WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21,1881. AN ELECTIVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 145, 21 December 1881, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1881. AN ELECTIVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

It is not quite dear from the words in which the Premier, on the 20th ult., propounded to his Selwyn constituents his latest plan for the reform of the Legislative Council whether the scheme is to form one of the Ministerial measures to be introduced during the next session of Parliament, or whether the idea was thrown out as a mere fealer to elicit the views of the constituencies in the pending election. Apparently the plan has not been definitely adopted in Cabinet, for the Colonial Secretary, in addressing his Dunedin constituents, intimated his dissent from tho meihod proposed by the Promior. It may be that th 3 idea is fcimply that of Mr. Hall himself as to the direction in which Legislative Council reform^ should proceed, and that he has jet to bring it formally before his Ministerial colleagues. Still it must be remembered that Legislative Council reform constituted the onief new feature in tho Premier's last ante-sessional address to his constituents, and there is no doubt that then, at any rate, he spoke as the Government, and as representing the matured views of the Government on this particular question. That was in May last. la November he abandoned the scheme of May, retaining only the elective principle, but substituting an entirely different method of election. It will be interesting to compare the two proposals one with another, and both with the system now in force. Now, tho May sohemo was to limit the numerical strength of the Council to a certain fixed number, and to fill up all vacancies by a direct vote of the House of Representatives, the two Chambers, in case of a deadlock, to sit and vote together. We did not devote much space to the discussion of this proposal, which was so coldly received by the country, and evidently regarded with so much lukewarmness even by its Ministerial authors, that we felt convinced it would speedily die a natural death. This proved to be the case. 'Ihe subject never camo before Parliament at all, and nobody seemed to care two straws about the matter. The plan was open in limine to two objections, which, in our opinion, w. re fatal. In tho first place, election by vote of the House of Representatives was only a more cumbersome and inconvenient form of the present system, under which Legislative Councilors are practically appointed by the Parliamentary majority of the day through the Ministers who represent that majority. In the second place, the Norwegian system of both Chambers voting together in case of a

deadlock simply means the transfer of supreme power to the minority of the Lower House when the latter happens to be in accord with the majority of the other Chamber. For if a measure carri 'd by a majority of 10 in tho House of Representatives were rejected by a majority of 12 in the Legislative Council, and the two Chambers then eat and voted together, a very simple arithmetical calcn r lation will show that the meastire would inevitably be ltt^t, through the nvnority in the Lower Chamber being triumphantly reinforced by the majority in the other. Without entering more fully into the details of this subject, it is safficient to say that these two objections eeem to us ample to render it ineligible for adoption. Next wb come to the Premier's November scheme. He stated it in the following words 1—" In May last, I said that I thought the Council should be elected, in an indirect way, by the people. The recent discussion of tha que-tion has, to Home extent, altered my opinion upon the point ; and I belipve it would be better that the elec(jjpnß should be by the electors at large tinder a moderate property qualification, so that the Council shall not be a duplicate merely of the House of Representatives. I think that members of the Council thould not be elected for particular districts, but upon what is called HAeb's system, acrjoi?ding to which the whole number of candidates is submitted to the choice of the 0 jnstituency, each elector being entitled to vote for any number up to the total to be choßen. This, I think, would secure the placing in the Council of men who do not perhapa take strictly local views of matt-rs— who, at all events, would not be influenced by local views and opinions, but who would have more comprehensive ideas of their duties than can always be the case with members who are elected by small conatituercies. It would also probably give to the Council men who have made themselves known throughout the colony for high character or by longcontinued and distinguished public services. I should be willing, in this matter, to make a condition which, I think, would be appreciated by .the people of the North Island, namely, tvn.t ail equal number df members should be elected by each island." Tho sole advantage which this plan seems to possess over that of May last, is the embodiment of Hare's system of election— the only one by which a body truly representative of the whole community can be satisfactorily elected. Against this, however, has to be placed the unquestionable inconvenience of an elective Upper House, and the inconsistency of a property qualification. The defect of the elective principle as appliejo(Ho the second Chamber of a bicameral legislature is that it gives to the latter quite as much of a representative character as is posneß3ed by the LowSr or popular House. There is in this the manifest drawback that it would establish two independent bodies with practically co-ordinate powers. Under such circumstances deadlocks would be of frequent occurrence, and, as a matter of fact, this has been found to be the expertence in countries where the second chamber ia elective. Tho obvious reason is that where both Houses, being elected by the people, can claim to represent the views of the people, neither feels called upon to give way, or perhaps even warranted in doifsf so. An elective Upper House thus lose 3 that character of being the " fly-wheel " or the " brake," as the case may be, in the great legislative machine, which are the especial functions that # a second Chamber is needed to fulfil, and wh'ioh functions form its chief raison d'etre. The proposal to adopt a property qualification, in order to introduce an element of difference between the two Chambers, is bo clearly inconsistent with the courso of recent legislation, that this needs nefcdemonstration here. Dissatisfied, then, with both of the alternative schemes propounded by the'Premior,, we fall back upon tho status quo, and claim that at least it should be plainly shown that an improvement both is needed and would be effected before we abandon a system which hitherto has Worked bo well. Let it be distinctly understood we entertain no objection to any reform that can be Bhown to be an improvement ; only we sea no benefit, but rather the reverae, in changing merely for the sake of change At present appointments to the Legislative Council are made by the Ministry— that is to say, by a committee representing the majority of the Lower House. Therefore, Legislative Conncillors are in reality elected by the people through their representatives in Parliament, and experience haa shown that this plan is not open to any very serious abuse. Moreover, in case of a deadlock on some vital question, a Government commanding a majority in the House and in the country, and so backed by public opinion, can always break down, any unreasonable obstruction by its power or- fresh oreations, while, in pioctico, that power could not be pußhed to an undue extent. The existing plan is by no means perfect. Some limit of Legislative Councillors' term of office seems desirable, "and tho honorarium assuredly $ught to be -abolished. Reforms in these respects might well occupy the attention of the new Parliament. So far, howovft, as tho general question has hitherto been discussed, no valid reason has been shown for superseding the existing mode of appointment, or any new plan suggested which possesses superior or even equal merit. We cannot support in their present shape either of the Echemes propounded by Mr. Hall. Monday next being Boxing Day, the Evening Post will not be published. On our third page to-day will be found an Evening Post calendar for 1882. Our readers will find it very useful, and are recommended to cut it out for reference. According to rumours which have freely radiated from Government House, his Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon, after his present visit to Canterbury, will be conveyed by H.M.S. Emerald to Fiji, with the object of concluding his association with that colony, and subsequently his Excellency will proceed to England, starting early in tho coming year. It iB further rumoured that Sir Arthur Gordon will not ratnrn to New Zealand, but will be afforded another sphere of employmept in the servioe of his country. Tho Government have had under careful consideration the representations made to them regarding the tirne-tablo on the Wel-lington-Masttrton Railway, and we understand^ that various alternative schemesjhava been drawn up tentatively with the view of ascertaining whether any arrangements can be made to suit the various interests without materially increasing the working expenses of the line. The following telegram was received last evening by the Government from Mr. Wray, Commissioner of Crown Lands, at Patea : — " Sixty-one applications received here yesterday—l 9at £1 153, 22 at £2, and 20 at £2 ss. Every section applied for yesterday, except section 30, block 14, which was applied for to-day." The above refers to the sale of land on the West Coast. There were only 14 sections opened on deferred payments, for which there were 62 applications. Each section will now be competed for among tho applicants, and whatever amount they fetch above the upset price is bo much to the benefit of the land revenue. The upset prices of the deferred payment lands ranged from £ 1 15s to £2 5s per acre. The auction takes place to-day at Hawera, and at the same time and place 28 sections will be offered for cosh, at prices from .£l los to £2 per acre, in areas ranging from 75 to 320 acres. The land is all bush, and situate inland of the Waitemate PJains. Accompanied by Mr. W. P. James, Clerk of the Court, Mr. b. Hard castle, R.M., proceeded to the Lower Hutt by thi3 afternoon's train, for the pnrpo3e of holdiner a sitting of the local Court. There were no cases for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day. The weekly meeting of the Committee of the Benevolent Society was held yesterday afternoon. Present-Mr. J. G. Holdsworth (President), Mr. J. E. Smith, Mr. A. G. Johnson (Relieving Officer), Councillors All»n and Danks, and Revs W. Kirk, H. Van Stavern, and W. H. West. In Beveral instances the weekly donations given for some time past were reduced. A number of fresh applications were dealt with. E.W. sent in a donation of £2 2s, and Mr. J. E. Smith one o£ £1 Is, both of which wero acknowledged with thanks. A enrious accident occurred this morning to the cutter Hope, belonging to Mr. Pressman. Thi3 cutkr has been employed in conveying cament to Lowry Bay for use in the Wainu.-o-mat a waterworks contract, and iiad 130 casks on board. She had been lying for some days on the north side of the Queen's Wharf, but it was desirable to move her thi3 morning to the south side. She was accordingly taken round, and anchored at the back of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency's warehouse. Her orew had only just left her in their boat, when one of them suddenly exclaimed that the Hope was sinking. It was at once seen that was the case, and that she was going I down rapidly. The boat returned^) her, and endeavoured to get her" into mallow water, bus she went to the bottom in a few minutes. Fortunately, however, the water was so shallow at the spot that her deck is only just awash. Another cutter, the Maori, alao belonging to Mr. Pressman, and the ketch Elizabeth came alongside, and the cement is being got out as speedily as possible, after which the Hope will be hauled np and the extent of damage ascertained. The occurrence is the more enrious as she had bean lying at anchor several days without Bh«winfr any Bign of being leaky, but it is supposed Bhe must have struak on an anchor as Bhe waa being moved round. The Union Company Tiave made arrangements by which excursionists to Nelson may leave here by the Wanaka on Friday, at 5 p.m., as well as by the Penguin on Monday, returning by the h Uer steamer on Wednesday morning. They will thus be able to have a longer s'cay at Nelson than was at first proposed.

His Fxcellency the Governor has re3eived frjm the Secretiry of ctate a copy of the Fugitive Offenders Act, pissed by the Imperial Parliament last session. Tha object of this Aotia to remove the difficulty hitherto existing in the way of the extradition of offenders as between the various Australian colonies, by enabling their respective Legislatures to authorise Bitch extradition. A reply has b:en received, through the United States Legation and the Foreign Office, to the} Address of the House of fiepre6entativeß on the death of President Garfield. Mr. Lowell, addressing Lord Granville, saya he has been directed to request hia Lordship "to transmit to the Parliament of New Zealand the heartfelt acknowledgments of the bereaved family of the late President Garfield, and of the American people, for a telegram of tender sympathy received from that distant dolony, wbieh is, specially appre- , elated in this Bonr of grief." At the conoloeion of the ordina'y business of the Education Board to-day, Mr. Hutchison gave notice that at next meeting he would move that the Board do prcoeed to institute a night school for instruction in technical knowledge did in both standards of the higher branches of education, and tnat the Echool be instituted immediately after the new year, and be held in the Willi3-street school. Mr. Hntchieon pointad out that there were a number of young people who desired to improve themselves by evening study, but one special reason for his motion was that one of the lads of the State schools who had obtained a .£3O scholarship was now at work in the day time, and could only attend Bohool at nigh*-. Mr. Hutchison proposed to submit a scheme next meeting, and to propose that fees shall be charged. The Hon. C J. Pharazyn to-day intimated that he did not again intend to offer himself for a seat on the Education Board. He said he had done his duty to the state, and besides he expected to get two year's imprisonment This was, of course, a playful reference 1 to ire charge. o! alleged personation against him. The Yen. Archdeacon Stookj who is Gaol Chaplain, remarked that he would have an opportunity of visiting Mr. Pharazyn in his confinement. At the City Council to-day a numbar of accounts left over from last meeting were passed for payment, and J6200 wa3 voted to the Benevolo at Institution. A petition signed by 314 ratepayers was received prayiDg his Worship to convene a public meeting to discuss the question of the recent conviction of Chinamen for playing fan tan. It was decided to call a meeting at the Arcade on Friday evening next. The Hutt river yesterday overflowed its banks owing to the heavy downpeur of rain which has taken pla^e lately, and a good deal of property in the Lower Hutt district became inundated. The flood is described by residents as being the most severe experienced for a considerable time past. This morning the flood had almost entirely subsided. It is reported, however, the Silverstream bridge haa been carried away. At St. Pauls Chnr\jb, Thorndon, at 1 o'clock this afternoon, Miss Frances Carpenter, daughter of the late Mr. Henry Carpenter, of this city, was mamed to Mr. C. H. 11' I cod Hawk, senior telegraph operator stationed at Blenheim. The ceremony wa3 performed by the Eev. B. W. Harvey, in the presence of a large congregation of ladies and gentlemen, among whom were numerous friends of the bride and bridegroom. The bride was given away by Mr. Henry Blundell, and the bridesmaids were six in number, consisting of the Misses Blundell (2), Steele, Lockie, Stewart, and Hawk. The proceedings were watohed with great interest. A communication has been received, we understand, ffom tha trustees of the Gilchrisfc Scholarship to the effect that the next examination will ba held in June, 1882, and thenceforward every two years. . It is also intimated that the examinations must not be under the management of the New Zealand University or any publio body of the kind, but nnder tho supervisisn of some independent person appointed by the Governor. The D Battery Artillery mustered for annual inspection la3t night, the parade numbering 54 men of all ranks, including the band. Lieutenants M'Credie and Lyon were in command, and Lieutenant-Colonel Pearoe inspected the corps and expressed himself satisfied with their efficient state. Mr. Pridham, of Wellington, has accepted the position of Head Master of the New Plymouth High School, at a salary of .€3OO and capitation allowance. The Juvenile " Pirates" again made theii appearance at the Theatre Koyal last night. There was a good attendance. The performance wan decidedly superior in point oJ merit to that witnessed on the preceding evening, and the little performers came in for a large measure of applause. The opera will be again repeated to-night. The anniversary services in connection with the St. John's Presbyterian Church, Willis-si reet, were held on Sunday last, when the Eev. Alexander B. Todd, oi Oamaru, occupied the pulpit both morning and evening. A collection in aid of the building fund was mafe at each service, realising upwards of JUO. Last evening a soiree was held in the schoolroom at th« back of the church, which was numerouslj attended, and proved to be an exoeedinglj pleasant affair. The soiree was followed bj a publio meeting. This waß held in the church, and was attended by a large con gregation, notwithstanding the boiaterouE stato of the weather. The Eev. James Paterson, the pastor of the church, pre sided, and was supported by the Eevs. A. B. Todd, C. S. Ogg, J. T. flinton, and W. H. West, by whom appropriate; addresses were delivered ia • succession, In his address, the chairman embraced the opportunity of reviewing the work acco^ plished by the church during the past year, He announced that the number of member; at present on the communion roll reaohec 302. During the year so far there had beei 37 accessions, while 21 members had left, There had also been an addition of 3 eldeiv to the session. The threo Sunday sehooU connected with the church were attended bj 557 scholars, taught by 64 teachers. Mosi of the sittings in the church had been let, with the exception of those in the gallery, A complete statement of accounts had nol yet boon prepared, he said, but would be submitted at the regular annual meeting, to be held a month hence. Ho stated, however, that the total receipts up to date amounted to and expenditure tc .£1092, while there was a credit balance oi £194: to the Building Fund. The accounts rel iting to this fund included a sum of .£IOO, representing Mr. Walter Turnbull's debenture. This announcement was received with considerable applause. At intervals the choir sang some fine anthems with excellent effect, Mr. England presiding at the harmonium. The whole of the proceedings passed off very successfully. Lady Fergusson, wife of the Ri?ht Hon. Sir James Fergusson, Bart., late Governor of New Zeala^. has just had conferred upon her by her Majesty the Imperial Or Jei of the Crown of India. .Mrs. Adam, widow of the late Governor of Madras, gets a similar decoration. The half-yearly meeting of the Southern Cross Lodge, 1.0.0. F., will bo held this evening. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column the opening concert of Herr Wilhelmj, the eminent violinist, has been postponed from Friday to Monday next, owing to the desire of the Christchurch people for a prolongation of hia stay in that musical city, where he has been received with great enthusiasm. Some specimens have been forwarded to us of the jams turned out by the new manufactory just started in Nelson by Mr. Kirkpatrick. They are very creditable productions, and should be tho forerunners of a very extonsiTO supply of cheap and good jam from so exceptionally favourable a locality as Nel3on. Ihe new manufactory turn out four tons of jam per day of eight hours, and the tinworka attached to the establishment produce 1000 tins daily. The new undertaking deserves to be a success, and we should be glad to see a similar enterprise started in Wellington. St. Paul's Church Sunday-school picnic has been postponed till next Tuesday. The examination will, however, take placo tomorrow evening. The Foresters' Fete Committee beg to acknowledge the receipt of .£3 3a from Mr. Sisley, manager of the Tramway Company, in aid of the prize fund. It is feared that no small loss will be sustained by growers of crops around tho Waiheoga district, consequent upon the heavy wind prevalent there during the present month. A tea meeting took place at the Baptist Church, Vivian-street, yesterday evening, and was followed by a concert and bazaar, the object being to raise funds to liquidate the liability on the building. About 100 persons sat down to tea, and immediately after this had been disposed of a selection of solos, glees, and choruses were given by the choir. The sale of work was well attended, most of the articles being ot a superior description. The stalls were presided over by the following ladies : —No. 1, Mrs. Hinton ; No. 2, Madames Kirk and Crichton; No. 3, Mesdames Collins and C. Godber. There was also a children's stall (on which was a plentiful supply of nick-nacks and toys), attended by the Misses Kirk and Crichton. It should be mentioned that the building was beautifully decorated with evergreens kindly supplied by Mr. J. Wilton, of Wadestown. The proceeds amounted to .£47, a Bum considerably more than was anticipated, and the result cannot but bt regarded as highly satisfactory by all concerned.

The Wellington and Wanganui line of steamers were sold by auction to-day by Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Co. The s.s. Jane Douglas was purchased by Mr. A. J. White, of Foxtou for £3000. The Stormbird brought .£SOO, Mr. R. S. Ledger being the purchaser ; and the Manawatu .£250, Mr. P. Coffey being the buyer. The hnlk Euro pean was sdld to Mr. W. V Jackson f.r 3f125, and the blorik of leasehold buildings to the Hon. John Martin for £iooQ. Mr. J. F. Evans, saddler and harnessmaker, to-day forwarded the following letter to Dr Diver: -"I see by the Evening Pobt that you are moving in re a Hospital ambulance. It has long been my intention, if such a thing were procured, to offer as a present a set of harness. Although my idea was a conveyance for convalescent patients to give patients an outing, it might be ÜBed for that and similar purposes. Anyhow, you can make this offer in any case." Th§ chimney oi a house in Taranaki-stre<;t waß observed to be oil fire yesterday afternoon by Constable Campbell, who at onde hastened to the spot end assisted in extiucrushing tho fire. The house was occupied by a woman named Ellen Carington, who said she had only been there a week and was ignorant of the fact that the chimney was in a filthy dondition. The fire was put out without any danuge being committed. The service of song and sacred concert given at the Webb-street Primitive Methodist Church last evening passed off with great Bucceas. The connective readings in the former were given by the Rev. A. J. Smith, and the musio waß very effectively rendered. The usual session of the Star of Wellington Lodge will not be held to-morrpw night, in consequence of the fruit banquet being appointed for that evening. It appears that there was a lamentable feature in connection with the recent case of drowning at AkiToa which was not mentioned in the telegrams The Lyttelton Times says <.— " Shortly after tho Pentruin left the wharf a moßt lamentable accident occurred, resulting ill the drowning of one of her crew, a young man nain>d William Gunn. The Lyttelton sailing boat had been hoisted in the davits, and Gnnn expressed himself dissatisfied at one of the falls not being over a cleet on the davifc. He got up to try to put the fall over the cleet, in spite of being advised not to do bo, and missing his footing fell into the harbour. The cry ' man overboard ' was instantly raised, and Captain Edie at once threw a lifebuoy to the man from the bridge, the buoy falling within two feet .of him. The captain and other 3 shouted to Gunii to get hold of the buoy, but he struck out in an opposite direction and headed for the shore. The steamer was at once stopped, the boat on the davits lowered and a couple of hands got into her. Three ethers of the crew jumped overboard. Unfortunately^ the rowlocks could not be found, and those in the boat had to propel her as be q t they could. Gunn continued to swim, and everyone thought he would be picked up, but his strength evidently failed him, for all at onde he was seen to stop swimming and go down. He never rose again. Some shore boats had put off in the meantime, but could not render any assistance. The boat wa9 then recalled, and picked up those who had jumped overboard, they having secured, the life-buoya thrown them. The boat was hoisted up, and the steamer proceeded on her way." It is to be hoped that it is not a common practice on board coasting steamers in this colony to have the ship's boats unprovided with rowlocks, or so placed that they cannot be found in case of an emergency. Amongst the petty jnrora summoned for the Supreme Court sittings at Timaru were two rilen who, when they were called, were found to be accused persons awaiting trial oh separate charges of arson— viz., Lewis Moses and John Tait. His Honor remarked that in all his previous experience he had never known such a thinghappen. However, he said, it was quite accidental, and the sheriff was not; to blame. The Lord Mayor of London, Mr. Alderman Ellis, is not ashamed of havinet baen the arohiteot of his own fortune. His succesa is owing not only to his great abilities, but also to the fact that from his earliest start in life he has never been above his work. He attributes the good feeling manifested towards him by his first employer, the late Alderman Musgrove, to a very simple circumstance. The Alderman left a basket of fish at his office to be sent by a porter to the railway station. When the Aldermm arrived at the station he found young Ellis instead of the porter there with the parcel. ' Did T ask yon to bring the basket?" said the Alderman. " No," replied the youth, "buh the porter did not return in time, so I brought it myself." This much pleased tho Alderman, and brought the present Lord Mayor into fayonr with his master, who afterwards took him into" partnership. ** " Shoeblack to the Dul?e of Wellington." " hoary-hdaded political old htimbug, with many similar choice epithets, we're appliod to Mr. Gladstone at an Irish meeting held at Leeds on 10th October by Mips Parnell, who professed to believe that " there' was no infamy at which Mr. Gladstone woulJ stop ;" that it is his object to " re-enact the horrors of the Tndian Mutiny in Ireland ;" and that, for her part, she is ready to employ dynamite or anything else that comes to hand to put an end to this " he'lish tyranny." Messr3, R. Holliday and Co. exhibit two very fine oleograph portrait* of the late Lord Beacons Held and Mr. Gladstone respectively, just received by mail steamer. Th?y are powerfu ly drawn and excollent likenesses, while the effect is that of good oil paintings. Messrs. Holliday and Co have also received a large supply of vocal series of the popular modern comic operas, inoWing " The Pirates," " Patience," " Billee Taylor," "Maecotte," &o. Mr. W. Webley has received a consignment of the autophone— described as the latest novelty in musical instruments. Particulars Will be found in our advertising columns. We notice that Messrs. Casey & M'Donald are sending out some tasteful Christmas cards to their ciistomers. An important sale will be held by Messrs. J. H. Bethuno & Co. on the 6th January. The properties inolude family residence and cottage in Tinakori-road, agricultural land at Palmerston North, suburban land atFitzherbert and Bunnythorpe, leasehold land in Moleßworth-street, land on the Manaia and Taueru Blocks, Wairarapa ; and sections in the city of Nelson. Every facility, wo are informed, will be afforded to intending purchasers to view the properties at any time prior to the sale. The lots ara oE a kind which will probably provoke koan competition, and the result of the sale will be looked for with considerable interest. Messrs. Bethune have also received instructions from the owner, Mr. E. O'Malley, to sell a contractor's plant. Messrß. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell tomorrow, at noon, ou the premises, Collegestreet, the superior household furniture and effects of Mr. H. F, Eversleigh. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will sell tomorrow, at 11 o'clock, fruit, Ac. Christmas and New Year's Gifts. — Many will doubtless remember the beautiful Chromo Pictures, veritable works of art, that were presented to easterners during the recent Surplus Stock Sale at Te Aro House. It will be satisfactory to know that the coming Christmas and New Year's holidays will witness a similar distribution, but upon a still more liberal basis. Every purchase in cash to the amount of .£1 will entitle the buyer to one presentation copy, and as many more as there are additional pounds spent. These admirable pictures are worthy of a place on the walls of either mansion or cottage, and all who desire to beautify their homes may do so without expense, by* making their purchases at James Smith's, Te Aro House.— [Advt.] Works of Art. — Graves and Fleming, having had the rare opportunity of purehas- j ing some genuine Works of Art (copie3 of the old masters in oleographs), will, during the holidays, present a copy to those who purchase goods to the value of 203 and upwards. A portion of the pictures are now on view in the windows. They are in no way defaced, and are fit to adorn any drawingroom in Wellington. — Advt.