LOCAL & GENERAL. A SAD SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2055, 13 July 1893, Page 15

LOCAL & GENERAL.

A SAD SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Mr Courtis, whom the City Council recently appointed as their gas engineer, has, informed the Gas Supply Committee that he -proposes opening an application book, id which he will enter the name of any "like-looking, fellow" applying for work. His experience, he. says, is that when recommended men are engaged in works they generally get an erroneous idea' that "the boss has very little say in the "matter," and therefore he believes that it ,is necessary that he should have a free hand in the selection of his men. At the meeting of the council last night exception was taken to the general tone of the report by Cr M'Gregor, who is < a "determined "stickler" for the use of irreproachable phraseology. He thought that the language employed by Mr Courtis in a portion of the gas engineer's report' was not fit, for a publio document, and he instanced the use of, the words "fellow" and "boss," to both of which he objected. The Mayor, on the, other 'hand, expressed admiration for the engineer's, report, which he regarded as expressing, in* a plain, honest manner tho views of a "straightforward man ; and Cr Solomon took up the. same line, stating that he considered there was an honest, straightforward, manly ring about the document. Cr M'Gregor was not satisfied, however, that the language was not calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, for he made some remark which was not wholly audible, but was understood to be to the effect that if a person were to call him a " fel|6w ~ his; inclination would be to knock himdown. ' '/.

A member of a deputation which waitfd on the City Council last week with .reference 1 to the establishment of a fish market said that there was a "ring" of dealers in to wp;Vahd if a fisherman ventured at the present > $ime to accept a bid from an outsider, at the saleaattho railway station in the morning — tha eolfs being conducted as if by public auction — he would be boycotted next day.. The deputation urged that the prices paid for fish by the .consumers were too high, and that consequently \the establishment of a market would be of benefit to consumers as well as to fishermen.'- . : -. -

The Government Life Insurance department inform us that the policies' issued, by the department during the half-year to 30th June are £100,000 ahead of those for the first half of 1892, whilst the accepted proposals, for .the month of June, amounting to £125,000; exceed those for any preceding single month since the inauguration of the department. * .'

Messrs Burton' Brothers are exhibiting at - their photographic rooms in Princes street an exceedingly interesting and decidedly unique collection of alpine views, which constitute the practical result of a visit recently paid by Mr G. Moodie, of their establishment, -to the Mount Cook district. The magnum opus of f the collection is a panoramic view of the '.Taßman glacier taken from a lofty peak on the-Malte-brun range, the range on the* eastern side of the glacier being shown in the picture.' The view is Bft 6in in length, and embraces the greater portion of the 17 mileß' which' the glacier covers. One of the achievements of Mr Moodie's trip was that the 18 z- 14 -camera! was taken to such a height as has never: before, in New Zealand at all events, been recorded; *and a direct photograph has thus been obtained of the Hochstetter icef all. The collection includes very interesting views of the Hochstetter dome and the Elie de Beaumont, which', being 'at an altitude of 9000 ft, have, it majrbe /said,- never, been, photographed before ; and another view of extensive interest is one looking down ■ the Mueller glacier from Barron saddle. The photographs sufficiently indicate the '"character of the country and the difficulties 'attendant upon the carriage of impedimenta, in such a region. Their special value, -however,;is that they ''present views — exceedingly effective views— of important features of the- colony which have never previously been reproduced by the camera. The series consists of 172 pictures of all sizes — ranging from stereoscopic < views to the large panorama already referred to, and including direct photographs' as well as bromide enlargements, — and Mr Burton proudly claims that there is not a bad negative .in the lot. The collection is quite^unique, L and the photographers should experience brisk demand for views of Buch interest. J- , ■ ■• • " ;>

The Municipal Corporations! Aot Amendment Bill, which the Premier has^introduCe'd* into the House of Representatives* "was* somewhat vigorously criticised at the m&bjng'.of the^Cjlty Council last week. A resolution expressing opposition to the measure was\jrtbpoSed ; j6y[the mayor, who characterised the till as an abortion; Exception was particularly/-- tiiken, ."to*' the clauses providing for a reduction <of the'inaximum number of votes that mtay he p&lled by any person from five to three,- and "providing that a ratepayer shall only bX qualified; '.to be* registered as a voter in one Ward.- ' mayor also drew special attention jto. clause 9. of the bill, in which he detects an ingidious'fcttempt to throw the maintenance of pqor,ppon.the local bodies — a view of the" clause which was taken by the other members of' the council who spoke on the subject. The , '. motion r was seconded by Councillor Gore, who>'ih the course of his remarks, discussed the principle of manhood suffrage, and treated _the;- council "to a dissertation upon the relationship of capital to labour. Councillor Carroll appealed 'to the council to unanimously pass the mgtion fathered ' by the mayor, but Councillors Cohen and Gourley ignored his request' and their .voices were heard in opposition to the motion.. At a meeting of the Workers' Political jCommittee last week it was reßolved that so far as the committee were concerned' they.' bad not suggested the names of any candidates for the forthcoming election ; and a further resolution requested the Labour-Liberal party to : abstain from pledging themselves to any^anclidate until a final selection is made. ,' '--) • v ■

Dr Ogston delivered the introductory lecture of a course upon " Healthy' Homes," under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance-Asso-ciation, in St. Paul's schoolroom on Thursday evening, the Mayor (Mr O. Haynes) presiding. There was only a moderate' attendance. Dr Ogston, in the course of his address,, impressed it upon his audience that by paying a .co 1 called high rent for a healthy home they wereWmomising in purse and adding to.their enjoyment. The difference in rent betweetrwhat they called a cheap house and a dear one was made- up by the unsatisfactory payment for sickness in the former. He pictured the unsanitary condition of the towns and dwellings in Great Britain up to the beginning of the eighteenth ' century, after which he proceeded to say that tfip'-pnWic must be educated, not only generally, bufc specially also, in sanitary matters. Weshould try to adopt a system "by which" the children.

should be educated in public health matters as well as in the three R's, in addition to which the public health laws should be altered. They were as good laws as obtained anywhere, but with one or two exceptions they were permissive, and that being so, they were of no use, for i people would not spend money unless they were educated up to the question of public health, or unless they could not help spending it. He pointed out that there were certain factorslight, heat, air, soil, and water — to consider in the matter of making their homes healthy by .protecting them from disease, and intimated that he should take up the consideration of ' these factors in future lectures. The Mayor expressed the thanks of the meeting to Dr Ogston, and the usual compliment to the chairman was accorded on the motion of Mr N. Y. A. Wales.. ,Mr William. Sanderson, whose death we announced on, Thursday, was one of the early settlers of Otago, having with his wife and family arrived by the ship Cornwall in 1849. He. was a native of the parish of Mid-Calder, Scotland. J3e took up land at Tomahawk, and had resided on his original selection for nearly 44 years. He was greatly respected by all who knew him. He leaves a widow and a family of two sons and five daughters. TE&V Auckland Star Bays:— "We heartily congratulate Mr James Coates on his appointment 1 as general manager of the National Bank. Mr Coates -is a native of Auckland, and one of our most" popular and prominent business men. His reputation as a careful and able banker h well established by the successful direction of the Auckland branch for years. The promotion to so responsible a position gives great pleasure to a Wide circle of friends in New Zealand." As an instance of the necessity for regulating the carriage of poisons, the New Zealand Times says that a, shipment of what ■ purported to be grease. was' received from Hamburg and put on a vessel -for- New Zealand. During the voyage it broke loose, destroyed all the cargo around, reached. the. jroitplates of tbe ship, and ate off the heads of the rivets ; so that it was a wonder thajb the ship did not founder. The so-called grease was really muriatic acid. A dental examination was held in Dunedin at the end of last month, Drs Stenhouse, Jeffcoat, and Macpherson, and Messrs Myers and Robinson being the examiners: The only candidate, ■ Mr George Warren (of Auckland), successfully passed the examination. . -At the City Police Court on Thursday a female child, six months old, whose name was unknown, •was brougbtbtf ore the court under the Industrial Schools Act as having no means of subsistence. — Sergeant O'Neill mentioned that this case had been remanded from last Thursday to give the police an opportunity of making further inquiries about the matter. They had made every effort, bub had nob been able to find any trace of the mother.— Mr Carew said the child would be, committed to the school. There was a difficulty, in the case— the child wanted a name applied to it. '. " .The mother called herself Griffiths, and they, had better call the child Baby Griffiths.— In reply" to his Worship, it was stated that the mother had nob referred to any religion, and his Worship said they must leave the question of religion in abeyance. In the Courb of the Queen's Bench recently Mr Charles Robert Bell Eeetley, surgeon, of Grosyenor street, sued Mr Bannister Fletcher, professor .of architecture at King's College, to recoyer £399 for medical and surgical attendance on his son at Burgos. The defendant pleaded 'that the charges were excessive and unreafonable, and paid £105 into court to meet plaintiff's claim. In September 1891, according to the report of the case, defendant's eon and two'other Englishmen (Mr Cotton and Mr Seymour/Lucas) were injured in a railway accJdentat Burgos in Spain. Plaintiff went to Burgos ta attend Mr Cotton and Mr Lucas, and at the request of the defendant he also attended Mr Fletcher^ jun. Mr Cotton succumbed to his injuries,, while Mr. Lucas 'and defendant's son . recovered. Plaintiff, in the course of bis evidence; said that in London he should charge 30 guineas for a whole day of 24 hours. As surgeon to the Norwich Insurance Company he received 15 guineas a day for attendance in the law courts, and 30 guineas was arrived at by doubling I ' the sum. Away from all ordinary appliances, instruments, and so forth, he was at Burgos nothing less than a sorb of " surgical Robinson Crusoe." Mr Alfred Cooper, F.R.C.S., consulting-surgeon to the West London Hospital! said thab in his opinion plaintiff's charges were moderate. For going to Burgos he would charge 1000 guineas. The jury returned a verdict for the; plaintiff, and awarded him 250 . guineas in addition to the amount paid into court. .' ;V;

. A "Bteanv;man" is the latest American novelty.' The,- inventor, Professor George Moore, madefa^imilar apparatus with partial < i access a number of years ago, bub his present venture is larger, and intended to draw a waggon. TheiT'flgure, 6ft high, is encased in metal,, and" looks like a knight in mediaeval armour, with liejmet and visor, 6moking a cigar. The' cigar, however, is an escape pipe, and the . plumes, on~tno>' helmet veil the top of the chimney.- The^urnace and boiler are contained iußide the trunk;; and the moving mechanism in the rest of the' body. The man walks briskly at apace of four dr. five miles an hour. A discovery of human bones was made on Sunday afternoon last by a young man named Willism Brinsden while he was rabbiting along the -KaikoraL creek, about a quarter of a mile below the North Taieri road. Tbe remains, whioh were found in a small cave, consisted of a skull, a shin bone, portions of the back bones, and several ribs. The skull was intact excepting in respect of the^upper teeth, which were wanting. - The .remains had apparently been for many years in the cave, in which an old pick and spade were also found. There are indications of there having been a camp not far from the ' cave. ' ..

We learn from the president of the Women's Franchise League, that owing to the enthusiasm evinced it is/ expected that by petition to ■ Parliament, 30.0Q0 women will this session demand fihfranchisement immediately. Yesterday huge 'petitions, 776 ft in length atd , containing 25J570 signatures, were forwarded from Christcbu'rch to Sir John Hall by Mrs Shcppard,' the'jfranchiso superintendent. If the, moral force of this demonstration is not at ouc© recognised by the Government, it is alleged i that position of a very determined character will be taken up which will cost the party/In power dear. A 'Wellington; telegram states that Messrs PoMc'r'and Hollpway have invented a simplo machine for'branding meat before it is frozen, and it is highly spoken of by experts. At a sitting of the Warden's Court on Friday, before Mr B. H. Carew, warden. William ficoulUr applied- for the forfeiture of licensed holding, section 6, block VII, Nenthorn, at pnsent held. by, the Barewood Quarts Mining Company Littited (in liquidation), for nonpayment of rent, for non-working of the claim, antl general non-compliance with the provisions of Ibjj act. , Mr Milne appeared for the applicant, and Mr .Wfyite for the liquidator of tho ' ' company. < The latter admitted that the current

year's rent had not been paid, and also explained the position of the company's affairs, stating that negotiations were &till going on for the sale of their property. Further consideration of the application was then adjourned until July 10, in order to give the parties an opportunity to come to some arrangement.

At Friday's meeting of the Taieri County Council it was decided, in addition to the usual general rate of three-farthings in the pound, to strike a separate rate of one>farthing in the pound, to oover the oost of charitable aid and other contingencies.

According to an Auckland telegram 45 more Austtians are expected on the gumflelds this week direot from Austria, and 80 more are now en route. It is said that more will follow.

At the Supreme Courb criminal sittings at Nelson before Mr Justice Richmond, Mrs Selina Brown and her granddaughter, aged 16, named Violet Brown, were charged with stealing a number of articles from a chapel at Spring Grove known as the Church of Christ. Mrs Brown was found nob guilty, but the girl was found guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of her youth. His Honor said the girl was there no doubt largely through the fault of others, having had a wretched training, and he deferred sentence till Friday, to see if she could be sent to spme institution. Five indictments were preferred against S. J. Reeves, liquidator of certain mining companies charging him with fraud as a trustee. Accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The grand jury made a presentment expressing a view that liquidators appointed by courts should be required to present accounts at stated intervals, and that these should be audited by Government officers. The judge said he would forward the same to the Minister for Justice.

It is expected that 90 per cent, of the Christchurch shopkeepers will sign the petition against the compulsory Saturday half-holiday. The Press states that farmers are also signing in large numbers, for if the shops are closed on Saturday they say it will result in their doing much less business in town, as they will not break into a week's work to come to town on any other day.

Dr Stenhouse strongly maintains that chess is a pastime which is entitled to the support of the wealthy and tbe influential in the community. Speaking at the meeting of the Otago Chess Club on Saturday, he dwelt at some length upon the qualities which he considered to be essential in a player. He said there was no doubt that chess was an intellectual pursuit, in which the moral as well as the mental side of the player was brought into prominence. Foresight, decision, courage, and caution he mentioned as mental faculties which are required ; and, passing on to the moral "side, temper, patience, modesty, generosity and honesty, and trustworthiness were cited as fruits of chessplaying. In reference to the last-mentioned point, he seemed to imply that a person could not be at once a chess player and a swindler, for, although there had been, he said, an appalling number of defalcations in recent years, not one of the defaulters had been connected with the Chess Club* or been known to be a chess player. Having thus advanced his .claim that the club should receive the support of influential citizens, Dr Stenhouse went a step further, and urged that temperance societies, social purity societies, and kindred organisations should foster the game of chess, as by so doing they would be furthering their own objects, because when a man was a good chess player he was never a drunkard or a sensualist.

Mr Donald Reid was waited on on Saturday by a deputation of some 20 farmers and other residents of the Taieri, and strongly pressed to become a candidate for the Taieri district at the general election. Mr Reid intimated that at present it was impossible for him to re-enter politics. The deputation then waited on the Hon. T. Fergus and urged him to become a candidate. While thanking the deputation, Mr Fergus stated that) after having so definitely decided to retire from politics, he could not, after the handsome way in which he had been treated by the people of Wakatipu for many years, comply with their request. If he could have seen his way to alter his determination his duty would be to stand by Wakatipu.

Mr C. C. Rawlins addressed a meeting of electors at Lawrence on the evening of the sth, and, according to the Tuapeka Times, was well received. He announced himself as opposed to the present Government. He was very severe on the Minister for Labour for appearing bsfore an audience in evening dress and patent leather boots while claiming to be a Socialist.

The Earl of Meath asserts that in London some thousands of women and girls belong to what are called drink clubs, a small turn being paid by each member weekly in order that several times yearly all may meet at ;some publichouße and drink what, has been' contributed.

The following resolution of the Auckland Ministers' Association has been sent to the Minister for Justice and to members of the House of Representatives for Auckland: — "That this meeting of tbe Auckland Ministers' Association beg respectfully to call the attention of the Minister for Justice to the scandalous miscarriage of justice that is reported to have taken place at the late sitting of the Supreme Court in this city in connection with the cases of a number of persons accused of taking part in a fatal prize fight, and to ask that an inquiry be held into the whole matter, with a view, if possible, to prevent a recurrence of such a failure of justice."

Tho Gumflelds Commission are taking evidence in Auckland. Charles Best, varnish maker, gave evidence that he used plain gum exteEsively. Manila and other gums did not always brighten The only advantage of mftnila was its pure colour. Varnish wag used to the value of £15,000 annually in the colony. Oswald Coates, acting English consul at Manila, Btated that the Philippine Islands could export a larger quantity. The reasons for the restricted export were bad roads and limited means of transit. John Lundon deposed that many of the village settlers had abandoned their holdings and gone gumdigging. The commission should ask for £500,000 (they might get half that) for the construction of roads and works north of Auckland. There were about 6000 gumdiggers on the fields of the north. About Half of these were old men, and unless they were settled on good land they would soon have to come into the towns end be supported by charitable aid. This concluded the Auckland sittings for the present. The commissioners leave for the Bay of Islands and vicinity on Monday evening. The case of Heenan v. Heenan has been fixed for hearing at the Supreme Court on the 17th inst. A meeting of fishermen was held in Hughes's Fort Chalmers Hotel'on Saturday last for the purpose of electing a watchman. The choice of the meeting fell on Mr Holden. After several other matters had been discussed, Mr Wilkinson, who represented the Dunedin fishermen, proposed that a society be formed to manage affairs connected with tho fishing industry. This' was unanimously agreed to,' and a presi-

dent, treasurer, secretary, and office-bearers were chosen, and a meeting called for the first Saturday in August. After a vote of thanks to the chairman and also to Mr Hughes the meeting terminated.

The apathy of employers in respect to volunteer matters was referred to by Major Callan on Monday afternoon, on the occasion of the felicitations to the Otago Hussars, as bsing a great difficulty with which those who had the welfare of the force at heart had to contend. There were poor attendances at Saturday afternoon parades because volunteers could not attend owing- to their employers refusing to grant them the half-holiday, and yet, Major Callan remarked, those employers were the very men who would desire to benefit by the volunteer force in the event of an attack being made on the colony by an enemy. The only way, he added, by which the force could be maintained efficiently was by employers allowing those of their men who were volunteers a few hours' leave for daylight parade. Every employer in that way, though he did not join the tanks himself, could assist the movement.

In the report of the Bureau of Industries it is stated that last year there were 25,022 persons employed in factories, being an increase of 4566 on the preceding year. That number comprises 17,702 males and 7320 females. The principal occupations are as follow : — Boot and shoemaking, 1859 males, 613 females. Printing, publishing and bookbinding, 1995 males, 230 females. Dressmaking and millinery, 2436 females. Clothing manufacture, 287 males, 1566 females. Flaxmilling, 1262 males, 7 females. Tailoring, 811 males, 922 females. Sawmilling, &c, 1481 males. Engineering, boilermaking, &c , 1291 males. Woollen mill i, 635 males, 630 females. Meat freezing and preserving, 791 males, 7 females. Coacb.buil.ding, 671 males, 1 female. These Igures do not represent the census of persons employed in these industries ; they only record the numbers working under the provisions of the Factories Act.

A correspondent of the Standard writes :— " The following instance of the pitiful ignorance that exists in Ireland as to the effect or meaning of Home ' Rule may interest your readers. A few days ago a lady residing not far from Dublin was surprised when the servant came and told her that a certain workman had called and asked permission to look over the house. As she had known the man some time she made no objection, although naturally she thought it a strange request, and before he left she asked him why he wanted to see it. On this he paively explained that they had had a meeting in the village and drawn lots for the various properties in the neighbourhood, which they were to have when the Home Rule Bill was passed. He had drawn her house, and he wanbed to inspect his lot."

According to the Chicago Herald, Professor Garner, who went out to Africa to study monkey language, has had extraordinary success. "I am safe on the coast," writes Professor Garner, " just reeking with quinine, the proud possessor of a chimpanzee that can say, ' Tenakoe Pakeha,' which is, you know, the Maori for • Good day, stranger ' ; a gorilla that knows 20 words of Fijian, and a female orang-outang that has picked up * Dormer und blitzen ' from my German valet, and has, judging from her actions, quite fallen in love with him. I have also got written down, which is more important, nearly 200 monkey words. Here are a few, spelled phonetically: — .'Acbru,' meaning sun, I fire, warmth, &c. ; 'kukcha,' meaning water, rain, cold, and apparently anything disagreeable ; ' goshku,' meaning food, the act of eating-. You will see from this that it is a very primitive language. There are, perhaps not onore than 20 or 30 words in it that I have not already got, so that my task is now practically completed."

The Journal dcs D6bats says-: — "It is remarkable that punishment by death has been re-established by the people of the canton of Schaffhausen, by public vote. In 1874 the Swiss Confederation abolished capital punishment. But brutal crimes increased to such an alarming extent that in 1879 this article was again removed from the Constitution. That is to say, the cantons were thereby given liberty to act for themselves in the matter. Since then capital punishment has bsen again introduced in Oberwalden, Uri, Appenzell, Valois, Zug, St. Gallen, Luzern, and Schwyz ; that is to say, in the original cantons. Now Schaffhausen follows suit, and it is very probable that shortly the death penalty will be declared in effect in every part of Switzerland. No other reason than the increase of atrocious crimes can be found for this."

A distressing story in connection with the measles epidemic is told by the Auckland Herald in connection with a family named "Brown. The first victim attacked was a robust young woman 22 years of age, named Fanny Brown, who -had to leave her situation as domestic servant. The attack proved severe, and in temporary delirium she got out of bed, caughta chill, and the measles striking inwardly on the heart, she died in half an hour. This was one of the chief bread-winners of a large family. The eldest brother, Henry, who was employed on board a cutter, caught tho disease while absent from home, and was suffering from measleß for four days before he reached Auckland. For want of care, warmth, and attention, tbe disease developed into bronchitis and I leurisy, from the effects of which he,expired, and he was buried alongside his sister. A third member of the same family, a girl 17 years of age, is now in a critical condition, and six other younger children are now down with the measles, two being still confined to bed. The grandmother, an old lady 73 years of ago, had also to come to Auckland, and she has been attacked, and her condition is critical. During all this time the mother of the children, nnaided except .by the neighbours, has had to attend to the wants, of her numerous patients. Her husband is a bushman residing at Waiheke, but as he is deaf and shortsighted, he can get little employment, and the family were mainly dependent for their living on the boy and girl who are now dead. It is needless to say that their little means have all been swallowed up in the expenses of sickness and death. '

Many persons in Dunedin will be interested to hear that the important living of St. Luke's, Southampton (recently vacated by the Rev. Dr Fcrria, on bis appointment as bishop of British Columbia), has been conferred upon the Rev. F. G. Montague Powell, M.A., who, it will be remembered, was for two years incumbent of 'Sfc. Matthew's in this city, where his social gifts, added to his marked ability as a preacher, made him exceedingly popular. Since his departure from Dunedin in 1887 Mr Powell has held the living of Dalkeith, in Midlothian, serving also as chaplain to the Duke of Buccleugh. The Southampton Observer of April 29 gives an account of the cordial welcome received by Mr and Mrs Powell, and a report of the new vicar's first sermon at St. Luke's.

The New Zealand Shipping Company have issued a " Settlers' Guide to New Zealand" to "present in the fewest words a practical and comprehensive survey of the essential facts with which the intending settler should be

acquainted." The company having by arrangement with the Agent-general reduced the rate of passage money to small capitalists, the "Settlers' Guide" should prove ussful to those desiring information concerning the colony. If the work has any fault it is that in giving the facts "in the fewest possible words " the compiler has in one or two instances laid himself open to a charge of misleading.

Mr W. M. Fraer, before leaving Oamaru to join his' father, Mr M. Fraer, in business in Dunedin, was presented by his fellow employes in the establishment of Mr James Macdonald, with whom he was for four years, with a handsome gold pendant in the form of a medal, on which was neatly inscribed "Presented by his fellow employes 1893," and Mr Fraer's monogram on the obverse and reverse sides respectively. Mr Macdonald, on his own account, presented Mr Fraer with a handsome gold sovereign case. Mr Fraer, during his stay in Oamiru, identified himself with athletic and musical matters, and by his departure (the North Obago Times says) Oamaru loses a young man who has devoted a good deal of- his time and energy to the furtherance of these interests.

We have been shown an average report of sales of fish supplied to Dunedin from Port Chalmers for three months in the year, by which it appears that the price of flounders has varied from Is to 3s 9d per dozen ; barracouta, from 3s to 9d per dozen ; groper, in the summer months, from Is to 6d each ; ling, from 6d to Is 6d each; mackerel, from Is to 3d per dozen; red cod (river), from Is to 4d per dozen ; deep ■3* cod, from 2s to 9d per dozen ; mullet— in the summer 5d to 2d, in the winter 6d to 8d per dozen ; moki, an occasionally found fish, from Is 6d to 3s 6d per dozen. The take of fish in the summer is pub down ab about five tons taken and conveyed direct by boatjbo Dunedin, and from 60 to 80 packages (averaging l£cwt) sent from Port Chalmers by rail. In the winter the take is about one-half that of the summer.

At the meeting of the Otago Institute on Tuesday, DrHocken, who presided, mentioned (in connection with a description by Mr D. Petrie of some newly-discovered New Zealand plants) that strong steps were being taken by the various branches of the institute throughout the colony to induce the Government to publish a fresh " Flora of New Zealand." The only one in use was Dr Hooker's, which was published ab the expense of the Government about 30 years ago. DuriDg the interval that had elapsed, he supposed that 300 or 400 — perhaps 500 — new species of various plants had been discovered in New Zealand, so that it would be seen how important it was to workers in botanical fields thab a new publication should be issued. Mr A. Hamilton pointed oub that the number of described species which had been added to bhe flora of the colony since the publication of Dr Hooker's work was nearer 1500 than 500, for while in 1840 there were 632 kinds of plants according to Diefienbach, there were 2451 recorded in 1863 in Hooker's " Flora of New Zealand," and at the end of 1891 the number of species had been increased to 3920. This rendered it very desirable that - a new edition should be placed within the reach of those who were attempting to follow in the steps of those botanists who had done so much for the flora of the colony.

Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs :—: — " Sir George Grey has left the Northern Club and returned to his home. He is suffering still from bronchial affection, also from the bones of one of his wrists. The wrist was dislocated some years ago and does not appear to have been successfully set."

At a social in Wellington to celebrate the opening of the Working Men's Club some thieves went through .the ladies' cloak room, and about a dozen valuable cloaks are now missing.

The Press publishes extracts from a letter by a gentleman in Charters Towers, Queensland, to a friend in Christchurch, in which the writer says:— "What with bank smashes, drought, and floods, we are in an awful state. The bursting of the banks has settled like a dark cloud over the whole country, and is the last and most crushing misfortune to this unfortunate country. It brought everything to a standstill at once. Claims stopped, scrip fell, aid business people shortened hands ; and now hundreds, in facb thousands, of men are walking about idle. Fancy an unemployed meeting on the Towers ! You can imagine what things h^ve come to. Queensland is about done for the next three or four years, through drought, floods, bank smashes, and public debt; bub I think it will pull through in time, especially the North. -Our great mineral resources, when opened up, which will require capital, will once more bring her to the front. Out west droughb has laid bhe country bare, and dead sheep and horses dot our once green and luxurious downs, and in many places the carrion crow and dingo reign supreme. The farmers all over the Darling Downs, Brisbane, Maryborough, 'and, in fact, all along the southern coast were all washed <-ub by the first big flood, but, with the aid of Government and public money, they managed t) make a fresh start and geb a crop in. By the last flood, however, they were again cushed, and the whole of their growing crop? destroyed, and now from the Government or elsewhere aid cannot be thought of, as all are in a similar plight. In shorb, the whole of Queensland has seen its best for a time, and I don'b think it has seen the worst yet. Men who were once independent are now looking for work, and misery is tbe cry wherever you turn. People are being sold up on every side, and all ask when it will cease. Cattle and horses are worthless. You cannot get more than £3 here for a good stamp of a colt, and weeds will go as low as 5s in the 6aleyards, bub bullocks thab will weigh 900 ib are only fetching 305."

Bishop Luck attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Education at Auckland in support of the application which he had made that Catholic schools should be inspected by the board's inspectors. He explained that in the letter he had sent in there was nothing hostile to the present system of education, though he did not approve of it. He had written to the Hon. Mr Reeves, bub he hoped the board would nob refuse the request, which was within the spirit and letter of the act. The only difficulty was the extra cost of inspection. He had written to the Government not to allow the question of funds to stand in the way in this matter. The bishop then retired.

The cable returns continue to show a large increase under the new rates. Last month the number of international messages was more than double, while intercolonial messages forwarded Bhowed an increase of 84 per cent, and received 55 per cent. For the six months ended June 30 the number of intercolonial messages forwardedfrom New Zealand was 3111, as against 1533 under the old rates ; and received messages numbered 2732, against 1442. The intercolonial messages forwarded numbered 15,219, against 8448 ; received, 15,437, against 10,073. We have to acknowledge receipt of the Temperance Standard, Good Templar Kecord, and Prohibition Advocate, published in Dunedin. It has been found that the Prohibitionist doeß not cover the ground occupied, by the Temperance Herald,

which was absorbed by it, and it has therefore been decided to resuscitate that paper in a new - • form. It is not intended^o compete against the . Prohibitionist, but to supply information concerning the various organisations which that paper does not attempt. The' first number is got up in a very attractive form and contains a large and varied budget of temperance news.

The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Standard reports a Russian project for an extension of the Central Asian railway from the present terminus at Samarkand to Khokarid, in Ferghana, within about 180 verstsof the Chinese frontier. A Russian official of standing assured the correspondent most emphatically that the danger of any serious conflict between .Russia and England in the Pamirs was very remote, 1 if not altogether visionary, and that the real foe whom Russia had reason utimately to fear, and -to fear very seriously, was China. Ferghana is described as " a natural paradise."

Fairplay says a curious risk" was placed at Lloyd's on May 9. It was "against the marriage of the Duke of York," and the -premium paid was 20s per cent. The wording given above might lead the uninitiated to suppose* that some reckless speculator— ahard-hearted wretch, void of any patriotic feeling— 'had wantonly conceived and placed this risk. Put into plain English, the insurance provides that if the Duke of York's marriage should not take place a total loss on the policy will have to be settled by' the underwriters in favour of the payer of the premium ; if the marriagedulycomesoffthe underwriters will, of course, net the premium. But what interest can anyone have in taking out such a policy ? The reply to this will dissolve the mystery. A tradesman in the illumination line made great preparation's for celebrating the marriage of the Duke of Clarence, but as that event, through the sudden and very sad death of the young duke, did not come off, the tradesman was landed in a very-heavy loss. He wants to cover himself against such loss in the present instance. This fully explains this re« markable insurance.

' Wellington, July 9. A very sad shooting affray, which resulted in the death of Mr W. G. Spreat, occurred yesterday afternoon. Mr Spreat,' who had been in the Government Survey department for many years, where he had the reputation' of beiDg an excellent draughtsman, retired [from the public service some years ago,' and was believed to be of independent means. He resided in^Pirie street with his two stepsons, named Sanderson. Lately Mr Spreat had ' suffered greatly from epilepsy, and m consequence became of irritable temperament, and sometimes was often most eccentric in his behaviour. Yesterday afternoon, shortly after lunch, he had woids With the stepsons over cleaning up the footpaths about the residence, and the latter noticing the conduct of deceased telephoned for police assistance, but, unfortunately, the shooting took place before the police arrived, but they were on the way there at the time. It appears that Spreat, finding the young men were not desirous of executing his orders, threatened them with violence; and, seizing a poker and knife, chased .the two young fellows through the house, both np and down v stairs. One of the Sandersons, seeing that the " stepfather was in earnest, .attempted to disarm him with a blow oh the arm with a baton ; but the latter broke, and the brothers fled into a bedroom, when Spreat, finding he was unable to geb in, turned the key, thus cutting off means of egress so far as the door was concerned. The Sandersons, however, by means of a ladder escaped into the grounds, when Spreat renewed the attack. Louis Sanderson rushed up the ladder and again got in the bedroom, followed by Spreat. The former secured a Martini-Henry rifle, which was lying in, the room' loaded, and warned ' deceased not to advance.- Spreat, however, continued his antics, and, waving a knife over his head, approached young Sanderson, who fired at him. The ball entered the body just above the groin, and went out at the baok. Spreat fell, and medical aid -was sought. At first it was thought the wound was not serious, but he- gradually sank, though Drs Collins and Fell were unremitting in their attention. Ac 5.30 Inspector? Pender took the depositions of deceased, who gradually sank and died about 11.15 p.m. Deceased was about 62 years of age, and wellknown and highly respected in the city. He took a prominent part in musical circles. Spreat has a brother resident at Nelson.

Louis Sanderson, the ypung man who fired the shot, is well-known in the city, occupying a good position in a city office. He was arrested yesterday afternoon on a oharging of wounding with' intent, though a more serious charge may now be. preferred in view of the death of Spreat. Spreat, in his dying depositions, admitted that ho himself was tof blame over the matter, and he freely forgave his stepsons. -.The police, naturally, are reticent over the matter. , ' July 10. Lewis Albert Sanderson- was charged ab the Police Court" to-day' with the murder of Walter James Spreat, and was remanded till Wednesday, bail being refused.

- 'July 11. At the inqueßt on W.J. Spreat, , shot on Saturday, the dead man's depositions were pub in. He had used most abusive language to the two brothers, «nd iiid his temper,, which was affected by the malady, from which he suffered, had brought the occur :ence". about." He had an affection for Louis, and did not think the latter had any ill-feeling. The affair was entirely his own fault. The evidence so far corroborates the account previously given.. Spreat after chasing the young men, about with a table knife and poker ascended to the bedroom window -by a ladder after Lpuis and Valentine. The men, faced him with 'a double-barrelled gun, but without avail, and Spreat getting into the room threatened Louis, who stood back to the door, which he thought was looked. Spieab used violent language, and continued to advance though warned to stand baok. Spreat, in his depositions, says he felt the bullet go through his body, and it apparently crashed .through a looking-glass and out of the window. The evidence so far goes to show, that Spreat was a man of fearful temper, who made life very hard for those who had to live with him. Before bhe row he had thrown several, buckets of water into the house, in' order, as he said, to give them something to do, yet he left his property by will to the Sanderson family. The jury returned a .verdict of t " Justifiable homicide." Further evidence was I gi ven showing that deceased had threatened the life of Sanderson's sister and had been deliberatelyfeeling the edges of knives.

The charge brought against tbe licensee of the the Supreme Court Hotel, Invercargill, of supplying spirituous liquor to a man .already drunk was dismissed. It came out in evidence that, the man referred to had "knocked down" about £100 in town in a fortnight.