The News of the Week

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 10, 7 March 1908, Page 7

The News of the Week

IN THE DOMINION, At the annual meeting of the Titnaru Gas Company last week, a dividend of 10 per cent for the year was declared. Mr. J. D. McKenzie, a member of the 'Auckland Board of Education, will contest the Marsden seat at the next election. ’• •• The Minister for Labour has declared .Wednesday to be the statutory closing day for shops in the combined districts of Auckland. The thirty-fifth annual conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand is now in session at the Pitt-street Church, Auckland. The biennial conference of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, which opened at Wellington on the 28th ult., is expected to. last for a fortnight. It is reported from Sydney that the B.s. Miowera has been purchased by the (Union Company, and will be placed in the New Zealand trade. The Rev. C. Dallaston, who is leaving to take charge of the Mornington Baptist Church was presented with a purse of sovereigns by his late congregation at Napier. Onehunga Borough Council has resolved that the proposed new waterworks shall be constructed with all possible speed. It is proposed to raise a loan of £4600 for the undertaking. ” The valuations for Greater Dunedin for 1908-09 show an increase of £ 12,207 on last year, the total for the current year being £396,918, as against £384,Jll for the previous year. A serious outbreak of fire occurred in Thomson and Co.’s aerated water manufactory in Crawford-stireet, Dunedin, on 24th ult. It is estimated that the damage exceeds £2OOO. Mr. J. Maughan. the wellknown Wellington’ musician, has been, giving recitals on the new ’orgaii built by Messrs. Norman and Beard in First Church fDunedin. The mariager of a billiard-room, at St. Kilda has been fined £2 and costs for permitting cards to be played on ths premises. Three others, who took part in the game, were each fined 10/. The report of the valuer show's the valuation of the Borough of Parnell for the year 1908-1909 to be £41,650, as against £38,102 for 1907-1908, an increase of £3548. The increase last year was £l2Bl. The Pongaroa School Committee has refused to comply with a request from the Wellington Board of Education, made to all the committees in the district, to hang a printed sheet, containing the Ten Commandments ,on the school walls. The highly successful New Zealand musician, Mr. Victor Booth, of Oamaru, s who is now a sub-professor at the Royal 'Academy of Music in London, has had the dignity of an associateship conferred upon him. Devonport Borough Council is proposing to purchase the borough gasworks. The Corporation solicitors have been instructed to prepare a local Bill to municipalise the gas supply for Devonport, such Bill to be presented to Parliament in charge of Mr. E. W Alison, M.P. '« New Zealand continues to gain in population from overseas. During January last 4,957 persons arrived in the Dominion, being an excess of 169 over the number landing in January of last year. Persons leaving the Dominion during the month totalled 2,3aa, an excess over the corresponding period of last year of 222. “Jack” Howell, a well-known athlete, has died in the hospital from an injury to his spine, sustained while taking part in a wrestling competition at the Napier Caledonian sports. Howell was very popular with his comrades. Before leaving New Plymouth some months ago, he was a prominent member of the Tukapa (Football Club, and a leading exponent of the boxing art. The Opotiki A. and P. Association is prging Government io acquire White jslana, in the Bay of Plenty. Thp island, .which belongs to Mr. Andrew Gray of Wellington, Iprs an area of 588 acres, ami, m addition to many thermal won-

ders, has sulphur deposits valued at >-50,000. A few years ago the owner Was willing to sell at £3,500 to the Government. There is now a probability of its being purchased by an American syndicate. Municipal abattoirs for Wellington, which have hung fire for a long time, are at length approaching realisation. The City Council has resolved to acquire for the purpose certain lands, buildings and machinery between Ngahauranga and Johnsonville, at a cost of £3,700. The abattoirs will be so constructed and arranged as to provide for the killing and dressing of meat under the most sanitary conditions. The building will be of brick, with iron trusses and concrete floors. Mr. Wesley Spragg, managing director of the New Zealand Dairy Association, accompanied by Mrs and the Misses .Spragg and Master Spragg, has left by the Corinthic on a visit to the Old Country. Auckland City Council has refused to entertain a proposal made by the Hospital Board to exchange for some low-ly-ing ground a piece of high-lying land in the Domain, on which it was proposed to erect a hospital for the treatment of consumptives. In the course of an address at Russell, the Prime Minister said that wireless telegraphy must be established in New Zealand, and it was the duty of the Government to purchase the right to use the system and maintain it for the good of the people. The Hon. James McGowan, Minister in Charge of the administration of the Cork and otrer islands belonging to New Zealand in the Pacific, is inviting tenders for a direct sailing vessel service between Auckland and Niue. It is proposed that the vessel shall make fifteen trips per annum. Nature appears to be exerting herself with a view to a.dllihg'‘tb The attractions of the Rotorua Carnival. • The geysers at Whakarewarewa have, during, the past few days, sho.wn quite, upjisuad. activity —sev.eral magnificently .fine eruptions taking place without 'the customary I'persuasive “soft soap.” Invercargill papers state that the Government Land Purchase Board is inspecing the Five Rivers Estate, with a view to its purchase by the Government. The estate consists of 40,000 acres of freehold and 15,000 acres of leasehold, splendidly watered, and bounded on three sides by railways. The “ universal Saturday half-holiday ” seems as far off as ever. No district has declared for closing shops on Saturday afternoons, whereas at Ashburton it has been decided by poll that the half-holi-day/ for factories be held on Thursday, which is the day observed by the shops, instead of on Saturday. Owing to the price of flax having fallen as low as £2l 10/ per ton, with no sign of recovery, some mills in the Manuwatu district are closing down. The mill-own-ers and employees are conferring together at Foxton, with a view to arriving at a sliding scale arrangement as to wages, with a view to keeping the industry going. At the annual meeting of the Standard Insurance Company at Dunedin, on Monday last, Mr. Fergus, chairman, said that the year's income was £112,579, and the expenditure £92,693. Considering the numerous fires in the Dominion and Australia, the outcome was very satisfactory. Premium income showed an increase of over £ 60.000. As the result of his tour of inspection over the route of the North Auckland Railway, Mr. H. J. IL Blow, Under Secretary for the Public Works Department, states that work on the line northward from Helensville is being pushed on as rapidly as possible. Nearly two hundred men are employed on the line, and more could be taken on, if available. The same scarcity of labour is experienced on the Hukerenui-Kawakawa line. Mr. Blow ras returned to Wellington. Another stage has been reached in the seemingly interminable litigation in connection with Mr. Joshua Jones's Mokau clajms. Messrs. Travers, Russell and Campbell, solicitors, Wellington, have received a cable from Messrs. Flowefs and Flowers, solicitors,

of London, stating that the action brought by Joshua Jones against the executors of the estate of the late Wickham Flowers, in relation to the Mokau property, has been dismissed with costs. A social event of some importance in Maori circles took place at Wellington on the 19th ult., when a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pratt (Taare Parata). Parata is a young chief of the South Island, and belongs to the sub-tribes of Ngati-lluirapa and NgaiTeruahikihiki. His wife, who is named Te Rongokahira, is of aristocratic descent, belonging to the ruling family of Te Arawa and Ngaiterangi tribes. The infant is to receive the high-sounding name of Te Kahureremoa-Hinehoukite-rangi-Parata. A political address was delivered at Hamilton on Monday evening last by Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition. After criticising the policy and actions of the Government, Mr. Massey dealt with the rumour of a possible coalition between the Government and the Opposition, and said there were still too many points of divergence between the parties for that to be possible. The question of land legislation alone, if there were no other was sufficient to keep him (Mr. Massey) in oppsition. At the close of his address the speaker was accorded an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and he was afterwards banqueted by the Political Reform League. At Wellington, on Monday, Mr. W. J. Culver, formerly secretary to the Liberal Federation, and now inspector of factories at Napier, was fined £l, with £1 18/6 costs, for having failed to have a six-year-old son vaccinated. The defendant had made an affidavit at the time of registering the boy’s birth that he believed vaccination would be prejudicial to the child’s health, but the registrar wanted a 2/6 stamp affixed. In a letter to the magistrate Mr. Culver said he would rather go to gaol ten times than allow his children to risk their health by useless and, to his mind, iniquitous proceedings. The Maori as Farmer and Artisan.

The future of the landless nativq.yyas discussed by, .the Young Maqri conference at Orakei last week, wlren Mr. W. Baucks, off Te Kiiiti; in the course of a paper on the subject said that the time had now come 'when the question was asked: “What has been, or is done for the landless Maoris?’’ Various . answers would be given, but they could not satisfy the want. After long years of studying the Maori character, he was in a position to say that handicraft was the most congenial work for the Maori. His works of old, such as canoe building, pa building, carving, songs, etc., showed that he was a lover of the beautiful, and also a handicraftsman. Farming was not a congenial work for him. The best thing to do was to place the saw and the blacksmith’s hammer into his hands, and then ho would soon invent things which he would be proud of. If even he failed with the timber from the yard, he could go to the bush, and by means of the saw pit obtain what he wanted. Commenting on the paper, Dr. Buck wished to point out that the Maori, by heredity, had as much respect for the land as for manual labour. This we knew from such instances as Rongomatane, the god of cultivation or agriculture, and the Taranaki proverb, which names Taranaki as the land kissed by Tane, because of its rich soil. He quite agreed with the writer that the Maori was a craftsman by nature, but all Maoris could not be tradesmen. Following Dr. Buck, the Rev. Bennett said he concurred with what Dr. Buck said on the question. He could not help saying that the line given by the writer of the paper to follow was narrow. Though most of the boys working in town were craftsmen, yet they could not get away from the fact that the Ngatiporous were making wonderful strides in the farming line. And from the accounts given by the Native Land Commission and Dr. Mason, he could not deny the fact that the sheep farming was a suitable work for the Ngatiporous. In Rotorua there were young men who were doing important work for the Government, b’oth at the Sanatoriupm and the nursery. To show the wonderful advance made on the East Coast by the Maoris themselves, through farming. Pine Tamahori gave some figures to give the members

an idea of the spread of the farming movement. There were, he said, no less than 22 fairly large Maori sheep stations on the coast between Tokomaru and Te Araroa, and four of the woolsheds had the latest improved shearing machines. To show the kind of sheep they are breeding, he stated that at the sale in Auckland about a month or so ago, about 150 two-tooths from Port Awanui were sold at an average of 15/ a head. The land was being cleared of the rough bush, and on the whole a great improvement has been made.

Maori Infant Mortality . The death-rate of Maori infants was the subject of discussion at the conference of the Young Maori Party at Orakei, when a paper on “Infantile Mortality” was read by Dr. Te Rangi lliroa. The doctor said that from his personal observation he knew that the Maori infant mortality' was very high. This was due to the same causes as with the Europeans, but to an even greater extent. Before the arrival of the European the Maori was a healthy race. At the present day, owing to the clash between the two systems, the Maori had suffered in physique and health. The mothers did not have the robust health of their ancestors, and as a result their offspring suffered. The Maori mother of old had only one method of feeding her child. In these days there are cow’s milk, tinned milk, and the various tinned foods to complicate matters. If the European suffered as a result of this ignorance in the proper use of their alternative foods then the Maori suffered still more. Bottle feeding amongst the Maori was fairly large owing chiefly to ill-health amongst the mothers. Excessive cigarette smoking and drinking were often indulged in during the period of suckling. Ignorance of proper clothing and hygiene helped to swell the mortality list. After the discussion which followed, the following resolution was moved by Otene Paul, and seconded by Wiri Henare: “That this meeting requests the executive to take steps to have Dr. Rangi Hiroa’s address on ‘lnfant Mortality’ printed in Maori, and circulated widely amongst the Maori people.” * MS ' ’.X.— I D y Bacon versus Butter. ' A well-known Wairarapa dairy-farmer informed a Wellington, Pressman that he thought that the high price ruling for butter this season would have a stimulating effect on the bacon industry.' People who look upon butter as more or less) of a luxury, would resort to fried bacon, which, owing to its fatty qualities, could be eaten better with dry bread than with bread and butter. Confirmation of this view is already given by the fact that, with the rise in the price of butter, there has been an increased demand for bacon, compared with the correspondng periods of former years.

The “ Silver Lining." While nearly every farmer in New Zealand has been troubled about the long spell of dry weather and its accompaniment of fires, it appears that this abnormal state of affairs has enabled record progress to be made in the construction of new roads. The Government Department which expends the grants for improving communication in the backblocks has not suffered much loss through destruction of bridges by fire, in fact, as already stated, it has directly benefited from the continued fine weather. Week after week since Christmas additional men have been engaged for road construction until the total stands at 2600. All these men are working to make new roads or tracks, and there are 250 more engaged in maintaining old work?. Arteiiau Well* in Auckland District. Owing to the unprecedentedly long dry spell which has been experienced since the beginning of the year, it has been found necessary to have recourse to artesian wells as the only method of replenishing the water supply in many of the country districts. In the Waikato excellent results have been achieved, and throughout, the North, wherever it has been found necessary to bpre, unlimited supplies have been tapped Mr. H. J. Gilbert, who recently put down artesian bores in the Papatoetoe, I’apakura. and Waiuku districts, savs that it is seldom

nceessary to go beyond a depth of 200 feet to strike a fair supply of good water. <>n many farms in these districts it has been found necessary to instal artesian bores, and the creamtries have also established similar methods of supply. At a depth of from 150 feet to 200 feet, the dry weather has but little effect on the artesian flow, and the supply is practically inexhaustible. Boring at Waiuku presents some difficulties, the country being more or less volcanic, ami different strata of pumice, peat, and timber are encountered before the water is discovered in the boulder beds. The flow varies from four to 40 gallons per minute. In 'the majority of eases it is necessary.that pumping apparatus should bs used to ensure a flow of water, the pressure from the back country not being sufficient to force the water to the surface.

Labour and Immigration. In the course of an interview at Ashburton the other day, the Hon. J. A. Millar said the Government intended to continue the importation of agricultural labourers and domestic servants, but would spread the requirements, which he estimated for all industries at 2,700. intruding 500 girls, over two years, and obtain all from the British Isles, if p ssib'e. Excellent reports, he said, had been given of the standard of the immigrants of the past few years, and similar methods of selection would be pnrsu'd. A contract system would not be acceptable with the Government or with private employers. No definite employment o.' period would be granted; in fact, th-> Government would not depart frenr the present system. Mr Millar further said that the p otest of the Otago Trades and Labour Council must have been carried wi hout full knowledge of the true position. If they knew the actual condi'i n of soma of the trades in the Dominion, and how greatly their output could be increased if more men were available, they would not. if they wished to see the country progress, carry such a resolution as they had done. “I am quite in accord with them against any general scheme of immigration,” he said, “but to think that industries ought to be allowed to remain practically stagnant is not, in my opinion, in the best interests of the Dominion. There is no need for an outcry. Surely, in a country with a population of nearly a million, 2,000 people is a very small number to be brought in two years to meet the requirements of all industries.” Work for Maori Girls. At the Te Aute Association’s conference at Orakei, the question of the employment of Maori girls as domestic servants was discussed. The Rev. F. A. Bennett said he was opposed to the experiment as a whole, though the principle of providing another avenue of employment was good. He foresaw grave dangers unless the greatest care was taken in placing girls in good Christian households. If the girls showed ability for higher callings they should be encouraged. Dr. Rangi Hiroa spoke in a similar strain. Pine Tamahori pointed' out that the main argument was that this work would fit them more practically for home life. The girls were only to be allowed to enter service in good Christian households. The Rev. Maunsell said that the experiment was risky, but he contended that there were as many dangers in shop and office work as in domestic service. Referring to the steps taken to get native girls into service in Auckland, he said that great interest had been taken in the girls, who appeared very pleased with their surroundings. Strike of Coal Miners. As the result of seven miners being dismissed from the employ of the Blackball Coal Company, near- Greymouth, the whole of tin’ men struck work, and the mine was thrown idle. The employers offered to reinstate the men; but the meinl»‘rs of the union insisted that the men dismissed should tee paid wages during the time they were out of work. They also asked the Company’s manager to agree to a stipulation “that in the event of the management having to dismiss hands owing to any cause whatever the men to he dismissed be selected by ballot.” The manager refused to agree, stating that he wished to keep in the district married men who had built up homes. The union unanimously decided hot to return to work until some arrange-

ment was made to prevent the men from being victimised. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, is endeavouring to mediate in the dispnte. Telegrams of sympathy and offers of support have been received from the Denniston, Brunner, Tyneside, and Granity miners, as well as from the Socialist party and the Trades and Labour Council in Wellington. These offers have the natural effect of hardening up the strikers in their demands. A late report states that an early settlement of the trouble is possible. 'The strike is, of course, an offence under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitraton Act; and unless a settlement is speedily arrived at, the Government will take procontrol on matters purely Belgian. M. strikers. A Serious Statement.

Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P., in addressing a meeting at Lyttelton on February 28th, said that the women of New Zealand were "taking to drink.” He said he had seen eight women seated drinking in a small waitingroom in an hotel in Christchurch. One of the women hud a child of about nine months in her arms. He was told by men who frequently visited the hotel that half-an-hour later the room would probably have contained nearly 30 women. Mr. Laurensen’s statement has aroused great indignation in Christchurch, and the correctness of the allegations is being freely challenged. It would seem, however, that women tipplers are not unknown in other parts of the Dominion, for on Tuesday last Sub-Inspeetor Gordon reported to the Auckland Licensing Committee as follows: — “I wish to bring under the notice of the Licensing Committee a matter which has come to us in the nature of a surprise; come to us in the nature of a surprise, i.e., the drinking habit amongst females at some of our suburban hotels. These females are mostly well dressed, respectable women, and they are not infrequently accompanied by young girls ami children. Thking a case at random from the reports—by no means the worst one—in seven hotels visited in one night, no less than 55 women, who had five children with them, were found drinking. In some of the hotels, rooms are specially set apart marked ‘For Ladies Only.’ Of course there is nothing to prevent women from going to hotels and drinking there any more than there is to prevent men, but it would be very much to be regretted if it were to be found that drinking amongst women is on the increase. I mention the matter in the hope that the committee may be able to suggest some means to prevent this evil from spreading.” The Price of Butter. Recent advices from London state that the butter trade is at a standstill, buyers holding off in the hope of securing a considerable reduction. It is impossible to quote colonial till trade is resumed, but the nominal value is about 140/-. Retailers are pushing margarine. In the Dominion, prices continue firm at 1/2 to 1/3 per lb wholesale or f.o.b. for export. It is stated that North Island firms have been buying butter in the Otago district to fill orders for export. So slender are the prospects of a good output of butter from the factories in the autumn and winter, that offers have been made of 1/2 per lb for the whole of the season’s output of -some factories. In several districts the rainfall has still been very slight, and the high price of butter is likely to continue on account of the shortage. The Sculling Championship, There has been great jubilation throughout the Dominion ever the result of the great boat race on the Wanganui river between Webb (New Zealand) and Tressider (Australia) for the sculling championship of the world. Webb's brilliant victory leaves New Zealand in possession of the championship, with no early prospect of losing it, for Arnst, who has challenged the winner, is also a New Zealander. Immediately after the stakes in the Webb-Tressider contest had been paid over, the stakeholder announced that he had received fIOO deposit from Arnst, and that the champion and challenger would, in the course of a few days, meet and arrange for a match. It is not expected that the next championship contest—which will also be towed ou the Wanganui river—will take place until November next.

Another probable challenger is George Towns, of Sydney, who stated to an interviewer that he might think of rowing for the championship. His brother Charlie had no thought of trying his luck again, as he was too much disgusted with the last race. There were, he added, plenty of good young scullers in Australia, but they were not equal to championship form. He thought that Arnst ought to stand a very good chance. The final settling-up over the WebbTressider race resulted in each of the scullers receiving over £2OO from “gates,” additional to the stakes. This is more than double the profits of the WebbTowns match in (Sydney, and had the weather been fine it is believed the gates would have been much larger.

Perpetuating the Maoris and their Arts. By systematic Government effort, coupled with the work of private enthusiasts, the Dominion should soon possess complete records of the physique arid features of the Maori race, as well as of their arts and crafts. The latter have been enshrined for all time in tnc monumental work on “Maori Art,” produced at the public expense by Mr. Hamilton, Curator of the Colonial Museum. Mr. Alfred Hill, the Wellington musician, is at present striving to make a collection of the unique and original music of the Maoris as employed in the war ehants, tangis, and songs of welcome, etc. This should prove a most interesting collection, which will be of considerable value to students of music. A further step has been taken by the Government in commissioning Mr. Nelson Illingworth, a celebrated Australian sculptor, who has been for over a year resident in Wellington, to prepare a series of bronzes to perpetuate the forms and features of typical representatives of the Maoris of the old school before these have altogether disappeared. Mr. Illingworth is now making studies from some celebrated members of the race, who are giving him sittings in Wellington, and he will shortly pay a visit to the King Country for the purpose of finding and studying other types. Mr. Goldie, the Auckland artist, is also continuing his Maori studies, and is giving special attention to placing on canvas the neads and tattooed faces of old Maori warriors. Wellington Harbour Works. The Wellington Harbour Board on Monday last resolved to ask Parliament for authority to raise a loan of one million, and to endeavour to secure the Patent Slip Company’s property by negotiation before resorting to compulsory purchase. Increased wharfage on imports was also sanctioned, so as to make the Board's financial position more secure in view of the heavy capital outlay contemplated. A committee was set up to negotiate with the Patent Slip Company. The increased wharfage rates are estimated to produce £6350 extra revenue. A motion to find out whether the contractors for the new graving dock were willing to cancel their undertaking was thrown out. Brass Band Contests. The annual competitions, held under the auspices of the North Island Brass Bands’ Association, have concluded at New Plymouth. The results in the test selection were as follows:—“A” grade: Mornington, 292 points, 1; Auckland First Battalion, 286 points, 2; Woolston, 275 points, 3. Besson shield: Auckland First Battalion, 381 points, 1. "B” grade: Palmerston North, 257 points, 1; Auckland Mounted Rifles, 257 points, 2; Manaia, 251 points, 3. The Boosey shield was won by Palmerston North, while the Auckland First Battalion Band, in addition to the Besson Challenge Shield for highest musical points, was also awarded thirteen gold and silver medals. The various contests were most interesting, and attracted large crowds of people. A New Zealand Hermit. Many people will remember the Island Bay hermit, who some fifteen years ago inhabited a eave on the sea beach about six miles from Wellington. He was driven out by the march of~improvement, and was induced to return to civilised life. Another New Zealand hermit has just died "in harness”—having been found dead on a farm near Matamala.

This recluse had for upwards of twenty yeajs lived on the hills to the westward of that estate. His name was McCabe, and he fought with the 18th Royal Irish Regiment in tiie Waikato Maori campaign, in which be was wounded. He had various delusions, one of which was to the effect that he was the owner of the Matamata Kstate and all the stock on it. At the inquest on his remains a verdict was found of "Death from old age and exposure.” Auckland Drainage Scheme. Matters in connection with adoption of a comprehensive drainage scheme for Auckland City and suburbs, involving a “Greater Auckland” project, are progressing satisfactorily. A meeting of the conference of delegates horn the different municipalities and road 1 raids concerned held a sitting at the Municipal Chambers last week, under the presidency of Mr. A. M. Myers, Mayor of the city. The scheme is a gigantic one, and is estimated to cost .£850,000. while it will take fifteen years to complete all the reticulation work in connection with it. The main sewer, to serve the city and suburbs, will, it is calculated, cost about £386,000, and it could be finished in two and a-half years. The Mayer, in the course of his remarks. expressed his thanks to Dr. Purdy, Health Officer, for his capable and zealous services in connection with the scheme. The charts which he had prepared showed the immediate effect of the laying down of a drainage system in Wellington, an effect which was almost startling. They would have noted that n the 85 typhoid cases which had occurred in Auckland ami suburbs, the greatest number had occurred in the undrained districts, while in Devonport, which was well drained, there was but one case. The monetary aspect was a very important one, and no doubt at first blush the delegates would be rather alarmed at the large eost involved in the reticulation through the districts. The larger question was that of unification of the bodies concerned. He sympathised with those who could not see eye to eye with him, but it appeared to him that if anybody should pause before unification it was tiTe city, if they, took a purely selfish view. For instance, the city had large endowments and services which were returning a profit, and would return a higher profit in the future. But the matter was not to be dealt with.' on narrow', parochial lines. The real question was whether the interests of the whole district would not be better served by one body than by a dozen. After discussion, a series of resolutions was adopted, declaring that the Harbour Board should be asked to co-operate in securing legislative powers for any reclamation and other works that the scheme may necessitate; that the reticulation of each district should proceed concurrently with the construction of that portion of the main outfall sewer into which it will drain; that the reticulation be carried out on lines laid down by the City Engineer; that the scheme could only be satisfactorily dealt with under the control of a single authority; and that the best mode of dealing with the question is by the amalgamation into one municipality of all the local districts at. present comprised within the area affected. A committee was set up for the purpose of promoting the necessary legislation and adjusting the broad lines of the basis of amalgamation, and other details that may arise in connection with the proposed scheme; such committee to consist of three members of the Auckland City Council, the mayors of all the boroughs, and the ehairmen of all the road boards affecte,L -a The “ Record ” Dry Season. The total rainfall at Wellington for February was only three points, or three hundiedths of an inch, while in January only 64 points of rain fell. Last week the hosing of gardens, public parks, erieket grounds and bowling greens was absolutely prohibited in the city, in order t® conserve the supply, which is rapidly becoming exhausted. There are 3,200,0001 gallons of water used in Wellington dally, and if the reservoirs run dry a supply of a million gallons van be got from artesian wells at the Lower Hutt. February has not been quite so dry ifl Auckland, where the rainfall for the month was 54 points, or just over half an inch. This is far below the average, which is 3.62 inches, for a period of forty years. Taking January and February to« gether. tile rainfall iu Auckland for th< two months was this year 00 points,

At Westport the prolonged drought is attesting the borough water -<upply. Water has now been cut off from the < oar-loading nyurauiic capstans, and me Council has asked consumers to economise their household consumption. Should no rain fall for a further week, the supply will about run out. Latest advices state that heavy rains have fallen at Wellington, Palmerston North, Nelson, Blenheim, Westport, and Timaru; but in Christchurch ami North Canterbury the drought persists. In the Borough of Rangiora most of the wells have run dry, and a water famine is feared. New Naval Stations. The Government’s preparations for more effective naval defence are going forward steadily. It was recently announced that the new base at Rosyth, on the Firth of Forth, would be constructed without delay; and it is now stated that the Admiralty is acquiring Hastings Harbour as a preliminary to forming a naval station. Hastings is one of the Cinque Ports which are considered vital points in the defence of the Southern Coast of Great Britain. Together with St. lionaid’s, it forms a town with about (17,000 inhabitants, on the Sussex Coast, and is a popular seaside resort for tourists. Accidents, Suicides, etc. The body of a man, not yet identified, was found floating in Auckland Harbour. On 27th February, the dead body of a man, unknown, was found on Mr. Nelson Banks’ farm at Matamata. Mr. S. R. Merrett, who was injured in a motor-ear accident at Christchurch on February 22nd, has died from his injuries. Eliza Elizabeth Milton, an elderly woman, died suddenly on 29th ult., wnen stepping into a small boat in Auckland Harbour. Death is attributed to heart disease. A man named Machin, suffering from ill-health, committed suicide by cutting his throat at Lake House, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay. At Kaitangata, on Sunday last, a young man named Win. Albert Terry was drowned while bathing, being caught in a receding wave and carried into the breakers. W. Carson, wool scourer, of Hastings, while working at Tomoana, Hawke’s Bay, was seized with a violent fit of coughing, and died in a few minutes from hemorrhage. Daniel John Quane, a young man, died very suddenly while bathing in the liver at Te Aroha on Sunday. He was brought to the bank insensible, and never recovered death being attributed to heart disease. A lad named Lay, son of a storekeeper at Upper Hutt, when playing in front of his father’s shop, was knocked down by a dray, and the wheel passed over his head. He died on his way to the hospital. John Hood, late of Lake Wakatipu, committed suicide at Rangiawahia on February 27th by putting a windlass rope round his neck, and jumping down a well. At the inquest, a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane was if turned. News from Tonga states that an old man named George Bissett, while maddened by the pain of an abscess on the lung, shot himself near Nukualofa, and died nine days later. Bissett was a seaman, but had long resided in the Islands. Two mining accidents took place at Karangahake last week. On Wednesday Frank Roberta, employed at the Talisman mine, fell from one level to another, a distance of 200 feet, and was instantly killed. On the following day George Clark, a young man, lost his balance in the Crown mine, and fell down the shaft, 120 feet in depth. He sustained concussion of the brain and other injuries. A blasting accident at Holt’s Creek, in connection with the Otira tunnel works, on the Midland railway, resulted in injury to four men. A large blast had been fired, and the men were returning to work, and were climbing up the hillside fully 30ft. away from the shot, when some tons of rock, that had by the concussion become loosened, tumbler! down, striking a ledge of rock. The mass burst into a thousand pieces, the fragments flying in all directions among th* men. A man named Owen Kelly

fared the worst, being struck on the head, back, and foot. His foot was

racuer severly crushed, and his head badly cut about. The others were only slightly injured.

Personal Items.

Lord Plunket has consented to open the new wing at the Dunedin Hospital on the afternoon of the 10th inst. Messrs. J. and O. Stout, sons of Sir Robert Stout, have left Wellington on a 12 months’ visit to Europe. The death is reported of Mr. Stead Ellis, who was secretary of the Nelson Board of Education since 1880. Dr. Pomare, Health Officer to the Maoris, has returned to Wellington from a visit which he paid to the Chatham Islands. Count Morner, Swedish Consul-General for Australasia, who has been spending some weeks in the Dominion, has left for Sydney. Mr. Jacob Marx, a farmer of Mangatol;i. has aurounced that he will I e a candidate for the Egmont seat at ll.e na< election. It is undersoad that te will stand in the OpposiTma interest. Mr. J. B. Hine, who contested the Patea seat at the last general election, has been selected as Opposition candidate for the Stratford seat at the next general election. Mr. R. Milligan has been elected ehairman of the Oamaru Harbour Board, and Mr. J. E. Watson, unopposed, for the third term, a schairman of the Bluff Harbour Board. Harry Wilton, aged 38, a plasterer employed at the Caledonian Hotel, Napier, has died from injuries sustained by falling from a scaffold. He was a single man, and so far as is known, had no relatives in the colony. Mr. Wm. Ferguson, consulting engineer of the Wellington Harbour Board, has gone to Australia, to fulfil an engagement with the Victorian Government to report on the Melbourne harbour improvements. Mr. Hugh Campbell, owner of Poukawa station, Hawke’s Bay, died on Sunday last, aged 74 years. The deceased was well known for his many acts of benevolence, and was an especial friend of the native race. The death is announced of Mrs. Isabella — oune Hamlin, widow of the late Mr. J. Hamlin, Maori interpreter. She was a daughter of Capt. Smale, and had resided in New Zealand for 57 years. Mr. H. F. Gibbons, inspector of the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, is resigning his position in order to become a partner in the firm of Barraud and Abraham, auctioneers. The Rev. Father Ainsworth, of Wellington South, who left on Saturday, 29'111 ult., for his new parish of Hokitika, was presented with an address and testimonial at a complimentary concert given in his honour in St. Thomas’ Hall, Newtown. Mr. W. H. Hopkins, a prominent official of the Waihi G.M. Co., has been entertained at Waikino, and presented with several gifts, on the occasion of his departure with Mrs. Hopkins on a holiday trip to England. Miss H. R. Powell, the well-known Australian Labour organiser, now on a visit to this country, will probably deliver a series of addresses In Wellington, under the auspices of the local branch of the Political Labour League, about the end of March. The Rev. J. Cocker and Mrs. Cocker, who are leaving by the Arawa on 26th March, intend to visit England, and probably the Holy Land. Air. Cocker has been appointed by the New Zealand Primitive Methodist Conference as representative to the British Conference meeting in London in June. The cabled results of the recent University examinations show tliat Mr. S. N. Ziman, of Auckland, the new Rhodes scholar, obtained an Al. Sc. degree with first-class honours in mathematics, and mathematical physics, and third-class honours in physics. Mr. Aldridge, of Auckland, won no less than three senior scholarships. Dr. J. M. Bell, Director of the Geological Survey, is on a visit to Gisborne, to inspect petroleum deposits in that district. He is accompanied by Ajr. J. H. Adams, one of the Department’s geologists, wbo has been making a preliminary Survey, Dr. Bell will spend about six weeks in the Gisborne district, and will

then go on to "Dinines. At the Manawatu A. and P. Association meeting ou Saturday. 22nd ult., appreciation was expressed of the long and faithful services rendered io the Association by Mr. J. Stevens, M.P. The meeting also sympathised with Air. Stevens in his present indisposition, and recommended that he be placed upon the list of hon. life .members. Air. J. F. Arnold, M.P. for Dunedin, is paying a visit of some two weeks’ duration to Auckland, for the purpose of making himself acquainted with the requirements of the district. He travelled by the Main Trunk railway route, and •it is bis intention to visit the districts north of Auckland City. Mr. Jas. Stiebbury, of Ponsonby, with his wife and daughter, have left for London, via Sydney. Mr. Stichbury is to represent the Foresters of Auckland district at the High Court to be held at Northampton in August next, mid, prior to his departure from Auckland, he was the recipient of valuable presentations from the Foresters’ Courts in . t’.ie district. From Tonga comes news of the death at Nukualofa of Mr. Robert BeckwithLeefe, formerly British Vice-Consul and Deputy Commissioner for Tonga. Deceased was well-known throughout the islands, having been connected with them for some thirty years. He held the office of Consul at Tonga for about twenty years, and retired on pension seven years ago. On the eve of his retirement from the position of chief engineer of the maintenance branch of the New Zealand Railways, Air. John Coom was presented in Wellington with an oil portrait of himself, as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by his brother officers of the Department. The presentation was made by Air. T. Ronayne, the general manager of railways, who spoke eulogistic-ally of Air. (loom’s services to the Department. Air. Coom has been in the Government service since 187(1. Few men are better known throughout the Dominion than Air. James Ashcroft, who is about to retire from the public service, owing to ill-health. In his earlier years, Mr. Ashcroft was prominent as a journalist in Dunedin, and later he held the position of official assignee in the Southern city. Some fifteen years ago he was moved to Auckland, where he has been official assignee and city coroner. Air. Ashcroft has also some reputation as a poet. His friends wish him health in his retirement. Air. Edwin Mitchelson, one of the most popular publie men in the Dominion, and a former Minister of the Crown, has been unanimously re-elected to a fourth term of the chairmanship of Auckland Harbour Board. Very flattering remarks were made regarding him by several members of the Board. In returning thanks, Air. Mitchelson referred to the important harbour works now in progress and in contemplation. The amount of money to be spent would be spread over a considerable number of years, but would not be more than could be safely overtaken by the Board. These works would be carried out without inflicting any increased charges on the commercial community. If that were done it would be a feather in their cap, as no other Board in the Dominion could do the same without incurring increased charges.