THE NEW WARD BOUNDARIES.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 27 July 1888, Page 2

THE NEW WARD BOUNDARIES.

We are glad that the City Council has at last doeided upon a re-division of the Wards of the City. Po-sibly the new boundaries are the best that could have been selected for a division into four parts, but the question is at least open to argument. The size of Cook and Te Aro Wards is still altogether out of proportion to Lambton and Thorndon, and consequently they will not enjoy the proportion of representation to which they are fairly entitled. Why the question of boundaries should be complicated by a desire on the part of the members for each Ward to have a portion of the foreshore included in their district, we aro quite at a losa to understand, as we cannot sco that any advantage can accrue to any Ward from having a foreshore frontage, or any disadvantage result from not having one. The boundaries as now decided on are certainly a decided improvement on those at present existing, and we hope no time will be lost in taking the neoessary steps to have them proclaimed. EAILWAT BETURNS. T* The return of railway receipts and expenditure for the four weeks ending 23rd June shows the former to have been .£71,382 8s lid, and the latter .£50,877 18s. In the corresponding period of last year, the receipts were £73,862 Is 4d and the expenditure £53,418 13s Id. Of the receipts, the North Island lines contributed £2 1,674 12 a 4d as against £24,015 12s Bd, and the Middle Island lines £49,707 16s 7d, as against £49.046 8s 6d. The North Island line* have absorbed £17,903 Is lid as com' pared with £19,418 7b 6d, and the Middle Island linrs £32,974 16s Id, as compared with £34,000 5s 7d. The pro< portion of expenditure to revenue on the several lines on a yearly average for the twe periods, this and last year, was as follows :— North Island — Kawakawa, 82-58, 59*13 Whangarei, 6692, 10232 : Auokland, 71-51 78-54; Napier, 5521, 66-63; Wellington 75-81, 7339; Wanganui, 86-36, 74-44. Middl< Island— Hurunui-Bluff, 56-23, 5937; Grey mouth, 56-90, 47"87 ; Westport, 47 80, 47-86 Neleon, 9004, 72-51 ; Pioton, 109-80, 123 25 Grand total, 61 43, 63 80. On the Wollingtoi section the revenue was £4078 Is 6d, ai compared with £4165 173 Id in the corres ponding four weeks last year. The numbei of passengers oarried was 19,364, a-j agains 24,419 ; and the fares amounted to £1509 13 i 3d, as against £1774 9s 9d. An amusing "bull" was perpetrated las night by Mr. &. Thompson, who, in speaking of absentee landlords, said, "there wen large numbers of these absentees in thi colony already." Dr. Newman's query to the Native Minis ter yesterday, elicited the fact that thoug] nothing is being done to secure the land in th neighbourhood of Tongariro, Buapehu, am Ngaruahoo, as a National Park, the Govern merit already own the summit of each moun tain, so that there is little danger of speoula tors purchasing the sides, especially as the; are at present looked up pending the issu' of a law suit. The Public Works Statement is Btill beini withheld by the Government. It will cci tainly not be delivered to-night, and it i understood that there is some likelihood tha . it will not even be brought down next weeL ' The Minister for Public Works estimate that it would entail an expenditure of abou a quarter of a million sterling to complet the fencing of the railway lines of the colony Tho Premier stated yesterday afternoon in answer to Mr. Goldie, ihat the Govern ment was willing that borough valuation should be taken as the basis of asaessmen for property tax purposes. It was proposei to bring in a Bill this session to givo th Property Tax Commissioner tho reqnisit power. Wo understand that tho Native Ministe has received a telegram of a reassurini nature with regard to the native disturbano at Poroti, and that there is now every proa pect of a settlement of the dispute withou any necessity for his visiting the distriot What Bteps the Government will take fo the punishment of the offenders still remain to be seen. Considerable opposition is certain to bi offerod to the continuance of the San Fran cisoo mail service when the question arise in the House, and there is, indeed, said ti be & majority against it. It is understooi that overtures have been made to tho Im perial Government with tho view of obtain ing a subsidy of some £18,000 per annum towards defraying the cost of oonveyin) mails across America and the Atlantic. I this is refused tho fate of the eervice will bi finally settled. The Minister of Justice has given notic of his intention to introduce the Disorder! 1 Houses Suppression Bill. A list of candidates in the Wellingtoi Educationt.l District who have passed th< first and seoond grade drawing examinations and a letter to the Editor on State Educa tion, will be found on our fourth page to-day A most interesting account of the life an< exploits of the late Titokowaru, writtei specially for the Evening Post by a gentle man intimately acquainted with tho subjeot will be published in our Supplement to morrow, and will well repay perusal. Our Saturday .Supplement to-morrow wil contain, among other selections, the follow ing:— "A Bread Eiot," ''Temperance,' "The Million-Dollar Telescope," "Jeai Lnie in Sydney," " The late Titokowaru,' "The Benefits of Advertising," " Lovi Affairs of English Authoresses," "Th< Maxim Gun," "Items for Ladies " "A Murderer at tho Play," "A Wonderfu Machine, " News in Brief," &c. Pursuant to notice, Counoillor Heatot moved last evening :—" That the following resolution re the Wellington Corporatioi Leaseholds, Drainage, and Financial BUI passed m Council ] lth June, be rescinded :- 'That tho draft Bill, as amended by tb< report adopted, be the Bill as sanctioned bj this Council to be presented to Parliament and that Mr. Menteath, M.H.R., be askec to take oharge of the Bill.' " The raotior was seconded by Councillor Petheriok anc^ oarried. Tho Mayor and Councillors A, Young, Petherick, and Heaton voted for it, and_ Councillors Coombe and Richardsor against it. The other Councillors did no< vote. The Government have issued instruotionE that pnbho school librarios are to be allowed a discount of 25 per cent, on the published price of any publication issued from the Government Printing Office whioh they may dBSire to obtain. A similar concession will be allowod to all public sohool teaohers if application is made through tie head teaoher. The statement of assets and liabilities of foe several Banks for the quarter ending 30th June, shows the liabilities to amount to £12,155,945 19s 3d, while the assets amount to £18,985,324 ss. The liabilities consist of notes in circulation, £892,398 4s 8d : bills in circulation, £45,428 4s 2d; balances due to other Banks, £31,303 10s lid; Government deposits, £649,520 58"; deposits not bearing interett, £3,334,601 6s 7d: and deposits bearing interest, £7,202,694, 7s sd. The assets consist of coin, £2,262 171 14s fid • bullion, £95,620 3s 4d ; bills and notes of other 6'l7^B^'6 ' 17^ 8^' balanoes dne f «>™ other Banks, £121,518 14s 4d; landed property, £543,332 0s sd ; notes and bills discounted, £3,179,772 63 3d ; Colonial Government securities, £338,000; other funded securities, £9,500; e-ood debts, £11,981 811 5s 8d ; other securities, £367,418 3s sd. ' Amongat the letters read at last night's meeting of the City Council was one from Mrs. M'llvride, asking when her claim in connection with the construction of the Wainui waterworks was to be settled, and suggesting that eaoh party shonld appoint an arbitrator. The Assistant Town Clerk said that he would lay a report on the subjeot before the noit meeting of the Council. The tender of Messrs. Duthie and Co. has been accepted for the supply of 200 oasks of cement to the City Council. There were two other tenderers. The Public Works Committee of the City Council will at their next meeting consider a recommendation of the Inspeotor of Nuisanoes (Mr. A. G. Johnson), that a gratuity should be given to a man to catch the unregistered dogs, take them to a home to be provided for them, and, after keeping them a oertain time, sell as many publioly as he can, and destroy the remainder. The plan works well in Auckland, and Mr. Johnson thinks the Council of which he is an officer should adopt it also. Mr. F. W. L. Kirk is appointed Returning Offioer for the Borough of Petone, and also for its North-east Ward. Mr. W. Bennett and Mr. F. J. France are the other Ward Returning Officers. In the statement of liabilities filed by Mr. E. S. B. Bell, of Christohnroh, appear the aames of the owners of the winning horses »t the recent Plumpton Park Steepleohase Meeting, the principal event at which was won by a well-bnown Wellington Bportsman'a horse. "Sir Launcelot" in the Referee alluding to the circumstance of the stakes not having been paid, says he understands that several owners intetad suing a couple of the stewards. Messrs. P. Campbell and T. Quill are the two officials whom it is stated proceedings will be taken against. A meeting of the creditors of John Martin, of Danevirke, late licensee of the City Hotel, Wellington, was convened to be held in the Offioial Assignee's office at 11 a.m. to-day, but owing to the absence of a quorum no business could be done. The debtor was not present, and only one creditor attended. A statement of assets and liabilities has not yet been filed by the bankrupt. Another effort will be made to-morrow to hold a mooting.

Fcarß were entertained yesterday that two men in the employ of Mr. W. Smith, fißbmoneer, Willis-street, who had left on a fishing exonrsion to the neighbourhood of the lighthonee on Sunday and had not been seen or heard of for several days, had met with some mishap. Information was, however, received la=t night that they were safe and sound i.t tuo old pilot station. The men, it appears, hud qnite an adventuro after leaving Wein. ri .on. Their boat, an 18-feet half-decker, was drifted aB far as Castlepoint, about 80 mileß up the East Coast, both wind and tide being dead against them. On reaching Castlepoint they hauled the craft ashore, but at the first favourable opportunity they set sail and returned to Wellington. About a ton of fish, which they caught off the lighthouse before they were drifted northward, was thrown overboard before Castlepoint was reached. The men will come into to-rn this evening with another load of fish. Owing to t c inclement weather tbe attendance at the Eev. Mr. Berry's lecture upon "Thomas Cooper, Chartist. Freethinker, and Christian," last night was rather small. Those, however, who did attend were amply rewarded for thus braving the elements. In ohoice language the lecturer briefly recounted the chief events in the life of the grand old Chartist, incidentally referring to points of interest t in connection' with the objects sought to 'bo attained by the leading actors in the famous Chartist agitation. Mention was also made of the earnest sympathy and kindly feelingthat existed between Thomas Cooper and Charles Kingsley. . The interest of the audience was maintained throughout, and at the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Miles, an old Chartist, and seconded by Mr. Beaglehole, was accorded to the Rev. Mr . Berry. The Eev. W. Leo, occupied the chair. The list of awards by the Eoyal Humane Society of Australasia granted in New Zealand during 1887-8 is gazetted. The awards in this district are as follows :— Frederick A. H. O'Connell, aged 30 years, a farmer, saved Herbert Woodham, a school teacher, from drowning in the Manawatu river. Foxton, on the 18th February, 1887. Awarded a certificate of merit. James H. Carter, aged 2(Lvears, painter, Petone, rescued Edward, WiL'iama, and endeavouring to save otherti from drowning, during a heavy southeast gale at Petone, on the 20th July, 1887. Awarded a silver medal. William Collins, aged 21* yeara, railway porter, rescued Wm. Sohleriki, aged 5 yrars, from drowning at Foxton Wharf, on the 6th November, 1887. Awarded a bronze medal. Charles Thornton Stewart, aged 23 years, a member of the Torpedo Corps, Wellington, saved the life of Elizabeth Collins, an infant, in Wellington Harbour, on the 19th Septembor, 1887. Awarded a bronze medal. Charles Grey, acred 33 years, a member of the Torpedo Corps, Wellington, rescued William Yarrow, aged 25 years, seaman in the Wellington Naval Artillery Volunteers, from drowning in Wellington Harbour, on the 4th February, 1888. Awarded a bronze medal. The Commeroial Hotel is about changing hands the present popular hostess, Mrs. Smith, having sold out to Mr. Jaokson, lately, we believe, a resident at Woodville. The negotiation was conducted by Mr. Tabor. The s s. Oreti was towed round from the Patent Slip yesterday afternoon by the Mana. Since her purchase by Mr. Kilgour, of the Tyneside Colliery, she has undergone extensive alterations. A collision bulkhead has been fitted forward, and nor forward deckhouses have been replaced. Her Btem and several dentod plates have been straightened, and a lifeboat is being built by Mr. Dixon, of Clyde-quay. It is expeotod she will be ready to leave for Wanganui on Monday. After we went to press yesterday, decision was given by Mr. H. W. Eobinson, R.H., in the case brought by the Wellington Tramway Company against William Crawford, an omnibus driver, employed by Messrs. Cottrell and Young, in which the defendant was charged with having on the 25th July wilfully obstructed the tramway line with a 'bus. In giving hii decision, his Worship remarked that the evidence of the plaintiff went to Bhow that the defendant had driven his omnibus along Lambton Quay and Willis-street in front of the tram, and had pulled up on three conseontive occasions in suoh a manner that it was necessary for the tram to Btop to avoid collision. At one placo, at tho oorner of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, the defendant had pulled his vehiole right across the tramway line, and when reasoned with by the tram inspector, had remarked that he " would stop as often as he liked, and when he liked." The defence had advanced evidence to the effect that the defendant had stopped his 'bus only upon the signal whistle of the guard, for the purpose of allowing passengers to ascend or descend. His Worship said that he therefore held that there was no unnecessary stoppage with the intention of obstructing the passage of the tram. Eegarding the answer made by the defendant to tho tram inspootor when requested to clear the line, he held that it did not go the length of proving that the stoppage was made with the intention of obstructing tho lino, and he therofore could only dismiss the case. His Worship further remarked that he would not have felt inclined to treat tho matter as a trivial offence had it been proved that the obstruction had been wilful. Omnibus drivers should at all times endeavour, as much aa possible,' to avoid obsfcruotinj,' the tramline, as it might lead to serious results. Upon the application of Mr. Jellicoo, who appeared for the defence, JEI Is was allowed as costs. Mr. Gully waa for the Tramway Company. The usual weekly mooting of the Catholic Institute was held last night at the Athencenm. Considering the state of the weather the attendance of members was very good. The chair was taken by Mr. Maskell. After an election of new members and other preliminary business the programme of the ovening, consisting of impromptu debates, was dealt with. The subject and the name of the first speaker were in each case drawn simultaneously, so that previous preparation was out of the question. After the introduction of the subject it was open for discussion. The following were amongst the subjects discussed :-'• Do you approve of the proposal to raise the sohool age to soven, and to charge for all education above the fourth standard P" "Is there any prospect of the times in New Zealand improving ? " "Do yon believe Mr. Parnoll to be innooent or guilty of tho charges brought against him P " " The efficacy of the Catholic papers in this colony." "Is arbitration a better means than war for settling disputes between nations ?" Should tho franchise be extended to womonp" A large number of members took an active part in the various discussions. Next Thursday evening, original papors will be read, and the principal aub]eot to be dealt with will be the French Eevolution. Tho Star of Wellington Lodge held its weekly session last evening at the Athenteum, undor the presidency of Bro. George Kemp. Two ladies were added to the roll of membership, and others proposed. The election of officers was then prooeeded with, when Bro. G. Johnson was elected to the position of W. C.T. f or the next term. All the offices were well contested, and the installation will take place next session. A letter was then read from T. Kennedy Maodonald and Co., requesting the Lodge to vacate the room on or before the 31st August. It was a recommendation from one of the trustees that the Sohoolroom in Sydney-street should be taken for the Lodge, and a committee was appointed to see if a room in a more central position oonld be proonred. A largely attended meeting was brought to a close in the usual way. A select dance is advertised to take place at the Kaiwarra Sohoolroom to-night. A fancy bazaar is to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Petone, on the 9th and 10th of November next, in aid of the Presbyterian Church Building Fund. The old-established drapery firm, Veitoh and Allan, to-day opened their new premises in Cuba-street, those lately ocoupied by Mr, Prico, as the Hall of Commerco. tn an advertisement elsewhere the publio are requested to call and examine the bargains in surplus stock whioh are on offer. Messrs. "W. & J. Staples, wholesale and retail >oot and shoe manufacturers, announce it is their intention of continuing their " Belinquishing sale" for one month longer. Some extraordinary bargains are advertised, to which fact we direct the attention of our readers. In an advertisement on our first page 'Warnock, Mly & Adkin announco a great sale to-morrow (Saturday). The firm explain that they have no room for a clothing department, and the whole stock is to be sold out. We are requested to call the attention of heads of families in the city to an announcement in another column of some extraordinary bargains in hate, at Te Aro House. Messrs. Cuningham, Badham & Co. will sell tomorrow, at the rear bf the New Zealander Hotel, horses. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will sell to-morrow, fruit, produce, horses, harness, traps, &o. Messrs. Franpii Sidey & Co. will sell to-morrow, furniture, &o. " Opportunity flies, 0 lady, As the cloud that quiok doth pass ; Oh, make use of it ! life is preoiouß, If we let it go— alas !" So we thought as we looked upon aome extraordinary and startling bargains that are now offering at the surplus stock sale Te Aro House. Fob instanco, look at these silks, npon which the new tariff levies tho enormous duty in reality of 28i per cent., or 5s BJd in the £, wo are actually offering plain surah silks, in bronze, olive, myrtle, grenat, and claret, at GJd per yard (O, gentle publio, don t ask us tho original price), at tho surplus Btock sale, Te Aro House. At the same time there is a special lot of fancy broohe silks, in brown, olive, and myrtle, at 6Jd per yard ; an exquisite lot of satin and ottoman stripe silks, twilled satin checks, and matalasse striped silks, in tobac, seal, cardinal, grenat, navy, gold, cream, sky, ruby, pink, at Is 6Jd per yard; and, also, some special fancy brocade satins, in salmon, sky, gold, cream, white, Ac, at la lid per yard. See them at the surplus stock sale, Te Aro House. Talk of opportunities, here is one, and a grand one too. If you let it go and allow them to pass from you at Te Aro House, there is only one word to be applied to suoh an error— alas ! — Adtt. If you have » Cough, don't negleot it, but purchaao at onoe a bottle of Baxter's Lung Pkksbbvbb. It ia pleasant to tho palate, and its effect is magical. Try it and prove it. — Advt