MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

MISCELLANEOUS.

On tho 23rd January Mr, W, J. Speight, delivered an address before the Auckland Radical Reform League on " Proportional Representation," The chair was occupied | by Mr. Thomas Peacock, M.H.K. The directors of the Equitable Building and Investment Company, of Wellington, recommend tho paymeut of a dividend of 5 par cent., making 10 per cent, for the year. The Wellington Trust, Loan, and Investment Company also recommend a dividend of 5 per cent., making 9 per cent, for the year. The display of fireworks on the Government Flouso Reserve, by Mr. J. Pain, again attracted a very large crowd of spectators on January 2, and the various exhibitions were brilliantly successful, each spectacle in its turn being loudly applauded, particularly tho illuminated motto, "Prosperity to Auckland and a Happy New Year to All." At the Dunedin Supreme Court, sitting in divorce, on January IS, an unusual case was heard. Mrs Jolly sued for separation from her husband on the ground of cruelty and ill-treatment. The parties have been married for nearly forty years, and have reared a large family ranging from thirtyseven years of age to seventeen. Of late years it was contended tho husband has illtreated his wife. Decree was pronounced, the question of alimony to stand over. At Lancaster Park, Christchurch, on Saturday, December 31, Fred. Wood, cycling champion, rode a ten-mile match against A. J. Keith's trotting horses Wait Awhile and Malvina, for £25. Nearly 2000 people were present. The race proved a hollow victory for the horses. Keith rode, bis weight being lOst. Wait Awhile was first on the track and gained on Wood from the start. The horso had done five miles when be had covered four. Keith then changed to Malvina and gained ono lap, a third of a mile, before the finish, that is winning by a milo and one-third. Time, 28min 33seas. The betting was slightly in favour of the horses.

An examination for three scholarships in connection with tho Rawlings' Trust has just taken place by tho Rev. E. M. Gulliver, M.A., and Mr. Arthur Gilford, M.A. 45 boys, all complying with the conditions, presented themselves for examination. The report of the result has just been received, when the following were declared to be suecessfullst, No. 20; 2nd, No. 26; 3rd, No. 15. These numbers represent the fol" fowing boys : —lst, Fred. IS. Ward, Beres-ford-street School; 2nd, John Mill, Welles* ley-street School; 3rd, Thomas Moor, Ponsonby School. It may be observed that this trust is now supporting nine boys at the Auckland College and Grammar School, all of whom have done well.

Mr. Newaome'a tender for the erection of the Auckland Custom-house has been accepted. The contract price is (in round numbers) £14,000. The directors of the Dnnedin City and Suburban Tramway Company recommend a dividend of three per cent, for the year, carrying forward £307. The number of passengers carried was 1,720,759, a decrease of over 50,000 from the preceding year. The total takings of the JDunedin Caledonian Society for the three days' sports was £630, exclusive of the sale of privileges. The prizes were presented on Jan. 6. Williams, of Wellington £40, was the largest winner, Robertson, caste wrestler, won £22. On the 23rd January Mrs Fawcett Storey gave the first of a series of lectures on " High Class Cookery." There were about 40 ladles present. The illustrations principally referred to "Cakes and Baking," and the necessary explanations were given in a chatty disousaive style. The Hon. Sir William Fitzherberfc, who has been appointed to represent this colony at the Australian post*! cenfercnoe, left Wellington on Jan. 13 for Auckland en ront.e for Sydney. He is accompanied by Mr W. Gray, secretary of posts and telegraphs, who will supply all facts and figures which may bo necessary. The Ocean Beach Railway from Dunedin to Forbury Park, and the branch to Anderson Bay, was sold by auction on January 11. The line has not been working for some sears. The bidding started at £3000 and advanced to £4050, at which it fell to It. Hay, C.E., act. ing for Horace Bastings, now of Melbourne. The convocation of the New Zealand University held its fifth annual sessions at Christchurch. It was decided to recommend tho Senate that no alteration of the University statutes should come into force until one year after such alteration had been made; and to urge the Senate to take immediate steps to establish the G.M. Degree (Master of Surgery). Mr. T. C. Kerry, the well-known New Guinea explorer, left on January 17 by the Mararoa for Sydney on another exploration tour in New Guinea. Mr. Kerry is anxious to cross the vast island, but is doubtful whether hi will be able to accomplish it during the present trip. He expects to be about 12 or 14 months' absent from Auckland.

The pupils of the abolished normal school in Cnristchurch have been delighting themselves by hanging a Minister in eSigy to the strains of the "Dead March in Saul'' and the kuell of the school boll. They hold an inquest on the effigy, and cast it into the river with denunciations or "the traitor who injured the country through unjustifiable retrenchment."

There are good many tourists now find ing their way to Taupo. Two steamers are now plying on the lake. As the trip by train to Lichfield is done in one day, and the coaches do the run from Lichfield to Taupo via Atiamuri in seven hours, Taupo is thus brought within two days' journey of Auckland. Tho district is being gradually opened, and shortly its attractions will be as familiar to the tourist as those of Botorua.

On Jan. 17 one of the Hkkald reporting staff waited upon all the leading business riraiß in Auckland for the purpose of getting their views upon the present state of trade as compared with what it was a few months ago. In nearly all branches of trado a favourable change was reported. Without ■in exception all affirmed that business was now being done on a firmer and more satisfactory basis, and some of the laud and estate agents said the inquiry for property was increasing, and that rents were far easier to collect than formerly. The election and installation of officebearers of the " Auckland" Lodge of Druids look place on J an. 6 in the presence of a large attendance of members, the Ponsonby lodge being also well represented. At the invitation of D.P. Brother A. Kldd, the duties of installing Master were undertaken by Past President .Brother W. Iv, Bishop, as representing the Grand Lodge of Australia. At the close of the ceremony a hearty vote of thanks was passed, with Druidic honours, to the distinguished visitor for his services, and a convention unanimously carried electing Brother Bishop an honorary lifo member of the lodge. The compliment was suitably acknowledged.

An interesting lecture on the subject " Economical Cookery," was delivered at the Y.M.C.A. Booms ou Tuesday evening, the 17th of January, by Mrs. Pawcett-Storey. I here was but a moderate attendance, by far the larger proportion of the audience being ladies. The Rev. ,T. 8. Hill presided. The lecture was practically a series 'of lessons iii the art of cookery, the greater part of the proceedings being devoted to experiments conducted by Mrs. Pawcett-Storey. Mrs. Fawcett-Storey cooked a Brazilian stew, two quarts of soup, a stuffed heart, and a quantity of apple fritters, meanwhile explaining minutely the process in each case ; and the lady concluded an excellent lecture by a further reference to the importance of a knowledge of cookery.

As showing the confidence in the stability of the commercial prospects of the colony, we are informed on reliable authority that Messrs. Sargood, Son and Ewen have concluded the purchase on most advantageous terms of the eutiro stock, amounting to between £49,000 to £50,000, of the well-known Wellington firm of Messrs. Uarcourt and Co., who, we understand, ara withdrawing from business in New Zealand. We are further informed that Messrs. Sargood, Son and i'Jwen are taking immediate possesion, and are now making arrangements to give their numerous clients throughout New Zealand the full benefit of the advantages accruing from the purchase. Wo wish our worthy townsmen the success that they deserve for their plucky venture, especially at a time when everyone seems fcj be timid and afraid of the future.

A boxing match for the Championship of New Zealand and £50, and the Champion Belt of New Zealand, between H. Laing, the present holder, and Dick Matthews, of Auckland, took placa at Wanganui on Thursday evening, the sfch January, before a crowd of 700 people. The fight lasted just seventeen minutes, and was finished in four rounds. Laing stripped 12st 101b and Matthews turned the scale at list 61b.. Both men looked in the pink of condition, but Matthews was evidently too finely drawn. In the first round Matthews forced the fighting, but Laing got one in on Matthews' right ear, which rather staggered him. In the second round Laing hit out, and gave Matthews some very hard blows, which really settled the matter, as when Dick retired to the chair he was done up. The third and fourth rounds were a series of knock-downs, Matthews taking very severe punishment before he ultimately failed to come to time, Laing, on the other hand, was not touched at all, and at the end of the fight was in good fettle.

On Jan. 10 Mr. W. J. Courtney, of Courtney Place, Pousonby, left for Sydney en routo for the Transvaal and other portions of South Africa where he has still considerable interests. He intends to visit the new goldbearing district in the Transvaal, Johannesberg. While there he is intending to interest some of the diggers with the prospects which gold mining in Auckland holds out to those skilled in the work, and who possess the necessary capital to work the rich refractory ores which are here in such abundance. To aid him in this missionary work Mr W. Gulliver has prepared a drawing of the obelisk shown in Mr Witheford's window of the gold got out of the Auckland province, amounting in value to £9,000,000. This sketch, together with a few particulars of our goldfields, are tastefully engrossed by Mr. Gulliver, and the correctness of the whole i 3 certified to by the signatures of the Mayor, tho Town Clerk, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, together with the official seals of the municipality and the Chamber of Commerce.

On the invitation of Mr T. B. Hannaford, Admiral Fairfax and several officero of the fleet attended at Messrs P. Herapath and Son 3' office, on January 4, to inspect the model and drawings of Mr Hannaford's patent lighthouse. The Admiral took a great deal of interest in the explanations of the drawings and model before him, made by Mr Hannaford and Mr Herapath. The Admiral was accompanied by a mechanical engineer and an electrician, and after hearing their opinions, in answer to Mr Hannaford'a inquiry as to whether the beacon met with his approval, Mr Hannaford informs us that Admiral Fairfax expressed himself as follows:—"I am greatly pleased, Mr. Hannaford with your lighthouse, and shall have not only pleasure in writing you a few lines expressive of my approval, but will favourably bring it under the uotice of Lord Brassey, who is an intimate friend of mine, when I again meet him, and I thank you for the trouble you, as well as Messrs. Herapath and Purbrook, have taken in describing the invention," Mr. Purbrook proved to the entire satisfaction of Admiral Fairfax's electrioian that not only would there be a 15,000 candle-power light, but the reserve of electricity would be sufficient to revolve tho " one week in dead calm. i