LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 16

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The Minister of Public Works and DefeDce (the Hoa. J. Seddon) is expected in Dunedin in about a fortnight's time: Mr W. Dawson, M.H.8.,,0n Tuts Jay introduced to the Minister of Lands Dr G. Macdonald, who stated that; he had three oases of lupus in the face to deal with> all in married females, who were urging him to procure some of Dr Koch's lymph to try and cure them of the disease. ,Mr Dawson knew of one of the cases, and hence his interest in the matter. Dr Macdonald stated that the lymph was presently being tried in the Melbourne and Sydney hospitals, and that if the New Zealand Government pressed the matter some of the lymph might be had. from either of these sources. The Minister of Lands promised to telegraph to the Premier io Wellington at once, and see what steps have been taken iv the matter, and if possible procure a small supply of the lymph and send it on to Dunedia without delay. The foundation etone of the new Roman Catholic church at Lawrence was dedicated on Tuesday by the Most Rev. Bishop Moran. The building, which occupies a promiuenfc site* is of brick and stone, and is already half completed. Mass was celebrated at ll o'clock by the bishop, when there was a large congregation^ many Catholics from all parts of the district attending. A procession was then formed, and, headed by a number of acolytes from St. Joseph's, Dunedin, proceeded to the new building, where a large concourse of people assembled. The " Miserere " and " Magnificat " were sung by the clergy present and the boys. The dedication service was then proceeded with, the bishop being assisted by the Rev. Fathers O'Leary, Welsh, Mackay, Lynch, O'D nnell (2), and O'Neill (2). The collection placed on the foundation stone amounted to £350. A deputation of citizens will wait on the city and suburban members on Thursday afternoon to urge the passing of a Fair Rent Bill to give relief to those who allege they are paying excessive rentals. A notification in the Gazette is to the effect that on the New Zealand railways hay pressed or unpressed will be carried under class F at owner's risk. The Lyttelton Times reports that a good quantity oi the new season's grain has come to hand at Lyttelton. In many cases, however, the sample is not all it might be, and several lines sent for shipmeut have been rejected at the ship's side. Dampness is one of the chief causes. A notification published in the Invercargill papers at the instance of the Minister of Lands intimates that the Commissioner of Crown Lands will issue licenses to cut firewood, posts, and stakes, &c, in all Crown forests in Southland. This means that for the future only sawmilling timber is included in the licences issued to sawmillers who in Southland have been warning settlers and others against trespassing upon sawmill reserves. The Wesleyan Conference have decided to erect a memorial in stone to the memory of the late John Probert, who recently bequeathed a large sum to the church. Application was leceived from the relatives of deceased for financial help out of the estate, but was deolined, as the conference was only custodian of the money, and had no power to appropriate it < to any other objects than those for which it bad been bequeathed. At the Mosgiel R.M. Court on Saturday, D. Sinclair, licensee of the Mosgiel Hotel was fined £2 and coats for allowing billiards to be played in his hotel after closing hours.— Alex. Campbell was charged, on the information of Inspector Scaife, with having neglected to take the proper steps for the destruction of rabbits on his land, after having been ordered to do so by the court. — After evidence, the defendant was fined £5, and costs. An Auckland Press Association telegram states that news received by the mail shows that the bill which has passed the American legislalature regarding a Pacific cable, really provides for a cable line to be constructed and submerged first from San Franoiaco to Honolulu, and then as soon as practicable to Samoa, New Zealand, and Japan. Upon its completion ft> Hawaii the company is to receive an annual subsidy of 200,000 do). The capital stock will be 5,000,000 do), with power to increase on that amount at will. The principal office will be at San Frauoisco. A number of robberies have been reported during the past few days. The premises of Messrs Carter and Co., George street, were entered, acd over £4 taken. An attempt was made to break into the premises of Lake, tinsmith, Moray place, but the burglars were not successful. It is believed that in all the cases reported the robbera were youths or boys. During a discussion at the Wesleyan Conference on Maori missions, the Rev. Mr Hammond said that iv the district round about Patea there had been of late a great change in the people. A meeting house had baen built, and also a handsome little church. He believed his people had spent nearly £500 within the past few months in the work of religion. They had now a Christian settlement, and the work was spreading from Patea ! o Wanganui. The Maori people were giving up their wicked and drunken habits. He had in his circuit a very sink of iniquity- in Parihaka, and from that place came all the opposition to the work of religion, A mistake had been made in taking so much notice of Te Whiti. He did nob wish to speak of dignitaries, but he felt that the Governor of New Zealand made a sad mistake the other day when he went — unofficially, it was true— to Parihaka. It waß not right for him to have recognised even the existence of a man who had lived so locg, not only in utter defiance of the laws of the land, but in utter defiance of the laws of propriety. The Rev. James Chalmers, missionary, of New Guinea, gave three addresses in the city on Sunday. The number of persons that a:sembled to hear him on each occasion was very large, and his descriptions of missionary work in New Guinea were listened to with great int ereat by old and youngslike. A farewell meeting to Mr and Mrs Chalmer6 was given on Monday evening. Atra meeting of householders in Mosgiel on Friday evening, we iearn from the Advocate, resolutions were passed objecting to the use of the Soubhfru Oiose Roadeia ia hchool, those voting pledging themselves to prevent their use as far as poambie, aud hog to vote at the school rommiWee election for auy candidate favourable to their usj. It was urged that the Goverum< nt should provide a uniform c-eS of books for m.c in thf> .-school... of tho coiuny. The Western Stor says ifc haa reason to bslwve bhafc its former remarks concerning the lack of discipline anioug tho roadmakiug priGoners at Milford Sound in no way overstated the pobition. The information to hand that the prisoners roam about the bush according to the dictates of their own sweet will, spend-

ing most of|the time in smoking. As regards the road making, but verjr litale work has been done, and at the present rate it will be many years before the undertaking initiated is brought to completion. The road, so competent judges tell our contemporary-, will cost at least three times as much to make with prison labour as it would if let by contract or even by day workmen. The London correspondent of the Age, writing oa the 23rd January, gives the following account of the commencement of the revolntion iv Chili :. — " In Chili, which is regarded as the moifc stable State in South America, there is a revolution. The President Balmacedo, who has only a few months longer to remain in office, is accused of intriguing to secure the election as bis successor of a creature of his own ; the majority in Congress threatened to refuse supplies, but he dismissed them, passed the budget over their beads, and issued an appeal to the nation. The Congress is backed up by the navy— the President by the army. The former have blockaded Iquique, Pisagua, and Caleta Buena, and tho latest accounts state that there has been smart fightiDg in the streets of Valparaiso. In Brazil the Ministry has resigned en i masse, owing to some difference of opinion with the Marshal President, possibly over the divi- ! sion of the plunder. The Eakanui Relief Fund Committee have decided to close the subscription lists on March 31. A sub-committee is at present engaged making inquiries as to tho best method of allocating the fund. It will bo remembered that when tho Minister of Lands was interviewed last week by a deputation repreaeutiug the unemployed he undertook to communicate with the Minister of Public Works with regard to the necessity of finding temporary work for those who were out of employment. Mr Seddon proposes, we understand, to have sections for formation of the Ngskawau railway at Westport Hid off, in the view of employing suitable hands there at schedule rates, the men authorising one or more of themselves to act as principals. The Minister's original intention is believed to havu been to employ at this work men who lost their situations in the railway .service through the strike, but on reflection he has deemed it advisable that a wider range should be giveii to his scheme. At the last meeting of tho Universes Council, the Finance Commit ire* report stated that. Mr Corbstfc, of Winton, bud waited on the committee, and made an offer for 1000 acres of the Fowst Hill run It was resolved to submit the eamu to the council, with a recommendation for its acceptance, provided arrangements can bo made with the present tenant for permission being giveD. It was resolved to recommend to the council that the lease of Barewooa be sca'ed aud signed. In the matter of the Barewood pre-emption, the chairman was directed to make inquiries infcj the matter and report. Mr Stanford explained that Mr Corbett offered to lease the Forest Hill land for five years at 4d per acre, and for three years more at 6d per acre, with an optional purchasing clause at ' at 12s 6d per acre, 'but Mr Roberts, the chairman of the committee, suggested that the rental should be 4d per acre for five years and 6d for three years with a compulsory purchasing clause at 14s, and these terms Mr Corbett now offered. After a conversational discussion, it was resolved to refer Mr Corbett's offer back to the committee for renewed consideration. During hia reoent Southland trip the Minister of Lands received a deputation on the rabbit question while pasaing through Wyndham. In reply to the statements made Mr M'Kenzie said he knew as much a*bout the subjeot as anybody. He was a member of the House when the act was passed. They must remember that when the act was passed it was considered that inspectors would have a great deal of trouble in proving their oases againat landowners and neighbours in sympathy with one another, A great deal was said last session about such arbitrary powers being in the possession of one individual ; but settlers oould now bring in evidenoe in mitigation of the fine. The fine was also in accordance with the area of country held by the defendant. There were a number of people who were very negligent of their duty, and it was difficult to draw the line. He admitted some queer decisions had been given by the magistrates, and in his opinion blame was also attributable to some of the inspectors themselves — men who had been unsuccessful in other occupations, and who were then put into this position. He had placed Mr Bitohie in charge of the Stock department, aud if any man could carry out the duties of the office it was Mr Ritchie. He knew him to have charge of an estate of 22,000 acres, and he had scarcely a rabbit on it. The inspectors would bow have a praotioal man over them. Mr Bitohie waß not appointed to harass the settlers ; he would give them all the assistance and advice he oould ; and if the settlers would not be led or advised, than the aot would be enforced. He (Mr M'Konzie) also intended to look after the magistrates that they paid more attention to the act. He would give the aofc a fair trial under Mr Ritchie ; and if he then found it did not do what he expected, he would try to ha\ c the act amended. Iv tho case of large estates the fine Bhould be heavy, but that was where the magistrates generally did not use discretion. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty t° Animals, whose annual meeting took place on the 11th, may fairly base its claim to public support upon its deterrent rather than its punitive action. Only seven persons were prosecuted during the year, and only six convictions resulted. But 98 cases of alleged cruelty to animals were investigated, 60 persons were cautioned (and it is to be presumed desisted from their cruelty), and 12 animals were put out of their misery at the inspector's request. Quite a respectable total , of suffering has thus been averted and ita , recurrence prevented, for a person once cautioned as a rule will not offend again in view of the salutarj manner in which the Bench usually treats such cases. It is gratifying to find that the membership (and with it the funds) is increasing; aud we would urge that greater efforts be made to obtain juvenile members, with, perhaps, branch societies of their own. The juvenile members would by this means not only contribute regularly, but probably maintain unabated interest in the prevention of cruelty. If the society were strong it might extend its operations beyond the prevention of intentional cruelty, and become, fco a greater extent than it is at present, an j educator in the prevention o£ that which arises from want of knowledge.

At the meetiug of the University Council on the 11th, a lefefcir was read frotu a young lady who intimated her desire to ui'tr herself as a student of the medical bchool. with a vie.v to proceeding to a degree iv inediciue.and inquired if ib'was competent for her to attend the medical classes. Mr Cargill remarked that the council had resolved some years ago to admit; women to

the medical school. Mr Stanford said, however, that at that time the question was referred to the professors and lecturers, who replied that i there were very great practical difficulties in the way of admitting ladies to the medical course, inasmdeh- as there were certain subjects upon which it would be necessary to duplicate the lectures as they could not have girls and boys there at the same time. Dr Burns remarked that the difficulty would not be so great if (hero were 12 ladies instead of only one, end Mr Cargill admitted that it would be necessary to make Special arrangements before the young lady in question could bo admitted. The council arrived at no resolution on the matter, but it was understood that Professor Scott would be consulted. At the annual meeting of the New Z "aland Drug Company the linseed industry came up for some discussion. Mr H. W. Mitchell said he believed the directors experienced a difficulty in getting linseed. He suggested that it would be advisable to hold out liberal inducements to people to grow it — even outside the colony — because he believed the industry would be an important and profitable one. The Chairman replied that the directors | could get plenty of linaeed outside the colony, but it would not p»y the company to purchase ie at the market rates. They wanted to get people to grow it in the colony, and had made every effort, by offering gold and silver cups to induce the farmers to grow it, but the past reason had been exceptionally dry, and the crops in the North so far reported on i had not been very abundant. The I directors had advertised largely, as Mr Mitchell knew, and every possible effort had been made to encourage the cultivation of linseed. The company had not made any money, probably a small loss, during the year by this branch of their industry, as their works were being kept idle. That could not be avoided —capital had been snnk in the plant — and he had no doubt it would be a great industry in the futnre, though it might be a matter of time. The board would take into consideration the suggestion to extend the inducements they were offering. The Oamarn Mail says that the residents of the country districts complain greatly cf ft plague of flies this year. The fly ia not the ordinary house fly, though it it Bimilar in «ize to the domestic pest. It is dPßovihod »b beiog of a greenish colour and quite c*pablo of drawing blood with its bite. The Awamoko creek distriot 18 stated to be the worst plagued. The fly is a comparatively new introduction and made its first appearance Borne two or three years back. The (Vaipswa Mail gays :— " The Government, to mark their sense of the unfairness of the prosecution against Mr A. B. Jull, for a technical broach of the Beer Act, have remitted £30, the fine inflicted, together with a formal return of the forfeited plant." Mr L. A. Line (of the Union street school) and Mr John M'Nickle have obtained the M.A. degree, the former with second class honours in mental science, the other with second class honours in mathematics. New regulations for using Government telephone bureau stations have been brought into operation. Where the line used is not more j than six miles, the charge is 6d for a period not exceeding three minutes, with a further charge of 6d for every additional three minutes. Where the line is over six miles in length, the charges are Is for each three minutes. The foregoing applies to towns ; in the country the same charges apply for six minutes. A point of some importance to perpetual lessees cropped up at the meeting of the Land Board oh the 12th. Itis a condition of the occupation of lands on ease, with perpetual right of renewal, that residence en the land leased must commence within six months of the beginning of the term, and persons who have accepted transfers of leases have frequently claimed exemption from residence for six months after the date of the transfer. The board has held, however, that the exemption only applies to the original lessees for six months after the land has been taken up, and not to any subsequent transferee. The proposal to form a New Zealand Alpine Club, which was mooted in an article La our columns a short time ago, has been taken up with great spirit by climbing men in Dunedin and Christchuroh. Mr Malcolm Ross, who drew attention to the desirability of forming such a club, has recently been in communication with Mr Maunering and other wellknown climbers, with the result that the club may now be practically regarded as formed. Among those who will interest themselves in the movement are his Excellency the Governor, who has communicated with Mr Ross, stating that it will give him great pleasure to assist in forming a New Zealand Alpine Club. Inspector Moore, who is about to retire on compensation in accordance with the scheme of retrenchment that the Defence Minister has determined upon in his department, is the only surviving member, on duty iv New Zealand, of the party of police officers who, at tho solicitation of the Provincial Government of Ofcago, transferred in 1861 from the Victorian police service to the Otago provincial servio<», and who arrived in this colony under the command of the late Mr St. John Bran igan. lu6p t ctor Moore was engaged in charge of gold escorts atd districts j combined until the time of the discontinuance j by the Government of escorts, and the TuapeVa district was then placed under his ccm'rol Subsequently he was transferred to the inspectorship of the Southland district, and in January 1890 he succeeded Mr Weldon (whom he had previously relievad for several months, '■ while that gentleman was out of the colony on leave of absence) as inspector of the Dunedin district;. The manner in which he has fulfilled the duties of this office has secured for him tt.e respect of his subordinates and tho confidence of the public, his conduct of affairs during the recent strike affording in itself abundant evidence of his possession of the qualifications requisite for his post", while, at a still later date, he took a prominent part in the bringing to justice of the Rocklands station offenders, working night and day in following up clues that might lead to tho detection of the criminals, and proyJDg that at all events it cannot be because he is incapacitated that he is about to retire. There is a special hardship in the conditions of Inspector Moore's retirement, inasmuch as had he remained in the Victorian 6ervicp, and not h^ve transferred from it, he would.now be entitled to a pension instead of the compensation he receives from the New Zealand Government. At the Port Chalmers Police Court on thel2fc before Messrs E. G. Allen and A. Thomson, J.P.'p, Frederick Allen, William Francis, William Dougal, and William Pearce were charged with Stealing"*, quauliiy of applea from the gnrdsn of Thomas Bates ab Portobello on February 27. Mr Plants appeared for tho accused. The prosecutor said ho had no wish to press tho charge, but only wished it to act as a warning to the lads in the districts. Arthur Winchester, who was called by the police, stated that the whole of the accused, with another boy named Bartoa

and himself, were in the garden, bat not one of them took any apples. Mr Flatts contended that there was no evidence to .prove thart the accused, took any apples, although they admitted being in the garden. Their Worships were of opinion that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction, and after reprimandiug the accused they were discharged. Surprise is expressed at Invercargill at the Hinemoa not having gone to the Macquaries to see whether the Gratitude, now two weeks over due here, had arrived at the island. There is a marked increase in the exports from the Bluff, as compared with those of the previous year. Grain has almost doubled itself; wool shows an increase of 3000 bales) or 20 per cent.; and general merchandise has , also advanced. According to a telegram from Palmerston North, the result of the amended regulations for small farm settlements is that the associations in tbis district are forced to abandon tba idea of taking up land under them. Statements have lately appeared in print to the effect that the Government had offered the Agent-gener»lßhip to Mr Perceval, M.H.R., and intended to include the purchase of the Wellington and M«nawatu railway in their progrHmmo next ses&iou. Neither of these questions have ever been mentioned in the Cabinet, much less decided on. The Minister of Justice, the only representative of the Government now in Wellington, disavows any know* led*e of any such intention on the part of thd Ministry. The employes of Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen throughout the colony have made a donation through Mr P. Smeaton of the moneys refunded to them on accpunt of their exhibition shares, amounting to £16 17s sd, to the Dunedin Art Gallery Committee. As the committee is still in debt, such a handsome donation is most acceptable. - - > John Hooper, aged 76 years, dropped down dead on Monday night iv his garden in Auckland while talking to his wife. He, is supposed to have died from heart disease. The South Canterbury Hospital" Board received notice on Friday of a bequest by R. A. Barker (deceased), a late member of the board, of £2000, subject to a life interest in the income, with a letter expressing the wish that the money be devoted to the erection and maintenance of a special ward for the treatment of females suffering from septio diseases. Tho boardTacknowled^ed the donation with thanks.' The Eaitangata Borough Council has resolved to offer a bonus of £10 for the best and most suitable design for a public ball, to cost £800. A man named John Wilkie .died Buddehly in Melville lane, near Dundas street, North Dunedin, at about 830 p.m. on Monday The body was taken charge of. by the police and removed to the deceased's home in** King .street. Dr Closs was called in, and pronounced life to be extinct. Death is supposed to have been due to an affection of the heart. Deceased was a man of about 50 years of age, and was a stonemason. He leaves a wife and grown up famjly.; There is a championship vacant — a rare occurrence nowadays. England possesses no champion of the game of draughts. James Spenuymore, who held the title since 1884, when he defeated Jackson in the tournament at Manchester after a keen struggle, died a few months ago. Arrangements have been concluded -for a tourney, to be held in March, in which the 'sue cossor to the championship will be decided. There will be a monetary prize of £20, but the real honour will be the title which the most successful competitor will secure. In the course of a reoent interview with a representative of the Gaulois on, the subjeot of disarmament of the European Powers, Bur Charles Dilke said he was convinced that a disarmament would'not take place because Russia would not consent to it, forced as' she was to maintain a formidable army on a peace footing > as a set off against the delays of mobilisation in a country where railways were few. Sic Charles did not think that a war was probable for the present, as the Czar was peacefully disposed, and so long as Russia did not move no other country in Europe would take any action. He nevertheless believed that a European conflict was bound to break out one day. The question of AlsaceLorraine would of necessity lead to a renewal of the struggle between France and Germany, in which Great Britain would observe a wise neutrality. The subject of the naval forces of the several Continental powers was then touched upon. The Italian and German fleets, Sir ' Charles Dilke observed, would unite against the French, but he considered .that the hitter was now in a position to carry on a victorious fight against the combined naval forces of Germany and Italy. The French ships were, superbly manned ; but they were in one respe'ot inferior to those of the allies in that they were unable to travel fast. ' -