Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 421, 6 March 1880, Page 18

Town and Country.

From a Grahamstown telegram received on Tuesday, it appears that a case of true scarlet fever, of a malignant type, has broken out there, ending fatally. The victim was a girl, 14 years of age. The gra-s seed exhibited by Mr. Joe Dransfield, of this city, at the. Sydney Exhibition, is described by the judges in their award as the best seed in the court, and the most suitable for a farming and pastoral country.

Mr. A. M. Park, who has had charge of the Westport Telegraph station for some two or three years past, has been transferred to Masterton, and will in a day or two commence duty there. Previous to his departure from Westport he was the recipient of a most flattering testimonial from the business people and other residents of the town, expressing their esteem and appreciation of the efficient and uniformly courteous manner in which the business of the office had been conducted while under bis control.

When the charge against Mrs. Harding for permitting gambling in her licensed house was in progress on March 3, a witness named Peter Bell was placed in the box. M!r. Stafford, who defended the case, cautioned the witness that if he was one of those who were gambling in ’.he house on the morning in question, he was liable to a penalty as much as the defendant, so he had better be careful. This rather disturbed the equanimity of the wines?, but he was re-assured by Superintendent James, who observed that his liability to punishment was only in the event of the police prosecuting him.

The usual meeting of the Waste . Lands Board was held at the Provincial Buildings, on Feb. 26. Present—Mr. J. G. Holdsworth, chairman, and Messrs. H. Bunny, T. Mason, and W. W. Johnston. The Chairman submitted a schedule of sections in the Akitep Block, East Coast district, which he recommended should be withdrawn from sale, to enable the Chief Surveyor to survey roads through the block, and to readjust the boundaries and acreage. It was resolved that, subject to the approval of the Governor, the uu. sold portions of the block be withdrawn, pending the laying off of roads, and the reduction of the area of each section. Some routine business was also transacted. The autumn show of the Masterton Horticultural Society came off on. 25th February, and was equally successful with that of the preceding season. We agree with the remaiks of the local Press that the railway when it links the Wairorapa towns together will improve these local shows, and stimulate growers to increased exertions, by giving them access to Wellington markets. It is quite practicable for this district to supply the Wellington market with fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and it would be well to stimulate and encourage not only market gardening, but cottage gardening. The latter can be made as profitable as the former, and it has the additional advantage .of improving the homesteads of settlers, and giving them an interest and occupation around their own doors.

“ Bradshaw’s Guide ” for March proximo is already issued. Considerable improvements have been effected and additions made. Amongst others we note two maps instead of one, and both showing latest extensions of the various railway lines. The Customs Tariff has been carefully revised, and new duties, &c., noted to date. At page 56 we observe that the kme-table of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company i 3 given, showing dates of departure of their vessels from Auckland up tc the 7th December next. Also the time-table of the Orient line for March and April. The Guide is in every respect well compiled and reliable, and exceedingly useful. The men engaged by Colonel Reader out of the ranks of the unemployed were sent away on Feb. 27 to the Waimate district, where they will at once be set to work. We are informed the Government have authorised the employment of more men on the same terms, and will send them to the Wairarapa district, where employment will be found for them on a short section of the railway to Masterton. It is not intended that this work shall be considered as permanent, nor will the men be bound to continue in the employ of the Government for any specific time. Ihe object is to give the unemployed means to leave town and get work, which will at least give them means of subsistence until something better offers. It is anticipated that the county authorities and contractors will be enabled to offer many of the men better terms in the course of a little time.

Mr. Forwood on Feb. 26 made an application at the Resident Magistrate’s Court for a rehearing in the case of Duncan v. Zohrab aud Newman, on the ground that he had some fresh evidence to bring forward on behalf of his client, Mr. Duncan. Mr. Mansford stated that as he had only given a nonsuit in the case there was no necessity to make a rehearing. Upon this Mr. Forwood explained that bis object in making the application was that the case might be heard over again without fresh summonses being issued. Mr. Mansford, however, stated that he had already laid down a rule upon this subject, and therefore could not grant the request. If the case was re-beard fresh summonses would have to be issued in the ordinary course. We understand that this course will be adopted, and the ca.«e will come on for hearing on an early date.

We understand that Mr. C. M. Cronibie, deputy land tax commissioner, is at New Plymouth, on departmental business, one of the objects of his visit there being, as in other districts lately visited, to arrange for suing defaulters who have neglected to pay the land tax due on their properties.

The Hon. Major Atkinson has given instructions that 50 more married men from among the unemployed shall be taken on for public works on the same terms as offex'ed men previously engaged. The usual weekly meeting of the committee of the Benevolent Society was held on Tins lay afternoon at the Provincial Buildings, Mr. J. G. Holdsworth in the chair. There were present the Rev. R. Coffey, C. S. Ogg, H. Von Staveren, P. Kerrigan, W. J. Williams, Archdeacon Stock, Councillor Danks, and Mr. J. E. Smith. A large number of cases were inquired into and relieved. The Government, on Tuesday, forwarded a telegram to the Agent-General on the subject of the prevailing depression in New Zealand, and impressed upon him the necessity of intending immigrants being fully informed as to the prevailing state of affairs on this head, and to discourage the immigration of. persons without capital to the colony, until there is a decided improvement. The various agents throughout the old country are to be cautioned on the same subject.

Mr. R. J. Duncan, on Tuesday, received the following telegram, having reference to the West Coast railway“Foxton, 2nd March, 1880. To R. J. Duncan, Esq., Wellington.— At a public meeting held last night, the following resolution was unanimously passed—representatives from Feilding and Palmerston were present :—That considering the importance of the West Coast railway as a means of absorbing surplus population and promoting settlement, Government to be asked as soon as possible, the point of junction, and staf-t work at the Manawatu end. Ale?:. Gray, Chairman.”

A few weeks ago statements were published in certain papers to the effect that there was a flaw in the title of the reclaimed sold by public auction on the 4th February, 1879. This statement caused considerable uneasiness, both to those who had bought, and to those who were prepared to advance money upon this land. It now appears that this was a mere canard. There is no flaw in the title, which we know has been accepted by the Land Transfer Court. Of course this acceptance is an absolute guarantee of soundness of title, and will relieve the minds of many who were very largely interested. The Government have not been lenient to purchasers, but have inflicted a good deal of unnecessary expense upon them. When will the City Corporation have the fish stalls built on Custom House-quay, providing shade from the sun and shelter from duHt for the fish displayed for sale there ? The present system which fish vendors are compelled to follow is decidedly repugnant. Their fish are displayed on boards laid on the ground, the sun and dust have full play, and to keep up a semblance of freshness on their wares the fish men deluge their wares with water dipped from the harbor by means of a, rope and bucket. In close contiguity to tlr* fish-stand one of the town drains pours its contents into the water.

On Monday morning, a deputation—consisting of Mr. Walter Johnston, M.H R., Colonel Gorton, and Mr. Bull—waited on the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to urge on the Government the desirableness of at once going on with the construction of the branch line from the Great Ford station on the FoxtonWanganui station to Bulls, for which the sum of £SOOO was voted last session. Mr. Oliver said he would give the matter his full consideration and return an answer on the following day. The deputation were then informed that as the Royal Commission on Railways bad been appointed and would probably commence their sitting this week, and as the object of the Commission was to enquire into the necessity and propriety of constructing lines not yet begun, the Government had decided, in regard to this branch line, to await the report of the Commission. The deputation were, therefore, recommended to collect such evidence as to the paying and other capabilities of the branch, and lay the same before the Commission at an early sitting. On Tuesday the Mayor and Mr. Bunny interviewed the Hon. the Minister of Education, by appointment, on several school matters. There are about eighty children of school age at Petone, mostly belonging to workmen on the railway works. For these a site for a school on a portion of the spare ground belonging to the Government there was requested, and Mr. Rolieston undertook to bring the matter before the Public Works Department. At Kaitoke, another station on the railway, and known for a while as the temporary terminus of the line, before the Rimutaka was crossed, there are some twenty five children, without any school. The deputation suggested that a portion of the large goods-shed, now unused, might be utilised as a school room for these children. This, also, Mr. Rolieston agreed to bring before his colleague. The Mayor then urged the necessity for yet farther school building accommodation in the city, where, notwithstanding the progress which has been made, there are still large numbers of children running about the streets, for absolute lack of any place to receive them. He pointed put the urgency of proceeding at once to build Another school in Te Aro, upon ground acquired by the Education Board in Upper Willis street. The Minister was in a position to inform the deputation that a grant for building purposes had been made to the Board the other day, which might be dealt with as the Mayor proposed, if the members concurred with him in the view of the case he had stated. The financial position of the College was introduced, but as the statement recently forwarded by the Governors had not reached the Minister, nothing definite was arrived at.

The Carandini Company have visited Wanganui, but they must have got there a day before the fan-, as the local papers speak of small attendances at their concerts. The Wanganui people are evidently reserving themselves for the races.

A supplement to the JScw Zealand Gazette was published on Tu s ’ay, notifying that the 10th and 11th prox. will be bank half holidays; and the 12th instant a bauk holiday within the Borough of WaDganui ; and the 11th and 12th instant also bank holidays within the Borough of Marton and Counties of Wanganui, Rangitikei, and Patea.

We learn that tha Government have given instructions for the survey of a number of blocks of land throughout the colony, with, a view to their being sold on deferred payments. This work is to be pushed on with as much speed as possible, in order that they may be available for settlement by small farmers at an early date.

iJ3 A few days ago we referred to photographs of the prophet Te Whiti on view in a shop window on the Quay. For the last two or three days there has also been on exhibition a very striking painting, in oil, representing the prophet’s wife—a young and pretty woman. The picture appears to be an excellent one, all the details being perfect. The artist |is Mr. G. Lindauer, who painted the very fine Maori portraits on view in the same window a few' ago. •?On Tuesday a social tea and public meeting was held at the Congregational Chapel, Courtenay-place, for the purpose of welcoming the new pastor, the Rev. Mr. John Foster. An excellent tea was provided, of which a large number of people partook. There was afterwards a public meeting at half-past seven o’clock, when Mr. Woodward was in the chair, aud among the ministers present were the Revs. Messrs. Foster, Redstone, West, and Messrs. Fell, and Costall. The Chairman gave an introductory address, in the course of which he warmly welcomed their new pastor, and Mr. Foster in replying said he trusted and believed that he and his new congregation would get on well together, and that he 'felt sure they would. The meeting was afterwards addressed by other ministers, and during the intervals between the speeches some excellent music was rendered by the Wood-ward-street choir. The entire proceeding# were of a very social and pleasing character. The proceedings at the bankruptcy sitting of the Supreme Court on Tu< sday were of an entirely novel and unique character. When the clock of the Court struck twelve the following persons were preseat :—The Registrar, the representative of this journal, the Court usher, and a small boy presumably a lawyer’s clerk—sitting at the corner of the barrister’s table a siduously engaged in copying out some abstruse deed or other. At the last stroke of the clock the Court usher (standing in his box aud in his “ robe ” of office) made the following imposing proclamation, in stentorian tones : “O, yes’! O, yes ! O, yes! All persons having anything to do with this honorable Court, sitting under the Debtors and Creditors Act and the Debtors and Creditors Act Amendment Act,draw near and give your attendance.” And there being no barristers present to bow to, the Registrar gracefully bowed to the reporter, who as gracefully returned the salute ; while the usher smiled, and the small boy looked up from his copying, no doubt thinking there had been a good deal of formula gone through to very little purpose. And be was quite correct in his surmise. No one “drew near,” and no one “ gave his attendance.” “Call on the firstcase,” says the Registrar. “Thomas Witt !” cries the usher. But there is no appearance of Thomas (who is applying for his discharge), and the case is immediately struck out. The same thing happens when the name of F. W. Fisher (complete execution of deed) is called. “ Adjourn the Court until Tuesday, 9th March,” says the Registrar. “ This honorable Court stands adjourned until Tuesday, 9th March,” reiterates the usher. And the Court adjourned accordingly, after about half a minute’s sitting.

The fifth annual meeting of the Wellington Literary Association was held in St. John’s Schoolroom, Dixon-street, on the 2nd March, t te Rev. J. Faterson, > resident, occupying the chair. The secretary, Mr._ Miller, read the annual report, from which it appeared that an improvement had been manifested in the affairs of the society during the year. There were now 38 members on the roll, and the average attendance for the year had been 26, as against 14 reported the previous year. The committee impressed upon members the duty of regular attendance, in order that the society might be made a success. The death of two members —Allan and George McDonald—was recorded with regret, and the loss of other members who had left the city was also noticed. The actual work done last session had been of a varied character, and had been shared by members generally. A number of interesting subjects had been debated, and essays read, in addition to which one evening each quarter had been devoted to selections from Shakespeare, and one to general elocution. Two lectures had been delivered, one by Rev. J. Paterson upon “The Lives of William and Robert Chambers,” and one by Mr. John Young oh the “ The progress of life in geological periods.” Both lectures were well attended. Arrangements have been made for continuing these lectures during the next session. Three public entertainments had been given, the receipts from which had been between £lO and £l2, which had been devoted tn the purchase of books for the library. By this means, 28 standard volumes had been added to the library. The treasurer's statement showed a small balance to the credit of the Society. The following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing session : President, Rev. J. Paterson ; vice-presidents, Rev. O. S. Ogg, Messrs. Gardner and Bishop ; secretary, Mr. W. Miller ; treasurer, Mr. G. McLean ; librarian, Mr. R. Renner ; committee, Messrs. K rker, Allport, Nicholls, Beauchamp, and Veitch.

At a meeting- of the Kaiwarra School Committee on the 25th February, Messrs. G. Beetham, W. A. Fitzherbert, and Dr. Newman, were elected to the vacant seats on the Education Board.

The following telegram was received from Dunedin on Feb. 27 per United Press Association :—“ His Excellency the Governor has not received any information concerning the probability of war between England and Russia, referred to in Reuter’s Sydney message of to-day.”

An accident occurred at the Waterworks on the 25th ult., by which a man named Walter King had several of his fingers smashed. He was taken to the Hospital, and the fingers were amputated, and the patient at latest enquiries was progressing favorably. The Naval Brigade held a meeting on the 25th ult., for the purpose of electing a second and a fourth lieutenant. For the firstnamed position, Lieut. Wallace and Mr. Hislop were candidates, and for the latter the candidates were Lieut. Davey (Cadets), and Mr. Waterhouse. The choice fell upon Messrs. Hislop and Waterhouse. It is notified by the Secretary, General Post Office, that in future only a mail via Brindisi will be made up for the United Kingdom by the Suez route, the Imperial Government having decided to abandon the route via Southampton, concurrently with the establishment of the new fortnightly mail service between Europe and Australia, via Brindisi and Colombo.

By the last mail nominations for 51 souls, equal to statute adults, were forwarded from Wellington, through Mr. Redward, immigration officer. These nominations are mostly for females. The number is an increase upon those nominated last month, and would have been still more but for the desire of the Government to keep immigration down as much as possible during the present period of depression.

The various boiling-down works in the colony are in full swing ju3t now, and steam L hardly ever allowed to go down. We are informed that an unusual quantity of surplus stock (mostly old ewes) is being disposed of, in addition to the usual supply of fat wethers, which the butchers have no room for. Considerable quantities of tallow have arrived from time to time, and the English vessels now loading will take away several hundred tons of this article of export. The keenness with which work that does not require much skill is now taken up has just received a striking illustration. Mr. Gear, of this city, invited tenders for cutting a drain about a mile in length at Otaki, the work including the removal of about 4000 cubic yards. No less than sixty-five tenders were receive!, some of them being for the whole of the contract and others for sections. The number of men represented by these tenders was about 600, or more than would be required to do the work in a day. The locality is over fifty miles from the city. Mr. S. Franck, the original importer and patentee of the totalisator, is in Wellington. We understand that he has secured the exclusive right of using th>3 already famous machine in New South Wales and Victoria, and proposes at once to do so in this colony. The machine, however, is at present only legalised in Queensland and South Australia. We have inspected the instrument, which is the original totalisator, which is used on the English and American racecourses. It is of simpler construe ion, and contains greater and safer safeguards against frauds, than those up to the present time exhibited in New Zealand.

The man named John Conolly, who was committed on Feb. 25 at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to gaol for four weeks, with hard laber, and who was described by Mr. Maginnity. Secretary to the Telegraph Department, as a first-class operator, but who had to leave his situation in the Telegraph Office in consequence of his drinking habits, is a new arrival in the colony, and had only been connected with the Telegraph Department for a short time. We mention this in justice to the officers of the department who hold, and most deservedly so, a high reputation for sobriety and gentlemanly demeanour. The following tenders were received by the Hutt County Council on Feb. 27 for the erection of a bridge over the Hutt River on the Mungaroa and Waikanae line of road : Accepted—William Brown, <£2236. Declined— James Cleary, £2346 Is. 3d. ; W. F. Oakes, £2387 Is. 6d. ; Jos. Saunder, £2451 12s. 6d. ; Ja«. Lockie, £2750 ; W. O’Brien and Co., £2803 ; Thos. Powell and Co., £2939 ; Sami. Browne, £3OOO. The bridge will be 240 ft. long, that distance being divided into three spans of 80ft. each, resting on concrete piers. The structure will be about 30ft. above the bed of the river. As the Parliamentary vote for this work was £4500, there will be a saving of £2264, or more than half the amount of the rough estimate. Mr. H. S. Wardell, treasurer to the Wairarapa Jockey Club, makes explanation in the Wairarapa Daily as to the financial matters of the club, in reply to a statement made that he was absent at the time appointed for settling up with winners, and had merely authorised the stewards to draw on him for £250, which was not nearly sufficient to meet claims. His explanation is as follows :—“ I feel it due to myself to state that the only moneys received by me on account of the last race meeting was as follows:—Hayward, £25; Girdlestone, £264. Of this, at Girdlestone’s request, I paid him £26 on Friday last for Thompson, a winner, leaving a balance of £263. I had not the exact figures by me when I authorised the stewards to draw on me for £250. I have reason to be believe that Mr. Girdlestone has received about £SOO on account of the last meeting. He has yet to explain why he has not paid it over to me, but this, I take it, is for the Club to deal with.” There is evidently a want of perfect accord between the responsible manager and the Wnirarapa Jockey Club, which is to be regretted.

During the progress of the case Hunt v. the Bank of New Zealand, in the District Court last week, Mr. Edwards sought to put in the conditions of sale by auctiou of some land, showing the agreement under which the land was purchased. Mr. Stafford, however, objected to the document, on the ground that it was not stamped, neither was it signed by one of the parties. Upon examination this was found to be the case, and his Honor ordered the document to be stamped, with the usual penalty of £5 in addition. Mr. Lord, of the Stamp Department, subsequently attended, and made an explanation to his Honor concerning the signatures. At an early hour on 29th February the police made a raid upon an hotel in Upper Willis-street, which they have for some time past suspected of being the resort of youthful gamblers. Their suspicions appear to have been well grounded, for upon entering the place no less than 19 youths, their ages ranging between 16 and 20 years, were found engaged in gambling. The raid was managed very cleverly, Chief Detective Browne being in charge, and sufficient evidence was obtained to warrant an information being laid against the landlord.

The following tenders were received by the Education Board for the supply of 288 deal desks :

. (informal). engines, so common in many other parts of the colony, have only just found footing in Wellington, but promise to be soon as much in vogue here as elsewhere. The introduction of the first is due to the enterprise of Messrs. Lyon and Blair, and it has fully answered expectations, and something more. We inspected the engine—an Otto silent—the other day, and can vouch for its good qualities. It is a pretty piece of mechanism of three and ahalf horse-power, remarkably compact and efficient, and its movement, if not absolutely silent, is productive of much less noise than that of any other kind of engine in use. It has other and more telling recommendations, in cheapness and cleanliness, there being neither dust nor smoke, whilst the cost of fuel is less than half of that which would be involved in the working of an ordinary steam engine of the same power. Messrs. Lyon and Blair calculate that the engine could drive three times the quantity of machinery it is at present attached to, and they propose shortly testing its power by erecting several other machines heavier than those now in use in their establishment. The Otto silent gas engine is certainly a wonderful piece of mechauism, but if whan the Engineer, a paper published at London in the interest of the trade, says is true, it is eclipsed by another gas engine, patented by Messrs. F. Hurde and Co., of Edinburgh, which combines certain properties that were alone wanting to render the gas engines which preceded it all but perfect. The latter work at an unvarying rate of speed, whilst the action of Hurde’s engines can be controlled as readily as that of a steam engine. The absence of this quality has constituted the great objection to gas engines, but now that it has been embodied in them, we shall look for their general adoption as sources of motive power.

At the adjourned annual meeting of the Northern Land, Loan, and Building Company last Saturday afternoon there was again no quorum of shareholders present, only the chairman and two directors and two other shareholders putting in an appearance. The meeting therefore stands adjourned sine die. The following are the principal clauses of the annual report :—“ In submitting to the shareholders the second annual report and balancesheet of the company, your directors regret that they cannot speak of the year 1879 as so profitable as the preceding year. At the same time, notwithstanding the financial difficulties and depression uuder which the colony has labored, they are glad to be able to report that the financial position of the company has improved. Of the new issue of shares recommended at the last annual meeting, 609 were taken up. The balance to credit of profit and loss at the close of last year is £220 4s. 5d., which amount your directors recommend should be carried forward to next year. In accordance with the articles of association, three of the directors—Messrs. C. J. Johnston, J. F. E. Wright, and J. B. Harcourt retire, all of whom, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.” Many of the shareholders will, perhaps, be disappointed to find that after the handsome dividend which was declared as the result of the first year’s operations the directors should now find it inadvisable to give any immediate direct return for the capital invented. A careful comparison between the balance-sheets for the two years will, however, show that the company is in a most satisfactory position, and that the directors have made good use of the depressed times. Last year the paid-up capital on shares amounted to £5572 ; this year it stands £11,526. During the same period deposits and fixed loans have risen from £11,526 to £16,748, while the overdraft at the National Bank has been decreased from £13,517 to £5209. The investments in land have at the same time increased from £8573 to £15,974, part of the increase in this item beiag, however, accounted for by a decrease in the value of the mortgages held. As the acquirement of land is one of the principal objects for which the company was formed, the result of the investments reported should prove highly satisfactory as soon as the existing depression admits of sales or leases being effected at advantageous terms.

The Lynch Family of Bellringers arrived at the Bluff on Monday by the s.s. Tararua. During last month 42 deaths were recorded in the City of Wellington. For the same period 78 births are recorded, while the number of marriages was 26.

The returns of the voting for the election of three members of the Education Board should have been received at the Bo ird’s office by Monda? last, but the result will not be made known until the 9th instant, when a special meeting of the Board will be held to consider this and other matters.

Mr. McFarland, who recently resigned an appointment in the Government Insurance Department, was on Saturday last pre ented by his fellow officials with a valuable diamond ring, and a letter in which the subscribers expressed their esteem and hearty good wishes for his future welfare.

Miss Dargon, the eminent tragedienne, who has won most flattering approval in Australia, was a passenger by the Tararua to the Bluff She intends to give Shakespearean and dramatic recitals in the principal towns of the colony, but has no present intention of starring with any dramatic company.

The second detachment of men intended for road making in the Waimate d strict, left by the Government steamer Stella on Monday afternoon. There were seventy five in all. most of them apparently able-bodied men. Their departure, as well as that of the Opera Company in the Te Anau, drew a large crowd on the wharf.

At the R.M. Court on Monday the business was interrupted by a man who had just been dealt with for drunkenness, and who, in walking across the floor of the Court to speak to a friend, stamped verv loudly while doing so, Mr. Mansford ordered the man to be taken into custody, and be was detained until the criminal business was got through, when he was discharged with a c mtion. The kauri planking which was recently laid on the Queen’s Wharf is not proving so durable as was so confidently expected. It appears to wear away in ribbons, and where the timber has been cut across the grain, the ends, split into hundreds of pieces, have warped upwards several inches, causing awkward stumbles to the unwarv, especially at night time. We notice that a coac of tar is being applied, which may have the effect of reducing the wear and tear in some degree, and prevent further warping.

UJThe inhabitants of Upper Sydney-street are petitioning the City Council to connect their street with Tinakori-road. At the present Sydney-street ends abruptly at one of the gates leading into the Botanical Gardens, only a narrow, steep, and, in wet weather, almost impassable footway connecting it with Tina-kori-road. As the few chains of cutting asked for would also reduce the distance between the business part of the city and the suburbs lying in that direction, the request that the work should be done does not seem unreasonable.

The wharf had an unusually lively appearance for that time of day between the hours of 7 and 8 o’clock on Saturday morning, the latter hour being the time fixed upon for the departure of the Volunteer representatives at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, which is about to be held at Nelson. Between' forty and fifty representatives had arrived from various parts of the colony during the two preceding days, and on this occasion their number was further increased by the men chosen from the local corps. In addition to these there were also a number of excursionists, some of whom went across to the Brighton of the colonv merely for the sake of the holiday trip, the remainder departing with the intention of seeing the meeting through. The Volunteers were accompanied to the side of the steamer Wellington, which had been laid on by the Union Company for the occasion, by a large num er of friends, who wished them every possible success.

A meeting of the general committee of the Irish Famine Relief Fund was held at the City Council Chambers on February 27 rii, and was presided over by the Mayor. It was resolved that a house to house visitation of the city be made to-day, and that envelopes with the words “Irish Fam ne Relief Fund” printed outside, be left, invitations to contribute to the fund being enclosed. Tomorrow the sub-committees of each ward will call and collect the envelopes, containing whatever subscriptions the occupants of the houses may be able to afford. Mr. Page stated that he had already received £l4 in small subscriptions. A resolution was carried to the effect that the Mayor shall forward to Dublin on Wednesday, by cable, all moneys then in hand. Should a hearty r sponse be given by the citizens to the call made upon them to-day, his Worship will have the pleasure of forwarding a large sum of money for the relief of the Irish sufferers on Wednesday. A notorious character was arrested early on Sunday morning by Detective Warren on a charge of vagrancy, he having been found by the detective in an unoccupied house in Mow-bray-street. The man’s name is Frank Plummer, but he also rejoices in a variety of aliases. Plummer has had rather an extensive experience of the interior of gaols, one of his sentenceshaving been for 16 years, for highway robbery. While undergoing this sentence he broke out of gaol, but was retaken. He received a sentence of six months’ imprisonment about eight months ago for robbing a meat safe, and since his release the complaints which have been made to the police by residents of the Terrace concerning numerous meat-safe robberies have led to the suspicion that Plummer was at his old games again. Detective Warren was consequently on the alert, and if he has not succeeded in actually connecting his prisoner with the robberies complained of, the victims will at least have the comforting assurance that their meat-safes will not be troubled by the prisoner in question for some months to come.

A shipment of 1200 bags of oats and wheat arrived by the steamer Kiwi last Sun 'ay. It was shipped at Ureti, and is fiorn the Waikaraka station of Mr. Donald Donald.

43 The Primitive Methodists of Newtown have purchased some land in that suburb, and have built a schoolroom, in which it is intended that divine service shall be conducted until a more suitable church can be erected. Ihe opening services were held on Feb. 29, t.he Rev. D. Dutton preaching in the morning, while the Rev. W. S. Potter officiated at the evening service.

A considerable number of butchers’ sheep arrived, per steamers from Wanganui, la>t Sunday. The Manawatu had no less than 3' oon board, her decks and hold being as closely packed as was possible without danger to the animals. They were sent down by Messrs. Pollock to the order of Mr. J. Gear, butcher, of this city. The Tui also brought about 150, besides a number of pigs. The settlers at the Taueru, near Masterton, have forwarded a petition to the Education Board, praying for the establishment of a school in that neighborhood. They set out that there would be an average attendance of from twenty-five to thirty children, who are at present unable to attend any school—the nearest schools, those at Bideford and Masterton, being from eight to teu miles away. There is a prospect of direct steam communication between Auckland and Fiji being shortly re-established. A steamer ( f be Suva) now trades between Melbourne and F ji ; and so rapidly has the trade developed that the owners are now looking out for a vesst 1 of large tonnage, and, recognising the imp- rtauce of coaling at the Bay of Islands insti-ad of Melbourne, they have determined that their new steamer shall coal there, and subsequently call at Auckland for passengers aud cargo. A boy named "Vowless, over whom his parents have lost all confcro', was ordered by Mr. Mansford on Saturday to be sent to the Kohimarama Training-school for a period of two and a-half years, by which time he will have attained the age of fourteen years. He was sent on on Monday, and was accompanied by a boy named John O’Donnell, who has been sent from Wanganui on a similar charge. A boy named Arthur Hamilton, who has been forwarded from Wanganui cn route for the Caversham reformatory, was also sent on from Wellington.

We are glad to learn that Sergt. McMahoD, who ha« for some time past been stationed in Wellington, has rece ved promotion, he hav ng been appointed to the charge of the Coromandel station. Me left on Monday for the North, taking with him the two neglected children, -srthur Hamilton and John Vowless,. who have been committed to the K"h'mararna tra ning institu ion. Constable Phair, who has been stationed at Newtown, has also been transfered, and ho left for isVison yesterday. The effects of the alteration in the level of' Upper Willis-street, between Uxon and Mauners streets, have been almost so far as the eastern side of the street is concerned, the only building now remaining above the new level being the Te Aro Hotel and two small dwelling-houses. There can be no doubt that, so far as appearances are concerned, the chauge is doing not a, little towards improving th it part of the town. A move iu a similar direction is also being made on the western side, but owing to the work being much* heavier and more expensive, the progress hasnot been so marked as on the opposite side.

The luck which has attended a few ventures in racii g sweeps made by Mrs. Fisher, th*worthy hostess of the Prince of Wales Hotel,, this season, is not likely to be surpassed iu the colony. Mrs. Fisher was the holder of Foul Play in North’s sweep on the Wellington Cup, and as that horse won the event, she drew £9OO, the clear gain being, however, only £550, as she had sold half her chance for £IOO. In Stapleton’s sweep on the Dunedin Cup sheagain drew the same horse, and got £IOO forlhird place. In Dodson’s sweep on the same event she also diew Norseman, who, as a nonstarter, brought her £lB. The three tickets have, therefore, brought her in £638 for an outlay of only £3. A case of some intei’est to the shipping community was decided at the V esident Magistrate’s Court on March 1, this being thecivil action Strasburgv. Captain Wills, master of the s.s. Huia, for the recovery of Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Ollivier for defendant. The action was brought in consequence of plaint ff, a seaman, having been summarily dismissed from thevessel for objecting to wash the decks, on Sunday. Mr. Mansford, in giving judgment for plaintiff for one month’s wages (£6), said the practice of discharging seamen at a moment’s notice was becoming too common, and l he had determined to set his face against itIf seamen disobeyed orders, masters could havethem punished for so doing, but could net resort to such a summary method of dealing with them as dismissing them without notice. The anniversary of the Molesworth-street Wesleyan Suuday School was celebrated on Feb. 29 by special services. The Rev. John Foster, the newly arrived Congregational minister, officiated at the morning service, and delivered an interesting discourse from the text, “If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of His.” In the afternoon an address was delivered by the Rev. W. J. Williams from the words, “ Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ?” The same rev. gentleman preached iu the evening, founding his sermon upon the words “ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones.” There were very good attendances at the morning and eveuiug services, and the children of the school, who were seated upon a platform which had been improvised for the occasion iu the vicinity of the pul] it, sang some appropriate hymns in a pleasing manner. Collections were made at each service on behalf of the school funds, the total amount realised being £5 14s. 4d.

The m >n Frederick Plummer we referred to in our last issues was taken before the Resident Magistrate on Monday on a charge of vagrancy, and iu pleading guilty he made a long statement to the Bench, an outline of which will be found in our report of the R.M. Court proceedings. Plummer appears to have had a fair education, and he is a fluent speaker. He is respectably connected in Auckland, and Mr. Mansford remanded the case till to-morrow, in order that he might communicate with defendant’s relations in the North.

The city cabmen are adapting themselves to circumstances, and finding that they cannot compete with ihe Tramway Company, except by running their vehicles at cheap prices, have mounted placards on their cabs, “3d. from 8 a.m. till 6 p.m.” This should bring them plenty of fares, if only from among the many persons who find it inconvenient to wait in the streets for the comiDg tram-car. . One advantage in the cheap cab system is that it will convey people to their doors instead of merely to the nearest street corner passed by the tramway trains.

The mqnest on the body of Alexander Brown, who was killed at the South-road works on Saturday, was held on March 1, and will be found reported in another column. The money which has been collected by Mr. Baird on behalf of the widow amounted yes terday to about £l4, but this sum will, no doubt be further augmented by subscriptions which are yet to come in. Ihe money is to be given to the Benevolent Institution in trust for Mrs. Brown, as by this means it will not only be made to go further than if banded over to the widow, but it will be supplemented from the Government funds. The two boys left by deceased are stated to be both earning their living, and the money subscribed will therefore be devoted entirely to the relief of the widow, who is said to be an old and decrepit

woman. Several instances have lately transpired of nocturnal visitations to the interior of residences in this city and its suburbs by a. mysterious unknown. This rude disturber of nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep,” is no doubt embued with other than poetic intentions, and it would be well if the free and easy colonial fashion of leaving door 3 unbolted and unlocked, and windows unfastened, were abandoned, and a restraint put on this individual’s peregrinations by the proper securing of entrances. The latest adventure of the unknown—for it is to be presumed that these visitations are the work of one person was a somewhat amusing one. A couple of nights ago he visited the residence of a trio of bachelors in Oriental Bay.' The discovery of liis presence led to a lively scene, but the robber-catching powers of the inmates were not equal to the occasion, and they only succeeded in obtaining a view of the intruder s energetic retreat from the premises.

No. 1. No 2, No 3. s. d. s. d! s. d. Dummond and Meyer (acptd) 9 8$ 9 819 81McKenzie .. (declined) 11 6 12 0 12 6 Layton 13 6 13 e 13 6 Scoular and Archibald 13 6 13 c 13 G Cempton Brothers .. 12 6 13 0 13 6 B. Upton .. 13 6 13 6 13 G Halley and Ewing .. 13 6 14 0 14 G Waddell, McLeod, and Weir 15 0 15 0 15 0 Haughton 15 0 15 6 15 6 Boarer and Smith .. 17 0 17 0 17 0 Sheen and Graff )i 17 0 17 0 17 0 W. F. Parsons 17 8 17 8 17 S Townsend ) * 18 0 18 0 18 0 Tuckwell 9> 21 0 24 0 24 0