THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 129, 1 June 1889, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.

?? — — Tho accounts of the Government Insurance Department, for the year 1888, have now been made up, and in accordance with statutory requirements havo been lodged with the Treasury. The result of the year's opetations baa been most satisfactory. Tho new business shows an issue of 2957 policies during the year, insuring an amount ot .£785,692. The total number of policies in force at the end of tho year numbered 26,168, insuring a sum of .£7,760,252. The premium income of tho year amounted to i>208,740, while in the previous year it) was only The interest income amounted to .£73,421, as against i; 60,350 in tho provions yoar. The claims paid represented i36M,435, in addition to endowment insurances of .£6612, and m itured endowments of £1193. Tho gross funds of the institution have increased from .£1,328,493, as at the end of 1887, to £1,452,478, as at the end of 1888. The total liabi ities at the end of the year amounted to £1,482,337, including the funds to credit. The lalanco- sheet of course shows corresponding assets. The amount invested ou morrgnsre has inoreasnd larerelv during: the year, from £266,498 to £304,299, and this faot accounts for the average rato of interest on the accrued funds being several shillings per cent, bettor than in the previous year. The total increase of funds is £123,985. The expensos of management have decreased in proportion to premium income. These figures disclose a condition of affairs gratifying to the colony at large, as well as to those insured in the institution, and highly creditable to all the officers concerned in the management. In every test by which an insurance company can be judged the Government Department shows substantial progress. The new business has increased ; the lapses and surrenders have diminished (tho former very largely) ; the ratio of expenses of management has decreased ; tho rate of intorest shows a substantial incroaso, and the average amount of policies issued is greater than has beon tho rule for a considerable time past. The discontinuances are less than in any year Bince the office was established.

Our report of the yesterday's interview botwoon Sir Somers Vine and the Chamber of Commerce, and Sporting Notes by " Vigilant," will be found on the fourth page to-day. Several letters to tho Editor are unavoidably held over, as well as other matter. His Excellency tho Governor gave a dinner last night, wflen the following guests were invited :— Sir James and Lady Hector, Mr. and Mrs. Werry, and Miss Reader, Mr. and Mrs. Levin, Mr. Rivorsdale Walrond, Mr. Garland, and Captain Savile. Sir Somers Vine had a long interview with the Cabinet this morning regarding the Imperial Institute. Tho Customs revenue collected at the Port of Wellington during the month of May amounted to .£17,105 18s 2d. The returns for April give a total of .£22,623 18s 6d, and those of May last year were .£23,318 3s 9d. Notice has been given to all the married women who at present hold publican's licenses in the city that thoir applications for renewal will bo opposed by the police at the annual meeting of the Licensing Committee. The new incumbent of St. Peter's, the Rev. W. C. Waters, will be induoted to office at to-morrow evening's service. The Most Roy. the Primate-elect will conduct the ceremony, and Mr. Waters will preach tho sermon both morning and evening. An application for letters patent for Evenden's Gold Gleaner was grantod by the Patent Officer yesterday. Mr. Justice Richmond heard argument this morning on a motion by the Wellington and Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board for a mandamus compelling the Wairarapa North County Council to strike a rate to meet the assessment for the Wellington Benevolent Institution. Messrs. Chapman and Skerrett appeared in support of the motion, and Mr. Travers was on the other side. His Honour reserved judgment. An information under the 14Gth seotion of the Licensing Act, which prohibits the sale ot liquor to an intoxicated person, has been sworn by the police against Frances Townsend, licensee of the Pier Hotel. The case arises out of the inquest upon the body of Richard Jones, who was found drowned in the harbour on Sunday morning last, in the course of which it was stated by a mate of the deceased that the latter was drinking in the hotel some time after 11 o'clock the evening beforo his death. The case will be heard on Monday next. Kaiwarra was described by SergeantMajor Morice in tho Magistrate's Court to-day, as a great place for larrikinism— one of tho worst suburbs of Wellington in that reapect. The police last evening received information of two sudden deaths which occurred yesterday. The first was that of an infant daughter of Mrs. C. Brown, of Karori, while the death of Mrs. Merritt, an elderly lady residing in Cambridge-terrace, was afterwards reported. The latter had until lately been attended by Dr. Eawson, Mr. H. W. Robinson, Resident Magistrate and District Coronor, does not consider an inquest necessary in either case. A draughts tournament took place last night between tho Working Men's Club and the Wellington Chess and Draughts Club, whioh ended in a deoided win for the former, the score being Working Men's Club, 25 wins; Chess and Draughts Club, 10 wins, and 9 draws. The Working Men's Club have amongst their members several very strong playors and if the Chess and Draughts Club wish to hold their own against them in tho return match, whioh will take place in about six waeks' time, they will have to go in for hard practice. There were a a large number of visitors present, who took a keen interest in the play. Six tenders were receivod by Messrs. Jacobsen Brothers for the additions to the White Horse Hotel, Ngahauranga, and that of Neil and Co. was accepted. The erection of a new dining-room and several sleeping apartments is included in the contract. Tho work is to be completed in two months, and the cost will bo .£250. The annual concert and presentation of prizes in connection with the Wellington City Rifles will take place at the Exchange Hall, on Thnrsday, 6th June. A capital musical programme has been prepared, inoluding many choico items, instrumental and vocal, which will be rendered by several of our leading amateurs, who have very kindly given their services for the occasion. After the concert a dance will take place in the hall under the management of the committee, who are leaving no stone unturned to make everything a success.

Thorndon Ward and the portion of Lambion Ward lying to the north-west of Greystreet, were illuminated with electric light From abont 1 o'clock to 4 o'clock this morning. The occasion was the testing, for the purpose of adjostm-nt, of all the transformer in that part of the town. Readings of the F-trength of the light were taken by Mr. A. J. Baron, one of the electrical engineers, with generally satisfactory results, and the brilliancy of the illumination was voted all that could be desired by the few citizens who happened to be in the streets at such an early hour. All the works connected with the Panama-street dynamo station, _ from which this section of the town will be lighted, are now practically complete, except only some slight adjustments of the transformers, which can be made within a few days. The machinery of the Manners-street station ha 3 also been put together, and testing- will shortly be commenced in the Te Aro and Cook Wards. Another fortnight should see the electric light in fnll blaze. A few days ago a report was telegraphed over the colony of a rather sensational account of an alleged narrow escape from destruction by fire, said to have ocenrred at tbo Volunteer Drillahed on the evening of the Mayor's ball, owing to something going wrong with the electric light installation. We have made enquiries from Mr. Barron, the chief engineer ot the Gulcher Company, by whom the installation was carried out on that occasion, and he assures us that there is no truth whatever in the statement that any danger of a conflagration existed. It was, indeed, impossible that a fire could have been caused, as if the current had become, from any cause, sufficiently strong to cause danger, it would have been automatically cut off by the fusing of one of the special connections of soft metal. What really occurred was this. After the experimental lighting had been going on for about an hour tho man in charge observed that the insulation of one of the wires was suffering somewhat from juxtaposition to another wire, and developing a certain degree of heat. This wa3 not sufficient to cause him to cut off tho current, but ho climbed up to put out one of the large lamps for a time, and in lifting the lamp out he used his hat as a protection to hi* hands. Some one misinterpreted this into Mb using his hat to beat out flames. There never was, we are assured, tho slightest danger of any damage being done. The New Zealand Shipping and Shaw, Savill & Albion Companies have sent in a joint tender for the direct mail service. No other tender has been received. The liabilities of Alfred Burns, butcher, a bankrupt are shown to bs £ioo 10s (all unsecured), whilo the assets are ntl. The principal creditors are tho Trustees of the Wellington Hospital, ; Drs. Collins and Fell, .£2l; T. P. Coveney, £11 ss; T. K. Macdonald, .£4 103; A. Mnrrell, £0; J. Atkinson, .£5. Wo understand that there ia a probability of the yacht Zephyr, a smart seven-tonner belonging to Akaroa, becoming the property of a resident of Wellington who takes a lively interest in aquatic matters. Tho Zephyr was built in Dunedin by Creen, now of Melbourne, about ton years ago, and is a handsome model. She draws about four feet of water, carries a ton of lead on the keol and li tons inside, and is a fast Bailer in light weather. About eight years ago Mr. Gibbs, of Auckland, tho present owner of the yacht Spray, took the Zephyr over to Melbourne and carried off the Exhibition prize. She afterwards competed at Hobart, hut was not so successful in that harbour. For several years she was a gunter-rigged boat, bnt she now carries a mainsail, jib, foresail, &c. A consignment of the celebrated Mammoth strain of Light Brahma fowls has just been received from America by Mr. E. J. Hill, of this city. The shipment consists of a cock, a cockorell, a hen and a pullet, and are from the noted establishment of Messrs. Woodward and Sewell, Evanstown, Illinois. The birds, we are informed, are considered by American fanciers to bo the finest specimens of the breed that have ever left the United States. At the great Chicago stock show recently Messrs. Woodward and Sowell toofc all tho first prizes for Light Brahmas. "Success," the cockerell sent to Mr. Hill, was one of the winners, and tho cook is the sire of the winning pullets. In order to accommodate the increased number of mombors of the Wellington Diocesan Synod an addition is being made to the Diocesan Library in Mulgrave-streefc. The length of tho building is to be increased by 12ft and its width by Bft, whilo the flat cieling is being removod. and an open timber roof will bo substituted. Mr. J. C. Butler is oarrying out the work under the direction of Mr. F. do J. Clere, Diocesan Architect. Occasion was taken at the annual concert of tho Wellington Guards, whioh wns held in St. Peter's Schoolroom last night, to present to Privates O'Sullivan and Mitchell toKens of esteem in view of matrimonial events which are to shortly take place. Captain Mackintosh made the presentations on bqhalf of the mombers of the company, and in doing so conveyed to the recipients tho heartiest congratulations of their comrades. Suitable replies were'inado in acknowledgement of the presents. Hugo's Buffalo Minstrels had again a full house at the Theatre Boyal last night, and tho performance passed off with the usual amount of spirit. A matinee performance is taking place as wo go to press. There will be a complete ohango of programme on Monday night, and on Wednesday next a complimentary bonefit will be tendered to Professor Kollinson, the well-known bicyclist. The distribution of the prizes won by members of the Wellington Guards during the year was made last evening, during the course of a musical entertainment at St. Peter's School-room, Dixon-street. The room was crowded with a large audience, and the prizes (which have been already published as they were won) were handed to the winners by Mrs. Mackintosh. The company's belt and commanding officor's prize were for the second time taken by Corporal W. Ballinger. The following are the items recorded at the. concert, the performers being warmly applauded for thoir contributions :— " Army and Navy/ duet, Messrs. Johnson and Munt ; recitation, Corporal Willcocks ; song, Mrs. Parsons; clarinet solo, Captain ¦Mackintosh; song, Mr. Ellison; recitation, Colour-Sorgeant Hale ; song, Miss Oaborno ; flute solo, Mr. C. Hill; song, Volunteer Stringer ; selection, Garrison Band ; selection, St. Peter's Bellringers ; song, Mr. Munt ; recitation, Mr. Haybittle ; song, Miss Gillbanks ; violin solo, Mr. M'Duff Boyd ; song. Miss Osborne; surrusophono solo, Captain Mackintosh ; song, Mr. Johnson ; " God Save the Qeeen," St. Peter's Bellringers. A general meeting of the Star Boating Club was held in the Clubhouse last evening. Mr. A. de Bathe Brandon (captain), who was in tho chair, explained that the meeting was held in accordance with the rules, whioh required that members should be called together at the ond of the season. Steps had been taken for the removal of the shed to a new site. The committee had discussed tho matter several times, and had deputed him to request Mr. Maguire, the reclamation contractor, to give an estimate of the cost of removing the shed. He had seen that gentleman, and had asked him to hurry up with tho estimate, but it had not come to hand. If the committee considered the offer to be a reasonable one, it was probable that tho shed would be removed within tho noxt six months. If, however, it should be necessary to get some other person to do the work, mombers could not expect to get the shed placed on tho new site until the end of next season, because the reclamation would not be handed ovor to the City Council until the ond of February. Tho committee had in view the erection of a shed at Kaiwarra, and during the noxt two or three months they would further consider the matter, and probably bring np a report at the next general meeting, but if it was considered desirable to take action at onco, a special meeting would be called. The Captain also announced that the committee had received a circular from the Dunedin Exhibition authorities intimating a desire to hold a regatta on a largo scale. It had only arrived a day or two ago, and had not yet received attention. He believed it was not the custom at the meeting held at the end of the season to enter into a history of the past summer's rowing, and ho would therefore reserve his remarks on tho subject until the meeting in October. A letter was received from Mr. E. S. Hirschberg, at present in Masterton, tendering his resignation as an auditor, owing to the change in his residence, and on the motion of the Hon. Secretary (Mr. A. S. Biss), seconded by Mr. C. A. Knapp, Mr. Noel Barraud was elected to tho vacancy. After some discussion with reference to the presentation of prizes, referred to elsowhere, the meeting terminated. A most successful session was held in the Good Templar Hall, Manners-street, last evening by the mombers of St. John's Lodge, 1.0. G.T., Bro. Hudson, W.C.T., in the chair. There was a large attendance of visitors and members, and six gentlemen were presented for initiation, and were heartily welcomed. The Rescue Lodge also paid a fraternal visit, and were well received. Bro. A. B. Johnson was appointed as representative on the Room Committee for the coming year. As tho item on the programme was parlour games, the lodge closed at 9.15, after several propositions for membership. Several gamed were then indulged in, and enjoyed by those taking part, and also by the lookers-on. The meeting terminated at 10.15. During the evening tho W.C.T. called the attention of the members to the visits of this lodge to the Temple of Peace, Kaiwarra, on Tuesday, and to the Star of Wellington on Thursday, requesting a good attendance. Three cases were heard at to-day's sitting of the Magistrate's Conrt. Sarah James was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for drunkenness. Henry Harrison pleaded Not Guilty to the oharge of having, on the 24th ult , stolen a six-gallon milkcan, valued at 128 6d, the property of John Nash. Mr. Jollicoe appeared for the defence. Nash and his son, who identified the can produced as their property, swore to its recent disappearance from their possession, and Constable Carroll proved its seizure on the defendant's premises. On the other hand, Robert Jas. Kells, dairyman, of Upper Hutt, swore that the can was like several of his that had disappeared within the last couple of years in the transit of milk to the city, and that it was found by one of the railway guards, and got into Harrison's hands in the course of business. Joseph Gou^h, railway guard, said that it was a common thing for the cans to get mixed at the railway station. The Bench (Lieutenant-Colonel M'Donnell, and Messrs. W. M. Maskell and A. M' Donald, Justices,) thereupon dismissed the charge. The Chairman desoribed the case as a most trumpery one, which should never have been brought into Court, and declared that the accused left the dock without any stain upon his character. At this there was applause in Court, but Sergeant-Ma jor Morice pointed ont that so far as the police were concerned they had only done their duty in acting npon the information given to them. Joseph Holmes, a small boy, was charged with the larceny of a hen, valued at 2s, the property of John Limber, of Kaiwarra, bnt after hearing evidence the Court dismußed the charge. This concluded the business. Mr. W. A. Robinson, the dwarf of Hugo's Buffalo Minstrel Company, was thrown out of a buggy whilo driving throngh the city yesterday, but sustained no injury, rumours of serious disablement notwithstanding.

A question which was discussed at some / length by the Star Boating Club laßt even- V ing was whether the prizes won during the past season should be presented at a conver- msazione or at a ball. Mr. M. C. Barnett moved that a conversazione should be held, -r, and that a committee should be appointed to carry it out. Mr. J. P. Maxwell seconded the resolution. Mr. J. E. Hume thought it would be better to hold a ball, as a hall suitable for a conversazione on a large scale was not available, and he moved an amendment to that effect. Mr. F. M. Shortridge, in seconding the amendment, said that the " ladies were anxious that a ball should be held, bi Mr. E. H. Govett thought it would look very <}. bad to hold a ball and find it was not a sue- , cess. He moved as a fnrther amendment that a committee should be appointed to ascertain whether a ball or a copyersazione r < was desirable. The depnty-captain (Mr E. " Jackson) pointed out that if a hall suitable w for a conversazione could not be obtained, a n ball wonld have to be held. Mr. J. M. King n supported, and Mr. C. J. Cooper opposed the a proposal to have a ball. The captain (Mr. « A. de Bathe Brandon) expressed himself in n favour of a conversazione as being equally enjoyable, and much less expensive, the cost *- of the former being £\h or as against about .£3OO for the latter. Mr. Seymour Tancred, in seconding Mr. Govett's amendment, suggested that any committee appointed should have power to act. Mr. Hume withdrew his amendment, and that of Mr. Govett was put to the meeting and lost. The resolution of Mr. Barnett that a conversazione be held was carried, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to carry out the arrangements in connection with the gathering :— The C»ptain, Vice-Captain, Messrs. D. G. A. Cooper, R. H. Govett, J. E Hume, A. S. Biss, S. Tancred, M. Chapman, J. P. Maxwell, W. H. S. Moorhouse, M. C. Barnett, W. R. Syraons, W. P. James, R. J. S. Todd, A. D. Riley, and Dr. Fell. The question of fixing a date was left in the hands of the committee. ] Sonthern papers record the death at Inver I j cargill of a very old Otago settler, Mr. Thos. Trumble. The deceased arrived in Dunedin on the second trip ot the ship Mariner, in August, 1852, and as an original settler under the New Zealand Company was allotted town and suburban sections. He settled on the latter, situated at Kuri Bush, near Dunedin, until March, 1856, when he took up the Otaria run between Clinton and Mataura, at that time the advanced outpost of settlement. In timo he made a considerable portion of tho property freehold, with which ho never parted. In 18G6 he removed permanently to Invercargill for the sake of the educational advantage it offered for his family. Ho leaves a widow and a grown-up family of two sona and seven daughters, one of tho latter being tho wife of Mr. F. Stevens, Oriental Bay, Wellington. Two boys pre-deceascd him, one having been drowned in the Oreti many years ago, near his Winton estate. Mr. Trumble took an active part in local politics in Otago for some time, and was a well-known Maspn. Ho died on Saturday evening last, being nearly 79 years of age. Messrs. W. Littleiohn »fc Sou have beeu appointed jewellers and watchmakers to His Excellency tho Earl of Ouslow. Mr. Fred. Hoffman, of the Briusmead Piano Warehouse, Lauibton-quay, has been appointed pianoforte tuner to His Excelleucy the Governor. Wo are requested to remind pupils of tho Wellington College tliat it will re-open for the second term on Monday next. Pnpils are requested to attend m the morainfj at 10 o"clock. We are requested to announce to tho ladies of Wellington that they will again have an opportunity of securing bargains in drapery nnder the auspices of Kirkculdio & Stains, who have purchased Messrs. Whittem, Nicholson & Co.'s entire stock of over ,68000 worth of drapery at a large discount. The stock will be sold off on the premises lately occupied by W. Clark, until every liuo is cleared, commencing ou Tuesday. Messrs. Baker Bros, havo been appointed agents for the disposal of the well known Richmond Brook estate, Marlborougb., containing 24,913 acres, the property of the late Major Richmond, C.8., whohe demise has caused the estate to be put in the market. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Ou Monday next, at 2.30 p.m., Messrs. Farmer aud Co. will hold their usual weekly sole in their rooms, Cuba-street. Particulars in our advertising columns. Townsend k Paul will sell on Monday, at 1.30, pines, pears, Islaud oranges, eating and cooking apples. Last evening Mr. Laurie AVilcock delivered a lecture iv the Eeehabite Hall ou tho " Thief on the Cross." The lecture was attentively listened to by a good audience, and at tho close Mr. Wilcock invited questions. Several were asked and promptly answered. Another lectiuo is advertised for Sunday evening, the time being fixed after Church services. At the Christian Chapel, Dixon-street, at C.30 to-morrow e\ cuing, Sir. Edward Lewis, evangelist, will preach on the subject, " God." At the Vivian-street Baptist Church to-morrow the Eov. H. H. Driver will preach as usual. At tho evening service the Ordinauce of tho Lord's Supper will be observed. Tbe sermon will be upon the Ascension of the Lord. Mr. Hinman will give two addresses in the Princess Theatre, Tory-street, at 3 and 7 p.m. tomorrow. Subject at 3, " Typical Brides in the Old Testament." The services at the Terraco Congregational Church to-morrow wiU bo conducted by the Eev. Dr. West. The Ordinauce of the Lord's Supper is to be observed at the close of the morning service. It is announced that Mr. G. T. Sullivan will sing Gounod's " Nazareth " at the Sydney-street Church mission service to-morrow evening. Bethel services will be held by Mr. D. Hall, missionary, in the room ocenpied by the Seanieu's Uuiou, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. aud 7 p.m. All attending will be made welcome. The arrangements in couuection with the services to-morrow at the Primitive Methodist Churches, Webb-street and Nowtown, are fully set out iv au advertisement elsewhere. The Welliuglou Association of Spiritualists will hold their usual meeting at their rooms, Ingestrestreet, to-morrow, at 7. Ladies who havo a fancy for "frilled, lace curtains " need no longer go to the troublo or expense of procuring extra quantities of laco and having it Bown on, as we are now showing some beautiful " imitation frilled curtains," just received by the Ruapohu, at Te Aro House. We have these at present in white, cream, and beige, and in prices from 22s 6d to two guineas per pair. They aro exceedingly attractive, and anyone who admires true artistic graciuwill dnly approeiate the.su "frilled curtains," and inspect them at once, at'Te Aro House. The fancy for "frilled curtains" is very much in the ascendant in the old country, and now that manufacturers have Rhown their ability to prodtlco these at a moderate coßt, we may expect them to couio into general use. As we havo but a vory limited supply, ladies should lose no time in inspecting them at Te Aro House. The borders of these " curtains " have all the effect of tho real frilling without a single drawback ; the " curtains " being woven quite complete, at no more than the ordinary prices^ of lace curtains of the quality, and there is no extra cost inenrred for frilling or washing them. See them at To Aro House.— Advt. Ladies will he pleased to hear that the Cheap Ironmonger has now landed anothor case of Royal Potatoe Mashers, which were so eagerly sought after the previous shipment ; also, Aurora Stoves, Lemon Squeezers, Wringers, &c, and a general assortment of Furnishing Ironmongery, which will be sold as usual, very cheap. — Jno. Young, Cubastreet and Masterton — Advt.