LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1949, 2 July 1891, Page 30

LOCAL & GENERAL.

An error has crept into the report of the nspe3tor-General with reference to the Seaoliff Asylum. The report states that three suicides took place at Seaoliff, whereas, in reality, there were only two. Further, the suggestion conveyed in our leading article of Wednesday that these suicides might possibly be associated with the increased liberty now accorded to patients is not borne out by the circumstances connected with the (wo suicides whioh actually did take place, One of the oases was that of a woman under special supervision, who managed to kill herself during the absence on leave of the medical superintendent, and at a time when the institution was disorganised through influenza. So severe was the epidemic that half the female staff, including the matron, and all the senior attendants, were prostrated simultaneously, and six inexperienced temporary hands bad to be engaged to tide over the emergency, The other case was that of a man who had been working outside for years, and who, without previous warning, suddenly developed a suicidal impulse He was working cutting piles at the margin of the bush, with a small party of eight patients ander one of the most experienced attendants, when daring the confusion caused from a shower of rain coming on and the men having to seek cover, he managed to get out of sight, made for the nearest water, and drowned himself before aid could be rendered. It is obvious thatßuoh accidents may happen occasionally in any asylum, and it is gratifying to think that | though for three years ne»rly 200 men have been engaged daily about the farm, garden, &c, no death has as yet resulted from the fact of thus healthfully employing the energies of the male population of the asylum in outdoor occupations. The War Cry states that General Booth is expected to arrive at Auckland on or about October 20, and his stay in the oolony will be of two weeks' duration. It is proposed to concentrate the general's visit on Christcburoh, and to this end, if practicable, every officer in the colony will be brought in to the meetings.

It appears that it was not Dr Cole, bnt Dr D. J, Somerville (son of Mr Somerville, clerk of the R.M. Court here) who has been appointed surgeon of the Auokland Hospital. The Wanganni Herald states that what is driving the people away from New Zealand is the scarcity of steady employment and the difficulty of getting land for small farm settlement. The scarcity of employment has been largely caused by the low values of cereals for some yean past, whioh have crippled the farmers and left them little or no profit on their operations. Local industries are left to languish by the people themselves, preferring, as they often do, to buy an inferior imported article in preference to a locally made one of better quality, because of the difference in prioe. The want of a national spirit is doing much harm. "We want the people to be proud of New Zealand and its products ; to stand up for their country and its manufactures; and to band themselves together to push it ahead of its rivals, and to make it the Britain of the South, with a large population of busy and prosperous workers. To bring this about land must be within reach of small capitalists, local Industries must be loyally supported, and the

everlasting wail of the 'croakers' drowned in the busy sounds of increased industry and general prosperity."

The Rev. F. W. Martin, of Clyde, has been offered a cure in the diocese of Christohurch by the bishop, but has decided to remain in the diocese of Dunedin.

At the R.M. Court on the 25th Alfred Fred. Blatch, farmer, owner )of section 3, block 11, Otago Peninsula, laid a complaint against William Weir, farmer, occupier of sections 60, 1 of 61, 2 of 61, and 62, block 11, Otago Peninsula.— The complaint was that William Weir had been served with notice to fence under section 10 of « The Fencing Act 1881," on January 4th, 1891," and that the notice to fence had not been complied with, Wm. Weir alleging that a line other than the true boundary line was the proper line to fence.— Mr Finch appeared for complainant, and Me B. O. Haggitt for Mr W. J. M. Larnaoh, who, as owner of the land ocoupied by Weir, defended.— For the plaintiff it was contended that there was no proper fence on the boundary line, and that the existing fence was on the wrong line. Plaintiff had the line surveyed, and found that the old line was wrong (plan produced). — The defence set up was that the owner (Mr Larnach) had a prescriptive right to the land up to the original boundary fence under the provisions of the Statute of Limitations.— After occupying the attention of the court all day, Mr Carew reserved his decision.

The Herald states that Mr Ballance intends to pay a visit to Auckland at the end of the end of the session, and to go over the north, narrowly inspecting the village settlements to see if the system cannot be extended. He is certain that in the northern portion of the colony there is a large extent of land most suitable for the formation of special settlements. However, in the formation of future settlements the settlers will be selected. These settlements will not be made only to swallow up the unemployed, but care will be taken that the men placed on the land are fitted for this position, and are likely to make a success of their efforts. The Premier is absolutely in the right in this idea. The weak point of the special settlements formed in the north has been that many of the men never could become agricalturaf settlers, whatever assistance might be given them by the Government in the way of road works or in clearing their allotments.

On the death of Mr James Maoandrew in 1887 steps were taken in the direction of securing a memorial whereby the memory of the statesman and pioneer with whose life the early history of Otago was indissolubly bound up should be perpetuated. A meeting, convened by the mayor (Mr R. H. Leary), was accordingly held in the Town Hall on Maroh 3 of that year, and the leading citizens took part in the proceedings. It was decided at the meeting to organise a public subscription throughout the oolony, and particularly in the provinces of Otago and Southland, for the purpose of providing a memorial ; and it was further decided to give subscribers the option of directing whether their subscriptions should go towards the foundation of a Maoandrew scholarship in the University of Otago, the ereotion of a statae,or be left uncoaditionally in the hands of the committee. On June 17 the sub-committee submitted a report, whioh stated that £665 had been subscribed, and they agreed to a resolution devoting £500 of this sum to the foundation of a scholarship as already indicated, and the balance of about £150 to the erection of a a statue or memorial tablet. The family left by Mr Maoandrew declined to personally benefit by the fund in any way. At a general meeting of subscribers on June 29, it was reported that the subscriptions had reached a total of £738 12s sd, and it was then agreed to confirm the resolution of the sub-committee to allocate £500 for the scholarship, and to invest the balance for 12 months with the view of erecting a monument. The scholarship has been duly established, and the monument has now been procured. It will be placed at the northern apex of the Triangle, where the pedestal is now being erected. The memorial ie in the shape of a marble bust, of life size and a-half, and has been executed to the order of the committee by Messrs George Munro and Sons, in their studio at Carrara, Italy. The likeness to the original has been preserved with great fidelity. The public unveiling will take place on Saturday next.

The National Liberal Association have passed the following resolution :— " That this association is of opinion that the time has arrived when the Legislative Council, as at present constituted, should be abolished, and that a Revising Committee should be substituted in its place." Sir Robert Stout spoke strongly in favour of the abolition of the Council.

The following Crown lands were disposed of at the looal office during the week ;— Section 19, block XIV, Maniototo, comprising 59 acres 2 rood 13 poles (cash prioe 15s), to Maria Graham, on perpetual lease ; section 56, block IV, Catlins, comprising 95 acres 2 roods 2 poles (cash price 15s), to Henry Reid, on perpetual lease; section 49, block IV, Catlins, comprising 52 acres 14 poles (cash prioe 10s), to Miohael O'Connell, on perpetual lease; section 30, block 11, Catlins, 247 acres 3 roods 26 poles (cash price 15s), to George Ord, on perpetual lease.

The Clatha Leader states that a distinguished visitor, to Balolutha during the latter part of last summer, and then known as Mr Smith, has been having a good time of it in an adjoining distriot as Lord Wortley, eldest son of the Earl of Wharncliffe. At a leading hotel, in a sequestered vale, he dispensed lavish hospitality, purchased the Fasaifern estate, and was in negotiation for Brooksdale. A manager was engaged at £200 a year, and a livery stablekeeper maintained a horse for his lordship's use. On Saturday evening the distinguished visitor was indisposed, and at 9 o'clock in the evening he disappeared, without settling for the sumptuous luncheons, ohampagne suppers, &o. He made his way along the railway line to Kelso, bat had the misfortune to fall into the Flodden. Announcing himself as Lord Wortley, he ordered a buggy and pair to be ready in the morning, but when morning came he disappeared again, forgetting to liquidate sundry accounts. Lord Wortley inspired confidence, it appears, by flourishing what was mistaken for a bundle of notes. Those who have a penchant for taking illustrious strangers under their wing are somewhat downcast at the result.

At Ashburton on Thursday, Constable David Smart was charged with refusing to stop persons betting on the Ashburton racecourse (betting being prohibited by the stewards), or to eject them when requested by the stewards to do so ; refusing to take a person into custody for using abusive and insulting language to the secretary of the Ashburton Racing Club; insolent oondnot towards the stewards of the club; and betting himself. The charges were laid by Inspector Fender, in consequence of a complaint made by the Raoing Club as to Smart's conduct. After hearing the evidence, Mr Wray, R.M., said there was no doubt a man named Smith had used language of an abusive nature, but the constable had used his discretion to the best of his ability in not arresting him. The charges of neglect of duty and betting failed. Smart's tone towards the stewards wan not what it should have been, and he should, strive to improve

himself id this respect. Smart would be cautioned on this charge, and his Worship thought that the caution and the lecture that Smart now received before the public would be sufficient without any further penalty. Costs were refused.

The Postmaster-general, the Hob. J. G. Ward, is to be presented with an epergne by the officers in the instrument rooms of the six principal stations in ,New Zealand. It is in the form of a vase at the elaborately embossed base of which are two figures in classical attire. From the bowl of the vase is suspended a cradle of New Zealand silver, gilt, shaped like a boat, and bearing the following inscription:— "To the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-general and Eieotrio Telegraph Commissioner, from the officers of the telegraph staffs, Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurob,and Dunedin, to commemorate the birth of his son, Gladstone William, born May 14, 1891." The vase is surmounted by a handsome dish of oat glass for fruit.

An inquest was held on Thursday into the circumstances attending the burning of a staok of linseed, the property of Mr John Slater Shaw, farmer, of Waikoikoi, destroyed at the beginning of the week. There was an insurance on the stack in the New Zealand office of £100. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the stack was "casually set fire to and burned." A case of sheep stealing occupied two justices at Timaru all day on Friday till 9 p.m. David Campbell, an Otago man, who lately took up a small grazing run on Mount Nessing station, was charged with stealing 16 sheep from Robert Rutherford, of Mount Nessing. Those were found on his premises bearing prisoner's brand (the station brand invisible), and the station earmark altered. The case far the prosecution goes further, and showed that 325 of Rutherford's young ewes had the earmark altered to accused's earmark for the. alleged purpose of claiming them by the earmark at the next shearing, when the brand would be indistinot or invisible. Accused was committed for trial at Oamaru. Another information is pending of stealing 64 sheep from Mr D. M'Leod, who took up an adjoining small run, but sold it, and left a number of sheep behind. These were found bearing prisoner's brand, and the earmarks altered to his, though M'Leod's brand was quite plain on them.

The Postmaster-general (the Hon. J. G. Ward) and Mr H. S. Valentine arrived in Dunedin by the express from the north on Saturday night. Mr Ward proceeded south od Monday morning.

The Government are said to have received as many as a hundred applications for the position of messenger of the custom house, which was filled by the missing man Wbittock. It is understood, though, that no new appointment will be made, but that the position will be given to one of, the messengers already in the Government service.

Circulars have been issued by the secretary of the Government Labour Bureau to secretaries of trades unions, postmasters, constables, and others inviting them to fill up a schedule prepared giving the number of unemployed fit to perform manual labour, and being in need of work.

According to the Attorney-general the cost of publishing a new and revised edition of Hooker's "New Zealand Flora," now out of print, would be about £2000. The Government are of opinion that Kirk's work meets all requirements.

Visitors to the Maori "kaik" at Akaroa (says the Obristchuroh Press) cannot fail to be struck with the sad evidence it affords of the deoline of the Maori. What used at one time to be an important and populous Native settlement now contains only about 20 Maoris, including children, and these evidently in a state bordering on distress. The little church of which .the kainga boasts is seldom used. The Maoris, however, take a good deal of interest in the Bohool, which seems to be very well conducted, under the management of Mr Malony, an experienced Native teacher, who went through the Maori war, and at one time was master of the Waikouaiti school in Otago. There are 11 Maori and 16 European children attending the school. All the usual elementary subjects are taught, and only the English language is allowed to be used in the school. It is an interesting andalmost pathetic sight to see the wistful eager ness with which the little Maori ohildren apply themselves to their [slates and reading books. In general intelligence they seem to be rather above than below the European children with whom they are associated. The experience of the teacher is that up to a certain stage they get on better than the little pakehas; then, however, they seem to fall away, and the latter pass them. The European children apparently have more " staying " power.

A company is being formed at Oamara to test the coal measures of the district, and Professor Ulrich is to be asked to indicate the best place to commence. The promoters of the scheme (says the North Otago Times) are absolutely convinced that good coal is to be had right through the Waiareka basin in almost inexhaustible quantities.

The usual weekly meeting of the Anchor of Hope Lodge, No. 74, 1.0. G.T., was held on Saturday night in the schoolroom, Mosgiel, Bro, Turnbull, C.T., presiding, when visits were received from the Pride of Dnnedin and All Welcome Lodges. Bros, Trenwitb and Vine, delegates from the District Lodge Convention, urged the Mosgiel and Woodside Lodges to join with the town lodges in establishing a district lodge. A good programme of songs, reading?, and recitations was gone through, after which refreshments were handed round. Bro. Walker (AH Welcome Lodge, Woodside), Nicol (Pride of Donedin), and Vine (Break of Day, Ander* son's Bay), responded to the vote of thanks to the visitors.

In the District Court at Oamara on Friday, Judge Ward was asked to declare the interest of Robert Ross, of Redcliff, a bankrupt, in his deferred payment land to be property devisable among his creditors. It was stated (says the Waimate Times) that the bankrupt had obtained from Mr Hayes timber and other materials for building a house, whioh he had erected upon a deferred payment section, and afterwards filed without paying for the materials. His Honor said that he was sorry he would have to give his decision against the application; hut on the ground of a decision given by Mr Justice Denniston, that all the conditions of the license mast be fulfilled before the property could be made assignable, except in aspeoial way provided by the act, he must hold that the bankrupt's interest did not pass to the assignee. The bankrupt was a rogue and a swindler, who had contrived to possess himself of a house and other property whioh could not be touched, but had done it by robbing his creditors. Mr Clement said his clients were desirous of having a judicial determination on the matter, as it was their intention to lay the matter before Parliament to obtain an amendment of the law. The assignee said there had been numerous oases of fraud under this deferred payment system, and there was a good opportunity now for getting the law amended whilst a new Bankruptcy Act was before the House. His Honor suggested that the assignees should combine to make a representation to Parliament on the subject.

The men employed by the City Corporation to obtain signatures to the petition to be presented to Parliament in favour of an extension of the Northern Cemetery found, on making a house-to-house canvass, that they were unable in a great many instances to obtaiu the signatures of the breadwinners of the families, owing to their being absent from Donedin in searoh of employment.

We are informed that a young man, from Oamaru, named John Murray, one of the patients undergoing treatment by Koch's tuberculine in the hospital, died somewhat suddenly on Saturday morning, bat that the tuberouline had nothing to do with the fatality, the cause of death being a tumour in the brain. It may be further mentioned that the case was not one of lupus, but of general tuberculosis.

Our Arrowtown correspondent telegraphs that phenomenally hard frost has prevailed there for more than a week, the thermometer registering between 6deg and 6deg below freezing point in well-built houses in the mornings.

In the case of Bowerman Bros. v. William Miohie, a claim of £10 5s for 41 parts of the " Picturesque Atlas of Australasia," which was heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court last week, judgment was given on Monday by Mr E. H. Carew for the plaintiff. When the case was heard it was stated that there had been a forgery, botn the defendant and his daughter swearing that an order whioh was signed by the defendant was signed with pen and ink, whereas the order produced in court, containing a signature which was alleged to be the defendant's, was signed with an indelible ink pencil. The magistrate, was not satisfied that there had been a forgery, and held that the plea of fraud which had been set up had not been proved. On the application of Mr North, counsel for the defendant, the order was impounded by the court for seven days, counsel for the plaintiff consenting.

A " book fiend," who had a good many business transactions with residents on the Peninsula which led to a considerable amount of litigation, found it necessary recently to pay a visit to that district again, but fearing that some of the inhabitants might be too assiduous in their attentions, he claimed the protection of the law, and had to be escorted on his journey by a police officer.

At the bankruptcy sittiag of the District Court at Oamaru on Friday, Judge Ward suspended the discharges of G. M. Aldrioh for 12 months, and of W. H. S. Roberts for six months. In the case of John Everest, of Palmerston, his Honor said he had always refrained from making an order for imprisonment because a bankrupt had not kept reasonable and proper books. He held with Mr Justice Williams on this point that it would require to be shown that fraud was intended. In the present case the assignee, who was quite right in bringing the case before the conrt, was acting as administrator in the estate of Jordan, and there was nothing to show how Jordan's books were kept. They might have been as badly kept/as bankrupt's. He did not think it would be right to strain the act (for it would be straining the act) to punish bankrupt with imprisonment, who could be dealt with when he came up for his order of discharge. No order would be granted.

At Pentridge Gaol on June 17 (writes our Melbourne correspondent) an inquest was held concerning the death of William John Henningham. This prisoner, who was the founder of the Evening Star in Dunedin, and had in recent years been conducting a newspaper in Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales, was sentenced by Mr Justice VBeekett on Ist May last to three years' imprisonment, with hard labour, for uttering a forged conveyance of some suburban land near Melbourne. He was charged with the forgery of the deed also, but this could not be traced to him. When he went to Pentridge he was found to be suffering from phthisis and Bright's disease, and he became an inmate of the gaol hospital. He died on the 15th inst.

The NorWioh Union Company received advice of the burning down of Mr David Raitt's house at Milburn on Monday morning. Insurances : £100 on the building and £50 on the furniture.

The inspector of police has received information that the body of a young man named Jobn Snow was found in the Taieri river late on Tuesday afternoon. Deceased was missed from his home on Sunday, and his hat and jacket being found on the river bank, search was made and the body found in the river. He was 20 years of age, and was of weak intellect. The coroner has been apprised of the circumstance.

The Dunedin Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Dog Society have received 1212 entries for the seventh annual show, exhibits coming from all parts of the colony. The poultry entries reached 743 -an increase of 50 over last^ear; pigeons (117) are 26 to the good ; whilst oanaries (192) and dogs (160) show a Blight falling off as compared with last year.

The receipts at the principal railway stations in New Zealand for year ending March 31 were : —Auckland £34,181, Napier £21,561, Wellington £28,421, Brunner £15,043, Waimangaroa £21,962, Nelson £5198, Blenheim £3204 19s Bd, Lyttelton £62,884, Christohurch £57,830, Dunedin £89,081, Invercargill £34,448. The stations in the Hurunui-Bluff section which have a revenue of over £5000 a year are:— Addington £5302, Belfast £6206, Eaiapoi £7060, Rangiora £5129, Culverden £5283, Rakaia £13,992, Ashbarton £19.020, Temuka £5266, Timaru £24.411, Oamara £18,747, Palmerston £6512, Port Chalmers £8679, Burnside £6077. Milton £7324, Lawrence £5923, Stirling £18,633, Balclutha £9420, Kelso £5642, Gore £11,923, Riversdale £10,273, Woodlands £10,838, Bluff £7986, Winton £6306, Otautau £9148, Lumsden £5528.

Mr Newton King, president of the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, in his address, said that the district had advanced considerably daring the year, and that the prices of cattle had risen 50 per cent, during the last six months. 1 Both imports and exports had increased, and the present year's returns would be very large. The district was making rapid strides every year.

In his address to the WellingtonSChamber of Commerce, the president referred to the increase of deaths in the colony daring the past year from cancer, which be attributed to the want of proper inspection of slaughter houses and dairies. The statistics showed that 216 oases were treated, and that 63 deaths resulted. Mr Baitt, whose house was burnt down at Milburn early on Monday moaning, estimates that he loaes £150 by the fire. Mrs Raitt and the four children were removed without difficulty, bat a sheepdrover named William Beattie, who was also sleeping on the premises, was almost suffocated by the smoke, and was on the point of falling insensible while trying to make his way out at the window when Mr Baitt came to his assistance. As it was, he was severely burnt about the faoe, and hia eyes were affected to such an extent that his sight entirely left him, bat it is hoped that the blindness is only temporary. A sum of £22 in notes was destroyed, and not a particle of f amitare was saved. The coal export from Greymouth last week was 3021 tons,