LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 24

LOCAL & GENERAL.

> Tenders of the following persons have been accepted for the principal railway book stalls in the South Island : — lnvercargill_, Rogers 8.'03. ; Danedin, G. W. Geddea ; Ohris'.charch, C. H. Rhodes." The fiusl tneetiug of the executive of the Children's Ward Committee was held on the 14th inst., Mr P. Miller presiding. It was reported that the net proceeds of the collection?, &c , were £2380 15s, the whole expenses, including advertising, having been £53 10i Id. It wa» decided to hand over a further sum of £&80 15? to the Hospital Trustees, co that, with the Government subsidy, the trustees will receive in all £5237 13s, waich must be regarded as highly satisfactory, seeing that about £4500 was the sum originally contemplated. At a meeliug of the Dunediu Retailers' Association, held on the 14th, the following reuolu'ion was unanimously passed :—": — " That this executive commend the Otago Jubilee Industrial Exhibition to the favourable consideration of the members cf the Dunedin Retailers' Association as well worthy of their support, expresses sympathy with the movement, and hopes that it will prove an unqualified success." In our last week's issue we inserted a paragraph which erroneously stated that Dr Alenzies had recently " taken hia M.B.C.M. degree in Edinburgh, whereas, it should have been the L R.C.S. degree. Dr Menzies took the M.8.8. Ch. degree some years ago in the Otago University,

Some strong comment has been excited in Nelson through the action of the Government in appointing Mr Bannebr as a member of the Nelson College Board of Governors to take" the place of Mr ScUnders. There have been three generations of the family of Sclanders, who have aided education Drifts of scholarships and in other ways since the Nelson College started, and for over 40 years the Nelton College Board of Governors has never been without a Scl&nders. The Sclauders family were the pioneer bankers and merchants of the South Island, and the London partner (Mr John Morrison) for years gave his services in London gratuitously as. agent for the. colony. Mr Ban'nehr is the editor of the Nelson Colonist, a paper which supports the Government.

According to the Maiuichi, a charter was granted by the Japanese Government on the 30th September for the organisation of a company to be called the " Japan Social Life Insurance Company." The new company is founded on plans which seem to work in Germany. America, too, is reported to abound with such companies. The programme is divided into four parts — viz. : (1) Insurance of funds for education and marriage ; (2} funds for the attainment of occupation ; (3) funds for subsistence in advanced years ; (4) /unds for longevity. The first of the above items is applicable to children, above the age of 1 year and below 15, the second to parsons from the age of 1 to 35, the third to adults between 16 and 55, the fourth to those above 36 and below 75. The main object of the company, therefore, is to provide fuuds, not to be paid after one's deatb, but to the person insured while living.

The Belgians ara preparing to keep the seventh centenary of the discovery of coal on their territory. "The discoverer," gays the London Daily News, " was a blacksmith of Liege, named Hullioz— hence the French word •houille,' or coal. It appears that historians are satisfied that Hullicz was no mere legendary person. H.s forge greatly prospered o«viug to the coal he burned when all his riva's were burning wood. He became the great Walloon ironm&stsr of his day. The first cial fire was kindled by him in the smithy in 1197. la 1228 his chtrcoal was burned by all the blacksmiths of Liege and Brabant. The French were not alive to the use ot coal before the fourteenth century, but the Dukes of Burgundy were. The collieries of Anztn were not, however, discovered before 1734. The discoverer is buried in the chutch of Ladinsart, in the Pas-dc-Calai*. His tombstone testifies that he sunk the firtt pit at Alz'u."

The funeral of the late Heary George was one of the largest popular demonstrations of sympathy ever seen in New York. The Tribune, which opposed Mr George's candidature, says: — "The entire demonstration was one rarely, if ever, before witnessed in this country. Not only the character of the dead candidate, but the exceptionally tragic circumstances of his death contributed to the magnitude of the outpourings of the thousands who wished to pay a tribute to his memory. The body lay in state in the Grand Central Palace ou Sunday from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m., and in that timj fully 30,000 people filed past to loak for the last lime upon the dead man's face. At 3 p.m. the flowing stream of people was interrupted for two and a- half hours while the funeral service was being conducted. Men of every faith were there to pay their last respects, and the immense concourse was addressed by Episcopalian, Roman Catholic, Congregational, and Hebraic clergymen. When Father M'Glynn appeared some of the audience started to applaud, but this soon subsided as the gifted priest proceeded to deliver his eulogy on bis

departed friend, and the vast audience were moved to tears. In his closing remarks Father M Glyun said that Henry Qeorga bad been sent by God, not merely to America, but to the .world ; not to this generation, but to all generations to come. His position, the orator continued, was grander than if he were mayor of New York, or even President of America."

Mr R. M'Nab, ex-M.H.R. for MaUura, has been always a warm friend of temperance, and even prohibitionists will scarcely question what he has to say regarding prohibition in Maine. In an interview with a representative of the Lyttelton Times Mr M'Nab freely confefsed that he was not prepared for the revelations that confronted him on this question when he visited the State of Maine. Ie Portland City, where ho lived, it seemed as though the drug shops bad managed to secure a large addition to their trade by selling spirits. Temperauce friends whom he visited admitted that such was the state of matters there. He himself noticed the prevalence of dcag shop*, and he found on inquiry that there were 30 of these places within a radius of a quarter of a mile of Monument square, the centre of the city. Medical certifi jates or prescriptions are required before alcoholic drinks can be got at these establishments ; but there is no difficu'ty in gettiog ihesa. As a matter of fact, many hotels have a resident doctor who supplies the customers with prescriptions. Mr M'Nab was told there was a bar at the hotel where he stayed in Portland ; and he knows that it openly advertised tUe facilities that were held oub to its customers of reaching the chemists' shops in the neighbouihood. He saw no drunkenness, however, in Maine, nor, indeed, in any part of the United States. The American, like tho New Zialandsr, is not a tippler, and seems to find his excitement in spotting matters. Mr M'Nab found that- a local option law somewhat similar to that in New Zealand, combined with high license, had a good effect in regulating the traffic and promoting temperance.

Agnes Stewart, 18 years of age, met with a peculiar and distressing accident at Iloctham, Victoria, on the 29 Ax ult. She had washed her hair with kerosene oil, and was dressing it, when a young brother, with a lighted candle, came up and spoke to her. He held the caudle too near his sister's head, and her h&ir caught fire. The girl's cries brought her friends to her help, but before the blsze could be'extinguished her head and face and her hands (which «he put up to her head) were terribly burnt. Tk<s father, who attempted to put out the flumes, h*d his hands bidly injured.

The Mount Benger Mail learns that his Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfucly will make a driving tour through the goldfields during February under the personal supervision of Mr Hugh Craig. ' The route as at present intended, subject to subsequent alterations, is as follows :—: — the party will rrach Queensbown by the Waimea Kingston railway, and from Queeastown will go to Skippers, returning game evening ; Queeustown lo Arrowtowu, via L»ke Hayes; Arrow to Pembroke, via Ctrdrona ; two days' stoppage at Cardrona, which will give an opportunity to -drive to Matnkituki and to boat on Lake Wanaka ; from Pembroke to Cromwell, thence to Clyde or Alexandra, thence to R >xburgh, *ud from Roxburgh to Lawrence.

; - A ballot for the thirteenth appropriation of £500 among the members of the Danedin Sbarr-Bovrkett Building Society .was held ab the .Oddfellow*' Hall, Octagon, on Friday, Mr J. J3. Chapman presiding, when .cluster No. 73, divided amongst three individuals, was drawn*. ( The. Glaogarry memorial is now approaching completion, and is a very creditable specimen of local monumental work. The structure— which is of a columnar type — will be about 25ft in height, when complete-, and is composed of massive blocks of polished Waikawa bluestone. The finishing touches are expected to ba pab on within the next 10 days, and the committee will then meet to in«pecb the structure, and wind up their affairs.

The following changes and appointments of officers in the Union Company's service are reported : — Mr Anthony, late chief officer of the 'Tarawera, is bringing the Rotokino down from No we is tie, Captain M'Djnald bdiog at present on shore on leave. O.i arrival here Captain Anthony takes command of the Rotorua on the school teacherA 1 Sounds-excursion. Consequent upon C*ptain' Anthony's temporary Appointment as master the following promotions on the Tarawera hvre baen- made : — Mr Smith, late second officer, to first; Mr Holt, late third officer, to second ; and Mr fil'Keuzie, late third officer Poherua, to be third officer Tarawera. Mr D. Todd, late third officer Flora, to a similar position on the Mararia vice Mr Plunkefct, resigned. Me Harrington* appoiuted third officer Flora.

Mr John Askew Scott was on. Friday morning admitted before his .Honor JBIr Justice Williams as a birriater and eolicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. • •

At last week'rt meeting of the City Council some discussion took place with regard to a proposal by Councillor Solomen to reduce the mayor's salary to -£250.- This, however, did not meet with much favour, and was met by an amendment, which was moved by Councillor Denniston, to the effect that the mayor's salary remain the same as last year — namely, £4-00. The amendment was carried by seven votes to three.

At a meeting of the Workers' Political Committee, held last week, a resolulion was carried deprecating the action cf the Upper House in rejecting the Old Age Pensions Bill, seeing that the majority of its members are no better than pensioners themselves.

The mysterious disappearance of a young man residing at Littlebourne has been causing much anxiety to his parents and friends. He left his parents' house about 6 30 on Thursday evening and visited the house of a friend at Aadersoa's Bay. He left there for h« home about 10.45 p.m., and has nob been seen or heard of sinca. The youug man hat been suffering from ill-health for some time past. He is tall and dark, with a dark moustache, and when laab seen was wearing a dark blue suit of clothe 3, a black silk necktie, and a hard hat.

An amusing incident happened in connection with the municipal election at Blackburn, where an independent Conservative candidate canvassed for the vote of a woman who objected to go to the poli on the ground that there was no one else in the house and she had the baby to nurse. Tee persevering candidate was equal to the domestic emrr^ency. "You go and vote," said he, " and I'll do the nursing." On these terms the lady transferred the baby to the arms of the candidate and went off and recorded a vote — it is said in his favour.

A sensational story was publioh«d by a New York paper on November 4- to the effect that her Majesty's cruiser Imperieuie, just arrived lit Victoria, British Columbia, had returned from Coces Inland, whither she went in search of buried treasure. The officers are reported to have stated that the story of a trea.au ce of 30,000,000d0l being buried in the island is not a myfcU, A guard of marines has been left on

the island, and a smaller vestel than the Imperieuse will proceed there shortly. Ifc is reported that the Imperieuse his on board a large portion of the buticd treasure, consisting of jewellery and gold to the value of about 15,000, OOOdol.

Mr John Roberts, with Mrs Roberts and two of his daughters, returned to Dutiedin on Sunday by the Waka'.ipu.

Mr George Jones, Father of the Hon. George Jones, who died at Oamaru last week at the ago oF 81 years, was a very old colonist. He arrived at Welliugbon in 1841, but owing to the threatening attitude of the Maoris he decided to go to Tasmania. He went from Tasmania to Geelong, aud thence to Qae9nsland, but returned to New Zealand in 1864, and settled at Chrietohuroh for some 13 years. He then removed to Tiraaru, and subsequently to Oamaru. He was of a genial and kindly disposition, and was greatly esteemed. He is survived by his wife, and leaves four daughters, three son 1 , 32 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

As showing the force of the recent earthquake at Wanganui, it is stated by the Herald that in a residence at the foot of St. John's Hill a piano wa* thrown bodily from the side of a wall to the other end of the room. A large number of fissures are noticeable in the Maktrikiri Valley, and a number of small springs have started in the roadway and in adjiceut properties.

The annual exhibition of works executed during the year by pupils' of the Dunedin School of Art was opened on Thursday aud remained open for inspection on Friday. The whole of this year's works are in black and white, and the exhibition is a decidedly creditable one, a number of excellent examples being shown in the various branches of work taken np by the students.

M Us, Dick, and Cq.'a Ofcago Provincial A'manac and Directory is to hand. This oldestablished publication is continued on the usual lines, and on tains much useful information. There is a fairly-full garden calendar, a summary of some recent legislation, judicial, friendly^societies', city, suburbau, aud country directoriep, the customs tariff, railway and postal guides, tea.

Both the north and south express trains, which had on board a considerable number of passengers, were late in arriving on Monday nignt. The late arrival of the train from the south causes much incsnveniencc, a* the 5 15 p.m. train for Mo'giel — always largely patronised — cannot be despatched until it arrive 1 , much to the disgust of those who have t i return to the city again by the 7 p.m. train, wbich was al-to late last night.

At a meeting of the executive of the Otago Jubilee Industrial Exhibition yesterday morning plans of the additional building were submitted by the architect (Mr J. Hislop) and approved. Dr Hocken wrote accepting membership of the committee, also accepting the chairmanship of the Historical and Maori Committee. Mr G. M. Thornton wrote stating that he had much pleasure in acting as chairman of the Fishery and Acclimatisation Committee. It is expected that on the representation of Otago member*, "who waited on the Premier on Saturday, a Government grant of £500 will be given, as was done in the cane of the recent exhibitions in' Christchurcb. 'and Wellington. . • • Our Wellington correspondent telegraph* that. Captain Russell leaves for, England this week, and will bo away four or five months. Mr James Allen,, member for Brace, leaves for England in the Gothic. Frightful details were brought to Sydney by, the' Ofiesa of the terrible cyclone that devastated the provinces of Samar and Leyte in the Philippines, totally destroying the country town of the latter. A remarkable incident is mentioned .--The Leyte prison was completely washed away by the tidal wate, which swept the town as part of the cyclone. The gaol at the time contained 111 prisoners. These priioners escaped as best they could. In the confusion that reigned it would have been an easy matter for all to have escaped, yet on the morning following the catastrophe, when the excitement had partially subsided, 106 of the escapees assembled outside the Governorgeneral's quarters. The other five were drowned. Of the great typhoon the director of the Manila Observatory states that it was the most severe within memory. The vortex of the storm reached Mindow on October 13. Throughout its course it destroyed villages and plantations and uprooted immense areas of cocoanut plantations. More than 500 corpses were found in the debris: One steamer, the Mandlittoi" and 13 sailing vessels were wrecked.

Mr Trevor Gould, son of tha late Canon Gould, of Auckland, has been appointed manager for New Zealand of the Scottish Metropolitan Life aud Accident Insurance Company vice Mr Walton, who recently received the appointment of superintendent for Australasia of the Royal Exchauge Fire Insurance Company t- Mr Gould will reside in Duticdin, the headquarters of the company in the colony.

The case James Mason v. Joseph Early was concluded at the Dunedin S.M. Court on Monday. It was a claim for £5, the value of a heifer beloDgirig to plaintiff, and which was killed while grazing on defendant's property. Plaintiff alleged that the animal was killed through the negligence of defendant in not having a steep gully fenced. — Mr Mouat appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Solomon for defendant.— This partly-heard case was concluded, and judgment was given for defendant, with costs.

Mr Duncan Wright (of the City Mission) acknowledges, with* be3t thanks, the following donations : For the deserving poor, £1 Is from " Anglican "; £2 10d, from "sympathisers," For the general fund, £1 Is from a friend of the mission ; and £5 5s from another friend of the children and the mission.