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Evening Star, Issue 11696, 30 September 1902, Page 4

The Chief Justice gave an important decision at Wellington yesterday affecting the power of stipendiary magistrates to punish judgment debtors who make default. His Honor held tkpt under the Act oM9OO ths magistrate must be satisfied at the time of hearing the judgment summons that the debtor has means in his possession with which to discharge; otherwisa no order for imprisonment can be issued. This construction will no doubt limit magistrates' power to punish for not paying debts when due, but His Honor is satisfied that that was the intention of the Legislature when passing the Act of 1900.

There was a largely-attended meeting last night of the Committee of the Dunedin Competitions Society, under the presideacy of His Worship the Mayor, and a considerable amount of routine business was transacted, la answer to inquiries, it was notified that the conditions do not disqualify ■winners from competing next or in any succeeding year. Messrs George Bell and J. I 1 Woodhouse were appointed judges of the impromptu speeches. The gratifying announcement was made that the entries, which close to-day, are expected to total between 400 and 450.

The Education Department has received from the Board of Education, South Kensiogton, the result of the examination of students' /work sent to England early this vear. The following are successful:— South Island candidates: Christchurch— Hector Spensley, subject 1 A accepted; Edward Thompson, subject 1 C accepted. Dutedia—Mabel Brown, prize for subject 5 B; William H. Allen, subject 1 A accepted; Nellie Hutton, subject 8 B 2 accepted"; Graham Miller, subject 1 A accepted; Oswald Trocbon, subject 3 B accepted ; George E. White, subject 1 A accepted.

Although we made several attempts yesterday, in what we thought was the right direction, to ascertain whether Dr Torrey and Mr Alexander received the regulation purse of sovereigns in partial return for the arduous ten days' work they bad undergone, we were unable to locate the correct source of information. The ' Outlook,' however, for the current week, lifts the veil cf seeming but unnecessary mystery. The two evangelists were each presented with a substantial token (Le., purse of sovereigns) at the First Church manse on Saturday afternoon last.

With reference to the permission granted by the City Council to the Dnnedin and Roslyn Tramway Company to extend their line in Rattray street, the Tramways Committee now recommend the Council to substitute 163 ft for the 26£ ft asked for previously. All other points granted are to be adhered to, and the city engineer is to be instructed to ascertain for the company the cost of the tarred macadam required.

Messrs J. Thomson and A. Thomson, J.P.S, presided at the Port Chalmers Police Court yesterday afternoon, when John Murray, John M'Alier, John Yorkstone, and Patrick Gillespie, firemen of the s.s. Aparima, were charged with being absent ,from the ship without leave. Sergeant Qeerin said that the men had left the ship that morning, and had been arrested m warrant. After hearing the evidence of the chief officer and second engineer, their Worships ordered the men to be put en board and to forfeit a day's pay each. Charles Crawford and Charles Cunningham were charged at the Police Court this morning with a serious assault upon Mr James Connor. The case was remanded until Friday, Dr Martin certifying that Mr Connor was unable to appear to-day. The accused were employed at the Leviathan Hotel, -one as the second cook, the other as the third. Yesterday, at about 6.30 p.m., Mr Connor found them in the pantry, where they had no right to be, and, suspecting them of drinking, for they seemed to be more or less tipsy, he ordered them out. Half an hour later he saw the men in the larder—a place they were not supposed to visit—with a bottle of beer. Whilst remonstrating with them as to their conduct, one slipped past Mr Connor and shut the larder door, and Crawford said "We have been waiting for you," whereupon, as the informant alleges, both men attacked him with their fists and feet, hurting him very much. Mr Connor managed to open the door, and his assailants then renewed the attack in the kitchen. His cries of "Murder" brought the chief cook (John Perry) and kitchenman (F. Major) to his assistance. Perry caught hold of Crawford, who broke away and tried to get at Mr Connor again, but was prevented by Perry, Major in turn staving off Cunningham. The lastnamed had been some months at the Leviathan. The 'accused were arrested by Constables Connolly and Moore under the direction of Chief Detective CampbelL Messrs John Thomson (mayor), Isaac Stevenson, and John Mill have consented to act as a committee to canvass Port Chalmers for subscriptions for the University of Otago endowment fund. We understand that they commence their labors to-morrow. We shall be glad to hear that other centres have followed the lead of Port Chalmers and Queenstown, and so make the fund an Otago, not merely a ])unedin, one.

Portion of the Southern Market Reserve has been set aside by the Reserves Committee of the City Council for tramway purjjoses.

The Water Committee'.of the City Council have requested, Professor Park'to report' 00 the flow of water from ,the embankment at the Boss .Creek reservoir. " * f * The Market street weighbridge is to be erected in Manor street, da the south side, between Princes and Bond streets. The Stuart street weighbridge is to be repaired at a cost of £l4 15s, Mr M'Qregor's tender for that amount having been accepted by the City Council. The General Committee of the City Council have decided to recommend that "body to grant the Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club £45 on the assumption by the club of the management of Morgan's baths, the payment to be made at the terminatfoa of the club's lease of twelve months. A charge of 30s is to be made for each body admitted to the morgue, and the sum has. to be paid bv the local authority in whose district the body is found. The 'Clutha Free Press' is authority for the statement that Mr John M'Neil has decided to again contest the Clutha seatIt may be of interest to householders to note that, owing to the glut in the banana market, 801b cases are being sold at prices ranging from half a crown to 3s 6d, which abnormally low rates mean a great loss to the shipper. Taking the average number of bananas to the pound as four, the retailer gets the fruit at about 90 to 120 to the shilling, yet the consumer*" is unable to get the fruit except at about 18 or 20 to the shilling. True, the retailer generally gets the fruit rather green, but the ripening process is neither lengthy nor expensive. The vital statistics this month afford some interesting comparisons. The death rate in this and the preceding two months is always the highest in aggregate of any quarter in the year, and this month death has seized 68, or for the quarter 190. This is less than the record for the 6ame quarter last year, which was 245. This month's deaths, however, is the highest number recorded this year. Births have increased this month by 10 more than last year, but the record so far is that of January, when the number was 130. The record for last year was that 'of July, 160. The marriages have not come np to the September record of 1901, being only 34, as against last year's 43. It is the lowest for this year, except July, when there were only 31. - The largest number last year was in December, when there were 79. This year the record was in March with 69. In the Stafford street Hall to-night a lecture on 'Hymns and Hymn Writers' will be delivered by Mr W. B. Don, with musical illustrations during the evening. Henry Sanders, 88 George street, is showing an unusually large variety of bedroom furniture, floor coverings, and furnishings,— [Advt.] Cargill road Vfesleyan Church, choir will repeat their rendering of 'Phyllis, the Farmer's Daughter,' to-morrow evening. Just arrived, a shipment of choice dinner and tea sets, suitable for presents. Montague's Corner.—[AdvtJ The monthly meeting of the Gaelic Society will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street, to-morrow, at 8 p.m. Ladies' hair trimmed or singed, Is, at Hendy's Hairdressing Booms, Princes street. Shampooing, waving, hair-dyeing, etc., a specialty. Hairwork of all kinds executed.— [Advt.] The spring Bession of the Technical School botany class commences on Monday next, the 6th October. Call or write for new season's Anglo-Special and Humber cycles; best value. Anglo, Princes street.—{Advt.] The various competitions arranged by the Otago Anglers' Association for the coming season were advertised in last night's issue. Photographs of children are made a specialty by Mr Morris, photographer, Princes street. Charges. 21s per dozen.—f Advt.] The Loyal Orange Lodges hold a special R.A.P. meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall, Battray street, tc-morrow, at 7.30 p.m.

Gresham and Boot, dentists, 65 Princes ftreat (opposite Bible, Tract Depot).—[Advi.]

The South Dunedin Returned Troopers' Committee meet to-morrow in the Council Chambers, at 7.50 p.m. Brisbane notifies that Ngasaki advises under date Sunday, ILSO, that one cable hne to Tokio had been restored, but was working slowly. The secretary of the Dunedin and T£aikcrai Tram Company, Limited, notifies that debenture interest coupons No. 2, for the half-year's interest due on October 1, will be paid on and after to-morrow. J. Mendelsohn, tobacconist, wishes to notify his promises will be closed Thursday, October 2, till 5 pjn.—{Advt.]