TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 886, 22 February 1889, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Messrs S. and W. Maokay advertise a new list of books.

The hearing of the case in which Alexander. Turbett was charged with having in his possession articles capable of being used as a still was concluded last Friday. The defendant was acquitted, and a report of the judgment will be found elsewhere. In consequence of a burst in the water pipes at Pitone on Thursday the Wainui water had to be shut; eff for some time. Duriug the last three weeks the water from the Karori reservoir had been turned off, and one theory to account for the impurity in tho water is that some of the water remaining iu these pipes must have iu some way got bad. A most satisfactory meeting of shareholders in the Mokihinui Coal Company was held yesterday week at Westport, at which it was decided to at once remove the office of the company to Wellington. The dredge and punts left Westport for Mokihinui on the same day, and operations have been commenced to dredge the Mokihinui river.

In the new by-law issued by tho Railway Commissioners respecting the regulations relative to railway refreshment rooms, clause 2 contains the following stipulation : “That tho lessee will not supply any spirituous or fermented liquors to any of the engine drivers, guards, porters, signalmen, clerks, labourers, or other servants employed in or about the railway.” Dr Kemp has certified that the Native Paiura te Rangikatahu (formerly mentioned as Kokoti) in connection with whose will representations were made to the police, died from natural causes. It is probable, we learn, that the legality of the will made just before his death will be disputed. It appears that the deceased made a will soma time ago, and the persons concerned in it are •xpected to endeavour to maintain it. The muster of Navals proceeding to camp on Saturday was a large one, 76 petty officers and men, under Captain Duncan with Lieutenants Hislop and Campbell, being on parade. Forty-two of the battery left the Railway Wharf by the Ellen Ballance, and 34 took the cutters from the boatshed. On arrival in camp the starboard and port watches were fallen in, and the former, under Captain Falconer aud his petty officers, started to work at once for submarine mining drill, and acquitted themselves with great credit. The port watch marched round to Fort Ballance, and, under the direction of. Major Messenger and his subordinates, spent the afternoon in gunnery. The camp is very’ snug, and the Navals are indebted to Captain Falconer and his corps for very many comforts. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Jacob Frankel, general dealer, was to have been held in the Official Assignee’s office yesterday week, but as there was not a quorum present, the meeting lapsed. Ihe debtor submitted a statement, setting forth that about 12 months ago he purchased a quautity of clo hing for £37. The goods turned out to be “rotten,” and the people who purchased them demanded theii money back, and ho had to give it to them. Beside this ho had to put up with insults and abuses of the people who crowded in front of his shop. Through this he had lost his best customers, and he estimated that his loss was more than £IOO. Before last Christmas he purchased some goods, as he thought he might take £3O or £4O, but he only took 30s or 40s. As he was nob doing any business and had heavy bills to meet, he was obliged to file.

Whatever is the cause of the impurities in the water supply, it is certain that that cause does not originate in either the Polhill Gully or Karori reservoirs. Last Friday, Councillor Moeller, accompanied by representativea of the local papers, paid a visit to these reservoirs, where the water was found to be perfectly clean and pure. In the Karori basin—lying as it does in a gully over* shadowed by the hills on each side—the water, viewed from a short distance, looks dark and unpleasant, but when it is closely inspected it is found to be as clear as water well can be. The whole place indeed is beautifully kept, and its orderly appearance reflects great credit on the caretaker. Samples taken from both reservoirs showed the water to be quite wholesome as regards taste, and absolutely free from impurity, there being no sediment when the liquor bad stood for some hours.

The regular monthly meeting of the Athenaeum Committee (postponed from Tuesday) was held last night week, the President (Mr C. Rous Morten) occupying the chair, and the following members of Committee being present ; —Messrs Richmond, Innes, Evatt, Flanagan, and Taylor (secretary). Various arrangements were made in reference to the cataloguing and issuing of the large consignment of new books just received, and the Library Committee was authorised to take any Deedful steps as to providing additional shelf-room. It was decided that the rules should be strictly enforced with regard to the time allowed for reading the new books, and that the fines prescribed by the rules should be inflicted when books were kept too long. The secretary announced that there were two vacancies on the committee, one being due to the resignation of Mr Tregear, and the other to Mr Robertson having accepted the office of treasurer, which carried with it an ex officio seat on the Committee. Mr A. A. Duncan was elected to fill one of the vacancies, the other being left open till next meeting. The President stated he had received letters of thanks from Admiral Fairfax and the officers of the Squadron for the use of the reading room during their stay in port, and from the New Zealand Institute for a like privilege having been extended to its membetn during their recent meeting in this city. The Committee then adjourned. "'BOUGH ON CATARRH" Corrects offensive odors nfc once. Complete euro of worst chronic cases ; also unequalled, as gargle lav diphtheria, sore throat, foul breath. ‘‘ROUGH ON PILES.” Why suffer Piles ? Immediate relief and com. plete euro guaranteed Agk for “Rough on Piles. Sure cui-o for itching, protruding, bleeding, or any form of Piles.

The Official Assignee (Mr Cl C. Graham) returned from his visit to Napier and Gisborne by the steamer Rotomdhana on Sunday.

Gti Monday Cohstable Seymour brought doivn from Palmerston North a settler named Hector Macdonald, who was committed to the asylum as a person of unsound mind.

Messrs J. Lysaght and Co., of this city, have received cable advices to the effect that galvanised corrugated iron has advanced 12s 6d per ton. The wages in the iron trade have advanced 2s 6d per ton, and freights 10s, making the extra 12s 6d since last rates. In the bankrupt estate of Thomas Henry, printer and compositor, the liabilities are set down at £277 18s Sd, and the assets (made up of book debts and furniture) at £7O, the deficiency being £207 18s Sd. All the creditors are unsecured.

The promoters of the Wellington and Intercolonial Dog Show are sparing no pains to make the affair a thorough success, Offers of support and exhibits are being received from all parts of the Colony as well as from Aqstralia, The prise list will be a substantial one, and will be sure to attract a large number of valuable exhibits. The lecture on “ Drawing ” in St. John’s Schoolroom on Saturday morning was a great success, the room being orowded. The Minister of Education was present. The whole of the pupil teachers of the looal aohools were present (their attendance being compulsory). Mr A, D. Riley delivered a most oomprehensive lecture, full of detail. The next lecture takes place on Saturday next

A fire broke out at noon on Monday in a washhouse at the rear of Mr F. W, Frankland’s house in Tinakori-road. By the exertions of Constable Oarroll and several residents in the neighbourhood the Sre was extinguished before the Fire Brigade arrived on the soene. The damage done was not very large. It appears that the outbreak was due to some burning coals which had been placed in an aehbin smouldering until the woodwork took fire.

A meeting of master plumbers was held in the Exchange Buildings. Monday night, Mr T. Ballinger presiding. The report of the committee, appointed to draw up ru,les, &c.., for the Association was presented and adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : —President, Mr T, Ballinger $ Vice-president, Mr John Danks ; Secretary, Mr C. Remington ; Treasurer, Mr J. Adams ; Committee, Messrs Foothead, T- Beaumont, Hayes, Cowan, and Nicholl ; Auditors, W, Ballinger and C. R. Beaumont,

Tho moat of the grain and hay crops in the distriot (says the Dunstan Times) are better and heavier than for years past, and with promised high prices our farmers are in for a good time. At Springvale, on the Clyde, to Blaoks-road, some oats are equal to anything in the whole county, and look fully oqual to 60 bushels to the acre with about a 4ft straw. Tho wheat, of which there is a good area in Blacks and Ida Valley districts, promises to be .better than for many years past. The late seasonable rajgs have also given the turnip and rqo.t a goo'd forward start. ' The. horse show to be held) at the Hu.tt at the, 'close <>£ the Saturday, wms % «*** 1 pf' Hhtt - aeal geleqtiqn gf now. A prizes for the - ” bought, and are now on ... Mr Pringle’s shop, Lower Hutt. W T e are requested to impress on the minds of all horse owners that everyone is asked to compete, and that the show is not in any way confined to members of the Heretaunga Cavalry—it is merely given under the auspices of the troop. In addition to the show there will be another attraction for sight-seers in the annual tournament held by the troop, which is always a very popular entertainment. Entries for the harae show will be received by the Secretary, officers, or non-commission officers, at any time np to Tuesday Sfifch inßt.

The prizes won at the recent meeting of tlte Wellington Rifle Association were presented to their winners by the Mayoress (Mrs Duthie) at the Drillshed Monday night. The City P.ifles, who had won nearly all the prizes, paraded at the Drillshed, under Captain Collins, and the Garrison Band, who were also on parade, enlivened the proceedings by playing selections during the evening. The various prize-winners were called out in frqpt of a table, on which the prizes were exhibited, and received the rewards of their skill from Mrs Duthie. Volunteer A. CL Atkinson (of the City Rifles), winner of the Association’s champion belt, was applauded as he went up ta receive the belt, while the band gave him “musical honours,” When the prizes had been distributed, Lieutenant-Colonel Butts ex»3®d pleasure at the largeness of the atance, although he regretted to see that some corps were unrepresented. As far as the Association was concerned, he was happy to Bay that it was in a flourishing condition, which was mainly due to the indefatigable exertions of the Chairman (Captain Collins), and the Secretary (P. O. Taylor). _He congratulated those who had won prizes, and urged upon all Volunteers the great import, anoe of becoming good shots, reminding them that the time had gone by when it used to be said that soldiers “ were not allowed to fire till they saw the whites of the enemy’s eyes.” On behalf of the Association he thanked the Mayoress for presenting the prizes. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mrs Duthie, and the proceedings terminated. In addition to those immediately concerned there were a large number of spectators present..

The Auckland police foroe are lo tab at once armed with revblvetSi

l?hbmas ilenrjr, printer and compositor, has been adjudged a bankrupt. Tho picnio given by the members of tho Amateur Operatic Society will bo held at Days Bay, permission to hold the gathering there having been kindly given by Mr C. J. Cridland.

Colonel Haultain, of Auckland, and Mr W. S Reid, Solicitor-General, have been appointed a Commission to inquire into the charges against District Judge Rawson, of New Plymouth, and will begin their investigations next month. At a well attended meeting of grocers, held at the Exchange Buildings on Monday, it was decided that a Grocers’ Association should be formed, and that the price of sugar should be raised one halfpenny per lb. Several other matters in connection with the trade were dismissed. Mr George Webb pre sided.

A London correspondent says Lord Onslow will proceed to New Zealand via Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney in order to enjoy the opportunity of a peep at those oities. I hear that he will take the whole of his household servants with him, they having all deprecated the prospects of having to leave the service of a master for whom they have the most devoted respect, and in which most of them have been for many years.

The new Harmonic Society held a very satisfactory practice last Friday night in the Bowen-streeb schoolroom. The works rehearsed were Mendelssohn’s “Loreley,” Gade's “Erl King's Daughter,” and Stanford’s “Revenge.” Mr Parker conducted, and Misßes Williams and VViddop presided in turn at the pianoforte. There was a numerous attendance of members, and the new society promises to have a very successful career.

Following is a list of the successful candidates in the senior Civil Service examinations held recently under the Civil Service Reform. ActWellington—B. B. Allan (shorthand only), E. J. Le Grove (thq/tliaoud only),, and W. H. Russell (shorthand only). Auckland —A. J. Pilkington, W. F. Robinson, and Ti Ci S;chnaokenberg. Wanganui—A, Doull. Christchuroh —W. S. Fisher andF. C. Gibson. Dunedin—W. H. Adams and A. Avery. Inveroargill—J. E. Stevens. The results of the teachers’ and junior examinations will be made public shortly. As we hinted in onr Monday’s leading article, says the Rangitikei Advocate, a determined attempt will be made next session to divert the southern end of the route for the North Island Trunk Railway. The member for Rangitikei interviewed Mr Furgus on the question whilst in Wellington the other day. Mr Fergus said that he and Mr Stevens would probably travel right through to Te Awamutu by the central route,smarting from Marton about a fortnight hence, and they would endeavcu,r. to, rpturn by the Stratford route. Ilj will be,'remembered that Mr Fergtft Y(AS.' the, most jsfromjnept a&d. yMuftbl® member off the ycMtt* I nut tee 'that tfte, fcfltna**" the. central ijoutg, ySb*"' _ ..on of a.q’ppmpa,pt.e<i ..seers will be A -

.. man named George Thomas Sullivan, who states that he is a brother to the noted American pugilist, John L._ Sullivan, attended service at the Primitive Methodist Church, in Alexandra-street, on Sunday evening (says the Auckland Herald), and delivered an address at the Evangelistic meetfng which followed. He said that he had, like his brother, been a professional boxer, and had taken part in many contests in the ring, but he had now determined to give up these associations, and become a useful member of society. He assisted in the singing, and played at the harmonium the hymn “Nearer, my God, to Thee.” Sullivan was present at a class-meeting held in the church yesterday evening, and evidently entered heartily into the spirit of the service. He is an athletic young man, of splendid frame and massive limbs.

A meeting of the Graduates’ Association was held at the Girls’ High School on Saturday evening, Mr lnnes, the President of tho Society, baing in the chair. Very favourable reports were read from the instructors of the various evening classes held under the auspices of the Association, and it was unanimously decided that these classes should be continued this year. They will begin in about a week’s time. The Rev Dr West was elected President for the ensuing year, and Mr T. R. Fleming was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. The Chairman then gave an aocount of what took place at the meeting of Convocation, recently held in Dunedin. The Convocation had recognised Wellington's claims to a "University College by passing a resolution on hiß motion requesting the Senate to urge upon the Government the necessity of establishing such a college. A long discussion took place, and finally, on the motion of Mr Kirk, seconded by Mr Webb, it was unanimously resolved —“That a Committee be appointed to arrange for taking such steps by deputations to the Ministry, a petition to the House of Representatives or otherwise as may be necessary for bringing before the Legislature the need for the establishment of a University College in Wellington, the Committee to consist of Dr West, Mr lnnes, Mr Fleming, and the mover, with power to add to their number.” On the motion of Miss Searle, the Association decided to hold meetings for the purpose of discussing educational questions and for the reading of essays. AH ad eundern graduates of the University who take an interest in its work are to be invited to attend. Mr Meek mentioned that the Otago University published a review, and, on his motion, it was decided to subscribe to it. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.

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The evidence of tho defendant in a civil case—R. Wyeth, of Maaterton, v. J. E. Evans, saddler, of Wellington, claim £9— was taken before Mr H. W. Robinson in the Magistrate’s Court last Friday afternoon. The evidence was forwarded to Maaterton.

The steamer Australia, which struck on a reef while entering Waihou Bay last Wednesday (as already telegraphed), arrived here on Sunday. It appears that when the vessel struck the reef the tide was receding, and she remained hard for 10 hours. During that time 23 tons of coal were thrown overboard and 50 tons of sugar was landed on the beach. At about 3.30 a.m. next morning the vessel floated off apparently uninjured. Mr Seeombe and his men kindly lent their assistance, and did all in their power to get tho steamer off. When the charge against Alex. Turbett, of having in his possession articles capable of being used as a still, was called on last Friday, Mr Jellicoe said he understood that since the case was last before the Court the articles in question had been erected in the police yard so as to make them act as a condenser. This was done without any notice to the prisoner or his counsel, and he understood, that his Worship was present. Mr Robinson said he did see the contrivance. He was not invited to do so, however. Mr Jackman, one of the Customs officers, had a fire lighted in the yard, and he (his Worship) walked a tew paeps out of his way to have a look at it. Mr Jellicoe said he was sure his Worship would not allow anything he had seen or heard to influence him. Mr Robinson said it was impossible, of course, to divest his mind of what he had seen, but he would not allow it to prejudice him. Mr Jellicoe made no further objection. The statutory meeting of the new Licensing Committee, for the purpose of electing a Chairman, was held in the Resident Magistrate's Court Chamber last being present—Messrs J. R.. Blair, Willeston, Hayes and Young. Mr Young proposed Mr \Yillesl;ou as Chairman. Mr Hayes suggested the adjournment of the meeting until Mr F. H. Fraser returned to Wellington, when they could have a full meeting. This being objected to, Mr Hayes moved that Mr Blair be chairman. This was seconded by Mr Willeston and carried. Mr Young then explained that his reason for proposing Mr Willeston was that that gentleman had been returned at the top of the poll. Mr Blair, io returning thauks for his election, regretted that a little feeling had been shown, and expressed a hope that that feeling would not influence members in their administration of the Act. For his part he was prepared to administer the law without fear or favour, and quite apart from, outside considerations. Subsequently the meeting went into committee to dipouss a piivate matter. It is, understood that this, was i,u connection, with, the Oriental (late, Malbpurne) i Hotel, of which tb,e. Ghaj.rman said that, the. Official Assignee, Jft&d ' thelicqnse. ' - no ro-

"VYe, ' an<| of f ■ .ed from Messrs Blackie " London and Glasgow, through ’■ _joal agents Messrs Mackay and Co., of ijambton-quay, a parcel of new books for young people, by popular and well-known authors. They are of a healthy kind of literature—romantic, exciting, interesting from beginning to end, but withal pure in moral 3 and tone. Prominent among them i 3 a work by G. Manville Fenn, “ Quicksilver,'’ and “The Lion of St Mark,” by G. A. Henty, a story of Venice. These two works have had an immense run at Home, and will be equally popular with young people out here. A capital story for colonial youths is “ Captain Baylev’s Heir,” a tale of the goldfields of California, with 12 full-page illustra. tions. Anotherinterestingwork is “TheCatof Bubosfcea,” a story of ancient Egypt. A capital story for girls’ is “Under False Colours,” by Sarah Doudney, with 12 fullpage illustrations. Among other works we can recommend parents to place with safety before their children are “ Little Lady Clare,” “Storied Holidays,” “Grannelta,” a girl’s story of herself, “The Brig Audacious,” “ Hugh Herbert’s Inheritance,”, “Meg’s Friend,” “Self Exiled,” “The Sancy Mav ; or the adventures of a stowaway,” “ Jasper’s Conquest,” and, last but not least, “Under Hatches; or Ned Woodthorpe’s Adventures.” The whole of the above works are illustrated, and are handsomely and strongly bound. They are of a class highly desirable in these days of trashy and objectionable novels. There was a large attendance on the Wellington Bowling Groen on Saturday afternoon, and the grass was in fine condition. The following are the results of the games played Rink No. I.—Messrs Mitchell, Russell, Letham and Hutchens (skip) against Messrs Stewart, Brown, Flanagan and Dransfield (skip), MrDransfield winning by 21 to 18. Rink No. 2. Messrs Grady, Barraud, K. Wilson and J. C. McKerrow (skip) played Messrs Gray, Barron, Lambert and Campbell (skip), Mr McKerrow’s team winning by 21 to 12. In a second game with Mr Sample, instead of Mr McKerrow, Mr Campbell’s side won by 21 to 15. Rink No. 3. —Messrs Whitehouse, Finlay, Edwin and Riley (skip) played Messrs Shortt, Gasquoine, Flyger and Gale (skip), Mr Gale’s team winning by 21 to 11. With Mr Whitehouse and Mr Flyger as opposing skips a short game was played, resulting in 15 for Mr White, house’s team and 6 for Mr Flyger. Rink No. 4 —Messrs Crease, Duthie, G. P. Wilson, and McGlashan (skip) against Messrs Harris, Jouffroy d'Abbans, Young, and Fergus (skip), resulted in one win for Mr McGlashan by 21 to 19, and one for Mr Fergus by 11 to 6. Rink No* s—-Messrs Moeller, Marshall, Scoullar, and Kempthorne (skip) played Messrs George Wilson, Hislop, and Ballinger (skip), Mr Ballinger winning by 21 to 18, and with Mr Hislop and Sooullar as skips, Mr Hislop’s team again wan by 13 to 10. Rink No. 6-Messrs Thompson, Smith, an °-oi "j h McKerrow (skip) played Messrs Blundell, Sheriff, Didsbury, and Blair (skip), Mr Blair’s team winning by 16 to 14. As a large number of pairs are to be played off before the 2nd March, the Green will, in future, be open every week day, being specially prepared only on the usual three days a week. The effect of the rain in the beginning of the week and the heavy rolling given thereafter, has been to make tho (ground muoh qiore dependable for good play.

Bishop Moran, of DunediD, left by the R.M.S. Kaikoura proceeding direct to Ireland, with tho view or securing additional eletgy for the diocese. His Lordship then proceeds to Rome.

The dwelling house of Mrs James Coulter, a settler at Waiwetu, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock. Mrs Coulter was absent at the time. Very little of the furniture was saved.

In consequence of the unfavourable weather on Saturday morning, the picnic which was to have been held by the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society at Days Bay was postponed for a fortnight.

At the sale at the Oriental Hotel on Saturday by T. Kennedy Macdonald and 00. there was a large attendance. The whole of the furniture was knocked down in one lot to Mr T. M. Jackson for £S4O. The Minister of Lands has notified all public bodies of their powers in connection with tuberculous cattle. Having the matter formally brought before them in this way, no doubt the local bodies will at once take the steps which they are empowered to take, with a view to promptly checking the spread of the disease, or the use of diseased produce.

Six tenders have been received by the Melrose Borough Council for the construction of “The Queen’s Drive.” The tenders were opened at a meeting of the Public Works Committee of the Council on Tuesday night, and were considered very satisfactory. The Committee will recommend at the monthly meeting of the Council on Tuesday next that one or the tenders be accepted. The Inspector of Weights and Measures, Constable Duncan, has recently been on a tour of iuspection which promises to yield good results. The Inspector on Tuesday seized a measure purporting to hold a peck and belonging to a Chinaman, which was no less than two pints short. At four different dairiss measures were seized which were not properly stamped. Prosecutions will be instituted in all cases. A number of the men who left in the yacht Alabama for D’Urville Island, for the purpose of collecting grass seed, have returned. They state that when tfley arrived there they were too lats for the seed, and consequently the venture was nob so successful as was expected. They came back by steamer, Tho yacht left the island, for Nelson on Saturday la3t, and will probably return, to Wellington with the rest of tho party in the course of a few days..

About a quarter to. 3; o'clock on ;> v jn dav morning a. gar so fence situated fire to- iTen b tho £(» speedily token »P by the jOQ on the scene, but it was not found necessary to turn the water on, as they succeeded in beating the fire out in a few minutes. It is supposed that a passer-by carelessly thrown a match into the gorse, and thus caused the fire.

An ordinary meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on Tuesday, there being present the Rev Mr Van Staveren (chairman), and Messrs Willeston, B- Smith, Danks, and Powles (who, in the absence of the Relieving Officer, acted as secretary). Several cases were relieved, and the proposals of the Ladies’ Association for the disposal of several orphans were approved. The Orphanage Reserve (near the Botanic Gardens) having beeD subdivided, it waa decided to offer them for sale in March, when the Hospital Reserves will be offered. A meeting of the Committee of the new Harmonic Society wa3 held Tuesday evening, Mr J. H. Cock in the chair. It was decided to issue a prospectus at once to subscribers, and that the works to be performed during the opening season should be selected from the following list:—Mendelssohn’s unfinished opera, “ LoreleyGade’s cantata, “ Che Erl King’s Daughter Stanford’s choral ballad, “The Revenge;” Mackenzie’s dramatic oratorio, “ The Rose of Sharon ; v Barnett’s “ ancient Mariner ” (by desire); and Mendelssohn’s “ Walpurgis Night.” Replying to the question, “Should women propose marriage ?’’ the Rev De Witt Talmage answered : Why, you are centuries too late in asking that question. Women always have proposed, and always will propose. Words are very weak things compared with womanly affability and loveliness. The most splendid being on earth is a good woman, and when, with all her attractiveness she makes up her mind that it would be well for her to be the wife of some good man, and that it would be equally well for him, she captures him as easily as a regiment captures the corporal. It does not make any difference whether her tongue proposes or not ; her eyes propose, her smile proposes, her mode of entering a room proposes. Until a man gets from a woman a proposition of that style he had better not make a proposition of his own, unless he wants to be made to feel ridiculous the rest of his lifetime.”

The meeting of creditors in the estate of H. C. Smith, mariner, which was to have been held on Tuesday, was adjourned for a week in the absence of a quorum. The bankrupt’s liabilities are set dowu at £SI7 5s Id, and the assets at £SS 13s 3d, leaving a deficit of £758 Us lOd. The principal unsecured creditors are as follow : —S. Roalston (Greymouth), £165 ; Wellington Meat Company, £lls 18s 8d ; Clough and Keating (Greymouth), £IOO ; E. J. Preston (Wellington), £6l 13s 4d : A. T. Burt (Dunedin), £47 7s 6d; Jameson Bros. (Wellington), £46 2s ; J. E. Hayes (Wellington), £3B 10s Id ; Jones and Ashdown (Wellington), £27 3s; W. Kane (Greymouth), £24 3s 7d; Laery and Campbell (Wellington), £24 16s lOd ; Holland and Tapley (Lyttelton), £2O ; T. K. Macdonald and Co. ( Wellington), £4O 17s. The only secured creditor is James Brown, of Wellington, who holds security over the p.s. Colleen for a debt of £341 6s 9d. ‘ Keatings Powder,’ destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects, while quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of tnis powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you purchase is ‘ Keating’s,’ as are noxious and ineffectual. Sold in tins', Cd, Is and 2s fid each, by all chemist^

A statutory meeting of the members of the Harbour Board will he held on Tuesday next for tho purpose of electing a chairman.

A site is being cleared near the fire brigade station in Manners-street for the erection.of a dynamo station for the electric lighting o£ the city. A lunatic named Peat was brought down. Tuesday night from the Manawatu district in charge of Sergeant Reilly, and conveyed to the Asylum.

We have to acknowledge receipt of Lyon and Blair’s Monthly Record of scientific and educational news, and circular of new books (new edition) and standard works, &c. A man named Gallagher, who has bests committed to the Lunatic Asylum, was brought dawn by the Wairarapa train ott Tuesday night in charge of Constable Roche. According to our telegrams this week, a, “ Jack the Ripper ” fiend has been at work in Nicaragua, the chief city of the Republic of that name, in Central America. From information received by the Stock Department it appears that the recent outbreak of scab at Kaikoura is confined to a flock of about SOO sheep, who have been isolated for the last nine months. In thesecircumstances it would seem to be probable that the disease will speedily be eradicated. Monsignor Knrekin, the Armenian Bishop of Siz, Asia has renounced Chris--tianity, and embraced the faith of Islam. He has adopted the name of Achmefc Muktar* and one of the reasons assigned for tho change is that the life of Christians remainsuninfluenced by their creed, while the Moslem conforms his practice to the precepts ofi" the Koran.

A small boy narrowly escaped being nra over in Cambridge-terraee on Tuesday afternoon. He was occupying his time by playing in the vicinity of Cobb and Co.’s stables, and happening to run out a 3 a tram passed, was knocked ovei' before the driver could) stop his horses. The youngster was at once: picked up, and carried into the Cambridge? Hotelj where he received every attention:,. It was soon ascertained that the boy wad less hurt than frightened, although he was cut and bruised a little, and he was taken home apparently not much the werse of hi& adventure.

In another column the. Timaru M’jK ag Company draw special attention t jo their patent roller “ (Silver Dust a Wand of flour which long ago put the Company j a to the froiit rank of the milling industry in this For the CentenniaL Exhibition recently held at Melbourne the Company seut over one sack, two lOQlb bags, and two 501 b bags of their flour, made from last season s wheat, and had the distinguished honour of taking first prize with their samples. Thus publicly assured that their produce is of the very best, the Company intend to make every effort to maintain the position, and te turn out nothing but flour of the finest quality. Their oatmeal also is cf tho best, and the public would do well to bear aB those facts in mind.

Referring to the great development of the fruit growing industry in America, the Daily News, of 12th December, says: “Mr Pidgeon has published in a separate form his striking account of Fruit Evaporation ita America, which lately appeared in the> Journal oE the Royal Agricultural Society of England. The pamphlet gives a clear and concise account of the great fruit drying industry, which now forms so large a part "of tho occupation of a New England farmer. When the Western States began to come forward as wheat producers, tho older States upon the Atlantic seaboard were undersold and ousted from the markets, just as our English farms are being driven out of competition. The Yankee farmers, however, being their own landlords, promptly took to raising fruit, vegetables, eggs and milk. The wheat fields became orchards, the corn mills have become factories, and so prosperity again reigns. But if it were not for the fruit driers a Very large proportion of the fruit crop would be leff to rot. As it is, all surplus fruit, chiefly apples, but also peaches, plums, cherries, and raspberries, goes to the evaporating apparatus. This is generally exceedingly simple. An iron stove stands at the bottom, of a tall, upright wooden casing, ,up which, the stream of hot air is conducted, while the products of combustion pass away by a separate flue. The wooden case, which is called, the * dryer, ’ is fitted with a number of sliding trays made of open wire netting. The fruit, is pared, cored and sliced, and then placed, upon the tray and rapidly dried in the hot ascending air. In this way Mr Pidgeon states 11b of coal will ‘ evaporate ’ its own weight; of fruit. The apparatus is simple and cheap, and should prove a godsend to our KentisU fruit growers, who would be able to pre-. servo their superabundant fruit and sell at; leisure.”