LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 23 August 1904, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The colonial moils which left Auckland by the R.M.S. Ventura on the 22nd of July via San Francisco arrived in London on the* 22nd .inst. The mails which left Sydney per R.M.S. Miowera on the 12th of July via Vancouver arrived in 'London on the afternoon of the 20th inst. The delegates attending last week's inciting of th© Trades Council spent aoiuc time dhcusijug the Premier's attitude towards organised Labour. Some two j montlu ago Mr. Seddon was asked to receive a deputation from the conference ] of Trades Councils held at Eastertide. Ihe deputation dtsired to present tho resolutions pnased by the conference. AJto- I gether four letters havo been sent to tho | Premier asking for a meeting, nnd no acknowledgment has been received by the Council. The result of last week's dwciu»ion on the subject waa the passing of ii lengthy resolution in which regret was expressed that the Premier could not see his way to meet tho Labour deputation. The resolution also contained a surmise that tho Premier's «ilenoe wns due to the fact that the Easter conference had decided upon tho organisation of an Indopendent Labour Pu/ty. * In connection with tho alterations at the Petono Railway Station yard, it is propoaod to divert the Kurukoio-road to join tho Main Road near Petono-av<mue. It will be uec©«sury to. divert the Koro-koio-road- to cross over tho railway by a. bridge, and the Railway District Knginecr last night asked the Pctone Borough Council if it had any objection to the junction of the Korokoro-road and Main-road being at the point proposed. It was stated that this proposal was -a big change on the original scheme, and the Council decid-ed on the Mayor's motion that the Government be aiked to furnish a detailed plan of the proposed diversion, and Uuit means of acoeas by formed right-of-way to tho station plutform of the high-level bridge be provided for the convenience of pedestrians to and from Korokoro. The alleged lashing with the butt end of a whip-handle and the kicking of a ho too at Island Bay recently, was reported by the Insjiector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animuls' yesterday. Tho matter is now being investigated with' a view to a -prosecution being instituted. At tho same .meeting a en/*: in which an expressman in 'humble • circumstances is concerned was also reported. It appears that a horse that Was unfit for work was ordered off the streets because it waa unsound. This horse is now being stabled and blistered, and as long m it U not harnessed the Society does not intend to take further action. Mr. Robert Hogg, who debated the liquor question with tho Rev. P. VJ. Isitt at the Theatre Royal on Sunday, guys with reference to our report of hit remarks: "I did not refer to Russia or Scandu.uo.via .in my opening statement, and only mentioned them in replying to his (Mr. Isitt's) miKstatements regarding those places. In the statement of my caM3 for State Ownership and Municipal Control I roforrcd to places in England and Scotland— .placos 1 had myself Visited, and could speak of from personal knowledge and not by hearsay, as did Mr. Isitt when referring to continental experiments." There has been a considerable* addition to the membership of the Wellington Rowing Oiub during tho past few weeks. At a largo and enthusiastic mpoting 'ot the Club held last night, the Captain (Mr. A. Q. Johnson) in tho chair, it was decided to order -two practice fours and a convertible pair oared racing boat from Edwards of Melbourne. Working bees were formed to put the plant and shed in order, and also to square up the grounds and erect fences as soon as the ity Engineer has defined the boundaries of the reserve It was also resolved to usk the Qoveror to become Patron of the Club. The "Admiral" cup is to bo placed on exhibition in Messrs. Bloxam and M'Leod's window, Willis-street. While Archbishop Redwood was at St. ' Louis recently he entertained some callers with his violin, and the following appreciative notice anneared next day in the St. Louis Globe Democrat : "Distinguished Prelate is a Skilled Violinist. — Archbishop Redwood, of New Zealand, pluys a' genuine Stradivarius. — An\ unexpected plea- ! mire was given to several persona of musicul taste, who called nt the archiepiscupal | residence to nay their respects to Arch- ] bishop Francis Redwood, of New Z«uland, the guest of Archbishop Qlennon. Archbishop Redwood is a gifted violinist, and has with him Ifere his Stradivarius, a genuine violin of that renowned make, which' he has owned for many years. At the solicitation of his callers" he rendered a beautiful 'Aye Maria, 1 and also tho 'Hymn to the Nativity,' concluding his much appreciated programme with 'Robin Adaar' and tho melodies of a few other ballads." Mr. J. J. Meikio will lecture at the corner -of Molesw orlh and Sydney streets to-moi row night on the administration of justice in New Zealand. On page 7 we give descriptions and prices of the newest things in veilings. Theso are very elaborate this season, and should receive your attention,—Kirkcal- , die and Stains, Ltd.— Advfc.

A trotting horse valued at £200 recently had a trying experience during thei rough voyage of a vessel from New 'Plymouth to Wellington. According to Inspector Seed, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the owner shipped tho horge for Lyttelton under piotestations from the chki ofliwr of the vessel, who said "On such a rough night I wouldn't slup a wooden horse." The animal was &o knocked about on the way down to Wellington that.a veterinary surgeon had to be called in. The Society considered the caw at it« meeting yesterdAy, and decided to institute proceedings against the owner of the hdreo and aaother. ' Two powerfully-built draught horses created some- excitement in Customhouse Quay yesterday afternoon by bolting with one of Messrs. Laeiy and Co.'j lorries. As they approached at a gallop the heavy trallic in front of the Post Office, thejr driver (Geoige Brown), who had been away from the vehicle when the horsea bolted, vaulted on the lorry and at great risk secured the reins. No sooner had he done this than the king-bolt of the lorrie^ vprkod out and caused the front carnage to leave the body of the vehicle. Notwithstanding this mishap Brown stuck to his horsew and with Ihe assistance yt several spectators got them under control. The report and baknee-sheet presented at the annual meeting of luc Wellington Fiesh Food and Ice Company were of a satisfactory character, und a dividend at the rate of f> per cent, per annum wu* declared. Messrs. James M'Lellan and W. E. Woods were reelected Directors, and Mr. C. D. Morpeth was re-elected Auditor. A vote of thanks was passed to the directors and the stuff. * Mr M'Lellan i* Chairman of Directors. In connection witlh last Saturday's annual cycling road race from Warrnombool to Melbourne (won by Wright, of Victoria, 38mjn stait, in 7 hours 62min S7sec riding time) it is interesting to recali the previous records for the same course (165 miles), viz.: — 1895, A. Calder (2 hours' start), lib 44min 30sec; 1896, J. Carpenter (scratch), 8h 40min ssecj 1897, W. C. Jackson (lOmin), 9h 51min 9sec; 1898, W. Collins <90min), 9h 20min 40& ec; 1901, A. Nioa (40min), 9b 20min 40sec, 1902, M. Chappell (55i^iu), 9h Omin 3sec j 1903, J. Arnst (scrAtch), 7h 43min. A harsh method of preventing a dog from eating egga was recently adopted by a resident at a place near Wellington According to tho Inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the man boiled an egg hard and rammed it while hot into the dog's mouth. The man in question wrote yesterday admitting the circumstances,- and asking the society not to adopt extreme measures, as he had no idea that his action would inflict such- (suffering. The Chairman, Mr. J. S. Jameson, mentioned that the society's solicitor had advised that proceedings should be taken, and the Inspector intimated that an information would be laid, A thunderstorm of -exceptional severity broke over the tovn of Wanganui at about 2.30 lost Friday morning. The disturbance was not of long duration, but (says the Chronicle) it made itself Tinmistakxbly felt while it laatcd. The peals of thuiider were extremely loud and prolonged. The lightning was exceptionally vivid, lighting up a very considerable area of country. Some of the hardships of the country settler aye described by a correspondent of the Taranaki Herafdi He writes of tho Upper Waitotara, Wangamomona, Mokau, and Awakino districts, and he say« ; — " There are a certain number, of settlers living within a few miles of a town or railway who are enjoying a certain amount of luxury, or what they call luxury, but what townspeople would turn their noses up at; and invariably do. I have oceu children riding seven . miles to school, three on each, horse. I have seen a good many children getting no schooling at all. I have seen a father sledge his t\yo dead children twenty miles through mud to bury them. J have seen a good many serious cases of illness, and no knowing whether a dootor could be brought up in time." These, he bitterly concludes, are some' of the hardships of the country settler, who is the pioneer and backbone of tho country, > and is invariably snubbed and ignored by city pcoplo because he has not such fine clothes, , or is not so well educated, or so up-to-dnto in social etiquette. The ordinary meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs. W. Cable (Chairman), H. Beauohamp, F. Townsend, C. E. Daniel, T. M. WOford, M.H.R., Hon. T. K. Macdonald, M.L.0., Hon. F. H. Fraser, M.L.C., and J. M'Lellan. Messrs. D. J. Nathan and T. Wood were granted leave of absence. The bank-books showed a credit of J34177 0s 9d to current account, of £11000 to imprest account, and £14,000 on fixed deposit.' Payments amounting to £11,983 8s were authorised. The Chairman .reported a that the Harbours Association of New Zealand had been formed, and that the Chairman of tho Wollingtou Harbour Board, ex offlcio, had been elected the President of the Association. He moved that the Board formally join the Association, and that the seal of the Board be affixed to the application, which was agreed to. On the recommendation of the Wharves and Accounts Committee it waa decided to redeposit with the National Bank of New Zealand for periods of two years, the amounts of £6000 and £8000, maturing respectively on the 28th met. and on the 21st September. At the last meeting of the Phoenix Lodge, No. 98, 1.0. G.T., the Hope of Petone Lodge paid an official visit. The Northern Star Lodge was. also well represented. Light refreshments were handed round, songs and recitations were rendered, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Tho fruitr-growing industry in the Hastings district has (says the Hawkea Bay Herald) .got a firm hold. An additional area of, roughly speaking, 15U acres has been laid, down in fruit trees this season. A good deal of tho planting has been done by those who have given the indus try a sound trial, and are quite satisfied with it as a means of making a good living. Mr. J. N. Williams has added to his, Frimley Orchard about thirty-five acres of pear and peach trees. The pears are planted Wit apart, and between the rows are planted peach trees. The peaches will bring in a profit until pears arrive at maturity, when the former tree* will be takou out. The remaining US acres is spread over the whole district, and is mado up of Areas varying in six* from fifteen acres down to two acres. Peaches, apples, and pears are almost the only trees planted, plum* being 'comparatively neglected. Orch*rdi»ts have an eye on the Home apple market, and the varieties of this fruit that have found favour with growers this season are those, that wilt stand packing and travelling. ' Attention has also been givtu to the fact that there is a certain lime in the year when the demand for apples at Hbnie is heavy and the prices high, and varieties have been selected that will ripen in time to catch this phase in the market. Pears are grown almost exclusively for canning purposes. Peaches have also been planted heavily. The experience of the last few years has shown growers the best and most profitable varieties, and it is only these that they will. plant Their aim is to grow a peach' that will supply the call of New Zealanders for a dessert and preserving fruit, and one that wil also Keep up the high standard of thi , canned article.

The Auckland Education Board's In« spectors have reported that they are still unable to recommend the adoption of tho proposal to make woodwork and cookery alternative subjects for the junior scholarship examination, mainly because they felt that success in handiwork afforded no real criterion of the superior mental ability desired. The Board has decided to ask the In&pectoi-B to reconsider their report and to confer with the Di recto! of Technical Education as to what can be done to promote and encourage » due attention to the branches of mauna| training, or secure a fuller attendance at the woodwork and cookery classes. The, public meeting of ratepayers to fcanctioji or reject the proposed "poll oa loan proposals, in connection with tram* winy extensions to Miramar Noit-h and Seatoun, will be held to-morrow evening in the Exchange Hall. The general impression is that- the City Council will plaoe before the ratepayers its facts and figured dealing with land value*, construction costs, running expenses, and generally with the merit* or demerits of the proposals; but that the Council will not appear as an advocate— that ie, thot it wHI not recommend the ratepayers to act one way or the other, but will leave it to the ratepayers' discretion to voto according to their own judgment based pn the information supplied. It is very important, that ratepayers should attend to consider so important a proposition, and to take advantage of the Council's facto if not of its opinions. There will probably be an. organised support from the Rugby quarter, as the Wellington Rugby 'Union'« Secretary, by advertisement, calls on footballere to attend the meeting and support, both extensions. The union's object, is, of course, to secure public recreation ground*, to aid the expansion of football and athletics. If the proposal* are carried, tho polling date will be duly fixed. The Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Umpires Association Committee mcl last evening to consider the rules andi scow sheets piepared by the Secretory. | Mr. J. Amies was appointed to th« j ohair. The drafted rules submitted wer» discussed, and with a few ajterationn >vere passed, and the Hon. Secretary was instructed to forward a copy to tho Wellington Provincial Lawn Tennis Association for its approval. The preseut championship score vheat came in for aa I amount of adverse critie'ißm, as in it» present form there is not enough room for recording the progress of the gam* properly. The Secretory submitted a Style of scoring to tho meeting, and it> ' was unanimously adopted, as it siinpli. fied matters, anH anyone at * a glanoO could tell how the game stood, and als* tell at what stage of the game a -point was gained.' It was decided re championship score sheets to approach tho Lawn Tennis Association to have the 6eore sheet altered so as to give nurt room for recording the score of the game. It was decided that the Umpires' A«so« ciation should meet fortnightly during tho tennis season, so as to afford anopportunity for discussion on any pointo that may crop up during play. The Wellington amateur boxing team whioh competed in the New Zealand Championships at Christchurch returned to Wellington this morning. Tho members speak in high terms of the treat., ment Accorded to them in the Southern city, and make special mention ot tho work of Messrs. W. Atack and T. Robson, Secretaries of the Boxing Council and the Canterbury Centre respectively. On Sunday the team was entertained by Mr. Pat Campbell at his residence. Th*' arrangements for the championships art) said to have been fiist-class, and tho meeting resulted in a profit of £35. The lady members of the Committee of tho Sooiery for the Prevention oi' Cruelty to Animals reported at a meeting presided over yesterday afternoon by Mr.. J. S. Jameson that they had considered the question of increasing tho society's funds, and had come to th* conclusion that the most effective method! would be for each member of the committee to make a canvas for new sub* soribmg members. The meeting adoptei the suggestion, and decided to put th« proposal into effect as soon as possible. The collector for the society (Mrs. England) reported that in the past fortnight £15 11b had been received in subscript tiona, made up as follows :— J. G. W. Aitken, M.H.R., Stewart Dawson an# C 0,., and Gear Meat Company, each £1 Is ; Mrs. Monckton, £1 ; Messrs. J. T» King, Macky, Steen and Caldwell, Alex, l Ferguson, A, S. Paterson and Co., ai*4 Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Co., each 10s 6d ; Dr. A. L. Napier-McLean* Messrs. W. A. Kellow,, R. Hunter, an! W. S. Coltman, oaoh 10s; Lady Atkinson, Mrs. Godber,' Miss S., Messrs. T. Ballinger, H. Pollen, Ballinger Bros., If de J. Clere, W. H. Turnbull, Roberta N.Z., Ltd., A. V. Knapp, Harcourt an<s Co., J. Reith, A. and T. Burt, A. Duun, J. Myers and Co., each ss; Mesdaraen F. G. Thompson, M. E. Scott, Aldouau Hugo, M. Cameron, Hustwick,'A.K., A|. and R., No. 2l» Friond, Messrs. A. Lindsay, C. Haynes, R. Johnson, A. Levi, C. Stewart, T Whitehouse, Tur* bull, J. B. Speed, T. and G. Young, W.. Kinsey, D. Milligan, Cederhobn and Tot ley, L. G. Reid, and Colonial Carrying Co., each 2s 6d. Tha gas question was again before th«< Petone Borough Council last night. With reference to the bcatement that the Hut* Borough Council at its last meeting had had to use candies to supplement tha light from the gas jets, the foreman of the gasworks reported that he had examined the fittings at the Hutt Borough Council ofllces, and found that the number of lights was in excess of the number of lights allowed by the bylaw for the rising pipe (Jin) in use. Ho had cleaned the pipe and attended to other matters connected with the fittings, and tho lights were now all right. Councillors appeared to enjoj thb fact thai the cause of complaint rested not with tho gas supply but with the fittings of the Hult Borough Council. It, was decided to send the foreman's report to the HuU< Council. Tho Mayor again exp.amed that the Petone Council was willing at. all limes to meet all reasonable grounds of complaint, and was prepared to discharge its part of the bargain w.th tho Hutt in every possioie way. Indeed, it' had given the Hutt more than "it wan entitled to. A Councillor .said ninetenthtr ol the complaints of die ga* arosa fi3m defective gas fittings. Subsequeutr ly the larger aspect of the matter wan considered in committee, and Hht> following decision come to upon the Mayor'o motion and confirmed in open Council :— • "Consequent upon the powers to so act being given the Petone Council, the gan mains and othei service* in the Huti bo offered for sale to the Hutt Borough Council for £5750 unconditionally."' In connection with this reservation it i* not anticipated there is any difficulty, but. should it be necessary to get the author* ity of the ratepayers to sell, the Petono Council, on being advised of the acceptance of this offer, will at once proceed to obtain the necessary authority. It lit pointed out that this sale" would nol> prevent the Hntt Council entering into an arrangement with Petone for the purchase of gas. The Hutt could, if it chose, establish gaswoiks of its own. Petone has been advised; that it mush light lamps for the Hult Council at £5 per annum — an estimated loss of £2 lOi per lamp. The cough of to-day may be con-> sumption next week. Stop the cough now by taking Wilton's Old English Cough Linctus. 1b 6cl and 2s 6d per bottle.— Advt.

>""Tf~ — — ■ ——————————— There appears to be iv change of weather coining. The barometer lias fallen fifteen points since yesterday, and ominous blnek clouds gathered in the north-west about noon. The shade temperature, however, is a poiut better than yesterday, standing at 49dog at 9 o'clock this morning. In Auckland it waa 52, und in Chrislchurch 'and Dunedm 43dog. Sitting in this civil jurisdiction at tho Magistrate'st Court to-day, Dr. A. M'Arthnr, S.M., gave judgment for plaintiffs in the following cases: — Tho Wellington Hospital Contributors v. Ariki ftanginui, £16 14s 6d, casts JQI 18s 6d j E. W. Mills and Co. ». Robt. Qeunnill, £35 16s 2d, costs £2 14a. Mr. A- R. Hislop, Secretary of tho •Wellington branch of tho Australasian 'Institute of Marine Engineers, baa received a telegram stating that tho gold badge of the institute was presented in Punediu last night to Mr. Alex. Burt (A. and T. Burt), who fans been an associate for many years, The Premier was in the chair, and in addition to the members of the institute there was a large attendance of leading citizens of Dunodin. Mr. Burt has presented £50 for the purchase of books for tho institute's technical library in Wellington. This makes tho fourth donation of £50 which the institute has received from its ' issooiatcs for uhe aamo purpose. . At the Police Court to-day ' a young nun named Clement Soffo pleaded guilty to theft of £5 10s, the money of John Henry Pagni. Chief Detectivo M'Grath laid tho informant gavo a bioyclo to Jofendaot to sell. He obtained £5 10s for it, and went away to ' Lyttelton. Nothing previously had been known , igainst him, *nd the police desired a remand to make enquiries about his character. The accused asked for probation, md said ho had never been before the Court before. Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., grunted the application of prosecutor, •nd remanded accused for /sentence until .Friday morning. Tho case concerning an order for an oil lannoh betwoen Herbert Stacey, boatbuilder, 'Wellington, and Booth, MacJonald and Co. was this morning decided by Dr. M'Arthur, 8.M., giving judgment for Stacey for £23 and £4 2* costs. Plaintiff alleged that defendants employed him to construct a 40ft 'launch according to plan* and specifications prepared by him at the request of tho defendants, and in order to provide for carrying out the contract he had to procure timber and material for thu purpose »f building the launch, and had to roiusc srders> for other boats. Defendants subvequently renounced the contract, causing plaintiff to suffer a loss and 'damage to \ho extent of £30. His Worship held +.hat plaintiff was entitled , to treat the Htpudiation oJF the doiendants as wrongful, and' might bring his action as on a breach of it. Mr. Hordman appeared fov plaintiff and Mr. Yon Haaafc for defendants. The Loyal Newtown Lodge, M.U., I.Q 0.F., held it* fortnightly meeting last night, Bro. H. P. Webb presiding. Altar the usual routine business waa con eluded, the lodge received the newly established Hibernian Lodge, when a games tournament took place, resulting in a win for the visitors by twenty-one points to nineteen. Bro. C. M. King welcomed the visitors on behalf of the lodge, and Bro. J.* W. Callaghan suitably responded. Dr A. M'Arthur, &.M., gave judgment to-d«vy in the case in which George H: Baylm olaimed from Gco. Andrews and Obas. Collier £5 and possession of. a wharo at Island Bay. His Worship stud neither defendant set up any claim to land which was undoubtedly that of the plaintiff, and that being so what was built on it belonged to the owner of the wil. Collier wan ordered to give up posB«.v*ion 6n or before 30th hurt.., and pay £3 7s costs, whilst plaintiff was nonsuited, ffith £1 .1» costs, as against Andrews, as this defendant did not ever nnpear to have been in possession or ciciuied an interest in tho land or wharc. ?'r. Myers appeared for plaintiff, Mr. H.ndmarsh for Andrews, and Mr. Findiay for Collier. The quarterly summoned meeting of the Pacific Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held last night, Bro. J.Bingham, A.D., presiding. An official visit was paid by the Excelsior Lodge, which was received -with musical honours. The lodge authorised notice of motion being placed on the order paper for next Grand Lodge meeting to effect an alteration in the Constitutional rules, so on to provide that tho whole of the funeral benefit should be raised by means of the "apodal levy," tho benefit on a member's death to be limited to £100, and £20 On the death of a member's wife. It is claimed that this change in the incidence of taxation will result in a considerable Jiaving to members in their contributions, whilst securing the maintenance of the •timdard of benefits at the high- water mark for ft friend.y society. The next meeting is to be a "pound night," when the members of the Hibernian Society will be entertained and matchod at cards and other Samoa. Evidently the Governor's attendants (remarks Christchuroh Truth) think it necessary to counteract tho extremo j uraciousness of his manner by a little ' naughty exclusiveness on thoir own account. On a recent railway tour of our new Governor, the shorthand and pictorial reporters of two influential daily and weekly journal obtained permission I to accompany the Vice-Regal party. They were most rcspeotably dressed, and might easily have been mistaken for Ministers' private secretaries but for their necessary impedimenta. They were detailed into a carriage, in which they found themselves in the society of the attendants upon the Vice-Regal party. Their presence was strongly objected to, ' nnd just a* the train was about to movo Off the newspaper mon wero politely M}t«d to shift their quarters, which they did with promptitude. They \ subsequently learned that the attendants had ?iersisted in their carriage being reserved at themselves. The genial Premier, with his customary kindness, cume to the rescue of the newspapers. The representatives wore most comfortably accommodated in his uptsoittl carriage, -where they had no cause to mourn tho loss of the company that evidently did not consider itself "caste" enough to tt^octate with journalistic scribes and prchN photographers. A meeting of the local committee of tho Navy League held yesterday "afternoon wus attended by Mr. Aitken (in the chair), Measru. J. p. Maxwell, L. Blundell, E. Arnold, C. J. Hardy, W. F. Shoftt, G. Shirtcliffe, and 0. W. Palmer. Apologies wew received from Messrs. Campbell, Benuchnmp, ana Nathan. The Secretary's action in forming school brunches and obtaining member* in the Marlborough district was appioved, and tho thanks of the committee were tendered to him. A subcommittee waa appointed to arrango details and mod« of allotment of the special school prize* recently received from London. The Secretary wu« instructed to obtain a wreath to be sent to London in ice to bo placed on the Nelson monument on Trafalgar Day— 2lst October— and it ■was decided to leave the arrangement of a local programme of celebrations for the date in the hands of the Secretary. The annual meeting of the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, ana Canary Society is to be held in the Silver Grid, Cubaitreet, to-morrow night. You want flavour und freshness in the butter you spread on your bread ; you get both in Black Swan Butter.— Advt.

In the Divorce Court to-morrow the case of Spring v. Spring will bo heard, ihw is a wife's, petition for divorco on the grounds of non-compliance by the respondent with an order for restitution of conjugal rights, Tho Hospital Trustees met this morning. Present: Messrs. C. M. Luke (Chairman), 11. Cook, J. Danks, J. Smith, C. W. Brown, R. C, Kirk, and O. London. It was decided thut tho tender of (he Gas Company for supply of gas lamps be accepted; that tho lender of Messrs. Andrews and Manthel for connecting tumbler switches to tho electric wiring at tho Nurses' Home bo accepted ; that proceedings be takt»n for recovery of outstanding maintenance moneys; and that enquiries bo made re bedsteads for Nurses' Home being procured locally. It wn.s also resolved to inform tho Ctty Council that at the oxpimtion of tho first year's tenancy of tho Berhninporo 110-spital tho Trustees will purchase the bedding and furniture at the price quoted (£175), providing the Trustees nro still the controlling l>ody liable for tho treatment of iniectiouA casca. Messrs. Kempthorne, Prosper and Co.'s tender fov the supply of drugs for two years was accuptca. and Messrs. Burgoyne, Burbidges and Co., will be tho Trustees' ' indenter.s for a year. It waa decided to order 40 bedsteads for the Chronic Invalids' Home. A distressing case in which hi young woman wus churged with having stolen clothing, etc., to the total value of £34 14s, from four dittorcnt establishments in town, was before Dr. A M'Arthur, S.M. ,' this morning. The defendant last week was convicted on one of tho four charges and remanded for sentence in order to allow the police an opportunity of making enquiries about her. Since she had last been boforo the Court the articles mentioned in the other three informations were discovered in her box by Detective Rawl©. Tho defendant pleaded guilty to all the informations, and the police explained that she was n housekeeper "at Ngalmuranga receiving 12s a week, and that nothing previously had been known against her. She was a married woman, deserted by her husband severaj years ago, and thrown on her own resources with a cbijd five years of ago to keep. Mr. Wilford said it was a most unfortunate case, and the circumstances seemed to indicate that site was a kleptomaniac. He submitted that tho ends of justice would bo served if she was admitted to probation. His Worship said ho would liko to do something for Ijhe defendant, consistent with bin duty to the public, and remanded her until Friday morning. Wultor Powell, charged with theft of clothing valued at £3 from th« otoamer Athenio, waa remandod until tho same date. The demand for poultry for export to South Africa is still unsatisfied. One Wellington firm has been anxious to purchase birds at the rate of £1000 worth per month, but is unablo to obtain anything like the number which it requires. Tho Government Poultry Kxport states that this year's export to South Africa will probably be almost double that for 1903-04, when 100,000 birds were sent away. In Christchnrch alone, since April last, the export has been about 100,000 head. The Noitb Island hockey *learn, which is to meet ihe southern team at tho Athletic Park on Saturday uoxt, will play in the Wellington 'Association's colours i black and yell'.w jerseys), and will b« captained by Mr. Frank Askbolt. Mr. H Bridge it* to be the referee No settlement has yet been arrived at in tho threatened difficulty of the ladisa' tournament clashing with the interisland fixturo next Saturday. Mr- Herbert Ra-n-soa hits resigned the Presidency of the Wellington Hochey Aseociation. An institution which does excellent work in a quiot \i«.y in Wellington is tho Levin Memorial Home for Girls. At present it has within its walla twentyfive girls, who are orphans or for whom their parents have not been in a position to provide. When tho girls have passed certain standards {varying according to their ability from the fourth to tho seventh), and are of an age to leave school, they have a year's steady training in housework and cooking under the matron and sub-matron respectively. After this they take situations found for them, generally in or near Wellington, where they can keep in touch with ' tho committee and matron. Visitors to the Home ore always favourably impressed with its management and the care of the inmates. The Home ia under the control of l committee of the Ladies' Christian Association, and the matron is Miss A. Giffard. The judgment of the Chief Justice and Mr. Justioe Cooper, in the case of Blockburno v. the Bank of New Zealand Guarantee and Provident Association, argued recently, was given to-day. The coae related to the amount of pension appellant was entitled to receive from the fund. Blackburne entered the service of the bank in 1874 V and in 1899 was retired through the bank reducing its staff. Under the deed and the rules he was entitled to the minimum pension of £100. He was offered in April, 1899, only £64 2s, but this he declined. In September, 1899, the members of the Association made an alteration in the rules, purporting to affect pensions, but not affecting the partfeular case of the pensioner. In September, 1900, the Bank of New Zealand Officers' Guarantee and Provident Association Act -was passed, and in pursuance of authority under that Act the Association passed a rule, the effect of which was to vary the minimum pension. The Chief Justice held that role. 46 was strong enough to empower the variation of an existing pension, and as to the new rule, he thought it could be said to be a fair alteration of tho existing scale. The general pension scale was not altered. It .was a uniform scale under which the appellant had the same advantages as the other members of tho Association, and all that it did was to bring the appellant under this uniform scale, and deprive him and thoso who are in his position of a special advantage they onjoyod under the deed, and which the qualified actuary appointed to investigate the fund had said could not, without making the fund insolvent, bo continued. His Honour wns of opinion that the appellant was bound by the now rule, and his appeal tborefore failed. Mr, Justice Cooper, in a soparato judgment, considered that the questions raised should be answered as follows .-—-The view taken by the Board of Management of tho Association and tho Directors of the Bank is correct. The appellant is not entitled to a pension of £100 per Annum, but only to one at the rule of £64 2s per annum as from the 15th August, 1002. Furniture carefully packed, stored, and removed by experienced men ; special low rates. New Zealand Express Company, No. 20, CustomhouAo-quay. Telephone 92 — Advt. Muntj Cottrell, and Co., general carriers, Customs and forwarding agents. Storage a speciality. Furniture packgd and removed. Office ; Queen's Chambers. Telephone No. 23. — Advt. Spring Millinory, Spring Dlousingg, Spring J»okeU, C»i.e*, and Blou«o« ~ in fnofc, evorything for Spring wear ii now on view nt O. Smith'f, Cuba-itroot. Tho stlootioni in all departments aro more nrtiatio than ever tiofore, nnd calculated to UMiat Nature in making tha ladi'tut of Wellington still more attractive. O. Smith, Cnsh IDrapor, Cuba-straot. — Advt. Bargains in second-hand bicyolos. — Wo oan supply you with a serricoablo machino from £3 upward*. All machine* gimrantood in good order Gates, Lowry and Co., Ouba-streot. Telephone 1331.— Advt.

For Influenza and Cold in the Head tako Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.^li 6d and 2b 6d.-Adft.