The Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1901.

Evening Star, Issue 11445, 12 January 1901, Page 4

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1901.

.The General Post Office at Wellington is to be considerably enlarged, and to that end the department has purchased the whole of the remaining part of the block now partly occupied by the building. Wo understand that the Dunedin and Kaik.jrai Tramway Company's line was specially inspected yesterdav afternoon by Mr W. H. Hales, Chief ,/ngincer of Piblic Works, and that he expressed his complete satisfaction with the whole of the line, plant,- rolling stock, and working arrangements.

Mr K. H. Carew, S.M., presided at the Port Chalmers Magistrate's Court this forenoon. Tho only case was that of ,J. R. Monson v. Thomas Smith, claim £9 7s, for rent, and to give up possession of house. Mr Cook appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Platts for defendant. Judgment was given ■fpr the amount, with £1 3s 6d costs, and defendant was ordered to give up possession on or before the 26th inst.

J'ae Hon. J. M'Kenzie is making satisfactory progress under the course of treatment he is undergoing in Duncdin, and hopes are entertained that ere long his health will ho sufficiently restored to enable him to get about again. We are voicing the wishes of the many friends of the ex-Minister of Lands when we express the hope that ere long he wiM he restored to health and his aforetime vigor.

Wc uiidprstaiid that tlie Patriotic Committee have requested Mr -Tames Mills while in England to interview the Lord Mayor of London with the object" of- getting the Executive of the Mansion House Fund to allocate a portion of that fund for the assistance of the Otago and Southland men who have lost their lives in South Africa, or fop the relief of those " soldiers of the Queen " who have come back or may return to the colony permanently incapacitated from following their ordinary work. It is already known thaj; the claims likely to be made an the remnant of the fund locally raised—some £5,000 —will.not suffice to make adequate provision for the families of those who have already fallen and, fpr those dependent on the men who have been disabled. And if there are to be many more Rhenoster JCop affairs before tlje war ends it will become only too .patent that additional funds must be obtained elsewhere. The mistake of sending so much money away froni the colony, a 8 we frequently pointed out while that course was being discussed, is now being

The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Minister of Public Works., and party arrive in Dufledin bythis. 9¥WWg> train frpjn Th,e Minister will leave an Monday morning on a tour of inspection of the Otagq Central Railway, returning tq D.unedin probably on Wednesday nighi. .... We have authority for stating .that Captain Andrew, pf Sydenham, has been appointed tp the command of the Canterbury sectipn of the Sixth Contingent. r fhe appointment is particularly popular in Christchurch, where Captain, Andrew's qualifications are wclj known. He" has seen a number of years' service with, the Indian forces, having been among the first of the New Zealandera to gain an Imperial commission. Mr E. U. C.areir, S.M., was* occupied at Port Chalnjers this forenoon bearing claims fop old age pensions, and grunted renewals of full pension to twelve males, one for £l7, one fo r£ls, and one for £l4. One application, was adjourned for proof pf property. Three full pensions were granted to females, one for £l6, one £l4. and one £l2, while one application was adjourned. Two fresh applications from males were adjourned fpr proof of age. At the monthly meeting night of the Union street School Committee (Mr Bull presiding) it was repqrted that a committee of gentlemen interested in the sqhoo.j had collected a considerable sum for the erection of a flagpole.' Votes of thanks were passed to the numerous donors of prizes and medals at the annual break up, and it was decided to hold the annual picnic at Warrington on February 21- , 'When London Sleeps' riveted the attention of a large audience at the Princess's Theatre last night. A flattering reception, was accorded to the principals, and the exquisite mounting of the piece found expression in demonstrative applause. The drama will be repeated this evening, when the company conclude their highly successful season in this Citv. They are booked tp appear again at the Princess's Theatre next Christmas.

The ' Lyttelton Times' attained its jubilee yesterday. In the evening the office was brilliantly illuminated, and the employes, to the number pf 200, were entertained at supper by tie proprietary. Thp paper received a number of congratulatory telegrams, among thef being wires from the Premier, the Minister of Labor, and, the of the principal papers jn the colony. Attracted by information regarding NewZealand supplied to an Illinois paper by the Hon. Vf. T. Jennings, M.L.C., a large party of Americans, numbering about 100 families, are inquiring "what inducement in the way of providing unworked land will be given by the Government to enable them to form a special settlement in New Zealand. The matter has been officially brought under the notice of the Acting-Premier l)y Mr Jennings.

Each of the performers at Dix's Gaiety Company's entertainment last evening received & flattering reception. As usual, the graceful act of the Faust sisters met with the greatest favor.. Mr Arthur Halm's rendering of ' Thy deathless army' and his other songs was artistic. Mr Frank Yorke continues to amuse. Mr Tom Dawson and Miss Maggie Steen, Mi- Dix's latest introductions to the Alhambra, were well received, as were the Do YeJla sisters, Miss Ethel Clifford, and Mr A. Haydom' 'There will be a change of programme tp-night.

Apropos of the weight of our Premier and hjs Native Minister, the 'Post' has the following :—"During the trip of the Mokoia from Wellington to Sydney, carrying the Premier, the Hot. J. Carroll, and party, the vessel had a, slight list to starboard. One evening at dinner a discussion aro3e at one of the tables as tp the cause. "Various reasons and explanations were advanced without solving the question to the general satisfaction, until one of the diners, who had listened quietly to the argument, said; ' Gentlemen, you are alj wrong. I investigated the case last night, and the cause of the list in this ship j s that Messrs Seddon and Carroll aro sleeping on the same side of it."

Las.t night's meeting in connection with tic Evangelical Alliance's week of prayer was conducted by Mr H. H. Driver, the topic being 'The Mshomedan World.' At the close of the meeting ministers and others n-aited to further the mission fp young nuen of Mr W. M. Oatts (who fpr thirty-he years has been the seeretaxy of the Y.M.C. Association in Glasgow, and who hopes, with Mrs Oafcts, to hold a mission in Dunedin), when it was decided to hold a public meeting nest week of all ready to help. The topic to be discussed will be,'Th» Jews.'

Amongst those who witnessed the Commonwealth celebrations in Sydney was Mr A. Covins, a prominent Labor leader in thje Empire city. Mr Collins left New Zealand an anti-Federalist from the labor point flf view, and his opposition has been confinoed and strengthened by his visit. He is reported to have found amongst the Labor leaders on the other side a lamentable ignorance of the progressive legislation of New Zealand; and discovered that, notwithstanding that labor has had large representation in the New South Wajes Legislature for some years past, it has, owing to the peculiar political conditions prevailing, been unable to make its influence felt in the direction of ensuring reforms of a progressive character.

A concert in connection with the Druids' art union was held in the Agricultural Hall last evening, and was largely attended. Vocal and instrumental items were given by Messrs D. Cooke, F. Walsh, C. Morton, E. Smith, J. Jago, H. Mosjs, J. Swan, W. Coombs, and Miss E. Jacobs. Mr H. M'Cormack contributed a recitation. During the evening the art union drawing took place, with the result that the first prize, a painting, valued at £IOO, was won by No. 12,117, no namo beim? a.ttached to the block of the ticket; the second, a painting, valued at £3O, by No. 7,846 (C. H. Simonson, or Simmons, Mornington; the name was pot clearly written) ; N and the third, a painting, valued at £2O, by No. 12,040 (T. Dalton, Dunedin).

During a discussion at Christchurch the other day Dr Mason, head of the new Heatlh Department, was at considerable pains to explain that there was no intention to remove from local bodies,- the responsibility of keeping thei rdistricts free from disease. There had never been any such inteution on. the part of framers of the Act. The 'Government officers should be regarded in the light of active advisers of the local bodies rather than as usurpers of £he duties of local health officers. There would not be the slightest attempt to interfere unnecessarily in local matters, with regard to nuisances, or anything eh>e. What was wanted was that the present state of affairs should continue as far as possible, and that every man should be encouraged to add to tho healthiness and beauty of his own home. If, however, any dispute arose with regard to what was or was not a. nuisance,- then the central authority would step in and give its decision- It would also exercise the powers given to it when any local body neglected i\s duties with regard to sanitation, to the menace of the health' of the community. He desired to strongly emphasise the fait that the central authorities appointed under the new Act deaired to work with the local bodies foj the good of all, and he-would be sorry jf other idea obtained a. hold.

Sir Alfred-Milner cables that [Private MUler, pf Raglan,- was severely injured at Pretoria on, Decemher 37 a? the result of an ami that Private Heywood: has been/discharge! from the hospital at Pretoria.

The B Battery, vrisb their six guns (officers mounted), rnade a good appearance as they rode out to Fprbury Park this afternoon, where they go' into camp for a fortnight. At the exhibition of the New Zealand giants last evening the room was crowded to see these won.derful children, and again this morning a, good nuipber witnessed thel exhibition. The childcen appear, very intelligent for their enormous size, and it is quite a sight to sec a baby boy of three years using hammer and nails. These children were born at Foxtop ,in the North Island, and were exhibited at Christchurclv'^during thei recent Jubilee. They are travelling in company with their parents, and no professional showmen are engaged. The parents, who are present to answer any questions, and to give an account of their birth, etc., are old 'residents pf the Fpxtpn district, where the father is an ex-councillor pf the Borough of Foxton. •

The carpenters' picnic will be held at Erq.nsdfle. op January 30. The Key. H. Bull, of Christcnurch, will conduct the morning serncQ in the Garrison Hall

Entries for the Otago Cycling Club's sports cloge on the 18th hist. '

. bargains; presents for cyclists; spec**! Prices;" free wheel?; noyeltjes.' An?lpIScw Zealand Cycle Cpuipany.—(Ac|vt.] The Australian manager of pban's Backache Kidney Pills i ? jn town, and announces that he wilj on Tuesday give q, free distribution of a box" of the pills to eaqh person who will call at Marshall's Pharmacy, Princes street.

Come and Aspect our sljqw of novelties, liovely goods, suitable for presents; toys and aplls ill endless variety. Montague's.—fAdvfc.] Mr Bethune and Mi?s Alice Hollander arrived in town last evening-. The Northern paper? epeak highly' of "this young lady's phenonienaj voice. She is announced t ogive two concerts nest week, on the 17th and 18th.

We liave received from the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation copies of their blotting pad and almanacs, which will be found serviceable to business men.

Bon value in ribbons, laces, gloves, hosier}-, ooreefo sunshades, umbrellas, blouses, and skirts, our own make. Bon Accord, 3.59 George street.—[Advt.'] Mr Morris, photographer, Princes "street, JJunedin, finds jt is, not generally knpNvh that hi? charge is one guinea per dozen for cabinet portraits of children. Any extra charges aje forvigniettes, gropps, Jarge tnou'nta, also the various methods of pririting.-vfAdvt.J The Dimedin Starr-Bowkett Building Society meet m the Stuart ptreet Hall on the 24th inst. to dispose of two amounts.

Cycling up to date; free wheels and rim brakes; acetylene lamps. Bikes for hire. Becords booming. At Cooke, Jtowlison, an d Co-s, King street.—-fAdyfc.] We reciprocate the good wishes of the New Zealand iixpress Corapaiiy as expressed iu their haudsoipe aud appropriate " universal penny post" card.

The sale at T. Ross's proceeds swimmingly, the great attraction being that everything is reduced in price, the rule of this shop v at a sale being not to make a bit. but to clear all season's stock before arrival of pev/.V-T. Ross, importer.—[Advt.] ' ' • In another column will be seen Chieftain Rangiuia's farewell concert programme. The Chieftainess will also take part in a duet with her husband, to be sujig in Maori. This will be the last chance the Duuedin public will have of hearing the talented Maori chief, as he is booked to appear at Christchurch Exhibition befpre leaving the colony. Messrs Qtesbam apd Boot, surgeon and mechanical dentists, 63 Princes street, Dune'din (fete A. E. Boot). Mr Gresbani was for 89ven years a pupil of the late Mr Alfred Boot, and has been practising successfully for the last eleven years in Inyercargjll. All fees strjetjy moderate, consistent with highclass work. Consultation free.—[Advt.] The poll on the proposal to borrow £200,000 for tramway purposes will b3 taken ou January 21. Picnic parties should always include a.full ffomplernept of ladies and Golden Eagle tobacco. —[Advt.] Mr A- W. Haurais' lecture on ' The Evolution of Theology • w in fo r£v iesve4 by Mr J. Neil in the old Harbor Board Office, corner of Jetty and Vogel streets, to-morrow evening.

ironmoulders should call and sco the collection of tools at the Oily Hz-ivlwr.ro Store, opposite Bank of N.K., Princes' street.[Advt.] *