AN ART UNION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8877, 2 January 1890, Page 4

AN ART UNION.

- Elsewhere is published the , . prospectus of an art union the ostensible; purpose of

which is the raising of funds, or rather material, for the Free Public Library. The affair is in perfect order, permission to hold it having been granted by the Colonial Secretary. We wish, in the best interests of society, that less complacency had; been discovered in that department of the public service, for there is an unmistakable element of gambling apparent in this art union that it is moat undesirable to foster. Such methods of raising funds for. any object, whatever, are more honoured in the breach than in the observance. The “hasting to be rich” tendency in humanity is as rife now as ever it was, quite as much,, so as when the Gaming and- Lotteries A.ct of this Colony and its amendment were passed. It is a very; short seep, indeed, from a lottery for miscellaneous articles to one for money only. The latter is prohibited by statute, but the approach to it by the art union we are dealing with is so close as to leave a very slight margin of difference. There is no comparison whatever between it and the art unions of church bazaars and so forth. This is a full blown public concern appealing very unmistakably to the cupidity of the people, and offering tempting inducements to stake against the odds. We hope greater care will be exercised hereafter in granting licenses to undertakings of- the kind, for the evil they breed far outweighs the good they compass.

Held Over, —Owing to pressure on our space, we are compelled to bold over leading and other matter.

Frozen Meat.— Nelson Bros., Limited, telegraphed on Tuesday night “The frozen mutton ' market is firmer. Beat quality is quoted at 4Jd. The beef market is unaltered.’’

; St. Peter’s Parish.— The vestry of St. Peter’s Church have passed a cordial vote of thanks to Miss Neave (of London) for her valuable 1 present, of beautifully embroidered altar-linen (previously-referred' to in these columns). The vestry have also decided that the proceeds of the bazaar to be held this year shall .be devoted—half toward the reduction of the parish debt and half toward certain church improvements. Fire at Kcrttpuni.— lnformation was re. oeived by Inspector Thomson last night from Sergeant Price;, the officer stationed at Masterton, stating that a four-roomed cottage with its contents, owned and occupied by John McCaloment, of Kurnpnui, was totally destroyed by fire at 5 o’clock last night. The house is insured in the North -British office for £125 and the furniture for £IOO. in the Phoenix office. The origin of the fire is not known. Scotch Concert. —ln connection with the Caledonian Society’s sports a popular Scotch concert was held at the Theatre Royal last evening. There was a large attendance, and the concert passed off very well indeed. The programme embraced songs, recitations, &c., by Misses Fogeriy, Dry den, and Steele, Mesdamea J, R. Reid and Soaddon, and Messrs G. Wilson, G. B. Wright, J. McGlashan, and A. S. Paterson. There were also reels, &0., by Highlanders in costume, and an excellent concert was concluded with ••Anld Lang Syne.” Accident. —A slight accident happened to a vehicle drawn by two horses and driven by a man. named Wm. Broughton on Lamb, ton-quay last evening at about halt-pa«t seven. As the carriage, which contained four passengers, was turning into Feather-ston-street from Lambton-qnay one of the horses slipped and fell. Immediately the animal got on its feet again it commenced to kick, and eventually it broke clean away from the vehicle. The frightened animal was immediately secured before any farther i damage was dine.

Thanks. —The Ladies' Committee for the Asylum Christmas tree beg to thankall who kindly contributed, also the doctor and attendants for their valuable assistance, .The Police Force. —An addition to the local police . was made yesterday by the admission of Constable Murphy,. who has been transferred from Auckland to do duty here.

The Hugos. —Hugo’s Exhibition Company c included their Wellington season with a large audience at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening. They proceeded to the Wairarapa yesterday, and will retam to Wellington at the end of the week to give one performance on Saturday night.

The Tramway. —We direct attention to an advertisement elsewhere relative to the issuing of tickets by the City Tramway Company. The conditions mentioned are exceedingly liberal. A weekly ticket is obtainable at the cost pro rata of a monthly one, the latter being 7s, the former Is 9d. Bolt. — A horse and cart, the property of Lee Way, a greengrocer in Manners-street, took fright at a dog on Tuesday evening and bolted. It bad not gone far when it collided with a lamppost in front of the Opera House, with the result that the shafts of the cart were smashed. The horse was secured before any other damage was done.

Baby Show. —Arrangements are being rapidly pushed forward to make the baby show at the Skating Rink a success. It will be carried out on the same lines as the Christchurch show, which was held last week, and managed by Mr R. H. Donnolly. The general manager of the Wellington show has secured a jihop in Manners-street, where entries will be received from 10 a. m. until 10 p.tn. each-day. Entries already are rolling in freely, and with the liberal prize list advertised the show should be one of the beat ever held in this city. ’ New Year’s Eve Service. —A very impressivc service was held at St Peter’s Church on New Year’s Eve, and was attended by a numerous congregation. The Rev W. C. Waters officiated, and preaohSd an eloquent and appropriate service. The “Miserere” was chanted in unison to the Second Parisian Tone, and suitable hymns were sung. The “lesser litany” of the Comminution Service, the Confession, and Absolution from the Eacbaristio office, and the first portion of the ordinary evensong were used.

Regatta Committee.— A meeting of the General Regatta Committee is called for tomorrow evening at the Council Chambers. The question of yacht courses will come up for discussion. It is proposed to make the courses such that the yachts can be seen from the flagstaff all the way from start to finish. A slight reconsti notion of the programme in the direction of providing fur man of-war races is also necessary. A feeling, too, is gaining ground that the second class yacht race should be a handicap, the same as the others. It is believed this change would produce more entries for the event.

The Macquarie Islands. —The Government have decided to defer for the present any action with respect to the annexation of the Macquarie Islands. As the group is found to be in Tasmanian waters, it is probable that the Imperial Government will have to be consulted on the matter. The object the Government of this Colony have in view in the proposal to annex these islands is a difficulty in connection with the sealing trade. Sealers arriving at.the Bliiff daring the close season with sealskins, &c., invariably state that they got them at the Macquarie Islands, though there is every reason to believe that the Auckland Islands (which are, of coarse, within the Government’s jurisdiction) are largely patronised. It is with a view to patting a stop to these suspected illicit practices that the Government wished to obtain control over the Macquarie Islands.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.— At the Resident' Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, before Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., a first offender for drunkenness was dUoharged with a caution. John Knox Purvis, who had given himself up to the police as* a person without sufficient meaus'of|support, and who stated that he was unable to work as he had a weak back, was again brought up. Sergeant-Major Morice stated that neither the Caledonian Society nor the Benevolent Institution would do anything for the accused, and the gaol surgeon had certified that his back was all right, and that he was quite able to work. The< accused said he was quite willing to leave town at once/ His Worship decided to give the accused another chance, and therefore discharged him. Mr Robinson again' presided at yesterday’s sitting. Three first offenders for drunkenness were each dealt with in the usual way. Alfred Hansen and William Stevens, two boys, charged with committing wilful damage to a shutter belonging to Job. Liudberg, draper, of Cuba-street, were remanded until this morning.

Boat Accidents. —The harbour was the scene of two boating accidents yesterday afternoon. The first happened at 3.30, when four men, whose names were not ascertained, were out sailing in an 18ft open sailing boat. When about a mile from Lowry Bay, and while the men were in the aot of hoisting the sail, she suddenly heeled over and swamped. The men’s perilous position was noticed by Captain Jones, of the steamer Mana, which was at Lowry Bay, and bo immediately went to their rescue and brought them into town. Other than a ducking, they escaped nnhurt. On arrival at the wharf the men thanked Captain Jones for his kindness in going to their assistance. The second accident oo ourred at 5.40 to three men named Blakey, Stuart, and Chalmers, who were out sailing in an open boat. When opposite the Thorndon esplanade their boat by some means unaccounted for capsized, and the men were thrown into the water. They managed to get on to the keel of the boat, andinthis position they were noticed by several persons on shore, wbo at once put off to their assistance’and-brought them to land. Other than a wetting they escaped unhurt; The men are all recent arrivals from Auckland, and are consequently not acquainted with the harbour. ■

The St. Peter’s Orgak.—lt is understood that the vestry of St. Peter’s Parish have offered the vacant post of organist of that Church to Mr Thomas Tallis Trimnell, Mas. Bac., a very eminent English Church musician who has been resident in Auckland during the last two or three years. Mr Trimnell’a name will be familiar to everyone who has any acquaintance with Church music and its history. He was recognised even in England 'as among the best parish church organists in the kingdom, and bis compositions—anthems, oantiole-eervices, and chants —have always commanded a favourable reception and warm approval. As a solo organist he is reputed to be exceptionally fine, and as a bandmaster and conductor of musical societies be has won high distinction. Mr Trimnell was appointed organist of the parish church of Chesterfield (Derbyshire) in 1850, - and held that appointment 24 years, when (in 1874) he obtained a better post at Clifton, near Bristol. In 1875 Mr Trimnell obtained what war virtually farther promotion, being ananimonsly chosen as organist of the Parish Church, Sheffield, one of the most important posts of that class in England, and' he only left it (amid general regret) in order to settle his family in New Zealand. He foanded several choral and orchestral societies which have won much fame. The Chesterfield band under his leadership beat all competitors at the Crystal Palace in 1862 and carried off first prize. A recent issne of the Yorkshire Weekly Post contains & long and interesting biography of Mr Trimnell. If he accepts the St Peter’s organ he will evidently be a great acquisition to the musical world of Wellington. -

A Misfortune.— One of the casualties of the holiday season happened at the rear of the Boulcott-street Catholic Church yesterday. A valuable horse, owned by Father Kerrigan, fell off a cliff in that locality, and was so injured that it had to be destroyed.

Sporting in the United States, An American .contemporary baa been calculating the Value of the tnrf to the United States, where racing advances at a very rapid rate. It says that the pursuit gives employment to 50,000 people, and indirectly assists 50,000 more to a livelihood. The thoronghbred stallions and brood mares on the great stock farms are valued at 6,000,000 dollars, and the sons and daughters of the stallions and brood marcs earned above 2,000,000 dollars more during the last season; the valne of the stock now employed for racing being valued at 7,000,000 dollars, while the capital invested in race tracks and stables is 6,000,000 dollars. The stock farms embrace 149,000 acres of the finest land in the country, and last year the yearling sales footed up 1,000,000 dollars, while the attendance at racecourses numbered over 3,500,000.

Ladies’ Jerseys—We have a large se’ec* tion of Ladies’ Fashionable Jerseys, our own direct importations, select and attractive styles, in black and a variety of colours, unusually cheap at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House. We invite special attention to the follow, ing marvellously cheap lots. Ladies’ Black Stockingnette Jerseys, braided, at2slldeach, some witt collar and caffs at 3s 6d and 3s lid, honeycomb fronts at 4s lid, a choice lot with gathered neck and waist at 5s 6d and 5a lid. A select lot with pleated fronts and turndown collars Ss 6d each, at Te Aro House.

For 9s 61 each we are now showing some pretty Black Stockingnette Jerseys with embroiders i vesta ; for 10s GJ each some'of a fine quality with tnoirC collar and cuffs ; from I2a 6d to 25s each we have some really extra fine quality Jerseys in all the latest styles, at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House.

There is a rare selection in Coloured Jerseys in Navy, Green, Brown, Ruby, at 3s Gd each to 5s 6d, in Myrtle, Terra Cotta. Crimson, Honeycombed, from 7s 6d to 9s 6d each, in all the newest shades, trimmed moird from 10s 6d to 12s 6d, and with military fronts in myrtle, crimson, navy, brown, 21s each, at Te Aro House.