GENERAL NEWS.

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

GENERAL NEWS.

Dr. Wohlman, the English balneologwt appointed by the Government •» take charge of the thermal springs, reaches Wellington by the direct steamer Ruapehu on Tuesday. Utt 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 liis 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 tlie Hoard 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 Ilaro'd Roach, a lad of sixteen, was stuck up in one of the by-streets in Mount Roskill on Saturday night, by a couple of young fellows, who relieved him o' tire 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 nothing to him, but simp y seized his bags and made off with them, going towards Kingsland acro-s the pa/do ks, a number of torn "Stars” revealing their trail. About 50 of the papers were found hidden in a paddock yesterday in one of the hags. The robbery is a singularly motiveless chc, and 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 •tipper Vineent-street, 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 tlie 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 fullyo 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 the force. In fact, the Inspector informed a “Star” reporter who saw him that he at tlie 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 Air C. J. Storey, of Rangiwaha, near Te Awainntu. 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 the mortality has ceased. Storey and Ward are progressing satisfactorily in the hospital, but Cunningham's face is swelled beytind 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 Wa’ikato appeal". to have originated from the importation of infected manure not properly sterilised; that • attic became affected by the manure nn<l passed on disease to the men working among them. Several ol

the cases arc serious. The department is taking the necessary steps to prevent the disease spreading. Mr Robert Cunningham, of Te Rahn, the anthrax patient, died in the Waikato Hospital on Sunday. He had improved considerably since his admission, and his friends hoped fur his recovery. Yesterday he appeared well, and spoke to the matron, but soon afterwards expired without a struggle. The deceased was a pioneer settler 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 SO 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 be 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 Macri 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. H. Cullen: — “(1) That this meeting of Jfcungaturoto 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 Spra-gg, merchant, Auckland, such declaration having reference to the conduct of the Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr T. Hutchison) while he was acting as Chairman of the Waiteinata Licensing Committee at Its sitting at Ilelensville 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 ease 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 (Timmittee 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 fide residents of the district, and would respectfully urge the electoral district to vote solidly for reduction at the next local option noil so as to enable us to remove this wrong from our midst.” (3) Moved by the Itev. ('. 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 thrustipg 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.