LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 54, 1 September 1898, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the Legislative Council yesterday, Imprest Supply Bill No. 3 was passed ; the First Offenders' Probation Act Amendment Bill and the Municipal Franchise Bill were read a third time and passed, the latter with an important amendment curried on a recommittal ; tlie Divorce Bill and theOtago University Leases Bill were pui> through their final stages; and the St. Albans Library Bill was read a second time. The debate on the second reading of the Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill was continued and airain adjourned. The House passed the second reading of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Hill, and some progress was made in Committee with the Testators' F.miily Provision Out of Estates Bill. The Restraint of Watering Bill got into Committee, but progress was almost immediately reported. After the Education Board had decided yesterday upon the adoption of Air. Alacdonald's scheme of military drill in schools, Air. J. Young moved, and Air. W. W. McCurdle seconded — " That the salary of the Drill Instructor be £160 a year aud actual

I ~~ — * ~ — ■ — trciv.'llint,' expend--." Mr. J. Robertson niovfd a- an .-imenilmpnt — •'That the salary bo £'125 a year nii'l travelling expenses." This \ias seconded by .Mr. Foist, but was lost. /I'iie motion wits carriorl on the (Jiiaij--man's casting vote. Tlie Rev. J. l'alerson declined to vote, Faying he considered that military drill iii the schools was a farce. It was decided to invite applications for the position. When the work of extending the railway from Blenheim to tiie Slarborou^h Estate is in full swiiitf between 100 and 200 men will bo employed. The Public Works Department has instructed Mr. Turtibull, late of Ilnnlerville, to act ;is overseer of the work. Air. S. J. Harding, who is to be the engineer in charge, left for Blenheim to-day. Mr. Bartley is tosbe his cadet. Mr. Hogg, M.11.R., speaking at the meeting of the Land Board to-da3 r , said it was a pity that when the Board laid out townships it did not set apart a few ot the sections as a public endowment. That was done when Alasterton was laid out, and the revenue from the endowment there was now bringing in about JCiOOO a year, enabling the people to establish a library and an opera housp, and carry out other works. The Commissioner said that the Board was now making ample resenes for municipal and recreation purposes in all the later townships. He quite approved Air. Hogg's suggestion that reserves in addition to those should bo made. The latest addition to the facilities at the General Post Office is the erection of a hydraulic lift for the use of passengers or goods. The lift, which is from Messrs. Waygood & Co.'s factory, has a " travel " of 33ft, and sprves three floors, the base being at the rear of the clearing-room at the back of the Grey-street entrance. The nominal capacity of the lift is 15cwt, but it is capable of bearing several tons. During a safety test conducted by the Government Inspector of Machinery (Air. Duncan) one of the four wire ropes was cut whilst the cage held loewt dead weight, and the drop was only a quarter of an inch before the grips caught. The test was wholly satisfactory. The lift was erected under the direction of Messrs. John Welsby and J. Brand, and when a representative of the Po&T took a journey on the car this morning he found its ascent aud descent smooth aud. easy. Mr. Sidney "Webb, the well-known writer on trades unionism, returned from the South yesterday, accompanied by Mrs. Webb. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have been most favourably impressed with New Zealand and its people, and have realised their anticipations as regards climate and public institutions. With respect to municipal matters, they find the colony very much behind the advances made iv the Old Country. They have gone as fully as time has permitted into State and local government matters, and every facility bad been granted them for the collection of data thereupon. The enquiry has not been conducted upon one side ouly, but many interviews have been held Avith employers in Auckland,- Wellington, Christchurch, aud Dunedin upon industrial questions and Labour legislation ; sittings of Conciliation Boards aud the Arbitration Court have been attended; the views of legislators on both sides of the House and Council have been obtained ; and leaders of Labour and other movements have also been consulted. The same procedure was adopted during the three months spent in America, just prior to arrival in New Zealand, aud will also be followed during the three months which it is intended to spend in Australia. Air. and Mrs. Webb leave for Sydney by the Mouowai on Saturday next, and expect to arrive in London about Christinas. To-morrow, Mr. W. P. James, Clerk of the Magistrate's Court in Wellington, will celebrate the 31st anniversary of his entrance to the Government service. Nearly the whole of that time — the exception amounting to only a few months — has been spent in this cit} r as a Court official. Mr. James has won the warm regard of a host of friends, who will join with us in wishing him many more years of useful and appreciated service. To the present generation it may not be generally known th:ic Air. James was one of the pioneers of football in Wellington. It was stated at the Land Board meeting to-day that the hard frost experienced a few weeks ago had destn>3'ed a large number of very pretty clumps of tawa bush in the Hutt Valley, Mangarei, and other parts of the Wellington district. Since the frost the trees have withered up as if a severe fire had swept over them. A number of the residents of Island Bay waited upon the Board of Education 3-ester-day afternoon and asked that a site for a school for that district should be bought on the south side of the centre of the racecourse, and that until a schoolhouse was built the local churchroom should be rented. The Chairman of the Board explained that a site of an acre near Mr. Ewing's residence could be obtained from Air. Jacob Joseph free of cost, whereas the site suggested by the deputation would cost £400 or £500. The members of the deputation pointed out that a school placed where the Chairman suggested would not be convenient for the bulk of the children, who lived iv the vicinity of the beach. The Chairman undertook to see whether Air. Joseph would give h site closer to the beach. It is suggested by a member of the llawerci Chamber of Commerce that the Government should ascertain the practicability and advisability of bringing the North Island Alain Trunk Railway down the Tantraboe Valley, instead of via Stratford or Alarton. The Department of Agriculture is sending its Chief Veterinarian (Air. Gil ruth) to Canterbury to enquire into the mortality amongst the lambing ewes in that and other parts of the colony. Breeders are requested to facilitate Air. Gilruth's work in every way, us his mission is one of considerable public importance. Over 200 varieties of grape vines are in cultivation on the Alomohaki State Farm, and 30,000 cuttings are in frames for future plautiug out on the farm and elsewhere. Hoeni Kume Kume, wife of the once ! famous Te Kooti, has died at Te Horo settlement. It is expected that natives from all over New Zealand will attend the tangi. A general meeting of the Caledonian j Society is advertised to be held in the National Mutual Buildings to-night. The directors request that every member should attend, as the business to be discussed is of the greatest importance to the welfare of the societ} r . A discussion took place at the meeting of the Board of Education yesterday in reference to a proposal by the Technical School Committee that an assistant teacher of oookerv should be obtained at a salary of £120 per annum and actual travelling expenses. The Board struck out the word "assistant" and passed the proposal as thus amended. The new teacher is to be principally employed in the country schools. Mr. F. de J. Clere, speaking at the meeting of the Tree Planting and Scenery Preservation Society last night, took strong exception to the \va3 r in which Newtown Park is being planted. Par too many trees and shrubs were, be maintained, being put in, and he predicted that numbers of them would not live. A great wa^te of public money was going on, and it was time attention was directed to what was taking place. Mr. AlacDnlf Boyd gave a highly successful concert last night at Karori, being assisted by Miss Putnam, Airs. Boyd, Messrs. F V. Waters, F. H. M'Donald, and C. Cimino. Miss Putnam played the accompaniments.

From the tone of some of the speakers at the Conciliation H iar'd sitting .yesterday it would seem that tlie bakers' dispute, though an award has been given, is not 3 r et ended. Air. Hogg, representing the employe's, iv accepting ihe award, said he thought it would be ol' no use to draw up an agreement in the face of statements made by certain employers that they would not sign any. Air. Murdoch brought up tbo question of the legality of an agreement signed only by the President and Secretary of a Union. The opinion was expressed that- if tlie seal of the Union was affixed to the document it would be binding. Air. Hogg said it was only two or three who bad brought tin's dispute on, and he did not think his Union would be prepared to accept the signatures of the President and Secretary only. What will be the result of this latest award remains to be seen. Mr. Wright, one of the Afakuri settlers in the Forty- Alile Bn.«li, who in company with oMiers has been protesting against the excessive value originally placed on his land, appeared before the Land Board to-day under peculiar circumstances. As he held his section under an occupation license with right of purchase, the surrender and revaluation of his land could not be allowed. His section was forfeited • and re-valued, the price being reduced from 28s 6d to 17s 6d per acre. The improvements were valued at £407, but before it'could be offered for sale a fire swept over the property, and it was loaded with ouly £302 for improvements. There were two applicants, and at the ballot a settler named Banning was successful. Subsequently, Bunning was good euough to allow the original settler to reacquire his section, and the Board consented to the arrangement. Air. Wright now asked that Bunning's deposit be refunded. The Board decided to recommend the refund, and to fix the costs of sale against Wright at £2 10s. Two petitions in bankrupt were filed in Wellington in the month ended yesterday. There were also two in August last year. Our Alasterton correspondent telegraphs that there were four insolvencies in Alasterton, as against one in the corresponding month. A lad named Edward Stringer has iiad a remarkably narrow escape from serious injury. He jumped off a "moving tram in Cuba-street, and got under the wheels of a passing trap, which went right over him, but beyond a shaking and a few bruises the lad was none the worse. Mr. Eobert Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, left by the steamer Mapourika for Nelson yesterday afternoon on survey work in connection with the Anchor line of steamers. Afr. E. H. Ballachey, of Carterton, applied to the Board of Education yesterday that Ihe be appointed assistant teacher in the Roseueath School. The Board decided that a female teacher should be appointed, and that the names of several suitable teachers should be submitted to the local committee. One first-offending inebriate and an old offender named Minnie Aldridge were punished in the Magistrate's Court this morning, the latter being fined 10s with the option of 48 hours 3 imprisonment. Thomas A. Jones, arrested on a charge of failing to provide a maintenance for his wife and three infant children, was remanded till to-morrow. At the Alount Cook Police 1 Station, Air. F. M'Parland, J.P., punished two first offenders in drunkenness. Several applications for leave to sublet were dealt with b} r the Land Board to-daj\ In each instance the Board decided that it should only entertain applications for a temporary lease when the circumstances were special, but it would fairly consider applica- ' tions to transfer. At the Lower Hutt Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Messrs. Henry Jackson and R. Mothes, Justices, Frederick Nelson, for entering a train iv motion at Ngahauranga on sth August, was fined Is and costs 7s. Iv the civil case G. Hepple v. N. H. Mudgway an order was made for payment of £1 3s lid, with the alternative of imprisonment. The Committee of the Kennel Club met on Tuesday night. It was reported that there were now 89 members on the roll. The offer of the Quaker Oats Company to give a trophy for the pigeon-flying race was accepted with thanks. The sub-committee reported that arrangements were well in hand in connection with the benching of exhibits for the annual show on 30th September and Ist October. A special meeting of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand was held yesterday to consider the application of the Canterbury Industrial Association to hold an Exhibition on the anniversary of the Jubilee of Canterbury. It appears that according to the agreement on tut, federation of the Industrial Associations it was the duty of the Corporation to fix where the next Exhibition should be held, hence the application. The President, in moving that the permission be granted, pointed out that it was in accord with the fitness ol things that Canterbury, which was the mother of all the Associations and for nearl3 r eighteen years had fought singlehanded Ihe battle of supporting colonial industries, should have the next Exhibition, and he (the President) bad every reason to believe that this would be a record Exhibition. Irrespective of the well-known ability of the Canterbury Industrial Association to carry out successfully an Exhibition, they would in this case be backed by the Industrial Associations of Invercargill and Wellington. The latter would give the same loyal and hearty support which Canterbury rendered to Wellington, and which largely assisted to make the Wellington Industrial Exhibition Uie great success it was. The motion was agreed to. Air Frostick, President of the Canterbury Association, in thanking the Industrial Corporation, stilled that from the promises of support tlie promoters had received, and from tlie steps they were taking, they had every reason to believe that their J übilee Exhibition would be a record one for NewZealand. Probabl3' it would take place in the carnival week. The meeting concluded by the Wellington members wishing all success to Canterbury and promising to do all they could to lorward the movement. " The Life aud Works of the Poet Campbell " was the title of a lecture delivered by Bro. C. W. Benbow, D.D.G.M., at the close of the business of Southern Cross Lodge of Oddfellows last night. In a carefully prepared paper of much literary merit the lecturer sketched the leading events of the life of Campbell, who, living in an age prolific of great poets, at once took his place in the front rank. His greatest works were written in the opening years of the century vow nearing its close — " The Pleasures of Hope" still' earlier, in 1799, when Campbell was only in his 22nd year. Some of his stirring patriotic songs aud choice short poems followed this, %t doheulmden," perhaps the most strikingly original of his shorter Ivrics, being written while the poet was touring in Bavaria, about the time of the battle. The lecturer touched on the successive published woiks of Campbell and the chief events of his life down to its close in 1844, and iucoucludiug bespoke more attention to the works of a writer who had enriched the English language with some of its brightest gems. The lecture was illustrated with several selections from the poet's writings, declaimed by Bro. W. E. Fuller with good eifect. On the motion of Bro. F. Wills, P.G M., a hearty vote of thanks to Bros. Benbow and Fuller was carried by acclamation. No poll is necessary for the election o£ Borough Councillors for Lower Hutfc. Messrs.. E. P. Bunny, E. B. Jones, ami John Ward were the only candidates noiuU nated, and are therefore declared elected.

The purchase by the Government of the Welliuglon-Manawatu Railway at an early date is urged by the Ilawera Chamber of Commerce, which has addressed a circular to this effect to all the local bodies on the coast v The query " Is life worth living ?" might well be a«ked of a judgment creditor who appeared on summons in the Magistrate's Court this morning to explain why he did not pay a debt of £17 odd. The man said he was earning 24s a week, and had a wife and six children to support ! And he had come all the way from Carterton to supply this information ! The case was dismissed." An application under peculiar circumstances from tho transferee of a village section at Makuri came before the Land Board this morning. It appears that at a former meeting the Board approved the application of F. A. Drake for leave (o transfer section 3, Upper Makuri, to F. L. Anderson. Subsequently it was found that 1 lie transferee was the son of Captain Anderson, and resided on an- adjacent block of (540 acres belonging to his father, and that he was not prepared to reside on the village section. It was decided that the residential condition must be complied with. Mr. Wm. Wylie. late Offioer-in-Charge of the Wellington Telephone Exchange, received tokens of the hearty goodwill of the staff yesterday on the eve of his departure for Auckland to take charge of the Exchange there. Mr. Wylie is one of the best-liked men in the Government service, and the severance of his connection with the local Telephone Exchange, of which he has been in charge from a very early stage in its history, is much regretted. Mr. and Mrs. Wylie entertained the staff of the Exchange yesterday afternoon at an "at home " at Ross's Gardens, Lower Uutt. Mr. Keefe is to have charge of the Wellington Exchange until a permanent successor to Mr. Wylie lias been selected. Totara bush in the Wellington district is becoming extremely valuable. Some of the purchasers near Eketahuna have agreed to pay as much as £20 for the right of cutting,and although at one time they were supposed to be on the \v%y to ruin it seems that they have made a capita] speculation. At the Land Hoard meeting to-day a sawmiller (Mr. Burbush) applied for 2£ acres of totara near hi* mill, intimating that his present timber would be worked out in a fortnight and his hands would be idle if the timber asked for was not, secured. The Ranger estimated the value of the totara at £48 15s, and the quantity at 60,000 ft. There were two or three other applicants for the totara, but the Board, after carmilly cdWdering all the circumstances, resolved "to advise the Minister to dispose of it to Mr. Burbush at the regulation royalty— 2s per 100 feet. The bush in question is situated at Tutaekara, a few miles from Eketahuna. The advent of the motor-car is contemplated at Wanganui. The local Borough Council has held over consideration of ! a request to permit the cars to run through the streets of the town. A circular is being sent to the various Chambers of Commerce by the Hawera Chamber drawing attention to the fact that extra postage on letters posted on mail trains is an unnecessary tax on business people, and urging the Department toj have the regulation altered. The receipts for titles issued by the Land Board since 31st March amount to £19,000. The revenue from this source for the last three years has averaged £30,000 per annum. At the conclusion of the parade of the Wellington Navals last evening the members of the company made their way to the National Hotel, where Petty-Officer Davenport, who is leaving the company to join the Reserve after 19 years' service, including much work in furtherance of the interests of the corps, was given some recognition of his services. Petty-Officer Rabe, on behalf of the corps, presented Mr. Davenport with a handsomely-framed illuminated address. Reference was made to the many kind acts Mr. Davenport has performed during his long connection with the corps, in which he had earned the respect of every member of the company. His health was drunk with musical honoiirs. Mr. Davenport acknowledged the gift in suitable terms. Tho health of Commander Duncan, at present in the Old Country, and »-vho is commander of the Naval Brigade (Wellington aud Petone Navals), was also drunk. Musical items were contributed by Leading -Gunners Fiance, Broomhall, and Ross, Gunners Sparke, Arnold, Evans, Stott, Bradley, Buli'ord, and Brown, aud Petty-Officer Rabe. Mr. William Rosa has resigned from the statistical branch of the Agricultural Department, in order to join his father, a well-known runholder in the Palmerston South district. Yesterday afternoon he bade farewell to his office comrades and was presented by them with tokens of regard particularly suitable for .his new career. The quarterly meeting of the Wellington City Licensing Committee will be held tomorrow. A capital entertainment was given last night in the Kilbirnie Wesleyan Church, which was crowded. The Rev. A. C. Lawry and Mr. Costello exhibited some beautiful views of Stanley's travels, the Soudan War, and other interesting subjects. Miss Norah Costello- recited, musical items were rendered by Mesdames Frew aud Jorgensen and Mr. Frew, and Mr. Fred. Coatello gave an excellent reading. In his civil jurisdiction this morning Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., gave judgment for plaintiffs in the' following cases: — Wellington City Corporation v. Tauhaurani Pitama, £9 4s ; same v. C. Winnie, £2 18s 8d , Commercial Agency, Limited, v. R. Johnson, £11 15s 6d ; same v. D. O'Leary, £14 19s 6d; Mrs # M. Moffatt v. James Scott, £2 18s Id. We have to .acknowledge receipt of a copy of " Stars and Stripes," a musical composition by Henry Richards, published by Allan & Co., of Melbourne, which is written as a description of the Spanish-American war. Mr. D. Hall, City Missionary, thankfully acknowledges the receipt of the following contributions in aid of the funds of the mission for August:— N. Dodgshun, £1 la ; Sir R. Stout, £1 ; W. C. and G.K., £1 ; H.S., £1 ; John Duthie, 10a 6d ; Carolus, 10s (through Wairarapu Times Office) ; Mr. Smith, 10s; Mr. Mowat, ss; E. F. Norris, 2a; also Qlothiug left at the Sailors' Rest. Our readers are reminded by advertisement of the concert to be given in the Basin Reserve to-night by the Boys' Naval Institute Band. The programme will include new music from the best American houses, amongst it some pieces specially suited to the capabilities of the youthful performers. The band has now completed its uniform by the addition of new shoulderbelts and pouches. It is sorely ia need of better instruments, some of those now in use being much worn. To-night the public will be given an opportunity of contributing to the funds for that purpose. The annual meeting of the Athletic Park Company, summoned for last night, lapsed for want of a quorum, and is now fixed for next Wednesday evening. Mr. P. Cavanagh, one of the candidates for the vacant East Ward seat in the Onslow Borough Council, addresses the ratepayers through our advertising columns. Mr. H. Fielder, one of the candidates for the Te Aro Ward seat in the City Council, publishes in another column an address to the ratepayers. St. Mark's Temperance Society will hold its annual social gathering at the schoolroom on Monday next.

To-morrow evening the Dunstau Carnival will begin at 8 o'clock iv the Skating Rink. No doubt tho old identity and hi* reminiscences of the Nhotovor, Gabriel's Gully, and the Dunsian will loom large during the carnival, and those " days of old and da\s of gold " will come back fresh lo many residents in Wellington through the reproductions of scenes which have boe-n realistically set up I) 3' tho Workers' Union, under the direction of actual partakers in the scenes represented. The tableaux, models, and appliances which will be on view at the Rink will also serve as object-lessons upon the mining industry for others besides the youth of the community. For instance, visitors will be shown a shaft and its windlass, a tunnel, a Californian pump, cradles (for nuggets, not babies), fluming for the conveyance of water for sluicing, diggers and shearers at work, wishing up, digging, shearing, and uoolpressing. The hardy pioneer will also be seen in his " off " and free-and-easy hours, when, under the direction of Dunsstan Diek — strangely suggestive of a prominent Golden West Coast politician — hiirh carnival will be held, and social life in many phases as existed in the '00's will be faithfully reproduced. The carnival will continue for a and the programme appears in another column. On Saturday alternoon special entertainment will be provided for children, and on Sunda}' a sacred concert will be held for charitable purposes. The newly-formed Brotherhood of Labour will meet at the Forward Movement Hall to-morrow evening to revise its rules, decide on a course of action, and enrol new members. Monday next is the date fixed for the ball and fruit banquet iv aid of the Girls' Institute. Particulars as to tho arrangements are notified by advertisement. Your teeth extracted without pain by pure gas (perfectly harmless) at the London Dental Company, Mee's Buildings, Lamb-ton-quay. — Advt. The last of Miss Hax'dy-Johnston's reunions is advertised to take place at the Sydney-street Schoolroom on the Bth in&t. Messrs. Warnock & Adlun insert a new advertisement concerning- discounts. Attention is drawn in another advertisement to the splendid supplies of spring drapery and novelties just received by them, of which details are given. Mr. A. Lindsay, who at present is in London, has purchased a, large stock of boots and shoes at a very low price, and to give Wellington boot buyers some benefit from his purchase, his repi'esentative here will hold a great sale of these goods, which have arrived. The sale will commence to-morrow mornins?, at 9 o'clock, at his Cuba-street and Lambton-qnay shops. To-morrow, at 2.30 p.m., Messrs. Har- | court & Co. will sell by public auction a number of city and suburban properties. These include about 3£ acres of building 1 land at Karori, to be sold by order of the Official Assignee in the estate of J. Manttan. Following this will be sold a block of vacant land at the comer of Roxburgh and Hawker streets, subdivided into ten allotments. This is practically tho only land remaining' unbuilt on in the vicinity, and as the district is a popular one the sections will doubtless tind a ready market. In Coromandel-street a whole acre (No. 874), well-plouted with ornamental shrubs and trees, and a corner seotion, 70 x 125 leot, will be offered; also sections measuring 1 110x120 feet in Brito-mart-street, 40 x '30 feet in Waripori-street, 112 x9O feet and 65 x 1 1 2 feet in Palni-gT O ve, and a corner site, 82 x 82, at the junction of Luxford-streefc and Adelaide-road— most of these being' level sites, and ready for immediate building operations. The sale of tho consignment of rattan furniture to bo held to-morrow afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson & Co.'s rooms, should bo specially attractive) to those purchasing this class of fashionable furniture. Tho firm also announces (.lie s.do by auction of two residences in Adelaideroad and several sections at Karori for Thursday, Bth September. Messrs. Fabian Bros. & Co. hold a sale to-morrow, at the Arcade Auction Mart, Lambton-qnay, of Japanese ware, clothing', and other articles, and a number of Viotoria bicycles. To-morrow and Saturday unredeemed pledges, consisting- of jewellery, clothing, musical instruments, &c, will be disposed of by auction at the rooms of Messrs. F. Sidoy and Co.