TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 872, 16 November 1888, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Matthew Arnold Memorial Fund has now nearly reached the sum of £SOOO. This amount will suffice, after providing the memorial in the Abbey, to secure to Mrs Arnold a modest competence ; but it will hardly leave much balance for the proposed M.atthew Arnold Scholarship or Lectureship at Oxford.

It was decided at the weekly meeting of the Catholic Institute, which was held last night week, to form an elocution clasain connection therewith, and those interested in the matter met last Tuesday evening,,, The meeting last evening week was takisa up with the election of a mayor, and the speeches of the several candidates caused immense amusement. The programme sketched out fornext meeting consists of miscellaneous readings, recitations, &o. Last night week about 8 p.m. a fire was discovered in a nine-roomed house next to the Terrace Gaol, and occupied by Mr J. Graves. A neighbour observed [smoke issuing from an upstairs window, and Miss Luca-', who with two children were the only occupants, were quickly aroused, Mr and Mrs Graves being absent at the time. The Brigade turned out smartly, and on proceeding to the spot found that the fire had broken, out iu the room in which Miss Lucas .aud the children slept. The fire was soon extinguished, and little damage was .dona except to the ceiling of the room and the; wall paper of a passage. It is unknown how tho fire originated, but it is suggested that some sparks from burning gorse in the Vicinity might have been carried by thei'Siwihd through the window into the-room. The house is owned by Mr: John Plimmer, and is uninsured. There is no insurahce on tho furniture. -*!■'

In consequence of the inclement state' of the weather last Friday the annual Orange picnic, whioh was to have taken place at the Hutt, was postponed. The gathering will now be held on New Year’s Day,' and it is probable that a marine - excursion will take the place of tho picnic in the country. The tea meeting and entertainment in connection with the gathering was held at the Foresters’ Hall last Friday night, and was very successful. About 160 persons sat down to an excellent tea, provided by Mr E. Godber, and presided over by the members of the Female Orange Lodge. After the tea a concert was held, in which the following ladies and gentlemen took part: Mrs Miller, Misses Crisp and Biggs, Messrs Fricker, Frost, Durnett, and Masters Rash and Beeddell. Mr E. J,. King presided at the piano. Addresses were delivered dnriDg the evening by the District Master (Bro A. Crowe), Mr Lewis and Rev J. K.. Elliott. The concert was followed by a dance, which was kept up . with some spirit for seyeral hours. Before the tea-meetiug the members of the various lodges assembled at the lodgeroom, York-street, and marched in procession to the Foresters’ Hall, headed by the Orange Band under Bandmaster King. . The band appeared for the first time in their new uniforms, and they presented a very smart appearance.

The invention of L. E. Thomas; of Berwyn, Wandsworth Common, London, -for “ improvements in and connected with the manufacture of steel or ingot iron, and in tiie linings for the converter or furnaces by which steel manufacture in to be carried out,” formed the subject of an exhibition and trial yesterday week at the works of Mr J. E. Hayes, Lambton-quay. The main feature of the improvement consists in ; tha lining of the converter with a basic material, such as highly shrunk limestone, coarsely ground and brought into a plastic condition with hot water, the tar being burnt out when the lining is complete. The iron is melted in the converter thus treated, with the addition of well burnt lime, by which phosphorous and other impurities are eliminated from the iron, the proper degree of purity being ascertained by certain tests. When this point has been reached, a quantity of ferro-manganese sufficient to give the required amount of carbon to the steel is added, and the conversion being now complete, the metal is ready for pouring into moulds, &o. Mr McDuff-Boyd, assisted by his pupils and friends, gave his seoond orchestral concert at St John's Schoolroom last night week. The conoert was a most successful one musically, and was greatly enjoyed by a very appreciative audience. The well-selected programme was a 3 follows Andante, menu* etto and trio from 3rd symphony (HaydD) ; duet, “Maying” (Alice Mary Smith), .Mrs Boyd and Miss Newton ;\ violin solo, ,sth air varie (De Beriot), Master E. Maginnity (encored); cavatina “ Come rugiada,” j“ Ernani” (Verdi), Signor Carmini Morley (encored) ; mennetto and trio, Masters Algar Williams, Parker, Galagher Misses Ila Williams and Nannie Parker (Danola) ; gavotte, • ‘ Lieb aennehen ” (Andre), orchestra ; • overture, ‘ * Semiramide ” (Rossini); song, “Speed the sail” (Henry Smart), Miss Newton (encored); romance in F, violin and piano, (Beethoven), Messrs E. Anderson and J. Maginnity, jun (encored) ; song, “When the tide comes in ” (Millard), Mrs Mac Duff Boyd; sonata, violin and piano (Mozart), Messrs MacDnff Boyd and J. Maginnity (encored); orchestral selection, (a) Glucksengel (Giese), (b) Marche Jndienne (La Thiere). The orchestra was a strong one, composed chiefly of Mr Boyd’s pupils, and the orchestral items were well given. The solo playing also was a feature of the concert, and Mr Boyd is to be congratulated on tie proficiency of his pupils in every department. Mr J. Maginnity, jun., was accompanist at the piano throughout the conoert. Signor Carmini Morley , was in fine voice, and sang Verdi’s beautiful air in his usual expresaivo and artistic manner. • 1 ' : WELLS’ HAIR BALSAM. If gray, restores to original color. An elegant dressing, softens and beautifies. No oil nor grease. A Tonic Restorative. Stops hair coming out; strengthens, cleanses,- heals scalp. ~ SKINNY . MEN. " Wells’ Health Renewer ’’ restores health and vigor, cures Dyspepsia, Impotence, Sexnal Debility. At chemists and druggists. 1 Kempthorne. Prosser & Co., Agts., Wellin^an,

The Fire Brigades’ demonstration at Palmerston North last Friday passed off very successfully. About 500 visitors witnessed the events.''-’ Last Friday His Royal Highness the Prince of,Wales completed the 47th year of his age and entered upon his 48th year, having been born on th? 9th November, 1841. The London correspondent of the Otago Daily Times says -.-“ The specimens of gold quartz from Jaokson’a Head are now on view at the New Zealand Antimony Company’s offices, and are attracting a large amount of attention. ; I understand that they will shortly be exhibited on the Stook Exchange, and will afterward be deposited in the British Museum.” A horrible story is related by the Cologne Gazette, whioh states that the Royal Procurator visited a detached farmhouse near Oberesch, in the Sa&rlouis district, to which bis attention had been called by the police. He explored the premises, and found in a cupboard or cellar, which was in total darkness,- and from which emanated a suffocating stenoh, a half-naked woman of about thirty - six years of age, who was ohained by one leg to the wall of the cell. Four years this wretched creature has been confined io this abominable and pestilential .hole, in the coarse of whioh period, it is stated, she has been confined of a child. Her mother and two brothers have been arrested.

A Parliamentary Paper has been issued ' containing a return of all ships ordered by the Board of Trade, England, or its officers, to be provisionally detained as unsafe, in pursuance, of the provisions 39th and 4Qth Victoria, chapter 80, section 6 and 13, from July 1, 1887, to June 30, 18S8, giving the names of the owners of those ships which have been dismantled, broken up, or converted into bulks, &c. The return shows that the total number of ships found unsafe from alleged defects on hull, equipments, or machinery,' was 21. The total number of cases of overloading or improper loading was 53. It would be well if the Board of Trade’s action was: emulated by tke authorities in the Australian colonies, where more than 21 floating coffins probably would be found. Following upon Manchester the “ Brummagims ” are going in for shipping. By the last mail we learn that an influential meeting was recently held in Birmingham to consider a proposal for the construction of a canal for coasting vessels between Birmingham and the Weaver Navigation in Cheshire. A sub-committee was then appointed to examine the projeot, and they have now reported favourably as to its practicability and the prospect of its construction, the acquisition of land, and waiter rights, &0., at a reasonable cost." A guarantee fund to “ defray the expenses' of a" Retailed survey, and of the preliminary steps for an application'to,'Parliament is'to be opened. The'prcqecst fa regarded in th e Black Coqufry \yitb nfoc.h favour. The Anglican community of Dunedin (th? Qtagq Daily TpbP 3 declares must feel a jittle of itself upon finding that it appears in the English papers through its Bishop as a beggar for British charity. Our contemporary adds : —“ Moreover, it may be taken for granted that Dr Nevili’a ad misericordiam'appeal will fall on deaf ears and close purses, that to the insult of the appeal will not be added the injury of having to receive any large contribution from the charitably disposed of - the ' Mother " Country. . But nevertheless the appeal is lowering to the of fllis cqtnniiin'ity, and qt a tiqie - when the GQ.ip.ny is "already in’bad repute at Home jt ia\peculiarly unfortunate that the Bi'sjiop should take action which tends tq confircp the impression thqt New Zealand is in a very depressed condition.”' : A rival tq the phonograph has appeared A (gays an English paper qf recent date) and is now in operation at the temporary offices of the Tainfer Graphopbone Company, 10 Hatton garden, London, The new instrument is fixed on a stand, and is : worked by a treadle in a similar way to a sewing machine. A hollow rotating cylinder of black wax, varying from 3in ■- to Gin in length and about lin diameter, is placed on a simple revolving apparatus. To this is applied the point of an engraving needle or catting stylus, fixed ou a mica disc, which receives the voice through a speaking tube and records the pitch and timbre. Reproduction is effected through the medium of a small and sensitive receiver attached to ear tabes. The process of receiving can be checked at will, and words imperfectly caught can be repeated. In tests made recently the reproduction of the voice of speakers • was r clear ‘ and, "exact, whether' given ‘in'""and,'" bat "as dictation' of "buslnfess letters/as song,"'recitation," dr imitation " of. birds "and animals. ' The practical use of: the invention' When brought into" Commercial opbratioiUT will ’be as- a idbstithta fdi'thd services of stenography jn point bP acCurafcy add "speed. ' jfhp jqstiqfneht, it elaiiped, vyill record about a thousand words in snain on the cylinder, wliich can ho sent in a box by post to any part of the United [Kingdom, and which will, on being applied to the receiving apparatus, evolve the message in the tones ", ...of the narrator. Practically, therefore, the machine does the work of Edison’s electrical phonograph. Mr Tainter claims to. ijavc succeeded with a preparation- of Obx'JtmWß> Mr Edison topkvup 'Wat' form, «v •< ■<

A man named William Heaphy was killed while bush-felling last Friday at Hateombe. He leaves a wife and family. The Napier News says that the wool clip of Hawkes Bay this season will prove fully 30 per cent larger than the clip of last year. The unpleasantness of the weather last Friday caused traffic on the railway lines to be very much less than usual. On the Manawatu line a good number of people went through by the morning train to Palmerston North, and on the Government railway there were also a large number of through passengers. The usual holiday resorts in both directions, however, were very poorlypatronisefl. Panatahanui on Friday night an entertainment was given by the local brass band in aid of Mr Robert Paul, who is in the Hospital. The entertainment, which took place in the sohoolhouse, was well attended and went off capitally, and was very creditable to the management of Mr J. Smith. The Pauatahanui Brans Band, under Mr F, Brady, jun., the bandmaster, made their first appearance on this occasion, and created a very favourable impression.

Would-be holiday-makers experienced a disappointment last Friday, for the day broke in most unpleasant weather. A biting southerly wind blew, accompanied by occasional gusty showers of rain during the morning, and although things looked better in the afternoon the day was manifestly one for indoor instead of outdoor recreation. In consequence, pionics and other amusements, which had beeu arranged for, had to be postponed.

A ooncert in aid of the Town Clook Fund was given at the Athenaeum Hall last Friday night. The attendance was small, but the audience were most enthusiastic throughout and encores were very frequent. Songs were contributed by Mesdames Snaddon and Jones and by Miss Russell, and Mrs F. C. Millar gave a capital Scotch recitation. Songs were also given by Messrs Marohaut, Fitz, Frioker and Morgan, two recitations by Mr Petheriob, and a couple of flageolet solos by Mr Fowler. Mrs hjoson presided at the piano. Notwithstanding the inclement weather on Friday, there was a large number of visitors to the Presbyterian bazaar held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Pitone. The proceedings were opened by the Rev T. Ogg, who, in a brief speech, explained the object of the bazaar. The hall was most tastefully deed rated, presenting a very pleasing'appearance. Six stalls were erected, and apparently/did a very good "business during the day." The s'tqUholders were —Christmas trqe stall, Misq King, Mrs Wallace ; 2t»’d, stall, MescHmei McDonald, G.rant, Lp'tter, Horne, Miss Morgan • refreshment, stall, Mesdaijiea' Finqn, Frnqer • fjowe’r s%U,‘Misses P,pjlar ; sth'stall, MescUqies Cook, Miller, fylcWhirte’r ; 6th "ataV, Mesdames Graham, McGowan, Jansen. It will bo remembered that about a fortnight ago a cable message appeared in our columns to the effect that a life-buoy had been picked up on the South Coast of Africa whioh bore the name "Trevelyan.” From this it was supposed to have belonged, to the barque ot that name, Round from Glasgow to Dunedin." We learn from a cable message" id a Melbourne paper, dated Loaded, October &Hb., that there w.as an inscription attached "to the buoy, stating that the barque foundered at sea ip ’June last, and that 100 persons yjere lost. There is eyidontly some mjatake over these figures, as the TreVejyan had qot more than tv;o passengers O.n b.oqrd, and with the officers and crew there could nut he more than 30 souls on hoapd. A very sudden death occurred in town last Friday night. Mis 3 Costello (a young lady, cf Palmerston North) was cm a visit to Mr and Mys R. Hannah, of this oity, and was apparently in the best of health. She retired to rest on Friday evening, sharing a room with a sister of Mrs Hannah, At an early hour on Satui day morning she sud denly called out that she was suffering great pain. The house being aroused, the usual domestic remedies were applied, Mr Hannah in the meanwhile fetching Dr Collins. But before the medical man could arrive the unfortunate young lady had breathed her last. It appears that she was attended sometime ago by Dr Porter, of Palmerston North, who discovered that she was suffering from heart disease. The deceased ydung ljfily was 24 years of age. Her "sudden death lias been a[ great bloWto Mb and' Mrs’ Hannah, and, we’ learn from a correspondent in Falmejtsto.n that ijuito'a gloom ; was cast over, that tpwn when the sad'newS was received,.’ ) The forty hours’ A.doratio;u of- tRa Blessed Sacrament,' which" hus. b,eeq ordered in all Roman Catholic' churches in the Wellington diocese', was oommenood at St Joseph’s Church, Buckle-street, on Sunday morning with a solemn high mass at 9.30 a.m., and was continued till Tuesday morning. Mass was celebrated by the Very . Rev Dr Watters, assisted by the Rev Fathers Braxmier (deacon) and Hickson (sub.deacon). An eloquent and impressive was"' preached by the Rev Father 33evoy tbe* text "Of a. truthTh«S Lord' is in his place/’ 28fcbchapter Genesis, iGth verso.' TheAßev Father Goggairaoted as master of ceremonies. The choir, under' the eonductorship Of Mr Hi G. Holcroft, sang Farmer’s mass in B flat', and at the offertory .the bass sold and cjiorviO " lUolina ad rhe,”"Mr Henderqoil taking tbife soldi l Mr -W. ißry.mo.nd, ' Organist; of • the Church os. S,t-Ma?y of- thd Angels, presided atithe organ;' The high 1 altar and sanctuary werb beautifully decorated in a moat tasteful manner, being a mass* of ferns; kad, lights, arranged on 1 a white background,- Dfo 1 whole having heeu seldom excolled in Wellington for beauty." The’deodratibns wp;o. under th'e direction'of the Rev Father Goggan, asbist'dd b‘y a 'number of the College bdys/ the 1 flowers and candles having been contributed by the ladies of the parish.

The Medical Superintendent of the Lunatio Asylum bogs to aoknowledga with thanks receipt of lie from two friends for the recreation fund. Judgment was given by his Honour Mr Justice Richmond on Monday in the case Apiata te Parehinia and others v Seymour and others. Judgment went for the defendants. The Tararua mountains, as seen up the Hutt Valley, were covered low down with snow on Monday, as deeply in fact as all through the winter, and presented a beautiful spectacle from Wellington in the bright sunshine. From Friday last until Monday the rainfall was recorded at the Museum as 4'23 inches. The record for each day was as follows :—Friday, ‘7O inches ; Saturday, •83 inches j Sunday, 2 - 65 inches ; Monday, •05 inches. The Commissioners of the Melbourne Exhibition are reminding proposing wool exhibitors at tho special January show that it is now time to make the selection of fleeces and to send in their applications for space. The impression that exhibitors have to incur any expense for show oases is erroneous, as the Commission will provide these. The Government of Great Britain has had the telegraph lines under its control for 15 years, and, during that time, has succeeded in aohieving & dead loss of £3,024,900 —that is to say, the revenue has been that much less than working expenses and 3 per cent, on the capital paid for their purchase —another illustration of the faot that the State cannot carry on any commercial enterprise with financial success !

By the train on Monday night on the Manawatu line a girl named Margaret Norah Hear. ley, agedl2 years, wasbrougiitdownfromPalmerstrm North in charge of Constable Thoreau, being committed tq the Lunatic Asylum on the eertificSifcp of Drs Porter and Mclntyre. Thq same constable alßo brought down Chari® 3 Henry, sa( jdler, of Feilding, who has been committed for trial on a charge of fraudulent bankruptcy. It was suggested by the two English firms who tendered for the Post Office oloqk that a large bell should be preoured for;, striking the hour, in addition to. fjhe chime of bells. The cost of this bpjl would be about £2OO. The J Committee of the Harbour Board apd City Counoil, appointed in connection urith the matter, haye decided to, have the same bells as in the ojd clock; bqt if tho citizens desire to, haye the new bejl they can procure it by qußyqribing the. anjouut of its cost.

w Captain Stephens, master of the schooner Lizzie Guy, who was drowned on Satqrday last when the vessel was wrecked oq tho East Coast near White Rock station, bad about 10 or 11 years ago a narrow escape with hi 9 life. He was at that time master of a small coasting vessel, tho Sarah and Mary, which was wrecked at sea. S,ha floated bottom upward, however and the captain managed to get on top, where he held out for two days, lib was picked up by Captain RennoV, of the Bauuah Barratt, much; exhausted. Councillor Broivn at tho meeting of the Hutt County Council ou Tuesday brought up the matter of the nuisance cau,sed by tho Elaughtcryards in the. vicinity of Wellington, and more partieularly those, which are located botiyeeu RaiwUara and Ngauranga, and th e smells from whioh he said were a xnost disgusting nuisance to the travellers on th,e ffutt-road. He thought decisive aotion shoqld bo taken at oaoa in tho matter, and with that end iu view proposed that the Inspector (Mr Dimant) should give notice that the npisauQo bo abated forthwith, and if his order was not complied with that he sh aid take steps to enforce it. Several other Councillors endorsed Councillor Brown’s Opinions. Councillor Wakeham seconded the resolution, which was carried lyiaui" mously. The condition of Tiorndon baths would appear tp indicate that unless something is dpne very speedily the facilities for sea bathing this summer will be very small indeed. Recent heavy gales have completed the destruction that lias beeu going on for some time in that vicinity, and of the outer fences of the baths hardly a siiiek; is left standing. As it wa«, hqivqyer, this baths did not allow of. a lpngsWim, excap,t at liigb tide, and others cpiild' ij.o.w bp erected which w 9 ii Iff be mu,ch hot ter, and would, no, dou,bt, be yery well patronised. It i,s to. lip honed that; steps will be taken with the least possible delay to, proy!dp the city with what it b,as l,b.ng wanted—good saltwater baths. 83 The facilities offered by T„ Cook and Sons’ Tourist System are now about to be placed within the reach of New Zealanders who may wish to take a trip to the Old Country or to any other part of tho world. The firm has established a branch' offioe in Auckland and agencies in all the chief towaji <if the Colony. We are asked fo, correct the mistaken idea that pec.plo avdiliug themselves oE Cook’q Tours dre - ' obliged to travel in naiuhei'k. Sihgle tickets are issued to any pai-tdof' the world, and tho passenger can algo b'a provided -with a book of bote 1 , coupon:!, which, while giving him in, oaoh town'a large’choice'of com.foDiaMlo houses, fixes the rate of payment.'"' Travellers. are not bound, down‘fei any particular route, but cjya have theif ticket "varied at’ any of.- the firm’s agencies', which ate to be found.everywkete. Mr Charles St. Barbo, of 52, Lambton-quay, has been apppintqcl, agent for Thos'. Cook and. Sons in Wellington, imd he hopes to cbtUDgeupp business 1 by the end, of, the yjeek, * ' ' Monsieur Taine on the.Bea.uti;' of, lishLadies. —The point whioh' seems particularly't.o 'have impressed, itself upon the mind of this brilliant" French writer, with regpeot to *.English beauties,’ is the ‘ dazzling purity, of their complexious.’ Doubtless, nature has richly endowed our countrywomen in this respect, but art has done no leas, in supplying such an exquisite prepara, tion as Row-lands' Kalydor, whioh so far aids nature as to remove freoliles, tan, sunburn, prickly heat, redness and roughness of the skin, produces a pure and delicate complexion, and h a most soothing and purifying effect on ttie skin during the heat and dust of summer or cold and damp of winter. Ask chemists for Rowlands’ Kalydor.

fflWe have received from Mr G. G. Mills, of this city, a copy of “ Rescue Records,” being a brief summary of the Prison Gate Brigade, Rescued Sisters’ Homes and Samaritan Brigade work in Australasia, by the Salvation Army. A terrible gale was blowing a.ll day on Saturday at Palmerston North, accompanied by heavy rain. About six of the storekeepers in the Square had their windows blown in. No other damage is reported at present. The glass wa3 down to 29'5. The arrival of the San Francisco mail, which reached Auckland early on Saturday morning and was due here on Sunday evening, was delayed through stress of weather. The Wanaka did not reaoh New Plymouth till 2.15 p.in. ou Sunday, aDd continued her journey an hour later. She reached Wellington on Monday forenoon. A foreigner named Charles Brown, who was arroated at Napier on a charge of deserting his wife at Christchurch, was brought down from Napier by the steamer Rotomahana on Sunday. The prisoner was confined in the cells of the Central Police Station during tho night, and wn3 sent on to Christchurch on Monday. Sir Harry Atkinson returned from the South and Mr Fergus from Melbourne, via Southern ports, on Sunday afternoon by the steamer Takapuna. The same steamer brought back 93 return excursionists from the Christchurch races, and on the arrival of tho vessel alongside, the wharf was thronged with people, making quite au animated Beene. The Joint Committee appointed by the City Council and Harbour Board in connection with the Post Office clook met at noon on Saturday to open tenders for the clock. Only one tender was received, from Messrs Littlejohn and Son, and as the amount wag considered satisfactory it was decided, to accept it. The amount will not transpire until the contract has been sigjyqd.

Mr Justice Richmond, expressed an opinion during the Bitting oi the Bankruptcy Court on Monday that bankrupts did not require the servioeu ef a lawyer in the preliminary proceedings before the Official Assignee. So far as he could judge the attendance of a lawyer at meetings of creditors was quite superfluous, and ratjier tended to hinder business. Mb H- D. Bell asked whether that appßeff also to lawyers representing creditors. His Honour said that was another matter altogether, to whioh he did not refer. No, doubt oredifeors sometimes wanted legal advicio to assist them in tracing crime. But ho certainly did nob see how a bankrupt could need a lawyer except in exceptional cases.

Au interesting point in conjoootion with the bankruptcy law was ruisod and settled at the sitting of the Banfcruptoy Court ou Monday. When tho public examination of Brown and Rogers, (of Masterfcon) was called on, Mr Jelliejoe, who acted for the creditors, raised a question whether tho proceedings were regular, seeing that although there- were three persons in the (irm—A. M- Brown, W. Rogers, and Charles Nees - the petition in bankruptcy was only signed by Brown. This he submitted did not represent tho bank, ruptcy of the whole firm. His Honour Mr Justice Richmond, after hearing counsel on the point, said he could not see his way to proceeding with the matter, and nothing could be done. Several Wairarapa creditors were in attendance for the purposes of the bankruptcy, criminal charges having been formulated against the bankrupts. Tha peculiarity of the position is that the Official Assignee has realised on the estate, of- the firm.

A sitting of the Raqksmpbcy Court was hell on Monday, Refuse his Honour Mr Justice The bankruptcies were declared closed iu tho estates of William Wyli,9, R> Harlow, G. W. Whiteley, F. Ton.es, and T. Langdon. Costs were allowed to Mr Skerrott, debtor’s solicitor in Wylies estate, and au order was made for taxation of bankrupt’s solicitor’s costs i.a Gl Henry’s estate. An order of discharge was granted to R. G. Toulson, it. having been stated that Mr B. Blower,vrh’o,had: opposed, the previous application, had withdrawn, bis opposition, having,found that the bankrupt’s statements as to. his expectations from England were correct. His, Honour warned tho bankrupt to he. more careful about entering into com. mercial speculations in future, although he said that so far he had, perhaps, beeu more siuned against than sinning. The applications of Henry Weaver, John Martin, Robert}, Frocman, William Packard, and Thomas Langdon for discharges were adjourned, till next Bitting.

Tha rognlar monthly, mpeting of; tho Athemeum Committed.WA's hpld, on Tuesday. Preseut—-MesqrQ, Roup Marten (President), Tayloy (Secretary), Robertson (T reasurer )> Gruy, Elucagac, Evatt, Morris, and lunes. The business chiefly related to matters of routiue, but one matter which the President, brought before tho Committee elicited considerable discussion. The president stated that he was informed, by the Librarian that, systematic pjlfifing, was carried ou, and that the lediessropm, in particular was victimised, qprtain subscribers carrying a.wqy magazines, die., belonging to the institution. Re mentioned. in particular the. V Nineteenth. Century,” containing Mr. Gladstone’s article on “ Robert Eismpre,” for which; there had baea a groE,w. demand, but which had been pilrfoiped; almost immediately it, was laid on the table, to, the extreme annoyance oil the honest foeqpenters of the room. Similarly ttve last Young Ladies’ Journal ” was stolen, directly it was plaoed ou the tablp. Suspicion attached strongly to certain persons, and if deteoted, an example would bp mado of them, as it was most unfair tq the subscribers generally that they should suffer for the dishonesty of one or two. After some discussion a plan of operations was agreed upon, both for bringing to book the past offenders and for preventing a repetitiou of the offence, and the President and Secretary ware empowered to carry it out. The Committee thou vcao. ‘Keatings Powder,’ destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects, while quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you purchase is ‘Keating’s,’ as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. , Sold in tins, Gd, Is and 2s ‘id each, by all chemists

We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of a letter addressed to the New Zealand Herald and an article thereon respecting the Paris Exhibition, from Count Jouffray d’Abbans, Freuch Consul for New Zealand. Captain Bendall, surveyor to the Marine Underwriters’ Association, has chartered the steamer Mana to convey him to the wreck of the Lizzie Guy, and she left for the scene of the wreck at midnight on Tuesday. The Mararoa, which arrived at the Bluff on Tuesday from Melbourne, brought back 93 steerage passengers. From this it does not seem that marvellous Melbourne is sufficiently attractive to retain our colonists when each steamer is bringing back such, numbers.

Fifty years ago England had fifty-four mail coaches, with four horses attached to each, together with thirty in Ireland and ten in Scotland. Twenty-seven of these useful and much-admired vehicles left London every evening, and travelled collectively about 5500 miles before arriving at their several destinations. The Public Works Committee of the City Council have had under consideration a petition by the Rev R. Coffey and others praying the Council to prohibit bands from playing in the Basin Reserve on Sundays, and they were to report at the meeting of the Council last night that they are unable to make any recommendation in the matter. The report of a committee of experts appointed by the London Chamber of Commerce to examine tha results of the late experiments of tobacco growing in England is in the highest degree unfavourable, and offers no encouragement to a continuation of the experiment. The tobacco grown was of very poor quality. Councillor Harris was to move at the meeting of the City Counoil last night— That the Finance Committee be appointed to inquire into and report to this Council as to the manner in which aocounts for all Municipal expenditure are examined and certified to, before being laid before the Council for authorisation ; also as to the cheoks that are adopted for insuring the accuracy of those accounts. The hearing of the appeal against the decision of the Chief Justice in the celebrated Maori will case, Broughton v. Donnelly, was begun in the Appeal Court on Tuesday, before their Honours Judges Richmond, Williams, Gillies, and Ward. Mr Haggitt, with him Messrs H. D. Bell and Crawford, i were for the appellant (Broughton), and Mr i Harper, with him Messrs McLean and Chapman, for the respondent. Captain, Babot, marine superintendent of the .Shaw, Savill. and Albion Company, left on Wednesday for Napier, where he will make a thorough examination of the barque Langstone, and will ascertain whether it will be necessary to bring her to this port for repairs. The Langstone is a well-known trader to this Colony. She is an iron barque, 746 tons net register, owned by the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company. She was built at Sunderland in 1569 by W. Pile and Co. Captain J. Tonkin is in command of the Langstone. The Publio Works Committee of the City Council were to recommend at the meeting of the Council last night : Tha.t leave be given to the Oriental Boating Club to ereota boatshed on the foreshore at Oriental Bay, subject to the same conditions as to removal a 3 are imposed upon other owners of boatsheds in the same locality. That clause 12 of the Committee’s last report, referred back for further consideration, be confirmed as it stands. That the proposal to carry out the following works be not entertained at present:—(l) Asphalting half-width of footpath on east side of H Wellington-terrace, between Boulcott.street and Church-street ; (2) removing fence to boundary line on east side of Wellingtonterraco, from Woodward-street southward ; (3) asphalting Farish.street ; (4) kerblng, channeling, and forming footpath from Newtown Hotel to Newtown Park ; (5) channeling in Riddiford-street. That proceedings under clausa 301, M.C. Aet, be taken by the Inspector of Nuisances with reference to tha premises at the corner of Thorndon-quay and Sydney-street, and an unoccupied house in Queen-street owned, by Mr A. Debbie. That notice to repair the. fence at. the corner of Lipmau and . Marioribauks.-sireets be served upon the : agents for the owners of the property. That, the designation of the Disposal of Rubbish i Committee bo altered to Sanitary Committee. That accounts, amounting to £204. 5s Sd be passed for payment.