Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 27

Town and Country.

&The appointments of John Hugh Boscawen to bo Chief Clerk in the General Survey Offioe, Wellington, and of Alfred Augustus Stickland Danby to be Record Clerk in the same office appears in the Gazette.

The Harbourmaster in his annual report to the Harbour Board states that during last year “Forty-five vessels of 45,90 S tons, were piloted into port; two vessels 0fJi,426 tons out; and 273 vessels of 479.195 ton ® removed ; giving a total of 320 vessels of 531,529 tons handled by the Pilots—showing an increase of thirteen vessels of 65,150 tons, as compared with the previous years. The adjourned annual meeting of the Harbour Board was held yesterday week. Preeent Messrs W. Booth (ohairman), Petherick, Speedy, Jack, Pearce, Wheeler, Heaton, and Captain Rose. The newly-elected Chairman returned thanks to the members for electing him to the chair. He reported. that the accounts had been audited by the Auditor and Controller. General, printed and advertised, and copies distributed to the members. He then moved that the balance-sheet and annual report be adopted. This was seconded by Mr Jack and carried. Subsequently the Chairman said the members were under a great obligation to the Board’s Secretary for the lucid and interesting report he had prepared, and he thought tho citizens might be congratulated upon the fact that Mr Ferguson still had charge of the Board s affairs.

The following tenders were accepted by the Harbour Board last week:—Castings and iron work, E. Seager (four tenders were received) ; brass work and fittings, S. Danks (four tenders were received); removal of rubbish, C. Lamberg (two tenders received). No tenders were received for printing and stationery, and it was decided that if Mr Chatwin, of Petone, was willing to under, take the work at tho schedule prices contained in the letter from the Master Printers’ Association, that his offer be accepted provided that he has an office in town, and, if not, that the printing be given to Messrs Brown, Thompson and Co., and also the other contracts. Three tenders were received for the erection of hydraulic cranes, eight for erection of brick shed on Jervois quay, three for supply of ironmongery, two for supply of timber and glass, one for supply of coal, two for carting, and it was decided to accept the lowest in each case if found in order. Alternate tenders were received for the supply of hoop steel, and Hale’s patent hoop steel, and it was decided to accept the tender for the latter if found in order.

The necessity for providing additional berthing accommodation is brought under the notice of the Harbour Board by the Board’s Secretary (Mr W. Ferguson) in his annual report, he says—“ Having in view the necessity to obtain farther berthing accommodation for outward loading ships, I again Dress on the Board the advice con* talned in my last annual report, that it would be desirable to obtain Parliamentary powers to reclaim a strip of land 100 ft wide outside the southern end of Waterloo quay, on which to provide further wool-shed accommodation, and to form a base from which to throw out another jetty whereat, after dredging, sailing ships conld be berthed. The timber breastwork of Waterloo quay, built by the Government of a timber supposed to be Jarrah, is rapidly deoaying, and it would seem to be a better policy to erect a permanent wall and reclaim behiud it, and thus provide for further extensions, than to renew the present breastwork.” In discussing the matter at the meeting of the Board last week, Mr Pearce said the ques. tion was a most important one, and the Board would have to give it consideration before long. The Board, he pointed out, would have to undertake a number of works, and it would be necessary for them to look about for further money. He saggested that they should take legal advice as to whether they could not re-borrow the £39,000 they had paid off. His own impression was that they could do so. He moved that the advice of the Board's Solicitor should be obtained on the point. This was seconded by Mr Heaton and carried. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Barbour Board was held yesterday week, there being present Messrs Booth (chairman), Petberiok, Speedy, Jack, Meaton, Wheeler, Pearce, and Captain Rose. Leave of absence was granted to the Mayor. The Chairman reported that the fixed deposit was £20,000, and that the credit balance at the Bank was £7IOB 19s 4d. The amount reqmred for payment of accounts, wages, &c., was £8024 3s lOd, made up as follows :—Accounts and wages, £2620 11s Sd ; progress payments on contracts, £4980 2s 5d ; salaries, £423 9s 9d. The Chairman reported that the tender of Messrs Luke and Son for the supply of eleven jiggers for the sum of £493 had been found in order and accepted. Jt was decided to affix the seal of the Board to the agreement of oontract. The Life Insurance Committee reported that the New Zealand Accident Insurance Com. pany having complied with the requirements of the Committee as- to the form of policy, the Committee recommended that a policy should now be taken out, relieving the Board from risks under the Employers’ Liabilities Acts. The report was adopted. The Wharves and Accounts Committees recommended that a sale of unclaimed goods be held, and that Messrs George Thomas and Co. be aak6d to conduct the auction on the same terms as the last one; that tenders be called for the erection of a floor over the rait rocks and end bay of shod K, Waterloo quay, in accordance with the plan laid on the table by the Engineer ; that tenders be called for altering four double-coned buoys into eight buoys with canister tops; that the roster for the meetings of the Wharves and Accounts Committee as laid on the table be approved. All the recommendations were agreed to. The Chairman stated that a letter had been received from the Town Clerk stating that the City Council would lay a drain in Customhouse quay as requested. The Board then went into committee.

A money order and savings bank offioe will be opened at Fowler’s from tho 24th inst.

The agents of the R.M.S. Doric have been advised that the steamer arrived at Plymouth last Wednesday week with her frozen meat in good condition. The traffic returns of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway for the week ending 14th March, 1891, amounted to £ISSO 12s lid, and for the corresponding period of last year £1440 13s 9d, showing an increase of £139 19s 2d. IP The 'Government are now preparing a scheme for the classification of the Civil Service. Ministers find that special legislation will not be necessary, as the Civil Service Act, of 1866, gives the requisite power for grading the staffs. The officers throughout the Service will be divided into eight divisions, and each division will bo divided into four grades A, B, C, and D. The salaries will be as follow ; Division 1, from £450 to £BOO ; No. 2, from £365 to £440 ; No. 3, from £2SO to £340 ; No. 4, from £220 to £265 ; No. 5,g from £IS9 to £210; No. 6, from £l4O to £l7O ; and No. 7, from £IOO to £l3O. The eighth division will consist of cadets. Thero wi'l be no distinction in salary between the c’erical and professional branches of the Service. A Board of Advisors, consisting of heads of departments, will be appointed to confer with Ministers on all matters relating to the working of the Service. The Secretary of the Harbour Board, in bis annual report;, states that the receipts from pilotage, port Charges, and Harbourmaster’s fees amounted so £4923, as compared with £4619, and the working expenses to £24IS, as compared with £2405 xn ISB9. He points out that the surplus of £2506 is the largest yet derived from these departments, each of which shows increased receipts, although it will be seen that there hai been a decrease of 271 vessels, and of 14,178 tons during the year. The total of arrivals for 1890 was 1982 vessels of all classes, haviug a tonnage of 782,040 tons. This diminution is mainly attributable to the lessened number of coastal steamers plying during the period of the strike, in which class of vessel there was a diminution of 2G6 arrivals. Had the trade of the port not been disturbed it is certain that the returns would have shown a considerable increase both in tonnage and in the number of vessels arriving.

Mr David Proudfoot, whose death is Announced in our Australian cable messages, was one of the best-known contractors in the South Island from eight to fifteen or sixteen years ago. In partnership with the Hon R. Oliver he took the contract for the railway from Dunedin to Port Chalmers. On his own behalf he carried out several other railway contracts, among them being the Riverton and Orepuke section, the Wai. pahi and Tapanni section, and some sections on the Invercargill and Dunedin line. He also undertook a very large contract for dredging and reclaiming in connection with Dunedin Harbour. This he failed to oarry out to the Board’s satisfaction, and he received a large sum of money to surrender the contract. He constructed and owned the Dunedin City tramways. Abont ten years ago he went over to New South Wales to carry out a monster railway contract, but he lost largely by it, and was at last compelled to file his schedule. He has since that time spent most of his time in New South Wales. Mr Proudfoot was a very shrewd and enterprising man, and at the same time a great speculator, and one time he owned a very valuable lot of house and estate property in Dunedin, besides his station at Barewood, Strath-Taieri. He took a great interest in racing, and for a short time owned the famous racehorse Sir Modred.

The Secretary of the Trades Council recently wrote to the Minister for Education recommending “The Industrial Unions Act, 1890,” of South Australia, and Mr W. Hutchison’s Eight Hours Bill to the favourable consideration of the Government. 'lhe Council, he pointed out, thought that part 2 of the former measure, referring to “ Conciliation Hall,” should be omitted; and in Mr Hutchison’s measure it was suggested that shop assistants should be included. The South Australian measure, in the opinion of the Trades Council, was superior to Mr Downie Stewart’s It was also pointed out that the Tasmanian Parliament had already passed into law a similar measure to the South Australian Act. The Minister has replied that he will oarefully consider the Sonth Australian measure, and be. also states that he has drafted a Bill to facilitate conciliation and provide for arbitration, and that in a few days it will be laid before the Cabinet. When finally revived and approved, the measure will be submitted to the Trades and Labour Council and the Employes Associations. This, he points out, will be done with all Bills relating to industrial matters prepared by the Government. The following resolutions in referenoe to the school book question were passed by the Trades and Labour Council last week: “That all resolutions passed by the different Trades and Labour Councils of the Colony in reference to the Bohool book question should be immediately' forwarded to the Minister of Education, with the request that that gentleman will give the matter his immediate and earnest attention.” “ That the attitude of the Westland Educa. tiod Board in denying the right oi a representative body Buch as the Trades and Labour Council of Otago to approach the Minister of Education with suggestions condetuning the school system is unreasonable and unaccountable, seeing that the Otago Trades and Labour Council represent thousand of parents of pupils attending the State schools, and, therefore, this Council is of opinion that letters and resolutions from the Council are of sufficient importance to claim the attention of all those charged with the administration of education.” ** That the beat thanks of this Council be conveyed to the Minister of Education for the very great interest he his taking in the school book question, and for the uniformly courteous attention given by him to the resolutions of the Otago and other Trades Counoils.”

% The cancellation of the appointment of Major Stewart Newall as chief clerk in the Defence Office has been approved by his Excellency the Governor. It is notified in the Gazette that for the Civil Service examinations of January, 1882, the period of literature will be the period of the Commonwealth, aud the special books will be Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “The Tempest.” Captain John Falconer, of the New Zealaud Torpedo Corps, Permanent Militia, is gazetted as having been appointed au additional member of the Central Board of Officers at Wellington for the examination of candidates for commissions in the New Zealand Volunteer Force. Notifications that a Trust Commissioner will hold a Court at Palmerston North on the 11th April and at Marton on the 20th inst. for the purpose of investigating certain cases under the Native Laud Frauds Prevention Act, 1881, and Amendment Aot of ISBB aud 18S9 appear ic the Gazette.

Qft-t last night week’s meeting of the City Council a reauisition was presented, signed by Mr J. R.‘ Blair and twenty-two other ratepayers, asking that a site should be set aside in the new cemetery for the purpose of a crematorium. Tho matter was referred to the Cemetery Committee to roport upon.

Mr H. S. Wardell, E.M., went South by the steamer Rotorua on Friday for the purpose of taking temporary charge of the Kaiapoi district, recently held by the late Mr Wnitefoord, R.M. Mr Greenfield, R.M., who has had charge of the district, goes North to the Thames to relieve Captain Northcroft, who i 3 unwell. *

The following land in the Wellington District is gazetted as being temporarily reserved for primary education :—All that parcel of land, containing by admeasurement 181 acres 2 roods, more or less, being Section No. 89 of Block V., Kopuaranga Survey District. Bounded on tho north by Sectiou No. £1 ; on the east by Sections Nos. 25 and 26 of Block VI. ; on the south by Soction No. 87 ; and on the west by a public road ; as the same is delineated on the plan deposited in the office of the Chief Surveyor, Wellington. It is notified in tho Gazette that the Colonial Treasurer will be prepared to conaider applications from local authorities for loans under “the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886,” on Wednesday, Sth April, 1891. Applications should be addressed to the Colonial Treasurer, and in the corner of the envelope the words “ Local Bodies’ Loans ’ should be written ; and every application must be posted so as to arrive at the Treasury on or before the 7th April, 1891. Applications already re. ceived, but not yet dealt with, will be considered on the date mentioced above.

Notice is given in the Gazette of last week that, from surveys made by the New Zealand Survey Department, it has been ascertained that part of the coaßt line of the west coast of the South Island, as shown on the Admiralty Charts, Sheets VII. and XIV., published prior to October, 1890, is not correct. Those charts, however, with corrections to October, 1890, show the coast line as fixed by the Snrvey Department. Specimen oopies of the corrected charts may be seen at the Customhouse at Greymouth, and oopies can be purchased at the Customhouses at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin.

At a special meeting of creditors in the estate of William Murrell, draper, on Friday afternoon, it was decided to accept tho tender of W. Feist, of Carterton, of £302 for the bankrupt’s stoak. The Official Assignee stated this would mean about 8s in the pound. In reply to a question, the Official Assignee stated that about £25 of the book debts had been collected. It was decided, on the motion of Mr LaDg (Sargood, Son, and Ewen), seconded by Mr Martin (McArthur and Co., Auckland), that the creditors present offer no opposition to the bankrupt’s i mmediate discharge. It was also decided that the bankrupt be allowed £3 per week until the bankruptcy is closed.

We have heard that ostriches can digest anything, and that they prefer stones and lumps of iron to softer and more nutritious articles of food, but we never until now heard oi an ordinary fowl regaling itself on a diet of brass buttons. It seems, however, that one individual of the poultry tribe, slaughtered for the Occidental Hotel table, must have had a propensity in that direction, judging from the contents of its crop, which were submitted for our inspection yesterday. The strange assortment of food, remains included no fewer than ten ordinary trowser buttons, one brass screw about an inch long, and several pieces of metal. Some of the buttons were in a terribly dilapidated condition, and appeared partially digested, but evidently tho task of oomplete assimilation bad proved too tough for the ambitious biid, although our informant states that the fowl, before being killed was in a plump and healthy condition.

Mr Charles Stubbs, who has for several 'Jl'ears occupied the position of accountant in the office of the New Zealand Times, and who is about to take the post of accountant to the Gear Meat Company, was on Saturday made tho recipient of a handsome gold locket, intended to mark tho esteem in which he has been held during his connection with this paper. The members of tho staff having assembled in the office, Captain Baldwin made tho presentation, expressing in warm terms the appreciation he had of Mr Stubbs’ efforts in the interests of the paper. and stating that ha had never before felt such keen regret at parting with an employ 6. He had always felt when absent from tho office that Mr Stubbs would study his wishes as carefully as if he was present. He wished him prosperity in his future career. Mr Stubbs having briefly responded, expressing himself very pleased at receiving such a token of esteem, the little oeremony came to a conclusion with a hearty handshake. The looket, which was subscribed for by the staff, was designed and engraved by Mr T. O, Coltman, of Willis street,

The Government propose to effect a saving of £SOOO a year in the Marine Department. This sum will be saved chiefly from contingencies.

A man named Frank Houlihan, who was brought into town from Otaki on Friday night, appeared before Mr C. C. Graham, R. M., on Saturday morning, and remanded for a week, Sergeant-Major Ramsay stating that that he appeared to suffering a recovery from an attack of delirium tremens.

The tender of Messrs Luke and Sons for the manufacture of hydraulic cranes has been acoeptsd by the Harbour Board. The tenders of Messrs Carmichael and Son for the erection of a brick shed on Jervois quay, and Messrs J. Duthie and Co. for the supply of hoop steel have also been accepted by the Board.

It will be seen by a cable message from London that the ABton Manor election has resulted in the victory of a Conservative by a large majority over she Home Rule candi* date. Mr George Kynock, the late member, was also a Conservative, so that the balance of parties in the House is not affected by the result. Only two of the creditors of George Irvine McEwin, confectioner, put in an appearance at the meeting convened in the Official Assignee’s room on Monday afternoon. The bankrupt stated he had endorsed two promissory notes for £33 and £25, and as he was nob able to meet these liabilities he was obliged to file his schedule. The rest of his debts did not amount to much beyond £lO, and the Assignee commented somewhat strongly on the bankrupt having taken the course he did, as the cost of filing was £7 7s, and this sum might have gone to pay off some of his liabilities. Tbe meeting was adjourned till next day. Mr Price, of this city, the fortunate drawer of the second prize of £3OOO in the Tattersail's sweep on the Newmarket Handicap, has received his money. He lodged the ticket with the Union Bank, who remitted it to Sydney, where it was at once paid on presentation, less, of course, the usual 10 per cent. Mr Price is to be congratulated on his good fortune. A little fact in connection with Mr Price’s taking the ticket is worth recording. For several years past he has made a praotice of sending for five tickets in Tattersali’s sweeps on the Newmarket, but this year, in oonsequenoe of the strike, he thought he would content himself with one. His packets of tickets never brought him anything, but his single one has brought him a small fortune.

Dr Newman, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Rugby Union, in responding to a vote of thanks at the meeting of the Union on Monday, expressed a hope that the coming season would be a successful one. Some of the delegates had got their wishes gratified, as they had got some new blood on the Management Committee. Personally he thought that football had improved here very much of late years. They did not now see men with their tongues hanging out at the early part of a match, and the pluck and dash of the players was splendid. There was, however, a certain amount of cleverness wanted in the game. He hoped that the Union would be able to send a team to visit Canterbury and Otago this year, and that they would receive the support of all the Clubs in the matter. In concluding, he said he was exceedingly glad that the troubles of last season had been smoothed over, and in regard to importing players, he thought that the Clubs should try and play honest bona fide players, and not sponge on other teams for assistance.

A deputation from the New Zealand Educational Institute, consisting of Messrs White (Master of the Dunedin Normal School), T. W. Grundy, G. MacMorran, and C. Watson, waited upon the Minister of Education on Monday for tbe purpose of bringing under his notice the views of the Institute as regards the Education system. The deputation were introduced by Mr T. K. Macdonald, M.H.R., and the Rev W. J. Habenß, Inspector-General of Schools, was also present. The first matter introduced was that of the syllabus. The Institute, it was pointed out, had passed certain amendments, particularly in the direction of lessening the work in arithmetic, geography, and history, and making drawing a class subject instead of a pass subject. The Institute had also recommended that as in England specific subjects should be allowed to be taken up by the teachers, such subjects embracing elementary Latin, mathematics, and science ; and the deputation asked that if amendments were made in the curriculum they should be in the direction suggested. Mr Grundy introduced the subject of freedom of classification, pointing out that it was already an accomplished fact in England and Scotland. The teachers believed that if they were allowed to classify their own pupils instead of it beiDg done annually by the Inspectors, much better results would accrue. For instance under the present system a dull boy was unduly forced through his work so that he migiifc pass his standard at the Inspector’s visit, whereas a boy of bright intellect was made to go over his work again and again, when he might be promoted to a higher class, and be learning new work. The question of establishing a pension fund was then brought np, and the Minister explained that the only coarse he could suggest was that already adopted under the Civil Service Act, where percentage of the salaries of the officials was deduoted to form Buch a fund, and he commended this suggestion to the consideration of the Institute. The deputation then brought up the subject of the withdrawal of tbe funds by the Education Boards from the maintenance account and placing them to the building accounts to the detriment of the teachers’ salaries. This was objected to because iu districts where this had been doue the teachers were badly paid, and Taranaki and Nelson were alluded to as particular instances in support of this. The Minister said that the Board had power under the Act to utilise the funds for building purposes, but he would enquire how fkr this had been done. Ha also undertook to fully consider the other matters mentioned by the deputation. Mr Grundy thanked the Minister for the cordial manner in which he had received the deputation, and the inter* view then terminated.

The steamer Jubilee, which left yesterday week for Sydney, took 165 passengers and 700 tons of New Zealand produce. The Tekapo, which left shortly after, took 230 passengers, 1000 tons of produce, aud 27 head of cattle.

A detachment of 50 of the Permanent Artillery, under Major Messenger, left by Tuesday’s train for Palmerston North, for tbe purpose of making arrangements for the encampment to be held at Easter. The men will do duty at the catnp.

Tenders for the annual supplies to the Hospital have been accepted as follows : Fißb, P. Garbes; vegetables, Sun Kwong Lee; coal, D. Andrews ; bedding, P. Ahradsen ; wines and spirits, Jamieson and Co.; groceries, eggs, and butter, G. E. Jansen ; meat and poultry, Wright and Co.; bread, F. Tonks ; lemonade, Thomson and Lewis ; tea, Lambert; funerals, Eades and Co.; drapery, Veitch and Allan ; drags, Sharland and Co.

: H. E. Aveß, who has occupied a position on the staff of the Wanganui Chronicle for the last three yearß, and who has just arrived in Wellington to join the Btaff of the New Zealand Times, was on the eve of his departure from Wanganui presented with a farewell address and a purse of sovereigns from tho residents. The ceremony took place at the Fire Brigade rooms, and was attended by a very large and representative gathering, the presentation being made by Mr Gifford Marshall in very complimentary terms; Mr Aves also receiving farewell presents from the Musical and Operatic Association, the staff of the Wanganui Chronicle, and the members of the Catholic choir.

The Hospital Trustees held their usual ortnightly meeting on Tuesday, there being present—Messrs F. H. Fraser (chairman), S. Danks, G. Allen, R. C. Kirk, C. E. Willeston, G. M. Kebbell, J. Taylor, J. Collins, and Rev H. Van Staveren. Accounts amounting to £345 7s Sd were passed for payment. It was decided to authorise the House Steward to procure certain articles required for the wards, nurses’ dining room, and |for the doctor, at an expenditure of £75. It was decided, on the recommendation of the House Committee, that Mis 3 Curtis, late head nurse, should be allowed to withdraw her resignation, and be granted one year’s leave of absence without pay, with permission to return at the end of the period as senior probationer ; and that Miss Richardson be appointed head nurse in place of Miss Curtis, and Miss Rudderford in place of Miss Richardson. The liquor bill showed that during last month 29 patients had consumed 282 pints, 16oz wines, spirits and malt liquors, as against 153 pints 4oz consumed by 20 patients in February, IS9O. The average per patient in February, 1890, was 7f pints each, and for the corresponding month of this year 9f pints each.

The annual report of the Directors of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company to be presented at the annual meeting of shareholders next week is as follows : “ The Directors have the pleasure of laying before the shareholders of the Company the statement of accounts for the year ending the 28th day of February last, and confidently hope that the improved position of the Company will be satisfactory to the shareholders. The gross revenue for the year was £93,622 15s Id. Of this sum the railway earnings were £71,814 4s lid, and the balance of £21,808 10s 2d is derived from the sale of land, and interest from purchasers of land previously sold. The Directors consider the result of last year’s business so satisfactory that they recommend a dividend at the rate of £3 10s per centum per annum, on the paid-up capital of the Company. The amount of property tax and local rates levied on the Company during the year was £6160 14s Id. The Directors regret that no steps have been taken by the General Government to give effect to the report of the Parliamentary Committee of the year 1889, recommending relief in respect of this amount. The retiring Directors are Messrs Kirkcaldie and Pharazyn. They are both eligible and offer themselves for re'election. The seat at the Board, lately occupied by Mr J. E. Nathan, is vacant, owing to his lately being appointed one of the agents for the Company in London. The Directors have left the filling up of this vacancy to the shareholders. In conse. quenoe, three Directors must be elected. Messrs Macdonald and Kember, the auditors for the past year, offer themselves for reelection. —T. G. Macarthy, Chairman.”

The Benevolent Trustees on Tuesday decided not to meet next Tuesday owing to the Easter holidays. The next meeting will bs held on Tuesday, April 7th.

It is stated that in the recent case tried at Napier, W. Smith against the Government Insurance Department, the plaintiff’s counsel on Friday last gave notice to move for a new trial. The case is therefore still sub judice. The investigation into the murder of the Pope Stojan at Podgoritza has revealed an extraordinary Btate of things. It has been shown that Stojan himself led tho life of a bandit, and roamed about the country with well-armed companions, and was moat probably killed in an encounter with other robbers. Stojan is known to have committed fonr murders, that of his sister being among them.

& A meeting of the Committee of the Home Beading Association was held on Tuesday at the usual place. It was decided to make astronomy an additional subject o the present syllabus, and accept Mr J. H. Pope s offer to deliver three lectures iipon that subject. A constitution wss outlined, and it was decided to fix the annual subscription at 2s Cd for ordinary members, and £1 Is for hon. members. ’lt was decided to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, 7th April.

The ordinary weekly meeting of (ho Benevolent Trustees was held on Tuesday afternoon. Present —Tne Bev. Van Stavercn and Messrs - Kebbell, Lancaster, TVilleston, J. C. Smith, and Collins. The seal of the trustees was ordered to be affixed to the memorandum of agreement for the annual contract for rationß and board aud lodging. The remainder of the business was of the nsual routine nature, being confined to assisting several deserving families- in distressed circumstances. The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday the 7th April. The following tenders have been received by the Harbour Board For the supply of Hale’s patent hoop steel, John Duthie Sc Co., £0437 4s lOd (accepted) ; declined—A. and T But t £2493 ; Wilkins and Field, £2500 3s Gd ; Briscoe & Co., £2529; E. W. Mills & Co £2617 11s- For cut and punched steel—J. Duthie & Co., £2260 Ss 4d ; declined — Briscoe & Co., £2314 ; A. and T. Burt, £2317; Wilkins and Field, £2329 5a ; E. W. Mills & Co, £2337. Messrs Duthie & Co. were also successful in the general con. tract, allowing 15 per cent, off, Messrs Mills and Wilkins and Field tendering at lli per cent, and S per cent, respectively. Messrs Luke & Sons’ tender for the erection of hydraulic cranes (£2325), and that of Messrs B. Carmichael & Sons for the erection of shed M, on Jervois quay (£2664), were also accepted. The following tenders for general supplies at schedule rates were accepted by the Board Coal, Grey Valley Coal Company ; carting, J. J. Curtis ; rubbish removin<*. C. Lamberg; timber and glass, C. Stewart & Co. ; gasfitters’ and brass foundry work, S. Danks & Co. ; iron foundry work, E. Seager & Co. Tne ordinary meeting of the Onslow Borough Council was held at Kaiwarra on Tuesday, the following Councillors being present-.—Councillors Hobbs, Bairn, Clark, Aplin, and Holmes. In the absence of the Mayor Mr Clark was voted to the chair. A deputation from Wadestown waited on the Council for the purpose of pointing out the unsatisfactory state of the roads m that district. Mr Gotch, who acted as spokesman, asked that the Council should give the matter favourable consideration. On the motion of Councillor Bairn, seconded by Councillor Aplin, it was resolved that the necessary repairs to the School road be maae as asked for hy the deputation, and that the metal now stacked on the main road be used for that purpose, but that the expenditure shall not exceed £5. It was also resolved that the deputation be informed that the Council are still ready to carry out the resolution of July 22nd, IS9O, with regard to Hanover street, and in addition that they will allow the deputation to use the balance of the metal stacked on the Main road for the purpose of Hanover street after the repairs to the School road are carried out. The deputation was informed of the decision arrived at by the Counoil It was resolved that the questio'n of erecting four lamps on the Hutt road between the old toll-house and the old Junction Brewery stand over for six months. A tender was received from 11. Gregory, in the sum of £220, fer the maintenance of the Hutt road, but the Council did not accept it. Councillor Nairn referred to the repairs done on the road to Crofton, and asked why so much had been expended upon it. The OlerK repotted with regard to the road from Kaiwarra to Xhandallah over the hill, and it was resolved that a deputation consistiaz of the whole Council wait upon the Directors of the Wellington-Manawatu Bail, way Company and request them to make an over-crossing at once, in order to give travellers using the road proper access to it Councillor Clark, in accordance with notice, moved that the meetings of the Council be held in Wellington, but it failed to find a seconder, and consequently lao3ed It was resolved that Major Dean and Messrs Abbott and Schnltze’a executors be written to with regard to the proposed new road going- through their lands. Accounts having been passed for payment, the Council adjourned. ...

I Tho Premier and the Hon Mr Reeves, ! Minister for Education, acoompanied by \ Colonel Humfrey, Under - Secretary for • Defence, paid ah official visit to the Austrian | training ship Saida on Tuesday, jußt before | the ship left for Auckland. | A short time ago the Secretary of the 1 Hospital Trustees wrote to the local bratioli of the New Zealand Medical Association asking them not to send patients from other districts to the Wellington Hospital when it possibly could l.e avoided. A. reply has 1 been received from the Association stating that that body is willing to co-operate in the furtherance of the views of the Trustees as far as their duty to the public in general will admit. Considerable interest is being manifested in the band contest to be held at Feilding to-day and to-morrow. The following eight bands have entered for competition, viz. : Tho Garrison, Grey’s, and Jenkins’, from Wellington ; the Wood, ville Brass, the Palmerston Fire Brigade, the Marton Boyal Bifl.es, the Wanganui Town, and the Feilding Brass Band. Bookß are being made up on tho contest, and so far the favourites are among the Wellington Bands. Mr C. D. Macintosh, of Wellington, who is to be judge, is to have no opportunity of seeing the playing, and will only be [able to decide from a purely auricular standpoint.