TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 944, 4 April 1890, Page 20

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Prospects op Fiji — An interesting interview with a well-known merchant of Fiji, on the trade and prospects of the Islands, will be found on page 2.

The Bankruptcy Bill. —lt is understood that a prominent feature of the Bankruptcy Bill which is to be introduced by the Government in the coming session will be the provision that charges of fraudulent bankruptcy or other grave offences against the . Act, rendering offenders liable to lengthened terms of imprisonment, will be tried before jurors, and not before a Judge alone, as at present.

Rainfall for February. —The Meteorological Office publish in this week's Gazette a full account of the rainfall for February. During the month no rain fell at 3 e Aroha, Cape Campbell, or The Brothers (an island in Cook Strait). The heaviest rainfall was at Napier, where in three days 1 83in fell. The next was at Kaikoura, where l‘77in fell in 10 days. More rain fell in the Hawkes Bay and Wanganui districts than in any other part of the Colony.

A New Sheep Act.— One of the measures to be submitted to Parliament during next Bcsßion will be a Bill consolidating the existing Sheep Acts and introducing some new provisions. The latter wjll perttfifl chiefly to tha treatment of scab, and will embody the recommendation of the conference of Inspectors that future outbreaks of scab shall be treated as caseß of urgenoy, and that the officers of the department shall have power to deal with them directly, independently of the owners.

Tenders. —The following tenders have been received by the Education Board, Clyde quay Infant School—Thompson and Co,, £627 (accepted) ; T. Laughlau, £700; J. Rose, £779 ; Edwards and Palmer, £785 ; Skinner and Johnson, £691 7s 6d ; J. Edwards. £795; D. McLean, £798 ; J. Wilson, £727 ; Gray and Glamer, £712 ; H. J. White, £692 10s ; W. C. Watson, £S96 ; R. Grant, £849 ;J. Russell, £74-9. Painting and repairing fence at Fcatherston School—A. E. O’Neill, £ls 4s (accepted) ; W. Burton, £22 10s ; J. Robertson, £24.

Wellington Board of Trusts. —A meeting was held yesterday week of the Board of Trusts for the Wellington Diocese. Present —The Bishop (in the chair), Ven Archdeacon Fancourt, Rev J. Jones, Messrs C. P. Powles, W. H. Quick, K. Wilson, J. W. A. Marchant, and C. Rous Marten. The principal business was the appointment of a Diocesan Trustee in the room of the late Mr Thomas Kebbell. On the motion of Mr Powles, seconded by Mr Rous Marten, Mr W. H. Quick was unanimously appointed to fill the vacancy. The Board then adjourned.

The Electoral Bounbar.es. —Attention has been called to the fact that the Chatham and Kermadec Islands are not included la any of the new electorates. It is apparently overlooked, however, that the boundaries gazetted are not those finally adopted, but merely those provisionally proposed by the Commissioners, against whose recommendations an appeal can be made. There will be abundant opportunity before the final revised report of the Commissioners is sent in to the Governor for any minor errors or omissions to be rectified, aud this will, as a matter of oourse, be done.

Redivivus. —We have received a letter from Mr James Barry, builder, together with a circular, addressed to the share, holders of the Manawatu Railway Company, in which Mr Barry again objects to the presentation of a bonus to Mr Higginson, the engineer, and has given formal notice to that effect to be moved at the next annual meeting of the Company. Mr Barry contends that no bonus should be paid to any officer of the Company until dividends have been paid for at least three years. Mr Barry requests shareholders to send him their proxies. Election Probabilities. — Mr W. W. McCardle has, we learn, decided to stand for the Masterton seat at the next general election. Whether Mr Beetham will again be a candidate it is impossible, in view of his absence from the Colony, to say. Thera appears to be a belief that he will not stand again, but in any case Mr McCardle’s friends are sanguine of success. Mr Hogg, who was second, and Mr R. S. Hawkins, who was last at the last general election, are also mentioned as probable candidates. There is a great likelihood of Mr W. C. Buchanan having a “walk over” for tho Wairarapa seat.

Diocesan Affairs. —The regular monthly meeting of the Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held yesterday week at the Diocesan Library. Present —The Bishop (chairman), the Archdeacon (secretary), Mr W. H. Quick (chancellor), Mr C. P. Powles (treasurer), Rev J. Jones, Messrs Kenneth Wilson, J. W. Allman Marohant, and C. Rous Marten. The Secre« tary reported that £95 had been received, and £SB expended since the date of the last meeting, and that clergy stipends were in arrear to the amount of £553 up to the end of December, against which parochial assessments to the amount of £549 were due. Of this sum, £BO belonged to the last September quarter, and £152 to the June quarter. The judgment of the Stands ing Commission was received in relation to the case submitted jointly by the Standing Committee of St. Maik’s parish as to the legality of the Diooesan Synod’s action in requiring an extra offertory in the year to be devoted to the General Church Fund. St. Mark’s parish had contended that this proceeding waß ultra vires. The Standing Commission, however, held that the Synod waß within its powers in making the order which was objected to. A letter was received from the incumbent of St. Mark’s claiming that the decision was not entirely adverse to his contention, but stating that the parish would give the offertory In question sb a voluntary contribution, although they denied the existence of any right on the part of the Synod to claim this anthoritatively. The letter was ordered to be acknowledged, and the Committee then adjQurned,

Traffic Returns. —Tbe traffic returns of the Wellington and ■ Manawatu Railway for the week ending 22nd March, 1890, amounted to £1526 133 4d, and for the corresponding period of last year £1450 11s Bd, showing an increase of £76 Is Bd. Kindness. —During the progress of the fire yesterday week in the Adelaide road the neighbours around the burning premises had a kind thought for the hard-working firemen, and - supplied them with grateful and oomforting cups of cocoa.

Charitable Aid Rate. —We understand that the charitable aid rate, which was last year, will be 3d this year, in consequence of the increased contributions asked from the City Council. The sum at which the city is assessed for charitable aid and hospital purposes is £3477. The increase (about £400), it may be mentioned, is in respect of charitable aid. s.sr Mamari. —Messrs Levin and Co, the local agents of the Shaw, Saviil and Albion Company, received a cable message on Friday, statiDg that the s.s. Mamari, which left Lyttelton on the Bth February, arrived at Plymouth on Wednesday morning, after a passage of 47 days, including all stoppages, with her cargo of frozen mutton in excellent condition.

% Obituary. The many friends of Mr David Smith, who has been in the service of the Wellington Harbour Board for a large number of years as signalman at the Beacon Hill station and latterly at Mount Victoria, will regret to hear that he died at the latter station on Friday afternoon. The deceased had been ailing for some time, and his death was not altogether unexpected. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn their loss. Indecent Literature. A deputation from the ministers’ conference, consisting of the Revs J. Berry, J. Paterson, J. K. Elliott, and H. Driver waited upon the Minister of Justice on Friday afternoon, for the purpose of urging that the circulation of 'indecent literature, etc., should be prevented. The Minister expressed his sympathy with'the objects of the deputation, and he promised to use his Influence in suppressing the circulation of the.papers and books objected to.

Proceedings against the Hutt County Council. —We learn that on Thursday afternoon Mr W. R. Haselden, of the firm of Haselden and Thompson, solicitors, ■waited on the Solicitor-General, and obtained his sanction to proceedings being instituted in the Supreme Court at the suit of the Solicitor-General on the relation of William Cook, of Johnsonville, praying that the Hutt County Council be restrained from erecting tollgates or other obstructions on the county roads, in a manner not authorised by law, and that they be ordered to remove the gates, houses, &0., there erected. On Friday Messrs Haselden and Thompson prepared the necessary statement of claim, and filed the same with the Solioitor-General, who has authorised the use of his name and the procedure, but owing to the length of the documents it was found impossible to have the writs sealed before 3 p.m., the closing time at the Supreme Court office, but Messrs Haselden and Thompson communicated J to Mesers Travers and Izard the intended issue of the writ, and requested them to accept service on behalf of the defendants, and also suggested that the matter might be speedily Bettled by Btating a case for argument. We learn, however, that Messrs Travers and Izard state that they are not instructed to accept service. Consequently an immediate settlement of the difficulty may not be available. Professionalism. Considerable discussion took place at the meeting of the Rugby Union Friday night npon a motion moved by Mr W. Coffey to the effect that the resolution passed by the Management Committee with regard to the charges of professionalism, which came before the Committee a few weeks ago, was unsatisfactory. The mover commented upon the action of the Committee in refusing to allow the inquiry to bo public, and he asserted that it was only right that the ovidence should be laid before the delegates, as they were entirely in the dark as to what took place. The resolution was seconded by Mr Morpeth. Mr J. M. King, in reply to the mover, stated that the Committee knew that there would be always an amount of dirty linen washed, and they did not think, in the interests of football and common morality that the inquiry should be held publicly, for while they did not wish to conduct their meetings in a Star-Chamber faehioo, they did not think this disgraceful affair should be conducted in the ; eyes of the public. Mr J. Reich failed to see why the Committee shonld have censured the Poneke Club, and he contended that the Club had in no way failed in its duty. If they had reported the matter to the Committee it would have looked like vindictiveness against the players concerned. In reply to Mr White, the Secretary stated that he had forwarded the evidence to the Seore. tary of the English Rugby Union, and had requested him to reply as early as possible. After farther discussion Mr Coffey said he was satisfied with the explanation, and as the matter would have to come before the Union again, he would withdraw his motion. Mr White then moved that the evidence should be laid before the meeting. Mr J. Campbell seconded. Mr King did not know whether they would be right in producing the evidence, and Mr MoCardell emphatically declared shat he would not produce it. The Chairman, Mr G. Campbell, thought that it would be advisable to postpone the matter, as it would have to come before them again. Tiie mover, however, declined to withdraw his motion, which was put to the meeting, and lost by a large majority.

Cricket. Owing to the unfavourable weather on Saturday afternoon the Senior Cup matches had again to be postponed.

English Mails. —The s.s. Rotomahana, which arrived at the Bluff at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, brought an English mail, via Brindisi.

Death at the Hospital. —A man named Richard Barry, a Maori, who was arrested for drunkenness on Weduosday, was removed to the hospital next day on Dr Fell’s certificate that he was suffering from fits of an epileptic character. The unfortunate man’s condition did not improve, and at 3 o’clock on Sunday morning he expired. The Medical Superintendent of the hospital has given a certificate of the'cause of death.

A Farewell Sermon. —At Wesley Church on Sunday evening, the Rev W. Lee preached a valedictory sermon, he having been appointed by the Wesleyan Conference to a charge in Auckland. The rev gentleman took for his text Acta XX, 26 and 27 verses, and in the course of a touching ad* dress, in which he referred to the good feeling which had subsisted between himself and his congregation, said he thought it possible that, owing to the Methodist itinerancy, had he to commence his ministry again, he should select some church in which the ministry is more settled. However, with all the disadvantages of that itinerancy, it had a good many advantages, among these that of enabling a minister to make many friends, and had it not been for the itinerancy he would not have been in Wellington, He thanked Ged that he had boen appointed to labour in Wellington, and he felt that during the three years he had been here he had not had one solitary disagreement with one single person ; and he did not think that in auy circuit he had been ho had realised more real comfort and happiness. He certainly had not received any more kindness, nor could he possibly have received more than he had from the members and office-bearers of the Cburoh, and he felt it only right publicly in the presence of the congregation to acknowledge this. He thanked them sincerely and earnestly for all the Christian help they had afforded him in the arduous duties he had had to perform. He had hoped to have an opportunity of calling at their homes before leaving, but he found this was physically impossible, as he had been away lately, and would have to leave the circuit a little sooner than he had expected. He therefore ho'ped they would accept the will- for the deed. He wished the congregation God-speed in the name of the Lord, and solicited their prayers on his own behalf.

Mr Drummond, C.E. —The Sydney cable message of the Press Association relative to the new company which is to be formed to construct the New South Wales railway locomotives, was considerably “ mixed up ” as it appeared in the columns of our evening contemporaries, and was evidently based ou Imperfect knowledge or information. Mr Dngald Drummond, who is referred to as “formerly an engineer engaged on (sic) the Caledonian Railway Company and now manager of the -Strollox (sio) Works,” is the Locomotive Superintendent and Mechanical Engineer-in-Chief of that important line, and one of the most distinguished locomotive engineers in Europe. Ho has held that appointment for seven or eight years past, having previously occupied a similar post on the other great railway of Scotland —the North British. The “ Strollox” Works, of which he is said to be “ now manager,” should be St. Rollox, near Glasgow, where are situated the chief workshops of the Caledonian Railway, which have, of course, been managed by Mr Drummond ever sinoe he took charge of the locomotive department of that railway. Mr Drummond won much fame in the engineering world by the splendid engines he designed and built for the North British Railway, where heavy express trains have to be run 98 miles without a stop over two mountain summits and up long gradients of 1 in 70 at an average speed of 42 miles au hour, and still heavier goods trains have to climb the same hills without assistance, though at a slower rate of speed. When he went to the Caledonian line he built engines of a similar but improved type, which one capable critic declared to “ beat everything on wheels.” But his special success was with the Caledonian engine (the celebrated “No. 123”), whioh was shown in the Edinburgh Exhibition, and which, during the “ railway race ” from London to Edinburgh in August, 1888, ran the West Coast racing train every day from Carlisle to Edinburgh, once accomplish, ing the 101 miles over two summits of 1015 ft and 870 ft respectively—approached by long inclines of 1 in 75 and 1 in 84—in 102 min 33sec, or at the average rate of qyer 59 miles an hour, the most remarkable railway feat ou record over such a read. Mr Drummond was trained under the late Mr William Stroudley, of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, and when he took charge of the North British Locomotive Department preserved several special features of his late chief’s designs, even including the yellow painting of the engines and the small steam-dome. It may be mentioned, by the way, that Mr R. Scott, the present manager of the Hillside (and formerly of the Addington) Railway workshops in New Zealand was also trained under Mr Stroudley, who was noted for the number of able and promising young men he u turned out.” It shows how much the colonial railways are “ looking up ” when they can secure three such first class Home railway men as Mr Speight, Mr Eddy, and now Mr Dngald Drummond.

Organ Recital. —Mr Tallis Trimnell gave his usual weekly recital of sacred music on the St Peter’s organ after service on Sunday night. His pieces were —(1) Meditation on R ach’a Ist Prelude, Gounod ; (2) “La Carita,” Rossini ; (3) Grand solemn march, Henry Smart. Practical Christianity. —Preaching at St Peter’s Church Sunday night (Palm Sunday) the Rev W. C. Waters remarked that Christ did not come on earth in order that people might commit all sorts of sinful enormities and then obtain forgiveness by utter* ing a few pious ejaculations. True penitence meant a lifelong struggle with sin. Palm Sunday. —On Sunday being Palm Sunday the special services of Passion week were observed at St. Joseph’s Church. High mass was sung by the Rev Dr Watters, who made a few remarks on the mysteries of the occasion. The Passion was sung by the Rev Fathers Braxmier, Carolan, and Hickson. There was full choral service by the pupils of St Patrick’s College. Ouida. —“ Ouida,” it is said, uses scent in her hair and on her eyebrows that costa £8 an ounce. She can’t bear apiece of muslin that has been starched, and the touch of velvet, she says, make 3 her flesh creep. She hate 3 the world, and likes to offend it in her books and shock it with her manners. Her study has a great Persian rug before the hearthstone ; here she likes to lie and scream a little to ventilate her feelings. Her love for lilies and hyacinths is shown in theartis tie Atoille, who figures as the heroine of “ Friendship.” Flax Dressing. —Mr F. Bull’s new flax dressing method, the chemico-mechanieal process, was on view at Mr Seager’s'factory on Saturday, and attracted a large number of spectators interested in the flax trade. Under Mr Bull’s treatment a considerable quantity of fibre is saved by the blades being first boiled and then put through a scraping machine, which cleans both sides. Treated in this way five tons of flax will produce a ton of fibre, instead of the seven tons now required. The fibre may be treated in other ways under Mr Bull’s invention, by being boiled after stripping or by the blades being scraped without boiling. In either case Mr Bull claims great superiority over the systems now in operation.

The Bakers’ Union. —The fortnightly meeting of the Bakers’ Union was well attended on Saturday night at Fraser’s Rooms, the President (Mr Joseph Allen) in the chair. It was unanimously resolved to send a delegate to Christchurch to assist in the formation of a Bakers’ Union there, the President being the one selected by this Union to act as such, and to leave here by next Sunday’s boat. A donation of £i Is was reoeived from Aspinall and Co., flourmillers, Temuka, in aid of the funds of the Union, the Secretary being instructed to write and thank them for the same. Resolutions were passed agreeing to do all possible to help the master bakers in the formation of their association, so that the two could work together for their mutual protection and benefit. The fortnightly levy in aid of the Woollen Company’s operatives was collected, and will be paid in on Monday. The quarterly fees on fifty members to the Federated Trades Council was passed for payment. It was also agreed by the Union to assist the Early Closing Association in their endeavours to do away with late shopping. Flax. —An English capitalist, who recently visited New Zealand to arrange for a trade ia colonial produce, authorised his agent out here to make regular of flax at current market rates for many months to come. He states that there Will certainly be a steady and permanent market in England for New Zealand flax, but not an unlimited one. He attributes the recent fall in price largely to the excessive quantities with which the Home market has been flooded, and which have actually brought down the price of Manila fibre as well, this in its turn sending the New Zealand flax lower still. It will be necessary, he thinks, to send only moderate shipments, and all of good quality. If that is done a steady market can, in his opinion, be relied on. We wish, by the way, that the AgentGeneral would send rather more trustworthy cable messages about flax. Each of the last two reoeived by the Government reporting a rise in flax prices has proved unreliable. This ought not to be.

Revenue Returns. —The railway revenue is coming in very well, and will probably exceed the Commissioners’ estimate by about £30,000. All other branches of revenue, excepting Customs, are also expected to realise the estimates, and the property-tax will probably slightly exceed it.

Exemption. —At the last meeting of the Public Works Committee they were waited upon by a deputation appointed by the Education Board, who asked that the city schools might be granted exemption from the new sanitary by-laws. The City Surveyor having reported that the system in operation at the schools is quite satisfactory, the Committee have decided to recommend the Council to accede to the request, and to prepare a special by-law dealing with the schools.

Deputation. —A deputation, consisting of Messrs C. Y. O’Connor, C- P. Powles, and C. B. Morison, waited upon the Public Works Committee of the City Council on Monday, and asked that body to construct a road leading from the Glenbervie terrace cutting to the end of Wesley road, so as to connect with the recently-formed road fronn the top of Bolton street to Wellington terrace, by way of the Botanic Gardens. The Public Works Committee referred the matter to the City Reserves Committee for consideration. Wesleyan Ministers’ Meeting. —At the quarterly meeting of the ministers and office-bearers of the Wesleyan churches of this city and neighbourhood, held Monday night, the following resolution was passed without a dissentient voice : —“ This meeting learns with the deepest concern that the Wellington City Council is considering the desirableness of bringing the C.D. Act into operation in Wellington, and would express its earnest hope that the Council will not take a step which lends public and official countenance to vice, and which is contrary to all recent British legislation.” Inquest. —Mr H. W. Robinson (District Coroner) held an inquest at the Hospital on Monday on the body of Richard Barry, who died in the institution on Sunday morning. Mr T. Howell was chosen foremau of the jury. Dr Ewart, the medical super, intendent at the Hospital, deposed to having made a post mortem examination of the body, which showed that the deceased had suffered from Bright’s disease of the kidneys and bronchitis of long standing, and that death lesulted from that cause. Other witnesses having proved that deceased received kind treatment at the hands of the police, the jury returned a verdict of “ Death from natural causes.” Beautifying the City. —Councillor Anderson gave notice to move at the meeting of the City Council last night:— “That the aum of £IOO be offered for the best scheme of beautifying and enhancing the value of property in the city of Wellington, and making it more attractive to visitors. The plan to delineate a line of road through the town belt where practicable, of easy grade and sufficient width for vehicular traffo, from Wellington to Newtown, and the probable cost thereof. Also to embody the best method of utilising the waste gullies, slopes and flats of the town belt for forming a real botanic garden for preservation of as many as possible of the native trees, Bhrubs, ferns, etc., to be sheltered by a belt of pine trees.”

Petition. —The residents of Oriental Bay are preparing a petition, which they will present to the Mayor, asking that the many promises made by the Council to repair the roads in the Bay may be fulfilled. The road has been getting into a bad state, and is now a series of mud holes, which is a cause of great annoyance to pedestrians. When approached on the last occasion the Corporation promissd that as soon as the Te Aro reclamation railway road was cleared away the road would be thoroughly repaired. The residents point out that the reclamation work is now finished, and that the work of putting the road in thorough repair should be commenced. The Corporation are also to be asked to place a sum on next year’s estimates for the construction of an esplanade in the Bay, and aro reminded that a sum was originally voted for it by Dr Feathsrston when Superintendent of the Province. The residents do not ask for an extensive work, but simply that the road should be reclaimed out to such a distance as would cause the beach to be thoroughly scoured of the refuse which is now deposited on it by the sea at every high tide. Before the work can be undertaken by the Corporation the consent of the Harbour Board must be obtained, and in this the residents think no difficulty will be experienced.

Time Table.— -We are in receipt of tha Time-Table for April issued by the Railway Commissioners.

Drainage Commission. —Nothing is yet decided as to the work of the city drainage) commission, or when the commission will sit. Mr Ferguson is at present in the South Island, enjoying a holiday. Poultry Association. —A general meeting of the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association was held in the Exchange Buildings Tuesday night, Mr J. Pettie occupying the chair. The principal business was arranging the date of the coming exhibition of poultry, which was decided to be held the last week in July. The Committee have forwarded an order to England for 350 wire cages, which will arrive m time for the approaching show, and no doubt will be a great acquisition to the show generally, with those they at present have. We understand the printed schedule will be issued shortly, so that the different breeders will be well acquainted with the different classes.

Customs Duties. —The amount of Customs duties collected at this port for the past month amounted to £20,400 6s, for the previous month (February) the amount was £24,938 12s sd, and for March last year the amount was £22,140 10s 7d. The various items for last month were as follow :—Spirits, £3813 10s Id j oigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £50411s lOd ;tobacco, £2550 2s 9d ; wines, £547 Is 7d; ale and beer, £473 18s 6d; tea, £lO4l 14s 6d ; coffee, chicory, coooa, and chocolate, £B7 7s ; sugar, molasses, and treacle, £476 4s 3d ; opium, £232 ; goods by weight, £1262 Is ; ad valorem, £7806 13s 4d ; other duties, £960 14a 6d. Seagar’s Foundry. — This foundry ia fairly busy just now with sundry contracts. The profitable development of Mahakipawa has brought grist to its mill, several 9in pumps to drain the deep claims ou the flat having been turned out to the order of alluvial mining companies, and another is in course of construction. Bull’s flax machine also bids fair to provide profitable occupation, and there is rather a large job in hand in repairing and strengthening the Mohikinui Coal Company’s steamer Lawrence. Three massive longitudinal girders to run nearly her entire length are going ia, and a new forward water ballast tank of 90 tons capaoity. The bottom plating will be nearly entirely renewed.

A Point of Practice. —A somewhat unique position was reached during the hearing of the charge against McKinstrey on Monday, Some doubt had arisen as to whether Constable Murphy had or had not begun his report ou the destruction of the gates by saying that a volley of stones fell on the gate at which he was posted, and the original report being called for, was evidently ruled a privileged document, though no definite decision was given upon the matter. Subsequently, Mr Jellicoe was endeavouring to fix the use of the words on Constable Murphy when Mr Travers remarked that the constable had not used them in his report, of which he (Mr Travers) had a copy before him. Mr Jellicoe thereupon asked to have the report put into the constable’s hands and identified, but Mr Travers absolutely declined to allow the witness to see it unless told by the Court to do so. Mr Jellicoe insisted on his right to have the document produced, and his Worship eventually said he would reserve the point. The case was apparently not going to be over for a week or two, and bo there was no haate for the decision on the point.

A Northern Opinion. —The Auokland Herald, in a leading artiels upon the C.D. Act question in Wellington, says :—“-The Wellington City Council is composed of the same class as our own—of men naturally anxious to throw no more expense on tho funds ; of men who have not the knowledge necessary to enable them to form an opinion ; of men accessible to the influence of a professedly religious class, whose inhuman code it is that the most dire forms of suffering must go unrelieved, and that the greatest evil that afflicts humanity must go unchecked, if to prevent it certain women are dealt with. We ventnre to say that if statistics could be produced respecting Auckland, it would be found that, since the enforcement of the Act has been stopped, there has been a great increase in cases, and that the health of the community has declined. We are at present in a bit of a panic about influenza, and are anxious to take all possible precautions against a disease which is seldom if ever fatal. We are frightened at the very names of smallpox and typhoid. But we are so indifferent to a disease which is ten times more terrible in its ravages than both these put together, that we will not adopt preventive measures.”

Personal — We learn with regret that Mr Elaaeldeu, Under-Secretary for Justice, i« severely indisposed, and has been unable to attend to business for the last few days.

Adjudicated Bankrupt. Cornelius Stevens, cabdriver, has been adjudicated a bankrupt, on the application of Mr Jellicoe, representing Charles Falkland, saddler, of this city. Bankruptcies. —During the first three months of the present year 22 bankruptcies were recorded at the Wellin gton office, namely, 5 in January, 8 in February, and 9 iu March, The number for the same period last year was 21, of which 12 happened in February. Amateur Athletics. —Messrs 3. M. King and H. Batger were to have made an effort to cut the amateur 250yds flat aud 120yds hurdle race records on Tuesday, but in consequence of the indisposition of both gentlemen the affair had to bo postponed again.

Butcher v. Payton. —This, which is yet another Wairnrapa libel action, is to be tried before a special jury. Mr Jellicoe, who is for the pkintiff, applied in Chambers on Tuesday for the date of the hearing to be fixed, but his Honor was unable to name a day.

Native Land Legislation. — 1 he question 5n dispute as to whether or not the narne3 of 11 Natives shall be inserted in the certificates of title to the JN'gararn Block, is, we understand, to be referred to the Supremo Court for a decision on the construction of the statute under which the application was made.

S.S. Duke of We tminster, The New Zealand Shipping Company received a cable message on Tuesday afternoon to the effect that the s.s. Duke of Westminster, which left Lyttelton for Condon on the 26th February, arrived at Hio deJaniero on the 29fch March, all well, and with her cargo of froapa meat in good condition. Free Public Library. —The following donations to the Free Public Library have been received : Empire Loan Company Directors, £lO 10a ; Mr W. McLean, £2 2s; collected by Mr G. Woodward, £9 9s, viz Mr J. P. Maxwell, £5 5s ; E.D. 8., flla ; Mr P. Casey, £1 la; Mr D. Dealy, £1 Is ; Mr G. Woodward, £1 Is.

Colonial Mutual Life Society.— The resident eecretary of the Colonial Mutual Life Society received a telegram on Tuesday from the head office stating ttiat the Society’s business for 1889 amounts to £1,895,563 on enormous total considering the keenness of competition, and that this is the youngest of all the Australian life offices doing business iu this Colony. Early Closing. —On Tuesday the city members of the House of Representatives met Messrs W. H. Levin and 11. D. Bell, President and Vice-President of the EarlyClosing Association, and three members of the Committee, at the City Council Chambers, with a view to arranging a system of appeal to retail houses to close at 6 p.no. on Saturday. It was decided to take the matter up actively after the Easter holidays. Insurance Suit. —In Chambers ou Tuesday Mr Fleming moved to rnako absolute the rule nisi for the attachment by the rhceuix Fire Assurance Company of certain moneys in the Bank of New Zealand owned by the British and Colonial Property, Finance and Assurance Company. The motion, which was made to satisfy a judgment in respect of reinsurance by the defendant Company on the stock of Mrs Waiker, was not opposed, and was granted.

National Entertainment. —The national entertainment in aid of the Marist Brothers’ school was to have been held ou March 17, but was unavoidably postponed. It has now been decided to h-dd it iu the Opera House on Monday, the 16th instant. Mr Connolly will act as conductor, and the song 3 and concerted pieces will all have orchestral accompaniments. One feature of the entertainment will be part-songs by 50 of the school boys, who have been carefully trained for tho occasion. Benevolent Society Trustees. The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees was held at the Queen’s Chambers on Tue-.dav afternoon. The Rev. Van Staveren (chairman), Messrs J. Collins and R. C. Kirk were present. A very large number of cases were dealt with, and iu some of them, which were of a very distressing. character, relief was granted. Accounts amounting to £ISS 18s 2d were passed for payment and the Trustees adjourned. The next meeting will be held on the 15th inst.

A Bill of Costs. —Lawyer’s bills of costs have alw.ays been the subject of much ridicule and bitter pleasantly. None of the bills told of in truth or fiction, however, quite equal one which has recently been occupying the individual attention of the recipient and various Supreme Court registrars. This particular account was rendered to certain Natives, and the amount of it was only £6OOO. The exact language used by the Natives when they r-ceived this bill has not been preserved for historic reference, but there is reason to believe that it was expressive and free. Subsequent investigations by registrars led to a sum of £4600 being knocked off, and the amount of the bill as it now stands (subject to further reduction) is £l4o'.'). New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited). —At an extraordiunry general meeting of this Company, to be held in London‘on tho 25th day of June, 1890, the following resolutions will be proposed : —“ That the capital of tho Company be reduced from £1,000,000 divided «nto 100,000 shares of £lO each, to £300,000, divided into 100.000 shares of £H each, and that such reduction He effected by cancelling capital which has been io3t or is unrepresented by available asset? to tho extent of £2 per share upon each of the 59,689 shares which have been issued and are now outstanding, and by redneiug the nominal amount of ail the shares iu tho Company’s capital from. £lO to £3 per share.” “That Clause 79 of the Articles of Association be repealed, anil the following clause be adopted in lieu thereof : ‘79. On every question to be decided by poll, every shareholder present ihe eat in persoQ or by proxy, and entitled to vote thereat, shall have one vote for every share hold by him.’ ”