TOWN & COUNTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 28

TOWN & COUNTRY.

S.S. HinemoA. —Tbs Hinemoa left on a visit to the Southern lighthouses at 4 o’olock yesterday afternoon week. A Prehistoric Canoe. —Another "dugout” canoe has been found in the course of excavation ou the Manchester Ship Canal. It is very similar in size and appearance to that discovered at Barton about twelve months ago, and in quite as good preservation. The site of the new discovery was at Parting, ton, not far from the confluence of the Mersey and the Irwell. The Midland Railway. —The Nelson Maii understands that Mr Wilson, the general manager of the Midland Railway Company, is most anxious to carry the railway into the Motueka Valley, in order that a return may be obtained for the money expended, and he is at present endeavouring to devise some scheme whereby this may be accomplished with the resources at the command of the Company. Presentation. —At the annual distribution of prizes to the successful shots in the Wellington Guards, which took place in St. John’s Schoolroom last Friday, occasion was taken to present Colour-Sergeant Hale, who has been connected with the corps for upward of eight years, with a sewing machine in recognition of his recent marriage and as a token of the esteem in which he is held by members of the corps. The presentation was made by Captain Mackintosh. The officers also presented Colour-Sergeant Hale with a souvenir as a memento of their regard. The Ca.t in Literature. —At the ordinary meeting of the Otago Institute last Tuesday week, Dr Belcher read a paper on “The Cat in Latin Literature.” The summing up was that the domestic cat was unknown to the Italians and the Greeks ; that it had nothing to do as to its origin with the wild eat within historical times. Wherever tha domestic cat was referred to by Latin writers it was the Egyptian cat, and not aa animal of their own , and no signs of the remains of anything like cats or rats were found in the ruins of Italian cities. The word “cat,” Dr Belcher said, came into Latin literature subsequently to what is called the classical period ; there are only three instances in whioh the word, as we are now familiar with it, was used in Latin literature, and the English etymologists had come to the conclusion that its origin was uncertain, the Bpread of the word obscure, aod finally there was one European language in which the word was not found at all. Duelling in Germany. —The Emperor William’s decree forbidding duelling between officers, except with the consent of h military court of honour, if its terms are as reported, should, according to Berlin opinion,as stated in an English paper,have the besteffeot on society in general. Education in Germany has something military in it, and one of its principal objects is to make good soldiers of young men. It is but natural that the successes of the army aud the military position of the new German Empire should have impressed on the whole of public life a sort of military stamp. It is the object of young men’s greatest ambition to become members of the glorious army, and it is their highest aim to become officers. Therefore young men, and especially the students at the Universities and other High Schools, try to imitate the habits of the officers. On the whole these endeavours at imitation have their good Bide, as German officers have excellent qualities ; but there are also some less admirable features, and the prevalence of duelling is one of them. If duelling between officers is checked, then, a Berlin correspondent telegraphs, there is no doubt that also those civilians who believe that a man’s honour can only be cleared by the sword will adopt an opinion whioh is more compatible with the spirit of our century. Besides this, the flagrant contradiction between law and practice would also be then removed. According to the penal code duelling is forbidden and punishable with imprisonment, but yet every officer on the active list and those belonging to the reserve have to choose between accepting a challenge and quitting the service, la spite of existing laws it is alao regarded in many civilian circles in Germany as a moral crime to refuse a challenge.

No More Elevators.—A system is now under consideration by which the present method of storing grain will be completely revolutionised. Should it prove a success, says a contemporary, the elevators now in general use will become obsolete, and every farmer will be supplied with a substitute by which he will be able to store his grain for years at little cost aud no risk. The inventor maintains that he can manufacture steel tanks of any required capacity, and at a cost averaging from 4c. to 5c., say 2d to 2.1 d, tor each bushel of capacity, as against 4u-:«. -to 50c. now expended on wooden elevators. The steel tanka will be filled with grain by a simple process. When the tank is full, a percentage of air is exhausted and a quantity of carbonic acid gas admitted. T’ne valves are then closed, and the grain will keep sound for years. Having exhausted the oxygen there is no chance of fermentation, and, aa a consequence, no decay or rot. At the same time all the animal life perishes, and the grain is secure against the ravages of weevils, which are bo destructive. With a tank costing 500d01., the farmer has storage for 16,000 bushels, and can hold his crop against low prices until the market improves. Fire cannot burn it, nor damp nor rain can injure it. The process by which the grain is manipulated is as simple aa it is effective It consists in an air tight receiver, leaning from which is a large pipe so arranged as to be held over the grain in the receiver it is desired to unload. l 3y means of a suction fan the air is exhausted in the receiver, and rushing to fill the vacuum is sufficient, it is said, to draw the grain into the pipe, through which it passes to the tank. Should the process prove a success, it will most effectually pnt an end to the proceedings of those persons whose business appears to be the making of fictitious valuations of breadstuffs. —Home News.

The P.S. Colleen. —The Marlborough Press says that the p.s. Colleen will be placed on the trade between Picton and The Grove shortly.

Mr MoGlashan’s Concert. —We beg to remind our readers that Mr McGlashan’s fourth annual concert takes place this evening. The programme is all that lovers of good music could desire, and no doubt will receive a faithful rendering by the now recognised and capable orchestra. The latest edition to the orchestra is the introduction of the harp, which will be played by a lady.

The Pitone Slander Case.— The civil notion in which Taniora Love, of Waiwetu, sought to recover from Atonatui Te Puni and his wife, Alice Te Puni, the sum of £IOOO as damages for alleged slander, which has been before the Supreme Court since Tuesday, was concluded last night week. The jury, after deliberating about three hours, gave a verdict for the plaintiff for £5 on each of the causes of action. Judgment was accordingly entered up by his Honor the Chief Justice, who presided, for the plaintiff with costs, and his Honor also certified to one extra day’s trial. Mr Morison appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Haselden for the defendants.

The Harbours Act. —At yesterday week’s meeting of the Harbour Board a letter waa read from the Timaru Harbour Board, enclosing a circular which had been sent to the various Boards last year requesting support in an endeavour to have the Harhours Act amended in the direction of limiting the responsibility of Htrbour Boards for the acts of their harbourmasters, and requiring a harbourmaster to be a duly qualified person. The Secretary explained that the Board had passed a resolution in March last promising support. Captain Rose (chairman) said that nothing was done in the matter last session, and ho did not think it was likely that anything would be done this session. After further discussion, it was agreed that the Secretary should write to Government with respect to the matter.

Fire at Eketahuna. —The Inspector of Police has received some particulars of a fire fire at Eketahuna. It appears that a fire broke out at 4.30 a m. yesterday week in the livery stables owned by Mr Thompson, whioh were situated near the hotel of Mr Parsons. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown, although there is strong suspicion that it was caused through some act of a drunken man, who, it is alleged, slept during the night in a loft over the stables. The fire spread to the Eketahuna Hotel, kept by Mr ParsoDS, and which was partially destroyed. The hotel was insured in the Loudon, Liverpool, and Globe office for £640 in favour of the mortgagee. The furniture was not insured, but nearly all of it was saved. The hall, adjoining the hotel, was damaged to the extent of £SO. It was insured in the same office for £l5O. It is calculated that Mr Parsons will lose about £I6OO over his insurance. Mr Thompson’s premises were not insured, and his loss is estimated at about £IOO, his stock of harness, saddles, feed, &c., being destroyed. Mr Parsons, who has been in Wellington as a witness in the case Butcher v. Payton, returned yesterday week to Eketahuna.

Street Improvement. —A recommendation was considered at the meeting of the Harbour Board last week that the Board decline to contribute, as requested by the City Council, to the cost of curbing ohanelling and paving the footpath ou Jervois quay and Hunter street from the Queerxs Wharf approach to Customhouse quay. In connection with this matter a letter was read from the Town Clerk stating that the cost of the work would be about £l6O, and pointing out that if the work was done it would improve the Board’s property. In consideration of this the Council asked that the Board should contribute toward the cost. The Chairman of the Board explained that the Board’s tenants had already agreed to subscribe half the cost, so that what the Council wanted was for them (the Board) to help them to pay the other half. The recommendation was agreed to. It was also decided, on the recommendation of the Wharves and Accounts Committee, that the Board authorise the curbing, channelling, and paving of the footpath adjoining the Queen’s Chambers on the Queen’s Wharf approach, at an estimated cost of £BS 10s, and including the laying of two block crossings at the entranoas to the Board’s reserve on the Hunter street endowment, and that the City Council be requested to have the work carried out by its contractors at the sama time as the remaining paving Works of the block.

English Mail. —The b.s. Hinemoa, with the direct mail ex R.M.S. Rimutaka, arrived in harbour from Lyttelton at 1 last Friday afternoon. The mails were sorted immediately on arrival. _—

Free Public Library. —Mr George Woodward reports the following additional donations toward the funds of the Free Public Library: Dr J. Ewart, £1 Is ; G. M., £1 Is ; W. T. Glasgow,|£l Is ; Edward Anderson, £3 3s. Federation Essays. —ln response to his invitation for competitive essays on the question of the federation of the world, Mr E. W. Cole, of :he Book Arcade, Melbourne, has received the large number of 507 contributions, aud we understand that several are from Now Zealand. Two-thirds of the writers support universal federation, and one-third oppose it. The ten prize essays will shortly be decided upon, and the names of the writers made public. Mr Cole now invites additional essays up to the 21st of July, to go into hisfforthccming book;

An Explanation. —Mr Macarfchur, M.H.R., writes’as follows:—“The report of your special correspondent in Palmerston North represents me as saying that I preferred the auction system to lhat of the ballot in disposing of our Crown lands. What I did say was that I preferred the ballot as the lesser of two evils—the ballot system having developed peculiar evils of its own, and in illustration of this I quoted what the Wellington Land Board had been doing in the way of getting the experience of the Victorian Lands Department in dealing with dummyism.”

Deceased Wipe’s Sister Bill.— The supporters of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill scored a victory on the 30th April, when they carried the second reading in the House of Commons of Mr Gardner’s measure legalising said marriages by 222 to 155—a clear majority of 67. The debate was an animated one, though conducted in a thin house. Colonial precedents were freely relied on, and unquestionably carried much weight. Mr Gardner contended that since the Imperial Government had sanctioned marriage with a deceased wife’s sister in the colonies, it was too late for Great Britain alone of the countries of the world to seek to maintain an obsolete and antiquated res'notion at the end of the nineteenth century. Another New Cargo Steamer. —The new cargo steamer, which is now building on the Clyde for the New Zealand Shipping Company, is expected to be launched next month. She will reach this Colony in about five months’ time, and will start at once in the frozen meat and produce trade between New Zealand and London. She is a vessel of 4290 tons net register, and is to be fitted up with very complete refrigerating apparatus on the most modem principles, and will be capable of carrying an immense cargo. Her cool chamber accommodation will hold about 50,000 carcases of mutton. She will be able to steam at the rate of 11 knots per hour on a consumption of 30 tons of coal per day.

The Wreck of the Willie McLaren.— The Wharves and Accounts Committee recommended at last Friday’s meeting of the Harbour Board that the Board’s solicitors be instructed to require the owners of the wreck Willie McLaren to take immediate steps toward its removal, and, in default of such steps being taken, that the penalty attached to the bond be enforced. The Chairman (Captain Rose) said the owners did not seem to be doing anything in the matter of removing the vessel, and he thought it was time the Board took some action. Mr Heaton pointed out that several of the people who had purchase! the vessel had lost large sums of money over the speculation, and he thought that the Board might grant them an extension of time within which to remove the vessel. He moved a motion to that effect. The Board decided to adopt the recommendation of the Committee.

Harbour Board. —The usual monthly meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday week, there being present—Captain Rose (chairman), Messrs Pearce, Cock, Wheeler, Heaton, Jack, Speedy, Petherick, and Booth. The Chairman reported that the balance at the bank was £3549 19s 7d, and the fixed deposit, £34,500. The amount required for payment of accounts was £4314 Is 7d. Ibis sum was subsequently passed for payment. It waß decided, on the recommendation of the Wharves and Accounts Committee, that the foreshore license issued to Mr Tringham be cancelled, and a new license issued to Mr D. Roifc for the remainder of the term. At the conclusion of the ordinary business the Board went into committee to open tenders. On resuming it was reported that five tenders bad been received for the contract for the Bupply °f jiggers, and it was lecommended that the lowest tender be accepted if found in order, and that authority be given to the Chairman to make arrangements to include in the contract eight jiggers instead of four. It was further reported that five tenders had been receited for the supply of a new wool, press, and that the committee recommended that the lowest be accepted if found iu order, aud, failing the completion of the agreement, that the tender of Mr J. Aimerson, of Christchurch, be accepted. Ou the motion for the adoption of the Committee s report, a division was demanded by Mr Heaton, with the result that the motion was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman. The voting was as follows :—Ayes—Captain Rose, Messrs Cock, Wheeler, and Booth ; noes—Messrs Heaton, Speedy, Jack, and Petherick. The Board then adjourned.

In Pursuit op Game. —Among tha many attractions of this highly favoured country is the amusement of pig shooting. We have hardly yet developed the excitement of the “pig sticking” hunt so popular in many parts of India, but the hordes of game old tußkers, generally known in bush language as “Captain Cookers,” afford the daring sportsman plenty of opportunities of showing his skill and nerve. We learn from the Otago Daily Times that a party of Victorian crack shots, now in Dunedin, are shortly proceeding to North Canterbury on a pig shooting excursion. The leader of the party is Mr W. Stewart, of Bairnsdale, Gippsland, Victoria, each of the party being provided with two rifles. They have also brought over four large kangaroo dogs, and two bloodhounds. A party of twelve Maoris are engaged to meet the party at Blenheim, and from the district they will shoot over good sport is expected.

Death op a Wesleyan Missionary.—■ By the death of the Rev William Lawrence Binks, at his residence, Brighton, a wellknown figure has been removed from the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Victoria. Mr Binks (says the Argus) was brought up in the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church, but from reading and study he was led to leave that communion and to cast in his lot with, the Wesleyans, joining the ranks of the ministry of that Church, and entering upon miasiou work in British Guiana and Dematara. Afterward he proceeded as a missionary to the West Indies, whence he came to Victoria upward of thirty years ago. He was one of the first ministers who preached in the present Lonsdale street Wesleyan Church immediately after its ereotion, and probably there is no minister living who ha 3 preached so often in that building as he did during the long period of close npon one-third of a century. For several years he was on the supernumerary list, and for some time was actively engaged in the Wesleyan book-room. Mr. Binks expired after a brief but severe illness at the ripe age of 71 years, universally respected. Mr McClashan’s Concert. —There was a large attendance on Friday at the Theatre Royal, including Archbishop Redwood, the Rev Dr Watters, and other clergy, on the occasion of the fourth annual orchestral concert by Mr McGlashan’s orchestra. The performance throughout was a very successful one, giving marked evidence of the skilful training of Mr MoClashan, who acted as conductor. Mesdames Carte and Dunlop were the accompanists. The programme was as follows :—Overture, “Le Myosotis ” (A. Blangy), orohestra ; trio, “ Neapolitan ” (H. Lawson), piano, first and second violins, Mrs Dunlop, Messrs J. W. Jack and J. Heron; song, “ The merry old maid (Louis Diehl), Mr Widdop ; Benediofcus, from Op. 37, No. 3 (Dr A. C. Mackenzie), orchestra ; song, “Listen, ’tis the nightingale” (Grand Scena, A. Lee), Miss Violet Carte ; symphony, Haydn's No. 7, orchestra; descriptive piece, “ A hunting Beene ” (P. Bucalossi), (Representing the Dawn—Preparation for the Chase—Assembling Call— The Meet General Excitement The Hounds on the Scent—Off we go—Tally Ho !—Full Cry —The Death —Return Home), orchestra; song, “The Wanderer” (A. Fesca), Mr Widdop ; trio, “ March—Tannhseuser ” (Wagner), (piano, violin and.’collo) Mrs Dunlop, Messrs McGlashan and F. Pope; dnet, “As it fell upon a day ” (Sir H. R. Bishop), Mrs Carte and Miss Violet Carte; solo (violin), “Elegie, Op. 10 ” (Ernst), Mr McGlashan; overture, “Haidee” (Auber), orchestra. Missing Friends. —The following missing friends are inquired for in Lloyd’s Weekly of May 4th :—George Boutwell in 1874 was leaving Wairoa, Auckland, for Christchurch. Sister Julia asks. Frederick Satchell Clarke, last heard of in 1887 in Napier. Is sought by his father. Eliza Crough (nde Bennewith), went from the East India Docks to New Zealand March 4tb, 1874. Sister (Mrs Pain) has not heard of her for 12 years. John Dayton, last heard of at Ashbarton, October 10, 1879, is inquired for by his aged mother. Andrew Francis Jackson, bricklayer, went from Darlington to New Zealand in 1879, and five years later was living in Invercargill. His mother inauires. Mrs James King (nde Parsons) sailed in the Renfrewshire for New Zealand in 1878, and in 1882 wrote from Patua, Napier. Brother Henry aßks. Sophia Laurance, of Gravesend, went with her husband to New Zealand on February 17, 1873. Her mother seeks news. William de Muth, of Ipswich, in 1863 was in Chrischurch. Sister Sarah asks. Mrs Jane Perrean (nee .Almond), in November, 1887, was at Pal. merston. Her aged parents and sister Alice are anxious. Herbert B. and Thoma 3 Williams are sought by their father. Heibert was last heard of in the Press office, Christchurch, and Thomas was a waiter at the Criterion Hotel, Napier.

The various Friendly Societies of this city are determined to moke a good bid for the supDorb oi their scheme for aiding the Free Public Library. They have arranged for an entertainment to take place on Friday, August 1, on somewhat novel lines, A programme has been arranged for that night, the first part of whioh will be given at the Opera House, and the second part at the Theatre Royal, and vice versa. The concerts will be under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, the members of the House of Representatives and the local bodies.

Preaching at St. Peter's Church on Sunday morning the Rev W. C. Waters referred to the antagonism so often attempted to be set ap between scripture and science, and declared that grave scandal had been caused to Christianity, by unwise persons refusing to accept the proved conclusions of science because these happened to be oontrary, not to what the Bible really meant, but to what they thought the Bible meant. He instanced the case of Galileo in former times, and remarked that even in these days there were people who would not accept the clearly proved scientific fact that there was a certain regular order of progress in creation, because they unwarrantably imagined this view to be in conflict with Bible teaching. He earnestly deprecated this attitude, which had the unfortunate effect of bringing ridicule on religion. There was no real eonflict between true science and scripture. In his evening sermon, the rev gentleman made reference to the present, conflict between class and class, between capital and labour, observing that in many instances the exercise of a little more Christian humility and forbearance on either side might obviate a deplorable struggle. He said it was one form of unchristian pride to pretend contempt for rank or intellectual superiority. It was often noticeable that those who professed the most contempt for rank and birth were the most despicable toadies when in the presence of people in higher positions than themselves.

Mr Tallis Trimnell gave his usnal recital of sacred mußie after service at St. Peter’s Churoh on Sunday. He played the following pieces :—Fantasia in C minor (Adolph Hesse); Larghetto from Symphony in D (Beethoven); Grand Offortoire in D minor (Batiste). Amongst the passengers who arrived from Sydney by the s. s. Mararoa on Sunday were Professor Benton, of Mason’s College, Birmingham, Associate of the Royal School of Mines, and Mr Heibert Harper, C.E. of Sydney. They have been commissioned to proceed to Westport to inspect and report on a mining property there. The Co-operative Butchery Company made a start iu retail business on Saturday under the moat favourable auspices. Their two shops in Manners street and Courtenay place were literally besieged all day and during the evening, and the immense business done must be considered a gratifying augury of the Company’s future success. The crush was so great that many customers could not be served, but arrangements have, we believe, been made by the Directors (of whioh body Mr E. Moeller has been elected chairman) which will amply meet the business during the week.

4&The work of forming a Grocers’ Association in Wellington is now so far advanced that rules have been prepared and will be considered at a meeting to be held in a day or two. The principal object of the Association is to put a stop to the competition of traders who sell at illegitimate prices, and thus cut prices down. The grocers are therefore taking united action with a view to getting the indispensable co-operation of the importers who supply these retailers. We learn that the principle of unionism has also extended to the importers, who are forming a merchants and importers’ combination which will protect that olass from the retailer who imports on his own account.

Messrs J. Lachman, J. Lockie, and W. Littlejohn, Justices, presided at Saturday’s sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court. A first offender for drunkenness was fined ss. Mary Matilda Watson, similarly oharged, was remanded for a week. This was all the business of the sitting, A second-class passenger by the Rimutaka named Dennis Drennan died of pneumonia about a week after the vessel left Capetown. The deceased, who was about 70 years of age, joined the steamer at Capetown, and it is supposed that he was coining out to a brother who lives at one of the towns on the West Coast.

A young woman named Emily Brooks was arrested in town on Saturday by Detective Campbell, on a charge of larceny at Dunedin. The accused is charged with having appropriated, about a fortnight ago, three Jubilee sovereigns, some silver, and a cheque for £3 belonging to John Gilks, of Dunediu. She will appear before the Court this morning, when a remand for the South will be asked for.

Considerable improvements are being made to the road at the far side of Oriental Bay, from Wilkinson’s old tea gardens as far as the newly-formed road to Roseneath. A substantial footpath has been formed on the inside of the road, and the steam-roller has been at work levelling down the ruts and crushing the loose metal, with the result that at this particular part of the bay a capital road has been made. The road right round to the Patent Slip is badly in want of repair. The trophies to be competed for at the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association’s exhibition were on view in Mr Eller’s furniture shop, Willis street, on Saturday, and attracted considerable atteution. Many of the prizes are valuable, and will, no doubt, cause keen competition amongst our numerous bird fanciers. In the same window was also exhibited the furniture in connection with tha exhibition, which is to be disposed of by an art union.

Mr A. G. Johnson, Secretary of the Free Public Library, has received a donatiou or 17s in aid of the institution from Mr J, E. Hayes’ employes. Mr John Duthie has decided to be a candidate for Wellington City at the next general election. Mr W. McLean (whose policy will be, broadly, reform in the incidence of taxation) will also offer his services to the electors.

The Wanaka, with the San Francisco mail, arrived here at 6 pm on Monday, and two hours later there was a public delivery over the counter at the Post Office. The Southern portion of the mail was taken on by the Mararoa, which was detained for that purpose. The local portion of the mail consisted of 69 bags. The entertainment of Mr G. S. Graham by the local underwriters on Saturday last was an occasion of exceptional interest in insurance circles, for Mr Graham is the oldest fire insurance officer in Wellington, and issued the first policy of that kind in this city. For a number of years he has boen attorney and superintendent here for the Phoenix and North German Companies, and as he is about to act in that capacity in Auckland, his coming departure was the motive for the gathering of underwriters on Saturday to bid him farewell. The chair was taken by Mr R. M. Simpson, who, as chairman of the Underwriters’ Association, occupies a position which Mr Graham held for some years. Mr Graham’s health was toasted heartily, and the meeting generally was a most enthusiastic one. Although Mr Graham is removing the headquarters £of the Phoenix, North German and Globe Companiee to Auckland, the Wellington business will continue to be carried on by Messrs Thompson, McKinnon and Scales respectively, who j will, we are sore, conduct the same in an efficient manner.

The Customs duties collected at Wellington during last week amounted to £2560 193 Id. The beer duty was £164 9s. The Knights of Labour petition in favour of a re-arrangement of taxation is being largely signed in the city. It i 3 probable that Sir George Grey will be asked to present it to the House a week or two hence. Schedules for the three shows—spring, autumn, and chrysanthemum—to be held by the Horticultural and Florists’ Society during the year have been prepared, and will be considered at a meeting of members to be held this week. Along with their sohedule the Society will publish a report of Mr A. F. Spawn’s lecture on fruit-growing. Constable D. O’Rourke, who has filled the position of orderly in the Resident Magistrate’s Court for some years and also held the office of Inspector under the Employment of Females and Others Act, has been appointed bailiff of the Napier Court. Constable O’Donovan has been appointed the mew Court orderly. For some time past negotiations have been set on foot by the temperance party in this city for the purpose of securing a visit from Mr Joseph Knott, a lecturer of whom the Northern press speaks very highly. Mr Knott, we are informed, has committed to memory the celebrated lectures of Gough, the great temperance reformer, and he redelivers these stirring addresses with great elocutionary power.

The Kilbirnie residents who are interested in cricket are moving in the direction of raising funds for the formation of a properly laid down pitch in the Kilbirnie reserve enclosure, just below the hotel. Ways and means are being discussed, and at present opinions vary between holding a working bee to execute the necessary work of levelling and turfing, and the gotting up ot a concert in aid of the project. The matter, however, will assume definite form in a few days, when we shall be in a position to report more fully thereon.

The amalgamation of the Prisons and Police Departments under one head will take place at the end of this month, when Major Gudgeon will take up the duties of his new position as a Native Land Court Judge, and Colonel Hume will assume control of the Police Department as Chief Commissioner.

An expressman named J. Brosnan met with a mishap on Monday morning in Victoria street, while trying a new horse in his express. When opposite Hayman and Co.’s store the horse got frightened at some passing noise, and starting with a jerk broke away the swingle bar, whioh fell about the horse’s leg 3, causing it to bolt away at a rapid rate. The expressman, in his endeavour to stop the horse, was thrown out of the vehicle and received severe cuts about the hands. The horse, which was brought up in Customhouse quay, has several Qqtsj, and scratches on its legs.

If possible the Committed of the, Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association mean to do all in then? power to make their show this, year more successful than last. The whole of the prize list ha 3 been more or less revised. Sheep have a large number of sections ; ai new one in Border Leicester breed will be introduced with six classes, as in the English Leicester section. There will be also another class of crossbred sheep. Cattle have also received notice, champion prizes being awarded to Alderneys or Jerseys, Dutch Friesian, and Polled Angus ; the champion prizes for Shorthorns, Herefords, and Aryshires are doubled ; all the prizes for fat cattle are also doubled. Horses are revised too. The champion prizes for draught horses are much larger. There are four classes for hacks, viz., 16 stone, 14 stone, 11 stone, and lady’s hack with three prizes to each class; also an extra class, light draught mare or gelding suitable for general farm work.

The Happy Valley Meat Company are re« ceiving from the Wairarapa district 1700 store wethers, which are being driven overland in charge of Mr C. Battes, who purchased them from good breeders for tha Company. A Wellington Band of Hope Union haa been started here. Mr F. H. Fraser is president ; Messrs W. Allan and J. Collins 0 vice-presidents ; Mr J. H. Helliwell, secretary ; Mr D. Robertson, treasurer ; Mr F. Billman, musical director. A sub-committee of the Council of tho Chamber of Commerce was recently appointed to consider the important question of land settlement, and they will probably present a report on the matter at the quarterly meeting of the Chamber to be held next! week.

The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees was held at the Queen’s Chambers on Tuesday afternoon. Present—. Messrs C. E. W. Willeston (in the chair), J. Collins, J. E. Smith and the Rev van Sfcaveren. A number of eases were inquired into and relieved. The monthly schedula was passed, also accounts amounting to £IQ 18s 9d, and the Trustees adjourned. A curious accident occurred lately at tha Haymarket Theatre, Sydney. Two lads started a fight In the pit. Those seated in the gallery above crowded to the front to look down, when the rails broke under tho strain, and a number of young men and boya were precipitated on to the heads of tha people below. Seven were injured, some so seriously as to necessitate removal to tha hospital.

The Union Steamship Company are advertising a cheap excusion to Melbourne by their splendid new steamer Monowai, which is timed to leave this port on Monday next at 3p m. The fares are remarkably cheap* and an inducement is held out to holders of return tickets, who have the privilege of returning from Sydney by way of Auckland or Cook Strait, or from Melbourne, via Hobart.

Mr J. C. Gavin, whose appointment tr» succeed Mr Batkin as Assistant AuditorGeneral was recently announced as on tha cards, will not, we understand, take up tha duties of that office at any rate until after the close of the present session. The consequent changes in the Treasury Department will not be made, of course, until Mr Gavin’s transference to the more important office alluded to i 3 an accomplished fact. It was reported at a Council meeting of tha Wellington Acclimatization Society on Tuesday night that about 150,000 ova of different varieties of trout and char have been taken to date this season. The curator of the fish ponds is hard at work in the rivers and hopes to reach half-a-million eggs before tho season is over. Large orders for ova have been sent from the North, and the work will have to be carried on night and day while the fish are spawning.

The railway delegates went on Tuesday afternoon for a trip on the Manawatu line aa far as Otaki, where Mr Ayres, the stationmaster, met them and took them for a walk around the district. The delegates expressed themselves highly pleased with the locality* and paid high compliments upon the excellent rolling stock and equipments of tho Manawatu Railway Company, being specially pleased with the dining car in use on tha* line. The delegates returned to town by tho last train at night.

Steps are being taken by tho Wellington Acclimatization Society to import san# grouse from California and quail from Mr St. Barbe has kindly undertaken to enlist Cook’s Tourist Agency to help on tb.& work. Mr Holmes, of Wairarapa, is alaio empowered to draw on the Society’s funds to bring out partridges, golden plover, ar other nseful birds on his return from a trip to England, so that it is hoped that some useful additions to our bird life will shortly ba made. The Society is entering Into communication with the Zoological Society with, reference to bringing out varieties of deer* and an attempt will be made to breed pheasants next season. Help and useful; suggestions on these subjects will be gladly received.

The first half-yearly summoned meeting of the Bakers’ Union was held at Frasev’s rooms on Saturday night, the President (Mr Joseph Allen) in the chair. Thera was a large attendance of members. Mr F. Kitfco Vice-President of the Trades and Labour Council attended by invitation of the Chairman to give information with reference ter allowing the Connoil to strike levies on all affiliated bodies. After hearing Mr Kitto. and the Union’s delegates, it was unanimously decided that the Bakers’ Union, are quite willing that the Counoil shall have that power. Mr Kitto was awarded a vote of thanks for his attendance. The ejection of officers resulted as follows :—Mr Joseph Allen (re-elected), president j Mr J. SiraU ford, vice-president; Mr A. Beaumont, treasurer ; and Mr A. Roed,. secretary. The following committee was selected out of V 3 candidates : Messrs Collins, Philip*, Petersen, Dickson* Grantham, and Hedderwiok. Me Joseph Alien and Mr Collins? were elected to represent the Union on the* Federated Council. Mr Hedderwick was ; tyler. A hearty vote of- thanks was } passed to the officers and Committee for 1 their past services, to which the President; replied, urging on tho members to, stick to their colours as unionists, and to act toward their employers in an honest and generous spirit, so. as to meet with, their entire confidence and approbation. A sliding scale of . entrance fees was adopted. Correspondence in connection with trade matters were received from Dunedin, Oamaru, and Christohurch ; also a petition from the Knights of Labour.. The hairdressers’ assistants are to be accorded hearty support in carrying out : their object. The meeting was the most enthusiastic ever held by the Union, and. lasted nearly till midnight.