Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1013, 31 July 1891, Page 29

Town and Country.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland informs us that the s.t>. Monowai left San Francisco at 4 p.m. on Friday, -4th inst., one day late. Constable Jeffrey, who has been acting as one of the watchhouse-keepers in the Central Police Station, has been removod to Dunedin. He left by the Hinemoa on Monday night.

The Fire Brigade Committee, in their report, which was adopted last week by the City Council, submitted several new by-laws to be added to the Dangerous Goods Bylaws. compiled by the fire inspector. The wreak of the barque Willie McLaren will probably be blown up next Saturday. Captain Falconer, of the Torpedo Corps has arranged to explode a charge of 10001 b of gun cotton at the scene of the wreck.

The residents of the Oroua and Mana. watu counties have long agitated for separation from the Wanganui Hospital district, and Mr J. G. Wilson has introduced a bill into the House to enable the separation to be made.

4s was announced by cable last week, Sir F. Dillon Bill, the Agent General, is about to leave London on his return to the Colonv. At his departure Mr Kennaway, the head oFtho staff in London, will conduct the duties of Agent-General temporarily until Sir Dillon Bell’s successor is appointed. jj. F. Hooper, a much-respected resi. dent of Porirua, died at his residence on Suuday forenoon. The deceased gentleman held the position of chairman to the School Committee at Porirua for the, last seven years, and leaves a wife and five young children to mourn their loss. His life was insured for £3OO.

A fonr-rocmed dwelling, known as the Half-way House, near Johnsonville. was totally destroyed by fire early on Monday morning. The house was owned and occupied byMr Archibald Smiley. The building and contents were valued at £IOO, and were uninsured. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a defective chimney.

The old steamer Wallabi, recently purchased by Mr E. Seagar, is being dismantled, and had her boilers taken out on Monday, when they were found to be in good condition. She will be put on Mr Coffey’s slip to have her bottom examined, and if it is found to be in good order she will be made seaworthy instead of being turned into a coal hulk.

The remains of the late Miss Larnacb, daughter of the Hon W, J. M. Larnacb, •were on Monday taken on board the Government steamer Hinemoa for conveyance to Dunedin. A number of members of the Legislature and friends of the deceased followed the remains to the steamer. The Hon Mr and Mrs Larnach also left by the Hinemoa, which got away about 10 p.m.

A pony with harness on, belonging to Mr Rhodes, M.H.R., caused some little commotion on Monday by bolting along Lambton quay- The animal, it appears, broke away at Wadestown, and came through Featherston street, thence to Lambton quay, and finally fell on the footpath outside Mr Boeddinghaus’ tobacco shop, at the corner of Willis street, without having done any barm.

A man named Thomas Fletcher met with a serious accident at Waikanae on Tuesday morning. He was bolding a horse attached to a loaded cart when the animal bolted and throwing him down, the wheel of the vehicle passed over his body. He was brought into town by the mid-day train and taken for treatment to the Hospital, where it was found he was suffering from a couple of broken ribs.

At a meeting of the Clyde quay School Committee held on Tuesday a deputation was appointed to wait upon the Board of Education, and direct its attention to the serious inconvenience resulting from the want of supernumerary teachers to take the place of teachers absent on sick leave. We understand that this school has lately suffered verv severely indeed from the continued absence of its teachers, having only had its full complement on two days during the last three months.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on Tuesday. Present —Rev H. Van Staveren (chairman), Messrs J. E. Smith, C. Willeston, Kebbell, Powles, Collins and Lancaster. A letter ■was received from the Minister of Education, asking the Trustees to look after three children whose mother was sick. The Trustees were acquainted with the circumstances, and said that at one time the parents of the children “ran a circus,” and subsequently kept a hotel. Latterly they had been residing in the South Island. The Chairman said that two of the elder boys had been found in clothes and put into situations, but had left for the most trivial reason. It was ultimately decided that the secretary be instructed to communicate with the Government to the effect that the children would be looked after, A number of urgent cases having been dealt with, the meeting adjourned.

From inquiries made at the Bureau of Industries, we find that the remarks made by certain of our correspondents as to the physique of the “ unemployed,” are without foundation. Almost without exception the men who have applied for work have been sturdy, stalwart workmen. The worn-out broken-down man, used to odd job 3 about town gardens, &c., does not apply to be sent to strangers in the country. The thorough loafer never comes near a Bureau, whose only gift is a passage to a place where he can toil in a wot forest, or along muddy roads from daylight to dark. The loafer prefers hanging about on the chance of half an hoar’s job a day, that he may get tho price of a pint of beer,, whilst his family is kept by his wife slaving at the wash tub. The bulk of the men who have been sent up the country by the Bureau (especially during the last month) are of a olaBS of which any country ought to be proud as citizens, and sorrowful to see idle.

Over fifty shearers left for Queensland via Sydney by the Rotokino on Tuesday.

Another of the monthly concerts in connection with the Wellington Working Men’s Clun took place on Tuesday, and was largely attended. An excellent programme was submitted, and the various items were thoroughly enjoyed.

§3 Mr W. J. Treadwell, brother to Mr Treadwell of the well-known legal firm of Buckley, Stafford and Treadwell, has entered into partnership with Mr T. Lloyd, B A. of Sydney University, and the new firm are starting in business as barristers and solicitors in Wanganui.

According to a return laid . before the Hospital Trustees on Tuesday there were 111 patients in the hospital at the end of last month—7s males and 3G females. During June the number of out patients tickets issued was 200, and of this number 109 were free, the remaining 91 paying for treatment.

The drawing in connection with the Wellington Poultry and Pigeon Association’s art union took place at Messrs Townsend and Paul’s auction rooms on Tuesday in the presence of a considerable number of ticket holders. A committee of four was selected from those present to conduct the drawing. At the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees on Tuesday, the Rev Mr Van Staveren said that the wives of those men who had gone up to the relief works in the Makuri district were complaining bitterly about the small amount of money received by their husbands. The most of the women, the rev gentleman said, were sorry that their husbands had gone, ns they would have done better by staying in Wellington. A meeting under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society was held at the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge on Tuesday. There was a fair attendance, and the Primate delivered an interesting address on African Missions. A quantity of fancy work made by the members and associates of the Girls’ Friendly Society were exhibited for sale, also a very prettily arranged Christmas tree containing articles of needlework. These goods were sold, and the proceeds are to be devoted to the funds of the Church Missionary Society. Two alarms of fire were given on Tuesday, one at 9 o'clock in the morning and the other at 7.3 C p.m. The first was supposed to be in one of the chimneys of the old. Provincial Buildings. The firebells rang an alarm and the Brigade turned out, but their services were not required. Captain Kemsley inspected all the rooms in the building, but could find no trace of burning soot. The second alarm was given owing to a chimney having caught fire in a private house in Willis street. The Brigade again turned out, but what little fire there was had been extinguished long before they arrived. Henry Knowles, contractor, of Petone, was ad judicated a bankrupt on Tuesday. He estimates his liabilities at £152 3s 2d, aDd assets at nil. The principal creditors, all of wbom are unsecured, are : —E. Hopkins (Ashurst), £4l ss; Grey Valley Coal Company, £ll 12s Id; D. M. Brooks (Mauriceville), £26 ; Mrs Amelia Smith, £lO Is 2d ; W. H. Stewart, £l2 Ss ; S. Parkes, £lO ; W. Forster, £5 Is ; Bell, Gully and Izard, £4 7s 6d ; Dr Whitehead, £4 3s 3d ; Messrs Stewart and Co,, £4 2s ; J. V. Paine, £4 12s lOd ; J. Forrester (Sydenham), £4 3s 2d ;J. Atkinson (Petone), £3 17s 2d. The first meeting of creditors will be held on Tuesday next, at 11 a.m.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held in the Queen’s Chambers on Tuesday morniDg. Those present were Messrs F. H. Fraser (chairman), G. AlleD, J. Taylor, S. Danks, J. Collins, G. M. Kebbell, R. C. Kirk, and the Rev H. Van Staveren. A letter from Mr J. M. Cleland was read, asking for the use of the Hospital paddock in the Tinakori road, and he would clear off the gorse, and repair the fence. A division being taken it was resolved to allow Mr Cleland to occupy the section as a tenant at will. It was decided to purchase a number of articles for use in the Hospital. Reference was made by the Chairman to the concert promoted by Mr Stansfield, of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, which had been much appreciated by the patients. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr R. Stansfield and others who had assisted in the performance.

The grand sacred concert in connection with the services to commemorate the twelfth anniversary of the United Methodist Free Church, Courtenay place, took place on Tuesday. The church was crowded by an audience who evidently appreciated the first class programme given. A powerful choir, supported by an efficient orchestra, sang four anthems “ O, Zion that bringest good tidings” (Stainer); “Bub the Lorn is mindful of His own” (Mendelssohn), “To Thee, Great Lord” (Rossini), and “Lord of all power aad might” (Mason). These were all sung well, and their rendering indicated careful study. Miss TrebairOsborne Bang with great feeliDg and good effect “He was despised’’and “He shall feed His flock” (Handel). Mr R. B. Williams gave “ Calvary,” and, though suffering from a relaxed throat, rendered that favourite song in his usuM good style. He was encored, but had to content himself with merely bowing his acknowledgments, owing to his indisposition. Mr Kilner surpassed himself in his rendering of Gounod’s “Nazareth,” his grand baritone voice showing to great advantage. He was loudly applauded. Miss .lohnson sang Handel’s “ Rejoice Greatly ” with expression and taste, and Mr Parsons gave “He Wipes a Tear.” Of the instrumental items, the orchestra furnished two selections, “Chanson d’Amour ” (Friesh) and “ Abeshied (Curth), and Mr Mackintosh was very suecessful with a solo on the serusaphone. Mr C. S. Thomas played a ’cello solo, “ Hodie Mecum Eris in Paradiso ” (Haydn), and Mr F. A. King gave a masterly rendering on the violin of a work (“Elegie”) by Ernst. During the interval the Rev H. B. Redstone thanked those present for attending, and acknowledged theservices of all taking partin the programme. He also expressed his pleasure at the success attending the celebration of tho anniversary of the church.

The R.M.S. Ruapehu, which left Plymouth on Saturday last for New Zealund, is due here on September 7. The Local Authorities Accounts and Audit Bill, now before Parliament, was considered by the Melrose Borough Council on Tuesday. Strong objection was taken to the clause whioh provides that balance sheets shall be prepared within 15 dayß of the end of the financial year. The clauses dealing with the form of accounts was also objected to.

The freezing steamer Duke of Sutherland is expected at Wanganui on Saturday next, says the Wanganui Chronicle of Monday, to take in our first shipment of frozen meat. She will be followed by tbe Rangatira, which left Auckland for Wellington yesterday, The Freezing Company expeoted to have 18,000 carcases ready by Thursday next, as well as 150 bales of wool and about 100 casks of sundries.

The monthly meeting of the Melrose Borough Council was held on Tuesday, there being present—The Mayor, Councillors Mowatt, Fear, Baylis, Brunsbill, Chegwin, Collins, Hopwood, and Helliwell. Councillor Ilopwood took his seat fir the first time. A letter was received from Mr P. T. Fair, claiming the sum of £l2O as compensation for portion of a section at Kilbimie belonging to him, which had been taken by the Council. He stated that since the Council had taken the land he had been unable to let the remainder of the section. The letter was referred to the Public Workß Committee. A report of the proceedings of the Municipal Conference was received from Mr J. G. Page (town clerk of the City Counoil). The Ashburton County Council wrote, forwarding a copy of a proposed amendment to the Counties Act. The Mayor stated that the credit balance at the bank was £459 13s 2d, of which amount he explained £4OO would have to be expended on the Brooklyn estate within 12 months. The report of the Public Works Committee (already published) was read and adopted, with one or two slight amendments. Mr J. Morris waited upon the Council, and explained the working of a new earth closet patented by him, a model of whioh was exhibited. Accounts amounting to £IOO 17s 9d were passed for payment.

One of the most shocking instances associated with the late strike was brought to light on Tuesday during the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees. A middle-aged man named David Morrison, a cook by trade, applied for assistance on account of his losing his eye-sight. The man s story was as follows :—When the late strike was on he had been in a butcher’s shop in Taranaki street purchasing some meat. He could not remember the date, but it was in the evening. Just after he left the shop he was accosted by three men. One of them said, “There goes a b blackleg; let’s go-for him.” One of the men hit him with an iron bar on the back of his head, which split his skull open. He was then knocked in the left eye, the result of the blow completely destroying the pupil, the eight being destroyed for ever. He was taken to the Hospital, and has been under medicaltreatment for ten months. The sight of the other eye is almost gone, and it is with difficulty that he can see to get about. His health is all right, but through the effects of the assault he is unable to do any work. He has been in Wellington for 14 years, is a married man with four children, and has always had a good character, which assertion was borne out by testimonials in his possession, not only as to character, but also as to his capabilities as a cook. In answer to the Chairman (the Rev H. Van Staveren), the poor fellow said he could only just manage to read very large print, and then it pained him. In answer p o Mr J. E. Smith, he said he had no idea who the men were who assaulted him. The Trustees decided to grant the man £1 a month, in addition to the rations already supplied to the family.

At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees on Tuesday morning Mr G, Allen called attention to the number of people who came to the Wellington Hospital for treatment from the country. He could not imagine what the result would be if patients from outside places continued to come to Web lington for treatment. It was not fair to the people here to allow outsiders to occupy the limited accommodation at the disposal of the Trustees. The Chaiiman considered the question a 'difficult one to answer, but it would not do to turn applicants away to suffer and perhaps die in the streets. It was a recognised fact that the ophthalmic surgeon at the Hospital was a prominent man in his profession, and this alone would cause numbers of people to come to the Hospital for treatment. It was remarked by Mr Danks that their accommodation was overtaxed, and even last week stretchers had to be fitted up for patients. In the opinion of the Rev H, Van Staveren the Trustees could not be blind to the fact that the Hospital was not large enough, seeing that many people' came to Wellington because they were unable to obtain the same class of treatment in the smaller hospitals. He thought they were bound to take these people in. Mr Allen thought the residents of A’ellington should have the preference. Mr R. C. Kirk reminded the meeting that half the oost of maintenance for outsiders was paid by Government. He thought that a subsidy of 25s for every pound would permit the Trustees to treat people from other districts. Mr Kebbell reminded the meeting that he had been laughed at when, some time ago, he was anxiouß to advertise in the provincial papers tbat no one from outside districts would be admitted. He now gave notice of moving that such an advertisement be inserted in the country papers. It was decided, on the motion of Mr R. C. Kirk, that the House Steward should prepare a return giving the amounts expended on patients from other districts.