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<£l)c ^yímep ¿Hornfitir, leraßr.
MONDAT, APRIL i, 1898.
Ia another column there is published au inter- view with the Premier, in which he explains the rrasons which prompted the Government to further prorogue Parliaiuent after it had been summoned for despatch of business.
It is contended by Mr. Reid that in putting off the looal Parliament, inoluding party attacks and counter attacks, until the federal campaign is over and the national vote is taken, the Govern
mont pursued a oourso " advisable and most con- sistent with general convenience nnd publio
weltaro."
With regard to the federal movement, reference is made in another ooliimn to (he proposed inter- change of federal delegates, and to tho activity of tbe political organisation, in relation (o the
mutter.
It is roportcd from Melbourne that the various branohes of tho Australian Natives' Association aro showing unanimity and onthusiaim in the
federal oauso.
The obnoxious regulation with reference to alluvial gold-mining in Western Australia has beon withdrawn ; but provision is made that there shall be no interference with the working of the lessee, and that any dispute shall bo determined by the wardens.
Tho works of Australian artists in the collec- tion at tho Grafton Gallery, London, have beon hung in admirablo positions. Set/oral of tho pic-
tures bavo been sold.
The reren JO of the United Kingdom for tho year shows sn increase of £2,664,119 as compared with tho previous year.
[u tlio osso of tho Attorney-General of Now South Wnlos v. Waltora and othors, tho Judicial Cummittco of tho Privy Council has allowed tho appeal with costa.
The cotton-spinner»' combination has been registered, the capital being £4,000,000.
The consolidated revenue rtttirni for Tiu-inanin for March total £97,189, as compared with £73,812 for Mardi of la»t year.
Tho reply of Spain to PiosidentM'Kinley's pro posils is indefinite.
Tho procoods of ihn performance in aid of the national fund for tho Navy given at the Op>-r.i House, Madrid, amounted to £140,000. The boxes realioed £6000 euch.
Sovcro cart) quake shooks hare been experienced
in California.
Sir Thomas M'llwiaitb, who has boen staying: in London for tho benefit of his health, loaves for Queensland at the ond of April.
Tho appeal nf M. Zola against the sentenoe of one year'* impriMmment and a fino of £3000, in connection with tho Dreyfus case, has been up- hold, and he has been released.
A disastrous fire is reported from Perth (\V A ) Valuablo bti-iuoss premises were deslr«) d
Three thousand cases of fruit, in froud condición,
havo beep saved from the R.M S China
It is reported that Great Britain will occupy the island of Chung Ming nt the mouth of the Yang tsc-Kisng
Tho Buti«h Minister at Pekin has demanded
from China important concessions in order that the balance of power may bo maintained
Only Kunian* ara to be por mil ti d to enrage in tbo work of railway construction in Clima O don» for the mipplj of railway mutenul from Tnglaud, ATienra, and Gonnany havo been cancelled
Tlie Publie "\V< rks sectional committee took
»videnco at Gulgong on Saturday concerning' the extension of the Mudgee railway lo Coonamble
Mr Chamberlain states that tbo G(\orumont has no deniro to restriot the selection of direotor* of tho British South Afnnin C »mpany because of the Imperial control oxerused over the company
Thu United States Congress ha* adjourn >1 until Mondav in i rdor to awiut tho final answer from Spain to President M Kinley's propopal«
The " Times " states that President M Kinley's message to bo presented to tho Congress will do eldo the quostion of ponce or war
Somo of tho European Powers are «¡tronglj piessing tbo Quoou Ilogcnt and tbo Spanish Cabi- net to grant an lmmelinie nimis ico in Cuba.
A mihi nry oh tu eh parado WHS hold yesterday There «as sen ice in tho Town Hall The parade nns largely attendod
Tbo Premier is highly satisfied with the state of the pul ho finance« Ho cars that tho retenue is buoyaut and increasing, and that a surplus is \irtually assured
Tho death is announced of Arthur Orton, tho
Tiohborn» claimant
Tbo Postal Conference wis resumed at Hobart
on Saturday, when a quantity of miscellaneous
business was transacted
The mails per the steamship Calédonien, from Sydney on Tobruary 28, arrived in London on Saturday
Tho Annand Behio, from Marseilles on tho 27th ultimo, loft Suez on Saturday for Australia
Tho colonial woil sales havo closed Pnces wero a shade easier
1 hero was a moderato extent of business in the Mining market on Saturday, and at the close an inipro\ emont was manifested in tho values of several Western Australian gold companies
Tho amount of Customs revenue received on Saturday amounted to £2701
The revenue returns of the colony for the past quarter, aggregating £2,298,075, and showing a substantial increase of £194,327 on the corresponding quarter of 1897, confirm tho evidence supplied on every hand of the improvement in ita industrial and trade conditions. Their meaning, of course, must be read in the light of the facts which have affected the totnl. "When so "considered the result is even moro satisfactory thon appears on the surface. Por instance, the Customs receipts show an apparent deficiency of £14,517 on a total revenue of £287,733. Under an oqunl tariff this would be a very unsatisfactory outturn, but the specific duties wore re- moved from, or leduced on, a number of articles, The abolition of the taxes on oil, and the reduction of £1 in the sugar duty account for £12,820 of the shortage of tho Customs. No unfavourable conclusions, therefore, can be drawn from these figures. But, on the other hand, when we rightly apply the comparative method, and show that from the excise tariff, which was the same in both years, there was an inorease of £4828, or nearly 7 per cent., we have evidence of progress whioh cannot be gainsaid, that is if we aro to accept the doctrine of all the great financiers of the world, that there is no better index of the well-being of a com- munity than the yield of its Customs or
exoiBe. We Cannot take the former because of 'the remission of duties, but we may receive the testimony of the lattor. If we look at the corresponding quarters of the three preceding years wo shall see that the yield of excise has increased from £65,789 to £76,204, or by no less than 17 per cent. In the same throe years the population has only grown by about 6 per cent. The larger population last quarter paid exoise duty on spirits, beor, and tobacco to the amount of 5s 2d per head, as compared with only 4s 2Jd paid by the smaller population in tho corresponding quarter of 1895, the improvement having been steady throughout the triennium. This inorease is not due, as might be supposed, to any falling away of the Customs duties on im- ported tpirits, beer, or tobacco. As a. matter of fact these increased from £212,704 to £228,253, or by 7'3 per cent., whioh exceeds the inorease in population by H per cent. A- larger proportion of the products named aro now manufactured in tho colony, but the consumption of both the imported and locally manufactured ¿as inoroased by 12*7 per cent. In othor
?words, tlio population in tho last quarter paid in duties on spirits, beor, and tobacco through the Customs and excise 18s lid per head. In the corresponding quarter of 1895 they paid only 17s 9d. If these figures do not convey comfort to- teetotal reformers, they aro welcome to a Colonial Treasurer. And they do not help the case of those who would have us believe that the times are going from bad
to worse.
Perhaps the Post and Telegraph Office receipts would furnish the 'next best test of the conditions of the colony. Theso show an inorease of £9147, or 5 per cent., tho improvement over three years boing £25,183, or 15-2 per cent., contrasting with incroases of 2 and G per cent, in tho year and trtennium respectively. Again, the railway revenue in (lie year hns grown about 3 por cent., and since 1895 8 per cent., notwithstand- ing the loss sustained by the decreased wool clip. Although the revenue has not grown so greatly aB it would havo done under tho induonco of bettor
seasons, its progresa has been more than commensurate with the spread of population, clearly indicating that the material interests of the colony aro improving. The people aro spending pro- portionately more money in dutiable goods, and for postal and railway facilities, thus giving no countenance to the state- ments of those who declare that under freetrnde they are the reverse of pros porous. Tlie Government Statist has told us that the colony has" added 74,000 to its population within tho throe years, and the Customs, Post Office, and Enilway retuvnB show us that there has been a proportionately larger increase in tho revonue. Therefore when Mr. Reid and his friends go to their con- stituents in a fow months' timo they havo unmistakable ovidonce in tho last pub- lished figures of the improvement in the colony's position.
Mr. Eeid lias supplied to our reporter reassuring ligures for tho nine months, fully confirming the analysis we have given of the buoyant conditions of the rovenuo, despite the conse- quences of the drought. An np pnrent deficiency of £7000 is satisfactorily oxplnined in tho light of tho facts. These liad boon fully anticipated by tim Treasurer in the cnrof.il estimate ho had made of tho yoar's rovenuo ;. and it is gratifying to know that this is likoly to bo borne out by the
rosults of tho next threo months' Trensury operations. In viow of tlio general recovery in industrial and trade conditions, Mr. Eeid can correctly point to the rapidly improving Mate of the finances, and augur from it the full reali- sation of his oarliest estimate of the year's
revonue.
It is patiefactor}' to noto also that the Queensland revenue for the quarter, aggregating £772,890, 6hows an increase of £55,679 ns compared with tho cor- responding quarter of last year. This increase would nppenr to havo been ob- tained from different sources, indicating progress towards vecovory from flood and tick losses, as well as from the effects of tlio monetary oollnpso. Por of the whole, customs and exoiso .yielded £.13,500, and the territorial revenue £12,000. Tho vitality of the northern colony, despite drawbacks, has been as pronounced ns that of any part of Aus- tralia, and with anything like immunity from plagues of ono kind and Another by which it is occasionally visited it can hardly bo long before eveu n bottt»r stato of things is disclosed than that which it« quarterly abstract of accounts now | presents.
Turning to Victoria, the results are not
nltogethor so pleasing, though even hero also there are encouraging features. Tho returns are not presented by the quarter as in tho other., colonies, but for tile period of tho fiscal year so far ns it hos run its courso. For the six months ended December 31 there was an iucreaso of £149,931 over the roveuuo of the corresponding period of 1896. As the rovonuo for tho nine months now shows an oxcoss of £155,612, wo find that for the past three months there was an increase of £5681. It is not a largo one. Exact comparisons o <nnot he made hero. The fire that committed so much havoc in Melbourne added to tho customs receipt» from duties on goods to make good the loss. The heat is said to have beon responsible for some increase in the beer duties. The fire in Gippsland otherwise tended to re- duce tho roveuue by impoverishing tho peoplo and lessoning customs, railway, and other public iucomo.
The South Australian revenue figures for the quarter also represent less pro- gressive features than aro apparent in thoso of tho northern colonies. Nevertheless tho total amount of £690,466 exceeds that for the cor- responding quarter of last year by £4716. This increase was wholly repre- sented in the territorial revenue, which exceeded by £12,694 the amount in 1897. Customs showed a decrease of £7000, and tho railways ineouio also declined. In looking at the figures of Victoria and South Australia, of course, it should be remembered thnt their comparative watit of expansiveness corresponds to the absence of the growth of population, as both colonies only hold on December 31, 1897, 3500 inhabitants in oxcess of the number at December 31, 1896, whoreas their natural increase alono should have given them an addition of 21,G92. The increase of population for tho year in Now South Wales and Queensland, amounting to 31,858, is expressed in the growth of revenue aggregating £250,006, while the increase of 3500 in Victoria and South Australia is as naturally represented in an
increase of £10,397.
"Without anticipating the matter of the report to be prepared by tho committoo of the Munioipal Council appointed to throw the results of the late inquiry into shape, this is the fitting time to indicate what the public expect from that inves- tigation. By this time the public is in a position to pass as sound a verdict on the ca60 as presented as »re the aldormen themselves. Thanks to the somewhat belated publicity given to tho proceedings, we have now before us the evidence as to what has been going on within the inner municipal oircles, and as the inquiry proceedod it becamo increasingly evident to all who followed its progress that this was essentially a mattor on whioh the publie was ontitled to full and timely informa- tion. It is therefore well that tho initial mistake of holding the investigation with closed doors was corrected. Wo said at the time, when this step was under dis- cussion, that the subjects of inquiry were of direct interest to the ratepayers, by whom the expense of municipal administra- tion-or ' maladministration where it ex- ists-has to be borne. As the taking of evidence went on it beonmo even more ap- parent that the whole system under whioh the administiation of the municipal affairs of the principal Australasian city has been conduoted, was on its trial. It_ was no longer'a question as to whether this or that official had been negligent or inefficient, or whether this or that detail of adminis- tration was erratic or worse. The ques- tion soon resolved itself into the simpler and more direct one ns to whether
or not the City Council had discharged effectively and honourably the important duty it holds in trust from the ratepayers.
As we have said, we have no desire to anticipate tho report of the com- mittee, or to prejudge the case as it has boing presented on the evidence. But that evidence has brought out certain facts, which in themselves imply certain necessary inferences, and it is not unfair to say at this stage that if tho committee fail to give duo weight to these in their report the publio and the ratepayers will be disappointed. Those ratepayers contribute nearly £150,000 every year in general rntes to- wards the expenses of munioipal govern- ment. The City Council is invested by the citizens with n fiduciary trust in regard to tho expenditure of this sum. That body, that is to say the Mayor and aldermen for tho time being, indi- vidually and collectively, incur a direct responsibility to the ratepayers in respect of this, and between that responsibilitv and tho ratepayers no offtoial or officials, and no alleged system of administration, can bo allowed to intervene. If the evidence given at the inquiry, and published in our columns, should point to the conclusion that officials have been careless or inefficient, or that the adminis- tration has been lax or inept for ita pur- pose, then the blame must fall where the responsibility lies. That is to say,
no middle consideration can be
permittod to come between the Council aud tho public, It has to bo recognised
that the default of the Council's officers reflects on the Council, and ineffective administration constitutes a grave im- peachment of the aldermen whom the ratepayers of Sydney send into the Counoil to represent thom. The inquiry would be vain, and the proceedings of the past two months a sheer waste of time, if for any reason whatever this fact wero lost sight of. It is quito o vident to everyone by this time that official in- efficiency and lax methods and n»lminis trntion have existed. The rosults as well
as the evidence speak .conclusively on thiB point. It is, therefore, needless to remind the Municipal Council that the public and the ratepayers require no specially pre- pared report to make BO much of the situation plain.
What, then, do the ratepayers require ? On the answer to this question de ponds the whole issuo as to whether this lung-drawn-out inquiry will have any practical result, or whether it will bo re- duced to a mere time-wasting faroe. Publio dissatisfaction with the manner in
which munioipal affairs aro conducted did not begin with those investigations, nor will it end with them. It hits to bo recognised that tho Council itself is on its trial. It may bo asking too much of that body to pass judgment on itself, but it may be suggested that this course is proferablo on many grouuds to that of asking the public and the ratepayers to pass an unfavourable judgment on tho Council. It is not sufficient, for instanoo, that the committee, in its report, should repeat for the publio benefit that the administra- tion of the Council's affairs has not been all that could be desired, that there has been nn absence of proper con- trol, that responsibilities have been ignored or ovnded, or that the Mayor and aldermen havo been grossly ignorant of what has been going on. Tho publio is already in a position to gather from the evidence anything of this that may be apparent to the com- mittee. Ratepayers expect that the report will go further, if it would justify the practical utility of the inquiry.
and show bow these lax conditions
have arisen, as well as tho steps which must bo taken in tho immediate future to correct that condition of things. That vigorous rneosures nnd firm administration aro called for must by this time be ap- parent even to the conventional nlder inanio capacity, Tho roport must toll us where the Council ns well as tho officials failed, where the control was at fault, how the lax habits carno into being, and how and when it is proposed to correct n state of things which the in- quiry has conclusively shown to be anomalous, if not worse.
The review of the butter season which has boen publishod in our columns contained much to encourago those engaged in dairying, and to reveafwhnt an addition is made to tho resources of Now South Wales by this industry. Wo see that tho making of butter has become at once simplified and improved by the factory and creamery system ¡ that production is extending along with improve- ment in tho quality of the product ; that tho markets oxtend and the con- sumption increases. The South African demand, for instance, has been such during the past wook or two that exporta- tion lo England was for tho time sus- pended to allow of consigning to Cape Town. As wo have repeatedly pointed out in regard to food stuffs, wheat, meat, and butter, the markets in the Transvaal, in Cape Colony, and Natal do serve, and will repay, the closest attention on the part of Australian oxporters. At present, owing to the rinderpest, agriculture in all deportments ÍB in a bad position throughout South Africa, and in spite of protestive tariffs the supply has to come from abroad. This is tho ohance for Australia, and with direct shipments to the ports of Eastern South Africa our trade in a variety of products ought to increase. In the East, also, there is a good prospeot of working up business, whilo in England, alwuys our best and largest customer, the use of our butter, thougli checked by the engineers' strike, extends in a most pro- mising way. The dangers from employ- ment of preservatives and the likelihood of better prices resulting from new mothods of treatment aro of considorablo importance to producers.
VIOE-BEOAIJ NEWS.-Lord and Lady Hampden, Mrs. Ferguson, tho Hon, Dorothy Brand, and Captain Sloaue-Stanloy, A.D.O., returned to Syd- ney on Saturday morning from Moss Vale, wbero tho vice-regal party has bjen sojourning for some weeks. In tb.6 afternoon Lady Hampden, aocom panied by tho Hon. Dorothy Brand and the Hon. Alioo Brand and Captain Feilden, attended tho Albani conoort in tho Sydney Town Hall. Lord Hampden, with Major and Mrs. Ferguson, during tho nftornoon at ton led tho bioyolo sportB on the Agrlonltnral Ground. Early in the day Captain Torlesso, R.N., of H.M.S. Royalist, paid an offioiol visit to Lord Hampden at Government House. On Sunday miming his Excellency, accompanied by Lady Hampden, tho Hon. Dorothy Brand, the Hon. Alice Brand, and his official staff, attended the ohnrch parado of the
troops.
MOVEMENTS OF THE PBEMEII.-When Mr. Reid went home to represont this colony at tho Reoord Reign celebrations, the Australian summer was drawing to a close. Ho reached England when the English summer was on, and came back to another Australian summer. Ho has consequently had threo successive summers, and ho now finds tho necessity for rest and a cool change of olimato lander theso uirourastancos the Premier has decided to spend the Easter holidays at Greenwell Point,
near the Shoalhaven River Hoads.
TOWN HALT, INQUTHY.-This afternoon the sub-committee of tho City Council appointed to draft a report on the ovidonoe taken before the committee of the whole on what is known as the Town Hall Inquiry will hold its first meeting. Proceedings, it is understood, will be oonduoted in private. Tho evidence runs into
considerably over 500 pages of printed foolscap, and, as Alderman J. Harris has remarked, it will tako somo time to sift tho wheat from tbo chaff in that mass of printed matter During the progress of thu inquiry a number of documents were roferred to by members of tbo committee, and thoy wore passed over for a timo with the statement, " Oh, wo can consider thom when we aro drawing up our roport " It is now a point whether the Bub-committoo can deal with theso documents or with any docu- ments willoh might como into Its possession, except tho printed evidence and the papers specially sent on to it
Trre CONSUL-GEXEBAL FOK BELGIUM -Among the passengers by the Waihora, from Auokland to Sydney on Saturday, thero arrived Mr E Pollot, Consol-General for Belgium, residont nt Melbourne Mr E Pollot has spoilt a oouplo of months in New Zealand to study tlio actual commercial situation of that colony Ho is stay- ing at the Australia Hotel
MuvimrAL ELEOTIOV AT Ami UTDBIA -Polling for tho »»lection of an alderman to «¡present the West Ward in the Boiough of Aloxandna in lieu of Aldorman T O Horne (resigned) took plate on Saturday, with the following result -Mr James M'Oauley, 280 , Mr William Yatos, 205, in- formal, 0 , majority for Mr M'Caulov 7S
A PLAQUE OP GATEnriLLAES -Se\eral telegrams ha\ 0 appeared lately in the country nowa of tho " Horalrl," amongst other places from Penrith, Wmdsor, Kiama, und Nowra, complaining of a plague df caterpillars at thoso places Mr Trog gatt, tho Go\ernment Entomologist, has forwarded a ropo-t to the Munster for Agriculture on the subject He says ho has recoivcd specimens of these grubs from Springw ood, Liverpool, Windsor, aud East Hills, and on March 27 ho drove through acres of thom at Camden Thoy are all of the samo kind, dark greenish black caterpillars, with a stripe of j ellow down each side, and tho full grown ones uro about ljin in length As thoy grow very rapidly thoy will disappear m about a week, burying themselves in tho ground, and changing into tho chrysalis stato, and the moths will probably emerge in about a foitmght These uootuid moths layan immenso number of eggs, up to 2000 each, but if the rams como early the winter crop of eggs will probably bo destroyed The specimens in tho entomologist's office are boing foi, and when tho moths emerge they will bo figured and described Where practicable, and to protect tho crops, a broad strip of land on the headland of the paddoeks, Mr Prnggatt reports, should bo sprayed with lib of Pans greetymxed
in 2Ü0 gallons of « ater If kipt w eli stirred ni d lightly sprayed, this would kill every caterpillar crosmng tho sprayed strip, and would not hurt animals feeding
Tan WüATttEB -A light rain fell dtinnir Satur lay on tho ooast, the li»iiviest shower« measuring 20 points at Manning Hends Tester day a promising chingo for lain set in donn south At Albury half fin inch fell, aud tho rain was spreadm/ in the Bivi mia country Tlio re
markablv high sea willoh has prevailed along the coast for sévirai days past hud modérai ed yesterdaj n good deal, though on Saturday it was tiemeudous at Sidney Hoads, anl orowds of people went to tbo Hoads to s»o it A fleet of ouasters outward b mud had brought up m riiztbath Bay pending a change, and somo of thom made a start towards tbo Heads on Saturdaj, but brought up again Yestorday, under the iniTneueo of a breczo olí the land, tho heavy easterly swell had abated upprcoiablj All the voasels steam anil 9ail arriving roport particularly severe weather The stnamor eurimbla was 90 hoar« under eteim from Busbano to Sydney, and onlv armed at G a m vesterday instead of on last lhursday night, her due date
NAVAL NEWS -Hie Milduia loft boro for target practicólo Jervis Bay in ^aturda*, and armed thero at 5 30 p m HM S Walli roo, from Hobart, armed at Wallaroo on Siturday night
This is a apcoitl visit made to the South Austra- lian port, after whu h the cruiser is named
MAILS AND MAIL STEAMERS -On Saturday the Polyn*-ien, having landed the Svduoy contingent of passenger* nnd ombarked a number for Noumea continued her vujngo lo New Caledonia Tno Japan liner Omi Maru, belouging to the subsidised Japan mail lino, hailed on Saturday afternoon for Ohma and Japiin port», well patronised by passen jera The A cadia, with the English mails to March 4, arrived at Ade laido ycstciday at 0 a m The mails will reach hero on Wednesday next Tbo German mail ?teamer Prinz Regont Lmtpold, heneo to Bremen, left Adolaido nt 1 p m on biturdoy for riemautle
on route to 13remen On baturdiy tbo Austral, hence to Lim lou after loading ¿reen fruit, left H ibart for Melbourno at 8 a ni and armed thpro ln«t evening Yesterday tho Geia, in the Nurd deutscher Lloyd line arris ed here from Bremen with 236 passongers in all classes The steamer shortly after arrival carno up to Circular Quay
and berthed
AN OCEAN RACE-A raco aoro>a the Tasman Sea by saihnir \ easels was finished on Saturday and during yesterday The contestants were three-the barque Geneviève M Tucker, of 487 tons, built in 1870 at Portlaud, United States, anl owned by the master, Captain Hulra , the birquenlmo May, of 237 toni, launched in Sunderland, I860, and owned in Sjd ney and tho Fido, of 494 tons, built lu Norway, and ownod in Non Zealand Tho vessels arrived in the order in which thny nrc hero mentioned Tho race bogan on March 15 off Kalpara Heads, and this trio of timber laden packets before for tho chief part vhole sail oastorly ninds were within sight of oath other neailyall tho way aoros«, arming, tlio G M Tucker on Saturday at 6 a m , tho May 13 hours later, and tho Tido nt 8 a m yesteidaj Tbo dis- tance bet« cm Kalpara Heads ind Sydney is approximate!} 1000 milos
GOLD SHIPMENTS -Tho Japaneso mail steamer whioh left hero on Saturdnj had so% eral boxcB of gold com shippod bj C1 ineso The gold was valued at £8160 Tho Polynes en, for Noumea, also took a shipment of gold coin on Saturday, value £1000, shipped hythe Bnuk of Australasia
Tho Eurimbla, which arrive! yesterday morning from Qieensland, brought 102oz of gold
THE LinninY ASSOCIATIOV OF AUSTRALASIA - The first meeting of tho Librar) Association of Australasia w ill be held in Sydney early in Sep teuibcr, under the patronage of the Mininter for Pubho Instruction (Hon Jacob Garrara) This association was formed as tho outcome uf a con- ference summoned in Melbourne two yoars ago at tua invitation of the trustees of tho Melbourne Public Library Delegates from the pnnoipal libraries throughout Australasia, to the number of 85, attended, a constitution was framed on the hnea of tho similar assooiations m Great Britain and the United States, and an executive com mitteo wns appointed, with the Hon Dr Tames Norton, M L C , as president,! Professor Mao Calluni as hon treasurer, and Mr H C L Auderson, M A , as hou seoretary About 100 libraries in the five Australian colonies and New Zealand hava joined the a°sociation, and aro ox pectod to send delegates to this, the first meeting A programme of business is being prepared, inoluding tho reading of a number of papers on subjects of technical interest to librarians and library oommittoes, also a converaaziono, with nn exhibition of old books, engravings, bibliographical curiosities, and novel appliances in library economy All tho leading librarians in Sydnoj, tho tJnnersity, and the learned sooietiea havo bsen askal to send ropre cntativos to the local
committee
COMPLIMENTABY PlCNIO TO THE MATOO AND MAIOBESS OF ANNANDALE -Tho residents of Annandale paid a graciful compliment to tho Mayoi and Mayoress of Annandale (Mr and Mrs Allon Tiylor), by giving thom a picnic on Satur- day afternoon Tho oompany « as a representa- tive one, and included the guests of the day, and Aldormen John Young, W M Woods, George Smith, Owen Ridge, W Wells, J T Broad, JP, J T Curties, I Regi- nald Cohen and Mrs Cohen, W Bull, J P (Annandale), Aldermen R B Cropley, J P, T L Colebrook, and J P Troadgold (Leichhardt), the ex-Mayor (Alderman Larkin) and Alderman Oiihill (Camperdown) , Alderman Roboy (Globe), Alderman J T Smith (New- town) , Aldermen Geo Landers, F Bucklo, and John Waino (City Connell) Mr W H Mahony, M L A (Annnndalo) , Mr S J Bull, eohoitor to tho council (Drummoyne) , Mr J f Skelton, counoil clerk of Annandale (hon secretary of tho movement), Mr James Cowan, master of ceremonies, ox-Alderman A Guthrey, Messrs S H Abrams and Mrs Ahrnins, G Dyson, Carrington, Evans, Stewart, D Farrell, J and T Bowrey, and a considerable number of ladies The steamer Alathea was chartered for the ocoasion, and after a pleasant trip on the harbour a oall waa made at Oorroy's Gardens, where upon land- ing the company was photographed Subse- quently the gathering, to the number of about 250 ladies and gentlemen, eat down to a well prepared banquet ex< ellently served by Mr Correy Alder- man William Bull, J P (chairman of the exeoutive committee) presided, and proposed the toast of " Our Guest«," referring in appropnato terms to tho excellent manner in which Mayor Taylot had ooonpiod the mayoral chair two yoars in succès
sion. He concluded by presenting them with a
handsomely lllnminated address, m which was the photo of the Mayor, views of the town hall, the Mayor's residenco, post and telegraph office, Annandale, and appropriate Australian floral ornamentations The address, which was pre- pared at tho establishment of John Sands, Syd- ney, was a work of art
PRESENTATIONT MB P. WOOLCOTT-WALET -On Saturdny morning, at tho office of tho Bellambi Cool Company Proprietary, Liftuted, Mr F. Wooloott-Waloy, the manager, who is about to proceed to London on bjsiness connected with tho company, was presonted by the stau with a handsomely fitted travelling-bag On the face of the bag a sih er plato was affixed, on whioh a suitable incription was engraved Tho presenta« tion was made by Mr W 0 Healy.
DINNER TO MB LOUIS H NATHAN-On Satur. day evening about 40 of tho principal employees of Messrs S Hoffuung and Co ontertained at dinner, at the Trocadero Cafe, Mr Louis H. Nathan, tho heart of (hat finn, who, after a sojourn of about 18 months in the colon), is re. turning with his wife and daughter to London by tho Australia Mr Percy L Benjamin occupied tho ohair The health of tho guest waa proposal by Mr Philip Benjamin, who said that Mr. Nathan's advent had undoubtedly given in im- petus to tho business end a stimulus U) its omploycos Ho reforrcd to tim manr excellent buuness qualifications that gentle- man possessed ns w oil as to the geniality of lug oharaotcr, which combined to render him so much of a favourite with all those with whom ha came in contact Tim toast was drunk with musical honours and many cheers Mr Nathan, in ro ponding, expressed the great pleasure he feltat meeting tlie employees on that oecasion, and his recognition of tho heaitincss with which all of them had worked to promoto tho success of the
business
LEAOUE OP WHEELMEN'S CTCLINO CARNIVAL-« Saturday brought with it the last day of tha league's autumn carnival, holdon the Agricul- tural Ground The racing was in some instance! gcod, but tho arrangements were not The multi« oyelo race, from which great things were expected, was disappointing Tor the first heat, wlueh con- tained nine entries, only throe esme out, and ta the first three in each heat qualified for the final it could hardly bo expected that the crews would play themselves out Iho bent was devoid of interest, and was won by moro than half a lap. Tho second heat snw not half the men out, bat a good finish resulted, while tho final was won by more lhan half a lap Tt was impiss bia for tha publio to toll who the rider« were, for they roda in all sorts of colours Wnlne's riding throughout iho nftornoon was, however, a great treat, nnd his winning the final of tho Hampden Wheel Raca was met with oheers from nil parla of the ground, and ho thorough!) deserved it Mcgfon's win ia tbo (list heat of the class handicap, nnd Parson's mu in the socond heat, mot with rounds of apnlaiife. Tho finish of tho international team race was %ery good mdeed, and it was with diffi- cult«, that Iho judges could placo tho men, so closo wero they together
ELECTORATE CRICKIT COMPETITION -The con- cluding soi íes of the electorate matches wa' com mciced on Siturday, nnd judging by tho scoies registered those teams that won the to<« bad good wickets to bat on, and all but Redfern havo mada such a good 6tart that defeat seems to bo almost out of tbo question The rate of run-gotting, however, ivas not fast in any instance Tho features of tho day's play nero tho centime« by V Trumper 162 not out and M A Noble 111 for Pad. dington v Leichhardt, and H Newell 113 not out for Glebo v East bydney Trurapor'j century has given him 1021 runs for the season, and his sixth tlirci figuro compilation in electorate, oncket and his fourth in sucic«sion the total nins ho lips obtained during the present hcacon have exceeded the records in elec- torate compilions-thn nearest m 95 06 boinu Mackenzie's 50>, and in 96 97 Ciiniugham's 055, while hu average is 204 for five completed inning? In eight visits to lha wickets he ha« oui) twice failed to get his century, and his contributions then were 82 and 85. Noblo's 144 on Saturday is hia third conturyfor
Ins club this season
SWIMMINO CHAMPIONSHIP -In Farmer's Baths, Woolloomooloo Bay, on Saturda), the League of Swimmers held its quarter of a milo championship race A Cavill led from the start and won hy three yarli in 6 minutes 35$ seconds
HAnMSTON's MEVAGEMB IV A STORM -The eurimbla nrtived at tho A U S N Company'l Whaif at 6 o'clock jceteiday morning, com- pleting a vo)ace from Busbane which has seldom I con oxcolle 1 for bad weather Trom the time of leaving on Tuesdnv afternoon lust to sighting Tacking Point, 170 miles from Sjdnoy, tho vessel, which has on board most of the animals belonging to Harraston's menagerie, was battling in an uglv crooa son, against which she was chiefly einplojod in dodging the "crea- tors" As it was tho decks were washed from tho forennstlc-head to tho taff tail, and ntnoagit the moro exciting inci- dents of tho trip was tho breaking adrift of ono of tho " dook passengers, " a three ton elephant This ponderous animal was put on board sbaililed, and was chamed to a ringbolt on the forward deok For tho first two dava he stood the extremities of the weather like a statue, if the human oiroum'tanco of being v erv seasick bo excopted Head on to the gala and sea, tho latter washing over him in he- il ondous volume, this giant qiadruped wai knocked off Ins feet but twice Tho second lima it hnppenod it ruffled his temper, and, desiring to remove from his inclement quartois, he quietly and unnoticed snapped the chain that held him to thodeek, and, strolling round the forward batch to i. moro sholtered spot on tho loe sido of tho ship, turned his back to tho green sens that c irlcd oier from wmdii ard Onhiswa) round ho sighted »hat tho cook calls n " plum douirh " on the 6tove in the galley, and reaching through the window whipped it out b) way of a "snick" and demoliphed it But it disagreed with him badly afterwards, and made him trumpet louder than» foghorn After that he rofuaed food of anv kind
for 21 hours
PRESBYTERIAN MEMORIAL ClTlIECH AT DECM MOYNE -Tbo new Memorial Pie«bytermn Church, Druramo)no, was oillciall) oponed on Satur- day afternoon lu tho p^eneo of a large con- gregation by tho Rov T E Clmtston, B A Tho church is under tho direction of tho Church Extension Comnutte«, nud is a memorial to the lata Rev Geo Grimm, tbo foundation-atono of which was laid at tho end of January last Amongst those preBont wero the Reva R H ~\\ augh, li A (Moderator of the presbytery), J Auld, MA. (convener of tbo Homo Mission committee), 0
M Innes,QM A , B D (clerk of tho prcsbyterr, J Dickenson, A Miller, M A, W M M Maoky, Mr Mocpher-on (aceouutant of ti» presbytery), and Mr I, Keith Miller (agent ia charge) A sympathetic letter of apology mu read from tLe Rev Dr Cosh After praver and reading bj the Rev W «1 Dill Macky, and dedioatory prayer bv the Ker It H Waugh tho Rev 1 E Clonston delivered an address Mr J Keith Miller gave a sketch of tho history of the congregation Mr J Henderson lend a statement of the building Iwt, whioh ühoived that tho chureh was m ofW to tho extent of about £¿40 The Rei Ö M'lnnes, M A , B D , expressed his pleasureiln being present at the opening of the oliurcn n» might bo regarded os tho representativo of M Presbyter) of Sydney, and would expresai u» gratifl ation which, ho was sure, tho PT1^ w onld havo when the oponing of tho ohureh m» reported to them The choir, which waa tra""» by tho agent m charge, rendered some «pec»"
anthems in a most satisfaoiory manner M» Rev Goorgo Grunm's son, tho organist of »a YMCA, officiated at tho organ
CHATSWOOD CONOREGATIONAL CiOTm-T^re was a ki go gathering at Chaton cod on SsturtV. the occasion being the laying of the *»?**" "tone of the new Congregation .1 Church 1»
Rev T Binns, chairman of the Congregational Union presided, and there wero also prefent-'i9 Revs James Buchan (seo OU) Dr B»*J.
W J L Cío«», B A , A J Griffith, M A , M .>. Cocks, MA, 33 T Dtmslan, G *'f°%J*.H Patteion, J Troior, T Adams J HeroM H T Robjohns, MA, and V,' Ç^mte Jones, Messrs It Nott EK Satchell, W Pearse, W E Hawkins, J Riddell, S Brom, W S Buzacotte, T Penfold, nnd U «
Cuthbertson The'edifice, «Ind. » .>«!?££
Anderson streot, is in course of oreot.cn, »f»» fui des gn, built of brick with tower, and cspaW» when completed of VT><>T «iU°*¿Z '?&
turn for 160 Mr G Sydney Jones » » architect, and Mr J J Ho«.».tam, d N«T»
Sydney, the contractor » °^a%, ° r C»
present structura is ¿416 T *"ffl dtn, briefly stated the object of tho if*T*** e. Rev J Buohanmade abatement»s o ham ve ment that led to the erection of Ibejbni ding The Rev Dr Roseby offered a dedin o y prayer^
after which the ?T^TtSX^
tho date, was laid by Mr IE ^,,'dehrtwl of tbooommittos of tho OU, who aUo dourer«
a short address. A collection was then taken np and resulted in the sum of £57 .15s 3d being obtained towards tho £70 required.
CUSTOHS SKizmm.-Tho officers of the Tide Surveyors' Department made a further seizure of cigars on board tho Japanese steamer Omi Maru before that vessel sailed from port. This time tho quantity was 4000, making a total of 9000 from this vessel npou whioh no duty had been paid nor entry passed.
AociD5QSTS CAUSED BY HORSES.-" Kioked by a horse " is the official cause reoordod in tho book« of the Sydney Hospital for the oocurrenco of two looident oases at prosent undor treatment at the itiatitution. Bertie Kelly, the first viotim, was kicked on tho body while handling a horse at a Pyrmont stalle, and suffered a fraoture of the pelvio bone. Yesterday John Bragan, ag*d 36, a carter, living at 431 Cleveland-street, Redfern, was kioked by a horse, and the kiok fractnrod
saveral of his ribs.
SAD SEQUEL TO A DISPUTED WILL OASE. Several weeks ago a protracted will case ooonpitd . the attention of M*. Justice A. H, Simpson, in
willoh Mr«. Mary Bell, widow of the late Captain Alexander Campbell Bell, of Balmain, appliod for probate of the will he had mado in her favour, amounting to a considerable sum. Tbore were three relatives of the deceased, who contested the case, pleading that undue influenco hnd been brought to hear on the testator. A mass of evidence was taken on each sido. The outcomo of the ease, it will be remem- bered, was that Mrs. Bell was granted the neoes rnry administration ia the estate conoorncd Mrs. Boll, "poa whom the severe and prolonged case caused nervous prostration, beotme seriously ill a few days ago, and died at her rcsidonce, Herston, Booth-street, Balmain, and was interred at Rookwood cemetery yesterday afternoon.
A FATAL FALL.-The death of a fl years old - boy named Aloxander Peter Abbott was the sub'
jort of inquiry by the Deputy City Coroner on Saturday. Tho evidenco showed that the child had fallen down tho stairs athis parents'resi- dence, Smith-street, Surry Hills. He was taken to the Sydnoy Hospital, and subsequently wat treated by a medical man at his homo. Ha suo enmbed, however, to injuries to his head and back. A finding of death from accidental cansos waa re
ooided.
SUPPOSED CASK op DROWNINQ.-Ou Saturday afternoon a man named Charles Selmau dis- appeared from Sandringham under oiroumr.Uuuei. whioh lead to tho belief that ho h is boen diowned. It appears that ho was tin tho ocoupntioa of an oyster leaso at Botany, and he risidcd with his brother, Mr. F. Sc'mnn, host proprietor of Sandringham. The leane abuts on Weonoy Buy, a small inlet at B' tany. Selman laft it on Saturday afternoon bel ween 4 and 5 o'clock, in order to proceed to his bl otherV residence. He was in a small sailing boat. The water was rather lumpy, a heavy ea itorly sen tetting in A Bhort time after Selmau sot out a man named John Sergeant saw him in the boat dud speke to him. The Bailing boat w<ta then in Towra Bay. As far ns can be ascertained ( nothing was seen of Selmau afterwards ; but his f* at was found yesterday morning It was bottom up- wards. Senior-constables Joyce and Brown, of fhoNewtown polioe, searched the locality through- out the day, but no tidings of the missing roan
were received.
FATAL BICYCLE ACCIDENIS.-Yesteiday after ' noon a young man named Viotor Banaretos of 36
Oxford-street, was riding his bioyele in company with a friend. On taking the road from the gato to the centre of Centennial Park, Banaretos Kud denly lost control of his mount, and the machine gathering great velocity carried him against a tiee. The rider's head struck the trnnk of the tree, and the collision resulted in a had fracture of the skull. Tue sufferer was conveyed to tho Sydney Hospital, whero ho died last night. A boy named Cecil Hudson also met with a fatal accident when riding a bicycle. The boy was riding, in company with his elder brother, down Regent-street on Saturday. A heavily-laden lorry confronted the two, and when the younger boy awerved to avoid collision his bioyele skidded on a slippery patch on the road an I he fell. Before he could move away, and despite the efforts of tho driver of the lorry, a wheel of tho vehicle passed over the boy's left leg. Mr. B. Byrne, of Drummoyne, conveyed tho sufferer to the Sydney Hospital, whero the injured limb was amputated. The patient, however, suconmbed
corai hours later.
The reception by the Consul for Denmark, in the Australia Hotel on Wednesday, will bo hold between 10 30 a m and 12 30 p m
To-night the protectionist meeting in tho Bligh Division postpom-d last Monfla\ on account of Mr Reid's Town Hall speeeh will bo held at the Royal Sovereign Hotel Mr Lyne is expected to speak
Mr and Mrs Grunow, Gorman Vice-Conaul at Apia, arrived in Sydney by the North German Lloyd 6teiimer Gora yes erdav Ho is staying at the Hotel Metropole, and, in compiny with his wife will sail for "FIJI a week or two hence
A. requisition, containing 500 signatures of electors of Waverley has been presented to Mr Alfred Allen, J F , requesting him to contest the seat for that district at the forthcoming elections
About noon on Saturday a youth named Frederick Shaw, aged 15, residing with his parents at Camp- bell street, St Peters, was engaged cleaning a r »1 liug.michino nt the boot factor) of La-balcstior Brothers Alexandria where he was employed, w hen he got his right baud caught between tho rollers He was taken to Prince Alfred Hospital and admitted It was found necessary to amputate titeo of the fingers of the hand
On Friday evening, at the establishment of Messrs Tohn Macintosh and Sons, w holesale ironmongers, Pitt-atreet, Mr W L tisaon was presented by his fellow employees with an address and a silver monnted walking cane, suitably inscribed, to mark their eateem of the recipient, who is severing his
connection with the firm
The recent session of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows was mode the occasion of a representa- tive gathering when the Grand Munter, Mr Moon, nudo a presentation to Mr A VV Sommerville, the District Master, also president of the Balmain United Friendly bocietiea' dispensary, of a handsome marble clock, wbieh bore an inscribed silver plate in which mention was made of the valuable service« he had rendered to tho order m Balmain and also in the Grand Lodge
We are requested to state that Mrs Pearson is un- able to issue any more invitations to the garden parties to be held at Admiralty House on the 10th
and 21st instant
At the monthly meeting of the Horticultural Society held at the Temnerance Hall Mr Hamilton read a paper upon *' Gardeners and Gardening," Which provoked a lengthy discussion
On Saturday afternoon ex-Alderman Henry Cooke, of Rockdale died at the Prince Alfred Hospital rather suddenlv It appears that after his breakfast at his residence in Cario street, Rockdale, on Satur- day morning, be had a fit of coughing whioh seemed te havo caused internal hemorrhage Dr James M'Leod, of Rockdale, waa at once sent for and ordered the deceased gentleman to bo removed to tbo hospital to undergo au operation, but it was not long after his admission thero that be expired.
There waa a large gathering at the Dundas Town Hill on Saturday evening, ntiout 200 being ÈreBBut, when Mr G Spurway, an old resident of
nndaa (who is about to leave the district for Orange), was tendered a social evonmg.
The 100 Yards Championship of the Randwick and Coogee Clubs waa on Saturday won by Kong Jing, tho Clovoland-etreot schoolbiy, who is also .ho All Schools' champion of the colony.
Whilst shooting at the Randwick Range on Satur- day Private Shaw, of tho National Guarda, had a curious experience He waa Snug his third shot »hen his gun burst just above tho upper band, bat he recoived no injury
Two brothers, Albert and M Oheenev, were as taolted and robbed in Newtown on Saturday night ?They did not receive serious injuries, but the jewel- lery and a sum of money in thoir possession wero
Earing the voyage of the steamer Nnirnihira from Melbourne John Ward, a fireman, fell down a gang war on bsard, and received a compound fracture of ¡ns lett leg besides other injuries On the arrival of ¡ho vessel at Sydney on Saturday the Civil Ambu «nea Brigade conveyed Ward to the Sydney Hos-
pital