TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

We hear that Miss- Fielding,, the present lessee of- the Criterion Hotel, has taken-Mi-Ryland’s hotel, and will be -in possession about the middle of the month. The congregation of St Mark’s, Sussex* square, is at present slightly disturbed’ in consequence of differences of opinion upon the question of accommodation. A . sectionof the congregation advocate that as the; church is frequently crowded to excess-add! tions should be made. This is opposed; on the ground that the present debt should'be cleared off before any new undertaking- is made.. The New Zealand railway receipts for the four weeks ended 23rd July were £63,991 as compared with £6S; 501 last year. The expenditure was £54,691 as against £54,184.. On the Welliugton-Masterton section the receipts were £4231 as against £5100,' and expenses £3814 agninst £3979 ; 23,270 'passengers were carried as against 24,335 ; 5727 live stock as against 6106 ; and 3975 tons of goods as compared with 5223 tons. A respectably dressed middle-aged man,, whose business took him down the Queen’s Wharf last night week, by some mishap missed the road and tumbled overboard. Assistance was at hand, and when he was got out of the water he was helped to the Pier Hotel.. Measures were immediately ■ taken for his restoration by Mr Kimbell, the proprietor, and the man, after throwing up a quantity, of salt water, was sufficiently recovered to leave the hotel. The regular fortnightly meeting of the Pacific Lodge was held in the lodgeroom, atSt:. George’s Hall, last night week, and was-well attended; A.D. Bro. George Percy presided'. Two new members were initiated, and’three others proposed. On the adjournment for harmony, some excellent songs and' musical seleotions were rendered, which made themeeting very enjoyable. Several; visitors were present from Dunedin and Napier lodges. The Ven Archdeacon Stock is still l very unwell, to ill in fact to travel. He will leave as soon as possible for Te Aroha to try the effect of the medicinal springs there,, which the Bishop of Wellington found so beneficial. He will, travel by easy stages ■by rail, via Paremata, Palmerston, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, and thence by steamer -to Onehunga. The Archdeacon will probably be absent from Wellington about three months. We trust that he will return with.health entirely re-established. The following letter has been addressed by Mr Skerrett, as solicitor to. Mr-A. Boardman, to Mr E. Shaw, Mt W.. MeLean’s solicitor, under date August 1 30::—“Dear Sir; —Mr Boardman has handed me your letter of the 31st iust'., with reference to report in this morning’s- Times of my client’s remarks at Dr Newman’s meeting. My client wishes me to state that he did not use the expressions attributed to him, and that he should be very sorry to-say anything reflecting on Mr McLean’s character, either politically or commercially.”' Under the circumstances we believe it-is improbable that further proceedings will be taken. At the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night week Mr J. R. Gteorge- mentioned the matter of the removal of the torpedo sheds. He explained that 120 feet of land had been reserved by the Government at that spot, to be dedicated to the public as a road. That land had now been taken up for the torpedo sheds, and about 10 feet left for a road. He thought the matter should be attended to, and he moved that the Council of the Chamber be requested to consider the expediency of making representations to the Government for the removal of the torpedo sheds from the roadway in front of the Manawatu reclamation. Mr L. L. Harris seconded the motion, remarking that he did not know that Mr George had shown any reason why the sheds should be removed.. The President (Mr Duthie) agreed with Ms George, and added that the intention originally was to make a drive round the. harbor. The motion was then carried. A meeting of the United District Boards was held at the City Council Chambers yesterday week. Present—Messrs H. Bunny (chairman), G. Beetham, S. Danks, G. M. Kebbell; J. Taylor, and G. Allen. The Master ten Borough Council wrote stating that, they, considered the Board’s assessment excessive,. : and that it should be withdrawn and an. ; amended one made. No action was-taken, i The Chairman stated that the overdraft »t : the bank was £690, and an amount of £6260) ’ 19s asked for by the Benevolent. Society would bring it up to £IOOO. Mr.- K-ebbalL' thought that the Board were not justified, in paying any money to the Benevolent Society until the whole of the contributing ..bodies were represented in the Society, and cut the motion of Mr Beetham, seconded, by, Mr Taylor, it was decided that Messr# GhapEaan and Fitz Gerald’s opinion should ifie take® on the question. Messrs Danks, KobbeU„ and Allen were’ appointed a Committee to. state the case. On the motion of *Mr Beetham, seconded by Mr Danks, it was..resolved that the sum of £332 10s should. be paid to the Wellington Benevolent Institution,, and £l2© to the Wairarapa BenovoJent I'ns'iitutioiv Letters were received from the. Bene votes’t Society and Hospital Trustees, to the ?£feot that they did not agree, witli the suggesti on of the Board that the.- secretarial duties of the various bodies s’aqu’td be- perfornWi by one person. The Board;then adjourned for a fortnight.

Short girls need have no fear of getting . left, for it is better to have loved a short girl than never to have loved a tall. The strong N. W. gale of Thursday and - ■ Friday last week died away on Saturday morn- : ing, but revived in a fitful maimer with short fierce gusts and occasional heavy rain. . showers on Sunday. The day was generally very fine and mild, but in the early . morning some exceedingly heavy rain fell. The barometer, which had fallen rapidly and steadily from 30’50 to 29 inches, rose a little on Saturday, but fell again at night, and in Wellington stood for 24 hours at the exceptionally low point, 28--90 inches. In the South the glass has been 1 a tenth lower, and the very low pressure ex- : tends over an unusually wide area. Westerly gales with thunderstorms and rain have been prevalent over the Colony. The barometer remained low till Tuesday, when it rose a little, but soon fell again. Wednesday was a very wet day, and the glass dropped to 29, and kept there nearly all yesterday. The low pressure that has prevailed all the weekhas beenreally phenomenal. ; Meteorological disturbances have been general throughout Australasia. A death under extremely painful circumstances occurred at Paremata on Wednesday last week. It seems that a woman named Hill, wife of a well-known resident, was confined on Tuesday night by a midwife named Mrs Collins. No doctor, it appears, had been engaged. On i Wednesday morning Dr Gillon was telegraphed for to attend the woman, and he immediately went out, but on his arrival there he found that the unfortunate woman had expired some three hours previously. Dr Gillon held a postmortem examination on the deceased. An inquest before the District Coroner (Dr Johnson) was held at the residence of the deceased’s a husband, when the evidence simply corroborated the facts then stated* and the jury returned a verdict to the -~ effect that death resulted from ex- . haustion and from deceased not bein g at— - tended by a properly-qualified persor t. A/., rider to the verdict recommended th ,e in—.. stitution of a system of legally-qualifie d and) registered midwiveq for sparsely-pop' alated) districts. An extraordinary number of death©-, occurred at the Mount View Lunatic A sylum on Saturday and Sunday last, no fewe .-r than.three inmates of the institution ! having passed away within twenty-four hou .rs, thevictims in each case being male ps fluents.. Their names are William McCI elland,Thomas Williams, and Ole Peter Oise n. TUetwo former died on Saturday, and tb 3 latteron Sunday, the cause of death iu tb ,e lattercase being asthma. Olsen has been, a member of the institution since ISSO, and McClelland and Williams were admitted in 1885. and ISB6 respactively. An inqu est-, was held on the bodies on Monda y naorning. Dr. Johnson (District Ccr-aner}) presided, and Mr J. Fuller ws s chosen; foreman of a jury of six. IJr Kang*, superintendent of the Asylum, disposed that the deceased Williams, ’ ,vha> camefrom Picton, had been an inmati) of the institution since 1886. The deceas ed was not a troublesome patient, but tie suffered frequently from congestion of the brain, causing bodily paralysis and dem The cause of death was adema of the lungs,. Mr J. T. Boins, who was present, s: aid he represented the deceased’s family, ai ad they.-ware quite satisfied that the deceased. hid not been ill-treated. Dr King then g ava_- evidence that McClelland was admitte d into tha- institution in September, 18S5, cm an .order signed by Mr H. S. Wardall, R.M., The deceased- bad all along been r a ocvery feeble state, .and on the 24th Au;jusfej he became much worse. The day before his-death he was.up for about two hours. On-Saturday he ate a good breakfast, anfl skostly after he experienced a great difficulty,,,sn breathing. He expired suddenly, ab out. 10:25;, in the presence of a warder, through-tha failure of the heart’s action. The other patient, Ole Peter- Olsen, had been an-- inmate of the asyluoa since ISSO. When admitted, he was suffering from idiocy. Ho had been an imbecilb from hia birth. Wikaesa had visited Qlsea every day for tb.e IqF.t three months, and-,, as there was a slight -change in his con-,. dition, he had visited him,.twice. a day during;,, the three days prior teo hie death, which;, occurred about half hour- after he had:, talien his dinner a’a Sunday- The cause of? death was asthenia, oErfaikcaa of the vital; 'power. The jury returned a verdict in each, case in accordance with tha medical testirnaony. The Ptablic Works.Gomjsittee’s report; to. he presented at the meeting of the City Council this evening is as follows.:: —. The Committee beg to, recommend—l. Thais a reply in accordance with the opinion of tha City Solicitor be sent to the petitioners for extension of the Tinakori-road culvero; via.: that the Council ha 3 no power to expend, money for drainage outside the boundaries: of the city. 2: That the sum of.' £;10 he offered to- Mr- Eli Buck in payment of all claims for-damage sustained by the overflow of water at his promises, Moles worth-street. 3. That consent be given to the transfer of the lease, of ’ a section of Pahiatea-land from Mr Dk. Growe to his wife, the transfer previously sanctioned to Mr J. Asfcen not having been carried out. 4. That consent be given to the. transfer of the lease of a section of Pahiatua land from Mr J ohn Vile to Mr Denis Reichenbach. [Note. —This., transfer was passed, by the Committee on. 16th May last, but,has not yet been before the Council owing to a delay in obtaining farther particulars, j 5, That the recommendation of the By-laws, Revision Committee on the subject of private streets and rights-of-way be adopted. 6. That consideration of the requests for extension of drains at Aurora-terrace and ElKoe-street be postponed till the houses have been erected, f.. That the request of Mr W. J. Meek foe pavement and kerbing at Hawker-street bo not acceded to at present. S. That the drains, at, Oriental Bay be extended, as recommended by the Inspector of Nuisances. 9. That the drain near the southern end of Brougham-street be extended about four chains. 10. That the bell-tower at Boulcotfe-street be painted. 11. That, a drinking-trough for cattle be erected at Guba-street extension. 12. That permission (be given, for the erection of a verandah at tb.e corner of Cuba and Manners? streets, as applied, for by Mr C. Tringbam cm behalf of Mi; A. P. Stuart. 13. That accounts amourJsmg to £.327 5s lid he passed for p?vytp.eutj %

The duties collected at the port of■ Wellington during last week amounted to £530l 5s Id, and beer duty, £62 11b lid. At a meeting of the Young Men’s Christian Association last Friday, MrC. W. Smith (President) in the chair, the resolution carried at a previous meeting, the import of which was that the Association be wound up, was confirmed. The September number of “ Who’s Who ” is to hand with its usual punctuality, and contains intelligence which cannot tail to prove of use to tradespeople. The publisher intimates that the periodical will henceforth be published every fortnight instead of monthly as heretofore. A concert is to be given on Thursday, the 15th instant, in St John’s schoolroom, by Signor Carmini Morley’s pupils, in eluding some favorite local amateurs who have been receiving the advantage of his able tuition. The programme will beof a very attractive character, and a special feature will be that all the vocal music will have orchestral accompaniment. August was a singularly neat and symmetrical month. It was divided with remarkable exactness into two meteorological halves. The first half was continuously rough and stormy and inclement almost without precedent ; the second half was a 3 exceptionally fine as its predecessor was bad, and the last fortnight of August may bo cited as a model of Kew Zealand fine winter weather. It only lasted as long as August, however, and September has. brought us heavy north-westerly gales, with first dust and then rain. A deputation of the Chamber of Commerce waited, on tlie Public Works Commit tee of the City Council Monday night in referonce to the town clock question, and suggested that the Council should take the matter up and form a deputation to wait on the Minister of Public Works, asking the Government to include a tower in the present plans of the Post Office. It was suggested that the Governmeet should be asked to expend £3OO toward the clock, the Chamber of Commerce and Harbor Board £250, and the City Council £250. His Worship stated that he would push the matter on as soon as the Minister of Public Workß returned to Wellington. The difficulty of making such arrangements in the conduct of business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court as will suit the convenience of litigants and their solicitors is one that is continually cropping up on the days set apart for civil business. In well-meant endeavors to suit everyone, Mr Wardell makes arrangements for cases to be heard at certain hours upon which they are never heard ; interesting differences of opinion arise between gentlemen of the legal profession; and from one cause and another the Court very often sits till far into the night. Yesterday week several cases were interrupted for others to be commenced, and at last _ the business became so tangled that one might reasonably have wondered how on earth his Worship managed to deal with the cases bronght before him. The half-yearly meeting of the Petone Working Men’s Clnb took place at their premises Jack son-street, Petone, last night week. There was a large number of members present. Mr H. S. Fitzherbert, as President of the Club, occupied the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet, after being read, was nnanimously adopted. Mr H. S. Fitzherbert was again elected as President. Four new committeemen being required, Messrs John Edmonds, W. Rirller, Jos. Hebbend, and F. Wallace were elected. After the new officers had returned thanks for their election, the Vice-President proposed a most hearty vote of thanks to Mr H. S. Fitzherbert for a handsome present made, consisting of a work entitled “ Australia Illustrated.” Thiß was carried by acclamation. The steward and stewardess, Mr and Mrs Reeves, received a hearty vote of thanks for their courtesy and attention shown to members, &c. The ÜBaal vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings. _ A novel and exceedingly beautiful little dental instrument has just been imported by Mr Herbert Rawson, the well-known dentist of this city. It is a diminutive electric lamp and reflector for the illumination of a patient’s mouth. The light is on the incandescent principle, and is enclosed in a small glass bulb attached to the front of a brilliantly polished little reflector. The electric current is supplied through a flexible insulated wire from a four-cell battery, which is placed out of sight in a corner of the room. The light given is exceedingly vivid, and when the lamp is placed inside the month not only are all the details of the interior displayed with the utmost distinctness, but also when the mouth is closed, or nearly so, the cheeks look like the semitransparent sides of a pinkish lantern. It would be almost worth while having some teeth stopped for the sake of seeing the working of this exquisite little instrument ; but, now we come to think of it, the patient, unluckily, would miss the view oE the illumination, and would have to content himself with the pleasures of the “ buzz-wheel,” as the Americans call it. At the annual meeting of members of the Midland Cricket Club last evening week, Mr J. Young, vice-president, in the chair, the balance-sheet for the past year was read, and showed the Club’s liabilities to be £ls 14s 9d, and the assets £2O. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President—Dr Newman (re-elected); Vice-Presidents Messrs C. Hill and J. Young; Secretary— Mr J. Easton (re-elected); Treasurer—Mr E. J. Hill ; General Committee —Messrs McGirr, A. Blacklock, Peake, Maxwell, and M. Kennedy ; Match Committee—Messrs R. Blacklock, McGirr, and Maxwell; Delegates to Association—Messrs McGirr, Heenan, and J. Blacklock ; Auditors—Messrs J. Blacklock and Bond. Trophies and donations were presented as follow :—Mr J. Young, a cup for the best average batsman, and £2 2s (to which was added £ls Is by Mr W. J. Salmon) for the best second eleven batspiAn; Mr Danks, a trophy, valued at £2,25, for the best second eleven bowler ; Mr Peake, a similar prize, the disposition of which was left to the Committee ; Mr Knowles, a bat for the best field in the first eleven ; and Mr W. Staples, a case of ale or stout to the best batsman in the junior and senior cup matches.

The Hospital Steward acknowledges with thanks the receipt of old linen from Mrs E. J. Riddiford, old linen from Mrs Chaplan, old linen and books from Mrs Lang (Hillstreet), newspapers from the Postmaster, illustrated papers from Lady Jervois, old linen from Mrs Jefferd (Levi-street). His Honor the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Richmond presided over a sitting of the Appeal Court last Friday morning, at which judgment was given for the appellant in Locke v Kahutia and others. This was_ an appeal from a Supreme Court decision. Leave was given to appeal to the Privy Council. Mr H. D. Bell, with him Mr Edwards, appeared for the appellant ; Mr W. L. Rees for Kahutia, and Messrs Devine and Ward (Gisborne) for the other defendants. A quarterly meeting of the Porirua Licensing Committee was held last Friday at Pahautanui, there being present Messrs Darby, Pearce, R. Smith, and T. Smith. In the unavoidable absence of Mr Tyer, Mr T. Smith was voted to the chair. The transfer of the Ngahauranga hotel license to Mr A. Richardson was approved. A transfer of the Porirua Hotel license to Mr W. Aytoun was also granted, after a discussion by the Bench as to the propriety of granting the license, Mr Aytoun being an unmarried man. Mr E. Stafford appeared in support of this application. A transfer of the Pahautanui Hotel license to Mr W. Pinkerton was approved, and the Committee adjourned after agreeing to hold the next quarterly meeting at Porirua.

Nominations for vacancies in the City Council were made as follow last Friday : Lambton Ward—Lionel Lewis Harris, nominated by Charles E. W. Willeston and William Thomas Locke Travers ; Andrew Young, nominated by Henry William Quick and H. Blundell. Cook Ward—William . Elliott Tyson, nominated by John Bertie and Thos. Dowling; John Coombe, nominated by Charles Mclntyre and William Sheehan. Te Aro Ward—John Henry Heaton, nominated by Henry George Mills and Falk Cohen. Thorndon Ward—Herbert James Williams, nominated by Wm. Freeman and George Bolton. Messrs Heaton and Williams were declared elected, and the poll for the Cook and Lambton Wards was to be taken yesterday. The congregation of St Peter’s parish had a social gathering at the Schoolroom, Ghuznee-street, last Friday night. These reunions have become so popular that even the boisterous weather had not the effect of keeping people indoors last night, and the attendance was very large. A good programme, consisting of musical selections, vocal 'and instrumental, interspersed with tableaux vivants, was given by the choir, under Mr Hautrie West, assisted by some members of the congregation. The items on the programme were—Overture, Mr West; pupils, tableau, “ Cinderella ;” song, “The storm fiend,” Mr Henderson; tableau, “Ten little niggers;” song, “In the old, old way ;” tableaux, “ Marguerite ” and “ Mrs Squeers ;” piano duet, “II Corricolo,” Misses Lichtscheindl; tableaux, “The afternoon tea,” “The dirty boy,” and “ The duel song, “A bird in the hand,” Mr R. P. Johnson ; tableaux, “ The three old maids of Lea,” and “ A man and a brother ;” song, “Vi Ravviso ” (“La Sonnambula ”), Miss Trehair Osborne; tableau, “Bluebeard.” At intervals a bevy of fair damsels administered creature comforts in the shape of all sorts of good things. During the evening the occasion was improved bv some youDg ladies who had some useful and ornamental articles to dispose of by that ingenious method known to the initiated as the “ bran tub, ” and a thriving business was done. The evening on the whole passed very pleasantly, and the next r(sanion will be anticipated with pleasure. Detective Chrystal arrested a girl, about 18 years of age, named Minnie Searle, last Friday afternoon, on a charge of larceny, the circumstances of which are somewhat similar to those which transpired in a case recently heard in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, which excited some public interest. It appears that the accused, who has been in the service of Mr F. G. Springthorpe, commercial traveller, who resides in Cambridgeterrace, for about a fortnight, has recently complained to her employer that the coals and other things have been missing, and several times during the present week she informed her master that she had seen a man prowling about the place at a very early hour in the morning, and suggested that he must be answerable for the missing articles. . In consequence of these reports Mr Springthorpe barricaded the back gate with a large empty packing case on Thursday night. About 6 a.m. yesterday the girl called her mistress and reported that the place had been broken into, the catch on the kitchen window had been knocked back and the window slightly raised. The girl solemnly stated that she had fastened the window on the previous night. The box was pushed back from the back gate, and the girl also pointed out a number of candle grease spots, so that appearances tended to show that a burglary had been committed. A gold watch, which had hung on the mantelpieoe, and a gold-mounted hair guard were missing. Mr Springthorpe yesterday informed Detective Chrystal of the circumstances, and that officer paid a visit to the house. After examining the window- catch he at once came to the conclusion that the window had not been opened from the outside. He suspected the girl, and mentioned his suspicions to Mr and Mrs Springthorpe. They, however, had the most implicit confidence in their servant. After questioning the girl he accused her of having taken the watch, but she denied that she had. The officer then searched the girl’s bedroom, whers he found the watcbguurd under her pillow, and also a small pasteboard box which Mrs Springthorpe used for keeping her jewellery in. A gold pin, which had been kept in the box, was also missing. Chrystal again accused the girl of the theft, and she then admitted her guilt, but would not tell where the watch was. The articles stolen are valued at about £2 10s. The watch was recovered late last Friday night, Mr W. Tustin having found it in Vivian-screet. Some months ago, a young man named Brennan was arrested on a charge of indecently assaulting the girl, but the oharge was dismissed by the magistrate.

j{f The Pahautanui Hotel has recently changed hands, Mr W. Pinkerton having taken it over from Mr G. H. Taylor, the former proprietor. The new tenant took possession of the hotel last Saturday. Mr Johnston, who has for considerable time been chief steward of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company’s steamer Arawa, has taken the Criterion Hotel. Mr Johnston has, while on the Arawa, been very popular, and he will no doubt get a fair share of public patronage. Mr T. Carter, a candidate for Wellington East, delivered a highly, amusing speech at the Lyceum on Monday night our account of which is incomplete, because we have beeu compelled to omit many of the speaker’s remarks, which were, to say the least of them, very personal. Mr Carter was given a vote of thanks and confidence. The Taieri Advocate states that a very large area is being sown down in the Taieri this year in wheat. Mr James Shand is putting in some 500 acres, and Mr James Allan (Hopehill) is also sowing a large quantity. Along Maungatua way also the farmers are going in pretty largely for wheat. Many farmers are under the impression that wheat will fetch a better price next season. The following four leading principles have guided the South Australian Government (says the Treasurer) iu the extensive alterations proposed in the Customs tariff : —(1) The encouragement of products and manufactures by increased duties on imported products and manufactures; (2) the admission of raw materials free ; (3) the admission of certain necessaries of life free (a “ free breakfast table ”) ; (4) the taxation of luxuries. The Treasurer) expects that the colony will gain £60,000 by the alteration. The Poverty Bay Herald says : —Between 300 and 400 shares have been taken up in new Dairy Factory Company. It is hoped soon to get 600, so that there will be a company sufficiently Btrong to take over the plant and start work. It is earnestly to be desired that, for the good of the district, this most beneficial project may go through successfully. It would be a general misfortune if the plant should lie idle, or should have to be removed from the place. The Natives at Parihaka are in trouble, having heard that it is proposed to erect a toll gate at Okato. They oat up the roads more than the Europeans, and yet they do not pay a farthing toward the maintenance of these roads. One Maori innoceutly inquired if the Government were getting hard up, when they wanted the Maoris to pay for using the roads. It is high time that so. Tie means were adopted for making the Natives contribute their fair quota toward the cost of making and keeping the roads in repair.— Taranaki News.

In the course of his speech at the Lyceum Monday night Mr Carter made an elaborate attack on the Defence Department, and his account of how a horse was added to the troop is worth reproducing. “One of the Ministers,” said Mr Carter, “got a horse up here to ride about on, and it didn’t suit him, and so he sent it up to the barracks with a note tied to its tail —“The Defence Department mast buy that horse.” The Defence Department bought him, and there he is up in the stable now, and you paying for him being groomed, and nobody would give you 2s 4d for him.”

Edward Barling, who was the driver of a horse and carnage which bolted on Lambtonquay on the 11th July, and did considerable damage in Willis-street, tearing a verandah away and colliding with another carriage, was arrested by Constable D. O’Rourke last Friday, and lodged in the Police Station. It will be remembered that a short time after the accident Barling was fined £l, and costs 12s, by the Resident Magistrate, for having left his vehicle unattended, in default of which he was to undergo four days’ imprisonment. As he failed to pay the fine, he was arrested, and sent to prison for four Aays. <3 Mr H. J. White, builder, of Broughamstreet, has just completed a contract for two very handsome family residences in Hawkerstreet for Mr Meek of this city. The buildings, one of which is in occupation by Mr Meek, the other being intended for his son, are seven-roomed houses, and are commodious as well as comfortable. They are built from plans by Mr Whi e. The rooms are large, lofty, and well ventilated, the drawing-room being 16ft x 18fc, and the dining-room 16ft x 15ft. There are beside a large kitchen fitted with all improvements, three bedrooms, and a bath-room fitted with hot and cold water appliances, and with a patent water-closet adjoining. From the outside the houses present an imposing appearance, and are an ornament to the neighborhood. Mr White has also lately completed to Mr Meek’s order three two-story five-roomed houses in Hanson-street, Newtown, which have given every satisfaction. The entertainment at St John’s Schoolroom, Dixon-street, Monday evening, drew a very large and appreciative audience. The fact that it was in aid of the Te Aro schools' prize fund, and that a number of the children were taking parb'in the programme, doubtless contributed to that result, but apart from this the programme was an exceedingly i good one. It was as follows :—Duet, piano, Misß Widdop ; violin, Master King ; song, “ Apart,” Miss Drummond (encored) ; cornet solo (selected), Master P. Denton; song (selected), Mr J. Gooder ; song, “Close the shutters, Willie’s dead,” Master Blair (encored) ; part and action song, Infant class (encored); song, “Sing, sweet bird,” Miss Randell ; recitation, “ Gambler's, wife,” Miss Firth ; song, Mr E. J. Hill; club exercises, Girls, Willis-street School ; song, “Blow high, blow low,”, Mr R. P. Johnson ; song, “Bid mo good-bye,” Miss Stanford (encored); song, “Wont you tell me why, Robin,” Miss Steele; recitation, “Little Yacob Strauss,” Mr F. W. Haybittle (encored); song, “Forget,” Miss Hudson; song, “Kerry dance,” Miss Randell (encored); song, “Only one,” Mr W. D. Lyon (encored). In response to an encore Miss Randell gave “ Robin Adair,” and Mr W. D. Lyon, “ Miss Houligan’s Christmas cake.” Miss A. Widdop presided very effi--1 oiently at the piano during the evening. Miss J, Hutchins led the girls very cleverly in the club exercises, and the little corps of athletes went through the drill with surprising quiols ness and precision.

The usual monthly meetisg of the Featherston Town Board was held on Monday evening. Present—Messrß G. Reynolds (Chairman), Oakly, Curdy, Jas. Donald, and A. Donald. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Treasurer’s statement showed a balance of £B3 11s sd. A letter was received from Constable Smith, stating that he could not undertake thedutieeof Inspectorof Nuisances ns requested. It was resolved that the duties be carried out by Mr Bloxham. The Collector and Dog Registrar’s report was received, together with £4S 15s 9d collected. At the Girls’ Friendly Society’s Lodge Tues night Miss A. W. Godfrey delivered the last but one of her instructive course of lectures on sick nursing. Miss Godfrey, in the first part of her lecture, dealt with sickness in cottage homes, and how disease ia engendered by irregularity, bad management, and so on. The second part of the lecture was devoted to the management of the sick room, and the necessity of carrying out with punctuality the orders of doctors. We are requested to say that the next lecture will be the last of the series, and upon that occasion there will be a collection, at the request of many visitors.

A novel and ingenious form of * ‘ pocket pistol” is on view in the windows of Messrs E. W. Mills and Co., on Lambton-quay. When not in use the * * pistol ” is concealed in what is apparently a book bound in red leather, harmless and natural in appearance, and bearing in one case the not inappropriate name “Our Mutual Friend.” A spring in the book is touched, and the enticing mouth of the flask oomes into view, placed at a convenient distance from the volume. In short, this kind of pistol is as easily concealed and as readily available for use as that other kind carried by the cowboy in his hip pocket. An incipient fire was timeously discovered at the rear of the premises occupied by Messrs T. K. Macdonald and Co. at about 8 o’clock Tuesday night. Mr C. McKeegan, of the Lion Foundry, happened to be talking to a friend he met in Manners-street, and, while chatting together, Mr McKeegan saw a large glare at the rear of the building, and seeing Constable Madden close at hand he beckoned him, and they, with the assistance of one of the proprietors of the skating rink (which is held on the top story of the building), managed to extinguish the fire before much damage was done. It appeared, from an inspection of the place, that there was a small quantity of rubbish under the stairs leading to the skating rink, and it is supposed that some one going upstairs had dropped the end of a lighted cigarette down, which had ignited some paper and set fire to the woodwork. It is most fortunate that the fire was noticed in time, for, had it got a hold, the consequences would most likely have been very serious. The case of an old woman, whom the Benevolent Trustees decided at their last meeting to send to the Catholic home, was again brought up at the meeting of the Trust on Tuesday. The Secretary stated that he had written to Father Kerrigan about the woman, and had received a reply to the effect that the authorities were willing to take the woman into the home if she kept herself quiet. A letter had also been received from Mrs Hunt, of the Ladies’ Christian Association, who stated that the woman was a Protestant, and that she was unwilling to go to the Catholic home. Tho Rev H. Van Staveren, who occupied the chair, said the womas was whatever suited her best— Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, or anything else. She had come to him and said she believed she was a Jewess —he didn’t think she was a Jewess. He thought they had better leave the case in the hands of the Ladies’ Association. This course was agreed on, and it was decided that 9s weekly should be paid to the Association for the woman’s board and lodging. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees was held in the Council Chambers Tuesday afternoon. Present —Rev H. Van Staveren (in the chair), Messrs B. Smith, D. Hall, J. E. Smith, and S. Dankß. It was decided to grant 8s a week rent to a woman and her three children. The Relieving Officer stated that the woman’s husband was ill in the Auckland Hospital, and that she, though willing, was unable to get employment as charwoman. The Secretary’s action in assisting a family in indigent circumstances was approved, and it was decided to continue relief, the father of the family to work the cost out. The Secretary stated that he had authorised Mr Morris, undertaker, to bury a child, the mother of whom was a young girl. It appeared that the girl had endeavored to get Mr Brown, undertaker, to bury the child, but he declined, as the girl could not pay the expenses. She then went to Mr Morris, and he declined for the same reason. It had been brought under his (Secretary’s) notice, and for decency's sake he had ordered that the child should be buried. He had ascertained that the girl’s father and two brothers lived in Wellington. The Chairman suggested that a summons should be taken out against the girl for the burial expenses. The Secretary said he understood that the girl was not in a position to pay the expenses, and if he summoned her how would he be able to prove that she was able to pay the debt ? The Secretary's action was approved, and no further action taken. The Chairman stated that the amount of work done in the Corporation yards by the old men was £lO 13s 3d, which he considered very satisfactory. Several other deserving cases were dealt with, and rations granted. Mr D. Hall stated that he had received a quantity of old clothing for the old men of the Institution. The following monthly accounts were passed for payment : —Rations : —£9l 9s 2d ; J. Barry, £7B 7s ; and Allan, £25. The Chairman stated that the board and lodging and rations accounts were a considerable increase on the former month. However, about £35 of that sum would be worked out in the Corporation yards, so that the ratepayers had some return for their money. Hopes were expresssed that the next month would prove a better one, and that a number of the people on the books of the Institution would be able to get work. The Treasurer stated that he had received a cheque for £322 10s from the District Board. After some further unimportant business had been transacted, the Trustees adjourned.

We have received Messrs W. J. Hunt and Co.’s stock and share report for the current month, and can recommend it for careful and accurate compilation. A man namediWilliam Turnbull, sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and, 25 lashes, for indecent assault at Blenheim recently, was flogged on Saturday morning and suffered considerably. Though the Mayoral election is still some distance off, speculation is already rife as to the probabilities in connection therewith. It is considered probable that MrS. Brown, the present Mayor, is very likely to offer himself for re-election, and Messrs Petherick and T. McKenzie are also probable candidates. A man named Thomas Brown was arrested by Constable Stewart at Newtown at 6 o’clock on Saturday evening on a charge of wilfully breaking a pane of glass, valued at 3s, the property of G. H. Bayliss. Six of the accused’s children, ranging from ten years to three years of age, were subsequently taken in charge as neglected children. Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s publication, the “Wellington Landed Property Guide,” just published, should commend itself to buyers and sellers of landed estate. In addition to very carefully-com-. piled details of properties in the hands of the firm for sale and lease in all parts of New Zealand, this number contains a mass of reading matter, which adds very considerably to the value and usefulness of the Guide. The Rev W. TT. Root, of Hawera, officiated and preached at St Peter’s Church on Sunday morning, owing to the ilbies3 of the Incumbent. The Rev R. Coffey officiated and preached in the evening. During the Incum. bent’s absence on sick leave the Rev Mr Tuckey, at present of Christchurch, but formerly second master iu the Wellington College, and subsequently in charge of a State school in the Wairarapa, will perform the parish duty for St Peter’s. The supply of halls in Wellington is, apparently, not equal to the demand. Mr Coombe, who addressed the ratepayers of Cook Ward at the Alhambra on Tuesday, was only able to obtain that hall for an hour, and his speech was consequently very much compressed. There was to be a ball there during the evening, and even while the candidate was speaking the gallery was occupied by a number of young ladies, who would probably not have been there under ordinary circumstances. An instance of very remarkable rapidity in telegraphy to America and back occurred recently. Mr Wallace, the General Manager of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway, had to cable to Philadelphia an order for two new engines—the details having been previously posted. The cable message was despatched at 4.45 p.m. one day and at 1.45 p.m. next day he received a reply message accepting the contract. The whole time occupied in telegraphing to Philadelphia and receiving an answer back was, therefore, only 20 hours. 4s?The first anniversary dinner of the Petone Working Men’s Club and Literary Institute took place on Saturday, at their premises, Jackson-street. The large room had been moßt tastefully decorated with ferns, flags, &c., by Mr Reeves, the steward of the Club. About 70 gentleman sat down to dinner, among them being a good number of members from the Wellington Working Men’s Club. There was a splendid supply of eatables, mostly arranged on three large tables, and, considering that the dinner had been prepared solely by the steward and stewardess, both of them deserve great credit for the way it wqs served up. ® A most'ufeeful and acceptable little work has j ust been brought out by Messrs Lyon and Blair, of this city. It is entitled “Contributions toward a Bibliography of New Zealand.” These have been very well and carefully compiled by Mr James Davidson Davis, who has beeu engaged for many months in the necessary task of searching libraries, catalogues, book-stalls, old booke, and newspapers, &e,, to collect the materials for his work, which is the first of the kind that has yet been carried out in New Zealand. The author’s object “to compile a bibliography of New Zealand which shall be of service at the present time, and still more useful in the future,” has been thoroughly attained, and he has given to the public au exceedingly valuable little book. Mr P. Duff, who has so ably filled the duties of Secretary to the Star Cricket Club, was the recipient, at the annual meeting of the club last Friday night, of a very handsome present, consisting of a tea service, in recog. nition of his past services as secretary. In making the presentation Mr Tustin, who occupied the chair, explained that the gift had assumed its present shape on account of the recipient’s! approaching marriage. He alluded to the valuable services rendered by Mr Duff as secretary, and regretted that he was unwilling to stand again for election. Mr Duff replied in a few words, expressing his deep gratitude for their generous and handsome gift. After the meeting the members adjourned to the Imperial Hotel, where Mr Duff’s health was drunk with enthusiasm.

The School of Design was thrown open to visitors on Saturday evening, when the able and courteous Director, Mr Arthur D. Riley, explained the general principles on which the course of instruction pursued was founded, and the way in which the eyes and hands of the pupil were educated, the perceptions stimulated, and the memory strengthened. He 'also showed how the course of study was made introductory to practical and technical education in various art 3, trades and sciences. A large number of the pupils belong to the industrial c'asses, and the evidences given of their progress shows that the cultivation of their taste and knowledge will tell well in their future work. Some of the specimens exhibited of the pupils’ performances were ex.ceedinely creditable. We may specially notice the modelling of a lion’s head ; some sketches in oils of nikau palms, some drawings from the solid and one of ivy ieaves against a wall, which was admirably realistic, and its effect quite stereosco ic ia its seeming solidity. Some out-of-door sketching of various well* known localities about this city showed much ability and praiseworthy endeavor. Mr Riley and his assistants are evidently , doiiig valuable work.

An account of the terrible Inverell tragedy will be found in this week’s Mail. The Union Company’s steamer Mararoa arrived at the Bluff at 11.15 a.m. on Monday, with an English mail, from Melbourne. The Northern portion was brought on by the Hawea, which arrived here on Wednesday. Prior to the ordinary meeting of the City Council this evening a speoial meeting will be held to nass a resolution to raise a sp 6ol * l loan of £9500, in terms of clause 189, Municipal Corporations Aot, 1886, as deoiaed upon by the Council on the sth May last. We are sincerely sorry to hear of a serious accident to Mrs Nicholas Reid on Friday last. She was on the verandah of her house, Upper Willia-street, when her foot slipped, and she fell, breaking her left leg close to the ankle. She is now doing as well as possible under the circumstances. The firm of Edwards, Bennett, and Co., soft goods merchants, of Cornhill, London, and Christchurch, have recently established a branch department in Wellington, in the Mutual Life Association Buildings m Bran-don-street. Mr Frederick Siggena, late of the firm of Edmondson, Warmington, and Co.. is in charge of the department. An employe of Mr Thomas Ballinger, named Christopher. Smith, has displayed considerable ability in making a most handsome bird cage, composed of wiie ana tin, which takes the shape of a neatly finished miniature dwellinghouso. The cage has been on view at Mr Ballinger’s shop in Willisstreet for several days, and has attracted considerable attention. The Rangitikei Advocate of the Ist inst. says au attempt was made to burn down the Rangitikei Brewery, at Bulls, on Wednesday evening last. A number of fencing stabs, with a quantity of lighted embers placed under them, were found alongside the building, but fortunately the fire had not gained any hold. During the month of August last four persons were adjudicated bankrupts in Wellington. The same number of bankruptcies were recorded in the city in August of last year. The deficiencies in the four which occurred last month were respectively £64 12s 4d, £284 ss, £232 ISs 9d, and £l3O 9s 6d, a total in round numbers of £712. A girl employed as a servant by Mr Asher, of Manners-street, was seized with an epileptic fit in a shed at the rear of the shop last Friday. A rumor got abroad that she was dead, and Constable Hattie at once went to the shop to make inquiries. He found the girl in such a bad way that it took several people to hold her down, aud she was subsequently removed to the Hospital, and was there attended to. sFDr Cole, of this city, has forwarded to us an able little pamphlet, of which he is the author, on “The Financial Condition of New 'Zealand; or, Facts and Figures for the PeoDle,” being “a plea for a more equitable adjustment of taxation.” Dr Cole treats his snbject with force and effect, and even those who disagree with his conclusions can read his little work with much interest. The earthquake of 1855, by which the Te Aro flat was raised four feet, is an important subject of consideration in connection with the low-water mark along the foreshore. His Honor Mr Justice Richmond remarked on Tuesday that the people of Wellington did not say much about the earthquake at the time it occurred. Mr Travers agreed with Ilia Honor in this, and added that the only person who referred to it in the Legislature was Mr Robert Hart, who, speaking on a question of the removal of the seat of Government, said Wellington ought to be the capital because it was “ a rising settlement.” Of the number of successful students who competed at the Christ College, Canterbury, for the Senior Somes Scholarship recently, three were Wellington youths who were formerly educated by Mr Kenneth Wilson of the Wellington College. These were Tolhurst, eldest son of Mr G. E. Tolhurst, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Thorpe, son of Archdeacon Thorpe, formerly incumbent of St Paul’s Parish, and Hardcastle, son of the late Mr E. Hardcastle K.M- , The value of these scholarships is £6O per annum, tenable for three years, if won while the candidate is under 18 years of age. There were eight successful candidates as follow Tolhurst, 1517 ; Hardcastle, 1481 ; Thorpe, 1356 ; Griffin, 1218 ; Walton, 1172 ; Oldham, 1076 ; Stanford, 1075 ; Williams, 1049. A special meeting of the Hospital District Board was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday afternoon. There were present— Messrs G. M. Kebbell (in the chair), G. Allen, and S. Danks. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been called to consider an application of the Hospital Trustees for the sum of £IOOO on account of supplies and wages. The Trustees made an application at the beginning of the year for £3430, and they now asked for an additional £IOOO. The Board’s account at the bank was £291, and, therefore, they could not supply the requirements of the Trustees. A motion made by Mr Allan, that the money to the credit of the Board be handed over to the Hospital Trustees, was carried, and then it was decided to adjourn for a week in order to have a larger attendance before taking any farther action in the matter. A most enjoyable reunion of the congregation of St. Paul’s Parish, Thorndon, took place at the Tinakori-road cburchroom Tuesday night under the auspices of the Parochial Association of St. Paul’s. There was a large gathering of parishioners, and an excellent musical programme was provided for their entertainment. The Misses Richardson played a duet for violin and piano, which was followed by a song from Mrs Kemp, “Sleep my love, sleep.” Miss Medley played a pianoforte solo, and Mrs Parsons sang “See’st thou at even (Kalliwoda), after which Miss and Mr Kennedy played Raff’s cavatina for piano and violin. Mrs Parson’s song was accompanied on the piano by Miss Richardson with violin obbligato, by 'Miss M. Richardson. An exceedingly interesting lecture on “How to keep our health,” was given by Dr Newman, who was listened to with close attention. Refreshments were dispensed during the evening, and the gathering as a whole passed off very aeceesfully.

We beg to acknowledge from the office of the Government Statist of Viotoriaa copy of the statistical register of the colony of Victoria for the year 18S6. A cable haa been received from Melbourne stating that at the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Australia, U.A.0.D., held on Tuesday, the application of the Otago and Canterbury Lodges for a District Grand Lodge for the South Island was refused, and, on a division being called for, the motion was defeated by 58 to 28. Preaching at St Peter’s Chnrch on Sunday night, the Rev 11. Coffey dwelt on the various aspects of Christianity. While dwelling on the value of belonging to “this great cooperative sooiety, the Church,” he said that an unbeliever, although he unhappily denied the central truth of Christianity, might in his life be really a Christian, and very near to Christ, but the preacher declared that “ Romanism is flut a caricature of Christianity.” Mr Thomas McKenzie has retired from the City Council, as a member of which he had sat for six years. During Mr McKenzie s term of office a great number of important works have been carried out, such as the Wainui-o-mata waterworks, the Te Aro reclamation, aud mauy new drainage and other works. He has always been highly respected in the Council as a representative who had a soul above his own ward, and no doubt all his constituents will regret his decision to leave—though it may be only a time, we believe —municipal politics. At almost every meeting of the Benevolent Sooiety Trustees it is stated that a number of the female applicants for relief, who are willing to do charring and washing, aud such work, are unable to find employment. At Tuesday’s meeting a trustee remarked that he understood the greatest difficulty was experienced in getting people to do this description of work, probably because those who required them did not know where to look for them. Anyone in need of such a person has only to apply to Mr A. G. Johnson (Relieving Officer), who can recommend several. 5T The largest and most complete plan of the ‘'city of Wellington that we have seen outside of the Government Buildings is now on view at the office of Messrs Baker Brothers, land, estate, and commission agents, to whose order it has just been prepared by Mr Bianchini, the well-known draughtsman. The plan shows the line of the new reclamation between the Queen’s wharf and Torystreet, which the City Council propose to carry out at an early date, as well as the proposed railway station near the gasworks. Messrs Baker Brothers inform us that they will be pleased to allow the public to inspect the plan, and also another large plan showing the sections, at any time during office hours.

Odd mistakes do creep into newspapers, and even the London Times is not free from them. We find that paper credits Mr Oliver with being a Minister of the Crown in 1861, and thus alludes to the mistake in its issue of June 18:—“Bryce v. Rusden. —In our report of the above case yesterday it was in. advertently stated that Mr Oliver, member of Council and of Parliament in New Zealand, authorised and approved the engagement, the subject of the libel in question, in 1861. What Mr Oliver stated he authorised was the proceeding by jwhich the confederation at Parihaka under Te Whiti was broken up in ISBI. The inaccuracy, although unimportant, we correct at once to prevent any possible annoyance to Mr Oliver as to his attitude toward those matters. By an unfortunate transposition of plaintiff for d.efendant, some confusion occurs in the concluding paragraphs of the report. It was, as is obvious, upon the defendant that the Court urged the acceptance of the “most generous terms ” offered by plaintiff; and it was, of course, the' defendant who, without hesitation, accepted them, withdrawing all imputations. Mr T. T. Paine was the junior counsellor plaintiff, with Sir Henry James.” Hence it is evident that the “Thunderer’ is no more free from newspaper frailties than other papers. But the above is certainly an astounding tissue of inaccuracies for the leading morning journal of the world to be guilty of. The members of the Wellington Educational Institute held their quarterly meeting at the Athenaeum Buildings on Saturdaymorning. There was a good attendance, and Mr C. Horne, master of the Petone School, presided. Miss Bright was elected a member of the Institute. Mr McMorriu (Terrace School) drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that Mr Hulke, head master of the Newtown School, had obtained permission from the Education Board to instruct a pupil teacher in science without pay. He considered that Mr Hulke had behaved in a most unprofessional manner, and he moved that leave should be granted to Mr Hulke to explain his action. The motion was seconded by Mr Ward, but the Chairman ruled that no action could be taken without notice. Mr Hulke, after remarking that Mr McMorrin had made a spiteful attack on him, explained that he had obtained permission to teach Miss Stevens because that lady, who resided near Island Bay, complained of the difficulty in attending the science classes at thp .Terrace School. Mr Purdie, science ' instructor, stated that ■ Mr Hulke had consulted him before making the application to the Board. Messrs Horne and McMorrin were|elected as delegates to the New Zealand Educational Institute to be held at Nelson in January next, and it was resolved that the following subjects should be brought up for discussion at the conference :—Direct payment of teachers by Boards ; pupil teachers' syllabus as given in the Gazette of 7th July, 1887 ; teachers’ pension fund ; and the granting of facilities to teachers for obtaining degrees. Mr Hulke read an interesting paper om “ The Syllabus,” discussion of which was postponed until a special meeting, to be called on the sth October. A paper on “Writing,’ by one of the members, was also postponed nntil the same meeting.

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