NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2213, 23 May 1894, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

On the fourth page will be found our Masterton correspondents letter. Harbour Board report, and Magistrate’s Court proceedings. Tho New Zealand Times will bo published as usual to-morrow (Queou’s Birthday.) Tho office will be closed from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m., at which hour it will he reopened to receive advertisements. The Premier left Christchurch yesterday morning for Palmerston South, where he' will be the guest of the Minister of Lands.

Tho Colonial Secretary, his private secretary (Mr E. H. Govett), and his messenger (Mr Sandbrook), as well as Ser-geant-Major Finn, of the Defence Department, were examined yesterday by the Fox Correspondence Commission. The following hours are to be observed at the Telegraph Office to-morrow (Queen’s Birthday) : —Morning, 9 to 10; evening, 7 to 8, The Telephone Exchange is to he open as, usual. The hearing of the appeal case of the Canterbury Seed Company v. the J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association has not yet closed. Mr F. Wilding was heard yesterday for the appellants and Sir Robert Stout for the respondents. Sir Eobert Stout will continue his argument this morning. The only other case on the list is the motion under the Law Practitioners Act in the matter of George Harper, Thos. W. Maude and Harper and Maude (of Christchurch), in which a strong bar has been retained. The monthly meeting of the Melrose Borough Council was held last night. Present—The Mayor and Councillors Collins, Fear, Brown, Fairhurst, Key and Kershaw. A letter was read from Mr Hayward asking for a grant in aid of tho repair of a road at Melrose. Tho letter was referred to the Public Works Committee. It was decided that some pitching bo done on tho Soatoun road under the direction of the Inspector of Works. Tho report of the Public . Works Committee, already published, was adopted, and accounts amounting to .-Cl-18 Is Id were passed for payment. Messrs H. Baker and T. Ward submitted a plan of proposed alteration to the' Eoseneath roads, to which they asked the Council to agree. Mr Fear stated that the committee appointed to consider the question had hot yet prepared their report, as they only visited the place on Saturday last. The Council went into committee to consider the subject, and on resuming decided that a report be furnished by the engineer at the next meeting of the Public Works Committee'as to the practicability of making the roads according to the plan or otherwise. The woman Mary Alice Jenkins, arrested at Auckland, has been committed for trial on six charges of alleged breaking and entering. A large quantity of missing articles were found in her house.

The following additional subscriptions have been received for the King Fund: — E. F. Tuile, £2 Is; J. H. Simmons, £1 Is; J. H. Pollock, -SI; J. J. Curtis, 10s; Secret, 10sj Kalmea, 8s ■ Lough, 5s ; Cash; 6a • a Friend, 2s 6d. Tho total subscriptions to date are .£99 9s.

About 12,45 p.m. yesterday Mrs Baker, wife of Mr G. Baker, upholster, who resides in a four-roomed cottage iu Aro street, noticed a large quantity of smoke issuing from the cellar of the house. She at once gave the alarm, and Mrs Sherwood, who lives next door, extinguished the fir® by means of a hose before any damage was done. The Fire Brigade arrived shortly afterwards, but their services were hot required. The house is insured for .£IOO and the furniture for £SO. The outbreak originated in the cellar amongst some flax which is kept there for upholstering, purposes. It is supposed some children liad been playing there and accidently set the flax'oh. fire.

The adjourned meeting of creditors in tiio estate of Frank George, hairdresser, convened for yesterday, lapsed, tor Vftrit Si quorum. • t Thp of Newtown Lodge, 1.0.G.T., Meteßrathd its ninth anniversary last night. The proceedings commenced with a tea ia the Temperance Hall, Adelaide load, to which a fair number sat down; a jilcntiful supply of viands _ being jUjHSfiHtad .'by Sisters Thompson; .Vinca aid Odliri. Subsequently 'a ‘Social gathering was held, under tho Chairmanship of the Eev J. Guy, ,'h large audience being present. Bro. A. Thompson gave an account of the working of the Order since its format tion, and in the course 'ot his remarks stated . that 'the Star of Newtown Lodg’e had initiated 414 members during- the time it had been in existence, th'6 present membership being 45. The Good Templar Band, composed of ten members of the Perseverance Lodge. Iroweri Hutt, under the conductor-ship Sx Bro. F. Finch, played a moil sel'CCled At rinisio, and songs wore sung by Mcsdames dosijhg and Strong, Miss . McKaih; Mestts , Pitcher, Saviorl and Billiriari; Mr H. Kail and Master Smith gay* I’CAftatidns, Mr W. j-. , Wristori ridrilribrited , A reading, , and 'diaiogiVek wore given by Misses Jessie CarsVv'ell and Emily Smith, and Masters P. Thompson and W. Donnell, Misses Jessie

and lizzie Carswell, Emma Braid . and Sissie McCarthy. Miss Billmari played the accompaniments. Many of the items were encored, arid a very pleasant evening was sprint by all present.

The Napier Nevis says the meat supply of Wellington is in some cases disgracefully bad.

At the Magistrate'*,, 'Court at Marton yesterday; Tholri'aS Armstrong, a member of the Mf-Ytbri Borough Council, was sentenced to 14 days’ hard labour for using profane language in a public place. The offence consisted in making a profane remark in answer to something said .by the Salvation Army in the slfeoV. Council gave notice of appeal; and bail was allowed, amounting to S-to.

fee proceedings in connection with tho anniversary of St. John’s Presbyterian Sunday schools wero brought to a successful conclusion last night. At 0.30 a tea meeting was hold in the eohdoltooril, wlioh 500 people we.-s present. Refreshments in abundance were provided ,by. Hie ~ IMjr teachers of the, Suridri-y eciVOql;, aid. the following yoitag lAdles Attended to the Waits 'of those pfehfehte—Mrs Lenttoi) and Misses Jjpjj'riik, JCirker, Pail, Patterson, Trout, l ulteh, Hutchens, Duncan, Scott, Hancox, Wallis, Quee, McKenzie, Skelly, Steele, Baddon, Dunning and Sloan. After the tea a public meeting was held in the church, which was well attended:. The Eev J. Paterson presided; Mid interesting addresses ,on DundAy school and its work wore,;driliycfed by the Chairman, the Eev Mr Elliott, Messrs F. H. Fraser and W. Allen. A number of hymns, specially selected for tho occasion, were sung by the scholars of the school tinder the conductorship of Mr Hopkirk, and the high state of efficiency displayed spoke volumes for the care and attention which had been displayed in training the children. Mr Petersen presided at the organ. At the conclusion of tho meeting, the Chairman referred to the obligation tho church Was Under to Miss Kirker, who bad attended the practices and played the harmonium, Acebrdihg to tho Pelorus duardiem Mr Mills will again move next session iu thri Ghemis Case.

The Benevolent Trustees harm resolved to ask for a Humber of copies of the proposed, Destitute Eersons Bill in order that lli'ri Trustees may consider it at their leisure.

• The shop at the corner of Willis street and Harbour street was Operied last night for a short season By the Goldsmiths Hall Company; of London, Melbourne and Brisbane, ihanufaoturing jewellers. The stock on these premises is a large one, valued at thousands of pounds, and should prove a groat attraction to connoisseurs iu artistic jewellery. The supply of brooches includes some handsome “butterfly" brooches, a splendid “ star” set with 32 diamonds, another set with diamonds, rubies and pearls, and others containing opals, pearls, sapphires, &0., all of (novel and artistic designs. Tho supply of rings of all kinds is largo and varied. The watches form a very important portion of tho stock, and includes'some valuable repeaters, which may also be used as stop watches, some—the “ Huguenot ” watches—having a device by which the first and second in a race may ho registered. Others again record tho day of tho month and the moon’s changes, and there is also a large supply of tho Waltham Company’s watches, ladies’ watches, some bearing a calendar, with, of course, an immense stock of chains, alborts and charms to choose from. Match-boxes with sovereign cases, toothpicks and pencil cases attached are on sale, some of thorn being cut out of Queensland beans and mounted with silver ; there aro also ladies’ card cases and silver hat-pins in all varieties, together with an immense stock of very handsome salad bowls, Sheffield cutlery, cruets and clocks of every description fitted for any kind of apartment, from a kitchen to a drawing-room. Mr L. Flegeltaub, the proprietor, only intends staying in Wellington a few weeks, and intending purchasers would do well to make their selections as soon as possible.

A Chinaman named Ah Tin and D. O’Shea, tobacconists/were charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with selling goods on Sunday. They both admitted the offence, but were lot off on payment of 9s costs each, Mr Martin, S.M., remarking that ho should deal more severely with future offenders against the law in this respect. The French Government has presented to the Botanic Gardens at Sydney and Adelaide 50 each of the famous Degetnour date palms, from the Hama Gardens, Algiers. This week the popular concert at the Skating Eink will bo given to-morrow evening (Queen’s Birthday), and the names of those who will give the programme appear in this issue. Mrs H. J. Miller and Miss Coltman will sing solos, and Mr Herbert Linden, an elocutionist from Sydney, will recite “Kissing Cup’s Eaco” and “Bill Jinks.” Mr J. Prouso, the well-known baritone, is also to appear, as well as Messrs E. J. Hill and C. H. Mackintosh.

Archbishop Eedwood has been invited to preach in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on the occasion of the celebration of the “Help of Christians " festival, on the 3rd Juno.

Tho D Battery paraded for their weekly drill last night, when 41 of all ranks were present under command of Captain Moorhouse, with whom was Lieutenant Pearce. The men were exercised in gun-drill and sword exercise under Sergeant-Major Eichardson, and in foot-drill by Captain Moorhouse. Two new members were proposed and four elected. It was announced after parade that Mr T,: J. Cory Warren had been appointed lieutenant of the corps, vice Lieutenant Johnston resigned. A-man named William Flint, a seaman on the s.s. Eangatira, was taken to the Hospital last night suffering from injuries to his spine received by a fall down tho hold of that vessel.

The Wellington Acclimatisation Society have just sent up a large consignment of yearling trout to Wanganui, the Society there being anxious to try experiments with them in order to ascertain if they will better suit their purpose than fry. They think the yearling trout are likely to prove more successful. The difficulty lies in their safe transport. The American brook trout in the Wellington Society’s ponds at Masterton are now beginning to spawn, and arrangements will shortly be made to liberate a portion of the brook trout in some land-locked waters, as the opinion prevails that these fish try to make fcneir way to the sea.

Yesterday morning a little girl named Jessie Mclntosh, whoso parents reside in Abel Smith street, was taken to the Hospital, her leg having been broken by being run over by a cart. She is reported to bo progressing favourably.

There was a very fair attendance at the Skating Rink Last night, and skating was indulged in by those present with much spirit. The City Brass Band played during the evening. H.M.S. Rapid, which is now on her way to this port from Auckland, via Tauranga, was passed under easy steam at 11 p.m. on Sunday by the Ovalau. Captain Edwin sends us the following:— Yesterday morning the barometric depression, indicated as existing to the westward on the 19th inst., had approached to within about SO miles of Foyeaux Strait, and has now passed to the eastward. It caused an unusually sharp fall of pressure in the South, amounting to nearly an inch in 24 hours at the Bluff. Hard gales from, the northward have been prevalent, and in the northern parts of the country were accompanied by a heavy rainfall. Very cold weather will moat probably accompany the rising barometer. The local agents for Shaw, Savill and Albion Company have been advised that the Gothic left Plymouth for Hew Zealand on Saturday last, Her first port of call in the Colony is Port Chalmers.

At the Opera House the feature of the evening was Miss Doyle’s masterful playing of Mendelssohn’s Concerto. An unfortunate contretemps, as explained by Mr Macmahon, had deprived her of the advantage of the orchestral accompaniment, 'through no fault of tho orchestra'. The Artist nevertheless kept faith vrith thd audience, and played her music Maghificently, _Mr Pereivftl Harris playing tho piarip part at , short notice. Wheninwikis exquisite “Legende,” tendaily and delicately played, and a Kondo of Vieuxtomps’, given wi.th appropriate force, were. Miss .Doyle’s other numbers. , 'They w-pre.,received, Wdth chorms of applause, and the.reriafe wore honoured with, v'ci'V -firi'e iViusiri. The violin was hriri-V’d again with great delight in thg obligato to Gounod’s *: Serenade,” to Miss Best’s singing. We admired once more in all these things the beauty of the instrument o ehoiriri StraMvavijlp.-rb the perfect tone arid teoiteidrie-iirid masterly style, of ,tho, .'ri-vtitl;. .Mis* Best, arid Mr Mpclferif-l'i .Adio supplied the vocal music, wore , well received; and Mr Percivnl Harris, who played the accompaniments, contributed Grieg’s “ Bridal March" ia good style. The Company has secured tho Theatre Eoyal for to-morrow night.

A Press Association telegram last night from Dunedin says :—The Colonial Treasurer arrived iu town to-day, and attends the marriage at Palmerston to-morrow ot the daughter of tho Minister .of ..Bands; and the “ social ” tendered bri lllri Mori; J. McKemiie Bv his .VrOriteri riOnStituehta pii Thursday-. The Premier,, wh‘6 came to Palirietetori to-night, Will altd be present. Our London ebrresporiderit writes, under date April "fit-K-The Hon W; McCullough, of the. New Zealand Legislative Council) arrived in London last Saturday, arid is now residing at Granville Place, Portniau square. He travelled Home very, leisurely; staying a month in India;, and , tllo usual Continental i'ouiid. It was whispered in an. ordinarily well-informed quarter that Mr McCullough came Over charged with. a, confidential mission on behalf of the Gd : vernmerit. He states) however, oniphatic-. ally, that pleasure and politics ..will alphe occupy him. By politics I understand the honourable member, to idcaii A study, of dur labour arid Ideal government problems.. On the day after his. arrival, whilst, trying to see London from the top of a ’bus, Mr McCullough caught a nasty cold) which is keeping him iu at night. Ho has, however, called on the Agent-General, and yesterday gave us a look .up at the Now Zealand Press Agency. Mr McCullough was then inquiring the. addresses of various publishers, which suspicious fact leads me to infer that, like everyone else coming from your part of the world just now, ho has manuscript of somebody’s in his bag.

The residence of Mr J. G. Wilson,

M.H.E., iu Bulls, narrowly escaped destruction by fire on Monday morning, says the Feilding Star. It appears that, When the household retired, tt) rest ,dn Sunday night ri log wad left burning in tho fireplace; Iri thd riiorilirig it was discovered that tile log Had rdllod Out on to the floor, through which a hole largo enough to allow it to fall to the ground had bdeh burned.

A deputation of women who have acquired colonial celebrity because of their outspokdrihe'ss to Mr Mclntyre, Victorian Minister of Lands, went to see him to complain of the way in which the Lands Department was treating one A. Robertson, with whose conduct in connection with the Struan-Eobortson village settlement tho Minister is much dissatisfied. Mr Mclntyre said he could not recognise surveys made by order of “ that man Eobertson.” One of the ladies protested against; Eobertson being called “ that man.” It was insulting. In any other country, she said, he would have been respected, and regarded as a philanthropist. ' Mr Mclntyre replied that Eobertson had declared in a villainous way that tho Minister was intoxicated when ho visited the settlement. “So you were,” was tho cool remark of one of tile deputation. “ Who told you that ?” demanded tho Minister in any angry tone. " Oh, We heard it,” said a ChorUs of female voices. " Whore did yori hoar it ?” asked Mr MeIrityre. One of tho ladies stated that her

sou had so informed her, and ho ilever told a Re; “ No,” retorted Mr Mclntyre ; ”he would not be a Soil of ydurs if he did.” “ You krlow;” said one of tho deputation in

a coaxing manner, “ it’s not so very dreadful to get tipsy,” but Mr Mclntyre declared he had tasted nothing stronger than water that day, and objected to such “ villainous” statements being made about him. Finally the Minister declined to accede to the request of the deputation. Tho ladies therefore left tho room full of indignation. One of them, fixing her eye on Mr Mclntyre, said, “ Thank goodness, there will soon be another Minister of Lands.”

A special performance ia to he given on the evening of Queen’s Birthday (tomorrow) by Miss Bessie Doyle. The concert will take place at the Theatre Eoyal, tho Opera House being otherwise engaged. It is announced that there will be an attractive holiday programme. Tho box plan will bo at the Dresden Company’s rooms to-day, and to-morrow in the vestibule of tho Theatre Eoyal from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Tho excellent Black Ball coal (West Coast) is gaining in favour every day, and is considered most valuable for household purposes. Mr O. W. Turner, agent for this coal, advertises in another oclu-nn that he will land a consignment by the Wainui on Monday next, and will have consignments every following Monday.

The Government have renewed the engagement of Mr W. Mitchell as Parliamentary Committee reporter during the session, and official shorthand writer during the recess. Mr Mitchell is one of the oldest and most experienced shorthand writers in the Colony. He served on Hansard from its institution in 1867 until 188 G, when failing health obliged him to retire. He was also for some years clerk to tho Provincial Executive of Auckland and private secretary to several superintendents of that province. In the letter written by the WellingtonManawatu Eailway Company to tho Chamber of Commerce regarding the time-table, and reported in yesterday’s Times, the Company state that they recognise tho serious inconvenience to which their attention has been invited, and agree that the alterations suggested are a material improvement on the present system of working, which is most expensive to tho Company, and is only continued to suit tho traffic arrangements at Longburn of the New Zealand Eailway Commissioners. Some time back the Company say they communicated with the Eailway Commissioners suggesting an alteration of the time-table similar to that now proposed by tho Chamber. They have lately been informed that tho subject will receive consideration. The delay of 13 minutes at Palmerston [they would be pleased if the .Commissioners could seo a way to modify j it is entirely within their control. Messrs T. K. Macdonald and Co. sold by auction yesterday part of section 616, having a frontage of 47ft 6in to Thorndon quay by a depth of 87ft together with dwelling house thereon, to Mr J. Hutchens for £4CD. ■

Tho weekly meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held yesterday afterhoon. Present —. Messrs S. Lancaster (in the chair), C. W. Willeston, T. McKenzie, G. M. Kebbell and J. H. Heaton. The first case was that of a young married woman living at Petone, whose husband had been killed in Australia, She had a brother working at Petone. She desired to have three of her children sent to the Catholic Orphanage. Tho fourth suffered from spinal disease, and she would keep him herself. It was her wish to gut back to Sydney. The Trustees referred her to the Petone Borough Council. It was agreed to pay the passage of a destitute young woman to Auckland, where she has friends. Eations were ordered for the family of a Scandinavian recently from Brisbane. A donation of £1 was received from “ Yours Truly.”. The Wellington City Brass Baud forwarded a cheque for £ll 10s 6d, together* with 4s 4d of bad coin, the proceeds of a performance given on Sunday week in aid of the unemployed. Mr Powles had obtained 2s 6d for tho 4s 4d of bad coin. In both cases the secretary was directed to acknowledge the donations with thanks. It was reported that three cases had gone off the books, the persons in question being now able to help themselves. Eations and Ss a week towards rent were ordered for a young married woman whose husband is in the Hospital. A woman with three children, whose husband had been brought back from Auckland and imprisoned for desertion, was ordered rations for two months and 5s a week. A rabbi ter from Oamaru who had landed in Wellington with 30s in his pocket, and had spent it all but 5s or 6s, applied for relief, but the Trustees declined to help him. There were reported to be 62 males and 20 females now in the Home.

A number of bookmakers waited upon the members of the Labour Party in the South Australian Parliament: to protest against having their occupations taken away by the Government enforcing clause 2of the Totalisator Act. They asked the labour members to assist in having the clause repealed. The metallicians pointed out that the totalisator was among objectionable monopolies which should not exist. The labour members said they were opposed to monopolies, and, as the totalisator was one, they were willing to amend the clause. Mr McPherson refused to pledge himself to move in the matter. The members of the Labour Party promised to consult and see what could be done, and if any proposal was made to the House they would consider the matter favourably.

Canon Carter, of Truro, and the Rev Arthur W- Robinson, of All Hallows, who have left England for Australia per Valetta, writes our London correspondent, have accepted invitations to conduct missions in the diocese of the Bishop of Christchurch, Now Zealand. .

Mr Fred. Broughton, whose death iraa announced recently) Was the author of a ftumber of charming comedies, including “Euth’s Eomance,” “Written ip 3and|. &c. lie. was educated for the,law) rind for some timri practised as i solicitor- ill, Srad T ford) .but his tastes Being, altogether literary arid , dramatic, he early abandoned bis profession for tho pleasanter But more perilous path of literature. He was ,ft clever versifier, and wrote a large mimber of short stories, in addition to doirig a yrist amount of dramatic, Work, tho greater part of Which, however, did riot meet with any grririt SiicceSs. He was a thorough Bohemian in his habits, and had many of the failings common to that school of erratic geniuses. He was withal a genial and lovable man, with a bright and men'y wit. under which lily ft wondrous depth of pathos and feeling; , .jfhe Meij’fiiri Borough Council have deduce! to make another effort to have a light placed in tho cutting leading to Kilbirnie, and will get up a requisition to the AVellington City Council on the subject. Mr Martin, S.M., presided at yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. Charles doombas pleaded guilty of stealing a tin of salmon, the property of Wm. Hume, and was fined 20s, with the alternative of four days’ hard labour. Francis Bound Was sent to gaol for three months for Stealing a pair Of bodts frdill the shop el Mr B; Derirriri; liiihibtoii qiiay; the previbug evfiniiig; .Aybuiig ivomari, Married Violet If iiig admitted .fiatifig Madb u§e ttf bbseerie language lit Hainifig street oil the night bf Sunday; the 13th inst., arid was seritericed to seven days’ hard labour. Charges of fish stealing preferred by Peter Casety against Frank Fraridi; and By Assunta Frandl against Casety, were dismissed; His Worship ordering .eftch party te pay their Own costs; Mr Wilfbtd appeared fot Casety, arid Mr Dbynton for Frandi; Tho case against Jas. McGrath; charged with embezzling £l, tho property of E; J. Kells, was dismissed;

Tile Pririca of Wales’ Minstrel arid Con: cert Party arc to give an eritettaiiurierit at the Princess Theatre oil Queen's Birthday. The prdgranlille .iviU be of the tis.Uftl Variety type, comprising riiiisic; minstrel Sketches; a-farce, &o; The company’s orchestra will play, and there is to bo a dance; Those who, intend to purchase goods at A, Tyree am) Co.’s important sale of thi drapery stock of Edwards, Bennett and Co., in Christchurch, on June 6th, aro requested by advertisement elsewhere to communicate with Messrs Tyree and Co. if they wish to take advantage of the reduction in faros offered by tho Union Steamship Company.

The time-table arrangements for to-mor-row’s holiday on the Wellington section of tho Government Eailways are advertised in another column.

Laery and Co; ore to sell bananas and cbcoamlta; Ac., tit V o’clock to-day.

It is notified that a portion df tho Wellington cargo of the ship Euterpe; from Glasgow via Dunedin, will arrive by the. steamer Penguin, the balance coming- by the Herald fin Monday; , , . Tenders tire Called for tHd piirChaso of mining plant oil tile ground of the Golden Gate Alluvial Mining Company, Cullensvillo.

The Empire Hotel, Timaru, ia to lot or for sale.