Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 22 October 1887, page 11


NEWS OF THE DAY.

OUR cablegrams this morning announce the death of the Hon. Beresford Hope. From "Men of the Time" we take the following account:— "Hope, Alexander James Beresford Beresford, M.P., LL.D., youngest son of the late Thomas Hope, Esq., of Deepdene, Surrey (author of 'Anastasius '), by Louisa Beresford, daughter of Lord Decies, Archbishop of Tuam, who married as her second husband the late Viscount Beresford, G.C.B., born in 1820, was educated at Harrow and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1841. He was one of the earliest members and president of the Cambridge Camden (afterwards the Ecclesiological) Society, and has taken an active part in the Church movement, and in artistic and architectural questions, as an avowed partisan of the Gothic side. He purchased in 1844 the ancient buildings of St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, as a college for missionary clergy, and was president of the Royal Insti-tute of British Architects from 1865 to 1867. He was one of the members for Maidstone from 1841 till 1852, when he retired, but was re-elected for that borough in March, 1857. In 1859 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the University of Cam-

bridge, was defeated at Stoke-upon-Trent in 1862,

and was elected for that borough in July, 1865. In 1868 he was elected for the University of Cambridge, which he still represents. He has always acted as an independent Conservative. In 1880 he was sworn a member of the Privy Council. In 1881 the University of Dublin conferred on him the honorary degree of LL.D. Mr. Beresford Hope is the author of " Letters on Church Matters, by D. C. L." ; " The English Cathedral of the 'Nineteenth Century ' " ; " Worship in the Church of England," 1874 ; " Strictly Tied-up," a novel, 1880 ; " The Brandreths," a novel, 1882; and of numerous pamphlets, papers, and articles, and is the proprietor of the Saturday Review. He married in 1842 the Lady Mildred Cecil, daughter of James, second Marquis of Salisbury.

THE mails per P. and O. Company's steamer Thames, dated London 16th September, will be due here on Monday next, in time for delivery to boxholders and from the delivery windows at the General Post Office about 9 a.m., per city carriers at 11.30 a.m., and per suburban carriers at 2 p.m.

Sir John Hall, a former Premier of New Zealand, had an interview with Sir Henry Parkes yesterday. He informed the Colonial Secretary that his visit here was made in a strictly private capacity, but he had called upon Sir Henry at the request of the Premier of New Zealand for the purpose of bringing two matters of some importance under his consideration. In the first place, he was anxious to know Sir Henry's views regard-ing the conference on Post Office matters about to be held at Adelaide. Sir Henry informed Sir John Hall that this colony would be represented at the conference, and that he thought it would be well if the Government of New Zealand had a representative there also. Sir John Hall said it would be very inconvenient for New Zealand to send a representative to the con-ference next month. The Premier, in reply, said he thought it would be well if, in view of the mainten-ance of friendly intercourse between the colonies, one of the members of the New Zealand Government were to attend the conference. Sir John also desired to ascertain the opinion of the Premier as to the renewal of the

contract for the Pacific Mail Service, and in the event

of New South Wales being disposed, to unite in such a service, whether the colony would join in the Canadian, or adhere to the old service across the United States. The Premier replied that, so far from objecting to the proposed new route, the Government would be prepared to give the most favourable consider-ation to any means of transit which would secure the speediest carriage of mails from England to Australia.

From a return prepared for the Minister for Works it appears that to the recent heavy weather that we have experienced is to be attributed a large proportion of the additional outlay that has lately been incurred in the maintenance of the railways of the colony. A number of men engaged in what are called " flying gangs " are rendered necessary owing to the slips from the rains. In the Southern district these men number 86, in the Western district 111, 88 of whom are em-ployed on the Mudgee line, and on the Northern line 13. The wages of these men amount to about £16,000 a year, and more than half of this amount is caused by the expenditure on the Mudgee line.

MR. CARRUTHERS, M.L.A., has received a letter from the Department of Railways, stating that in the next time-table for the Illawarra line a train will be arranged for to leave Sydney at 4.45 p.m. The train formerly leaving Redfern at 12.5 p.m. has been altered

to 12.20 p.m. on Saturday. These trains will be con-venient to those in the Civil Service and other employ-ments where work ceases at 4.30 p.m. daily or 12 noon on Saturdays.

The Mayor (Mr. A. J. Riley) received a letter from the Minister for Public Works yesterday in reference to the city water supply. In consequence of the leakage discovered in the Nepean main during the week, the Minister, advised by the Engineer of Forts and Har-bours, requests the Mayor not to have the engines at Botany dismantled, as until the pipes are repaired only 5,000,000 gallons of water will be allowed to pass through every day ; and furthermore, because there is always a liability to accident in the case of new works. It may be stated that the engines at Botany have not been

dismantled, and that there never was expressed any intention to interfere with them. This matter would have to be decided by the council, by whom it has not yet been considered. Probably it will come before the council at its meeting on Tuesday next.

The Minister for Public Works (Mr. Sutherland) yesterday informed a deputation from a public meeting held at Redfern the other evening, in reference to the manufacture of railway rolling stock within the colony, that the Government had not come to any decision in the matter, and could not do so until the resolution on the business paper of the Legislative Assembly to the effect that the Government should immediately accept the tender of one of the colonial firms for the locomotives now

required was disposed of. In reply to a deputation from the people interested in the construction of a line of railway from Bowral to Robertson, Mr. Sutherland promised to send an officer of the department to the district with a view of ascertaining if the claims ad-vanced by the deputation were justifiable.

One of the alterations at the General Post Office consequent on the changes, in occupying the new portion of the building is the removal of the parcels post business from the temporary ofice hitherto used in George-street. The business will be carried on, until a special apartment is provided, in the office lately occu-pied by the registered letter branch in the northern arcade. Any further change will, of course, be duly announced.

HIS Honor the Chief Justice, having returned from Circuit, sat in the Divorce Jurisdiction yesterday, and disposed of a number of cases, in which the applica-tions were for the most part for the settlement of issues and fixing the dates for trial . Mr. Justice Stephen reached Sydney on Tuesday, after completing the busi-ness of the Northern Circuit, and dealt with the Chamber business brought before him yesterday morn-ing. His Honor Mr. Justice Owen (Primary Judge)

will be sworn in on Monday, at 10 o'clock, and will proceed immediately afterwards with the hearing of Equity business.

H.M.S. LIZARD, which has just been commissioned for service on the Australian station, is one of the later additions to the navy, and should prove a valuable acquisition to the strength of the fleet in these waters. The Lizard is described as a composite gunboat of 670 tons, carries six of the modern guns, and has engines of 1000 horse-power. It is said that she has a speed of between 13 and 14 knots, which is greater than that of any of the ships at present on the station, with the exception of the Nelson.

THE shooting in connection with the annual meeting of the New South Wales Rifle Association was con-tinued yesterday at the Paddington Rifle Range, when, the weather was everything that could be desired even, by the most particular of riflemen. The highest prize in the third stage of the Queen's Match was won by Lieutenant Morley, with a score of 68. Last year it was 67. The Challenge Bugle was won by a team of ten selected from the First Regiment, and the Colonel of the Regiment, who took part in the firing as an individual member of the team, had the honour of making the top score of 61, the total score made by the winning men being 547. 198 marksman entered for the Members' Match, the chief prize of which fell to the prowess of Colour-Sergeant Strong, with a score of 64 ; while Mr. William Stanley Hall headed the Civilians, and carried off the first prize allotted to them with 59 points, which is a higher score by two than was made by the winner of the same prize last year. The aggre-gate scores of the first, second, and third stages of the Queen's Prize being made up, showed A. B. Grant, of the Naval Brigade, to be the champion shot of the week with a score of 188, which was one above, the highest aggregate score of last year. In addition to the honour, Mr. Grant obtains the money prize of £20, the silver medal of the N. R. A., and the £5 trophy presented by Major-General Richardson. During the day the executive committee made full inquiry into the protest entered by the Naval Brigade and Newington College Cadets, against the team of the V. A. being awarded the first prize in the Hixon Trophy contest on the ground that one of the scoring cards had been improperly manipulated, and the figures so altered as to be increased by 19. The protest was allowed, and the V. A. team (No. 3 Battery) was disqualified as to that par-ticular match. This brings the team of the Naval Brigade forwards as the winner of the first prize, and changes the positions of the other winners, while it also brings the team of the 2nd Regiment in for sixth prize. It is said that other and still more stringent steps will be taken against the V. A. team in question. The rifle meeting will be brought to a close to-day by a number of interesting matches, full particulars of which will be found in connection with our report of yesterday's proceedings, in another part of this issue.

It will be soon from an advertisement in this morn-ing's issue that the committee of the Prince Alfred Hospital, having instituted a course of lectures on invalid cookery for the benefit of the nurses trained in the institution, have determined to make them also available to nurses of other institutions and to ladies. This measure fills a want long felt by nurses, who, however well trained in bedside work, have hitherto had no knowledge imparted to them of this important branch of their duties. It is perhaps of comparatively small importance to them in hospitals, where the food is cooked in the central kitchen, but when engaged in private nursing a full knowledge of invalid cookery is essential to the welfare and comfort of the patient. The same knowledge cannot but prove of the greatest use to those who accept the position of nurse or matron in country hospitals. We understand that the expense of initiating and carrying out the scheme has been con-siderable, but by fixing the scale of charges as low as possible, it is hoped that many beyond the walls of the hospital will be able to take advantage of it.

We have been shown a plan of the lavatories which Mr. Jones proposes should be placed in various parts of the city, and they appear to be well arranged for the purpose. He suggests that they should be placed at the following points :— Two on the Circular Quay, and one at each of the following places :— At the corner of George and Druitt streets, at the foot of Erskine street, in George-street near the railway station, at the corner of Harris and Union streets, at the top of William-street, near the Domain gates, at the Hay-market, at the corner of Market and George streets, at the corner of Bay and George streets, and at the corner of Regent and Cleveland streets.

The letter of our American correspondent, which appears in another column, deals with the political ex-citement over the succession to the Presidency, and then proceeds to speak of the most pressing issue of moment, the financial situation. Interesting reference is roads to some colossal mercantile transactions. The centennial of the Constitution was celebrated at

Philadelphia in an imposing manner, and in New York the first celebration of the new political holiday known as " Labour Day " was observed. Amongst the other topics touched upon are the syndicate bank for con-trolling the finances of China, and theatrical gossip.

THE foundation-stone of the King's School Chapel, Parramatta, was laid by Lady Carrington yesterday afternoon, in the presence of his Excellency the Governor, the Primate, and a large number of spec-tator. Subsequently, two addresses, a purse of sove-reigns, and an oil painting of himself were presented to the late headmaster of the school, the Rev. Cr. F.

Macarthur, who was represented by the Ven. Arach-deacon Gunther, as he found it impossible to be present. An account of the proceedings, which were of a very interesting nature, appears elsewhere.

THE Mayor of Sydney called a meeting of the com-mittee appointed by the City Council last year to inquire into the system of bookkeeping and auditing the accounts of the Corporation for yesterday afternoon, but owing to the want of a quorum the meeting could not be held. The only members of the committee who attended were the Mayor (Alderman A. J. Riley, M.L.A) and Aldermen Meeks and Palmer. As we have already stated, this committee made a good beginning last year and discovered that the accounts of the Corporation were very imperfectly kept, but through this irregular attendance of the members of the com-mittee only four meetings were held, the numerous other meetings called having lapsed for want of a quorum. Since the frauds in the department of the city surveyor were brought to light, the Mayor decided to make another effort to bring the committee together, and a meeting was held last week, when two officers of the Corporation were examined. The examination was to have been continued yesterday, but as pointed out there was no quorum.

THE committee of the Queen's Fund, Town Hall, met on Friday,, 21st October, to make arrangements for the Mayoress's Fete, to be held in the Exhibition buildings on 9th of November. The fete will be duly

advertised.

THE adjourned meeting of the Institute of Architects of New South Wales, to complete the bylaws referring to professional charges, was held on Thursday. Pre-sent — The president, Mr. Thos. Rowe; vice-president, Mr. John Sulman; hon. treasurer, Mr. Jas. McDonald; secretary, Mr. Fletcher Watson ; and the following fellows — Messrs. Vernon, Wardell, Ransom, Davey, Coward, Herbert Wardell, Blacket, Kemmiss, Pritchard, Horbury Hunt, Goodchap, Jackson, and Edwards. Messrs. Roskell, Drake, Walcot, Myers, and Spencer were admitted follows, Mr. George Massey an honorary member, and Mr. L. L. Ramsay an associate of the institute. Mr. W. W. Wardell announced

that he had resigned the hon. secretaryship of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and that Mr. John Sulman (vice-president of the institute) and Mr. W. L. Vernon had been appointed joint hon, secretaries in his place. Mr. Vernon is well known in professional circles in this city, and has been acting as hon. secretary of the R. I. B. A for some time past ; and Mr. Sulman's connection with the institute in London, in which city he practised for many years, renders the appointment all that could be desired, and it is to be hoped will be conducive to a closer union of the local and the British institutes. The completion of bylaw No. 1 having been effected, the meeting terminated.

THE quarterly meeting of the committee of the New South Wales Mission to the Blind was held on Wednesday in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association. The teacher, Mr. H. Prescott, reported that during the quarter ending September 30 he had lent to blind readers 372 volumes of the Moon type and Braille type; he had made 388 visits and travelled 2208 miles. Number of readers, 142 ; persons visited and read to, 81 : total, 223. These numbers added to those furnished in his last report make the total for the nine months of this year as follows :— Volumes, Moon type 826, Braille type 382 ; visits, 1240 ; miles travelled, 5690. On behalf of the ladies' committee of the Industrial Home for Blind Women, at Peter-sham, Mrs. Prescott, the hon, corresponding secretary, reported that during the past quarter two inmates were admitted, making the total 15, who were employed— haltermaking, 3 ; chair caning, 3 ; knitting, 3 ; sewing, 2 ; housework, 1. The sales of work amounted to £14 11s. 6d., or a total for the nine months of £46 114s. 6d. The health of the inmates had upon the whole been good.

ON Wednesdays last the ladies' committee of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held their monthly meeting in the Town Hall. Mrs. A. J. Riley presided. There were present Mesdames Goodlet, Stiles, Wilkinson, Miss Levvy, Miss Allwood, and the hon. secretary, Mr. J. Sidney. Reports were read from the joint hon. secretaries to the Bands of Mercy of the progress the movement was making throughout the colony. A large band, numbering 82 boys and 57 girls, was formed at Newcastle East Public School ; also, two in the Sydney district. The hon. secretary reported a donation from Miss E. C. Walker, and read several letters from pupils acknowledging their prizes for successful essay writing.

AT a largely-attended meeting of the St. Leonards Literary and Debating Society, held in the East St. Leonards Town Hall on Wednesday evening last, the evening was spent in the reading and re-citing of several dramatic selections. Mr. T. G. Brocklehurst, president, was in the chair. Messrs. Cahill, Sommerville, Crowley, Gray, Cater, Paine, and Robey gave the trial scene from "The Merchant of Venice " with much success. Several dramatic read-ings were then given, Messrs. Armstrong, Sommerville, Crowley, Gray, Munroe, and Paine rendering a number of entertaining pieces. A library fund, was started in connection with the society, Mr. Paine being entrusted with the initiatory stops. A vote of thanks having been passed to those members who had con-tributed to the evening's entertainment, the meeting terminated.

THE second quarterly general meeting of the German School Association took place in the new building, 154, Elizabeth-street, on Thursday evening. The president was unavoidably absent in Melbourne and Dr. Max being voted to the chair congratulated the members on the fact of being able to meet in their own building after an existence of only six months. This would prove that the committee had worked with energy and unanimity, and also that the school was filling a want stronglyt felt and strongly supported by the German colonists. But it afforded him very great pleasure indeed to stale that not alone did the number of children of German extraction gradually increase, but that those of English parents were in-creasing at a greater ratio. He hoped that although the present building would comfortably accommodate double the number, after a few years it would prove too small. The hon. treasurer then put the quarterly balance-sheet before the meeting, and pointed out that the troubles inseparable from infantile life were gradually disappearing so that the committee could already think of extending the curriculum. Both reports of treasurer and secretary were unanimously accepted. A motion to instruct the girls in sewing was received with favour, as was also one to erect a lofty shed, with gymnastic appliances, so that the pupils might grow up well-trained colonists in body as well as

in mind.

THE Hebrew Literary and Debating Society held their ordinary meeting last Thursday night at the Synagogue sohoolroom, Castlereagh-street, the vice president, Mr, L. Pulver, in the chair. The Rev. P. Phillipstein read an interesting paper on " Moses Mendelssohn, " dwelling on the great difficulties he had to contend with on his part to knowledge, his poverty, and other hardships, and the great reforms he had been able to accomplish. He mentioned the chief works of the great philosopher, of which the most important were a translation of the Scriptures into German and a commentary on the Bible. He died in 1786 deeply lamented by all classes. The paper was well discussed by Messrs. A. Blashki, D. Aarons, M. Cohen, B.A., L. Mathews, Rev. A. D. Wolinski, P. J. Marks, B.A., and L. Pulver. Votes of thanks were carried to the essayist and the chairman, who announced that at the nest meeting a paper would be read on

" Jewish musicians and their works."

ON Thursday evening an adjourned meeting of dele-gates of friendly societies interested in the proposed church parade in aid of local charities was held in the Assembly Hall, Parramatta. Mr. T. M. Shepherd presided. Letters were received from the Sons of Temperance, declining to take part, " in consequence of the bad feeling shown at the last meeting; " from Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 8, ratifying the action of their delegates in withdrawing from the last meeting ; and from Captain Ferris, stating that the regulations pre-vented the local volunteer corps from taking part in the procession. The chairman stated that he had received a

programme of the united service proposed to be held in the Wesleyan church, and also that he had been informed that the proceeds of the collection would be divided between the Hospital and the Benevolent Society only. Positions in the procession having been drawn for, the meeting adjourned for a week.

ON Thursday afternoon a special meeting of the central committee of the Church of England Tempér-ance Society was held at its rooms to further consider the proposed now constitution for juvenile branches. The Rev. E. C. Beck presided. Each clause was dealt with separately, and the whole were finally passed after some necessary amendment had been made. The pledge to be required from each member is to be binding until he is 21 years of age, and as long after that as he may choose to retain his card of membership. The committee think that the new rules should encourage all parishes in the colony to form juvenile branches, especially in connec-tion with the Sunday schools, and it is hoped that out of them adult branches will grow. A special effort is soon to be made to push forward this movement for tho education of the young people in temperance and its principles.

IN connection with the Hawkesbury River bridge contract dispute, our Peat's Ferry correspondent writes that Messrs. Ryland and Morse's employees are still on strike, and that they are receiving liberal subscriptions from all the men working on the Homebush-Waratah line, as well as from the surrounding inhabitants. They purpose issuing subscription lists, which are to be sent to the heads of the various works of the colony. Two policemen are now stationed at Dangar's Island pro-tecting the "blacklegs." The men are behaving well, and the presence of extra police superintendence is said to be aggravating.

As application having been made by the East St. Leonards Council to the North Shore Gas Company for a reduction in the price of gas, Mr. A. Firth, the secretary, replied that the company, five years back, acquired the North Shore gasworks, with a capital of £46,750, and that they had since expended £25,250 in extending mains, chiefly at the request of the munici-palities, and in view of the fact that any lack of enterprise would tend to retard the progress of the North Shore. Though their average dividends had been only at the rate of 6 per cent, (that of the last half year being 7 per cent) they had, un-solicited, made two reductions in the price charged for lighting. The highest not price charged by the com-pany is 8s. 4d., but the larger part of gas is sold at the net price of 6s. 9d. per thousand, which, so far as the directors were aware, is less than that of any other town in Australia, excepting Sydney, Melbourne, and Newcastle, the last named, not-withstanding its compact population and its ex-ceptional natural advantages, charging only 1d. less. As the condition which chiefly brings about the cheap-ness of gas is a large consumption within a compact area, St. Leonards is not so favourably situated in this respect as many other towns where the price is higher, such as Adelaide. At present the directors did not see their way to make a reduction, but they informed the council that with an increasing consumption they would be able to reduce more rapidly in the future, if the surplus available for this purpose is not needlessly absorbed in unnecessary competition, and gave the assurance that no increases in dividend would

be made until the prices to both private consumers and the public had been reduced.

THE Scots Church (Church-hill) Literary and Mutual Improvement Society met on the evening of the 18th, whon Mr. R. T. Greig occupied the chair. After the routine business was gone through, the chairman called upon Mr. P. D. McCormack, one of the vice-presidents, for an essay, according to the order of syllabus. The essayist at once began, and read a paper on " Books and Reading." The essay was freely commented upon by the members present, and a vote of thanks was accorded to the essayist. A lecture in connection with the society is to be given by the hon. J. Inglis, Minister for Public Instruction, on the 31st instant, in the Scots Church, Church-hill.

THE Newtown Presbyterian Literary Society held their weekly meeting on Wednesday evening, 19th instant, the president (Mr. Mars) in the chair. The business of the evening was entitled " A Night with Inventors." Mr. W. Pierce read a paper on " Bell and the Telephone," and Mr. A. McIntyre on the " Steam Engine." The remainder of the evening was taken up with an impromptu debate on Sir Henry Parkes's financial difficulties, the majority of the members being of opinion that a testimonial should be raised in recognition of the public services of the Premier.

A VERY entertaining reading was given last night by the Rev. Canon Kemmis in the Town Hall, Newtown, in aid of funds for Christ Church, Enmore. It is to be regretted that from some cause the audience was not a large one, as independently of the particular object in view, the reading was of a highly meritorious character. The rev. canon as a lecturer or reader needs but to be once heard to be appreciated, as he was last night in his humorous and pathetic selections.

THE report of the officer in charge of the Rabbit Branch of the Mines Department for the period em-braced in the reports of the rabbit inspectors from the 1st to the 31st August shows that the area inspected comprised 5,221,473 acres, the whole of which was

more or less infested with rabbits. Not less than 908 blocks had been inspected, with the following results:— 122 have been found to be infested, 399 lightly infested, 272 moderately infested, 115 thickly infested, and upon 288 blocks the rabbits were said to be increasing. In addition to the work of inspecting, which involved travelling a distance of 20,202 miles, the inspectors destroyed 2,096,128 rabbit scalps. On a number of pastoral holdings sufficient steps are not being taken to destroy the rabbits, the cause being ascribed to the scarcity of labour. Many of the men who are generally employed on the work are engaged in the shearing sheds. Reports were fre-quent as to the spread of the rabbit post, and the country said to he infested may be described as the whole of the land lying to the west of Albury on the Victorian border, and Barrungun on the Queensland border. From the 31st January last to the 31st August the inspectors had destroyed not less than 10,538,778 rabbit scalps.

" A PATIENT " writes a second letter condemnatory of the action of the authorities in allowing firing at the rear of the Sydney Hospital. The writer says that firing commenced shortly before 8 and

did not cease until after 9 o'clock on Wed-nesday night, the hospital fairly shaking from the result of the frequent reports. He asserts that a peep through the wards on such occasions would show the great amount of unnecessary misery caused by what he characterises as a "most unfeeling and cruel pro-cedure ; " and he trusts that the Premier, as Minister for War, will give orders that gun practice shall be carried out in some more remote locality.

THE South Australian Advertiser gives the follow-ing figures from a Parliamentary return showing the

number of Chinese who arrived in and left the

Northern Territory during each quarter since June 30, 1880, as follows :— Quarter ended September 30, 1886, 59 arrived and 48 left ; December quarter, 1886, 134 arrived and 77 left; March quarter, 1887, 155 arrived and 19 left; June quarter, 1887, 1012 arrived and 37 left; September quarter, 1887, 560 arrived and 72 left. The total number that arrived during those five quarters was therefore 1920, and the number that left 258.

INTERSESSION has been made with the authorities on behalf of the convict Newman, now under sentence in Darlinghurst in connection with the Mount Rennie outrage, to have his irons taken off, in consequence of the affidavits that have recently been presented to his Excellency the Governor testifying to his innocence. One part of his sentence is that he shall be for the first three years of his imprisonment in irons. In consequence of the absence of Judge Windeyer in England, the authorities decline to accede to the re-quest, such a course not being usual until the report of the Judge who sentenced the prisoner is received. In consequence, however, of the representations of several persons who are firmly convinced of Newman's in-nocence (among them being the Rev. Mr. Rich, chaplain of Darlinghurst), the convict's irons have been ex-changed for lighter ones than those he has worn during

his incarceration.

THE following cases were treated at the Sydney Hospital yesterday :— Henry Wood, cabman, residing in Union-road, Paddington, was brought to the hos-pital suffering from great prostration. It was stated that he was seized with griping pains after eating a pie. He was admitted for observation. While John Gordon, wharf labourer, was working on board the Erota (s.), yesterday morning, he fell a distance of about 15ft., striking the right side of his head. He suffered a fracture of the base of the skull, and was

rendered unconscious. A hairdresser named Wright, residing at 401, Crown-street, was injured yesterday while cleaning a loaded revolver. The weapon went off, and the bullet, entering his left hand, caused a fracture of the first finger. A schoolboy, named George Hookley, residing at No. 10, Turner-street, Redfern, was admitted suffering from injuries to the head caused by being knocked down and run over by a cart

near his home.

At about 4 p.m. yesterday a man named Charles Reid Martin, 62 years of age, was found hanging by the neck from a bedpost at his residence, Simmons-street, Enmore. It appears that at 9 a.m, his daughter left the house in order to go out to her work, and that on returning twice during the early part of the day she found the house locked up. On going back at about 4 o'clock, she again noticed that all the doors were securely fastened. She shortly afterwards succeeded in effecting an entrance, and then came across the body of her father suspended in his room. Without any delay she communicated with the police, who took the body down and had it examined by a doctor. From the appearance of the body it was concluded that death had taken place a few hours previously. The matter has been reported to the Coroner, and an inquest will be

held.

In another column will be found a report dealing with the present condition of our Sydney theatres, more particularly as regards their safety in the event of a panic arising amongst the audience. Each theatre is dealt with in detail, and the various regular and escape exits provided are described, as well as the precautions adopted to prevent an outbreak of fire.

At 4 o'clock this afternoon Cardinal Moran will open a fancy fair in the new wing of St. Vincent's Hospital in the presence of the Mayoress and Admiral and Lady Fairfax. A large quantity of fancy work will be offered, for sale, and good music will be provided. The proceeds of the undertaking aro to be applied to the purpose of furnish-ing the new wing of the institution.

We are informed by Mr. Evan Jones, of Hunter-street, that instead of the second-class award received by him for silversmiths' work at the Adelaide Exhibition, he has on appeal received a first-class award.

The annual picnic of the officers of the Corporation will be held to-day, at Chowder Bay. T he Mayor (Alderman A. J. Riley) will be present.

IN the account of a meeting held at Parramatta on Thursday evening to express sympathy with Sir Henry Parkes, and which was published in yesterday's Herald, a slight inaccuracy occurred. It was stated that Mr. W. W. Bodenham and the Mayor were appointed secretaries, and Mr. W. R. Murray and Mr. W J. Stephenson treasurers, when the two former were appointed treasurers, and the

latter secretaries.

The following is the order of service at St. Andrew's Cathedral on Sunday next:— Morning, 11: To Deum, Thorne in C ; anthem, " I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills" (Whitfield), "Evening, 3.15: Magnificat, Hopkins in F; anthem, "King all glorious" (Barnby).