THE ROUSE AND HURRELL COMPANY.

Tho recent formation of the well-known coach building firm of Mesm-s. • Rouse and Hurrell into a company was celebrated on Saturday night by a dinner given by the firm in the showroom of its extensive business premises in Courtenay-plnce. Somewhere about a hundred were prosent, including the Mayor (Mr. J. G. W. Aitken),- several members of tho City Council, the three Parliamentary representatives for the city, and various well known citizens. The Acting Premier (Sir Joseph Ward), the Hon. C. H. Mills, and others sent apologies. After dinner, which was served amid pleasant surroundings, the room being gaily ornnmented with nags, a list of eight toasts was honoured. That of "The Rouse and Hurrell Company"- was proposed by Mr. R. Tingey, who complimented the founders of the firm upon the success which had attended its operations-e-the result of hard work nnd energy. Various other speakers paid similar tribute, and npoko especially of the "boundless energy" which Mr. Henry Hurrell had infused into the business. In replying 1 , Mr. Hurrell shortly sketched the history of the business, which, he said was first started forty-five years ago. He came upon the scene twenty-seven years ago, and when joined by ' his partner, Mr. Rouse, the staff consisted of one man and a boy. To-day the business employed thirty-nine hands, busides extensive machinery. Its various factories, showrooms, etc., in different localities occupied nearly 50,000 square feet of floor space. It hnd threo branches, and contemplated extensions at Pahiatua by the erection of a factory there, and opening branches at Palmerston North, Blenheim, and New Plymouth. Additional machinery was also being procured. Mr. Hurrell referred with pride to the relations between the firm and its employees, and mentioned that one of tho first men employed was with the .company to-day. Other toasts comprised "The King and the Gbvernor," "Parliament," "Town and Council," "Local Industries," "The Company's Employees," "Visitors," and "The Press," the Mayor, Messrs. J.'Hutcheson, A. R. Atkinson, and G. Fisher, M.H.R.'s, J. Duthfe, O. M. Luko, W. Cable, and Councillors Luke and Tolluirst being among the speakers. Songs were given by Messrs. Hurrell und Cooper, and the proceedings closed with - "Auld Lang Syac."

It is reported from parts of New South Wales "that rabbit trappers are earning 6d per puir at the railway platforms, where agents receive nnd pay for them.