GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 38

GENERAL NEWS.

During the voyage of the troopship Corn wait to Sydney the men amused themselves by the publication of a magazine giving an account of doings on tne voyage. “The Cornwall Clipper,' as it was called, was edited by Dr J. S. irui - dy, and contained brightly written pro»e and verse.

The monthly meeting cf the Wellington Camera Club was held in tne Dresden Rooms last week Mr J. MeLellan, vice-president, in the chair. Papeis on “Field Days” were read by Messrs ±±. Baillie and A. Brown and a lac,y member. An animated discussion followed bra the subject. Mr A. C. Gifford also gave his experiences on the subject.

The Commissioner of Trade and 1 Customs has decided that hydraulic, capstans shall be admitted as capstans at twenty per cent, duty; ground cumin-seed as druggists’ stores, at fifteen per cent.; ice-caus for dairy factories, as tinware, at twenty-five per cent.; icing gelatine, free; varnish-remover, free; roll text almanacs, as calendars, twenty-five per cent- ' ■

j An athlete named John Fitzglbh-jn v/aS- brought before i)r McArthur, H.M., off the I4tli on a charge of having stolen five pipes, a tobacco pouch, a knife, cigars, a book, etc., of the estimated value of £6, the property of a Gameronian Highlander, who missed his passage by the troopship on Wednesday. It is alleged by the soldier that Fifz- 4 gibbon, who had been drinking with him, went to the landlady of a hotel at which the articles had been left, repieseated' to her that he was a cousin of the soldier,' and persuaded her tc hand the articles over to him. biiortly afterwards a detective' intervened, and accused was arrested on a charge of having stolen the articles.

In an interview at Christchurch with Dr Carr, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, it- was ascertained that the objection by Roman Catholics in Victoria to religious instruction in schools is based on four chief points —Firstly, no doctrinal foundation (without which they hold religious instruction to be valuekiss) is held in common by the various religious denominations; secondly, irresistible opportunities would be given to zealous teachers to impress their own doctrinal and moral deductions on the plastic minds of children; thirdly, the ■principle of private judgment upon which the Victorian scheme was founded is contrary to the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church ; fourthly, Catholics denied the right of the State to supplant the churoh in providing for the religious instruction of the young.

Interviewed in London by a press representative on the question of Maoris proceeding to South Africa to take part in the war, the New Zealand AgentGeneral is reported to have said : --“Setting aside the principle of employing coloured people to fight against white, question I have nothing to do with; T only wish to point out that the Maoris are :not savages. They are a civilised ’race,; most of them well educated, and thbse who would go to South Africa would be for the most part the well-to-do. And it must also be remembered that they are free citizens, and ably assist in the government of the colony, and therefore cannot be placed on a level with subject races. They are a ..kindly, homely and humane people, equal, in these respects to any white people.”

Further evidence in the case cf C. Tandy v. G. Umfreville End 1 F. J McDonald, a claim for £l6 18s 6d cu account of certain repairs to coaches, was ad weed before Dr McArthur, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court on the 14th. His Worship reserved his dec •not'. Judgment by default of defendants was given •for plaintiffs in the following casco . Hollis Cycle Agency v. W. J. Henry, £lB, costs £1 10s 6d; Commercial Agency v. Walter Lewis, £7- 4s, coils £i 3s 6d ; same v. Neil McP-hee, £27 11s Bd, costs £2 14s; A. Gordon v Auguste Ro maine, £l4 14s 7d, costs £1 10s 6d, :Te Aro Loan Company v ; . Leola C. Crabbe, £7 10s, costs £1 3s 6d; C. A. Aiiuison v. Jonn J« O Briciij L«.#s costs ss. In the judgment snmii'iis case E. «T. Walsh v. Beatrice Jhomphins a claim for £1 10s lOd, defendant was 'ordered to discharge the debt by the 21st February, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment.

■ The Commercial Agency, on behalf of William Hall, dentist, on the 14th sued Cyrus Annison for £6 6s on account or set of artificial teeth supplied io defendant. Mr Meek appeared for plaintiff ■and Mr Hindmarsn for defendant. The oa<=e caused some amusement in Court, the defendant .giving practical demonstration of the biting capabilities of the teeth. The dentist, m the course of his cross-examination, said that married people always slept wdh_ their artificial teeth in their. mouths, trat failed to enlighten an anxious assemblage or lawyers as to his reason for making so extraordinary a statement. Dr McArthur gave judgment for the amount claimed, with costs, it being understood that the real plaintiff would take steps to do away with' a clicking propensity possessed by the-teeth to which, defendant objected. The trus'cos of Court Sir George Grey sued James Ashby for £2 10s rent clue and for po ’.session of a tenement. The order was made as prayed.

At the Magistrate’s Court on the 14th, Frank Tcorner was brought up On warrant charged with having intended to leave the colony without makjncr provision for the future maintenance of his illegitimate child. He was remanded to Christchurch, to appeal theie on the 21st- instant.

A correspondent, signing his letter “T.P.,” writes advocating the bringing of barmen under the previsions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. This is a matter that is entirely in the hands of the barmen themselves. It is for them to form a union of otherwise to agitate for an alteration in the law. Mr Bruce, although somewhat behind contract time, is now putting the finishing touches upon the new Fire Brigade Station, Jervois quay, and expects to be able to hand over the building to the City Council in about a week." Arrangements will shortly be made for a formal opening. The annual picnic of the inmates of the Porirua Asylum was held on the 14th Over 200 of the inmates were taken by train- to Paikakariki, where an enjoyable day was spent. The Pahautanui Brass Band, under Mr F. Bradey, kindly gave its services. Dr BarraciougnMiss Tewslev (matron) and the staff all worked hard for the pleasure of the patients.

As a result of surveys made; by H.M.S. Egeria some time ago, the port of Sail Juan, near Victoria, in Vancouver Island, has been chosen as the landing place fer the Canadian end of the Pacific cable. The Egeria surveyed as far as Honolulu, and the results have been placed before the Imperial Government.

The following gentlemen have been appointed members of the Egmcnt National Park Board : —Messrs H. J. H. 'Okey (Taranaki County Council!), E. Burgess (Stratford Borough Council), W. A. Oollis (New Plymouth Borough Council), C. E. Major (Hawera Borough Council), G. A. Merchant (Stratford County Council), E. Maxwell (Opunake Town Board) and F. W. Wilkie (Hawera County Council). The cruise of the trawling steamer Doto in Mahia Bay was fairly successful, but Mr Ayson was disappointed, from the nature cf the bottom and the excellent depths in which operations ’were conducted in the meagre supply of fiat fish. Crayfish, gurnet, schnapper and moki were most plentiful. Captain Neilson speaks in high terms of the quality of the gurnet and of the market that smoked gurnet commands. The vessel was to be engaged working Tologa Bay till the end of this week, when she was' to return to Gisborne.

An interesting lecture on “Evolution and Reincarnation” was delivered on the 14th at the New Century Hall, by a member of the Wellington branch of the Theosophical Society. Both heads of the subject matter "were ably and exhaustively treated; the theosophical view of the higher aspects of evolution being especially -well put forward, while the bearing of the doctrine of reincarnation upon morality and the world’s progress was forcibly dwelt upon. There -was a fair attendance, and at the conclusion of the address the lecturers was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr Wm. McLean presided.

The sale of the Mellow estate at the Lower Hutt, by Messrs Macdonald, Wilson and Co., on the 14th, attracted a large gathering of Hutt and city residents. Mr Wilson wielded the hammer on behalf of the firm, and succeeded in disposing of a large number of the villa building sections, the prices ranging from £4OO per acre to £l5O per acre. Thd bidding throughout was spirited, and the sale generally was a testimony to the value of the Lower Hutt for residential purposes. A complete list of buyers and prices cannot be furnished, “as Messrs Macdonald, Wilson and Co., having refused to supply any report of the sales of landed estate made by them privately, they will not disclose the names or prices paid by buyers at public auction sales. They “regard all sales made by their firm, either by auction or privately, as strictly confidential between the parties,” and not to be disclosed to the outside world. It will be seen from our advertising columns that there are six unsold sections now open for private sale at the offices of the firm.

Trouble over liens and promissory notes kept the Magistrate’s Court occupied on Thursday afternoon, W. G. Tustin, painter and decorator, sued T. Garland, Wilson Waters and Alexander Robinson for £BS 12s. C. T. Emeny, a builder, defendants,. ,'®oth the plaintiffs were sy-.h-rrarirejflMk; the defendants Wilson Robinson were contractors, and the defendant T. Garland was the person tor whom the work was being done by fho contractors. Wilson Waters and Robinson had assigned their estate to trus'mes. and it was anticipated that it would only pay 15s in the pound. There wore several hundreds of pounds due on hens, but it was urged that plaintiffs had prior rights by reason of the par .icuijr liens and promissory notes held by them. Dr McArthur gave judgment against Emeny on his claim for prefe .ontial treatment, but allowed him to rank as an ordinary creditor against the estate. Judgment in the claim of Tustin was reserved for a week. Mr Young appeared for .plaintiff in each case, Mr Myers for the trustees of the estate, and Dr Knight for T. Garland™

Mr Theo. Cooper, who has just been appointed to the Supreme Court Bench, began life in the sixties as a reader’s boy and compositor in the “Southern Cross” office.

The Rev J. G. McLeod (Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland) and the Rev C. E. Hastings (Wesleyan Methodist) have been gazetted officiating ministers under the Marriage Act.

No instructions have as yet been received by the military authorities in Wellington to invite applications for a. seventh contingent. The Defence Department is, however, advertising for quantities of military supplies.

The Rev Father Petty, a military chaplain invalided from the Transvaal, has arrived in Wellington, intending to remain in the colony. He has taken up his residence with; the Rev . Father Maple at the Lower Hutt, and will assist the latter gentleman during the Very Rev Father Lane’s absence.

As St. Patrick’s Day this year falls on a Sunday, the Wellington branen of the H.A.C.B.S. has decided to. '.old the annual gala and sports on the Basin Reserve on Saturday, March 16th. Prizes to the value of £3OO will be _ disposed of on the art union . principle. Tickets for the art union will also a limit holders to the sports. Count r.y residents can participate in the distribution of prizes by forwarding money or stamps to the hon secretaries. The prizes are now on view at Begg and Co.’s music warehouse, Willis street, and are both valuable and numerousThe sports programme, which appears in another column, consists of nineteen events. These include two bicycle races, wrestling (Irish style), putting the stone (Irish style), Irish jig. Juvenile Hibernian’s Race, Marist Bros.’ Old Boys’ Race, Inter-College Race and the usual athletic events, from 100yds up to a mile. Nominations close on Monday, March 4. at 9 p.m., at St. Patrick’s Hall, Bouleott street. The holiday will conclude 'with a grand national concert at the Opera House in the evening.

The prospects of the building trade in Wellington for some time to come are, judging by the amount of work for city and eouutryn.-in the, hands -of the various architects, very good. There are no very large works in view, but there is likely to be a demand for residential buildipgs of a good class. Mr Chatfield has in hand plans for two threestory buildings on the site of those recently destroyed by fire in _Willis street, occupied by Messrs Wriggle sworth and Binns and the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and is full-handed with plans for town and country residences. Messrs Clere and Swan report that they have sufficient work in view to keep their staff going for the next twelve m-cnths, mainly for residential purposes. Mr Pent-y is also busy with new works, and although the high ground values prevent speculative building, he is of opinion that the outlook for a busy time for the building Trade is very marked. Messrs T. Turnbull and Son are just finishing several large contracts —the Bank of New Zealand and an extensive block of buildings in Cuba, street —and are busy with a number of smaller buildings. On the whole, the general opinion amongst the architects of the city is that t-he late activity in the building trade will be maintained for some time to come, despite the. high prices ruling for all classes of building material, local and imported. In some lines of the latter prices have receded during the past month; on the other hand, colonial timber lias been further raised by Is per 100 ft. Labour also maintains its high value, but these circumstances have no apparent depreciation on building activity.

The Wellington Hardware Club on the 15th celebrated the taking over of its new club-rooms <n Fitz Gerald’s Buildings by holding a social evening. The rooms are splendidly fitted up. the appurtenances including a billiard-table and the usual conveniences of a well-appointed club. The president of the club (Mr John Duthie, senr.) said he had accepted the position with a great deal of pleasure. The hardware trade was one of which he was prouid. It was in February of 1855 that .he commenced his apprenticeship to the trade, and he humorously mentioned that his first j°b was a six weeks’ “ spell ” at stacking up ragged nails—which had prevented his finger-nails from growing properly ever since. As an employer, he; looked upon the inception' of the cub as a most commendable step, as it would provide the young men of the trade with an opportunity of spending their time profitably in reading and harmless light amusements. Th e orchestra, principally 'drawn from members of the club, gave three selections during the evening _in first-class style, appropriately opening the proceedings with “ The Tin Tack March,” after which the following programme was gone through: Toast. “ The King” ; song, Mr Hogg; recitation, Mr Franklyn ; toast, “ Presidents and Vice-Presidents,” proposed by Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., responded to by Messrs Duthie and Winder; song, Mr Sullivan; recitation, Mr Mclntosh; waltz, “ Plain Galvanised Iron,” orchestra ; toast, “ Ourselves,” proposed by Mr J. McLellan, responded to by Mr Morley; songs, Messrs Luke and Wiltshire ; comet solo, Mr Pelham; “Barb-wire Polka,” orchestra; flute .solo, Mr "Wilson; “ God Save the King.” The piano used during the evening was knt by the Dresden Company.

A special meeting of the Cabinet was recently held for the purpose of appointing Mr F. C. c Mason, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, a, Magistrate for the colony of New Zealand. Mr Mason was sworn in by Mr Sectdon during his visit to Australia.

Captain Jackson Barry, hero of a hundred exnsodes, received a knock from a passing train on New Plymouth wharf cue day last, week, and as a result thereof he has been obliged to enter the Wellington Hospital for treatment. The injury, however, was only a, superficial one, and it is anticipated by the Hospital authorities that the active old gentleman will soon be about- again.

Mr W. H. Gray, a member of the local staff of the Union Steam Ship Company, has been transferred tovthe Greymouth office of the company. Mr Gray left to take up his new position in the Haupiri on Friday. Previous to his departure Mr Kennedy, local manager of the company, presented Mr Gray with a gold sovereign case and other mementoes from the staff, as a token of esteem. The adjourned case against Michael John Fitzgerald, that- he did use obscene language in a railway carriage between Wellington and Petone in July of lastyear was disposed of by Dr McArthur, S.M., on. Friday morning. Two railway porters swore positively to the words alleged to have been used by accused, but differed in their evidence on other points. Three witnesses for the defence swore that no obscene language was used; accused said obscene language was uttered, but by another occupant of the carriage. His Worship said he was of opinion that the offence alleged had been committed, but in view of the contradiction between the police witnesses on certain points he must dismiss the charge. Jeremiah McCarthy and Richard Mehegan, two members o'f the crew of the steamer Raramea, were sentenced to three months 1 ’ imprisonment with hard labour for having broached cargo on the voyage across from Tasmania to Wellington. The evidence of the ship’s officers showed that cargo consisting of spirits had been broacned, that- McCarthy had been seen coming from the hold with a bottle of spirits in ms- possession, and that two days' after leaving Hobart both the accused were drunk. The Magistrate further ordered that the sum of £2 2s be deducted from the wages of each accused to defray loss of liquor.

On Friday morning the adjourned case against John Fitzgibbon, of having stolen articles to the value of £6 from a soldier of the Cameron Highlanders, was heard before Dr McArthur, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court. The case was proved by a number of witnesses, and accused was convicted. He told the Magistrate that drink was at the root of his actions; he had no intention to steal the things. His Worship took a lenient view of the offence, and fined Fitzgibbon £1 and costs £l, in default of payment seven days’ imprisonment. Thomas, Greenaway was fined 20s 1 for drunkenness, in default seven days’ imprisonment. Two first offenders were ©onvicted and discharged. Daniel McCulloch was remanded until Monday next on a charge of having stolen goods, the property of Butler Bros., wholesale saddiers, etc- James Edwards, alias Bolton, was sent to prison for three months for having stolen two prayer books and three dozen eggs from Rose Marion Prentizen. Stephen and Annie Judd were charged with having removed goods from a house with a view to preventing Thomas Ellison distraining on them for rent. The case stands adjourned until Thursday next. An infant named Ruby Webster was committed to the Wellington Industrial Heme, an order for payment of Ss 6d per week being made on the mother.

A meeting of ex-Canterbury settlers was held in the Trocadero on the 15th, the Hon W. C. Walker in the chair, with the object of inaugurating the Wellington Canterbury Settlers’ Association. The chairman, in introducing the proceedings. said he had great pleasure in assisting in the formation of a Canterbury Society. He believed such a society would do a great- deal of good, and already it had brought together men who had not seen each other for years. For young people, also, the society would prove advantageous, and to them the right hand of fellowship would be extended. Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Hon W. HallJones, Messrs D. Sladden and H. J. Knowles, who Avished their names added to the list of inembers. The report of the interim committee and a number of rules were adopted. The following were elected office-bearers : Patron, the Hon R. J. Seddon; .president, the Hon W. C. Walker- vice-presidents, the Hon W. Hall-Jones, Messrs D. Sladden and W. Foster; secretary, Mr F. W. Barnett; treasurer, Mr H. W. Preston; committee: Messrs C. E. Briggs, R. Boot, J. E. Francis, H. McCardell, and R. C. Worth. It is intended to hold meetings each quarter, and the first “social” will bo held next month*. For the benefit of those interested, the qualification for membership is appended : —“Those who, having lived .in the province of Canterbury, still retain feelings of affection for the province and its people.”

Mr Alexander McKay, Government Geologist., who lias been prospecting in the Kaimanawa ranges, is said to be disappointed with the district. Although traces of gold were obtainable, -there was no prospect of suiiicient of the precious metal being obtained to nav ■forking expenses. Mr McKay is now -at Takapima. The steamer Otarama will sail from New Sea-land for South Africa about

March 9th, under the new arrangement entered into by the New Zealand Shipping Company, the Tyser Line, and the Shaw, Saviii and Albion Company. She will call at Fremantle, Durban, Algo a Day and Capetown. The service will be a six-weekly one, and all the steamers employed will be fitted with re-

frigerating chambers. The wharf labourers loading the ship Savjona, at Sydney, for. Rotterdam, struck 'last- week- for an in wages. Other men were put on to work the vessel, and there was much trouble. The strikers and their supporters- rushto the shale heap and compelled the men to cease work. Shale and stones were thrown at the workmen, and the aid of the police had to be called in to quell the disturbance. A meeting of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Committee was held in St.

Patrick's. Hall.- last Monday. Pro, No, lan presided. The Art Union Committee reported that the prizes were on view at •Bcgg. and Co.’s , music warhouse, Willis ■street, and that books of tickets-would be distributed at St. Patrick's-Hall-next

Monday evening. It was decided to write to the gentlemen who gave their patronage, last year asking them to do so again this year. It was also agreed to engage a band for the day. " - Catherine Caulfield, a fine-looking young woman of 27, being dissatisfied with her treatment by a railway porter, John Edge, fired several shots at him from, a revolver in Spencer street, Melbourne. Fortunately, the shots went wide, and Caulfield was secured. She was subsequently before the City Court, charged with shooting with intent tvmurder Edge. The trouble is said to have arisen overman alleged breach of promise of marriage. Caulfield was in

charge of a boardinghouse where Edge resided. She was eventually' remanded for a week on light bail. The Victorian Technical Education

Commission lias taken evidence from trades representatives regarding the educational requirements of persons intending to engage in certain callings. For intending bakers it was contended that (technical instruction was highly necessary, and one witness convulsed the .commission, by declaring that it takes .ipere brains to make a baker than an JM.3?. The need for technical training for tanners, curriers and leather-dres-sers was also impressed on the commission, and the superiority of English leather was attributed to the better meth'ods adopted there.

The inspector of the. Society for the "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has asked the Press to make a note on the subject of the ill-treatment of do erg by keeping them too long on the chain, and allowing them, to go without food and water for long periods- These cases are of common occurrence, particularly in country districts. Such cruelty is seldom, if ever, due to deliberate intention ; -but. rather to thoughtlessness. At the -same time, persons guilty of such neglect are not exempt from prosecution. The inspector is at. present investigating a case in which a dog was actually driven tnad throtigh neglect, and had bitten several persons before it was destroyed.

The committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met oil Monday. Present —Mr Wm. Watson (chairman pro tem.), Pew W. A; Salter, Mr John Ilott, Misses Richmond and Lorimer. The secretary acknowledged the receipt of £5 >9s 6d, including subscriptions from Mrs Adams and Messrs JTuddaxt, Parker and Co, of £1 Is each; Mr p. Anderson, By Chappie. aiid . Miss M-c Lean, 10s each ; ; Levs R. Coffey and H. Van Staveren, Messrs T. J. Leighton and D. T. Stuart, 5 s each;. and the balance in Small sums. The secretary referred .t-o a successful prosecution for gross cruelty to a horse' at Pahiatua. The inspector reported several cases of cruelty to horses which had occurred during the last fortnight.- It- was decided to consult one of the society’s solicitors in regard to one case. ' Just before the New Zealand Shipping Company’s new steamer Rimutaka left London for the colony a lunch was given on board. Amongst those present were : —Sir Edwyn S. Dawes, K.O.M.G. (chairman of the company), Colonel Dawes, Captains Hodgkinson, Kaye, Lawson, Mo Kurdie, Pose, Messrs John Beaumont, •A. E. Eidmoad, Tbps. Borthwick, E. H. Dobree, T. Dence, John Dubhie, L. Denny, Halford Dawes, D. Ellis, D. Ellis, jiin., F. Green, C. H. Inglis, E. A. Jones* G. L. King, W. Lund, J. Leslie, Samuel Lowe, Alex. M. Macka.y, C. Pous Martin, louis Nathan, J. S. Bundle, J. Ross, J. A,. Randall, Wolff Harris and W. Weddel. The vessel, which was buiit by Messrs IVra. Denny and Bros., of. Dumbarton, will he one of the largest carriers engaged in the New Zealand trade, her length being 457 ft, breadth 53ft, depth 42ft. She has handsome accommodation for 40 first, 50 second, and 80 third-class passengers. The forward holds are insulated for the Carriage of frozen meat, and have space for 100,000 carsases of mutton. The vessel has twin screws, and is built on the very latest lines. She is expected to arrive in port to-day, but will not come alongside the wharf, putting off her passengers and mails in the stream.

A dividend of 20s in the £ has been declared in the estates of James Cheetliajm and Edward: Murphy, respectively, by the Official Assignee. A second dividend of 5s in the £ has also been declared in the estate of John "Craig. The Supreme Court criminal session terminated on Monday, Mr Justice Edwards having disposed of the only case remaining on the calendar, that of a charge of theft against I/. F. Tegner, in which a verdict of not guilty was Returned. The civil sittings will begin to-day, before Mr Justice Edwards. The Chief Justice proceeded to Auckland on Sunday.

A Wade stow ii fencing dispute was called on in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday in which Mr Skerrett asked the Stipendiary Magistrate to adjudicate on the case E. W. Gotch against Emily Jane Treviso. Dr McArthur decided that he had no jurisdiction in the matter, as the notice given was not sufficient. Mr Gray, who appeared for defendant, was allowed a fee of £1 Is.

At the Supreme Court on Monday a number of persons called as jurymen made application to be relieved of the duties. A. IdL Cooper was excused on the ground that be represented the Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union' in the dispute- that was, to be heard before the Conciliation Board that day. A volunteer, who said he was an " efficient/’ was also excused. Mr Justice Edwards said that volunteers were exempt under the Act—he did not know why. Another man, who ’ was “ busy making ornaments for the Seventh and Eighth Contingents,” was not so fortunate, as his Honor did not consider that a good and sufficient- reason for robbing the country of his valuable services. _ The juryman in question was immediately afterwards challenged, however, and thereby obtained his freedom. Hugh Macfarlane was charged at the Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, before Dr McArthur, S.M., with the theft of a pair of blankets and a number of knives and spoons, tne property of Mrs Tisdall. A separation order was recently obtained against the defendant; by his wife. Mrs Macfarlane had hitsome things, including the articles enumerated in the charge, at Mrs Tisdail’s, where the defendant- obtained them in his wife’s absence. The blankets were found by the arresting unstable in a box belonging to the defendant at the shop of John Douglas, a second-hand dealer. The' defendant stated he took the blankets, but had no hi" tention of disposing, of them, and intended to return them, when - his wife •gave him some valuable papers and clothes which she had, and which belonged to him. The defendant, who. had already been in custody seven days, was fined £l, .in default seven days’ imprisonment.

Charges against shopkeepers for contravention of the Shop Assistants Act .were heard by Dr McArthur, S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The Labour Department proceeded against Young Pou, storekeeper, of Petone, for not closing his shop for the half-holiday in the week ending February 2nd. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr W. IT. Haggett, clerk in the Labour Department, stated that on the afternoon of •Saturday- the front premises of defendant’s shop were closed, but business was being done at the back door. Mrs Young Pou gave evidence that she obliged one of her customers on the afternoon in question by allowing her to have half a. pound of tea. His Worship considered the evidence was hot sufficient to warrant a conviction, and dismissed the case.. Simon, Phillips, grocer, 'charged with a, similar offence, was fined £l, and £1 8s costs. . Wong Way, grocer, for keeping his shop open on the night of Saturday, February -2nd, was fined £l, and! £1 8s costs, and Richard Bryan, hairdresser and tobacconist, Lambton- quay, on a, similar charge, was fined PCs and £1 Is costs. Mr Dalziell appeared for the Labour Department. • -

Albert Hugo a Korth was charged before Dr McArthur, S.M., on Monday morning with having obtained £4 18s 6d from Mary Nathan, licensee of the Britannia Hotel, by means of a' valueless cheque'. The defendant, it was alleged, tendered a cheque for £7 10s to Mrs Nathan in settlement of an account, and received £4 18s 6d change. The cheque was paid into the account of Mrs Nathan, and was subsequently returned marked “ No* account.” The defendant, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the next sittings of tb e Supreme Court in Wellington. A number of maintenance cases were dealt with. Richard T. Blake was ordered to pay arrears of an order by the Ist of March, in default of payment to go to Napier gaol for one month. Thomas Bennett was ordered to discharge arrears of an order at the rate of £4 per month, in default of payment one month’s imprisonment in Auckland Gaol. An order for payment of 22s per week towards the support of his wife was made against Samuel V. Mason, with an alternative of one month’s imprisonment. Tasman Steinmuller was ordered to pay £1 weekly for th e support of his two children. A separation order was granted to Eva Mary Cahill on the ground of persistent cruelty by her husband. W. B. Cahill, the plaintiff to have custody of the child of the marriage- and to receive from defendant 20s weekly for the support of the child.

The annual report cf the Wellington Self Help Society shows that a- good deal was done during the past year to assist families in poverty, and considerable relief was distributed. The society" appears to have made an effort to discharge the functions of a prison-gate society, as far as women are concerned. The receipts for the } T ear in subscriptions amounted to £39 os 6d and the expend! ture to £35 11s 3d, leaving a credit balance cf £3 14s 3d.

The chemists of Wellington had an enjoyable outing at Day’s Bay on the 13th. All the shops in the city were closed until seven o’clock last evening. The picnic party indulged in bare-backed donkey races during the day, the efforts of several weighty master chemists to bestride their steeds after the manner of Tod Sloan being provocative of great hilarity. Races on foot, rounders and similar amusements helped to while away the hours pleasantly, and an excellent lunch was provided by Mr Rod.

The monthly -meeting of the Wellingten Branch of the Educational Institute was held on Saturday morning. The president (Mr T. H. Gill) occupied the chair. Mr A. Erskine resigned me secretaryship, an office held by him for some iive years. Regret was expressed at the resignation, and. a vote of thanks for Mr Erskine’s past services was ordered to be recorded upon the minutes., Mr Biakvt (of the Mount Cook Boys’ School) agreed to take the office until the end of the term, j\ report was presented by the special committee set up to consider the local scholarship regulations. After discussion the report was adopted, and ordered to be sent on to the Education Board. Two new members were elected.

The largest cabbage ever grown in the Carterton district was brought into that town on a wheelbarrow by a Belvedere resident on Saturday morning, writes our correspondent. The vegetable weighed 351 b, and had a circumference of four feet.—Friday afternoon’s NapierWellington express train ran into a mob of sheep belonging to a Dalefield farmer named Fairbrother. Six of the animals were killed, while many others were seriously injured,—The first of a series of bowling matches between Masterten and Carterton was. won by the latter by fifteen points. Another match will take place at Masterton on the 28th instant. —An All-Nations’ Bazaar, in aid of the Roman Catholic Church, raised over £l5O in three nights. The bazaar was under the’ supervision of the Rev Dean McKenna, and was opened by the Mayor-

Great was the surprise felt in port shortly after seven o’clock on Saturday evening when the Waikato, which had sailed 1 for London shortly after five o’clock with every thing apparently all right aboard, v,as noticed steaming into the harbour flying the. police flag. The assistance called for was promptly despatched, the launch - , with Sergeant Cullen and four constables, leaving its mooring almost before the anchor was lowered. It was found that four of the firemen—Denham, Stevens, Palmer and Quinn —had refused duty, and .the only course open to the officers of the ship was to hand them over to the police. They were taken to the lock-up, and will be charged) this morning with refusing duty on the high seas and interfering with the navigation of the ship., The Waikato has consequently been greatly delayed, but she will probably sail for London to-day.

Being in doubt whether to use 1 the word “colonial” or “colonist”, in describing an Australian visitor, a “Daily Chronicle” representative asked a well-known squatter from New South Wales for advice iri the matter. “Well,” said the old gentleman, “1 dislike being called a ‘colonial.’ lam a ‘colonist.’ But y boys and girls, who - were all bom out there, glory,in calling themselves ‘colonials. 5 ' Tho_. wprdi has crept in with; the increase of the* native or cplonially-born population, and the word ‘colonist’ will disappear when we old stagers hand'over the reins to those that come after us. However,” continued the old gentleman, with' a twinkle in his eye, “after January; Jst next, be careful about using the word 1 ‘colonial’ at-all,- or you will have some of the young men of the new 4Naction’ jumping on you. Call them. Australians and you are all right.”

Rev John Crowes received mournful intelligence concerning one of his brothers by the last English mail. It appears that Mr Joseph Henry Crewe s, who occupied a good position in the Transvaal, being tutor’ at one time to a nephew of ex-President Steyn, suddenly ceased to communicate with his people at Truro, Cornwall, England. .Mr J. F. Grewes, another brother, wrote repeatedly, but received, no answer to his letters. Subsequently a - Cbrnishman, who had been confined in Matching with Baden-Powell’s forces, ascertained something about the missing man. Mr Orewes was a surveyor by profession, and having resided. k6me twenty years in the country was particularly well known. He was well acquainted with ex-President Kruger, and being a noncombatant, - had received assurance of his safety. It appears, however, that he had been seized, along with a number of others, and imprisoned. Five persons, including Mr Or ewes, were confined in a cell Bft square. After a short captivity, Mr Crewes was , attacked by a malignant fever, and died. At present that is all the information that his sorrowing relatives have been able to obtain.

A very rare fish, a lampas, was recently caught in the Mangapaniki River, at Tahoraite. In place of a mouth it hae blowholes and a sucking apparatus, by means of which it can climb rocks. The Maoris greatly prize this curious fish.

A preliminary inquiry was held on Friday afternoon by Mr IX MoKellar, Collector of Customs, into the breaking away of tb© Karamea from her moorings at the Queen’s Wharf on Thursday evening. The evidence of Captain Burton', Pilot Shilling, Mr J. Crawford (chief engineer of the Karamea), Mr Binnie (second engineer, who was in charge of the engines when the mishap occurred), and Mr Jackson (third officer) was taken. The Nelson “Colonist’’ regrets"' to learn from the Golden Bay district that some, at all events, of the oyster beds in that bay have been destroyed bv the slime which made its appearance in such quantities a short time ago. After dredging a bed on which there were a large quantity of fine oysters at the end! of last season, cue operator returned, with less than three dozen live oysters.It is feared that the oysters in Tasman Bay have also suffered largel}-. ; In recognition of Messrs Orr and Dodder throwing open McNaVs Gardens for the entertainment of the Imperial troops on the 12th, the Premier has forwarded the following letter to the firm:—“On behalf of the colony I thank you very sincerely for. placing your beautiful gardens in the bands of. the Government for the purpose of entertaining the Imperial troops. Theywere quit© delighted, and the scenery reminded them of spots in the dear old Motherland from which they are at the present moment so far away.—(Signed) R. J. Seddon.”

A feature of the shipping industry for th© last two years has been the addition to fleets under the British flag of. th© best and largest types of ships, while a vast amount of old tonnage has been sold to competing countries. Last year the tonnage . register sold to foreign flags amounted to over 650,000. Eight of the leading mercantile nations of Europe bought old tonnage from Great Britain, varying from 22,000 to 100,000 tons. The .new tonnage added to British mercantile fleets during the year amounted to oyer .1,100,000 tons, to which sailing ships contributed only 20,000 tons. The tonnage added to the fleets was about 10,000 tons lower than the record for a year, which was established in 1899.

Trooper F. Ei Morrison, oif Blenheim, who returned with the Karamea’s contingent from South Africa, chatting with th© Hon C. H. Mills on the 15th, said that, together with about 400 others, he was on cue occasion cap tuned by De Wet’s commando. Through showing kindness to some Boer women .refugees, . Morrison ingratiated himself with the Boer leader, and had several opportunities of speaking with him. B© Wefc announced his intention of fighting l till the death. “But don’t you see it} is inevitable you must be beaten?” said Morrison. “Yes,’’ replied the Flying • Dutchman, sorrowfully • “we realise that. We shall be beaten, but we shall never be conquered.” Trooper Morrison, says the prisoners were very kindly treatpd by the Boers, whose character, both as individuals'aiid as a'people, he thinks has been very much under-rated.

In the maintenance ease brought by a single woman against a Wellington resident, that he, being the father of her unborn child, was about to leave the colony without making provision for the child’s maintenance, some unusual features were brought into prominence before Dr McArthur, S.M., on the loth. The defendants-a married mail —-met- the petitioner in Blenheim.. Defendant admittedly wrote a letter to petitioner, which the .latter subsequently handed to defendant’s; wife, who . destroyed, it. ■ Complainant alleged.. tnat in lit defendant admitted paternity of tb:e» child. For the defence it was alleged that the letter was onlv an answer to a -begging letter sent by complainant. The evidence tendered - failed to move that the defendant was;about to leave his place of residence permanently, and .the Magistrate, ,in accordance with ah objection taken by Mr Wilfcrd* dismissed the ease without prejudice to any steps which might bey taken .when the child shall be horn. . Mr. Dunne appeared for the complainant. ■■■■.'- Messrs McLean-‘ and Sons,, contractors for the Glasgow Wharf, have up to date made fair progress with thp structure, considering the initial delay that took place in procuring the necessary timber, and the fact that, they have been hampered by the scarcity’of carpenters. The firm is paying from 8s to-as high -as T2s per day for labour* the latter 1 sum being paid to - shipwrights The contractors have endeavoured to obtain shipwrights from other parts of the colorry, and would be prepared to engage 1 ten more at once, if they could get them. Notwithstanding these difficulties, however, Messrs McLean and Sons do not expect 'that- they will exoeed the contract time for completing the work (June next) by more than a month or ■ two. The structure is so far advanced that the whole -r f the' decking will be completed in a few* weeks. The necessity for the wharf is becoming more apparent.. jn . shipping circles every day. ? Before it 1 is completed and. equipped for use,, however, considerable time ihust still elapse, as"'''extensive sheds and hhuling gear will have to be erected.