LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 81, 6 April 1900, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A triangular rifle match between teams of the Stratford and Manaia Riflp'Clubs and the Taranaki Rifle Volunteers wil&be tired at Manaia to-day. Importers per Kanieri will note that she leaves Onehunga for Waitara on Thursdaj, 12th inst., and not Monday, 9th inst. '1 he Napier people are starting a fund in .aid of "ourstarving fellow-subjects in India."

It is understood that the Hon. W. C. Walker, Minister of Education, will visit the Stratford District High School on the 12th inst. and present tho prizes. Mr. Hogben, the Inspector-General, will probably accompany the Minister.

Mr. H. N. Liardet and family, who have been on a trip to the Old Country, returned to Stratford on Tuesday, and were accorded a hearty reception by the townspeople. A cable on Wednesday in reference to the Koornspruit ambush mentioned that amongst other troops the New Zealand First Contingent were ill-fated party, and naturally great anxiety was felt locally. On Thursday, however, these fears were dissipated by the receipt by Mrs. Davies of a cable from Major Daviea stating that the New Zealanders were all well. Trains will leave for the Breakwater today, connecting with steamers mentioned below, as follow: (from North); 8 a.m., Rotoiti (from South); 9.30 a.m., Mapourika (for South); 9.30 p.m., Rotoiti (for North). There will be a pas-sengqr-car attached to the goods train, leaving New Plymouth for the Breakwater about 3 p.m. Lady Edward Cecil and Lady Charles Bentinok, who are at present at Uapetown, recently telegraphed to friends in Bnglana saying that, as was inevitable, some unnecessary things were being deceived for the troops at the front and in hospital, but there was "a practically unlimited demand for the following aitides, viz., sponges, soap, combs, brushes, tooth-brushes, slippers, towels, sponge-bags and handkerchiefs."

Last evening (says Wednesday's Hawera Star) much anxiety was caused Mr. and Mrs. VV. C. Adamson and family through the wandering away of a little grandchild, a boy. It appears young Adamson, in company with another small boy named Smart, went mushroom hunting in the afternoon, and when it appeared to them time to return to their homes there was a difference of opinion as to which was the right road to take. Smart came on, and reached home safely, but bis friend not putting in an appearance, a search party was organised' Sergeant Bernard and Constable Koche joined in the search, but it was not until 7.30 this morning that the boy was found making his way out of Mr. Dive's property, the poor little fellow having slept in the plantation all night)

The funeral of the late Miss Tyer.*, Matron of the Hawera Cottage Hospital, took place Ut Hawer&on Thursday afternoon. There wav a large and representative following, testifying .to the estoem in which tlig deceased lady was held. Mr. K. H. Nolan, ol Hawora, acted as chief mourner, and the pall-bearers were:—.Mr. F. P. Corkill (chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board,', Dr. Westenra (surgeon to the Hawera Hospital), Messrs. H. VV. Sutton, C. Wilkin son, J. W. Scott (members of the Hawera House Committee), and C. T. Mills > secretary to the Board).

I Mr. John Black, of Fatea, who took part in the stirring and perilous Maori troubles in [ Taranaki in the early days, to-day received a letter from Mr. W. H. Skinner, portions of which we (J J «jj) quota:—" Xam sending you a photo of the memorial hatchment placed in St. Mary's Church to the memory of the Taranaki Volunteers and Militia who fell in the Maori War. You will recognise the old colours, of which they are a copy. I thought, maybe, you would like to have a copy of the old flags, as you were so identified witli the company, and have no doubt been in charge of them on various occasions.' The photograph depicts the two ilags, on which tlie name Waireka is inscribed. The picture will no doubt be valued by Mr. Black as a souvenir of an eventful portion of his life.

The Auckland Observer says that Mr. George Fisher, M.H.K, is a candidate for the Chairmanship of Committees. To this another exchange adds:—"Just so. And Mr Hoderick McKensie, M.H.R., aspires to the Speakership, Mr. V. Lawry, M.H.R., to be Clerk of Parliaments, and Mr. McLachlan, M.H.K., to bo President of the Legislative Council. Next 1"

A report to the effect that an Englishman named MacLachlan had been shot in the market-place of Harrismith, in the Free State, for having refused to bear arms against his countrymen in the war, appeared in the Natal Press, cabled to the colonies, and was contradicted. It was subsequently repeated in the shape of an announcement in the obituary columns of London newspapers • and in the House of Commons the Government was asked to confirm or deny this very terious charge. It is a matter for the greatest satisfaction that the Colonial Secretary was able to read a telegram from the Governor of Natal stating that no foundation for the report could be discovered.

Mr. Duncan, of Vienna, who says l)o is not a colonist, has been so much struck with the action of New Zealand and tho New Zealanders that he has sent the handsome subscription of £IOO to tho New Zealand .Bushmen's fund. He says, in his letter, and with reference to the New Zealand i'ushmen : " These are. the men to fight tho Boers, and that is wh} I send you the enclosed. I should like to interest my friends in the movement, but I must be thoroughly posted up." Needless to say (remarks a London correspondent) full infornntion lias been sent.

When Mr. W. P. Reeves was in America recently ho promised tho authorities of the Philadelphia .Musciijij better sanjplefs of Now Zealand products than thoy pos. sussed. Mr. 11. C. Cameron, Hie Produce Commissioner in London for New Zealand, acting cn the instructions of tho AgentGeneral, has now sent some excellent samples of New Zealand (lax in hanks, and of kauri gum, in fulfilment of the promise mentioned.

Tone,hers are not parsed oyer the annual report of the Wanganui Education Board's inspectors, who therein state that |'' at a few schools the instruction is rather aimless in character, showing lack of method. There appears," the report conI tinues, '• to be no definite plan of work, so there is much haphazard teaching. At schools where such faults obtain, the teachers evidently do not know what form a lesson is to hike until they go to the blackboard to give it. Lessons are not prep/jred aiid arranged so as to form part of a scheme which will give complete and thorough knowledge of the subject We are pleased to be able to . stale that such schools are yearly on the decrease, and that ex-puuil loaches are seldom Sound amongst tjhis olass ot sole teachers." lii connection with schools staffed by two teachers, the inspectors condeinn the practice whereby the principal teacher cuntines his attention to the upper standards, while the pupil teacher is oeeepi> <; ey.ehi.ive.ly wit!; Class P and Standards I. and 11.,-and left.vory much to himself.

iiali'.rday will'be the last day of John Leydon's unreserved auctions-ate of fiirnUuto d:apery, cloliiiir/, fancy goods, Ctttlory, and ; i? .velh:ry,--A.!j.v(:-