LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4304, 13 March 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In Chambers yesterday, before Mr Justice Edwards, William Henry Adams, of Potono, builder, was adjudged bankI rupt on a creditor’s petition, j The Gulf of Taranto, which lias been chartered to take tho Seventh Contiii,gent to South Africa, is a steamer of ' 3431 tons register, of the Crulf Line, and I commanded by Captain Linklater. Mr Hurrell, the clmirtna.ii of' the | Ratepayers’ Association, spoke last night iin tho coiuyse of a speech in praise of 1 the “New Zealand Times” report of tho i previous meeting, at which part of tho j election programme was chosen. Ho ■ described the report as a fair and accurate one.

Mr W. A. Evans suggested yesterday to the Benevolent Trustees that, an accurate statement‘of the facts relating to the scope and condition of the Ohiro Home should be drawn up by the chairman and secretary and submitted to the Premier, and that Mr. Scddon should bo hmted to visit the Hopio. Tho suggestion was, not adopted.' 1 While the members of the Federat ion Commisision were in Auckland, they were entertained at a water picnic by Mr T. \VI Leys one of the Commissioners, and editor of-the “Auckland Star.” All the leading citizens of Auckland were present, Mr J.'H. Witlvoford, entertained the Hon J. G. Ward and the I Commissioners at luncheon at the Slav | Hotel on ’Thursday. , ! An old offender for theft, named ’Henry Hargreaves, who has ‘a record of [seventeen previous l convictions during [the past four years, was sent to gaol for (throe months by Dr McArthur, S.M., (yesterday, for stealing six school bags (from the shop sof Mrs Jane Bin-ell, ! Cuba street. John McCormick, charged with the crime of incest, was remanded to appear at Hampden oh the 19th Instant.

Tho Builders’ and Contractors’ Association had a very large and -representative meeting last night at the Trocadero. Amongst tho matters of interest discussed was the recent rise in the price of timber. A committee was set up to wait upon tho associated mill-owners of the city in regard to this and other matters affecting the trade. The committee was also instructed to consider the question of establishing town timber yards for the benefit of the association-

Tho activity of the dredging business may be seen from the fact that within the last twelve months Mr W. Cable Las sent out six dredges for the West Coast, and has four others now building in hi--, workshops. Those completed are for tho following claims: —Four Rivers, Leviathan, Greenstone Creek, Ahaura, Erickson’s Reward, and Nelson Creek. The orders now being completed in the foundry include dredges for the Hauhau, Totara Flat, Kohikohi and Ross Daydawn claims, and a considerable portion of the gear for those has already left tlie shops. •

At yesterday’s meeting of the Benevolent' Trustees, the Rev J. K. Elliott sought the advice of tho members as_ to -what action should be taken in dealing with the statements made by Mr Allan Orr in regard to the Ohiro Horne. Mr Orr, he understood, was an employee of the Government, and if he was bo, it was a pity that ho was. not given employment which would use up his surplus energy! Mr Robertson thought the wisest course was to leave the whole thing alone. This view was by other Trustees, and finally the subject was allowed to drop.

fccmalcf assistant teachers are required by tbo Education Board for the* Upper Juilt and Shannon schools, and a pupil teacher for the ivaitara school. At a special meetln" of thr» Trades and Labour Council, to bo hold to-morrow tbo question of taking part In too municipal evictions will be discussed. Mr James Raid, who is a candidate for tho AJeirosu Borough. Mayoralty, will address tho burgesses in the Roseneath school this evening, and in tho Brooklyn school to-morrow evening. In tho match for tho Brlwin Buckles, played on tho Victoria bowling green yesterday afternoon, Messrs Baiy and Prince (Newtown) defeated llcv-n Brackenridgo (2) by 21 points to Id. Taking into eon side: at ion the fact that engineer.-’ fees for the pasr, year, amounted to L'gOO, tho M Criterion Borough Council has appointed a committc. to eoucidor tho ouestion of appointing a lioruugh engineer.

A. i”uiii, taxidermist to the Coionnil Jlu.scu.rn, has _ gone to Titahi Bay, with an '.assistant, in order to secure for the museum tho skeleton of die oiiH v.uialo and the head hone? of the o J dor Vviinlo captured there on .■-u "day.

. Tho Rcgistrnr-G onoroi has issue'.! circlar to Registrars of iJai. i-"-. pointing out that it is necessary U three months to claps': after the grent

ig of a decree absolute of divorce be lor marrying cdtiicr of tho parties.

iu our advert Ling columns this morniny an abridged prospectus of the Ch.itliam Ishiml. Sponge Fishing .Syndicate is published. Tho syndicate, which has a capital of .CdbOU, is being formed for ;.c qidring sponge-fishing rights at the Chdhiins, where valuable f.pone-fickk have been found to exist.

At t!.o weekly meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.G.T., lust evening, .lire. T. Jackson, who is about to leave on a visit to England, was presented with a handwmiu silver-mounted walking-stick and a grmmstono pendant. Several memberpaid tribute to tbc zeal of 15ro. Jackson in the interests of tho order. Sister Lucas. L.D., gave an account of the work of the order in Australia.

lleccnt references in our columns to “A Forgotten Statesman” have evoked a letter from a correspondent, Mr Chas. Simmonds, who draws attention to the fact that it is not Mr Edward Jerningham Wakefield, but Mr William Wakefield, the first principal agent of the Keliv Zealand Company, who has boon so shamefully forgotten by Wellington peo-

Wliilst in Christchurch, at tho Fire Brigades’ Conference, Superintendent Gilberd, of Napier, and Superintendent Smith wore each presented by tho representative of tho French Consul, on behalf of tho - Paris Exhibition authorities, with diploma and medal, as New Zealand representatives at tho Paris Fire Congress. The medals, says tho FHawko's Bay Herald,” are of chaste design, the diplomas mentioning that tho recipients are entitled by virtue of this honour conferred upon them to wear the decoration for all time.

An eol which had probably caused the disappearance of numerous trout from the Hutt river was exhibited, at the meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society last night. It was about oft Gin long, iind of heavy girth. On an unlucky (lay it got into a shallow backwater at Troutham, at a point near the entrance of tho Silvcrstream into tho river, and it was captured with the assistance of an unsportsmanlike weapon. An elderly gentleman from the Wairarapa asked for an estimate of tho eel’s ago. Sir James Heitor laughingly replied, “It was old before your grand, father was born.”

At a. meeting of the Hutt County Council hold yesterday it was decided, in response to local representations, to allow tho Johusonvillo Town Board to maintain the portion of the main road in that district for tho sum, granted for its maintenance by the Council in previous years. The chairman and Councillor Majondio were appointed to represent the Council as delegates at „tho forthcoming of the New Zealand Counties Association. Tenders wore ordered to be invited for tho construction of No. 1 section, of No. (5 contract on the Paikakariki-Paraparaunui road.

The Premier has completed his arrangements for 'bringing book from South Africa tho whole of the men who Imre Roc-ii a. year's service there. ' As soon as the Sixth and Seventh Contingents arrive at the front, the remnants of the first five contingents will ho at liberty to return to Now Zealand. There are ■at present a, total of 1381 representatives of this colony in South Africa or on their way back. All of these will be liberated from service. If Lord Kitchener expresses a wish that the full complement shall he made np) the,Gov. eminent is prepared to send 250 more men.

In answer to a deputation, of Wesley ans who waited upon him yesterday, and asked that a representative of one of the Methodist Churches should be appointed as a Government representative to a vacant seat on the Victoria College Council, the Premier said he could not- accede to the request. The first ca.ro_ of the Government was to procure qualified persons for appointments of this kind; their religions proclivities could not be taken 'into consideration. If the Methodists wished to be represented on the Victoria College Council it was open to them to suggest some gentleman to tho members representing the Middle District, who might elect him as their representative, but the Government would certainly not appoint anybody simply because a particular dc--noniinatiou urged his claims.

The Premier yesterday accused the Victoria College Council of being a political body, and stirring up political strife. Speaking to a deputation, of Wesleyans, who sought from him representation on the Victoria College Council, ho said ho was astonished and grieved at the way in which the council had acted. The failure to secure a site for the college meant that the youths of the district wore being punished, and if something wore not soon done ho would ask Parliament to stop in and terminate the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs. Mr Soddon declared that he was “just ns full up of this thing as a man could be.” and concluded by stating that whoever th© nominees of the Government on the council were they must bo prepared to further the objects Parliament had in view when the Middle District University Act was passed. Writing on the subject of the City of Wellington reserves, Mr Chas. Simmonds say3; M.ia the early years of the settlement of Wellington, Sir George Grey gave a large block of laud, some seventy acres, to the Wesleyan Society, providing a college was erected thereon, and other conditions. This land was a large portion of the present Botanical Gardens. This so■cioty. if 1 am not wrong, never fulfilled its agreement. Can anyone inform me the nature of the grant of this land to the Wesleyans, and why it was net still reserved for college purposes, as was intended by Sir George Grey? In my opinion, this block'of land would .be largo enough for the different colleges, without robbing the citizens of their belt of land; 'and could not a portion of this land be obtained from the Government for the Victoria College site?

Tho buildings in Willis street, referred to yesterday as being erected for occupation by Messrs Wrigglcsworth and Binns, arc being built to the order of Mr Jacob Joseph, of this city.

It i.s a fact worthy of record that during tho last fifteen years the Wellington Acclimatisation. Society lias spout something like £-1000 in connection v/ith the Masterton fish ponds. The repairing of the main ■-halt, brok-

en not long since, at the Patent Slip, as recently curried out by Mr W. Cable at 1 1 :Licit foundry, involved the ma mi facta re of u. forged iron shaft- weighing three tons and a. half. Spooning «t -a meeting of the shareholders of tho Wellington Woollen Company last night, the chairman of directors (lion G. J. Johnston, M.L.C.) suit chat, beyond all question, the remuneration given to directors of companies in Now Zealand was far less than to gentlemen holding similar positions in any other part of tho world. At a social gathering of the members of the Wellington Drivers’ Union last night it was decided to send a let. ter of congratulation to the Mini-dor for Public Works, Now South Wales, on his recent declaration in favour of pro-, f'-renoo to unionists. Those present drank success to the Premier’s coalmining proposals, cheers.bcin;;-given foi Mr and Mrs Secldon. A meeting of the Hairdressers’ Sports Association was-held last evening. Tho lUb-committco appointed to wait upon tne employers v/ith regard to closing all Uiiy on Wednesday next reported .that, with a few exceptions, all Lad agreed to close. The Canvassing Committee has

received several valuable trophies for competition. Tho handicaps will appear in tho “New Zealand Times’’ of Monday next.

It was urged at last night’s meeting if the Ratepayers’ Association, in supmrt of tho Town Hall proposal, that the

whole of tho block on which the Civ* Council offices now stand will shortly fco required by tho Government for the extension of the Government Life Insurance Buildings, and that a Town Hall would then be urgently required for tho Council.

At a. well-attended special meeting of

the Wellington Woollen Company.'last night a number of special resolutions miking alterations in the articles of association were agreed to with slight amendments. The following motion, proposed by Air Henry Kembor, was rejected on the voices after debate;—Tho remuneration of the directors shall be such as tho directors shall from time to timo appoint, not exceeding £IOOO per annum, and shall bo divided amongst tbo directors according to such rule as the Board in such case will prescribe. Tho sixth game of the match between Mr Mason (chess champion, of New Zealand) and Mr Barnes (an ex-cham-pion) was played in the social hall of the Working Men’s Club last night, in the presence of a number of onlookers. Mr Barnes had the move, and opened with the lung’s knight, Mr Mason adopting the Petroff defence in reply. Tho play,

however, resolved itself into the Four Knights game, and resulted in a draw at tho thirty-sixth move. Mr Barnes has won three games of the seven necessary to win the match and Mr Alason two,' the sixth game, as recorded, ending in a draw. Play will be resumed at tho Chess Club on Friday evening.

When the fine warehouse of Alessrs W. M. Bannatyne and Co. was built, it was supposed that there would not only bo plenty of room for the operations of thel firm, but perhaps additional office accommodation for letting purposes. On the contrary, however, the business has grown so rapidly that all the available office room having now been taken up, it has become necessary to make certain alterations within the building to provide more that is urgently required. The largo store has belen encroached upon, with the result that another office has been provided in the) shipping department of the building, while one of the rooms for the clerks has also been cut into in order that still another office may he obtained.

Our Carterton correspondent writes : —For the fortnight preceding last Sunday tho weather was an imitating medley cf sunshine and rain, warmth and cold, and tho gentle zephyr vied with the blizzard from tho South. Pasture is still in abund'ancej, slightly browned; on the farms the eye is relieved by particularly green patches, denoting healthy cropj of turnips on -which “freezers’’ will luxuriate during the coming winter. The milk supply is gradually lessening. The factories close in May, when tho dairyman, after a prosperous season, enjoys a well-earned vacation of three months.— To show how plentiful deer are, a sportsman yesterday morning counted on Ponatahv—thirteen miles from Carterton —on a six hours’ trail, eighty head, including bunches of ten and twelve. It is not expected they will remain long in their present home. The deer are an awful nuisance to agriculturists, and they will gradually bo driven back to the solitary ranges on the East Coast lino.

■At a meeting of the Drivers’ Union last night the following resolution was carried;—“That this union does not agree with the recommendations of tho Conciliation Board in the dispute, but as tho wish of members bns always been to conciliate, and the City Corporation has also expressed the same wish, the secretary be requested to invite a conference between representatives of the Council and this union to endeavour to bring about an agreement satisfactory to both parties; and as other employers have also expressed their desire for a conference, that the secretary be directed to. call a meeting by advertisement of all employers interested in the dispute between tho drivers and themselves on an _ early date, with a view to settling any differences

there may bo between the parties. In case the parties should bo unable to agree, the differences bo referred to the chairman of the Conciliation Board, and his decision shall be final and binding on all parties concerned. In the event of these propositions being declined. the secretary be directed to file the necessary case before the Court of Arbitration.” «

Opportunity was taken at a special meeting of the shareholders of the Wellington Woollen Company last night to present Mr G.'H. Heeles, manager of the Wellington Woollen Company, with an inscribed gold watch and chain as an indication of appreciation of the great services rendered by him to the company. Hon. C. J. Johnston, chairman of directors, made the presentation in an appropriate speech. Mr Heeles, in thanking the directors and shareholders for the valuable gift, said there was an impression abroad that corporate bodies “bad neither bodies to be kicked nor souls to be damned,” but hero was a. case in which a company had shown itself capable of a very fine meed of gratitude. He did not wish to take all the credit for the magnificent results which the company Jtad shewn during the_ last six years. This presentation was in reality a tribute to the staff equally with himself. In fact everybody', from tho board downwards, had worked so well that shares which were quoted at £2 10s when they started their new policy were now standing at £5 12s 6d. This was the best indication ,of the results of the management. This year promised to be as good as last —perI haps better.

Tho number of inmates in tho Benevolent Homo yesterday was 67—40 men and 18 women. The Supreme Court was yesterdav adjourned till to-morrow, when divorce cases will be heard.

Tho following subscriptions have been receive'! toward:; the Queen’s Statue [l’ui.d: —"T.,” -t.= ;• Corporation yards, ,'.4 6s: Marins Department, Ids. The total received to date is £1348 Os 4d.

The Victoria. College Tenuis Club’;. Aleuts and Ladies’ Championship_ Singles (for Professor and Airs Browns trophies) have been won respectively by Mr J. C. Burns and Miss L. Van Slayeren. “I'd like to sec. this now complaint, ’’ observed Air Izard, when informed yes.erdiiv that an applicant, to the Benevolent'Trustees had a doctor’s certificate chat ho was suffering from alcoholism. Sara o people call it alcoholism, but 1 cull :t drunkenness.’’

Th Hon. C. H. Mills, accompanied by several members of the Aliuistry, will shortly pay a visit to the haven at Plimmerton, which is said by some mariners to offer bottcP facilities as a port of call

in connection with the Cook Strait ferry service than Titahi Bay, from which it is distant only about a couple of miles. Air D. D. Hyde,Poultry Expert to the Agricultural Department, leaves this morning for Stratford, where he_ will inaugurate a lecturing tour of the ‘Jest Coast districts between Stratford, and Wellington. The importance of the export trade iu poultry will be emphasised by Mr Hyde at his lectures, which are to be of a practical nature. Messrs Littlejohn and Sou, Lambion quay, arc still working cn tho gold salver which is to bo presented by the Civil servants of Wellington to Major-General BadanPowell, of Mafeking fame. The work will probably not be finished for three weeks’ time. Tho salver will be in 22carat gold, and, judging from the design, will bo an 'unusually handsome piece of plate.

The fortnightly committee meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held in the Alliance Booms yesterday, Airs W. A. Evans, M.A., presiding. Thera were also present—Lady Stout, Mesdames Oawell, Fell, Wallis, Atkinson and Aliss Spargo. Accounts were passed to tho amount of £2 6s. Several cases, which had been investigated, were! reported, and one fresh case, it was stated, bad boon brought in since tho last meeting. Tho secretary mentioned that two children were awaiting adoption. It was stated in our issue of yesterday that tho Government intended to invite men-of-war of foreign nations to be present in Nrtr Zealand waters during the Boyal visit. This invitation will, probably be sent to the Consnls-Gcneral in Australia who have jurisdiction over New Zealand. As for the countries which have separate and independent representation in this colony, such as France for instance, and the United States,, the invitation will be made to the chief consular officers of these nations in New Zealand, who will communicate directly with their Governments on the subject. “I want a few rations, and for God’s sake give me something to keep that old landlord from me,” pleaded an applicant to the Benevolent. Trustees yesterday. “Has he been here ?’’ she demanded anxiously. No, ho hadn’t been there, the Trustees explained, but they would like to see him, added Air Izard. The Trustees agreed to

give tho applicant rations, and when she applied for rent too, told her to ask the landlord to call and see them. She went away expressing serious doubt as to whether he would come, and still more serious doubt as to whether the Trustees were not joking. The new ferry wharf at the Miramar, cutting is now ready for landing passengers, and will be used for tho first time next Friday afternoon, when visitors to the polo match, Victoria v. New Zealand, will ho able to travel over in tho Duchess. The advantage of the new service will be realised when it is known that the ruii from the Ferry Wharf to the Miramar landing (which is right at the entrance to tho cutting leading into the Miramar estate), can bo made in fifteen minutes, and that three minutes’ walk brings the visitor to the polo ground. The Duchess is advertised to leave the Ferry Wharf at 2.15 p.m. and Miramar at 5.,p.m.

A civil action was heard in the Stipendiary Magistrate’s Court by Dr McArthur, S.M., yesterday, in which Edward Russell claimed £ll 5s 9d from Joseph Swain. Defendant admitted the claim, and judgment was give)! for plaintiff for the amount, and £1 10s 6d costs. In a counter claim brought by Swain against Russell, claiming £l4 15s, the defendant was non-suited, with costs. Mr Johnston appeared for Russell, and Mr Bunny for Swain. In tho case C. H. Dement against F. Moyer, claim £l2 15s 9d, judgment was given for £d, which amount had boon paid into Court. Mr Hindmarsh appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Dunn for defendant.

Judgment for the plaintiffs in the following civil cases was given by Dr McArthur, S.M., at the Stipendiary .Magistrate’s Court yesterday: —South Pacific Loan and Investment Company, Ltd. v. <J. H. Ivfacauley, £5 11s, costs £1 9s Cd; J. T. Clover v. A. M. Brown, £5 Os 6d, costs £1 IGs: Cook and Gray v. Thos Osborne, £2 Is 3d, costs 12s; Cook and Gray v. George Mundell, £1 4s 4d, costs 7s; H. N. Gallat© v. L. C. Crabho and J. D. Tustin, £39, costs £3; G. H. Payne v. N. Leslie, £1 8s 7d, costs os. In judgment summons cases. J. Griffin v. David Glendenning, £lB 14s 9d, defendant was ordered to pay £1 a month In the case Fred Bradcy.. v. Robert Whiteman, judgment was given for plaintiff for £9 18s, to bo paid at the rate of £1 per month.

The report read at the annual general meeting of tho Wesleyan Orchestral Society, held last evening, disclosed a satisfactory state of affairs on the whole. The membership commencing the New Year- was twenty-one. The music has been added to by £2 13s, which, after i being written down 10 per cent, on last i year’s figures, is valued at £l4. _ En- ! gagements for tho year (all gratuitous) i were nineteen, and included performan- ! ces given for various Churches, and at j the Missions to Seamen, Sailors’ Rest, j Boys’ Institute and for patriotic move- • merits. The “More Men Fund” was! benefited by £4 17s 9d as the result of i tho society’s concert last year. The j finances show no liabilities, and assets valued at over £3O, with a cash balance! of £1 os. This, in the face of the loss of revenue which occurred through not giving a concert last year, owing to tho many engagements on hand, shows the society is keeping well within its income. The election of officers for 1801 resulted as follows: —Mr Bonbow, president; .Messrs A. Jolly and Geo. Tiller, vicepresidents ; Mr F. Bill man, conductor (re-elected); Mr F. G. Billman, viceconductor; Mr Copithorne, secretary and treasurer (re-elected); Mr A. Ritson, librarian ; Miss J. Jones and Messrs Warwick and Orewes', members of the committee, in addition to the officers named above. As the way seems clear now to give tbe fiftn annual concert, it was decided that it should be held during the last week in April. The meeting closed with ;■ wjte of thanks to tho conductor (Mr Billman) for his gratuitous services for the year.

j In tho course of a sermon at Palmerston North, Bishop Wilson, of MelaneI sia, stated that there were 14,000 coni t-erts to Christianity in the Islands. The first shipment of this season’s poultry to London, under the ausjjices of the Agricultural Department, will be made by the Aotea, sailing fr.om Wellington to-morrow. Included in the shipment will ho a consignment of 00 chickens and ducklings from the Alomohp.ki Experimental Station. The line is a remarkably fine one, and Air Gowen, a London poulterer of groat experience, who inspect ed the birds before they went into the freezing chamber, describes them as the best Lot of dressed poultry be has seen in the colony. Air A. A. Barnett recommended at last night’s meeting of the Ratepayers’ Association that every person in the employ of tho Corporation should wear a distinguishing badge. On the principle that if one wanted work done well, he ought to pay for it, he urged that City Councillors should uo given the same pay as members of Parliament, that tho number of Councillors should be reduced, six thoroughly competent men being appointed, and that the Mayor should receive £SOO a year. It is probable that these suggestions will be at the nest meeting.