MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1013, 31 July 1891, Page 37

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Wellington' lab last night week entertained His Excellency the Governor and the -Countess of Onslow at a hall. A large number of members were present, and there were many guests. Inspector Thomson was advised by telegram last week that a house owned anti occupled by Mr Fitzgerald, of the Upper Hutt, was destroyed by tire at an oarly hour yesterday morning. The house was insured for £IOO, which will only cover about half the loss. It is supposed that the fire was caused by a defective chimney. The report of the Electric Lighting Committee was adopted at the mseting of the City Council last week. Tbe Committee recommended that new lamps bo erected at the following places :—One ou Lambton quay, near the Hail way Station; one in Bolton street, at tli9 junction of Mowbray street; one in Franklyn avenue, one at Plimmer’s Steps, one in College street, an:l one in Sydney street, between Molosworth street and Museum street.

The Rev Mark Gay Pearse, who returned to England by the Arawa, conducted his farewell services in the colonies at the Wesleyan Church, Tarauaki street, yesterday. In the afternoon he gave a Bible reading. and in the evening he preached an eloquent sermon, taking for his text St. Mark, chapter iv., verse 3S. Ihere was a large congregation. The collections at both services, which amounted to £27 lls, were in aid of the West London Mission. The total amount of the collections received during the rev gentlemans mission in Wellington was £S2 10s.

A meeting of St. Joseph's Orphanage Building Committee was held last week in the Convent, Hill street, Rev Father Macuamara in the chair. Messrs Burnes and Davis reported that they had arranged the order of the procession, and that in view of the weather thev proposed to start from the Cathedral. Hill street. Their programme was approved, with a few unimportant additions. The secretary was instructed to arrange for stewards anu collectors at the ceremony of laying the stone. The. rev. Chairman and Mi Mahoney, tue architect, were appointed a sub committee to arrange for erection of a covered platform. It was arranged that the anthems be sung by the orphans and convent pupils. After transacting routine business the Committee adjonrned.

The report of the City Reserves Committee, in connection with an application from the Melrose Borough Council, with respect to the catting down of Constable street, and the exteusion of Bidwell street through the Town Belt, was adopted. The Committee in their report recommended that an estimate from the City Surveyor be obtained as to the cost of the work in extending Bidwell street. As to cutting down Constable street the Committee approved of the work being done, but regretted that they could not contribute any portion of the cost. f

A concert which was arranged by Mr R. Stansfield, manager of tbe New Zealand Accident Insurance Co., was given at the Hospital on Friday in the presence of as many of the patients as were able to get into the corridor, and a large of visitors. The following ladies and gentlemen contributed selections :Mr and Mrs Rirciiam, Mrs Harrison. Mr A. S. Paterson, Mr Bell, Mrs O’Dell, Mr J. W. Kilner, Miss Paine, Mr C. H. Hale, Miss Nelms, Mrs Roberts, Mr Mann, and Mr Stevenson. Mro Barcbam presided at the piano. A temporary stare ■was erected for the performers, and Dr Ewart was assiduous in providing for the comfort and convenience of his benevolent visitors. The entertainment was a great success, and appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed by the patients.

The local agents for the Shavr-Savill and Albion Co., have been advised that the R.M..S, Doric left Rio de Janeiro, homeward bound, on the morniDg of the 20th. Her cargo of frozen meat was reported to bo in good condition. The Sydney Trades and Labour Council have written to the local Council thanking them for their kind congratulations on the great victory achieved in New South Wales by the Labour Party at the ballot box. The letter concludes aB follows :—“ We have a solid patty of 36 members, and the number will be greatly increased at the next general election.”

A gentleman who recently took up his residence in Grant road has had rather an unpleasant experience during his short stay in that neighbourhood. One night last week three large stones were thrown through one of the front windows, and on Thursday night two other windows in the house were smashed by the same means. To make matters worse, the occupant of the house, a Mr Dowliug, is confined to his bedThere is at present no clue to the offender. At the annual meeting of St. Peter’s parishioners on Friday the Rev. Mr Waters made refereooe to reports which he had read in the local papers to the effeot that the attendance of men at certain churches was not so good as it should be. The rev. gen • tleman said that ho believed the main cause tor the falling off was the coldness and formalities in the services, but so far as St. Peter’s was concerned ho said there was no coldness. He was sure the services were not cold, neither were the choir nor tbe pastor. He was glad to say that the attend, ance of men at St. Peter's was quite up to the mark, aud above the ordinary average. Mr J. Doyle, Inspector of Nuisances, in his h alf- vearly report,, states that great improvements have been made in the house drainage of the city, and he attributes to this the decrease in tbe number of cases of fever reported. The Inspector condemns the present system of removing nightsoil. and points out that while there are 6386 buildings in the city, only 2500 are provided with patent water closets. He suggests that tbe landlord should be made responsible for keeping the closets clean, instead of the tenants. In conclusion, he urged upon the Council the necessity there w»b for covering in the streams in Polhill Gully, and Nairn and Tasman streets ; and referred to the disgraceful and insanitary condition of Quin street.

DuriDg the discussion on the report of the Works Committee last week. Councillor Worth took exception to clause 3, referring to the payment of the prize money to the successful competitor in the Free Public Library designs. Councillor Worth said that it had been stated that the design which obtained the first prize had not complied fairly with the necessary conditions, and if that was really the case the Council should pause before handing over the money, i'ouncillor Worth said that he would not move adversely in the matter, and the clause as printed was agreed to unanimously. *\Ve record with regret the death of Mr Jacob Meirs, who died yesterday week at at the Occidental Hotel, after a short illness. The deceased, who was well known as manager of Messrs Sharland and Co.’s Wellington branch, was a native of London, and his only relative in the Colony, a brother, was with him when he died. Mr Meirs, who was unmarried, was 43 years of age, and was much respected. Hr Cahill attended him durine his illness. The remains were interred in the Jewish Cemetery on Friday afternoon. The funeral was largely attended, and among those present were a number of members of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, of which the deceased gentleman was a member. The Rev. H. Van Staveren conducted the service at the grave.

An English trade journal of May 9th, says : —“ The Union Steamship Company of New Zealand have received advices of the declaration of a dividend at the rate of 8 per oeut per annum for the period ended March 31st.”

The traffic returns of the Wellington and Manawatn Railway for the week ending 18th July, 1891, amounted to £1516 14a 7d, and for the corresponding period of last year £12115s 9d, showing an increase of £305 8s lOd.

It was decided at the recent Labour Conference to ask the Government to furnish all Trades and Labour Councils with copies of the New Zealand Statutes for reference purposes. A reply has been received from the Minister of Education stating that the request will receive favourable consideration. At the annual meeting of the Wellington Field Naturalists’ Club last week, in the absence of the president, Mr T. Kirk, Sir James Hector presided, and spoke very highly of the very [great advantages to be derived from joining the Club,, for no greater aid could be given to the highest form of education. Without direct observation in the fields there conld be no exact science. Alter the adoption of tbe annual report, which was highly satisfactory, the following officers were elected for the ensuing season : President, Mr G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. ; vice president, Mr EHulke, F.E.S. ; committee, Miss Gillon, Miss Myers, 8.A., Sir James Hector, F.R.S. ; Mr A. McKay, F.G.S. ; Mr T. Kirk, F. L.S. ; secretary, Mr W. P. Cohen ; treasurer, Mr G. H. Wallace. Mr P. Hudson exhibited a magnificent ooUection of New Zealand lepidoptera. A specimen of tbe extraordinary “sea tree,” chrysogorgia, collected by Captain Fairchild in Jacksons Bay, was also exhibited. The usual weekly meeting of the Trades and Labour Council was held last week, the President (Mi C. Lauohlan; occupying the chair. In reply to a communication sent to the local branch of the Knights of Labour ' with reference to the expenses of the recent Labour Conference and Queensland shearers, a letter was received stating that it had been resolved that as the Council did not see tit to consult the Knights "of Labour before or while the Conference held its sitting it was now too late to apply for the portion of the expenses thereof. With regard to the sheaiers the letter stated that the Knights of Labour would communicate with tbe Queensland Shearers’ Association direct. The Secretary of the Marton Knights of Labour wrote asking for copies of the various Bills and other information. It was resolved that the letter be forwarded to the Knights of Labour in order that they might comply with the request. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Canterbury Builders' Cofin. oil, enquiring whether the Building Lien Bill now before Parliament was the old Bill, or whether it was a new measure. If it was the old Bill the Couucil wished to make eer tain recommendations, and if a new measure they asked that a copy should be sent to them. The Secretary (Mr D. P. Fisher) was instructed to make the necessary enquiries, and send a reply. A letter was received from the Painters’ Union stating that owing to want of funds they were unable to contribute anything toward the expenses of the recent Labour Conference. One of the members asked if the Premier had sent any reply to tbe deputation which recently waited uoon him in reference to the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill. The Secretary replied in the negative. The Secretary, as instructed, produced a statement of tbe expenses incurred in connection with the unemployed movement, which showed that the total amount was only £2 10s. The expenditure in connection with the public reception of the Liberal members, the Secretary stated, was £l6 13s 2d. The Secretary al»o presented a statement of the approximate financial position of the Council for the ensuing quarter, which showed that the Council was in a solvent condition. The Secretary reported the result of his interview with the Minister of Lands with regard to the complaints made by the unemployed at Pahiatua, which was to the effect that enquiries would be made as to the men’s grievances. Mr Macdonald, the Queensland shearers’ delegate (who returned to Wellington yesterday), addressed the Council, Btating that the position of the shearers was a very satisfactory one. The Council then adjonrned.

It is with regret that we have to record the death of Miss Kate Emily Larnach,eldest daughter of the Hon. W. J. M, Larnach, C.M.G., which occurred last night from typhoid fever at Mulgrave street. Miss Larnach was in her twenty-fifth year and had been ill about a month, during which time Dr Cahill bad given her every attention.

The complaints of the men employed on the relief works at Pahiatua having been represented to the Government, the Hon. the Minister for Public Works has despatched Mr J. S. March to make enquiries on the subject and report. The complaints are that the men were needlessly kept idle for fourteen days, that their work has increased and their pay diminished. The following is a comparative retnrn of the quantity and value of gold entered for duty for exportation from New Zealand for tbe half years ended 30th June, 1891, and 30th June, IS9O : Auckland —23,4550 z, value £93,176, as against 16,9450 z, value £65,718; Marlborough—36i>z, value £l3O, as against 52730 z, value £21,055 : Nelson—--2,3850z, value £9057, as against 17530 z, value £3.640 ; West C0a5t—63,2290z, value £253.016, as against 45,5720 z, value £183,474 ; 0tag0—47,3660z, value £189,459, as against 35,8380 z, value £157,469; unknown—2ooz, value £B2. T0ta1—136,4940z, value £544,920, as against 108,6510 z. value £434,356.

A deputation of members of the House of Representatives headed by Sir George Grey, waited on the Premier on Friday morning on behalf Mrs J. C. Brown and Mrs Farnell, of Auckland, and asked for a compassionate allowance, in the first case on account of Mr J. C. Brown’s 20 years of public service, and in the second on the grounds that the late J. C. Farnell had been a Government emigra tion agent and had not received full acknowledgment of his services. The Premier advised the deputation to approach the House by petition, and ho would support it. Sir George Grey concurred, and the deputation withdrew.

'''A meeting of the creditors in the estate of Max Hermann Gall, chemist, of CourteDay place, was held on Friday at the Official Assignee’s office. Mr Glascodine appeared on behalf of the debtor, and Mr Menteath watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr Sheehy, the former proprietor of Mr Gall’s business. A statement sworn to by the debtor, was read, and it attributed his failure to the business not being equal to expectations. On the motion of Mr J. Lachman (P. Hayman and Co.), seconded by Mr J. H. Owen (Sharland and Co.), it was resolved to allow the debtor to retain all his furniture, and that tenders should be invited for the purchase of the business, the debtor to remain in possession on the creditors’ behalf until a sale was effected. The meeting was adjourned for a week.

The total revenue of the Government Railways for tbe four weeks ended 20th June last was £75,794, of which the North Island contributed £24,637, and the South Island £54,157. The total revenue for the corresponding period last year was £81,422. The total expenditure was £55,771, of which the North Island absorbed £18,567, and the South Island £37,203. For the same period last year the expenditure was £58,125. The comparative percentage of expenditure to revenue on the various sections shows as follows :—North Island— Kawakawa, 77"05, as against 75’91 ; Whangarei, 99'49 Wellington, 68'02—65'40 ; total, 6S'44— 66'05. South Island—Harunui-Bluff, 60'91 —53 - 62 ; Greymoath, 64 - 40 —46 70 ; Westport, 38'10 -61 00 ; Nelson, 76 47—135-01 ; Pioton, 76 00—90-09; total, 60-40—54-82. Grand total, 62-52—57-90. On the Wellington section the revenue was £5311, against £5315 ; and the expenditure £4355, against £3992. The number of passengers carried was 26,155, against 22,652. Mr D. P. Fisher, secretary to the Trades and Labour Council, has received a letter from one of the men employed on the relief works at No. I camp, Makuri, of which the following is the gist :—Tbe writer states they (the gang) are getting on well, having now done 17 chains out of their 20, aud expect to finish within two weeks if the weather keeps favourable. None of the gang, however, intend going on with any more Government jobs, although the engineer is pleased with their work, and is endeavouring to get them to take up another 20 chains. The reason the men intend to give it up is because they do not consider it good enough to work from 9 to 9lj hours and then do little better than clear “tucker.” The writer fuither states that they can each shift from 15 to 20 yards of staff per day, but by the measurements taken they are only credited with eight yards per man. The letter goes on to say that all the men in No. 2 camp cleared out, owing to a similar complaint as to measurement, and those in No. 1 camp would have done likewise, only for the writer persuading them to stop and finish what they had commenced. Another complaint is in connection with the store bill, in which the writer states he made a difference of £4 10s 104 d, or close upon £l. per man. Reference is also made to the fact of there being a large quantity of bush falling requiring to be done iu the district, and the men are all going in for 200 or 300 acre contracts rather than stick to the Government work.

The Waihora, which sailed for Sydney on Saturday, took away about 1000 tons of colonial produce, and a large number of paasengers. Thomas Charles Rayner, hotelkeeper, was adjudged se* bankrupt on Saturday. A meeting of his creditors will be held on Saturday next at 11 a.m.

The championship football match attracted a largo crowd to Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon. A charge, of 6d was made for admission, and a sum of £25 17b 6d taken at the gates.

Mr E. C. Adams, late purser of the U.S.S. Southern Cross, left on Saturday by the YVaihora for Sydney, having been promoted t* one of the recent additions to the Company’s Australian fleet.

Mr H. W. Robinson, District Coroner, held an inquest at the morgue on Saturday morning on the body of James Gosling, who was found dead in his bed on Frid»j T . Dr Collins, who made a post mortem examination of the body, stated that death was duo to heart disease. The jury, of whom Mr J. R. Gibbons was foreman, returned a verdiot in accordance with the medical testimony.

Mr Robert Moate, who leaves for England shortly, was presented with an ornamented silver snuff box and a silver mounted pipe by the employes of Messrs Nelson, Moate and Co. on Saturday morning. The presentation was made by Mr Francis (who succeeds Mr Moate in the management of the Wellington branch), and the recipient of the gift made a suitable reply. On Friday evening Mr Moate was entertained at dinner by a Dumber of his friends.

The number of dogs registered in Wellington city since the Ist of January last is 974. The number registered for the whole of last year was 463. The first of a course of lectures on “ First aid to the injured,” was delivered by Dr Martin, at hi 3 residence, Ingestre street, on Friday. There was a large attendance, including a contingent of the Heretannga Mounted Infantry. The lecturer imparted a large amount of information, and his remarks were listened to with great interest. The Colonial Courts of Admiralty (Imperial) Act, IS9O. having come into force in this Colony, officers of the Supreme Court have now to perform, as ordinary duties, those until now carried out by a separate officer of the Vice*Admiralty Courts. Mr D. G. A. Cooper, Registrar of tbe Supreme Court, has been appointed Marshal of the Vice Admiralty Court in place of Mr W. P. James, whose office has ceased to exist. The fees under the Act referred to will go to the Consolidated Fund of the Colony instead of going to the officers.