GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8966, 17 April 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

GENERAL NEWS.

Customs Duties. —The amount of Customs duties collected at this port for the past month amounted to £20,400 Gs,for the previous month (February) the amount was £24,938 12s 51, and for March last year the amount Was £22,140 10i 7d. The various items for last month were as follow :—Spirits, £3313 10s Id ; cigars, cigarettes, and snuff, £504 lls lOd; tobacco. £2550 2s 9d ; wines, £547 Is 7d; ale and beer, £473 IBs 6d; tea, £lO4l 14s 6d ; coffee, ohioory, cocoa, and chocolate, £B7 7s ; sugar, molasses, and treacle, £476 4s 3d ; opium, £232 ; goods by weight, £1262 Is ; ad valorem, £7806 13s 4d ; other duties, £960 14s 6d. A Chapter of Accidents,— Mr Benjamin Brookes, jun., while out shooting in the vicinity of Karori on Saturday, had the mis. fortune to blow two of his fingers off. Subsequently Mr Brookes was being driven into town in a trap, and at a turning near the bridge the horse oame into collision with a cart driven by Mr T, Robinson. The result of the collision was that liis shaft of Mr Robinson’s cart entered the horse’s stomach, and the animal had to be destroyed. The occupants of both vehicles escaped unhurt. Eventually Mr Brookes who may be considered to have had an adventurous day, reached town, and had his injuries attended to. Seagar’s Foundry. This foundry is fairly busy just now with sundry contracts. The profitable development of Mahakipawa has brought grist to its mill, several 9in pumps to drain the deep claims on the flat having been turned out to the order of alluvial mining companies, and another is in course of construction. Bull’s flax machine also bids fair to provide profitable occupation, and there is rather a large job in hand in repairing and strengthening the Mohikinui Coal Company’s steamer Lawrence. Three massive longitudinal girders to run nearly hor entire length are going in, and a new forward water ballast tank of 90 tons capacity.' The bottom plating will be nearly entirely renewed. Flax Dressing. —Mr P. Bull’s new flax dressing method, the chemico.mechanical process, was on view at Mr Saager’s factory on Saturday, and attracted a large number of spectators interested in the flax trade. Under Mr Bull’s treatment a considerable quantity of fibre is saved by the blades being first boiled and then put through a scraping machine, which cleans both sides. Treated in this way five tons of flax will produce a ton of fibre, instead of the seven tons now required. The fibre may be treated in other wavs under Mr Bull’s invention, by being boiled after stripping or by the blades being scraped without boiling. In either case Mr Bull claims great superiority over the sys. terns now in operation. Good Friday —The usual Good Friday services were held on Friday in the various city churches. At St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral Sir John Stainer’s beautiful cantata, “ The Crucifixion,” was sung most effectively by the choir, with some, slight outside assistance. The even balance of the various parts and the good tone-quality, precision, and expressiveness of the choral singing was specially commendable. The more important solo numbers were excellently sung by Mr E. J. Hill (tenor) and Mr F. V. Waters (baritone), and the smaller bass solo part was efficiently filled by Mr A. Gray. Mr R. Parker presided ably at the organ. The solemn “ March to Calvary ” and. the brief but awe-inspiring symphony representing “Darkness” were most powerfully and impressively interpreted. A numerous congregation listened to the work and joined in the lovely hymns with which it is interspersed. The Rev S. E. Tuckey opened the service with prayer and closed it with the Benediction.

Social Concert. —The members, of the visiting bowling teams who have been taking part in the bowling tournament, were entertained by the local club at a social concert, which was held at the Exchange Hall Monday nigh. The room was packed, and Mr C. D, Barraud, president of the Wellington Bowling Club, occupied the chair. The health of the Queen having been drunk, the Chairman proposed “ The health of his Excellency the Governor,” which was duly honoured. The other toasts of the evening were those of Our Visitors,” which was proposed fay Mr T. K. Macdonald and heartily responded to by Messrs Paul (New Plymouth), Gorrie (Auckland), Balfour (Napier). Wix (Nelson), and Willis (Wanganui). These gentlemen referred at great length to the very kind treatment which they had received from the Wellington Bowling Club, and promised that if the local Club were to visit their towns, the same courtesy would be extended to them. Mr Barraud returned thanks on behalf of the Wellington Bowling Club. “Success to Bowling” was proposed by Mr J. Duthie. The “Winning Teams ’’ by Mr Hislop, and responded to by the gentlemen who had been successful. The remaining toasts the “ Press,” the “ Ladies,” and the health of Mr Morrison, of the Dunedin Bowling Club, were duly honoured. Songs and recitations were given by Messrs Lambert, Haybittle and Grady. Mr McGlashan contributed a very nice recitation entitled “The Reception,” which fairly brought down the house. During the evening the following resolution was proposed by Mr Balfour, seconded by Dr Macgregor, and carried unanimously, “ That in the opinion of the bowlers at present in Wellington at the Easter tournament of IS9O, it is desirable that an association should be formsd to be called ‘The North Island of New Zealand Bowling Association,’ and that the Wellington Bowling Club is hereby requested to take, the necessary steps to carry it into effoot.” A very pleasant evening was brought to a close shortly after 11 o’clock by a hearty vote of shauks to the chairman,

Mayoral Portrait Gallery. —The latest j addition to the portraits of former Mayors in the City Council Chambers will be one of the most valuable as a work of art. It is a portrait in oils, by Mr J. O’Malley, of the firm of O’Malley and Pi ice, erosts and photographers, of Mr John Duthie, who retired from the mayoral office in November last. Mr Duthie gave several sittings to the artist, and the result is a portrait which, in addition to being a speaking likeness of the original, is in all other respects an exceptionally fine work. Mr O’Malley has succeeded in catching the cx-Msyor’s expression to a meaty, and the highest praise that can be bestowed on the picture is to say that it is a fitting memento of a tenure of office notable in our civic annals. Antimony Discovery.— Our Havelock correspondent writes : Messrs George Thrush and Son have been prospecting for antimony at Para, near Plcton. I have just seen a splendid sample of 50lbs weight; the stone is literally full of mineral. The Messrs Thiush have been nearly two years prospecting in different parts of the Marlborough Provincial District, and they are to be congratulated on having at la l :t dropped upon something which will no doubt prove to be both genuine and remunerative. Should such he the ease, it will tend to the prosperity of Pictoa and its neighbourhood, and also the owner of the land from which the ore has been taken. Analysis by the Government Geologist or the antimony oro found at Para, near Pioton, submitted for percentage of the .metal : —"This sample contains 82 - 89 per cent of sulphate of antimony, which is equal to 59 - 6 per cent of antimony. It is therefore well adapted for exportation,” Bull’s Flax Machine. —Mr Seagar, the maker of the machine, informs us that it will be improved in one or two minor particulars, and then will be ready for practical application. So far as may be judged at present, the machine is a decided improvement on anything of the kind that has preceded it. It strips two leaves at a time, and both sides of the leaf at onoe, and turns out quite a respectable sample of fibre, nearly as good as that of the current system of stripping and scutching combined. We should think that the sample from Balls’ machine would be very fine indeed after being scotched. The hot-water process the leaf has to be subjected to before stripping is very simple. All that is wanted is a large vat, into which is led a pipe from the steam boiler of tho engine that drives the strippers, and thus the water is kept at a high temperature by injected steam. We understand that soda and kerosene are the chief ingredients of the solution. We sincerely hope the machine and the process will fulfil the expectations of the inventor, for if they do there will be a small revolution in the flax trade by the material lessening of the cost of production.

Easter Services at St Peter’s Church. —At St Peter’s Churoh on Sunday the usual Easter Day services were held. The church was tastefully decorated with pink and white flowers, ferns, lycopodium, tot grass and foliage. Eloquent and appropriate sermons were preached morning and evening by the Rev W. C, Waters. The musical accessories at the morning servicee were of a plainer character than has hitherto been customary at that churoh, no anthem or canticle “service” being sung. In the evening, however, the service was of a thoroughly festal nature, and was attended by one of the largest congregations over seen in the building, numbers of people having to stand in default of being able to secure seats. The music was as follows : Preces and responses, Tallis ; psalms and chants, by Battishiil, Goodson, ami Walmisley ; canticles, Sir J. Stainer; .anthem, “ Blessed bo the Gad and Father” (the soprano solo was well gi\en by Miss Stanford), Dr S. S. Wcs’oy; offertory, “1 know that my Redeemer liveth” (Messiah) Handel (beautifully sung by Miss Kathvsriuo Hardy) ; concluding voluntaries, grand Easter offertoire in A-minor, E. Batiste; andante in A-flat, W. S. Hoyte; “Worthy is the Lamb” and “Amen” fugue (Messiah) Handel, all splendidly played by Mr Trimnell, who also accompanied Miss Hardy’s solo most artistically, Processional and recessional hymns, as well as the ordinary Easter hymns in the course of the service, were also sung. It may be mentioned that the recent Lenten services at St Peter’s Church have been exceptionally successful in point of attendance and interest, t-unday’s Easter services formed a worthy conclusion.

A Maori Jubilee. —A Native gathering which took place at Otaki last week has a significant importance to this Colony, the occasion having been the jubilee celebration of the introduction of Christianity among the Natives by the Rev Messrs HadSeld and Williams early in 1810. Late in 1839 the last of the Maori tribal battles—theKuititanga (so-called because it took place on a narrow fork of laud between two rivers) was fought at Waikanae between the Ngatiawa and Ngatiraukawa tribes. Very soon afterward the two clergyman named arrived on the coast and began spreading Christianity, which was eagerly adopted by the Natives, the Ngatiraukawa having supported the Church to this day. Peace was proclaimed, and for the proper observance of the new faith a church was built in the vicinity of three white pine trees, two of which form its' corners, while the third, rising up an the centre of the church, has been carved and ornamented, as only the Maoris can do such work. Now, having completed their fifty years of religious belief, the Maoris celebrated the Jubilee (lupiri) of Christianity (Whakapono) last week, A very large number of Natives, including representative chiefs from all oyer the province, flocked to Otaki, bringing quantities of food and all the necessaries for a great gathering with them. On Saturday there was a procession to the church, in which 500 Natives, dressed in white, took part. These ceremonies have more than a passing interest to the European population of the Wellington district, for we who live at home at ease now must remember that they mark the institution of a doctrine which made things much more comfortable for the pioneer settlers, and probably saved the life of many an Englishman who might otherwise have bsen butchered. Above all it is gratifying to find in the Natives such a loving reverence for the very advance guard of civilisation. Early Closing Movement. —ln a short address on this subject at Wesley Church on Sunday evening, the Rev J. Berry said there was no class in the community who could least afford to have worries and cares heaped upon them, and who received less remuneration and worked longer hoars, than shopkeepers. They were heavily taxed, both directly and indirectly, and in contributions for religious and benevolent objects they were the largest contributors in our midst. The shopkeeper was so easy to find, and his half-crowns were so near at band. The early closing movement was one in which the real interests of master and servant were identical. It was not the shop assistant against the employer, but the assistant and master against whst he must call a hard* hearted and inconsiderate public,who needed to be reminded of their duty to their neighbour. He thought the hours of labour should be limited, as far as possible, to eight of the 24. If a working man ha should feel it his duty to do what he could for those who had not the tame privileges as himself, and if by shopping late at night ha kept people working who had perhaps begun in the morning as early as he did, and were far on to a second day’s work, he should deserve to be called not a Christian, but a heathen, if not very much of a brute. Referring to the long hours of tram and ’bus employes, he thought the fare's ought to be so adjusted as to admit of sufficient hands being kept for relieving the guards and drivers. If one team o! horses were worked as long at night wo had a society to interfere, but as only the rights of men and boys were concerned, no one seemed to mind. The reverend gentleman also referred to the want of consideration often shown by ladies to their sisters in demanding their dresses, etc., in a burry for weddings and other occasions. Such work necessitated long hours of 1 slavery, and might easily be avoided,

Presentation, —Mr W. H. Lewis, who recently resigned the office cf first assistant at the Thorcdon School, was on Weclnetdaythe recipient i f a prettily illnoiiiiated address, elegantly moantaJ, conveying a very com plimentary acknowledgement of bis services as teacher, and tbo cordial relations existing between that gentleman and those connected with the school. OiiiTtJARY. Another old identity has passed away to his well-earned rest, Mr William Thomas Clapham, v. ho arrived in this Colony by the ship Burmah in 1542. For a long time past he was proprietor of theNgauranga Hotel. A short time ago he carnc into town to undergo an operation for a bladder complaint. Bis medical advisers, Drs Martin and Grace, operated upon him, hut the patient, who was 63 years of age, never rallied, and died on April 10. He leaves a wife and ssven children,. Mr Ulapham was well known throughout the district and highly respected. Re-Opening op Wesley School. —On Sunday afternoon Wesley Church Sunday School was re-opened after having being closed for several weeks for alterations. The school in the meantime has been in the church. The schoolroom, notwithstanding the extension, was not nearly large enough to accommodate • he numbers who wished to attend the opening service. The Rev J. Berry gavo a very interesting address fall of interest to both old and young, and the scholars, under Mr P. Billmau’a abL baton, sang a number of special hymns, acquitting themselves admirably, and well sustaining the school’s reputation in this respect. The school ia greatly improved by the alteration, and is very tastefully decorated with texts and bannerette's, etc., making an exceedingly pretty appearance, and oar Wesleyan friends have reason to be proud of possessing such a fine school. College Governop.s. —An ordinary meeting of the College and Girls’ High School Governors was held on Thursday', there being present Mr J. R. Blair (chairman), Dr Henry, Dr Newman, M.H.R:, Mr O. B. Izard, M.H.R., Mr H. Binny, Rev J. Paterson, and Sir James Hector. The annual report to the Minister for Education states that the two institutions continue to do good work. The College has suffered a slight dinrnution _in the number of pupils, due, it is believed, to the great improvement in the primary schools of lata years, to the establishment of St Patrick’s College, and the success of the Wanganui Collegiats School. Both these being denominational schools, naturally attract a large number of pupils. The report quotes the statistics of the results of the University examinations (which have been published) as a proof that the tuition at both institution! was good. The Governors had again to report being greatly hampered for want of fund*, chiedv brought about by their having bson compelled to borrow money for the erection of buildings, and being therefore under the necessity of paying a large sum ounual'y for interest,_a position in which no other similar Board in the Colony is placed. They are bringing the matter again before the Government, with the hope that the pledge givot, by Sir R, Stout, when Premier and Minister of Education may be fulfilled. Leave of absence for 12 mouths, without pa 7, was granted to Miss Richmond, of the Girls’ High School. Financial matters were discussed in committee. It was decided that Mi»s Gillon should receive £ls a year exlra salary during Miss Richmond's absence, and Miss Ella Marchant was appointed a junior mistress. The Governors then adjourned.