The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 17. 1890.

Evening Star, Issue 8117, 17 January 1890, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 17. 1890.

The total rainfall during December was : Auckland, 2.63 inches ; Wellington, 2.73 ; Lincoln (Christchurch), 1.427; Dunedin, 4.07. Except in the last instance, this is less than the average for the same month in previous years.

The Postal Department have received the following telegram Agent-General telegraphs that Australian mails were not burned. The Alameda, with the mail, did not leave ’Frisco until Wednesday, being four days late." A witness at the Magistrate’s Court this morning had to acknowledge that he could not remember whether he was or was not present at the champion athletic sports about the middle of last month. Counsel preened him to try and answer the question, and Hie Worship put side questions in the hope of quickening this torpid memory, but the witness could not say who won the races at all.

During December 2,788 persons arrived in the colony, and 1,151 left it. The largest number (1,067) came from Victoria, beside I which there were 817 from New South Wales and 643 from the United Kingdom. 628 persons went to New South Wales and 357 to Victoria, and only eight to the United Kingdom. Naturally Dunedin is the port of arrival which shows the largest record, 1,182 people having landed here. Wellington is next with 920, Auckland 549. The departures are pretty equally divided between Auckland, Wellington, and Invercargill. The conference of delegates from county councils which it was intended to have held at the Shamrock Hotel last evening did not take place, only three gentlemen putting in an appearance. These were Messrs W. M. 'Moore (Geraldine County Council), J. Hay (Akaroz. .County Council), and J. Playfair (Wallace County Council). The latter came with a list of subjects for discussion which had been approved by the Wallace County Council, and these consisted .of the subjects i of charitable aid, the licensing byestem, the taking of polls of ratepayers under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, and the powers of county councils re the small bird and other nuisances.

Mr Montague having decided to give up the retail business, the whole stock is now submitted to the public irrespective of coat. No fair offer refused for anything in the shop, as < premises must be vacated by February. Remember balance of stock will be sold by auction: on the premises. —[Advt.]

The fortnightly meeting of Valley Lodge, P.A.F.S.A., was held in lodge room, Public Hall, North-east Valley, on Tuesday, the W.M., Bre. Blair, presiding. The officers for the ensuing year were installed by Bro. Charles Arnold, P.JI. The Finance Committee reported favorably on the investment of the funds, and complimented the secretary and treasurer for the manner in which the accounts and balance-sheets were brought out. The receipts were L2 15s 6d. The half-yearly meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.0.F,, was held in the Rattray street Hall, on Tuesday evening. There was a fair at- : tendance of members and a good muster of visitors from the Leith and Linden Lodges. D.G.M. Bro. T Cole, assisted by D.D.G.M. Pro. R. T. Wheeler and G.fe, W. Reid, installed the following officers—viz.:—LP.G., Bro. W, Thompson' N.G., Bro, P. Collier; V.G., J*ro. L. Beissel; secretary, Bro. Springer; treasurer, , Bro, G. Jacobs? warden, Bro. Dunne; con-; doctor, Bro. Springer; R.S. to N.G, Bro.' Cole. The trustees, Bros. Cole, Gourley, and Johnson, also the auditors, Bros., Bennett, Latimer, and Michie, were re-ejected. Physician, Bro, Dr Fergnsson. A letter was received from G.S, Bro. Reid asking the co- 1 operation of the various lodrcs for the purpose. of erecting a suitable memoriu to the late' P.G.SI. Bro. John Boyd. During the discussion which followed, a> number .of the brethren present testified to the large amount of interest the late brother always took in ad ; things in connection with the Order, and G.S. Bro. Reid pointed out in his letter that the Order generally was greatly indebted to Bro. Boyd for its present sound financial position. A sum was yoted from the lodge funds towards erecting a .memorial. It was also resolved to issue subscription lists so that members of the various lodges should have an opportunity of subscribing to the above laudable object. Receipts, L4l2s jfd/ The quarterly meeting of Court Enterprise, A.0.F., was held in the court roopa, ,Carroll's Hotel, on Tuesday evening, a large ‘number of / members being present; also, several visiting' brothers from other courts. Auditor Ego. W. i Ibhotson read the balance-sheets and auditors’ i report for the past quarter, which were adopted.. \ The election of officers for the ensuing term re- i suited as foiloys;—G.R., Bro. 0. W, Patton; S.C.R., Bro. A, H?«nson; treasurer, Bro, J. Jolly (relected); secretary, Bro, W. Woodland (re-elected); S.W., Bro. F. Lo.yry; J.W., Bro. J. Oaten; 5.8., Bro. J. Gillies, juu; J. 8., Bro. G, M'Lean, The following P. G.n.p elected, delegates to represent the court at the next annual district meetingßros. C. H. Oaten, E, Turnbull, and W. Barrow. Bro, J. W. Patton was elected auditor in place of Bro. Thurgarlard retiring by effluxion of time. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring officers for the very satisfactor manner they had carried out their duties. It was decided that P.C.E. Bro. C. H. Oaten be presented wjtb a, P.C.R.’s certificate, framed and glazed; also a P.O.R.’s neck .ribbon, and that his name be placed on the respect board in recognition of his services to the Court, and the manner he conducted the business generally. A letter of reciwojendation was granted to P.C.B. Bro. G. Brook, to enable him to visit the Courts in Australia, where ho is about to sojourn, P.D.O.E. Bro. Melv’lie,installed the officers in their respective positions. Secretary Bro. Woodland read the financial aiatement.for the year ending December 31, 1889, which showed the court-to be in a very flourishing condition. The number of members initiated during t)ie year was 29 (1 by clearance and 28 by initiation),. making the number on the roll to be 166; with funds amounting to L 3,249, 5s -24 d, the greater portion of which is invested on mortgage averaging 1\ per cent. The court had experienced a very heavy sick list during the year, having paid the large amount of L 72 3s 4d—the largest amount paid in ' one year since its inception. The report was received. P.C.B. Bro. Benson returned thanks on behalf of Court Pride of Oamaru, S.C.R. Churchill on behalf / of Court Pride of Dunedin, and F.D.0.8. Bro.

Williams on behalf of Court St. Andrew. Two new members were initiated. The receipts amounted to LlO5 9a Bd.

A train will run to Cow’s Road, Taiori, on Saturday, leaving Dunedin at 2.15 p.ro. Yesterday evening the annual tea and public meeting of the Otago district of the Congregational Union were held at Moray piece Congregational Church; Rev. E, Walker presiding. The annual report was presented by the secretary (Rev. E. D. Cecil) and the treasurer (Mr R. Jack), Rev, W. M. Grant, of Port Chalmers, who is president of the Otago district for the ensuing year, moved the adoption of the reports, which was seconded by Mr F. Coull. Addresses were delivered, bearing upon the position, prospects, and duties of the Congregational churches in the present day, by the chairman and Mr J. W. Jago, who is the chairman of the Union for New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of the Rev. B. D. Cecil, seconded by the Rev. A. H. Wallace, was accorded to the retiring officers of the district aud to the ladies who provided tea.