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New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8524, 2 November 1888, Page 4

The outgoing English mail, via San Francisco, closes to-morrow at the General Postoffice.

At a special meeting of the City Council last night resolution adopting the Fire Prevention by-law was carried, on the motion of Councillor Brandon. It was decided that the by-law should come into operation on the Ist of January next.

The total amount of Customs duties received at the port of Wellington during the past month was £22,318 19s 7d. The items in detail are as follow: — Spirits, £4430 4s 9d ; cigars, cigarettes, &e., £458 17s fid; tobacco, £3283 Is 9d ; wines, £467 11s fid ; ale and'^eer,. £487 10s ; tea, £705 15s fid; coffee, chicory, &c.,- £222 15s9d ; sugar, molasses, &o',, £584 18s 8d; opium, £150; goods by weight, £3302 19s fid; goods ad valorem, duties not specified, £2142 bi-7d.

The not proceeds of the sale by the City Council of dilapidated buildings in Mulgrave street was stated at last night’s meeting of the Oonnoil to be 17e. The Chairman added that the Council, he need hardly say, was a loser by the transaction.

Judgment was given for "plaintiffs in the following civil oases at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday :—W. Wilson vH. Carter, 9s; J. E. O’Shea vJ. E. Cleary, £ls- - 4d ; J. Chappie v W. J. Pallant. £1 5« 6d. The case Robinson vW. J, Hunt, claim £45 2s, was withdrawn, costs being allowed to the defendant. Mr Thompson was for plaintiff, and Mr Morrah for defendant. Detective Campbell arrested a Chinaman named Ah Nam yesterday evening; s on a • charge of having, on the 2Sth of October* broken into a dwelling-house at Nai. Nai, and stolen therefrom a wooden, box containing thirty-five £1 notes, one £5 - note, abont £lO in silver, and £5 in gold, • the property of a Chinese gardener namedQuae Ti. Tha accused will be brought before the Magistrate this morning. William Parsons was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr Bobinsoc, R.M., with having on the 19th June deserted his wife, Mary Anne Parsons. He pleaded not guilty. Mrs Parsons was called,, and gave evidence to the effect that she married the accused 12 years ago, and > had to support herself and son ever since. Her husband had been away now for the past two years. Sergeant" - Major Morice explained that the accused was arrested near Mahakipawa. In answer to his Worship, Parsons said he was mining at present, but had not got any gold. An order was made for the payment of 42s per month, beginning from the Ist November.

The case brought by Peter Smith, of Pitone, against ihe Pitone Borough Council for the recovery of £75, as compensation for a portion of land taken for widening Jack—-son-street, was heard at the Lower Hntt, before Messrs H. Jackson, and E. J. Rid diford, assessors, on Wednesday. Evidence for the plaintiff was given by Mr H. F. Whitcher, and for the defence by MessrsBaker, Kirk, and Carter. The assessors decided to view the locality, and the case was accordingly adjourned until Wednesday next, when they will give their decision.. Mr W. T. L. Travers appeared for the plaintiff, and Me C. E. Bunny (instructed by Messrs Kirk and Atkinson) for the defence.

A proposal was made at the meeting of the Baard of Governors of the College and Girls' High School yesterday, by the chair* man (Mr J..R. Blair), that four should be given for competition at the Girls’ High School and two at the College, eachacholarship to carry free tuition for one or two years. He pointed out that there were no scholarships at all at the Girls' High' School, and it was proposed that thefour, to be • given should bs awarded to the four best girls. With regard to the scholarships for the College i he suggested that they should be awarded to the two boys having the highest number of aggregate marks, who were not holders, of other scholarships. The proposal was agreed to by the members, and the Chair* man promised to consult with the principals'of the two institutions, and bring up a report at next meeting.

The Board of Governors of the Wellington College and Girls’ High School held . their - usual monthly 7 meeting in the EducationBoard’s Office yesterday morning. There ■ were present—Messrs J. R. Blair (chair* man], C. B. Izard, M.H.R., Rev. J. Paterson, and Drs Newman, M.H.R., and Henry. The Chairman reported that the bank overdraft was £1486 15a 4d. The amounts required for payment were £ll9 (College), and £166 8s 6d (Girls’ High School). These amounts were subsequently passed. The fees due on account of the College wete £ll6 16s, and Girls’High School £lls 17s 4d. The rents due amounted to £B7 18s 3d. In reply to the Rev J. Paterson, the Secretary (Mr Powles) stated that the arrears were not so large as they used to be. Mr Patersonthought that Mr Powles should visit the College twice on the day fixed for receiving fern instead of once, as at present. The Secretary said that the fees could always be paid at his office. Mr Paterson pointed out that Mr Powleswas not always to be found at his office. Some further desultory discussion having, taken place the subject dropped. A letter was read from Mr Baxter, one of the masters at the College, thanking the Board for the bonus of £2O they had granted him, and also for the £lB they had voted for the Cricket Club. It was agreed to submit to public auction about 2500 acres of , the Board’s, reserves at Mangaone. Messrs Stevens and Gorton, of Palmerston North, wete appointed auctioneers, but no date was fixed for the sale. The meeting then ad j earned. We have to acknowledge receipt from the Victorian Government statist, Mr B. H. Hayter, of a copy of volume one of the Victorian Year Book for 1887-88. This comprehensive and exhaustive work is most carefully and accurately compiled, and is a per* feet encyclopedia of statistics. The first volume deals with population, financial and vital statistics. Prom this work we learn that the whole population of Australasia Is returned at 3,551,751, and of the Australian Continent, excluding New Zealand, is just under three millions,, The birth rate ia lowest in New Zealand, than'follow Victoria and Tasmania, while Queensland takes the highest place, with WesternAustralia and New South Wales in close succession. The lowest death rates run ae. follows: New Zealand, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland. This latter colony has the highest marriage rate, and New Zealand the lowest. This ia perhaps due to the depression so long existing in this Colony, or—borrowing the idea of an English statist —it is due to the (late) low price of wheat, for it was observed in England for many years that the marriage rate fluctuated with the price of wheat. When that commodity'was low, so was the marriage rate, and directly wheat advanced so did the marriage rate. Not that there is any immediate connection between wheat and marriage, but when grain advances in price it ia generally looked upon as an evidence of better trade, and with better prospects of remunerative employment young couples take heart of grace and strive their level best to increase the marriage rate. .

The adjourned meeting of the newlyformed Amateur Athletic Club was held at the Occidental Hotel last night. There were about thirty members present, and Mr G. Campbell occupied the chair. A number of rules, as recommended by the Provisional Committee, were considered and adopted with a few alterations. It was decided that the name of the Club should be the Welling, ton Amateur Athletic Jlufc. The subscription fee was fixed at 10a fid per annum. It was decided to adopt the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association’s definition of _an amateur, the rules dealing with this subject being that any person who shall after the Ist day of November, 1888, compete for public money, or for admission money, or with any professional for a prize or money, shall no longer be considered an amateur, and that any member who shall infringe this rule shall, ipso facto, cease to be a member of the Club. It was also decided that the Club should hold its sports under the New Zealand Association's racing roles. The following office-bearers were elected Patron, His Excellency the Governor j President, Mr G. Fisher. M.H.R. ; VicePresidents, Mr Menteath,' Mr Golly, Dra Collins and Cahill; Seoretary. Mr L. Tripp; Treasurer, Mr D. H. Maokinnon; Committee, Messrs J, M. King, A. King, G. Campbell, C. A- Knapp, C. Richardson, O. Kreeft, and H. McCardell; Auditors, Messrs Boddington and Fahrenbaoh. The question as to when the first sports under the auspices of the Club should be held was briefly discussed, bat nothing definite was decided, it being understood, however, that the • Committee would give the matter their earliest consideration. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Mr P. P. Webb for the energy and interest he had displayed in forming the Club. The usual compliment to the Chairman terminated the meeting.

Mr H, C. Haselden, stationer, of Cubastreet, announces the arrival of novelties for the season, including a large assortment of Christmas and New Year cards.

A special promenade show will be held this evening by Mr C. Smith, the cash draper, Cnba-atreet. The shop will be prettily decorated with millinery, mantles and costumes.

Property is changing handsin: p * lm ® rBto ” pretty freely. We notice that Messrs Welch and Co,, booksellers, have just purchased the block in which their own shop is situated, at a good price.

A young girl, aged 10, named Mary Auvient Lee, was committed yesterday by the Foxton Magistrate to the Industrial School at Burnham, until she is the age of 15. She was brought down last night m charge of Constable Pennyfather.

An old man named Petei James Mack was arrested by Detective Chrystal last night on a charge of having stolen a quantity of zinc, value 2s, the property of Sargood, Son and Ewen. He will be charged with the offence at the Resident Magistrate’s Coart this morning.

Bradshaw’s railway guide for November is to band. A new feature is an interesting brief review of the past month and the Customs duties, corrected up to date. In addition to complete railway time-tables, there is a lot of useful information given respecting the intercolonial coastal and Home-going steamers.

The sale of Mr M. Bohan’s stock of buggies, wagonettes, &c,, which will be held to-day at 12 30 o'clock by Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., on the premises next the Royal Oak Hotel, will no doubt attract a large attendance of intending purchasers, as not only are the vehicles to be offered of the best kind obtainable in this city, but especially liberal terms will be given to purchasers. In addition to the stock of baggies there is also a pure-bred gelding by Puriri to be offered.

This afternoon, at 2 o’clock, in the Exchange Hall, Messrs T. Kennedy Mandonald and Co. sell, on behalf of the Wellington Harbour Board, the lease for 21 years of the Board’s endowment fronting Peatherston, Ballance and Whilmore-streets. The central position of the block well adapts it as the site for any class of business, and should therefore excite considerable competition, more especially as the lease will bo under the Wellington Harbour Board Leasing Act, which provides for valuation of improvements, and renewals from time to time. Lithographic plans are issued by the auctioneers, Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., from whom full details may be obtained.

The entertainment at the Theatre Royal last night by the students of the School of Design and their friends was an entire success. There was a large audience (including his Excellency the Governor and a party from Government House), and the programme itself provided an enjoyable evening’s entertainment. Songs were contributed by Mrs Levin, Mias Maclean, and Messrs E. L. Widdop and W. R. Waters, and a couple of amusing reoitationa by Mr Sayor’s. The tableaux, with one exception, were very effectively arranged, and most of tbein had to be shown a second time. The exception was that representing “The Oracle,” which was anything but artistic. Those of “Cleopatra” and “Hamlet,” and the statuary were excellently done, and the last one, in which the product of the soaring imagination of a gifted American artist was depicted, was an amusing finale. Mr Edward Wakefield contributed greatly to the success of the tableaux by noting as descriptive lecturer. The waxworks were also an entertaining exhibition, Mr W. D. Lyon fulfilling the duties of showman capitally. The orchestra, under Herr Mosoh, also deserve the conventional word of praise for the admirable style in which their selections were played. With reference to the annual examination of the Wellington College and Girls’ High School, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the two institutions reported at the meeting held yesterday that arrangements had been made with Professor Brown, of Christchurch, to undertake both examinations. The work at the College would commence on the 14th of this month, and after that was finished the examination of the Girls’ High School would be proceeded with. The terms were the same aa last year, namely, £4O. Dr Newman thought it was rather early to commence the examinations, and he asked if it could not be put off. The Chairman said the whole thing was radically wrong, and the Government had no interest in education or they would appoint a proper inspector. The Rev J. Paterson agreed with the Chairman, and-he thought that one or two inspectors would suffice for all - the secondary schools of the Colony. The Chairman considered that it was a dereliction of duty on the part of the Government; but they (the Government) would not face any question which involved the least expenditure, and yet they were scattering money in all sorts of directions without any result whatever. It was mentioned that Mr T. E. Fleming, a late master, would conduct, the examination in mathematics at the College, and that Professor Bickerton (of Christchurch), in conjunction with Mr Fleming, would conduct the science examination at the same institution.

The ladies of St James’ Presbyterian Church, Newtown, have effected a pleasing -transformation in St John's Schoolroom, Willis-street, where a sale of work manufactured by the ladies and their friends is being carried on. The Schoolroom has been very prettily decorated, and in the various stalls which the visitor finds on all sides when he enters the room a tempting display of wares are tastefully shown. There are goods of every variety to suit all tastes, and articles both useful and ornamental are being disposed of at low prices. Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, there was a fair attendance yesterday afternoon, when, at 3 o’clock, the sale was declared open by Mr J. R. Blair. Mr Blair, in declaring the sale open, said that the congregation of St John’s parish took a lively interest in the welfare of the congregation of Sc James’, Newtown, which was in reality an offshoot from their own parish. It was only eight years Since the parish had been founded, and the schoolroom, in which they had to worship, was now found to be wholly inadequate for the wants of the congregation, as it could barely seat 150 people, while accommodation was required for double that number. They had ISO children attending their Sunday School, and they also required additional seating room for them. For this object the sale was being bold, and it was such a worthy one that it did not require him to ask them to subscribe liberally to it, Mr Blair then formally declared the sale open. The Rev W. Shirer, pastor of St James’ Church, also addressed the assemblage briefly. Tbe names of the lady stallholders are as follow :—Mrs Dugdale, assisted by Misses Wilson ; Mrs C. Baker, assisted by Misses Baker and James ; Mrs Campbell, assisted by Misses Campbell • Mrs Shaw, assisted by Mieses Luff; Miss Milner, assisted by Misses Warnick, Hopwood, and Wilson. Mr H. J. Barnard presided over the bookstall, and Mrs James, assisted by the Misses James, had charge of the refreshment stall. Tbe Fairy Well was in charge of Mrs McLean and Miss E. Baker, and Misses Stephenson, Dugdale, and Hopwood did a brisk business with the ever-popular bran tub. Beside these various attractions, a number of girls kept a flower stall going with groat success. The attendance last evening was very good; when a capital musical programme, as follows, was gone through with great success : —Song, “Where hath Scotland found her fame ;” song, “ They all love Jack,” Mr Todd; song, “Barney O’Toole,” Miss Newton ; song, “ The better land,” Miss Greig ; song, “The maid of the mill,” Mr W. Baker; song, “On the banks of Allan Water,” Miss Newton ; song, “The bailiff’s daughter," Miss Greig. The sale will be again open this afternoon and evening, when Gray’s .Band will give selections.

Nominations are due on Monday night for events to be run at the Wellington Racing Club’s Spring Meeting, to take placemen the 30th November and Ist December. Nominations close on the same night for the Wei lington Cup of 1889 and W.R.O, Handicap. The following crews have been picked for the Senior Outrigged Fours (Star Boating Club), to be rowed on the 24th November ; —G. Cooper (stroke). A, W. Newton (3), J. Stevenson (2), E. C. Smith (bow) ; JHume (stroke), M, C. Barnett (3), J. M. King (2), G. F. 0. Campbell (bow); A. S. Biss (stroke), G. St. Hill (3), W. E. Bendall (2), F. Barraud (bow).

The first meeting of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s committee of the cake fair, maiket, and sale of work (to be held at the Drillshed on December stb, and three following days, in aid of the Girls’ Friendly Society Building Fund) was held at Government House on Wednesday. A large number of ladies and gentlemen were present. Several sub-com-mittees of gentlemen were formed to carry out the arrangements for decorations, amusements, &o. It was announced that Mr Johnson had consented to get up a Mny Pole dance, which had proved such an attraction on former occasions. Arrangements were also made for a fairy well, bran pie, and Christmas tree for the entertainment of the juveniles, as well as for other amusements for the elders.

A correspondent signing himself “ Justice ” writes as follows ;—“ A question that requires answering for the satisfaction of a good many is this. When retrenchment was considered necessary, why was it con fined to the teachers, while the Board’s officers were left wholly out of the scheme? The Inspector, I believe, still enjoys his comfort, able salary with emoluments (which latter, I ’ believe, are something substantial), not even troubled by the 7 per cent, reduction which the Chairman of the Board considers so satisfactory in the case of the teachers. The Board's secretary, who draws a larger salary than any teacher in the service, also comes out of it unscathed. Ignorant outsiders imagine that retrenchment should commence with the more highly-paid officials. Perhaps you can kindly enlighten us on the matter.” This point certainly does require some elucidation. Possibly some member of the Board can explain matters. For sending Home by the San Francisco mail to-morrow there is no paper so well calculated to interest friends in other countries as the New Zealand Mail. The issue this week is au unusually good one. The Editress writes upon Wellington fashions, and contributes for ladies’ reading “A Smart Business Woman,” “ Women’s Judgment of Women,” “Parental Correction,” “Ladies' Cricket,” “Fitting Ladies,” “.Ostrich Feathers,” “Amount of Sleep Required,” “ Mrs Oscar Wilde on Children’s Dress,” “ The Rights of Women,” &o. A new feature is introduced into the Mail this week, “Polonius” contributes a weekly article en titled "The Moralist,” and this week deals with “Advice to my Son." In the religious columns is an interesting article upon “A Scientific Study of the Bible.” Iu the light reading columns is the continuation of Detective Meiklejohn’s history of crirae and detection. Amongst miscellaneous articles are “ Some Newspapers a Century Old,” “ Lord Wolsely on Courage,” “ Diversions of a Pedagogue, &c. The racing intelligence, capitally edited by “ Martini,” contains full reports of the Australian and New Zealand races of the past week. The cricket matches of the district are fully reported. In the aquatic columns will be found a full account of the sculling match for the championship of the world, with a brief history of the winner. The proposals for the coming Wellington Regatta and the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rowing Association are dealt with at large. In “Round the Corners,” “Asmodens” treats upon “General Gordon,” “New Chums,” “Volcanic Disturbances,” “The Price of Fish,” “ Theatrical Posting,” &o. Fruit-growers will be interested in the continuation of the special articles upon the fruit industry. This week the article speaks of fruit-drying, and some capital advice is given. In the agricultural column the calendar for work in November for the flower, kitchen, and fruit gardens, with the month’s operations on the farm, will be found very useful. As a work of reference, “The Legislation of 1888,” a complete synopsis of the Acts passed,” will be worth perusal. All the local meetings of the week are fully recorded, and with the latest intelligence from all parts of the world, the Mail is the best and most readable paper published in the Colony.

Some months since we made arrangements with three of the largest British cotton manufacturers to supply ns exclusively with certain specially selected makes of calicoes, which from our long experience we know to be specially adapted for the requirements of the Public. These have now arrived at Te Aro House.

We confidently recommend these as being the best makes ever introduced into the district or the Colony, and as a guarantee of value every piece and dozen has stamped on it our trade mark, viz , a view of the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, To Aro House.

They comprise' a variety of makes, fine, medium and heavy, are all pure, soft finish, and are well adapted for the thousand and one purposes to which calicoes are put. For the convenience of sale they aro principally made up in 12 yard lengths and the numbers and prices areas follows at Te Aro House:— Widths, 32 nud 36 inches, Numbers and prices per dozen yards, Jl, 3a Gd ; J2, 4s 6d, 5a 6d ; J 3,5 s 6d, 6s 6d ; J 4,5 s 6d, 6s 6d ; J 5, 7a yd ; J 6, 8s 6d ; Al, 4s 6d, 6s 6d ; A2. 5s 9d ; A 3, 6s, 7a ; A 4. 8s 6d ; Ml, 3s 6d, 4s Gd ; M2, ss, 5s Gd ;M3,G» Gd ; M 4,7 s 9d at the Wholesale ’ Family Drapery Warehouse, To Aro House.