News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1488, 22 May 1880, Page 18

News of the Week.

> From the 30th instant the following alterations, among others, in railway rates will take effect— A truck of firewood mnst not exceed three cords in measurement and five tons in weight. Any excess over this quantity will be charged as a second truck. Sheepskins, green, in bundles not exceeding 1 cwt. ; if loose, or in bales exceeding 4 cwt., rate and a-half. Class 8., dray bodies — for "minimum charge as for one each," substitute "minimum charge 1 tou for each consignment." All goods and material carried for the Public Works Department will be charged for at three-fourths of ordinary tariff rates.

So far a3 we can learn, there is nothing further to be said about the railway fire. We have heard nothing to justify an opinion that the occurrence was the result of anything else than accident, brought about by a defective chimney or the careless leaving of a blazing fire in one of the grates. A large number of the officials, including even heads of departments, were to be seen on Monday digging amongst the ruins. Some documents and plans of importance were turned up not much the worse, but generally speaking the papers were badly damaged. We hear that the Commissioner's department will find temporary accommodation in the Miniscers' offices, Bond street ; the Locomotive Engineer's in the building ia which the General Manager's office is situated ; and the Resident Engineer's in the unharmed wing of the building. The Government have already communi cated with the Corporation with the view of obtaining the present Council Chamber and officas as a substitute for the burnt building, and the Corporation will therefore move into the new buildings in the Octagon earlier than was intended.

One of the forged L5-notes on the Union Bank formed the subject of a case before the Resident Magistrate on the 19th, Albert Evana suing George H. Glover for L 5, being the value for a forged note for that amount cashed by him. The circumstances were as follow : — On Saturday, 17th April, one of Glover's workmen got change for a L 5 note from an employee in Evans' shop, both being business people in George street. Evans, on looking over his cash, found that one of three L 5 notes he had was a Union Bank one, and was forged. The other two notes were upon tha Bank of New Zealand, and had been seen by Evans previously, so that he was enabled to be certain that the forged note must have been the one sent to him from Glover's. On the Monday he went to Glover about it, and it wa3 discovered that Glover had received it from a man named Halligan, who in turn stated that it must be one of two he had received— one a fortnight previously from Glover himself, the other a week previously from the City Hotel. The case for the plaintiff was based on the fact that he could swear positively that the note must have been got by him from Glover's workman, and that Glover, on first being spoken to about it, ad. mifcted his responsibility ; while for the defence it was sought to show that Evans could not possibly be certain about the note, and that Glover had never admitted responsibility. The Resident Magistrate gave judgment for Evans, on the ground that the evidence on his behalf was of a more positive character than that for the defendant, neither the workman nor Mr Halligan being able to say whether or not the note passing through their hands was one on the Union Bank.

The new Presbyterian Church at Roxburgh was opened on Sunday, 15!;h inst., Dr Stuart, of Knox Church, officiating, when the building was filled in every part, between 180 and 200 being present. The church, which ia really a handsome one, stands in a conspicuous position in the township, being directly opposite the schoolhouse, and near to where the old courthouse stood. It has an entrance porch, with a belfry (unfinished as yet). The interior is 35 feet long by 25 feet broad, and has a fall of fully two feet from the door to the pulpit. The acoustic properties of the church are first-class, every sound being heard with distinctness. Messrs Smith and Raes are the contractors, and Mr Burwell, of Invercargill, the architect;. The price, we believe, was about L7OO. The Rev. Dr Stuart preached from Exodus xxxv. He congratulated the people of Roxburgh on their acquisition of such a handsome building, and trusted that it would Btand for centuries, and be the means of converting many souls, and adding numbers to the Church of Christ. In conclusion, he asked everyone to do his best towards the collection at the door. The collection, we may, say surpassed the expectations of the most sanguine.

The sum of Ll6l 15k is to be spent in the erection of a dais and chair for the accommodation of his Worship the Mayor in the new Council Hall. In referring to this matter at the Council meetingon Tuesday, Councillor Fish jokingly remarked that, although he did not assert it as a fact, he assumed that the members of the Town Hall Committee who recommended the expenditure were swayed by a knowledge that the future Mayor was to ba himself (Councillor Fish), and that they desired to erec l ; a throne suitable for his reception. Some further joking took place, but the item was carried in all seriousness.

The monthly conversational meeting of the Dtraedin Young Men's Christian Association was held in the room? on the 19th, when there wai a large attendance. Mr Sessions presided, and the subject of " The duty of Christians in relation to the drinking customs of society" was discussed. A Rrge number took part in the conversation, and tho universal opinion was that Christians should abatain from the use of all strong drinka. As a practical result of the meeting, a total-abstinence roll was prepared in the lecture-room, to which there were attached 23 signatures. The next subject to be discussed is " Novel-reading," and will be introduced by Mr Brunton.

We hear on reliable authority that Mr Webb's monetary aff -un. so far as they relate to the Permanent Building Society, of which he was manager, have been put in order, and that owing to assistance from friends there will be no 1088.

At the J.wfc monthly meeting of the Board of Management of the Duneilin Young Men's Christian Association, the Secretary reported having received two cheques for LIOO each, and otoer sains for the erection of the now rooms in Moray place. It waa resolved that, tho ceroinony of laying th«v foundation stone take place on Saturday, 22nd instant

The polling on the 13th for the election of a City Councillor for High Ward, in place of Mr J. S. Webb, resulted in the return of Mr Thomas T. Eitchie, who bad 459 votes. The other candidate, Mr Hugh Crawford, polled 204,

The Waitaki County Council have decided not to levy any rate for the current year.

James Johnstone, of Port Chalmers, who gained the Richardson Scholarship, sent to the Scholarship Committee of the Presbytetian Synod bis resignation of the bursary which they had awarded to him on examination. He stated that he felt he would not be justified in retaining both scholarships,

The report of the Harbourmaster, laid before the Board at its last meeting, contains a suggestion which will find many supporters. He recommends that application should be made to have the central penal establishment of the Colony at a barren and isolated spot known as Heyward's Point, and that the prison labour should be employed for the improvement of the harbour.

We learn from the Southland News that Mr David Strang, of the Steam Coffee and Spice Mills, Esk street, proposed to take out patents in Victoria and adjacent Colonies for a coffeeroasting£apparatus of novel design. He now informs us of having received intimation from his Melbourne agent of the granting of the patent for Victoria, and expects shortly to receive similar advices from Sydney. The apparatus— as stated at the time— is capable of roasting coffee in a manner superior to any hitherto in use, but is equally suitable for the preparation' of cocoa, chicory, or any other raw material requiring to be roasted. The merits of the new process are claimed to be that the characteristic aroma or flavour of the substance prepared by it is preserved for anindefinite period— subject, of course, to being packed in the usual mancer. Proof of this was afforded by the success of Mr Strang's exhibits of coffee at the Sydney Exhibition, which had been in package for eight months before the awards were made, placing Mr Strang in the premier position " for coffees " in New Zealand, We understand that Mr Strang also intends to take out patents for his invention in Great Britain and elsewhere.

The anniversary of the birth of Robert Owen was celebrated by the Freethinkers of Dunedin on the 14th by a soiree, held in the Queen's Theatre buildings. There was a large attendance of ladies and gentlemen. Mr W. M. Bolt occupied the chair. Several addresses vrere delivered, amongst them being one by Mr R. Carrick, upon the life, character, and laoours of Owen. Before those present separated, an hour or two was pleasantly spent in dancing.

A correspondent complains that the schoolhouse at Mount Cargill haa been refused by the four Commissioner under whose charge it is, to the Rev. Dr Stuart for the purpose of holding occasional Sunday services in it, although it was granted all last; winter for the purposes of a dancing-school, in which one of the Commissioners was interested.

The Naßeby Court bids fair to gain a most unenviable notoriety for itself, if there is to be a repetition of the lively scene which took place in it last Thursday. Mr Fraser was conducting a case against a defendant, who described the learned gentlemen as an " itinerant solicitor." This "fetched" counsel, who appealed to the Court for protection. Mr Robinson said he did not consider the expression offensive, and Mr Fraser then replied that the magistrate was unfitted to maintain the dignity of the Court, and that he would protect himself in future. A few minutes afterwards the same defendant complained that the clerk of the Court had advised the plaintiff to bring the case against him, and the magistrate replied that ib was no part of the duty of a clerk to the Court to advise litigants, and was proceeding mildly to point out what he considered a clerk should do, when the gentleman who holds that onerous po3t at Naseby, and who is wellknown to Parliamentary fame, rose impressively from his seat, and like a war-horse sniffing the battle from afar, in two strides took the floor : with one hand under his coat tails, and the other waving gracefully to and fro in aid of his harangue, he poured out an eloquent and decided disclaimer of the action which had betn imputed to him. Waxing warm, be next gave his dismayed superior a merciless castigation for judging him unheard, and pointed out what course should have been adopted by that gentleman. The effect of thiß instructive and novel little episode had hardly passed away when Mr Fraser and the Warden again colided, the teterrma causa belli being the allowance of costs of attendance of witnepses who had not been subpoenaed. Counsel mildly informed the magistrate that he was biassed by personal enmity towards him, and that he despaired of getting justice for hia clients in that Court, the conduct of which was a public pcandal, and that he should report bim to the Minister of Jimtice and advise his translation Counsel also indulged in a few more statements, which the present law of libel forbids us to repeat.

Mr Richard H. Leary has been appointed general .manager of the Permanent Building Society.

The Queen's Birthday Race privileges were sold by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. by public auction en Saturday last. The amounts realised were as follow :—: — Centre booth, L 7 10j, Mr Nelson (of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel) purchaser ; booths 1, 2, 3, and 4, LlB 10a, Mr Thomas ; booths 5, 6, 7, and 8, LB, Mr Sibbald, purchaser; right to cell fruit, L 2 10s, Mr Lamer ; books of races, LB, Mr Reany ; stabling, LI, Mr Alexander.

The reward of Lloo_ offered by the Go. vernment for the conviotion of the persons who placed a trolly on the railway near Palmeraton some time since has been distributed thus by Mr Watt, R.M., in whose hands tho matter waß left : — Detective Henderson, L6O ; William Ashcroft and Robert Duthie, LlO each ; A, Young, C. Rolls, David Thompson, and — Mackay, L 5 each.

At a meeting of the Southland Education Board, held on Friday, the following motion, proposed by Mr Lumaden, was carried:— "That the scale of distribution of the school fund be amended so that the allowance to committees shall be as follows :— (1) That the minimum payment of L2O each to all schools established by the Board be adopted ; (2) that a capitation subsidy of 53 per head be paid for all pupils in average attendance above the number of 25 in each Bchool ; (3) that the balarce at the end of the year be divided equally as a bonus to subsidise schools." A motion by Dr Menzies, to the effect that the board should grant a Bubsidy to schools for the instruction of pupils in music, was also carried ; bs was another by Mr Lumsden, providing for school committee being consulted as to Ibo advisability of all w!• gno greater number than 30 holidays in a >e.*r.

The returns of the Dunedin Hospital for the past week are as follow : -Remaining from previous week, 111 ; admitted, 19 ; discharged, 12 j died, 4;— total4 ;— total remaining, 114.

Mr James Macandtew, M.H.R., wa3 to address bis constituents at Port Chalmers on Friday evening, the 21st,

One or two incidents afc the meeting of the Dunediu School Committee caused some_ amusement amongst members. Mr Robin, the chairman, attempted "a quotation from Scripture, but his familiarity with Holy Writ eeemed scarcely up to the mark, lie was comparing the case of Borne pupil teachers to that of "the poor and them that need help, who " ; but here hi* memory failed him, and he had to finish with "were generally shoved to the wall." One of the members made an inquiry as to the portion of Scripture where thia might be found, but he was not enlightened. Afterwards the subjact of temperance teaching came up. Mr Farquhar was mentioning that if the moving of his little finger would save all the strong drink in the world from destruction he did not know that he would lift it, when Mr Nathan reminded him that the lifting of the little finger was generally recognised as one of the greatest aids to thejjeonsumption of drink. The remark caused a good deal of laughter.

Mr I. N. Watt, R.M., on Wednesday gave his decision in the case of Jones (on behalt of the St. Kilda Borough Council) v. Pritchard as follows :— " The defendant is a contractor with the Government, and has contracted to do certain work required for railway purposes, to ;do which, practically, it ia necessary to form a temporary tramway, or contractor's railroad, across certain streets in the borough of Sfc. Kilda. The borough by its mayor (Mr Jones) prosecutes the defendant under the provisions of section 189 of ' The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876,' for unlawfully obstructing the said street?, ' not being authorised by the Council nor by any Act or Ordinance.' The defendant replies— section 189 of 'The Municipal Corporations Act' notwithstanding— that he is authorised under sections 133, 134, 135, and 136 of ' The Public Works Act, 1876,' having complied with all the requirements therein contained, to do the acts of which the prosecutor complains, and the facts appear to be undisputed. Both Acts came into operation on the same day— the 31st of October, 1876, There is therefore no question of repeal to be entertained, and I am of opinion that ' The Public Works Act, 1870/ is an ' Act' within the meaning of the word ' Act' in section 189 of ' The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876/ which authorises the defendant, under sections 133 to 136 of ' The Public Works Act/ to deposit material and to form and use a temporary road on any land, whether such land be a portion of any street, road, or highway or not, respect being paid to the requirement of section 133 of * The Public Works Act' with regard to the inconvenience of individuals and the public, I have not considered it necessary to notice several of the arguments as to what are roads and what railways, because I am further of opinion that ' The Municipal Corporations Act,' Bection 189, if in conflict with ' The Public Works Act/ is only generally prohibitory ; that the latter Act gives a special license, and the special license must be held to override the general prohibitions. The information is therefore dismissed,"

It ia intended by the Harbour Board to make an extension of 400 feet to the Jetty street Wharf, at a probable cost of about L4OOO. The extension of wharfage accommodation is rendered necessary by the present reclamation works doing away with part of Rattray street Jetty.

Mr John Barnes and Mr I. N. Watt, R.M., fell foul of each other in the Police Court on Monday. AMr Brewer had been before the Court on a charge of having a dirty back yard, and ho successfully pleaded that on the day named in the summons he had given up possession to his landlord, Mr Barnes. Mr Brewer having got off scot-free, Mr Barnes tried to addresstthe Court in explanation, but Mr Watt, in his grandest manner, ordered him to keep silence. Mr Barnes, however, is not easily daunted, and he managed to get out an opinion that Mr Brewer had "perjured hisself," and added, "I shall ha' to summons him, that's all," when Mr Watt "went for "the doughty councillor with a threat of committal for contempt. Mr Barnes completely turned tail at this, and left the Court as Bpeedily as was consistent with the dignity of a free man and a Briton.

For some days the impression has been .gaining ground that diphtheria is prevalent to a serious eytent throughout the city. From inquiries we have made we learn that although there are some cases of what is undoubtedly diphtheria at present being treated, and there have been some deaths from the disease, there are at the same time a great many cases of throat affections of a less serious nature, , which have led to the supposition that diphtheria is prevalent to a greater extent than It really is. While, therefore, there is not so much ground for alarm as many persons suppose, it is well that persona who are troubled with affections of the throat should consult their medical advisers, for diphtheria is one of those serious diseases which require prompt attention in their incipient stages.

The Dunediu School Committee have agreed to recommend Dr Richardson's temperance lesson-book as suitable for use in the upper classes of schools. The resolution was come to in a half hearted fashion, one or two of the members, who did not vote against it, however, expressing the opinion that the book was scarcely fit for school use, and others that no good would come of the recommendation.

We believe tho Carnival Committee have written to Kaitangata to obtain » gift of the 231b potato mentioned by us elsewhere as having been grown there. As we Btated at the time, we have a high opinion of our informant s veracity, but we are bound to coufess that this monster " murphy " is almost too great a Btrain upon our faith. At any rate, we shall be glnd to see the potato, and so, doubtless, will the Car. nival Committee.

The following circular has been issued from the Defence Office, Wellington:— "As the financial year is for the futuro to end on the 31st March, officers commanding districts will be good enough to instruct officers of corps that the Volunteer year will end on the 31st December, and that all claims for capitation are to be sent into this office for payment, as soon a 8 possible^ after that date. The qualification for capitation, aa regards number of parades to be attended to 31s i; December of current year, will remain as hitherto, -viz., six inspection pnrades and six company parades. — H. Reader, Liaut.-co) £ , Under-eec. Defence."

The anniversary tea.meeting in connection with the Hanover street Baptist Chuich took place on Tuesday evening and was very well attended. The Rev. R. Waddell, MA., sp'ke on "?ome people and other people," tho Rev. W. Best on •'The Irish Revival, 1859," and Mr K. M'lntyre ou '' Bush Mission work."

t It ib stated that Mr W. C. Roberts has retired from the service of the Bank of Now Z-.alaud, and that Mr Gibson F<rrier will continue in charge of the Danedin branch of the Bank.

In Bankruptcy on the 19th, before Mr Registrar Gordon, in re Henry iloughton, a debtor, Mr Sinclair applied for confirmation of a resoluti m of creditors pasßed at the first meeting to change the bankruptcy to a deed of assign* went, The resolution was confirmed.

Cr Ritchie, the new representative of High Ward in room of Cr Webb, took l mh scat at the Council table ou Tuesday.

About 12 o'clock on Friday night, tho 14fch, a serious fire took place on tho farm cf Mr James Petrie, in the Kaltangatn district, when the whole of the present year's crop of oa l ,s and wheat was compleiely destroyed. The origin of the fire is quite unknown, aud cannot in, any way be accounted for ; and what malcis it still more mysterious is the fact that last year a similar calamity occurr&l. Mr Petrie has no insurance on either his dwelling or stacks. He is a struggling man, with a large family, and all the settlers in the district strongly sympathise with him. We understand that Mr Petrie is in a bad position to bear these losses, and that they will be quite ruinous to him, This ought to lead the settlers to see the necessity of insuring their propertied.

An auctioneer's license was granted to James Samson, at the Custom-house, on Wednesday.

Only one debtor filed under the Debtors and Creditors Act during the past week. The new bankrupt is James Dredge, of Rothesay, carpenter—debts, L3O 7s lOd ; and assets, 20s.

Two new ga3 purifiers are to be procured from Home, at a cost of LIOOO, for use at the Dunedin Gasworks. These are rendered necessary mainly through the increased use of Greymouth coal for gas-making purposes.

In all probability the City Council will appoint a delegate to visit Wellington, along with those appointed by the County Council Conference, in order to urge upon the Government thenecessity of proceeding with the construction of the Ofcago Central railway. Mr Vincent Pyke has suggested this addition to the number of the delegates.

The Government have replied to the City Council that they consider it the duty of the local body to supply a morgue for the city.

Another scene of the South Dunedin "farce' was enacted on Tuesday night. The audience was a large one, some 250 persons managing to crush into the ball. The Mayor having opened themeeting and explained the causes of disagreement, Cr. M'Bride replied. The Town Clerk then essayed an explanation of his conduct, but admitted that he had made certain insertions in pencil in the assessment rollj^ on which the Chairm an stated that he was liable to be prosecuted, aa the roll haviDg been signed | by Mr Watt as correct, it could not be altered. Alter various speakers had attempted to gain a hearing, the following resolutions were proposed :— Mr Martin proposed "That this meeting endorse the resolution carried at the previous night's meeting, viz., 'That the Mayor be requested to proceed with the business of the Council by signing the minutea of the special meeting of the Council held on the 23rd April; failing which, a committee be appointed to obtain signatures to a petition calling on the Mayor to resign." This was seconded by Mr Hodges. An amendment was then proposed by Mr J. Barron, " That the matter be referred back to the Mayor and councillors to arrange matters as best they can." This was seconded by Mr Curran. A long and acrimonious discussion then ensued as to the mode of taking the voting, in consequence of the large number of non-ratepayers in the hall. After a lengthened delay, the Chairman said there was no hope of the question being decided at that meeting, and consequently vacated the chair and retired. The whole proceedings were characterised by a species of rowdyism rarely witnessed, there being at least a dozen fights and scrimmages during the controversy ; while the Town Clerk at the conclusion of his oration was brought most unceremoniously from the platform to the floor by a ratepayer, and a number of intending speakers were simply " shied" off the platform.

The Commissioner of Railways is occupying the Land Board room in the Government Buildings as a temporary office.

We learn (says the Oamaru Mail) that Mr Hislop's notice of retirement is now in the hands of the Government, and that it will be immediately gazetted. The writ will be issued seven days after the publication of the notice, and the election will take place about a fortnight after the date upon which it is issued. About a month will therefore elapse before our second member can take his seat in the House.

The ranger of North-East Valley had another batch of owners of wandering cattle up at the City Police Court on Wednesday. In several instances it was shown that the cattle had been let out of their paddocks by some unknown person, but the Bench had no alternative but to inflict fines.

Sir George Grey arrived in Dunedin on Wednesday night from Christchurch. There was no reception on the railway platform, or anything of that kind ; indeed his arrival did not appear to have been expected.

The Dunedin City Council have increased their auditors' salaries from LSO to L 75 per annum, and made an alteration to the effect that the audits Bhall be conducted monthly. In the event of this not being done the increase will not be upheld.

We have been requested to draw attention to Mr J. G. S. Grant's advertisement in this issue, and to intimate that any contributions from friends may be sent to this office.

A peculiar accident, resulting in the death of two horaes occurred at Lawrence last week. From the Tuapeka Times we learn that aMr Pearson's horses (eight in number) were secured in the paddock adjoining the railway. When the train was approaching, the animals had evidently been at the paddock gate, where the line is crossed, and the railway fence giving way, the mob ran on to the line and galloped in front of the engine till they reached the cattlestops. Six of them jumped tho stops, as they were found on the open street outside, and two of them were caught. One of the latter was horribly maugled; and wonderful to rela'e, notwithstanding a leg broken at the fetlock, and a gash a foot long and some inches deep on its rump, it managed to walk within 200 yards of the stable before it sucoumbod. The road all the way was strewn with blood. The cattle stops were broken and covered with hair. The nils in the neighbourhood of the accident were also covered with hair, as were also the engine wheels and buffers. Tho footprints of the horses on the ballast are traceable from where they got through the fence to the caltlo-stopß, where they bad gulled up.

The annual meeting of the Norih Dunedin Rifles will be held this evening, immediately after parade.

It will be seen by advertisement on our second page that the fifteon-»cin puzzle may be obtained from Mr S. Jacobs, Dunedin, the price buing one shilling, or 14 stamps by post

Particulars of a "grand £1500 freehold proportyand jewellery consultation," to be held at Naseby next month, win bo found elsewhere,

Tho Otago Education Board aye calling for tenders for the erection of school buildings at Blue Spur and Oamaru.

The annual general meeting of members of the Ofcago Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at AVain's Hotel at 3 p.m. on Wednesday next. Certain lands in the Hindon Hundred will be open for sale on August 20th. Particulars will bo found in our advertising columns.

The Colonial Museum and Geological Survey Department, of which Dr Hector is director, lias issued a manual of tho New Zealand Mollusca, by Professor Hutton.

Shareholders in the Phccnix Water-race Company (Registered) are informed by advertisement that a dividend of 4s per share has been declared.

The next term of the French Farm Preparatory School, Akavoa, begins on May 22nd.

The rate of one shilling in the pound, levied by tho Peninsula lload Board, will be payable on June Ist.