CITIZENS’ INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 33

CITIZENS’ INSTITUTE.

Tho third meeting of the Citizens’ Institute for the session was held on Monday in the Exchange Buildings, Dr Findlay in the chair. There was a numerous attendance.

Mr M. W. Richmond ably and critically reviewed Kidd’s work on “Social Evolution.” Ho admitted tho truth of Kidd’s contention thatjprogress from the beginning of life was tho result of “ selection and rejection ” involving competition, but ho could not go the length of believing that there cannot be competition beyond the limits at which life could be maintained. Kidd, ho said, seems to think that practically the solo function of the

Christian religion is to create a fund of altruism, so that thoso who have the good things of life should admit others to a freer scramble therefore when a freer contention had been made Christianity will have performed its function. Kidd did not consider tho equal probability that this religious instinct is the outcome of a social instinct. Socialists would adopt and cordially support his doctrines, although lie puts them forth with a different object and aim to tho Socialists. The book was of no permanent value, although it had created extraordinary interest in reactionary circles when it first appeared. The idea that there ic “no rational sanction for progress” is on a par with most of his oracular and unsupported statements. The pretentious way in which tho book is written delays the verdict that it is really not worth consideration. An interesting discussion followed, tho majority agreeing with tho criticism of Mr Richmond, but affirming that a certain good effect would bo created by tho author’s emphasis of the potency of ethics in social reform in place of excess of statutes. A vote of thanks was given to tho essayist.

One of the deputation which waited on the Premier last week asked him if he would address the electors of Wellington at an early date. The Premier promised to consider tho request. Mr Bishop, one of a deputation to the Premier last week, declared that there wore Chinese in tho furniture trade in Wellington, though they were keeping very dark, and there were men who would buy Chinese-made furniture and sell it as of European manufacture.

Cross examining counsel in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court in the hope of scoring a point:— li Did you not lose that case?” Much worried witness, brightening up—“l did; but then you were my solicitor on that occasion.” The Hugh was against the man of law. Tho Wellington delegates to the Trades Conference returned last week from Invercargill.

The deputation which waited on tho Premier regarding the contract for tho Makohinc Viaduct made a point of the fact that contractors were in the habit ofbringing men to work for them from a district where the rate of wages is lower than that ruling in Wellington, and so subverting tho condition that roquiries contractors to p ly the rate of wages which obtains in the district in which the work is situated. The Public Works Department have now given instructions to have tho attention of tenderers particularly drawn to the conditions of contract. Legal amenities at the Magistrate’s Court : —My learned friend must not make a bear garden of the Court.” “lithe witness was as muddled as hie counsel it would he a had thing for him.” “My learned friend must remember, for once in his life, that he is not speaking from a cart at the corner of Cuba street.”

Mr W. P. James received on Thursday morning, from Mr Boubow, of the South British Company, a cheque for .JL‘l-50, the amount of insurance on his house destroyed by lire on Tuesday night. '1 he claim had been put in only tho previous afternoon. As has happened for several years past, there was no quorum present at the annual meeting of tho Patent (slip Company. The important business of declaring a dividend was, however, performed by the chairman. Tho remaining iron rails, part of the cargo of the John Bell, have now been recovered, also some sails, spars and running gear. The April issue of that, bright little publication Tho Mutual Life Chronicle, is full of interesting information in regard to life assurance in general. The 27th annual meeting "f the Muiiial Life Association is to take place in Sydney on the 27th inst., when an election of directors will take place and the annual report will he presented. Tho notable features in the report arc increased new business, diminished morta'it.v, maintenance of interest revenue and increased funds well invested. While a number of bullocks. were being shipped on the Corinna at the Railway Wharf last weok ono of them slipped and broke one of liis hind legs. The animal was taken to a butcher’s shop and killed. Women compote with men in many things nowadays, and successfully too. But they fail in some things. An exainplo was given on Friday in Lambton quay, when a woman tried to alight from a tramcar while it was in motion. She stepped off with her hack to the horses, and fell on her hands and knees, and as it was a wet day, anu the roads wore muddy, the result may be imagined. A correspondent signing himself “ Omega ”

writes stating that he thinks the Cd telegram system has been in operation in Victoria for some years. The fact is that the (Id telegram system was in force in Victoria about 13 months ago, when it was abolished in favour of a system of Id per word, with a minimum of fid.

1 lie report of the directors of the Wellington Publie Ball Company, Limited, states that a sum of .£350 lias been written off the premises account. Out of the balance at credit of profit and loss account tho directors now recommend the payment of a dividend at the rate of 1 per cent, per annum, which will absorb ,£2OO : and that the balance, .£ll 9s •Ml, bo carried forward. Two directors retire by rotation, viz., Messrs W. W. Johnston an 1 J. E. Nathan, who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. The annual meeting is to take place on Monday, 4tli May. Messrs Harcourt and Co. on Friday sold by auction, for the owner, Mr W. E. Pearson, at the residence, Owen street, tho whole of his household furniture, Ac. In spite of tho weather, there was a crowded attendance, and good prices were realised. The following hotel properties have changed hands this week through the agency of Messrs Dwan Bros., tho well-known hotel brokers Mr M. Higgins’ interest in the Clyde quay Hotel to Air Archie Merlct, well known in Wellington; Mr 11. C. Green’s interest in the Railway Hotel, Johnsonville, to Mr B. Walker, of this city; Air Robert Reid’s interest in the Britannia Hotel, Willis street, to Mr C’has. McCarthy, late of the Rutland Hotel, Wanganui; Mr W. 11. McClelland's interest in the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, Ghuznoe street, to Air H. Worger, late of tho Queen’s Hotel, Wellington; Airs McKenzie’s interest in tho Royal Hotel, Masterton, to Mr J. O’Meara, of Mast,orton. The Customs duties collected at this port for the past week amounted to 221502 2s 2d, and the beer duty to ISs. Mr Nielsen, of Dalcfield, Wairarapa, is tho winner of tho first prize (a piano) in the Druids’ Gala art union. Mr W. C. Fitz Gerald informs n< that two “dead-boots,” who asked him for help on Friday night, and on whose behalf lie paid for a night’s lodging, returned to the boardinghouse about midnight very drunk and abusive.

Air Fitz Gerald gives this as a warning to those inclined to beuevoloim--’. fie Inn been “ had,” hut so has many another ma t belore now.

At last Momlay’s meeting of the eommittc of (he Wellington Horticultural and Floi-i-L

Society the following resolution was earned : —“ That the committee of the Horticultural Society consider it desirable that such a Alnseum as ipacified in the Government Biologist's report ol IS'.M-fl.i siiould he os! ilr lished with a view to assisting in the advancement of agriculture and horticulture.”

Mi John Kennedy, a well-known hotel- . keeper up tho West Coast, lias purchased, through Messrs Dwan Bros., Air Al. Nathan s - interest in the Nags Head Hotel, Cuba street, and will take possession in June, I The Society for the Prevention ol Cruelty to Animals, which so generously handed over to : the Brunner Relief Committee the proceeds of their animal entertainment hell a few weeks ago, lias resolved t>> make another attempt to add to them own funds. With this end the Wellington Dramatic Students, who are known to be always willing to give j their aid to a deserving object, have been solicited to give a performance for the benefit ( of the Society. The Students have kindly promised to provide a programme on the ; night of the Queen’s Birthday m tho Opera ; House, and a strong committee ".ill bo - formed to ensure a sati factory financial result. 'J he programme, which ''ill he a over- - Vised iu a few days, will probably contain a piece new to Wellington playgoers, and will include somo of tho best-known amateurs in | tho citv. , I

’I lie adjourned annual meeting of the shareholders of tho jSkw ZbaiiAnd Times Com- j pan}', Limited, was held in the Chamber ol I Commerce on Monday afternoon. 1 lie annual i statement and balance-sheet were read by the j secretary, and, after discussion, unanimously j adopted. Air T. K. Macdonald moved to reduce the number of directors from seven to five, and to increase the qualifi- | cation for director from the ownership of 10 i to 25 paid-up shares. These resolutions were j adopted. An extraordinary meeting of tho

company will Ire held on Alay 7th to confirm these resolutions, ami to elect a new board of directors in conformity therewith. Air A. Warburton handed in Ids resignation as managing director, which was unanimously accepted.

Court Lady Glasgow, No. S2GI, A.0.F., hold its usual fortnightly meeting last Monday in the Foresters’ Ball, Lambton quay, C.it. Sister Woolcott presiding. There was an unusually large attendance. Secretary N. Aston read the quarterly balance-sheet, which was received unanimously, as was also the auditor’s report. The secretary reported matters in connection with the “social ”to be progressing favourably. One candidate was initiated and one proposed. Tho Foresters’ fire was given in honour of the new member and also the visiting brothers, and Bros. Follas and Ford responded.

Tho well-known Burnett's Hotel, Lambton quay, has lately undergone a great alteration. Mr A. White, the enterprising proprietor, has improved and enlarged his premises, having converted the next shop (lately occupied by Mr Curtis) into a saloon bar, which gives tho hotel a larger frontage, and greatly improves the interior of tho building. Air White has expended a large sum in the rc-funii-diing of this hotel, and will no doubt be amply rewarded for his enterprise. Councillor Devine has given notice to move, ai. tho next meeting of tho City Council, “That the following works bo undertaken and be provided for in the estimates: —(I) That a picket fence be erected on the northern end of the grass in the Newtown Park, that the footpath there be gravelled, and that a small shed he create 1 as a dressing-room for the convenience of those engaged m matches. (2) That tho zigzag at Oriental terrace be planted with shrubs, and teat a hand-rail he erected for the protection of pedestrians. (•>) That the footpaths in Daniel street and Owen street, where at present unformed, be formed, kerbed and channelled, where practicable. (4) That the foopath, Victoria street, south side, be asphalted or flagged from Cuba street to Clyde quay. (5) That with a view of street planting in the city some suitable trees ho plant-d ah-ng tho southern side of Victoria street from tho foot of Taranaki street to Clyde quay.”