GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XI, 14 March 1903, Page 719

GENERAL NEWS.

The Waihi Gold Mining Company broke its record last month by obtaining £53,641 from 18,699 tons of ore.

The Ventura’s passengers from Sydney numbered 40, an appreciable decrease. The number of passengers in transit was 108.

Improvements and alterations to the chemical laboratory at Canterbury College, which were much needed, have recently been completed.

At a recent large native tangi held at Normanby, Taranaki, one notable feature was the absence of liquor in any large quantity at the gathering. A Shakespeare Society is to be formed in Wellington, on the model of a similar society which has been in existence for some years in Dunedin. Dr. Findlay is acting as secretary pro tern. The Railway Department will in future allot carriages for the exclusive use of volunteers when travelling by rail, provided there is a sufficient number to warrant it.

Mr Cutler, one of the consulting engineers to whom the Dunedin Drainage Board has referred its engineer’s proposal for the sewerage of the city, says the septic tank system in Sydney has surpassed all anticipations.

A site has been selected by Mr W. Goldie, city curator of parks, for the erection of another of the Boyd statues. Mr Goldie has chosen a nice position fronting the gate opposite Victoriastreet East in the Albert Park.

The following interpreters have been appointed by the Government for the Cook and Other Islands Land Titles Court: Messrs. Arthur Harry Browne, Rarotonga; William Browne, Rarotonga; John Mortimer Salmon, Rarotonga; C. F. Proctor, Mangaia; Adolf Von Nagel, Atiu; James Wilson, Penrhyn; Harry Williams, Manihiki; and Henry Ellis, Manihiki.

A well-attended meeting of members of the Ninth Now Zealand Contingent was held on Friday at the .City Club Hotel. Lieut. Taylor was called to the chair, and it was unanimously decided to hold a reunion on March 19. to take the form of a smoke concert. The following were elected a committee to carry out all arrangements:—Lieuts Taylor and Woods, Messrs Jackson, Whitehead, Tapper, Reinhardt, Partridge. Mr Arthur Whitehead was elected secretary and treasurer.

A number of New Plymouth tradespeople were victimised last week over the purchase of beeswax. Beeswax is rather a scarce commodity just now, and when a stranger presented a sample, which he offered at a tempting price in bulk, he received numerous good orders. The stuff was duly delivered and paid for by several traders, but upon investigation it was discovered to be a composition made up apparently of mutton fat, resin, turpentine, and a small proportion of wax. Having been sold according to sample the buyers apparently have no redress, and will have to make the best of their bargain.

The Hon. James Carroll, on his arrival at Taumaranui (King Country) on Wednesday last, was warmly welcomed by the native chiefs of the district. In reply to their speeches of welcome he made a forcible speech, in the course of which he recapitulated the requirements which led up to the passing of the Native Councils Act, and explaining the working of the Act and the benefits derivable from it, In the evening a meeting of those holding title in the Taumaranui block was held in the hall, when the majority of the owners favoured the township scheme, and expressed their willingness to expedite the selection and partition of the township by the Land Court. Mr. Carroll and party left for Wanganui by river on Thursday morning.

Mr Thos. Quoi, the well-known Chinese interpreter, wishes us to acknowledge a contribution of over £BO towards our local hospital funds, collected by him from his fellow-countrymen residing in Auckland. This is the second gift of the kind he has been instrumental in obtaining from the same contributors, and his zeal and disinterestedness is highly commendable. Mr Quoi pointed out to the donors that they derived the same advantages as Europeans from hospital treatment when occasion arose, and consequently ought to assist in

maintaining such a valuable free institution open to all classes, without distinction. This was the more necessary, he told the contributors, because they lived amongst and derived their livelihood from Europeans, and should show their gratitude in return according to their ability to subscribe. This they have done in a very liberal ana commendable spirit.

A noted English athlete is in Wellington at the present time. Mr N. D. Morgan, who was holder of the amateur 220yds championship of the world in 1890 and 1896, and who held the championship for the same distance for Ireland for three years. He arrived by the lonic on Thursday, and will probably remain in the colony for some time. He purposes visiting the Wonderland in the North and the South Islands.

Another of those peculiar cases of honey poisoning which occasionally attend the consumption of bush honey is reported from Kaitaia. A party of Maoris gathered a large quantity of honey from the bush near Pamapruia, in the Victoria Valley, on Saturday last, and ate freely. Towards evening J en of them became ill, and they summoned a Mr. T. W. P. Smith, a Kaitaia resident, in whose healing powers they had confidence. He prescribed, and when morning came the ten were recovering, and eight more who had developed acute symptoms were also on the way to convalesence. Mr. Smith states that he has been very successful in the treatment of honeypoisoning. His method is to give about thirty grains of ipecacuana powder, graded according to age and sex, followed by plenty of warm salted water, to produce vomiting. Then follow half-hourly doses of strong brandy and water. The cause of the poisoning ennnot be explained with certainty, but it is believed to be due to the bees gathering honey, from the whawhi. It was recently cabled from Sydney that Captain Atwood, formerly of the Elingamite, and now attached to the local staff of the Westport Coal Company, had applied to the Victorian Marine Board for a fresh certificate, the original having been lost in the wreck of the vessel, and that the Board had replied that it could not heat with the application until it had communicated with the New Zealand authorities. The Minister of Marine informed me this morning that the colonial Government forwarded a reply to the Victorian authorities to the effect that it had no recommendation to make, writes our Wei lington correspondent. PROGRESS OF THE NORTH. WHANGARFJ, March 7. A party of gentlemen from Hawera, under the direction of Mr. R. H. Nolan, a well-known West Coast capitalist, has just returned from a visit to the Bay of Islands district. It is understood negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of several large properties in that district. The syndicate have in contemplation the establishment of meat freezing works at Opua. GROUNDING OF THE PENGUIN. WELLINGTON, March 4. Dr. McArthur, S.M., sitting with Captains Waddilove and Smith, as assessors, held an inquiry to-day into the circumstances under which the Union Company’s steamer Penguin grounded

off Waihi Point, Jackson’s Head, on the night of February 26. The Court found that the mishap was due to a dense fog enveloping the ship at a critical moment, acquitted the captain and officers of any blame, and considered that their eon duct after the mishap was worthy of all praise. DEPARTURE OF THE SQUADRONThe Australian Squadron, after spending a week in the Auckland Harbour, left on Sunday morning for the South. The officers and men were very hospitably treated while in Auckland, and appeared to enjoy themselves very much. The fleet regatta was held on Wednesday and Thursday. Considerable interest was taken in the race for shins’ boats, the prize being the cup presented by Admiral Fanshawe’s predecessor. The course was twice round the fleet. The whalers were first got away, then followed at 15minute intervals the cutter class, the pinnaces, and the 30 and 32ft gigs. From the start the Archer’s whaler, sailed by Commander Rolleston, assumed the lead. She further increased her lead as the race progressed. The finish was Archer’s whaler, 1; Royal Arthur’s cutter, 2; Phoebe’s cutter, 3. The cup also went to the Archer last year. Rear-Admiral Fanshawe and a number of officers were entertained at dinner by the Northern Club on Thursday, and on Friday His Excellency and staff left for Rotorua, returning on Sunday morning by special train. Wainiangu geyser played splendidly to the rreat wonderment of the naval men, who dwere much impressed with the wonders of the district-