The Evening Post. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1894. FOREWARNED, FOREARMED.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 105, 4 May 1894, Page 2

The Evening Post. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1894. FOREWARNED, FOREARMED.

Although the result of tho licensing elections showed that the Prohibitionists form but a small majority of the eleotoral body of the colony, they aye evidently not in tho slightest degree d'sheartened, or inclined to relax in their efforts to rule the loost. They understand fnlly the advantages of organisation and perseverance. Thoy know how often those qualities have enabled a numerically small force to defeat a much larger ono from which organisation has been absent The race is not always to the §wift, nor the battle to tho strong in point of numbers. The strength of tho Prohibitionists lies in i the disorganisation and want of energy of 1 the Moderate Party. Of this condition of affairs they are prepared to take the fullest advantage-, and they hope by zeal and discipline to achieve a victory over the disintegrated majority which is opposed to them. They will undoubtedly Bucceed in this if the other sido does not wake np and organise also. A good fight was fonght and won at the polls, bnt the Moderate Party must not rest on its laurels, or flatter itself that the contest is ended. It has shown that by vigorous action it is strong enough fo win a pitched battle, but it must aleo, if it wants to secure the fruits of victory, go organise and regulate its strength as to bo abe to patiently sustain a long campaign. ]f this organisation be wanting, or effort be relaxed, the majority will wake np some day and find the' minority ruling them with a rod of iron. Tho proceedings of the Temperance Convention just held at Palmeraton North should prove instructive to tho othf-r side. Combined and sustained effort is evidently to be made to promote legislation in snch a direction as will enable a small but active minority to impose its will upon a large bnt inert majority. The efforts of the Extremists are to be directed to obtaining a law which shall give a bare majority of tho electors voting the right to control tife-pergonal liberty of the majority ofjhe community. The Convention rejected the proposal that a 20 per cent, majority should bereqnired to carry Prohibition. This faot is eloquent as to the intolerance of their policy, and the tyranny which they seek to establish. Nor would they be content even with giving a bare voting majority power to rule. They desire to keep the country in a turmoil of agitation, until by hook or by crook they can manage to snatch such a majority. Relying on their own misdirected energy and skilful organisation they are determined to keep the question continually open. They will not assent to a three years' interval between trials of strength. They want at least an annual battle, and bo to keep the threat of Prohibition perpetually hancring over the heads of all interested or concerned in the liquor traffic They argue, not incorrectly, that suoh a condition of affairs would to a large extent demoralise and dishearten the trade. It would greatly depreciate the value of all hotel property, and so lessen the strength of the Moderate Party. It cannot be too vividly remembered that the object

of the Fxtrfmiet' is not to improve the 1 q»or trade, or to convert or remove any oi the evils connected with it. Their design is to destroy it altogether, and with a view to this end they rejoice at anything which may tend to bring tha traffic into disrepute. Nothing is further from their wish than to see a well-conducted, well-regulated hotel trade established. The worse the licensed houses are, the better for their purpose, and they think that while licenses can be maintained on a precarious annuat tenure there is not much chance of further capital being invested with a view to improvement in the accommodation and conduct of the licensed houses. The Convention therefore objected to a poll settling for three years the licensing question as far as tenure is concerned. The Convention also desired to bring clubs under the control of a bare majority at the poll, and to deprive local bodies of all interest in the question of licensing revenue. More than this— the Convention actually objeoted to power being given to meet emergencies caused by sudden increases of population. If the good delegates were ever on a large gold field rush prior to licenses being granted upon it, they would know how necessary it is that such a power should exist. The sly grogselling which goes on in such caseß produces a perfect Pandemonium. Perhaps, however, the delegates knew this, and were willing that snch a condition of things should be risked, in order that, if it occurred again, it could be need as a further object-lesson in favour of total prohibition of the importation or manufacture of intoxicants. That this is their ultimate aim is shown by the further resolution seeking to obtain control of the granting of wholesale and packet licenses. If the Moderate Party and those v;ho object to the domination and dictation of a faddish or fanatical minority do not take warning by the deliberations and conclusions of the Palmerston Convention, they will deserve whatever loss or inconvenience may befall them. If they let the extremists go on organising and agitating, while they take no steps to protect their own liberty and interests, they will find out too late that their mere numbers are quite useless. The minority will win. There ought to be a Moderate League established, with branches in every licensing district in the colony. The sophistries and misstatements of the Extremists— they do not stick at trifles — should be exposed, answered, and disproved. The registrations should be carefully looked after, and generally an organisation should be established to carry on a continuous and vigorous campaign, the forces alwayß being ready for a pitched battle whenever necessary. The registration of electors is a most important matter. In England the battle of Parties is, to a large extent, fought and won in the Registration Courts. So it will be here. The party which looks best after the registrations will have muoh the best chance oi victory at the polls. The Prohibitioniste are extremely active on this point. Proof of this was afforded at the Convention. The course now adopted in this and some othei electoral districts of striking off the names of those who did not vote at the licensing election is one directly in favour of the Extremists. They polled their votes almost to a man and a woman. The vast majority of those" who did not vote on thai occasion were Moderates, content that things should remain as they are. To have these all strnck off the roll would be a great gain to the Extremists. It would at least quadruple their chanco of winning in the next trial of strength at the ballot-box; The Extremists have machinery whiqh will ensure the speedy restoration to the roll oi the names of any of their Bide who maj chance to be struok off. There is no suor machinery on the other side, or the powoi of the Registrar to so purge the roll woulc be contested in the Courtß. If ho is allowed to complete tho work he is engaged in, the Modi!) atirf'arty will suffer most disastrously Its electoral strength will be greatly re duccd, and it will probably realise its mis take when too late. There should be nc time lost in organising on a broad, general and permanent basis, and the first actioi taken should be to resist the wholesali disfranchißement now in progress. If mat ters are simply allowed to drift on the side of the majority, while well-directed energj and activity are displayed by tho minority the latter may almost certainly be backed t( win in the end, and that at no distant date.

Sporting news and letters to the Editoi will be found on the fourth page. To-morrow's Supplement will contain amongst other matter, articles headed ai follows : — " Gentlemen, You May Smoke,' Indian Mutiny (continued from last week) Curious Statutes, Drinking from a Girl's Shoe, A Cyolist's Ride for Life. The Familj Life of America, The Duke of Wellington': Famous Story, The Irish Maybrick Case Three Straight Talks, Tho Attraotivo Age The Art of Leaving, News in Brief, Tit Bits Wit and Humour, Ladies' Column, Puzzli Column, Temperance Column, &o. There were 31 bankruptcies in TVellingtoi during the four months ended on Monday last. During the corresponding period lasyear tho number was 18. When the paragraph in a Dunedin papei stating that he intended to resign was show: to Mr. Vincent Pyke, he wrote—" They ar< too hungry. My shoes are not empty yet nor lively to be. They must wait a litth longer." We aro heartily glad to hoar it and hope the genial veteran may be gparec to take hia seat, and keep it for many years Sir Patrick Buckley left for Rotoru! yesterday. The Labour Bureau is to send eight mci to work on the Waikanae-Upper Hutt roac to-morrow. The Minister for Labour left OnehungE yesterday for Wellington. The Royal Commissioner's enquiry into th< publication by .the Evening Post of th< Fox correspondence was opened at the Par liament Buildings this morning by Mr O'Hara Smith. Colonel i'ox and the Premiei were amongst the witnesses examined. The advisability of extending the juris diction of Stipendiary Magistrates in speein districts from .£IOO, as at present, to £200 is being considered by Government. A letter from Mr. W. A. Graham, J.P., oi Hamilton, asking the Premier, on behalf o! Tana Taengakawa te Wakaroa and Tawhiao to meet Tawhiao in the Waikato before the session, and to make a grant of land neai Ngaruawahia for Tawhiao and his people, wai considered by Cabinet yesterday, and it was decided to reply that the Premier wil' meet Tawhiao in Wellington during th< session. The text of the extradition treaty witt the Argentine Republic is gazetted. Mr. H. D. Johnson is gazetted Registra; of tho Native Land Court, Wellington, anc Mr. J. N. Wilson to a similar position ii Auckland. Mr. H. C. Jackson is gazetted Regißtrai at Gisborne, and Mr. Frederick Jones Cleri and Interpreter of the Validation Court. Mr. J. W. Shaw is gazetted Deputy Dis> trict Land Registrar at Wellington during the absence of Mr. G. B. Davy. The Manapouri, which arrived from Melbourne this morning, brought 40,00 C sovereigns for the Bank of New Zealand The magisterial enquiry into the founderin? of the b.b. Kiwi will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr. C. P. Powlos writes to us as follows:—In last night's issue you give a description of tho comet whioh is now visible, by Mr. Innes, of Sydney. I have been hoping to hoar something more from Sydnoy as to the comet's movements, ite probable orbit, &o. The position Mr. Innee gives was the position of tho oomet on the 6th April, the first night I saw it. Now it has moved throngh some 70 or 80 degrees, and is about 20 degrees from Sirius, above this star and to the right — at sundown it ie almost overhead. My telesoopo iB only a 3-inch, but I certainly saw a faint tail on Friday night last, the sky being very clear. I think the comet is approaching the sun, though I am not learned enough to calculate its path, and, as Mr. Innes says, it may develop into a brilliant naked eye objeot. It is a pity our Government haa not an astronomer to 'take note of suoh celestial objeots. Of course a fully-equipped Observatory would be a very costly thing, but I believe Government has a very good 5-inch refractor by Cooke, and it would not cost much to house that bo as to be aorvicoable. In many things the New Zealand Government seeks to be foremost. In many branches of science New Zealand is welfto the front, but in astronomical research it certainly lays behind. Regarding the question of small silver oins, Mr. E. Bannister sends ns tho following : —In tho early '" forties " three-halfpenny pieces were in circulation in Wellington. They were paid to soldiers. I kept several of them for years, and havo one still. We have to acknowledge receipt from the author and compiler, Mr. Archibald Sanderson, of Masterton, of a very handy little book of 58 pages— containing a conciao epitome of the results of the last two general elections, with sketches of the members of the Honse, an eleotoral map of the colony, tabulated results of tho licensing election, lists of Speakers, Governors, and unsuccessful candidates, and general information connected with the Parliament of the conn-try-aptly styled "The A B C of New Zealand Politics." Mr. Sanderson's book should prove very handy for reference. The oivil list at the Magistrate' a Court yesterday was not finally di*po-ed of until lato in the afterno' n Some time was taken up with a case iv whioh E. J. Foothead sued J. H. Palmer for J227 163, balanco due undor a contract for plumbing n ork. Defendant paid .£l7 16s and costs into Court in satisfaction of the debt, and his Worship gave judgment for the amount paid in. Mr. Baldwin appeared for tbo plaintiff, and Mr. Travors for tho defondant. The remaining cases were those of the Empire Loan Co. v. H. M. Brewer, claim .£5, judgment for amount and 6s costs ; Dr. Johanscn v. Mrs. Emma Johnston, claim of ■£14 Os 9d, plaintiff nonsuited, with £1 Is costs; same v. W. Williams, claim £3 10s, judgment for defendant. The yacht Xanthe, which went ashore yesterday, is to bo lifted by the big crane on Jervois-qnity, for the purpose of ascertaining the extent of the damage which she has sustained. The yacht Haeata sprang a leak during the heavy breeze, and was settling down when she was taken in tow by the Duco.- She was dragged into shallow water md pumped out, after which the leak was stopped. The Union Steam Ship Company has charbored for the Calcutta- New Zealand trade bhe s.s. Port Melbourne, a sorew steel steamer of 4670 tons groBS, 4629 under deck, nnd 3011 net. Her dimensions are— Length, 317 feet ; breadth, 372 feet ; depth, 20 feet. She was built in 1893 by R. W. Hawthorn, Leslie, and Co. (Limited), of Newcastle, to the order of W. Milburn and Co., trading as :he Anglo- Australasian Steim Navigation Company. Her machinery and boilers were sonstructed by the Wallsend Company, of Newcastle. She is expected to leave Calmtta for New Zealand ports, via Singapore, ibput the middle of July. Captain Richardion and the officers who accompanied him to London in the Maori will be transferred to he Port Melbourne.

The Customs returns show the imports to | the colony for the quarter ending 31rt March last to have amounted to ill ,810,619, as against £1,786,757 during the corresponding quarter of 1893. At the fonr chief ports the valueswere :— Auckland, .£378,294 as against .£385,883 ; Wellington, .£466,645 as against .£349,911; Lyttelton, £-<36,815, as against £350,557; Dnnedin, £431,730, as against £434,103. The exports during the same qnarterofthisyearwerevaluedat£4,oi6,37B, as against £3,636,990 in the corresponding quarter of last year. Of the principal ports, Auckland is credited with £417,623, as against £414, 0i1; Wellington with .£735,103 as against £512.282 ; Napier with £492,484, as against £393 748 ; Lyttelton with £728,181, as against £720,438 ; Dunediu with £378,472, as against £406,767. Ne-w Plymouth and Waitara. only bhowed £27,801, as against £62,037 ; but Wanganui had increased from £133,164 to £167,176. The chief items exported from Wellington last quarter were — Coal, valued at £9879 ; butter, £42,409 ; cheese, £9154; frozen meat, £661,087; sheepskins, £9849: tallow, £13,168; wool, £55,372; leather, £1843; flax, £15,285. Shortly after 9 o'olock last night a fire was discovered in an unoccupied shop in Courtenay-place. When the Fire Brigade arrived the flames were bursting throngh the partition of a bedroom into a passage. They were speedily extinguished, bnt a couple of hours later there was another alarm, caused by a fresh ontbreak in the same building, which the Brigade was again called out to quell. The damago done was slight. The shop forms a portion ot a double building, one part of which is oocupied by a second-band dealer, that in which the outbreak occurred being empty. It is one of the properties in the Colquhoun estate, at present in the hands of the Official Assignee, and is insured in the South British for £100, and in the New Zealand for £400. So far no clue has been obtained to the origin of the fire. Messrs. Carmichael & Son hope to be able to complete the Government Insurance Buildings about the end of July. The whole of the bricks are from Mr. Tonka' yard in Webb-street, the number required being about a million. Englißh tiles are to be laid down in the vestibule and some of the corridors. About 14 tonß will be used. Judgment has been reserved in the oaae of Dudding v. Dalrymple, an appeal against a decision of District Judge Sobinson, at Masterton. The charges against George Anderson, the Masterton bankrupt, which were to have been heard in the Magistrate's Court today, have been further adjourned for a week. The Agricultural Department brought four fresh cases for breaohes of the Dairy Industry Act into the Magistrate's Court this morning-. The defendants were the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association, Egmont Farmers' Union (Limited), James Cullen (Manaia) ; and O. W. Oldham (Putea), and wero charged with having exported butter without stamping it as required by the Act. Defendants, who were represented by connsel, pleaded Gnilty, and the miLiinum penalty of £5, with 28s costs, was imposod in each case. < His Worship said he would allow execution to be stayed in order that representations might be made to the Justice Department to lessen the amount of the fine, as apparently the Act had not been Intentionally evaded. Mr. William White, who has filled the office of Secretory of the Poneke Football Club for some time past with credit to himself and profit to the members, was presented last night with a wedding.gift in the form of a marble clock, bearing an inscription. The presentation was made by Mr. T. R. Ellison on behalf of the club, and hearty wishes for the future happiness of Mr. and Mrs. White were expressed. Messrs. Marsh and Bond, respectively pursers of the steamers Penguin and Wainui, are prostrated by illness. Mr. Bourne, of the Mararoa, has had to be relieved from his duty owing to overwork, and Mr. Siegel, of the Waihora, takes his plaoe, while Mr. Robs will act as purser of the Waihora. The finances in connection with the Home for the Aged Needy are not in a satisfactory state. Subscriptions have fallen off, and the Trustees find it no easy task to maintain the institution, and unless increased support is obtained from the public, it will be necessary to apply to the United District Board to obtain funds with which to carry on. The Home is admirably managed. Twenty-nine men and women are being well looked after, and the institution is one of which the citizens may well feel proud. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Antipodean Juvenile Lodge, 1.0.0.F.,M.U., was held in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening— Bro. B. T. Martin, N.G., in the chair. P.P.G.M. Bro. S. Waters visited the Lodge, and addressed the members on the advantages of the Order, and was accorded a vote of thanks, with lodge honours, for his visit. After instructing the Secretary to transfer two members to the parent lodge and transacting other routine business, the Lodge was closed in the usual manner. The police business at the Magistrate's Court this morning was disposed of by Mr. Martin, S.M., and Mr. R. M. Greenfield, J.P. Five persons were punished for drunkenness. Geo. Sandbrook was charged with having broken two windows in the shop of Quang Tung, of Courtenay-place. The complainant said that the defendant, having bought a packet of cigarettes in his shop, on going out pioked up a olcthes-line and deliberately smashed the windows. Defendant said it was done by another man, who was with him. His Worship convicted the defendant and fined him 40s, with 20s added as damages, in default of payment defendant to undergo twelve days' imprisonment. On a further charge, of having used obscene language, Sandbrook was sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment, and he was also convicted of having assaulted Constable Quirke, bnt no penalty was imposed. Joseph Burke, billiard saloon keeper, was charged with having received four sets of billiard balls from Frederick Prince, knowing them to have been stolen. He was defended by Mr. Gray, and pleaded Not Guilty. Prinoe was called, and deposed that he sold the balls to Burke, telling him that he hod purchased them from a steward of cine of the Home boats. He got 22s 6d for one Bet and £2 15s for the other three sets. H. J. Walter, licensee of the Western Hotel, said that he bought three sets of balls from Burke, who told him that he had imported them. He paid Bnrke 30s a set for the balls. Detective Herbert said that when he aßked Burke to whom he had sold the balls be prevaricated, but when he discovered that witness knew that they had been sold to Mr. Walter he admitted it, and also stated that he had got them from Prinoe. The Court dismissed the charge, on the ground that the evidence failed to show that it was within the knowledge of the accused that the balls were stolen. i The employ ds of Kirkcaldie & Stains hav!e' made a donation of £5 5s to the Hospital fund. „ " Sinbad " and his merry associations oontinue to draw good audiences at the Opera House. In spite of the bad weather/fast night, the downstairs portion of the building was crowded, while the other parts were fairly patronised. The performance ran smoothly throughout, and tlie various items were greatly enjoyed. To-morrow afternoon a matinee performance for children will be given, including the transformation and the harlequinade. The management requests us to state that special attention will be given to the comfort and care of those present, and for this purpose ushers will be in attendance to watoh over the little patrons. The present programme will be repeated this evening, and on Monday evening the latest London rage, "Cinder Ellen up to Date," which ha 3 been a great buocbbs wherever produced, will be placed on the boards. It embraces new dances, popular and oatohy musio, laughable situations, and original and handsome costumes and scenery. A meeting of the creditors of W. R Leighton, cabinetmaker, Petone, was held yesterday afternoon. The Offioial Assignee E resided, and there wero present the debtor, is solicitor (Mr. Bunny), and four creditors. In a written statement as to the cause of his bankruptcy, the debtor said that he started business seven years ago at Petone. Two and a half years after wara he took over, in conjunction with Mr. Jansen, a woodware factory, starting with a capital of £100. After a year hid partner went out. Later on as he found that he was working the factory at a loss ho asked the lessee to release him, bnt he refused. Two years ago he borrowed money and -built a shop in Jackßon-street, thinking that he might in this way increase his trade, but it proved a failure. About three weeks ago he offered to assign hia estate to his credit tors, but as some refused to a^r9e to this, he was compelled to file. Und*r examination by the Assignee, the bankrupt said that he had heen in difficulties for about two years and a half. Most of the debts were old- standing ones. His wife had a separate estate, and lent him £57 last year to assist him in hia business. The machinery in his workshop belonged to the landlord, and had been removed. The debt of £68 due to Mr. Eller, represented by a bill held by the Ie Aro Loan Co , was satisfied by a payment of £10, and the return of furniture to Mr. Eller, which the latter agreed to take in satisfaction. Mr. Whit'ehouse, manager of the Loan Company, said he knew nothing of this. Debtor said ho told Mr. Whitehouse of tho arrangement, and he had said he would son Mr. Eller. Bankrupt added that he bad a wife and four children His wife had no property of her own. It was agreed that the sale of the stock should pioceed, and that tho bankrupt should be allowed £2 for his assistance. The Assignee said that the value of the bankrupt's private furniture and tools was £11 15s above tho statutory allowance, but he would not realise unless he was pressed by the creditors. The Wealeyan Literary and Debating Society held its weekly meeting in the Tarauaki-street classroom laßt evening, Mr. C. W. Benbow in the chair. A debate on the question "Is the influence of the Church on the increase or the deorease P " was led oft by- Mr. E. It. Bnrgess, who affirmed that the influence was on the increase, while Mr. J. H. Helliwell took up the opposite position. The cligenstion that followed was lively and vroll maintained, and at the close a voto was taken, resulting in a large majority in favour of Jl r. Burgess' affirmation. Next Thursday evening Mr. O. D. Mackintosh will give an instrumental recital, with musical reminiscences. The Wairarapa Observer understands that an enterprising American has bought practically the township of Tenui, formerly held by Nathan & Co., of Wellington. Mr. M'Hutcheon is making the arrangements with those who hold the leasea. "Fun on the Bristrol" was repeated at the Criterion Theatre last night to a small audience, bnt one which appreciated the performanoe. The same programme is underlined for this evening. " Patchwork "is in active rehearsal by the company, and will be presented for the first time on Monday evening. A balance-sheet presented at a meeting of the Tailors' Cricket Club Bhowed a small deficit, and it was decided to make a levy of 6d per member to wipe off the liability. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Keir and Lamb, was appointed to deal with the defioit.

Dr Cahill is abont town to-day, lookiiig singularly well, in spite of hia great weakness. About 20 dogs found at large wihout registered collars are now in the Corporation kennels, and will be offered for sale to-morrow. The special case of Hindley & Co. v. Tothiil, Watson & Co. is being argued in the Court of Appeal. Some time last year Tothiil, Watson, * Co., of Invercargill, ordered 1000 bales of corn-sacks, valued at ovrr £5000, from Hindley & Co. of Calcutta. Tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company agreed to take 500 bales, and Hindley & Co., acting under instructions from Tothiil, Watson, & Co , shipped them to the Loan & Mercantile Agenoy Company. In the meantime, however, the latter company suspended payment, and the question for the Court is whether Tothiil, Watson, & Co. are regponsible for the payment for the whole of the goods (1000 bales), or for only half of them. Mr. F. Chapman (Dunedin), with him Mr. M. Chapman (Wellington), is for the plaintiffs ; Mr. Macdonald (Invercargill), with him Mr. Woodhouae (Dunedin), being for the defendants. Captain Babot, Marine Superintendent for ;he Shaw, Savill, & Albion Company, left by the Takapuna for Auckland this afternoon, on business connected with the s.s. lonic, which is shortly expected at Auckland from London. A meeting of the creditors of James Hay, cordial-maker, was called for this morning, but none of them attended. The bankrupt was, however, examined by the Official Assignee. Mr Hadfield, who appeared for the debtor, explained that his client had been brought into the Bauk>uptcy Court throngh the purchase of a business from J. J. O'Brien, which had turned out a failure. The debtor, under examination, said that in September last he purchased au aerated water business from J. J. O'Brien, now a bankruDt, paying^£2so cash and giving billß for £100.' Finding the business did not pay ho brought an action against O'Brien for misrepresentation, and obtained judgment for £250 and costs. O'Brien then filed, and he (Hay) was left liable for the bills. One was recovered. Two of the bills, each for £25, were negotiated with T G. Macarthy, who also held the plant aB security, and the other was negotiated with the Empire Loan Company. As he found that he was likely to be pressed and had no means, he filed. He had no property. The Official Assignee Baid he considered the debtor's case a very hard ono. Donbtleßs he bad gone into the business without due caution. Tho examination then terminated. Frank Frandi, tanner, in a written statement to the Official Assignee, says that in 1888 he was married, his wages at that time being £1 16s a week. He had no money when he married, and he borrowed £20. He was out of work for five months in 1890. In 1893 ho waa flooded out, and lost nearly all his effects, and soon afterwards he was laid up for three weeks. Later on in the year he took in boarders, but the busino-B did not pay. Two children were .born lo him, but both died. A two-roomed house at Waiwetu, the property of Mr. Buck, milk dealer, was burned down last night. At the weekly meeting of the Trades Counoil last night, tho President, Mr Allan Ward, occupying the chair, a letter was read from Mr. Tregear thanking the Counoil for the interest it was taking in the Labour Journal issued by the Department of Labour. The President reported having interviewed the Chairman and Secretary of the late Electoral Convention in regard to calling a meeting for the purpose of forming a Workers' Political League, and a meeting would be held shortly. A paper entitled "Shonld Samoa be Annexed?" which had been forwarded to the Council, was read to the meeting. A telegram from Wanganni states that Mi«a Bossie Doyle, the famous violinist, has appeared there before two large audiences. The Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held its weekly session last evening. Bro. Rigarlaford presided, and brought fraternal greetings from various lodges he had visited in Australia. The officers of the last term rendered their reports, whioh showed that 11 members had joined the Order, but owing to 9 having been suspended or left the net increase was only 2. Ihe following officers, having been elected, were installed by Bro. Hall, Lodge Deputy, who was assisted by Bro. J. Glover, G.M., and Sister Bowen, D.G.M. .— C.T., Bro. A. Martin : V.T , Sis. Livermore; Sec, Bro. E. Beay ; S.J.T., Sis. P. Smith; F. Sec, Sis. M. Round; Treaa., Bro. D. Hall; Chaplain, Sis. G. Round; M., Bro. Rigarlsford, P.C.T. It was announced that the business for next sesßion would be " An Evening with the Poets." A maniac caused great excitement in Pahiatua on Tuesday about 5 o'olook. All the afternoon ho was tormenting people, but no one noticed his lunacy till in the Commercial Hotel he caught Mr. Smith, of Onslow Park, by the throat. But Mr. Smith is an old athlete, and in a Becond he flung his antagonist on the ground. Mr. Birnie then begged the man to go home in his buggy, but in a wink he tripped Birnie over a flower-box in the hall and kicked his ankle out of place. Birnie woro shoes, and his foot was turned right round on his leg. Dr. Ganlt put the leg in Bplints, and as there is a bone broken he considers it will be a long time, if ever, before it mends. The correspondent who sends ua these particulars adds : — The man never again will be so nearly lynched (until it is perfeoted), as there were a perfeot mob at him, and had not Mr. Birnie interfered he would have surely suffered. After all he escaped. It may not bo generally known (sayß the Lyttolton Times) that during the past few months another line of direct steamers has beon established in the trade between England and the colonies. The only " outward and visible sign " of this faot is the transferring of tho house flag of the far-famed "White Star" lino from the mizzen to the mainmast of the steamers of this line engaged in the New Zealand trade. The oustom is for the owner's flag, or in tho oase of ohartered steamers the charterer's, to be flown at the mainmast, while in the latter inetanao the owner's flag takes the subordinate position at tho mizsen. Thus, on board the White Star liners prior to the arrival of the Gothic, Shaw Savill'B flag was displayed from the main, and the White Star from tho mizzon. Now the positions are reversed, and while this 1b the only outward indication of a change, it means that the lines trading to the colony have been increased by ono. Of oonrse, as formerly, the White Star boats run in conjunction with Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, who are the brokers. A good programme has been prepared for the JohnsoLville Athletio Club's sports on the 21th instant. There are to be three distonoes in the Johnßnnville Handicap — viz., 100, 220, and 440 yards. The programme consists of 15 events. Entries close on the 15th. Members of Friendly Sooieties aro re, minded of the meeting to be held at the Oddfellows' Hall, to-night, for tho purpose of considering' the proposal to establish a Friendly Sooieties dispensary. Our readers are reminded that the Star Cricket Club's concert takes place to-night in the Wealeyan Schoolroom, Taranakistreet. The programme of the third Saturday night Popular Concert appears elsewhere. It is both varied and interesting. The public will welcome Mr. Bracken's reappearance on the platform after an absence of some years. Mr. Lyon's topical song has been specially written, and is full of local hits, and he will also undertake tho descriptive matter in connection with the limelight views, which will include some humorous pictures, Altogether the programme ought to ensure a large audience. The Opera House being otherwise engaged, the concert this week will be given in tho -Theatre Royal. A ooncert will be given at the Opera House on Sunday evening next by the St. John Pantomime Company. Admission will be by collection nfc the doors, the management reserving the right to refuse admission to any objectionable persons. These Sunday concerts wore regularly rnn by Mr. St. John in Brisbane, where they proved most popular and attracted largo audiences. The art of tea Mending in one demanding a very large ainouut of skill and oxperience, and efficient blenders are men possessing an exceptional gift, and commanding high salaries for the exercise of it. The diiferenoes between the various growths, and brands, and crops of the tea. leaf are so wide and yet so subtle that the successful blending of them to produce the desired flavours becomes a work of great delicacy, requiring most sensitive taste. Judging by results the Empire Tea Company appears to be possessed of a tea taster and blender of exceptional ability, and the wide repute which the company's teas are enjoying is a consequence, To-morrow is advertised by A, Lindsay to be th« last day of the cheap soles at Lambton-quAy, Cuba-street, and Petone. Bargains in various lines are offered. E. Pearce, of the Boot Arcade, calls attention to special shipments Qf Norwegian slippers, ladies' walking shoes, and gents' boots, which he will offer at low prices. There will be a special display of eveninjr shoes this evening. A sale of unclaimed dogs will be held to-morrow at the Destructor yard.. Joh. E. Lindberg, the Cheap Draper in Cubastreet, is advertising a number further reduction! for the last week of the sale of goodß seized in transit. To-morrow will be the third d»y of Laery & Co.'s auction sale, under instructions from Shaw, Robinson, & Co. (No. 11, Cuba-street, opposite Boyal Oak Hotel), of the balance of the stock of M'Millun, BUodes, & Co., also the stock in the assigned estate of H. P. Johnson, together with new ftutunin and winter goods. Francis Sidey & Co. will soil to-morrow, at their rooms, furniture, ic. : at Petoue, stock-in-trade of W. E. Leighton. Townsend & Paul will sell to-morrow, horses. Laery & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, &c. W. F. Shortt will sell to-morrow, sundries.