THE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 43, 19 August 1892, Page 2

THE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Sir George Grey very forcibly indicated last evening that the attitude taken up by the Ministry in referenco to the appointments to the Legislative Council was quite indefensible. Because tho late Ministry appointed seven gentlemen to tho Council, Sir George said, the Ballance Ministry wished to add twelve to that body, and the next Ministry might demand the appointment of twenty-four, and the method might be pursued by each succeeding Government until the Council assumed the proportions of the House of Lords. The reqnest for twelve new appointments was out of tho question, and a great wrong would be done if every new Ministry could claim a right to make a large number of new appointments. The Minister of Labour (Mr. Reeves), who was put up to reply to Sir George, in a flippant speech, said that the circumstances were exceptional, as, owing to the appointments made by the late Administration, it was necessary to make a largo number of appointments. Ho omitted, however, to mention that two of tho seven appointed have since died. Wo refer to Sir Harry Atkinson and tho Hon. Mr. Fulton. The disingenuous representations of the Premier to the Governor as to the attitnde of members of the Counoil in dealing with Government measures last session, is apparent. It is woll known that thoso measures were very carefully considered, and, except those which were obviously objcctionablo, wore allowed to become law. Somo of tho Bills as to which tho Houso and the Council wero unable to agree, wero distinctly of so objectionable a character that tho Ministry wero afraid to press them, and they have modified them accordingly. The real truth, however, is that the Ministry were not in earnest in trying to carry a number of their Bills, many of which wero promoted to appeaso particular sections of their followers, some of whom doubtless now realise the hollow pretensions of tho Ministry.

Our Parliamentary report, and particulars of His Excellency the Governor's visit to St. Patrick's College, appear on the fourth pago. Our Supplement to-morrow will contain a roview ot " The Life and Times of Sir George Groy, X.C.8. ," by William Leo Eecs and Lily Recs, lately published by H. Brett of Auckland ; also a selection of general reading matter, which includes the following : — "The Haunted Ship," "The Aristocratic Customer," " Mnst Girls Have Chaperons P" "An Algerian Pompeii," " A Girl's Extraordinary Suicide," "'lbsen's Wooing," "A Chanco Interview with tho German Emperor," "The Old 'Die-Hards,'" "Tit Bits," " Nows in Brief," " Temperance Column," " Puzzlo Column," " Ladies' Column." The Wairarapa's English and Australian mails arrived by tho Takapuna at 9 o'clock this morning. During July the number of anivals in the colony was 1081, and tho number of departures 778. Of the arrivals, 157 were from the United Kingdom, 260 from Now South Wales, 244 from Victoria, and 59 from Tasmania. Of the departures, 108 wero for the United Kingdom, 382 for Now South Wales, 199 for Victoria, and 33 for Tasmania. Tho following appointments as Postmasters havo been made : — W. Osborne, Apiti ; J. D. Hill, Manukau ; and J. C. Parker, Terrace End. Sergeant Jame3 Slattory is gazetted Inspector of Weights and Measures for th<3 Boroughs of Palmerston North and Foilding. Mr. W. T. Wyatt is gazetted Eocistrar of Births and Deaths for Wellington, and Mr. Isaac George Price Eegistrar for the Hutt. On tho motion of the Mayor, the City Council last night decided to ask the citizens to observe a half-holiday on the occasion of tho interprovincial football match between Canterbury and Wellington. Councillor Petherick dissented from the motior, on tho ground that these requests for holidays wero too frequent, and thoy were becoming a tax upon the business people. It is the practice of somo solicitors— and a very inconvoniont practice it is, so far as prisoners and pressmen are concerned— when appearing for clients in the Magistrate's Court, and when their duty necessitates their having to address the Bench, to walk up to the Clerk's desk, upon the ledge of which they usually negligently lean, and having gracefully composed their limbs, they proceed in a low tone of voice, and in a confidential manner, to pour their tales of woe of their respective clients into the ears of the Magistrates who may bo sitting. Justice may be blind, but sho is not nsually depicted as being "hard of hearing," and therefore there is no need for lawyers leaving their table in order to oar-wig the presiding Magistrates. The Labour Bills and the conditions in the Governmont contracts, aro to be considered next week at a conforenco in Wellington of delegatea from the various Builders' Associations in tho colony. Tho delegates will be as follows : — Messrs. J. Russell, T. Carmichael, and J. Trevor, Wellington ; P. K. England, Canterbury ; A. Bain, Dunedin ; T. Foden, Timaru. Mr. Foden is already in Wellington, and Mr. Bain is expected this evening. At last night's meeting of tho City Council a letter was received from Messrs. Levi and Bolton, solicitors, acting on behalf of Mr. P. Healy, licensee of the Pier Hotel, asking for a refund of a sum of .£ls which had been paid by their client as tho fee for an extra bar, on the ground that the Licensing Committeo was clearly in error in their definition of a bar. It was resolved to reply that the Council saw no reason for making any refund. The Trades Council held their weekly meeting last evening, Mr. J. Higg (President) in the chair. The Minister for Labour wrote acknowledging the receipt of several amendments suggested by the Counoil in tho Industrial Conciliation Bill, and stating that the suggestions would bo laid before tho Labour Bills Committeo. Messrs. Ward and Yore were delegated to represent the Council on tho Eight Hours Demonstration Committee. The Shop and Shop Assist mts Bill next engaged tho consideration of tho meeting. It was pointed ont that no provision had been made in the Bill to givo the assistants a half holiday per week, although tho measure provided for tho closing of shops for half a day each week. Tho Council, after along deliberation, decided to suggest to tho Government that ihe Bill should be amended not only so as to give assistants a weekly half holiday, but also in tho direction of limiting thoir hours of labour. Yesterday afternoon, on the civil side of tho Magistrate's Court, before Mr. H. W. Robinson R.M., tho case of Murray and Casey v. James Edwards was heard. It was an action brought by the plaintiffs, who aro drapers, to recover tho sum of £3 8s 6d from tho defendant, for goods supplied to his wife, who lives apart from him. The plaintiffs were nonsuited, on the ground that tho goods supplied to Mrs. Edwards wero not, as she had represented, for the purpose of making clothe 3 for hor children, but for trade purposes solely. The office-bearers of the Johnsonville Litorary Institute for the next twelve months are as follows : — President, Mr. W. Cook; Vice-President, Mr. Georire Waddington; Treasurer, Mr. J. Eod ; Secretary, Mr. W Anderson ; Auditors, Messrs. Wilson and Atkinson ; Committoe, Messrs. Anderson, Attwood, H. Bowler, Corlet, Cunliffe, Landell, and H. P. Ward. Tho Institute is in a flourishing condition. Councillor Parsons' proposal to give municipalities the power of insiiring, on behalf of the ratepayers, all buildings within their boundaries against losa by fire, evoked a considerable amount of discussion at the meeting of the City Council last night. Tho mover spoke at some length in support of his proposal, contending that it could not fail ta be of great benefit to citizens. The nystem, he said, could be easily introduced, and he gave figuros to show that 7s per aont. would have paid for the losses incurred by fire in tho City of Wellington in the last three years. If 20s per cent, had been paid into an insurance fund during the same period there would now have been a reserve fund amply sufficient to make the schomo workable Councillor Fraser seconded the motion. Councillor Harris suggested that the question should be referred to tho Municipal Association for consideration, he being of opinion that if it was_ recommended to Parliament by that body it would have a better chanco of being adopted. Councillor Pethoriok supported the motion. The Mayor expressed astonishment at the proposal receiving so much support from Councillors, as there was not a single argnment in its favour, and furthermore it was opposed to the whole principle of municipal finance. If a corporation executed fire insurance they might just as well go the wholo length and take life risks. At present they had plenty to occupy their time and attention without venturing upon such a soheme. Councillor Smith opposed the proposal. Councillor Parsons, in reply, expressed confidence that tho scheme wonld pay handsomely. Tho motion, on being put to the vote, was lost on tho casting vote of the Mayor, the voting being as follows : — Ayes— Councillors Parsons, Frasor, White, Harris, and Petherick. Noes — Tho Mayor, Councillors Anderson, Willeston, Tatum, and Smith. The fortnight's mission on which Mr. Tennyson Smith enters at the Opera House on Sunday evening, and which will after the first meeting bo carried on in the Theatre Royal, is a united effort by the churches and Temperance Societies of Wellington to bring the subject of Temperance reform prominently before the citizens. Considered merely as literary entertainments the meetings should be well worth attending, for Mr. Smith's elocutionary powers are admittedly great, and the musical arrangements of the united choir will be specially attractive. Except on special nights, all parts of the building other than the dress circle will be freo, but there will be a collection to defray expenses. Meetings of the choir ana workers are advertised for to-night. Wo beg to remind our readers of the lanteru entertainment at the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Taranaki-street, tlm evening, particulars of which appear in an advertisement.

The monthly meeting of the Si mding Committee of the Wel'u.^ix)n Dioce»e took place yosterday. Present— The Primate (chairman), Archdeacon Fancourt, Revs. W. C. Waters, R. Coffey, J. Jones, A. Towgood, Messrs. Zohrab, Powles, and RousMarten. Tho Seoretary stated that the clergy stipends owing amounted to .£693, against which there were assessments due to the amount of .£6ll, and other items of revenue to the extent of perhaps JE7O. But it was necessary to write off about £50 for bad debts, so there was an apparent deficiency of some JC6O. This was in consequenco of a sum of which had been expected from the Diocesan Trustees not being available. A lengthened discussion ensued, mainly with reference to the localities which were principally behindhand. The Rev. A. Towgood explained at gome length the peculiar difficulties connected with the Marton district. Mr. Zohrab asked if full information could not be obtained from the various districts in time for the Synod at its approaching session to deal with the whole question. The Primate said he would specially request the clergy to bo prepared to supply tho needful information. Mr. Rons-Marten suggested that tho lay representatives also should post themselves up in the circumstances of the districts, as hitherto it had usually been difficult to gain much information while the Synod was in session. The Primate promised to bring this also under notice, and thought a special committee of the Synod to investigate the whole matter might be desirable. The remainder of the business waa mainly routine work. Tho name of the man formerly in the navy and now enquired for, as stated by us yesterday, is Seaver, not Slaver. At about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon a dastardly attack was made upon Mr. Jamea Edwards, labour agent, of Grey-street, by a person who, he states, was an utter stranger to him. It appears that Mr. Edwards had just left the Magistrate's Court, whero he had had some business, and was speaking to some one just outside the gates leading to the grounds of Court, when the stranger, without a word, struck him a terrific blow on the left eyo, which knocked him into the gutter, where ho lay in a semi-unconscious state. The ruffian, according to an eyewitness of the assault, then jumped on Edwards, but was pulled off by a person who was passing by. The man who committed the assault, undor pressure, subsequently gave his name, and it is probable that proceedings will bo taken against him. Mr. Carl Zocllor, commercial traveller for the firm of Seegnor, Langguth, and Co., was rather startled last night by the receipt of news from his principals to the effect that the Auckland Star had published a telegram stating that a warrant was out for his arrest for forgery. He was, of course, able to flatly contradict the aspersion upon him. It is manifest that tho mistake arose in connection with telegrams as to the warrant issued yosterday in regard to Carl Moeller. The change of tho initial letter of the surname is tho cause of all the trouble, but whether it occurred in the Telegraph Department or subsequently has yet to be ascertained. We have mado enquiries, and find that the telegram, as sent from Wellington by the Press Association, not only gave the name as Carl Moellor, but described him as a cabinetmaker, of Wellington, so that no fault can rest with the Association. The Primate announced at yesterday's meeting of the Diocesan Standing Committee, that a sum of .£2OO had been contributed by the Wellington Diocose in response to his appeal for the sufferers by tho firo at St. John's, Newfoundland. Tho city parishes gavo very handsomely, and every parish and parochial district, however small or poor, in tho whole diocese, contributed something. No response was received from the other dioceses, and two of them flatly refused to do anything at all in the matter. Two drunkards brought before Mr. H. W. Robinson, R.M., to-day, were discharged, this being their first appearance. Patrick Daly pleaded Guilty to having no light on his vehicle after dark on the Bth instant, but explained that the axle of his cart broke in Hanseu-street, and he had to leave it whilst ho went for assistance. Daly was also summoned for having left his horse and cart unattended on the same occasion. Tho defence was tha + , a number of Newtown larrikins pelted him with stones, and he left his charge merely for the purpose of punishing his tormentors. Tho defence was considered sufficient, and both informations were dismissed. J. Prince, H. Woods, and G. Andrews were summoned by Constable Carroll for permitting i heir horses to wander in public thoroughfares, and each was fined 2s 6d, with 2a costs. The Wellington Football Club have been granted tho use of the Basin Reserve on Saturday, Bth October, for their annnal sports at a fee of £7 10s for the half day, subject to the approval of the Club's programme by tho Public Works Committee. A public meeting was hold last night in tho Tomperanco Hall, Kaiwarra, in connection with Mr. T. W. Glover's Good Templar mission. Mr. A. J. Bennott occupied the chair, and stirring addresses were given by tho Roy. Mr. Wood, Mr. E. Taylor, of Sydenham, and Mr. T. W. Glover, Grand Lodge Lecturer. Tho proceedings were interspersed with songs, Miss Holmes presiding at the organ, and at tho close 13 names were irivoninof people willing to ro-ostablish the Good Templar Lodge which previously existed at Kaiwarra. Mr. Glover's mission will be continued this evening in tho Freo Methodist schoolroom, Courtenay-rjlace, and tomorrow (Saturday) at the bottom of Cubastreet and in tho Salvation Army Barracks. Several local supporters of tho movemont will take part in the meetings. Tho hemp trade, says tho Manawatu Herald, is on a far better footing than it has been for some time. We hear of five mills, if moro by now havo not accepted, who have secured fair contraots for thoir output for tho next six, and in somo cases twelve months. The alterations just made to the s.s. Kanieri, which left for her new AucklandEast Coast trade last evening, havo givon the steamer accommodation for passengers superior to that in any other boat of her size in Now Zealand. The ealoon has been entirely renovated, and a considerable number of now berths havo been erected, with a special division for lady passengers. Amidships, a new cabin has beon erected for steerage travellers, to accommodate eight male and four female passengers, and a most compact and pleasant littlo compartment it is. In tho steerage, as in the other parts of the vessel, entirely new fittings and upholstery, &c, havo beon used. The machinery has boon thoroughly overhauled, while the bunkers have been extendod, to provide for tho larger amount of coal which will be consumed during tho longer runs on which the vessel will be employed. Sho has also beon furnished with a now surf-boat and a new lifeboat. The alterations have been carried out under the superintendence of Mr. John Daniels, the company's foreman. Tho fortnightly meeting of the Zealandia Lodge, 1.0.0. F., American Constitution, was held last evening in the Lodgoroom, Newtown, Bro. Percy Gardener, N.G., in the chair. It was decided to hold a social gathering, to take tho form of a concert and dance, on the 30th September next, to celebrate tho anniversary of tho establishment of the Lodgo two ypars ago. Tho Committee of tho recont Catholic social reunion held a meeting last nicht at St. Patrick's Hall. The result of the last social gathering was most satisfactory from every point of view. It was unanimonsly resolved to hold tho next gathering on Thursday, tho 15th September. The Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held its weekly session last evening in tho Primitive Methodist Schoolrom, Sydneystreet, under tho direction of Bro. Lightfoot, C.T. Three candidates were initiated. It was pointed out that if the next session *f tho Grand Lodge is held at Auckland, according to previous intention, a number of representatives from the southern part of tho South Island will not be able to attend. A resolution was therefore carried unanimously that tho next session of the Grand Lodge ought to be held in this city. Tho programme for the evening was carried out, all the members present being required to sing, recite, or give a reading, or pay a fine. Those who did not take part willingly paid tho fine. Tho Columbia Skating Rink will be open to-night, when ladies will be admitted free. The band will perform all the latest selections, including " Ta-ra-ra-Boom-de-Ay." Our readers are reminded that M'Lean's Young Australian Dramatic and Opera Bouffo Company will begin their season at tho Opora House this evening. It will be seen from an advertisement in another column that it is intended to hold Gospol services in Thomas' rooms on Sunday evenings, for those who aro not in the habit of a' tending the churchos, and especially for seamen. ~A meeting of butchers will be held on Wednesday evening, in connection with tho annual picnic. As will be noticed by referring to our Wanted column the big annual boot sale is still going on at B. Hannah & Co.'a Cash Boot Market, Cubastreet Somo rare bargains will be offered tomorrow and next week— even a big discount on the Palace G Boot. Joh. E. Ijiucllierjj, the cheap draper, Cubastreet, has a new advertisement on our third page of special interest to working: men. Two important ngencies have been secured by the Dresden Piano Company, of Lambton-quay, viz., the sale agencies for Kuthe pianos and Weaver organs. Pull particulars are contained in nu advertisement in this evening's issue, and the public are invited to inspect a erand exhibition of instruments, which can be obtained on the time payment system. The company is making a specialty of sheet and book music. Special attention is directed to an advertisement from W. Murrell, London House, giving details of sale of surplus goods, after stocktaking, about &00 worth of special lines. Before clearing out of the present premises, George Winder, ironmonger, intends getting rid of the bankrupt stock almost at any price, so he will offer exceptional bargains to-morrow. Lnery & Co. will sell to-morrow, land and dwellingbouse. Geonre Thomas & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, &c. Towuaend & Paul will soil to-morrow, fruit, 4c. Churchward & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, &c. This week's sale contains some bargains of a very extraordinary character, and we may say that for superb qualities nothing like our coloured watered silks have ever been seen before in this city. The prices, too, aro so very much below their usual value that it will surprise us if they are not at once secured by eager customers, at Te Aro House. "Fit for an Empress" and "Fit for a Duchess " are terms that we justly apply to some very beautiful, extra quality pure silks, in groy and black and white stripes. Our reador3 should carefully con our announcement of these on the next page, and we are quite sure they will endorse our judgment of these handsome silks by purchasing them straightway during this week's sale, at Te Aro House. Of handsome real Irish poplin dresses, we have only two, in silver grey and in claret and blue stripes. Imagine the luxury of purchasing these at less than half-price, viz., £7 18s 6d for three guineas, at Te Aro House, during this week's sale.

'1 HF.KE are marvels of cheapness all over the warehouse. Read our advertisement on the first page and over the leader, and see the bargains for yourselves during this week's sale, at Te Aro House. — Advt. A new style of Boxing Glove is now being shown in the Manners-street window of Messrs. Wilkins & Field's establishment. It is called tho " Pelican," after the celebrated Club of that name, and should be a great improvement on the old style. The whole hand ia thrust into the glove, and there is a flexible bar to grasp. This does away with the division between the thumb and fingers, and the attendant liability to scratch. It is well made, evenly padded, covered with soft tanned leather, and well finished. We commend them to the notice of all interested in the " Noble Art."— Advt. The greatest honour that can be conferred on an English merchant is to be appointed purveyor to the House of Commons, and only those obtain this distinction whose goods are found to be superior to those of other firms. The proprietors of Buchanan's famed " House of Commons Whisky " gained for their brand this high honour — a fact which New Zealanders would do well to ponder over, and, instead of carelessly and indiscriminatingly drinking any fluid that may be placed before them, call for Buchanan's " House of Commons Whisky " on all occasions. — Advt. 3 The recent revelations of mismanagement in financial societies involve several persons moving in the best circles, but a man with a toothache often involves other circles beside his own. Ye Bishop's Bottle will cure it, though. — Advt. 3