LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 63, 14 March 1902, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Citizens are invited by the Mayor to observe next Monday (St. Patrick's Day) as a holiday. Mr. Martin Nagle, of Penrhyn Island, is gazetted a Justice of the Peace for the colony of New Zealand. The estates of thirty-five deceased persons were placed under the charge of the Public Trustee during February, including those of H. J. Fawcett, Palmerston North, and P. O'Sullivan, Masterton. "Every trades union which forms in Wellington has a grievance, or it -wouldn't form," according to Mr. A. Collins's expressed opinion at the Trades Council meeting last night. As the Battery Reserve in the Botanical Gardens is overrun with gorse the City Council decided last night to draw the attention of the Government to the fact, with the request that the reserve should be immediately cleared, as it is a source of annoyance to the public and of danger to the Gardens. The Royal Visit Expenses Act passed last session has received the Royal assent. The Act provides for the payment to the Governor of the sum of £2*250, being the amount of liabilities incurred and moneys disbursed by him for and on behalf of the colony, at the request of the Government during the Royal visit. Mr W. H. Field, M.H.R., has tele- , graphed to the Horowhenua City Council as follows : — "Am positively assured by Premier and Minister of Lands that most urgent grants will be passed by Cabinet next week, and -will certainly include money for completing main county road." t News has been received that Lieut. W. Jickell, son of the Engineer to the Petone Borough Council, who left the colony with the Fourth Contingent, and is now serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery, in charge of No. -2 armoured train, has been recommended for the I D.S.O. The City Council last night passed a formal resolution to acquire under the j Public Werks Act Mr. Bradley's section > in Adelaide-road and Mr. Lepper's in Revans-street, for street-widening purposes. Among other city men who intend visiting London during the Coronation period is Mr. H. Wollerman, who leaves the colony by the San Francisco mail steamer to-morrow. He is to visit America, Europe, and England, and will be absent about six or eight months. The Supreme Court Judges now in Wellington are the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Williams, and Mr. Justice Denniston. It is expected that all the Judges will be here for the opening of the Court of Appeal on Monday. The following transfers by the Wellington Education Board have been con- . firmed by the school committees concerned : — Miss Dorset, from Wairere to Tane ; Miss Bray, from Hastwell to Wairere. The work of. surveying the Urewera country is drawing to a conclusion, and the Commission, which is still sitting, should very shortly be able to complete the partition of this large block of land. The following is the team of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club which will travel to Palmerston North on 'St. Patrick's Day :— A. S. Henderson, Hurdles ; F. Ross, One Mile Walk; W. Pollock, Quarter Mile and Half Mile ; H. Johnston, Long Jump and 100 yd s; S. Par- J ker, ,E. Hylton, A. Simm, and P. J. Fleming for the sprint events. The interpretation of the Chairman of the Conciliation Board as to the award of the Arbitration Court as far as it concern^ the half-holiday for drivers was given on the sth met. No notice of appeal against that interpretation having been served on the Union by the employers, as proyided by the award, the Union now claims that the interpretation is binding^ and is calling on its members to observe the ruling then given. A serious charge was made against the management of the City tramways last night at the Trades Council meeting. It was stated that the employees who were unionists were under a condition ' of tyranny, and that their lives were purposely made as miserable as possible with the object of "weeding them out." One delegate said that three days after he had been elected President of the Grooms' and Conductors' Union he was discharged from the service. On asking for a reason he was told that he was no longer wanted. The Council, set up a committee to enquire into the abuses said to be ruling in the service, and to wait upon the City Council with regard to them. Mr. and Mrs. J. Myers and Miss P. Myers will leave Wellington for Sydney to-morrow by the Waihora, en route for London. ' The Rev. Wm. Newman Hall (Congregational Independents) is gazetted an officiating, minister under the Marriage Act, 1880. 6 For some time past the settlers in the Levin Valley Settlement have been mating representations to the authorities that they are unable to make a livelihood off their present small holdings, and urging that they should be empowered to acquire an additional area. Those representations were favourably considered by the Minister of Lands when interviewed by a deputation some weeks ago, and the result is an Order in Council, published in this week's Gazette, declaring that in future settlers may acquire more than one allotment, provided the total area acquired does not exceed 20 acres. It was stated at last night's . meeting of tLe Trades and Labour Council that directly the award of the Arbitration Court was given in the drivers' dispute a prominent local sawmilling firm discharged three of its drivers — one at a week's notice and two at a minute's notice. The tender of Messrs Barraud and Abraham, of Palmerston North, has been accepted by the Department of Agriculture for the supply of seed required by the department. The Treasury has provisionally approved the application by the Horowhenua County Council for. a loan of £500 for widening the main road at Otaki. Don't speculate ! When you want good butter you want Black Swan Butter. Se<- that you get it.— Advt. 1

It was pointed out by the Mayor last night that it would be necessary ior Wellington, the capital city of the colony, to do something in celebration of the coronation of the King. The question to decide was whether the Council should manage the matter or he should call a> meeting of citizens, for them to appoint an executive committee to act. He had no knowledge whatever of the intentions of the Government in the matter. Asked for his private opinion , Mr. Aitken said that Councillors had so much to do that he thought it won' ld be better if a committee of the citi;eejns managed this affair. Ultimately Ctaancillors decided to "think it over" and settle the matter at the next Council meeting. A humorous instance of the ma'OPier in which the Arbitration Court is conducted was given last night at the Trades' Council meeting. When the award in the Wharf Labourers' dispute wna. given, j two or three of the clauses, which practically governed the whole award, were so vague that their meaning was undiscernable Representatives of th<a employers and the employees studies! it until their heads ached, and finally they wrote to the President of the Court, for a definition. That was some mon.tfas ago, and no answer has yet been received. As tie award was only good for twelve months, it is more than probable th at before those affected have discovered what the award is all about it will have become null and void. | The City Corporation, through Mr. T. F. Martin, City Solicitor , prosecuted William George Emery to-day for uaving commenced to erect a building in Riddi-ford-street without having obtained a permit according to thf> City by-laws. AJv. Skerrett defended, a,rid said the breach was a technical one. A difficulty had arisen as to allowing a right-of-way, and till it was settled the City Surveyor could not issue the permit ; and defendant was between the Corporation and his employer. Mr. Haseiden, S.M., said he could imagine a case in which it would pay the defends .t to go on with the work and pay t?je maximum fine under the by-law— £s. He wished to learn whether this was a technical breach or a serious one. A^fter hearing evidence, ' in the course of which it was stated that the right-of-way difficulty had been settled, the Magistrate imposed a fine of £1 with costs 7s . ' i Mr Dqugljis George Jackson was this morning s,d-mitted by the Chief Justice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court. Two petitions for'winding-up the Mapourika Gold Dredging Company have been fil cdi in the Supreme Court, and will be heatfi on 26th March at 10.30 a.m. Some very bitter complaints were made by labour unions' representatives at the Trades. Council meeting last night about the methods of the Arbitration Court. It Was 'stated that although it was four or five -months since the" Cooks' and Waiters' Union was heard, no award had yet been marie. The result had been disastrous to the, union, and unless a decision was given sh ortly it would become defunct. DeDunciatory speakers rose one after the •other, and if their opinions are any criterion, general contempt must be felt among, local labour bodies for the* Court, j Their "methods were rotten," said one, and their "dilatoriness a standing dis- j grace." "Yes," said another, "and as I the Arbitration Court is at present constituted, the workers oi New Zealand will never get any help/ Eventually the Council appointed a delegation to wait upon the Premier with regard to the the dilatory manner in which awards are given. The mover of the motion did not expect much good to result irom the visit to the Minister. • He declared that nothing short of a charge of gunpowder would liven up the members of the Court. The Wellington Garrison Band has been engaged for the picnic which is to bo held in Father Lane's grounds at Lower Hutt on St. Patrick's Day. A procession is to march from Boulcott-street to the railway station on Monday morning. St. John's Church was again crammed to the doors last evening at the Rev Mr Lyall's mission address. To-night being 1 the last night of the mission a special "praise and testimony" service will be held and conducted on lines altogether new and interesting to the Wellington public, as announced elsewhere. A special thank-offering will be received from all those who have received benefit during the mision. The workers will meet at 6 o'clock. ( A Sydney woman has been fined £10, and 4s lOd costs, or two months' imprisonment, for selling half her return railway ticket without being authorised by the Railway Commissioners. A further protest against the practice of permitting bands to play in the Basin Reserve on Sunday afternoons was made by a number of clergy and Sundayschool superintendents to the City Coun> cil last night. The deputation urged that the practice "was a great hindrance to the carrying on of the work of Sunday schools in the vicinity, the children attending to the bands rather than to the Sunday schools. It was also urged that these performances were being given with unnecessary frequency. The speakers were Rev. R. Coffey (St. Mark's Church), Mr. W. Allan (St. John's Sunday school), Mr. P. P. Webb (St. Mark's), 'the Rev. J. Paterson (St. John's), and the Rev. J. K. Elliott (Kent-terrace). Mr. P f P. " Webb remarked that at any rate up to six months ago band performances on Sunday afternoons were not allowed at Auckland or Dunedin. The matter was not discussed by the .Council, the Mayor merely thanking the deputation for its attendance and promising serious consideration. The conditions of contract proposed by the City Council to be attached to the specifications for the proposed Town Hall were the subject of a very strong • protest addressed by the Builders' and Contractors' Association, to the City Council, and read at the meeting of the Council last night. The association urged that if the conditions were persisted in there would be few, if any, legitimate tenders sent in from Wellington. Among the most objectionable features was clause 3, which placed upon the contractor the blame of all mistakes and incompetence of the City Council architect and clerk of works, as well as his own, both as to construction and detail, tt was doubtful if any Court of law would uphold that. Clause 12 set out how the Council might take the job out of the contractor's hands, the clause being so drastic that it was doubtful if any contractor would be able to get the ' necessary sureties. The bondsmen seemed to ,have no consideration paid to them whatever. The association also objected that there was not sufficient time given to find sureties, and that the deposit cheque was to be kept as an additional security, as well as that of tne bondsmen, until the final certificate was given. The letter was referred to the Town" Hall Committee The /Wellington Amateur Swimming Club held ,a 440 yds race for the President's (Dr. Chappie) Cup on Wednesday afternoon. The race resulted in a win for G. H. Murray (scr) after an exciting set-to with G. A. Wilkes (40 sec). The time was 7min 20sec. Wilkes has now won the cup outright, having scored the greatest number of points during the season. Stylish costumes ready to wear are obtainable at Kivkcaldie 'and Stains'. Ltd. Tne prices range from 3Gs 6d. There are all colours «i!<i styles, and an enormous variety to select from. — Advt.-

l)n account of the absence of Mr Baldwin, solicitor for the plaintiff, the Banco case of Maihi Hangina against Davy and a-nother, a motion lor injunction, was adjourned by the Chief Justice to-day till Saturday week, the question of costs being reserved. For the sittings of the Court of Appeal which will begin on Monday next the following cases are set down:— Thomas Jbrethey v< Jeremiah O'Drigcoll, motion to reverse an order dismissing an application ; Rex v. William Power and Jas. Edward Power, Crown case reserved by ft.^ Conolly/; Robt. Hall v. Elizabeth Hall and Walter Brewer, appeal , Irom decision of Supreme Court, Christchurch, in 'divorce; Reuben Baker v. Johnston and Co., Ltd., case to be reargued; John Anderson v. the Pactolus Gold Dredging Co., Ltd., case on appeal from District Court. The growth of business of the Ocean Accident Insurance Company in Wellington has necessitated the removal of Mr <jhas. M. Montefiore and his staff into more commodious quarters. Th"c southern ground floor wing of the Colonial Mutual Buildings has been elaborately fitted up for the company, and possession" was taken of the new offices on Wednesday last. The "house-warming" is to take place to-morrow morning, when Mr Montefaore will hold a reception. The new offices are commodious in space and most conveniently arrauged.. There is an ofbee for the manager, besides rooms for the typewriters and agents, and a large office for the staff, of which Mr Cecil Adams is the chief clerk. It is worthy of note that so great has been the growth' of business of the Wellington section of tJie Ocean Acoident Company that the nead office has given it the dignity of its own management, so that instead of, ar heretofore, being under the control «of thr Sydney office, the Wellington office i. aZt? • di r JCt /° UCh ™ the head quarters in London. , Mr H. Redmond, of" the Tax Department, has been transferred to the Defence Department, in which he will hold the 'rank of Sergeant-Major and act as drill instructor for the Wellington district. Mx Redmond was a prominent member of the Cml Service Rifles, of which he was Colour-Sergeant, and his capabilities as a drill instructor were so highly thought of by his superiors that he was deputed to act as drill instructor to the Eighth Contingent at Trentham, and also to the Ninth Contingent in. Auckland. In both places he has done good service j and his many friends will congratulate him on reaching such a congenial sphere of work as that to which he has been transferred. John Knox Purvis, who was given "a chanpe the other day. on condition that he entered the Salvation Army Home came again before the Magistrate's Court to-day, on a like charge of drunkenness, and was sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment. For a like offence Farquhar M Donald was fined £s— in default 14 days imprisonment; and Jesse Underwood wasfibed JOs— in default, 48 hours' imprisonment— and ordered to pay 17 S 6d medical expenses. Several first-offence drunkards were dealt with. The presiding Justices were Messrs B. Arnold, A. E. Kernot, and Robt. Mowatt. , Complaint was made at the meeting of the City Council last nigfit that the boulders, in the ladies' baths at Te Aro had not been cleared out. Against this it was stated that no complaints had been made on that score, but the Mayor gravely informed the Council that a number of ladies had signed a letter to the Council bringing under its notice "the inconvenience caused by there being no dressing *oom with a looking glass in it" for the use of the ladies attending the baths." i±ard-hearted Councillors merely, lauched and passed on to other business. According to the statement of Cyril William Tanner, solicitor, who has been adjudged bankrupt, the milestones of his descensus Averni are Bank of New Zealand, Colonial Bank, sheep run, mining shares He thinks he might' have carried SSJ"™ 1 he Dofc be ea pressed. He owes ±,1/73 to secured creditors, and the total value of security is £1925. The secured creditors are the National Bank of New Zealand, £500 (security £550); Govern- , ment Life Assurance Department, £138 ; and Ann Tanner, £200 (security £375) : Ann Tanner, £500 (security £500) ; H C Dowman, £50 (security £50); W. and G. Turnbull, £385 (£450). The surplus of security over claim is £152, which, with £98 worth of furniture and £230 book debts (estimated to produce £100), makes the total assets apart from covered security, £350. Against this, unsecured creditors' claims are £487 15s, the prin. cipal editors being : — M. H. Quinn £250, Empire Loan Company £60,. Jubilee Gold Mining Co. £80, Great Greenstone Mining Company £40, Jas. Wil- ' kinson £20. The Official Assignee and Coroner (Mr James Ashcroft) has gone to the Palmerston North and Woodville districts on official business. . News has been received in Sydney of the death of MaSame Camilla Urso, the Tenowned violiniste, well known both in Australia and New Zealand. Madame Urso, known in private life as Mrs Frederic Lucre, died at the New York ■ Infirmary on the 19th of January last, after a brief illness. It was in the sixties that Madame Urso scored her first Parisian triumphs. Thence she went to America. On her return to Paris she was very ill, but made her re-appearance in 1871 at the Crystal Palace on the anniversary of the death of Mendelssohn, and on the day when all Europe was agitated over the reported death of the Prince of Wales, then seriously ill. This English season was followed by a second tour of America, where the great violiniste devoted the proceeds' of a poncerfc to the sufferers from a Brooklyn fire. From San Francisco she came to Australia ,and New Zealand, in 18S0, and she has since made other tours of the colonies, with great success. Her concerts in association with Madame de Vere Sapio, some ten year* ago, are amongst the most memorable we have ever had in Wellington. Lately Madame Urso is reported to have taken her violin to the variety halls, receiving a very big salary for her abandonment of the regular concert platform. This morning, four charges of assault on the police came before Messrs. E. Arnold, A. E. Kernot, and Robert. Mowatt, Justices. Three men, apparently sailors, who were described as having just arrived after a long voyage from Liverpool, were charged with drunknenness and with having resisted Constables Henderson, White, • and Ryan while the officers were in the execution of their duty. It appears that the men, whose names are given as Edward Tager, John Petersen, and John Olsen, were under the influence of liquor in Old Customhouse-street, and on their being warned by the police the affray commenced. Sergeant Cullen deposed that cmc of them caugh,t him by the face and inside of the mouth, and v Tie had to se-' :ure a constable's baton and uso it befora the assailant would release his hold. Tho Bench did not fine on charges of drunkenness, taking into consideration the seamen's feelings of exuberance after a long voyage ; but on the charges of assauit, they were warned that it would not do in this country, whatever might be tiia case in Liverpool, and fined each £s— in default 14 days' imprisonment". CharJes Becker, for interfering with Constublo Ryan while the constable was arresting mother man, was fined 20s, with, costs )s, in default seven days' imprisonment. You cannot expect to keep house ceo) onically unless Defiance Butter is one of he articles you purchase. — Advt.

The Chairman of tho Land Purchase Board (Mr. A. Barron), the SurveyorGeneral (Mr. J. \V. A. Marchant), and the Commissioner of Taxe3 (Mr. J. M'Gowan)- have returned from the Wairarapa, where they made an inspection of various properties between the Ruamahanga. and Wainuioru Rfvers. Altogether they examined about 50,000 acres, with a view to it being "acquired under ?v\ the Land for Settlement Act. During , -the trip the j Arty saw very few rabbits •odecd, but they report that deer were .'.teuliful. • V v The Native Minister (Hon. J. Carroll) > attended a successful meetingof natives on ,lAlaori Council matters at Little River. and has now returned to Wellington. He will leave shortly for Dannevirke and the Waiapu districts in connection with similar matters. The Sawmill Workers' Union of Wellington h»B been informed by the President of the Arbitration Court that the award in that Union's dispute is to be forwarded to Wellington early next week. Mr J. W. M. Harrison's new gymnasium in the York Buildings, Mannersstreet, will be open for public inspection and for the enrolment of new pupils tomorrow afternoon and on Monday afternoon and evening. . By consent the appeal case of Hannah v. the Commissioner of Stamps has been removed from the Supreme Court to the "qurt of Appeal. Mr Bell, in making ihis intimation to the Chief Justice, said the point was as to whether a series of the documents together constituted a breach of the provisions of the Act which prohibited a settlement during life except on payment of settlement duty. As hinted a few days ago, the Supreme Court case of Haines v. the Melrose Borough. Council has been' discontinued. When it was called this morning Mr Skerrett, for the Council, asked that the case be struck out, with £2 10s costs. This was agreed to. The City Assessment Court will sit at f 0 p.m. on the 27th inst. ? The outcome of the inspection by the 'City Reserves Committee of the proposed load, over the slope of Mount Victoria was made known at the' 11 City Council meeting last night when the Committee * 'reported that having' further considered the application for leave to construct a road over the Town Belt to the Hataitai Land Company's Estate, and having gone ; over the line of the proposed road, it was J 'unable to recommend that leave be grant-* ed, as it was found that the grade would . *■ be too steep to allow of the road being * used for anything but foot traffic. The ~ £• committee had also considered the disput-f,-,!ped question of the notch of land at the '' ' .entrance to the Queen's Park and it reIf'commended that the City Solicitor be inj? Jtructed to take such action as is necessary to enforce "Ehe rights of the citizens. VjThe Mayor moved, and Councillor Evans i seconded, the adoption of. the report which was agreed to without discussion. The case of Jameson Bros. v. H. A. tEurrell, a claim of £48 15s commission on sale of defendant's property, was continued yesterday afternoon after we went " to press. Defendant alleged that he had .withdrawn from plaintiffs their authority to sell, bu f . this lac plaintiffs denied. The , of the property (Mr Boocock) was sent by plaintiffs to defendant, and stated in evidence that when defendant objected to having to pay commission, he (the purchaser) proposed that the property should be bought in the name of his son-in-law, to which defendant replied that the plaintiffs would know who really bought it. The case as to the existence of the plaintiffs' authority to sell on commission largely turns on a question as to .whether defendant signed on a document the initials "H.H." against an interlineation. One of the plainljffs swore that he> saw Hurrell write the letters. Hurrell swore that he did not so sign, and stated that his price to Boocock was net, and that he did not in any Way assent to the purchas t being made in the name of Boocock's son-in-law. Mr Haselden, S.M., reserved judgment till Tuesday. Mr •Gray appeared for plaintiffs and Mr Jellicoe for defendant. The weekly meeting of the Trades Council was held last night in the Trades Hall,' Mr. W. Naughton, President, in the chair. An invitation 'was received from the Melbourne Eight-hours' Anniversary Committee' for delegates to attend its twenty-sixth annual demonstration, to be held next month. It was resolved to thank the Victorian body -for its invitation, and to express regret that the Council could not be represented. The Wellington Branch of the National Single Tax League of New Zealand forwarded an intimation that it proposed to inaugurate a conference of delegates from labour bodies to be held in Wellington as soon as possible, with the object of arranging a common platform which shall embrace such reforms as are ripe, for immediate legislation. Messrs. Graff, Vaney, and Cole - were elected to represent the 'Council at the conference. Regarding a letter from the Broken Hill Council of the Australian Labour Association, which waa received at the last meeting suggesting that a conference of labour delegates from Australia and New Zealand should be held early this year, the Council ordered that its representatives at the coming conference in Auckland should bring the majtter up for- discussion these. Nominations for offices in the Council were received, and the elections will take place next Thursday. For the positions of Secretary and Assistant Secretary, Messrs. Cooper. f and Graff, the present holders of the office, were the only candidates, therefore they will carry on their duties for another twelve months. Accounts amounting to £6 5s were passed for payment. The directors of the Metropolitan Permanent Building and Investment Society will present the following report for the year ending 15th February, 1902 : — The business of the society for the past twelve months has been very satisfactory. The 'directors draw the attention ■>i members to the fact that the reserve fund created at last annual meeting has been increased by £1000, being the premium on the second issue of one thousand , "A" shares. The directors recommend that a further sum of £250 be added out of this year's profits, when the fund will stand at £1750. Deposits have nearly doubled during the past twelve months, and loans on mortgage, etc., now total , nearly £50,000. The gross profits for the year, including a balance of £49 17s lOd brought forward from last year, amount to £2757 9s, from which must be deducted interest on fixed deposits, expenses, etc., £962 lls lid, leaving a net profit of £1794 17s Id ; an interim dividend at 3^ per cent was paid for the six months ending August, 1901, £683 18s Bd, leaving a balance of £1110 18s sd. It is proposed to appropriate this as follows: — To credit holders of "B" investment shares at 3^ per cent, for six months ending 15th February, 1902, £309 Is lOd j to payment of dividend at 3£ per cent, for six months to holders of "A" £10 shares, £420; to reserve fund, £250; to carry forward to next year, £131 16s 7d. The dividend on "A" share!} will be payable on the 19th inst. Messrs LittlejohD and Mackay retire from the directorate in accordance with the rules, but offer themselves for re-election. The Secretary of the Wellington Drivers' Union gives notice elsewhere as to the new weekly-half-holiday rule Parades of the Petone Naval Artillery are advertised for to-night and to-morrow. To crnsli a half-inch cube of granite requires the weight of 11 tons. To get. the best Hams and Bacon in the market ask for Swan Brand, made only from selected pigs.— Advfc.

Some time .ago the local Chamber of Commerce drew attention to the pilfering of cargo which was taking place on the deep-sea vessels. Business people were informed that the London Chamber of Commerce had interested itself in this question,' and was prepared to take action with a view to putting a stop to the trouble if it could be supplied with reliable data. PrinteiJ forms were provided for the' purpose of sending particulars of pilfering, and a parcel of these forms was left in the care of the Wellington Chamber. But so far only two cases have been reported to the Secretary (Mr. Carroll), who asks us to inform business people that the forms are obtainable by any person, whether a member of the' Chamber or not. The Land , Purchase Board has acquired from Mr. Linton his farm of 550 acres between Halcombe and the Rangitikei River. The property, which is within a short distance of the Kakariki Railway Station, is suitable for subdivision jinto five dairy farms, Surveys are now being made, and it is hoped that the land will be opened for selection under the lease in perpetuity system in May. / t • Three boys were charged to-day, before Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M,, with being wandering children and with having wilfully damaged property. They were committed to the Wellington Receiving Home. Sarah Bullock (Mr. Izard) obtained a separation order from her husband, Alex. Bullock, who was ordered to pay 10s a week towards the support of his wife and child, with 9s costs. William Cotter, for failing to provide for the maintenance of his illegitimate child, was ordered to pay 10s 1 for the first twelve months, and 7s 6d thereafter, also to find security and pay confinement ex-, penses. Thomas Watson was ordered to pay, in 14 days, the arrears (£2 7s) for maintenance of his child" ; in default one month's imprisonment. Jesse Haymes was ordered to pay 3s a week towards his mother's maintenance. Frank Murphywas ordered to pay 20s a week towards the maintenance of his wife and child. Among the correspondence read at the meeting of the City Council last night was a letter from Mr. C. T. Benzorii, informed the City Fathers that the rubbish collector had refused to remove a quantity of old paper and scrim which had been taken off a room in his house while" it was Being repapered. The reason given for the refusal .was that it' was "trade refuse," and as Tie considered the burning of the refuse on the premises would cause a nuisance, he asked permission to burn it on the Town- Belt. It appeared that an inspector had since call"cd at the house, and as the quantity of refuse was very small, he had advised Mrs. Benzoni that it could easily be burnt in the fireplace. It did not appear to occurr to Councillors tnat if the quantity was so small that it could easily be burnt in the fireplace, it would not have mattered very much if the refuse collector had placed it in his cart. After recoil idering the action of the Corporation employees to be allowed to cease work at .noon on Saturdays the Works Committee of the City Council reported last night that it could not recommend that the request be acceded to, in consequence of the increased cost which would be involved (£3OQ per annum), and \ because of the fact that several sections of the employees are working under an award of the Arbitration oourt. The carpenters and bricklayers employed by the Council now cease v/ork at 12 o'clock in accord.ance with similar awards. When the report came up for consideration Councillor Devine said he thought some compromise could be effected to ameliorate the condition of the men without involving a cost of £300 per annum. Councillor M'Laren urged that a fuller report on the whole position should be made to the Council. Councillor Evans ' said he had understood that the committee was to have received a full report. After further discussion the matter was referred back to the Works Committee. The Management Committee of the New Zealand • Rugby Union will mcct r in the Exchange Hall this evening. Fawn, jackets are again to be tip-top fashion. C. Smith is now opening up a beautiful lot of Kaiapoi and English manufacture trimmed fur and <eilk in latest cut aud finish. — Advt. A splendid lpfc of millinery now being opened, comprising pattern hats, toques, and bonnets from the leading French and English houses. — Advt. Dress goods now being opened at C. Smith's in plain and fancy materials and all new shades. — Advt. Lace goods are to be' in big demand, and C. Smith is now bringing forward beautiful selection in white, butter cream, natural collars, collarettes, fichus, and every description of lace wear and laces. —Advt. « Ladies wanting a mackintosh should see O. Smith's stock at one. New goods in the latest paddock shapes being opened every day; splendid out garments at lowest prices. — Advt. A special show of winter blousi^gs in flannels and flannelettes will be made in the windows of the New House this evening. Special prices are being quoted for satin-faced cloths for to-morrow. Messrs. Hume and Son, family grocersof Willis-street, advertise a revised prictf list of high-class groceries. Mr. Joh. E. Lindberg, the cheap da Iper, Cuba-street, announces spdcial' holiday prices with cash bonus for to-mon:* ,w. Messrs Jolly and Co. report that , the landed property market is brisk, ariclthe demand for cottages and villaß i?i the city and suburbs is increasing. f Jfjveral boardinghouses also have changed ''hands through their agency this week. ; The firm has a new advertisement anriojunoing a very fine poultry farm for sal k . ' Mr. A. Lindsay, of the great 'i^oot emporiums, Lambton-quay and Ci Voa-street, advertises special leading lines £> or Saturday. Buyers are promised refiJi bargains in boots and shoes. In another column Mr. J. X.'. Farquharj of the People's Shoe Store, ' 'Cuba-streetj advertises the last day of sa'io and Cobra boot polish for nothing. The Ferry Company's sterijners Duchess, Duco, and Countess will m speoial excursions to Day's Bay, 8p a'fcoun, and Karaka Bay and Miramar b 3 -morrow morning and afternoon- and on Sunday at the usual hours. There will also be excursions on Monday meming and afternoon, being St. Patri' jfe's Day. Ful] time-table appears in t issue,. On Sunday and Tue'«Jay afternoons the public will have an -opportunity of inspecting the warships at present in the harbour. Tho s.s. JJuchess will leave the' Ferry Wharf at rjhorfc intervals commencing at 2 p.m. At the sale of larifJed proparties in. the estate of the late ft £v. T. D. Scoular, held at the rooms of M.essrs. Macdonald, Wilson and Co. yest arday afternoon, there was a large attend .a.nee of the public. The family residence 0 if ten rooms in Boulcottstreet in the o ccupation of Mr. Max Eichelbaum was, after some spirited bidding, passed in »,t £2000. The residence of seven rooms , also in Boulcott-street, and formerly j ,v. the occupation of the late Mr. Seoul «.-, was passed in at £1200. Mr. Brixby be joame the purchaser of the two cottage p- rpperties in Martin-street at £530, and Mi;," A. C, Fookes of the two Sandon town 3 J up lots at £10. ~ The twe residences v A'antionjed, besides the residence on 7,y/"elUngton-terrace,7 ,y/"elUngton-terrace, known as DalVeria H buse and sections in Northlands, are ,'cipen for private sale. Mr. O S/mith directs attention to o stylish 100 of furs' just opened; also about 1500 jackets and mantles in which extraordi'QfAry value is promised. There is a sho'Af of new millinery upstairß during this week. Mcssr i, Sidey, Meech, and Co. advertise piano. ,' 'household furniture and effects, blankets , etc., and the usual Saturdaj lines i'ojc their ealo to-morrow, which will comnv k'ice at 1.30 sharp. In '/>i w Wanted column Messrs. R. Hannah riß.d Co., the well-known boot dealers, set f',j/ th special inducements to purchaser!

The Miramar Ferry Company announce that it will run two steamers at short intervals on ■ Sunday afternoon to tho warship Royal Arthur. The fare has been fixed at a reduced rate. During this week the s.s. Loyalty has been receiving a thorough overhaul. Her boiler has been cleaned and re-tubed, and the engines have received a complete renovation at the hands of Mr. E. Soager, who asserts that the machinery is now as good as new, and the vessel's bottom has been cleaned and copperpainted, and tho hull of tho vessel has also been painted. The work, should be finished Borne time to-morrow, and the Loyalty mil re- 1 aume her usual running on Sunday,