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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 307, 30 December 1896, Page 2

An nrtiole on " How to Manage a Husband," by " A Wife who is Happily Married," appears on the 4th page of tbis issue, and it will be read with profit by many. By an error in transmission the locale of the police scandal leading to the suspension of certain sergeants and constables for the alleged wrongful imprisonment of Mr South was stated to be Dunediu. It should have been Auckland. At tho open air entertainment in Maitai House grounds ,on Monday evening, Haydn's " Toy Symphony " was under the direotion of Mrs Howio, and it was splendidly rendered. The grounds, whioh were illuminated with Chinee lanterns, looked, very picturesque, and much taste was displayed in the arrangements. The aoenery for the •' Midsummer Nißht's Dream " was greatly admired. The Loyal Marine Lodge held an open meeting last eveniug, Bro. Simpson, C.T., presiding. There was a good attendance and an excellent programme was much appreciated. As a wind up to the Tennis Championship meeting, a ball was hold in the Provincial Hall last evening and proved most successful. A large number of visiting tennis players were present and all appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The tasteful decorations round the ballroom were much admired. Martin's String Band supplied the music, A boisterous northerly wind has succeeded the heat, and the weather to-day is unpleasantly dusty, and reminiscent of Wellington when rude Boreas is on the rampage. It was hoped that the wind would give place to rain, but a shift to the westward rendered a change unlikely. The other day some mischievous and evil-disposed boys perpetrated a gross outrage on the monkey in the Queen's Gardens. They handed liim lighted matches and cigarettes, with the result that his body caught flro, and much of his hair was burnt oil' in patches. His tormentors then rubbed him with slimo and mud, till he became a pitiable object. The poor creature was so seriously injured that he had to be removed to the caretaker's cottage for attention. It is a pity these cruel boys cannot bo discovered and severely punishod. Lucas's Nelson Almanac for 1897 has just been issued. The publication has been somowhat delayed owing to the mass of additional matter introduced, but the useful guide will be in circulation in ample time for tho new year. The sheet almanac, with its usual valuable information, will bo found with each number. The Alinanac hits been corrected and amended to date, and attached to it is a thrilling sensntional story by Fergus Hume, " Tho Lone Inn." Tho Almanac is vory neatly printed in colours, and it can now be procured from local agents. The wind got up in a frolic this morning, causing a commotion and carrying blinding cloudß of dust into every piace. On the Brook Tenni3 Courts all the scorers' boxes, excepting one whioh wns occupied at tho time, were blown over. It was most fortunate that the wind did not come on during the • Championship matches a a , besides spoiling the tcnuis, it would have made matters very unpleasant for the spectators. The installation of the W.M. of the Southern Star Masonic Lodge, 8.C., and the investiture of ollicevs was made last evening, Wor. Bro. Bollon, I'.M., being the installing muster. Tho oilicers for the year are :— W.M., Bio, J. Graham : IPM., Wor Bro. B. H. Moller ; S.W., Bro W. N. Poole; J.W., Bro. S. I<\ Bnlton : Treasurer, Wor. Bro. S. Bolton, P.M.; Secretary, Wor. Bro. J. McEachen, P.M. ; Organist, Bro. J. H, Finney ; S.D., Bro. S. KirUpatrick. P.S.W. s J.D., Bro. G. M. Langley; 1.U., Bro. Ward; Tyler, Wor. Bro, T. Scott, P.M. Further details of the ceremony are not given as it h not customary to disclose the doings of a lodge when tyled, The usual social gathering followed at which the various Masonic toasts were duly hpnourpd. Tlio Good Tpiupku-s and their friends intend having a picnic at Thackvrood, qn Jtfew Year's'Day. Those who have not given in' their names are' requested to send them in to the Foresters' Ha.ll to. night.

The Salvation Army have arranged a "Field Day" in the Botanical Reserve on New Year's Day. A committee meeting of the' Nelson Amateur, Athletio and Gyoling Club will be held this evonlng at the Commercial Hotel. Constable Phair, who was under inarching orders for the West Coast, has how received word from head quarters to remain in Nelson for the present. The Eechabites' picnic will be held on New Year's Day at Snowden's Bush, Bnghtwater. Conveyances will start from town at 7-30, 8-30, and 10 a.m. A great many attractions are promised. If the dreadful fatalty at Napier has not warned Wellington bathers to exerciso caution in bathing in the open sea, tho statement of a resident of pay's Bay ougnt to prevent any such foolhardiness at the present time. This gentleman report3 that within the last few days he saw the waters of Day's and Lowry bays full of sharks. Also, a man who walked from Petono' to Day's Bay tno other day counted no less than six fins inthe warmer water at that end of the harbour. Several of the principal business houses of Nelson have decided to close on Saturday next, so as to enable their employees to enjoy a continuous holiday from Friday till Monday morning. This concession, for which the assistants are very thankful, should induce all to turn to with a will with the new year. As Saturday will be practically without business, perhaps other firms may follow suit, and the holiday thus be made complete. The plucky conduct of a girl named Janet Caldwell, who is only 13 years of ago, averted a drowning fatality at Kennedy's, up the Wanganui river, a week or so ago. According to the "Herald" a young woman, Miss Edith Gomez, was bathing in the river with little Caldwell, only the latter being able to swim. The former getting out of her depth, had already sunk twice before being noticed by her companion, who seized her by the hand just as she was sinking for the third time, and after a sharp struggle succeeded in dragging her into shallow water. A ne,w source of horror is found in the extension of organized life. There are people who believe that the phrase " inorganic matter" is' meaningless; all creation pulses with life. Three members of a prominent Boston family have committed suicide for fear of injuring tne lesser creatures. The last— a young man fond of horseback riding — gave it up lest he crush the creeping things on tho hghway. Then he refused to walk in his warden for fear of treading on some live thing. At last, in desperation, he got out of life by killing himself. One of the most interesting stories in a semi-detective style told recently is Florence Warden's "The Inn by the Shore," published by McMillan & Co. A girl at the inn, niece of the proprietor, is suspected of stealing from visitofs,|and subsequently she is all but charged with the murder of a man who was believed to have evidence against her. Subsequently the girl's innocenca is proved and the thefts and murder are traced to a " highly respectable " old maiden lady, who had been a kelptomaniao for years. The interest and sensation are maintained throughout the book, and once "The Inn by tho Shore " is taken up it is hard to lay down till the last chaptor is read. —"The Adventures of Maurice Lestrange " also issued by McMillan & Co, is an account of Scotland and Scottish manners and customs in 1765. Maurice Lestrange, born in France of Scottish parentage, visits relatives in Scotland and records his experiences and impressions. Therejs just enough of plot and drama to make " Maurice Lestrange " a work of fiction, but its chief value is in the portrayal of the period succeeding the final suppression of the Jacobite movement, i.e., the three decades after " tho Fortyfive." The author is G. W. T. Ormond. At a recent meeting of the trustees of the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum it was reported that the Superintendent had found hidden about tho building by some former inmates between 70 and SO riDgs, watches, and chajns, trinkets, French coins, American dollars, and other articles of value. This is the second diecovery of the kind made at the Asylum within a few montlw. There is a good outlook for hops this season. London advices dated November Btate that business in English hops was rather quiet, hut quotations remained firm. Fiuest sorts of all grades were in good request, but there was practically no market for lowest qualities. East Kent ranged from A3 10s to £5 ; for extra choice lots *5 5s and £5 8s was occasionally given ; Mid Kents, 65/- to 90/-; Wealds, 40/- to 70/-; and Sussex 35/- to 86/-. All choice varieties of Continentals met with a ready market. There was a good inquiry for Californians, but little business was doing owing to the firmness of holders. Fine qualities were sought alter to supplement tue English growth of pale brewing hops, which turned out rather short ; but as American brewers had bought liberally, there was said to be little for export. With regard to the San Francisco market, the following is from a private letter dated November 12; ".We have a most oxtraordinary season. Never in our experience in business have \ve seen tha crop so quickly taken up as this year. Four-fifths of the entire production of this coast has already been snipped, and we have but little left now. _ The inquiry for good quality has been immense, prices have rißen rapidly, and we are now almost 100 per cent higher than at the opening of the season. Our quotation to-day for choioe goods would be 14c per lb f.o.b. here, and there is every reason to believe that these prices will be eT go lit" 8 thß crop **«*»»* On the San Francisco barley market, the '• Commercial News " of November 12 reports that there was a good demand for export, and an occasional inquiry for local use at proportionately higher rates for brewing, but, in the latter oaae, requirements had been pretty well looked after, and transactions on that acoount wero rare. The advance in wheat had a beneficial effect upon prices oj barley, but the change was not so radical as might have been expeoted under the oircumstances. Exports from San Francisco this season, op to November 12, amounted to 2,384,931 oentalß for the corresponding period last season. Closing quotations were as follows \ —Chevalier, nominal; brewiug, good to choice, !)Qc. to 95p. per cental ; feed, 82Jc. to 85c; off grades. 750.' to 80c. Recent Melbourne quotations are :— ls to 4s 4d for fair quality. It seems a certainty (says tho " Mauawatu Standard ") that the Maori representation in the House of Representatives will remain unaltered, with the exception of the replacement of Bopata To Ao by Hcnaro Kaihan. The former was an Opposition member, if he was anything, and we havo good grounds for Haying that his successor will be of the same political persuasion. There will thus be Wi Pcro and Tame Parata as Government supporters, and Hone Heko and Kaihau on tho Opposition Benches. The supporters ol Mr A, R. Atkinson, says the Wellington "Post," Imvo decided to take steps in the Supreme Court to obtain a re-count of the votes cast in the Wellington city at the general election, provided that a legal opinion, which is to be obtained, leads to the belief that there will be a reasonable probability of success. Instructions have bean given to various officers of the Lands Department to seleot suitable areas in the neighbourhood of tho large centres of population as the sites of workmen's villages. The settlements are to ho established olose to the railway lines, so as to enable tho workmen to get to and from the towns without a great loss of time Mr James Muir, Borough .Engineer of Hlonhmm, visited Nelson during the Christinas holidays, chiefly in connection with a scheme of forming a Now Zealand Qiis Engineers' Association. Mr Muir was shown the municipal " lions "by his confrere, Mr Jickell. Ife inspected the Gasworks, the Bocks Boad, the reservoir, etc., and expressed himself much pleased with what he saw. At tho present time (says the "Sydney 1 Daily Telegraph " of the lObb inst.Wt would be a matter of difficulty to find any place of business within the oity' limits that is not tenanted by small red ants. These industrious "atoms" jn some hoi}3os swann in countless thousands. In rna-y of the hotels the beds are overrun with these formica:, Last summer and wintev and the present summer weather liavo' all been . conducive to a more tban ordjnary season for this partioufar ant to flourish and increase. Like 'all "ant life.'! these ants are true scavengers, and whereever they pay be Jocatpd, it is beyond any contradiction that food abounds for them, or they would soon vacate the premises, ■ '

Messrs Macmillan & Co. have just Issued from the press-in connection with their oolohial library, a 'work entitled " A Sketch of the Natural History of,Australia," with . some notes -cm sport by Frederick Q. Aflalo^ EB.G.tf., F.Z.S., etc. The workj which'' is profusely illustrated, enables the general reader to become familiar with the zoology of the Australian colonies. .. It iieals^xhaustively with the mammals, birds, reptiles, batraohians, and fishes, and in an appendix with the invertebrates. The book is an important addition to others of its classes. — " Robert Helmont, the Diary of a Kecluses 1870-71," by Alphonse Dandet, is also issued by Maomllan & Co. IV graphically describes the state of the disttiot surrounding Paris during the siege of that city In the Franoo-Prussian War. The book is splendidly illustrated, and printed on excellent paper. It is an interesting record of the events of the stirring times of 1870-71. An illustration of the thoughtful and sympathetic feeling entertained by her' Majesty the Queen for those who have served her after they have passed away, is recorded in " The Times " of November 3, which says : -"The Queen has placed a substantial ornamented cross over the grave in Whippenham ohurohyard, where He the remains of Mr George Warren, who for 34 years was telegraphist to Her Majesty, at Osborne. The inscription on the cross states that it is ereotad by Queen Victoria as a mark of regard for faithful and zealous servioe." The deceased gentleman was the brother of Mr VVm. Warren, the General Manager in Australasia of the Eastern Extension Cable Company. English papers are hinting that Lord Rosebery's retirement from the leadership of the Liberal party is due to a desire to win the favour of Queen Viotoria and gain her consent to bis marriage with one of her grand-children, a daughter of thePrinoa of Wales.