LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4075, 13 June 1900, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A witness before the Conciliation Board yesterday, speaking of the difficulties of the simultaneous early closing, classified ‘Wellington master butchers into two classes. There were those who honestly carried out the resolutions of the. Master Butchers’ Association for the . benefit of the trade. There were, however, a less numerous class who sought their own advantage at the expense of the others who honestly tried to carry out the association’s decisions. 'Wallabies have greatly increased since their introduction several years ago. in tho Hunter Hills, near Waimate, and many have been shot from time to time. The rough bush gullies and ridges between Bluecliff and Waimate Gorge apparently form a suitable home, as they not only increase in r.umber, but attain a largo size. Their size, movement and the roughness of the hills and bush gullies combine to make the sport of hunting anld- shooting very • attractive to'athletic sportsmen. An old Victorian resident of Waimate says these animals are miscalled wallabies, and- that they are hush kangaroos. Messrs Stndliolnie, and a. party of sportsmen recently spent a day in shooting and hunting on .tiie hills, when twenty-five wallabies fell to their, guns'.

James Alexander, a single man of 4C years, residing in Waring-Taylor street, was admitted to tne hospital yesterday afternoon suffering from a broken arm (right) and a badly sprained ankle, which ho had received in a fall from a coal cart at the Queen’s IV hart.

I The Sanitary Commissioner (Dr Fyffe) will leave for Wanganui to-day for the purpose of making an inspection pf the town. While there he will be (waited on by the principal Maori chiefs of the district, and will advise them (as to the best means of putting their (villages in a sanitary condition, j Parliament House is being rapidly put in order for the coming session of Parliament, and the vestibule is at present in the possession of carpenters, who are engaged in making necessary alterations. Outside the painters are nusy re-coating the railings and elec-‘tric-light posts, while the gardeners fife at work putting the lawns and flower-beds in order for the assembling of the people’s representatives to-mor-row week. : The Truant Officer of the Education Board (Mr J. Varnliam) has returned from a three weeks’ tour through the bush district, during which ho served About 130 notices on parents with regard to the irregular attendance of their children at school. Mr Varnliam will pay a further visit to the district after the mid-winter holidays, and if the attendance has not improved he will take proceedings against the offending parents.

A Petone correspondent writes: During the progress of the recent fire at Petone a number of pairs of salvaged boots from Leighton’s shop were lying on' the roadway, and many xxiirs of them were, taken away by people with a faulty knowledge of the distinction between turpitude and honesty. Yesterday a man possessed of a late-born penitence returned several pairs to the proprietor, explaining that he only took them because he “saw everybody else doing so, and thought, it was all right.”

“Nature has a wonderful knack of adjusting differences,” said Dr Chappie at tho St. John Ambulance lecture last evening, “and it is not the ointment or the antiseptics or other medical accessories that heal injuries, but- the processes ot nature, and as the policeman regulates traffic and guards the public from the dangers around them, so the medical man wards off and minimises the. evils that threaten the patient, thus showing that in some respects the operations of the medical man and the policeman are -identical.”

A deputation of unemployed waited on the Hon Mr Ward at Oavnaru last ' week (says the “North Otago Times”). They stated they represented married men who were in urgent need of work to keep themselves and their families from starvation. They had been offered work on the Otago Central railway, but could not accept it, as they could only work half-time, on- account of the climate. Cheviot was mentioned as a probable place-for work. Air Ward’promised to sec the Hon Mr Hall-Jones about the matter.

The monthly meeting of the Insurance. Institute of New Zealand was held at the Trocadero last night, the president, Mr J. H... Richardson, being in the chair. Mr Chas. A. Schultz read a paper entitled ‘“Some remarks relating to life assurance practice and the laws governing life policies in New Zealand.” The paper was of a very interesting description, and was listened to with keen attention., A discussion followed, in which Messrs A. E. Gibbs, Adams. Hall, Barltrop, D. M. Lnckie, O. A. Richardson, Edmonds and the president took part. At the July meeting of the institute Mr E. G. Brown, electrical engineer to the Fire Uhdei’Vvritel's’ Association, will read a paper on “Electricity in relation to fire insurance.” ; The success ’of the Agricultural Conference; which takes ]®pcein Wellington, is assured, so far at least as representation is concerned, and from the agenda’ jiaper the subjects to he discussed should result; in benefit to the important industries interested. Twenty-six associations will be represented by forty delegates. - At a recent ■ meeting . of the General Committee of - the Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Society, Air W. E. Bidwill was appointed one of the delegates from tho (society to the Agricultural Conference, Mr - C. Elgar having notified that he would be unable to” attend. Air G. V. Tate will represent the Taranaki Society, Air J. B. Gannett the Taranaki Farmers’ Club and Air W. Symes, M.H.R.,-the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association. '; The Willis street frontage of Jibe Empire Hotel is about to be rebuilt. Plans are now being prepared by Mr G. G. Schwartz, architect, and as soon as these are ready tenders will be called for the work. It is intended that the building shall be completed in about nine months from the acceptance of a tender. The Empire Hotel, the Vic. ioria street frontage of which has excited, so much admiration, is now one of the largest and most commodious in tho colony. The work connected with the Willis street portion will be more extensive’ than may generally - be conceived." A-great deal of excavation will be made in order to provide for samplerooms under the basement, and when the-new frontage is completed., the build, ing ..will .comprise one hundred and fifty rooms, and being furnished in an elaborate and up-to-date style the Empire will bo one’ of the finest hotels in all Australasia. ’

; The annual meeting of the Wellington branch of tire New Zealand Institute of Journalists was held at the rooms of the Press Association yesterday afternoon. ’ Air J. L. Kelly (chairman) presided, and there wa'A a. large attendance of members. The chairman, in his annual report, stated that since tho last annual meeting there had been no; losses by death or resignation, and five new members and two associates hadbeen enrolled, leaving at date a. total of sixty-seven on the roll. The branch was in a sound financial condition, the balance to credit being £22 14s. The hope , was expressed that the semisocial gatherings inaugurated would be continued during the winter months. Another direction in which the branch had taken a forward step was in securing recognition by the Government and the local authorities of, the institute’s power to confer a defined status upon its members. It- had been resolved to issue cards of membership and to have those recognised ;asj equivalent to a press reporter’s pass for admission to public'functions and to the various privileges ‘enjoyed by pressmen on active seryiCe. The report was adopted. It was resolved, “That this meeting strong, ly; urges ’ 'upon Parliament the’necessity of. Bringing the libel laws of the colony into line with those of Groat Britain, ami hopes tliat the Libel Bill as introduced last year ’w.ill be passed during t]ie (joining- session," and that a deputation,’ .consisting of Alessrs Kelly, Browne, and, Lukin wait on the ActingPremier in regard to the matter.” Officers, for, the ensuing year were elected as.,.follows-: —Chairman, Afr’C. Wilson; lion treasurer. Air H. J. Keaniey; lion, secretary, Mr G. H. Schofield ; committee, Alessrs Lukin, Kelly, Atack, Browne, Freeth, C. Earle, Ross, Copping, Schwabe anti Penn; delegates to Council', Alessrs Wilson, Lukin, Freeth and Ross.

i The Alayor (Air J. Q. W. Aitken) will lay the foundation stone of the new central Fire Brigade Station. Mercer street and Jervois quay, at 3 o’clock this afternoon.

i A start will he mad© almost immediately® with the Gatlin’s river railway 'extension from Owake to the bridge, h distance of about four miles, for winch a vote was passed last- session.

I Air John Duthie has forwarded his resignation of the position of president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and a meeting of the Council will be held to-morrow to fill the Vacancy. 1

j Only one tender was received by the Public Works Department for the emotion of a lock-up at the Upper HutPolice Station. That was considered :to he too high, and fresh tenders will ’be called for.

Mr W. Hildreth. J.P., presided at the Mount Cook Police Station yesterday, when an qld offender named Rebecca ivlcBanglilin was fined 40s for drunkenness, or fourteen days, with hard labour. One first offender was convicted and discharged. The new Stock District on the West Coast of this island will have its headquarters at Marlon, and Inspector Flern. ing. of Whnngarei, will have charge. Inspector J. T. Stone, of Wairarapa, lias been promoted to Inspector Fleming’s late district.

Four polled -Angus pedigree heifers from the. Hon M. Holmes’s Awamoa estate, at- Gain am, were brought up from the South by the Flora on Alonday, consigned to Alessrs Levin and Co., to be forwarded to Air J. T. Dalrymple, of Waitatapia, Bulls, a well-known breeder of Angus cattle in the "Rangitikei district.

Tiie climate of Nelson appears to be very salubrious, and. tho province furnishes what must ho nearly a record for longevity. In the Wakapuaka district there are five settlers whose total ages amount to 465 years. Two men- have each reached tho age of ninety-two years, and the ages of tnree ladies are ninety-six, ninety-four and ninety-one respectively. All the latter are well—in fact, one of them can knit without spectacles. A week oh two since a report was circulated throughout the colony that a Napier citizen had discovered a piece of ambergris, , worth several thousand pounds, on tho beach at that place. There is a sequel to the report, hut this part of the matter has not been noised abroad like the original one. The alleged, ambergris has since been diagnosed as soap fat, and the onetime envied finder is now busily engaged in eluding sympathising and sarcastic friends.

The Sydney street Hall was well filled with dancers last evening, when a social was given in aid of a fund to purchase an organ for the new Sacred Heart Basilica, at Thorndon. The floor was in excellent condition, and to the splendid music of Fischer’s string band, dancing was indulged in up till a late hour. During the evening songs were interspersed by Misses G. Flanagan, M. O’Sullivan ' and White, and Messrs Meadows and Carr. Miss O’Malley contributed a mandoline solo, and the recitation “Kissing Gup’s Race” was given by Mr R. Keenan in good style. A first-class supper was supplied, thanks to the arrangements made by a capable committee, with Mr F. Haughey at its head. Messrs Carr and O’Donnel acted as masters of ceremonies. A movement is on foot to- commemorate the memory of the late Sergeant S. W. Gourley, who was the first of Dunedin’s volunteer soldiers to fall in battle in South Africai. It is proposed (says the “Otago Daily .Times”) .to place a memorial window in St. Matthew’s Church, of which he was a parishioner, and his relatives have for years been workers there. About £2OO will be required to procure a winuow worthy of being placed in a prominent position, as a perpetual and fitting tribute to one who died for the Fin pi re. Comrades and friends of the late Sergeant Gourley have taken ur> the matter, and subscriptions are now being collected. Many who are not parishioners of St. Matthew’s have expressed ,a wish to take part in the movement, and there is no doubt that the amount required will be readily forthcoming. The weekly meeting of the Benevolent Trusteed took place yesterday, when there were present—The llev J. K. Elliott (Chairman), Messrs G. H. Baylis, G. Webb, D. Robertson, A. Sample and H. Cook. The secretary acknowledged the receipt of £lO from an anonymous donor. It was stated that the new wing at the home would be opened by his Excellency the Governor on the 19th inst., at 3 p.m., and that arrangements were being made suitably to celebrate the event. The appointment of- Dr Scott as lion surgeon and physician: to the Ohiro Home, in addition to Dr Adams, was notified. The number of female inmates at the home was stated to be /18 females and 55 males, total 73. The usual routine business was discharged, and a number of applications for relief dealt with. The next meeting of the Trustees will be held on Monday, 18th inst., instead of on Tuesday, the usual day. The monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was held yesterday, when there were present Councillors Wakeham (chaiman), J. Walker, C. W. Brown, P. Mungavin, G. Brown, R. Boulu, .C. B. Morison and H. Cook; Councillor Morison reported that he had entered into an arrangement with Messrs Lynch Bros, regarding a drain along the road opposite their property. The arrangement was ratified by the Council, and Councillor Morison was accorded a vote of thanks for his services in the matter. The Inspector of Works, in his monthly report,.stated that the following contracts had been let: —Metalling 59 chains Rangioraroad, J.-Aplin, 35s per chain; formation and part metalling of 18 chains of same road,-R-- Greig. at 35s per chain ; formation and metalling 11 chains of the MaifglFThe road, for £27 ; Paikakariki-Paraparauni’u road, to Ahern and Power, for £lO 7s per chain for 56 chains, with the right to a further 66 chains at the same price if a further grant, is obtained from the Government for this road before the completion of the first section. The formation of the-Valley road, Paraparaumu road, had been completed, with the exception of a short piece of water channel yet to he made. The formation of the Mungaroa-White-man’s Valley road had been completed, and sixty chains of metalling, in all 160 chains of metalling and 16 chains of formation done with the grant of £2OO for that road. The report was adopted. The Te Horo Road Board wrote stating that the cost of the Ngatiawa bridge was £79 6s sd. The Council decided to pay one-third of the cost. It was resolved that notice be served on Mr Southee to remove an old building in his .occupation on the road at Rikiorangi. ' The.by-laws regulating heavy traffic were adopted. On the motion of Councillor Morison, seconded by Councillor Cook, it was resolved that authority be. obtained from the ratepayers to borrow ■ sufficient money to purchase the county offices, shy £3500, and that the mover, the chairman,-and the clerk draw up a memorandum setting out the propo r sal in detail lor the information of the ratepayers. Accounts amounting to £7BO 8s 6d were passed for payment.