CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6176, 6 April 1907, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS

EMBARKATION OF CADETS. The school cadets of Wellington have rarely felt or looked so important as they did last evening, when they paraded at the Central Drill Hall, in order to proceed to camp at Christchurch. Two battalions, numbering about 500 boys, paraded, and promptly at G o’clock the bugles sounded, the drums rattled, and they wore off. They proceeded down Lambton quay and on to tho wharf, making a very brave show indeed, and enlivening tho city considerably’ with tho martial strains of their bugles. Arrived at tho wharf, tho boys filed on to the 'To Anau in perfect order, and without the slightest sign of confusion. A 1 large crowd of admiring parent gathered to see them off. Much credit is duo to Majors Foster and Cowles, who commanded the two battalions fertile way in which the embarkation was carried out. Another detachment, consisting of the Marlborough Battalion, also sailed for Lyttelton last night, their “troop-ship” being the Mararoa. , JAPANESE SHOPPERS. During their visit to Wellington the officers, and even the men, of tho Japanese warships have made a raid on many of tho shops, and rarely has a knot of these men boon seen without an array of parcels of,nil kinds. One good thing tho Jap has discovered is the excellent quality of New Zealand rugs and blankets. A "Times” reJiortor was informed yesterday by a salesman in one of tho largest warehouses that he had sold to the visitors an average of over a dozen rugs a day, and yesterday morning ho visited one of the warships and disposed of eight rugs which ho had taken with him. Another shopman said ho sold no less than £IOO worth of blankets to Japanese* officers yesterday morning. White kid gloves have also been ip eager demand. Tho Japanese middies aro apparently not fully dressed without “kids,” and many of them have been buying gloves by the dozen during the last week. Flannel and Fox’s serge have also been in heavy demand, but rugs and blankets of local manufacture made'the greatest "hit.” THE STATE’S GOLD OUTPHT. During the month of March 50,5730 z of gold valued at £203,673 was exported from Now Zealand, against 35,2510 z of a value of £143,338 for the corresponding month last: year. Auckland headed the list with exports valued at £137,032, Gregmouth £27,491, Dunedin £23,268, Invercargill £8545.. Westport £7OOI, and Nelson £316. The gold exports for tho three months ending March last were 118,1i90z valued at £473,472, as compared with 129,6890 a, valued at £523,859 for tho first quarter of 1906, a decrease of 11.77Ck)z. Tho falling-off is mainly attributed to tho very dry in., the South' Island having greatly interfered with sluicing operations and also to a number of dredges ceasing work. Tho silver exports for March (from Auckland) amounted to 101,5500 z, valued at £10,817, against 78,5500 z, valued at £7940 for • the same period last year.

MEMORIAL TO LATE REV. R. COFFEF. There was a large gathering of parishioners at St. Mark’s schoolroom, Sussex square, last night to consider the matter of a memorial to the late incumbent of tho parish, the Rev. Richard Coffpy. Tho chair was occupied by Mr Andrew Meek. Mr Webb proposed a motion of condolence with tho relatives of-tho Jate vicar, which was carried unanimously. It was tcported that tho vestry recommended that tho proposed memorial should take the form of an oak pulpit and memorial brass in St. Mark’s Church, while a fence should be put up round -ho grave in Karori cemetery, and a suitable headstone bo also erected there. A motion to give effect to this recommendation was. proposed by Mr Shirtcliffe. -An amendment jiroposcd by Mr Avery that the memorial take tho form of a stained-glass window in tho porch was negatived, and tho motion was carried without dissent. A committee was appointed to assist the vestry in tho collection of funds, and a ladies’ committee, was also formed with tho same object. Mr Staco was appointed secretary of the joint committee.

THE SEAMEN’S -MISSIONER. In connection with a charge made by a correspondent in our yesterday’s issue that Air James Moore, missioner, had acted intrusively in his visit to the Japanese warship, and that the Japanese officers were displeased or astonished at tho visit, wo believe wo are correct in stating that tho case was very much otherwise. Air Alooro’s enthusiasm in his missionary work among sailors is very well recognised in Wellington, and the very enterprise with which our correspondent quarrels is one of the qualities wiiich secures for Air Alooro the liking and respect of seafaring men. So far were the officers of the Japanese man-of-war from regarding Air Moore’s visit as an intrusion that they welcomed him when ho reached tho ship, expressed their recognition of Air Aloore’s interest in seamen, and promised that their men should bo urged to take every advantage of the means of recreation placed by Air Alooro and his mission within their reach. Wc understand that Air Moore has been indefatigable in his efforts to entertain the visiting seamen, and that the Admiral and his officers gratefully recognise his kindness.

NEWS NOTES The Tramways Band will play at Island Bay to-morrow afternoon. A game of lacrosse will take place at 3 o’clock this afternoon on the Basin Deserve. Tho rules and regulations for the guidance of members of the Xew Zealand railway service are issued in the form of a special “Gazette.’ Tho Wellington Education Baord has received notification that a grant has been made by the Government of £420 for the erection of a school at Muhunoa East, near Ohau. Percy Stevens, grocer, of Constable street, yesterday filed a petition in bankruptcy. The first meeting of creditois will be neld ou 1 nday the 11th inst., at 11 a.m, - -

The tender of Messrs Sanders Bros, 'has been accepted for the erection of the nciv Post Office Hotel in Urey street. The price is about £7OOO. Tho plans for the now building have boon prepared by -Mr J. Charlcsworth. The postal authorities have been ad. vised of the departure of tbo VTI turner a front Sydney for Auckland on Wednesday last, with .sixty-nine bags Australian mails. Tho Wellington portion should arrive on Monday night. Tho City Council has received authority from tho Inspecting Engineer to the Public Works Department to place upon the road cars Ah. 4!) and 52. Those- aro two of the latest typo of double-deckers, with sliding side-doors. At a meeting of tho Hntt River Board a report was received from the foreman stating that aro damage had been duno to tho Board’s works by the recent floods. It was decided to call tbo City Council's attention to the fact that the piles in tbo new portion of the pipe bridge were' only 20ft apart. It was decided also to take action against future trespassers on Goar Island. Mrs Chirnside, of AYerribce Park, Victoria, who is at present visiting New Zealand, is giving assistance in the exhibition of ladies’ work that is being arranged to bo held a few months hence at Melbourne, on the initiation of Lady Northcoto, wife ot tho GovernorGeneral of tho Commonwealth. Mrs T. C. Williams, of Wellington, is, interesting herself in New Zealand's contribution to tiro affair!

Special services will be held to-mor-row at tho new Masonic Hall, Boulcott street, in connection with tho first anniversary of tho Bov. Dr Tudor .Tones, tho first minister of tho Unitarian Free Church of Wellington. During April Dr Jones will deliver a series of evening addresses on “The Beligious Crisis of the Day, and what lias led to it,’’ the first being "The Beligious Crisis in Britain. France, Germany, and Italy,” which will bo delivered to-morrow evening. Wo have received letters from two correspondents complaining that some hundreds of men, women, and children were conveyed by a local steamer to tho Japanese' flagship Itsukushima at 2.30 p.m.,.and that they wore left for five hours on tho vessel without food, without any conveniences, and in great discomfort. “ A small launch privately owned,” says one correspondent, paid two or three visits between theso hours (2.30 and 7.30 i).in.), but as sho could only carry between twenty and thirty passengers, tbo relict afforded was scarcely noticeable.” .No doubt the matter will be, inquired into by those whose duty it is to do so. The annual revision of the jury rolls was made at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday mornnig. Dr A. McArthur, S.M., presided, and present with him on the Bench were Messrs Baker, Williams, and Lambert, J.P.’s. The roils, as compiled by the police officers, were submitted by Sub-Inspe-tor O’Donovan. There were no objections to the' names enrolled, and no requests that additional names should bo placed upon the jury list. As a consequence, the revising magistrates signed the jury list for Wellington as correct. It nppearsithnt there aro only six Maoris in tho Wellington disbrief who have become available for jury service. The following subscriptions were collected by Mr W. H. P. Barber, M.H.R., towards‘the entertainment of tho Wellington Public School Cadets who left for Christchurch last evening: —W. F. Shortt, H. D. 8011, and W. IT. P. Barber, £3 each; Hon. T. W. Hislop and a friend, £3 3s each; Hon. H. Gilmor, C. H, Izard, Blundell Bros., Skcrrett and Wylie, and ti.-S.S. Go., £2 2s each; C. Smith, G. AVinder, Harcourt and Co., Hon. C. Luke, J, P. Luke, C. J. Crawford, Rindlay, Dalzicll and Co., £1 Is each; T. Wilford and Field, Luckie, and Toogood, £1 each; tinion Clothing Co., R. Hannah and Co., and John Smith, 10s each; smaller sums, 7s 6d: total, £l3.

Tho adjourned meeting of creditors in tlie estate of John Bell Lindsay, who had carried on business as a butcher, was hold yesterday, Mr James Ashcroft, the Official Assignee presiding. Tho bankrupt was represented by Mr A. L, Herdman, and Mr AVcston appeared for Edward .Parkin, who was regarded by the bankrupt as a partner in his business until n nil- , ing of the Supreme Court found to tho contrary. There wore only about half a dozen creditors present, and, although there was a long discussion as to the, action taken by the bankrupt inasmuch as ho had not earlier called a meeting of his creditors, the meeting was adjourned sine die. ' In the meantime, tho hook debts will ho collected. Tho Official Assignee took occasion to comment upon tho bankrupt’s action in regard to tho payments he had made in connection with his estate. Tho following is the list of cases to bo argnocl before tho Court of Appeal, tho sittings of which commence on Monday morning:—lie William Harrop, deceased; Public Trustee v. Commissioner of Stamps; Commissioner for Taxes y. Otago Presbyterian Church Board: Lever Bros., Ltd., ,v. .Newton and Sons, Ltd.; Donald Donald v. Ah Lop: Alexander Orr and others v. the Assets Realisation Board; Trustees Horseshoe Land Drainage Board v. Trustees Sluggish River Land Drainage Board; Law. renoe Higgins v. Sim and Te Ikaroa Maori Land Board; Deceased Persons’ Estates Duties Act and ro disentailing deed, Bulkcley and Bulkeley and another, and re the Commissioner of Stamps; ro Adam Madill. deceased: Adam Madill and another v. Margaret A. Madill; his Majesty the King v. John Findlay. There is set down for tho Full Court his Majesty the King v. James Channing Bagnall, a case reserved by his Honor Mr Justice Chapman.

A freehold farm of 582 acres, in Taranaki, is offered for sale at a low price by Hr 11. Norman Liardet, Stratford. Details arc given in our advertising columns.. The Corporation auctioneer will sell unclaimed dogs at the Corporation yards at three o'clock this afternoon. Harcourt and Co. will hold an auction sale of superior household furniture and effects, including a splendid dining and billiard table, and magnificent piano by Challen, at the residence of Mr J. S. Jameson, "The Knoll," Upland road, K'dburne, on Tuesday next, at r. 56 p.m. (jutalogues may be obtained on application to the auctioneers. The privileges in connection, with the Wellington Racing Club's autumn meeting, to be held on the 17th and 50th of April, will be sold by Messrs JfTarcourt and Co. at their rooms, 46, Lamblon quay, on Monday, at noon. On Tuesday, J. H. Eethune and Co. will sell for removal the schoolmaster’s residence and outbuilding? at the Lower Hutt. R. G. Paterson and Co., Dannovirke, have a sawmill and two good dairy farms for sale. Thomas Turnbull and Son, architects, invite tenders for the erection of a fourfloor brick building for Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd,