LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 55

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Tn the course of a statement before the Police Commission last week, Commissioner Dinnie produced a list of offences committed in the four large centres of the colony during last year. This showed that the police work iu Dunedin was not so heavy as in the other cities. The figures were-as fol-lows:—-Auckland, 4685; Wellington, 4629; Christchurch, 3918; Dunedin, 1730.

A light buoy which has been fitted up by the Harbour Board is now lying on the Queen’s - Wharf undergoing a lighting trial preparatory to being taken out and moored on the Falcon shoal. This is the first light buoy that tha Wellington Harbour Board has used. It is fitted with a Wigharn patent light which should bum continuously for thirty-one days. The buoy will not he taken out to its moorings until ifc has undergone a satisfactory test of its efficiency.

At the fortnightly meeting of the State Schools’ Defence League, held last week, it was resolved 1 : “That the executive desires to thank those members of the House of Representatives who championed the rights of conscience against the clerical tyranny which is threatened .by Mr Sidey’s Bible Plebiscite Bill, and trusts that, if the bill cannot be entirely defeated in committee, the proposal to be submitted to the popular vote will he altered to the following form: ‘Are you in favour of the teaching in the State schools remaining entirely of a secular character as at present.’ ” A copy of this resolution is to be sent to each member of Parliament.

The Native Appellate Court appeal’s to be a body possessed of unique judicial functions and powers. According to Sir Robert Stout and Mr Justice Cooper it stands alone as an independent tribunal, whose decisions are in all respects final. Their Honors last /week concurred in a reserved j udgment in which they said that if the Native AppeTTate Court was “seized” of a dispute between natives and natives affecting a title to native land, that Court could do as it pleased. It might proceed contrary to what was called “natural justice” or adopt a course of procedure that an English Court, or the Supreme Court, or the Court of Appeal of this colony would not adopt, and it could not be interfered with. Indeed, the Legislature had clothed this Native Appellate Court with more power than the Supreme Court of New 7 Zealand. Their Honors declared that this is the position of that Court as the law at present stands. Their Honors Sir Robert Stout,- C.J., and Mr Justice Cooper, in delivering their reserved judgments in a native land appeal case last week, took occasion to make striking reference to the fact that, although many matters principally affecting title to lands were governed to a large extent by what is termed “native custom,” there is no authoritative definition of what Maori custom or usage was or is. Their Honors are strongly Of opinion that these customs of the New Zealand aborigines should be codified and actually passed into law. As tilings are at present, property of enormous value is practically dependent upon laws which find place in no statute, code, or judicial decision; and the difficulties of Native Land Courts are added to by the fact that'they have to adopt Maori ideas, so far as they can be determined, to the varying state of native civilisation and the changing laws of Europeans. Although the remarkable system by which the Maoris perpetuate knowledge of their flolk-lore' enables many of their ancient manners, ceremonies, and customs to be handed down from father to son with accuracy of detail, it is found that as the old people pass away many usages are but faintly remembered. -

A vastly interesting collection of ancient publications, mostly hack-dated newspapers of the time when the press of the day was very . immature, is at present on exhibition in the window of Mr James B. -Speed, on Lambton quay. There is a little paper, with quqer advertisements called “ The Times ” (of London), dated June 22nd, 1815—“ The Thunderer ”of ninety ye aril ago. The early part of the eighteenth century is represented by a quaint little sheet about the size of modern note-paper, called the “Northampton Mercury,” or “ Monday’s Post.” It makes trying reading for modern eyes owing to the alterations made in the configuration of some of the letters since the date of its publication—May 2nd, 1720. The press of over half a century later is represented by a faded yellow sheet branded “The Glocefter Journal,” which, means “The Gloucester Journal.” Its date is November 3rd, 1783. America, where printing has made amazing strides, is represented by a copy of the “New York Evening Post” of November 16, 1801. A hand-written paper, or the fac-simile of one, is the “ Melbourne Advertiser,” written for and published by John P. Fawkner, at Melbourne, in January, 1838. Three years later a paper was printed in Wellington. Papers of local interest on exhibition consist of copies of the “Wellington Independent ” and “ Spectator ” of the forties.

Mr Walter Elliott, of Rongokokako, who has just returned from a visit to England, states that he was able to buy a piece of Nireaha cheese in a South, of England village.

An unusual case was before the Dunedin Magistrate’s Court last week. A mar. was charged with driving a vehicle in front of an electric tramcar for a quarter of a mile. The prosecution contended that the whole tramway service was delayed as the result of such practice, which was too common, and would probably end in a fatal accident. The accused was fined 20s and costs (28s). The Public Works Department is calling for tenders for the construction of the Alexander’s Bluff road bridge, to be erected . across the _ Motueka river (Nelson) about seven miles from the wharf. The bridge, which is to he constructed on the truss system, will have five spans in all—two of 110 ft, one of 80ft, and two end spans of 20ft each. The bridge will be supported by concrete piers on cylindrical foundations.

The representations regarding the approach to the Eketahuna railway station have been carefully looked into by the Railway Department, and it is considered that the approach road, which is from 15ft to 17ft wide and in good order, reasonably meets the requirements of the business at Eketahuna. What is desired is that the road should be widened. There are,, however, no funds available for such a purpose at the present time, and the work is not, the Minister believes, regarded as a necessary or urgent one. About seventy-five men are now engaged on the construction of the Hoki-tika-Ross railway. The rails are laid nearly as far as Fisherman’s Creek, and ballasting, is proceeding. The Mahinapua Creek bridge is nearing completion, and near the site of the Lake Mahinapua railway station the necessary I clearing is being made for the shuntingyard. Beyond that point formation is in progress as far as Totara. The Ross Borough Council, says the '’West Coast Times,” made application to have the Totara river bridge made a combined railway and road bridge, but this will only be done if the borough contributes to the cost. It will be possible by maintaining the present degree of activity to open the line as far as Bake Mahinapua by the end of the year

The students of Victoria College, who have been particularly generous in their efforts on behalf of the college furnishing fund, made a suggestion that the 27th inst., which will be the anniversary of the laying of the college founda-tion-stone, should be celebrated- by another effort on behalf of the fund. They also proposed holding a sort of “Victoria College Saturday” to raise money. The College Council hardly knew how to deal with the matter. It hesitated to discourage the enthusiasm of the students, but felt, at the same time, that such an effort as was proposed “'might dry up some larger and more important avenue of revenue.” Some of the members doubted whether such avenues did exist, or would ever be apparent. At any rate, the Council appointed Messrs Wilson, Evans,, and Richmond a committee to confer with the Students’ Association on the subject. Something may be done on the opening day. His Honor the Chief. Justice {S'ir Robert Stout) on the 16th, gave judgment in the c.ise of the Wellington Roan Company, Ltd., v. F. Loudon, which was an action on an “ account stated,” and in which evidence in support of plaintiff's claim had been taken on the previous day. His Honor, in describing the circumstances of the case, said there had been transactions between the - plaintiff and defendant for some years, and on July 17th last the company wrote to defendant asking for payment of £132 14s 5d for money lent with interest at 30 per cent, per annum, making in all £164 17s 3d. The defendant replied that he was prepared to. give the company his bill at three months for that amount without further interest, and. if that was not satisfactory they could “go on with the music.” The question was whether t)ie defendant’s letter ’was an admission of an account due, that.is, of an account .stated of £164 17s 3d being due. His Honor said there were many cases on what an “ account stated ” was, and they all agreed that there must be an admission of a debt due. In this case there was no admission of an engagement to pay on request. On the- contrary, the claim was made, and the defendant replied that he would settle it in a particular way by "giving a bill at three months without interest. Interest was payable between the parties, and if the defendant was not to pay for three months after the date of the bill, then he would have‘been liable to pay interest at the rate of 30 per cent. That would mean that at the due date of the bill he would have been liable to pay £l2 7s 3£d beyond the sum of £164 17s 3d. He, therefore, made an offer of less than was claimed. It could not be said that- this was an admission that the amount was payable. In his Honor’s opinion it fell short of an admission that £164 17s 3d was due, and the plaintiff was nonsuited, with costs according to scale, and disbursements.

A grant of £7OO has been made to the Marlborough Education Board for the erection of a building in brick for the technical school classes in cookery and woodwork at Blenheim. A grant of £2OO has also been made for equipment. The Railway Department has erected hydraulic capstans on the crane wharf at Westport to take the place of locomotives in moving coal truoks. They will be handier and, it is believed, cheaper, than using locomotives. Plans have been issued by the Department of Lands and Survey for the 7944 acres of rural land in the Mokihinui survey district, Westland, which are shortly to be disposed of on lease-in-perpetuity.

Brigadier-General Gordon, in the course of a lecture at Sydney, said that it “made him sick' 5 when he saw 30,000 loafers sitting on a rail cheering during the course of a football match. He was a sportsman, but when out on the Sydney Cricket Ground he saw thousands of youths lolling back smoking cigarettes he felt ill, and thought “Poor Australia! Your sport won’t last long. 55 Mr F. W. Frankland, in retiring from the contest for the Manawatu seat, in order to avoid splitting the Liberal votes in the electorate, is circulating full reports of his opening election address. In a note he adds that he has by no means relinquished his hope of some day representing Manawatu in the House. His political views, as expressed in the speech, show him to bo a progressive Liberal, with high ideals, and this, combined with his loyal action in retiring from the coming contest, should give him an excellent claim on the Manawatu electors at some future date. There has been some excitement in “mosquito” shipping circles owing to the threatened demolition of the Taka Islands, in Golden Bay, at the mouth of the Takaka river. The islands are of limestone, and, being privately owned they were sold some time ago to the Wellington and Marlborough Cement and Lime Company, whose works are at Picton. It is probable that sooner or later the islands will disappear by a process of being shipped away and converted into cement. The trouble is that they are at present very useful for shipping, two or three small vessels being able to obtain safety in a north-west gale. The matter was under the notice of the Marine Department, but as the islands were privately owned, the Government could not interfere with the sale. The offices of the department will probably be requisitioned when the islands have been converted into a limestone reef, covered at high-water. “The Australasian Traveller,” the organ, of the commercial travellers of Australia and New Zealand, has in its issue of August references to meetings to be held on the 19th inst., to form a united association, embracing all the Commercial Travellers’ Associations in these colonies. New South Wales and New Zealand have already passed the constitution of the united organisation, which is described as already a very “live” concern, with important interests throughout Australia and New Zealand. It has—(l) A splendid newspaper property, issuing 4000 copies monthly; (2) a highly profitable scheme of accident insurance, in which members hold 1300 policies ; (3) a bona-fide traveller’s certificate, which has received the official recognition of the railways and steamship companies, for concessions and privileges; (4) a gold badge of brotherhood, which is carried by travellers throughout Australia and New Zealand, arid besides being a guarantee of status and a high-class introduction, carries with it the right of entree to first-class commercial clubs in every State of the Commonwealth and in New Zealand.

A knotty point in New South Wales licensing law has been settled by Mr Payten, S.M., who has just given his reserved decision in connection with a case heard at the North Sydney Police Court three weeks ago. The facts were that last year the defendant wsts granted a renewal of a license on condition that a new building was erected, the police having objected to the old building, which stood on a large corner allotment. A new building was therefore put up on the same block of land, but not precisely on the spot of the old building, which was allowed to remain, though no trade was done there. The two buildings, however, were connected by a covered-in way, and it was maintained by leading counsel that, to all intents and purposes, they were one building. At a recent meeting of the Licensing Bench a license for the new building was refused, on the ground that it was practically another hotel, but a renewal was granted for the old building, to which the police had. formerly objected. The licensee, nevertheless, continued to carry ou business in the new place, and it was on this that action was taken by the police. It was argued by the Crown Law Office that the buildings were entirely separate, and that business was being done in a new unlicensed hotel ; while for the defendant it was contended that there had beep merely a» extension of the original buildings. After a fortnight employed in looking up precedents, the Magistrate has fouud against the defendant; but he has been satisfied to inflict a nominal fine of £5.

The Athenie, which arrived from London last week, brought 242 passengers for New Zealand ports. At the Auckland Supreme Court last week William Taylor, a prominent resident at Ahuroa, was found not guilty on a charge of stealing two bulls. The Judge and jury expressed strong disapproval of the arrest of such, a well-known settler when he could have been dealt with by summons, there being not the slightest chance of his going away.

The Rev D. C. Bates, who has now held the position of meteorological observer at Wellington for twelve months, has calculated the mean temperature for the colony over that period as follows:—North Island, 54.9 deg.; South Island, 51.5 deg. It is a testimony to the equableness of our climate that the variations from these figurps during July were only 7deg. in the North Island and Bdeg. in the South. The American white fish and quinnat salmon which the Government imported last year have done remarkably well. Most of the salmon have been liberated, but there are still a few in the pondd at Hakataramea. The white fish went straight from the hatching boxes to the rivers. It is proposed to get a further! consignment this year from the United States Fisheries Commission, consisting of a million white fish and 500,000 quinnat salmon.

The mildness of the season is the subject of comment from end to end of the South Island. At Picton willows' are already coming into leaf, although the foliage had not been off for six weeks. The “Marlborough Press states that the willow has become evergreen in some parts of the Sounds. At the other end of the island, the Milton paper states a settler of forty-two years has never known such fine weather at this season of the year. One of the jurors summoned to attend the civil sittings of the Supreme Court on Thursday asked his Honor Mr Justice Cooper to excuse him, on the ground that he wa<s partially deaf. He said:? /‘Your Honor, I’ve only got one ear— I mean I’m deaf in one ear, and the other’s not much good.” TTis Honor: “Well, I suppose both sides must be. heard in this case, as in all others; a juror ought to have two ears. You are excused.” (Laughter.) A visitor who has just returned from Rotorua states that for weeks past the Waiotapu mud geyser, situated close to the great mud volcano, has been in an unusual state of activity, exploding at intervals of from ten to twenty-five minutes, and throwing mud to a height of from 30ft to 60ft. On the sth insta very good “ shot ” was witnessed at 10.15 a.m., and at 11 a.m.,, without warning, a. huge column of mud rose to a height of about 150 ft. A second and larger “ shot ” took place a few minutes later, and a third followed closely.

Wit'll reference to a Press Association cablegram from London, dated August Bth, stating that a portion of a consignment of meat by the steamer Somerset was condemned at Liverpool as “spotty,” the New Zealand and African Steamship Company, agent for the steamer, has made inquiries and has found that only one hundred lambs out of the entire cargo were damaged at all, and these apparently prior to shipment. This will remove any impression that may have been drawn from the cablegram as to the steamer’s refrigerating machinery not being perfectly effective.

There were 794 factories registered in Wellington for the year, an increase of 49 over last year, employing 8030 persons—viz., 5678 males and 2352 females, an increase of 624 males and. 85 females; there is an increase in the number of hoys employed under sixteen years over last year of 33, and a decrease of 14 girls also under sixteen years of age. There is a considerable falling-off in the number of certificates of fitness issued —viz., 36 boys and 36 girls—tlie figures being 1903-4, 186 boys and 195 girls; 19U4-5, 150 boys and 159 girls. The Minister for Railways, replying in the House yesterday to Mi' Wood, who asked whether it is true that signalmen in Wellington receive Is per day more than the signalmen at Palmerston North, and if so, why are the men at Palmerston not entitled to the same wage, stated that signalmen in all important signal-boxes are paid a special allowance of Is per day under the Classification Act . The signalman in ' charge of the north signal-box at Wellington, which is an important- signal-box. receives the allowance accordingly. The Palmerston North signal-box is not considered to he of sufficient importance to warrant the payment of the extra. Is per day, and it cannot be specially classified in the meantime. The hours of signalmen at the principal centres are limited to forty-eight per week, in accordance with the promise given to the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. Where signalmen at such centres work -more than forty-eight hours per week, they are given time off or paid overtime as circumstances necessitate. At less important signalboxes the forty-eight-hours limit does not apply, as the duties of signalmen at such stations are of a less onerous nature than at the important centres where a large number of trains have to be dealt with every day.