TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 752, 30 July 1886, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Owing to the increase in the number of subscribers to tbe telephone it has been found necessary to enlarge tbe exchange, which will shortly he done. The Governor has accepted the resignation by Mr WV Harsant, of Onebunga, and Mr H. de .O. Martelli, of Auckland, of their appointments as Justices of the Peace. On tbe arrival of the ss Hanroto from Sydney yesterday week, a detective went on board to make inquiries 'as to whether Mr A. L. Levy was a passenger by her on her last voyage from Wellington to Sydney. A photograph of Mr Levy was shown to the forecab n stewardess and some of the hands, who recognised it as that of a man who was a passenger by the vessel last trip. The Captain and some of the officers, however,.do not believe that Mr Levy was on board, bat it is possible that he may not have come in contact with them though on board. The police authorities are much inclined to believe that he was.

The adjourned meeting of the Committee of the late Salvage Corps was held at Mr Bishop’s office, Featherstou-street, last night week, Mr G. V. Shannon in the chair. The following resolutions were carried : That Mr Simpson (New Zealand Insurance), Mr Dancan (Messrs Levin and Co.), and Mr Martin (Town Clerk) be trustees of the property of tbe late Salvage Corps, to hold for the use of any properly constituted Salvage Corps that may be formed that the fire escape be returned to the charge of the Corporation. A nnrrber of names were handed in of youDg men who were willing to join a Volunteer Salvage Corps. Under the rules of the old company 2s a practice was paid to each man ; Is per hour for the first hour at fires and 2s per hour afterwards. It is now proposed that services at practices and at fires shall be voluntary, and not paid for, but when men are engaged after- fires to - guard or remove goods they shall.be paid at ordinary labor rates.

With reference to the recent increase in Bank deposit rates, the New Zealand Trade Review says :— ** We alluded in our last to a slight increase in New Zealand bank lending ratei. This has been succeeded by an increase of 1 per ceat in the deposit rates, following tbe rise in Australia. Lending rates have also been again slightly increased making an advance of 1 per cent all round, inclusive of the change reported last month. Australian lending rates aie still beyond those charged in this Colony, and we may consequently look for a further increase in that dtiection here. It is a pity we are so close to Australia that we have to follow their rates when they have this upward tendency, for there seems to be no warrant for ah increase in this market. Whether the remittance of the newly-raised loans will cheapen money in the 1 neighboring colonies remains to be seen. It is to be hoped that it will have that effect, in which case we may regard the increase here as only temporary. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wellington Hospital Trustees was held yesterday week in the Council Chambers. There were present—Messrs F. H. Fraser (in the chair), ■ Dr Newman. M.H.R., G. M. Kebbell, Williams,'Villestoo* Gaby. A letter was received from Mr S. Dauks/ stating that he was unable to attend the mueting. The House Committee’s report was read and adopted. It stated that the usual inspection of the institution had been made, and everything was found in a satisfactory state. The report also mentioned that notices had been sent to all the lessees of the Hospital Endowment, informing them that in future the rents must be paid to the Trustees. The balance sheet showed that the sum of £4l 17-1 7d had been realised from the performances of the opera of “ Patience,” given by the members of St Peter’s Church choir. The tbauks of tbe Committee were accorded to tbe members of the Choir, and also to the members of the Wellington Guards who had given their services as money and check-takers at the performances. Donations of £8 10s and aod £2 2s had been received from St. Peter’s vestry and Mr Woods, on behalf of the Shipwrights Association respectively. The committee recommended to supply the furniture for the resident Medical .Officer’s quarters, at a cost not exceeding £22. Messrs. Petherick, Hutchinson, and Lawson, had kindly consented to supply 24 collection boxes. The House steward supplied a statement, the reading of which he reported would go far in proviog that the . anticipated reduction of £1,500 in the working expenses of the institution for the year would be realized. Notwithstanding that the expenses for gas and coal had been heavier this quarter than the previous one, the total expenditure.was considerably less. The expenditure for the quarter ending March amounted to £1877 6s Id, while that of the quarter ending June amounted to £1707 10s. A great reduction bad taken place in the liqour account, and a still greater reduction iu the drug aocount, since the new contract came into force, Tbe liquor bill for the March quarter, amounted to £lO4 18s lQd, and that of June to £45. The drug accounts for the same periods were—quarter ending 31st March, £290 ; quarter ending 30th June, £179 10s lid. The total expenditure for the half-year amounted to £3584 16s Id. In the case of theie being no exceptional expenditure between this and the end of the year, the total expenditure would not be much more than £7OOO. The Chairman stated that Mr Connal had visited the Hospital, and undertaken to furnish a report upon tha drainage system. Beyond the adoption of the two reports, no other business of an important natnre was transacted.

It will doubtless be a matter of interest to the public to know that the new Te Aro House in the city of "Wellington is rapidly approaching completion, and promises to be without exception the finest, most complete, and most convenient drapery establishment South of the Equator. We hope to occupy it early in September in time for the spring trade. In the meantime we are desirous of clearing out our Winter Stock of Drapery and Clothing, so as to save the trouble and expense of removing. Unusually special bargains throughout every department will be offered, and the public should seize this golden opportunity at Te Abo House. The Sale commenced on Friday, July 2nd, and is now in full operation. Country residents would do well to pay an early visit to this Removing Sale at Te Abo House, Wellington.

Twenty-seven names have been struck off the Thomdon Electoral Roll, and 72 off the Te Aro Roll, on the application of the Registrar, of Electors, Mr W. P. James. Mr Walker, M.L.C., writes to us stating that he did not object to the Parliament Buildings berng thrown open in connection with the Tarawera Relief fund.

The adjourned meeting of creditors in the estate of J. W. Bartley, hotelkeeper, Kaiwarra, called for last Friday, again lapsed for want of a quorum. The N.Z.S. Co’s R. M.S. Rimutaka left Capetown last Friday for New Zealand. The Rimutuka’s first port of call is Port Chalmers.

Messrs Ames and Johnston, Dog Inspectorr for the City Council, have taken out a number of summonses against persons who have neglected to register tbeir dogs. Professor-Hutton was a passenger by the PenguiD, which called here last Friday. He was on bis way to Christchurch, having finished his observations in the volcanic district. - i

We are informed that owing to the heavy rains on Saturday night a large slip took place on the Makara-road, causing much inconvenience, especially to the milkmen who at an early hour on Sunday morning had to provide a relay of traps. The damage is expected'to be repaired in a few days. Mr J. Duthie, President of the Caledonian Society, entertained last Friday evening the ladies and gentlemen who so ably assisted at the late Caledonian concert. The entertainment took the form of a supper and ball, and as may readily be supposed, proved a most enjoyable affair. A number of Mr Duthie’s personal friends were also present.

Some little excitement was caused in Cubastreet on Saturday Dight at about half-past 10 o'clock by a woman named Mrs Currie falling down in an epileptic fit. It was ascertained that she resided in Binham-street, and thither Constables Slight and. Coffey conveyed her on a stretcher, where she shortly after recovered consciousness and rapidly got better.

A correspondent informs -U3 that many eases of petty <arceny have occurred recently at Karori. Housebreaking, too, is becoming very common ; money, jewellery, furniture, bacon—nothing comes amiss to these rascals. During the past month several houses have been visited, and various articles abstracted. They have even vhited Makara recently, where a farmer lost some pork. « The following passengers booked at Wellington for London per s.s. Arawa, which left Lyttelton for Loudon last Saturday :—Second cabin—Mr Wm. Blaz'd ; steerage—Misses Keveney and Leitch, Messrs Scales and Mathews, Mr and Mrs Vaughan and child, Mr and Masters (2) Timmons, Mr and Mrs White, Mr and Mte Huff and family (4), Messrs J. Henry, J. Davies, and J. Beany.

A man named Christiansen, a mill hand living at Waikawa, was found almost dead at Otaki on Saturday night. He was at once taken to -the Telegraph Hotel, where he expired soon afterwards. The deceased, who leaves a wife acid a large family, was the worse, for liquor when last seen before the accident, and it is supposed that while on bis way home he fell off his horse and dislocated his neck.

The unfortunate man John Whiting, who was-admitted to the Hospital about three creeks ago suffering from injuries sustained through the branch of a tree falling upon him while he was bush-felling near Otaki, died last Friday night from fracture of the spine. The case was reported by Dr Hassalt to Dr Johnston on Saturday, and tbe latter decided that an inquest was unnecessary. Deceased was a siogle man, his only ascertained relative—a brother—residing at Giabcrne, The Te Aro Opera House is now in a forward condition, the front part of the house being almost completed so far the carpenters are concerned. The painters and decoraters have been for some time at work, and the two circles will shortly be occupied by the upholsterers. The rear portion of tbe building is, however, a long way off completion, the brick shell around the stage being barely finished, aod the stage itself not yet begun. It is expected that the whole will be completed by December next. g Mr J. Hyde Harris, whose death is anmbunced, Arrived in New Zealand in 1850. After practising as a barrister and solicitor in Dnnedin in 1859 he was appointed Resident Magistrate and District Judge there. He was a member of the first Provincial Council of Otago, and had a seat in the Legislative Council from 1858 to 1868. Iu 1863 he was elected Superintendent of Otago, defeating the late Sir John Richardson. He held high rank in Freemasonry, and was Provincial Grand Master, E.C., for Otago and Southland from 1864 to 1881. Mr Harris was married to a daughter of the late Captain Cargill, first Superintendent of Otago. The unfortunate woman Jane England, who was brought in from the Lower Hutt on Thursday evening on a charge of lunacy, was examined by Dra Grace and Johnston last Friday, who pronounced her insane, and she was committed to Mount View Asylum by Mr Warded, R.M. It appears that on Thursday Mrs England, who with her husband and two children lived in a cottage near Mrs Johnston, schoolmistress at the Hutt, became very violent, and heat her children with a stick threatening to murder them. Mrs Johnston was attracted by the noise to the bouse, and Mr England went for the police; but' while he was away his wife again threatened the children, and Mrs Johnston took them to her own house. Mrs England then armed herself with a gun, with the butt end of which she wrecked the furniture, windows, and other fittings of the house, doing all the damage her strength enabled her to do. She then took a spade and proceeded to Mrs Johnston’s house, which she entered by knocking a window-frame out, Mrs Johnston in the meantime retreating with the children to an upstairs room, from the window of which she cried for asistance; which came in the persons of Messrs Scoles and Clement, who secured the dangerous lunatice, but not until she had smashed all the windows and wrecked a large amount of furniture in various rooms of the house. Much sympathy is expressed for Mrs Johnston, whose courageous action in resc-uring the children at great personal risk resulted in the wreckage of her home.

A special Holy Communion set vice was held at St Paul’s Church on Saturday morn* ing last by Bishop Hadfield, assisted by the Rev J. Still, incumbent, wben 22 members and associates of the Girls’ Friendly Society participated in the holy rite. The Rev W. H. West and Mr Lee, School Inspector, examined the city and suburban pupil teachers in reading and reciting at the School of Design on Saturday, want of time preventing these subjects being taken at the recent annual examinations at the Training College. Miss Ada Campbell closed her series of lectures at the Theatre Royal on Sunday night, her subject being entitled, “ The Real Atonement, or Man’s True Saviour.” There was a moderate but appreciative audience, to judge by the frequent applause accorded to Miss Campbell’s rather trenchant remarks. The annual meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Synod has been summoned by the Bishop for Wednesday, Bth September. The Synod will attend Holy Communion in St. Paul’s Church at 11 a.m. on that day, and the Bishop will deliver bis opening addreßS in the Diocesan Library at 2.30 p.m. The shipping returns for the Colony for the quarter ending with June show a considerable increase in the number and tonnage of vessels arriving compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. The number and tonnage of those departing, or ihe other hand, show a decrease.

A cable message has been received by Messrs Levin and Co., agents of the American barque Chasca, which put into Sydney last Wednesday for repairs, on the voyage from New York to Wellington, to the effect that the vessel is badly damaged, and probably the cargo also.

The owners of the small schooner Australian Maid, now lying alongside the breastwork, intend taking her to Cambridge Gulf to act as a lighter to the Bteamers and sailing vessels arriving there with passengers and cargo for the Kimberly Goldfields. Before leaving the little vessel will receive a thorough overhauling. Though only a small vessel of seventeen tons, she is said to be a good sea boat. At a meeting of the Tarawera Relief Committee held at Government House, it was resolved to bold the conversazione in the Parliamentary Buildinge on Saturday, the 31st inst. The Mayor and the Chairman of the Harbor Board have been appointed city representatives on the Committee. It is proposed that there shall be a number of amusements during the eveniug of the, 31st. The Government steamer Hinemoa returned from Opunake about 8 o’clock on Saturday morniog, having on board Te Whiti, Titofcokowaru, and eight other Natives, who have been committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court in Wellington in connection with the recent acts of aggression committed by the Maoris at Manaia. The prisoners arrived under a guard of 15 Armed Constabulary, who escorted them to the Terrace Gaol. An express was provided for Titokowaru and the Native who had his leg broken during the disturbance. Sir George Whitmore was also a passenger. Owing to the early hour of the steamer’s arrival, and the fact that publicity had not been given to the time when she was expected, there was little excitement on the part of the general public. His Honor, the Chief Justice, held a sitting of the Supreme Court on Saturday morning, when the evidence of the Hon J. Wilson was taken in the Hawkes Bay Land case, Arbi Te Nahu v Locke and others, (trustee of the Keremu Reserve, part of the Heretaunga Block). All the evidence, with the exception of Mr Wilson’s, was taken at the Napier circuit sittings in June, and the case was then adjourned to Wellington, for the convenience of the parties interested. No fewer than eleven counsel were engaged in the case at Napier, and on Saturday the parties were represented by the following :—Mr W. L Rees, with him Mr E Ward (both of Napier) for the plaintiff ; Mr Fitz Gerald (instructed by Mr Logan of Napier) for Messrs Locke and Purvis Russell, defendant trustees ; Mr Chapman for Tomoana (late M.H.R.) ; and Mr A. S. Baker (of Palmerston North) for Noa Huke. The evidence of Mr Wilson having been taken, the case was adjourned for argument until Tuesday. Among the passengers who left Wellington the Tarawera last Friday were Mr and Mrs A. D- SommervilJe, who are going to Fiji, Mr Sommerville having been appointed to the important post of manager of the Bank of New Zealand’s branch at Suva. Mr Sommerville has been for nearly three years manager of the Te Aro branch of the same bank, in which capacity, as well as in all other respects, he has deservedly won the warm esteem of everyone who knows him. He will be especially missed by the congregation of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, of which body he was a valued member, his aid in respect of the musical portion of the services being very valuable. Mr Sommerville had much to do with precuring the fine organ now in course of erection in that Church, and was actively engaged in assisting to prepare the inaugural music when he received the sudden news of his promotion and removal. The departure of Mr and Mrs Sommerville will be a matter of great regret to their many friends. We wish them every happiness and prosperity in their new sphere. The following list of awards of the Royal Humane Society, of Australasia, is published in the Gazette: —Silver medal, Constable W. H. Ryan, for saving the life of W. S. Pardy, in the river Waitotoroa ; bronze medal, J. Jackson, for saving the life of J. Alderwood, at George-street Pier, Port Chalmers ; A. G. Mabiu, for saving the life of W. Ford, at Queen - street Wharf, Auckland ; G. B. Bowser for saving the life of G. Shaw, a child, in the Waipoua River, Masterton ; J. G. Christie, for saving the life of J. Connell, near the breakwater, Auckland ; K. V. Hume, aged 17 years, for saving the life of F. Sibon, by jumping off Custom-house quay, Wellington, last November. Certificates of merit— W. Bruce, for Baving Sarah Hall from drowning at North Head, Wanganui Elver ; F. W. Riggs, for saving E. F. Campbell from drowning in Wellington harbor, last December ; J. R. Forrest, aged 13, for attempting to rescue another boy from drowning in the river Waimakariri; Alfred Bevins, for rescuing from drowning Mrs Boyd and infant, Whaugarei River.

One person a week was killed in Philadelphia last year by railroad trains. A prosperous Colony of Jewish farmers has been established in Barber County, Ky. Each discharge of shot for a 110-ton cannon* aboard the new British ironclad Benbow* costs £153.

Some Germans in Philadelphia propose petrifaction as a method of disposing of the dead. A man claims to have discovered a process by which dead bodies can be readily turned into stone.

It has been calculated that as a general average for all the railroads of the United States out of every dollar paid for fare 15 cents goes to the stockholders, 20 centß to the bondholders, and 65 cents towards .paying the cost of operating the road. Two neglected children —a boy and a girl—named Holmes were brought. down from Otaki on Tuesday by Constable Carr. The parents of the children, it is said, are confirmed drunkards. Constable Carr also brought down from Otaki a woman and child named Neilson, for treatment in the hospitals The Belgian Minister of Justice, in his > annual report on the execution of the law relative to foreigners residing in Belgium, states that altogether 404 expul-ions have taken place. Sixty-nine were ejected for compromising public order, and the expulsion . of German vagrants continues. Eighteen persons were sammoned at Leicester for neglecting to have their children vaccinated. Orders have been made for the operation, which had not been complied with. The defendants urged disease and death resulting from vaccination as a reasonable excuse. All the defendants were fined 10s. There are now about 14,000 summonses to issue, besides many thousand notices.

The population of London now exceeds that of every other city, ancient or modern, in the world. New York and all the adjacent cities combined are not equal to two-thirds of it. Scotland,' Switzerland, and the Australian colonies each contain fewer souls ; while Norway, Servia, Greece and Denmark have scarcely half as many. Yet at the beginning of the present century the population of London did not reach one million.

Things are coming to a pretty pass at Leicester. The Poor Law Guardians have passed a resolution forbidding prosecutions under the Vaccination Acts. Since December, .1884, thousands of defaulting parents have been summoned. Over a hundred distress warrants were issued a few weeks ago. There are in the town thousands of children unvaccinated, and now no proceedings will be taken.

The following is from the Nelson Evening Mail :—Considerable amusement was caused at the meeting of the Education Board by a a lady teacher sending in her resignation* “owing to circumstances over which she had no control.” The “ circumstances ’’ against which she was so powerless, it consisted in her being about to be married. The . Board, feeliDg that they at least had lost all » control over her, accepted her resignation without hesitation. Nature has received a communication from M. Grigoriev, Secretary of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, in which he informs us that Dr Bunge has left Nasatchy£, hie headquarters, on the Yana River, in command of the expedition to explore the New Siberian Islands during the summer, and that he is expected back at the end of October or early in November. These islands, which by many arctic explorers are held to be the right base for an attack on the Pole, are very little known not having been visited since 1823.

Naval court-martials are notorious for their undue severity, says a London writer, but the sentence just passed on John Tozer, carpenter of the Comus, is unprecedently harsh. Having obtained leave to visit his wife, who was lying dangeronsly ill at Devonport, he found it impossible to leave her side, and very naturally remained with her until her death, shortly after which he was apprehended, charged with desertion, and sentenced to lose three years’ seniority and to be dismissed his ship. I fail to see, under tbe exceptional circumstances, why absence beyond the stipulated period should be punished as wilful desertion, there being no proof whatever that Tozer did not intend to return to his ship ; in fact, the evidence was to the contrary, and I doubt whether there is an officer ou board either the Comus or any other vessel who would not have similarly absented himself under the circumstances.

A strange story comes from Georgia. A lawyer -who had lost bis cause was so impressed by • the supernatural ignorance and stupidity (as he construed it) of the presiding Judge, that he made the appropriate affidavit, and sought to procure an inquisition of innacy upon that magistrate. The application was refused, however, and the Judge, it is said, will return the compliment by issuing an attachment for contempt. There can be no doubt that the lawyer exceeded the privileges of his office. It is fully conceded that a defeated litigant has an undoubted right to “ go down to the tavern and swear at the Court,” and the same privilege maybe * accorded to this zealous and disappointed counsel, but if the oaths are not simply profane, but judicial, an! their object is not merely to free the mind and t-oothe the temper of the swearer, but to consign to the “ fool-house ” a magnate of the law, the affiant has manifestly passed beyond the line of toleration. If this sorti of thing is permitted, and the lunatic asylum is to be accepted as the penalty of judicial error, it will be found as hard to man the bench as it was in the days of martyrdom for the early Christians to fill tbe office of bishop, the prelate being a shining mark for the persecutors, and the nolo episcopari being the common formula used by the timid clergy in declining the peiilous honor. Skinny Men— “ Well’s Health Renewer,” restores health and vigor, cures Dyspepsia, Impotence, Debility. * New Zealand Drug Company, General Agents. I Food foe Consumptives—Scott’s Emulsion of Puke Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphites of Lime and Soda, is a most wonderful food for the Consumptive. It not only gives strength and increases the flesh, but heals the irritation of the throat and lu’gs. It is very palatable ; children take it like milk ; and in all wasting diseases both for adults and children it is a marvellous food and medicine. Any Chemist can supply it.

Tbe scheme for holding a conversazione in Parliamentary Buildings m aid of tbe Sufferers by the late volcanic eruption has - fallen through, Borne members of the Legisia tare objecting to the building being used for - such a purpose,

• Constable Burrows arrived from Masterton by Tuesday evening’s train from the Wairarapa, having in charge Frederick Symonds, who had been committed to the Wellington Lunatic Asylum by Mr Stratford, the local R.M.

The Supreme Court was occupied the greater part cf Tuesday in hearing argument in the Napier land case, Anki Ae Nahu v Locke and others, trustees of the Keranui Reserve, Keretaunga Block, lbe Chief Justice reserved bis decision.

Mr Matthew Burnett began his W*lIslington temperance mission at Pahautanui last Tuesday night. The able lecturer in- - tends devoting himself assiduously to the subnrbs of the towD with a view to make - ■converts in places where no at: e opt has hitherto been made. It having been stated that the Wesleyan body were averse to the special collection for Hospital Sunday, Mr H. K. Fraser said at ’ Tuesday night’s meeting of the Hospital aa-1 Charitable Aid Committee that the Rev W. •~C. Oliver had ioformed him that the Wesleyans would join heartily in the matter, and bad no intention of holding aloof. Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Co’s Landed Property Guide for July, has been iesued. It contains a very full list of town, suburban aod -country properties for sale, with summaries of sales and leases effected during June, and much other valuable information. The Gui ie v ia alike useful to settlers and buyers of property. The members of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery stationed in Wellington on Monday received their new full-dress uniforms. The clothes have been very creditably turned out by Messrs Hallenstein and Co, at their New Zealand Clothing Factory, Dunedin, this T’firm having Becnred the contract from the Government to supply the whole Artillery - force of tbe Colony. A man named Fred Nicol, in the employ of Mr Somerville, cab proprietor, of Abel Smith-street, was received into the Hospital on Monday morning suffering from a brokea leg. It appears that the unfortunate man was engaged on Sunday afternoon, in com-' pany with a man named Livingßton, in bringing a horse belonging to his employer from Belmont to town, both men having ridden out vlor that purpose. They had to dismount while coming down a steep, .slippery hill, Livingston taking the lead. Nicol in following lost his footiog and fell backward, the i-. sudden Btrain causing his leg to break at the knee-cap. Tbe poor fellow waa afterward assisted to mount one of the horses and conveyed to the Lower Hntt township, suffering terrible agony in the meanwhile. Dr Wil- ? ford Bet the limb, and Nicol came on to town -the same night in a carriage, and was tended at Mr S< merville’s house until Monday - morning, when he was conveyed, as stated, to the Hospital.

The creditors of Thomas Perbam, draughts- - man, met in the office of tbe Official Assignee on Monday morning. The assets amounted to ~£B6 14s, and the liabilities to .£lB7 Us 4d, ■-showing a deficiency of £lsl 17s 4d. The debtor stated that he had been in the Government service for several years at a salary of -*!£S2O per annum. His services were dispensed with on the 31st of January, 1885, and. he received three months salary in lieu of notice, j. an d compensation for loss of office, the - amounts of the payments beiug £457 2s 3d. He had been unsuccessful in his efforts to , secure permanent employment. He was now -•’temporarily employed as draughtsman in the Pabllc Works Department at a salary of 10s per day. He hoped to secure a good appoiu.t- ---• ment ia the South, and should he succeed m - doing so, he would be able to give his creditors something. Two life insurance policies, - one of which was for £4OO, and made out on behalf of his wife and children, together with -furniture and tools comprised his property. "The Official Assignee stated that although a bankrupt and ont of permanent employment the debtor had been living at the rate of £360 r» year during the past 18 months. The -debtor said he had tried to curtail his expenditure. The creditors, on the motion of Mr McDonald (Casey and McDonald), seconded by Mr Graves (Graves and Fleming), decided to recommend the debtors’ discharge, and allow him to retain the property in his posses•flion.

—Mr Matthew Burnett’s return to Welling- ™ ton, in order to begin another temperance crusade, was celebrated by a torchlight procession Monday night and demonstration of welcome at the United Methodist Free Church. The procession, accompanied by the Salvation Army and Webb-street B mds, started from the Rechabite Hall in Manners street shortly before 7 30, and after proceeding toward Thorndon returned to the United Methodist Free Church in Courtenay-place, where Mr Burnett waß welcomed by the Demonstration Committee. Tbe large chapel was well filled, and amongst the speakers and those oa the : I platform were the Rev Messrs Pendray (in the chair), L. M. Isitt, Potter, J. K. Elliott, Floyd, and Messrs Coatall, Ffrost, David Hall (City Missionary), aud E. J. Johnson .- (Chief Templar). An apology waa read from the Rev W. C. Olliver regretting his inability to be present. Mr Burnett then delivered an impassioned address, in the course of which he narrated what he had been rostru- - mental in accomplishing during his tour through the Colony, and sketched his plans for the fufcura, earnestly soliciting the practical sympathy and aid of bis hearers. He paid a tribute to the ability of bis fellow-workers, Sir William Fox, Mrs Leavitt, Messrs Bo >tb, Noble, and others, and referred in eulogistic terms to the work being done by the Rev. L. M. Isitt, by means of the Saturday night free concerts at the Athenaeum Hall. He also thanked the New Zealand Press for the sympathy and assistance given to him in his worlc* At ths conclusion of his address, Mr Burnett asked those in the hall who had espoused the temperance cause to stand up, when nearly tbe whole of the large audience rose. A vote of thanks to the trustees and members of the church for the use of the building was moved by Mr Price, and replied to by the Rev. Mr Pendray, and the proceedings terminated with hymn and prayer.

Mr Wilfred Lee, of Otaki, writes to us stating that the man ChribtoseD, who was recently killed at that place, was not the worse for l’quor, a? in the original account of the occurrence he waa said to have been.

The New Zealand Shipping Company’s R.M.S. Kaikoura which left this port on July Ist for London, left Rio de Janeiro last. Friday evening for Plymouth. Her cargo of frczsn meat being in graud condition. Colonel Butts forwarded to the Defence Department on Monday the application of the Thorndon Rifleß for enrolment as a Volunteer company. The intending members will be sworn in some evening this week, should notification of the acceptance of the services of the company be received. The election of officers will take p’ace immediately after the company is sworn in. Considerable damage was done to one of Mr Evans’ cabs on Moiday in Tory-street, through the horses bolting after the driver had got down from his seat to assist a lady to alight. In their career the horses came into collision with a galvanised iron fence which was torn down for several yards, the animals being finally brought to a stand by a telegraph pole. The passengers remained in the cab, aDd were fortunately uninjured. The damage done to the vehicle is estimated at £lO.

The b.b. Hawea, with the San Francisco mail, did not rtaoh Wellington till 6.30 on Monday morning, having been delayed on the passage from New Plymouth by a heavy south-east gale. The Hawea left again at 9 a.m. for Onehunga direct, to bring down the outward Direct mail for the R.M.S. Tongariro, which left Lyttelton yesterday. The .Waihora, which sailed at 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon, took the Southern portion of the San Francisco mail.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the author, Mr C. W. Holgate, M.A., of a pamphlet, entitled "An Account of the Chief Libraries of New Zealand.’’ It gives a short history of each of the libraries in the principal, towns of the Colony, with number of books, endowments, &c. 'There is also an appendix containing the statutes relating to public libraries in New Zealand. The pamphlet, which is very neatly- got up, is dedicated to Sir George Grey.

A large number of the friends of Mr A. D. Sommerville, late manager of the Te Aro branch of the Bank of New Zealand were down on the wharf to wish him and Mrs Sommerville farewell, on their departure by the Tarawera last Friday afternoon on their way to Fiji. Mr Thomas Watson, who has been manager of tbe Invercargill branch of the same Bank ever since its institution, was also a passenger by the Tarawera, having arrived in her from the South. He goes by Auckland and Sydney to Melbourne, and will in future hold the position of manage.- of the .branch of the Bank of New Zealand there.

fairly; numerous audience was attracted to the Athenseum Hall last Friday to hear Dr Gilbert, the celebrated lecturer on physiology and other sciences, deliver his lecture on “Love, Courtship, and Marriage.” The different subjects of the discourse were handled in a very capable and entertaining manner by Dr Gilbert. The unflagging Interest of the audience wae sustained from the beginning of the lecture to the end. Beside being a good lecturer and- well—versed in the science* and subjects of which he speaks, Dr Gilbert is a great humorist, and consequently, while instructing his hearers on the various subjects of his lecture, never fails to keep them well amused throughout. To judge by the fre quent and hearty applause bestowed oin the lecturer, the audience appeared to thoroughly er.joy and appreciate his remarks. ( presentation of a' pleasing nature took place at the warehouse of Messrs E. W. Mills and Co. on Saturday, the recipient beiog Mr Guy Sherwood, who has been in the employment of the firm for the past three years, and who ia leaving to try his fortune at the Kimberley goldfields. The presentation consisted of a fowling-piece, revolver, and ammunition from his brother employ ds, and an outfit of necessary tools, &c., from the firm. The presentation was made by Mr E. W. Mills, and was accompanied by a letter from the employ 6i and a testimonial from the fiira, expressing in warm terms the feeling of regret at Mr Sherwood severing his connection with the business and their good wishes for his fnture health and prosperity.

*• Hospital Sunday ” will be inaugurated next Sunday, when the first special effort will be made to. pro vide a portion of the fuuds necessary for the maintenance of hospital and charitable aid, by an appeal to those attending the various places of worship. Mr F. H. Fraser announced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Committee that tbe Volunteers would be paraded for cbnrch on that occasion, and that In the afternoon the Garrison Band would play in the Basin Reserve, at the four entrance* to which would be placed boxes for the reception of donations for hospital and charitable aid. It is to be earnestly hoped that the pecuniary results of next Sunday’s efforts will be alike creditable to the generosity of the Wellington public, and encooraging to the Committee to persevere in their efforts to obviate all necessity for a special poor-rate.

A special meeting of the City Council was held on Monday to consider a. letter received from the Harbor Board, enclosing a resolution passed at its last meeting, on the motion of the Mayor, to the effect that Parliament be approached in the matter of harbor endowments by way of petition of the Harbor Board, and that the City Council be asked to join therein. There were present at the Council meeting last night—His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Banzoni, Edwards, FitzGerald, Petherick, Richardson, and Smith. The letter from the Harbor Board having been read, the Mayor said he thought it was generally admitted that the Harbor Board had not been fairly treated either by Government or Parliament in the matter of endowments, and he woald therefore move “ That this Council is of opinion that the Harbor Board of Wellington has not been fairly treated in the matter of endowments, and agrees to heartily endorse the Board’s application to Parliament for the proper recognition of its claims.” Councillor Petherick seconded the motion, and reiterated his opinion that the Wellington Harbor Board was the worse treated in the whole Colony. The motion was then pat and carried without discussion.

Some alterations are now being carried on at the building for many years known as St George’s Hall, Lambton-quay, which will very much improve its appearance. Mr J Rose, builder, is engaged in fitting up two shop fronts with plate glass windows, to tbe order of the occupiers of the building, Messrs Kirkcaldie and StaiDS and Mr A. Farmer.

Dr Gilbert lectured at the Atbensenn Hall on Monday to a numerous audieacs composed of men only, his subject being “Sexual Physiology ” The lecturer imparted a large amount of information, which could not fail to be of great value to his hearers, who listened most attentively throughout. The doctor’s easy flow of language and fund of humor render the act of listening quite a pleasant matter, while his diagrams enable him to convey his meaning through the visnal as well a* the mental organs.

Amongst those intending to try their fortunes at the Kimberly goldfields is Mr James Brown, mghtwntcbmanpo the Queen’s Wharf, which position he" ha* ’occupied, as a servant under the Harbor Board, forthe past nine years. During bis long pwiocb of office, Mr Brown has prove 1 himself.a careful, steady and capable servant. Apart from his duties Mr Brown baß won many friends by his courteousness and civility to people who frequently make inquiries on ' the wharf at night, as to the movements of steamers and other matters. The Union steamer Tekapo, which arrived here from South on Tuesday afternoon on her way to Sydney, had on board about 800 tons of colonial produce and four horses for that port. . v he also brought up about 40 steerage passengers from South, on way to Sydney. She took in here a quantity of cargo, including a number of carcases of frozen meat, three horßes, and 10 steerage pas sengers. The majority of her steerage passengers are on their way to the Kimberley goldfields. She sailed about 5 o clock.

Mr James Stewart, Captain of the Wellington Bowing Club, has received an offer from I Mr E. C. Edmonds, late of Edmonds and Marshall, now residing at Kororij to give two silver caps to be rowed for by members of local clubs over a two mile course. The race will be open to single scullers, and must be arranged - for Saturday week, the cups—which are valued at £4 and £5 respectively —being open for junior and senior competitors. . The arrangement of details is to be left to Messrs J. Stewart and G. T. Batkin, who will decide as to who are junior and senior scullers. The cups are to be on view in town in a few days.

Wellington merchants are very naturally anxious to learn particulars regarding _their consignments per Chasca, from New York, which vessel was due here months ago, but which for some unexplained cause arrived at Sydney on Wednesday week, after a lengthened passage of 171 days. Beyond a bare statement that she bad arrived at Sydney in a damaged condition, no news regarding the vessel here. • On Tuesday Messrs Levin and Co., the local agents, despatched Mr Kyall by the Union Steamship Company’s Tekapo, which left for Sydney direct, to represent them m the special arrangements which may .have been made as to general average and other matters. ‘ • : - 'v- ’*• :

A meeting of the Cab Proprietors’ Union was held on Tuesday evening at the Wellington Hotel,- Mr T. Gbrmley in the chair. Tbe object of the meeting was to consider the new rules and scale of fares (which came into force on Tuesday. The solicitor of the Union was present, and explained the rules. It was decided that a deputation should wait on the. City Council to see if they would rescind or modify rules 9, 10 and 12, or at least hold them in abeyance for the present. -These rules refer to having numbers on the lamps and the sides of cafes ; to having communica-. tion bells, and to loitering. The Chairman and the Secretary (Mr T. F. Lawler) were authorised to prepare a report on the rales to lay before the Council.

A brougham belonging to Mr W. B. Edwards, solicitor, . sustained considerable damage en Tuesday in Willis-street. Tbe groom was taking the vehicle home to Island Bay after having conveyed Mr Edwards and Mr E. T. Sayer to their offices when, just after rounding McDowell’s corner, the hind wheel of the carriage was struck by a passing dray, the re3ult being the displacement of the axle of ;the fore wheels, and the collapse of the carriage. The horse bolted at this juncture, and dragged the vehicle as far as the Melbourne Hotel, where a baker’s cart was standing, the horse of which, becoming frightened also, turned round, dragging the ; cart across the road, thus causing a collision. A number of bystanders immediately ran to the assistance of the drivers, and all further danger was averted.' The'carriage had to be conveyed on a trolly to Messrs Rouse and Hurrells, coachbuilders, for repairs.

Tbe weekly meeting of the Trustees of the Benevolent Society, was held on Tuesday. Present —Messrs T. McKenzie (in the chair), A. Wilson, J. Petherick, the Rev H. Van Staveren, and his Worship the Mayor. On the motion of the Mayor leave of absence for two meetings was granted to Mr Danks, who will be out of town during that period. Leave of absence was also granted to Mr Wardell, on the motion of the Rev H. Van Staveren. A number of applications for relief were dealt with, and a donation of £1 was granted to enable a man unable to get employment to proceed to Kaikoura. _ A letter was read from the Police Office, stating that two children who had recently been discharged from the Lunatic Asylum had been refused a home by tbeir mother on the ground of poverty. It transpired that the woman’s husband had left her at the Hutt totally nnprovided for, and that she had come into town. The Trustees considered that the case waa one for the Hutt County Council to deal with, and the Secretary was instructed to notify the police accordingly. Mr Petherick stated that complaints were made as to an inmate of the Society’s boardinghouse, causing annoyance to all in the house through bsing subject to' fits; No action was taken. An allowance of 5s a week to a man was stopped ou the ground that he spent the money in drink and begged for food. A week’s board and lodging was granted to him on the motion of the Rev H.Van Stavern. The relief schedule for August was presented by the Secretary, from which it appeared that there was no alteration from that of last month. This was all the business.

It is reported that Mr G. Chandler, late licensee of the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, has taken over Mr G. Florence’s interest in the Provincial Hotel.

Constable Mackie, of Wanganui, arrived in Wellington on-Tuesday with a female lunatic named Elia* Me Adam, who had been committed to the Mount View Asylum by the authorities at WanganuU

A special meeting of Mr Mathew Barnett's general committee was held Tuesday night io Mr Fraser’s rooms, Manners-street. It was arranged that next Sunday Mr Burnett should deliver sermons at St. John’s Church in the morning, and the Wesley Church in the evening. It was stated that the sum of £5 Is 6d was collected at the inaugural meeting on Monday night. Dr Gilbert delivered his farewell lecture at the Athenaeum Hall Tuesday night, taking for his subject “ Who are the True Freethinkers ? ’ In the course of his remarks, Dr Gilbert Baid Christianity had brought about liberty, and to it was due the progress made in all countries where it was taught. Christ was a thorough Democrat, and the essence of liberty was embodied in the precept, “Do unto others as you would they should do auto JOJ."

A great reformation has been worked lately in the Wairarapa district, where till recently complaints of sheep and cattle stealing were exceedingly common. Last summer, Detective Chrystal spent a considerable -time in the district, and took a great deal of trouble to find out who were the guilty persons. The convictions thus obtained, and the fact getting abroad that the police had information which would probably enable them to lay hands-on those who in future should make free with their neighbors’ stock, have apparently put a total stop for the present to crime of this sort. During a discussion at Tuesday s. meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Com. mittee, opinion was expressed that it would be better to have one or two great efforts made annually to raise funds than to be ron* stantly appealing to the public, by way of entertainments, the co3t in connection with which swallowed np the greater part of the proceeds. It was stated that an Easter Fair or Carnival, extending over two or three days, Buch as had been held in various parts of Victoria, and even in Dnnedin (where some three thousand pounds had been realised), would almost cover the cost, when supplemented by the Government - subsidy, of hospital and charitable,: aid in Wellington. Several of the Committee supported the proposal, which will probably come np in definite form later on. Two BUggestive presentations were made on the Queen’s Wharf shortly after noon Saturday, consisting of two revolvers and 200 rounds of ammunition, the recipients being Messrs James Connel and James Turner,* who are on the eve of their departure to the Kimberley goldfields. Both men have for many years been in the employment first of the Corporation and then of the Harbor Board, and the gifts were made by their fellow-workers as a token of the esteem in .which they were held. Mr William Prince, wharfinger, presented both gifts to Mr Connel in the absence of Mr Turner, and Mr Connel returned thanks in very feeling terms. Perhaps the best wish that could accompany the deadly weapons is that they will never be needed. At the same time it is gratifying to note the kindly feelings which prompt such presentations. meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Committee, was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday night. Present :—Messrs. H. S. Wardell (in the chair), F. H. Fraser, J. Coombe, Jacob Joseph, J. Petherick, J. Yonng, F. Cohen, H. Gaby, the Bev. H. Van Staveren, and the bon secretary. Captain Loveday. An apology was received from the Mayor for non-attendance, and a suggestion that as the three months’ suspension of a special rate had nearly expired, application for three months’ farther extension tshoald be made by the Committee. Opinion was expressed that postponement should be applied for. It was stated that Dr Hector’s reply to the letter asking him to deliver a lecture on the recent eruptions in aid of the hospital and charitable aid funds was to the effect that if he did deliver a lecture on the subject the proceeds would be in aid of the sufferers by the eruption. Mr Wardell stated that favorable replies, either directly or indirectly, had been received from all the churches with regard to the collections for hospital and charitable aid ,next Sunday, with the exception of those presided over by the Rev Messrs West and Flojd. A reply had been received from Bishop Bedwood to the effect that notice would be given to all the Roman Catholic Churches to set aside am early Sunday for the purpose, as Boon after the date already fixed as possible. The Rev H. Van Staveren had replied that the collection would be taken np in the Synagogue on Saturday next. The President of the Secular Society had also written to the effect that the Society had already decided to make an effort on behalf of charitable aid. It was resolved that advertisements .be inserted in the newspapers on Fiiday and Saturday, calling attention to Hospital Sunday, and that the Secretary prepare a list of the bodies making special collections, with the amount giveo by each denomination, for publication in the newspapers. It was reported that the performance given by the Garrison Amateur Dramatic Club in aid of the funds would result in a loss of about £9, while the Caledonian Society’s concert for the same object bad yielded £4. It was resolved by the Committee to make up the deficiency caused by the dramatic entertainment by a personal subscription. The Chairman said be had applied for a remission of the £lO charged for the use of the Theatre, but had been informed that the Directors had no power to make it. It was resolved that tbe collections be paid over to Mr Fraser, the treasurer. The Committee then adjourned until after the collections were made known.