LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4565, 17 January 1902, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

.Maggie Papakura. the interesting •Ttoyid” guide, is laid up at Rotorua wi'.h an at Pick of bronchitis and pleuiisy. Air , ,Stranchon, i lie new (,qinmissioner i;t I .'row n Banos for ihe Vveilington clisu'ici . mi ■■ am' .si trout Now j. Bmomh. ami took up ins duties here yesterday. in the space of Jive years the tonnage of vessels visiting New Plymouth has doubled. 'I he passenger trailic has also doubled, while the impons have increased 71 per cent, and um exports ab per cent. In order to further test the British market for raspberry pulp, the Government lias agreed to pay the freight from .Nelson to Borden for a ton of that product, the proceeds to go to the shipper. A. dilapidated clock, placarded “Hade in Germany,” and exposed on the footpath in iUblesworlli street yesterday, is one of the things v.iiicn goes to show bow feeling on international relations run in Millington just now. The Garrison Band has received permission from tlm City Council to phty a programme of music on the Basin Reserve next Sunday, and to take up a collection in aid of a comrade who has been seriously ill. The Tourist Department has been advised from Rotorua that during the four weeks ended the 4th instant tickets were issued which represented 9-178 baths, a record number for a four-week-ly period at that resort. The Minister of Lands was delighted with Ids tour of the Nelson district, which took iu Takaka, Collingwood and Motncka. He was greatly impressed by the capabilities of Nelson in the production of fruit and hops. , The Town Clerk ’has written to the Audit Department explaining in detail the items which should have appeared iu tho City Council’s last balance-sheet, and it is probable that tho latter document will bo available to the public iu a few days. Auckland’s prosperity during the last year is reflected in the small number of bankruptcies which have passed through tho. Official Assignee’s office. The total number for the. year was twenty-nine, of which twenty-four were on the, petitions of the debtors, and five on the petitions of creditors. Mr J. C. Blackmoro, the Government Pomologist, has announced at Nelson that, while in tho southern districts lie will take means of making known tho suitability of properly-pulped raspberries for domestic nso in the manufacture of home-made jam and in oilier ways. Tho Dairy Commissioner, who is back from a visit to the Rangitikei district, lias brought with him samples of tho water used iu a factory, in order to ascertain by analysis whether tho fluid is responsible for a deterioration iu the quality of butter which takes place shortly after its manufacture.

Whilst at Motneka this week, the Minister nf Lands stated that, in view of Hie importance of the fruit-growing industry, he was prepared to bring before Cabinet the question of giving assistance towards the establishment of a pulping factory capable of dealing with a thousand tons of fruit in the season.

A correspondent writes to complain that insuflicicut aeoommddation is provided on the train-ears from Newtown between the hours of 10 and 11 a.m. On two mornings this week he lias been obliged to walk to town rather than infringe the by-laws made by the municipal tram-owners relating to riding on tho steps of tram-cars.

A representative meeting of dairyfarmers has decided on the establishment of a co-operative butter factory, with Brightwater as the centre. A communication was read from the Department of Agriculture with reference to organisation. It was stated that the department hoped to have an instructor in tho district shortly. An engine required for pumping purposes was ordered from an English firm by tho City Council some time ago. The engineer reported to the Council last night that he was disappointed about tho matter, but from information which he had received, it was doubtful if the engine would come to hand for some time.

The Mayor ruled Councillor Barber’s motion (of which notice had been given) “That the loan for street works bo submitted to tho ratepayers at the same time as the proposal to consolidate tho loans for tramways, town hall and woodpaving,” to be out of order at night’s meeting of the City Council, a similar proposal having been rejected some weeks hack.

Mr Richard Monk, M.H.R., recently wont over the construction works on tho North Auckland railway. Ho states that progress is very slow. There are some sixty men at work, where double the number might be employed. The tunnel just beyond Tahokoroa is nearly completed, but a few miles beyond this another small tunnel will have to bo undertaken, which will retard progress. There are plenty of bricks available, and Mr Monk states that if the Government really meant to push on the railway to Kaipara Flats, and so make it a payable undertaking, it would have had this small tunnel in baud some time ago. While still adhering to the opinion that the Ngahauranga site is tho best obtainable for tho city abattoirs, the City Council has decided upon an alternative site for submission to the Minister of Lands. Tho land referred to belongs to Messrs Garrett and Exley. It consists of 21 acres, is about two-thirds of a mile from Ngahauranga, has a house on it, and has been offered to tho Council for £2BOO. Several Councillors last night expressed the opinion that it was a pity that tho Abattoirs Committee had bothered any more about tho matter, and that it would have been more dignified for tho Council under the ■circumstances to have held aloof from any further negotiations with the Minister in connection with tho site question, hut all expressed admiration of the industry and tenacity which the committee had exhibited. On tho recommendation of its Tramways Committee, the City Council has decided to appoint Mr S. Richardson as assistant to Mr Wright,the engineer, at a salary of £450 per annum. When the matter was under discussion at the Council meeting last night. Councillor Devine expressed doubt if anything would bo found for Mr Richardson to do for a year or so. The Mayor replied that the moment tho Council fixed upon the land for tho power station and the sheds there would bo plenty for him to do. Mr Wright would report on the whole question early next week, and tho erection of the necessary buildings could be started on as soon as plans could bo prepared. Tho Conned would erect tho power sheds, etc., itself, and not by contract. Tho money could be found out of tho general funds in the meantime and refunded when the special loan was raised.

Air J. O. Lilly has resigned the secretaryship of the New Zealand Kennel Club.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Typographical Liiion will be held tojnorrou' evening.

This week’s “Gazette” contains Die register of medical practitioners and ciic dentists’ register.

The new by-law in reference to _ expectorating on the streets came iiilO force yesterday.

Several lots of poultry are in store an ailing shipment to Soutii .ifrica on the first opportunity.

The. Railway Department has provided a soecial carriage for the conveyance of invalids from Auckland to Rotorua. Eor the extraordinary vacancy on the Lower Hurt Borough Council, Messrs Emanuel Do Rosa and A. R. V. Loddcr have been nominated.

Tho Wellington Racing Club has engaged the Garrison Band to provide music on tho Mutt course during the race meeting next week.

The trail of the Boer war is now over everything. In Willis yesterday a painter engaged in re-painting a shop put up the iegend “De AVet Paint.’

Holiday excursion tickets are being issued by tho Government Railway Department in connection with the races and regatta in Wellington next week. At tho instigation of Councillor Luke, the City Council officials have boon instructed to make an inspection of the back yards and premises of the Chinese fruiterers of this city.

The total value of the manufactures of tho lime -and cement works in the colony for 1900 was £45,152, against £15,881 for 1895. The number of hands employed rose from 79 to 184. Tho Street-widening Committee .of tho City Council has under consideration tho question of scouring the frontage of the Trocadero building in Willis street for .street-widening purposes. The City Council has received a protest from residents of Goring street against a laundry 'being established in tho building known as Thorndon Hall. Tho Council has no power to act in the matter.

Monster trout, taken from Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, are being sold at Rotorua daily at 2d per lb. Large quantities are sent to Auckland. They are taken in nets. Eight to twelvepounders are quite common. A “rainbow” weighing 18llb was taken from Lake Rotorua recently. The Wellington Gas Company is going to give local enterprise a fair trial in the matter of the construction of gas stoves. It has placed a trial order with Messrs S. Luke and Co., and that firm intends to demonstrate that it can make stoves hotter than they can bo made in Germany—or anywhere else. The Water Inspector of the Wellington Corporation is exhibiting a commendable assiduity in preventing waste of water in some of the residences in the city. The City Council received a complaint last night that the inspector had entered a certain house without permission twice. He is to be asked for a report into the circumstances. The Rev J. D. Russell, of Petonc, who is at present at Otaki, having • exchanged charges for three weeks with the Rev C. T. Pargitor, will have good rettson to remember his stay in the country. A few days ago Mr Russell’s oldest daughter, Borothy, broke her arm whilst playing on a gate. On Wednesr day his son Stuart fell from a baker’s cart and bis thigh was broken in two places.

The number of persons (exclusive of Maoris and Chinese)-whoso ago was 90 years and upwards, according to tho New Zealand census taken on the 31st March, 1901, was as follows9o years, 56 persons; 91 years, 30 persons; 93 years, 32 persons ; 93 years, 13 persons; 94 years, 7 persons; 95 years, 7 persons : 96 years, 9 persons; 97 years, 4 persons ; 98 years, 8 persons; 99 years, 3 persons. Census tables dealing with tho ages of the people have been issued from tho Registrar-General’s office. They are of interest, among other things, for their bearing on tho subject of old ago pensions. Following is a comparison of centesimal increases of' persons of both sexes of 05 years and upwards:—From 1874 to 1878, 46.12; 1878 to 1881, 29.24; 1881 to 1886, 51.31; 1886 to 1891, 37.47; 1891 to 1890, 44.72; and 1880 to 1901, 51.06.

Minos and in the industrial statistics of the colony, include gold quartz mining and crushing works, hydraulic gold mining works, gold-dredg-ing works, collieries and quarries. Their number increased from 313 in 1891 to 484 in. 1896, and again to 548 in 1901. Tho number of bauds employed in the respective years was 4150, 5074 and 8778, and the approximate value of the output £630,870, £1,052.704 and £1 - 771,818.

Gold dredges to the number of 145 were in operation in -March, 1901, according to a census return. The hands employed numbered 965. In 134 cases tho motive power was steam. Tho total horse-power was 3041. The expenditure during 1900 was as followsLabour, £78,238; coal, plant and repairs, £IBB,040; management. £10,308; total expenditure, £282,592. The value of the gold won was £287,001. and that of machinery and plant in use was £528,600. The capital invested totalled £090,430.

Tho results attending the opening of tho new Te Aro Baths are at onc(T a matter for congratulation to tho City Council and a speaking commentary on the prescience of the Jeremiahs who said that tho baths were not fit to use, and that they would prove a failure! The baths have now been open one month, and the receipts to the City Council for that period have been £B4. As an indication of the manner in which the baths have been patronised, it may he mentioned that on Sunday last 876 persons paid for admission to the baths, and on the following day 690 people disported themselves in the waters of Oriental Bay.

Speaking at the meeting of tho Trades and Labour Council yesterday evening, Mr Naughton, the president, said there never was a time in the history of the colony when it was more necessary for trades unionists to be alive to their interests. There was another organisation growing up in the colony, the Farmers’ Union, and there was no donbt that unless trades unionists asserted their strength, and did not dissipate it in the way they were now doing, they would probably find ere long that that body would- have a power which it was not justly entitled to. New Zealand, the speaker declared, had been “run” .in the interests of’ the farming community. They had always been catered to, and had been continually before the public and the House. On the contrary, the claims of the great body of the workers had to go unattended to. It was, therefore, necessary for them to take action. A general election would take place in December, and it was incumbent, on them to see that they were going to have some representation in the next Parliament. They should start at once on the campaign.

In tho four principal centres of the colony in December sixteen persons died of cancer, a similar number of phthisis, and seventeen of heart disease. The total births in the boroughs and suburbs of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin in December amounted to 383, against 425 in the previous month. Since the New Year the Departments of Marine am! Customs have been separated. The Inspection of Machinery Department has now been separated from that of Marine.

A polo match between tho Manawatu and Rangitikei senior teams was played yesterday at Palmerston North. The Manawatu players won hy eight goals to two.

Thorndon residents who have to use Hill and Hawkestone streets are wondering when the City Council is going to take stops to have the banks, which in places restrict tho width of the footpath/cut away. The Sandwich Islands have by proclamation iu tliis week’s “ Gazette ” been declared to be infected with bubonic plague. Leprosy, bubonic plague and small-pox have been declared to be dangerous infectious diseases. In the “ Mutual Provident Messenger” for January, just to hand, there is the usual array of interesting articles — tho leading place being given to one on that dubious practice in insurance circles aptly designated “twisting.”

A list of tho names of persons registered in respect of qualification or certificate under tho New Zealand Institute of Surveyors and Board of Examiners Act. 1900, at date Ist January, 1902. is published in tho “ Gazette ” this week.

In the report of his speech at the laying of the foundation stone of the Webb street Church, the Premier was alleged to have declared that he was born a Primitive Methodist. This was not correctly put. What Mr Seddon did say was that his mot her had belonged to that sect.

Disappointment is felt by tho Department of Agriculture at tho lack of interest shown by some fruitgrowing and horticultural societies in connection with official requests for information as to the fruit crop. It is probable that next season a new method of obtaining tho desired data will be employed. An English paper assorts that much of that which was alleged as to tho unhcalthiness of Dreyfus’s prison wa.s purely sensationalism. In proof of this, it is pointed out that Gomez-—who attempted the life of Napoleon tho Third —has just been released, in good health, after serving forty-three years on Devil’s Island.

A few weeks back the prospects of the fruit crop were not very good, but tlio recent rains have changed the aspect of things, just as has happened with tho grain harvest. In official circles a good average yield of fruit is now counted upon. Late frosts had a detrimental effect in parts of Hawke’s Bay, where a large quantity of fruit is grown.

As tlio repairs and alterations required to bo carried out to tho Government steamer Hinemoa on tlio present occasion arc somewhat extensive, tho Minister of Marine has decided to call tenders in tho four centres for tho work. The vessel is to be provided with a new deck, a bouse for steam-steering gear, a bridge, new bulkheads in tho forecabin, and a now winch. Tho body of the young man, Bruce Munroe, who was drowned in the Hutt river on Tuesday evening, has been recovered. Mr K. Mothes, of Petonc, yesterday sent into Wellington for a diver, who wont out by the Wairarapa train at 4 p.m. The diver was at the river at 5.10, and he found the body ten minutes later, at the spot where the young follow was supposed to have gone down. Tho body was resting on sand, without any debris about it. A slight scratch seemed to indicate that a grapnel had just missed it. The lad’s father arrived on tho scene from Nelson just as the body was taken out of the water. An inquest will he held at 10 o’clock this morning.

Messrs Harcourt aud Co. will hold a salo of freehold Thorndou aud Newtown properties at their rooms to-day. Particulars of the properties are advertised in another column.

Golden Bee jam is sold by all grocers in city and country. St. Francis .Xavier’s Academy for Young Ladies, Arlington street, re-opens on February :4th. Thos. Hardy aud Sons, Ltd., specially recommend their brands of claret. Mr E. B. Pearce, of Pearce’s Wellington Land Mart, directs attention to a property ho has for sale at the corner of Adelaide rna/l.

Mr E. B. Pearce, of Pearce's Wellington Land Mart, directs attention to a fruit and dairy farm, sheltered with trees, close 'o railway station, in the Wanganui district. Warnock and Adkin have a new advertisement announcing tho arrival of now American erect form corsets.

Miniature flags, "which may he worn at to-day's meeting, aro given away at the American Novelty Stores, Willis street.

The premises at Wanganui occupied by the Soft Goods Syndicate are to let. To suit tho convenience of the Day’s Bay people, the ‘Wellington Steam Ferry Company has added extra trips to the daily time-table. The company is also issuing weekly tickets for children at Is 6d per week.