TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 940, 7 March 1890, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Pitons Drainage -At its ordiuary meeting on Friday night the Pitone Borough Council decided to engage Mr H. P. Digginson to report as to the best scheme for surface drainage, and aIBO for a water service for fire purposes iu the borough. St. Peter’s Chitpch. —At the close of the evening service in St. Peter’s Church on Sunday Mr Trimnell played the following organ pieces :—Fantasia, Moritz Brosig ; Pribre et Berceuse, Alexander Guilmant ; Marche Triompbale, F. Archer. All were splendidly performed and greatly enjoyed by the numerous congregation. Football Scandal.— The Management Committee of the Rugby Union have decided to hold an inquiry into the charges made against two members of the Poneke Football Club, of having offered their services to the Wellington Club in consideration of receiving a certain sum of money. The inquiry will be held on Monday next. Babies in Business. -Un the course of his address to the jury in the case Baker V 4 * Knight and others last Week, Mr H. D. Bell remarked, with reference to something Mr Edwards had said, that few people were less able to manage their own business than lawyers. They were perfect babies when it oame to business ; and if you wanted to find a blunder in a matter of business, have a lawyer in it and one would find it. Up in the World. —Sir William Fox is a remarkable man. He carries his burden of 78 years lightly, and laughs at the effeminate youngsters of 50 or thereabout, who fancy they are growing old. Sir William has just given us another of his quality. On Saturday he sent a telegram to Mi Brown, the Registrar-General, about tba ascent of Mount Egmont as fo lows : “!•>uecessful ascent to the summit yesterday. Splendid weather, magnificent view.” ‘Well done, Sir William Fox.

—Tho death was announced on Saturday of Mr William Cameron, of Otaraia, in the Wairarapa. He was a brother of Captain Cameron late of the R.M.S. lonic. He arrived, in this Colony about two years ago suffering from consumption, from which disease his death occurred. He was 32 years of age, single, and a native of Rock Ferry, near Liverpool. He was well known and highly respected throughout the Wairarapa district. He was a relative by marriage to Mr John Martin, M.L.C. Collision Between Yachts.— Off Kan Bay on Sunday morning the Thetis was accidentally run into by a small yacht which w*s running down to the bay. The Thetis, being much the larger of the two boats, was not injured at all, but the other boat had her bowsprit carried away, her jib split, and her peak halyards also carried away. The crew (two youths) dropped anchor in Kau Bay, but the yacht dragged her anchor and was drifting about the harbour when she was picked up by the Thetis and brought over to her moorings.

Newtown Sunday School. —The annual services in connection with the anniversary of the Newtown Sunday School were held on Sunday in the Wesleyan Church, Newtown. The church was very prettily decorated with festoons, and scriptural devices, etc. The various services were all well attended. The Rev W. Lee preached at the morning service and the Rev J. Berry at the evening, and in the afternoon the Rev C. H. Laws delivered an address. The collections were in aid of the school funds. The tea and public meeting in connection with the anniversary were held in the schoolroom on Taesdiy. Melrose Borough Council. A special meeting of the Melrose Borough Council was held on Saturday at noon. Present— The Mayor, Councillors Baylis, Bourke, Br unskill, Edmunds, Collins, Kershaw, ana Turner. The City Solicitor (Mr T. F. Martin) attended, and explained the terms of the deed of concession in connection with the Island Bay tramway, and it was decided, on the motion of Councillor Collins, seconded by Councillor Baylis, that tho deed be agreed to It was decided that a special meeting should be held for the purpose of executing the deed. The tender of Mr Hendricksen for repairing the bridge on the Obiro-road was accepted. Accounts amounting to £3l 5s 4d having been passed for payment, the Council adjourned.

3 Licensing Committee. —The quarterly meeting of the City Licensing Committee was held on Saturday afternoon, there being present Messrs Willeston (chairman), Hayes Young and Fraser. Transfers were granted as follows :—Karori Hotel Tinakori-road, from Maurice Drury to Mark Blythe, the name of the hotel to be changed to the Jubilee Hotel ; Club Hotel, Lam bton-quay, from John Kennedy to James Condon; Ry land’s Hotel, Grey-street, from VV illiam Gborge Rylands to James Gattell; Barretts Hotel, Lambton-quay, from Charles Plimmer to Andrew Hamilton; Oriental Hotel, Willis-street, from Thomas R. Jackson to Sydney George Parkes; Imperial Hotel, Cuba-street, to Emily B Armstrong as executrix under the will ot her late husband, Foresters’ Arms Hotel, Ghuznee-street, from Alexander Black to Francis Moran, on condition that the place should be thoroughly renovated before the next meeting ; Royal Tigei Hotel, Taranaki street, from Robert Buekeridge to William Tucker ; Prince of Wales, Tory-street, from Benjamin Cohen to Alfred Greenwood. Sergeant-Major Morice reported that the new licensee of the Oriental Hotel was doing all in his power to improve the means of escape in case of fire. The clerk was mstructed to communicate with the licensee of the Pier Hotel with reference to the police complaint that only three_ bedrooms and two sitting rooms were furnished. Permission was granted to Mr Alexander Black to carry on the license of the White Swan Hotel until next meeting, Mr Black not having had time to give the necessary noUce to the Bench of the transfer from Mr £. Urwin to himself. The Committee decided that in future no applications would be granted unless they were supported either by the applicants or their legal representatives.

new Judge. —Mr W. B. Edwards will assume the office to which he has just been appointed, of Native Lands. Commissioner and Judge of the Supreme Court, iu a few days. We understand that Mr E. T. Sayers will be the new Judge’s associate. The Premier.— We understand the Premier contemplates an overland trip through the Middle Island, starting from Picton. Ho is doing this chiefly for health’s sake, bat will turn the journey to other good account. We hope he will derive much benefit from it. New Zealand Hemp. —The doubts about the price of New Zealand hemp are effectually cleared up, and the wrong way, we are sorry to say. Tne staple is down, middling £22. fair quality £25, which means, we should think, that prime samples would be worth about £29. Well, the moral is obvious —the market must be accommodated somehow.

Accident to a Fireman.— On Tuesday %n accident occurred on the Basin Reserve during the Fire Brigades’ competition te Mr George Newth, a member of the Palmerston Noith Brigade. While running to a plug he slipped on the damp grass and put one of his knees out of joint. Among the spectators was Dr Hudson, an English medical man, making a tour of the world. This gentleman at once attended the sufferer and rendered him very efficient aid. Mr Newth is a well-known sprinter, having won the Caledonian Handicap at the last meeting in this city We are glad to learn that Mr Newth is rapidly recovering from his accident. An Unfortunate Adventure. Mr Samuel Myers, of Carterton, met with a remarkable mishap while on his way home on Friday last. Mr Myers was driving, and. when about a mile and a half this side of the Rimutaka, he was in the act of feeding his horse, when Le was seized with a fit and fell in the road insensible. When he came to again the horse and cart had disappeared, and there were indications of them having fallen down a steep precipice on one side of the road. Mr Myers, however, was not well enough to look for them, and walked along the road until he met the road min, Mr Trueman, to whom he explained his predicament. Subsequently Mr Myers came into towD, and is now under medical treatment. 1 Newtown Wesleyan Sunday School. The annual soiree in connection with the Newtown Sunday School took place in the schoolroom Tuesday night. There was a large attendance, ana tho Rev W. Lee presided. The room was very prettily decorated with flowers end mottoes, and presented a very pretty appearance. An excellent tea was provided and presided over by the following ladies : —Mesdames Berry, Buttle, Kitchen, Bell, and Misses Bradford and Bridson. After those present had satisfied themselves with the good things provided, the tables were cleared and Mr W. D, Buttle, the Superintendent of the Sunday School, read the annual report, which showed that the school was in a flourishing condition. The report was adopted as read. Addresses were delivered by the Revs C. H. Laws, N. Kelynack, J. Bsrry, and Mr Mackintosh. Mr Shortt presided at the organ. J Sudden Death.— A little girl named Bella Fuller went to the Te Aro Police Station on Sunday and informed Constable Madden that thero was a man dead in a house in Little Taranaki-street. The constable, on proceeding to the house, found the doors locked, and looking through a window saw a man sitting in a chair motionless. The offioer then burst open the door and found the b’ody apparently lifeless, with nothing on but a shirt. Constable Maddensent for Dr Collins, who attended immediately, but upon examination found that life was extinct. The body was then removed to the morgue. The deceased, whoso name was John Moore, was an old 65th man, and has been residing in the street by himself-for the last 25 years. Deceased leaves a stepdaughter, Mrs Jane Phelps, to mourn her loss. An inquest was held on Monday evening. Mr J. Nash was chosen foreman of the jury. Robert Taylor deposed that he knew the deceased, who resided opposite his house. Last saw the deceased between 8 and 9 p.tn. on the evening of the Ist inst. He noticed nothing unusual in his appearance. Dr Collins deposed to having made a post mortem examination of the deceased, and found that his bowels were in a bad state of decomposition. In witness’ opinion the deceased died of syncope, the result of disease of the heart. After some evidence of an unimportant character had been taken, the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Obituary. Our cable messages announce the death of one of the prominent newspaper men of the Old Country, Sir Edward Baines, who was born iu 1800 in Leeds. For many years he was associated with his father as editor and proprietor of thß Leeds Mercury, one of the most influential Liberal organs in the North of England. He was the author of “The History of the Cotton Manufacture,” “The Life of the Late Edward Baines” (his father), “A Visit to the Vaudoia of Piedmont.” “The Woollen Manufactures of England,” and other works bearing upon the industrial progress and commerce of the nation. Sir E. Baines was president of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics’ Institute, and was elected M.P. for Leeds in his brother’s place in 1859, but he lost his seat in the general election of February, 1874. In 1861 his attempt to Introduce into Parliament a Bill to reduce the franchise in boroughs to £6, was defeated on a division by 245 to 193 votes. Mr Baines was a member of the Schools Inquiry Commission (1565 to 1868), and a supporter of the Endowed Schools Act of 1869, and the Elementary Education Act of 1870. As one of the leading dissenting members he took an active part in opposition to church rates and university tests, and in supporting the Irish Church Disestablishment Bill. He was also a decided friend of the repeal of the corn laws, and every measure of Freetrade. In December, 1880, he received the honour of knighthood.

0 Native .Lands Commissioner'.— Mr Prtnßljy: of the YVaifeAtb, is bfe &p)ioiftfceit St jpothmiaaidiier tile* Native Lands AbS df last Session, to act With Mr Edwards. Hairy Factories. —Mr Sayer, the Government dairy inspector, who has been engaged at the Exhibition, is now released from his engagements there, and will start on his tour round the Southern dairy factories shortly. Traffic Returns. —The traffic returns of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company for the week ending 22ud February, 1890, amounted to £1352 Os Sd, and for the oprresponding period of last year, £ll3l 6s lOd, showing an incroaaa of £220 13s lOd. British TftOO>ys.—lt was twenty years last Friday since the last of the British troops was seen in this Colony, when the 18th regiment left the Waitemata in the s.s. Hero for Sydney. Captain Logan, now of the s.s. Manapouri, was in command of the Hero at, that date. The Frozen Meat Traps, —The Colonial Secretary has reaeived from the AgentGeneral a copy of a table compiled by Messrs W, Wed del and Co., of London, ghosting the fluctuations in the value of frozen mutton imported into London during the past six years. The table shows the average prioe for New Zealand mutton during that period to ' be—lßß4, s§d ; 1885, s£d ; 1886, 5d ; 1887, 4^d: 1888, 4|d i 1889, 4Jd. The Review. —We have received from the publishers, Messrs Lyon and Blair, the Monthly Review fqr tha current month. It contains sayeu; original an l very readable artless, o§ which the principal are the Defrnc.es of New Zealand,” continued by W. de R. Barclay, “An Incident of the Maori War ” and “ Nga Tangata Maori,” by Major Gudgeon, “ United Italy,” by G. Robertson, and “A War cf Creed in Canada,” by Era»stla l n. The«-e is also the usual monthly notes, and correspondency making up a capital number, A Land, Boom. —During the last two weeks there has been quit© a little boom in land in the vicinity of Palmerston North. A number of sections which the Manawatn Railway Company have had open for sale for some years past have suddenly ‘‘gone off” at prices ranging from £1 to £1 15s per acre. We are informed that no reduction has been made in the upset price of the sections, and the purchasers are principally residents in the looality. The. total land sales of the Company for the last twelve months will exceed £20,000, making the total of all lands sold to date to tot up the respectable sum of £IOO,OOO. The Puiiipuhi. —We are glad to learn that the Government have decided to open the Puhipuhi forest to prospectors. It appears that there is a technical difficulty in the way of issuing regulations, on account of the place bqing a State forest, and the field will, therefore, be proclaimed in the Regular way under the Mining Act. This coarse has been fixed upon after careful consideration of the circumstances. The Minister is advised that it is impossible to prevent prospecting, and as large numbers of people are so engaged at present, there is really more danger of injury to the forest by fire than there would be if proper regulations existed. Mr Clandon. R.M.. at Whangarei, will be warden, and the Clerk of his Court receiver of gold revenue. The necessary proclamation will probably be .nade next week.. Reduction op Harbour Dues. —ln accordance with notice, Mr J. Heaton moved, at the meeting of the Harbour Board last week—“ That a committee be appointed to consider the various dues, tolls, and charges collected by the Board with a view to reducing the same, the committee to consist of the Chairman (Captain Rose), Messrs E. Pearoe, J. Jack, W. F. Wheeler, and the mover,” In speaking to the motion, he said that there were a number of charges that might be reduced, and be thought it would be advisable if the committee were /appointed to inquire into the matter. The members of the Board all knew that the Board’s revenue bad increased, and with the approved appliances, etc., on the wharf the work was done much cheaper, and consequently he thought there was room for reduction. The Mayor seconded the motion. Mr Wheeler suggested that the words “with a view to reducing the same ” should be Bfcruok out, as the motion in its present form almost committed the Committee to reduce the charges. Eventually it was decided to amend the motion so as to read “with a view to considering the advisableness of reducing the same,” and in that form the motion was carried.

—Constable John O’Donovan, of the local police force, who passed so creditably in the recent police examinations, has been promoted from a second-class constable to first class. Hospital Donation. —The House Steward of the Hospital acknowledges with thanks, the receipt of a cheque for £4 15s, donated to the Hospital by Messrs W'irth Brothers, per favour of the New Zealand Times. Exemption from Port Charges. —On the recommendation of the Wharves and Accounts Committee, it was decided at yesterday week’s meeting of the Harbour Board that in the next modification of the by-laws it was desirable that steamers calling at the port for coal and water only should be exempt from port charges. Atlas. Roller Floub. —Messrs Virtue and Paterson, agents for the Atlas P.oller Flourmills, Timaru, have handed us the following :—“ A testimony to the quality of the flour turned out by the Atlas Mill is supplied by a letter from Albion Park, New South Wales, stating that the prizes for home-made bread at the Albion Park Agricultural Show in January were taken by bread made from the Atlas brand of flour.” “Lord Tyler.” —lt will be remembered that a young man named Leonard Tyler, who passed himself oft as “ Lord ” Tyler some three years ago, was sentenced to three years’imprisonment for theft. He was discharged from paol. on the sth of February, and proceeded to the Wairarapa. The sequel of his career, so far, is that he was brought down from b’eatherston on Friday morning in charge of Constable Webb, and conveyed to the Mount View Asylum on a charge of lunacy. Lecture. —Mr Maston, B.Sc., concluded last night week, at the Christians’ Chapel, his entertaining series of lectures on “A “A Tour Round the World,” his last subject being “ The United States, the Great Western Republic.” The lecturer may be congratulated on the success that has attended his labours, and those who have been present at the series have reason to be pleased at the entertainment provided, for in addition to the instructive discourse of Mr Maston the views exhibited have been for the most part of a very high order. The Railway Wharf. The Harbour Board decided at their meeting last week to close the Railway wharf to the general public during working hours. In laying the matter before the Board, as a recommenda tion from the Wharves and Accounts Committee, th-> Chairman (Captain Rose) stated that engines ran backward and for* ward on the wharf during the greater part of the day, and already there had been several accidents. It was, therefore, deemed advisable to close the wharf, except for business people, during the hours the engine was running. Ia reply to Mr He.ifon, the Chairman said the Board had control of the wharf, and, consequently, they had power to close it. St Peter’s Choir.—A general meeting of the choir of St Peter's Church was held last week, the Rev W. O. Waters, incumbent, presiding. The Chairman informed the choir that in accordance with the resolution of the General Synod, which placed the control of church choirs and music in the hands of the clergyman of the parish, he should in future assume such charge ; consequently, instead of now members of the choir being elected as hitherto by the Choir Committee, they would be appointed by himself on the recommendation of the choirmaster, provided that he (the incumbent) saw no reason to disapprove their nomination. It was arranged to hold the annual picnic of the choir at au early date. Settlers in Arrear. —The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr J. W. A. Marchant) was instructed, at last week's meeting of the Land Board, to take steps to recover the arrears due by settlers in the Wellington district, which amount to £ISBO 13s 9d. Out of 1786 selectors under the deferred payment, perpetual lease, small run, village settlement on deferred payment, and special settlement systems, there are only 118 in arrears, and this is considered highly satisfactory. The number of selectors and amount of arrears under the different systems are as follow :—Deferred payment, 26 selectors out of 314, arrears, £407 lla lid ; perpetual lease, 31 out of 517, arrears, £555 lla l«d ; small runs, 3 out of 73, arrears, £132 9s; village settlements on deferred payments, 4 out of 80, arrears, £34 17s lOd ; special settlements, 54 out of 802, arrears. £750 33 2d. Altogether there are ever 2000 selectors on the Board’s books, but those who have taken up land under systems other than those mentioned have all paid up. Diocesan Affairs. —The monthly meeting of the Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held yesterday week. Present—The Bishop (in the chair), the Archdeacon, the Revs J. Still, J. Jones and A. Towgood, Messrs C. P. Powles, C. C. Graham, C. E. Zohrab and C. Rous Marten. The Secretary leported that the financial position of the diocese had | materially improved since the last meeting, and was much better than in the previous year, the parochial assessments in arrear up to the 31st December being £593, as against £659 in the preceding year. The arrears of clergy stipends up to the same date were £6lO for 1889, as compared with £650 for 1888. The Rev Mr Hewson applied fora pension on his compulsory retirement (owing to bodily infirmity) from the incumbency of Greytown. The full pension allowed by the Act was granted by the Committee. The Bishop announced that he had appointed the Rev W. Wyatt (of Cast, in the Christo lurch Dio ese) to the incumbency of Greytown, and that Mr Wyatt would “read himself in ”on Sunday, 6th April. The re3t of the business was chiefly routine work.

Immigration and Emigration. —The number of persons arriving in this Colony during the month of January, 1890, was 2109, and the departures 1806, showing an excess of 303 arrivals over departures. The arrivals were from the following countries : —United Kingdom. 14S ; New South Wales, 731; Victoria, 109 S; South Australia, 2; Tasmania, 69; other places, 66. The departures were—To the United Kingdom, 111 ; New South Wales, 769 ; Victoria, 7SI; Tasmania, 3S ; other places, 107. Customs Duties. —The amount of Castoms duties collected at this port for the past month amounted to £24,938 12s sd. For the previous month (January) the amount was £24,702 7s 3d, and for February last year the amount was £22,517 23 3d. The various items for last month were as follow : - Spirits, £3977 4s 4d ; cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £7lB 5s 4d ; tobacco, £3393 19s ; wines, £525 15s 4d ; ale and beer, £662 11s; tea, £1341 12s 9d ; coffee, cocca, an.l chocolate, £ll7 2s 3d ; sugar, molasses, and treacle, £6ll 3s 7d ; glucose, £37 6s Sd ; opium, £192 5s ; goods by weight, £2304 9s Sd ; ad valorem, £9357 Is ; other duties, £586 Os 8d ; primage, £lll3 15s 10J.

Marine Officers’ Association. —The. Mercantile Marine Officers’ Association of New Zealand has been duly registered under the Trades Union Act, and now includes nearly all the captains and officers sailing in these waters. '! he head offices are at 152 Queen’s Chambers, Queen’s Wharf, Wellington. Sir R. Stout is president, the Rev John Still and Dr Newman, M.H.R., vice-presidents, and the trustees ar,e Messrs C. J. Johnston, J. Duthie, A. H. Miles ; Mr H. J. Claridge is treasurer, and Mr J. H. W. Highman secretary. This Association has been brought into existeuce to counteract influences that are working against its members’interests, to initiate reforms, to sweep away abuses, to enable its members to fill their several positions with comfort to themselves, to maintain the dignity of their position, and to watch over and guard the interests of its members whenever they may be assailed. Church Parade. —The members of the visiting Fire Brigades, who are at present in Wellington for the approaching demonstration, assembled in Brandon-street at 10 am on Sunday, and marched in procession St Peter’s Church, where they attended divine service, the Rev W. C. Waters preaching an appropriate sermon. The service was of a somewhat special charaoter suitable to the occasion. There were six men from each brigade, and the procession included the Garrison Band, Gray’s Band, and King’s Band, each playing in turn pleading musical selections. The following brigades were represented :—South Dunedin, Spit (Napier), Timaru, Goie, Ashburton, YVanganui, Naw Plymouth, Hawera, Hastings, Woodville, Waipawa, Masterton Municipal, Parsons, Auckland delegate, Rangiora, Dunedin Railway, Gisborne, Marton, Hokitika, Roslyn, Grey mouth, Napier, Greytown, Palmerston North, Blenheim, Kumara, Invercargill Municipal, Southern Invercargill, Masterton Volunteers, Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland City, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and Oamaru. The line lof route was from Brandon-street, up Lambton-quay into Willis street, and back the same way. A large number of persons witnesssd the marching, which passed off very successfully. A Mysterious Fire. —A fire occurred between half-past 5 and 6 o’clock on Sunday morning by which a four-roomed cottage in Wordsworth-street, oecuoied by Mr Timothy Donovan and hie family, was destroyed. Mrs Donovan siates that she and her children went to bod at 11 o’clock on Saturday night, and she was awakened about 3 in the morning by one of the children calling for a drink. Upon going into the room where the child was, Airs Donovan observed smoke issuing' from another room where the children had been bathed on the previous night. She at once obtained the assistance of a neighbour, who found some clothes that ware in the room smouldering. What little fire existed then was put out, but just before 6 o’clock the house was seen Xy Mr Barry, who lives a few doors away, to he in flames. Mr Barry at once ran to the house and pushed open, the door, which was unfastened, aroused the inmates, Donovan being found asleep on a sofa almost surrounded by fire. With some difficulty Mrs Donovan and all the children (six in number) were got out through a window, but the house and its contents were all destroyed. It appears that Donovan came home at 4.30 a.m. The cottage was insured for £75, and the furniture for £SO iu the Sun office. It is supposed that the fire originated the second time in the room where Mrs Donovan first discovered it.

Ministerial Movements, —Mr Mitohelson and Mr Richardson will probably leave Wellington to-day frr Napier and the East Coast, to deal with certain departmental business in that part of the Colony. The Dry Weather. —Householders cannot be too careful to keep their drains, ashpits and backyards in good clean order during this long spell of dry weather. Not only water, but disinfectants should be used, for if rain does not soon fall it is feared there will be more cases of feverish complaint if people neglec,t the necessary precautions. - Quite a Mistake. —It is probable that after all Jonathan Roberts, the Jack Sheppard of his day, has not been recaptured, after a long interval of spuiious liberty. Roberts is believed to have visited Rio de Janeiro after bis escape from Lyttelton, but returned to Australia in consequence of an outbreak of yellow fever. That he has been in the vicinity, of Sydney for some time has been pretty well known to the police, and apparently a precautionary communication with the Dunedin authorities prompted the erroneous conclusion that Jonathan was once more in durance vile. Crown Lands Guide.— The Crown Lands Guide for the present year is just issued, and ia au exceedingly valuable publication of its kind. The Guide contains a draft of the land laws of the Colony, with full details of the operations of the various systems; full particulars of land in the various land districts now open for selection and to be opened up, with beautifully executed maps ; and a quantity of useful information about the condition of the pastoral and agricultural industries, minerals, frozen meat production, & o. tVe learn from the Guide that the extent ol land in cultivation (including sown grasses) had increased from 997,477 acres in 1569, and 4,506,559 acres in 1879, to 7,670,167 acres in 1889—au increase of over three million acres in ten years. The area in wheat early in 1889 was 362,153 acres, and the aggregate produce of the wheat crop was estimated at 8,770,241 bushels ; aud the aggregate produce of wheat during the year ended February, 1839, wis 10,977,065 bushels. The export of flax in ISS9 was 17,084 tons, valued at £361,182. The frozen meat export for the year 18S9 was valued at £783,374. A vast amount of other information is given, and we commend th 3 Guide a« a vade mecum, not only for persons taking up or in search of laud, but also to all who are interested in the trade and resources of the Colony. Harbour Board. —The monthly meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday week. Present Captain Rose (chairman), Messrs J. H. Heaton, J. Jack, D. Speedy, W. Booth, W. F. Wheeler, J. H. Cock, and the Mayor. The Chairman reported that the credit balance at the bank was £5420 4s sd, and the fixed deposit was £35,000. The amount requited for payment was £5592 11s Bd. This sum was subsequently passed for payment, return was laid on the table showing the cost of extending the middle tee of the Queen’s Wharf by day labour to have been £909 11s. The Chairman reported that the arrears of rental due July Ist, ISB9, for which the Board med, had been paid. The Wharves and Accounts Committee recommended that steps be taken to obtain payment for the arrears of rental of the Hunter street endowment, due January Ist, 1890. Agreed to. It was decided to order by cable, through Messrs E. W. Mills and Co., 20 ton 3 of hoop-steel for immediate delivery by steamer ; also that the tenders closing at the next meeting of the Board for 180 tons of steel, should be advertised as giving the Board option to accept a further quantity of 100 tons for delivery at a later period. The Board agreed to the transfer of the interest of Mr J. Burns, to Mr G. Norton, in the boatshed and dwelling on Waterloo-quay, and decided to call for tenders for the lease of the site. It was resolved to call for tenders for annual supplies and services, to close at next meeting. The Wharves and Accounts Committee recommended that assistance be provided for the Secretary, and that the matter be referred to the Committee to make arrangements. On the suggestion of Mr Heaton, it was decided that the Committee should report to the Board before taking any action in the matter. Plans for raising part of the roof of shed “ J ” were submitted by the engineer and approved. The Chairman reported that instructions had been given to the Board’s solicitor to appear in the Assessment Court on an appeal against the rating of land lying between the wharf and Jervois-quay. The Board went into committee to consider tenders for extending the wool jetty and shed, and, on resuming, it was reported that nine tenders had been received, and that the lowest would be if accepted if found ia order.

The Hospital. The matron cf the | hospital will be glad to receive or send for parcels of old linen, it being very much just now. r The Cemetery Question. Messrs McKenzie Bros have written to the Cuy Council stating that they are prepared to accept the offer of the Council of £-1.000 for the laud owned by them at Karori for a cemetery site, on certain conditions. The letter was considered by the Public Works Committee on Monday night, and it was decided to refer the matter to a small committee. San Francisco Mail.— The s.s. Mahinapua, with the San Francisco mail on board, arrived alongside the Wharf at 9.10 o’clock on Monday night. The steamer was somewhat behind time, owing to tliß seve»e weather which was experienced throughout. The W’ellingtcn portion was sorted for early delivery on Tuesday morning. Tne Southern portion went on by the Waihora. <gA Jubilee Map. —Mr F. H. Tronson, fimd agent, of Lambton-quay, has published a most useful map of the city of Wellington and surrounding districts as a souvenir of the Jubiiea year. This map is the most complete one of the locality yet issued. It shows every division up to date, such as the allotments in the Roseueath, Brooklyn and other estates, and such improvements as the proposed new jetty at the Railway Wharf, etc. A most useful addition to the map for reference is the index to the public buildings, firebell, shipping and mail signals. Such a map at our next Jubilee will be worth at least a guinea.

No Accommodation. —The necessity for better accommodation for witnesses was represented to the Chief Justice on Monday, the grand jury informing his Honor that they were unable to find certain witnesses when they wanted them. Mr Bell, the Crown Prosecutor, said that in this respect the Court was the most deficient in the Colony, the whole of the accommodation originally provided having been absorbed by the Magistrate’s Court and the Official Assignee. With the facilities available, it was impossible for the officers of the Court to keep proper supervision of the witnesses. He had complained to the Justice Department again and again, but without getting anything doDe in the matter. Procession. —The first item on the programme of the Fire Brigades’ demonstration was carried out on Monday night, in the shape of a procession, in which the members of the local and visiting Brigades (about 244 all told) and the Garrison and Protestant Banda took part. Starting out from the Mannersstreet station, the procession marched up Taranaki street and thence by way of Ingestre and Cuba streets down through the town, visiting Tkorndon and returning to the Brandon street station. The route was brilliantly lighted by the torches of the brigadesmen, and the whole affair was an entire success. The marshals, Messrs J. F. Adams, H. B. Parsonage, , and Mr F. Kennedy, are to be congratulated on the completeness of their arrangements. Large crowds of people lined the streets while the procession was passing through the city. The firemen closed the procession at the Brandon-street station, where the local Committee provided light refreshments. Land for Selection. —The lands open for selection in the Wellington district comprise (according to the land guide just issued) 173,000 acres, either surveyed or unsur* veyed, scattered in various parts of the dis. trict, and are of various qualities, but nearly always good. The land is mostly covered with forest, a good deal of it broken but well suited for grazing purposes, the soil being good, and often formed by papa, a kind of marl, or by decomposed slates. The limestone iands of the eastern district are very rich, and take grass remarkably well. Prices vary from 10s up to £2 an acre, according to position and quality. In addition to the lands mentioned, about 67,000 acres, some of which is of excellent quality, will be open for selection before the end of March. A list of blocks |of lands in the Wellington district, which are being prepared , for sale or selection, is as follows :—Waitotara. block, 3000 acres; Maungakaretu block* 10,910 acres; Otamakapua-Tapuae block, 20,000 acres ; Oroua Coal Creek block, 10,000 acres ; Mangatainokok block, 8003 acres ; Mangahao block, 6000 acres ; Makuri, North-Puketoi block, 10,000 acres; South Puketoi block, 15,000 acres; Mount Baker block, 5000 acres; Kawhata block, 11,000 acres.

Promotions —Mr Arthur Forater, who has occupied the position of assistant clerk of the Magistrate’s Court in Wellington for some time past, has been promoted to the position of clerk of the Court at Napier. He retires from the office here on Saturday next, and leaves for Napier early next week. Petition. —A petition has been presented to the City Council by a number of residents of Boulcott-sfcreefc, asking that tbe street should be cut down in order to secure a better approach to the Terrace. The petition came before the Public Works Committee of the Council last night, and it was decided to refer the matter to the City Surveyor for a report. Exemptions.—Several persons who were called as grand jurors on Monday obtained exemption. Messrs C. W. Benbow, F. Brady and J. WhitMey King, on account of their absence from Wellington ; Mr John Duncan, on the production of a doctor’s certificate, and Mr J. Lachman on account of bis being engaged in cases to be heard in the Magistrate’s Court. A Useful Invention. —Mr Mills, of Christchurch, has brought out a very useful invention in the shape of a book of telegraph forms interleaved with thin paper for manifold writing. The telegraph forms when torn out leave a wide mru-giu to which return replies to the telegram can be attached. For commercial people this invention only requires to be seen to show its great utility. Serious Accident. —At about 3 o’clock on Monday morning, Mrs Clatworthy, who resides in Clyde-quay, was awakened from her slumbers by hearing moans, as those of a dying person. She immediately got up, and going outside, saw a man lying in a helpless state. She at once went into her house and informed her husband of the occurrence. Mr Clatworthy went to the man’s assistance, and attempted to lift bim up, but owing to the man pleading not to be touched, he left him. Meanwhile Mrs Clatworthy went and aroused Constable Gleeson, who was soon on the Beene, and recognised the man as a labourer on the wharf named Peter Dish, who resides in Port-street,off Marjoribanks-street. The constable and Mr Clatworthy carried the injured man into the latter’s house, where everything possible was done to alleviate his sufferings. At 6 o’clock Dr Gillon was sent for, and on arrival ordered the man’s removal to the Hospital, whither he was accordingly taken. On examination at the Hospital, it was learned that Dish had severely injured his back and head by the fall, but was progressing as satisfactorily as oould be expected. The injured man is at present quite unable to give an account of himself, but it is supposed that in making his way home he fell over the cliff, a distance of about 60ffc. The Free Por Lie Library. —At a meeting of the Executive Ccmmittee of the Public Library, held Tuesday evening, there were present—Messrs J. R. Blair (chairman), Woodward, Hawkins, D. J. Nathan, K. Wilson, Petherich, and C. B. Izard, M.H.R. A letter was received from Messrs Wirth, of the circus, requesting the Comrnittse to accept, with their beat thanks, £33 les 7d, half of the net proceeds of the benefit given on Monday evening. The writers remarked that they would have been better pleased if the citizens bad filled the ball on the occasion, considering a public library an institution which should be encouraged by every citizen. It was decided to send a letter of hearty thanks to Messrs Wirth Bros. Mr Woodward suggested the addition of several gentlemen outside the Colony to the Committee, but the Chairman ruled that the Committee had no power to add to t'noir number. The Committee then proceeded to make arrangements in connection with canvassing. Messrs Izard, Woodward, and G. Anderson having kindly consented to canvass the Thorndou ward of the city, it was decided to allocate the work of tbe other wards to the following gentlemen (subject to those named agreeing to act): — Lambton— Messrs D. J. Nathan (convener), J. M. Richardson, J. Magiuity, and J. B. Haroourt ; Te Aro - Messrs Petlierick (convener), T. W. McKenzie, and K. Wilson ; Cook and outlying districts—Messrs C. F. Worth (convener), A. W. Brown, J. Kitchen, and C. W. Smith. All these Committees were given power to make such arrangements as may be necessary. It was decided, oa the suggestion of Mr Petherick, to suggest that the balance (about £500) standing over from the Friendly Societies’ fSfce in the Queen’s Jubilee year should be given in aid of the Free Public Library. Mr P. Levi having resigned the secretaryship of the Committee the matter wa3 considered in private. 4