LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3746, 22 May 1899, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During the absence of_Mr J. Ashcroft at Masterton, Mr J. Kays, J.D., will carry out tho duties of Acting Coroner.

Hon W. Hall-Jones has promised the directors of tho High Levels Tramway Comuany that ho will do all in his power to facilitate the issue of an Order-in-Council authorising tho construction of tho high levels tramway. With reference to a petition from Dunedin students against the decision to confer degrees in the afternoon, instead of, as was previously the custom, in the evening, the Now Zealand University authorities have replied that the change was made after careful consideration of tho matter.

Schilling, the American, who is walking round the world in easy stages, is still in Wellington. With his tall, athletic figure, white sweater and green stockings, he attracts no little attention from strangers. Schilling reached Wellington six or eight week# ago. It seems our American friend has not much of the impetuosity which characterises Jules Verne’s hero.

Mr H. A. Field, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at Taita on Saturday night, Air George Brown presiding. There was a large attendance, and the representative was well received. At tho conclusion a vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr Martin, was carried, there being one dissentient. Mr Field will address the electors of Taita and Pahautanui towards the end of the week. The death is announced of the wife of Mr Jas. H. Houghton, one of the eldest residents of Wellington. Airs Houghton died at her residence, lugestro place, yesterday afternoon. She arrived in tho colony’ by the Indian Queen in 1857, and had been a resident of Wellington ever since. She has left seven children—four daughters and three sons—one of whom is married. Mr Houghton himself arrived in Wellington in 1850 by the ship Aurora. During the recent sittings of the Native Land Court at Wairau and Pioton. Judge Mackay dealt with 129 cases. The principal case was the. subdivision of the Wairau Block, in which three hapus were concerned. The block comprises about 1000 acres, and is situated near Spring Creek. After hearing evidence and going over the land, the judge made thirty orders in determination of the respective interests of the owners. ‘

A platelayer on the Great "Western Railway, near Birmingham, ,s said by the London “Daily Telegraph” to have had a tenable experience on March 20th. His foot was caught .in the points,'and. while endeavouring to liberate liimself, ho saw an express train approaching. Realising that if he remained as he was he would be cut to pieces, he lay down in the four-foot-way and the train passed over him, crushing, his foot, which was in the points He was otherwise uninjured.

Miss A. Stewart, who was recently appointed matron of the Masterton Hospital, has resigned. Dr W. Eey (Greytown), Dr Archer Hosting 'Masterton) and Dr Johnston (Carterton) have resigned from the honorary medical staif of the institution. The following is the cast of “Conn the Shaughraun,” which is to be produced by the Fabian Dramatic Company in aid of St. Mary’s Convent;.—Captain Afolineaux, Mr S. Gordon ; Robert Ffolliott, MrW. Scanlon; Father Dolan, Mr. A. M. Samuel; Corry Kinchela, Mr. W. P. McLauchlan ; Harvey Duff, Mr Chas. Blake; Conn the Shaughraun. Mr R. Keenan; Sergeant Jones, Mr \V. Healey; Arte O’Neal, Miss Ada Marshall; Claire Ffolliott, Miss Agnes Marshall; Mrs O’Kelly, Miss A. Scanlon; Alova, Aliss B. Keenan.

A private letter just received in Christchurch from Captain Andrew, Ist Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent. who will be remembered as the first Now Zealander to gain a competitive Imperial commission under the present regulations (says the “Lyttelton Times”), gives the gratifying intelligence that he has recently been up for the High Proficiency Examination in Persian, and passed most successfully, being in addition most highly complimented by the Indian Government. He passed the ordinary examination in Hindustani some years hack, and will in a short time try for the Higher Proficiency standard in that language. A narrow escape from a horrible death occurred on the Alfredton-Weher icad, between Rakanui and Waterfalls, a few days ago (says the “Wairarapa Daily Times”). A man named William Morris’was driving a bullock team and dray along a cliff, when, without any warning, the team took it into their heads to go over a precipice with a clear fall of thirty feet to the bottom. Fortunately for the driver, he had just moved to the opposite side of the dray, and was able to escape. The dray was loaded with posts, and one of the team was killed instantly and another was totally disabled. It is said that on this particular spot lie the bones of seven pack-horses which have gone over tiio cliff. An old New South Whales colonist in the person of Air T. Scanlan died at Sydney last week. The deceased gentleman, who was one of the few remaining heroes of her Majesty’s 9th Lancers, had in his younger days an interesting military career. He fought under the great Lord Hugh Gough, and served under General Sir Charles Napier; was present at the Battle of Sobraon and the passage of the Chenab River, and was also at the Battle of Chillianwalla and Goojerat. Mr Scanlan left Bombay for Sydney in 1850, and during his long life earned for himself the esteem and goodwill of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Four of his daughters are in religious orders, and one of his sons is in the army, having seen much active service in South Africa. The “Journal of the Department of Labour” for the present month contains the following report on the condition of the labour market in Wellington: Building trades : Not very brisk. There are several large buildings in hand, hut not sufficiently advanced to affect the skilled labour market. There are at present a number of unemployed carpenters. Engineering trades; Dull. No improvement on last month’s report. Boot trade : Dull. No improvement on last month. Clothing trade : Factories are busy, some working overtime. Order trade is quiet. Retail trade (general) ; Fairly good business being done in all branches. Unskilled labour : There has been a considerable influx from the country during April, owing to the completion of harvesting operations. Between forty and fifty men nave been sent out to work. Bushfelling contracts will, as usual, absorb a good many who are at.present out of employment.

An order lias been made in the District Court at Master.ton appointing Mr James Ashcroft, Official Assignee in Bankruptcy of this city, as receiver and manager of the estate of'John Mowloin and Co., auctioneers •" arid agents, of Masterton. In consequence of this appointment, Mr Ashcroft left for Mastert'on on Friday. He is expected hack in Wellington to-morrow, after making certain preliminary arrangements. It is understood that a liquidator of the estate was appointed somp time since. He was immediately requested by the third partner (Mr J. P. Brandon), who only recently joined the firm, to stay disbursements. It is alleged that certain payments were, however, made, whereupon the order for Ml* AsllCl’ofPs appointment as receiver was obtained. An investigation of the financial position of the estate, made by a film of accountants at the instance of petitioning creditors, is said to have shown a serious deficiency.

The question of the validity of the Crown grant of the Porirua School Reserve is not decided by the judgment of the Chief Justice in the case Wallis and others v. the Solicitor-General. His Honor, in the course of his judgment, said the Solicitor-General was made defendant to this action. In the defence filed’in his name he contended that the endowment reverted to the Crown. At the argument counsel for the SolicitorGeneral applied to amend the defence by raising the question as to the validity of the grant. His Honor had refused the application. It was contended, however, that without the amendment the question was raised in the case. His Honor thought it was not, and so decided. It was true that the statute or ordinance or provision, in any Govr ernor’s instructions could be mentioned authorising the grant, but it seemed to him that such a question could not be raised in a defence to a suit notwithstanding that the Solicitor-General was the defendant. Was there ever a school in connection with the Porirua School Reserve ? In the course of his judgment in the case Wallis and others v. the Solicitor-Gen-eral, the Chief Justice said it appeared doubtful ■whether a school answering at all to the proposed school as described in the recital to the Crown grant was ever established. It would appear that many vears ago a schoolmaster was placed at Porirua for the natives by the late Bishop G. A. Selwyn, but was not long maintained there, the reason being that* the attendance of Maori' children was irregular, and the number small; Whether this was before the grant or after did not appear. As throwing some liaht on the question thus touched upon by the Chief Justice, an extract may be given from a speech made in the Legislative Council on the 9th September, 1875, by the Hon Robert Stokes. On a question raised by a Maori member, Mr Stokes said ; —“ln 1852 the Bishop of New Zealand purchased a house which was on the land from .Mr Servantes, and placed there a trained English schoolmaster, who had come out with the Canterbury Association, for the purpose of educating the native children. A room was also obtained at the native village, about a mile and a half distant, where he daily attended for the purpose of giving them instruction. The cluldren of the village were all sent for the first few weeks, but the numbers gradually declined until none attended. After remaining there some months doing nothing, the master resigned, and went to Nelson, where he obtained some civil appointment from the Government.

The “New Zealand Times” will be published as usual on Wednesday, -Jth Alay. > The excursion steamers Duchess and Duco will run to Day’s Bay on Wednesday next (Queen’s Birthday). j.ne timetable is published in another column. Air Walker, of the Alararoa, one of the most popular pursers in the Union Company’s fleet, arrived from the South by the Wakatipu on Saturday, en route for New Plymouth, where he wiH relieve the company's agent. Air D. Dougherty, for a time. The Premier has sent the following telegram to Air A. Todd, president of the = Orago Agricultural and Pastoral Society: —“Will with pleasure comply with vour committee’s request to publicly open the sorijfcy’s annual winter show at Dunedin on Wednesday, June 7.” The Hons Hall-Joncs. T. Thompson and J. Carroll have also signified their intention of being present, should their public duties permit. On Saturday morning Thomas Rand was charged, before Air Haselden, S.M., at the Alagistrate’s Court, with the theft, of socks, boots and shoes. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on each of the three charges, the sentences to run concurrently. Rebecca AlcLaughlin, an habitual drunkard, was .sentenced to three mouths’ prisonment. A first-offending inebriate was fined ss, with an alternative of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. On the twelfth day out from Plymouth a second saloon passenger by the Rimutaka, named Air Alurray, died from an attack of apoplexy. Air Alurray, who belonged to. Christchurch, was about fifty years .of age, and was accompanied by his daughter. As the deceased had given no signs of illhealth prior to the fatal attack, bis unexpected death cast a gloom over all those on board. He was buried at sea in the orthodox manner.

At the instigation of his Worship the Mayor, the City Engineer is ascertaining if some work can be obtained for the unemployed men who deputationised the Mayor last Friday. It is expected that some difficulty will arise in the selection of the men, inasmuch as very few of them have been accustomed to the class of work which they will bo called upon by the municipality to perform. It is understood that a selection of the most deserving cases will be made, men with families being given a preference. The following additions have been made to the Telephone Exchange:—A. Ferguson, private residence, Wright street; Prince of Wales Hotel, Tory street; J. M. Muir, private residence, Woolcombe street; A. Bennett, private residence, Clifton ten-ace; Drillshed Cycling School, H. Peacock, instructor; Darby Bros., Lambton quay; the Scottish Metropolitan Life and Accidents Assurance Company, Ltd.; A 1 Hotel, Lambton quay; Townsend and Paul, fruit auction mart, Harris street; W. R. Haselden, private residence, Molosworth street. It is possible (remarks the “Lyttelton Times”) that several of the claims for compensation which have arisen through the Rakaia railway accident will lie investigated at the next civil sittings of the Supreme Court in Christchurch. The method of procedure will ho by petition to the Solicitor-General, and already four petitions have been lodged, while about twenty claims have been made. The largest sum mentioned in connection with these claims, so far, is £3OOO, which, it is understood, is the amount claimed in connection wiln Mr .George Bushell’s injuries. The Agricultural Department of New South Wale#has just received some samples of wheat hitherto unknown ; n Australia. The British Ambassador at Constantinople has sent for trial specimens of the wheat commonly grown in Asia Minor, and in an accompanying letter he says; —“I am forwarding samples of two kinds of wheat most commonly grown in Asia Minor. Other varieties are grown in the country, but are produced from foreign and not from native seed, and are of much inferior quality. Other specimens, reached the departmerit from Odessa. The samples wjII be planted on the experimental farms. Between fifty and sixty “Old Girls” assembled at St. Mary's Convent on Saturday, and were entertained at afternoon tea. The large schoolroom was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Vocal and instrumental items were rendered by Misses Sullivan, Connell. Smith and Waldegrave. It was unanimously decided that instead of a social a dance should be held on June The following committee was formed to arrange the details:—Mesdames T. G. Macarthy, W. Gascoigne, Albert Martin, Gamble, and the Misses Williams, Skerrett, Saunders, Crombie, McDonald and O’Connor.

Early on Saturday morning the building occupied by Mr H. Savage, saddler and harness maker, situated opposite the Government Printing Office, was discovered to be on fire. A prompt alarm was given, and the Fire. Brigade extinguished the flames by means of a band pump. The occupants were alarmed by a passer-by throwing a stone through one of the upstairs windows. A suspicious circumstance in connection with the fire is that three bundles of wax tapers had been placed between the iron sides of the building and the woodwork, and lighted. The fire had evidently been caused in this way. Ine building was insured for £660 in the Commercial Union Office, and tne stock for £SOO in the Norwich Union. The following report of the Public Works Committee of the Melrose Borough Council -will be considered at the meeting of that body to-morrow: 1. That metal be supplied for repairs to James street north, Kilbimie. 2, That a sealed copy of the general bylaw, 1898, bo forwarded to the Police Inspector, together with authority under the’ seal of the council to Ky information and prosecute for any offence under the said bylaw or any bylaw hereinafter passed by the council. 3. That the report of the Inspector of Works be adopted. 4- That a resident of Kilbimie be supplied with a few loads of metal on.his paying the cost of the same. 5. That uropertyowners in Brooklyn who have requested tlie council to supply labour for laying a pipe-drain in the creek running through their land be informed that the council has no power to grant their igquest. .