Evening Post. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1893 THE SESSION.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1893, Page 2

Evening Post. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1893 THE SESSION.

DEEPS OF ASSICfNMEXT. s i l f

Parliament has now beon four weeks in session. What lias been done in that time? Somo 500 pages of Hansard have, wo suppose, been filled, a few i evolutions of condolence have been passed, some threo or tour entirely unimportant Local Bills have passed; the public legislation has been limited to the Imprest Supply Bill, Ropro- ' scntation Act Amendment Bill, Payment of Members Bill, and Companies' Branch Registers Bill — none of those measures of any particular value excopt, of oourso, the Imprest Supply Bill. In addition to this work, a certain number of useless questions have been answered or evaded, a four motions have been passed which, for all tho good resulting from them, might as well have beon loft nnpassod, Borne Bills have been advanced a stage or two, and the Financial Statement has been delivered. That is the record of the month's work, and a miserably poor record it is, except in tho way of talk. Tho country has not really benefited one iota by tho enormous expenditure incurred in keeping the great talking-shop open for four wooks. Undignified exhibitions of petty spite, personal malovolenco, and bitter recrimination, have boon the distinguishing features of the Bession so far, and the overUvsting flood of wishy-washy talk has only been relievod by a few good speeches, so few indeed that they can be counted on the fingera of ono hand, thoso of Sir John Hall and Sir Robeki Stoot standing in honourable prominence. Nothing seems further from the minds of members than Bottling down to any honest, useful work. They deem no time too great to expend in washing dirty linen, whether of pnblic or private wear. When they are not abusing one another, or sevorally giving diametrically opposite accounts of the same events, they aro talking to their constituents. It is a sorry exhibition that goes on day after day and night nttor night in tho House of Representatives. If only the constituenoics throughout tho colony conld see and hear what takes plaoo a fooling of deep disgust would inspire mostof the electorates, and probably indnco very many of them to select new reproßontati ves w lion the opportunity occurs. Tho Houso is perfeotly disorganised and beyond control. The Speaker is weak and helpless, the so-called Leader of the House has no oontrol whatovor over oven his own Party. Aided though ho is by throe Whips, the Party owns no restraining influence, and Booh member does what seems good in his own eyes. There is no order of debate provided or presorvod. Members, oven on the same side, "jump" each others' claims to speak, and no one on either side has the least idea how much more time is going- to be wasted in the present utterly purposeless debate. It will be fortunate for the country if it comes to a conclusion noxt week. Evidently tho Promicr doos not possess either the power or the taot neoessary to lead a large deliberative assembly. It would not bo easy for anyone to lead the present House in tho way it should go, but as things are at present it is simply allowed to drift, and Ministers seem to onjoy tho waste of time which is going on, as thoy hope it may work their deliverance from having to faoe certain awkward public questions with whiuh they do not know how to daal, or which thoy are afraid to take a decided stand upon. The only consolation to be derived by any honest patriot from a contemplation of the present position of affairs in Parliament, is that the present session will send all the representatives baok to the electors. If the latter deal with them on their morits, very few indeed of the present ocoupants of seats will return to Parliament. The present House is no credit to the country. Party in it has dogonorated into aVabbla, and decenoy and deoorum are qualities too often altogether absent from ita deliberations. If the electorates do their duty at tho approaching eleotion, .there will will baa great change in the personnel ot the House,

We recently diew attention to tho increasing favour shown for the process of enuuiellmg b> means of adeed of assignment, over the vulgar method of whitewashing as a means of getting rid of liabilities. It has boon pointed out to us that wo wero in error in attributing tho growth of the practice to the operation of the new Bankruptcy Aot, although the numbor of assignments in proportion to bankruptcies has certainly lncreiscl lilt ly. The new Act, however, dooß not offer nn> increased facilities such as wo suppobod for arrangements ot tho kind. In fact, all it does in rogard to assignments to trustees for the benefit of creditors is to make such a proceeding an act ot bankruptcy, on which proceedings for adjudication in the ordinary manner may be founded. Nor does tho now Act give power to tho majority of creditors to coorco or bind the minority. No deed of assignment can opoiato as a protection to tho person making i% or to tho trustee under it, ns against any oreditor who does not accept and Bign the deed. Any creditor \\ ho docs not conour in the arrangement may, indeod, roly upon tho fact of its having been made with other creditors to force tho estate into Conrt. This fact is certainly not generally known, and it is belioved that large creditors frequently ignoro or bounce smaller creditors by acting on a doed of assignment without the conourrenco of all concerned. It is jnst as well that it should be known that s.'.cli deeds aro worthless unless accepted by all concerned.

A more complete contrast than that presented by the course of tho Debate on tho past two nights could not bo imagined. On Wednesday Sir Robert Stout and Captain Russell lifted it out of the ruck into which it had fallen, and the listener might have felt proud of tho Parliament of his country. Last nip-lit tho two membors for Wellington p!im<red it to depths lower than the lowe»t it h.id yet reached. Tho House is utterly sick ol tho recriminations between Messrs. Fioher and M'Leau. aud wrangling!, over tho New Zealand Times. Mr. Wilson, who.-c speoch, owing to the Wellington duel with dirty water, was thrust back into tbo fmall hours of tho morning, struck th» nail on the head when he sniil that Iho Houao was heartily tired of hearing the quarrels of Wellington members for v. -even hours spoil; and tho Premier and tho Government members joined tho Opposition in fervent '"Hear, hcara " During Mr. Fisher's tirado the Houso emptied, mid tho bell had to bo rung for tv quorum. During Mr. M'Lean's harangue those who were in the House wero asleep, and oven of sleepers there was seldom a quorum, but members wore too utterly depressed even to count their own numbers, it was anight wasted, and one to make any thoughtful rcbuleut of Wellington hearttore. Men are said to somct nios tell a fnleehooil so often that at last they become themselves convinced that they arc speaking truth. Georgo IV. is underotood to have died uudoi a firm conviction thnt ho really commanded a brigade nt Waterloo. Very itriiorant people belicvo that everything which is in print must bo true. Some legislators seem to imagine that tho grossest niisstatcmcnts. if uttered undor the protection of privilege find placed on record iv Hansard forthwith become purged of their falsehood and garbec in the rnimciit of truth. Of conrso thU i nonsense The House of Representative has none of tho magical quality of llu Palace of Truth, nor doea the pencil ol tho Hansard reporter Like the f iblpd stone of yore. Convert t>c/old tbo wol thless ore, Ennobling what is bnse. An untruth remains an untruth even it Hansard, nnd wo arc sorry to say that tha \ aluable work contains a very largo collec tion of exmnples of thia simple fact. Then is generally a motive other than tho sprent of truth undorly ing the anxiety of legislator! of a certain class to, in Parliamentary phrase " place on record" in Hansard persona statements, whether affecting themselves oi others. 4lproposof tho question of Parliamentary re cords, there was a somewhat singular rumoui about the lobbies last night. It was that th< records of the concsp.nideiiee in connection with tho Ministerial mnsh-tnb scandal of fow year 3 ago aro incomplete, a vorj strongly-worded and deciaito letter from the then Premior, expressing his finnl con elusions and conveying- his ultimatum to n colleague he desired to be lid of, not beinc included in the published collection. Tl.t Btory goes that tho missing document was orignally laid on tho table, but was withdrawn out of, as wasafterwnrds proved, mis. taken or undosorved consideration for tic person it was addressed 10. A copy of tln.l interesting letter, however, turned up in the nick of time, and finding its way into the hands of Mr. M'Lean, was read by him at the witching hour of night by way of concluding his speech, and so was " placed on record." It is an instructive and interesting documont. Tho geueial opinion amongst those who profess to know tho trend of Auckland opinion is that Air. C'a m in will fare worse at the hands ot the Auckland electors than ho did at those ot tho Napier jury. 'I he feeling in Anckland is sai<l to be very strong againbt Mr. Cadinan, not only on the origin i ground of complaint-his native laud deal' ings and association with Mr. W. C. Smithy transactions—but also on account of his having, in a sense, taken advantage of Mr. Roes' well-known impulsivenoss of charactoi to force him suddenly to resign his Chairmanship of Committees and his seat, in ordoi to make a useless and uncalled-for appeal to the electors. It is argued that if -Mr Cadman was capable of reporting to a tricli of this kind. Ins character cannot bo held tc protect him against suspicion in otlior matter' involvod in tho issue. Mr. Cadmau is per. sonally not well known in Auckland, and on the platform he is no match for Mr. Rces. The Liberal Party will be divided in the contest, while the Opposition vote will to a man bo giveu to My. fioc3, for whom sympathy will pjin many other votes which would not undor any other circumstances be likely to be given him. Sir George Grey's influence is pretty sure to be Riven to Mr, Roes. Tho New Zealand Herald i 3 shongly opposed to Mr. Cadman, and tho Star will probably remain neutral in the contest. Ministers will also affect neutrality, but it may be taken for granted that they will sub rosa rendor all the assistance and support they can to their lato colloaguo, for his defeat on tho issuo raised by himself, his condemnation by tho tribnual selected by himself to appeal to from tho verdict of the Saprerup Conrb, must prove most morally damaging- to the political reputation of the Ministry. To Mr. Cadman defeat will moan political annihilation, and to his late oolloaguos it must bring confusion—hi some degroo shame—for they cannot altogetliat disassociate themselves from responsibility for Mr. Cadman'd position. They will snffoi greatly in prestige, and the result will bo seen at the general election.

Our reports of the proceedings at the House of Representatives, the City Counci and St. Paul's parish meetings, with the report of the Drainage Engineer, will be found on the fourth page. Interesting letters from onr correspondent with the New Zealand Football Team will be published in our Supplement to-morrow, together with other matter headed as follows: — "A Strange Reunion," "Hank's Yarn," " bellow Jack," " A New Zealander at the Imperial Institute," " A Now Zealand Lad and his Artificial Foot," '• A Dashing Adventurers," " A Kail of One Hundred Yards," "A Lively Socialistic Mooting," " Heir to the Coghlan's Wanted," " Sweeter than Saccharine," " News in Brief." " Tit Hits," '• Wit and Humour," Ladies' Column," " Temperance Column," "Puzzle Column," &c, &c. Mr. Ninian Melvillo, Chairman of Committees in tUo Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, arrived by the Hauroto 1-ist night, accompanied by Mis 3 Melville. Mr. Blolville proceods tj Dunedin to open a Ttjmueranco campaign. Ho was presont during last night's debate in the Houso. The Hon. Sir. Eeoves is gazetted Minister of Justice, vice Mr. Cadman, and it is announced that tho Hon. Mr. Montgomery has been sworn in a member of the Esucutivo Council. There were 127 passengers fiom Sydney by the Hauioto la3t oveutns Of these, 3t saloon and 45 steerage landod at this port. The vossol tiUo brought a small English mail. The Customs rovenue at the several ports for tho quarter ending 30th June amounted to £3SI,G6t, as against -0377,014 in tho corresponding quarter last year. Wellington contributed £8> 2(>B, as against .£84,371; Auckland, .£33.050, as against A' 79,7-11; Lyttelton, wg0'1.725, as against .£59,3'i2; and Dunodin, £81,011, as against .£83,615. For a considerable time past tho Harbour Board has beon in tho habit of rendering ita accounts for wharfago, storage, &.o . on tho 10th of eaoh month, the undei standing being that tho amounts should bo paid by tho end of the month. Great incouvenionco has, however, occurred in consoquenoo of tho neglect of many business people to settlo before the expiration of the month, and it was decided at yesterday's meeting of the Hoard that in future the accounts of those who neglect to pay in time should be dosed. This will mean that in all futnre transactions, cash will have to be paid by the offending persona. Authority was also given to the Secretary to tako legaj proceedings against all who are in arreats. The followiug gentlemen were nominated last night as candidates for the representation of St. Paul's parish in the Diocesan Synod : — Messrs. U. P. Powlos, G. E. Tolhnrst, G. Uectham, G. Allen, and W. H. Quick. As only throe Synodsmen aro required a poll will take place in tho church schoolroom on tho evening of tho 27th instant. Mr. W. F. Barraud is tho Roturninir Officer. The Government recently oiliod for dosigns for tho ereotion of a Courthouse in wood at Palmorston North, to cost .81500. Mr. "W. Crichton, of Wellington, is tho Bncocasfiil competitor, and will receive a prize of £50. Mr. Crichton, who -was formerly in tho Public Works Department, has tho option of superintending tha erection of tho bnildiug. It will be recollected that it was from his designs that the Wellington Public Library was erected. Lcttors of naturalisation have boon issued to Harold Laurentzen, commercial traveller, Wellington; Christian Larson, labourer, Palmerston North ; Guisoppo Renai, cabinetmaker, Petone ; William Jurgeleit, settler, Woodville; Jaoob Boson, drapor, and Michael Freeman, dealer, of Wellington. Tho latest additions to tho Telephone Exohango are as follows:— H. Gordon, Inspecting Engineer to the Mines Department, private residence, Rintoul-stroet ; A. Barron, Under-Seoret»ry of Lands and Survey Department, private residence, Macdonaldcrescont; Now Zealand Elootrical Syndicate engine-room ; J. J. Sinclair, private residence, Mowbray-stroet f T. J. Soraggs, Eiddilord-street ; Madame A. de Varney, Lambton-quay ; Phelan and Burns, Cour-tenay-plaoe; 0. P. Powlos, Lambton-qnay.

Fifteen boxes of sovereigns, valued at were brought from Sydney for the Ilatik of New Zealand by the Hanroto last ovening. Bui-ing the June quarter the oxpoit of god amounted to 25,G510z., valued at .£103,516. Dnring tho half-yoars ending 30th June, 1892 and 1893, respectively, tho quantities and value were — 1892, 118,7010z, valued at .£174,857 ; 1803, 110,5750z, valned The numbor of applicants for the position of Chief Librarian lias boou narrowed dowu from 5G to 5. Tho City Council decided last night that the live gentlemen left in tho running should bo iutorviewed by tho Committee bofoi c coming to a final decision. The Harbour Board has decided not to withdraw any of its proposals with referonco to tho use of the Potono Wharf by the general public. Tho Marino Department has roquqsted the Collector of Customs at Invercargill to apply for a formal enquiry into t!,e sti aniiug of the Manapouii at tho Bluff on the loth ultimo. Kvidenco is proposed to bo taken on tho question of steamers entering when small sailing veßsels are going out, tho master of the steamer not being able to sco them until lie ccta in tho channel. The Secretary of the Ballance Memorial Committee acknowledges the following additional subscriptions:— Caiterton SUto School children, 12a lid ; St. Mary's School (Stoko, Kelson), 10s ; Moiha Kccpa. Wi Pci o, Wi Hutaua, £1 eaoh ; Jtopata Wahawaba and Enoka to Taitf a, 5s each ; already acknowledged, ,£227 18s 4d ; total. .£232 11s 3J. Out of respect to the memory of the late Mr. S. Danks, who always took a deep interest in the working of the institution, the usual meeting of tiic House Committee of the Hospital Trnstco3 was, adjourned, and the flag above the building was flown at half-mast. Beforo the ordinary business of tho City Council wns proceeded with last ovening, Councillor Putlim'ek said that it was his dnty to jiay a small meed of respect to the memory of a Into colleague, Mr. Samiiol Dankb, who hnd jupt gone to his long rpst. For many years he had sat at tho Counciltiiblo with tho doceased gentleman, but although they had occasionally difforod on public matters, they had alwajß been tho best of friends. The late Mr. Banks had been a worthy citizen, and as good a father as any in New Zealand, and ho (Councillor Potherick) deeply regretted his death. He moved that a letter of condolonco should bo pent to his widow and eon. Councillor Smith, in seconding the motion, boro testimony to tho manner in which tho late Mr. Danks had discharged *bis duty as a City Councillor. He hoped that Wellington would have many citizens as good as tho lato Mr. Banks. The motion was agreed to. John L. Morrison, flaxmiller, of Welling" ton, furnished v statement of his assets and liabilities to the Official Assignee yesterday afternoon. His total debts" mount to J21807 As M, as against £1832 worth of assets. The aociu'od creditors are: — The National flank of Now Zealand — Amount of debt, .£895 10s S)d ; estimatod value of security, .£SOO. K. O'Connor, agent for lato Hon. J. Martin's eitate— Security, .£127 10s, fora rfobt of equal amount. J. K. Nathan — iieenri y hold, .£IOO, for a like debt. Johnston As Co.— Debt, .£136 11s 7d ; seourily, X 1250. Total value of scenrities held, JK2277 10s, for dobts amounting to £1559 12s 'Id. Tho principal unsoonred creditors are — Koherts & Co., £&l ]3s lid ; K. M. Orosbio (Nelson), £12 18s lid; Now Zealand Lonn and Mercantile Agency Company, ,£lO :i* Id j G. Thomas & Co., .£42 Gs lid ; Cable & Co , £32 14a Gd ; Wellington Harbour Board, .£O7 5s 3d: Lev n & Co., £31 f>s; ALwaw.itu Timber Company, .£7O Is 6il ; G. H. Soilcß & Co., £i'\ 3s lid; Wilkins .t Fi U, XGH7s 2d ■, Delaney (Turakinn), .£CO (is 81; W. Braining (Bulls), .£77 ss. The r. lnninder of tho unsecured creditors are for sums under £30. During the Oddfollowa' eclobration at the Hutt last ovening, tho P.G.M. (Bro. S. E. Johnson), on behulf of the Hose of the Valley Lodge, presented P.P.G.M. Bro. O, W. Brown with a Past Officer's j wol as a mat k of the esteem in which ho was held by tho lodge, and for tho many services he had rendered that body. The jowri, which wbb in tl.o form of a Maltcso cross in silver, the centre being a gold circle with tho symbols of tlio Order and the words " Friendship, Love, and Truth." wns manufactured fy Mr. F. Grady, of Wellington, and bore the following inscription :—" Presented to P.P.G.M C. W. Brown, of the Loyal Rose of the Valley Lodge, No. -1310, 1.0.0 F., M.U., for so. vices rendered to tho Lodge and Ordor; 20th Jnly, 1893." In the conrse of his remarks, P.G M Bro. Johnson referred to the mauy services Bro. C. W. Brown had rendered to his lodgo and to the order. P.P.G.M. Bro. Brown made, an appropriate reply, in which he gavo an interesting account of his connection with tho Oddfellows and the offices ho had filled, and said that he would be always found ready and willing to do anything in his power to further the interests of his lodge and tho Order. Mr Martin, Ell., and Messra. F. H. Pickering and A. A. Barnott presided in the Magistrate's Conrt to-dar. A first offender was punished for drunkenness. A fraillooking woman named Selina Williams complained of her hnsband for having assanlted her She appeared to be in a very weak state, and her head was swathed in bandages. The poor creature who said she had been married for 29 years, said that yesterday morning defendant abused her, struck her with his fists, and hit her over the head with a pair of tongs. Williams pleaded Guilty, but urged provocation from his wife's bad temper. Tho Bench regretted tho law did not permit of their ordering tho infliction of the lash, and sentenced tho cowardly follow to two months' hard labour. A youth named John M'Kae, who was arrested at Palmorston North, was charged with bavins passed a valueless cheque for £9 on - l'rod Shaekelford, of Manners-street, on Gth Juno. The informant having given formal ovidmoo to tho effect that ho exchanged his ehecmo for £G for one of prisoner's for a similar amount, at the hitter's requo3t pranted a remand for eight days, bail being allowed in two sureties of .620 each. Eric Orr was ordered to pay 5s per week towards the support of his uiothor. Tho representations of tho Flaxmillera' Association wit h regard to tho necessity for reviewing the charges made by the Harbour Board on flax passing through itssliods, were discussed at length by tho latterbody yesterday afternoon. It was decided that the Secretary should prepare a by-law reducing the ohargo for dumping from Is 8d to Is Gd a bale ; that the charge for 'torago should bo a uniform charge of 2d per bale per week, instead of as present 3d per bale per week for the first two wpoks ; that flax arriving aftor noon on any day should havo two nights' free storage j aud that tho chargo for examining and rop taking flax should bo reduced from 2n to Is 9d per bale. The Board was informed thit the reductions would be equivalent to about .£525 per annum as for the year ending 30th June. The authorities do not accept the figures supplied by Mr. Robt. Gardner yes torday as correct, as tha rovenuo from flax is nothing like .£7500 a year. A report from tho City Solioitor with reference to the case against Messrs. Edwards and Palmer for an alleged breach of the Building By-law No. 35 in connection with the erection of Messrs. Sharlaud <fc Co.'s new warehouse, was laid boforo tbo City Council lnst evening. Mr. Martin, after explaining that the Hesidont Magistrate had imposed a fine of Is and costs, stated that his Worship had held that tho footings should Ijo put in first, although the by-law did not in so many words spooify that. The Magistrate also held that the one conrso of bricks which had boon laid above tho projecting brickwork, and below tho damp course, was "wall," and not part of the footings or fonndation. His Worship held on the evident c that there had been no wilful attempt to ovade the by-law, and so inflicted a nominal penalty only. Ho also held that tho footings in tbo case, under notice wero of no practical valne as a support, whether put iv beforo or after tho commencement of tho wall. Conncillor Potherick asked whether the judgment backed np tho by-laws Councillor Harris said he took it that tho Magistrate held the by-law to bo good and sound Tho Mayor said that the deoision boro out the view which he and the City Solicitor had always hold. Anyone who offended in future would bo severely dealt with. Councillor Smith wished to know why the information had boon laid by Mr. Doyle, Inspector of Nnif>ances, and not by Mr. Watson, tho Buildii g Inspector. Tho Mayor said that it did not matter two straws who bud tho information. Councillor Smith thought the Building Inspector should have instituted the proceedings. Aftor further discussion it was decided that future informations of tho kind should bo laid by the Building Inspector. The adjourned mooting of the Wellington Horticultural Society was held at Castendyk and Focke's rooms last evening, Mr. W. H. Levin, President, being in the chair. The chiuf business of tho mooting was to discuss the ways and means of placing the society on a sound financial footing. A suggestion by tho Chairman that a subscription list should be started was adopted, Mr. Levin heading the list with £5 Canvassers were appointed to work the oity. Ten of the member* present offered to grow plants for sale at the spring show for the benefit of the aocioty, and a Bab-committee was formed to induce others to do the same. It was rosolved to start a referei co library for tho benefit of members, and to resume tho monthlj meetings of tbo sooiety. The sohedule was left lo the committee to arrange; also the appointment of the secretary. An apology was roooived for the unavoidable absence of Mi. H. D. Ball, one of the Vioe-Prosidents. The Wosleyan Mutual Improvement Sooioty hold its anuual social reunion last evening. The first portion of the evening was devoted to a concert, in which an overture and othot selections were playod by an orchestra, under Mr. C. H. King; songs were given by Mrs. Miiller (encored), Miss Steel, Master H. Widdop (encored), and Mr. A. E. Mabin (encored) j Mr. J. H. Helliwell gave a reoitation ; and in a scene from "Pickwiok" Messrs. J. H. Helliwoll, J. Wilkinson, H. Hatlam, S. Chisholm, «. Kirkor, T. D. Kondall, J. Mitchell, and W. E. Fuller took various parts. After tbo concert the souool-rooro and clasa-roomb were thrown open for a display of exhibits, &0., lent by members and frionds ; and eleotrio batteries, a weighing machine, and a shooting gallery wore kept briskly going. The accompaniments dnring the concert wero played by Misses Waters and Little. Next Thursday ovoning the society's " Jonrnal" will be read. The New Zealand Amateur Bowing Association's Almanac, which in to be issned about November this year, will bo on a muoh larger scale than usual. It will contain a deal of information regarding the internal affairs of the affiliated clubs, » complete reoord of the various regattas, together with photographs of the onampion crews and some of the principal courses in the colony. Altogether it will form an exceedingly interesting reoord of the aquatio affairs of this oolony. Mr. A. S. Biss, Seoretary to the Association, is oompiling tho book.

Captain Edwin advises us that strong gales from the northward, with rain, may be expected in most parts of the country between noon of the 23rd and midnight on tho 25th inst. The recent meeting at Featherston, convened by Mr. H. A. Butcher, at the request of tho Premier, to organise a Liboral opposition to Mr. W. C. Buchanan in tho Wairarapa, seems to have been a porfect farce. Mr. Butcher had arranged to put two candidates through their paces, but only one (Mr. Fairbrother) put in an appearance. He, whilo disavowing preparedness, made a speech setting out his principles. Tho other aspirant, Mr. Pownall, contented himself with sending a manifesto, which Mr. Butcher read. Then Iti oleotors proceeded to a preliminary ballot, in whioh Mr. Fairbrother proved tho choico of nine, whilo snven favoured Mr. Pownall. Then two delegate* wero appointed to attend another rehearsal of tho farce at Groytown, and the proceedings closod. Twenty-one unemployed— l 3 from Christchurch and eight from Welliugion — were sent on to Eltham to-day by tho Labour Bureau to do road-making. Councillors Harris and Pothoriok, at tho meeting of tho City Conncil last evening, denied a statement in a circular issued on the day of tho poll for tho Thorndon recreation ground scheme that they had acted inconsistently in connection with tho agitation. Both assorted that they were still in favour of getting a recreation ground, but tint they could not support the scheme recently brought down. Councillor Petherick went on to say that ho did not approvo the Mayor's conduct towards him on the question, and on another occasion he would tell the citizens what his Worship had done Tho Mayor — " Are you attributing to me tho issue of the circular?" Councillor Petherick — " Oh, no ; but I know tho treatment I bavo received. I mnst have a right to voto as I like." Tho Mayor Raid ho thought that, when Councillor* roso to mako personal explanation, to'ontor upon debatable matter was decoiving tho Chair. A Councillor had risen to do ho, and had then proceoded to attack the Chair. Councillor Harris—" 1 hopa you aro not alluding to me, sir, because I was very careful in what I Raid." The Maj-or— " No ; I was referring to Councillor Petherick." Tho subject then dropped. Tho Secretary of the Wellington Agricnlturnl and Pastoral Association lias procured, through the courtesy of Mr. Ritchie, Secretary to the Agricultural Department, a very valuable book issued by the Department of Agriculture in Now South Wales, giving full directions for judging horses and cattle by the point system. It is tho intention of the Wclling-ton Association to give tho system a trial at its next show in the section for entiro draught and blood horses. A memorandum from tho City Solicitor relative to the case of Maearthy v. the Corporation was laid before the C>ty Council last evening. Mr. Martin explained that judgment had boon Ri\en in favour of tho defendants, and added that Mr Justice Richmond had oxprossod the opinion that tho action was unwarrantablo. Tho Mayor moved that a vote of thanks should bo given to tho City Solicitor for tho care ho had taken in (ho matter. His Worship said he had gone through the papers, and could bear testimony to tho services whioh Mr. Martin had rendered. Councillor Smith, in seconding the motion, said ho know that a very considerable amount of work was involved, and Mr. Martin richly doserved a voto of thanks. Tho motion was agreed to. Replying to Councillor Pethorick. tho Mayor 8? id the Conncil had been allowed costs against the plaintiff. A couple of mombers of Parliament wero observed to-day brtsily engaged in tapping off tho painting work recently completed at tho Supremo Court and Polico bnildings, nndcr tho Government co-oporativo systom. Po=-ibly still more may bo heard as to the results of to-d-i-y's labour of love, Mr D. P. Fisher has sent in his resignation of the position of President of the Trades Council | hc&iusc he is dissatisfied with a decision arrived at by the Council. At the Railway Insurance Conferonco this morning, a letter was read from tho Commis"ionors sating that they would moot tho delegates at 3 p.m. to-day. A further snggostion was forwarded to tho Commissioners, viz., that provition bo mado in the Bill enacting that any contributor leaving tho servico may continuo his payments providing- for benefits under tho Bill after ho has loft tho service, but he shall not participate in tho subsidies, if any. John D. Jono3, tho New South Wales ox-Artilleryman arrested by Doteotivo Campboll on the charge of having embezzled .£SO of the funds of the canteen of tho Viotoria Barraoks, Sydney, was brought beforo the Magistrate's Court to-day, and was handed over to tho custody of Constable Nolan, of tho Sydney Police Force, who arrived from ?ydney lust night. Accused and hia escort sail to-night by the s.s. Waihorn. Mr. Thomas Mitchic has been appointed Hon. Veterinary Surgeon to the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Ihe new machinery for the Napier waterworks « ill arrive by the Hawkes Bay, which loft London for the colony on the 22nd June. The want of a piano at tho Vogeltown school has been felt for somo time. The committee has initiated a movement to provido the necessary funds, and ia arranging to give an entertainment for the purpose. Tho Wellington Art Club's Exhibition was woll attended yesterday. Lady Glasgow, who was present in the afternoon with a paity from Government House, purchased a picture by Mias Nina Jones, Nelson. In the evening a short musical prog, ammo was gone throngh, songs being given by Blisses Parsons and Mabel Hill, Messrs. Alfred Hill, W. J. Haybittle, and G. Parsons, Mrs. Quoreo supplying the pianoforto accompaniments. Tho Exhibition is closod this afternoon, as tho Ambulance Association is meeting in the room, but it will bo opened again to-night, and to-morrow afternoon and evening. At the weekly meeting of tho Trades Council hold last night, Mr. A. Ward (VicePresident) in the chair, the followiug resolution was passed, on the recommendation of the Permanent Electoral Committee : — "That tho Secretary inform tho Liberal Association that its action in setting up an Eloctoral Committee as constituted is calcnlatod to create a permanent schism botweon the Labour and Liberal Parties j that if this should occur, the Trades Council will hold tho Liberal Association primarily responsible." Messrs. A. Ward and A. Collins were selected to aot as tho Council's delegates at tho Conference of Trados Councils to commence in Wellington on Friday, 4th August. The Council resolved to meet on Saturday ovening-a at 7 o'clock during the remainder of the session of Parliament. Tho Industrial Conciliation Bill was deferred, for consideration at a meeting on Tuesday evening next. The opening of tho now hall erected by the Loyal Rose of the Valley Lodge, Lower Hutt, in place of tho ono recently destroyed by firo, was celebrated by a dinner in the new building last ovening. There was a large attendance of mombers and visitors, amongthe latter being tbo district officers, P.G.M. Bro, S. R. Johnson, D.GM. Brother R Mothes, P.C.S. Bro. Kershaw, and D.W. Bro. R. Smith, and tho Mayor of Petone. The chair was taken by the N.G., P.P.G.M. Bro. C. W. Brown, and tho vice chair by P.G. Bro. Lawtoii. An excellent repast was served by Mr. G. Nicholas, of tho Family Hotel. Amongst tho toasts wore— " Tho Army and Navy," proposed by Mr. J. Wilford, and responded to by Mr. R. C. E.irk ; " Tho Distriot Committee and Officers," proposed by P.G. Bro. John Cudby, and replied to by P.C.S Bro. J. Kershaw ; " Sucoess to the Loyal Rose of tho Valley Lodge," given by P.G.M. Bro. S. R Johnson, and responded to by P.G. Bro. S. Smith. Songs wero contributed nt intervals by tho Misses Nicholas, Messrs. K. C. Kirk, T. Wilford, Daysb, Goalon, Fleet, Kershaw, and others. Mr Wilford presided at the piano. Tho prooeodingß terminated shortly after midnight. The hall is 41ft long by 27ft wide, and the stage attached theroto is 12ft by 27ft. In addition to the main building thero is a room for the use of tbo Secretary, a ladies' wait-ing-room adjoining tho stage, a meotingroom for tho lodge members, and a lavatory. Tho oontraot w.is oarrioJ out by Mr. J. J. Wobb, of Wellington, the price being nearly .£4OO, and the work has been dono in a manner that has given tho greatost satisfaction to tho lodge Jlr. George Hall was tho architect, and tho work was carried out under the supervision of P.G. Bro. J. Cudby. Messrs Bidwill Bros., of Pihautea, havo presented tho Wellington A"rionltnral and Pastoral Association with a handsome silver cup of the value of about .£ls, which it is proposed to give for compolition amongst dairy stock at the ooming Show. Mr. J. P. Campbell doliverod an interesting lecture last evening in tho Torraco Congrosrational Church Bchoolroom, on "Tho Islands of the fconth Pacifio and island life." Tho chair was taken by the Roy. AY. J. Habons. A hearty voto of thanks was, on the motion of the Rev. G. J. Allen, convoyed to Mr. Campboll. A special meeting of the Executive of the New Zealand Municipal Association is called for Monday noxt for tho purpose of considoring what action should bo taken with reference to the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill. The rooently-organieed Reed Band has, wo hear, made great progress since it formation, and will appear in pnblio at an early date — probably on the night or Arbor Day. Dwan Bros, report the sale of Mrs. Her" bort's interest in the Shamrock Hotel' MoloßWorth-stroi t, to Mrs. itlaukley, formerly of Palmerslon South. A public meeting of Johnsonvillo rosidents is convened for Monday to make enquiries oh to certain statements relative to the deivtli of a child. We wonld remind our readers of tho lantern leotnre to be given by the Helping Hand Evangelists at the Hunter-street Hall this evening. The hounds of the United Hunt Club will meet at the Hutt Bridge at 2.30 to-morrow afternoon. The Wellington Liberal Association's social gathering is to bo held on the 31st instant, in tho Skating Rink. One of the speakers will bo Sir Robert Stout, and a programme of singing and danoing has been drawn np. Our readers are reminded of the Rev. J. Crowes' elootrical and phrenological entertainment, in the Hall opposite the Royal Oak Hotel, this evening. Joh. E. Linrtborg, the Cheap Draper, Cnbastreet, is advertising specially cheap lines in drapery jor to-morrow. Carter ft Co., Beady Money Drapers, WillisPtreet, o»ll special attention to the tnceess of their dressmaking department, which is nnder the penonsi management o£ Mrs. Carter; also to some bargains in dress goods at sale prices. Francis Bidey & Co. will sell to-morrow, (urnitnre, 40. Uuninfcham, Badham & Co. will sell to-morrow, at the City Hotel stables, horses.

W. P. Bhortt will sell to-morrow, fnrnlture, *o. Laery k Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit trees, io.

Oun great salvage sale at Te Aro House has earned for itself a name for the genuine quality and extraordinary cheapness of the lots offered. It baa been " the talk of the city," and people bare found that they have bought " the best goods in Vie hat market, and nt the lowert prices." Nothino baa ever yet surpassed or over equall»d it in Wellington. We have received three separate shipments for the salvage pule, and each has been prolifio of wonderful and welcome bargains.. We have still largo supplios on band, and aro for this week bringing forward f rosh lots. Theso will bo fully equal in quality and cheapness to anything as yet offered. Thjcre will during this week ho wonderful opportunities for all classes of customers, but more especially would wo urge an early visit from thrifty housekeepers and those with limited means. To them onr advice is — Buy all you want now. It is not ofton that snob, a salvage sale occurs. Do not miss its advantages. A little cash will go a long way. Ten shillings or a pound note will purchaso a parcel worth three times the money. Lose no time, therefore in visiting the salvage sale this week at Te Aro Honse. — Advt. Mjessus Wilklns & Field havo ]ust received another largo shipment of tbo aixpenco Pocket Magic Banks for which there was suah a run a few months since. These bonks bold one pound in sixpences, and cannot be opened until tbo fortieth sixpence is put in when it comes apart by means of a spring on the bottom. When tho bank is ompty the bottom ia put on by moans of tho same spring, and the banks are then ready for refil ing. By this it will be Been there is no chance of spending the money until one pound has been Ravod up. The price U ninepence each.— Advt. Don't Lose Heart. — We may still enjoy our breakfast by providing ourselves with tho finest mild cured Canterbury bacon and hams from Wardell Bros. & Co.— a luxury novcr to bo forgotten. Tho following also are soasonablo :— Selected dates, 6d per lb ; cooking figs, 6d por lb ; prunes, lOd per lb ; finest mild Akaroa cheese, 5d perlb. — Advt.