LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4869, 22 January 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Sisters of Compassion thank Mr Robinson, of Bellamy, for a gift of crockery.

Mr, J. W. A. Marchant, SurveyorGeneral, is at present on a tour of Nelson, Mestland and Canterbury, in connection with tho throwing open of some of tho land which has been looked up in consequence of tho position of tho Midland railway. Mr C. W. Hurst-house, Chief Enginocr of Reads, who was recalled from an inspection of the Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay) road and the proposed site for a bridge over the Wairoa river, left for Picton last evening. He will commence an inspection of road works, surreys, etc., in Nelson, Westland and Canterbury. and will return to Wellington in about four weeks. Mr Hursthouse intends to traverse the trunk railway route from Scargill to Seddon on his retprn journey..

To-day being Anniversary Day, tho letter-carriers will only make one delivery—in t-ho morning. Tho "Wellington Garrison Defence Rifle Association’s meeting will bo held to-day at Trcntham. There is a largo entry of competitors, and a good days shooting is assured. There aro fewer English tourists in New Zealand this month than has been tho rule in previous years at a corresponding period. It is surmised that the decrease in numbers is in great measure attributable to the durbar at Delhi having attracted an unusual aamber of sightseers and travellers to India. The sludge channel which last winter occupied the site of tho llutt road has now disappeared, but iu place of the mud is a layer of exceedingly fine dust, quite six inches in depth, with hero and there a ridge of boulders raised abovo the present level of the road by tho subsidence of the old blinding. In tho event of the City Council failing to sco its tray to contribute to tho cost of repairing the road, it might, as an act of grace, send one of its steam rollers over the track to crush out the reeky protuberances. Lately there have been rumours in tho city that tho new buildings on the ‘Tlyko J corner (resumed for street-wid-ening purposes) wore being erected to tho old frontage. This canard, perhaps, had its origin in the fact that tho hoardings around the section aro built close up to the footpath, but a peep around the corner will at once mako clear that the foundations of tho now buildings are side by side with those Of rho Empire Hotel, which building is ten feet hack from tho original frontage. Tho same provision, of course, will bo applied to new buildings to bo erected on the site known as Laery and Co.’s, and also' to all other buildings to bo put up in Willis street at any futuro date.

Tho date set down by the Onslow Borough Council for holding tho conference of local bodies to determine ways and means of repairing the Hntt road is the 11th February. Tho meeting lias boon set this far forward because some of flip local bodies interested will not have hold their ordinary meetings much before that date. Mr John Dutbio, M.H.E.. has written to Mr E. 8., Williams (Mayor of Onslow) suggesting that the members of Parliament for all tho districts interested bo asked to attend tho conference, seeing that a corrollary to notion on tho part of the conference will be the passing of legislation to make legal the expenditure of money on the road. This suggestion is to be acted on by the Onslow Borough Council.

Tho correspondent of a Wellington business house, writing from Sydney, gives a somewhat doleful forecast of the conditions likely to prevail this year m Now South Wales. After remarking that there wore good rains in tho Stato during December, tho writer goes on to say that more rain is needed in tho interior to provide adequate grass and water for tho stock loft alive. Tho coastal districts of tho State arc fairly well off, but a good year is hardly possible out-back. Consequently the year can hardly be a good one for people in tho city (Sydney), which is greatly dependent .on the back country. Tho small wool clip caused by tho great diminution of the flocks and tho poor harvest—hardly sufficient to supply seed for sowing—unite to involve upconntrv settlors and dealers in financial difficulties.'

Tiho suggestion made by Messrs Geo. Thomas and Co. in the “Times” of yesterday that tho Government should endeavour to supply intending shippers of goods to South Africa with more information as to the capacities and needs of the markets has boon favourably discussed in commercial circles, though tha proposal that the Government shcnkl vouch as to “reputable firms” is generally thought to bo impracticable, and inadvisable for many reasons._ One of the heads of a prominent wholesale bouse in tho city yesterday expressed tho opinion that the Department of Commerce and Industries weald confer a great advantage on the business community by publishing cabled weekly reports from their agents in tho principal South African contras of population regarding prices current and demands for New Zealand products such as frozen moat, butter, cheese and grain. If this wore done, the majority of transactions could be effected by cablegram and a much more expeditions and profitable trade established than now exists.

In the early part of last year a paragraph went tho rounus bearing upon tho unjustifiable practice of a section of tho i.'lnglish press of constantly belauding, at every opportunity, the American manufacturer 1 and his methods, to tha detriment of tho British manufacturer, and an instance was then given to illustrate tho ability of tho Britisher tn ono branch of industry at least to hold his own, and to boat his American rivals. Tho instance w;rs that of a large flourmill contract secured in China by aii old firm of English milling engineers in competition with American makers, m which caso the English firm was better both in price and time for delivery. Wo now learn that tho whole plant was delivered within tho time specified, ten weeks; and tho proprietors were so pleased with tho results obtained in working tho mill that they have placed the contract for another similar mill, also for North China, with the same English firm, viz., Messrs E. 11. and F. Turner, Limited, of Ipswich. The same firm has scored again in the same market over their American rivals, having recently secured a complete flourmill contract for another firm of Chinese millers, in the competition for which the American was beaten on all counts.

Tho Ngahauranga works of the Wellington Moat Export Company arc being considerably enlarged in order to copo with increasing business. Two largo wings to tho main building are being built by Mr Jameson, of Christchurch. One' of thcso buildings is a largo structure in brick, about 120 ft in length by 50ft in width, containing throe floors and lighted with large sky-lights-in tho roof and by wide and lengthy windows on the basement, and first floor. Tho situation of the now buildings on tho steep hillside, whore the principal works of the company are situated. ho* occasioned tho setting iq of exceedingly substantial foundations. Those of tho second wing, which is constructed of timber becwiso of its .suitability to the surroundings and prevailing high winds from the upper gorge, are of solid brlcVa-d mortar, sinkinff. from the love' of their contact with tRo Iffists, o. dr-rdh of o'-er forty feet to the recVv foundation below. Tin’s second now ■-irnotnre is chert, 7*ort in ferr-tu hv 2?ift in width. Tim whole of tho t.ni'din'Ts are snb.st-ontinl’.v built, and in tlm brief.- edifice there are e-voeptJon-tdlv strong iron girders !,”d foists, sup. -’led hr th- firm of <=. I>.Ve and Co. The fienrs rf the b’ - drli*'a are fe ho nf oorrrefo. and r_T the V-e-n ad.h-cts •rpl-Tfor c-rjtaT-r orirdi + will f,,, snmhod. T*- is -r 4 that at no .-.r- distant noriod the --ho’e of t.lio Ngahauranga works will bs bf brick.

'"1,0 directors of the Wellington 6t«v.n F-.-vry Company have decided to pLieo an order tins week for building luioober ferry steamer.

The annual meeting of tbo New Ze tland Gun Club Association is to bo held at 8 o’clock to-morrow night at tb o Bodega, Lamb ton quay. The flutt County Council lias fixed tlie dog tax for tbo current year at half--n-urowu. A list of col lectors for the various ridings is published in another column.

Tbo City Council intends to enforce observance of tbo .sa: weary oy-lavi which requires owners of hon.-.e.i to provido metal receptacles for rubbwb. After the end of this month prosecutions ■will fallow wherever breaches of the by-law occur.

The representative cricketers from Wanganui who are to play a imut.li against a Palmerston North eleven today, arrived at Palmerston last mg'u. As the match can only last one -mV. owing to the inability of the Waegeeu, moil to remain over-night, it ■ s L " ,JC decided on dm first innings.

At a meeting of the University Council, held last night, the tu.io for the completion of tho levelling of the ccjlego site on Salamanca road vu.s eslDulcd for two months, and an additional period of three weeks from Urn dlst instant was ullovved for the sciicuiiK m of competitive designs for tho Liiuvmsily buildings. In regard to a request from the Onslow Borough Council that delegates from the surrounding boroughs sho-a l the (lovemraont to request assistance in 11.0 construction of tho Ilutt road, the City Conned decided last night that it could do nothing. -It was t ii-■ Mayor said, purely an 1 emaiiy the'business of the Onslow. Borough Council,_ and the city could take in part in it. At the Supreme Court, yesterday, Joseph King!, 33, labourer—also known hv the aliases of McNamara ami Thomson —who had pleaded guilty at Palmerston North to breaking and entering and stealing T3G worth of jewcllory. the property of George .Langley, Puidatua—‘ was brought up before Mr Justice Edwards for sentence. There were nine previous convictions against the prisoner for larceny, vagrancy and horse stealing. Ho was sentenced to three years’ hard labour.

Tho question of the adulteration of woollen goods hy mnvnuiucturers wus considered at a recent mooting of the Southland A. and P. Association. Tho matter arose upon tho receipt from the Hawke’s Pay A. and P. Society of a resolution condemning tho practice. Ifwas unanimously resolved to approve of the resolution, and to make representation to the Minister of Agriculture in regard to tho desirability of introducing legislation so as to prevent Hie unscrupulous substitution of inferior materials in the manufacture of woollen goods; also to communicate with the National Sheep Breeders’ Association of England in tho matter.

An interesting record was published yesterday by'the ‘‘Hawke’s Bay Herald’ regarding the days selected throughout the colony for observance as a weekly half-holiday. The information was elicited hy telegrams sent from tho local Borough Council. The replies show that Auckland, Parnell, Newmarket, Onelmnga, Wellington, Dunedin, Hastings, Palmerston North. Dannovirko, Grcymouth and Blenheim have declared in favour of Wednesday, and that Gisborne. Afastcrton, Thames, New Plymouth. Westport and Wanganui have fixed on Thursday. Tho replies received show that no borough has up to the present voted for Saturday. _ Last night the Napier Borough Council decided that tho half-holiday should be observed on Saturdays. The Now Zealand and African Shipping Company’s subsidised steamer Sussex” sailed yesterday from Wellington for South African ports. The vessel calls at Sydney and Fremantle cn route. 'She took tho following cargo;— From Wellington mutton. 4756 quarters beef, 200 oases meat sundries, 3249 boxes butter, 65 crates poultry, 50 cases cheese, 25 eases mullet, 3 trusses leather. From Lyttelton—2s6 cases poultry, 774 sides pork, 305 boxes butter, 25 cases tongues, 33 cases choose. From Dunedin—6so boxes butter - . From Wanganui—3o66 carcases mutton, 303 quarters beef, 50 boxes molt sundries. From Napier —9436 carcases mutton, 468 quarters beef, 234- caries meat sundries. Summary—2s,so2 carcases mutton, 5532 quarters beef. 4204 boxes butter, 594 cases meat. f7i- sides pork, 321 crates poultry,- 83 cases - cheese,, 25, cases tongues, 25 cases fish, 3 trusses leather.

Tho quantity of alcohol consumed by tbbso who inveigh against tho socalled “accursed thing” is much, greater than most people are a'.rare of. In this country, alleged temperance drinks are frequently found to bo more intoxicating than beer, and other countries have a similar expenenco. Of tiho 1580 samples of herb, ginger and “botanic” heel's analysed at the Inland Revenue branch of tho British Government Laboratory last year to ascertain if the proof spirit present was within tho legal limit of two per cent., it was found that 329 exceeded that lian.it, hr it were within tihroo per cent. Among the remainder, 247 ranged higher, 144 containing throe per amt., but less than four, while a few cv.en reached six and eight per cent. LogoU proceedings for excess of proof spirit in regard to drinks of this description were instituted , in 119 cas es, tho penalties amounting to £IBB. Proceedings for diluting or adulterating boor not appertaining to tho temperance category took place in 275 cases, the penalties amounting to £6,125. Tho Post and Telegraph Department lias accepted a design for tho now penny letter-card which is to replace that at picsont in use. Tho design is by .Mr G. N. Sturtcvant, of kite Government Printing Office. 'While showing little originality, it is well conceived and neatly executed, and is a considerable improvement on tho pros - cnt card. On tho address side are tho I loyal arms at tho top, and tho words “ New Zealand Letter-card.” The stamp at the right hand top corner is of plain design, with tho King’s head in tho middle, a star at each side, and tho words' “New Zealand Postage” at tho top, and '‘One penny” at the bottom. Tim face value also appears twico in figure». On tho bottom and left, hand side of tho card is a typical stretch of Now Zealand beach, with Maoris and canoe in tho foreground, and native houses in tho background. while a clump of cab bage trees and nikan palms appears at the side. On the bock of the card arc vignette pictures of New Zealand scenery and genre much after tho stylo of tho present card. Tho scenes are a geyser,; a Maori T’vor settlement. Mount Cook. Milford Sound, a pair of hulas and a ciHimp of toltoi. Tho colour in which (he cards •"•ill bo printed is not yet decided' upon. Tho now cards aro expected to appear some time in February,

Tho offices of tho Magistrate’s Court will ho closed to-day (Anniversary Day), 'i nero will ho no civil business dealt with, but there will ho a sitting of tho Puhco Court at 10 o’clock. On account of tho high price of fodder and tho general increase in pfo's, tho City Council has agreed to inerea.se from 9s to 11s pur day tho wages of owners of horses and drays working - the Corporation. A shunter named P rede rick A\ iiliam Swift, employed at tho Petono rady™? station, was accidentally killed '-hue shunting shortly before muhugnt la-,t night. Tho parents of the deceased reside in Wellington. At a special meeting last night, tno City Council considered and adopted tno Consolidated By-law 1838 Amendment By-law 1993 as to buildings and sanitation, and tho Watorworiis By-law IJO3 i men dm out By-law 1003. Tho land which is to bo thrown open in. Nelson province early in Marcu canipi Iscs in all about 11.000 acres. bix thousand acres is to bo offered oa tno op tioaial system, and tho remainder in small' (grazing runs. Tho land “ m tho Gordon district, south Or Nelson. Tho 'Wellington Physical Training Soli 00l recently applied to tho City Con noil fox ono of tho Corporation vacant; fnotions os a site for a physical Ire hung school. The matter was consider ed"’ by the Technical Education Conic lit too'cf tho Council, which found that there was not a section available. ■\ll tho vacant sections in tho city hate been 1 landed over to tho Industrial Associate on for tho purposes of tho proposed exhibition, and tho site of tac eld Ft re Brigade Station in Manners street i s too small for tho purpose. Tho Council last night decided reluctantly to inform tho Training School to that effect.

Jiuhdi'" by recent Australian exchanges °to hand, an execution in Queensland partakes very much of a theatrical performance. At tae recent hnugin" of Patrick Konniffi, at Brisbane for (.no of the most brutal bush murders or recent times, wo are Wicl that in ad-lit ion to the officials, -n Dr-shia, M-b.A., -press representatives and member.; of the general public were present.” T. to police, foot and mourned, wore pro «nt “in force” outside the o-a.Ol gates, to prevent any demonstration. After t<uing allowed to hang for ehdifc minutes the body was lowered into “a cedar coffin, beautifully polished and silver mounted, and conveyed to South Brisb-a.no amended by 400 sympathetic mourners. Last evening 1 be City Council granted the application cf vlio New tor Car Company for a license -o carry passengers by motor -cars, such license to have effect unt-il the end of the. piosent financial year. Councillor Tolhurst objected that the Council had no power to grant a Aioenso until tho bylaws were framed, but an opinion of tho City Solicitor- was to the effect that the Council had waffidont power under law. Tho oi dy thing necessary was for the Council to frame a by-lav remilat-ing the snood at which too rector cars might travel. The, company ha- agreed not to exceed such sliced as mav bo laid down pending the Irani, r-g of the by-law. The -necessary by laws will bo drawn up by the committee. The City Council luas decided to apply for representation on tho Associated Board for tho control of technical cduoa-'-ion in "Wellington district, in recommending this cour.so tho Libraries and Technical Education Committee stated the Education Board Had applied for representation on a basis of 5 per cent, on the vale r ,of tho fan Is and buildings provided try the Board, estimated as follows: —Land £7500, buildings £4500. This works out at a contribution of £6OO per annum. The committee recommended the Council to apply for representation on Hie following basis:—Land, 62ft Gin to jMerccr street, and 62ft Gin to Victoria street, 125 ft at £IOO per foot: £12,500, on a 5 per cent , basis, £025; monetary -contribution recommended to Bo paid hy the Council, £75: £7OO. This was agreed to. as securing equal representation with tho Education Board. Tho. buildings in Manners street in which a firo was discovered early yesterday. morning belong to the Heath estate. Tho outbreak was suppressed before extensive damage had been done. Tho rear walls and back bedrooms on tho first floor of Rogers's Criterion Cafe and several articles of furniture were damaged by firo and water. A portion of tiio wail of tbo kitchen connected with the premises occupied by Mr Lcthaby, umbrella manufacturer, was damaged to the extent of about £5. Tho firo is supposed to have boen caused hy tlio ignition of woodwork in Mr Lot-baby’s promises by a gas-stove. Tho portion of Mr Lethaby’s premises damaged is not insured, but tho cafo is insured in the Royal office for £4OO. Mr Rogers’s stock and furniture are insured in the South British office for £-150. Tho damage done was not sufficient to cause an interruption of business. A letter from a philanthropic society on the alleged overcrowding of trams to the extent of cruelty to tho horses cropped up at tho City Council lash evening. Tho Mayor stated that the complaint had been handed over to Mr Peterson, and ho said that tho overcrowding did not take place. “ What ini"' chimed in Councillor Izard; “ I’ll bo bound it does. It is ridiculous that in those holiday times there has not been a sufficient tram service down to tlio Alanawatu Railway Station,” and ho proceeded to enumerate all tho transport troubles that tho civic eye of Wellington has wept over. Presently tho Mayor called him back -to tho point, and reiterated that there was no cruelty to tho horses, as witness their condition. This was generally endorsed. Then tho debate flew back to tlio troubles at tho Manawatu Railway Station. Solutions wore freely proposed, hnt tho explanation was very readily accepted that tho difficulty all arose from tlio single-lino svstem.

Tho City Coroner (Mr J. C. Woorc) hold an inquiry on 12th January (says tho Sydney “Daily Telegraph”) into t-Ho circumstances surrounding tho death of tho young man Stanley Priddy James, Avho was seized by a shark whilst bathing in tho Dane Oovo river on tho evening of the 10th inst. Charles Woarno. a stepbrother of the deceased, said that tho deceased, himself and his brother John were bathing together near their residence. Witness saw thought was the fin of a shark, and ho showed tho object to tho deceased. He, however, said it was not a sit ark, and then dived into tho water. When ho rose to tho surface ho cried out, “Help, help! A shark.” Ho was thou about twenty yards from tho shore. Witness saw blood in tho water, and called to some people who were in a boat. They immediately camo to the scene, and the deceased caught bold of the boat, and was got ashore. His loft leg was thou seen to bo missing. Tho Coroner recorded that death was duo to being attacked by a shark whilst bathing.

Tho art gallery of McGregor V. right and Co., cn Lamhlou quay, contains an exceiloqt display of water-colour paintings of scones in the Rotorua and Hot Lakes Districts executed by Mr K. W. Dayton, of Auckland. Sumo cf the pictures arc exceptionally fine. Tho City Council lias empowered the acting-manager of tramways to giro the tramway employees two or three hours oft duty on one morning, for the purpose of running off their sports, which won postponed from Christinas Day. I{casonablo notice will be given to tlie public of tho proposed .stoppage.-. Tho conference of delegates from AccliiiialLsation Societies will commence at 11 o’clock to-morrow morning. Mr IT. A. Bruce, tho secretary of the Christchurch society', is acting temporarily' as secretary. lie will arrive this morning. Tho other Southern delegates will arrive to-morrow morning. An inquiry was recently hold by the Collector of Customs at Dunedin into alleged racing by tho ferry boats Aloorangi and Onslow, while carrying passengers in Dunedin harbour. The papers wero sent on to the Marino Department. A magisterial inquiry is now to bo held at Dunedin. Tho assessor who is to act with the Magistrate has not yet boon named. Tho inquiry will open on tho 25th inst. Tho City Council lias received an application from the Westport Free Public Library for assistance by gift or loan towards re-establishing that institute, it having boon destroyed by firo on Do Ist instant. Tho trustees’asked for assistanco with the object_ of keeping the institution going until a new order could bo scoured. Tho Council last evening, on tho recommendation o. the Libraries Committee, decided to empower tho chairman of tho committee Clov W. A. Evans) and tho Public Librarian (Mr T. W. Howe) to grant suoli assistance as, they think fit.

There will be special attractions at Lav’s Bay to-day for holidaymakers. A full band will Play i" th \ B r °? lld ® there will bo races on the Beach, mjri-go-roiir-ds, boat-swings, backing machines, swim min" races, etc. The next term at Wellington Collegewill begin on tlio 2nd February. the house matron will receive parents and guardians on tUo SOth and 31st inst. Messrs Crichton and McKay invite tenders for tbo erection of a house m Tiiuwell street. , The next term at tho Girls High School begins on the 4th pros. riew pupils are to attend on tho 3rd. when Miss McLean will meet parents and guardians. In another column the Dunedin Drainage Board invites tenders for tho purchase of eight, hundred debentures oi each, being the first issue ot loans being raised under recent legislative authority. Tenders aro invited by advertisement in our advertising .columns for tho lease of a farm at Ivonini. Messrs Pvno and Co.. Christchurch, will hold an important sale on the Dili February, under instructions from Mr J. Jj. Davenport, of pure-bred ewes and rams, selected bv him in Engla-nd. As will be scan in our advertising columns the sheep comprise some of the finest ever imported into the eolonv, coming as they do from the flocks of bis Majesty tbs King, the late Colonel M'cCalmont. the Earl oi Ellesmere and other well-known breeders. Accounts against the ship Melville Island are to bo rendered by noon to-mor-row. Mr F. do -T. Clere notifies that the time for receiving tenders for a bouse at Kelburne is extended to the 2nd prox. Those who suffer from sluggish liver are advised to take linpcys May Apple. Fresh raspberries may be purchased m any onantity at 3d Per lb at Crease s jam factory. Quin street. Tho Potone Borough - Council invites tenders for clearing and burning felled timber, scrub, etc.

The projivietor of Rogers'*? Criterion Cafe, Manners street, states that the tiro yesterday, morning in no -way affected his premises and that bis business is being conducted as formerly. A special tram will leave Newtown at 535 this morning, to connect, via Courtenay place, with the early Manawatu train. Jupp’s Band will play to-day at BeTks vue Gardens, Lower Hutt. Refreshments of all kinds may be obtained at town prices. Ono of the sights on Lambton quay at present is a display of Japanese silks in the ■windows of Messrs Ivirkcaldio and Stains, Limited. Quite apart from the business aspect of- tho exhibition, it is worthy of inspection, because of its wonderful colour effect.