Page 2 Advertisements Column 5

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 76, 28 September 1881, Page 2

Owing to some cause as yet unexplained one of the engines has ran off the rails on two successive days &t the same spot, about a mile on the Wellington side of Kaitoke, where the trnckß ran off a few weeks ago. This occurred on Jlouday and again yesterday. It appears that the engiue in qnesunn was one of the " L " class, which have Widmark's patent radial axle-boxes on the leading axles, instead of a "bogie." This point is of interest, as it was the leading wheels in each case which became derailed. The engine was taking out the 3.30 p.m. train on Monday in lieu of one of the single Fairlies, which usually draws it from Upper Hutt to the Summit, the latter bping in the shed for " washing out." All went well until the particular spot above-mentioned was reached, when the leading wheels of the engine left the metals, but as the speed at the time was very slow, an immediate stop was effected, and the engine soon replaced on the rails. Yesterday a Pairlie engine, as U3ual, took the morning train, and passed over the spot all right, but in the afternoon the "Class L " eneine was sent up to the Summit with a special goods train, and on reaching the same spot again ran off the line. It was soon replaced and the train sent on. To ascertain if possible the reason of thiß peculiar proceeding on the part of the engine, Mr. Ashcroft, the District Manager, took it up to the same place last evening, following the out train. On reaching the dangerous spot the engine was driven with the utmost care and watchfulness and only ju3t allowed to move. That this precaution was judicious was proved by the fact that the engine was all but off again, the flange of one wheel mounting the rail, while the tread of the other skirted the very verge. A minute inspection followed, but nothing could be detected to account for the matter. The road appeared in good order, and fully in gauge. The wheels and axles of the eDgine were pronounced all right ; in fact, the engine is only just out of the shops. Each time she was in charge of a different driver, both, however, being among the most careful and efficient in the service. At present the peculiar conduct of the engine is an unsolved mystery, but we understand further experiments are being made with a view to a solution of the pi.zzle. The strike of employes at the Government railway workshops near Christchurch appears to have been a very ill-judged act, so far as their own interests are concerned, as all the strikers were in receipt, we understand, of wages ranging from 8s to 10s 6d — not bad pay in these timed of scarce work. They aeem to have misunderstood last year's reduction of their pay to one uniform standard fixed for the whole colony as being a merely temporary matter, like the Civil Service 10 per cent, reduction. It is a great pity, for the sake of the men themselves, that they should have struck so rashly, as we hear they will not be taken back. The Government have advertised far and wide, and find they can obtain an ample Bupply of good hands without any difficulty. We believe a considerable number of men have applied in Wellington, «nd have been accepted, so our Wellington artisans will benefit by the action of the Caristehurch workmen. At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, yesterday, Mr. Levin, M.H.It , mentioned that several gentlemen had spoken to him aa to the desirability of having a woollen factory in Wellington. He asked the Chairman if he would take the matter into his consideration, with a view to calling a meeting of gentlemen likely to take up shares in a company. Mr. Levin pointed out the amount of success which had attended the operation of »voollen factories in the South. Mr. Nathan said that he expected that in about a mouth a gentleman who had a thorough knowledge of woollen manufacture would return to Wellington, when he would consult him on the subject. He thought they should have the fullest information available before embarking in a matter of this kind. Some further prosecution? are about to be undertaken by the police authorities in Wellington under the Adulteration Prevention Act, 1881. Informations have to-day been laid by Inspector Gordon against three persona who are alleged to have adulterated certain spirits wita water to the extent of between 20 and 40 per cent. The defendants are Alfred Boonstra and William J.Seccombe, ot the Karori Hotel, and Bedclia Burke, of the Clyde Quay Hotel. The cases will be heard at the K.M. Court on Tuesday next. A valuable property in Lower Willisstreet changed hands y ester day, namely, the site on which several shops formerly occupied by Messrs. Webber Bros, and others. The land is the property of Mr. David Anderson, and has been sold, we hear, at the rate of J275 per foot. The purchaser's name has not yet transpired, but we understand he has bonght the property with the object of starting cabinet-making works on an extensive scale. The ordinary weekly meeting of the Committee of the Benevolent Institution was held yesterday afternoon, being attended by Mr. J. G. Holdsworth (Chairman), Councillor Danks, Yen. Archdeacon Stock, Revs. H. Van Staveren, W. Kirk, H. B. Redstone, and W. H. West, and Messrs. B. Smith, C. P. Powles (Treasurer), and A. G. Johnson (Relieving officer). A number of applications for relief having been duly dealt with, the Treasurer reported that the fund subscribed by the public in aid of the Dewar family now amounted to .£135 10s Cd, being composed of the following itema : — P«r Key. H. Van Staveren, .£92; Evening Post, <£33 9s ; Wellington Dramatic Club, .£32 15s 6d ; New Zealand Times, £S 6s ; Mrs. Liverton, £3; and Sir W. Fox, £1. It was announced that, for all the Committee knew to the contrary, this sum would be subsidised by the Government to the extent of £ for £, thus bringing the total up to <£271 Is The Chairman stated that it was the wish of Mrs. Dewar to leave Wellington in time to catch the s.s. Chiinborazo, which was advertised to sail from Sandridge in November next. Mrs. Dewar proposed to engage a steerage passage for herself and two children, en route for Perthshire, Scotland, where her mother resides. Further, after defraying the cost of the journey, she desired to leave the balance of the fund in the custody of the Benevolent Committee for investment on behalf of her children, the interest to be remitted periodically to Scotland. On the motion of Mr. Van Staveren, seconded by Mr. West, it waa agreed to accede to this proposal, and to invest the balance referred to for the benefit of the children, in the names of the President and Treasurer of the Institution. The Committee then adjourned. At to-day's meeting of the Education Board, a communication was received from the Waihakeke School Committee, enclosing a copy of a resolution passed at a recent meeting of that body, to the effect that the Board be requested to lay down a rule that all children who have not yet been vaccinated be prevented from attending Bchool until they shall have undergone this operation. In connection with this subject, it was mentioned that a letter had also been received from Mr. J. Monteith, a public vaccinator, who informed the Board that he had been requested by the Government to vaccinate the children attending the public schools, and enquired it the Board had any objection to his commencing with the oity schools without delay. After a short discussion it was resolved to offer no opposition to the proposed procedure, but, at the same time, to remind Mr. Monteith that the matter was one in which the parents of the children proposed to be vaccinated ought to be consu ted. It was further agreed that the operations could not be allowed to take place during the ordinary school houra. Mr. J. B. George, at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, drew attention to the difficulty of obtaining deed stamps. He moved, and Mr. H. Baker seconded, a resolution to the effect that the Government be requested to see that stamps were provided for sale at places where deeds were registered. The resolution was carried. In referring to the offer made by the Naval Brigade to go to the " front " if called upon, Lieut.-Colonel Pearce embraced the opportunity last night at the Artillery banquet to express a hope that the services of the volunteers would not be required — that an outbreak of war might be averted. At the same time, he said it was singularly gratifying to know that men from this district were ready to go to the scene of danger if required. He had transmitted the offer of the Naval Brigade to the proper quarters, and would have much pleasure in also forwarding the offer made on the part of the Artillery volunteers. There was a?ain a •' bumper house " at the Theatre Royal last night, when the "Pirates of Penzance" was repeated with great success. Encores were again tho order of the evening, most of the popular numbers having to be repeated. In addition to the actors whom we mentioned yesterday, Mr. Cary's impersonation of the Pirate King should not be overlooked. If possible, it is more spirited and buccaneering than ever. The opera is to be again placed on the boards this evening. The annual meeting of the United Cricket Club waa held last evening at the Commercial Hotel, when the following officebearers were elected for the ensuing season : — Patron, Mr. Andrew Young ; President, Mr. E. Dixon ; Vice- President, Mr. H. Bennett; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. M'Girr; General Committee, Messrs. Sunley, Crowther, and C. Howe ; Match Committee, Messrs. Astill, Guise, and Sunley. Several new members were also elected The balance sheet showed the cluo to be in a sound financial condition. The bat for the highest average batting waa won by Mr. W. J. Salmon, with the fino average of 171 per innings, being closely followed by Mr. W. Wylie with 15*2 per innings; and that for the best bowling average waa won by Mr. Sunley, with an average of 4"2 runs per wicket. Votes of frhfl-TiVq were accorded to the retiring officers, and the meeting adjourned.