LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3310, 17 December 1897, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A report of the, meeting of the flafcbonr Board and letters to the Editor will be found on the back page l . The Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland district *6’£ the United Ancient Order of Druids has been registered as a. friendly Society. The swimming baths provided at Wellington College by the generosity of Mr and Mrs U. D. Bell are to be opened in February next. , • A block of land containing 3900 acres in the Wellington land district, Doing section. No. S, s blocKs 3 and 10, Rowa Slirvey District, has been gasettod as a State forest. During last month 2301 persons‘arrived in the colony, and the total number of departures were 814, the. figures fop Wellington being 913 and 318 respectively. T*Vo Chinamen arrived in this city during the period mentioned, and eight toflk theifr departure. It has become ’very obvious latterly that additional storage accommodation is required for ; explbßive!i in the Harbour, and Mr Ferguseon, secretary to the Wellington Harbour Board, has been instructed' to write to the Defence Department on the subject. , ..A case involving a claim for .£25, as damages for injury done to a bicycle through negligent driving, was concluded at the Magistrate’s .Court yesterday, when judgment was given for plaintiff for .£lO and costs JSi 14a 6d. The plaintiff was A. W. Stevens, for whom Mr Wilford appeared, and the defendant Ohow Yen, who was represented by Mr Young. On the application of couaael leave was given to appeal. . „ At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning James Jackson, charged with burglariously entering the house of W, Speers, a settler 7 near Plimmerton, was remanded till Wednesday next* Mary Rowe, for whom Mr Wilford appeared, applied unsuccessfully for the ex* tension of a maintenance order of 15s per week, at present in force against her husband, to an amount equivalent to -830 a year. Mr Skerrett opposed on behalf of defendant. Tho railway classification scheme does not include casual hands, bat is limited to permanent employees of .the department, except tbat the schedule as to pay applies to both casual and permanent hands. Regulations have not been framed providing for examination of platelayers , desiring promotion, but platelayers not more than 45 years are eligible for promotion. to ganger in turn, provided they, possess the necessary qualifications for the position.

c " .Mr Perrier, tho father of the talented little ;o mimiq who is touring Now Zealand, writes to (j protest against a licensing fee charged to : theatricals in MartoU. Ashe points out, the 6 hall is licensed and theatricals are under too e milch expense already to be able to bear with 0 anything like equanimity a charge of the kind referred to. It argues a very strange condi--0 tion of things that payment of such a fee - should be enforced in any ordinary civilised 0 community. Q Mr A.' Borgin, who has devised a new method of dressing New Zealand flax, visited ■ Parliament Buildings with hia daughter f yesterday, and set bis spinning jenny in f motion in tho presence of the Minister for . Publio Works, tho Hon Mr Hall-Jonea and c others, who appeared to be very favourably 7 impressed with what they saw. A strong x rope, made of flax by Mr Bergin, baa been - left with the Minister to be given to Captain 1 Fairchild, captain of the Tutauekai, in order t that it should be given as severe a test as possible. , i The Sun Insurance Company, for whom • Messrs Betfauno and Co. are local and the New Zealand Shipping Company-hoth “ forward ua calendars for 1898. , Messrs r Betbune add a very neat pocket or officetable calendar which cleverly advertises the Sun Company. The feature of the New ) Zealand Shipping Company’s calendar is that it baa been most artistically printed and tastefully coloured by the Press Company, Christchurch,. Tho illustrations include • Christchurch. Cathedral spire, portion -of ) Wellington Harbour, and the Houses of 5 Parliament, Westminster, . It is now 18 months since the owner of the ' Coromandel, who bought the vessel'after she 1 sank at the wharf* started to remove her • from tho spot, but she still remains in_ tho , same position, although extensions of time in ; which, to complete the work have been granted by the Harbour Board. The last extension expired at the end of November last, and the matter was referred to at the Eoird meeting yesterday, when |ib was resolved that if Mr Carmichael and his sureties made proper application a further concession would be granted them, the period being for six months. This is the final extension that tho Board intends to concede. Judgment was given in favour of plaintiffs by tho Stipendiary Magistrate yesterday in tho following . civil- cases: Commercial Agency Company v. Harris, claim .£2 13a 3d, costs 11s ; same v., John Engel, >65 9s, costs iJI 7s 6d j Emma Greeks v, John Skelley, iJS los, costs <£l 5* 6d ; Irvine and Stevenson v. . John Soarff, J 52 11s Sd, oo*ts J3l los 6J • Thomson, Lewis and Co. v. Mark Blythe, -£l7 la, costa -63 la c Sarah Jones v. A. Norman, £3 10s, costs 11a; M. J. Brown v. Mark Blythe, £6, costa £ I 5s 6d ; Levin’s Trustees v. Ellen Power, £7 8s Id, costs £1 3s 6d. Judgment summonses: —Commercial Agency v. A. W. Humphries, order made for payment of amount, In default seven days’ imprisonment; same v. Joseph Adams, >6lB 6s lid, to bepnid forthwith, or 18 days in gaol. lathe defended case O’Connell (Mr Duane) v. C. W, Winters, claim £ I 4a, judgment was given for the amount claimed with coats 11a 6d. It is probable that a steamboat suitable for * use by pilots within the local harbour will be obtained fay the Wellington Harbour Board. It has been decided to obtain particulars from the manufacturers of bteam fire-engine plant relative to a boat of tho nature men- : tioned, the length to .be about 50ft, and the < boat; to be fitted-witha powerful-pump or 1 .pumps suitable for fire and salvage purposes, i ft canid also be used for towing silt pants;. 3 Tho Wharves and Accounts.t'omm’ttosof the •' B mrd thought-,^on :considering .tho 'matter f recently, that - the- City; Council should be .( asked to contribute towards the first coat and maintenance of the fire plants but MrGalo. ; at the meeting of the Board yesterday, said e he did not see why the underwriters should c not be asked to contribute also. Mr H. c Beauchamp stated that ho could not support T any proposal of the character mentioned by c Mr Gale, for the reason that British iesur- f] anc© companies throughout lh-3 world de- e murred, on principle, to being called upon to 1 contribute towards the coat of fire brigades C or fire appliances. The other members, how- (' ever, agreed to the insertion of tho words *(< “ underwriters ”in the resolution, and it was v carried with that amendment,

A Catholic church is io be erected on a site about half-way between Levin and Wereroa. It i* likely that the work will begin next month.

The bydaws regulating the use of the Ngawapurua railway bridge on the WellingtomNapier line of railway appear in this week's Gazette. The Official Assignee has a6c£ptbd the tender of Messrs HanViltbn and Co. for the stock and fittings in the bankrupt estate of J. H. A . Campbell, draper, Patea. Consent baa been given to the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club to bold its carnival at the Queen’s Wharf on Atlnvversay Day, January 22ad neXtu The revenue on the Wellington section of railways during November,- from passenger traffic arnninted to £2938 lls sd, and from i the carriage ol goods, mails, parcels, &c., !to £6 r Si 7s 2d, that for the WellingtonTaranaki section being £6133 Is 4d and -£9700 18s. The programme of the third , annual meeting of the Wellington Volunteer Rifle Association, to be held on New Year’s Day, is now being circulated anvoffgst local ebootista. The on the \29tb inst. A meeting of the executive of the Association is to be held to-night. I A resolution was passed at the meeting of 1 the Trades Qouncil last night to the cueot that the Council wag pleased to see by press reports that the Premier - contemplated abolishing the Addreas-in-Rsply debate in futhre, for the reason that it was an utter waste of time and money. A special meeting of the Wellington Ministers’ Association was. held yesterday afternoon to consider the present position of the Toiiug Persons’ Protection Bill. It was desidod to convey to the Hoa W., 0. Walker the strong sense of the Association ’respecting the urgency of the measure, and the hope that the Legislative Council wbuld £asa the BUI. The dispute between the Operative Bakers' Union and certain master bakers will be heard in the Supreme Court on Monday, January 31st'; and the issues between the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiherd and the Builders and Contractors’ Association and certain other building firms will be determined on Tuesday, the Ist February, Mr 0. Cress, who has just recently taken over the Thistle Inn Hotel* Millgfave street, was for some years In busiuesa in Marlborough province, but more recently at Greytdwn North. He draws the attehtida ot the public generally and his old friends particularly to the fact that he .has settled in Wellington, and we, refer, them to his business announcement in another poldmh. A proposal hakbeeh made that Ihe position of the range at EVaiSsi Bay should bo altered, and the,question is likely to bo submitted to the Volunteer companies at an early date. The present range, it is considered, is in no way sheltered from the northerly and southerly winds, which sweep right across it, with the result that an abnormal allowance for windage must be made by the marksman. Wo have to acknowledge thp . receipt through Messrs W. and. G. Turnbull as agents for MoSsr&Lpver Brothers, of a copy of the. ‘1 Sunlight" year book for 1893. The book contains nearly 500 pages, and it is brimful of information of a most varied and interesting character. The book is all it claims to be a treasury of useful information." The year-book also Contains an interesting story by Mi? OonUh DCyIC. , A Sheeting of, members of the No. 4 Cooperative Biiildihg Society of Wellington was held at the dooioty’s rooms, Grey street, last evening to decide by ballot a loan appropriation. Mr'Beale presided, and there was a fair attendance of members. Messrs H, A. Morisou and A. Irvine were unanimously elected scrutineers, and Mias A. Beady was elected to draw the ballot. The number drawn was 121, the number of a member Who holds three shares in the Society, At the meeting Of the Shorthand Writers* Association last night the. president*} Mir A. W. Kitson,. delivered instructive lecture on “Shorthand and its Future," during which ho indicated the probability of improvements in Pitman's system. At the conclusion a vote of thanks to the lecturer was passed, acknowledging his services daring the past year in giving lectures of interest to students of phonography. The next meeting of the Association will bo hold on February Bfch. ■ - ■■

At the quarterly meeting of Court Epuni, A.0.F., Petone, held last evening! the Chief Ranger, Bra. Jarman/presiding* the following officers were elected for ensuing yean—Chief Rapier, Bro. Jarman (reelected) ; Silb-Chief, Bro. Lash ; Senior Woodward, Bco. Bailey j Junior Woodward, Bro. Bray; Senior Beadle, Bro. Bowles; Junior • Beadle, Bro. Ashcroft; Minute Secretary, Bro. Brooks; Auditor, Bro. Falder. Dca Ross and Purdy wore elected Court surgeons. The fees received during the evening amounted to J 266, . A complaint that several nungy dogs were running about the streets was contained in a letter road at last night’s meeting of the City Council. ; The writer, Mr Basil Hooker, questioned whether the disease was not communicablo to healthy dogs. Tho Town Clerk said he had Written to the Government Veterinarian on the subject. Mr Page also promised that an unfortunate canine which was said by one of the Councillars to be in the habit of parading his infliction in front df the Council Chambers should be given a start towards the DeStrfletor. The Colohial Secretary is to be waited upon to-day by h deputation consisting of Mr A. Collins (president of the Trades Cqunoil) and Mr G. Warren (acting-secretary) to urge upon the Government the Council's views in connection with tho, Master and Apprentice Bill. Last evening a deputation from tho Council called upon the Minister , lor Railways, Mr Cadman, in reference to tho boilermakers* wages question, there having boon some discussion in trade circles relative to boilermakers employed m Government workshops not receiving the top wages. After hearing the merits of the ease Mr Cadman gave the deputation bis assurance that all thoroughly 'Competent men would receive 10s per day. The rules of the Natives’ Association were adopted at the weekly meeting last night in Thomas’ HallT As amended, the rules provide that the number cf vice-presidents shall bo four instead of two as at present, and that there shall bo 10 committeemen instead of five. At the end of the first six months, ! two vice - presidents - and five committeemen will be balloted out and will be eligible for re-election, and at the end of .the following six months theother two vice-presidents and five committeemen. will retire on the same condition. By this rule an election of two vice-presidents And five members of committee is rendered necessary, and nominations for these vacancies will be received next Thursday. Some .excellent photographic specimens,printed by the carbon process, were exhibited at the meeting of the Wellington Camera Club last night. They vo the work of Mr Hardy Shaw, and were very much admired by all present, exhibits of such a fine character not having boon shown in Wellington previously, The principal characteristic of thtise carbon photos is permanency—they never fade, and in this particular connection it is suggested that the authorities should see to it and have the silver prinks of the bpt lake terraces, located at the Museum,'renewed. They were taken years ago and are said to be fading. If they are not re-taken by the carbon or some other permanent process, they will, in all probability, in the course of time be lost for over. The matter is one deserving of consideration by those interested. Since the formation of the Excelsior Minstrels and Variety Tronpe 'the members have given some very pleasurable entertainments, both in the city and in tho country. Last night they performed in the Exchange Hall in aid of Japp’s band contest fund, and were greeted by an appreciative house. The programme submitted was of the variety order, and included the usual negro “business,” tho ‘end men being Messrs J. F. Smith, H. Whitehead, P. Jeffries and 11. Grimetono, Mr J. North being interlocutor. What with medleys, comic efforts, senti-' mental songs/ contortion acts and lightning' sketches the audience were 'treated to an enjoyable evening, the other oontribatora beyond those mentioned being Messrs F. Henderson, B. Riggs, G. Airth, P. Murphy, A, Trimmings, G. P, Hoskins and G. Morgan, Jupp’s Band played two overtures, “ Gems' of Victorian Melody” and a waltz “Smiles and Tears.”

3 In connection with a permission given by , the City Council to the City Brass Band to 3 perform at. the. Basin Besjrve on Sunday ' next, and .to take up a collection at the gates f in aid of its uniform fund, Councillor McGill said .at last night’s meeting that he , thought this granting, of permits to every k band that liked to ask' for them was simp y . imposing oh the citizens. He was not ~rej lorring to the present case, but he doubted j whether the grounds <?n which applications j for permits were based were always strictly . true. It was not right that the people visit--1 ing the Reserve should so often have 'collect-. ’ ing boxes shoved under thoir hoses, and get black 'looks if they did nob give anything. Councillor Eraser pointed out that the bands | of the city played in aid of charities, and . Councillor Anderson said Wellington should . be proud of the City Baud. ' Another Coun- ' ciUor." remarked that the London County Council spent JGBOOO a year in providing band i music for the people. As bearing on the music question, it may here bo mentioned that on the motion of Councillor Birber it was decided to instruct the City Solicitor to prepare an opinion as to the powers of the Council with, reference to the stoppage or otherwise of the plajing of mueioiinc in the streets. Suicide while in a state of temporary excitement” was the verdict returned at the inquest held yesterday by. Mr Ashcroft on the body of rthe young man B. A. Hughes, aged 22, who shot himself in the head with a revolver when about to be arrested by Detective Campbell on a charge of stealing a bicycle. It transpired that M. Fruhauf, pawnbroker, had a long, conversation with Hughes when the latter wanted to pawn the machine, and his explanation appeared to be so satisfactory that he (Fruhauf) advanced £l s s on it. He looked for the number on the • machine, of which he had been notified by the police as having been on the missing bicycle, but could not find it. Next.morning he diacovoredjit on the handle, and telephoned to Detective Campbell, Hughes gave his right name and address. In the course of his evidence Detectivo Campbell stated that he went to where Htighea lived in Dixon street, and told him “ That bicycje yon pawned last nightr was a stolen one, and 1 .shallhare.to arrest yon for it.” : He replied “X bought it . from a labouring man on the Bsplanado.” Campbell said, ” sfon will have to come along with me.” Hughes then said, ” Very well, west till ! get dressed,’* :Hughes put on hia ' shirt, and went to a recess, presumably for his ] coat and vest, and Campbell heard the report of a revolver, and found that his would-be ' prisoner tad shot .himself. The detective di covered a number of. fckets an 3 a quantity of do hing in deceased’s room. The , evideaoe of Dra C»mpbell, ‘ Riwson and Bwart, and also thatot Agnes Henderson, t George . Cuthbertson, Lionel B. Hughes 1 (brother of the deceased) and H. G. Herbert “ •(owner of tho bicycle) was also taken, the 1 vardicfcSmentioned above being returned. Mr f l W. J, Scott \ras foreman of the |oryJ I t

The Natives’ Association Choral Society intends to sing carols through the streets on Christmas Eve. The Countess of Banfnrly to-day opens a sale of work in the Art Gallery in aid of the Melanesian Mission* The drawing of the Wellington H>rtioultural Society's art anion is unavoidably post poned until next week. Messrs G. and T. Young, watchmakers and jewellers, Lambton quay, have opened up a selection of new goods suitable far Christmas and Now Tear presents. A number of village, ho&est£ad allotments at Pohgoroa and. cbewliere in the Wellington land district will be open for select on on lease in perpetuity on and after the 22nd inst. Among the informations that are to be taken at the- Magistrate's Court tc-day nIM those relating-to the abortion ciao and the alleged theft of a bag containing a quantity of clothing from a steadier. The auniial meeting.of the .Wellington Centro, St. John Ambulance Association, will beheld in the Art Gallery, Whitmore ’ street, on the 20th instant, when His Excellency the Governor will present the medallions and certificates won. in the winter of 189 G. Two fashionably • bred Airedale terriers, one 15 months and the other II months old, have been imported from England by Dr Newman, and are now in quarantine at Somes Island. These dogs aie both notable prize-winners, one having gained distinction at the Crystal Palace Show this year. As an additional attraction fot the holiday season, Messrs George and;Kersley, of the Economic, hate, set up a Punch and Judy fthoW. Tho f miniature theatre is in venient position, -and has.beefi nicely arranged. Tho various perfotrdanbes given yesterday afternoon of the evergreen comedytragedy were hugely enjoyed by the youthful audiences. It is intended by the Harbour Board to oonsider x tho amount charged :to hulks for licenses with a view to introducing a scale of charges on a higher basis. In tho meantime another provision has been made to the effect that owners of bulks should be required to outer into an agreement relieving the .Board of all risk 6r liability in respect of such bulks whofi lyiiig at the Board’s UioOrings, Thereturn.ol expenditure of the City Council for November presented at the meeting last night showed the receipts*, to have been £3229 12s 2d and ..the, expenditure £7457 19s. - The., bank, balances on November SO .wore, as follow t—Credit balance city improvejnent 1-an account, £5237 14s 7d; debit fcaldnce general account, £19,335 9a 9d; debit balance drainage loan account, £53 38s 8d ; debit balance cemetery account, £1139 11s sd; debit balance reclamation account, £2162 17a 41

Mr Graham continued his interesting lectures on the Tabernacle, at tho Foresters’ Hall, last night, the subject being, the “ Laveri" To any who might bo disposed to. Jjeglird tile ordinances connected with Judaism as obsolete and of no practical value to Christiana the way in whioh the , lecturer applied the teaching of the “ Laver " would no doubt have boon a revelation. The lecture was listened to with great attention throughout. At its conclusion .Mr Graham announced that after .jtUo e ,holidaJa he intended continuing thb lectures. A battalion parade was hold last night, when there waa a fair assemblage of ihe Wellington Guards, under Lieutenant Harcourb; the Kelburne Rifles, under Captain Davis ; and tho Wellington Rifles, under Captain Duthie. The men, headed by the Garrison Band, were marohod from.the Garrison Hall to Waterloo quay, whore they wero put through a course of battalion drill by Major Collins, who inspected them* On returning to the hall. Major Collins addressed the men and regretted the absence of Colonel NewalU who Was suffering from the prevailing .epidemic. As that- was the 'ldist 'Gdvernibent of the season, th’6 Major wished the Comp&uies the compliments of the season. Tho fire insurance case Bank of Aust-.alasia and O. W. Oldham v. the North German Fire Insurance Co. waa continued ia! tho. Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr Justice Edwards and a special jury of 12. Mr Hislop appeared’ for the plaintiffs, and Dr Findlay for the defendant company. The taking of evidence was concluded at half-past 5 o’clock. Numerous letters and several plans were put in as exhibits. His H(?nor .expressed the opinion that this waa a dose, la which issues shonld go fa the.’jliry. There were 13 separate" defences, and to be disorimin ated, A number of complicated questions were involved in the case. Counsel arranged to meot last night to decide tho issues to be submitted to the jury. His Honor said ho would meet counsel this morning at 10 o’olook to settle the issaes in oaso of a disagreement. The Court adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-day., The usual meeting of the Women’s Political League was held last night in the Oddfellow 3 ’ Mall, Mrsß. J. Seddon,proaident,inthe chair. -There was a large attendance of members. Several nominations for membership were received and new members'wore ©looted. The following resolution waa carried i —" That the League’s appreciation be' placed on record of the Premier’s efforts to pass the Old Age Pension Bill, and'it hopes he will Continue hia efforts fiext session and that they will be crownoid with success.” During the evoking Mrs Seddon'presented!each of the officers with a very bazidsoriie badge, which had been made to her order ia London daring her recent trip. On the centre of the badge •the letters “ W.P.L.” were neatly worked in gold. Tho recipients were naturally delighted with the gifts. It was decided to adjourn until the second Thursday in March.

A feature of last evening's meeting of the Wellington Camera Club was a paper bn bromide work by Mr Haroonrt, which covered the various developers used in the process, the armidol beng particularly specified as fiving the beat practical illustrations. A earty vote of thanks was tendered Mr Haroourt. A communication was read from the Dunedin Photographic ‘ Society* asking its co-operation in connection with the holding of a proposed annual convention in the various centres! The meeting thought the idea a good one and approved it. Information was also sent relative to a competition to be held in April or May of next year Tor a half-plate “ Kaipai ” camera. The conditions are that competitors are to exhibit three prints illustrating “ Sunshine,” a poem by Mary Howftt. Specimens of flashlights taken by members at the last monthly meet* iag of the club, wore handed. in, and five new members were elected. Mr A. do JS, Brandon occupied the chair. . Argument in the special case stated as to the payment of > costs -in ’ the * Horowhenua action, Public Trustee v. Duller and Kemp, was concluded in the Supreme,Court yesterday at a Banco sitting oefore Mr' Justice Denniaton. Mr Treadwell and 'Mr* Baldwin, for the Public Trustee, I 'addressed the Court. Mr Treadwell said that the remedy Sir Walter Bailer and Major Kemp had—and under the circumstances it was a sufficient: one—was provided by section 47 of the Public Bovenues Act of 1891, which set forth that. whenever it was necessary for the public service that, money should be expended in excess of or without the appropriation of Parliament, the Minister should make a statement in writing to that effect and submit the same to the Treasurer, to bo sent to the Audit Office. His Honor; “ What after that ?” Mr Treadwell also submitted that the moneys, in the common fund of the. Public Trust Office could not bo divested of their character of trust funds; If, however,-the moneys were not subject to trusts, they were at any rate, moneys the property of tUe Crown, At one stage of Mr Treadwell's address, Mr Bell, who appeared for Sir Walter Bailer and Major Kemp, interposed, and asked whether his friend mode a certain statement on behalf of the Public Trustee. ... His Honor,. , with; a smile, remarked that he supposed that everything Mr Treadwell said was said oa behalf of his client. Mr Bell, in reply, claimed • that;.a pro-audit was not necessary before the coats wore paid. His Honor said he would probably give judgment on the following day. The matter had been brought before the Court by parties insisting on their rights in the matter, as they had a right to do.

Those who contemplate the purchase of a piano or organ, or indeed any musical instrument of consequence, should make a point of inspecting the stock of high-class importations to be found at the warehouse of Messrs Charles Begg aud Co., in Willis street.' Mr S. Clmino, so well known in musical circles, is the popular manager. Messrs' Begg and Co. are the oldest musical firm in New Zealand, and being in a very big way of business are able to give those dealing.with them exceptionally good value. For the Christmas month they are offering special Their stock of sheet music is admittedly large and thorougly up-to-date, and they invite the public to sand for their catalogue. Attention is directed to their advertisement in this issue. ■ ■ • ‘

’ minded that Messrs Francis Sidey and Co. will to--l morrow offer for sale by auction in the Exchange 3 Hall the valuable city properties of the late Mr A. r P. Stuart. This is a splendid block in Custom* house quay, running back into Victoria street,which ’ will bo sold in three sections. The Customhouse ' quay frontage is occupied by Messrs A, G. Tame 3 and 00. and the Equitable Life Assurance Society. . The Lambton quay property is another first-class j one, having doable frontages to Lambton quay and I Bowen street. There are also a number of valuable i building sites in Cuba street extension and at the L junction of Cuba street and Victoria street. A good • central business site in Customhouse street will r also be offered, while a section In Mulgrave street I will offers good opportunity for those who wish to buy agood rent-producing house property. In our i advertising columns arc follcr particulars. The handsome Christmas presents that arc being ' given away draw ciowdsof customers daily at the * establishment of Mr C. Smith, the. Cash Draper, > Cuba street. The shop and showroom are crowded > from morning till night. As as additional attrac- , tion, Mr C. Smith is offering special bargains in lace curtains, linoleum, sunshades,' umbrellas, ladies’mantles *nd blouses, which will be found of exceptional value. Men’s and boys’ clothing will also go i very cheap up to Christmas. The barque Alice, from Now York, commences discharging to-day. Messrs Francis Sidey and Co., under instructions from the Public Trustee, in the estate of John Stockbridgo, deceased, will on tba 22nd Inst., in their rooms, Manners street, sell by auction freehold cottages and allotments. The City Loan Office pawnbroker’s sale takes place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Sldey’s auction rooms. Mr B. G. Knight, of Customhouse quay and Victoria street, has marquees and tents for sale or W. Barbc* ; and Co., steam dyers and cleaners, of Cuba street, announce that by the aid of special machinery they are able to turn out work in a style that cannot be equalled m the colony. .. With a view of enabling provincial residents to select from the Company’s .up-to-date stock, the DXC., Wellington, is making up speciality parcels of Christmas toys, books, *£c,, for despatch by mail and in other ways. For Christmas tide, the Company has provided a large.variety of pretty and use-. fnl goods. To zneatim one. line only, it offers 150,000 books atpublishers* prices.. -For Christmas and New Year , presents, Messrs Wilkins and Wilkins, of Manners street, have a choice selection of electro-plated goods, ladies’ and gentlemen’s dressing-cases and fancy goods. They moke a special display to-night. Mr W. F. Shortt will to-day sell at his mart, street.' a piano, furniture. Ac. ? Cheap excursion fares for the Wellington-Napier-New PJvmoarh section of the New Zealand railways for ■th ? e"Christmas'aud New Tear holidays are ad-, rertised- : l ••■■■ ■ The Wellington City .Council offers a reward for the conviction of the person who lit a fire on the Kavori waterworks reserve bn Sunday, - Messrs A. G. Tame and Co. will to-day sell at their rooms. Customhouse quay, a piano, furniture, do.- ' On Saturday, Messrs A. G. Taiue and Co. will sell at their bazaar and yards. Harris street, horses, saddles, harness and vehicles, - ...