LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 20, 23 July 1897, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-day's cable messages bring the welcome news that Turkey has bowed to the storm, and, with true Oriental fatalism, accepted the inevitable. An Imperial Irade has notified the Sultan's acceptance of the strategic frontier marked out by the Powers. Thessaly is to be given back aud to remain Christian ; thit is something, but it is probably in a horrible state of confusion, distress, and destitution after its short Turkish occupation. As , we have said all along, Abdul Hamid would give in to nothing short of physical force. The Irade is only a reply to the Ambassadors' request for an armed demonstration. . A a meeting of the directors of the Wellington Gas Company held yesterday it was decided to pay the usual interim dividend, whioh will De payable on the sth August, 1897. H.M.S. Pylades is to return to Lyttelton ffom Auckland and Wellington about 20th August. At, the latter port she will be docked for the purpose of having her bottom sighted. • From Lyttelton she will proceed to England' via Cape Horn. t Mr. Arthur Richards, of Kuaotunu, who has been appointed Assistant Inspector of Mines for the West Coast, will leave Auokland for Greymouth on the sth prox. The fact that criminal jurisdiction has been conferred on the District Court of Wairarapa as from the 2nd of August is gazetted. The Administrator of the Government has formally recognised the appointment of Mr. Emil Christian Skog as Belgian Consular officer at Christchurch. Messrs, James Gilmour, of Parnell, Auckland, and W. H. Pearson,, of Dunedin, have resigned their appointments as Justices of the Peace. Revised regulations as to the entry by cadets into the British Navy, to apply to the December examinations, appear in yesterday's Gazette. x The Cabinet has decided, at the suggestion of the Minister for Railways, to make further reductions in freights on the Government railways. The rate on locallymade lime used for the fertilisation of the soil, firewood, posts and .rails, house blocks, chaff, hay, straw, beetroot, carrots, mangolds, turnips, scrap-iron, and certain other articles are to be reduced when they are taken beyond 30 miles. The reductions will gradually increase in amount up to 80 miles, at which distance the reduction will amount to 4s 2d per truck. The railage on frozen meat is to be reduced from Class " C " to Class " D," which means that after carcases have been carried more than four miles, the rates will taper off. At 20 miles, for instance, the reduction will amount to Is 5d per ton ; at 30 miles, to 2s Id, per ton ;at 40 miles it will amount to 3s 8d per ton ; and at 50 miles it will amount to 53 6d per ton. The Gear Company will bedefit by the reductions, as it lias arranged to send all its frozen meat into Wellington by rail instead of forwarding it from Petone to the Queen's Wharf by the hulk Jubilee. It has also been decided to reduce the port rates between the breakwater and New Plymouth from 3s 6d to 3s per ton, and between Lyttelton and Christchurch from 5s to 4s 6d per ton. All the reductions are to take effect from 31st October. " Wellington will never be ruined by its ,City Council," remarked Councillor Devine last evening in commenting on the way in which a certain class of 'citizens abused our City Fathers on every possible occasion. " And that they don't nioa» what they say is shown by the way in which they send us back again," remarked another Councillor. Petone was aroused shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday morning by the blowing of the Gear Company's whistle. Heavy rain had found its way into a railway truck which was in the company's yard, loaded with lime. The company's fire brigade mustered smartly, and »oon ended all danger. An amendment made in the table of fees payable in Wardens' Courts is gazetted.

The eighth annual report of the Wellington Meat Export Company congratulates shareholders upon the result of the past year's operations. After writing oif from leaseholds, buildings, and plant the sum of £5019 Is sd, and adding £1050 to reserve, there remains to the credit of profit and loss £4499 los lOd. The direotors recommend the payment of a dividend of 8 per cent., which will absorb £3994 16s 2d, leaving £504 19s 8d to carry forward. The new freezing plant at Waterloo-quay has given complete satisfaction, and resulted in a large economy in fuel. The additional storage has also been of great service, and has more than once during the past season saved the company from having to suspend freezing operations owing to scarcity of tonnage. The new water service at Ngahauranga has now been in use about five months, and yields a splendid supply of water at a good pressure, saving the expenditure of a considerable amount of steam- in pumping. The fellmongery bought l'rom Mr. Tyer a year ago is also working to the satisfaction of th(» directors. The retiring directors are Messrs. Booth and Buchanan, who are eligible, and offer themselves for re-election. The funeral of the late Mrs. A. J. Curtjs took place at Feilding on Wednesday, and was very largely attended. The service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Stubbs. The deceased, who was the wife of the late Mr. J. J. Curtis, arrived in Wellington with her husband and young family from Sydney on sth November, 1843. Mr. Curtis went into business, which, on his death in Sydney, was continued for some years by his widow, who successfully brought up a large family consisting of four sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter yet survive. The sons are Mr. R. R. Curtis (of Colyton), Mr, A. R. Curtis (one of the proprietors of the Feilding Star), and Mr. 'Paul Curtis (Postmaster at Lyttelton). The sur- 1 viving daughter is the wife of 'Mr. Petrfe, Postmaster and Stationmaster at Richmond, Nelson, and one granddaughter is married to Captain Mayoss, of the s.s. Tongariro. The deceased lady (says the Feilding Star) experienced all the trials and vicissitudes common to the early days of colonisation, but, being of unflinching courage and indomitable perseverance, she was well able to meet and to overcome obstacles and difficulties before which others of a less sterling character must have failed. She was a good and faithful wife, a kind mother, and a warm friend. The following non-permanent appointments in the Post and Telegraph service in the Wellington district are notified in the Gazette : — Louisa Wallace (Wallaceville), J. M'Candislf (Bideford), H. Savage (Rona), E. Wagstaff (Piripiri), as postmasters; Mary M'Lauchlan (Mangamahoe), and J. Mumford (Porirua) as postmistress and telephonists; H. Gilmer (Island Bay), W. Livertou (Carswell), and G. H. Hall (Waikanae) as telephonists; Mr. E G. C Cook is appointed telephonist and postmaster at the Paniatua railway station. Dr. P. R. Cook, has been appointed a public vacoinator for the Polorus district. Mr. F. I. De Lisle replaces the late Mr. W. I. Spencer on the Napier Licensing Bench. The Gazette notifies the temporary reservation of about six acres of land in Block 6, Mangaone Survey District, for a public recreation ground , about 11 acres in Block 14, Maungakaretu Survey District, as a resting-place for travelling stock; and about 77 acres in Block 8, Apiti Survey District, for the,' preservation of scenery. Sections at Apiti, Mangahao, and Pongaroa are permanently gazetted as school sites, together with 43 acres at Hautapu for the preservation of scenery and native fauna, and sections in the town of Taihape for municipal purposes and sites for a courthouse and post office. A Purple Lecture of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows was held last evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lambton-quay. Bro. C. W Johnston, P.G.M., presided. Several officers of the Antipodean, Britannia, and Petone lodges were advanced to the higher degrees. Bro. S. Waters, P.P.G.M., on behalf of the district, presented to Bro. J. Avery a jewel denoting his rank, in recognition of his past services as Provincial Grand Master. It was notified that a meeting will be held next Tuesday to assist in giving a reception to our Governdr. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken acknowledges receipt ! of £1 from "Anonymous" on behalf of Mrs. [ Robert Wilkinson and family. The Scenery Preservation Society js to receive a supply of trees from the Botanical Gardens if the Curator thinks they can be spared. The Commandant of the Forces has approved the " Manual of Military Drill for use in Schools," compiled by Lieutenant M'Donald, of the Kelburne Rifles. The City Council has given permission to the Garrison Band to play on the Basin Reserve on Sunday next in aid .of the widow and family of the late Mr. Robert Wilkinson. " We find," says the Westminster Gazette, " the New Zealand Premier stating that his colony is financially and commercially sound and progressive, that depression has passed, uiid that convalescence has set in ; that the colony, generally speaking, may be described as very prosperous. Unfortunately there is not much evidence of this elysiaa state of affairs in a document of stern business to hand to-day— the report of the New Zealand Trust and Loan Company, Limited." ' The report of the company referred to, after recommending a dividend of 2i per cent, for the half-year, making 5 per cent, for the year, says : — " In view of the seriously diminished margin between the rate at which money can be raised in England, and that at which it can be satisfactorily lent in New Zealand, the Board have of late been restricting the company's business by reduction both in amount of the terminable debenture issue and of the capital invested in the colony. Present appearances not pointing to recovery as regards this margin on which the company's earning power so largely depends, the Board have resolved, under existing circumstances, to strongly emphasise this policy, and at the same time to reduce very considerably the staff expenses both in London and in the colony. Whilst thus rapidly restricting the company's business the Board propose to continue to pay upon the ordinary 'shares dividends at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, drawing upon the reserve fund for i such (if any) funds as may be required for such equalisation of dividends." The Wellington Working Men's Chess Club has at present such a large programme in hand that the room in which it meets proves to be too small to accommodate the increasing iiumber of players. The leading players in the Handicap Tourney stand thus : | — Messrs. Turner, 10 wins; Carmine, 10; !R. J. Barnes, 8 ; E. Player, 8 ; J. E. Perry, 8 ; Janion, 8 ; J. Rigg, 7 ; and Peart, 7. The tourney will close on the 7th August, after which another Handicap Tourney will be started for a handsome silver cup presented by Messrs. Staples and Co. There will be three tourneys for it in all. Arrangements are also being made for a match by j telegraph4lt an early" date with Palmerston North, and for the return match with the Wellington Chess Club. Exemplifying the danger which attends the amateur photographer's efforts at flashlight photography, a fire occurred a few evenings ago at a private bouse in the suburbs of Wellington. Some drapings caught fire when the exposure was made, and in the efforts of those posing to beat out the flames ladies ' had their baiir singed without the intervention of a barber, while various members of the party- were more or less severely burned.

The Department of Agriculture recently received from Australia a consignment of the parasite known as cryptoloemus, which are supposed to prey on the mealy bugs tound upon many of the vines in the colony. The insects have been sent to Auckland, and the result of their operations will bo awaited with interest. The decision of the City Council at its meeting last evening that the Basin Reserve should not be severed, as proposed by the Mayor, will be received with general satisfaction. The amendment of Councillor Smith, which was carried, to widen the road on the eastern side by taking from the Reserve a strip of 30 feet will meet the present requirements of the situation at any rate, and give ample time to make carefullyconsidered plans for the future in respect of the Reserve. A new tariff for the carriage of bicycles on railways is gazetted. It provides that the rates for each machine seated to carry one rider only will be as follows : — Not exceeding 12 miles, 3d ; above 12 and not exceeding 25 miles, 6d ; above 25 and' not exceeding 50 miles. Is; and each additional 50 miles or fraction thereof, 3d. Bicycles seating more than one rider will be charged full rates as above for the first seat, and half rates additional for each other seat. Tricycles or velocipedes will be charged double the rates for single-seated bicyclps. Passengers will not be permitted to carry more than one machine at these rates. Season tickets for bicycles accompanying passengers will be issued for distances not exceeding 12 miles at 52s 6d for 12 months, 30s for six months, and 17s 6d for three months, and for half the above rates for three-monthly tickets to students and scholars who are holders of school season tickets, and whose ages do not exceed 20 years, available for use when travelling to or from school only. Annual tickets, available on all the Government railways in the colony, may be taken out for £10 for each bicycle seating one rider. Commercial travellers representing bicycle agencies in the colony will be permitted xo carry as luggage two sample bicycles packed iv cases, but all in excess of this number will be charged at parcels rates for bicycles. . In the immigration returns for June it is noted that 12 Chinese took their departure from Wellington during the month, and there were no fresh arrivals. Major-General Schaw has been elected Chairman of the Wellington Committee of the St. John Ambulance Association. The first aid classes will be resumed next week. The annual demonstration is to be deferred until after the arrival of the new Governor. It is the intention of Councillor Devine to move at the next meeting of the City Council that the proposed allocation for improving the' Oriental Bay Esplanade, should be increased by £1000. The mails brought to the Bluff from Australia by the Mararoa this morning should be in Wellington on Sunday. The exhibition of the kinetoscope and improved phonograph, next the Cycledom, Willis-sfcreet, still commands a large share of patronage. The services of Miss Ward as pianist have been secured. Mr. Colquhoun has added to his list a splendid selection from the Wellington Garrison Band. . Alderman Ben Tillett, at to-morrow night's meeting at the Exchange Hall, will sing an original New Zealand song of a stirring character, the words by Mr. Sutherland, and the music hy Mr. Barth, both of Dunedin. » The inset with to-night's issue gives full particulars of the travellers' sample sale to be held by C. Smith, the Cash Draper, Cubastreet. The samples have been purchased at a great discount off English prices, and will, it is promised, be sold at ridiculously low prices. Mr. James Pettie, draper, Cuba-street, announces some special bargains for tomorrow (Saturday) and during next week at the dissolution stile between himself and Mr. Kenning. His price-list appears in oar advertising columns. In our Wanted column will be found a notice from Messr3. B. Hannah & Co., announcing special values and prices of boots and shoes for the present season. Their sale of a Melbourne boot manufacturer's assigned stock is in full swing, a third consignment having arrived by the s.s. Monowai, whioh will be on sale to-morrow. Messrs. Thompson, M'Kinnon & Co., of Thorndon-quay, have erected a special woodsplitting machine, and notify that they are prepared to supply firewood and coals of the best kinds at extraordinarily low prices. Heads of families are urged to visit Pearee's Boot Arcade," Cuba-street, and inspect some very special cheap lines in boys' and girls' boots of his own make, suitable for hard wear. Air. Pearce has also just opened a choice shipment of gentlemen's winter boots, per s.s. Kaikoura. The mechanical " frog in the throat " at Fitzgerald's corner is one of the sights of Willis-street. Its real meaning is explained in an advertisement in this issue. Working men are l askeQ to visit Mr. Lindsay's Cuba-street ahd Lambton-quay shops to-morrow for their working boots. They are promised some really cheap boots — Saturday bargains, as usual. Mr. Joh E. Lindberg, the Cheap Draper, Cuba-street, directs special attention to his cheap lines, and the cash bonus to every Customer to-morrow. Mr. J. H. Farquhar, of The People's Shoe Store, Cuba-street, has his midwinter sale in full swing, and in another column invites everyone to call. The New Zealand Clothing Factory advertise specially cheap lines in men's waterproof coats ; also in men's and and boys' readymade clothing. Extensive reductions in prices of the wellkuown high-class silks in tho D.I.C. silk departments are announced in our advertising columns. The closeness to the company's stock-taking date renders a very quick clearance advisable. Messrs. A. G. Tame & Co., advertise the sale of 40 sacks, of maize at their rooms to-morrow, at 11 o'clock, without reserve. They will also offer the racehorse Putangata at their yards to-morrow at 2 o'clock. Messrs. Cleary & Co. advertise for tomorrow evening, at their rooms, the sole of a number of books. A great number of people are now alive to the fact that white or fancy China mattings make a most economical floor covering, and are both durable and pleasant under the feet. To oope with the over-increasing demand, we have just opened 46 bales, and it is our intention to place them on the market at very low rates during the Great Winter Sale at Te Aro House. Another lot of some magnitude that we are adding to this great sale is a lot of 200 honeycomb quilts, in three sizes, which we purpose selling at fully 30 per cent, under usual prices. Great attention will bo devoted to cash orders from the country for any article quoted in our advertisement from the Greaj; Winter Sale at Te Aro House.— Advt.