LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 150, 28 June 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-day being the anniversary of Her Majesty's Coronation, H.M.S. Pylades was dressed" with bunting, and at uoon she fired a salute. The Royal Standard was flown above Government House. 'On and after Thursday next, the Ist prox., goods, with the exception of live stock, may be consigned to or from Mangatainoka on the Eketahuna-Woodville extension. Mangatainoka is to be treated as a flag station, and until further notice trains will run only as required. Many of the illuminations prepared for Hecord Reign Night were shown again on Saturday evening, and attracted much attention. The party which went over to the Forts on Saturday was entertained .it .lunch in one of the buildings at the Torpedo Station in Shelly Bay by the Administrator of the Government. Before the visitors returned to town, two shots were fired from one of the six-inch guns. His Excellenoy and Captain Adams (H.M.S. Pylades) expressed themselves well pleased with the manner in which the guns, instruments, &c, are kept. The Commandant of the Forces left for Napier this morning, and will inspect the volunteers there to-night. He is to return to Wellington at the end of the week. The New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union, in connection with its scheme for completing a belt of creameries in the factories from Palmerston on the one side, through the Forty Mile Bush to the Wairarapa on the other, have purchased the Hawera Creamery from the Crown Dairy Company, and has also accepted tenders for the erection of creameries at Kumeroa Maharahara, Otaki, and Mangatainoka.

Mr. Murrell, N.Z. manager for Messrs. Huddart, Parker & Co., sends us a series of views of the company's new steamer Westralia that serve to emphasize the impression made by the letterpress descriptions already received as to the magnificent vessel she is. Her first-class accommodation is of a positively luxurious nature, alike in the staterooms, the dining saloon, the social hall, and the special ladies' boudoir. As the vessel will be in port in a lityle more than a fortnight — on the 16th July — our readers will soon be able to see her for themselves. What is announced by Messrs. Williamson and Musgrove as the most amusing, most talented, most entertaining, and absolutely the most expensive coterie of artists that has ever visited New Zealand under their management, will make its first appearance here this evening at the Opera House. The artists, whose names are well known.in the amusement world, will on that occasion introduce to us the specialties and musical numbers which made the firm's Christmas annuals "Djin-Djin' J and "Matsa" such big successes. There has been a large booking of seats in advance, and a successful season is assured. The Wellington Tree Planting and Scenery Preservation Society, having arranged for the fencing of part of the plantation reserve near the Catholic Cemetery, will be glad- to receive contributions of trees or shrubs from any citizeus who have them to spare. Any contributions may be left at Mr. Fitzgerald's, chemist, Lambton-quay, of witii the Hon. Secretary (Mr. W. F. Barraud), 50, Wellington-terrace. The society has, for distribution a number of pamphlets issued by the ' Government, giving names of trees and shrubs suitable for planting on Arbor Da}'. Any of the public may receive a copy of such pamphlet on application at Messrs. Brown & Thomson's, booksellers, Lambton-quay. The birds' which took part in the flying race from Patea to Wellington held by the Wellington Homing Pigeon Club on Saturday seem to have established a record for Wellington in point of velocity. The measured distance for flying purposes is 150 miles, and most of the birds competing were at their lofts two and a-quarter hours after they were liberated, thus attaining a flying velocity of considerably over 1900 yards per minute. The fastest time which has hitherto been done from Wanganui is two hours. As the timekeepers were not prepared for the arrival of the birds, the race will be flown again next Saturday, and the winners will be exhibited at the show of the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association. An appreciative reference to the Rev. Samuel Poole, who had charge of St. Peter's parish during the fifties, and who died at Nelson last week, was made at the morning service at St. Peter's Church yesterday. The Rev. Mr. Waters spoke of him as a mau of great kindliness of heart, with a fund of humour and anecdote, and said that he had always maintained an interest in the parish. At the conclusion of the service the organist, Mr. Trimnell, played the " Dead March in Saul," the congregation standing. At last evening's service Handel's fine Coronation Anthem was repeated, and the National Anthem was sung as a recessional hymn. This morning the Labour Department sent 26 men away to bushfellingat Otaihape. Two charges of breaches under the Factories Act were set down for hearing at the Magistrate's Court this morning. The first of these charged F. N. Adams with having employed L. A. Benzoni on the sth inst., the day of the half-holiday, and the second charged Messrs. Warnock & Adkin that, being the ocpupier of a factory, they failed to keep unfastened the outer door giving access to the building containing such factory. Both cases were adjourned until sth July. Mr. James Ashcroft, Official Assignee, has recovered sufficiently frpm his attack of lumbago to be able to attend at his office for a few hours to-day. The liabilities of Thomas Corlet, labourer, of Johnsonville, amount to £90 5s 3d, the principal creditors being —W. August, Petone, £17 4s; Dr. Hislop, £16 8s 6d; John Rod, £11 14s; W-. Cook, Johnsonville, £11 4s 3d ; F. Baker, Johnsonville, £10 6s; John Chapman, Johnsonville, £10 Is 3d. The assets consist of book debts, valued at £2. Mr. W. T. Owen will act as delegate on behalf of the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society at. the conference of societies to be held in Wellington shortly. The storekeeper of the Post and Telegraph Stores, Mr. John Black, was presented by the stiff on Saturday afternoon, on the occasion of his' marriage, with a set of afternoon tea spoons, silver bread fork, and butter knife. Theassetsof the bankrupt Norah M'Donald, boardinghouse-keeper, are set down by herself as £110, while her debts amount to £85, leaving a surplus of £25. Her chief creditors are — John Plimmer, £27 10s ; Scoullar and Chisholm, £23 j estate of late P. Barron, £16. A series of exhibitions of the biograph, or improved ciuematographe, was given at the Criterion Theatre on. Saturday evening. The trial trip of the machine was not altogether a success, as, probably owing to newness, the films frequently refused to run smoothly, and moving scenes stopped abruptly just when they ought not to have done. The pictures, though not of great variety or particular originality, were shown with admirable distinctness and an almost entire absence of the annoying vibration whioh accompanied the cinematographe. One of the best of the series introduced a "Lightning Sketch Artist," who popped suddenly into the picture, bowed to the audience, tore down a sketch of the Hon. Joseph Chamberlain displayed on an easel, penoilled at top speed a capital likeness of the Queen, and then bowed and retired amidst great applause. A sea-scape, with steamers passing across the view, made another good picture, the smoke from the funnels and the foam churned by the screws being very realistic. Miss Loie Fuller was presented in one of her graceful dances, and there were several interesting street scenes. In the interval between the moving pictures several portraits were shown by tha lantern, including those of the Premier and the city representatives in Parliament. The biograph will be on exhibition every evening until further notice. Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., presided at tha sitting of the Magistrate's Court this morning. A first offender for drunkenness was treated in the usual manner. Henry Wardan, for disorderly conduct on Lambton-quay, was fined 20s, with an alternative of seven days' imprisonment. Annie E. Bushby, charged with stealing a flat-iron, valued at Is 6d, the property ot Daniel Kitner, was convicted and discharged and a second charge was by consent withdrawn. Adam Dryden, on a charge ol stealing 13s, lOd, the property of the Pahiatua Borough Council, was remanded to Pahiatua. M. B. Allen (contractor) and A. Crossie (licensee), for erecting a verandah at the Ranfurly Hotel without a permit, were each fined 5s with costs. Alexander M'Leod was bound over to" keep the peace towards Alice Geraghty for a period oE three months in one surety of £25. ' M. P. Camerou was fined 5s with costs for failing to register the birth of his child, The assets of Norah M'Donald, boarding-house-keeper, who recently became bankrupt, are valued at £110, and consist of bopk debts and furniture. .Her debts amount to £84 18s 6d, the chief creditors being Messrs. Scoullar & Cbisholm, £23 ; Barron Bros.j £16 ; John Pliuimer, £27 10s ; Dr. Maokin, £6. There are nine other creditors for small sums.

On Saturday morning Captain Johnson, the Harbour Pilot, laid -down a large iron buoy (made by Mr. E. F>oager) true east of the Steeple Rock, nea r Worser Bay, with the object of guiding vessels clear of the bank which lies south of the rock. Mr. Justice Edwards has gone to Wangaiuii to preside at the sitting of the Supreme Court there. The Chief Justice 'frill sit in Banco at the Supreme Court to-morrow, Tanner v. Allardyce being the first cas,e on the list. At the conclusion of the service at the Jewish Synagogue c»a. Saturday, the Rabbi (Rev. H. "Van Sta.veren) referred to the fact that Monday would be Coronation Day, and the congregation then sang the National Anthem. The annual confe-ience of the Executive of the Railway Office.! s' lnstitute was opened in the Royal Hotel this morning. After trapsacting some preliminary business, the conference adjour aed to the Parliamentary Buildings, where; the remainder of the sittings will be laeld. The proceedings are not open to the pr ess. The following are the members of the Conference —President, Mr. P. W. Styles; general treasurer, Mr. P. J. Dawes; general secretary, Mr. R. W. M'Villy, and tints following delegates; — Auckland, Messrs.. J. T. W. Stevenson and J. Young; Wamjanui, Messrs. A. H.Mellor (vice-president) ; md R. Ackins ; Napier, Mr. I. Paris; Wellington, Messrs. G. A. C. Robieson and ~fl r . Bourke; Christchurch, Messrs. E. M. 'Carr, J. Frame, and P. Couch ; Otago, "M e?srs. G. Matthewson and C. L. Russell; Southland. Mr. T. W. Brebner. Mr. A. Stubbs is also present as a member of the 33j :ecutive. The curtain feJ I on Saturday night at the Opera House on-, one of the most successful, as it was one of the most excellent, amateur dramatic seasons that have ever been given in this city. ,In the repetition of " The Schoolmistress f* by the Dramatic Students everything went smoothly, hearty laughter from the audie nce marking the good points throughout the piece, and the principal actors— Miss Jessie Newton, Miss Newton, Mr. Morris Fox;, and Mr. H. E. Nicholls— being frequentlj and loudly applauded. The dance of Miss Jfessie Newton in the third net had to be re peated. There was a good attendance, including the Commander of the Forces (Col/onel Penton) and officers of the Wellington Garrison. After the performance, the Students assembled behind the scenes, and a vote of thanks was given to Mr. D. D. Hyde for his excellent "make-up" of the characters during the week's season, and to the stnge hands for the capital wanner in which they had done their work. Cheers were given for Mr. H. E. Nicholls, the genial stage manager, and for Mr. R. C. Kirk, who, as Secretary to the Victoria Operating Theatre Fund, in aid of which the performances have been given, has lent valuable assistance. Mr. Kirk, in responding, puid a tribute to Mr. W. Simm, Secretary to the Students, who has conducted the business arrangements; and he also desires us to say that Mr. W. H. P. Barber kindly undertook the appointment and supervision of ticket and money takers, and checked all the returns during the whole season, while four of the male employe's of the Hospital attended each night to help at the doors. The gross receipts of the performances, estimated on the value of the houses each night, amount to about £300, but there are some returns of tickets soli yet to come in. Of course a considerable item for expenses has to be deducted from the above-named sum. Messrs. Jackson and Norton, of Te Awaite, captured a five-tun humpback whale in Tory Channel a few days ago. The creature ran some eight or ten miles after being struck. In view of the special ferry service which he is arranging between the port and that pretty marine resort Day's Bay, and for " • which the 1 fine" neSif" 'steamer Duchess is no\r making the voyage out from England, Mr. J. H. Williams contemplates erecting a handsome pavilion at the Bay. The plans, which have been drawn by Mr. W. C. Chatfield, provide for a building which is picturesque, commodious, and convenient. It will occupy a central position in the present enclosure, and its chief internal feature will be a magnificent salon measuring 100 ft long, 40ft wide, and 2."ift high from floor to apex of roof. This salon, which will he available either as a luncheon-room or as a hall for entertaini! ents or dancing, will open on to a splendid verandah 10ft wide, running along the ■nliole of the front and both sides of the luikliug. Provision is made for a band .uHery above the entrance looking down into the salon and for various side rooms for dressing and other purposes. At the back is a kitchen, scullery, and serving room, all connected, the" latter containing a counter which will abut on to the salon, to be used for refreshment purposes. The dressing-rooms will have attached to them all necessary conveniences, and the ventilation and sanitation of the building will be generally up to date. The pavilion is to be lighted througnout by electricity, the planfr for which is already fitted up at the Bay, but in daytime numerous windows which look out upon the verandah, and a large lantern in the roof, will give plenty of light. Mr. Chatfield is calling for tenders for the pavilion, which is to be finished by the time the new steamer is ready to' begin running. . On Saturday evening an excellent lantern entertainment organised by members of the Civil Service was given in Thomas's Hall to a large audience composed of the poor of the city. The views included scenes at Her Majesty's coronation, the Royal palaces and mausoleums of Great Britain, and some of the great fights of the nation. The descriptive lecture was given by Mr. A. S. Paterson, and Messrs. W. D. Lyon and H. J. Knowles manipulated the lantern. Some of the views were illustrated by songs sung by Messrs. H. Stebbing and H. M'Cai-dell, and others, notably Waterloo, by Byron's well-known lines, which were recited by Mr. Paterson. The entertainment was apparently greatly.appreciated. V The late Mr. ¥m. Mason, first Mayor of Dunedin, arrived in the colony at the Bay of Islands in 1840, having received the appointment of colonial architect from •Captain Hobson, our first Governor. He held his appointment for about two years, but subsequently began farming. He was the promoter and one of the principal proprietors of the first newryaper published in New Zealand — the Herald, in Auckland. To stimulate the growth of wheat he also built the first flour-mill, and in 1843, assisted by three others, he established the first steam navigation company in the colony— a mail packet communication between the town of Auckland and the adjoining settlements. In 1845 Mr. Mason was appointed lieutenant in the Auckland Militia, and was called into active service during the Heke war of that year. "When municipal government was set up in Auckland, he was in 1852 elected Alderman of the Corporation, and as a higher honour in political affairs was chosen a member of the House of Representatives in 1801. "Whilst attending his duties in Wellington during the session of 1862, he was employed by the directors of the Bank of New Zealand to design buildings throughout the colony for bank premises. He went to Dunedin in 1862 to superintend the building of their first bank, and there set up in practice as architect. The firm of Mason and Clayton built the Exhibition Building of 1864 (now the Hospital), the Colonial Bank Buildings (intended at first for the post office), Government Buildings (including Post Office, Supreme Court, &c), and many others. Mr. Mason was elected Mayor of Dunedin in 1853, and in 1876 retired from business, taking up his residence at Queenstown, and subsequently at Paradise Diamond Lake.

The Minister for Education (the Hon. W. C. Walker) came back trom the South yesterday. Messrs. TV. H. Smith, of Sydney, and F. Dacre, of Christchurch, who are to judge the pigeons and poultry respectively at this week's show of the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association, have arrived in town. Mr. Smith was judge of the pigeons at the Christchurch Show last week, and Mr. Dacre acted as judge of the poultry at the Suburban Society's Show at Auckland. Air. D. D. Hyde will judge the canary exhibits at the coming show, and Mr. E. J. Hill the ducks and geese. The pens for the reception of the birds are now in course of erection at the Skating Rink. An excellent show is expected. Mr. Seddon's luxurious imagination seems not to have decreased with his departure from New Zealand. In that country of large ideas, America, the Premier's notions have also expanded, unless he is misreported in this bright sample of the matter which he imparted to a Chicago reporter :— " Taking the stretch from Salt Lake City to Chicago it resembles New Zealand in many respects, and it compares favourably with our own country. We have one thing much better than Chicago has in the same line. Our streets and roads are of hard. wood, and smooth ! Your city streets here are about like our river beds. We have no sleeping cars on our railroads, however, and that makes up for it, perhaps. We have several large cities, and our newspapers are as good as those in American cities of the same size." But if Mr. Seddon did say all this, what caviller" cab now say that he does not deserve a degree ? A fine 23 x 17 enlarged photograph of, the scene at the Rowing ' Club's Ball, taken by flashlight, is on view in the vestibule of Messrs. Kinsey and Co.'s studio. The tiame of Hardcastle is inadvertently omitted from the list of players wtio were noticeable for good play in Saturday's interIsland football contest. This player showed up well in loose play. A public meeting will be held at the Exchange HalL to-morrow under the auspices of the Wellington Trades Council, when Mr, T. Dwan will speak on " Flax and kindred industries." Mrs. Alfred Levi notifies elsewhere that she has resumed teaching lessons in singing, violin, harmony, &c, at Park-terrace. Moles-worth-street. In another column Messrs. George Thomas and_ Co. give full particulars of the different varieties of seed potatoes which they have on sale. Prices may be obtained on application, By advertisement in another column it is announced that the special Diamond Jubilee Eecord Reign number of the New Zealand Graphic are nearly all sold. Thosa who hare not yet secured copies would do well to do so promptly, as it deserves a place in every home. At Johnsonvilla, to-morrow, Messrs. F. E. Jackson & Co. hold a sale of stock. Messrs. A. G. Tame & Co. advertise some additions to their Hutt sale to-morrow of some good young milch cows, and also a paddock of good mangolds. The entries for this sale are numerous. A lot of good cows will be offered. Pastoralists and others will be interested in the catalogue published elsewhere of Mr. F. H. Wood's stock sale to be held at the Taratahi yards, Carterton, to-morrow afternoon. Quite a varied lot of sheep and cattle, besides horses and pigs, are to be offered. Details appear in another column. Messrs. Cleary & Co. will hold a sale tomorrow at their rooms, 32 and 34, Cuba-street, of furniture, &c, removed to the mart for convenience of sole. Mr. W. P. Shortt will hold a general ssacl c to-morrow at his mart, Willis-street.

The one thing needful to make the Record Reign celebrations complete has now been arranged tor. All the demonstrations that have been exciting the people of this district for the past few weeks will fade into comparative insignificance before this great and popular event, -which is designed to confer the most substantial and practical benefits upon Wellington residents in commemoration ot Her Majesty's sixtieth year of reign. The event we refer to is the Record Reign Sale, which will begin on Thursday, Ist July, at Te Aro House. Let it be distinctly understood that this is "no ordinary sale. Devised as it has been in connection with a national event of unequalled interest, it has been resolved by Messrs. James Smith & Co. that this shall be a sale by which the Jubilee year will bo remembered in days to come. All through the warehouse unsparing reductions have been effected in the newest and most fashionable goods, and customers may look forward with anticipations of a series of pleasurable and profitable visits to the Record Reign Sale, which begins on Thursday, Ist July, at Ts Aro House. — Advt.

Station. AVina. Bar. Ther. in Shade Weather. Cape Maria Van Hussoll Monukau Heads Auckland Gisbomo Napier Castlepoint New Plymouth. Patea AVanganui ... Wellington Blenheim Cape Campbell... Kaikoura Nelson Farewell Spit ... AVestport Greymouth Hokitika Bealey Lyttelton Chnstchurch ... Tiniaru Oamai-u Fort Chalmers... Dunedin Nuggets Blutt NE fb NW 1 W f b Wl WNW 1 NNWbr NAY br NWI NAY br NAY 1 NNAVfb AY 1 NW fb Calm SB 1 AVI NE fb E mg NE br NAY 1 NE 1 NE 1 S 1 Calm NE br NE fb NE fb Ebr 30-50 30-44 80- M 30-50 30-30 30-25 30-34 3030 30-30 80-25 30-21 80-13 30-25 30-28 30-23 80-20 30-14 28-10 30-17 30-25 30-14 30-19 30-20 80-20 30-12 30-08 62 52 56 58 52 54 54 55 52 55 51 52 44 43 54 52 51 49 50 52 52 50 53 50 49 49 51 0 BC CPQ C O B C B O C C O G 0 C 0 O G CP R OB OE B O a F M I> D OB OP

FROM OBSERVATIONS TAKEN AT 9 A.M.