LOCAL & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 20

LOCAL & GENERAL

An official notice of acme three columns in length appears iv the Gazette of the 24th April altering the bouudaries of the O&ago goldflelds disteiob, but a comparison of the boundaries, with those published on the 13'h Juce of last yaar showa th^fc they are almost identical. The only alterations made are such as include within tho goldfields district the Kiver Mataura from the borough of Gore to the ocean, The following land was disposed of last week at the Crown Lands Office in Dunedin :—: — Run 306 a, Mwiofcoto county, 10,460 acres, eelected by Peter Law, at au annual rental of £64 ; section 22, block VII, Swinburn, 83 acres, selected by William Ellis on lease in perpetuity at a capital value of lll5 1 par acre ; section 16, block XI, Tautuka, 89a lr 22p, selected by, Michael Milligan on lease in perpetuity at a capital v/ilue of 12-i 6'l per acre ; section 43, block XI, Ttiutuku, 86a lr 14p, "Behcbed by Jeremish Aitkcn on lease in perpetuity at a capital value of 10j per icre ; seotion 61, block X, and section 1, block IX, Cromwell, 500 acre^, felecttd by John Fleming on lease in perpetuity at a capital value of 7a 6d per acre ; section 36, block IV, Greenv*le, la 2r lip, selected by Robert E, Hydo as, a village homeitead allotment at a c»pital v<tlue of 60s per acre ; seobion 35,. block IV,- Greeavale, 1* 3c 18p, selected by Robert E. Hj de for cash at £5 per acre. / Tbe Lyttelton Times points oat as a retaarkfthle feature of tho Ghristcharoh census ihe preponderance of females over nuiles. In 1886 the excess in Cbristchurch was 369, and now it is 849. Ten years ago in Sydenhsm ib was 113, and to-d*y it is 340, Taking Christ church and its suburbs, the female population is about 2000 in excess of the male. It is expected that the Rootgen apparatus for photographii g by mewm of the X rays will arrive in Wei li itgton sh ortly, when an t ffort will be matte to locate the bullet which still remains in the body of Mr George Norbury, who wns.shot by Mns-Ltfcherin Haroourb's auction mart some lime ago. The moat important recent development in connection with this process is that it hss been fonnd possible to produce the shadow pictures in as »horfc a space of limn as fiva seoonda, whereas some three mouths ago 30 to 50 minutes wag considered a minimum exposure. A most enjoyable dtive to Woodsitfe was given by Mr J. J. A. M'Mc-ckau in Messrs J. and D. Bacon's drags as a farewell to his many friends prior to his leaving for the old country by the Kaikoura on the 14th insb. Amongst those prere.-t were Mr and Mrs N'x'son, Mr and Mrs Jsmiescn, Mr and Mrs Loud on, Mrs Ibberfccop, Aliases Nix»on (2), Misses Brown (2), Miss 13 ill, Miss Pollon, 6Sr Stronach, Mr Boopsr, Mr Lee Smith. All wished their host good lack aud a safe and speedy return. On Saturday night Mr W. B. Byre, author of the handbook " Mneinoteahny," which has just been published, gave au exhibition iv a room in Princes slrect, next to Wain's Hotel, in which be demonstrated the wonderful lettsutiveaess of his memory. A large number of p**s^ns ere present, and they ware much interested itt tbe exhibition. The bDok published by Mr Eyre contains aids to memory, and is a compact and bandy little >oluo)e, which should prove of great service to many who desire to improve (heir memory. During the course of his lecture on " The Stundists in Russia" at the Moray Piaco Congregational Church* on Thuivd*y night, Mr J. J. Neave, of tbe Society of Friends, iv referrieg to his journey through Russia with Mr John Bellow, sxid : "We had an interview with that wonderful man Count Tol«toi. I never met • with a m»n who to me bo baptised into (he sing, tufferings, aud wrongs 'of humanity ; B.nd he is a man who is doing even thins in his power to relieve those Bufferings. He is a peculiar man ; but he is a wiucere and honest , pne. Ib seems to me that his one desire is to Gnd the truth. . . . He is as simple in truny things as a little child, but as earnest and aincere ss any humau being on tbe face of the earth ; and while that great and glorious truth (he revektion of Jesus Christ as the Son of God has nob yet been revealed to Toletoi, I have no doubt that it will be. There are very few men in any of our churches who take the words of Jesus at 'literally as Count ToUtoi does, and it is a eurptue to me how such a m«n fails to recognise the Lord Je*us as the* only begotten Son of the F«tber. But there is '* change going on in his mind, and I feel satisfied that such an earnest seeker after truth as he is will htve that revelation, and when it does come we shall, he*r of it. Tolstoi ib not the man to hide' anything under a buihel." At a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation Society, held on Thursday, Mr G. G. Ku3«ell, president, in the chuir, it v?aß reported that Mr Donald Ross, the guide between Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound, bad kindly sent a large parcel of young native trees and shrubs to the society, for which a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Rjan. The committee resolved to plant some additional shrubs in the Market reserve and to top-dress a portion of it which requires to be raised a little, and also to plant the Moroiagton tram cutting with ivy and other ciesping plants if the residents in the neighbourhood will rai.-e half the oont by subscription. Ifc w*s reported that several subscriptions bad already been promised. Ministers, says the Wellington Post, have fecided that, pending legislation placing clubs .inder control, no new charters shall be granted This reply in to be sent in answor to the application for a charter made by the Feilding Club. It is understood Mr Hislop, at present railvray etutioi master at Motgiel, is to be transfenei to Clinton, while Mr Brownell, t«ffio inspector at Duoedin, ia to be principal ralievlig officer at Chtistchurch, his place here bsing iUken by Mr M 'Donald, stationmaster at Huntly. Mr Murcus, of Wangauui, who has been appointed stitionmaster at Qttsauvwas offered a fimilar positiou at Oaraaru when Mr Crombie was transferred to Dauedic, but elected to remain where he was. At St. Pftul's Schooltoom on Friday night, in )e presence of a fairly large audience, the Rev. tnon Robinson delivered a lecture on " Churoa ltusic," the proceeds being in aid: of a fond for repairing the cathedral organ. The lecturer, ' frhoie ftd dress ■ evidenced an intimate know- * (edge of the 'subject, touched briefly on the imS' utance of music Jm an aid to worship, and on gftre an infcercuk'ag »ket«b of the history

and development of ecclesiastical music, tracing it forward from the time, in the fourth ceutury, ,of Sb. Ambrose, .whom he described as the true father and founder of church music. Having done chat, he threw out a few hints as to rendering more efficient tho church music of the present day, and siid he greatly longed for the days when the euoharisbic serviceVwould be made throughout tho church whafc ib ought to be — a fce>.'woe of worship, a service not for a selfcci; few, but for the wlnle congregation, with every choral accompaniment that could make the highest act of worship also the best. A number of rnnsic.+l illustrations of the lecUire were given, under the directioa of Mr W E. Taylor, o*thedr*l organist, by a double quirfcefc coDsisting of Mrs Ribiusjn, Muses £r eoh, Reid, and Ho. id, and Messrs J. Blankinsopp, F. L. Jones, J. Knox, and V. Moss, who s»ug an old Hebrew melody, an ancient Greek hymn, examples of the Arab com an and Gregorian hymns, tha "Nunc Diraittii" ia :i Grrgomn fourth tone, anthom» by F<»' b (Eliz*bjthan perio.l), Greene- (H,jh h century), and Gadaby (fnodero), a Lv ij.r-u chorale, and nndern hymns by Dykes, tit^rn-dale-Bennetb, and Sbainor. The lecturer expressed his obligations to the ladies aud gentlemen who had assisted him in making his remarks instructive, and was himself in turn thanked by the chairman (Dr Hocken) aud B'shop Nevill, each of whom spoke in high terms of appreciation of the lecture, while a vote of thanks to the chairman was passed on the motion of Mr Walhen. Mr J. N. • Smyth has ju*t completed the survey for a track from Canterbury to Westland through the valley of tha Whitcombe river, which is likely to prove attractive to tourists. In a letter to the West Coa*t limes Mr Smyth urges the const ruction of a horse track from " DiedrioU'g Btatioo, K.'iterangi, to Duncan's station, on tha lU^aia river. The I elevation of the saddle is 4000 ft, and no less than seven di^tiocu glaciers are met with, '- n bunted less than a mile from the track. The [ prettiest and most interesting of these h the "Wilkinson" at the 20-mile p^g. A visitor can lie in bed in Cave Catnp aud watch the | great icefalls and avalanches "making the adj»cent mountains tremble by echo and reverberation. There are falls and cascades inI numerable, and almost every kind of mountain plant is to be found on the saddle. Another object of interesi; is the canon at the mouth of the Price river, some five chain* in length, 80ft in depth, and a little over 20ft in width, whence ksues th-a river churned into, a boiling torrent after its mighty le*p of 2000 ft from the upper SOUC9. There are the "Boulder Gates," formed by four boulders, one of which was found to measure 240 ft by 230fS by 56 fb. Afc the " Garew»y " tbe river, wlrch averages two chains in width, is forced tbrongh a^rock cleft 40ft in width. Tbe ruling grade which can be obtained in West! and is 1 in 30, and on the Canterbury side 1 in 20. The Southern Standard states that at a mcetiug of rhe Southern Political League, held nt Mataura, it was resolved to select the Hon. G. F. Richardson as the league's candidate for the Mataura Beat. Mi* Riohardson has accepted the invitation, and is prepared to visit the district within a fortnight if considered necessary. The branches of the National Association at Fortrose and Wyndham and electors in other parts are to ba invited to send delegate 1 ! to a meeting to consider the next step to be taken. Mr Jud*h Myers, in memory of his daughter, the late Miss Martha Myers, who died last year, has devoted a sum of money for the founding of an annual prize, to be called '■' The Martha Myers Memorial Prizs," which is to j be given in connection with the Trinity College examinations in instrumental magic. The prize (says the Christ-church Press) is to go to the New Zealand candidate obtaining the highest number of marks for pianoforte playing in the junior flection. This year Miss Helen Joan Parker, daughter of Mr RoberS Porker, and a pupil of Miss- Swainson, is tho prizewinner. The prize takes -the form of a handsome gold medal. The Wellington Horticultural Society have -addressed a circular to kindred societies throughout the colony suggesting the establishment of a imneum, with a view to assisting in the advancement of agriculture and horticulture ; and that the Government be atked to initiate the necessary legislation next session. In a case where a woman applied to tha Benevolent Trustees on the 6th inst. for outdoor relief, soma rather unusual f oatures were presented. The woman is married, and retides with her husband and family (saveral of whom are grown up and are earning wages) at South Dunediu. The inspector, visiting the house in the usuil way, found tbe room into which he was conducted tolerably well - furnished, a good piano occupying a prominent position in the apartment. The inspector, inquired of one of the eons who wai present as to whether -he oould play, and the reply being- in the affirmative, reqaested the pleasure of a little music. The boy quickly produced a violin, and. otlling in his sister, they entertained their visitor (little suspecting who he was)' to a ohcerb. Further inquiries elicited the. f*ct that the boy studied the violin under one of the leading local musicians. Having questioned the applicant, the trustees decided that the case was not one to which relief should ba extended. The new form of building society now being introduced to Duaedin promiiei to be a great boon to persons of small income who wish to become tbeir own landlords, and we expect to fiud them grow rapidly into public favour. One of the special features of the " Mutual Help" Building Society which is now being fo:med is that the members are all put as nearly as possible on an equ*l tooting. Half of the capital ie lent free of interest to members, and the other half at a small fixed premium, while the member taking a premium loan can still get tbe benefit of the ballot for free loans, the ra'ei providing that when ha draws a free loan the future premiums en his loans are cancelled, and thui made free of interest or premium from that date. Besides the above, we notice that tbe heavy fines for arreArs, &c. are done away witb. Tho leading softgoods fmns in Dunsdiu huve presented Mr J. H/ Millixan, of O^macu, who recently paid in full all debts contracted before his bankruptcy, with a handsome- piece of plate. In a letter • arc itnpar.ying the present the writers say :— " We have very great pleasure in taking this opportunity of expressing our entire satisfaction and pleasure at the way you' have honourably m»do good the deficiency. Suoh restitution, even when creditors have given, a voluntary release, deserves s ime recognition, and we desire that you accept the piece of plate herewith as an earnes 1 ; of our appreciation of your act, and with the hope that you may long live in prosperity to enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that must be yours." A meating of the Ot*ki* Drainage Board held on the 4th instl was attended by Messrs Wilson (chairman), Carruthers, Matheßon, Sounees, and Shennan. Tenders for working engine and wheel, when required,', were received as follows :— J. M'Taggart, at tbe rate of 8a per day

of eight hours ; J. Walsh, 6a per day of* eight hours ; C. Robinson, 6s per day of eight honra, and Snd oil. Mr Robinson's tender, bsing tha lowest, was accepted. *" It w«9 agreed to apply to the county to make the road alongside of C dr&io, or get a subsidy to deepen the drain and mtike tho roid — the road being required to convey coal 3to the eugiue, and tha dr.iin to c «ney w*ter to the wheel. It wes agreed to strike a general rote of a -£d in the pound for the year endiog 3l>>t March 1897. It was resolved to adopt the Local Bodies' Loans Act with a view to borrowing for drainage works. It was agreed to meet again on Monday, 11th, to inspect the works proposed to be dono. The Ciufcha Leader reports that tb.9 police made a raid on Mr Moir'a house, atßalclubha, and stiized a small quantity of liquor. The raid was made in consequence of an alleged illegal sale. An appropriation of £1880 has made by the Cabinet for the Seaward Bush railway. Tha Government have decided to bring in nex*. session an amendment of the Shipping and So.-. men's Act dealing with the question of load Hues and preventing unsea worthy ships from putting to sea. The census returns show the total population of AuckUnd and guburba to ba 58,513, an increase of 7226, and of Duaedin and suburbs 47,367, an increase of 1498. Application was ma le to the Government to admit a Liuotj-pe machine to the colony free of duty. The Cabinet decided that the importers . mast' pay the 20 per cent, fixed by the Customs Duties Act of last session. A Greymonth telegram states that great dissatisfaction is expressed there at the exclusion of tbe press from the proceedings before the R>yal Commission to inquire iuio thf explosion iv tbe B runner mine. The Otago Prohibition Council have decided on a winter campaign of public meetings throughout the province. A commence nunt was made on Friday evening with a meeting at the Volunteer Half, Green Island. The Rev. R R M. Sutherland occupied ths chair, and add<-«>ses were delivered by the R-jv. W. Ready and Messrs F. Graham and A S. Adams. Musical selections were givc-n by the Hanover street Christian Mission Brass Band. All voters were urged to get their names placed on the electoral roll, and an object lesson was given on " How to vote," by means of a model voting p*ptr, the simple rule b«ing — " Strike out the top line." Henry H. Tr&vers, of P«rap»raumu, was recently charged with having counselled "and procured A. J. Jacobs to kill ssven huiaa and one native pigeon. Mr Jacobs was a taxidermist at Masterton, and some time last year was fiued for having killed, the above mentioned native game. It was then alleged that Mr J&cobi was counselled by Mr H H Travere, of Psrap^raumu, to procure and kill tha birds, for which offence the preient proceedings were taken. Mr W. T. L. Travars appeared for the defence, and raited several law point?, which were overruled by Mr Greenfield, S.M. The defendant was fined £5, with £2 lie costs. At, a meeting of the head masters of the ■Echools of Duuedin and suburbs held on Saturday morniug a discu»Bton took place on the propped Seventh Staud»rd syllabus as submitted b> the impe-jfcors in the last annual report of the Education B<>ard. The opinious expressed ware geuerally against the adoption of the proposed scheme. The New Zealand Times gives publicity to the statement that a ghost- like apparition has beeu terrifying the poodle along the Adelaide road at the southern end of the city, and it even pays a visit to houses. It is described ss clothed in white from head to foot, and the manner in which it clears fences, fee proves it to Be as elippery as a "spring-heeled Jack." Numerous persons, chiefly women, interviewed by the newspaper's repres»utative, have seen the figure, but the polico state that they have received no reports on the matter. The apparition ohaugea it 4 sphere of operations, and it is | alleged to have been seen as far out a* Karori, four mile 3 from town, The Oimaru Mail records the death of Mr Robert Davidson, a well-known business man and resident. He was born at Forfnbera, MorAyhhire, Sootland, and learning the trade of shipbuilding, he vi»i ed San Francisco and British Columbia. He cauie ti New Zealand about 20 years jigo, and, after working at tho trade jfor sijme time, commenced business as a merchant. He was twice president of the Caledonian Society and also of the Ph.os.rix Bowling Club, was a member of the Borough Council, and in other ways took an active iuterest in affairs. Two ye&rs ago he visited ■ London, where he cqnsulked two eminent I specialists coacerning his health. Ho was iuformed he was suffering from a disease called i " broDz*," and that nothing could be dove for him. He Accepted the intimation with resignation, aud returned to Oamiru with the knowledge that he had but a short time to live. The Engineers' Band gave another of their enjoyable programmes at St. Clsir on Sunday afternoon, the performance being greatly enj>yed by a large number of people. Tha programme contained some excellent item*, which were well rendered, tha American f aneral dirge, " Garland of Floweis," by Boyer, especially ho. This, we believe, is the first time this piece has been played in Dunsdin, and it ia a m-sfc t masterly and impressive composition. The Kai'korsi Band performed in the Botanical G*tdens, waere there wa* a lirge attendance. The programme was well arrauged, aud tha I members of the band acquitted themselves with credit. A Gaze ,te extraordinary was issued on Monday calling Parliament together for the despatch of busine'B on Thursday, 11th Juus. On Monday afternoon Mr Neave (miniifci-r of the Society of Frieadi) gtve another nco>t interesting address on the " Stundisba in Russia" iv the V W.C.A. Rooms. The Rev. Alfred North presided The hall was full, amongst the audience biing a number of ministers of various denominations. Tho relig'ous viewa of the Stundists might — according to Mr Ne&ve— bo classed thm : A large portion of them, including many of the nobilny aud upper classes, who have been largely influenced through the preaching of an English nobleman, Lord Kadstock, hold the views generally heH by so c*llad Plymouth Brethren; auotlur section tho views of Evangelical Baptists ; and the rest the views of Mr N^ave's own denomina'ion — ths Society, of Friends, commonly known as Quakers. The*e three divisions fake in most; of the StundiVs, who n >w number some 250 000, though only about 1000 ate in exile. It, is geuer*.lly rh« lenders who are arrested and banished. The New Zealand Times reports that, before leaving this colony for Sjdney, Cardinal Moran told a nice little story of what they say in Dancdin about Wellington. " They say," observed his Eminence, with a smile, "that Wellington is sitting in iha l*p of a volcinic I range, likely to blow up at any momeut, and that your harbour is only a hole in the ground caused by the sinking of a crater." Oar con- '

temporary adds ; " And yet Dnnedfn io finding its way to Wellington to do business, and it is welcome." The suggestion that Wellington is likely bo be blown up is no doubt very Serious, but it has a laughable side to it inatmucb. as this " nice littlo story " at Wellington's expense was told by Archbishop Redwood, of Wellington, at the picnic at Waitati, to which tha lay members of the Roman Catholic congregations last week entertained the visiting dignitaries, and it was from Arohbishop Redwood that Cardinal Moran he&rd it. - At a meeting of the committee of the Young Women's Christian Association, held l*st Thursday afternoon, a letter was reoeived from Dr Ryder, in which she kindly offered to gjve a lecture for the benefit of the association, which offer was gladly accepted. The Garrison' Hall has been secured for Wednesday evening, the 20th lost. "Life Amongst the Hindoos" is thesabj°ot of the lecture, which was delivered in Melbourne some time ago, and was greatly appreciated, i-nm-mse crowds attending. The Rev. A. North will take th«- chair. A meeting of the congregation of the Porb Chalmers Presbyterian'Cauro'j was held on Monday eyening to consider the question of making a call to the vacant charge. The Rev. A. M. Finlayson presided. Two numes were proposed for insertion iv a call, and on a ballot being taken the voting was announced as folio .ss :—: — Rev. Mr Tennant (of Victoria), 63 members and 29 adherents ; Rev. Mr White, 33 members and 9 adherents. The minority then decided to fall in with the majority, and it wa3 unanimously decided to forward a call to tho Rev. Mr Tenn&tit. The Wairarapa S'ar says:— "Mr W. Gillespie, of the Masterton Post and Telegraph Office, made rather an important discove'y the other day. He found that by manipulating the telegraph wires in a ceitaiu manner an<i connecting them with the telephone, he could procure telephonic communication with any part of the colony. Accordingly be conversed with operators at both Napier and Wellington." There were large congregations at St. Andrew* Anglican Church, Ravenebourn^, on Sunday on the occasion of harvest thauk^{tiving. Tha service in the morning was taken by the li»y reader, and at night the Rev. Mr Fi'aer officiated. Sermons appropriate to the occasion were delivered, aud the choir, which is said to be one of the best iv Otago, rendered efficient aid. The church was beautifully decorated. Robert Barlow, the balfcaste, who oaptured Wioiita, the Ep?om murderer, in tho King country and brought him to justice, died a few d&ys ago in tho north of Auckland. At their first monthly meeting on Friday evening the committee of the Lnwreo.ce Distriot High School pasted, a resolution doing away with the pen-and-ink-money at preieot collected from the soholars. They also agrsed fiat ooine s of the proposed amendment) with referanco to the election of members to the Education Board were worthy of support, notably that; of the voting for members to be on the one day all over the dittrict, and that instead of the present system of committees nomin&t'ng candidate? the candidates should nominate themxeWes by sending in their names t> the board, who will ' e«nd t'.ie names on to the school committees with the date fixed for the election. . The Laurence committee are not in favour of committee* being al/owed to use their votes as individuals, as they think if this method were adopted the towns would have an undue preponderance.over the country. Tuesday was the second anniversary of the death of Dr Sfcnarfc, the late revered pastor of Ktioi Church. Reference was made to this on Sunday evenio'g by the present minister, the Rev. W. Howitoon. The large congregation preBent was deeply moved at the mention of their late beloved pastor, and a large number of persons remained at the clove of the sermon, when Mr Barth, the organist, played an allegrttto from Bsethoveu's Seventh Sj mphony. At the weekly meating of the Benevolent Institution Trustees held on the 6th accounts amounting to £190 16s 2d were passed for payment. The monthly outdoor relief book for April showed that the number of cases relieved was 431 (representing 195 men, 373 women, aud 922 children), at a cost of £145 19s 6d per week. For the corresponding month of last year the figures wete— 4ll cases (reprejenfciug 1(58 men, 348 women, and 918 children), the cost being £1« 13s 6d per week. At ' the City Police Court on Friday John Fleming pleaded gnilty to failing to furnish " a return of his income within the prescribed time, a3 - required by " The Land aad Income Tax Atsessment Act 1891."— Plaits (instructed by Mr Fraser) appeared for the Income Tax department, and stated that the prosecutioa was laid uud<»r aectiog 43 of the act of 1891. Defend iut's return {should have been sent in by the lit of June 1895. The department were very reluctant to prosacute, but they were compelled to in this case and tho others to follow by the circumstances surrounding them. The defendant had not made a return of Ms income for four years, and, in spite of a special circular whiuh was sent to him, he had still failed to furnish his ivturn —The Defendant stated that when he got th'» special notice ho put it away and forgot all about it. He hai seat in all hii returni that day — Mr Carew said that the act provided that every person was liable to a fine of not 1-333 than £5 and not more than £iOO. Dj-fc-'dant Would be fined £5 and costs, and ordered to pay trebla the anwuat of the tax. — Alfred O. Oudaille (for whom Mr Haulou appeared) pleaded guilty to a similar charge. —Mr Piatts stated that the department had the same comp'ain.t to make about thii defendant — that for four yeara he neglected to send in a return, and that when he was served with a special notice he still made default. He (counsel) understood th»t since proceedings bad be«n taken defendant bad made out his return. — Mr Hanlon submitted thit the defendant could not be convicted, as he (couassl) would prove that he did not wilfully fail to furnish hio return. Like mrny other j people defendant was under the impression that ! ' if his income was undet" £300 he did not require to furnish a return, but when he got his notice he filled it up and sent it away before he received his summon*. — Mr Piatts remarked that every person was required to make a return, no matter what hi* income amounted to. — Defendant gave evidence, after which his Worship said that he did j not think it was a wilful case, and dienwsed the charge. Charles Georxevon and Charl«s J3en nett, Mmilaily charged, did not appear, and were fined £5 Mid co3ts, and ordered to pay treble the iiuiuuut of the tax.