GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XX, 15 November 1902, Page 1240

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr Carnegie, the millionaire, writs ing to Mr C. R. Chapman, of Dunedin, undertakes to provide £lO,OOO for the establishment of a public library if the city finds a siutable site and furnishes £7OO a year for up-keep.

The Government have decided on opening up the mines at Coal Creek and Cardiff as early as possible. It is probable Mr A. B. Lindop, late manager of the Westport Coal Company’s mines, will be appointed manager of both State, mines-

By the steamer Aparima, which left Auckland for Calcutta last week, 147 horses from the Auckland district were shipped to India. They are intended for army remount purposes.

The Natal “Mercury” states that a Krugersdorp farmer, who upon the outbreak of war buried £l5OO in an ant-heap on his farm, has just returned from Ceylon, located the antheap, and again taken possession of his fortune.

H.M.s. Dart was met at the Solomon Group recently by the gunboat Sparrow. The Dart’s officers were surveying the Island of Ysabel at the time the Sparrow dropped across her. The surveying vessel is expected to return (o Sydney before Christmas.

News from Rotorua states that there was considerable activity early last, week at the Whakarewarewa geysers, Pohutn, Te Wairoa and Kereru all playing at the same time, ami there were several heavy explosions at what is known as “The Torpedo,” which threw up a considerable quantity of mud from the bed of tile river. There was also an eruption at Waimahana, about ten miles from Rotorua, a place that is not often visited, as it lies off the line of road; a column of steam was seen rising there.

At a meeting of the Otago Central Railway League, Sir William Russell wrote that he would endeavour to accept the invitation of the league, and view’ the country opened by the line. It was resolved, “That in view of the fact that there is ample room on the works for the employment of double the number of men now employed, and that there is at present a large number of men in Otago out of employment, the league would, earnestly urge on the Government the necessity for immediately employing a much greater number of men, as Parliament has voted ample funds for the purpose.”

At the request of the Agricultural Department of Natal the New Zealand Agricultural Department intends sending two or three small parcels of the oats which colonial farmers have found to be most-Suc-cessful in resisting attacks of rust. The Secretary of State for the Colonics has forwarded a communication to the Premier, enclosing copy of a

letter sent by the Minister for Netherlands at the Court of St. James’, conveying the thanks of his Government for the assistance rendered by Mr Seddon at the time of embarkation on the Drayton Grange of a part of the crew of Geertruid* Gerada, which had to be abandoned.

In reply to the assertions of Aucklanders that there "was no danger of fruit maggot attacking their orchards, Mr. T. W. Kirk, the Government biologist, again points out that the danger is very real, inasmuch as the fly has been reared from maggotinfested fruit in the breeding cages in the laboratory of the department in Wellington. These flies paired and deposited eggs on the fruit placed in the cages. If the flies do this in Wellington there is no question but that they would rapidly breed in Auckland’s warmer climate, says Mr. Kirk? and so ruin orchards." Mr. Kirk adds that the fly appeared in a Tasmanian orchard in a climate less adapted to it .than is Auckland, but, thanks to drastic steps taken, its spread was suppressed.

Rotohokohoko io the name of a small lake situate on the table land in the dense forest betw’een Mamaku (above Rotorua) and Horohoro. The old Maoris knew its position, but the present generation have not been able to locate it, though often sought for owing to its being a favourite feeding ground for the pigeon. Mr. T. Mitchell, of Rotorua, while surveying in the neighbourhood a few days ago, dropped unexpectedly upon it. He describes it as being about 20 chains long, and covering about 20 acres. It is hoped the Government, in cutting up the land, will reserve a -good portion adjacent to the lake, as the lake may yet be required for a water supply for the town of Rotorua.

At a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Fruitgrowers’ Union held last week at the office of the general secretary (Mr J. H. Mackie), the question of Government inspection of imported fruits was considered. It was resolved: “That seeing that considerable feeling is being expressed in regard to The stringency adopted in the inspection of ruits imported from the islands, in order to avoid the introduction of the fruit-fly, into this colony, this committee begs to assure the Agricultural Department of its hearty approval of the thoroughness of the inspection imposed, and hopes that it will be uniformly observed throughout the colony.” It was further resolved: “That the action of Mr W. F. Massey, M.H.R.. in having introduced into the Cook Islands Bill last session a clause providing for the inspection of all fruits imported from those islands in a similar manner to importations from other countries, be and is hereby strongly approved; it being considered that the danger of introducing principally the fruit-fly into New Zealand orchards is quite sufficient warrant for the adoption of the clauses.” The secretary was instructed to send a copy of the resolution to Mr Massey, M.H.R. The tablet on the memorial cairn erected to the late Sir John McKenzie, Minister for lands, was unveiled on Friday. The cairn is erected on Pukehiwitahi, near Shag Point. The express train from Dunedin took a large contingent to Palmerston, including Sir J. G. Ward, the Hons. J. Rigg, H. Gourley, W. M. Bolt, and A. Lee Smith, Messrs. T. Mackenzie, E. G. Allen, and Parata (members of the late Parliament), Mayor Park, of Dunedin, and leading citizens. The Premier and party came from Christchurch in a special train.

On reaching the cairn the Hon. A. Lee Smith, who presided, paid a high tribute to the deceased statesman. The Premier unveiled the tablet in the cairn, and in a speech lasting half-an-hour referred to the struggle the late Mr. McKenzie had in early life to make his way in the world, and to the masterful will he brought to bear upon whatever object lie set his mind on, which largely accounted fur the success he achieved. The Premier then gave a sympathetic sketch of Sir J. McKenzie’s character' and career. Sir J. G. Ward -passed n glow'ing cuiegium on his late colleague.

At the Premier's suggestion those present, as a last mark of respect, remained uncovered for a brief space and then dispersed.

On Sunday afternoon, shortly after three o’clock. His Lordship the Bishop (the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan) laid the foundation stone of the first Marist Bros.’ College in New Zealand. The site of the college is pleasantly situated in Richmond - road, just below Oliphant-street. The attendance was quite a large one, and amongst those present, in addition to His Lordship the Bishop, the Roman Catholic clergy and the Marist Order, were His Worship the Mayor (Mr Alfred Kidd) and the town clerk (Mr H. W. Wilson), Hon. T. Thompson, Messrs Napier, M.H.R., Baume, Shera, Patterson, E. Mahony, T. Mahoney and P. Darby. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the Hon. J. A. Tole and Mr MossDavis.

In performing the ceremony of laying the stone, the Bishop used a silver trowel, presented by Mr T. Mahoney, the architect. It bore the following inscription: “Used by His Lordship Dr. Lenihan on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Marist Brothers’ College, November 9, 1902.”

After laying the stone the Bishop offered the following prayer: “Oh God, from Whom all good things arise and receive their increase, grant, we beseech Thee, to us supplicating, that what we have begun to the honour of Thy name may lead, by Thy paternal wisdom, to a happy ending, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The stone having been blessed, the ceremony terminated.

Among the birthday honours, Major William Jukes Steward, ex-Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, has been created a Knight Bachelor.

[Major Steward has been a prominent figure in New Zealand politics of recent years. He was Speaker of House of Representatives from January 23, 1891, to November 8, 1893. He first entered Parliament in 1871, some ten years after his arrival in the colony, and at a time when he was proprietor of the “North Otago Times.” After serving as Mayor •of Oamaru during 1876-7-8 he removed to Waimate, purchased the “Waimate Times,” and the same year was elected as the representative in Parliament of that constituency. Under its two names of Waimate and Waitaki the major has since represented that district continuously. Major Steward has always taken a lively interest in the volunteer movement, having been mainly responsible for the formation of several Southern volunteer corps. He is now the senior major on the army list of the colony.]

There was quite a flutter of excitement in Wellington last week, when it became known that the Tasmanian Parcels Express Delivery Company, which was understood to be an agency of Tattersall's, was raided by the police, consisting of Chief Detective McGrath, Detectives Broberg, Cameron, and Boddam. The business came under the notice of the detectives, and Inquiries were made with reference to parcels sent, the result being sufficient to justify an information being sworn and warrants obtained for a search. Those in charge were srprised at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. An express load of circulars and correspondence relating to Tattersall's was seized and conveyed to the police station, whilst the management of the express business was taken charge of by the police. Lists were obtained disclosing the names of all those who sent parcels, showing that a great business was recorded here. The prosecution will endeavour to prove that the parcels were not sent to Tasmania, that their contents were extracted sheets showing investments by agent in Tasmania for delivery to Tattersail, tickets being sent direct from Tattersail to Investors. It is stated that tl|e modus operamll was for the Express Company to receive in parcel form tickets, to be sent to Geo. Adams, care of Tattersail, Hobart. They charged 6d for delivery of a parcel. Investors enclosed cash only to the amount of purchase of tickets, in addition to the cost of postage for a reply, giving the result of the drawing. The local ageney was offered to several well known citizens, who declined. Hearing that police prosecutions would follow on circulars being issued, the Company not’fied that small parcels could be sent or left with it for despatch, by express delivery to Tasmania, booking fee 6d. The agents of the Tasmanian Tourist Association have offleei In Melbourne and Adelaide.