LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1898, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Saturday's stonewall iv resistance to the methods of the Premier in forcing on the Old Age Pensions Bill continued up to midnight, when the Chairman of Committees left the chair till 7.30 o'clock tonight, no progress having been made. Mr. T. W. Kirk, the Government Biologist, who has been ill for some time, has resumed duty. The Wanganui Borough Council proposes offering premiums of £50, £25, and £15 for competitive designs for a town-hall and opera house. The total cost of the building and accessories is not to exceed £3800, exclusive of architect's commission. Forty head of cattle slaughtered at Tomoana, Hawkes Bay, last Thursday by order of Mr. Park, Government Veterinarian, were found to be more or less diseased. The Hastings Standard reports that some of the cows were masses of tuberculous matter. Several of the unfortunate beasts were in full milk up to the time of their death. The following members of Parliament dined at Government House on Saturday: — Hons. J. E. Jenkinson, J. Kerr, J. MacGregor, G. B. Morris, J. T. Peacock, W. H. Reynolds, E. C. Stevens, W. D. Stewart, H' K. Taiaroa, L. Walker, H. Williams, J. M. Twomey, A. Lee Smith, H. Tomoana, J. Carroll, W. Hall-Jones, W. J. Steward, T. Thompson, J. G. Ward, Messrs. G. Carson, T. Y. Duncan, J. Joyce, G. Hunter, J. Hutcheson, H. Kaihau, J. M'Gowan, J. A. Millar, R. Moore, A. Morrison, P. Pirani, E. G. Wright, A. Shgo, J. Duthie, W. Tanner, T. Taylor, C. Wilson, J. Allen, J. W. Thomson. The result of the police enquiries consequent on the confession at Invercargill of the prisoner Thomas Petersen were made known to the man on Saturday afternoon, with the object of ascertaining if he had any explanation to offer. Peterseu averred that three years ago he and his " friend" were on the Hutt racecourse, and Satherley was there also. When the " friend" saw Satherley he (the " friend") said, " I am going to do for him," and it Was remembrance of this incident, Petersen says, that oaused him to think his mate had been concerned in Satherley's disappearance. Two years ago the Premier allowed Mr. Prey berg (who was then Government Timber Expert) a short leave of absence to collect specimens of New Zealand barks, with a view to their utilisation. Since then Mr. Preyberg has been experimenting upon them, with results that promise to benefit the colony considerably, and he informs us that one mountain variety from the West Coast has wonderful curative effects upon throat complaints. The supply is practically inexhaustible. Mr. Preyberg is about to send some large samples to medical specialists in London, with a view to a thorough test in a more rigorous climate, and he thinks it may lead to the bark being placed in the British Pharmacopoeia, and so create another opening for our undeveloped resources. Non-compliance with an order of the Court to contribute towards the support of an illegitimate child drew some strong remarks with a general application from Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., this morning. The defendant in the action was a youug man named R. Matson, who admitted the arrears to be £G, but said he had been out of work for 14 weeks, though, he had tried at many places to get something to do. "It is a very bad case," said the Magistrate, who referred to the fact that the Benevolent Trustees complained, and with very good reason, that these cases of illegitimacy where the public were made to support the children were too common. Iv many instances the fathers were, as here, strong able-bodied young men, and made no attempt to keep their children — a scandalous state of affairs. The time had come when the Court must make an example, and this was a good opportunity, for it was perfectly absurd for a strong man to say he had been unable to get any work for 14 weeks. Matson was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, the warrant beiug suspended on Mr. Wilford's application (for the complainant) for 48 hours. In reference to a paragraph which appeared in Friday's issue, Dr. Collins sends us a note to the effect that he does uot wish it to be understood that he believes alcoholic stimulants in moderation are poisonous or detrimental to health. What he wished to convey was that the constant and habitual drinking of alcohol in excess perverted the moral tone of the individual. The Post Office authorities have been advised that the Miowera, with London mails of the 10th September, left Victoria, 8.C., on the 23rd September, due date.

" A Lady Bather " writes asking why Professor Pannell vshould be allowed the use of the Thorndon Baths at all hours to teach his pupils swimming ? Is there, she asks, to be no hour in the day that ladies can bathe without the Professor's presence being forced upon them ? The Garrison Band attracted a large attendance at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon, and the contributions in aid of the contest expenses amounted to £15 10s. The excellent programme included Boyer's funeral dirge " The Garland of Flowers," in memory of the late Sir George Grey. Solos were played by Sergeant Buckley (cornet) and Bandsman Donaldson (euphonium). " Armed to the teeth herself, it was but natural that Russia's disarmament proposal should be received with mistrust or suspicion," said the Rev. W. Baumber at Wesley Church last evening ; " but, whatever the motive, such a proposal must commend itself to every true follower of the Prince of Peace." At the same time Mr. Baumber recognised that sometimes war was a terrible necessity in righting the wrongs of tyranny and oppression. They anticipated the time, however, when the nations would learn war no more, aud swords would be made into ploughshares and spears converted into pruning-hooks. An important point was settled by Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., this morning, when a charge against Thomas M'Carthy of having commenced to erecfc a building without permission from the City Council was heard. In his evidence, the defendant raised the question as to whether he or the contractor who had the work in hand was liable. " I didn't even know the work was going on," lie said, to which the Bench replied, " It is your business to find out." The Magistrate said further that there was no doubt both the owner and the contractor are liable, both beiug parties to the commission of the offence. M'Carthy was fined £1, with 7s costs. Inspector Broham has gone to Oamaru to enquire into the charge against two local constables of having been on licensed premises after hours other than in the execution of their duty. Some tangible evidence of the visit of the now famous M.de Rougemont to "Wellington, which is not unconnected with his stories ol extraordinary adventure in Australia, is now in the possession of Professor J. P. de Blumenthal, the well-known lecturer. It seems that De Rougemont (or Grien) came to this city from Nelson about 12 months ago, one of his purposes' being to float a raining company to work certain ground which he knew of in Australia. With this view he brought with him a number of quartz specimens which he submitted to Mr. de Blumenthal, who, without professing to be an expert geologist, was able to pronounce them to be non-auriferous. Thereupon De Rougemont seems to have at once abandoned his scheme as valueless, and he left the samples of stone with Mr. de Blumenthal, who still has them. There are also in the collection a number of fossil* of some interest. Mr. de Blumenthal describes De Rougemont as a man most fascinating in conversation, full of stories of adventure, which he seems to fully believe, but as being apparently subject to hallucinations of the most extreme kind. Spiritualism is one of his hobbies. In fact, he claims to be not only a medium, but a healing medium, and tells of wonderful deeds that he has done in that capacity. Altogether he is a cultured and well-informed man, but utterly impracticable. De Rougemont is understood to have gone to England from Wellington in one of the direct trading steamers. Two drunkards were punished in the Magistrate's Court this morning by Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., James Holmes being fined £1, in default seven days' imprisonment, and Michael 'M'Mahon 10s, with the option of 48 hours' imprisonment. Mary E. Nelson was granted a separation from her husband, Walter H. Nelson, Mr. Jellicoe for the latter offering no objection, but it was agreed that the terms of separation should be settled in Chambers. The majority of the remaining cases set down for to-day were adjourned, including a charge against James Hart of forging and uttering, who was remanded for a week. He was allowed bail, himself in £50 and two in £25 each. The New Zealand Dairyman for September - contains a portrait of Mr. J. A. Ruddick, the newly-appointed Chief Dairy Expert to the Agricultural Department, together with a biographical sketch of the man and his work. It appears that Mr. Ruddick, who is one of Canada's younger dairymen, is a careful aud cautious observer, and eminently practical, and consequently his counsel and advice on . cheese and butter making has always been valuable. He was born near Ingersoll, Oxford County, the birthplace of the Canadian Co-operative Cheese Factory, and at an early age gained experience in Norfolk County. In 1882 he went to an Ontario factory, and before completing his first season there, and when in his nineteenth year, he was selected out of 34 applicants to supervise a number of factories, a position which he occupied fot seven years. During 1889 and 1890 Mr. Ruddiok acted as travelling instructor fot the Eastern Dairymen's Association, re. signing in 1891 to accept a position on the staff of the Dominion Dairy Commissioner, ? doing valuable work for the department/ By means of a travelling dairy he aided considerably in the development of co-operative. 1 dairy work in Manitoba, the North- West Country, and British Columbia, and he was the " builder " of the famous Canadian mammoth cheese which won distinction at the World's Fair at Chicago. On the State taking over the Kingston Dairy School Mr, Ruddick became its permanent Superintend dent, aud the school has prospered under his management, the number of students increasing every 3'ear. With the advantage of experienced youth and energy, and being a painstaking experimentalist, the colony has certainly done well in securing as its Dairy Commissioner Mr. J. A. Ruddick. The following have been elected officers of the recently formed Kaiuma Tennis Club -. — Patron, the Earl of Ranlurly ; President, Mr. A. Burnes; Vice-Presidents, Miss Pearce, Mrs. Passau, and Mr. J. J. Kinsey ; • Captain, Mr. Trevor H. Foster ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. A. J. Rintoulj Hon. Auditor, Mr. S. Tomlinson. There is on exhibition at the Dresden Rooms a verj r interesting and unique picture executed wholly with pen aud brush by Mr. John Fulton, of Caui bridge-terrace. Mr, Fulton for a long period devoted his spara time to facsimile reproductions of newspaper headings, cheques, bank-notes, old prints, and ! pictures. The exhibit in the Dresden window shows the result of the work, and the facsimiles, both as to print, pictures, headings, and even the colours of the papers (done by the brush) are faithfully rendered, the whol« being surrounded by an artistic pen-and-iuk border. A homing pigeon match in connection with the Wellington Kennel Club Show was flown from Waipukarau on Saturday afternoon, Of 43 nominations received, 38 birds competed. The result will be madft public at the Kennel Club's Show, whero the birds will be exhibited. Yesterday afternoon the Petone Band played a number of selections in the open, its performance being thoroughly appre« ciated. • Taupo was visited by frost last night, and rain fell at New Plymouth. The barometer is again back in the " 30's," which point the general reading had not reached since the 7th iust. Blue was the prevailing colour of the colony's canopy this morning. The organ at Wesley Church, which has been thoroughly renovated and improved, will be re-opened next Sunday,

The presentation of an address to Mr. C. H. Mills, M.H.It., by the Italian residents, for his efforts on behalf of Louis Chemis, is to take place at Parliament Buildings this evening. Another hour was spent by Mr. Kenny, S.M., aud Mr. Arnold, J.P., this morning iv disposing of the oharge against Patrtok Mftloney of having, been drunk while in charge of a cab. Mr.' Wilford appeared for accused, and an application by him to call two more wituesies was withdrawn on Inspector Pender objecting on the grounds of- unfairness, as the case had only been adjourned in order to take the evideuce of Constable Thomson, who was in charge of the watch-house at the time. Thomson swore that Maloney wa« drunk without any reasonable doubt Al'ler retiring and consulting for about 20 minutes, the Magistrate announced that he aud his brother Justice disagreed, and the Court would therefore dismiss the case without prejudice. Mr. Kenny said in his opinion there was no reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant, but Mr. Arnold, for reasons which he (Mr. Kennj') appreciated, thought there was a reasonable doubt, and Maloney ought to be given the benefit of it. Mr. Kenny added that if the prosecution renewed the charge he would of course decline to sit in the case. ; Very successful services were held yesterday in the Congregational Church, Newtown. The Rev. J. Heed Glasson, of the Terrace Church, conducted the service at 11 a.m., and preached an instructive and forceful sermon on " Ye are the salt of the earth "to a large audience. In the evening the Rev. E. Doddrell (minister in charge) advanced reasons for a justification of their j existence as a denomination, and contended that from the standpoints of history, liberty, spirituality, and charity they had the right, and meant to embrace the opportunities that lay in their path of doing their share in th"c grand attempt to win New Zealand for Christ. To-morrow evening Mr. Doddrell will deliver another of his monthly lectures on " Brains and How to Use Them," aud a collection will be made in aid of the funds of the Ladies' Working Society. One of the seismographs, the money for which«|vas appropriated List session of Parliament, has (says the New Zealand Mines Record, just issued by the Government Department) been shipped by the AgentGeneral iv the s.s. Maori. This instrument will probably be installed by Sir James Hector at the Observatory in Wellington, and the other in Christchurch or Lincoln. One of the principal objects in view is to determine the velocity with which motion is propagated round, or possibly through, the earth • and it is intended to co-operate with the Seismological Committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in their endearour to extend and systematise the observation of earthquake disturbances. Professor John Milne, who is one of the greatest authorities on <jhe subject of earthquakes, is an honorary secretary to the Seismological Committee, aud has been in communication with Sir James Hector on the subject of these instruments and the necessity for placing them in localities where competent observers are available. Entries for the Club Fours, Wellington Bowing Club, are now being received, and judging from the large number already entered the club races for the ensuing season promise to bring forward keen competition. The members during the past few weeks have been working hard to get the plant and boathouse in thorough order. The work of doing up the race plant was left in the hands of Mr. Geo. Norton. A large number of new members have joined, amongst them W. Brown, who was Vice-Captaiu of the North Shore Rowing Club, Auckland, last season, and W. Duncan, who is well known in aquatic circles in Sydney. A mefiting of the Committee of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held last Friday afternoon in the Alliance Chambers, Willis-street, Mrs. Evans, President, iv the chair. A number of cases were dealt with, and it was stated that the need for the society had been fully shown. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on 4th October, and a meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday next to prepare the report and balance-sheet for submitting to the subscribers. The following subscriptions were acknowledged: — Economic and A Friend, 10s 6d each ; W. T. Glasgow, 10s ; — Mason, J. E. Evans, G. Linley, — Mackay, — Sheridan, — Seville, C. D. Fox, Smith & Smith, Biscuit Company, Campbell & Crust, and — Braidford, 5s each ; Mrs. J. H. Williamson, jun., ss; Mrs. Hii, r ginson, Messrs. Hill, Baillie, ' Friend, "Winder, and Edmondson, 2s 6d each; Messrs. Walsh, Green & Co., 2s each ; Miss Brown, 2s; two friends, Is each. Lady Stout (Hon. Secretary) being unable to attend during October, Mrs. Judkins was appointed to act for a month. The first annual ball of the Deutsche Liedertafel is to be held to-morrow at Thomas's Hall. The annual meeting of the Wellington Industrial Association will be held at the Chamber of Commerce this evening. The Rev. F. W. Isitt lectures in the Baptist j-phurch, Vivian-street, to-night, on " Some fffteroes of the Emancipation Movement," in which he will deal with the emancipation of the slaves in the United States. Appropriate negro melodies will be rendered. I have a vacancy for an apprentice of good education and appearance; premium. fm. E. Woods, Chemist, Cuba-st. — Advt. Cricket, tennis, and croquet players will find a good assortment of material at Messrs. John Dubhie & Co.'s for the season which is now so near at hand. The same firm also advertises garden bowls and an extensive istock of garden requisites. An elaborate display of the materials attracted a good deal of attention to the firm's premises on Saturday night. What ia claimed to be the " oheapest drive to the world" is referred to in another column. Cope's tobacco and cigarettes, which have •n enormous sale throughout the United Kingdom, are notified elsewhere as being •obtainable in Wellington. This being the season for active gardening, Messrs. Johnstone & Co., seed merchants and florists, make an announcement on the subject elsewhere. Messrs. F. Sidey and Co. will sell tomorrow, at the Central mart, Manners-street, furniture and sundries. Messrs. F. R. Jackson & Co. will hold their weekly sale of stook at Johnsonville ■Jo-morrow. Messrs. Laery & Co. will to-morrow sell, at their Willis-street roomß, a quantity of oats. Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson & Co. advertise their weekly horse sale, entries for which are now being received. Mr. W. F. Shortt will sell to-morrow, sundries.