LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4303, 12 March 1901, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Four anglers on Sunday secured a bag of eighty trout from a stream on the outskirts of Mastertou. The bait used was the grasshopper. Mr Arthur O. Carter, jvbo left the Mastorton Post Office for South Africa, is now Quartermaster-Sergeant under ALxjor-Gonoral Baden-Powell at Bloemfontein, with a salary of about £4OO per annum. Mr Carter (says the “Wairarnpa Daily Times”) is enjoying the luxxu*y of a secretary, and has two native servants as well.

The O’Leary case is expected to be finished in tho Supreme Court to-day. Counsel will address the jury t.lxis morning. If the case had been gone on with when the taking of evidence was concluded! yesterday evening, the jury would not have been able to retire till about. 10 o’clock. After consulting the jury, his Honor said he thought it would be better to adjourn, as the case was one wlnch could not bo hastily dealt with.

Discount stamps .of tho value of one farthing are now obtainable at all money order offices. They are sold in quantities of not less than one complete sheet, 5s worth. They will be repurchased at their face value if presented on cards in quantities of tho value of Is or any multiple thereof. Obliterated, defaced or mutilated stamps will not be redeemed. These stamps cannot be used ad payment of postage or telegrams.

The following additional subscriptions (all collected at Potone) havfe been received towards the'Queen’s Statue Fund —Per Mrs Gibbons—T. Price, £5; T. M. Wilford, £1 Is; R. C. Kirk, £1 Is ; F. Franklin, £1 Is; H. tidy, 10s; A. W. Curtis, 10s; Geo. Smithies, ss; A Friend, 2s 6d; J. A. Alexander, 2s 6d ; X.Y.Z., 2s Gd; 0. E. Eichhaum, 2s 6d; J. Home, ss; J. Reid, 2s 6d ; S. Burridge, 2s 6d; H. Askwith, 2s; W. Syines, 2s; Dr Ross £1 Is. Per Mrs Morris—G. Loudon, lOr,; W.G.L., 10s; Mrs Jounnax, ss; Mr Cox, ss; M.W 2s 6d; C.W., 2s; A.J., Is; A.V. Is’ E.D., Is; 8.W., Is; Mrs P„ l s; A Friend, Is. The total amount received 1 to date is £1340 12s 4d. The member for Hawera (Mr F, MoGuire), who has been in Wellington during the past few days, has been very busy interviewing Ministers and Undersecretaries on' a. variety of matters af-

fecting his constituency. . ,He has had several interviews with, the Premier, the Postmaster-General and the Minister of Justice. Owing to the Minister of Lands and his unclor-sooretaries being out of town, Mr McGuire has been unable to complete many important matters which, caused him to visit the Empire City. Mr McGuire does nob consider that sufficient attention is yet

given to settlers in the back-blocks. He is satisfied that if the excellent lands in Taranaki were opened up y*»ch good roads the Volume of cut exports ivould be materially increased. Mr McGuire returns to , Hawera this morning.

■ : Tho New Zealand Flour Millers’ Cooperative Association Industrial Union of Employers has been registered, with a registered office at Timaru. Tho name of tho steamer which has been chartered to take the Seventh Contingent to South Africa is the Gref Taranta, a vessel of 3200 tons burden, which is expected to arrive in Wellington on tho 27th inat. The new wharf at Miramar is almost completed, and the construction of those at Seatoun and Karaka Bay is also progressing. The schedule of steamer fares is to be gazetted shortly’, and it is intended to have a formal opening ceremony on a day yet to bo chosen. The Seatoun Road Board is in the happy position of having only one ratepayer within its boundaries whose rates are in arrear. But though the Board be strong, it is far from merciful, and it has decided to direct the long arm of the law against this solitai-y defaulter unless he pay’s np promptly. With regard to the prison reserve at. the fortifications within the Seatoun road district, the Road Board having come to the conclusion that the department ought to share in the work of planting trees there, recently wrote applying for prison lahopr for that purpose. The reply received is that there is no such labour available for the work.

Tho Pacific Lodge of Druids met last night, A.D. Bro. Bush presiding. Official visitors were received from the Poneke and Excelsior Lodges. Three new members were initiated and two proposed. A “pound social” took place, the programme comprising songs, recitations and an excellent magic lantern display’ by Bro. E, O. Craig of South African views.

Before Mr W. E. Sansbury, J.P., at the Mount Cook Police Station yesterday morning, several cases of drunkenness were dealt with. Two first offenders were fined ss, in default twentyfour hours. Alexander Bullock was fined 5s or twenty-four hours, and Michael Riley was convicted but discharged, in consideration of the fact that he had been locked up since Saturday.

From a “Chicago Record’’ extract kindly forwarded us by Mr Eichelbaum wo learn that Queen Victoria’s memory will be commemorated by a permanent memorial of some description in Chicago. The memorial may take the form of a, hospital or an endowment in a hospital, or some other charitable institution, depending largely upon, the amctint of money contributed. In determining upon such a memorial the Chicago committee intends to follow the request of Queen Victoria during the recent peace jubilee—that anything done in her memory should be in aid of the suffering poor. At last night’s meeting of the Petone Borough Council the use of the recreation reserve was granted for the Sunday School children’s sports on Easter Monday. Mr T. F. Martin wi-pte advising that the Council was within its statutory rights in taking water through private property with which to flush the drains, ft was decided to repair the river bank in the neighboux'hood of the stop bank, should no provision have been made for the conserving of this portion of the river by the Hxxtt River Board. The Council resolved to order from England a lawn mower for the recreation ground. The report of the Works Committee was adopted.

“A Female Slavey” writes: —Parliament has conferred on ns .the valuable privilege of forming unions which will have power to ensure the proper regulation of the -conditions under which we servo our employers; yet we ito nothing, and calmly submit to their petty: tyranny. Let us move ourselves, and show* them that “ we won’t be -slaves no longer.” Surely some two domestic servants (horribly degrading name, on the abolition of which we must insist) can be found who will form, themselves into a union, under the Act, and bring the “tyrants” before a Court, which will doubtless make an Order conferring; proper independence upon us, with higher wages, and all evenings out. Sisters, seize this opportunity, and act, without fear, in so good! a cause. Some few days ago, Mr J. A. Frostick, president of the Employers’ Association lit Christchurch, was reported to have said that the Industrial Arbitration Court, as at present constituted, was worse than useless. Such an expression of opinion from such a quarter naturally excited comment, and many persons marvelled what Mr Frostick could have against the Court. It proves to have been a ease of misreportiug; In a letter just received by a gentleman in Wellington, Mr Frostick says that iu using the words he was referring not to the Court, but to" the Boards of Conciliation. He goes on to speak very highly of the Arbitration Court and its individual members, and adds :—“ In my opinion, the ' Board of Con. ciiiation as at present constituted is useless. It does not conciliate; it irritates; and its decisions are seldom, if ever, respected: by either side to the dispute.”

The annual meeting of the Eight Hours Federated Union, was held in, the Trades Hall last night, Mr W. Nanghton (president) in tho chair. Credentials from the affiliated unions were received for new delegates. The following were nominated for the various offices: —President, Messrs W. Naughton, A. H. Cooper and T. \V. Young; vice-presi-dents (2), Messrs .T. W. Young, A. Collins, G. Purdy, W. H. Hampton and W. A. G. Skinner; secretary, Mr D. McKenzie; treasurer, Mr George Parkin ; trustees, Messrs- J. H. Heaton and E. Tregear; auditors, Messrs W. C. Gourlay, F. W. Scott, R. E. Yaney, E. J. Le Grove, and B. J. Buokland. An invitation from the. Sydney Eight Hours Celebration Committee to send delegates to its forty-fifth demonstration was ordered to. be acknowledged with thanks. A committee was appointed to draw up a report as to the best means of financing the next demonstration, with the object of reducing the expenditure. Messrs Purdy, Graff, Cooper, Noot, Naughton, Parkin, -Murphy, Collins and Young, were appointed as the committee, Mr Young to act as convener.

The dispute between the Wellington Saddlers' Union and 28 country employ-

ers came before the Conciliation Board yesterday, these 28 employers having declined to sign the agreement under which the town employers are now working. Messrs Palmer and Rodgers represented the union. The only employers present were Messrs Blanchard (representing Mr John McYav. Napier) and F. G. Reid, of Petoue. After some discussion, Mr R. G. Knight was exempted from the dispute. Mr Blanchard said that Mr McVay had no dispute with the union, but wished some date fixed as to when the agreement should come into force, and some guarantee from the union that all others in the trade would observe the agreement. Mr F. G. Reid, of Petone, said he agreed to tlie log, but first wished to ask whe-, ther it would interfere with a separate industrv he owned —that of the making of oilskins. He was informed that it would not if those engaged in this work did not work as saddlers or harness-mak-ers. The Board met later on in camera to consider its recommendation, which was filed last, evening. It is simply that the employers cited' to appear before the j Board should sign, within a given time, I the industrial agreement drawn up in 1 February,

A meeting has resolved that the time

has come when the English Church congregation of Fordell and neighbourhood should erect a church building of their own.

A committee consisting of Messrs W. H. Beetham, W. H. Galwey, D. McGregor, E. M. D. Whatman and R. Holmes has been set up at Masterton to control acclimatisation matters in that district.

The Masterton Agricultural Society made a profit of £IOO in connection with its recent show. Twenty’ new members have since been elected. Notice of motion has been given that for the future the show's shall be held on two days instead of one;

In connection with the polo match

Victoria v. New' Zealand, to bo played at Miramar on Friday’ next, the new wharf at the big cutting at Miramar will be used for the first time, the Duco having been chartered to carry passengers who wdsli to witness the match. It was mentioned by Mr Justice Cooper in the Supreme Court .yesterday, as a reason for his willingness to sit longer than usual each: day, that there wasTa good deal of business to bo get through before the opening of the Court of Appeal on the 18th inst. A small credit balance having been found to exist after payment of all amounts in connection with the reception of the Imperial troops, it has been decided to divide the amount equally between the Queen’s Statue Fund and the fund which is being raised to build a Home for Incurables. The following Wellington unions were registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in February ; —Wellington Amalgamated Restaurant and Oyster Saloon Keepers (emu pioyers); ’Wellington Tin Plate and Sheet Metal Operatives (workers); Wellington Licensed Victuallers’ Association (employers); Wellington Stationary’, Traction and Looomotive Engine Drivers (workers); Wellington District Milk Suppliers (employers); and Wellington Mercantile Marine Officers (workers). *

Judgment was delivered by Dr McArthur, S.M., yesterday morning in the case Wilson v. Patrick Toohill, in which defendant was charged with being the putative father of complainant’s child. After briefly reviewing the evidence tendered in the case the Magistrate stated that the whole demeanour of defendant when giving his evidence 1 convinced him (Dr McArthur) that he (defendant) had not been speaking the truth. Complainant’s story bore the impress of truth. The defendant was therefore adjudged the father of complainant’s child, and was ordered to pay 7s a week for its maintenance, £lO doctor’s expenses, and £3 3s solicitor’s fee. Mu Wilford gave notice- of appeal, £lO 10s security being agreed to. .

Two informations for breaches of the Simps and Shop Assistants Act, brought, by the Labour Department, were heard by Dr McArthur, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The Department, represented by Mr M. Myers, DTOCoeded against Samuel‘Gilmer, licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, for having failed to give oue of his barmaids, a half holiday during the week ending February 16th. Defendant was fined Is, without costs. Mr Wilford appeared for the defence. Informations were laid against S. and W. Maokay, booksellers, Lambtoix quay, for having employed an

assistant on a Wednesday afternoon after one o’clock, and also for failing to close thoir premises at one o’clock on the same date. His. Worship deferred judgment till the 19th instant. Mr Atkinson appeared for the defence.

By instruction of Messrs Wrigglesworth and Binns, Mr W. C. Chatfield, architect,- has prepared the plans for a new three-story building in. Willis street to- take the place of the one recently destroyed by fire. The new. premises, which will contain three stories, will have a: 46ft Bin frontage;, and a height of 51ft. On 'the north side of the premises there will be a shop on the ground floor, and a roomy vestibule will lead to the studios on the second floor. Tne new premises, whieh run back 100 ft, will be fitted with all the latest photographic appliances and conveniences in the way of retiring rooms, lavatories, etc. On the south] side a very large / shop and warehouse will be erected, running back 70ft. Architecturally, L-rthe new premises will be ‘an ornameht'toj Wijlis street, the elevation being* bold; in relief and ornate in design. | The exports of meat and dairy produce! for the month of February, as disclosed by the Agricultural Department’s leaflet on the subject, show, a substantial improvement on the figures for the previous; month and also for February, 1900. Tho; quantities and value were as follows: 1 Butter, 35,070 cwt, £149,251; cheese,! 19,756 cwt, £45,251; beef, 20,968 cwt,] £24,828; carcase mutton, 109,672 cwt,: £123,703: piece mutton, 5315 cwt, i £6238; lamb, 65,179 cwt, £104,019. The. cheese export shows an increase of £17,568 cn the corresponding month of 1900,: and butter an increase of something like £28,000. But the most striking nn-; provement is in thd export of muttoa n *tid lamb. Carcase mutton has increased in value from £54,090 to £123,703, or; by about 115 per cent, and piece mutton; hy over 60 per cent. The value of lamb, exports has also increased from £58,050 to £104,010. In che total export for the eleven months from April L 1900, to the end of February, 1901 .> still a deficiency in mutton of £ld-,2d1 as compared with the corresponding period of the preceding year. There is hardly a possibility that the present month's export can make up such a shortage. The totals for the eleven months ended February 28 are as follows: -r Butter, 156,285 cwt £671,272* cheese, 87,076 cwt, £198,845; beef, 237,646 cwt £282,007; carcase mutton, 820,uhb cwt, £880,634; leg mutton, 53,620 cwt, £58,350; lamb, 378,750 cwt, £d4i,779.

Two offenders, for drunkenness, were , each fined 7s, at the Stipendiary Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Dr McArthur, S.M., presided, hor being found on the premises of Ballinger Bros, at 3.30 o’clock yesterday morning Thus. Williams was sent to gaol for ,one month A charge against James Wilson of stealing a portmanteau and contents, valued at*£6, tho property of David Thomas, was dismissed. Accused was. given the benefit of the doubt as to whether the portmanteau was taken in mistake for his own from tho boardinghouse where accused and complainant resided. Alfred Raynor, who was charged with attemptin"' to commit suicide by cutting his throat at tho Upper Hutt on February 28th, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. He was also ordered to pay £3 3s doctor’s expenses and 19s witnesses’ expenses. James Hart was charged with forging the name of D. Neave to a cheque for £lO 10s. and uttering the same to J Maurice Fruhauf, pawnbroker. Welling-' ton. Accused, who pleaded guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court for I sentence. The same accused was charged with stealing, on 17th January last, j a silver watch, gold chain and pendant, and other articles, the property of Wil- ! Ham Hagan, mate of the steamer Te Kapo, which vessel wc s lying at the Queen’s Wharf. Accused denied having I stolen the nroperty. but slated bo had purchases the-watch for 30s. He was (committed for trial to the Supreme \Court. • .

Mr Justice Edwards will take Chamber business at the Supreme Court this morning. The monthly meeting of the Yorkshire Society will take place at the Trocadero to-morrow evening. A loan appropriation by tender will be decided at a directors’ meeting o( the Petone Co-operative Building Society-to-morrow evening. An extraordinary general meeting of tho Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company will be held at the Chamber of Commerce this evening. Competitors from rifle clubs who wish to attend the rifle meeting at Woodville can obtain free passes by applying to the officer commanding the district. Special jurors summoned to apear in the case Doyle v. the New Zealand Candle Company in the Supreme Court this morning will not be required until 2 p.m.

Mr T. F. Martin, solicitor to the Municipal Association, has w’ritten to the Petone Borough Council, advising that the abolition of the wards cannot be effected before tho coming municipal elections.

The nautical Inquiry into the grounding of the Takapuna near French Pass on the night of the 11th February’, which was fixed to have commenced at Nelson yesterday, has been adjourned for a fortnight.

A special meeting of the Wharf La- ’ bourers* Union will be held to-morrow evening. Among the business to be transacted is the appointment of an agent to represent the union before the Arbitration Court and a delegate to the Trades Council.

An elderly member of the Wesleyan Conference, speaking last night about children, said he had come to the conclusion, after long observation, that young people should be particularly well watched and looked after at and about the age of sixteen —that, in his opinion, was the critical age in the young.

Tho recently’-formad Stationary, Traction and Locomocive Engine Driers’ Union met laist evening. Several matters were discussed in connection with the issuing of certificates under the Act, and it was ultimately decided that a deputation should wait upon the Government to bring under its notice the claims of the union.

Surprise is expressed amongst local surveyors that the six months’ time allowed for the establishment of the board constituted under the Institute of Surveyors Act has dwindled to six weeks, and still no board has been appointed. The Act provides that the board is to be set klip by the Government within the time stated, and all surveyors will then be required to be registered. The American Tobacco. Company, of Auckland, has sent us a copy of its latest artistic gift to the users of its Old Judge cigarettes and tobacco. It takes the form of an admirably finished oleograph, entitled “Home Again,’ depicting the return of a sailor boy to the paternal roof, after a voyage to. foreign shores. The picture is full of animation, and as a study of an “interior” must be ranked, as a work of art. i

A mission, which is to be continued for a week, was opened in the Baptist School Hall, Vivian street, last night by Sisters Winnie and Miriam, two ladies from Victoria. Both of the ladies gave revival addresses of an earnest character, and they joined in sacred duets. Their singing was very tasteful. Hymns frorii Sankey’s collection were sung by the congregation, which was not very numerous, and there ivas-a Bible-, reading. ' " i r

Our Palmerston North correspondent writes:—The local band gave a very successful and remunerative sacred concert at the Theatre Royal on Sunday evening. During the same afternoon they gave an opeki-air concert on the show grounds. The two concerts were held for the purpose of raising funds to defray expenses during the band’s attendance tit the band contest' to be held in Wanganui. Bishops Wallis and Wilson conducted services at All Saints’ here on Sunday. At the evening service Bishop Wilson made an earnest and eloquent appeal for the promotion of Christianity among those portions of the South Sea , Islands embraced by the .Melanesian Mission.

' With characteristic enterprise Messrs Orr and Loddcr, who recently purchased McNab’s Gardens, have decided to extend the house accommodation at that place, and, as indicated in yesterday’s issue, have lot a contract to Mr Johnston ’for the erection of twenty-one extra bedrooms and sitting rooms. Mr W. C. Chatfield has drawn the plans for the new premises, which will be two stories high and cover a space of 80ft by 45ft. Gas is to be laid on to the building, which, is .supplied with artesian water, and fitted with the most up-to-date fire escapes, bath rooms, lavatories, etc. As a resort for holidaymakers, invalids and tourists, the gardens, under tho management of Messrs Orr and Lodder; will no doubt become the most popular of popular resorts. Interviewed by ■ a representative of the “ South Australian Register,” Colonel Wyndham said Australasia' was a. first-class place for volunteers, particularly mounted men. “ I was much struck in, New Zealand,” he said, “with the excellent lot of mounted volunteers they had there. They were fine fellows, and all well mounted. I believe they have got from seven to eight thousand of them. I think the New Zealand horses are better than the ones I have seen in Australia. I have not come across any really good Australian horses, but I have not been in the way of seeing them. They gave us capital horses in Sydney.” Asked how he was disposed! towards rifle clubs, Colonel Wyndham said, “I think the sc.mid thing is to have rifle clubs all over the country, and I may say that I advpcate rifle shooting on Sunday afterp.9oll. I don’t' know What goody-goody people .will to that; but many parsons . would agrge» with, me. It is much, better for-mini to be doing that than to:.-'be loafing about, drinking," and getting-into! irtisj chief.” “Will the parties who ‘liave swurmjnp me hero' pay my expenses?,!’ R. G. Knight, called before "the Cone*!*: ation Board yesterday by the'-Sad'dUp’ Union, when told that he’must toltV if ho wanted to ho exempted from the dispute. “You must settle that with them; wo don’t pay,” was the reply of the chairman (the Rev J. Crewes). “Well, I am “very busy,” said Mr Knight, "and I ought not to’ have been called hare, for I am not a saddler at all.” “Will you please sit down, and we shall -deal ‘with that later on.” So tho objector sat down, and waited with what- patience he could command for half an hour. Then he explained that he made no saddles or harness, nor did he “make any bags except Dutch satchels.” Air Pa’lmor, a representative of the union, said Air Knight had been called before the Board ;because he had employed harness makers for the leather work on horse-covers. Mr Knight said her did not employ harness-makers at present, nor did he intend to employ them. He. had employed saddlers the winter before last. There were others in the trade who had not been attached, and hb objected to be called if these were not called also. Finally Air Knight * name was struck out.

j Councillor Jorgensen and MeSsrs J, A. Heginbotham and J. B. Topp, jun., an- : nounee themselves as .candidates for election for the Kilbirnie Ward of the Melrose Borough. They will address a j meeting of burgesses to-morrow evening at Heginbptham’s Hall. A final meeting of the committee of the grocers’ picnic was held last night at Richards’s Rooms, when prize-money was paid over. It was reported that the picnic was a great success financially. Votes of thanks were accorded to Messrs J. Mcllwraith (chairman), James Meston (secretary and treasurer), T. W. Leslie (handicapper), and Scott (assistant handicapper). The sutm of £3 3s was voted to Mr Meston and a like amount to Mr Leslie in recognition of those gentlemen’s services in connection with the ’ picnic.

The Gisborne School Committee has hit upon a novel and up-to-date method of encouraging regular attendance. On the recommendation of tho visiting committee, which took the suggestion from the headmaster, it was decided that ©very’ holder of a “never absent, never late ” ticket for a week should “be entitled to a shot out of an air-gun: at a target!” The purchase of a dozen airguns was forthwith recklessly authorised. It was announced that, the shooting practice at per shot was for boys and girls alike, and that the pupils would enter upon the privilege in the second standard!

An interesting exhibition of paintings is now on view at T. Beadnall and Son’s, Willis street. These are mainly from the brush of Mr James McMaster, a. London artist, who came to this city’ about eighteen months ago. He shows great skill in landscape and figure composition, and his work display’s marked individuality’. The most important work in this collection, “ Milking Time, Silverstream,” shows that the painter is a close student of nature. Amongst the other pictures is one which will appeal to the patriotic spirit of colonials, “ New Zealanders Soouting.” Trumpeter Brown, of the First Contingent, was the model for this painting. The collection is well worth inspection. Some of the work of Mr - MoMaster’s pupils is also on view.