LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12631, 19 October 1905, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Putiki Rifle Range compensation case has not yet concluded.

A man arrested at Dunedin for drunkenness had' £234 in his possession

Yesterday was the anniversary of the commencement of the Boer war in 1899.

The United States Government ha* accepted the Czar's invitation to the second Hague Conference.

4. six-roomed house at Gisborne, owned and occupied by Mrs., Moorj was destroyed by fire yesterday morning. Insurance, £200 in the New Zealand. Tho Wanganui representative footballers are requested to assemble at Denton's at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon, to have their photographs retaken.

In connection with the New Zealand International Exhibition. Mr. Tom Pollard has been appointed director of entertainments as from July 1, at a salary of £5 par week.

Members of the Highland Rifles are reminded that the final Morris-tube match for money prizes and aggregate trophy will bo iired in the Drill Hal! at 2 p.m this afternoon, and at 2..30 ond 7.30 p.m. on Saturady next, 21st.-

Captain. Edwin telegraphed as follows at 1.7 p.m.. yesterday:—Strong winds to gale from between north-east and north and west, after 16 hours from now; glass fall, tides high, sea heavy, rain probable.

We would call the attention of our readers to this evening's programme in the Army Hall, to be given by a number of young people and children. This promises to be a most enjoyable entertainment, and we anticipate a good 1 house. Children's performances are always interesting and enjoyable, and a great attraction. This one will no doubt be a success.

Ratn Eteino Meke Meke, the chief of highest rank in Kadavu, Fiji, died o;i September 10th, after a protracted iliness. Ho had been native stipendiary magistrate, but res:gned that position three years ago on account of failing health, and was then showing symp terns of tumor of the brain. As a young man much had been expected ol him. His father, a very intelligent man, had caused him to be instructed in English, had sent him to Sydney, and had urged him to adapt himself to the ways of white men. He disappointed the expectations of his wellwishers, showed strong reactionary tendencies, and in late years had largely resumed tho old native customs and superstitions. The interment took place at tho picturesque old burial place of the chiefs on a nill near Tavuki, and was largely attended.

" If you get a McCormick Binder you know it is right. Agents, Williams and Harper, Wanganui.

Mr. G. P. Wake, a candidate for the Patca seat, will address the electors at tho Waverley Town Hall this evening.

A five-roomed house, owned and occupied by E. Lee, at Upper Plain, was destroyed by fire last evening. The house was insured for £150, and the furniture for a like amount, in the Royal office.

A large number of boxes of cut flow <->rs which were sent to Barcelona and Madrid in connection with President Loubet's forthcoming visit, were found to contain packets of dynamite. The consignee has been arrested. The Madrid polios are convinced that it) was a plot against President Loubet juid King Alfonso.

In the House yesterday morning, when the Wanganui Suburbs Lighting Act of 1903 Amendment Bill was called on. Mr. Willis said that owing to a good deal of misunderstanding that existed among the ratepayers, the Mataongaonga Board had asked him to withdraw the Bill. He moved accordingly, and the Bill was discharged from th» Order Paper.

It is with regret that we announce the death of Mrs. J. H. Smith, who passed away yesterday at her residence, Marybank, after a very loiiis illness. The deceased lady had been a resident of Wanganui for about thirty years, and the news of her demise will bo received with regret by a large number of friends. At deceased's special request the interment will take place early in the morning, and be of a private nature.

A cheque for £750 was presented at tho Bank of New South Wales, Suva (Fiji), on the Bth instant, and was being paid over in gold to Mr. E. Curtin, a clerk employed by Messrs. Brown and Joske. The Bank, wondering why so much gold was being required in one demand, sent a message to the firm interested as to its bona fides. Mr. Arthur Joske proceeded to the bank to find their late clerk counting the money. On being asked what it all meant (says the Mji "Times"), Curtin admitted that he oould not resist the temptation. He has since been arrested by the police. Curtin arrived from Auckland a month ago, and was in tho employ of Messrs. Brown and Joske to October 6. He gave his age as 19 years, though he looks a few years older.

The voyage of the Orient-Pacific Company's R.M.S. Ortona, which arrived ,at Sydney recently from London, via ports, was more eventful than usual. t irst of all the passengers were given an opportunity of witnessing the total eclipse of the sun off Spain, and the privilege was much appreciated. On reaching Suez Caual the sensational i.ews was revived that the steamer Chatham, of London, had taken fire, and had bean sunk in the Canal. Consequently the Ortona had to be very carefully navigated, and the passago through thf) canal was a very protracted one, occupying IS hours longer than is usual. On Saturday, September 16, at noon, in lat. 9.1U N., and long. 07.4.8 E., a slight shock to the ship wad felt, and on looking astern the officers saw parts of a whale floating in the water, apparently having been cut up by tho ship. At Fremantle the mail steamer was joined by the GovernorGeneral and Lady Northcote and sujte, who journeyed as far as Adelaide.

Cabinet has decided to appoint a commission to investigate the Meikle case thoroughly and inquire into -the question of the payment of the firs'f compensation and what led thereto, and how the discharge was granted therefor. Regarding the matter of removing Meikle's name from the prison records of the colony, Mr. Seddon said any recommendation of the Commission in respect to this matter wouki be carried out. As to placing on record tho facts, and the conviction of the principal witness against Meikle for perjury, the Government had carefully gone into this phrase of the question and had made investigation as to precedent, so far as the Imperial records were concerned. In a recent, case —that of Adolph Beck, who was wrongfully imprisoned for a period of nye years—the Imperial Government paid him, £5000 compensation, but. nothing v/as done in the way of interfering With the prison records. In regard to the Meikle case, the Government woulci aot upon the advice of the Commission.

The Moura, which arrived at Auckland on Tuesday from Fiji, brings news of picking up the French barque Beaumuncir, bound from Newcastle to ban Francisco, which she towed into Suva. The barque sailed on September 6, and met heavy weather from the start, the vind blowing a hurricane, with mountainous scis. On the 16th a hurricana from the N.N.W. was encountered, a sudden squall washing the decks foro and aft. The fore topmast yard ana rigging were carried away, followed by th*f main topmast, with yards, etc., the vessel being on her beam ends, with wreckage smashing against her sides. The wreckage was cleared away, and ■jury topmasts set up. . The vessel, then 100 miles to the north of New Zealand, attempted to reach New Zealanu or Sydney, but was frustrated by continuous hurricanes from the north-west and tho crippled, condition of the vessel. The wind changed to the southward, but very little progress was made. On October 7, about 250 miles from Suva, the Moura fell in with tho barque, and towed her to Suva. 11k» Beaumoir will probably be towed to Auckland or Sydney for repairs.

Particulars have been received an Christchurch relative to the important experiment recently made in the export of chilled beat" from New Zealand to London. Although the experimentwas not a success, it still was not so great a failure as to preclude hopes of ultimate success. The Christchurch "Press" reports that great interest was taken throughout the voyage by Captain Holmes and Mr. Cleater, the chief engineer, the latter inspecting the meat twice a day, and so cerban was he that the experiment was turning out successfully, that it was not considered necessary to "freeze the meat, as was instructed to bo done if it Avas found that tha beef was nob keeping. Some of the hindquarters were said to be? dark on the shank, and white mould 'appeared on some of the fcrequarters. Mr. Henderson tested the .meat, and it appeared to be quite right inside. The neat was seventy-one days in the chamber, and at first it was kept at v temperature of 32 degrees, and Mr. Cleater is strongly of opinion that it should bo-kept at not less than 27 to 29 degrees, and the circulation of air is imperative. Mr. Henderson recommends that in a further experiment only hindquarters should bo sent. The experiment, while not a complete sue cess, is considered satisfactory, and touch has bean learned that will assist in carrying out a further .experiment, which the company will probably make. The shipment consisted of 500 quarters, and as it was not insured the loss is a considerable one to the company. It may be mentioned that a quantity of beef/killed at Burnside at the same time" as the Tokomaru shipment, was kept in a chilled state in the works, and a commencement was made aftei? 51 days, the length of an ordinary voyage Home, to cut it up. Some was also kept for 72 days, and the who\? of it was perfectly fresh and sweet, fo that there is no doubt as to the me v chilling of the beef being quite sufficient to ensure its keeping, though, (1 oourse, the conditions on a steamor and in the works are somewhat di &.•:- ent.

Archdeacon Williams has donated £100 to the Maori Anglican plergy in tho Waikato for the purchase of fo&d and seed potatoes.

The Auckland Education Board ha,? decided to appoint an expert at £400 to instruct the teachers in agriculture and Naturo study.

The secretary of the Wanganui Hockey Association desires to acknowledge with, thanks a donation of two guineas towards the ground fund.

A general meeting of the Wanganui Young Men's No-License Club is to be held at Jackson's rooms at 8 o'clock this evening. It is hoped that every member who can do so will make a point of attending.

The Irish Rifles are reminded of tho Government inspection parade to-night at 7.30. Uniform: Full dress with caps. A fine of 10s. wiil be enforced for all absentees.

The Wanganui Gun Club competitions for the club's £5 ss. trophy, also for Hatrick find Co.'s Tambowio trophy, took place on the club'j grounds on Thursday last. The forme? trophy was won by T. A. Bamber, with 27 out of 30 kills, and the latter competition resulted in a tie between C. Jefferson and Dr. Graham. In firing off the t''e, Dr. Graham won the gold mounted pipes, Mr. Jefferson taking tho silver-mounted meerschaum.

A very amusing incident—one o? many—at Mr. Maslin's meeting, atWaimate, on Monday, was the way the friendly offices of a police constable were received by one of the ring-lead-ers in the Babel-making. The constable sec-mod to be expostulating with him, and the young man got up, and with a great show of effusiveness shook tha officer's hand—in token of sincere sympathy with him in his difficult duty, n<s doubt. The spectators laughed more heartily at tho way the extremes oi order and disorder had met.

A large sunspot, which made its firsts appearance last Saturday, the 14th instant, on the incoming edge of the sun's disc, is now being turned well to* wards us and forms a fine specimen of solar energy, exhibiting much variety of detail. This spot may be seen without optical assistance. If one will observe the sun through a piece of smoked or coloured glass, he will see the black spot to the right of the centre, and may watch it till it will disappear on tho western side of the sun on tho 24th instant, or in a telescope on the following day. Weather being suitable, the observatory will be open this afternoon (Thursday). between tho hours of 2.30 and 4 "o'clock.

Either Avick?and folk are unusually adept in the art of...fainting, or there must be something particularly strenu ous and exciting about their sports.. During a sack race at the Labour Day sports^ says the <:Herald," a boy Jell, and, it is understood, injured hia shoulder. The mother of the injured boy, seeing hsr son was hurt, fell into the arms of a bystander and fainted. A young man who had witnessed the accident also lay down in a fainting condition. At intervals during the afternoon several other people, chiefly men, also fainted. It is hard to say the cause of these fainting fits, but it is certain that the weather could not bo blamed. The most exciting period 6i the sports was that during which the tttg-of-war contests were taking place. An argument followed, and in the midst of it one of the disputants dropped.

Dr. Yon Behring, who, according to rtcent cables, claims to have found a cure for consumption, is a Professor of the University of Marburg, in Germany, and has been investigating consumption for many years. As the result of his researches, he has put forward the theory that infection *smain ly conveyed by the alimentary tracb instead of the respiratory tract; and this principle he enunciated in his lecture at the 75th meeting of naturalists and physicians in Sassel in September, 1903, when he emphatically asserted that the milk fed to infants was the chief cause of consumption—hot because the milk fed to infants was at, all worse than any other, but because the human infant, like the young ot ail other mammals, was destitute of the protective agencies in ■ its alimentary system, which at a later period of hl« prevent the entrance of the discus germs into his tissues. Dr. Behring and his fellow worker, Dr. Romer, conducted a minute series of experiments for years before they arrived at this conclusion, using newly-born foals, calves, guinea-pigs, and other laboratory animals. "Professor Behring has absolutely proved the immunisation ot cattle from tuberculosis," said ? Sydney medical man to a representative of the "Daily Telegraph." At the same time this doctor, who has follow ed Behring's work closely, pointed out a curious fact in the scientist's experiments with cattle—namely, that he, has been actually using, not bovo-vac-cine, as stated in a reosnt cable message, but a strain derived from human tubercle bacilli, employing two differont strengths tor the purpose. Bovine tubercle, it was found, was too virulent and killed the animals. "It is too early yet to express an opinion in tho absence of details," was the doctor s reply when ho was asked what he thought of Professor Behring's claim to hftvo discovered a cure for consumption. Other medical men made a like reply.