LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4871, 24 January 1903, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Weather . permitting, tbo 'Wellington Cycling Club will hold'its hill-climbing competition this afternoon, from Ivalwarra to Croftoa.

Tho Gear Meat Company is at present very fully occupied at its Petono slaughterhouses, the number of dressed carcases cf sheep and lambs for some dime past having averaged over Jive thousand per day. In- addition to those, largo quantities of cattle are being dealt with at tho works.

Tho City Council has accepted the tender of a Dunedin firm (Mclvechnio and Fleming) for the erection of car sheds required for the electric tramv.’ay system to ho instituted in Wellington. The price is £15,043. For the erection of tho tramway offices and caretaker’s rooms, which will adjoin tho car sheds, tho tender of luaeo and Nicholson, a Wellington firm (£2-159) has keen accepted. There is a time limit of six months imposed in .this latter contract, and of nine months in respect of tho oar sheds. Doth buildings arc to he situated in Riddiford street, near Newtown Park. To commemorate the Coronation of tho King, who is Patron of tho Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Now Zealand, the Grandmaster of the institution (Mr Herbert J. Williams) last year instituted a special revivify tho fund for the relief of aged and infirm Freemasons. Tho movement has boon exceptionally well supported, and as a result a provionslv languishing fund has been co.nsidr>rably strengthened are made effective for groat good. Nearly ■CM nod has been daunted, and there is already a sum of £9OO in the bauds ef the seer eta rr to tho Grand Lodge (Mr Malcolm Niool). who is acting as treasurer to tho movement. Tho shipment uf dairy product) from Now Zealand to England by the steamer Papanui this week was tho largest scut away during tho present season, and possibly tho largest during any season. Mr Francis Shaw, acting-secretary of the National Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd., informs ns that his association sent away ,1m this steamer 44.235 packages of butter aggregating li!3 tons in weight, and 4007 cases cheese, weighing 275.) tons. Tin’s shipment by the association, which constituto’s that body’s largest exportation, in one bottom, was made up as follows:—From Auckland. 582 D packages butter; from Paten, 7730 packages butter:, from Wellington, 13.033 packages butter. 1237 eases cheese; from Lyttelton, 3011 packages butter 287 cases cheese; from Dunedin, 2359 packages butter, 152 cases cheese; from Bluff 567 packages butter, 1301 cases choose. Tho City Council has no present intention of moving tho whole of tho water mains in tho city, though in the, case of some small mains which roqmro attention it is proposed to transfer their location from beneath tho roadwav to under the footpath in certain streets. There is no doubt tliat to disturb tbo roadway after tho wooden blocking shall have been put down would cause considerable damage, but tbo authorities consider that this may easily be avoided by tunnelling in from tho footpath when tapping the mains is necessary. Tbo present six-inch and eightinch mains are likely to remain sound for fifteen rears nr so. and therefore, there is no need for them to bo taken up now. A theory has boon put forward that the electric currents from tho new tramways on the iron mains will’have a most deteriorating effect, but tho city officials aro inclined to scout the suggestion, at least so far as tho water mains aro concerned. , “Wairima” writes; —“It scorns that great exception has been taken in certain quarters to an expression in my article on match girls namely;—‘Many of tbo girls aro “on thoir own,” and not in any way controlled when they leave work.’ I have keen asked to explain what I moan by this, and those who ask mo insist that my words imply that tho girls dead what may be called a ‘loose’ life. My reply is, that my words moan nothing of tho kind. They mean simply that I was under an impression that tho gilds in question were aged from thirteen to eighteen. I am now told that all tho girls under eighteen reside with thoir parents, and only older girls live where they please. If this is so, my remark loses its force, and I should like to withdraw it.” Wo have a 1 so received a lengthy letter on this subject from “ Ono Who Knows.” but in view of the author’s disclaimer, as given above, tho matter may bo allowed to rest. Tho date of tho Annual Communication of the Freemasons of New Zealand, to be bold in Auckland in accordance with the decision of last year’s gathering, has boon lately fixed for tho sth May. Tbo Grand Lodge is this year making the experiment of paying tho travelling expenses to Auckland of delegates from every lodge in New Zealand, and in consequence there is sure to bo the most numerous gathering of representative Freemasons ever seen in the colony. For this reason the installation of the Grand Master, which is to take place on the 6th May, will have to bo conducted in a more ’.spacious building than the Freemasons’ Hall, and tho , Federal Hall, which will accommodate about 800 persons, has boon engaged for the ceremony, though tbo Freemasons’ Hall will suffice for the business, meetings of tho Communication. Somemore than usually important business i.s to be considered on this occasion, and especially is this so in regard to a proposal made by tbo Grand Ledge for incorporating a body of trustees to bold property and moneys of the Grand Lodge. If this bo agreed to by the Communication, a special Act of Parliament will be necessary to make the decision effective.

Mr A. Rogers has donated £1 Is to the funds cf the Fire Brigade in recognition cf its services at tho recent hre in Manners street. Tho annual meeting of shareholders cf the Wellington Gas Company is to ba held at the Chamber of Commerce on tho 2nd February, at noon. In accordance with tho provisions of an Act of Parliament passed last session, a list of qualified, nurses is printed in tiio current issue of the ” Gazette.” It was stated at tho Acclimatisation Conference yesterday that a license had been seen which was issued by tbo Nelson society for £l, and which entitled tho holder to fish and to shoot game and deer. The special meeting of the Melrose Borough Council, which was to have been held .yesterday to arrange for taking a poll of tho ratepayers of the borough on the question of amalgamation with me city of Wellington, has been postponed to Monda;/ next, at 1 p.m. Tho wool merchants of the city report that the ciips now coming to hand fronf-' stations' in tho Wellington district show increased bulk by comparison with those of previous years. An excejition, however, is noted in tiio division .of wool known ns “hogget,” ibero having been a mortality amongst tho young sheep as a result of rigorous weather. A largo number of pastoral runs that would bo dear at a gift are -advertised for lease at microscopical rentals in tho present issue of tho Government “ Gazette.” Ono run, comprising 79,200 acres, is offered for len.so on a twentyono years’ term at an annual upset rental of £IOO. A. certain run of 35,224 acres may l:o secured for twenty- . on a years at £lO a year. Over two hundred sheep wore brought from Lyttelton yesterday by the Rotomahana. They comprised Southdowns and English and Border Leicestcrs, shipped by Messrs Field and Roys to various clients. Mr John Deans, of Canterbury, bred the Southdowns; Mr Tutton, cf Amberley, tho English Leiccstors; and tho Border Leiccstors wero bred by Mr IV. Grant, of Timaru. Tho Mastcrton band contest commences on Monday, the 2nd prox., and tiio proceedings will extend over liva days, tho final tost and judge’s decision being announced for tbo Friday. On Tuesday, tbo 3rd, a reception and garden party will take placo in tho Park Oval, at which twenty-one bands will play. On Wednesday the first tost selection will bo taken, and on tho Thursday tho quickstep competition will bo judged on tho show ground. Special trains will be run at excursion rates.

A mooting of tbo officers commanding companies interested in tho forthcoming military bazaar was bold last night. Thero was a good attendance, and tho arrangements were reported to ba in a very forward state. ■ The bazaar is to bo opened on Wednesday, the 25th February. Various sub-committees wero appointed to carry out details, including tho making of arrangements for an art union. There aro now nino companies co-operating to make the bazaar a success. Some excellent military displays aro being rehearsed. In another column Miss .Tulia Moran, the talented- violinist, announces that she will resume tuition on 4th February. Hiss Moran will be at home on and after 2nd February, from 10 atm. to noon. Particulars aro alTvertised to-day of excursion railway tickets in connection with the Pahialua races on tho 28th and 29th inst. The Loan and Mercantile Agency Company will sol! stock at Palmerston North on the 23tb lust. Six big, cheap lots in tho dress department at Warnock and Adkin’s sale are advertised in our "wanted” column. Messrs Lovien, Shallcrass and Co. will hold an auction sale at thoir rooms this morning of watches, field glasses, tele, scopes and sundries. This afternoon Messrs Sidey, Meech. and Co. will sell at their rooms, Miss Stewart’s stock-in-trade of confectionery, etc., also pianos, furniture, watches, china ware. etc. Messrs W. H. Morrah and Co. will sell a lot of furniture, crockery, pictures, electro-plate, etc., at thoir rooms this afternoon. The trawler Phantom will arrive at the Queen’s Wharf next Tuesday and Friday mornings at G o’clock, when the public will be supplied with fish. Impay's May Apple is described as "the friend of tho family." On the 31st inst. tho Loan and Mercantile Agency Company will sell at Christchurch a splendid property of about 13S3_acres freehold and 020 acres leasehold, with homestead and outbuildings, etc. The property, which is known as Island Farm, is situated some six or seven miles from Christchurch. Particulars aro advertised.

An important clearing sale of Mr James Little’s Allendale stud English Leicester flock will be held at Hawardea yards, North Canterbury, on _ the 12th proz. The Loan and Mercantile Agency Company inserts particulars in our advertising columns. Messrs S. and W. Mackay insert in another column a new list of books for sale. ‘ j,. Messrs Freeman R. Jackson and Co. will sell stock at Johnsonvillo next Tuosday.

Mr Milligan, tailor. Kelburne avenue, has just received a choice lot ot suitings. At Martinborough, Walrarapa, next Friday the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company will hold an extensive sale of sheep, cattle and horses.-. Some fourteen hundred sheep and four hundred head of cattle will be submitted in lots to suit buyers. # ~ , . Ferguson’s P. and O, whisky is specially recommended for purity. In our advertising columns to-day Messrs Harcourt and Co. insert a fresh list of city and suburban properties for sale, comprising residences in the most desirable parts of the city, and favourite seaside resorts. Amongst these will be noted a gentleman's residence in Newtown, eight-roomed houses at Mu*tai and’ Oriental Bay. and a good block of seven-roomed houses at Thorndon. Mecs-s Aiken and Co., Lambton quay, invite perusal of their now list of cottages and houses in city and suburbs, also dairy farms, hotels, boardinghouses and, businesses, which will well repay inspection. Messrs W. H. Morrah and Co. will hold their annual ram and ev, o fair at thoir saleyards. Lower Ilntt, next Thursday. Messrs E. J. Walsh and Co. quote p-iccs iii another column of various lines now offering at their sale. Messrs Brooking and Black. Stratford, advertise farms, sheep runs, businesses, etc., for sale. The "Graphic” for this week contains a good variety of reading matter jtnd is profusely illustrated. Tenders are invited for the supply of fresh provisions to lI.M. ships at. Nelson for’twelve months, commencing Ist April next.

A preliminary advertisement in connection with tho auction sale of forty dairycows appears jn our issue of to-day. The sale will lie conducted by Messrs George Thomas and Co., and will take place at Mr George Bell's farm near the Cemetery. Karori, on Tuesday. 3rd February. Williams and Kettle, Ltd., will bold a sale of 0500 sheep at Mr B. -T. Watt’s station- Longlanda, Hawke’s Bay, on the 3rd February. Particulars are advertised of services to-morrow at Scots Church, fit. Paul's Pro-Cath"dTel. Tincl-ori ror-d Clnirehroom. Wader-town Churehroom, St. Peter’s Church and the Missions to Seaman-