LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3605, 3 December 1898, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Customs returns for yesterday amounted to .£2214 7a 4d. The steamer Duchess will run excursions to Day’s Bay to-day and to-morrow, both morning and afternoon. Mr Thomas Orr announces himself a candidate for representation of the Thorndon Ward on the City Council, The offertories throughout to-morrow’s services at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral will be devoted to the Diocesan Clergy Pension Fund. A lady passenger by the Manawatu train last night was relieved of her purse, containing a cheque for .£7 10a, when stopping out of the train at the Wellington station. In the Divorce Court yesterday the Chief Ju-tico granted a decree nisi in the case Maud Alice Moseley v. Harold Cooper Moseley, and also in Charles F. Moeller v. Louisa it. Moeller. Messrs Tait and Co. have forwarded us one of the blotting-pads now being circulated by r.hem. They arc excellently arranged for office purposes, and a fortnightly calendar lidds much to the general utility. A number of informations have been laid against persona who allegedly trespassed on \ he Hutt racecourse, and who refused to leave when ordered to do so, on the occasion of the Wellington Racing Club’s late mooting. On and after to-uorrow the evening service at r-t Peter’s willcunmoncd at 7 o’clock, instead of 6 30. Parishioners arc informed vhat in future the small church boll will be >ung instead of the large one before the commencement of the 7 o’clock service.

Intending exhibitors at the West Australian international Mining and Industrial Exhibition, to bo opened at Coolgardie (W.A.) on March 21st, 1899, may obtain all particulars as to schedules, certificates of entry a implication to Mr F. Nolloy Meadows, Christchurch. Archbishop Redwood will preside at a meeting of Catholics and sympathisers to bo held in Thomas’ Hall on Monday evening to consider the best means of raising funds for the erection of a new Cathedral. The services usually hold in this edifice will until farther notice be held in the Schoolroom, Guilford terrace. The Stipendiary Magistrate has decided to in future increase itho amount of fine in c ises against cyclists who prefer riding on the footpath to the macadamised road, t The minimum penalty for riding without lights was recently mad© .£1 by the Court, and Mr Kenny yesterday fixed a similar amount as a minimum in respect to the other offouoo. The columns of our Supplement this morning contain an advertisement, in which Messrs Wardell Bros, announce that their now season’s fruits are now to hand in especially choice variety. This firm holds Hie largest stock of Californian dried fruits in the colony, and their present supply is being daily supplemented in view of the Christmas and New Year’s season.

The Rising Star of Wellington Juvenile Temple, 1.0.G.T., mot last evening in the Truro Hall. Bro. T. Lambert, G.T,, in the chair. Seven candidates were initiated, and several proposed. A spelling-bee was held for the smaller children, but the results were not given. 3.h0 present membership is now about tO, which shows the interest taken by the juveniles in obtaining new candidates. The theatre-going public are taking a lively interest in the plebiscite form of selecting the naxt opera for production by the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society, and already some hundreds of voting papers -have been returned. Those who have not yet received circulars are requested to call at Mr P. Levi’s office, Lambton quay. All papers aro to be returned by Wednesday next, A homer pigeon in an exhausted condition was found upon the deck of the ship PJeiono at the Wool Jetty last evening, and proved on investigation to be one that hod been liberated by Captain Fiak, of the steamer Pania, early yesterday morning, ft has been a practice to send these pigeons to Blenheim from time to time with messages, and this Is the first instance that the feathered postman has failed to homo. The Executive Committee of the Auckland Exhibition have decided to hold several musical and elocutionary competitions on the 19th, 20th and2latinst. Circulars containing all particulars and entry forms may be obtained on application to Mr J. M. Clark, 14, : Wooloombe street, or the Dresden _ Piano Company, Latubton quay. The attention of intending competitors is drawn to an advertisement in another column.

At a spepial meeting yesterday the Board of Benevolent Trustees decided by four votes to two to rescind tho motion passed at a previous meeting that Dr MacGregor be asked to bold an official inquiry into tho ciroumstanoea surrounding the MoOleary bequest. The voting was as follows :— Ayes—The Rev Mr Van Staveren and Messrs McKenzie, Bradoy and Browne; noes—the Rev J. K. Elliott and the chairman (Mr Baylis). The Maoris of Poverty Bay state that according to their “ tobua ” (signs) the present season will be one of rich crops and an abundant supply of fruit. One of the signs on which they place reliance is the fruit of the tawhara or kiekie tree, which, if prolific, denotes a season of rich srops and fruits. If, on the contrary, the titoki tree boars heavily, the indication is that the harvest will be a poor one, The tamfiara is particularly fruitful this season.

An accident happened in Manners street on Thursday, when a horse, ridden by Edward J. Wilson, ran into a bicycle mounted by a lad named Harry Jnpp, The latter was riding near the kerbing, and the horse trotting down the street slowly behind him when the affair occurred. Japp escaped with a couple of bruises and a shaking, but his machine was considerably damaged owing to the horse getting its feet into the spokes. The war scare has been responsible for a great many things, not the least important being the overhauling of the local torpedo boat, which has been sadly neglected during the last few years, Messrs Cable and Co. are now patching up the hull to enable the boat to be lowed to the Queen’s Wharf, where she will be lifted bodily out of the water by one of the Harbour Board’s hydraulic cranes and transferred to the repairing yards. The engines and boiler are to be taken out and repaired. Yesterday morning a sitting of the Wellington Licensing Committee was held, there being present Messrs H. Eyre Kenny (chairman), J. Young, E. W. Mills, C. E. Willeston and the Eev Van Staveren. Transfers were granted as follow.— Joseph Sullivan to Edward Sullivan, Terminus Hotel; D. J. Kenny to Benjamin H. Price, Albert Hotel; Dennis Maher to Annie Eyan, Tramway Hotel; Thomas Eeseigh to Thomas Taylor, Princess Hotel; William Tucker to Alfred Greenwood, Queen’s Hotel.

At the anniversary conversazione to be given on Monday evening next in connection with St. John’s Church, an innovation will be introduced in the form of a lecture, taking the place of the addresses usually given at these functions. The lecture will be by the Bev James Gibb, of Dunedin, and the subject is one which of itself should draw a crowded audience, 11 Isa Maolaren; or, Scottish Character at Illustrated in his Drnmtoohty Sketches.” The lecture will be interspersed by musical items, and a portion of the evening will ba devoted to social intercourse, when refreshments will be handed round. St. John’s choir, under Mr Maughau Barnett, will renda' several part songs, and an enjoyable evening is promised. During the last few months the colony has beel visited by a couple of clever adventurers, who gave themselves out as " touriits," and were presentable in appearance. They met people in Wellington who were weak enough to believe their stories, and these people introduced them to their friends. They were put down at iSDipe of the clubs. They could play cards rrrjust a little; they played cards; they lost, they won—mostly won; they were seldan seen .about together except at night-time, when they generally, by accident of course, met round fire vert tapis. They have now gone from our gaze, for a time at least, and evidently mean to give the other colonies a treat. Now they have gono it leaks out they have left certain tradesmen lamenting. They obtained on credit expensive clothes—coats with silk linings, the best of shirts and various other articles. These sort of “tourists" like to have the best of everything, especially when they do not mean to pay for them. It is also said that one of tho “ tourists, "travelled through the colony some seven or eight years ago under another name; that be is very clever at tossing coins; can play a good game of “ crib,"and a better game at four-banded euchre, whilst at “ poker" he is champion. Towards the end of his stay in Wellington this gentleman was. seen a great deal with certain “tote" bettors, and rumour has it that he was just a little too clever for them, and left them without settling his little bill. The tradesmen who have been taken in will doubtless profit by their experience, and in the future find out more about " tourists ” before giving them goods on credit.

Mr M. Tolhurst, solicitor, is "being requested to otter hinself as a tor the representation of the Thorndon Ward in the City CouncL The new school of instruction for police otlicers is to be opened at the Mount Cook depot on Monda;. It may probably be some little time before the recruits will be asked to perform street duty. The December number of Messrs Harcourt and Co/s *' Register and Property Investors* Guide" is to hand, and contains us \isua! full details of various descriptions of property for sale. The contractor for the Karori tunnel has pierced the hill with a cutting Bft wide, the length of the tunnel being three chains IGft. It is expected that the whole of the work vill be completed by March next. Mr 5. C. Kirk, chairman of the Otaki Cottagi Hospital Board,has made arrangements for acquiring a larger strip of land than originally intended on which to erect the new building. A tender lias been let for the work, to be completed in 15 weeks from the Ist December. The members of the Land Board who have been entrusted with the duty of dealing with applications from settlers for revaluation will hold their first sitting at Waikanae on Tuesday, when they will take the evidence of settlers in the Fruitgrowers' Settlement.

At the Native Land Court yesterday confirmation was granted of the transfer of subdivision 11, section 3, Hutt. from Josephine Love to the Gear Meat Company, and of section 8, Manngarake, ffaimu-o-niata, from Katene Anaru to M illiain Chapman.

Our Mastertou correspondent wired last evening that Mr W. B. Buick, a wellknown farmer, had met with a serious accident while returning to his home by being thrown out of his gig. Mr James Keuuedv galloped in for Dr Hoskins, who went out to Opaki, but had not returned when the telegraph office closed. Mr D. Hall, City Missionary, acknowledges receipt of the following subscriptions for October and November : —Mrs C Ids 6d: E.W.M.. 10s Gd;E. and O. 10s 6d’; J.M., sa; Mrs McLean, .hi; D. Anderson, 10s; Dr and Mrs Konm, Sargood. Son and Ewen, .£2 2s; Bing, Harris and Co., JEI Is; Lady Brendergast, .hi; Mrs Dutton. ss; W.S., ss. The postal authorities are advised that the 'U.M.S. Miowera with colonial mails dated November 10th arrived at Victoria, 13. C., at 7 pun. on November 30th, due dae. The colonial mails date! October 29th, per E.M.S. Moaim, from Auckland via San h'rimciseo, m'.ived in London i n Novemwr 30th, due date. A painful accident happened yesterday to a casual labourer in the employ of the Harbour Board named Campbell. He and two others were employed stacking some railway iron that was being discharged from the Delphic, when a scw( length, that had immediately before been thrown into position, fell upon Campbell’s right foot with crushing force, smashing the toes aud splitting the under part ol the foot. Medical assistance was called, and the man conveyed to the hospital. Mr Victor Dimock, of W. Dimoek and Co.. Wellington, will be at the following creameries on the dates mentioned:—Tan tahi, on Monday, sth inst.; Belvedere 6th; Dalefield, 7th; Greytown, Bth; Eeatherston, 9th; Upper Hutt, 10th; to interview farmers re pigs in general. He will be pleased to receive any suggestions from suppliers.

A judgment debtor, against whom on order was made for payment of 2s fid u week in liquidation of a debt about a year ago, informed the Court yesterday that he had been unable to pay because he only averaged 27s a week on the wharf, and had a wife and three children to keep. No order was made. The Court also declined to make an order against another debtor, whose earnings totalled ICs a week, ami who had a wile and seven children to maintain. Pacific Lodge, TJ.A.O.D., held its halfyearly meeting in the Kechabite Hall, A. Bro. G. Stott presiding. The following officers were elected for the ensuing half-year;— J.P.A., Bro G. Stott; A.D., Bro. W. Bott; V.A., Bro. W. McDonald; secretary, Bro. J. G. Stevens (re-elected); treasurer, Bro. N. G. Biunio, I .A. (io elected); A.D.8., Bros. W. Sebire and W. Basset, P.A.; V.A.8., Bro. N. G. Fischer and F. Cox; 1.G., Bro. J. Calder; 0.G., Bro. F. Buck, P.A.; M.S., Bro. R. Bagcertv, P.A. (re-elected); auditor, Bro. Win Bold; D.G.L. representative,Bro. James G. Stevens. F.D.G.P. Bro. G. Snaddon presented P.D.P. Bro. It. Fletcher with a handsome P.D.P. collarcase in recognition of his past services. B. Bro, G. Watson acted as installing officer

Mr T. Hudson, Assistant General Manager of Railways, has just returned from a departmental visit to the South. He saw one of the ten engines recently imported from America making its trial spin, which was most satisfactory. The locomotives in question aro to bo placed in commission at once and run between Onmaru and the Bluff. Mr Hudson saye the crops are looking magnificent everywhere, but that a shower or two ot ram would be much appreciated by the farmers. Ho thinks that the outlook generallj points to a record season tor railwaj, traffic, and anticipates that the greatest strain will be put upon the existing railway stock to enable the department to cope with the work. As an indication of the manner in which Westport is assert ing itself as a coaling centre Mr Hudson points out that 9000 tons more of coal were turned out in the Bovember ]ust past than during the same month last year. There is ah air of prosperity atont the South Island at the present tune which is Yfiyy cheerful indeed.

Mr Henry Phillips, late lessee of ‘ h ® Hotel, Masterton, is now located at the Railwaj Hotel. Lower Hutt. Patrons can rely on the best possible accommodation and attention. P The Wellington Gas Company are cookinc: ranges at prices ranging from -.J oa to ±lO, ( either for cash or on deferred monthly payments. These ranges require no attention I they keep the house cool and am admirably adapted lor ah classes of cooking. The company fix them up free ofan auction mart occupying a prominent position in the Levin township may be obtained* on application to Mr Albert J. Gallichan, auctioneer, Levin. , _ Messrs Freeman R. Jackson and Co,, in conjunction with Messrs Abraham and Winiams. will Be l 100 fat bullocks, 500 fat sheep and 40 fat lambs at the Johnsonville saleyarda ori Tuesday. Messrs W. Littlejohn and Son advertise an especially comprehensive display of new _®9°?f ,or the Christmas and New Year season, ex Delphic. Messrs A. G. Taine and Co. will offer for sale at their Horse Bazaar, Harps street, at 3 Hyg draught fillies, a pair of piebald ooba, and two young harness horses. _ _ _ . . . * Tho offices of tho Provident and Industrial Insurance Co. have been removed from I'm. 1, Grey street, to the corner of Grey and *eatheraton 8, D.1.C. advertise a few special lines of gocarts, prams, hearth rugs, dinner services, teasets, &o„ at greatly reduced prices. This firm makes a specialty of Christmas and New Year presents. Messrs E. H. Beere and Son call lor venders tor the erection of a dwelling in the Levon street exSmith and Smith, paperhangera, &e., of Victoria street, advertise a large and varied assortment of new designs in paporhangmgs, ,suitable for Christmas decorations. „ n The Christmas numbers of all the leading Home and colonial weekly papers are obtainable at Mr R. Brown’s, Willis street. Views of S-. Mary s Cathedral, recently destmyed fi.ro, are also to be obtained at this establishment. „ , ~ , , ~ ~ The J3pr*tbra Special u brand of whisky is highly yeQommeaded foe medical purposes. Each purchaser of a piano or organ at the .Dresden Piano Company’s during tho month of her is entitled to a chanoo of winning a splendid walnut-oased organ, with high-top mirror back, two sets of reeds and octave couplers. Intending purchasers of an instrument should note this. Those repairing lace curtains should be convinced by the show made last night dj Mr C. Smith, the Cash Draper and clothier, that there are all sizes and all prices to select from. The dispay also of sun hats and bonnets indicates that a very large variety to be had at this establishment. The Tyser Company advertise a regular monthly service between New York and tne colonies. Importers can obtain all particulars at Messre W. M. Bannatyne and Co. s, Messrs Tunibull and "Watkins advertise a list of remunerative investments in city property, together with residential sites and houses to suit the requirements of- various clients. Those having money to invest will notice among the other speculations a property showing a return of £l2O per annum for an outlay of £IOOO.