LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3314, 22 December 1897, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During the whole* of yesterday our publishing office was kept busy in supplying the heavy demands made for copies of the Christmas number of the New Zealand Mail. Complimentary references were made by all the purchasers 'as to the general excellence of the issue,-and, from present appearances, it will bo somewhat difficult to fuUy supply the orders which have come in and acrretill arriving. Wo would therefore advise all those who are desirous of “obtaining copies to make the earliest possible application, either through the agents or at The Times office. ■ On out fourth page to-day will bo found some details of latest city improvements, the looal lisfc of Supplementary Estimates, letters to the Editor, andatabnlated statement giving the names of members of the Legislative Council who voted for and against the Old Ago-Pension Bill, the terms of the Councillors and the Ministries by whom they were appointed. ! “The Wellington Staff (of the .Union Steam . Ship Co i pany) wbh you a happy Christmas and a prosperous Now > ear,” So runs the greeting on a handsome card forwarded to us yesterdav. Need we say how heartily wo reciprocate ? A racing stump outrigger built by Mr George : Norton for the Wairowa Boating Club, Canterbury, was * shipped to Lyttelton by the .steamer To Anan yesterday. The boat is 'to' be ranod -at the Little River Regatta on-Bexing Day. _ - A Tenmad-waa-yosterday applied for by the police in the case of the young man Daniel Jamieson, arrested in Wellington for issuing a valueless cheque, and the Magistrate ordered him to bo sent to Palmerston North, whi’fctbo caaoßgamst him will be heard. 'An anniversary tea and eervice in connection with the junior corps of the Salvation Army was .held lift evening, there being a fairly large attendance of youngsters at Ihn former, who wore amply provided for. The musical programme >at the evening meeting was rendered on Sunday, being conducted by Mr Howitt,

The S.&. Weatralia Will run a marine exour- I sion to Picton on New Year's Day. j The b.s. Duco will leave the Ferry Whai-f to-day at 2.30 p.m. on an excursion to Day’s Bay.

Tho quarterly summoned meeting ot tho Loyal Antipodean Lodge,. K0.0.F., will be held this evening at 8 o’clock. . Bookmakers and their agents will not be admitted to the Manawatu Racing Club’s course during the forthcoming race meeting. A meeting of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Natives’ Association will be held at Thomas’ Hall to-morrow evening. Messrs F. G. Roach and Cj., of Victoria street, as agents foe Baton’s Alloa Knitting Works, have forwarded us a novel calendar for 1828. Sp?ctatl train arrangements and cheap excursion faivs are a^n-.uiivd by the kail *ay Department on tho Welling&ou-Napior and New Plymouth sections. The Committee of the Wellington Horticultural and Florists’Society met last night, and decided that the art union shall be drawn tomorrow evening at 7.30 o’clock, at Me Batkin’s, Lamhlon quay. Tho annual open handicap in connection with the We’lington Provincial Gun f lub will be competed for on January 25th at the club’s grounds, Petono. The prize-money amounts to .£l2o—the highest sum ever offered for a similar match in the colony. The pictures of Mr R. N. Anderson were on view yesterday at Messrs McGregor Wright and Co.’s gallery, and will be again exhibited to-day and this evening from 7.30 to 9.30 o’clock. A sale of the pictures is to take place to morrow at 2 p.ra. Mr Anderson leaves shortly foe England to continue hia art studies. A description of the handsome new building erected at the corner of Hunter street and Customhouse qu*y for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, from tho designs of Messrs Clere, Fitz Gerald and Richmond, architects, will be found on the fourth page* Some particulars of other city improvements are also given. The Secretary of tho Boys’ Institute acknowledges tho following annual subscriptions' -Messrs George and' Kersley, .£2 2a ; W. Cable and Co., A. J. McTavish and Co., M. Chapman, .£1 is each ; J. Jack and Sons, W. M. Hannay, Charles Hulko, .£1 each ; George Moe, 10s 6d ; W. H. Milward, 10a ; and a donation of .£5 from the Eight Hours Demonstration Committee..

Tho hon treasurer of the Sailors* Rest gratefully acknowledges receipt of the following donations r—Messrs Bing, Harris and Co , £2 2a ; Ross and Glendining, .£1 la ; A. do B. Brandon, £1 Is ; “ Christmas*” per Evening Post , .£l. . Collected by Miss JV P. Spencer A. Falkndr, 3s; Mesdames J. Valintiu, Agnes iDuhoan, Coulbrough, Messrs C. C and J. Hall, C. C. Matthews, M. Campbell, H. J. White. M. Robertson, Is each * E.T.0., S.G., “ A Friend,!’ “ Ahothot Friend,” Is each; 41 A Third Friend,” 2s j small sums, 2s sd,

, Tickets ate lo be distributed by Mr A, G. vlohnsbh this morning to the poor of the city for the 110 Christmas puddings to be supplied by Messrs Orr and Lodder, of the City Buffet, and the meat to be supplied by Mr Barber. ■ Votes of thanks were passed to the donors yesterday by the Trustees. Tho puddings are unboiled when handed to the recipients, whose names are not known to those supplying the gifts. A vote of thafaks has also been passed.to MtP, Cavanagh, Kaivrarra, for half a doion gallons of milk and a bottle df ctoam which he has given for the BoneVdlent Home oh Christmas Da^. Information has r boch received that the body of George Cambron has been found at Rangitnmahv 13 ftiilea from Masterton. 1 It will be remembered that Cameron, who lived With hia brother 1 at Maurioeville, has been missing since the 9th inst. Hia brother went to the Masterton races and, on returning homo, found the deceased absent, . Search parties have boen out ever since in quest of Cameron, who was last seen carrying a gnu. When found it was discovered that be had beenjehot. Tho weapon Was l#in£ Alongside him, as Well as a Oottple of rabbits. An inquest is tv be hbld. There have been forwarded to this office by the Postal Department specimens of piotoral postcards, very suitable to the festive season, the inland card being priced at Id, and that for transmission to other countries, l£d.' We doubt the reasonableness of a Governmor t department entering into competition, with dUi? stationers, And would point out that in any case it Was quite unnessary to go out of. the colony to have the,printing done. There are at least houses in the.-colony wherein the work of illustration could have been as well done as by Messrs Waterlow and Sous, London. The Benevolent Trustees granted a number of applications for relief yesterday. A report was submitted by the secretary giving detailed particulars of the oases visited by him this month. The Rev H. Van Staveren

mentioned the owe of two children whose mother had wished them baptised as Catholics, but only, he. stated, because she saw a prospect of getting rid of their maintenance, and not from any religions conviction. It was decided to compel the mother to .maintain tile , children. The Trustees adjourned till the 11th January. It is seldom that one hears of a wife proacceding against her husband for trespassing in the house they both at one time occupied, hut a case of this nature was ventilated at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when John Kioly wae charged with an offence of the character mentioned. It appears that there is a separation order in existence between Kiely and bis wife. On Monday evening he refused to leave her house and she invoked the assistance of a policeman. The Bench imposed a penalty of ss, or 24 hours’imprisonment, and the defendant left the Court much impressed with the wide-reaching power of the law.

The young man Henry McLaughlin, who was last -week remanded ou a charge of being a rogue and a vagabond, having no visible lawful means of support, was brought before the Magistrate yesterday, when Sergeant-Major Mason stated that the police had instituted enquiries- into tho statements made by the defendant as to bis earnings. The result was that it was found he had been doing some work and had earned money, but, not to the extent; he bad stated. Under the circumstances: the police did not: press tho case farther. The Bench thereupon found McLaughlin not ■ guilty, and he: was discharged. . A sudden death occurred at Waikawa, near Otaki, on the 18th inet., when a . young Maori named Kawhata, aged 21 years, died in a fit, It appears that deceased and another Native named Wxremu Kingi have been engaged for,, some . time, past in draining, on the property of Messrs Drake and Halstead in -that district, the pair sleeping in a woolshed on top of some bales of wool. At 5 a.m. on' tho date mentioned deceased was seized with an; epileptic fit and rolled .on-to .the floor, dying shortly afterwards.',. .It«appearsthat ho had been .subject to those .fits for some :years, .A message,was-sent'l ,to. Dr Mason, of Otaki, but on arrival he-found life to bo extinct:. The. Coroner, onfhoacing the circumstances, did notdeem. t an inquest necessary* The Hospital Trustees met yesterday morning. ; Present—-Messrs Fraser (chairman), Lancaster, I Dank a, Kick, Willeston and Collins. 7 It Was stated that the receipts for the fortnight ending December ing £2OOO from the District Board—amounted to £2106 Bs, the expenditure for the same period -being £531 2a. A return l of the number of patients in the institution’showed that of adults - there wore 85 males and ,53 females, and of children, XI boys and 6 girls. Dr Ewart, the house surgeon, recommending the appointment of Sistor UUzabeth as asdistaufraairon for six months, and that Nurses Stevens and Barclay sbouULbe promoted to the position of senior nurses, these proposals’ being An amount of £230, being wages for the current month, was passed tor payment. Among the defended oases decided at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday was that of Frederick Rogcn ■'* (for '• whom .Mr Young appeared) against R. E, Bannister (who was represented by Mr £ketreU). ; -Theiamouat; cUiraed was £ 14 15a, and judgment went for defendant.- On a counter-claim for £ll7 5a judgment, was given for R, E. Bannis or for £55 sa, with coats, 19ij witnesses’ expenses, 15s; and tolioitor’s fo% £2 2a. In the case of A. Matthews, junr., v. A. Matthews, senr., claim £6 4s, judgment went for £4 fs. with costs 65, ;: f- Tho other defended cases wsre : D.' Martih'v. S/A’:' Bonder, clairiTl4*,'with costs 6a, and Sir K. Douglas v. W. Garrett, £l Is, in which a nonsuit was entered up. In tho action Commercial Agency against W. s r portion of tho evidence 'was hoard, and then an adjournment 'was ’taken; Mr : Young appeared for plaintiff and Mr Williams for defendant. ; Reserved judgment in the Otaki- case, W. R. Franklin v. Thomas King, was delivered yesterday by Mr Justice Edwards in the Supreme Court. Mr hkerrott was for the plaintiff, and Mr Mentbath for the defendant. This was an action for the recovery , of £SQO by way of damages for breach of title. The statute under which it was brought was the Property Law Consolidation Act of 1883. Tho defendant, a Chinaman, sold: a piece of land to the plaintiff, who had been . unable to enjoy possession of it, as the conveyance to the defendant was a forgery. 'I he plaintiff jio.w sought to be indemnified for the loss of tho land. His Honor traced the transactions in connection.with tho land. He pointed out that the transfer to King was a forgery, and. that it was impossible for him to irive a title- fo any .purchaser. In His Honor's opinion F*ahk in's 'father was tho reaLglainfciff. Looking at the whole of ths fao*he felt justified in finding that the plaintiff knew -that the, defendant’s title, was in controversy,-, that. lie also know That the defendant was out of possession, and that therefore the whole.transaction between him* self and the defendant was void.' Judgment would he for the defendant, with coats , according to scale, and £ls loa for tho extra day occupied by tho trial.

[ The lato Antonio G. E. Biauchini, who shot himself in Daniel street, Newtown”, on i Monday levoning, was, it appears, 57 years of ago at the time of his death, l Two or three weeks according to his wife, who gave evidence -at t’o inquest conducted by Mr Ashcroft yesterday, deceased complained of giddiness in the head. Ho acted strangely at limes. About a year ago, after his mother died, be to set out of bod and run around tbo table as if bo warout of hio miad, and be aUo spoke strangely. He was strange in his manner for live or she roouths. j did not know that he bad any troubleo'nbiaTiStal. ITc was vtirv reserved. Carlo Antico, bootmaker, s who had.known deceased for 23 . years, said. Biauchtni had typhoid before "Jxe ■ left / Italy for New Zealand. ’\Vltnß3a J , saw him angry once about seven cr eight years ago, and, on that occasion he knocked his head against ibo wa 1., J, F. Busier, draughtsman, and John McDonald, clerk in tba Survey r.eot. bo*b .testified to Vtbn steadiness and sobriety of. ibo -decort-ed, and the others who c*va evidence were Mary Bianebini, tho ftdopcod daughter of dtcaasert* Dr Young, Leopold BartolU aud fouefcabl© Haanmona. The jury, of which Mr SP. J. Preston was foreman, rottfruod a verdict of suicide whilst vin a state of temporary in*, sanity,’

Two boxes of bullion and ten bars of silver valued at .£10,336 came down from Auckland by the To Anau yesterday consigned to the Bank of New Zealand. Bullion to the value of J5)180 also came to hand yesterday from < Westport by the Wainni consigned to the Bank of how South Wales. ( Tbe patients at the liospital will have th-ir sufferings alleviated as much as possible by the usual Christmas entertainment. The necessary extras were provided for at the meeting of the Hospital Trustees yesterday, and the nursing staff is busily engaged in making arrangements for successfully carrying out the festivities. “I am a gentleman bred and born, but I will go and starve—l had to sleep on one of the yachts last night,” said one of the applicants to the Benevolent Trustees yesterday, against whom allegations of drinking were .preferred, which he indignantly repudiated ills appeal d-cidci the Trustees, and they will help him over the holidays. “The Land of the Cross” is the title of Mr John Fuller’s myrioramio concert at the Skating Bink on Christmas night. Sacred songs will be given, all of which will be illustrated, and a number of beautiful effects selected by Mr Bon Fuller will be shown, amongst them being St. Peter’s, Rome, by day and night, and also illuminated for high festival. A beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee by night frill be exhibited. Mr W. S, Napier, of Auckland, has forwarded a reply to the letter cf the Admiralty regarding the proposal to have one of H.M. ships in New Zealand waters for training boys for the Royal Navy. Mr Napier thinks that no mere question of rputiuo or punctilio should stand in the way of any effort to make the naval crews truly Imperial ones, and not composed exclusively of men born in the British Islands. Three charges are to be heard at the Magistrate’s Court to-day against the,youth Janies Jackson, who was apprehended near Porirua Ust week for alleged burglary. Ho ia not only accused of breaking into the house of Williahl. Speer at Pukerua, as has beeh already published, but also with enter* iug the dwelling of Michael Misoalon December 15th and the dwelling of William Marshal on the 13th December, and taking a watch, chain and other articled, valued at ; £G 10a. t - Tbe Sanitary Inspeator (Mr George Goldie) 1 reports to tbe Auckland City Council that in ; the matter of infant mortality that city is at i the head of the four principal cities of New Zealand, lie proceeds t —“ It may be asked } what is the cause of so many, infants dying ? * Tbe medical profession may be. able to solve the problem—l ‘cannot. I affirm that the i city of Auckland is in a good sanitary oonr ! dvtion, and will compare favourably as regards cleanliness with any of the three ‘ Southern cities. It ia singular, fmt no less ' true, that the dumber ot births in Auckland * frere less by 1-2 than they were in Welling- \ t6n, still the infant mortality was greater in ; Auckland than in Wellington. Something I wrong somewhere.** The Hospital authorities thankfully acknowledge tbe following further donations to the patients* Christmas fund Halley and Ewing, 10s ; B.H. and S , sa; r F.H.P., ss; Stewart ant Co, ,£1 . Is: Jas. Mowatt, 10a; J. Jackson, 1 sa: W. C, Fitz Gerald, 10s; j 10a 0d ; Rev Father Dovoy, £2 2s ; R. H. , Govott, £1 Is | Kirkoaldie and Stains, £1 > Is Ahradson, 10s; Thompson Brothers, 3 10s j Messrs 11. Hannah and 00., a parcel of shoes; Mr O.Banks,stationery, &o. ; books, j &C-., frbm Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs ; r and various gifts from Mrs F. Grundy, Mrs Launoelot Holmes, : Miss McGowan’s pupils, Misses Gladys Rhind and Alice and Elsie J Rawson.

The half-yearly mooting of Court Sir George Grey, A.0.P., was held last night, Bro, Harris'! CR , presiding. It.waa decided that the court should join in appointment of an eye specialist, Tho District Executive attended, and tho D.G.HBro. Baldwin, presented the retiring D.C.R-, Bro. E. Harman, with a fraihed omblom and a past chief ranger's jewel, suitably inscribed. ' The election of officers took place, with the following results C.R Bro. S, G-cant; S.CJ.R.,’ Bro. HelliwoU; S.W., Bro, J. Robertson; J.SV , Bto. C. Smith j 5.8., Bro. A. Cole; J.B , Bro. E. Brewer; M. 5. ,; Bro, W. Key. On the motion of Bro. Dineen, tho compliments of tho season were passed to the brothers, with special reference to the sick members of the’dolirt. .• ' V Ah interesting address on the subject of rating on tho unimproved values was given last night by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., at a public meeting, in the Foresters’ Hall. Mr Hogg pointed out the advantages of such a system of local taxation, and said that if it were brought into force here, and the ground landlord thus made to contribute to the revenue, an ample fund would be created for the improvement of tho city. Mr Hogg was given a hearty vote of thanks, and it was.resolved, “ That in the opinion, of this mooting it,is desirable that the Rating on UnirrprovedValnos Act* 1890, bo brought into force in the city Of Wellington. 1 ’ A committee was appointed to obtain signatures to U petition which has been drawn up asking >he Mayor to cause a poll to bo taken on the question. Mr. W. McLean, who has taken lin active interest ;in this subject, presided. An apology was received for the absence of Mr C. Wilson, M.H.R. , On tho first appearance of Hudson’s Surprise Party a contemporary says“ The company do not consist of a few deadheads, with here and there an artist of mediocre abilities to raise the performance above a trashy level. On the contrary, each member possesses talent of the highest class, knd that talent ia displayed to the beat advantage. The vocalists possess highly-trained voices, and not one of them can be taid to be in the lop at indifferent; while Miss May Habgood is a pianist of the highest order. Mr Hudson.ia a comedian who is funny without seemingly doing anything* and when he ia doing something ho is positively irresistible, and while he was 'rhapsodising and parodieing* laughter was load and hearty, and he bad ; td respond to two encores. Messrs McKisson and Kearns immediately pleased the audience with some excellent fooling and clever knockabout business, and Miss Ida Roaalyn was delightful in } her amusing sorio-vooal effusion and dances,”

■ *'A'number of lectures by Mr B. N. Anderson, late teacher of drawing at the Technical School, are now on view at Messrs McGregor Wright and Co.'s gallery, where they may be inspected during to* day, this evening and to-morrow morning. His landscape subjects in oils and water-colours are mainly drawn .from Wellington and its neighbourhood; the Wharves and shipping. Oriental Bay, the coast at Happy Valley and the huts and boats;at Lyell Bay. Giving variety, to these are some animal studies, , and also portrait studies of aged women and fresh boyish faces. The largest of the oil paintings tired seamstress at her work, the subject being suggested by Hood’s wellknown verses. With the ; intention of proceeding at an early date to England, Mr Anderson has instructed Messrs,Haroourt and Co, to clear all his pictures by auction to-morrow.' Messrs Sidey and Co. sell by auction this day at 2,30 p.m., in their rooms,'Manners street, several freehold cottages and building allotments, all well ■ situated aud.real good investments.,, One. : o£. the, best Christmas presents a man. could make to his wife would be one of these cottages. 1 This is a good opportunity for small capitalists investing in rentproducing properties. Full particulars are duly advertised. , ■■ Messrs W. Littlejohn and Son have just opened up for the Christmas season 18 cases, of sterling' goods, plate, jewellery and cutlery. These goods were personally selected in London by Mr A. I. Littlejohn from the latest and choicest designs, and are specially suitable for Christmas, New Year and wedding presents. For particulars see advertisement. , W. P. Shortt, tho well-known auctioneer, inserts a special advertisement lor the present season, which is well worth perusing. Wo note that his second 1000 volumes of standard works arrived by the Gothic. The price of Is pec volume is within the reach of all. This week his hands are full, having to sell the ketch Spec at. I.o’clock to-day, and at 3.30 a large assortment of goods suitable for presents ; to-morrow lost property at the Government Railway Station, anda clearing sale up to 10 o’clock on Friday night at hia mart, Willis street. Messrs F. Sidey-and Co. sell-bootmakers’re-quisites and poultry afternoon. . ... . . Tho offices of Messrs Clere, Fitz Gerald ana Rich- - mond will be closed from 3 p.m. on Friday till 9 a.m. on Tuesday. : Tenders are invited by the Hospital Trustees for fencing work on Hospital grounds. The Government Insurance Department publishes an announcement re lost policy on the life of Alexander Stevens. ■ The offices of the Wellington Stock and Sharebrokers’Association will be closed for share business from Saturday to Monday, both days , inclusive. ,1 - : ; Messrs Sidey and Co. sell building timber and shop fittings to.morrow. . Messrs R. E. Horablow and Co. sell furniture and general merchandise to-morrow. '. Messrs R. B. Horublow and. Co*- sell damaged cargo ex Nelson to-morrow afternoon. ... Messrs E. J. Walsh and Co. announce Christ*, mas gifts to customers and extraordinary bargains 4n tailoring. Forty acres of land near Palmerston North, with buildings and improvements, are advertised for. Messrs A. G. Taine and Co.' sell on Friday c.p. ware and goods suitable for presentation. Messrs Potter and Son are holding a cheap sale of boots and shoes of all descriptions. Quarter day in connection with the San Insurance Company falls on the 24th iOBt. ; ’ Mr James Godbcr, Melbourne House, Cuba street, is excelling all previous records in bis display of confectionery, &c. . t ' In our advertising columns will be found a special announcement setting forth particulars of the fancy fair and Christmas bazaar now being conducted iu connection with To' Aro House. Messrs Laery and Co. are offering for private sale, in lots to suit purchasers, a large consignment of Christmas poultry. Mr George T. White, jeweller and optician, 'Larobfcon quay, Jlas just opened a large and varied stock, including some particularly fine silverware. ..The balance of stock in the estate of 6. Kohn will : be offered at particularly cheap rates. ■•■>•<*--- ■Messrs G, and T. Young, the well-known' jewelieta of Lambton quay, advise the public of a small and well-selected lot -of 'cliinaware, consisting of vases, figures and other ornaments. A pair of ; negro figures in their window have attracted a great deal of attention on account of their life-like and correct modelling. A splendid-stock of jewellery, silver, and e.p, goods, are also on view, bought for cash from themanufacturers, and will be sola at a reasonable figure. Christmas and New Year buyers of presents shpold pay this establishment , a visit. - - ! - ■