LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1729, 19 April 1905, Page 22

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

The Hons. W. Hall-Jones and J. McGowan were on Friday at Motu, making an inspection of the bush country which it is proposed to open up by means of a light railway. The Public Works Department is calling for tenders for the erection Qf a road bridge over the Taramakau river, on the Kumara to Marsden road, within a mile of the township of Kumara. The bridge will have eleven spans of 80ft, one of 40ft, and one of 20ft, the total length being 945 ft. Tlie contract is to be completed in eleven months from the acceptance of the tender. The official scrutiny of the ballotpapers in connection with the hyele'ction in Wellington was concluded at a late hour on Tuesday night. The returning officer (Mr G. G. Hodgkins) reports that the initial count was correct. Of the six electoral rights issued, five were returned, two of which were informal. Of the remaining three two were made out in favour of Mr John Hutcheson, and the other counts to Mr O. H. Izard. This trifling difference makes the official figures for the election as follows: —Mr Fisher, 4692: Mr Izard, 3442; Mr Hutcheson, 3023.

The prohibitionist appears to be only a “dead dog” in Sydney. “I have conducted many elections, parliamentary, municipal, school hoard, burial board, etc., but I have never in my experience conducted or taken part in any election so profitless or characterised by such indifference and apathy as that which distinguished the taking of the local option vote in the city of Sydney on December Ist,” writes the Toavii Clerk of that city in Iris annual report for 1904. The total number of votingpapers actually used was 1299, out of a total of 37.502.

The Marlborough Sounds steam launch Gannet, mentioned yesterday as having struck on the rocks in Paten s Pass on the Bth inst., was, at the time of the accident, proceeding from Picton to Jackson's bush camp with stores. While negotiating the pass, a heavy sea and dense rain-squall were encountered,and at 9 p.m. the vessel struck the rocks about fifty yards away from the shore. The passengers and crew left the vessel in the dinghy, and landed on Blumine Island. Later on they were taken in Mr Arthur Seymour’s launch to Mr P. Ewing s homestead. The Gannet, which is insured for £2OO, was lying on the rocks, partly submerged, on Sunday.

The statement of accounts of the recent Shrubb-Duffey meeting show a credit balance of close on £IOO. Aocounts were passed at a meeting last night of the committee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association’s Wellington centre, and a hearty vote of thanks given to the officials of the day’s sports. In reference, to an incident which occurred at the start of the 120yds Handicap, when Duffey broke away, the centre resolved to write l to Mr Watson regretting the incident, and expressing entire confidence in him as starter. A letter from H. L. Mitchell relative to his disqualification in the three-mile flat race was received, on the casting vote of the chairman, an amendment that the referee should he asked for an explanation being lost. Mr F. Ross wrote resigning the secretaryship of the centre. Several members eulogised his services, and it was agreed that the consideration of the letter should he deferred. Permission was granted the Wairarapa Amateur Athletic Club to hold a sports meeting.

A proposal is afoot at Devonport, Auckland, to run an up-to-date ferry service to meet all requirements of the residents, and to pay the expense by putting a rate of sixpence in the pound on the ratable value of the borough. Under the present service the residents of Devonport pay to the private ferry company an annual sum largely in excess, so it is alleged, of the cost of the service rendered. The new scheme, if adopted, would entitle the residents to free use of the ferry. All freights and fares for non-residents would remain as at present. The cost, of the' installation is estimated at £30,000 —four new steamers £25,000, one cargo steamer £SOOO. The present ratable value of the borough is £240,000, which at Gd in the £1 would yield £6000; freight is estimated to bring in £4500; and fares of non-passengers £4ooo—a. total annually of £14,500. The total annual expenditure is estimated at £14,330, leaving a balance of £l7O. There are 805 ratepayers in the borough. Of these 554, on unimproved value, own under £2OO worth of property, and they would all pay less than the present cost of an annual family ticket, and by far the greater number of them would pay less than half that amount. There are 251 ratepayers owning over £2OO worth of property each who would be called upon to pay more than they do at present, hut it is considered that the introduction of a free fer ry service would have the effect of enormously increasing the value of property, and that there would be no injustice in asking them to contribute in •proportion to the benefits they would receive.

The value of the principal lines of produce exported from the colony during March is returned as follows: — Butter, £270,093 ; cheese, £37,332 ; beef, £10,125; mutton, £141,040; lamb, £257,148; wheat, £22; oats, £6801; potatoes, £336. Mr Edward Herrick, a deer-stalker from Dannevirke, on the 10th (says the “Cromwell Argus” of April 10) had a miraculous escape from being killed at Dingle, twelve miles north of Timaru creek, in the Hawea district. He heard a stag roaring, and in hi.s anxiety to secure the prize he fell over a cliff, breaking one of his arms above the writs. The sufferer trudged over rocky faces, two days being occupied in reaching HaweAi where, as luck would have it, a doctor, up for the deer-stalking, put his arm in splints.

All the interests of Shannon are in common with the O'taki electorate, and utterly diverse from those of Turakina and Marion, with which the district has common Parliamentary representation. Mr J. R. Stansell referred to this anomaly on Wednesday evening at the dinner to the Premier, and expressed the hope that it would be rectified shortly by tacking Shannon on to Otaki. Mr Field. M.H.R., said lie would be glad to have Shannon in his district, but for the general election, at any rate, the boundaries would have to remain as at present.

The dairy shipment which left Wellington yesterday for London by the Tongariro comprised:—From Auckland —lO3l boxes butter. 308 cases cheese. From New Plymouth—4274 boxes butter. From Patea—2s49 boxes butter. From Wellington—2662 boxes butter, 1449 cases cheese (including New Plymouth and Patea). From Lyttelton—--191 boxes butter, 550 cases cheese. From Dunedin—29l boxes butter, 436 cases cheese. From Oamaru —186 cases cheese. From Bluff —1723 cases cheese. Total, 11,001 boxes butter, 4652 cases cheese.

Applications closed at Dunedin on the 11th for the Greenfield estate, recently acquired by the Government for closer settlement. The property comprises 21,779 acres, divided into thirtynine selections, varying from 261 to 979 acres, and one small grazing run. Forty-one applications were lodged at D'unedin, nineteen at Lawrence, and fourteen at Balclutha. These cover about three-fourths of the property, and it is anticipated the balance will be taken up by those unsuccessful in the ballot for the choicer sections. There are no applications for the small grazing run. Tlie baliot take place at Lawrence on Saturday. The monthly meeting of the- Wellington Accountant Students’ Society was held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening. Mr A. A. Gellatly. F.1.A.N.Z., vice-president, presided, and there were about thirty members present. The evening was devoted to a discussion on the answers received through the medium of the “ question-box.” Tlie printed questions and answers were' distributed, and an interesting discussion took place. A vote of thanks was accorded those who. undertook the answers. The following new members were elected: —Messrs G. F. Hollins, F.1.A.N.Z., C. V. Barrett, A. E. Odlin, E. Gumming, and Maurice Fitzgerald . At. a meeting of the Gatlins River Railway League last week, Mr T. Mackenzie, speaking of the. capabilities of the district, said that private enterprise was now suggesting that a. tramway should he put into the country at the back of Clinton to reach about eight, hundred acres of bush. If private enterprise could accomplish that, the Government could surely put a similar distance on to a line that would open up a vast extent, of country that was suitable for settlement and would provide millions of feet of timber on something like 800,000 acres. The Catlins district, was really a small edition of Taranaki. The seasons would be shorter, and the country would not he so productive in the total output, but with communication it would make splendid country for industrious people.

Counsel engaged in a maintenance case at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (it is reported in the local pi-ess) informed the Magistrate that a certain property belonging to his client, a woman, had, while under the control of a certain solicitor, whose name was not mentioned, been submitted to a bogus sale, and bought by a “ dummy ” purchaser employed by the solicitor and paid £2 2s for his services in attending the sale and buying the property. That bogus sale had resulted in a loss to the woman. The Magistrate : But that is a swindle, and those implicated should be prosecuted. Counsel : Your Worship knows who I mean. The Magistrate: I have a suspicion. Continuing, Mr Bishop said counsel was making a very serious allegation indeed. It seemed to' him that his duty to his profession was not to allow it to rest, but to report it to the Daw Society. Counsel replied that he had got authority from bis client to take proceedings against the other parties, hut the difficulty was that he might be incurring enormous expense, and might not l>e able to get anything from the other parties.

It is expected that the Flaxbourne compensation case will be completed before the Easter holidays.

The quantity of hemp graded for export at Wellington during March was 7902 hales, weighing 1587 tons, as compared with 7556 bales, weighing 1519 tons, during February.

The consolidation of the New Zealand statutes upon which Mr W. A. Joliffe, Crown Law Draughtsman, is engaged, is expected to be ready for presentation to Parliament in 1906. Cabinet has authorised the Public Works Department to proceed with the erection of the new offices for the Public Trustee. The plans have been approved with certain slight alterations.

An Order-in-Council has been issued extending the hours of polling in the Wellington municipal elections, and the borough elections of Karori and Petone. The poll in each case is to close at 7 p.m.

A list of registered midwives is published in the “Gazette.” They include the following Wellington names :—Mesdames Bonner, Holgate, Starkie, Kirkwood, A. S. Harris, E. Clark, Mill, Norris, Needham, Lob'b, Rogers,Trickor, Deader, Misses Noble, Morpeth, Finch, Pankhurstj and Neale.

As the site for the building given by Mr Andrew Carnegie for the use oi the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Government of the Netherlands has selected, subject to approval by the States General, the military parade ground near the Bosch. The Bosch (or Wood) is a park nearly two miles long, on the outskirts of The Hague. At the end of this park is the palace, where the historic Peace Conference, held its sittings, which is known as the Huis ten Bosch (the House in the Wood), built in 1617, and containing many old and valuable paintings. The locality is well chosen.

Choice vegetables and fruit were in February last being sold in the West End of London at prices that might be described as “ gilt edged.” Asparagus was fetching- 35s a bundle (oi about twenty sticks) in several big shops. Strawberries were being sold at Is each. Many shops, too, were displaying rare varieties ol apples at Is 6d and 2s each. Large Cape plums were fetching 6d each, and anything from Is 6d to' 2s 6d each was asked for choice' peaches and nectarines from the same country. New varieties of fruit, such as the Mexican grape-fruit and the. custard apple, were- becoming more' popular, and commanding a ready sale.. As bearing on the merits of motor omnibuses as competitors with tramways, some statements made by Mr J. Allen Baker, at a recent meeting of the' London County Council, are worth noting. He said the working cost of motor omnibuses was from 11-Jd to Is per car-mile, and their carrying capacity thirty-four passengers each. The working cost of the electric tramoar was from 5d to 6d per car-mile, and its carrying capacity from fifty to seventy. Tho figures lie bad quoted, said Mr Baker, were absolutely borne out by the actual experience of the working of the motor omnibus; and he thought, therefore, that the Council need fear no' serious opposition to its tramways from that source.

There were forty delegates, representing almost every department of the Government service, present at a meeting held in the Parliamentary Buildings on Thursday to discuss the best means of forwarding a superannuation scheme for all branches of the Government service. Mr O'. T. McManaway presided. The proceedings took the form of an informal discussion as to ways and means of forwarding the interests of Government servants in regard to superannuation, and to this end a. committee was appointed consisting of Sir Edward Gibbes (chairman), Messrs J. W. Poynton, G. Allport, P. S. Hay, A. H. Holmes, and O. T. McManaway, with Mr M. Fraser as secretary. To this committee was delegated the task of formulating the basis of a general scheme, on which future operations could rest. Delegates were instructed to forward to the secretary tabulated summaries of suggestions. It was decided that future meetings should be open to all Government servants. The magnificent oxidised silver electric light fittings for the Town Hall are now being erected by Mr Dawson, the contractor for the installation, and his staff. They will considerably enhance the appearance of the fine hall. One gentleman well acquainted with the subject has stated that no finer fittings have been imported into the colony. What is technically called “oxidised silver” is in reality oxidised brass, and on close inspection it may he seen that the metal has been hammered into a pattern after the style of repousse work. The central electrolier —17ft in length—will have sixty tliirty-two-candle-power lights, while one at each end of the hall will have thirty-five lights. In addition to these there are forty-seven wall-brackets, each with three sixteen-candle-power lights. The hall, when fully illuminated, will have lights representing 5296 candle-power. The exterior portico of the Town Hall is to be illuminated with two arc lights. Mr Dawson anticipates having the work completed by Thursday next.

The season for shooting native and. imported game in tlie Wellington district will open on May Ist, and close on July 31st. The deer-shooting season in the Nelson district has by Order-in-Council been extended till the 24th inst.

The Easter vacation of the Supreme Court will extend from the 20th to the 30th inst., both days inclusive. The office, however, will be open for tlie transaction of business from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from the 26th to the 29th inst., inclusive.

The “ Cromwell Argus ” bears that Mr Gotten, solicitor, of Naseby, intends to contest the Mount Ida seat in the Government interest, against Mr A. L. Herdman, the present member. Mr Ramsay, of Gmakau, is also spoken of.

A deputation from the Johnsonville Town Board, introduced bv Mr W. H. Field, M.H.lt., received a promise from the Premier that he would use his influence to expedite the proclamation of about seventeen acres of native reserve at the southern end ot Johnsonville., for use as a recreation reserve. Mr W. H. Field, M.H.R., strongly commends the methods of the Motueka fruitgrowers to the growers of Horowhenua. “At Motueka,” lie said, “they are managing their fruit business on the very best lines. They practise co-operation for the killing of birds, putting down pests, choosing plants, and importing machinery.” A small company has been formed at New Plymouth to spend £2OOO in further prospecting for petroleum at Moturoa. The Government Geologist has renorted favourably, and the boring expert is sanguine that payable oil will bo reached 250 ft lower in the bore, which is now down 2100 ft. Operations are to be resumed at once. When an application for direction came before Mr Justice Cooper in Chambers yesterday, his Honor made adverse comment on a practice which, lie said, had grown up in Wellington district, i.e., serving originating summonses before a Judge’s direction had been obtained. Such methods, lie pointed out, might result in serious difficulty. “In the case before the Court,” his Honor added, “no application lias been made to me. I should not make a direction for service after the summons has been served.” A Christchurch resident, on his wav homo tho other night, was attacked by a man who followed him for some distance. The stranger seized him round the neck and began to strike him, and at the same moment another man, who had been lurking by, sprang out and assisted in the attack. The man who was assailed struggled until he got free, and then ran towards the town, shouting for the police. At this the strangers disappeared. It is believed that the motive for the assault was robbery. The Public Works Department is inquiring for labourers for work on tlie North Island r Pfunk Railway. At the beginning of the present month there were 922 men employed on the work—--880 labourers and 42 artisans —but it Is the wish of the Department to keep the total number employed up to 1000. Some of the gangs, principally on the southern section, have become depleted, and it is to bring the number of hands employed up to the four-figure limit that further men are being engaged. The Labour Department lias the matter in hand.

The Premier stated at Levin that two years ago when he warned the farmers against exporting too many sheep, they asked. “What did he know about sheep?” They went on their way, and the result was that the colony had now three million less sheep than it had four years ago. Making allowance for the price of sheep and wool, this meant that the colony had lost about two million pounds sterling. “Good and all as dairying is,” said Mr Seddon, “no money could have been invested to give the same returns as if that two million had been employed in sheep.”

A meeting of the New Zealand executive branch of the Political Labour League was held last night at the Trades Hall. There was a large attendance of members. The Hon J. Rigg presided. Communications were received from Auckland, New Plymouth. Taihape, and Midhirst stating that branches of the league had been established in those places. The date of the first annual conference was fixed for the 25th inst., at Wellington. A committee was set up to arrange a “social” to visiting delegates. the Hon Mr Rigg and Mr Ball were elected delegates to the conference.

The effects of the draining on the so-called swamp at Makerua are now very apparent. Although a good deal of rain fell on Wednesday, and all the rivers on the coast were swollen, the Makerua drains carried off all the water, and the land remained as dry as could bo desired. There is * good coat of pasture where grass had been sown, and over 600 head of cattle aie fattening on the property. The experiment of planting flax on the waste parts of the swamp lias so far proved a success. A good percentage of the plants that were put in nine months ago have struck, and sent out a via th. of blades.

The banks conducting business throughout !*iew Zealand, will be closed for holiday from Friday, iflst inst., to Tuesday, 25th inst. (both days inclusive).

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., have been advised h>3 7 cable from their London ofiice that the directors of the company have declared an interim dividend, of 3s per share, being at tho rate of 0 per cent, per annum. The dividend is payable on the 15th prox.

Volunteers are not likely to go short of food during the route march which starts on Thursday night. The daily ration per man will be:—Bread, l-*lb ; fresh meat, 1-iib; potatoes, lib; butter, 2oz ; tea, -Joz; coffee, ioz; sugar, 3czp salt, loz; pepper, l-360z. A highly successful sale of Crown lands in the Maruia district, between Nelson and lieerto-n, has taken place. There were forty-four sections, containing in all 22,554 acres, and the necessary ballot was conducted at Murehison. Thirty-on© sections, comprising over fifteen thousand acres, were taken up, and only in four cases was there only a single application, while for one there were thirty-nine applicants. It is anticipated that the remaining sections will be taken up by the unsuccessful applicants.

Alexander Milne, who at the beginning of the month was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient lawful means of support. has been removed from tho gaol to the hospital. This was the manlie is eighty-one years of age-—whose case led. Dr A. McArthur, S.M., to make remarks regarding the attitude taken up by the Benevolent Triu-tees. The Magistrate has wr,.a-ii to the Minister for Justice concerning the. case.

The tender of Mr r u. Meyer has been accepted for the construction of the grandstand, people's stand, and stewards’ stand at the Wellington Racing Club’s new course at Trentham. The new buildings are to be of the latest type, and the surroundings are to be made as attractive as possible. Below tli© grandstand then© will he a large dining-room, 100 ft hy 60ft; and diningrooms are also to be provided for the stewards and members. Messrs Crichton and McKay are the architects. The contract price is about £BOOO. The examinations conducted in New Zealand by the education Department on behalf of tho City and Guilds cf London Institute and the Board of education, South Kensington, will be held in tho various centres about May and June next respectively. The subjects of examination.’ include for the City and Guilds, plumbing, electric lighting, telegraphy, gas manufacture, carpentry and joinery, also woodwork and cookery for teachers; and for South Kensington', the various branches of drawing, painting and modelling, machine and building construction, plane and solid geometry, applied mechanics, physics, chemistry, physiology, and botany.

In reference to Mr Justice Cooper s remarks on nrocedure in divorce cases — to the effect that further affidavits were required in petitions for divorce where personal service was to be dispensed with—Mr T. M. Wilford (solicitor in two of the cases before the Court) waited upon Mr Justice Cooper on Saturday and apologised for his absence in Court on Friday (when he was in Christchurch). *He desired to point out that the petitions in the cases mentioned by his Honor had been filed according to the procedure adopted by all the Judges for some years. He stated that the extra affidavit required by his Honor for corroboration of the petitioner’s affidavit would be supplied at once. The new borough water scheme for New Plymouth was formally opened on Thursday. Under this scheme a fresh supply is brought by gravitation from the Waiwakaiho, a loan of £24,000 having been authorised for this purpose by the ratepayers. The new works, which will supersede the old reservoir and pumping-station at Henui, include intake culverts and chambers; a tunnel 3820 ft long, sft 3in high, and 3ft 9in wide ; a main of loin pipes, two filters, and a reservoir capable of bolding one million gallons. The filters, which are of Mather and Platt’s patent type, were obtained from Palmer and Co., Wellington, at a cost of £2207. The reservoir is entirely of concrete, and lined with Yal do Travers asphalt. In Chambers on Saturday nioruing Mr Justice Cooper had before him an application for an injunction to stop the sale of certain lands in the Kairanga survey district. Tile action is brought by Kereama Paoe and other natives, of A wall mi, against Joseph Saunders, contractor, of Palmerston North. Plaintiffs claim that they are the registered proprietors of some sixty acre® of • land in block 2, Ivairanga survey district, which is mortgaged to defendant. In consequence of defendant’s alleged failure to carry out certain agreements, and his action in advertising the land for sale, under the power contained in the mortgage, plaintiffs are claiming £2OO damages. His Honor granted an injunction restraining the sal© from proceeding until a further order of the Court, the usual undorstanciing a:s to damages being given. Mr Herd man' appeared for plaintiffs

The Hutt \ alley Horticultural Society will hold an autumn show at Lower Hutt public school on Faster Monday. Speaking of the prospects of Levin as a fruit-growing centre on Wednesday, Mr Seddon expressed the hope that provision would he made for the- proper inspection of orchards under the Orchard and Garden Pests Act, with a view to clearing them of pests. If some- orchardists, lie said, could only realise the injury they were doing to both themselves and their neighbours they would take the necessary measures without compulsion. It was to the discredit of New Zealand that last year wo imported about half a million pounds’ worth -cf fruit, fresh, preserved, and canned. Americans who had seen cur fruit-grow-ing districts were astonished that we should be importing so much. The remedy was to keep the orchards clean.

The Liberals of England are agitating for woman's franchise. At a meeting of the General Committee of the National Liberal Federation, held on March Ist last, at C'rewq?, Miss Balgarnie (who- lately visited New Zealand) proposed, in the name of the Bolt-on Association : “ That the extension of the Parliamentary franchise to women is urgently needed in the interests of justice, a lid ought at once to be adopted among tho reforms advocated by the Liberal party.” A hold social policy must, she said, involve complete trust in the people, and so- long as any section of the people was excluded from the Parliamentary franchise they could not say that -complete trust had been imposed. Mr Honey, Belton, seconded the motion, which was carried by 177 votes to 19.

In opening the annual exhibition in Christchurch of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Lord Piunket, who- is patron of the society, said that the only moment in liis life when lie thought he was going to bo a little artistic was at the time when artistic photography was the rage at Homo. There was an exhibition cf artistic photography held in an important city in England, and lie sent in his little item, and he could only say that the delight of the artist who- for the first time had his picture hung was nothing to his when he found that he hud been awarded a medal for his littlework. (Applause.) He felt that indeed he must have something artistic about him. Biit when the medal arrived it turned out to be composed of very indifferent pewter, and theji he found out that in the class in which he had exhibited there were only two other compocitors. (Laughter.)

The desire of the people of Levin, as expressed by Mr J. Prou.se, is to make Levin the playground and garden of the Manawatu. So far as natural conditions are concerned, the fruit and flowers exhibited at tho show on Wednesday {furnished ample ground fair claiming Levin as the garden of Manawatu. The Premier boro testimony that for size, shape, and cleanliness the fruit could npt he surpassed in tho colony. The beautiful Horowhenua Lake, with the artificial islands of Rauparaha and the picturesque surroundings, are the nucleus of an ideal park. The Premier has promised to tie wliat he can to have it reserved for this purpose, and to protect the native hush from the depredations of regardless youths, both European and native. The ambition of Mr Prouso now is to have a good macadamised road running round the lake and down to the coast.

In Chambers yesterday, before his Honor Mr Justice Cooper, further reference was made to the appeal brought by the trustees of ‘the Hate Jacob Joseph against the decision of the Commissioner of Stamps, upholding an assessment by the Deputy-Commissioner in respect of the National and Star and Garter Hotels, part of tho estate of the deceased. Mr Pell, who appears for the Commissioner, stated that Mr liislop, who is for the trustees, desired further time to consider whether his Honor’s judgment—holding that the goodwill of th© hotels-'was liable for assessment for death duty—should he appealed against. His Honor replied that he would he taking the Napier, Wanganui, and Palmerston sittings, and that- if the parties were agreed, the matter could stand over until some time after tho Easter holidays. This course was agreed to. In an article on ‘-Dried Milk,” in the April number of “Dalgety’s Review,” it is stated that arrangements are being mad© whereby dried milk factories will bo erected in New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand, upon the principles of the factory now in operation at Bunnytliorpo, in this country. So far as Sydney is concerned, the bulk of the supply is being taken up by biscuit manufacturers, pastry cooks, and similar trade concerns. The general milkconsuming public are as yet quite ignorant of the existence of such a product. As it becomes known, the probabilities are that the demand for it will equal if not exceed that of condensed and concentrated milk, and possibly, in cases where tho supply of fresh milk is doubtful as to quality, the dried milk will he preferred. It is further stated that one factory in each of the three States already mentioned is merely tho forerunner of many wherever dairying is i carried on to even a small extent.