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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 20

The cylinders for the new railway ..bridge over the Kangitikei river at Kakariki are being sunk on the air-lock system. Men work in the lock for four hours, and then rest for eight.

The extent of the traffic on the Hutt road is shown by the fact that during 24 hours in whioh an estimate was taken by the Onslow Borough Council authorities over 1200 vehicles passed over the Kaiwarra bridge. The son of a labourer at Pahiatua named Thomas Royal, aged one year, died suddenly on Tuesday, and as the medical man who was called in refused to give a certificate of death the matter was reported to the Coroner, who will probably hold an inquest. The fall of rain on Monday increased the supply in the Karori reservoir by only two inehe*. There is but a small watershed at Karori, consequently a considerable rainfall is required before any appreciable difference is made in the volume of water in the reservoir.

The amount of the tender of Messrs W. Cable and Co. (announced by The Times some days ago as having been accepted for the repairs to the steamer Ellen Ballanoe) was .£7l. The other tenders were : —Messrs Robertson and Co , <£76; Messrs Luke and Co., .£137 10s.

The harvest yield in the Otaki district is described as satisfactory. The Mail says that between the Waikawa and the Oha-u rivers a large area has been cropped, and the busy harvesters at work with reapers and binders, etc.* remind one of the Canterbury plains.

Any person desirous of making a donation to one of our charitable institutions would by supplying an invalid’3 chair to the Obiro Home authorities perform an act of considerable kindness. One of the inmates, who is dying of consumption, is urgently in need of some such convenience.

The Hutt Yalley Amateur Swimming Club has decided to send Messrs A. H. Pringle and W. R. Brown to compete at the Championship Meeting to be held in Christchuroh at the end of this month. The annual sports of the club will take place on Saturday, February 19th, at Rauponui bath, Black* bridge. A letter received on Tuesday morning by the Mayor of Wellington from the chairman of the Bush Fires Relief Committee, the Mayor of Pahiatua, states that no more clothing is required by the families burned out. It is also intimated that it is intended t:> call in all subscription lists immediately - after the 28th inst. In addition to the subscriptions already announced, the sum of £2 2s has been received by Mr Blair from the Petone Industrial and Provident Co - operative Society.

The Eight Hours Federated Union held a meeting on Tuesday in the Trades Hall, the president (Mr W. Hutchison) in the chair. The balance-sheet was read and adopted. It showed the receipts to be £BO2 19s'6d, and the expenditure .£667 9s, leaving a deficiency of £62 5s lOd on last year’s balance. Votes of thanks were passed to the president and secretary for their services, and regret was expressed at their not being able to oarry on their duties for the ensuing year.

While riding homeward in the last car on Monday night one of the passengers had a pound note blown out of his hand by a sudden gust of wind in the vicinity of Te Aro House The driver suggested making a search, but as another passenger objected to being kept waiting the money was given up for lost. The guard, however, went down to the vicinity at an early hour in the morning and, after diligent search, found the missing note, which he returned to the owner on Tuesday, receiving half a sovereign from the latter in recognition of his honesty. The Benevolent Society Trustees met on Tuesday afternoon. Present—Messrs G. H Baylis (chairman). Lancaster, McKenzie, Mothes, Willeston, Browne, and the Revs J. K. Elliott and Van ttaveren, Mrs Dudfield also attending. Among the cases dealt with was that of two orphan children, who, on the application of their aunt, are to be boarded out. A widow, who has resided in the city for 32 years, was advised to apply to the 1 Trustees of the Home for the Aged Needy for admission to that institution, her case being considered suitable for suoh treatment. A boy, aged 18 years, whose parents live in Napier, will be forwarded to Christchurch, where the Salvation Army Prison Gate Mission may possibly assist him. A resolution was passed to the effect that all accounts should bo paid on the first of the month following that in whioh they became due. Other minor matters were considered, and the meeting adjourned. The Railway Department intends this week placing two new engines on the Wairarapa side of the Rimutaka Incline—one a powerful goods locomotive of American structure, and known as “ Class 0,” and the other a passenger engine, built in America, of tho “K” pattern. The goods engine will be used on the Woodvilie-Masterton section, and the passenger locomotive (whioh is really a spare one for emergencies) will be kept on the road between Pahiatua and Cross’ Creek. Both are what are known as tender engines, and of very powerful construction. Altogether it has been found necessary to bring four engines from the Hurinui-Bluff section, South Island, on account of tho increased traffic on the Weilington-Napier section, and those will be replaced by locomotives built at the_ Addington workshops. A now engine, the first {built at the Hillside workshops, Dunedin, is on its way up, and will bo on i the Wanganui section,

A Btancii of the Hagey Institute for the cure of alcoholism has been started in Wanganui.

The accounts of the Lyttelton Sailors’ Homo for last year show, as usual, a deficit, which is increased by a deficiency on account of the Sailors’ Rest.

Mr Bull, The Times representative on the Wellington-Manawatu Company’s line, met with an accident at Paikak&riki on Monday evening, breaking his arm. The New Zealand Asbestos Company, with a capital of .£50,000 in £1 shares, formed to work the asbestos deposits at Takaka Valley, Nelson, has been successfully floated in Christchurch.

There are said to be signs that Germany is trying as hard as ever to lighten her grasp on Samoa. German residents of the group are reported to have been elated by recent news from China and Hayti. The Christchurch Gas Company has decided to reduce the price of gas from 7s 6d to 6s 8d per 1000 ft from the Ist of March, which will be equivalent to a saving to consumers of some £3OOO per annum.

A fish, of 101 b weight, caught in the Waitaki, has been examined by Oamaru experts, and pronounced to be a real salmon. One judge declares it to be a cross between the Scotch and Californian salmon. A rifle match between a team captained by the Hon James Carroll, representing the Government, and another representing the Opposition, was fired at the Gisborne rifle range on Friday last, the latter winning after a hot contest by 48 points.

At a meeting of creditors in the estate of George Bertinsbaw on Tuesday, it was decided that the Official Assignee make an-investiga-tion into the bankrupt’s accounts at a cost not to exceed £5. The meeting adjourned for a week to enable Bertinshaw to make a statement.

The first pile of tho new Ellesmere bridge over the river Selwyn has been driven The bridge, which is to be built of ironbark, with Oxford black birch decking, will have 34 bays, and its total length will be 703 ft. The work is expected to be completed in about three months.

The Wanganui petitioners who memoralised the Colonial Secretary, asking that the charter of the St John’s Working Men’s Club should be cancelled, have received a reply from the Colonial Secretary stating that he is advised that the facts disclosed do not warrant the revocation of the charter. There is an active demand in Wellington at the present time for cocksfoot and all other grass seeds. Though the bush fires in the country districts have affected the seed harvest, yet the quantities coming to hand are not much below the average, and in quality the seeds are equally fas good as those of previous years.

The Rev A. W. Averill, in a paper read at the Anglican General Synod in Christchurch, said, in regard to additions to the Prayer Book, that an authorised service was necessary for the burial of the unbaptised. It might be well, also, to have certain comforting prayers for tho souls of the faithful departed.

‘ a. visiting team of bowlers from Palmeiston North will be in Wellington on Monday, and will play a match in the afternoon, after which they will visit Blenheim and Nelson. The team will comprise two rinks, as follow .—Jenkins, Hodgins, Bennett, Bryant (skip), and Reed, T. L. Buick, Jack and Kibblewhite (skip).

The lonic, arriving from London early in March, will probably bring, the supply ordered by the postal authorities of new |d, 2d, 5d and 2s stamps, and the supply of Id, 2id, 3d, 4d, 6d and Is should be received a fortnight later by the Rimutaka. The Post-master-General intends to issue the new stamps simultaneously at different centres.

The tame deer liberated by the Government last autumn on the slopes of Tongariro do not seem to wish for a wild life. A few days ago a pair of these animals followed a wool-waggon to thß township of Tokaanu, and refused to be driven away. The deer were pleased to have their noses rubbed, and to receive kind notice from tourists and others.

A visitor to the Hanmer Hot Springs speaks highly of a masseuse there. “ Some of her results,” he says, “ were almost miraculous. A friend of mine, who for eight dayß had been using two crutches on account of rheumatism, was able to fling them away after two days’ treatment, and felt inclined to dance a i : g, which inclination he followed amid the applause of the onlookers.

The number of pupils attending the schools of the Bisters of Mercy iu Dixon street has so increased that the accommodation has proved quite inadequate, and it has been decided, therefore, to build a new select soboolhouse adjoining the present primary schouloouse. Mr O Dea, the wellknown architect, has prepared p’ans for a wooden building of two stories, 41ft by 24ft, the ground floor to comprise a class room, 23ft by 18ft; a dining-room, 14ft by 14ft 6in : a kitchen, 14ft by Btt; and a music room, 12ft by 14ft, whilst the upper -floor will be used as a schoolroom. The new building will be supplied with the latest methods of ventilation, &o. The following tenders have been received by Mr O’Doa for the work : -F. Hunt, <£439 7s; G. T. Croft. £4M; C. Davis, £467; W. G. Erneny, £SOO ; Wilson, Walters and Robinson, £521; J. Wenworth, £560; Freeman and Matthews, £650; H. Murdoch, £630 ; Thomas Orr, £765. The tender of Mr Hunt has been accepted, and the erection of the new schoolhouse is to begin almost immediately. The Chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Mr F. Graham), speaking at its annual meeting, said that the excessive railway tariff between Lyttelton and Christchurch still remained a serious obstacle to the advancement of the trade of the Port. The considerable increase of late in the size of vessels trading to New Zealand necessitated wharf extonsious and a greater depth of water being provided, and the Board, fully recognising this, was taking the necessary stops to meet these requirements. The question of lengthening the dock was one that would probably have to bo again considered by the Board at no distant date. Iho Board’s debentures continued to hold a front plaoe in tho estimation of British bondholders, and the sinking fund of the £200,009 loan, which now amounted to £31,000, was all invested and interest bearing. Under these j circumstances there was little doubt that tho loan of £69.000 lately authorised by ParLa- , ment for dredging' purposes would be readry subscribed when ohored, cither locally .or in \ London.

There were large gorse fires on the Tiriakori range on Sunday and on Saturday.

The annual excursion of the Carterton school children is to be held on the 10th March.

The present is reported to be the busiest season for tourists ever known at Lake Wakatipu.

Eighteen trucks of sheep were brought down to Wellington by the Manawatu train on Tuesday night.

The Havera Public Works Committee has drawn up a report recommending the raising of a loan of £3500 to carry out street improvements.

It was rumoured on Friday that Major Madocks is to be appointed to the charge of the defences at Auckland 5 and that Master? Gunner Riebardgon will also be tf&npferfed to that city, whilst Lieutenant Hume is to be Appbinted tb Lyttelton; s '

Mr T: W. Kirk, Government Biologist, > states that too great prominence cannot be given to the question of coping with the weed nuisance. It is in some districts rapidly becoming of vital importance, and. unless united action is taken the fight will turn against the farmer. Many weeds are annuals, and simultaneous work in cutting them before seeding would in two years practically suppress this class of invader.

At the annual meeting of the Industrial Association of Canterbury the following were elected to represent the Association pn the committee of the Industrial Corporation: Messrs A. W. Beaven, R- Allan, H. B. Kirk, W. W. Charters, J. R. Triggs and J. Frostick. Mr J, A. Frostick was elected as president for the coming year, and Messrs W. W. Charters and A. H. Hancock as vice-presi-dents.

The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Natives’ Association has forwarded a cheque

for five guineas to His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. R Blair) as commission on the aqtual gate money taken during the two days’ sports held at the Basin Reserve. This is for the bene-

fit of those suffering from the late fires. The following additional subscriptions have also been received by the Mayor : —H. and M. Blundell, £1; F. D. Greenwood (Urenui), £2; J, Myers and Co , £2 2s ; Sargood, Son and Ewen, £lO 10s; John Curnin, £1; Rodef, £1; W. C. Smyths, £1; Mrs J. Burne, £1; 0. fl. Snow, £1 Is.

A sad double drowning fatality occurred at Yarrawonga (Victoria) on January.. 24. Two little boys, James Joseph Riitlervaged--11 years, and Robert McCormick, aged eight years, were playing on a steamer moored to the river bank, when McCormick slipped 1 over the side into the river. There were only two other boys present. . Little Butler, being a good swimmer, heroically plunged into the river, and swam towards McCormick, who was drifting down stream with the current. Butler seized hold of the

drowning boy. The latter threw his arms around thß rescuer’s neck, and both went down. On rising again Butler cried-, out, “ Let go, let go,” but McCormick held on, and both sank to rise no more alive. The bodies were recovered shortly afterwards with a boathook by a labourer named Howell Kyffin, who was attracted by the cries of the other two boys. At the magisterial enquiry the splendid heroism of the little Butler waseulogised. His father is an engine-driver at tho Yarrawonga saw mill. At a meeting of the Hawke’s /Bay Flood Relief Fund on Monday the report and balance-sheet was adopted. The subscriptions amounted to £17,085 2s 3d, and of this sum £7223 lid 2d was expended in making provision for the widows and children, and £BB7O 10s in afEording relief to flooded-out settlers. In the report it was stated “ The number of applications sent in for help represented 464 cases, setting down their total loss at £35,506 3s 6d, the number of sufferers being 1949 men, women and children. This is exclusive of a number of oases where serious losses were sustained by settlers, who neither solicited nor would accept assistance from the funds. In some of these instances great credit is due, as they are exemplifications of self-reliance, besides showing a spirit of generosity, actuated as these settlers were by a desire to see their neighbours, less able to cope with their misfortunes, deriving the fullest possible help. As might be expected, a number of applicants were prematurely importunate and clamorous for a share, of the funds, but the executive, after providing stores and rendering other necessary assistance during the winter months, deoided to defer the distribution of cash.”

large number of workmen are engaged in pulling down the northern wing of Parliament House, with a view to the erection of a new brick building to contain the library, and also an inner suite of rooms between the entrance and the new library for general purposes. The rooms which are being demolished are the Maori wing, the lower, press room, ladies’ waiting-rooms, Sergeant-at-Arms’ apartments, Permanent Artillerymen’s quarters, telegraph offices, general waiting-room, the lobbies facing the entrance,' and all the committee and other rooms above those mentioned. These will be replaced by apartments of a more modern, roomy and convenient type. '1 he erection of these will be pushed on with all speed, so that they may be ready for use in time for next session, but it is not expected that the library wing will bo finished off fit for the storage of books until about six months hence. The opera*, tions now under way reveal the fact that a great deal of the foundation and general woodwork is quite rotten, and it certainly emits an ancient and microbe-like smell, making pronounced the fact that the day is not far discant when the whole Parliament House structure will require to be repaired look, stock and barrel.

A woman who some years ago had adopted an orphan child, and recently found that hey • resources would not permit her to oontmue being responsible by the youngster s maintenance, came before the Benevolent Society Trustees on Tuesday, accompanied by her charge, the latter being apparently about sir years of age. It was her desire that the Trustees should provide some monetary grant for the boy, to be expondod in providing for him being boarded out, and, evidently antioi* pating that the .little fellow was to be taken away from her, she brought down all h£ clothes tiod up a bundle. But when the pair were ushered into the room the youngster' to cry so bitterly at the anticipated separation that the Trustees immediately decided he should remain with his protector, c[if. receiving the amount which it would have been necessary to pay someone else if a severercn had been accomplished. lne woman, who L id been nearly, as much overooioo as tho boy, went away highly delighted I at the decision, - ;