RAILWAY RETURNS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 110, 10 May 1889, Page 2

RAILWAY RETURNS.

For the four weeks ending 31st March, the railway receipts were £38,915 17s 2d, and the expenditure £55,797 12s Bd. In the corresponding period of last year the amounts were respectively £83,768 18s 9d and £53,878 14s Bd. Of the receipts, the North Island lines have contributed £28,162 13s lOd, as against £27,212 6s Id, and the Middle Island lines £60,753 3s 4d, as compared with £56,55G 12s 8d last year. The North Island lines have absorbed £18,325 6s lid, as apainst £18,881 Ba, und the Middle Island lines £37,172 5s 9d, as compared with £34,997 Gs Bd. The average of expenditure to earnings on the several Hues in the respootive periods 1889-1888 was as follows, oalculated on a yearly average : —North Island— Kawakawa, 7814, 7223 ; Whangarei, 7763, 96-25 ; Auokland, 67*74, 78 42 ; Napier, 52 04, 5774; Wellington, 69*05, 7149; Wangauui, 81*14, 86 60. Middle Island— Hurunui-Bluff, 6393, 66*43; Groymouth, 51*58, 6027; Westport, 47*29, 53*55; Nelson, 80*75, 84*37; Picton, 95 95, 104*61. Total, 6-4*86, 69 09. The receipts on the Wellington section amounted to £5425 12s 7d, as against £5632 33 5d in tho corresponding period last year. The number of passengers was 22,994, as against 25,643 ; and the fares amounted to £2074 8s sd, as against £2285 8s Id.

A newsletter from oar Woodvillo correspondent and several letters to the Editor will bo fonnd on the fourth page of this is3ua. The following, among other selections, will bo found in our Saturday Supplement to-morrow :—" The Diamonds," " l'eraperance," "A Reminisoenco," "Story of a Strange Marriape," "Tit Bits," "Two Hundred Below Zero," "Items for Ladies," " News in Brief," " Is a Concertina a Noisy Instrument?" &., &o. In describing the restored Post Offioe building a few weeks ago, we pointed out that the arrangement which left the taps covorning the special water supply to certain parts of the building, for nse in case of fire, within easy reach of anybody who entered the porch, offered an irresistible temptation to larrikin tricks. Within the last few days the taps have been enclosed within a wooden case. * During the month of April the estatos of 20 deceased persons were placed under chargo of the Publio Trustee. The amounts varied from £1 to £200. As there appears some uncertainty ou the subject r.t tho regulations as to the removal of hous*, refuse, we direct attention to an advertisement from the contractor appearing in another column. It will be seen that tho contractor has to remove the rubbish either frpm the kerbstone or trom any distance within ten feet of the out3ide building line, and that his charge to tho householders can only be made when he goaa beyond that distance. The unsatisfactory situation of the finances of the Manawatu Road Board was represented to the Premier yesterday by a deputation consisting of Mr. J. G. Wilson, M.H.E., Mr. D. H. Macarthur. M.H.8., and Messrs. Buick, and Bell, members of the Board, and Mr. Armstrong, engineer. The Premier promised to consider the matter at once, and give a reply as early as possible. The Eastern Extension Telegraph Company haa arranged to receive and remit to Shangai by cable, free of charge, subscriptions collected by local oommittes and others in aid of the China Famine Belief Fund. The Cable Superintendent in Shanghai will pay amounts to the British Consul there. Subscriptions will be received at the General Post Office. The Government have offered to place 5000 copies of the Patriotic Hymn, composed by Mr. C. S. Thomas of this city, at the disposal of the Education Board , without charge for distribution amongst the schools of the Wellington distriot. The words of the hymn are by the Rev. William Allen, and the music is arranged for four voices, and dedicated to the youth of the schools of the colony. The contract for the formation, kerbing, and gravelling of about 240 chains of footpaths in the Cook and To Aro wards of the city, has beon let by the Corporation to T. Burton and Co. at £2 13a 6d per chain. The work was tendered for in five sections, but Messsa, Barton's tender for the whole waa found to be the lowest. The thoroughfares in whioh the contract is to bo performed are Austin-street, Constable-street. Owen-street, Rhodes-street, Tosman-street, Wright-street, Wallace-street, Adelaide-road, Siddifordstreet, Hanson-street, Mansfield-street, and Bevans street. An effort was made to get off the final heat of the Oriental Boating Club's Champion Sculls last evening. The competitors were G. S. Hill and W. Fraser. After going some distance tho boats fouled, but on getting clear the men resumed rowing. Another fonl occurred a short distance from Point Jerningham, where the judge (Mr. J. B. Tringham) was stationed, and Hill finished as he liked. It is probable that the race will be rowed over again. Mr. R. C. Kenner (captain) started the men from the clubhouse. The examination of the Fernridge school by Inspector Lee has resulted as follows :— Ninety-two children on roll, including S4 in the preparatory class. Standard VI., 1 presented, 1 absent ; Standard V., S prosonted 8 passed; Standard IV., 11 presented, 11 passed; Standard 111., 10 presented, 2 excepted, G passed ; Standard 11., 10 presented, 9 passed; Standard 1., 18 presented, 1 eioepted, 17 passed ; totals, 92 presented, 1 absent, 3 excepted, 3 failed, 51 passed. A handicap foot race, open to all the officials of tho Telegraph Department in Wellington, has been arranged to take place on the Basin Reserve on Monday. The distance is 100 yards, and 14 entries have been received. As the whole of the competitors cannot get away from duty at the same time, it has been arranged to ran the race in two heats, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The Heads Railway was offered at auction at Wanganui on Monday by Mr. Barns, and bought by Mr. Ballanoe for £3580 for the new Caatleoliff Railway Company.

Mr. F. Burbush, of Woodville, is the successful tenderer for the erection of the new iohool at Mangatamoko. The contract price is .£435. Tenders were invited by thekduca. tion Board on alternative plans, and it was thought advisable to erect the larger pf the two schools designed, so as to provide for Lhe growth of ihe district. The other tenierers were -.-Edward & Millß, £457 ; J. W. utosa, £467 10h ; L. Hambling, *472 7a ; D. & W M'lnnis, JE493 ; J. W. Dawson, £530 ; A. Cleghorn, .£535 ; andT. J. James, £744. The b.B. Hanroto, which arrived from the ?outh yesterday, has on board for Sydney 2-1 Ayrshire cows and 1400 tons of colonial produce. About 80 tons were taken in here. A special meeting of the committee of the Phcenix Cricket Club was convened to be neld at the Post Office Hotel last evening for the purpose of enquiring into the financial position, but as there was not a full attendance, Messrs. J. Varnham, M. Moorbouse, F. Morioe, and B. H. Smith being the only gentlemen present, the consideration of the business was deferred until next week. Mr. Joseph Ivess, well known in this colony, who recently started a daily publication—the Evening Mail— at Albury, New South Wales, according to latest exchanges, haß already had a disagreement with bis staff of employes regarding wagea, the outcome of which is that a number of the printers have gone ont on strike. A very good rehearsal of the " Pirates of Penzance" was held in Spiller's Hall last evening. Mies M'Clean, who will probably be selected to take the part of Mabel, which was not filled up when the opera was originally cast, sang the musio excellently, and the opinion was generally expressed that the character ought to be allotted to her. Mr. W. J. Haybittle, who succeeds Mr. S. Robinson as the Pirate King, owing to Mr. Robinsnji'a absence from Wellington, was also present, and sang his part very satisfactorily. Although the weather was far from being pleasant the exhibition in the Exchange Hall last evening of the picture, " Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet," was well attended. The painting, which is probably the largest ever scon in Wellington, is claimed to bo a genuine Eubnns, and was recently brought out from London for the purpose of being exhibited throughout the colonies. The subject is taken from the 3rd verse of the 13th chapter of the Gospel of St. John. The central figure is that of Christ, who is represented as kneeling down and washing St. Peter's feet, while the other desciples are grouped around them and looking on the operation with great interest. The colouring is excellent. The pioture 19 certainly a very fine one, and is well worth inspection by all who take an interest in art, whether it is a genuine Rubens or only a good copy by some modern artist. A special meeting of the Union Football Club was held in the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel last evening, Mr. P. Gennings (oaptain) being in the chair. A vacanoy in the Match Committee was filled by the eleotion of Mr. Murray. A challenge from the Rival Club, Carterton, to play a return match on the Queen's Birthday was considered, and it was decided not to accept. The only other business was the election of three members, A writer in a Waikato paper says that at Mokau caves of a large extent are known to exist, but as yet have been un visited by Europeans. Natives have been known, when out on the fernhills, to have fallen through holes in the ground and entirely disappeared, and never Been again. Stones dropped down them are not heard to strike the bottom, so that no comparison of their depth can be ascertained. The caves are said to be beneath a large extent of country. Samuel Berg was ordered this morning 1 bj Mr. Robinson, R.M., to pay .£1 forthwith, or jE3 within four days, towards the support of his wife and child. The defendant had been brought down from Foxton, and it was said that arrears under a former order ol the Court amounted to .£ll ss. His Worship therefore directed that Berg should pay ofl this amount by instalments of 5s per week, in addition to his ordinary contribution oi 1153.1 153. In default of making these payments Berg was ordered to be imprisoned for three months. Mr. Bunny appeared on behalf ol defendant's wife, and Mr. Levy defended the accused. Jessie Morrison was required by Mr Robinson, R.M., this morning, to enter into her own reoognizance for .£lO, and find one surety of .£5, to keep the peace for twe months towards Margaret Tomlin. Thie was in consequence of tho formei having made use of some very in Bulting language towards Mrs. Tomlii on the 7th instant. The defendant admittec the offence, but said she had just provoca tion, as she had met the complainant walking out with the father of her (Jessie Morrison's^ children. His Worship looked at the mattei in a different light. The following new patents have beer applied for :— Richard Cobden Easby, ol Wellington, blind-maker, for a self-acting cord or strap-holder or check action, to b< called " Easby's Simplicity Cord-holder ;' Mophan Ferguson, of Carlton, Victoria engineer, for an improved pipe-coupling ;' : Charles Herbert Eyres, of Ballarat, iron< monger, and William Sargeant Sargeant. oi Ballarat, builder, for an improved fas> tener for clipping together the ends of belts, bands, or straps ; Austin Doherty, of Hawke's Bay, shepherd, foi an improved machine for raising water ; John Hickes, of Anokland, settler, for at improvement in cross-cut and pit saws, to be oilled " Pate lit Double Saws ;" Roberj Cockerell, of Inveroargill, agricultural implement maker, for "The Regnlatable Inclined Look-planes fos working J?oroe. puuim " John Augustus Miller, of Arrowtown, goldminer, for the saving of gold, silver, aopper, tin, pyrites, or any othei metallio ore, to bo oalled " The Witness Gold and Ore-saving Apparatus ;" William Web stor Dalby, of Auckland, manufacturing chemist, for " Soapene," a scouring, cleansing, and disinfecting medium ; Waltei Greenshields, of Auckland, for hygienic boots and shoes, to be called "Ventilated Boots or Shoes;" Edward John Martin, oi Christchurch, well-sinker, for improvements in apparatus for sinking artesian wells, oi for pile-driving, to be called " Martin's Ball | Apparatus for sinking Artesian Wells, oi for Pile-driving." ' We hear that Mr. Ziman, the populai landlord of the Royal Tiger Hotel, haf parted with his interest in that house tc Mr. R. Buokerldge of Carterton, who wili take possession in a few days. Mr. Zimar is selling out on account of having deter mined to accept an invitation to join his younger brother at Johannesberg, Soutl Africa. Fraternal communications received by Mr. Ziman, state that the gold mining in dustries in the neighbourhood of Johannes berg are in a highly flourishing condition and largo fortunes aie being made both bj speculators and investors. He received from his brother a substantial token that tho lattei had profited by the wave of success, in the shape of a handsome sum in payment of the expenses of his change of residence, and alsc a large amount for investment in Welling ton. We wish our townsman every success in his new sphere of enterprise. The jray who enquired into the cause ol the death of Rowland Morrison, a patient oi the Mount View Asylum, who died yesterdaj morning, returned a verdict in accordance with medical testimony, that the deceased died of general paralysis. The deceased had been a patient in the institution foi about six months, and had been partiallj paralysed for some time, and latterly had tc take to his bed. Morrison was a married man about 38 years of age, bqt his wife, witi one child, reside in England. Dr. Hassell Superintendent of the Asylum, in his cvi' dence, said that his patient had been v subject of the most extravagant delusions, at times imagining that he was " Emperoi of the World," &c. Two drunkards arrested last eveninjr,;bj the police were brought before Mr. Robinson, R.M., this morning, and discharged with a caution, having offended for a firßl time within six months. The unfavourable weather last night militated against the attendance at the Opera House, where the Vivian Company produced, for the first time, " Lady Audley's Secret,'' and the farcical comedy, " Sam," bettei known under its good old title of "Checkmate." The tragio incidents of Mise Braddon's story, from which the play ol " Lady Audley's Secret " is adapted, afford capital material for the dramatist, and the performance was of the most exciting character. The part of Lady Audley gives scope for very powerful acting, and Miss Helen Vivian was fully equal to it. Ir the scone with Robert Audley, and thcfinal scene, in which, foiled in her villiany, she goes mad, she imparted a terrible reality to the representation, which had a visible effect upon the audience. Mr. Carey played tho part of Robert Audley with skill and tact, carefully avoiding the fault of most of the other performers, which was to over-do their parts. Miss Marie Wilton as Alicia Audley was quite pert enough, bnt there was a tendency at times to forget th« lady. The other parts were fairly well taken. " Sam " went very merrily, and kept the audience in a good humour to the end. The same programme will be produced to-night. The programme of the concert to be given in the Wesley Schoolroom, Taranaki-street, this evening, by the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, in aid of the society's tunds, appeared in our advertising columns yesterday. Judging from the selections and the performers, the concert should be a very interesting one. The Rev. H. H. Driver lectured on " John Rnskin" at the Bowen-street schoolroom last evening, the discourse being delivered under the auspices of the Congregational Institute. A short sketch of Knskin's life and his writings was given, with illustrations from the works of the famous author. The lecture extended over an hour, and at its termination a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Driver. Previous to the lecture the members of the Institute elected Messr?. O. A. Baker and T. L. Mills vicepresidents for the ensning session. A seaman of the s s. Manapouri, named Thomas White, met with a somewhat serious accident on board that vessel this morning between 10 and 11 o'clock. A party of the crew were at work lifting Borne deck planks or skids out of the hold when one of the planks f ell out of the sling, and in its descent struck White, who was in the hold, breaking his left leg. The sufferer, who was at once taken to the hospital, is a married man with a wife and family in Dunedin. ' A complaint from the Union Football Clnb that fonr of their lata members had joined other olnbs before paying subscriptions in arrear was considered at a. meeting of the Managing Committee of the Rugby Union held in the Post Office Hotel last evening There were present— Messrs. G. F. Camr^ bell (in the ohair), J. Eman Smith O Gillon, and H H. M'Cardell. Two of the men named by the Union Clnb attended the meeting, and oonvinoed the Committee that they were entitled to join any other olnb they wished. The other persons complained of were not present, and had not sent any explanation. It was decided to prohibit them from becoming members of any othnr =lub until they had paid the .rabscripS flue to the Union Clnb. *

A Besident in Frederick- stret" vrrites o us complaining that although he has, iwing to a member of his family being ieized with typhoid fever, sought an interview with the Inspector of Nuisances and sntered his complaint in the book at the corporation office, no attention ha 3 been )aid, owing, it is stated, to the Inspector )einsr ill. Our correspondent thinka some ;emporary substitute should in such a case >c appointed. For a considerable portion of this morning ;he Magistrate's Court was occupied in learing a charge of assault and wounding referred by William J. Meek against Jonas A. Persson. The afFair was said ;o have taken place in Majoribanksstreet, on the 4th of April, and the ;omplainant swore that the assault arose ihrough his remonstrating with Persson for naking offensive remarks whenever they jhanced to meet. Persson, he said, had struck the first blow, and he had been obliged to defend himself with his walking-stick, which was broken in the fray ._ Complainant said that he received 3erioua injuries from the accused, one rib being broken. Dr. Bawson was called to prove this latter fact, and stated that the injury waß very probably caused by a blow, rhe accused (who was defended by Mr. Skerrett) called a witness, who swore that Meek had perjured himself in his evidence to the Court, as he saw Meek strike the first blow, and Persson did not retaliate. The case having proceeded thus far, Mr. Skerrett asked for a remand for a week, in ordsr to obtain a witness from Kaikoura. Mr. Morison (for the complainant) offering no objection, the request was acceded to. The accused was allowed bail upon his own recognizance of JE2Q. The Star of Wellington Lodge of Good Templars held their usual weekly session last evening at the Foresters' Hall, Lambtonquay, when, after the minutes of the previous session were read and confirmed, the presiding officer, Bro. Guise, W.C.T., directed in the initiation of Eix candidates as full members. The officers' reports, which had been read at a prior meeting, together with the Marshal's and Registrar's reports, were received and adopted. It was stated that at the end of last quarter, after deducting those who had loft or been struck off or suspended, a membership remained good on the books of 102. Bro. Arcus read his commission as D.G.W.C.T., and afterwards, with the assistance of Bros. Youmans and Everett, installed the following officers to take charge of the lodge for the present term :-W.C.T., Bro. Taylor ; W.V.T., Bro. Yule; W.S., Bro. Frothey (re-elected): W.F.S., Bro. Macourdy ; W.T., Bro. Hall (re-elected); W.C., Sister Kinnearj W.M., Bro. M'Cardy; W.G., Bro. Heald ; W. Sentinel, Bro. Lorson; W.A.S., Sister D. Smith; W.D.M., Sister Morrison; P.W.C.T., Bro. Guise; Superintendent of Juvenile Temples, Bro. W. Johnson. The report of the siok visitors and of the Finance Committee were read for the information of all concerned, and the usual concluding ceremonies brought an excellent meeting to a close. The organ recital at St. Mark's Churoo last night passed off successfully, though, on account of the unfavourable weather, the attendance was not large. Mr. Hardwiok's selections were of a very varied character, and were played in excellent taste. Chief amongst them was Mendelssohn's Second Sonata, which was exceptionally well given; while an offertorie and two andantes by Wely, and Haydn'B Theme Vari<s,also call for special notice. Of the vooal items, Mrs. Greenwood sang Baoh'B air " My Heart Ever Faithful," Mrs. P. P. Webb gave " Eeturn, 0 God of Hosts," from Handel's " Samson," Mr. J. E. Page sang " Be Thou Faithful unto Death," from Mendelssohn's " St. Paul," and Mr. E. L. Widdop has seldom been heard to greater advantage than in the bass song " The Daughters ot the City," from Barnby's "Rebekah." The trio, "On Thee Each Living Soul Awaits," was sung by Mrs. Greenwood and Messrs. Page and Widdop, and Sir John Goss' quartette " 0 Pray for the Peaoe of Jerusalem," completed the programme. A collection was made on behalf of the Diocesan Library Enlargement Fund. A. sentence of six months' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed upon Michael Costelle, alias Lee, alias Cameron, who was found guilty at the Hutt Court this morning of the larceny of a paget coat of the value of £2, from Devonshire Cottage, the residence of Mr. William Woods, at the Lower Hutt, on Friday last. Costollo was arrested by Constable Harnett when wearing the stolon coat. Messrs. S. Manning and E. J. fiiddiford were the committing Justices. As the cold weather approaches, the daily attendance at the Columbia Rink shows a visible increase, and the amuHement bida fair to become quite as popular during the ensuing winter as formerly. The management aim at studying the convenience of their patrons, and several desirable ohanges have been made during the present season. Joh E. Lindberg, the cheap draper, wrons side of Cuba-Btreet, is to-day advertiaing the arrival of new dress materials, and judging by the prices quoted, we must say " they are cheap." Francis Sidey & Co. will sell to-morrow, furniture, &c. Hosenberg & Co. Will sell to-morrow, at their rooms, Manncrs-Btreet, new and secondhand furniture, &c. Noble Campbell & Co. will sell to-morrow, horses, &c. Montague & Clarke will sell to-morrow, furniture, pipes, &c. Laery & Co. will sell to-morrow, fiuit, &c Wk have secured the agency of the largest and best calico manufacturer in the world, and have tho exclusive rig-ht to soli cordniu speoial brands of the best description, at the Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House. As a preventative to imitation these calicoes are made up in lengths of 12yds, and have a stamp of Te Aro House, together with the width and qnantity. No others aro genuine, and these can only be bonght at To Aro House. The following is a brief description of these special makea of calicoes :— EI, 32in wide, is a stout, long cloth, and very useful for children's nightdresses, at 3s 11s per dozen. E2, 36in wide, is a soft, family longcloth, pure finish, at 4s 6d per dozen. E3, 32in wide, is a fine double warp calico, very strong and soft, at 5a 6d per dozen. E4, 36in wide, is a stout family shirting, 7a 6d per dozon, at Te Aro House. E5, 36in wide, is a fine family medium shirting, beautifully finished, at 8s <!d per dozen. EG, 36in wide, is a stout twill, soft and pure finish, admirably adapted for gentlemen's night shirts, at 7s 9d per dozen, at Te Aro House. The gems of this agency are the halfbleached or scoured grey calicoes. Theao we havo in fine, stout, and heavy makes, and are not to be equalled for durability, finish, and general excellence 'of manufacture. The numbers range consecutively from SI to S6, the widths 32 and 36in wide, and the prices vary from 3a lid to 10s 6d per doseen yards, at Te Aro Houee. Every mothor, every housekeeper, and ladies generally should make it their duty to inspeot these, and take at least one dozen yards as a sample of the best and purest cnticoe3 ever yet shown in this city, or at Te Aro House.— Advt.