LOCAL & GENERAL,

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 19

LOCAL & GENERAL,

At Thursday's meeting of the Harbour Board Mr J. L. Gillies, the secretary, submitted a report he had prepared on Sir Julius Vogel's scheme for the conversion of the loans of local bodies, in which he stated that whatever the result might be in the case of a local body placing a new loan on the market, it was not 6hown how local bodies would benefit iv regard to loans already issued. Mr Gillies pointed out, however, that great benefits would bs secured if the Government issued inscribed 3£ per cent, or 4 per cent, stock to take the place of present debentures, on which as much as 7 per cent, interest is paid, the local body giving the Government satisfactory security. In the case of the Ofcago Harbour Board, a 4 per cent loan would probably save nearly £9000 per annum,, a sum equal to what is derived from the whole of the export dues. The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach is now spoken o£ as a probable candidate for the Chalmers seat at the general election. A numerously signed requisition is to be presented to Mr John Mill, of Port Chalmers, asking him to allow himself to be placed in nomination for the Chalmers electorate. Mr Mill is considering the matter and will definitely make up hi& mind in a day or two. Mr C. H. Mills, M.H.R., has instructed his solicitor to demand from the proprietors of the Wellington Post an apology for, or retraction of, their paragraph of April 24, accusing him of improper motives in connection with the purchase of the Kai Valley tramwajb and, iE uo6 satisfactory, to issue a writ for £1000 for libel. Rawei, the young Native evangeli&t, was introduced by the Ktsv. Dr Stuart to a number oi the members of Knox Church who had assembled for tho usual weekly prayer meeting on Thursday evening. After the opening hymn Rawei gave a most interesting address, which came as a surprise to those p>esent. In simple and modest language he described the object of his mission. He had found in many ot the isolated villages of the King country hundreds of his people living in gross spiritual darkness and utterly disregarding all sanitary laws, and he felt that God had saved him, a Maori, that "he might become in His hands a saviour of the Maoris. He desired to return to his native village up the Wanganui river, and erect a model Maori home with a church and school attached, and by the powerful influence of personal example encourage his mother's people to seek light and salvation, to build healthier dwellings, to make themselves vegetable and fruit; gardens, and, above all, forsake entirely the demoralising and unhealthy communal wharepuna. By these and similar means he hoped to teach his brethren how to give fair play to the intelligence and nobility of character they were universally admitted to possess.

Referring to the Freeman Kitchen case and another in Hawke's Bay recently, where a woman in the witness bjx admitted that the man she was suing for maintenance was the third with whom Bhe had gone through the ceremony of marriage, the other two being still alive, the Wellington Post says :— " There is a rule well understood and observed by prudent persons, which forbids interference between husband and wife. The New Zealand police, with an excess of prudence, extend it to noninterference between a man and any number of wives, or a woman and any number of husbands. In fact, according to the police code polygamy is quite permissible if all the contracting parties are content. B jgamy is no longer a crime involving any wrong to the community, but a personal wrong for wjiich a civil instead of a criminal remedy may be sought. We do not think such a doctrine is conducive to the maintenance of a high standard of social morality, and although it may obtain in this colony we are quite sure it is not recognised at Home. The sooner it is authoritatively settled in this colony, for the guidance of the police and others, whether bigamy is merely a personal wrong admitting of a civil remedy, or whether it is a felony committed against * Our Sovereign Lady the Queen, her Crown, and Dignity,' demanding prosecution at the instance of the officers of the law, the better it will be for the preservation of public morality in this colony."

In view of the possibility of an influx of teachers from Victoria, where large numbers have been retrenched, the Minister for Education has remodelled his former reply te applications pointing out that the number of teachers trained in the colony is yearly increasing, and that applicants from a distance will have but little chance, however good their certificates may be, j The hearing of the charge of libel preferred by the Hon. A. J. Oadman against Mr W. L. liees, M.H.R., has been fixed for Napier on the 16th met. Mr Rees thinks the trial will extend over three weeks unless shortened by admissions of fact, in which case the number of witnesses may be reduced. The director of the local branch of the Order of Christian Brothers (the Rev. Bro. Hughes), receiving instrucbions by cable on Tuesday last from his superiors in Australia to proceed to Melbourne, left by the Talune on Thursday afternoon. Notwithstanding that very libble notice was given of his intended departure, and although the schools are at present closed for tho mid-winter holidays, some 24 scholars, deputed by their fellow schoolmates, waited upon Bro. Hughes on Thursday and {reseated him with an illuminated address andavaluab'e J travelling case. At the railway station a lar^e number of the leading members of the Catholic i community, including the Rev. Father Lynch, besides many other friends, assembled to wish the rev. brother bon voyaye, and as the train moved off he was accorded a hearfcy rouud of cheers. Bro. Hughes has acted as superior of the order here for the past five or six years, during which time he has not only effected improvements in the building itself in the way of providing all necessary appliances for teaching, but he also greatly extended the curriculum, by introducing subjects that will fit scholars for the requirements of everyday commercial life, including typewriting and shorthand. The only transaction at the Crown Linds Office this «eek, beyond the applications for subdivisions of the Ben Lomond run, reported elsewhere, was the disposal of section 17, block 111, Tautuku, containing 28 acres, to John Lowance, under the occupation with the right of purchase system, the cash price being 20j per acre. A horse which ran away with a dray at Christchurch was suddenly stopped in a public road through a bystander recognising it and calling out its name. The explaoation was obtained from him that on his way to work of mornings and evenings he had been in the habit of speaking to the animal as it thrust its head over the fence. The familiarity had grown till the horse looked for the man's passing, was received with a pat on the head or a piece of biscuit, the man calling tho horse Bob.

Therefore, when the horse was tearing away, tail on end, with tho dray, and the person referred to called out " Bob, Bob," the intelligent animal drew up and waited till his friend came up. The contents of the dray had been scattered, but no damage was done. We are in a position to say that Mr J. C. Bucklaud has definitely decided to stand for the Taieri electorate at the general election. Mr Hookham has made his award on the unfinished games in the telegraphic chess match between Dunedin and Wellington. He awards the games between Messrs Cleland and Libtlejohn, Mellor and Mackay, and Stenhouse and Le Lievre as draws ; those between Messrs Thomas and Edwards and Sim and Janion as wins for Ofcago ; and that between Messrs Thropand Wright as a win for Wellington. The final score therefore stands : Otago, 4£ ; Wellington, 7£. j A meeting of the Henley River Board on Thursday was attended by Messrs Stevenson (chairman), Anderson, A. Fleming, and Wilson. A resolution was passed making a special rate of one penny and one-eleventh of a penny for paying interest on loan and instalment of principal for year ending 31st March 1894. The clerk was instructed to try and collect all arrears of rates for the past year before the end of June, and if any remain unpaid at that date to sue for them. Mr Fleming reported that Mr King had agreed to do the necessary repairs as pointed out to him from Wane's drain to the top of Bull creek and from top of Bull creek to Berwick road for the sum of £6. Dr G. Anderson Copland has obtained the diplomas of M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P., London, and is now on bis way back to New Zealand. In his speech at Gore the Hon. G. F. Richardson, speaking of the special settlement system, said that, of his own knowledge, in the Fortymile Bush half the "settlers" sold their sections at a premium of 20s, 255, or 30a an acre. They drew the land and never saw it. — (A Voice : " Quite right.") Was it quite right to put in 10s or £1 and reap this large profit, or should the State get it ? The Wellington Special Settlement Association originally consisted of 96 members ; seven were left. A settlement at Woodville numbered 46, of whom one was now residing, and the Masterton-Hawera Association originally numbered 32, of whom three were left. And it must not be supposed that the sections were deserted. On the contrary, they were occupied, and if not highly cultivated the bush was cleared, the best of grass was grown, and there were houses on all the sections occupied by true settlers who had had to pay the city spielers for the right to get on to the land. Taking the whole colony through, of the 906 original names 206 remain ; the number of transfers was 349, and not nine of these but what was for a substantial consideration! The system was wrong, as was any system which prevented men who honestly and really desired to occupy and improve our waste lands from having the opportunity of doing so. Mr Rhodes (Oppositionist member for Geraldine) addressed a large meeting of his constituents at Temuka on Thursday night. In finance he gave all credit to the late Government ; made ligLt of the changes in taxation, but pointed out defects ; expressed satisfaction with Land Bill; guardedly criticised the Cheviot purchase, as sufficient information was not available to judge how it would turn out ; urged that were land bought for settlement leases should be convertible to freehold, and money used in the purchase of other lands. He also urged that rents should be on a 4 per cent, basis, as in other Crown lands. ' In answer to questions, Mr Rhodes said he must keep his last election pledges against compensation to publicans, but was also against local veto. He declined to say what stand he would take on this subject next election. A vote of thanks was carried. One of the questions put to Mr DawsoD, M.HR., at his meeting at Caversham on Friday night was, " Why did you move an amendment to the Payment of Members Bill to protect the honorarium of representatives while Parliament was in session ? " Mr Dawson replied that several members of the Legislature were not too well off, and he did not think that while Parliament was sitting they should be worried with financial matters. A few days ago, while Miss Cossey, a girl about 17 years of age, residing at Birmingham, in the Rangitikei district, was washing her hair in kerosene, it caught fire from a lighted candle near by. Her father came to her assistance and tried to extinguish the fire with his hands, but, failing to do so, called for water. A younger sister coming with some, in her hurry, spilt it, and by the time more was obtained and poured over the girl's head, her face, ears, and neck were severely burned , the neck through the collar of the dress catching fire. The girl is now in a critical condition. Mr Cossey's hands were so much burnt that he has not since been able to work. A Napier telegram announces the death there, of pleurisy, of Mr Robert Dobson, aged 41. The deceased was manager of the Northern Investment Company, and was lately commissioned to realise the assets of the Colonial Investment and Agency Company in Ofcago. An order went Home by the Tongariro for 1000 Martini-Henrys and a large consignment of military stores. If the price is suitable doible the number of rifles will be obtained. A quantity of slack coal which has been piled up in Messrs James Macfie and Co.'s yards in Castle street for some time, and which was covered with snow on Saturday, ignited by spontaneous combustion about 2.15 a.m. on Sunday, and a stack of firewood which was alongside took fire. A person residing in the vicinity noticed the occurrence and gave the alarm, and the Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps both turned out promptly. The fire was speedily checked, and it is believed that a few pounds will cover the damage. Mr John Haydon, who was for a considerable time licensee of the Captain Cook Hote!, at the corner of Great King and Albany streets, died suddenly on Saturday at his residence in St. David street. He was apparently in his usual health when his son left home in the morning, but when the boy returned shortly after 1 o'clock he found his father ffead. Tho deceased had lately suffered from a cold, and he had been in delicate health for some time. At Palmerston on the 7th insb. the hearing ot the charge of bankruptcy preferred against James Pickworth was resumed before Messrs Ewing and Mackenzie, J.P's. The hearing had been previously adjourned to allow accused to be represented by counsel. Mr Dalziell appeared on behalf of the assignee, and Mr D. D. Macdonald for bankrupt. The latter asked that the proceediugs Bhould commence de yoyo, but Mr Dalziell objected. The evidence, which had been taken, was then read over to Mr Macdonald, who contended that a considerable portion of it should not have been admitted. Afccr considerable argument the bench retired, and on returning to court said that, in justice to the defendant, they would direct that proceedings should be begun de novo, and that the witnesses who had already been examined should be tendered for cross-examination,

They would, however, insist on the bankrupt being summarily tried at Palmersfcon, since he had elected to take that course at tho beginning. Mr Macdonald intimated thab he would not agree to that course being adopted. He would endeavour to have the case tried before a jury in Dunedin. An adjournment till Tuesday was granted. Mr Hutchison, M.H.R., has been in correspondence with the Premier on the subject of the police superannuation fund. There is apparently no prospect of its being granted this session, whatever a new Parliament may do. The Government have not yet definitely settled the financial proposals for the year, but the Premier expresses himself as unfavourable to dealing with any particular branch of the service, holding thab whatever is done should be general in its application. "I have, however," he adds, "under consideration the making ib compulsory for every applicant for transfer from the permanent artillery to the police force to produce, before such transfer takes place, an insurance policy on his life for not less than £200. Of course this will only j meet the case of those appointed to the force for [ the future." There died at Wellington Hospital last week Robert Miller Brechen, formerly a well-known Edinburgh resident. Many years ago ha organised monster concerts in various parts of the 1 United Kingdom, Adelina Patbi and her sister, Sims Reeves, and other notable singers being under engagement to him at different timeß. While on a visit to Melbourne for the benefit of his health he was induced to speculate heavily, and lost a good deal of money. The Post says that it was his intention to have returned to Scotland had he survived the illness with which he was seized soon after reaching Wellington. He leaves two sons at Home, both well off. Mr R. Dobson, whose death at Napier was announced on Saturday, was a son of Mr E. Dobson, late Provincial Engineer of Canterbury (says the Press), and commenced his career as a clerk in Messrs R. B. Martin and Co.'s, Dunedin, in 1869. Thence he went into the Telegraph department, and then in 1871 joined the National Insurance Company, and was sent to Auckland as its representative about 1872. He subsequently joined the New Zealand Insurance Company, representing ib in Napier, and was afterwards appointed as manager in Wellington. After this he went to Auckland to manage a Mutual Company there. From Auckland he proceeded to Napier as manager of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company and then became manager of the Northern Investment Company. He waß also representative of Messrs Tyser and Co. In an article entitled "People I Have Met," Mrs Simpson (says a writer in the "New Review") gives a curious account of Jenny Lind's love affair with Claudius Harris. He was a young Indian officer, intensely Low Church, who attracted Jenny by his pure mind and personal goodness. He insisted that she should give up the stage and devote the rest of her life to atoning for her theatrical career. She left the stage when 28, and this step on her part is justified by Mrs Simpson, because she was worn out by the strain of emotion resulting from the fidelity with which she threw herself into all her characters. This ill- asserted match was broken off under the following circumstances : — "Mr Harris had asked Jenny to insert in the settlements a promise thab she would never act again. To this my father objected, and he also insisted that Jenny was to have uncontrolled power over her earnings, Mr Harris said this was unscriptural, and the engagement was nearly broken off, but was renewed in consequence of the despair Mr Harris exhibited. He also terrified her by threats of torment here and hereafter if she broke her word, and, last of all, when in the joy of reconciliation she was singing to him, she turned round and saw that he had gone to sleep ! " The Woodville Examiner denies that thre* boys who are to give evidence in a sheep-stealing case were Bent to prison to prevent their being " got at." When their father was arrested the boys were absolutely homeless, and were taken to gaol not as prisoners, but merely to be housed, fed, and cared for till the trial, when steps will have to be taken to place them in an industrial school. At the Port Chalmers R.M. Court on Saturday the following case was dealt with:— David Mockam v. Robert M'Dougall (Lake Wanaka).— Claim £22 103. Mr Platts' appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Webb (instructed by Mr Turton) for the defendant.— The plaintiff stated in his evidence that he was engaged by the defendant in June 1892 to act as engineer on board a steamer running on Lake Wanaka at £12 per month, and if the agreement was broken before 12 months defendant was to pay his expenses back to Dunedin. He acted as engineer until January 28. On that day at 2 p.m. before leaving the vessel i he instructed his assistant to clean the boiler tubes, which were very dirty. His assistant told him the same evening that the captain would not allow them to be cleaned, and on the following Monday morning steam could not be got up, and he received a month's notice, and on the following day the defendant sent plaintiff's clothes on shore. His claim was for a part of a month's wages (£l2) in lieu of a month's notice and £2 10s expenses coming to Dunedin. — William Gardner gave evidence, and stated ib was not a part of an engineer's duty to clean boiler tubes. — Mr Webb said plaintiff had signed the agreement to act as engineer and firemau, but shortly after he commenced his duties the owner gave him an assistant. Plaintiff had broken the agreement by not working on board after receiving the month's notice, which was given him for misconduct. — Evidence having been given at Pembroke and Dunedin by the defendant, Captain Mafcheson, Thomas Craig (engineer), and John Edie, his Worship said he would give his decision at Dunedin on Wednesday. The hospital returns for the past week are :— Remaining from previous week, 9?- ; admitted during the week, 19 ; discharged, 18 ; deaths (Richard Collius and Thomas West), 2 ; total remaining in the institution, 93. The Broad Bay Mutual Improvement Society opened their fifth session on the 2nd inst , Mr Huie in the cbair. A goodly number of mem- i bars were enrolled, and a strong committee of management appointed. Mr D. Nyhon was appointed hon. secretary and treasurer, but the election of president was deferred till next meeting. The New Zealand Times states that at a banquet given to the Hon. Mr Seddon at Mokihinui the other day, Mr R. Leckie was present as assistant-private secretary, and taking notes of the post-prandial speeches. At length arrived the period which pressmen are wont to pass lightly over with the comprehensive remark "The rest of the evening was given over to conviviality." Mr Leckie pocketed his note book, and went out to cogitate and stretch his limbs. To his surprise there was a large crowd of thirsty diggers outside, and to hiß disgust their remarks anent himself were frequent and painful and free. At last ono stalwart miner stood forth and said : "See here, yonng party, don't you think

it rather rough for these fellows to ba guzzling inside and keeping us hungry and thirsty out in the cold ? Not that we would mind that much, if we could only hear what Premier Dick had to say." "Ob, if that's your only trouble," replied the versatile Leckie, " I've got his speech in my pocket, and I'll give it you." Suiting the action to the word, Mr Leckie hauled his note book out of his pocket and proceeded to re-deliver the speech of the Premier, every period being closed in with a round of cheers. When the end was reached three rousing cheers were called and given for " the blooming toff." This tremendous ovation brought out the banqueters helter-skelter, with the Premier at their head. Satisfactory explanations followed, and the real Premier came in for his own ovation. At the usual monthly meeting of the Broad Bay School Committee, held on Saturday last, the chairman reported having closed the school on account of the measles epidemic, and it was \ decided not to reopen till Monday, the 19fch inst. The following resolution was carried unanimously :— " That the Bible be read daily, without comment, in this school." An application from the local Mutual Improvement Society for the use of the school for their meetings was I granted. It was agreed that a concert should ba held as soon aa possible in aid of the school funds. The Salvation Army is benefited (says the Melbourne Age) to the extent of upwards of £250 under the will of the late Mrs Maria Elizabeth Hayward, of Rotherwood street, Richmond, widow. The testatrix died on April 17 last, having made her will on December 19, 1891, and added a codicil on February 13, 1E93. Her efctite is valued at £692, all personalty. Pecuniary legacies to the amount of £425 a; c left to 13 individuals. In the event of any o: t'aem dying, their legacies fall into the residuary estate. The whole of the residue ;s bequeathed to Commissioner Thomas B. Coombs, or his successor as principal officer of the Salvation Army in Australia, "to be held in trust by him, and expended in whatever w? y he may think proper in assisting the poor at d spreading the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the customs and usages of the ' Salvation Army." The express train from 'the north did not reach the Dunedin station till 10.20 o'clock on Monday night— an hour and 25 minutes behind time— the delay being caused by the derailing of the engine at St. Leonards. The evidence points to this mishap being due to the work of j some wickedly disposed perEoa, The rule is that the exprees does not stop at St. Leonards but passes the station at a fairly rapid rate. On Monday night, howevvr, tte points of a siding— of the kind which is known as a " back shunt" — at the end of which stands the platform, had been propped open, with the result that the train left the main line and was deviated into the siding, the moment the engine left the line what is technically called a "kick" was felt, and the action of the engine-driver was to shut off steam and reverse the engine, but the speed with which the locomotive was travelling carried it up the sloping end of tho station plat form. The passenger- carriages attached, which were five in number, and the van were not derailed. The siding h a short one, the length being about 60ft, and the whole of the train did not run into it, the van and a portion of the hindmost carriage standing on the main line. The traffic - manager was communicated with from Burkes, and a special train was sent down from town to take on the passengers from the express. The latter was running well up to time when it left the line, and it would in ordinary course have passed St. Leonards at 830 pm. As the Palmerston train passed up jbo town at 7.50 p.m., and everything was all right at that time, | | it is clear that the miscreant who altered the , points must have done so between those hours — probably between 8 o'clock and 8.20. None of the passengers suffered any injury, and fortunately there is no serious damage to report. It is quite conceivable, however, that the train might have been wrecked as the result of such an act as the opening of the points, and ib is to be hoped that the person who committed the deed will be discovered and punished. The lock was opened evidently by a key and the bolt drawn and the lever propped up by a piece of what seems to ba drift wood. It is thus j quite clear that the act was nob that of a boy or a novice, but of someone who had considerable ! knowledge of the manner in which the points are worked. At the Police Court on Monday a sailor was j brought up on three charges of drunkennws, the circumstances att3nding the case being of a somewhat amusing character. The man was arrested on Friday morning, and admitted to bail to appear at the court on Saturday morn- . I ing. Bsfore tho court sat, however, he was ag»in arrested* for drunkenness, and as he was I quite intoxicated he was conveyed to the lock-up. The effects oE the driak wore off towards the afternoon, and he was readmitted to bail to appear at the Police Court on MonI day morning. About midnight, however, a constable once more came across the übiquitous "Jack Tar," who for the third time was very much under the influence of drink. He was j lying in Rattray street by the footway, apoirently under the delusion that he was in his bunk. Although it was a bitterly cold I night, aDd the snow was lying thick on the ground, he had divestei himself of the greater j portion of his clothing, utilising h's coat as a ' pillow for his head. He was rudely awakened from his dreama by the officer in blue, and once more placed under lock and key at the police station. During the heavy south-west gale which prevailed on Saturday night the Sunday schoolroom ■ attached to tho Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, at Port Chalmers, sustained consider- ( able damage by the fall of the chimney, which damaged the roof and did some mischief to the interior of the buiHing. The directors in Edinburgh of the Colonial Investment and Agency Company (Limited) have appointed the Hon. W. D. Stewart and Mr J. B. Reid, of the Mutual Agency Company, to succeed the late Mr Robert Dobson in the management and winding-up of the company's business in tho colony. A largely- attended meeting of citizens was held on Monday evening in Waters's Hotel, Port Chalmers, to present Mr John Mill with a requisition asking him to represent them in the new electorate of Chalmers in the stead of Mi 1 James Mills; M.H R , who had announced his intention of not again, contesting the seat. Mr F. North was voted to the chair, and stated that Jke had to present a requisition signed by over 120 electors askiug Mr John Mill to allow himself to be nominated lor the seat of tho Chalmers electorate.— (Applause.) Tho requjeition proved how highly Mr Mill was held in the estimation of the cilizeus. Mr Mill in response thanked the gentlenieu present and those signing the request for the confidence expressed in him. In the course of a neat speech, he stated that ho was very sorry he could not at present Bee his way to comply with the request, owing to his business occupying so much of his time, hut he hoped on some future occasion that

circumstances would permit him to become their representative— (cheers) — when he would work for the district with might and main.— (Cheers ) After having received Mr Mill's reply the meeting terminated by drinking his health in bumpers and a vote of thanks to the chairman. A Wellington Press Association telegrap states that the Government have decided to declare the 4fch of August as Arbor Day throughout the colony. Telephonic communication is about to be established between Invercargill and Mataura. Rawei, the Native evangelist, entertained an audience which almost completely filled the Garrison Hall last night with his lecture on "My Mother's People; or, Life in the King Country." For about two hours he commanded the attention of his hearers with his piquantlytold story of Maori customs and Maori Buperstitions. He possesses a great flow of language, which is remarkably well- chosen, except when he descends, as he occasionally does, to the use of slang expressions ; and he employs with good effect the arts of oratory practised by Europeans, tickling the ears of his audience with humorous anecdotes— in some of which he probably draws upon his imagination— and arresting their attention with his graphic narration of pathetic incidents. Some of the peculiarities of biß speech are such a3 one finds uot infrequently in a Londoner, but we are assured that Rawei has never been out of the colony. His address was interspersed with some songs which he rendered in capital style in a melodious voice, accompanying himself on the strings. The North Ofcago Times understands that steps will be taken to remove into the Supreme Court the question of the refusal of the Maheno Licensing Committee to grant a license. A "ghost" has been successfully "laid" at New Plymouth. For a week or so past (says the Taranaki Herald) Mr E. Howeil ana his family, who resides in Gill street, have been much exercise in mind over certain mysterious sounds that appeared to emanate from underneath the floor of a workshop that stands in front of the residence. The sounds were put down to all sorts of causes, one gentleman, who was called in as a sort of expert, coming to the conclusion that an unquiet spirit was haunting the premises, so peculiar was the noise that was wafted to his ears. The sounds became so pronounced during the last day or 10 that Mr Howeil determined to investigate, ana accordingly he ripped up several boards in the shop floor, and by aid of a terrier dog located the nuisance, which turned out to be a pair of young penguins, who were nested iv a hoilowtd out place which was lined with seaweed, ice plant, and odds and ends. How the young birds c<tme to be in such an out-of-the-way place is difficult to say, but evidently they musst have been hatched there and led by the mother, for the youngsters exhibit signs of good condition. Last year Mr R. C. Maclaurin, of Auckland University College, having obtained first-class mathematical honours, went to Englaud to extend his learning and to try for distinction in the mathematical world at Cambridge. Ho competed for sizarships at two colleges, and at both was head of the list. At St. John's College the authorities doubled the value of the sizarship to iuduce him to remain. His college tutor told the freshman that in order to do himself justice he must have private tuition. Mr Maclaurin, like an honest Scotch New Zealander, said plainly that he could not afford to do so, and for one term went on without it. Means were, however, found to give him this advantage for a time, and during the last two terms he has been reading with the best " coach " in the university. Having taken upoh himself the responsibility of advising Mr Maclaurin to go to Cambridge, Professor Aldis, through the Auckland Herald, is now appealing for funds to defray the cost of private tuition for the remainder of Mr Maclaurin's undergraduate course, which he thinks would be covered by about £100. While evidently willing to help " the cause " along with speeches, Madame Sterling does not believe in singing for nothing at temperance gatherings. Recently the csntralto publicly reb k d Mr Wood, the secretary of the Adelaide Temperance Union, for giving it out that she would sing at a Sunday afternoon meeting. In addition to objecting to this unauthorised use of her name, Madame Sterling complained that on paying a visit to the local gaol she found a programme had been made out for her to sing. " I had never consented to anything of the kind," said Madame Sterling, " but when I saw the prisoners I was so touched that I felt compelled to sing to them." As everyone knows (adds tho Sydney Daily Telegraph) the talented lady has a strong religious "turn." She frequently assists vocally in the churches. On a recent occasion when her turn came she simply rose from her seat and, without any accompaniment, filled the church with the rich melody of her voice. She sometimes prefers to have no ac« companiment, as she remarks, " When one has built the edifice one does not need the scaffolding ; one puts it away." The Railway Commissioners offer a reward o5 £50 for such information a3 will lead to the canvic'ion of the person or persons who tampered with the points at St. Leonards on Monday night, and thus caused the engine of the exp' ess train from the ncrfch to leave tbe rails. Mr Newlauds, the driver, is entitled fc? great praise for his coolness and his promptitude in reversing the engine. Much surprise was felt at Port Chalmers afc Mr John Mill stating iv response to the requitions presented to him that he could not see his way clear to comply with the request to represent them in the new electorate of Chalmers. Electors of the district, however, still hope that Me Mill may be induced to reconsider his determination. Our Palmerston correspondent writes : — "At the Resident Magistrate's Court, before Messrs R. Ewing and J. O. Mackenzie, J.P's , the adjourned case against James Pickworth, bankrupt, was called oa. Mr Dalziell applied for a further adjournment on account of the illness of the prosecutor, the deputy-official assignee. Their Worships stated that the Bench disliked those repeated adjournments, bub in the preseut instance, as the prosecutor was ill, and the defendant's solicitor was not present to crossexamine, they acceded to the request, and the case was adjourned to Monday, the 19th inst., at 2 o'clock. Bail was allowed as before." The annual examinations in the knowledge of music in connection with Trinity College, London, were hpld in the Normal School on Saturday last. Some 28 candidates presented themselves for the pass sections of the junior intermediate and senior divisions, and 14 for the honours sections. Mr Arthur J. Barth, tho local secretary, was preseut, and, seeing that the regulations were complied with, sealed up all the papers and posted them the same day tt> Mr Parker, of Wellington, who will forward thorn, together with the papers from all the othfir centres, to London. It is expected thiti tho results will not be known until Chrialmaa

time. The supervisors appointed by Mr Barth were Mr A. Richardson, Miss Bertha ThompBon, and Miss Blanche Joel. Captain Russell delivered an address at Palmerston North on Monday evening on the came lines at his recent address at Hastings. At the close Mr Pirani moved a vote of thanks and confidence in the Government, to which Mr Snelson moved an amendment that a vote of thanks be accorded. The amendment was carried by a large majority. Mr Pirani then moved a vote of confidence in the Government, which was also declared carried. Afc a conference of the head masters of the primary schools last evening ifc was resolved fco inform the Education Board that in the opinion of the conference ifc was inadvisable to postpone the inspection of the various schools by the board's inspectors. The general opinion was that if the annual inspection was delayed the result would be to disorganise the work of the schools for two years. At Auckland recently a girl, 19 years of age, named Mabel Helander, was arrested on a charge of wilfully setting fire to the house occupied by the Key. Mr Lush, in which she acted in the capacity of a servant. When the case was called afc the Police Court; on Tuesday ifc was stated that; the accused died thafc morniDg at the hospital. There was again a very large attendance afc the Garrison Hall on Tuesday evening, when Rawti, the Native evangelist, repeated his lecture on "My Mother's People, or Life in the King Country." The lecture appeared to be greatly appreciated by the audience, who frequently loudly applauded Rawei'a remarks, and also the songs with which the address was interspersed. After his addreßß afc Waipawa, Captain Russell was asked if he favoured the proposal to give the people the direct veto. He replied to the effect thafc he was in favour of taking any step fco strengthen the licensing laws, but he hoped always to be able to buy a bottle of beer when he wanted it, and let any other man do the same. Referring to the presentation afc Court of the Victorian special commissioner to the Imperial Institute, the London correspondent of the Argns writes :— " In one matter the hon. member has .certainly triumphed, and posterity can hardly refuse to recognise the obligations it will owe him in time fco come. Afc the last levSe the Victorian special commissioner presented himself for presentation, his card bearing • L. L. Smith.' No 'Dr,' no M.L.A. He pinned his faith on 'L. L.' He was not disappointed. Lord Carringfcon, as Lord Chamberlain, rewarded sutfh self-abnegation. In tones which thrilltd the hearer, the ex-Governor of New South Wales presented to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales 'The Hon. L. L. Smith, member of Parliament in Melbourne, Victoria, and special representative of fche colony at 1 the approaching openiDg of fche Imperial Institute.' 'Twas done. Henceforth the colonial visitor can retain the title df 'honourable' in the old country without running the gauntlet of the sneers of the haughty. No longer placed on a par with the colonel or major of volunteers, he can use with perfect propriety a title which has hitherto b?en the exclusive property of the sons of earls. * Yes,' mused the Hon. L. L. Smith, in relating the incident, 'he was very good to me, he was.' Ifc only remains to be added that the Marchioness of Ripon, wife of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, has consented to present Mrs Smith at the next Drawingroom." A greater Irish victory was achieved at New York than the second reading of the Home Rule Bill in London. The authorities »of the Central Park undertook that the animals in the Zoological Gardenß should be re-christened, and that none of them should bear Irish names in future. The indignation of the protesting Hibernian societies had been raised to the boiling point by the announcement that a chimpanzee which is about to be added to the gardens had already been named O'Brien. The St. James's Gazette prints a humorous paragraph on the foregoing subject. The writer says : — " Ifc will be remembered that the complaint was that fche ugly beasts were called by Irish names, while the beauties, tha swars and gazelles, were complimented with something more aristocratically Norman. We suggested afc fche time that the Park Board should mollify the irritated Hibernians by transferring the names. 'Tim Healy' and 'Tay Pay' would look well as gazelles. But the Park Board has stopped all that. No Irish names are in future to be given to the animals afc all. But how are people to be stopped from using the old names?" The publication, in Part I of the first volume of the "Historical Records of New South Wales," of the logs kept during the eventful visit of the Endeavour to our shores (says the Sydney Morning Herald of May 30) has dispelled a few illusions. Notably, one that the colony was taken possession of under the name ,it now beats, New South Wales. Although this is stated to be, the' case in the edition of r Cook's voyages edited by Hawkesworfcb, in none of Cook's logs now published — private, official, or Palliser's copy— is it so stated, ncr any reference any where made to the name, ard the journals of his subordinates are equally silent. The name, apparently, was an afterthought, and most people now agree not a vary brilliant one. In fact, with the exception of Tasmania, noneof the colonies rejoice in titles either original or distinctive. The name of the continent itself, Australia, for which we are supposed to be indebted to Flinders, could not well be improved on. Botany Bay, although a nicer appellation than "Stingray Harbour," does sot appear to claim Cook for a godfather. In fact, why ifc should have been picked out for a name of snch promise has always rather puzzled people. Strangely enough, this name of "Stingray Harbour," given by Captain Cook, helps fco clear his memory from the accusation, always a shadowy and groundless one, thafc Cook was in possespion of some of the old sixteenth century charts, and was guided by them to the eastern coast of Aus-i-.rnlia. without acknowledging his source of inBpiration. One of the chief features of fche Australian edition of the " Review of Reviews " for May is the character sketch of the late Hon. J. Ballance by Sir R. Stout. Of the late Premier's public career little that is new could be said, but the publicafton of some semi-private letters throws some new light on some of his actions. In 1877, when he severed his connection with Sir H. Atkinson with every assurance of perspnal regard, the latter replied : " I am pleased to think that if we are to fight in opposite camps, the cause for which we are c .ntendiug is the same— viz., the advancement of New Zealand. May the right win." When Mr Ballance was defeated for Wanganui in 1881 the late Mr Macandrew wrote to him declaring that "fche Wanganui people ought to be crucified," and concluded with tho prophecy: "I bslieve that you aro yet destined to play an important paifc on fche political stage of this country, and that you will again appear in due course as a gianfc refreshed." Messrs Ninimo and Blair's catalogue forlS93-9i, which ia to haud, is issued in a new form, but it i? a=t full of information as those of previous years, while the illustrations are more numerous and in

many respects better. Tho list of seeds of every description and of plants, grasses, vegetables, &c, is a long one. The directions and instructions appear to be carefully compiled, and must prove of great service to amateur gardeners. The name of the firm is now well known throughout the colony, their reputation having been gained by careful attention to the wants of customers.