NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2547, 27 June 1895, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A completely fitted meteorological station has been erected at the State farm, Leyin, by Sir James Hector, at the request of the Minister of Labour. Mr O. J. Blain has been appointed Observer, and the Observatory will be i n full working order on the Ist July. Owing to indisposition Mr J, E, Blair, chairman of the Education Board, was absent from yesterday’s meeting of the Board, and bis place was filled by the Bev J. Paterson. The Hauroto with English and Australian mails arrived at the Bluff yesterday mornipg. Sain has fallen in Wellington on no less than 21 out of the 26 days of the present month, and up top o’clock yesterday morning the total fall amounted to 9'201n. ‘ The heaviest fall was 2'27in on the 12th. For purposes of comparison we may state that the average fall for the month of June is s‘2lin, and the fall for May was only 4 Gin. A telegram received from the Eainfall Observer at Akaroa states that O'/jin of rain fell there during the 2i hours ending at 9 a.m. on the 25th inst. The phenomenal quantity of 39 43in pf rain fell at Puyaegur Point during May, the minimum fall being 10 - 58 in on the 20th. The case of Loudon v. Morrison, an action to recover possession of bind, is.to be board in the Supreme Court to-morrow morning.

The Premier has received a cablegram from the Premier of Queensland complaining of the conduct of tho New Zealand Government as unneighbourly in preventing cattle boats from that colony calling here. This injunction it will be remembered was issued on account of the fear of pleuro-pnoumonia being introduced into this Colony.

For some time past small sums of money havo been missed from tho till in Messrs E. W. Mills and Co.’s store in Featherston street. The matter was reported to the police, and on Tuesday night ActingDetective Gantley was instructed to watch in tho store until the morning. Nothing occurred until about 6.30 a.m. yesterday, when a window at the rear of the premises was opened from tho outside, and a man entered the store and took a tin of soda. Ho was arrested by Gantley. The man, whoso name is George Draper, is a fireman employed by Messrs Waddell, McLeod and Weir, timber merchants, whose premises adjoin tho store. Ho was brought before Messrs 11. Beauchamp and C. A. Baker, Justices, later on intheday and charged with breaking and entering and stealing a tin of soda, valued at 2s 2d. On the application of the police lie was remanded until Friday, bail being fixed at two sureties of £23 each. The Hon W. P. Reeves and Mr E. Tretzear have presented a number of books to the library of the school at the State farm at Levin.

The resolution passed by the New Zealand Cricket Council in reference to the proposed visit of a Now South Wales team to New Zealand next season “ that each of tho New Zealand Associations hand over to tho Council 70 per cent, of tho receipts at each match, i.e., gross takings less ground charges," is to be considered at a meeting of the committee of tho Wellington Cricket Association on Monday next. The Council is of opinion that the 30 por cent, left for the local associations should cover ordinary expenses, and leave a small balance. As the Council is desirous of sending a team to Australia as soon as possible, they trust that the resolutions will be agreed to by the various associations.

Mr M. Hickey, who was seriously injured by falling off a tramcar on Tuesday evening, was yesterday reported to bo slightly better.

At the Poultry Show last week at Christchurch Mr J. Farrell achieved an undoubted success. lie entered five birds, and gained five prizes. One bird, a brown Leghorn cock, took first and a special prizo/ and beat tho bird that won the first prize (£3O) at tho World’s Fair at Chicago. We believe it is Mr Farrell’s intention to compote at tho Wellington Show to be held next month.

Informations have been laid by the police against the principals and officials in tho interrupted boxing contest which took place at Cloke’s Hall on Monday night. William Fisher and Harry Plaacko, tho contestants, are charged with having assaulted one another, and James Walden (referee), Harry Woods (timekeeper), William Thipton (10 seconds keeper), Charles Richardson (Plaacke’s second), and George Cloko (Fisher’s second) are charged with having assaulted Plaacko and Fisher —that is to say, they are charged with having been concerned in the affair. The oases are set down for hearing on Monday next.

A letter from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce objecting to - the provisions of tho Land and Income Tax Assessment Act is to be considered at tho quarterly meeting of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce to-morrow afternoon.

The passage of tho Takapuna from New New Plymouth to Wellington , occupied over 24 hours, the vessel meeting the full force of the southerly gale. On tho steamer’s arrival off Now Plymouth it was found impossible to land passengers, and, after waiting all night, it was decided to come on to Wellington, the weather in the morning showing no signs of abating. Captain Lambert, of the Wainui, says that his trii> from Picton was dirty, rough and unoomtortablo. The Penguin, which left this port on Monday evening at G, arrived at Lyttelton at 11 o’clock on Wednesday night. She must have had a vory rough passage.

At tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Messrs 11. Beauchamp and C. A. Baker, Justices, two first offending drunkards were fined 5s each. Charges of

obtaining goods by false pretences, preferred against Valentino Vome. and Wm. Smith, wore adjourned, A boy named Alfred Bliss, charged with bping a destitute child, was remanded until to-day. Owing to tho boisterous weather the musical and dramatic entertainment which was to have taken place at the Skating Rink last night was postponed until next Wednesday.

In concluding his summing up in the Doan case, Mr Justice Williams said :—lt has been suggested to you that you could properly find in the present case a verdict of manslaughter—that is, that if you are satisfied that accused caused the death of the child by the negligent administration of opium, but aio not satisfied that the administration was intentional, that you should find her guilty of manslaughter. No doubt if a person administer a poisonous drug and is culpably negligent in the administration of it, and it is shown that there was no intention to kill, manslaughter would be a proper verdict/ A verdict of manslaughter, however, assumes that the intentions of the person administering the noxious drug are perfectly honest j that the drug, although carefully administered, is administered in good faith and without the slightest intention.to do harm. If the evidence, in your opinion, really points to that conclusion, then manslaughter would be a proper verdict, but I warn you, gentlemen, against returning a verdict of manslaughter unless you are satisfied that that conclusion is fully

justified by tho evidence. Looking at the evidence as it; came before the Court, I must say that it scorns tQ me such a verdict would indicate a weak-kneed compromise. It seems to mo that the real honest issue in this case is whether the accused is guilty of intentionally killing tho child or is innocent altogether. Mr E. Tregear has presented the school at the Levin State Farm with a magic lantern, which is to be used in connection with the studies at the school. Magic lanterns are now in use at several of the local schools. The rough weather of the last few days has interfered with the running of the Union Steam Ship Co.’s boats, Tho Lyttelton trip of the Takapuna has had to bo abandoned, and she sails from this port in her ordinary running for New Plymouth and Onehunga to-morrow. Tho Penguin is to remain in Lyttelton until 6 o'clock tonight, when she will bring up passengers and cargo for transhipment to the Takapuna. The Wainui, sailing for Picton, Nelson and Westport to-morrow night, will take the Penguin's place. The Wainui will not go further than Westport. . Owing to the bad condition of the roads round about Kaitawa, the Education Board at yesterday’s meeting decided to accede to the petition of tho parents of the children attending the school and extend the midwinter holidays in that district from two weeks to throe weeks. Mr Drummond has received the appointment of teacher at the Park Vale School. Tho ships Oronsay and Imberhorne, which arrived at Sydney on the 30th ult., report that they encountered an exceptional number of icebergs in the Indian Ocean during their voyages from Loudon. Tho area of ocean covered by these icebergs wa> COO miles in length and 250 miles in breadth. The ice was right in the course of ships bound for Australia, and the veasols had to make south from 42Jdeg, to 45deg. to avoid the immense mass of ice. Tho Oronsay sighted SO boras in one day, and the Imberhorne was for a night among them, as it was unsafe to proceed, In some cases the vessels passed so close to tho bergs that the men could have jumped from tho ship's rail on to the ice. The meeting of the Citizens' Institute, postponed from Tuesday, is to be held tonight in St, Peter’s Schoolroom, There will be a paper by Mr J. P. Campbell and other important business. The mooting will bo open to the public.

Mr Mac Duff Boyd’s orchestra and Jupp’s band have given their services free for the performances by tho Dramatic Students next week in aid of the Benevolent Institution. Messrs Rontli and Harding are supplying some of the printing without charge, and the stage hands will give their services gratuitously on one of the evenings, r

The summoned quarterly meeting of the Loyal Antipodean Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.H., was held in the Manchester Chambers last evening, Bro. M. Maxton, P.G., in the chair. The election of officers resulted as follows: —V.G. Bro. Edwards, to the N.G. Chair i E.S, Bro. Wilson, V.G.; Bro. Durrant, E.S. G.M. Bro, Howe and P.G. Bro. Beharrell were elected a Juvenile Lodge Committee. The Lodge decided n<?t to fall in with the -suggestions of the Jubilee Orphanage Society;, ’P.G. Bro. E.C.‘Ludwig’s notice in regard to registering names on quarter night wag not entertained. P.G. Bro. Maston’s notice as to appointing members to act with tho Loyal Britannia Lodge, with a view of forming a female lodge, was carried. The receipts for the evening amounted to JII3I. The Education Board in committee yesterday confirmed the appointment of Mr Mcßaiu as teacher ,in charge of Te Horo school, and instructed the secretary to intimate to Hie cpnjnfittee the Board’s regret that they could not accede to the suggestion that Mr Bowker should rocoiy.o the appointment. Owing to the inclement weather the meeting of the Philosophical Society, advertised to take place last night, was postponed till nest Wednesday evening. -

Tho Wairarapa train last night was delayed for over three hours by an accident which occurred between Petone and Ngahauranga. The driver was proceeding very slowly, as it was feared that the heavy sea which was running might have injured the line; when, in pissing over a slight wash-out, tho tender left the rails. The surfacemen who were engaged in the vicinity at once set to work, and after some delay succeeded in getting the tender back on to the line, and the train which had been sent out from Wellington to bring on tho passengers was not required. The line had also been slightly damaged in several other places, and in consequence the train had to proceed very slowly, and did not arrive at Wellington until about 10.50. Tho 11.15 p.m. train to the Hutt was despatched as usual, and there is every probability that trains will run as usual to-day. The 10.25 am. train yesterday from Te Aro to the Upper Hutt was considerably delayed by a number of small slips which had fallen on the line between Silverstream and the Hutt Bridge. A gang of men was at once set to work with shovels, and tho train was enabled to get through. A slip occurred in the Manawatu Gorge yesterday. Mr Tallis Tnmnell’s organ recital, entitled “An Evening with Spohr,” is to be given at St. Peter’s Church this evening. An excellent programme of vocal and organ selections will be gone through. Admission to the church will be free, and a collection in aid of the choir funds will be made be tween the first and second parts. Captain Ramsay, late chief officer of the Corinna, is in command of the Brunner, while Messrs Bergquist, Tullocb and Isaacs, formerly second officer, third officer and purser of the Corinna, have been transferred to the Brunner. Messrs Bergquist and Tulloeh have each been promoted a step. Captain Bernech, late of the Flora, is in command of the Corinna, and Mr Sadler, purser of the Flora, has been transferred to the Corinna. Mr Farmar, chief officer of tho Flora, is bringing tho vessel up from the South, and will ultimately be relieved by Captain Waller, of the Rotomabana, Mr Farmar resuming his position as chief officer of the Flora. Mr Spence, at present chief officer of tho Kotomahana, will take her on to Dunedin. Mr Tubby, late purser of the Tarawora, has been transferred to the Flora, and Mr W. H. Bourne, at present purser of the Rotomahana, will join tho Tarawora in a similar capacity at Dunedin.

Sir James Hector, we regret to hear, has been confined to his bed with a severe cold.

The popularity of the Gourlay-Stokes’ Company in their amusing burlesque “ Kovels ” was well shown last night by the presence of a large audience, who wore kept in roars of laughter throughout the evening. Mr and Miss Gourlay wore irresistibly comic in their acting and equally at home m their songs or dances, gaining repeated encores. Mr Bayly’s recital of “Kissing Cup’s Race” was well given. To-night the company present a second edition of “ Revels,” introducing new songs and dances, and an entire change of tho items in the specialty scene. Tho monthly sitting of tho Upper Hutt Magistrate’s Court was held yesterday, Mr Martin, S.M., and Mr George Brown, J.P., presiding. Robert Djcjf aqd Iferbert Perkins, charged on remand with assault, were convicted and discharged on payment of 7s eosts each. In tho civil case of J. Thompson v. P. Kearney, claim 7s, judgment was given for plaintiff for the amount claimed, with 7s costs. Six other civil cases were settled out of Court.

About 4.40 p.m. yesterday four men named William Stewart, John Berk, Alexander Johnson and William Williams met with a rather serious accident in the hold of the s.s. Ruapehu. They were engaged in taking in cargo, and had only half the hatch covers off. As they were returning the sling to the wharf, the chain came in contact with the fore and after, and precipitated it and the hatch covers on to the men wljo were working underneath. Dr "Wroughton, of the Ruapehu, attended to the injured men* and ordered Stewart to be taken to the Hospital, whither he was conveyed by Mr Brown, stevedore, and Mr Asmors, a Harbour Board official. It was there found that some of his ribs had boon broken, and he is at present in .a rather serious condition. Berk received a cut on the head, which was dressed by Dr Wroughton, who ordered him and the other two men, who were bruised about the head and shoulders, to bo removed to their homes. Mr N. Galbraith, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, ordered two cabs, and had the doctqr’s instructions carried out f Miss Qwou Davies' Dramatic-Musical Sketch Company are to appear in a new musical sketch this evening at Thomas’ Hall, when Miss Davies will give several personal reminiscences of Mr Corney Grain’s most celebrated sketch, entitled ‘'Bimbo’s First Pantomime/’ Herr Rhhl, the famous trombonist, will play amongst other numbers Rex's fine concerto for trombone. This composition abounds in such groat difficulties that only very few artists attempt to play it. Herr Ruhl, however, has made his reputation by his interpretation of this concerto. Herr Handke will play several viola soli, and Mr M. Marcus is to contribute two fine tenor songs. , There will be no meeting of the Scddon Presentation Committee until after the arrival of the Colonial Treasurer from England, as the committee do not wish to clash with the Ward demonstration. The youth Alfred Neilson, who was shot on Sunday near Halcombe, saw a lamb lying in a creek, and as ho went to lift it out placed the gun butt foremost on the ground, holding the barrel in his hand. A creeping plant became fast to the trigger, which was on half cook, it fell, and the lad received the full charge in hia breast, Ho just had time to say to his brother, “I am dying," and expired. He was the eldest son of Mr Christian Neilson, one of the oldest and most respected settlors in the district. The practice for chorus and full orchestra, Festival Choral Society, is to be hold to-morrow evening, at the Art Gallery, at 8 o'clock. A full attendance Is requested.

The Star of New Zealand, which arrived at Auckland cn Monday from London via Sydney, is a very gracefully-designed steamer. 4. She was built by Messrs Workman, Clark and Co., Limited, for Messrs J. P. Corry and Co., London, and is of the following dimensions :—Length, 393 ft 6in ; ■ breadth, 46ffc 7in ; depth moulded, 31ft 2in; with a gross tonnage of 4712 tons. The vessel is of the three-dock type, and built considerably in excess of Lloyd’s requirements for the 10Q A 1 class, with upper and main decks of steel, with the exposed parts of the upper deck sheathed. Deep framing has been introduced in place of hold beams, which loaves the holds clear for the stowage of cargo. A cellular double-bottom extends fore and aft for water ballast, The forward holds and ’tween docks have been insulated to suit the carrying of frozen moat, in which trade the vessel will be largely engaged with Australia and New Zealand. The refrigerating machinery and method of insulating are on the most approved principle, and tho engine can be worked at tho full boiler pressure when necessary. In order to provide for rapid loading and discharging, two powerful steam winches have been placed at each of tho hatchways, with derricks outriggod to suit. On the upper deck the erections consist of a long poop-bridge and topgallant forecastle, the latter extending a distance of I2oft from the stem. Tho fore portion contains the rooms for tho petty officers and crew’s quarters 5 tho remainder is fitted as a cargo hold, and equipped similar to .the others. *Tho vessel has been rigged as a two-masted brigantine, tho topmasts as well as the lower masts being of steel, and arranged on the telescopic principle. All tho deck machinery, consisting of Tfipches, steam-steering gear, windlass, &c., aro by approved makers, and of special design to suit the owners* views. The machinery has been constructed at the builders’ engine works, and consists of tiiple-expansion engines, with cylinders 201 in, 4Ain and 7sin diameter, strobe 48in, with steam supplied from three large boilers, at a working pressure of 1801 b, and fitted with Howden’s system of forced draught, with the fans placed in a recess at the fore end of the engine-room above the boilers. Tho boilers are covered with James Duff and Co.’s pearl brand cf nonconducting composition. Captain Simpson has command of tho Star of New Zealand. She should arrive in Wellington at the beginning of next week. Messrs Johnston and Co. are the local agents. The second of Mr Maughan Barnett's second series of concerts will be given in the Art Gallery to!-night. Grieg’s F sonata, for piano and violin, will be played by Mr Maughan Barnett and Mr A. F. Hill, who will also give on their respective instruments Beethoven's Funeral March Sonata,” “Romance” (Wagner-Liszt) and the Schubert-Liszt “Erl King,” a Sphor " Adagio,” “ Barcarola,” Of Stitt, and “Cavatina” (Hill). His Excellency the Governor and Lady Glasgow are to be present-

The Tiy.oli Specialty Company, comprising 16 from Melbourne 1 and Sydney, are to open a short’ season at the Exchange Hall on Saturday night pest. The company arrived yesterday from Dunedin, and it is stated that they have Had a very successful season there of 11 weeks. Amongst the company are Miss Evelyn Harte, who was leading lady with the Messrs Gourlay and Walton Company i Mr Naylor, tenor vocalist i Messrs Pete Miller and Jack Hamilton, Miss Hilda Chevalier, reciter j Mr Harry Baxter, coster and character impersonator j Miss Emma Markham, sonbrette; Messrs David Hanks, baritone, Fred Woods, Ethiopian comedian, Charles McMahon, conversationalist, &c, These’ performers are from leading Melbourne and Sydney theatres. The management wish if stated that this is the original Tivoli Company,

The second annual “ social” in connection •with the football match between teams representing' the wholesale and retail warehouses took place last night in Thomas' Hall. Over 300 persons were present, and the commodious dancing hall was taxed to its utmost. During an interval Mrs H. D. Bell presented to each of the players in the retail team a very handsome football cap, which boro the monogram u W.D.A.F.C.” in silver letters. Mr Simm> in place of Mr Hooper, who is ill, returned thanks on behalf of the team, who gave three hearty cheers for Mrs Bell, and throe more for Mr Bell, the latter replying on behalf of Mrs Bell. The arrangements of the ball , were in the hands of a committee comprising Messrs Dawson, Galloway, M. Herbert, Hooper, Clater, Orr, Simm, Strange, Turnbull and Walters, who deserve every credit for the way the “social" was managed. Messrs F. Cohen and J. G. Dawson acted as M.C.'s. King’s Band supplied excellent music, and the tables, which were laid out by Messrs Rowell and Son, of Cuba street, boro an ample supply of refreshments. Mr A. Smith was a very energetic secretary. Dancing was kept up with spirit until early this morning.

A purse containing .£1 19s Gd was stolen from the cloak-room of the Opera House last night. This is only ono of numerous petty thefts which have occurred there during the past few months. Playgoers should be careful not to leave valuables in pockets in unattended cloakrooms.

The disputed will case is still before the Supreme Court. It is expected to finish today.

R. Hannah and Co. for several weeks past have been making extensive alterations to thmr retail promises, Lambton quay. The shop in its enlarged and improved form is ono of the finest, if not the finest, of its kind in the Colony. Ample provision has been made •as to lighting, while the fitting space is just double what it formerly was. A “ grand reopening sale ” to celebrate tins event in the firm’s history will take place on Friday, when bargains in shoe leather on an unprecedented scale will be submitted to an appreciativo public. A detailed price list is now issued.

At their rooms this afternoon. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co. (Limited) submit a number of landed properties. Included in the list are two cottage properties in Abel Smith street, being sold in order to close accounts in the estate of the late William Gray, throe nowly-orected residences situate in Upper Abel Smith street, each hold under lease for 42 years at small ground rentals, and sections In the township of Levin, and other properties. Details are published in outadvertising A. G. Tainoand Co.sell valuable furniture, &c., in Boulcott street to-day, at 2 o’clock. Abraham and Williams’ Palmerston sale today, 1 p.m. Matthew Henry’s Palmerston sale to-day, 12 o’clock. Tenders are called by the Wellington Harbour Board for contract No. 82, hydraulic jiggers. The transfer books of the New Zealand Candle Company will be closed from the 2nd to the 15th July, both days inclusive. An auctioneering business, produce sale mart, and stock saleyards, are advertised for sale. A treadle sowing machine is advertised for sale.

A black and tan collie dog, lost, is advor tisod for.