LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 101, 30 April 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The quantity of gold entered for export from the colony up to the 31st March last was 13,383,5280z, of the value of £52,608,246. The amount exported during the March quarter was 69,6210z, valued at £275,816, as against 76,4020z, valued at £301,502, entered for export in the same quarter of last year. Mr. R. E. Bannister having retired from his position on the Evening- Post, Mr. Alister Brown has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Henry Grey, late Chief Dairy Expert for the Government in' London, is coming out to the colony by the lonic. The Trades Council at its meeting lasb night decided to respectfully demand an enquiry into the allegations made by Messrs. Collins, Fisher, and Worth at the Trades Council Conference at Dunedin, that many of the provisions of the Factory Act are ignored in Wellington. The Customs duties collected at the chief ports of the colony during the quarter ending 31st March,were as,.follows:—Auckland, £120,950, as compared with £107,328 for the corresponding quarter; Wellington £114,426 as against £92,236 ; Lyttelton and Christchnrch, £72,197 as against £69,754 ; Dunedin, £105,555 as against £96,071. The totals for the financial year were as foU lows :— Auckland, £452,469; Wellington, £408,123, Lyttelton and Christchuroh, £279,841; Dunedin, £373,802. The excisa duties collected during the same quarter at Auckland amounted to £4965 as against £4732 for the corresponding quarter of 1896; at Wellington, £2047 as against £1971 , at Christchurch, £3311 as against £2733; and at Dunedin, £4774 as against £4006. The totals for the year were— Auckland, £19,831; Wellington, £7661; Christchurch, £11,853; Dunedin, £16,222. The marble statue of the late John B&llance which is to be erected at Wanganui has arrived in the colon}'. It is proposed to place it in the Market-square, Wangauui, on the terrace immediate^ in front of the Courthouse, and surrounded by an ornamental iron railing. Mr. Logan, Superintendent of Telegraphs, was interviewed yesterday afternoon by a number of Te Aro subscribers to the Telephone Exchange in reference to the complaint that -they and other business men were obliged to pay 10s a year more than some tradesmen whose establishments were further away from the Exchange. It was admitted by Mr. Logan that there was an inequality iv the rates, but it was pointed out to the deputation that that had arisen in consequence of the length of wire having been calculated iv the case of the original subscribers from the Post Office, where the Exchange had been situated until the fire, whereas those who had joined after the removal of the Exchange to its present site were charged for a longer length of wire, the Exchange being now so much further away from, their premises than it was when the telephone system was introduced in Wellington 1 . Tho members of the deputation did- not ask that their neighbours should be charged more than was at present being paid, but suggested that iv some way the anomaly in the rates should be removed. Mr. Logan did, not bpld out any hope of an alteration of the present arrangement, but promised to take th^'inatter into consideration. . Owing to the prevalence of phylloxera amongst the vines on the properties occupied by the Revs. Rene" Marie Lannuzel and F. W. Martin, at Opotiki, Auckland, they have been declared infected places under the Orchard and Garden Pests Act of last session. Mr. J. T. Fahy is gazetted Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths for the Hutt District, and Mr. Alex. M' Vicar an Inspector and Surveyor, an Engineer-Surveyor, an Examiner of Engineers, and an Inspector of Machinery for the Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury, 1 and Westland Districts. The use of nets of any sort for taking fish from any portion of the Wanganui River above the Aramoho railway bridge is prohibited for 12 months from the Ist May. The penalty for non observance of the regulation is a fine of not less than £1 or more than £20. For this trip the Tyser steamer Indramayo is under the command of Captain Alfred Horsfall, who took charge in London owing to the illness of Captain Sanders. Captain Horsfall has not visited Wellington for over 25 years, on which occasion he was au apprentice oh the ship Rokeby Hall. He is naturally much struck with the growth of the port since that period. A case of importance to printers was dealt with at the Magistrate's Court this morning, when Mr. Robert Thomson was charged under the Printers and Newspapers Act, 1868, with having omitted to print on certain nomination papers showing voters how to vote at the Otaki licensing poll, his name aud place of business. Mr. A. S. Paterson appeared for Mr. Thomson, who pleaded Guilty, subject to the explanation that it was unusual to place the printer's name on such slips. Mr. Eyre Kenny, S.M., pointed out that the Act was very explicit. He regretted that no other course was open to him but to inflict the mininiunt £q 0 o j £g a

The election of Mr. Charles Wilson as the J member for Wellington Suburbs is gazetted. Mr. Eliott, Under-Secretary of the Mines Department, left for the North by the Takapuna to-day for the purpose of conferring with the Auckland Chamber of Mines and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in reference to an alteration of the schedule whioh mining companies are required to fill up. ■ The object is to alter the schedule so as to enable the companies registered at Home to supply the information which the Department requires. By the same steamer, Mr. G. Wilson, Inspecting Engineer of the Mines Department, left on a visit of inspection to the Auckland goldfields. Mr. P. Galvin, the Secretary of the newly-established Mining Bureau, will pay a visit to the Auckland goldfields in order to make arrangements for obtaining reliable and regular reports of the mining operations. Yesterday's Gazette contains the following appointments in the Post and Telegraph Service: — Messrs. John Bunton, junior telephone exchange clerk, Wellington; Charles Dempsey, junior clerk accountant's branch, G.P.0.; P. D. Hoskins, cadet in same branoh; L. H. Reynolds, cadet in circulation branch, G.P.0., Wellington ; W. R. Wakelin, sorter, G.P.O. Non-permanent officers have been appointed, as follows : — Mr. H. Bennett to be postmaster and telegraphist at Longburn, and Mr. R. Kearney at Kaitoke; and Mr. H. Godschalk to be postmaster at Hukanui, Wellington. The Council of the Wellington Chamber ot Commerce met yesterday afternoon. The question of the increase of telephone subscriptions was discussed, and the matter was referred to a committee consisting of the President (Mr. A. de B. Brandon), the T.ice-President (Mr. H. Beauchamp), and Mr. T. J. Gale for a report. The VicePresident and Mr. N. Reid were appointed a committee to report upon a circular from the Home Government in reference to the improvement of trade relations between the colonies and the Mother Country. Two of the three missing bodies of the men who were drowned at the wreck of the Zuleika were found on Sunday on the beach, close to the grave in which the interments were made last week. They were placed by Mounted Constable May in the coffins left by the Tutanekai, and were buried close to their late comrades. Neither of the bodies could be identified. Mr. John Flockton, who purchased the cargo, returned from Palliser Bay last night, and reports that abdut half the salvage, consisting principally of tins of kerosene, was washed away by a south-easterly sea which swept into the bay on Sunday. He has left several men to collect what remains. In a few days he will get a boat to bring it to Wellington. " From what I could see up there (Auckland) the accused got into the swim with the fellows there, and probably the pace got too hot for him," was the explanation given by Mr. Thomas Mason Wilford at the Magistrate's Court this morning of the motive which actuated Arthur Duncan to pawn a bicycle belonging to him (witness) in Auckland early in January last. Accused had taken the bicycle to Auckland at Mr. Wilford's request in order that Mr. Wilford could" use it when he was there. Witness employed accused as ha«dy man. He had driven witness to the different places at which he addressed the electors at the general election, and witness, elated with his success, and thinking that accused had done a lot of work which his wages did not cover, had given him a return ticket to Auckland, and at different times £9, in cask At Auckland the accused had got in with a fast lot. He had admitted to Detective Campbell that he had pawned the bicycle, and the pawnticket for it was put in. Accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial. The police prosecuted, and Dr. Findlay appeared for Duncan. At the Carriers' Union meeting last night, Mr. Allan Orr in the chair, it was announced that the deputation which waited on the Manawatu Railway authorities in connection with .the carriers' traffic- at the station had been well received, and that every assistance wonld be given them. A deputation will ■wait on the Harbour Board during the coming week with regard to the traffic ou • the wharf. A committee of the whole Board was set up to make arrangements for the annual social gathering of the Union, to be held in Whitaker's Hall on the 21st prox. The train arrangements in connection ■with the opening of the railway to Pahiatua on Monday will be found in an advertisement in another column. The time-table for the Wellington-Pahiatua line is also advertised. An order has been sent Home by the Wellington Garrison Band to its Bandmaster, Mr. T. Herd, now on a visit to England, to purchase a full set of brass instruments from one of the best makers in England at a price just under £500. The band has been handicapped in Exhibition contests by its inferior instruments. The meeting of residents of Greytown convened for the purpose of assisting the sufferers by the Hawkes Bay floods was so meagrely attended that it adjourned without doing anything. The natives in the Greytown district are setting an excellent example to their European brethren. "The Lights o' London" was produced again at the Opera House last night by the Rignold Company. There was a large audience, and the drama went very smoothly from beginning to end. It will be staged for the last time to-morrow night. Great preparations are being made for the production, on Monday, of " Henry V." The scenery and costumes are said to be something out of the common, and the piece will be splendidly staged. The Returning Officer of the Makara Road Board notifies that Mr. J. E. Eagle ■was the only candidate nominated for the vacancy in No. 5 Ward, and that that gentleman is duly elected. He also gives notice that extraordinary vacancies have occurred in the representation of Wards Nos. 2 and 3, for which an election will be held on the 19th May. Nominations will be received up to the Bth. at noon. The Wellington acclimatisation district has been redefined, and hencforth will comprise the Counties of the Hutt, Wairarapa North, Wairarapa South, Pahiatua, Horoirhenua, Kiwitea, Oroua, Pohangina, Manawatu, and Rangitikei, the Boroughs of Cartefton, Feilding, Foxton, Greytown, Karori, Lower Hutt, Marton, Masterton, Melrose, Onslow, Palmerston North, Petone, Pahiatua, the City of Wellington, and the Island of Kapiti. The Wanganni Borough Council has Tatifled an agreement with the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company by which the latter establishes public abattoirs which will be under the control of the borough inspector. Last evening, in the Newtown Wesleyan Schoolroom, the two newly-appointed ministers to the Wellington circuit— Rev. A. C. Xawry, of Newtown, and Rev. T. Jone?, of Tborndon— were entertained at a welcome " social." The church, which was decorated with flagu, was well filled, and a hearty welcome was extended to Both ministers by tho congregation. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were made by Rev. W. Baumber (Superintendent of the district), Messrs. C. W. Benbow, Norbury, Caulton, and Bell ; and Rev. Messrs. La wry' and Jones replied, thanking them for their kind wishes, and hoping that they would all work hand in hand, and thus make the future of the church successful. During the. evening muHcal items were provided by Mm Powell, Mesdames Marsh and Gamble, and Mr. Kircher ; while at intervals the ladies handed round refreshments.

The Hon. Mr. Carroll, who is taking a great interest in the proposal to bring Gisborne and Auckland into railway communication by means of a light line to Rotorua, has drawn up a memorandum in reference to the project. He points out that a light railway could be run from Gisborne to Rotorua through the Urewera Country and across the Kaingaroa Plains. " Thirty miles of this road," he explains, "present no difficulty whatever, nor do the last thirty of the Rotorua end, where the rond recently coonstructed from Galatea to Ruatahuna, in the heart of the Urewera Country, could be utilised. The middle portion, from Wharekopae to Ruatahuna, is rough country, but of such a nature as not to add very materially to the cost of construction. The Premier knows that a line is now being constructed in Tasmania in worse country than any proposed to be traversed in the East Coast district, at a cost of from £1300 to £1800 per mile." Mr. Carroll suggests that the native lauds through which the proposed line would run should be placed under the control of a Board, as recommended by the Native Land i Laws Commission of 1891, but as some prejudice exists against the appointment of such a Board, they could be placed under the control of the Public Trustee, with a resident Commissioner in Gisborne. Moneys necessary to survey and road and throw these lands open for settlement should be provided by the Government, and made a charge upon the, lands benefited thereby. The Hon. -O. J. Johnston will represent the Wellington Cbamber^of Commerce at the conference of delegates l ot the Australasian Chambers of Commerce which is to begin in Sydney on the 18th proximo/ Shippers of dairy "produce- from- this colony will be interested in the remarks of Ml". John, Lovell, of the firm of Lovell and Christmas, of London, who, writing under date of 20th February, says :—": — " Business has been badly interfered with by the irregularity of shipments. Over and over again we have have had contracts and good sales runoff because the stuffs did not arrive in time, and we have had in other instances to buy Australian. New Zealand suffers and Australia gains by these irregularities. Australia's butter shipments come forward every week, and it cannot be put too strongly, the necessity of fortnightly shipments from New Zealand. I have been continually at Mr. Reeves, the Agent-General here, but the people from your side ought to be at the Government to do something." A post and money order office and telephone bureau has been opened at Mr. Davidson's bookseller's shop in Courtenayplace. A well-attended meeting of Mr. A. R. Atkinson's friends wa?. held at Petone last evening, Mr. J. T. King presiding, when it was decided to invite Mr. Atkinson to a social gathering of his late supporters, which will be held at Petone on Thursday, 13th May. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr. H. Eyre-Kenny, S.M., one first offending inebriate was dealt with as usual. Wm. Coaway, for having disobeyed an order of the 'Court, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended for three weeks to give him an opportunity to pay tne money. After hearing the wile's evidence (there was no appearauce of the husband), bis Worship made a separation order between William Henry Dobson and Edith Mary Dobson, and .ordered the husband to pay £3 monthly for his wife's support, and £1 10s monthly for the support of his children. On the applicant stating that in all probability her husbaDd would refuse to leave the house which she rented, his Worship intimated that the case was one which should be attended to by the police. He advised that a constable should be sent with the applicant to her home, and if the husband refused to leave take steps to compel him to do so. This was agreed to by Inspector Pender. In the case Malay v. Malay, his Worship increased the weekly amount to be paid by the husband to 15s. Rose E. Little, who stated that her husband had threatened to stab her and had treated her cruelly, applied for maintenance for herself and child. The husband, Ernest A. Liittle, stated that his wife had assaulted him. He was quite willing to ■ntprk. The application was refused. The Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held its weekly session last evening, Bro. Sherwood presiding. The following officers were elected for the next quarter: — Bro. Simpson. C.T.; Sis. Meston, V.T. , Sis. L. Fitzgerald, Sec. ; Bro. Poynton, P.S. ; Sis. Clark, T. ; Sis. White, Chap. ; Bro. Wolfe, M. ; Sis. Clayton, D.M. , Bro. Brown, G. , Bro. Elliott, Sent. The Harmony Committee presented its programme for next quarter. A social gathering in connection with the League of the Cross took place at <St. Patrick's Hall last night, when songs were given by Misses M'JDonald, Murray, and Wilkinson and Messrs. G. A. Read, 'Fenton, O'Connell, Hynes, and Houghey, and recitations by Messrs. Hyland, O'Brien, and Read. During the evening an address on "The Ends of the League" was given by the President, the Rev. Father O'Shea. An enjoyable evening's entertainment was closed with a sketch, " The Lunatic," admirably presented by the League's dramatic students. The floods in the Hawkes Bay district necessitated the steamer Indramayo leaving Napier without being supplied with her cargo of frozen meat. She also left behind a large quantity of wool which had not reached the port from the outlying districts. The value of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, which is administered by the Public Trustee, was £7777 7s 3d on the Ist April last, made up as follows :— Cash in hand, £3677 7s 3d ; mortgage security No. 2 (in default), £2500 ; mortgage security No. 4 (in default), £1600. Latest advices say that Stoddart's team for Australia next season will include Prince Ranjitsinhji, F. S. Jackson, Captain Wynyard, M'Laren, Mason, Peel, Lilley, Hayward, Hayman, Richardson, Bray (as second wicket-keeper), and possibly Lohmann. All these batsmen are noted for their dashing play, while on paper the team is decidedly better than the last visiting team. "R^nji" has at last definitely decided to make the voyage, a fact which will delight all Australian cricket enthusiasts. There ii no School Committee at Blenheim this year, householders having " struck " on account of the limited powers conferred on Committees. At the annual meeting of householders on Monday night, one of the retiring committeemen, in declining to be again nominated, indignantly declared that the powers of committees extended "no further than the oleaning of schools and ■ waterclosets, and he would not act as a 'dirty swab* for anyone." A resolution was pasted requesting the member for the district (Mr. C. H. Mills) to endeavour to secure an amendment of the Education Act in the direction of giving increased powers to committees, they being the direct representatives of the householders. Mr. Mac Duff Bovd's popular concert will be held to-night in the Oddfellows' Hall,, Lower Hutt. Mrs. Boyd will sing " Castle's in the Air " and " Barnoy O'Uea." Mr. A. S. Paterson will recite " Ravellin' Him Up" and "To Morra," by Lord Tennyson. Mr. TwiJ will sing "Bid Me to Love." Mr. Boyd will play Musin's Mazurka and a selection of Scottish airs. The Huia Quartett will sing two of Scott Gatt/s plantation songs, and there are other popular items in an excellent programme. Intending patrons are reminded that the annual social gathering of the Carpenters and Joiners' Society will be hill at Thomas' Hall this evening.

It is probable that the Shipmasters' Association will interview the "Minister of Marine asking that the Cape Palli^er lighthouse when completed shall be connected by telephone. If such a proposal is adopted it will be an immense boon to shipowners and the travelling public, and, especially in bad weather, will be found to be of service to those who seek information as to a vessel's -whereabouts when coming to Wellington. At the residence of Mr. James Pearce, of " The Streamlets," Pahautanui, on Wednesday last, W. Hamilton, eldest son of Mr. David Speedy, of " Methvyn," Belmont, was married to Miss Julia Pearce, fourth daughter of Mr. James Pearce. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Andrew Gray, of Knox Church, Hutti The bride, who was given away by her father, was dressed in cream Sicilian, trimmed with chiffon, and with veil and orange blossoms. The, bridesmaids were Miss Jessie Pearce and Miss Sylvia Speedy. Messrs. Edwin »nd Wallace Speedy, brother and cousin of the bridegroom, were groomsmen. It is the intention of Archbishop Redwood to break his return journey from Europe in Australia. His Lordship, who was expected to be a passenger by the Polynesian, is due in Wellington in June. He is accompanied on his passage from Europs by Bishops Vida, of Fiji, and Broyer, of Samoa. Father Johnston, who was ordained by the Archbishop at Home for the arch-diocese of Wellington, will also come out with the party. Bishop Grimes, of Christchurch, is taking his passage to Europe on the homeward trip of the Polynesian. The -annual sooial and distribution of prizes of the Wellington City Rifles will take place at Thomas's Hall on Monday next. The members of the Corps have been taking a very active interest in the function, and a very large number of tickets have been sold. Mr. Fischer's string band has been engaged. Miss Muir has kindly consented to present the prizes during the evening. Bandmaster King, of Oamaru, the crack shot, who was unable to go Home with the Bisley team in the Ruahine, will leave by the Rimutaka and join the team in England. This addition will considerably strengthen our representatives. The next quarterly meeting of the Otaki Licensing Committee will be held in the Courthouse at Olaki, on Wednesday, the 2nd J une. A shooting competition for all classes of the Wellington Navals will be held at the Polhill Gully range at half-past 1 to-morrow afternoon. The s.s. Duco will run the usual excursions to Day's Bay to-morrow and Sunday afternoons. The members of the P.N.Y.C. are notified of the date of a general meeting in our advertising columns to-night. A very large assortment of men's, youths, and ladies' macintoshes are now being offered by Mr C. Smith, the Cask Draper, at special cheap prices — all made specially for this firm, and guaranteed. Messrs. R. Hannah & Co. notify in our Wanted column special prices for to-morrow and nerfc week of new winter boots and shoes, specially made for and imported by them.' Messrs. Pettie & Kenning's fisher caps are the talk of the city. A special display of ladies' capes, jackets, and fur boas will astonish and please the ladies. Boot buyers are invited to inspect the windows of Pearce's Boot Arcade, which will be lighted up this evening: for the display of the very latest designs in winter foot wear. The value obtainable at the > D.1.0. in [ fashionable and reliable drapery is enhanced at the present moment by the exceptionally heavy stock of newest notions in mantles, jackets, millinery, and dresses. An advertisement in our columns colls special attention to these. ! Mr. Joh. E. Lindberg, the Cheap Draper, Cuba-street, announces having recoived, ex s.s. Rimutaka, 16 cases and bales of new seasonable drapery, which he will offer at very low prices to-morrow. ! Messrs. A. G. Tame & Co. insert an advertisement of particular interest to families. It relates to the sale at their rooms, on Wednesday, of six crates of crockery of a very ohoice kind, without reserve. They also intimate that it will be on view in their rooms on Monday afternoon. Messrs. F. Sidey & Co. continue their sale to-morrow of unredeemed pledges, at their new rooms, Manners-street. Messrs. Finn, Chighohn & Co. sell tomorrow, on the 1 premises, Riddiford-street, groceries, crockery, ironmongery, horse, trap, harness, <fee. Messrs. A. G. Tame & Co. sell to-morrow, at their yards, horses, Ac, and at Waterlooquay sheep yard* at 11 o'clock, sheep and pigs, ex Manaroa from the Sounds.

| That wonderful material flannelette is more in evidence than ever this season. There is apparently no end to the variety and novelty of the patterns and designs which each succeeding season brings out. For the coming winter a bewildering display of lovely fabrics has been imported by James Smith and Co., whose faith in the popularity of the material may be gauged by the fact that they alone have already opened up for this winter's trade nearly 200,000 yards of flannelette of all kinds, which they are now showing at that well-known emporium, Te Aro House. Chiefly should attention be attracted to the lovely exhibition of blonse flannolottes. On viewing the delicate blending of colours, the intricate and artistic patterns, and the beautifully-finished texture of these materials, it is difficult to believe that they really can be flannelettes, to be purchased for a few pence per yard. Striped, plain, reversible, tweed, sealette, pine pattern, tartan, Trilby, and a thousand and one other varieties are now being 1 shown at Te Aro House. — Advt.