LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3128, 14 May 1897, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In onr Literary Supplement to-morrow there will bo presented to the readers of the New Zealand Times the full text of the letter addressed by Mr Gladstone to the Duke of Westminster on the Eastorii Question. Wo acknowledge our indebtedness to the London Daily Chronicle —a paper which is famous the world over for its great enterprise—for what may be termed a history of the Eastern Question in the most readable form in which it has ever been presented_ “ Nancy and Martha,” specially written for ns by Mrs Lucy Stuart, is & well drawn sketch of the characters met with iu the United States Government schools, established for the lifting up of Indians from savagedom to civilisation. The serial story, “ Fields of Fair Renown,” will be continued, and the “Weekly Echoes” of “Scrutator” will also find a place in the columns of this valuable collection of reading matter. As an additional feature " Silverspnr ” has con. tribnted a epecial column of Sporting, which will no doubt be duly appreciated. A large amount of interesting matter will be found on our back page to-day, including a precis of the report of the No. 3 Cooperative Building Society, bowling nows, a letter from onr Wanganui correspondent, and a report of the proceedings at the meeting of the Conciliation Board in reference to the tailors’ dispute.

The Trades and Labour Council regrets the absou'e rf branches of the Iron and Brass Monidera’ Union in the colony. It is stated that there has lately been an influx of nonunion moulders into tho colony who arc not particular os to the rate of wages they receive It is probable that an endeavour will be made to establish a branch in Wellington.

The North Island Railway Appeal Board sits at "Wanganui on Tuesday,

The new police station in Manners street is to be erected by co-operative labour.

“We acknowledge receipt of a copy of Fujr Play> devoted to athletics and football m Wellington.

The Wellington Kennel Club’s nest show has been fixed to take place on September 17th and 18th.

The meeting of the City Council yesterday to confirm the burgess rolls was adjourned till Thursday next.

A man named Brenkley was severely in* jured at Norsewood on Monday by being gored by a bullock. Mr Burke, representing a Wellington syndicate, intends to prospect the country lr ou i Bullock Creek to Paparoa Gorge, on the West Coast. The committee of the Wellington Kennel Club are negotiating for the services of Mr E. H. Cox, of Sydney, as judge of all classes at their next show. Two persons were convicted of drunkenness yesterday at Mount Cook Station by Mr . Hildreth, J.P., and discharged. A woman was arrested during the day on the charge of drunkenness. In consideration of the way In which they worked in connection with the Petone murder, Government have granted bonuses of .£5 each to Sergeant O’Malley, Constables \v right, Cox, Poster and Craickshank. The Court- of Arbitration, consisting of His Honor Mr Justice Williams, Mr R. Slater, J.P., Mr Pleasant (Caversham) and Mr Henry Thompson (Christchurch), meet on Monday morning to consider the dispute in reference to seamen’s wages. The new culvert at Humber street, Island Bay, is completed, and only the clearing of the stream remains to be done. The contractor, *Mr Daly, is about to start construction of another culvert in Kilbirnie, at the Hamilton road diversion.

Yesterday the Marino Department were informed that the Hinomoa, which arrived at the Bluff on the previous night, visited the Auokland, Bounty, Antipodes and Campbell Islands. The depots of provisions had not been touched since the last visit. The Hlaemoa will return to Wellington via the West Coast in about 10 days. A most successful rehearsal was hold by Mr Maughan Barnett’s Musical Society last night. Messrs Barnett and Adams’ now composition was practised, Mr Watkins acting as conductor in the place of Mr Barnett, who was having a rehearsal with the orchestra at the Dresden, where the accompaniments to the above-mentioned piece were tried ; also Cowan’s “Song of Thanksgiving” and Beethoven’s “ Emperor Concerto.” A resolution was passed at a meeting of the Marlborough Education Board, again urging the Government to favourably consider the application to make provision for secondary education in Alarlbo.ough. It is asked that, failing a diroot vote of Parliament in favour of an endowment, a sufficient annual sum of money be granted to establish'*provision proportionate to the advantages enjoyed in other provinces. At the sale at Palmerston North on Wednesday of a number of sections of Crown land, three sections in Bunnythorpe, of one acre each, were offered at an upset price of .£ls, anti realised £3O. Two sections m Palmerston North—one of them subject to a lease—and a section at Jackeytown, were passed in. Two reserves in Bunnythorpe offered for lease wore disposed of—one at 10s (the upset annual rental), and the other, comprising two sections, at .£l, or 8s more than the upset rental.

At the meeting of the executive of the New Zealand I£onnel Club last nigbt at the Trocadoro, Mr R. Triggs in the chair, the schedules for the Wellington, Invercargill and Marlborough shows wore approved. It was resolved to ash the Southland Poultry and Dog Society to undertake the management ot a produce stake for 1893. As Mr Maddox, delegate for Auckland, is leaving on a visit to that city, it was decided to ask him to convene a meeting ot the Auckland Club to deal with correspondence in arrear.

From a stock of now books to hand by the Matatua, Mr 1. W. Rowo, M.A., selected yesterday a number of works, principally ot fiction, for the Free Library. Am mgst these is Crockett’s latest navel, “ Lad’s Love ; a handsome copy of “ l.'ho Well-beloved, one of the Wessex series, by Thomas Hardy ; and there are also volumes by William Black, Mrs Henry Wood, Beatrice Harradcn, and others. Balzac’s “ Catherine do Medici,” the “Clarissa Furiosa” of W. F. Norris, and “ The Sopov Revolt,” a work by LieutenantGeneral McLeod Innes, are likewise amongst the collection.

As comparing last with this, it

worthy of note that tho only dispute of any importance settled during ISt'C in connection with tho Sydney branch of the Australasian Institution of Marino Engineers was one with the Union. Company for having removed a fourth engineer from tho Hauroto, when she was taken from tho Australian-New Zealand trade and entered upon the Sydney-Tasmania service. The removal was contrary to agreement, and after some trouble a fourth engineer was again placed in the vessel. More serious, however, wore tho disputes a few months since, but they, fortunately, have now been settled. Carl Hertz, who is at present appearing on tho West Coast with remarkable success, will make bis reappearance in Wellington on Friday evening next, at tho Opera House, for a four nights’ season, prior to his departure for London, Special holiday attractions will be presented, including tho first presentation in Wellington of the marvellous illusion “ Vanity Fair,” and also a complete aeries of fresh pictures in the original oinematographe, which will also include portraits of Her Majesty the Queen and other members of tho Royal Family. Mr Edwin Geaoh arrived from the Coast yesterday to make arrangemeats for the season.

There was a maguificent display of meat and game in the Gear Bleat Company’s promises, Lambton quay, last night, there being no fewer than 75 sheep and 14 oxen on view in “wholes,” “halves” and “joints,” and a real live monster turtle on the centre block, which attracted a great deal of attention. The whole turn-out was moat tastefully exhibited, and iu a special window at the side wore shown some special novelties of carved work set off with flowers and tinselling. The game, consisting mostly of pheasants and grey ducks, were festooned amongst the carcases, and heightened the effect of u most creditable display. A meeting of the newly-formed Gymnastro Club will be held to-night at St, Peter’s Schoolroom. The Provisional Committee have been very busy selecting gear and making the necessary arrangements for an early start, and ovoiy thing premises to bo in readiness by Tuesday night next. The club has been most fortunate in securing the services, as director, of Mr T. Tankard, whoso modern system of physical training is both interesting and useful. Some idea as to his success may be gained by a glance at some photographs which arc on exhibition in Mr Hoffmann’s window in Willis street. They represent exorcises and feats by his Taranaki pupils after but four months’ tuition. All those desirous of joining should attend the meeting to-night. The sixteenth annual report of the Australasian Institution of Marino Engineers is now being circulated amongst members, who are somewhat surprised at not finding in it any account of tho resignation and subsequent return of Mr T. D. Hay, the general secretary. The only reference made to the incident by Mr Hay iu the report (dated March 30th) roads as follows: —“To my infinite regret, the council decided last night—-altogether at variance with previous practice— that.Ho matter re strike, conference, or my explanation of occurrences (about 20 pages) in connection with and loading to my resignation as general secretary shall appear in this, the 1896, report, the incidents related having occurred in 1897. 1 regret this, because it will afford our members no explanation of matters which they are to some extent still in tue dark about, and the result of vote may place it beyond ray power to again address you.” A report has been current in town, says the Tim rn Herald of Wednesday last, for some days that a largo boat bearing the name “ Wairarapa” has been washed ashoro near the wreck of the Elginshire, and, of course, it was supposed to be a waif from the wreck of the steamer Wairarapa on Great Barrier Island a couple of year* ago. Wo have uot mentioned this report before, ponding some confirmation of it, because it seemed so improbable that one of the Wairarapa’s boats could have found it way to Normanby against the prevalent northerly current. Wo hare now obtained more precise information from Mr Mlia, who Uvea near the locality, and learn that the name on the boat is “ Wai* raurahiri,” or 11 Wairau iiaiiiri,” and that it is a larg3 one about 27rt long, with fittings for a mast, i-. bluci-h grey in colour, and had not been long in tho water. Tho boat is much damaged, i-s back being broken. It is probably a fishing boat lost from some point in the south. 4-t the civil sittings of tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday judgment was entered up for plaintiffs in tho following civil cases :—Commercial Agency, Limited, v. H. Keardou, £5 10s. costs £i 5s Gd; same v. A. Burns, 10s 3d, costs £\ 5b Gi ; same v. C. W. Reardon, ilia Os 2d, cpvts ,£1153 GI ; Ve Aro Loan Company v. S, J. Dyer and T. M. Healey. .£G 12s, costs 15s Gd *, j. E. Jansen v. Mrs G. Harris, £1 12s 10d, costs 6s ; Wellington City Corporation v. 3. Hughes. £2 5s lid, costsGa ; same v. J. Johnson, .£lO 9s 4d, costs £\ ;H, J. y. S, J. .Dyer, .£3 15s fid. costs 9s,* isame v. Mrs J. E. Jones, .£3 18s, coats 7s; Walsh and Company v. T. Parata. «£3 12s, costs .£2 Gs ; J. a. Hall v, j. B. Thomson, £L 7s (SJ. ucsti 11a; Commercial Trust and Loan Company v. G. Bosher, .£3—l4s, costs Ss, In the liugton City Corporation v. G. W. Smart, claim £5 2s 5d for rat 's due, the pliintiff was nonsuited on the ground that tho defendant, though collecting the rents, bad no interest in the property. Mr T. F. Martin, City Solicitor, appeared for the plaintiff and Mr E. F. Hadfieid lor the defendant. The Appeal Court was occupied yesterday morning in hearing an appeal by the National Bank of New Zealand, Limited, against a decision of the Chief Justice’s in the case of the Langstone Sheep Medicine Company. Mr Hislop appeared for the Bank, and Mr Campbell for tho liquidator of the Company, Mr Howe, The case was one in which the directors of the Company shortly before the Company was wound up, gave security to the Bank over the uncalled capital of the Company to cover the Company’s overdraft with the Bank, which had been guaranteed bv the directors personally His Honor the Ctuef Justice, sitting in Banco, decided that the giving of the security was a _ fraudulent preference on the ground that it appeared that, although one of the motives for g»ving the security was the desire of the directors to protect themselves as guarantors, yet the motive in giving a preference to tue Bank m compliance with a demand mode by it for further security also cxi ted ns a Piv'“ta.nt>al motive moving the Company or the directors, and that there was an absence of honajides and full knowledge of all the circumstances. The lLir>V now appealed against the decision on the ground that the judgment was erroneous in point of law. Their Honors reserved their decision.

Alick Lindop, tho victim of the bicycle accident at Cartoi-tou, is still unconscious. Mr ,T. Jones, of Eketahuna, shot a hawk the other day which measured fifty-olio inches from tip to tip. Mr J. A. Campbell’s tender of J 1303 has been accepted by the Public Works Department for tho erection of a courthouse at Mos^iel. An old man named Evans, an employee ,of the Grey Gas Works, fainted while drawing a charge, and fell across the rod hot coke, being badly burned. A largo body of men is engaged in laying tho foundation for the new wooden wing which is to bo erected at the south-east end of the Government Buildings. It is stated that no definite arrangement has yet been made for a conference between tho Minister of Public Works and tho delegates of the friendly societies. Tho secretary of tho Marlberough Education Board has been instructed to make inquiries ns to tho best system of shorthand to introduce into the schools in that district. The man William Jones, who was found guilty on a charge of stealing property belonging to tho Union Steam Ship Company valued at .£2, was yesterday admitted to probation for six months.

Mr Horneman, secretary to tho Minister of Public Works, sustained a very painful injury to his right knee on Wednesday through slipping on some rubbish at tho top of Plimmer’s Stops and falling heavily.

“ Look after tho pence and tho pounds will take cara of themselves.” A Chinaman was arrested yesterday for stealing .£2 IDs lid, the property of another Chinaman. Included in tho amount were ISO pennies.

Letters of naturalisation have been issued to the following Charles Svante Lawson, Cromarty, Wilson River ; Frank Lindstrom, Wade; Johan Albert Nikander, Christchurch; George Petersen, Eketahuna. A Palmerston resident stated to the Borough Council on Wednesday that during the time he had been in business in Palmerston North he had paid rout amounting to s£2u(Jo for an office which had cost the owner .£2OO.

Tho Renwicktown (Marlborough) School Committee suggest that the new school there should bo opened on Juno 22nd with the object of impressing on tho minds of tho children tho occasion of th# record reign

celebration ! ■ The following notice appears in the Rnngitikei Advocate —Birth.—Loohhead— May Bth, 1897, at Matamau, the wife of J. M. R. Loohhead, of a daughter. Och, man, I thocht she was a Tonal’. A’ weal, here’s tao ye, Betsy. At tho mooting of tho Trades and Labour Council last night a letter was received from Mr Morton A. Aldrich, of Munich, Germany, asking for information as to the organisation of Trades Unions in Now Zealand, We. i'ho secretary was instructed to supply tue requested information.

Early yesterday morning: a seaman belonging to the steamer Flora 101 l overboard, but the constable on the wharf heard the splash, and with the assistance of the watchman on the Flora quickly effected a rencao. Though somewhat exhausted, he was very little the worse for his immersion.

A merry party of young fellows, described as tho Hbromoana Club, of Worscr Bay, were entertained at the Troc.uluro last night by their captains, and made tho welkin ring with their songs and cheering. Toasts wore enthusiastically honoured, and songs were sung by Messrs Mayer, Mackay, Henderson, Matthews and others.

The report of Mr 11. Eyre Kenny in connection with the enquiry which ho recently made into charges preferred against tho master and matron ot tho Homo for tho Aged Needy has been forwarded to His Excellency tho Administrator, who will refer it to the Hon W. C. Walker, Minister iif charge ol Hospitals and Asylums, probably to-day.

Tho Postal Department has notified postmasters that the Mayors of Foilding, Marton, Wanganui, Palmerston and koxton, the chairman of the Town Board, Bulls, chair* man of tho County Council, Sanson, and

chairman of Belief Committee, Sanson, are authorised to frank letters and telegrams on business of tho Jtiaugitikoi Belief i und. Ono hundred men are employed under the co-operative system on the section ot the Midland Hallway between Otira Gorge and Jackson’s, but the Hue will not be completed under throe years, as the formation, which runs along tho river side, is difficult. On tho Belgrovo-ilotueka section 50 men are employed under the same system.

At yesterday morning’s meeting ot tho North Wairarapa Benevolent Society, says the IKairarapa Daily Times , the chairman said 2(1 casual cases had hooa relieved during tho month ; “all good men and true, with recommendations from tho poUce.” He meant that none ot them were c£ the mating ” class. The cost had been XI 12a. The Christchurch Press says :—The member of tho Mounted Hides who has undergoing imprisonment in Lyttelton Gaol in default of payment of fine for non-earning of capitation was released on Wednesday. The money was paid on his behalf, and tne man came to Christchurch and went on to tho place where his wife and five children are living.

At a football match on Wednesday at Mavton a player named A. Fnnaton sustained very severe injuries. Hr Tytberidge was summoned,and stated thatthe injured man was suffering from concussion of tho brain and spine. Later ho regained consciousness, but his agonies were so great that morphia was administered to him to put him to sleep. Yesterday morning he was still unconscious.

The president and secretary of the Trades and Labour Council and Messrs Worth and itawcua have teen appointed to interview Messrs Fiahor and Hutcheson, M.’s.H.U., members for this city, to urge upon them the claims of the gum-diggers in the direction of getting the Government to interest themselves in the finding of markets for the gum. It is suggested that a license fee should be levied on gumdiggcrs, such licenses to be issued to British subjects only. The Empire Tea Company, Wellington, of which Messrs W. and G. Turnbull and Co. are the proprietors, have decided to olier two prizes of the value of and -TlO ior the first and second best original designs for a tea show card. The competition is confined to registered students of the Technical Schools of New Zealand. The liberality and enterprise thus displaced by Messrs \\. and G. Turnbull and Co. to the Technical Schools of New Zealand will no doubt result in a fine collection of designs being sent in. The red deer presented to the West Coast Acclimatisation Society by the Hon Mr Cadman are both dead. The doe was dull and looking sickly when she arrived on the coast, but it was thought she was ou'y safi'ccing from sea sickness. She did not give very much trouble to those conveying her and her mate to the ranges, but she was evidently in a sickly state and died before reaching her destination. Dio buck was very troublesome, and tried the resources ol the men to the utmost. On the death of h'3 companion he became uncontrollable and killed himself. A remarkably idiotic act was performed by a Maori named Fora JTeraharaha at Gisborne the other morning. While cleaning out his gun ho placed & lighted inatcu at one cud, and put the other end io bis mouth to blow down it the more effectively to clear away any obstructions that might bo in it The obstructions ca no away ail right, but not quite in the way intended. It unfortunately happened that there was a, quantity of powder in the barrel, and this exploding caused somewhat severe injuries to the operator’s mouth. He was at once taken to the hospital and attended to by Hr Craig.

The authorities of St. Patrick s College annually submit two scholarships to the va.ue of 40 guineas each for competition. The scholarships aro tenable for two years, and are open to pupils attending the Catholic schools of the colony. Candidates must be under Id years of age, and must gam over 4u percent, of marks on auy subject. Ihe loilowing is the programme ; —Christian doctrine —Bntler’s larpe catechism complete. Grammar_Accideuoe and syntax, parsing, grammatical, analysis, letter-writing- and composition. English author —“ L Allegro and li Penseroso ” (Hilton). Geography General notions of geography (physical and political), Africa in outline, Europe and ietr Zealand in detail. History—English history, general events with dates from 1480 to 1887. Irish history—Dannt’s. The period between 1639 and 1883. Arithmetic—Simple and compound rules, vulgar and decimal fractious, practice, proportion, simple and compound interest, discount. Euclid —-Boob I. Text only. Algebra—Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.

A Celestial burdened with the name of Ton? Chun? Lum was arrested yesterday morning by Constable Carroll for breaking and entering by day the dwelling of Yong Lee and stealing .£2 10s lid, tbe moneys of Wong Kum, and for assaulting Wah Hung. The facts of the case, aa far as can be ascertained, are: —Yong Chung Lum entered the house of Yong Lee, and after a search came across tho property of Wong Kum, whe lives with Yong Leo. In Wong Kura's poasessions Yong Chung Lum found a sum of money and appropriated it. Wah Hung was about to enter Yong Lee's house, when he met Yong Chung Lsm coming out with Wong Kura’s money. Wah Hung thought that Yong Chung Lum had no right to bd in Yong Lee’s house, and especially "dth WongKum’e money, so he tried to arrest him. Yong Chung Lum objected, and struck Wah Hung on the head with a bamboo carrying-stick, and caused the blood to flow. Whether the stiok belonged to Yong Chung Lum, Yong Lee, Wong Kum or Wah Hung has not been stated. However, Mr Konny, S.M., remanded Yong Chung Lum on both charges until Monday, when a number of Justices of the Peace will unravel tho matter. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, before the Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr H. Eyre Kenny, Frank Philpott pleaded guily to charges of stealing a pawn ticket valued at £2 f and of obtaining board and lodging to the amount of .£i from S. Wyeth by means of false pretences. On the former charge he was sentenced to seven days, and to the latter to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour. Accused had lately come out of tb© Taranaki gaol after serving a sentence of two years. A Salvation Army officer cared for him, and the accused showed his gratitude by stealing the pawn ticket from him. He then went to live with another Army officer. Board and lodging was forthcoming on the understanding that he was a remittance man. Remittances, however, did not arrive. Hence the Court proceedings. James Darmody pleaded not guilty to a charge of disobeying an order of the Court to pay 8a per week for the support ef his wife. The arrears amounted to J£s 12s. The accused stated that he had been travelling about the country seeking work, and th’-ee weeks ago hiJ obtained empb*y:u rnt. Te exprf-..-? d his wiidnerness to co ply with the order. The Magistrate said he would reduce the amount ot arrears to which, sum the accused had in hia possession, and would adjourn the case for a month. lithe accused continued the payments during that period , he would then dismiss the charge. |

Thu Seatonn Road Board is to strike n. general rate for tho year of ;d in the pound —tbo same amount, as last year s rate.

The Wanganui Volunteer Fire Brigade has decided to order 10U0 feet of best canvas hose from Messrs Mcrryweather and bona, London.

While Mr Malcolm Ross was, lecturing at St. Peter’s Schoolroom last night he «as frequently interrupted by a drunken man at tho back of the hall.

The complimentary 11 social” tendered to Mr Charles Wilson, M.H.K., by the members of his Brooklyn Election Committee mll L bold this evening in the \ ogeltown btaio school.

We understand that some misunderstanding has arisen between the contractor lor tue outfall sewer and tho drainage authorities over the manner in which tho work has been carried out.

A meeting of the M elhngtou Rose Croix Chapter No. I t was held at the Oddfellows Hall, Lambton quay, last night, and there was a fair attendance of Sir Knights. During the evening three candidates were proposed. Members of tho Federated Seamen a Union are urgently requested to attend a special meeting to-night in tho rooms, 8, Grey street, at 8 o'clock, for tho purpose of electing a committee of management and other special business.

The “horse-fiend” is again at his dastardly tricks at Christchurch, his mania being to stab the animals while asleep in tho paddocks at night. A horse belonging to Messrs Warded Bros, received a terrible wound on Wednesday night. TboWoodvillo Choose Factory, and also

the manager’s house, piggeries and 12 acres of land were sold yesterday to tho Dairy Union, who take possession on Juno Ist. It is the intention of tho Union to carry on cheesemaking as well as the manufacture t f butter.

The secretary of tho "Wellington Trades Council has decided to write to all organised bodies in tuis district asking them to consider the advisability of guaranteeing one shilling per head per year towards retaining tho services of Mr Ben Tillett us ft labour organiser in this colony.

To-night tbo grand popular concert in aid of the Hawke’s Bay Relief Fund is to be given in the Opera House, and it is to bo hoped that tho public will attend in largo numbers. Tho programme, as set out in another column, is a good ouo, and contains tho names of some of our leading amateurs. Populars prices are to be charged. The Wellington Trades Council has voted XI to tho fund to enable Mr Geoghcgan to pro-eente his appeal against tho decision of a Supreme Court Judge in his action against tho Groymouth and Point Elizabeth Coal Company in respect to claims in connection with tho Brunner mine disaster. Tho other labour bodies in the city are to bo asked to subscribe.

The New 'Zealand Kennel Club recently suggested that a judge should bo brought from England to judge tho dog classes at all tho Australasian shows. The proposal was communicated to the leading clubs ol Australia for their opinion, and letters have been received in reply from the \ ictoriau Poultry and Dog Society, tho Now South Wales Kennel Club ami the Queensland Kennel Club and wore road at last night a meeting of tho New Zealand body. Tho purnort of tho replies is that, while tho principle is a good one, the proposal is at the present time premature, as there are obvious difficulties which would prevent its being carried into effect.

“ A Trip Through tho Glaciers and Peaks of the Southern Alps,” illustrated by some magnificent lantern dissolving views, was tho subject of a chatty and delightful lecture given by Mr Malcolm Boss, tho well-known journalist and explorer, in aid of iho Brooklyn Church building fund at St. Peter's Schoolroom last night. After taking kia audience through tho valloys and peaks surrounding the West Coast sounds, Mr Boss led them over the glaciers, passes and mountain slopes surrounding Mount Cook, illustrating the journey with numerous views, 'i he lantern was supplied and worked by Mr Chapman, of Petoue. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Boss for a most interesting and enjoyable lecture. Tho fortnightly meeting of tho Carriers* Union was held last night, Mt Allan Orr presiding. The delegates to the Eight Hours i Committee reported that everything was well advanced for tho forthcoming demonstration, which promises to bo the best of its kind yet held in Wellington, A deputation, consisting of tho officers of the Union, was appointed to wait on the Wharves and Accounts Committee of tho Harbour Board this afternoon to discuss questions affecting tho carriers. Mr S. Waters wrote giving a number of suggestions for the benefit of the Union, and it was decided to ask Mr Waters to attend the next meeting of tho Union, and explain his suggestions. Tho committee reported that Fischer’s String Band had been engaged to supply tho music at tho “ social ” next Friday.

Tho annual report of the Wellington Kennel Club Committee, to be submitted at tho meeting on the 31st inst., congratulates members on tho continued progress of the club, and the very marked improvement in its financial position. Tho club is now free from dobt, and tho membership has boon largely increased. The annual show was undoubtedly tho moat successful over hold in Now Zealand, as proved by the record number of entries and the satisfactory financial result. The report mentions that a large number of dogs have been imported lately from Great Britain and tho Australian colonies, also thatseveral important sales of well-bred dogs have been made from Now Zealand to Australia. The committee has taken in hand the question of the schedules for the September Bhow,_and those are ready for issue, The committee acknowledges the valuable assistance received from tho donors of special prizes and the press.

At a meeting of the committee of the Weilington Tree-planting and Scenery Preservation Society held last evening several new members were elected. Subscription cards wore issued to the members of the committee with a view to collecting funds to fence the plantation reserve at Salamanca road, and several promises of subscriptions were announced. A ground committee was appointed, and arrangements were made for preparing stations lor trees to bo planted this season. It was resolved that a letter bo written to the Mayor with reference to the statements recently made by Councillor Higginbottom at the City Council. A resolution wss also passed that the Government be written to and asked to issue pamphlets giving directions to the public as to tbo best mode of planting trees, and the names of varieties suitable for planting on Arbour Bay.

Shippers by the s.s. Mataturv, from London, are requested to take delivery of cargo at once. It will be noticed from the Blackball Coal Company’s advertisement that operations have now been resumed at the Company’s mine, and that regular supplies of all kinds of Blackball coal can now be obtained as usual from the Conumny’a yard, Waterloo quay. The first shipment since the accident will arrive per Pareora on Monday next. To-day, at 2 o’clock sharp, Messrs J. H. Bethuno and Co. will sell by public auction at their rooms, Fcalherston street, a large consignment of choice plants from Mitchiusou’s well-known Caledonian Nursery, New Plymouth, including splendid camellias, azaleas, heaths, rhododendrons, palms, pohutukawas, selected .bulbs and a large assortment of forest trees and coniform,as per catalogue. W. F. Shortt sells this afternoon, under distraint for rent, furniture, wearing ax>P ar °l and fancy goods. Messrs T. C. Williams Company, through their attorneys, W. M. Bannatyne and Co., offer a reward of £lO to any person giving such information aa will lead to the conviction of any trader found substituting cheap and inferior aromatic tobaccos for their world-renowned Imperial Ruby Bird’s-eyo Twist. A. G. Taino and Co. hold their weekly sale of furniture this afternoon, at 1.30. An hour later they will offer ladies’ and gentlemen’s bicycles, pianos, &c. . ... , _ To-morrow afternoon Francis Sidey and Co. sell pure Leghorn and other fowls, Prince of Wales ferns and a small lot of furniture.