WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1893. GRAND JURIES.

Evening Post, Volume XLV, Issue 132, 7 June 1893, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1893. GRAND JURIES.

I We do not know whether Mr. Justice Rich" mond had any special reason for anticipating the early disappearance of Grand Juries from our judicial system whon ho addressed the Wellington Grand Jury a few days ago as a body about to die. Threatened men aro proverbially long livers, and the same rulo nppht? to institutions. The Grand Jury system iv New Zealand has been threatened for many years, but it still lives, and we trii3t that it will yot survivo Mr. Justice Bichiiond, as to whom we still more sincerely hope that he may bo spared to adorn the Supreme Court Bench for a great many more years. Itwillbeavorybaddavindeed for New Zealand when Grand Juries arc abolishcdand their [unctions transferred to a Government officer. Far too much influence is already possessed by ths Govornmont over the administration of justice, and ihe utterly unscrupulous mauner in which the present Ministry has packed the Bench in the lower Courts with men whoso only qualification is their political partisanship, and muzzled the police to suit their own ends, should be a warning against permitting them to acquire any greater power to pollute the wollspringa of justjae. Tho indecent attacks madn by a Minister on one of the Judges of tho Supreme Court who, in tbo oxercise of his high dntios, felt himself obliged to severely censure the Ministerial metnods of procedure in relation to oerlnin cases before the Court, sliould afford another warning. The recent events in Victoria in reference to tho Davies case, however, convey a supremo warning 1 , and one to which New Zealand should certainly not turn a deaf ear. '1 he action of the Attorney-General of that colony, who 13 the offioer upon whom the functions of a Grand Jury practically devolve, although often exercised through his subordinates, the Crown Solicitors, shows how unsafe it is to leavo the administration of justice to the discretion of a politioian. A terrible scandal has arisen there, and tho only way of cscapoandof vindicating justice which has offsrod itself has been the revival temporarily of the Grand Jury system. A Special Grand Jury has had to be called into existence and appealed to. Tho reason why the Grand Jury system does not exist as an ordinary part of the judioial machinery in either Victoria or New South Wales is not one which obtains in this colony, or one which should induce this colony to follow the example of the Mother Colony, from which Viotoria inherited its judicial practice when it was separated. Tho reason is given by a " Barrister at Law." who writes to tho Argus :— " When it becamo " necessary to adapt the criminal practice of '■ England to tho Australian colonies, tbe " legislature appear to liavo been struck " with the difficulty that would necessarily " be experienced in finding at colonial courts "of assizo men of a stamp suitable for " tho constitution of Grand Juries, and "wo accordingly find that at a very " early period in tho legislation of New " South Wales power was givon to tho " Attorney-General to discharge thoimport- '■ ant functions of an English Grand Jury." It must bo remembered that tho early population of New South Wales consisted mainly of convicts and their keepers. Thero has certainly been no difficulty in Now Zealand in finding '"men of a stamp suitable for tho constitution of Grand Juries," although New Zealand Sheriffs have frequently enlarged tho panel by the inclusion of unsuitable men, and New Zealand Grand Juries, as in the Auckland fatal fight cose, have Bometimes committed grave errors of judgment. Still, in every assizo town in the colony there is abundant suitable material for the constitution of an excellent Grand Jury ; and it will bo a very dangerous experiment to dispense with the assistance of such a body in the administration of justice. The nnwise extension of the Magistracy by placing on the Bench so many unsuitable raeu affords an additional reason for preserving tho Grand Jury system. Tho absence of Grand Juries is now seriously deplored in Australia, where many grave scandals beside the Bavies case hare arisen in consequence, and led to a miscarriage of justice. Except Australia, Scotland is, we beliove, the only Englishspeaking community in which the Grand Jury system does not exist. It is one of the earliest of English judicial institutions, and in limes of political excitement has proved of inestimable value as -a safeguard of personal liberty. AH tho States of America, the very home of Democracy, preserve a Grand Jury system. As rogards Sootlund, the whole system and procedure of the administration of justice there differs most materially from that in England or this colony. The absence of a Grand Jury, whose functions, or Bomo of them, devolve upon a special officer, is only one of the differences, and is compensated for by other peculiar provisions in the Scotch law. We shall not hero assimilate our legal administrative system to that of Scotland by nurnely abolishing Grand Juries and giving their powors to tho Attorney-Generat or his Crown Prosecutors. We shall simply introduce a fresh incongruity into our own system by dispensing with an ossontial part of that system. Tho whole of thu machinery will bo thrown out of gear by suoh a proceeding. To disponso with Grand Jurios would be a most dangorous innovation, and it is one which should be strenuously resisted. Our report of last night'B mooting of the Ballance Memorial Committee, opinions of the press in regard to the Wellington Btshoprio question, and a letter to the Editor, will be fonnd on tho fourth page. The Mr. Campbell White who baa been created a Peer, is, we imagine, a I*narkahire landed proprietor of that name, who has a town house in Edinburgh, and was a prominent supporter of Mr. Gladstone in his Midlothian contests.

Major Kemp, Ccnaro Toraoana, Wi Paraf a, Wlin* ihoro, llnnka Tni*oa, ITapo P«kn, find It •■ (! i 1 Mutu, repicsi-t'tin; tlip Cibitu'l "i li W 1 pitn Maori Purli imi'iit, waited on tl..> M'tii-tpr for Justice and His E\ n elloiicy !i,f (i.isirnor yostei'd iv to nrc,'e tho objects nt tin' Miuni Parliament- the radical teform of tl>t. i' t Uie land laws nn 1 iLe ttr.^ntin^ ni .1 -v->t mi oi lor 1 -elt j;o\i imnent to the \Vli"n the list of Butluiny Huiiuuts w 1Biipplied by the Press Association, we ex-pres-ed -ii-;iriso at Chi°f Justiro Madden li r -i:i? nind" :i Grand Cross of Michael and Geoig'. ii-stpp.d of a Kni lit Baolielor, and also a' tbe OnJcr being conferred 011 a number of gentlemen entirely unconnoctod with the Colonial Kmpirc. Our surmise that an error had boen committed in defining tbe honour conferred on those gentlemen turns out to be correct. Instead of Chief Justice Madden, Victoria ; tho Hon. George Shonton, Western Australia ; Mr. George Lewis, solicitor ; Mr. John Richard Robinson, editor of tho London Daily News ; Mr. Russell, Liverpool Post ; Mr. Gib.e.iu Read, Birmingham Argus ; Mr. Long, Dundee. Advertiser ; Drs. \V. O. Priestly and B. W. Richardson 1 e'njr mado G.C.lI.G.'s, thoy lmvo simply been Knighted. Tho Queensland Government lms tolcgraphpd to the Premier asking nliothor New Zealand proposes to 1 c represented at tho 'Ja«manian International Exhibition of 18!) t 5 'Ihe matter has not \ct reached Cabinet. We observe that the Murlborough Times has transfrrred to its colnmns, without acknowledgement, our paragraph relating to the death of Mr. Do Sauty Our contemporary has oven followed the lypogrApliic.il error through which tho namo appeared as Do Santy instead of Do Sauty. To fill np tho vacancios in tho Wellington Polioe Force, the Defence Minister has determined to romovo Ist Class Scrgt. O'Malley from Lyttelton to Wellington, sending Ist Class Sersjt. ('utlcdgc from Riverton to Ljttclton to ielie\e him. Third Class Sorgt. Groon, of Aaseby. is also to* be stationed at Wellington. Two books have been left at, onr publishing office for " Citizen," who last night complfiinod in our columns that ho had been robbed in the Conrthonse. Mr. William Bjrron, who for sovcral years represented Cavershain in the Honso of Representative, anil was one of the best members Otago ever srnt to that body, announces his intention of seeking to re outer Parliament for his old constituency at tho next election. Our attention has boen called to a oase which certainly appears to deserve the help of the charitable. In January last. Mrs Craig, widow of the lato Mr. JamPs Craig, who was engineer of the s.s. Maori and other steamers on tha coast, died, leaving two chi'di en totally unprovided for. Mr. Craig died about fonr years ago. Tl.o children, a l.oy aged 7 nnd a girl nged 11. have sinco beon maintained by Mra M'Govern. who, however, is unable lo continue lo provide for them. They have relatives in Scotland who are willing to tako churpo of thorn if sent thorp, but tho difficulty is to provide for their passage Homo. Mr. Craig had many friends, and Mrs. Craig was well known as at one timo tho hostess cf tho Britannia Hotel. The sum' rcquirod to sond tho children Home is not a very largo or.c, and subscriptions would probably bo supplemented by the Benevolent Sociotv. We shall be glad to reccivo at our publishing offico any contributions for the purpose. ' Tho Board of Land Purchase Coinmiesiouei r under tho Land for Settlement Act his reported that none of the pvop»rtios recently offered to tho Government in Canterbury are suitable for the purposes of the Act. Tho piopertios in question were all snial l . Government is now advertising for propel tics in Hawkes Bay, but so far no suitable properties have been offered thero Reforenco was made at the quarterly meeting of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists yesterday to the death of the Into Mr. Claudo Uearn, editor of the Kvoning Press. Mr. E. T. GiUon, Chairman of tho Branoh.said it n as with deep regret that ho had to announce that the Branch had sustained a groat loss by tho death of Mr. Hearn Tho deceased gentleman had beon a member of tho Committee, and also one of thp Branch's delegates to the Council, and he (tho Chairman) wonld move, " That the Sojrotary bo instructed to write fo Mrs. Uearn expressing •tho deep regret of mombcis at nor lato hnsband's death, and offering her tho sincere condolence of members " Tho motion was seconded by Mr. W. H. Ataok, and agreed to Mr. John Christie was elected to fill the vacancy on the Committee, nnd Mr. E A. Longlman Iho vacant seat on UlO Council Mr. George Fisher also u'lnded in his speech at Thorndon last liijrht to Mr. ileain's death . Ho said tho doceasod had beon a man who had a great regard for impartiality in pnUIo matters, and noior entertained or harboured in his breast air. pc-rsornl grudge, lint nlwiyb gave Gwr.cno his due. He (.Mr. Fishur) w,is ploa?td to lmvo l.r.d that opportunity of saying th'se tew words of the departed man, wlmm !.p h.ul knoivn and respectad for vory many v ;r->, and whose good works anJ ch.rnciur \. e:o trcsh iv his memory. Mr. .1. W. Cor.it! 0111 c writes enclosing an c\t'"ict from a leading ar'.ielu on Pioliibition published on 1 Ith March, as justifying his assoition that wo had declared overinduljrcnce "in theatrical and other amusements' ' by Wolhiigtoniansin particular," to bo "deplorable" anJ of •'ahmmV.g magnitude" The cxtraet ia as follows :—•' Wo should bo disposed to think that the spirit of gambling and tho inordinate love of ainusemont «hich are so deeply rooted in our community, and are almost as directly enrouragoil by law as tho drink traffic, are not lesa fruitful sources of extravagance in excess of meaua. nnd consaqneut inability to moot monetary ongagcniL'nts " Mr. Copithoyuo thinks tho expressions " ileplo.ablc " uid "of alarming magnitude " aro covered by this quotation. He omitK to notice that our remarks reforicd to " gambling and amusements almost directly encouraged by law,' while ho refers to " theatrical and other amusements." Our remarks silco applied to tlio whole colony, which was tho community we we o dealing >vith at tho timo, wliilp Mr. Copithornc attempted to apply them tq *• Wellin<jtoni'ius in pnrticnlar " W'p aro not aware that theatrical and HiniiUr cntcrtaini'icuts are " almost directly pnooura<i<;d by l.iw," nor wore siicli ent»r(ai»iucnts at all in our mind when wo wrote. Uur rent irks were applicable to races, and similar forms of amusomcnt, sanctioned or almost d'rcclly encouraged by l.iw, and ]irovocativa of gambling iiud similar ovi's of extravagonre. We consider Ihoatrical cutertainments a-id others of a liko kind not only a harmless but a desirable form of atnnsomonts, and one which doe 3 little or nothing to encourage a habit of extravagance. Wo cannot permit Mr. Copilhorno to distort and misrepresent our views for the purpose of supporting his own. Mrs. Moor", of Napier, whoso death has been referred lo in our telojrraras of late was a daughter of Mr. Henry Hughes, of Wellington. Her sUtcr, tiic v\ito of Mr. Morrison, Inspector of Machinery, formally ohief engineer oi tho Coptic, died in Dnnodin a fow weeks ago from the offers of an accident. Lord Glasgow's residence in Scotland, which overlooks the Firth of Forth has been leased to Mr. Robert Alb 11, of tho Allan Line of steamers. Tho following additional subscriptions t~> the Billance Memorial Fnud are acknow lodijod by tho Secretary :-Hatbour Office, Nelson, .£1 j J. K. Warbnrton, £2 2s; officers Publio Trust Office, £1 4s ;J. Staples & Co , i-5 5s ; employes Ptiples and Co.'s brewery, A. Conroy, C. M. Georgeson, T Bowd(n, and F. Jordan, sapach ; K. Hall, C. Anderson, .8 1 d oaoh ; J HeghibothaTi, Kb; AY. Symon=, J. Herin, and H. Burgess Is each ; George Rose, £1 Is : Timeo employes, £1 2s; r.lroady acknowledged, .£93 18s tid ; total, £107 2s Cd. Mr. H. C. Jones, as Secretary to tho Trades and Labour Council, has written to tho Qiieeuslnnd Irades Council congratulating it on the result of tho Queensland oleotions, in tho admissi n of Labour representatives lo Parliament. The quarterly meeting of tho Wellington Branch of the J^ew Zealand liißtituto of Journalists was held iv the Press Association offico yesterday afternoon, Mr. K. T. Gillon (Chairmau) presiding. Various amendments were mado in tho rules. On tho motion of Mr C. Wilson, seconded by Mr. W. H. Atack, it was rosolved :—": — " That in the opinion of tho mombers of tho Wellington Branch of tho Now Zealand Institute of Journalists, the s> mpathy of the mombers is duo to Mr. Loughnau, editor of the Now Zealand Times, in tho position in which he was placed ou a recent occasion in having to defend tho anonymity of press contributions, and further, that the members desire to express their hearty satisfaction at the way in which Mr. Loughnan defended the k >nour of the profession." A yonng man named Charles Halorow was charged in tho Magistrate's Court vosterday afternoon with having assaulted Charles Olsen in Lower Cuba-street on 12th May, and stolen JJ2 from him. Mr. Poynton was for tho defence. Inspector Pender conducted the prosecution. Prosecutor, who was a seaman on the s.s. Kahu, swore that he was abont town with accused and Owen Higgins on the night of tho 11th alt., and left them between 1 and 2 o'clock. They, however, came after him and knocked him down, in Lowor Cuba-street. Accused robbed him of some silver, and Higgins took two £1 notes out of his trousers pookets. He emphatically denied that he was drnnk at tho time. Several other witnesses were examined, amongst them Higgins, who doposed that he was before the Supremo Court last week on tho charge of assaulting and robbing Olsen, but was disoliargod, a nolle prosequi being entered. He was at tho Bank Hotel with Olsen, Halcrow, and Simmonds on tho 11th and left in their oompany. He parted from them in a few initiates and went home, and did not sen Olsen again until tho next day. He (witness) was not concerned in the robbery, and did not know who committed it. Tho evidence of tho other witnesses also oontradiotod that of tbo prosecutor. His Worship did not think that a prima. facie case had boen made out, and the charge was dismissed. At the wookly mooting of St. John's Literary Association last ovoniup, Mr. James Bruce read an interesting paper on " Dependence and Independence. 'ihe Wellington Phrenological Association held the first of a scries of open meetings last evening in the Exohange Hall, the VicePresident (Mr. R Fletcher}, in the ohair. Mr. R. White delivered an able address on " The Soience and Principles of Phrenology.' ' At the conclusion of tho leotnre several ladies and gentlemen went on the stage, and delineations of charaoter followed. A voto of thanks was givon to the lecturer, and several new members were enrolled. An interesting paper on "Belios of the Cave Men of Devon " was read by Mr. Battle before tbe Potono Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Association on Monday evening. At the next meeting the subject will be '' Impromptu Speaking."

Tho other night Homo ono, with either miooliiovoni or piiminnl intent, drnppprl a piooe of lioljtod r.unlU' l.wu tin' lnttci-1 I>\ nt tho Lowoi llutr Uoionult founfil o'hfe Luokili tho ttoodou bo\, although div ( oloured by the smoke, did not if;nit<* Tho lov uill lie iltnipil ro a J fo rpniter a similar 'ii curreinu ii'ip'i-.ible Tim Lii-eiuiiu? Committee at Hunter? illo lia* vplumk! tfi gn.p.l an at>plipatu>u l>y Mi>' i .ij .Imnpjoii }Uns ot Wf'H'mp-tou, tori wholesjlo liuen-e ljr Olunguiti. Jit. Lawrence Hughes, son of Mr. Hughes, patent agent of this city, who two yours ago left New Zealand for the purpose of pursuing his medical Etudies in London, lately passed tho second examination for M.E.C.S. and for IiE.C.P. Ho will bo required to walk the H spitals for tn-o years before his final examinations takes place. The annual Trinity College examination in music will, by permission of the Chairman of the Board, be held at the Education Board's Offices on the reclaimed laud on Saturday next, at hn]f-past9 o'clock, under the supervision of tho Rev. W. J. Habens. Tho picscntation whioh is to bo mado this evening to Mr. W. 11. Field, captain of the Star l;oaling~Chib, who lias recently become a Benedict,- will ronßist of a purse of sovereigns and an illuminated address, the text being as follows: — "5. 8.C., Wellington, 2(51 h Apr-1, 18!R— );ear Field,— We cannot allow your marriage to pass without wisi.infr you every happiness in 3'our now e»'nto ot lifo. Wo hope yon will accopt the enclosed, as showing alike our regaul for you ns a friend aud our appreciation of tho great services you hmo tendered to tho fctar Boating Club daring your tenure of tho captaincy, which wo ono and all trust may loLg continns." The address is in book form, and has boon bound in Russian leatlior by Mr. Duff, at Lyon and Blair's establishment. It boars tho signatures of all the members, 30 on eaoh page, and will he a lasting memento of Mr. Field's long connection with the Club. On tho cover there aro the words, in god letters, " W. H. Fiold, iiom tho Star Boating Club." The illmninatiun was executed by Mr. H. M'Cardell Tho presentation is to bo made by Mr. H. D. 81-11, who ia ono of the trustees. After wo went to piess yesterday, the Benevolent Society Trustees concluded their meeting. Tho resolutions of the South Wairarapa County Council were "received." Mr. Lancaster and tho Chairman said they displayed a lamentable amount of ignoranco on tho part of a public body. A man who said he hal not had any food for 30 hours, and hnd tramped in tioni Parcmata, nas sent to tho Home for a week. The man said he had boen tramping for two months, and his feet wore now cipplcd. During this period lie had only hnd two weekß* work. Ho was 34 years of age. Tho Chairman, roferring to the resignation of tho members of the District Board, said that the Benevolent Society was spending less in chiuitablo administration than any other city in New Zealand, and was conducting its Homo at an amount very much less than that of any similar Homo in the colony. A largely attended meeting of hotelkeepers was helil in the Post Office Hotel last night, Mr. H. J Walter in tho chair, when rules for Iho newly-formed Wellington Licensed Victuallers' Association wo(0 adopted, and the following oflico-bearers olected :— President, Mr. H. J. Waltor : Vice-President, Mr. George Chandler ; Treasurer, Mr. Greenwood ; Secretary, Mr. K. Seymour ; Committee, Messrs. Waller, Chandler, James Dealy, E. Wilson, J. Cloggio, A. Greenwood, and 11. Gilmer. It was decided that Mr. Edwards should bo asked to act as solicitor to tho Association. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs. T. ijracken, E. Wilson, and R. Seymour, for their ecrvicos in connection i\ ith the formation of the Association, and tho meeting terminated after passing the usual compliment to t!.o chairman. The ranks of the old ideiititios have just been further thinned by tho death of Mrr, John HoagliUu. who has boon a roM'dent of thin district for moro than half a century. The dpccTPo.l lady was born in Essex in 1831, and arrived in tho colony by tho ship Bolton ia 18J0. A fen- years later she Has married at tho Tuita to Mr. John Houghton. Shortly after thay were married, Mr. Hongliton began business as a grocer in Willis-stiect on the sito now ocenpied by Mr. W. F. Shortt's auc ion mart, and carried on the establishment until ho wes accidentally drowned iv the harbour in 1b79. Mrs. Houghton, although (52 jenrs of ago, had always enjoyed excellent health, aud was iv voiy high spirits for some time alter 6no arose yeilorday morning. As sic wns going about her honschold duties, however, nl'tcr breakfast, she was spiked with a fninling fit, and Dr. Chappie, who was o illod in to atien-1 her at lior houso on Fitigstaft Hill, Willis-street, fonud that a blojd-TPasel in the brain had been rm>turcd, producing carobr.il hcmorihago, with paralysis of the loft side. Dr. Ansou was also tunimoueil in tlio afternoon, bnl medical skill was of no avail, and she passed peaceful'}' an ay lit 7 p in. Slu leaves a daughter (Mis. Underwood), who «as at the bedsi-ic when death took plucu, to mourn the loss ot an affectionate parent. The case in whioh Patrick Cavanagh, dairyman, Kaiwarra, was summoned by tlio Mayor of Onslow for haiing fmlod to carry out certain lcpjir* to his cowt-hod and yard, in tho terms of an order made by tho Court IhsI; Fcbi-dary, so as to prevent a recurrence of a nuisance, caino on for heating before Mr. J. C. Martin, X M., late yesterday afternoon. Mr. Hiuifiold appeared for the prosecution, aiid Mr. Brown tor tho defonce. Defendant's reply to tho snmmons was that ho had done a portion of the work, but, on tho advice of his solicitor, had abstained from completing pending negotiations with the Onslow Borough Counoil ; and further, that no nuisnnoo had ai isen since the commencement of the (opaiiing work. His Worslnp, under these circumstances, imposed a fino of 9a -Id, boing at the rate of ono vonny per day for 112 days, defendant also to pay costs amounting to XI 18j. Four summonsei against tho defendant for per mitting cattlo to uruu lor, woro dismissed, by consent ot tho complainant, and a further clmrso, of allowing -i hull to wander on the public ro.i'l, was ndjonrncd for hoaring on the 9th inataiit. " Tho Child of tho Rogim nt " w.\s repealed at the Oper.i House last evening, when tho performance waa well rcodivou, aud Jliss Maggie llooro was recalled for each of her songs '1 ho bill for 1 his evening is to bo " Meg. the C.uatawny. ' In this Miss Mooro will appear as a i ondon street naif. 'Iho dra.ua de|.ic's the life of pooler l.ond m, aud is said to abound in otiong and pathetic Bit'iations, as, well ns to contain a considerable clement or comody. When Miss Moore appeared a3 Meg at Melbournu last j ear she met with a moss enthusiastic recaption. A cont"mporary describes the pat ns giving her splendid scopo to como out in tie ->troi,g scei^ and bitnations and sing- tastefully and dunce giacefully. Mr George Fisho-, M.H.R., addr.vsoil an audience of electors in the Primitive Methodi-t Schoolroom, Sydnoy-street, Inst nig-ht, about 80 person 3 being present, and Sir. Thos. Orr presiding. Mr. tiahor said his reason for adJiesstujr tho eloptors in different parts of the city was that it had bocomo tho custom of tho newspapers in Wellington never to report a speaker at any longth, or to pritii-iso impartially what lio said. Ho had been challenged to nay less about pui lie questions) and more about himself, aud ho accordingly proceedod to roview his connection with politics from his first election to represent tho citizens, in 1881., up to tho present time, claiming that he had been elected as au indoppndent member, and in that position he remained to-day. He had been a supporter of Mr. liallanco, and had voto d for his inolnsion in three difforent Minsstones, but with (he dea'h of the lato Premier, his allegiauco, if it could be so called, to tho present Government ceasod. He leiterated his' bolief thnt Siv Robert Stout was oonoerued in tho constitution of the present Government, and declared that ho would supp rt no Government or party iv which Sir Robert played au important part. Referring to tho Premier's statement regarding tho exodus of population under tlio Atkinson A dministpation, Mr. Fisher said that ho would moot Mr. Soddon on the fli or of the House an 4 inako him eat his words. Ho(thospeakor)hadbt.enaincmberof that Government, and ho considered it to be his duty to publicly refute the statement. The remainder of Mr. FUher's spooch was much the same as that which ho delivoicd at Kewtonrjt. Replying (o a question as to why tha interest on tuo deposits in tho Post Offico Savings Bank had been i educed D 3' i percent., Mr Fishor s.vid it wa3 done because there was a teo ing of inseonricy in the country. Tlio banking iustitntionß had a plethora of money, and did not know what to do with it. Mr. D. Taylor proposed, and Mr. G. L. Parsonage seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Fi-her for his addrosss, and a voto of continncd contidonco in him as their repreaeutative, and in recognition of his long and faithful services to the city. The resolution was declared to have boen carried unanimously, althouirhacous derable number of those present did not vote. Tho usual compliment to tho Chairman terminated the proceedings. A leoturo on "Tennyson" will bo delivered by Mr. E. Beagleholc at the meeting of tho Wealoyan Mutual Improvement Society to-morrow evening, at the Taranakistreet Schoolroom. Selections from the poet's works wilf 00 sung by leading amateurs, amongst the items boing the celebrated anthem " Crossing tho Bar," of which the music is comnosed by Dr. Bridge, and which was originally sung at tho bmial of tho poet. This, wo beliovc, will be the first performance of thiß particular anthem in the colony. Members of the Star Boating Club aro reminded of tho special general meeting to bo held at the Clubhouse this evening, at 8 o'clook, when the presentation to the Captain will be made, the prizes won daring the past Beason will be distributed, and the questions of alterations to rules and of purchasing new plant will bo considered. Tho list for the Art Union of the picture of The Fleet at Hobait " is filling, in view of tho drawing to tako place on the 30th instant. The picture is an exceedingly fine representation of tho British fleet aa it lies in the beautiful harbour of Hobart, and is well worth the figure of .£l5O at whioh it is valued. It is, further, well worth a visit where it is exhibited, in Messrs. Laery and Co. s auction mart. Tho artist is Mr. H. Forrest, a well-known Australian marine painter, and the work is of oolossal proportions. Mr. Bosoo Wilson, agent for the Misses Albu b Concert Company, arrived in Wellington this morning Irom Christchurob, where the company is now playing to full honses. Tho Misses Albu will open their Wellington season in aboutafortnight's time, and will in the interval tour the country districts. Wherever they have appeared thoy nave met with great success, and they are very highly spoken of by the preßS. The JadiGß aro aosomponied by Mr. John Fuller (touor), Mr. Gunter (pianist), and Mr. M. L. M. Plunkett. The publio are reminded of tho Navals' dance in aid of the Wellington Garrison Band, at the Garrißon Hall this evening. lb ? d " *° mßßt 0* Veitoh A Allan's, and will play down to and outside the Hall before the dance oommenaea.

Ministers wero ocoupied until 1 a.m. today and again from noon in oonsiddriTijr the Estimates It U Muled (Ml the Kc-v ;,fi. 1 ill i, („ ' „ asked to for Mastertou at tho gimfi.il election It ir : ii'lrr- oi) 1 tlut there is a hitch ,\t pvf-ent mti, not t:on with tl«p prnpo^ult-- 1>! (lovpriimout mndp last pps-ion «< to tinpmploj roont of the interpreter *"i.' ollin n <>l tin- Hdn-fdnriiigthxroi'p h TI •-v . •f" J oi tliu U\o ilouo saiu uot cli^pcocdiot u< vi the present proposals, and are inclined to oppose the uti'hation of their officers for other than Parliamentary purposes. The Gear Meat Company still continues its career of prosperity. An mtorim dividend at the rate of 10 por cent, per annum was declared to-day by the directors. Mr. Thos. Murphy, officer in charge of Customs at Now Plymouth, has beau removod to Lyttelton, whero lie exohauges n ith Jlr. C. S. Nixon, tide waiter, who has been appointed Collector of Customs at New Plymouth. Messrs. T. Thompson, M.H.8.. and Andrew Turnbull, U.M , tho Ell caso Commissioneis, have returned from Christchurch, but havo not yet drawn up their report. The only news so far rccoivod respecting H.M.S Orlun i> is th,it published by us, first, that the Admiral «itli thn Australian fleet would be in Wolhngton during the second week in June, and a b.iM lelegrain received from the Sen or Officer at Sydney to tho effect that tho Orlando had left Port Jackson with thn Admiral on board on Saturday. As no mention was made of the speed at which sho proposed to oomo, tho timo of her arrival cannot bo estimatod. So far, no stops appear to have boen taken on brhalf of the ''citizens to welcome the Admiral on his first visit to New Zealand. Tho fealuto will bn fired from tho saluting battery at 'lhorndon Esplunade on the flagship dropping anchor, instead of at the landing. An V.C. wll thon go on board to assortain tho hour at which tho Admiral will land, and a guard of honour of 50 of the Permanent Foroo will await tho landing. The extracts wo recently published from a lettor upon the advisability of establishing electric tram linos in Wellington, sent from an oxpert in Seattle to Mr. Goo. H. Davies, has caused numerous enquiries to be mado of that gentleman regarding the matter, and he lias now decided to write to his correspondent and ask for fu'l estimates of the probable coat. Mr. Davioa' correspondent is well acquainted w'th Wellington and the conditions obtaining here. A boy of fiix, son of Mr. Wiseman, a local resident, has been run over by a ballast truck on tho Hntt Paik railway. Some children wpro playing at running the trucks up nnd down. Yonng Wiseman's leg was severely gained, and his shoulder was hurt. With a view to presenting " The Gondoliers " in Wellington with a completeness worthy of h's reputati n as a theatrical manager, Mr. Tom Pollard recently ordered an enlarged wardrobe from Messrs." Williimson and Musgrovo, of tho Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Four largo cases of dresses arrived to-day via Sydney, and are being unpacked in readiness for tho initial performance of "Tho Gondoliers" in tho Opera Houso next Monday night. The Christchurch Volunteers who paraded on tho Queen's Biithday wero headed by a band playing "Tho Marseillaise "—a tuno sacred to Republicanism. A writer in tho Cbristchnrch Press characterises tho fact as an insult to Hor Majesty, and thinks the person responsible should be dismissed from iho service. A cable messago from London to the Melbourne papcL-s, dated 30th May, states that t'. P. Slayin and James Hall met on the previous night in a 20-ronnd boxing contes: for a purse of XIOOO and J2500 a-sidc, and Slaviu was knocked out in the seventh ronnd In the oi.urto of the contest, which lasted only HO minutes. Hall did not rective a blow. Slavin was frequently hissed and hooted < n account of hU poor display. Wo remind our readers that the second of tho series of Mxpenny Popular Concerts « ill bo held in the Skating Rink to-night. Tho full programuio was published in our issue of last night, and phouM bo of itself sufficient to attract a lnigo audience. The promoters of tho Thursday Popular Concerts published another capital programme for thoir ninth concert to-moTow evening. In addition to the favouiite soprai o Miss Johnson (who will niako her re-ippcaranco on the occasion), Master Widdop will sing nn old Knglioh song and the solo part in HNhop's glee. Mr. Maitland will mako his debut at these concerts as a bass singer, 'llio instrumental items are very attracth p, and include a repetition of Tours' fine " Melodiu lieligieuso," by Mr Spackman and his ns3oc:atus of lust week. A spodal mooting of the Wellington Assembly of the Knights of Labour is to be held this evening nt the liechabite Hall, Manners-street. St. Mark's Young Men's Society will hold «. conversazione in tlie Schoolroom, Sus.-u-x-equriio, tomi'iio.y- evening. Among other things, ono of tbe Now Yo<=t Typewriter, khidjy lent by Air. Yeivi, v. ill bo on view. Partiuulais aro given in an advertisement. The eile of tbo Wun^aiiiii Ilaibom Poinl Towi »ln|> of Pohangina bis been postponed to the Sth July. The sale of double iion bodsteids nimoun-el to bo held by T. K. Mncloua'd it Cj. (Liv lted) tp. morrow, has been postponed until a future date. Frpnrn Sl.lry Jfc O. will fell tf-morroiv, at Iheynrdsanj i.nmjtlie Inland Bij Hotel, cows, horses, kc. Oeorja Thomas k Co. wI 1 sell to-inoiTOir, crocoiiea. eroelierv, glassware, Ac. W. P. Shovtt will sell to-morrow, furniture, &c.