LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4740, 23 August 1902, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The British warship Archer and the French gun-boat Zelee have arrived at Suva.

The Hon C. H. and Mrs Mills arrived in Wellington by the Penguin last night. Messrs Brown and Dean, solicitors for Mr Joseph Mandel,'bave received notice from Mr Wilford that the action by E. F. Yuile against Joseph Mandel, a claim for £IOOO damages, has been discontinued. Two men who were seen offering a bicycle for sale at Te Aro on Tuesday afternoon are at present in custody for : the theft of the machine. The police are desirous that the person who has the bicycle should communicate with them-

An action for damages in which the plaintiff, Sydney Oakes, sues Robert J. Kells, for £SOO, for alleged slander, was fixed yesterday by Mr Justice Edwards for' hearing on 3rd September. Mr Hindmarsh appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Skerrett for defendant. The case is to be tried before a Judge alone.

In view of a question which has been placed on the order paper at the House by Mr G. Fisher, it is interesting to note that Mr Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police, was nob appointed for any specific term. It was agreed that his connection wku the department should be terminable at three months’ notice on either side.

Mr T. B. Dwan, of the firm of Messrs Dwan Bros., proceeded to Christcnurcli last night by- the to value (for the Stamp Dej ytinent) a brewery and several hotel properties belonging to a large Southern comjiany, connected with which there is a dispute over probate duties.

There is an Australian Bushmen Corps the members of which were not lost in admiration of the Eighth New Zealand Regiment. It is said that while out on the veldt together the New Zealanders grar.cd their horses in threes —one man (ending each trio of horses. The Australians were in the habit of sending out ninety or a hundred horses in charge of three men 1 Twenty-seven thousand cases of potatoes are to bo shipped from New Zealand to South Africa by tho Norfolk, which arrived from Brisbane yesterday morning. Of these 8000 cases will be taken from Picton, 17,820 from Lyttelton and the remainder from Dunedin. The potatoes are being shipped in strong cases, each of which will be branded on two sides with the words “ Now Zealand Potatoes.” Special care is being used in selection, so that nothing but tile best will find its way into the new market.

Mr C. Hudson, general manager of the Tasmanian Government Railways, is showing great energy in bringing tho advantages of tho system under the notice of tourists- We have just received a copy of a large illustrated poster, measuring about four feet by three, setting forth tho scenic attractions of Tasmania. The poster, which is printed in four colours, is a credit to Tasmanian printers. It has in the centre a map of Hie island, and embraces a number of excellent views of the picturesque scenery, cities, etc., of tho “tight little” State. A complaint that has boon made with regard to delay in sorting this week's Australian mails is quite without foundation. The mails by tho Mokoia, which arrived at midday on Wednesday, were sorted into tho receiving boxes by 3 p.m. that day. The mails which arrived at Auckland on Monday reached Wellington by train on Thursday night. The complaint seems to have'been made on the supposition that only one mail came to hand from Sydney, but, as has been indicated, there were two, and it was tho second mail which wan mistaken for matter delayed in delivery from the Mokoia.

The Public Works Department has received the following tenders for the erection of a combined road and rai!””'y bridge over the Hokitika river, m ' Hokitika, in connection with the Hoi, tika-Ross Railway:—-Accepted—T. 1‘ lon, Greymouth, £26,541. Declineu— A. McKay, Greymouth, £28,112; T. Fitzgerald, Greymouth, £28.094; Maco and Nicholson, Wellington, £28,720; P. Gay, Greymouth, £29,809; J. McLean and Son, Wellington, £29,969; M. O’Connor, Wellington, £30,749; Sutherland and Nelson, Dunedin, £33,298; Hill and McKinnon, Greymouth, £34,369; J, Mandl, Hokitika, £34,961; G. Sangster, Stratford, £36,310, .

During the hearing of legal argument yesterday before his Honor Mr Justice Edwards iu a motion connected with the case of Aiken v. Harcourt, Mr Travers took occasion to inveigh. against the system by which “respectable men on the jury panel were challenged by counsel for the defence." Mr Jellicoe, on the other side, inquired sarcastically if counsel were speaking of his own experience. Mr Travers retorted that he had Jong einco given up criminal practice. Hij Honor expressed the opinion that as a general rule, in bis experience, jurors were respectable people, anxious to do what was right—honest men, who were willing to be guided in the proper direction. Mr Jelliooe remarked that Mr Travers’s experience must have been gained in very corrupt times. “Fes, in the early days,” was the response. Before the Sydney Arbitration Court last week, during the hearing of a case cited by the Broad Carters’ Union, a bread carter said he received 45s per week, and worked on four days a week from a quarter to 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Mondays ho worked from a quarter to 5 a.m. until 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 4.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. His present masters, who had only recently token over the business, were taking steps to reduce his hours-., their opinion being that “ it was simply murder.” The education of a bread car'ter was referred to in somewhat amusing terms by this witness, and it will be interesting to consumers to make a note of one “ little wrinkle ” which ho explained to the Court. In getting rid of stale bread, be said a fresh loaf was placed at the bottom, and a stale loaf on top. “The customer takes bold of the loaf that is underneath,” he added, “ and naturally thinks the whole of the bread is new. She does not find it out until the bread carter leaves. Of course, he may hear about it the next day.”

Yesterday the Chief Justice, sitting in Chambers, had before him a native land case, in which the plaintiff, Maihl Hangina, of Parontawhao, applied for a writ of prohibition against George Bout- k flower Davy, OhiefJudgo of the Native Land Court, and George Harold Smith, solicitor, Pahiatua, directing me calling in of certain orders of the Native Court for the purpose of haying the same quashed. The application had reference to three blocks pf land at Mangatainoka and Pahiatua, to which plaintiff claimed to succeed under the will of Hutu Te Hiaro, who died in 1894. It was contended that at the time of making the order of accession, the Court was doubtful, as a matter of law, whether lands subject to restriction of alienation could be devised by . will. His Honor dismissed the application with reference to two of the blocks, and directed that in the third case the matter should be referred back to the Native Land Court to ascertain if the Chief Judge would reconsider*the matter and vary his order.

At the Supreme Court yesterday the five Syrians—Mansoor Peter, Lahood Williams, Lahood Budnic, George Oustin and Michael Gustin—convicted on Wednesday last of an assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily ham on one of their own countrymen, Assid Shewiery, came up for sentence before Mr Justice Edwards. Mr Gray, on * behalf of the prisoners, applied for the benefit of the First* Offenders Act. Mr Wilford, representing the injured man, contended that the statute oould not apply to a case of such gravity, and asked the Court to inflict the punishment which the offence merited. Mis Honor directed that the prisoners should pay a fine of £lO each, and enter into recognisances to keep the peace, themselves in £IOO, and two sureties in £SO each, for the period of twelve months, or in default six months’ imprisonment with hard labour.. Mr Gray intimated his intention to memorialise the Government for a remission of the fine. His Honor, in discharging the prisoners, warned them that Syrian manners and methods would not do in Wellington, and that any repetition of the offence would be severely dealt with.

At a mooting of Urn Newtown brand, of tlio Liberal ami Bahonr federation last night, it was decided to ask Urn Rev ,1. (.’reives lo give an address at an early date. Letters were react from Ministers and M.H.H.’s, in ivluoli tint* wr'tors promised to attend tlio social gathering promoted by the branch on the Ist prox.

Thu members of the Working Mens Club have decided to enlarge the club to increased mouthership. Competitive designs for the improvements were invited, and out of seven sets submitted, the one designed by Mr J. Charlesworth, architect, wore ohoseii. The work will bo gone on with immediately.

Dr Torrny and Mr Alexander will leave Sydney to-day, arriving in Wellington on the 28th. They will stay until the (ith September. They conduct a mission in Christchurch from the 7th September to tho 17th, and in Dunedin from the 18th to tho 28th. They leave Dunedin on the 29th for Melbourne, on route to India.

Van Burg’s Australian Dramatic Company, a combination of thirty, will commence ft season at the Federal Hall, Manners street, this night week, when they will produce tho sensational drama “When London Wakes.” The company has just finished a season at Christchurch which lasted four months, establishing a record for tho Southern city. The company includes some capable actors and actresses.

Sitting in Chambers yesterday, Mr Justice Edwards had before him tho oaso of O. W. Banks v. tho Bank of New Zealand, an action for JCIOOO damages for a dishonoured cheque, winch PaH been fixed for Monday next bettiro a common jury. It was decided that tho case should stand over, pending argument on certain questions of law, ■which are to bo discussed by tho counsel engaged. Mr T. M. Willord appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Dalzicl for defendants.

“Wharf Labourer” writes: —Some few weeks ago, in reply to a deputation of workers. Sir Joseph Ward stated that ho was in favour of the appointing of a labour man upon the Harbour Board, bub lap to tho present no appointment has been made. Why this delay? This seat has been practically vacant by the Government nominee for upwards of eighteen months. I trust the matter has not boon lost sight of, as the situation is, to say the least of it, serious from a labouring man’s point of view.

The ‘“Fiji Times,” in its issue of 30th July, reprinted, “in oxtenso,” the article “A Visit to Fiji,” by a special correspondent of the “New Zealand Times.” This article contained some very strong remarks as to the way in which Fiji is governed, which evidently met with the approval of the “Thunderer” of Suva, for it prints a leading article, expressing the hope that tno new Governor, Sir Henry Jackson, will bring some relief to colonists and Motives in the shape of a measure of representative government. At the Supremo Court yesterday, Mr Justice Edwards took up the hearing of a motion by Mr Jollicoo on behalf of the plaintiff in the case of Robert J. Aiken v. J. B. Harcourt, to enter judgment for plaintiff on the jury’s findings to the issiuo submitted at tho trials. Tho action was for damages for malicious prosecution. Mr Travers, who appeared with Mr Skcrrott on tho other side, opposed, on the ground that the issues had no connection with tho cause of the action, and (that tho defendant had reasonable and probable grounds for acting as ho had done. Counsel had not concluded when the Court adjourned until Monday.

A representative meeting of general earners and forwarding agents was held last night, when those present decided to form themselves into an association, to ho registered under the name of the Wellington General Carriers’ Industrial Union of Employers, with the object of regulating and watching over the interests of the carrying business in this city. A number of important matters were discussed with a considerable amount of enthusiasm. A committee was sot up to draft rules to bo submitted for consideration and confirmation at a general meeting to bo held at an early date. Tho committee was empowered to deal with several questions requiring immediate attention.

Yesterday afternoon, tho Mayor, tho Rev W. J. Elliott and Mr H. W. Kersley, chairman and secretaries respectively of tho mission which will bo commenced in Wellington next week by Dr Torrey and Mr Alexander, two American waited upon the Acting-Premier and asked that a small concession in railway fares bo granted to country people in order that they might bo induced to attend tho mission lectures. Sir Joseph Ward declined to grant tho deputation the concession applied for. Eev Mr Elliott points out that the Acting-Pre-mier's refusal to grant the concession was extremely unfair, as tho department very frequently makes reductions in railway fares to meet tho convenience of the public on race days.

Tho Educat'on Boards’ ConferoiTfco concluded its deliberations very much sooner than was anticipated. Instead of the proceedings lasting for at least a week, as was anticipated, tho business of tho conference only lasted a couple of days. Tho Hawke’s Bay Education Board did not appoint a delegate luntii Tuesday, consequently that Board was not represented at the conference, which had terminated when tho delegate arrived. Tho Hawke’s Bay Board is principally concerned about tho building grant—there being urgent calls in this direction from that large district—and with the provision of payment for relieving feachers. Since arriving in Wellington, tho Board’s representative has bad interviews with the department and Minister, and has received assurances that the department will do everything possible to assist tho Board in its administrative duties.

Tie proprietors of our weekly illustrated contemporary, the “New Zealand Mail.” are finding that the public of Wdlington and surrounding districts are responsive to enterprise intelligertly directed. The first issue of the illustrated series of the “Mail” has been quite sold out. showring that the public appreciate a good thing, and aro not stinted in their support of it. With a view to preventing disappointment, stbsoribers aro advised to order for a year direct from the office, or to place standing orders with the nearest newsagent. In another column tho proprietors of the “Mail” insert an advertisement. including an order form, wnich intending subscribers may cut oit and forward to the office. The “Mail” has long been admitted to hold frst position among New Zealand weekly papers for the variety and excellence cf its literary contents; and now that rp-to-dato illustrations have been allied, it seems destined to take the lead *1 circulation and influence.

At. the Missions to Seamen last night Mr Moore .spoke on ‘'First Aid.” Airs Campbell provided a musical programme, in which the following took part:—Mrs Campbell, the -Bisses ilursthonse (2) A I'idio Robertson, Eileen Blundell and Baker, and Mr N. Hales.

This afternoon Messrs Levien. Shallcrass and Co. will sell at their rooms, under instructions from the Public Tiustee. a lot ot watches, rings, and other goons. At Jolinsonvillo next Tuesday, Messrs Freeman R. Jackson and Co. will hold a stock sale at Johnsonville.

Apidications are invited up lo the Ist prox. for the position of mathematical and science master at tho Southland Boys and Girls’ High School. Invercargill. The salary is J 8250 per annum.

Hay and mangolds will bo sold by Laery and Co., Ltd., at their rooms at noon next Monday. This afternoou Messrs Sidey, Meech and Co. will sell at their rooms a lot of furniture. clothing, clocks,watches, etc. On Tuesday and Wednesday next .the firm will sell, on the premises. Lambton quay, Mrs J. Gross’s stock of fancy goods and fittings. Tho sale at the D.I.C. will terminate this evening. A special show of spring goods will bo made from next Thursday.

To-day is the closing sale at the Economic, and Messrs George and Kersley offer special bargains.

Tho Don Soft Goods Syndicate, Wanganui. require a saleswoman for tho showroom.

Abraham and Williams, Ltd., will sell stock at Palmerston North next Thursday. ■ Messrs Farr and Bennie invite tenders till noon next Saturday for erection of additions to a residence in llankey street. Excursion trips are advertised by the Wellington Steam Ferry Company for today and to-morrow.

An engineer is wanted to take charge of the electric lighting apparatus and steam appliances at Seacliff Asylum, at a salary of .£230 per annum. Applications close on the Bth prox. Tho Petone Band will play at the Bellevue Gardens to-morrow afternoon. Tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., will hold a stock sale at Palmerston North next Thursday.

Vitadatio is advertised as a cure for hydatids. Mr C. Smith, Cuba street, advertises the P.D. corsets, which are said to wear well, look well and fit well. Messrs Harcourt and Co. will sell hy public auction at their rooms next Tuesday, at 2.30 p.m., the mining rights, plant and privileges of the Wellington Gold Mining Company, in liquidation. Tho various privileges are fully detailed in our advertising columns, and the attention of all interested in mining is directed to it. Full particulars can be obtained from the auctioneers. Messrs Turnbull, Watkins and Williams advertise a list of bargains in city and suburban properties, and ask investors to call for “The Property and Investment Index,” which contains 26 pages of valuable information, and may bo obtained gratis at their offices. Taitville sections, also advertised, are meeting with a steady sale, and those desiring to stecure a firs til ass building site at a very low figure and on easy terms should inspect the plan without delay. Messrs Finlay McLeod and Co. announce the last day of their sale. Attention is directed to the .£25 prize competition advertised by the Castle Tea Company, giving every consumer of any of their brands an opportunity of winning tho prize. The value of their teas is guaranteed equal to any other procurable. Full particulars of the competition can be procured from any grocer. The New Century Talking Machine Company, Willis street, notify that their special offer new century phonographs is only open for a few more days. See advertisement on page 3.

Mr Freeman Potts advertises that all documents were saved from the fire last night at Eketahuna.

Abraham and Williams, Ltd., sell stock at 'faki on the 27th.

Messrs Levien, Shallcrass and Co', will sell unredeemed pledges for Mr J. Zachariah on Saturday next.

The order of services is advertised for to-morrow at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Brooklyn Churchroom and the Missions to Seamen.