WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 37

WELLINGTON NOTES.

By Onlooker.

Great wks the commotion in town this week on the recent action of the House of Representatives with reference to the tote — and tho abolition-of-the-totalisator scaie was quite exciting while tho doubt lasted, and it was thought that straightway the machine was abolished and driven out of the laud of the moa. They are given to doing funny things at times up at the House of Talk, and the passing of this motion of Napier Cornell's is one of them, foi»although theie was such a big vote in favou* of the motion, yet when a member, immediately upon the announcement of the numbers, remarked that he hoped the Government would take noticeof the matter, the House laughed. You see the social puiifcy par'.y must be pacified sometimes, and the passing of a nice little motion denounciug an alleged evil soothes these goodygoodies ; but as to seriously abolishing the machine - why, look at the revenue the colony, the Government, derived therefrom last jear (£10,4*6), and then consider whether in these tight days of money the responsibles would enter upon such a Bpree as to tlirow this away. No fear! "Amidst laughter, Mr Ciroell a'ked the Government to carry out the resolution." A later announcement says that Mr Carnell is introducing a bill with a view to giving effect to his total isator motion. What with the motion which I have just commented upon and Mr L-nvry's proposal of last week, not foi getting Mr Waime* Mills's Littery Bill, the House has certainly been ''a goin' ov it " in these matters latdly. Thereupon, by the way, I noticed the other evening_ a letter in one of our papers, in which the writer said :— " I would suggest to Mr Mills and Mr Lawiy that they start de novo, and as all reforms are only to be gained by compromises, offer the churches sper cent from the Bank of New Zealand Estates Lottery arid 5 per cent, on the G*miug and Lotteries Bill for the use and benefit of the churches, a compromise 1 that ought to suit both parties, and which I think would alter the voting on these bills very materially." AU of which, as Art?tnus Ward (not J. G.) was wont to put it is Sarks ! and A Goko ! "On the 15J th inst., at Lonsdale House, Lonsdale street, Melbourne, .Nathaniel (Nat ) Nathan, beloved husband of Mary Nathan, of Majoribanks street, Wellington. (By cable.)" This was the notice which appeared in this morning's paper, though the news was in town yesterday, causing much genuine Rorrow in sporting circles, wherein Nat was looked up to as a straight sport. When, several months ago, he left this city for t'otherside, many of Mr Nathan's fiiends sluok his hand with a grip they knew to be the last tbey and he w >uLI exchange, and he himself knew he was booked f*.r the fins.l— for there is indeed no hope in the-'e days, whatever there may be in the futuie, for the individual who carries around a cancer in the stomach, which was Nat'B complaint. The Times this morning says :—": — " Mr Nathan was born in Launcestou, Tasmania, and at the time of his death was about 40 years of ago. For some while he was in a whol sale chemist's employ in Melbourne A Bohemian spirit induced him to seek his fortunes in this colouy towards the latter end of tke 'seventies.'.when the goldfields wete booming, and here he remained till within the List few months. Mr Nilhan about 10 years ago ruamed Miss Mary Siddelh, who with four children survive him. In his business transactions the deceased was regarded as a straightforward man." There we r e 16 starters on Saturday for the Point-to-point Steeplechase of the Rangitikei Hunt Club, the winner turning up in Mr Frank Gibbona's Seddon, who was followed in a good bit too late for honours by Kaffir, he in turn being chased by Nancy Lee. The owner of the winner was presented by Mrs D. G. Rid^iford with the handsome silver cup donated as the prize for the race by the ladies who had attended the meets. The annual meeting of the Taratabi-Uarterton Racing Ciub was held on Saturday, about 40 members being present. The balance sheet showed that £315 had been raised by subscriptions and donations, and a profit of £210 was made on the meeting of November 9. Five hundred and thirty-five pounds had been spent in building and fencing and otherwise improving the course. Nearly all the old ofli.-ers were re-elected. The hon. secretary, Mr W. M'Kenzie, was voted a bonus o< £50, and was appointed secretary to the club at a fixed salary of £50 a year. A programme was passed for the meeting on November 9, the stakes amounting to £345, and including an open race for £75 and a hack race of a like amount.

Gold and silver buUion to the extent of £36,000 came from AacklaDd to Wellington by the Taknpvma on Tuesday, and will ba shipped to London by the lonic.

Cost of Living Is steadily deci easing. CWOOtt CiaABSaM W«KttKfully cheap at S for Is 3d.