Evening Post. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1895

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 98, 26 April 1895, Page 2

Evening Po st. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1895

HAVB WE CABINET GOVERNMENT f *

Ths Hon. Mr. Reeves is übiquitous. He is in Wellington one day, and next we hear of him in Christchnreb, and the day after ho is at Tiraaru, It appears that he considers one of tbo main fuuetions of a Minister to bo electioneering. Ho is very much afraid of his Christchurch seat, and he is liko a mother with her first baby — does she hear tho baby cry, is it restless, off sbo rushes to the cot to nurse it. So with the Cbriotchurch constituency. If they do not agree about a Hospital nurse, Mr. Beeves leaves Wellington to sco what is the matter. A Chinaman threatens to open a fruit shop, again is Mr. Kskvks on the sea enjoying the cabin of a Union steamer, so that he may reach the shores of Canterbury nnd explain the remedy required— that Undesirable Bill— and ho is to lecturo tho workers on Labour legislation. He soems to bo having what tho Maoris would call "koreros" with them— little private chats about his remedies for the future redemption of the world. If wo had not Cabinet Government wo do not know it' an} one need object to Mr. Reevis' mode of enjoyment. He seems ill at ease if ho is near his colleagnes. When thoy discuss business be is away at Australia, or New Plymonth, or Hokmuga.or Christchurch. ButourGovernmont is what is termed Cabinet Govornment. Ministers are supposed to act in council, both Cabinet and Executive. Do they over do so ? We doubt if all of them have ever been proBent at half a dozen Cabinet meetings sinco the House was prorogued. At present there are threo Ministers in Wellington. Early in the week there were two— and we suppose in a, few days there will be a change again. The only Miuister who keeps 10 his post is Sir Patrick Buckley. The rest spend about two-thirds of their time in canvassing for votes or in boiug banqueted. Wo suppose the Chinese must have uffcotcd our ideas as well as our trade. It is said that tbo Chinese believe the soul is situated in tho storoacb. That may explain tho rago for political banquets. It seems to us that this practical abolition of Cabiuet Government is furnishing the supporters of an blective Executive with a most potent argument for their measure. A very strong reason why such a sjstem should not be aaopted is that Jlinibters would havo no coherenco, no unit}-. Everyone woald do what seemed right in liis own eyes, without considering the opinions of his colleagues. Well, what is happening now F Is there any unity of action r Is Mr. Eiteves consulted about tho Midland Kailway business? Did hia colleagues ever ask him about auy question, or receive his opinion f People mu3t assume thai as ho is ever away from Wellington thoy allow him to be amused by his labour Bills, and that all other business ho is not troubled wi'li. It may be tbat the meeting of a Association is inoro important than a meeting of ■ abiuot — that the removal of a nurse lrom tho hospital 13 of more interest to New Zealand than dealing with the Uriwernfi, &c— but the country baa imagined up to the present that wo had Cabinet Government. It is true that the colony might suffer a heavy loss if tho Christchurch peoplo did not re-elect Mr. Beeves, but we would all have to bear that loss aa best we could. Can wo afford to abolish Cabiuet Government ? That ia a more serious question. If wo do, wo set up an autocratic rule iv its stead — the Government will gradually drift into tho rnle of one man. Has it reached that stage F We hear of the Premier interfering with Kailway matters, &c , and it would seem as if we are rapidly approaching the time when Ministerial rule by and of the Cabinet will become unknown. Meantime tho colony is paying Mr. tiEEVKS for his trips to Chriatolmroh to deal with nurses, Chinese fruiterers, Labour Bills, &c, &c. i The announcement pnblishod yesterday that the Colonial Treasurer is helping a butter merchant to secure lower freights for dairy produce allayed much publio anxiety regarding Mr. Ward. So little has been l heard about him that the publio becan to fear ho whs lost. It was announced that ha was going to Paris for Kaster, but we have [ not heard whether he went or not, or if he enjoyed bis trip or the holidays, and ovoryone was asking where he was, and what ho was doing. Helping a butter morcbant is honest and useful work, although we can scarcely imagine it formed part of tbe socret and delic^to mission on which Mr. Ward went Home, and it is perhaps rather costly work for a Minister drawing iSOU a year and three guineas a day travelling expenses to employ himself upon, if it were all ho wore doing in London. But another cablo message showß that he is not always so usefully or honestly employed. He is said to bo inBtructiog the members of the Honso of Commonß as to the working in New Zoalaud of tho Licensing Act and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. If the latter statement is true Mr. Ward must bo drawing on his imagination, as the Act named is not jot working, and there is very good reason to beliovo that when it is required to work it will break down. Side by side with tho cable messago appeared a telegram from Auckland throwing somo light on this point, announcing that tho Employers' Association tboro re fnsed to register under the Act, owing to its unfair and one-sided character. Mr. Ward should have this fact cabled to him, iv 01 dor to inform tho members of the House of Commons regarding it. As to the licensing law, tho local option cKnaes do not seem to give much satisfaction to any iside in tho colony. If Mr. Ward is candid, and informs the members of the House of Commons that ho is not exactly an impartial or unbiassed witness, they will probably not attach very much importance to his representations ou the subject. In tho meantime tbe mystery deepens as to the nature of Mr Ward's secret and delicate mission to London, and as to what he }i really doing or attempting to do thero The Hon. John M'Kenzie sometimes inadvertently blurts out the truth. Wl»en he does so ho generally gets into trouble, and has to recant beonuse his colleagues cudgel him, as Fhielleu cudgelled Ancient Pistol, nntil he eats the leek. Mr. M'Kenzie ia now almost a? "qualmish at tho Bmell of leek " as ever Pistol was, and like that worthy ho eata and qlcb ho swears. At Dunedin, lie ventured to tell tho truth about tho Ministerial knowledge vegarding the Bank of New Zealand affairs, and over since he has had to go about the country munching bis leek and eating his words, because his colleagues were terribly wroth with him for bo " giying them away." And at Woodville tho othsr day, in unwitting candour, he let t he Ministerial mind be seen, and disclosed the Ministerial plan, regarding the acquisition or confiscation of tbe Manawatu Railway. Ths Premier's wrath was great, and without waiting even to hear from Mr. M'Kenzio, a, denial was issued as to bis having said what tbo Prosn Association reported him us saying. Mr M'Kenzie has of course taken the cue, and now denies the words attributed to him at Woodville. Iho evidence that he Baid precisely what he is reported to have said is, however, conclusive. The Press Association reported him, our own correspondent gave an extended and confirmatory account of what ho eaid, and wo are in receipt of a private letter from a member of the deputation confirming tbe twice published version of the Minister's words. Against this evidence is Mr. M'Konzio'a denial of what he has since found to bo an inconvenient utterance, much resented by his Ministerial chief. The public will have no difficulty in deciding where the tenth lies. It will bo remembered that tho Ministry, through its organs, deniod the acouraoy of the statements m^de by us, and confirmed by Mr. Thomas Salt, as to what took place between the Midland TJailway arbitrators in referonce to choice of an umpire. Tho Auckland Star, on Mr. Seddon's authority, published the Ministerial counter-statement, and endeavoured to throw the blame of delay on the Company's arbitrator, by asserting that the Government arbitrator was quite willing to accept Judge A'Beokett or judgo Owen, of Australia, but that the Company* arbitrator -would not accept either, as it had been dooided that the umpire must have tha status of a Chief Justice. Tbo Company's arbitrator, Sir Bruce Burnside, Q. 0., bofora his departure from Auckland, addressed tbe fol'owing letter to the Premier : — " Hon. Sir— On the eve of my departure from New Zealand, my attention has been called to a paragraph in a newspaper called the Auokland Star, of yesterday's date, nnder the heading 'The Midland Railway Arbitration,' ' A Ministerial Statement,' &c. Whilst I do not for one moment wish to hold you responsible for the statements therein mads, and asserted to be made on your authority, f deem it my duty to my colleague, Sir Charles Lilley, who is absent from the colony, ■■ well as to myself, to say that there is no truth in much that ia therein asserted as fact, and the statement generally as to what took place between the Arbitrator! is inoorreot and misleading. Neither Sir Charles Lilley nor I would feel justified in making pnblio the nature of the communications between us, which resulted yi the selection of on Umpire, and I am snre you will agree with me tha± it is Bosrcejy fair that the pnblio should be led to . believe tbat eitfegr of us had done so. lam sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Eobert Wilton, tbe attorney of the oompany, who has my authority to deal with it as he may think fit.-I hays, &0., " Bituca L. Bdenside. I " Northern Club, 20th April, 1895.>" Sir Brace Burnside does not uiinoo matters in oalling tbe Premier's veracity in qnestion. It is a small thing, but it is significant. We refer to the telegram from the Defence Minister to Lieut. -Colonel Pitt, expressing tbe Minister's satisfaction with the conduot of tbe Volunteer^ in the Feilding camp. In England the Secretary of State for War would nevQr think of issuing what may be regarded as a General Order. All snob expressions of opinion as to the oondnot of forces in oamp or field emanate from the Commander-in-Cbief. Th ©Defence Minister ia a political, not a military offioer, and

should not addresa tho forces as Mr. Scddon I apparently so loves to do. The Governor is \ C'immander-iii-Cuict, nnil exp pssi.ms of ap- | prmal of the kind tOiould be in his name, j Mr. Seddon, however, app arj to pant for military glory. His despatch of an armed force to the Uriwer* country i 3 an instance, [t indicates another absolute doparturo from Mr. Ballanco's policy, which was avowndly of tho " one policeman " character. Mr. Scddon, regardless of cost, wants to throw Mr. Bryce's Panhaka achievements into the shade. By tho way, what nauseous nonsense it is talking of Mr. Seddon having explored tho Uriwera Country, and exacted tha submission of iti native inhabitants. Tho credit for everything accomplibbed in^ that direction by any member of the present" Ministry is duo to Mr. Cadnmn, not Mr. Seddon. Mr. Cad man *aw more of tho country, and did far more to bring its natives into accord with the wishes of the Government, than Mr. Seddon ever did. There seemß to be a fine muddle in Auckland over the Shops and bhop Assistants Act. The whole blame rests with the Minister of Labour here. Tho fourcontros— Auckland, Wellington, Christchuvch, and ! Dunedin— havo joinod to these cities the suburbs, and the city and suburbs form one control. The day is not fixed by the local authority— that ia, tho City Council— but by tho conference of representatives of both city and suburbs. This was done, but the Miuister, in gazetting tho notice of tho day, has gazetted it as if the day was fixed by Auckland alone. Tho result is the Magistrate has held that thoie is no proper Gazotte notice and no day fixed by the Act. When Mr. Eeeves has timo to attend to bis work as Minister, wo presume he will see if the Gazette notice can bn corrected. At preßentho is down somewhere in the Temuka district, at a shearers' meeting. On the fourth page wo give the prize-list ot tha Chrysanthemum Show, particulars of business done yesterday by tho City Council, Harbour Board, »nd Land Board, a budget of condensed correspondence, and sporting news. The Savings Bank returns for the quartor ending 31st March show 5233 new accounts opened, us against 773-1 in tho corresponding quarter last year, and 5916 accounts clo-.ed, as against 5623. The number of deposits was 56 808, as against 52,916. The number of withdrawals was 38,011, against 37,543. 'lhe total amount of deposits was £725,273 13d, as against £569,333 -U 6d, tho oxccbb of deposits over withdrawals being £156,825 9s Gd. It is remarkable that in every district the deposits exceeded the withdrawals. In Auckland the excess was £30,G3fi lCs ; in Christchurch, £31,027 9s Id; in Dunedin, £21,897 17a 4d ; at tho Thames, £10,518 9s 3.1 ; and in Wellington, £8612 14s 9d. Christchurch has tho largest total of deposit*, £110,913 4s 8d ; Wellington, £124,671 Us lid; Dunedin, £102,237 0s 7d; Auckland, £112,904 12s 3d. The following appointments as Registrars of Births, Deaths, and Marriages are gazetted :— Bulls, C. L. White j Greytown, S. G. Stantou ; Masterton, Samnel Johnston. Messrs. Hanna and McCardle, introduced by Mr. tfogir, M.H.R , waited on the Minister of Lands yesterday and asked that telephone communication bo extended to Hallance, pointing out that the population there was increasing very rapidly, and in case of floods and other emergencies the boon conferrpd by a telephone office would be nnqno9tionablo. Tho Minister promised to brins tho application nnder the notice of tho Postal and Telegraph Department. Mr. G. H. Wallace is appointed a Rangor nndcr tho Animals Protection Act for the District of Wellington. Dr. Neal is appointed a public vaccinator for tho District of Palmerston North. Mr. T. Hall is gazetted Deputy District Land Registrar and Deputy Registrar of Deeds at Wellington during the übsence of Mr. P. W. Shaw on siok leave. Some correspondence has passed between the City Council, tho Melroso Borough Council, and Mr. John Ross (Chairman of tho Committee which carried out tho Qaoen'd Drive schemo hist winter), in retoreiico to tho Queen's. Drive. Mr. Ross considers that a letter from the Molrose Council to the City Council, stating that in its opinion the road was not properly completed, contains an implied reflection on tbe Committee. Ho adds that the functions of tho Committee ceased when it received the surveyor's leport and issued a report and balance sheet. Sir Walter Builer has presented the Public Library with four folio volumes containing fac-similcs of national manuscripts from William the Conqueror to Queen Anne, selected under tho direction of the Master of the Rolls and photorzinco?raphed by command of Hor Majesty the Queen, and eight imperial quarto volumes containing tho Philosophical Transactions of tho Hoyal Society of London. The Council decided last night to thank him for his valuable donation. The books aro worth between £20 and £30. The Trades Council has been informed by the Corporation that tha electric street lamps are to be kept burning until dawn, until further notice. Yesterday when tho Tasmania landed a lot of Ayrshires, one of them got away. When some considerable distance from the boat, tho suddenly tossed up hor head aud set off at full gallop dowu tho street, sniffing the air as sho went along, with- the result that the made straight back to the boat, where half a dozen of hor companions were being landed. A deputation from tho Eketahnna Road District, consisting oE Mr. Matheson (Chair, man of the Hoard), and Mr. Grevillo, Engineer, accompanied by Mr. Hogg, M.H.U., waited on tho Minister of Lands yesterday in reference to tho damago dime to roads and culverts, &c, by tho recent floods. The deputation stated that £20,000 had been expended in the district on roads and bridges within a fow years. Most of tho money bad been borrowed, and tho ratepayers were very heavily rated Owing to slips, tho roads were now in many placea impassable, and the position of tho settlers was very deplorable Tho removal of slips and repair of damage was eptimatod to cost £000, and tho deputation asked that £300 should bo provided by tho Government 'J ho Minister asked the request to bo submitted iv writing, and ho would place it before the Cabinet for its immediate consideration. The Bookbindors' Society has nominated Mr. H. C. Jones, Secretary to tho Trades Council, for a scat on tho Bmrd of Conciliation. Mr. D. P. Fisher has been nominated by the Boilermakers' Society. Seven touders have beon roceivod for the printing and stationery required by tho City Council for the next 12 months. Councillors Tatum, Willestou, and Anderson havo been appointed a Committee to accept a tender. Tho Woodville Examiner is informed that the objects of tho Labour Baretu are being grossly violated on the Woodville-Eketahuna line. Two instances are mentioned to us of single men having been employed who have landed p'operty and considerable money at their disposal. Again, there are two men employed who ocoupy good dairy farms, which they ought to bo working, instead of keeping more deserving men oft these relief works. Tho matter shonld be enquired into. The weekly meeting of the Wesloyan Literary und Debating Sooiety was held in the Taranaki-street Classroom last evening, the ltey. W. Banmbor in the ohair. Impromptu speeches were givou by members, and evoked considerable criticism. Koxt Thursday evening a dobato will take place on tho question, "Which has the greater influence on a man's character, heredity or environment?" The Trades Council last night adopted a Ion? report made by the Seoretary (Mr. H. C. Jones) regarding the proceedings at tbe Easter Conference of Trades Councils, held at ChriatoUnrch. Tho Oounoil passed a vote of thanks to ita delegates tor their services, and to tho Christcburch Trades Council for its hospitality. When tiis opera " Ruddigore" wa3 produced at llome in 1687, it ran for a eeason of nine months at tha' Siiy >y Theatre, and was then removed to the Crystal Palace Theatre. Tho looal Amateur Operatic Society will play tho piece for a season of sevon-nights, commencing on the 22nd May. Gilbert and Sullivan's opora is popular everywhere, but additional interest is lent to tho coming season owing to the faot that tjie opora bas nover before been performed in the colonies. The Society is going to considerable expense in staging tbe piece in as complete a manner $a possible, and some of the stage pictures will bo very handsome. Mr. George Richardson, of the Railway Department, Wanganui, son of tho Hon. E. Richardson, Wellington, was married on Wednesday to Miss Catherine Brabant, daughter of the Stipendiary Magistrate in jfcbat town. The fourth organ reoital of Mr. Maughan Barnett at Sfc, John's Churoh took place last night, and was moderately attended. Mr. Barnott opened with the overture to " Sameon," and his other selections were the Smart Air with variations played at the previous recital, arrangements of the hymn tune "Angels of Jeans" (Spinney) and Schubert's " Aye Maria," a Wely offertoire, tho "Adoration" movement from Gaul's " Holy City." oonoluding with Meyerbeer's " Coronation March." Eaoli Horn showed fine exeoution, and taste in stop-manage-ment, but greater steadiness in slow movements would be an improvement. St. John's choir, albeit very degoioiifc in maleyoico power, sane with excellent expression in Gounod's ohorua " Jesus, Word of God Inoarnate," and Stainer's "Tbsy Have Taken Away My Lord." The vocal featnre of the evening, however, was Mr. F. S. Pope's solo "Thus Saith the Lord," from Gaul's 'Holy City," with ohoral support. Mr. Pope has never sung better in public hero. The fifth recital is announced for the 23rd proi. Miss Violet Yarky (Mra, Tapley) has entered into a new engagement with the Williamson & Musgrore Comio Opera Company, and ib to make her re.appearanue in a new opera. Miss Kitherino Hardy, of Wellington, who has been appearing as Cinderella in the Williamson &, Mmgrove Burlesque of that name, is also to join the Opera Company, which is at present playing a farewell season at Sydney before Miss Stewart's departure for England. The pany friends in Wellington of Mr. J. T, Shaw, formerly in the Government Service herp, will be pleased to hear that he ib doing a flrstolasß frutiness as house and estate agent in Sydney. We notioe from tha qomnteroial columns of the Sydney Morning Hprald a few days ago that the total value of properties whioh passed through his hands in on« week last month amounted to £13,065. , The Stipendiary Magistrate entered up judgment yesterday afternoon for the plaintiffs in tho following defended civil cases < — It. Hannah v. E. Gascoigno, £8 18s j J Paget t. W. Hawlrinß, ol»im £t XB3 9d, judgment for £i 7s 9d. A non-suit with £2 2a, oosts was entered in the owe of W. Hawkins y, J. Paget, a pjaim for J& Is Bd.

I Mr. Geo. Wiltshire, City Surveyor, met I with an accident last night which will inoaI pacitato linn fiom aotivo duty for a few j wenks As lie wan leaving the City Council Chambers aft-r attending the meotingof ihe Council he slipped on the wet korbmg and foil, fracturing one of his knee joints. He waa picked up by the Town Clerk (Mr. J. K. Page), placed in a cab, and driven homo, where the injured limb was attended to by Dr. Chapplo. He passed a very bad night, the pain being intense, but to-day ho is fooling better. Many years ago, before ho entered the service of the Council, ho mot with a Bimilar accident, the samo joint being fractured. Grass seed sent to town by farmers to be dressed and returned will not be charged railage A redaction of 20 per cent, is also to bo made in the freight of all coal intended for export Tho Minister for Labour contemplates returning to Wellington on Sunday or Monday. The Hon. Mr. Carroll has telegraphed to the Premier that he has had a conference with the Uriwera natives, whom ho informed of the Government's intention to proceed with roads and with tho triangnlation survey, which were necessary to complete the maps of the colony. The natives desired that tho survey should be stopped till they could come to Wellington and see the Premier, but Mr. Carroll said that though they might do this with regard to the boundary and snb-divi-ional surveys, the tnangulation survey could not be stopped. Mr. Hone Hoko was present at tho conference, bnt did not speak, reserving his advioo to tho natives till after tho meeting. The natives have informed a Government surveyor at Galatea that Mr. Heko advised them not to attempt to stop tho survey, but to decline to assist it in any way. To Whiti natives consequently wonld not guide the surveyors to Ruatahuna. Mr. James Long is gazetted postmaster (non-pormanent) at Buahinc, ani Mr. John Re illy telephonist at Tawataia. The statement ot assets and liabilities of tho various Banks doing business in tho colony for the quarter ending 31st March is gazetted. The total liabilities weio *ir>,o3o,B2Gl3sld,andthoassots .£18,031,120. Ihe former wero made up as follows : - Notes in circulation, .£928.321 lGs 8il ; bills in oirenlalion, £51,331 11s Gd ; balances due to othor Banks, .£28,450 8i 4d ; Governmont deposits, £616,218 11s 4d ; deposits not boaring interest, w&M>l9,sG96s3d ; deposits beaming interest, £8,75C,93i 19s. The assets consisted of :— Coin £3,1G9,881 3s 5d ; bullion, £115,753 Is 10d; noros and bills of other Banks, -E.j0,78j 6a 'Id ; balances due from other Banks, 428,135 4s lid ; lauded property, £523 GB2 11b lOd ; notes and bills d-.scouuted, £1,887,493 12s; Colonial Government securities, £358,611 7a 7d ; other funded securities, £51,4G1 19s Sd ; good debts, £9.014,101 18s 9d ; other securities, £2,216,144 13s lid. Tho Women's Branch of the Labour Bureau is to be opened by Mrs. Grace Kfeill in a room just inside of the north-western entranco to the Government Buildings on Monday. The branch will have a speoial telephone, and mistresses may engage casual or regular assistance from the registers of tho department by telephone. Each applicant's naiuo will be kept on the register for a month, but must then be re-registered, or it will be struck off. letters of naturalisation have been issued to John Carlson, farmer, Eltham, and Stergios Azeli, fishmonger, Wollington. Messr3. S-korrott and Wylie wrote to tho City Council last evening denjing the Council's right to rovoke its previous license to Staples & Co. (Limited), brewers, in connection with tho spring at Grant-road, or to intorforo with tho works erected pursuant to such license. Tho writers further stated, however, that Messrs. Staples & Co. proposed to waive all rights to such water ; to permit the Corporation to orect a meter in connection with the water, and to pay at the usual rato for all water used hy tho company, tho Conncil to maintain tho tap and tho present water service ; tho Council to supply water to the company exclusively under this arrangement for ten years, or such other period as mny be at ranged. The lotter was refeimd to ihe Public Works Committee, which will also reconsider its recommendation to have notice Berrod on Staples & Co. in accordance with the City Solicitor's suggestion. 1 bo party of Wellington men who went to tho Stratford East road this morning are to have six weoks' full time work on arriving, by which time tho married men are expected to have their families on the ground, and to then be^in tho ulternate system. A resident of the Hntt, who is not * butcher, writes drawing 1 attention to tin fact that thoro are only two butcher in that district who have propor slaughter houses, aro licensed and pay killing foes although thero aro many others who kil sheep and hawk the mutton round at a mar vellously low price. In fairness our corro spoudent thinks that thoso hawker 3 shouli be compelled to pay fees ana conduct tbei slaughtering under propor inspection, s< that tho quality of the meat may bo tested. Permission has beon given by tho Cit' Council to the D Battery to praotico wit] Nordonffldt field guns troin the Thorndoi Esplanade to-morrow afternoon. Tho Woorlvillo Examiner, referring to th' Hon. Mr. M'Kenzio's Libel Bill of last sea siou, which was certainly not a Li horn measure, saya :— " It looked in fact like ai attempt on the press at personal revenge At the banqnet hero, however, Mr. M'Kenzi oxplained that ho was not responsible fo that Bill. In fact, it was a Govorumen measure, to which lm natno had been put w a matter of form, and ho had, as he put it to bear all the odium attaching to it. Thi: i-kould bo an eye-opener to the journalists o the colony, and will show them how mucl sincerity and love of tho true liberty of thi people thoro is about the Government ' During last session sevoral members of th( Cabinot distinctly repudiated the suggestioi that tho Bill was a Cabinet measure. Messrs. J. Myers, M. H. M'Carthy, anc P. M'Parland were the presiding Justices ii tho Magistrate's Court to-day. Martii Nplson and James Blythe wero fined 40s with the option of seven days' incarceration for drunkenno3S. iiobert M'Cary pleadec Not Guilty to the charge of having stolen i suit of clothes from a lodger's room in tin B'mpire Hotol, and was remanded till Wed nesday. George (jyles was fined Ss an< costs for plying as a porter without havinf a license. Tow Meo, a Chinese gardener was elmrgod with having stolen 10s wort] of lettuces, the property of Louis Lock, hii boundary neighbour. Thero was no dividiui fence, and the defence was that defendtin had takon the preen stuff from his owi leasehold ground. The information wai dismissed. A fino of Is and coats was im posed upon Chri-tian Nelson for leaving hii cart unattended in Ballanoe-street. Johi Lane, oabdrivor, appeared on three geparati summonses for driving at oth«r than i walking pace on tho Queen's Wharf, re fusing to pay Gd, and rofusing to remove hii vehicle from tho wharf when ordered to d< so Defendant was represented by Mr Wilford. All throe eases were dismissed W. Hurcomb, of Cuba-street, was fined 5i for hanging a naked lighted lamp ontsidi his shop on Saturday night. Tho casting of the new firobell for Petom has been entrnsted to S Luke & Co Limited. It is to bo ready for delivery in f fortnight, and will be similar to thi Manners-street boll, and of an approximat< weight of sowt, the price being £27 10s Petono is fortunate in obtaining a realli good bell at a timo lvhon bell metal io ati very low figure. Those who have not yet seen tho Chrysan thomnm and Fruit .^how at the Skating Binl will have an opportunity of doing so thii evening, as tho doors remain open from i o'clock this afternoon until Into to-night Tho exhibits of flowers 'and fruit are th< finest ever seen at a Wellington show, anc tho exhibition well deserves patronago. It tho prize-list, which appears on the fourtt page, an error ocenrs in awarding to Mrs itandall the prize for 43 large flowering varieties, and Messrs Hill and Korslalce prizes for 16 incurved and reflexed varieties Tho Beotion should read as follows :—4E large flowering -24 Japanese, 16 incurved 8 refloxed, two of each variety (anemone flowered excluded) -C. J. Hill, 1 • J. J Keralake, 2 Tho number of points secured by Mr. Hill, as "runnor np" for th£ National Society's silvor medal, was 32, Mrs. Randall coming third with 16 points. A conoort was givan by the pupils of tht Lower Hntb Ponvontj Sobool on Wednesday night. Archbishop Kedwood was present. The programme inoluded songs, duets (vocal and instrumental), recitations, and choruses and tho porforraanoe of the operetta " Cin^ derella Tho prizes won in the school were distributed by tho Mayor of the Lower Hutt, Mr. W A. Fitzherbort, who congratulated the children on tho intelligent and successful manner in which they had rendered thnir re. Bpeotivopartuin tho performance. and also the Sisters on their ability and skill in training and educating the children. The Archbishop endorsed the Mayor's remarkß, and the Rev, Father Jane returned thanks on behalf oi the school and tho Sisters. An experiment specially affecting engineers and owners of vessels is to be made on tho Uairloch, which is duo hero shortly for an overhaul. At present sho is running with two oast-iron propellers, whioh were designed, experimentally, to inoreaso her speed. So natisfaotory have been the re. suits that the owners have determined to Bubstituto Delta metal propellers of the same pattern. This metal is of a higher grade than cither manganese or phosphor bronze, and castings oan bo made muoh lighter and stronger than with the lowergrade metala. The propellers have been designed and manufactured by V*. Cable and Co., on whoso premises they oan be seen. With the cast-iron propellers an increase in speed of half a knot per hour wap obtained with the Gairlooh, and it is anticipated that with tbo Delta metal ones another quarter of a knot per hour will be obtained. Mr. J. W. Wheeler, business manager for tho Mostyn-DaUiel Dramatic Company, has arrived in town to moke arrangements for the appearance of tho company at the Opera House for a season, commencing on Monday week, The United Hnnt Club will have a run to-morrow af tornoon over the favourite Taita oonntry. The public meeting of city ratepayers to discuss tho proposal to raiso a, loan for the purpose of acquiring Sir G. Clifford's property in Hobson-street for a recreation ground, will be held in the Exchange Hall this evening, All peoplo interested in the formation of an Insurers' Protection Association for Wellington are asked to meet at the Exchange Hall next Tuesday evening, to receive the report of the Committee appointed at the preliminary meeting. An advertisement in this is;uo sets forth the objects of the Association. Id our Wanted column E. TTminoii 4 Co. announcQ ipeoial bargains in boots and shoes at their annual clearing tale to-morrow and the following week. They nave altered the prices to suit the times. At Pe.irco'n Boot Arcade, Cuba-street, some very oUeup lines yiM be offered, consisting of evening ■noes. The speoia) ittanlion of working men is called to Pearce's own manufactures in working kODts, specially got up to stand Hie weather,

] Carefully catering constant novelties, Prmple's j ftDnonuceolsowbPreavrhalof shipments per Kaikouiu, of which Ihiy in ite inspection. , An uarcsci veil sale of jewtllpry takes plnco at \ bidev s auction rnomi 10 morrow; a ship s cbrououiotor, by Barclay, will also bo sole 1 , A. G. Tame nud Co. will sell to-morrow, at 2 o clock, eight first clnes draught horses ot a very superior stomp, from Canterbury; also, some very good harness horses and hacks, and seveial bmiters with records worth studying. Saddlery, harness, coveis, spun* traps, ie, will also be sold, lhe same firm advertises for its Bale tomorrow four of the flneat draught geldings ever landed in Wellington j also, that Defoie the sale commences thero will bo an exhibition of jumping by the hunters to ho offered. Townsond and Paul will sell to-morrow, hordes, ic. * A shipment of shapely and well-bred Ayrshire cattle is to be sold by A. G. Tamo nnd Co. at their Hutt sale on Thursday next. » Laery and Co. (Limited) will sell to-morrow, fruit. W. F. Sborlt will sell to-morrow, sundries.