LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5726, 23 October 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to tho nearness of the general' election, and in view of tho fact that our space will bo fully occupied with reports of candidates’ addresses, correspondents are notified that, while ©very effort will be made to publish letters dealing with public question, communications canvassing the merits or de* merit's of individual candidates cannot bo accepted. At auction at Hastings on Friday 128$ acres of tho Mnraekakaho estate wore disposed of at an average price of £9 5a an aero. The whole of Mr G. P. Donnelly’s Ngalarawa estate was offered, but only 721 acres sold, at an average of £l2 15s per aero. Before tho House roso on Saturday morning, Sir Joseph Ward, replying to a question asked by tho leader of the Opposition, said the promised increase* in wages of the lower-grade men in the railway service would appear on the Supplementary Estimates. According to tho “Westport Times, 1 * W. Carson and J. Mclntosh, of Southland, have accepted tho challenge of Casey and Petty, of Taranaki to saw a white pine log 22in in diameter. Tho stake is £IOO. The match takes placeat Eltham on December 29th.

In reply to a query from tho edito* of tho “Wanganui Herald,” Mr Seddon telegraphed as follows: —“Editor, ‘Herald,’ —You may rely on Native Laud Bill going through, and under its. provisions Wanganui will have finest opportunity of settling native lands ever offered by Parliament, and that in tho interests of both races.—R. J. Sodden.”

An inspector of schools, lecturing ial tho Auckland district on tho now syllabus, said tho whole trend of modenv educative thought was towards banishing examinations. It was recognised that tho teacher, who saw tho children day by day, was tho proper person to determine hew far a child was profiting by its work. Examinations would iu time become a thing of tho past. A letter was read at a meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Works Committee from Mr A. C. Tookes, who is on a visit to Knglan3 ; stating ho had communicated with Millionaire Cayiegia in reference to a contribution towards a new library building at New Plymouth (says tho “Taranaki Herald”), Reply letters were enclosed Irom Mr Carnegie, in which he requested particulars of the New Plymouth library finances and plans of the building. At a recent meeting of the Catholio Young Men’s Ciub it was decided, ter form a gloo party in connection with tho club. Tho Rev Father Kimbell, an accomplished musician, consented to take tho position of conductor, and Mr E. Hcaly was appointed hon, secretary and treasurer. Tho committee of management consists of Messrs McGovern, Gamble, and Sicvers, acting with the conductor and secretary. Practices will be bold on Tuesday nights. Mr J. J. Callaghan has promised to present tint now club with music.

The fcrro-concretc work at the Auck. land railway wharf is progressing satisfactorily (says the “New Zealand Herald”). The bad weather interferes with the workmen, but does not delay the work. The eastern side of the wharf is constructed for 120 ft, the wharf being 150 ft wide. • It is hoped that tho point of deviation will be reached by tho end of next month. On the west' ern side of the wharf tho work completed so far is 350 ft long. 'When tho present contract is completed the wharf will bo ready for ships to berth. Small vessels are already berthing on the western side.

The eleven kiwis and two keos taken Homo by Mr H. C. Wilkie, late in the veterinary division of tho New Zealand Department of Agriculture, for presentation to the British Zoo. form an interesting addition to the collection. Labels have been placed on the enclosure representing that seven of the kiwis are tho gift of tho New Zealand Government and Mr Wilkie and that four are presented by Lord Banfurly, Writing by the last mail to Mr Gdruth, Chief Veterinarian, Mr Wilkio says:—“One of tho kcas died. The head-keeper put one of them in a large aviary to fly about with a lot of Bra" zilian macaws and Australian cockatoos. The result was that tho koa -was fright, oned by the others, and did not feed for several days. The bird never revived.”

Writing on August 30th from Zabab kansky Prospect, St. Petersburg, ill' P. Mijuol, in a letter to the Right Hon. K. J. Seddon, .says:—Sir,—l have tho honour to send you under separate cover the third edition of my book on New Zealand, founded, as I hope, on care, ful study of many books and some of' ficial publications of your Government. Maybe, you will bo kind enough to lighten my efforts to follow the evolu-> tion of New- Zealand life and institu-. tions, and will order to bo sent me such official publications which may bo useful for mo for a subsequent edition of. my work. Specially, I would bo happy to receive a copy of the constitution of New Zealand, as all my efforts to get it from London by London booksellers were fruitless. I suppose that, .though many aro persons who trespass on your scanty and precious leisure, there were, (none till now from Russia—tho country I which has most to learn from “The Most Advanced Democracy of the World of To-day” (the title of my work on New Zealand).

H. Fielder and Co.’s clearing tale it tho place for bargains. Clocks 2s 3d each, enamel fry pans Is. hair broom Is fid and 2s 3d. Come and see for yourselves, X

If i.s mil generally known tliat a pcnof £3OOO a year is paid by tin: British Government to tliu -Lord Nel-i-'iiis descending in lino from tbo great admiral.

Tiio Government has decided to anHuiro compulsorily Mr T. If. Lowry’:) Ottawa property, near Hastings, containing 14,700 acres, for closer settlornont.

Tho Minister for Railways holds Unit a:i tho stability of the Railways .Superannuation Fund is of paramount importance, no alteration of any kind should bo made to the fund which would jeopardise its stability. Those railway servants who are not satisfied with the provisions of the act, ami wiio are desirous of obtaining unlimited benefits, should come forward anil intimate (heir willingness to pay tho increased contributions which will be •accessary for them individually to bear in order to provide in a proper manner for the increas'd charges which they desire to pub upon tho fund. Speaking at tho ■Wellington College Otd Hoys’ dinner on Saturday evening Mr J. I’. Firth made reference to tho new ground which is being formed at tho college. In order to complete tho ■ground a sum of jCutJO would he required, and this sum would bo subsidised to an espial amount by the Governvnont. There was already 11100 in hand. Mr Firth appealed to tho Old Boys’ .Association to supply tho remainder. Tho suggestion was received with acclamation. At a later stage Air Al. Myors expressed his approval of tho association providing tho money.

The twelfth annual dinner of tho Wellington College Old Boys’ Associotion was held at tho Hotel Cecil on Saturday overling. Mr W. E. Betliune presided. Special toasts wore drunk in honour of Trafalgar Day. ‘ Tlio_ Old School” was proposed by tho president, •and replied to by Mr J. I’. Firth, tho headmaster. “Tho Association and Alilllated Chibs” was proposed by Mr W. F. Ward, and responded to by Mr M. Myers. “Tho British Navy, 1805— 1905,” was proposed by -Mr W. Darrocli, and responded to by -Mr ('. \V. Palmer, secretary of the. Navy League. "Tho Masterton Braneb,” proposed by Mr W. H. Denton, was responded to by Mr D. Casclberg. Other toasts wore honoured, and musical i'.oms were given by Messrs O. B. Kxloy and AV. D. Lyon.

Tliero was a short sitting of tho City Police Court on Saturday morning, Dr A. -McArthur, S.M., presiding. One first-offending inebriate was convicted and discharged. Hugh Mullins and James Rafferty wore charged with lightin Cuba street. It was shown that 'Mullins was tho aggressor, and ho was Jin eel 40s. in default fourteen days’ im■prison in cut, Rafforty being discharged. Mullins was also lined 40s, or one month's imprisonment, for being found on licensed promises during tho currency of a prohibition order. For using threatening behaviour in Grey istroet, Alexander Mathicson was fined 40s, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. For stealing a rug, valued at Os, John Reid was sent to gaol for seven days. Charles Evans, who was charged with insobriety was remanded till today, in order that arrangements might bo made for his admittance to a home. Evidently Mr J. C. Williamson intends giving “Tapu,” the comic opera written by Mr Arthur H. Adams and composed by Mr Alfred Hill, a chance with a wider public thanthat afforded by its recent production in New Zealand and Australia. Mr Taranaki to Ua, of Hawke’s Bay (says the Napier Daily Telegraph”), has received a letter from Mr J. O. Williamson, seeking to make arrangements for tho engagement of twelve Maoris to .loin a company ho contemplates sending on a twclvo months’ tour of Europe with that opera. Tho men are required to do the haka’ dances introduced into tho opera. This will ho the first comic opera to go from any colony to- London,and this colony should bo proud that Mr Williamson thinks sufficiently highly of tho opera to send it so far and to such a critical andibnco.

At) Nelson on Saturday his Excellency the Governor laid the foundation stone of the now college, to replace tho building destroyed by fire on December 7th last. A silver trowel and a silver-mounted mallet, all locally made of New Zealand products, and engraved with Lord Plunkefc’s coat of arras and crest, wero presented to his Excellency by tho contractors, Robertson Bros., Ltd. The now college will cost £25,000, with £OOO for levelling a recreation field, subscribed by old boys. Tho new building will be a replica of tho former one. Tho design reproduces the distinctive features of tho old school, but with modern equipments and improved appliances added. It is a quadrangular structure of two stories, the upper story for dormitories and residential uses, the lower for twelve largo clas-rooms, dining-room, principal’s study, and reception-room, etc. New features are an assembly hall 70ft x 40ft, on tho site of tho-old gymnasium at this east of the main structure, and three class-rooms attached to tho north of this hall. The train arrangements in. connection with tho Carterton show aro advertised ibis morning. The Imperial Camera Co. sends out Illustrated catalogue post free.

.Waitohi Houso, Picton. has undergone alterations, and is now open to ■visitors.

Barry and Co. want buyer for a hairdressing saloon and billiard-room. Mr P. Burke has taken possession of the Cafo de Paris, Christchurch.

Mr F. de J, Cloro invites tenders for erection of a hall and class-rooms at Newtown.

Tenders are invited for the purchase of tho grocery stock in the estate of E. P. Ilarvey. The Globe Proprietary Co. advertise a Private temperance hotel for sale. May Apple is recommended to those Xho feel depressed. Messrs Macdonald. Wilson and Co. sell to-day, at 1.30 o’clock sharp, at the residence of Mr A. E. Phelps, No. 3S. Thom, don quay, tho whole of his superior household furniture, etc., some details of which are inserted in the advertisement appearing in the auction column.

Abraham and Williams Ltd. sell stock at Palmerston on Thursday.