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New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 6816, 24 February 1883, Page 2

The resignation by Sir John Hall of his seat in the Home of Representatives is gazetted. We acknowledge the receipt of the Australasian Insurance and Banking Record for February.

The s.s. City of New York, with the January English mails, left San Francisco for Auckland on the 14th instant, four days later than time-table date. The s.s. ZeaUudia with the January colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco from Auckland on the 19th instant, three days earlier than time-table date.

Mr James Forsyth seems to be very successful with hia patent rabbit exterraimtor. He has cleared completely a farm of 600 acres in the Taieri district, and is now commencing operations on the New Zealand Agricultural Co’s station, Wantwood. Chinese are employed as harvesters in the Lake Wanaka District, and a Mr McDonald, woolclaaaer at Pembroke, has discharged the Europeans working under him to take on Celestials, who work ten hours a day. If this sort of thing goes on, we shall expect to hear of riots in those Southern parts. The Auckland Evening Star contains the somewhat extraordinary statement that a swamp in the Waikato district was on fire. The mention that it is a peat swamp, however, somewhat explains the apparent impo-sibility. It appears that the smouldering peat has made -«l of the roads through tb- "‘“P uusaie by burniu & way underneath them. The Western Star reports that a dastardly attempt was made to burn down a Ghinamw’s house at Riverton a tew days ago. Halfcharred wood, soaked with kerosene, was set fire to beneath the dwelling, and many other parts of the house were spriekled with the inflammable oil. Luckily, Ah Hum, the owner of the premises, and his wife, who were sleeping in the house, discovered the fire in time to save their own lives, and also to prevent the total destruction of their home.

We are pleased to learn from the Insurance Record of London that the -French Govern ment has issued a general order providing that, in the event of any fireman meeting with a fatal accident in an attempt to save life, his name should be retained on the roll of the corps, and such name, when the roll-call takes place on a general parade day, is to be answered to by the senior fireman present with the words, “ Mart aufeu."

The Mount Cook School Committee have brought the compulsory clauses oi the Education Act into force, under which all children residing in the district, between the ages of seven and thirteen years, must attend school, at the risk of their parents or guardians being fined for neglect or refusal. It is notorious that in the Mount Cook School district there are very many children whose attendance at the State schools is most irregular.

The ridiculous nature of the so-called fireproof construction of modern warehouses was (says the Review) fully illustrated at the Woodstreet fire. There were . double iron doors securely fastened, but one sweep of flooring from Wood-street to Phillip-lane is now cleaned out as if by a broom. The Metropolitan Board of Works are, we believe, unbelievers in limiting the cubical areas of warehouses. The wooden beams faced with iron in one building still remain, whilst every iron girder has buckled up or pushed the walls down. The two hundred-years-old brick of Ryland’s counting-house has defied the flames, whilst the stone frontages of the houses facing this very building (still almost intact; have crumbled into Wood-street in one vast ruin.

The Timaru Herald winds up a very clever article on temperance thus :—Example creates custom, and custom is more potent than any laws. Yet Archdeacon Stock would have us believe that it does not help an advocate »f temperance to be himself a teetotaller. We cannot agree with him, and we cannot understand him. In our opinion, the example of teetotalism is by far the most powerful of all agencies in promoting temperance; more affecting than the most splendid eloquence, more penetrating than the clearest argument, more convincing than the weightiest statistics, and a hundred times more effective than the most comprehrhsive legislation that ever was framed. One great reason for this, perhaps the greatest reason, is that example is not agreesive. It excites no suspicion, it arouses no opposition, it hurts nobody’s feelings, it rasps nobo ly’s prejudices, it puts nobody on their metal. It opera'ea silently, secretly, and continuously, and every day, every hour, it puts drunkenness to shame and incalculably strengthens and extends the cause of temperance. The time will c ime when the power of example will make even the English people sober. Speaking of telephones the Dunedin Echo says that : “ What we desire to point out is that there is great room for expansion, and for utilising the telephones far more than we do now. First, we do not see why the Telephone Exchange should close at 5 p.m. For many purposes the telephone is more useful after 5 than before. Second, if it were cheapened and Kept open all night many would connect their houses with the Exchange. Suppose the exchange were reduce! to £8 or £lO per year, Dunedin would have, instead a t 200 subscribers, : 500. And this would; qaiy the Government well. There could bei three operators instead of one, and the telephone would require to be open all night. Then people would use it for doctors, for police, for fire alarm, &c., &c. And other of our social arrangements could ba made to suit. Let us, for example, suppose one desired a cab, why should there not be a Cab Exchange connected with telephone, so that at any hour a cab could be called. And, then, in case of accidents or sudden sickness, what a help to have a doctor in call in a minute. There are other ways in which the telephone could be utilised, bat we mention these as examples only. We call upon the department to begin telephonic extension. It will pay, and if it pays and is a public convenience, the Government department will be satisfied. We commend the suggestions wo have made to Dr. Lemon.

The downpour of rain with which Wellington has just oeen visited, appears to have ex. tended all over the province.

VVe h tve received the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s catalogue of prices for February. A call of one nhiding per share on Wellington and Manawatu R til way scrip has been made payable on ®r before the sch proximo. We learn that the well-known yacht Pet has changed hand.*, Mr Hill having oold her to Mr G. Dixon for £3O.

Mr E. I). Butts, Chief Postmaster in tins city, will be the mail agent In charge of the outgoing Stu Francisco mails, which leave here to-morrow.

The volunteer corps of the city will parade on Monday morning tnxt at 5 o’clock at tie same place and in the same order as on last Monday. Mr W, Hutchison, member for Wellington South, intends to address his constituents at the Princess Theatre, Tory-street, on Monnay evening next, Mr J. L. Coster, the managing director of the New Zealand Shipping Company, is passing through Wellington on bis way to England by the Sux Francisco mail.

We call the attention of our readers to Messrs Laery and Campbell’s advertisement of auction sales of fruit, flour, chunpagne, spirits, carriages, and horses to be held to-day. The Paris papers continue to urge the Government to act firmly in respect to the Tunquin and Madagascar questions, while the Kdpublique Francaisa bitterly complains of the English policy in Egypt. In regard to the Parliamentary oaths question, the Spanish Govermneut propose to admit either an oath or affirmation on condition of a promise of fidelity to Alfonso. The worJs “ legitimate Xing of Spain’’are to be omitted.

Mr Chappie, to whom is deputed the duty of registering dogs in this city, reports a falling off in the number compared with last year’s registration. The list registered at the corporation offices numbers as yet but 580 as compared with 1310 registered last year. Either dogs are scarce in the city or owners choose to run the risk of being pounced on for fines. The light rain which tell all day on Thursday increased the inflow of water to the reservoir to such on extent as to equal the quantity drawn off during the same period, the level having remained steady at 37ft sin. As the ground has been thoroughly soaked and the rainfall continued almost without intermisdon yesterday, it is anticipated that the gauge will show an increase this morning. Darby shire’s Juvenile Opera Bouffe and Pantomime Company will not open at the Theatre Royal until Monday evening in consequence of the delay to the steamer from Wanganui by bad weather. The company numbers 10 performers, and will be augmented by many auxiliaries. Judging fr ,m the flattering encomiums pissed on their performance! elsewhere, the juveniles are likely to meet with commensurate patronage in this city. The fates were unpropitious last evening in respect to Mr Angelo Forrest's concert at the Athenaeum. Tne wind blew and the rain descended, and, enthusiastic as Wellington residents are when sterling musical attractions are to the fore, there was but a sparse attendance—some thirty patrons, more or less. Not to disappoint those friends woo had braved the inclement weather, the in »j >r portion of the programme was rehearsed, hot it was announced that the concert performance proper would be postponed until this evening, and that the tickets taken for Friday night would be available this evening. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Charles Mclntyre, recently carrying on business as a baker in Tory-street, was held at the Supreme Courthouse on Thursday afternoon, Mr Forwood applying on behalf of the debtor for a certificate recommending his discharge. Mr E Iwards appeared on behalf of the trustee in the os'ate, Tuere wis rather an excited meeting, the creditors being dissatisfied with the manner in which the estate had been sequestrated. After some discussion, it was decided by the majority present to recommend the Court to suspend the debtor’s discharge for three years, that beiog the longest term permitted by the present Act. Notification has been since given by the solicitor for the rebtor, that application will he made, on the 12th proximo, in the Supreme Court, for an order of discharge pursuant to the 184th section of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876. All bee-keepers have adopted the traditional habit of drumming on tin pans and kettles when bees are swarming, but from some experiments which Sir John Lubbock has been making, and which were communicated some time ago to the Linnsean Society, it is very doubtful if these sagacious insects hear any but rue ulgu u i.uco • own range of hearing. He trained some bees to come to honey placed on a musical box on his lawn, close to the window of his house, and the box was kept 1 playing several hours a' day for a fortnight. It was then, together with the honey, brought into the house and placed out of sight, but at the open window and only about seven yards from where it had stood before. The bees, however, failed to find the honey, though when they had been taken to it they came again readily enough. From this Sir John thinks the sounds of the musical box wore not beard by the bees, for it failed to guide them to where the honey had been removed. The marriage of Mr K. S. Waterhouse, of this city, to Miss Edith Emily Jackson, eldest daughter of Mr Henry Jackson, of Lower Hutt, was solemnised on Thursday at St. lames ChUrch, Hutt. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. T. Fancourt. The bride wore a handsome dress of ivory satin trimmed with Brussels lace, orange blossoms, and jasmine. The bridesmaids were Misses Hilda and Adele Jackson, Ada Johnston, Alice Fitzherbert, Eugenie Bellairs, and Maud Bodman. Two wore dresses of pale pink sateen ; two of pale blue nun’s veiling and two of cream nun’s veiling, all with bonnets to match. The bridesmaids’ dresses were the gift of Lady Fitzherbert. Mr Bruce Wallace officiated as “ best man,” and th« groomsmen were Messrs R. and W. Jackson, brothers of the bride. There were a number of spectators in the church, and the rich and pretty dresses of the guests and bridal party gave a handsome appearance to the ceremony. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs Braithwaite, the Hon. P. A. and Mrs Buckley, Lady Fitzherbert, Mr and Mrs ff. Fitzherbert, Mr and Mrs W. Fitzherbert, the Hon. C. J. and Mrs Pharazyn, Mrs and Miss Riddiford, and the Rev. J. B. and Mn Waterhouse. After the wedding breakfast, which took place at the residence of the bride’s father, the newly married pair left for a honeymoon trip to the Wairarapa.

Among the many local industries which, even in what detractors term non-productive Wellington, are springing up and developing into lusty growth, mention may be made, as a good exemplar of what skill and enterprise may achieve, of Messrs Thompson and Shannon’s new clothing factory. Industry of any kind producing a marketable article perforce necessitates the use of a trade m -rk. The distinguishing trade mark of the firm whose productions we now casually notice bids fair to become, at no distant date, widely and favorably known. It is modestly designed, but conveys a world of meaning—a plain white card bearing the words” Local Industry.” In the centre a crest, a mailed hand guardant bearing a cluster of ripened grain. Beneath is the word “ Colonial ” in white letters on a blue ground. There is nothing particularly demonstrative or suggestive in this combination, but it conveys a wealth of meaning. This trade mark is affixed only to good* of special value and of special local manufacture, the products of the clothing factory which the firm of Thompson, Shannon, and Co. has recently brought into vigorous operation. IE space permitted, which on this occasion it does not, a diffuse description of the entire establishment of the firm mentioned, with special reference to their manufacturing department, might be given. Ir. may suffice for the present to say that under the supervision of Mr Holle, an experienced cutter and manager, some forty or fifty hands, mostly female, are employed in manufacturing the beet possible class of colonial ready-made clothing ; the material used beinv all colonial made tweeds and flannels, the style of cutting precisely what colonial customers most affect, and the major portion of the young workers being colonial also. Thus in every essential the popular idea of “ keeping money in the colony ” is well carried out. The factory, though as yet small—pending intended enlargements—is a veritable hive of industry, and the articles produced will vie with those of any other kindred establishment in the colony, while the quality of the tweeds uted excel even the best used in English clothing factories, being equal to West of England or Bliss’ renowned triple tweeds. Indeed, Home manufacturers, in their wisdom, laugh to scorn the idea of clothing factories using material in which shoddy is not largely combined, and cannot believe that honest .work with honest material will ever receive commensurate reward. Time will tell. Messrs Thompson, Shannon, and Co. are setting an example which eventually will tide them to the summit of success, while showing the manufacturing community that what is worth doing is worth doing well.

An exchange states that Mr Milner Stephen lost £SO by his visit to New Plymouth. We have not heard of any cures that he effected. A committee has been appointed at Palmerston North 1 1 request the G'vernmeot to reconsider the decision lately arrived at in the Longhurst case. Captain Ito, of H.J.M.S. Kiujio, has forwarded the sum of £lO to Captain Holliday, harbormaster, for division amongst tile harbor and pilot crew.-, in recognition of the assistance given to his ship during her stay in port. The Morning Her d 1 states that on Saturday evening last the hall of Watson’s Hotel was experimentally lighted by the New Zealand Electric Light and Power Company (Limited), with two of their smallest Brush arc lights. A commencement has been made in Sydney - street of the shed in which will be placed the gas-engine that is to supply the motive power to drive the dynamo machine for lighting the Houses of Parliament by electricity. Mr Scoular, the contractor, his removed one or two trees, and has already got on with the foundations.

The tine weather which bad prevailed in the early part of this week gave place on Thursday night to rain, and on Friday morning the sky was overcast, and showed great promise of rain, which was shortly fulfilled, and though the glass was rising a steady downpour continued all day, with a sir ing south-easterly gale. The uniform barometrical pre.-sure that we noticed the other day has hardly resulted as it should in fine weather ; but last night the rain ceased to fall, and a spe 1 of fine weather may reasonably be looked for. An adjourned meeting of the committee of the Regatti Cmb was held at the Pier Hotel last night. Mr W. H. Quick occupied the chair. The proposal to hold a soiree on board one or more ships lying at the Queen's Wharf was discussed at considerable length, and Messrs Cornish and A. G. Johnson were appointed a committee to make the necessary arrangements. The financial position of the club was also considered, and it was decided to request the secretary and treasurer, who was not present, to call a special meeting for the purpose of reporting on the subject. The probable amount that was available at present for the autumn regatta was stated to be £65, leaving a balance of £35 still to be made up. Mr Maccabe, of “ Begone Ou'l Care ’’ fame, and Mrs Maccabe, who are engaged to open at Napier ou Monday evening, failed to obtain passages by the Union Company’s steamer Mauapouri yesterday, and will therefore leave this morniug by train to Masterton, proceeding thence by special conveyance to Makotoka, where they again take the train to their destination. They were evidently not aware that it is always a matter of some difficulty at this time of the year to scours bertha ou any of the larger ate uners on the day of their departure. In the case of the Mauapouri, she arrived with a full berth list, and the local applications for passages ware far more numerous than the vacancies which occurred. The extra steamers which have been put on by the Uuiou Company appear to be scarcely sufficient to meet the requirements of the travelling public.

Nothing succeeds like success, and, so far we have accomplished our purpose by giving to our customers undoubted bargains, while at the same time lessening bur stock of summer goods. There are still, however, a number of lots that we are desirous to clear out —in the millinery and dress departments more particularly—and to do this, we have further reduced the prices, so as to place them within tile reach of all. We mean to sell them, and those who come first will of necessity have the best choice. For this weeK, then, we shall offer such bargains as will not only astonish, but irresistibly compel the m ijority of the readers of this paragraph to purchase. Possibly, this may catch the eye of some who have not yet visited our sale, and whom this announcement may hurry up to make up for lost time by at once visiting the sale at Te Aro House.—[Advt.] Thames Street Industries, by Percy Russell.—This Illustrated Pamphlet on Perfumery, lee., published at 6d., may be had gratis from any Chemist in the world, or JohnGobnele and Co., London.— [Advt.’ Analysis has demonstrated the spirituous element of Wocfe’s Schnapps to be absolutely pure, and the highest medical authority sanctions its use in preference to any other preparation where a stimulant is required.— [Advt. | 11