SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

PERSONAL. 'Mr Paul Lemon, of this city, was on February 11 admitted by his Honor Mr Justice Williams as a solicitor of t-lio Supreme Court of New Zealand. llr Maitland Jones has resigned the position of manager of the North Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association—a post he has held sinoe tho association was started over 18 months ago. Mr Robert Speight, who was at tho last meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College appointed lecturer in geology, is a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science of the New Zealand University, and obtained second class honours in geology. He has for the past 15 . years been an assistant master at the Boys' High School, and has qualified for a senior scholarship in geology. Mr Speight lias made a specialty of microscopic petrology, and has written papers embodying the results of original work, which have been published in the Tiansaetions of the New Zealand Instit^'e. The Christchurch 'Tramways Board have appointed Mr F. H. Chamberlain, who has just completed Mie instalment of the Sydney electrical tramways, as engineer to draft, a scheme for the electrical >yst:m there for the tcim ot one year. The Tablet stata that the Right Rev. Monsignor Jlackay will bo administrator ot the diocese of Dunedin during the temporary absence of Bishop Verdon in Australia in connection with the golden jubilee of his distinguished relative the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, ilonsignor Mackay will shortly take a holiday trip to his native land after 30 years of energetic, and continuous work in the diocese of Dunedin. He goes to Europe by the Vancouver scrvico in May. Bishop Nevill, Acting-Primate, in addition to tho telegram from the registrar of the New Zealand University notifying his election lo the senate in the place of the late Hon. W. Rolleston, also received a message from Sir James Hector (chancellor) stating that the election was unanimous, and adding that the meeting wculd close on Friday, and, if convenient, lie would like the Bishop to put in an appearance. Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, also telegraphed that ho hoped the Bishop would accept the unanimous nomination of the senate. To the registrar the Bishop replied that he accepted the honour with much diffidence. To Sir James Hector he wired his best thanks, and added that he accepted the honour, hut important engagements prevented his attendance this sessio i. To Sir Robert Stout tho Bishop replied: "Your kind message greatly induced my acceptance of the honour." Dr J. H. Henderson, F.E.C.S. (London), who ha 3 been spending a holiday in Dunedin for the past few months, left on- the 23rd ult. for Melbourne, where he intends to start the practice of his profession. Dr Henderson, who is a graduate of the Otago University, has had large experience in his profession ill the Old country. A Wellington telegram says:—lt is understood that Inspector Dimiie, of Scotland Yard, may be appointed to succecd Mr Tunbridge as commissioner of police. Mr F. A, Hardy, chief officer of the Government steamer Hinomoa, v,-a. on Thursday appoints deputy harbourmaster at Port Chalmers out of 16 applicants. Mr Dugald M'Pherson (Chief of the Dunedin Gaelic Society), who leaves for a trip to the Homo Country on tho 2nd, intends to spend a fortnight with Major-general Sir Hector Macdonald at Ceylon on his way to his native place. It is reported in Wellington that the retirement of Mr Justice Conolly from the Supreme Court bench, which has boon talked of for some time past, will in all probability take placo- after the March sluing of the Court of Appeal. Tt is probablo fiiat Mr Justice Edwards will then leave Wellington, and will take up the Auckland district circuit work, his place in Wellington being taken by Mr Justice Cooper, who would in that caso relinquish his present position as president of tho Arbitration Court. This change would make it necessary for the Government to appoint nil additional judge who would act as president of the Arbitration Court. . The names of Dr Findlay (Wellington), Mr Hosking (Dunedin), and Mr Stringer (Christchurch) are mentioned in connection with tho filling of the vacancy on f-lio Supreme Court bench when Mr Justico Conolly retires. The Post states that it is possible that if tho Premier seriously contemplates separating the Arbitration Court from the Supremo Court he may take advantage of the likely changes among our judges, and the probable retirement of Mr Justice Cooper from the presidency of the former court, to make the change. Judge Cooper would, no doubt, be asked to continue to act as president until the Legislature has sanctioned a change in the constitution of tho court. W. Stains, of the Dennist-on Band, who gained first prize in the euphoMitm solo competition at Masterton, takes the placo in the New Zealand Band of J. O'Brien, of Eaikorai, who is unable to go to England. His Honor Mr Justice Williams admitted Mr James Armstcad and Mr W. S. Hunter, of the Supreme Court office, as solicitors of (he Supreme Court of New Zealand, in Chambers yesterday morning. Mr C. G. White, LL.B., was also admitted as a barrister and solicitor. The three Boer delogatcs—Messrs Joste', Lane, and Rood, together with Mesdames Jooste and Lane and Captain and Mr.; Fitz-pa-trick—arrived in Dunedin by the express from the north on Thursday on a visit of inspection to this part of the colony, in pursuance of their mission, oil. which they were sent by the British Government, of observing the different methods of agriculturists, pa'toralists, etc., in the colonies, with a view to the education of tho burghers in South Africa in more modern and approved, systems of farming. The delegates expressed themselves liighiy pleased with all they had seen in New Zealamd, which they regard

CASUALTIES AND OFFENCES. A young woman named MacGregor, residing at Bannockburn, left her homQ on February 15, and although search was made all day on Monday has not yet been found. Sho was tracked to the river, and it is supposed that she ha 3 drowned herself. She was in a low state, of health and a melancholy state of mind, and is supposed to have beern suffering from religious dementia. Mrs Mary Ann Brown died at Karangahake on February 18. At the inquest a verdict was returned of death from an overdose of laudanum inadvertently taken while suffering severe pain. A steerago passenger named W. Went, per Mapcurika" from .Wellington to Greymoutli, was found drowned in the Buller River on Fobruary 19.' 11. Batlcy, aged 20. a son of Mr R. T. Batley, of Moawhanga, was drowned while bathing in-the river there. The body was recovered quickly, but life was extinct. Frederick Ralph Payne, two years of age, died on February 22 from the results of an accident that happened to him about 7 o'clock the previous evening! The littlo follow, who is a son of Mr C. J. Payne, solicitor, residing in Belleknowes, was playing on a hank with his elder brother and fell down the steep face, a distance of no more than 3ft, injuring his head on the asphalt- footpath and sustaining concussion of the braiii. When picked up by his mother ho was unconscious. Dr Smith was called in, but notwithstanding his efforts the boy sank, and died on Sunday at noon. On 'February 22 a man named Eli Salt, aged 53 years, a farmer, residing ahout 20 miles from Wanganui, committed suicide by jumping off the town bridge. Tho deceased was ill. At the inquc-st on Saturday a verdict of suicide whio temporarily insane was returned. Charles Smith was drowned in the Makarewa, at Grove Bush, while bathing on 23rd February. His parents reside at Lady Barkty, near Winton. A young man named Redpath, youngest son of Mrs Redpath, of Wait-ahuna, committed suicide on the 22nd ult. by shooting himself with a pea-rifle. He had driven a party to churoh and back and retired to his own room, whence the report of the weapon aroused his mother, who found her son shot through the head', with the pea-rifle in his hand. On arrival of medical aid life wan extinct. On February 9, during the passage from Sydney of the Mokoia, which arrived on the lltli, D. Sheehy, steerage passenger, who was travelling with his wife, jumped overboard. A boat was lowered, and after an hour's search the body was found, floating face downwards. Efforts at resuscitation proved fruitless, and tho body was buried the same afternoon. At Christchuroh on the 10th, whilst a man named Fabin was fishing in the Hcathcote, near the Port Hills, he miw the dead body of a man lying in the stream. When tho body was lifted out it was discovered that a. bag of stones was tied round the neck. Tho only clue to identity is a receipt signed " David Aubrey." A fatal accident happened at Feilding on Thursdav to a boy aged 11. th** son of Mr A. J. Arnold, a farmer at Bunnythorpe. Th» father left the boy sitting in a trap

for a few moments. Tho horse bolted, and tho boy was thrown, caught in the: wheel, and then jammed against a fence and much mangled. lie-died in 10 minutes. James Corcoran, a gum-digger, of Wiiarau, was drowned. His son fell into the river, and Corcoran dived after tho boy, and it is supposed that he struck a snag, as he did not rise. The boy wa3 rescued by another man. The body of tfie father has not been found. On February 14 a fatal accident- occurred on the Kyber Pass road, Auckland. Mrs Goodall, wife of Mr C. E. Goodall, the wellknown engineer at the Thames, was driving along in her trap, when it came into collision with a tramcar, and the unfortunate lady was killed almost instantly, being terribly injured. Mrs Goodall was a wellknown resident of Park road, and was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. She was connected with many philanthropic movements, and was an energetic member for many years of tho ■ Auckland Ladies Benevolent Society. In that, connection Mrs Goodall took the initiative in the inauguration in that city of floral fetes. The trap was completely wreeked. At the inquest a verdict was returned of accidentally killed in eonscquence of the ear colliding with a vehicle in which the deceased "was riding with her husband. No blame was attachable to any person. An accident attended with fatal results occurred in the vicinity of the railway goods shicls at about 4.30 on Wednesday afternoon to a shunter named William Sherburd, residing at Grosvenor street, Kensington. It appears that Shcrbard was engaged at the time in shunting operations, the engine drawing trucks out to a siding. _ The unfortunate man must have "lost his footing mi the onjine and been crushed or jammed by the following truck. Tho occurrence was witnessed by the engine-driver and fireman, and the engine promptly brought to a stand, still. When Sherburd ■ was extricated he was found to have suffered very wvere injuries, his right leg being terrib'y mutilated. Ho was at onco removed lo the Hospital, where it was found liccossary to amputate the injured limb. Sherburd never rallied after tho operation, and died about 10 o'clock—two hours afterwards. Deceased loaves a widow and one child. An elderly mail named Coinrie was taken suddenly ill at his lodgings in Invercargill on Wednesday. Ho was removed to the hospital, where he died. Deceased, who had private means, followed no occupation. H is understood that he was married, but was living apart (ram his wife. Charles Frederick .Teuhl, an indent agent, aged 65 years, was found dead in his office on Customhouse quay. Wellington, on the 27th. He had not been soon inee the 24th. Deceased had been ailing for 6time months. He was formerly accountant to Messrs Lyon and Blair. On the 21st, at Waimahaka, a man named Harry Smith, 60. years of age. tried to shift some belting in a flaxmill whilst in motion. He was caught on a wheel and dashed againstthe rafters, dying three hours after. He leaves a wife and grown-up family. John Williams, aged 63, a carpenter," was lound dead on February 9 :n the Princess Hotel, Wellington. The community at Waimato were much pained when the news became known oil February 8 that Mrs Mi-tcliell, wife of Mr J. If. Mitchell, of Sludholmu, had been found drowned in a pond near her residence. It appears that Mrs Mitchell was last seen alive by one of the sei'vauits nbout 11 o'clock on Sunday foronoon. Mr Mitchell and deceased's brother went'to the beach, everything being right when they left. The children were playing about, when ono of them, who had climbed a treo after a nest, saw his mother in the pond. Ho gavo the alarm, and one of the farm employees drew the body out of tho water. The doctor was sent for, but on arrival it wn.i found that deceased had been dead some considerable time. Mitch sympathy is folt for Mr Mitchell, his family, and t-hu parents of deceased, all of whom are well known and respected. At (lie inquest tho jury returned a verdict that tho woman uiowncd herself while temporarily iiwane.. In tho Supreme Court, Wellington, oa February 4, William Runciman (said to have been a brevet-major in tho Egyptian army in its advance on Khartoum) was found guilty of obtaining money by false pretences at Masterton, and was remanded for sentence. On the sth Runciman was sentenced to 12 months' hard labour. A Maori was killed while riding home from tho Hawera races. A man named Briltenden, a tally clerk, residing at Linwood, foil off the train from Lyttelton to Christchurch on the 17th nit. as it was crossing the bridge al>ove..lhe road, at Heathcote, and was picked up in a precarious condition at midnight. Brittendon died on Friday afternoon without regaining consciousness. Rangi, a Maori, aged 55, was killed on February 18 while riding to Ketemarao afte. the races. The man was drunk, and after being placed on a horse by a Native friend started galloping. He fell heavily on metal, and was picked up dead, his skull being fractured. The throe-year-old daughter of Constable Whitcliouse, of Feilding, N. 1.. swallowed 6ome carbolic acid on Thursday, February 19, and succumbed shortly afterwards. William George Sherburd. 31 years of age, was so severely injured while engaged superintending shunting operations at the Dunedin railway yards that he died from shock in the Hospital some hours afterwards. His right leg was so badly injured that it was found necessary to amputate it. Sherburd was standing on the steps of the shunting engine engaged in getting a train together. Some trucks on a parallel line wore foul of the line on which the engine was running. This was apparently not observed by deceased, and, when noticed by tho enginedriver, who had only a minute or so liefore the accident relieved another engine-driver, it was too late to pull up tho engine and trucks behind it. The buffer beam of the engine struck the trucks foul of the line, and deceased cither fell off or was thrown off the step of the engine by the concussion, the wheels of some of the trucks passing over his right leg. At the innuost the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death: no blame being attachable to anyotio." Deceased leaves a widow and two children. MISCELLANEOUS. For the year 1902- the police statistics of the Canterbury and North Otago district show that the' total number of offenecs committed and reported was 3777, as compared with 4042 in the previous year, a decrease of 265. Of the total number of offences last- year 3702 persons were apprehended and. summoned, leaving only 75 offences, chiefly of a minor character, which wero undetected. Of the 3702 persona brought before the courts, 119 males and 2 females (121 in oil) were committed for trial, 2954 males and 290 females (3244 in all) wero summarily convicted, and 313 males and 24 females (337 in all) were discharged. There was a decrease of 234 in eases of drunkenness, the 1901 figures being 1915, and these of : 19Q2 being 1681. A Wellington telegram says:—"On tho application of Mr .Tcllieos, acting for friends, the magistrate has committed Mr George Fisher, M.Ii.R., to the Waitati Inebriates' Home for three months." The Supreme Court action against tho Union Steam Shi]) Company for £1500 damages, brought by the widow of Johnstone, who was killed on the Greyinouth •wharf by a fall of timber some months ago, has been settled out of court, the company paying £600. The estimated population of Hip colonv on December 31 was 863,360. The male population was estimated at 455,385. and the niunbor of females at 407,975. The foregoing figures include the population of the Cook and othor Pacific Islands annexed in 1901, of which tho total population is given a.? 12,292. Excluding Maoris, the population of the oolony during 1902 increased by 20.263. The Whitehead torpedoes (10 in number) which were imported from England some years ago for the defence of Wellington Harbour have been out of date for some timo past, and on the recommendation of Admiral Beaumont, recently in charge of the Australasian naval squadron, they have been sold, together with a small engine used for compressing the air required to drive the torpedoes. The torpedoes cost £450 each at Home, and they and the engine have been purchased by Messrs W. Cable and Co. for £100. They intend to overhaul the engine and break up the torpedoes for the sake of the metal. The 10 Whitehead torpedoes, with engine and compressors, which wero stored in the torpedo sheds at Shelly Bay, have been sold to Cable and Co., local ironfounders, for £100. It is understood that their disposal was made on the recommendation of the Admiral. The original cost was something like £7000. A leaflet issued' by the Department of Agriculture shows the quantity and value of butter, cheese, and frozen meat passed through the Customs for export from New Zealand during January. The totals are as follows, the figures for January. 1902, being given in brackets: —Butter, 52.217cwt, valued at £247,117 (45.804cwt, £210,815); cheese. 10,331cwt, £24,100 (11,496cwt. £24.323): frozen beef. 25,616cwt, £35,445 (19,622cwt. £21,865); frozen mutton, carcases. 138,901cwt. £182,468 (63,630cwt. £66.248); legs and pieces, 6862cwt, £6623 (9626cwt, £10.600): frozen lamb. 38,760cwt, £66,252 (26,536cwt, £37,381). Wellington's contribution last month was valued as follows:—Butter. £60.939; chec?e, £6437; frozen beef, £8201; frozen mutton. £63.033; legs and pieces, £4737; frozen lamb, £16,027.

During tho year ended December 31, 638 vessels,, with a tonnage of 1,089,179 tons, entered tho various ports of the colony; and 611 vesseU, of 1,048,771 tons, departed. During last year the imports to the colony were valued at £11,323,480, as against £11,816,457 during 1901. Wellington heads the list of ports, with imports to the value of £3,124.771; Auckland, £3,084,085; Dunedin, £1,956,235; awl Lyttelton, £1,745,273. Tho exports during the year were valued at £13,633,577, as against £12.881.424 in the previous year. The Wellington exports wero , valued at £2,555,868; Auckland, £2.091,016; Lvtf-elton, £2,382,429; and Dunedin, £1.618,294. During the present month, so far 162 eases of scarlet fover have been reported at the health office—97 in tho town itself and 65 from tho country. Very few cases have been reported lately from the Flat, but 1 tliero has been an increase in numbers re- , ported from the hill boroughs. I Cr Scott stated at- Thursday's gathering at . the north end of the city that in all probability eleotrio cars would bo running from the Gardens to the Oval before the end of November. We learn from the local health officer that during the months of November and December of last year, and January of this year, i 575 cases of scarlet fevor have been reported i from Dunedin ?nd and 12 deaths ; have resulted from the disease, showing the | average mortality of notified cases at 3.2 per I cent. For the samo period 130 cases of j German measles and four deaths are ro- ! turned, the average mortality being 3 per j cent. The percentage is remarked on as | small as compared with larger towns, and as t oe-rtain to have been considerably loss had i all the cases which have occurred been 1 notified to the department, ouly each household infected being reported, and not each individual patient. If every separate ca> : e wero notified, Dr Ogston points out that . tho average mortality would probably be ( about 1 per cent., by no means tho ordinary j average in of scarlet fover or J German measles, this fact indicating either . that these diseases have evinced themselves on this occasion only in a very mild form, I or clso the epidemic is not scarlet fever or > German measles at all. I The mooting of the Senate of the Univerj sity of New Zealand, held in Christohurch 1 last week, was tho last meeting of the old ; liody, which has had a continuous existence since 1871. Two of the original members nominated in that year still survive—namely, Sir James Hcotor (Chaneellon since 1885), and the Hon. Dr Grace. The senate was originally nominated by tho Governor, but since 1883 members have been elected alter* nately by l-lie senate itself and by convocation—i.e., the graduates of the colony. The outgoing senate laid the foundation of the University, and drow up the present system of examinations and courses of work for degrees in arts, science, law, engineering, medicine, and music. Among fonmer members may be mentioned. Sir G. A. Arney (Chief Justice), Sir W. Filzherbert, Sir E. Stafford, Hon. W. Gisbome, Sir J. von Ilaast, Mr Justico Richmond, Mr H. J. | Tancred, Sir H. J. Miller, Mr J. Macandrew, Rev. J. W, H.ibens, and the Hen. W. Rolleston. Tho now senate, constituted by a recent act of the Legislature, will be oleotod before June 1 next, and take office on the 30th. Of the 300 shares issued in the New Zealand Band venture, only 20 remain unallotted. Tho largest number of shares have been placed in Wellington. The members of tho. band assembled in Wellington on the 18th ult. to begin practice, and will hold rehearsals twico a day until tho 18th of March, the day before they leave for London by tho fine steamer Corinthie. Mr Seddon has sent to Mr G. W. Wilton, secretary of the band, a letter for Mr J. H. lies, who is to act as manager of the band while it is in England, introducing him to the Agent-goneral. Tho New Zealand Band while in England will give concerts all over the country, and will enter into competition with banda in England similarly constituted. Mr J. 11. Morris, city valuer, reported to the City Council recently that the increase j in. tho city valuations for the past year amounted to £10,208, mado up as follows: South Ward, £2266; High Ward, £5186; Bell Ward, £1226; and Loith Ward, £1530. A correspondent, to whom wo are at liberty to refer for further information if deemed advisable, writes:—An antiquarian find, which may or may not be of importance to tho geology of New Zealand, has been mado on tho beach at Big Bay. It is the bone of a huge animal—fish or flesh I am not prepared to say,—measuring 14ft in length and 3ft to 4ft at what seems to ba a ring-bone joint on the one end. It tapers away at tho other, but as it has only been partially bared its taperings cannot be definitely defined. Weather permitting, it eould readily be shipped from the beach on which it is lying, and the Museum or Tourist Department might do well to got hold of it. The representations made by the Otago Patriotic Fund Committee, first through Mr James Mills while on a visit to London, and afterwards through the Agent-general, have borne good fruit. It will be remembered that some time ago .£IOOO was received from Lloyd's Patriotic Fund for the benefit of those permanently injured during the war in South Africa, and this sum was allocated according to the needs in various parts of the colony. Now the committee have received a contribution of £400 from the Mansion House Fund, the following letter, dated January 12, haviug eome lo hand by the last San Francisco mail from Mr W. P. Reeves, Agent-general:—"Dear Sir,—Referring to my letter of July 30 last, I beg to inform you that as a further result of the application made by me on behalf of tho Otago Patriotic Fund in July last, X have received from that portion of the Mansion House Fund which has not yet been allocated the sum of £400 as a contribution to your fund, and herewith I enclose bank draft for the same." The hearing of the charge against Esther Sanders and Eliza Metealf, of performing an illegal "operation, occupied the Supreme Ccurt for the greater part of the day on the 24th. The case for the Crown rested practically on the uncorroborated testimony of the subject of the oporation, and the learned judge, in summing up, directed the attention of the jury to the general principle that the evidence of an accomplice requires to be corroborated in some material particulars before a jury can safely accept it and convict an accused person thereon. This point was also one oil which counsel for tho defence laid particular stress, and the jury ultimately returned a verdict of "Not guilty," stating that in their opinion there was insufficient corroboration to justify them in convicting the accused.