Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8164, 16 August 1887, Page 4

Lady Jervois will not hold her usual reception to-day. In accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Chamber of Commerce appointing canvassers to collect subscriptions for a steam fire-engine for this city, Mr J. Duthie and Mr Gale yesterday morning made a personal canvass, in which they were very successful. An amount of £2OO is now in hand for the proposed engine. The steamer Mararoa presented a brilliant appearance last night as she steamed out of the harbor, for Melbourne, via South. Ou either side of the vessel two rows of portholes might be seen lighted up from stem to stern, while on deck were also two rows of lights. The contrast between these brilliant white lights and the various colored lights of the port and starboard-lamps had a very pretty effect, which elicited the admiration of all who saw it.

Before the action City Advance and De. posit Company v. Smith was gone into at the Supreme Court yesterday, several other cases were mentioned. By consent judgment for plaintiff for £214 and costs was entered in Hodgins v the City Advance and Deposit Company, Mr Fitz Gerald appearing for the plaintiff and Mr Edwards for the defendant. The National Fire and Marine Insurance Company v. the Australian Mercantile Marine Insurance Company was adjourned for a few days, in consequence of the absence of W. D. Stewart, counsel for the defence; and Lahman v the Phoenix Insurance Company was adjourned till next session. The divorce case Rush v Rush was also adjourned till next session; and jurors were discharged from further attendance.

We wera shown yesterday by the accountant of the Bank of New Zealand specimens of the new Jubilee coinage. The gold coins are of the value of £5, £2, £l, and half-a-sovereign. The silver pieces are os, 4s, 2s, and la; also 6.1 and threepenny pieces. In general appearance none of the new coinage is equal to that at present in circulation. The value of the coin does not appear, and to the uninitiated serious mistakes would likely occur, particularly so in the case of the gold coins. The portrait of the Queen, which is supposed to represent Her Majesty at the present date, appears on one side of all the pieces, and on the other is a representation of St George and the Dragon. We understand that the coins at present to hand are not intended for circulation, but are merely as samples of the new issue-

The free lecture on nursing at the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge this evening will, by special request, begin at 8 o’clock instead of at 7-30.

In the prosecution of W. R. Waters by the City Advance Company Mr Edwards will appear for the Company and Mr Skerrett for the defence.

The girl Margaret Martin who was admitted into the Hospital on Wednesday last, supposed to be suffering from the effects of poison, has since been discharged, completely recovered.

An entertainment 1s to be given at the Opera House on Thursday, the 24th inst., by the Wellington College boys, in aid of the workshop, singing class, gymnasium, and fives court. An excellent programme, which appears in another column, has been prepared.

Messrs H. Hume and James Ames did not answer to their names when called as jurors at the Supreme Court yesterday, and his Honor the Chief Justice (iued them 40a each. Later in the day Mr J. E. Page, city treasurer, stated to his Honor that Mr Ames had been absent for some weeks on sick leave, and the fine was th ereupon remitted. A social gathering was held at the Working Men’s Club last night. The attendance was large, and the Vice-President (Mr J. Gray) presided. A capital programme of songs, readings, recitations, and musical selections was performed. Several of the men from H.M.S. Opal contributed items. Altogether the affair was a, very successful and enjoyable one. Legal proceedings are about to be instituted for defamation of character arising out of a case recently heard in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, in which a commercial traveller named Johnstone was charged with having obtained the sum of £4 as commission from A. M. Loasby by means of false pretences. The case, it will be recollected, was dismissed.

The following tenders have been received by the Public Works Department for the North Island Main Trunk Railway, Porewa and Hunterville station : Accepted : Messrs Gifford and O’Connor, Wanganui, £IOO2, Declined; Messrs Andrew McFarlane, Wanganui, £1685 ; John Alexander, £l7Ol ; Prank Burbush, Palmerston North, £1709 ;M. Burgess, Ngaire, £1773 ; Monro Bros., Palmerston North, £lß7l. A meeting of the Union Football Club was held at the Greymouth Hotel last night. There was a good attendance, and Mr J, W. Kilner occupied the chair. The financial statement was brought forward, and considered at some length. It was decided to wind up tho season with a concert, and the following committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements: —Messrs Kilner, Hyams, Dixon, Little, Parsons, and Jennings, with power to add to their number.

We have received for review a copy of the “White Violets Waltz,” composed by Mr Harold Brooke, and published by Messrs Dutton, Brown and Thomson, of this city. It is pleasing, melodious, and has a wellmarked rhythm, therefore will doubtless be a favorite. On the cover is a lithographic view of Wellington and its harbor, with a mass of the favorite spring flowers to which tha waltz is dedicated, artistically drawn by Mr Walter Leslie, who has been very successful in his mode of treatment.

An action for damages has been taken against Messrs Graves and Fleming, the well-known clothiers, by a gentleman connected with the Wellington Woollen Company, on the ground that they induced him to buy a quantity of tweed, representing it as the production of the Wellington Woollen Company, whereas they, it is alleged, well knew it was not so. The damages are set down at £2O. The case, which should prove an interesting one, will be heard at the Resident Magistrates’ Court on Thursday week. ,

The rainfall since last Wednesday, the 10th instant, was 2 - 63 inches. The total rainfall up to that date for the present month was 5*61, and the rainfall since last Wednesday thus brings the aggregate up to 8'24 inches. This, although for leas than half the month, is considerably heavier than the average rainfall for the whole mouth in the previous 22 years, which is 6 - 2 S inches. The lowest temperature during the present month in the open was on the sth instant, when it was registered at 28 deg., and in the shade on the 13th, when it was 33 deg,, only one degree above freezing point. The Mammoth Minstrels repeated their "Harvest Festivals" to a capital audience at the Opera House last evening. The entertainment has grown in popularity, a fact that was attested by frequent and hearty applause last evening. The Misses Amy Blaokie, Violet Kingsley, and Josephine Smith were again very successful in their songs, and received encores. The Messrs Cottier in their amusing songs and character sketches kept the audience continually amused, and were rewarded with encores for their songs, which were good-naturedly complied with. The hit of the evening, however, was the single trapeze performance by the Woodward Brothers, which brought down the house and secured for them an imperative recall. This evening a change of programme is announced, and an additional attraction in the shape of an amateur dancing competition—the best dancer of a Sailor’s Hornpipe to receive a silver cup. Owing to the indisposition of Miss Ruby Clifford last evening, Mr Turner acted as interlocutor.

The liabilities in the estate of William Standee, farmer, Karori, are set down at £354 ss, and the assets (book debts) at £7O, leaving a deficiency of £284 6s. The principal unsecured creditors are;—McCauley, £4l 5a ; Henry Wright, £27 ; James Smith, £ll 19s 9d; Bouse and Hurrell, £l4 6s ; George Thomas and Co., £2214s 8d; A. Pieratd, £l3 Os lOd; Casey and Macdonald, £8 9s ; W. Evans, £8 6s 8d; W. Wriggins, £6 13s 9d ; Waddel, McLeod, and Weir, £5 16s 8d ; Cook and Knight, £5 5s 6d; Baird and Ward, £6 6s ; J. E. Potter, £l3 13s 8d; J. T. Thompson, £l7 13s 4d; Prank Kinoh, £6 17s 6d. The secured creditors are : Mrs Loundes, as mortgagee, £500; Mrs Standen, under bill of sale, £476 10s ; G. Thomas and Co., endorsed promissory note, £B2 12s lOd ; Henry Wright, endorsed promissory note, £25; Bank of Australasia, overdraft endorsed, £3O; total, £lll4 2s lOd. The following is the schedule of personality and real estate: —76 acres freehold, Karori, £400; 10 acres freehold, Carterton, £125 ; 120 acres leasehold, Karori, 20 years to run, £SO; 58 acres leasehold, Karori, four years to run, nil; goodwill of farm and dairy, dairy utensils, live stock, £390 4s 6d; furniture, £52 12s Cd ; total, £lOl7 19s 6d. Messrs J. E. Smith, W. Seed, and C. J. Toxward, Justices, occupied the Bench at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Four first offenders for drunkenness were dealt with in the usual manner. For having allowed two horses to wander, W. F. Wilton was fined 4s with 7s costs. James Torrence was charged with being illegally found on Sunday night in a stable, the property of John Laae, cab proprietor. The accused was sentenced to 48 hours’ imprisonment. Samuel Elliott was charged with having committed a breach of the New Zealand Railway By-laws, on the Bth inst., by going on the platform of the Government railway station to remove luggage when not engaged to do so. John Jack, potter, deposed that on the date in question he saw the defendant take two boxes belonging to a lady passenger from the platform to his express without authority. Constable Eeddell and a cabman also gave evidence in support of the charge. The defendant stated that he was engaged by a gentleman to carry the lady’s luggage to the wharf, but when she found it was raining, she decided to take a cab instead, and arranged with a cabman, who agreed to take herself and luggage for the same price as defendant. He was thus put to some loss and inconvenience. The Bench imposed a fine of ss, with 13s costs. The defendant said he would not pay the fine. The police had friends who watched him whenever they got a chance. A penalty of 48 hours’ imprisonment was imposed in default of distress.

Mr Alfred Falkner has definitely decided not to contest the Wellington South election.

The first meeting of tho Committee ap pointed by the Chamber of Commerce to - consider the bankruptcy law will be held to-day.

A deputation from the Halt County Council will wait on the Minister of Public Works at II o’clock this morning in reference to the narrow railway crossing at Petone, which, it is stated, is dangerous in its present condition.

The Secretary of the Poneka Football Club has received a letter from the Wanganui Football Club, asking if a match can be arranged to take place between the two clubs at Wanganui. Owing to the lateness of the season it is improbable that tho match will come off.

A man named Edward Fianeran was arrested on warrant yesterday afternoon by Constable McAllen on a charge of failing to comply with an order of the Court made at Oamacu in I&S3, calling upon him to provide for the maintenance of his illegitimate child. The accused will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and remanded to Oamaru.

Messrs Robertson and Co., of the Phceaix Foundry, are making considerable progress with the alterations and improvements to the paddle steamer Colleen. The vessel is having compound engines and a new paddle wheel put in her, together with other improvements. It is expected that she will b® ready to resume her usual harbor running in about ten days’ time. In addition to this work, Messrs Robertson and Co. are making a 16 horse-power boiler for the Wellington Biscuit Factory.

Daring the interview with the Minister of Public Works yesterday morning the Mayor asked a question as to the correctness of some remarks made by Mr F, H. Fraser during his address to the electors last Thursday evening, in which the latter referred to some interviews he had had with the Minister respecting the necessity of making provision for the Te Aro railway. The Minister said it was perfectly correct that Mr Fraser had had two or three interviews with him, and that he (the Minister) had the Reclamation Bill stopped and fresh plans prepared. The Mayor said he and the Chairman of the Harbor Board were watching the Bill in the interests of the city, and they were surprised at the hitch that occurred in the Upper House. He considered that Mr Fraser had treated the Chairman of the Board and himself with very scant courtesy by acting on his own responsibility in the matter. Mr Richardson said his'own impression was that Mr Fraser’s action in regard to the land was before the action taken by the Council and Board. Ha observed that Mr Fraser had thought the matter of the railway overlooked, but he (Mr Richardson) had never overlooked it, and had made provision for continuing the railway to Te Aro some years back. After some further conversation the matter dropped. A pleasant passage-at-arms between two gentlemen of the legal profession closed yesterday afternoon’s sitting of the Supremo Court, The case was that of the City Advance and Deposit Company v. Smith, and it became necessary that either it should ba proved that certain transactions by W. R. Waters, tho former manager of the Company, should he proved by the plaintiff to have been beyond that individual’s authority from the Directors, or that the defence should admit that there was no authority given to him. Mr Skerrett, who was for the defendant, insisted that it should be proved by evidence, and Mr Edwards, counsel for tha plaintiffs, thereupon applied for an adjournment till to-day. Mr Skerrett objected to this, and said he was not disposed to meet his learned friend, since his learned friend had not met him in a good spirit in the case. Mr Edwards warmly retorted that had he been so disposed he could have forced Mr Skerrett to an adjournment earlier in the day at the defendant’s expense. Mr Skerrett returned to the charge again, and repeated his assertion, which was promptly characterised by Mr Edwards as “ most unjustifiable.” His Honor the Chief Justice eventually granted the adjournment, remarking as he did so that he was disposed to consider the convenience of the jury rather than that of the litigants and counsel engaged.

The question what constitutes cruelty to raoehorses when runniug in a race was investigated a short time ago by the Cheshire magistrates, sittingatNeston,when the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals instituted a prosecution against George Swift Lowe, described as a gentleman rider, living at Codsall, Wolverhampton. Inspector N>oholls, of the Royal Society, said that he saw nine horses start in a race - at Neston steeplechases. The defendant was mounted ou The Trapper, and rode towin. The Trapper, which was third, ran lame after clearing the last jump, and wasevidently suffering great pain. Notwithstanding this, the defendant whipped and spurred the auimal all the way to the winning post. When the defendant witness counted twenty opened wounds on the near side of the horse, from which blood was coming, while on the off side there wasa large patch of blood. The horse was alsobleeding from the mouth. The spurs used had long sharp points. The animal was exhausted and seemed in great pain, both front the sparring and the lameness. In defence, Mr Vickery, clerk of the course, and other witnesses gave evidence that the horse was not unfairly ridden, and that the spur marks were nothing excessive. It was admitted that The Trapper broke down badly. After a brief consultation, the magistrates dismissed the case.

His Worship the Miyor, accompanied by Mr J. E. Page (Assistant Town Clerk), waited on the Minister of Public Works yesterday morning, in reference to having a clock and tower put in the new Post Office buildings. The Mayor asked if the statements published in ths paper?, that there was to be no clock and tower, were correct. The Minister said that the present intention was to call for tenders without a tower, but the building would be erected in such a way that a tower could be added to it at any time. Having made this explanation, the Mayor said ho would ask the Minister to have the clock and tower put in. He pointed out that'the City Council and Harbor Board had contributed to the cost of the last clock. Of course the Government held it as trustees of the public; it was burnt down, and of course they were sorry. He was not asking » favor for the city of Wellington, because the building was recognised as a colonial institution. He understood that the whole coat of erecting the tower would not be more than £ISOO, and added that the Council had passed a vote to contribute the same amount as they did before, Mr Richardson said his opinion was that the tower and clock would cost a good deal more than the Mayor said to re-erect. The tower was put up in a very peculiar way before, and hia office would not consent to it being put up in that way again. It was nothing but a wooden skeleton. Replying to the Mayor, the Minister said that in Parliament he had been pressed very closely about the matter, and had promised that no money should be expended on it until the new Parliament; met. The Mayor suggested that the tower should be included in the designs and allowed to take its fate before Parliament met. If Parliament chose to knock it out of the plans, then he (the Minister) would have done his dot3 r . The Mayor felt quite certain that if the tower was not included in the plans now it would never be put up at all. Mr Richardson said he would bring the question before the next meeting of the Cabinet. In further conversation on the matter, he said it was questionable whether it was right that the tower should have been built of wood He thought that the vibration of the tower was doing much harm that would have soon manifested itself had it not been destroyed by fire. He also said that the original intention of the Public Works Department was not carried out in the construction of the entire building, but it "would be so this time, and consequently the cost of erection would be heavier.