LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2402, 15 March 1900, Page 49

LOCAL & GENERAL.

A proclamation in the Gazette declares the bubonic plague an infectious disease. As a result of the expense to which the Union Steam Ship Company will be ptxt by the quarantine regulations and restrictions, it has been decided to raise the rates of passage money and freight from Sydney.

I understand (telegraphs our Auckland correspondent) Dr Giles was asked to act on the Royal Commission which is to report on the river beds of Otago and Southland, and on claims for compensation arising out of their being proclaimed channels for mining debris. He was obliged to decline by reason of his eyesight, as another operation will be necessary.

The following gentlemen have been, requested by the Clutha Prohibition League to allow themSelves to be nominated as candidates for the Clutha Licensing Committee : — Messrs J. T. Burrcll (Tapanui), James Taylor (Wairuna), John Johnston (Kaihiku), John Ramage (Balelutha), and Coll Smith (Glenomaru).

A highly successful excursion to the Wesb Coast, Sounds in a schooner chartered for the purpose, has just been brought to a conclusion. The party, numbering 15, left Rivercon February 4, and sailed for Stewart Island, anchoring in Ruggedy Bay. Early next morning a start was made for Preservation Inlet, the southern entrance of which was reached at midnight. The following day the vessel sailed up the beautiful arm, near the head of which Te Oneroa is situated, and anchored off the little mining township the same evening. The next morning was devoted to an inspection of the Morning Star mine, and a starl was then made for Cuttle Cove, which was reached the same evening-. Chalky Inlet was the next sound visited, and after a brief stay there the vessel was. headed for Milford. The scenic glories of this famous sound, it need scarcely be paid, aroused the utmost enthusiasm, and the photographers of the party were kept busily engaged during the several days' stay there in " composing " pictures of the more remarkable features of the place. An expedition was organised to visit the Sutherland Falls, and the journey, which occupied two dajjs, will be remembered by thoss who undertook it as being one of the most enjoyable experiences of the whole excursion. After leaving Milford Sound, George, Thompson, Doubtful, Breaksea, and Dusky Sounds ■were in turn inspected, and at the last-men-tioned place several specially pleasant days were spent with Mr Henry, the Government curator at Resolution Island. A start for home was made from there on Tuesday last, and Riverton was reached yesterday morning. The whole party unite in declaring that to visit the West Coast Sounds in a sailing vessel affords the very best means of seeing these marvellous fiords to the greatest advantage.

Mr G. M. Barr, M.1.0VE., has been engaged by the Balelutha Borough Council to report upon the question of electric lighting and a water supply for the borough, and also on the question, of utilising- the Clutha River as a motive power, and the supply of electricity for industrial purposes.

Our Cromwell correspondent telegraphs that at a meeting on Wednesday evening it Was decided' to offer the services of a volunteer corps, whether mounted infantry or infantry, to bo decided at a future meeting. Nearly 40 joined in the room.

There has been quite a brisk sale of amulets at Home for the volunteers under orders for Soutk Africa by & certain "wraard," who

guaranteed that any soldier wearing his specific would pass through the war unscathed. One, however, was purchased and examined by a medical man, who is proceeding to the front. It contained a scroll of paper scrawled over with. "Abracadabra," while tho charm proper was a bit of the backbone of a bloater ! Now one may purchase the whole bloater for less than £he 6d charged by the "wizard !

Quite remarkable in her way is the Miss Stormont Murphy, from whom Lord Roberts accepted a war shield the day before he left England. The shield in question weighs exactly lib, and is made of aluminium lined with sheepskin, which is the best known bullet resistant extant. It is easily worn under the uniform, and several officers are reported to be giving the invention a trial. One of Miss Murphy's first triumphs was the invention of her Klondyke, Arctic, and African cooker — used " with excellent effect " in Sir George Newness Antarctic expedition, as was also her picnic cooker. Quite recently she came into Royal favour through the purchase — not acceptance — by the Princess of Wales of her afternoon tea tray, which is daintily furnished with the means of keeping tea and qoffee hot, while cakes can be warmed in the oven drawer under the tray. Lady Warwick is one of many who recommend her coachhouse, carriage, and greenhouse heater, so that, altogether, the in yen tress of a long list of useful articles has much to congratulate herself upon..

In another column this week will be found another letter from our special war correspondent, telegraphed from Wellington, chronicling the doings of our first contingent during the last few days they spent round about Colesberg. From this letter some idea may be obtained of the secrecy with which Lord Roberta's preparations for a clash into the Orange Free State were made. The men and probably the officers were not aware of their real destination when they silently moved, away to join General French's flying column. Probably the enemy were deceived also, and reinforcements sent from General Crbnje's force at Magersfontein to Norvals Pont. This would account for the number with Cronje being smaller than was anticipated.

At a meeting of the Bruce-LUutna branch of the Educational Institute, held at Milton on Saturday, Mr C. R. Smith moved and supported a series of resolutions towards securing for teachers a regular system of promotion. It was unanimously agreed, after full discussion, that the resolutions be sent on to the Committee of Management of the Otago Institute. Our Hindon correspondent writes that harvest will soon commence. The crops are not qtute so good as last year. There is an abundance of grass. Rabbit-trapping has commenced, and as the rabbits are quite as numerous as they were last year, trappers should do well if ihe weather proves at all suitable. A meeting of the' Health Board was convened in Wellington on Friday at the instance of the Government, to consider matters relating to the outbreak of the bubonic plague in New South Wales. We learn from the Hon. J. G. Ward that the board recommended, amongst other things, that the Government should declare Victoria and Tasmania infected porfcs unless these colonies declared New South Wales infected, fche object being to prevent New South Wales passengers filtering- through Victoria and Tasmania to New Zealand. The Government have decided to adopt the recommendation of the board in. this respect. "Veterinary-sur.-

geon Gilruth, who is also bacteriologist for the colony, is to be despatched by the first steamer to New South Wales for the purpose of making a special study of the bacteriological proce»s. It will be learned with general satisfaction that the Government has a supply on hand of Haffkine's bubonic antitoxin, the Hon. J. G. Ward having cabled a month ago to India for it. The Government have given a supply of it to Lord Beavichamp to take back to New South Wales with him. They have decided. to ask all public bodies, such as harbour boards, to lake steps to prevent the landing of rats from ships. The Government will defray half the cost, as rats particularly ore a means of the infection spreading.

One of the. oldest residents in the colony, Mrs Poppelwell, died at her residence, Serpentine avenue, on the Bth inst., at the advanced age of 74-. Referring to her demise, the Bruce Herald &tates that she arrived in Wellington in 1840, at the time of the foundation of the Wellington settlement. She was married to the late Mr William Poppelwell at Wellington, and subsequently returned to the old country with him. They, however, came back to the colony in the ship Blundell, which arrived at Port Chalmers in 18*8, and took up land in the North-East Valley, where they resided till 1853, when they settled down in the Milton district. Mr Poppelwell's death occurred in 1883, and two years later his widow came to Dunedin, where she resided till her death. The deceased lady leaves 11 children to mourn their loss. Tt is worthy of mention that Mr Poppelwell was the first person to _drive a wheeled vehicle from Dunedin to Milton, the journey occupying no less than nine days. Mr Poppelwell was also the first chairman of the Tokomairiro Agricultural Society, now the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club.

It is always pleasant to find family traditions being upheld by the rising generation. The names of Downie Stewart, Turton, and Macassey have been prominent in the rollcall of the legal profession in the South Island, and the results of the recent degree examinations of the Otago University show that the rising generation will ably uphold the position won by their fathers. Mr W. Downie Stewart and Mr R. H. Turton have both taken their LL.B. degree, and were yesterday admitted by his Honor Mr Justice Williams as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court ol New- Zealand ; while Mr Macassey is among the successful candidates for the solicitor's final. Mr R. H. Turton is, ■ we believe, a son of Mr Wesley Turton, Crown Prosecutor for the Otago Goldfields.

The presentation made by the Auckland Liberals to the Hon. J. G. Ward was a remarkably handsome and a distinctly novel one. A. Times reporter had an opportunity of inspecting it on Friday, and found it to consist of a massive gold medal, with two clasps, enclosed in a silver casket, the metals employed in their manufacture being local products. On one side of the medal there is inscribed around the edge in bold lettering, " Hoit. J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways." In the centre there is the design of a locomotive with railway carriages attached, and underneath appear the words, " Rejoined the Ministry, 1899." On the other side of the medal there is inscribed around the edge, ''Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-general." A view of Parliament House is depicted in the centre, and underneath is written, '" From the Liberal Parly, Auckland."' On the two clasps the dates " 1891 " and " 1899 " appear, while on the lid of the silver casket is inscribed, " The Hon J. G. Ward ; presented 3rd March, 1900."

Some interesting evidence is being brought before the Tichborne inquiry commission at Sydney. The other day Mrs Bridget Wines, widow, stated that in 1569, while she was a servant in a house at Woollahra, a man servant whom '.he described as bearing most if not all the marks which the " real Sir Roger '" carried, and spoke English with a foreign accent, proposed marriage to her, and she declined the offer. He then told her he was a nobleman's son, adding that he ran away from Stonyliurst College when he was 14- 3'earS) old, and went to sea ; that he visited Valparaiso, and was on board the Bella when the mutiny occurred and the vessel was cast away; and that he arrived in Melbourne in the Osprey. After her marriage at Singleton she returned to Sydney in 1376, and again met the man in question. She was convinced that he was Sir Roger Tichborne, and ako that he was in Sydney at the present momer. t.

A German doctor, who was present in the Boer lines during the fighting at Magersfontein, states that a Russian military officer is with the Boers, advising them. He is paid a salary of £15,000 per annum, and has been promised a bonus of £250,000 if the Republics prove successful. The cricket match between the Victorian team at present touring the colony and an Otago Eleven was commenced on Saturday. There was a large attendance in the afternoon, and a strong detachment " from the fourth contingent camp lent interest to the event.

Arrangements are being made by the execu-

tive of the Council of the Churches for holding a united religious service on the morning of the departure of the contingent. An application has been made to the Demonstration Committee to keep one hour, say from

9 to 10, clear of other functions, and it is

hoped this request will be granted. It is not 1 yet settled whether more than one meeting shall be held. Possibly two services will be arranged ut the same hour — one in First Church and the other in St. Matthew's. Possibly there will only be one gathering, and, in this event, it will take place in one of the large halls o[ the city. Arrangements are on foot for a lar^e united choir to lead the service of praise. The programme will be on the lines o£ thai followed at the biijhly-suc-

cessfully churcli services on Jubilee Day. The order of service and the hymns will be printed in a tasteful booklet form, which will constitute a pleasing souvenir of a notable occasion.

The following are the hospital returns for the week: — Patients remaining from the previous week, 99 ; admitted during the past week, 27 ; and discharged for the same period, 22. Henry X. Douglas died within the past few days'. The patients remaining number 103.

The following appointments have recently been made by Bishop Nevill to spheres of work within his diocese: — The Rev. G. W. Davidson to Riverton, Thornbury, etc. ; the Rev. Harold Brooke to Queenstown, Arrowtown, etc, ; the Rev. A. D. Mitchell to Pembroke and Hawea. The Bishop has also accepted 'the nomination of Canon Richards to the parish of Lawrence, and has offered the wardenship of Sehvyn College to the Rev. A. Neild, M.A. (late scholar of Pembroke College, Cambridge). Mr Neild took honours in the classical and theological triposes, and has held the position of vice-principal of St. Aidan's College, Birkenhead. Also, Mr John Dyke Ackland to be lay reader for Cromwell.

An automatic figure woi'ked by electricity is the unique invention of a Dunedin resident (Mr J. Jenkins, of Rattray street), who has spent years in perfecting his figure, and a very large sum of money in adapting the necessary appliance* to giving it the natural movements which enable it to represent a graceful young lady. This automaton lady is beautifully dressed in the latest fashion ; her face is perfectly natural, as are also the various movements she makes. She " lives " in a little ante-room, and the manipulator discloses her to view by means of pressing a button under the hearthrug. A spiral blind slips up, disclosing the little lady standing with a bouquet in her hand. She bows gracefully, and glides out into the centre of the room, turns to each one present, bows, turns round her head, moves her eyes, and moves with facility either forward, backward, or sideways. So naturally is all this performed tlfet if it took place on a public stage a great majority of the audience would only with difficulty be persuaded that the figure was not a real live lady. Mr Jenkins has been persuaded to place his animated lady at the disposal of Mr R. C. Jones, to be shown at his lecture on " Electricity in Peace and War," in aid of the patriotic fund, to be held in the Agricultural Hall on the 21st inst., so that the public will shortly have au opportunity of seeing one of the most ingenious and life-like figures it is possible to imagine, and no doubt she will be the unconscious means of adding- very considerably to the funds of the patriotic cause.

Mr John Strang, M.A., a well-known tutor, has been appointed teacher of mathematics by the Technical Classes Association. Mr Strang" had a brilliant university career, being first on the list in junior and senior mathematics at Aberdeen University in two successive years. One of the happiest places in the world is said to be located at Orsa, in Sweden. The community has, in course of a generation, sold nearly £1,000,000 worth of trees, and by means of judicious replanting bas provided for a similar income every 30 or 4-0 years. In consequence of this commercial wealth there are no taxes. Railways, telephones, etc., are free, and so are schoolhouses, teaching, and many other things.

The Christchurch Press says :— " The invitation issued by the Otago and Southland Troop Send-off Committee contains a paragraph that is, to say the least of it, peculiarly worded. It runs as follows: — 'The committee will feel obliged if you will furnish the name of the lady you may desire to bring with you to the send-off. They regret that they can only invite oue lady.' Can it be that the committee has doubts about the gentlemen to whom it is issuing invitations, or is this only an invitation of Scotch caution?" The Hon. J. G. Ward left by the routh express train on Tuesday morning, and intends visiting his home at the Bluff, but is to return to Dunedin on Saturday, and on Monday will go to Oamaru in order to be present at the distribution of the Royal Society's medals by Lord Ranfurly. Hi& "Excellency the Governor and the Hon. J. G. Ward are to come on to Dunedin on the 20th inst.. and remain here till the contingent has been despatched for South Africa.

Two petitions for divorce on the grotmds of desertion came before his Honor Mr Justice Williams on Monday. In neHher case was the respondent (the husband) represented, and both the petitioners obtained rulG=. which, if made absolute at the termination of the prescribed period, will secure divorce. The shooting season for Otago is to be opened on March 31.

A report was recently published to the effect thai at a meeting of the Druids of New Zealand, held at Gisborne, on the subject of a Grand Lodge for New Zealand, it was resolved by Olago and the North Island to join a Grand Executive. Thi3, we learn from Mr Larnach, D.G. secretary, is not correct so far as Otago i 3 concerned. . Sydney papers record the death of Mrs Hannah Watkin, relict of the late Rev. James Watkin, Wesleyan minister, who had attained her ninety-fourth year, retaining her faculties unimpaired to the last. Mrs Watkin and her husband arrived at the Friendly Islands in a whaling ship in 1830, remaining there for seven years, and eventually reaching Sydney in 1837. Three years later they left for New Zealand, and together inaugurated the mission station of Waikouaiti, in the South Island. Mrs Watkin ably seconded the efforts of her husband, and was long after her departure from the island affectionately remembered as Mafca Wakina (Mother Watkin). In 1845 Mr and Mrs Watkin left for Wellington, where they laboured for 10 years. The deceaaed lady was born, before a railway was

run in England. She le-aveg six sons, -. . jf these being- ministers, and one daughtc , who is married to the Rev. Mr East, of Ranc.wick, Victoria.

A committee meeting of the Otago Early Settlers' Association was held in Mr Reid, jun.'s office, Triangle, on Monday, Mr John Reid, president, being in the chair. In connection with the reunion to celebrate the jubilee of the arrival of the ships Berkshire, Lady Nugent, and Mariner (second voyage) on Anniversary Day, the secretary reported having sent 80 notices to passengers and 274to members. Mewrs Richardson, Wood, and Langlands were elected a Programme Committee ; Messrs Proudfoot and Langlands, catering, etc. ; Messrs Richardson, Proudfoot, and Langlands, Organising Committee. The deaths were noted of Alfred Oswin (Wellington), Mrs Poppelwell (Dunedin), Archibald Hutcheson (Awamoko).

It would be interesting to know (says the Daily Chronicle) whot has become of the "secret war plan." which. M - as propounded in 1811 by Admiral Oochran&, the grandfather of the present 'Lord Dundonald, s whose war plan in- question is rot her dashing than secret. Tlie''plan in question was 1 investigated by a committee sitting "in camera,' 1 which included' the -Duke of York, Lord Keith, and Lord ExinouUi. The cbnr&iitfee agreed that it would perform all it promised.,, and destroy any fortification or fleet; but rejected it on account of its inhumanity. When Admiral Cochrane entered the Chilian service lie gave a pledge to the Prince Regent not to divulge the plan to any Government but that of Great Britain. Again, at the time of the Crimean war, the plan " was put forward, but again rejected by reason of its barbarity. Its de tails have never been made public.

For dome time past the best of barmonj has not prevailed at the Gore Borough Council table, but the climax was reached on Friday evening, when the ratepayers held a public meeting to review the methods of the mayor and councillors in conducting th& business of the borough. The meeting was. rather lively throughout, and eventually a. resolution was carried by 50 votes to 10 calling upon them to resign in a body.

A man lying on the railway line between Birchfield and Waimangaroa had ;: narrow escape from being run over on Monday (say---the Westport Times). The driver of an approaching train noticed him, but was unable to pull up in time. The man had a swag on his shoulder, and the cow-catcher of the locomotive struck this and pushed him off the -line.. Fortunately, the only injury sustained was a slight bruising.

The Oamaru Mail reports the death of another very old identity, in the person of Mr Archibald Hutcheson, of Awamoko, who died on Friday night at the age of 72 years. Bora in Wigtonshire in 1828, Mr Hutcheson came to Tasmania in 1856. A year or two later he went to Victoria for a while, and then co.me to New Zealand. He subsequently returned to Tasmania, and then New South Wales, coming to Oainar.ii in 1861. in which district he resided until his death. He leaves a family of one son and two daughters.

The Gazette contains particulars of the estates of the following deceased persons, which have been placed under tHe charge- pi the Public Trustee during February : — David Leighton and Robert Morrison, Dunedin; Edith Loring, South Dunedin; Jame3 Robertson, Roslyn; Laurence Johnson, TuapekaFlat; James Hill, Waikaia,; Jens Christen3en. Beaumont ; Peter Anderson, Windsor; David Morris, Riverton; and Thomas Rpgerso.n, Hyde Home station.

We (Grey River Argus) are given to understand that a Chinese resident of this town has received a letter from China stating that the Government of the Flowery Land has come to an arrangement with the Japanese for au offensive and defensive alliance, and that Japanese officers have gone to China with the object of establishing a Chinese army of defence. As the grea-b Trans-Siberian railway is not expected to be completed for five years yet, the Chinese will have time to get an army of defence drilled into something like effective shape.