LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1897, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Acting-Premier and the Minister for Education will leave for Dunedin on Friday, the former for the purpose of opening the Agricultural Hall and the latter in order to be present at a bazaar in connection with, the Kindergarten Schools. The ActingColonial Secretary intends to go to Gisborne on Saturday in order to open the Industrial Exhibition there. , The concession which the Railway Department has decided to make to workmen livine at Petone whose avocations are in the city will come into force on Monday,' sth prox. The weekly fare from that date will be only 2s 6d instead of 4s as at present. The object of the reduction is to encourage artisans to reside in the suburbs served by the railway. The unemployed compositors in Wellington have been offered work at bush-felling at Otaihape, in the Hunterville district, or road-making at Waikaremoana, Hot Lakes district. The offer, which is from the Labour Department, is to be considered by the compositors at a meeting in the Traded - Hall to-night. The Government is to be asked to reserve 2000 or 3000 acres of the Moutoa Estate Swamp at Foxton for flax-milling purposes. Mr. J. Stevens, M.H.E., is acting in the matter at the request of the Foxton Borough Council. In reference to the complaint made at the Petone Borough Council meeting that the early train to town is on the average 15 minutes late, we learn that the official records show the train to have been only once seven minutes behind time in the past , month, once six minutes, and seven times jpunctual, with various gradations between. It is explained that there is difficulty in running the train with absolute precision, owing to the necessity which generally, but not always, arises for a shunt at Ngahauranga. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were brought to a close this morning, when the jury in the case of Ho Kee, a, Chinese storekeeper charged with having failed to keep proper books — which had been locked up all night — was found to be still unable to agree on a verdict. The Crown Prosecutor thereupon intimated that as the accused had been previously acquitted of the more serious charge of fraudulently removing his stock-in-trade With intent to defeat his creditors, he would enter a nolle _ prosequi in the present case. His Honour concurred, remarking that accused's experiences ought to serve as a warning to him. Ho Kee was then discharged from custody. At this week's lneeeting of the Wellington Irish National Federation the balance-sheet in connection with tha sum of £100 recently sent Home to the Irish Parliamentary Farty, through its leader, Mr. J. Dillon, was approved. Very strong objection was taken to the remarks made by Archbishop Kedwood in reference to Irish political affairs. It was unanimously resolved — " That his Graoe be iuformed that the members of the Irish Federation of Wellington have every confidence in tha Chairman aud leader elected by some 3000 delegates from all parts of the world at tho Irish Raoe Convention held in Dublin last September; and furthermore that they approve of the action of Mr. .Dillon and his colleagues in connection with the Record Reign Jubilee ; that while they are loyal subjects they cannot in all decency show an exuberauee of joy and thanksgiving over the occasion while their country suffers aild her sons are lying in English dungeonn. There is, nt least, an absence of toadyism about the actions of Mr. John Dillon and his col- . leagues." As a souvenir of his long connection with tile Bankruptcy Department at Wellington, Mr. F. W. Mansfield, who lately assumed the office of Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, and of Electors, was to-day handed a neatlj'-frauied and exquisitely - finished testimonial from Mr, James Ashcroft, the present Official Assignee itt Wellington, aud Mr. C. C. Graham, now stationed in the South Island, but formerly Assignee in Wellington. In it they tionvey their warm congratulations on Mr. Mansfield's promotion to a higher office, aud add :—": — " We willingly testify to the admirable manner in which you have always discharged your important duties, earning our high esteem." The sentiments expressed will be echoed by all who have had occasion to do business with the Assignee's Department during the thirteen and a-half years Mr. Mansfield was connected with it. An alteration in the procedure of h-. , Benevolent Trustees was decided upon yesterday. Before the ordinary business of the day was taken, Mr. Lancaster moved a motion to the effect that the weekly report of the Board's lady visitor should be read before the various cases were dealt with. He took this step in order that the Trustees should have more knowledge of the cases with which they were dealing. It would be more satisfactory to both public, and the Trustees if, in addition, Mrs. Dudfield were asked to be present at the Weekly meetings. The Chairman said that though he and the Secretary personally knew the facts of the cases, these facts were not alwa3 r s before the body of the Trustees. Mr. Bradey pointed •out that the report book of the lady visitor was always referred to as the cases came before the Board. Mr. M'Keuzie said that a formal motion such as this impligd a dereliction of duty in the pa9t, whereas no such thing had taken place. The presence of a woman at the meetings would prove beneficial lie felt sure— a sentiineut echoed by other Trustees. The motion was then unanimously carried.

The goodness of the poor to the poor wai exemplified at the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees yesterday afterooou. A man who hid 'emigrated from England only to find himself, through illness, stranded in Wellington, • made application to the Trustees, not Tor mouey, but that some place might be found for him on a Home-going steamer in order that he might work his way back. A young widow accompanied him to the meeting, and it appeared that she lodged in the same hotoe, aud though she had two children of her own to support, had, with the keeper of the house, looked after him and seen that he had tood. The curious point was that the woman did not see anything extraordinary, while in struggling circumstances herself, in depleting her scanty means to help her stranded fellow-lodger. She was only too glad that she was able to do so. The Trustees were so struck by the woman's goodnature that they agreed in the meantime to pay the man's rent. The Official Assignee considers that any Chinaman who carries ou a considerable business in an English colony ought to keep books in English. Mr. Justice Edwards concurs in this opinion. The Assignee remarked, in connection with the same subject, thai he had on one occasion " wound up "' a Chinese gardener who kept books exceedingly well in English. Mr. A. R. Atkinson's remarks on the administration of charitable aid at the recent gathering of the Salvation Army do not find favour with the Benevolent ; Trustees. At yesterday's meeting of that body Mr. Bradey said that a report of Mr. Atkinson's speech had appeared in the Evening Post, which he regarded as I rather insnlting to the Trustees. The general public did not know anything about j what the Trustees paid to the rescue work of the Salvation Army. The Chairman (Mr. Van Staveren) said that the matter was a paltry one. Mr. Bradey repeated that the outside public knew nothing of these matters, and said it was only right that the Trustees should tell them the true . state of things. If Mr. Atkinson served a term on the Board he would alter his op'inioris. Mr. Bradey did not feel disposed to be vilified like that. Mr. T. M'Kenzie thought that Mr. Atkinson, in attacking the Trustees, had done a very foolish thing. Tlie Chairman — It was only done for political capital. It is only young Atkinson, and the poor man must say something. After further discussion the Chairman remarked that he felt uneasy if he did not get a blackguarding in the press once a fortnight. Mr. Bradey concluded the discussion by remarking that he hoped Mr. Atkinson's speech would keep him out of Parliament. Bythe Mararoa for Sydney to-morrow, Mr. G, H. Scales is .shipping one Lincoln ram and two Romney Marsh rams for exhibition at the New South Wales Breeders' Association, Show in July, and Mr. Scales is also forwarding a pen of 10 cross-bred wethers, which are to compete for the Government prize for the best pen of sheep for the frozen export trade, and on behalf of Mr. Mungavin, of Porirua, two Romney Marsh rams and four ewes for exhibition purposes. These, we understand, will be the only sheep to represent New Zealand this season, as com- * pared with 7000 last year. .Mr. J. H. Williams has received two capital photographs of the launching of his new steam-tender, the Duchess, on the . Clyde, and these show what a fine steamer slie is. The builders declare that the Duchess is the finest boat of her size they have ever turned out of their yards, while Captain Cameron, Marine Superintendent of the Union Company, who is now in England, speaks in the warmest praise of the smart appearance of the new vessel and of her accommodation. The Benevolent Trustees met yesterday afternoon, there beiqg present — the Rev. H. Van Staveren (chairman), Messrs. R. Mothes, S. Lancaster, C.'EvW. Willeston, F. Bradey, C. Browne, and T. M'Kenzie. A young bricklayer, a sufferer from sciatic rheuma"tism,. who had been discharged from the Hospital uncured, and who stated that for two days he had had nothing to eat, had been sent to the Home hy the Chairman. The Trustees further decided to pay his fare to Australia, in which warmer climate be felt hopeful that his rheumatism would leave him. A man who had assured the Chairman that he had not had a change of clothes or a wash since last November, had been sent on Monday to the Home, as he was then in a filthy state- and swarming with vermin. His clothes were burned, and he was washed as clean as possible. The Trustees decided to leave him in the Home for a month in order that he might be thoroughly cleaned. The sum of £2 10s was lent to a woman whose husband was in the Hospital, and who had two small children, in order to allow her to buy some linen, &c, with which, being clever with her needle, she averred she could make a living. It was reported that there were 92 inmates in the Home, of whom 29 were females. The Court of Appeal, which has several reserved judgments to deliver, has been further adjourned until the 24th instant. '*i?he Scenery Preservation Society has started a man at the work of digging holes for the trees which are to be placed in the plantation reserve near, the Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Alex. Fraser, Sydney nianager of the New Zealand Press Association, who has been on a holiday visit to Wellington, returns by the Mararoa to-night. ' The foundation-stone of the new Catholic church at Waipawa is to be laid on Sunday next by Archbishop Redwood. A small Brindisi mail came to hand by the Takapuna yesterday afternoon. Another merry evening was spent with Mr. Frank Lincoln at the Exchange Hall i last evening, the humorist keeping his audience in a state of huge delight throughout the entertainment. To-night will be the last opportunity afforded the Wellington public of hearing Mr. Lincoln, and those who enjoy a hearty laugh should not miss this chance. The Chief Justice ha 3 entered up a nonsuit, without costs, in the case in which Mrs. M'Dowell sued W. C. Fitzgerald for £80 for alleged depreciation of shop fittings. The defence was nol called upon. . Mr. James Blair, who has .entered the service of Messrs. Stafford, Treadwell, and Field, solicitors, was presented yesterday afternoon with a watch chain, sovereign case, and matchbox by the staff of the Native Land Court. A party from the Wesleyan Literary and Debating Society visited the Ohiro Home last evening and entertained the inmates. Mr. E. L. Burgess Was chairman, and songs were given by Misses Birch, Harvey, M. Harvey, and Mr. E. P. Rishworth ; recitations by Misses E. Hawthorn and M. Harvey, Messrs. E. L. Burgess, A. Kellovv, and W. E. Fuller ; a pianoforte duet by the Misses Tattle, and a violin solo by Mr. A. Kellow. The entertainment was much enjoyed by the inmates, who encored nearly the whole of the items. .At the close of the entertainment the party were heartily thanked on behalf of the inmates by the Master of the Home. , In the Magistrate's Court this morning, W. H. P. Barber and Robt. Ayers were fined for having allowed cattle to wander. A female first - offending drunkard was punished, and a license to keep a servants' registry office was granted to Alfred Tindiil. A party of young people connected with the Vivian-street Baptist Church Christian Endeavour Bociety gave a sacred concert at the Home for the Aged Needy, Adelaideroad, last evening. - The Superintendent and Matron heartily thanked them,

The case of Shirley v. Shirley, in which Paul Shirley, Sergeant of Police, was the respondent, again came up in the Divorce Court this morning. Tho petitioner was Mrs. Shirley, who a^ked for a judicial separation on the ground of cruelty, which was denied, and an answering claim made for relief on the ground that at the time of the marriage the petitioner had another husband named George Brown living in America. Tho case was partly heard in December last, and was adjourned to enable the petitioner to take further evidence at Dunedin, with liberty to the respondent to amend his olaim as to nullity. Mr. Jellicoe, for the petitioner, now stated that the evidence which he had seen showed at least ay rima facie cisse against his client, and under the circumstances he did not feel justified in resisting the claim of the respondent to a decree of nullity. He^ asked for petitioner's costs, which Mr. Young, on Vehalf of the respondent, consented to being fixed at £35. Mr. Justice Edwards pronounced a decree nisi, declaring the marriage void on the ground that the petitioner, at the time of her marriage with Shirley, was already married to Brownj the decree to be made absolute at the first sitting at the end of three months. The Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company yesterday af ternoom in the Magistrate's Court claimed from ,W. B. Holmes, master of the Matatua, £15 damages for breakage of machinery shipped to Wellington in that steamer, and £4 for detention of the machinery. Evidence was -called for the plaintiffs by Mr. Ollivier, vrith a view to show that the damage was the result of the improper storing of the cargo. Tor the defendant, Mr. Myers contended that there was not sufficient evidence of negligence, and that the breakage resulted from the goods being shipped unprotected; and that, even if there were negligence, the defendant was not liable under the terms of the bill of lading. After authorities had been quoted by both counsel, his Worship gave, judgment for the defendant, with £1 Is costs. Other defended cases dealt with, were : — G. Robinson v. Crawford Bros., claim -£A wages, judgment for plaintiff for £2 lla 3d, with £1 12s costs ; G. H. Baylis v P. Mulcahy. claim £2 8s rent, juds^nent for plaintiff for amount claimed, with 6s costs ; J. Berk v. W. and G. Turnbull, claim ' £32 wages (under Shipping and Seamen's Act),, plaintiff non-suited and ordered to pa)' £2 sis costs. Mr. Wilford appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr,. Myers for the defendants. Captain M'Lean, late of the Corinpa, and Mrs* M'Lean were through passengers to Sydnej' by the Mararoa to-day, «» rdfite to the Old Country. . Captain M'Lean is to bring out the Union Company's new steamer Rotoiti. Captain Kempson, of the lonic, also came from the South' by the Mararoa to meet Mrs. Kempson, who is a passetnger from London by the Kaikoura, expected, late, this evening. A charge of assault against Constable John Lardner was made in the Magistrate's Court this moruing by Robert Needham, expressman. Mr. Wilford appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Skerrett for the defendant. The plaintiff stated that on 11th inst. -he was in a crowd iv front of the ruins 'of Messrs. P. Hayman &, Co.'s burnt warehouse. He was near the barricade erected to keep the people from the rubbish, when Constable Lardner pushed him back. Needham's hat was knocked off, and as he stooped to pick it up he received a blow on the ear from the constable's fist. He had not given the slightest provocation. He went straight to the Police Station and made complaint. A number of witnesses were called with a view to corroborate the plaintiff's statements, one of them, however, to the amusement of the Court, positively identifying Constable M'Kinnon as the perpetrator of the assault. Under cross-exami-nation several of the witnesses stated that , Needham had informed the constable that it was a lucky thing for him that he (Lardner) had his uniform on. For the defence, Fireman W. Woolcott and another member of the Brigade, who had been placed in charge of .the debris of the fire iv order to keep the crowd away from the rubbish, stated that the plaintiff was prominent in passing the barricade, and the constable pushed him back twice. After the first push Needham " shaped up " as if about to strike Lardner. The defendant gave evidence to a similar effect. He positively denied that he had struck the : plaintiff. Under cross-examination witness ; stated that the rubbish was on' the footpath, j His Worship said be was of opinion that all the defendant did was done in pursuance of the orders which he had received from his superior officer. He found the constable not guilty, and ordered the informant to pay £1 11s costs. John Chalmers, cooper, was adjudged bankrupt -yesterday afternoon. 8 His total debts are set down as £212 3s 6d and his whole assets as £28 10s. His chief creditors are : — Mrs. G. Holdsworth, £50 , A. French, £32 ; E. W. Mills & Co., £21 9s 2d ; A. H. Turnbull, £20 ; Stewart & Co., £10 5s Id. His creditors meet at 11 a.m. on Thursday, 24th inst. Mr. J. Ryley, of flour-mill fame, whom the Dunedin Presbytery recently declared to be no longer a minister of the Church, forwards to the Star a letter which he had written to the committee of the Presbytery appointed to ascertain his relation to the Church. In this letter Mr. Ryley states that since going into business he had regarded himself as a private memberof the Church, and continued so to regard himself. He therefore requested the committee to declare accordingly. The Justices at Feilding have committed a man named T. G. Ritchie for trial on the charge of attempting an offence upon a child. The Bench remarked that if the accused was discharged here there would be a stain on him which he might be able to remove if sent before a jury. Accused was allowed bail, himself in £100 and two sureties of £100 each. A meeting of collie fanciers was held at the Trocadero last night, when un almost unanimous opinion was expressed that the time had arrived for the formation of a New Zealand Collie Club for the cultivation of this breed of dog, and the holding of shows. It was resolved to issue circulars to all collie fanciers and breeders throughout the colony soliciting their support, and to call a general meeting in a fortnight's time for the election of officers and transaction of other business of the proposed club. It was stated that the cub could rely upon 'substantial support if formed. Messrs. Dwan Bros, report the .sale, on account of Mr. Robert Buckeridge (who has purchased the freehold from Mr. Rowe), of the lease and goodwill of the Wereroa Hotel, Levin, to Mr. James Smith, who was formerly proprietor of the Empire Hotel, FeatherSton. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has received an invitation to take part in the Advisory Board of the Philadelphia Museums, and co-operate in promoting commercial relations between New Zealand and the United States. The Chamber has appointed its President (Mr. A. Brandon) and Secretary (Mr S. Carroll) to be its representatives in the matter. When the steamer Herald was off Milford Sound on the afternoon of Bth June Capt. Coulson and his crew observed smoke issuing from the peak of Mount Tutoko, which was reported two or three weeks ago to be in eruption. The first annual ball of tho Ngarumoana Whaleboat Club was held in the Masonic Hall last evening. About 80 <iouplea were present. Messrs. Maysmor and Zolirab were masters of ceremonies, and Mr. Garrott's string band supplied the music. Mr. G. MuwSon was caterer

Tho traffic on the railways of the colony continues to increase, says the General Manager. The revenue for the financial year was £80,000 above the estimate, the rate of interest earned being £3 3s lOd. which is larger than for any year during the past 10 years. A recent visitor to Waipapa Point informs us that at low tido it is now possible to walk out to the wreck of the steamer Taiaroa, a sand bank having formed between it and the shore. Mi?s Eleanor Prcssland, who met With a serious accident while cycling, is still in a very critical state. In addition to the injuries mentioned by us yesterday it has been ascertained that souip o f her ribs are broken. Mr. George A. Broad, late seoond officer of the s.s. Hauroto, who has been studying at the Trinity House Navigation and Steam Schools, Wellington, has passed his examination for a certificate of competency as first mate in the mercantile marine. Probably the very mild compliment just paid by Fairplay to New Zealand meat (says the London correspondent of the Press) will be only moderately appreciated in the colony. Fairplay says : — " The best New Zealand mutton, though not as good as it was, is still far better than the worst English." This does seem to bear just the faintest resemblance tothe disagreeable process known as "damning with faint praise." The Earl of Onslow, ex-Governor of New Zealand, has now erected in his grounds at Clandon Park a native whare, which he had shipped from Wairoa before the stringent laws against the removal of Maori relics were passed in New Zealand. Writes the Bulletin's London correspondent: — " Viscount Cranley, his eldest son. is employed in cutting eyes out of haliotus shell for the hideous figures in the carvings that decorate the wall and roof ends of the house. The whare is to be a museum for the many Maori curios and weapons the Earl has collected, and will include the presents made to his boy, Huia, by the chiefs of the Ngatihuia tribe on his reception into brotherhood by them. Huia is a delicatelooking child "of six years, more like a pretty girl than a boy, with long, flowing curls of light gold. Onslow is a favourite for next Governor-Generalship of India." The Commandant of the Forces has returned from Auckland. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the No. 1 Co-operative Building Society of Wellington, held last evening, Mr. F. Kitto was unanimously re-elected chairman, and Mr. T. Forsyth direotors' auditor. The fortnightly meeting of the Women's Social and Political League was held in the Exchange Buildings Vast evening, Mrs. P. Hutson in the chair. A paper was read by Mrs. Mason on " The Progress of Women." After adjourning its business meeting for three weeks, the League finished up with a social evening. Arrangements for the forthcoming '• social " of the Wellington Rowing Club, to be held on Monday next, are about complete. Mr. Godber, of Cuba-street, will be the caterer, and Miuifie's String Band will provide the latest music. The hall will be decorated in designs emblematic of the Record Reign celebrations, which will also in other ways be borne in mind. To prevent overcrowding only a limited number of tickets are for sale. Members of St. John's Choir are requested to attend practice on Friday evening next at 7.30 in.>.tead of to-night. Sir Robert Stout has consented to preside at the complimentary " social" to be tendered to Mr. R. Crabb in the Choral Hall this evening. A good programme is promised. Messrs. Nelson, Moate & Co. call attention to the excellence of their teas in an advertisement which appears in our speoial advertising columns. The firm has for many years enjoyed the repntation of importing and blending only a superior grade ot tea, and the popularity of its special brands has become a household word throughout New Zealand. A new candidate for popular favour is the ''Alexandra" kerosene stove, which it i» claimed cooks in half the time required by ordinary ranges, and without soot, smoke, or smell. It is said to be easy, simple,. and perfect in working, and improved oil-saving burners add to its economy. The " Alexandras" oan be procured from any ironmonger, and Messrs. Olivecrona, M'Donald and Co. are tlie wholesale agents. Mrs. Male, oxport dressmaker, of Lambton Chambers, makes an announcement in our advertising columns. To-morrow, at 2 o'clock sharp, Messrs. J H. Bothune & Co. will sell by auction, at their rooms, Featherston-street, a large and varied collection of splendid floworing plants and ornamental trees from the wellknown nurseries of Mr. C. Duncan, Linden Vale. Porirua, and Mr. H Paole, Wellington. The catalogue, which contains nearly 200 lots, includes 100 splendid tea and hybrid ro«es, boronias, camellias, azuleas, rhododendrons, heaths, daphnes, diosmas, herbaceous plants, coniform, and fruit trees, which being of good varieties should attract the special attention of buyers. To-morrow Messrs. Harcom-t & Co. will sell, withont reserve, a quantity of superior household furniture and effects, by order of the owner, who is giving up housekeeping. The sale will be held at tho residonce, Elvetham. 61, Owen-street, and as thero are nearly 500 lots a commencement will be mado at 10 a.m. A catalogue has been prepared giving full details!, also the order of sale, and approximate hour at which each room will be taken. The articles include an excellent piano, many handsome specially imported articles of dining-room, drawing-room, and bed-room furniture, as well as generally the contents of a comfortably furnished and wellsupplied house of seven rooms. Messrs. A. 6. Tame & Co. advertise particulars of their weekly sale of furniture, &c, in fheir rooms on Friday at 1.30 o'clock. They also advertise a number of special entries at 2.30, including superior cabinet sewing machine and bronze lamps. Mr. W. F. Shortt holds a sale at his mart, ! Willis-street, to-morrow, of a variety of articles. Warm feet are so muoh to be desired in tho chilly weather we are now experiencing that any announcement whicli deals with a moans of attaining the state of comfort that cosy pedal extremities bring is bound to be read with eagerness. Such an announcement now appears in our advertising columns, whore James Smith & Co. intimate that they can show their customers by far the largest, the best-assorted, and the lowest-priced stock of women's, boys', girls', and children's hosiery of all descriptions ever seen in tho city, at Te Aro House. This is a statement fully borne out by a reference to the stock itself. The department is crammed with all makes and all sizes of stockings. Thousands of dozens are shown, and included in the display are all the best and moßt roliable brands in the world With a viow to reducing in a degree the enormously heavy stock, every line has beeen marked down to prices that offer a great opportunity to heads of families. These should pay an immediate visit to the hosiory counter at Te Aro House. — Advt.

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FBOM OBSERVATIONS TAKEN AT 9 A.M.