THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1890.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11398, 15 April 1899, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1890.

The Hon. W. T. Jennings has been formally cast out from the labour fold. At the meeting of the Trades and Labour Conference at Christclnirch last week the delegates, after serious deliberation, solemnly * resolved, in consequence of his attitude last session in regard to industrial • legislation, and more particularly the Wages Protection Bill, tho Master and Apprentice Bill, and the Municipal Franchise Reform Bill, to decline to recognise him as a representative of labour. A somewhat amazing proposition is implied in this resolution—the proposition that certaiu members of the Legislative Council occupy their places there as representatives of labour. It is in virtue of this that the Trades and Labour Conference takes it \iv>ou itself to criticise the opinions expressed and votes recorded in Parliament by Mr Jennings. According to this idea, Mr Jennings is in tho Legislative Council merely as a delegate from the Trades and Labour Conference to speak and vote according to order. It would be a humiliating position, that he would occupy if this view were accepted. How many of the members of the Legislative Council are regarded by tho Trades and Labour Conference as standing in the same category? Mr Jennings was one of a batch of 12 simultaneously appointed Councillors. Is each of these 12 supposed to be amenable to the dictation of the Trades and Labour Conference ? and, if not, how is a distinction shown ? Mr Jcnnings's own conception of his position is not a very elevated one. " If lie satisfied his Government that was all he had to do." That is tho stand which ho takes. Mr Jen-

nings has, however, on occasions shown commendable fairness in his parliamentary utterances, and has given expression to his own independent thoughts on matters which are tho special care of the Labour party. It is this glaring breach of discipline that has brought his present trouble upon him. Tho Trades and Labour Conference has no sympathy with members who exercise their faculties of reason. To do so removes a member from tho position of being a delegate and makes him a representative, and that is objectionable when so-called labour legislation is under consideration. According to the Wellington delegate (a Mr Naughton) who proposed tho resolution of outlawry last week, Mr Jennings was placed in tho Upper Houso " directly to represent and serve tho interests of labour," and he was now " acting adversely to those interests and the representations of organised labour." 'ihe foundation for this latter allegation rests in the fact that in the discussions upon two measures in tho Legislative Council last session Mr Jennings expressed his honest convictions. The effect of passing tho Master and Apprentice Bill, it was pointed out, would be that GOOO boys and girls would be displaced from various industries. This might be a very .good thing for " organised " labour, but it would 'be a serious matter for the young people of the colony. Not only would it throw those thousands of boys and girls out of work, but it would close the avenues of employment to the many thousands more who each year complete their schooling, arid are then in the ordinary course of events expected ito assist their parents. Mr Jennings not unreasonably shrank from the prospect which the Bill opened up. "\lf we pass this Bill now in its present form our endeavour to do good may result in a terrible amount of evil; and who :.s going to tako the grave responsibility? I am not." His vote accordingly assisted to kill the Bill. For that—for honestly expressing his convictions—he is stigmatised as.a "renegade" and his conduct as, " scandalous." With respect to the Wages Protection Bill, which he consistently supported with his vote, his offence probably consists in his having frankly admitted that he thought that harm would come to the workers themselves from the measure, and that the weight of evidence that the Labour Bills. Committee had taken was against tho Bill. If it was not that admission by Mr Jennings which proved him, in regard to this Bill, unworthy of the confidence of the Trades and Labour Conference, it, may have been the use by him of this remark.: "There must be a certain amount of give-and-take in all these things in life';''and I say, in my judgment, the.more that you can bring ,the. employer and workman together, the more that you can gist the employer to take an interest in his workmen, the better will you make the position of ihe worker; and God grant /that such feelings .may crop, up between the two in tiiis colony." That is certainly a most revolutionary sentiment, and it was doubtless '-scandalous" in a presumed representative) of labour to utter it. Little wonder is it that a delegate from Wellington—one who • resented the imputation that he was a party tout— confessed to having been pained at Mr Jennings's action! Nor need we be surprised to be told, on the authority of the proposer of the resolution, that Mr Jennings's views were not in accord with those of organised labour—of organised labour, that is, as represented by its mouthpieces. For this reason— and it is here that the scandal becomes apparent—it was urged that the Trades and Labour Conference should strongly oppose the reappointment of Mr Jennings to the Upper House. As Mr Jennings's term expires on the 15th October next, tho obvious intention of tho Trades Conference is, by the threat of bringing pressure to bear on the Government to prevent his reappointment, to coerce him this year into swallowing his convictions and. voting for what he conscientiously believes to be harmful legislation;; ~One delegate remarked that "he was bound to say that the Labour party was never consulted over tho appointment of Mr Jennings," who was- therefore not a labour representative. "All the greater reason," retorted Mr Naughton, " why he should not be reappointed." If this gentleman had his way Mr Jennings's doom would be certain: he should not be reappointed to the Legislative Council, because he had ceased to be a- labour representative, and, equally, he should not be reappointed because he never was a labour representative.

The squadron of the New South Wales Lancers, en route for a period of training with Imperial troops in England, has, wo have been informed by cable, got as far as the Capo on its journey in the Aberdeen liner on which the men have embarked.. The Lancers are the crack cavalry corps "f ths mother colon}', and members from their ranks have already gained laurels' in the tournament rings of Islington and Dublin. The present expedition was first mooted last year. Itn history is told in the March number of the " Review of Reviews" for Australasia. Early in 1898 100 men of the regiment, which consists of eight half-squadrons mrd numbers about 600 men and horses, volunteered for active service on the north-western frontier of India at the time of the Afridi rising. Tlio Government hesitated, fearing the despatch of a, military force to India would lift injudicious, and ultimately the proposal, with other offers of si similar kind, was "ejected. This was :i source o{ keen disappointment to the Lancers, many of whom, in anticipation of a*i e t irly .departure for the scene of tho conflict, ''-ad actually r>jad° all necessary preparations 'or leaving the colony. 'TA. ivas then suggested as the next host thing that ■> detachment should l)n sent "/) •Vklershot cnv a thorough, practical cavalry m'Ji.oatioti. The- idea was warmly taken up. Colonel Burns, commn.iuli?ig '-\<o 'i,:mcers, entered very lieartily into the scheme, and Majorgenerai l(' veneri, 'hi* N\«v Smith Wales oonKaudant. having l>enu "(insulted, an agremnfmc- »as coro« '•'<> '"ider -i-liinh the regiment. 'Hidei'took '-c> smujJ. -. squadron Home, tfc'.i l"»ovp.nnieiit paying half the cos!' ■•'-fid 'ifiTifcnhntiiijj; pound <'«>v pound. Additional interest was given to the movement »y :.!m proposal •>? Seitrfltary •■{ Si-nt,« for *.ie (.yolo.iie.s suggesting and apprcvijio ;.b.n ;utcrcn;ins»e of troops between the mother country and outlying portions of the Empire. Arrangements were made for the provisioning and quartering of the men at Alflershot, and CnJonrjl B:in!S, ■■>„, v-:,it..d feigland iind '■•'■"! '■}'f "latts..- y.f'iv* -;.':io War Office .•ollectcd w.-.t -CIOOO at Honr? in support of r.Vn? ::cha;ii^. He returned to N«\v SoaWi. Wales ;*;o find thai" tie colonial Govevniuetit had changed its viaws. The cherished project seemed for v time doomed! to fail-

urc. The Labour pnrty was unsympathetic and that settled the matter for Mr Reid, whoso Government maim tains its position only at the will of that party. Tho Estimates did not provide the necessary amount of money which had been promised. In his difficulty Colonel Burns appealed to the patriotism of the men" themselves. It was the onlyalternative to abandoning the project. Ho did not appeal, in vain. Would 108 men volunteer and contribute£2o each?. They would and din, and each of- the hah-squadrons composing the regiment sent its' quota to the contingent. In this manner £2000 was raised, and the £1000 collected in England was doubled by tho raising of ;>. liku sum in Sydney. A few days later s;iw the whole of the Home-bound Lancers in. camp ,at Parramatta undergoing a short coursa of training mule'1 canvas preparatory to embarking on the steamer Nineveh. While away they will be subject to the Imperial Army regulations and receive the Imperial rate of pay, which for .a trooper is Is 2d per diem. Nearly all of tho members of tho 'squadron are nativo-bom and only a few of them have been to England previously. It' is felt that they will worthily represent the regiment and the colony to which they belong. .

Consternation, the cable informs us, lias been created In" tlio British engineering trade on account of British railway companies and the Egyptian.. Government placing large orders for locomotives and bridge material with American and Belgian firms. There are several causes which tend to this diversion of trade which are not far to seek. The engineering firms of Britain attribute the ability of the American and Belgian,,, firms to execute orders which could not be filled in Britain to the fact that the hours of labour of foreign workmen are longer and no attempt is made to limit the output. While there is no doubt truth in that contention it does not cover the whole ground. It does not appear that there is any need to limit the output at tho present time, for all the British firms have their hands full of, work, so that it is impossible to undertake an order with the guarantee of speedy execution. Lord Belhaver, who is at pre-r sent in Egypt, gives a case in point. Writing in an English paper he shows that before Christmas the Sirdar determined to have a permanent bridge over tho Atbara River before the next Nile flood in July. He called for .tenders in England and Scotland, but none of the firms tendering! were prepared to fill the order within six months, and some wanted twice that time. He next telegraphed to America, and got a promise that the whole bridge shoiild be shipped in six weeks' time. The contrast is somewhat remarkable, for the.war with Spain and subsequent naval construction undertaken by the United States must have made great demands upon the American engineering firms. It is just possible that the superior, enterprise of the Americans has secured .for them the present advantage which, the British engineers deplore;and that: by holding back local work they. hay« strained every sinew to Kfinuro outside orders. The execution of heavy orders such as that under notice with whatl can only b(3 described as wonderful celerity will certainly lead to future, orders being placed in America, for- in most engineering undertakings time is an important objept. Tho speedy advance of naval construction in Britain has led to congestion1 in the' engineering ■ trade; but the diversion of a large portion of an important trade to foreign sources is significant. Either, the British firms have failed to rise to the occasion by putting forth an extra effort.to.-fill the orders, or the. stupid practice'on the part of the workmen of limiting the output is cutting the ground from beneath their feet. It is well known that there is a kind of Freemasonry amongst the British tradesmen which regulates tho amount of work done by each,' so that any attempt to do more than the regulation tale Of work becomes unpopular. If this is one of the , causes that is driving British trade across tho seas to other lands, it is a pity that the trades unions take such a purblind view of the situation. While they are restricting the hours of labour and the amount of work each employee may dc within the time he works, foreign engineers are taking advantage of the position. The British - t engineering trade has ever-increasing competition to meet, and how best to meet it is tho problem which has filled them with consternation. The British mechanic , cannot be expected to go back to the excessive hours of labour he used to work; neither is it expedient that he should do so, for in shortening the hours oi labour within reason he gained a material advantage that cannot be laid aside. But with the cutting competition al' around him the British tradesman musi relax his privileges in .some directions In the face of the widespread international trade relations that exist^ the working men of no country can hope to secure privileges for themselves very far in advance of the average conditions of labour in the rest of the world. The rational method would be to move slowly, while holding on to every advantage won, instead of trying to force the hands of employers to make impracticable concessions, thereby driving away, trade to other countries. The readiness of America and Belgium to accept and execute British orders in the shortest possible time ought to convince the.^ British labour unions that the present is not a* time to harass employers.; bub rather a time when mutual concessions shoiild be made in the interests of national prosperity.

The term for which Dr Pennefather was appointed to the Supremo Court Bench tc) take up the work of Mr Justice Williams during the hitter's absenco from Now Zealand has almost drawn to a close. It will be generally admitted that the colony has been well served by the temporary judge, who assumed his important duties at a moment's notice, and has got through an immense amount of work during his occupancy of the Bench. It is understood that Mr Justice Pennefather intends to leave the colony on a visit to England shortly after he has been relieved of office, and we are moved to direct tho attention of the Government to this fact in the hope that they will see the propriety of asking him to act for a further term until the question of appointing a permanent extra judge shall have been again considered. There is an immense accumulation of work for tho judges, and Mr Justice Edwards's time is so largely taken up with his duties as president of the Arbitration Court that obviously it is impossible for him to overtake his other official duties. In Wellington, notwithstanding tho close application of tho'Chief Justice, great inconvenience is being ox-

perienced because of liis inability to overtake arrears; an<\ altogether it is apparent that a wrong courso is being pursued in overweighting tlio judges with a mass of work which they uvo physically unablo to perform. This state of affairs is ctuito indefensible, and is 'grievously unjust to litigants and others who have business before the courts. AVo trust tho Government will soo the advisability of -at onco dealing with the question, mid if possible of inducing Mr Justice Pennofather to again place lus services temporarily at their disuosal.

Tho inward mails via San Francisco wcro brought on to Dunedin this morning by special train from Chrislchurch.

Our invcreargill correspondent telegraphs thai the weather is extremely wet and stormy over the country, heavy southerly blasts, accompanied by liorco rains, prevailing. Tho rivers arc rising. The bad weather looks like continuing. .tbuut 1 o'clock yesterday morning two young men who live in a room at- tho rear of Messrs Jl'Farhino and I'cden's store at tho corner of George and Hanover streets wcro aroused by a noiso, which they soon afterwards discovered iiad been made by burglars. Tho young follows determined, if possible, to capture tho thieves, and were going quietly out of the.front tloo.- v.ilh this object when an iron bar, which had boon placed behind the door, fell and alarmed the men (of whom there were two), who had effected an entrance into tno building. The would-bo burglars inane off, and tho young fellows rushed out into tho street, and seeing one of the wouldbo tliiovc3 (who subsequently tinned out to bo Alexander Blue) walking in the direction of 3?illeul sirec they pursued him, and succeeded m capturing him in Oargi.ll enroot. ' Constable. Chisholm appeared on tho scene Boon afterwards, and the young men handed -over their prisoner to his custody Blue was lucught before, the "Police Court later on in the morning, charged with breaking and entering tho sloro with intent to commit a crime, and remancied for a week The police have not yet arrested Blue's accomplice. _^

Up to 6 o clock yesterday evening 591 applications had boon made to the City Council /or enrolment antler the new Municipal Franchise Act. Of this number 72 applications wore from ratepayers, 7 from freeholders, and 512 from residential occupants. Yesterday was the date fixed for closing the list in Dunedin, but in Christchurch the mayor, after consultation with the town clerk, is of opinion that names can bo placed on the list up to the day of the sitting of the council for signing the burgess roll — namely,' May lb. in order to give intending applicants every opportunity of enrolling, it' hab been decided, ticroforo, to receivo and piaoo on the list all applications up to May 15.

ll'ho .ease al'Vliee v. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., a claim to recover £370 4s 6d upon a contract for the sale and purchase of oats, was resumed before his Honor Mr Justice I'enncfathci-, yesterday. The plaintiff's caso was heard in December and occupied the attention of the court for three full clays, and on Thursday I ne case for the defence was opened and one witness was examined. Yesterday the first witness (J. IS. Hoodie) called for the defence was re-examined, and Henry William Hay, Philip Wright, John Pnlerson Newman •were also called and gave evidence for the defendant. The court sat from 10 a.m. xmtil 5.30 p.m., and at that lime the cross-examina-tion of the third witness was not completed. Mr \V. O. MaeGregor, just before tho court adjourned, intimated that he intended to examine the witness as to the samples of oats, and that for that purposo it would be well that witness, could see them in daylight, and ■willf <t dearer light than there was at the time. His Honor said he had intended adjourning at half-past b, and an adjournment was accordingly made until 10 o'clock this (Saturday) morning. There seems ho prospect of the case being finished to-day, as there are still several witnesses. lo bo cxailuned, and the addresses of counsel will occupy some considerable time.

Wo are • giai'l to be able to state that all difficulties ii 4to the immediate publication of that'iporlioii of Hie "Flora of New Zealand " prepared by the late Mr T. Kirk have been cleared away, and that the work will appear, in the course of,a week or .two.. It was earnestly hoped by till interested in botanical work that -Mr Kirk would be able to finish the arduous 'task for which he was so well fitted, but this hope was destroyed by his death. The portion of tho work already in print only covers the orders up to the Composite, but even so far it will prove both interesting and valuable to all students, and we congratulate the Education department and the recently appointed secretary (Mr Hog-ben) on this publication. The work will bo followed as soon as possible, by the corresponding atlas of plates. Wo also understand that on his return from Rarotonga Mr'T. 1\ Cheeseman, .of the Auckland Museum, .will at once take up the preparation of a new Flora. There is nothing which will so well foster botanical research in this colony as the publication of a-trustworthy Flora incorporating the most re'eeni work of collectors.

A buck door arrived Here by tne s.s. Ruahine- yesterday. The animal, which is in splendid condition, east his horns on the voyage out. He is very lame, and should bo a valuable addition to the herds already in the colony

• Tho friends of Mi John Duthie (leiegraphs our Wellington correspondent) have been rendered somewhat anxious about the state of his health owing to the fact that his doctors have ordered him to tako complete rest in a recumbent position for three weeks or a month. The fact is that Mr Duthie is Buffering from heart affection, and he will be well advised if he retires from public life into the enjoyment of that complete rest to which his long years of laborious public life and private business have entitled him.

At a meeting ot the Ciutha Presbytery it tow decided to accept the resignation of the Rev W. K. Gray of the charge of Owaka, members, while doing so, expressing the high esteem in which the rev gentleman was held. A memorial signed by office-bearers, members, and adherents was presented to Mr Gray' requesting him to continue at Owaka, but he stated that under existing circumstances he could not see his way clear to remain as.minister of the parish.

The Chinese mercliant, Key Let, who was convicted at Port Chalmers' of smuggling opium and fined £289, has been released from prison, the, fine having been paid.

A large number of the workers and friends connected with Hie Central Mission assembled at the railway station last evening to welcome the Rev. Mr Ready's successor, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, who, with his wife, arrived by tho north express train. As was announced recently by our Auckland correspondent, Mr Sinclair has been superintending the work of t';o mission there for the past four years, r.nd has taken an active part in philanthropic arid temperance work. He ivill preach at the Garrison Hall to-morrow morning and evening.

The- services at St. Andrews Church tomorrow will mark the twentieth anniversary of Dr Wsitltlell's settlement there. In the morning the service will be conducted by the Rev. T-.lr Heighway, and in the evening by Dr AVaddell.

'J'lio annual conference of the South Island Dairy Association will this year take place under tho auspices of the Otago A and P. S. uieiy ■ during Mm Winter Show week. Through Mr Ruddick,tho dairy commissioner, an'ungcmenls have been made for a series of lectures and discussions By dairy experts. Another conference will also be held of tho graders throughout the colony. Intimation lias been received from some of the North Island dairy factories tha.l they intend to compete, so that the Otago and Southland factories-may expect keen competition.

The Milton Borough Council is again moving'in the mattei of al.) abattoir, and on the motion of Cr M'C4iU it has been resolved that it is desirable that municipal abattoirs bo pree'ed. A Bruce Herald representative, at Iho request of Mr M'Laren, butcher, inspected a four-year-old cow, apparently in good condition, which he had killed, and which was found to be badly infected with tuberculosis. The carcase was unfit for human ' consumption, and was buried.

rial-vest thanksgiving services were hold m tin- Mosgiel Baplist Church on Sunday last, and attracted largo congregations. On Tuesday the minister of Uie church (the Rev. I'\ W. B(.ic,liam) sat in Ins vestry, having invited the members of the congregation to bring thank-offerings. He received the sum of £75, which will be" devoted to the further reduction of the loan on the inan.se. which will thus be reduced to £125. It is thought possible that tho lhanfc-offonnj? may yet amount to £100.

Tho Tapanui Courier reports that thero was a very narrow escape from a serious accident whilo the train running from Hcriot to Waipahi was between Kelso and Tapanui, a mass of rock, estimated to weigh about three tons, falling in front of the engine. The train being a heavy one, tho speed at which it was travelling enabled it to smash up the rock, find the cow-catcher cast tho greater part of the stono clear of tho lino, 'the cow-catcher was biokcn, and tho train was delayed about threequarters of an hour. Luckily no other damage was done.

Tho Importers' Sectional Oommutoo of the Canterbury Cha.nbcr of Commerce met on TlT.rsday afternoon to grade the samples of wheat sent in by merchants for the purpose of arriving at a standard sample of fair averago quality (if Canterbury wheat for the harvest of 189 D. Tho i-aniple was decided upon, tho weights being as follows-.-Pearl, 6211) per bushel; ilunter'p, 6?.1b per bushel; Tuscan, 631b per bushel. Samples of thclixed standard wore supplied to merchants, so that advices could bo kcul by tlio outgoing San Viaiicisco mail.

.■i number 01 sheep belonging 10 different seniors in tho Carterlon district (according to tho Observer) died through some at present unexplained ailment. AH of them wereapparently perfectly healthy until seized with a kind of giddiness and an inclination to keep turning their heads round in one particular direction—to tho right hand side—also apparently losing tho power of their hindquarters. Death ensues in about 24- hours from the iirst seizure. All or thorn wore in the very highest condition. One noticeable indication was as if the annual were in a kind of lit, there being also considerable frothing at tho mouth. The Observer's informant says he opened the carcase,, of one or two which had died, and carefully examined tho internal organs and tho brain, but could not detect any trace of disease. He surmises that possibly the symptoms may be attributed to the existence of ergot of rye in tho pastures, or perhaps rust :" 'ho grass. One of the Government stock experts "should be asked to investigate the cause of death.

The Post says:—Humanity's care for iU kind was well illustrated l).v an incident which occurred on Tuesday. A weary-looking we man, with a babe at her breast and another toddling at her side, petitioned a local body sitting as a Charitable Aid Board for some, assistance. Her story in effect was that her husband had injured his heart through overstraining at bush work, and had been ordered to keep quiet for three months. They had four children, and were living in a bit of a whare on the roadside of a country town, for which shelter they were charged half-a-crown a week. Under the circumstances starvation stared them in the face. Asked how she was able to reach town, the woman admitted that she had got a friend to pawn an old watch which she had possessed, and with the proceeds bought a railway lickot. The local body applied to unanimously decided to give the woman an order upon a storekeeper to'supply her with 10s worth of stores per week until further notice, and then one of the members present rose and gravely said: " Gentlemen, a •bob in' for the children." The hat went round the table, and members and istaff stumped up to a man, and the smilo on that wc-man's face when she 'was handed the proceeds seemed ample compensation for pockets a little lightened by a kindly and thoughtful act.

The account of the burial of tho American and British sailors, killed in tho action of March 31 in Samoa, states that an American bugler sounded the " last peal " over their common grave. The incident exemplifies a beautiful and touching custom of the United States navy and army. It is the practice (says the Lyttelton Times) when, an American soldier or sailor is buried, for the last call of tho day, "Lights out," to bo sounded at the close of the funeral ceremony. That call, in the American service, is a vory beautiful one, and its use on such an occasion is pathetically appropriate. It is very fitting that the notes which .mark the close .of the soldier's day, the last which ring in his ears as he lies down to sleep, should also sound over him at the end of his life, when his comrades lay him in his last bed. .'

The local option 'poll taken in AVarrnambool, Victoria, on the 4th inst., declared in favour of closing six hotels. There are at present 25 hotels, being 13 in excess of the statutory number. Great interest was taken in the day's ppll, tho Temperance party advocating the closing -of eight hotels, whilst its opponents were in favour of the existing number. There are about 1100 electors, and of'tliesc 565 voted.' The polling was as un-der:-42 voted for retaining 12 hotels, 7 for 13, 2 for H, 8 for 16, 150 for 17, 7 for 18, 79 for 19, 5 for 21, 3 for 22, and 261 for retaining 25 hotels. The returning officer declared that the determination of tho electors was that 19 hotels would be retained, so that six will have to be closed.

A complimentary concert was tendered to Mr J. M'Connell, who is about to leave Dunedin, at Naumanu's Hall, last night, the chair being taken by Mr A, Morrison, M.H.R. There was a vary largo attendance. Mr Colletl opened with a pianoforte solo, and the singers of the evening were Misses Jarvis, K. Moloney, and J. Johnstoue, Messrs Morton, J. Swan, J. Maekay, J. M'Connell, Prentice, King, and Hanlon, all of whom were received ivith loud applause; in fact, the redemands became so frequent .that the chairman had to put in a 'protest. Equally well received were a mandolin and guitar 4 ict by Messrs Brundell and Flint, a violin :*io by Mr Do Latour, a double skipping rope dance by Messrs Oliver and Wood, and a couple of recitations by Mr Mills and Mr Fitzpatrick. The Citizens Band played some selections prior to the concert commencing, and a dance followed. The accompanists for the evening were Messrs Gollett and Cunningham.

Tho Waxworks were well patronised last night, and the enterlahmient provided was thoroughly enjoyed. The " Punch and Judy" show was very amusing, andtlhe vaudeville that followed was received with every demonstration of approval. The ventriloquial act came in for special notice, and the very laughable farce, " Thumbs Up " caused unbounded merriment. The wax figures, as usual, came in for a large share of attention, and were inspected with interest. To-night an entire change of programme is promised.

Tho Dunedin Choral Society's first concert of the season will be given next Friday evening in the Agricultural Hall, when Hill's "Hinemoa" and Cowcu's "Song of Thanksgiving " will bo rendered. The solos in " Hinemoa " have been allotted to Mrs B. H. Burns, of Christchurch (soprano). Mr J. Armstrong (tenor), and Mr T. Hoigate (bass); and, talcing a line from recent practicos, a treat is in store for the music-loving public. This is the first occasion on which "Hinemoa" has been performed in Dunedin, but it has been given in both Christ church and Wellington, and proved a great success. With the choir under the eonduetorship of Mr James Coombs, and the orchestra under the leader; ship of Mr E. Parker it ought to be equally successful here.

It has been arranged to tender, in Duhedin, a complimentary benefit to Miss Nina Burns and Miss Muriel Nation, lately of the WoodsWilliamson Dramatic Company. The original intention was to hold it in the Princess Theatre, on the 21st inst., but as that is tho night upon which the cantata " Binemoa" will be produced by the Choral Society, the benefit performance has been postponed until the 25th inst. The programme will comprise tho comedy "In Honour Bound,' an act of ."Caste" by, the Garrick Club, an'act of " The Pirates of Penzance," and a concert.

TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES,

St. Paul's Cathedral.—Early celebration, matins, and midday celebration, 11 a.m. (preacher, Yen. Archdeacon Robinson); evensong, G. 30 (preacher, Rev. Walter Ivrais).

Trinity Wc«leynn Church.—Harvest thanksgiving services Rev. P. W. Fairclough, at 11 a.m. and U.M p.m.

All Saints' Church.—Holy Communion, 8 a.m.; 11 a.m., Rev W. G. Ivens; IS p.m., Confirmation service, G.UO p.m., the Bishop.

St Andrew's Church.—ll a.m., Rev. G. Heighway, 6.30 p.m., Rev. Dr Waddell.

St. Matthew's Church.—Holy Communion, 8 a.m.; matins, ]1 a.m.; evensong, G. 30 p.m. Preacher (morning and evening), Rev. W. Cur-zoii-Siggers.

Disciples of Christ, Stuart street, Oddfellows' Hall.—Mr Mazcngarb, morning and evening.

Oarri.= on Hall.—Hoy. W. A. Sinclair, at 11 a.m. and G. 30 p.m.

'Wesley Cargill Road.—Rev. T. G. Brooke, assisted by Miss Billing, from New Guinea, at 11 a.m. and G. 30 p.m. Mossiel Church: Mr W. 1?. Tuck, morning and evening.

The defaulters' and burgess' lists for the Borough of Cavcrsham are now open for inspection. l)r Cougbtrey announces that he has removed to' his new consulting rooms in the Union Bank Buildings, Princes street. Messrs Wright, Stophenson, and Co. will hold a clearing sale of stock, implements, and crop at ill- Carmthcr's farm, Highcliff, on Monday, 24th hist. On Tuesday, 25th inst., they will hold a clearing sale of stock, implements, etc., at Mr James Ireland's farm, Mount Cargill. ' V^

Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will sell today, at Ravensbournc, the yacht Vision, household furniture and effects.

Messrs Dalgcty and Co. will sell fnl bullocks, etc., at JJur.iniclo on Wednesday. They will hold a sale of she-op at IJalclutha on Thursday, 2l)th inst.

Tho official assignee m bankruptcy announces that dividends are now payable in certain estates.

Tho annual meeting <tf the Otago Football Association will bo held on Monday evening.

Miss Homo will give an address to-morrow evening under the auspices of tho Tlicosophical Society.

Mm" Tucker's ohiss for touchers tor tno syswill commence on Wednesday. 2(ith inst.

Tho .Bible instruction and inquiry meeting conducted by Mr Ernest Tucker will nicet in the Actficulturai Hall Buildings on Monthly even-

An estimate of tho receipts and expenditure for tho Borough of MoruingUm, with particulars of the rules proposed, will be found in our advertising columns.

Tho prospectus appears in another column of the Otago Trawling and Distributing Company. The capitnl is to be .£31,01)0, in XI shares. We have already explained the objects of tho company, the provisional directors of which include a number of leading business men. Already over 0000 shares have been applied for, and the company has been registered, so that, ns Mr Sullivan's business will bo taken ovci", oporsilions cnii viv"iii jit once. iMip. slmvc list will positively close on Thursday next, 20th inst

Harvest thanksgiving services will be held in Trinity Weslcyau Church to-morrow, when the Rev. I. W. Vairclongh, who has just arrived from tho north, will preach both morning and evening. Music appropriate for the occasion will be rendered, and in the evening the choir will sing from 0.15.

The monthly meeting of tho Burns Club will 1m held in the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening. A short address will be delivered'by Mr A. Wilson, M.A. Members are notified of the issue of tickets for the ensuing year.

An advertisement in this issue informs subscribers to tho West lund, collected by Mr 8011, that Messrs Myers and Bailey, on behalf of tho committee, have handed ocer the amount and lists to Mr West.

Mcsr.i-o James Samson and Co. will sell today household furniture, jewellers' tools and appliances, etc. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. will hold a clearing sale of stock, implements, produce, etc., at Mr M'Grcgor's farm, Sandymount, on Saturday, 22nd inst. Tho dates of the Otago Central stock sales to be held by -v- John Grindley for the Farmers' Co-operative Association ivill be found

A trial of Mr Markhnm Brown's patent fire escape will bo made at the Grand Hotel at 12.30 to-day. The- mayor and city councillors, members of tho Licensing Bench, and others arc invited.

Mr D. M. Spcdding will sell -on Wednesday new and second-hand furniture, pianos, organ,

Tho second quarter of the Dunedin School of Art and Design will commence on Monday next.

Passengers for London by the s.s. Maori must leave by tho express train for Christchurch this morning, catching the Rotomahana at Lyttclton.

Jo'un HrsLOP, oldest established Watchmaker and Jewellor, 74 Princes street. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles suit all siphts*—AcM. G. and T. Young, Jewellers, Princes street, arc making a special display of goods suitable for Wedding and Birthday Presents, and offer exceptional value. Repairing and manufacturing by skilled workmen.—Advt. Carter and Co. have just landed ox Papanui their third shipment new drapery. Grand variety; lowest prices. Try Carter and Co.—Advt. ' .

M-o-s-t E-e-1-i-a-b-l-e! For punctual tiino try Feteb Dick, Watcl\maker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Duneclin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt. JUsSAGK AND ELECTRICITY.—Mr ami Mrs I). Edwin Booth, Massage Institute, Stuart street, Duneclin.—Under the patronage of the medical gentlemen oj Dunedin.