GANERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, 15 November 1900, Page 39

GANERAL NEWS.

Particulars are given in our advertis- ' jmr columns by the Chief Inspector of • Kfchinery with reference to the holding of examinations for extra first-class, first-class, and second-class engine drivers. The Hon W. Hall-Jones having received information that the roads in the - "district are impassable, has decided not to attempt to examine the route of the - proposed light-line of railway between Stratford and the North Island Main Trunk line at present. Ho will leave this morning on a tour of inspection of the railway works between the Makohine Viaduct and Taihape. ■ The “Otago Daily Times” says it is understood that five musical experts have been nominated for the position of judge at the bands’ contest to be held at Christchurch in connection with the Exhibition. The names include thos c of Signor R- Squarise, of Dunedin; Mr Arthur Towsey, of Auckland ; and Mr • Wallace, of Christchurch. The ballotpapers have to be in Christchurch by Monday next. The Rev P. T. Fortune, who has been appointed to the staff of St. Paul’s Parisn was on the Bth welcomed by the Wadestown congregation, among whom he will in future labour. At the gathering a presentation was made from tbe congregation to Mr and Mrs T. S. Roscoe, who have served, the one as layreader and the other as organist, for a long period. In making the presentation tbe Rev T. H. Sprott said he hoped the congregation would have the benefit of the services of Mr and Airs Roscoe ... for many years to' come. Mr Roscoe .made a feeling acknowledgment of the gifts handed to himself and his wife. A Mr Hediey J. Thomson has applied through the Agent-General for a teusample e? the best ironsand ore. Eighteen months ago he received a sample, and in conjunction with Professor. W. E Ayrton, experimented ire on it, obtaining several samples of iron, but the process adopted was too costly! Re now states that a friend of his in Prance has perfected an 'improved and economical electrical apparatus, and has hopes of treating the sand on a successful commercial basis. The Government has informed the Agent-General that collecting and shipping the sample will cost £B4, and the matter will, be gone ltl L on the amount being deposited Mr Inonison, who will then have to lorward the sand to France at his own expense.

concert, in which Scottish songs and music predominated, was held Tn die Foresters’ Hall on tne Bth, under the auspices of the Gaelic Society, and provided capital entertainment for those £« eSe i 11 i‘ m , Mis » Johnstone played scotch Echoes’ as a pianoforte solo, and later in the evening sanw “Ca’ the Ewes to the Knowes.” Air J. Alack sang humorous songs in a style which elicited warm applause. Air McDmr was to the tore with violin solos ot a national character, and Air J. B m w Rh commendable spirit, f P 7. Queen of Scots,” capably reci ted by Miss J. Read, and Miss Con- ,? a f also recited, ' Other items were *?y. Messrs ' H. MI Atcherly, fling danced hi. M. , ; Ci-uic&shanks. ÜbdA-yimng.man .named Richard Edward ' -jf Se cfu™ raitted suicide at Alasterton on 6th lu st. Page, who was nineliamlr g ?’ en S 3 ged as a farm w. nand on Mr John Martin’s property at • Renrndgo. He performed his custo.o .•.!?£* on Tuesday morning, and < l u O'uetly took down his gun and went r was found about aquarsn S ? lle £ rom the house, amongst ' ?£?!: S ,° rU . b an ? trees = and shot through l'onn,’ B Z temple. A piece of board was f . near the spot-, and which Dore the : a io/ m VY nt !?¥ : —has been on me Kfims” i W hnew I would get bested hay. It is apparent,; says the ln ] e v 3 ’ that Page was mentally g.j. .’.which was the cause of his rash ' ■ , ine oeceased was evidently not h'ut ° Ver hnancial troubles, as he £3O to h » cr edit in the Savai ,• It is believed that Page’s A r hut that his mother resides m Wellington. LiSl e i Ne^° wn VVard Branch of the Labour Federation League - TTnii i . " rs t annual social in Victoria wer» n JL ee!c ' Amongst'the visitors w p he Hons. W* Hall-Jones, James dupo^"] 311 H. Alills, who (introaS by . Mr P ’ tiutson), all delivered its congratulating th e league on iny fJ Prosperity, and prophesyTbn,. 1 lfc a i° n g and useful career. cin° ii pre £ seut then indulged in danfo„:’ e hrst set being constituted as p’ tt ; Mon W. Hall-Jones and Airs E m S ° n ’ Hon C - H. Mills and Airs Mill- P ’ Hutson and Aliss A lock B - F - McFarland and Mrs Polcitsf";p„ 1111112 tbe evening songs and reG. Tifvf ! Vele contributed by Air A. Mr F ->T S ,i? n ’ Miss Alabel Bannister, C Tni,, O'dock, and the Alessrs A. and «s' usi, ?° n ’ G. Alawson’s catering, ' and Junn’s P K° V< i d . higl ,dy satisfactory, WUsic P mf played excellent danco E Wn A 'c proceedings were in charge M <? 8 to the Knowes.” Air J. Alack

Major the Hon Benjamin Harris, - -L.C., or the unattached active iis 4 - W- resigned his commission in the detencs force as from October 5. Air W. R. Haselden, S.AI. on thoSfh made reference to the frequent disputes that arise through the failure of hotel Proprietors to take receipts from feS vants when paying them their wages. hL w! - bG ,rr y , little trouble,” said his Worship, for hotelkeepers tc e-et signatures of servants to a pay-sheet and such a cours 3 would undoubtedly avert a lot of disputes which were now customary m the trade, and which, were rw y f broUS u,' befole the Magistrate’s Court for ventilation.”

department of Labour states tiiat uith possibly one or two exceptions, all the Ranstead immigrants who Have so far passed through Wellington aie now in work. About thirty are working on the North Island Alain -runk Railway, and the balance for pnvate employers, who express tliemseives as well pleased with the men. Another party of these intending settlers will arrive in Wellington to-day by the steamer AVaihora, having transhipped from the Rakaia at Auckland. The Commissioner of Trade and Customs has decided that electric light apparatus for dredging plant shall be , “ tothe colony under an impost of IU per cent. duty. Pumps for minmg dredges, revolving screens, tables and tore and aft boxes for dredges will be duty tree. Chrondcmeters, for ascertaining the weight of grain from samples, are now classed as hardware, subject to 20 per cent duty. Leather ciirome dressed is to be subject to a duty of 4d per !£,, and tan hide, as buff to 3d per lb.

The following debts were recovered by default of defendants in the summary division of the Alagistrate’s Court on the Bth:—Commercial Agency v. R. J-. MeCußougb, £3 os, costs~£l 3s Gd Hntt v. Geo. Snow, 13s 2d, costs 7s; same v. Emma Alorrison, £li 14s Id, costs l-ss; Sargood, Son and Ewen v. Alary Scarff, £25 18s lid, costs £2 14s. A judgment summons order was made against T‘. A. Wilson for payment to H. J. .Syms of £9 19s Gd by instalments of 15s monthly, the first payment to be made on Ist December.

At yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court, Air W. R. Haselden, S.AI., sentenced Mary Ross to three months’ imprisonment for having stolen a pair of boots valued at 12s from the shop of Harry Corrick. Alexander Gordon AicLelland was fined £l, in default seven days’ imprisonment with hard labour, for having assaulted Walter Robinson. Adam Robertson was ordered to pay £1 or go to gaol for seven days for having behaved in a disorderly manner in a public place. Three first offenders were lined 5s each for drunkenness.

The monthly circular issued by the Department) of Agriculture shows the quantity and value of the exports of meat and produce for the month of October to have been as follows: Butter, 6848 cwt, valued at £30,044; cheese, 739 cwt, valued at £1772; frozen beef, 4225ewt, valued' at £5584; mutton—--30,194 carcases valued at £15,629. 773 legs and pieces valued at £902: lamb, 5531 carcases, valued 1 at £2787. For the seven months from April to October there is an all-round increase in the export- on the figures for the same period of last year, except in carcase mutton. Last year, for the seven months, the export of carcase mutton was worth £890,087; this year is has only reached £558,854.

Before Alessrs M. P. Cameron and H. F. Davis, J’s.P., Albert Henry Banks v> as on the Bth charged with having committed an assault upon a girl under the age of sixteen, her age at the time of the alleged assault (July 26th last) being fifteen years and three months. Air Young, counsel for the defence, raised the point that although the charge was laid under section 188 of the Criminal Code, section 196 still applied. The latter section provides that no charge of the nature of the one brought against Banks shall be brought if more than one month shall have elapsed from the date upon which an offence shall bo alleged to have been com. mitted. The bench over-ruled the objection, and committed accused for trial.

On the 7th inst. the Pctone Amateur Operatic Society gave an entertainment at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lower Hutt, in aid of the Convent School. The following contributed to the first part of the programme: Misses Ashcroft, Alinogue, AlcGuivk, Pearce, Cairns .and Bowman, Alessrs D. Campbell and J. AlcKinnon, Misses Ashcroft and Armitage played the accompaniments. Tne second part was aperformance of selections from “Marita na,” with connective readings by Air Gibbons. Mrs Adams acquitted herself well in the name part; Miss Fraser impersonated Lazanllo, Mr Adams Don Jose, and Air O. D. Avison Don Caesar. All the solos were well sung, and the chorus work left nothing to be desired. Air C. S. Young conducted. The instrumental accompaniment was played bv Aliss Ashcroft (piano), Alessrs C. Wood and Camoourn (violins). Mvs Aiorris also assisted at the entertainment. A dance was held afterwards, and was well attended. Air J. AlcAlenamin supplied the dance music.

Aliss Hooker, of New Plymouth, has Ho S pi a ta?° mted matron of the Masterton Air Al. J. Brookes, manager of the Dresden Piano Company, has- returned from New Plymouth. It is estimated that the damage done to tbe Queen’s Wharf by the Tarawera last week will necessitate an outlay of between £2OO and £3OO. _Louis Ferdinand Tegner was before Air R. Haselden, S.AI., on the Bth instant, on a charge of having embezzled £B7 3s 7d, moneys of the Public Works Department. The case was 'remanded until the 16th instant, bail be- , mg allowed in two sureties of £SO each and self of £IOO.

Mr C. B. Alorison, of the firm of Alorrison and Louglinan, sailed last week by the Zealandia for England, via Sydney, on a business visit. He is engaged to appear in an appeal to the Privy Council in the case Teira te Paea v. Donnelly and others, which is expected to be heard early in .the coming year. A private letter states -that of the Aew Zealand officers of the Eastern Extension Cable Company who recently left Wakapuaka for service in Messrs H. S. Kempthrone and H. H. Wilson are now stationed at Shanghai, Air R. D. Webster at Wei-hai-wei, and Air J. F. Bell at Taku

ine Nelson Anglican Synod has appointed the following representatives for the General Synod, to be held at Napier in January :—Clerical representatives, Archdeacon Wright, Archdeacon Grace, and Rev F. W. Chattel-ton; lay representatives, Air Lubecki for Nelson, Mr W. W. de Castro for the Waimeas, Air Thomas for Greymouth, and the Hon AT. D. K. Baillie for Alarlhorough. The conditions laid down by the C-ty Council for the guidance of architects sending in designs for a town h-il! itr Wellington make it clear that the building must be planned so as to accommodate an organ. The sum of £4009 is tentatively put down for “furnishing and organ.” In another part of the conditions it is specifically stated that an organ loft and organ are to be provided for.

Now that the Christmas season is approaching. when most retail establishments make more than usually attractive window displays, a suggestion has been put forward that a competition among the windoiv-dressers employed by various firms might be held in Wellington. Drapery and mercery houses seem specially suitable for taking part in a contest of this kind. A similar idea has been carried out in Perth, Western Australia, with, it is said, satisfactory results. The arrangement of the competition would be in the. hands of a committee, and the public would by their votes decide as to the merits of the various displays entered.

The Postal Department nas received further particulars with regard to the Raetah'i accident which took place on the 6th, about three miles- from that place, at a bad curve in the road. A swingle-tree caught one of the horses, causing it to bolt and capsize the coach. Besides Air Al-ears getting a broken leg, Airs Alears received complicated' injuries, the extent of which are not exactly known. Air and Airs Mears are from Christchurch. Aliss Allen sustained a sprained ankle. Burgess, the driver, was slightly injured, but Mr Holloway escaped. The _ injured were accommodated by Air Risk, a settler near by, and a doctor from Raetahi is attending them-

A single man named John Pearson, a Swede, was admitted into the Hospital on the 7th from Padkakariki, suffering from severe self-inflicted wounds, the throat having been badly cut with a razor. Pearson, who is a farm labourer thirty-six years of age, states that he committed the act on the 6tli_ inst., and . had been lying in bed since. He can give no reason for attempting suicide-. He is not a drinker, but had been out of work for some time, and it is believed this may have caused despondency. Pearson has been ten months in the colony, ana has no friends here. Although he is in a iveak condition, the arteries were not severed, and he will probably recover. Iff breaking his trip to New Zealand at Launceston, in Tasmania, Air A. B. Paterson, the “Argus” war correspondent, has commenced his tour auspiciously. The author of “The Alan from Snowy River” was welcomed at a champagne luncheon by the Alayor and Corporation of Launceston, and in returning thanks for the toast of his health, Air Paterson said that he was charmed with the place, and was surprised that it had not been chosen as the Federal capital, a remark that was received with loud applause. He went on to say that when he had seen Hobart lie might think that city would make a better capital; and' he would not make up his mind on that point until his friend Air Smytho had furnished him with certain statistical returns—a remark that greatly amused the City Fathers. Air Paterson’s opening lecture iii the Academy of Alusic attracted a crowded'and fashionable audience. From Launceston the author of “The Alan from Snowy River” was to moeeed to Hobart, whence, after three lectures in the Town Hall, he was to sail on November 9th for Dunedin.

A liberal display of bunting was made on the shipping and on public and private buildings on Friday in honour of the natal anniversary of the Heir-Appar-ent. At the Government Departmental Buildings and: the General Post Office, the New Zealand ensign was flown. The Government Life Insurance Department hoisted the ensign with the Southern Cross in a ivhite disc to which such, strong objection was taken in Parliament last session.

ihe wills of the following deceased persons have been finally fjxr the amounts stated:—Edward TV. Alills' Wellington, £25.990 19s 4d; Isabella AlcDonald, £1490 6s 6d; Frederick Anderson, £4345 2s 2d; Francis Standen, £1856 2s 2d; Samuel Cawood, £8671 7s Gd; John Herin, £2155 2s 6d ; ■ William Keiller, £20,658 18s lid; John Henderson, £1712 9s 7d; Graham Speedy, Napier, £17,1.83 16s 3d ; Charles Stapp, New Plymouth, £3295 0s lOd.

Applications for letters patent, with provisional specifications, have : been received. at the Patent Office from the following applicants:—G. I. Lowe, Hastings, farmer, improved, flooring and ceiling cramps; O. J. Cooze, Carterton, carriagedrimmer, appliance for cleaning clothes, etc.; Smart Bros., Stratford, plumbers, improved milk aerator; G. Smart and R. W. Ashcroft, Stratford, splash-proof rim for milt-ean lids; R. AlcGaffin, Hastings, contractor, improved disc harrows; Harry Shaw, Torpedo Corps, Wellington, engineer] knife-cleaning machine; D. J. Young,’ Pat-ea, plumber, portable shower baths; D. Robertson, General Post Office, Wellington, Civil servant, improvement in envelopes; F. J. W. Gascoyne, Hastings, late major in New Zealand Militia, and H. 11. Murdoch, patent agent, Hastings, improved apparatus for separating nuggets from tailings; B. R. Sloan, M.D., Hawera, cog-wheel trap-seat adjuster.

The Hon. C. H. Alills announced at the “social” held at the Victoria -Hall, Newtown, last week that he intended to take up his residence in Wellington shortly. In the course of a short speech Air Alills strongly exhorted the Liberals of the community to squelch provincialism whenever it showed its obnoxious head. “We should,” he said, “be New Zealanders first, and provincialists afterwards. There should, in fact, be no such things as provinces in a country like this.” He exhorted Liberals to work together in unity and good spirit, and to put the welfare of "this bright little cofony above everything else, m the course of a few remarks,. Ivlr McGowan also emphasised the advantages of unity. No two trees in a forest were exactly alike, lie said,, neither were two blades of grass. No two persons would be found to agree in looks or in their opinions on every subject. Therefore it was a wonderful and gratifying fact that ihe people of this colony, though divided in opinion as to minor details, wore unanimous in their support cf basic Liberal principles. News reached Wellington on the 9th from Waipukurau of the death of Mr George Ross, who was well-known in this city as licensee of the Royal (now Searls) and Panama Hotels. Mr Ross w r as a mechanical engineer, and for twelve years he held the position of locomotive foreman in the Wellington district under the Railway Department. In 1879 he w T as given charge from the Rimutaka incline northwards, and seven years later he was appointed to the Wel-lingtoii-Elcetahuna section. On laavigg the railway service he took the Royal Hotel, Lambbon quay, which he conducted in an excellent manner. He sold out from that house, and after a couple of months purchased the lease of th*. Panama Hotel, Taranaki street. Wishing for a retired life, he bought the freehold of the Tavistock Hotel, Waipui. urau, where his decease took place. From the time that he went to Hawke’s Bay Air Ross was in failing health, and it was not expected that he would recover. The deceased was unmarried. He was a genial and kind-liearted man, and had a wide circle of friends. He was a member of the Alasonic fraternity. T. J. Algae, a waiter, brought a suit against J. S. Baker, licensee of the Club Hotel, to recover £6 alleged to be due to him as wages. From the evidence of plaintiff, it appeared that he was engaged by Baker as head waiter, but that subsequently he was superseded in that position. He asked Baker if he was to go, but the latter told him to stay on, and promised him 30s weekly wage. The defence was to the effect that accused had made a disturbance in the hotel, .and had been told by Aliss Thompson, tha housekeeper, that he could leave if he liked. There was a dispute also as to the number of payments that had been made to plaintiff by Baker. It was claimedby the latter that Algar had been naul uo regularly every week. Algar assertedthat an arrangement had been made between himself and Baker that his wages should be 30s weekly, but defendant said he had only mentioned 30s on one occasion, when he paid Algar 5s extra as a bonus for -extra work done in connection with dining-room alterations.: Baker’s statements were in the main confirmed by three witnesses. His Worship gave judgment for an a mount of 25s paid into Court by defendant, and ordered Algar,to pay costs. Air At--kinsan appeared for the plaintiff and Air Young for the defendant.

ilr W. A. Kennedy, manager at Wellington *fcr the Union Steamship Company, arrived back from the South by the Rotoniahana on Friday.* A telephone office and bureau is now open at Te lloro. The hours of attendance are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Sundays and holidays, when the office will be closed. Telegrams wiil be delivered regularly. Duncan Henderson, a seaman belonging to the barque Loch Trool, who was arrested for drunkenness with some difficulty by Constable Ccekery on the Queen’s Wharf on Thursday afternoon, ■was charged before Mr Haselden, S.M., on Friday morning witii having resisted that officer in the execution of his duty, and behaving in a riotous manner. He was ordered to serve six

weeks’ imprisonment, with hard labour. The constable’s clothing damaged in making the arrest is being made good by Captain Mainland, of the vessel mentioned. At the same sitting of the Court, A ioiet King was fined 20s, or in default seven days 1 imprisonment for using insulting language in Martin street- on Thursday.

In the course of an address at a meeting of the- Christchurch Philosophical Society, Dr Symes said lie considered the practice of exposing meat for sale in buioners’ shops winch were open to the dust of the street a very objectionable one. and thought that it was even dangerous to the public health. On dusty days, especially when a nor’-wester was blowing, multitudes oi bacilli were deposited every few minutes upon meat thus exposed. If the public realised tne danger, there would be a general and indignant outcry against the supply of meat thus exposed to tile city for human consumption. ' He tiiought*" that hutoilers’ shops should be arranged so that inoat would at least be protected from the dust- of the streets, and probaby in time meat for sale would be so safeguarded that there would be no ptnsiomty of infection by contact with f he germ-laden atmosphere of the streets. Captain Hutton, curator of the Canterbury Museum, received some months ago a number of easts of skulls and bones or prehistoric man found in Belgium, I ranee and Java. He has now, says the ‘'Lyttelton Times.” received a further consignment, which completes the collection. The most ancient paleolithic age is represented by a flat skull cast, with big ridges over the eyes, and a retreating chin bene. This specimen is so distinct that it is pro-nosed to designate it homo Xcanderthaiensis, aft w Neanderthal, in Germany, where it was found, to distinguish it from homo sapiens, or the newer paleolithic. In conjunction witn this cast a splendid specimen is exhibited cf the Pithecanthropus ©rc-ctus. from the Ben gateau river, in. Java. A number cf casts of arms and leg bones have also been received. In a case- adjoining the one devoted to the casts is one containing primitive stone and Sint implements fashioned by those prehistoric men. The following members of the last two classes of police probationers, instructed by Dr Tea re in ‘'first aid,” under the atupice-s cf the St. John, Ambulance Association. were successful in passing the examinations conducted by Drs W. A. Chappie and C. F. Scott :—F. J. Blake. P. 11. C. Boulton, L. J. Cookery, J. H. i-.ssen, J. Heffernan, hi. id. Hancox, H. M. Kirby, M. Redican, W. MeL. Robertson. S. B. Tanner, H. C. Cxrmody, H. Henderson, J. D. Lyons. D. Mahoney, A. B. Murray, P. J. O’Hara. C. S. wsbom. P. Ross, E. W. Scott and Cf. W. Wales. In addition to the foregoing candidates Captain W. 11. Heiinali (officer-in -charge- of.tire Government Departmental Buildings) end Scrgc-ant J. O’Donovan (officor-in-charge of the Buckle street Police Training Depot) sat- for their medallion examination, and passed in thy highest order of meriit. In the report received from Dr Scott by the secetary (Mr W. 13. Fisher), the examiner says, inter alia, “The written papers were all of a high standard, and the practical work lias been grasped in a thorough manner. Nos. 7, 11 and 12 would do credit to a budumg sawbones.’’ On the 7th last the Mayor oi Christchurch fair W. Reece) waited upon the Premier, to confer with him on the question of granting free, passes to all volunteers able to attend the celebrations to be held in Christchurch on the occasion of the jubilee oi the province.' His Worship pointed out- the desirability of having as many volunteers present as possible at the celebrations, when the sons of New Zealand, and more especially Canterbury would see the great advance and the prosperity of the heritage founded by their fathers. The Minister for Railways l ad been interviewed on the subject, but had given it as his opinion that the matter was not one within his province, but for the consideration of Mr Sed-dion in his capacity of Minister of Defence. Mr Seddon said it was a matter of importance and worthy of favourable consideration. On such an occasion as the jubilee of the province all facilities should be afforded to volunteers to attend. He considered it was a question for the Cabinet to deal with, and lie would promise to lay the matter before the Cabinet on the earliest opportunity. The Premier also stated that he would see that the Mayors of the different towns were informed when the men of the contingents in South Africa were returning, so that preparations for their reception could be made.

Hon J. G. Wa'rd’.niaK been formally appointed Minister in charge of the newly created Department in Public Health.

Mr K. Wilson has ueen elected as the lav representative for the Wanganui, Kaugitikei and Maniwatu districts on. the General Anglican Synod. Ur Mason, of Otnki. who has been appointed the executive officer of the Health Department, will take up his new duties shortly. He wi-.i be entru.sewith the framing ctf regulations under the Act.

A return of immigration to and emigration from the colony for September shows iinat the arrivals were 1296 and the departures 85b. During the same month last year tue figures were:—Arrivals, 1337; departures, 1033.

It is announced in last week’s “Gazette” that the Queen has been pleased to approve or Hit retention of the title of honourable by Mr John McKenzie. ex-Minister of Lands, he having served for more than three years as a member of t-lie Executive- Council.

On the - occasion of severing lus connection with the Petone Navals, Mr H. J. Bannister, who is leaving Jolnisouville to take up his home at Palmerston North, was presented by Captain R. G. Kirk, on behalf of the corp 3, with a. silver-mounted pipe, tobacco pouch and silver match-box, all of which were suitably engraved. The Premier announced during the course of a speech at the banquet given to Hon. C. H. Mills on Monday that lie intended to endeavour to get- the uuke of York to open the next Parliament o.‘ New Zealand. He thought there would be no difficulty in getting Parliament- opened a month eariier than usual if that course was found to be desirable. In the Supreme Court on Monday Mr Justice Edwards reiused to accept- a telephone message repeated by the recipient as an excuse for tne nou-attendance of a grand juror who resided out of town. Ills Honour said the juror would either have to attend himself or send someone who could from his own knowledge give a satisfactory explanation of the juror’s absence.

At- an informal meeting held in Taranaki s i'eet Wesleyan Schoolroom on Monday it was decided to convene a public meeting to consider the advisahieness of agitating to have the running of Sunday trams abolished. The meeting is to. be held on the evening of the 10th December, and in the meantime it is proposed to write to Auckland for information as to the effect which tiie cessation of Sunday tram traffic has had in that city, it being alleged by some that tl e result has been to increase rather than diminish Sunday labour.

At the meeting of the Convalescent Home Trustees there were present— Atesdames Joseph (in ihe chair), Williams, Brandon. Barron (treasurer) and Newman (secretary). Mrs F. Grady was elected a trustee in place of Mrs Paterson, resigned. The matron reported that eight patients had been received into the institution and seven discharged. The following gifts were acknowledged with thanks:—Mrs W. Nathan, papers: Mrs Hardy, jam, book* and papers; Mrs Brandon, clothing; Mrs Kebbell. farinaceous food ; Mrs Higgmson, dressinggown ; Mrs Broom, magazines: Mrs O’Connor, biscuits; Mrs Moorhouse, illustrated papers ; Mrs W. S. Moorhouse, fruit and flowers. It was decided by the committee of the Masterton A. and P. Association not to issue tickets to members who are mor e than twelve months in arrears with their subscriptions. Improvements are to be made in the condition of the rooms beneath the grandstand, extra outhouses and horse-stalls will be erected, and a water supply obtained for the grandstand at a total cost of £2-3. Twentyone new members have been elected. A class for purebred Leicester rams has been added to the programme. The committee has decided to place oil the recommendation book for next year a suggestion_ that a class for freezing sheep be inserted in next year’s show programme; The competition will be for a pen of ten or twenty freezing sheep, with pedigrees attached. The sheep will go through the freezing process, and the owner of the pen that fetches the highest price will receive the prize.

John P. Milne, a native of Kirriemuir, Scotland, and a distinguished student of tho University of St. Andrew's, who arrived here on the sth iust., died at Wellington Hospital on Monday afternoon. Mr Milne’s health br,dke down, probably from over study, during the past year, and lie was sent- to New Zealand in the hope of a speedy recovery. On the voyage by the Paparoa lie, enjoyed fair health until the Cape was reached, when he contracted a severe chill, and was laid up for the rest of the way. He was landed in a dying condition and sent to the Hospital. Professor Mackenzie, tP, Victoria College, learning that Mr Milne was in possession of letters of introduction to himself and other New Zealand professors, lost no time in visiting him, and he or Mrs Mackenzie had visited him daily since. Air Milne, xvlio was only 23 years of age, had obtained a first rank position in all classical and mathematical subjects, graduating in classics with first-class honours. He. was tho only child of a, widowed mother, who lives in Kirriemuir.

Mr Henry Edgar Moore has been appointed deputy-registrar of births, deaths and marriages at Foxton. Mr George Sumpler, aii old resident of Oamaru, died on Sunday night. He was- for many years a member of tne Otago Provincial Council, and had liliea the offices, of Mayor of Oamaru and chairman of the Harbour Board. He had also commanded, tne North Otago Volunteers.

The dairy factories being now in full swing, big shipments of produce are being made to London by each of thcu.rect steamers sailing from Wellington. The following quantities from the different ports were forwarded to the English market by the Waimate, which sailed hence on oaturday evening:

From Auckland, 4u tons (weight) butter and 9 tons cheese; Dunedin, 30 tons butter ana 21 tons cheese. Lyttelton, 2 tons cheese; 'Wellington, 319 tons butter and 63 tons cheese ; total 389 tons tier and 95 tons cheese.

A peculiar incident happened in connection with the drowning of James Wilson, of the hulk Ladybird. A mail of the same name had been locked up for drunkenness, and hearing this the deceased man’s wife deposited ten shillings to bail him out, thinking it was her husband who had been misconducting himself. This, unfortunately, as it turns out, was nob the case; and no doubt the liberated “drunk” is still wondering how he managed to regain freedom without appearing before the Court. A private subscription list- in aid of Airs Wilson and her family is being liberally subscribed to.

A meeting was to have been held last Monday in Collier’s woolshed, Island Bay, in regard to t&e lighting rate imposed by tho Melrose Borough Council. Only three ratepayers put in an appearance, and the meeting therefore lapsed. It was stated by those present that a considerable number of ratepayers in the ward looked upon the incidence of the rate as unfair. Tne rale lias to he paid in advance. There are as yet no street lamps in the warn, and the protesting ratepayers do not think it is likely there wiil be any for a year, or even two years to come. There is some talk of testing the legality of the rate, so far as the •Island Bay Ward is concerned.

A cable message on Monday announced that the Orient mailboat Ophir has been chartered to bring the Duke and Duchess of York to Australia next year. The Ophir has been a regular trader in the London-Australian service, and is one of the favourite passenger mailbeats of the Orient line. She is a steel twin-screw steamer of 6910 tons net register, and was built as far back as 1891 by Messrs R. Napier and Sons, of Glasgow. Her dimensions are:—Length, 463 ft; breadth, 53ft 4in; depth, 3ift Tin'. She is at present commanded by Captain F. S. Symons, R.N.R. The Ophir is timed to leave Melbourne to-day, Adelaide on the loth, Albany on the 18th, and is due in London on December 22nd. She will then most probably be detained at Home for an overhaul and renovation to fit her for the safe and comfortable accommodation of royalty.

Air Thomas Quoi, Chinese interpreter, wishes to correct false and hurtful impressions that may have been created by our evening contemporary’s report of last Friday’s raid on a Chinese lottery establishment in Haining street. Mr Quoi states that the report is absurdly incorrect, and tinged throughout with seusational exaggerations. He was present in the street immediately after the arrival of the police, and saw all that went on; he declares it is absolutely false that there was an angry mob of Chinese, or that these assumed a threatening attitude. The small crowd of Celestials were perfectly orderly: there were no sticks brandished; not a single stone was thrown; and the police were never in the slightest danger of maltreatment—the Chinese being throughout “as quiet as lambs.” Mr Quoi’s account is in accordance with experience of Chinese crowds in this country ; and it is to be deplored that reckless sensation-mongers should seek to excite popular passion, and thus prejudice the case of men awaiting trial.

Under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act the Public Trustee manages certain Alaori lands which were confiscated for rebellion. These- estates are so administered that the owners draw substantial cheques from the .Govern-, ment every half-year by way of rent. The department pays cut- in this way about £26,000 a year, the money being P a id to natives at their pahs by travelling agent. The object of paying the rent at the pahs is to save the natives from the temptations to spend the money which would present themselves if they came to town. The intervention of the Trustee also saves the Alaori owner from unnecessary legal expenses, and it is his duty also to see that- no native shall have insufficient land upon which to maintain 'himself. The- remainder of the property is let to Europeans on seven-year leases or on perpetual lease with a revaluation every twenty-one years; The “Poverty Bay Herald” fails to understand why, considering the success of the Trustee’s administration of-the West Coast native lands, the Government- could not have applied the same system to the East Coast and other parts of the island.

- - a- “ broke oof- i.. -.r B: other. .’ dwelling home It T Saturday night. The re-,. l e , ti °e ca bmiduig was oonsidorabSV rt of the roro the fire was suffid Some fine specimens of - . aragonite crystals, from X* Ciess Aline, Waitekauri, were? ?° idea - ; received at the Colonial M ® * S Mr J. Haves, inspect.ng ea ® J™" 1 Department. wu «.neer Alines

A general renovation of u.private buildings is , ))oc °V Pul? .' lc *>‘d bourne in anticipation of H 111 H.R.H. the Dulceof York and celleney the Earl of ls * -V stated that all tradesmen aIT'J! b fuU time and at full wages. k ‘“" ihe Education Departinr.af i out a circular to the P various Education in the colony askhmS, ot geshons its to the best mc.Mu.a expending the £3OO voted b v P r cx ' last session for the swimming in public schools. ; of The Nelson Diocesan RvncP , Tr de rl’ °J} tlie motion of the Hoit W%' II- Badhe to make a special effort mg the first year of the new centurft raise the sum of five thomard w ‘ to be called the TivSS P Thanks-offering Fund to ho jT Ur} ’ the extension of ouLth ™ k etT d “ The Chief Justice heard an in ri.iuiiiiu.-rs_ on the 7th that the trial Dr Leggart in connection with a ciiriw t-ko ilfo at Nelsoa should take place at Wellington. His Hnm.*. reserved judgment. Air Myers suppS ed the application on behalf of fi,« Crown, and Mr Skerrett opposed tj® behalf of counsel for the accused.

The estimated population of the cni SW? 6 yssSs SLS 8 2 10 £, n 800.201 „t the of the'jWcgS ta-edhoS B ™S"tjfe “£ no r ‘i;d the departures f'® 8 - The figures for the Maor. population are those ot the census of 3896. * WTillo at. Westport the erev.- of tho steamer Pennrtb, now in port, complain: ed of the food that was being given them, and the Collector of ’ Customs appointed Captain Ewan, harbourmaster, and Air R, Taylor to hold an in-r-uivy into the matlev. They decided that the complaints were frivolous, and tne crew were ordered to pay the costs of the inquiry.

Tim Ballance Co-operative Dairy Company s directors protest against the grading fee of 2i-d per box recently imposed on all companies exporting buff ter. They consider the tax’ a very unjust one. Last week the company shipped 323 boxes of butter to the Old Country. About fifty boxes of butter are being made daily. airs \V oedhouse has been unpointed sewing mistress of the Inglewoou Schcoi. The headmaster reported that there were 209 children on the roll in October, and the average attendance was 175. At Wortley road there were to children ou the roll, and the average attendance was 33. The new teacher for this school will take up her duties after the holidays.

In point of merit the Wesleyan concert at Kiinbolton was a success, and financially the result was highly satisfactory. The Rev J. Thomas presided. • At the opening the orchestra performed the ‘Melbourne Alarc.h.” Air Guy, Mrs and Aliss James, Aliss Robertson, Mr Alatheson, Airs F. Alcßeth, Air A. Perry 7, Mrs B. Alillar, Aliss Lela Jolly. Airs Fowler, Airs Howie, and Aliss Thomas contributed vocal items to the evening's harmony. Alesdames James, Palmer, Tompkins and Aliss Thomas and Mr Baynes played the accompaniments. It was the intention.of Air W. C. Buchanan. of Wairarapa, whose fine stock ha ve brought him many “firsts,” to have shown three fat bullocks at the Canterbury Show, to demonstrate what could he produced in the North Island, and at , the same time give breeders an object lesson of what they should aim at. . At Wellington, however, he received intimation by wire that the time for entries bad closed, and the animals cou.d riot lie allowed on the ground. 1 e suggestion of Air Buchanan that y ie - v should be received for exhibition only as that was his main reason for tninKing of sending them—could not be adop • However, the Palmerston buow Jill have them, and should see a leal exhibit, for Air Buchanan says that ue has never before seen three such v i did fat bullocks together. A great deal of attention '^ a ®-? en tracted by the electrical dtsphy S at the New Zealand Electrical Synd cate’s shop in Willis street- 011 evening. In addition to a exhibition of whirling fans■ ajjj 8 poffe r electroliers, there was a one H ; s electric motor, which the syndw. ,^ prepared to place m factories &tur . shops in the city. This mo con! . day evening was driving a.pact lathe and laetal-saw chine of American const > t | ic y the ease and dispatch wi for"elecdid their work spoke space tricity as a driving po" ei, c j a ; ro s are economy and cleanliness, mo tbr undeniable. A hnlf-h° rs ® P througl** worked smoothly 111 _ f* le ' -flready f° r ' out the evening. There a a fifingty of these motors at work m ton.

;^rh s; iio p Sut eu of l ioo Peace. osrsoa3- having basi'«»*«sJ“rimiiiai sittings, should-be f front o: the bar 011 the °- r ; LuxFord. who lias always -■ ?■ ? keen interest in yachting, and j 'feeinHmated his intention ot preL AraW a Sailing Crub with a l season during its existence, unamaously elected a life . ggr'of the duo. , ' , pm 7ft Foster, -of Lower Hutt, was F * ,ir j „Uf.,i«ea from attendance as. a “Timor at'the bupieme Court. An f Jhcd had been made or ms ai>h eSp f oji Monday, and a doctor s cemSSs now tendered in wmch H was , “ s ' j.- M r Foster was too m to atfall. i* tt-tr S. Robinson, manager of the Bank at Lyttelton, wiil succeed *'Efkfkpatriok, the manager .of. the : F ~~n branch, who is retiring.on S - Glasgow, of the Christgff 'vffl succeed' Mr Hob.uson J. Lyttelton.: I manv friends of Mr W. Gray. Jrdary of the Post and Telegraph »-T- ---; Snent, ’>:U Regret to hear of toe Lh : of his wife, which <>u 1 : $1 a. sister; of - the la to Mr John f»og- !" i M--forffieri-y esuef cierk m the welliiigton Post Office. At Ihedlagistw.cT.s Court on Tnesohy Corning Joseph V/aikor was sentenced (o six weeks hard labour >cr .mi mg stolen a pair of boots, of the value or ;. i4s from George Paris. The case jjgnst John Persson for haying attemptto commit suicide at Paibakanki was remanded until the 19th November. Two first-offenders were fined for drunkenness.'

The Mayor was the only member of tia Dairy Regulations Committee who attended at the City Council Chambers for the meeting which was to have been held yesterday. Mr Aitken adjourned the nesting for a woes. From January Ist the duties of times m out toe will be taken orer by the Government. There are .therefore only-t-wo more meetings of the committee to be held.

The remains of the late John P. | Milne. M.A., of St. Andrew's. Scotland, | rere interred in Karori Cemetery on ' Tuesday-. Among those who attended the funeral were the Rev William Thomson.' an old St. Andrew's student, and iieeu- - hate of the Free Church of Scotland (to ■ which church Air Milne belonged'. Dr (loir, Mr Allan. Sir Reach. Air Mackenris, Sirs and Miss Macmillan and ProfesOj'Mackenzie. The services at the grave were conducted by the Rev Mr Thomson. -

[■ xiThe first concert of the Wellington Orchestral- Society’s eieveath-.season was ■ fdd-.at: the-Opera . House oil the 13th:' F'Jen, the dress circle, and - stalls were : kay occupied. -An interesting programme opened with tae- joyous “Weddug- March’’ from Mendelssohn s l'Mid- ■ fflaer .Night’s Dream" music. Liszt’s rantasie Hongrmse." for piano and orc *s?», -which was the instrumental item npxt in orcier, was perhaps the success H'fe evening. Mr Maugliaa Barnett ;. ijPgAtthe. pianofoite, and for the time smg he was replaced as conductor by err Max Hoppe. A splendid perform! ice was* given of the very original fauar‘d - U'e applause which burst out maneoosly at ii? c onciusiou was not y.i ! c answered by a bow from the ed pianist. Tlm'Tarter part of the W as repeated, to the delight'of the , ce > again, applauded with 2 J { T^ s - V* other important ‘•Palii W o^® m ' ras -’lendelssohii’s tunnv b«>au.Syniptany. :: fwhitdi was on the f The; novel .-slow l ) V a^?, lllariy -cafovaUei a. 5 odle wa3 I*! 50 given; lloW” • Tr ,! i‘ Ste ‘ n, ‘' "Tore.adof ct An.WiTjoj, -. !e farter composition, which faaione saui5 aui - a exemplifies the broai'pff ISSI°t1 SSl °t c ° m P c 'h!i , fe command of «eets. Tt-waa received with every due no doubt to its 'orchestra ’ Jin' 1 was interpreted by the wareQuonnl - ■P o «°wtije skiil Iu caablo • 01 1 uess , Miss Frazier was a r Hlu concert,, and Miss » Sf lr J ° lm Hill, at very short ,, F conse, fted to appear. Miss - were “Le 4, .Leisc*’ w*K!d W* Lb ’ ft Fir,ds «' Way” Mr Hill „ k °. 1 e ’ CGhaminade), while •Godird) ;'5 Guard Thee" (B. Fra °z). anrl d ‘‘\r° 1 - Uulk Me Ncr ’ (il- ’ bracl-oi ai i !e i Franz )- T,l ° dha® ~ ie her two first-named HiU si 16 teUol ' the two by Franz, ftyression . ireful and tasteful hriflianeo inTH 113 ilouufc displayed a }*l treatment of Chaminfor their eomlm r f ? cuhsts wcl 'e encored Psit of m, tfbutioufi to tlie second Nnists w „L pr si ra!n,!le - Thoir accomGfril Towsev t•' ■ Jones and Mr inductor society’s capable L Bre «ted durial n,T" ett .' v ’ as c °rdially f n ° '-He concert.