TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 770, 3 December 1886, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Mr A. L. Levy has, in accordance with the provisions of the statute of last Bession, ceased to be a Justice of the Peace.

The Governor has accepted the resignation of Mr Walter Guthrie, of Invercargill, of the appointment of Justice of the Peace. An Order-in-Conncil appears in the Gazette subjecting the School Commissioners of the Wellington Provincial District to the provisions of the Public Bodies Leaseholds Act, 1886. The following members of Land Boar da have been re-appointed :—Canterbury, Mr A. P. O’Callaghan, M.H.R., and Mr J. Ollivier; Otago, Mr J, McKenzie, M.H.R. ; Southland, Mr C. Cowan, M.H.R. The Hospital Steward acknowledges with thanks the receipt of old linen from Mrs C. Johnston, Hobson-street ; Mrs Lionel L. Harris and Mrs Herbert, Adelaide-road; and periodicals from Mrs Lachman and Mr W. Leatham.

The Governor has approved the transfer of Honorary-Surgeon Patrick Connolly from the Wanganui Naval Artillery to the Alexandra Cavalry Volunteers, vice Dr Tripe, appointed Surgeon-Major to the West Coast (North Island) Battalion of Rifle Volunteers.

A slight collision occurred yesterday week as the steamer Arawa came up to the Queen’s Wharf, the vessel carrying away two or three of the piles. No blame is attached to the pilot for the accident, as a southerly gnst of wind caught the steamer’s stern, thus causing the mishap. The return of patients at the Hospital, read atthe meeting of the Hospital Committee yesterday, shows that there were 57 male and 17 female patients in the institution at date of last return ; admitted since, 25 males, 7 females-; total in institution, 82 males and 24 females. Discharged —Cured, 14 males,. T females ; relieved, 5 males, 3 females ; died 1 , T males ; total, 26 males, 10 females. Remaining under treatment, 56 males,. 14 females. The following applications for patents have been received :—J. R. Boyes, of Addington, for improved beaters for churns; G. -Barrel!, of Christchurch, for invention for the combination of portable boilers with, steam or other washing machines; W. H. and A. Sv Ballinger, of Wellington, for Anted rollers for corrugating purposes ; A. N. Whitney, of Auckland,. for a metal cartridge ease ;R. O’Donovan, of Stratford,. Taranaki, for improved braces and for fireesoape ladder; A. B. lmrie, of Port Chalmers, for improvements in refrigerating machinery; C. E. May, of Dunedin, for an automatic fire-alarm; J. Abbott, of New Plymouth, for improved apparatus for holding, straining, and cleansing milk ; J. Hawkins, of Helensville, Auckland, for a cool fruit and butter-box.

Several changes are about to take place fthe personnel of the Church of England inistry in this diocese. The Bishop announced at yesterday week’s meeting of the Diocesan Committee, that the "Rev E. Whitehouse had resigned the incumbency of Patea, and would leave at the end of the year, as he was about to assume the charge of a parish in the Christchurch diocese; that the Rev R. T. Batchelor, Incumbent of Carterton, had also resigned hiß cure, with the view of proceeding to England in February next; and that the Rev J. J ones, had retired from the charge of Feilding to take the parish of St James, Lower Hutt (vacated by the departure of the Rev E. S. Cross). Nothing is yet settled as to the filling up of these vacancies. The regular monthly meeting of tho Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held yesterday weekin the Diocesan Library, Mulgrave-street. Present. —The Bishop (President), Rev. T. Fanoourfe (Secretary), Mr C. P. Powles (Treasurer), Ten. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. J. Still, Mr Kenneth Wilson, Mr C. E. Zohrab, and Mr C. Rous Marten. The Secretary reported that since the last meeting £l7B had been received. Assessments to the amount of £lO6 were still owed by parishes and parochial districts for the year ended 30th Jane last—inolnding Masterton, £4O; Marton, £3l ; Greytown, £2l ; Karori and Makara, £l2. The arrears of assessments had been paid by Feilding, Balls, and Sandon. Patea and Waverley had paid all arrears excepting £6. Assessments to the amount of £339 were still owing for the Sep. tember quarter, including Masterton, £6B ; Hawera, £62 10s; Marton, £SO; Carterton, £3O; Greytown, £2B; Karori and Makara, £25. Stipends due in the June quarter were still outstanding to the amount of £l4l. A letter was received from the Churchwardens, Patea, to the effect that the district would be unable to contribute to the Church Fund a larger sum than £IBO per annum after the current half-year. Consideration of the letter was postponed. A proposal was laid before the Committee for placing the Church Chronicle on a different footing. After some discussion the matter was referred to a subcommittee to deal with. Various routine matters were attended to, and the Committee then adjourned.

SPECIAL INVITATION. Residents in the Country, when they visit Wellington, either for pleasure or business, are reminded that they can combine both by calling at Te Aro House. This new and commodious warehouse is now one of the most interesting sights in Wellington, and contains a very Extensive Stock of recently imported Drapery Goods of all descriptions. The proprietor is desirous of cultivating a closer connection and enlarging his transactions with residents in the Country districts, and herewith extends a cordial invitation to everyone to visit Te Aro House, and will be pleased to see as many as can possibly call. All goods are marked at Wholesale Prices, and can be inspected without the necessity of purchasing. No ONE WILL BE PRESSED to but. There is on the premises a very comfortable REFRESHMENT ROOM

This is always open during business hours, so that, customers may obtain tea, coffee, and othsp light refreshments at any time and at very reasonable charges. Visitors will also ihave the privilege of ascending the lofty tower of Te Aro House, which commands a beautiful panoramic view of the city and harbor.

Two lunatics were conveyed to the Asylum last Friday, one being Mrs Susannah Jackson, of Woodville, and the other a man named William Scott, of the Upper Hutt. The names of the team finally selected to play for Wellington in the cricket match against the Australians are published in another column.

Miss Trebair-Osborne informs us that she purposes giving a grand concert shortly with the assistance of some of her pupils and of several well-known local amateurs.

The name of the Rev George Aitkens, of the Church of England, has been added to the list of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act.

At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees yesterday week a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Rady Vogel and the ladies and gentlemen who so kindly assisted m carrying out the ball recently held for the benefit of the Hospital. Property-tax payers are reminded that where the amount payable is less than £ls, it must be paid on December 14th, and where it amounts to or exceeds £ls, it must be paid in two equal instalments, one on December 14, and the other on February 8.

The College Governors considered in committee yesterday week Messrs Scoullar and Archibald’s terms for building the proposed new Girls’ High School. A saisiactorv settlement was arrived at, and the work 'is to be begun at the beginning of next year.

The Otaki coach made its last trip on Saturday, and the coach and horses were brought into town on Sunday as an obsolete means of conveyance. From last Monday and henceforward the mails for the West Coast will be carried by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway.

The number of the Illustrated New Zealand News published last week is a capital one, the woodcuts being unusually good. The illustrations of Otago Harbor and several others have great merit. There is also a chromolithograph as a supplement which is a great deal above the average of such illustrations.

A meeting of the Pacific Lodge, U. A.0.D.,, was held last night week. There was a very large attendance, and A.D. Bro H. J. Williams presided. Two new members were initiated, and three others proposed. The report of a special audit was received, and, after some discussion, adopted. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the auditors and to Bro W. K. Bishop for their services during the recent investigation. Bro A. J. Wiggins was elected Minute Secretary. The Secretary reported that the lodge had been duly registered under the Friendly Societies Act, and copies of the new by-laws were distributed amongst the members. Other Tontine business was transacted.

The services at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday were of a most impressive nature, being the first Sunday in Advent. High Mass was celebrated by the Rev Father McNamara at 11 o’clock, and the choir under the leadership of Mr Putnam sang the beautiful Advent music “ Jesu Redemptor. In the evening solemn vespers were given and Rossi’s “ Tantnm Ergo ” was sung by a young lady recently from Home, who possesses a rich mellow voice, well suited to church music. Bishop Redwood preached an eloquent Bermon on the Feast of Advent, and also gave Benediction. m Mr J. H. Wallace has received a comItunication from the Secretary for Education to the effect that Mr Wallace’s very excellent “Manual of New Zealand History” has been formally adopted by the Education Department as one of its standard textbooks for use in the State schools of the Colony. The step is a very proper one, as the densest ignorance prevails generally as to the history of this Colony, brief though its life has been. We congratulate Mr Wallace on the well-deserved recognition his very useful little work is obtaining.

After an absence of three weeks at Nelson, where he had been conducting most successful evangelistic services, Mr J. F. Floyd again occupied the platform at the Christians Chapel,Dixon-street, on Sunday evening. The subject selected was entitled, “What is it to believe with all the heart,” based upon the conversion of the Ethiopian officer by Philip. The salient feat ires of this remarkable conversion were carefully pointed j out, and it was contended that the case in point furnished an example which ought to be followed at the present day. “To have a mind of one’s own ” is generally considered a valuable quality, but it would appear that there are cases in which the possession of a mind is a drawback. At the Harbor Board meeting last week a proposal was made that the Secretary should draw up a draft of alterations made by the Board in the proposed agreement with the City Council, and forward it to the Council. Mr Dransfield objected. “Mr Ferguson has got a mind,” he said. “Mr Ferguson knows that I have always supported him. But I have an opinion of him.” The Mayor remarked jocularly that Mr Dransfield was making a very serious imputation against Mr Ferguson, and, after a little “ chaff, the matter was compromised, and Mr Dransfield’s opinion deferred to, by a decision that the draft should be approved by the Chairman.

Following ia the statement of ■ assets and liabilities in the bankrupt estate of Donald Chisholm, grocer Assets, £727 4s 3d: liabilities, £1434 14s 2d, made up of these amounts—G. Thomas and Co., £394 2s 4d •W. R. Waters, £332 9s 9d; Johnston and’ Co., £129 8s 2d; Henry Levy, £103; South Pacific Loan Company, £B3 6» 8d ; J. Myers, £22 16s 9d ; W. Nathan, £34 6a Hd ; D. Auld, £45 9s 7d ; N. J. Isaacs, £2B 5s ; Kitchen and Son, £ls 2s Id ; Nelson, Moate and Co., £l4 19s 6d ; Laery and Campbell, £4 18s 3d ; W. H. Green, £1 17s; A. S. Chapman, £l32a Id; J. C. Bishop, £2 8s 6d ; Wellington Biscuit Company, 7s 2d; W. J. Gandy, £5 3a sd; W. Tonks, £5 Os 4d; Blundell Bros., £2l 8s 9d; Cook and Company, £6 13s 9d; Dutton and Company, £1 9s; W. Tinney, 7s 3d; Haeell and Company, £4 2s 7d ; R. Anderson, £4B 13s 2d ; William Collins, £SO ; W. J. Tabor, £56 10a; T. Dickson, £8 8s 8d ; Brunner Coal Company, £1 15s; W. Gimblett, £4 4a.

The Mararoa, with an English (Brindisi) mail, arrived at the Bluff on Monday. There were three persons charged with drunkenness in the cells of the central Police Station on Sunday night.

The apparently interminable case Kwong Lee v. the Corporation was taken a stage further in the Resident Magistrate’s Court last Friday. Counsel having been heard, Mr Wardell reserved judgment. Constable Bree arrived in town last Friday, in charge of a man named John Smith, who was committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, for larceny of money at Eeatherston.

At a meeting of the Te Aro Tennis Club laßt Friday, Mr Taylor in the chair, it was decided that the Club’s courts in Abel Smithstreet should be opened in about two weeks. The Secretary reported that there would be four conits available.

In consequence of yesterday week’s meeting of the Land Board lapsing for want of a quorum, a special meeting was called for last Friday, but as this was found to involve an irregularity, it was decided to postpone the business until the next regular meeting.

A meeting of the Shorthand Writers’ Association was held last Friday night in the Chamber of Commerce, Mr George Fisher in the chair. A resolution was passed that the Association should go into recess during the summer months (till March). A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.

Another curious instance of the warping of truth, when matter has to travel far, has been brought under our notice in a quotation from the “ British Medical Journal,” which took its text from the New York Medical Record. The subject of comment was that accident on board the U.S.S. Manapouri, whereby two or three lives were lost through the effect of inhaling the fumes of burning nitric aeid. Onr readers will remember the circumstances of the fire on board the steamer, and the gallantry of the officers and men who went below to fight it. _ln both the medical journals the Manapouri is mentioned as an American ship, and no allusion whatever is made to the time and place of the accident. Mr Phipps, steward of the Wave Queen, who has been in the Hospital for some time back, under treatment for an injury to the head resulting from an accident which occurred to him while he was working a windlass on board the vessel, is, we regret to state, in a very critical condition, He was slowly but surely getting convalescent, and hoped in a abort time to be able to get about as usual, and last Saturday went for a short walk. He, however, somewhat incautiously jumped from a staging at the brick-kiln not far off, to the ground, a distance of about eight feet. The shock was so greet that when he got back to the Hospital he had to take to hia bed at once, suffering the while great pain. Daring the night he gob worse, and is still in a very precarious state.

third quarterly meeting of the Weilington Operative Bootmakers’ Society was held in their rooms, Manners-street, on Monday evening. There was a good attendance, between 30 and 40 members being present. Mr Woon was voted to the chair. After the routine business of the meeting was gone through, the following officers were elected : —President, Mr Moran ; Vice-presidents, Messrs G. McNicol and Howard ; Treasurer, Mr Loasby (re-elected),; Secretary, Mr Kershaw (re-elected) ; Committee, Messrs Hutchison, Richardson, Patience, McGregor, and Berry; Shops’ Clerks, Messrs King, Guise, Berry, and McGregor. The auditors’ report and balance-sheet were read and adopted, and showed that the Society is in a flourishing condition both with regard to the membership and financially. A vote of thanks was passed unanimously to the auditors and retiring officers. This was all the business, and the usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of W. J, Woods, late caterer for the Armed Constabulary men stationed at Point Halswell Defence Works, was held at the Official AsBignee’s office last Friday, Mr C. C. Graham, Official Assignee, presiding. There were five creditors present, representing £275 16s 4d. Mr Kirk appeared on behalf of the creditors, and Mr Jellicoe stated that he was present on behalf of Mrs Woods, wife of the bankrupt, who was summ ned as a witness. Mr Graham said it was quite a new thing for witnesses to be represented by counsel, and gave Mr Jellicoe to understand that he would not allow him to interfere with his examination of the witnesses or any questions put to Mrs Woods. The bankrupt was not present. Annie Woods stated that her husband left her on the sth of November, stating that he was going to Garterton on business, and would be back next day. As he did not return, she informed the creditors. Had acted as clerk and kept the books for her husband. The books disappeared when he did, and witness had no idea where they were. Her husband had collected all moneys himself. There were very few stores in the place when Woods left, and such as remained were taken charge of by the sergeant at the works. , Witness believed that her husband got a cheque for £96, on account of the general mess, from Captain Coleman the day before he left, and another for £2O from the men. By Mr Kirk : The latter sum included all the debts that were owing at the time. Had not handled the money at all during the last month. Had a little money by her a few weeks before her husband left, but he made her give it all to him. She hadanideathathe wasstillin Wellington. Some of the creditors wished to know whether Mrs Woods was going to follow her husband. She stated that she was not. Mr Jellicoe said he was going to “follow him,” under the Destitute Persons Act, on behalf of Mrs Woods. Re-examined, Mrs Woods said she did not think her husband intended to go away until one of the creditors (Mr Dixon) summoned him. The Assignee remarked that Mrs Woods had given her evidence in a very straightforward manner. On leaving the room Mrs Woods expressed herself as very sorry for the creditors’ position. One other witness was examined. After some discussion the meeting was adjourned sine die, and the matter of realising on the assets was left in Mr Graham’s hands.

The examination at the Sfc Patrick s College, which has been proceeding during the week, was finished yesterday, when the customary “breaking-up” for the Christmas vacation took place. In the evening, at 7.30, the distribution of prizes was to be performed by Bishop Redwood, to be followed by a musical entertainment given by the collegians. It will be of interest to members of the Druid Lodges to learn that Mr W. K. Bishop received a telegram from Invercargill on Monday, informing him that their longexpected guest, Mr J. J. Brennan, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Australia, had arrived at the Bluff, from Melbourne, by the s.s. Mararoa. Mr Brennan is on an official visi- to the Druid Lodges of New Zealand, and may be expected to reach Wellington about Monday. While here he will be entertained at a banquet.

Mr F. Stiddolph, of the Wellington Meat Company, had a narrow escape from a serious accident on Monday afternoon. He was in a boat alongside the Queen s Wharf waiting for some casks of tallow to~ be lowered from a crane. The first cask was hoisted, and the man at the crane was preparing to lower gently when the brake gave way, and the cask went down by the run. Fortunately Mr Stiddolph saw it coming in time to push the boat clear, and the cask fell into the water.

The weekly rehearsal of “ The Messiah for the Christmas Festival (to be held on the 23rd instant) took place Monday night in St. John’s Schoolroom, when there was a large attendance of vocalists, numbering nearly 100. The choruses rehearsed were “ The Lord gave the word,” “ Their sound is gone out,” “Let us break their bonds,” and “But thanks bo to God,” in all of which good progress was made. Mr Harland was an efficient accompanist, and Mr Rous Marten conducted the practice in the unavoidable absence of Mr Robert Parker. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company held their first wool sale for the season on Tuesday afternoon, when a fairly representative catalogue was submitted to a large attendance of buyers. The bidding throughout was spirited, and, taken as a whole, the sale must be viewed as quite satisfactory. Greasy merino sold from 7d to B£d per lb, and greasy crossbreds from 6d to Bgd per lb. After the wool had been disposed of a catalogue of sheepskins was gone through, the prices ranging from 4£d to sgd per lb. Competition amongst buyers wa3 very keen, and the result must be very gratifying to the owners. The Company will hold their next sale about the middle of December.

The ease of a woman with six children, the father of whom is a laborer who had been out of work for three weeks, wa3 brought before the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees on Monday as a deserving case for aid. The Secretary reported that the children were in a wretched state, and that the father was a drunkard and did not help them. Mr Wilson would like to know if there was no way of getting at the publichouses who served the man with liquor. The Rev H. Van Staveren thought it was a great shame that the “ poor little innocents ” should be neglected through the inebriety of the parent. It was a pity, he said, the police did not punish such cruel people as the father. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Secretary.

A novel and very ingenious calendar for the coming year has been issued by Messrs Hislop and Co., watchmakers, of this city. It is m the form of a cardboard watch-dial, about nine inches in diameter, with a gilt rim and a suspension-ring exactly resembling that of a keyless watoh, only about three inches in diameter. The figures on the dial are those of the davs of the month, and are indicated by the “ minute hand,” while on an inner circle the names of the month are shown, and these are pointed to by the “ hour hand,” the days of the week being indicated by what stands for the “ second hand.” The hands are large, and are made of gilt metal. On the dial is a complete calendar for the year. The whole forms a very handy and ornamental pendant for a study or office wall.

The Jewish bazaar opened at Dunedin on Monday night by Sir Julius Vogel had some very novel features. The stallholders were pressed to represent Shakespearian and other characters, and they formed a splendid procession. Bat a sensation was caused when, as described by the Otago Daily Times, “a corps of tiny videttes took up positions round the hall, and the Lilliputian army made its appearance to astonish and delight the spectators. The army consisted of 16 little girls dressed as sailors, and 70 boys in the uniform of Life Guards. The appearance of the little soldiers was all that could be desired ; they looked smart and' dashing enough, theft bearing was good and their drill admirable. They were led by Mr J. Moss (late dux of the High School), and went through a number of military evolutions with marvellous precision. This exhibition alone was worth more than the price of admission to the bazaar, and the applause clearly showed that such was the opinion of the spectators.”

An ordinary meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on Monday afternoon. There were present His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Wilson, Danks, Smith, and the Rev H. Van Staveren. Several cases were dealt with, and relief afforded. A letter was received from Inspector Shearman, bringing before the notice of the Trust the case of several children, one of whom was brought up at the Court the other day as being a neglected child. The Secretary stated that he had visited the house, and found the children in a very neglected state. One of them was eating some bread which had been given him by the “ captain ’’ of the Salvation Army. He (the Secretary) left food for the children next door, and made arrangements for their being washed and looked after. His action was approved. The statement of rents paid by the Trust yearly showed the amount to be £613 for, 39 tenants. The rent allowance was lowered in one or two cases; and the Trust decided to discontinue providing rations in several cases. Among the latter was a family who figured in the Supreme Court a few weeks ago. In passing this resolution the Rev H. Van Staveren alone dissented.

Samuel Evens, livery stable keeper, of Willis-street, has been adjudged a bankrupt. Dr and Mrs Colli* n returned to town from Kelson by the s.s. Penguin, which arrived here at midnight on Tuesday.

The R.M.S. Aorangi, from Ply month, is due in Port Chalmers to-morrow. Her mails will be forwarded at once, and should arrive here about Sunday. Christina Lawson, against whom there are no fewer than 26 previous convictions, was arrested on Tuesday night for drunkenness, and placed in the Manners-street Police Station.

The Mariposa, with the London mails of the 4th November, left San Francisco for Auckland on the 22nd November, two days late The Australia, with the November colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 28th, a day in advance of due date.

Information was received by Inspector Shearman from Constable Mackay, stationed at Martinbor ongb, to the effect that a four-roomed cottage, owned by Mr G. Harris, was destroyed by fire at 1 o clock on Tuesday morning, The house was insured for £IOO in the National office.

The Government steamer Hinemoa left at an early hour on Tuesday morning for Lyttelton. On the way down she calls at the lighthouses at Cape Campbell, Farewell, and at the Brothers. We understand that on her return she will bring the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, and will leave for Auckland toward the end of the week.

The pictorial almanacks for 1887 are already beginning to appear. Among the first is an exceedingly pretty one issued byMr F. Cohen, tailor and. clothier, of 92, Willis-street. The subject of the illustration is a little boy with a fishing rod in his hand, standing on a bridge over a stream. The picture is in chromo-lithograph, and has considerable artistic merit. From the same establishment is issued a useful blotting-pad with an illustrated cover.

A woman had a narrow escape from a serious accident at the Hutt races, Tuesday. She was crossing the course when a horse which was being given “a breather came along very fast. The woman made an effort to get out of the way, but the horse, as it galloped by, brushed against her, and caused her a nasty fall. Tne woman was a good deal shaken, bat not seriously hurt. A lar°e number of excursionists (about 400) availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting Wellington on Tuesday by the Wel-lington-Manawatu railway. The Maoris mustered in force from the Otakr district, and it was remarked that since Te Wbiti and Titokowarn’s trial so many Natives had not been seen about town in one day. lhe number of people who travelled outward was comparatively small, doubtless owing to the many counter attractions. The following is the amount collected at the Customs for duties for this port during the past month, £17,596 17s 7d. For the corresponding month of last year, £l7,sbi 5s lOd was collected. The following are the details of last month Spirits, £4438 8s 7d ; cigars, £479 19s 4d ; tobacco, £2872 9s 8d ; wine, £599 0s 4d ; ale, £4ll 7s 6d; tea, £760 3s 4d; coffee, cocoa, etc, £Bl 9s bd ; sugat, £1034 9s 8d ; weight, £2497 3s Id ; ad valorem, £3547 2s 2d ; other duties £575 4s sd. New Zealand beer duty, £448 10s lid.

A well-known musical amateur, long resident in Wellington bat nowfin Palmerston, actually came all the way to Wellington on Tuesday, a distance of 90 miles, to hear tnat night’s classical concert, and particularly to listen to the expected performances, of Mr Wallace, the eminent violinist. It is quite pathetic to add that this enthusiast was disappointed of his principal desire owing to Mr Wallace’s illness, but it was announced by Mr Parker at the concert that if Mr Wallace should have sufficiently recovered next week he would give a f fee performance, to which all lovers of really good music would be welcome. This announcement was greeted with vociferous applause. at the Athenaeum Hall Tuesday night. There was a very large of ladies. A gas stove and other, cooking appliances were arranged on the -stage of the hall for the convenience of Mrs Gordon, .who went through the processes of making various kinds of soups, omelettes, and other savoury dishes. Mrs Gordon also detailed the process of making a very large number of wholesome dishes, and generally imparted a large amount of useful knowledge in this most important and necessary branch of housewifery, cooking, ' She pointed out the necessity of having the cooking utensils thoroughly c *®® n » without which, she said, dishe3 were robbed of the delicacy of their taste. Mrs Gordon has had a large practical experience in the art, and the class of instruction m eooKing she purposes forming will no doubt be successful. The class will begin on Friday (this) morning, at her residence in Molesworthstreet, next Mr Barraud’s, chemist. Pne series will comprise a course of twelve lessons in all departments of cookery. An accident of a painful, though happily not of a very serious nature, happened to a little boy, a son of Mr McColl. cab propnetor on Tuesday afternoon. The little fellow waß on his way from school, and was running along Featherston-street, not looking where he was going, when he came into violent collision with some iron that was bemgput on a dray outside Messrß Dawson and Co. s warehouse. He received a nasty cut over the left eyebrow, and it will probably be some weeks before it is healed. The boywas taken to Dr Cahill, who hastened to relieve him. Another accident occurred on Tuesday evening to a little Maori boy named Jack Rikihaua. A number of Maoris congregated at the Wellington and Manawatn Railway Station waiting for the evening train, which was to take them homef and the boy, who was with them, was amusing himself by running from one carriage to another. The guard, however, began to shunt the carriages, and the youngster getting frightened; jumped off. In doing so he fell, add hia head struck a ran. He fortunately escaped with a braised face and bleeding nose, but it will be- a lesson to him in future to keep, clear of tha railway carriages.

Mr A. Hall, the proprietor of the Gobi# line of coaches, which baa run for many* years between Wellington and the Westj£ Coast of this island, and whose “ ia gone ” in this district now that the ia opened, has obtained the mail contracted for the Nelson, Reef ton, Grey month, andk Westport service, and will forward to th<* locality bis coaches and large stud of fine& horses. Mr Hall leaves for Nelson im-@. mediately to make all necessary arrange—£ ments. We wish him every success in new undertaking. He thoroughly well de—*r serves it.

The annual concert of Mrs Holt’s pupilse. took plaee last Friday night in the Athenaeum-. Hall, and passed off very successfully. The*, programme was .an interesting one, con— *■ Bisting of classical music selected mainly" from the works of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann and Chopin, and it wasvery creditably interpreted by the performers, who gave proof that they hadbeen well and carefully taught, and acquitted, themselves in a way that must have been. - gratifying both to their parents and. friends, who were present in large numbers, and to their instructress. The music was agreeably diversified by some enjoyable songs from Mrs Greenwood and Mis*" Osborne, and by an admirably-played violin, solo which Miss M. Shannon contributed*,,, and which elicited a hearty encore.

A most deplorable account of the conditioucr of Normanby and its neighbouring districted was given in a letter addressed to the of Wellington, and read at last week’s meet-l-ing of the Standing Committee. The writers, i in explanation of the financial difficulties o£s the district, stated that things were in a*r desperately bad state owing to the depression ; that property had no value and that everybody in the place was losings money. A member of the Committee fully“j corroborated this gloomy account, and added., that the place only supported one store novy instead of three, as formerly ; but, he added* that all the public-houses were still open, and appeared to be doing fairly. The difficulties of the place were mainly due to the excessive price at which the settlers had purchased their land, which had hampered, them ever since, some being overburdened with mortgages and only able to meet the interest with strenuous exertions, while the low price of produce almost paralysed the efforts of the settlers to improve their condition.

SMr Robert Neidergesaess, of Newtown, has recently invented a machine for making bricks on an improved style. After the clay used for making the bricks has been through the usual process in the puggingcylinder, it ia taken through the mould, and deposited by what are usually called, single - ended machines. Brick-making machines, as a rule, have only one shaft, which is fitted with knives, but Mr Neidergesaess’ new machine has the advantage o£ being double-ended with two shafts, with a propeller at each end, and therefore the strain, against the thresh-bearings, which is such a drawback in single-ended machines, is completely avoided, the one propeller counteractngr the other. Culvert bricks are turned out at one end and or Jinary bricks at the other, bat the machine can be gauged to produce any kind of cornice and ornamental bricks. The machine takes less power to drive, and has one great advantage, that not a particle of clay is thrown away, there being completely little or no waste. The bricks are turned out splendidly, perfectly square, smooth as glass, and almost mathematically true. Mr Neidergesaess disposed of one machine to Mr E. Tonks, proprietor of the Webb-street Brick Factory, who has had it in working the last five or six weeks. Mr Tonks has just turned out a kiln of bricks with very successful results. Several builders and brickmakers have inspected the machine in working order and have passed very high opinions on the excellent qualities of the machine and the work it turns out. It was entirely designed by Mr Neidergesaess, and was made to that gentleman’s order at local foundries.

The half-yearly meeting of the Wellington Mutual Improvement Society was held in the vestry of the Wesleyan Chnreh, Taranaki-street, last night week. There was a. good attendance, and the Rev W. C. Oliver occupied the chair. The Committee’s report was read. In reviewing the work of the past half-year, the Committee state that a want of interest has been manifested by the members of the class throughout. This the Committee attributed to the fact that there had been too many open meetings, which did not tend to create any interest in the ordinary meetings. A reference is made to the reunion which took place on the 11th November, and proved a great success. With reference to the Parliamentary debates held during the past session, the Committee reported that they had not been a success, owing principally to the want of support on the part of the members genera ally, and the indisposition of the members to discuss the subjects brought forward ; and the Committee recommended that the debate* be discontinued during the coming sessionThe Committee desire to thank the trustees of the Wesley Chnreh for the use of the vestry and churchroom. In conclusion the report urges the individual effort of each member to make the class a power of good, and points ont that if a greater interest were taken in looking up the subjects a marked improvement would soon be noticed, both as regards intellectual progress and increase of attendance. The report also mentioned that the class journal, under under the able editorship of Mr R. Renner, had not been a success* very little interest having been taken in the journal by the members. The report was adopted. The Treasurer’s report showed the financial position of the Society to be a very satisfactory one. The Librarian stated that there were 54 volumes in the Society’s library. It was decided to send letters of thanks' to Messrs White and Wakefield for the interesting lectures they had delivered for the benefit of the class. The election: of officers resulted, as follows : —President, Rev W. C. Oliver Vice-presidents,' Rev L* M. Isitt (re-elected)*! Mr J.. H. Helliwell;; Secretary, Mr Elf Beaglehole ;. Treasurer,. Mr W. Helliwell Librarian, Mr J. W. Whittaker; Co m 3 mitfcee* Messrs R. Renner, T, Sims, GJ Crichton* and R. B. Rigg ;. Editor of Journal./ Mr R. Renner. A' vote of thanks to chairman' concluded the meeting-