Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1894.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 22 August 1894, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1894.

THE NEW LICENSING BILL. + The long-expected Licensing' Bill has at laßt made its appearance. It is a formidablelooking measure of 66 pages, 225 clauses, and 13 schedules. There is very little original matter in it. It is mainly a Consolidation Bill. The main object of its compiler seems to have been to consolidate rather than to improve. There are a great many provisions and details taken from the existing Acts which might with advantage have been simplified and altered. What is new in ths Bill is Bomo good and some bad. The provision for the extinction in time of bottle licenses, where they are now granted, is a good one. These licenses are decidedly objectionable. The proposed abolition of New Zealand wine licenses is practically of little importance, for there are very few of them. We think it is to be regretted that there are not more, and we doubt the wisdom of forbidding them altogether. The provision limiting the hours of sale in olubs to ibe hoars prescribed for licensed houses is decidedly objectionable, and is based on an entire misapprehension of the theory of Clnb life. In his Clnb a man expectß to enjoy the privacy and privileges of his own house. The members are tenants in common, and on what grounds the law should forbid men to drink what they like, or when they like, in their own houses, we cannot understand. A lodger in a licensed house may obtain liquor at any hour, but the Bill proposes to place members of Clubs in their own houses in a worse position than the hotel lodger. This should not be. To the proposed composition, of the Licensing Committees, we take the most decided objeotion. A Committee consituted as proposed would be an incongruous body, quite incapable in many instances of performing jndical functions. The Chairmen of looal and charitable bodies may be very &nitable men for the positions they hold, but quite unfit to be members of a Licensing Committee. They will either be chosen without regard to their fitness for licensing duties, or, if ohosen with special regard to those duties, the local or charitable bodies may suffer in not obtaining the services of the best men. The numerous oauses disqualifying for service on the Licensing Committee would prove most vexations and nnjust if that Committee were to be composed in the manner proposed in the Bill. The elective Committee is far preferable, but better still would it be to place the administration of the licensing law in the hands of the Stipendiary Magistrate of each district and a couple of nominatsd Commissioners, who would administer the Act judicially, as other Acts are administered. The licenbing law was never bo strictly or satisfactorily administered in this colony as when the Resident Magistrate and two appointed Justices of the Peace administered it. We hope the constitution of the Committee will be materially altered before the Bill passes. The provision as to taking the triennial local option poll at the same time as the general election poll is, we think, an impracticable one. We believe that practically it would be found unworkable. The Returning Officer and his assistants could not possibly conduct the two polls simultaneously. One would interfere with the other, and confusion and disorder in regard to both would undoubtedly result. It must be remembered also that while the licensing poll should be taken at fixed periods the general elections do not take place at such periods. There might be two general elections in a year or three in two years. Apparently the Bill would require a fresh lioensing poll 'on every occasion. There would be no finality for any fixed period about the licensing 1 decision even after a poll was taken. The country would be in a constant Btate of turmoil over licensing matters, and politics and Prohibition would become mixed up in an objectionable manner. Certainly the licensing poll Bbould not be taken oftonar than once in three years, but a regular triennial poll cannot be scoured if the date of taking it is dependent on a general election taking place. The proposed abolition of licensed railway refreshment rooms will cause considerable inconvenience and annoyance to the travelling publio, whether abstainers or not, as the present scant facilities for obtaining meals will bo further reduced. It will not pay to keep railway refreshment rooms without a license. Travelling refreshment cars will become more than ever a necessity on the Government railway lines. The proposed local option voting papers have been a good deal simplified. If the polls are taken simultaneously with a general election, of course the provision as to half the electors voting to render a poll valid will not be necessary, but if the polls are taken separately it should certainly be retained. It is satisfactory to find the three-fifths majority still required to carry Prohibition. The provisions as to national total Prohibition are not of much practical importance, but if they are retained provision for the importation of alcoholio and malt liquors for medical purposes should be made, on the oS chance of total Prohibition being some day carried. As the Bill stands all spirituous and fermented liquors would be more sternly excluded than the most dangerous drugs. That suoh liquors are sometimes absolutely necessary as medicines cannot, we think, be denied by any sane person. The reduotion from 25 to 10 per cent, in the increase of population required to justify an increase of licenses is a proper one, and so is the inclusion of Belling adulterated liquors amongst the offenoes to be taken into most serious account. The provisions affecting the relations between landlord and tenant so as to protect the owners of hotel property from unfair liability for the malfeasance of their tenants, are deoided improvements on the present law. We do not approve of the extension of the distance from three to five miles under the clause defining a traveller, and the insistence on one bar only in each lioensed house is an unnecessary restriction, which in many large houses will operate as a serious hardship and inoonvenienoe. In the definition of the term " spirit merchant," the lowest quantity of fermented liquor permitted to be sold is set down at ten gallons. In other parts of the Bill, and in the form of wholesale license, the quantity iscetated to be five gallons. We presume the latter quantity is what is intended. The provision about photographing prohibited persona Bbould bo made more decisive, and although the cost may . properly be charged to the porson if he is able to pay it, the fact of his being unable to do so should not prevent his portrait-being taken. The clause enabling local bodies suffering from loss of licensing revenue to make the amount good by an inorease of general rates, ia perhaps a good one on the whole, although the loss of revenue may be caused by the votes of those who are not ratepayers, and will not therefore suffer in pocket. It may be hard to punish the ratepayers for what they are not accountable for. We hope to see the Bill considerably improved in the details we have taken exception to, before it passes into law. The Hon. J. Kerr has done good servioe by calling attention to the management and liquidation of the Equitable Insuranoe Company. The whole thing has been a commercial scandal, and the manner in which the shareholders all over the colony have been mulcted in call after call has been most shameful. There seems to be no end to the process of liquidation or the making of calls. Although the Attorney. General deprecated the idea of the Government interfering, the oase is one which certainly seems to oall for interference, and it might be provided for when legislating on the subject of tho Gov. eminent audit of the affairs of public companies. It is scarcely fair to throw the onus of taking aotion on the unfortunate shareholders . They have already suffered enough , and have by apparent process of law been bled almost to complete exhaustion. If the law were not manifestly defective, suoh proceedings as have taken place in regard to the Equitable Insurance Company would not have been possible. Our Parliamentary reports, a news-letter from Shannon, a sporting telegram, and letters to ths Editor, will be found on the fourth page. Another meeting of the representatives of fire and marine insurance offices was held yesterday, Mr. F. Allen in the chair, when it was decided to forward to the Colonial Treasurer a statement showing that his financial proposals relative to the foreign insurance companies were objected to by the whole of the local (New Zealand) offices. It will be recollected that the hon. gentleman, in his last Budget, explained that his proposal to make each foreign company deposit .£20,000 with the Government was made in the interests of the local offices. The second aotion of Donnelly v. Pinny, arising out of the seizure of a piano, and in which the plaintiff claimed .£2Ol as damages for wrongful entry, has been settled. The Treasurer of ths Benevolent Institution acknowledges the receipt of a sum of £112 from Mrs. Mackenzie, being the proceeds of the oonoert recently held for the benefit of the Unemployed Belief Fund. The oriminal business in the Magistrate's Court to-day was unimportant. Mr. Martin , S.M., fined Julia Maddison 40s, with the option of aeven days' imprisonment, for drunkenness. Michael Fischer, a seaman, for drunkenness and disorderly conduot on Lambton-qnay last night, was ordered to pay 10s, or go to gaol for 48 hoars. Robert Pater son, another sailor, was convioted of inciting Fisoher to resist arrest, and was punished similarly. A. special meeting of the Cricket Association is convened for to-morrow afternoon.

Shortly before 2 o'clock thiß morning, a fire occurred in a seven-roomed two-story dwellinghouse in Alpha - street, off Cam-bridge-terrace. Before the flames were snbdued the place was gutted, and the salvage of the contents was very trifling. The premises were owned by Mr. T. J. Chapman, who together with his wife, three children, and his brother, Mr. J. Chapman, lived in the house. The inmates were aroused by hearing •something fall in one of the rooms on the gronnd floor, and ou Mr. J. Chapman proceeding downstairs to ascertain the canse of the noise, he found the lower rooms full of smoke. Finding it would be impossible to get the family out of the house by the staircase, Mr. Chapman retreated, and with the aid of his brother managed to get Mrs. Chapman and the children on to a lean-to at the back, and by means of a ladder the escape of inmates was assured. By this time the Fire Brigade had got to work, and had brought two streamß of water to bear op. the fire. Its exertions were Bucoeßsful in preventing the spread of the flames. Tatterkll's stables, at the rear of the Cambridge Hotel, however, had a narrow escape, as a portion of the back wall of the mews caught fire. The horses were removed from their stalls without confusion. A pocket-book containing a number of bank notes was found uninjured in one of the upstairs rooms after the fire. The building was insured in the Eoyal Office for £250, and the furniture in the Victoria Oflice for £150. At a meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce held yesterday, Messrs. C. W. Mullins and C. Stewart were elected members of the Chamber, the quarterly meeting of which waß fixed to be held on the 11th September. It was announced that the Government intended introducing a Bill to extend the time for the payment of the bonuß for the manufactnre of beet sugar for 15 years, and also to increase the amonnt of the bonua. Communications were read from the Minister ef Public Works, stating that the question of the purchase of the Manawatu Railway by the Government would be considered by the Cabinet ; and from the Railway Commissioners, promising consideration of the question of the earlier departure and arrival of the Manawatu trains. The following resolution was passed in reference to the Insurance Companies' Deposit Bill which the Government proposes to introduce : — 1 ' That this Council is of opinion that the enforced deposit of a large sum of money or of securities by Fire and Marine Companies will not be conducive to the interests of the public, inasmuch as it may lead to the withdrawal from the colony of companies of undoubted stability, and by_ reducing 1 the number of insurance companies may lead to an inordinate increase in the rates payable for insurance, and to difficulties in securing sufficient co\er in the case of mercantile risks." It is with regret we have to record the Budden dea-th of Mr. Alonzo W. Dwan, eldest son of Mr. Thomas Dwan, which occurred at his residence. Queen-street, this morning. The deceased left the Parliamentary Buildings at 11 o'clock last evening, and coming out into the cold air took a fit of coughing, and ruptured a bloodvessel in the lungs. Dr. Martin was called in, and did everything that medical skill could do, but he passed away in the doctor's presence at 5.30 a.m. The deceased was 35 years of age, and was educated at Nelson College. Shortly after finishing his studies he became proprietor of the Charleston Herald, and later on he conducted the Waikato Mail. After severing his connection with the latter journal he was in the service of the proprietors of the Evening Post. For two years before his death he was clerk to the Inspector of Maohinery. He leaves a wife and five children. The funeral takes place to-morrow. A " scene " ooourred at the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees yesterday in consequence of Mr. J. H. Heaton taking the Chairman (Rev. H. Van Staveren) to task for varying a ration order decided upon by the whole of the members the previous week. The Chairman introduced the subject by explaining that he had been blackguarded in his own office by a certain widow, and had ordered her, in consequence of her conduct, to see the Secretary once a week, instead of once a month. The woman bad not on'y abused him, but she had also used disrespectful language regarding the Secretary during that gentleman's absence, and before leaving the oflice she had boaßted that she could get Mr. Heaton to side with her aven if the other Trustees were against her. Mr. Heaton, who rose to speak, acoused the Chairman of having a " down " on the woman (a statement which Mr. Van Staveren indignantly denied), and he maintained that the order for rations should not have been varied without the consent of the Trußteea. He considered that the Chairman had exceeded his duty. The Chairman called upon Mr. Heaton to rosume his Beat, but this the latter would not do. Mr. Van Staveren, striking the table with his fist, thundered out, " Sit down, air !" whereupon Mr. Heaton exclaimed, "I'llseeyoud — first!" Mr. Heaton expressed a wish to obtain some information from the books, but the Chairman forbade the Secretary to say anything, and the situation for a time was embarrassing. Eventually the Chairman and Mr. Heaton calmed down, and the former's aotion being approved by the majority of the Trustees, other business was proceeded with. A lecture waß delivered by Mr. C. Wilson last evening, in St. Andrew's Church schoolroom, his subject being " Novels and Novelists." The attendance was large, and great interest was shown in the lecture. Mr. Wilson, in a comprehensive manner, reviewed £nglish works of fiction from Fielding to the present day, but dealt ohiefly with the novels written in later times, such as those of Barrio and Kipling. In vigorous and scathing terms he referred to the neurotic school of novelists, and what he olaimed to be the pernioious novels written by the disciples of Ibsen. On the motion ot Mr. D. M. Luokie, seconded by Mr. J. P. Campbell, a hearty rote of thanks was given to Mr. Wilson. " A Lover of the Game " writes :—": — " Seeing that the New Zealand Rugby Union is arranging an excursion in connection with the above match will be played in Chtistchurch, I would suggesttothe committee that overtures be made to the Union Steamship Company as to the advisability of postponing the departure of the steamer from Lyttelton on the return trip until Sunday afternoon, thereby enabling excursionists to sec a little of Christchurch, aa well as witnessing the football match. If it can possibly be arranged I am sure a large number of the lovers of football will take advantage of the trip. I hope the Committee will give the above suggestion their serious consideration." The affairs of a bankrupt Chinese storekeeper of Manukan, named Ah Chee Kin, were discussed by a number of creditors at a meeting held yesterday afternoon. The liabilities of the bankrupt, it appeared, amounted to .£760, his indebtedness to Wellington creditors being as under : —Messrs. Nathan &Co , £129 3s Id ; Brisooe, Mac Neil and Co., £102 8s 9d; Boss & Glendining, £82 3i 4d ; B. W. Mills & Co., £40 12s 4d ; Abbott, Oram, & Co., £28. 8s lOd ; Lattey, Livermore, & Co., £19 7b' 8d ; Scotland & Co., £11 2s 4d ; E. Eeeves & Co., £18 4s 7d ; G. H. Thornton, £10 Is lid ; G. Thomas & Co., £6 10s 7d j G. Dutton, £5 6s Cd ; E. H. Crease, £5 lie Id. The aasots were estimated to realise £880, and were made up as follows : — Stock-in-trade, £400 ; book debts, £464 7s lOd, estimated to produce £150; cash in hands of Mr. W. Tompsitt under deed of assignment, £'230 ; and interest in leasebold store at Manukau, £100. After some discussion the following resolutions were passed:— "That this meeting consents to the estate being administered by the Assignee in bankruptcy, and requests Mr. Tompsitt (to whom the bankrupt had assigned his estate) to hand over the assets on the other or editors consenting to release him "; " That the aotion of the Trustee bo far be sustained, and that he be allowed commission on assets realised and expenses inourred ;" " That the bankrupt be paid £1 for expenses." The meeting was then adjourned for a week. Besides those already acknowledged, the following special prizes have been allotted by the_ Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the next show : — Messrs. Hume and Son, a trophy value £1 as first prize for powdered butter ; Messrs. Wardell Bros., a trophy value £1 1b as second prize for cheese fit for export ; Mr. J. Tisdall, a trophy value £1 Is as second prize in the Boys' Leaping Match; Messrs. j, Duthie and Co., a first prize of £3 3s in the Boys' Leaping Matoh; Messrs. Laery and Co., £1 Is towards prizes for dairy produce; the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Company, and the Victoria Insurance Company, £2 2s and £1 Is respectively towards prizes for oared and preserved'^meats ; the Dresden Piano Company, a trophy value £2 2a as first prize for fanoy butter ; Meesrß. G. and T. Young, a trophy value £1 Is as second prize for cheese fit for export ; the Comtneroial Assurance Company, £1 Is for the best assortment of agricultural and garden Beeds ; Mr. G. Denton, a trophy value £1 Is for the best pair of trußßed fowls ; Messrs. Hayman and Co., a trophy value £2 as first prize for apiarian appliances and honey ; Mr. E. Anderson, a trophy value £1 10 aaa seoond prize in the section for milking cattle. The monthly meeting of the Committee of the Sailors' Best was held yesterday. Present — Messrs. C. D. Barraud" (Chairman), Ferguson, Jack, Aitken, Hall, and Captain Strang. The Secretary reported that a free entertainment for seamen would be given in the Best on Monday, the 10th September. The following subscriptions were acknowledged .- -Mrs. Nordstrum, 10s ,- Mrs. W. R. Williams, £1 j Mrs. H. Eawson, £1 Is ; Mr. A. de B. Brandon, JBI la ; Messrs. W. and G. Turnbnll and Co., £5; Union Steam Ship Company, £5 sb; Mr. D. Anderson, £1 Is; Mrs. Moore, 10a; Mrs. J. M. Riobardson, 5s ; Miss TurnbuU, ss ; Messrs. Levin and Co., £5 ; Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, £5 ; New Zealand Shipping 1 Company, £5; Mrs. Downes, 3s ; Mrs. Anderson, 2s; Dr. Fell, 10s ; Dr. Chappie, 53; Mrs. Rothschild, 2s ; Mrs. N. Beid, 2a 6d. A well-attended sooial meeting was held in the Petone Wesleyan Church last evening by invitation of the choir. The Rev. T, G. Carr gave an address, and musical items were performed by the choir, the Rev. Mr. Carr contributing a solo. Refreshments were handed round, and a collection was taken up in aid of the choir fund. The Star of Newtown Lodge 1.0. G.T., held a most successful meeting last night at tho Temperance Hall, Adelaide-road. Three new members were initiated. Some of the naval brethren from H.M.S. Wallaroo paid a fraternal visit, one of them, Bto. Pearce, giving a graphic description of his good work in the South Seas, Valparaiso, Greenland, and North America. ihe amusements of the evening consisted of a "Sisters' Basket Night,' a large number of baskets being provided loaded with fruit, &c. Bros. Pound (Sec) and White (F.S.) were appointed to attend the United Temperance Meeting as Lodge delegates. Fraternal greetings were reoeived from the Pride of the Navy Lodge, Portsmouth, England; Tokopiri, South Pacific; Star of Newton, Auckland ; and Vanguard, H M.S. Wallaroo, per favour of Bro. Pearce, who was warmly thanked by the Lodge for his address, and desired to carry greetings to bis own and any lodges he may visit in bis traveli. Next Tuesday a free open session will be held, by invitation ticket.

Mr. Edgar Ward, solioitor, Mayor of Biverton. was married at St. Paul's proCathedral on Monday to Miss Carrow, only child of Mr. R. Carrow, of HawkestoneBtreet. The bride wore a beautiful grey dress, trimmed with white and silver brocade, and a large grey hat trimmed with grey and white feathers and white velvet ; also, a handsome pearl star (the gift of the bridegroom) ; and she carried a white shower bouquet. The bridesmaids were Miss Heywood and Miss Dora Heywood, who were in gobelin bine, trimmed with brown, and hats to match. They wore handsome gold brooches, presented by the bridegroom, and carried showed bouquets of yellow flowers. Mr. Chas. Browning aoted as best man, and the ceremony was performed by the Her. T. H. Sprott. The presents were many, useful, and handsome. Mr. K. Page presided at the organ. An inquest was held at the Morgue yesterday afternoon by Mr. Ashctoft, Coroner, on the body of Henry Burgess, carter, whose body was found in the harbour near Thorndon-quay. Mr. P. G. Ritchie was foreman of the jury. It was proved that the deceased had a good home, and wanted for nothing, although he had been out of work for six mentbs. A verdict of Found Drowned was returned. The following are the Wellington district members of the Incorporated Institute of Accountants of New Zealand: — Wellington, Meaarß. D. T. Stewart, C. P. Powles, A. J. M'Tavish, H. Eember (original members), J. E. Fitzgerald, F. Allen, G. H. Harbroe, W. R. Cook, W. Noden, J. H. Richardson, W. B. Hudßon, M. Fox, B. J. Todd, F. G. Odell, A. Keniber, and G. E. Tolhurst; Wanganui, Messrs. E. N. Liffiton, H. B. Tilley, and W. Rodwell ; Grey town, Mr. F. H. Wood; Palmerston North, Messrs. G. J. Scott and G. Hirsch. " A Very Old Couple " in Cambridge-road write complaining of the conduct of children who, on Sunday aft or noons, play about and throw stones on the roofs of houses when they should be at Sunday School.* The police are never seen. At the Industrial Show held in Christchuroh recently, Mr. N. Oates, the wellknown cycle manufacturer of that city, had amongst his exhibits five machines specially built to the order of members of the Wellington Cycling dab. To-day the Stipendiary Magistrate gave judgment in the Magistrate's Conrt in Bummona cases in which two persons were separately complained of as being the owners of a " horbe " found wandering. His Worship said the amended City by-law provided for the prosecution of a person allowing "horses or cattle" to wander, and the Interpretation Act of 1888 applied only to statutes, not by-laws. The plural "horses" was distinctly mentioned in the amended by-law, and not horse." If the Council had permitted the by-law to remain as it had been, mentioning " cuttle " only, itr would have included either a horse or horses. As it was. the information must be dismissed. Sergeant-Major Ramsay remarked that the summons might have been laid under the Police Offences Act, but his Worship said be thought not, as the information in that oase must be for permitting horses to wander with a guilty knowledge. The annual report of the committee of the Karori Martini-Henry Rifle Club, to be presented at the meeting this evening, congratulates members upon the success of the past season. The Club started with 35 members, 24 of whom have taken an active part in the Bhooting. The finances are in a satisfactory state, there being a balance of £1 18s 3d in the hands of the Treasurer. The assets are valued at £20, and there are no liabilities. A great improvement in individual shooting was noticeable as the sea Eon wore on. Begret is expressed at the death of Mr. E. Monaghan, one of the Vice-Presidents, and the report concludes by urging on the Club the necessity of getting another range for long-distance shooting. An instructive lecture on the interesting subject of "Shorthand" was delivered in the lecture-hall at the Education Board Buildings last evening by Mr. W. H. Warren, under the auspices of the Wellington Shorthand Writers' Association. About 70 persons were present, a large proportion being ladies, and Mr. E. T. Gillon, President of the Association, occupied the chair and introduced the lecturer. Jfr. Warren, who is a disoiple of Isaac Pitman, reviewed the progress which had been made in the winged art, and an interesting disoussion followed on various points of shorthand and as to the method of writing difficult words. Several Maori names were submitted, the curious vocalisation of whioh caused a great deal of amusement, particularly the word " Oeo," which was given by a lady. At the close of the discussion a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Warren, on the motion of Mr. Hustwick, and a similar compliment was paid to the Chairman. Last evening an entertainment was given in the Vivian-street Baptist Church in aid of the funds of the Sunday School sewing class. The lantern lecture, " Ten Nights in a Bar Boom,'' was given by Mr. D. Gain, the views being shown by Messrs. Norton and Danielß. Musical items were given by Mesdamea Wallace and Howe, and Miss Williams ; reoitations by Misses Fletcher and Petherick, and Master J. Wallaoe ; and a harp solo by Mr. Williams. The Rev. C. Dallaaton presided, and the church was filled. The monthly " social " of the members of the League of the Cross was held in St. Patrick's Hall last night. There was a very large attendance of members and friends, and the Eev. Father Goggan (President) oconpied the chair. An address on temperance was given by the Very Bey. Father Devny, and the following items by the performers named :— Piano duet, Mr. J. Kearaley and Miss Kearaley ; song, " Ora Pro Nobis," Miss Curtice ; song, " Home to Our Mountains," Miss A. M'Laughlan ; recitation, " Paddy Bafferty's Sea Voyage," Master McCarthy, who gave a comic song when encored ; the Misses Sogrief sang a duet ; Miss Deiderich, "Erin my Country;" Mr Griffin, "Killarney;" a song was also rendered by Mrs. Taylor, and a humorous reading, " Mark Twain on Babies," by Mr. J. Driscoll. At the conclusion of the programme the rev. Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the Very Rev. Father Deyoy for his able address, and in seconding it, the Very Bey. Father Mahoney, of Nelson, congratulated the League on its success, and spoke in high terms of praise of the manner in which the work was carried on. The rev President stated during the evening that the League had a membership of 212 males and 317 females, and that 34 males and 55 females had joined during the past month. The Columbia Skating Bink was well patronised last night. At the ooming carnival the number of competitors is expected to be greater than on provious occasions. The management has postponed the affair until the 4th September. This evening, in Room 11, Exchange Buildings, the Horticultural Society will hold a display of daffodils, naroissi, &c, and should it prove a miccess the Committee intends holding similar displays monthly, when in addition to the exhibition papers will be read on various subjeots bearing on horticulture. No oharge will be made at these meetings, and members are invited to co-operate with the Committee in making them successful. Mr. James Gifford is to read a paper at the Citizen's Institnte on Monday evening next, entitled, " Carlyle and Bnskin on Political Economy." The annual ball of the Wellington College Old Boys' Association was held in Thomas' Hall last evening. Mr. S. V. Bnrridge elsewhere offers his services to the burgesses of the North-east Ward of the Borough of Petone. A local syndicate has engaged Mr. Wm. Farquhar Young, the well known Dunediu basso, for a concert here on 12th Sept. Mr, Toung is a basso of exceptional excellence, as well as one of the foremost amateur actors of the colony. He is an officer in the Telegraph Department, and has been transferred to Wellington for three months. The concert will oonsist of a mixed ballad and operatic programme. The Hula Minstrel troupe in connection with St. Peter's Parish announces another variety entertainment in the schoolroom, Ghuznee-etreet, on Friday evening. An orchestra will accompany the songs as well as playing some overtures. The appropriation of the second loan by the No. 1 Co-operative Building Society of Wellington takes place in the Ballanoe Hall, Manners-street, to-morrow evening. A general meeting of members is advertised. There are so many offers of aid for the ooncert in connection with the Home for the Aged Needy to be held on the Ist prox., that the Committee could provide two long and excellent programmes if suoh were needed. Tiokets are being applied for in every direction, and a huge success is now assured Mr. B. C. Harding has presented to the Committee 2000 handbillß in furtherance of the movement. The box plan for the entertainment will be opened at Holliday's on Friday morning. To-morrow, at 2 o'clock sharp, J. H. Bethuno and Co. will sell by auction, at their rooms, Featberston-street, a large and choice collection of plants from the old-established nursery of Mr. C. Duncan, Linden Vale, Porirna. The catalogue includes selected roses (in great variety), bienonias, jasmines, lilacs, hollies, herbaceous plant*, cupreagua maorocarpa, and a large variety of forest and fruit trees, also an assortment of beautiful Japanese lilies, dahlias, gladioli, and other bulbs. Tenders are invited by A. S. Biss, trustee, for the purchase of the assigned estate of E. Gascoigne, of Shannon. Ladies will do well to inspect the new goods Just opened by T. Pringle, a description of which will be found in another column. Laerv and Co. will Bell to-morrow, fruit. Townsend and Paul will sell to-morrow, fruit George Thomas and Co. will sell to-morrow, freehold and leasehold country properties. Those who attended the leotnres of the famous Dr. Talmage, delivered here recently, will remember how that genial optimist declared that of all the years, months, weeks, days, hours, minntes, and seconds that go to make np time, the present moment is the beat. We cordially agree with the Doctor, and so, we think, will our readers, when we remind them that at the present moment the annual stocktaking sale is being held at Te Aro House. This is a yearly event that brings joy into many a home, for the careful housewife knowß that numberless rare and wonderful bargains are to be obtained when the proprietor Bets about rednoing bis stock by holding the great annual stocktaking sale at Te Aro Houae. This year the bargains are more rare and wonderful than ever. The most sweeping reductions have been made in every department, and it is absolutely true that in many cases the goods are being sold at prices below English cost at the annual stocktaking sale at Te Aro House. — Advt. Among the most useful of modern inventions is the Kerosene Water Heater, introduced and manufactured by Messrs. Wilkins and Field, of Manners-Btreet. With the aid of a few chips and a little kerosene, water can be heated at the rate of 3 gallons Eer minute up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit ( y reducing the quantity, the greater the

heat. At the cost of one penny a hot bath can be had The heater cannot be put out of order even by careless using. It can be used anywhere, provided only that the supply tank is higher than the heater. It is suitable for both town and oountry, does away with the expensive high-pressure boiler and fittings, is always ready for instant use, and is perfectly safe. One can be seen in operation in the show room of Wilkins and Field, Manners-street. — Advt. Bough on the Pigs. — In Canterbury, whioh is pre-eminently the bacon province of New Zealand, the curing season is now in full Bwing, and the pigs are having a very rough time of it. Every week Wardell Bros. & Co. receive large consignments of their own Canterbury onre, and the hams and bacon they have now on sale leave nothing to be desired in the way of quality. As their buyers seleot nothing but guaranteed grainfed pigs, consumers can rely on getting a first-class article. Hams, 9d ; bacon, per side, 7id. Willis-street, Wellineton. — Advt.