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New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8687, 23 May 1889, Page 4

Chamber of Commerce. —A quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be held at 3.30 this afternoon.

Queen’s Birthday. —The Telegraph Office will observe the undermentioned hours on the 24th instant (Queen’s Birthday)9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.' Iho Telephone Exchange will be open as usual.

Railway Extension.— The Premier has replied to the Mayor with respect to the question of railway extension to Te Aro, brought before him by a recent deputation He is unable at present to state the decision of the Government on the subject, but promises to communicate with the City Council again shortly.

The Mayor’s Ball.— The Mayor’s Ball to-morrow night promises to be an unusually gay affair. We understand that hia Excellency the Governor and party from Govern, meat House will appear in uniform in honor of Her Majesty’s Birthday. Volunteer officers will also be in uniform, and, we presume. Consular officials. The ballroom will be a veritable parterre in appearance.

The Destructor. —The municipal authorities have made a very sensible addition to the destructor on the lines we suggested some short time back. A substantial protection wall of galvanised iron has bsen erected at one end of the open space in front of the furnaces on the harbour side ef the destructor, and a similar one is being built on the opposite side. This will Be a great convenience to the men engaged in stoking. Another protection fence is required on the platform to prevent loose debris being blown away into the public streets daring high winds.

Business Amalgamation. —lt is freely rumoured in business circles that on amalgamation has taken piece between two large brewery firms in this district.

Collection or Beetles and Butterflies. —A valuable addition has been made to the Museum, in the shape of a cabinet of New Zealand beetles and butterflies, presented by Mr C. W. Palmer, of this city. The collection is a very good one, and comprises 517 specimens of' beetles and 244 of butterflies, &c.

The Midland Railway.— By an advertisement in another column it will be seen that the Midland Railway Company are at last making a start on their work. Tenders are called for the first section from Nelson Creek northward to Abanra on the Reefton road. The length of the section will be about three miles. It is evident that the Company intend to push on the Hue to Reefton as soon as possible. Mahakipawa. —Onr Htvelook correspondent states that the Lizzie Maokayolaim has got into some very payable stone, and that the reports from the other claims ifre very favourable. The Wairarapa party got about SOoz last week, and are still getting gold. They panned 19oz oat of two dishes. The Long Time Company obtained Boz for their week’s work. An Boz nugget was got in Williams’ Terrace claim.

Field Naturalists’ Club,— A movement is likely to be set on foot shortly for the formation in Wellington of a Field Naturalists’ Club. Such clubs already exist in other parts of the Colony, where they provide an interesting and instrnctive recieation for many people, and we have no doubt that if one was formed in Wellington it would be well supported. It is probable that a meeting will be called shortly for discussion of the proposal. Meeting of Ckeditoks. —At an adjourned meeting, of creditors in the estate of James MoAlpine, painter, &c., held yesterday, two offers for the estate were considered—one from Mr R. Martin, who offered £450 cash for the stock, leaving the Assignee to realise on the rest of the estate; and the other from Mr E. 0. Goodinge (for W, and G. Dean, ofjMelbourne). Later in the day the Assignee accepted Mr Goodinge’s offer of £6OO cash, less contra account —equal to £590 for the whole estate. Charitable Aid Litigation. —The local bodies sued by the Wellington Benevolent Trust—the Wairarapa North and South Coun+y Councils, aed the Borough Councils of Masterton and Greytown—in consequence of those bodies neglecting to pay their assessed contributions nnder the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, have retained Mr W.T. L, Travers. The Benevolent SocietyjTustees’ application for a writ of mandamus will be heard at the next sitting of the Banco Court-

Samples op Flax,—ln view of the revival of the flax industry and the great interest generally taken" in it, the samples' ol New Zealand flax at the Museum are well worth inspecting, having recently been re-arranged. The samples are of machine and handdressed fiore, dyed and undyed, and give an excellent idea of the capabilities’of the: plant. The made up specimens consist of cordage and twines, bath towels, huckaback, canvases of various kinds, cable' napkins, hammocking cloth, sacking, writing and drawing paper, and other articles. In proximity to these specimens is placed a case of foreign fibres—aloe, sisal,. Manilla, and bleached rhea, and others. The articles made of New Zealand flax appear to be of good quality, and prove that the- fibre is excellently suited for quite a- variety of manufactures. It also appears to have taken the dye very well indeed. The Agnews.—The Agnews* male and female* were released from gaol yesterday, havihg'aerved a term of imprisonment in lion of finding sureties that they would keep the peace. At about mid-day they called to see Mr Kofcinaon, 11. M., with a view, to'discussing with him the justice of their sentence. Hia Worship was unfortunate enough to meet his visitors in one of the passages, and they straightway began to unfold a tale unlimited as to dimensions and subjects. Mr Robinson being indisposed for the style of oratory peculiar to the Agnews, they were ordered from the building by Mr Baker, the sheriff, and subsequently gently, but firmly, removed from it by Mr Gordon, the chief bailiff. The Agnews then, finding nothing but mockery and scepticism; in the halls of justice, took the open street for it, and promenaded the Quay in front of the Government Buildings, pursuing the tactics ascribed in an old song to the Duke of York, who is said to have marched ten t hoasand men up a hill “ and marched them down again.” They were attended in their rambles by a constable, who also escorted them when they went to their meals and back again.

’ Magistrate's Court, Lower Hutt.— Messrs Dilnot Sladden, W. A. Fitzherbert; and S. R. Johnson, Justices of the Peace, presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Lower Hutt, yesterday morning. Denis Kelly and James Cronin were charged with creating a breach of the peace at Upper Hutt on the 4th May. Mr Bunny defended the accused. The Bench held the offence proved, and fined the defendants 10s each, with costs. James Crawford, licensee of the Central Hotel, Lower Hutt, was charged with allowing billiards to be played in his hotel after hours.- The defendant pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Jellicoe. After hearing the evidence the Chairman said the Bench were unanimous in consider, ing the case proved, and fined the defeudant £3 and costs, and ordered the conviction to be endorsed on his license. Constable Harnett mentioned that the defendant had been previously convicted of an offence under the Licensing Act. Constable Harnett, in charge of the Hutt district, prosecuted in both the foregoing cases. Two undefended civil cases were decided, and the Court adjourned. • Inquest. —An inquest was held at the Morgue yesterday morning oa the body of the woman Margaret Sabella McJvinnoc, ..who was found drowned in the barbonr on Tuesday morning. -Mr H.' W. Robinson, District Coroner, presided; and Mr. J. Hutchens was foreman of the jury, Mrs Isabella Kennedy stated that the accused, whom she had known for many years, came to her house on Monday afternoon.. She seemed in rather low spirits, and asked witness if she coaid remain there for the night, and witness said she would make up a bed for her ; and the deceased left the.house for the purpose of fetching a little dog from’ her daughter’s. This was the last witness saw of her. When deceased went away she appeared in good spirits. Dr Tripe, who had made a post-mortem examination of the body, deposed that there were a fewslight abrasions on the face, which had been caused before death. He found the heart very thin and almost raptured. His opinion was that the primary cause of death was failure of the heart’s action. If she had received a fall it would probably have caused her death. He was quite clear that the deceased was dead before she went into the water. Henry McCormick, labourer, gave evidence to finding the body in the harbour. . M. Ann Conch, deceased’s daughter, stated that her mother, who had been living with her, left her home on Monday morning, but did not say where she was going. She did not return again. She had not been very cheerful since her husband (witness’ father) died, hut she had not complained of any illness. Her mother was not given to drink, but she used to take a little brandy and water in the morning, as it did her good. Had always lived on good terms with her mother. Con. stable Redicaa also gave evidence. The jury returned a verdict that death was caused by failure of the heart’s action, but there was no evidence to show how the de. ceased got into the water.

Wife Desertion. —A ChinamAa named Ah Ting, who was recently arrested near Westport on a-charge of wife desertion, arrived by the Moa last night. He will bs charged with the offence at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning.

An Ocean Rack. —The barques Metope and Oberon left this part together on the 2nd March for Loudon, and a race tor Homewas expected between the two vesselr. According to the cable message the Merope arrived in London on Monday, and the Oberon does not seem to hare shown np yet.

Juvenile Crime. —A meeting of Justices of the Peace will bs held in Baker's auction rooms, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday next, lor the purpose of considering the question of juvenile crime in this city. The circular convening the meeting is signed by Messrs S, Brown, G. Allen, G. Fisher, J. R. Blair, E. Baker, J, Duthie, andC. A. Baker.

Wellington College. The Rev J. Paterson will move at the meeting of the College Governors on Thursday next r—“That the Board respectfully invite hi<» Excellency the Governor to pay an offioia4 visit to the-Wellington College and Gitla-’ High School, on an early date to be named by himself, in his capacity as the patron and visitor of those institutions.” The Flax Trade. —The Advocate is informed that a Wellington firm dealing largely in New Zealand hemp, have despatched a man to England with instructions to ascertain as far as possible the causes of the present large demand for oar fibre. This is bis sole mission, and he has been selected for the duty on account of hia known ability in getting at the causes of things that are searchable.

Bio Wages. Rabbitera in the Awatere and surrounding districts (says the Marlborough Press) are now, we are informed, earning at the rate of £1 per day, but despite this fact—combined with Ibe flax and other industries in full swing—tradespeople in Blenheim, especially the publicans, continue to grumble.. Like others of onr bone and sinew, tho rabbiter has learned how unprofitable it is for him to- “work like a horse and spend bis earnings like an ass.”

Sanitation in Australia. —lo the coarse of an interview m Melbourne Dr Barry, who is relinquishing the Primacy of Australia, denounced in very strong language- the insanitary state of most of the cities in Australia. He said that if he was an-Austra-lian Premier he should hold’himself guilty of manslaughter for every death that occurred from preventible disease:. The bishop regarded the flocking of the population-to the towns as a very bad sign indeed, saying that the colonies had the problem l of London before them, only under much-more dangerous conditions.

Miss Mabel Sylvester.—The Columbia Skating Rink was well attended last night? when Miss Mabel Sylvester gave hep first exhibition of fancy skating. Mias Sylvester is unquestionably the best' fancy skater wo have bad in Wellington.. Her feats are all executed with remarkable ease and grace,, and in most cases are quite new, Sbe is-par-ticularly clever in skating on the front wheels only, and in that position the lady went through evolutions which would : be quite impossible to people tolerably proficient on all four wheels.. To-night-Miss Sylvester will give another exhibition.

Sudden Death.—A sudden death occurred: at Palmerston North om Saturday night,, under distressing circumstances; A> young; man named Tew, who had been suffering from consumption for some time past, wasseized on going to bis home-: with a severe fit of coughing, during which he- burst, a blood vessel and died almost immediately. His wife, who had only been recently confined, was too ill to render' hiin. any assist, ance. As the couple were in rather poorcircumstances, a subscription, has been raised for the widow, and Messrs McKenna, Hawkins, and Wolltcmau- have: raised the sum of £6O.

Bankruptcy.— A meeting- off creditors in the estate of J. Fowler, builder,, was held in the Official Assignee’s office yesterday afternoon. The debtor submitted a statement, which set forth that his position-was due to pressure by New Plymouth creditors. Through the bankruptcy off two-persons he had lost about £2OO at New Plymouth. Arrived in Wellington in April last, but trade was very bad, andi he-had not been, able to give his wife £1; a-week to live upon. In examination, the debtor stated that be had lost money on several contracts. His creditors at New Plymouth were aware that he was leaving. Had kept no books. It was eventually decided to adjourn the meeting until Monday week, in order to givothe New Plymouth creditors an opportunity of being present. Fire. —About 8 o’clock last night Messrs Clotworthy and DixotJa boatbuildera’ sheds on Clyde-qhay were discovered on fire. An. alarm was given by the firebells, and tho Brigade was soon on: the scene. The fire had obtained a strong hold when the Brigade arrived, but they soon- succeeded in getting* the upper band of it, although a slight delay was experienced at the start in getting the water on, owing to- cue of the pings being stopped up. The- greater portion of the sheds was gutted, and most of the including a boat valued at £3O, destroyed. The northern end of the building, containing an engine and winch, escaped with little damage. The yacht Thetis, which had only been hauled np on the slip yesterday morning, had a narrow escape, and had the wind been blowing from the south the vessel would almost certainly have been burnt. Tbe yacht Florence, which is alongside the Thetis, would no doubt have shared the same fate. Messrs Clatwortby and Dixon were insured in tbe Union Office for £2OO. They are quite unable to account for the origin of the fire, for when they left the building at 3 o’clock everything appeared quite safe, and there bad been no fire burning since 1 o’clock.

Resident- Magistrate’s Court. —At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Messrs J. R. Blair and J. Dunn, Justices, four drunkards were fined 5s 'each, Messrs J. Lynn, J. de Mey, T. Newton and A. E. G rims tone, charged with having unregistered doge in their possession, were fined Is, with 7a costs each. A boy named John Humphreys, charged with breaking a Corporationgas lamp at the foot of Wcoloombestreet, pleaded that be did so unintentionally, having thrown a stone carelessly into the air. The Bench agreed with the police that the offence was a serious one, and were of opinion that the law on the sab jest was inadequate. If the Chart had power to order the offender a good birching it would do a great deal of good. The boy was fined £i, with 14s costs, Mr Blair expressing a hope that the parents would add a thrashing. For minor offences fines were inflicted as follows :—William. Barrett, driving round a corner at a faster pace than a walir, ss, with 7s coats ; J. H. Bentley, leaving a vehicle without chaining the wheel, 10s, with 7s costs ; J. D, Lightbonrne, driving without a license, ss, with 8s coats, and leaving bis cab unattended, 10s, with 7s costa. A charge of driving without a light, preferred against William Burridge, was dismissed.

Cadtiow. — The Public are WARNED against purchasing the many imitations of GERMEA that are being offered. Some of these spurious goods closely resemble the name of GEEMEA. Ask for GER> MEA and see that you get the o?iginal; sold only in 41b packages. Beware of articles closely resembling either the packageor the name of GERMEA. None era GENUINE except packed in paper and marked GERiSIEA and bearing the representation thereon of a child seated with a bowl on his lap with the word MUSH in distinct letters on it. Sole agents for New Zealand, O. P. G. PUECHAS & 00., Fort-street* Auckland, New Zealand,

Mr Mentkatu’s Addeess.—Mr A. 8. 'Menteath will address the electors of Te Aro at the Opera House, this evening, at 8 --o’clock.

Arrest. —Chief Detective Benjamin last -night arrested a man named Henry. Hamlin, 'charged with forgery. The warrant was naaued at Flcton.

risn: at Timabu. —The harbour seems to bo becoming more and more full of fish, Cod rare now caught in great numbers, and what with long rows of cod and tuba and boxes of sprats the vicinity of the breakwater is becoming quite a fish market. Fish are so plentiful that they are to be seen thrown raway in all directions. The Post Office Hour-Bell. —The new 'i’ost Office clock bells were officially tested -yesterday by Mr Robert Parker, the chosen referee as to accuracy of tone. The result was favourable, a Flight tanng being sugf ested only ‘in the third of the chime bells, iessrs Cable and Co. are to be congratnl ted -on their successful casting.

Buffalo Minstrels. Hugo’s Buffalo Minstrels had a very large audience at the 'Theatre Royal last night. The audience -appeared to thoroughly enjoy the performance, and the eccentricities.of the comedians kept them well amused, while the songs, etc., of the other members of the company assisted -in making up an exceedingly good entertainment.

“ Throw Physic to the Dogs.'’—Launceston hospital contains about the same number •of patients as Dunedin hospital. At the -former drugs and drenches cost about £126, at Dunedin, over £IOOO a year. The death rate is about the same at both places. A member of the Dunedin Board things may be the patients aro over-dosed at one iustitu. tjon, and under-dosed at the other. Archduke Rudolph. —After the body of Archduke Rudolph had been deposited in the •crypt of the chapel of the Convent of the Capuchins in Vienna, the public were freely admitted to visit the place ; but it has been discovered that the crowd of spectators included a large contingent of adroit thieves, who managed to appropriate the fringe of gold and silver bullion, the costly ornaments, the crowns, the bouquets, and every object of value placed upon the funeral pall.

The Rangitikbi Trade .—The fact that there aro so many flaxmills being established in the vicinity ot the Rangitikei (saya the Advocate) has directed the attention of the shipping companies to the desirableness of running steamers intoi the port. It was mentioned a short time ago that the owners of the Napier intended to send an engineer to the Rangitikei to examine the bar. The owners of the Huia have, however, had a gentleman inspecting the river, from the wharf to the bar, and he has expressed the opinion that it is in a good navigable conditioo.

Cook & Son.—Messrs Thomas Cook and Soa have just signed a contract: with the Egyptian Government, under which from May Ist, 1889, they will undertake the conveyance of the whole of the mails, ns well' as of civil and military officials and servants of the Government, by their steamers between .Assiout and Assouan, and thus relieve the Government of the expense of working their own steamers. The service will take the place of what has been known during the past season as the Cheap Express Service, and will in no way interfere with the ordinary tourist service. Omnium Gatherum. —Among the freight by the s.s. Nuddea to Melbourne last week were several Sikhs, tall and swarthy, and intended, it is said, for police purposes. On deck there were illustrations of Oriental tent life, and the occupants comprised Indian jugglers, acrobats, and magicians. There were also three ex-Queens of Oude, or ladies from -the royal harem of that country. Along with the troupe there was also a calf with five legs, and a Brahmin ■ bull broken to harness. Two hybrids or monkey boys wore also onboard. This heterogeneous collection Is to bs shown in conjunction with Wash-, burne’s menagerie, which arrived recently from India.

Police Accommodation. • — The Westport News says :—There arrived by, the Mahina-, ■paa yesterday a tent for the accommodation of Detective Quinn and the two •constables at Cape Foulwind. The arduous duties of the police at that place •will now be relieved by the ecstatic delight of living in a cool and commodious tent during the winter months. True, there is no fireplace, and the police lodging being ■on the cold ground may provoke rheumatics, but what of that, when “ dooty ” calls they must obey. Mr Commissioner Gudgeon might have purchased a cottage for a few pounds, but with a forethought which cannot be too highly commended, ho preferred to go to some little extra expense in providing the more comfortable accommodation of a •tent.

A Pitiable Sight.—A correspondent writes 1 " On Sunday evening, about i o’clock, coming through the cutting at the end of the Botanical Gardens, I noticed what I thought in the dusk was a piece of olay or a stono roll from the top of the •cutting to the road below, and bound like a ball from the side to the middle of tho road. On reaching the spot, I found the object to be a small fawn-coloured slut, of, I think, the Italian greyhound breed, and quite dead. It bad a collar .on its neok, and its head wss split open, and lay in a pool of blood. I saw nothing to account for its fall, which I be. lieve to have been quite accidental. Moved thereto by what was a truly pitiable sight, I send this letter, hoping it may meet the eye of the owner of tho little animal which had a weli-cared-for look, denoting it a pet.”

The Condemned Man Buttner —A day or two ago our Sydney telegrams stated that the man Buttner, condemned to death for a criminal assault on a girl named Lennox, had his sentence commuted, there being evidence to show that she bore a bud character. The Commissioner of Police, in Brisbane, has made careful inquiries in regard to her career in that city. The inquiries made show that a person called Jessie Lennox arrived in Queensland about two years ago and used to consort with persons of known bad character. At one time she was employed in a confectioner’s shop in Georgo-street, and afterward lived with the man as his wife. She was subsequently charged at tho Police Court with passing a bad £lO note on a Chinaman, and on medical examination was found to be insane and was sent to Woogaroo, She was released about the middle of March last, wh< n she went to Sydney. The Chief Secretary, having been informed of the above facts, communicated thorn to the Chief Secretary of New Scuth Wales.

Exhibition Committee. A meeting of the Dunedin Exhibition Committee was held yesterday afternoon, there being present— Messrs E. W. Mills (chairman), Cock, Bairaud, Gale.-Harcourt, Davies, Tustiaand Miles, and Dr Newman, M.H.It. Mr Barraud reported that the Fine Arts Committee found that several portraits could be acquired, and he undertook to supply estimates as to cost of packing, etc., at the next meeting. A Committee was appointed to canvus for exhibits, consisting of Messrs Mills, Miles, Gale, Eelhnne, Hutchens, Davies, Luke and Harcourt, and Dr Newman. This Committee met subsequently and arranged a plan of operations. A Committee oons’stinc of Messrs Milos, Harcourt and Gale was appointed to assist in canvassing for funds. The Chairman reported that he had interviewed the Governor with lespeotto the loan collection of pictures, and that hia Excellency evinced considerable interest in the subject. During the afternoon Sir William Fitzherbert, M.L.C., intimated that as the session is approaching he will not be able to devote any time to the business of the Committee.

The Copper Syndicate.— The collapse of the copper syndicate has hit some of the shrewdest of European capitalists and financiers. Imagine (says the correspondent of a contemporary) the money strength of one man who can affoid to lose £3,000,000 sterling. • Yet this is the extent to which they say Baron Alphonse de Rothschild has suffered, and from all I can make ont, I am inclined to believe that the amount is not overstated. But, after all, it is not a serious loss to a man whose father, the clever Baron James de Rothschild, left him £10,000,000 sterling, Moreover, it Is said the Rothschild family are worth among them over £100,000,000, and that a family agreement exists which singly and collectively binds them to stand by each other in case of need. So are £3.000,000 to anyone of them 1 The English firm have made fabulous profits during the present company boom.

We have secured the agency of the largest and best calico manufacturer in the world, at the Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House.

These calicoes aro made rip in lengths of 12yds, and have a stamp of Te Aro House, together with the width and quantity. No others are genuine, arid these can only be bought at Te Aro House. The following is a brief description of these special makes of calicoes : —EI, 32in wide, is a stout, long-cloth, and very useful for children’s nightdresses, at 3s lid per dozen. E2, 36in wide, is a soft, family long, cloth, pure finish, at 4a fid per dozen. E 3, 32in wide, is a fine double warp calico, very strong and soft, at 5s 6d per dozen. ,E 4, 36in wide, is a stout family shirting, 7s fid per dozen, at Te Aro House. E 5,36 in wide, is a fine family medium shirting, beautifully finished, at 8s fid per dozen. E 6, 36in wide, is a stout twill, soft and pure finish, admirably adapted for gentlemen's night shirts, at 7s 9J per dozen, at Te Aro House.

The gems of this agency are the halfbleached or scoured grey calicoes, in fine, stout, and heavy makes, end aro not to be equalled for durability, finish, and general excellence. The numbers range consecutively from SI to S 6, the widths 32 and Sfiin wide, and the prices vary from 3s lid to 10a fid per dozen yards, at Te Aro House.