TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 915, 13 September 1889, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Mutual Life Association.—We are in receipt of the useful little diary for the current month issued by the Mutual Life Association of Australia.

Expert Evidence on Drainage.-—ln accordance with a motion by Councillor Chapman at the Council meeting last week, it, was resolved to expend a sum not exceeding £lO in obtaining expert evidence as to the best method of oarrying out the proposed drainage scheme.

The Captainship of the Fire Brigade. —The applications for the post of captain of the Wellington Muncipal Fire Brigade were not considered at the Council meeting last week, it being considered advisable to refer the matter to the Fire Brigade Committee with instructions to report at the next meeting of the Council.

The Detective Department.—Chief De. tective Brown, of Auckland, who has been at the Hot Springs for the benefit of his health, ha 3 so far recovered that he was able to take up his duties on the Ist instant. Detective Chrystal, who has been in Auckland for some time officiating in his stead, is now under orders to return to Wellington. He will reach this city in the course of a few days.

The Wellington City Empowering Bill.—Reference was made by his Worship the Mayor at the meeting of the City Council last week to the progress which this Bill had made through Parliament. He said that in the event of the Bill becoming law, which he hoped would be very shortly, the Council would be able to raise the money fcr the new cemetery from two of the insurance companies, and he 'thought therefore that it would be advisable to find out by advertisement where suitable land coulc bo obtained, and at what price. He moved a resolution, to which the Council agreed, that advertisements be inserted in the local papers, asking for offers of land suitable for the purpose of a cemetery. Complimentary.—The following letter has been received by Acting-Captain Adams and the members of the Municipal Fire Brigade Gentlemen,; —We wish to express our thanfcfi and admiration for the promptness and skill jou exhibited in connection with the Ist© fire on our premises. It was due to yo,ur seal apd ability that the fire was confined to tr»o one shop, which seems marvellous to us, seeing it was stocked full of patterns, made out, for the most part, of dry pitch pine. We feel it to be a cause of congratulation, not only to ourselves, but also for the whole city, that such mastery over a fire which threatened eaefi widespread destruction was manifested. We heg herewith to hand you a cheque (£5) as a magk of our grateful appreciation.—Yours faithfully, Luke and Sons.” An Alarming Discovery.—The report of the City Surveyor, which was read on Sep. tember 5 at the Council meeting, contained a statement which is likely to cause some uneasiness in the city. He states that sinoq July last the Karori reservoir has fallen §ft, and that the fall is caused by the quantity of water used for electrio lighting. The Mayor, in moving that the report be laid on the table, said that he had visited the lake with the object of ascertaining whether there was a possibility of the water flooding back, or wasting in any way, and he found that such was not the ease. There could b 9 no donbt that the quantity of water used by tbe Giilcher Company had been the cause of the fall in the lake, and this, he thought, was a moat alarming state of things. Councillor Chapman said that although he agreed with all the Mayor had said, they should remember that they had had a very dry winter, and there would probably be plenty of rain during the next two mouths. Councillor Harris said he had been given to understand that the Giilcher Company were using 50 per cent more water than they were entitled to, and could not carry on with a less quantity. Farther discussion ensued, when (t was resolved, on a motion by tbe Mayor, to draw the attention of the Chairnaan of the Electric Committee to the matter.

Mffjs Medley’s jO^ncer?.—Miss Medley’s concert p» September 5 in the Tinakori-road churohroom was ap unqualified m?isjcs| success. The choice selection of the various items of the programme, and the well/ known efficiency of the performers caused a most enjoyable evening to be spent. An apology was tendered on behalf of Lady Campbell, who was unfortunately suffering from a severe cold, which greatly interfered with the richness of her yoice. The concert the moans of introducing for the first time to,a Weliingtipn audience Dr Jdailland Gledden, late of Auckland, This gentleman a baritone voice qf grpa£ compass and p.owe,r, pnd .in’ h,is songs he made a very good •jpapress.iqn. He is certainly an acquisition to local musical circles. Miss Medley, who was warmly received, gave two charming piano? forte solos, the first being one of Beethoven’s gems “ Rondo a Capricoio,” and the second Chopin’s “Andante Spianati Etude,” both splendidly played. The Bong “ A Longing,” recently composed by Mr A. H. Hill, student at the Leipsic Conservatorium, was well sang by Mr E. L. Widdop, and no doubt the song will become popular. The program iu® in full was as follows :—Trio, Beethoven, Idisa )Villiams, Mr McDuff Boyd, Mr Hamerton j so ng f “Der Wanderer,” Dr Mailland Gledden ; part-apng, “ O my love’s like a red, red rose,” Misses Campbell, Gore, - Kennedy, Hadfield, Mrs Barron, Captain Medley, Messrs Todd, Waters, and Wilson (M.H.R.) ; song selected, Lady Campbell ; piano solo, Miss Medley ; song, “The first violet,” Mr E. Hill; violin solo,“ Sonata,” Miss Williams and Mr Boyd ; part-song, “The Pottersong, “ A longing,” Mr E. L. Widdopsong, “All Halloween,” Miss',Whitaker; piano solo, Miss Medley ; song, “ Queen of the Earth,” Dr Mailland Gledden ; trio, “ Andante Presto,” Messrs Mac Duff Boyd, Kennedy, and Hamerton. There wa? a largo audience and every item was satisfactorily received,

Bankruptcy Court. —The sittings of the Bankruptcy Court set down for Monday laßt were adjourned until next Monday; LUnacK'.—A man named McCormick* of unsound mind, was broiight ddwfl frdtn Foxton on Friday night and taken to the Asylum.

Disobeying the Court. —A man named J. Matthews, remanded from Opunaka to Masterton for disobeying an order of the Court, was brought down on Friday night in charge of Constable Bell, of Wanganui.

Manawatu Railway.—The traffic returns on the Wellington and Manawatu Railway for the week ending 31st August, 1889, amounted to £llOO 11a 10d, and for the corresponding week of last year £941 13s, showing an increase of £l5B 18s.

A Big Telegram Bill.— Perhaps the heayieat telegram bill in the world ia that of the Chinese Envoy at Washington, Chan Woon, who regularly pays lOOOdols. a week for his despatches to China, the representative of the Celestial Empire using a cipher which costs 4dols. a word.

Licensing Committee.—The quarterly meeting of the Hutt Licensing Committee was held last Friday, there being present — Messrs Ransom (in the chair), Milne, Hayes, and Brown. The only business was the transferring of the license 'of the Central Hotel from James Crawford to James McCormack.

A Pleasant Trip.—The es Takapuna took a large party of members of Parliament on an excursion trip to Picton on Saturday evening, which was reached early the next morning. She left on the return journey ou Sunday afternoon, and arrived here at 11 o’clock same night, the excursionists having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The Midland Railway.—Mr Wilson, the engineer-in-chief of the Midland Railway, arrived on Sunday from London in the Rimutaka, accompanied by his wife and two daughters. He proceeds at once te Christchurch. One of hio first official acts will be to obtain such information as will enable him to decide what route the line Bhall take from Belgrove toward the Buller.

Sale of the Foreshore Leases.—A letter was read at last week’s meeting of the City Council from Messrs Harconrt and Co., asking that their tender for the sale of the Te Aro foreshore leases, beiug the lowest, should be accepted. Councillor Fraser moved and Councillor' Brown seconded a motion to that effect, but, on being put to the Council, it was lost by six to three. Most of the Councillors present spoke to the motion, and the opinion which prevailed was, that it was desirable to get the very highest price for the land, and that that end would be secured by leaving the selling of the leases in the bands of Mr T. K. Macdonald. The first clause in the Public Works report, with a recommendation to that effect, was therefore carried without amendment.

R.M.S. Rimutaka.—The R.M.S. Rimutaka arrived in harbour on Sunday afternoon, from London, via Plymouth, Teneriffe, Capetown, and Hobart, after a passage of 43 days 4 hours 23 minutes from Plymouth, her actual steaming -time from the same port being 41 days 3 hours 19 minutes. The Rimutaka brings 82 passengers for New Zealand; 26 of whom are for Wellington. Her mail was a large one, consisting of 210 bags and 21 boxes parcels post. She 1 brings 2300 tons of cargo for New Zealand, the Wellington portion consisting of 900 tons. The Rimntaka’s officers remaiu the

same as last voyage, namely, Captain Greenstreet, commander ; Messrs Scruby, Crouch, Weston, and Winchester, first, second, third, and fourth officers respectively ; Mr Dallas, first engineer, and Mr Pitcher second. The victualling department is still under the able management of Mr J. Phillips, chief steward in charge, and gives every satisfaction. Acclimatisation Work.—The Welling, ton Acclimatisation Society placed 4500 Loch Leven trout fry and 5000 American Brook Char fry in the head waters of the Pakuratahi stream on Friday. It was thought advisable to turn these fish out above the haunts of the large trout, so as to give them a better chance for I heir lives, and the railway authorities, with their usual courtesy in these matters, stopped the goods train for a few minutes at Ladle Bend, between the Summit aDd Kaitobe, to allow of this being done. The addition of these valuable fish to the stock in the Hutt River should prove of great interest to anglers. A considerable number of ova have been taken at the Masterton fish ponds from a few lake trout, the survivors of a comparatively unsuccessful importation from Germany two years ago. These trout are said to be the “ trutta lacustris carpione,” and some of them are now weight, and present a most beautiful appearance. A few were sent South, but it is believed that these are the first ova of this valuable variety taken in the Colony.

Flax Mill Lit by Elbotricstty.—A flax mill at Opuhake, owned by J. Hay and Co., was teoently lighted by eledtficity by the Giilcher Company with great siiccSss; A twuflty-light dynamd is used in lighting the! mill: the flight the mill was first lit dp there was a latge attendance of Mddris present, and they danded a haka iq honour o'f the occasion. This is the first flax mill in the Colony which has been lit by electricity.

Fine Art.—Among the cargo by the R.M.S. Rimutaka, which arrived on Sunday, are several cases of pictures sent by the Agent-General in London on loan t© the Dunedin Exhibition. Among the pictures may be mentioned Sir Edwin Landseer’s Celebrated picture, “The Alpine Mastiffs,” also a full length portrait of the Prince Consort by Winterhalter* Altogether about 40 pictures have arrived;

Supposed Drowning AcciDENT.-fEarly on Monday morning a man named Lambert; in the employ of N. Fernandos, fish merchant, reported to the police that while he was coming along the Hutt-road, near Kaiwhara, he had' observed a dark object floating in the water, which be supposed to be the body of a man. Several constables were despatched to the locality, and after searching along the beaoh they found the dead body of a large black dog, and it is supposed that thiß wa3 the object seen by Lambert. Electric Light Experiment's at the Entrance of the Solent* —Some electric light experiments which were recently carried out at the Needles (says the Electrician) resulted in favour of the light. Six gunboats and six torpedo-boats left Portland with the intention of forcing a passage at the entrance of the Solent, hoping by raising thick volumes of smoke to conceal their presence. But, steaming head to wind, the smoke was carried astern, and each vessel was distinctly seen several miles off, and, with the aid of powerful glasses, the numbers of the torpedo boats were read as soon as the vessels came within range of quickfiring guns The Brennan Torpedo.—This torpedo, originally designed in Melbourne, has developed into a tremendous weapon. The World thus speaks of it. The first trial pf a live Brennan torpedo appears to have been a great success, so perhaps we have not got such a bad bargain for our £IIO,OOO after all. The winding engine and steering gear were set up at Hurst Castle, and the inventor made his “ fish ’’.literally play round an old 800-ton hnlk that was beiug towed through the Needles Channel, a mile and a half away, at the rate of twelve knots, and, when he chose, struck her fair amidships, and blew her into matchwood. Of course, it is a very different weapon now from what it was when it left Melbourne, or even when years afterward, detailed drawings of it appeared in the scientific papers. The sappers at Chatham claim it now as their very own child.

® Licensing Committee. —The quarterly meeting of the City Licensing Committee was held at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, there being present—Messrs J. R. Blair (chairman), F. H. Fraser, J. E. Hayes, C. E. Willeston. Inspeotor Thomson appeared on behalf of the police. Applications for transfers were granted as follows : —P. T. Spillane, Branch Hotel, Lambton-quay, to James Crawford ; Jacob Lichtcheindl, Club Hotel, Lambton-quay, to John Kennedy ; John Kennedy, Rylands Hotel, Grey-street, to G. W. Rylands ; David McKinlay Orr, City Buffet Hotel, Lambton-quay, to J. F. Orr ; John Shanahan, Army and Navy Hotel. Courtenay-place, to John Flyger ; James Prosser, Panama Hotel, to Thomas Taylor ; Jacob Ziman, to Robert Buckeridge ; H. Price, Star and Garter Hotel, Cuba street, to Jeremiah Jones; Jeremiah Jones, Tramway Hotel, Adelaideroad, to Andrew Barry; P. O’Shea, City Hotel, Clyde-quay, to Denis Quill. Mrs Armstrong, of the Imperial Hotel, Cubastreet, applied for permission to carry on the business till the next licensing meeting under the license of her late husband. The application was granted. The Clerk of the Committee handed in the quarterly report of the police, which complained a 3 to the manner in which the Ship Hotel was conducted. The Bench, after hearing counsel, decided that unless the house was conducted in a better manner within three weeks the license would be cancelled. The Clerk informed the Committee that the City Council declined to pay Mr Jellicoe’s fee for his services in connection with the difficulty attending the application for a renewal for a license of the Club Hotel. Mr W. B. Edwards undertook to see that the matter in dispute was arranged. Inspector Thomson informed the Bench that the fire-escape at the Melbourne Hotel had been improved since the last meeting. The Chairman said that if the police were satisfied, and should any accident happen to anyone staying at the hotel in case of a fire, the police would be responsible, and not the Committee. The Clerk stated that the urinal attached to the Cricketers’ Arms Hotel was still in an unsatisfactory condition. The Committee stated that if the improvements ordered by the Committee were not carried out within three weeks the license would be cancelled. The Committee then adjourned.

Lunacy. A middle aged womafl Waff brought down from Palmerston NorthonMon* day, en route for the local luuatio asylum.

Air OYf'EnDeb,—A man named James Nolan wSs sentefloed oa Monday at Otalci to siit raoflthff' iirijfrisoniflent for laroeny. He was brought doWa sjsiAo night in charge of Constable O’Rotkd. Weather DoSvn Sourif. i(e'r6* must halve been a spell of bad Weather do'wn’ South' bn Monday, for the Telegraph Department refused all tfilogrhm’s for stations south ot Christchurch. Probably the wires ai‘e broken through the force of thb gjaie,

A Narrow Escape.—The three-year-oid son of Mrs Poynten, of Pitone, had a Darrow escape of losing his life on the railway lino at Pitone on Monday morning. He was playifig off the rails, when a train came by from Pitone. The screams of the lady passengers dfew the attention of another lad close by, vfho to’ok the youflgStSr quickly sway from the seat of dagger; Libel Action.—A Writ Weis seYVed o'n the proprietors of the Evening Post oii Monday morning by Mr C. W, Tanner, od behalf of Mr C. Bowles, labourer, of Carterton, claiming £IOOO damages for alleged libel contained in the affidavits laid before the Governor in connection with the Kaiwhara murder, and which were published in the Post on the 24th August. Mr Middleton, solicitor, of Carterton, has been retained by the plaintiff, Mr Tanner acting aa hia Wellington. agent. The ease will be heard at the civil sitting of the Supreme Court In October next.

The Cricketers and the BAffiii Reserve. —A special general meeting of delegates to the Cricketers’ Association was to have been held at the Post Office Hotel on Monday for the purpose of appointing a subcommittee to confer with a committee from the Rugby Union as to whether the condition of the Basin Reserve will admit oE the football match between the Auckland and Wellington Representative teams being played on it next Saturday, but as there was not a quorum present, the meeting lapsed. Those who were present were Messrs Morice, Nicholls, Chisholm, Littlejohn, Hood; Alpe, Varnham, and the secretary (Mr H. McCardell). The delegates who attended expressed themselves rather freely at the apathy shown in the matter, particular reference being made to the absence of the representatives of two of the leading Clubs, It is evident that the mujorlty of the delegates of the Cricket Association do not take the interest in the Basin Reserve that they would lead most people to suppose. It was decided to appoint the Committee at a general meeting of the Committee of the Association to be held next afternoon at a quarter past 5. whan Messrs Morice, Alpe, and Varnham were appointed. Hutt County Council. —The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was held on Tuesday, there being present Councillors T. Wakeham (chairman), J. Taylor, C. W . Brown, F. Death, F. Darby, J. Barton, D. Speedy, P. Monaghan, S. Lan. caster. A letter was road from the Southland County Council, proposing certain alterations to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act. The letter was ordered to be laid on the table. A letter was read from the Public Petitions Committee of the House stating that they cannot recommend the prayer of the petition with regard to amendments in the Licensing Act. A communication was received from the Minister of Lands granting control of the stockade and lands at the Upper Hutt to the Council. It was proposed by Councillor Barton, and seconded by Councillor Speedy, that the Inspector of Roads inspect the stockade, buildings, &c., and report what will be the best way to deal with them. A letter was read from Messrs Brown, Skerrett and Dean, claiming on behalf of the Kaiwhara Town Board a refund of slaughtering fees received by the Council from Mr E. Barber. On the motion of Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Lancaster, it was decided Jto approve Messrs Brown, Skerrett, an<i ; Dean’s suggestion, and that the matter be settled between the Council’s solicitor and the Kaiwhara Board Committee. The clerk was instructed to inquire at the Colonial Secretary’s office whether the Onslow Borough petition had been presented to the Governor. The clerk was instructed to procure a list of owners of dogs registered within the various ridings of the county. The slaughtering license of Gowland and Co. was transferred to J. H. Simmons. General accounts amounting to £209 19s sd, and charitable aid disbursements amounting to £34 193 were passed for payment, after which the Council adjourned.

ENGLISH'MaiI, -Tit© usual weekly Europe'tff Via Brindisi, brought U P thl « week by the sd Ma'raVca 1 , arrived on Wednesday.

The Flax LkMel—To give some Meft £> f the extent to which the flax trade hss iti* creased, a reference to our shipping c'olufiStf shows that the two sailing vessels',’ th’e Pleione aud the Waimate, between them' take for London 4682 bales,

The Electric Light.—A Taranaki paper S&ys i “ The electric lighting of TV ellington is fast proving si failure,” Our contemporary is labouring under ti hallucination, and has, U<s doubt, an impression that the electric light is some sort of a break water os harbour extension'.

The DtTNEi&N Exhibition. —The Union Jack was hoisted on' Saturday on the flagpole surmounting the dome di the Dunedin Exhibition in token of possession having been taken of the offices at the Exhibition building. Upon, the conclusion of the da=y’s labour the workmen were called together to’ dfink success to the undertaking, when Mr JoubSrt addressed them at some length. PiiESEi?TATK>«.— Drum-Major Davis, who has been connected with "Volunteer forces for the past 50‘years, was the recipient of a longservice medal on 1 Tuesday.- Th© presentation was made at the Drillshed by Lieut-Colonel Butts, who referred in flattering terms to the manner in which Mr Davis had done his duty. At the close of the presentation.three hearty cheers were given fer Drum-Major Davis. An address and a handsome marble clock waa presented to him by the officers of, the Garrison at the Exchange Hall on Wednesday night* Sailors’ Best Entertainment. —Notwithstanding the totigh Weather on Tuesday there was a largO' aiidiencO to Witness the entertainment held in the Exchange Hall. The first part of the programme consisted of a series of picturesque tableaux vivants m)ost charmingly dressed and artistically arranged, The characters were represented by the Misses Hadfield, Cooper, Medley, Leader and Williams, Messrs Anson, Batger, Ludbrook, Todd, Riohmond and Williams. The tableaux wete as follow *— “ Love and Riches,” “Nydia,'’ “The Game of Life,” “The tiff,” “The Artist’s Choice,” “Lady Jane Grey’’—after seeing the' dead body of her husband carried past her window j the prison scene from “Faust.” Miss Katherine Hardy contributed two songs, “ The Kerry dance ” and “ Sing, sweet birdie sing,” each being well received. The second part part of the programme was Blanche's musical comedietta “ The Loan of a Lover,” very successfully played by the Misses Katharine and J. M. Hardy, Messrs W. Morrah, T. M. Hardy, H. Rawson and G. Elliott.

Benevolent SoctETF ' Trustees. —The ordinary weekly meeting of t’he Benevolent Society Trustees was held at the Queen’s Chambers on Tuesday afternoon, there being present—Rev H. Van Staveren (Chairman), Messrs C. E. Willeaton, P. Monaghan, S. Danks, and G. M. Kebbell. In the case of a printer who was suffering from typhoid fever, and who had a wife and six children, rations and temporary relief was granted. With regard to the shocking case mentioned by us a fortnight ago, and which stated that the woman in question had been sent to Wellington by the Charitable Aid Board in Christchurch, it now appears that the woman’s passage was paid by private charity. The Secretary of the Benevolent Society Trustees here wrote to the Charitable Aid Board in Christchurch asking them what action they intended taking in the matter. The latter wrote giving the woman’s history, and stated that she had been dependent on the funds of the institution for the past 10 years, and that under the circumstance they did not intend to take any action. A large number of other cases were relieved, whilst several others were struck off the books. Accounts amounting to £139 3s 4Jd were passed for payment, alter which the Trustees ad* journed. Hospital Trustees. The Hospital Trustees held their usual fortnightly meeting at the Corporation Buildings on Tuesday. Present—Messrs Fraser (Chairman), Allen, Speedy, Willeaton, Kebbell, Luke and Rev. Van Staveren. Leave of absence for the meeting was granted to Mr Taylor. Mr Kebbell pointed out that something required to be done to the "roof of the Hospital, and after some discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the House Committee with power to act. Accounts amounting to £317 were passed for payment. A communication was received from Mr C. Rhodes, local manager of the New Zealand City and Suburban Gas Consumers’ Protective Asociation, requesting the Trust to become subscribers to the association. He explained that the object of the association was to protect gas consumers against loss or damage through faulty meters, leaky joints, defective burners, and erroneous reading of meters, and he pointed out that the annual subscription for the Hospital would be about £2 per annum. The communication was referred to the House Committee. A letter was read from Mr Garvey, Governor of the Terrace Gaol, offering to present to the Children’s Ward the model of a full-rigged ship which had been made by a prisoner in his spare time, and which he stated had pathetically been named “Liberty.” The Trustees decided to accept the offer with thanks.