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Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 295, 13 December 1899, Page 4

.Another divorce suit was dealt with at the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Conolly, after we went to press yesterday afternoon. This was a petition by* Theodore Percy Arnold, of Hol.ia._ga, for a decree nisi for dissolution of his n_arriage with Marion Arnold, on the ground of her desertion of petitioner. Mr J. R. Reed appeared for the petitioner. The respondent did not. appear. After the evidence of the petitioner and Prof. J. de. Montolk hud been taken, His Honor granted a decree nisi.

The following was the brief explanatory story of a defendant who was sued on a doctors account for one guinea in the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, last week:—"l was for a long time in the Hospital, then went about on crutches for some time, and when I got worlc I paid off a friend who had been a good chap to me. Then I got married, and now I'm a family man, and net earning more than 25/ to 30/ a week. The account, anyway, is over three years' old, and I couldn't pay it."

A very old settler of 4G years has (says the Nelson "Mail") just died at Taknku—Mr John Saxon, aged a few days»over 9-7 years. He came to the colony in .June. 1853, with his wife. Mr Saxon engaged in farming at Waimea West and afterwards removed to Motueka, where he was for some years a. successful hop-grower, but in consequence of the sudden fall in the price of hops he became embarrassed, and was unable to weather the storm. He then gave up business and went to live with one of his daughters.

. According' to the Palmerston "Standard," Mr Charles Oliver, formerly of Napier, who has been a resident in the Transvaal for many years, is fighting for the Boers in the present war. He married a Dutch girl, and family interests made him take up arms in defence of his country. Many Englishmen are in a similar position.

Nominations for the vacant seat on the Newmarket Borough CouTicil closed yesterday, Messrs J. M. Laxon and A. O. Shepherd being nominated. The poll takes place on 21st inst.

At the meeting of the Devonport Borough Council last evening the Council's solicitors, Messrs Devore and Cooper, wrote submitting a legal opinion on a certain clause of the Rating Act of 1894, in connection with two applications which had been received by the Council from property owners for a rebate of rates on 'houses which had been vacant for six months or over. The solicitors' opinion was that the owner of any building unoccupied for six months in any one year, whether continuously or not, is liable to pay only one-half of the amount for which he is rated, provided he gives notice in writing to the Council of the date when the house becomes vacant, and the date on which it again becomes occupied. If the owner or occupier omits to give notice in writing of the. date when t'be building becomes vacant, then the, concession of one-half of the rates ought—not to be allowed. The Council decided that the rebates asked for could not be granted, as the applicants had not. complied with the Rating Act. having failed to give the necessary notice to the Council, which body was only communicated with at the expiration of the six months.

In the All Saints' Schoolroom an entertainment • will be tendered" -tomorrow evening at 7.30 o'clock by the Rivals Football Club in aid of the School funds. A good attendance should reward the promoters for their efforts.

The "Graphic" for this:week, published this morning, may almost be called an Election and War Special. A portrait gallery of the new House is given, nearly all the recently-elected members, being shown. The cartoon and a very amusing series of cartoonlets cleverly hit off the various issues of the elections, and there is a really capital series of snap-shots taken round the polling booths on election day. These pictures are facsimiles of those which created such a sensation when, shown by magic lantern at the "Star" Office on this day a week past. The various candidates are all caught unexpectedly, and there is a most amusing '"shot" of Mr Richardson and Mr Gus Coates at the Drill Shed. The war pictures show the surrender at Ladysmith a.id the bringing up of guns by the artillery. A very attractive set ni engravings show some comely Wellington lady amateurs in a musical faree — "H.M.s.* Crazy Crinoline." Bowling features are well up to date with photos of Saturday's pennant matches at Mt. Eden. Mercer Regatta was specially "done" for the "Graphic" by Mr Walrond, and the result is a beautiful page of photos. Miss. Lnishley's wedding and other items of interest are the subjects of illustration, and there is the usual wealth of reading matter of every description. Fashions, -• social news, racing, athletics, topics of week, and a whole series of capital short stories make up a capital number.

It is matter for regret that the Devonport, Ferry Co. notify the discontinuance of the daily steam service to St. Heller's Bay after the end of the present month. We should_ have imagined that those interested in St. Hetier's property would look upon this with disfavour, and«lo something to induce the Ferry Co. to continue what is a great boon to thousands of persons. St.. Heller's Bay is one of our most charming resorts, and it will be a serious loss not only to residents, but to the whole community, if the Company is allowed to stop the daily services. The daily trips should increase every week if inducements were held out.

Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., presided over the sitting of the Police Court to-day. A first offending inebriate was convicted and discharged, and another fined 10s, to be deducted from the bail. Timothy Moloney, charged with threatening behaviour, was remanded for medical *• examination. James Dauiells was fined 20s and costs, ,7s, for being found on licensed premises, to wit, the Globe Hotel, during the currency of a prohibition order. A prohibition order was granted against John Barry on the application of his wife, subject to proof of service of summon. The two cases against John Endean, charged with breaking the provisions of the Licensing Act. were further adjourned till' .the 19th inst.' The cases Decry v. -Martin and Martin v. Decry were further adjourned till "Monday. Yesterday afternoon Irene Stewart was convicted of keeping, a brothel in Wakefield-street, and fined £5 and costs. A charge.against Ivy Harland of assisting in the management, of a brothel was dismissed, as the evidence, did not support, the charge. Mr Reed appeared for the defence in each case.

.The name of Mr C. P. Green, scrutineer for Mr Holland in the -city election, was inadvertently omitted from the list of names of those who signed the testimonial, to Mr" Johtt King, which we recently published.

At. the Devonport. Congregational Church this evening an entertainment will take place, together with Christmas tree and sale of work. A fine collection of goods has been secured, and the price of admission is only nominal, which amount is fully allowed in purchases. . It should draw a large attendance.

Any ratepayer of Devonport who has not paid his rates must do so by tomorrow, the 14th, otherwise they will be compelled to pay the penalty dties after that date:

The School Commissioners advertise ihree allotments of land suitable for grazing- — one iv Victoria Avenue, Remuera, of 10 acres, formerly occupied for many years Aiy Mr J. Butcher; another near the Orakei Bridge, of 8_ acres; both in good grass and admir-

ably situated, within convenient distance from town. The third is at Tamaki Point, of 12.0 acres, with plenty of good feed for sheep or cattle.

Mr Ford, who contested Waitemata at the general election, by advertisement. +hanks those who voted for him, and announces his intention of standing in the same constituency at some future time.

Tho usual meeting of the Women's Democratic Union was held last evening, the President (Mrs Kirkby) in the chair. A vote of congratulation was passed, to the two Auckland members returned in the Government interest. The hope was expressed that the Grey Memorial Committee would now take active steps to secure the £.1000 voted by Government towards the erection of a statue to Sir George Grey. The Union then went into recess until after the Christmas holidays.

Mrs Thompson's furniture and effects will be sold by Blyth and Co., auctioneers, at her residence, Birkenhead, on Saturday next.

St. John's Ponsonby Church Choir and friends render this evening the beautiful Cantata of' "Queen Esther." The solos will be taken. by leading vocalists. It is expected a large audience will be present. The tickets are only 6d each.

St. Patrick's convent school pupils' concert takes place to-morrow evening in the Catholic Institute, Wellingtonstreet. An excellent programme has been prepared.

Miss Dora Judson, a charming young pianist,, makes her first appearance before the Auckland public on -Friday evening,:at the Choral Hall. A most varied programme has been arranged, and an intellectual treat, may be looked forward to. The programme chosen for this occasion has (with the exception of Friedenthal) probably never had its equal in any concert given in It comprises compositions of all the great, piano virtuosos, such' as Chopin.. Brahms, Liszt, Greig, Rubenstein, Hiller, Schumann, and .Mendelssohn. Mons. E. J. de Willimoff will play two'violin solos by Vieuxtemps and Sarasatc, and Mr 'H. T. Edger will take part in the Mendelssohn C minor trio with Miss Judson and Mons. de Willimoff. The box-plan is open at Wildman antl Lyell's. A new concert grand piano by the celebrated firm of Kaps, will be used at the concert for the first time. Altogether, the music-loving public in Auckland have a real treat in store for Friday evening. . .

Gabriel Lewis and Co: call the attention, of the public to the auction sale of six English pianos by well-known London makers^ now on view, for auction ou Friday at 2.30 sharp.

To-day His Honor Mr Justice Conolly was engaged at the Supreme Court in hearing the last of the cases on the civil list. This was a suit brought by Hannah Hughes, of Mt. Eden, against Arthur Blakeley Shera, of the same district, claim £100 damages and for a perpetual injunction to restrain the defendant from cutting a certain hedge. .The dispute arose over the cutting of a boundary hedge. Mr J. R. Reed appeared tor the plaintiff and Mr M. McGregor for the defendant, A number of witnesses were called, and the case was proceeding when we went to press. Recently the Nelson Savings Bank went into*liquidation, its business having for the greater part been absorbed by the Post Office Savings Bank. At a meeting of depositors held : recently it was stated there was every prospect of the institution being able to pay 18s or 19s in the £. provided the- realisation of the assets was not unduly hurried. The Government would be applied >to to make good any deficiency, a.s it was considered that it,.was liable to the depositors. The amount now owing to depositors is £.54200, and the, assets are valued at £7522, leaving a deficiency of £S9S.

A da-awir.-v-room entertainment in aid of the funds o.: Sti Peter's Presbyterian Church choir will be held in St. George's Hall, Grey Lynn, to-mor-row night. A ssplendid programme has been prepared. Messrs A. L. Edwards. Wynyard Joss, Wilfred Manning, the-Hula Club, and Misses Bella and Mabel Parrel 1 and others will contribute to the, programme, which is published elsewhere.

The Secretary of the Union Free Church Children's Home, Vermontstreet, appeals through our columns for Christmas gifts for the Home, and is confident that the many friends of this worthy institution amongst the general public will respond as liberally as in former years. Gifts may be sent direct to the Home, or will be sent for by the secretary, Mrs F. M. Hay. Grafton Road, on receipt of donor's address.

The machinery for the Riverhead Paper Milling Company, about. 150 tons in all, arrived from England today by the s.s. Star of Australia. The machinery will be at once put into position, and it is expected that the mill will be turning out paper about March next.

The Devonport Musical Society's concert takes place to-night. Mr Hamilton Hodges will sing "The Maniac."

A meeting of the members of the Goldie Automatic Self-discharging Silt Punt Syndicate was held last evening. The Hon. E. Mitchelson occupied the chair. It was resolved unanimously that immediate steps be taken to build a punt of the capacity of 60 tons.