LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4880, 4 February 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dr Findlay’s expenses in the recent elcct'on contest for Wellington city were £IG3 11s sd.

The next examinations _ under the Confederation of Australasian Surveyors are to be held throughout the Commonwealth ”m! New Zealand in March. The papers for this examination have just been prepared by the New Zealand Board.

The Eketahuna School Committee receives £2O per year capitation, the whole of which is absorbed in cleaning expenses. At a meeting on Monday night (says our correspondent) the qitestion of the winter’s supply of firewood was brought up, and as no chance of procuring the firewood presented itself, the members decided, :f further assistance cannot. be procured from the Education Board, to resign in a body as a protest.

At the annual meeting of the Equitable Building and Investment Company last night, the report and balancesheet ivere adopted. Air L. Stowe was rc-electcd a director, and Messrs I). I. Stuart and S. Carroll re-appointed auditors. A meeting of settlors was hold at Sterling recently (says our Eketahuna correspondent) to discuss the question of erecting a co-operative butter factory. All present wore sympathetic, and it was decided to make inquiries as to tho cost of buildings, fittings, cto., and to report to a later meeting. A guarantee of 250' cows was made by those present.

Tho Surveyors’ Examination Board, which was set up by the Government under recent legislation, has requested tho Now Zealand Surveyors’ Institute to contribute £59 a year to the board’s funds for tho purpose of carrying into effect its examining powers under the Act. Tho institute considered Hie matter yesterday, when tho Hon G. E. Richardson was in tho chair. It was resolved that, while the institute was willing to give something towards the funds of tile board, the state of its finances would not permit it to make such a vote as £SO. Nor could it guarantee to make an annual payment. Tho hoard of management ’of the Young Men’s Christian Association met at uodber’s last nighty Mr J. G. W. Aitken presiding. Mr IV bite, the general secretary, was present, and there was a largo attendance. Tho following committees wore set up ;—Finance — Messrs Aitken, Allen, Barker, P. Thompson and Hoby. Furnishing— Messrs Ilott, Troup. George, Waterhouse and Murrell. Recreation— Messrs Eglin, Faulkner, Hart, F. V 7. Monro and Kersley. Evangelistic— Captain Blackburn, Rev W. J. Elliott, Major Sparge and Messrs Black, Turner, Rumgay, Paradise and McLeod. Mr P. Thompson was elected treasurer. Several new members were elected. It was decided that the association should commence active operations at once. At the meeting of tho Benevolent Trustees yesterday, the chairman (Mr C. J:I. Izard) referred to {he case cf an inmate of the . Home who iiad recently been bequeathed an annua! sum of £29, to he paid half-yearly, by a friend in England. Mr Izard said he had pointed out to the man that he mis responsible for i lie sum of £lO Is .(id fyr maintenance, and if ho chose to hand over that amount to the authorities, ho could remain at the institution on the same terms as old age pensioners. Tho beneficiary, however, stoutly refused to accede to the chairman’s proposition, and since tho interview look place he had left the Home. A suggestion was thrown out that the money should be recovered through the Court, hut no definite action was decided on.

On liis visit to tliG Cook Islands, Mr T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, made exhaustive inquiries into the state of tho fruit industry there, and tho prospects as to future' planting. On tile surface a general lack of system was evident. Most of the growing was in tho hands of natives, who, receiving oranges from the other Pacific islands, planted in a promiscuous manner, and waited for tlio fruit. There was uo systematic .cultivation. The harvesting is earned out with just as little method. It used to ho the practice for tho natives to shako tho fruit off tho trees and gather it from tho ground. As civilisation advanced a boy was sent nn tho tree with a basket to pick tho fruit and, lower it to tho ground. - There it was luma into sacks, ripo and green together, and sent off to tho acaUje; and the native orchardist wondered »jiy ..lie >c,> was so low. Tho shipping nas boon all along in tho hands of tno traders. Of late years a fow winces havo commenced planting with better method, bun their trees are not yet bearing. Banana-growing has been tarried on on similar lines, the general dcsiro being to get returns with tho least possible trouble. Mr Kirk’s report has been submitted to the Government.

Tho Trustees of the Benevolent Institution met. yesterday aflernopii. Mr C. H. Izard presided, and 'the . other members present were—the Rev J. X. Elliott, Messrs W. Cook, R. Mothcs, J. Reid and R. B. Williams. The secretary reported that there wore sovonty-one inmates in tho Home — forty-six males and twenty-five females. A man who had been working at Napier appeared before the Trustees, and requested that lie bo provided with a passage? to Timaru. In answer to questions, ho stated -that he had his hands poisoned when working in the north, and in consequence had been an inmate of the Napier Hospital for some time. Since his discharge he had fruitlessly endeavoured to obtain employment, and wished to get back to Timaru, where hfs wife and a young family of seven, all dependent on him, resided. The applicant promised, if his case was favourably considered, to refund the money as soon as he was in a position to do so. The request was forthwith granted. A number of cases of outdoor relief were dealt with.

Tho difficulties and expense entailed in connection with the haulage of timber to sawmills, especially where the country is rough and hilly, nave always caused millers a good deal of anxious thought. The use of horses is very expensive, and for years past men of a mechanical turn of mind have essayed to produce a propelling medium worked by steam, which they noped would soon supersede present methods. The principal drawback in the past has been the inability of inventors to offer something that would grip on tho slippery wooden rails, of which all tramlines are composed- Mr W. L. Luxford, of Dannevirke, who is largely interested in tho industry, is fho latest in the field. Ho has patented a locomotive which for general all-round usefulness gives promise of fulfilling everything required of.au efficient and inexpensive motor. The machine has been constructed at the Phoenix Foundry, aild yesterday morning several gentlemen interested in sawmilling assembled there to witness a preliminary trial of the locomotive prior to its being removed to Dannevirke. The apparatus is mounted on two pairs of bogey-wheels, which carry the whole of tho machinery. Two bed plates support the boiler and water-tank placed at either end, while tho haulage gear occupies , a place in the centre of tho truck. The latter consists of a doublepurchaso winch, fitted with Mr Luxford’s patent attachment, for hauling. A wire rope is stretched from end to end of tho tramline, and- this is connected with a. pair 0 f grooved drums, which revolve at will, .and cause the engine to* move up or down tho line as desired. Double sets of brakes can be operated when descending inclines. The machine is fitted with two gears—one for use on level workings at a speed of about five miles an hour, and the other for ascending inclines at about one and ’a half miles an hour. The engine is capable of dealing with a load of twenty tons. Tho trial yesterday was considered very satisfactory.

A special mooting of members of the TVcllington Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Society is to bo hold at the Silver Grid at 7.30 o’clock to-morrow evening. An unusually strong whirlwind was seen yesterday afternoon playing with tho dust in Font Terraco. The spinning column stood up to a height of nearly 200 ft. .Tho special general meeting of tho Newtown Bowling Club, called for this evening, has been postponed till tomorrow evening, at 7.39 o’clock, at tho pavilion. The Lands Department has succeeded in completing its list of extra, surveyors required to cope with the pressure of survey work caused by the opening up of great areas cf land for settlement. Tho total number engaged over and above those prcmanently engaged at January Ist is thirty. No more are required. Tho resolutions passed by the City Council on the 21st pros., amending the by-laws relating to fees for inspection of plans and buildings, and dealing with the repair and maintenance of water appliances, are to bo submitted for confirmation at the Council’s ordinary meeting on tho 19th inst. Tho by-laws may now be inspected at tho office of tho Council. “It scorns to me you ax-c all in a fog, gentlemen,” said tho chairman of the Ratepayer's’ Association last night when the subject of Corporation labourers’ wages was being discussed. Several mcmbci's deplored that tho labourers were poorly paid, but when au opinion was expressed that tho association should only interfere when the employees wore overpaid, tho question was dropped. On Monday afternoon a large meeting of representatives of tho various interests of the licensed liquor trade was held in tho Exchange Hall. Mr Max-tin Kennedy acted as charman, and explained that the object of the meeting was to discuss future action with regard to tho best interests of tho trade. Afterwards an agreement was adopted and signed by licensees present by which they bound themselves to mutually observe tho law in its integrity, especially the strict closing cf bars on Sundays and after botars. A large committee was elected, and will meet weekly for tho purpose of taking all necessary measures to conserve tho interests of the trade.

Tho Salvation Army authorities are busily preparing for tho visit of thoir leader, Commissioner McKio, who is at present visiting tho main centres of tho colony. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday next the Commissioner will conduct revival mootings. Tho Commissioner, accompanied by LicutemurFColoncls Horskins and Gilmour, will arrive from tho South on Saturday. They havo met with groat success in tho other island, crowds having attended tho gatherings. In order to meet tho needs of this city, Major Spargo has secured tho Opera House for the meetings. on Sunday afternoon and evening. Sonic forty country officers will assist A meeting of members of tho Seventh Contingent was held at tho Hotel CocU last night. .It was decided to hold a dinner on tho 28th hist., and a committee to make tho arrangements was appointed, consisting of Captains Tuckey and Clark. Messrs Smith, Armstrong, Malcolm. Lockett and Skeoue. At a meeting of tho committee, Mr J. Smith was appointed secretary. Tho committee has decided to approach tho Hon Minister for Railways and tho heads of the shipping companies, asking for travelling concessions for persons outsido Wellington who wish to attend tho dinner. Promises of support have already boon received from different xiarts of the colony.

Tho public health of Wellington has of late not been matter for congratulation, owing to the undesirable prevalence of infectious diseases. A correspondent, Mr Charles Simmoaids writes:—“Tho hospital is so full they have to refuse admission. On last Friday I was informed by an officer of the Health He-, partmc’nt that they were so crowded they had no room for the largo number applying; that there were then seventy patients at tho plague hospital and in tents.” Mr Simmonds suggests that the outbreak of fever is duo to tho sewage system. He says:—“l, with others, have for a long time advocated that largo columns should be erected on Che higher parts about the city to allow tho escape of the poisonous gases from the main sewers. Instead of that, at tho present time there are several vents from the sewage j at every dwelling, within a few feet of the surface, giving oS its poisonous vapours through tho surrounding air.” We see no reason for Bupposing that the drainage system is at fault. Tho outbreak of infectious diseases' is pretty general all over tho colony, and it must be referred to some common cause—either the prevailing changeable weather or to tho diseases being introduced from South Africa and elsewhere.

Investors are askod to peruse Messrs Turnbull, Watkins and Williams list of bargains. Special attention' is drawn to a seaside refreshment room for sale cheap, also a first-class new six-roomed villa. Taitville sections, adjoining Xclburne, and only five minutes' walk from the Aro street terminus, of the proposed electric tram, aro obtainable on easy terms. Mr A. A. Browne, Wanganui, advertises for sale a nine-roomed family residence, 1 ! with half an acre of land, near the Girls' College, Wanganui. Mr W. C. Chatfield invites tenders till next Monday for making and fixing glass cases, etc. An advertisement appears in another column referring to Hardy's Adelaida wines, which have a high reputation in this country. Miss M. Seed's classes for beginners will recommence at No. 93, Abel Smith street, next Monday.' “Bargains for everybody” are announced to-day by Messrs George and" Xersley. Various prices are quoted in another column. A testimonial is advertised to-day of a wonderful cure of hydatids wrought by Vitadatio. The Education Board advertises several vacancies for teachers. Applisatioas close on the 14th inst. Messrs Levien. Shallcrass and Co. will hold a salo of chaff and fowl wheat at their rooms at 11 o’clock this morning. Various inducements are advertised in our “wanted" column by Mr W. F. Shortt to purchasers at his sale of Mira? mar sections on the 19th February. The steamer Loyalty will run a free tup tq Miramar to-day. to -enable the public iq inspect the sections. Messrs Aiken ana Co., 49,- Lambton quay, insert a long list of town and country properties, farms, hotels, boardinghouses and other businesses for sale; also some firstclass residences to let in city and suburbs. Messrs Stewart, Dawson Co., jewellers, of Lambton quay, draw attention to their magnificent slock of solid silver and e.p. ware, suitable for the dining-room. Mr F- Bailey. Featherston, baa for leas* a good butchery business, with fittings, carts, etc, and a boardinghouse of seventeen rooms.

An opportunity is now offered to tha public to acquire building allotments at BerhampoEf. The owners of six town acres have let a contract for fho coruple-' tioa of streets traversing their lend, and have authorised Messrs- Turnbull, Watkins and Williams to dispose of the same.

M; ~,-,rs i i i:!. u;t ii r;< 1 Co. will sc U by -ud ,j ;i/.nr-iicu nw:, a (ham Ijj\' iioifMs in SubJmiy terrace, ■'-««- / i.i-iil-r.iiii.i', mi la ti* * 1 7.7 ft bv J: ‘J> *t; • -i-i'uMit-a in Owen »t. reel. ... „•nil .-oi.-, .-i.i-i:cm land Jltl «t-vca-rm> ...a I hou.->o in i. IJ-ii- ! ■ ' |„. land ti--.lt t.v lW.fl-, tivo food. 1. ; Kiu-.i. out* win, land law* h.V t S,ilblm; v i.-,v.uw and a «• >ud ~tr-. Mlo in Adelaide road. Slit by 10011. 11,1 (Vcd.-ii -dav, lull iii.it., an a.> irm-livo r.ifi:l-n;omc-d re.-iik-ece in Co r<~ i.iiu.dfl .-di-i-nt on land idolt by 101 ft "ill ho Mild, 'i 1 1 <- lion u i-i exceptionally tv, ill luted, and inn every possible convenient c. (in Friday, iliiMi Felji-uai y, tlie di ed", e, nilnt; U!.d maeliinei v now Ivin;.; on tl o spc.-iai claim of the Kaue.aioo (.'reek Tii'rd r ;i’ : ;t (loin l,uny ivi! 1 lie offered, till'd T iml met ions from the nio:-t"a;,'(-cs- On Wedne.-da.v. ISUi inst.. a five-roomed resiileiiee in Kpuul street, on land 32|t hy . will ba sold by order of the Rostsliar. _ j Messes Macdonald, ’Wilson and Co. in-bc-i c tlio lull detailed udvertisement of the sale 10-iaorruw at their rooms at —-C0 o'clock of the Wellington Harbour Booed s Grainger street blend;, which _ has wen subdivided into 27 building sections to bo submitted on lease, Uio lirsfc term being for twenty-one years; also ot twt-Ive splendid residential sites at tlio J-riU, to bo sold on very easy terms;; and a ■valuable cottage of live rooms, etc., situate in Martin .sejuare, and to be sold by order of the Public Trustee. A sale of jewellery, e.p, ware, etc., in a bankrupt estate, by order of the Official Assignee, Blenheim is advertised to bo held ou tho Hill, J2lh' ami Kith February. In our advertising columns to-day C. AI. Hanks, Hid., announce that they have opened a business training college in tho H-vchango Huildings, Wellington, under the name of Hanks’ Commercial College. The director is Mr John S. liarton, A.I.A,V. Students may now obtain tuition in the most modern systems of bookkeeping, also in shorthand and typewriting. In connection with tho latter, the touch system, which increases speed and lessens fatigue, is taught. Those interested should call and have the system explained. or send to tho manager, Mr Claude M. Bunks, for a prospectus. “Defer it" is the ’heading to an announcement by Miramar, Limited. in today’s issuo. The sale map of this syndicate's jrroporty at Miramar wdl lie issue I in March, and prospective purchasers are recoin mended •to defer any negotiation for tho acquirement of sections at Miramar until that date. Messrs W. 11. Morrah and Co. will soil on Saturday next, on the premises, Lambton quay, tho leaso of a billiard saloon, having five .years to run from June next, with three full-sized tables and all necessary accessories. Tho above is to bo sold in ono lot, under instructions from the mortgagee, unless the amount owing on tho securities be previously paid. This property offers tho combined advantages of town, seaside and country. The sections aro to bo sold on liberal terms, bringing thorn within the reach of persons with limited capital.

Tenders are invited till the 3rd 1 March for tho supply of salt pork, salt beef and preserved meats at his Majesty’s victualling yard, Sydney. The Fresh Food and Ice Company, Dixon street, has raspberries for sale.