Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 9903, 17 May 1893, Page 2

On our fourth page wUI be found sporting and football notes and other reading matter. The Premier, accompanied by Mr THamer (private secretary), left by yesterday morning's train for Napier. " .fudge Robinson Left far the South by the Takap nna yesterday. The Chie‘ Justice and Mr Justice Richmond both eat Chambers yesterday, and dealt with a number or formal applications. A sum of 1,5000 has been authorised for expenditure in the formation of roads to open up the Cheviot Estate. Surveyors are now engaged in laying off thfJ work, which will be let on tho co-operative pringjple, ana if possible a number of the i'hr*stcl,i;fph unemployed will fca started upon # najet lyeefc. The man William Thornton who was ad.' milled to the hospital oft Monday night suffering from a severe woiujd on tbfi heaql, js re* ported to be making sAtUfAofcory f/T°ii> resa s o ' wards recovery.

A Government inspection of the D ©atjeyy took place at the DriiUlmd last evening, Colonel No wall inspecting. Tbs. muster was not a very good one, only 25 of all ranks being present, under Lieutentant Johnston. Lieu* tenants ' Pearce and Staff-Sergeant-Major Richardson, E.A., were also present. After the inspection tbs n»sn were exercised in marching past movements by Sergeant-Major Robinson and Lieutenant johflston." 'Daring the evening Colonel Newaii Gunner Hyland with the silver medal riven by the Government for the best marksman in the Wellington district. One pew member tvas elected. Ho parads will be held next Tuesday, owing to the Government parade on Wednesday (the Queen’s girtfedey). A largely-attended • social ’ jhrAfffWtion with St Andrew's Literary Society .\vaa the schoolroom last night, the Key ,C. $. .Ogg presiding. Songs jvscc contributed ,by Mrs James Maodonald, Messrs W, Gill. Martin and A. Newton, and a duet by Misses Newton and Grelg. Recitations were given by Mr John Newton and Mr A. S, Paterson. Sbors addresses were delivered by the chairman atm Messrs D. M. Luckie and James ‘Macdonald, In these the claims of the society sure yrged, and a larger membership was applied for, An efficient orchestra, under the leadership of Mr James Jack, played selections, and the choir contributed several glees. The piano used was kindly lent by the Dresden Company. The next meeting of ths aopiety will be held on the 30th inst., when Mr C, Wilson, editor of the New ZEALhSn Main, is to daljver a lecture on ‘ People wo Meet in a Newspaper Office ; or the Huraorons Side of Colonial Jotfrp#!ism,' with lime-light illustrations, from original sketches drawn specially lor this lecture by Mr J. S. Allan, the wclLknowp local artist.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Excelsior Lodge, U. a.0.D., was hold avUh* iodgeroom, Courtenay place, last evening, Bro W- A. Orr, Arch-Druid, presiding. A considerable amount of ordinary business was disposed of. The Gala Committee’s report showed a substantial surplus, and a vote of thanks was passed for their services. Five new members were elected, three by clearance, and two by initiation. A ' social* in connection with the lodge la to be held at Thomas' Hall early next month,

Another application has just come to hand for the allocation of 8000 acres of land on the Awarua block in respect of which the Te Aro Special Settlement Association made application a considerable time since. The new applicants are a Special Settlement Association which has been formed at Wanganui. About 15 applications have now been made for land in the Awarua block. The Government, however, adhere to their determination to deal with no application until they have acquired an area of ICO,OOO acres. As wo already explained some time ago, they now own 70,00) acres in the block. The Christchurch Press understands that the Hon W, Rolleston intends to offer himself for the newly-constituted Ellesmere electorate, which includes a large portion of the old Halswell district and the whole of Banks Peninsula.

The Court Sir George Grey, A.O F., have been approached by the ladies’ committee of the Convalescent Horne with reference to an annual subscription, and the court have appointed Bros Moore and Harman as a committee to interview them and ascertain what privileges will be given to subscribing friendly societies. The committee is to bring up a report at the next summoned meeting. A meeting of the Upper Hutt Presbyterian congregation was held on Monday evening (the Rev A. Thomson presiding), for the purpose of electing elders for the congregation. Hitherto the session of Lower Hutt Church have performed the duties of elders for both congregations, hut of late the increase in numbers, life-and activity of the Presbyterian Church in the Upper Hutt have led tnem to appoint a session for themselves, Mr James Thompton and Mr William Kemp were unanimously elected. The ordination will take place on May 28, when the communion will also be dispensed. In Adelaide, South Australia, a cab is using an electric light instead of the ordinary candle lamps. A local paper says The cab was very conspicuous on the stand, as the light is very steady and shows a pure white light, which Is thrown a great distance in front of the horse. The lamp is what is known as a three-candle power lamp, and Is fixed on an ornamental bracket in front uf the cab, with a powerful reflector behind, so as to concentrate the light, The battery is fixed in a box under the driver’s seat, and will run the lamp for iG hours continuously, and as the driver is provided with a switch, the light is under his control, and can be turned off and on at pleasure, so that when the light is not required it can be turned oil, and thereby save waste. Messrs Briscoe and Mac Neil and Co., of this city, are, we understand, the successful tenderers for the supply of the large parcel of cement for the Napier Harbour Board at a price approaching Loi per cask, Knight, Bevan and Sturges brand, A private telegram received from Auckland last night sava :—The Maggie Moore-Hollo-way Company's New Zealand tour promises to be a very successful one judging by the opening performance in ‘ Struck Oil/ at the Opera House. The audience was large, and the drama went off admirably, Maggie Moore getting an enthusiastic reception. The well-known jockey, L. Holmes, trainer of Kangipuhi, who won the Thompson Handicap at the Hutt at the Wellington Autumn Meeting, met with a serious accident on Thursday last at Paraewanui. He had just returned from a shooting excursion with a jockey named Price. The latter asked Holmes for the loan of the gun, which was handed to Price, who incautiously pulled the trigger, with the result that a number of shot lodged in Holmes’ legs. Dr Bennett, of Marton, was sent for and attended to the sufferer, who is now progressing favourably. In the Sunderland Police Court on March 20 a sailor claimed LlB 10s Cd for wages. He was engaged as an able*bodied seaman, and signed articles at L 4 per month. Last August he shipped on board the Deepdale, which made a voyage to the East Indies, returning to Sunderland on the 13fch March. Defendant did not dispute that plaintiff had a claim for wages, but there was a difference as to a deduction which defendant claimed to be entitled to make. While on board, in December last, plaintiff was ordered to reef a rope on the topmast. He declined to do this as there were no ratlin?. In consequence of this his wages were reduced to ,L 3 a month, on the ground of incompetency. For the plaintiff it was urged that one act of incompetency was not sufficient to justify the reduction of an able seaman to an ordinary seaman, especially as this task was unusual and dangerous. It was true another man performed the duty, but he may have been more active; plaintiff, though not so active, was no less an able-bodied seaman. Defendant said every crew knew there were difficult and dangerous duties to be performed, and it was necessary that every man should do his share, otherwise there might be a mutiny. It was usual to disrate a man who did not know how to steer, go aloft, &c. The Bench, in the result, found for the claimant for LIG Is 2d, but no order was made as to costs.

The Cromwell Argus is responsible for the following :—‘ The Nevis river, we hear, is so full of trout that they can and are being speared easily. The young fish are to be seen by the million almost, so that if a little fishing Is indulged in without a license and in hardly the orthodox manner, it is not likely to do so much harm as if the larger fish were left to feed on the small fry—not that we advocate illicit fishing, but merely in extenuation. Out of evil good sometimes comes.* Considerable alarm, says the Christchurch Press of Saturday, was occasioned to a large number of passengers on board the Talune yesterday afternoon, A heifer, which was being taken on board the ship, became un* manageable, and broke away from those engaged in leading her down the deck. In the chase which followed the animal made a bolt into the saloon, where a number of lady passengers were sitting, and was not captured before she bad created a considerable panic amongst them. Fortunately no damage was done to the fittings of the saloon, but it was some time before the startled passengers recovered from the effects of the fright. A special meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council was held on Monday evening, when Councillors Allen, Knight, Oudby and Lawton were present. Apologies were received for the absence, through indisposition, of the Mayor and Councillor Hansom. Councillor Allen was voted to the chair. The burgess roll for the year 1893-94 was revised and signed by the chairman and Councillors Cudby and Knight, A case of charitable aid was ordered to stand over till next meeting.

There ia now at work on a portion of the London, Greenwich, and Deptford Tramway Company’s line at Bermondsey the ‘Connolly motor,’ for which it is claimed that it has successfully solved the problem of providing an economical and safe substitute for horse traction on tramways. Many have been the attempted solutions of this problem—steam, electricity, and compressed air, having been tried with varying results. In the present motor these agents are discarded in favour of oil vapour; in fact the engine is a development of the oil engine which has been worked out by Mr J. S. Connolly. The engine is, however, also adapted for the use of gas, The motor has been, for some considerable time, working on American tramlines—according to several contemporaries there —with marked success; and is now being introduced into England. The lonal agents for the Shaw, SavlH and Albion Company have been advised that the Tainui left Rio for Plymouth on the 15th instant, with her cargo of frozen meat in good condition.

The question as to whether gas or electricity shall be used in the lighting of the new wing of the hospital was, once more discussed at the meeting of the Trustees of the institution yesterday, and finally decided in favour of the former. A letter was read from Dr Ewart stating that after hearing what Mr SucklingBaron, manager of the GUioher Company, had to say, he was of opinion that electricity would be preferable to gas for lighting the new wing. The Kev H. Van Staveren moved that the building should be lit with gas. This was seconded by Mr G. Allen. Mr R. C. Kirk proposed as an amendment that electricity be used, the Chairman, who considered it would be in the interests of the patients to use electricity, seconding it. In the course of the discussion the Chairman pointed out that the elec,trie light could be turned down the same as gas. (Qn being put the amendment was lost by four to three, and the motion was then carried. The Kev If. yan Staveren, Messrs Kebbel), AJlon and Brown voted for gas. and the (Chairman and Messrs Kirk and Wiilestpn fog g|eptrig|ty. Mg Hanks declined to vote.

About 3.20 on Monday afternoon a woman named Catherine Lean, who lives in Cambridge terrace, was stepping off the footpath jn Manners street vvliep afie was knocked down by»man on fiorsebapjf, who passed at the time. The horseman was n,qt riding at a fast pace, and it appears that the woman. w hn did not fiear him call out, waa not much hurt, and was able to proceed'home shortly afterwards.

At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees yesterday a letter was received from the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, stating that thsr,e not a grain of truth in a paragraph \vnicji /ecemxy appeared in one of the evening papers wit a regard ‘tq tfip surgery at the hoipit^l/ £Jie Hospital Trustees met yesterday morning. present—M.essra F- H. Fraser, G. M. jfc. jB, Kirjc, O. W, Brown, 3, Banks, C. J 3. >y. s ilipatop and Rev H. Van Staveren. < Accounts amounting to L 528 15s were passed fop payment, ft was decided that a numher of articles by the matron should be purposed, ft jyas decided that telephonic communication should be provided between the new hill ward and the main building at a cost of L 8 17s 6d. It was resolved that Mr Gaby, secretary, should r.epgive $ per cent on air word's he is authorised V? supervise by the Trustees, An account ,oj L2&? ap p progress payment on the new wing wpspasse/jl/ Mr J, C. Martin, H-M.» # oypr yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate's Cqur/j. A £rst offending inebriate was $3, with the usuaj Alternative; Annie Johnston, a previous offending waa fined 10s, with the slte,rnative ,of hours’ hard labour; and a woman named Mary Twiner, pharged with being drunk and disorderly, was sentenced to jmyen days’ bard labour. John Russell, who hjyd himself away on the Wakatipu Syd#ej?> jvaa .fined soa, with the alternatiye ojf seyen imprisonment. Edward Gell was piling to comply with a# order the Court to appport his gdfe, Mr Travfirs appeared (qr .the r defendant, who pleaded inobiUfcy to ppy. H|s Worship adjourned the case until Friday, in order that enquiries might be made a« to the defendant’s habits. Chas. Longhurst, charged with failing to maintain his children, was ordered to pay L 26 arrears forthwith, or iu default to undergo one month’s Imprisonment, My R. popkin, C.E., Reaves for New Plymouth tb|o "lorning, and will set opt upon the exploratory suryey of his proposed railway route to Taqmaranul some time this week.

Competitive designs are about to bo Invited by the Public Works Department for a courthouse to be erected at Palmerston North. The building Is not to cost more than LX6OO, is to be constructed of brick, and must be so designed as to furnish accommodation for both the Supreme Court and the Resident Magistrate's Court, as well as the necessary office accommodation for clerk and registrar. Designs will be received up till noon of Thurs* day, fcbe fith July,

, . The annual general meeting of the'W ellington College Old Boys’ Association was held at the Exchange Buildings last night. r l he <>kl boys were well represented, and Mr A. de B. Brandon presided. The report and balancesheet was read by Mr M. Luckle, also a report on the newly-formed college ground by Mr.l. Tripe (asummary of both documents appeared in our last is*ue). Both were adopted, on the motion of the chairman, by Mr Gerald Tolhurst, The Chairman, in a tew remarks, considered the large attendance or old boys was a sign that the interest in their old college had not by any means diminished. Mr Firth, who was received with loud plause, thanked the old hoys on behalf or the college for their monetary aid towards the new recreation ground. Mr Firth also stated that he had heard it said by an old hoy that when he left the institution his interest in the college was finished, but he hoped that all old boys *would still take a large amount of interest in the college, and thus benefit both the masters and the present students. The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow Joint secretaries and treasurers, Messrs E. A. Meek and M. Myers ; auditor, Mr G. Stack ; management committee, Mess's A. de B. Brandon. J. V. Frith, K. W. Wallace, W. H. Morrah, B. M. U Pilcher, W. C. Meek, W. G. Reid, K H. Mitchell and W. Duthie. The annual dinner was fixed to take place on the 17th June. Ihe meeting passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Thos. Ward, C.E , for his gratuitous services in connection with the new recreation ground at the college. A similar compliment was passed to the retiring officers, and the chairman for presiding. The old boys spent the remainder of the evening in a convivial manner, light refreshments being provided by the committee. Vocal selections were given by Messrs Held (2), R. Wallace and A. Heine, and Messrs J. P, Frith, M. Luckle and G. Stack favoured the old boys with recitation?.

At least twelve nations will be represented at the International Social Working. Mena Congress,

Speaking of the late Premier, the Sydney Worker saysln all his action* he was honourable and kingly and He is dead, and the Democracy of Australasia mourns for his death. In Maoriland he fought not alone, and there are other men over there ready to pick up his nm”tle and wear it. Considerable dissatisfaction exists with the present railway time-table between Lower Hutt and the city, and with the delays that take place and alteration in trains without giving public notice. We understand that a new time-table will shortly be announced. A deputation will wait upon the district traffic manager with a view to making such suggestions as will do away with the .inconvenience and delays complained of. The meeting of the creditors of John O’Hulloran, labourer, which was to have been held yesterday, lapsed, none of the creditors attending. Under examination by the Assignee the bankrupt stated that he had a wife and three children. He had had a house and section of land in the Wairarapa, upon which he had spent L 350. He owed about L9O to Mr Cooper for the timber, and he it in his hands to realise. Ha had never received a sixpence out of it, That was eight or nine years ago, and nearly all his debts had been incurred within the last seven or eight years. Messrs Waddell and Co. obtained a judgment summons against him for LR2 in respect of timber used tor repairs to a house he had leased in Nairn street. The land was claimed by a party other than the lessee, and the piesent bankrupt was turned out cf it. He had also been summoned by Messrs Stewart and Co. He was now driving an express, which belonged to his son, who was a complete invalid through being injured in the mill, The bankrupt said his earnings did not average above 35s a week,

The extensive building now being erected by Mr Webb, of Wellington, fop Mr Pole, at Lower Hutt, is about completed, and presents a very fine appearance. Mr Webb starts work on the new Oddfellows’ Hall at the same place in a few days.

An open meeting of the St John*? Literary Association was held in the schoolroom, Dixon, street last evening. The Rev J. Paterson presided, and there was a large attendance of members and their friends, The evening was almost wholly devoted to a lecture, by Mr W, T, Glasgow, on * Scott’s Poetical Works.’ In the course of a very interesting lecture Mr Glasgow gave a succinct account of the life of * The Wizard of the North,' and a sketch of his character, of which manliness and simplicity were, he said, the chief traits. Sir Walter Scott’s man'y struggle to free himself from the incubus of debt was dwelt upon, besides which the lecturer gave numerous apt quotations from che poet’s works as instances of the various qualities with which his nature was endowed, Mr Glasgow spoke in terms of the highest priise of Sir Walter Scott’s powers as a novelist, saying that his novels might be regarded as the fountain head of a new literature, and giving interesting anecdotes. The whole lecture was couched in language which ilaelf paid a fitting tribute to the memory of the great Scottish poet and author. In conclusion Mr Glasgow, spoke of the great debt owed to Sir Walter by Scotland, in that his poems and novels had attracted attention and crowds of visitors to portions of the country which were before unknown and almost inaccessible. It was, therefore, no wonder that his countrymen had erected a handsome monument to his memory in. the capital of the land of his birth, and that he lived in thediearts of the Scottish people as one of the best and noblest of Scotchmen. The lecture was illustrated with limelight views, and at intervals selections from Sir Walter Scott’s poems were recited by Messrs A. S. Paterson, A. Wilson, W. Bimm, jun., J. Duthie, jun., and A. Ballingall. Miss Kirkcaldie gave two pianoforte pieces, and songs were contributed by Mr W, Turnbull. On the motion of Mr j, Bruce, seconded by Mr W. Simm, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer and those who had assisted in the evening’s entertainment, and the pleasant proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

A special meeting of the Onslow Borough Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Cameron) and Councillors Holmes, Aplin. Hohbs, Durrell, Donner and Casey. Councillor Douner congratulated Councillor Casey on his return to the oouncil after his recent severe illness, and moved that the oounoil aouurd him a hearty welcome to his seat. Mr Durrell seoonded the motion, which was carried. Mr Casey feelingly returned thanks. The burgess roll for 1893-91 was certified, to as correct. Tile by-laws as to straying cattle, as drafted, were adopted. A series of lectures on theosophy are being delivered in Auckland by Mrs Cooper-Oakley. During the recent elections in South Australia, the daily papers declined to report any candidate who refused to pay L 4 4s a column for the insertion of his speech. According to a northern exchange Mr Henry T. Kemp, of Wellington, has taken in hand a suggestion made some short time since of getting $ painting executed by seme one of the leading artists of the day depicting the signing of the historical Treaty of Waitangi, and it is to bo hoped that a sufficient response will be made to enable the proposal to be fully carried out. The present Idea is to have the painting executed on a large scale, 20 feet by 10 or 15, thus affording eoope sufficient for the artist to pourtray .on his canvas the numerous figures which would have to bo introduced of a life size to make the painting one of genuine historic value. It is intended that the original painting shall be placed in the library of the Parliament House, and, should funds sufficient he subscribed, a copy presented to the Imperial and Colonial Institute, London. |t is proposed that the commission shall be given to Mr Steele, of Auckland, whose picture ' The Death of Starlight,’recently attracted so much favourable attention and criticism ip Auckland and Sydney. Subscribers of one guinea to the fund will be entitled to receive in return a photo engraving about 12 by 8 inches, The Rev E. Walker, of the New Zealand Alliance, is just now in Wellington making arrangements for .an office of the alliance in Wellington during the coming Parliamentary session. The Alliance Executive has been strengthened by the addition of the following Wellington gentlemen Messrs A. E. Atkinson, G, B. Clarke, J. Collins, J.P., N. Dodgshun, F.H. Fraser, J.P., 0. M. Luke and J, Niool, who will serve as a Wellington subcommittee of the executive, the head, office being in Auckland, A direct vetn convention will be held on the oth ami 6th of July, including in addition to the two days' conference a publjo breakfast and an evening public meeting, at which latter the Mayor will preside, Delegated are expected (rain all parts of tfie Colony, At a meetjng of Newtown resideqtslast night, at whjch Mr-W. 6. Tuntin presided, it was unanimously decided tq form a bowling club, and the following gentlemen were appointed a coipinilteg to carry oqt tfie pres ijipinary arrangements | Messrs fuatm, Hollis, Huttcrwortb, Aotill, Orowther, Morris, Telford, Sloan, Jos. Davis, J. W. Davis, Ralph, Day, McLean and Sex. ton, _1 t was decided to advertises for suitable site for a green. Mr A. Sample promised to present a pair of bowls for the best player daring the season. Mr Gale (president of the Wellington Club), who was present, was thanked for the advice tendered by him, and for the kindly feeling shown by the Wellington Club. The bowlers in the district are the matter up_ with a great deal of enthusiasm, and there Is every reason to suppose that tfie new club will be a great success. The Manchester Ship Canal Company have launched frpm their shipbuilding yard at Runcorn tfie first of a fi.et of flit-bottomed barges intended f qr qge on tfie gafial. The vessel is fiOft long,wjtb a Ifft (jin beam, ffip ends being' semi-circular and the sides »|mpsl pprpen, dicular. She possesses great carrying capacity, and is fitted with apparatus fqr connecting a number of barges together, forming one long train. By this fleet of barges large ships, when neepssary, can be unloaded in the lower portion of the ship canal, and the cargo despatched expeditiously to |ts destination even if on smaller panala, the bprgea being constructed to draw only wheq loaded, A pleasing wedding took place at Hamilton a few days ago, when Mr K. J. Gwynne, the popular siib-editor of the Waikato Times, was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Biggs, yofingest daughter of the Rev R’. O. G. Biggs. As the nowlyijgarri-fd pajr entered their buggy at the cpnolojiian of ttjo service, an fnfiian Parsee/who had been in the church and a much interested spectator, was observed to throw a handful of small silver pains over the buggy. He afterwards explained that it was a ganeval custom (and a very pretty one, too) ip his country to tfirow coins over the heads of nevly.-marpicd popples, thpse fiping an offering to the poor, by whop; they are picked up, and be has seen »s muefi as twppty pounds w ort h of silver thus given by one man in India. The small boy, however, was tfie gainer by the first introduction of the oustqm in Hamilton.

Two Mornjon preachers, after being repeatedly warned to leave a TQ° Dessee village, were shoe dead by a band of marked men, Sojpe splendid specimens of gold from Western Australia l}as been shown In Sydney. gold was found miles from Champion Bay,'at a place called the Erperajd Reef, by J. Rice and a p&pty of si* mop. Tfio specimens weighed oyer l|cwt, and tbg gold W a9 pr.esent |n the quarl? m small lumps. At a special meeting of the Melrose Borough Council, held last night, the burgess rolls for the year were confirmed, and certified to ai correct,

At the meeting of the Benevolent Trustee* yesterday, Mr W. C. Chatncld submitted plans of a two-roomed cottage to be erected near the Benevolent Home at Ohiro for the accommodation of two or three individuals who are buffering from a disease which renders it impossible for them to live with the other inmates. The estimated cost, he said, was LI 35. The Chairman remarked that they were not prepared to spend more than LIOO on the building. It was pointed out, however, that the building was absolutely nece«sary. and, on the motion of Mr Kebbell, seconded by Mr Willeston, the Trustees decided to call for tenders for its erection. Messrs Hoffmann and Sons have sold to the manager of the Working Men’s Club a very fine Collard and Collard piano fur their new premises on the reclaimed land. The price given for the instrument was Ll2O. A man named Henry James Mead was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning with failing to register the birth of his child within the prescribed period. Mr Jellicoe appeared for the defendant. Mr Wyatt, Registrar of Births, said the mother of the child came to register it. hut as it was then too late for registration without a conviction, he had to take the present proceedings. Mr Martin, R.M., said it was impossible for him to convict on such evidence as that, and suggested that in future the Registrar should consult the Crown Law officers before bringing any similar cases into Court. The case would be dismissed.

Ths following is a copy of the handbill for information as to the author of which the New South Wales Government offered a reward of LIOO :—‘ More Bank Smashes ! Look out. Government in the Swim. Secret Cablegrams ! English Depositors withdrawing Gold by the Million !!! Parliament Throttled, Government acting Illegally. Newspaper Proprietors hold Shares and suppress Facts, Reconstructing a Subterfuge for those in the Inner Circle to Unload. They want time to Sell Out. Beware of Promises. Demand your Gold. This is published by a Financial Expert and— One who Knows.’ The Benevolent Society Trustees held theii weekly meeting yesterday. Present—Rev H. Van Staveren (chairman), Messrs G. M, Kebbell, J. H. Heaton, T. W. McKenzie and G.Beetham. Leave of absence was granted to Mr S. Lancaster. Rent and rations were granted to a woman, whose husband waa recently sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. Mr J. Barr, of Featherston, wrote asking the Trustees to collect his expenses in the cape against Detective Ede, and accept it as a donation. The donation was accepted. It was decided that'a man who had been misconducting himself at the Home should, be permanently expelled again if he did not behave himself in future. The conditions of lease of the Orphanage Reserve at Berhampore were approved. A man who said he was suffering from partial paralysis and was unable to do any work was sent to the Benevolent Home. A woman who said she was suffering from quinsy and fits, and had no food for her children, was granted rations. A woman applied for relief, saying that she had poisoned both her hands washing some dirty clothes. She was granted a fortnight’s rations for herself and five children. A man who said he had lately filed a petition in bankruptcy, applied for relief. He had five children, and waa without, food or money. The Trustees granted him rations for a month, and 5s a week towards his rent for the same period. Accounts amounting to LlO 14s 9d were passed for payment. The Trustees decided to call a meeting of the whole of the Flood Relief Committee to consider as to the distribution of the remainder of the funds subscribed.

The Secretary of the Benevolent Trustees reported at the meeting yesterday that Mr Mackay, of the Labour Bureau, had promised that in cases where men had gone up country to work on Government contracts, leaving their wives and families in Wellington, he would, with the engineer, endeavour to collect mcnej' out of their wages and transmit it to the Trustees for the benefit of the men’s families if the secretary would furnish him with a list of such men. The Trustees expressed the opinion that it was a very good arrangement.

Mr J. Metz, pawnbroker, was yesterday granted a renewal of his license for twelve months.

John Makln, who was sentenced to death for the murder of an infant, and who was respited pending appeal, has been further respited for three months from the Ist May, in order that a petition may be presented to the Privy Council for leave to appeal. The first meeting of the committee of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce was held in Mr Goodbehere's office on Monday night. There were 10 members present. Mr Jfi, Goodhehere, the Mayor, was elected president, and Mr J. Cobbe vice-president. A committee was appointed to draw up a code of rules. Particulars are to hand from Athens of the accident by which the governess of Prince George of Greece, Miss Mary Weber, lost her life. On March Bth the young lady asked the watchman on the Acropolis to give her the key o* the door leading up to the Parthenon. She stood here about a quarter of an hour looking at the exquisite view. She then stepped to the edge, which is always a most dangerous spot. As there was a strong wind blowing, a Greek architect, who also happened to be on the Acropoli*, called out to her to go away from this dangerous place, and he hurried to the Parthenon. He had scarcely reached the foot of the pillar when the girl fell or. the stone pavement a few feet away from him, and lay there motionless. The architect at once summoned aid, and the seriously-injured girl was taken to the military hospital at the foot of the Acropolis, whence news was sent to the Crown Prince's Palace. She had sustained such serious injuries that'she died shortly afterwards. It is supposed that the yopng lady, who was not quite 29, committed suicide. Her intended husband, a military doctor in the Greek Army, took his life a day after, out o! despair.

Notwithstanding the very strong counter attractions last night, the Bijou Theatre (Exchange Hall) was very fairly attended. To-night there will be a smoke concert, for which an excellent programme has been arranged. To-morrow night there will be an entire change of programme. A lady was injured in Molesworth street yesterday afternoon through being knocked down by a dog. In a consignment of bananas received on Monday by Mr F. Aisher, of Palmerston North, there was discovered a species of centipede which is of a very poisonous nature. This is the second time Mr , Aisher has been startled by finding such creatures in his consignments of fruit. A Napier gentleman has received from a Sydney well-known business man a letter, in which reference is made to the glewing accounts of New Zealand given by Australians. The fol'owing is a short extract from the letter : —• lamon my way to Queensland, and don't like the journey very much. Business, I hear, is wretched there. New Zealand seems to be cracked up by all the Australians. I expect that next summer, if times get no better here, half of Australia’s population will try to shift their plaoe of abode and go to New Zealand.’ The Native troubles in the Galatea district have come to an end.

. During the past year Chicago received in round numbers 3,500,000 cattle, an increase, compared with 1891, of upwards of 320,000. Suggestive of an adventure in the Far West (says the Paris correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph) is the extraordinary experience undergone lately by the passengers of a steam tramway on the line which goes from the Place de I’Etoile to St Germain. At a late hour the train, composed of three carriages and a locomotive, was passing through the usually peaceful suburb of Puteaux, when the driver perceived a hijman figure standing on the line a few yards ahead of the oncoming engine, and holding a thick stick. The driver reversed his machine in order not to run over the man, and got down to demand why the latter refused to move off. Six fellows, who had been hidden by the darkness, thereupon sprang out and assaulted the driver and the stoker, who had come to his colleague’s assistance, and who was severely wounded with some blunt weapon. Fortunately, at this juncture the guards and some passengers ran tq the rescue and put the would-be brigands to flight, without the latter having succeeded in deriving any profit from their attempt at train robbing. There waa a moderate attendance at Messrs Harcourt and Co.’s auction sale yesterday. Of the properties in the estate of the late Thos. Kebbell, those In the city were passed in at the upset prices, the freehold of tho Rangitikei Hotef, Bqlls, finding a purchaser in the person of Mr John Kennedy, formerly the proprietor of the Club Hotel, Wellington, who secured it for LI33Q- The properties unsold are open for private sale at the upset prices advertised.

A rate of 15-lGth of a penny in the pound for the year 1893-91, was struck by the Onslow Borough Council las) night. Mr W. L, Rees will address bis constituents this week.

Mr Snazelle, whose Sunday night entertainments in some of the New Zealand towns brought upon him the wrath of an indignant clergy, is now giving a seiies of similar entertainments in Melbourne at the Opera House. He makes no charge for admission, but a collection is taken up. Crowds were turned away the first Sunday evening. The steamer Mana, which successfully towed the barque Freetrader off the Wanganui beaph op Saturday last, returned to port last night. The Mana left Wellington last Thursday evening, and arrived off Wanganui on Friday morning. All the necessary preparations werQ mado during the afternoon, and the first attempt to tow the vessel off was made about G o'clock, and with a fair amount of success, the barque being moved about fifteen feet. Between 20.000 and 3(\OQO feet of timber was taken out of her, and another attempt waa made on Saturday evening, with complete success, the stranded barque being towed into deep water. She waa then lowed up the river, and safely berthed at the wharf. The Freetrader not damaged in any way. The Mana left Wanganui on the return trip at S a. yesterday, and arrived here at 11 last night. Captain «Tqnea, who had the assistance of Captain is to bq complimented upon his sqccefg. Another Pompci' has been discovered in Algeria, about V) miles east of the old Roman polony of Lambeae. Erected In the first century of our era, and ravaged by the Moors in the sixth, the oity of Thamugadi was afterwards destroyed by an earthquake. In its architecture \t presents many striking points of resemblance ■ to Pompeii, with, its theatre, forum, temples, b. fountains, basilica, and paved streets, still shqwing the marks of the chariot wheels. Maphle apd granite were largely employed in fts construction ; and one of the most perfect hf its architectural monuments yet brought to pght is a tripippbal Arch erected by the Emperor Trajan in the year 100. On the south-east ‘ side the city _ is dominated fay a temple of colossal dimensions, dedK pated to the worship of Jupiter, and surrounded by a spacious colonnade, on a bill >yhiph bore the name of the capitol Fragments of a very large statue of the god have bepn excavated, together with the massive capitals of the columns, and some ornamental freiaes. Tbaiqugqdi seems to have been a city pf pleasure, like its more famous slater under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, and great expectations are formed with respect to the treasures of art which arc likely to be exhumed from it,

The anniversary of the United Methodist Free Church, Courtenay place, was celebrated last evening. A public tea meeting was first held, at which about 120 persons were present. The following ladies presided at the tea tables ; Mesdatnes 'Williams, Redstone, Masons. Peters, Trevor and Bennett, and the Misses Hutchens and Shaw. Subsequently a sacred concert was held in the church, the Rev A. Peters presiding. The soloists were Mrs Deihl, Miss Coltman, MUa Hicks, Mr Mackintosh (clarionet), and Messrs Bell and H, B. Williams, The church choir also rendered a number of anthems. Mr W. E. Redstone conducted, and the church organist played the accompaniments.

R. P. Johnson announces a new feature in his ready money drapery, Cuba street. Scientific and cheap dressmaking is the addition. There is also u parcel of cheap and fashionable ulsters.

Saturday's New Zealand Graphic contains a large illustration of the funeral procession of the late Premier at Wanganui. An article on the history of the Wellineton-Manawatu Railway includes portraits of Messrs J. E. Nathan, W» H. Levin and T. G. McCarthy, and views of places of interest on the line. Wilkins and Field have just received Register grates, mantel-pieces, fenders, fireirons, &c. A splendid assortment in new designs. Consignees of goods to arrive by the s.s. .Rancatira, which is expected here to-day, should take notice of the advertisement appearing in another column.

Messrs J, H. Bethune and Co. will sell by auction on Friday next a number of shares in the Wellington Meat Export Company. Small capitalists are informed by ‘ Central,’ this office, that he has a first class grocery business for sale. Mr C. Bridson has for sale the desirable family residence, in Adelaide road south, known as Hill’s house, which contains nine rooms, &c., and stands in a section one acre in extent.