NOTES FROM OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 28, 28 October 1907, Page 6

NOTES FROM OTHER CENTRES.

AUCKLAND. - October 26. "Is cremation of the human body contrary to Christianity?" was a question brought up at the Anglican Synod. Tho Synod, however, refused to express an opinion ono way or tho other. Mr. R. R. Hunt, in- submitting a motion, declaring that tho Synod was of opinion that tho cremation of the human body was not contrary to Christianity, stated that some people in Auckland assorted that.it was a heathen practice. The Society in Auckland had approached a clerical body hero with a view to getting them to declare to the contrary, but that body must havo been composed of Scotchmen, for thoy sent a .long reply and practically evaded the issue. The Society was trying to do an educational work in Auckland, and if the Synod would pass the motion he had moved it would be a real help to them, lhe motion was seconded, and in speaking to it ono rev. gentleman stated that many of them did-not like their dead being disposed of by way of cremation. The sanitary aspect had been .greatly exaggerated. Mr. C. J. Tunks thought that tho Synod should not be called upon to express an opinion on tho matter. It was then moved that the Synod proceed with the next business, and this motion was carried. Mr. Hunt's motion therefore lapsed. Newmarket is undergoing a regular "spring cleaning" as tho result of ( Dr. Purdy's strictures, backed'up by tho press. Street-sweeping operations have been commenced. Tho" borough. is also to net its house in order to a certain degree by the provision of proper refuso bins, and residents havo received fourteen days' notice to provide these necessary household adjuncts. Two well-known mining-prospectors, Mr. H. R. Holman and Son, who/reside at Whauwhau Valley, near AVhangerei, recently located"an outcrop of coal at tho ujracr end of the valley on tho opposite side to the original workings of an old mine known as Walton's whore operations were, discontinued years ago. Driving soon disclosed a oft. seam with indications of increasing size, and it probably extends for a great distance. Sev-

oral Wliangarei gentlemen havo formed a syndicato to work the seam, having secured the original lease from the Walton estate They havo also made arrangements with certain native owners. 'The old line, where the rails ran.has.been cleared, and timber, sleepers, ctc.j have now arrived ready for the construction of a new tramline, while iron rails, , trucks, winding gear, and other accessories aro stated to . have been, purchased from tho old .'Phoenix mines at Hikiirangi. A 50-ft. drive will he put in when the lino is down and a hopper constructed. If the venture proves successful it is bound to have an important bearing on' tho coal mining industry in the Whangarci district. Walton's mine was first worked forty years ago, and quito a .lively trarlo was carried on for a long time, vessels taking coal from tho,chuto at the end of the tramline on tho upper .reach of tho Wliangarei River. : \A cable messago has been received from Mossrs. Howard, Smith and Company, Lim- ■ ited, Melbourne, tho Australasian representa- ' tives of Mossrs. Andrew, Weir and Son,.ap- ' pointing Mr. J. C. Speeding agent at Auck- ' land for 'the San Francisco Sydney 'Mail ' Lino of cargo stoainers now trading from ' Seattle,and San Francisco .to Now Zealand ' and Australia. ; , Tho sis. Ycddo from San Francisco has [ 400 bags of mails on. board for New ZeaThe question as to whether November 9 or 11 should bo observed in, Auckland as the ■ King's Birthday was discussed at the nicotic ing of the City , Council. <Tho Mayor stated' that ho had been.waited on by a deputation from the grocers, butchers, and baiters, and ■ asked to , proclaim Monday, the 11th, as tho holiday. He understood that the bootmakers and clothing factories regarded Monday as tho most suitablo day, and tho ironmongers woro at present , undecided. Mr. » Entrican, who preferred Saturday, moved; in I deference to tho,,'majority, "That Monday f bo • proclaimed the holiday,", and Mr. Smcer ton, for the same' reason, seconded.. Mr. ! Bagnall suggested, in tho interests of tho i working man, that , Saturday be observed, ~ and other , members agreed.' Tho motion was II negatived, and tho Mayor , then intimated s that, unless a representative deputation ro- ■\ quired him to call a. public meeting .to ; com [. sidor the holiday, ho would not take any 0 action in the matter. :

Speaking in regard to. a recent prosecution by the Health Department of a Chiheso restaurant keeper, Dr. Stopford wanted to know at tho City Council meeting why it was 1 that the prosecution was undertaken by tho Health Department, and not by the city. Tho city sanitary ■■ inspectors should have known of tho state of those premises, and if one place was found iii that condition, no doubt there wero others.. Then, again, .nothins had been done in regard to the milk supply question.; Tho Mayor replied that the question of the sanitation of the city had been , gone, into'and next meeting there would probably bo recomniondations allocating districts to different- inspectors, so that inspections could bo carried out in a thoroughly . organised and systematic manner. Ho was fully aware of tho serious responsibility in this connection: Tho inspectors wero doing , splendid work. (Hear, hear.) Tho prosecution mentioned was by tho Health Department in accordance with arrangements made by'the council's own officers.' Mr. Parr remarked that he know-of two cases where the city inspectors had boon' hoforo tho health officers in- giving notices'. Tho Mayor went on to'say that the milk question was under consideration. Many important questions wore involved, but th.O/,matter would come before tho council.lator..In connection'with the Tramways BUI the Mayor (Mr. "A. M. Myers) and Mr. L. J. Bagnall, councillor, aro to go to-Wellington as a deputation to. enter a protest against the' measure. The discussion leading up to this decision at the council's meeting was an interesting one, and during its progress Mr. C. .Hi Poole, 0(10 of Auckland's'M.H.K's., came in for some broadsides of criticism, becauso of a messago received from him to the effect , that he meant,to;,support the Bill. The Mayor took strong ' o'xception to Mr. Poole's statement that tho Bill was • ab.° lplutely necessary for.the safety of the public " Ho was not aware that, the Governmont would bo in any bettor position than the council to ensurothe safety of the public. Ho was thoroughly satisfied that the Bill was a rotrogado step for the Government to take. Ho''regretted that a representative of the city did not hold vtho same views as tho council, nor tho same views as the majority .-of.'the ■ citizens.- .Mr. Poole was not justified in making the statement he had, and he (the Mayor) took the opportunity of refuting it. '"

CHRISTCHURCH.

,'.•,-.'■ . '.:[;:'.■■ : October 26. The Clirislchurch Tiro Brigade has suffered a great .deal of annoyance owing _to false .alarms being givon from tho alarmboxes placed inii various parts of- tho city, especially from • > tboso in the more, remoto and poorly-lighted streets. With the object vof checking tho practice, the I'iro Hoard dovised the- application; of an alarm bell for oach street box. As soon as an alarm is given, n Gin. gong rings and draws general attention 'to the .tlarin, so that there will be much 'less" chancci of a person getting away undetected after giving a false alarm. Only one has boon installed so far, owing to tho present uncertainty of tho Board's continued oxistenco.

The motor-car business is progressing rapidly iii Christchurch, and a number of those interested in tho trado told a ro))orter that thoy b'olievo the coming season will be the best lover expbrioucd in tho city. _ British made; cars nro increasing in popularity. Tho City, Council has already registered some 440 motor-cars and motor bicycles, and the Selwyn County Council has. registered 124. Motor bicyclds aro no' longer in tho majority. Mr. W. Barhott, a .Christchurcli chemist, who went home as a member of a' I*ew Zealand bowling team, told an interviewer that during his stay in the Old Country, li« had looked into the question of secret commissions being, given to doctors by favoured chemists. Tho British Medical Association put its foot down very heavily, and refused

to countenance the practice, and tlio only penalty for receiving thorn was instant removal" from the roll of the Association, ant a total loss of caste, as if the culprit had boon carrying on irregular, practices. In addition the law of the country absolutely forbade secret commissions of any sort by a law passed some two years ago. Mr. 13ariictt suggested that there was a very simple remedy for the Dominion in the adoption of tho English law, or one based on it. Speaking of his bowling experiences, Mr. IJaniett said he watched the play in the international games between England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and saw play against which the best players in New Zealand could hold their own. A team of sixteen selected from thirty of tho host men in New Zealand would have as good a chance in tho international contests as any of the teams he saw competing. Our stylo of play is right in accordance with the old Scottish traditions as to tho way the gamo should lie played. It was rarely that a good Scottish player indulged in driving, and tho secretary of'tho Scottish International Association told Mr. Uarnctt that they always had more confidence in selecting a team in the player who played a good drawing game. As for the greens, New Zealand is completely out of any comparison. There is nothing in the Dominion to equal.the fine quality of turf of the English bowling greens. , , '.Mr. Barnett had no words in which to convey any adequate idea of the warmth of .the welcome tho New. Zealanders received. , fvo trouble was too great to ensure the visitors having a pleasant time, and wherever,they went they wero mado to feel that they wore at home. /It is probable-that .a team of British bowlers will visit the' Dominion m a year or two, many players having expressed their wish to come out for a visit..

DUNEDIN. October 23. It is understood -that the Government steamer Ellen Ballance has been sold to Messrs. Stevenson' and Cook, of Port Uiafmors. ■■'' - . . ■Auckland builders sent to Dunedin for plasterers the other day, but only three could be found willing to go. ; , . . Everything in the produce*. lino'.is bringing hi"h prices now. Onions sold at, £11 a ton, a °ise of £4 10s. during one week. Stocks are short and supplies reduced owing to the stoppage of tho American mail, boats; which had refrigerating accommodation.