CITY BREVITIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2847, 16 June 1896, Page 2

CITY BREVITIES.

Thirby-ciglil applications for, Hie position of mechanical engineer foir the pumping works in the drainage department have been received by the City Council, and they have been referred to the Drainage Engineer, with instructions to submit three names to the Council for final selection. The salary is J 8240 per annum. There was a- considerable attendance at Messrs Harcourfcand Co.*s rooms yesterday when the Longburn Slaughtering and Freez.Company’s iafcd, premises aud plant came, undbr tbo hammer, bu£ apparently the 'capital required for the venture was too much for private, enterprise, and the property fell to the mortgagees at a nominal price.

At & committee meeting of the ‘Wellinsrton Cycling Club last night, to consider tbo proposed track on the Athletic Fark, it was decided to make an endeavour to raise the amount necessary to take up the 200 shares, aud that a general meeting of those interested be held at the Trooadero on evening next. As tho members of the committee last night guaranteed 25 eharefe,. and. the clpb, which already holdfe a hummer, will probably take up more, there should bo no difficulty in obtaining tho remaining 175. , , The presentation, to tho Hon R. J. Soddon on the occasion' of hia slst birthday is to take place >at h social to be hold at tho Skating Rink On Monday next at 8 p.m.

The Greymouth Coal Company propose to erect new and commodious offices, and also a coalyard at the corner of Victoria and Cuba streets. The Public Works Committee of tho City Council decided last night to recommend that tho Company be allowed to take up at tho upset price such of tho unlot sections of block No. S, Te Aro reclamation laud, as they require, on condition that buildings of tho kind submitted in their plan be erected on the Cuba street aud Victoria street frontages. At tho usual weekly meeting of tho Women’s Social and Political League last night, Mrs H. H. Mason in the chair, nominations for membership wore received. Resolutions were laid on tho table for one week from the Conference in Christchurch. Three moro members wore, added to the three already chosen by tho League—Mesdamos Hutson, Corliss, McLean—for representatives cn the Electoral League. Notice was given that for tho future the weekly mootings would bo held on Tuesdays, instead of Mondays. An extract was road from tho Lyttelton Times on “ Old Ago Pensions ” by Mrs Ellison. A discussion followed, in which Mrs Dobie, Mrs Corliss, Mrs Weiss, Miss Williams took part, and Mrs Ellison was given a vote of thanks. The PfohibitiOri Ledgae dre not satisfied to have the same rights as other people with regard to the use of the streets, for at their mdetifig last night they passed a resolution protesting against the Mayor’s proposed bylaw, and appointed a deputation to interview the City Council in reference to the subject.

Tbo usual midwinter entertainment at St. Patrick’s College before tho holidays is to take place on Thursday evening. The programme will include a debate by the College Literary and Debating Society, on the quostlCn 11 Is tho Press a reliable vehicle of public Opinion?” The difficulty is to get any of the students to take the negative side. Mr Martin, S.M., gave judgment yesterday to the effect that the Ohau struck on Cook Kock, and that the master committed an error of judgment in not keeping nearer The Brothers, and was guilty of default in not taking moans to verify his distance .front The Brothers. Captain Black’s certificate Was ordered to be suspended fdr three months And ho w&s ordered to pay the costs Of , the Onqtiiry, Amounting to .£l2 3s. List evading every available seat at the Siilors’ Rost was occupied on the occasion of a free concert to seamen given by Madame Cape and pupils. The programme comprised piano and vocal duets by Madame, Mr and Miss Cope, and Misses Edwards, Violet and Gretchon Cope; pianoforte and violin solos by Miss and Miss L. Cope, and Miss M. Pringle ; songs by Madame Cope, Mrs Hawthorne, Misses Rauderaou and Legg, Messrs T. Pringle, Straohan and Banks ; the entertainment concluding with “EUlo Britannia,” all present jolnidg in tho chorus. The UUdieUce was enthusiastic, Madame Cope had to respond to a treble encore. The room was tastefully decorated with gifts from Mr T. Pringle, aud flowers and foliage from other friends.

Tho Festival Choral Society held a full rehearsal for orchestra, soloists and chorus last night in Thomas* Hall, when a very satisfactory interpretation of Dvorak’s sublime “ Stabat Mater ” was given, Tho following were elected subscribing members t —Mr A. Snowden, Mrs Panoourt, Messrs J. d rattan Gray, T. F. Rotherham, A., Keyworth, F. W. Maddox and B. E. Wtibd*. The Society intend holding then first subscribers’ concert of the season 0a Monday, 29th inst., when the “ StabAt Mater ” will be given to ths public;

Thd AcAdenly of Pino Arts was well filled last night, when Mr Cheok Hong Cheoug delivered a lecture on the scenery, architecture, manners, customs and religion of China. Tho Ven. Archdeacon Fancourfc presided, and there wore a number of Chinese among tho audience.• The lecture was illustrated by limelight views of places of interest in China, amone those being pictures of the great wall, tho mouth of the YelhrV River and the Temple of Heaven. Mr Ohoong also treated of the festival Of the New Year, for which’ great preparations are made. In conclusion, b 6 made an appeal for assistance for the Chinese mission in this Colony. The lantern views were shown by Mr Baldwin. At the termination of the lecture a hearty vote of thanks was given to Mr Cheong on the motion of the chairman.

McNab’s gardens have boon purchased by Mr .W. Ross on behalf of Mrs Ross and family. This popular resort is to bo Conducted on thoroughly popular linos, and an advertisement in another Column will show that a beginning has been made by the reduction of the price of admission to 6d. Tennis courts and a bowling green are to be laid down, and other up*to-dato improvements made. McNab’s gardens, under the new should become one of the most attractive spots in tho Wellington district for holiday-makers. Mr Maughau Barnett, at his organ recital at St. John’s on Friday evening next, will play Concerto in B flat, Handel, aud other works by Bach, Mendelssohn,; Saint-Saons and other composers. Tho extent to which Alf. Lawton’s Novelty Company have caught on with the Wellington public was shown by the largo audience which assembled at tho Opera House night. The various items on the programme were well encores being tho order of the evening. In addition to the features mentioned yesterday, tho mandolin selections of Miss Eunice Fernandez, Miss Violet Bishop’s singing, and Mias Stella Tudor’s various items in song and dance wore all well received. The sisters Aggie and Annie Grey gave some excellent duets, and the Mahers (Alice and Mike) gave a very funny specialty, and tboir dancing was loudly applauded. Miss Ida Holbein made a favourable impression with her singings The company appear again tonight.

Messrs Godbor and Fuller, with several members of tho Wesleyan Debating Society, gave a musical entertainment at tho Benevolent Homo last night, which was greatly appreciated. The City Rifles held a company parade last night at tho Drillsbed, commanded by Captain Duthie and Lieutenant Muir. There were 45 of all ranks present. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Ernest Louis, storekeeper, of Foathecston, was held in the Official Assignee’s office yesterday morning. As the bankrupt was not present the Official Assignee stated that he had no list of creditors. Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen having guaranteed a reward of .£SO for tho apprehension of the bankrupt, it was decided that the sum, if paid, should be a charge on the estate. It was also resolved that the stock at Featherston be sold by Mr J. H. Wood, of Greyfcown,.and that the Assignee bo authorised to take proceedings to recover a horse, trap and harness, which had belonged to the estate. Mr George Meo, chemist, has just imported through Mr George M. Yerex a National cash register, which is now on display in the window of the Singer’s Sewing Machine Company, Willis street. It is one of the finest pieces of ingenious mechanism introduced into this city. The machine is a very expensive one, and is said to be one of the finest turned out by tho Company. The serial number is nearly 100,000, a fact which will give some idea of the immense business transacted by this Company. The annual general meeting of the Wellington Horticultural and Florists’ Society is to beheld at 8 p.m. on Friday next in room No. 9, Exchange Buildings.