LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4605, 8 March 1902, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dr Valintine, of the Public Health Department, left yesterday for Auckland.

The annual meeting of the VV ellington Philosophical Society will be held at the Museum on Tuesday evening. Mr Walter Bock has been appointed to make up the electors’ rolls for the election of the first Featherston County Council. The gross returns from Customs for the eleven months of the financial year for the colony exceeded the estimate by over £BO,OOO. The half-yearly dividend of £2 per share in the Bank of Australasia, being at the rate of 10 per cent., will bo payable on March 29th.

It has been decided by the Government that the 24th May (the late Queen’s birthday) is not to be observed as a public holiday this year. Entries for the forthcoming meeting of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club close to-night at 9 o’clock at the Central Hotel with the secretary, Mr F. Ross.

The Imperial authorities have written to the Prime Minister at Melbourne asking him and his colleagues to furnish them with a suggested table of precedence before the Coronation ceremonies are held in June.

A message from Colonel Porter of the Seventh Contingent to the Governor, states that the men wounded at Bothasborg are all doing well. The regiment, which is below strength, was to go on trek again on the 6th instant. In the interests of public health the City Council has decided to purchase a cart, which may bo used for carrying to the destructor goods condemned by the inspector. Tho cart will be properly fumigated after being used for this work.

During the twenty-four hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday, the rainfall at Taita was .26 inches, at Petone ,30 inches, and in Wellington .33 inches. City residents yesterday experienced a beat tho humidity of which was quite unusual in local experience. The resignation of Mr J. R. Blair as a member of the board of directors of the Bank of New Zealand has been filled by the Government appointing Sir Janies Prendergast to be a director of the bank. The chairman of the Board for the current year is Mr F. de C. Malet, of Christchurch. As the fumigation of mails from Australia is done under high temperature, it is found that letters sealed with sealing-wax are apt to be seriously injured, and to damage other letters in the process of fumigation. It would be well if receivers of such letters would advise their correspondents in Australia to cease using sealing-wax for the present.

The Department of Labour has. been advised that Mr J. Scott, secretary of the sub - committee of the Victorian Royal Commission on Factory Legislation, will arrive at the Bluff from Melbourne on the 17th instant. The members of the Commission who are coming to New Zealand will reach the colony about a week later. It had been their intention to come to Wellington direct, but the recrudescence of plague in Sydney led to an alteration in their plans. A meeting of the newly-formed Architectural Association in connection with the Arts and Crafts Guild of the Technical School was held last night, and was well attended by members. An illustrated instructive paper was read by Mr A. J. Paton on “ Domestic Sanitary' Appliances.” An interesting discussion followed. Votes of thanks were passed to the lecturer and chairman (Mr Campbell). Meetings of the association will be held monthly during the school session. Mr Robert Parker will this season resume his attractive concerts of chamber music, with short descriptive lectures, at the Sydney street schoolroom. Each evening will be devoted to a leading composer, or group of composers, in chronological sequence. The first Thursday of each month has been set aside for a concert. By way of preparing the audience for the fuller enjoyment of the music to be performed later, Mr Parker will give a preliminary lecture, with' illustrations of different periods, next Friday evening. The terms of subscription to the series of concerts have been fixed at a very moderate rate. Recent fires in this and other cities has roused the public to the absolute necessity of providing practical and adequate means of escape in case of fire. Many devices have been tried, and one that has been shown to us in model seems to be one of the most practical and automatic yet devised. There seems to be no limit to the height to which this one may lie applied, or the many useful purposes it is capable of serving other than that for which it is designed. This escape was originally invented by Mr Robert Kyte, of Whangarei, and is now the property of Mr C. E. R. Mackcsy, who has gone with his appliance to compete with others at the Hokitika gathering. On Mr Mackesy’s return he will publicly exhibit the practical working of the escape from the top windows of the Wairaiapa Farmers’ Co-operative buildings.

The Chief Health Officer will return from Australia by the steamer Warrimoo, leaving Sydney on the 15th instant.

Mr S. Percy Smith and Hr Hamilton, of Dunedin, will wait upon the Colonial Secretary on Monday, and urge him to establish a museum for the colony ia Wellington.

Tl:e Japanese warships Hi-yei and Kongo will leave Japan on the 19th instant for Australia, and are duo at Melbourne on the 20th April. They have aboard a number of naval cadets.

Teachers have noted with pleasure the success which attended the efforts made by Sir Robert Stout and others at the recent New Zealand University Senate meeting, in the direction of the establishment of a course in pedargosy-

A statute just passed by tho New Zealand University Senate provides inducements to those who have taken with honours the highest graduate courses in any department of tho University, to continue their studios for several years, and proscribes the method by which their success is to be judged. Mr Willy Schweigcrhauscn, a German journalist, is cycling in Australia, on his way round the world to win a wager hedged about by strange conditions. From Victoria he was to go to Tasmania. After returning to Melbourne, he will visit New South Wales and Queensland, and then cross to Now Zealand, whence ho will proceed to South America.

The Senate of tho Now Zealand University had under consideration at its recent meeting the engineering course so far as mining is concerned. Some alterations were made last year in respect of mechanical engineering. Changes in tho mining and metallurgical engineering branch were decided upon on this year. has been made stiffen, and physical science has been raised. Tho standard of applied mechanics and engineering construction and the relative merits of the degrees of proficiency have also been considerably altered.

In a reference to the coming visit of tho sub-committee of the Victorian Royal Commission on factory legislation to New Zealand, the Melbourna “Argus” says:—“The reasons for making this trip can bo better imagined than sot out in print. Some idea of their true character may bo judged from the fact that tho Premier has been carefully ’sounded’ as to whether he would cover tho cost of taking some of tho lady members of tho Commissioners’ families. It is said that the cost of the visit will not bo groat, but whatever the expense it will not bo likely to include anything on behalf of the ladies.”

The result of the inquiry into the conduct of the Point Halswoll Prison is satisfactory, not only because it exonerates an official from a series of serious charges, but because it makes it evident that tho prison is being carried on in an unexceptionable way under existing conditions. It is a matter of common knowledge that the accommodation at both the Point Halswell and Terrace Prisons is by no means satisfactory. This has been pointed out again and again by Lieutenant-Colonel Hume, “inspector of Prisons, and Mr P. Garvey, the Gaoler at Wellington, Tho position is, therefore, that until Parliament makes adequate provision for new gaols it will not bo possible for tho local institution** to be carried on on reformatory principles. The Education Department has received some particulars of the boat accident at tho Chatham Islands by which Mr C. W. Rapley, a school teacher, and three other young men lost their lives. Tho party was crossing from Pitt Island to Chatham Island in an open boat, which carried a sail. On tho way a gala sprang up, and the boat was blown to the eastern end of the strait. Pitt Island, . it may be mentioned, is to tho South of Chatham Island. Nothing was afterwards seen of the boat or her occupants. Some wreckage, which may have belonged to the boat, was picked up on Chatham Island. Mr Rapley, who was unmarried, was formerly a pupil teacher in North Canterbury. Ho had been m charge of the school on Pitt Island for about two years. He was a good teacher, and at the last examination all bis pupils passed. Like many of Ins age, he was rather adventurous. When the Inspector-General was at tho Chathams recently, he commented on the risk there was in -crossing the strait, which is of considerable width, in a boat which it would be so difficult to manage in bad weather.

Six years ago, Mr D. J. Nathan, a Wellington merchant, travelled about the colony advocating co-operation amongst New Zealand farmers, with a view to controlling the Now Zealand meat trade in the London market. Mi Nathan was subjected to a great deal ol adverse criticism at the time. Ho wa} openly flaunted by Mr Nelson at a meet* ing at Napier, at which he tried to enlist the support of the Hawke’s Baj farmers. His offer to address a meeting of Canterbury pastoralists was curtlj refused. The main reason for the rejection of Mr Nathan’s scheme was because of his advocacy of State assist* ance. Prejudice dies hard, but it il interesting, in face of these facts, to note that there now seems to be a growing feeling in some parts of tho colony in favour of Mr Nathan’s views. This feeling appears to have found voioi through the North Canterbury branch o) the Farmers’ Union, "which proposes thal some form of co-oporativo combination of those interested in tho frozen meal trade, whereby tho absolute control ol the sale of tin? whole output of New Zealand shall be vested in one company ol board, is essential for tho realisation M the full value of the colony’s product

The result of the military examination of school teachers under the Wellington Education Board, which tools place on 21st December, is as follows: Mr E. H. Ballachoy, Newtown School, musketry 84, discipline 90, duties 99, squad 100, company /7, practical 61; total 511. or 85 per cent. Sir D. M. Poison, Clyde quay School, musketry 65, discipline 97, duties 88, squad 63, company 73. practical 94; total 480, or 80 per cent. Mr G. Henderson, Mount Cook Boys’ School, musketry 40, discipline 71. duties 82. squad 82, company 56: total 402. or 67 per cent. This is the first examination of the kind held in the colony. Out of six candidates who presented themselves, the above throe passed in the order named. The examinations were very stiff, the same subjects being taken as are taken by lieutenants in the Volunteer Force. It will be seen by the foregoing figures that one candidate obtained 100 per cent, or full marks in one subject, 99 m another, and 90 in another, but his practical work was weak. Another candidate obtained 94 per cent, on his practical work. which, considering the smallness of the room in which this very largo class receives its instruction must be considered an excellent pass. It is hoped that the result of this examination will induce a larger number of teachers to come forward in the future.

Mr Fenton. H. Latham has entered into partnership with Mr A. McKee, of the firm McKee and Co., of this city. Two of the Dunedin bands, the Kaikorai and Navals, who are proceeding to the contest at New Plymouth, intend to play in the Basin Reserve to-morrow afternoon.

Dr Pomaro, of the Public Health Department, who has returned from an inspection of the villages between Uronui and Parihaka, has been asked co attend a meeting at East Capo natives on tho 20th instant.

Mr W. J. Hanna, Commissioner for Roads and Bridges in Now South Wales, will inspect the co-operative works on tho North Island Main Trunk railway next week, accompanied by an omcer of tho Public Works Department. A cablegram received by Mr John Pro uso yesterday stated that Madame do Voro Sapio will bo unable to revisit Now Zealand next month, as she bad desired to do. She is engaged to take part in grand opera at Covont Garden Theatre, London, in June.

An advertisement of interest to pingpong players appears in this issue regarding a championship tournament to bo held on tho 20th and 21st in.st.. in aid of tho family of tho lato Robert Talbot, who left his wife and children in very destitute circumstances. Fuller details of the tournament will ho published next week. Tho “Graphic" (London), in its issue of tho nth January, had two pages devoted to reproductions of photographs taken in Australia and Now Zealand by Mr W. Reid, of Wishaw, tho well-known photographer of animals. Tho best of tho pictures was one of tho mustering of a flock of sheep on hills at tho head of Lako Wakatipu.

An “extra,” purporting to give the text of a cable message concerning an engagement with Do Wot in South Africa was circulated in tho city yesterday, bearing tho imprint of this paper. Immediate steps were taken to recall tho printed which, it is needless to say, had been issued without tho knowledge of tho management. Tho following estates of deceased persons have been finally certified to for tho amounts stated Wellingto—n Pawso, £2019; Thomas D. Scoular, £7470; Samuel J. Gamman, £1547; Antony Wall, £16,841; .Robert M. Paton, £3913; William Millar, £3041; Tamihana to Rauparaha, £3588; Heara to Hum, £2352; Harriet Kirkus, £1360; Frederick Ayres, £3040.

Mr and Mrs Frank Wills, of Wellington celebrated their silver wedding yesterday. About a hundred guests wore entertained in tho evening at Mr Wills’s residence, Fabian Villa, Hankey street, and tho health of Mr and Mrs Wills proposed by Mr W. D. Lyon, was enthusiastically toasted. A largo number of handsome presents were received by Mr and Mrs Wills in honour of the occasion.

Shortly before midnight last night tho Fire Brigade received a call from tho corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee streets. On the brigade arriving at the spot it was discovered that a false alarm had been given. This is the fourth time lately that a false alarm has been sent to tho brigade from this quarter. Next time a similar occurrence happens the fire-alarm, box at the corner of Taranaki and Ghuznee streets will bo removed.

At St. John’s Church, tho Rev James Lyall, the Scottish-Amorican evangelist, has been preaching to large audiences during the week. It has been decided to carry on tho mission for another week at St. John’s, instead of as was originally intended to hold the services at Kent Terraco Church. After next week Mr Lyall proceeds to Auckland, where he will hold a united mission with Dr H. Grattan Guinness and the Rev J. H. Stevens, tho singing evangelist. Mr Lyall will conduct services at the Baptist Chapel and Dr Guinness at the Opera House. The order of services for to-morrow appears m another column.

Cabinet has considered the question of establishing a direct steam service between Now Zealand and South Africa. Two tenders were received in response to the advertisements setting forth the class of steamers required, one being from the Blue Star Line, Liverpool, and one from the Union Steam Ship Company, as agents for the New Zealand and South African Company. The offer from the Blue Star Line is for eleven and a half knot boats, running monthly. It was decided to accept it if certain details can be satisfactorily arranged. A cablegram has been sent to the Agent-General instructing him to get certain information with a view to the offer being accepted. "Wo have to acknowledge the receipt of £1 Is from Mr J. D. Heagerty, Greytown, as a subscription towards the colonial testimonial to the Premier. In a note accompanying this donation, Mr Heagerty says ho regards Mr Seddon as “the noblest representative of the British race in the Southern Hemisphere. He stands head and shoulders above his compeers in his love for the people of Now Zealand, and in his patriotism towards the Empire.” It is also the opinion of our correspondent that it is the duty of New Zealanders to honour Mr Seddon while ho is among us. Probably other well-wishers and admirers of the Premier resident in the country are anxious to follow Mr Heagerty’s example, but are not in touch with any of tho committees appointed for the purpose of' furthering tho testimonial to the Premier. Should they bo disposed to contribute’ wo would gladly receive what they care to offer, and, after acknowledgment, will duly forward the amounts to the treasurer of the Wellington Committee. The 5.9. Duchess will make special excursions to Day’s Bay this morning and afternoon at the usual hours, the afternoon return steamer leaving the Bay at 5.30 p.ro. instead of 5 p.m., while the late boat will leave the wharf at 11.15 p.m., to allow passengers to attend the theatres. The s.s. Countess will make her regular excursions to Seatoun and Karaka Bay at reduced fares, and the Dnco will run to Miramar. The full time-table appears in this issue. Messrs Turnbull, Watkins and Williams advertise a list of properties for sale on easy terms, and call especial attention to their notification regarding a sawmill and several hundreds of acres of bush, together with a sawmill in the Wairarapa. to be sold at a sacrifice. Bargains in Karori and Wadestown are also offered, and a drapery business in the Huntorville district, particulars of which are available at the firm’s offices in Panama street,

A notice to consignees of goods by the steamer Germanicue appears fn this issue. Messrs P. E. Jackson and Co. will sell stock at Johnsonville on Tuesday.

Messrs Sidey, Meech-and Co. will sell at their rooms at 11 a.m. to-day, a quantity of furniture and effects, and at 2 p.m., the balance of a stock of drapery, boots, etc.

Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. will sell the sheep and shorthorn cattle of the Awamoa estate, Oarnam, at tho junction yards, Oamaru, on tho 11th inst., and the horses, and implements at the Awamoa Homestead on the following day. Messrs Abraham and Williams will sell stock at their yards, Palmerston North, on Thursday next

In our “wanted” column, Messrs R. Hannah and Co., Lambton quay and Cuba street, advertise special value in good class boots and shoes for to-morrow and next week. See quotations. Mr W. A. Gosling, land agent. Levin, advertises a perpetual lease property of 1446 acres for JC7SO. This must bo sold, as the owner is leaving the colony. at is a first-class investment.

Things continue to improve in Palmerston North. Messrs Kavonhill and Co., land agents, report a record in land sales last month.

There is now on view at Mr Edward Anderson's, Willis street, a new and specially-selected shipment of Royal Doulton Art Ware from the famous factories of Lambeth and Burslem. Messrs Doulton have been appointed potters to His Majesty King Edward VII. In making preparation for trio trade Mr C. Smith advertises that he is now opening up a host of new goods, which the public are invited to inspect. Mantles, jackets, millinery, dress goods and laces are mentioned as being of superior manufacture.

Mrs Male, of 123, Lambton quay, specialist in coats and skirts, announces that she has engaged a tailor and a dressmaker to assist her in tho making of coats and skirts.

Messrs AVilliams and Kettle will hold an important sale of stock at Waipukurau on Tuesday. Tho sheep and cattle entered are a very good lot, and there is also n capital entry of draught and harness horses, etc.

An inspection parade of tho Highland Rifles will bo held on Wednesday evening.

Tenders are called for supplies for tho Porirua Asylum.