The News of the Week

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 12, 21 March 1908, Page 7

The News of the Week

' IN THE DOMINION, A slight earthquake was experienced at Rotorua on Monday morning last. Gas works are to be provided for Levin, in the Manawatu district, at a cost of i£ 10.000. Wellington Fire Board ceased to exist on Monday last, in terms of a Gazette proclamation. The Education Department is insuring in the State Fire Office the equipment of all the cadet corps in the Dominion. Sir Joseph Ward has, through the Governor and the American Consul-Gen-eral, invited the American fleet to visit New Zealand. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds thinks the extension of the railway from Gisborne to Rotorua is one of the most urgent works in the near future.

Cabinet has accepted the tender of G. Garner, of Wellington, for the erection of new public buildings at Hokitika, the contract price being £6.966.

The City of Dunedin has issued in London a quarter of a million debentures at 4 per cent and at par for redemption purposes, repayable in 1933. According to Cook’s Tourist Agency, the number of overseas visitors to New Zealand, especially to the Rotorua district, is much greater this year than ±t was last.

The Prohibition League is proposing to raise £l9OO for the local option campaign in December next by a ten days' self-denial effort, commencing on the 30th inst.

St. Patrick's Day was observed throughout the Dominion on Tuesday last, when the usual picnics, excursions, and concerts were held, under favourable weather conditions.

A hint to picnic and camping parties. The katipo is said to be unusually aggressive after a long drought; it would be well, therefore, to keep a watch on these venomous spiders. Still they come! Seven Chinese, immigrants came by the Manuka from Sydney on Sunday last. The Treasury gains :£7OO and the country loses—what?

Cabinet has decided to extend the Tauranga fruit testing station. The Government will have to acquire further land to enable the work to be carried out.

At the Waikato Central A. and P. show at Cambridge, no fewer than seven persons guessed the exact weight of a pig, 1391b5. Is this (“guessing” or sound calculation and judgment?

Cabinet has resolved that the Dominion shall be represented at a Congress of Freezing Industries, to be held at Paris in June next, under the auspices of the French Government.

It is expected that the Antarctic exploring steamer Nimrod will be employed in magnetic survey work until the time fixed for her return to bring back the ■expedition to the south pole. A Royal Humane Society’s medal and certificate were presented by the Mayor of Auckland to Master Selwyn T. Ellingham, who saved twolroys from drowning off Shelly Beach 12 months ago. A bulletin will probably be issued this year by the geological survey on the Gisborne oil bearing country by Dr. Bell and Mr. J. H. Adams, bn the Thames subdivision By Mr. Colin Fraser and Dr. Bell.

Cabinet has decided to establish a number of scholarships for encouragement of research in connection with the staple in- • dustries of the Dominion, such as saw milling, flax,'preparing meat freezers, etc. ' '• 1

The. piaster bakers of Dunedin have decided that with flour selling at £ll 5/pcr tdn, it was impossible to reduce the price of the 41b loaf below 7d, i f bakers were to pay their way and also the union rates of wages. The.Otago University Council has accepted' the tender of Gabriel, Hodges, (£ 4,363, for the erection of a now building for the School of Mines. The Government granted £5,000 /Or the purpose.

The directors of the Manawatu Railway Company have agreed that a dividend of four per cent for the half-year, making seven per cent for the yeaif, be

recommended in the twenty-seventh annual report of the directors, to be presented to shareholders at the annual meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 1. Nearly 300 immigrants arrived at Wellington last week, by the Rimutaka from London. Only a few are booked for Wellington, the others being bound for various parts of the North and South Islands. The returns of exports of New Zealand produce, as furnished by the Commerce and Industries Department for the past month, reveal a very satisfactory development of the natural resources of the Dominion. A school of instruction for dairy inspectors is being conducted ifl Wellington by Mr. Quinnell, who was appointed by the Government. It will last for three weeks, and is being attended by sixteen inspectors. The S.M. at Wellington has decided that hotel waiters must take the weekly half-holiday, and it is a breach of the law to employ 'them at overtime rates during the time they are expected to be off work. The Nestle and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company is contemplating the erection in Taranaki district of a large factory, costing, with machinery, £70,000, fit to supply all the Dominion with condensed milk. The Government has accepted the tender of C. Bailey for two launches, at £ 328 each, for use under the Sea Fisheries Act of last session, which deals with the preservation of oyster beds in the Hauraki Gulf. Rating on unimproved values is nov? the rule in 75 districts in the Dominion, including two cities, 42 boroughs, 20 counties, 10 road districts, and 2 town districts. . So far it has not produced any revolutionary results. To facilitate land settlement, the Native Department has been authorised to employ surveyors, independently of the Lands Department, to survey lands dealt with under the Native Land Settlement Act of last session.

A Rugby football team, representing the four Universities of New Zealand, will visit Sydney during the coming season, leaving the Dominion on July 29. Three matches will be played, two against Sydney University.

The directors of the Eltham Dairy Company have decided to build a new factory of concrete on the far side of the ■ Waingongbro River, and to utilise turbines for power. The factory will be worked on the gravitation principle. The High Commissioner in London has been requested to order 125 safety lamps for the Point Elizabeth State colliery, 100 Biford burner ordinary safety lamps, and 25 Biford burner roadway or pit bottom safety lamps, both kinds to have the lead rivet lock. The Culverden Estate of 25,155 acres, on the Christchurch-Culyerden railway line, which is valued at about £lOO,OOO, has been taken compulsorily by.the Government for closer settlement, and a Compensation Court will be held to determine the amount to be paid to the owners- ■ - . ....

After a famine, a feast! There have been floods in the Whangarei district, following upon the break-up of the drought. The records at Auckland Museum show that the average rainfall for March has been exceeded by the amount that fell in six days of the present month.

Efforts to form a private limited liability company to open a depot for the sale of fish in Christchurch are meeting with marked success, several gentlemen having taken up the’scheme enthusiastically. It is estimated that the necessary capital to commence trawling will soon be fully subscribed.

The employees of the Muffin watu Railway Uonbpany are to be admitted to ' the superannuation fund on the conditions laid down in the Act. The Company has agreed to contribute the sum which was neqessary to compound for .hack contributions to’the fund. ’ ' •' . . .

At a meeting of the Westport Harbour Board on Monday it was resolved to take steps to have a Loan Hill passed next session of Parliament for £200,000 for

harbour improvements. It is proposed to procure one or two 1000-ton suction dredges, this being double the capacity of the Rubi Seddon, the Board’s present dredge. A letter to a Thames resident states that an Auckland syndicate is prospecting for copper at Preservation Inlet, on the south-western coast of Otago. The syndicate took out a trial ton, and obtained satisfactory results. A party has gone back to continue prospecting work. The prospects are described as very hopeful. The first publican’s license issued in New Zealand has been added to the collection of old records in the Auckland Public Library. It was granted at Kororareka, to one John, Johnston, in the year 184(1, the fee charged being £3O, and authorised him to sell “at the sign of the Duke of Marlborough” various liquids, including “ginger beer and spruce beer." The Minister for Education opened the new Technical School, Feilding, on March 11th, in the presence of a large gathernew Technical School here this afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. In his speech the Minister stated that the Wanganui Education Board was most alert in technical education, especially in agricultural and dairy instruction. The coronial inquiry into the fatal railway accident at Appleby, near Nelson, in which Mrs. Lydia Tilbury was killed in a collision between a coach and train at the level crossing, has resulted in the jury finding that the occurrence was due to carelessness on the part of Charles Trickland, the coach-driver, and that no blame is attachable to the railway officials. On Saturday morning the snow around the centre hummock of Mt. Ruapehu was of very dark hue, and some* spectators at Raetihi thought they discerned clouds of smoke rising from that portion of the summit in which the crater is located. This phenomenon is similar to that which occurred some eight months ago, when it was the general opinion that the mount was in slight eruption. For the second year in succession, G. Hyde? of Opaki Rifle Club, has won the rifle championship belt. His score at Trentham last week was 431. Lieut. Timbrell, of the Linwood Rifles, was second with 430; Sergt. S. Edwards, Australian Light Horse, was third with 429; Rifleman Chapman, of Te Kapau Rifle Club, fourth with 428; and Corporal Sharland, Stoke, fifth with 425. Colonel Loveday left on Tuesday 1 morning for the Thames to meet Major ' Newton, commander of the Thames battalion, and make final arrangements for the encampment at Omakau, which is to extend over a week, commencing on March 20th. Cadets from Waihi, Paeroa. Te Aroha, Morrinsville, and Thames will participate in the encampment, and it is expected that a total of about 300 cadets will assemble. It is said that representations have been made to the Government that Chief Judge Palmer has been rushing Native Land Court proceedings along at so high a pressure that the staff finds itself unable to expedite the clerical work to the satisfaction of the parties interested. It is suggested that, in order to get over the present! trouble, the staff should be increased, or, as an alternative, that further time should be allowed in which to execute the business of one Court before another commences its sittings. At the annual meeting of the Provident Life Assurance Society, held at Dunedin on March 13th, the report stated that the premiums received during the year amounted to £19,332 2/4. being an increase of £ 1901 over those for 1906. Claims, including surrenders, aggregated £4375 2/5. The funds now amount to £26,383 2/-, and the assurance fund to £21.133. The report, which recommended a dividend of 5 |>er cent, was adopted, and the retiring director (Mr. A. M. Sidey) was re-elected.

In the course of a speech delivered at Feilding, the Hon.' G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, said it had been asserted with some truth that school buildings were being erected out. of money rightly belonging ,tp the teachers. The question of a colonial scale of staffing was being further considered, and • the idea of .a colonial system of promotion of. teachers was now being urged on him. The adoption of that would mean the removal of the last vestige of control from the committees, and perhaps from the Education Boards.

The Auckland branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation, on the motion of the president (Mr. P. J. Nerheny), haa expressed disapproval of the Government’s action in having habitual inebriates sent to Bell's Island, in charge of the Salvation Army, on the ground of the cost of the system. Preference is expressed for a system under which inebriates would be employed on a State farm or market garden. Mr. Alfred Kidd, M.P., pointed out at the incetiug that the authority to commit to Bell's Island was conferred by Order-in-Coun-cil. and not by Parliament. An influential meeting was held in Wellington Town Hall on Monday afternoon, under the auspices of the Society for the Protection of women and children, to further the movement inaugurated by Dr. Truby King for the protection of infant life.' It was decided to call the nurses employed by the Wellington Society “Lady Plunket nurses.” Lady Plunket addressed the meeting, urging the need for the improved feeding of infants, and better attention to mothers. Drs. Mason, Collins, Young, and the Hon. G. Fowlds also delivered addresses, the doctors pointing out what a large proportion of infantile mortality is preventable. The need for a purer milk supply was emphasised by most of the speakers. Dock Accommodation. Both in Wellington and Auckland attention is at present being directed to the need of better dock accommodation. Wellington, which has hitherto had only the patent slip, available only for vessels of comparatively small size, has started the construction of a large dry dock, estimated to cost £190,000; but opinion is divided as to the proper site for it—many people holding that it should be in Evan’s Bay, instead of in Lambton Harbour. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, in committee, Mr. Hamer (Engineer) submitted a report on Calliope Dock, stating that to admit H.M.S. Dreadnought the necessary widening of the entrance and bed of the dock, and contingent works, would cost, roughly, £90,000. The present length is sufficient for that vessel. To lengthen tho dock to 650 ft. would cost, roughly, an additional £50,000. This work would take from two to three years, and tho dock would be closed for that period. To admit the Corinthic, lonic, and A.thenic, the largest ships at present trading to New Zealand, 500 ft. by 63ft. would involve further cutting away of tho lower altars of the dock for a length of 360 ft. on each side, at a cost of about £2,000. In short, to make the dock fit to receive such steamers would cost in all £ 150,000 for alterations —almost sufficient, it was pointed out, to construct a new dock. It was resolved to submit the report and plans to the Admiralty and the White Star Company for their opinion. Tragedies in Fiji. A recent cable announced that Mr. If. P. Williams, purser of the steamer South Australian, had been tomahawked by natives at the island of Futuna, in the Fiji Group. The officers of tho steamer Den of Ruthven, which arrived from the capital of the island colony teday. were not aware of the fatality until advised of it in Auckland, but Fiji files make reference to the occurrence, stating that after being tomahawked the purser was taken care of by friends and conveyed to the hospital at Rotumali, where he was attended to by Dr. McDonald. According to the paper from which we quote, Williams was not cxjucted to live when the South Australian Ifj't Rotumali. and particulars of the assault were not definite. Tho subsequent cable announced that he had succumbed to his injuries. The second officer of the s.s. Den of Ruthven, which arrived from Fiji this week, states that when tho vessel was on the point of leaving Suva the local agent for the Alley Line, came on board, and reported that a sugar planter had beau murdered. The name of the planter was stated, but none of the officers of the Den of Ruthven appear to rememlicr it, although tlrey are inclined to the. opinion that it was Rowley, or, some similar name. The particulars were meagre, but it was stated that a eoolie attacked tho unfortunate man with a knife and stabbed him to death.

North Island Dairy School. Cabinet has decided to locate the dairy school for the North Island at Palmerston North on land offered by the Agricultural Association in its show grounds. This carries with it 45 acres presented by the borough as endowment. Another endowment, from which some £3OOO has already accumulated, is 90 acres at Waimate, Taranaki. The school will be in charge of Mr. Singleton, acting dairy commissioner. The other sites considered were at Hawera, Stratford, Feilding, and Levin. Palmerston’s accessibility, and the fact that accommodation for pupils is available in the town, weighed with the Government in Cneir choice. New Markets for Frozen Meat. Mr. Graham Gow has presented a report to the Government stating that there is unquestionably a good market for New Zealand mutton in Western Canada. The long, cold winter makes eheep raising in Canada impossible, and importers prefer New Zealand to Australian meat. In Toronto he found many inquiries for New Zealand wools. He considers there is a market for canned meats, jams and fruits in Yukon territory, if we ean meet the prices of the United States and Eastern Canada, but lie found Canadians had an impression that whenever - they asked for a quotation in New Zealand it was ma.de as high as possible. “On the Wallaby.” The fact of a dozen Auckland sportsmen taking part in a vyallaby "drive” the other day on the island of Kawau recalls the fact that it was the late Sir George Grey who introduced these animals from Australia. It also recalls a curious mistake made by an English journal, in commenting on a description of the Kawau, wherein it was stated that the great Pro-Consul might be seen on the lawn while the wallabies were reclining around or disporting themselves. The “shameless profligacy” and the bad example set by Sir George Grey in thus acting were scathingly denounced. The benighted Britisher actually thought that “wallaby” was the name given to a Maori woman! It is just possible that some foreigner (Britishers know better to-day) will now.be found writing in fierce condemnation of the inhuman New Zealand practice of hunting and shooting native women. Blackball Miners 7 Dispute. The sittings of the Industrial Arbitration Court, to hear charges of breach of award in connection with the strike at Blackball Colliery, opened at Greymouth on I2th inst. There was a charge by the Inspector of Awards against the Blackball Miners’ Union, and a countercharge by the Miners’ Union against the x>.ackball Coal Company. The Court consisted of Mr. Justice Sim and Messrs. MeCnllough and Brown. It was agreed to take both eases together. Mr. Hannan appeared as counsel for the Inspector of Awards and Mr. Guinness for the blackball Miners’ Union. After sitting for two days hearing evidence and addresses of Counsel, the ■Court adjourned to consider its decision. A meeting of the miners on strike was held after the Court rose, and was attended by Mr. McCullough, the Labour member of the Court. The situation was hilly discussed, and it was resolved to appoint a deputation to wait on the Company’s manager and submit terms settlement, based on a compromise, cut containing conditions that the men dismissed should bo reinstated and a guarantee given that they should not be Victimised. Some points in dispute, it was suggested, shomd lie submitted to the Arbitration Court at a future sitting. These terms were accepted by Mr. Ix-itch. manager; and a subsequent meeting of Hie Miners’ Union accepted the basis of agreement.

On meeting on Friday morning, March 13th, the t'ourt gave its decision, finding that the Miners’ Union had committed a breach of the Act, and imposing i tine of £75. The counter-charge against the Company was dismissed. In concluding a lengthy judgment, Mr. Justice Sim said the decision of the Court was a warning that both arbitration and ■trikes as a means of settling disputes eould not exist aide by aide. It the

workers, by striking and approving of striking, should bring about the destruction of the Arbitration system, they might have occasion in future to deplore when it was too late the sad want of foresight shown by their leaders. The miners subsequently met and repudiated the agreement arrived at, on the ground that the meeting was not legally called. They refuse to return to work, and are appealing for assistance from other unions. The company is expected to suspend operations until the railway now being made to Ngahere is completed. Women and the Drink Habit. The question of women drinking in hotels formed the subject of discussion at a meeting of the Auckland Licensed Victuallers’ Association on March 12. As a result of the recent statements made on the subject, the following resolution of protest was carried: “That a respectful letter be addressed to the chairman of the Licensing Committee regretting the publication in the Press of a vague, unproven, apparently partial, and general statement, said to have been made in the police report presented at the last quarterly meeting of the Licensing Bench, and having reference to the drinking by women in certain hotels in Auckland, as being unwarranted, unjust, and unfair alike to licensees and persons using hotels, and asking that a copy of such report be supplied, giving particulars in detail of the hotels referred to, so that this association can look into the matter; pointing out at the same time, so far as is known, licensees generally are striving to observe the provisions of the licensing laws in their entirety, and, that being so, to have an underhand bombshell of this character*suddenly thrown at them is not only calculated to harass licensees, but may, and actually does, mean embarrassment to the public generally; and, further, that it is an attempt to unduly interfere with people’s rights, not intended by the Legislature.” Acclimatisation. At the 40th annual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, the report showed a general shrinkage in operation. The revenue for the past year was £BO4, a decrease of £367 as compared with the previous year; fishing licenses realised £3BO, or £253 less than the previous year. The amount received for the sale of ova was £l4B, as against £232. The total expenditure had been £769, a reduction of £332, as compared with the previous year. The Society has a credit balance of £636. The following were elected as the officers for the ensuing year:—President, Mi - E. W. Payton; vice-president, Mr F. Earl; council, Sir Robert Lockhart, and Messrs E. Anderson, B. Grayson, G. Bloomfield, J. L. Bloomfield, H. C. Clark, E. Horton, D. E. Partridge, and W. H. Hazard; auditor, Mr W. F. Harrop. The "Slump” in Flax. The low price ruling for New Zealand hemp is causing millers to a large extent to close down. In Raglan district all the mills have been closed but one. About 75 per cent of the flaxmills in Otago and Southland have closed down because the London market leaves no margin of profit. In some cases there is a lack of water, and in others a dearth of flax; but it is doubtful if very many of the milts will start again this season. The New Zealand Flaxntillers’ Association met at Palmerston North on March 11th. Mr. A. - Seifert (president of the Association) presided. A letter had been written to the secretary of the Flaxmillers’ Employees’ Union, at Foxton, asking that the union join with the Association in getting the present award cancelled or altered. No reply having been received, it was resolved to take no further action regarding the award.

It was stated that a local miller had received information that the price of flax had now fallen to £ 19. The result of the Association's resolution will be that the bulk of the mills will close down immediately, while others will close after fulfilling short contracts at a better figure than at present ruling. Cabinet has decided that when the price of flax falls below £25 per ton f.o.b. New Zealand, the charge of 7a per ton now levied for grading and inspection shall be remitted.

Narrow Escape From Fire. About two o’clock on the morning of March 12th a two-storeyed wooden house, situated in Waiapu-lane, Onehunga, and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wadman and family, was totally destroyed by fire. Mr. Wadman was awakened by a crackling noise, and on getting out of bed, and opening the door he was met with a rush of flame and smoke. He immediately slammed the door and called out to hid daughters, who were awakened by their mother’s screams. By this time the flames had got a good hold, and the stairease being a burning mass, their escape by that means was cut off. Both young ladies then went to their brother’s room, and with difficulty made an exit through a window by means of a rope on to a lean-to, and thence to the ground. Both the young ladies and their brother were burned about the face, body, and hands, and Miss Ivy Wadman’s injuries are somewhat serious. She was taken into the house of a neighbour (Mrs. Coldicutt), where she received medical attention. So fierce was the fury of the flames that nothing could be saved; indeed the family who succeeded in getting away clad only in night attire, had a miraculous escape. Railways Superannuation Board. The election of representatives’ contributors to the Government Railways’ Superannuation Fund Board resulted as follows: North Island, R. M. Isaacs; South Island, Andrew Graham (first division), W. Pepper, Matt Thomas, and J. Dawson (second division). Appeal Board: North Island —First division, Charles Ryan. Second division: Traffic and stores, John Andrew Dimond; locomotive running, W. A. Veitch; maintenance, P. Lafl'y; workshops, D. Mackenzie. Middle Island—First division: J. Gray. Second division: traffic and stores, M. Reddington; locomotive running, George Brown; workshops, J. H. Jones A further election will be held on April 27 for a member to represent the maintenance branch. Fire Brigades’ Conference. The Fire Brigades’ Conference at Masterton has closed. Several claims for service medals, etc., were dealt with, and gold stars for 25 years’ service were presented to B. C. Robbins (Hawera), J. A. Hayman (Kaiapoi), A. Harkness (Invercargill), and G. P. Holland (Eastown Railway). The valour medal for saving life was awarded to Lieutenant Ashworth (Alexandra South). The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Foreman Wildish (Gisborne); vice-presidents, Secretary Boyes (Nelson) and Superintendent Lucas (Napier); secretary, Mr. J. G. Gilberd (Napier); treasurer, Captain Spriggens (Wanganui); auditor, Mr. J. W. Garner. Captain Hansen, the retiring president, was presented with an honorary member’s certificate for past services. A Man Shot by a Dog. A remarkable incident of a dog shooting a man is reported from Culverden, a small township situated in North Canterbury. A blacksmith named Walter Davidson and two companions were returning home in a gig after indulging in some rabbit shooting. Davidson had a double-barrel shot-gun with him, and this he placed on the floor of the vehicle, both barrels being loaded'. The dog, which had been placed under the seat, in an effort to escape must have placed one of its paws on the hammer of the gun, and pressed it back, not far enough to cock it, but sufficiently far enough to explode a cartridge, for suddenly the gun went off, and a great portion of the charge entered Davidson’s ehest, while the remainder of the shot was scattered round his face. A doctor who was summoned found that a small portion of Davidson’s chest had been blown away, but it is hoped that his injuries, though serious, will not prove fatal. Anckland Harbour Improvement*. A most important report was submitted at the meeting of the Harbour Board in committee on March 13th. It Was

from the sub-committee appointed to consider financial questions with a view! to an extensive sememe of harbour improvements, necessitated by the rapid growth of the trade of the port. The recommendations involve the raising of a £ 1,000,900 loan, and it is stated that the interest on that large sum can be met without in any way increasing the port charges. The report of the sub-committee recommended the execution of the following works as necessary and some of them urgent:— 1. The eastern breakwater £150,094 2. Quay eastward of Freezing Co.’s reclamation, extending to King's Drive, as per plan .... 63,000 These two works to be carried on simultaneously. The eastern breakwater will provide accommodation for 5 berths, which can be made available by Extending the King’s Drive Roadway. The Eastern Quay will provide five berths. 3. Four sheds on north and east sides of proposed reclamation 23,000 4. Eastern railway wharf, 1200 ft long 144,000 5. Four sheds on eastern railway wharf 17,000 6. Railway lines, one side of wharf 2,000 7. Reclamation of 30 acres eastern, as per plan 35,000 8. Jetty No. 4 Northern Co. and sheds , 40, 9. Constructing and completion of Queen-street wharf, 2nd contract 91,000 10. Sheds on Queen-street wharf .. 40,000 11. Cranes, electric, and rails for Queen-street and Railway Wharves 90,000 12. Water and gas pies 2,000 13. Freeman’s Bay wall, northern, 6 berths 30,000 14. Freeman’s Bay wall, west and boat builders’ slips 10,000 15. Freeman's Bay reclamation, 67 acres . 43,000 16. Birkenhead Wharf, with counterpoise stage 9,000 17. Jetty at Calliope Dock <; oqq 18. Steam Tug 13,’500 19. Ferry offices and Buildings .... 50,000 20. Floating crane 30 <xX) 21. Dredging appliances, very ur- „„ f T ent ,• 58,060 22. Hopper punts 16,000 23. Contingencies 77 500 £1,000,000 The approximate estimate of income and expenditure 1908-1919 commences with a credit balance of £35,230, and ends in 1919 with a credit balance of £ 12,727. The estimates under both headings of income and expenditure have been more than fully provided for, and interest and Sinking Fund have been calculated at the rcite of 4} per cent and 1 per cent respectively. The report was unanimously adopted.

Accidents, Suicides, ete, While cleaning a gun at Hawera on 13th inst., Mr. Lewis Frost, agent of the A.M.P. Society, had his left hand shattered by the charge going off. Amputation had to be performed. Percy Hall, a young man employed 1 as a farm labourer at Purangi, Taranaki, was drowned in the Waitara river on Friday, March 13, while mustering eattle. He had no relatives in New Zealand. The Union Steamship Company’s steamer Wairuna collided in Auckland harbour ■with the scow Moonah, which sank. One man Fred. Smith—was drowned, and two others were injured. The body of a man in an advanced stage of decomposition, was found in Auckland harbour on Sunday last. It was supposed to be the body of Fred Smith, who was lost in the collision be. tween the steamer Wairuna and the scow Moonah, but has not been identified. Wm. Broughton, of Fernhill, Hawke’s Bay, a sheep farmer, who was in Wanganui on a visit, was, on March 11th, found hanging from a pine tree in front of the house in which he was .staying at Putiki. Deceased, who was well known in Hawke’s Bay, was a half-caste, his Maori name being Wiremu Poroti Te Muhunga. A W’ellingtin tram car following another from Karori ran into the front car on Sunday last, through the brakes, it is said, failing to act, and knocked the passengers about. Glass flew from the windows, and half-a-dozen persons were injured. A little boy named Lyburg received concussion of the brain. The body of William Jone*, an old age pensioner, aged nearly 80 years, was found in the bush at Leith Valley. Jones, who was a bachelor, living by;

himself, had worked in. the hush for nearly 40 years. It is surmised that he slipped en some greasy logs and fell on his axe, which gashed his eheek so badly that he bled to death. Deceased was a native of Wales.

A determined suicide, under somewhat sensational circumstances, took place at Mayfield, near Auckland, on Sunday last, a young man named David Ernest Forest, aged 19, taking his life in a most determined manner. He borrowed a gun, ostensibly to shoot rabbits, and about 8 p.m. went out carrying the weapon. Shortly afterwards the mother heard the report of a gun, but suspected nothing serious. A little later Mrs. Forest went to bed. Towards midnight the eldest son, Donald, returned home, and on proceeding to his bedroom noticed! a letter pinned to the table. The note was addressed to him and read as follows: “I feel that I am becoming dotty, and am about to put an end to myself. Tell mother not to worry about me. You will'find my body down below the house, under the little bridge.” Donald Forest at once awakened' his mother, and . the pair proceeded to the spot indicated by the deceased in his letter. They found the body lying near the bridge, with a gun beside it. Personal Items. Mr. J. Larke, Trade Commissioner for the Canadian Government, has arrived in Auckland from 'Sydney. Captain Dorrien-Smith left for Wellington by the Takapuna last week to join the London steamer. His Excellency the Governor, his family and staff, have returned to Auckland from a Southern tour. Mr. J. 0. Johnson, of Whananaki, has been chosen as the Opposition candidate for Bay of Islands seat at next general election. Mr. Alexander Simpson has been appointed official assignee at Wellington, in-succession to Mr. Asheroft, who has resigned' the position. Mr. Gilbert Anderson, formerly manager of the Christchurch Meat Company, now in London, has been appointed to represent New Zealand at the breezing Congress to be held in Paris.

Messrs. Harold Beauchamp, chairman, and W. Callender, general manager, of the Bank of New Zealand, who have been visiting the Auckland district, returned South on Wednesday. Messrs. H. D. Bell, K.C., and T. W. Stringer, K.C., Crown Prosecutors at Wellington and Christchurch respectively, have been granted twelve months’ leave of absence, and are making a holiday tour.

Rev. F. Stubbs left by the Mokoia for Sydney on Monday. He intends travelling in the United Kingdom and Europe for about 18 months, writing a series of articles for the New Zealand and Australian Press.

The Hon. F. D. Cheshire, United States Consul-General and Inspector of Consulates for the Far East and the Islands, was a passenger from the Eastern Pacific by the Manapouri. He returns shortly to headquarters in China. Bishop Julius, of Christcuhrch, arrived in Auckland on Sunday last, and condueted two ordination services at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Parnell —preaching also in the evening. After holding confirmation services at Hamilton and Auckland, Dr. Julius returned South via New Plymouth.

Captain Rhodes (only brother of the late Right Hon. Cecil Rhodes, of South Africa), who, accompanied by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Ward, is on a visit to the Dominion, is at present staying for a few days’ fishing at Tokaanu (Taupo). Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, arrived from the South on Tuesday morning, and went to Ngaruawahia, where he. attended the regatta, proceeding afterwards with tho Governor to the Maori meeting at Waharoa to discuss with the native gathering there the petition addressed by tho Maoris of the North Island to King Edward.

Mr L. R. Phillipps, president of the Auckland Provincial Farmers* Union, has been banqueted at Helensville and presented with an illuminated address by the Helensville, Woodhill, and Kauknpakapa branches of the Union.

It is understood that Mr. R. 8. Bush (warden and 8.M.) will retire on the 31st inst. on three months’ leave. He has been on the Bench for over 36 years. His successor, Mr. F. J. Burgess, is expected to take over the duties next month.

Mr. W. Beauchamp, who for about twenty years has been connected with the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Wellington branch, has been promoted to a position in the head office of that company at Christchurch. Mr. Beauchamp will leave for Christchurch about the end of the present month.

Mr. Sol; N. Ziman, the 1908 Rhodes Scholar, has decided to leave Auckland early next month for London, via Wellington and Melbourne. Mr. Ziman enters on his college course at Oxford in October next, and while pursuing the usual B.A. course, will devote himself principally to mathematics and science studies.

Professor Cook, who has, since 1875, filled the chair of mathematics at Canterbury College, has resigned the position. The most distinguished of the professor’s old pupils is Professor Rutherford, who now occupies the chair of physics at Manchester University. Other pupils were Mr W. S. Marris (who one year topped the list in the Indian Civil Service examination), Dr. Chilton, Dr. Evans, and Mr R. Speight, of Canterbury College staJT, who are all seniorscholars in mathematics.

An Imperial soldier named James Larkin, an inmate of the Old Men’s Home, died at Ashburton on Saturday at the age of 76 years. Deceased joined the 86th Regiment in 1850, and went through the Indian Mutiny under Brigadier Stewart. He then joined the 83rd Regiment, and subsequently the 67th Regiment (Hampstead Foot Fusiliers), with which he was before Pekin with the Allied English and French armies in 1860. He also served in Japan and Burma, and held the Indian Mutiny medal and clasp for good conduct and long service. He arrived in New Zealand in 1874.

Mr. Walter Dufaur, for many years a familiar figure in Auckland, died suddenly at his residence in Ponsonby on Saturday night. For a considerable time the deceased gentleman had been troubled with heart affection, and on Saturday night he retired to bed about 9 o’clock, apparently in his usual health. Some little time later his wife spoke to him, but received a reply in gasps, and in a moment Mr. Dufaur had breathed his last. Dr. Lindsay was summoned, but on his arrival could only pronounce life to be extinct.

Mr C. F. Somerfield, who, for the past eight years, has been stationmaster at Waikari (North Canterbury), and was recently transferred to Christchurch, was presented by the residents of Hawarden and Waikari districts with a purse of sovereigns as an indication of their appreciation of the manner in which he has carried out his duties, and of the esteem in which he was held in public or private life. The gift was accompanied by a letter conveying the subscribers’ good wishes to himself and Mrs Somerfield. Mr Somerfield is well known in the Auckland district. He was stationmaster at Papakura before his transfer to Waikari.

A very interesting social was on March 12th tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Parker, so long and favourably known in connection with the Helping Hand Mission in Auckland, on the occasion of their intended departure for London. The meeting was presided over by Mr. T. Clark. The Rev. J. Wilson, on behalf of the Mission, presented Mr. Parker with a beautifully framed illuminated address as a souvenir of the Mission’s good wishes and esteem; and in a feeling manner alluded to the services so energetically given by Mr. Parker for so many years. Addresses were given by Messrs. A. C. Brown, C. H. Poole, M.P.. 11. E. Pacey, AV. Beaumont, and several others of the workers.

One of Wellington’s pioneers, Mr. Isaac Plimmer, died on March 12 th at the age of 74. He was the eldest son of the late Mr. John Plimmer, and came out with his parents in the ship Gertrude in 1841. Mr. Isaae Plimmer was associated with his father in many of the business enterprises of early Wellington, and waa licensee of the Albert Hotel and' Barrett’s Hotel. His connection with local business undertakings was varied and extensive. Mrs. Isaac Plimmer died" Iff months since, and there is no family. The deceased, who was born near ffhvewebury, i» survived by his

brothers, Messrs. J. A. Plimmer, C. Plimmer, H. Plinuner, and by his sisters, Mesdames Richardson and H. Gabv.

Mr. John Fitt, who for several years filled the Mayoral ehair of the borough of Parnell, passed away at his residence Campbell-terrace, Parnell, on 15th inst, at the age of sixty-two years, after an illness extending over four months. Mr. Fitt was one of the earliest, if not the earliest resident of Parnell, having been born in that district in 1845. For many years he was closely identified with the public life of the borough, and, with the exception of two years spent in Australia, he has lived in Parnell all his life. He was the son of Mr. John Fitt, who eame from Australia in 1845, and was educated in Auckland. In his youth, Mr. Fitt was called upon to serve in the militia at the time of the Waikato war, and his capabilities quickly resulted in hie elevation to the rank of non-commissioned officer. He is survived by a widow, three daughters, and two sons, the eldest, Mr. Frank Fitt, being a member of the Parnell Borough Council. Captain Archibald Kennedy, a master mariner well-known throughout the Dominion, died at. Wellington on the morning of March 10, aged 78 years. The deceased arrived in New Zealand in 1854 as second officer of the steamer Nelson, and afterwards took over the command of the Wongawonga, well known as an intercolonial trader. Captain Kennedy afterwards commanded the s.s. Airdale, and also the Lord Ashley and other vessels of the Panama, New Zealand and Australasian Royal Mail Company. He next saw service in the Wellington Steam Navigation Company, transferring to the Union Steamship Company in 1876. After going through most of this company’s vessels as master, he retired from their employ some years ago on account of increasing age. He is survived by a grown up family, the eldest being Mr. E. A. Kennedy, of the Public Works Department, another son, Mr. W. A. Kennedy, being the manager of the Wellington office of the Union Steamship Cobpany.

The late Sir Lepel Henry Griffin, whose death in London has been announced by cable, was never in New Zealand, but the fact of his late brother having long been a resident of Auckland, while relatives of his still live in the neighbourhood, gives New Zealanders an added interest in a great and picturesque career. Born in 1840, the deceased, at the age of 22, joined the Punjab Civil Service as assistant magistrate, and seven years later was appointed Under-Seere-tary to the Punjab Government. After over 26 years’ service in India, during which he" held a number of important posts, Sir Lepel retired in 1889, since which date he has resided in England. On account of the important part he played in the East, Sir Lepel Griffin has been called “’the modern king-maker.” In 1875 he had to choose a ruler for the native State of Kapurthalla. Five years later he received the much more onerous commission from Lord Lytton, then Viceroy of India, to proceed to Kabul and appoint a new Amir in place of Yakub Khan, under whose misrule the former British Resident, Sir L. P. Cavagnari, with his staff and eseort, had been treacherously massacred. After negotiations of an exceedingly difficult character, Sir Lepel chose Abdur Rahman to be Amir —a choice shown by subsequent events to be a wise one. Later, Sir Lepel Griffin placed the young Maharaja Sindhia of Gwalior on the throne of his fathers, and under Sir Lepel’s administration the State became one of the most prosperous and contented. A month after the installation of the ruler of Gwanor, Sir Lepel placed on the throne of the Mahratta State the Maharaja Holkar. At this time and till his resignation, the deceased held the position of Agent to the Governor-General of India, and was constantly discharging duties of the most important kind. His career was, indeed, more full of romance and adventure than that of the majority of the band of English gentlemen who have made themselves famous as Indian administrators. He was the author of several important and authoritative books on India.