The Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1899.

Evening Star, Issue 10852, 9 February 1899, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1899.

Mr E. H. Carew, S. M., dealt with about twenty Port Chalmers applications for old age pensions at the Magistrate’s Court to-day.

One of the boilers for the new portion of the Dock Trust Fteiz'ng Works, built at the Dunedin Foundry and Engineering Works, Limited, was trucked down to Port Chalmers to-day, in readiness to be placed in position.

In accordance with the representations by Messrs Millar aud Sligo, M.H.R.s, on behalf of shooting men, that tho gazetting of the date for the opening of the shooting season should bo deferred, the Colonial Secretary has consented to defer gazetting the date, pending further information on the matter.

Mr J. Goldie, J.P., presided at the Port Chalmers Police Court this forenoon. Elizabeth Braithwaite, who did not appear, was fined 2s 6J, without costs, for allowing a 00 w to wander on the Blucskin road ; and William Groves was fined Is, without costs, for allowing a cow to wander at Mansford Town.

A despatch from Shanghai to a London newspaper on December 20 says that a powder magazine, situated in the centre of the Chinese camp in Hankow, exploded, levelling a mile of houses. It is estimated that 3.000 soldiers were killed, including the general commanding the forces. The American and French missions are both supposed to have been damaged, but there were no fatalities among Americans. It was only in the preceding month that the great fire levelled over a mile of houses. In this holocaust 200 people lost their lives and 2.000 people were rendered homeless. In moving the adoption of the Finance Committee’s report at hist night’s meeting of the City Council, the mayor called attention to the steps taken by the Committee for the collection of the rents in arrears. He stated that the amount of rents outstanding had been £2,500, which, together with over £7,000 of rates, made a total of £IO,OOO due to the Corporation, on which there had been a large loss in the shape of hank interest. During the past fortnight £BOO worth of rents had been collected, and steps were being taken to collect the balance, together with the rates, as soon as possible. Cr Solomon remarked that what His Worship was calling attention to was a yearly ocemrence and nothing unusual, but to this statement Ifee mayor demurred.

A disgraceful scene occurred in the Police Court this mornfeg. An old offender, though comparatively speaking a young woman, named Elleu M’Goe, was charged with drunkenness and damaging part of the prison cell furniture. When the latter chaige was read out the prisoner’s demeanor became very violent, and she exclaimed t tc Yes, I did it; and, by , I will continue to do it every time you put me in gaol!” isao became very excited, and bringing her clenched fist down twice on the book - board in /ront of the dock, broke it and wrenched it off. Then, after looking wildly round the court, she throw it with a crash on the floor. At this the court orderly entered the dock, and, seiz'ng M'Gee by the wrists, attempted to force her on to the seat. The ire of M'Gee, however, was raised, and with a strong effort she freed herself and broke forth into a torrent of abuse of the police force, courts, everything in general, her language all the while being decidedly more expressive than decent. The cell pan—a large iron article —which the woman was charged w‘th damaging, was in the dock, and this M'Gee seized and appeared to be about to oast it at somebody, but she was prevented from parrying out her intention by a fellow-prisoner, and the can was removed from reach. Mr O. O. Graham, the presiding magistrate, was evidently of opinion that the woman’s mind was< unhinged, for he declined to make any order; n the meantime, but remanded accused for. a week, so that she could be medically examined. The scone lasted for close upon ten minutes, during which time M'Gee had the complete charge of affairs. She, however, rapidly quietened down, and when the gaol cab arrived walked Cfdnfly and peaceably from the court.

Jam Season.—Jam jars: Just opened, a large assortment at Montague’s corner shop.— [Advt.] _ ' ; The drapers hold their pionio at Waitati on Wednesday, February 15. Mr L. Warsaw (for many years principal cutter with Erown, Ewing, and Co.) has commenced business as a merchant tailor. Jam aud jelly jars at Rraithwaite’s (under tiie Horseshoe) at lowest primps.—[Advt.] T. Ross for bargains: Ladies’ strong cashmere stockings, Is, is 3d, ls6d; girls’ditto (all sizes), 6d—were Is 6d; washing gloves, fid; kid gloves, Is 9d; corsets, Is lid,; umbrellas, 2s 3d; blouses at Is; tray cloths and sailor hats, halfprice.—[Advt.] The children’s flower show in connection with the Caversham Presbyterian Sabbath School will be opened to-morrow evening fey Mr A. Wilson, rector of the Boys’ High School. There will be a promenade concert during the evening. A public temperance mission will be conducted in Dunedin and suburbs, commencing on Sunday, 26th inst.. and extending March. The lecturer will be the Roy. W. O. Woodward, one of the travelling lecturers appointed by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. The rev. gentleman brings with him some interesting leptures, which are illustrated by lantern views, andakp a klnematograph. It is the Intention of the Dunedin District Lodge to thoroughly organise the mission and educate the people in Prohibition principles, and rally the forces together for next election.