MAGISTRATES AND JURIES.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 35, 10 August 1893, Page 2

MAGISTRATES AND JURIES.

♦ We find that the Statutes Revision Com-mitU-o did suggest, and the Legislative Com.cil adopted, nn amendment in the Magistratca' Courts Uill that in smne degree modifies the objection which we urged when the Bill was first introduced, and emphasised yesterday, in rccrnrd to the special jurisdiction to be given to Magistrates in ca^cs of false imprisonment or arrest, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, seduction, and breach of promise of marriage. Tho amendment w.v- not embodied in section 31, relating to the special jurisdiction, but iv fresh clause.! (157 and 108) introduced near tho cud of the Bill. No mention of tlie alteration is made in the preliminary explanation or synopsis of tho measure preli\od to tho Bill as re-printed. That is left as it was beforo the amendment was made, and is therefore misleading. Tho amendment in tho particular instance under nolle is doubtless au improvement on the original proposal, which was simply iniquitous, but it i-% very far froui hciug altogether satisf ictory. It provides ihat m all such actions whore tho claim exceeds .£lt)i>. nnd in nil actions for iihel or inlander, either party may apply <v piotj to a Judge ot the Supremo Court in C'h.iuihcig to have the action rcmovod to th.it Uou-.t, and tl.e application i-, to be conceded as of right, on giving security for .4.25 coats of trial. It is also provided thut in nil othor actions where the amount exceeds £20 a Judge may order the removal of the oauso into tho b'nprcino Court. Theso provisions are admirably adopted to promote litigation, and pile up lawyers' costs. Defendants in actions for libel or slander arc to bo permitted to insist on foinv boforo a jury if they like to pay tor it. The Bill first of all offers every facility to mou of straw to bring bogus or bliekmailing actions, and then imposes 011 the unfortunate defendant extra oosts, without any hope of getting them back, if be nishes to removo the caso into tho bupreine Court and bri.:g it before a jury. Defendants in actions for false aircst or inipiisoninent, or malicious prosecution, or tpdnction, or breach of promise, are less fortunate They have no right to insist on going to a jury if tho plaintiff is content to limit tho claim to i 99 19d 11 Jd. He can then only get to a jury by special leave of a Judge, which can only bo obtained by an expensive procoss Tho Bill is careful even to provide for adjournments of the hearing, and other devices to heap up costs. If only .£1) I9s 11 Jd is claimed, then thu Stipendiary Magistrate is to bo tho solo judge of both law and facts, nnd is to assess damages. Now, in cases of tbe kind under notice, the mere question of amount ot claim or damages js often a secondary consideration . It is the facts which aio of importance. A man's oliaracter may bo irretrievably ruined by a verdict ou ft claim for twonty shillings, ns well as for twenty pounds — in a. aibo of seduction, for iusuvnGC. In cases of falso arrost or imprisonment, mahejeus prosecution, seduction, or breach of proinieo of unvriiage, tho facts are geuenlly of crcu moro importance than the damages, anil a defendant is placed at a tririblo disadvantage, deprived of an invaluablo privilege and safeguard, when he is debarred from taking tho opinion of a jury upon tho foct=, and in regard to them, as well as (so tho damages, is left at Iho mercy of tbe judgment of a single Stipendiary Magistrate. AVo protest against such a limitation of the right ot trial by ]nry, aa being contrary to ajl precedent and in direct conflict with the bounde&t and moat clearlyestablished piinciples of English law Il'i-, a deprivation of the constitutional lights and liberties ot the subject to tako from him tho protection of a jurj in cases of tbo character named, and to place him at tbo mercy of a single Magistrate. We triut the House of Representatives will btrike out Bnb section b of olausQ 31, which proposes to mtioiluco this dangnrous innovation in the establi.-hed practice of Knglish Couits and the administration of English law.

Theio is an easy way of solving the difficulty which has been cuieed by bir Robert Stout pressing bis Direct Veto Bill and forcing the hand of tbe Government on the subject. It is lo tako Sir Robert into tho Ministry, or, bolter still, to place him at its head. Wo havo it on his own word that h« does not think tho Licencing Question is one which tho Ministry should t.iko up. as a Cabinet question, at the rink of dif intcgraKn; their Party. If .-ir Hoberl wero Premier or :i Minister ho would evidently droi tha extremo measure bo now promo'es. The plan we mggest would be ft vfry deairabla way out ot this and other diilionlties. Sir l.'obert is evidently a dangerous individual as au irresponsible private member. We have known many a howling protest effectually muzzled by a good billet. Evon an extreme Prohibitionist might well shrink from being h«ld officially responsible for tho conecqiionces of a measure ho mny have no hesitation in advocating n hon out of office. Make Sir t.ob rt fctnut Premier, and ho might ceaso to consider the Prohibition or Direct Voto questions a3 being- wit Au tho range of practical politics. We have it on tho authority of tho Minister of Labour that a vote given in support of tho se:ond reading of Sir John Hall's Woman Suffrage Bill was tantamount to a declaration ot belief in tho dishonesty of tbo Government in legard to its professions of sincern intention to confer the frauchise ou women. Yet, in spite of this Ministerial declaration, interpretation, and warning, thirty wpuibcrs of tho Houso forthwith walked into tlio lobby and voted for tho Bill, v hilo only three wcra found willing to assort tlieir belief 111 the honesty and sincerity of Ministers by recording their votes agaiudt Sir John Hall. After Mr. Reevos' statement tho division oan only bo regarded as a dubbeiateexptessionof wantof confidence iv tho Government. By a majority of 27 tho Hqu'e of li'epresontativos has endorsed the opinion which wo have expressed throughout, that tho Governmont is not sincere in its desiro to confer tho franchise on women without furlhor delay, that it is only fooling Parliament and tho pnblic b\ including the provision in tho Electoral B 11, and that its intentions in regard to that Bill aro treacherous. A more unequivocal oondoiuuation than last night's voto could not well b« conceived. If Mr. Reeves was correct, as wo are oouviucod ho was, in the preinterprntation which he voluntercd, surely he should vow urge 1113 colleagues to " consider their position" At any rate, he should oonßidor his own position, now that tho House has, in defiance of his warning, expressed its opinion that tho GovornmeuE, of whioh ho is a member, is li'it only insiucoro, bat dishonest. Wo bavo no doibt tbat subsequent events will fully justify this expression of opinion. The new member for tho Thames was sworu in last night in time to record his voto on Sir Robert Stout's Diroot Veto Bill. He voted like a man, according to his convictions. Mr. Cadman did not appear ininclined to face the music whioh awaited his ro-appearanoe. At cupper time ho was within the preoineta of tho Honso. By arrangement, progress was reported immediately afterwards to enable the Speakor to roßutno tho ohair and administer tho oath to the now member for Auckland City, but when tho mneo was placed on tho table Mr. Cadman had disappeared, and sp the Committee work was continued, and the division took place. Thon Mr. Cadman, having escaped tbe necessity for voting, bobbed np serenely and took his

soul. Tt was an unfortunate beginning of the new K-af of Parliamentary hi'o which ha has turned over. It was another " indißcretion," which will probably make many of tho"*o to whoni he owes bia re-appearance in lie House, or who worked hardest to secure it, donbtfnl as to the valuo of hie victory. Our Parliamentary report and other read, ing matter will bo found on tho fouith page Sixteen out of 1!) chemists in Wellington lime eiguii;od tntho Minister lor Labour that they aro in favour of a compulsory halfholuluy, protided they aro allowed to open their thoi>3 fur two hours in the cvpninjj. Iho Giey Valley Coal Company has deulined to accept (ho offer of tho Governmout to give a Mibpidy of XI for £\. on the amount expomlod on porniinout works in connection wilb its 20-ucro l>lock nrar WestJ'urt. '1 ho coiii))any silked that the royalties nlionld not beiiioreaicd,liHttho Governmont declined to accede 1o the request, and the whole matter i-» row n abeyance. Mr. W. T. L. Tra\ers bas ideas pecnliaily hia own a? to how to conduct a nonnpajver, catering ior tho varying tasks of thonsands of readers Ho informed tbo Philosophical Society last night tbat ho wa3 sick of reading of football matches, and regretted that the papers did not fill up the Epaco devoted to the3e games with scientific matter. It is the intention of the Manawatu Railway Company, we understand, to appoint a stationmaster lor Shannon very shortly. An interesting point was decided by his Honour tho Cli if Jiiilico this morning in tho case of Low v. Hutchison, argued beforo him in the I'.irlior p.irt ol tl.o week It wns a motion to rot-uind an order prohibiting Mr. Ilutchiron. U.M., from endorsing on tbo license held by hlizabo'.h Low, of Mastertou, a conviction for uu offenco committed by the previous holder of the licor.so. lJii Honour held tho pro\i«ious of section 150 of the Licensing of 1831 showed that tuo re•iniremeuts of fie Act as to endorsing tlie coir, ictiun on tiio liecnso could not bo complied with where there had been a temporary transfer, for tho convicted person could not be rci|uirej to produce a transferred license. Moreover, tho convicted person was not carrying on business under tho lieonso at tho time of tho conviction, and had no license upon which tho conviction could bo endorsed. Ho therefore refused the motion to rescind tho order for the prohibition, ar.d granted costs, £7 7s, and disbursements. The first instalment of books for the reference section of the Free Public Library, representing about .£5(10 in value, caino to hand this week, and is now being unpacked and placed on tho shelves by Messrs. Lj'on and Blair, through whom tho order was sent Home. It is expected that the new Librarian will tako charge at tho beginning of next mouth, when the final classification of the books will be made, and tho complete institution put into working order. The delegates who havo been attending tho Trades Councils' Conference were entertained last night by tho Wellington Trades Council. A deputation of ratepayers waited upon Mr. H. Fielder ycslerdiiA, and urged him to become a candidate for tho representation of To Aro Ward in tho City Council. Mr. Fielder promised to give a reply in the course of a day of tw o. '• One who lias spent years amongst the poor" writes to us on the dNtre^s which picvai! 1 - in tho city. Our correspondent, refcrrinsr to men vhnliavc come ! cio in scanh of employment, writes :—: — * I know of many who have not had the price of a menl to c it. and had to sleep out at night without a blanket to cover them It is mo3t touching to witness tho distress of these poor men. 1 linvo Fccn tbo tears rollingdown thcirci oeks « hen tbpy have been telling me their story — how they havo loft home and littlo ones to c 3ino here in i-Gurch of work." Our conespoudont also incniions the pitiful case ol a poor widow, nlio lives in two rooms only fit for a stable, for which eho is charged -ia v week, is in arrears witli her icn', uml her only furniture consists of an old stretcher and a pieeo of old carpet to cover her, not o\ en a blanket. There are mai.y such cises. In Molbourno tboro Is a fund, called tho Quern's Fond, usnii to help [mor a omen an<l childicn. Such a fund is much wanted here. A Sunday Dinner Fnnd for tho destitute is also a useful iuslitu ion in Melbourne. Our concipondout authoiiscs vi to give her name aud address to anyone who would like to write O" call with a view to making enunifies and r< uderiug aid. Judgment was given by tho Chief Justice this morning in two Wanganui cases, one of thfm being thn will caje of Nixon v. Ni\on and others, a friendly action brought tortbu purposn of obtaining tbo opiuion of the Court aa to the construction of the will of the late Major Ki\on, and as to tho ponersof tho Trustoes to postpone the sale of the property passing under tho will Tho decision ot the Court wns that tho postporomi'nt of tho talc nf tho land should bo lift to tho d'gerction of the Trustees, with powor to apply to the Court for leave to soil at any time. Tho plaintiff (a son of the deceased) was held to Lo entitled to a conveyance of tho land which hatl been retained by tho testator for his ovi n occupation up to the centre line of the Matarnwa streim, and to include the orchard m: the north side of the '■triaiu. Costs as between thu pailies wero nllowoil. to bo pud out of the est.ito. Mr. (Jell roccived judgment for the plaintiff, and Mr Marshall (Waiiganni). for the 'I'm tees. '] ho other caso was that of kimitiriu and others v. Cullinane, an action for damages, and bin Honour awarded the plaiutifls £7~> n.i damages for defendant failing to repair fencing, and .£65 for damngo caused to land by tho spread of gorse. Coats wero allowed Mr. Bell received judgment for plaintiffs, and Mr. Marshall for tho defendant. The ingenuity of tho cargo- thief has asserted itself again. A case of cutloiy w Inch arrived for ,T. Myer-, and Co per The s-.s. 'IVltoa, on boiii? opened yc»<ciday. was found lo bavo been de\tcrou->ly broache.l, foinc It ilnzon o" ktmes being taken out, and tho cavity thus made filled up with pieces of brick. To outride appearance thore was nothing wrong with tho case, and it was only when opened that it was discovered that a board had been neatly taken off tho bottom of thn box, a hole cut in the tin beina largo onough to allow the goods to be taken ont. and the board replaced This iB not tho first tinie tho firm has had goods stolen in transit, and it shows thy necessity for caro on tho part of consignees to closely inspect their goods beforo taking delivery of them. Of course it is impossible to say whether tho robbery was committed on board the vessel, or in tho docks at Home. A singular prosecution, proba' ly tho fii.-t of its kind, took placo jesterday at tlio Lower Hutt, boforo Messrs Mai tin, 11 M., and Cjidby, JP. Josnr.li Jameson, tho owner of tho Victp}ii Hotel, Pel-one, w.is Mimiuonod by Willi.un Hestu:\ Town Clerk of tho Petono Borough, for causing an injury to Jackson-stroot b, allowing water lo d^op on tin* footway from a cori>icein the front of tlid hotel. Tho evidence of the Boroneh rngiueor (Mr. Sciton) xvns to the effect that ii ebanucl had boon repeatedly worn in tho footing owing to the action of the water so falling. Tho dpftMice eot up was that there had been no injury, and I hat Hip Municipal Corporations Act was not meant to apply to a case of tho kind. Judgment was reserved, to en.iblo tho Magisti ates to view the locality. Air. ltunnyappoayed for the prosecution and Mr. Ha~eldcn for tho dsfenco. Tho Wellington Debating Sooioty held its fortnightly s<>sfcion laet night in tho Exchange Buildings, Mr. J. Myers being voted to tho chair in tbo absence of the Piosideut. Tim debato wns on tho propo.-al — " That tho present system of Paity Government in New Zealand should bo abdUlied." Several w-i*ors wero present, and addressed tho meeting. Mr. A. H. Atkinson spoke on bohalf of tbo reform, aud Mr. T. Orr championed tho cauEo of Party Government. On a vote of tbo members being t'llun, tbe motion was carried by a very large majority. The Prineo of Wales Slinstroland Concert Party, who eavo an entertainment a fow nights ago for tho bennfit of Mr. Maurice Haves and family, aro very graWul to tho public for tho patronage given on that occasion. In spite of tho very inclement weather they havo the licind-oiuo fum of X2l 2s Od to hand over to Mm. lla> cs - probably as large an uinomil as has ever been netted in tho Princess Tlioiitro. Messrs. H. M'Cjrdull and 0 Kreeft, who occupied the position of handicappers to Iho Amateur Athletic Club for tho past jear, havo accepted office for anothor term. 'I hey coitninly (\ostr\o tbo warmest thanVs of membois for tho interest they havo taken to promote tho club's v. ulfuio Not only have they perfotmcil the aiduous dutiKt of liandicappors for the Bovoi'iil meetings hold during fho 12 months, but they liavo renderoi tho cluo an invaluable service by compiling a rogiater of the performances of each member since his entrance. Tho information is most complete. There aro no fewer than 300 niunos in tho book, and the record of caoh man is clearly sot out Wo nndorstand that no other club in tbo colony posso3sos such a rcgUter. Tho clnb's cross-oountry race is to toko placo on 3Gih'Septonibor, the Spring Meeting on 2nd Dooembor, and Iho Autumn Meeting on tho flrit Saturday in March. Tho club intends to vote that tho Championship Meeting should be hold in Duucdin. It has been aeoided to Teooininond the following to tha Solootion Ooumjittoo of the Australian Championship :—J H. Ifomp. ton, L. W. Harley P. Nathan, N. L. Gurr, E. Goro, O. M'Coriniclf, and Morpeth. Tho Govornor has accepted the position of patron of tho club. An ordinary mooting of tbo Philosophical Sooiety was hoH labti-voniuginthe Colonial Musoum, Major-Goncral Schaw (Prosidenl) in the ohair. M.r. G. V. Hudson read an excoudmgly interostiu? paper on ' The Vuliio of New Zealand liiologiual Collections," iv which ho expressed tho opinion that the Government did not sufficiently encourago collectors, whose heavy expenses in tho field had to bo borne solely by themselves. Sir. K. Tregpar road a paper on " Old Kaori Civilisation." This, to the lay portion of tho andienco, was decidedly ono of tbe most interesting dolivorcd before the Society for a vorv long limo, and it iB a matter for regret tint the exigencies of spaco preclude tho possibility of giving more than a more glance at it. Mr. Trogoar's contention was that ages ago the Polynesian Maoris posBessod a much higher form of civilisation ttian they now enjoy. The decadence perhaps was partially duo to thoir having omigratod to theeo islands, and in the case of tho Polynesian islandoru to tho sclflndulgenee indnoed by the tropical olimato. 'Iho custom of tattooing, whioh prevailed more or less amongst all bouth Sea islandora, was, he believod, a remnant of tho lost art of writiug aniongst those races. Tho word " tattoo " pointed to this oonjeoture of his, inasmuch as tho first syllable, " tat," signifies throughout the islands "to tap," "to point ont," and in some oases " to write." The paper was listened to moat attentively, and was evidently highly appreciated. A short paper written by Mr. T. V. 0. Huddleston, on "Drawings fonnd in oaves at Albury (■'onth Canterbury)," was read by Sir James Hector. A party of ladies and gintleraenconneoted with Wesley Chnrqh Christian Endeavour Sooiety (The Snmhineu), grave an enjoyable vocal and instrumental concert last evening at the Home for Aged 'Needy, whioh was much appreciated by the, old folks.

In connection with tho chnnire of tl.e date of d"^patch of tho San Francisco mail-, lroni London, it has now been defimtnly air.ingcil that tho mail advertised to loai 0 Londt r on 2nd September shall luut<j on iho '.ltu September, a week later. As a retult o'_' his change the mail will reach thccolonj on tho 12th October instead of the jth. as now advertised, and all subsequent mails will leave London and arrive in the colony a week later than at present airanged. 'Ihero will he nr> change in tho despatch from this end. Mr. R. Kerr, tho Christchnrch delcgato to tho recent Trades Councils' Conference, loft lor bis homo iast night. Mr. W. Worth, tha President of tho Auckland Couucil, leaves for tno North this o\ eniug. r l he only pel son brought before the Mugistrate's Court to-day waa a first offender for drunkenness, « ho wa3 puiiishod as por usu J. The Wellington Assembly of tho Knights of Labour bat passed the following resolutions :—That thin Assembly strongly protest against the s.tlu of any portion of the Cheviot H state. That Ihis Assembly rospcotfall) v ills on the Government, in tho interest of the general pnblic and in justioe to the parties concerned, to cause to be set np at tho earliest date possible a special Parliamentary committeo, chosen by tho House, to enquire into Iho acquisition of certain native lands known as the Tamaki block nnd the Unmtaoroa block by Messrs. Cadman and Smith wbiie holding the position of M.II R's , also into Mr. Cadinan's having been ssid to havo participated in tho profits arising from tho said purchase of ualivc lands while holding the po&ilion of Native Minister The approaohing marriage of Miss Grace was taken adva tago of at the annual meeting of tbo Indies of the Society of St. Vincent dc Paul held yesterday, to present a wedding eift in the shape of v, handsome gong Mi-a Graco has long boon au energetic member of the society. The pi mentation was made by tho Rev. Father j)a«'son, and Miss Grace mide a -uitable reply. 'i hi> fortnightly pitting of tho Lower Hutt Mug strate's Court wai held yesterday, before Mosi-rs J. C. Martin, K.M., nud J. Cudby, .T.P. JaniC3 Blacker, for being drunk while in cha-g^ of a horso, was finec 10s, or in default to undergo 48 hours' imprisonment. Mr. Wilfotd appeared for accustd James May and David Taylor wero chartred with having committed a breach of the poaco at Petono, and both defendants woro fined 10s, with lls Gd costs. 4lav also charged Taylor upon an information for assault 'J his was dismissed. Mr. Wilford appeared for May, and Mr. Bunny for Taylor in both cases. Henry Swain, for allowing 7 head of cattlo to wander ou the streets at Lower Hutt, was fined 2-i 01, with Court co?ls 9s, and eouiHol's feu £11». Mr. Wilford prosecuted on behalf of the lJorough. Ciul ciojt : -Powell Ar Damant v. H. Burt, judgment given for amount claimed, .£lO lls 2il, and coits £2 7s (Mr. Bunny tor plaintiff); Fe.ht it Harrowby v. Gi>o. Kay. jndcriienfc for amount olaimed, ilO 8s lOd, and coals £IZi (Mr Bunny tor plaintiffs); T. Price v. Hapi Puketapn, judgment for amount claimed. ;£2G 0s Gd, and costs £3 12s (Mr bunny for plaintiff); M. Web ley v. Win. Cudby, judgment for amount claimed, £2 !)-, Sd, and costs 7s; H. Trueman v. D. P. FUhor, claim of S3. IDs lOd on a judgment eummoiu, dofendant ordered to pay forthwith or undergo 7 days' imprisonment; trier to be suspended if defendant pay 10s a fortnight. t.ieut.-Colonol Newall, in presenting Chief Petty Officer Armstrong, of tbo Wellington X.unls, with a long-service medal last night, oxprcpspd tt hope that ho should have tho pan c plca«ant duty to perform towards o'her members of the corps. Ho considered fiat 1G years' continuous i-prvico wa=! better than 20 yeais' broken service, and he hoped that C P.O. Armstiong will live long to wear 111™ medal. C.P.O. Armstrong, who in ouo of the niot>t popular and efficient noncoinini«sioncd oilieins in the company, is to be c ngratulated on his lengthened connection with the Volunteer Force. The Hutt Park Company has agreed to contribute .£2O to the improvement of a portion of tho goh' links at tho Hutt if the Golf Club will ako give .£lO. Lieut. Campbell, of the Wellington Navals. who has been 011 a \isit to Australia in connection with tlie Now Zcnland Football Team, met with an ovation from the corps on cut'ling tho Drillshed last evening. At the hatf-yeaily meeting Liout -Commander Duncan referred lo Lieut. Campbell's return, ni.«l said that the compauy was oioccdingly glad to fceo so popular and energetic an oflicer back again. Lieut. Campbell returned thanks for hU enthusiastic reception, and gmo a vivid description of a visit which lie had paid to tho fortifications in Sydney in the interests of tho Wellington Navals. The Ska"ing Rink was paoked last evening at the Sixpenny Popular Concert, when a_ programme of operatic selections was rivui. An overturo having'been played by the orchostia under Mr. S Ciminn, Mr. Walter Haybittlo sang " When Britons really ruled the waves" (" lolanthe"), for whiuh ho received an encore. " I dreamt that I duel." ("Tim Bohemian Oirl ") and the "'Powor of Love" (" Satauella" I weie sung l.y Mrs. Millar, who was encored for the fmmor. Mr. W B. Cadzow's item '" ICily Mavourncon" (''The Lily of Killarnny ") was sung in fiu» style, and \ih"u enenred he added " Molly Bawn." Later on ho Fang " There is a flower that bloomoth " ("Maritana"). again with miccess. Miss K. Frankel's solo, Den/as "' Call me back," with violin obbligato by Mr. E. Maginuity, though marred by nervousness, met with an eneoro. " Scenes that aro brightest" (" Maritana ") was excellently given by Miss Kos», who was encored. Mr. Cndzow and Mrs. Millar carried off the honours of thp evening with the duet "Ob Marilana," t'teir voices blending capitally, a-id a verse had to bo repeated. " Nono tlmll purl us " (" loluutbe "), by Miss K. Frankcl and Mr. Walter Hayhittlo, was but a partial success. In the Bai ltone Singing Contest thero were eight competitors. Certain of tho uoHy spirits in the crowd exhibited very bad manners by jeering at some of the competitors. The judge, Mr. F. V. Waters, gave his decision in ilia contest aa follow-: ■ — Mr. F. S. M'Lean, " They all love Jack," 07 points, 1: Mr. T. Folckmann, " Out on the deep," 00 point-", 2. The possible number of points was 110. Miss Little and Mrs. Cadzow played the accompaniments in the concert, aud Master S. Oimiuo in tho contest. It was annonnecd that next Wednesday evening a classical entertainment will be given by a well known family of musicians, and a tenor singers' contest will follow. A novelty last night was the distribution by the management of comic papers, with whirli early arrivals could beguile the time while waiting for tho entertainment to bo.in. Tho Calliope Quadrille Assembly bold a phi in and fanej dress ball at tho Foresters' Hall last evening, imd it passed off most successfully. A bout 50 couples werepiosent, and tho admirable iirrnngrmouts mado by the committee enabled all piosenl to enjoy themselves. The hall was, nicely decorated with flazs and overgreons. Messrs Patterson (piano), and Mooro (comet), furnished excellent music, and Mr J. Reid madn an efficient and rouiteous M.C. Tho catorin<j was eutrnstcd to Mr. G. Ronell, who gave every Batisf tetiou. Tho Committee of Management consisted of Messrs. J, Eeid, A John«, 'V. Linley. Uridge, Adams, and G. Rowoll (Secretiry). During the evening songs wore given by Miss Shepherd and Mr. J. Reid. Mr. J. Smith appeared in a hoop and glass ooutortionist act, and Mr. F. Jones performed a terioß of clever juggling feats. A shooting meeting of members of tho .Tobnsonvillo Gnn Club took plaoo on tho Johnsonvi'lo racecourse yesterday afternoon, and. considering the high wind, some good shooting was done. Sweepstakes wore won by Messrs. F. Martin, E. Enrp, and F. Burnes, Messrs. M'Kiiifetry nnd Kroderiok dividing others, and Mr. S. Scott being best at tho glass balls. Thoro was only ft moderate attendance at the Pptonc Oddfellows' Hall last evening, when Mr. C. Wilson delivered his loo*>ure on " People wo meet in a nanspapcr office," in aid of tlio Institute funds. Tlie obair uns taken by tho Mayor (Mr. R. C. Kirk). A heai ty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Wilson on tlie motion of Mr. S. R. Johnson, Chairman of the Institute Committee. Members of the Pacific Lodge, U.A.0.D., are reminded of an ordinary meeting to be held at Richard*. Rooms, Cuba-streot, this evening. A magic lantern entertainment is advortisod in connoetion with tho Kent-terraco Band of Hope. People rurui-hiitfr, or for otbor roisnns in want of b m.'uii)9, cm pet thorn trnm J. Toune, ironin, .nirer, wh j is sellusg off jiropuratorj to leivioif Ham Zetland. W. Juuiuiigs, !>.im!er, elnzipr, paperlmnner, 4c. near &t Peter's Cuiircb, tYilhs-stredt, his au adrertiGemeut elsewhere An important propertr silo is lo be held in Napier on tbe 12t]i pioxuno l>v C. I). Iloaille.r anil Co. Tbo block nf buildings erected on tbo Market Reserve, ami inelu.lim.' the Criterion Hotul, Now Zoilau'l Clotbm^ Factory, and *evernl warehouses, is to bo olfere<i 111 six Jots, on lease for 35ycarR. Dotoiis aro net out in our mtvorli?iur columns. To-morrow nttornoon, commisneiuir at I o'clock. T Kennedy Slacdounld & Co. (Limited) will sell ot their rooms, Funimn-strect, a choice nnd vnlnnblo oolleotion of book*. CaLal"frueit can bo bad on api lication, and tbe hooks aro for absolute and unreserved salo. A. J. Reid will toll to-morrow, fur), io. W. P. Sbortt will soil to.moiTow, •uudriei.