LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 36, 11 August 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Seddon vouchei affair occupied tho attention of tho Houso yesterday ■afternoon. In the evening local Bills had precedence, and a dull night's work concluded shortly after midnight. We have Mr. A.' R. Atkinson's authority for contradicting a published report 'that he will contest the Riccarton seat at tho coming general election. Mr. Atkinson says that he "has not even been approached on tho subject. Owing to tho death of Councillor Wiltshire, tho City Council last night decided, after confirming two resolutions previously adopted, to adjourn until next 'Monday" afternoon, at 4 o'clock. The Mayor and all tho Councillors were present, excepting Councillor Izard, from I whom an apology was received. In stony silenco the members of the Harbours' Association this morning received a proposition that they should submit themselves to the Men of the Camera.. A roar of "Noes" proclaimed that members had no soul for An. Tho Public Works Department has ac-cepted-the following tenders: — Ironbark ; timber supply, for the Mataroa-Waiouru section of tho Noith Island Main Trunk i railway (£7ll 17s 3d), and for the Manorbum and Galloway Creek bridges, Otago Central railway (£SBB 9s 6d), Messrs. Richardson and Blair, Wellington. Tho Registrar-General (Mr. E. J. Yon Dadolszon) estimates, in a. statement published in this week's Gazette, that tho population of New Zealand at' the end of Juno last was 920,801 (488,849 males and 133,952 females). These figures include Maoris (43,143) and Cook and other Pacific Islanders (12,292). The Plumbers Union has nominated Mr. Andrew Collins for the position of Labour Organiser^ for which tho Trades Council has been raising funds. Delegates from the contributing unionß are to meet shortly to make an appoint' uiont. . j

The action of the City Council in proposing to prohibit the sale of fruit by hawkers in the streets was considered by the Trades Council last night. It was resolved to enter an emphatic protest again&t the action of the Council. During the discussion speakers pointed out that the street-hawking of fruit was due entirely to the inaction of the City Council in regard to the establishing of a fruit market. The action of Greenshields v. Palmer, fixed for yesterday before His Honour tho Chief Justice, was settled at Court without hearing by defendant admitting plaintiff's claim to £400, and to a share in profits of an outstanding contract, each party paying its own costs. Mr. Morison apeared for plaintiff and Mr. D. M. Findlay for defendant. In a paper read by Dr. Faulke before the Insurance Institute last night, the author drew attention to the fact that while 'the Workers' Compensation Act most carefully explained in the interpretation clause what was imeant by "employers," "workers," and "dependents," there was nowhere any attempt to define "accident" — and in consequence of this omission disputes were oocurring daily ajid must continue to do so under existing -conditions. The Nelson College Board of Governors has accepted the tender of Robertson Bros., of Nelson, for the erection of the new boys' college, Messrs Tumbull and Sons, Wellington, being the architects. The new building is specially designed for stability, and provide" for increased accommodation, but the main features of the old building are retained . The cost wil be ' about £25,000. The governors | have also resolved to invite His Excellency the Governor as the official visitor to lay the foundation stone on the centenary of Trafalgar, and to invite the Premier and Mr. Hogben to be present. The Auckland branch of St. John Ambulance Association is moving to bring under the notice of the Grand Prior of the Order of St. John, with a view to securing award of the medal which the Order awards for gallantry on land, the heroic action of a railway porter named M'Glenn, who at Pukekohe saved the life of a- man named Clifford. Clifford was in imminent danger of being run over by a railway engine, when M'Glenn rescued him at great risk of his own life. The Wellington branch of the St. John Ambulance has resolved to assist the endeavour of the Auckland branch. The weekly session of the Star of Wellington Lodge was held last night, Bro. J. Brockie, 0.T., presiding. The Pioneer Lodge was received officially. Refreshments were handed round. The following contributed 'to an enjoyable programme: — Sis. M'Donald, Bros. Strutt, Shaw, Allan, Stephens, Pearce, Anstice. The Rev. Bro. Ward, of Nelson, gave an interesting address. The Harbour Boards Association delegates, at the dinner last evening, talked Panama Canal considerably. . The burden of their tale was "Prepare ! prepare !" The Secretary of the* Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. William Ferguson, was able to tell the gathering that the ' Wellington Board has prepared. "We have looked ahead. We are prepared to take any boat that can come through the Panama Canal I hope in my lifetime to see here many boats that have come through the Panama Cana!." He hoped they would all agree tha% Wellington should ' be the port of call for New Zealand < for such boats. (Laughter.) Mr. G. | Laurenson, M.H R. (Lyttelton Board), who had referred to Wellington as being in future the commercial centre of New Zealand, and to its harbour administration as setting an example to the colony, impressed on his hearers the need of making"imports and exports as cheap as possible, so that New Zealand might become in fact the maritime centre that its position midway between Australia and the markets of America and the Old ' World would enable it to be, when the canal is completed. At the 'Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Dr. A. M'Aithur, S.M., John Wilson, builder, pued Augustino, Rizzi for £95 14s for erecting a cottage at Alioetown. Mr. Hindmarsh for-the defence stated that plaintiff erected for defendant a house which was paid for. Subsequently he proceeded to erect a cottage for defendant, but defendant cried off the contract, and paid plaintiff £20 in settlement of the arrangement. A receipt for £20 was put in, but plaintiff said he knew nothing about it. The casa was eventually adjourned until the 17th inst. to hear the evidence of one Hyde, whoso handwriting was alleged to have been on the receipt Mi. Was- j ton appeared for plaintiff. In the par-tially-heard case James and Margaret Wright v. Patrick Gill, a claim for ! money lent, judgment was for plaintiffs by consent of defendant's solicitor fox £65 &, with £4 2s 6d costs. This I course was adopted afteT hearing medical evidence concerning tho condition of defendant, who could not attend Court. His Woiship stayed execution of the judgment until tho 17th inst. Mr. Stout appeared fo* plaintift and Mr. Levi for defendant. ' Scientific circles in Vienna were painfully surprised on tho 6th July by news of the sudden death of Dt Hermann Nothnagel, wno enjoyed for twenty-five years an immense reputation among the leading medical men of Austria and Germany. Dr. Nothnagel, who was sixtyfoui years of age, was found dead m bed from heart apoplexy. He had left a letter, in which ho detailed tho preoiso symptoms that he had observed in himself q, few hours before death. These scientific observations by -the famous physician will doubtless afford valuable medical material. Dr. Nothnagel probably tpoisessed the widest practice in Europe (6ays the Vienna corresponduit of the London Daily Telegraph). Ho used to say that ho had felt the pulses jof 300,000 men. Thousands of patients I flocked to him every year, many coming from distant parts of Russia and Northern Europe. His income, however, was I not m proportion to his work. In his goodness of heart ha advised many patients, whoso foefl he not only refused, but he defrayed from hie own pocket the cost nf their journey to see him. Thus it often happened that after five hours opent in interviewing patients he had given out more money than ho had received. His death is a groat blow to the Vienna University, ns ho was the last representative of tho great medical school in .the Austrian capital made famous by such men ae> Hyrtle, Billroth, Rokitansky, and Skoder Dr. Notlinasel especially devoted himself to diseases of tho .brain, heart, and intestines. A sjiecial meeting of the Wellington Plasterers' Union of Workers will be held at ths Trades Hall on Monday evening. Mr. J Kyle, of the Hutt, has purchased Mt. J. C. Nathan's farm at Filzherbort East, and will shortly take up hia residence there. At 1 o'clock to-morrow Kirkcaldie's great winter sale elosea. Oddments in all departments are marked for a speedy clearance, regardless of cost. Striped golf jerseys, full sizes, 3s lid, 4s lid; carpet ends, l£yds long, 2s 3d to 5s 6d ; boys' sweaters, 2s 6d; men's sweaters, 4s 6d ; -ladies' black suede gloves, Is lid pair; brown kid cloves, 2s 6d pair; •men's camel hair slippers, with felt or leather soles, the 'height of comfort, 3s r I'M pair.—Advt..

Coastal lights came in for some comments by the Hon. T. K. Macdonald at the Harbour Boards' dinner last evening. He said that, after a great struggle on tie question whether it was a coastal or a harbour light, the Wellington Harbour Board was going to get the light it wanted at Pencarrow on paying over £2000 to £3000. New Zealand had a very evil reputation, among Australians because of the rugged character of our coasts. The coasts should be so lighted that no vessel would be ever out of sight of a light, and every Harbour Board should ccc that the area within its own boundniies was efficiently lighted. He thought the money could be found. The Under-Secretary of the Marine Department, Mr. Allport, said New Zealand was well lighted for a new country, but there were many points on. which the Minister and he would like to see lights. They must consider funds, and improve the coastal lighting as opportunity offered. A meeting of the creditors of James H. Armstrong, builder, foimeiiy of Wangamii, was called for this morning. Tho only creditor present was Mr. W. G. Duthie, representing the Wanganui Sash and Door Company. The debtor submitted to the Assignee a statement to the effect that in July, 1903, he dissolved partnership with Mr. Andrew Thompson, of Wanganui, and Mr. Thompson took over the business and undertook to pay all liabilities. Debtor left the firm owing it £67, but made arrangements for payment of that amount. Debtor started business on his own account, and the partnership creditors then came down on him. He met them by giving promissory notes, which he had since paid, Mr. Thompson agreeing to settle with him in due course. Those amounts, with several other ivems, he had paid Mr. Thompson's creditors, amounted to £228, which Mr. Thompson had not yet paid him. Debtor stated that he had also lost money over building contracts. His liabilities were £444. The assets consisted of furniture and various contra amounts. At present he was working for vi ages. On tho idle and disorderly charge of vagrancy, Mary Vaughan was this morning sentenced .by Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., to iti^ee months' imprisonment with hard labour. For insobriety, John Burke O'Brien was fined 20s, in default fourteen days' imprisonment, and Win. Conrick 20s, in default seven days'. Lizzie O'Flyhn was -convicted and discharged, and one first jffender was similarly dealt "with. For importuning, Eliza Ann Southie was. sentenced to two months' imprisonment. Edmund Johnson appeared on remand for sentence on a charge of theft of a bottle of 'brandy from a hotel conducted by Patrick Dwycr. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan stated that accused had been previously convicted of theft in the W-airarapa. A sentence of fourteen days' (imprisonment with hard labour was imposed. A second charge against accused of theft of a portmanteau, valued at 15s, was adjourned for .a week. Frederick Marshall was directed to 6s a week towards the support of each of two children in a Receiving Home-. A similar order was made against Walter Wm.. Marslen with respect to a child of his in an Auckland institution. For 'having left a cart and' horse unattended in Lambton-quay, David Balls wat> convicted and ordered to pay 7s costs. A meeting of ths Hutt River Board was held last evening. Present : — , Messrs. D. Sladden (Chairman), W- A. i Fitzherbert, W. G. Foster, and R. ! 1 Stevens. A letter was received from Mr. M. Welch, of the Taita, complaining of the damage occasioned to his land by the embankment erected on an overflow channel. It was determined to obtain a report from the engineer before dealing with this matter. In reply to an application by the Hutt Borough Council for a contribution of £50 towards clerical assistance, it was resolved to offer £25, or 25 per cent, of the salary of an extra clerk. The question of the widening of a- road at Alicetown, which formed ' the subject of a request from the Hutt Borough Council, was referred to the Board's solicitors for a report at next meeting. The Railway Department, reported the removal of 895 cubic yards of shingle from the river-bed during ' the 'nonth of June, making a total of 33,137 cuinc yards since • October, 1903. A report from Messrs. Meason and Merchant on the question of erecting an embankment on Gear's Island so as to protect the greater part of the Island in time of flood was received. Eighty chains of embankment, including 30 chains at the top end of the Island, would be sufficient to secure the Island from the flood waters sweeping over it, and the cost would ba £520. The costs of protective works against erosior would be £710, which, with engineering expenses, would bs ;i total of £1291. Accounts amounting to £327 8s 7d were passed for payment. An atti active-looking young woman named Floience M'Caskill appeared before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., this morning on a charge of theft of ostrich feathers. <e Yes, sir, I took them" was her reply when the information was read. ChiefDetective M'Grath explained that the young woman went to the house of Mrs. Crow on the 17th July and asked for employment, she having been previously employed at the house as a nurse girl. Mrs. Crow happened to 'go. Into the kitchen, and whilst her back was turned the girl took the feathers, valued at £3, out of a bandbox. The defendant was already serving a sentence of one month's imprisonment on three charges- of theft committed at Carterton. A conviction was recorded, and the defendant was ordered to como up for sentence when called upon on condition that she made restitution of .the featheTS. A well-dressed* woman \named Eaillendeair Purvis was charged with having converted goods valued at £4 belonging to her employer to her' own use. Chief Detective M'Grath stated that the defendant got the goods from a Mrs. Jacobs to sell on condition that she would roturn them within a week if unsold. A month elapsed, and on being arrested on warrant yesterday it was found that she : still had the goods with the exception of ' 19s worth. The case, prosecutor said, seomed more like wrongful detention than theft. His Woiship adjourned the case until next Monday with a view of giving tlie defendant «n- opportunity of returning" the goods and the police an oppoitu'--nity of withdrawing the charge. A pianofoite recital by pupils of Mr. Robert Paiker will be given in the Syd-ney-street Room to-morrow evening. Sir. Parker wishes to invite all past and present pupils, and any other friends who may care to bo present. The recital will begin at a quarter to eight, and will finish I at a quarter past nine. C. Smith has established a reputation for selling tho highest standard of goods at tho lowest possible prious for cash. Tho fact that everything bought by C. Smith is on tho principle of Bpot cash payment onablos u» to give our customers tre bonefit of liberally discounted prices. Having enables us to give our customers Iho benociple, it is to our interest to keep up our reputation, and to continue giving the best valtio possible at modomto prices. Mr. O. Smith, who in oven now purchasing hugo quantities of now goods from tho best English and Continental markets,' advises us that his "ready cash" 6ystom of buying still enables him to quolo his own price for the newest snd most up-to-date goods, and is confident that his stook for tho coming season will in every way meet with tho approval of tho most fastidious followers of fashion. C. Smith, Cash Dra- ; per, Cuba-itreet.— Advt. •