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Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 152, 24 December 1885, Page 2

Oar double Christmas Supplement, presented with tho prosont issno of the Evening Post, will be found to contain a large quantity of interesting, seasonable, and instructive reading matter. A speoial featnro is Mr._ Dion Bouoicault's letter— tho first of a BerieB — which we havo, at considerable oxpenso, soonrod the right of publishing in thw oity. The series will probably extend to thirteen letters, and in .them Mr. Bouoii oault will fully eipross his opinions on the various oolonies and what he has seen and heard in them. These letters will be published simultaneously in England, America, and Australia, and will form tho groundwork of a book which the great aotor-author intends to publish regarding his tour. On onr fourth page to-day will bo found a report of the Premier's speooh at Dunodin and a Bnmmary of yesterday's proceedings at tho Land Board. Tho Manawatu Standard might have paid us the courtesy of acknowledgement when transferring to its columns oar artiolo giving the facts of the Severed Hand mystery. The Wairarapa Standard Bays that Mr. Bunny's appointment as a Jnetioe of the Peaoe baa given general eatisfaotion in the Wairarapa district. Commissioned officers of tho A.C. travelling on pnblio service are to receive the same allowances as officers of the Civil Bervioe oooording to salary, non-commissioned officers and oonstables 6b per day, and detectives their actual expenses. Mr. Alex. Fergnsson, Mayor of Palmorston North, and Mr. E. A. Adams, Mayor of Patea, are gazetted Justices of the Peace under the Mnnioipal Corporations Act. E. W. Pavitt ia appointed s oadet in the B.M. Court at Masterton from Ist Jnne last. Mr. Thomas Kirk is gazetted Chief Consorvator of Forests, and Mr. T. 8. M. Cowio is transferred from the Treasury to tho State Forests and Agricultural Department. A somewhat important and singular oaao, in wbioh tho Government will appear as plaintiff, is likely shortly to ongag* the attention of the law courta hero. It appears that abont five months ago a depositor in the Post Office Savings Bank— a married woman, whose husband carries on business in tho oity — had occasion to withdraw her deposit in the bank, whioh amounted to nearly .£2OO. She did so leaving a deposit of a few shillings. It is now alleged that she was overpaid a sum of nearly £40, and tho department has demanded the immediate refund of the amount in question. The depositor denies that she was overpaid at all, and to complicate matters the Savings Bank book cannot be found. An inquost was held at the Hospital this morning on tho body of Edith Wilmot, aged 4 years, who died in tho Lunatio Asylum. A verdiot of Death from Natural Causes was returned. The enquiry was oonduoted by Dr. Johnston, District Coroner. During the examination of the boys at one of the superior schools in this distriot a few days ago, one of tbo papers sot was to write down what was known of John Wesley. One of the replies was as follows: — ''In .his youth he was a great preaoher. He afterwards became a soldier, and went to India, where he won many battles. He then won the battlo of Waterloo, and died Duke of Wellington." Small boys who keep pet rabbits will probably be Bnrprised to learn that they are committing an illegal act, aa one of the results of last Bession'a legislation on the rabbit question was to absolutely prohibit keeping live rabbits under any ciroumetanoes, it having been found that tame rabbits were frequently allowed to esoapo. The author of " John Bull and hia Island" in said to contemplate vkiting Australia and N«w Zeakid on a lecturing tour.

An interview took place yesterday afternoon between Mr. Bunny, Chairman of the United Distriot Board under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Aot, and Mr. Powles, Treasurer of the Wellington Benevolent Institution, and Mr. Govett, who is carrying ont the provisions of the Act on behalf of the Premier. Mr. Bonny explained that he had been indnoed to wait on Mr. Govett, in the absenoo of the Premior, by the reooipt of a letter from Mr. Powles stating that he had applied to the Government for the usual monetary assistance, and had received a roply that as charitable matters had been handed ovor to tho United District Board that body would have to find the money required. The earn of £108 would be required at tho end of December, and the accounts for next month would amount to .£O3. He (Mr. Bunny) wished to point out that it appeared to him that until the 22nd of January, up to which date the various bodies had the power to form themselves into separate institutions, the Board of which ho was chairman had no power to take any aotion under the Act. Until that day it seeped to him that the whole duty of maintaining the institutions fell upon tho Government. Mr. Govett observed that there were two ways of looking at tho matter. Mr. Bunny admitted thero might be, but said his opinion was that tho United Distriot Board had nothing to do in the matter until tho 22nd of next month. He understood that both the Hospital and the Wellington Benevolent Institution were to bo incorporated. Aa chairman of the Board he was willing to do anything in reason, but he did not see how ho was to provide the Benevolent Institution with funds when there was no money in his possession. Mr. Govett explained that in other similar oasos the plan adopted by the Government was to advance tho United District Boards money euffioient to enable the various institutions to carry on. Mr. Bunny remarked that the practioe was a very good one. Mr. Govett said that in those matters Government wished to deal with the United Dißtriot Boards only. Mr. Powlea observed that tho difficulty oould bo got over if Government advanoed the Beard tho amount required by tho Benevolent Institution. Mr. Govett promised to telegraph to the Premier applying, on behalf of tho Board, for an advance of J3250, and the deputation then retired. Captain Campboll, of the s a. Kiwi, ono of our best known local skippers, was yesterday the recipient of a very gratifying and valuable testimonial of esteem. The presentation was made in Mr. Levin's office by Mr. G. M. Moore on behalf of a liumbor of settlors on the East Coast, and took tho shape of a complimentary address aocompaniod by a purse of 50 sovereigns. The following ia tho text of the address :— " To Captain Campboll, s.s. Kiwi. Dear Bir,— We, the undersigned, settlors on the East Coast, are desirous of jocognising your efficiont and faithful sorvioes, extending over a lengthy period. It gives us great pleasure to testify that we nave invariably found you courteous and obliging in manner, and zealous and enorgetio in your'endeavonrs to further our interests in so far as lay in your powor. Fow, if any, captains trading npon the New Zealand coast oan boaßt, as you oan justly do, of a oommand extending over 30 years without a single casualty. We beg yonr acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a slight expression of our regard, and wishing you prolonged health and happiness, and a Merry Christmas. We aro, dear air, yours faithfully— Mary Luxford, John Moore (late of Waikaraka), Duncan CamoroD, Froderiok Moore, Frederick W. Hales, C. M. Rogers, Thos. Carswoll, George Pain. William H. Beetham, Hugh H. Beetham, Joseph Bennett, J. C. Vallanoe, W. C. Buchanan, Charles ' Oljjar, Edwin Moredith, Peter Hume, Duncan M'Maater, John Morrison, F. B. Chalmers, Alexander M'Konzie, Donald Donaly, F. E. Lathham, H. and A. M'Phee, James Cooper, W. Mace, John M. Meredith, G. Moore, R R. Meredith, F. G. Moore, G. M. L. Drummond, G. Kummer, H. Nitz, C. K. Meredith Kaye, John Crocc, E. J. Riddiford. Mr. Moore, in making tho presentation, testified to tbo sinoerity of the good wishes and the truth of the flattering statements made in tho address. Captain Campbell, whorooeived the compliments paid him very modestly, returned thanks in a suitablo manner. In these days ot competitive examinations, and after all that we have from time to time heard about the danger of doing away with the general knowledgo examination as a preliminary to admission to the bar, we aro astonished to find a leading member ot tho profession display such profound ignoranoe as Mr. Cornford, of Napier, did on Tneaday last regarding an eminent hißtorioal charaotor. Ihis ignoranco was the more reprehensible aa it led the learned gentleman to cast a most undesorved slur upon tho oharaoter of a personago whom from earliest childhood moat of us hayo learned to regard with a species of reverential awe. The thing came about in this fashion. A witness, in course of examination, said thero wore eight in family, six of them ohildron by defendant's many wives. His Honour — Many wives P Witness — Well, the third wifo is in Court to-day. Bis Honour— H'mj quite a Blue Board. Mr. Cornford — No, your Honour ; he didn't have all these wives at once. Now, we protest most strongly ngainßt the malioious innuendo contained iv Mr. Cornford's correction of his Honour tho Chief Justice's remark. Tho intention is ovident. Mr. Cornford was attempting to malign Blno Beard by representing him as a bigamist, while wo all know that ,he was nothing of the kind, and that he oarried hia devotion to principle so far that he always effectually disposed of one wife before taking unto himßolf anothor. That he did this by cutting off their heads seriatim is a mere matter of detail not in the least affeoting the question at issue, or Bluebeard's innocence of the mean crime, which Mr. Cornford seeks to attach to bis memory. We hope we Bhall in future hoar no more about members of tho profession being proficients in genoral knowledge. Tho steamer Tokapo, which arrivod from Sydnoy this morning, roporta that on tho 22nd inst. the infant Bon of Mr. and Mrs. M'Gregor diod from natural oauses, and was buried at Boa the same day. The privileges in oonnoct'on with tho Caledonian sports, whioh aro to take plaoe on New Year's Da; on the Basin Reserve, were sold yesterday at auotion by Messrs. T. K. Maodonald & Co. The following is the result of the Bale :— Two publicans' booths, grand stand, T. Urwin, .£B lO a; one outside publioan'e hooth, James Wood, .£5; two refreshment rooms, A. Dowsett, 30s eaoh; right to games, C. Harding, £1 ; total, .£l7 10s. The right to sell cards, tho fancy booth , and ono of the outside booths wore not cold. Ono of thoea social gatherings whioh greatly relievo the Motion of a year's hard work took plaoe last evening at Mr. George Norbury's, Tarauaki-Btreet, when that gentleman invited the ohoir of the United Methodist Free Churoh, of which ho is Vioe-Presi-dent, to a sumptuous banquot. One of the large sheds on his works hod boen speoially propared and gaily deoorated with flags for the purpose. Upwards of 40 guests partook of tho good things provided. The rooir was aftorwards cleared for games, &o , whioh the young pooplo especially soemed to greatly onjdy. Dnring the evening several carols woro sung in a style that roflooted great oredit on tho choir for the oaro they had taken in Btudying lhat partioular kind of music Mr. Hudson, tho oonduotor of the ohoir, on behalf of tho ohori store, thanked their host and hostesß for the many kind entertainments of a similar nature they had enjoyed at their hands. His remarks were followed by three hearty cheers from all present. Mr. Norbury exprossed the pleasure aooorded him by the kindly visit of the choir, and trusted the gathering at this fostive Boaßon wonld stimulate them to renewed effort. After singing " Auld Lang Syne," the company broke up in tho " wee, sma' hours ayant the twal." During the evening a oaBO of dietress was brought under the notice of the company, which we are happy to say roceived prompt and very substantial assistance. It is particularly pleasant to record this faot, tho spirit of whioh we hope will bo fostered during this Christmastide. It is notified in the Gazette that in torms of sootion 43 of The Hospitals and Charitablo Institutions Aot, 1885, tho Governor has received a petition from tho Committee of Management of tho Wellington Hospital, to whioh is annexed a verified list, signed by 147 persons, in terms of sootion 38 of tho said Aot, praying that the Wellington Hospital may be incorporated as a separate institution ; and that if no counter-petition, signed by an equal or greater number of enoh persons, Bhall have boen delivered at the office of the Colonial Secretary within one month after the publication of the notice, or if the District Board Bhall not have lodged with tho Colonial Seoretary within the same time an objeotion to euoh petition, the Governor in Council will declare the said Hospital to be a Boparate institution under the Baid Act. The ohoristors of St. Mark's Anglican Churoh gave a choral service last evening in the ohuroh oommemorativo of Christmastide. Tho attendance was very large, and although it was of oourse impossible tor these present to give outward expression to the satisfaction thoy evidently experienced at tho manner in which the various numbers were rendered, the goneral impression appeared to be that a carefully-selected programme was almost faultlessly presented. The following are the pieoes which were given: — Psalms 114 and 115, Magnificat, Nuno Dimittis (Bnnnett in F), Anthem " O Zion that briugest good tidings, get theo up into the mountains," Ac, verses 4 and 1 of hymn 56. Carols— "Sing we merry Christmas," "Cedar of Lebanon," "Sleep, my Saviour sleep," "Listen, Lordings, unto mo," "See amid the winter's snow," "The manger throne," " We three Kings of Orient are," " When Christ was born of Mary free ; " hymn 59, " O Come all y« faithful." The musical arrangements wore under the management of Mr. E. T. Morsbead, the ohuroh ¦ organist and choirmaster, to whom no email amonnt of oredit is due for the care displayed in rehearsing the carols. At the conclusion of the choral terries the benediction was pronounced by the R-ev. R. Coffoy. Tho ordinary evouing servico of the City Tramways Company will be suspended this evening, being Christmas Eve, and tho Saturday night aeivice Bubstituted,

The severed hand mystery is creating a great sensation in Christehuroh. The latest inmour given in the Lyttelton Times of jegterda? is that the police have found the body from whioh the hand has been detaohed. The 6treote of the oity were thronged last night by persons completing their Christmas purchases or viewing tho shop windows, moat of whioh were very tastefully dressed. Tho most noticeable features in Lambtonquay and Willis-street were the butchers' and confectionery shops, and while papaß and mamas eagerly scanned tho prime ]ointe which looked so inviting and toothsome, the younger folks feastod their eyes npon the contents of the lolly-shop windows. The Gear Company had a magnificent dieplay of joints, poultry, and small eoods, all boing artistically dressed. Tho Wellington Meat Company's Bhop in Lambton-quay was also hung with prime joints, suoking-pigs, poultry, and a host of other articles " too nnmerous to particularise.' ' The dressing was vory tasteful, and attracted considerable attention. The same company's Bhop in WillisRtroot was similarly dressed. In thia street, too, Mr. Martin, the pork butcher, had a very fine display of poultry, small goods, &c, aa had also Mr. Kuch in Mannersfctroet. A very excellent show of meat was to bo eccu at Messrs. Cats Bros. & Co 's shop in Upper Cuba-street. It was quite a picture, and attraoted the attention of passera by. Ono of the best shows was at the Gear Company's No. 2 shop ; but tho Wellinßton Meat Company's branch and Mr. E. Barber's shop were well supplied and deoorated. Several of the drapers had their •large windows handsomely deoorated and illuminated. The fruiterers had all put forth their host efforts for the occasion, and their windows looked vory tempting. The booksellers and fancy goods shops had athoroughly feftive season appearance. Altogether, the oity last night looked deoidedly bright and oheerfnl, the beautiful weather largoly assisting to swell the crowds of promonaders. Tho young man Alfred Wilkinson, who went Homo about fonr months ago with the objeot of entering one of the London hospitals that he might bo oured of hia tondenoy to epiloptio fits, has retnrned to the colony by the bs. Tainni. He failed to procure admission to a hospital, as we stated some weeks ago, but the voyage Home did him so mnoh good that after undergoing a conrse of treatment for some weeks in London, his dootor advised him to return to New Zealand. We havo seen Wilkinson, and he informs us that ho has not had a serious fit for nearly throe months, whoreas he used to have them thrco and four times a day. He is anxious to not some regular employment at onoe, and afl he is steady and willing he Bhould not havo much diffionlty in getting a job. Thero was a large attendance at St. Leon's Circus last night. Tho programme of the opening night was repeated, and was received with great applause. The performance is a most creditable one, and there is a laudable absence from it of anything approaching vulgarity. The samo bill will be repeated this evening. Tbo Brnnner Coal Company's tender for supplying the Gear Moat Company with coal during the ensuing year has been accepted. We understand tho quantity to be Boppliod will bo about 1500 tons. A meeting was to have been held at the Post Offioo Hotel last night for the purpose of forming a Plumpton Ground at Inland Bay, but owing to the small attendance it was decided to allow tbo matter to stand over until after the holidays. The following new patents have been applied for : — An invention for improvements in prosßes for wool and other materials requiring to be pressed and baled, by Christian Kooratz and Joseph Swarm, of Waverley ; an invention for a double-aotion band-brake, applicable to all kinds of vehicles, by William Eeevos, of Waikari, ooaoh and wagon-builder; an invention for improvements in apparatus for pulverising, separating, and treating ores and othor substances, by Frederick Augustus Luckenbach, of New fork ; an invention for an improvement in the Canterbury port&blo musio stand, by Henry Durand, of Timaru, gunsmith; an invention for the boy-power Weed-extirpator, by Kobert Bain Davidson, of Templeton, engineer. The crows which will represent the Star and Wellington Clubs at the Eegatta at Nelson on Boxing Day leave for that place to-night, the majority of the oarsmen going across by the Eotorua Tho Star Club is Bonding three orewa and the Wellington Club two. Tho names of oaoh havo already been published. It was believod yesterday that Kcovob, No. 2 in the Star Club's maiden four, would bo prevented by indisposition from taking part in tho raco. He, however, is mnoh hotter to-day, and will be able to row on Saturday. Notice is given in an advertisement elsowhere that the Tramways Company will not run any trams at all to-morrow, being Christmas Day. As this is almost the only whole holiday tho employes of tho oompany get in the oourse of the year, the citizens will not bogrudge thorn tho enjoymont of it. Tho insuranco offices will bo closod till Tuesday. Tho members of the Municipal Fire Brigade are making active preparations for their annual ball and tea, which this year promises to excol any of its predecessors. Tho catering will be oarried out by a well-known looal oaterer. Tho mnsio will be euppliod by a full brass band, and tho floor is now being put in proper trim for a good night's dancing. The tickets are going off rapidly, a faot wo have mnoh pleasure in recording, the objeot being worthy of the publio assistance, as the net proceeds are to go to the Brigado Aooident Fund. Au advertisement giving details appears in another column. In regard to the man who was arrested yesterday, oharged with assaulting a boy named Winters, wo are informed that his name ia not Ciddes, as stated, and that he is not a lumper on tho wharf, although ho is very frequently to be Been there. An officer on board the Zealandia has supplied the Auokland Herald with particulars of tho Ocean raco between that vessel and tho Alamoda. He contends that the rate of speed at which tho last voyage was performed oannot bo kopt up by the Alamoda, as tho ooal Bupply for ono passage would cost .£3112. The Townsville pooplo appear to have j aoted very nobly with regard to the cholerastrioken paasengers of the Dorunda. While the vessel was in their port threatening tho introduction of a fearful scourgo into the town, they held a public meeting, at which they protested against the oholora and panic-stricken Dorunda being allowed to continue her perilous journey southwards. Tho risk to the town was groat: the risk to the ship, tho people thought, was greater. So they offered to take the risk of having the terrified and posBibly infeoted immigrants landed upon their own shoroß, where, we may bo sure, the poor creatures would have had all the assistance that such heroioally unselfish people oould have given them. The 'offer was not aooeptod (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph), but the faot that it was made, and made in termß that proved its einoerity, is one of the brightest incidents in tho Australian history of the year. The Peilding Star is very sevoro on tho Geologioai Department. It says that as Dr. Heotor has reported unfavourably on tho recent supposed discovery of a reef at Mitcheltown, hopeß are entertained that it will turn out to be payable. At the half-yearly meeting of Court Sir Georgo Grey, A.0.F., held on Tuesday evening, ibore was a good attendance of members And visitors, and a large amount of bußinoss was got through. Eulea were brought forward, disonßsed, and passed in regard to loans to members' fund. Tho officers olooted for the ensuing half year were : — C.E., Bro. H. Bnrbush: S.C.E., Bro. J. Barr ; S.W., Bro. J.G. Clarke ; J.W., Bro. H. Williams ; 5.8.. Bro. G. Thomas ; J. 8. ,. Bro. F. Aisher; the Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees, and Surgeons remaining as before. The announcement that Dr. Gilbert and Mr. I. Selby would debate the question aa to whether Christianity is hotter for the world than Atheißm attraoted a largo audienco to the Thoatro Eoyal last evoning. Mr F. H. Frasor occuoiod the ohair. A ball will bo given at the Foresters' Hall, Tory- street, on Boxing Night. Tho musio will bo provided by Mr. A. Fodon's string band. A grand distribution of almanaos and books is to take place at the Hall of Commerce this evening. Mr. Prioe annonnoos that overy cuatomor, irrespective of the amount of purchase, will receive a book and an almanac. The contract for the now Te Aro House has been taken, and the contractor is setting energetically to work. It has caused a vast amount of consideration to design a building that shall not only be an ornament to the oity of Wellington, but also perfectly adapted for the oonvenienoe and comfort of tho numerons customers of Te Aro Howe. Wk claim to have been eminently BncceßSful in both respects, having had tho advantage of seeing the latest improvements in the construction of recontly-bnilt places of businoss, and we are satisfied that when the structure is completed the universal verdiot will be that a finer shop is not to be found this side the Equator than Te Aro Eoutc. In the meantime we are carrying on business in our temporary premises known as Te Aro House (late Farmer's), our importations of goods direct from the Home manufacturers are as large bb ever, and our two experienced buyers are doing their very best to ke«p up the preßtige of Te Aro Home. Jtjbt now we have some very extraordinary bargains in every department, and all ladies desirous of purchasing or completing their summer outfit can do so very advantapooußly at Te Aro Souse. In addition we are distributing our Christmas gifts on a very liberal soale to all purchasers, no matter how small the amount, from Is up to .£SOO, at Te Aro House. — Advt. Bxsidks being a powerful and wholesome tonic, WoLric'B Schnapps is an unequalled brain modicino, imparting healthful vigor to lhat sensitive organ and to every fibre of tho nervous system.— Advt.

Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, 40., are quickly oured by using Baxter's Celebrated " Lung Preserver." This old-established and popular medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by members of the medical, local, and clerical, professions. For testimonials eoa supplement. Sold by all patent medicine vendors. List of wholesale agents is riven in advertisement.— Advt.