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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6688, 23 September 1882, Page 2

The Committee of the Wellington Rifle Association met at the Drillshed last night for the purpose o' arranging for the expenses of two representativ to the New Zealand rifle meeting in Dunedin. It was also resolved that two matches be fired at the Polhill Gully range on the 2lst October, at 200, 300, and 500 yards, five shots at each range; the highest ten men to give a second stage match of seven shots at £OO yards.

An inquest will be held this afternoon by G, B. Davy, Esq., touching the death of an infant who rather suddenly expired in a domicile in Grainger-street on Thursday, The 400th anniversary of the introduction of printing into Vieana has been celebrated by an exhibition of specimens of Viennese printing since 1842. Among the objects shown was a collection of the newspapers issued in the Austrian capital during 1848. The other day a sailor iu Auckland smashed several panes of glass in a shop in Queenstreet. He did not run away, and when arrested and asked the reason for his conduct replied that he wished to be sent to gaol to get clear of bis ship. Several claims at Eimu (late Upper Woodstock) have washed up lately with satisfactory results. Among others, a claim in the neighborhood of Thomas and party's ground, is reported to have obtained IBoz gold from about 55 loads of dirt.—Hokitika paper. As showing the ruling spirit strong in death, almost the last words spoken by the late Mr Walters when he recovered temporary consciousness from his apoplectic seizure were concerning some of bis favorite horses, and having uttered them, he again relapsed into that sleep which knows no waking. Sir George Grey has an imitator in the New South Wales Parliament. Mr Buchanan, of Protectionist fame, has given notice of his intention to move—“ That the practice of the British Government in conferring titles on the people of this country is inconsistent with the spirit and character of our democratic institutions, and ought to he discontinued.’’

The veteran comedian, familiarly known all over the colony as “ Johnny ” Hydes, has been seized by an affliction that is expected to terminate only with the grave. A letter has been received in Christchurch from Melbourne stating that he is suffering from fatty degeneration of the heart, and, at the time of writing, there were no hopes of his recovery. The other day, at a meeting of the Salvation Army at Chatham, a speaker informed his bearers that he bad been as bad as they were, and that for twenty years he had been in the Devil’s service. “ Why, then,” asked a practical non-commissioned officer who was listening, “ did you not serve a year longer, when you would have got a full pension and a long-service medal ?”

The Christchurch “Press ” notes that in the manifest of the Rangitikei is an item of 49 n bales woollen clippings. This item of expert, it appears, consists of the tailors’ clippings from Canterbury tweed from the Kaiapoi Clothing Company’s factory. It is stated that they will be bought up iu England by cloth manufacturers, and will be made into what would be considered in the Home country very good cloth. Here, of course, they are of no use for that purpose, as the demand is for the best article, and a cloth that will stand the requirements of the colonists better. The “ Colonist ” says Nelson will not be very largely represented at the forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association which opens at Dunedin on the 3rd November, but each of the adult companies will send one or more representatives South. Seaman Hunter has been chosen to represent the Naval Brigade ; the H Battery will send two men, who will be chosen shortly. It is intended to hold three competitions similar to those fixed for the Carbine Belt matches, and the two highest aggregate scorers will represent the battery. The City Rifles, Stoke Rifles, and Waimea Rifles, will each send at least ouo man.

' A Home paper to hand per last mail contains the following, under date Alexandria, August 14 :—“ A correspondent had the following interview with ReouS Pasha, who arrived here yesterday, and from Arabi’s camp Correspondent ; When did you see Arab! ? ReouS ; Thursday ; at Kafr. el-Dwar. Correspondent: Did be show any sign of the white feather ! ReouS :No ; he will fight to the last. The whole nation backs him up. He told me : ‘ I will have the naval support of France and Italy, and the friendly advice of De Lesseps and of the Italian Consul, and I have friends in some members of the Stamboul Conference. I will fight till the English or my countrymen are exterminated.’”

The “ Bruce Herald ” is responsible for the following :—“ At Green Island they either get peculiar school teachers, or are themselves a peculiar people—probably the latter. At the last , meeting of the local School Committee, one of the members said that it appeared to him there was an educational curse on, the -district. The first master was so persecuted that be ended his Career in a lunatic asylum. The second was hounded anc goaded by the mealy and milky aristocracy, because he did not bear the orthodox ecclesiastical badge ; and now they had the third charged with incapacity, peculiarity of temper, and lack of prudence. Where was this to end I ” An apparatus for separating gold from sand baa been recently devised for use in the placet regions of West Mexico and Central America, where gold-bearing sands are found at too great a distance from water to make hydraulic mining profitable. The machine is about sft in diameter, and is arranged to throw the sand by centrifugal force against a “ wall ” of mercury, maintained in position by centrifugal action, In this way, it is claimed, every particle of gold is brought into contact with the mercury, and thus amalgamated, while the sand is blown away by means of an air blast. The machine is said to treat a ton of sand in twenty minutes, and to be so certain in its operation as to make it possible to wash over, with profit, the tailings of mines worked by other systems. A recent number of the “ Daily News ” contains the following remarkable paragraph “ It is stated that the three major-generals of the Guards over whose heads the Duke of Connaught has been promoted to the command of the Guard’s Brigade on active service had each paid the sum of £4OOO to secure the chance now lost to them.” If this statement is correct it is open to more than one . remark.. What was the payment said to have been made by the officers in question! People generally, are under the impression that purchase has been abolished. Is it creditable that, though it is now impossible to purchase an ordinary commission, an officer is still able to buy a command of special importance and difficulty ? No respectable English auctioneer, says an exchange, now dares to sell an advowson on account of the sarcasms of the Curates’Alliance. They have given up the question of simony, as not adapted for the saleroom, and go in for chaff. What is really very curious, they succeed. The auctioneer endeavors to take high ground, and has, of course, a certain advantage in his rostrum, bat, in the end, the curates are too much for him. They insist upon knowing, as possible purchasers, the age to which the grandfather and grandmother of the present inenmbent , attained ; they say the living is a speculative investment, and they want to have the facts. This tickles the Jews, who therefore decline to bid, and “ the lot” is not sold. It will be strange, indeed, if a system which, rotten as it is, has withstood so long the arguments of religion and morality, should at last succumb to comic curates.

The “ Inangahua Herald ” of the 18th says: —Mr W. H. Buchan’s new gold saving process continues to engross a large share of attention from all persons directly interested in quartz mining, and the modus operandi is being daily exhibited to numbers of visitors. An a proof of Mr Buchan’s confidence in the efficacy of the invention, be has made an offer'to the Welcome Company to erect.a plant, entirely at his own cost, to treat the tailings from their battery at Boatman’s, and return the Company a certain percentage of the gold extracted. The offer is now under consideration by the Welcome Directors, and the issue will probably be made known in a day or two. There is this much to be said of the invention, that should it in practice fully realise the anticipations raised, and of which there seems no possible room for doubt, the value of quartz mining ventures in this district will be proportionally enhanced. There is (says the “Grey River Argus a humorist at Reefton, and bis latest funuyism is worthy of a place amongst the jokeleta of the hour. A distinguished stranger and a representative of “foreign capital ” recently introduced himself to the Reefton public, floated around, met with a cordial welcome, and generally speaking, was made quite at home. In the course of bis stay he made the acquaintance of our humorous friend, who happens to be a mining speculator. It is not stated whether his humorous propensities are the result of his business arrangements, or that his business has had the effect of developing his sense of humor. But it does not matter. Either way the anecdote is just as good. One of the peculiarities of Reefton is that the footprints of Father Henneberry , are not apparently very fresh and strong there, that is, assuming him to have ploughed in that stony ground. The result of the evening’s interchange was that the gentleman of “foreign capital,’’ on waking up next morning, found that for the small matter of £SO he had acquired a large interest in the modern Ophir. On inquiring shortly after from the benefactor who had given him such a princely endowment at such a ridiculously low figure, where the claim was, the man of mirth “My dear fellow, you have paid your money and can have your choice. Take it in any direction yon choose—east, west, north, or south —the claim is not yet pegged out! ” There was one man who did not see that joke, I

Mr Thomas Turnbull, architect, has been entrusted with the preparation of the necessary plans for the alterations in the Parliamentary Buildings, and will get them ready with all possible expedition, so that the work may be commenced without delay. The Hutt County Council will hold a special meeting at 11 a.m. on Monday next for the purpose of considering a further application from the Wellingtou-Manawatu Railway Company for permission to remove the toll gate at Kaiwarra 100 ft, and also to reconsider a resolution passed on the subject on the 12th inst. A new use for orange peel has been discovered by a Manchester man. A quantity of orange peel being collected, it is dried in or on the oven until ail the moisture has been expelled. The peel then becomes readily inflammable, and serves admirably either for lighting fires or for resusitating them when they have nearly gone out. A son of Mr Nation, of Greytown, met with a somewhat serious accident on Wednesday last. Standing on some loose boards covering a well near the Greytown School, the boards tilted up, and he fell into the well beneath. In the descent his head came into contact with some framework surrounding the piping, and he received a severe gash on the back part of the head. He is now progressing favorably. There was a very short sitting of the Resi dent Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr B. Hardcastle. Mary Ann Richards was fined ss, with the alternative of twelve hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness ; and George Pearce, a seaman, charged with absenting himself from the ship Fleione without leave, was discharged with a caution. There was no civil business before the Court, excepting the taking of evidence in the case Thomson v. the owners of the p.s. Samson, a claim of £IOO. The evidence will be forwarded to New Plymonth.

A most extraordinary condition of affairs has, for some time past, prevailed in the Wanganui Boys’ High School, The head master and second master have virtually been dismissed for unseemly disputing in the presence of their pupils, and the third master has brought a charge ef immorality againt Mr Foulis, the Inspector, We learn from the Wanganui papers that the conference of the Education Board and the School Committee, after hearing what the complainant had to say in support of the charge, dismissed it as being of too trivial a character to be held over even till the return of Mr Foulis.

A paragraph at present going the rounds of the Press about the abolition of fourpenny pieces recalls to mind an anecdote. When the British mint ceased to issue these coins, the question was asked in the House of Commons why this particular coin had been abandoned. The Under-Secretary for the Treasury replied. A Scotch member, notorious for his extreme penuriousness, was then moved to ask why they bad ever been coined. The Under-' Secretary looked nonplussed, and would probably have asked that notice should be given of the question, when the late Lord Beaconsfield (then plain " Dizzy *') was observed to whisper to him, after which the Under-Secre-tary rose, and amidst roars of laughter gravely stated that “it was in order to encourage Scotchmen to be generous—but it bad been a failure."

Twenty-six thousand trout ova arrived per steamer .Kingarooma, from Dunedin, yesterday morning, to the order .of- the Wellington and Wanganui Acclimatisation Societies. , The local portion consists of 20,000, half of which were, taken .by Mr (George Denton to the hatching boxes of the Society, the other half being forwarded to,the Wairarapa by the late train, under the care of Mr Butherfurd, who attended to receive. The Wanganui consignment was forwarded to its destination by the Huia. The ova arrived in excellent condition, and only eight of those which were placed in the local boxes were found dead, though it is, of course, not to be expected that the whole of the remainder will batch out. The young fish will be placed in the Hutt river and in some of the smaller streams in the neighborhood of the city. The balk of the Wairarapa portion will be distributed amongst the numerous tributaries of the Buamahanga. The members of the Wellington Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society held a meeting on Thursday evening, when a fine array of spring flowers and vegetables was exhibited. The chief exhibitors were Messrs P. Cooper, A. McKay, W. Jay, P. Murray, D. Wilkinson, W. Heighten, and W. H. Taylor. The most noteworthy features were a grand cineraria, brought by Mr jay from the conservatory of T. K. Macdonald, Esq, (thh plant was of very large proportions and well grown); an enormous plant of white primula, brought; by Mr Heighten, and the property, of Joseph Burne, Esq. ; a superior collection of nut blooms of cineraria, brought by Mr Taylor from the conservatory of Sir James Prendergast ; fine collection of cut flowers, brought by Mr McKay and Mr Cooper, and some colosssal asparagus grown at the Hutt by Mr Cooper. A fine collection of pansies brought by Mr Durnett, excited considerable surprise at this early season. About two years ago a small company was formed by a few residents at Featberston for the purpose of prospecting for coal on Mr Barton’s estate, at Fernside, small pieces of coal having been found and brought into the township on several occasions. The venture fell through in consequence of the Company not having sufficient means to continue prospecting, and also from not being sure they were working in the right spot, although there was every indication of coal being near, small pieces being continually found in the mass of fire-clay they were working in. Dr. Hector expressed opinion that the place where prospecting was carried on was only a slip, and that it would be necessary to go farther back into the range to find the seam. Since that time nothing has been done to further develop it, but a proposition has been made to organise a company with sufficient means to thoroughly prospect the locality. Our Featherston correspondent states that the seam of . clay wherein the first prospecting operations were carried out extends all along the foot of the ranges from the bed of the Tauherenikau river into Featherston ; and that, by the use of a boring apparatus, no doubt before long coal in. payable quantities would be discovered. “In fitting out the,Egyptian expedition,!' says a Home paper, “We are glad to say that everything possible is beingdone by the Government to alleviate the sufferings of our troops during the campaign. Unfortunately, the hot season will have set in before the war commences. To protect the eyes of our soldiers against the blazing Egyptian sun, 20,000 pairs of blue spectacles have been ordered, and a pair is to be given to each man previous to his embarkation. Each soldier is also to be provided with an Indian helmet and a veil. We have beard a good deal about the cutting off of the water supply, but so long as water can be obtained at all, our troops will be all right, as each man will carry one of those excellent sllicated carbon pocket filters which proved of such immense value in the Ashantee and Zulu Wars. Besides their superior purifying properties, the filters now supplied have the advantage of having the carbon enclosed in a china cell for protection, making the filters better fitted to stand rough usage. An extra 5000 of these pocket filters have just been ordered of the Silioated Carbon Filter Cornpan}, of Battersea, who are also supplying a number of ambulance filters of the pattern approved of by the Army Medical Department. ’ No wonder the Egyptians made snob a poor stand against Sir Garnet Wolseley. Who could withstand the extraordinary sight oi an army of blue-spectacled white-helmeted beings swooping down oh. them 1 The British forces, with their veils and goggles, must look more like a body of savans fossicking ic the sands of the desert for buried ruins or fossil specimens than a sensible body of disciplined troops.

In spite of growing opposition and rivalry in all the colonies, and of the great activity of the Government agents in New Zealand,, the two life insurance companies in Sydney appear to command the leading poeitiontyand to make wonderfully rapid progress. The Mutual Life Association (of which Mr J. Stuart Reid is the agent for Wellington) has recently held its thirteenth annual meeting in Sydney, and from the report and statement of accounts submitted to the members the past year has been one of great prosperity, the new business alone amounting to £21,742 in additional annual premiums, whilst the claims have been remarkably light, amounting in the aggregate to only £15,561. The assets of the Compiny now stand at £237,096, against £188,942 last year, or an increase of . nearly £49,000 in a single year to the funds of the Association. The total policies in force on the 30 th of June last amounted to 8102, assuring £2,374,942, and producing an annual income of £81749, whilst the interest upon invested funds exceeded £15,000, bringing the total revenue to £97,000 per annum. It will be seen from the above figures, quoted from the balance-sheet, that the interest from invested funds met all the mortality claims upon the Association, and enabled the Board of Directors to add all their premiums, as well as the income from new business, to their general funds. In addition to this the accumulated funds held as assets have been doubled in amount duringthe short space of three years. This unprecedented success should very largely benefit assurers in the future, as the Association is a “ mutual ” one, and all the profits are divided amongst the members in the shape of bonus additions, or cash, at stated periods.

Messrs Gray es and Fleming, of Cuba-atreet, have made arrangements far opening a branch establishment in Palmerston North.

This morning the son rose at 5.43 ; this afternoon it also sets at 5.43; thus the equinoctial period is reached, and the daylight period henceforth every 24 hours expands. The export of timber for the week ending September 17th, from the Feilding station, exceeds 1,000,000 feet, principally for shipment to the South Island.

The entertainment announced to be given at the Mount Cook Infant School this afternoon in aid of the fund for improving the play-ground has been postponed in consequence of the prevalence of measles.

Mr William Ellerslie Wallace died suddenly at Otaki on Friday night. Ee was the eldest son of the late Mr John Wallace, and brother to MrJ. H. Wallace, of this city. He was one of the pioneer New Zealand Company settlers, having arrived in the colony in 1840, in the ship Glenbervie. The Naval Brigade will compete for firstclass cup and company’s gold and silver medals at Polhill Gully range this morning, commencing at 5.30, and in the afternoon at 2 o’clock ; ranges, 200, 300, and 500 yards, seven shots at each range. The last five shots will count for medals.

The Harmonic Club held their third private concert at the Athenssura last evening. The programme comprised—Part 1., Acis and Galatea, a seranata. Part 11., Selections, musical and vocal, from Mozart, Franz, Hatton, Liszt, Brahms, Macfarren, and Auber.

At No. 9 room. Athenaeum, the Star of Wellington Lodge held its weekly session on Thursday evening, when, after the usual business was over, a district convention was held, and Bro. A. Guise, Lodge Deputy, occupied the chair. The various Lodges throughout the district were well represented. A resolution was unanimously adopted that the next session of the Grand Lodge should be held in Wellington. An accident which might have resulted fatally occurred at Palmerston North on Thursday. The “ Manawatu Times ” reports that a woman named Knight, whose husband works at Awahuri for Mr McDonald, had driven into town and was getting out of the trap, which contained three children, when the horse bolted. The trap was taken right over a drain, one child being bumped out, but the other two held on until the trap was eventually upset. Fortunately, beyond a few bruises and sprains, no damage was done. Mr Buskin, in the concluding paragraphs of his lecture on‘‘Snakes,” touches the modem system of university training. He glances regretfully at the old days when “ the delightful meal of knowledge was not so common as now," and when “young people really hungered and thirsted after it,” He likens the modern system of education to the way the boa constrictor “ hitches himself on to his meat—like a coal-sack,” till at last, says he, “ Heaven help us, your university doctors are going at snch a rate that it will be all we can do, soon, to know a man from a sausage.” The people of Melbourne have just been very much frightened by the rumor that a manufacture of oleomargarine is about to be established there. Experts attempt to allay the excitement by arguing that good oleomargarine is better than bad butter ; and, as nearly all the butter in Melbourne has been bad for some months, it is possible consumers may be better off with chemically-transformed tallow than with the natural fatty, principle supplied by the cow. Moreover, the oleomargarine may bring down the price of batter, which has lately been as high as 3s fid per lb, and exceedingly indifferent at that. A man named Bicbard William Aldridge, who has recently served a term of two years’ imprisonment, was arrested in Hopper-streety esterday afternoon by Detective Chrystal on a charge of obtaining a leg of mutton and 2s from the children of Mrßichardson, butcher, of Cubastreet. It is alleged that, in the absence of Mr Bichardson, accused went to the shop, and by representing himself as a Mr Oliver obtained the meat in question from Mr Bichardson’s daughter, and afterwards frightened her brother into giving him two shillings. He will be brought up at the Beaident Magistrate’s Court this morning. A meeting of the Committee of the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Dog Show: was held at the Central Hotel last night ; Mr. Hayes in the chair. The Secretary reported that eighteen members of the. Committee had agreed to become responsible for £2 2s each in the event of the show not proving a financial success. The motion passed at the previous meeting that members of Committee should each deposit £2 2s was rescinded. Mr B. Bruce Wallace was elected a member of the Committee, and it was resolved to communicate with the railway department, asking that return tickets should be issued at single fares available from Thursday to Saturday. The question of engaging a band was discussed, and the Secretary was instructed to make inquiries as to cost. The list of judges was completed, and it was decided to canvas the town for subscriptions. The meeting then adjourned until 7.30 p.na. on Wednesday next. We regret to notice the death, at the age of 63 years, of Mr Charles A. Vallanoe, which occurred at his residence, near Masterton, early yesterday morning. Mr Vallance arrived in Wellington in 1840, and therefore shared in all the hardships against which the first settlers bad to contend. He resided near. Wellington till about 1865, when he removed to Kaumingi, a station some 15 miles from Masterton, of which he was part owner. In 1875 he removed to his late residence, where he has resided ever since. He was one among the most energetic of the early settlers, and Stirling qualities earned him the respect of all who knew him. Though for many years in very indifferent health, he took an active interest in all local matters. He was a Jos< tice of the Peace, a Past Master of the local Masonic Lodge, and for some time held the office of President of the Wairarapa Agricultural and Pastoral Society. He leaves several sons and daughters, all of whom are, however, beyond the age of childhood. His demise will be regretted throughout the provincial district. Mr J. L. Hall made the following valedictory address on the last night of his theatrical season in Dunedin ;—“ I have to thank yon for yonr attendance this evening. The season has been a losing one, for which, however, I cannot blame the members of my company or myself. I have repeatedly during the last twelve years endeavored to cater for your amusement, but have always gone away penniless. (A voice : “ Speak up ! ’’) I do speak up. I tell you (Mr Hall shrieking it out) that I go away from here penniless. Can you hear that ? I’ll speak np, I can tell you ! I’ve been to a large amount of expense in producing the best comedies, and the people of Dunedin have not supported me as they should have done. I can only say that the public would have supported me ,'better had the Press been a little more favorable—to that I attribute my losses in Dunedin.” He was very evidently a little “ off color ” when he made such a speech. In fact he exemplified the absurdity of theatrical people ever attempting to come before the cnrtain to talk.

Have you seen it ? The Mantle Department at Te Aro House is quite an Exhibition in its way. There are hundreds of Vjsites, Dolmans, and Jackets to select from, in all sizes, every prevailing shape, and in quite a plethora of materials. Ladies’ Cashmere Jackets, trimmed with Chenille fringe, Spanish lace, and jet passementerie, from 13s 6d to 67s 6d. Handsome Visites in Broche silk, trimmed with lace and jet passementerie, from 29s 6d to L 4 4s. Broche silk Dolmans, richly trimmed with Chenille lace and passementerie, from 67s 6d to L 7 • -75.. A bewildering profusion of Ladies’ Capes in Broche satin, sicilienne, and the new brocaded grenadine, from 7s 6dto 755. In the Costume Department, are thefashionable Nun’s veiling, in pretty wool beiges, in lovely shades of plain satteens, in zephyr cloths, in choice pompadour satteens, in black grenadines, in Madras muslins, and Madras lace. Inspect without delay the Exhib.tion at Te Abo House.—[Adtt.] Improved Sheep Shears. —As an article of the seasonable kind for the approaching shearing time, we draw particular attention to Marshall's Patent Double-Bow Sheep Shears. These patent elastic Sheep Shears are manufactured from the best cast steel, and by new and special machinery, which secures the important advantage of working steel at a lower heat, and dispensing with the uncertain process of welding. The blades being hammered and tempered in a superior manner, are warranted to carry an edge equal to the best made razors. The bows are double and firmly rivetted, thereby combining the greatest strength with the greatest elasticity. They are lighter, stronger, more compact and easier in the grip than any shear hitherto invented. They we-e two seasons ago introduced into Australia, and many .thousands of dozens have already been placed without a single complaint about their quality. As many as 3000 sheep have been shorn on the Darling with one pair of-these shears, and it is quite a common thing for 1500 to 2000 sheep to be turned off a single pair. Mr Scott, of Bathurst, who took the first prize at the Sydney International Exhibition, gives his opinion of the Marshall’s Shears as follows:—“I find them second to none ; I would advise all shearers to use them, as I can shear 120 a-day with these shears with more ease than I can 100 with most shears. I have had eighteen years’ experience, and can recommend them as really good, the grip small and lively.” To meet the requirements of all classes of shearers, each half-dozen parcels con-

tain shears of at least three different strengths of bows. To those who have not yet used these shears, we would suggest that they write to Messrs Robert Gardner and Co., Wholesale and Eetail Ironmongers, Lambton-quay W Ellington, who are agents for the and they will cheerfully supply, post free, particulars of prices and numbers.— [Advt. Thames Street Industries, by Percy Bussell.—This Illustrated Pamphlet on Perfumery, &c., published at fid., may be had gratis from any Chemist in the world, or John Gosnkll and Co., London.—[Advt.] Perpetuity belongs to. the eternities. Nothing human exists forever. The mechanism of the human system is a comparatively shortlived framework. The very operation of its component parts is a wear and tear upon the organism,_ and our chief study should be how to keep it unimpared as long as the power given ns enables us to accomplish that end. Udolpho Wolfe’s Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps will keep the machinery of tha body in better condition than any other known appliance.—[Advt.] 12