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New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8196, 22 September 1887, Page 4

A requisition is being numerously signed at Ashburton asking the Mayor to proclaim next Monday, the day o! the general elections, a public holiday. We understand that bis Excellency the Governor has received the resignation of the Hon G. M. Waterhouse, as Speaker of the Legislative Council. The many friends- of the Yen. Archdeacon Stock will learn with much pleasure that he is already feeling a good deal better for his rest and change. The Archdeacon has arrived safely at New Plymouth, where he remains a day or two, leaving either tomorrow or on Saturday for Auckland, on his way to Te Aroha. Mrs Elizabeth Allen, wi'e of Mr Eli Allen, late of Tawa Flat, died yesterday. The deceased lady was one of the earliest residents in Wellington, having arrived here in the ship Lady Gertrude in the year 1841, and has resided in the Wellington district ever since. She leaves two sons, five daughters, and thirty-two grandchildren to mourn her loss.

The number of children now being main, tained in Wellington by the Benevolent Trustees is 35, of whom 10 are orphans, 14 have loit one parent, and 11 have been deserted. Warm encomiums were passed at the meeting of Trustees yesterday upon the manner in which the children are cared for at their respective homes (being boarded out), and a motion was carried, heartily thanking the Ladies’ Association for their unremitting care of the children, and the judiciousness with which homes were selected.

The Committee of the Jubilee Exhibition of articles more than 50 years old (to be held on October 13th and following days) held their second meeting yesterday. We are requested to beg that all friends who kindly intend to lend anything, however small, to the Exhibition, will send in a statement o' ( the exhibits; either to Mrs Rawson, Boltonstreet, or to Miss Pynaent, Hobson-street, by Monday next, September 26th, so that the Committee may be able to judge of the space necessary for the objects exhibited. There will be a fairy well and other attraotions for children, and the novelty of such an exhibition will, no doubt, ensure its success. The Thorndon Rifles will make a start with shooting on Saturday afternoon. The captain and lieutenant have chosen nine each. The following are the names Captain’s side: SergeantsG. Easton, Murphy, Gurker, Corporal Barlow, Privates Wilton, Daly, Allan, Cloke and Edmonds; emergencies, Hunter and Parson. Lieutenant's side— Color-Sergeant Stone, Lance-Corporal A. Easton, Private Hadden, Feist, Barber, Ferris, Guilford, Reading and Finncane; emergencies, S. Williams and Turner. Ranges —200, 300 and 500yda. Ammunition will be served out after parade to-morrow-night at the Drillshed. “ Fedora ” was repeated by the Majeroni Company at the Opera House last evening, and again attracted a large audience. The realistic acting of Signora Majeroni as Princess Romazoff was again the feature of the performance, and she was ably seconded by Signor Majeroni in the equally arduous part of Count IpanofF, The talented couple received quite an ovation ■on their, appearance last evening, and were warmly applauded throughout. Miss Harwood, in her portrayal of the frivolous Countess Soukareff, fairly excelled herself, and she won her share of hearty applause. Messrs Jewett, as. De Siriex, Hoyte, as Rouvel, and Laurence, as Gretoh, the agent of the police, all did justice to the parts allotted to them. The minor parts were well filled, but more than a passing notice is due to Miss Maud Appleton who, as Demetrl,Sthe page, speaks her lines in a manner that gains her the sympathy of the There is to be a change of programme this evening, when “Elizabeth, Queen of England,” takes the place of “ Fedora.” The performance is under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor. The question of the establishment of an Orphanage was considered at a meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees held yesterday, there being present Messrs H. S. Wardell (chairman), Powles, McKenzie, Banks, B. Smith, J. E. Smith, Hall, and Wilson, and the Rev Mr Van Staveren. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Friendly Societies’ Carnival Committee, stating the Committee’s readiness to hand over the £230 gathered by the carnival in aid of an Orphanage, provided that the Trustees would give an assurance to commence erecting the institution at a stated time. The letter explained that the Committee considered themselves, bound to stipulate for this in conformity with their pledge when collecting the money. The Chairman pointed out that the tenure of the office of the Trustees was a short one, and it was a question whether they would be wise in -taking this responsibility on themselves. The number of orphans under their charge was not large, _ and of the 35 who were being maintained only 10 had lost their parents, and the others would be more properly called deserted children. He spoke in very great praise of the homes provided for the children, who, he said, were bench - ed by being with such families as they were now. After going into the question of cost at some length Mr Wardell contended that the boarding, out system was much more economical than maintaining children in an institution. For these reasons he was not prepared to mend the acceptance of the carnival committee’s suggestion. The Rev Mr Van Staveren said he had changed his views on the matter after visiting the homes of the children and making practical observations ; and he warmly supported the Chairman. He moved that the Trustees are satisfied at present with existing arrangements, deeming it better to board out orphans than te place them in an institution to be erected for that purpose. Mr Banks, Mr J. E. Smith, and Mr Wilson supported the motion. Mr McKenzie pointed oat that if the money was given to the Trustees, it would be subsidised and thus doubled, and the object of the Carnival Committee would be neared. He suggested that they should pat this before the Carnival Committee, Replying, Mr Van Staveren 'warmly commended the promoters of the Carnival for their well directed energy. The motion was then put and carried without dissent. It was also decided to inform the Committee that the previous resolution of the Trustees to hold the money oa trust held good.

Fruit trees throughout Central Otago are in full bloom, but as there is yet danger of sharp frosts, some little anxiety is felt.

We would remind our readers of the Celtic concert, which takes place this evening at St. John’s Schoolroom, Dixonstreet.

A man named Ralph Flanders, who was living near Plimmer’a steps, was arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of being a lunatic. He was committed to the Lunatic Asylum, whither he was con veyed by Con. stable Hugh J. Stewart.

On Tuesday evening a man named James Ritsou was examined by Drs Rawson and France, as he was suspected of being of unsound mind. He was committed on their certificate to the Mount View Lunatic Asylum.

Secretaries of cricket clubs are reminded that it is necessary to send in a list of their members, and also a list of defaulting mem. hers, and the colors of the club to which they belong, to the Secretary of the Cricket Association.

The recent schoolmaster at Kaitoke, John O’Brien, appeared at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday to answer a charge of wife desertion. As the accused was supposed to have left by the Mararoa for the South, tho warrant was telegraphed down South, and while, presumably, the Dunedin police were looking for him, O’Brien was walking about the streets of Wellington. The fact that a warrant had been issued coming to the knowledge of O’Brien’s solicitor, Mr Gray, that gentleman at once communicated with his client, who thereupon! went before the magistrate, and was admitted to bail in his own recognisance to appear this morning. A meeting of the creditors of Thomas John Boyes, clerk, was held yesterday, the Official Assignee”presiding. The bankrupt submitted a statement, which showed that he had at one time been employed in the Government Insurance Department, but was dismissed in consequence of retrenchment. He was appointed master of the Ohariu School at a salary of £l2O, with £2O for rent of house, while his wife and daughter were employed as assistant teacher and sewing mistress, at salaries of £2O and £lO respectively. On the 31st March last his engagement terminated. While in Dunedin,employed insellingapatent mat;hewasarrested,and had to sign judgment for debt. He went to Hobart, and while there an execution was levied in his house, and as his wife was ill and other creditors were pressing him, he returned home. He had not had any employment since. He supported his wife aud six children, and contributed to the support of his mother. It was decided to allow the debtor to retain his furniture ; and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Fielder, seconded by Mr J. Jones, to offer no opposition to his immediate discharge. At the annual meeting of the Cricketers' Association last night a letter was read from Major Wardell, Secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club, under whose auspices Mr Vernon’s team of English amateur cricketers are coming out to the colonies, asking if the Association would reserve a date for a match with the team. The Secretary stated that he had beau interviewed by a representative of the Melbourne Club, who had stated to him that the team wished all associations to give the grounds free, and that after the expenses of the team had been paid out of the proceeds, the surplus would be divided amongst those Associations where matches had been played. Ho suggested they should accept the terms. Mr W.' Fitz Gerald thought they should do their utmost to get tho team here, and they should offer as liberal terms as possible. It was eventually decided that the team should have the ground free of charge, rind that the matter of fixing a date should be arranged by the Secretary. In reply to Mr Cockburn, the Secretary stated that no communication had been received from Mr Alfred Shaw as to a probable visit from his team of professionals.

A meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Rifle Association was held at the Club Hotel last evening to arrange the programme and fix the date of the next annual meeting to be held at Oamaru. The following gentlemen were present ; Captain Somerville (Wanganui) Chairman, Captain Rogers (Blenheim), Captain MoCredie and Captain Collins. As a result of the meeting it was decided to have about 10 matches, and the prize money was fixed at £I2OO. The programme was divided into two stages, the first stage ranging up to 600yd$, and the second up to 800yds. The :raoge for the final competition was fixed for 900yds. The prizes for the teams’ match is to be about £2OO, made up as follows;—First, £SO ; second, £4O; third, £3O; fourth, £25; fifth, £2O ; sixth, £ls ; seventh and eighth, £lO. The championship aggregate is to be as follows :—Championship, £s'', belt and gold star; second aggregate, £35; third, £25; fourth, £2O; and fifth, £lO. The Coanoil decided to advertise in the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin papers for designs for the new belt, which is not to exceed £SO in value, and also a gold and silver medal. It was decided to hold, the meeting in the last week in February, 1888.

Mr Beatscn, who notifies his commencement of business as an architect in another part of this paper, is well-known to most of our Wellington readers, he having held the -appointment of assistant colonial architect under the late Mr Clayton as far back as 1871, and for the last four years having had solo charge of the Architect Department. It will be remembered that Mr Beatson was architect for the Exhibition building, which so admirably answered the purpose for which it was erected. Amongst the other buildings in Wellington for which Mr Beatson has prepared designs may be mentioned the Government Printing office, additions to the Wellington Hospital, Assembly Library, and restorations to the Post-office. In addition to the above he has prepared designs, working drawings, &c., for all the important buildings which have been erected for the Government throughout the Colony. Owing to the recent redactions which have been made in the Civil Service, Mr Beatson has shared the fate of many other faithful Government servants, and has therefore commenced private practice in Wellington, having taken offices in Brandon-street, over those of Messrs Edwards and Moorhouse, solicitors. Mr Beatson holds the highest testimonials, and his well-known professional ability: should ensure him a large amount of public patronage. We wish him every success. During last cricket season it will bo recollected that Mr J. W. Riley, the well-known proprietor of the Post-office Hotel, who has always shown a great interest in cricket, offered a valuable trophy for the best allround batsman in Wellington. That trophy has been won by Mr Arthur Motley, of the Phoenix Club. At the annual meeting of the Cricketers’ Association last night Mr W. H. Levin, who occupied the chair, said that he had great pleasure as President of the Association in being the medium of conveying to Mr Motley the trophy so generously presented by Mr Riley. In passing, he mast say that the warm thanks of all cricketers of the city were due to Mr Riley for the very decided way in which he had shown his appreciation of the game, and those who excelled in it. (Applause.) He then alluded to Mr Motley, who is in his employ, as a gentleman who had come to him with a reputation as a good cnoketer, and ho (MrLevio) felt sure that if he was a good cricketer he mast be a good man. He , had proved himself both. (Applause.) Having made some further remarks of a very pleasing character, Mr Levin presented Mr Motley with a gold watch bearing a suitable inscription. Before the meeting concluded, Mr Motley expressed hia thanks, and a unanimous vote of thanks was awarded to Mr Riley for having presented snch a handsome trophy. Mr Riley’s health was snbse quently drank with enthusiasm.