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New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8525, 3 November 1888, Page 4

The outgoing English mail, via San "Francisco, closes to-day for papers, books, &c., at noon, and for letters at 1 o’clock. Captain Hansby, formerly of the Hawea, has charge of a large steamer in the Australian intercolonial trade.

Oar telegrams state that the s.B. Aorangi passed the Bluff at 9 o’clock last night. She should reach Port Chalmers early this morning.

The subscriptions received toward the cost of the Post-office clock up to yesterday afternoon, amounted to £5. The subscribers were—Messrs J. E. Hayes, H. Hall, J. Staples, H. J. Richards and “ W.” each having contributed £l. A deputation of ratepayers of the Melrose Borough waited on Mr C, E. Zohrab for the purpose of asking that gentleman if be would stand for the office of mayor of the borough at the ensuing election. Mr Zohrab promised to consider the request, and to give a definite answer on Monday. A fire is reported to have occurred about 8 o’clock last night at Eaiwarra in a bedroom of the house occupied by Mr Liddai, butcher. Several children were sleeping in the room at the time, and it is supposed a dress caught fire from a caddie. The flames were extinguished with the assistance of the neighbours before much damage was done.

Considerable progress is being made with the erection of the new public school on Clydc-quay, There will be eight large class rooms in the new building, which will accommodate about 600 children. The contractors (Messrs Thomson and McLean) anticipate that the building will be complete about the middle of December. It will not, however, be opened until after the Christmas holidays. Mr William Bromley, who died at his residence, Newtown, yesterday, was an old and deservedly respected colonist. On his arrival in New Zealand he lived for some time at Pauatahanui, where be kept an hotel about 1860. Subsequently he became warehousekeeper in the Customs, which position he occupied up till a few years ago. In the early days of the Colony he took a great interest iu horse-racing, and was a conspicuous figure in connection with the meetings which were held at the Burnham Water-course.

The sale of work held by the ladies of St James’ Presbyterian Church, which began at St John’s Schoolroom on Thursday, was continued yesterday. There was a good attendance both during the afternoon and evening, and business was very brisk. During the evening an extra attraction was provided in the shape of a performance by Grey’s private baud, which was greatly en. joyed. Financially the sale has been very successful, and it is expected that the proceeds, which are in aid of the Church Enlargement Fund, will amount to about £IOO,

Mr Robert Parker returned yesterday from Christchurch, and reports that he has made very favourable arrangements with regard to the coming Musical Festival. He held some highly satisfactory rehearsals with the Christchurch contingent of performers, and has tried some new soloists, with the result that Mrs Westmacott, an excellent mezzosoprano, Mr Puschel, a Danish tenor possessing an exceptionally beautiful voice, and Mr Mill ward, a fine English tenor just out from Home and bringing first-class testimonials, are likely to be engaged, as it is desired to give the Wellington audience as much variety and novelty in respect of performers as peaBible. The utmost interest in the Festival is taken in Christchurch. The local press devoted nearly a column to an “ interview ” with Mr Parker on the subject, and a large influx of Christchurch visitors to Wellington is expected on the occasion. The Festival promises to be in every way a brilliant success.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning a first offender was fined 5s for drunken ness. Peter James Mack pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing 2s worth of zinc, the property of Sargood, Son, and Ewen. The evidence for the prosecution went to show that the accused went into the yard of the firm named on Thursday, and took the zinc away, selling it at Mr Thomas Ballinger’s establishment subsequently. He had been in the habit of selling zinc at that shop. Mack was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. Ah Nam, a Chinaman, was charged with stealing £2l from the residence of Ko Chy, a compatriot residing at Nai Nal. The accused was remanded for a week on the application of Detective Kirby. James, John, and William Jenkins, charged with failing to satisfy an order against them for the maintenance of their father, pleaded that they were unable to do so. His Worship remitted the arrears, and ordered that payments under the order should be made regularly in future. We regret to have to announce the death of Mrs Edna Priscilla Batkin, wife of Mr C. T. Batkin (Assistant Comptroller and Auditor), which happened at her residence in Hawkestone-street, yesterday. The deceased lady had been confined to her room for some days, and yesterday afternoon, jn*t before 1 o’clock, the servant, upon going into the bedroom, found that Mrs Batkin was dead, having apparently expired in her sleep. Mrs Batkin was an old colonist, having been in New Zealand with her husband for 39 years. They landed first at New Plymouth, and came to Wellington about 33 years ago, She took a great interest not only in politics but also in religious and charitable affairs, and by her death Hospital patients will lose a warm friend. Mrs Batkin leaves, in addition to her husband, three daughters and two sons to mourn their loss. One daughter is resident in Welling, ton, one in Sydney, and one in London. Mr E. C. Batkin, the eldest son, is in business in this city, and the other son is in Wanganui. Mrs Batkin was GO years of age at the time of her decease. The case of Haroourt v. Whittem and Smith was called on in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Richmond yesterday morning. The case was one in which John Bateman Harcourt sought to recover from William Whittem and J ames Smith the sum of £2OO, which was claimed as damages in consequence of the defendants having released the Directors of the Wellington Woollen Company from a liability of £291 13s 4d, as honorarium due to the former Directors of the Company (Messrs J. Joseph, C. J. Johnston, W. Hutchison, J- R. George, the plaintiff and the two defandants), which, it will be remembered, formed the subject of an action at the last sitting of the Supreme Court. That action was npset, owing to the defendants having given the deed of release, and the plaintiff now alleged that it was given in fraud of himself and the other Directors. The defendants alleged that they were induced to become co-plaintiffs in the first action by the misrepresentation of the plaintiff that all the other Directors had agreed to become partners to the notion. They admitted giving the release, but denied that it was given in fraud or until after the discovery of the plaintiff’s misrepresentation, and with the belief that the said action was an improper one and ought never to have been commenced. Mr Jeilicoe,wbo appeared for the asked that the case should be adjourned until next sitting, as his client was absent in Melbourne, and wonld not be back until the middle of the month. He offered to pay the defendants’ costs. Mr W. B. Edwards (for the defendants) opposed the adjournment, as bis clients were anxious that the matter should be settled. After some argument between counsel, bis Honour said he did not think be could grant an adjournment, as it appeared to him that Mr Barcourt oaght to have been there, and he must call upon Mr Jellicoe to proceed with his case. Mr Jellicoe asked that the plaintiff should be nonsuited. This was agreed to, and the plaintiff was nonsuited with costs according to scale.

An annual meeting of the Cycling Club will be held at the Occidental Hotel on Wednesday night.

A meeting of the Wellington Educational Institute will bq held at the Education Board office to-day, at 11 a.m.

Weather permitting, Gray’s private band will give their performance on behalf Of O’Driscoll in the Basin Reserve to-morrow afternoon.

The tender of Mr Jas. Wilson of £1993,, for the erection of the Wellington Meat Company's new premises on Lambton-quay, has been accepted. The Tramway 'buses will leave Newtown-to-morrow at 2 o’clock sharp, and the Government Buildings at 2.15, for the Lower Hutt and McNab’s Gardena,

We desire to call attention to Allen Smith’s November price-list of groceries, &c., which appears in another column. We consider the details well worth attention.

In a telegram from London which we published yesterday, referring to atrocities in New Guinea, the Press Association inform us that instead of New Guinea it should read “Guinea, West Coast of Africa.” ’ An English lady says “ the art of conversation is unknown in New Zealand." Wherever she weut for fifteen months the talk among her acquaintances was all on the washing with kerosene one half the time and the sins of the servants the other half.

The pnpils of the School of Design and their friends repeated their entertainment at the Theatre Royal last night in the presence of a large audience. The slight hitches that were observed on the first occasion were absent last night, and the performance was thoroughly successful and enjoyable. The joint Committee appointed by the Harbour Board and City Council in connection with the Post-office clock met yesterday, at noon, Mr J. Duthie, presiding. It was decided to call for tenders for the clock locally, returnable by Friday next, the specifications to be drawn up by Mr Ferguson, engineer to the Harbour Board. The first practice meeting of the new Harmonic Society took place at the Bowenstreet schoolroom last evening, when there was a good attendance of members. The works rehearsed were Gade’a cantata “ The Erl-king’s Daughter” and Mendelssohn’s “Loreley.” A very satisfactory rehearsal was held under the direction of Mr Parker. The first concert will be given just before Christmas.

The Magistrate’s Court was invaded yesterday morning by Mr John Smith Harris, who appeared in the garb of an ancient mariner of the rank of an admiral. The momentous question he had to agitate was in connection with a case which is to be heard on Monday, and in which he is concerned, being, in fact, the defendant. In this caseMr Harris is charged with threatening to “blowup” Mr Alexander Wilson, of New--town, with dynamite, and the object of his visit to the Court was to ascertain whether Mr Robinson, R.M.. was going to ait onMonday. He was good enough to say that he considered bis Worship’s decisions just, thereby implying that what was wanted inhis ease was simple justice. Mr Robinsonassured his visitor that he should be sitting* on Monday, and thereupon the (admiral bowed himself out, intimating that all bedesired was that fair play characteristic of the British sailor.

How to Drkss Well.— A few hints on this subject to gentlemen will not be thought' inapplicable when so many are anxious to make garments that may “ make a gentleman or man a man,” and offer all sorts of specious inducements. Wa take oar stand on the principle of giving money’s worth for money at Te Aro House.

No gentleman can dress well unless they are properly fitted. “Fit” is our strong point. Oar Cutter does this to perfection. No unfitting garments come back to us,. There are not many that can say this so fearlessly as we do at Te Aro House. Then the materials must be good, bothTweeds, Coatings, Linings, Trimmings. This is invariably the case with ns. Wo “slop ” nothing—nothing inferior is ever pat into the garments we make. We aim at excellence in this respect because we are satisfied that it is the only solid basis of a prosperity that shall be as enduring as Te Aro House. Our new Tweeds, Coatings, Suitings, Trouserings are now ready for inspection.. We have booked already a large number of orders, but we shall be happy to have-them, multiplied tenfold at Te Aro House.