LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5119, 11 November 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The sitting of the Ha-nkruptoy Court fixed for yesterday, at w-iuon Peter Stephens, Syrian draper, was to have been publicly examined, has been adjourneu until Friday.

Apart from its attraction as a centre of thermal activity, Rotorua is becoming an anglers’ paradise. Last week Mr Frank Dyer, of Wellington, and Colonel A, C. Whitney, manager of the Colonial Ammunition Company, of •Auckland, caught fifty-three rainbow trout, averaging four pounds in weight, in two days’ fishing on Lake Rotorua.

Yesterday the Chief Justice neard the petition filed by Margaretta Donglas, Wellington, for a dissolution of her marriage with Allardice Douglas, stonemason, Port Onalmors. In her petition the wife alleged that her husband had spat in her face, assaulted her, and in other ways caused her bodily injury. A decree nisi was granted, to be moved absolute at the end of three months.

There were 80 inmates in the Benevolent Home, Ohiro road, yesterday—--59 men and 91 women.

Yesterday the Court of Appeal granted leave to appeal to tho Privy Council in the case of the Wellington City Council v. tho Hutt Bororagh Council ro tho apportionment of tho cost of the Hutt bridge.

The Benevolent Trustees, at their weekly meeting yesterday, accepted the tender cl Mr A- Seamcr (£4578) for tho additions to tho Benevolent Homo in Ohiro road. Tho plans for these additions were prepared by Messrs Penty and Blake, architects.

At n general meeting of the Batepayers’ Association, hold last evening, tho city balance-sheet was discussed at some length. I.t was the opinion of the majority of those present that tho accounts might bo simplified. It was decided to continue tho discussion at next meeting.

A quarry on tho Meat Export Company’s land between Ngahauriuiga and Petono is about to bo tested by tho Hutt County Council with tuo permission of tho company, in order tnat it may be determined whether the stone is suitable for road-making.

From 'Messrs J- R. Ross and Co., Hastings street. Napier, wo have received a copy of their annual issue of tho guide to fishing in Hawke's Bay. This handy volume contains a mass of useful information as to tho sea, lake and x’iver fishing in Hawke’s Bay district, along with hints as to tho flies, etc., to to used and the host means of travelling and accommodation.

Tho work recently undertaken hy the Scenery Preservation Society of Wellington, that of laying off a truck on Mount Victoria, is proceeding satisfactorily. The track is to run from Majoribauks street to the summit of tho hill, and will probably follow tho lino of an old track which was at one time in fuse there. The sum of £75 has been subscribed by residents in tho neighbourhood, and others, to assist tho society in tho work. Tho president (Mr P. Hutson) occupied the chair at tho meeting of the Wellington Industrial Association last evening. An interesting report on the sugar industry of Fiji, based on personal observation by Mr S. Brown, was read. It was stated that no reply had been received from the Premier in the matter of fixing a date for meeting a deputation from the association on financial, matte its in commotion with the industrial exhibition to be held next year.

The Arbitration Court will sit this morning at 10.30, in tho old Magistrate's Court, and take up the hearing of the wharf labourers’ dispute, adjourned some, weeks ago. Tho seamen’s dispute will ho taken afterwards. Tho Court will open its country sitting at Mastorton on Tuesday, 2-Itli in.a., will sit at Pahiatua on Friday, 27 th inst., and no Wanganui on the 30 th inst.; the Wanganui sitting will last about a week. Tho Court will sit at Palmerston North on December 7th. The dace of the Napier sitting has not yet been, fixed. Tho Hutt County Council has been obtaining some quotations for stonebreaking machines for use on the county roads; and in a report from tho engineer yesterday, it was s'cated by Mr Newton that a stono-hieaking machine which would crack ten tons per hour would cost £270, or with engine, £6OO. He escimated that the Ivorokoro length of road, where 2000 tons, or 1500 yards, per year, will bo required, the cost of doing this work by a mechanical breaker would ho only £l5O, as against £225 it tho stone were broken by hand. This, ho pointed out, would mean that the machine, after five years’ use, would have more than paid (for itself on the metal required. Tho Council agreed that the chairman and Councillor Bould should confer with tho engineer On tho subject.

“Observer” writes to the editor as follows: —Your article on the Legislative Council in Alonday’s “Times,” in which, among other things, was specified the appointment by a defunct Ministry of seven new members, leads to a small calculation, which would have added to tho force of tho implied censure of such an unpreccdont creation of Ccfinoillors. There were at the date of the defeat of the Alinistry of that day thirty-nine Legislative. Councillors afil told. By a stroke of ins pen the retiring Premier, through the Governor, of course, added no loss than 18 per cent, to tho thfen existing Council, giving a powerful opposition in t that Chamber to a new Government just getting into harness. Your comments on this surprising incident were marked by a leniency of criticism the antipodes of that characterising the vitriolic and unjustifiable—not to say malicious—assaults of Opposition journals and others who take colour from their acrimonious indictments.

Some time ago Dr Chapplo delivered a series of lectures on first aid to tho injured to a class of about twenty members of the Harbour Board staff, under the auspices of tho St. John Ambulance Association. A number of the men were examined by Dr Henry on the 30th ult. Tho results of the examination have been received by tho secretary. One candidate (No. 3) obtained 93 marks out of a possible 100. The examiner, in his report, says, inter alia: —“Of sixteen candidates examined, three failed and thirteen passed. Of tho latter, No. 3 is to bo .highly .commended, his paper and practical work being excellently done. The work of tho others that passed was very evenly performed, whilst tho three that failed ought, with a little extra attention) to have no difficulty in passing next time.” The successful candidates will ho awarded certificates by the committee of the centre. Their names are:—aiessns T. Boon, ITT 'S. Cordory, O. Dixon, AY. Hunn, AY. Johnson, F. AY. Joseph, G. Alumiord, A. lleid, AY. R. Richardson, J. Scrimgeonir, AY. Shapoott, D, Sinclair and A. French. .

The construction of the electric tramway has so far proceeded that the workmen opening the roadway reached yesterday the first curve in the express routs—the corner at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's buildings. At this point the line will diverge from Featherston street to Customhouse quay, and very soon the gang of workmen will bo actively opening the roadway in the last-named thoroughfare. Yesterday afternoon a second body of workmen stapled operations in Lower Cuba street, and will work towards Jervois quay. It is probable they will meet the first gang of men about the middle of Jervois quay; and when this is dene, a gang will bo taken to Kent terrace to break ground there. This plan has been adopted so that the express rente may be completed as rapidly as passible. The rails have been already laid in Featherston street almost to the Lo:m land Mercantile Agency Company’s buildings, and the work of putting the concrete bed below the tramway is being proceeded with. Another supply of rails has come to hand by the Waimate. and is now being discharged. Two of the passenger-cars are expected to arrive at an early, date.

The annual show of tho Wangansi Agricultural Association is to be held on tho 25th and 2fith hist. The prize-money amounts to £1250. Entries close at- 5 p.m. next Saturday. Programmes and entry forms may bo obtained at the ‘•Times” office and at other place?named in another part of this issue.

In replv to a cable message from the rent at the request of the Premier, conveying birthday greetings to the King, on behalf of tho people of New Zealand, tho following telegram was received yesterday from the Secretary of State for 'the Co!onies : datcd^9 Lb November: —‘THs Majesty tho King cordially thanks tho Government ami people of New Zealand for birthday greetings.”

The high-jumping contest at a recent Albur.v (N.S.W.) show was productive of a somewhat sensational performance. Mahonga and Midnight both jumped Oft ain. and the bar was raised to lift SUm. At thus height the horses failed, and the owners agreed to divide the first and second prizes. The owners of Midnight, tho From Bros., circus proprietors, were not satisfied, and gave their horse another trial, lie cleared the bar with ease. Tho jump was then measured, and was found to bo Gft HJin, although officially given at Oft BJin. Midnight ia an aged gelding, and was ridden by a black boy.

At Wesley Clmrch last night, tha Rev G. H. (’ole, of Melbourne, gave an address entitled ‘‘Lights and Shades ol City Life.” Mr Justice Cooper presided, and there was present a largo attendance of sympathisers with the rev. gentleman’s work. Mr Colo described at length tho work of tho Melbourne Methodist Missions-, especially in regard, to the crusade against vice and misery amongst tho young people of the Vio.loriain city, and showed how lasting good had been effected by the mission workers in quite a number of unpromising cases that had come under the speaker’s cognisajicc.

Tho body of Alfred Keys, of Upper Ilutt, drowned in the Hutt river on Sunday, has not yet been recovered. It appears that the lad while wading over the river tvas carried olf his feet by tho current. ‘Ho had crossed about nvo hours previously in company with an-* ether hoy named J. Wyeth, and was returning lo his homo with his mate whoa the accident occurred. The current was very strong, as the liver was rising at the time. Both boys were carried away boforo they wore aware of their danger. Neither could swim, hut Wyeth succeeded in straggling ashore some distance down stream. He states that ha did not see his companion after they lost their footing.

Tho following is the Shakespeare Society’s cast for the reading of “ Macbeth ” so far os has been arrangedMacbeth, Air H. E. Nioholls; Macduff, Mr J. R. Palmer; Banquo (not yet decided); Malcolm, Mr A. E. Baldwin; Duncan.'Mr Gorham: Rcsse. Air P. I’. Webb; Donalbain, Air Snell; Lennox, Mr McNamara; Angus, Air Gordon; Caithness, Air J. Alurl-ay; first murderer, Air Reid; second murderer, Air Kimboll; Aloiitcath, Mr Davis; doctor, Air Basil Stocker. AI.A.; Macduff’s son, Mr Bretherton; Lady Macbeth. Ain' ilr Fell; Lady Alaodulf. Aliss L. Hall; gentlewoman, Aliss Lorimcr; first witch, Airs Baldwin; second witch. Miss Taylor ; third witch, Aliss Kennedy. All- J. P. Aljurphy, writing on behalf of the residents of Tbita, lias communicated with tho Hutt County Council, urging tho necessity for a public recreation ground in that district, and pointing out that the present is tHio time ta. acquire land for that purpose, as settlement is becoming closer, and arena of private land formerly available, fo! recreation grounds are now under cultivation. Tho writer suggests a special loan, tho interest and sinking fund for which could bo provided by a special rate on the riding. Councillor Brown suggested at yesterday’s meeting of tha Council that the residents of the district should bo advised to call a public meeting on the suhjedo, and said than lie would -do bis best to assist them in tho matter.

The departure of tlxe .White Star liner lonic for London—by which the Countess of Raufurly and Ladies Constancy and Eileen Knox will bo passengers—has been postponed from to-morrow until Saturday. The apartments on tho steamer which the Countoss of Kanfurly and her suite will occupy during the si* weeks’ voyage to England are the four moat forward of tho first-class underdeck cabins on the port side of the vessel. The reasons for t'heso being favoured arc several. The cabins on deck are smaller and open »n to that part of tho deck at the top of the first saloon stairway. Tho cabins to be occupied by her ladyship are at the terminus of a blind passage-way, which gives the entrance great privacy. Tho inside cabins are the largest apartments on any vessel trading to New Zealand, jand are admirably fitted. Some discussion took place on tbs part of tho Hutt County Council yesterday in reference to tho use of tha roads by traction engines. It was represented by Mr Evans, on behalf of a number of farmers and market gar. deners of tho Hutt, Potono and Taita, that under the existing conditions there was some risk to the drivers of vehicle* along the Hutt road. A legal opinion which had been obtained was to the effect that tho Council had no power tffi prohibit tho use of traction engines under its present by-laws, but had tha power under the Municipal Corporation*. Act to pass certain restrictive by-law* on the subject. The Council agreed to follow tho advice of the solicitor, and await the passing of the Bill now before Parliament before passing any fresh by-law on the- subject, and it wa» also decided to ask Messrs Wilford and Field to interest themselves in the matter.

Hr J. P. AVillis, late manager in New Zealand for the New Century Typewrite* Company, has joined the staff of Messr# Yorex, Barker and Finlay, and will in future act as their Yost representative for this city-.

Entries are published for the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s stock sale at Palmerston North to-morrow. The Commissioner of Taxes notifial that land tax and further graduated land tax should be paid on the 27th inst. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., advertise particulars, of the shorthorn cattlo to be sold on account of Messrs MoHardy Bros, at their homestead on tha 2Xst inst. (the day after the Palmerston show). Entries are also published by the firm for their stock sales at Shannon next Friday, and at Otaki next Wednesday. This afternoon Messrs Anderson and Co. will sell on the premises. No. 5, Xogostre street, the balance of the stock-in-trade, comprising piano, camera,’crockery and miscellaneous goods detailed on our eighth page.

Christmas gifts for friends in Australasia or the Old Country should be purchased now. Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co. undertake to have them delivered duty free to any address. The sale of dairy farms, stock, etc., on account of Mr F. C. Lippclt, of Bonny Glen, near Marton, announced by Abraham and Williams, Ltd., for December 16th, has been postponed.

-Mr Milligan, Kelburne avenue, advise* his clients that orders for suits it*-; Christmas should be placed at once.