GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue II, 12 July 1902, Page 88

GENERAL NEWS.

Dr. Wohlinan, the English balneologiat appointed by the Government W» take charge of the thermal springs, reaches Wellington by the direct steamer Ruapehu on Tuesday, headquarters will be at Rotorua. The Kawhia “Settler” states that a local settler, Mr Mason, brought a thousand sheep through from tho Waikato to stock his grazing ground at Taharoa. This is, it is said, the largest drive of sheep that has come through this forty miles of bush track from the inland districts. At a meeting of the committee appointed at a recent public meeting to make arrangements for a memorial for soldiers who have fallen in South Africa, it was unanimously resolved to inform His Excellency that the committee cannot see its way to support the proposals put forward by His Excellency to establish a veterans’ home in Auckland as a fitting memorial to soldiers from the Otago district who have fallen in South Africa. Christchurch teachers are very indignant at the Board of Education's decision to appoint, only teachers who have had charge of a school to headmasterships and first assistantships in large city school. They state that country teachers will have an unfair advantage, and talk of holding an indignation meeting. A “Star” runner named Haro’d Roach, a l id of sixteen, was stuck up in one of the by-slreets in Mount Roskill on Saturday night, by a couple of young fellows, who relieved him oii the ten dozen “Stars” he was delivering. and also took his hat. The runner states that his assailants were apparently about 20 years of age. They said not’ling to him, but simp y seized his bags and made off with them, going towards Kingsland aero. s the paddo ks, a number of to n “Stars” revealing- their trail. About 50 of the papers were found hidden in a paddock yesterday in one of the bags. The robbery is a singularly motiveless one, ami the ease is probably one of larrikinism. Investigations into the extraordinary yarns published in the “Star” as to the stripping of young women by masked men in Mount Eden and «ppcr Vineeut-stieet, only go to strengthen our original surmise that the first story was the result of a hallucination, and the second merely- invented to give a show of truth to the first. The author of the second yarn which was published was invited to call at the “Star” and substantiate the statements made, but has not yet done so. We are more than ever convinced that while the earlier yarn was more or less manufactured, the second was entirely so. There is every reason to believe in the sincerity of the parents of the girl in question, but there is equally strong ground for believing that the girl herself was. says that journal, under some hallucination. The police fully endorse this view of the ease. Inspector Cullen is not .surprised at receiving sensational stories, which is a common occurrence in the official life of tb.e force. In fact, the Inspector informed a "Star" reporter who saw him I hat he at the present time had another communication of a parallel nature, which was of a nature that could not be published. It now transpires the outbreak of anthrax- is on the farm of Mr C. J. Storey, of Rangiwahn, near Te A walnut u. Six cattle died while feeding on turnips, but the remainder were saved by removal. This is the third outbreak in Waikato. Each occurred while cattle were feeding on turnips. It is reassuring to know ttie mortality lias eeased. Storey and Ward are progressing satisfactorily in the hospital, but Cunningham's face is swelled beyond all recognition and presents a loathsome sight. He is in a dangerous condition and is not expected to live. The Health Department is informed that the outbreak of anthrax in Waikato appeals to have originated from the importation of infected manure not properly sterilised; that etutle became affected by Hie manure and passed on disease to tb.e merfl working among them. Several of

the cases are serious. The department is taking the necessary steps to prevent the disease spreading. Mr Robert Cunningham, of Te Rahu, the anthrax patient, died in the Waikato Hospital on Sunday. He had improved considerably since his admission, and his friends hoped for his recovery. Yesterday he appeared well, and spoke to the matron, but soon afterwards expired without a struggle. The deceased was a pioneer set tier in the early days, and served with Von Tempsky’s Forest Rangers and also in Major Jackson's troop of cavalry at Te Awamutu. He was very highly respected, and was one of the most popular settlers in the district.

Should the scheme of the re-ar-rangement of Parliamentary electorates proposed by the Representation Commissioners be given effect to, the new House of Representatives will consist of RO members, of whom 41 will represent the North Island and 39 the South Island. The number of European members returned by each island will be equal—namely, 38--but in addition the Maori members have to he reckoned with. There are four Maori electorates in the colony, three being in the North Island and one in the South. On the basis of the respective native populations in the North and South Islands, the South Island Maoris are really not entitled to a member at all. as out of the total Maori population of the colony, which was 43,101 according to last year’s census, only 2446 live in the South Island. Each of the North Island Maori members therefore represents an average population of about 13,500, whereas the Southern Maori member only represents less than a fifth of that number. Including the Maori members the North Island will under the Commissioners’ proposals have a majority of two in the new Parliament. A meeting was held ''■ the Public Hall, Maungaturoto on Tuesday, July Ist. Mr W. J. Bailey presided, and Mr Hy. Cullen and the Rev. E. C. Davidson having addressed the meeting, the following resolutions were passed; proposed by Mr 11. E. Flower and seconded by Mr W. 11. Cullen: — “(1) That this meeting of Maungaturoto residents, having heard the statements made upon the sworn declaration of George Fowlds, M.H.R., merchant, of Auckland, Chas. E. Davidson, Congregational minister, of Maungaturoto, Henry Cullen, storekeeper, of Maungaturoto, William Gittos, Wesleyan minister and missionary to the Maoris, and Wesley Spragg, merchant, Auckland, sueh declaration having reference to the conduct of the Stipendiary ' Magistrate (Mr T. Hutchison) while he was acting as Chairman of the Waitemata Licensing Committee at Its sitting at Helensville on Tuesday, the 10th day of June, respectfully requests that the Minister for Justice will cause enquiry to be made into the charges contained in that declaration, and, if such charges are found to be substantiated, to take such action as the. case demands.” (2) Moved by Mr C. Ford and seconded by Mr J. Cullen: “That this meeting enters its strong protest against the action of the Waitemata Licensing Committee in thrusting a license upon a district where it was neither wanted nor required, especially as in so doing thev violated the spirit of the Licensing Act and went in direct opposition to the expressed wish of a majority of four-fifths of the bona tide residents of the district, and would respectfully urge the electoral district to vote solidly for reduction at the next local option noli so as to enable us to remove this wrong from our midst.” (3) Moved l>\ the Rev. C. E. Davidson, seconded by Mr E. J. Flower; “That this meeting hereby instructs the Chairman to convey to the editor of the ‘Star’ our appreciation of his able advocacy of the cause of liberty and justice in contending against the thrusting of a license in our district in violation of the spirit of the licensing laws and against, the expressed wish of a majority of the residents of the said district.” The meeting was very enthusiastic and. considering the state of the roads, was fairly representative of the “no license" party in the district.