TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Excellent of its Kind. The first volume of Hayter’s Victorian Year Book for 188 S 9 is to hand, and, as usual, is full of the most valuable information. Caledonian Society. —Over 5000 adults . paid (or admission to the Caledonian sports on New Year’s Day, and the total receipts at the gates amounted to £253 3s 6d. Victorian Insurance Company. —We have received from Messrs Levin and Co., as agents, a copy of the useful and ornamental calendar for the curreut year issued by the Victorian Insurance Company. Traffic Returns. —The traffic returns of the Manawatu Railway Company for tho week ending December 28th, 1889, were £2021 14s 9d, and for the corresponding week last year, £1543 10s Id, showing an increase of £478 4s Bd. A Titanic Work.—The Forth Rridge w ’as virtually completed on November 6th ult., when,in the presenceof a large gathering of spectators, the last bolts were driven connecting the Fife side and the Inchgarvie girders. The recent spell of fine weather enab ed the workmen to make rapid progress in filliug up the last gap. Parnell v. The Times.— Mr George Lewis has settled up all the accounts for Mr Parnell. Sir Charles Russell, Q.C., M.P., received 1000 guineas with his brief, and 50 guineas a day for 110 days. Mr R. T. Reid, Q. C., M.P. and Mr Lockwood, Q. C., M.P., each received 500 guineas with their briefs, aud 25 guineas daily during the same period, and the junior counsel in proportion. The whole outlay, including counsel, witnesses, Irish agent-, shorthand writers, and Mr Lewis’ account, is covered by the indemnity fund, which did not exceed £40,000. The Times’ expen itare will be largely in exoe3B of this amount. The Garden Fair. —The Garden Fair at the Hutt in aid of St Joseph’s Providence Building Fund rea'iced £72 19s 3£d, and the Sisters of Mercy, whilst publishing the result, beg to offer their very grateful thanks to all who took part in these sports of New Year’s Day—most especially the energetic members of the Gentlemen’s Committee, who spared no exertion to make the fair a success ; also the kind members of the band, who generously gave their whole day and services gratis for the good of the cause. There are others, well-wishers and friends of the orphans, who gave in kind and money, independently of Mr S. Cimino’s great gift of £IOO. To all most hearty thanks and a bright, prosperous New A ear. Rowing. —The following crews have been selected to oompete in the Hislop Fours (Wellington Rowing Club : —Fraser (stroke), Falkner (No. 3), Wise (No. 2), R. Scott (bow) ; Bacon (stroke), Goddard (No. 3), S. G. Ross (No. 2), Rountree (bow) ; Simm (stroke), Nicholls (No. 3), Ryan (No. 2), Ballinge* (bow); W. Barker (stroke), G. Little (No. 3), E. W. Barber (No. 2), Fisher (bow) ; Woodger (stroke), Beale (No. 3), Hyde (No. 2), Young (bow); McLoughlin (stroke), Kilner (No. 3), Hall (No, 2), Griffen (bow); Mouatt (stroke), O. Rose (No. 3), Carter (No, 2), Brunton (bow) ; Waters (stroke), Murray (No. 3), H. Barber (No. 2), E. Little (bow); G. Parsons (stroke), Ewing (No. 3), W. Parsons (No. 2), Mowbray (bow) ; Speed (stroke), J, Ross (No. 3), Evans (No. 2), Phelps (bow ; Jenkins stroke), Marks (No. 3), Curry (No. 2), Dix (bow) ; Hill (stroke), A. M. Burns (No. 3) King (No. 2), Wylie (bow. The first heat will be rowed as soon after Anniversary Day as possible.—The Star Rowing Club have decided to row the Senior Outrigged and Junior Inrigged Fours (Club races) on Saturday, the 26th instant. Entries close on Monday evening next, at 6 o’clock. The Carriage of Newspapers. —The tax imposed by the Railway Commissioners for the carriage of newspapers along the line is exciting widespread dissatisfaction. It is excessive to begin with, and very inconvenient in its operation. From North to South there are murmuringß, not loud, perhaps, but deep, an V action has been taken by one paper, the Lyttelton Times, to ascertain what is done in a similar direction in neighboring Colonies, and finds that in NewSouth Wales the commissioners theie have acted in a direction quite contrary to ours. Newspapers have been carried free ot oharge over the whole railway system, but under the old regime many obstacles were thrown in the way. When the present commissioners came into office a new order of things obtained, and every possible facility given to the distribution of newspapers. As the guards are men tc be trusted, to them is given the duty of throwing off the daily papers at the non-stopping stations. The commissioners also decided that as certain goods trains had to be ran at some time during every 24 hours, they might as well despatch them immediately after the morning papers had gone to press. These trains now run regularly ; they are invariably loaded only for distant stations on the principal lines, and as few stoppages have to be made, the commissioners authorised increased speed, so that by this means the papers might be delivered as early as possible: ib'ihefiear 'future the commissioners hope to make such afrabgetucmts that Sydney morning papers will be delivered 'at the outriioatstations the same morning. TfiyOtago Pally Times says •—As Mr Eday is ’about t 6 visit this" Colony'shortly, perhaps he, with his very much larger experience, may be able to convice Mr McKerrow that his recent tax is unwise, to say the least,

The Water Supply. —The City Council have decided to take further steps with regard to economising the water supply, and any person found wasting the water will be proceeded against by the Corporation authorities. A Thriving Concern*. —The fourth quinqnennial report of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia has been issued, an 1 in spite of the exceptionally stringent method of valuation adopted, reversionary bonuses will bo distributed to the extent of £IBO,OOO, while 23J per oent. of the net yearly premium has been reserved for future profits. Interesting. —We have received in pamphlet form a series of letters by Sir W. Fox, entitled “ tlow New Zealand gob its Constitution.” The letters are valuable as records, and throw a great deal of light upon a very interesting period of the Colony’s history. They fully explain the great trouble the early settlers had in obtaining the coveted constitution, and place the onus of the obstruction encountered upon the shoulders of the then Governor, Sir George Grey. The Hospital. —The Hospital steward acknowledges with thanks the receipt of the following donations for the Christmas feitivities :—£l from Mrs E. H. Morrah ; £1 from C. D. Barraud ; muscatels, biscuits, and lollies from Barr and Co ; 30 books on nursing from F. H. Fraser, Chairman of Trustees, for the nurses ; one dozen ginger ale and two dozen lemonade from Mrs Riley, Post Office Hotel; four lambs for New Year’s Day from the Happy Valley Meat Company. The matron would be glad to receive or Bend for parcels of old ltnen. The Exhibition Catalogue. —Wo are in- . debted to M r D. Harris Ha-atiugs, secretary cf the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibi tion, for a copy of the official catalogue of the Exhibition. The catalogue is an admirable production from every point of view. The editor (Mr Hastings) announces in an. historical introduction that his endeavour has been “ to give an idea of the wealth and resources of New Zealand, together with the rapid progress made in the first half century of its existence,” and the result is a volume which might reasonably bear the more ambitious name of a x ew Zealand handbook. It contains descriptive articles on the history, resources, productions, and circumstances of the Colony generally, and the individual districts, aud the statistics used are so handled as to be interesting without bsing heavy. The explanatory notes having reference to New Zealand exhibits, especially those dealing with Maori curios, have a considerable historic value, and the book as a whole is one which may be possessed with advantage, even by persons who have not Been the Exhibition. It is a bulky volume, published at the moderate price of a shilling. A Farewell to Mr Dillon. —About 50 or 60 gontlemen met on Jan. 2 in the dining room of the Club Hotel to bid farewell to Mr John Dillon, M.P., who left the next morning for Masterton and Napier, en route for a brief visit to the Hot Lakes, previous to his departure for the Oid Country by the next San Francisco steamer. . Mr E. O’Conor, M.H.R.,ior the Buller, introduced Mr Dillon to the meeting. Dr Grace, who was warmly welcomed on his first public appearance since his return from Europe, addressed the meeting at some length. The Rev Dr.Watters, rector of St Patrick’s College, proposed the health of their guest, Mr J. Dillon, and said he was glad to see that the meeting that night was a truly representative ooe, as it included all classes of society, from the highest to the honest working man. He felt sure the visit of the Irish delegates to this Colony would have a good effect on colonists. It would knit them into a closer bond of friendship with the Old Country. He asked those present to join him in drinking the health of their gnest. and wishing him God-speed on his mission. The toast was drunk with cheers. Mr Dillon, in repiy, spoke highly of New Zealand, its splendid scenery and magnificent climate, and said that when in the Old Country he should always speak a good word for the Colony. In conclusion, he expressed a hope that this grand and progressive Colony might ever be spared from one great trouble be had unfortunately some experience of—the curse of poverty. At the con. elusion ot his speech three cheers were given for Mr Gladstone.

Railway Guide. —Bishop’s Bradshaw ahd Monthly Time-Table and Diary for the cur. rent month is to hand.

Coal Expgrt. —The amount of coal exported from Westport last week was 1124 tons.

The Jubilee —The City Council have grnnted the free use of the Basin Reserve and Newtown Park to the Jubilee Committee for Anniversary Day. The Counoil have also agreed to the request of the Committee that the Mayor aud Councillors should join iu the procession on Anniversary Day. An Inquiry About Flax.— The Govern, ment of the United States have applied to the Government of this Colony for information as to the area of land iiivder flax in New Zealand. This is an evidence of the celebrity New Zealand flax i 3 obtaining, and may be the forerunner of an extensive trade with America in that commodity.

Boat Accident. —The occupants of the boat which was overturned at Lowry Bay last week were Messrs T. Wrigley E. Wrigley, and Jackson and another, all being residents of Pitoue. One of them being unable to swim had a very exeitiug time while the boat was being righted by those more skilled in natation.

Deputation. A deputation of cab-ownei-s waited upon the Public Works Committee of the City Council on Monday for the purpose of making suggestions with respect to the alteiation in cab fares. Consideration of the matter was deferred until next meeting of the Committee, and in the meantime the deputation will furnish the Town Clerk with full particulars of the alterations they suggest should be made.

Widening of Willis-screet. —ThePublic Works Committeeof the City Council Monday night considered Mr Laery’s letter (which has already appeared in our columns), iu which he offered certain suggestions with reference to the widening of Willis- treefc, and the Committee decided to send a reply to the effect that the Council regretted it could not see its way to take any action in the matter. Passengers for New Zealand.— The following passengers were booked for Wellington on November 22ad Per Ori3nt R.M.S. Lusitania (sailed Nove nber 22nd', Rev S. F. Bourdillon; per P. and O. Ballaarat (sailed November 28th', Messrs A. E. Baylis, C. Sharland, J. 8. Peter, W, Dowslm, G. H. Burrows, J. E. Collins; per Orient R.M.S. Oroua (sailed December 6th), Messrs L. A. Abrahams and W. G, Batohelor. A Protest. —The licensed cabmen of Wellington inform us that the man John D. Lightbourne, charged with an alleged robbery, is not a licensed cabman, Mr C. Duncan, Inspector of Hackney carriages, stating that Lighbourue applied to the City Council for a license, but they refusedjhis application. The licensed cabmen are justly incensed that a charge of robbery should be preferred against one of their class, hence this protest. A Distinction. —Sir William Manning, a luminary of the New South Wales Legielative Counoil, arguing on a verbal amendment, declared that the phrase “ final and conclusive” was tautological, inasmuch as whatever was final must be conclusive, and whatever was conclusive must he final. Thea up jumped that combative Q.C., Mr Salomons : “When my hdivand learned friend speaks last his words are final ; but, as he himself must have sadly experienced, they are far from conclusive. ’

Rifle Association. —Wellington will be well represented at the Exhibition meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, which commences in Dunedin next week. The local entries, which closed on Saturday night, are as follow :—Wellington Naval Artillery—C.P.O. Armstrong, C.P.O. Moran, P.O. Taylor, P.O. Harris, P.O. Palethorpe, P.O. Williams, P.O. Anderson, Bugler Aisher, Seaman Burns, Seaman Moore, Seaman Rabe, Seaman Balcombe, Seaman Arnold, Seaman France. Pitone Naval Artillery Lieutenant Davy, Lieutenant Kirk. D Battery Artillery Sergeant Kuchen, Corporal Scott, Gunner Howe, Gunner J. Wilson. Wellington City Rifles —Volunteer A. C. Atkinson, Volunteer C. W. Cato. Wellington Guards —Sergeant Richards, Corporal W. Ballinger, Volunteer A. Billinger, Volunteer Henry, Volunteer J. Soott. Heretaunga Cavalry—Trooper A. Chuck, Trooper W. Pringle. Grey town Rifles—Captain Cameron, Sergeant WiDason, Volunteer Oates. Papawai Rifles—Captain Jury.

Acknowledgment. —We thank the Regis. trsf-General tor part No. 6 of the statistics of the Coloiiy for last year. It apparently concludes the aerie§. A Colonial Girl in Trouble!; —The youDg lady Miss Nellie Morton, who claims to be the daughter of a Canterbury farmer, and who caused a sensation some months ago in London by trying to enlist ia the army disguised as a male, has got into trouble again. A few days before the mail left London she was fined 5a or three days imprisonment at the Marlborough - street Police Court for drunkenness.

A West Coast YenTurE. —The Westport. Wallseml Coal Company (Limited) has been underwritten and floated in London. The capital is £IOO,OOO in 20.000 shares of £5 each, of which 14,500 have bean offered to the public. The London Directors are S i .ip W. F. D. Jervoi3 (Chairmau), Messrs T. Campbell, J. Harrold, W. A. McArthur, M.P., M. S. Vanderby). The Australian Committee consists of Mr W. McMillan, Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales, and Mr E. F. Simpson, and the consulting engineers are Messrs Harper and Harper. Railway Cadets. —The Railway Depart* ment qf New South Wales have selected four railway cadets to be sent to England for the furtherance of their education in railway matters. Two of them are to leave Sydney about the middle of the present month and the otberß by the succeeding boat. It is part of the scheme that they shall remain in England for eight months, and daring this period opportunities will be afforded them of making themselves acquainted in a general way with all that ia modern in railway science. The cadets will be paid at the rate of £3 per week.

Cm TOMS Duties. —The amount of Customs duties collected at the port of Wellington for the past month was £24,28 L 14s lOd. For the previous month the amount was £25.546 9a lOd, and for December (last year) the amount was £18,073 4s 3d. The various items for last month were as follow : —Spirits, £5291 13s 4d ; cigars, cigarettes and snuff, £706 17s 5a ; tobacco, £3375 lls 6d ; wine 3, £602 12s 7d ; ale and beer, £6SS 43 ; tea, £1236 5s 3d ; ooffee, chicory, cocoa and chocolate, £67 14s 8d ; sugar, molasses and treacle, £939 ■ ,s >s 2d ; opium, £240 ; goods by weight, £3700 7s 7d; ad valorem, £5087 15s sd. Retired.— Mr Samuel Danks, who has been for several years past connected with the Benevolent Society, has been compelled through failing health to sever his coouection from that body, and he sat for the last time at their meeting on Tuesday afternoon The following resolution wa a carried unanimously:—“The Truste Q s Bincerely regret that Mr Danks can no longer, through failing health, attend the meetings of the Trustees, but they hope that he may recover from bis indisposition and be again present with them.” Eulogistic remarks were made by the Trustees present as to the valuablejservices he had rendered in the cause of charity during the nine years be had been connected with the Trustees. Mr Danks replied, and thanked the Trustees for the kindness shown to him during the time he had known them.

Wanted to be Arrested. —Shortly after mid-day on Tuesday a cab drove up td the police station, aud an individual in a faded c'oth overcoat, alighting from the vehicle, accosted a person of distinguished appearance who was stauding at the door of the station, and who, it subsequently transpired, was a newspaper reporter. Iu reply to the usual greeting, the last-mentioned personage wished the now arrival a happy New Year, and further suggested, with refined courtesy (for your .truly great people are always affable), that “ this was the wrong shop,” the Waverley Hotel being on the other side of the street. The overcoat seemed to think differently, however, for he went into the s'ation and asked the inhabitants thereof to arrest him. He had his luggage ou the cab, and he had come to stay —the aforesaid luggage being labelled “T. Temperley.” The police, who are hardhearted people, refused to take over the body in the overcoat, and were also disin. dined to pay the fare which the cabman bravely demanded. The various sides of the two questions involved—arrest and cab fare were argued exhaustively, until at length Temperley, disgusted at the incapability of the police, got into his cab again and requested to he driven to his boardinghouse. He went off in great style, and his opinion is that the laws of this country are cruel in principle and pernicious in effect. Later on Temperley’a highest hopes were realised, and he waß arrested for vagrancy.

Native LanU Cotmf XvCats- JJ* q Judges of the Native Land Court are holding a conference at the Parliamentary Buildings, the Chief Judge (Mr Seth Smith)' ptesidisg. It is understood that the object of the don* ference is to assimilate the Court procedure of the various districts as to make it reasonably uniform. Inquest. - Thf*' unfortunate girl Louisa Whittem, who was inj>u?ed by being knocked down by a runaway horstf sf&cl cart a week ago, died at the hosoital on . Mff&day evening. Mr Robinson, district coronary held an inquest at the hospital on Tuesday afternobti, at which a verdict of accidental death was returned. The Premier Returning.— Sir Harry Atkinson has telegraphed to the acting Premier that he is in much better health' and thinks of retimdng very shortly, Mr Leckie, the Premier'3 private secretary, left by the TakapUna for the Bluff l«3t evening, and will meet Sir Hairy when he arrives there on his way h'ofn'e. BenevoleN? Society .Trusts e s. —The usual weekly meetftig of the Benevolent Society Trustees was held the Queen’s Chambers on Tuesday afternoon, there being present—Rev H. Van Stavareu (chairman), Messrs C. E. Willeston, S. Danks, P, Monaghan, J. Collins, and G. M ICebbell. A large number of cases were dealt with, aid was granted to some, and increased help that was asked for in other cases was refused. Accounts amounting to £174 3s were passed for payment, after which the Trustees adjourned. St. Patrick's College. The teaching staff of 8t Patrick’s College will be aug. meuted by the arrival of the Rev John Bowden,.S.M., M.A., who has lately come out from Ireland to take the chair of classics in the College. Mr Bowden is a son of a well-known West Coaster. He was born in Hokitika in 1866, and about twelve years ago he went to St. Mary’s College, Dundalk, afterward matriculating at the Royal University, Dublin, where he obtained honours. The Rev Dr Watters, Rector of the College, and the Rev Father Devoy, left on Tuesday for a fortnight’s trip do a n South. *

A Jubilee Veteran. —A rather peculiar letter was received at the meeting of the Jubilee Committee on Tuesday. A Nelson settler, who arrived by the Lady Lilford (which brought the first sheep and cattle to Wellington), wrote asking what inducement the . Committee would give him and other members of his.-family to visit the Jubilee festivities and suggesting tbat'at any rate they were entitled to medals. The aged veteran and three of his relatives are over 70 years of age. Doubtless there are ;many who will think it might be worth the Gymmittee’s while to present him with a medal in recognition of geuuine long service. Licensing Committee.—A. n adjourned meeting of the Licensing Committee was held in the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tr.eiday, there being'present—Messrs J. R. Blair (chairman), A. Young, F. H. Fraser, C. E. Willeston, and J. E. Hayes. Applications for transfers were granted as follows : Te Aro Hotel, J. F. McKendrick'to G. M. Harden ; Barrett’s Hotel. C. Plimmer; to A. Hamilton. Temporary licenses were granted as follows :—Royal 7,’iger Hotel, W. Buckridge to IV. Tucker; Karori Hotel, M. Drary to M. Blythe ; Foresters’ Arms Hotel, A. Black to F. Morau. Mr Ames asked the Committee whether it would not be advisable to fix a certain fee for conditional licenses. After consultation, the Committee decided to fix the fee at £3 3s. This being all the business, the Committee adjourned. A Narrow Escape.— On Tuesday night between 6 and 7 pm Frank, the five-year.old son of Mr F. W. Cato, had a narrow escape from drowning. The lad in company with others was amusing himself on the breastwork of the reclaimed land between the end of Tory-atreet and the Destructor, when, losing his balance, he fell into the water. Hie brother, a few years older, let himself hand over hand down the breastwork, and managed to catch hold of 000 of the little fellow’s legs and held on tightly*. In the meanwhile a little girl raa to give an alarm. A gentleman passing by, and whose name is unknown, at once went to the rescue and brought the youngster safe to land, none the worse for his mishap save a wet suit of clothes. The parents of the boy desire to thank the gentleman for his prompt assistance. We suppose we shall continue recording such accidents, and probably some of tham fatal, so long as the City Council neglect to take proper precautions for the safety, not only of children, but of adults along that dangerous man-trap. Not perhaps until a City Father finds a watery grave over "that breastwork will the Council do their duty.