LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3442, 25 May 1898, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A report of the pigeon and canary show, an artioe “ Judges as Policy-holders,” and other reading matter will be found on the back page.

Mias Grace Kennedy, teacher of the violin, annonnooa that her second term will begin today.

A meeting for the final formation of the proposed College Rifle Corps will be held at the Trooadero on Friday, at S p.m.

Judgment in the Scanner mine case and other oases will, it is understood, be de. livered by the Court of Appeal this morning. Despite the hurricane which raged yesterday Mr Williams kept faith with the public and despatched the Dnoo morning and evening to Day’s Bay. A t.wo stoiied building iu course of erection tor the purpose of a gymnasium at Newtown was blown down yesterday. The consequent lose is estimated at £IOO.

Teaterday morning Mrs Nealo, who, with Dr Neale, is visiting Wellington, had a fall from her bicycle, and sustained a serious fracture c£ one of her legs.

At the Mount Cook Police Station jesterday morning, before Mr F. McFarland, J.F.. Mary Valadore was fined 40a, or seven days*’ imprisonment in default, for drunkenness.

Advices have been received by the Post Office authorities that the iVTaripoaa with English mails of May 7tb loft San Francioo > on 19th May, one day late; also that the mails from Melbourne per Ophir of 20t,h April reached London,on May 22nd, two days early. We understand that H M.S. Tauranga is to leave for Lyttelton on Monday next and that the Torch will proceed North. It baa been suggested that an opportunity should be given to the children of the city schools to pay a visit of inspection to the flagship before she departs from port. There is every reason to believe that the accident and incidental funds of the Fire Brigade will root-ire a substantial addition from the proceeds of the sports yesterday. The prizes in connection with the art union will not bo drawn until tho evening of the annual ball, which is to be held on the 3rd of June. ,

The twelfth anniversary concert and dance of Court Epuni, A.0.F., was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Petone, last night, when, in spite of the boisterous weather, about 80 couples were present. Songs were contributed during the evening by Messrs K. O. Kirk Hutson, Naylor and Hutchinson, and Misses Bell and Finch, and a recitation by Miss Naylor. The M.’aC. were Messrs Jarman and Cates.

Yesterday’s gale did not improve the New Zealand ensign which was flown from the Post Oflice towei*. Towards the clcse of the day the tattered edge had a'most reached the Union Jack, and no one would have doubted that this was the particular piece of bunting which an authority has told us has braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze, although it might be questioned whether the breezes were of the same order as yesterday’s.

A most successful “ social’’ vas held by the Loval Sister Wallis Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.i ~ ia the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, the first portion consisting of musical items, songs and recitations, t i which the following contributed Sisters Powell, Henderson, I'aylor, Misses G. L. Bell. Aokroyd and Good, and Bros. Pearson, Johnson (two), Lhght, and Messrs Taylor, Bell and Peters. Daring the evening a beautiful floral tableau was shown by the sisters of the order. After patrons of the “social” had partaken of refreshments, they indulged in dancing for some hours. The readiness and resource of our Volunteers was well exemplified duitng the sham fight at Island Bay yesterday. The Naval Brigade were holding a steep ml, which was being attacked by the infantry companies, and a email body of the latter wore creeping quietly up the ascent unseen by a party of Zavala located just past the brow of the hill. Neither the enemy nor the defenders oonlq see one another, and it wal with mutual astonishment that one of the Navals and an infantry man came face to face. Time did not permit of either “ drawing a bead but the naval, with commendable promptitude, picked up a large sod of earth and launched It at his foe, who was so bewildered by the strange style of warfare that he was for some time rendered incapable of farther fighting. Notwithstanding the boisteous weather last evening the plain and finoy flJßaa ball given by the Lady Eanfnrly Lodge of Druids in 'I hennas’ Hall proved a highly successful affair, over 100 couples being present. Ibe numerous fancy dresses and the handsome regalia of the lodge, together with a display of bunting kindly lent by Foreman Wooloott, of the Fire Brigade, made a brilliant scene. The committee consisted of Sisters Buck, Watson, Quarrie, and Brea F. Buck, A D. (secretary), and Q. Stevens, A.D., who worked most assiduously (or the success lol the ball. The M.’sC., Bros. T. Kay, W. Sebito and G. Stott (Pacific Lodge) did all in their power for the comfort of the guests, whilst the supper, under the supervision of Sister Watson, left nothing to be desired. The guests included the Premier and Mrs geddon and the Hon T. Thompson. This week’s issue of the New Zealand Mail, to bo published to-morrow morning, will contain a biographical record of the late Mr Gladstone. This record, which will occupy over 20 oo'umns of the New Zealand Mail, has been specially written and compiled for our contemporary, and will recount in a clear and readable style the main events of the great statesman’s wonderful career. The narrative baa been prepared with great oare, and should prove an interesting and valuable cbroniola of soma of the moat memorable occurrences in British political history. A limited number only of extra copies of the Mail are being printed, and non-aubasnber, who are desirous of securing copies should send in their orders to the publishing office without delay.

A very enjoyable “sooial ** under the auspices of the Scottish Thietle Society was held at the Foresters’ Hall, Tory street, last night. Despite the wretched weather that prevailed there was a large attendance, and dancing was kept up with much vigour till an early hour to music supplied by Mr A W. Poden. Songs were also contributed by Mrs Andetson and Messrs Stewart, Shaw and Mo Alpine. Mr J. MoLeod capably carried out the duties of M.O. Tho guests included the Premier, the president of the Society (Hon J. McKenzie), Mr C Duncan (vice - president) and Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.B. Refreshments on a liberal scale were supplied during the evening- The committee which carried out the arrangements, and which is to be congratulated on the success of the gathering, was o-imposed of Mesdamos Dnuoan, and Shaw, Messrs Duncan, Logan, Bell, A. McPherson, Wright, Shaw and .laffray, with Mr VV. H. Stewart as bon secretary. The Sooiety .intends holding monthly “ socials ” and fortnightly “ Ingleaides ” for its members and friends daring the winter.

Visitors to Government House for tbo functions of the'week cannot fail to be struck with ths change from dulness to brightness that has boon mode in its interior since the Governor was last in residence. The decora* tions have already been described in those columns, and it need only be said now that the result of the combined efforts of the city firms engaged gives the fullest satisfaction to the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, as it is bmnd to cljarm their guests. Yesterday evening the dining-room, as arranged for the official Birthday dinner, presented a brilliant appearance. On the table were growing, maidenhair ferns, fronds of the samft delicate fern relieving the crimson satin ribbon which, draped upon the cloth, brought the decorative scheme into harmony with the handsome crimson wall-paper of the apartment; The decorations, heightened in their effect by massive plate, reflected much credit on the household staff. Before Thursday evening the electric light installation will be complete; and those who are present on that occasion will bo able to appreciate the change in the decoration of the ballrooms from a depressing brown to white. Lady Eanfurlybas devoted poraenal attention to the decorations of the vice-regal residence, and they bear evidence of her artistic taste and judgment. If further proof were needed, it is to be found in the water-colour drawings of New Zealand scenery, the work of Her Ladyship, which find a place on the walls. The Coast Sounds are ranked by Lady Kanfurly as the finest scenery she hon ever seen, and in a picture of Milford Sound she has done justice .to at least one aspect of the wonderful fiord —that which it presents when the overhanging mountains naif suggest and half assert themselves amid mist aa4 olpad*

The quvtarly meeting of the Excelsior Lodge ol Braids will be held this evening. At th- Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, her ore jd»* H. hyro Kcrmy, 8.M., .Duncan McKenzie, oyater -;Joon-ke'per, at the corner cf Taranaki ’.l Frederick streets*, Rhf.rged with b;;u-od a knife upon ; p<*r (-r Mji’iin.-v >.nd Li-w.a Lar-’t-u, with inteot izo Jo lucji grievous l--<nny ha;ui. Soma parrwuiur? ol the i-ffrav we>e yuMshed in yesterday morning's Tiii-s. states that he v/a,s eat upon by Larsei., Alaroney and another man, and ihe were c*tu*ed ! during the row. On the application of the , police the case was adjourned until Monday next, accused being allowed bail -two sureties of £is each and a personal reo-’g-i nuance of i}so. Three drunkaitU were also ; i unished.

Girls are wanted for the box-making department of R. Bell and Co.’a Match Factory. Mr N. A. Anderson, of the Manakau Saw. PJuning and Moulding Mills, has a business announcement in this issue. , Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm advertise the terms of the letter from the Governor’s private secretary as to His Excellency and. Lady ** a £mrly being very pleased with the way in which the orders for Government House have_ been executed this year, and more especially with the carpets supplied by the firm. TO-DAY’S AUCTION SALES. Messrs Macdonald, Wilson and Co., at Ohariu, at their rooms, Lambton Qcay, 2.30 p.m. Messrs Freeman R. Jackson and Co., stock, Johnsonville saleyards, II a.ra.