TOM AND COUNTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3003, 15 December 1896, Page 2

TOM AND COUNTRY.

1 On our first page to-day will bo found an interesting summary of Australian nows. On page four a number .of letters to the editor j are published, a report ef a tteetiiig of tho ; A. and P. Association And 'spirting hews, Attention is drawn to the fact that the New Zealand Times will net be published On Friday and Saturday, 25th and 2Sth December, being Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Tho offices of the Magistrate’s Court will bo closed from the 21th inst. to tho 4th of January,lß97. The case of Camera v. Camera la to be heard at a sitting of tho Divorce Court this morning. ; The ordinary general meeting of the share i Holders of the Goar Company is to be held on tho sth proi. The ’Au&.l rehearsal of the 44 Golden \ legend ” by the Festival Cheral Society takes ; place to-night at Thomas’ Hill. ; Tho Duoo or Miftawill rim the usual after- j noon exedt-ahn to Day’s Bay to-morrow, also t rfioonlight excursion in the evening at 7.30. ; The funds of the Wellington Exhibition/ Regatta will benefit to the umoVint oi about i £lO by Saturday night’s mdphlight excursion.; Tho GoVerhiSient has decided hot to take harfc.lfi the Tennessee Exhibition of 1897, and t ftas declined to come under the treaty with . Japan. • . 1 Tbo Public Works Departmnnt taa accepted the tender of Mb James Jonson,Waibl, for the erbdttdh of a now post office at Waihh kn important blOeting of all committees Workers of tho Liberal Tiq^ , C "is"'to bo held this oveniug at tho Trades Hall. At a special meeting of the City Council last night, tho balance-sheet As certified to by the Auditor-General was finally sealed and signed by the chairman. Members, of thfi festival Choral Society j>ro notified elsewherp' of a full and final Vehoarsal to-night, at Thomas’ Halt, of thj “ Golden Legend.” The Government has decided to Make a compassionate allowance, etlual to Waive mofiths’ {lay, to tile widow ot tin late Pnuoilul Llghlhodsekeepec Parkea. It is intended to erect a bridge over the Waltarst riVei-. oil the Junction foftd, at Pttrangi township. Tenders for the work are receivable up to the 23rd inst. Owing to ail orfot in Our last issue it fippe«-od that Kentucky Wilkes mot with an accident and was shot. The horse that w&s killed was a 6olt,bj/, KBntu.oky - Wilkes. - TTie City Council have drafted a bvriaw dealing with barbed-wire fences fronting on streets and thoroughfares, -which it is intended to bring into force shortly. At the Magistrate’s Cofirfc yesterdays James Moore was ordered to contribute 6a a week in monthly instalments for the support of his daughter at the Burnham Industrial School. Messrs S. Luke and Soh have ih hand & large contract fob enlarging tbo condensers and supplying all the ironwork for the extension to the Wellington Gasworks, which is now proceeding, A min named James Campbell was arrested ■yesterday On a charge of two coats add a pair Of tfdiisora from the Orient Diniugbooma, Lanlbton quay. Ho will bo brought dp this morning. - Tho Union Company has received advice that the Alomeda. left San Fradcisco for Auckland at midnight on December 10th, dd« date. She carries the English mails of 2Sth November.

ihformation was received *fin Wellington yesterday of tho death of Constable Thomas citewart, of Blenheim. He had been laid up three weeks through blood prisoning, and he succumbed yesterday morning. Tho bazaar recently brought to a close at the Presbyterian Church, Petone, resulted in a substantial addition to the funds of the chiirch. A few articles wore left over, which will be sold on a future occasion.

Tho long spoil of dry weather which wo have experienced baa been greatly felt by the residents of Petone. Many of tho tanka are dried up, and householders are beginning to consider tho question of waterworks for tho borough, ■ There were no bidders for the barque Delmira, which now lies stranded at Barton’s Point, near Cape PalJiser, but Messrs Bethuno and Co. disposed of the vessel privately after tho sale for -81 Is, the purchaser being Mr J. C. Cooper, The Public Works Committee of tho Melrose Borough Council will recommend at the mooting of tho Council to-night that brunches bo extended from tho storm water drain proposed to bo laid in Moxham avenue, Kilbirnle, to the eastern boundary of the street. The heat at Maaterfcon has been very great for tho past tew days. On Sunday the thermometer reached 80dogrees Fall, in the shade. There has-been no rain for weeks and the farmers are complaining bitterly, as, in many instances, tho crops will not be worth cutting. Seven first offenders suffered for their folly to the extent of sa, or 2 i hoars’ imprisonment each, for drunkenness at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, while Edward Cassidy, James Johnston, Robert McCormack and Thomas Walsh were fined ■ 10s each, or 48 hours’ imprisonment, for similar offences. Tho tender bf Messrs Stewart and Go,, Wellington, has been accepted by the Public Works l/epartmonb for timber and joinery work at Tho Cape Palliser lighthouse, and that of Mr R. H. Vooman, Auckland, lor the manufacture of iron work for tho bridge on the Whangarei-Kamo extension railway.

Tho Public Works Committee decided last night to recommend tho City Council to grant permission to the Cricket Association to make a charge for admission to.tho Basin Reserve on the occasion of tho Queensland m »tch, the charge to women, n.nd boys under 14 years of age, to bo sixpence. ■ A mooting of the creditors of Richard Lovegrovo, m ikman, is to bo held to-morrow. Ho states that his bankruptcy was brought about through tho competition in tho milk trade ; his run,'wnich last year was oqual to 33 gallon*, is now equal to only 13 gallons. His total liabilities aro .£230 Us 9d, and tho probabio value of his assets is £(io. An individual named Edward Cassidy was arrested on Saturday for. drunkenness, but was allowed out on bail on Sunday. Ho again drank, not wisely but too well, and was once more arrested, so that this morning be enjoyed the unique privilege of being fined first as a fir»t j Sender and then -as a previous offender. . It cost him 15s. Mr John Hutcheson’s Executive Committee met last evening at the Trades Hall, Mr A. Collins in the chair. The treasurer submitted tbo balance-sheet, which was considered satisfactory, and Messrs W. Miles and E. J; Le Grove were elected auditors. The meeting adjourned till Monday oveniug next, at 8 o'clock. A meeting of tho officers of the rifle companies of the Wellington Garrison was held at the DrilUhed last night, concerning the proposed camp at Newtown Park, As it had been found impossible to hold the camp on the date previously arranged, it was decided to approach the City .Council for an extension of the time to the 9th of next month.

At tho meeting of the Potone Public Works Committee it was mentioned that the continuation, of tho Nelson street drain was making good progress. The new ttroeta through Me Keene's property have boon coma plan of the land was submitted at last right’s meeting of the local Borough' Council. Tho balance of tho unsold town allotments will shortly be submitted to public auction. • A maudlin'drunk called upon the Courtaud the world in general yesterday, morning to read a dirty piece of p*per which he produced. After being unrolled it became decipherable, and read as follows ;—lndictment of defence (why indictment of defence did not make itself plain). That several wellknown We»rport add Wellington gentlemen (all named), together with divers others evildisposed persons, did ‘conspire,,combine, con*, federate to cheat and defraud Jamas Johnston of certiincattle, to wit, three spotced steers, and of hia moneys/’ This remarkable document was signed “ James Johnston.” The Court said, “ iOs or 43 hours, James Johnston.” ; :

A Jfleeting of tka Women’s Social and Political League will be held to-night, in the Exchange Buildings, t® disoaes important business. A meeting of the committee for Mr AIL Hill’s oenefit will be held to-day, in Mr Hill’s rooms, at 5 o’oloak. A full rehearsal o! “ Minemoa” will take place on Wednesday evening at Thomas’ Hall,

Stephen Boshef, who is now serving a sentence of two years, will bo Charged in about three weeks’ time with the ffi.urdar of Mr and Mrs .Tones, at Petdae. Bother, s second wife (now MUa Reeeo) U in better health than she his been for some time put. uh) wL’ial'CO'Ues bn there will bs between GO ana 70 witnesses. The police arc adducing very strong evidence, and the ca-o is likely to ; cause widespread interest. A mrl nvmol K:nau Bewhs was one of a im.nl* it of girls recently brought before the Magistrate’s Court for having frequented Chinamen’s dens, was brought up before Mr A. Greenfi-Id, S.M., yesterday afternoon on remand, she having been remanded how she behaved herself in the interval. The police reported that the girl had behaved properly, and Mr Greenfield committed her to tho Burnham Ihddstrial School. are informed that Messrs Charles Hill and Sons have purchased the lease premises occupied by Althao hud Sons, and intend erecting a large brick building, to meet with tho requirements of tho fast-incrcasing trade. Prior to building, they intend holding a clearing sale of Almao’s stock, which will . start on Wednesday morning next, ftnd pi'r readers are requested to note In* Advertise- : ment.

A filll..r£h£arsal of Mr Maughan Barneit’ft Musical Society will bo held to - morrow evening (not this evening), in Thomas’ Hall, when Mr Alf. Hill will bo present to rehearse the cantata “ Hincmoa” for tho farewell concovt to be given next Friday in the Exhibition. As announced elsewhere, at Ibis graotied passes to admit to the Exhibition for Fridav Will be distributed*, and meii.ber ot the chorus and orchestra is requested to bo preseat. The Suburbs Licensing Committee, after hearing the evidence in the case against the licensee of a certain hotel, which had been reported by the police as only fairly well conducted, have complimented the police for their honest endeavours to compel hotelkeepers to observe tho law.* This Seffiarfc of the committee in worfli as it is said to ba a Prohibition Comraittoa, or, at least, to h?»Vtt strong leanings in that du*eo« tiOA.

Liberal patronage wao accorded -the kinetosoope, now on view at the Clifton Studio, Willie street, yesterday. The scenes shown were unique, and all who attended were very well satisfied with, the entertainment. Every movement is perfectly lifelike to the minutest detail.. The kittotophons, which is also on exhibition, a great invention. I’Ke playing of ttip .New York Band and the daiicing.of ‘the Japanese girls is a great/feature, *The kinetosoope will be on view day nno. nigllt until further notice. Court Lady Glasgow, No. 8261, held its fortnightly meeting last evening in the Foresters’Hall, Lambton quay, O.R. Sister Woolcott presiding. Nominations for the various offices were received as followsC.H., Sister Ovcrend ; S.C.R., Sister Bull; S.W., Sister Larnaohj J.W., Sister Travers ; S.B.,Sister Higgins \ J. 8., Sister Legtnover j secretary, Sister Aston ) treasurer, Sister L. Campbell? minilte secretary, Si&tfir E. Edwards. Oho candidate Vrafc received for clearance.

During tho winter and spring months great ’• improvements have been made in tho Gear i Company’s meat freezing and . preserving ! works at Petono. The. freezing works them- : selves and tho tallow-house havp. been en- ] larged add new . machinery added. The . slaughter-house, manure works and tho pro- , serving buildings have been added 10 and ; their capacity greatly iucrcCtsSUi while in the i two latter buildings the., ver-yj.ate'st. ImdboVe-: menta in plant havb 13’ebil made, the latest American machinery having been obtained, A meeting of Court Robin Hood, A.0.F., - was held in tho Tory street Hallriast night, C.R. Bro J. George in the chair. Bro Fredrio, who was .the lodge’s delegate at-the list district meeting* r reported what had taken .place. The following nominations of officers for the onauibg term were received (J.R, Bro A. H. Learbottlo; 5.0. R., Pro A. L. Rogers; treasurer, Bro J. W. Ward; secretary, Brq J; T. Wobbor; S.W., Bros E crushes. G. Law, J. R. Ellison and T. Bridge; J.W, Bros B. Hughes, J. R. Ellison and T. Bridge ; 5.8.,8r0a E. Hughes audT. Bridge ; minute secretary, Bros R. G. Nowell, R. A. C. Fredrio and J. ( George. The nominations for tbo office of junior beadle were held over Until the next meeting. The lUV J. PatebSoli spoke afiho prize-! distribution at tho Girls’ High School on Saturday deprecating a too-wido choice of subjects in school work, and reminding the girls that it was better to do a few things thoroughly and well than many things badly,. These remarks were founded upon an expression of opinion in one of the reports of the examiners, and Mr Paterson’s speech mode a first-class impression at tho time, but probably ho was not quite satisfied With It by tho time Mias Hamilton bad got half-way through hOr little speech. The lady principal having emphasised first of all the importance of sending children to the school at an early ago so that they might have plenty of time for the wotk required of them* proceeded to deal with Mr Paterson somewhat vigorously, to the Undisguised amusement bf tho audience and tho equally great amusement of the rev gentleman himself. Are, we going to have a junior university sctiolarbUlp Ujls year ? Mf Paterson had asked her, to which ShC'hsld been able to reply only that the girls were Worked very hard, but would do their best, and theti Mr PUtersoil had conie to her with tho syllabus of a Southern college, and pointed out hoW many niore subjects they had as compared, with that of the Girls’ High School. “But now, to-day,” aild Bore Miss Hamilton beamed triumphantly upon tho audience, who saw the BUmbUr bf the situation and roared— 4 * Now, to’-day, Mr PatdrsoU comes and tells you that.it is better to limit the subjects bf study.” It was a clear score for the lady principal, and tho ladgll df Mr Paterson himself was one of tho heartiest.