Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9083, 18 June 1888, Page 12

The Inspector of Prisons has been made Inspector of New Zealand Volunteers, without extra pay. We understand that Mr. D. L. Murdoch, who for some time has been contemplating retirement from his position as general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, retired at the end of May. The pro-cathedral of St. Paul's, Thorndon, Wellington, was lighted for the first time on the 3rd June with the albo-carbon light. The success of the undertaking was tin qualified, and Mr. J. Moore, the colonial representative of the light, is to be congratulated on the satisfactory completion of the work. A singular circumstance is related from Kaiwarra, Wellington. A man named Edward IgsrledeiC employed by a general Outfitting firm, was delivering goods in the up-country district when he met a man who made some remark to him. Iggleden in attempting to reply found he had lost the power of speech. He has remained dumb since the unfortunate circumstance occurred. The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co.'s engineer, in reporting on the use of wood as fuel for locomotives, says the cost at present prices is 14s 56. for wood against 21s for coal, hauling similar loads. As the firewood is purchased for cash from the settlers along the line, the company not only benefit by a cheaper fuel, but also assist their own settlers by using what would otherwise be a waste product. The "A" Battery of Artillery fired on the 26th of May for prizes presented by Mr. M. Gallagher, one of the hon. members of the battery. The amount of the prize, £5, was divided into four prizes. The ranges were 200, 300, and 500 yards, five shots at. each. The young shots showed well in the scores. Gunner Webster takes the first prize, Gunner Kersley the second, Gunner Botterill the third, and Gunner Exton i t he fourth. Wm. Smith Fletcher, who was arrested at the Bluff on the charge of wife desertion, was brought up at Invercargill on June 4 and discharged, the police stating that Mrs. Thurston, with whom Fletcher was leaving the colony, had arranged with Mrs. Fletcher to foret;o"further legal proceedings in consideration of a payment of £53. Mrs. Thurston has nine children, eight of whom are with her husband, who has, it is said, commenced proceedings for a divorce. His Royal. Highness Landgraf Frederick Wilhelm Nicolaus Carl Von Hesse, accompanied by Baron Von Hugo and Baron Von Stark, with their four attendants, arrived overland from Napier via Taupo and Rotorua on June 11 at 5.15 p.m., having spent a very enjoyable time visiting the Hot Lake wonders. On their arrival they were met by Mr. Watkinson, who had made all arrangements for their stay here at Oram's Hotel. They left on June 12 for Sydney per steamer Tarawera. On May 31, at noon, the bush and mill properties of the Union Sash and Door Company, which have been advertised for several weeks, was sold by Messrs. Arthur and Buddie. There was a large attendance, but only one bid, a formal one, for £30,00), on behalf of the mortgagees, was made, and the ! property became vested in the mortgagee. It is understood that the purchase was made by arrangement between the mortgagee and the shareholders, for whom, we believe, should the stocks turn out well, there may be something to the good A rifle match, of 15 men a-side was fired on May 24, at the Mount Eden Rifle-range, between a team of 15 men of the "A" Battery and a similar team of the South Franklin Mounted Infantry. The match was a friendly one, and the ranges were 200, 300, and 500 yards five shots at each range. Captain Geddes looked after the "interests of the "A" Battery team, and Major Harris after those of the South Franklin team. There was a large attendance of members and hon. members of the " A" Battery, and the contest was watched with much interest throughout. . The result, however, was a comparatively easy victory for the "A" Battery by 133 points. High jinks were held on board the Zealandia, on he last passage to San Francisco. Among the passengers were the Austrian Countess Warnband and Baroness Hunter, who are on a tour of the world, travelling incognito; the German Count Paul de Weerth, also travelling incognito, and C. M. G. Van der Heyden, a nobleman from the Netherlands. On Easter Monday the steamer crossed the equator, when Father Neptune boarded the vessel, and in the fun that ensued Count de Weerth had his head badly cut. In the evening a full-dress ball was held. During the passage a paper was published on board called Zealandia Chips, of which H. R. Haxton was editor, and to which the Bishop of Nelson, who, with his family, was a passenger, contributed. By the kind and thoughtful invitation of His Worship the Mayor, a number of the Councillors and other gentlemen who could be obtained on a very short notice, met in the Mayor's room on the 12th June at half-past three, to say a few words of farewell to Mr. M. Montague, an ex-Councillor and an old and respected citizen of Auckland, who was leaving by the Sydney teamer the same afternoon. The Mayor presided, and stated the object of the meet'ng, and with Councillors Crowther, Kidd, Jarratt.Phillipps, Holland, the Town Clerk, and Mr. Wade, expressed feelings of extreme •egret at the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Montague and their family. Mr. Montague briefly replied, expressing his great regret in leaving thecolony and partingfrom numerous friends who had so kindly shown their good feelings towards him. A competition by the "A" Battery of Artillery which in this case is a final one, took place on Ist June, at the Drill-shed for the handsome silver cup presented by Messrs. Hoffmann and Sons, through Mr. H. Hoffmann, one of the hon. members of the battery. The competition was to be in big-gun drill, and four detachments were entered for competition. The detachments were as follow: — No. 1, under the command of Sergeant Henderson ; No. 2, Sergeant Doughty ; No. 3, Sergeant O'Brien ; and No. 4, Corporal Rose. The four gun detachments werl then put through the square gun drile movements, mounting, and dismounting, etc., by Major Payne, and the battery was then drawn up in line. SergeantMajor Silver announced the result of the ■jontest, and declared No. 2 detachment the victors, the band playing " The Conqueriig Hero." In response to calls by Captain Geddes, cheers were lustily given for Major Payne and Sergeant - Major Silver, the umpires; for Mr. Hoffmann, the donor of the trophy; and for the hon. members and ladies.