LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1688, 29 March 1884, Page 9

LOCAL & GENERAL.

At the last meeting of the Education Board an application from Inspector Goyen for six weeks' leave of absence caused a thort conversational dweust-ion, winch resulted m a committee being elected to consider the ques-. tion of holidays for tho Boards employes generally. Mr Begg said he was greatly in avour of the majority of the present acknowledged holidays boiujf dispensed with in favour of a two or three weeks holiday at a stated time of the year. Other members also expressed an opinion that ,the , employes should have an annual holiday. The sports to be held' on the Caledonian ground on Saturday,' 29th inst., in aid ot the Benevolent Institution,' promise to be highly entertaining. The great feature will be a grand tournament of the "Ivanhoe" type. JCuights of chivalry, in all the panoply of armour, are to meet in single combat in the presence of 'her Majesty the Queen of Beauty and her Court ; and her Majesty, 1 with mediaeval ceremony, is To crown the victor knight, . Xhe> band contest |in connection, with the OamVru Easter Volunteer review and encampment Vwill be held on Saturday and Monday evenings, * 12th arid 146h April, in the Public Hall, Oauiaru. The prizes are : Firbt band',''£4o ; second band, £25 ; and third band, £10. The contest is open to all amateur bands in tho Colony. A competent judge will be appointed, and will be required to give publicly a verbal decision upon each piece at X the clnße of the contest. He will then, by the be supplied with tho names of the bands, and will give his final decision. He will also be required, within 14 days atter the contest, to supply 'each band with- a written copy of his\decision, setting out the grounds upon which the same was based, and comments • upon the manner in which each piece was played. ' The annual meeting of the First Church oongregation' was 'held on the 20th. From all 1 accounts it, appears that tho revenue has fallen off somewhat from last year. " This, however, is' mainly attributable to the fact that the church has' been for a considerable time without a pastor.' Steps, are now being taken to "\SBCure a minister from Scotland." '.The Maoris at Akaroa caught 1000 barracouta list week. Tha Press says: "lc is something oat of the common for these fish to be so numerous so far* north, it being quite unusual to get theai:at all ; .but now the sea at Akaroa Heads is literally alive with them. The reason must be either, the dredging operations down South, or the brilliant sunsets, or the meteoric dust, or. the i agitation amongst the Licensing Benches."

The Presbyterian Assembly of New South j Wales* has'sanctioned tho use of the new ' hymnal ft Church Praise." A new cigarette has lately made its appearance, in the local, market, and bids fair to establish a reputation among smokers by . reason .of its fragrance, delicacy of flavour, and above all, the freshness of the tobacco used, the latter being one of the those advantages invariably, missed in the case of imported cigarettes. Mr Max. Mendersbausen, the wellknown.tobacco merchant, has commenced, the manufacture of these cigarettes, which he names- the "Fragrant Ruby," and has- gone very systematically to work by engaging a workman who formerly occupied the position of foreman to Messrs Kimbell aud>Co., ttye Vanity - Fair manufacturers, and has also been employed by the makers of the Old Judge cigarettes. This operator may, have recently been seen actively f at work by many, passers- by in Princes street, and these will readily credit the statement that He is able to turn out something over ; 20,000 cigarettes a week. The . of cigarette manufacturing by machine has, as most people- are aware, beem entirely given up now,except in *tha case of . Ruasian cigarettes, which am. composed' mainly of .tobacco dust.' With fresh 'tobacco handwork is by far the quickest and* neatest, and all the American cigarettes are i nowadays produced in this way.. :Mr Menderehausen.'UseS' tho natural leaf of Virginia .tobacco, and very sweet and aromatic it prbvesjji The Ipaper is? also good, being the' -beat rice paper imported from Paris, and -this latter item is<one which ev,ery cigarette smoker knows is .worthy of consideration.: The tobacco is cut on the premises' by; a machine which is driven by a silent gas-engine^ and' Mr Mender- J ahaußen expects this to -beable to keep pace with 'the -very large .demand which is being made for the .Fragrant Ruby. It may be" remembered (says the New Zealand Time's) that "from thfe 15th to the 22nd of, January" last a very* remarkable storm passed over' : New 'Zealand, the' barometer falling"to the unprecedented reading of 28 40, the lowest, 'previous record 'having been 28 54, in 1865. It' is inter'esbihg to 'find' that on , tbA 26th of the. same .month a depression quito as ' unprecedented' traversed the Norchem Hemisphere, where' the ' barometer ' fell tio' 27*45, the lowest reading during 1 the previous 100 year's 'bein^ 27*70} tyhich'was in the memorable storm of ' January s '7{ 1S3?: „These f ' extraordinary ' depressions occurring within such a short period in b'otn* hemispheres will 'no' doubt arrest the | attention'of ' meteorologlstis, and may 1 possibly lea3 ; to'tb.B'discoyery of more new general laws' -'governing' distribution of storms than ar^ >t present- recognised. , ' , -.Says inc. Lyttelton i Times : " A very spial boy,,. in-_a ( case of stone-throwing, heard' at the Lyjitelton R.M; ,Court on .Wednesday morning, was asked where, small, boys went to .who told atorie?. •' To Burnhata, sir.,' ,was the answer. ,'_Yea, my yboy,' replied, the worthy R.M. ; * Burn ?em's a. very good name' for the place. ■Tell :me j what. ., you- Jjnow. about > the case."' Burnham, it may be explained, is the Canterbury- Industrial School,,.^ > ' *<The Titriiru Herald hears that Sir John Hall jfl» irpbses taking a trip *td New Zealand by direct w garner' in the- month 1 "of Obtbber nextV The 'projected visit of the ex-Premier has no political sighificaricej but is solely connected with 'his }" )rivSte affairs, and is not likely to' be of any ring 1 deration. Should 'his health' continue to ' f impf6ve, however,' he will probably return to 'the "Colony with his family 'and settle down - ag^in in about 18 months' time. ' , ' We extract the , following from the Timaru .Herald: — "Mr Joseph .Mackay, insurance agent,- gave a miscellaneous entertainment in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, Sophia street, on Wednesday night, admission free. He announced .it as ' Tvva Hours at Hame,' and, like the celebrated • entertainment of the Kennedy family, it consisted of a mixture of Scotch Bongs and conversational discourse. There was a pretty, good attendance, nearly all the .seats being occupied. Mr Mackay sang very fairly ; his humorous songs were particularly appreciated. His discouise consisted for the most part of criticisms of tho management of the Government Insurance Department, a v- ci L CQ °^' *"8" 8 P os^i°n amid the circumstance a i'TP. lO^ ' e^ to his prosecution at the instance of '5?, Department, and a condemnation of the manner in which that prosecution had been so far conducted. He concluded by a discourse on the advantages of life asaurance. When he

began this his audience, who appeared to be pretty well amused with his perbonal narrative and singing, rapidly dwindled away. Mr Mackay is now acting as agent for the Colonial Mnuial Assurance Association, and he announces that he has taken an office in Tunaiu, where he will carry ou his business for a few days."

Mr W. H. Levin, M.H.R. for Thorndon (Wellington), has Bent in his resignation, in consequence of ill health. Mr Allan M'Donald, M.H.K. for East Coast, who intends to proceed to England by the next San Francisco boat, is also about to resign hia seat.

The Wellington Evening Post publishes an account of the manner in which the Takapuna sustained the serious damage to her pl.ites which was exposed when she wentinto dock at Port Chalmers for lepair a week or two ago. It is stated that she struck hard one night about Wo months ago on the Opunake reef, on the trip between Taranaki aud Wellington, and that this accident was hushed up, the boat ruuniug for a number of trips afterwards without any repair of the damage being effected, or any report of the occurrence being made.The lactß will no doubt be lully ventilated when Mr Hackworth holdd his official inquiry, which will not likely be until the middle of next month, as Captain Jones is away with the Hero.

The manufacture of powder on a large scale lias just been started in Sydney by an American, who thinks there is a good openiug to supply Australia.

Mr J. Millar Smith, the general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, has resigned his office, and will sever Mb connection with that institution at the end of next month. It appears that a difference of opinion exists between him and his Board of Management regarding the matter of collecting funds, he having conscientious objections to have any responsibility in connection with the finances of the Association. On this account he tendered his resignation, which has been accepted with regret by the Board, who are now looking out for a suitable successor. The financial affairs of the Young Men's Christian Association do not seem to have been prospering of late, a large number of subscriptions being in arrears, and several ventures undertaken by it have resulted in a loss; in fact, the la9t nine' mouths has been a backward period for the Association. In oider to pull up deficiencies, clear off the existing mortgage of £200 ori the building, and effect the alterations and repairs recommended by the Board, the Committee appointed at the . recent special meeting have decided to make an effort to raise £600 by a bazaar to be held about next spring.

Even in these dull times it would appear that promising joint-stock companies can be floated without difficulty. During the first waek that applications were receivable for", shares in the -Accident Insurance Association of ,New Zealand we are informed that 20,000 shares were applied for in Dunedin alone, and 10,000 in Christchurch. In Wellington 3000 were applied for on the first day.

The Otago Harbour Board, at a special meeting on Friday afternoon, unanimously resolved that the engineer be requested to prepare plans and estimates for the construction of a new graving dock on the site adjoining the present dock. Alternative planß are to be prepared—one for- a dock of 500 ft, and the other of 600 ft in length. The question of the length of the dock remains to be determined, but the Board is now fairly committed to the work. A report of the meeting of the Board is given in another column.

Another melancholy accident occurred on the tramline on the 20th inst., by which Mr Oliver Wakefield, Under-secretary for Mines,' sustained injuries so serious that he expired within a few hours, shortly after undergoing an operation at the Hospital. At about 10 minutes to 3 a tramcar attached to a steam motor was proceeding along Princes street northwards^ "and ,when nearly opposite Messrs Herbert, Haynes, and'Co.'s establishment the deceased was in the act of crossing the 'street. An express- waggon was passing at the -time, and Mr Wakefield's attention being occupied in endeavouring to avoid this, he failed to notice his dangerous proximity to the steam motor. The driver Bounded his wh istle and almost immediately aftervv'ards Mr W.akefield attempted to, cross the Hue. , While the engine was five or six feet from him he fell face downwards across the rails. The front wheels passed over bis body before the engine could be brought to a stand. The deceased was at once removed from beneath the engine by the bystanders and conveyed to the Hospital in a passing express, Mr A. C. Kimbell, who was a passenger on the tramcar, accompanying him, Mr Wakefield became unconscious almost immediately he was lifted from the ground, and continued so until after his arrival at the Hospital, when he recovered so far as to be able to request Mr Kimbell to telegraph to his brother, Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R. for Solwyri, which' was at once done. Drs Maunsell.and Scott first examined the injured man, and found that both thigh bonea were severed, and that he had also sustained a scalp wound, probably from the opposite wheel of the engine as he lay across the line. It. was considered necessary to amputate both the legs, and the operation was performed by the two medical men" mentioned, assisted , by Drs Davis and Copland. Little hope was, however, entertained of saving the deceased, and, as feared, he sank rapidly after the operation, and expired at about 6 o'clock in the afternoon. The deceased has been for many years pasC in the Government service, and was appoiuted Under-secretary for Goldfields about five years ago, an office which, he held at the, time of his death, although it was recently stated that the Government intended to amalgamate his with other departments. He was a younger son of the late Mr F,elix Wakefield, brother of Mr Edward Gibbon Wakefield, so well known in connection with the founding of this Colony. The family formerly resided in Ofcago, and more recently in Nelson. Mr Oliver Wakefield was aged about 33 at the time of his death. Se had only arrived in Dunedin by the Waihora on Wednesday, en route for Melbourne, having obtained leave of absence. The name of the driver of the steam motor is Peter Jack ; and .at the time of the accident the engine is stated by bystanders to have been proceeding at a moderate speed only, the incline I'eing in fact downwards at that point.

During a discussion in the New South Wales Assembly on free .passes, the Minister for Railways (Mr Wright) said ho had, since he had been Minister, refused hundreds of applications for free passes. Every gentleman who came to the Colony, and every gentleman in tho Colony of social position and wealth, considered they had a right to travel free on the railways, and he thought it was time this was put a stop to. Two members of Parliament recently waited upon him and requested that a free pass should be issued to an Indian nabob. He wanted to know who this gentleman was that he should have a free pass, and the reply was that he was an Indian gentleman worth two millions of money. " Then," said Mr Wright, "you want me to give this

gentleman a pass to travel freo of cost on our railways because he is worth two millions."

Miss Ohamberlaia has (,hd reputation of being the p'rettiost girl in Europe^ and to that she now adds what ie the still more imposing reputation of being one of the greatest heire* hoa of Ajnenca. Her beauty is known to all x,hn World, and it did not require a visit either to Mentone or the Riviera during the last two or three years to have Been it ; for, although her portraits had been studiously kept out of the shop windows, drawings ot" her were published in more than' one illustrated journal. From the first she took the fashionable world by storm, and when the Prince of Wales yielded her his homage, her conquest was complete, and her fame became as wide in certain directions as that of Mrs Langtry. And now her uncle, Mr Wormsley, has joined the majority and bequeathed her 'a fortune of £800,000.

The British soldier is to bo provided with slippers. Tho British Medical Journal states that "the authorities at the War Office have wisely determined still further to lighten the burdens to be borno by the British soldier. As one of the results of recent committee work on equipment, it has been decided that a pair of light canvas waterproof slippers shall henceforth be carried by the soldier in his valise, when on active sorvice, instead of the second pair of_ boots which have hitherto been included in the soldipr's kit, but which will now be carried in the first line of transport. A small supply of Ooots will accompany each battalion, to replace the few that may be prematurely worn out. It has been found that troops can keep the f ! eld, in a rough country, on one pair of boots for two months ; and it is believed that the addition of light canvas shoes, to be worn when the boots have been removed, to ease the feet, will answer all requirements."

Mr Wilfred Powell's expedition, under the patronage of the Royal Geographical Society, for the exploration qi New Guinea, leave 3 England at the beginning of March. It will consist of Mr Powell and four or five Euroj)eans, including a naturalist and a geologist. About 1000 to 1100 mile 3of route have bsen mapped out, and the work of exploration is likely to occupy over a year. Mr rowell has chartered a small screw steamer, and will proceed up the Bernoli Kiver in a steam launch as far as possible. The launch will then return to the steamer, and the party will strike in a south-westerly direction across fche high centra) mountain raugoj and will afterwards march o the east coast and meet fche steamer in AsLrolabe Bay. After refitting agaiu they will strikV westward across the southern corner of the island to Port Moresby, where Mr Powell will avoid the Fly River or any portion already visited by Europeans.

At the inquest on the body of James Mulholland, who died from the cdects ot chloroform under a surgical operation at Auckland, the cvi denceshowed that Dr Stalker had no professional assit,taut at the time — that there was only a friend of Mulholland, named Hughes, in the room. He had examined Mulhollaud with thistethescope previously. The dose was three .drachms. The post-mortem, examination j-howed that the heart was healthy, but the liver was enlarged. The deceased was occasionally intemperate. The Coroner (Dr Philson) stated that he had performed hundreds of surgical operations on patients under chloroform without having another medical attendant. The Jury returned a verdict of death by misad venture, absolved Dr Stalker from, blame, and added a rider recommending that in future in similar cases two medical men should be pro sent. It has transpired that decuased had a few months ago got a Government insurance proposal filled up tor £1000, and been passed b> the local medical officer, but his proposal was rejected at Wellington. The Timaru Herald says : " It must be very galling to Mr Walter Johnston to see it stated Openly in the papers that when he resigned •the Department was found in a shocking state of neglect, and that piles of letters and other •communications unattended to, left a pretty legacy for the incoming Minister.' Then again, all these ' radical reforms ' and • sweeping reductions ' in the Public Works Department, the credit of which is industri ously ascribed to Mr Mitchel=on, are so many slaps in the face to Mr Johnston. If Mr Mitchelson, a perfect novice, with no political experience and no familiarity wilh public business, was able to detect all these abuses and to institute such important and such salutary • changes before he had been in office many weeks, the natural deduction i.that Mr Johnston, who was in office for yvars, must have been the worst of muddiers and jobbers. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to understand why Mr Johnston should consent to be kept dangling at the heels of the Ministry long after he htiH ceased to have any real political connection with them. It certainly looks very much as if there were some trutii in the report which was circulated some little time ago, that Mr Johnston has a promise from the Ministry of the reversion of Sit Dillon Bell's office of Agent-general in London. If that report is true, it explains Mr Johnston's position at once. He is quite as much interested in keeping the Atkinson Ministry in office as they are in keeping themselves in ' office ; and he will, of course, hold on to tho Minawatu seat as long as there is any danger of the Government losing a vote by his resignation."

The Mornington cable tramway has now been at work 12 months. Friday last was the anniversary of the opening of the line, and the employes of the Company, in commemoration of the opening, decorated the cars with flowers and flag 3. In the evening the employes had a social gathering, to which the employes of the Roslyn tramway were invited aa guests, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Since the opening of the line there has not been a single accident in connection with its working, and not one of the servants of the Company has been discharged.

The inquiry held on Saturday into the death of the late Mr Oliver Wakefiold resulted in a verdict of accidental death, and no blame was attached to the driver of the steam motor. At the same time the jury expressed their concurrence with the action taken by the City Council for the removal of the" engines from the line, and the Secretary to the Tramway Company remarked that they would probably discontinue running in about 10 days' .time. The funeral of the deceased gentleman was attonded en Saturday afternoon by a number of influential citizens who appear to have known and esteomed Mr Wakefield in the course of his official career.

An accident occurred in the refrigerating engine-room of the s.s. Ruapehu on Friday evening. Owing to some displacement, a breakdown of the refrigerating engine took place. When this was reported, the auxiliary engine was put into work, and the meat chambers kept constantly supplied with cold air. Captain Russell, marine surveyor to the Underwriters' Association, inspected the meat in the chambers on Saturday 'afternoon, and expressed his opinion that the meat was in as perfect condition as it was when placed on board, and there was nothing to indicate any depreciation. Mr Coj£on ? the agent for Messrs

Haslam and Co., visited the steamed Rjiapehu on Saturday night, and, after making a Ihorongh overhaul of the refrigerating engines, found that the bed-plate was fractured. As the ship U filled*with passengers for the homeward trip, there is no time to effect the necessary repairs here, she will therefore carry the meat she has in her freezing chambers to Lyttelton, and there tranship it to the lonic. Although this is a matter of regret m one «etifie, it is a lucky incident that another of the Company's vessels is thus available. , Thanksgiving services for the harvest were held on Sunday in St. Paul's Episcopalian Church. The pulpit and other parts of the building were suitably decorated with the fruits of the harvest.

The chiefs who are likely to go to England with Tawhiao are :— Taiaroa (M.H.R.), Henare Tomoana (M.H.R,), Henare Matua (Hawke's Bay), Topia Tnroa (Whanganui and Taupo), Moetara (Hokianga), Wi Hau (Bay of Islands), Rev. Wi Pomare (Bay of Islands), Paora Tuhaere ' (Orakei), Hone Mohi Tawbai (M.H.R.), Ihaka te Tai (Bay of Islands). It seems probable that the trip will havo to be put off for another month, as the agent of i,he Sau Francisco steamer has given Tawhiao notice that all the cabins are engaged for next trip.

The New Zealand Times has the following obituary notice : — Mr Wakefield was a bachelor, and 40 years of age, and oossessed of considerable property. One brother is Mr E. Wakefield, M.H.R,, .md another is a leading Adelaide merchant, .uid a sister resides in England. Mr Waketield was educated during several years in London, and then -came to this Colony, where he entered the Civil Service. By diligent' work and the most careful attention to his duties he rose step by step, till he won his position as an Under-secretary. At one time he contemplated joining the Press of tho Colony, but the work did not suit his health, and so he soon abandoned it. About seven years ago he got 12 months' leave of absence, and paid a visit to England. Since then he has lived in Wellington. 1 Not having had any long holiday, and feeling that he needed rest and change of scene and thought, he applied for six weeks' leave of absence, and ■itavfad in the WaiHora on Monday last to visit Melbourne and Adelaide, journeying thence to Svrlnsy and back, via Auckland, and it was whilst on his way to Australia that he was so suddenly cut down. Mr Wakefield's loss will be much deplored in Wellington, where he had 'roops of friends. Soon after coming to live in this town he became a prominent member of the Star Boating Club, and rowed in several races. He was also secretary for the Club during several years. Mr Wakefiold was remarkably abstemious and temperate in all his habilw, and for several years had been a strict svater- drinker. He was a man of liberal education and well read. His manliness and straightforwardness, his unvarying courtesy, and his unblemished private and public character, made him liked and respected by. everyono who came in contact with him."

The South Dunedin Borough Council have successfully floated their loan, the Government Life Insurance Department having purchased ohe debentures at £97 at 6 per cent. ; debentures to date April 1, intorest payable half-yearly.

Tho Now Zealand Shipping Company have received advice that the Tongariro sailed from Aden, en route for Hobart and Port Chalmers, at midnight on March 20.

Dean Sheridan, of Sydney, has received a cablegram from Rome announcing that Bishop AToran has been appointed Archbishop of Sydney.

By the adoption of the report of the Reserves Committee, at the meeting of the City Council, Mr Simpson, fhe sexton of the Southern Cemetery, was dismissed from office. As stated in the Council, the circumstances which led to the recommendation of the Committee are of a painful character. It appears that.the grave of a child had been opened, and thatthe parents of the child got the impression that the body of an adult had been interred therein. Complaint was made to the Reserves Committee of the Council, and several members of the Committee went to the cemetery and found that the grave had been interfered with. The sexton was asked for an explanation, but declined to give one in the presence of the aggrieved parties, though urgently requested to do so ; and his conduct being deemed highly insubordinate, he was suspended at once, and his dismissal was resolved upon.

On Monday. evening the Rev. S. Slocombe, of Christchurch, delivered a lecture entitled " Salvationism Exposed " in the Albany street Hall. Mr M, W. Green occupied the chair, and thure were between 60 and 70 persons present. The lecturer stated that he was on a holiday exchange with tho Rsv. Mr Gillies, of North Dunedin Presbyterian Church, and that was the reason he was enabled to devote so much time at tho present 'to .the exposure of t,he principles laid down by the General of the Salvation "Army. At the conclusion of the lecture a large number of questions, relevant and irrelevant, were asked, and motions thanking the lecturer and disapproving of his remarks were duly proposed and seconded. These, however, were not put by the chairman, and the meeting was brought to a close by his pronouncing the bonediction.

At a banquet in Melbourne to Mr Bosisto, chai) man of the Victorian Commission at the Calcutta Exhibition, Mr Service, in returning thankß on behalf of the Government, said that a united .Australia would become an absolute necessity before long, and he asked his hearers to do all they could, individually, to promote the movement so v/ell begun at Sydney last year. It was not to be expected that a movement of that kind would run smoothly to the end : such a thing never occurred in history. In the case of the Canadian Federation, years had elapsed before the whole of the vast territory bad joined the Dominion, but it had come about, and there was no doubt federation in Australia would, at a very early date, become an accomplished fact.

We learn from an English paper that " the Committee appointed by the Minister of Public Works in Italy to consider the best mode of rebuilding the houses destroyed by the recent earthquake at Ischia has sent in its report, to which is appended a complete return of the number of deaths and of houses desrroyed. Out of the 4300 inhabitants of Cassamicciola itself, 1784 w-re killed and 443 injured ; while of the 672 houses, 537 wore completely and 134 partially destroyed. Of tho ISOO inhabitants of Lacco Ameno, 146 wore killed and 93 injured ; and of the 389 houses, 209 were completely and 102 partially destroyed. Of tho 6800 inhabitants of Forio, 146 were killed and 98 injured ; and of the 2713 rooms (no separate return is made of houses), 13-14 wnro completely and 977 partially destroyed. Of the 2000 inhabitants of Sorrara, 28 were killed and 21 injured; and of tho 1159 rooms, Go were completely and 973 partially destroyed. Of the 4600 inhabitants of Barano, 10 were killed and as many moro injured ; and of the 2(i93 rooms, 63 were completely and 1430 paitially

destroyed; No loss of life occurred at Ischia. itself ; and altogether the oartbquake occasioned 2313 deaths, while 702 persons wereinjured, Of the 2313 killed 650 did not belongto the island, but of these only 54 were o£ : foreign natioa&lity."

A man named John Gillies, who was lost in\ the bush at Sutton Forest (N S.W.) for nearly 20 days, found his way back to the railway-line at Bundanoon in' a very exhausted condition. He had lived in a cave for several days, hia only food being a large lizard which he "killed. in the cave and ate raw.

The Caledonian Society of South Australia-, have established a choral society for rendering; Scotch songs, and have secured the services of Mr Wm. King, late choirmaster of Sfc. Davids Church, Glasgow, aa conductor. The £°c ie fej have offered special inducements to Donald Dinnie to compete at their Easter sports. At the private meeting of creditors of Mr Alexander Brogden, M.P., and Mr HenryBrogden, the principal features ofc the statement of accounts were as follow :— Debts fullysecured, £17,158 17s qd, the securities showing: a surplus of £751;' debts partly secured, £687,009, the value of tho securities being £144,072, leaving a deficiency of £542,000 odd j debts unsecured.- £27,482— making a total ot unsecured indebtedness of £5G9,839 115, agamsfe assets, £3830 0a Id. It was resolved to liquidate the estate by arrangement.

The growing importance of Northern Queensland (writes the Argus) hsw not escaped tha observation of Pope Leo XIII, who contemplates making Cooktown the centre of a new diocese. As a preliminary step in that direction the Pope has appointed the Rev. John. Hutchinson, at present a provincial of the Augustiuian Order in Ireland, to be VicarApostolic of Northern Quesnsland, a title that, in the ordinary course of affairs, will soon be changed to that of Bishop of Cooktown. Fatber Hutchinson and several members of his order are expected to arrive about the end of ' April. The present bishoprics of Queensland are Brisbane and Rockhampton. In the event of annexation New Guinea, we understand, will be placed under the jurisdiction of the new diocese of Cooktown.

Archibald Forbes, in the Sydney MorningHerald,, relates the following concerning Mr Gruneisen, tho Morning Post correspondent in. the Carlist War of 1837 :— " Gruneisen took j his chances like other people, and one of these was a very near thing. He was sentenced to bo shot the following day, but was able to get off a messenger to the British Consul at Buboa, who galloped all night up the Asturias Mountain slope, and arrived just before dawn, I barely in time to sn.vo Gruueisen, the hour for whoso execution had been fixed at sunrise. Long years after, at a dinner party- in London, he was presented to an elderly Spanish ! officer, who, glittering vvlth multitudinous I decorations, was among the guests. ' I have had the honour, Senor, to meet you before today,' observed Gruneisen. The Spaniard professed himself desolated that he should have ho remembrance of the occasion. ' Your Excellency,' said Gruneisen, with fine politeness, * did me the honour of sentencing me to be shot 'up in the Asturius in '37-' " lc is not recorded that his Excellency made the retort General Sherman is said to have done to the American newspaper correspondent who met him after the war, and told him that he, Sherman, had ordered him to bo hanged. 'Then how the devil are you here now?' queried Sherman, with disappointment in his tone." In the Victorian Review Mr David Blair administers what the Argus terms a. welldf served castigatiou to Mi- G. W. Rusden for " tne many gross, and even shameless, misrepresentations of the characters, actions, and motives of certain conspicuous Colonial public men'" which occur in that gentleman's bulky " History of Australia," the very title of which is a misnomer, for, as Mr Blair remarks, it ia no more a history than the " Hansard serjes is. "Mr Rusden, in point of fact, does not possess a single one of the many qualities needful to make up the character of i the historian. He has neither capacity for weaving a multitudinous array of facts into a consecutive ' narrative, nor comprehensiveness of. grasp; nor strong sense of the heroic element present in the records of almost every nation, and conspicuously in that, of Australia; nor the least idea of ' historical perspective; nor a sound judgment for weighing men's actions and motives; nor, above all, calm impartiality. Almost every page of the last two volumes of his work betrays a degree of personal prejudice in the author which is equally discreditable aud unaccountable." Mr Blair, quotes seriatim the "historian's" defamatory references to Mr Childers, and brands them as " studied misrepresentations " and " deliberate falsifications," and then passes on to vindicate j Sir George Verdon from Mr Rusden'a illi natured imputations. The great family of the Smiths (says London Figaro) ocenpy fifteen closely printed columns in the commercial department of the newly-published'Post-office London Directory, and the Browns eight columns. Only ono man in London is given as Fatt, and only one Thin, but there are two Stout. It is not generally known that there- is in existence a chanty for poor Smiths. It was left upwards of two centuries ago by an alderman of that name who bequeathed a thousand pounds for the relief of, captives held by Turkish pirates, and a thousand pounds for poor kinsmen. Towards the end of last century, there being no "captives" to relieve, an Act was passed to devote all the bequest to poor kinsmen, and a few years ago these had increased to between 400 and 500. The value of the charity is now some £12,000 a year. In accordance with a resolution passed some time ago by the Timaru School Committee, authorising ministers of religion to give instruction to pupils of the various denominations outside-school hours, Archdeacon Harper on Monday morning gathered some 30 boys in one of the classrooms of the public school at 8.30, aud gave them a scriptutat lesson. A class; of <urla is to be formed to-day, and the Yen. Archdeacon will continue his labours at stated intervals. A little pamphlet, entitled " Suggestions as to Oaths : Is tho Oath of Allegiance a Profane Oath ?" has just been issued by"J/M., who ia understood to be Sir John Mellor, late Judge of the Queen's Bench Division. The writer (says a London paper) expresses his belief that "the existing want of reverence and awe rightfully attaching to the name of God i 3 mainly due to the frequent and profane use of oaths," and " being profoundly convinced by a long judicial experience of the general worthle33ness of oaths," he advocates their abolition as a test of truth, but would retain the punishment for false declarations wherever the law pi escribes a penalty for a faibs oath. "An honest man's testimony," he says, "will not be made more true under the sanction of an oath, and a dishonest man will only be affected by the dread of temporal punishment." The oath of allegiance he holds to be "an unnecessary, vain, and therefore profane oath. It does not.

■extend or make stronger the duty of allegiance ■which is a fundamental principle of the Con»stitution; and as it does not and cannot do this, Sir John holds that "it must of necessity arequire the taking of the name of God in vain." He proposes as a substitute the signature of a 'declaration by every member of Parliament on taking his seat that he professes "true allegiance to the Queen, her heirs and succeseors according to law." A woman named Mary Kiddie has been committed for trial for manslaughter on the verdiot of a coroner's jury at Port Adelaide. The evidence showed that her husband, who was a pugilist and a hard drinker, returned home intoxicated and brutally ill-used his wife, who in self-defence threw a pair of tailor's shears at him, which inflicted a wound on toe temple that caused death, A painful sensation was caused at the Leicester Skating-rink on January 31 by Captain Austin, a performer, Bhooting his wife in the head with a rifle in front of a large number of spectators. Captain Austin, who is a noted shot, fired at a potato on his wife's forehoacrin the ordinary position with success. lie next attempted to shoot a potato while lying on his back. As soon as the rifln was •&ced the woman uttered a scream and fell on the sta c, the blood streaming from her forehead. The audience sprang to their feet. Uttering a loud cry, while Captain Austin ran to his wife, and carried her into the'retiriagroom. A doctor who was present found that «he was suffering from a wound in the head three inches long, but he does not consider it oi'a. dangerous character. The audience soon afterwards dispersed. ...The German Press says: "The submission of the tribes of Merv to Russia is worse for .England than the disasters in Soudan." It •comments on "the remarkable success of Russian policy in Central Asia, which is always directed againsf 'England. If the .Russians should stand again before the walls of i Constantinople the English would be disabled from commanding them to halt, as in 1878. Russia will ■ become the immediate neighbour of India, and will be able at any - moment to create disturbance in Northern Asia. Now, only Afghanistan is between Russia and India. The frontier tribes are always ready to invade the rich Indian provinces if their rear is covered, and that they (Russia) can now guarantee." " Anglo- Australian," in the European Mail, has the following : — "Brevity is doufetlesstbe soul of wit, but brevity may be carried a little too far, especially in what purports to be business or official correspondence. The other day one of the Agents-general showed me a letter just received, and written in an apparently educated hand, running thus : — ' Sir,— Please send me all particulars about Australia ! '" j A curious series of statistics regarding actors and actresses has been sent to a contemporary. From them we gather that Mr "Barry Sullivan, during the course of his dramatic career, has committed 17,000 murders, and has been killed in battle, slain in a duel, poisoned, or fatally Btabbed 9000 times. Mr Henry Irvine's record ib not quite so full of blood ; but he has taken 15,000 lives, and on 7000 occasions has been violently done to death in the glare of the footlights. Mrs Bancroft has been foully betrayed, or abducted 3200 times ; Mr Henry Neville has' ' 8100 times been ruined in consequence of the treachery of his friends ; Miss Ada Cavendish has' been betrayed, deserted, or abducted 5600 times, and is still suffering similar misfortunes ; Mr Charles Warner has 2000 times been'killed by ardent liquors, and has nearly as often perished by accidents on sea and land ; Mrs Kendall has been 2000 times deserted or betrayed, and has, besides, been otherwise badly treated 1100 ; Mr Kendall has 900 times fallen dead suddenly ; and Mr John Clayton has nobly befriended 1800 miserable and deserted women, and has subsequently married about half of thorn. Mr Charles Wyndham has been divorced from 2800 wives. The French Press is not by any means unanimous in its support of the operations in Tonquin. La Petite, a Parisian journal, thus adversely criticises the position :—": — " Even when Bacninh and Honghoa shall be taken, and the attempt can only be made after General Millet's arrival, the results will be nil. • France will possess the delta fortresses, but not the country.' Her occupation will be limited to the ground held by her troops, so that it will be necessary to keep from 10,000 to 20,000 men in Tonquin, and to incur a yearly expenditure of from 30,000,000 to 40,000,000 francs. Nor should the fact be lost sight of that China will gradually grow accustomed to the European military system, and that one day she may prove a most serious embarrassment. As for the commercial advantages 'of our expedition in the delta, we must be much deceived if we hope to acquire any compensations for thesacrifices that we shall have made. The possible occupation of the islands of Hainan and Formosa has been referred to. But this occupation has never been seriously considered. It would, moreover, be productive of more inconvenience than advantage, as it might very well lead to complications with the Powers ; so for all these reasons the Tonquin expedition will have' been very prejudicial to French interests" It will have cost us 50,000,000 francs and several thousand men without bringing us any appreciable benefit. Such are the reflections which are forcing themselves on the minds of the deputies. The correctness of this estimate will be still more clearly shown as time rolls on." The Rev. W. L. Blackley, who is well known as the propounder of the scheme of workingclass insurance, has (says a correspondent) lately been calling attention to the unsound condition of many of the smaller friendly and benefit societies which are established and supported by the poor people themselves, who too frequently find that instead of having saved their money, they have simply thrown it away. This is no new discovery ; for the Registrar of Friendly Societies has called attention to it in his reports for several years past. Many of the smaller mutual insurance societies, benefit societies, sick clubs, and burial clubs are founded upon such outrageous principles that sooner or later they cannot fail to come to grief. What is wanted is that the Registrar of Friendly Societies should have power te make application to the Court of Chancery to quash such societies as he knows to be in an unsound condition, or to prevent the formation of others upon principles contrary to usually-received business notions. At present his powers are limited to an exposure of the financial condition of unsound societies, but then of course the poor people who are most interested never read his report. It is stated by Truth that " Lord Carnarvon has recently made some extensive investmentis in Australia. He has purchased a considerable • property in Melbourne, and also a large estate in the neighbourhood of Sydney. His Lordship proposes to set aside these properties, and the greater portion of their returns; for the use of his younger son when he comes of age. Lord Porchesier is amply provided for, as he is not only heir to his father's settled estates, but at the death of his grandmother, Lady Chester-

field, he "comes into the Bretby and Gedling properties, the rental of which exceeds £30,000 a year." The Rev. J. P. Norris, canon of Bristol, and formerly one of her Majesty's inspectors of schools, says that " Knowledge even of the most sacred, subjects may ffa given to a child without any real training of that child's character. I have been sometimes pained and shocked," he adds, " to find a school passing a really admirable examination in what we call religious knowledge, when morally and religiously the school was in an unsatisfactory state." The New Zealand Shipping Oompanj's steamer Ruapehu let b Port Chalmers at 11 a.m. on Monday for London, via Lyttelton. As the ship left the wharf she was loudly cheered, and Captain Crutphley bowed his acknowledgments to his numerous friends. During her stay here the Ruapehu ha 9 been the great centre of attraction, and the courtesy of all on board to visitors haa been unvaried. She leaves the port with universal good wishes, and her return here will be pleasantly hailed, so popular are Captain Crutchley and his officers. The Kuapehu takes the following cargo:— 1739 bales wool .. .. £24,780 0 0 I It ii rabbitskins .. 350 0 O 18 „ Bheepßkina .. 3WO 0 0 t 19 „ leather .. 3SO 0 0 37 casks pelts .. .. 165 0 0 I 36 „ tallow . .. 330 0 0 • 100 sacks oatmeal .. 480 0 0 9 bales feathers . . 3EO 0 0 10 pkgs sundries ■ .. 70 0 0 Total value .. .. £27,305 0 0 The Ruapehu leaves the port in splendid order ; and Captain Crutchley and his staff may alwaj s bo sure of a ready welcome whenever the good ship cumea^baek to the port of Otago. On her arrival at Ljttelto'n she will be docked for scraping and painting.