TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 761, 1 October 1886, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Mr W. W. McCardle has been re-appointed a member of the Wellington Land Board. A supplementary Gazette issued last week contains full details of revisions of the railway charges. The Revs W. G. Lusk, 8.A., H. J. Davis, F. Jas. Parkes, and T. A. Cato are appointed officiating ministers under the Marriage Act, ISSO.

The Hutt Licensing Committee have approved the transfer of the Family Hotel, Lower Hutt, from Michael McAuley to James Guildford.

Messrs Stewart and Co , have received a cablegram from Port Darwin annonncing the safe arrival of the Kentish Lass at Cambridge Gulf. The cable also mentions that the diggings are bad. A notice appears in the Gazette that salmon, trout, and other imported fish are protected, in terms of the Salmon and Trout Act, 1867, subject to the operation of open seasons. Regulations for trout fishing, &c., are also gazetted.

The definitions of the middle line of further portion of the line of railway from Wellington to Napier (Wiwaka section) are gazetted. The line commences at a point in the Mangaone survey district, and terminates at a point on the left bank of the Makabikahi River, in the Mangatainoke block. The total length of the section is seven milas thirty-four chains, or thereabouts.

Two young New Zealanders—Mr David Kennedy, of Christchurch, and Mr John Bowden—have each taken a B.A. degree with distinction at Royal University of Irelai.d. Mr Kennedy took honors in mathematics, and Mr Bowden in classics ; and au Exhibition, value £25, has been awarded to each. These young gentlemen are members of the Marist order, and it is expected that they will shortly return to New Zealand to assist in the work of St Patrick’s College. The senior officers or members of the police force have, in most instances, been appointed probation officers under the First Offender’s Probation Act, 1886. The exceptions are— The gaolers at Mount Eden, Napier, Waipawa, Thames, Tauranga, Opotiki, New Plymouth, Woodville, Gisborne, Wellington, Wanganui, Nelson, Westport, Picton, Addington, Lyttelton, Timarn, Waimate, Ashburton, Oatnaru, Dunedin, Laurence, Arrowtown, Naseby, Invercargill, Greymoutb, and Hokitika.

The conditions under which subsidies will be granted to public libraries are gazetted. The distribution will take place on the Bth February next. A library must be in reality a public library ; and its receipts for the year must not have been less than £2, exclusive of money received from local bodies, the Government, or for hire of rooms, concerts etc. Only one library will be subsidised in one town. A nominal addition of £25 will be made to the amount of each library’s receipts, and the vote of £4OOO will be divided in proportion to the amounts as thu3 augmented, but so as that no institution shall receive more than £59.

Bonuses are to be granted for the production and exportation of cured fish as follows :—(1) Iu respect of the first 200 tons avoirdupois of fish canned with or without oil, the sum of Id per pound, the weight of the cans not to be included in the tonnage upon which such bonus is paid. (2) In respect of every ton avoirdupois of fish canned as aforesaid beyond the first 200 tons, the sum of Jd per pound, the weight of the cans not to be included in the tonnage upon whicn such bonus is paid. (3) In respect to cured fish the bonus to be paid shall be respectively and J 1 a pouDd under similar conditions, as tar as the same are applicable to those' contained in the two last subsections. The total tonnage upon which the Treasurer may grant bonuses as aforesaid under this Act shall not exceed 6000 tons. This offer will be good for six years, nud six months’ notice must be given to the Colonial Treasurer by any person intending to export canned and cured fish, with a view to obtaining a bonus.

The first regular monthly meeting of the new Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held last evening week— Present : the Bishop (President) Ven Archdeacon Stock, Rev J. Still, Rev T. Fancourt, Messrs C. P. Powles, Kenneth Wilson, C. E. Zohrab, C. C. Graham and C. Rous Marten. The Rev T. Fancourt was appointed secretary. The quorum was fixed at two clergymen (beside the Chairman, in the absence of the Bishop) and two laymen. It was resolved that the Committee shall meet on the last Thursday in each mouth at 4.30 p.m. A suggestion was thrown out that the meetings should be only quarterly, but it was not thought desirable to meet more seldom than monthly. The following parishioners of Lower Hutt and Taita were appointed niminators for that joint parish to vote in the election of a new incumbent Captain Humphrey, Mr W. A. Fitzherbert, Mr W. F. Cheesman. These parochial nominators will sit with the diocesan nominators as a joint board, and will recommend a clergyman for appointment to the cure. The Secretary reported that the Feilding, Carterton, and Patea Districts bad paid up their arrears in full since the late session of Synod. The following are the arrears still outstanding as owed by the respective districts to the General Church Fund :—Masterton and Whareama, £BS ; Greytown, &c., £39 ; Upper Hutt and Pabautanui, £ll ; Karori and Johnsonville, £39 ; MartoD, £53 ; Hawera, £22. There was no other business, and the Committee adjourned for a month.

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 Aro House. The Sale commenced on Friday, July 2nd and is now in full operation. Country residents would do well to pay an early visit this Removing Sale at Te Abo House, Wellington,

A Southern paper states that Mr John McKenzie will probably be called to the Legislative Council, The rumor, however, is d:nied.

By Gazette notice the South Wairarapa. River District is constituted, The elections of the Board for the new district are to take place on the 20th of October.

Meetings of county ratepayers are being: called in the Wariarapa to consider theadvisability of taking advantage of the--Local Bodies Loans Act.

Messrs Thompson and McLean, contractors for the building to be erected for the Girls’ Friendly Society in Vivian street made a start yesterday week. The contract timer expires on December 15 next. A description of the proposed building appeared in these; columns some few weeks ago. The contract' price is £B9O,

No news concerning the barque Guinevere, which put into Mauritius about six or sevenweeks ago in a disabled couditioo, on the voyage from Liverpool to Wellington,, has been received by the local agents for the vessel, Messrs Levin and Co. As the vessel was so sevete’y damaged ss ti necessitate discharging her cargo, h r detention maw probably be attribute! to that cause.

The calendar for the criminal session of the' Supreme Court, which begins ou Monday, is, so far, as follows : —Titokowaru aud others, malicious injury to property ; W. Marsden, same offence; Ben j unin Hopkins, laiosny from the person ; A. Waters, forging and uttering ; J. Hoskins, libel ; W. Carrol, larceny ; James Mitchell, burglary ; Charles Hodgson, embezzlement.

Referring to the committal of Miss Houston and Hall for attempted poisonmg at Timaru, the Herald says :—Miss Houston, was looking rather careworn as she entered! the Courtroom, and setmsd rather disappointed on noticing that a tall and formidable looking warder stood between h-r and her fellow prisoner. Hall did cot appear tobe iu the enjoyment of his usual good, health, and tbe pallor which o’erspread his. countenance was heightened by the dark look if h s unshaven face. He seemed to be,much affected at the close of the case, and his whole demeanor was not so cheerfullooking as on his last appearance in Court.

A sergeant of the 88:h Regiment of Infantry, iu garrison at Monza, Italy, made am abortive attempt to commit suicide by shootiug himself with hia riflle on July 12. Among; bis papers a litter was discovered addressedby him to the King. In this letter he statedi that he had been deputed by a secret society, to take the life of the Kiug, but that he preferred to die himself. King Humbert is reported to have Baid, on reading the letter, “ The man must be a lunatic, who desired to impart au interesting character to hiesuicide.”

Complaints have often been made of the-, briefness of the sittings of the New Zealand Parliament. The Melbourne Argus takes upanother attitude with respect to the length ofsittings of Parliaments, and suggests that the“scenes” which have occurred in the New South Wales and Victorian Legislatures is due> to the Houses sitting so long in a eession—tomember3 being thrown far too much togetherThe Argus, which is evidently of the opinion that “Evil communications corrupt goodmanners,” suggests that the Parliament o£ New South Wales is suffering from insomnia.

The city of London will henceforth c‘Educt its mmrc'pal elect! ns by ballot. It has taken the sense of the ratepayers upon the tu'ject by means of a plebiscite. The ques‘iuu was put by letter to each of the; 26,000 who compose the electorate, an add;es ed post-card being provided for the rep'y, which involved meiely the trounle of wr.t ng “yis ”or no.” The result is instructive. Very nearly one-baif did not taker the trouble to m ike any reply at all, showing the pioportion who take no interest whatever in municipal sffaits. Of those who sent replies, cn y 2300 were oppo.ed to thebdllot.

On Saturday, June 12, says a Manchesterpaper, great excitement was occasioned amongst the Salvationists at Hull by the.news that tbeir steam yacht the lole had been wrecked in the Humber. The yachir. was some months ago presented to the, Army for the purpose of carrying on evangelical work among seamen anil fishermen on the coast, and great preparations had! been made in Hull for meetmgs with thecrew of the lole during Whitsuntide. These gatherings were to have commenced', on Saturday evening, and there wasto have been a meetiug ou board the yacht on Sunday afternoon. A few days ago thelole left Ipswich, and all went well until! Friday evening, when it arrived off Pauli, near No. 9 buoy. The captain (Mr Fielder)*-' and the mate, with the crew, were on the lookout, at.d the lead was at work. Suddenly something caught tbe vessel’s bottom ; she swung round with the flood tide, and the crew,. finding her filling with water, had to take to .their boat. They pulled to Southend on Friday night and boarded a steamer. On Saturday morning, at dead low water, only two or three feet of the lole’s funnel was tobe seen.

We transcribe the following from the Reporters’ Magazine, which takes it from am American shorthand journal. The article isentitled, “ Praying for a reporter,” and reads as follows :—“ The Salvation Army prayed for a Philadelphia reporter thus:—‘We have a reporter here, a miserable reporter, a sinful reporter, a servant of the unholy newspapers, a good man gone wrong. Satan has made him obstinate, aud he will riot yield to persuasion and be saved. Oh ! help the wicked reporter. Help this reporter. The devil holds the forfc in this reporter’s brain. He is going to helL Hallelujah ! Oh, may he join the Salvation Army ; oh, give him repentance. He is thn type of all reporters and they are a wicked lot.’ The lieutenant stopped to give the reporter a chance of kneeling. The men and women soldiers shouted * Save the reporter * help the reporter; down with the devil. I was wicked once, but now I am pure.’ Thelieutenant then, began again :—‘ Ob, kill thiß reporter, kill hi on, take him away, that hemay do evil no more. He is too obstinate to yield. He knows he ought to, but he is tooproud ; all reporters are. Oh, strike this reporter down ; he iB the devil in disguise.’”

Land to the extent of 13a Or 4p, at Bastioi Point, Auckland, ia taken for defence purposes.

The equinoctial gales set in yesterday week with great punctuality—also with much dust in the daytime, and with driving rain at night. Mr F. E. Wright’s appointment as Consul for Sweden and Norway at Christchurch has received the Imperial approval. Mr Patrick McComiskey is provisionally recognised as Acting Consular Agent for Italy at Auckland.

The Mines Minuter publishes amended conditions under which rewards are to be given for the discovery of new goldfields. These provide that the maximum sum offered as a reward for any proved discovery of a new goldfield shall be £SOO ; but, if the total sum claimed as rewards in any one year exceeds the parliamentary vote, the amount available only will be divided equally. The newly discovered goldfield, if in alluvial ground, must be situated not lees than ten miles from the nearest alluvial gold-workings ; or, if in quarlz, not less than five miles from the nearest existing quartz-mines. No grant ■wilt be paid upon any application until it shall have been proved that not leas than 20,000 ounces of gold have been extracted from the new goldfield within two years from the registration of the discovery, if in alluvial workings, and, if in quartz-workings, proof of a similar yield from this source within three years from such registration will be required. No prospecting is allowed on Native land without a permit from the Native Minister. Applications for patents have been made as follows :—T. Chandler, Een., T. Chandler, jun., and Josiah Chandler, of LondoD, an invention for improvements in regenerative gas lamps or lanterns ; Austin Walsh, of Parnell, Auckland, an improvement in the manufacture of tobacco, to be called Missown compressed long-cut smoking or chewing tobacco; A. G. Brett, of Normanby, an improved wire strainer ; Heary James Ranger, of Christchurch, for Ranger’s improved hedge cutter ; Thomas Harrison, of Rakaia, Canterbury, for the horizontal-feed seed sower ; Clement van de Velde, of Sydney, for a system of metallic bridges which may be put asunder with rectilineal rigid elements ; W. E. Wilson, of Sydney, for an improvement in the manufacture of powdered product for paint compositions and other purposes ; J. G. Hall, J. Jefferey, and J. B. Witt, of Melbourne, for an invention for lowering or increasing the temperature in buildings and other confined placep ; G. W. Renny, of Gore, for an equalising sjvingletree, and for a steel-plate harrow, yg' The new Te Aro House, which is to be * opened to-day (Friday), will be one of the handsomest buildings in Wellington, or, for that matter, in the Colony. It is an enormous pile, baviDg a frontage to Cuba-street of 105 ft by 120 ft to Dixon-street. Its external appearance is very handsome, and is greatly enhanced by the tower which surmounts it. From this tower a beautiful panoramic view of the whole city may be obtained. A flagstaff rises from this tower, where the bouse flag is intended to float. The internal arrangements are to be commensurate with the pretentious outward appearance of the building. Windows have been so devised that every department will be well lighted, and every attention is being paid to ventilation. These, however, are ordinary, although necessary conveniences. The proprietor has gone so far as to provide a well-fitted refreshment room, where tea, cnffee, cocoa, &c., will be obtainable. Situated in a commanding position, in the heart of the most thickly populated part of the city, the new Te Aro House is a valuable addition to the architectural beauties of Wellington.

A few minutes before 4 o’clock last Friday afternoon the employes of Mr A. Macdonald, baker, of Manners-street, had their attention attracted toward a stable adjoining the bakery by a crackling noise and a quantity of smoke issuing from a loft above the stable, in which was stacked a large amount of straw. An alarm of fire was quickly given, aud in response to the ringing of the fire-bells the brigade was quickly on the scene. In the meantime, however, a small hoss kept on the premises was brought into requisition by Mr Macdonald’s men, and kept the fire in check until the brigade arrived. A quantity of the straw was pulled out and the flames were then quickly subdued. On examination it was found that by some unknown means the straw had become ignited in the corner of the loft adjoining the bakery, which, however, is isolated from the stable by a substantial brick wall. From careful observation it is certain that the fire originated in the loft itself. The damage done is however, Blight and probably L3O will cover it. Mr Macdonald is insured for a total sum of L 2200 in the New Zealand Office, but is uncertain whether the stable is included.

An inqhest was held at the Hospital la-t Friday morning on the body of John Thomas Telfer, who met with an accident in Willisstreet on Wednesday, before the District Coroner and a jury of six, of whom Mr Collier was chosen foreman. Dr Gillon stated that he attended the deceased on Wednesday morning. He was unconscioue, and bleeding profusely from the right ear, he (Dr Gillon) immediately suspected injuries to the brain. Saw deceased afterwards at the Hospital. He was then in a semi-conscious state. Dr Gilloa gathered from a few words mumbled by deceased, that he bad beeD at work at 6 o’clock that morning. His breath smelt of alcohol. Was of the opinion that deceased died from fracture of the skull. Maurice W, Bell, jeweller’s apprentice, deposed that he saw deceased on Wednesday morning. He was standing in front of the Commercial Hotel. He turned round as if to walk down Willis-streefc, when he suddenly staggered and fell, striking his bead on the pavement. Had known the deceased for the last three years. Deceased was ga married man. Believed his wife and family were in Sydney. He was of intemperate habits, and was subject to atlacks of asthma. Constable Pennefather gave evidence that he had the deceased removed to the Hospital. Deceased had no money on him, but a gold watch, gold links, aud breast pin, beside a pocket book and a few papers. He was a man who gave way to drink. Nothing was elicited from the evidence to show that deceased was intoxicated ween he met with the accident. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death caused through the deceased striking his head on the kerbing of the pavement while in a fit.

According to Sydney cable news published this week, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly had rejected the proposals of the Government as to the celebration of the Australian centennial. Sydney files to hand do not give any full particulars of the proposed celebration, the Sydney Mail of the 11th instant says Sir Patrick Jennings had announced that it was proposed to finish the Art Gallery at a cost from £60,000 to £70,000; to bring a number of distinguished persons to the colony at a cost of £30,000 ; and to hold an intercolonial exhibition to cost £13,000. The school children were to be suitably entertained, a number of important public works were to be completed, and money was to be expended in subsidising sports of an international character. The Mail adds : From the frequent interruptions and crossfiring that met Sir Patrick’s explanation, it would appear that many members regard the whole thing as a great joke. The suggestion that the distinguished visitors were to be brought out by contract tickled the House immensely.

The following figures showing the estimated revenue for Hospital and Charitable Aid were laid before the City Council last Friday night by the Mayor when moving that no special rate be imposed this year:—Hospital— Estimated amount required for ensuing six months, based on expenses for last six mouth sl , £3360. Estimated income : From rents, £BOO ; in bank, £630 ; from Hospital and Charitable Aid Fund, £375; Government subsidy on ditto, £450 ; contributions, £4OO ; maintenance fees, £l5O ; due from Government, £l5O. Deficit, £l5O Beaevoient Institution Amount required, £l4B > ; revenue, £I3OO, as fohows : —ln hand, £SOO ; Orphanage Fund, £95 ; subscriptions, £130; Government subsidy on ditto, £156 ; Hospital and Charitable Aid Fund, £2OO ; subsidy on ditto, £220. Deficit, £l7O. Tne Mayor expressed his conviction that, with the aid of Hospital Saturday collections and revenue from entertainments and other sources there would be little difficulty in covering the small deficits. The motion for not striking a rate this year was carried unanimously, the Councillors expressing tbe nselves highly pleased with the successful efforts of those who had worked so hard to obviate the necessity for a special raje.

last Friday night’s meeting of the Council the Mayor referred to the loss the city had sustained by the death of the Hon A. de B Brandon, father of Councillor BrandoD, who for over forty years had been connected with the proviuce, and was one of our most respected citizens. He alluded in feeling terms to the late gentleman’s services to the city and Colony, and trusted that Councillor Brandon, in taking his father’s place, would follow in his father’s footsteps. He moved—- “ That a letter be sent tp the family of the late Mr Brandon indicative of the Council’s sympathy with them in their affliction, and expressing its recognition at the great loss sustained by the city and Colony through the boa gentleman’s death.” Councillor Quick thought no one was better able to endorse the Mayor’s sentiments than he was. He bad been a partner with the deceased gentleman, and could say that their business communications tad been conducted in a most pleasant manner. He always had the highest esteem and respect for the deceased, and from the time they ceased to be partners up to the time of his death that respect he believed to be mutual. Mr Brandon was a gentleman possessing the most amiable qualities, coupled with great ability, which he used for the public benefit of Wellington. He was also looked up to by all who knew him with great affection. He (Councillor Quick) could hardly express his feelings so well as be should like, for jhe Lit that he was losing a great friend. Many would feel that by his departure from among them a gap would be caused that would Dot be filled up, and a face would be missed from among them. Councillor McKenzie said he had known Mr Brandon for 45 years, and he was a man of great mind and ability. He was a disciple of Dr Featherston’s school and fought hard for the constitution of the country. Councillor McKenzie alluded to the deceased gentleman’s connection with the Wellington Provincial Council and bis services to the Province and City. Councillor Petherick also referred to the abilities of the deceased and the high respect in which he was held. The motion was then passed. statement of assets and liabilities in the bankrupt estate of Charles Cheymol, merchant, was filed last Friday. The liabilities are as follows : —Unsecured creditors, £8026 17a Id ; ascured creditors, £3543 Is lOd ; other liabilities, bills, &c., £484 43 3d ; total, £12,054. From the amount set down to secured creditors, £1950 is deducted, less estimated valne of securities, so that the total liabilities are brought dawn to £10,104 3s 2d. The assets are estimated at £722, viz. : Stock in- trade, £3OO ; book debts, £l5O ; cash in band, 4s 4d ; balance at Colonial Bank, £2 2s ; furniture, £2O ; lease of Commercial Hotel, Willis-atreet. (four and a half years to run), £250. The deficiency is therefore, in round numbers, £9380. Of the liabilities £5623 is due to firms in Europe, viz, G iudin Frere, Callcott and Close, J. Duret and Go., De Laage Fils and Co., Marie Brizard, and Roger, Sdnzac and Co., E. Lafawrie Fils, Violett and Co.,Feton and Vouvialle, Frois and Co., all of Bordeaux ; Reynal and Co., Tamao Cognac ; E. Pinand, Paris, and Henkell and Co., Mainz, Germany. The Wellington unsecured creditors are a 3 follows : Bannatyne and Co., £241 ; Levin and Co., £165; Turnbull and Co., £IOB ; Harcourt and Co., £107; W. R. Waters, £2B ; Castendyk and Focke, £57 ; T. W. Young, £42; F. J. Preston, £57 ; J. Staples and Co., £43; United Importers Compauy, £66 ; McDougall and Co., £22 ; Thompson, Shannon and Co., £23 ; G C. Fownes, £2l ; W. Nathan and Co., £2l ; J. E. Nathan and Co., £l2 ; J, Dutbie and Co., £l6 ; E. H. Crease, £ll ; H. Fielder, £25 ; Lyon and Blair, £SO; P. Hayman and Co, £2 ; G. Crawford and Co., £29; Wellington Gas Company, £2O ; R. Massard, £105; Moorhouse and Edwards, £lO ; New Zealand Drug Company, £2O ; Brunner Coal Company, £7 ; A. G. Manthel), £192 ; Phoenix Insurance Company, £l9 ; Wellington Corporation, £2 10s. The secured local creditors are as follow : —Union Bank, £1888; L. L. Harris, £4O; S. Cemino, £22. There are several unsecured creditors in Melbourne, Sydney, Nelson and Dunedin. The largest of these creditors are Lange and Thoneman, Melbourne, £269 ; Sclanders and , Ce., Nelson, £173 ; and Etnile Doublet, £264. I

The Westport Athenaeum site is vested in the Westport Corporation. The burgess roll of Kaiapoi, and the valuation roll of Sydenham, are declared validated. Notice is given of the intention of the Government to take land for defence purposes at Lyttelton, Waitemata, and Port Chalmers. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co.’s s.s. Tainui arrived off Port Chalmers Heads on Sunday. She is due here next Monday.

Letters of naturalisation have been issued to Jacob Lawseo, Napier ; Samuel Hansen, Napier ; and Johann P. Nilson, Mauriceville. A claim of £ISOO has been received by the City Council from Mr Samuel Woods for foreshore rights. It has been referred to the F. rethore Committee for consideration.

London Hospital Sunday Fund has done better this year, as the result of the special appeal to the public. The result is a total of £21.500, against £17,500 last year.

The taking of land in the Otaki road district for the construction of roads in that district, in accordance with the memorial of the Otaki Road Board to the Governor, is gazetted.

Tbe Stormbird, which arrived from Wanganui yesterday week, brought about 22 large totara logs for the Otago Harbor Board, to be io connection with harbor works at Dunedin.

We understand that the Colonial Secretary has. granted the application for permission to exhume the body of the late Captain Cane, whose death, it is expected, was caused by poisoning.

It is stated that two actions for Blander are on the tapis in this city. In one case a billiard-marker is the plaintiff and a wellknown hotel keeper the defendant ; and in the other a commission agent proceeds against an ex-hotel-keeper. The Mayor announced to the Council at last Friday night’s meeting that Mr Shand, of the well-known London firm of Shand and Masou, manufacturers of fire-engines and plant, vras in Wellington, and had submitted samples of the latest fire-extinguishing plant. It was decided to refer Mr Shand to the head of the local Brigade. Beach, according to the cable news, has easily beaten Wallace Rose. The champion has now met, in the course of a few weeks, Teemer, Gaudaur, and Wallace Ross, and has beaten them all ; and has also managed to heat two others who fouled him. It will be interestibg to watch Hanlau’s movements now that a match between him and the champion ii almost an impossibility for the present. The meetings of the Salvation Army during the past few days have been conducted by “ Chief-Commissioner ” Howard, who attended the congress held at Christchurch a few weeks back on the occasion of the opening of the new barracks in that city. Mr Howard is making a tour of New Zealand on his way back to Australia. During his stay in this city he has delivered addresses to enormous congregations. Mr Howard will next visit Blenheim, Nelson, and then proceed to Auckland. “Major” Barratt, of the Christchurch Regiment, accompanies the Commander on his tour.

As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mr A. de B. BrandoD, M.L.C., it was decided at the Resident Magistrate's Court last F/ iJay morning to adjourn in the afternoon. Mr H. D. Bell expressed the thanks of the profession to Mr Wardell for giving them this opportunity of paying the last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman, who bad passed such an honorable career in this Provincial district since its earliest days. Mr Wardell endorsed Mr Bell’s remarks, and said the citizens of Wellington had suffered by by Mr Brandon’s decease. Subsequently, however, it was found necessary to sit late in the afternoon.

On Sunday no fewer than five barques arrived at this port, two of them being from foreign ports, namely, the Areola, from Calcutta, and the Marmion, from Liverpool. The former vessel brings a cargo of woolpaclts, and the latter a geueral cargo composed chiefly of iron and coal. The Marmion was very short of water, having only about two days’ supply on board when she arrived, which is attributable to the fact that the vessel had five stowaways on board. The other vessels were the U.S.S. Co.a. regular coal traders, G. M. Tucker, and Sophia R. Luhrs from Newcastle, and the Island City from the same port, with a cargo of coal for the Brunner Coal Co.

A large number of people were attracted to the Botanic Gardens on Sunday afternoon to hear Gray’s Private Band play the excellent programme announced in Saturday’s Times, in aid of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Fund, The band marched to and from the grounds in military order, and performed the choice pieces of music selected with capital effect. A committee of the Wellington Guards acted as stewards, and succeeded in collecting £ls Is lid, made np as follows 8 halfcrowns, 12 florins, 134 shillings, 185 sixpences,. 102 threepenny pieces, 67 pennies, and 8 halfpence ; total number of coins, 516. A mistake was made in not having the collection boxes in position earlier. As it was, they were not fitted up till about ten minutes after the band arrived, and it may reasonably be assumed that a small «nm was lost by this negligence.

“Is Ireland entitled to Home Rule ?” was the title cf a lecture delivered at the Lyceum, Tory-street, on Sunday night, by Mr J. Eirson, better known as “Ivo.” The lecturer briefly, but graphically, and at times most eloquently, detailed the scenes of cruelty and bloodshed which bad been enacted in Ireland from the accession of Henry the Second, and affirmed that the government of the country had been one of consistent cruelty throughout. Having touched upon the barbarous laws enacted during tbe 16cb, 17tb, and 18th centuries against the Catholics, he briefly sketched the movements headed by successive Irish patriots for the freedom of their country, and the measures of repression adopted by English Governments down to our own times. Alluding to Mr C. S. Parnell, he said the best evidence of his success as a patriot was afforded by the fact that Mr Gladstone had brought down proposals for granting Home Rule to Ireland. The lecturer was attentively listened to throughout his interesting and instructive adlress, and was frequently applauded by a somewhat large audience.

Mr J. P. Leary is likely to be a candidate for the Palmerston North mayoralty It is stated that the legality of the action of the Palmerston North Borough Council in forming streets through the Square ia likely 7 to be tested.

The Wairarapa arrived at the Bluff on Sunday afternoon with an Eagiish (Brindisi) mail. The Hawea brought i« down on Wednesday.

Mr Travers, solicitor for the plaintiff in the libel action Vogel v Wakefield and Roydhouse has notified the defendants that the motion for a new trial of the case has been withdrawn.

At at Early Closing Association meeting at Woodville it has been decided that the shops in the township shall not be open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s R.M.S. Tongariro left Plymouth on Saturday afternoon for New Zealand. Her first port of call i 3 Auckland.

A young woman died of puerperal fever at the Wanganui Hospital recently, and the local papers refer to the case as one in which death was caused by neglect previous to the womau’a admission to the hospital.

The platform at tbe Christians Chapel, Dixon-street, was occupied Sunday night by J. F. Floyd, who preached an excellent discourse from Hebrews II chap. His subject beiDg “ The Law of Degeneration.” At the close of the sermon the ordinance of believers baptism was administered.

Tbe liabilities in the bankrupt estate of Charles A. Richards, of the Lower Hutt, schoolmaster, are set down at £:4O 2s ss, and the assets, consisting of furniture and horse and trip at, £2OO. The principal creditors are Bell, Gully, and Izard, £BO ; P. Speedy, £64 3s ; it. Oleland, £54 ; and the Gear Refrigerating Company, £lO 16s. There are several other creditors who claim for amounts below £lO

The new Presbyterian Church, Kent terrace, was opener! on Sunday. The congregation at both services, morning and evening, was very large. The Rev O. S. Ogg conducted the opening service, and delivered a very powerful sermon taking for his text, “ I was glad when they said unto me, iet ns go into the house of the Lord,” 122nd Psalm, Ist verse. The Rev J. X. Elliott preached in the evening. A service for children was held in the afternoon, and was largly attended.

The adjourned meeting of creditors in the estate of Mary Ann Woodley, late licensee of the Bank Hotel, Manners-street, called for Saturday last, again lapsed for want of a quorum. Mr Jellicoe attended to represent the debtor, who was also present, but the only creditors represented were the New Zealand Aerated Water and Cordial Company, for whom Mr Arthur Clothier appeared. The

liabilities to unsecured creditors are set down at ,£240 2s lOd, and the assets at £207 11s 6 d, £2OO of which, however, is represented by furniture and stock in possession of Mr Cbeymol, and which is alleged to have been wrongfully seized. A statement detailing the debtor’s business relations with Messrs T. White, H. Gilmer, the New Zealand Aerated Water and Cordial Company, and Mr Oheymol, and which formed the subject of investigation at the Supreme Court recently, haa been for consideration by the creditors.

A laboring man, who was slightly the worse for liquor, had a practical experience on Saturday night of the value of good advice. At about half-past 10 he was on the Queen’s Wharf, and the watchman observing that the man was not sober, advised him to go home, or he would probably come to grief. This advice, however, was treated very lightly, and the person to whom it was given retorted with the perverseness of intoxicated mortals by abusing the night watchman—making rude jests about his nationality, and generally acting in a manner calculated to provoke the most easy-going of watchmen. The watchman went into his office for a few minutes, and when he came out again he observed his friend cheerfully swimming about in the water, looking for a landing place. He had staggered, it appearp, and fallen over the wharf. Being a good swimmer, he kept afloat, and he managed to get on to one of the stringers. He was then hauled on to the wharf, and betook his way home —a sober and a wiser man.

His Honor the Chief Justice presided at a sitting of the Bankruptcy Court on Monday. Applications for discharge were granted to Sven- Bengtson, cabinetmaker ; John Wm, Barclay, late hotelkeeper ; and Ambrose Pope, painter, no opposition iu any case beiug offered. The applications of Charles O’Malley (contractor), Allan Carmont (storekeeper), and Edward Shaw (solicitor) were adjourned by request until next sitting, his Honor remarking that the latter application would lapse unless made then. Bankruptcies were declared closed in the following cases :—G. T. Bates, W. H. Dobson, W. Hooke, G. J. Sandbrook, R. McEeilan, and W. Mercer, and the bankrupts ordered to apply for discharge at next sittings. An order was made for the costs, subject to taxation, of Mr Quick, petitioning creditors’ counsel, in the estate of W. H. Dobson, an absconding debtor. A similar order was granted to Mr Jellicoe, bankrupt’s solicitor’s coßts in the estate of W. Hooke, bootmaker. Mr Jellic/ie applied for and obtained a maintenance order for £3 3s per week on behalf of R, Scott, late hotelkeeper, the order to be subject to variation on application to the Official Assignee at next sitting of the Court (October 18). Samuel des Forge?, butcher, of Pahautanui, presented himself for public examination. Mr Thompson appeared for the debtor, and Mr Brown, on behalf of the creditors, catechised the debtor at considerable length, but failed to get satisfactory answers as to debtor’s business transactions. Mr Brown finally said that it was useless to continue the examination, and asked his Honor to mark his sense of the reckless* manner in which the debtor had conducted his business by exercising his summary jurisdiction as provided by the Act. His Honor Eaid he could not punish the debtor aB a criminal until a specific charge was made. Mr Brown said the charge was that the debtor had not kept proper books. Mr Thompson said Mr Justice Richmond’s opinion was that such charges should be formulated. His Honor said the proper course was to adjourn the public examination until next sitting day. The specific charge could then be made, when the debtor might be prepared to meet it. The Coart then rose.

A School-teachers’ Association is to be formed in the Wairarapa.

The meeting of creditors in the estate of Mary Ann "Woodley, called for last Friday, lapsed, in the absence of a quorum. It is said that the only local body ia Ne Zealand that has responded to the Prince Wales’ testimonial is the New Plymouth Borough Council, The legality of the bill held by Mr -Tohn Bar-tie over part of the property in the bankrupt estate of Mr R. Scott is to be tested, .Mr Travels having been instructed to take the necessary steps.

The Timaru Herald understands that the Timaru Harbor Board have been served with a writ for the c-um of £49,000 by Shaw, Savil! and Co., as damages in connection with the wreck of the ship Lyttelton in Timaru harbor.

The police on Monday received the following telegram from Constable Darby, at Carterton : Corpe’s eaw mill at Gladstone was burnt down at 4 a-tr. yesterday. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is belived to have been accidental. The building was insured in the National office for £2OO.

Subject to an Order iu Council made under the “ Fisheries Conservation Act,” the close season for shore and mud oysters is from the month of October to the month of January inclusive. The close season for rock oysters, extends from December to March inclusive, iu each year. Any one having oysters in their possession during the close season is liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds. As the first uf October is near, persons engaged ia the oyster trade will do well to take precautions. The remains of the late Mr A. deß. Brandon, M.L.0., were interred in the Church of England Cemetery last Friday. The funeral procession was a very large one, a great number of people taking the opportunity of paying the last tribute of respect to a gentleman who has been so highly esteemed. His Excellency the Governor was represented, and Messrs Tole, Richardson, Tjarnaeb, and Buckley, members of the Cabinet, were present, with a number of members of both Houses of Parliament, his Worship the Mayor, and almost all the leading Wellington citizens. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev Mr Still. In an article on the Big Bay prospecting movement the West Coast Times says : The various prospecting parties which'will shortly be landed at Big Bay by the Hinemoa may possibly meet with success, but we are sorely afraid that they will experience much of this hope deferred. Certainly, if they wean themselves from their first intentions, and gradually spread north, they may be successful, but a rigid adherence to their present lines will, we are afraid, result in failure. It is a great pity that parties starting under such auspices are not moving in a direction better calculated to ensure success, and for this we think the Mines Department is greatly to blame,’’

Thi3 is how a Wairarapa paper describes Wellington in the course of an article on the death of William Ward : —Only a few days ago, from the city of Wellington, with its wealth and magnificence, its fine buildings, splendid hotels where money and strong liquors flow night and day in company, its scenes of high-living and profligacy, its theatres and dancing-houses and club-houses, its mansions devoted to every kind of luxury, its palaces of vice and dens of infamy, its feasts and reveky, its drunkenness and gluttony, its effeminate, highly-perfumed, kidgloved snobs, its carriages and flunkeys, and ladies clothed in fine raiment, a poor old man went forth from a home of want to die among the rocks by “ the sad sea waves.” A storm of exceptional severity passed over this city on Monday night. The day had been fine and duty, with a strong N.W. breeze and rapidly falling barometer, but the wind went down at dußk and the evening was flue and calm. Toward 9 pm. some flashes of lightning began to appear in the southern sky, and a dense black cloud could be seen on the horizon. This rose very fast, and the wind went round to the southward. Shortly after 9 p.m. a violent storm of thunder, ligutning, rain, hail, and wind burst over the city and lasted nearly an hour. The lightning was intensely vivid and sometimes right overhead, accompanied by tremendous thunder, while rain fell in tropical torrents, varied occasionally by hail squalls. The tempest abated soon after 10 p m., but rain continued to fail steadily during the night. On the 10th instant the Melbourne Argus published the following telegram from its spec’al correspondent at Port Darwin, dated the 9th : —The Onyx has arrived with 75 passengers, returning diggers from Kimberley. Among the Edith May’s passengers, who arrived yesterday, are some who give doleful accounts of their experiences. One party of six spent a month on the diggings, and obtained only 9dwfc. of gold. They sold their six horses and packs for £36, the total loss on the trip being £450. Another party spent three months, and got only llawt. They then left, losing about £4OO. Other parties estimate their losses at from £2OO to £7OO each. Sickness was prevalent on the field. Most of the men purpose remaining here, aud some are inclined to try the Territory fields. The Edith May returns to Wyndham for more passengers. Other vessels are now loading there for this port. A special meeting of the Featherston School Committee was held on Saturday last. There were present—Messrs Cox (chairman), J. Donald, Keys, Robertson, Benton, and J. Cundy. The Chairman explained that he had convened a special meeting—(l) To consider the alteration of Mr De Mey’s system of exercise to a system of extended military movements, proposed by Mr Bezar. It was decided not to interfere with the present arrangements, as the De Mey system had not yet had a fair trial. (2) To consider what steps should be taken with regard to the appointment of a successor to Miss Medley. A good deal of discussion ensued as to whether any recommendation should bo sent to tbe Board, the Committee evidently not understanding their position. Ultimately it was decided to recommend to the Board that Mies Bunting be temporarily appointed to assist in tbe school until the successor to Miss Medley is able to take her situation. A vote of thanks was ordered to be sent to Mias Medley, in iecognition of the efficient manner she had performed her duties while in the Featherston School.

Shortly after 5 p.m. last Friday evening a false alarm of fire was given, making the second alarm the bells had rung out within an hour. It appears that someone passing the City Buffet saw some smoke coming out of the front door, probably blown from the fireplace, and gave an alarm. The Brigade turned out, but of course were not needed.

It is pleasing to report that substantial aid as well as sympathy, has been forthcoming to alleviate the distress of the family of the unfortunate man Ward, whose sad death was recorded last week. As soon as the condition of the family was ascertained the Benevolent Society and Ladies’ Association at once afforded relief in food and clothing, and are continuing it. We understand that about £3O has also been privately subscribed for the family, which consists of eight children, ranging from five months to ten years. Collections have been made during the last few days at the Mount Cook schools, at which some of the family attended until want of clothing compelled them to absent themselves. The amount collected has not yet been made up, but whether great or email, the fact r.faat an effort has been made by the school children i 3 a pleasing incident in a very sad story.

A somewhat unusual case is now before the Bupretne Court. A few months ago the Bishop of Wellington revoked the license he had granted to the Rev Mr Dodvrell as curate of the Bulls Parochial District. Mr DodwelJ, feeling aggrieved at this proceeding, has brought; an action against ths Bishop claiming damages for the deprivation, which he contends was illegal. On the part of the Bishop it is held that as the Jicense3 to “Parochial Districts” (unlike those to “Parishes”) are revocable at. any time at the option of the Bishop, the latter was within his full rights in the action he took. This . law point is to be argued in Banco to-day. It the Bishop’s contention is tustnined by the Cour; the ease falls to tfce ground. If, on the other hand, the right claimed by the Bishop of revoking a parochial district license at will is not allowed by the Court, but the onus is cast upon his Lordship of showing, cause for his action, then the whole case will go before a jury at the next civil sittings of the Court. The severe thunderstorm of Monday night cleared the atmosphere mo3t. effectively, for Tuesday morning broke gloriously fine, and the weather throughout the day was of a most enjoyable character. The rain that fell during Monday night measured a little more than half an inch in the city, but at Petone not more than half that amount was recorded. The rainfall for the month up to yesterday ha 3 been registered at the Museum as S's 7 inches, as against a twenty years’ average for tbs full month of 4 "30 inches. Aa there is every indication of a spell of fine weather having now set in, the record, for the month, two days only of which have to run, will probably not be add®3 to. Rain has fallen on 15 davs during the present month, as agains't 27 days in August. The hailstorm was very much more severely felt at Te Aro end of the town than at Thcrndon. The weight of the hailstones which fell on a house in the neighborhood of Oriental Bay was so great that it is Baid that the roof gave way under it. During the storm a flash of lightning struck the mainfopgallant mast of the barque Sophia R. Luhrs, lying in the stream. Three men who happened to be on deck were knocked down, ' and remained insensible for a time. Members of the Philosophical Society will be pleased to learn that important additions to their library have just been made, by the I receipt of some 50 volumes, comprising about a third of the number recently ordered by the Council. More than usual interest will, be evinced in the works to hand from the fact that thirty volumes are connected witn the history of the Colony, the books having been purchased with a view to make the library of New Zealand literature ao complete as pos--1 3ible. Amongst the earliest works to hand is Yates’ Illustrated New Zealand, which was 1 .published in London in 1825. The latest volume of the report of the scientific results of the expedition of K.M..S. Challenger has also been added to the library, making nhe twentieth volume of this most valuable work i now to hand. The book, like its predecessors, is profusely and beautifully illustrated. It may not be generally known that this wor<r is being supplied gratuitiouely by the Home authorities in accordance with a promise made by the late Sir C. Wyville Thomson, commander of the scientific staff of tne expedition, who obtained a large number of scisi.I tific specimens at Wellington when the Challenger visited this port in 1874 Mr Jonn Murray, who was one of the naturalists who accompanied the Challenger on. the expedition, is superintending the publication of the Scientific Remits.

A mysterious “find” i* reported from Pahiatna. According to the local paper, when the township road was being formed three or four years ago, the camp of the road party was in the vicinity of the hollow rata tree, and it is stated that peculiar noises .were nightly heard coming from that direction—sometimes as if several men were engaged bush felling. One man, whose tent was a little apart from the rest, was so struck with the noises one night that he went to the other tent to see ii any bad gone out. felling , but .he was considerably astonished to find them all fast asleep. The day after this the skeleton of a man was found in a rata tree. On Tuesday last a oush feller named Dawsey, in going through the bush at the Village Settlement came up n n a large swag containing a considerable quantity of clothing and other articles, but the former was in such a rotten state that it almost fell to pieces when touched. However, sufficient was seen to arrive at the conclusion that it was a valuable one when first deposited on the spot where it was found. Amongst tfce clothing was a naval coat (it is impossible to say whether it was a dress-coat or a shell jacket), and from the buttons wh’ch are silver, and in a good state of preservation, it appears that the owner once b=lon»ed to the Union Steam Shipping Company’s service—they, bearing the letters nir g Q 0 O 99 A Masonic diploma on parchmerit ' (issued by the Grand Lodge of New Wale 1 ') was also in the Bwag, although very much discolored by the wet. The name In the parchment is “David and the dats of issue the early part of 188.,. Various articles—scent bottle, razor, comb, £ c were found in the vest pocket.

Some very interestins specimens of Japanese art have been recently received by Messrs Lyon and Blair, of this city, who have brought them under our notice. They are colored photographs of scenes in Japan, taken by Japanese photographers and colored by Japanese artists. As photographs they strike us as possessing remarkable merit, the delicacy and clearness of the pictures being admirable. The views of landscapes are especially excellent. But the peculiarly noteworthy point about them is their exquisite coloring, which is a marvel of minute and patient manipulation. Among the many instances that attract attention may be prominently mentioned the peachtrees in full bloom. These are shown with wonderful fidelity to nature, the lovely peachblossom tints being exactly copied, and the details being worked out with such almost microscopic perfection that every petal seams to have been a separate study. lhese Japanese colored photographs are quite a revelation in that class < f art.

A few years ago it was the custom for members of the Benevolent Society to give money to people in indigent circumstances and then put in a claim to the Society for repayment. This, however, was done away with some time ago, and it was then resolved that neither money nor rations should be given to distressed persons, unless voted at the meetings of the Society. At Tce3iay’a meeting Mr Petherick stated that he had given some money to a person in need. It subsequently appeared that the case was not altogether a necessary one for assistance. It was remarked that it appeared that Mr Petherick had been ’* had,’’ to which Mr Petherick replied, “ Oh 1 then I’ll take precious fine care they don t have have me again.” The incident caused great amusement to the meeting. Mr Petherick, however, did not appear to relish the joke at all, for at the conclusion of the proceedings he iadiguantly informed the meeting that they wouldn’t get him any more, after the way he had been treated. Some one suggested that he had better go home and sleep on it. Some other remarks were made, and the subject dropped. The new steamer which is being built for Captain Jones and others in Captain Williams’ yard on the Te Aro foreshore is now almost completed. She is a smart looking vessel of about fifty or sixty tons. The material used in her construction being steel. She has a straight stem, is flat bottomed, and has tanks for water ballast. Her dimensions are as follows :—Length, 92ft over all ; beam, 17ft ; length of keel, 85ft ; depth of hold, Bft. Forward are situated the ballast tanks, so arranged that they can, if necessary, be converted into a forecastle, lamp aDd paint locker, closets, and two side cabins. Aft of this Is the winch, which is a horizontal one, and the boiler, both of which stand on an iron deck to lessen the danger from fire ; then comes the forehold, 38ft in length, and immediately abaft this are situated two cabins for the officers, and the lavatory. On the right of these there is a very roomy and comfortable cabin containing eight berths. The walls of this cabin are very prettily pannelled with bird’s eye maple, the styles being of oak and cedar. Immediately aft of this cabin is the engine room, and aft of this again is situated the pautry and another cabin containing ten berths. The vessel is to be steered by a new hydraulic steeriog gear invented and patented by Mr Hart, of H.M Customs. This invention is remarkable for its simplicity, and, judging by appearances it should be most effective in its action. The vessel carries two large boats and is rigged as a fore and aft schooner. The whole of the copper work has been constructed by Mir J. E. Hayes, and great credit is due to him for the way it has been carried out. The vessel is to be launched as soon as there is a sufficiently good tide, and will make her trial trip in a day or two after she is launched. When she is completed and ready for sea there will not be a smarter or trimmer little vessel on the coast than the S 3 Mana. As soon as the Mana is launched, the keel of another steamer of about 50 tons register, to be called tfce Heretaunga, will be laid.

The members of the Kent Terrace Presbyterian congregation held a very successful tea meeting Tuesday night to celebrate the opening of the new schoolooom. The attendance was so large that those present had to be served in relays. The well-laden tables were presided over by the following ladies :—Mesdames Anderson, Veitcb, Hudson, Glover, Short, Rungay, Osborne, Stewart, and Flint, assisted respectively by Miss SHaw, Mrs Menteplay, Misses Hudson, McLean, Warren, Mrs Wilson, and Misses Bender, Campbell, and J. Campbell. The Rev J. K. Elliott presided at the public meeting which succeeded, and read apologies from the Rev Messrs Moir, W. Olliver, L. M. Isict, and others, all of whom sent congratulatory messages. In the coarse of a short but characteristically humorous address, the Chairman testified to 'the generous treatment he had received at the hands of not only Presbyterians, but people of other denominations who had nobly come forward to assist in establishing a church in Kent-terrace. He expressed himself as being too much overcome by emotion to adequately thank them for their kindness, and called upon Mr J. McLean, the treasurer, to address them. The latter gentleman detailed the circumstances which led to the erection of the school, and said the present site had been acquired at a cost of £750, the building itself costing £560. He thought the subscriptions promised would free the building as it stood, but there were many little requirements which, he hoped would be met bv the members. Mr D. Robertson, the secretary, said he would make his report at the end of the year, as there was nothing to report about at present. He, however, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr McDougall, the architect, and Mr McLean, the clerk of the works, who had performed their work gratuitously, but faithfully and well; also to Mr Douglas, the contractor, who had erected the building, and who, if he at any future time needed a credential, would be able to point to the schoolroom. Congratulatory addresses were delivered by the Rev Messrs C. S. Ogg, W. H. West, and H. Driver. Votes of thanks to the speakers and other friends, to the choir, and to the ladies who presided at the tables were carried by acclamation on the motions of Messrs Allardyee, MoLeao, and Veitch. During the evening a number of anthems were sung by a strong choir under the leadership of Mr Hudson, Mr Short presiding at the harmonium.

It is stated that Mr John Stevens, formerly member for Rangitikei, will contest either his old constituency or Foxton at the next election.

The library of the Young Men's Christian Association has been greatly augmented by the addition of a number of books given at the successful book reception on Monday evening. A suggestion made in these columns last week that some of our well-to-do citizens might show practical sympathy with juvenile suffering by incurring the annual cost of maintaining beds in the proposed children’s ward at the Hospital has already borne good fruit. His Worship the Mayor yesterday received a cheque for £2l from a well-known citizen, with a requestthat the amount mightbeexpended in the direction indicated, or, failing this, that it go toward the general expense of hospital maintenance. The example thus set is a praiseworthy one, well deserving of imitation. It would be interesting to the public to learn from the Hospital authorities- the probable annual cost of maintaining beds in the children’s ward. This form- of philanthropy is in great favor at Home,, and will doubtless become popular with the wealthy classes here when a little- information on the subject is published. It may be mentioned that the gentleman who forwarded the cheque referred to does not wish his name to be made public.

W A meeting of creditors- in Ihe estate of C. A. Richards, lately schoolmaster at the Hutt, was held on Monday. There were four creditors present, and the Official Assignee presided. Mr Skerrett appeared for the bankrupt. The liabilities in the estate were stated to be £242 2s sd, and the assets £2OO, represented by a horse and trap, and furniture. Mr Richards submitted a statement setting forth that - his position was due to the expenses he had incurred in a recent lawsuit, in which he had contracted a debt of £64 to Mr P.. Speedy who was pressing him for payment. Mr R. Oleland, in answer to the Assignee, said his claim of £54 was for groceries. The Assignee remarked that a bailiff ha had sent to the Hutt estimated the value of the assets at £lO2. Mr O. H. Izard (Bell, Gully and Izard) moved that the debtor’s furniture be handed back to him. This was seconded by Mr Brandt and agreed to. Mr Cleland moved that the debtor’s immediate discharge be recommended. Mr Izard, in seconding the motion, said it was of no use trying to keep a bankrupt down when it was obvious that he could not pay his debts. He thought it would be better to let Mr Richards have his discharge and then see what he could do toward discharging his liabilities, The Assignee said it was not a case in which there had been any recklessness. The motion was carried unanimously, and the meet- | ing closed. The ordinary meeting of the Benevolent Society was held' on Tuesday afternoon. Present- —The Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Wilson, McKenzie, Petherick, Danks, and Rev Van Staveran, Tne Secretary read a letter from the chairman of the Hawkes Bay Charitable Aid Board in reference to the matter in which the Wellington Society sought to hold the Napier Board responsible for the maintenance of a man who had recently arrived from Napier, and had received rations from the Society. The letter stated that the Napier authorities did not recognise the claim. The Secretary stated that he had ascertained that the man had lived in Napier for about 16 months before be came to Welliogton. The Rev Van Staveran thought the case should be tried in Court. The Mayor suggested that the Secretary ought to write to the Public Works Committee, asking whether they have any objection to the Secretary of the Society interviewing the Glty Solicitor, with a view to taking legal proceedings. His Worship alluded to a paragraph (an extract from a Napier paper) which appeared in the New Zealand Times, which stated that if the course adopted by Wellington and other places had been followed by Hawke’s Bay, several claims would have been made upon Wellington. He thought that great caution should be exercised iu dealing with the matter, or probably they would set a ball rolling that would afterwards be difficult to stop, and be injurious. After some further discussion his Worship's suggestion was adopted. The Secretary read a letter from a man residing at Petone, who wished to adopt a little girl if the institution had any under their care. On the Rev Vau Staveran’s motion it was decided to inform tbe- applicant that the Society was not a reg’s-try office. The Relieving Officer received instructions to administer relief in a large number of cases.

Relief was afforded in a very distressing case which came before the meeting of the Benevolent Institution on Tuesday. It appears that some time ago a man with his wife and mother-in-law came up from Oamaru, bringing with him about £3OO iD cash. He went up the country, and entered into an arrangement for the purchase of some property valued at £2OOO. He:paid the £3OO down, and it was a'reed that the remainder should be paid in quarterly instalments of £B9, failing which the whole of the property should revert to the original owner. The man failed to meet one of the instalments, and was thrust out. He was now in Wellington trying to support bis wife and mother-in-law, who was about 55 years of age, by selling milk, but being unable to get in his accounts, he had applied for help. The meeting was unanimous in considering it a very deserving case, and granted aid. Another case came before the Society in which ths wife of a man who is in prison for life applied for assistance for herself and three children. The Relieving Officer stated that the woman had been asked to return to G'sborne the town from which she had come, as probably her friends in that place would help her, but this she had indignantly refused to do. The Rev Van Staveren said it was very hard for the Society to have to support such people. The Mayor said they would have to be careful how they acted in the matter. When the Mount Cook Prison was finished they would probably be burdened with, the wives of all the prisoners in gaol. The Rev Van Staveren asked what should be done if the woman was determined not to go back to Gisborne. Mr Petherick suggested they should send her back. It was decided, on the suggestion of the Mayor, to write to Gisborne about the case, and in the meantime to Bupply the family with rations.

Mr S. Goodbehere is to be asked to stand for the Feilding Mayoralty. The Tarawera, with an English’ (Brindisi) mail, arrived at Auckland on Tuesday- afternoon.

Mr John Stevens informs the Advooate that some days ago h®y, in company with another gentleman, was within about eight miles of the summit of Ruapehu, and they distinctly saw steam issuing from the mountain’s crater.

Mr J. Bertie has bean served with a- writ by Mr Jellicoe. acting for Mr •T. Calvert; claiming £SOO damages on account of statements said to have been made by Mr Bertie against Mr Calvert in connection with Mr R. Scott’s bankruptcy. At the meeting of the Benevolent Society held on Tuesday the Relieving Officer drew attention to a very generous action on l 'the part of Dr Cahill, in attending and supplying with medicine a poor woman who had been ill, and was in urgent need of assistance.

A concert and dance in aid of the Ward family is to be held in the Drillshed this Fiiday night. It is to be under the patronage of the officers and members of tbe Wellington Garrison, and will, no doubt, seeing that it is for such a deserving object, be well attended.

An information against William Peate, lately employed in one of the Government departments, was sworn at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning, charging him with having, as bailee, fraudulently converted to his own use a promissory note for £3O, the property of Allan Whiafield,. chemist. A warrant has been issued for the apprehension of the man, who is believed to have gone down South. His Honor Judge Richmond gave judgment in the case Walker v Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company last Friday. The plaintiff! claimed interest on the amount of an award of £ISOO to him, either from the time the land was taken or from the date of the award. His Honor held that the plaintiff was entitled to interest at the rate of 8 per cent from t the time of the award, and gave judgment accordingly—each party to pay their own costs. The half-yearly law examinations began in Wellington last Mooday week, when one Real candidate presented himself for examination in law. Last Monday the examinations ia general knowledge began. There are 17 candidates for the barrister's examination and 33 for solicitor’s. Four of the former and three of the latter are residents of this city. Two previously admitted English barristers are among the candidates, and six previously admitted solicitors.

The storm on Monday night created a small commotion at the Telephone Exchange. Occasional flashes of lightning had the effect of causing the “ shutters’’ or indicators to drop, and people were “ rung up ’’ in all parts of the city. A number, unaware of the effect of the lightning, at once answered the calls apparently made to them. It might fce as well to point out that anyone using the telephone in severe thunderstorms is liable to a very severe shock.

On Saturday (to-morrow) a sale of work will be held under the auspices of the Wellingt n Ladies’ Christian Association, in connection with the Girl’s Club. The sale is to be under the patronage of Lady Jervois. The greatest part of the work for this undertaking has been done by the girls who attend the Club, and a number of ladies have supplemented their efforts by assisting. The pr iceeds are to go in aid of the funds of the Club.

In consequence of the resignation of the matron of the Girls' Friendly Society Lodge, and of the difficulty of finding a suitable person to fill the place temporarily, it has been decided to cluse the lodge for the present. Miss Brooks, a lady lately arrived from England, and who has been kindly helping at the Girls’ Club for some little time past, has consented to be Lady Superintendent of the new Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge-in Vivian-street, which it is hoped will be completed and opened shortly before Christmas next. It is expected that the. doll show in aid of the building fund will be heldi early in November.

In connection with the new Opera House at Te Aro, it is worthy of mention that everything that can possibly b? bought or manufactured in the city is- being so obtained. The chairs for the dress-and family circle are bein & made on a desigui ofi Mir W. C. Chatfield’s, the architect of the building, under whose personal supervision every detail, from the building itself to the stage mechanism, decorations etc* is being carried on. Mr Willis and Mr Thornton,, who are engaged on the decorations are well known in connection with such work, and are doing their part of the work, very creditably indeed.

Mr Guinness* M.H.R. for the Grey, rooently telegraphed to the. Minister for Public, Works asking when tenders would be called for the Teremakau Bridge, Greymouth - Mokitika Railway, and urging that land required for the railway should be taken immediately in order that work for the unemployed might proceed. The Minister replied that there was no use in calling far tenders for some time to come, but that the formation can go on iu a few days when the result of the trial starvey of a proposed deviation has been obtained. The Minister expresses an opinion* with regard to the unemployed, that “ Surely as the season progresses, these men, who arc now only earning an average of about 5s per day, will find more remunerative work in other directions.” Another attraction to our well-kept Museum has just been made by the addition of about forty photographs of scenes in the Tarawera district, taken since the eruption by Mr C. Spencer, of Napier. Mr Spencer accompanied Dr Hector in his toon- of inspection of the district immediately after the eruption occurred, and many of the scenes are reproduced from points of view selected by Dr Hector. The photographs are excellent specimens of the art, and will repay inspection. Amongst the most interesting are scenes of the ruins of the house where Mr Hazard lo3t his life, and th. 3 fowlbouse in which Messrs Bljrth and Lunfiffis took shelter during the eruption. The of volcanic mud on the fowlhou3e is sko.wn by portion of the deposit having bfisn dislodged. The photographs are suitably framed, and are at present located in the main building, but it is intended shortly to, haug tb.em iu ontTof the passes,