WELLINGTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3074, 4 May 1881, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

.v .;.•..■•'.* /,,/■ . May 4

i At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, two publicans were charged with Sunday trading. The evidence went to show that spirits were supplied to a little boy :for a sick lady. Hie Worship said that the only comfort he felt in having to inflict a penalty on an offender in a case of this kind was the fact that the public mind would be so directed to the ridiculousness of the law on tfeis subject as to induce people to force on Parliament an amendment of the law. He thoroughly approved a restriction of Sunday traffic, but as the law stood at present publicans were debarred, not only from selling liquor on Sunday in cases of emergency, such as sickness or accident,' but alto from giving it away. The minimum fine was inflicted. ' :

A. largely attended public meeting was held last night for the purpose of discussing the best manner of recognising the services rendered by Mr J. H. Shaw, who had instituted and prosecuted the recent enquiry into the mismanagement of the, Wellington Asylum. The Mayor occupied the chair, and in opening the meeting referred in highly eulogistic terms to Mr Shaw, to whom ;he (the Mayor) thought the thanks of the colony were due. He was also of opinion that the Coramitsioners had done their painful duty in a most impartial manner. He strongly condemned the doctor and the inspector. Other speakers followed in a similar strain. The following resolution, proposed by Mr W. H. Levin, M.H.R., and seconded by Mr W. Sievwright, solicitor, was carried :— " That the thanks of the colonists of New Zealand are due to Mr J. H. Shaw, barrister-at-! law. for his conduct in connection with the recent enquiry into the management of Mount View Asylum, at Wellington, and for the important and valuable services rendered by him in the public interest; also to such other persons as have in any special manner aided Mr Shaw in the prosecution of the enquiry, and that the services so rendered ought to be recognised in tangible form." A committee was appointed for the purpose of inviting subscriptions throughout the colony and of applying the money received (1) to the extent of 75 per cent in making Mr J. Shaw a presentation of plate or other suitable gift, and (2) to the extent of 25 per cent, in making presentations to other persons who have aided Mr Shaw.

Mr R. W. Carey, the well-known theatrical agent, has purchased from Mr J. C. Williamson the sole right to represent Gilbert and Sullivan's opera the •'Pirates of Penzance " in New Zealand.