Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 998, 17 April 1891, Page 29

Town and Country.

Sir George Grey’s eleotion as member of the House of Representatives for Newton is gazetted. The intention of the Government to toko 370 acre 3 of Native land on Stephen Island for the erection of a lighthouse is gazetted. The appointment oi Frank C. Matthews as Ranger, under the Animals Protection Act 1890, for the District of Wellington, is gazetted. The resignation of Mr John F. E. Wright, of Wellington, as a Justice of the Peace, and its acceptanoe by the Governor, appears in the Gazette.

Certain land in Carterton is gazetted a having been vested in the mayor, councillors, and burgesses in trust for a site for municipal buildings. The Admiralty regulations, under which naval cadetships in the British navy may obtained, are published for general informamation in the Gazette.

The adjourned meeting of creditors in the estate of E. J. Mclntosh, plumber, of Lower Hntt, convened for yesterday week, lapsed for want of a quorum. Permission to the Star Boating Club to reclaim certain land on the Kaiwarra fore* Bhore in Wellington harbour for the purpose of erecting a boatshedis given by Order-in-Council, which appears in last week s Gazette.

The favourable result of a poll taken on the 21st March on the proposal to raise under the Local Bodies Loans Act a loan.of £1750 for the purpose of making a road in the county of Msyaawatn, appears in the Gazette.

Messrs Harcourt and Co. at their rooms last week bad a good attendance, when the land and buildings at the Lower Hutt, well known as the property of Mr Jehu Hill, was submitted to auction. The bidding was spirited, and the hammer fell to the bid of Mr Michael McAuley, at £2OO.

The question of contracts in connection with municipal work came before the Trades and Labour Council last week, and it was decided, after Borne discussion, to bring the existing system and its attendant drawbacks to*, bona fide wage-earning men before the notice of the different municipal corporations.

A large number of passengers left Wellington yesterday week for Sydney. In the Hauroto there were 21 in the saloon and 15 in the steerage j in the Tekapo. 39 in the saloon and 27 steerage; and by the Jubilee, 21 in the saloon and 50 steerage, making a total of 173—51 being saloon passengers, and 92 steerage passengers.

Mr de Castro, chairman of the Giilcher Electric Lighting Company, returned from Christchurch on Friday morning, and shortly after his arrival here he waited upon the Mayor and stated that there were one or two features of the new electric lighting contract to which he objected, and he suggested that they should be reconsidered by the Council. Mr de Castro left for Auckland same night, and he promised the Mayor that he would forward his objections to the contract in writing. Upon receipt of bis letter the Council will be called together to consider the matter.

The Mayor has received a communication from the secretary of the Medical Congress recently held in Nelson, stating that in view of the approaching Municipal Conference he had been instructed to forward a copy of the following resolutions passed by the Congress :—“That in view of the importance of the proper Inspection of meat need for food, and the difficulties in the way of adequate supervision under the present system of numerous private slaughterhouses, the members of the Association affirm the necessity of establishing public abattoirs, and suggests the appointment of qualified local inspectors.” “ That this Association is of opinion that a Department of Public Health should be created under the supervision of a Minister of the Crown.” “ That this Association desires to represent to the Government the advisableness of taking steps to enforce the supervision of dairies.” The Mayor has instructed the Town Clerk to Bend a reply to the effect that the resolutions will be brought before the Conference.

Mr Miles, the* recently appointed manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company in this city, received, according to the Timaru Herald, from which we extract the following particulars, a very graceful and kindly sendoff from his old friends and neighbours in Timaru: —“ A large number of influential citizens, among them being His Worship the Mayor, Mr Chisholm, manager Bank of New Zealand, Mr White, Crown Prosecutor, Drs Lovegrove and Somerville, and other friends met at the Club Hotel to bid farewell to Mr Miles before leaving for Wellington. His Worship tho Mayor in proposing the health and prosperity of Mr Miles, referred to the very successful manner in which the Timaru branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company had been conducted under Mr Miles’ management, and also to. the genial and amiable qualities possessed by their guest, as evidenced by his undoubted popularity. Mr Chisholm, manager of the Bank of Now Zealand, who had known Mr Miles for 18 years, also expressed regret at his leaving Timaru, but also felt some pleasure in the fact that he was going to enjoy well-earned promotion. Messrs White, Jones, and Dr Lovegrove also expressed themselves in similar terms, and Mr Miles’ health was drunk with all the honours. Mr Miles, In returning thanks for the very unexpected manner in which his friends had met him to say good bye, said it seemed to him that it was on such an occasion as this that one’s friends became known. He had been in Timaiu for eighteen years, and he would say that he had always been treated in a manner considerably better than he deserved. He was going to fill a more important position in Wellington, and although gratified at receiving promotion, he felt that his removal would result in the severing of ties that he had hoped would never have been broken. He again thanked those assembled, and his friends of South Canterbury for such a hearty token of good will. The meeting then broke up.

Mr George Allen has decided to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of Thorndon ward in tho City Council. Mr Allen has previously sat in the Council for a number of years.

' The Hon the Minister for Defence has decided to issue long servioe medals to members of the New Zealand Volunteer Forces who have served for 16 consecutive years.

The Chrysanthemum Show of the Wellington Horticultural and Florists’ Society is announced to be held in the Skating E-ink on Thursday aud Friday, the 23rd and 24th A^ril. #The newly formed New Zealand Brass Band Association have decided to hold their first annual band contest at Dunedin in November next. Thb Garrison Band have decided to take part in the contest. The Police Department have been instructed by the Minister for Public Works to enforce all clauses of the “ Boroughs and Counties Act ” in connection with the collection of Industrial School fees, dog tax, etc., eto.

The junior match between the City Rifles and Wellington Navals, under the auspices of the Rifle Union, has been arranged to take place on Saturday at the. Polhill Gaily range. The conditions are 10 shots each at 200 and 300 yards. A man. named Jeremiah Lnnney was injured on Friday at Nqahauranga by a fall of earth. It appears Lunney was working with a gang of men excavating a site for the new slaughterhouses for the Wellington Meat Export Company when a large quantiiy of debris fell suddenly, partly burying Lunney, and injuring hisleg. _■ He was taken to the Hospital, where his injuries were attended to.

The ladies’ free night at the Skating Rink on Friday drew a large attendance of the public, the floor presenting a very animated appearance, over 1300 persons being present and over 500 pairs of skates in use. The large attendances are evidence that the new management show every attention to the wants of their patrons. The Rink will be open on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and there will be a special session for ladies on Thursday morning for the benefit of novices. The Evening Post on Saturday had a remarkable paragraph about Professor Koch s lymph and the special form of syringes used for its injection. It says, “ They differ somewhat from the ordinary form of syringe for epidemic injections, and are very delicate little instruments.” Our oontemporary has become rather mixed over its medical terms. To confound “ hyperdermic ” with epidemic ” is a very grave error.

The inquiry into tho Shelly Bay explosion was continued on Saturday morning, the witness examined being Sergeant-Major Gunn. At noon the Court adjourned to Mr Hayes’ shop to see some experiments in connection with the soldering of tins and the effect of a heated bolt on gun-cotton. In the afternoon the Court went to Shelly Bay, where Cornwall’s evidence was taken and the inquiry was then adjourned till Tuesday.

The fish curing establishment of Mr Nicholas Fernandos, at Kaiwarra, was completely burnt to the ground a little before one o’clock on Sunday morning. The firebells in town gave the alarm directly the reflection of the flames was noticed, but by tho time the Brigade arrived on the spot the building was past redemption. The premises and plant were insured in the North German for £3OO, but Mr Fernandos estimates his loss at £SOO above this amount. The cause of the outbreak is not known.

The tender of Messrs Townsend and Paul for the supply of forage at 7i per cent off schedule rates has been accepted by the City Council. The unsuccessful tenderers were —Laery and Co., 5J per cent off schedule rates : George Thomas and Co., 2& per cent off schedule rates. The tender of E. VV. Mills and Co. for supplies in connection with the waterworks at 2J per cent off schedule rates has also been accepted. The other tenderers for this contraot wore—J. Duthio and Co., 5 per cent off schedule rates; J. Ballinger, 3g per cent off schedule rates ; Stewart and Co., per cent over schedule rates. * -

In November, 1890, there were 497 legal practitioners in New Zealand to a total population of 661,136 persona (including 41,969 Maoris and 4566 Chinese). This gave one solicitor to every 1338 of the population, or an estimate of one to every 268. male adults. Thero were moreover, and in addition to the above, one hundred or more qualified persons not practising their profession (excluding judges, magistrates, &c.) _ In the same month the result of the previous September legal examination showed a further addition of 33 names to the list, since which maDy additions have been applied for and granted throughout tho Colony. A return has been prepared Wfr the Seoretary of the General Post Office (Mr W. Gray) showing tbe results of the reduction of ocean letter postal rates from 6d to 2Jd per letter to and from the United Kingdom. The increase in correspondence, consequent on the reduction, has been smaller than was anticipated, and Jess than that which took place in the Australian Colonies. The outward mails for the three months that tho reduced ratehas been in force,. compared with tbe oorresDOnding months of last year, were as follows : —January. 1890, 38,404 letters ; January, 1891, 43,283; February, 1890, 35,079; February, 1891, 45,374; March, 1890, 36,977 ; March, 1891, 37,587. Totals First three months of 1890, 110,460 letters; first three months of 1891, 126,244. Actual increase for the period, 15,784 ; less normal increase, 4418; leaving a net increase due to the reduction of 11,366, or about 10 3 per cent. Only two months returns are available in connection with tho inward malls, and are as follow :—January, 1890, 44,507 ; January, 1891, 47,871; February, 1890, 42,641 ; February, 1891, 43,905. Total for two months of 1890, 87,148; two months of 1891, 91,776. Actual increase for the period, 4628 ; less normal increase, 3484 ; leaving a net increase of 1144, or about 1,31 per oent.

The receipt of contributions of £L from Mr H. Wiloox, and £1 1 from Mrs S. Ling, toward the Arbor Day Fund, is aoknow. lodged by Mr George Woodward.

A bazaar in aid of the Building {Fund of St. Joseph’s Orphanage iB to bo held in the Drillshed on May 2nd and following week. Several special attractions will be provided. Lieutenant-Colonel Hume having resigned the Inspectorship of Volunteers, his successor will be appointed from officers at present in the oolonial service.

.The creditors in the estate of W. H. Probyn, labourer, did not meet on Saturday, but they have decided to hold a meeting on Friday next, at 11 a. m. Mr Chas. W. Benbow, branch manager of the South British Insurance Co., notifies that dividend warrants for the half year ending 28th February, 1891, can now be obtained on application at the office of the Company.

Mr John Duthie, M.H.R., has written to the Postmaster General, suggesting that a telegraph office should be opened at Newtown. The want of such' an office has long been felt, and it is thought likely that the Minister will see bis way to grant the request. Mr A. Hall, proprietor of the Tramway, has written to the City Council asking that the license fee should be reduced on the oars whioh are ouly used occasionally. Ihe Works Committee considered the matter on Monday, and they decided to recommend to the Council that the request be not granted. Mr G. H. Baylis waited upon the Publio Works Committee on Monday aud asked that the period of his contract for collecting the refuse and working the Destructor should be extended from one to three years. Councillor Harris gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the Council that the period of the contract should be altered from one to three years.

The total steaming time of the R.M.S. lonic on her passage just completed was 42 daya 1 hour 37 minutes. Stas brought 47 passengers, 10 packages of mails, 40 boxes of parcel post, and 2000 tons of cargo. Her dates are—London, February 26th ; Plymouth, February 27th ; leneriffe, March 4th ; Capetown, March 20th ; and Hobart, April Bth. Mr George Woodward, who is working moat zealously to make “ Arbor Day ” a success, has received the following additional contributions : —From a local nurseryman (second contribution), 50 lauristinus and 50 assorted plants ; from Mr Henry Illman, gardener, of Wordsworth street, 50 assorted plants ; from Miss Wilcox, 10s ; and from the Hon J. Mackenzie, Minister of Lands, £1 Is.

Some of the railway employes at Auckland and Inveroargill having been refused leave by the Commissioners to enable them to attend the meeting of railway servants at Obriatchuroh on the 16th inst., they appealed to the Minister for Publio Works. In reply to the Minister the Commissioners have stated that they refused the men leave on the ground that they considered the object in view inimical to the intei eats of the service. The Minister has therefore declined to take action.

According to a correspondent of the Hawera Star, there was an unusually high tide at Opunake.on Thursday morning last higher than known by any resident — caused by heavy south-west weather. The boats were all awash aud landed high and dry. The sea found its way into two of the sheds. Fortunately one was empty ; in the other flax was stored, which was removed. Only a few of the lower tier of bales were damaged.

The subjects to be brought before the Municipal Gonferenoo were discussed at tbe meeting of the Publio Works Committee on Monday, and it was decided to recommend that the Council disapproves of any alteration in the present mode of electing tho Mayor, and the delegates from the Council were instructed to • withdraw the clause In the list of subjects drawn up, to the effect that the Act be amended so as to provide that the Mayor should be elected from the members of the Council.

Our representative who visited the torpedo station at Shelly Bay on Saturday last reports most favourably on the excellent manner in which everything is kept there, the mine and torpedo stores, as well as the testing and appliance rooms, being models of cleanliness and compact arrangement, ffhe whole place is typioal cf its beißg under the command of one maintaining discipline, as far as arrangement of a torpedo station is concerned, equal to that existing in the Imperial service.

A social gathering and entertainment was held at the Tinakori Church room on Monday evening, under the auspices of the Welling, ton Church Sunday School Association. The room, which was comfortably filled, was tastefully decorated with evergreens Under the management of Mr G. St Mill the following musical programme was gone through : Overture, Miss Ida Cooper ; song Mr Todd ; song, Mr Hume; recitation ' Mr A. S. Patterson (who was encored) ; ann" with banjo accompaniment, Mr G. St Hilt (encored); song, Mr Easton. During the interval tea and coffee were provided by the ladies presont. The singing of tho National Anthem concluded a most enjoyable evening. Miss Cooper ably officiated at the piano.

The Hon R. J. Seddon, Defence Minister, Is contemplating several radical changes in the Defence Department. It is understood that officers at present commanding at the lour centres are under notice of retrenchment,” and the batteries are to be placed under the commanding officers of Volunteers in the several districts, with a sergeantmajor in immediate control of each. The idea is that as the Volunteer and Permanent Forces will have to work together in case of war it is desirable that they should be under the same authority. With the same object in view, it is intended that all the forces shall at times drill together, and surprise calls will be made in order to see what time it will take to properly man the batteries.

The R.M.S. Tainui left Capetown for Wellington, via Hobart, on Saturday. She is due here ou May 4tli. The Hutt County Council on Tuesday decided to co-operate with the Ohinemuri and Horowhenua County Councils in urging the Government to allow Native lands to be rated by local bodies.

The saddlery equipment for the Heretaunga Mounted Infantry, whioh has been manufactured by the contractors for the English Army, according to the latest pattern, arrived in the R.M.S. lonic, A number of residents in Webb street have made an application to the City Council that the footpaths in the street should be paved. Tho Works Committee have decided to recommend that the work be carried out provided the residents will bear half the cost.

The following will represent the City Rifleß in tho Junior Union Rifle Championship Match against tho Wellington Navals on Saturday next: - Sergeant Roberts, Lance Corporal Rankin, Privates Tern, Heard, Carry, T. Kalpine, R. Halpine, Dixon, Elliott, and Henn. Emergencies Madden and Faber.

Mr Theomin, Managing Director of the Dresden Piano Company, will leave Lyttelton by the s.s. Rimutaka on the 16th inst. for Europe. His intention is to visit all the Continental factories of repute, but principally to inspect the Company’s factories in Dresden and Saxony, where he will secure the services of a competent staff of workmen for their Wellington warehouse. The Hutt County Council have appointed Registrars of Dogs and collectors of dog tax as follows : —Porirua Riding, T. Collett, lOd per dog ; Karori, W. F. England, 6§d per dog ; Epuni, T. Short, Is per dog ; Mungaroa, J. T. Wilkins, 8d per dog ; Wainui o-mata, J. Wood, lOd per dog. Councillor Death was authorised to appoint a registrar and collector for the Horokiwi Riding. A letter was read at the meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees on Tuesday from Mr Walcot, the vendor of the emery stone sharpener, suggesting that he would be willing to give to the Benevolent Institution half the proceeds from a sale of his articles, to bo held on a day to be named. The Trustees decided not to entertain the idea, and instructed their Secretary to decline the offer with thanks. The nomination of candidates for the vacant seat in the City Council took place on Monday at noon. Tho following gentlemen were proposed ;—Harry Benjamin Vogel, nominated by Wm. Freeman and Thomas Carr ; George Allen, nominated by J. Maginnity and J. Barry ; Alfred Boardman, nominated by George Anderson and J. J. Curtis. The election will take' place on Friday next.

A special meeting of the City Council was held on Monday for the purpose of confirming the new cemetery by-laws. There were present—The Mayor, Councillors Anderson, Parsons, Willeston, Harris, Haroourt, Worth, Moeller, Fraser, Petherick, and Smith. The by-laws were confirmed with the following additions: —That the fee for the interment of children up to seven years be 10s 6d, and for still corn children 2s 6d. The new by-laws will come into operation on tho first of May.

A deputation from the Johnsonville Town Board, consisting of Messrs T. Bould, Atkinson, and J. Waters, waited upon the Hutt County Council on Tuesday, and asked that the main road through Johnsonville should bo defined. The Council decided to make an application to the Government to furnish the boundaries of tho main road through Johnsonville, and that a deputation, consisting of the Chairman (Councillor Darby), Councillor Jillett, the members of the Johnsonville Town Board, and the Inspector of Roads should wait upon the Minister of Lands ou the subject.

Dropping off the wharf into the harbour seemed to be contagions on Tuesday. About 2 o’clock a man of the name of Norval slipped off the lonic, and quickly disappeared underneath the water. Assistance was piomptly at hand and he was quickly drawn safely to land, minus his hat anel in a damp and limp condition. Five minutes later one of the passengers by the lonic, standing somewhat carelessly on the edge of the wharf, also dropped into deep water. In this case his accident w »u at once discovered, and in a few moments he was rescued, littie the worse for his involuntary bath save the damage to his clothes.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Hutt County Council, Councillor Lancaster moved *• That the Council take over the first four miles of the Karori road leading from Wellington to Makara, for the purpose of keeping it in repair. Councillor Cook seconded the amendment. Councillor Darby, seconded by Councillor Speedy, moved the following amendment: —“ That the Council pay to the Karori-Makara Road Board the sum of £IOO for tbe year 1891-92, part of tho county rates collected in Karori riding, towards the repair of the first four miles of the Karori road leading to Makara.” After some disoussion both the amendment and motion were lost.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was held on Tuesday morning, there being present—Councillors Darby (chairman), C. W. Brown, Wakeham, Death, Speedy, G. Brown, Jillett, Cook, and Lancaster. The Clerk reported that the Assessment made by the United District Charitable Aid Board was as follow: Charitable aid, £332 Is; Hospital, £350 13s. A letter was received from the Horowhenua County Council, stating that they agreed to the site for the Waikanae bridge as fixed by tho JEint Committee of the two Councils. It was resolved to pay the sum of £3 3s incurred by Councillor C. W. Brown in opposing the petition against his eleotion. On the motion of Councillor G. Brown, it was decided to instruct the Inspector of Roads to give notice to all owners of land abutting on country roads to grub out and clean away all gorse and briars within three months. Accounts amounting to £163 15s 6d were passed, and the Couaoil then adjourned, * ,

The New Zealand Shipping Company have reeeived advice that the JR. M.S. Aorangi left Rio on the 12th in3t for London.

Tho Primate (Bishop Hadfield) will hold a confirmation service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.in.

The refrigerating machinery for the Wanganui Freezing Works was being landed on Tuessday from tbe R.M.S. lonic.

The annual general meeting of tbe Wellington Patent Slip Co., Limited, is to be held at the Company’s offices. National Mutual Buildings, on Friday, 24th inst. The following gentlemen have been added to tho Provisional Committee of the Hoys’ Institute : —Messrs A. Hoby, L. Holliwell, W. W. Knowles, and W. J. Lankshear. Messrs Skinner and Newton left by the Waihora on Tuesday as delegates from the VYellington-Manawatu Railway employes for the purpose of attending the conference of railway servants to be held at Christchurch. The following nominations have been received for the Petone Licensing Committee —Messrs W. H. Bennett, A. Carter E. H. Collett, J. Curtis, J. T. King, C. Lusty, J. Masters, E. Mills. A. Simp3an, F. Upton, P. Witcher, and J. Wright. Tho D Battery paraded for Government inspection on Tuesday at the Drillshed. There were 35 all ranks present, under command of Captain Moorhouse. In the absence of the District Staff, Captain Moorhouse inspected the parade. The usual weekly meeting of tho Benevolent Trustees was held on Tuesday afternoon. Present—Rev Van Stavereu (Chairman), and Messrs Willeston and Collins. The business transacted was confined only to granting relief to persons in need of assistance, and passing accounts amounting to £l3O. We have to acknowledge from the Union Steamship Company, several books, whioh should prove of interest to tourists. Many of them contain a vast amount of useful information, and are' rsiedy illustrated. Two of the works specially worth noticing, are entitled “ Homeward through America,” and “The Canadian Pacific.” As a guide to tourists, both these books contain all necessary information for a trip round the world, and the illustrations give a faithful portrait of the chief places en roate.