Happy New Tear to you.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 931, 3 January 1890, Page 16

Happy New Tear to you.

Thanks. —The Ladiea’ Committee for the Asylum Christmas tree beg to thank all who kindly contributed, also the doctor and attendants for their valuable assistance.

The Police Force. —An addition to the local police was made on Wednesday by the admission of Constable Murphy, who has been transferred from Auckland to do duty here.

Frozen Meat. —Nelson Bros., Limited, telegraphed on Tuesday night “The frozen mutton market is firmer. Best quality is quoted at 4Jd. The beef market is unaltered.’' Colonists. —The Hon. Dr. Grace and Mrs Grace and family have returned to headquartei'B from their visit to Europe and the Ola Country. They came via Brindisi and Sydney.

A Misfortune. —One of the casualties of the holiday season happened at the .rear of the Boulcott-street Catholic Church on New Year’s Day. A valuable horse, owned by Father Kerrigan, fell off a cliff in thatiocality, and was so injured that it had to be destroyed.

Bolt.—A horse and cart, the property of Lee Way, a greengrocer in Manners-street, took fright at a dog on Tuesday evening and bolted. It had not gone far when it collided with a lamppost in front of the Opera House, with the result that the shafts of the cart were smashed. The horse was secured before any other damage was done.

St. Peter’s Parish. —The vestry of St. Peter’s Church have passed a cordial vote of thanks to Miss Neave (of London) for her valuable present of beautifully embroidered altar-linen (previously referred to in these columns). The vestrj have also decided that the proceeds of the bazaar to be held this year shall be devoted —half toward the reduction of the parish debt and half toward certain church improvements.

Fire at Kurupuni. —lnformation was received by Inspector Thomson on Wednesday night from Sergeant Price, the officer stationed at Masterton, stating that a four-roomed cottage with its contents, owned and occupied by John McCaloment, of Kurupuui, was totally destroyed by fire ats o’clock on Wednesday night. The house is insured in the North British office for £125 and the furniture for £IOO in the Phoenix office. The origin of the fire is not known.

Accident. —A slight accident happened to a vehicle drawn by two horses and driven by a man named Wm. Broughton on Lambtonquay on Wednesday evening at about halfpast seven. As the carriage, which contained four passengers, was turning into Feather-ston-street from Lambton-quay one of the horses slioped and fell. Immediately thß animal got on its feet again it commenced to kick, and eventually it broke clean away from the vehicle. The frightened animal was immediately secured before any further damage was done.

Galvanising the Enemy.— The Port Moresby correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald gives some illustrations of the peculiarities of “ defence, not defiance,” in New Guinea, The boats attached to Sir William Macgregor’s expedition to the Fly River carry sheets of galvanised iron as a defence against native attack. Further, there is a strong galvanic current transmissible through the rail of the steam launch, and the grief and dismay of the gentle Fly River habitant when he gets hold of that rail should be truly interesting. It is not for nothing that there is a medico and man of soience at the helm in New Guinea. Scotch Concert. —In connection with the Caledonian Society’s sport 3 a popular Scotch concert was held at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening. There was a large attendance, and the concert passed off very well indeed. The programme embraced songs, recitations, &e., by Misses Fogerty, Dryden, and Steele, Mesdamea J. R, Reid and Snaddon, and Messrs G. Wilson, G. B. Wright, J. McGlashan, and A. S. Paterson. There were also reels, &c., by Highlanders in costume, and an excellent concert was concluded with “Auld Lang Syne.”

Sporting in the United States. An American contemporary has been calculating the value of the turf to the United States, where racing advances at a very rapid rate It says that the pursuit gives employment to 50,000 people, and indirectly assists 50,000 more to a livelihood. The thoroughbred stallions and brood mares on the great stock farms are valued at 6 000 000 dollars, and the sons and daughters of the stallions and brood mares earned above 2,000,000 dollars more during the last season ; the value of the stock aow employed for racing being valued at 7,000,000 dollars while the capital invested in race tracks and stables is 6,000,000 dollars. The stock farms embrace 149,000 acres of the finest land in the country, and last year the yearling, sales footed up 1,000,000 dollars, while the attendance at racecourses numbered over 3,500,000.

Baby Show. Anangements a r e being rapidly pushed forward to make the baby show at the Skating Rink a success. It will be carried out on the same liues as the Christ, church show, which was held last week, and managed by Mr R. H. Donnolly. The general manager of the Wellington shoiV has secured a shop in Manners-street; where entries will be received frorh 10 a;m: until 10 p. rm each day; Entries already are rolling in freely; and with the liberal prize list advertised the show should be one of the best ever held in this city. New Year’s Eve Service. —A very impressive service was held at St Peter’s Church on New Year’s Eve, and was attended by a numerous congregation. The Rev W. C. Waters officiated, and preached an eloquent and appropriate Bervice. The “Miserere” was chanted in unison to the Second Parisian Tone, and suitable hymns Were sung. The “lesser litany” of the Comruination Service* the Confession, and Absolution from the Eacharistic office, and the first portion of the ordinary evensong were used.

The Macquarie Islands. —The Government have decided to defer for the present any action with respect to the annexation of the Macquarie Islands. As the v group is found to be in Tasmanian waters, it is probable that the Imperial Government will have to be consulted on the matter. The object the Government of this Colony have in view in the proposal to annex these islands is a difficulty in connection with the sealing trade. Sealer 3 arriving at the Bluff during the close season with sealskins, &c., invariably state that they got them at the Macquarie Islands, t&ough there is every reason to believe that the Auckland Islands (which are, of course, within the Government’s jurisdiction) are most largely patronised. It is with a view to putting a stop to these suspected illicit practices that the Government wished to obtain control ever the Macquarie Islands.

Boat Accidents. —The harbour was the scene of two boating accidents on New Year’s Day. The first happened at 3.30, when four men, whose names were not ascertained, were out sailing in an 18ft open sailing boat. When about a mile from Lowry Bay, and while the men were in the act of hoisting the sail, she suddenly heeled over and swamped. The men’s perilous position was noticed by Captain Jones, of the steamer Mana, which was at Lowry Bay, and he immediately went to their rescue and brought them into town. Other than a ducking, they escaped unhurt. On arrival at the wharf the men thanked Captain Jones for his kindness in going to their assistance. The second accident re ourred at 5.40 to three men named Blakey, Stuart, and Chalmers, who were out sailing in an open boat. When opposite the Thorndon esplanade their boat by some meaDS unaccounted for capsized, and the men were thrown into the water. They managed to get on to the keel of the boat, and in this position they were noticed by several persons on shore, who at once pat off to their assistance and brought them to land. Other than a wetting they escaped unhurt. The men are all recent arrivals from Auckland, and are consequently not acquainted with the harbour.

$3 The St. Peter’s Organ.— lt is understood that the vestry of Bt. Peter’s Parish have offered the vacant post of organist of that Church to Mr Thomas Tallis Trimnell, Mus. Bac., a very eminent English Church musician who has been resident in Auckland during the last two or three years. Mr Trimnell’s name will be familiar to everyone who has any acquaintance with Church music and its history. He was recognised even in England as among the best parish church organists in the kingdom, and his compositions—anthems, canticle-services, aud chants —have always commanded a favourable reception and warm approval. As a solo organist he is reputed to be exceptionally fine, and as a bandmaster and conductor of musical societies he has won high distinction. Mr Trimnell was appointed organist of the parish church of Chesterfield (Derbyshire) in ISSO, and held that appointment 24 years, when (in 1574) he obtained a better post at Clifton, near Bristol. In 1875 Mr Trimnell obtained what was virtually further promotion, being unanimously chosen as organist of the Parish Church, Sheffield, one of the most important posts of that class in England, and he only left it (amid general regret) in order to settle his family in !Nevr Zealand. He founded several choral and orchestral societies which have won much fame. The Chesterfield band under his leadership beat all competitors at the Crystal Palace in 1862 and carried off first prize. A recent issue of the Yorkshire Weekly Post contains a long and interesting biography of Mr Trimnell. If he accepts the Sfc Peter’s organ he will evidently be a great acquisition to the musical world of Wellington.