LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 156, 30 December 1898, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho Supplement to be issued with tomorrow's Post will contain the regular columns dealing with the news of the world in the domains of sports, pastimes, turf, mimes, music, and general items. Ladies will find a letter from Home touching upon the latest fashions in the Old World, and short stories will, as usual, occupy the front page. A specially interesting article is contributed by our London correspondent, dealing with the Hou. W. P. Reeves's new book, " The Great White Cloud," which, we note, is receiving very favourable notice ia the leading London journals. The Commissioner of Police has instructed Inspector Cullen to remain in oharge of the Auckland district, Inspector Cullen, who has done excellent work since he has been in temporary charge at Auckland, is to be succeeded on the West Coast station by Inspector Ellison, until recently sergeant in oharge at Wangauui. The Premier, who, with Mrs. and Miss Seddon, left for the South by the Tutanekai last night, will be absent from Wellington until towards the end of next month. A dinner was given at Government House last night. The guests were : — The Bishop of Wellington, Mrs. Wallis, Colonel Williams, M.P., Mrs. Williams, Miss Williams, Lady Berkeley, Colonel Pearce, Miss Pearce, Mr. J. Gildea, Mr. R, Gildea. Detective Livingstone has been permanently transferred to Christohuroh, after upwards of 13 years' duty in Timaru. Sir Robert Stout is paying a visit to Rotorua. The two rowing clubs in Wellington will be represented in all the races at the Picton Regatta on New Year's Day. Mr. David J. Nathan has been elected a director of the Wellington Patent Slip Company, Limited, in place of his father, Mr. Joseph E. Nathan, who is at present residing in England. Some boys who were digging out a rabbit-hole alongside Karori* Stream, near its mouth, on Tuesday, uncovered an old skull, which has been brought into town by Constable Heather, and the discovery reported to the Coroner. It is probably that of a native of a past age. Wellington has been fairly prolific in bankruptcies during the year which "is now expiring. Up to to-day 50 had been recorded, and three have occurred during the present* month. The building trade was responsible for seven, and there were five clerks four storekeepers, three grocers, j two carpenters, two bakers, and one each of the following : Gardener, busdriver, fellmonger, tinsmith, blacksmith, cycle-dealer, surveyor, agent, publican, cab-driver, horse - trainer, draughtsman, labourer, painter, merchant, china-dealer, architect, butcher, messenger, coachman wool mercjhant, accountant, commission agent, fishmonger, cigarette manufacturer, printer, and aboriginal native. A team of polo players from the Wellington Club — Messrs. Skerrett, Madocks, Buoholz, and Cooper — met the Manawatu team, consisting o£ Messrs. R. S. Abraham, Baker, Snow, and Elkington, on the Hokowhitu ground on Wednesday. At half-time the match was discontinued, the scores being Manawatu 0, Wellington 2. The Wellington team was beaten by Oroua by 11 goals to 1.

Amongst the visitors to Wellington is Mr. J. E. Vvearne, formerly manager of the Antimony Mine, at Endeavour Inlet, Queen Charlotte *jound, who for some time past has been in charge of one of the large mines at Waihi, Upper Thames. The mine (the Waihi Union) is owned by English and French capitalists, and is being thoroughly opened up. A shaft has been sunk a depth of between 400 and 500 feet, and from it there are five levels. The reefs' are not nearly so large as those in the celebrated Waihi Mine, but it is expected that they will yield an immense amount of payable stone. Mr. Wearne, who has now been two years at Waihi, is convinced that the field will be a permanent one. The Waihi Mine, he says, never looked better than it does now, and no difficulty is being experienced in supplying quartz for 190 head of stamps. The yield is worth about £1000 a day, more than half of which is clear profit. The old Ngatiranui and Taranaki chief Iraia Te Raugiwhetuki (father of Ngaruru) died at the Taiporohenui Pa at 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning. The Hawera Star states that he was considerably over 100 years old. In the early days he was a strong supporter of the " King Movement." He was also a great warrior, being present at the engagements of Kaitake, Otapaoa, Te Ngutu-o-te-Manti, Pokaikai, Papatibakehake t (Moturoa, so-called), Okotukn, and Taurangaika, and escaped miraculously in the Otapaoa affair, receiving three bullets, all in tbe neck. He leaves a large property to Ngaruru and his sister, Te- Rahurumai. There is every probability of a large tangi I being held. It was suggested some time ago that steps should be taken to import into tho colony the May fly, or Neuroptera, for fly-fishing purposes. Mr. G. V. Hudson, the wellknown entomologist, has always maintained that there were in New Zealand a sufficient number of species of Neuroptera to render any importation unnecessary, and in support of his statement he has made a collection of indigenous species, which, at the request of friends, he has consented to exhibit in the shop-window of Mr. Tisdall, Lambton-quay, for a few days. The collection is really a fine, one, and of great interest to entomologists and anglers. The final settlement by the Commercial Union Assurance Company in connection with the Royal Oak Hotel fire has been made. The original risk on the building was £19,750, but as the outer walls and a good deal of the new portion of the building were not very much damaged, a settlement was arrived at under which Mr. Gilmer accepted £11,500. Mai de mer on the trip up by the Mokoia was pleaded as an excuse by a woman j who was charge in the Magistrate's Court this morning with drunkenness. i She said she had '"taken a drop" as a relief from the seasickness, and had been overcome Messrs. E. Arnold, H. F. { Davis, and J. Danks, Justices, entered up a conviction and allowed her to go. Patrick J?'abey, who had a previous conviction on record agiinsb him, was fined 10s, with the alternative of going to gaol for 48 hours. New boundaries have been created for the West Coast police district, according to the Wanganui Chronicle, and will extend from the Manawatu to the Mokau River, with the head-quarters in Wanganui, Inspector M'Govern in charge. The change takes Palmerston, Feilding, Ashurst, and Foxton from the Wellington district. It is reported that over 100 tons of raspberries will be raised in the Motueka (Nelson) district this year, one grower alone producing over 20 tons, from whioh he will reoeive over £400. Black and red ourrants are also plentiful. The New Zealand Philanthropic Society's Girls' Institute held its first annual picnic at Day's Bay on Wednesday. About 70 girls, under the charge of Mrs. Hinsch (President) and the Committee, went across the harbour in the Duchess, and spent a most enjoyable day. Mr. Williams kindly conveyed the party free of oharge, and to him, as well as all the contributors of gifts in kind, the Committee has reoorded its hearty thanks. One of the oldest residents in Southland, the Rev. A. H. Stobo, passed away at St. Andrew's Manse, South luvercargill, on Saturday, after a long period of failing health. Deceased was born on 28th August, 1832, in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Post Office authorities are advised that the colonial mails of 23rd November, sent per Victoria from Melbourne, were delivered in 'London on the 24th of December, one day early. A wedding took place at the little Catholio chapel, Guilford- terrace yesterday, when Miss Beatrice Ready, youngest daughter of ex-Sergeant^Ready, was married to Mr. Robert Fordyce, of Dunedin. The bride wore a handsome costume of rich ivory satin, trimmed with chiffon, pearls, and orange blossom, with lovely veil and bouquet. The bridesmaids were Miss Hilda Corbett of MaSterton, and Miss Elsie Grady, the former being dressed in cornflower blue, trimmed with white Avatered silk and pearls, and the latter in white muslin and pearls., both wearing large leghorn hats with feathers, and carrying flower baskets. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. T. F. Gray, and Mr. E. T. Searl was best man. The Rev. Father Holly ofllciated. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a handsome gold ring, and to the bridesmaids gold brooches. Mr. and Mrs. Fordyce left by the Talune yesterday, the bride's travelling dress being a grey and black check, trimmed with black satin, and large leghorn hat with feathers. A case of tuberculosis has been discovered among cattle at Pigeon Valley, Nelson, and the residents are much perturbed about it. The animal has been killed. The announcement that Mr. T. A. Edison, the inventor, has lodged five applications foi New Zealand letters patent in connection with the treatment of ironsand should (says the Australian Mining Standard) be full of promise forthat colony, if it could be takeu as indicating any intention on the part of the patentee to give ifc local application. Since 1894 the famous inventor has devoted most of his time to' ore-milling operations, and he has how a large raining plant at Edison, in the northern part of the State of New Jersey, where he has magnetic separators of his own invention at work in the separation and concentration of iron-ore. New Zealand is rioh iv deposits which should repay treatment on a comprehensive scale, and the conjunction of inventor and .colony should therefore be mutually profitable. " A venerable and respected Nelson settler, Mr. Charles Hunter-Brown, died this week at the age of 73. He took an active interesfc in missionary work, and besides being a member of the Nelson Diocesan Synod had on several occasions represented the diocese in the General Synod, He was atao a VicePresident of the Nevy Zealand Missionary Association. In earlier days, beiug a good Maori scholar, Mr. Hunter-Brown presided over one of the Native Land Courts for a time. One of his daughters is at present engaged in mission work in Japan. The local representative of the Singe Manufacturing Company sends us the company's souvenir pamphlet for 1899, consisting of a calendar, With illustrations of the development o£ the Singer sewing machine • The monthly meeting of the Management Committee of the Shipmasters' Association of New Zealand will be held at noon oa Monday, 9th January. The Scottish Thistle Club will hold a ball at Thomas's Hall on Monday evening, for the celebration of New Year's Day.

The Evening Post will not be published on Monday next. Mr. J. Stevens, M.H.R., contradicts the statement that he has any intention of contesting the Rangitikei seat or any seat other than Manawatu. The police are still in hot pursuit of the escaped convict Jackson. They have but little doubt that it was he who visited the Featherston district the other day' and supplied himself with food at Mr. Matthews's station on the borders of the Waivarapa. Lake. From there he appears to have crossed to this side of the Rimutaka again, as since the Lake affair, a platelayer's whare at Kaitoke has been broken into and a change of clothing and £7 in money stolen. Jackson is supposed to have made an alteration in his wearing apparel, and the police are now scouring the Hutt and about Wellington, and at the same time are keeping a keen eye upon the shipping in case the man snould try to quit the colony or the district by outgoing vessels. On leving the Traffic Department of the Wellington section of the Government Railways after nine years' service, Mr. William Cuthbertson was to-day presented by Guard Williamson, on behalf of the employes, with a purse of sovereigns, and wished success in his future career. Mr. Cuthbertson has obtained an appointment on the Government Railways at Natal, South Africa, and leaves for Sydney on his way there by the Waikare to-morrow. A very quiet wedding was celebrated at St. Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon, when Miss May Moss, daughter of Mr. G. W. Moss, late of Greymouth, was married to Mr. Humphrey Innes- Jones, of Waimate, the officiating, clergyman being Rev. Allan Innes-Jones, of Feilding, the bridegroom's brother. Mr. and Mrs. Innes-Jones left in the afternoon by the Rotomahana for their new home at Waimate. The Pacific Lodge of Druids held its fortnightly meeting in the Rechabite Hall last evening, Bro. W. Botfe, A.D., in the chair. There was a good attendance of country visitors. The preliminary arrangements were made for the Druid's gala at Easter. Bro. J. Mackay, D.G.S., presented Bro. F. L. Buck, P.A., with a handsomely-framed P.A. diploma. Bro. M'Cormish having won Bro. J. G. Stevens's prize for bringing the membership up to 200, it was handed over in his absence to Bro. M. G. Fischer. The receipts for the evening amounted to £12. In the Novelty Parlour in Willis-street business continues brisk. The interior is prettily decorated, and heightens the effect of the magic feats performed. The clever child Phyllis Perrier is called on nightly for fresh feats of mimicry, that of Bland Holt being the favourite. • There will be special afternoon performances to-m«rrow i'qr ladies and children, in which the various parlour illusions, including the boiling of water in paper boxes, will be exhibited. Next Sunday it will just be a year since the Rev. Otho FitzGerald returned from England and took charge of St. Thomas's Church, and on the progress made by the cnurch in the period the rev. gentleman is to be congratulated. The congregation has increased so much that the vestry has been compelled to enlarge the church, and at the same time a pipe organ is being introduced ; while mission churches have been biu'lt at Berhampore and Island Bay, and at Worser Bay one is about to be erected. Besides this a large gymnasium has been provided for the youth of the district, and during its short existence has already proved a great boon to the neighbourhood. St. Thomas's Parish is certainly one of the most active in the city. A series of caves of remarkable beauty have been discovered at Coonoor, a distance of twelve miles from Makuri, Wairarapa district. One of the caves presents a wonderful appearance, the entrance to it being through a very narrow opening, 'while the inside is literally a mass of stalactites. Several moa bones have (says a contemporary) been found in them, .but so far they have not been thoroughly examined. The Wesleyan Orchestral Society, always ready to assist a deserving cause, formed the orchestra which performed at the nurses' concert at the Hospital on Wednesday night. p Father Christmas will make .his final appearanceattheD.l.C. from 8 p.m. to-morrow (New_ Year't Eve) till closing hour. The Christmas tree, toy stands, and book stands lmvo all been refilled with inexpensive but attractive presents. Mr. Job. E. Lindberg, the cheap draper, Cuba - street, announces that he will sell larpe quantities of prints, muslins, curtains, sheetings, &c, cheaper than salvage, with New Year's bonus to every customer, tomorrow. An advantage to the public accruing from yesterday'^ fire in Cuba-street will be the getting of goods at reduced prices owing to discolouration by smoke and water. The salvage sale at Mr. C. Smith's establishment will begin to-morrow. In our advertising columns Messrs. R. Hannah •& Co. wish a Happy New Year to all .boot purchasers and their friends, and state that nothing will be wanting on their part to make the boot purchasers remember 1899 at R. Hannah & Co.'s. Mr. A. Lindsay, bootmaker, of Cubastreet, sfeks visitors to the great fire sale to call and make their bargains complete with his special bargains in boots and shoes. He promises that every pair will be reduced to enable all to have cheap boots for the New Year. Mr. E. Pearce, of the Boot Arcade, Cubastreet, will commence on Saturday a great clearing sale of boots and shoes, in order to reduce the stock and lessen the risk in aase of fire. Another salvage sale is promised as the result of yesterday morning's fire in Cubastreet. Messrs. George & George, whose stock of drapery, &c, was to some extent damaged by amo|e and water, announce that to-morrow they will begin to Bell it off at the reduced prices usual after such an occurrence. There will be a display at the New House, Cuba-street, this evening of ladies' trimmed hats, and also of the newest sailor white spotted muslins, and everything suitable for holiday attire. Next week's stock auction sale at Johnson* ville, held by Messrs. Freeman Jackson & Co. in conjunction with Messrs. Abraham & Williams, will take place on Wednesday instead lof Tuesday, aB the holiday traffic will prevent the railways from carrying atook for the usual day. The catalogue appear* in another column. Messrs. Hornblow & Co. will hold an extensive sale of heavy draught, medium, and express horses at the Nag's Head yards on Wednesday nert. They urge that to those in search of really first-olass horses this sale will offer Bpeoial advantages, as the animals are the pick of the Manawatu. Messrs. F. Sidey & Co. sell by auction to-morrow at their rooms, Manners-street, furniture, &c. Mr. W. F. Shortt holds his annual clearing sale at his mart at 11 o'olook to-morrow, being the final sale of 1898.