NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2212, 22 May 1894, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

On the fourth page will be found our Mastorton correspondent’s letter, and sporting notes, by “ Buff and Black.” The Premier arrived at Christchurch yesterday, and leaves this morning for Palmerston South, in order to be present, to-morrow at the marriage of Miss Nellie McKenzie and Mr M. P. Cameron, of Wellington.

Sir P. A. Buckley (Colonial Secretary) is to give evidence to-day before the Fox Correspondence Commission. The Colonial Treasurer has written to the Chamber of Commerce stating that the suggestions made in reference to the Beet Sugar Act will be considered on his return to Wellington. The Hon Mr Cadman left Westport yesterday morning for Eeeftoh. The bruise which his ankle received through the overturning of the coach the other day renders walking rather difficult to him. A deputation from the Shipwrights’ Association waited upon the Minister of Labour yesterday. They asked that provision should be made in the Shipping and Seamen’s Act for the proper inspection of wooden vessels, and also the decks of iron vessels, representing that at present there is no efficient inspection in these respects. They also furnished the Minister with information on the subject, Mr Eeeves requested the deputation to formulate their desires in writing, and promised to make full enquiry. He added that if what they had stated were substantiated he would certainly take care to provide for a proper inspection.

The Postmaster-General has informed Mr W. Hutchison, M.H.E., that the Department cannot allow deposits of funds by uncertificated societies like the Amalgamated Carpenters. The existing regulation is really in the interest of these bodies, as registration is a protection no less to th§ Post Office than to the members, The following list shows the number of workmen employed on co-operative works under Government departments for April last: —Sur veyDepartment—W ellington District, 307 labourers; Auckland district, 139; Taranaki district, 95 ; Canterbury district, 134; Otago district, 40; Southland district, 122; State farm. Levin (8 families also on farm), 37, also 2 artisans: total, 898. Public Works Department, 108 artisans and 636 labourers, of whom there are 160 labourers employed on the EketahunaWoodvillo railway. Grand total, 1640. Mr W. Maslin, oldest son of Mr W. S. Maslin, M.H.E., met with an accident at Geraldine. He was trimming a live fence on his father’s grounds with a reap hook, when it slipped, inflicting an ugly gash on his right leg. A shorthand writer was engaged to take

the evidence in the bankrupt examination at Napier ; hut exception was taken to this form of proceeding, as it was not thought likely that the debtor, who was required to sign each sheet of the evidence, would he able to understand the geometrical outlines of phonography. It doesn’t appear to have occurred to anybody in Napier yet that the debtor could have signed the transcribed sheets.

Before Mr Hornsby, who is to assume the editorship of the Christchurch Star, loft Napier, he was presented by the staff of the Evening News with a purse of sovereigns p,nd a large shield of their portraits. Hearty good wialies were expressed for his future success, and his Imallli and that of Mr Kirby, his genial successor, were enthusiastically toasted, The secretary of the Wellington Orchestral Society announces that there will ho a full practice at 5 o'clock this afternoon for Bessie Doyle’s Consort, IJvory member is requested to attend.

Mr E. N. Eeid, manager of the Palmerston branch of the Bank of New’Zealand, died very suddenly last Wednesday evening at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr C. S. Eeeves, North-East Valley, where he was on a visit with his wife. Mr Eeid, who was being treated by Dr Brown for heart disease, telt sufficiently well (says the Otago Daily Times ) to pay the last respects to the late Dr Stuart by attending the funeral.. Shortly after returning to Mr Eeeves’ residence from the funeral ho was seized with apoplexy, and died within a few minutes. Mr Eeid arrived in Auckland in 1859. The son of a shipowner in Glasgow, he had a liking for the sea, and purchasing a vessel in Auckland he traded to various parts of the Colony. He joined the staff of the Bank of New Zealand about 30 years qgo, apd for the past 20 years has been manager of The Palmerston branch. About six months ago ho had to resign owing t° ilirhealth. Mr Eeid was wellJfUOWa and greatly respected in til? Pah morston and waikouaiti d'Striot, pud his sudden death will bo much regretted, The latest smuggling trick, and one that has apparently worked well so far, is to bring tobacco ashore in tlje inside of fish. In reply to their representations regard-, ing tho Wallingtou-Manawatu Company’s time-table, the Chamber of Commerce have received a letter from the Hallway Cora, pany, in which the latter state that they recognise the inconvenience of tho present hours of arrival and departure of trains at the W ellington end,but that these hours have been arranged to suit tho New Zealand railways. They have approached the Railway Commissioners on the subject, who promise to take the matter into consideration.

Doctor Francis Wallace McKenzie was at last evening’s parade of the Wellington City Eiflea duly nominated and elected honorary surgeon to the corps to succeed Dr G. W Cole.

Ip has been decided by the Public Works Oopunittge tq recommend that the necessary steps he taken to’eanse the removal qf a dilapidated house in Wingfield street, Tho next meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday evening of next week.

An important ruling was given by Mr Martin, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The Wellington Loan Company recovered judgment against Charles Bolton for debt, and, having obtained a warrant of distress, instructed the Court bailiff to seize his furniture. This was done, and the goods were removed to' an auction room, but before the sale came on they were claimed by Messrs Sooullar and Chisholm, on a bailment, as Bolton still owed them £3 11s, the balance of the purchase money, which sum had been tendered them by the bailiff and refused. His Worship held that the goods still remained the property of the vendors until all the instalments had been paid, and ordered possession to be givep.: up ' to' then},' the execution crecjitqr to' pay £1 |ls eosjeMr Gray appeared for the claimants, aiuf Mr Boynton'for the execution creditor. Gunner J. J. Cassells has been transferred from the Permanent Artillery to the police force. The following alterations in the Sanitary By-law are to be recommended by the Public Works Committee:—That the annual fee for license for journeymen plumbers bo 5s instead of 10s, with a registration fee of 5s when the applicants are first licensed; that no inspection fee be charged for small repairs or alterations to any drains costing under Ml, but that the provision re deposits Be retained; that the smoke test be applied 'ini all oases of' new work, and in cases bf old work where considered necessary the work to Be done by the' Corporation, and a charge of 5s made 99st ‘ ' ' ’■

The Lands Department are having the following lands prepared for settlement, and they will be offered on the dates mentioned below; —On the 11th July, 42 village homesteads, averaging a quarter of an acre, in the Herbertville Village Settlement, Hawke’s Bay; 10 sections, averaging an acre, in the Tinitoto Village Settlement; Hawke’s Bay; eight sections, averaging an acre, in the Weber Village Settlement, Hawke’s Bay ; seven sections, averaging an acre, in the Motu Village Settlement, 50 miles north of Gisborne; 85 sections, averaging half an acre, in the Hangaroa Village Settlement, 30 miles south of Gisborne, on tho main Gisborne-Wairoa road ; one section of 2 acres, in the Norsewood" Village Settlement, three miles from the Ormondville Railway Station. All_ the foregoing are to be offered on the optional system. Also on the 2Sth June for lease in perpetuity:—Two sections of 14 acres each at Glenoamaru; one 2-acre section in Tuapeka district; one 5-aere section in Vincent County ; three 6-acre sections at Rankleburn, 16 miles from Lawrence; one 27-acro section in the Wharepa Survey district; 43 sections, averaging about 2 acres, in the town of Waynes, in Waihemo County ; nine sections of a total area of 225 acres, 20 miles from Glenoamaru Railway Station ; one section of 35 acres, two miles from Glenoamaru. Seven people at Inglewood were poisoned the other day by eating tinned sardines. All have recovered from the effects. Some time was occupied by Mr Martin, S.M., yesterday in hearing a case in which Mr W. J. Moore sued Messrs Tregear and Maokay, of the Labour Department, for £IOO, damages alleged to have been caused by a breach of contract on the part of men supplied by the Department to fell plaintiff’s bush at Makuri in the winter of 1892. Mr Skerrett appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr C. B. Izard for the defendants, who denied any liability in the matter. His Worship held’ that plaintiff was not entitled to recover any damages, and gave judgment for the defendants,without costs. The Hinemoa, on her way up to Wellington, will call in at Lyttelton for 80 lunatics —10 from Seacliff Asylum and 40 from Sunnyside Asylum—who are to be lodged in the central establishment at Porirua.

The meeting of the creditors of Prank George, hairdresser, which was to have been held yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum. The bankrupt, howovei - , was examined by the Official Assignee, and stated that Ills average takings in the shop at Cuba street had been £2 10s a week, while his rent had been .£1 a week for shop and 11s a week for house. The furniture was not worth more than £lO. The Assignee thought it a pity that no creditor had attended except Mr Alex. Angas, who had produced an unregistered document intended to bo security for an advance of ill 2. He had no doubt tho matter was perfectly bona fide. The document, however, was certainly not a legal security, the goods being in the order and disposition of the debtor. The debtor’s position was evidently largely due to tho nonpayment of a debt of .£32 due to him for tho board of certain children. He (the Assignee) would do what ha could to recover something from the father of those children, but ho thought it would he a pity to sell off tho debtor’s small stock, which probably would not realise more than £lO, and yot would deprive tho debtor of his means of earning a livelihood. ■ He would summon a meeting of the creditors for today (Tuesday), at 3 p.ra., so as to give them an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the question. Mr Angas’ legal position was weak, but he had a strong claim morally, and one which ha hoped the creditors would respect. If they did so, there would be very little loft in the shop worth considering. Mrs Crombie, wife of Mr James Cromhie, draper - , Auckland, died on Sunday from a fall from a step-laddor. While on duty in Lambton quay yesterday evening Constable Cairns saw a man named Francis Lound take a pair of boots from outside Mr E. Pearce’s shop. Ho promptly arrested him. The Wellington City Eifles paraded at the Drillshed last night, there being present 56 members under command of Captain Collins, with whom was L.cutenant W. G. Duthie. Tho company was in-: speoted by Captain Collins; after which he exercised the corps in the manual firing and feu de jot's preparatory to tho Queen’s Birthday Review, The march past and various other movements were carried out under the direction of the commanding officer, by the subaltern and non-commis-sioned officers. Before parade was dismissed, the order notifying the corps to parade at the Drillshed at 9 a.m. in drill order on Thursday next was read, and the general idea of the sham fight, which is to take place on the Upland Farm, was made known to the men. Mr Townsend, formerly accountant, succeeds Mr Winter as Dunedin manager for the Bank of Australasia. A daring burglary was perpetrated at Auckland early on Sunday morning oh the premises of Dunn, Smith and Co., engineers and brass founders. The thieves entered by a hack window, and endeavoured to force the safe open, but did not succeed. They made off with a diamond worth £2, and 2s worth of stamps. ■ Mr Martin, S.M., gave judgments for, plaintiffs in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the following oases : —Stewart and Co. v. Arthur E. Power, £2, costs 11s; same v. W. J. Pallant, .£23 14s, costs .£3 Is; Jameson Brothers and Co. v. W, Nicholson, 4s 7d, costs 6s; L. L. Harris v. J. W. Smith, .£24 lls 6d, costs £3 Is;- Cook and Gray v. Daniel Davis, £2 2s, costs 13s; same v. James Caldor, £2 2s, costs lls; samev. M. O’Sullivan, £5 ss, costs 20. j 6d; W. Nathan and Co. v. I). A. Qgllvic, £4l 14s, costs £1 Gs; same v, W. Sampson, £3 15s, costs Gs; Bigg and Whittaker v. J. Walls, £6 2s 9d, posts 10s ; Hume and Son v. W. Nicholson, 6s Bd, costs 6s ; same v. E. 1 Spry, £3 10s 7d, coats 6s; James Trevor v. George Richards, £3 13s 6d, costs 6s. In the judgment summons case of Mrs Plookton v. E, J. Campion, claim £6 9s Bd, defendant was ordered to pay forthwith or to go to gaol for 12 days, At the Magistrate’s Court nt Christchurch yesterday morning W. M. De

Weston was committed for trial on a charge of criminally libelling Chief Detective

O’Connor. The alleged libel was contained in a letter written by Do Weston to the

Premier.

At'the close of the City Eifles’ paiade last evening. Captain Collins, the commanding officer, announced that tho Shooting Committee had decided that tho “ annual field day” usually held to close the season would not take place till later in the year. The prizes won during the past season were therefore handed over to the winners at once by the captain. The following is the list of the principal prize - takers; — A Class—Company trophy, valued at : .£3, Corporal Arthur Guise ; qlqgs trophy, valued at £3, Sergeant Jackson j Colonial Ammunition Company’s prize (pair of silver sleeve - links), Captain Collins- B Class—Glass trophy, valued at £2, LanceCorporal 4: Eohinson; junior Maitini shots, trophy, valued at £2, Lance-Corporal A. Eohinson. C Class —Pair of binoculars, Private B. Halpin ; pair ’of field glasses, Private F, Jenkins, Ag? gregate prizes - A Class : Champion gold badge, trophy, £3, Sergeant Jackson, 881 points; second prize, £2 trophy. Corpora! Arthpr Guise, 856 points. B Class : First prize, £2 trophy, Lance-Corporal Madden, 336 points; second prize, £1 trophy, Lance-Corporal Eohinson, 33Q points, C Glass ; Junior aggregate, prize £2, Private E. Halpin, 627 points; second prize, £1 trophy. Private Hawthorne, 609 points. Private F. W. Wickens was the winner of the cross rifles and three stars as the best marksman of the Company. A meetmg of farmers and others is to be held at the Town Hall, Otaki, on Friday, 25th instant, at 7 p.m., as announced hy advertisment in another column, to consider the question of establishing a dairy factory.

Four drunkards appeared before Mr J. C. Martin, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Two being first offenders, were fined the regulation amount,* and Miofiaol Scully was remanded for a week for medical treatment. A woman named Jane McMullen, who appeared with her face badly out and her eyes blackened, was stated by SergeantMajor Eamsay to have fallen on a gin bottle and cut herself. As a doctor had had to bo called into her she was ordered to pay 20s to cover medical expenses, or to go to gaol for 48 days. Mr J. N; Fowko, the well-Imown cricketer, left Auckland yesterday for Christchurch, where ho intends to reside again. Mr Powke was entertained by the local cricketers on Saturday evening at a smoke concert, and presented with souvenirs from the Auckland cricketers and from his club-mates.

Speaking at a meeting of the I(unedin Parliamentary Union, l)r Batchelor said he; thought that drunkenness was due to spnje organic defect'pi tlje brain, and as civilised man ‘ advanced and got more control dtimkenness and all other forms of vice would dm nut; sit was attempted by Som o quack remedy, spoil as prohibition, to stamp out drunkenness other forms of vice would take its place. Then he did not believe in prohibition, because alcohol was good for a number of people taken in moderation; and under modern require, monta, which tended to great nervous excitement, it was necessary and advantageous to the race. The insect recently liberated at Tokomairiro, Otago, to surprise the Hessian fly, is doing it pretty effectually by eating him. It is found that of the chrysalis of the Hessian fly- in many cases only the shell is left, the inside of the body having been eaten out. The shell is perforated by small hojes showing where the parasites had entered. And' in some instances the parasites werq found inside the shell,

A special meeting of tho City Council was held last night, to consider and adopt the nuisances by-law. There were present— Councillors Harris (in tho chair), Penty, Petheriek, Tatum, Fraser, Anderson, Level and Devine. The by-law was put through its first stage, and will come up for confirmation on June 21st. It is mainly a consolidation of the existing by-laws, and deals generally with the question of nuisances in the public streets. . The report of the Public Works Committee of the Melrose Borough Council, to he present ;d at the meeting of the Council this evening, is as follows:—Your Committee beg to recommend—(l) That the action of the Mayor re the storage of explosives within the borough be approved, and that the Harbour Board be thanked for the action it has taken in the matter; (2) that the Wellington City Council be again asked that a plan may be at once supplied showing the line of tunnel and the outfall sewer, with approximate levels, &c. ; (3) that a sump for the reception of storm water be fixed at the intersection of Henry street with tho Seatouu road, Kilbimie, and that improvements on the Island Bay Main road and at Yogeltown be carried out in accordance with the report of the inspector of works ; (4) that the person who has erected a fence across James street, Kilhirnie, he called upon to remove the obstruction without delay j (5) that accounts amounting to .£34 5s 5d be passed for payment.

We acknowledge receipt of £2 2s from Mi- Nat Nathan in aid of the King Fund. The Wanganui Harbour Board at a special meeting- carried a resolution instructing Mr Thatcher (the chairman) to complete arrangements with the Government and Mr Eeynolds to obtain a complete survey and report on the best means of improving the port, the, sum of .£250 to be voted for the purpose. The resolution was carried hy five votes to four. Mr Eeynolds, in reply to the Board, stated in a letter that his terms would be £3 3s a day, and that from six to seven weeks would be necessary to make the proper investigations and report comprehensively, including estimates and general plans, hut not including working plans. A late Maugatainoka settler, Mr H. Knight, who sold out some months ago and went to Monte Video, for the New Australia settlement, lias come back. He has increased his knowledge of geography and' his stock of personal reminiscences; that’s about all. Mr Knight writes to the Pahiatua Herald warning people against having anything to do with New Australia. He believes it to bo the greatest fizzle that has ever been heard of.

Captain Kenny, M.L.C., is in a delicate state of health.

The Public Works Committee of the City Council will make the following recommendations at the next meeting of the Council: —That the City Surveyor having reported that tho quality and quantity of work done under the present cartage contract is equal to that done under former contracts, no action is considered necessary; that tho Committee appointed to examine tho road metal be empowered to inspect tho quarry from which the supply is being obtained in order to make a complete report at the next meeting of the Public Works Committee; that the report of the Shannon street Committee be adopted as under, “That nothing further be done in tho matter until the residents can come to an agreement as to what they really require to be done. If such an agreement be arrived at, then the Committee to make a definite recommendation to the Council; ” that the councillors for To Are and Lambton ward be requested to report upon the application of Mr J". Bruce for work at the head of Abel Smith street j that the deed of agreement re right-of-way on Mr Sloane’s property, Mansfield street,Newtown, be modified so as to allow of the erection of a greenhouse on the section to the right of the right-of-way if such section be not taken up hy the Newtown Bowling Club; that consent be given to the granting of new leases in respect of sections 41 and 42, Town Belt, as requested by tha present lessees; that consent be given to the erection of verandahs as under:—Nicol and Petheriek, Courtenay place, and W. G, Emeny, three shops in Cuba street; that accounts amounting to £319 6s Gd be passed for payment. At the next meeting of the City Council Councillor Tatum will move that an electric light be placed in Marion street.

The steamers Duo.o and Mana are to run excursions to Lowry Bay on Queen’s Birthday, as advertised elsewhere. The last trip from the Bay will take place at 5 p.m. Hot water is to bo provided free of charge. The Columbia Eink is to be open on Tuesday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon for skating. Attendants are to assist beginners. The floor is described as in excellent order.

The D.I.C. announce specially low rates for dressmaking in their Costume Department, under Mrs Moriaou’s management. A. G. Taino and Co. advertise a sale of 20 first-class draught horses, on account of Messrs Hooken Bros., Fielding. The horses are a really good lot. They are now to he seen at T. Walker’s yards, bottom of Taranaki street. Intending purchasers are invited to inspect them, and every information will be given before the sale. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., at their land sale this afternoon, at 2 o’clock, in the Exchange Hall, will submit under conduct of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, a property situate at Thorndon quay. New goods for the winter season are on sale at To Aro House, as advertised in another column.

The second term of Misses Malcolm’s private school for girls, 3, The Terrace, begins on Tuesday, 29th Inst, Townsend and Paul are to sell bananas and oranges to-day on the breastwork. Lacry and Co. are to sell bananas, cocoanuts, and peanuts at the Queen’s Wharf on arrival of the Ovalau.

The 10.7 p.m. train from Te Aro for tho Lower Hutt this evening is not to leave Te Aro until 10.22 p.m., and Wellington until 10.30 p.m.

I. Herman, importer of Japanese goods, announces that he has removed to 87, Lambton quay, hetwean Littlejohn’s and tho City Buffet Hotel. He has just unpacked magnificent now curios, and a large shipment is expected in about a fortnight. Abraham and Williams are to hold their' Palmerston sale on Wednesday, 23rd May, as advertised in another column.