LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 64

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Two sections of land Jn the Upper Taieri md "Waitahuna- r West~dFstrictsfwe?e 'offered' at auction by Mr W..E. Sessions at the Crown "Lands office -on the 13th, and were acquired without competition. Section 28, block. VTI? Upper .Taieri district, containing' 24.' poles, 1 was purchased" at the /upset* of , 20s'"by.tKe Patearoa' Public Library (incorporated) ; and section 17, block I, -Waitahuna West,- containing 4 . acres 3 poles, at the upset of £3, by the Otago Presbyterian Chtirch Bosfctl , of Property.

An operation 3ipt often performed in Ne-w Zealand" was carried out"* successfully by; Dr Pabst/ honorary ophthalmic surgeon at "the-, hospital, on November 25 (reports the Auckland Star). A youth named John Bruoe, son of -Mr A. Bruce, of NortKcote, Jnho is .employed at Fraeer's foundry, was struck in. the .eye by a. piece of steelj which travelled through the ball and stuck in the retina at the rear. He ivas conveyed to the hospital, but the' necessary appliances, were not available there, and accordingly he was taken to the office of Mr Crossher, elec-\ trician, where, after, making an incision in the side of the eye, an instrument was-theii highly magnetised by a powerful elecfriol current, and on its removal 'the splinter, j which wa9 cr.e-sixth of an inch long, came with it. lhe cut • was then closed, and there is ercry possibility that the use of the, eye will not be impaired. Had the •plinter not been extracted the eye would | Lave had to be removed. Small magnets ! have frequently been used for removing steel splinters from the front of the eye, - but operations % of- the class necessary in this case have' rarely been' performed in 3STew Zealand.^ In very many" ca^ea^, eyes > have been Icstr, by accidents of this kind, which, to a-mpreor less "serious extent, are frequent. '.In Sheffield and many of the large engineering concerns in America it is "the rule- for the employees to wear glasses, ' and from the frequency of . such Accidents it would be well if the course were followed in New Zealand.

While ;n Invercargill the Japanese interpreter accompanying Messrs Fitzgerald Bros', circus stated tbat, during his brief stay, in the colony, he had closely studied the characteristics of the Maori people. He found th« semblance of the Japanese and Maori languages very striking. Our visitor Isays the Southland News) has compiled a list' of words which have the same spelling, pronunciation, and meaning, and he has .•written to the Japanese press on the subject, suggesting that a professor should be ■sent to investigate the matter. Many people may not be aware that the Japanese have a tradition similar to the Maori one — viz., that their ancestors many centuries ago dwelt in a distant country or group of islands and emigrated in canoes. Competent authorities are agreed that the forefathers of the Maoris came from the Polynesian group. The ■ interpreter is confident that the Japanese and Maoris come 6i the same race, and, .in addition to pointing out tliat there is only a slight difference in the spelling, .of the Japanese name for the legendary place known, to the Maoris as Bawaiki, he states that many words forming . part of the - ancient language are retained by both races. It may be mentioned in connection with the above that Dr JSocken, who has always taken great interest in the matter, made very careful investigations during his recent tour both }9 Japan and el&ewh^re, and wsg forced

to the conclusion that the Japanese and the Maoris were not of the same race. He had' long noted -the resemblance between certain Maori and Japanese words, ;~buh he found they invariably differed /widely in 'meaning, and after consultation with ■professors in the University in Japan it ■'became evident that the words could not be traced to a 'common source. • The weekly meeting of the Otago Benevo,lent Trustees, held on Wednesday afternoon r was attended *by Messrs R. M. Clark (chairman), E. A. Tapper, W. Burnett, J. Green, W. Talbot, and the Honr H. Gourley. The Finance Committee reported that, they had visitedthe institution, and had in- \ vestigated into the supply. - Donations of books and tobacco for the institution were acknowledged from IMr W. Dawson, - and books from iMr D. J. Donovan and Mrs Fisher. , The tender of Mr J. H. Pledger (£llß 14s) for painting, etc., at the institution was ! accepted. Thirty relief cases were dealt with, and accounts amounting to £282 10s 4d were passed for payment. It was arranged that the next meeting of the trustees be held on January 4.

A^ congregational meeting was held in the Roxburgh Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening, 7th inst., for the purpose of moderating in a call. It was unanimously decided that the name of the Rev. Alexander Porter be inserted in the call, which was afterwards laid on the table and signed by the members and present. The Rev. Mr Porter was licensed by th© Presbytery on November 23.

The commission appointed by the High Court of the Commonwealth to take evidence the matter of cases of Rex v. sundry Victorian fisb, merchants commenced sitting at the Bluff on the 13th. The commissioners were Messrs J. L. M'G. Watson and R. H. Ra'ttray, representing plaintiff and defendants respectively. Mr J. F. M. Fraser (Dunedin), instructed by Ml* Powers, Crown Solicitor for the Commonwealth, who was also present, appeared for the plaintiff, and the defendants were represented by Mr Ebsworfch, of Melbourne, with him Messrs Wm. Macalister and H. A. Macdonald. The evidence of several witnaases was taken on Tuesday, and further witnesses were examined or. Wednesday. This matter is the outcome of a charge made some time ago against certain persons in Melbourne of smuggling New Zealand frozen fish into Victoria.

Information has been received by a Wellington resident (says the correspondent of the Lyfctelton Times) to the effect that a well-known settler in the Auckland district, who departed for the Old Country a few months ago, in order to assume the title and estates attached to a baronetcy, consequent upon the death of a relative, has found things not quite up to his expectation, dnd he intends making haste back to the colony. Beyond the empty honour of the baronetcy, there is little inducement for the New Zealander and his family remaining in England, the former holder of the baronetcy having willed the greater portion of his possessions to another relative.

An attempt is being made in Tasmania, for reasons it is diffioult to divine, by some person or persons, to create ft prejudice against «ating the flesh of rabbits. We have received a copy of b> printed bill, technically known as a " dodger," in which it is implied that the Health Depai*tment in New Zealand is about to undertake an

energetic crusade to imey^ct the. public

from consuming rabbits. It is alleged as a well-known fact that rabbits are full of tubercular disease, and a great danger arises from eating them. It then goes on to say that " tuber oulosis ought to be stamped out, and the only way to get rid of this deadly scourge is to take all necessary precautions against eating the pest " (sic).

The Right Hon. the Premier has informed the Lawrence branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation that he hopes to go to Lawrence about the beginning of February next in order to present to the branch its charter.

In the course of a speech at the distribution of prizes in*' Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, on the 13th, an important announcement was made by the Right Rev. Dr "Verdon (says the Tablet). "In the future," said the Bishop, " the course of studies in Holy Cross College will be so arranged that all students will have an opportunity of matriculating in connection with., the local University, and of subsequently taking their degrees."

The proposed Brydone memorial was referred to by Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., at Masterton on" Saturday last, when a meeting of the local Agricultural and, Pastoral Association was held. After speaking in terms of the highest praise of the late Mr Brydone's valuable services for the welfare of the colony, Mr Buchanan made an appeal to the members of the association to render practical assistance in tjje worthy object in view. The appeal was not without effect (says the Wairarapa Daily Times), and in addition to some of the members taking subscription lists, a substantial sum was collected in the room.

The Arbitration Act of 1890 makes provision for the Supreme Court, with the consent of the parties, to remove an action from the court to be tried before an arbitrator, who for the time being exercises all the functions of a judge. This power has not. been availed of. in Dunedin— and probably in New Zealand, — until Mr Justice Williams ordered the action of Thomas Scott Mullay v. the Waipori Falls Electric Power Company, involving a claim of over £1200, to be tried before Mr J. F. WoodiLSuse, barrister-at-law. The trial of the *otion took place before Mr Woodhouse last -/peek in the jury rcom at the Supreme Court. A large number of witnesses were examined, and when the case concluded on Thursday afternoon Mr Woodhouse reserved his decision. Mr Finch appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr J. MacGregor for the defendant company.

A sequel to the interesting action and subsequent appeal case, Bell v. Culling and Wilson, took .place in the office of Messrs Mondy, Sim, and Stephens on Thursday, when the Bell tea and all other brands of R. Wilson and Co. were put up for sale by private competition between the partners. After a keen contest the brands were ultimately purchased for £4000 by Mr Norman H. Bell, who thus becomes the sole proprietor of the much-discussed Bell tea, and also all the other brands that were in dispute in the action.

During the period of 226 days ending November l 2 the total revenue from the 2353 imilea of New Zealand Government railways open for traffic was £154,425, and the expenditure £110,728. The revenue /rom the South Island Hues was £87,113 and the expenditure £64,551, and the revenue from the North Island lines £67,312 and the expenditure. £46,177. On the HuniQuj-gluJf section ©! 1234 mil$ t tfc©

revenue was £72,084, against an expenditure of £54,590, and the Lake Wakatipu steamers earned £497 on an expenditure of £111. The Westland section of 112 miles produced £6171 in revenue, the expenditure being £W7l, and on the Westport section of 31 miles the revenue was £6399, as against an expenditure of £2989. The sum of £1129 was realised from the Nelson section, consisting of 33 miles, and the expenditure was £1175, while the Picton section of 34 miles produced a revenue of £992, the expenditure being £1226. In the North Island the revenue from the Auckland section of 374 miles was £21,631, and the expenditure amounted to £14,594. The Wel-lington-Napier-New Plymouth section of 479 miles produced a revenue of £42,436 on an expenditure of £29,960.

The following statement is made by the

Murchison Post: — "On Wednesday last an infernal machine was left near Mr Neame's residence on the Buller road. The machine,

which was most ingeniously constructed, contained 38 dynamite caps, seven plugs of gelignite, some 31b of blasting powder, quantity of gunpowder, and five gin bottles full of kerosene. The package was wrapped up in a sack' and addressed to Mr Neame, who opened it in his house. For some unaccountable reason the matches which were to explode the combustibles missed fire. Mr Neame's escape was a marvellous one, for it appears that the machine was so, constructed that on the box being opened a misfire was almost impossible. Constable Scott was wired for, who on his arrival took possession of the package. We understand that so far no clue has -been obtained in reference -to the perpetrator of the act."

A ■message was received by Sir J. G. Ward on Friday from Rotorua advising that a new geyser had made its appearance at Rotomahana. on the site of the Pink Terrace, which was destroyed in the great eruption of Tarawera. The new geyser is reported to be playing continuously, and throwing water and steam lo a height of 30ft.

A petition, signed by a number of Taieri residents, was presented to Sir J. G. Ward, Postmaster-general, by Mr D. Reid, M.H.R., on Friday, requesting that the telephone bureau should be established at 'Johnson's store instead of at the place suggested by I the department. The petition points out"! that Johnson's store was more central, being I on the Main road, while the. other site was, comparatively, out of the way. Sir Joseph promised to obtain a report on the matter and look into the question as soon as possible, and he would reply to the petitioners as soon as the requisite information was supplied.

The Inspector of Police at Wellington has been informed by Mrs Nellie Tanner that her husband, Felix Tanner, left Wellington on Thursday of last week in the vessel known as "Tanner's Ark" for Lyttelton, and as nothing has been heard of him since she feaTs that an accident has happened.

Mr D. E. Theomin, of Dunedin, principal partner in the firm of D. Benjamin and Co., returned to the colony on Wednesday by the Warrimoo, after a three-years' sojourn in the Old World. Mr Theomin, during the course of a conversation with an Evening Post representative, said things were very quiet in commercial circles on the Continent and in Great Britain — in the latter country particularly so — when he left Home. He spent a month in Australia before coming on to Wellington, and he declares that New Zealanders should be deeply thankful that our colony did not join the Commonwealth. It is his opinion that not 2 per cent, of the Australians would to-day vote for federation if the question was again put to them. He thinks that labour legislation is going to prove a great trouble in Australia, and that the Commonwealth is in for a bad time geneI rally in the immediate future. He found | trade bad in Victoria, and there was no activity in commercial circles. The increase of leprosy in New Caledonia is aroiising a deal of -interest, not unmixed with alarm. There was a long discussion on the subject at the«meeting of the General Council on November 25. It was stated that the disease was attacking not only the natives, but also the white population, both convict and free. The chief medical officer of the colony said ifc spread specially amongst those who had relations with contaminated native women. The law, he said, did not permit white lepers to be confined against their will. In the native leper station those who were free from the disease were allowed to hold regular communication with those -suffering from it. A .general opinion was expressed 1 that the question was one of the greatest importance, and it was suggested that it should Be inquired into with closed doors. This course was, however, objected to; and finally a commission was appointed, with the view to adopting more stringent sanitary regulations, especially for the oomi plete isolation of lepers.

The Woodville Jockey Club made a profit of £726 over the late meeting.

At auction sales of town sections in Dannevirke business sites brought £16 per foot, building sites £60 and £80 for a quarteracre.

A trial trip was made on October 30 on the Sound (Copenhagen) of a model Noah's Ark. The vessel was constructed by the engineer (M. Vogt) as nearly as possible in accordance with the description given in the BiJ>l«. The ocst has beort defrayed by the Carlberg Naval Fund. After consulting a number of distinguished Hebraists, M. Vogt followed the outlines of the most ancient representation known of the Ark, which are given on an A^amean coin, dating 300 8.C., now the properly of the Stockholm Museum. Kg rna4« bjs_ m.ode.l 3Qft in length* s_|t wide,

and 3ft in height, the entire dimensional averaging about one-tenth the actual 6izo

of Noah's Ark. Interpreting the Hebrew word " Zohar " not as light, which is the usual meaning assigned to it, but as a smoke* escape, the model was further equipped! with a chimney. The Ark, with a mimbec

of university professors, engineers, Govern-*

menl officials, and journalists on board, aa well as her designer, M. Vogt, behaved splendidly in the waters of the Sound, skimming gracefully over the waves, and veering with the changing winds as easily aa though"

worked by a propeller. The Ark is de«

clared by marine experts to be not only thai simplest kind of vessel possible, but also ai masterpiece of shipbuilding, upon whioh the latest developments of the craft could devise no improvement.

During the past week two patients in the Hospital died, the names being David Kaler 1

and Frank Browne. There were admitted during the week 19 fresh patients, and 28

of those in previously were discharged. The total number- of patients remaining in the institution is 95, as against 104- for the , previoiis week.

Children "c anniversary services were held at the Salvation Army Barracks on Sunday morning, afternoon, and evening, and were all well attended. In the morning Major Dennis, who is in charge of the cbildrea connected with the Army in the South Island, gave an account of the work thafc' was being done, and the children sang a couple of company songs. In the afternoon 20 of- the children gave as a reeitatioa "Rock of Ages," illustrated by means of cards, each of which bore a letter of the alphabet, the whole supplying the full title of the recitation. Major Dennis gave » Bible lesson, and two or three gongs were given by the children. In the eveningseveral more company songs were given by the children, and solos were sung by Miss Canty and Miss Hughsen. On Mondy, at 7.30 the children received their prizes, and went through a programme of music, recitations, and physical exercises.

Mr A. Hamilton, director of the Colonial Museum, in order to make his Maori exhibit as compleHs as possible, is having cast the life-size figure of a male Native. The figure will ba used to show the manner in which the- Maoris wear their native mats, in the manufacture of which they display so much patience and ingenuity. The clay model is being- prepared on the Museum premises by Mr J. J| 'Donald, of the Tourist Department, whose work is favourably known. The plaster figure is to bo naturally coloured, and the tattoo marks from authentic designs will serve to depict the. Native as he was.

Mr J. M. «■ Wilson, the Socialist lecturer, delivered a farewell address in the Alhambra Theatre on Sunday on the subject " A New Version of ' What Must I Da to be Saved?' " There was a large audience, and the address throughout \rsa listened to without interruption. At the conclusion of the address he slated that he was gtad he had visited Dunedin for tworeasons: one was that in no pfaee he had visited had he been listened to with so much thoughtful and uninterrupted attention; and the other, that his friends the clerica and their supporters had recognised that there was a fire somewhere, or they would 1 not have exhibited so much anxiety to squirt oil upon it, which, instead of extinguishing, had made it blaze stronger. Before the proceedings closed, the Chairman (Mr J. Gilchrist) read a challenge addressed to Mr Wikon 'from the Rev. R. A. Robinson, who expressed dissatisfaction with the result of the recent debate, and offered to debate the subject from the standpoint that " Christianity is a Spiritual Experience and not a Theological System." Mr Wilson said that as he was departing from New Zealand and would leave for the Bluff in the morning, such a debate c6uld not take place. He said that the objection of Socialists was not against a spiritual experience of Christianity, of which they knew nothing, but against its theological dogma?.

On Sunday morning the Dunedin Highland Rifles held a church parade, visiting; First Church. The company, which was accompanied by the Dunedin Pipe Band' had an excellent muster, and it receivedIrom Dr Nisbet a sermon excellent in matter, powerful in delivery, and 1 appropriate in reference.

A special committee meeting of the Otago University Council was held in the Supreme Court- Chambers on Monday afternoon, when there were present: His Honor Mr Justice Williams (chancellor), Mr J. Allen, M.H.R. (vice-chancellor), Professors Shand and Sale, Drs Hocken, Church, and Bums, and Mr T>. Stewart. The businesa of the meeting was to consider tenders for additions to the University buildings in. connection with the new chair of physiology. After receiving a report from the architect, Mr J. L. Salmond, the council decided to accept the tender of Messrs J.. and N. Wood, of Dunedin, for £2838 ss. There were 10 tenders in all, ranging from the sum of Messrs Wood's tender (which was the lowest) up to £4-794-.

Our Wellington correspondent wires: — - "A circular letter has been sent out by the honorary secretary of the Scenery Preservation Society asking for the co-operation of the head masters of the various schools in impressing on the children, while, holidays are beginning-, the necessity for preserving inviolate the public vrar^ris -and reserve* and the few remaining natural beauty spots adjacent to the city. He! suggests that the children should be kindly! admonished regarding the careless lighting of fires in dry weather, the defacing ofpublic seats with tomahawks and knives', throwing stones at notice-boards^ and tlio &VBi&gi£& of sju'ujn tg t^iji* gjigyt jaii*^

It is not yet too late for similar advice to be tendered to most of the schoolboys in and about Dunedin.

Among notable arrivals in Dunedin lately is Mr John Nicol, C.M.G., who was Mayor of Durban during the Boer war, his term of office extending over a period of three and a-half years. Mr Nicol has been travelling since the 2nd March last, and has visited a good many countries. He has 6perrt some time in the North Island of this colony, and has also seen a good deal of the South Island, and is prepossessed in favour of both. Asked as to news concerning matters in South Africa, Mr Nicol pointed out that it was so long since he had left there that he had -no intimate knowledge of what was going on. All he knew had been gleaned from reading the daily papers. He was, of course, in virtue of his office, a- prominent figure during the war; but, as he remarked, that was now a matter of ancient history, and there was really nothing new to be said of it. Mr Nacol, who is accompanied by his two daughters, is stopping at the Grand Hotel, and leaves for the Lakes district almost inamedi-ately, He expects to leave the colony on January 2. A meeting of early settlers and, descendants was held at Milton to arrange for the Balelutha-Milton picnic, which is to be held at Milton _ihis year. There was a fair attendance. TMr W. Moore (Mayor) was appointed chairman, Mr Charles Grey treasurer^ and Mr-R. M. Brookes secretary. Those gentlemen, with the. large and enthusiastic committee elected, may be considered a very safe guarantee for success. Mr lianglands, who was present, stated that Mrs James Elder Brown had offered the use of "her grounds, and as the consent of the tenant, Mr Donald Gordon* had been obtained it was decided to hold the picnic atElderke on Wednesday, February 8, 1905. Mr Langlands also' stated that the railway authorities would grant return tickets at excursion rates, available till the following

Saturday. TSlderlee is an ideal place for c picnic, being in close proximity to the railway -station, and a combination of shade, eward, -and river.'

A. sitting of the Old-age Pensions Court was' held at Outraxn on Saturday last, before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., the deputregistrar at Dunedin (Mr Hill) ,s*presenting the department. _ Three renewals of peneicaiswere granted — two' at £18 and one at £17. l"Six pensions were granted — four at £18, one it £16; one at £13. One applica-tion-was adjourned till the next court sitting at ' Mosgiel.

Mr J. A: ' Johnstone, the honorary secretary of, the Otago branch of the Navy League, informs us that Mr John Mill will present the Navy League- map and handbook at the breaking-up for the holidays of the Port J Chalmers District High School. Mr Donald Reid, M.H.R., in addition to handing oyer the map and handbook at the Green Island School, will also present the prize won by a pupil of that school at the recent examination. At the "Maeandrew Road School .break-up Mr 3. M. Gallaway ■will present the map and handbook in place of the Hon. ~H. Gourley, who, owing to another engagement, is unable to attend.

The Oamaru Mail states that the local police have- laid, an information against an Oamaru resident under the " bona fide traveller" clause of tiie new Licensing Act.

A patent has been taken- out by a German for the use of liquid air*in the cooling of air in mines, " and it is proposed that its use may be further extended to the purifying of foul air in mines. There would be cases in which the usual methods would be bo costly that it might actually be cheaper to use liquid air. It woulcl seem, however, that the only "field in which liquid air is likely to have commercial value at present is that of explosives. Mixed ;srith powdered charcoal it has been used for blasting purposes at Pensburg, in Upper Bavaria, and in ihe Simp'lbn tunnel, between Brigue and Porno d'Oesola. ' TDx Lindo, who was the first to apply what is called the regenerative to the liquefaction of air, has invested an explosive to which he has given, the name of oxyliquit. It is composed of a mixture of liquid air with marl and naphtha.- It was. said to- Be more effective, pound by pound, than nitro-gelatine.

The winning numbers; in the. Dominican Huns' art union are published in this issiie.