HARBOUR BOARD ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 33

HARBOUR BOARD ELECTIONS.

MR LUKE’S ADDRESS TO THE RATEPAYERS. Mr Charles M. Luke, a cvndidate for the representation of the ratepayers on the Wellington. Harbour Board, addressed a small meeting in the Riddiford street State school on Monday. The boisterous nature of the weather no doubt affected the attendance. Mr Alexander Wilson occupied the chair. In the course of a forcible address, Mr Luke said he stood as an advocate of a graving dock for Wellington. After speaking of the administration of the Board as having been creditable, he dealt with the enormous expansion of the trade of the port, showing that the Board’s receipts had almost doubled since 1888. Coming to the main part of his address, he said that if the receipts from the dock fell short of covering the whole of its working expenses and upkeep charges, he did' not think it would be an unreasonable thing to trench on the ordinary income of the Board to make up the deficiency. But he was not persuaded that a dock would not pay. It had been said that the Lyttelton and Auckland docks did not. These ports, however, did not occupy the central position that Wellington did. He thought it might fairly be deduced that a port offering such general facilities as Wellington would attract ships for repairs. A dock of about the size of the Lyttelton dock would meet the requirements of the port for some years to come. Provision could be made for its extension at some later period. A little friendly pressure on the part of the ratepayers was needed to urge the Board forward in the carrying out of this great work. There had been a wonderful expansion in the income of the

Board, and in not providing a dock the Board had failed in part of its duty. He was entirely opposed to a floating dock, which for many reasons would be unsuitable for Port Nicholson. In standing for election he was actuated by the highest motives—the improvement of their port and the expansion which he thought was warranted in connection with the Harbour Board. If successful, he would do his best to bring about a reduction in the wharfage rates. The first relief that should be givon out of revenue was relief to the ratepayers. At the instance of Messrs Joseph Gridley and W. M. Hare, the meeting endorsed Mr Luke's views, and pledged itself to support his candidature. The spectacle of two sales being conducted in one auction room is sufficiently unique to attract some attention, and yesterday week many passers-by stopped at Messrs Laery and Co.’s, attracted by the noise within. In one part Mr Reid was vociferously inviting the highest bidder to come forward for a large number of unredeemed pledges of jewellery, and in another corner Mr Little, surrounded by a crowd of Celestial fruit dealers, rapidly disposed of a shipment of Island fruit. One of the most amusing incidents in Tuesday afternoon’s cyclone occurred at Clifton terrace, when a horse belonging to a Chinaman was blown over and refused to get up. Poor John thought the horse was dying, and began wringing his hands and lamencing his hard fate. A gentleman happened to pass who understood “a thing or two ” about horses, and after touching up the animal with the whip the horse was induced to rise, much to the joy of its Celestial owner. The dividend of 12s 6d per share payable to shareholders in the Union Bank may now be obtained. A dividend in connection with the Wellington Gas Company is now payable at the Bank of New Zealand. The Institute Naval Cadets paraded last week under the command of Captain Wallace.

Lieutenant Fitzgerald was also present. The company was exercised in company drill and sword and bayonet exeroises by the noncommissioned officer. A shooting match was commenced after parade for a prize offered by Lieutenant Fitzgerald. Four new members were elected. h meeting of the Society for the Protection ot Women and Children was held at the Yic'oria Tea Rooms Thursday afternoon. Mrs 1. 0. Williams, vice-president, was in the chair, and there were present besides Mesdames Hoby, Mackenzie, Baumber, Mias Kirk and Lady Stout. Reports were received of investigations mads into cases reported at last meeting. One of the collectors, Miss Boughtoa, presented a satisfactory report of. collecting done during January and of promises of subscriptions and new members. Letters re the business of the Society were received from the Rev C. Murray, Carterton, Miss Porter, secretary of the Auckland Society, and Mr Blair, who wrote accepting the office of trustee. It was decided to hold the executive meetings on the first Monday of each month. The membership of the Society now numbers 73 besides those who have given and promised donations. The executive hopes to be able to do some practical work in reference to a girls’ club at an early date, when all the subscriptions have been received. There was a moderate attendance at a meeting of the Single Tax Society last week, Mr W. McLean presiding. _ Mr James Grove read a paper on “ The Rating on Unimproved Values Act, 1896,” dealing at length with the meaning of the words as used in this connection. He considered the title of the measure to be entirely wrong, there having been no such thing as unimproved value of land since the colony was annexed by the British. If the measure had been framed by a Single-taxer it would have explained more fully what was really meant. The Single Tax theory was then comprehensively dealt with, the speaker declaring that the principles of Henry George were looked on as glad tidings by all

the poor and down-trodden of this world. He pointed out many of the evils attending land monopoly—-evils which left their impress on every section of society. The immediate effect of the imposition of the Single Tax would be to set at liberty a large sum of money for general circulation and industry would be stimulated. An inorease of the Land Tax to 8d in the £1 was the desire of land nationalists, and for every amount raised by this means a corresponding sum should be deducted from the Customs duties levied. Mr Stevenson also gave a short address on the subject, mainly traversing the ground of the former speaker. A short discussion followed, and a vote of thanks to both gentlemen for their very interesting addresses was passed by acclamation. The Public Trustee wants an owner for a piece of land of about 2 roods 39 perches in the township of Lincoln, Canterbury. The last registered owner was the late Mr J.E. Fitz Gerald, but his legal representatives disclaim ownership, and it is believed that he Bold the land to some person or persons unknown. Owners are also required for 1 rood 2 perches at Lincoln, and about 50 acres at Pukekura (Auckland). 4CThe total value of the estates of deceased persons placed under the charge of the Public Trustee during the month of January was under .£4500. The principal estates were: — Mark R.Thompkins,Woodend, £2000; Edward H. S. Hill, Christchurch, £llOO ; James Ballingall, Victoria, £700; Thomas Grose, Dunedin, £100; C. C. Ward, Benger Flat, £IOO. The smallest estate dealt with was valued at under £2. The gold entered for duty for exportation from New Zealand during the quarter which ended 31st December last amounted to 61,7560 z, valued at £237,616. The largest quantity came from the Auckland mines, which yielded 30,1120 z, Otago coming next with 20,6020 z, and the West Coast third with 10,9120 z. Of the total quantity of gold entered for exportation from the colony to the end of December, 1897, Otago contributedthe largest quota in 5,368,8150 z, West Coast yielding 4,299,6900 z, and Auckland2,l37,97doz. During 1897 the total amount of gold entered for exportation duty in the colony was 251,6450 z, valued at £980,204. For 1896 the amount was 263,2040 z, of the value of £1,041,428. It should be mentioned that the gold duty was abolished in the South Island in 1891. With reference to the bequest made by the late Mr W. Turnbull to the Home for the Aged Needy, and which will probably expended in adding another wing to the institution, a letter has been received by the Trustees from Mr A. Turnbull, one of the executors, asking for a formal copy of the resolution passed with reference to the legacy. This may be a preparatory step to the early payment of the money over to the authorities. At last week’s meeting of Trustees of the Home for Aged and Needy, there were present—Messrs Aitken, T. W. McKenzie, F.H. Fraser and J. Danks. It being the first meeting after the new year, it was necessary to elect a chairman for the ensuing 12 months, and Mr Aitken was again selected to hold the office. By voluntary withdrawal and death the number of inmates has decreased by four, and applications for the vacancies thus caused will shortly be invited. A vote of thanks to Mr Dentice, a barber, who gratuitously attends to the wants of the inmates so far as hair-cutting is concerned, was passed. Accounts totalling £4l 6s lOd were passed for payment. A letter was read at the meeting, which had been sent by one of the inmates—Chas. Moll wo—to the custodian, expressing thanks for the kindness and consideration with which he had been treated since his admission to the institution some 12 months ago. The quarterly meeting of the Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0.G.T., was held on Thursday evening in the Choral Hall, Bro. Burbush, C.T., presiding. One member was readmitted to the lodge, and three propositions for membership was received. The officers for the ensuing quarter were installed by Bro. Reay, D.G.C.T., assisted by Bro. Thompson, D.C.T., Bro. Smith, D.G.C.T., and Sis. Weaver, acting as Installing Marshals. The following are the officers : C. Bro. R. A. Armstrong; V.T., Sis.. K. Meston; S.J.T., Bro. Armstrong ; secretary, Bro. Reay; F. secretary, Bro. Sherwood, junr.; treasurer, Sis. M. Clark ; chaplain, Bro. D. Hall; M., Bro. L. Webb ; D.M., Sis. C. Crease ; G., Bro. A. Edwards; sentinel, Bro. W. Burton; P.C.T., Bro. F. Burbush. The standing committees for the ensuing quarter were also appointed. The out-going officers’ reports were highly satisfactory, showing that the membership is rapidly increasing, *and the lodge finances to be exceedingly healthy. Before the meeting closed a presentation was made to Bro. D. Hall, G. chaplain, for his services to the lodge since its institution 25 years ago. Everyone who has business to do at the Supreme and Magistrate’s Courts wonder why the alterations in the building now approaching completion were not put in hand early in the Christmas vacation. As it is, the chamber room and the Chief Justice’s chambers have had to be used for the sittings of the higher Court, and the Stipendiary Magistrate is still in occupation of the juryroom. On Friday morning Mr Justice Edwards read a judgment to the steady aocompaniment of vigorous hammering. Mr W. Kennedy, local manager of the Union S.S. Company, is to be complimented on the concise nature of the new slip timetable issued for the present month. This innovation shows clearly the date and time of departure of all the Company’s passenger steamers from Wellington, and should be of great service for purposes of reference to the travelling public. Messrs Cable and Co. have received the contract for the work of repairing the Government steamer Ellen Ballance.. New rudder pintles and straps are to be provided, a new end placed on the propeller shaft, and three new blades added to the propeller, while the boiler is to be re-lagged, the decks caulked, and the companions, port lights and steering-gear repaired. Messrs Harcourt and Co. sold 3 roods 21 perches of land at Alice Town, Lower Hutt, for £3lO. Four hundred acres were passed in at £3 an acre. A crowd of spectators witnessed the downfall of the outer wall of the Bank of New Zealand’s old premises on Lambton quay on Friday afternoon, which building is. at present beina demolished As the brick work fell with a loud crash clouds of dust rose in the air, having the effect of dispersing the crowd in a very summary manner. Mrs Schoch acknowledges with thanks a parcel of books and novelettes from Mrs E. Wilson, Post Office Hotel, for the inmates of the Porirua Asylum. Fifteen Chinamen arrived from the West Coast last week by the Mawhera en route to the Flowery Land.

The children of Te Aro public school enjoyned a picnic at Day’s Bay on Friday. The children, who went across from the Ferry Wharf in Mr Williams’ steamers, under the charge of their teachers, spent a thoroughly pleasant day at the popular holiday resort. The children attending the Willis street •school held their annual picnic at Day s Bay on Friday, being conveyed across the harbour in the Steamer Duchess. Sports and varied amusements were indulged in by the little ones, who returned to town at about 7 P m ;> very, tired but thoroughly satisfied with their outing?* The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Natives’ Association has sent the following telegram to Mr R.' McNab, and 1 it was to have been read at the meeting held in Invercargill last night to organise a branch in that Wellington branch sends best wished for successful meeting and future career.— A. H. Logan, secretary/’ “1 0 an adjourn a case at any time if I con Bider that the interests of justice demand that such a course should be followed, ’ said the Stipendiary Magistrate on Friday to a solicitor who objected to a remand being granted before all tbe witnesses had been examined. “I don’t know that you can,” interposed tbe legal gentleman, but the Bench’s reply of “Oh, well, if you don’t know that you don’t know much, brought the conversation to an abrupt termination. There are now four vacancies m the Home for Aged and Needy, for which' nominations are being reoeived. , , Persons owning material which has been deposited on the reclaimed land must remove the *ame within a week. A poll for two members of the Harbour Board will be taken on the 14th inst. The candidates are Messrs Beauchamp, Cable, Jack and Luke. Messrs J. H. B. Coates, A. de B. Brandon, W. A. Kennedy, John Puthie and J. G. W. Aitken have nominated Mr T. J. W, Gale to represent the Chamber of Commerce on the t Barbour Board. ... One of the passengers for Lvttelton by the Corinna on Saturday night should feel flattered by the graceful manner in which his male friends wished him good-bye. As the Bteamer moved away from the wharf ‘ The Soldier’s Farewell ” was enthusiastically Bnng by his well-wishers. At the close of the chorus they were heartily applauded by the passengers on the., boat and those on the wharf witnessing the steamer’s departure. The Mitohelltown Brass Band played a programme of musio on the Basin Reserve on Sunday afternoon. A collection was taken up in aid of the widow and family of the late jfr W. MoKinstry and £9 10s was" netted. The following amounts have been deposited it this office :-“C.Y.,” ss; “A.8.C.,” £1; MeHarrie Bros., £1; A.W.G., £l. Some very handsome framed certificates have been received, by different Government departments from the late Queensland Exhibition authorities. We on Monday inspected two one !for a oombined overmantel of New Zealand woods, and tbe other for prepared picture-framing timber. The faot that all ratepayers have a vote at the forthcoming Harbour Board, elections is one, said Mr Charles M. Luke at his meeting on Monday, that does not appear to be generally known. Mr Luke said he had been astonished to find how few ratepayers realised they bad a voice in tbe matter. The Public Works Committee have decided to ' recommend the City Council to have a telephone erected at the residence of the caretaker of the Botanical Gardens, to enable the police to be communicated with in cases of emergency, complaints having been made that drunken men and other undesirable characters are in the habit of frequenting the gardens. A grand juror named Herbert Walter Llewellyn Hawk was on Monday morning fined 40s for non-attendance at the oriminal sittings of the Supreme Court. Mr Hawk appeared at 2 p.m. and explained that his wife’s very serious illness had caused him to forget his Court engagement. Mr Justice Edwards accepted this assurance, and remitted the fine which he had imposed earlier in the day. Mr Alexander Wilson, who was chairman of Mr Charles M. Luke’s meeting on Monday, threw hia memory back 43 years to the time when the Zingari and the Nelson ran the mails between Sydney and Melbourne and Wellington. In order to impress upon his hearers the marvellous expansion which has taken place in the shipping of the port, Mr Wilson drew a contrast between those two pioneer vessels and the great mail boats of various lines of whioh the port was now seldom without a representative at its wharves. The usual excuses were proferred by jurors to the Bsnoh at the opening of the oriminal sittings of the Supreme Court on Monday morning. Some, principally for ill-health, were accepted, though Mr Justice Edwards said he was afraid he should want doctors’ certificates if there were too many of these attacks. Other excuses, less definite in character, were refused. Councillor Smith urged that he was busy with Government contracts. His Honor said they wanted intelligent persons, so Mr Smith “took the Book ” and joined the jurors already waiting to be sworn. Another juror s plea, that he was a barber, led His Honor to say that his customers would have to wear their bair long fora day or so. Mr R. Bulkley, Mayor of Karori, asked to be exempted on the ground that he was a dentist. His Honor said he conld notaooept the excuse, though no doubt it would be highly convenient to dentists to be relieved from duty on juries. A member pf the Fite Brigade was more fortunate, he

being allowed to leave the Cou’t at once. His Honor summed up the position by saying, with a smile, that they appeared to have got everybody they ought not to have got, and to have left out those who ought to be there.

The half-yearly balance-sheet submitted to the Public Works Committee of the City Council on Monday sh receipts .£34,682 12s 3d, the principal items under that head being General rates. .£10,621 10s 3d; rents, .£4060 9s. 2d; licenses fineluding publicans’, .£2316),, <£3532 Oa lid; fees and fines, .8775 17s; miscellaneous (including receipts from baths, .£l9 Is 9d), .£38114s Gd ; repayment of expenditure, £414 5s 9d; balance at 30fch September, 1807, £14,815 Is 4d. The principal items of expenditure were:—Balance 'at 31st March, 1897, £13,166 8s ; salaries, staff, £962 15s 4d ; office expenses, 3s Id ; streets (upkeep of), £7755 12s Id; street watering and scavenging, £1477 18s 7d; collection of refuse and working destructor, £I3OO ; collection and disposal of night-soil, £LI2S; land for widening Mount street, £175; street lighting, £1635 5s 6d ; Fire Brigade, £io7o 13s 8d ; Thorndon baths (building and working expenses), £704 10s lid ; inspection of dairies, £l3O 3s lOd; miscellaneous (including cost of licensing election, £ls 19s 3d), £B6 7s 4d ; amounts disbursed under the Public Revenues Act, 1893 (including Jubilee cx penses, £B3 16s 9d; reception of Governor, £3O 17s 3d), £125 13s ; transfer to interest accounts, £3764 4s 4d. ✓ His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. R. Blair), accompanied by the City Engineer (Mr G. Wiltshire) and Messrs 0. Plimmer and J. J. K. Powell, waited on the Hon W. HallJones, Minister of Public Works, on Monday morning and asked that Mr Powell should be allowed to lay a tramway at Plitnmerton, and take boulders from the beach a short distance from the township for , the supply of road metal to the Wellington City , Council. It was pointed out that Mr Powell proposed to take the tram past the cemetery point and on to the railway line along the back of the township instead of along the beaoh, as at first contemplated, and'that there was no objection to the present proposal by the local residents. It was further: pointed .out that the City Council wished do get the metal before winter set in, and that the breaking of the stones would provide work for a number of men. The Minister promised that the Marine Engineer (Mr 'Hales) should at once make an inspection of the locality. H« said Mr Hales was at present of opinion that the taking away of the boulders would canse the harbour at that point to silt up The deputation informed the Minister that no vessels ever anchored off the spot where the boulders were lying. This terminated the interview. At a later stage Messrs T. W. Kirk and W. G. Tustiriy . representing the majority of the Plimmertoiifresidents, waited on the Minister and intimated to him that they would have no objection'‘to the tiaraway as long as it was not-taken-along the beach. Witnesses in a oase heard in the Supreme Court on Monday deposed.that they procured liquor from a Palmerston North hotel at midnight. Mr justice Edwards remarked that this seemed to be worthy of the attention of the police and the Licensing Bench. The drawing of the art union promoted by Miss Phillips took place at the Exchange Hall on Monday afternoon. The first prize was won by Mr H. C. Walker, of Auckland, and the sacond by Mr W. Kingdom, Petone. Two persons unknown earned admittance to the pit of the Opera? House on Monday by means of forged tickets. The tickets, which were noticed when the ■ evening's takings were being counted, are , clever imitations wrought by pen and ink, and would pass the observation of the smartest doorkeeper undetected. . V

The ordinary monthly'meeting of the New Zealand Shipmasters’ Association was bel l ia the rooms, Grey street, on Monday morning Owing to the poor attendance only routine business was dealt with, consideration of the more important business being postponed until next Monday, it ia hoped there will be a larger attendance. Court Lady Glasgow, No. 8261, a.O F. f met on Monday in' the . Foresters’ Hall, Lambton quay, C.R. Sister A. Higgins presiding. It was decided that the fourth anniversary of the Court on April 23rd be suitably celebrated, but nothing definite was arranged for. One Candidate was proposed for admission into the Court. After business was concluded harmony was indulged in. The honorary treasurer of the Sailors’ Rest gratefully acknowledges the following donations : —Captain G. Von Sohoen, ss; per collection box at Rest door, 6s 6d ; collected by Miss J. P. Spenoer :—From Messrs A. and T. Burt, ss; G.W.,2a; J.G.,25; Messrs Vick and Son. F. H. Wilton, J. H. Firth, W. Ramsay, Dickson, L. Sutherland, J.R., H.M„ J.E., W. 8., F.R., M.S ,-Z.E.E., L.G.R, and Two Friends, each Is ; small sums, Is 7d. ■ A fairly well-attended meeting of University graduates was held on Monday, Mr H. D. Bell, presiding, to consider the representation of graduates on the Victoria College Council. Sir Robert Stout was unanimously nominated, despite a letter from Dr Findlay, on Sir Robert’s behalf j stating that the latter thought only a graduate should accept nomination. A ballot was taken for two other representatives, Messrs Firth ,and Bell being selected. Messrs Myers and Tripe were appointed a committee to see that all graduates have their names placed on the electoral roll. On adjourning it was decided that the next meeting should bp held on a jay to be fixed by the committee,

For the election of a member of the Wellington Harbour Board to represent the Ejayers of dues and owners of ships, tbe iolowing nominations were received on Monday: —Mr Nicholas Reid, nominated by Messrs Walter J. Nathan and J. G. W. Aitken ; Mr Peter Hutson, nominated bv Messrs Charles Stewart (Stewart anl Co.), George Winder; Briscoe, Mao Neil arid 00. ; Abbott, Oram and Co.; and Ross and Glendining. For the representation of the Chamber of Commerce Mr J. B. Harcourt was nominated yesterday by Messrs John Ross (Sargood, Son and Ewen). A. It Turnbull (W. and G Tnrnbull and Co ), Alfred H. Mi'es (Murray, Roberts and Co.) and David J. Nathan (Joseph Nathan and Co). Tho elections are to take place on Monday next.