LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3262, 20 October 1897, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Several letters to the Editor and a budget of Palmerston news will be found on our back page. The Awarua seat case will come before the Court of Appeal on Monday next. Mr Theo. Cooper (of Auckland) and Mr Skerrett will appear on behalf of Mr Ward. Argument was concluded yesterday in the Court of Appeal regarding the appeal of the Official Assignee in the estate of. Denis McGrath. Judgment was reserved. After a week’s sojourn in gaol, whither he was sent for medical treatment, Angus McDonald was yesterday 10a for drunkenness and ordered to pay .£1 18s 6d expenses incurred.

The new patent crane for coal-discharging purposes erected by the Harbour .Board at Jervoia quay received a trial yesterday afternoon, the bucket bei*g filled with water in the place of coal. The huge crane seemed to work most satisfactorily. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday a young man named Williim McLennan was charged on two counts with forgiog pawn tickets. An adjournment was applied for and granted, bail being fixed at two sureties of .£25. and accused in hie own recognisance of .£SO.

The recently-formed Old Boys’ Association of St. Patru k’a College has sained a number of new members from all parts of the colony. The Association will contribute an article to the College Annual, which is to be issued this year in an improved form, illustrated, and undpr the title “ Blue and White.” Mr O. Evans, proprietor of Evans* Diorama, met with an accident when returning to Feilding from Awahuri, sustaining a compound fracture and dislocation of the elbow of his left arm. Mr Evans was mounted on a bicycle, and was riding behind a trap that was conveying his apparatus. The front wheel swerved, and, the bandies failing to act, the rider went over an embankment.

. Ninety-four clerks attended the technical classes in Dunedin during the year just closed. Students whose oooupation is recorded under the head of ‘'Domestic Duties” were next in order; next to these were students attending school, and then came chemist*, engineers and warehousemen. Plumbers, domestic servants, office boys, drapers, dressmakers, grocers and students were next.

Mr Ammundsen, who has acted as ganger on the Hnnterville lino of railway during the last few years, and who has been promoted to take charge of the length at the Woodville end of the Manawatu Gorge, was on Saturday presented with a silver watch and chain, silver-mounted pipe and set of sleeve links at Hnnterville by his friends prior to his departure. The presentation was made by Mr Campbell, stationmaster. Judgment was yesterday given in the adjourned ease of Bedford and others (trustees of the Wellington Sooial Club) against W. B. .Rountree. Defendant was suedltor 18a 6d subscriptions alleged to be due to the club, and ha put in a counter claim for ill 13a for work done and debentures. Mr Kenny found for Rountree for £3 13s on the ground of equity and good conscience. Mr Hindmarsh applied for plaintiffs and Mr Luckie for the defendant. * There was a very short civil Hat at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Judgments went as follows 3. Scott v. O. Homestad, claim £2 2s, coats 10s, solicitor’s fee £ I 6s ; G. Dahtiel v. 3. Goodall, £lB 7s, costs £l, solicitor’s fee, 15a 6d; T, Price v. S. Y. Bnrridge, £l4, costa £l, solicitor's fee 15s 6d. In the defended case of the Wellington Bootmakers’ Society against W. Patience, plaintiffs were nonsuited, but no costs were allowed. Mr Hindmarsh appeared for the plaintiffs and Dr Findlay for the defendant.

Wo have been shown some specimens flax prepared under an improved process, the invention of Mr A. Bergiu. The treatment to which the flix is aubieoted greatly improves it in appearauoe, and adds to its value as a marketable commodity. One advantage claimed for the process is its cheapness, the oost being comparatively trifling. We under-stand-that a company is being formed to work the undertaking and to engage in the manufacture of a variety of articles in which flax is utilised. It is to be called the Industrial Flax Company, of Wellington. At a meeting of the (ijoatoun Hoad Board yesterday the special order to strike a rato of lid in the pound on all ' ratable property within the Seatoun _ read district, to secure the. payment of interest anti other charges on a loan of £IUOO lo* the purpose of constructing toads in the district, was passed,- and the clerk wae instructed to carry the resolution into effect. Matters in connection 1 with tho carrying out of works at Seatoun were left in the hands of the engineer. Accounts amounting to £25 16s wore passed for payment. •

The Public Works Committee of the Melrose Porocgh Council will recommrnd at the Council’s next meeting that Mr Baylis bo appointed to represent Melrose borough at the Conference regarding the Harbour Board Bill; that improvements be effected at Island Boy.roau in removing slips, etc ; that a oommittao he appointed to fix the rate of interest for any overdraft;. that the assent of the Council be given to the plan < f subdivision of portion of section 12, Uhiro ; and that permission be given for the closing of Tab! street, as shown on the plan of Maranui. At the meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees yesterday the secretary reported that a woman who had been in receipt of ohaiitablo aid had died. Mr Willoston mentioned the fact that the neighbours of the woman had been extremely kind to her. She had been lying ill from cancer for nine months, and the women living near bad been unremitting in their attention to the sick woman and her three children. He thought mention should] be made of the fact, as the neighbours had even paid the funeral expenses and attended the funeral. With regard to the future welfare of the children, the secretary was instructed to make enquirios. .

A curious story was told .by a.woman at the meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees yesterday. Her sister bad left her child, a baby of 20 months, in her keeping and had gone to Sydney. The woman asked the father for money for its keep. This was refused, and the woman took legal proceedings to compel him to pay. On The case coming into Court the man denied paternity of the child, and also stated that he was not the husband of its mother, although the child’s birth had been registered as the joint issue of their marriage, and that it had not been baptised. The woman asked that the child should be committed to an industrial school. She had seven of her own children to care for, and they were all living in a three roomed house. The Trustees decided to send the child to a woman’s house who would care for it at a small charge, and the infant was at once despatched to its new home. A young man, 21 years of age, almost bootless, hair unkempt and tattered clothes, .appeared : before the Benevolent Institution Trustees yesterday The young fellow had walked- from Auckland to Gisborne, and from the latter place, through the agency of some kind people, a passage to Wellington by steamer had been obtained for him. When a boy he had been sent to an industrial school,; and had been hired out by a man whom he said had ill-treated him, one day striking him so severely on the head that deafness followed. To make him understand the Trustees had almost to yell at l ira. The boy had come to Wellington to see . the Pnblio Trustee. A brother had died, leaving a sum of over £2OO to goto the next of kin. The father received the money, and.the deaf son wanted the Trustee to compel the father to hand a portion of the money over to him. For the past few nights the boy had been living at the Ohiro Homo, bat as he had no claim on the local Board, the Trustees decided to grant him a-passage back' to Gisborne,

Mr S. Lancaster presided at the meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees yesterday afternoon. The other Trustees present were—-Messrs C. E. Willeston, R. Mbthes, F. Bradey, G. H- Baylis and T. W. McKenzie. The Rev H. Van Stavereu attend ed the meeting at a later stage. The action of two of the Trustees in sending an old man suffering from asthma to the Home was approved. Several recipieuta of aid were struck off the books. The secretary reported that the woman who had been found wandering in the streets with her child and who had been sentenced to two months in gaol, but was subsequently removed to the Ohiro Home, had lost her reason and had , been committed to the Lunatic Asylum. The master, of the Home reported that to date there were 91 inmates in the Home. Rations were granted to a woman with, five children whose husband is working in the country. He had sent his wife .£2, but this was absorbed in paying back rent. -4 Another woman, the possessor also of five children, was granted a‘passage for self and family to a country town, where her husband has succeeded in obtaining employment. A woman, whose husband is Izftno Hospital, and who has to Support dirfe'*children, J waai granted temporary relief. 1 An old man 62 years of age, who had been engaged; cleaning old bricks at lod per 100, asked the Trustees, to; find him work. He did not want food or money from the Trustees. It was decided to .do what was possible for the man. A large r number of other cases were dealt

Mr \V. A. Fitsherbert is a candidate for re-election to the office of Mayor of the Hutt Borough. The Scottish Thistle Club's ee-ond ingleside will take place at the Rochabite Hall, Manners street, to-night.

A copy of the “ Jubi'ee Book on Cricket,” by Prince Raugitainhji. has been obtained for the Free Library. A company has been formed in Napier with a capital of .£IOOO to recover salvage from the wrecked steamer Tasmania.

Constable Baker yesterday arrested a seaman named Andrew Stark on a charge of deserting from the barque Devonport. Mr Beauchamp, partner with Mr H. A. Field, M.H tv., has been seriously ill for the past week or two. He was taken to Otaki on I‘hursday evening last for medical treatment, and ..ow lies in a oritical stale

An advertisement in another column an nonnees that copies of the full prospectus of the Fresh Milk and Food Company may be obtained at the office of Mr Lewis H. B. Wilson, who will receive applications for shares.

Owing to an error in the catalogue of tke recent Dog Show, in the Skye terrier class Mr F. H. Williams' Laird, which was first, was given second place in oar report of the show, and Miss Hannay'a Prince, which was second, was made to appear first. The Government parade of the D Battery took place last night. There were 53 men on parade under the command of Captain War* ren and Lieutenants Hnme and Rose. The battery was exercised in the manual exercise, signalling, long-sword drill and knotting and splicing. The mission service at the Wesleyan Church last night was well attended, when Mr U’Donnoll spoke on “ The Healing of the Blind Man." The mission is to be continued to-day, when there will be a Bible reading in the afternoon and a publio meet* ing at night. The Natives' Association meets on Thursday evening next, when a programme arranged by the secretary will be given, Judging by the names of those who have promised to contribute items, the evening's entertainment should prove a very enjoyable one to the members of the Association.

Mr P. J. O’Kegau, proposed to give notice of motion at the Charitable Aid Conference yesterday, that the Conference heartily approves of the principle of old age pensions, and hopes that the Government will proceed to give effect to the same. The chairman, however, ruled the motion out of order.

The Kelburne Biflos paraded last night, when there were 52 of all ranks present, under Captain Davis and Lieutenants McDonald and Henderson. The corps was exercised in company and battalion drill by the officers, under the supervision of Staff SergeantMajor Finn. Squads were told off to arrange for class-firing, which takes place to-day and to-morrow.

Mr D. MoLoan, speaking at the Charitable Aid Conference yesterday, said that farmers were almost as much entitled to the pound for pound; which the charitable aid boards secured from the Government as the boards were. He knew a ease on one station last year where 10U0 swaggers applied for and obtained rations.

The fortnightly meeting of Viotom Kebekah Lodge was hold last night in the Oddfellows’ nail, Lambton quay. There was a good attendance, and ifirs Skinner, K.G., was in the chair. ihe Social Committee reported that the, Lodge ’ social ’ held recently was a success financially, and a vole of thanks was passed to the committee for its services.

The fourth annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be held this afternoon in .the Art Gallery, when the prizes won by the children belonging to the Band of Meroy will bo presented by the Countess of Kanfurly. Hia Excellency the Governor will preside, and addressee will be given by Sit Robert Stout, Hon T. W.' Hialop and other gentlemen. All interested in the’ Society’s work are cordially invited to attend the meeting. “Crescent against Cross: or, Armenia’s Thrilling Story ’’ is the subject of Mr Albert Lndbtook’s farewell lantern lecture at the Christian Chapel, Dixon street, to night, and • at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Petone, on Thursday. Mr Ludhrook’s facts and illustrations wore gathered during his travels in Turkey from missionaries and others who had been resident in Armenia during the lata terrible massacres, so that the lecture should be one of special interest. Particulars are advertised.

Mr Wm'. Booth, probably having in hia mind’s eye the recent disputes between the trades uuions and their employers before the Conciliation Board, ye>torday remarked at the sitting of the Charitable Aid Conference that the great amount of restriction that had been placed upon the employment of young people was causing a heavy drain on the funds of the charitable aid bodies. If the community was going to restrict the employ ment of young people it must agree to cheerfully face the difficulty of finding money to relievo them, or else must export them from the country.

The Wellington Orchestral Society held a very successful rehearsal last niirht under Mr Manghan Barnett's baton for the concert on the 26th inst. One of the features of the programme will be the Emperor concerto of Beethoven for piano and orchestra, to be played by Mr Barnett and the Society. This fine work was heard at a previous concert, and its repetition will bo heartily welcomed. The " Andaloose et Toreador,” by Bubinstein j two numbers of the “ Hungarian Dances ” of Brahma and an overture by Cherubini (to be given for the first time by the Society) will also be played. Hr J. W. Hill will be the singer of the evening. The items to bo comprised in the entertainment which is to bo given by Bady Douglas in the Opera House on the 27th instant, in aid of the Thorndon Boys’Club in the Sydney street schoolroom, appear in our columns today. The announcement that the “ Statue Gallery ” is to be reproduced, bat on a larger scale than formerly, that there are to bo bicycle and fencing displays by young ladies, that Mr D. Sawtell will appear in the "Zoophone,” and that “ Living Pictures ” from recent art studies are in the programme, whilst Mias Laura Grave, Messrs Ptouso and DougUs-Jaokson are contributing iho musical portion of the entertainment, should ensure a largo attendance.

A general meeting of the Eight Hours Demonstration Committee was helil in the Trade! Ha'l last night, Mr C. Lamb, vicepresident, in the chair. The Procession Committee’s report was adopted- It recommended that another procession bo held on the 9th November, as several trades had been unable to make displays on Labour Day, and they had intimated that they would like to have another opportunity. There will probably be a substantial prize offered for the bast “Darktown ”, turn-out, and there wi 1 be an improved reproduction of the “ Eighthour Claim ” bpooial prizes were granted to the tailors and the cricket field displays, and a second prize was given in the best springdray event to Mr Walker. Tne exhibit of Bird and Stewart’s, which took fourth prize in the best trades or labour working display, was disqualified for advertising on the lorry, thus making it come under the heading of industrial displays. The procession prizes were passed for payment, and will be paid to the successful competitors to-night, on application at the Trades Hall. An offer of a prize from the New Zealand Natives* Association was referred to the Sports Committee.

Mr P. |(J. O’Dell’s handsome residence and grounds in Laurence street are to be sold at public auction this day by Messrs Haroourt and Co., acting under instructions trom the assignees in the estate. The freehold section has 100 ft frontage to Laurence street by a depth el 165ft* part laid out as a lawn ■ and the remainder ' prepared ready for planting or sowing. The -house it, a good one, with modern conveniences, and there is stabiing and coach-house, ail well built and in first-rate order. Messrs Baker Bros., auctioneers, hold an important sale of city properties at 2.30 this afternoon in their auction mart, 88, Lambton quay. From the fact that the properties ere to be sold to close the estate of the iaie Mr Bramley, speculators will have an opportunity of, obtaining bargains.,. The Wellington-Manawatn Railway Company Invites tenders for the purchase of section 8, block 16, Belmont Survey District. Mr W. P. Shortt sells clothing at 2-30 o’clock tosample case of silver, e.p. ware, &0., is to be sold to-day by Messrs Sidey and Co., at 11 o’clock.