TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1649, 7 October 1903, Page 23

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

AUCKLAND, October 1. An application for a recount- of votes on the Sunday tram question came- before tile City Council to-niglit in view of the small majority in favour and the large number of informal votes. The matter* was referred to the Finance Committee. The Citv Council has decided to ask Mr Mestayer to report on the question of city drainage. During September the Colonial Ammu-. nition Company manufactured at its works in Auckland and delivered to the Government half a million rounds of .303 ball, fifty thousand rounds .303 blank, and thirty-five thousand rounds .303 Gaudet’s miniature ammunition, or at the rate of seven million rounds per annum.. AUCKLAND, October 3. The South British Insurance Company’s annual report, shows a profit on the revenue account of ’.£30,466 15s 4-d, of which .£17,783 17. s lid was derived fro-m interest and rents, and <£21,632 17s Sd from underwriting. Including the amount brought forward from last year the amount at the credit of the profit and loss account is <£64,284. 10s, of which <£20,000 is placed to the reserve and a dividend for the second half of 2s 6d per share recommended. AUCKLAND, October 4. The Taviuni, which has arrived from the Islands, brings news that the French ship Sally, bound from Kobe, Japan, to Valparaiso., in ballast, put into Tahiti, on September 14th. The crew had mutinied, stating that there was insufficient food otn board, and compelled l the master to put into Tahiti. The crew were arrested. and were being tried when the Taviuni left. HAMILTON. October 3. As the result of numerous charges of illicit sale of liquor at Te Ivuiti, in the King Country, which have occupied the

attention of the Magistrate at Te Awar mutu since Tuesday, the following sentences have been delivered: —Charles Triers, charged on eleven information®, convicted on three charges, and sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour on each charge. Two dhahges were dismissed and th*> rest withdrawn: 5 William Thompson, on seven informations, was convicted on four charges. Defendant was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment on each conviction- William Folia®, charged on eight informations, was oonvicted on six charges and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment on each, to run consecutively. One charge was withdrawn and the other dismissed. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 3. In the Supreme Court this morning F. W Roberts was convicted on a charge of horse-stealing, and sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment. A. R. Brandon, for perjury in his evidence in a case of alleged murder, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. Tho Judge made aw order that the money found on Allen, who was sentenced yestei’day to eighteen months’ imprisonment for robbery at tbe Eahotu Post Office, should be handed to the Postmaster-General. The wife of the caretaker at the fire brigade station, which is now being enlarged, stepped on a portion of the new building from the living rooms on the first floor, and fell through the joists a distance of sixteen feet, receiving serious injuries. She lias been removed to the hospital. STRATFORD, October 3. On Thursday afternoon a fight occurred at Toko between two men named T. O’Shea and L Hutton. Some hours after the fight O'Shea became ill, and was conveyed to the hospital, where he became unconscious. Hutton was arrested yesterday, but liberated on bail. This morning O'Shea died of concussion and laceration of the brain. CARTERTON, October 3. Mr 11. S. Izard’s large house at Greytown was burned last night, nothing being saved. Insurances: House, £450, and furniture, £250, in Phoenix Office. The loss will probably amount to twice as much. A new wing had just been erected in brick. Mrs Izard lost all her jewellery and valuables. CHRISTCHURCH, October 1. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Christian Social * Union this evening, Bishop Julius deplored the decline in the birth-rate in New Zealand. There was no doubt, he said, that the position was due to artificial restraint, and was brought about by means -which he regarded as hopelessly immoral, as they were absolutely certain to lead to the deterioration of the race. He said that one of the causes was. democracy, which gave everybody a chance to rise; another was love of luxury, and. a third was a lowering of moral tone. The Finance Committee reported to the Tramway Board to-day that debentures representing £210,800 out of the £250,000 loan had been allotted, in no instance at less than par, and in several cases at a premium. The cost of flotation had been confined to cables to London and local advertising. Mr G. G. Stead said this result would probably tend to satisfy English financiers that the colony could stand alone without their assistance. The Finance Committee was given aiatliority to issue the balance of the debentures on the best terms available, and moke arrangements for the deposit cf moneys not immediately required. Professor Scott, in presenting the estimates of the School of Engineering to the Canterbury College Board of Governors to-day, recommended an increased grant of £750 to maintain progress. He remarked that this amount was for work which was national rather than provincial. as 40 per cent, of matriculated students came from districts outside Canterbury, such as Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Westland, Otago Mild Southland. He considered the school deserved an annual Government subsidy the same as the Otago School of Mines, and was confident' that the Minister of Education would make a grant. The professor’s scheme for increasing the efficiency of the school, including the appointment of a demonstrator in electricity at £3OO a year, was approved by the Board. T'IMARU, October 1. Dugald Shaw, a> bacon-curer and commission agent, and an old resident of Timaru, was found drowned in Caroline Bay. He had been unwell for some time. It is thought he may have fallen'in the water in a fit of vertigo. A verdict of found drowned was .returned. Deceased was 59 years of age. TIMARU, October 3. At a well-attended meeting of teachers, a presentation was made to Major Barnfield, secretary for many years, and now assistant secretary to the Education Board. The teachers were drawn together by a second object—an exhibition of brush work and modelling in pdasticine, etc., the results of the teachers’ Saturday classes and school work. DUNEDIN, October 1. At the meeting of the City Council it was stated that up to date the amount outstanding on last year’s rates was 7s Gd. while for the previous year nothing was outstanding. This, which applies to both general and water rate, is thought to be a record. DUNEDIN, October 3. The Otago Acclimatisation Society, has telegraphed to the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and the president of the New Zealand Association at Christchur :h, protesting against the alteration in the license fees. It is claimed the effect of the alteration would be to seriously cripple operations. The Rev W. Hewitson has been elected fc> the University Council in succession to the late Mr Cargill. Special to the “Mail.” PALMERSTON, Ocuber 1. A party of thirty-six, comprising members of the A. and P. Association and prominent stock-breeders of the district, including visitors from FeUding, yesterday paid an annual tour of inspection to the stud farm of Messrs McHardy Bros., the well-known shorthorn cattle breeders. The estate comprises 1600 acres of the finest pasture land in Manawatu. Messrs McHardy .Bros., who were originally settlers in Hawke’s Bay, took up the estate

five years ago, and have since transferred it into a model stock-breeding farm. Among other stud cattle, a fine cffleciiofi of purebred shorthorn bulls, all housed and accommodated on modern principles, and undoubtedly one of the finest collections in the colony, was inspected. Several animals which are to compete at the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Show were paraded. At the conclusion of the inspection, Mr R. S. Abraham, in proposing the toast of * Mr J. McHardy, regretted that the herds —which he considered were the finest in shorthorns in New Zealand, if not in Australasia —were shortly to be broken up. He hoped steps would be taken to keep such a valuable collection in the district. PALMERSTON. October 3. A fire occurred at 1.30 o’clock this morning at Hunterville. which, destroyed the shop and residence occupied, by Mrs Vickery. The building was ‘situated between a draper’s shop and the post office, and the latter suffered considerable damage, the windows being all broken and the walls damaged. The adjoining store was saved by means of wet blankets. The building, which was burned was insured, with its contents!. The last girder has been placed iu position at the Mangawelca viaduct on the Main Trunk Line, and it is expected that the first engine will be got over next week, after which ballasting will be pushed on with all speed At a public meeting here to-night, it was decided to facilitate the proposals of the Railway Department for a big programme of railway extension necessitating tli© closing of • one of tho principal s treats. At t.ne golf links to-day the bogey com*, petition was won by G. J. Monro, 1 down, ■with Gifford Moore and C. A. Louisson* 2 down, second. The annual meeting of the Manawatu Polo Club was held to-night. Tho balance-sheet showed an actual deficit of £2 14s 5d on the year’s working. Tho report principally reviewed the great success of the club during last season, and stated that it was confidently expected that the ©lub would be able to put two strong teams in the field for the Polo Association’s tourney, to be held at Auckland this' year. The following officers were 'elected for that ensuing year:—President, Mr TV. T. Wood, M.H.R.; vice-presidents, Messrs L. Abram, C. Dunk, K.. Stevens; captain, Mr R. S. Abraham; vice-captain, Mr Allan Strang; hon. secretary and treasurer. Mr H. Gifford Moore. It waa decided to open the season on the 31st of the present month. During the past five years Messrs McHardy Bros., of Beaulieu, have won at the various agricultural and pastorial shows in the colony twenty championships, eighty first prizes and fifty second prizes with their shorthorn cattle. As an outcome of the recent fire at Foxton, a fire brigade of twelve men has been formed. An inspector has been appointed. A report is to be submitted dealing with, the condition of several premises in the town. The balance-sheet of the Feilding Poultry Association shews a deficit of £2O on the recent show. MASTERTON, October 3. The compensation case Lowes executors v. Borough Council, which occupied District Judge Kettle and two assessors, Messrs Thos. Duncan and A. H. Hathaway, for claimants and respondents respectively, two and a half days, is an important one so far as Masterton is concerned. The claim was for £3050 for 16£ft of land required for the widening of Bannister street. The claimants placed a value of £IOO per foot on the land, and the remaining amount of tho claim was for damage suffered through the dilatory action of the Borough Council and for- damage to remaining premises. The expert witnesses variously estimated the value of the land at from £SO to £IOO per foot. One witness stated that he could get £BO per foot for the land within quarter of an hour; while one of the executors, Mr D. J. Cameron, stated they were not prepared to accept £IOO a foot for it. The land agents called as witnesses testified to the remarkable increase in land values during the last two years, the average increase being from 25 to 30 per cent. Instances were quoted of properties in the town changing hands at an advance .of 100 per cent, and over. The opinion -was freely expressed that the keen demand nrevailing for land is not merely a ? 'boom,” but a genuine indication of the prosperity of the town and district; also that there are evidences of its being permanent. An offer of £55 per foot had been refused for land adjoining the property in dispute. The Court awarded the claimants £1646, which is about eaual to £BO per foot for the land, the remaining portion of the award being for damage sustained. The land was originally bought for a shilling a foot. A letter was read at the meeting of the Masterton branch of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union, held on Saturday, from Mr G. Watson, pointing out the desirableness of the union urging on the Government the necessity of giving assistance and encouragement to induce agricultural labourers from Great Britain to this colony. The writer pointed out the great difficulty experienced in this district and colony in securing good milkers and ploughmen. Consideration of the question was deferred. A resolution was passed requesting Messrs A. TV. Hogg and TV. C. Buchan, an., M.H.R.’si, to use their influence - in getting a veterinary surgeon apnointed "for tli© Wairarapa. The advisablenoss of having a veterinarian appointed in connection with the union in the Wairarapa was also discussed, and members generally approved such a. scheme. The matter was deferred till next meeting. The Masterton Trust Lands voters a creed' to the proposal to exchange a trust section with the Crown for a new Courthouse building, and also to dedicate separate sites for technical school and district high school purposes. It is optional with the Trust Land Trustees whether or not they exercise the power, given them by the voters. Last "month thirty-seven ■ offences were reported to tho Masterton Police, and thirty-four persons were apprehended. For the corresponding month last year only sixteen cases were dealt with by the police