manuka,, Bar and in consequence (ho steamers Claymore and Karon remained at the Onehunga Wharf. The signalman at Manuka,, Heads reported last evening that the prospect for an improvement in the weather w„, not bright. Kcports were also received yesterday stating that several small steamers were sheltering in East Coari bays.

Home mission work figured in the di». cussions yesterday of delegates to a con ference,of the Auckland auxiliary of th, New Zealand Baptist Union, held al Epsom. The need for evangelisation work in tho back blocks as emphasised b, several speakers. One delegate nrged that where tho home mission work of th, various denominations overlapped sorn* thing should bo done, bv conference with representatives of the churches concerned to obviate this difficulty, and to avoid caning friction by sending mcn where there were representatives cf ether ehurchr, already it; the field.

the royal saluto of 21 guns fired in the Domain yesterday morning, „ l, nnoltr of the King's birthday, frightened -even:! horses accustomed to graze peacefully in the vicinity of the Cricket Ground. ' Already perturbed by the bands and the troops, these horses started or a miniating "cavalry" charge when the first gun was fired. Three constables, however, beaded Hie animals away from the crowd, and by the time the last pun had been fired they had quietened down.

Between 60 and 70 of the King's Empire Veterans celebrated the King's birthday yesterday by assembling at the Drill Rill and saluting the flag, afterwards marching to the Town Hall, where they were drawn up in parade order. The uniforms of many of the men were adorned with medals and other decorations. Luncheon was subsequently served in the Town ! Hall. The toasts included "The King," ; " The- Governor/' and "The Prime Minister and Ministers." The Government w,is specially thanked for granting free railway passes enabling vcterani living in the country to travel to town, and for the provision of pensions for those who had not previously been provided for in this respect. In the unavoidable absence of Col. R. Logan (officer commanding the Auckland district), Major T. Broiin (vice-president of the Veterans' Association) presided, other., present including the secretary (Captain Stichbury) and Major Sheraton (of the Field Artillery).

A point of interest to landlords and tenants was raised in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North. The case was one in which a landlord, wishing to rebuild, gave a tenant a week's notice to vacate a house, but the latter claimed that he was entitled to a month's notice. The landlord thereupon pulled down two chimneys and the verandah, and the tenant, entering a suit, received £50 damages. His Honor Mr.' Justice Edwards remarked that many, even among tho legal fraternity, were of opinion that if a tenant paid rent by the week ho was only entitled to a week's notice, but that was not the law. He explained that unless there was a special agreement as to length of notice a tenant was entitled to i. month's written notice.

Tho rule- of the road, as it affecta vehicles and pedestrians was explained recently by His Honor Mr. Justice Hoiking. The ride of the road, said His Honor, was adopted for the purpose of persons who passed along a carriage-fray —riders of horses and drivers of vehicles. It did not compel riders and drivers to keep on any particular side, but it' imposed on them a duty to meet or passany vehicle on a particular side of the road. On crowded streets in a city it was found that people did ride and drive on particular sides of the road because of tho frequency with which they had to meet or pass vehicles or horses, but on country roads it was very different, A pedestrian had a right to walk on the carriage-way if he desired to do so; but where footpaths were provided and he walked on tho roadway he imposed on himself a greater duty of care on his own part than if he walked or. the footpath. If a man walked on the road he must exercise a reasonable amount of care to protect himself. In these days of motor-cars, a pedestrian had to take the carriage way with greater risks thf.n he used to incur in the days of the old-fashioned horse. It did not follow, however, because a man might be sauntering along a road or oven walking backwards, and a car ran into him, ffliat he had been negligent in the senso that it would deprive him of any rights to damages.

Prompt action by a territorial saved a child from a very serious accident in Wellington on Saturday afternoon. In attempting to cross the tramway lines to join its mother on the other side of the street tho child unconsciously ran in front of a car. Just at the moment when an accident seemed inevitable, a territorial dallied across and lifted t.he child out of danger.

Only urgent cases are being admitted to tho Wellington Hospital at present, as the available accommodation is fully occupied. There were 320 piticnts in tho hospital on Tuesday, though the record is 327, constituted at a time when, , -'"° tevcr hospital was full, which is far from being the case ju.-t now. In all the wards in the main hospital extra accommodation has been provided, and the temporary stretchers have been rapidly occupied. Tho fact that the institution contains many old people suffering from chronic winter ailments is responsible for the present overcrowding.

A hurricane swept Pitcairn Island recently, and caused great destruction. Mr. j. R. McCoy, v. ho arrived in Sydney last week in a'vessel that had made ft call at the island on its way from South America to Australia, stated that it woulij be a long time before Pitcaim ie..<>\cri-.i from the effects of the storm. Ihe inhabitants of the island number about 100, and tbev are all Seventh-Iky Advents. Mr. McCoy states that they have sent about 175* dollars, chiefly in- Aineikan coin, bv him for the advancement c >"' a church'work in other inland' of tae Pacific. They have further (011-vte- between 500 and '-00 dollars worth »' arrowroot and fungus, ami are aimoiis for some ship to call for it. so that lb'.' money may be devoted to the Mine purpose.' They are a sturdy community, una Mr. McCov draws a vivid picture t»e manner in'which they launch tiieir suit boats, made bv themselves with a pusaw. to trade with passing ship* tor money, clothing, and Hour, in return lot fruit and vegetables.

The exhibit which has been arranged by the Department of Agriculture for the princinaJ winter shows throughout mo Dominion'this year is tho most comprehensive display of its kind that has ; « boon made in this country. Altnougn the fields and experimental farms division is in general charge, all the branches oi the Agricultural Department will be iepresented by responsible and oxper* officers, who "will supply the information to farmers and others desiring it. ArrangemenU were made for the Government , ..,:. agricultural exhibits at the winter shew j£ at Invercargill, Tapanui, Duneoin, th-ist- ;*&*« church. Palmorston North I'"""", Now ~-;,/.= Plymouth, Hamilton, and TaJiapo. Swim ill!