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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1151, 23 March 1894, Page 22

Sir James Prendergast has been appointed Deputy-Governor during the absence of His Excellency Lord Glasgow at Raratonga.

Captain Edwin says that there are evidences that the weather will be fine until the 24th instant.

The Committee of the Wellington Builders' Association gave a banquet on Tuesday in the Boys' Institute, the President (Mr .lanies Trevor) presiding. After the usual loyal toasts, that of " The Parliament of New Zealand " was proposed by Mr T. Orr. Mr John Duthie, M.H.8., ~ who spoke at some length in responding, regretted the present craze of looking to Parliamentary regulations for every requirement, and instanced some of the disadvantages of the present Government employment of corporate contractors, speaking also on the question of the Employers' Liability Act, the Lien Bill and other legislation. " Kindred Trades," proposed by Mr Brouston, was responded to by Mr Foley, representing the sub - contractors and plasterers. The toast of the " Wellington Association of Architects " was proposed by the Chairman, Mr Turnbull, jun., suitably responding. Mr Howie, in proposing the toast of the " Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners," spoke enthusiastically of the good the society had effected. Mr Smith, in responding, said that this society was now actually paying away more than it received, the; difference being made up by assistance from the English head office. Sir Robert Stout, in responding to the toast of "Our Guests," proposed by Mr Carmichael, said that his family had been connected with the. building trade for four generations, and that he himself studied surveying in his youth in London. He gave the history of the Employers* Liability Act since

first introduced by Mr Sewell in IS7O. Sir Robert went on to say that the building trade was not alone in being stagnant. There were days of great difficulty before us, necessitating great economy for the next few years. This was the worst harvest the Canterbury and Otago farmers had ever had, the price of stock had greatly declined, and we were in the midst of a commercial crisis affecting everyone. A first-class spread was provided by Messrs T. Rowell and Sous, the caterers, and several songs and recitations were given during the evening.

The case of Thompson v. McCarrow, Bird and Co., a claim for .£IOOO as damages for alleged libel, is to be tried before a special jury on the 19th April. The case of Fahrenback v. Reimer, a claim of JBIOOO for breach of agreement and libel, is also to be heard before a special jury, but the date of tho trial has not yet boon fixed.

Referring to our article regarding Mr Lindsay we desire to repeat what we have before stated, that it was not out intention to say nor can our language be honestly so construed that Mr Lindsay desired to blackmail our journal or had blackmailed any other person or journal.

The officers of the Public Service Assotion for the year are as follow : President. Mr J. E. Fitzgerald. Vice-presidents, North Island, Mr E. Bamford (Auckland), Colonel Hume (Wellington) ; South Island, Messrs 11. W. Bishop (Christchurch) and C. W. S. Chamberlain (Dunedin). Council, Messrs W. T. Glasgow, G. Allport, J. Ashcroft, J. 11. Baker, P. Garvey, A. H. McKay, D. McKellar, E. G. Pilcher, L. G. Reicl, E. Tregoar and Sir E. O. Gibbes.

The members of the Wellington Club entertained the Admiral and officers of the Squadron and a 1; '•g-; number of guests on Monday at afternoon tea at tho Clubhouse. Great preparations had been made for the event, at short notice. The resources of the Club proved equal to the occasion, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. Minifio's Band was in attendance, and the Clubhouse was pleasantly v decorated.

The directors of tho Wellington-Mana-watu Railway Company decided on Monday to recommend to the annual meeting of shareholders on the 4th of next month the declaration of a dividend of 6 per cent. The dividend for the previous two years was only 5 per cent., and for the year before that 3 J per cent.

In the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, before Mr Martin, S.M., the hearing of the charge against John Bolton of shooting Allan Smith was further adjourned to the 28th instant. A boy and girl named Flanagan were charged with breaking a window belonging to Mrs Matthews, but the case was dismissed for want of evidence. Daniel Reardon was charged by his daughter with failing to support his children, and His Worship adjourned tho case for a month to give Reardon another chance of reforming. A boy named Arthur Wiifin was charged with allowing his horse to wander on Mr A. Boardman's property. Complainant stated that his property was unfenced, and the Stipendiary Magistrate accordingly dismissed the case, saying that complainant had better bring a civil action for trespass, as unfenced land was not a public place within the meaning of the Act.

Tuesday's Labour Journal reports of the market in the Wellington district that unskilled labour is still fahly busy in some of the country places. The building, engineering, iron, and boot trades are very dull. It is hoped that country work will be plentiful this winter. There will be large areas to sow with grass, and also to fence, and there is every prospect of a large quantity of bush being felled. The arrivals from Australia continue to be numerous. It was hoped, says the Journal, that the drainage works would lxave provided employment for a large number of married residents of Wellington, but as yet very few men have been employed. Very few men are reported oat of employment at Pahiatua, and none at Martinborough. Since last report a large number of men have found their way into the Masterton district. This, and the fact that the harvest operations have ended, has thrown a number on the market unemployed. In consequence of the settlers in the Pahiatua district having had a splendid burning season, large areas of land there have been cleared, which means that grass-seed sowing and fencing will be plentiful, which will carry the men over to the bush-felling season. The following tender has been accepted by the Wellington Harbour Board, for the supply o'i 110 z-.-.is <••" jm.ip and one ton of studs, Messrs John Duthio and Co., *£l3lo os. For annual supplies and for services for the year ending March 31st, 1895 (at schedule prices), the following tenders have been accepted : —lronmongery and ship-chandlery, Messrs E. W. Mills and Co.; coal, the Mokihinui Coal Co.; brass foundry and gas-fitters' work,. S. Danks and Son; iron foundry work and repairs to Dredge 222, E. Seagar ; timber and glass, Messrs Waddell, McLeod and Weir; letterpress and lithographic printing, manufactured and office stationery, Messrs Brown, Thompson and Co.; cartage, Mr Chas. Lamberg ; rubbish, Mr Jas. MacAteer.

At a sitting of the Divorce Court on Monday, before the Chief Justice, a decree nisi was granted in the case of Gallehawk v. Gallehawk, in which the husband petitioned on the ground of his wife's adultery. The co-respondent, Thomas Tracey, attended, and denied that he committed adultery with Mrs Gallehawk. Mr Hislop appeared for the petitioner, and Mr Jardine for the respondent, who did not appear.

Court Sir GG<>ri3i-Bowen, A.0.F., has resolved to takeaip 120 shares in the Friendly Societies' Medical Association.