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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6531, 23 March 1882, Page 2

Mr Hardcastle, District Judge, leaves for Wanganui to-day to preside over a sitting of the District Court in that town.

The “ privileges ” for the forthcoming Nelson races realised £io Is at auction, such privileges including booths, game?, and cards. The Greytown Cricket Club have signalised themselves by two recent victories. On Saturday they were the conquering team at Masterton in the match Masterton v. Greytown, and on Tuesday were again the victors in the match with tbs Taita Club, played in Mr Stewart’s paddock at Greytown. A man named Benjamin Caleb Thatcher, formerly of Dunedin, b.t now a resident of Wellington, was arrested on board the s.s. Penguin yesterday, on a warrant charging him being about to desert his wife. He will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning.

The s.s. Penguin, which arrived at Wellington yesterday from Pictonand Nelson, brought two prisoners ere route to Lyttelton. One of them was a man named Charles Oblsen, charged with deserting his ship, and the other was a boy named Charles Gilbert, who is on his way to the Burnham Industrial School, The Hospital return for the week ending March 21st shows number of patients admitted during the week, 6 males 2 females ; discharged, 4 males, 1 female ; died, 1 female ; remaining in Hospital at data of return, 58 males, 19 females. The out-patients for the week numbered 110.

The “ Nelson Colonist ” reports that a serious accident happened on Saturday last to a young man named Gifford, at Motueka. It appears that by some means he got one of his hands into a threshing machine, when the flesh and sinews were much torn and mangled as far as the elbow.

Mr D. T. Stuart received a telegram from Oollingwood yesterday from the Manager of the Golden Ridge Quartz Company, West Wanganui, stating that he had just gone over the mine, and found everything in a very satisfactory condition. Further particulars will be supplied by letter. There was a brief sitting of the Court of Appeal yesterday before his Honor Judge Richmond, when the case of Brogden v. the Queen was called on. This was an application by the plaintiff for an amendment, but on the application of Mr Travers it was allowed to stand over until the next sitting of the Court.

Another unfortunate lunatic was brought from Wanganui by the s.s. Huia on Tuesday, and sent to the Wellington Lunatic Asylum. The extraordinary number of lunatics sent here from Wanganui has frequently been a subject of remark. As a matter of fact the duty of escorting lunatics from Wanganui to Wellington occupies the time ot one police constable almost exclusively'. Last Tuesday evening, at the Temperance Hall, Greytown, the Work and Win Juvenile Temple held an open meeting, and the hall was crowded. Afterwards an entertainment was held, Bro. D’Arcy (Masterton) in the chair. Musical selections and readings by various ladies and gentlemen were given, and a Spelling Bee held under the supervision of Mr Nation. The superintendent, Mr Rush, must be credited with the arrangement and carrying out of the affair, which gave much local satisfaction.

If the Inspector ot Nuisances for the city possesses a nasal organ of ordinary sensitiveness, a stay of a few moments at the corner of Boulcott and Willis-streets will speedily convince him that the stench arising from the drains in that locality must be positively dangerous to the public health, to say nothing of its offensiveness. While on the subject of bad smells, we might also draw attention to some stagnant and fever-breeding pools on some vacant sections fronting Kent-terrace. The Masterton Debating Society, at their last meeting, held a debate on “ Military Drill for boys under 16.” It was argued that military drill was perfectly useless from a national point of view, inasmuch as civilisation was bringing war into disrepute, and that “ manly bearing and deportment and muscular vigor could be cultivated by useful exercise, instead of training children to go through a lot of uniform evolutions like a community of monkeys.” The opponents ot this extraordinary argument numbered seven to four.

Featheraton, which can boast of one of the best cricket clubs in the Wairarapa, can also point to several instances ot singular scores. On Monday, a Hutt team, proceeded across the Rimutaka, and after each had played an innings, in which the visitors had nearly 60 runs to the good, the local eleven: was put “ through ” for six. We 1 believe this is the second time that the players of that township have made so small a score, exactly the same figure having been made in a match with Masterton in the season of 1874-75.

Every day we hear complaints as to the overcrowding of the tram oars, and we v think it high time that some pressure were brought to bear on the Company to induce it to pay a little more attention to the comfort of the public. The cars that run between Thorndon and Newtown after business hours in the evening are invariably crowded to excess, and over a dozen persons generally find standing room on each ol the platforms. This is, of course, very inconvenient for ladies who wish to get in and out, and who , are too often compelled to push their way through a crowd of men and boys.

Just as the s.s. Penguin was about to sail for the South yesterday afternoon, a woman named Anne Nugent, better known to the police here and at Dunedin as “ Port Wine Annie,” made, her way on board, with the evident intention of securing a cheap passage, for she had neither money nor ticket. Her explanation that she required change of air, the climate of Wellington not suiting her constitution, was hot deemed satisfactory, considering her impecunious condition, and Sergeant Anderson was asked to take her ashore. He performed his task with his accustomed gallantry, but did not escort Miss Nugent to the lock-up, as the officers for the Union Company did not wish to prosecute her. At Oamaru, a few days ago, a novel walking match took place between Mr W. McKay and Mr J. Calling's fast-walking horse, ridden by its owner. The “ Mail” says there was some amount of speculation over the event, the horse being the favorite, though the man had some friends. The match was for £25 a-side. At the start McKay took the lead, and maintained it for'some time. Then the horse gained upon him, but at once broke, and had to be pulled and turned. This gave McKay a strong lead, and he held it until rounding the turn for home, when the horse drew upon him, but again broke. From this but McKay had pretty much his own way, and won by between 30 and 40 yards, amidst loud cheering. The time was given lOmin. 14seo. for the mile and three-quarters. ,

The Christchurch- “ Globe” remarks of one of Ihe present candidates for the Wakauui seat; —“ Mr Saunders is certainly not a modest man, and bis description of the manner in which the fate of the Ministry has often been decided by himself and Mr Swanson, while sitting over the library fire at the House, is extremely rich. Little did the gentlemen who were disporting themselves in swallow-tails at the Speaker's dinners, or, worse still, gyrating at Government balls, know what was going on in that library. These two sturdy old mechanics, of ‘ the same age, the same height, the same build, the same weight,’ were settling the affairs of the country, much to their own satisfaction ; they were the power behind the Throne that was, unseen by the vulgar, pulling the strings by the pure force of their own rugged determination not to be lured into the festivities which a gay and wickedly se.duotivo capital offers at certain times,”

Evidence of cnlpable carelessness was elicited at the inquest held at Port Lyttelton on Thursday last, touching the death of a man named Peter Leuhrs. He had been employed in discharging the cargo of coal ,of the ship Carnarvon Castle, and a tub of coal capsized and fell upon him as he was standing in the square of,the hatchway below. John Snow, a fellow-workman, testified to the facta of the case, and said that", had the tub been properly fastened, it, could not have capsized, and that it was the duty of the deceased to secure the catch of the tub before allowing it to be hauled up. Later evidence told the tale of careless management. In the opinion of the engineer, the buckets, or tubs, were so fastened that the least thing would unfasten them, and that, in point of fact, in nine buckets out of ten the catch was of no use at all. The mate of the vessel and a juryman also stated that they had seen the buckets so readily, capsized that the catch was really ft trap to lure men to their death. ’ It appeared also that two days prior to the fatal accident’the identical bucket which had capsized on the deceased had capsized and ; thrown the coal over the side. . According to the Coroner and the jury, it was a case of gross negligence in which nobody In particular was to blame. *' ;

To-morrow, the New Zealand Times Summary for Europe will be published, the mail via San Francisco closing here at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Summary will contain as usual a full compendium of all the news of the month—local, colonial, and general. In reference te a paragraph furnished us by our Greytown correspondent, and published in our issue ot Monday last, Mr H. Giles, of Carterton, writes that the statement made in such paragraph that he had attempted the life of bis wife and daughter is a falsehood. We publish Mr Giles' avowal, and await our correspondent’s explanation. To-day an important sale of shares in various insurance companies and building societies will be held by Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., at their auction rooms, Panama-street, commencing at 2.30 o’clock. In addition to tho shares, a four-roomed house in Hawkerstreet, and a three-roomed cottage in Danielstreet, will be sold.

The contents of the stomach of a large kingfish, which was recently caught at the Heads, caused a good deal of astonishment when it was opened at the shop of Mesare Lawrie and Fernandos the other day. There were three lead sinkers—one of them being about four inches long, and weighing over a quarter of a pound—three fish-hooks, about two yards of strong fishing line, and two large tarakihi. The fact tends to show that this fish is not behind the shark in voracity. The Wellington Gas Company having reduced the price ot gas used by separate meter for stoves or engines to three shillings per 1000 cubic feet net, is having the effect of considerably increasing the consumption. Gas stoves and cooking apparatus appear to be finding favor with housewives, and as, at the price it is supplied at now, gas is really m uoh cheaper than wood or coal, and far more oleanly, we expect before long to see it come into very general use. It ill be seen from an advertisement in another column that the Austrian Band is kindly giving a farewell concert for the benefit of the Wellington Volunteers in recognition of their having given up the shed for the last three nights to enable the Band to give its concerts. No doubt there will be a large attendance. We learn that a special train will he applied for from Petone and the Lower Hutt to enable the Petone contingent of the Naval Brigade, and others who may be desirous of attending, to be present. At the Athenceum, on Monday evening, the Rising Star Juvenile Temple held its weekly session, which was presided over by Bro. Hall, Superintendent, who gave an address upon “ The dileterious effects of smoking tobacco.” A letter was read from the Crystal Spring Degree Temple, which dwelt upon the importance of the Degree work, and urged qualified members to come forward and take the degrees. Bro. Hall also referred to this matter, and stated that it was very desirable that the request of the letter be acceded to, A correspondent writing to a northern contemporary asks the following pertinent question in reference to Post Office Savings Bank books :—To the Editor.—Sir, —Can you tell me why the signatures of depositors are inserted in the pass books given to them ? I have never seen this done in the Australian Colonies, and I cannot but think it is a bad custom and a temptation to dishonesty in the event of the book being lost and falling into the hands of an unscrupulous person, who finds a signature which he. can easily copy. Surely the signature is required only in the deposit office.—Yours, &0., L.S.D.” Two terrible tr agedies were recently enacted at Noumea. A few months ago a Frenchman named Odey arrived with his wife at Noumea from France. Madame Odey opened a wineshop in the town, and her husband found employment in the interior. Hearing some ugly rumors regarding his wife’s conduct, Odey returned to Noumea, and, after quarrelling with his wife, he shot her dead with a revolver, blowing his own brains out immediately afterwards. The second occurrence was even more fatal. It seems that a boat with stores landed at the convict prison, and was left in charge of several Kanakas. Seven convicts, eager to escape, took possession of the boat, throwing the Kanakas overheard, and they were rowing off, when the officials fired upon them. Two were killed, and another was severely wounded. The other four convicts were removed to the prison.

Notes on Autumn Fashions.— Velvet promises to be more fashionable than ever, and the woman who can have a velvet dress, but remains without one, and yet has no good and sufficient reason for not possessing it, deserves to be ostracised by her sex. Oh ! all ye painters of past ages, step forth and testify to the becomingness of these rich blacks, glowing clarets, mellow greens, and dignified blues. Why, they are the very soul of beautiful dressing, and blessed be the brain hat invented them ! It would gladden the hearts of all admirers of the beautiful to look at the select assortment of Rich Brocaded Velvets, in every fashionable hue, and of extremely handsome designs, the very silky, fine, close pile, plain color Velveteens, in most superb shades, just imported by Jambs Smith, Te Aro House.— [Advt.] j It has been truly remarked that of all tho boons conferred on mankind by science none excel, and few equal, that of correcting by optical means the defects and irregularities of sight, whether such exist, from alteration in structure or malformation of that wonderful and delicate organ, the eye. As it is to each of us so important, any means by which we can assist to preserve it must be hailed with satisfaction, and a few moments spent with T. R. Procter, oculist’s optician, opposite Barraud’s, chemist, Lambton-quay, to get the sight tested, may notbeunprofitably employed, indeed, may even be the means of directing the reader’s attention to a proper consideration of this subject.— [Advt.] • Thambs-street Industries, by Percy Russell. This Illustrated Pamphlet on Perfumery, &c., published at6d., may be had gratis from any Chemist in the world, or John Gosnell And Co., London.— [Advt.] j ! Dr. Wilkins, Oculist and Aurist, from Christchurch, is now in Wellington, and will remain until the 2nd proximo, to treat patients suffering from all diseases of the Eye, Ear, and Throat.—Rooms at Mr Bae- : baud’s.—[Advt,] “As SHINES A GOOD DEED IN A NAUGHTY world,” stands out, amidst the mass of trashy ' specifics and deleterious concoctions, the pure, unadulterated, palatable preparation known as TJdolpho Wolee’s Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps. It is a panacea full of balm, with healing in every draught, A mild stimulant, : a gentle tonic, an effective diuretic, an invigorating cordial, a most pleasant and active elixir, performing its offices with the swiftness and directness of a faithful and potent agent,— [Advt.]