LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 17

LOCAL & GENERAL.

At Monday's meeting of the University Council a letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, enclosing a bill of lading for a case containing the reports of the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, the documents having been presented to the Otitgo University by the Imperial Government. Ou the motiou of Dr Hockm, it was decided to write Home thanking the authorities for so magnificent and valuable a gift. Mr James Allen, M.H R., addressed his constituents at Milton, on Monday evening, when, despite the bad weather, there was a large attendance. .Mr Donald Reid,. Mayor of Milton, presided. Mr AH«n spoke for au hottr and a-balf, delivering an interesting address. Referring to 'the criticism of the Opposition by members of the Government, he said the Opposition ou?ht not to bit asked for th*ir policy until called upon to formul&te one as a Government ; but they could agree on general principles,- amongst the roost important of which" were honesty of administration and compliance with the law. He charged the Goternmfiit with recklessness, and with disobedience to and evasion of the law. Mr Allen criticised the recent speeches by the Colonial Trea-urer and the Minister for Lands, and concluded by asking the e'ecturs of the colony to insist on compliance with the law, candour in dealing with the public, and honest administration on the part of the Government. On the motion df Mr James Inglio, a practically unanimous vote of thanks arid confidence was accorded to Air Allen. There wai a crowded attendance on Mund%j night in the Salvation Army barracks, whan a social address was given by Captaia Bishop, the secretary for reeoue work in the colony. Mr F. Graham presided, and m introducing the captain lauded the re«cue work of th*> Army, Mr Dimond also testified to the efficacy of the Army's social operations. Captain Bifthopjt.hen spoke for upwards of an hour, at tittK-a being quite eloquent, aud eveking rounds of applause. In dealing with statistics he mn.t<onpcl that in New Zealand alone there were provided annually 98 000 meals and 29,000 bsds, at a cost of upwards of £32 per week, Dunedin alone supplying 14,693 meals and 4890 beds last year. Mention wan made of the opening up of a Maternity Home in the near future. An appeal was made to the audience, and a response to the amount of £10 was the result. The High Schools Board of Governors, in appoii'ting Mr T. S. Baker to the management of 'the boarding establishment attached to the B.'js' High Sohool, han granted him permission to hold a private , pn<parat»ry school on the house premiHes. Mr Baker will receive into bis school boys who are not old enough or who are not s<ifflci' j ntly advanced to enter th<» Boy»' High School. Air Baker has been so long and favourably known as a capable mnnager of boarding schools for boys that the Board of Governors may be considered fortunate in securing his services in connection with the house of the Bojs' High School. The private preparatory school which tsr Baker intends to . open will in uo w*y conflict with the intt-.rests of. the. High School, but will r&ther tend to strengthen the school, by supplying a preparatory training desired by some parents for their sons, but not at present available in Dun*din. Three members of the New Zealand Alpine Club with two friends spent tbair Raster holidays in climbing the Rrmarkubles. The Lake Wakaiipu Mail states that camping one' night at an altitude of 6000 ft four of the party climbed the southern peak of the Triple Cone, a by no means difficult task. Later in the day, how* ever, two of the party made the ascent of the Middle Cone, the reute cho'eu being up the precipitous walls of rock which form the eastern f»ce uf the peak. This ia believed to be the fiwt ascent of this peak, on the top of which there is barely room to stand, while on the Queemtuwn side there is a sheer drop of nearly 1000 ft. The view* of mountain scenery! enhauced by the mist effects, wore marvellously grand, Earnilaw, Anpifing, and other high snowclad peaks towering above the banks of sunlit cloud that stretchrtd across the island and northwards for fully 200 mile*. On the southern peak the party had the good fortune to witness a fine example of the race spectre of the Brookeu, and a double ringed " glory" or rainbow halo. On the very point of the middle peak, 7700 odd feet above sea level, was found a dead humble bee. A cairn was built on this peak by Dr Cox, of Timaru, and in it was placed a record <f the ascent. Some excellent photographs were secured during the trip by Mr W. J. Hudgkins, of Inveroargill, including raVher a unique one of the middle peak, on whioh the two intrepid climbers who made the ascent appear as little dots no bigger than pins' heads. At the last meeting of the Southland Education Board Mr J. W. Bain said that too many teachers were being trained, aud he quoted the state of affairs in Otago in proof thereof. He thought instead of appointing so many pupil te&chprs the pupils in the gevanth standard, which was an extra one, ought to be employed occasionally in assisting teachers - without any prospect being held out of their being ultimately engaged as pupil teachers. Replying to a deputation at Naseby, which asked for a reduction in the rates charged on the Otago Central railway, the Minister for Lands (according to the Mount Ida Chronicle) stated that he was informed by the Minister for Railways that the granting of the demand would mean a loss of £3000 a year. He would confer with his colleague again, and do his best to remedy what be believed was a real grievance. Referring to a suggestion that a branch line should be constructed from Eweburn to Naseby, the Minister said the cost was not likely to be less than £4000 a mile for the nine miles, and they bad to look where the interest was to come from. The main thing was to push on the present line till it reached the plain. He hoped to lee the trains running to Bweburn in 18 months or two years at most. The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society's annual report for the year ending December last shows a continued advance. There were received during the year 3553 proposals for sums amounting to £1,085,414, of whioh 2411 Wtsre completed, and Bolides issued amounting

in the aggr, gate to £717,207. Of the remainder 317 W ire in various stages toward completion, and' the remainder were declined, withdrawn, or not proceeded with. The additional annual income amounts to £23,339. The renewal premium amounted to £282,615 13s 9d, showing a substantial increase and bringing the total premiums for the year to £303,983 Is lid. The funds show an increase of £130,206 13s lOd, and now amouub to £1,923,835 13s Bd. The interest for the year totals £89,702, and is equivalent to 5 per cent, on the invested assets. The expemua account, a very important matter, again show* a reduction, and the rate to total income ia now only 19*7 per cent;. The claims by death were exceptionally favourable during the 12 months, being £97,333 185,2 d. As showing the advantages couf erred bythetie societies it may bo mentioned that the Colonial Mutual has paid no less that £1,213,734- to ba divided amongst, over 3000 familie.3. The report nhojsvs. car; ful management on the part of the directors and officers. 'Tweuty-five candidates' have notified their intention of going up for the examinations for battery superintendents and mine managers, which commence to-day at Wellington, Thames, Ree't<>n, and Danedin. The first meeting of the newly-elected School Committee of the Upper Junction- School was held on Friday and attended by Messrs J»mes M'Gregor, I. Green, John Matthews, George Green, and T. Lewis. Mr M'Gcegor was elected chairman, Mr Matthews -treasurer, and Mr I. Green clerk. The question of improving the school grounds, was discussed at sgme length, when it was resolved that the Works Committee be empowered to have the grounds levelled, The same committee were also requested iio furnish a report to a/pecial meeting of the school committee with regard to the probable coat of asphalting a portion of the grouuti from the main entrance bo the play shed and -around the same. The head master reported that the attendance for th<* past; month waH »s followa: — Boys, 39; girls, 26; — total,65 Mr Giean and Mr Lewis were 'appointed a Visiting Committee for the month. Great interest was taken in the annual election of a school committee for Hyde, but the retiring oomtaitteemen were re-elected, thu voting being a* follows :— P. Kinnoy 57, D. M'Kny 49, M. Prendergast jun. 48, J. Jackson 47, R. M'Brid« 46, A. Trotter 4-5, R Bjyd hen. 41. The i ejected candidates were : — R. Trotter 40, C G. Trotter 39, J. O. Duff 38, I. Ramnay 36, J. Croft 18. At the first meeting of the committee Mr M. Prendergast was elected chairman, and Mr James Jackson secretary. A. new story entitled " Her Promise True " will be commenced in Saturday's edition, of the Otago Daily Times.