LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 31, 7 February 1899, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The arrival of the Warrimoo from Vancouver brought tohand 350 Virginian quail for the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, aud a case of Columbian salmon ova consigned to the Minister of Marine. Of the quail, 360 birds were originally shipped, but ten died from croup and other complaints. The remainder have been landed m excellent condition thanks to the attention of their caretaker, Chief Officer Hammon. They will be kept in AVellington for- a few days until the method of distribution to the country districts is arranged. It is probable that they will be liberated in coveys of a dozen. They were caught in Kansas mountains by the famous bird-catcher J. Payne under arrangements made oy Mr. L. Ayson, the Society's curator, now on a mission to America. Another prisoner has succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the gaol Avarders— a man named William Aldridge who was sentenced to three years' hard labour at the August sessions of the Supreme Court for breaking and entering a shop at Masterton and stealing a large quantity of iewellery. Aldridge was working with the labour gang at Mount Cook yesterday afternoon, and at about 4 o'clock he made his escape," taking advantage of the thick, rainy weather. It is reported that shortly afterwards Aldridge was seen by a civilian in the vicinity of the Grosvenor Hotel, partially covered with a sack— worn, no doubt to conceal as much as possible the prison garb. The police at once joined m the pursuit of the escapee in large numbers and the chase bas since been kept up without cessation, but so far without the desired result. Aldridge is a Cockney, 31 years of age, sft sin in height, with fair hair, and complexion, blue eyes, and scanty eyebrows. He has square shoulders, a small, fair moustache (and probably a short growth of beard), and he was weartug a short oilskin over his prison clothes at the time of the escape. The criminal business of the Magistrate's Court this morning was dealt with by Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M. Frank Lyness (alias Black), an old offender, was charged with having been found helplessly drunk, and was remanded to the 14th inst. for medical treatment. Mary Thompson, for drunkenness, was fitted 10s, with v the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment, and for damaging an iron bucket in the police cells was fined Is, and ordered to pay the damage, 4s, or undergo an additional 48 hours' imprisonment. On a charge of having disobeyed the lawful commands of the second engineer of the s.s. Aotea, a fireman named James M'Donald pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Myers appeared for the prosecutor, Captain Evans. It seemed that on Sunday M'Donald, whose watch it was, was ordered to keep up steam on the refrigerating machinery, but he nefused to do

so, and soon afterwards went below. In defence, the accused said he was not the only one who had disobeyed the order, and he thought he should not have to work on Sundays unless he got extra pay. The Magistrate said that discipline must be maintained, and sentenced M'Donald to seven days' imprisonment, besides ordering him to pay the costs, £51 Bs. Ten of the candidates for" admission to the Police Force have passed the examination at the School of Instruction in Wellington, and as soon as they are supplied with uniforms they will be sent to various stations in the colony. Arrangements are now being made to instruct a new batch of candidates. Mr. Charles Young, who has been overseer in the machine-room of the Government Printing Office for very many years, is about to be retired on pension. The fact that there is at the present time only one typhoid fever patient in the Hospital was mentioned at the meeting of the Trustees of the Institution this morning. The Chairman pointed out that the few typhoid cases treated last year came from some of the suburbs. Of the 68 marriages celebrated in Wellington during January, the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Mr. F. W. Mansfield) officiated in 15, or more than one-fourth. Usually the proportion of Registry Office marriages is considerably less. The last issue of the Police Gazette contains a notification that the following appointments of medical officers to the Police Force have been made — Wellington, Dr. Teare ; Auckland, Dr. Sharman ;• Christchurch, Dr. y Symes ; Dunedin, Dr. M'Donald. Each medical officer is to receive an annual salary of £100, for winch he will be required to give tree medical attendance and medicine to all police officers stationed in the city in which he lives and its suburbs, and he will also have to examine all candidates for admission to the Force. The Building Bylaws of the city continue to cause trouble between architects and builders and the City Council. Last evening again there were several cases before the Works Committee of the Council concerning disputes arising out of the bylaws. West Coast politicians are refreshingly frank. For instance, the Charleston Herald threatens Mr. Guinness with strong opposition at the general election "unless he secures the district £14,000 before the end of the session." i Those in the inner circles assure the Hokitika Guardian that a Canterbury gentleman will oppose Mr. Seddon for the Westland seat at the general election. A miraculous escape from sudden death happened at Waiohine last Friday, according to the Carterton Observer. Young Sayer, who was working on the co-opera-tive works felling bush close to the river, was precipitated into the river, a distance of 100 ft, through a tree which he was felling slipping bodily, roots and all. Sayer hung to the roots and landed in the water, just up to his neck, and escaped with a good shaking and cuts about his legs. Mr. R. Monk, of Kaikoura had an unpleasant experience while bathing near some rocks by the Raramai tunnel the other day. As he was coming out of the water an octopus seized him by the calf of the leg. Mr. Monk got hold of a rock and clung to it until a companion came to his assistance, and their united efforts procured his release. The octopus had luckily only managed to get hold with one tentaole, said to 6ft in length. A man who was granted the oM age pension at Culverden the other day proved that he had 'been continuously m the colony since 1840, that he came from Sydney with the first Governor — Governor Hobson — and that he was present at the hoisting of the Union Jack at Kororareka, which flagstaff was afterwards cut oown by Heke. [ Palmerston exchanges announce the death of Mr. ' E. Lyou, an old settler, 62 years of age. Mr. Lyon left England for New Zealand in 1856, and on arrival at Wellington tried to book a passage by the 40-ton schooner Tyne for WanganuL, but the berths all being taken did the journey on foot. He took four days to get to Wanganui, a week ahead of the schooner— another instance of how things have progressed. Miss Harriet Jenkins, a pupil of the Girls' High School, who won it University junior scholarship at the recent examinations, obtained the highest place among the girls of the colony. The following pupils of the school passed the matriculation examination: — Ethel Cooper, Julia Fruhauf, Emma Gaudin, Fanny Gibson, Mary Hales, Winifred Emmy, Edith Martin, Maud Rigg, Emma Renai, and Marion Strang. Several City Councillors last evening referred in strong terms to the bad condition of the Barraok Square-road. The Mayor promised to approach the Government on the subject, with the object of getting the road placed in such order that the Council could take it over. During the past year the Wellington School Commissioners leased 4871 acres to 23 tenants at a rental of £213 5s 2d ; and in addition, 2305 acres have been taken up by 12 tenants at a rental of £91 2s 3d, or a total of 7176 acres to 35 tenants at £304 7s sd, or an average of 205 acres at lOd an acre. These sections are for the most part heavy bush country, and the leases are for 21 years. The total number of tenants on the Board's rent roll is 349. With the object of improving the tramway service the proprietors have applied to the City Council for permission to run tha tram-rails a short distance down Mercerstreet, opposite the Evening- Post office.' The advantage of this will be that trams need not wait at the Opera House or at the corner of Featherston-street and Lambtonquay, but can proceed on and wait at Mercerstreet. It was decided at the meeting of the Works Committee last evening to recommend at the meeting of the City Council ou Thursday that the request of the tramway proprietors be acceded to subject to the condition that the lines be taken up on three months' notice. Sir James Hector, Chancellor of the New Zealand University, has returned from Duuedin'. Mr. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works, returned from Wanganui last night. There are some dairy farmers who might profit by the following remarks culled from the Observer's report of the Dairy Commissioner's address at Carterton : — " Another very important matter was the handling of the milk, butter, and cheese. In New Zea- 1 land there was a good deal of carelessness in this respect. The milk sent to the fac^ tories was not always in as ■ favourable a condition for obtaining the very best results as it ought 'to be or might. . . . The trouble lay in the mud and slush which was the prevailing state of things in many milking yards. Then there were the droppings from the cows, mixed with the wet earth, which together would make a regu-» lar hotbed of infection, and which formed | the worst possible combination of circumstances against sending the milk away in 1 good condition. In such cases there won til be^ myriads of minute living germs, which would find their way into the milk, and. cause the bad flavours which afterwards affected the butter or cheese made from it; In 99 out of 100 cases, what he described was the cause of the bad flavour frequently complained of, and which depreciated its market value. In some cases these objectionable flavours were caused by the food eaten by the cows, but most undoubtedly; a nrinciual source was filth*.* 4

The Cabinet Ims approved the regulations under the Municipal .Franchise Reform Act •£ last session. Tlie roll of inunioipal electors qualified under the extended franchise will bo raa'de up in April. The Commissioner of Police has expressed concurrence in the action of the Stipendiary Magistrate in dismissing the information for street obstruction laid by Constable Smith against Mr. A. Vile, editor of the Hastings Standard, and has also recommended that the Justice Department should pay Mr. Vile's legal costs. The question of the Thorndon reoreation ground will be brought before the City Council next Thursday fortnight. At New Plymouth the other day the Stock Inspector (Mr. Orbell) was obliged to condemn no less than. 52 tuberculous pigs out of one herd. While on the subject of the treatment of dairy cows, Mr. Ruddick, the Dairy Commissioned, remarked at a meeting at Carterton that no Canadian dairy farmer would allow dogs to be used to his cows, as he would lose money by doing so, and could not afford to do it. There might, he said, be cases in New Zealand where it might be almost impossible to avoid the use of dogs, but it was bound to have an injurious effect, both on the cows and the quality of the milk. At a special general meeting of the Wellington Working Men's Club held last night, Mr. Paul Coffey, President in the chair, the revision of the rules came up for consideration. The various amendments raised much discussion. After passing rule No.. 9 the meeting was adjourned until Monday next. Mr. L. Oughton was elected Vice-President by a substantial majority in the place of Mr. it. Mouatt, resigned. ' The local Cycling Club applied to the Works Committee of the City Council last evening for permission to use the Basin Reserve for a sports meeting on Saturday 4th March. The Cricket Association wrote objecting, on the ground that the cup matches would not be over at that date. The Committee, however, decided to recommend the Council to grant the request' of the Cyoling Club on the usual terms. The Druids were granted the use of the ground for Easter Monday. At yesterday afternoon's meeting of the Wellington School Commissioners reductions oF rent were agreed upon as follows : W. "Chisholm, section 46, block 1, Kopuaranga; Mary Abbott, section 264, block 13, Akatarawa- ; and Daniel Kane, section 98, Hunterville. R. Webber's application for reduction of rent was refused. It was decided to reduce the rent of £8 3s 6d on a section of 220 acres at Day's Bay, held by Dr. Mackenzie. The Chairman was authorised to act in connection with A. Douglas's application to be allowed to surrender sections 222, 225, 226, 227, blocks 2 and 3, Mt. Adams. As a retaliatory step to the low price charged for bread by some of the grocery firms in Dunedin, the bakers threaten to sell tea at prime cost price — Is 3d per lbfortea usually sold at 2s — and have formally notified the grocers to this effect. The price to which the grocers have lowered the bread is 4d the 41b loaf. A number of surplus tools remaining from the work at Kelburne Park Relief Works have been offered for sale to the City Council. The Council, however, declined with thanks. Court Lady Glasgow, A.0.F., met last evening, Sis. M. J. Smith, C.R., presiding. The resignation of Dr. Faulke as one of the court's surgeons was accepted. It was decided that steps be taken to celebrate the anniversary of the court, and that a committee be appointed next court night. Pennies silvered over are largely in circulation in Blenheim. Oats in the Rangitikei district are expected to be very rusty this year (says the Rangitikei Advocate) ; in fact we have heard of one settler's crop being so badly affected that he intends to burn it off and not cut it at all. A portion of Mem-street, Newtown, whioh suffered from yesterday's downpour, is to be visited by Jhe City Engineer, with the object of having drain-pipes laid to carry off the storm-water. Councillor Luke is moving in the matter. At the Sailors' Rest last evening some .70 seamen were present, and various amusements were provided, including games, &c, supplied by firms in the city, songs, recitations, step-dancing, banjo and pianoforte items by members of the crews of the various vessels in port. At the inquest held at Westport on the body of Mr. Matthew Miller, engineer of the s.s. Gertie, who died suddenly on a voyage from Foxton to Greymouth, a verdict of Death from Syncope was returned. Deceased was well known on all the Union Company's steamers at this port. He leaves a widow and five young children, who reside in this city. At a meeting of the Loyal Britannia Lodge of Oddfellows, 1.0.0.P., M.U., held last evening, and presided over by Bro. G. Hill, N.G., Messrs. Tonking, Turner, and Feltham were appointed chemists to the lodge. Two candidates were initiated and two others proposed. The election of delegate to the district meeting will take place next lodge night. At Greymouth 15 single co-operative men waited on the Premier and asked for work, explaining that they had been paid off at Jacksons. Mr. Seddon said the single men had bad a good innings, and married men •were to have the preference. The bachelors could have saved money whilst at work to enable them io go prospecting, and the Government did not hold itself responsible for every man out of work. The entertainment given at the Wellington Working Men's Club by the " Sign of the Cross " Company resulted in an addition of £14 0s 6d to the funds of the Hospital. The Government subsidy will bring the amount up to £28 Is. The fortnightly meeting of Court Robin Hood, A.0.F., took place last night, Bro. C. J. Johnston presiding. One candidate was initiated and another proposed. The officers were instructed to make arrangements for paying fraternal visits to the other courts in the city. Following the example of so many other corporations, the Scottish Metropolitan Insurance Company (life and accident) has decided to remove its New Zealand headquarters to Wellington, which it recognises as the commercial pivot of the colony. Accordingly, the General Manager for New Zealand (Mr. E. Trevor Gould), who has been stationed in Dunedin up to the present, j will shortly take up his residence in this j city. Mr. Cecil Adams, who has been connected with the Government Life Office and the National Mutual Life Association in Wellington, has been selected by Mr. Gould j to take the position of accountant. The following committee has been appointed to make arrangements in connection with the hairdressers and tobacconists' picnic at Day's Bay on the Bth prox. :— Messrs. W. Turner, J. Downes, G. J. Milter, G. M'Arthur, A. K. Alpe, L. Fowler, C. Pearce, A. Richards, J. Turner, J. Blaok, A. Turner, W. Crilly, with Mr. R. Armit as Secretary and Treasurer. Should to-tnorrow'a weather permit, the Brooklyn school picnio will be held at Day's Bay. If the day ii wet the outing will be postponed till Thursday. The Iron and Brass Moulders' "Union will hold a special meeting at the Trades Hall to-morrow evening to deal with important busiuMS.

Major-General French, Commandant of the New South Wales Forces, and Mr. Geoffrey Fairfax, of the Sydney Morning Herald, who have been on a visit to this colony, are returning to Sydney by the Warrimoo this afternoon. Mr. Weddcll, of produce fame, has booked his passage by the same vessel. During January 195 old age pension certificates were issued in Wellington to claimants under the Act. The number of pension claims lodged with the Registrar (Mr. F. W. Mansfield) during the same period was 368. The claims disallowed or postponed or in which the claimants failed to appear, totalled 55, and the cases not dealt with at the end of the month numbered 118. There were 17 claimants who failed to put in an appearance, 22 cases were postponed for further proof, and 15 were disallowed—4 being under age, 4 not having complied with the condition of continuous residence ; two others were of insufficient length of residence in the colony; one on account of already possessing an income of over £50 per annum ; two as being possessed of £270 worth of property; one as having no claim at all, and one being disqualified on account of having served a term of four months' imprisonment. Mr. Justice Edwards intimated from the Bench of the Supreme Court this morning that he did not intend to try the cases against Captain Allman and Captain Yon Schoen. They would have to stand over until the Chief Justice returned from Napier. In the meantime he could say definitely that the cases would not be heard before next Monday. A movement has been- set on foot in the South Island with a view to present the Hon. John M'Kenzie, Minister for Lands, on the eve of his departure for the Mother Country with a substantial testimonial and address. Yesterday a preliminary meeting was held in this city, at the offices of Messrs. Baldwin and Johnston, with a view to taking action on behalf of the North Island. Mr. Harold Beauchamp was voted to the chair, and a general expression was given to the hope that the address would be universally signed irrespective of party, as Mr. M'Kenzie's services were of such a character as to justify both sides testifying to his worth as one of the most prominent public men and political leaders of the colony. The following were elected an interim committee, with power to add to their number: —Messrs. J. W. Abbott (Abbott, Oram and Co.), P. A. 'Baldwin, Harold Beauchamp (Bannatyne and Co.), A. A. Corrigan, Andrew Collins, M. P. Cameron, F. H. Eraser, J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., Dr. James, Martin Kennedy, E. J. Le Grove, T. K. Macdonald, R. M'Kenzie (President Trades and Labour Council),D. J. Nathan, Jno. Plimmer, N. Reid (Turnbull and Co.), A. Scoullar (Scoullar and Chisholm), G. O. S. Watkins, and J. H. Williams. "Messrs. Watkins and Le Grove were appointed to act as joint secretaries, and a further meeting was arranged for an early date. In the meantime the address will be circulated for signature. The rehearsals by the Wellington Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society of "The Gondoliers" was begun at «the Art Gallery last night, Mr. Maughan Barnett conducting. The choruses were spiritedly attacked and a very satisfactory evening's work was done. The Committee of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club will hold a meeting on Thursday evening —the last opportnnity for new men to join before the sports meeting of the 25th inst. The orphans' tea in connection with the Wellington Ladies' Christian Association will take place to-morrow, and the mothers' tea on Thursday, at the Girls' Friendly Society Lodge, Vivian-street. The fortnightly meeting of the Antipodean Lodge, 1.0.0. F., will' he held to-morrow night. The ex-pupils of St. Mary's High School are notified that the meeting advertised for to-night has been postponed, and will -be held in the schoolroom, Hill-street, to-mor-row, at 7.80, to make arrangements for the picnic on the 11th iust. Mr. H. W. Hoagland, the American veterinary dentist, notifies that he ia staying for a few days at Bodley's Hotel, where he may be consulted free of charge. Mr. Hoagland has just arrived from Chvistchiirch, where he successfully treated Multiform and j other horses at the Yaldhurst stables, and also had a number of the Christchuroh Tramway Compauy's horses under his cave. The local papers give him great oredit for the way in which hia professional work was done. The proprietor of the Empire Oyster and Luncheon Rooms, Willis-street, has an advertisement elsewhere as to the supply of oysters at his rooms or in any part of the city. Mr. W. F. Shoftt advertises for sale on account of a gentleman leaving Wellington — bo that it must be sold —a handsome eightroomed residence, with a magnificent view. The place is quite new, and will be sold a bargain. Intending purchasers are reminded that Messrs. J. H. Bethune & Co. will hold an unreserved sale of household f urniiure at the residence of Mrs. Tuxford, No. 26, Jessiestreet, to-morrow, commencing at 10 o'clock sharp. The catalogue contains upwards of 400 lota of costly and handsome articles, all nearly new and of first-class quality, including a fine Bell American organ with 14 stops, specially imported at a cost of .£55, and a splendid walnut English piano, and the contents of drawingroom, diningroom, hall, and four bedrooms, &o. As Mrs. Tuxford ig leaving New Zealand, the whole is for absolute sale. On account of tho weather the sale of furnitre, &c, which Messrs. P. Sidey & Co. were to have held to-day at tho residence of a lady in Dock-street ii,s postponed till tomorrow. Messrs. Sidey & Co. also sell tomorrow, in Argyla-street, off Lome-street, a quantity of building material, at 2 o'clock. Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson & Co. will hold a sale oi! household furniture at No. 46, Abel Smith-street, on Thursday, at 1.30 o'clock. The furniture is described as nearly new — the house having been furnished only a few I months —and is for absolute sale. The sale at Mrs. Livingston's, Lower Hutt, will take place to-morrow, conducted by Mr. W. P. Shortt, at 2 o'olock, wet or dry, aa the furniture, &c, must be cleared to make way for the incoming tenant.