LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5023, 22 July 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Immediately on receipt of the news of the death of Pope Leo Kill, yesterday morning, a special edition of the “New Zeaiand Times” was issued, containing lull particulars of tho career of tho deceased Pontiff, along with portrait. Ibis edition was largely sold in the city, and heavy parcels wore sent to the country towns along both lines of railway.

At the Ekotahuna Magistrate’s Court yesterday two settlers wsro each fined 4t3s, and 7s costs, for failing to send in sheep returns.

Tho annual dinner of tho Wellington branch of tho Yorkshire Society will bo held at tho Hotel Cecil about tho middle of August. During tho mouth of Juno 20-17 persons arrived in the colony, and 1583 took their departure. Tho respective figures for Juno last year aro 1593 and

At a meeting of the trustees of tho Wellington Benevolent Institution yesterday, it was reported that there wore -7 persons in tho institution—ss males and 22 females.

An informal meeting of members and friends will bo held in tlio Chamber of Commerce at 8 o’clock this evening, to discuss the question of preferential trade. A largo qttendanco of citizens is expected.

In addition to tho Clydesdale mares which tho Government intends importing from England for use on tlio experimental farms, it is proposed to procure a number of Shire marcs to mate wi ( h tho Shire stallions imported somo time ago.

In connection with tho question of netting fish in Lake Ellesmere—discussed at tho conference of acclimatisation societies in Wellington on Saturday, and referred to by the deputation which waited on Sir Joseph Ward on Monday —it is announced a special meeting of tho council of tho Canterbury Acclimatisation Society will bo held to-day to consider the matter.

A settlement having been arrived at in tho action instituted by Mar-y Groom against Catherine Beauchamp, tho order appointing the Official Assignee receiver and supervisor of tho estate of tho late John Beauchamp, Tramway Hotel, was rescinded yesterday by tho Chief Justice by consent of tho parties, tiro defendant to bo at liberty to purchase plaintiff’s interest in tiro estate of tho deceased as next of kin, upon terms set out. Mr Jellicoe appeared for plaintiff, and Dr Findlay for tho defendant. Tiro hydraulic riveter lately installed at S. Luke and Co.’s foundry is now in good going order, and tho manner tri which it does tho work of riveting heavy boilers has given entire satisfaction. Ono great benefit to Wellington which the firm’s enterprise confers is the securing, of work to bo done bore which formerly had to bo sent away. A proof of this is given by a massive boiler that is nearing completion in the foundry yard. Th o boiler is intended for new works that aro being erected at Petone for tiro Gear Meat Company in contiguity to tho present buildings. Tho Lands Department has at the present time nearly 3,000,000 acres of Crown lands open for selection. In making tho statement, reported in yesterday’s issue, “that in three voars’ time there will be very little suitable land loft in this country for closo settlement,” the Hon T. T. Duncan referred to Crown lands in tho Wellington, Taranaki, Auckland, and East Coast districts that were being opened rip and made available for selection. Tho work of settling tho people on these lands will, tho Minister thinks, bo greatly facilitated by tho Bill which ho intends to introduce this session, by allowing settlers from two to four years’ time for making improvements without either rent or taxes being levied during that period. The approximate number of sheep in tho colony on April 30. 1903. 'was 19,002,019, as against 20,342,727 last year. The North Island shows a docroaso of 773.819 and the South Island a decrease of 566.859. Auckland had 781,376. a decrease of 98.476; Hawke’s Buy. 4,423.564. decrease 207,587; Wellington, 4.307.587, decrease 467,756; Marlborouglr-Nelson, 909.333, ■docren-s*-46 242 : Canterbury. 4.901.414, decrease 174 051; Otago, 3.618.770, decrease 340.566. Tiro Chief Inspector of Stock ■remarks that the number of carcases of mutton exported las* year was 2.531.993. an increase of 860,371, and of lamb, 2,101.544, an increase of 420.453 on tho previous year. Live sheep were exported to ’tho number of 48.477 as compared with 3579 in 1001-2. Lambing was below tho average. An item that appeared in tho “Police Gazette” of the 15th iust. suggests a direction in which tho usefulness of tho Finger- Print Bureau might he extended. The item in question had reference to tiro body of an unknown man being found at Mount Cargill. Description; Supposed labourer, between thirty and forty years of ago, about sft Gin high, medium build, fair hair and complexion, grey or blue eyes; dressed _ In dark-grey tweed trousers, grey white and red striped cotton shirt, grey woollen socks, lace-up boots with nails and toe-plates. An mnnest was held, and a verdict returned of “Found dead in a. stream of water at Mount Cargill. Dr G. MacDonald hold a postmortem examination, and gave it as his opinion that deceased had received a wound in the throat from a sharp instrument. The face and neck were greatly decomposed. In such cases as this it is highly important that the authorities should have the means of fix;ng the identity of the deceased. Possibly the man found at Mount Caranll was the victim of foul play. Had there been a general system of recording finger prints, ho might have been -dontified bv such means, and a cbm thus obtained to a. motive for bis dn - I r, Monev and prenortv may bn inrelvnd ’.n tho de-rtb of nonsnns Under sr’mll e’renms*anees. end it IS clear that m"d trenTde and hf.iVatlen would ho avoided ‘f" t.iiere rrero ’a, reedv means nf esteh’"shing t,1.0 ide-titv of riersens forrnd dead. Finnnesirsf the man ferrnd dead -t Mount “’er-rill had been insured, and that his pnl-e-r -n-as held hv some friend, the latter will not he able to recover the amount owing to lock of proof of death.

The valuation of Ekotabr.ma county liras just been finished. Tho figures foe this year show the substantial inoreain over thoso of last, year of £381,732. Arrangement.s lor holding a volunteer tournament in Wellington next New Tears Day are being eompleted by the .Noii-coiiiml-sioned Officers’ Club." A i ariaciou has been made on previous Melliugtou programmes lor such tournaments by Vnclmli ag about, ten evonte for mounted uum. Printed programmer will ho circulated next week.

Tho next meeUiiag of tho Wellmgtor Harbour Board Is to lie lit id to-morrow at 11.15 a.m., the alteration in thi hour of meeting having been made t« suit g the convenience of those meiubom of the Board who aro also members of Parliament. There will be no afternoon, meetings cf tho Board until tho ondl oi tho session.

Tho Mean Export Company (Welling., ton), winch recently completed exteii" sive additions to its works at Ngnluvu. rtuigii, has let a large contract for furtier brickwork additions to the baildings. I hose have lately boon started, (lie Sydney firm of .Mitchell and Kilt" having secured the contract. Tho cost ol the work will be several thonsaiida ot pound:;.

A meeting of the South Wellington Choral Society was held Inst •eroning. Jir J. Bon occupied the chair. Jlmlej drawn up by the committee were adopt, ed. It was decided to 'commence prao rices next wee!;. Messrs George Flux I. H. G;li, Sli!obey, John iMeGowau J. Hayes, C. M. Lulce and T. H. Petchcr were appointed rice-presidents of tho society.

Among Wellington business men the. recent accident to the steamer NT warm at Napier, following closely on a. mishap to tho Tumoana. at a part further 'fo, t .ic same dangere-as coast, has provided now argument for tho establish, meat of a dock in Wellington for larg« steamers. It is pointed out that it ilm aiwarn is floated alio will have ta journey to Auckland to be docked, or, in tlio all ernativo, pass by Wellington ami go down to Lyttelton. I u the cnoc or large steamers, every day bo lost means eonidderablo expense. Thorn is aiso to bo considered tho danger a damaged vowel runs with every niilo tho has to travel.

With a view to meeting the demands of tho traffic for greater traction power on the llimutaka incline, two of tho heavy goods-engines, Class B, wore some timo sinco converted to tank-engines, and, together with one Class W engine, placed on tho run between Cross Creek and Summit. These engines, the Minis, ter of Railways states, have proved a great success on the incline.' Thera are non- nine locomotives available for use on that portion of the lino, which gives ample margin of haulage-power. Tiro highest tonnage yet hauled up the incline in one day was 2000 tons. Thirl was taken without a hitch, and without calling tho full available enginepower into play.

There were in tho colony on the 31st March, 1902, according to a return presented to Parliament, 114 private freeholds of 10,000 and under 20,000 acres 39 of 20,000 and under 30,000 acres, 19 of 30,000 and under 40,000 acres, 8 of 40,000 and under 50,000 acres, 9 of 50.000 and under 75,000 acres, and 4 o| 75.000 and under 100,000 acres. 'Them were 9 companies holding 10,000 and under 20,000 acres of laud, 1 company with between 20.000 and 30,000 acres, 2 companies holding 30,000 and randoi 40.000 acres, 1 company with between; 40.000 and 50,000 acres, 3 holding 50.000 and under- 75,000 acres, 2 holding 75.000 and under- ICO,OOO acres, 2 hold, ing 100,000 and under 150,000 acres, and 3 companies holding 150,000 acres or over.

An old man (an invalid) applied t«i tho Benevolent Trustees yesterday for money to pay rent. Ho informed the Trustees that ho wfus in receipt of the old ago pension, hut comld not pay for his food, clothing, washing and rent out of 7s per week. Tho chair-man asked tho applicant if it was not a fact that Ire had been an inmate of the Ohim Home; tomo time ago. This question the applicant answered in (lie affirmative. Further inquiries elicited that ha had also been an inmate of tho Homo for Incurables and the Home for Aged Needy. Ho left the homos because ha thought “ho could do better m a plae® of iris own.” It was agreed that ha should bo provided with quarters a) Ohiro. Later, when informed that inwould _bo admitted to tho institution, ho decisively shook Iris head and hobbloc out of tho room on his crutch.

A special service is to be hold at Sfc. John’s Presbyterian Church this evening, when Mr J. G. W. Aitkou, M.H.H., will make a presentation to the Hoy James Paterson, who is retiring front the charge of the church. At tiro same service a presentation Will be made to, Mrs Paterson. At a complimentary dinner tendered Mr Paterson by the Presbytery of Wellington, a resolution was passed stating “that the members of tho Presbytery desired to put on record their high appreciation of tireit guest, both as a man and a minister. Mr Paterson had boon a faithful par*, tor, an able acceptable and eloquent preacher, and being of a sympathetic and generous nature, and possessing i B a rare dogrec tho endowment of sanctL tied common-sense, ho had been the tried and trusted friend and oomrieUoi of all his 00-Presbytors.”

In his annual report upon the Goy. eminent Insurance Department, Ui« Commissioner makes the following an-, nouncemout:— “It has hitherto been the practice to allow prospective bonuses only in the case of policiod emerging by claim between two clistri. butions of surplus. Arrangements bay« now been made to include interim bonuses In all computations of Biirrencor value either in cases where policies aro actually surrendered or borrowed upon, or for the purpose of giving tha largest possible cover where the premiums are overdue. Even in case of a yearly distribution of .surplus the policy, bolder who is unfortunately compelled to anrroitdor forfetts on tho avei-ago b.Jf a years, bonus, but under tho departments new system ho would receive the proper proportion of accrued lnToirtribSr miUm Paid&inCo th< *

Speaking in the House of the destruction of native bush in tl.is country JH I- -Mackenzie said be know of a case irt !'r h 1 lch + . th ° r * ht destroy the valm bio timber on the shores of a laka was let by a Land Hoard in this colony for a five-pound note. Mr Rutbcr, ford quoted another case whore s om« ahnc'Th S ° f n °T C ' f t^ bor r ’>'>ning along the sea-coast near Kaikeura wer« let to some tenants for the estraordin“y sum of 2-1 fl por aero V HoLn.Jr r ’?' is,l -*i''' ,ic!, / ccurrod in tha HoVonui W,. within a few miles of tb« -V\"7 r: of < Goro - Tr «'s mentioned l,y Hi c l'.'. A "’"’’'ter rata, thirty-threu Fen*- m Clrrnmfe-nnee. and bePeyeVt to ha not less than OfVY) vo-n-s oM, had trowmg the-e: hut wlicn Mr McMnb wen. there last Pastor to look at it, 'ie found m its place nothin* but B moVi •wT mins. "Some wretch.” said if, ircTau. spent his: Easter holiday., ; n vo-.ng up there and burning down that

Tho half-yearly meeting of tho JubiGold Mining Company will tako place at the Chamber ui Commerce on the (.•veiling ui the liOth iust.

On account of the RopeN death, the npejjing ui the new .Catholic Church at /.Newtown, which was to have taken place on Sunday next, has been post>oued till the following Sunday. The Department of Commerce and Inbi.Vcrics will send an experimental cmijignmeut of £50,00011- ol -Sow Zealand Umber to the Government auihurttics ti South Africa. The limber is be/.ng init to tho order of tGo department.

In conn’Ctiou with the winter show ;it, Pulmerstou North next', work, Air J. A. Gilrutli, Chief Government v uterinai'iun, will deliver a lecturo on xaeniilici research in regard to diseases in ca'a-e, n subject that is of great iu-to.-rest to farmers a.t the prose ax lime.

The scheme for tho establishment of die moil'd village school for tho natives has advanced sovera.'. stages. The dte given by the Mauris lias been surrey ed and formally bunded over to the i-.pnrcjneiit, and tho Government has audertakiiu to find the limber and Vv-ber material for the cottages. One important feature of tho acimmo U that industrial training is lu be given to the pupils.

Tho total amount of deposits received under tho Now Zealand Consols account dun. g Mm year ending -vi..veU 'Usfc amounted to C-kifSl. Tho following wore the investments made:—Tho Local Todies’ Loans Act, 1901, BJ- per tent per annum, L3()00; the Aid to Public Works am! Lind Settlement Act, 1902, I per cent per annum, TOGO; idm Land.- for Settlements CunsoUdarfiou Art lI,GO, 4 per cent per annum, ISU): total, £llOO.

Tim alleged maladministration of tho jity building by-laws was dealt with by dm ILke-payers’ Association last night. One member mentioned au instance of a house built in triangular shape which jnoroached upon tho 153 ft limit from iho oeutro of tho thoroughfare insisted ajpon in. other eases. This cxpcrien<r> aus corroborated by other members, vr.il tho opinion seemed to prevail that by-law was administered in a. lackaLAsical and haphazard manner.

The question of simplifying the trainilipal rules was discussed by tho Batojkivcts’ Association last night, the 'liiuinnan (Air A. L. Wilson) denouncing die present .system .as “ an abomltiabb misaaco.” Ho advocated having tho vholo of tho rates struck on tlio unimproved value. Ho also suggested that !ho association should express approrat of the recommendation of tho AXunijipal Conference to iiavo tho law a.lio’red, so that ono rate should bo struck lor genera! and special purposes, The matter was left over for further discosaon.

Tho oft-recurring subject of tho Hntt load, coupled with the erection of tlia low llutc bridge, funned tho theme of lomo discussion at tho Ratepayers’ AsKieiation meeting last night. One member expressed strong dissent from tho Vroposal that tho city should 'bo called jpou for any portion of tho expense of improving tho road. This sentiment lid not moot with general approval, tho secretary (Mr Ale-Alpine) emphasising tho importance of those in tho souutry having proper access to tho city, and denouncing tho suggestion of shcoo-pariug in commotion with useful ,mcl necessary projects of the kind. During tho year ending 31st December last, tho premium income of the incident insurance branch of the Govinvment Insurance Department amounted to £14,100, .an increase of £11244 as compared with oho premiums received luring tho previous year. The total daims, including tho provision for this year actually settiod at tho close of ilte year, amounted to £7304, as igaiust £2428 in 1901, tho rate in proportion to tho premiums earned showing a marked increase. Tjio sum of 84303 H held as a reserve on account >f claims accrued but not settled as at 51st December. Tho total expense vhows a decrease of about 4 per cent, on the ’ premium income as compared ,vit.h 1901. A further sum of £240 has been carried to tho unearned premium icaervo, wliich now stands at £4020. The funds show an increase of £O9l, and now stands at £IOO7.

Tll9 Ratepayers’ Association met last night. Mr A. L. Wilson (president) oopupiod tlio chair. I'hore M ere a dozen other members in attendance. The lhainnaa gave his impressions of the Auckland cleotrio tramwajrs system as fathered from a recent visit. He a-ud the system was very fine and very noisy. An error had been committed of having the cars built too narrow. That was not the fault of the company bub of tho Corporation, w'hich insisted on narrow cars owing to the width of the streets—although they wore wider than the Wellington streets. Now it was contemplated to have broader cars. At the same time, the system was very line, and ho considered the introduction of the trams would' revolutionise Wellington. ,In Auckland it liad benefited both the suburbs and tho city. The sectional system of faros had also proved a great success. Replying to a question, the chairman explained that the Auckland gauge was not narrow— Duly the cars. Ho also referred to the itreeia that had been asphalted there. Asphalt madlo a capital sanitary *treet, but, of course, tho drivers complained that it was very slippery in wet weather. Auckland ho regarded as being far behind Wellington, in sanitary natters.

. Mt John Ihrthie takes a pessimistic now of the future of tills colony. Speaking on the education question at the meeting held in tho Horhamporo tohool on Monday evening, he said that he was of opinion that New Zealand - would nover bo a great manufacturing country, and never a densely ■populated cue, It was for tho greater part a grazing country, and there was aow very little good land left unoccupied. In his travels he had’ met Now doalandors all over tho world, showing tliat there was inducement for them to leave tho colony and enter into commercial pursuits' in larger and busier cities than Now Zealand boast2tl. la Ainorioa life was lurch more Strenuous. In that country tho technical colleges were crowded with stu■reuts, and thousands wero clamouring for admission. Ho instanced cases where young felloivs desirous of acquiring knowledge and not having the ncocs;iary means to, pay for a course of training had sought clerical work to do in tho evenings and others had accepted labouring work during vacations to enub’o them to pursue thoir studies. It deemed as if tho possible prospect that each or any o" them might one day bo !?rc«ident imbued them with this unquenchable dcsiro for knowledge. In this colony, said Mr Dutiiie, snob spirit did not exist. Too much time was nllotted to athletics—cultivating the physical powers in too many cases at tho expense of tho mental faculties. Mr John S. Swan invites tenders for die erection of shops and dwellings in Cambridge terrace. A new list of farms for sale or lease js Inserted to-day in our advertising columns by the Trust and Agency Company. of Customhouse quay, Wellington. Jlho list will repay perusal by those seektag such investments.

Tho Wellington and Manawatn Railway Company auverlhc’S excursion lares in connection with the Palmerston North show next week. Messrs J, ii. Bethune and Co. will soil in Uicir reams this afternoon, the contra! freehold properly No. IVO, Willis street, coasmtiug of an eight-roomed rcslUencc, oa hunt JJOft; by JaSiil. its extensive depth nmr.es this property most suitable for a business or lac Lory site.

'The flaxmilling partnership Ixstwcwi Me.ers J. C. Treadwell, S. iJ. Bavien ami

N. .1. Covien, carrying on business at Paiapaiauniu, has been dissolved. The bu-me-i* will he continued hy Messrs lyvice.

Alcs.srs Macdonald, Wilson and Co/s furniUiro sale rooms. which have lately bixni undergoing oUcratiun.s and additions, will !>e re-opeued to-day, when tl\o firm will dioposc of an extensive catalogue of superior household furniture aud five pianos, including the contents of a six-roomed residence removed to tho rooms for convenience of .sale. Tho sale will commence at 1.30 o’clock. Catalogues can bo had on application.

Three hundred s-aicks of oatcnnslioai chad from Manawutu, will be sold by Mcs.'i's George Thomas and Co. at their rooms at II o’clock this morning. Al 1 p.m. a very good collection of nursery •stock will he submitted.

A sale of contractors’ plant will be held on Wednesday next by Abraham and Williams. Ltd., under instructions from Messrs .1. Saunders and Son, at their homestead, Kangitikei line, Palmerston. 'The catalogue, details of which appear on our eighth page, includes v■ oJua bb? dr a n gii t and t b oro ugh bred hoi-rs, drays, dog-cart ami harness, springing heifers, c-tc. Mr Smith, of Cuba street, has a fro>-h .b'sfc of attractions in this inorn-

Mcs-rs Beattie, Lr\n£ and’ Co., produce exporters, da in' exports and land and o'tnto agents, ci Wellington and Palmerston North, are agents fo r the Liudo British refrigerating machines. Brown and May’s engines, '‘Havoc” weed eradicator, "Eclipse” sail, etc. The firm's list of properties for sale comprises farniH in Taranaki. Wellington. Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay districts. Messrs Turnbull, Watkins and Williams advertise a. block of eight houses at Newtown for sale, also building sites in Ht-bsun street, upon which tho firm are prepared to build on terms to suit buyers, properties, in Thoriulon. Austin street, Builer street and Adelaide road, a gentleman’s residence on tho Terraco, and Factions at Taitville, Hataitai. Wilton estate, Wadestown, and at Berhampore. Easy terms can bo arranged for all the above properties. A brick block au Lambton quay, a long frontage to tho tram route, suitable for shop sites and a leasehold brick block near tho G.P.O. arc also offered.

Messrs Macdonald, Wilson and Co. insert in our auction column an announcement of special interest to speculators, investors and others. Under instructions from the trustees of tho estate of the late Mrs \V nt, Dishop, tho firm will sell by public auction on Thursday. August 13th, in order to close the accounts of the estate, tho whale of tho fan is ly properties, comprising four splendid business sections fronting Ingestro street, and dose to th 0 Cuba street corner, three of which have each n frontage of 28ft and one of 27ft, by a depth of 130 ft; tho family residence, containing ton largo and lofty rooms, and complete with all modern conveniences, and a shop and dwellinghouso in Cuba street, close to the corner of Ingestro street. Very fnll details will be found in tho advertisement. Tho firm insert tho detailed advertisement of the sale by auction on August 13th. under instructions from Idr Justice Edwards, of his splendid family mansion and grounds in Hill street. They also insert tho preliminary announcement of tho sale, under instructions from the Public Trustee, of tho Bnick estate, Fetono, subdivided into sixty-five sections, having frontages to Jackson street, Elizabeth street, Bnick street and the Esplanade.

Williams and Kettle, Ltd., Napier, will hold a stock sale at Waipuknran next Tuesday.,

A buttormakor and a creamery manager are required for tho Kokntahi Cooperative Dairy Company, Westland. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., advertise entries for their stock sale at Shannon next Friday.

Mr George Honning, locomobile agent, is now staying at the Empire Hotel. He will be glad to give a trial in any of his cara.

The goodwill and outfit of a land and estate agency business is advertised, for sale.

On Friday Messrs Sidey, Meech, and Co. will hold a clearing sale at the premises,of Messrs J, B. Lo CJoux and Co., Adelaide road, os the firm is dissolving partnership. The lease of the promises and tho whole of the plant and stock used by the firm in tho manufacture of sauces, etc., will be submitted. Particulars are given in our advert!slug columns.

Tenders are invited till next Saturday for additions to the Hntt Club.

The Loan and Mercantile Companv will hold their usual stock sale at Palmerston North to-morrow.