GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 7471, 8 May 1885, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS.

The election of two trustees for the Gteytiwn Town Lands Trust took place yesterday week, and resulted in the return of Messrs R. Bright and A. Young. Messrs Guff ana Gallagher were the other candidates. ■ Me J. E. Baker, Secretary tR the Wellington Society tor the f rpyootioa of Cruelty to Animals, has received a communication from Mr W. 11. Shaw, secretary of the Canterbury S. stating that the annual meeting of that body would be held in the Provincial Caamber, ChrUtchnroh, on the 2l»t May, and extending a cordial invitation to any members of the Wellington Society who might find it convenient to attend. : The following officers cease to hold commissions as captains of cadet corps, and will revert to the rank of Honorary Captain, with seniority according to date of late commission :—Captain Joseph Firth, Wellington College Bide Cadet Volunteers ; Captain Charles James Hardy, Mount Cook (Wellington) School Rifle Cadet Volunteers ; Captain Thomas Porritt, Greytown School Rifle Cadet Volunteers Captain William Thomas Grnndy, Maatertou School Rifle, Cadet Volunteers. Now that the old Hospital Reserve facing Pipitea and . Hobson-streets is to bo handed over to the College Governors as a site for a Girls’ High School, some action ought to be laken tor securing a portion of the reclaimed land for a recreation reserve. There »(e few towns in the colonies of the Relative importance of Wellington wfcich are so badly off for cricket grounds, If the young men living at the Thoradon end have an boar to spare in the morning or evening for cricket or football, they have to travel along distance before they can have a game* It is to be hoped the City Council will take steps fop securing a few acres of the reclaimed land before too la^e,

Messrs Levin and Co., the agents, have been advised that the Shaw, Bavill, and Company’* steamship Arawa, do.v cm her way from the Cape to Port Cba mers. Las not been charlerol by the Imp rial Government, as wa> at fir.-t stated. Arrangements have nnv bcea m ceiaa!! the principal oi th > C-douy for eo»• *i>ing the Militia, auJ, i.alest the political aspect of affairs at Homs becomes mote settled, the first muster will take place about three weeks het ce Mr James Smith has f awarded a cheque for £SO to Captain Shannon, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the members of the Salvage Corps who were engaged at TV Arc House after the late fire ; the remainder to be given as a subscription towards the funds of the Corps. Borough councUlorahlpsaregoiogabegging in th© Patea municipality. For two vacancies the Returning Officer bat three times auccea stvely called for nominations through ihe public journal, bat without response. A third vacancy has been twice advertised, but there are no offers. We notice that our old acquaintance, Mr 0. O’Neil, 0.E., some time settled in Sydney, is deeply interested in the project of a tramway from Sydney to the North Shore, on the other of the harbor. He, in conjunction with aMr B. Gipps, C.E., has submitted a plan to the Colonial Treasurer. A Gazette notice la about to be published, stating that Rear-Admiral Tryon, Naval Commander in-Chief in these waters, requires that all naval pensioners and all officers and men belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve within the Colony are to hold thennelve* in readiness to be called out at short notice. A Gazette notice appears that the Militia

rolls for Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin have been posted, and that those who are liable to serve, and whose names do not appear, will be bound to report themselves to the Commanding Officers of their districts at a time to be publicly notified. As the arrangements for enrolling the Militia have been completed in all the principal towns, the enrolment will follow in all lha second-class towns as soon as possible. Sir George Whitmore, commander of the colonial forces, has tow taken up his quarters in the Government Buildings, and is busily superintending all the details. Lieutenant Archer, R.N., who has been in the Civil Service for some time past, will be appointed Naval Commander at Auckland, and Captain Mandelay at Wellington. Major Gudgeon will have command of the land defences at this port, Major Goring at Dunedin, and Captain Taylor at Lyttelton. The Committee of the Thames Harbor Board has determined to recommend the Board to have a Bill introduced at the forthcoming session of Parliament, to enable the borrowing of £200,000. for expenditure in the Improvement of the harbor. The proposed measure has been drafted, and has been submitted to the Board’s solicitor for examination.

So far, over 600 entries have been received in connection with the home industry branch of the Exhibition. The juvenile branch will be well represented, and there will be some very fine specimens of needlework. Most of the entries received are from Wellington ; those from other districts will not come to band for some little time yet. The Hawkes Bay Local Committee of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition have thrown out a suggestion as to the advisableness of holding an exhibition in Napier of the articles to be sent from that provincial district previous to being forwarded on to Welliucton, so as to create greater interest in the project. The Managing Director of the Makino Butter Factory Company informs the Rang!tikei Advocate that they have received advice of sale of the consignment of batter forwarded by the Company to Sydney, which is very satisfactory, the price netted being 9J 1 per lb, the expenses only amounting to one. penny farthing per lb. The Napier Daily Telegraph says that the demand for timber in that town is ontranning the supply, which no one need wonder at who looks around him and sees buildings goiug up, those already up b. i rig enlarged, and yet not a house of any kind to be bad ; and when there is a vacancy the landlord is rushed by eager woald-be tenants, from among whom ha can make a choice. Owing to the circumstance that the Sydney steamers have recently been filled up with cargo at Southern ports, a large quantity of produce has accumulated here, and was sent away by the Tekapo Saturday night Besides a large quantity of preserved meat, there were some 3000 bags of grain transhipped from Nelson, and about 2500 kegs of batter from the West Coast of this island waiting for shipment to Sydney, At the annual meeting of the Wellington Harriers Club, the following officers were elected :—President, Dr Hutchinson ; Committee, Messrs H. It. Spence (hon. secretary and treasurer), A. F. Crombie (captain), F. L. Hutchinson and H. Gallic. It was decided to bold a meet every Saturday afternoon unring the winter, and to. give a trophy at the end of the season to the one who has scored the most points.

A supplement of the New Zealand Gazette ecmtaioa a list of teachers who have passed examinatioua in the different classes, la Wei iiogtoa the following havo passed in Class D : Thomas P. Pairbrother, Margaret Morgan, Constance C. Searle, Tellira C. Watson; in Class E : Isabella M. Cook ; in subjects required to complete former examination : Finlay Botbuue, Emily M. Jessie Oherrett, Annie M. Corbin* Mag<i© H. Craig, Sarah Elkin, &sary Plus, and Mary E. Reeves. What looks like a deliberate attempt at arson is reported by the local Star to have been discovered at Riverton one morning last week, when the weatherboards of the drapery st-ire of Robertson Bros, were found to be on fire. The Ere was quiokly got under, and on examination it proved that some sticks bad been used for the purpose of starting the fire. The foundation plate, one or two studs, and a diagonal brace were burnt half through, and a portion of a few weatherboards was destroyed. The following are the rainfall returns for the month of April iu the Wellington District • Wellington Observatory, 2,7-6 inches, 11 days’ rain, maximum fall *f*jfin p,a lsth ; Reservoir, 2*60 inches, 10. days* maximum *65 on 10th ; Petoue, 2*2§ inches, 8 days, maximum *99 on 19th; Upper Hutfc, 2*29 inches, 6 days, maximum *BO on 30th; Summit, 5*28 inches, 10 days, maximum I*Bs on 18th; Dry River, 2*53 Inches, 8 days, maximum 77 on 30th ; Pe Gangitumau, 5'20 inches, 8 days, maximum 1 90 on 18th ; Masterton, 3 39 inches, 6 days, maximum 1*26 on 18th. The Clifton Small Farm Association is making favorable progress, The members have taken up 4000 acres of the Otalri No. 2 block, the price being fixed by the Govern* meat at £1 2s 6d per acre, and have paid & deposit to the Receiver of Band Revenue. The block is a most desirable one, being firstclass bush land, with main line of road to Napier passing through it, and a branch load to Otamakapua, The Central Rahway passes through the block. . It* is expected the survey will be proceeded with without delay, as mem* bers intended occupying to take advantage of 1 the Government works on the railway. The Supreme Court was occupied last Friday with the case of Heard v. Ollivier, which was formerly heard in tbs District Coart, the plaintiff being then nonsuited. Mr Shaw appeared for the plaintiff ; Mr Brown for defendant. The action arose through defendant, by his ageat, Andrew Wylie, putting in a bailiff into plaintiff's house, for a claim of 6s, al* Irged to be due for rent. Plaintiff claimed that, although he entered as a weekly tenant at 6s per week, he made a fresh arrangement with Wylie for becoming a monthly tenant at 25s per month, and produced receipts showing that he bad paid several months’ rent In advance. Mr Brown contended that plaintiff was a weekly tenant, and not entitled to a month’s notice. The bailiff was put in more with the view of endeavoring to get plaiutiff to leave the house than to seize bis goods. During the bearing of the case, bis Honor the Chief Justice said be'was quite satisfied that there had been a monthly tenancy, and he i thought the plaintiff was wrong in putting the > bailiff in under the cipcumatanij.aa, He consi* dered that the case should not haye been beard In the Supreme' Qovtft, ag no question of title was involved j the verdict would be for aod such costs aa would be allowed under the scale of the Resident Magistrate’s Court.

A very creditable specimen of the boat* builder’s handicraft bas just been turned oat of Mr Taylor’s yard, ClTde*quay. The boat is a peculiar kind of large canoe, and is entirely original, being the first of the kind ever made in New Zealand. The idea was suggested to Dr Fell, who is having her built, by the Mersey canoes, and Mr Taylor is constructing her from bis own designs. She is built of kauri with battened caryel planking, and a deck of Singapore cedac. Her dimen* alone are—-length, 16ft • beam, 4ft i'\a • depth, 2ft Sin alt, 2lt 2in forward *, and 22in Inside amidships. , There are two water-tight com* , partments, one forward and one aft, each about i sft long, which are sufficient to float the craft, even if the middle section were filled. The after one bas a hatchway, and can be used for stowing away stores, Ac. The amidahip section of the boat is very roomy, and the batches used foe covering the well whoa the boat is at her moorings can be used a? a seat, or can be stowed away without being at all In the way. She w*U be rigged with two balance log sails. The foremast, a tine Norway pine spar, is 18ft long, and the mizsn, Now Zealand white pine, 12£c. The depth of the keel is 6io, and part of it is of lead, weighing 3001 b, while 23Qlb of lead ballast is moulded between the frames under the lining. The area of the lead water-line is Isft 9in, and that of the midship section 4ft 91n. From the appearance of her Unes, she. should bd able to develop a considerable amount of speed, while her beam and .'the ballaatt render her •' M M ft church. 1

The Duntdia Evening Herald states that the dredging ope ations on the Otago Harbor bar during tho p:et month have successful There Is do'.v a depth al low wati r -if 20ft 3in. The Makiuo Ght-c.-e and Batter Factory Company has received account of .-sleaof shipment of butter made to Sydney, The butler was sold at lid ptT ib. The expenses amounted to I per lb, so that the Comply nets 9|l per lb. The Public Work* Department intend to plant about 30,000 trees on the reserve be* tweeo Carnarvon and Foxton during the coming winter. The officers of the department are also at the present time engage! in arranging for the water supply at the Gorge Bridge, which is to be used in the event of the bridge taking fire. A striking instance of the carelessness of comparatively speaking, well-to-do people in the mater of the liquidation of small debts was afforded at the sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court at Auckland the other day, no fewer than 58 persons being summoned by the Property T»x Commissioner for the recovery of small amounts, varying from Is 9J up to £2 or £3, We have received the prospectus of a work undertaken by Mr J. Howard Wallace, to be entitled “The Early History of New Zsaland,” Mr Wallace is an old colonist, who has had ample opportunity of acquiring information on his subject, and we do not doubt that he will do it justice. We shall be happy to review the book on receiving it after publication.

A correspondent of the Manawatu Herald at Otaki writes :—Another of our old iden-

tities has passed away in Mr William Macdonald, of Waopukatea, near Otaki. The deceased gentleman was one of the oldest settler* in the Colony, bavin' come to New Zealand in or about the year 1839. Many years ago he was a resident of the Manawatu district, and subsequently redded at Horokiwi for a long time. We have received from Dr Hector a copy of a pamph'.tt containing Sir William Jorvois’ address on the defence of the Colony, delivered by him, as president, at the anniversary meeting of the New Zealand Institute on the 4th October, last. The lecture is at the present juncture of affairs of very great interest. The pamphlet, which is published by the Institute, is very neatly got up, and contains colored lithographed plates showing the defence works being carried out at the principal ports of the Colony. The Rangitikei Advocate says that incendiarism is evidently rife in Feilding. It Is only a week or two ago since a stack of hay was burnt, belonging to Messrs Gichard and Newmiu, valued at £9O. A few days later Mr Sherwill bad a similar los», and now we hear that yesterday, in broad daylight, a large stack, the property of Mr J. Belfit, was fired and burnt to the ground. Each of these cases is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, but no evidence in support of the supposition is at present forthcoming. The Lyttelton Times says that a gentleman at Amberley wished to send a mob of 10,000 sheep to the Mackenzie Country. After asc-rtainiog the coat of transporting them by rail, he came to the conclusion that it would be cheaper to drive them by the road. This was accordingly done. Eight men were sent in charge of the sheep, and the journey occupied between three and four weeks. The total expenses, including the men's wages, did not reach the amount which would have been charged for conveying them by rail from Amberley to the station nearest to their destination*

'I be Walrarapa Daily states that about 50,000 ealmon ova, consigned to the Wairarapa Acclimatisation Society, arrived by the .late train on Thursday. This ia a portion of a large quantity brought out by Mr Farr, Secretary ot the Canterbury Society, in the Eaikoura. The ova is in splendid condition, and it is confidently believed that the loss in hatching will prove very light, The hatchinghouse of the Society had been prepared for its reception, and it was at oaoe placed there. This is the first consignment that has been received in the district, and the process of hatching will therefore be watched with great Interest. The Marlborough Express says that there has been a dispute between the Vestry of Holy Trinity Church, Picton, . and a body known as the Wairau Trustees, relating tQ the erection of a chancel. The Trustees refused to sanction the chancel upleea it was 20ft square, and the Vestry appealed from this decision to ijbe Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod. This Court of Appsal deelded that the Trustees’ reasons did not seem to justify the withholding of their consent, and that if no other reasons are given by the ff.h of next March, the Bishop aud Standing Com* mittee decide that permission shall then be given for the work to proceed. The gratitude of the Vestry for this decision, which compels them to wait at least ten months for the chancel, i j , of course, unbounded. It was both amusing and interesting to watch the eagtr manner in which some of the youngsters who attended at the Athenaeum Hall on Saturday replied to questions propounded by the speakers. “ What is an animal ?" asked Mr Stout. “ A dog,” replied one little boy very excitedly ;" A thing with four legs,” replied a bigger hoy 5 ” A pony,”

replied another. *<Xa ’man an animal?” Several yoioaa, in an excited tone, “ No.*’ « f When you play, what do you use ?” “ Marbles, ’* from several quarters. When marbles are ou% what would be done if they were brought to school?" “Taken away,*' in rather subdued tones. That, "fllr Stout explained, was in deference to the public opinion of tbe school, and that would teach them what public opinion meant in the political world. In consequence of a misapprehension in connection with the tram service Monday evening, several residents of Newtown were put to some little Inconvenience. It appears that the down tram which generally starts at %.15 from Newtown is to be started twenty minutes earlier than that time during the “ Silver Kiog” season ; and several people, who were apparently unacquainted with the alteration (which, however, has been well advertised), got into a tram which left the. terminus for the sheds at 7.15. They were of coarse rather indignant when they were put down at the sheds instead of, as they bad anticipated, being brought on into town ; but it is only due to the tramway management to say that the alteration waa duly advertised, and, although they may regret the inconvenience to which tbe passengers were put, it occurred through no neglect of theirs. A coroner's inquest into the circumstances attending the death of Caroline Williams, who died in the Lunatic Asylum yesterday week, was held at the Hospital on Saturday by Dr Johnston. Mr George Wehbwaa chosen foreman of the jury. Dr Tripe, who bad made a post mortem examination of fh Q body of deceased, deposed that there were signs of old disease lq*tb®luhg®» the kidneys were diseased, , and the membranes of tbe brain were con--1 gested and softened. The immediate cause of death was serous apoplexy. Dr Levinge, Medical Superintendent of the Mount View Lunatic Asylum, deposed to effect that deceased bad been admitted from the Hospital on the 24th ultimo, OAd died at 2 a.m, on Thursday. Richard Williams, ehlp joiner, the husband of deceased, gave evidenc i to tbe 1 effect that bis wife was given to Intemperance. 1 When be returned from Auckland recently she was ia a low condition, and wandering la her mind, and a few days after she ypas taken to the Hospital.. Tbe jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

The names of the twenty-three seamen, firemen Sind trimmers who were brought qp on Monday lor refusing to go to sea in the b.s. Coptic are :—William Aqguatna Johnson, Richard Pascoe, Thomas Hayes, John Russell, Peter Delaney, William Pearce, James Hally, John Doroan, William Toansend, William .Wigman, Joseph Smith, Walter Osborne, Robert Williams, Michael Walab, Alfred Pigram, Charles Blake, Michael Sullivan, : Thomas Rood, James Simpson, Charles Day, : John Johnson, Ja,mea Ward and Joseph Nitch. I It will be aeen by our report that twenty of i them were sentenced to ten weeks* imprison- ' ment and costs. No difficulty was experienced

by the agents in getting a complement o! men to take their places, for two hours after the Court rose twenty-three men had been engaged at Colonial wages, sailors, and £9 for firemen * The men were taken on board in the evening, and the Coptic started on her mysterious voyage at 7.45, Owing to the southerly gale and thick weather prevailing outside she had, however, to anchor in Woreerßay, between §,nnd 10 p.m., to wait for daylight. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Wellington Branch of the *New Zealand Educational Institute was held at the College on ; Saturday "morning. Mr J. Young occupied [ the chair, in the absence of Mr Mackay, the President, and Mr Watson, ths Vice President, who sent apologies for their absence. Mr W. Plankett Cole, the Hon. Secretary, read the rules drawn op by Committee appointed at the last meeting; and they were adopted with eocc-e amendments. Miss Dowdeawell and. Mr Canavan were elected members of the Institute. Mr Hurley, of

the Upper Quit School, read a paper on “ Weights and Measures,* in which he strongly advocated the principle of the decimal metric system of weights and measures adopted in many continental countries. In the following discussion, Mr Hulke mentioned that at the next meeting be intended to move that the Minister of Education be memorialised to give bis attention t?. the introduction of this system into New Zealand Me Firth then read a paper on 14 Physical Culture,** in which he 1 urged that gymnastic exercise should be made compulsory in ©very school A. vote of thanks 1 was accorded to Messrs Hurley and Firth. The discussion on this paper, as well as on the subject of ' K Technical Education,’* which 'formed part o! the programme was postponed ’until the next meeting.

A valuable pure-bred Clydesdale fiily, which took first snd second prizes at the Carterton. Show, the property of Mr Enoch Goodin, ot Ta'atabi, was killed on Sunday week by fal ing into a gravel pit. Uia Excellency the Governor iu ConnflU hue been pleased to approve of the election by the Senate of Sir James Prendcrgast, 8.A., aud Charles Henry Herbert Cook, Eaq„ M.A.» to l-e Fellows of the New Zealand University, The Naval Brigade made an attempt to row across the harbor on Saturday afternoon, bat they had to put back with some difficulty on account of the furious gale. The Storm* bird's excursion was abandoned for the same reason. By the a.?. Haweo Ust Friday, nine members of the Armed Const i:b .'try Force arrived here from New Plymouth to ua iubtrncted in big gun drill. The same steamer brought two Blenh-im prisoners, in charge of Constable Flaherty. A very severe S.E. gale, with rain squalls, raged iu Wellington ou Saturday last, and the wind did not take off until Snuday morning. As far as we could ascertain no material damage has been done. The Exhibition build* ing stood the gale very well, and doe* not appear to have been injured at all. The following patents have been applied for :—A, Atkins and F. Do J. Clere, of Wanganui, for improvement in fir places ; P. Rabbidga and G. Dillbey, of Ohristcburch, for an electric advertiser; D. Boultou, of Mongonui, for a trap for animals ; and T. O. Jeckles, of Wellington, for a billiard-marker. The Militia rolls for the Wairarapa and for various places near Wellington have been male up. The Walrarapa list shows a total of 996, distributed as follows ■ A?ath«rstoa, 165 ; Grey town, 155 ; Carterton, 303 ; and Mastertou, 373. At the Halt there are 191 ; Johns mtide, 100; Pahautanui, 123, and Pul* kakariki, 103. The rails are now laid ou the WellingtonManawatu Railway two miles beyond JohnsoQville, and the ballasting of the line is being proceeded with. Several carriages have been fitted up ; they are quite luxurious compared with anything on the Government lines in this Island. The Hoe will probably be open to Parramatta six or eight weeks hence. An adventurous passenger by the 5 80 train from the racecourse last Friday jumped off a oir while the train was in full motion, at about three-parts distance from the course Land* ing first on his Feet, this gentleman described a curve, and stood upon bis head iu the sand. He was very little hurt, however, and wa a seen walking off, a wiser if not an injured man.

From the remarks which casually fell from Messrs Bunny. MoOardle, and Fitzberbertit yesterday week** meeting of the Land Board, It would appear that the special settlements are not altogether an unqualified succesi eo far. Mr Bunny prophesied that the majority of Chose taking up the land would be very glad to get released from it before long. Mr Fitsherhert did not think bo, but admitted that some of them had already done bo. The torpedo boat, with sir members of the Naval Artillery, under Lieutenant Hialop, and Mr Smythe. the torpedo instructor, went out for a spin round the harbor yesterday week. The evolutions for firing off torpedoes were gone through very successfully, and no doubt we shall aeon be able with the torpedo boat, manned by the Navals, to sink any Russian man*of-war that may succeed ia entering the harbor. One of the Coptic’s refractory seamen who was locked up on Sunday afternoon very nearly succeeded in escaping from the police at the lockup. The men were brought out of the cells elx at a lime, in order to have their names taken down, aud one of them bid himself under a pile of blankets in the corner, intending to slip away unpercotved. Hia absence was, however, noticed before he bad made good his escape. The Rangitikei Advocate says thatin the case of R. J. Baker, fellmonger, Palmerston, who had applied for bU discharge,. Mr Hawkins appeared for the bankrupt, and Mr Hankins appeared to oppose, on behalf of the Mercantile Loan and Agency Company. Tbe DeputyOfficial Assignee also opposed, on behalf of the general body of creditors. After hearing the application, tbe Judge considered that there was ample evidence out of the mouth of the bankrupt himself that be had been trading on the capital of his creditors. He made aa order suspending discharge for two yearei bankrupt to pay costs of administration, and after payment of coats the matter might be reconsidered.

The thirteenth ordinary meeting of the Wellington Public Hall Company (Limited), called for Monday, lapsed, in the absence of a quorum of shareholders. The meeting wav adjourned, in accordance with the articles of association, till next day. Tbe annual report states that the receipts from letting the theatre daring the past year hare been less than tbe previous year, in consequence of tha dearth of theatrical companies visiting the colonies. A dividend of 7 per cent, ia recommended. Three directors retire by rotation, and offer themselves for re-election— Messrs W. W. Johnston, J. E. Nathan, and W. H. Levin, Tbe dividend will be payable on Wednesday. A meeting of the Hospital Trustees was held yesterday week. Present —Messrs H. Bunny (Chairman), G. S. Cooper, and B. O. Hamerton. A letter was read from tbe Hon. Mr Stout, Minister of Education, asking that the site of the old Hospital should be handed over to the Board of College Governors for a Girls' High School. An application had also been put in by tbe Mayor, asking that tbe land should be vested in the City Council as a recreation reserve. The site was not considered very suitable for recreation purposes, as the gr mad would require a great deal of levelling, and some of the ptoperty ia the neighborhood might be injured if it were done. It was resolved to comply with tbe request of the Hon. Mr Stout.. The Defence Minister has caused inquiries to be made Into the rumors of lawlessness at Parihaka, and has been informed that theNatives in that locality are very peaceably disposed. They received permission, when the constabulary evacuated Parihaka, to remove any materials left at tbe oamp to their own pah. The Hon. Mr Ballance is informed that the store alleged have been removed waa not taken with any intention of depriving the owner of bis property. It was left empty for , several weeks, and the Natives considered they ■: had a right to It. It is only fair to the Maoris to state that when one oS the camps near Rabotu waa abandoned, some of the white settlers carted tbo materials which bad been left by the A.O. Force away in their drays, and without having asked or received any permission to do so. A deferred-payment settler in the Katanga - Block, near Palmerston North, applied to the Land Board yesterday week for permission to capitalise. HU request waa granted. Two circulars issued by the Lands Department to the various Land Boards came under review. Circular No. 1, directed that *vn amending Act should be applied retrospectively, and instructing the Boards : not to capitalise unless selectors had takers up their land for a period cl six years. Circular No. 2 revoked the previous one, the law officers having decided that it waa untenable. It was also mentioned that Mr Justice Williams (»a pointed out some time ago in the leading columns of the Truss) bad given an adverse decision In reference to tbe first circular. Mr Bunny wanted badly to know who gave the Ministry power to upset an Act of Parliament, bnt be bad to depart without any further light being thrown upon the subject. An application was made ia Chambers to his Honor the Chief Justice on Saturday, by - the liquidators of the New Zealand Leather ; Company, for an immediate call on the share* holders of £4 per share. The Hon. Mr | Buckley appeared in support of tbs applisaI tion ; Mr Brown, on behalf of several shareholder?, opposed; Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald and O. P\ Powles opposed on behalf of

themselves and other shareholders in the Company, Mr Brown gave a sketch of the* formation of the Company, stating that the Bank could In no way be injured by giving shareholders more time. Mr Macdonald said an immediate call wonld be ruinous to some of the small shareholders, and would drive them to seek tbe protection of the Bankruptcy Court. He called attention to tbe fact that the liquidators could pay 10* from the assets at present in hand. As shareholders were called upon to pay every peony of their : liabilities, it would only be reasonable to ask: tbe creditors to allow the payments to bo . spread over a period of one or two years. Hia Honor decided that tbe amonnt due should bo payable in four instalments of £1 each, on the Rt of June, July, and September* Detective Kirby appeared in tbe witness*

box the other day (says tbe Timaru correspondent q! the Lyttelton Timea) to giro evidence against two ehevtxliers d indastri& who. had been carrying on an tmder-and-over business on the racecourse. He gave a rapid but clear explanation of the little game, and showed how much the odds were against tbe public and in favor of the proprietors. The Bench listened, but they could not decide without ocular demonstration, and the detective thereupon proceeded to play an imaginary game with the appliances which he had con* fiscaUd. His skill struck the beholders dumb with admiration, and all the Justices of the Peace have since engaged him to teach them tha game. “ Under-aud-over ** will wile away the winter- evening, and, besides, they will gain praefc cal knowledge, and that i> a great matter. Tbe defendant’s counsel, who was cross-examining the detec- : tive very severely, asked him whether he saw I people playing and being victimised, when tha officer rapped out, u Yts, I saw lota of people trying their lack. I saw you, for one.” Of course everybody laughed, the Court nearly rolled off Its chair, and tbe crier actually exploded, while a pretty flush of embarrassment colored the bronzed cheek of the lawyer,faadhe grinned a ghastly grin, {

The Secretary of the Masterton-Mangahfto Special Settlement Association has received a communication from the General Crown Lands Office, intimating that aa the Associa* 1 tion will purchase the whole of the township, the Minister of Lands has no objection to members holding one acre each should they da* sire to do so. Among the applicants for relief at the bands of the Auckland Believing Officer was Mrs Sheehan, the wife of the man now on his way home in charge of Sergeant Bunny and Detective Walker, to answer a charge of murder at the Cork Assizes. Aa Sheehan had, in property or money, on his arrest, some £3OO to his credit, it U tolerably evident somebody must have profited by his misfortunes. The death u reported of one of the pioneer settlers of Nelson, namely, Mr Thomas Lines, of Hope, who arrived in the Thomas Harrison in 1841, and established himself in Wakefield. There ho resided for gome ten or twelve years, when be removed to Hope, where h ; a home has been up to the time of bis death. The old gentleman was very generally respected, aud hia loss will he regretted by a largo circle of friends aud acquaintances. Ao amusing illustration of the manner m which justice is sometimes dispensed by Justices in local Courts was witnessed at the Auckland Police Court the other day. A woman was charged with breaking a pane of glass, and pleaded guilty through her hwyer. To the astonishment of the Court, the Bench announced that tiny would dismiss the charge, as the prosecutor was not present to give evidence. Seeing that the woman bad pleaded guilty, the course alopted wa* an extraordinary one. The abstract of accounts presented at the annual meeting of the Chmtcburch Benevolent A B tciation showed that £2450 9< Id had been received during the year, including £327 13s 11 1 balance from last year ; subscriptions, £751 11s 0! ; Government sabsid , £BOO 2s GI, and £SOO mature ! deposit The total expending had been £2116 3s 3d, of which £334 5s 101 h id been spent in provisions, cloth log, &c., £193 14s 81 in salaries and incidentals, and a deposit of £IOOO had been made with the bank, £SOO of which had matured, and £SOO had been deposited for 12 months. The militia roll for Wellington aud environs as far as it has b=tn completed, now contains 1536 names. Of these 1404 were obtained in the town districts, and 182 iu the outlying districts, A number of men liable to serve have, however, not yet been enrolled, aud supplementary lists are now open. After the posting of the roll, which will be duly notified, any one whose name bus been omitted or incorrectly entered, is required by the Militia Act to give in his name, place of reBideace, and occupation, either personally or in writ'ng, to the adjutant of the battalion within 20 days. The Act also provides that no person liable to be enrolled shall be relieved from training and exercise, or from active service, by omission from or erroneous entry of bis name in such roll. A deputation waited on Mr Ballaoce Monday morning to ask whether Government would accept the services of a city corps of cavalry. The deputation, which consisted of Messrs Davi#?, T. Smith, and Tatum, was introduced by Captain G. V. Shannon. It was explained that the members proposed to find their own horses and saddlery, but wished Government to find arms aud acc -utreraents. Mr Ballaoce said that the Government looked for something beyond playing at soldiers, and wished for what was useful. He would much prefer the services o! a body of mounted infantry, and if the gentlemen who proposed to form themselves into a corps would give their services in that capacity Government would accept them and give the capitation. The deputation promised to report the Minister’s decision to those whom they represented. At the request of tho Mayor and citizens of Invercargill, Mr Fisher, the Mayor of Wellington, on Wednesday presented an illuminated testimonial to Sergeant Morton, who has lately been transferred to this city. The Mayor expressed pleasure in being called upon to make the presentation, stating that it showed the esteem in which Sergeant Morton was held by the people amongst whom he had so long resided. Sergeant Morton, through hia Worship, desired to thank the Mayor and citizens of thanked those who Lad preheated him with ft purse of sovereigra previous to h'a departure. He trusted that ha would bo able to give as maoh satisfaction iu Wellington as he had done in Invercargill. Sergeant Morton was in Otago and Southland for a quarter of a century, and has alway i been a great favorite. Tho marriage of Mr B. N. Barraud, fourth son of Mr O. D. Barraud, and Vlias McKellar, eldest daughter of Mr H, S. McKellar, ActingSecretary of Customs, took place Wednesday at St. Paul's Church, where a large company assembled. The following were the bridesmaids : Misses Florence McKellar, Barraud, Jessie Barraud, Ivy Barraud, Emma Haywood, Nellie Ueywood, Annette Paul, and Alice Bawson. The bride wore a dress of cream ottoman silk and brocade, with wreath of orange blossom and tulle veil. The bridesmaids wore cream nun’s veiling trimmed with Jaca and crimson plash, and plush Tarn O’Shanters to match. Mr H. O. Roberts acted as best man. The bridal pair left for Horo* kiwi, en route for Taranaki, where they will spend the honeymoon. The vessels in the harbor were dressed with bunting in honor of the event.

In accordance with an appointment, a deputation, consisting of Messrs VV. H. Quick, C. Hill, and R. B. Smith (Captain of the Star Boating Club), waited upon the Minister for Defence on Saturday morning in reference to the offer made to the Government a week or two ago by the boating men of Wellington. In answer to questions. Mr Ballauct) signified the willingness of the Government to accept the services of an honorary corps of 100 men belonging to the Yachting and Boating Clubs of Wellington without capitation allowance, the arms to be supplied by the Government, He said farther, that it was possible that the Government, in the course of two or three weeks, would accept the services of a second hundred. Persona anxious of joining this corps are requested to forward their names to the Captain of the Star Boating Club at once. A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held Monday afternoon, all the members except Mr Pearce and the Mayor being present, for the purpose of bearing the report of the Committee appointed to confer with the City Connell Committee in reference to the Te Aro reclamation, Tho Board expressed an opinion that the Committee had made the most liberal offer possible, and their report was adopted and the Committee discharged. A resolution was subsequently passed that the offer previously made should not be increased, and it was resolved that in all farther negotiations - the Committee should consist of the whole Board. A Sab-Committee was, however, appointed to confer with the City Council in the evening consisting of Captain Rose, Messrs Nathan, Wheeler, and Lancaster. An operation was thus made on the personnel of the previous Committee. It appeared te be the opinion of the meeting that the Committee, in making the offer they did to the City Council, had exceeded their functions.

A question very similar to those which cropped up in the Waring Taylor trials gave rise to a. considerable amount of argument at the Supreme Court Wednesday. The certificate of a marriage solemnised in New South Wales was handed in, and sworn to by the petitioner in a divorce suit. Counsel engaged for the co-respondents objected to tbis document being taken as evidence unless it was M proved,** und ai none of the legal gentlemen engaged in the action had practised in the Colony where the marriage took place, and were consequently unable to prove that the document was in accordance with the law, some difficulty was experienced. Eventually It was ascertained that the Hon. Mr Tole bad been admitted to the Bar of New South Wales, and that gentleman was thereupon re* quested to attend. The Minister of Justice arrived, bearing with him a New South Wales statute book, and took bis seat on the Bench beside bis Honor, As, however, he had not practised in New South Wales, he was only able to form an opinion by looking at the statute; and be was not sure whether an amending Act had been passed since that produced by him. However, his evidence satistied hie Honor, who made a note of an obection by the co-respondents* counsel to Mr Tole giving evidence from a perusal in Court of he statute.

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Wellington Patent Slip Company was held at the Chamber of Commerce at nooa Mon* day. Mr E. Pearce, chairman of directors, occupied the chair. The annual report showed that the slip had been well used daring the year, no less than 80 vessels, ranging from the ship Opawa, of 1116 tons, to the yacht Xarifa, of 10 tons, having been taken np. The report recommended a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. The balance-sheet showed receipts, in* eluding a balance of £1314 6s 5d from laat year, and a subsidy of £2456, amounting to £5587 2s Bd, and an expenditure of £2261 18s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £3325 4s 2d. After some little trouble a quorum was obtained. The Chairman, in speaking to the report, atated that the receipts were somewhat less than last year. Por the first time in the existence of the Patent Slip, they were out of debt. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr Rtull seconded, and the meeting agreed. On the proposal of Mr Horkealdie, seconded by Mr Joseph Joseph, the retiring directors, Messrs W. H. Levin and J. E. Nathan were re-elected, as were also, the auditors, Messrs E. W. Mills and P. C. Kreeft, at a remuneration of £5 5s each. Mr Kirkcaldie, seconded by Mr Joseph, proposed a vote of thanks to the emploj 4a of the Slip, which was carried unanimously. The meet* log then terminated with a (vote of thanks to {becbalif

Mr Buckland, M.H.R, for Waikouaiti, has received an assurance from the Minister of Public Works, that the Cabinet has decided to make the reduction of the grain rate uniform throughout the Colony as soon aa instructions can be issued. The accident to the West Coast coach fortunately resulted in no serious injury to any of the passengers, although Mr Frank Pitt, of the National Bank, received a bad sprain of the ankle. The accident, it appea-s, was owing to a white calf suddenly making its appearance from a clump of bu-*hes at the entrance of N .rrin’s Gully, which so frightened the horses that they made a clean bdt, and although they were skilfully handled by the driver, the wheel got into a ditch, and the coach capa’zed. The Government steamer Hinemoa arrived here on Tuesday from Auckland and Napier. Among her pa«;engers were Major Cautley, R.K , Captain lAmgiaa, K.N., and Mr Smythe, torpedo instructor. She also had eighteen lunatics from the Napier Asylum on board, who an*, together with thirty more from Wellington and twenty-five from Christchurch, to be transferred to the Seftcliff Asylum, Otago. The Hinenm sailed for Lyttelton Tuesday evening, whence the lunatics will hi sent on by rail. A detachment of the Armed Constabulary left by the Wanaka on Sunday. Previous to their departure the men were inspected by Colonels Reader and Pearce. Twenty-five will be stationed in Lyttelton, and twenty-five in Dunedin. A few men belonging to the recently organised torpedo branch of the service will be stationed at each place. The Garrison Bind played during the march from the Mount Cook Barracks to the Queen’s Wharf, and large crowds assembled to see the men off. The streets were also thronged with people. A few of the officers of tho Arm-;d Constabulary are likely to receive promotion. We hear that Captains Gudgeon, Newall, an Gordon are to receive the rank of raijor. All are very capable officers, and have been many years iu the service. Captain Newall has for some time past been stationed in Canterbury, and Captain Gordon in Otago, Captain Gudgeon baa only recently returned from Tanpo, where he and hia men were busily engaged In road making. Captains Newall, Gordon, and Gudgeon were with the A,C. Force dining the time that roads were made through the Waimate Plains, and all were present at Parihaka when the Hon. John Bryce made prisoners of Tohu and Te Whiti, The Hon Mr Stout returned to Wellington on Monday night. In the overland jonroey he came from the west side of Lake Taupo, and struck tho Wanganui River at Taumaranul, about 153 miles from the mouth of the Wanganui River. From Taumarauui the Premier came down to Wanganui River to Kennedy’s, a distance of 129 miles. He wag favorably impressed with the river, and thinks the navigation can be much improved. The land on the upper portion of the Wanganui River is very good, and suitable for Battlement, Tho Premier was received very kindly by the Natives wherever he went, and many who had come to meet him had never conversed with a European before. All of them appear to be quite satisfied to part with the hud necessary for the Northern Trunk Railway, The report of tho Committee of the Wellington Ladies' Christian Association, read at the annual meeting on Friday evening, showed that the ladies were prospering in their good work. The income for the year amounted to £419 16s 2J, and the outlay to £315 7s 10J, leaving a balance of £lO4 8 * 4d. The mothers’ meetings have been well attended, and greater interest is being displayed in them. A great check to the Dorcas work was caused by the fire at St. John’s Church, but this been more thau made up by the liberality of friends. The Bible Woman’s Mission has been attended with much success, and for this the sum of £Bl 11s 6d has been collected. Visits have bseu paid regularly to the gaol. Owing to various circumstances the Refuge in Nairnstreet hag been closed, but the ladies hope soon to open it again. The lease of the house Has been purchased for £2OO. At the Lyceum Hall last Friday evening the Thalia Dramatic Club gave a performance in aid of the orphans of the late Private Louis Minola (Wellington Rifles). There was a good attendance, a large proportion of the audience being members of the corps to which the deceased belonged. The programme consisted of the comedy “ Hia Last Legs,” and a farce “ Out of sight, out of mind.” In the former piece Mr J. B. Peyman was cast for O’Oallaghau, and kept the audience in a state of continual laughter. Mr Jacobsen's performance of Charles Hirers was an admirable one, his acting being natural and effective. Mrs Montagne was admirably played by Miss Friend, and Julia Banks (Mrs Peyman) was well sustained. In the farce the honors again fell to Mr Peyman, who was well supported by other m-tubers of the company. Altogether the performance was an unqualified success. Overtures were skilfully played by the Garrison B ind.

A meeting of the Space Committee of the Industrial Exhibition was held at the Exhibition offices last Friday night. There were nine members present, Dr Newman, M. H.R, being in the chair. The arrangements for the disposal of the space available were fully gone into. Mr J. D. Treanore was proposed as vice-president of the Committee, but declined owing to pressure of business, and Mr Zohrab was elected instead. The apace applied for by intending exhibitors has reached a total of 35,000 feet, aud all the available space in the Drillshsd aud St. George’s Hall was allotted, leaving the proposed extension on the north side of Stout-street for the accommodation of the balance. It was decided to put the Horae Industry Branch on the sides of the Drillshed, and reserve the centre of that building for the Musical and Ceremonial Department. Tin Arts Society applied for space for six or seven large heroic statue?, imported from Home, and these will probably be placed ronnd the indde of the Drillshed. St. George's Hall will be set aside for the exhibition of car-ri-iges, &c. The meeting lasted over two hours.

At Tuesday's meeting of the Benevolent Society it was mentioned that a man who had como from the Mauawatu, and was suffering from some bodily ailment, had been refused admission to the Hospital. Mr Danks thereupon remarked that ever since the Wellington Hospital had been under the control of the Government it was a most difficult matter for patients to get admission There was no such difficulty at the Melbourne Hospital, where any patient who got a ticket from a subscriber was admitted without further trouble. The responsibility was thrown upon the subscriber of the case being a proper one, If ths Hospital hero did not take the patients in they came to the Benevolent Society, and that body bad to keep them until they were able to work. Besides patients could be kept more cheaply in the Hospital than in any other place. Mr Wat dell, on the other hand, said he believed there were many patients in the Hospital who ware not fit subjects for such an institution, and ought to be in an Old Meu’a Home, if they had one. During a late visit to the Hospital he bad seen a doll by the bedside of an old mao, who was in bis sec.nid childhood. Cases of that kind bad no claim upon the Hospital or treatment.

A meeting was held last Friday evening, in the rooms of the Young Men’s Obriatiau Association of the General Committee appointed to to make arrangements in connection with Mr R. T, Booth's projected temperance mission. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. W. H. West took the chair. After prayer by the Rev, L, M. Isett, the Hon. Secretary, Mr G. Clarke read the minutes of the preceding meeting. It was mentioned that the General Committee had on It 75 names, and that Mr Booth would like it to consist of about 150 members. There was a great deal of discu'sion on the question of the size of the Executive Committee, and some difference of opinion and recollection as to Mr Booth's wi-hea on the subject. Eventually it was resolved to fix the number at 16, and the' following gentlemen were elected Messrs Lankahear, Helyer, Luke, Trevor, Fraser, G. Clarke, Johnson, Levy. Holmes, Collins, Edwards, Baker, Chariton, Hutchins, S. Clarke, and Hudson. It was also resolved that the i/uoistersl of religion in sympathy with the .lovement be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. The meeting was closed with the benediction, pronounced by the Chairman.

A gentleman here has received a letter from a well-known Turakloa chief, who has just returned from Taranaki, in which he says “I have just returned from Pakearuhe—on this aide of Mokau. The whole of the proceedings which we witnessed were very good. There were quite 2000 Natives assembled, and the burden of the speeches was this —Let peace prevail, and let all fighting cease within this island—let the Maori people live on terms of amity with the Pakeha. This was the principal topic at our meeting.” This Indicates a very different state of feeling to what existed in that district even a year ago. In this connection we may mention that a meeting has jnsfc taken place on the other coast (Hawkea Bay) for the purpose of stlectiog a Ngatikahunguou representative to serve in the mixed Defence Corps which, as we understand, the Government have in contemplation. The old Conservative chief jßeoato Kawepo, who has neyer given his confidence to any Native Minister since Sir Donald McLean held the Native portfolio, has publicly declared his satisfaction with Mr Balance's proposals, and his desire to aid the present Native Minister in every possible way. He goes heartily with Mr Ballance in the proposal for a mixed force for purposes of defence, and telegraphed to say that if only a few years younger, be would volunteer for the service himself. This influential old chief, although always loyal, has hitherto stood on bis tribal dignity, and (like Wabanui) once declined a proffered seat In the Legislative Council, .

Between 9 and 10 o'clock on Sunday morti. log, a little Maori boy, who was playing about the steamer Hawea at the Queen’s Wharf, fell overboard into the harbor. The child’s mother, a Native woman, uttered a heartrending yell, and commenced to divest herself of her clothing in order to rescue her child, but before she could do so Mr Noble, the second officer of the steamer, assisted by one of the seaman, jumped into the water with a rope, and eared the boy. Befare dfcmisdag the Volunteers at Mount Cook on their return from the sham fight on Monday, Colonel Pearce paid a we l-deserved compliment to the officers and men of the Wellington City Rifles, by calling their captain to the front and congratulating him on the good muster his corps hai made on that occasion, every man on the roll having responded to the call, which was a sura proof that ihe true Volunteer spirit prevailed in his corps. The Captain then conveyed to the men under his command the congratulations and thanks of the officer commanding the district. The Insurance Association Board having decided at its last week’s meeting that local Boards should be created in three of the principal towns of the Colony, the question of sending circulars to policy-holders, in order to ascertain whether they approved or otherwise of the creation of the Local Boards, was discussed at Wednesday’s meeting, and it was decided that a circular, with a proxy form attached, should be forwarded to each shareholder, setting forth tho views of the majority of the Board. Another circular, embodying the views of the minority, will be forwarded at the same time. It is understood that all the nominated members are in favor of the creation of the Local Boards, whilst the three elective members are opposed to the idea. A large hall has been opened at Little River (Canterbury) by the Maoris. The Hon. H. K. Taiaroa suggested that it should be named “ Moko,” from the name of a Maori who was a great man in the old days. He would advise the Maoris to have all their children educated, so as to be able to compete with the pakeha. At present they were not able to do so. In the event of war breaking out between England and Russia the Maoris would assist Great Britain all they could. He would warn the Maoris present not to bo led astray by false prophets, especially such an one as had lately appeared iu tho North I-daud. He thought the Maori and European ought to ait together in unity for the good of New Zealand. Ho again congratulated the Maoris on the hall, and would uow declare it opened. At the Athenaeum Hall Wednesday night M. Remenyi's farewell coacsrfc was attended by a large audience. Of Remenyi’s performances it seems almost superfluous now to-’speak in terms of praise, since the “ King of Violinist* ” has been eulogised all over tho Colony. It is sufficient to say that each of bis pieces was encored, and the scene in the hall after his rendition of the M Dead March in Saul ” has probably never been equalled on a similar occasion in Wellington, Miss Hattie Downing sang several solos, and narrowly escaped a second encore for her “ Annie Laurie and Mr Luckstone, in addition to, playing the accompaniments, rendered admirably a piano solo, which commenced the performance. The entertainment as a whole was a great success, and had it not been for counter attractions and the bad weather prevailing, the accommodation properties of the hall would probably have been severely tested. When the plana of the Newtown School were exhibited Wednesday at the Education Board meeting, Mr A. W. Brown said he thought tho tower ornamentation might very well be dispensed with, seeing the demand* that were made upon the Board’s funds. Mr Blair, the Chairman, thought it' would be a public calamity to build the school like an ordinary private house, more especially as it would have to accommodate 500 pupils. He had received the report of the Technical Commission on Education, and it was really astonishing to find tho sacrifices made in such a poor country as Switzerland, when compared with a rich country like England. Mr Buchanan thought schools and residences in tho country districts were more necessary than ornamentation. Mr Bunny said they were all interested in seeing Wellington put on a better appearance. When he came to town he always put on a better coat than he wore in the country. (Laughter), In fact, when he met many of the country people in town he hardly knew them, their appearance was so much improved An important experiment accompanied by highly satisfactory results has recently been performed at Sandhurst. Mr W. H. Grainger the Inspector of Mines for the Sandhurst district, has forwarded a report to the department of Mines, in which he states that an <*xperirneut was recently made on the property of the Hastler’sQaartz Mining Company for tho purpose of toatiog the efficacy of a spray of sulphate of icon for rendering innocuous the fumes from the explosion of nitre-glycerine compounds in mines. The trial was made in a from the shaft, at a depth of 1,017 ft from the surface. Two charges of lithofracteur were fired, and immediately afterwards Mr Grainger, accompanied by Mr Egglestone, the manager of the mine, and two miners, went into the crosscut which was filled with fumes. They used a spray of sulphate of iron, supplied by Me J. Cosmo Newberry, as they proceeded along the drive, and experienced no unpleasant feeling, nor the slight perceptible! Injurioun effects from the fumes. The temperature in the drive was about 78deg., and as the ventilation of the mine was defective, the test was regarded as a very severe one. The second competiti >a for Major Butts* trophy came eff oa Saturday at the Polbill Gully range. About 30 members of the different corps competed, the Guards having the largest number of entries (10), and tht D Battery being next with 6. Quarter-master Sergeant Scott, of the D Battery, won the trophy, but as it requires to be won twice running or three times at intervals by the same person, he will have to win it next time if it is to be his own property, A. Ballinger, who was next oa the list, shot very well. The following are the scores of the highest 20 Quarter-master Sergeant Scott, D Battery, 67\ Volunteer A. Ballinger, Gutrds, 65 ; Seaman tV, Harris, Naval Brigade, 63 ; Seaman F, Moore, Naval Brigade, 62 ; Volunteer Jackson, City Rifles, 61 ; Seaman H. Dixon, Naval Brigade, 61 ; Volunteer W. Ballinger, Guards, 60 ; Corporal Petrie, D Battery, 59 ; Volnuteer Asher, Guards, 58 ; Seaman J. Moran, Naval Brigade, 67 ; Sergeant Hale,. Guards, 57 J Hansen, City Rifles. 54 ; Corporal Kucben, D Battery, 64 ; Corporal O’Neil, Guards, 53 ; Sergeant Richards, 52 j Bombardier Gray, D Battery, 51 ; Volunteer. S. Greer, Kaiwarra Rifles, 60; Paterson, Guards, 49; Gunner Hume, D Battery, 49; Volunteer Shaw, Guards, 47, Mr Johnson, Secretary of the Benevolent Society, stated onTuesday thatsincethe previous meeting he had made inquiries as to the wages earned by 'employes at the factories, and, at the request of one gentleman interested, had gone through the pay-sheets. The prices paid for shirts were the same as those staled at the last meeting, namely 4d for undershirts and 5Jd and 6d for Crimean shirt*; but the manager of one of t e factories informed Mr Johnson that some of the workpeople con’d make as many as 18 shirts in a day. He (Mr Johnson) had gone through the pay-sheets, and found that the wages of apprentices and improvers varied from five shillings to twenty shillings per week ; the wages of inside employs, from £1 to £1 10s ; and the wages of outside workers, from £1 to £3 per week, Mr Wardell asked if the £3 was not paid to a family of workers! Mr Johnson believed so. In one case that amount was paid to a woman and her two daughters. Messrs Thompson and Shannon’s manager stated to Mm that the women, aa a rule, earned from 20s to 30a per week, and that, whereas only 4d was paid in Melbourne for finishings to trousers, lOd was paid at Messrs Thompson aid Shannon’s. Mr Wardell said he was snrprised, on going through the factory, at the healthy appearance of those engaged, and equally surprised at the respectable way the women and girl* were dressed. The Kev Mr West said he believed that Messrs Thompson and Shannon took great interest in their workpeople. The opprobrium of the “ sweating ” system would not rest with them. Mr Danka remarked that if the figures given by the Secretary qt the Society were incorrect, they were certain to be contradicted by some of the workpeople or their friends.