LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4819, 24 November 1902, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Reports of a number of oriAst matches and details of games played on the city bowling greens on Saturday hare been crowded out of this issue b r pressure of other matter. Tho Court of Appeal judgment will be given this morning in the case* of Knight v. Matson and Kelly and other* v. Bontinck. Owing to the Parliamentary election to-morrow, the ordinary mooting of the Melrose Borough Council will not be held till Thursday evening, at G o’clock. Tho infectious diseases in tho city cl Wellington for tho week ended 1 November 22nd were as follows:—Scarlet ferer, 8 ; measles, 42; tuberculosis, 1; typhoid, o '

Tho annual sports in connection witk St, Patrick’s College will take place today on tho Basin Reserve, commencing at 11 a.m. Tho old hoys’ race will be run at 4.30.

The jurisdiction of tho Anstro-Hui»> garian Consul at Auckland (Mr E. Langgutu) has been extended to those of the South Sea Islands which were recently annexed to . Now Zealand.

Tho yachting season is now being prepared for in Wellington. Already some of tho larger yachts have been launched, and in a few weeks the annual races irf the white-winged fleet will bo seen ia progress on the harbour every Saturday.

Tho funeral of the late Mr James Gaynor, of Petone, yesterday, wes attended by a very large number of mourners. Among those in the cortego were tho Mayor of Petone and Borough Councillors and representatives of the Hutt Borough Council. The Rev Father Lane conducted the ceremony at the graveside. The Central Mission Band on Saturday night gave two open-air musical programmes, one at Boulcott street, and the other at Martin’s Fountain. Collections were taken up. and tho sum of £8 2s was raised in aid of the sufferers by the wreck of the EHngamite. Mrs Lachman collected £3 8s 4dj Mrs Pauli £2 10s and Mr Newham £2 3s 8d-

liio JiL-novoloJit TnisHus vi.l iii' L’t at 11 u'clucK this afternoon, 111iU'.td oi 10-morrow.

Tiii., quarterly •nci.-tTij' of tho Kxcelliur laalg.' of Druids will he held at J i’cluok to-night in the Druids’ ilall.

An aliegi'tl appeal to Catlmlics hy tin, llev' PaUier Hays, of Hincolii.Jiirn, Kngand, which has heen advertised hy pro. liibit’iouis-t.s in tho " lOvoiiing rust,” is lealb with in another column of this W or.

A memorial service tor those persons who lost their lives at tho wreck of the Klineamitc was held at tho Missions to Seamen last night. Tho niisBioner, Mr James .Moore, preached, and Sir Hubert Stout and Mr Young read tho lessons.

At tho conclusion of Ids sermon at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian (Jhiirch last night, tho llev Mr Jolly said ho sincerely appreciated tho honour which had been bestowed on him hy tho tiou hy giving him a call to the church, but ho regretted being uinvhlo to comply with tho rcciuest.

At tne twenty-seventh annual sports meeting at Pending TIG'J is to he given in pri/.c-moitcy. Tho Manchester Handicap, ono mile, lias £2O allotted, tho Bh»Hiohl Handicap £l7, half-milo £l2, Highhuul events £2l, lour bicycle races £-M and two hurdle races CO and £7 respectively. .lintrics close on tho 81 h prox.

.Mr J. C. Hlackmore, the Government Polnologisb for tho South Island, who was in Wellington lust week states that) ho has nob profit expectations tor the fruit industry on tho West Coast of tho South Island, as tho climate seems unsuitable. Several varieties or apples, however, should do very well if properly cared for. Tho Christchurch Hospital Board tins, decided to call for tenders for the erection of a new up-10-dato operating theatre, to cost about £I4OO, in preforonco to altering and repairing the present one at a cost of £OOO. Tito Board was guided in its decision to sonic extent by an inspection of the theatre at tho AVclHngton Hospital, tho good and bad points of which were noted.

Tlio Premier has received the following cable, dated at London on Thursday, from tho Agent-General:—“The Pacific Ocean Telegraph Cable Hoard, at a special meeting yesterday, considered tho Postmaster-General’s suggestion. Tho Board agrees as to tho cable experiment for tho registration of eodo telegraphic address, and also authorises tho Government's giving publicity in tho press or otherwise.”

Air Scddon communicated with tho Premiers of New South Wales oral 'Victoria asking them to supply him with particulars of any persons who, on account of tho loss of relatives and friends in tho wreck of tho Elingamito, might bo in distress and require help. Tho Premier of Now Smith Wales has replied as follows:—“Ro your ..telegram yesterday, tho Royal Shipwreck Society will ccmnumicato with the secretory of tho Elingamito- Relief Fund at Auckland, and f ipply all information respecting inquiries, requests for aid, etc.” Difficulty lias arisen on a legal technicality in tho way of tho Chrislchurcn Hospital Board taking over control of the infections diseases hospital at Christchurch, as desired by both tho Board and tho local bodies concerned. Tho legal point is that the Board lias no power to take over tho control of or expend money on institutions not vested in itself. The opinion was generally expressed that tho liospittU should bo under tho Hospital Board, and it was doelded tlmt tho Board was prepared to take over the control and management oa soon as tho hospital and reserve are definitely vested in the Board. Tho Tourist Department has greatly improved the facilities at tho Hermitage, Mount Cook, and Dio tariff has been revised. Two guides aro now available. and higher ascents can bo made more frequently, while more minor trips can bo undertaken. Tho now schedule contains many things which tho department now provides, the experience of tho past having shown that they aro necessary. By application at tho city offices of tho department, tho tourist can now ascertain approximately what specific holidays will cost, besides getting ddvieo as to tho equipment it will bo necessary to provide, and what can bo hired at the Hermitage. With reference to tho recent wrecks on tho Now Zealand coasts, Mr R. Duncan, Government Inspector of Machinery, who also, holds tho positions of Principal ’Engineer Surveyor and Chief Surveyor of Ships for tho colony, states that undor tho Marino Department regular examinations aro made of all steamers. their hulls and machinery, as well as of all boats and equipments. In these inspections tho rules and regulations of tho Board of Trade of Groat Britain are strictly adhered to. Not only lias ovary appliance to bo in position, but thoir strength and condition at tho time of survey is _ ascertained. This more especially applies to boatlowering gear, including davits, pins and shackles, detaching gear, metallic tanks in lifeboats and all other material liable to corrosion and decay. Every boat is tested for time in lowering, and all ore .pub in tho water and tested for buoyancy. Surveyors are permanently stationed at all the principal ports to cany,out these surveys, and Air Duncan is thoroughly satisfied with tho manner in which these men, who have ail had long experience, have carried out their duties'in the past.

When in South Africa tho Premier made representations to Lord Milner urging that when re-stocking tho country, ewes, rams and cattle should bo procured from Now Zealand, where stronger, belter bred and more suitable animals could ho got than elsewhere. On his way back to New Zealand, Mr Seddon again called attention to tho matter, and asked for favourable consideration of tho suggestion. Ho added that tho Government would place its machinery at tho disposal of tho Transvaal and Orange River Colony for the purpose of procuring tho necessary stock. As a result of those negotiations, tho Premier received through the Deputy-Governor on Saturday an important communication from the Governor, Johannesburg. It is now given for public information: —“ For re-stocking Hew colonies, I shall need to import on a considerable scale, especially sheep. Would tho New Zealand Government bo willing to assist in mutton? I have many offers, but there seems a danger of falling into tho hands of speculators or unreliable persons. This Government does not propose to purchase itself, but would bo willing to give special facilities to importers whoso character was guaranteed by the Government. I should bo glad to know tFo prices at which good merino owes and rams could bo landed at Durban. Arrangements might subsequently bo extended tb cattle, .but sheep are most-pressing. I am also communicating with tho Governor-Genera! of Australia.” Tho New Zealand Government has also received a largo order from Beira for dairy produce, meat and horse food,

Thu Williamson Musical Comedy Company sailed early yesterday morning by l-ho Ta.ruwera lur Lyitelion.

Au announcement entitled “Tho failure of Prohibition” L published in nnoilier column of this Hsuc. On Saturday Mr Pete Hughes, iiinimger of Mr J. C. U iliiam.-on';> Musical Comedy Company, new touring ew Zealand, received a letter from .Mr B:.->;s, requesting h.im to anange lor a ladies’ cricket match in Auckland, on behalf of tfio Veterans’ Hume, on tho lines of the very successful match in Wellington. It is probably that .Mr Hughes will see his way to accede to the request.

Heferring to complaints that have been made about tho neglect of tho graves of our fallen in ,South Africa, “ F.lkM. ” writes;—Having just returned from South Africa, 1 can assure tho public that everything haa been, and is being, done, as far as it is in human power, lo have tho graves preserved; in fact, in visiting these places, I was greatly impressed at tho way in which my bravo comrades* graves arc being looked after. A correspondent, “ Countryman,” suggests, as a means of increasing the fund for the Unfortunate people of the KJingamite, that tho raft should be exhibited throughout Mow Zealand. Ho thinks very many would give their mito to sen for themselves tho actual scene of so much suffering and so much steadfast pluck. There is not, wo tiiink, much in tho suggestion. Uno raft is very much like another. A considerable sum of money might, however, bo raised by having tho raft X'hotographed, with tho eight survivors grouped on it, and the photographs placed on sale throughout tho colony. An Auckland committee m ighfc well take this matter in t haud. Tho smallness of tin* salaries paid to clergymen of tho Church of England luus engaged tho attention of the Auckland Diocesan Synod, which has decided ‘‘to make strenuous efforts to raise the stipends of all clergy to- a minimum of £2LH) per annum.” It was stated that a largo number of salaries were about jCioO a year and some even loss, tho clergy thus getting about as much as a carpenter or bricklayer. Wesleyan ministers iir tho country districts gob 00 per cent, more than Anglican, although they had not so many people to look after; and tho Presbyterians were also taking steps to imprpvo tho position of tho poorly-paid clergy. The Auckland Synod has not yob propounded a scheme for raising tho salaries. At Vivian street, opposite the Salvation Army Barracks, this afternoon, Messrs tiiucy, JMeech and Co. will soil a lot of timber, corrugated iron, window

F. 11. Wood and Sous. Ltd., make opening entries for their Hutt stock sale, the lUi pros. Entries may bo Jett with Mr O’Leary, at tho hotel, or with the auctioneers. An advertisement appears to-day regarding tho sections at lioseneath whicu Messrs Baker Bros, will sell at the Exchange Buildings on the 3rd prox. The sections, of which. iOti are to disposed of, are situated on tho slopes of Mount Victoria. The property has been well roaded, dud gas and electric light mains aro laid in the vicinity. Tho new electric trams are to run near tho .property. Tho vendors, Messrs Pallisor and Jones, have arranged very easy terms of payment. Tho Melrose Borough Council invites tenders till Thursday for the supply and delivery of metal at Crawford road, Krlbirnie. Williams and Kettle, Ltd., will sell stock at Waipukurau oil Friday. On Thursday the Loan and Alercantile Agency Company will held a stock sale at Palmerston North. Alessrs Alacdonald, Wilson and Co. publish, in our auction column, a synopsis of land sales to bo hold by them on various dates. They also announce the sale 2nd December, at tho farm of Mr George Brown, Upper Hutt (who has leased samel, of 200 lambs, 200 ewes, 12 head cattle, draught mare, draught filly, bay mare, dray, harness, dairy utensils and other farm requisites. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., will hold a stock sale at Palmerston North ou" Thursday uext. Messrs J. Fanning and Co. direct special attention to their new list of farms, businesses, etc., inserted in another column. v Alessrs Lovien, Slrallcrass and Co. draw attention to tho salo of 11111*0010011100 pledges at their rooms, Willis street, this afternoon, commencing at 1.30. Tho auctioneers aro selling on behalf of Mr Frulmuf. who has a great number of very valuable pledges, as well as some useful articles. Tho whole will ho sold without reserve.

A first-class farm of 750 acres in Ore Rangitikei district is advertised for sale. The Pnponga Coal and Gold Alining Company invites tenders till the 9th prox. for tramway and wharf works. Particulars may he scon at tho office of Mr J. Bishop, Customhouse quay.