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Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 229, 2 October 1897, Page 2

Mr W. S. La Trqbe, who has taken high honours in the engineering tripos at Cambridge, has been appointed a lecturer and demonstrator there. The members of the Council of the New Zealand Institute of Mining Engineers entertained the President (Mr H. A. j Gordon) at a complimentary dinner last evening in the Northern Club. Mr W. A. Mercer officiated as chairman, and Captain Argall as vice-chairman. Amongst others present were Messrs A. H. Curtis, A. B. Griffiths, R. de Bonand, James Park, A. Hanna, G. D. Ingall (members of the j Institute), and Messrs S. P. Smith (Surveyor General), R. R. Hunt, Max Epotein, C. A. Harris, T. L. Murray, Benjamin (L. D. Nathan and Co.). Many present wished the guest a pleasant journey to San Francisco and a speedy return. Fancy tweed dress pieces at 4s, 6s, 7s 6d the full dress.— D.S.C.—(Advt.) A New York magistrate tried an action for damages recently, and among the exhibits produced was a piano. The weather was distressingly sultry, and as the case i had not developed many amusing features ' the Court suggested that he would consider jit a favour if any doubts that might be entertained regarding the quality on the piano were removed. One of the witnesses promptly ran his fingers over the keys. The preliminary canter seemed satisfactory to him, and lie played a march. One of the jurors, anxious to show that his musical education had not been neglected, played " Sweet Rosie O'Grady." A report that the Magistrate was giving a musical soiree flew about the neighbourhood, and the Court - room was soon crowded. Then the Clerk of the Court, a gentleman named McGowan, took possession of the music stool and rattled off " All coons look alike to me." He was about to recall the past with the "Mulligan Guards," when the Court called a halt, saying that he was quite satisfied not only with the tone of the piano, but with the class of music that had been pounded out of it. A request on the part of the jury that the piano" should be placed in their room while they deliberated upon their verdict was politely but firmly refused. A practical test at sea will shortly take place of the wireless telegraphy. The first squadron of the German fleet, which has left Kiel for Cronstadt, under the command of Vice Admiral Thompson and Rear-Ad-miral Prince Henry of Prussia, is furnished with the necessary apparatus for carrying out an exhaustive series of trials with Signor Marconi's system, the results of which will be watched with keen interest.

At the annual meeting of the Swanson Cricket Club, at which Mr J. P. Sinclair presided, the Secretary read the annual report, which showed that the Club had a fairly successful season and that there was a small cash balance in hand. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the honorary Secretary and Treasurer and other officers for their services during the year. The following officers were elected for this season:—President, R. Monk, Esq., M.H.R. ; Vice-Presidents, John Bollard, Esq., M.HR., J. O'Neil, Esq., S. Sjjencer, Esq., E. 0. Clark, Esq. and T. w. Deacon, Esq. ; honorary Secretary and Treasurer (re-elected), Mr John Sommer; Captain, J. P. Sinclair; ViceCaptain, P. Tierney; Committee, Messrs M. Mclntyre, F. Browne, F. Tierney. It was resolved to hold the annual concert and ball on Friday, October Bth. Several new .members were elected, and the general interest shown augurs well for a successful season this year.