GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 7174, 23 May 1884, Page 5

GENERAL NEWS.

ft is said that Dr Kemp, who has been very unwell for somo, time pant,/will sail for Eog* lai d in . the Anraugi ou a brief trip, • It is to: bo hoped that a rcat from hard -work, and a aea voyage, will Bpoedily.reßtoredum lo heab.h. •: jA. committee, of the Wellington Rifles, of wlftich* Lieutenant Steele is chnlrmaiy, has beieu formed for the- purpose of*i arrarigifag a ‘ tq bo held on the Anniversary of Ihb accefeeion of her Majesty the Queen to tho throne, Friday,. June 20tb. at the Foresters' Hall.

Among the candidates for Rangltikei at the goneral election Mr Arkwright’s name’ is mentioned. He came here, a few years ago from Derbyshire. He was twice elected a member of the House of Commons, A man with, so wide an experience should be a great accession to our House of Representatives. We regret to announce the'death of Mr lu Purdy, who met with 1 ah’fccddonfc by being 1 kicked by a horse at the Lowep’Hhtfc about

tl ree weeks ago, Mr Purdy was formerly a «t irekeeper-in Wellington, la th© firin'of & esgre Scott and Purdy,- Willig*atreDt. Mr*’ Purdy commanded the respect of a large circle ** who wilJ deeply regret hia untimety ’ Some little excitement >was cdueed ; Monday ' ’ id Taranaki-streeU owing, to a dispute botweea ' iao Corporation and Mr -Watson; who was pj-ocecding to pull.downoa at“'th© ’ coroer of ..that street ~and Courtenay*place/ * .Part of. the .building waa.lt-appears situated 1J on a piece of land taken by the Council for an' ] eitensioa of Taranaki-atreefc; and the'Council’s ■- officials,.ou.receiviog notice of the-romoval of " the .building, hurriod to the spot and protested against the action. It is mot improbable tbSt

m matter .may come before ono 'o£ the conrtd. 1 |Mr J.'ff. Dodge, of the 1 "’Yduth ’’ Com- ' ( piny, passed through Udre oil Monday by' tha Ijiugarooma on route' for Melbourne.’ Hie intention is to make a New •Zeilaihd’ tonr,' liter on, with the popular actor-author Mr" ' George Darrell, and ri 'specially’ drgimscd company, to perform his pieces and other ’ dramas. Mr Darrell's Suooess 'illf a drimalist is well known, and his latest effort; “ flunny douth,” has proved evettmdrb ittrictive'than any:of his previous olforts." " "". iimo so, ■ | The Timara Herald,-which lfjts r ''freqdontly ’ rjeviled* Sir Julias Vogel l -' and-'assailed him at 4 times: with un'mi-asurcd'abtise,- has'chauged its tactids. It now seems prepared to’ support Him,--and evidently there mUst be kdrad good'" dausetfor the change.**sAS Sir Julius”lnis said,'*' no would not contest 1 a seat; iiii’will not be m-. this I’arlia*non t; - bee atisV 1 Mr 'Waion is " standing for Ashbartofi', and "lid’ 'Other place I -vacant.-- -The 'Herald’*' Wbh'’to"seo him ' •emier will not be gratified for ’tf long 'thhe,' ' For hiasizo'ah eel' apjjba’rH to be' able tqgpt... to-as' smill-a h'pade'ad'any anHual living, d-thedistanch h'd tfaveDle''something.|o r ," edible.' - Several initsfh'lei'pl opennity on the part of" this fish/’tat/p' been,, ought''under* oht''nofldd' s t at'diff^reii^’iia)e8 fc , id a fresh casfe’occufred radeh’fty. ll '' A refua.a , iterpipe at the'badd of the Stciim I’lckeV , otel'tsays the Hiiwkds Bay* i . l :cnme ; Btop|isd up' and efforts to'clear i't. tene,'., jitless. Mr Mills, plutrih ir,*'wkd called in. a • examination' hof adiul 1 a"'good 'sijfeiTecl, lly" fifteen indies Itr"i(eng r th, In' (he', .pipe, ough'how'' it fcaiiie there 'ii 'a mystery, to,, en the meet acute. It would be interesting y trace- the' travels of' Ihai’e'dJi'if only iriosity. The persistence It showed in iypVk- ’* g hitd stteh a posit:Bn was' certainlyrtmark- f 'A 5 bankrupt''during - 'hid "sh&aUdjition' on,’ outlay afternoon before a'rneeting of'epaitors the offiee et ’the' Offidial'Assl2n’ee ( "aocdrding '■the Otago- Diily Times, I 'gave Vent, to, a.’ singular aspiration. Ifo' hoped his'spn ,would , never be as'bonost as his 1 father b'al Keen/ and,, accompanied the wdrds with ’a sigh that should nave touchod tho auditor!*, hat Which appeared , (o fail in its object/ 1 Atemohstrance from the Assignee, as to the 'moral obliquity,of' such a , desire, had no effect updh tbo'ik-btor. Ho did - not see how his'stiu' Could pissibly live in thia ; jvorld'unless he were S'litll# bit 1,00k what hefthe debtorjliaddonc by honesty. ; le had “oasthimself updn the'waters to begin,* verything over again” itf his old ’age. Tjiiß . trangely-iutrddnc4d scrijitaraf illusion silence^,; ny further argument upou'lhe subject. The annual report of the Wellington Ladies’ Christian Association for the year 1883-4 has reached us, from which it appears that the society commenced the year with a credit balance of £30 18s 3d, which, with the Government grant, £50 l2s; subscriptions L24. 18s donations, £29 4s. Benevolent Society grant, L18 11s; Boot Club, £34 10s 6 1/2d; and clothes disposed of, amount to a total of £211. 9s 5d. The moneys paid away during the year were £l99 11s 1d, leaving a balance in hand on the 31lst March last of £11 18s 4d! Against this, however there are outstanding debts amounting to £20 19s 10d, and by this it will be seen that the association is in debt, During the past year the society has done some good work, notably the rental of a house, in Ghuzueestreet, which is devoted to the reception of friendless women. A Dorcas Society has been actively engaged, and a numher of orphans have been carefully bestowed in private hands under the supervision of the association. j The Auckland. Star of,thed4th contains thia

following, a-inesaenger in the * employ.,of,the S<sv, Zealand: Loan and Mer-; pantile Agency . reported'at the police station; that he bad; lest his .watch,.Ha had been in ,; the -.habit, pi carrying itin an* outside breaat* pocket, : of ,bis coat, the.long chain attached to.; ft_ ,being placed in-,the sidspocket of the same ferment. .Seme hours atlergiving information > the police, the loser of the : watch returned " and eta.ted.jthat.Jie;had recovered hia missing _ property Jinder,the following oironmatancea |A, gentleman ■ whiles, walking; through the, S took,Exchange had.,hia attentions drawn .to;; jtho fact'that hia watch wasin a pariloua poai/ , lion, .On. looking j downwarda -he wastoniahed to And hanging tonne of the buttons, bt hia coat, a watch that-certainly.waa not property/. Utterly at aloss to aeepantiorthe';. btrange .appearances of . this - vagrant time/, ikeeper, r ho*proceeded to. make .inquiries, and. Ivery .Boon, discovered ; its owner. It trana*,, ‘pited that., the (two men had passed "one,, another,in one of the narrow-doora in front of , the Sew Zealand Insurance Bnildiuga, and It j :'was. no,doubt; during that brief contact that ( the watch, unknown to cither, paeaed frohi rightful , owner |into the- possession . o£_ ’stranger, '• . »

• Mr Lnnny, of Tory-atreet/when off Soaraos Inland oua flailing excursion Wednesday,hooked a ahark measuring no less than Bft Oin, The monster was successfully bi* od into the boat, and on being cat open ait?!* *s too numerous .to mention were found, amongst which, how* ever, was a large carving-knife, a Wellington boot, a pair of child’s shoes, and portions of ft .fishing-net. On Saturday morning a loaded railway truck, in use on Mr Saunders' contract on the Wellington and Manawata 'Railway, broke away from the tunnel, and came down the line at ft tremendous speed, crossing the public road and coming into collision with an engine nnd some trucks on the other side. The engine was damaged and two tracks were smashed up, Fortunately no one was on the crossing at the time of the accident, - Telephonic communication was last Friday evening established between the Quarantine Station, at Soames Island, and the Government Buildings, The cable is laid from the caretaker’s quarters on the island to Petone, and thence the sound U transmitted by the ordinary wire to Mr Elliott’s room in the buildings. The experiment tried on com* munication was highly satisfactory, not only the voice being distinctly audible between the ends, but every word and syllable was disliuctly beard. At about 10 o’clock Monday night Dr Kemp found a little girl of some 8 or 9 years of nge wandering, apparently lost, on the Terrace, On being interrogated she gave her name as Elizabeth Scadden, and said that she and her father had recently come from the Hutt, She stated that she had been sent out by her father to buy some bread, and could not find her way home ; she did not know where they liv*d. Dr Kemp took the child to the police station in order te see if any inquirin'* had been made for her, but finding that no one had been asking after her, took her home to hifl own house for the‘night. She was subsequently claimed at Masterton, and was sent on there. A young man named George Purdy met with a vary nasty accident on Tuesday at the Lower Hott. Mr Purdy wont in Dixon's gingerbeer van with the driver, Mr Shakes, for company’s sake, and when near M'lntosh’s hotel a part of the harnes* broke, which cawed the horse, which is not a very amiable one, to kick out viciously, striking Purdy on the leg, causing a frightful gash. Had he not thrown himself back clear of the second kick, he must have been killed on the spot. The hoof of the horse completely smashed a tin that was on the van ftt the back of where Purdy was sitting. Dr. Wllford bound up the leg, and despatched the patient to the Wellington Hospital at ence, where be arrived about 8 p.m. The cart was considerably damaged. ' Perhaps no larger import trade is transacted In New Zealand than that of the hardware imports, and therefore we gladly print a circular by Messrs Dutbie ft Co., iron merchants, ■ Wellington,referring to the value of the hardware Importedinto New. Zealand, as also its distribution among the principal ports of the colony. The returns show that the merchants of the capita!are gradually, but most assuredly, ■ increasing their business, and, not content with their provincial business, are pushing ahead, and are, by their ramifications throughout the colony, acquiring new and extensive connections. It may again bo remarked that the exports of 1883 show a marked decline in the quantity of goods imported. This is due, not so much to ft falling off in demand, as a reaction from the large over impoitation in 1882. Mr Bradley interviewed the Premier Wednesday to discuss the possibility of manufacturing locomotives in the colony. He urged that railway carriages had been successfully made at Petone, and that it would be as easy to make the engines. Several engineering firms, Mr Bradley stated, were ready to tender for the work. He thought that the cost would exceed that of the imported article by a very little. Of course, just at first no firms might be able to supply them quite as cheaply, because of the necessity of preparing fittings, but afterwards the price would fall. The Premier agreed to look carefully into the matter, to see what could be done. Mr Bradley Is collecting farther Information on the matter, which be will presently make public. In support of bis contention that locomotives could be made in the place, Mr Bradley cites the fact that an iron steamer 145 ft in length, with engines of 45 horsepower, is now being built in Wellington. The boisterous parade of the Salvation Army on Saturday night occasioned a nasty accident, which might have terminated fatally. The braying of the brass instruments, and other noises incidental to the procession of the Army, started a horse attached to a Chinaman’s cart la Upper Willis-street, and the frightened beast tore down the street, swerving into the footpath, and knocking over a boy named Levy. The sufferer was picked up, and was taken into Dr. Tripe, who attended to him. Besides a severe scalp wound, Levy received several braises, his right shoulder and ribs being badly knocked about, and bis left thigh being also injured to some extent. Nothing serious, however, is likely to result from the injuries be sustained, and on Sunday he was progressing favorably. The incident caused a good deal of alarm and excitement at the time, especially amongst the female onlookers, but not the slightest notice appeared, to be taken of it by the “Army,” whose band continued to bray as loudly as ever.

It la now definitely settled that tho offices of the Customhouse are to be removed Into the new Poat-offico. buildings, with tho exception of the shipping office, which will remain in the Provincial Buildings, and be situated in the loom now need as a “long room.” It will be cut off from the rest of tho building by a glazed partition, and will, in addition, have a separate entrance from Customhouse* quay, which ia now being made. The remainder of the department will be accommodated in four large rooms on the first floor of the southern wing of the Post-office. These rooms were are first intended for the use of the Postmaster-Genera), but as be prefers to remain In the Government Buildings on account of his other duties, these rooms are available. Orders for the fittings were given some time back, but owing to the contractor being engaged ia fitting up the Post-office, the work has been somewhat delayed, and instead of moving on the Ist of May, as was 'at first expected, the department will have to wait another three weeks. In order to avoid, as far as possible, any inconvenience arising through the separation of the department, the Shipping Office will be connected with the chief office by telephone. The rooms now occupied by the Customhouse will be made use of by the Stamp Office, which at present occupies hired premises in the Steam Shipping . Buildings, A remarkable case of desertion, which appears so far to be tho act of an unprincipled and heartless rascal, occurred ia this city a few days ago. It appears that some time ago a young man, employed as a clerk, paid attentions to the daughter of a well-known and respected citizen, which were favorably received, and which ultimately led to a proposal of marriage. The offer of marriage wasfavorably entertained, and a date was fixed for the auspicious event. At this time the clerk stated that he had £II,OOO in cash, in addition to a considerable amount of landed property., This property, be said, he should have to go to England to look after, and, in order to do this, bo asked his father-in-law elect to endorse a bill for £4oo—a request which met with a refusal. However, the preparations for the marriage went po, the brtdgeroom : stating that be hod made every arrangement for the honeymoon, even to taking steamer tickets for the trip. On Wednesday, the date fixed for the bridal event, everything was prepared, but tho bridegroom did not appear. Finally, enquiries resulted in the discovery that the man had been dismissed from the office where he hod been employed ; that ho had taken out no steamer tickets, and that ho had disappeared from Wellington. It it unnecessary to dwell, or even comment, upon this affair. A man who could be guilty of such a trick as this, and who is capable of trifling with the affections of a lady in the manner he did, is indeed 111-conditioned. We dismiss the matter with an expression of regret that there is no means available for the prosecution of the man for what he is worth, which is very little. An interesting bigamy case was heard at the Christchurch criminal session recently. Charles Parker was Indicted that, being lawfully married to Mary Ellen Troy, be did, on December 13, 1833,'at Cbrbtcburcb, feloniously marry one Susan Doherty, bis former wife being then alive. Parker and Troy came to the colony in the same ship, aad were married in 1875, shortly after their arrival. They lived together till October, 1876, when they separated. Both lived *in Christchurch from that time onwards, la December, 1883, Parker married the woman Doherty, having 4i kept company ’* with her for four years, and having had two children by her ; but, as she asserted, having always put off marrying her, because he thought it was English law for him to wait seven years, and then he could marry again if he did not hear of his wife In the meantime. The question for the jury was whether or not Parker had been Ignorant, as It was held for the defen ce he was, of the • whereabouts or existence, of his-first wife. For the prosecution a Mrs Dutton (a shipmate and a witness of the marriage) gave evidence that two or three years ago, meeting Parker In Christchurch, ho asked her “ how the old woman was,” meaning thereby his wife. 2>onbt was, however, thrown upon this evidence by witnesses on behalf of the accused, and the jury disbelieved it, apparently being swayed by the statement of the woman Doherty. His Honor considered that If it appeared that accused had had no knowledge < of bl< wife’s existence for seven years he was 1 not punishable, and the jury after an hoards ' retirement, found Pwker not guilty, w Ji

Tho Wairarapa lakes are said to be teaming with trout. Some years since the Acclimatisation Society placed a number of young fish in the streams in the Wairarapa, and it is supposed that the trout have found their way into the lakes. Mr Denton intends liberating several hundred strong Bsh, which he has hatched out, within tho next few days. On Saturday afternoon a lad named Alfred Petherick while out canoeing in the harbor got upset off Kaiwarra. Ho managed to get astride hia canoe, and called lustily for assistance. Three men, engaged on Mr Saunders’ railway contract, were attracted by hia calls, and put off iu a boat from the reclaimed land and brought him ashore, none the worse for hia ducking, although he had been half an boar in auapenao on hia canoe. Mr MoMorran, the newly-appointed master of the Terrace School, waa introduced to the pupilaon Monday morning by Mr Gillon, chairman of the local committee. Mr Gillon made a abort addresa, expreaaing the regret of tho committee at parting with Mr and Mra Young, and the belief that in Mr McMorrau the school would have a highly qualified bead-maater. Flo also auggeated that the now master might desire to begin hia dntiea by giving a holiday ; and this auggeation being acted upon, cheers were given for the master and committee. The twolith annual meeting of tho Wellington Public Hail Company waa held at the company’s offices on Monday afternoon, about fifteen shareholders being.present. Mr J. E. George, who occupied the chair, moved the adoption of the annual report and balancesheet, which have been published, at the same time briefly summarising the financial condition of the company. The motion was seconded by Mr W. H. Levin and carried unanimoualy. The retiring directors, Messrs Krull, 0, J. Johnston, and J, E. George, were reelected for the ensuing year. On tho motion of Mr Diamond, Mr Kebbell was re-elected auditor. Tho Chairman stated that the dividends won'd be payable on Wednesday next, and tho proceedings then terminated. Mr S. Herbert Cox, of the Colonial Museum, gave a very instructive lecture on tho subject of volcanoes at the Tinakori-rond Schoolroom on Monday. Tho lecture, which waa illustrated by diagrams and waa full of useful information, waa attentively listened to, by the audience, which was, however, not nearly so numerous aa might have been expected. This fact was, doubtless, owing to tho numerous counter attractions. At the close of the lecture, which was loudly applauded, Mr Hislop, the chairman, thanked tho audience for their attendance, and in alluding to the impending departure of Mr Oox tor a neighboring colony, tendered that gentleman tho best wishes of all present for his future success and career, Tho proceeds of the lecture ore to be devoted to the fund for purchasing tho schoolroom by the parish. A charming instance of the independence of colonial servant girls has been brought under the notice of the Ashburton Guardian. A day or two ago a lady in Ashburton, who had advertised for a servant, received a visit from a candidate for the place, and everything seemed to be satisfactorily arranged, when tho girl put a question as to how many nights “ out ” she could have daring the week. Oa being told that there would be no objection to her taking two evenings, she answered that she was afraid the place would not suit her, as she belonged to tbs " Army,’ and would consequently have to attend the services every night. A slight concession was offered by the wonld-be domestic, tS the effect that it her mistress wished to go oat now and then, the pious exercise might be dispensed with ; but the lady not seeing the question in the same light decided upon obtaining a servant of a more orthodox torn of mind.

The proceedings at the Supreme Court were momentarily interrupted last Friday by the shock of earthquake which occurred shortly before noon. The whole building shook with considerable violence, and the windows rattled* loudly in their frames. Every one in the Court glanced up at the ceiling with alarm, but it was noticeable that members of the Bar looked considerably less alarmed than those whoso headpieces were only covered with the growth of nature. A general expression of uneasiness overspread the countenances of all, with the exception of a small colony of China* men, who were in Court as defendants in a civil action that was going on at the time. These continued to smile their smile, which was 41 childlike arid bland,’* with perfect an* concern, as if their Celestial origin must necessarily shield them from any danger consequent upon terrestrial disturbance. The imperturbable serenity of his Honor the Judge seemed almost to give way for a moment, while even the reporters were observed to cease writing just for one second. On Monday the Hon. H. J. Tancred died after a brief illness. He was a younger brother of the late Sic Thomas Tancred, who died in Napier four years ago. In his early clays he had beeu an officer in the Austrian cavalry. He came to New Zealand in 1851, and soon took an active part in politics. He was twice a member of the New Zealand Ministry, and was Speaker of the Canterbury Provincial Council. Mr Tancred was long and intimately connected with the New Zealand University, He was Vice-Chancellor for some time, and then was appointed to the chief post. He was always most zealous in trying to advance its interests. He most ably performed the duties of his high office. He was possessed of great learning, and kept up au intimate acquaintance with the classics till the day of his death. Quiet and thoughtful, with plenty of common sense and abundance of tact, he was respected by all who knew him, and leaves behind him a host of sorrowing friends. Mr Tancred some years ago voluntarily ceased $p take an active interest in politics. The Tancreds claim descent from the famous men of that name who led one of the great Crusades. The monthly meeting of the Board of College Governors was held yesterday week, there being present the Hoa A. de B. Brandon (chairman), the Hev J. Paterson, Messrs H. Bunny, W. Hutchison, and the secretary, Mr O, P. Powlos, After a quantity of routine business bad beeu gone through, it was stated by the secretary that an increase of four had taken place in the attendance at the college since last quarter. With regard to the Girls* High School, no answer bad been received to a letter asking the Government to place a snm on the Estimates in the ensuing session for the erection of a new building, which has become necessary through the increased attendance. Miss Hamilton, the lady principal, reported that the upper classes were very much crowded, but that there was vacant accomomodation for five or six pupils in the lower class. The discussion of the question of appointing an additional teacher was postponed, as was also that of the proposal of de* duot!ng k ss per pupil per quarter from the music teacher’s salary. It wn unanimously decided, 6a the recommendation of the lady principal, to raise the salary of the Misses Richmond and Gillon £25 per annum, commencing from the beginning of the present quarter. A most enthusiastic reception was accorded Mr J. Millar Smith, general secretary of the Wellington Young Men’s Christian Association, by its members and associates at a social meeting on Tuesday evening in the Athenmum Buildings. The various evangelical denominations were represented by the Revs J. T. Hinton, P. N. Hunter, W. Oliver, J, Paterson, W, H. West, and the President, who occupied the chair, and who read an apology from Archdeacon Stock. The Rev W. H. West referred to the work carried on by the associa* tion, and expressed a hope that the result of securing a general secretary would be more real work, for the young men. Mr J. 0. Webb drew the attention of young men to the educational classes, and Mr Halliwell gave a short, practical address on the office and work of a general secretary. The Secretary, In a few remarks, called upon all present to sink self and pull together for the benefit of all yoang men, as then the Wellington Young Men’s Christian Association would prove a great power for good in the land. A number of questions were asked the general secretary regarding various departments of work, which brought forth prompt replies. Mr Short presided at the piano, and a very enjoyable meeting was brought to a close by the Rev J. T. Hinton pronouncing the Benediction.

An Inquest was held at the Hospital bn Saturday morning, before Hr. Johnston, City Coroner, on the body of Barbara Jane Paulmer, who died in a tramcar on the way to the hospital on the previous morning. Hr. Key* worth, resident surgeon, deposed that on examining deceased, when brought into the hospital, he found life to ho extinct. A galvanic battery bad been applied for abont half an hoar bat without effect. Witness was told by deceased’s mother, that she had been taken ill on the previous Sunday, when vomiting set in ,' and, deceased becoming worse, she bad decided to bring her to the hospital. He also gave evidence as to having made a post mortem examination of the body, and stated that death had resulted from syncope. Mary Aatwood deposed that she resided at Creawick near Mrs Paulmer, and that the latter had come to her and informed her that her daughter was ill, asking her to come over with her and see her. Witness accompanied Mrs Paulmer to her house, and found deceased Insensible. Applied vinegar and water, and rubbed deceased's hands and feet till animation seemed to be restored. Jane Paulmer, mother of deceased, stated that deceased was 14 years old. Heceased was in good health until the. previous Sunday, when she bad eaten a hearty dinner. On Sunday evening she commenced to vomit, bub slept well during the night. On Monday she said she felt better, and refused to allow witness to send for ia doctor. She became worse daring tbe week, and bn Friday morning shef ainted. Witness' then conveyed her to the hospital. On the way she opened her eyes once or twice but did not appear to be sensible. Tie jury, without retiring, returned ft verdict of death ‘from natural canoes, ~

Wo understand that the connection of Mr -George Thorne with the Insurance Department has been finally severed, and the action of the Commissioner in the matter is thus confirmed. The spawning season of the trout is now in full operation- (says the Press), and.a large increase has been obtained from the American brook trout, very satisfactory results having been obtained even from fish confined in swampy water, where the English trout have mostly proved unproductive. Some moa bones in an excellent state.of preservation were recently found (says the Hawke’s Bay Herald) in the vicinity of Lake Taupo by a native named Werewere. One of them is a leg-bone that once formed a very large bird. These relics of former times are now the property of Mr Axford, who has left them at onr office.

The Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company have determined to forward frozen meat by the British King to London, and thence it will be sent in small or large parcels to any part of the United Kingdom per rail. The company announce that joints of beef and carcases of’ mutton, intended for transmission to friends at Home, may bo selected at their shops. Mr F. Liardet reports that he came across some wreckage in Pallieer Bay, near Lake Wairarapa, consisting of two cedar settees, covered with"- crimson velvet, with turned logs, and about four feet long, one damaged and tho other complete. It waa picked up on Sunday last, and is supposed to have been washed up by the southerly gale on last Thursday week, and possibly belonged to tho wrecked steamer Kangaroo, A Maori who has just completed a two months’ sentence “on the hill ” for brutally ill-treating his wife, has come down from the Mount Cook establishment with an enormous reputation for hard work. He says that the “white men" expressed sorrow at his departure, as it waa a long time aiooe they had had such a good worker in their establishment. Ha expressed his regret that “ the Government would not let him stay with them any longer.” It is rumored that Sir W. Fox will leave for England in July next, after he has sent in bis report on the West Coast. Though asked to staod for Eangitikel at the general election, he will he unable to do so. Mr Stevens, M.H.K., will’ find a rival in Mr Robert Bruce, of the Parneketelu. Mr Bruce will get all the Scotch vote. he is a young self-made man, who, having roamed over the world, is now a farmer. He has ranch common sense, and is exceedingly well read.

From the provisional meteorological returns for the month of April, received by Dr Hector, we find that at Auckland the mean temp, in the shade was 59*2, Bdeg leas than the average for that month ; max. J2, min. 47 J total rainfall, l‘2lin, nearly 2in below the average. At Wellington—mean temp., 54’3, nearly Bdeg under average ; max. 67, min. 39 8 ; total rain, 2'o9in, l£ia below the average. At Dunedin—mean temp., 51% Ideg less than average j max. 63deg, min 37dog } total rain, l’4lio, nearly lia less than the average fall for this month. Asad case was brought under the notice of the committee of the Benevolent Society on Tuesday. It was that of a young woman, named Mary Ann Thorpe, who had emigrated eight months ago from the East End of London, where she left her mother and six children. She had been suffering from heart disease, andhad come out in the hopesofgetting better and being able to help those at home. She had been in the hospital ever since her arrival, and only left that institution a few days ago, feeling better. On Tuesday morning, however, she died suddenly in a friend’s house at about 2 o’clock.

Not content with starving out the sheep on the hills (says the Marlborough Express), overrunning the farmers* crops on the flat, and eating off the flowers in the town gardens, the rabbits have turned their attention to the graves in the cemetery. It is painful, not to say disgusting, to see the rabbit-holes actually in the graves; and the thoughts which must arise in the minds of relatives of the deceased cannot be particularly pleasant. It might be a desirable thing for the cemetery trustees to erect a rabbit-proof fence, sunk several feet beneath the ground, so as to keep Mr Bunny from trespassing where he is least of . all wanted.

Another swindle has been brought to light, it being a mixture called “ Silver Wash,” which is being sold to the householders of the city for Is per bottle. The man who disposes of the stuff has a very plausible air, and, going to a house, borrows an old fork or spoon, which ho covers with a coating of the mixture, giving it a silvery appearance, and guaranteeing it to stand immersion in hot water. The housewife who watches the operation, surprised with the quickness and neatness with which the operation is performed, is easily persuaded to purchase a bottle, but finds that after the article covered with the mixture has been exposed to the air for an hour or two, the coating begins to wear off, and soon there is not a vestige of the silver left. The bottle containing the mixture is labelled poison, and it the composition is so it must have a very deleterious effect on any cookery it may get into. Housewives would do well to have nothing to do with him. Wednesday’s high wind caused a number of small accidents about the town, but nothing of any serious character. A signboard in Lambton quay, over Mr Hyde’s shop, was carried away by the wind, and in its fall smashed a portion of Mr Ross* verandah. lo Willis-street the heavy wooden parapet that surmounts the front of the Melbourne Hotel was nearly blown over, but its ricketty condition was, fortunately, observed in time, and it was stayed up with ropes and scantling. Several of the yachts anchored off the Te Aro foreshore broke away from their moorings, and were driven on shore. The Pet appeared to be the worst sufferer, although efforts were made to haul her out again to her anchorage, but these proved unsuccessful. The Greyhound was also driven ashore, as was Mr Bowie’s new steam-launch. * - At the meeting of the Colonial Insurance Company Wednesday, an amusing point of order was discussed. In connection with the appointment of directors, an amendment was proposed upon a motion for the re-election of the retiring officers, to the effect that one of them “be not elected.” This amendment was ruled by the Chairman not admissable, and quite a controversy ensued between the chairman and Mr J. H. Shaw. The latter gentleman pointed out that it was quite within the province of the meeting to refuse to re-elect any stated person; and the chairman, of course, could not dispute such an argument as this. Still, the fact remained that the amendment could not be received in accordance with the articles, and the problem was at length solved by the question of the re-appointment being put to the meeting. Many fearful and wonderful things may happen tp a mania New Zealand as elsewhere. And of all strange experiences, that of being quite unexpectedly beseiged by a female aspirant to conjugal, honors is, perhaps, one of the most wonderful, if not fearful Such an experience fell the other day lo the lot of a man who lives not one hundred miles from Wellington. This unsuspecting individual advertised in a local paper for a gentleman boarder, and,-after the advertisement had been inserted forla day or two, called around at the office of the paper to see if there were any answers. He was promptly handed an envelope containing the following note; —— Would like to exchange photographs, as she possesses all that is required by the advertiser,” (here, as he read, the advertiser’s eyes began to assume a. strange glare and his hair to stand on end) thinks that a further acquaintance would prove satisfactory ;**—(a doubt crossed the mind of the advertiser, who, by* the-way is a married man, os to whether a further acquaintance would prove entirely satisfactory)—“all communications strictly confidential” Re-assured somewhat by the last clause in the letter, the advertiser resumed his wonted calm, inwardly resolving l that when he reached home he would inform Mrs Advertiser that he had received no answers to his adverfisement. It subsequently dawned upon him that he had been inadvertently handed a letter intended for a “ matrimonial ” advertiser initials happened to be the same as bis own. The letter was forwarded to its intended destination, and it is to be hoped that a farther acquaintance has proved satisfactory. # # At the adjourned civil sittings of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, his Honor Mr Justice Richmond gave judgment in the case O’Malley v. the Manawatu County Council The action was brought by the plaintiff to recover damages for the wrongful detention by defendants of certain property. In giving judgment, his Honor said that he found that the defendant body had'converted to its own use the various articles particularised in the plaint, except springs, bolts and sundries, carriage springs, and an iron scoop. He found, therefore, that the plaintiff was entitled to recover the sum of £35, less £6 2s 6d paid into Court, making a verdict for £2B 17s 6d. He had particularised the articles, because the effect of the judgment would bo to vest the articles converted in the defendant body, and to leave in the possession of the plaintiff the articles which he found were not converted, Mr Brown, who, instructed by Mr appeared for the defendants, submitted that no costs could be allowed, except such as would have been recovered if the action had been taken in the inferior Court. The claim was one which ought to have gone before the District Court, Mr Shaw, counsel for the plaintiff, submitted that to have brought the action in the District Court would have entailed a large amount of expense cn the plaintiff, who would have had to travel, together with his (witnesses, to either Palmerston or Foxton, His Honor held that the action might reasonably have been brought in the District Coart, and only such coats would bo allowed as could Ijo recovered in tho triot Court, T ’ ” •"

Through’their solicitor, tbo New Zealand Shipping Company announce their intention during the coming session to petition Parliament for leave to introduce a Bill giving them extended powers to borrow money on the uncalled capital of the company either by debentures or otherwise, . Mr George Thorne, junior, is determined to prosecute hia claims against the Government for alleged breach of contract, and has, it is said, retained Mr Edward Shaw. The Government Insurance Department has retained Messrs Buckley, Stafford, and Fiizherbert, with whom will be Mr It, Stout. Ihe case will probably be heard in the Supreme Court nexth month, , The chairman and engineer of the Harbor Board, acting on behalf of Iho board, have accepted the tender of Messrs John McLean and Sons, of Auckland (their tender being the lowest) for the Queen’s Wharf improvements. Until the necessary bonds shall have been signed, the exact amount of the contract will not be made public, but it is believed the amount of the contract is not beyond the oiiginal estimate. The Ballarat Courier remarks that ,-rt is well known that Chlaese lotteries are carried on to a great extent in Ballarat East, and occasionally goodly sums of money change hand* l * Some days since a Celestial, well known in Ballarat East, left for the “ Flowery Band,” but ere his departure he invested la 6d in the purchase of three lottery tickets, and at the drawing on Saturday night was announced the winner of £63. The Accident Association has now commenced business here. A special feature of this new company is a free bonus policy for one year, given to all who have insured for five consecutive years without making a claim on the office. The allowances for partial and total disablement are . especially liberal, and the premiums are very moderate. A large number of shares are locally held, Mr S. K. DransfieUl has been appointed chief agent for tho district. , Tho Hawkes Bay Telegraph is responsible for the following Two Mormon missionaries were actively engaged on Sunday last at Paki Pakx converting the natives to their views, and the missionaries succeeded in getting five natives to do considerable swimming In tbe river so as to wash them and render them fitted for the higher Mormon calling. Large numbers of the natives from T© Ante came to witness the performance, but their suggestion that the missionaries should also enter the water was not accepted. A native woman was eager to embrace Mormonism if by so doin'* she could have two or three husbands.

A magnificent specimen of tbe sunset glows which now appear to be becoming rarer, was visible on Saturday evening. Shortly after sunset the heavens assumed a deep lurid appearance, but later on tbe view was a remarkable and brilliant one. The sky at this time appeared exactly similar to a vast ruby curtain, the stars being magnificent, like diamond*; while conspicuous among them wai Venus—a dazzling solitaire in the firmament. The scene was one of solemn and impressive grandeur, a leaf from the book of Nature, calculated to lift man’s heart up to the great Creator of all.

We learn that Mr Bruce Wallace, the-son of one of our oldest pioneer settlers, left last Frilay by the Waihora for the Australian Colonies, in tho interest of the National Insurance Company, of which ho is the Wellington manager ; and to whoso energy aud talent the company is greatly indebted for their success in this city and district. It is not saying too much to state that Mr Bruce Wallace, who was born in this city, is one of those examples of talent and energy, that our colonial youth are frequently noted for ; and, as an insurance agent, and deservedly popular manager, he is held by the whole community in the highest esteem and respect. The fourth anniversary of the Wellington Baptist Church Sunday School was celebrated on Sunday. Services were held in the morning, afternoon, and evening, the attendances* being large, more especially in tho evening, when the church was crowded. The several officiating ministers were, in the morning, Rev. Mr Hinton ; afternoon, Mr Aitken, and evening, Rev. Mr Oliver. The afternoon service was for children and friends, Mr Aitken preaching an eloquent sermon from the second verse of the first chapter of Jonah. “ Arise and goto Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their.wickedness is come up before men.” The collections, which were in aid of the school services, yielded a handsome amount.

Difficulties frequently arise when a police* man undertakes the arrest of a stalwart drunkard, bat on Saturday a member of the force bad a long tussle with an intoxicant who was neither tail nor stdwart. On the con* trary, be was n short man, about sft 4in in height, while the constable was tall and strongly built. Hence the difficulty; for every time the policeman attempted to drag the Bacchanalian to the watch-house, the little man would rush in and endeavor to collar the other, and thus endeavor to topple him over. This sort of fun wa* carried on for some time, and attracted quite a crowd near St, George’s Hall. Finally, on the advice of a friend, the intoxicated little man allowed himself to be led off quietly. The shipment of salmon trout—or sea trout—ova received per s.s. lonic on the 13th March last, has (says the Southland News) been successfully hatched out under the supervision of Mr Howard at the Wallacetown ponds. The number of young fish in the boxes is estimated at 10,000, so that there will be a good number for distribution. The salmon ova which arrived at the same time wore leas successful, but the number hatched still leaves room for congratulation—some hundreds having **come out of their shell,” and what is more, they are thriving admirably. The Acclimatisation Society have decided to pladh them in the Jacob’s River. Here it is believed they will have the smallest possible number of enemies to contend with, and should in a few years multiply to such an extent as to render really fresh salmon no longer an impossible luxury. The celebration of the sixty-fifth birthday of Her Majesty Queen Victoria promises to become* to say the least of it, an awkward matter. Jo the first case, it was decided that, as the 24th falls on a Saturday this year, the ceremonies of the occasion should be post* poned till the following Monday. But a cable message announces that Her Majesty has expressed her wish- for the celebration to be postponed till the 28th of June, the anniversary of her coronation, and in consequence Sir William Jervois has postponed the usual birthday levee till that day. Of coarse, the Governor having taken the initiative, it is highly probable that the Volunteers of the colony will also defer their customary reviews and other ceremonies. Unfortunately, however, the 28th June falls on a Saturday also, and the same difficulty may arise as in the objection already raised. For years back, says a West Coast exchange, ducks have been both the delight and tor* ment of would-be goldseekers. From all parts of the colonies came stories of. the splendid prospects obtained from the crops of ducks, though It is not on record that any of these wonderful finds ever led to the discovery of a lead of gold, It is quite refreshing, therefore, that a bird which obtains gold so mysteriously as to leave no clue by which its original hiding-place can be discovered should be snperseded by some more reliable creature, and why not a flounder as well as any other. Flounders,, generally speaking, are not a fish given to roaming about the o:ean in search of fresh feeding places, and when their internal arrangements are found to be ornamented with a coating of fine gold it may safely b£ assumed that such precious lining is obtained not far from where they are beguiled into the insidious net of the fisherman. It says something for the auriferous wealth amongst the shingle and sand of our beaches to find the stomach of that well known sea scavenger coated with very fine gold. The other day the lady of a house, in cleaning a bundle of the fish freshly caught, by accident observed that inside the stomach of one of them was a quantity of fine gold. The same feature was noticed with all the others, and the contents of one was preserved for curiosity. This is the first instance of the kind we have beard of amongst the finny tribe, but it is a fact lor all that. a ■ The chess match between Wellington [and Christchurch was continued and closed on Saturday night, after no less than twenty hours’ play. Only five games, however, out of the ten were finished, and of those three were won by Wellington and two by Christchurch. The remainder will be adjudicated upon by the referee, Mr D, R. Hay, of Dunedin. When the evening was half through on Saturday night, Mr Jacobsen, the captain of the Christchurch men, resigned his game with Mr Benbow, the captain of the Wellington team. This was the first game definitely won for Wellington. Another was soon added by Mr Bryce winning bis game with Mr Moore. Then followed the first reverse, Mr Wbittem, who was a bishop to, the bad, yielding to Mr Willis, of Christchurch. Later on still, Mr Hullett scored another game for Wellington by winning of Mr Horwood. This advantage was neutralised still later by Mr Hookham, of Christchurch, who had been playing against Mr W, F. Barrand, announcing mate in two moves. The other five games have not been decided. Mr Brown, of Wellington, seems to have a certain win on his board from Mr Searle, of Christchurch, Mr Searle, whose game looked very bad at the beginning of the evening, managed to pull it ont of the fire by a vigorous counter attack on bis oppjnent, Mr Feez, and at the end of the evening bad an even game, with a rook, knight, and two pawns, against a rook and five pawns. Mr Didsbnry was at a slight disadvantage In his game against Mr OUivier, the former having a rook against the latter’s knight and bishop. Mr Mclntyre is at some disadvantage in his game, and Mr] Wplffht||aboat evenly with hiSjt

On Wednesday afternoon two boys were fishing near tbo Railway Wharf, when of them lost hia balance and fell headlong into the briny. He was, however, quickly rescued by a gentleman whose name wo have not been able to ascertain.

It is understood that the Government party during their recent tour through the northern portion of this island came Across large forests of totara, mafcai, and also large quantities of stone suitable for railway ballasting purposes. Black birch was come across near Murimotu. Mrs George Dixon has accepted the offer of £l5O from the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company in full of all demands brought by her to recover the policy on the life of her late husband, who was drowned by falling from the steamer Taiaroa on the passage down from Ooehunga last year. In Mr Willis* window is to be seen a small specimen impregnated with gold, says the Wanganui Herald, which was brought down last evening by the natives who brought dowu tbe letters. This specimen, according to the card, was taken from Barry by the and be says it came from Tuhua. Recently (says a Wairarapa paper), a shoal of fish, varying in size from 4>z up to 2lbs, and numbering over 1000, were observed in the Waipoua river. At first it was thought that the finny visitors to Mastertou were trout, but Mr W. H, Beethnm conclusively proved them to be grayling (known by the natives as upokororo), by catching one or two specimens with rod and line.

A confirmation service was held in St. Paul’s Cathedral, at 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, when the Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelson, administered tho rite to eighty-five members of tbe congregations of St. Pauls, St. Peters, and St. Mark’s parishes. The Von. Archdeacon Thorpe, the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, and the Revs. Messrs Coffey and Dyson also assisted at the service. The unhappy man Hawley, who some few days ago attempted to commit suicide by stabbing himself, at the Woodside railway station, has been remanded on the charge of attempting hia life, -to the 20bh mat., by the local justices. Meanwhile, Hawley has been brought down to Wellington, and has been relegated to tbe Mount View Lunatic Asylum, as it was found that the accommodation at tbe Greytowa Hospital was insufficient for a person in his'demenled condition.

A slight diversion was caused at tho Union Steam Shipping Co’s, office on Tuesday afternoon, by a Maori who intended to secure a passage by the s.s, Hauroto, for Lyttelton, for himself, hia wife, and their baby, who was suspended in orthodox fashion at its mother’s back. When tbe father was told that only two tickets were necessary, he pointed, with a solemn countenance, to bis offspring, and said : “ Throw the piccaninny iu the water ?'. It took some time to persuade him that babies under two years travelled free, as he was firmly convinced that, if the ” piccaninny ” were found without a ticket, it would be thrown overboard.

A woman, remirkable in her way, “passed on ” yesterday We allude to Mrs Lottie Wilmot, the well-known lecturess, who, if she made mistakes iu her time, on the other hand, fearlessly exposed, and held up to reprobation, the shady side of human nature. Now her work is over, and wo may throw the mantle of charity over her failing**, and regard only the brighter side of her character, Mrs Wilmot died at the Lower Hutt afeer a long and painful illness. She was sedulously attended to during her latter days by tho Presbyterian minister and his wife, and was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery.

Tha disastrous fire at St. John’s Church last week was in its consequences not confined to the indigent person* who habitually rec rive relief from St. John’s Presbyterian Church. It appears that a Dorcas Society, embracing all classes of the religious community, held their meetings in Sc. John’s Schoolroom. . The ladies had stored a lot of goods which they bad intended distributing amongst the poor of the parish. - These goods are all destroyed, and there is no reieivo fund to meet the casualty. Mrs Hart appeals in another column to the sympathies of the public, and there is little doubt a generous response will be made. A lecture was delivered Sunday ni.'bt at the Preethought Hall, in Courtenay-place, by Mr Grey on the subject of **The Clergy and Common Sense.’’ The lecture was fairly well attended, apd the.chair was occupied by Mr Kelly. The lecturer, in the coarse of his remarks, said that be was nofattacking the motives of the clergy, but their mcthols. He characterised the Bible as being a mixture of good and evil. The clergy, he said, held oat the argument that one bad to servo God on credit, but the devil paid cash. This was not his idea at all, for as far as be could see virtue had its reward here, and vice was always punished. At the close of the lecture the Chairman announced that a social gathering would be held ou the following Tuesday evening. What is to be done with the dredge employes ? is a question which agitates the Harbor Board periodically and regularly. These unfortunate officials form a subject of discussions which often take alarming turns. Sometimes it is resolved, despite the remonstrance of the chairman, that the dredge staff shall receive notice of dismissal ; then the necessity of keeping the work on is represented, and it is decided to suspend the notice for a week—occasionally, a month ; but at the next meeting members of the board consider the question again. There is an outcry for retrenchment, and rigid economy is the platform once more of the Harbor Board—always at the expense of the unlucky dredge people. The latest phase of dredge suspension is that the new engineer of the board, Mr Fergusson, Is of opinion that the operations should be continued. Consequently it may be presumed that the oft-dismissed officials will hold their precarious situations for another week or two, at any rate. It is very seldom that a high wind can be regarded as a saviour of property id case of fire, but such may be considered to have been actually the case last Friday morning, when a fire occurred at Norbury’s brickyard, at the head of Taranaki-street. The fireball rang out at a quarter-past five, and within a short time the Fire Brigade were on the scene of the fire, but the' prompitnde in turning out was rendered useless by there being no water available at the fire-plugs, and the fire had neatly burnt itself oat before the water was turned on, some half an hour .after the fire broke out. The amount of damage done was comparatively small. The fire origiuated'in a stack of firewood, which was situated between two brick kilns, and the strong wiud which .was blowing at the time in the direction from one kiln to the' other, kept the flames from spreading to the sides, while it directed the full force of the flame on to the wall of one of the kilns. This was very fortunate, For the Mount Cook School, which is situated only a few yards to the other side of the kiln, mast otherwise have inevitably caught fire, in which case it would have been burned to the ground before any available water could have been brought to play upon it. Dr Johnston held an inquest on Monday ou the body of Bridget Alien Gibson, whose death is in another column. The principal evidence was that of Dr Fell, who stated that when he was called in on Saturday morning he found the deceased cold, and rigor mortis had set In for more than an hour. He had made a post mortem examination of the body, and found that the heart was healthy, 'and of normal size, but the right pleura was everywhere, adherent. The right lung was particularly collapsed, and Ihe kidnejs showed signs of granular disease. The doctor stated his opinion was that the condition of theheart and lung was sufficient to cause death. The evidence of Mrs Pepper, a widow, living in the same house as the deceased, and that of Mrs Dooherty, a married woman, who had spent part of the Friday evening with her, was taken. 1 It np-‘ peared that deceased was an habitual drunkard. At about half-past five on Saturday morning she made no answer when called. Her door was burst open, and she was found lying on the floor,- dead, her bosom and legs at the time just getting cold. She had no fire In her room. She was supported by the Benevolent Society, but pawned her clothes, and borrowed money to get drink, . The jury found a verdict, tHat “On the 10th day of May the said Bridget Allen Gibson was found dead, her death being from natural causes, accelerated by habitual and excessive drinking." A number of cases of vagrancy 1 have lately occupied the attention of the police, and the offenders have been brought before the Court to account for themselves. This they, have generally failed to do satisfactorily, at any rate, and the Bench, remaikiog in some instances upon the benefit conferred upon the public by their incarceration, .have sentenced them to various terms of imprisonment. It was only about a week ago that Chief Detective Browne, while conducting the prosecution in one of these cases, alluded to the danger to property incurred by these sort of tramps being allowed to remain at large, os they were, he asserted, in the habit of sleeping in all sorts of out-of-the-way places, where they lit their pipes in a careless sort *of way, regardless of possible fires. The recent catastrophe in Upper Wiliis-street appears to bear out strongly the force of the detective’s remarks, for at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday a vagrant was brought up who appears to have been in the habit of frequenting the back promises of the destroyed church for some time past atall honra qf the night and morning, This man was seen in Hie immediate vicinity of the church late on the night before the fire. Whether or no he was the cause of the conflagration i', of course, only a matter of surmise ; but the action of the magistrates in committing him to gaol for three months will put him oat of harm’s way for some time to come, while it should at the samo time serve as a warning to others of his peripatetic genus to keep themselves out of barm’s way la future# '