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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 22

Our Featherston correspondent writes that at a special meeting of the Town Board on Monday evening it was unanimously resolved to adhere to the existing day, Thursday, for the half-holiday. In connection with the Halcione, Captain E. J. Parker, Riverslea, Churchill, writes as follows to the Auckland Herald: —"I thought a few words about my old friend the Halcione, now no more, might be interesting to some. The first of that line, built expressly for the New Zealand trade, was the Asterope, a wooden ship, which was built by Mr Shaw, of Shaw, Savill and Co , and other London merchants. Then came the Uelcero, then the Electra, Halcione, Mercpe, Her* mione, &c. '1 hey were named after the constellation of the Pleiades. ■he Halcione was the first iron ship built for the New Zealand trade. Her saloon was elegant, lofty and comfortable, and could easily take 30 saloon passengers. It was insulated with charcoal, and double-lined to keep the passengers' accommodation cook Her bet Ween-decks were lofty, and beautifully ventilated for emigrants, of which she carried thousands. She was built at great cost by Steele and Co., of Greenock, and was the first iron ship that noted firm ever built. Two hundred tons of cement were plastered between her frames especially to stiffen her when carrying a wool cargo, aiid has never been removed. Plates, stanchions, and tie-straps were so heavy that she could carry no dead-weight cargo at present rates. The old ship has been kept going to New Zealand and London for 27 years without ' accident until now. Her enormous strength (three _ feet of Portland cement faced by heavy iron plates, etc.), saved the lives of her crew, for which everyone is thankful. It is wonderful to think that the Halcione has sailed about 500,000 miles over the ocean, or more than the distance to the moon and back. Although now a farmer, I had command of the Halcione for 12 years, and I may say that I am still the largest shareholder in her." Referring to a paragraph which recently appeared as a telegram from Timaru, representing that Drs Rentoul and McFarlane, of Melbourne, had " condemned the neglect of the Government in the management of the place and the condition of that part of the road next to the Hermitage," they explain that this does not represent accurately their statement to the representative of the Timaru Herald. Their intention was to correct the statements made by Dr Inerney reflecting on Mr and Mrs Adamson, the present caretakers of the Hermitage at Mount Cook. These gentlemen speak of Adamson as a most capable guide and trustworthy in every respect. They also state that the food at the Hermitage was abundant and good. The bedrooms and beds wero scrupulously clean, and Mr Adamson was most attentive in every way. They, however, point out that in order to attract tourists and ensure their comfort the upper soction of the road from Pukaki to the Hermitage should be put in order. Parts of it are positively dangerous. They think a man should be kept constantly working on that section, especially on the creeks. They also think that the Government should make some definite arrangement with regard to the Hermitage, so as to put it on a satisfactory and permanent basis, and make it more attractive to tourists.

A resident of Reef ton, Victoria, named McCullagh, was engaged harvesting, when he was bitten by a snake on the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. He at once cut out the affected parts, sucked the wound, and proceeded to his home. Arrived there, he poured gunpowder on the bitten portions and exploded it, thereby shattering them. This heroic remedy was successful. Mr William Dawn, painter, Mulgrave street, died in the Hospital on Tuesday afternoon from injuries received a few hours previously. He was on a ladder painting Messrs Edwards, Russell and Co.'s new premises in Featherston street, when the top rung gavo way, he lost his balance and fell head first on to the pavement. Some men who were engaged in making a drainage connection near by lifted him up, and as no medical man could be obtained he was taken by Mr H. Gaby to the Hospital in an express. There it was found he had received a fracture of the base of tho skull, from which he died about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Deceased, who was about 60 years of age, leaves a wife and two children. Hehadbeen a resident of Wellington for 13 years, and was highly respected. Before coming to Wellington he was in business in England. So far about .£75,000 worth of wool has been forwarded from the Feilding Railway Station, says the Star. There are about a thousand more bales to go before the end of the shearing season.

A branch office of the New Zealand Times has been opened in Perry street, Masterton. Mr J. W. Kennedy has been placed in charge of the office, and all orders for papers, advertisements and job printing left with him will receive immediate attention.

The Coroner (Mr Ashcroft) held an inquest at the Hospital on Tuesday on the body of William Seward Hutchinson, a former inmate of the Mount View Asylum. Deceased was admitted to the institution from New Plymouth in November last suffering from melancholia, and died on Tuesday morning. The medical evidence showed that death resulted from brain disease and failure of the heart's action on account of weakness, and the jury, of which Mr P. Twomey was foreman, returned a verdict accordingly. Deceased was 31 years of age, and unmarried.

The Master of the Benevolent Home reported to the Benevolent Trustees on Xuesday that he had discharged a man who had left the Home without leave, and who had stayed »wa.y from the Home on Satiuffay atgbfc agfr

rekiirnea. on Sunday morning; The man appeared before the Trustees, and explained that ho had been sent on a message to the Hospital ; and then went down to the wharf to see Peart dive. He met some friends, and it being his birthday he l had a few drinks, and immediately returned to the Home-.,-.-The Master's action was approved. The case of Elvines v. El vines and Kerwin, a petition for a decree absolute, has been added to the list of applications to be heard at the next sitting of the Divorce Court. Mr Williams represents the petitioner. Mr G. H; Scales oil Tuesday disposed of 10 stud Lincoln ranis, on account of Mr F. SUttOn, Of Invercargill, to Mr Pollard, of., Blenheim, for 100 guineas. The Benevolent Trustees on Tuesday afternoon had before them the woman whom it was said was earning i 22 per week and at the same time receiving relief. The woman, Who was accompanied by her husband, a delicate man, stated that the sum total received by her was 25s per week, out of which sum 10 people had to be fed, clothed and housed. Sb 3 was unable to work, and her husband was also tdd ill to work. Two of her boys were working—one, 19 years of age, earning 10s per week, and the other, 18 years, earning 15s, and this was all the money she received. The Irustees were satisfied with the woman's statement that she was not earning money. The other case referred to last week -was that of a man who only has one leg. He made a statement to the effect that his wages averaged from «£1 3s to 9s per week, out of which money he had to keep a wife and family. The Trustees expressed their satisfaction as to the genuineness of this case also. An accident which was fortunately unattended by serious consequences befell Dr and Mrs Newman on Tuesday evening. They were driving into Wellington in a sulky, and when this side of the horse took fright at a posing train and started kicking. Both ]>r and Mrs Newman were thrown out ofi to the road, Dr Newman escaping without any injury whatever, while Mrs Newman got off with a severe shaking. The horse bolted and kicked the sulky to pieces, but was itself Unhurt.