Evening Post. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1891.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 32, 7 February 1891, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1891.

THE DRAINAGE SCHEME. ♦ As wa anticipated would be the case, yesterday's poll on the Drainage Loan question proved abortive. The majority required by the Munioipal Corporations Act to sanotion the raising of the loan was not obtained. Indeed, as previously pointed ont, the absurd conditions imposed by the Aot rendered it practically impossible that the required number of votes could be reoorded in the time allowed, with only one polling-place and one Returning Officer. Still, yesterday's labour was not altogether thrown away. The poll has Buffioed to establish the faot that au immense preponderance of intelligent public opinion exists amongst the ratepayers in favour of a Drainage Loan. Ihe 2290 votes recorded in its favour are so far satisfactory. Under any ordinary conditions of an eleotion the majority would have beon regarded aa conclusive. That even bo many as 347 votes should have been reoorded on the other aide may at first sight appear singular, but there are in every oommunity a oettain number of men who will vote against any movement in the direotion of progress and reform, or which has not originated with themselvee. If there's a Government, they are bound to be " agin it." There are others who consistently objeot to any further borrowing, and view with abhorrenoe the idea of any increase in the rates, no matter what compensatory results may enßue. Again, there are others who blindly deny that Wellington needs drainage at all. These appear to be in their native element amidst dirt and disease, and to be aa frightened of cleanliness as a oat is of wetting its feet, while they, of oourse, scoff at statistics, and hold sanitary soienoe in contempt. Fortunately , the number of all these olasses oombined is, as shown by yesterday's poll, exceedingly small in Wellington. The votes recorded prove that the ratepayers generally desire lo see the oity progress, and be rendered more healthy and enjoyable as a place of residence. The question now for the consideration of the City Counoil ia how to attain these objects. The Counoil can begin de novo, and take another poll a oouple of months henoe, but while the law remains as it is, no poll would be likely to furnish the requisite authority. That the lawwill be altered next session, and the conditions of polling rendered more practicable, is probable, but the Connoil need scarcely wait for that. The result of yesterday's poll fully justifies a direot appeal to Parlia ment to pass a special Empowering Act, as it did last year in the case of tbe Cemetery. We havo overy reason to believe that such an appeal wonld be readily responded to, and the necessary powers given to provide satisfactorily for the systematic drainage of the oity. There would be many advantages in obtaining authority by speoial Aot, instead of under the general conditions of the Mnnioipal Corporations Aot. The purpose of the loan oonld be more sharply defined, and the money earmarked, so as to render its diversion to any other purposes absolutely impossible If the City Council wonld go further, and propose that the determination of the system to be adopted, and the carrying out of the work to completion should be entrusted to a Special Commission, it would rendtr the loan much more popular, and remove many of the objections now entertained in certain quarters. It is useless tm ignore the fact that the City Counoil does not command absolutely universal confidence. Its business capacity is to a oertain extent doubted, and as former Councils have frittered away previous drainage loans, leaving the oity still undrained, a feeling of uneasiness provaila to some extent at leaving the expenditure of the proposed large loan to the Connoil. Thia would ba removed by the constitution of a Speoial Commission to, in the first plaoe determine the plan to be adopted, and, in the second place, supervise its completion within a given period, say four yeats. Suoh a commission might, for instance, aonsist of hiß Worship the Mayor for tbe time being, Messrs. Fiequbon and Cuthbebt, the engineers who have already reported on the subject, a medioal man, and the Engineer-is-Chief for the polony. Most of these gentle*

men, if their services couldbe obtained, would, no doubt, havo to hn paid, but the money 1 wonld bo well sr>eut, because efficiency in the ' deJgn and execution of the Works would be ' secured. The Commission might either hand tho work over in sections aB completed, or as ' a whole within tbe stipulated time and in working order The maintenance and working of the system would then devolve upon the Council in ordinary course. We Biccerely tinst that the Council may Bee its way to adopt a suggestion of this kind, and that no time will bo lost in taking tbe necessary steps to introduce the necessary Empowering Bill so soon as Parliament re-assembles.

To-night's issue of the Evbning Post completes the twenty-sixth year of this jourcal's existence, the first number having appeared on the Bth of February, 1365. 1 here is a considerable contrast between its appearance on that date and tho present number. The Evening Post has continued to grow Bteadily with the growth of Welliugton, and will, we hope, continue to do so for unnumbered years to come. The description of the racing at yesterday's Amateur Championship Meeting in Auokland, and several letters to the Editor, appear on the fourth page. The Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr W. J. Steward) left for the South by the Rotorua last evening. The R M.S. Arawa, whioh was three dajs late leaving Plymouth, may bo expected to reach Hobart to-day or to-morrow, and Wellington about Thursday next. The Government have roceived a cable message from Srir Heury Parkcs, Premier of New South Wales, expressing a hope that New Zealand will be f ally represented at the Federal Conference in Sydney at the end of this month. Sir Harry Atkinson has consented to be one or the three delegates proposed to be sent from thia colony. Captain Russell h to be another delegate, and Sir George Grey also telegraphed to the Government to-day, consenting to act. The Governor has deferred his visit to the Uriwora country at the request of the natives, who desire further time in whioh to arrange for a formal reception. His Excellency will, however, leave for Lake Wai-kari-Moana and the Waiotapu Valley next week, and will afterwards go on* to Auckland, where ho intends to reside during the recess. Lady Odblow will probably go to Auckland by the Hinemoa. The Mayor of Auokland has received a letter from Admiral Lord Charles Scott, in which he states his intention of leaving .Hobart in the Orlando about tho 19th inst , and says that he will come direct to Auckland, or to Auckland via Wellington. Lady Charles Scott, with her children and servants, will leave Hobart about the 19th inst., and come to Auokland via Wellington in the Aorangi. We learn with erreat regret that tho Rev. C. deCistro, of the Public Trust Office, is lying in a critical condition For some time past, he has been suffering from dj sontery, ond yosterday hi 9 condition was so serious that a consultation of medical men was considered necessary. Argument on the motion by ihe defendant in the oasa of Whitaker v. Hutcbinson, for an inspection of the books of tho Bank of New Zealand has been deferred until the Chief Justice has given judgment upon the motion of Mr. Hell, counsel for plaintiff, for a roview ot tho refusal of his Honour to strike out the references in tho amended defence to tho private acoouuts of Sir Harry Atkinson and Mr. Mitohelson. The Chief Jnstioo delivered judgment in Chambers .yesterday afternoon on the motion by Mr. M. Richmond, counsel for Mrs. Bath, that the decree nisi in the divorce suit whioh Fho brought against her husband (Charles Bath) should be etruok out, and a judicial separation granted. His Honour refused to grant the order, but pointed out that it was still open for the petitioner to move that the decree nisi should be made absolute. Mr. Skerrett was for the respondent. A hen belonging to Mrs. Kitchen, of Newtown, the other day laid a double egg, both parts containing full yolks. The Eecond egg was within the yolk of the outside one, and its aholl was quite complete. Next day the same hen repeated the pevformanco, but on this occasion it omitted to provide either egg with a shell, the outer and inner whites and yolks being enclosed simply in a thick Bkin. In the Bankruptcy Court to-day, before the Chief Justice, tho bankruptcies of Wm. Mitchell, Alfred King, Geo. E. Smith, ami Samuel C. Buokinan were deolared clo-^d, and the debtors were ordered to apply for orders of discharge on the 19th of next month (March. ) An order was made for the payment of Mr. Travel's' coats in tho estate of A If. Hislop. His Honour also directs that the book debts in the estates of Warmirgtou & Co. and J. C. Butler should bo gold. An impudent robbery took place at Alicetown, Lower Hutt, between 9 and 10 o'clock on Thursday evening. A young man named Extern, les'diDg \u h 1 is ,• arents inoantioasly left a sum of money, about £8 10s, in a small box on the dressing-table in front of bis window, which has no fastening to it. Some person, who must have known the movements of the family, raised the window by means of a chisel, or some such instrument, and taking the box decamped. Nothing else teems to have hoen touched, although there were a watoh and some other articles on the table. Th 9 box was found yesterday morning by a wheelwright named O'Sullivan, employed by Mr. M'llvride, when on his way to work. The lock had been forced open, and the money taken. A letter and some other papers were not touched, but a pocket-book wag taken and evidently thrown away, as it was picked up by a man named Apps some distance from the spot where the box was found The matter has been placed in the bands of Constable Cruickshank for investigation. Drs. Maokenzie and M'Carthy certified yesterday to the insanity of a girl named Jessie Pratt, who was afterwards committed to the Mount View Asylum by two Justices of the Peace. The girl is the same one who created a f oene in the Magistrate's Court a few weeks ago, when brought up by the police on a charge of using bad language David Doig, draper, a bankrupt, has filed a statement of his assets and liabilities. The former he estimates at £498 13s 9d, to meet liabilities amounting to .£591 3a 7d, thus leaving a deficioucy of .£95 9a lOd. Tho assets consist of stock in-trade valued at .£333 1115 1 9d, book debts estimated to produce .£lOO, cash in hand, £17 10s; shop fittings and furniture, .£7 8d; and horse, cart, and harness, £40. The whole of the creditors aro unsecured, and the principal ones aro :— Sargcod, Fon & Ewen, £303 5s lOd; Bankart & Co. (England), .£202 7s; Macky, Logan, Stew & Co., .£22 Bs lid; C. A. Deacon, £32 10s ; W. Munro, £14 4s 6d ; Wellington City Council, £4 15s jT. Dwan, £4 ss. The annual harvest festival at St. Peter's Church will take place to-morrow, when there will be the usual decorations in corn, fruit, flowers, and foliage. A speoial feature of the musical accessories will be the performance in the evening of a new harvest anthem by Berthold Tours, not previously heard in Wellington It is n very fine work, almost of the dimensions of a cantata. It consists of four separate "numbers." The first is a bold and striding oh oral recitative fo- male voice-, to the veran (Gen. viii. 22), " While the Earth Remaineth," &o. This is followed by a very bright ohoru", "O be Jojful in the Lord." Then oomes a beautiful tenor sjlo, " The River of God" (to be sung by Mr. Hunt) ; and the anthem concludes with a broad and massive ohoras, " Sing unto God." Mr. Tallis Trimnell will preside at the organ, and will play the effective instrumental prelude and interlude. An assault oase, ariring out of a squabble between two settlers of Pukurutahi, oooupied a whole afte- noon's sitting of the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The informant, Frederiok Mason, charged Muds Broderson and wife with havirg assaulted him on the 29 th of January. It appeared from the evidenoe that the cause of the trouble was the trespass of defendants' cattle upon Mason's land. The outcome of the proceedings was that Broderson was fined 20s, with 28a oosts or an alternative of three days' imprisonment; whilst Mrs. Brodsrson wan fined Is, with £2 5s coßts, and ordered to find a surety of £5 to keep the paaoe for three months, or in default three days' imprisonment. A further information against Broderson, charging him with being the owner of a bull wandering at large on the 27th of January, was withdrawn. The Royal Horticultural Society and National ( hrysanthemum Sooiety of Great Britain, to whioh the Wellington Horticultural and Florists' Sooiety ia affiliated, hm forwarded to the latter body a medal oom memo.ating the centenary of planting tho chrysanthemum in England. The following misairg friends are enquired for in Lloyd's Weekiy: — Edward James Hughes, Bailed in the Kndymion for Wellington, N.Z., in May, 1877, and was last heard of in September, 1880, at Sydney Sister Jessie. Catherine Elizabeth Crosskey, left London on the 17th October, 1889, in the R.M.S. Tongariro, for Wellington, N.Z A letter reoeived in December, 1889 ; no news since. Her friends and relations are very anxious about her, as she was then very ill. Henry Phillips, left Leamington 16 years ago for New Zealand, and was last heard of at Wellington, flis mother is anxious. John Murphy, twenty years ago lived in Auokland, N.Z. His nephew, James Gorman, asks for news. John Simpson, born at Darnfield, Yorks, 16th April, 1843. Served with his brother in the 7th Royal Fnailierß ; was discharged at Portsmouth in 1872 with the rank of sergeant ; is snpposed to have gone to Ilawke's Bay, NZ. His brother (W.), then in Burmah. wishes to find him. Mary Ana Webb, sailed in the Light Brigade for New Zealand on the 13th May, 1867, and in 1870 was at Christohuroh Sister Marthi. Robert Tormey, plasterer, emigrated to New Zealand about fifteen year 8 ago. His father desires news. Caroline Matilda Dinsbsry, went to New Zealand in 1862, and lived with Mrs. Riddell, dressmaker, at Otago, until her marriage on the Bth August, 1863 Sister Grace. William Jacques, last heard of at Gum Creek, Otago, N.Z , is enquired for by his brother Henry. Henry James has not been heard of sinoe he left Clacton in 1878-79 to go to New Zealand. A sister asks. Harry Evans and Mrs Jane Vince (Kvans) are deeired to communicate with their sister. Harry settled at Auckland, and Jane, after her marriage, lived at Canterbury, N.Z Wilham Henry Francis Milman, left the ship Banffshire in New Zealand in 1884, and Thomas Philip Milman, last heird of in Brisbane in 1885, are sought by their father. Mrs. Malcolm M. vennan (Hunm), left Stratford for Otago in ! the Lady Gladstone in 1873, and in 1883 was at Auokland. Her father and sis er seek tidings, William Giles Culling, last wrote from Howard's Post Offioo, Adams-street, Glennon, Otago, N.Z. Sister Caroline Mrs. E. Cooke, left Willow-walk, Bermondsey, and sailed from Gravesend to New Zealand or tho 10th Deosmber, 1862. Sister Mary,

The case of Walter Brown, engineer, was Bontrned hi the Bankruptcy Court, before the Chief Justice, this morning. The debtor was examined at considerable length, and James Hay, who was interested with him in the flaxmill at Opnnake, vrai a'eo in the witness-box. Mr JeUicoe contended that the debtor had been guilty of misconduct within the meaning of the Act. HN Honour held that the charges preferred a?a'n.t the bankinpt had not been satisfactorily proved, and intimated that he was disposed to grant the application for an immediate- discharge. Mr. Jell) coo asked that the discharge should not be granted until other mittcrs in connection with the bankruptcy had been disposed of. Mr. SkerretV for the debtor, pointed out that the granting of an order of discharge would not prevent other matters being brought on, but his Honour thought it was desirable to defer the application until next sitting. An order was made that £H 6s costs bhould be paid to bankrupt's solicitors, and an order for a similar amount was made in favour of Mr. Jellicoc, solicitor for Mr. Hay, the largest creditor. Messrs. S. W- D'Arcy Irvine and J. Q. W. Aitken, Justices, who presided at the Magistrate's Court this morning, fined three drunkards the usual 53, with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment. An asscult oase, Francis Folland v. William McCarthy, waa adjourned until next Tuesday, to enable the attendance of witnfs=eß. The informant gave evidence to tho effect that on the 4th instant the defendant came to his residence in Qain-Btroet, a.d endeavoured to force an entrance, fn the attempt to prevent such intrusion, defendant struck him, once upon the head with a heavy walking stiok, and also upon the face with his fist. The proposal to hold a volnnteer encampment at Palmers ton North during Easter is favourably regarded by the Defence Department. Invitations to attend will probably be issued to the Nelson, Marlborongb, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, and Wanganui corps. A well-attended meeting of the Wellington Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association was held in the Exchange Baildings last ovening, Mr. W. J. Salmon in the chair. A committee of management was elected as follows :— Messrß. S. S. Griffiths, W. J. Salmon, G. Witt, C. How. J. M'Neill, H. Haughton, G. Davies, S. Figg, A. C. Stevenßon, W. T. Witt, and T. Buckeridge. Mr. C. H. Bisa was ohosen Secretary, Mr. J. A. M'Eldowney Treasurer, and Mr R. Moate Trustee. The association haß now been established on a Bound basis. The membership is over fifty, and it is hoped tc double the number before long. The committee intend to look round for a snitable room in which meetings may bo held, and members may assemble to engage in a ohat when they feel so disposed. A quintette of orchard-robbers appeared it tho Magistrate's Court this morning on BUmmons. The culprits were all small boys, and were charged with stealing apples from the gardens of Mosara. Joseph Kitchen and Kb. Baker. John Grant, Frank Sandbrook, and Thomas H. Goodger, the lads who pur loined fruit from Mr Kitohen's garden, were discharged on the understanding Hi it then parents give them a flogging, and in the other case two youngsters, named John Knight and Frederiok Goooh, were dismissed, as it was found they were under the age of seven years The Bench (Messrs. S. W. D'Aroy Irvine and J. G. W Aitken) advised the parents of the boys to keep their sens from doing fnrther mischief. A subscription lisb has, by request, beet op 3tied at our publishing offic e £ >r the widow a d family of the late Mr. Malcolm Fraser, express driver They aro left quibe unprcTided for, and thcr ■ are five children. A meeting of the members of the newly< formed Metropolitan Permanent and Building Investment Society was held at Messrs, Hastldon <fc Thompson's offioe last evening, Mr. F. H. Fraser in the chair. The following directors were elected :— Messrs. A, Koonllar, W. Littlj-john, A. A Barnett, F. H. Fraser, and W. Maokay. Mr. W. 8,, Haseldon was eleoted secretary, and Messrs Hase'dc-n & Thompson were appointed solicitors. Mr F. Grady, of Willis-street, has jus) completed for the Waterloo -Lodge, N.Z C, a remarkably handsome set of working tools! In design and workmanship we have nevei seen a better s<-t, and the wholo are enclosed in a suitable cabinet. The various tools are heavily silver plated, and the engraving anc chasing is appropriate and very ar tis- tic The whole of the work was executed at Mr, Grady's establishment, and reflects great oredit upon all engaged in its production. A plain and fancy dress ball was given it tho Potone Diillshad last evening by tht Potone Naval Artillery Corps. Tho hall was tastefully decorated with flags and Chinest lanterns, and as the dancers flitted too anc fro, it presented a very pretty sight, h special train left Wellington shortly aftei 7pm., and about seventy persons, including a number of members of the Pormaneni Artillery, Torpedo Corps and Wellington Navalß, avai'ed themselves of tho opportu nity of attending the ball. In all there wer< about 125 coupleß present. The arrange ments were carried out by a committee consisting of Lieutenant-Commander Davy Sub-Lientenant Kirk, C.P.O. Smith, P.O Wilßon, PO. Sedgewiok, Seamen Gough W. Parsons, L. Parrant and Coloman, an<i the Seoretary, J. Woods. Between 10 and 11 o'clock the Mayoress (Mra. Kirk) presented the efficiency badges, Government grants, and the shooting prizes, which had been won during the past year. The Surgeon of tbc oorpB, Dr. Whitehead, was among tht visitors. Messrs. Gardner and Mitchell supplied the music (piano and cornet), and Moasrs. L. Parson* and W. Coleman efficiently discharged tho duties of Masters ol Ceremonies. Dancing was kept up until an early hour, and a special train waited until the olose to convey the town visitors home. Tho full programme of Lady Campbell'? ooncert, to be given on Monday evening next at the Theatre Foyal, appears in our advertising colnmns. Of its kind it could hardlj be better, and it promises a most onjoyable concert. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Onslow will be present, and from the state of the box plan there is sure to bo a orowded audience. It has been decided to ojen the pit of the Theatre at a low oharge, and we are requested to state that tha Hutt train will be delayed until hilf-past 10, as a party of visitors iB coming from that district. The Autumn Show of the Horticultural and Pastoral Society ha 3 been fixed for the sth and 6th of next month. Special prizes for exhibits of fruit have been added to the catalogue. Mr. S. Kohn has offered a silver medal for tuberous begonias, and Mr. J Reiohardt has promised to give £1 worth of musioforthe besthani-jouquet made by a girl attending a public school. An advertisement appears in another column oonvening a n'eeting of ratepayers interested in the return of Councillors to represent tho Waiwetu, and outlying distriots, in tho newly formed Hutt Borough. The meeting will take place at Mr H. Southey's residence, Waiwetu, on Tuesday evening, 10th instant. A speoial general meeting of the Shipmasters' Association of New Zealand is to be held on Monday, at noon A oonoert and danoo will take plaoe on 10th instant at the Princess Theatre, for the benefit; of Mr. Tyrell, custodian. Mr. Minifies band and the Star Gymnastio Club will give th'ir services. A. W. Brown advertises in another column town and country properties. The parishioners of St. Mark's are invited to attend a concert, advertised for Tuesday evening next, in the parish schoolroom. The proceeds are to be given to the schoolroom improvement fund. At the Free Methodist Church to-morrow morning and evening Hey. H. B. Bedstone will preach. His evening subject will be, "The Books and Manuscripts of a Famous Preacher." The anthem, " Jesus, Lover of My Soul," will be sung. To-morrow night Pastor Daniells will preach in the Princess Theatre, Tory-atreet, on the subjeot of "Predestination and Man's Destiny." All porsons desirous of knowing in what the " new Dirth " consists, or how we are to he born again, are earnestly invited to attend the service in the Dixon-atreet Chapel -to-morrow evening. At the Potone Oddfellows' Hal), to-morrow evening, Pastor M'Cullagh, evangelist from Australia, is to hold servioe. The subject is advertised. At the Terrace Congregational Church to-mor. row, the services will be oondnoted by Hey. T. S. Fdrsaith. The Eer. J. Crewea, of the Bible Christian Denomination, conducts meetings in the Exchange Hall to-mnrrow, at 11 and 6.80, to which all ue invited. On the following Sunday the Eev. J. Orchard, of Christchurch, preaches. At Newtown Primitive Methodist Church tomorrow, Her. C. E. Ward will preach in the morning, and in tho evening at Webb-street. Mr. C. M. Luke will preach at Webh-street in the morning, and at Newtown Mr. Q. H. Bidding will conduct the evening service. Services will be held in tha Wesleyan Churchns to-morrow as follow :— Wesley Church, Taranaki. street, 11 a.m., Eev. J. Berry ; 6.30 p.m., Eev. W. H. Beok. Moleaworth-street, 11 a.m., Eev. C. H. Laws j 6.30 p.m., Eev. J. Barry, whose subject is, " Mackay, the Missionary Hero of Uganda." Newtown, 11 a.m., Eev. W. Shirer; 6.30 p.m., Eev. C. H. Laws. The usual Bethtl service will be held by Mr. D. Hall, missionary, at the Seamen's Beßt, at 11 a.m. to-morrow. Sailors and strangers will receive a cordial welcome.