CITY ITEMS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1136, 8 December 1893, Page 41

CITY ITEMS.

The Aorangi, from London, via the usual ports, arrived here on November 29th. She brought 245 passengers for all ports: The voyage was a most enjoyable (Hie), concepts, theatricals; dalicds; tableaux (including a fancy dtcss ball) being Held on every favourable occasion. There have been several changes in the executive department since the Aorangi’s last call. Mr G. Harnmon is now chief officer (late second), Mr J. O’Dolnian second officer (late third of the s.s. Kaikoura), Mr Bafthorp third officer, Mr Toswell fourth officer, and Mr Barnes fifth officer. Mr Wildish is chief engineer aiid Mr Stewart Second. Mr Uubert Bobefts is surgeoii and Mr King is steward in charge. A brief report of her voyage and the names of her passengers will be found in our shipping column.

The secretary of the Ballance Memorial Committee acknowledges the following additional subscriptions : —Secretary Tailors’ Society (balance), 2s 6d ; Hon W. Jennings, M.L.C., £1; collected by Mr F. King, Masterton, <£l Is; collected by Mr Keohan, secretary Knights of Labour, Pahiatua, ,£2B 11s ; already acknowledged, <£469 19s 10s; total, £SOO 14s 4d.

An extraordinary general meeting of the Wellington Woollen Company was held at the Chamber of Commerce on the 30th, Mr A.. E. Exley, chairman of directors, presiding. There were about 30 shareholders present. The chairman said that the directors had appointed him chairman of the company for this financial year. He felt that a great honour and very grave responsibility had been thrust upon him, but he could assure them that he should do his utmost to promote the careful management of the company’s affairs. (Applause.) The Chairman then moved that the following resolution, passed at the annual meeting of the company, be confirmed :—That the modification of 7th November, 1888, of the company’s memorandum of association, in so far as it affects clause 6 thereof, be rescinded, and that the capital of the company and the shares therein be reinstated to the extent of the capital cancelled by the said modification, and that the said clause be henceforth read as it originally stood, viz., “ The capital of the company is £IOO,OOO, divided into £20,000 shares of £5 each.” This was seconded by Mr W. A. Fitzherbert, and carried unanimously. The election of' four directors was then proceeded with. Messrs Barber, Fitzherbert, Gardiner and T. K. Macdonald were the retiring directors. The following gentlemen were nominated: —Messrs W. H. P. Barber, W. A. Fitzherbert, A. E. Gibbs, R. Prouse, Win. Clark and C. Edmonds. Messrs D. T. Stuart and A. S. E. Cousins were appointed scrutineers. The result of the poll was as follows: —Messrs Fitzherbert, 2036 ; Gibbs, 1789 ; W. Clark, 1312 ; Edmonds, 1226 (elected); Barber, 1184; Prouse, 429 (not elected). The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

A meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held on the 30th ult. Present —Messrs F. H. Fraser (Chairman) G. M. Kebbell, S. Danks, C. W. Brown, G. Allen, G. H. Bayliss, C. E. W. Willestort and Eev H. Yan Stavteren. Accounts amounting to £268 on general account, and £37 on the building account were passed for payment. The Surveyor-General, on behalf of the Minister of Lands, wrote asking for an extension of the lease of the site of the old Government Printing Office for another six months—to Ist May next. The Trustees agreed to this. A letter was received from Dr MacGregor approving of an alteration of a by-law in order that convalescent patients might assist in the kitchen. It was decided to procure several necessary articles for the new ward. Thursday being St. Andrew’s Day was observed as a general holiday in the general Government Offices.

The Wellington Hospital Trustees have appointed Mr Edwin Hope, of Gisborne, dispenser at the hospital. Five applications were received for the post.

A telegram has been received by Mr J. E. Francis, manager in Wellington for Messrs Nelson, Moate and Co., the wellknown tea importers, from the head office of the firm in Christchurch, stating that they have closed their retail branch in that city after it has been opened for 13 years, and that they intend to devote their entire attention to the wholesale trade.

On Friday morning Mr C. T. Tatum, against whom a fine of £5 was recorded at the Supreme Court on Thursday for nonattendance as a Grand' Juror, appeared before His Honor the Chief Justice, and urged in excuse of his neglect that the excitement of the elections had caused him to forget that the Court had been adjourned till Thursday. His Honor accepted the excuse, and remitted the fine. Councillor Fraser asked at Friday’s meeting of the City Council how it happened that the electric light was turned out about 2 o’clock on the morning after the election. The whole town, he said, was left in darkness, which he thought was a great mistake. The City Surveyor replied that it was done contrary to instructions. He saw the light go down, and rang up the station, but could get no answer for some time. When he did get a reply it was too late to light up again, and the men said they wanted to get away early. He informed them they had no authority to turn out the light until the moon had risen. Councillor Harris asked if there was any fine or penalty fox’ such an act. He moved that a report be prepared on the subject for presentation at the next meeting of the Public Works . Committee. The motion was seconded by Councillor Tatiuh, and

, At the next meeting of the City Council t'orfifcillor,, Vogel will move, “ That in the opinion of council it would be most advantageous for New bodies, and especially for the city of Vv effiffirtoJi (with a view to the conversion of its loans and redxiction of interest), if the New Zealand law relating to the raising of loa,nß by local bodies were amended in the direction of allowing loans to be issued in the form 6f rejfistdl;e)cl irtOek loans as well as in the preserit fdr’ni df dcb'erittife's; that fhd delegates df the city td. Did MuMcipW Association be instructed td b'riilg thd above resolution before the association, ailu to support and advocate a recommendation to the Government to make the said amendment.”

At a meeting of the Wellington City dourteil dri Friday a letter was read from doUiicillof Worth resigning liiS position, in the council. Councillor Ffasbr dxpresse'd his regret that Councillor Worth shdiila have taken such a course, as ho thought he would have made a good and useful coxxn- • cillor. Councillors Vogel and Petherick endorsed these remarks. Councillor Tatum moved that a letter be sent to Councillor Worth, expressing the regret of the council at his resignation. He believed, he said, that Councillor Worth had acted in the heat of the moment, and would be sorry for what he had done. The motion was seconded by Councillor Vogel, and Council-’ lor Tanner and the Mayor having spoken with regret of the resignation of Councillor Worth, it was carried unanimously. The following is the committee of the Junior Club for the ensuing year Messrs H. D. Bell, R. M. Simpson, A. E. Gibbs, J. Gordon, W. H. Field, J.' C. Andrew, junr., G. G. Knight, H. B. Vogel, J. Holmes, 0., S. Watkins, H. S. Eoyle and E. Triggs. The vital statistics for last month were as follow: Births, 101; deaths, 38; marriages, 28. There were only five bankruptcies in the Wellington district during the month of November.

The recognition by His Excellency the Governor of the appointment of Mr L-.-F. Tegner as Vice-Consul of Denmark in W„ellington is gazetted. The report of the Central Executive of the Central Flood Belief Fund of Queensland states that special reference may be made to the very large contributions of blankets and new clothing of all descriptions and of excellent quality, foi-warded by the people of New Zealand. The generosity of the U.S.S. Co. of New Zealand in carrying flour, &c., from the neighbouring colonies is placed on permanent record. The cash donations from New Zealand amounted to £14,568 11s lOd; flour, 305 tons 13cwt; other produce, valued at £448 17s 3d; clothing, valued at £B2l 19s Bd. The chairman and secretary of the fund, in forwarding 100 copies of the report to the Wellington City Council for distribution, thank the citizens for their generous assistance, and the committee for so kindly arranging for the receipt and remittance to Brisbane of the subscriptions received at Wellington.

The City Council have granted the authorities of the Sydney street Prmrittye Methodist Church permission to hold their' annual open-air services in the Botanic Gardens.

The rainfall during the past month was l - 08in., compared with 2'3oin in Octobei-, and P 64 in the corresponding month of last year. The average for the month is 4T6in. Eain fell on 13 days, the maximum being ‘37 on the Ist. The falls for vai’ious places in the neighbourhood are as follow :—Summit, s'33in ; Taita, 2 - 24 in ; Upper Hutt, 2 , 94 i n; Karori reservoir, lT9in; Petone, l ; 96in; Pukerua, 2'l2in. Three tenders, all from Wellington, have been received for the supply of the furniture required for the Porirua Asylum. We understand that the lowest tender is within the estimate. The tenders have not v yet. been dealt with.

“ A National Cash Eegister,” an exceedingly novel machine, has been imported from America by Mr J. Orr, of the City Buffet Hotel. The “ Cash Eegister ” gives an employer a check on every transaction. The instrument, which can be conveniently placed on a counter, is fitted with a number of keys, upon which amounts ranging from 3d to £1 are recorded. When liquor or other articles amounting to, say 2s, is sold, the assistant pi’esses the 2s key, and an indicator showing 2s in a glass opening at the top of the machine appears. A cash drawer, convenientlyarrangedfor gold, silver and copper, is also thrown open, so that the money received can be placed in it. The machinery is locked automatically, and it is impossible for any key to be pressed until the cash drawer is again pushed in and locked. The amount taken is also recorded on a wheel inside the machine so that an employer by unlocking the cover of this wheel can ascertain at the end of the day how much money has been put in the 'register. The number of times the cover of the wheel is opened is also recorded, so that the shopkeeper or hotel-pro-pi’ietor can always tell whether anyone else has opened the machine. The machine also shows the number of times the drawer is opened for change. It will be seen, therefore, that it is a complete check on all transactions. It is claimed that there are 119 patents in the present instrument, which in addition to its usefulness is a very handsome fixture. The annual second grade di-awing examinations were held throughout the Wellington district on Saturday. The total number of candidates for Wellington was 260, the supervisors being Messrs A. D. Eiley, T. E. Fleming and Tripe. The results will, if possibe, be made known at the next meeting of the Education Board.

Mr Harold Beauchamp (W. M. Bannatyneand Co.) has been elected a director of the Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company, in place of the late Mr George P/dsfeury, i-ntaq -tag r.= *■-» - •

jfitft Brigade received a call at 8.45 on Monday to a ifep’ which had bi'oken out in a two-roomed cottage' rh gaining street, owned and occupied by Mrs McNamara, laundress. The kitchen and a small p, were gutted before the fire could be goi> under. T/% budding was insured for £IOO, and the of damage was done to tLA building, and £3O worth to the contents. Mi's SfcNauiftra left the house at 6.30 pan., at which UfM gome clothes were hanging on chairs before ait bpm fireplace in the kitchen, where, ftoirt aii appetitmaes, the fire originated. I'hfe' following re'ep'ffiiite'fidatitWg were made by the ftibUd, Wdrfcs CtctitMM&f ftfr the meeting of the City Council on Thursday night:—That tli6 ii<yw in Customhouse quay be removed to the east side of Jervois quay, alongside the Harbour Boai'd offices ; that the footpath la Bidwell street be now formed to its full tridth Ofi the Scruth ride, the embankment now exisiirijt td Be efit ,aWay when necessary ; that the gate fit thfe' diitrafiCe' to Bell road be not shifted, the coifliriiffdd being' advised that it is already beyond Bidwell street; that an inspection in terms of clause 302 of the Municipal Corporations Act be made of certain bixildings on Thorndon quay and Mulgrave street with a view to their removal; that the cost of asphalting Upper and Lower Featherston terrace on both sides, half width, be placed ,on the estimates for next financial year ; that a breastwork be erected to retain the footpath at the property of Mr S. Cook, Hankey street; that a valuation under the 'Wellington Corporation Leaseholds Act be made of the sections of land held by Messrs Murray, Eoberts and Co., subject to the usual conditions, and that Mr W. M. Muir be appointed valuer for the Corporation.

The Public Works Committee recommended at the meeting of the City Council on Thursday that action in accordance with the City Solicitor’s advice be taken with respect to the connecting of private drains with the now sewei’s now being laid in the city. This will mean that all persons whose private drains are not in accordance with the bylaws will be called upon to relay them. The question of starting a Prohibition paper in Wellington was discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Prohibition League, and referred to the executive to report at the next meeting.

At a meeting of the Prohibition League last Monday in the Congregational Schoolroom, Courtenay place, the accounts in connection with the recent general election were passed. It was found necessary to strike a levy of 2s a member. It was stated that many sympathisers outside the membership had sent in subscriptions, including a cheque for £3. It was decided to hold meetings at regular intervals in the suburbs in view of the licensing election. A telegram was received from Mr T. E. Tayloi’, secretary of the United Prohibition Leagues, Christchurch, as follows: — “ Hearty congratulations to party. Battle cry must now be ‘ Summer session to Eepeal Act.’ ”

The Loyal Britannia Lodge, 1.0.0. F., IVLU., held their usual meeting at the lodge room last Monday, when the district officers paid an official visit. There was a fair attendance of members. After the usual business was disposed of, lodge honours were given to the district officers, who returned thanks. The lodge was then thrown open for hai-mony. One candidate was proposed for membership, which will bring the total membership to 309. A committee of five was appointed to go through the proposed new rules and to report at next meeting. On Monday morning Mr John Murrell, who is to open a branch office here for Messrs Huddai’t, Parker and Co., the wellknown steamship ownei'S, ai’rived by the .Mararoa. Wellington will be the lieadquarters of the company in New Zealand. Before leaving Huon, Tasmania, Mr Mxu’rell was entertained by the fruitgi’owers of the distinct, who spoke highly of the manner in which he had conducted the business of the company, and had met them with their fruit shipments. At a meeting of the representatives of the various bodies contributing to the Benevolent Institution, held on Monday afternoon, it was decided that the six representatives of the twelve contributing bodies for the ensuing year should be Messrs E. C. Kirk, S. Lancaster, G. M. Kebbell, J. Heaton, G. H. Bayliss and E. Mothes.

A meeting of Court Eobin Hood, A.0.F., was held in the Foresters’ Hall, Tory street, last Monday, Bvo. B. Meyer, C.E., presiding. The following officers were nominated:—C.E., Bro. A. Henley ; treasurer, Bro. J. W. Ward ; seci'etary, Bro. J. T. Webber ; S.W., Bro. W. Goss ; minute secretary, Bro. W. G. C. M. Swan ; surgeon as usual. One new member was initiated, and one candidate was pi’oposed for membership. The consideration of the establishment of a female court was postponed until the next meeting. the passengers by the Mararoa on Monday from Sydney via northern ports, was Mr T. C. Webb and family. Mr Webb comes to take up his position as organist and choirmaster at St. Mark’s Church. He filled a similar position for some years at the cathedral in Bockhampton, Queensland.

Messrs H. F. Davis and W. J. Gaudin waited upon the Public Works Committee of the City Coxmcil last Monday, and presented a petition praying that the coxuicil would undertake the formation of Elizabeth street from Brougham street through to Kent teri’ace. They stated that they thought the neccssai-y land could be obtained without coat. The committeedecided to instruct the offieex-s of thecouncil to collect informatics, on the aul?* iact, and, ooagider .it-again - afa next.

Messrs Moxflsou and Atkinson have been instrxieted by Mi' H. D. .Bell to take proceedings for libel against the publishers of Fair Play. The alleged libel of statements made about Mr Bell’s condition fcftei' the election. The amount has not bee’x7 fixed.

The arrivals in the Colony during last month numbered 2438 persons, and the departures 607 persons, tfiiw leaving a clear gftin of 1831. tSince the beginning of the ymf the Colony lxas increased in population by 7777 frvnls through excess of arrivals over departing- The net gain in the month of November, 1892. was 1105.

The Prohibition League Imve appointed a deputation to wait upon the Fmnier and to' impress upon him the necessity iltat exists for' repealing the Alcoholic Liquor# Sale Control Act of last session.

A special meeting of the Wellington Working Men’s Club wty held on Monday for the purpose of considering the niles. There were about 100 members present. Mr P. Hutson (president) occupied the chair. Several alterations were made in the mles, and they were then passed.