MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7645, 24 May 1886, Page 3 (Supplement)

MISCELLANEOUS.

k Teleoram received from Te Ante states that a man named Bain has committed uuicide. W. IT. Davenport, formerly a grocer at Christchurch, cut his thror. on the 17th May at his residence, Sydenham. He had been unwell and low-spirited for a considerable time. The Taiaroa Relief Fund Committee have received a cheque for £28 10s 7d, the amount collected at the Church of England services at tho Oamaru encampment, from the Rev. Mr. Stanfold. From a paper laid before the House it appears that the amount of deposits last year in the Government Savings Bank was £1,341,001, and the number of deposits was 131,373, and withdrawals 84,500. The annual report and balance-sheet of the Colonial Insurance Company shows that after transferring the reserve fund to the profit and loss account, there remains a debit balance of £2793 4s 5d to be carried forward. At a meeting held in Robeon's Rooms on Wednesday, May 19, a committee with an executive was formed to make arrangements to give Mr. Charles Bradlaugh, M.P., a suitable reception at Auckland during his forth* coming visit to the Australasian colonies. Mrs. Joseph Best, of Richmond, Nelson, a lady highly esteemed, but who has recently been suffering from melancholia, took "Rough on Rats" on the 6th May, and death resulted next morning. At the inquest a verdict was returned of " Suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind." The directors of the National Insurance Company have issued a notice to the shareholders that although there are several marked features of improvement, both at home and abroad, in the company's business, they are unable to declare an interim dividend for the half-year. They are hopeful the improvement will be maintained, and that they will bo able to meet the shareholders at the end of the year with a favourable report. On April 26 the ceremony was performed of unveiling a monument erected at Manaia to the memory of the officers and men who fell during the last war on the West Coast. It had been arranged that the Hon, Mr. Ballance should perform the ceremony, but he was unfortunately detained on the East Coast. The ceremony was performed by Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts, N.Z.C., who as Captain Roberts led the force out of To Ngutu o te Manu after the disaster there when Major Von Tempsky fell. The Maori canoe, the Toke-a-Tapiri, which is being put to rights at the Museum to stand as a memorial of what the Maori canoe wag, is now nearly completed, Some parts of the carvings were missing, but these have been perfectly restored. No Maori could be got competent, or who could have done the work in reasonable time, but Mr. Cheeseman got a carver from the New Zealand Timber Company's establishment, who has made a perfect restoration, having copies of the design wanted. His carving cannot be distinguished from native work.

A man named William Roland was arrested at Gisborne on Friday, the 14th May, for attempting to murder a man named Reave. It appears that both were working together. Roland informed .the police that Reave had shot himself. Subsequently suspicion fell on Poland, and he was arrested. Reave was shot in the breast, and his skull was split open. He died on May 15 from the injuries he had received. In his dying deposition he swore positively that Roland shut him up, and struck him over the head with an axe. At the inquest a verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned against Roland. • <

The Stratford Bush Fire Belief Fund Com. mittee have published their report and balance-sheet. The committee reports that subscriptions received at New Plymouth amounted to £110S, and at Hawcra to £581, making a total of £1759. This was distributed among the applicants, who were divided into three classes : First, the least necessitous; second, those who required more, and those who required relief in full, The first received aid to the extent of 5s in £, the second to the extent of 10s in the £, and the third were compensated in full. la addition to the relief mentioned, a large quantity of clothing was received, the city of Wellington contributing a largo and valuable lot. 122 persons of all ages were plentifully supplied, and the surplus handed over to Hospital and Charitable Aid Board; The committee chosen from Ne ? Plymouth and Hawera worked harmoniously together, and are satisfied that though in a few cases they may have been mistaken, on the whole substantial justice was done, and further, that the aid so freely and generously given has been a great benefit to many deserving settlers.

The report of the Registrar upon friendly societies is an interesting document. The number of members of registered lodges at the end of tho last year was 21,144; the total funds amounted to £290,738 10s Bd. Of this large sum £255,646 2a lOd belong to sick and funeral funds. The amount invested is £150,819 lis lOd ; of this sum £90,422 is lent on mortgage (freehold security). The following indicates the extent of these bodies :—lndependent Order of Oddfellows, M.U., 109 lodges; American Independent Order of Oddfellows, 12 lodges ; National Independent Order of Oddfellows, 2 lodges ; Ancient Order of Foresters, 72 courts ; Ancient Order of Shepherds, 2 sanctuaries ; United Ancient Order of Druids, 31 lodges ; Loyal United Friends' Benefit Society, 1 lodge ; Rechabites, 27 tents ; Sons and Daughters of Temperance, 4 divisions ; H.A.C.B. Society, 11 branches ; Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia, S lodges ; Railway Employes, 2 societies.

The third anniversary of the Girls' Friendly Society was held on the 30th April in St. Sepulchre's parish, and was very fully attended, there being some 50 associates and 125 members present, besides many visitors. A most interesting and practical address on the growth and work of the society was delivered by Lady Jervois, who was its founder in this colony. She began by telling the meeting that the number of associates and members in England alone is upwards of 120,000, and that branches are established not only in America and the colonies, but also in all those important colonial centres in which English girlsare congregated. The work of the society, she pointed out, was : " Bearing one another's burdens, in promoting purity, love, and obedience." The permission of Lady Jervois was asked to print this address ; a request to which she readily acceded, and it will accordingly be published with the annual report. One interesting feature of the meeting was a capital display of articles which, having been worked by the members, were for disposal, the proceeds to be applied towards providing a " lodge" where members out of place or newly arrived might be accommodated. We are glad to say that a large portion was sold, and that the society, whose branches extend into the smallest and ■ remotest districts here, has to record another success to its annual Catherine of 18SG-. '