NEWS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2691, 14 December 1895, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Government has determined to racoraraontl His Excellency the Governor to call the following gentlemen to the Legislative Council: —Mr P. C. Arkwright, Rangitikei; Mr W. C. Smith, Hawke’s Bay ; Mr Geo. .Tones, Oamimi; Mr R. H. J. Reeves. Messrs .Smith, .Tones anti Roovos were formerly members of tho House of Representatives. Australian cablegrams, our report of tho Midland Railway arbitration proceedings, and letters to the Editor, appear on the fourth page. The contents of tho supplement are as usual varied and interesting. By kind permission of His Excellency tho Governor, tho Government House grounds will bo thrown open to the public on Wedneaday and Saturday afternoons, from and including Wednesday next. When completed the Wellington College ItSGrffijtiou Ground should bo one of the most picturesque and one of tho best attached to agy educational institution in tho Colony. Tho playing area will bo about five and a half acres, the eastern portion to be devoted. to cricket, and the western to football. A specially prepared wiclmt is to bo laid on a plan devised by Mr Firth' principal of the institution. Mr P, Cronin ie the contractor for the work, which is being proceeded with with satisfactory progress. Jt is expected that the whole ground will bo open, for play by next summer. Mr Robert Haro, one of tho vary earliest settlors of the Wairarapa, died nfc tho Prince of Wales Hotel. Mastertou, early yesterday morning. Deceased was 81 years of age. He came to tho Colony in 1855. For some years he occupied public positions, and was, until recently, representative of the Wairarapa dn the United Distriot Charitable Aid Board. Ho resided for some time at Oriental Bay, Wellington. Mr Hare leaves a family of five sons and ,<?ne daughter. - (Captain Fairchild will not leave the Colony for ,Flome until about the IGth January, ' The usual wtotAy' meeting of the Women’s Democratic Union’feck place in the Psychological Room, Ghujint street, last night, Sirs Tasker, president, in bi,p chair. The circular of tho Workers' Political League was discussed. The Union instructed its delegates to oppose .elapse (I, namely, “ Provided also that, tho LeagueebpU bare the right to reject any ,ouo or the \vhoio of tjio nominees sent in by the various unions ,pr .organisations, and choose s.pch candidates ,ap ip pjlp}J} in its wisdom deem mote sellable pqd'tkat steps be taken to reconsider the paipe. following resolution was also carried:--“That the action of the Licensing Bench in granting the transfer of the Wayerley Hotel against tho voice of the people js undemocratic." Tbo eommitfoo -was unpointed to organise a celebration for the Union’s anniversary in February, H.M.S. Goldfinch sailed for Akaroa yesterday afternoon. The first of the two farewell lectures by the Ecr Haskett Smith is to be given in Thomas’ Halt on Monday evening _ next. The subject chpscp for tho occasion is described as one of ,t|ps most fascinating of the Eev Haskett Smith’s nights entertainments, entitled' " Myths ppd Jtfftryefo ,pf Modern Egypt; or n.'City of Arabian flight?” Tho ’ Jecturo will jbe b.eaatifally fijlpstrated by CO magnificent limelight views. .The bogplan will beopen this morning Messrs E. Eg”.iday and Co.’s,where sssts maybo booked ppf tickets obtained, ,

The twe hoys Delaney, who wore missed from their home in Eollaston a&eejfc on Wednesday, have turned up in a somewhat unexpected manner. Yesterday they were arrested at the Upper Hutt by Constable McKinnon, to whom they confided their intention of going to work on a station in the Wairarapa. The enterprising youngsters have now been restored to their parents.

Tho Hon E. Blake is not a man who allows tho grass to grow under his foot, and thoeelerity with which tho Midland Buiway arbitration proceedings have boon pushed on is mainly due to his determination that no avoidable delay would be allowed to take place. As soon as he assumed charge he made it clear that no dilatorines" would be tolerated, and at the outset ho said his goal was Christmas. It now’ appears as if the goal may bo attained before Christinas. At the close of yesterday’s sitting, Sir .Robert Stout expressed the opinion that the Crown’s case would be easily through by Thursday next. It was suggested that the Court might adjourn over Saturday until Monday, but as Mr Blake made it a condition that this should only bo done if no evidence could be adduced to-day, it was admitted that evidence as to the land in the Marina Valley could bo given to-day, and therefore it was determined the Court should sit to-day to tako it. Between now nnd Monday afresh batch of witnesses for the Crown will arrive from the West Coast.

W© have to acknowledge the receipt from the local agents of the National Fire and Marine Insurance Company of several very neat and handy calendars for the year 1890. Mr J. A. Tripo, who has been a master a the Wellington College for some years, and who is leaving-the institution in.order to enter the legal profession, was one of the most popular masters at the College, and two presentations were made to him yesterday by the pupils os a mark of their great respect and esteem for him. The presentations were made after the ceremony in connection with tho annual distribution of prizes at the College had concluded. The first was made by Master S. Gilmer, who was a capital little spokesman, for “tho school.” Ho said ho had been asked to make tho presentation as a mark of the high esteem in which Mr Tripe was held by every boy in the school. . They all wished him every success in his future life, and they could assure him that ho would always have a staunch friend in the “ Old Wellington College.” Master Gilmer then presented Mr Tripe with a silver cigarette case amidst tremendous hand clapping. The next presentation was from tho Shell form, which had been under Mr Tripe’s care. Mr Firth, the principal, made tho presentation (a pair of field glasses) in this case on behalf of the form. Mr Tripe, in replying, said they could not toll how fond he had become of the College, and how hard it was for him to leave it. He could not say what lie felt, all he could say was 4( I thank you.” At the call of Master S. Gilmer the pupils gave three ringing cheers for their late master, and a pleasant little ceremony was ended.

Mr B. G. Knight’s tender has been acceptedfor repairs to the barque Weathersfleld. Messrs Sidoy and Co. offered for said by auction at their rooms yesterday a freehold piece of laud next the Thistle Inn, Mulgrave street, 40ft frontage with a depth of 63ft and dwelling-house. A largo number of intending buyers were present. The property was started at £4OO, and after keen competition was sold for .£720.

Tho trial of A. G. Fabian and B. Watts for tho theft of stamps, the property, of tho Now Zealand Government, was concluded in the • Supreme Court yesterday. Dr Findlay addressed tho jury for tho defence,' and the jury, after a brief absence, returned with a verdict of not guilty. Henry Coombo, for whom Mr Wilford appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing articles from Sargood, Son and Bwen’a warehouse, and was remanded for the report of tho Probation Officer. William Doyle and Edward Ryan, who were defended by Mr Wilford, pleaded nob guilty to a charge of assault and robbery. Mr J, Shakes was foreman of tho jury.’ It was alleged that on the plight of September 7th prisoners quarrelled with a man named Richard Davis in tho Royal Tiger Hotel, and on going outside Doyle knocked,him down, and Ryan took £$ 15s from his pockets. Tho jury acquitted tho prisoners of the charge of robbery, and added that the assault was simply a drunken brawl. The prisoners wore accordingly discharged, Tho only case to bo taken to-day will be that of Frederick Arnold and G. Bausor, charged with assault and robbery. ' - r - The Tainui, which left Hobart for Wellington at G o’clock yesterday morning, should arrive here on Tuesday morning. The Magistrate’s Court presented the appearance of a large fancy goods emporium yesterday morning, when Janies Mountstephen was charged with tho theft of a quantity of articles from several business premises in Wellington, Three'rings, which were found in accused’s bedroom, were identified by D. A, Chisholm, Cuba street, as being his property, one of which he missed on the night of December .2-1, 189t,j after accused had boon in his shop. Some fancy goods wore identified by P. Qibbins, importer, Ijambton quay,' who stated that between August and October, 1891, goods were disappearing wholesale from his shop, but this ceased after October 37, on which day ho offended accused; who had previously paid him frequent visits. Accused also visited at J. Manttau’s shop, in Cuba street, and MrManttan, who identified some of tho goods aV his'property, said he bad been missing thorn from July, 1893, to July, 139-4. Still other goods wore Identified by Gao. Croehrane, fancy goods importer, Quha street, as belonging to him, and ho stated that when ho want to accused's house with a detective accused offered to pay double or treble tfie value of tho goods. While being taken to tho police station accused' said to'•’ ActingDetective Bishop: “If I had Known, it would come to this I would not have taken the things.” Evidence was also given of accused. tolling Detective Neill that , fie could nob sleep bocaiiscthoro were a,, lot of stolen goods in his house that Bishop did not take away, and asking him to remove them. These goods wore afterwards identified by Mr Cochrane as his property. .Accused, for whom Mr, Monr teath appeared, and who. was described as an owner of property and a most Indus* trions and respectable man, was committed for trial, bail being fixed at two sureties of .£25 on each of four charges.

The annual pupil teachers* examinations are to be held on Friday and Saturday, 20th and 2lbfe insfc. Constable Hutton, of Groyfcown, Informed Inspector Pender by telegram yesterday that the search for tho body of James Dalgotty, believed to have been drowned while crossing the Tauurct River at To Whiti, has so far proved unsuccessful. Another party will go out on Sunday. The Hospital authorities acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following donations and articles towards the Christmas festivities for the; patients : —Messrs Stewart and Go,, ls; : 'MrG<iO. WItQU, chemist, lOs; Hr W. Cook, Molcsvyorth street, 10s; Messrs Thompson Dros ; , 10s,(id; Mr P, (jarbas, ys ; Messrs Taylor and l Co ; , £1 Is j Mr J, Jackson, os; E-L., «#!• la-; Mrs Crease, 421;. Mr, Q. Hutton, pictures and cards; Mr J..Maokay,, ■ hooka j Mrs. A. Curtis, books and papers; Mrs W, H. Levin, Christmas cards; Misses ’Alice and Elsie Rawson, dolls; Mr E. Anderson, china ware ; ; Messrs j WhitcDinbe and Tombs, books; Mrs' G. Aldous, pipes, cigars, Ac.; Mr-Nicholls, “Golden Rule,” toys; Messrs Whittaker Bros., fancy goods; Mrs Butts, booics and papers. Mr Moyce, late foreman engineer of Luke and Sons, Limited, Ims taken the. position of chief engineer on the Wakatu, rendered by the appointment of Mr John .GaWPh&U 9-$ engineer to the Otago Dock Trust. • ' The tho 3rd February. . . , .. ; .

Tlio sijgifa], pepopS qf tffe directors ql thp Gear Company, to bo preset)tec) tp the annual meeting on the 7tb Janppry, etateg: —“After making dua allowance) fpr depreciation, &c., tlie balanoa available for appropriation is £8363 2s, which the directors recommend bo apportioned as follows: —In payment of a dividend on the paid-up capital of the Company (of which an interim dividend for the half - year ended 31st Hay has already been, paid), .£1600; to he carried forward to next year’s account, £3763 2s. During, the year the reserve fund and the insurance reserve have been increased. They now aggregate £23,705 9s 6d. The directors regret to record the death of Mr Robert (Jteopfeld, one of the first members of the Board," 'Jbe vacancy caused thereby has been filled by ihfi appointment of Mr J. E. Blair. . The retiring 'directors are Messrs Reid, Beauchamp and Dr Newman, .who, being eligible, offer themselves for: reelection. The auditors, Messrs D. T. Stuart and R. T. Badham, also offer themselves for re-election.” i

Excellency the Governor has given a second 'dpnatibn of'£3'to th'o'Unomployed Relief Fund/” ' ' ' ” ■f ' 4 meeting pf ,tho creijilo.rs of "W. M. ■Sypodhoad, VOod merchant, -yas ft (ho rooms of the Official 4s3igoeo yesterday iiforpipg, Mr Asbcipft presiding. The baokropfc submitted a yrittep st^tenfept in which it was act forth jbbft the portmership with Mr MacDonald prospered for some time, but the withdrawal, of l)fr jSfaoDonald and a consequent portion of capital affected the business, and matters were made worse by the illness of the bankrupt, and the fall in prices in 1894, and a falling off in business consequent upon the existing depression was followed by another i,Gf;od of sickness, 'An offer made in September Iftfof ,15s in the £ was generally accepted, ami he had hoped.to pay the amount with 'the : assistance of his triendsj' .blit Bfifdto 'this co'qld to done 'pressure was brought fo'.behr'and-'he' was doyoed to Flo- The .bankrupt wad examined ,tp' his fgcounte, aud it was to authorise .tiro Official Assignee to . take to recover J&Z 3s 3d paid to Messrs gt'raitford' it ,wa| to allow tire bapkrppt tqe balance jof his furniture aboy.9 the statutory allowance. The meeting adjourned rinc die. The Duco is to run an excursion to Day’s Bay to-morrow.

Last night, about 0 o’clock, pedestrians in the neighbourhood of the Thorndou Esplanade were alarmed by some rather startling shrieks, and it was found that a little girl who li s’es in the vicinity, and who was playing on the sloping breastwork, hud gone into a fit, and had partly fallen into the shallow water, much to the alarm of her little mates. A bystander promptly moved the child back from tho water, and subsequently carried her in a somi-uncon-semus condition to her home close by. '1 he police, hearing an accident of some kind had occurred, were also on the spot most expeditiously. The Rev Haskett Smith is to be the preacher at St. Peter’s Church to-morrow evening.

Extensive preparations have been made for the reception of Father Christmas at the D.I.C. stores this afternoon at 3 o’clock. A colossal Christmas tree has been transplanted into tho D.I.C. furniture room, and is laden with tho most bewildering variety of novel and pretty Christmas toys. To obviate crushing, the whole of the toys have been removed to the furniture room on tho ground floor, and the fine collection of Christmas goods and beautiful prize books occupy the spacious fancy goods showroom of the D.I.C. premises.

The Women’s Institute give a picnic at Lowry Bay to-day, the Mima leaving tho wharf at 2.15 p.m. Should tho weather prove unfavourable, a “social” will take place instead at' Thomas’ Hall, for which the picnic tickets will be available. Hugo’s Buffalo Minstrels re-appear at the Criterion Theatre to-night. Popular prices are to be charged, and the programme is to contain many novelties. A correspondent writes to ask us whether the Wellington City Council professes to clean tho streets of our town, and requests us, if they do, to draw the attention of the municipal officials to, among other unconsidered trifles, a dead cut which has embellished the short street leading from Lambton quay to the Wellington Club for tho past two days. Wo would point out, however, that some of the numerous people who have passed through that thoroughfare within the period stated might easily have communicated with the City Council officials. Mr A, J. Tone, who has been one of the Crown Lands Bangers in tho \\ ellington district for many years, has resigned tho appointment in order to become secretary to the Wellington School Commissioners, ■vice tho late Mr W. H. Warren. Tho test races to decide whether Pownall, Perrelt and Richardson shall represent the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club at tho Championship Meeting at Christchurch will be held on the Basin Eeservo this evening at the conclusion of the cricket matches.

Mr Clemens (Mark Twain) aud Mrs and Miss Clemens were passengers toSydneyby tho Mararoa, which sailed yesterday afternoon. Mr G. Heron has been appointed chairman of the Wairarapa District Hospital Board. On Christmas Eve a special train is to leave Wellington for Wanganui, arriving ut Aramoho Junction at 7 a.m. on Christmas morning, where the Wanganui Bivor steamer will connect for the special river trip to Pipiriki, returning to Wanganui, if possible, by 1 p.m. on Boxing Day. Meals are provided on board the river steamers, and breakfast will be obtainable for the tiain passengers at 8 a.m, Tho Wellington - Manawutu Company advertise their arrangements for the Christmas aud New Year holidays. Tenders are called by the City Council for tho sole right to collect during tho present season tho grass seed from the Waterworks Reserve' above thb dam at Wainm-o-mHa, v And also Trom the TCarori Waterworks Reserve. Cheap excursion fares on the Wellington section of the New Zealand Railways are advertised in another column. The rates are First-class, 2d per mile ; second- • class, Id per. mile, tho minimum being 4s and 2s respectively, aud the mileage being counted oneway only. The tickets will be 'available for return for one month, and the time may be extended for i\ further period of 14 days.

An excursion to Lyttelton by the Anglian,, leaving Wellington on Monday, 33rd, at 3 p.m., is advertised. Tho return fare has boon fixed at 30s. The commodious stables recently erected by Mr J. Lane in Molosworbh street, opposite the .Parliamentary Buildings, containing over fifty 'Taoso-boxe?i with yard 300 ft. long by wide, are so especially suitable for the purposes of a horse saloyard that Mr George H. Scales has made arrangements to hold regular weekly sales there, and will start his first sale this afternoon at 2 o’clock. Tenders are called by _ the Dapartmenbfforthe wrought iron piers; and . superstructure contract for the Kbpui viaduct, Palmersbou-Splb railway. With reference to the Fisher testimonial,. all members of the various comifiittees, together with friends aud supporters, of Mr Fisher are invited by advertisement elsewhere to meet him at Thomas’ Hall this evening, at 8 o’clock, The Wellington Cycling Club will hold their fipnual 20-mile ; championship, road race-Mite -aftcrhoon.-'^The 1 course ’will be from the Telephone Exchange to Black-, bridge and back. Tfio race, for which seven hayo entered, wijl’stayb at 3 p.m-, and finish at about 4 o’clock,

Mr J. Card, jun., rode on his-bicycle from the Wairarapa yesterday in order to bo present at ‘ the gathering of "West Coasters at Thomas’ Hall last night. Considerable interest is taken in tho splendid Weavor organ to bo givon by th© Dresden Piano Co. Already a great inany. piano-s have boon. disposed of, and the sales in! pianos and organs this month promise to 1 exceed those of any previous months,

; Those in search of iv' 1 charming private residency will goo from‘an advertisement in another ooliimntfiat JH.Bethuneand Co. will soil by public auction at their rponm, Eeatfieraton Street!-on Tuesday next, at 2.30 p.m., Mr C. H. Snow’s' fine property known'as ** LaHgton bodgo,” situated in Aurora terrace, containing over three-quarters of an acre frcoboldland, tastefully laid out and planted, together with the comfortable family residence, stable and coach'-houso erected thereon, presenting a splendid opportunity to anyone desirous of acquiring a first-class residential property within throe iriinutoa’ walk of’ Ltvmbtoh quay. -’On tho same date Bothuuc and Co. will also soil, by instructions from Mr Edgar;. Kberlc, who is leaving Wellington,-that voidable -leasehold property in -Boulcott street, known, as y.EdgeqUffo,” including tile commodious family residence of 11 rooms no w occupied by Mr Eberlo, standing bn $n allotment of land 33ft x 240 ft, commanding q. gqod view pf the harbour. ~ ■

Harcour.t. apd Gp. will sell by auction on Friday ijoxt, at their.roping,liamoton tjuay, a cpUeotiqn of original bh.pointings of Austra? liarj and Neiv Zealand actuery b.V that popular Australian artist MfE.’. \y K Christinas. It wap# the artist's intently $9 hold a private exhibition in' Wollingtbhrbut being suddenly called away from the Oolqny ho has decided to submit ’ the pictures * to-’ auction.'Thd collection covers Zealand mountain and river scenes, Australian rivers and coast, aboriginals’ camps, and scenes from ; tho far inland of Australia. Many of those have attracted much attention at the Art Society exhibitions, in Sydney and Melbourne, and the sale .will offer an unusual opportunity to local picture buyers. Kirkcaldio and Stains have a large stock of new aud unique Christmas ■ and New Year goods of the • best 1 quality < most admirably adapted for presents. E. W. Mills and Co. have determined to afford their customers the opportunity of purchasing'at their premises,- Lambton quay, between tins and Slsfc'December at specially low prices. All cash purchases of £X and. over wijl be subject'to a aiadonnt of 3s in the ,M off ordinary prices'. Wo would remind bpth pur country and town readers that C. Snpth, tho cash draper, Cuba street, is giving Christmas present to all cash buyers of j'Osf and >97er on a very, liberal scale. ~ ■ ” \

In another column is published a testimonial from the Aouse steward at Government House testifying _to the merit, of McKenzie’s furniture polish, and to its'advantages for . dopiostio, use as against thp ordinary paste. '< < ■ A. G. Taine and Co. sell 25 horses to-day on account of Taranaki and Wairarapa clients., : ■ - ..... ,i? Edwin J. King, of the Te Aro Music Warehouse, notifies jthat he-.; has just . landed a large stock of .the’ latestsongs, - notably “ Molly Riley, 0.” H. A. LeCron, Hope street,. Dunedin, advertises that heteis prepared, to, take'agoncies for ahy industry riot represented in Dunedin. Those who'entrust him with their.business are 'assured, that Jhb, Will do ,’his utmost .to fuidher their interests. ■ ’W. M. Banhatyne and 00., district agents for'.the'Rbyal InSiirailCo Co., remind' insurers 'of quarter ’da£,' and' thatereaewal premiums should h'd paid dn ' or befort Tuesday'2lth Inst ' > 1 I ’■ . J te-Wl/.R. Shottt sells'mispdllanepes gpoijs at l.'Sfl 'o’clock to ; day." E. Siday and dp; sell ft)nature, piano costing 7Q guinea?, valuable' niptnre'ai at the residence of "Mrs -Malcolm,' Lower tfgft, qq Wednesday, at 2.3 Q p.m.

The Bosdwfil' of ti)o Rahgitike) Coach, Carriage and Blaofctmithing Eg ofory js advertised for sale. ; ■ £ ;i F. Sidoy and Co. sell furniture, jewellery, Ac., to-day, at 1 o'clock. ...