LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 15

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The Chief Justice, Sir James Pfendergat^, had to bo enlightened, in tho course of the Waitemata election petition trial, as to the moaning of the word " barracking." A wiluess stating that a certain elector had got money for " barracking " for Mr Monk, the Chief Justice blandly inquired, "What is 'barracking'?" A definition was offered by Mr Baume, who replied, "As I understand the saying, it is the using of one's utmost endeavours to promote the cause which one favours. At, say, a football match, tha supporters of one team 'barrack' by cheering on their favourites or groaniug down their opponents." "I thought," remarked his Honor, "ib was some sorS of interference — some sort of mobbing."

General Sir M. Walker, V.C., KCB., and Lady Walker, who came out on a visit to the colony by the Gothic, arrived in Dunedin on the 14th. General Walker received his first commission in the 30th Regiment in 1846, and proceeded to the Crimea, where he was appointed to the Buffs, and later on promoted to the command of the 45th. He took part in the battle of Inkerman and other memorable engagements, and lost his right arm. He served with distinction in India and China, and on retiring last year on a pension was raised to the rank of general, in addition to receiving the honour of knighthood.

The examinations for the Gray Russell scholarship and tho Walter Scott scholarship in connection with the Otago University commence on the 4th April. The medical preliminary examination will commence on the same day.

The Most Rev. Dr Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch, assisted at the retreat service at St. Joseph's Cathedral on the night of the 14th, and offered up special prayers for Bishop Moran. Before returning to Chri&tchurch on Thursday morning he offered mass in Bishop Moran'u sick room. There was a very large attendance on Thursday night, when the Very Rev. Father Hilary, C.P., gave a temperance sermon to men. The preacher, when he spoke of intemperance, did not condemn drink in the ordinary sense of the word, but simply the abuse of it. He pointed out that there were five Bocial evils brought about by the sin of intemperance — viz , the ruin of the home, the ruin of health, the ruin of honesty, the ruin of happiness, and the ruin of hope. After dwelling at some length on these evils he recommended those men wko were so weak that they could not touch drink but that they must get drunk to take a pledge of total abstinence. Those men who were led to get drunk through their sociability he recommended to take a partial pledge — to bind themselves not to take more than a certain quantity. "While making this recommendation the preacher mentioned that he knew one who never took more than two drinks a day during the whole of his life, and there were some who never took more than one drink a day. He further obaerved that those who kept publichouses could help the cause of temperance more then many others by never on any accounb%iving drink to those who had got too much already, or to those who had had enough.

Messrs John Murdoch and Co.'s employees held their annual picnic on the 10th, when about 350 left by the s.s. lona for Quarantine Island. During the earlier pirt of tho day the weather was overcast, but clearing up about 12 o'clock the holiday-makers had splendid weather. The picnickers enjoyed themselves in various ways, and whil&t some were tripping it gaily to the music of the Engineers' Baud, the majority congregated to witness the sports. At the close, Mr J. Wedderspoon, on | behalf of the employees, thanked the douors of the prizes (which were both numerous and valuable), and then in a few well-chosen words expressed the feelings of the employees toward the firm, for whom three heorty cheers were given. Mr Haddcck, tho firm's representative, briefly replied, and was heartily cheered in acknowledgment ot the assistance he had rendered in carrying out the arrangements for the picnic, and his kindness and courteaj 7 .

At the Presbyterian General Assembly on the 14-th an application to unite the congregation of Kurow, in the Otago Church, with Hakateramea was agreed to.

On the 17th inst. iiiexorable Death removed from amongst us a worthy follow citizen whom to know was to admire and respect. Captain Orkney had been ailing for several months past, bis strength gradually failing him, but not until the last three weeks did his trouble

to which he succumbed on Saturday assume an alarming phase. The deceased was a native of Greenock, where his family lived, aud out of which port his father sailed for many years as shipmaster in the West Indian trade. After receiving a fairly good education in the Greenock Academy he went to sea as an apprentice at the age of 14 years, and coutinuously followed his profession uutil he came to reside permanently in New Zealand. His first visit to Ofcago was in 1857, as master of the ship Cheviot, of Glasgow. She carried a few passengers (among whom was the Hon. Mathew Holmes), and also some valuable stock — the foundation of many of the prize cattle and horses in after years in this province. A few years afterwards he visited this port in command of the ship Nelson, and subsequently commanded a steamer owned in China for several years in the China and Japan trade. Being desirous of making New Zealand his ultimate home, he came oub in the capacity of captain and owner of the well-known steamer Maori, which he sold very soon after his arrival to the UDion Steam Ship Company for their West Coast trade. Having settled in Dunedin, he was appointed deputy-harbourmaster, au office which he filled for several years with credit until it was found necessary to dispense with his services, on account of the straitened financial circumstances of the Harbour Board rendering retrenchment necessary. In 1873 he and Captain Thomson were appointed examiners of masters and mates for this port, and it is well known — especially to seafaring men — what valuable services both rendered to the colony for a period of 20 years in that capacity, though an ungrateful Government pub au end to thoir useful career by a curt telegram ou a day's notice. Possessed of a large aud varied experience of the world, in nautical matters aud tho science and practice of navigation the late Captain Orkney was facile princeps. He was commissioned by the directors of the Union Company on two several occasions to bring out to the colony two of their oteamers from Glapgjw — viz., the Omapero and the Waihora. His genial smile and hearty greetings will be missed by a circle of intimate friends with whom he del ghbed to associate in the city of his habitation. He leaves a widow, two sons, and three daughters to mourn the loss of a kind husband and an indulgent parent.

The Auckland Education Board at its meeting on the 14th unauiraously resolved to institute a searching inquiry into tho system of conducting standard and scholarship examinations. With reference to the circular from the North Canterbury Board suggesting that tho Government be aoked to give an increased grant, most of the members appeared to bo of opinion that tho Government were doing all they could. Out ot £2,000,000 spent in tho colony under the Appropriation Act, £550,600 was voted for education. Consideration was deferred.

Major Summerville had an interview with the Defence Miui&ter on the 14th iv connection with the supply of Martini ammunition, and said injury was likely to ensue to the New Zealand Rifle Association owing to its members being unable to get ammunition with which to practise. He also pointed out that unless active steps were at once taken to secure a supply from the sister colonies there would be no ammunition for the annual shooting competition which opens in Christchurch on March 1. The Hon. Mr Seddon promised to at once cable to Melbourne for a supply, and this will be landed at Lyttellon in time for the meeting. Provision will also be made to allow clubs, &c. which intend competing at the meeting a few hundred rounds, for the purpose of practice, from the stock ia hand.

A good deal of discussion took place at Thursday's meeting of the committee of the Charitable Aid Board over a requisition from the Benevolent Institution Trustees, who, it was stated, were £445 over their estimate for the 11 months. Astonishment was expressed by Mr Hardy that the trustees could not do better in the middle of summer than in the middle of winter. He also mentioned that this year the City Corporation had to pay £3000 for charitable aid, when they only had a few hundced pounds to spend on streets. Ib was proposed that the amounb be nob paid by the board, but that the trustees raise the money requiredjthemselves by means of an overdraft, seeing that they were responsible for the excessive expenditure. This proposal, however, was lost, a motion being subsequently carried agreeing to pay the amount required. Ib was further decided to bring under the notice of the trustees that their estimato for the year had been exceeded, and to urge upon them to exercise rigid economy in the distribution of outdoor rolief, more especially during the summer season of the year. During the discussion ou the question, Mr Green expressed the opinion that the Government were deserving of blame for nob carrying out the recommendation of the board on a former occasion to give Mr Bastings's scheme a trial, or for not devising some other scheme of their own, with the view of relieving the ratepayers of the heavy burden that was now pressing on them.

At the meeting of the Education Board on Thursday, the Hon. John MacGregor gave notice of a motion for the appointment of a committee to formulate a scheme for the establishment of a central "finishing" school in Dunedin. He explained that his proposal was not intended to injure the High School ; and he did not think it would have any such effect-, because he thought many boys who now remained in the district school for Latin and mathematics, and who intended to go up to the university, would proceed at an earlier age to the High School. Ho thought that boys who did not intend to go to the university, but to go into an office or to take to farming, would bimply be wasting their time in getting a mere smattering of L^tin or French, or algebra ; and he was not by any means satisfied that adequate provision was made in the High School for ntilising to the best advantage the year or two between a boy passing the Sixth Standard and his entering an office or his starting farming.

A largely-signed supplementary petition askiug the Minister for Labour to retain Mr T. K. Weldon in his position of inspector under the Factory Act is to be despatched to Wellington in the course of a day or two. There are over 200 signatures of employers and employees in the iron trade alone The firsb petition was mainly signed by firms iv the soft goods trade and their employeea. Thsre is evidently a very strong feebog ia the community that Me WcLion'a services should ba retaim.d.

School buildings costing in tho aggrog.it' nearly £4000 are at tho present time in course of erection for the Education Board in different parts of the province. MrM'Kerrow expres-iod the opiuion at last week's meeting of the board that, ia view of the distances separating the various works, it was impossible far the architect, Mr Somerville, to supervise all the contracts, and moved in the direction ot" giving him temporary assistance. Mr Clark also contended that Mr Somerville could not possibly inspect all the buildings that are being constructed, but Mr Greeu pointed out that the architect had, on a previous oscasion, been requested to make repieseutatious to the board if the work was more than he could undertake, aud offered it as his opinion that there was only one school

building being erected— '.hat at Morniogton— which required constant supervision ; while Mr Ramsay said that there were only two contracts in hand which the architect could not inspect on a two days' trip from Dunedin. The architect himself was called in, and on his assuring the board that the various contracts were gettiDg as much supervision a3 their works ever had, the matter dropped.

Between 300 and 400 applications were made to the Education Board for the score or so of pupil teacherships which were filled up at yesterday's meeting. In connection with the appointments, Mr Mackenzie and the Hon. John MacGregor bath remarked that there seemed to be an impression on the part of the parents of applicants that the appointments could bo manipulated by members of the board, whereas, as a matter of fact, they were left in the hands of the inspectors. Mr Mackenzie said that he had been approached by some parents who were desirous of getting their children appointed, and he had told them that so far as he knew members of the board could not influence the inspectors, but, he significantly added, he had been informed that there were members who claimed credit for appointments which had been made.

Mr James Page, who has been a settler on the Peniusula for the past 36 years, died very suddenly on the 12th inst. Mr Page and his wife had decided on giving over the farm to their son, and retiring in their old age. Mr Page was going round saying good-bye to his old friends, and apparently in the best of health. He waa just about to clasp the hand of Mr Stuart, of Clifton, at the corner of the Highcliff road, wheu he suddenly dropped, giving no sign of life bub a breathing gurgling, which only lasted a few seconds. The matter was reported to the coroner, and Mr Carew held an inquest on Tuesday before a jury of six, Mr Adam Nichol being foreman. Dr Jeffcoaf.'s evidence was to the effect that death resulted from failure of the heart's actionrfrom fatty degeneration. The jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, adding a strong recommendation to the Government for the speedy establishment of a telephone at Highcliff.

Mr W. T. Monkman was on the 14th inst. unanimously elected captain of B Battery N.Z.R.A.V., vice Mr G. C. Proudfoot (resigned).

Thursday's Oamaru Mail states that the Waitaki river is in high flood just now, and has damaged the piles of tho Upper Waitaki bridge to such an extent as to make it impassable for railway traffic. The train service between Kurow and Hakateramea is therefore suspended. ■

A resident of New South Wales, who claims to bo able to guarantee a euro in 75 per cent, of cases of habitual drunkenness, has written to tho Hon. J. G. Ward to know if ho could get "recognition for encouragement" if he caiio to New Zealand. The Post says the Colonial Treasurer has replied that he may rely upon recognition if the cure is as effective as it is claimed to be.

The Hon. J. G. Ward has received a cable from the Postmaster-general, Melbourne, agreeing to send Mr George Smibert, electrician and engineer to the Victorian Government, who will act with Mr Walker and Professor Brown in reporting on the question of electric trams.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday the following amusing letter from a defendant, who did not appear, to a plaintiff was read by the latter's solicitor : — " I am sorry that you have adopted so extreme a tone with me regarding the settlement of my account. I always intended to pay you as soon as I possibly could do so with convenience to myself. lam struggling hard to live and pay my way. I assure you now, as I assured you before, that I wilt pay your account as soon as I can do so with reasonable convenience to myself. But the indecent haste with which you threaten to hand over the account to your solicitor for collection prompts me to send you this answer. I don't care a fig for you, or your solicitor, or all the solicitors in the world ! Hand over the account, and welcome. You've charged me an exorbitant price, because you gave me credit, and I hope the solicitor will take it out of you so as to square things a bit. If you, or he, or any other man in the world can compel me to pay when I have no money you will emulate the deeds of a celebrated biblical hero ; for you will perform a miracle. Bide your time, man, and you'll get your money right enough, but if you rush me I'll keep you waiting all the longer, and ail the law in the world will not draw money from mo. For why ? I haven't any. As aoon as I get it I pay it away ; and the more you or your solicitors worry me for ib the longer will it be before your turn for payment comes round. Bs wise in your generation, and leave me to settle up when I see fit. Yours very sympathetic"

William Macara, the ex-mayor of Gore, was on Thursday committed for trial by Mr Hawkins, R.M , on the charge of an alleged felonious offence on a child seven years of age.

A dangerous packet appears to have passed through the northern post offices recently. The Shannon paper reports that on an examination of a packet at Ohau, wrapped in brown paper, posted at Manukau, it was found to be of a match-box containing 10 dynamite cartridges. Fortunately a small tag was attached, to which the stamp was p.fiixed. Had either of the officials stamped the packet on the flat of the box, it ia probable that an explosion would have followed, with terrible results. The packet was intended foe a man who had taken up a contract at O'nau.

The Rev. Mr Todd, of Oamaru, has, owing to unsatisfactory health, informed the managers of Bt. Paul's Church that it is his intentiou, in due time, to place his resignation before the presbytery, prior to the matter being dealt with by synod in about nine months' time.

On Saturday morning a woman named Jane Whittaker, aged 50, while under the influence of liquor, threw herself into the water at the back of the Victoria wharf. She was seen by a fisherman named Cordy, who called on two other men in the shed, and with their assistance took her out of the water. Constable Hastie was communicated with, and after some resistance he succeeded in taking her to the police station.

One of the events of the present year will be the Tasmanian International Exhibition, to be opened at Hobarfc on the 15th November next. It is promoted by a company on lines somewhat the same «.s the late exhibition held in Duuediu, but is securing more support from the Government. As the staff in Hobart have besu at work during the past 12 months, promises of exhibits have already been received sufficient to guarantee an international representation. The buildings will enclose 13 acres, and there will be three-quarters of a mile of annexes with bays, 15ft by 15ft, for exhibitors ranged on each side of a main avenue 20ft wide. As has been announced by cable, the British Government have appointed a Royal Commission and voted £2000 for expenses. France has already applied for space, and Russia and other Continental countries, aB well aB the United States, Canada,

and all the Australian colonies, are likely to be officially represented. An influential committee is being organised in New Zealand, and Sir James Hector will probably by chairman. Local manufacturers will doubtless be represented. John Munro, a brewer, was fined £50 and costs at Oamaru on Friday, and his beer and plant confiscated, for a breach of the Beer Duty Act. The North Otago Times states that defendant, in pleading guilty, explained that on the 7th February he had no stamps, and on the 9th he purchased four. On looking over his stock of beer on the 10th inst. he found that he was two hogsheads of beer short. When ho discovered that the beer was not there he tore up the stamps so as to comply as far as possible with the law. There was no attempt to commit a breach of the act. It is now suggested that the Rimutaka incline on the Wellington- Wairarapa railway might be avoided by the construction of a tunnel one mile in length through the range opposite Woodside. The journey would be shortened by 11 miles. Mr Markham, a returned hunter from South Africa, who is at present in Wellington, gives a very poor account of Mashonaland. He describes it as a fever-stricken country, with little agriculture, and devastated in the best portions by the Tsetse fly. The gold mines have turned out a myth. There is only one in the whole district that ia profitable. The Matabele laud is in every way better, and ha thinks the company have done well in clearing out King Lobengula's bloodthirsty warriors. On the whole, however, Mr Markham's description entirely takes the gilt off these fabled regions. At a meeting of delegates representing the publicans of the Clutha electorate it was resolved to form a licensed victuallers' association for the electorate, and Mr W. J. Coghlan was appointed president and treasurer. The general opinion of the meeting was that a certain amount of moderation should be exercised in connection with the elections, and that if necessary a reduction of licenses should take place, with the total abolition of bottle licenses. The men asked to stand for the licensing committee if elected are calculated to take a moderate view of the situation, and duly consider the interests of both sides. The probable candidates are : Messrs George Thomson, Balclutha ; W. Hay, South Molyneux; T. Koowles, Catlins; D. Wallace, Clinton; H. Tolmie, Waipahi ; W. Sim, Kelso ; and D. Robertson, Glenkenich. — Free Press. A public meeting— Mr A. Brodie, J.P., in the chair — was held in the Masonic Hall, Auckland, on Friday evening, of sympathisers with the Rev. S. J. Neill, who has been suspended by the Presbyterian Assembly. Me Neill was presented, on behalf of tho signatories, with an address of sympathy. The signatures numborcd 1335, of which 700 were from tho Thames and tho rosb from various partß of the colouy. Ib is understood Mr Neill will not contest the decision of the assembly, but will commence unsectarian services at the' Thames and Auckland. Mr Justice Richmond was occupied at Napier all Friday with a peculiar action. Some time ago several horses about Havelock were tarred like zebras and had their manes and tails cut by some mischievous person. Constable Gordon suspected a ploughman named Hilton and arrested him, but on hearing the charge before the justice it .was dismissed. Hilton brought an action against Constable Gordon claiming £105 for false imprisonment. His Honor held that unless und6r exceptional circumstances, such as ground for belief that defendant was about to leave the district, arrest for such an offence was not justifiable. Proceedings should have been by summons. He gave judgment for £20 and costs on the lowest scale. Mr James Taylor, returning officer for the City electorate, received on Monday the Governor's warrant in connection with the licensing election in this district. The Dunedin City Council are appointed the local authority to conduct the election for the whole electorate. The returning officer is to have the use of any stamps, ballot boxes, screens, and Acts of Parliament that he may require, these being supplied by the Government without charge, and the registrar is to provide him with copies of the roll as wanted, but the cost of making up fresh rolls is to bs borne by the local authority. It is left to tho returning officer to fix the date of election. The Government, however, consider that Wednesday, the 21st March, will be the best date, and it is practically settled that the Dunedin election will take place on that day. A meeting of the members of the Executive of the Otago Central Railway League and members of Parliament for Otago was held on Monday, at which it was decided to apply to the Government for information respecting the expenditure on the Otago Central railway. The railway question was discussed at some length, but all present were in favour of the vigorous prosecution of the work. Another meeting is to be held on Monday next, at which the reply of the Minister for Public Works will come up for consideration. In connection with the cablegram which we publish elsewhere, the manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company has been advised from London thab the chairman stated at the annual meeting last week that if the company's debentures were not .renewed it may be necessary to make a -call on shareholders of 10a per share on December 31 next, and 10s per share on June 30, 1895. So far, however, advices received are to the effect; that debentures have bet n satisfactorily renewed or replaced up to the present. At Christchurch on Friday an application was made to Mr Justice Denniston, on behalf of the Law Society, to have the rule nisi made absolute in the matter of George Harper, in re the Law Practitioners Act. His Honor having pointed out that he. had no power to make the rule absolute, Mr Fisher asked that it be reserved for the Court of Appeal, and Mr Wilding, for Mr Harper, concurring, the necessary order was made. Attention was drawn by Mr Fisher to the question of costs. The expense of preparing the case would be very great. His Honor ad mi Ited that it was unreasonable that the Law Society should have to pay such costs, bub he could make no order, and suggested that they should try and get legislation passed so that in proper cases the Crown could take up the burden of the proceedings. Consideration of an order re the suspension of G. Harper was held over for a week. The case re T. W. Maude was also reserved for the Court of Appeal, and the question of suspension allowed to stand over. A Gisborne telegram, which was not sent south, fetates that an exceptionally painful case of temporary insanity occurred there. A young man lost his two-year-old child by diphtheria four months ago, while himself Buffering from rheumatic fever. The death appears to have preyed on his mind, as on the 13th he proceeded to the cemetery, and despite the protests of the sexton, who is a cripple, exhumed the body of the child. He smashed the coffin to atoms and cut off the child's head, wrapping it in a piece of brown pap?r, and carrying it a distance of about three miles. The sexton at once in-

_ _ formed the police, and on their proceeding to the man's residence they found him queer in manner and arrested him. Next morning search was made, [and the skull was found in the garden a few yards to the rear of the man's residence. It was returned to the cemetery and re-interred. The unfortunate man was charged at the court with lunacy and committed to the Auckland Lunatic Asylum. The Lake Wakatipu Mail learns that arrangements have been made with the Rev. W. C. Cotes, B A., Anglican pastor of Mornington and Green Island, to take charge of the Queens-town-cu»i-Arrow parishes shortly after Easter. The Surveyor-general (Mr S. Percy Smith) and the Commissioner of Taxes (Mr C. M. Crombie), who are members of the Board of Land Purchase Commissioners, left for the south yesterday morning to inspect the properties in Sou bland which have been put under offer to the Government. They will return to Dunedin on Thursday night. The North Otago Times points out that there are several other anomalies in the railway tariff in j addition to the cheap through rate from Dunedin complained of by the Harbour Board. For instance, the freight on a ton of cheese fromiOamaru to Port Chalmers is 29s lOd, the distance being 71 miles ; while the freight on a ton of cheese from Riverbon to Porb Chalmers is only 23?, the distance being over 170 miles. Then, sgaiD, the charge from Oarnaru to Lyttelton (160 miles) is also 23s ; and to crown the whole fearful and wonderful structure of railway tariffs, the rate between Dunedin and Oamaru is 12s 6d. Mr C. Winter, local manager of the Bank of Australasia, has been appointed to succeed the lato Mr E. W. Morrah as inspector of the limitation, and left for Wellington on Tuesday to assume the duties of the new office. It is understood that tbe appointment is, at present, only a temporary one, bub the large circle of friends Mr Winter has made during his residence in Dunediu will be glad to hear that the promotion is permanent. Newß has beea received (says the Christchurch Press) that Mr John M'Kenzie, M.A., h»s begun his career very successfully at the Freo College, Edinburgh. Mr M'Kenzie (son of Mr Alexander M'Kenzie, of Geraldine) is a graduate of the Otago University. He is training for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, and attended two sessions of the Theological Hall in Dunedin under Professor Dunlop. He went Home a short time ago for the purpose of attending two sessions at the Free College, Edinburgh. At the first written examination of the present session he stood first in the apologetic class (Professor Blaikie's) and third in the class taught by Principal Rainy, and that despite the fact that he was 10 days late in entering on his class work. Professor Dunlop is very pleased with Mr M'Kenzie's success, and holds a very high opinion of his abilities. A five-roomed house and contents, the property of Mr W. J. E. Watson, miner, of Vinegar Flat, were destroyed by fire on Sunday night through some curtains becoming ignited. The loss is estimated at £240. The property was insured in the Standard office for £150. At a meeting of the Christchurch City Council on Monday the mayor stated that his Excellency the Governor had written to him with respect to an annoyance having been caused on account of his coachman having been summoned under the new by-law for driving at other than a walking pace over one of the street crossings. He considered a little courtesy should have been shown him, and that such hasty steps should nob have been taken. They had put him to considerable trouble, and caused him needless annoyance. The mayor stated that he had replied to the effect that the council were very sorry to have caused his Excellency annoyance, but it was not altogether their fault, as the police had in hand the carrying out of the by-law ; and while it was to be regretted that in this instance the Governor of the colony had been annoyed, the police could not be blamed for not respecting persons. At a meeting of the Auckland Institute the following resolution was passed : — " This meeting views with regret the delay that has taken place in securing the Little Barrier Island for the purpose of preserving the rare native birds of New Zealand, and urges upon the Government the desirability of bringing the purchase of the island to a speedy termination." Strong comment was made that great fires had taken place on the island within the last few months, and had been allowed to spread in January. One had lasted at least a week, and by degrees the island had been rendered unsuitable for the protection of birds. Persons had also offered for sale in Auckland specimens of rare birdß, which birds it was deemed desirable should be protected. The Gore police seized a quantity of beer and spirits on the premises of John Johnston, of Otaria (late the Otaria Hotel), and a charge of Bly grog-selling is to be preferred. A meeting of the Diocesan Board of Missions was held on Monday in St. Matthew's Vestry, the bishop in the chair. The Secretary reported that sinca October 1 £33 9s lid had been subscribed for the Melanesian mission and £6 7s 3d for the Maori mission. The Bishop gave an interesting account of the discussions at the Hobart Church Congress on the subject of the missions of the Australasian Church. Various schemes were proposed by 'which the Melanesian 6hould be united to other mission fields under cne bishop. The Primate of Australia was about to issue an appeal to raise funds to pay off debts to a considerable amount necessarily incurred by that mission. A letter was read from the English consul at Samoa stating that under present circumstances a resident clergyman could not be maintained in that i.-l-ind. The board jisked the bishop to asceifcnin it arrangements could be made for the occasional visits c-f a clergyman to Samoa aud oth'r island?. The board discussed the question of making grants for services at various Maori centres, hub befoie deciding on the amounts to be voted requested the bishop to make inquiries as to the work which would be likely to be done in each place. The Very Rev. Father Hilary, of the Pasaionist Order, who has been conducting missions in Dunedin, It ft for the north on Tuesday afternoon. At St. Joseph's Cathedral last Sunday evening he closed the retreat for men. In doing bo he referred to the large attendances at the services held at 6 a.m. during the week, and said rarely had he seen such evidence of faith as he had witnessed in Duiiedin both among the men and women. He referred in complimentary terms to the pastors of lh.churches making special reference to their bishop, who was passing away from them. Another of the old identities of Otago has beeb by the death of Mr William Christie, of Keithinore, Warep*, which took place on Tuesday forenoon at his son-in-law's residence at Roslyn. Mr Christie arrived in the colony in the Nourmahal in 1858, and for some time made Dunedin his home. Aftrr a successful visit to Gabriel's Gully with the first rush of goldseekers to that now famed locality, he started business in Dunedin, bub soon after

sold out and took up land in the Clutha district, where he had lived permanently since 1869. He subsequently added to his original land purchase in the Warepa district, and ab the time of his decease was farming something like 850 acres of laud. Mr Christie was a keen politician, and had been for years a member of the Clutha County Council and of most of the other local boards in the district. He also took a prominent interest in co-operative associations and farmers' unions. He was of a cheery, genial nature, and his efforts on behalf of local institutions were greatly appreciated. He leaves a widow and a family of six (all grown up) to mourn their loss. Mr Christie was born in Aberdeen, and was in his fifty-ninth year at the time of his decease.

There is at present on view in bhe window of Messrs Howden and Moncrieff, in Princes Btreefc, an exhibit of fruib which formed part of the fruit shown at the Vincenb County Horticulbural Society's show, held ab Cromwell on Friday last. The exhibit consists of a splendid collection of apples, peaches of the clingstone and freestone varieties, nectarines, pears, green and yellow gages, and plums of different kinds. Six of bhe apples on view weigh on bbc average l^lb each, and all the other kinds of fruit are also of such a size and quality as is rarely to be seen in Dunedin. No betber evidence could be given of bhe fruit-growing capabilities of the county than such an exhibit, and nob the least of the benefits to be looked forward to by bhe completion of the Otago Central railway is a regular and ample supply of such fruit to the city.

At the meeting of the Benevolent Trustees held on Tuesday the Secretary reported that the cost for the maintenance of the institution for last month amounted to £262 9s 4d. The 228 inmates were maintained at an average coat of 5s 2gd per head per week. The Secretary to the Charitable Aid Board wrote enclosing cbeque for j£363 15s lid, being the balat cc , of the trustees' claim. The attention of the trustees was drawn to the fact tbat their expenditure has exceeded thoir estimate for the year to the extent of £445, and consequently they were asked to exercise rigid economy. — The letter was received.

Mcssrß A. Morrison and Co.'s employees held their annual picnic at Quarantine Island on Saturday last. The paddle steamer lona left the wharf at 9 o'clock with about 200 picnickers on board, and arrived at its destination about an hour later. The weather, although threatening at the start, cleared up, and a very enjoyable time was spent until the steamer took them off in the evening. " The remaining sections of the Teaneraki small farm settlement are now open for application.

It is notified that 17 grazing farms on the Cheviot estate will be open for application for lease on Monday, the sth March, and 11 grazing farms will be sold for cash at Christchurch on the 6th March.