SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13421, 23 October 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

PERSONAL. An Auckland telegram states that the American Consul-general for New Zealand (Mr Dillingham) has exchanged places with the Consul (Mr J. Martin Miller) at Aix-la-Chapclle, with the object of recruiting Mia Dillingham's health. It is announced that Lieutenant-colonel R. H. Owen, officer commanding the Military School of Instruction, which he established, has terminated his engagement with the New Zealand Defence Department, and intends to return lo England on November 25. Private, matlers are calling Colonel Owen Home, but liia liking for New Zealand is so great that it is not at all improbable that he will return and settle c)own in the colony. Colonel Robin, Captain 10. H. Clark, and Mr Thomas Muir have been appointed trustees of the I'ahncrslon South Volunteer prills-lied Reserve in place' of Colonel Suinptor (deceased), Mr J. C. Gow (deceased), and Mr James Kitchen (resigned). the licv. W. A. I'. Fitchett, who has charge of the Clyde-Koxburgh parish, has just beeu presented, on the ev© of his approaching marriage, with a well-filled purse of sovereigns by his friends at Miller's Plat. Mr \V. H. Hales, engineer-in-chief, who retires from the public sen-ice on March 31 next, will receive an annual pension of £500. A Wellington telegram states that Mr Huntley Elliot, Under-secretary for Mines, is about to retire on a pension. Friends of the Rev. H. S. Leach, at one time curate of St. Matthew's, will be pleased to hear that he has beeu granted a well-earned holiday, and left Wellington by tlie Turakina last week for a few months' visit to England. Since leaving Dunedin some years ago, Mr Leach has been stationed at Foxton, Pahiatua, and surrounding districts in tho North Island, where his labour has been very considerable and also successful, as evidenced by the increased enthusiasm of the people of those districts. Mr Leach intends returning to New m. an d about the end of Jlarch next year. Tho Very .Rev. Father Hays has much improved after his Tecent severe illness and operation, and he v;as able to celebrate mass on the 15th inst. in Wellington. Ho leaves next week in the Manuka for Auckland, where he will spend some weeks as the guest of the Hon. J. A. Tole. The doctors anticipate liut, if the warmer climate effects a more speedy remedy, Father Hays will be sufficiently recovered to undertake the journey to Australia in January. A 1 number of Taieri friends assembled at the residence of Mr and Mrs P. Dow, Wingatui, on October -1 to bid them farewell on their leaving the district. Speeches were made _by Messrs Andrews, Gow, Charters, Blackie, Ross, and others testifying to the many good qualities of Mr Dow who was presented with a Mosgiel travelling rug, a ease of pipes, a silver-mounted umbrella,"and tobacco pouch, also a purse of oovereigns; while Mrs Dor; was handed a dressing case and ladys companion combined. Mr Andrews made the presentations, and Mr Dow feelingly responded on behalf of Mrs Dow and himself. A most enjoyable evening was I spent in games and songs, and wp*s brought to a close by singing "For they" are jo°lly good fellows." Apologies were received from Messrs Langley and Price.

At Underwood (Southland) on Friday, 29th nit. Mr Lawton Dyer, who has been connected with the local milk preserving works for tho past 12 years, and who has now severed his connection with the factory, was presented by his fellow-employees with a purse of sovereigns, as a token of the esteem in which he was held It is understood that Mr Dyer has accepted a position with Messrs Irvine and Stevenson JJunedin.

Mrs Elizabeth Yates, once widely known as the first lady Mayor in New Zealand i 3 once more aspiring to a position in Onehunga municipal politics. A seat on the council became vacant, and Mrs Yates came forward as a candidate, but she was defeated by Mr Warren Blyth, who polled , , against 283 cast for Mrs Yates, ilio latter now claims the seat on tho |rcund that Mr Blyth's nomination was

, Mdton Mirror has been informed that Mr L. Millane, llaxniill hand, has received information that, through the <Kith of an uncle, ho lias come into a sum of monev. said to be £6090.

Mr D. Cuddie, who has been on the staff of tho dairying division of the Agricultural Department for some years, has been appointed assistant dairy commissioner.

The death is announced of Mis Sandiland, an old resident of Dimedin. She arrived with her busbsuid and one child in the brig Thomas a«d Henry, from Sydney, in and has lived m/Dunedin ever since, with the exception of a few months spent in the North Island. She learn a family of eight daughters. h Mr Thomas Livingstone, an old and respected resident of Dunsdin, died on the 10th inst. at the residence of his son-in-law Mr John M. Campbell. A native of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire (Scotland), he came out to Lyttelton with his wife and family in 1863. He afterwards removed to Wellington, where he engaged in the work of asphalting. He was induced by the late Mr A. J. Burns ,-to remove to Dunedin, and he arrived here in 18G5. Most of the asphalt pavements in the city were put down under his supervision. Of a quiet and unassuming disposition, he was greatly respected, and he gained numerous friends. His wife, a woman of fine character and wide reading, predeceased him by many years. One of their sons was an engineer on the ill-fated Tararua, and met his death when that steamer was wrecked. Another son and one daughter are the survivors of the family. A Christ-church message states that Crosleg'n Sampler Crossley, proprietor of Eak Head Station, Waikiri, died on the 12th inst., aged 6o years. He came to Canterbury in 1858, and was the first to take sheep to West Cwst.in 1868,

An Invercargill l message' reports that Mr Charles Itout, a- resident of Invercargill for 42 standing, died on tho 12th inst. from pneumonia. He had for many years been Assignee in Bankruptcy-for the Southland district, also secretary of the High Schools Board and secretary'of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce. He .came to Invercargill from Tasmania with'his brothers, and they were in business for some years as ironmongers. By the death ,of. Mrs George Godby at tho residence of her son (Mr Christopher Godby, Halfway Bush) on the 19tb another of the old hand of early .colonists has gone. Mrs Godbv accompanied her husband from Melbourne to Dnnediu in the Gil -Bias, Captain Nicol, in 185G, and Mr Godby took up a 20-acre section fronting the Main road to the North Taieri. on the slope of Flagstaff, where the family have resided ever since, Mr Godby having died in 1375. Mrs Godby was of an honest, sterling nature, and a friend to many during her long residence at Halfway Bush, but for a number of years has been an invalid, and was confined to bed for about two years. She had reached the advanced age of 02. CASUALTIES AND OFFENCES. The dead body of Thomas Green was found in a lutt at Feathcrston on the 10th inst. Deceased was a single man. Alexander Enricksen, ■ also known as Alexander Brown, a wiharf labourer, died suddenly at Wellington on the 10th. Medical evidence given at the inquest showed that death was due to heart disease.

At the inquest on Tangiora Temple, the 18-months'-old child who died at Tolago Bay, the evidence did not sustain the supposition of ptomaine poisoning. A verdict was returned that the child died through eating ai; undue quantity of tinned corned beef, tho child being too young to assimilate such a quantity.

At tho inquest on Robert Watson, overseer at Castlerock, found in tho Oreti River, the med.ical evidence showed a clot of blood on the brain, and that death was duo'to apoplexy. A verdict was returned accordingly. A child named Doris Jano Wilson ; three years old, died suddenly at Auckland. Dehad suffered from oroup recently. She died before a doctor arrived, and as he would not give a certificate a post mortem examination wao ordered by the coroner.

Tlio decomposed body of an old man— believed to be that of Frederick G. Myers, from Ross—was found in a paddock about two miles north of Hokitika. Deceased has not been missed from his usual abode, as ho stated he was going to South Westland. The police believe deecaived committed suieido by taking poison.

A man named Thomas Madams, aged 73, who lived by himself in a hut at Opoho, was found dead on the floor of his hut on Wednesday, 18th. An inquest was held on the body in the afternoon by Mr C. C. Graham, when a verdict of "Death from failure of the heart's action, brought on by syncope," was returned. The evidence showed that tlie deceased had suffered from a weak heart for 6ome months past. A fatal gun accident happened on the proprly of J. Wingate, near Tcnui, N. 1., on Wednesday evening. A labourer—Robert Jones, 35 years of age—was loading a gunwith cartridges a size too large,- and had tried to force tho brccch close witli tlio muzzle pointing tow&rds himself, with the result that the gun went off, putting both charges into his body. He died immediately. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned, Deceased was a. single man, a native of Yorkshire, and had no relatives in the colony. Rondel Hogben, aged 12 years, son of the Inspector-general of Schools, died at Wellington, on Wednesday under chloroform for an operation for the removal of the tonsils. The medical evidence showed that syncope of the heart was the cause of death, and a verdict was returned according to that evidence. Tho body of a man was found six miles below Beaumont in the Molyneux River on Wednesday. It is supposed to be that of A.: D. M'Grcgor, drowned off the Golden River dredge on July 14 (over three months ago). If such be tlio case,, tlio current has carried the body a distance of over 60 miles. Our Gore correspondent wires;--"Two brothers of M'Grcgor are proceeding lo Beaumont for tho purpose of identifying the body."

At Wellington James Jl'Evvan, 21 years, was handling a revolver on September 30, when the cartridge exploded. The bullot entered his right cheek, near the mouth. Ho was taken to the hospital, and died there four hours after the occurrence. was a recent arrival from Now South Wales. At the inquest the jury found that deceased died from a selfinflicted gunshot wound, but they were unable to say whether it was accidentally fired.

Mns Helena Williamson died suddenly at her residence, York place, on October 6. The deceascd's ago was 73. At tho inquest tlio jury returned a verdict of death from failure of the heart's action.

Mr William Kailt, of Hedgehopo (Southland), died very suddenly from failure of tho heart's action. About five weeks ago ho met with an accident. through the horse he was riding running acainst a closed gate. Mr Raitt's leg being fractured. Ho made such good progress that it was anticipated that he Would be able lo return home in a few days. On Sunday morning lie was apparently iu good health and the best of "pints, when the end came suddenly and painlessly. Mr Raitt was tho eldest son of the late Professor Raitt, of Glasgow, and came to Now Zealand about 11 years ago.

A fatal accident occurred on board the barque Dunblane, lying at the Thames completing loading timber. A lad named Elisha Sangrada, a native of Mauritius, was aloft furling a sail, when ho missed his hold and fell to tho deck, Striking his head on the anchor. He never regained consciousness, and died of concussion of tho brain. At the inquest a verdict to that effect was returned.

Joseph Jaqobsen, well known in Nelson mining circles, and especially in connection with the Hidden Treasure mine, was found drowned near T'akaka on October 2. Apparently death was the result, of the capsizing of a flal-liottomed boat in which he was sailing. He leaves a widow and grown-up family. .Tames M'Crystal, aged 33 years, committed suicide at his father's house at Clevedon, Auckland, by hanging himself. At. the inquest on the 9lh inst. a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane" was returned.

Henry Alexander Warren, aged 45, manager of the Waipukurau branch of the Bank of New Zealand, was found drowned in the harbour on October 6 under cireumstanoes which point to suicide. Deceased had been in ill-health for some time, worrying over failing eyesight, and was on a month's leave of absence. He wa6 missed by his wife about 8 o'clock in the morni.-.g, and was found drowned an hour later. An old man named Scully was found dead on October 8 in a hut where he had been living at St. Allans, Christchurch.

On September 21 a boy named Stanley Reid, aged seven years, loft his home in Wellington to go to school. He did nut reach his destination, nor did he return home. Scarcli was made for him without avail until October 9, when -the lad's body was found Heating in tho harbour. Mrs Caroline George, aged 84 years, died somewhat suddenly at her residence, EavensbDUriw, on the Bth inst. Mta George had been ailing for some time, and had been attended by two medical men. Not feeling as well as usual on Sunday afternoon, Dr Fulton was sent for, but she had expired before his arrival.

A Native child, aged 18 months, died at Tolago Bay on Sunday from (the doctor states) ptomaine poisoning. Another child is in a critical condition. They had on Saturday been siren slices of meat freshly opened. The Nativos ab first absolutely refused to allow a post mortem examination or an inquest, but by the tact of Constable il'Leod (who has. charge there), ho succeeded in obtaining the consent of the Natives. At the inquest on Tangiora Temple, the 18-months'-old child who died at Tolago Bay, the evidence did not susstain the supposition of ptomaine poisoning. A verdict was returned that the child died through eating an undue quantity of tinned corned beef, the child being too young to assimilate such a quantity. Herbert O'Brien, a tram conductor, who was injured at football by accident a week ago at Auckland, died in the hospital on October 7. At Auckland Alexander Murrison, a wharf labourer, 48, was found unconscious on Tuesday, 10th inst. He died in the hospital next night from a fractured skull The police believo the man was tho vicitrn of a violent assault. He was apparently sober when found. The coroner opened an inquest on/ the body on tho 13th. After formal identification, the inquest was adjourned. The defectives have the case in hand, and suspect murder. Murrison was,terribly battered about. His eyes were closed up,"his nock swollen, and his head badly bruised. Ho left his house early on the 9th, and was afterwards seen in the Criterion Hotel in,the company of certain women at about 11 o'clock. Two seamen state they saw a man being dragged up the step 3 near the hotel, and a man .who slept in the house where Murrison was found says he heard a noiso in the passage at about 11 o'fljtk. No arrets harp yet been made, ; " -

When Mr .T. R. Sowell, chemist, returned lo Oamaru from Dunedin on October 12 he was startled by finding his wife hanging by the neck from a door of ono of the rooms of the house. Mrs Sewell was to have joined her husband in Dunedin on tho 10th, but did not do so. It is not known how long she had been dead, or why she should have committed the rash act.

A young woman named.Amelia Conolly, aged about 20 years, a comparatively recent arrival from the Wairarapa, died rather suddenly at Hastings on the 11th. under circumstances' which caused ,an inquest to be held. The jury returned a verdict of death from acute blood poison: mg, caused by a self-made attempt to perform an illegal operation. .An old-age pensioner named Charles ihompson called at tho Bower Hotel New Brighton, Canterbury, on October 13, and asked for a pint of beer. Before lie got- the liquor he dropped down in tho bar, and died almost immediately. A distressing fatality occurrcd at Edendale on the lltli inst. I.t. appears that John, the 16-year-old son of Mr Daniel M'l'arlane, farmer, Kamahi, Edendale, had been deputed by his father to cart a load of straw out to a field to feed tlio dairy herd. The youth, having loaded the dray, seated himself and a young brother (George), aged six years and a-half, on tho top of tho straw, and started off. As they were prooecding a strong gust of wind caught the top of the load with such force as to shift it, and at tho same time precipitated both boys to tho ground. George fell in front of ono of tho wheels, whioh passed over his body and crushed him. The poor little fellow did not appear to, suffer much pain, but internal hemorrhage' set in, and at about 6.30 o'clock, an hour a-half after the aocidont occurred, he expired peacefully. Jeannio Dowse (widow of the late George Dowse), aged 66 years, was found dead in her bed by her domestic servant about 10 o'clock on October 15. Mrs Dowso lived by herself in Hanover street, 'ho servant not sleeping on the premises. Death is supposed to bo duo to heart disease. At the inquest on tho 16th a verdict was returned in accordance witli tho medical opinion—namely, that death resulted from failure of_ the heart's action, induced by the excessive use of alcohol. - The Gisborne coroner has received advice that a body has liecn washed up on tlio beach at. -Wa-ikare. It is believed to be that of Dixon, drowned in tho Mohaka River on July 16. Robert Wat«on, overseer on Castlerock Station, was drowned whilo crossing tho Oreti River qii horseback. Tho river is in flood, and the deceased was swept from his saddle. Tho body was found 400 yards down the stream.

A poultry farmer named Loelto was killed oil tho railway line at Levin on the 10th. Ho was crossing on a bicycle, and was struck by the 'engine.

A distressing case of suieido occurred at Dannovirko on. Iho lltli of 'October,' when a married woman named Alice Maudo Bright, aged 31 years, cut her throat with a carving lenifo. Tier husband left home at' 9 o'clock, when everything was in a normal condition. Ho returned later, and discovered his wife lying faco downward on a stretcher in a pool of blood, with tho knife lying beside her head. _ Her injuries were of a terrible raturo, arid she died shortly afterwards. Tho deceased had no family, and was alone in Iho house when the deed was committed. Sho had been in ill-lieaith for some time.

An old man named Gcorgo Fletcher, aged 76, was found dead on October 12 near a cattle-stop by the Onehunga station, master as the latter was walking down the line to Penrose, Onehunga. . Deceased had his back broken and a lacerated wound. No explanation is forthcoming, except that the old man fell off the train last night- or was hit by the cow-catcher and thrown to one side of the line. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned. The engine-driver said he had observed nothing of deceased. The body of Lena Sullivan, 40 ycare of ago, was found ill tho Wellington Harbour on the 12th. Tlioro were no marks of violence. Tho deceased was well known to the police. MISCELLANEOUS.' Tenders for 13,783 forfeited Bank of New Zealand shares were opened to-day. Tendcrs for 60,000 shares were, received at prices ranging from £4 Is to £6 10s ucr share. All the tenderers at £6 Is 6d"or over will receive allotments in full. Those at £6 Is will receive allotment pro rata, probably about one-third of tlio numlx-.r of shares applied for. Those tendering at less than £6 Is receive no allotments, The Citizens' Life Assurance Company (Ltd.) has taken up a loan of £16,000 re(piircd in connection with the Pahuerston North drainage scheme, and also a £26,000 loan required for the town water supply extension.

Tha Southland News states that tlio settlers in' (he Glencoe district have put their shoulders to the wheel and have decided lo build a school on tho debenture system. All the shares have been taken up, and tho erection will bo gone on with at ouce.

Referring lo the Auckland telegram stating that Captain Warwick intended making a voyage round the world in the yacht Kia. Ora, the Auckland Herald gives some further particulars. The Kia Ora is a small wooden yacht, 22ft in length, and of two-and-a-half ton burden, and is the smallest boat that has ever been used for such a journey. Though small the Kia Ora rides the water well, is almost new, and has excellent equipment for a boat of her size. She was built by Messrs Bailey and Lowe in 1903, ana it was in this boat that Sowdcn and Buekeridge entered upon a similar adventure, the latter losing his lifo when near the Chatham Islands, and Sowden returning to Auckland. Captain Warwick is anxious lo undertake the trip, and if he is successful his adventure will bo more sensational than tho voyage of Captain Voss, in the Tiiikum, for the Kia Ora is only about half the size of the American skiff. The route proposed to be taken is from Auckland lo Wellington, tlicnce to Adelaide, to Mauritius, to Capetown, thence to Loudon. While on the return journey the Kia Ora will round Cape Horn. Captain Warwick is the holder of the Queen's prize for navigation, and is confident that with a capable mate he will successfully accomplish tho trip. The Kia Ora is now being got, ready for the voyage, and it is probable that- the journey will bo commenced in a week or two.

The voyage of ihe Kuinara, which arrived from England on the 14th inst., was an unfortunate one, no lessthat four deaths occurring. Throe children died-—two from chills—and a passenger named W. J. Crompton succumbed to an attack of peritonitis, following on dysentery. During the past fortnight a bore has been put down at the Milburn Lime and Cement Company's works at Polichet Day. On the 17th inst. a fino stream of water was struck at a depth of 107 ft. The point at which the bore was put down is through reolaimed land, and well within tho area, of the old harbour. As the company uses a large quantity of water tho stream should provo a valuable asset. The water is pure, and as clear as crystal.

' In the course of an address at a missionary meeting last week tho Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr Neligan) mado some interesting references to mission work amongst the Maoris. Ho said the diocese of Auckland contained half the Maori population of New Zealand, and the whole of the rest, of the Church of the Province* of Now Zealand was giving this diocese tho magnificent 6um of £266 for the year's work amongst the Maoris. Tho Standing Committee had made a protest to the Maori Mission Board. The assessment for the Auckland diocese this year was raised to £1014, and the block grant was reduced to £266. Last year the assessment was £725, and with great difficulty that was raised. This diocese had half the Maori population of the colony, and 8000 of these people were either heathen or apostate. The Archdeacon of Hawke's Bay had generously come to their assistance with a promise of 33 1-3 per cent, on all moneys collected in the diocese for the Maori missions—(applause),—and with that generous help tho diocese should bo able to face its task. The Maori mission work was ftdl of encouragement, and recently five Maoris were,ordained, a total never before reached at ono ordination. In Taranaki good work was going on, and tho missionaries were penetrating right into the centre of Te Whiti-ism. In the AVaikato Mahuta. was now practically extending good encouragement towards Christian work.

The railway returns for the four-weekly period ended September 16 show that the number of miles open for traffic was 2382, and that the revenue was £157,484 and the expenditure £113,627, the latter being 69.56 per cent, of the revenue. The HurunuiBluff section, on which 1240 miles were open for traffic, yielded a revenue of while fte expenditure i?as £55,912,

the percentage of the latter as compared with the former being 70.27. The revenue from tho Lake. Wakatipu steamers wa3 £297, but tho--expenditure amounted to £411. The Westland section (117 miles) and the Wcstport. section (51 miles) brought in £6962 and £6259 respectively, while the expenditure on the former section was £4723 and on the latter £3177. The revenue (£1153) on the Nelson section of 33 miles was derived, on an expenditmo of £1083, and tho cost of working the Picton sect ion (34 miles) was £1059, the revenue being £1309. The total revenue from tho South Island lines was £88,896 and tho expenditure £66,433. In the North Island -927-miles were open for traffic,, and the revenue therefrom was £68,588 and the expenditure £47,194, or 70.62 per cent, jjf tlie revenue. Tho Auckland section (3-7.7 miles) yielded a revenue of £22,447 on an expenditure of £14,149, and on the Napior-Wollington-New Plymouth section (484 miles) tho revenue was £43,127 and. the expenditure £31,325. Tho Whangarei section • (2& miles) brought in a rovemio of £1938, while the expenditure was £892. ~ ~

.Mr A R. Barclay, who defended Daniel Swan on a charge of wife murder at. Invercargill, has rppeivod official notification that his Excelloncy. the Governor has been pleased to commute the death sentence passed to cno of imprisonment for life. A seaman named Alfred Leenston, belonging to the- s.s. • Kent, - has reported to tlio police that- on- Wednesday ho met a man near the shipping office, who inquired if ho was about to ship in tho Manuka. Leenston replied in tho negative, whereupon tho man- stated- that ho wanted a quiet talk in tho'tunnel'with him. On getting there tho man stabbed tho unsuspecting sailor iri the abdomen and then mado off. Dr Barrio rendered prompt assistance. The injured man has given a description of his assailant to tlio police who are inquiring into tlio matter.