Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 978, 28 November 1890, Page 27

Town and Country.

wbiob sailed for Sydney w ‘ek, had on board about 1250 pwduoe. * yesterday week the Harbour kfSSved ■ tenders for two coutracts. l ,tC j!« were received, and for No. 60, M °!' 0 t the lowest tender in each io order, was authorised. were awarded judgment in the Ktfvil cases by Mr C. C. Graham, the Court yesterday week: . Wright v. Wi Parata, £5 7s 6d, Kfwir- James Don v. Henry Purcell, r'ltr* 1 11a; James Cattell v. John « MU q 8 fid. costa £5 4s. In the case Jlm Parker v. A. McDonald, a claim was given for the defenLdioUri of "the Adelaide road Wesley 11, Sunday School, assisted by several K the Wesley Church (Taranaki LwJinir cave a concert in the church '*L jn aid of the organ fund. There '"j. a moderate attendance. The L snder the leadership of Mr Bila number of hymus in a very gUble manner. Mr Harland pres'ded at Irgin,

ißdlmany of the railway employes who during the recent labour trouble, -teen taken into the service again, jjjuioannot be all of them, of -i but where vacancies occur or work isjable these men aro re-engaged upon ■jjjertaking to obey the rules of the abandon affiliation with other ji In this way a number of the men »t Lyttelton and Westport have ijien employment again.

; rule .the railway returns may be m a very fair guage of the aotual fen of the Colony. It is very gratify.

fa, to learn that the railway revenue hie present time considerably exceeds [received during the same period of the [facialyear, and that in spite of the expire having been heavy the revenue [fai a balance ou the right aide. The fair traffic for the latter part of the I till be lees than it was twelve months Itben the Dunedin Exhibition was in Ining, but the excellent start the lebiinow will equalise that compara■filling off, In spite of the reduction ferrioes, the strike did not cause any liable depression in the railway reini') as a matter of fact the traffic in I general merchandise, and other bcommodities, shows a very pleasant

ID, Mills, Managing Direotor of the kSteamship Company, has written to Suboor Board, informing that body plotter with reference to making fan the port of call for the San fan mail Service had been carefully liered, and that after weiehing the N sonata favour of Wellington, it taJered inadvisable to make any fciathe present arrangements. Auckp!i therefore continue to be the Kail id .this Colony. When this Ihd been read at the Board meeting K»; Mr Petherick suggested that the lagWMto send all letters, &c., by pronte. The opinion of other mem* pueito be that even if such an ex* pry course were adopted there was ißtyef the San Franoisoo Service bit"

nidations in the northern district • IMr forwarding their wool to the ™t as well as to the Christchurch f atatiou by waggon, says the Lytfcel. They are able to do so, as con'wewilling to take it at the same iwe railway, with a small addition • w allowance for carting to the • Tbs oarriers say they can make n?** at the work, and have entered ®®us agreements. At present the wool ig being carted from the Gbe Christchurch station for shipwit forty bales having been oleared tea on Monday, which were on the '"M yesterday. The trains run all «'i bat have very little freight, '•■was drawn to this matter on W ky Mr T. H. Anson, in his F“Kirwee,

aSeeri of H.M.S. Cnragoa and the rolUi 0n ' tn ß et her with a large . Mies, attended a picnio given by i nor at Pigeon Bush last week, tey, and the party left town by . 4t k»)£ past 10, and before 1 krfk u VS eofl Bush, where they Mi w^ r /’ Trin Sham, junr., who L and residence ■nt their l jMbeon was served on the lawn kn Um J° urn °y was begun at 2 [to ! Wa9 P or f°°b for such the . part y Were delighted ißiib a * oa 8 the route and at L ’ l. tho . oveni °g the Mayor l»tth»;! nter ! t 5 a ' net * *kie picnic party Froor dence ’ His Excellency L,i, “ a the German Admiral, with E»er«!:! Bqnadron ‘ and of H.M.S. F°f rttiMns ent * addit * on 4o a large

lon Wharf labourers who were 1 BoJ! staff of the •with *k P bhe strike had an liaw t. 0 yesterday week, ® n deavouring to make SSnet with ‘llf"'/ re 'f n . Ba^ment ‘I" 11 the f «e laborers exklafu, k on Were received in comN, whenthem the committee 4 * 0 Board resumed, that ‘° “»ke. The Board is Noyera fw* 88 ln bbis matter as Swi‘L 13 t 0^ 8ay * the Jenteen Jk hei \ the ot hers went Nthef,® 0 ? 11 * 6 4h ere is not work Mf the ~*• oare J; B af 9. of course, tawnier w lee ‘- fc hese oircum. fftWa. in ® 8 k “ la L r , hands become branch there is, |?d2d.* together oufc of pro ‘

-The amount; put through the totalisators at the Hutt on Saturday was £4507, making the total for the two days £8314. A supplementary Gazette, issued on Saturday, contained a proclamation by His Excellency the Governor directing that the New Zealand census of 1891 shall be taken on Monday, 6th April next, for the night of Sunday, the 6th of that month,

A sale of work was held In the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church yesterday week. A large assortment of children’s clothing, fanoy wo'k, Japanese articles, eto., were offered for sale at the various stalls, which were presided over by the following ladies : —Messrs Morton, Chrystal. Becker, Walkerj Mitohell, McDowell, Honguez, Forbes, Glover, Misses McCredie, McLean, Quinn, and Glover. The sale was formally opened yesterday afternoon by the Rev C. S. Ogg. There was a good attendance both in the afternoon and evening, and the takings for tho day amounted to about £3O.

A curious adventure recently befel the Mayor of Truro (Mr A. Laverfcon). He was bathing at Perranporth, Cornwall, when he was approached by what appeared to be a fellow bather. As the object came nearer, however, it turned out to be something much more formidable, and Mr Laverton, who had been proceeding in the direction of the supposed bather, hastened ashore. Seeing, however, that the monster had got into shallow water, his Worship again went in, -and succeeded in taking by the tail a porpoise above 6ft long, which, with the aid of a wave, he managed to bring ashore. It appears that several retail drapers and hairdressers in the city have not been keeping their promises with regard to closing their establishments at an early hour each evening. The matter was discussed at last week’s meeting- of the Trades and Labour Council, and the following resolution was carried : —“ That in the event of any going back from the 6 o’clock five nights a week on the part of retailers, and 7 o’clock five nightsaweekon tho;part of hairdressers, that this Council requests the Unions affected to publish a list of fair traders, and requests all Unionists to deal only with those on the list.”

At the usual weekly meeting of the Federated Trades Council, held in the Trades Hall last week, the following motion, of which notice had been given at last meeting, came up for consideration : “That this Council is of opinion that a joint oommittee should he appointed in each city of the Colony, delegative annually by the Employers’ Association on the one part and the Trades Council on the other, for the purpose of arbitrating on all differences which may occur and affect trades connected with either body, and by conciliatory methods prevent strikes.” The motion was discussed at great length, and on being put was carried almost unanimously.

The proposal to construct a ship canal from Birmingham to the sea, which was revived soon after the Manchester Boheme received the sanction of Parliament, has apparently made considerable progress towards maturity. Three out of four rival schemes have been virtually rejected, and it seems very probable that a Bill for the construction of a canal through Staffordshire aud Cheshire will ere long be submitted to Parliament. The route proposed is by the Black Country to Wolverhampton, thence doe north to Stoke and the Potteries, and afterwards through Kidsgrove and Whellock to Wimford, where it will join the Weaver within 35 miles of Liverpool, making the whole distance from Birmingham to the sea by the new waterway about 96 mileß. The minimum width of the canal will be 72ft, and it will be capable of accommodating sea-going vessels of 360 tons.

An ordinary meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday week, there being present—The Chairman (Captain Rose), and Messrs E. Pearce, Cock, Heaton, Booth, Petherick, Speedy, Jack and Wheeler. The Chairman reported that the amount to credit of current account w'is £2013, and on fixed deposit £30,000. The accounts, etc., to be passed for payment were rather heavy owing to interest (£3900) for the six months and several progress payments on contracts falling due. The total amount to be passed for aooountß and wages, etc., was £11,757. Tenders wero authorised to be called for the supply of hoop steel, etc., for next season. On the recommendation of the Wharves and Accounts Committee it was decided to overdraw current account for the present insieaaof lifting anything from fixed deposit. On the advice of the Board’s solicitor it was resolved to remind the Government of the necessity of observing the usual formality of nominating members. Plans were authorised to be drawn for a new house for the signalman at Mount Victoria. A week’s leave was granted to the secretary. Having transacted some other business of a routine nature the Board went into committee.

A large audience attended the dramatic entertainment given in the Exchange Ha'll last evening week by the pupils of Sister S. Francis Xavier in aid of their prize fund. The first part of the programme consisted of a scone from Racine’s “ Athalie,” in which the principal parts were, excellently well taken by Misses Mary and Margaret Ahern and Miss Whelan, and the smaller characters filled ;by Miss Barry and Miss M. Collins. “The Siege of Valencia,” which followed, was also capitally done, tho principal characters being played by Misses Whelan, Mary Ahern, V. Citnino, W. Stevens, Blackie, C. Richards, Young, and G. Dun De. The farce “ The Birthplace of Podgers,” which concluded the entertainment, was played in remarkably good style, and Miss B. Allen, who played Tom Cranky, made a grea| hit. The remainder of the cast was as follows : Mrs Cranky, Miss Barry; Mr Erasmus Maresnest, a literary enthusiast, Miss M. Driscoll ; Miss Maresneat, his daughter, Miss Lyon ; Master Edward Earlybird, Miss Mand de Castro ; Alonzo Lexicon, an editor, Miss Smith; Miss Penelope Lexicon, his sister, Mies J. Davis; Mr Buron, photographic artist, Miss MoLellan ; Mr Stipple, photographic artist, Miss K. Holcroft; Mortal Podgers, Miss Reddy. < Mrs Walsh, who was at the piano, contributed materially to the^success of the entertainment.

- Mr - John Duncan- (Levin.- and Cm) has .been appointed Portuguese Consul for Wellington.

Mr C. E, Archibald has been appointed a clerk, . aud Mr Oliver Goldsmith an assistant in the Survey Department. Dr E. E. Fooks has been appointed surgeon to Hat Majesty’s prisons, vice Dr Hassell resigned. “ A search for a boul ; or, what are living beings ?” was the title of Mr W. W. Collins’ farewell lecture, delivered to a large audience at the Exchange Hal; on Suuday night. The Government have received, a despatch from the British authorities on the International Congress on Hygiene and Demography. From the Ist of December an amended scale of charges for the inland parcel post comeß into force, when the rates for 11b weight will be cixpenco ; 2;bs, nine-pence ; and so on.

Considerable eurprise was exoressed by the Coroner and jury at the inqueat at the Hospital last week, that a Douay Bible could not be found in the institution. One of the witnesses expressed a desire to be sworn with this particular book, and a constable was told off to get one. After hunting all over the Hospital he informed the District Coroner that there was no such book on the premises. Ultimately one was obtained at a public house in Adelaida road, and the witness was sworn.

The following patents have been applied for during the week -William Wilkie Mitchell, of Eltham, for an improvement upon Syme’s Simplex Racing Number Board, to be known as “Mitchell’s Improved Racecourse Telegraph George Scott and John Lee Scott, both of Christchurch, for a lifter for hot platesof stoves, rauges,'&c., and for an improved bottom grate for stoves, ranges, and other fire-placea ; and for improvements in chaff-bagging machinery ; William Kendall, of Norfolk Island, for an improved claw-hammer, to be called “Kendall’s Patent Lever Claw-hammer.”

As one of the trams was starting from the Newtown terminus on Friday afternoon, the horses, three in number, made a bolt, aud getting detached f:om the car, made along the road toward town at top speed. The driver had hold of the reins at the time, and was drawn 07cr the front of the oar, and stuck to his team very pluekily. He let go one rein, and with the other tried to turn the horees, but in doing this the rein broke, and the animals dashed into one of the electric lamp posts, and broke it in three places. The auimals were stopped shortly afterward without doing further damage. The Conference of butchers, whio'n has been meeting regularly since Monday evening, brought its labours to a close early on Friday morning. The Conference was represented by the following delegates : —S. Smith, F. Moore and C. Duncan, Wellington ; Thomas Smith, J. Moroney, H. H. S. White, Dunedin ; F. W. Ansley, Christchurch ; J. Blake, Wanganui : T. N. Peek, Auckland; and T. Austin, Hawkes Bay. The Conference have decided to federate with, the whole of the Butohors’ Unions throughout the Colony, and to disaffiliate witljg, all other Unions. The Society is to in future The New Zealand Federated Butchers’ Employees Union. The following officers were elected : —Mr S. Smith, Prerident ; and Messrs Moore and Moroney, Vice-Presidents ; Mr Moore, Secretary; and Mr O. Duncan, Treasurer. Rules for the guidanoe of the Society were framed and ordered to be printed, and will be distributed throughout the Colony. The headquarters will be in Wellington.

A meeting of the Committee who carried out the receDt Eight Hours Demonstration held a meeting at the Trades Hall on Saturday night, Mr F. C. Miliar presiding. The Secretary (Mr D. P. Fisher) submitted the balance-sheet in connection with tho Demonstration, which showed that the receipts were £234 4s 6d, and the expenses £133 18s 3d, thus leaving a balance of £97 6s 3d. The question as to how the surplus, should be di-posed of was discussed when it was first proposed to hold the Demonstration, and on the 18th Angust last the- following resolution was carried :—“ That in the event of there being any surplus after all expenses are paid it be equally divided between the Trades Hall Fund, the Demonstration Day Celebration Fund, and charities. The balance will, therefore, be devoted to the objects mentioned. Mith regard to the sum devoted to charity, a committee, consisting of Messrs H. J. White, Mudge, and Avery, were appointed to confer with the Relief Committee of the Trades Council os to the cases most deserving assistance, witha view to their being relieved. The auditors presented their report, which was adopted. They complimented the Secretary upon the faithful performance of his duties in connection with the Demonstration. It was decided that the local Trades Council should bo asked to communicate with the other Trades Councils in the Colony for the purpose of ascertaining whether the 28th of October was regarded as a suitable date for holding the eight hoars demonstration, and should the answers be in the negative, that the varions Councils be asked to suggest a more suitable date. As a reward for his services in connection with the Demonstration the Secretary was voted a sum of £5 sa. It was resolved that the best thanks of the Committee be awarded to all who bad assisted in the Demonstration, either at Newtown Park or at the concert at the Opera Houbs ; also those business people who had so generously given donations towards the sports and art union. A lengthy discussion took place over the question as to the best method of raising funds for the Parnell memorial fund, the prevailing opinion being that a public subscription should be raised, the amount of suoh subscription not to exceed one shilling. Eventually- however, it was decided to, ask the Trades Council to communicate with the other Councils in the Colony and ascertain their views on the subject. Votes of thanks to Messrs Kltto and Graham and the Chairman having been passed, the Committee adjourned,

Mr W. N. Blair's health continues,to iebprove/and be is now able to leave his bed occasionally, "'4 A large barrel . whioh had been placed behind the Queen’s Chambers was sat on fire oh Sunday afternoon, and for a moment or two occasioned some little excitement. The barrel was rolled to the water trough at the rear of the weighbridge, when the fire was very quickly extinguished. The cask only contained straw, which Is supposed to have been set on fire by hoys. Mr and Mrs James Smith, of Te Aro' House, were passengers by the s.s, Hauroto, which left for Sydney last week. Mr and Airs Smith have taken passages by the P. and O. steamer Oceana from Sydney for Europe. Mr Smith has now been 27 years in business in this oity, and it is unnecessary to say how heartily all citizens wish him hearty enjoyment in bin present trip. Although it will, to a great extent, be » holiday tour, Mr Smith will also make business visits to the principal commercial centres of Great Britain and the Continent.

For want of adequate labour the Botanic Gardens are now taking on a somewhat dilapidated appearance. The two men who are employed at the Gardens, and who constitute its entire staff, are of course unable to keep the whole place ia order, though they are doing very good work in keeping the paths clear and attending to the flowers on the flat. The spread of gorse about the Hills is a constant source of danger, and until it is removed or thinned there will always be a probability of the whole plantation being destroyed by fire. It really Is a great pity that for the sake of a few pounds a year this danger could not be obviated and the gardens kept neatly. Mr William Ferguson, Engineer aud Secretary to the Wellington Harbour Board, was married on Tuesday to Miss Mary Louisa Moorhouse, third daughter of the late Air W, S. Aloorhouse. who was one of Canterbury’s most popular Superintendents. The marriage ceremony was performed at St. Paul’s pro. Cathedral at 2.30 p.m. by the Rev Air Still, the brido being given away by her brother, Air W. H. S. Aloorhouse, solicitor, of this city. The only persons present at the oeremony were the relatives of the contracting parties, and the whole proceedings were of a very private nature. The newly married couple left by the evening train for the Wairarapa, where the honeymoon will be spent.

We have some time ago, says the British Journal of Photography, alluded to the remarkable success attained by Professor Abu, of Breslau, in applying photography to fix the appearances accompanying different diseases of the eye. The Professor’s results, obtained some with sunlight and others with flashlight, formed a valuable addition to the exhibition. Auschitz’s photographic zootrope was also in evidence. Of even more interest than the foregoing as a contribution to one of the newest departments of soience were Professor Fischer’s photographs~of cultivations of luminous bacteria (Bacterium phos. phorescens), which were photographed by their own light—the views giving evidence of the constant movement in which the tiny organisms are unceasingly engaged. t vA oalisthenic and gymnastic display took place at the Opera House last evening week by the girls and boys attending the city schools, who had been drilled by Mons de Mey d’Alkemade. The children were exercised in the following drills :—Swedish musical drill, infants ; parallel bar 3, boys ; Swedish musical drill (with dumbetls), infants ; Indian clhbs, girls ; Swedish drill, boys ; pole exercises, girls. All these exercises were gone through capitally, and the time the children kept was very good indeed, which showed beyond a doubt that they had been most carefully trained by their instructor. Several of Mr de Mey’s private pupils gave performances on parallel bars, horizontal bar, and ladder. There was also a boxing contest of a very harmless description betweon two of the pupils, and a bout at singlesticks, which was not quite so delicate. A squad of the Wellington Naval 3 under P.O. Taylor went through the bayonet exercise, and another squad under P.O. Palethorpe were put through physical drill. Both these exercises were given in a very creditable mauner. The audience was not a particularly large one, but those present appeared to thoroughly appreciate the performances of the little children.

An ordinary meeting of the Melrose Borough Council was held on Tuesday night. Present: The Mayor (Mr H. Heaton), and Counoillois Baylis, Chegwin, Hailiwell, Mowat, and Collins. The tender of Air J. AlcGrath at £27, was accepted for widening a cutting on the Ohiro road, &c., that tender being chosen by ballot in consequence of another being of the same amount. The l ank balance was reported as £213 2s lid, and accounts, &c., amounting to £IOB 16s lid wore passed for payment. Information with respect to the new cemetery road having been read from the City Council, the Mayor moved that this Counoil’s con. tribution should be raised from £7O to £IOO. At the suggestion of Councillor Hailiwell the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. An application from Mr A. Fitchett, of Ohiro, for a right-of. way, was also referred to the Public Works Committee. The Committee’s report as follows was adopted :—Your committee beg to recommend (1) That the sum of £5 be granted to Mr W. Moxham towards the repair of the road to Upland Farm ; (2) That permission be not granted the Wellington Cricketers’ Association to remove turf off the streets of the Borough ; (3) That Councillor Collins be re-appointed to represent the Council on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards ; (4) That the Inspector be authorised to effect necessary improvements at Holloway road (Alifcoheli. town), the Btreets at Yogeltown, tho Alain road (Island Bay), and Duncan terrace (Kilbirnie) ; (5) That the remaining portion of the newly constructed footpath at Island Bay be fenced in; (6) That the question of replacing the bridge at Island Bay with a culvert be allowed to stand over for the present; (7) That a fenoo and turnstile bo erected at Henry street, Kilbirnie ; (8) That accounts amounting to £76 16s 5d be passed for payment.

The Hospital authorities acknowledge witb thanks three tine of biscuits from the Coin-* mittee of the butchers’ pionio. ' The race meeting held by tho Wellington Racing Club last week was a great success financially, and a handsome balance on the right side of the books is likely to be the result of it.

The local agents of the Shaw, davill, and Albion Company have been advised by cable that ths R.M.S. Tainui arrived at .Capetown outward bound, on Sunday evening, 23rd inst.

The delegates appointed to inspect the block of land in the Mangatainoko, which some of the labour party are desirous of occupying, are well pleased with the land, and will report to a meeting to \be held shortly. Meanwhile they ore ia cammuoica. tion witb the department on the subject.

The Mayor of Melrose, at the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday, remarked that though the rates had recently come in fairly well, there was still a considerable amount outstanding. His Worship added that while the Council did not wish to press ratepayers, it was impossible for works to bo carried out if the rates were not paid.

The wife of a wharf labourer, who recently went out on strike, applied to the Benevolent Trustees for assistance on Tuesday, and the relieving officer, in stating her case, said there were five children, the husband could not get work, the family were without food, and the wife was approaching her confinement, The Trustees decided to give ration orders.

On Tuesday afternoon the properties in J. C. Butler's estate, comprising a six-roomed residence in Cuba street, 45 links by 2H links, and two cottages in Bute street, 33ft by 60ft, were submitted to auction by Messrs George Thomas and Co. There was considerable competition for the property, which was eventually purchased by Ms J. W. Evans fur £740.

The Rev C. Jordon, of Tauranga, delivered a lecture on Tuesday in the Exchange Hall to a large audience on the ‘’Language and Ancient Literature of Eritm.” Dr Cahill presided, and on the stage were Colonel McDonnell and Alessrs J. Devine and Sheridan. The lecturer spoke for nearly two hours and a half, and was frequently applauded. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

The elections of Trustees to the Benevolent Institution are slightly “ mixed ” this year. The Wairarapa North and South County Councils each elect one trustee, and the Wellington City Council one also ; but seven other bodies—the Horowhenna and Hutt County Councils, and Pitone, Alelrose, Carterton, Greytown. and Masterton Boroughs—have to elect four between them, that being the number to which their contributions entitle them. The elections taka place on Monday next.

An ordinary meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on Tuesday, at which thera were present Messrs C. E. W. Willeston (in the chair), J. Collins, J. E. Smith, R. C. Kirk, aud Kebbell. Increased rations or payment was granted to a woman whose husband had deserted her, leaving her to support her two children and mother-in-law. It was decided to assist a fish hawker to make another start in business, conditionally upon his taking the pledge. Arrangements were made for the support of an infant deserted by its parents. Other cases having been dealt with, and the ration and board and lodging allowances passed, the Trustees adjourned.

Mr Jules Simon has been giving . his opinion on the proposal to tax French celibates. The total number in France, counting from the age of 24 to 59, is 3,974.180, and out of that number there are 1,750,000 young women. He proposes that if the law is voted the tax on celibates shall not apply to ladies. It is probable, he says, that a vast number of the ladies in question have not been asked to change their state of single blessedness, and it would be obviously unfair to punish them for what- in reality was the fault of others. M. Jules Simcn asks that the whole brunt of the law be directed against the unfortunate 2,223,480 men, whom he considers to be excellent material ” for taxation. Many politicians ask why the limit of age should stop at 59.