THE New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1891.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9319, 13 June 1891, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY).

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1891.

With which arc incorporated the Wellington Independent, established 1845, and the New Zealander.

Mb De Castbo, of the Gulcher Electric Light Company, may be a very judicious man of business from his own particular standpoint or that of the Company he represents. That he is shrewd and keen no one will deny who has read the necessarily condensed reports of his remarks when interviewing the City Council the other evening. Wide awake to the interests of his Company ho showed himself to be. That he was stone-blind to the real interests of the inhabitants of this city was still more apparent. Modesty and logic may be some of his attributes, though the diligent enquirer may fail to find these qualities in the extended notes of the newspaper reporters, who were doubtless limited by the restrictions of space. Seriously, let us look at the whole question in the quiet light of common sense as bearing on the comfort, convenience, and utility which are the reasonable necessities that the governors of a growing city like this should provide for its inhabitants, not only now, but in the future. Wo pass for the moment the opinion that the City Council was altogether too hasty in seeking to establish electric lighting, beyond merely drawing

attention to the installation as it exists. Last night was a sample of its effects, a bad sample, we admit ; but the fishtail burner in an apple huckster’s shop was a bright white light compared with the yellowish flame which beamed poorly through the vertical corrugations of the not very pure glass which encloses the electric globule. Is it German glass, we wonder ? In German-made lookingglasses there is a yellowish ray which is nos found in good British mirrors, and that is why we ask the question. Anyhow the vertical stripes are a blunder. They were resorted to, wo believe, because a patent prevented the use of horizontal corrugations, which act after the fashion of the dioptric lenses that magnify and multiply the lamp rays in our lighthouses. These latter in their effect are very different from the verticals. The Oulcher Company, in their new Bill, ask for rights and power, in perpetuity, to break up streets, drains and conduits, and remove water pipes, mains, and branches, to cross streets, and erect poles, and make all alterations necessary for carrying on the business. And what la to be the return to the community? Let us see. The Company use somewhere about half the supply of the waterworks. It may be less, but it is admittedly a very large quantity, a portion of which, if used to flush the channels and drains at night, would keep the streets and atmosphere clean and clear of miasmatic exhalations ; and prevent the inroad of fevers, which—in some localities, as doctors’ certificates show—have been the inciting cause of diseases, ending in the death of the sufferer. It is said that an additional expenditure of some LBOOO is being considered by the Council Committee in order to increase the water supply, which outlay we assume would not bo necessary were the reservoirs not so largely drawn on by the electric dynamos. This additional expenditure means at least 1.400 a year of increased interest the city will have to pay. Add this to the L 1750 paid to the Gulcher Company, and that makes L 2150 for lighting the city with a light which compared with the Sydney and Melbourne lights in various localities, is as the planet Uranus is to Venus in her brightest cycle. The gas was supplied by the Gas Company to the city for L 1250 a year, and wo furnish no motive power. The Gas Company charges 7s 6d per thousand feet; and Mr De Castro tells the Council, as if he were conferring a great favour on the people, that ho can furnish electric energy to private consumers at a rate of Is per unit, which he modestly mentioned is equal to a little less than 10s per 1000 feet of gas ! And ho wants this privilege for his Company, not for 21 years—after which councillors proposed that the Municipality should have the right to buy out the Company at cost price—but for ever ! The idea is preposterous. With the coal measures of New Zealand, at present in the infancy of the mines, producing between five and six thousand tons per week, to be trebled and quintupled, and consequently cheapened as time goes on ; —with cheap gas certain to follow, and likely to be 5s or 6s per 1000 feet within the next decade, —it is really asking altogether too much that the future rights of the public should be for ever surrendered to a company who offers to produce a very moderate electric light at a price 33 per cent higher than that now paid for an equivalent illumination, and with the early prospect of a far greater difference, as our cheap coal comes to “ the day.” The Council would be sacrificing their constituents if they consent to any measure which shall give any Company such lasting control. Water and lighting are. essentially public conveniences which should be in the hands of the Municipality. The Company have spent capital. Let them enjoy the results for a reasonable lime at a reasonable price to the people, but certainly not at a rate equal to 10s per thousand feet of gaslight. And never must the Council relinquish their right to purchase the plant, and to become the ultimate owners thereof on behalf of the people, whoso guardians and representatives they are.

Football and Manawatu news and a variety of other reading matter will be found on oar fourth page. The Council cannot do better than remove to a less prominent spot the convenience which disgraces the Martin Fountain, and is an eyesore to neighbouring residents, and an absolute nuisance to passera-by. It is entirely out of place in such a narrow thoroughfare where the streets meet, and effectually injures the amenity of the fountain and the small shrubbery behind it. The position is every way offensive, both from the rude habits of frequenters and from the generally obnoxious character of it* presence. It is for the Council to find a more retired and suitable locality, and they oannot do this a moment too soon.

A lad named Olsen on Thursday last (says the Wairarapa f tacdard) tried to climb into a waggon while it was in motion on one of the Carterton roads. His foot got between the spokes of a wheel, and he was dragged to the ground, and was picked up with a fractured collarbone. It is only a few days ago that Ms father left the Greytown hospital, where he has been suffering from a fractured knee through a trap accident. A special meeting of tho City Counoil has been convened for Tuesday next, on the requisition of Councillors Moeller, Petheriok, and Anderson, for tbs purpose of dealing with the following business :—(1) The consideration of the Fire Brigades Bill * (2) consideration of Councillor Anderson’s notice of motion re the cemetery ; (3) the mode of electing the mayor; (4) to further consider the alterations made by tV. r de Castro of the heads of agreement in the electric lighting contract; (5) to consider and deal with the question of electric light generally. A conference of delegates from county councils whose revenues’ have been detrimentally affected by the abolition of the duty of 2s per ounce of gold and by the Crown Lands Rating Aot was opened at the Government Buildings yesterday afternoon. Those present were Messrs J. 0. Meara (Lake County Council), P. Brennan (chairman, Inangabua County Council), J. MoWhirter ghairmaD; Westland County Council), M. rgan (chairman, Bailer County Connell), and W. McKechnle (chairman, Grey County Council). The conference will be continued today, when Mr Bird (Waimea County Council) will also be present. The directors of the Hutt Park Railway Company, Limited, in their annual report, state that a call of £3 per share had been made daring the year, with a view of paying off the greater part of the loan from the Equitable Building and Investment Company. They state, also, that a dividend would have been payable but for- the fact that the Company had had to remove the line south of the esplanade. Regret is expressed at the resignation of Mr J. S. M. Thompson, and eulogistic reference is made to his services. Mr H. Blundell retires from the directorate by rotation, but offers himself for re-election. Mr H. D. Bell has been elected a stewards' director by the Wellington Racing Club. The case of Wiremu te Hira, of Manukau, v. Hana Pewene and another, of Manukau, was commenced at the Supreme Court yesterday before bis Honor Mr Justice Bichmond. This was a case in which the plaintiff alleges that a testatrix {a Maori) named Te Mahi NganuMnga, had been unduly influenced to sign a will in favour of the defendants. Judge Mackay, of the Native Land Court, pronounced against the alleged will, and ordered succession In favour of the plaintiff, brother to the testatrix. The defendants obtained probate, and the plaintiff in the present case applies for the cancellation of same. The defendants deny--the allegations set forth in the statement of claim. Mr Hawkins (instructed by Mr Sinclair) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Gray (instructed by Messrs Kirk and Atkinson) for the defendants. After hearing part of the evidence, the hearing of the case was adjourned till Monday next.

Mrs Catherine Barnes was summoned before the Resident Magistrate Court yes* terday for.having assaulted a baiiif named G. S. Matthews, on the 12th of last month. From the evidence it appeared that the complainant had a warrant of distress to execute in connection with costs in the case of Barnes v. Richmond, heard a short time ago, in whtoh the plaintiff was ordered, to pay £2 2s costs. Matthews managed to get inside Mrs Barnes’ house, but while there she hit him several times with a walking stick. Their 'Worships fined the defendant 40s, with the alternative of a fortnight's imprisonment, a week being allowed her to pay the fine. Another action, arising out of the same case, was next heard, in which R, J. Barnes, a son of Mrs Barnes, sued Matthews, the bailiff, for unlawful trespass by forcing open the door of the house. The Bench held that the officer was acting within his anthority, and dismissed the case. Messrs C. 0. Graham, H.M., and Messrs Littlejohn and J, Jack were on the Bench*

The Wellington Cricket Club haa decided to support the proposal to form a recreation ground at Oriental Bay.

According to the Wairarapa "Daily poison* ing operations are now in full swing on many of the stations surrounding Maaterton.

The Wellington Hunt Club hold another meet this afternoon. Tho “throw off” takes place at Island Bay at 3 o’clock, and the hunt will finish at the kennels at Miramar.

According to a Manawatn exchange hares have become so numerous in the Stoney Creek district that several settlers have been forced to encircle their orchards with wire netting to prevent their young trees being destroyed by these animals. The Wellington Guards will hold their annual prize tiring competition this after, noon. Tho ranges will be 300 and 500yds, 10 shots at each. The firing will begin at 12.30 sharp. A, B, and C Class scores will also count for their respective class trophies. A man named William Campbell was charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday with obtaining a passage serrupti* fciously from Lyttelton to Wellington cn board the steamer Talune, The accused was fined 40s, or in default six days’ imprisonment.

Mr A. K. Morson, who was third in the recent election of two directors of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, in an advertisement elsewhere, returns thanks to those who voted for him, and expresses his intention of again contesting a seat at the Board next year. The cace of Jeffery v. Jeffeiy—an action to set aside a deed of gift—was resumed before the Chief Justice yesterday. After farther evidence bad been taken in support of tho plaintiff’s case it was decided to ad* journ until the 7th of July, with a view to arriving at a settlement of the case.

The Rival Cricket Club have passed the following reaoluteon in connection with the proposed recreation ground at Oriental Bay : “That, recognising the necessity of providing greater facilities for cricket and other athletic sports, this club accords its hearty support and co-operation to the proposed scheme for reclaiming a portion of Oriental Bay.”

The Secretary of tho Australian Mutual Provident Society gives notice by an advertisement, which appears elsewhere, of a special meeting of members of the Society to be held in Sydney on Friday, 24th July next, to discuss the proposed amendment of by-law 31, to allow tho transactions of the Society’s basinets elsewhere than in the Australasian colonies.

What on earth does the Wairarapa Daily mean by the following?—Tho members of the fourth estate in Pahiataa are not 'a happy family. At a meeting of the Town Licensing Committee tho other day the usual amount of mud-pelting was indulged in, and one lawyer characterised another as a—well as a prevaricator.—lt is too bad to mix up tho “devil’s own” with the fourth estate.

A special meeting of the Melrose Borough Council will be held next Tuesday evening for the transaction of the following business: (1) To pass a special order re taking land under the Public Works Act, 1882, for the location of a portion of the Ohiro road ; (2) to strike a rate for the current year, in accordance with the report of the Finance Committee, the said rate to become payable in one sum on June 30lh, 1891; (3) Consideration of the annual balance sheet. Mr W. Brown, of the Ballanoe Special Settlement, says a Wairarapa exchange, had a narrow escape from drowning on Monday last, while attempting to cross the river with a trap and horse. When half way across the horse lost its footing, and the whole concern was washed down stream, Mr Brown managed to swim ashore, hut the horso was drowned and the contents of the vehicle lost. The trap itself was recovered, having suffered but little damage. An inquest was held by the Coroner yesterday at the house of Mr Alfred Iggnlden, at Pahautanui, on the body of William Jones, senior, the circumstances of whose death appeared in yesterday’s New Zealand Times. Prom the evidence of Mr Iggnlden it appeared that the deceased was subject to attacks of dizziness. Dr Tripe, who had made a pest mortem examination of the body, stated that the immediate cause of death waa drowning, but that he also found the skull fractured. The jury returned a verdiet of accidental death.

A well known settler at Pohangina named Hector Macdonald was on Thursday last committed to tho Wellington Asylum on the certificates of Drs Maciutire and Porter. Referring to this, the Manawata Daily Times of yesterday says : —We are informed that Mr Hector Macdonald, who was committed to the Lunatic Asylum yesterday, was nine days in the bush prior to being secured, and during that time he had not had a bite of food, except any nourishment he may have got from eating edible roots and such like.

A juvenile musical prodigy is making quite a stir in Feildiug at the present time. The Marton Mercury says on the eubjeot: - The youngster is only between eight op nine years of age, and shows a musical talent very rarely found in one so young. He has just composed, without the slightest asals* tance, and without the previous knowledge of anyone but himself, a piece of~ music,"which turns out to be a rather pretty waltz, and which :a professional musician has pro* nouncedtobe correct in every detail. The youthful Mozart his christened it “St. Vitus Dance Waltz.” . Admirers o! furs and of manufactures from native skins of animals abounding in the Australian continent will be interested in the fine display now on view at the commodious premises in Panama street rented by Thomas and Co. specially for the auction sale which takes place on Monday at 1 o’clock. The furs, which are manufactured by MrS. 11. Clark, of Brunswick, Victoria, comprise almost every article which can be produced, among which may be found travelling, carriage, and hearthrugs, parlour and drawingroom mats, ladies’ capes in seal, racoon, beaver, and opossum, victorias and victorinea_, etc. It is something to the credit of a colonial manufacturer to have obtained the highest awards in Canada, Amsterdam, London, Paris, various colonial exhibitions, and medals and diplomas from the Universal Exhibition, Paris. The sale will afford a favourable opportunity to purchase beautiful and useful presorts for Horae friends, or for use during the cold winter which is pretty sure to follow the late exceptionally cool summer and autumn. These beautiful Australian furs are within reach of the poor as well as the rich. There will be a grand gaslight display to-night from 7.30 o’clock.

J. H, Bethune and Co., advertise an auction of splendid China and earthenware, to be held at their rooms, Featherston street, on Tuesday next. On the same day Messrs Bethune and Co. will also submit a quantity of superior household furniture and effects. Both sales are without reserve.

In the ladies’ underclothing department there are some specialities which'are well deserving of notice, now that cold, wintry weather seems to have set in. We invite a special visit of inspection from the ladies of the city and suburbs at Te Aro House We have some very nice ribbed spun silk under vests, in such colours as cream, sky, pink, and also white. In addition we have out some ribbed silk undervests, beautifully trimmed with lace, very suitable for evening wear, in flesh colour, sky, pink, and white, at Te Aro House.

The newest thing our London buyer has sent in undervests this season are some very pretty wool bodies in shaded colours, s ch ns cardinal shaded crimson, electric blue shaded pink, pink shaded crimson, fawn shaded brown, etc. ; and these very attractive bodices are at the extremely moderate price of 3s 6d each, at Te Aro House.

In natural wool underclothing our assort* ment is very select, and comprises combinations, drawers, vests, and nightdresses. We have a splendid lot of ladies’ wool skirts, flannel skirts, and our flannelette skirts are not only warm and durable, hut are exceedingly cheap, ranging from 2s 6d to 7s Gd. each, at Te Aro House.

Then there is a small but very select assortment of ladies’ flannel dressing jackets, wool embroidered, in oretm, pink, cardinal, sky, blue, crimson, at Te Aro House.