TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 753, 6 August 1886, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Blue Ribbon Gospel Army, stationed at Christchurch, has been registered as a specially authorise 1 society under the Friendly Societies’ Act.

The members of the Congregational Church have decided to make a collection for hospital and charitable aid on the second Sunday in August, when the surplus, after deducting the average offertory, will he handed over to the proper authorities. It was felt that the total amount could not be given, as the income of the Church is solely derived from the weekly collection, there being no revenue from pewrents a 3 in many other churches. Mr John Dagg, an of the City Council, handed to Constable Samoa yesterday week » coat which he found on _Tuesday last close to the beach by the limber yard at the back of Conrteoay-place. In the pocket was a pocket-book containing a New Zealand mate’s certificate issued to Charles McCarthy; also, two small imitation gold studs. The coat and pocket-book appear to have been in the water.

Mrs Mabey, whos e death occurred on Wednesday week, was the wife of IMr Job IVlabey, of the Taita, both of whom came to Wellington by the ship Olympus in 1841. They were greatly esteemed in the distrist in which they took up their residence, and the lady’s death is much regretted. She was 74 years of age, and leaves a large number of children, grand* childran, and greatgrandchildren behind her, nearly all of whom reside in this province.

A boilermaker named Baxter, employed at Captain Williams’ shipbuilding yards, received severe injury on the 28th ult. through a large block of wood falling upon him, striking him upon the neck and shoulders. He was conveyed home in a cab, his comrades lending every assistance. Dr Cole reports that there are, apparently, no bones brokeD, but there is danger from the fact that the spine may have been injured. Baxter, we are pleased to learn, is progressing favorably/ The following applications for pateuts have been received A. Harvey, of Te Puke, Auckland, for tins for packing fish, fruit, &c. ; J. Brimble, junr., of Greymouth, for au improved coal-boppar ; A. McLean, of Winton, Southland, for a blight cnra ; J. Morrison, of Auckland, for a patent fuel ; K. Atkinson, of Auckland, for adjusting lock ridge tiles ; G. Methven, of Caversham, for a floor-cramp ; A. W. Robin, of Dunedin, for a convertible buggy ; H. F. Broombead, of London, for improvements in gas regulators ; W. J. HopeJohnstone, of Waverley, Patea, for invention for pressing wool, hay, &c. The monthly meeting of the Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held yesterday week. Preseat—The Bishop (President), Rev T. Fancourt (Secretary), Mr C. P. Powles tTreasurer), Ven Archdeacon Stock, Rev J. Still, and Mr C. Rous Marten. The President announced that the Rev J. E. Blackburne had beau transferred by his own wish from Upoer Hutt to Bulls, and that the Upper Hutt and Pahautanui districts would be served by lay-readers for the present. The Secretary stated the special offertory at St Paul’s Church in aid of the General Church Fund, had realised the handsome sum of £53 16s. The Secretary also reported that the unpaid stipends due to 30th June amounted in all to £7Ol, against which the following contributions were due from the various parishes and districts :—Lower Hutt, £62 ; Masterton, with Whareame, £94 ; Carterton, £39 ; Grevtowu and Martinborough, £4l ; Karori, £3l ; Johnsonville, £22 ; Upper Hutt and Pahautanui, £lB ; Palmerston, £7 ; Feilding, £62 ; Marton, £53 ; Patea, £46 ; Hawera, £62. A cheque for £4O had, however, beeu just received from Hawera, which reduced the deficit to about £166. On the motion of Mr Rous Marten, a sub-committee was appointed, consisting of the Bishop, Rev T. Fancourt, and Mr Powles, to draw up the Committee’s annual report for presentation to the Synod at its meeting in September. A correspondent signing himself “ Look Out ” writes :—“ A day or two ago I observed a paragraph in the N.Z. Times announcing that Jatnej Brown—who for the last niee vears, under the City Council and subsequently under the Harbor Board, has occupied the position of night watchman on the Q lee D’s Wharf—had resigned his situation with a view of trying his fortune at the Kimberley Goldfields. Would you permit me, Sir, through your columns to suggest that, to use the newspaperman’s stock phrase, “ an act of a pleasing character, to an old and esteemed public servant,' 1 might gracefully be conferred on an humble, but without doubt au exceedingly hard worked and faithful public servant, in the person of James Brown, if the townsfolk recognised his endeavors to serve the public. During his career as wharf nightwatchman —Brown has, I am informed, been instrumental in saving from drowning no fewer than 16 human lives. His courtesy to ‘ all and every ’ whose business at night has necessitated their attendance on the wharf can be borne testimony to by, I believe, a majority of the inhabitants of this city. I feel assured that it only needs the initiative to be undertaken by some citizen of standing to ensure at least a slight recognition of the services of an old, faithful, and by no means a munificiently remunerated public servant.”

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 m 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 row in full operation. Country, residents would do well to pay an early visit »° this Removing Sale at Te Aro House, Wellington.

The Directors of the Philadelphia FemaleNormal School have decided to substitute the study of cookery for that of mythology in the curriculum of their institutions. The New Zealand Industrial Gazette for July and August has been published. In future it will be published on the Ist of each month.

Mr H. S. Wardell ha 3 received tbe handsome donation of £25 from Mr EYuile, a gentlemen well-known in sporting—circles, on behalf of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Fund.

The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company’s ss. lonic, from London, arrived at PortChalmers at 3 o’clock on Tuesday morning. The Rotomahana, which arrives from South to-day, should bring her mails and passengers.

We regret to learn that Sir Robert? Stoat is confined to his room by an attack of gout. We hope he will soon be convalescent and able to resume his Ministerial duties in Parliament.

The Crown jewels and the priceless rubies found in the Palace, at Mandalay, are to be sent to be London to be sold. The mostvaluable furniture of the Palace will go to Government House at Simla.

A New York Judge has ruled that a husband is liable for slanderous words spoken by bis wife, and on this ruling a verdict of Bix cents was rendered by a jury against a man whose wife had uttered the slander.

A sign of the times, says an English paper, is the appearance in our shop windows of 11 The Union Scarf,” “ The Union Boot,” “The Anti-Home Rule Htir-wash,” and the “Imperial Unitv Gas Stove.” Apparently John Bull is getting Americanised. A chimney belonging to a house occupied by Mr John McCull, on Thorndon quay, caught fi:e last evening week. The occupant, with the assistance of one of his workmen, sue* eeeded in extinguishing the blazing chimney before any serious damage was done. It is stated that the object of the Khan of Khiva’s approaching journey to EaroDe is to make himself acquainted with all the processes connected with -the production of silk, and he will for this purpose visit Lyonß, Geneva, and Milan, after staying in Berlin, Paris, and Vienna. The following are the details of tbe Customs duties collected at this port for last month :—Spirits, £5267 2s lid ; cigars, £S9S 8s ; tobacco, £2844 18s 9d ; wines, £604 16s j beer, £271 11a 9d ; tea, £1177 7s 2d ; coffee, £l4O 12s 9i ; sugar, £1029 2s 8d ; weight goods, £l3Ol 3s Id ; ad valorem, £2610 9s ; New Zealand beer duty, £356 12s 2d ; other duties, £352 18s 9d. The Matron of the Hospital intimates that contributions of old linen would be very thankfully received. Parcels left at the following places will be called for : —Mr Anderson’t» Molesworth-street; Mr Willeston’s, Lamb-ton-quay ; and Mr Fraser’s, Manners-street, Ladies leaving their address at any of the above places, or at the Hospital, will be called upon at their private residence.

Mr Wardell, R.M., has agreed to accept bail in the sum of £250 each for Te Whiti and Tifcokowaru, and £IOO for each of the other Maori prisoners. The Natives have decided to remain in Wellington till the trial. The bail was expected to be forthcoming yesterday, the Natives in this city acting as bondsmen. Mr W. L. Reeß, of Gisborne, will defend the Natives in the coming trial.

A meeting of the Wellington shareholders in the New Zealand Shipping Company was held at the Athenaeum on Tuesday night. Mr George Allen was voted to the chair. The proceedings were of a private character, but it is understood that some statements of a satisfactory character were made, and that a deputation was appointed to wait at noon today on Mr Leonard Harper, M.H.R., who in at present in Wellington, to ask for some further information on various points raised.

Mr Bradbury, mine manager at the Golden Crown Company’s claim, Terawbiti, brought in his monthly report on Tueeday. He statee that he has suspended operations eastward after driving 50 feet through pug and slate, and a rubbly kind of sandstone, traversed by small vein 3 of quartz, and opened out to tbe westward, where similar ground has been met with. He considers the indications eucb as would in other fields ensure the finding of a lode, and recommends the Directors to authorise driving to the southward in tbe hope of intersecting one.

The census of the German Empire taken: last December—the official returns of which have recently been published—establishes the fact that the preponderance of the female over the male sex is increasing in Prussia. While the male population numbered 13,893,688, the female poonlation was 14,420,145, an excess of 526 457 females on a total of 28,313,833 persons. Since the census of 1880 the excess of females bas increased 77,078, and since 1867 the increase has been no lees than 297,000, or 129’46 per cent._ The fact is remarkable, and, naturally, it is attracting much attention in Germany. In Berlin alone, with its population of rougly 1,300,00 there are 52,419 more females thau males. Either the horses employed by Wellington tradespeople are not properly broken or the drivers do not exercise the amount of s*iill and caution made particularly necessary in tide town by reason of the 3omewbat narrow streets. Scarcely a day passes without one of two narrow escapes beiDg recorded through horses with vehicles attached to them galloping uncontrolled along the roads, and only as recently as Friday last a constable sustained severe injuries in his efforts to stop a runaway. On Monday two more cases occurred—the first in Manners-street —when a horse attached to a milk-cart belonging to Mr Fitcbett, of Ohiro Farm, bolted, and threw its driver heavily to the ground ; and the second in Molesworth-street, when a greengrocer’s cart was carried off by a frightened horse, and was not stopped until Grey-street, Lamb-ton-quay was reached, when a man named McGregor rather cleverly seized the horse’s bridle and stayed the animal’s progress. In neither instance did a serious casualty happen, but the possibilities were somewhat painfully apparent to onlookers, particularly in tbe latter occurrence, for a collision with a tram car was but narrowly averted.

Mr George Raikes ha« been appointed a clerk in the Supreme Court office at Hokitika. Frederick Mercer, hairdresser and tobacconist, of Manners-street, has been adjudged a bankrupt. A list of the American barque Chasca’s imports for this district will be found in our shipping column. The Gazette contains the notification of the appointment of Captain J. T. Marshall, New Zealand Militia, to be captain of the Te Aro Rifle Volunteers.

Mr W. K. Bishop’s Monthly Time Table and Diary for August is published, and is as usual an exceedingly handy and accurate manual for travellers and others.

The Customs duties collected at this port for the month of July, eading Saturday, amounted to £16,275 16s 3d. For the month of July last year they were £24,506 Os lOd.

Some subscribers to the Afcheriseum have asked us to direct the attention of Committee to the need of a fire in the ladies room during the winter weather. We feel sure that the necessity needs only to be pointed out to be attended to.

Several changes are taking place, in the movements of police officers of this city. Constable Slight has been transferred to Pahautanui, to take the place of Constable Hattie, who has resigned. Constable Leahy is to proceed to Masterton, his place on the Clyde qnay station being taken by Constable James Gleeson.

Among our telegrams this week is the announcement of the death of the great pianist the Ab’ <4 Liszt, He was born in Szegszard, in Hungary, in October, 1811, and made his first public appearence in a concert when in his ninth year. In April, 1865 he took orders and received the tonsure. Quite recently he paid a visit to England, where he was received with the utmost distinction. The Governor has authorised the issue of the New Zealand war medal to the following members of the late Colonial Forces Private C. M. Bell, Ist Waikato Regiment ; Constable W. Brennan, Armed Constabulary; Volunteer W. L. Buller, Volunteer Staff; Constable H. B. Jackson, Armed ConstabuPrivate Hoani Kaihe, Native Contingent ; Private B. McDonald, Armed Constabulary.

Last Friday, Constable Harnett, of the Lower Hntt, brought down two little girls named England, whose mother is incapable of supporting them. The elder one, Alice, aged four years, was committed to the Industrial School of St. Joseph’s Providence, while the younger one is to be sent for support to her stepfather. In case he refuses, she will be committed to school along with her sister, and the stepfather will have to contribute towards her maintenance.

As showing the readiness evinced by tradesmen to assist the Hospital Committee in small a 3 well as in large matters, it may be mentioned that 24 donation boxe3 are being provided in the following manner :—Mr J. Hutchens supplies the timber, Mr J. Bennett the brass hinges, Mr J. Duthie the locks and keys, Mr E. Petherick the labor for making the boxe3, and Mr Alex. Law.-on will undertake the painting and lettering. Acts such »3 these, trivial as they may appear to some people, indicate a kindly sympathy worthy of •commendation.

At Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s auction sale of properties last Friday, the six-roomed residence, with outbuildings, Kentterrace, erected on allotment 7 of the subdivision of town acres 286 and 287, with a frontage of 40ft by a depth of 100 ft, was sold to Mr Stevenson, after considerable compe--tition, for £450. The piece of land situated in the Manchester Block, containing one acre, being section 84, suburbs of Feilding, together with a fuur-roomed house, was sold to a Mr W. M. Whitehead for £7O. The other property on the catalogue was not offered, as the mortgagor had made arrangements, and settled with the mortgagee.

The barque Kentish Lass left on Tuesday afternoon for Cambridge Gulf, with passen gera for the Kimberely Goldfields. Fifty-two of her passengers have formed a special party. Each member of this party has paid £25 info a general fund, and the cost of a passage to Cambridge Gulf, Provisions for sixty days has been defrayed from the money thus deposited. The party are •well supplied with stares, horses, drays, etc. Mr J. Marchant Fraser, who has acted as secretary, and who carried out the principal part of the work in connection with the expedition, has been voted a substantial sum from the general fund. The other evening a supper waß given to the members of the expitition at the Te Aro Hotel, when an excellent spread was provided by Mr Smith the proprietor of the hotel. A number of toasts were proposed and drunk with enthusias’m. Several songs were sang, and the evening was spent in a most enjoyable manner. One of our recent English exchanges says:— • ei The Princes and the Flying Dutchman.— In the Princes’ book, ‘ The Cruise of the of the Bacchante,’ published, yesterday by Messrs Macmillan, there is the following entry in the notes cf the vojage between Melbourne and Sydney :—July 11, 1831. At 4 a.m. the Flying Dutchman mossed our bows. A atrauge red light, as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the masts, spars, and sails of a brig 20Uyds distant stood out in strong relief as she came up. The look out man on the forecastle reported her as close on the port bow, where also the officer of the watch from the bridge clearly saw her, .as did also the quarter-deck midshipman, who was sent forward at once to the forecastle ; but on arriving there no vest'ge nor any sign whatever of any material ship was to be seen either near or right away to the horizon, the night being clear and the soa calm. Thirteen persona altogether saw her, but whether it was Van Diemen or the Flying Dutchman, or who else, must remain unknown. The Tourmaline and Cleopatra, who were sailing on our starboard bow, flashed to ask whether we had seen the strange rad light. At 10.45 a.m. the ordinary seamen who had thi3 morning reported the Flying Dutchman fell from the foretopmast crcsstrees, and was smashed to atoms. At 4.15 p.m., after quarters, we hoved to with the head ya»ds aback, and he was buried in the sea. He was a smart royal yard man, and one of the most promising young hands in the ship, and everyone feels quite sad at his loss. (At the next port we came to the Admiral also was smitten down}.

The Wairarapa, which arrived from Napier on Sunday morning, brought nine lunatics, who have been tranferred from the Napier Asylum to Monnt View. The proposal to separate the Wairarapa from the Wellington and Horowhenua charitable districts came up in the House last Friday, in the shape of a clause moved by Mr W. C. Buchanan during the committal of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill. The clause was rejected after a discussion (a precis of which is given in our Parliamentary report). A number of motions for separation were made by members from different parts of the Colony, but were nearly all lost.

On returning to the Bteamer Hauraki at about 11.30 last Friday night, after having been away two or three hours, John Douglas, a fireman on board the steamer, and two other men belonging to the vessel were surprised to find the forecastle of the steamer full of smoke. The cause was soon apparent—a waistcoat belonging to Douglas, which he had left lying on the top of his bunk, was found to be gradually smouldering away. With the aid of a few buckets of water the fire was soon ex inguished. Beyond the destruction of the article of wearing apparel, and a large hole being burnt in the top blanket of the bed, no damage was done. As the men were smoking in the forecastle just before they went out, it is supposed that one of them had accidently thrown a lighted match on the waistcoat, and so caused the fire. Luckily, there was little or no wind to fan the burning article into a flame, or probably the result would have been a very serious fire.

An accident of a rather serious nature happened to Constable William Gleeson, of the City Police Force, last Friday. It appears that about midday a horse and cart belonging to a Mr Cotterill, bolted from outside Mr Woodyear’s shop in Molesworth-street, and proceeded at a furious pace down Charlottestreet into Lambton-quay. As the runaway came tearing down the quay, Constable Gleeson, who was on the quay at the time, rushed upalongside the horse and succeeded in getting hold of his blinkers, and hung on for about ten paces, when, the horse swerving and running against the kerbing of the footpath, he wa3 thrown violently on the ground, the horse trampling on him, and the wheel of the cart passing over one of his feet and legs. The runaway wa3 eventually stopped a short distance further on by Mr Albert Bright, of the Princess Hotel. The wheel went over the constable’s leg with such force as to tear the leather off the upper of his boot. The constable received a severe shaking, and his leg is badly cut and bruised. He will probably not be able to resume his duties for a fortnight. An inspection of the Permanent Artillery at present in Wellington was made at the rear of Government House on Saturday afternoon by His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Mr Ballanca, Colonel Whitmore, Commander of the Forces, Major Jervois, and a number of members of the Legislature. The number ou parade was 32 rank and file, Majors Boddam and Messenger being in command. The men, who appeared in heavy marching order with white helmets and valises, wore their new uniforms, which have been copied from those worn by the British Artillery, and have a very brilliant appearance, being composed of dark bine cloth with red and yellow facings. The men having been drawn up in line and put through various movements by Major Boddam, accorded His Excellency a general salute. His Excellency then addressed a few words to them, speaking in the highest terms of their apparent efficency and soldierly bearing, and while regretting that he could not say anything of his own knowledge with regard to their skill in handling the big guns, yet he was satisfied that, although the number present was small, they were the finest body of men he had inspected. The company then marched back to the barracks at Mount Cook, favorable comments on their smart appearance being made by the public on all sides as they passed up the main streets. With reference to the proposed fund for the relit f of the sufferers by the Tarawera eruption, the Wairarapa Daily ha 3 the following forcible remarks :—“ It is difficult without some misgiving to endorse the project as far as it affects the Native race. The Maoris driven from their homes by the late eruption have for many years enjoyed more of the good things of this world without the slightest effort or exertion on their part than any other community, either in New Zealand or out of it. The daily existence of these Natives is represented to have consisted in lounging in tepid water through the day, emerging only from their luxurious baths for their psriodical meals, and for a little festival in the evening when the money supplied by the constant si ream of Pakeha visitors was expended on stimulants. Their lives have been wholly devoted to pleasure, and now that a reverse has befallen them, is it right that money earned by honest toil should be collected from one end of the colony to the other to reinstate them in their former condition of utter indolence and degradation. It appears to us that the temporary assistance which they need should be given sparingly by the Government, and that their land should be made to bear the burden of their further maintenance. With tlie industrous European settlers who have lost their all through the late catastrophe we have a strong sympathy, but they stand on a different footing to the Natives whose supreme idleness has been one of the marvels of the New Zealand wonderland. We do not say that no help should be extended to them in their misfortunes, but merely that the assistance given should be in the direction of weaning them from the wretched and demoralising indolence in which Ihey have so long existed. Our Native policy in this Colony has always been a cruelly kind one ; since it has had the effect of making the Maoris proverbially idle from one end of the North Island to the other. Wealth never dreamt of by their ancestors has been allowed to flow into their hands, but chey have never been taught how to use it or how to earn it. Giving money to them has been like giving it to children, and its expenditure ha 3 simply hastened the extermination of the race. It would be idle to pretend that the Maori race con be raised to a level with the European population as regards thrift and industry, bat we have a right to expect that any changes brought about by the Government and Legislature should be in the direci tion of improving their idle, careless habits.’’

The following are the vital statistics for Wellington fur the month of July :—Births. 114 ; deaths, 44 ; marriages, 26. The last of the tramway motors —the Florence —is to be shipped for Kaipara, to bs U3ed in connection with one of the local sawmills.

The football match drew a large number of country visitors to town on Saturday. Excursion fares were charged on the railway, and over 300 persons came from the Wairarapa.

Bradshaw’s Guide to New Zealand, for August has been issued. In the hands of the new proprietors the publication has undergone a thorough revision, and all railway, steamer, coach, and ferry time-tables can be relied on as being absolutely correct. Passengers from Wellington for the West Coast will now have their journey made much easier than previously, as the portion of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway between Otaki and Longburn has been 'opened for traffic. It has been ascertained that the coat which was found by the police on the Te Aro foreshore, and for which an owner was wanted, has been identified as belonging to Charles McCarthy, mate of the brigantine Sarah Pile.

Owing to indisposition Mr J. F. Floyd was unable to occupy the platform at the Christians’ Chapel, Dixon-street, on Sunday. In consequence the series of sermons he has been delivering for the past few Sundays had to be postponed. Short addresses were delivered by members upon the question of hospital support, with the result that, notwithstanding a somewhat sparse audience, the sum of £l3 17e lOd was collected for that institution.

A disgraceful scene was enacted in the unsavory locality known as Maori row at about half-past 10 on Saturday morning last, when two women indulged in a Btand-up fight. The language used during the intervals in the battle was, of course, characteristic of the surroundings. A large number of people were gathered round, but no attempt was made to separate the combatants. The most deplorable feature of the disgusting scene was the presence of many young children of both sexes, who gleefully watched the proceedings, and drank in the vile expressions made use of. On Sunday morniog, about 7 o’clock, a horse with a cart belonging to Mr Fitchett, milkman, of Ohiro Farm, and driven by a man named Jasper Williams, bolted from outside a shop in Manners-street, and galloped along at a furious rate toward Willisstreet. He was eventually stopped at the corner of Manners aud Willis-streets by Sergeant Black, of the police force. The driver was seated on the trap when the horse bolted, but was thrown out by the sudden jerk as the horse Btarted. He, however, sustained no injury. No damage was done tc either horse or trap.

Te Whiti, Titokowaru, and the other Maori prisoners were released on bail on Saturday afternoon. The amount of security required for Te Whiti and Titokowaru was £250 each, and £IOO for each of the other prisoners. The following are the names of the bendsmen. —For Te Whiti, Wi Pere, M.H.R. and Hanita te Aweawa ; for Titokowaru, Puke te Ao, M H.R , and Meriaha Temaki ; for the prisoners, Aka Akeake, Iti, Kohn, Iki, RaDgahiata, Kahu, and Ngahiue, the Maoris Pat Matene, Honeana te Puni, Hore te Puni, Hon Warene Tunui, Matene Tanhari, Enoka te Tairu, Hanita te Aweawa and Neriha Tamaka respectively. A rather sudden death occurred on Sunday morning at the Colonial Restauranc, Willi - street. On the previous evening a man named Sendai], until recently employed as cook at the Albion Hotel, engaged a bed at the restaurant. Ho retired between 9 and 10 o’clock, and shortly after desired that a doctor might be procured as he felt very ill. Dr Pemberton was sent for and prescribed for him, but intimated to Mr Barnes, the restaurant keeper, that Sendall was in considerable danger and recommended that he be taken to the hospital. Arrangements were made to this end by Mr Barnes on Sunday morning, but while Mr Barnes went in search of a cab to couvey him thither, Sendall, while in the act of dressing, fell back dead. Dr Fell was then called iD, and it was ascertained that the cause of death was heart disease. The police were at once communicated with, but on the particulars being reported to Dr Johnston, District Coroner, an inquest was deemed unnecessary. Preaching at St Peter’s Church on Sunday on behalf of the Hospital fund, the Ven Archdeacon Stock, while urging his hearers to contribute generously, nevertheless expressed his own conviction that the voluntary contribution system would prove impracticable, and that special taxation for hospital support and charitable aid was inevitable. The Archdeacon paid a high com aliment to the management of the Wellington Hospital, but earnestly deprecated the practice of crowds of visitors going to see convalescent patients which, he contended, did harm in several ways and often retarded recovery. He remarked, as creditable to the hospital, that out of forty-three typhoid fever patients who were in the hospital during the recent epidemic only four died. It may be mentioned that the offertories at St Peter’s Church realised their fall average amount yesterday, in spite of the hospital collection made at the church doors.

There was a large muster of "Volunteers at the Church parade held at St. Paul’s Church on Sunday, The total number ou parade was 263, made up as follows:—Naval Artillery, 48, under Captain Duncan, Lieutenant Hislop, and three petty officers ; D Battery of Artillery, 44, under Captain Moorhouse and three sergeants ; City Rifles, 42, under Lieutenant Collins and three sergeants ; Guards, 40, under Captain Loveday, Lieutenant* Taytoa and Coogan, and three sergeants ; Wellington Rifles, 38, under Major Shannon, Lieutenant Tatum, and three sergeants ; Newtown Rifles, 27, under Captain Cole, Lieutenants Connelly and Hale, aud four sergeants ; Band, 24, under Bandmaster Cimino. In the absence of Lientenant-C'louel Butts, who is away inspecting at Napier, Maj>>r Crowe was in command of the parade. Captain Quick, Adjutant and Sergeant-Major Bell were also present. The march to and from the Driilshcd to the church was witnessed by a large number of spectators, who generally expressed great admiration of the neat and smart appearance of the various companies.

Rangitata, the Native who was hurt at Hawera recently, was removed from the Hospital on Tuesday by Te Whiti, and taken out to Petone, where the “prophet” is staying.

A man who had paid his pa33age (£25; by the barque Kentish Lass for Kimberley was persuaded by his relatives and friends not tc go just before the vessel left. He decided to accede to their wishes, and sold his passage for £7. We notice by the English papers that our old acquaintance, and king of flautists, Mr John Radcliffe, has made a safe return to the Old Country in June last, and received the warmest of kind receptions at hi 3 club the “ Savage.” There was an immense muster of “ Savages,” including a lot of colonial notabilities, and a remarkable evening was spent, in the height of artistic Bohemian conviviality.

The anniversary of the Court Sir George Bowen, 5084, passed off with great success at the Foresters’ Hall, Tory-street, Monday night. The proceedings commenced with a concert, a capital programme being provided. Several well known amateurs took part in the concert, which gave entire satisfaction to a crowded audience. A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by a dance. Mr King’s string band supplied the necessary music for the concert and dance. The chair was occupied by Bro R. Davis. Mr Matthew Burnett, who has been during the past week conducting a temperance missio* in the districts round about Wellington, delivered a lecture at the Tinakori-road Schoolroom on Monday night, his subject being “Father Matthew : The lessons of his Life.” The lecture was listened to with great interest by a fairly numerous audience, who frequently applauded the lecturer in response to his remarks, The chair was occupied by Mr John Knowles.

A man named Wallace Tester received some severe bruises to hia right shoulder on Saturday morning through falling a distance of some 20 feet f-om the scaffolding erected at the new buildings now being put up for Mr James on Lambton-quay. Tester, while engaged at his employment as laborer, entrusted the weight of his body to a piece of sheet iron, which tilted, resulting in his precipitation to the ground. Medical assistance wa.3 promptly sent for, and Tester was conveyed to his home in fears being entertained at the time that his injuries would prove to be of a serious character. Subsequent examination, however, elicited that no bones were broken, and that nothing more serious than a few bruises and a severe shaking had resulted. A serious accident occured on Saturday afternoon to Mr John Blake, a settler at Karori, He was driving a young horse down Bakers Hill toward town when the animal bolted. Mr Blake was endeavoring to pull the horse up when the rein broke and the. unfortunate man was thrown out of his cart into the roadway. He was seen by some passersby who picked him up and conveyed him to Gillespie’s Shepherds’ Arms Hotel., and Dr Robinson was sent for. On examination it was found that three ribs had been broken, and that Mr Blake had also sustained severe contusion about the face. He was progressing favorable yesterday, but was in a very weak condition owing to the terrible shaking his system had received. It will probably be several days before he can be removed to his home.

Mr Kerr had a peculiar experience in the House on Monday. When the question was put that the Loan Bill be read a third time, and the voices taken, the Speaker declared that the ayes, had it. “ The noes have it,” said the member for Waimea, and a division was presently taken, and Mr Kerr named as a teller for the noes. He at once arose and protested that “he was an aye,” only to be informed by the Speaker that he had given his voice with the aoes, and with them he must also give his vote. When the votes had been duly recorded and the numbers announced Mr Kerr made a personal explanation, stating that his object in calling for a division was to show the country who the anti-borrowers were. Mr Wakefield at once explained that he, as the mover of the amendment, had also intended to call for a division.

The silver medals ordered by the Government for presentation to members of the Armed Constabulary for long service and good conduct, have been struck at Messrs Kohn and Co.’s premises, Lambton-quay, and were on exhibition during the week. They are composed of pure Bilver obtained from the Thameß, aud are elegant specimens of the silversmith’s art. They are about the size of a crown piece. The obverse represents a crown re3tiDg on a cushion with crossed swords, and sceptre, the whole being surrounded with a wreath of laurel and fern 3, and the letters “N.Z.” being engraved at the bottom. On the reverse appears the following inscription in raised letters : For long service and good conduct.” We understand that 14 years’ service either in the police or reserve constitutes title, if combined with good conduct, of course. The manner in which the medals have been turned out reflects the highest credit ou the silversmiths, Messrs Kohn and Co.

The following are the assets and liabilities in the estate of Frederick Mercer, tobacconist and hairdresser :—Secured creditors —Scott Bros., £lO5 13s Id ; G. Crawford and Co., £6l 2a 6d ; N. J. Isaacs, £3l. Secured debts, £197 15s 7d ; e3timated value of securities, £282 7s 4d ; surplus, £95 11s 9d. Unsecured creditors —Levi and Co., Auckland, £sl ; Harris and Sons, Christchurch, £6O 9s ; Blundell Bros., £1 4s ; J. C. Harris, £lls* ; -T. Mandel, £1 7s 6d ; Hallenstein Bros., £2 5s ; W. and J. Staples, £1 18s 3d ; Georgesou and Co., £5 15s ; Brunner Coal Company, £2 10s; J. E. Hayes, 17s; J. King, £2 83 ; Butler and Brady, £1 8s 6d ; Buffer and Gully, £3; A. Lawson, £1 Is 6d; H. Flockton, £1 2s ; P. Hayman and Co., £5 7s; G. Harnish, £1 12s ; Garrett, £ll ; E. Arnold, £2 15s ; Gas Company, £4 ; F. Cooper, £ls ; F. Cohen, £ll9s 6i ; Nelson Moate and Co., £1 ; W. C. Fitz Gerald, £1 2s 3d ; S. S-ffe, £1 4s ; G. Remington, £lO 5s ; E. Barber, 17s 61; C. Smith, £2 2s Sd ; Quill and Cronin, 15s ; J. M. Miller, £1 14s ; Edwards and Green, £1 ; Georgeson and Co., £1 5s ; W. Wallace, £7 12s 6d ; W. Freeman, £8 ; Carter, £7 10s ; total, £229 2s. Total debts, £426 17a 7d ; assets (stock-in-trade), £282; deficiency, £144 17s 7d,

The New Zealand Shipping Company’aR.M S. Aorangi will sail from Wellington for London, via Rio de Janeiro, on Thursday, th» 26th instant. ..

A specimen of rich quarfz taken from tb»~ Great Republic Mine, Westport, was on exhibition on Tuesday in Messrs Kohn and Co.’» jeweller’s shop, Lambton-quay, and attracted considerable attention. The TJ.S.S. Co. have received a cabl» message to the effect that the Triumph, which left this port ou the sth July, arrived, at Kings Sound after a passage of 18 days, all well. The Triumph left again for Newcastle on the 30th.

The Minister of Mariae, in answer to a. question put to him in the Ho:se byMr Turnbull, said steps would he taken by the Government in connection with the missing vessel Omaha, from the Chatham Islands, and, if necessary, a steamer would be sent to search for her.

On Tuesday afternoon, about half an hour previous to the sailing of the barque Kentish Lass for Cambric ge Gulf, Mr Harris, wellknown as “ The Whiffler,” in attempting to get on board the vessel from the wharf, slipped and fell into the water. With the assistance of several people on the wharf, he was soon hauled out, and, bayond a good wetting, was none the worse for the accident.

the passengers who left for the Kimberley on Tuesday, were Mr J. Stuart Reid and Mr Bruce Wallace, two well-known commission agents of this city. The latter gentleman goes as purser. .Mr Alex. Smith, a director of the United Importers’ Co., who is taking a large quantity of stores and merchandise; and Mr Jas. Brown, who filled the position of night watchman on the Qaeen’s wharf for a number of years, were also passengers.

Mr Mathew Burnett delivered his third lecture in this City, in connection with his gospel temperance mission, at the Primitive Methodist Church, Donald McLean-street, NewtowD, Tuesday night. The subj-ct chosen for the lecture was “ Yankee Bill,” and the interest of the audience was sustained throughout. Mr Burnett interspersed hia lecture with several songs, which were well received by the audience. Mr Burnett’s remarks found great favor with the audience to by the frequent applause bestowed on him. % Twenty pledges were signed. Daring Tuesday Mr Burnett succeeded in taking 163 pledges at the Willis-street school. The weekly meeting of the Trustees of the Benevolent Society took place on Tuesday. Present—Messrs H. S. Wardell (chairman), T. Petherick, T. McKenzie, and the Mayor. Amongst the cases brought forward was one of a man who bad been discharged from the Hospital in a convalescent state, but who would be unable to work for some six weeks on account of an injured arm. Some discussion arose as to the treatment of such cases out of the convalescent fund, aud it was finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Secretary. No action was taken in the case of a family from the Wairarapa, it being stated that the conduct of the husband and wife had not been of a deserving nature. It was decided to cut off the rations supplied to a family who had defied an evictment notice. Orders for small sums and rations were given in several deserving cases, but none call for special notice. An application from the Secretary of the Ladies’ Christian Association for £ll 14», refund for boots, &e., supplied to the 23 orphans boarded out under the supervision of the Association, was adjourned for consideration until next week. It was decided to discharge an old man from the boardinghouse on account of his drinking and beggmg habits. Accounts amounting to £46 lls were passed for payment, and the Trustees adjourned. The Queen’s Wharf presented a very animated appearance on Tuesday afternoon. About noon the barque Kentish Lass, bound for Cambridge Gulf with a large number of - passengers for the Kimberley Goldfields, hauled over from the Railway Wharf to a berth at the outer tee of the Queen’s Wharf. From the time the vessel moored alongside till her departure the scene on board and on the wharf was one of great bnstle and excitement. Crowds of people—intending passengers and their friends bidding them good bye —were continually passing to and fro from the vei&el to the wharf, and were intermingled with carts and expresses, porters wharf officials, &c., the scene, if lively, being.thus somewhat mixed. Most of the intending - '

gold-seekers appeared in good spirits and full of confidence for their success in the venture they have undertaken. The majority of them are hardy looking fellows, and apparently well fit for the task before them. As the time of the vessel’s departure drew nigh, the crowd on the wharf increased till it must have numbered . over a thousand persons. As the vessel moved away the spectators on the wharf cheered the intending diggers lustily, the cheers being responded to in a very hearty manner by those on board. Mr J. M. Fraser was cheered by the members of the expedition of which he ha 3 been the secretary. It is estimated the t passengers of the Kentish Lass took away j abont £SOOO or £6OOO.

From a return prepared by Mr A. D. Riley, art master under the Board of Education, we find that 29 schools were examined in freehand and geometrical drawing on Jane 23, for the first grade. The number of papers voluntarily * taken was 761, freehand 426, and geometrical 335. Subsequent revision by Mr Riley resulted in 516 passes, viz., freehand 232. geometrical 284, the number of successful candidates being 420. Following are the results at the principal schools in the Ednca- - tion District :—Terrace School.—Freehand drawing—Number presented 36, passed 23 ; geometrical—presented 41, passed 41. Thorndon School. Freehand presented 57, pa-sed 28 ; geometrical presented 36, passed, 28 Te Aro.—Feeehand—Presented, 46, passed 22 ; geometrical—presented, 54 ; passed, 33. Mount Cook Boys’.—Freehand —presented, 66 ; passed, 38 ; geometrical — p-esented, 66 ; passed, 64. Monnt Cook Girls’.—Freehand—presented, 28 ; passed, 8. Masterton Freehand presented, 58 passed, 27 ; geometrical—presented, 47 ; . passed, 41. Carterton.—Geometrical only—presented, 31 ; passed, 29. The results are considered highly satisfactory, and augur well for future examinations in the higher grades. Certificate* will be issued in due course to the succes.-ful candidates in the country districts, while those for the city schools will be presented at St John’s Schoolroom this after*—, noon.