TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 832, 10 February 1888, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Pending ihe permanent appointment of a master for the Dreyertown school, Mr E. J. B. Collins has been placed in oharge of the school.

A female prisoner at the Terrace Gaol named Anne Fowler, and Clara Manehan, an inmate of the Hospital, were committed to the Lunatic Asylum yesterday week, Drs Mackenzie and Tripe having certified to their insanity.

The local Committee for the Melbourne International Exhibition held its first meeting at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday week. Mr J. B. Harcourt was appointed ohairman of the Committee and Mr S. Carroll secretary. A good amount of preliminary work was got through.

The principal creditors in the estate of Henry Berg, boatbuilder, are as follow : W. Howard, £7O ; Stewart and Co., £26 ; J. Madden, £l6 18s ; E. W. Mills and Co., £ll ; G. Cooper, £9 ; Gill, £6 ; and Robinson Bros., £4 10s. The assets, consisting of furniture, are set down at £ls. We have received from the local agent of the Imperial Fire Insurance Company (Mr A. J. MoTavish) a copy of their presentation almanac for the current year. This almanac is both artistic and useful, combining as it does a convenient blotting-book with calendar and mail tables.

As some inquiries have been made as to the date of drawing of the Roman Catholic Art Union, we are requested to state that the drawing is postponed for the present; but the date on which it will take place, together with other particulars, will be announced by advertisement shortly.

f George Thomas and Co. held a sale of Karori properties at their auction rooms, Panama-sHeetyesterday week, at which there was a large attendance. The Kingston estate, consisting of 6 acres and an 11-roomed resi. dence, was sold for £IOSO ; and 10 acres on the Park Yale Road realised £240, Messrs Quick and Kelly being the respective purchasers.

Mr H. P. Higginson, C.E., late chief engineer to the Manawatu Railway, Mr Mountfort, architect (of Christchurch), and Mr Skinner, architect (of Auckland, have been appointed a Commission to investigate and report on the foundations of the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, Otago, and began work on Monday. Mr H. M. Gore has been appointed shorthand writer to the Commission.

Some gor«e in the College reserve was discovered on fire shortly after 8 p.m. last night week, and as there was a strong north-west wind blowing at the time it caused a considerable blaze, and some apprehension was felt for the buildings in the neighborhood. An alarm was rung out by the city nrebells, and the brigade were soon in attendance, and on arrival they speedily extinguished the flames. It is supposed that the fire was the work of some boys.

The Newfoundland dog which we stated last week had been found swimming in the harbor, a considerable distance off the shore, by solne boys on Wednesday night, was claimed next day by his owner, Mr Robins, of the firm of Greatrex and Sou. He had placed the dog in the care of the captain of the brigantine Clio, which sailed for Farewell Spit on Wednesday evening, and it would seem that the dog, not being pleased with his new quarters, had jumped overboard.

A ceremonial of a pleasing character took place on Sunday morning at the Sydney, street Schoolroom (St Paul’s). Air Pennefather, who is leaving for Adelaide this evening, was the recipient of a handsome marble clock, presented by the members of his Bible class, as a slight token of the regard in which he is held. The Rev J. Still made the presentation in a few appropriate words, and Mr Penuefather, who was very agreeably surprised, thanked the donors heartily for their souvenir.

A very exciting accident occurred in the harbor on Saturday afternoon. A party of young men belonging to the Torpedo Corps were out at the Heads for a cruise in one of the company’s boats in charge of Pettyofficer Armstrong. The high wind which was blowing caused, them to run into a small diDgy in which were four men, completely overturning it. Three of the four men were able to swim, but the fourth, named Yarrow, was sinking, when Mr G. Gray, a member of the Torpedo Corps and also of tho Wellington Rowing Club, who was in the torpedo boat at the time, pluckily jumped overboard and held him up until assistance could be given, and all returned to shore in safety.

On last Saturday St Patrick's Collegeropened for the reception of boarders after the Christmas recess. A large number of new boarders have arrived, and aj-e still to come in, and an increase of about twenty day scholars is expected. In anticipation of this extra tax on the accommodation the College professors have had four large well-ventilated class rooms built over the recreation hall at the rear of the College, and a gymnasium S4ft long by 28ft wide, which is being put up, and which will be completely furnished, is expected to be finished in about a fortnight. The teaching staff has also been added to, two professors recently from England having been pressed into the service.

An exceedingly interesting lecture, entitled “Tho Life of Fred Douglass; from the Slave Hut to the Senate,” was delivered at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night by the Rev F. W. Isitt, of Invercargill, who has attended the recent Wesleyan Conference held in this city. The scenes asd incidents in the life of the man who had done so much for the abolition of slavery were most ably depicted by the rev gentleman, who throughout retained the interest ana attention of his audience, which was a numerous one. The lecture was illustrated by a number of diagrams, and during the course of the evening a slave song was sung by the Wesley Church choir. The chair was occupied by the Rev J. Paterson. The proceeds of the lecture, which should amount to a considerable sum, will be devoted to paying the expenses incurred in connection with the recent sitting of the Conference.

We have received the first number of the Watchman, a new weekly paper published in the interests of the Protestant Cause.

T. Spurgeon, of the Baptist Ohiirdh, Auckland,*is now in Dhuediu, wlierC he is to marry Miss Lila Rutherford, daughter of an old Otago settler. TyDhoid fever is very prevalent at present in Melbourne. There have been 232 cases since the Ist of December, 40 of which were fatal.

The police require an owner for a workbox which contains a number of papers with the name “Sylvester Coleman” on them. The box was found on the Terrace on Saturday night.

South African papers of a late date state that Remenyi, the violinist, is not dead, as was reported, but in the shipwreck he lost his collection of violins. He was last heard of playing at Kimberley on the diamond fields.

At the Supreme Court last Friday the appsal case, Scott v Kirkcaldie, was beard, a full report of which appears in another column. The judges fully agreed with the verdict of the jury, and refused to grant a fresh trial.

A short sitting of the Divorce Court was held last Friday morning before his Honor the Chief Justice. A rule absolute was granted in the case Ericson v. Ericson, on the application of Mr H. H. Travers. This was all the busiuess.

Last Friday Captain Stewart of the s.s. Arawa was presented with a silver cigarette case, suitably engraved, from Messrs E. W. Mills, Vice. Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, W. H. Quick, Rear-Commodore, and A. A. Duncan, Secretary on behalf of the club, as a souvenir of the late annual regatta. The presentation was made by the Vice-Com-modore, and Captain Stewart responded in an appropriate speech. There is in the last number of Hansard for the last session a somewhat singular record of the sad fatality by which Mr George Adams, one of the Hansard staff, met his death. Under the heading “ Australian and New Zealand Cable,” Major Atkinson commences a statement as follows:—“I have also to make a statement In connection with this question,” and then follows in brackets —“The reporter who had the notes of this statement was unfortunately killed by a fall before he had written them out.” We have been shown a very ingenious contrivance for branding sheep, woolpacks, &c., which is at present being introduced to the notice of New Zealand fiockowcers. It is known as “ Bowern’s electric sheep brand,” and it is claimed that it will brand 1000 sheep with one filling. The contrivance is remarkably simple, The brand has only to be filled with tar or paint and adjusted to the clip to Diake it ready for use. It was recently tried at Wanganui, when 500 sheep were branded in eleven minutes. The brand is the invention of Mr Bowern, of Wanganui, and Mr F. H. Tronson, of Wellington, is the sole distributing agent. The two following advertisements, which appear close together in a recent issue of The Times, are painfully suggestive :—(1) “A gentleman wanted, shortly returning to his farms in West America (climate moderate), to take charge of a young inebriate as a pupil; Full particulars address to B. A., care of Ginder, St George’s Hall,. Canterbury. (2) “Required, the captain of a sailing vessel who would take charge of a young inebriate for a voyage of 6or 12 mouths. Full particulars address to M.D., care of Ginder, St George’s Hall, Canterbury.” It would appear that “ young inebriates ,! are rather plentiful in England just now. A friendly rifle mutch was fired on Saturday hetween the two senior corps of the Garrison, D Battery and City Riles, resulting in a victory for the latter corps by 62 points. B and C class, City Rifles, fired also for the company’s trophy and ammunition prizes, Private Phelps making 74 points, Private Nelson, 72, Lance-Corporal Rankin 59, Private Rankin 62, Private Gordon 60, Private Halpiu 58, Corporal Martin 56, Private Baggett 56, Private Fearn 50, Private Smith 41, Private Cole 32. The aggregates. City Rifles, are as follow A class : Madelev, 729 ; Davis, 698 ; Luke, 693 ; Jackson, 692; Cato, 678 ; Burton, 678 ; Guise, 671. B class : McGregor, 458 ; Wilson, 421 ; Phelps, 416; Baggett, 394 ; Rankin, 364 ; Fearn, 348. Mr Jellicoe made an application at the sitting of the Admiralty Court on Saturday morning on behalf of the master, officers, and some cf the crew of the steamer Oreti, belonging to Auckland, and which is at present on the Slip, for warrants for the arrest of the vessel, the ground of action being that wages and moneys owing to his clients had not been paid by the owners of the vessel. The application was granted, and the vessel legally taken possession of. The Patent Slip Company decline to give up possession of the boat, their dues not having been paid. Mr J. b! Day, of Auckland, a part owner of the vessel, is' coming to Wellington to protect the interests of the shareholders, in whose interests also Mr Travers has been retained. The amount claimed is £6ll, £292 of whioh is said to be due to Captain Robertson, and £319 to the officers and some of the crew. The Oreti was on the Siip for an overhaul, previous to being sent to firm who were about to purchase her.

A shocking accident occurred at Mitchel town on Saturday morning, which resulted in the death of a little girl named Hilda Ross, aged 2 years 5£ months. It appears that the mother of the child, Elizabeth Ross, left the house about 8.5 a.m. to go to a neighbor’s house for some bread, leaving two children in thehouge, the deceased, and a baby in a cradle, When she returned after an absence of about five minutes, she discovered the cradle in flames. She took the baby out of the cradle, and on going into the bedroom, which adjoins the kitchen, she was horrified to discover the deceased all in'a blaze, her clothes being nearly burnt ofi her body. She immediately removed the clothes off the child, wrapped her in a blanket, and. then sent for Dr Gilion. As the doctor did not arrive as quickly as was expected, Mrs Ross took the child to the hospital, where she expired about an hour after admission. An inquest was held at the institution at 10 o’clock on Monday morning, and a verdict of accidental death returned.

A supplement to the Gazette was issued iast Friday declaring the , area and situation of rural'larids open fttr sale dr selection. Mr J. Pi Max\Vell, who has been at Home on railway matters, left London in the early part of December for the United States, and will travel via Sau Francisco to Auckland. We understand that the Kilbirnie Road Board have shelved “The Queen’s Drive” until the question as to whether the district shall be proclaimed a new borough has been definitely settled.

The boys of St. Peter’s Mission School were taken for their annual picnic to Somes Island in the steamer Mana la-t Friday. Mr J. G. W. Aitken had charge of the boys and a very enjoyable day was spent, sports being arranged for their amusement. The recent gales we have experienced in this city have extended a long distance inland. In the Raugitikei district they have been very severe, and have played great havoc with the crops. In some instances fields of wheat have been denuded of the heads, and the total loss of the district will be very great.

A correspondent calls our attention to an abominable nuisance which at present exists on the rooks at the oorner of Evans and Oriental Bay, just opposite the old powder magazine. Some one has deposited a large quantity of fish, both fresh and smoked. They lie in a heap upon the rocks, which are bare except at extreme high water, and the effect of the hot sun yesterday was to raise a dreadful stench, very annoying to the great number of our citizens who make a favorite resort of that locality.

A telegram was received by Inspector Thomson on Monday morning from Constable Cullinane, stationed at Pahiatua, to the effect that a man named John Doran had died suddenly on Sunday, about five miles from the township. He was firing bush with four mates when he suddenly dropped down dead, from heart disease, it is supposed. His mates tried to bring the body with them, but as the fire had gained such a firm hold of the bush they were obliged. to abandon it to the flames and to escape themselves. -^7

$ We have received from the publishers, Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, of Christchurch, a copy of “An abridgement of the statute Jaw of New Zealand, and so far as it differs from the law of England.” This useful little work compiled by Mr William Basil Worsfold, barrister, of Christchurch, is intended primarily for the use of barristers seeking admission as barristers and solicitors in New Zealand. It will also be of consider, able use to students for the final law examination generally. We hope at some future time to be able to review the work on its merits.

Joe Scott, champion long-distance walker of Australia, has arrived in London. Here is his cartel :—“ I, Joseph Scott, of Dunedin, New Zealand, will walk any man in the world 50 miles, 12 hours, or for 24 hours, each match for £IOO a-side ; or I will give any man in the world choice of either of these matches, for £IOO a-side. First come first served.” In oase nobody accepts Scott’s challenge his friends will put up a prize of £IOO, and anybody defeating Scott will receive that amount. Scott, however,‘vsvould prefer an international match, and he can be backed, it is said, for £IOOO, if necessary. The following candidates were nominated on Monday for the two vacant positions on the Harbor Board : —James Potherick, nominated by Stephen Startup and John Petford; William Elliott Tyson, by Henry James Rodgers and Edward Banks ; Joseph Lachman, by Robert Gardner and Wilson Littlejohn ; John Duthie, by George Denton and John Anderson. Another candidate, James Brown, formerly nightwatchman on the Queen’s Wharf, was also nominated by Messrs A. McDonald and J. L. Kimbell, but the nomination vvas subsequently withdrawn. The election takes place next Monday, tha polling-booth being at F shed on the Queen’s Wharf.

The running of a horse called Piako in the hack hurdle race at the Hutt yesterday week caused a small scene on the course. In the opinion of the spectators the animal was palpably pulled, and the jockey, when he presented himself in front of the judge’s box was incontinently hooted. The horse being “claimed” by several would-be pur. chasers, was brought out to be sold, where, upon the auctioneer was politely advised not to trouble about the horse, but to send out the jockey, the inference being that the said jockey would have been severely handled. As will be seen by our report of the races, the horse, rider, and owner were disqualified for life.

An inquest on the body of the little child Hilda Rosa, who died from the effects of being burnt at Mitchelltown on Saturday last, wa3 held at the Hospital on Monday morning, before Dr Johnson (District Coroner) and a jury of six, of whom Mr W. Richards was chosen foreman. Elizabeth Ross gave evidence to finding her daughter in flames, the circumstances of which are recorded elsewhere. She was inclined to think that the deceased had been playing with the fire. Elizabeth Darrell and Mrs Solina Bad dell also gave evidence. Dr Hassell, Resident Surgeon at the Hospital, deposed that the ohild had died at the institution about an hour after. admission,from the shock to her system caused by the serious burning Bhe had sustained. The Coroner said the deceased had evidently met her death through an accident, and he was satisfied that the mother had not acted carelessly. The ury returned a verdict of accidental death. •Good Wine Needs no Bdsh,’ neither is it necessary to extol the virtues of Rowlands’ Macassar Oil which for nearly 100 years has been considered the best and safest preparation for the hair of children and adults, being perfectly free from any load, poisonous or mineral ingre sient. It prevents and arrests baldness, and produces a luxuriant and glossy growth of hair. Sold also in a golden color for fair haired children and adults. Rowland’s Eukonia. is a pure and delioate toilet powder in three tints—white, rose, and cream. Ask Chemists and stores for Rowland’s articles of 20, Hatton Garden, London, and avoid noxious imitations.

Large bush fires are raging in the Taita district.

It is reported that several Masterton tradesmen are about departing to try their luck in California.

It is said that the Otago Daily Times has been converted, and at last has accepted the Protectionist theory. We have received the annual report and balance sheet of the New: Zealand Accident Insurance Company. The Marton-Hunterville Railway will probably be opened for general traffic by the middle of next month. -

The Wanganuites are having a fire scare, some miscreant having out the telephone wires inside the Fire Brigade buildings.

The poll for raising a loan for a water supply for Petone will take place at the polling booth for the Petone district on Saturday to-morrow.

A false alarm of fire was given on Monday afternoon about 3 o’clock by the Mannersstreet bell. Some gorse whioh was being burnt in the vicinity of the publio oemeteiy was the cause of the alarm being sounded.

?PThe London Daily Telegraph will send out Mr Bennett-Burleigh, the Daily Nows Mr Senior, and the Illustrated London News Mr Melton Prior to the Melbourne Exhibition as their representatives. After the Exhibition Mr Melton Prior will make a trip through Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Unitod States, making sketches for his journal. Au effort has been made by the owners of the steamer Oreti, which has been seized under warrant of the Admiralty Court, to effect the release of tha vessel to that she might be taken on to Auckland, by getting the captain, officers, and crew to accept a bond. The offer has not been accepted, payment of the money owing being demanded. It is stated that claims have been made on the captain representing the vessel to the extent of £ISOO by Wellington tradesmen, and hence he declines to settle in the manner proposed. The young man France, who was so severely injured while bathing at Masterton some weeks ago, was brought down from the Wairarapa by the train on Monday night, accompanied by bis parents. He was met at the Wellington station by Dr Kemp. A number of the young man’s friends among the Volunteers very kindly came to assist, and conveyed the sufferer home on a stretcher. We are glad to hear that he is progressing as well as can be expected. He is in little or no pain, and is able to eat and sleep well. He appears quile cheerful under the circumstances.

The farmers in this district (says the Rangitikei Advocate) are threatened with a new pest'. Mr Robert Johnston had a most promising crop of wheat, but the pest was making suoh havoc with it that he turned his cattle into it. On examination of the stalks it was found that they had been cut off near the roots. Clinging to the stalks was a chrysalis about the size of a grain of rye. The chrysalis is of a dark brown color, and, when put under the glass, it looks like the shell of a snail. Mr Sicely has forwarded samples to Dr Hector, with a request that he would supply a report of what the pest is, and what is the best remedy for it. None of the farmers in this district have seen anything like it before. At the last meeting of the Education Board, it will be remembered, it was decided in consequence of a complaint having been received from tho Chairman of the Karori School Committee with regard to the alleged nuisance of the Karori slaughteryards, that a Committee of the whole Board should be appointed to visit the place and then take what action was necessary, as it had been pointed out that unless come action was taken to abate the nuisance the parents would not send their children to the school. On Monday Messrs J. R. Blair (Chairman), A. W. Brown, J. Young, Rev J. Paterson, and Dr Newman, M. H.R., visited tha locality, and they will shortly hold a meeting at which the matter will be considered and some decision arrived at.

Further complications have arisen with reference to the steamer Oreti, which is at present on|the Slip, and the seizure of which by the officers and part of the crew in lieu of wages due to them, is reported in another column. On Monday afternoon Mr Skerrett, instructed by the Seamen’s Union, applied to the Admiralty Court for a warrant for the vessel’s arrest, on the ground that the sum of £lO2 3s is owing to his clients for wagos. The application was granted. It is said that Mr J. B. Day, of Auckland, who only purchased his interest in the vessel recently, did so on the understanding that he was buying her free of all dues and demands on her. The former owners, however, state that Mr Day took over the liabilities, and so the matter stands at present. Mr Travers is acting on behalf of Mr Day. A South African paper says:—“A true story, which sounds almost like a brilliant bit of romancing, by Mr H. Rider Haggard, also comes to me from Damaraland. Many years ago a man named Stevens, while prospecting for copper, discovered gold in Damaraland. He told the secret to one of his sons, and the twain kept it dark. Subsequently, notwithstanding the discovery, the old man and his family went to Charters Towers gold mines in Australia. Here he and his sons did very well, and the sons have also worked successfully at other goldmining centres in Australia. On his deathbed ho called his sons together related the secret to them, and strongly advised them to return to Damaraland. The advice was followed, and tho sons have lately arrived in Damaraland, where, alter obtaining full concessions from the Germans, they have proved beyond cavil the discovery made, by their father as one of'the richest gold mines on the African Continent. Tho Barberton Sheba is a mild sort of infant in comparison with the Damara Mine, which is situated just 30 miles from Walwioh Bay, at a place called Hyconschap, on the Zyakop river. This is the first time this story has been told in 'a public way, but it is .known to a few leading men in Capetown - including Mr Ohlason, the brewer—who are eagerly straining hopeful eyes in the direction of Walwioh Bay,”

The report of the Disposal of the Rubbish Committee, recommending the erection of a three-cell Destructor as soon as practicable, which was submitted to the City Council at the last ordinary meeting of the Council, was to be considered at the meeting of the Council last night. A dance was held at the Volunteer Drillshed on Monday night under the auspices of the Garrison Band. There was a very good attendance, about 150 persons being present Excellent music was supplied by the Gar. rison Band, under Bandmaster Cemino. The proceeds were in aid of the instrument fund.

The Borough Council of Greymouth are considering the advisableness of raising a loan of £30,000 for town improvements, the principal item being a water supply scheme to cost £15,000. At present Greymouth is worse off for water for domestic, purposes than almost any town in the colonies. Councillor Coombe was to move at the meeting of tho City Council last evening, “That tenders be called for two chains of drain in Brougham-street.” Councillor Petherick also was to move, “That the resolution of the 28th January, 18S3, not to collect the rates on the Drillshed, be rescinded.”

The Hon the Minister for Public Works left Wellington for Nelson yesterday evening, whence he goes overland to port and Greymouth. Mr Mitchel* son went to inspect the Westport and Grevmouth harbors, a proposal having been before Cabinet that the Government should take them over. Mr Reeves, M.H.R. for Inangahua, and Mr Blackett, Engineer-in-Chief, accompanied Mr MitchelSOD.

j We haVe to chroniole the arrival of some interesting and valuable little strangers on our shores in the shape of a nest of humble bees, courteously forwarded to the W ellington Acclimatisation Society by Mr Farr, the hon secretary of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. At Mr Travers’ suggestion these little insects have been placed in a quiet nook adjoining a large area of red clover, where it is to bo hoped they will soon hatch out and help to fertilise the clover and other useful plants iu the North Islaud.

Mr T. Hamer, the Unrler-Secretary for Mines, has received a private letter from Mr Brooke-Smith, tho agent for the engineers from whom the large dredger was ordered by the Okarito Gold' Mining Company some time ago. In it Mr Brook-Smith states tnat the plant, which is a splendid one, has been completed and shipped aboard the Rimutaka, which is due here about the end of this month. Mr Brook-Smith lias taken passage in the Rimutaka and comes out to direct the erection of the dredger on the Okarito Beach, below Hokitika.

The Forest Department have received a telegram from the Ranger in charge of the Puhipuhi Bush, which is a State forest situate on the road from Whangarei to the Bay of Islands, in which he says that the fire which has been raging in the bush for about a week is still unextinguished. He also says that the wind is unfavorable, and unless it changes, or rain sets in, the destruction will be very great. The origin of this fire is unknown, but the great danger.which has to he feared with regard to tbe raising of these fires is from the gumfields. Gumdiggers start fires in a most irresponsible way to clear ground for digging, and never heed the destruction to valuable forests that -may ensue.

Further particulars have been received by Inspector Thomson from Constable Cullinane, of Pahiatua, in connection with the sudden death of the man John Doran. It appears that the deceased left the township in company with four friends on the sth instant for the purpose of firing a quantity of felled bush, and about 2 p.m. the deceased fell dead while tramping through the bu3h. His mates made a stretcher and attempted to carry the body away, but as the bush was on fire all round them they were compelled to leave the body. They, however, managed to deposit it in a dear plaoe, and it is probable that the fire did not reach it. The party were also obliged to leave their horses behind them. A search party i 3 to be organised to look for the body, and if. it is recovered a post mortem examination will be held. The deceased, who was a single man, owned a store at Pahiatua. The police have taken possession of his belongings, and have informed the Publio Trustee of the matter.

The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday afternoon. There were present Rev H. Van Staveron, Messrs Edwards, Daukn, B. Smith and Allen. The Secretary stated that a man to whom rations had been granted had refused them. Rations were granted to a man who had formerly •been in tho police force, on the understanding that he worked the cost oat. The case of an old man who had been a resident of. Greytown for about thirty years was considered. The Trustees had offered to pay his passage back to Greytown, but he declined the offer. It was stated that he was having a number of circulars printed, and was going to sell them in the streets at a penny a piece. The Trust decided to take no further action in the matter. It was decided to prosecute a man who was receiving aid for his family, and who declined to work the cost out. Several cases were taken off the books, and the list of those at the boardinghouse was reduced by two. A woman who had previously been helped by the Trustees, and had gone to Nelson, from which place she had returned, asked to be assisted. The Trustees declined to deal with the case. The passage of a man and his wifo to Lyttelton, and of a man to Napier, were granted.. A number of other cases were dealt with. The Treasurer (Mr Powles) reported that he had received a Gazette notice, statiug that aero 1041 had ben vested m the Trust, Accounts amounting to about £124 were passed for payment, and the Trustees adjourned.

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It was Btated at the meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees on Tuesday by the Relieving Officer (Mr A. G, Johnson) thatMrs Costello, one of the sufferers by the recent fire, had applied to him for assistance on the morning after the fire. He informed the Trustees that he had advanced a sum of money but of the fund which the Society had in hand to her credit. The action was of course approved. It seems that a few years ago Mrs Costello’s husband was drowned inEvansßay, and a sum of money was then subscribed for her by some of her late husband’s friends. Mrs Costello, it may be mentioned, lost nearly the whole of her household effects, and consequently her loss (being a poor woman with a considerable family) is a very heavy one. News has been received by the San Francisco mail that Mr F. W. Fraukland, Government Actuary, and Mr D’Arcy Irvine, Inspector of Insurance Agents, have been elected Fellows of the Statistical Society of England, of which body, it will be remembered, Mr D. M. Luokie, the General Manager of the Insurance Department, was similarly elected a Fellow two or three years ago. Mr Frankland is now on his way back to Wellington, via Melbourne, by the Orient steamer Austral. We understand that he had some very tempting offers to remain at Home, but deemed himself bound in honor to remain in the service of the New Zealand Government. He has been doing some valuable work for the Insurance Department during his English visit. According to the verbal report of MajorGeneral Schaw, 0.8., who, with tho Hon the Minister for Defence, paid an official visit to the fortifications on Monday afternoon, our defence scheme is far too costly and elaborate, and it is his opinion that a more simple and inexpensive scheme would be quite as efficient. It is the intention of the Government to have all unfinished defence works at once completed, so as to do away with the cost of supervision of such works. General Schaw also laid stress on the fact that our guns, which are of an advanced pattern, should be under the management of experienced men, and suggested that a couple of non-commissioned officers might be brought from home as instructors. The Defence Minister participated in this view to the extent of writing to the AgentGeneral to ask him to report on the matter. Another suggestion of General Schaw’s was that the electric light; at Fort Gordon should be placed at a lower elevation, when its rays would sweep a wider radius. This will be done accordingly. The following was the report of the Public Works Committee to be presented at the meeting of the City Council last evening :—The Committee beg to recommend—1. That the work at Mein-street, asked for by Mr E. J. Hill, be not done. 2. That the request for a drain at Hall-street be not acceded to. 3. That the application of the Wellington Gas Company for a supply of water at 4d per 1000 gallons, to fill their new gas-holders, be not acceded to, the by-law on the subject providing that water may only be supplied at that rate for ' motive power. 4. That the request of the Railway Department for a reduction in-the price of the water supplied for rise at the Wellington Railway Station be not acceded to. 5. That the footpath at the property of Mr Pritchard, Hall-street, be formed to its full width; and the same at the properties of Messrs John Weeber, John Smyth, R. Cheer, andT. Kennedy Macdonald, Adelaideroad. 6. That notice to fence be served on the undermentioned persons : —Messrs Waddell, McLeod, and Weir, Waring Taylor, street, Ballance-street, and Featherstonstreet; Messrs Halley and Ewing, Courtenayplace ; Messrs Stewart and Co., Courtenayplace. 7. That consent be given to Messrs Grace and Greenfield, proprietors of the Wellington City Tramways, for leave to run carriages of a width not exceeding 7i feet, in terms of section 23 of the Public Works Acts Amendment Act, 1887. 8. That a Committee, consisting of Councillors Smith, Williams, A. Young, and J. Young be appointed to take into consideration the question of a re-division of the wards of the city. 9. That accounts amounting to £363 12s 7<l be passed for payment. The annual meeting of St John’s parishioners was held in St John's Schoolroom Tuesday night. There was a large attendance, and Rev J. Paterson occupied the chair. The annual report was read. It stated that the congregation had fully maintained its former position. In membership and revenue there was a slight increase, and there was a corresponding inorease in the attendances at the SabbathTservices. The number on the communion roll wa3 416, showing an increase of 34 on last year. The report also mentioned that the communion was dispensed quarterly, aud on each occasion about 260 took their seats at the Lord’s table. It also stated that the best thanks of the congregation were due to Mr England and those associated with him in the choir for their earnest efforts to improve the psalmody of the Church. With regard to the finances the ordinary Sunday collections amounted to £7OO 14s 6d, whioh showed an increase of £49 on last year. The seat rent was £536 17s, showing an increase of £l3 15s. Tha special collections amounted to £149 03 9d„ the total revenue being £1547 12s 6d. The report also refers to the Ladies’ Visiting Society which had been formed, and sympathy was expressed with its objects ; to the Bible class ; the Literary Society, which had been revived ; the anniversary service?, the weekly prayer meetings and matters in connection with the session. The balance-sheet was also read, and on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr J. Mackay, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Votes of thanks were passed to the Secretary and Treasurer. The report of the Sunday School, which showed au increase in the attendance, and the Band of Hope, both of which were of a very satisfactory nature, were read and adopted. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to the. chair. The following were elected as the Committee for the ensuing year 1 — “Messrs J. R. Blair, R. Gardner, D. S. Gray, Jno. Grubb, R. Greenfield, Robert Hannah, Jno. Kirkcaldie, Alex. Macdouga’.l, Joseph Mackay, J. H. Pope, D. Pryde, W. S. Reid, Thos. W T arnock, Geo. Wilson, and Thoa. Whitehouse.” Daring the evening refreshments were banded rqund to the con* gregation.

Tne annual general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is to be held on Monday next, at 3 p.m. It is reported that an attempt will shortly be made to establish a Lager Beer brewery in this Colony. Yesterday week’s train brought from Masterton over a thousand sheep for freezing purposes. The woman Mrs Maskery, who was admitted to the Hospital last Friday, suffering from the effects of an overdose of chlorodyne, was discharged from the institution on Tuesday. The Merchant’s and Planter’s Gazette, published at Fort Louis, Mauritius, on January 5, contains an obituary notice of the late Hon. Wi Tako Ngatata, M.L.C. taken from the New Zealand Mail. We understand that a number of residents in Boulcott-street are about to apply to the Resident Magistrate for an injunction to eject certain questionable characters who reside in the locality, and whom, they allege, are an intolerable nuisance. At the Press banquet lately given by the proprietors of the Evening News in Sydney, the only journals represented from New Zealand were the Auckland Star and a defunct paper called The Newton Echo (Auckland). Owing to the strong advances in the price of galvanised iron at Home, Messrs W. Dawson and Co., E. W. Mills and Co., and John Duthie and Co. notify that their prices for 26-gauge galvanised corrugated iron is now £2O per ton, 5 to S feet size. “Did not the sight of she boundless blue sea, bearing on its bosom white-winged fleets of commerce, fill you with emotion.” “Yes,” replied the traveller, “at first it did; but after a while it didn’t fill me with anything. It sorter emptied me.” At breakfast he began to play with the cruet-stand. I told him not to do it. He persisted, and at last upset it and spilled the red pepper on the table cloth. I said, "Now, Allen, you were disobedient and upset the pepper-castor, and I should make the punishment fit the crime by putting some of the red pepper on your tongue.” He looked up like a flash, and asked, “Would the punishment be the same, papa, if I upset the Bugar bowl?” The Official Assignee has accepted the tender of Mr James Smith, of Te Aro House, of £3473 for the purchase of the stock and furniture of Mr A. G. Price’s estate, valued at £7646 14e 3d, of which £276 6s 6d- is for furniture. The other tenders received were: F. D, Woodroffe (Auckland), stock only, 8s 7Jd in the £—£3lß4 3s : Assets Realisation Co., perH. Wallis, stock and furniture, £3106; C. Smith, stock only, £3030; G. Flyger (Wanganui), stock only, 7s 3d in the £ — £2659 103 6d ; Joseph Jamieson, stock only, 5s 3d in the £ -£1947 11s 9<L