IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 18, 28 October 1908, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

The Anglican Synod at Christchurch Denounced the Indo-Chinese opium traffic. The Auckland City electric lighting Department has 138 customers. The Baptist Conference closed at NaIpier last Wednesday. Recent fires at Wanganui confirm suspicions that an incendiary is at work.

There are 4G50 dairies in the Dominion Supplying milk for city consumption. The training-ship Amokura is to search the Chathams for traces of the Loch Lomond.

Tile reading test for Chinese entering the Dominion came into force last Friday.

One-third of the telephone subscribers in Timaru have been disconnected for non-payment of subscriptions. The Auckland City Council is considering the establishment of a municipal fish market.

Archdeacon Averill, of Christchurch, deplores the present day love of ostentatious religious ceremonial.

The Government has made an additional grant of £1,500 to Victoria College.

The contract for the Auckland Town Hall has been signed and agreed to by the contractors.

Good progress is being made in the construction of the reservoir at Waitakcrei. '

The progress of the Otira tunnel has (been retarded by a steady inrush of water.

Bishop Julius considers that there are signs of a rapid spread of Christian Socialism.

Clients of Wellington banks have been notified that the rate of interest for overdrafts has been raised to 7 per cent.

The Hon. G. Fowlds defends the action lof the Government in the matter of the new mail service via Tahiti and ’Frisco.

A telegraph linesman named Jackson was accidently killed at Takapau by a pole which lie was erecting falling on him.

The motion to borrow £5,000 for a building for the winter show of the Auckland A. and P. Association was lost.

The police are searching for a “swagger," who has been exploring the Hurunui River, living on tallow and roots.

Penny-in-the-slot telephones have been ordered from Home, and will be shortly established in the streets of the principal centres.

Dunedin City Council, after sitting seven hours, decided to duplicate the Waipori hydraulic works at a cost of £-37,000.

An interim statement of assets and liabilities of the Hamilton Band showed a deficiency over the contest of about £l7O.

The superintendent of St. David’s Sunday School suggests that the State should give certificates for proficiency in religious knowledge.

The N.Z. Federation of Miners decided .to postpone registration till the new amendments of the Arbitration Act had had a fair trial.

A young man -was fined £5 in the Police Court, Wanganui, for exhibiting an indecent picture to a housemaid in a boardinghouse. The telegraphic revenue for September quarter was £10,404 in excess of same period last year. Postal receipts increased by £7,567. An interesting problem was recently raised in the Arbitration Court as to the legal validity of Maori marriages. The case is still proceeding. The Hon. J. A. Millar is now preparing regulations for administration of the amended Arbitration Act, which comes into operation on January Ist.

Provided suitable areas are available at a reasonable figure, a party of Victorian farmers possessing £4O 000 in hard cash will settle in the Waikato.

A visit to the site of the proposed carnal from the Mnnukau to the Waikato, at BVaiuku, is being suggested by the U»iu-

ilton Chamber of Commerce. The Auckland, Onehunga, and Cambridge Chambers of Commence are being asked to join in the proposed trip.

Great hostility is being shown by members of Friendly Societies in Wellington to the resolution regarding medical fees adopted at the Medical Congress in Melbourne.

A sailor named Sullivan belonging to the schooner Huia was drowned on the passage from Lyttelton to Kaipara. Sullivan belongs to Lyttelton, where his parents reside. While proceeding down Glasgow-road last Friday a schoolboy named Tom Bailey was hurled violently to the ground and rendered unconscious by concussion, due to his proximity to a blinding lightning flash.

Last Friday a tree fell across a tent at Parapara, in the Upper Wanganui district. The tent was occupied by- two men named John Soally and Thomas Ryan. The former was killed and Ryan was injured, but not seriously. The City Fire Brigade received an alarm on Thursday from Princes-street, the trouble being in the kitchen of the house occupied by Dr. Savage, but the outbreak was quenched by- the brigade before much damage had resulted. The London cable reporting the issue ci a million of Treasury Bills in London was the subject of a cable to the High Commissioner by the Premier. A reply was received that there was no foundation whatever for the statement.

The Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Show opened with a fair attendance. Awards made include the folowing :—Shorthorn bull, Mount Herbert Estate Ist and champion; Ayrshire bull, Slack Bros. (Palmerston), Ist and champion. During the three months ended September 30 last, withdrawals from the Post Office Savings Bank amounted to £12,532 more than deposits. During the corresponding quarter of 1907 deposits exceeded withdrawals by £280,881. Mr. Bishop, S.M., in giving judgment for £2B and costs against a driver of a motor car for damages caused by a horse shying, said the public would be forced into the position of doing more to regulate the traffic than at present.

A destructive fire occurred last Thursday at Gladstone, a suburb of Invercargill. Two dwellings, with their contents, and the Invercargill Tram Company’s stables were razed to the ground. The stables contained a number of cars, none of which were saved.

A brick bakehouse owned by J. Duncan and occupied by Cannon and Clark, was gutted last week. The stock and fittings of the latter were lost, their value being £6O. The buildings were slightly damaged to the extent of £2O. There were no insurances on either. Another batch of thirteen Chinese arrived in the Dominion by the Manuka. The spring meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club opened ou Saturday. A new boarding-house is to be erected by the Government at Mt. Cook, at a cost of about £lO,OOO.

The Chilian training-ship Jcneral Baquedano arrived from Sydney on Saturday. Incendiarism is suspecetd in connection with the destruction of three shops at Stratford.

According to the Premier, the butter districts expect a larger output than ever, and good prices are assured.

The fishing season in Auckland will open on November Ist, and the prospects of good sport are of the best. It is stated that the Roads Department could place another four hundred men in various parts of the country.

The rumour current that a creep has occurred in the Waihi mine is absolutely groundless.

It is rumoured that the Hon. HallJones' successor in the Ministry- will be the Hon. A. R. Guinness, member for Grey. A child named Robert Ties, while playing on the bank of the River Styx last Friday, fell into the water and waa drowned.

Augustus Fitzherbcrt, a middle aged farmer on the Durham-road, Inglewood, a few days ago committed suicide by hanging. Lachlan McDonald, an old resident of

Glcnmorc, was accidentally killed near Mount Stuart on Saturday by the Lawrence train.

Mrs. Phyllis Brooke, aged about- 40, who was employed as a barmaid at the Criterion Hotel, was killed near Napier on Sunday while out riding. So far this month, £259,000 has been advanced by the Advances to Settlers Department, and an equal amount will probably be lent during November. Mr Beauchamp, chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, while hopeful for the future, estimates that 12 months will be required to restore the old buoyancy. He also estimates the export of dairyproduce for the ensuing season at 21 millions sterling. The Wellington City Council charges the Harbour Board 5/ per 1000 gallons for water, which the Board sells to vessels for 6/8, getting a profit of 1/8 to cover maintenance. The Auckland City Council sells for 2/3, and the Auckland Harbour Board charges 5/ to vessels a profit of 2/9. Speaking at the Trafalgar Day celebrations in Christchurch, Commander Browne, of the Encounter, impressed upon his hearers the absolute necessity of a strong and invincible navy. His firm conviction was that it was the duty of every- man and woman to join the New Zealand Navy League. A distressing and painful bushfelling accident occurred on Mr F. 11. Allen's holding at Koriniti, some 30 miles up the Wanganui river, on Friday last, when Mr. C. R. Christie sustained injuries through one of the trees falling across his body, pinning him to the ground. His condition is regarded as critical.

A Arc occurred at Midliurst at 2 o’clock on Monday morning by which the shops of Messrs. Wheeler (wheelwright), Smith (blacksmith), and McMahon (saddler) were completely destroyed. The insur-. ances of Wheeler and Smith total £350, and McMa'hon £5O. The origin of the fire is unknown. Incendiarism is suspected. A. C. Gallon claimed from W. 0. Ordish £291 damages caused in a bush fire during the drought. The claim was afterwards reduced to £9l. The magistrate held that plaintiff was obliged to prove that the fire lit by defendant on February 6 was responsible for the damage done in March. Plaintiff was non-suited with costs £29 3/. The Late Mrs. Knox. £70,000 IN CHARITIES. HOSPITAL' FOR INCURABLES. The interment of the remains of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Knox took place at 3 o’clock on Wednesday last at the Symonds-slreet cemetery, and was largely attended. * Mrs. Knox did not leave any children, her nearest surviving relatives being her nephew. Mr. George Russell, of College Hill, Miss Russell, who resided with her aunt, and Mrs. Janies McGee, of Pittstreet. Deceased was 99 years of age and was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, being a Miss Russell, and was born at Ardstrnw Bridge. She was married to the late Mr Charles Knox, and came with her husband to Auckland in the very early days. Prior to coming to New Zealand, Mr. and Mrs. Knox spent a couple of years in Sydney. Shortly after arriving here, Mr. Knox purchased 300 acres of laud between where St. John’s College stands and Tamaki. There, in a few years, he, by hard labour, carved out a home and developed a fine property, which supported hundreds of catle, sheep, and horses. Mr. Knox died on the sth December, 1871, at the age of C2 years, and his widow was his solo survivor. Mi's. Knox was a devoted wife, and helped her husband in a practical way in the management of his farm by her great knowledge of stock an dfa ruling. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Knox has resided in her villa, Symonds-street. The total amount left by the late Mrs. Knox is nearly £ 100,000, aud £22,500 of this sum has been left to relatives, including a number of nephews, nieces, and friends of the deceased. Of the major portion, amounting to about £70,000, £44,000 lias been bequeathed io certain specific charities and institutions, whilst with the surplus the trustees (Messrs T. Buddle, A. Clements, and F. G. Clayton) may increase the legacies in favour of any of these charities, or of others of a similar nature.

The largest bequest is tuwanls the establishment of a home for incurables in Auckland, for which purpose a sum of £20,000 has been set opart. Sirs Knox considered that there was a great necessity for such a home in Auckland. The trustees are provided with full power under the will to set up a special board in connection with the home for incurables and the night shelter, or to hand over the former to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and the latter to the Salvation Army. Mrs Knox has directed that all the charities and institutions founded as a result of the bequests, are to bear the name 01 her late husband, Mr (diaries Knox. The following is a list of the bequests: £ Home for Incurables 20.000 Deserving Poor, Ardstraw 4,000 Night Shelter 2,500 Blind Institute 1,500 St. Mary’s Homes, Otahuhu 1.000 Dr. Barnardo's Homes 1,000 Door of Hope 500 Salvation Army Prison Brigade . 500 Ladies’ Benevolent Society 500 Little Sisters of the Poor 600 Presbyterian City Mission ■ 500 Presbyterian Ministers’ Widows and Orphans’ Fund 500 Aged and Infirm Ministers’ Fund (Presbyterian) 500 Presbyterian Maori Mission .... 500 St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby 500 Veterans’ Home t»w Maori Girls’ School 500 Y.M.C.A 500 Y.W.C.A 500 Wesleyan Orphanage 500 St. James* Presbyterian Church . 500 Knox Church 500 Sister Cecilia’s Home, Parnell ... 500 Knox Church Sunday-school .... 500 Methodist City Mission (Eaststreet) 500 Children’s Home, Remuera 500 Leslie’s Presbyterian Orphanage 500 Society for the Protection of Women and Children 500 Picnic Fund, Mental Hospital .. 500 Orphan Home. Parnell 500 Presbyterian Church, Ardstraw . 500 Sailors' Home 300 Helping Hand Mission 200 Central Mission 200 Danneford Mission 200 Prisoners’ Aid Society 200 Grey-street Creche 200 Technical College 200 Total £44,000 The will of (he late Miss J. M. Thompson, who died in June, 1006, provided for a bequest of about A.'10,000 for a home for incurables, the income accruing to go to the support of the institution after ten years’ time. With Mrs Knox's bequest, this income now appears to bo assured to the home. A Valuable Invention One of the main objections to an overhead system of electric light and power conductors in cities is the danger that may threaten the public if the conductor breaks. Any invention that would deaden a broken live wire should naturally be of great value. Such an appliance. it is reported, has been found in the. invention of Mr. M. G. Newboutd, of Wellington. It consists of an “Automatic Cut-out for Electrical Conductors," so devised that, when applied to overhead wires, it instantly cuts oil' the current from a broken live wise. Main Trunk Railway. The opening of the regular service on the Northern Trunk railway has been postponed for a week till November 9. The ceremony of “driving the last spike" at Makatote will take place at 8 a-m. on the 10th proximo. On the evening of Monday, the 9th November, the first, train will leave Wellington, and on the next evening a commemorative banquet will be held in Wellington, after which an invitation train is timed to leave for Makatote, which will be reached at 8 n.m. on Wednesday, and there the last spike of the railway will be driven and speeches made. The train will leave again at 8.30 a.m., and there will be an early luncheon at Tauinarunui, distant three Lours’ journey. Passengers by the special train from Auckland will leave about the usual limo on Tuesday, and will spend the night at Taumarunui. Au early start is to bo made from Taumarunui in

order that the train may arrive at Makatote in time for the official ceremony at 8 a.in. Under the new arrangement the service will not commence till after the heavy traffic -f the Afanawatu show, which takes place on November 4,5, and 6.

Every week additional rolling stock is being completed at the Petone workshop. Mr H. Tolley (president of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce) has written to the Wellington Chamber regarding the official opening of the Main Trunk line. He pointed out that the ceremony should not be confined to Auckland and Wellington, but country chambers should be asked to take part. ’Fxisco Island Service. The Prime Minister states that he has received a. cable message from the Postmaster-General at Washington expressing pleasure at the arrangement by which New Zealand would connect with the American direct mail service to Tahiti by means of the Union Company’s steamers carrying the New Zealand mails to and from that point. The American Postmaster-General has also stated that his Government would reciprocate in the matter of penny postage by permitting penny postage on letters from America to New Zealand. This concession (which is to come into force at once) Sir Joseph regards with lively satisfaction. Free School oßoks. In the course of an interview the Hon. G. Fowlds said:—“Once the whole of the schools have been furnished with free books, it is estimated that it will take about £OOOO per year to maintain the supply. The sum of £3500 provided for in this year’s estiwill be voted next year to enable the Boards to furnish standard three with free books. The grant will then require to be increased during the next three years, to enable standards four, five, and six to be taken in. It is possible that the grant in one of these years, when reaching the higher- standards may be increased to £OOOO, but after all the classes are supplied, the sum necessary for maintenance will drop down to £OOOO. The method of dealing with the question will be to allocate the money to Education Boards upon a capitation basis, according to the number of children upon the rolls of the schools, leaving it to the Boards to make their own arrangements for the supply of books to the different schools within their districts. A Minister's Stipend. Tn the claim brought by Mr. Meredith Soule v. the trustees of the IV hangarci Presbyterian Church, for £99 5/9, for- balance due as arrears of stiuend, Mr. Dyer, in giving his judgment, said that, from a legal point of view, he felt bound to nonsuit Mr Soule, and ho gave judgment lecordingly, with costs. Utxix-glcal Troubles. m his charge to Synod, Bishop Julius referred to the need that existed for greater elasticity in liturgical matters, and urged the passage of a short bill through the House to enable the Anglican Church in the Dominion to amend the "fundamental” clauses in the Constitution of 1857. The Island Trade. Considerable indignation is being expressed by Auckland merchants at the action of the Government in subsidising a mail service from Wellington to ’Fri-co, via Tahiti. They consider that Auckland has not been treated fairly in the matter. Sir Joseph Ward is endeavouring to arrange a passenger and mail service by means of a boat connecting with the Vatieonver steamer at Suva. This, with the Tahitan service, would give New Zealand a fortnightly service. Grounding of the Kapnnui. 'As a result of the nautical enquiry into the grounding of the s.s. Kapanui on August 11, off Mangawai Heads, the certificate of the master of the vessel, Captain Wann, was suspended for two years. The Court hold that he had been guilty of gross carelessness.

Sunday Schools. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Sunday School Union, it was stated that there were 278 schools affiliated to tho Union, with 19,250 scholars and 1968 teachers. Whilst the attendance shows an increase, the number of teachers has declined, and the committee hopes that more volunteers will offer for this important work. Trafalgar Day. The 103rd anniversary of Trafalgar Day was celebrated by members of the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Association by a dinner at the Strand Cafe, as the guests of Mr. W. B. Leyland. There was an attendance of about twenty-five, and the president (Mr. Thomas Allen) occupied the chair. After dinner the remainder of the evening was spent with song and story. Those who contributed to the musical programme were Messrs. W. George, Fogerty, Johnston, A. Harvey, T. W. Allen, Abel Rowe, and W. B. Leyland. During the evening the following toasts were honoured: "The King,” "The Immortal Memory of Nelson,” "The Army and Navy and Auxiliary Forces,” and "Our Host.” A Baffled Burglar. The enterprising burglar tried his hand at breaking into a wharf shed at Wellington. When Harbour Board Storeman Jeffries opened up N shed, he discovered evidence of an attempt to get into the shed by boring through the flooring. A good haul would have rewarded the burglar if he had gained entry, as the shed contained, amongst other goods, eight large cases of Havelock tobacco, and CO cases of claret and Constantia. The work must have proved too laborious, or else the trespasser was disturbed, as his task was only half completed when he desisted. Sunday Conceits. At a meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery the question of the correctness or otherwise of Sunday concerts was raised by the Rev. D. MacLennan, who proposed that friendly conferences be held with the representatives of the city and suburban brass bands, with a view, if possible, to the discontinuance of Sunday afternoon concerts. The Rev. Irwin objected to any strong protest being made. They had the ground cut away under their feet by the action of churchgoers, who used the trams on Sunday. It was agreed to hold a friendly conference with representatives from the hands, and see what could be done in the matter. Sanatorium at Haninei’. Great surprise was exhibited by the residents of Hanmer when it became known that the Spa was to be transformed into a sanatorium, with a resident doctor and nursing staff. It is rumoured that the change is to be made very shortly, but the exact date has not been definitely decided yet. Native Lands Commission. A sitting of the Native Lands Commission was held last week. The Ikaroa Maori Land Board had refused to accept surrenders of certain leases, and in order to allow the holders to apply for fresh leases under the new valuations, the natives petitioned Parliament for redress. The Commission has held an investigation, and will report the result to the Government. Swimming; Championships Meeting;. There is every possibility that the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Championships meeting will be held in Auckland this season. It was stated at tho annual meeting of the Auckland centre that had application been made last year, the championships would have been allotted to Auckland. The secretary said lie had already written the New Zealand Association with regard to the forthcoming championships being held in Auckland, and the meeting decided to keep the matter before the governing body. Opening of the Yachting; Season. The preparation of the boats for the opening of the yachting season on November 7 is now well advanced, and provided the good weather continues, they

win practically all be in the water about the end of the pretent month. *ome of the launches were lu commission right through the winter, and a few have been launched during the past few weeks. Ono or two of the larger yachts have taken the water, and others are following almost immediately, while the smaller boats are fairly well represented. Tramway Troubles. The Arbitration Court reserved its derision in the action against the Auckland Tramway Co. for two alleged breaches of award, viz., the dismissal of Conductor Herdson and under-payment of staff. In the case against the Tramways Union for a breach of the award by striking in Alay last the Court also reserved judgment.