WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1893.

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 9887, 19 April 1893, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1893.

On onr fourth page will ha found an account of an interview with Mr Wragge, the Queerer land weather prophet, and .Liteiary Gossip, from our London correspondent. A meeting of the Executive was held yea.terday, the Hon W. P. Beeves presiding, but only routine business was dealt with. The ceremony of opening the new Free Public Library will ha performed by Mr Justice Eichmond at S.Sp on Friday afternoon. The list of pel sons to bo invited has not yet been made out, hut it is expected that all the leading personages in Wellington will beosjced to attend, Aa the space >n the Library jtaelf is taken up by reading dpsfes, tables, etc,, the large room in the Education Board's hqildjng will be utilised for the purpose of the ppfomony. The books formerly in the Athemouea have been catalogued, and will he available for purposes of reference only, and the new books will probably bo to hand in about six months time.

Some time between Monday night and Tuesday morning the private house of Mr J. Lachman, J.P., was entered, and something over L 5 was stolon. During the night Mr and Mgs Lachman heard footsteps on the stairs, hut thinking they were those of a member of the household, no notice was taken of the recurrence. In the i/jcyn;ng, however, Mr Lachman missed a sum of money from ins trousers packets, although other money an.h article? oi yalya in tbe room bad not b&e.n disturbed. The front door and ope of the windows wers also ppiopkaJ. Th e numbers of the notes, which are on the Esvpff ftf ]New South Wales, are known. During the month of February 23 patients at the Hospital consumed 165 pints 11 ounces ui prjnps, spirits and malt liquors, being an average of about 7J pints for each. This amount wa» distributed as follows :—Dr Fell, 8 patients, 29 pints U causes ; Dr Collins, 3 patients, 17 pints 2 ounces ( Dr Ewart, 1 patient, 23 pints 16 ounces j Dr Cahill, H patients, 48 pints 18 ounces; Dr Martin, 3 patients, 15 pints 4 ounces ; Dr McKenzie, 1 patient, 31 pints.

The woman Bessie Legging, reported as miss, ing, has returned to her home.

In th-j cosy >t Xl.u-.e and H.rrell v. Robert Somerville and Elizabeth Somerville, in which judgment was given in the Resident M *;d 3 ’ trate'a Court on Monday by Mr Graham, R.M., it may be explained that the action was brought against Robert Somerville as maker of a promissory note, and Elizibaih Somerville (hie wife) as endorser of it. For the defence it wus contended first on behajf of Mrs Somerville that she was discharged from liability owing to want of notice of dishonour, and secondly, on behalf of both defendants, that by reason of cettain ‘special endorsement*’ Upon the bill the plaintiff* could n*4 recover against either defendant. The Magistrate held that Mrs Soinervil e svas {Uncharged, and gave judgment in her favour, but he overruled the other ground* o'. objection, and gave judgment us against Robert Somerville only, with coats.

The Agricultural Department has resolved upon starting an agricultural inmemn consisting of fanning appliances, samples of seeds, grasses, noxious weeds, insects and so forth. Several firms have promised to contribute models of implements and samples of seeds, and the department will bo glad to receive any other contributions that come under the same category. The museum, when once established, will be open for the inspection of everyone interested.

The Rev IJ. Van Staveren (chairman of the Benevolent Institution) reported at yesterday’s meeting that he had asked Mr L. L. Harris to become one of the Trustees in place < f Mr Coleman Phillips (who had forfeited his seat through continued absence) but that gentleman had declined with thanks. He had also asked Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., if he would accept the vacant position, but he t- o had declined the honour. It seemed to Urn (Mr Van Staveren) that there were plenty of people ready to find fault, but when to assisting in the administration, they did not wish to have anything to do with the society. The Trustees now, of cource, must take action to appoint someone else. The question of selecting another gentleman to act as Trustee was deferred until next meeting.

The Minister of Education has appointed Mr Andrew Thompson, of CXunaru (ex* inspector of police), as collector of maintenance payments from the parents of children committed to industrial schools. In many cases these fees have been in abeyance for year* and, as the evil has been growing steadily for the want of some systematic means of enforcing payment, it has been deemed expedient to obtain the services of an officer who will exercise the required supervision, Mr Thompson was inspector of police at Oumaru acme five or six years ago.

The Hospital Trustees have received a windfall. At their fortnightly meeting yesterday the Chairman stated that Mr Mumo, of Bulla, had forwarded a donation of LIC6 la Cl, Mr Munro had explained that come 15 or 1G years ago a sum of money was collected fi:r the purpose of establishing a hospital ac Bulls, portion of the money being collected in this city. Subsequently, it was decided not to go on with the erection of the hospital, but to give the money to existing institutions. Both Wanganui and Palmerston had applied for the money, but as Wellington had assisted, it wua decided to distribute the amount collected between the Wanganui, Palmerston and Wellington institutions equally. A hearty vote of th inks was awarded the donors for their contribution.

Sitting in bankruptcy yesterday, Mr Justice Richmond granted orders of discharge to live bankrupts, adjourned the application of a sixth, suspc-nded the certificate in one cu-e for two years, and granted another conditionally upon the bankrupt paying otf LIO out of an indebtedness of L 143. Apropos of this last case, His Honor said ho intended this conditional order as an experiment. Ho disapproved of \v«rking"mon widi largo debts c nning before the Court for orders of discharge without making some kind cf effort to liquidate the liabilities they had incurred. As for the kind cf cases which had come before him that clay, there were no really bona fide bankruptcies among them, inasmuch as they were nearly all estates to which there were no assets. In fact, they were merely what was known at Home as * Portugal street case*.’ In explanation of this remark, which may be ‘caviare to the general,' it may be mentioned that the Junior Court of Bankruptcy is situate 1 in Portugal street, London, and that thither resort the poorer class of bankrupts. Tub Higher Court of Bankruptcy has its quarters in Haainghall street. Complaints are frequently made of the manner in which the business of the Resident Magistrate’s Court is conducted. The police and parties interested in the various cases congregate round the Bench and make applications or statements to the Magistrate in a manner which renders it perfectly impossible for the reporters or the general public to hear what is going on. The state of affairs is one that should be remedied without delay. The man Thomas Nelson Mills was charged on remand at the Magistrate’s o<>urt yesterday morning, before Mr Martin, R.M , with having stolen a number of watches and jewellery, valued at L 275, the property of D. A. Mafche* son, at Sydney, on September 18, 1802. Inspector Pender applied for a further remand, stating that the owner of the jewellery was said to be in this Colony, but he had been unable to discover his whereabouts. His object was to have Mills sent over to Sydney under the Fugitive Offenders Act. His Worship said he did not know whether he had any jurisdiction, as piobably owing to Matheson'a absence the Sydney authorities had issued no warrant. After consulting authorities His Woiship decided that he had juiisdiction to remand, provided he had evidence sufficient to justify him in doing so. Detective Campbell prepared to give evidence, but accused said he had no objection to a remand, and Hlg Worship then adjourned the case for a week, remarking that if the warrant arrived from Sydney before that date accuse! would be brought up at once. At the meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees yesterday, a letter was read from Mr Coleman Phillips requesting the Trustees to pass the account ho had sent in for travelling expenses, as provided by the Act, and present fcha sumo to the funds of the Benevolent Home. He must insist upon this course being taken in consequence of Mr Lancaster’s remarks. In a second letter m r Phillips tendered h!a resignation, as ft protest against the views expressed by Mr Lancaster in a letter to a local newspaper, and thegeucral mode in which charitable aid has been lately administered in Wellington. He had noticed that his seat had been decUred vacant. In the many boards of local government that he had attended during the last 15 years he had never known such a high handed course to be taken. He had informed the board when he had tiken his seat that he could not possibly attend every week or more than once a month, and the chairman had said that it wan not necessary for country members to attend eveiy week However, the point was not material, as be intended to resign, seeing that he could not agree with the board’s policy ; but ho regretted that the board had acted so dkcourtechsly to the council he represented. The Chairman (the Rev H. Van Suveren) did not think ony explanation was necessary. The Trustees had no power to do plherwisa under the Act, and Mr Phillips, who tfas a lawyer by profession, ought to know that they could not act in contravention of the Act. Mr T, V/. McKenzie expressed strong disapproval of Mr Phillips* action. The Chairman said he knew that Mr Phillips was very much annoyed at Mr Lancaster's! letter. Jt was decided to pass the account, which amounted to L2 11a 61,and hand it over to the funds of the institution, and to inform Mr Phillips that the Trustees could not accept his resignation, as hie seat had become vacant. Dr Martin, who loaves next Saturday on a nine-months’ trip to England, has sent in his resignation as honorary surgeon to the hospital, jn the letter sent to the Hospital Trustees he expressed the hope that he would return better equipped to be pf service to such a worthy institution. The resignation was accepted, and it was decided to send a Jetter to Dr Martin thanking him for his services The Trustees appointed pr Fell, at present hon physician, in Dr Martin’s place, and Dr 4-dams as hon physician in Dr Fell’s plage.

The Hospital Timlees ipet yesterday. Tresent—Mr F, H Fraser (chairman) and Messrs Willeston, Kehbell, Collins, Allen, Kirk, Danks, C. W. Brown, and the Rev H. Van Staveren, Accounts amounting to Ls 34 were passed for payment. It was decided to renew the Government lease of the site of the old Government Printing Office for a further period of six months on the same terms as before. It was resolved that a marine picnic should bo arranged for the nurses. A letter was received from the 1.0.0. F., Manchester Unity, Jubilee Committee, asking for infer* roation as to the cost of endowing a bed and* cot at the hospital. The matter was referred to the House Committee. It was agreed that a number of unclaimed articles left by patients at the hospital should be handed to the Public Trustee for safe, It was decided that the House Committee should take steps to establish telephonic communication between the various wards ar.d the doctors’ room?. In answer to Mr Kirk, the Chairman said the doctor bad not yet sent in his second report as to the lighting of the new wards. In com m{ts£e it was decided to accept the tender of Mr Geo, Winder for the supply of 24 bedsteads and wire mattiesaea.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr J. C. Martin, R.M.. a woman n*med Julia Sparks was fined 10s, with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness. 11 °id id an named John Campbell MpLupis was charged with attempting to p mmit suicide on February 4 under circumstances already reported. It vvaa stated that fhe Benevolent Institution was willing to provide fpr McLupaa until hp was quite recovered and JJis Worship accordingly discharged him, after giving him a severe lecture. George Triggs was charged w|tb breaking and entering thp shop of Henry Anslow, bootmaker, Cuba stie:*t, and stealing therefrom a cashbox and contents, on April i. Evidence was given showing that accused purchased some articles from Te Aro House. For these he paid with a cheque which was identified as pne of those stolen from the cashbox. Accused gaye evidence on oath, sayingthathemet a man fn Wiflls street on ‘.fie Cth inst. who asked him itp change a .cheque. seeing ;t was all right, he {accused) changed it a*. Te Ard fJ 0 ?? 86 - fiy Inspector render: He £o,ld th h people in the shop fcnjtf the good? h.e bougbjb were for himself. He had fa«en 4rfh)|c|ijg for ap.out a fortnight. He had seen the iuzu fcefpra, hut did not know his name. Accused was committed for trial at the next sittlogs of the Supreme Court. (Jeorge Hyde, who did not appear, was charged with disobeying an order of the Court to pay 7* a week towards the support of his Infant child. His Worship adjourned the case for a fortnight, to give defendant an opportunity of being present. A man named Edward Sheehan was called upon to show cause why he should not contribute 4s a week towards the support of bis^ child in the Indus-jj-jal School, Nelson, whither the boy had being incorrigible. Sheehan said lie was unable to nay the amount required, and had received bo'notice that he had to pay anything until a fortnight ago Hp was £Cing nothing at present. 1 Hia Worship ad.case, in order .that Sheehan might makd'an eifor£ reduce the amount of the arrears. A woman nop;es NopaH Bassett was sentenced to seven days' impris.qaipent for using obscene language in North street on fhp Ist inst., end for wilfully damaging Thomas Bryant’s windows on the same date she was fined 20s and ordered to pay 6s damages, or one imprisonment, the sentences to be cumulative.

Robert Somerville, livery stable keeper, was adjudicated a bankrupt yesterday,’upon fils own petition,

tenl.-y by Mr John Smith, b; c f'f'-ry of the Prevention c : Cruelty to Anhr.Mi Society, Christchurch, who urved that the Guvermn-nt should grant a subsidy to the nooiety. Ihe statement of the Press that the Minister promised that a sum would he placed upon the Estimate* for the pnrp use h altogether without foundation in fact. Mr K-evea inertly said that if Mr Smith would reduce his app i* ca’ion to writing and send it in it would receive consideration in due course.

There was a large audience at the Opera House last night on the occasion of the second peiforrn'.-nce of tho ‘ Mikado,’ by the LilipuLian Opsra Company. The piece went with a good awing throughout, and was much appreciated, aevu'aS enc-ues being demanded by the audience. To-night Gilbert and a Sullivan’s charming op«-r.i ' Patience ’ will oe htaged, and from all accounts should prove a great success.

A fire broke out at Karori on Monday night, and resulted in the destruction of a sixroomed cottage owned by Mr J. l ownsend, and rented by Messrs K. and LJ. M. Heywood, F. Flower and H. Didsbury. Tho house was injured for 1,275 in the London and Lancashire Office, and the furniture andefffecU for L2CO in the New Zealand Office. Ihe origin of the fire is a mystery.

The Benevolent Society Trustees held the;r usual weekly meeting yesterday. PresentThe Rev H. Van Staveren (chairni.ui), and Messis KebbelJ, Willeston, Heaton, McKenzie and Lancaster. A letter was received from the Ladies’ Association suggesting that one of the inmates of the Alexandra Home should be removed to the Benevolent Home, as her sight was imperfect, her temper was peculiar, and altogether she was unfit to be kept in the Alexandra Home. The Trustees decided to reply that they could not find room at the Home for the woman. A woman with one child asked the Trustees to send her to Christchurch, where sha had some friends. The Trustees said they could not send the woman away unless she could get aguaramee from her people in Christchurch that they would assist in maintaining her. Her husband had left her three years ago. A little old man who had previously beer, in the Home for ihe Aged Needy, and had left it because he said he could eam his own living, nppl'ed to be admitted to the Benevolent Home. It was decided to send the man to the Hume. A respectable looking # young man, with his wife, who had a baby in her arms, attended, and asked for assistance. Tho man, who is a groom and driver, said he had tried all he knew to get employment, but without success, The unfortunate couple had two other children. Rations were granted fur a week. The next applicant assistance was a respectably dressed voung nun, who informed the Trustees that he” arrived here six months ago from London with LTO. He went up to Palmerston North and opened a shop, but the venture was r.oc a success, and he lost all his money. He was now obliged to pawn bis belongings to keep himself and wife (who, he stated, would shortly be confined). Tho Trustees thought this was a melancholy case, and decided to grant rations and 5a a week for rent. Several other cases were dealt with, an account amounting to L 3 2* 7d was passed for payment, and the Trustees adjourned. The local agents (Levin and Go.) received a cable yesterday stating that tho Maraari left Plymouth on April 8 for Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers. The electric piano was visited during yesterday afternoon and evening by numbers of people, who were both delighted and completely mystified by its performances,especially when Mr Otton showed that he could either retard or accelerate the tempo at will, or ‘ switch off ’ the mui-ic at a moment’s notice. A consideiable number of pieces of dance music were played in fust-class style, and hmong.it them four of Mr W, H. Spiller's compositions. Mr Spiller was invited to try the pieces over himself hut promptly declined, saving he could not hope to interpret them so well ss the wonderful piano had done. The instrument will bo on view fr on 12 till 2, from 3 till 5, and from 8 till 10. If any one cares to sing, the piano will play the accompaniment. No one should miss seeing this unique curiosity. It is well worth a visit. A little girl named Grace McAlUter, 14 years of age, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday mor-dog with being fuund wandering about the streets, and with having no place of abode. The police stated that Mrs Cooper, of Wadectown, was willing to take charge of the child, who had been deserted by her father. His Worship (Mr J. C. Martin) accordingly discharged heron that understanding. The girl then left the Court in company with Ur* Cooper, who said she had been keeping the sister of McAlister for some time past,

Our -Havelock correspondent writes as follows At the Wakamarina Gorge, pumping was started ou Tuesday week at 5 p.m., and by Wednesday at 10 a.m. the water had gone down 3 foet, or at tha rate cf 8 inches an hour after reaching water level, though the engine was working at the third of the rate it was worked before, under the management of Messrs Jordan and Andrews. It was expected that the pumping would bo finished by Sunday night, and if the present management wish to take a lesson from their predecessors, they should at once put on a sufficient number of men to, at any rate, test a portion of it, otherwise the season will be gone, and the shareho’ders without a dividend. There are great hopes-entertained by the shareholders.in this disti ict that the experimental farces of previous managements are at an end. For the past three years many diggers have been led to visit the Wakamarina diggings, owing to the notoriety and fall belief of the wealth of this claim, A few have remained in the district, In the meantime scratching out an existence, while a few,more fortunate ones have proved that n large quantity of alluvial gold is still to be got on the Wnkamaiino, the terraces, and the tributaries. For many years past, notwithstanding the opening-up of new diggings in various parts of the Colony, a few of the knowing ones although a large i msunt of gold has been got out of this district, a very considerable amount remains une-rlhed for the hardy miners to deal with. What the Wakamarina requires is capital and miners, not scratchers, such as have existed in years past? The successful development of the Wakamarina for a fillip depends on tha successful working of the Gorge Company, and we trust that such an amount of acumen will be displayed in this undertaking as will lead to further ventures of a profitable nature.

Mr Graham, 11 E, yesterday dismissed an application by a man named Carl Petersen for the cancellation of an order for payment towards the support of his children in the Burnham Industrial School. Two men, named John Chas, Williams and Robert King, were charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning with stealing a quantity of tools, the property of Wm. Douglas and Stephen« Leary, on the 11th and 13:h April. Inspector Pender applied for a remand, in support of which application Detective Campbell, who arrested the men, stated that the goods had been sold by the prisoner Williams at a second-hand shop in Taranaki street, and that King stood out»ilo the shop while Williams sold them. King said he knew nothing about the affair. Williams said he would plead guilty to selling some of the tools, but he did not steal them. His Worship remanded the case until Friday, fixing bail for each speustd at a personal bond of Lib and t«o sureties of LlO each, to bo approved by the police. The two accused were then further charged with breaking and entering a poachhouse, and stealing therefrom a set of harness, value LlO, the property of Goo. Hy, Thornton, on the 13th in*t. Detective Campbell said this property had been traced to Williams* possession, but hai not yet been recovered, A remand was granted to Friday in this case, also the same bail being fixed kb in the charges of larceny. The weekly parade of the D Battery took place at the Drillahed last evening. The muster ivas not as good as usual, probably owing to the weather, only 3Q attending under Lieutenant Johnston. Lieutenant Pearce also was present. Detachment and gun drill by Sergeants Jeffreys and Carter occupied the whole evening* The programme for the second Thursday popular concert, to take place at the Theatre Royal, appears in our columns to-day, and, like its predecessor,is of a most attractive character. Jf the promoters continue to put forth a weekly programme of this excellence they should reap their reward when the concerts are fully established and their merits fully known to the public. Madame Stephens, who appears to morrow evening, is a finished and pleasing singer, and Mr Tennyson Cole has hud exceptionally gooi training us a vocalist. The instrumental pieces for to-morrow are very attractive. It should be mentioned, as it is the desire of the promoters to make the concerts thoroughly popular, there will be no reserved seats ; all parts of the house will therefore be available to the first-comers. Further argument in the matter of Mr Vocel’s motion in respect of Te Kapua Block h:«s been postponed at the request of the couneel e gaged (Messrs Vogel and Gully) until Saturday forenoon. Our Napier correspondent telegraphed yesterday : -The Hon* J. D. Ormond was reelected tod »y Chairman of the Ilawke’a Bay indication Board. I understood privately that it was intended' tp oppose lii* re-election, on the ground that his frequent absence, and his well-known interest in racing, made him unsuitable fpr the petition, but the member whq intended leading the opposition made no Tfie Minister's circular u a to the exchange of inspeptqrs was held qver for con? sidoratifin. A * local committee wrote asking when |t was likejy the school would be erected. Captain Russell thought it unwise to diminish the efficiency of one school ;o make room fora little school. The Rev p, §idey thought the committee should be notified that the time was not ripe. The letter from the committee proceeded Jn the future the historian of this settlement will cry shame on the Education Board when its memheis cease to be, and their voices will be heard no more. (Great laughter.) It was resolved to ask Mr Knight to report as to the number of families, resident in the settlement, who would be benefited by the school, and their distance from Danevirke. A great deal of interest is taken in the approaching school pomipfttee election in Napier, and tpoth ‘political parties fiaye their men in training. ‘ '

Mr Joseph Saundeps, tfie well-known pentrapper, wfio resides jn Tinajrori road, arrived by the Manawatp jtrafq last night, suffering from the effects of an accident' tha£ met with on Monday evening. He was rjdjng frjgm Fahnerston to Feilding, when a trap driyen by a man rap intp him, the force uf the impact throwing him off his horse. He fell upon his right shoulder aqd side, but escaped without any broken bonos.

A special summoned meeting of the Excelsior Lodge of Druids was held in the lodger room, Courtenay place, last night, Bro A. Orr presiding. The meeting was called by Bro Jones to rescind a resolution passed on February 21 last to the effect that the lodge approved of the formation of a District Grand Lojge. Xa the meantime a ballot has been taken, thfe result of which is that C 7 voted for the Grand Lodge and 4$ against. The result of last night’s meeting'was that the previous fftSQlution was rescinded by 13 to 7. cussiori was yepy ‘heated, and in 'consequence several members ‘left £hp rooi#’ before the voting took place. The subject" was very in.teresting. and will no doubt be brought up again. Five new members were made, two by clearance from other lodges and three were initiated, and the usual routine business was pjso trapiapt^d,

U;> id 1 15 this in .’fling there vraa no sign of the ICaikoura, from London, via Hobart.

The Very Uev Dr Watters, Rector of St Patrick’.* College, leaves Wellington early next month on a visit to Europe. His special object is to attend the septennial chapter of the Society of Mary, which is to be held this year at Lyons, in France, and at which New Zealand will b- represented by the Very Rev John Leterrier (Provincial of the Order in this Colony), the Very Uev Theophilus Le Menant des Clutiru*. ot Christchurch, and the Very Rev Dr Watters. Representatives wil) attend from every quarter “f the globe Dr Watters intends to take advantage <.f tins trip to travel over the Continent of Europe, and through England and Ireland, taking epeci-1 pains at the chief seats of leirning to make himself au courant with the latest improvements in tho educational art, and the cuniculum and text-bunks followed. He also hopes to do some service for ths Colony by delivering lectures upon it occasionally in the course of his travels. Dr Watters leaves Sydney on May 15th by the M&ssagerles Maritimes Company’s steamer, and lie intends returning ab>-ut November, probably bringing back wi h him some accessions to the teaching staff of the college. We wUh him a pleasant trip and u safe return. The Rev Father Braxmeier will act as rector of St Patrick’s College during Dr Watters’ absence. A man named John Travers was arrested in Masterton yesterday, and charged with the larceny of pictures and a sewing machine, the property of Thomas Tracey, cf Melbourne. Tracey left his wife ami three chlldien in Melbourne, he coming to New Zealand for work, which he obtained at Wellington. Travers and Mrs Tracey, with the children, left Melbourne together, and on reaching New Zealand took up their residence in Masterton. The husband followed, and instituted the present action. The case was remanded until to-day. The popularity that the Cadzow Musical Comedy Company have gained in Wellington is not surprising.aa their most enjoyable entertainments are well deserving a visit from everyone. Last night they were well patronised, and the pretty musical comedy ‘ On Deck ’ went well throughout. Mr Cadzow takes great pains in his pioduclions, and all his selections are very well chosen. This evening he introduess to Wellington an entirely now style of entertainment —a smoking concert—in a sfc.\la very similar to that of tho Music Hulls in London, at the popular price of one shilling. For the convenience <f lady patrons seats will be reserved in front, where smoking will not be allowed. This innovation of Mr Cadzow’s should receive Ihe support of the pleasureseekers in town. A good programme is arranged for to-night, and it is the intention of the management to give one smoke concert each week during their term of tenure. Tomorrow an entire change will be given, when will be produced another new musical sketch introducing fresh songs, &c. The University examination papers from London have just come to hand, and so far as can be judged from a cursory inspection, the results tally with those cabled out some time ago and communicated privately to the successful candidates. A meeting of the Senate will bo held in Christchurch on Wednesday next to deal with the matter. The results will not be made public until then. The London Gaiety Burlesque Compar.y, under engagement to Messrs V“. illiamsoa and Musgiovo, will commence tbeir Wellington season on Monday, May Ist. Owing to the great expense involved in this spirited theatrical enterprise, the season in Wellington will be limited to 12 nights. The company number over 80 people, tho leading member being the famous Gaiety Theatre comedian, WrLonncn, By the steamer Takapuna, which arrived yesterday from Auckland, Mr Hughes came to Wellington for the purpose of making the n o *sary preliminary arrangements. An Auckland correspondent, under date April 18, writes ;—The London Gaiety Burlesque Company produced ‘ Faust up to Date ’at the Opera House to-night ; His Excellency and the Government Home party again being amongst the very large audience. MrLonnen again scored heavily, and his burlesque parody on * Ta*ra-ra*boom-do*ay,’ following as it does upon Miss Alice Leamar's version, sent the audience into convulsions of merriment.

Altogether about 230 entries have been received ter the events to be iua at the Drapers* Sports on Wednesday next. The following entries were received last night foe the handicap events : —looyds, 33 ; One Mile Walk, 15 ; Junior Handicap, 220yds 0, 880yds 13. 440yds 23; Boys’ Race, 11; One Mile, 8 ; 440yds, 20 ; 220yds Hurdles, 8. The Handicap Committee met last night and declared the handicaps. A banner will be presented to the ‘house ’ scoring the largest number of puints. The following nominations for School Committees have been received :—Mount Cook— Messrs W, Allan, G, Norbury. J. Grant, J. Keith, W. Mm roll, J. Robertson, H. J. Underwood, R. B. Vincent, F. Wilis and C. F. Worth. Kilbirnie —Messrs G. D. Hewitt, H. D. Crawford, O. Olive, W. L. Sievtrs, Janies Clark, John McEvven and A, H. Shepherd.

'lenders are being invited for the purchase of a shipment of silk handkerchiefs t.eized lately by H.M. Customs, We understand that they were imported by a Chinese dealer, and that the Customs officials, having reason to believe that the invoices understated the value of the goods, decided to exercise their powers to seize them at the invoice price, with 10 per cent added.

The departure of the s.s. Ruahine, from Lyttelton, has been postponed until Tuesday next.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Manawatu Road Board District will be held next Tuesday, at the board's office, Palmerston North. The board intends to raise.ft loan of L6OO to form and metal certain roads.' Mr Walter Brown, of Featherston street, advertises steam engines, &c., for sale at low prices. Messrs Thomas Cook and Son advertise special trips round the world, including a visit to the World's Fair at Chicago. Proceedings will now be taken by the City Council against all persons owning unregistered dogs ; as also against all unlicensed expressmen and carters. Mr Robert J. King, of Sydney, is a candidate fora seat on the directorate of the Australian Mutual Provident Society. Mr John St Clair will carry on the business of the North German Fire Insurance Company until an agent has been appointed to fill the place of the late Mr J. B. Tringham. Mr George Webb has been elected a member of the Melrose Borough Council. The Seatoun Road Board has just struck a rate of three farthings in the pound.