Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1890. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP.

♦ It seems to be assumed on all sides that Sir Harry Atkinson will sucoeed Sir Dillon Bell as Agent-General. Tha selection is perhaps as good a one as could be made, but it must be remembered that the offioe is not yet vacant. Sir Dillon Bill's appointment does not expire until November next, and there is no reason to believe that he desires to surrender it at an earlier data. This difficulty, however, we suppose, is one capable of arrangement between the parties. There is no ohanoe of his term of offioe being extended, and possibly he might be induoed to return to New Zealand a few months earlier than he has intended to do. Sir Dillon Bbll has on the whole made a very good AgentGeneral. There is really vary little for such an officer lo do, and it is only for the sake of appearances that the offioe has to be retained. While all tha other colonies are represented by an Agent-General in London, it will not do for New Zealand to be without one. Tho duties are obiefly of a diplomatic nature, and Sir Dillon Bill has taken them in tha

very easiest manner. Indeed, complaints have frequently been made in colonial circles in London, and by visiting colonists, that he has somewhat neglected the social duties of his position. Certain it ia that hit absence from social functions, at which other Agents - General have taken a prominent position, has been most marked, bnt we are not inclined to blame him for this. Sir Dillon Bull is not a rich man, and we do not know if he were that the colony would have a right to expect him to expend his wealth in keeping up the position of its representative in London. Tho salary New Zealand thinks fit to pay iti Agent-General is a very low one compared with that paid by eeveral other colonies to their representatives, and Sir Dillon Bbll may well have entertained an honourable objection to partaking of hospitality he was not in a position to return, and mixing in society whioh he could not afford to meet, on equal terms. He is not a young man now either, and his health is pofisibly not so good as it used to be. At any rate, he has lived very quietly in London, and in doing bo has set an example which his successor may follow without incurring auy reproach. It ii an example which Sir Harry Atkinson will no doubt be thankful to emulate. Ha is even less than Sir Dillon Bell a society man; his health is frailer, and he is not over rich. In London he can live quietly without attracting attention by doing so, and his intimate knowledge of colonial affairs will no doubt render him a moßt efficient representative of the interests of New Zealand whenever he, as AgentGeneral, has an opportunity of advancing them. It is with no desire to throw blame on Sir Dillon Bell that we say we think it is high time there was a ohange in the occupant ef the office. Touch with the colony is very qoiokly lost by a resident in England. Sir Dillon Bell has been bo long absent that he has oertainly lost touoh to a lar"ge extent with the colony, and is by no means familiar with its present internal condition and circumstances. Three years is quite long enough for anyone to hold the office, and a limitod tenure of it should be looked forward to as a legitimate reward for prominent politicians who have outlived their present usefulness in the colony. Sir Harkt Atkinson's olaims to the position cannot be disputed, and whatever Ministry may be in power when the time for making the appointment comes, we hope those claims will be respected. At tho same time, it should he made distinctly understood that no olaim to an extension of office beyond the usual three years will be rocognised. By that time there may bo some other prominent politician who would probably prove more useful for a term in England than in New Zealand.

Volunteer news, the prise list of Wadestown School, and a letter to the Editor appear on the fourth page. Her Majesty the Queen has consented fo stand godmother to the infant son of Lord Onslow. The Premier and the Hon. Mr. Fergus are passengers for the South by the Tarawera this afternoon. Lady Atkinson is also a passenger. The steamer Wairarapa, from Melbourne via Hobart, arrived at the Bluff at 6 this morning. Her mails should reaoh Wellington by tho Rotorna on Wednesday. The Wellington oorrespondentofthephriatohuroh Press rarely refers to this journal except to misrepresent it. We really wish he would leave us alpno altogether, if unable to state the truth. On Friday, laat he telegraphed to the Press :—" The Post tonight tries to make it appear that Mr. Maodonald, M.H.E. for Wellington, is one of the 35 votes counted on as safe by the Government. lamin a position to assert positively that this is not the case. I have seen the card, and Mr. Macdonald is not classified as a Ministerialist." What we did say was, " One singular feature of the card, however, is the persistency of the Ministry in placing Mr. T. K. Maodonald amongst the Doubtfula." The .correspondent has, therefore, to suit & political purpose, deliberately misrepresented ns. Some mischievous persons have reoently amused themselves by defaoing and destroying pictorial and other posters exhibited on the Evening Post bill boards in various parts of the city. The offence is one which can be severely punished under tht Malioions Injuries to Property Act, and the proprietors, by advertisement, offer a reward of £5 for information which will result in the conviotion of any offender. The police, we may add, are on the look-out. The Dunedin Trades Counoil have signified their desire to retain the 28th of Ootober as the data of Demonstration Day. The Marine Department has been advised that the Hinemca arrived at Westport this morning from Milford Sound, having landed the prisoners who are to be employed in road-making between Milford Sound and the Sutherland Falls. ,y All that was mortal of the late Mr. Samuel Duncan Parnell, whose name will be for ever revered by the wage-earners of the Sonthern Hemisphere for its connection with the eight hours movement, was laid to rest in the Sydney-streat Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The fnneral, which left the late residence of the deceased in Cambridge-terrace soon after half-past three o'clock, was attended by between twelve and fifteen hundred persons, representing all daises of the community, including the Mayor, Messrs. Fisher, Duthie, and Macdonald, M.H.R.'s, and members offcbe City Counoil. The coffin, upon whioh several very beautiful wreaths were laid, was carried all the way to th« cemetery by members of the Carpenters' Union, and as the oortege passed along the thoroughfares of the oity, most of the places of business closed their shutterß as a mark of respect. The Garrison Band, assisted by several members of tho City Band, played the Dead March. At the grave there was no regular burial servioe, but an eloquent panegyrio was delivered by Mr. J. C. Harris. The Rev. A. M. Bradbury, reoently appointed assistant ourate of St. Mark's Church, was admitted to holy orders yesterday, the ordination service being conduoted by tho Primate at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral. Mr. Bradbury studied under the Bey. W. E. Paige, of Masterton. It has been found inconvenient for the labour bodies in Wellington to aleot two delegates to the Trades Council evary six mouths, as the representatives hardly get into the run of the work before their term of offioe expires. The Counoil have decided to recommend the Unions that in future only one delegate shall retire at the end of eaoh half-year. Kirkoaldie & Stains write to efcate that they are not the Lambton Quay firm referred to in a letter published in Saturday's issue as objeoting to oloae on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday next. The pensioners of the Benevolent Institution are sadly in need of artioles of olothing, boots, &o. This is the season when most hearts are opened to listen to the plaints of suffering humanity. Persons having olothing or boots to offer will kindly forward their addresses to Mr, M'Cleary, Bay View, Plimmer's-etepß, who will be glad to call for the same. A correspondent write at follows i—The first trial of tho Buckeye Harvester this season took place at Feilding on Saturday. The orop operated upon was one of tall green oats, self-aewn, on land that had been ploughed but never harrowed. The bottom was consequently wry uneven, and in places the oats were considerably laid and tangled. Two horses worked the machine with ease, and dnring the afternoon many of tho farmers of the district put in an appearance and expreased their pleasure at the exoellenoe of the work done. Several machines were disposed of on the ground, and the company were congratulated on the production of a maohine so well suited to the requirements of that distriot. The export announced that on Monday ha would put his maohine into a orop of rye grass is the Marton district. Playgoer! will be disappointed to learn that after all Mrs. Brown-Potter will not visit New Zealand. A telegram to that effect has been received in Christaharch. 111-health, necessitating Mrs. Brown-Potter's return to America, is the cause alleged. Mr. Kyrle Bellew will accompany her. Their New Zealand dates will be filled up by another company. A room has been scoured in the Exohange Buildings for tha New Zealand Chess Congress tournament, whioh commences on Boxing Pay. The following gentlemen have been requested to aot on the Playing Committee, at least one member of which must be present throughout the time of play:-Messrs. C W. Benbow, E.Samuel, W. Whittein, G. Didsbuiy. W. Maokay, E. W. Petheriok, P. Tait, G. Wright, B. B. Allen, and F. K. Eelling (hon. sea.). Chess players will be sorry to learn that tbp two Auckland representatives will be unable to come, owing to pressure of business. The Carol Singers, under tha leadership of Mr. Billman, intend to serenade their friends, according to their usual custom, on Christ* mat Eve, starting about midnight. The company consists of about ten instrumentalists and fifteen voioes, the alto parti being taken by boys, so, given a fine night, the music should be above the average. At the half-yearly summoned masting of Court Epuni, A.OF., officers were elected as follows :—C.R., Bro. L. Parrant, jun.; S.C.R., Bro. E. Taylor; S.W., Bro. J. Brooklehnrst; J.W., Bro. W. Heppleston; 5.8., Bro. W. Parrant, P.C.R.; J. 8., Bro. A.Forbes; M.S., Bro. H. Brooks, P.C R.; Secretary, Bro. J. Leadbeater (re-eleoted); Treasurer, Bro. S. Mills (re-eleoted); Trustee (in place of Bro. N. Valentine, resigned), Bro. B. C. H-irtj Auditor, Bro. W. Kingdon. Bros. Leadbeater, Brooks, and W. Parrant were elected a committed for the opening of a new Court at Lower Hutfc. Handel's " Messiah " ought4o be tike great feature of all Christmas music, and, thanks to the visit of Madam Marian Burton and her gifted associates, together with ,the Harmonic Society and tha local choirs, we are to have it in the Opera Honsa to-night. To hear Madame Burton in tha magnificent contralto solos to be found in this greatest of all oratorios should indeed be a rara pririlege, and tha voices of Miss ColbourneBaber and Mr. Stockwell ought to be admirably suited for the interpretation of the soprano and tenor solos. Chorus and orchestra are strong and well trained, so what feature is laoking ? It will be notioed that a special system is arranged as to the reserving of seats in the dress oircle and orchestral stalls; and double tickets may be obtained for to-night's and to-morrow's concerts. The programme for to-morrow evening, when tho first part only will be sacred, is remarkably attractive. The Harxonio Society will sing again, and the oratorio selections will be taken, among other works, from "Elijah," " Hose in Egitto." and Rossini's " Stabat Mater. 4*4* For the first time in New Zealand, M. Horace Poncsard and Mr. Frank Bradley will play two movements from Beethoven b oelebrated "Krautser Sonata," the work whioh gives its name to Tolstoi's famous novel. M. Poussard has also consented to lead the orchestra at the performance of the " Messiah " this evening. Harvey Bros.' Minstrel and Variety Compnny oommeaoe a season at the Opera House on Boxing Night. Every paformer is said to be strong in his or ber own particular line of business. The seat plan is now read/ at/ 'Joakton's. |

The allegation that tha Union Company have operly boycotted seamen who went out on strike has been fully enquired into by the |Relief Committee of the Wellington Trades Council. The matter was referred to at the meeting of the Council on Saturday night, and as the committee; reported that the evidence taken on oath corroborated to a great extent the oomplaints made, the committee were instructed to communicate on the subject with Mr. James Mills, general manager of the oompany, before taking any other action. Judgment in tha suit Wellington Corporation v. Robert Stains, bronght to recover £82 17s 4d due as rates upon certain property of whioh the defendant is first mortja?ce, was given by Mr. Robinson, R.M, this morning. His Worship overruled the contentions of the defenoe,—(l) that by proving in Mulligan's estate the Corporation elected to make Mulligan their debtor, and cannot now olaim against the mortgagee; (2) that the notice of demand was defective, the amount not bavin? been filled in; (3; that the whole of the rates could not be recovered, because at the time of the passing of tha Bpeoial resolution bringing into force the Bating Act Amendment Act, there would be a portion of a rate accruing, due under a rate already "made," and therefore not falling within the description " then due," or "thereafter to be made." Judgment was entered np for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed, with £4 2s costs. Mr. Martin, City Solioitor, received judgment for the Corporation, and Mr. bkerrett for the defendant. The Bay. Charles Chirk preaohed last night for the second time at Wesley Church, and to an immense congregation. His subject was " The Sufferings of Christ and tha glories that should follow," and the sermon was one of remarkable eloquence. The Lilly, a ketch-rigged vessel built a short time ago near Plimmerton, on the Porirua harbour, by Mr. Henry Berg, arrived in port yesterday evening with a load of firewood from Queen Charlotte Sound. She is 40ft long, has a beam of 14ft, and is 6ft deep. Her draught of water is light, and she oarries a centre-board, which has a drop of 7ft. The frames are of rata, the planking being of yellow pine, and she is well put together. Both her ends are sharp. She measures about 25 tons, but oan oarry about 40 tons dead weight. Mr. Berg, who is known in Wellington as the builder of eeveral of our large yachts, intends to run her between this port and the Sounds, a trade for which she deems well adapted. The Trades Counoil adjourned from Saturday night last to Tuesday week, the 30th instant. At the civil sitting of the Magistrate's Court to-day, plaintiffs in undefended oases obtained judgment as follows :—South Pacific Loan Co v. J. W. Donald, £6, oosts £1 lls; same v. J. and W. Robinson, £10 ss, costs £2 6s; W. Whittem v. H. J. Starkey, £9 Is 9d, costs lls; C. C. Falkland v. A. Coulter, £2 8s 6d, oosts 6s,- S. Gilmer v. D. H. M'Gregor, £3, oosts ss; W. Newell v. G. B. Philp. £3 4a Bd, oosts Gs ; same v. J. Daley, £1 7s lid, costs 13s. Francis Boavis, sued upon a previous judgment for £3 ss, was ordered to undergo 5 days' imprisonment in default of paying off the debt by weekly instalments of ss. Tha Trades Counoil have decided to write to three master bakers in Wellington respecting the employment of cheap labour. The masters in question are not members of the Bakera' Society, and it is alleged that they are competing unfairly with other tradesmen by employing oheap labour. An effort is to be made to induce them to aot in concert with the members of the society. Drunkards were the prinoipal offenders upon whom Mr. Robinson, R.M., passed judgment this morning in the Magistrate's Court. Two first offenders, who had spent the night in the polioe cells, were oautioned and discharged, but John Boyle was fined 10a, with the alternative of 24 hours in gaol, it being his third appearanoe. Riohard Williamß and Olivia Carnell were oharged with disorderly oonduot as well as drunkenness, and the first-named escaped pev&Hy through the earnest pleading of a lady friond, who nrged as an excuse for the defendant's oonduot that he was not always answerable for his actions. Camel}, an old ident ty, was finod 40s, with the option of four days' imprisonment. John Duffy, a seafaring man, who admitted having 1 smashod three windows in the house of Mrs. Baker, of Webb-street, yesterday, whilst he was nnder the influence of liquor, was fined 30s and ordered to pay 25s damages, or in defanlt seven days imprisonment. It was stated at the meeting of the Trades Counoil on Saturday evening that the estabtablishment of a labour bureau and readingroom at the Trades Hall in Manners-street was proving a great boon to men out of work. The reading-room is provided with the Wellington daily papers and all the leading New Zealand weeklies, and no charge is made to anyone who uses it. A number of men have already scoured employment through the agenoy of the bureau, registration being free. ! The Hospital authorities on Saturday night took oharge of a young man named Arthur Hyde, who had the misfortnne to get his leg fraotnred by a falling tree at Palmerston North the same morning. On enquiry to-day we were informed that Hyde waß doing well. The question as to whioh centre shall be selooted for the obampionship raoes in connection with the New Zealand Amateur Bowing Association is again to be considered by the latter body this evening, the Auckland people, as our readers are aware, having deolined to aooept the offer that the events should come off in their distriot. The Association will also consider a proposal of the Auokland Bowing Club that an inrigged fonr-oared race should be inoluded as a championship event, an application by the Lyttelton Bowing Club for the reinstatement as an amateur of Mr. Thomas Harkiss. one of their members, and the question of fixing a minimum weight for ooxswains in championship races. The speoial Christmas double number of the War Cry contains a long and interesting review of General Booth's new book " In Darkest England, and the Way Out," whioh jriveß many heretofore unpublished details of the General's great social scheme, whioh is attracting muoh public attention just now. - The Christmas number of the New Zealand Graphio has been issued, and is obtainable from the leading stationers. The issue is a splendid one. The illnßtrations are numerous, and inolude portraits of the Governor, the Countess of Onslow, and one of their ohildren, and various views of New Zealand scenery, There are also two capital coloured plates. The number should oommand an extensive sale. More seasonable intelleotual fare than the Bey. Charles Clark gave to his audience oc Saturday night, in his recital of Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol," oould not have been desired. The ftory of the conversion of Scrooge from a perverse and hard-hearted old ourmudgeon to a man of tender feeling for others, was told with mastarly effeot. The hearers were alternately moved to tears and irresistible laughter by the novelist's living descriptions of Christmas soenes. So heartily was the lecture appreciated that Mr Clark has been pressed to repeat it, and it is just possible this may be done. Mr. Clark has arranged to give one more lecture in Wellington on Wednesday night (Christmas Eve), when he will discourse" upon "Christmas in Old Hngland: Its Customs and its Carols," interlarding his leotnre with illustrative carols rendered by a male-voice ohoir, under Mr. Robert Parker. Speoial holiday prioes have been arranged. Tomorrow night Mr, Clark will speak at Greytown, and on Boxing Night at Masterton. The Anofent Order of Foresters intend to depart from their usual routine of set sports on Boxing Day, and hold instead a monster marine excursion and pionio, with sports, at Lowry Bay, Mr." H. D. Bell having kindly granted the use of his grounds for that day. The Bpeoial feature in the present arrangements is to be that more attention will be paid to tha pleasures of the families and ohildren of members and the publio than has hitherto been possible with the sports alone. Professor Augustus gave a conjnring entertainment in the Exchange Hall on Saturday avening, a fairly large andienoe being present. A number of trioks, several of them being quite new to a Wellington audienoe, were performed, and the entertainment was brought to olose with a distribution of gifts. A oonoert and dance, in aid of the treat fund of the Johnsonville Sohool, will be held in the looal Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow evening. Tho annual Catholic pionio is to be held on Boxintr Day in the grounds adjoining the Lower Hutt Presbytery. Speoial excursion tra;n tickets can be obtained, and a long and varied programme of sports has been arranged. Particulars appear in our advertising oolumns. A moonlight exonrsion ronnd the harbour ,ia annonnaed for this evening, to-morrow evening, and Wednesday eyemng. The p.s. Colleen will leave Jervoia-quay at eight o'clock. Thomson aa4 lewli, «or<|iai nanafoct^rers, hiive forwarded to us simple ewes of a new bererage known as Zerade, invented w4 r*ieijted by Mi. A. If. Lewis, a member of the arm. It it mtrj agreeable temperance drink, mode from pure fruits, and containing no alcohol whaterer, so that it should command a ready sale amongst followers of temperance principles. T. H. Coltman, whose anrra] from the West Coast waa mentioned a few dara ago in these columns, has commenced business as watchmaker and jeweller near the Empire Hot-el, Willis-street. His stock is a large on«, and, as he has come to "Wellington with a reputation for good workmanship, no donbt he will secure a fair share of public patronage. Preston and Co., wine merchants, notify elsewhere that they are making a specialty of Christjjjas hampers this season, and nave choice stooks t ot iujDjil cheer on hand. T. J. Leighton, boot manufacturer, of Ifolesworth^sff eet, adrtrf wes that his premises will be closed fron? W.ednesday jCChristmas Et») until )£onday morning. James Godber, the well-known (tuba-street biksr and oonfection'er, reminds bis /rjenfli »u4 tjbe rabtf q that he has luge •uppliea of CSixif tm«a good* md confectionery in stock. The good old adrlaf Jo " be in time " is giren b/the Golden &ul« Bazaar and the BonHarche in an tdrertiscment' which appears in another ootamn. J. A. Chiihoim, watchmaker, of (Jptn^trjst adjoining Mr. Fearoe'a boot shop) has an adrerJsement in another oolomn, Ihe stock ia one Qf the prettiest and most useful in the city. All totes and fancies can be satisfied both as to quality and designs, and, we are assured, at Terr reasonable prices. Mr. Chisholm's puce of business wiU do open erery evening after 6 o'clock dnring tha present season. At 11 o'clock to-morrow morning Haroonrtand Co. hold an auction sale of a choice and raried consignment of Japanese art work. Many intending purchasers inspected th» goods during to-daj, and the sale to-morrow promises to be a most successful affair. N<Mm Campbell * Co. win sell to-morrow, merchandise. G. W. Smart will sell to-morrow, furniture. jTowniend * Paul will sail to-morrow, pot plants A* J. ifteid will sell to-morrow, sundries. i