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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2248, 21 July 1870, Page 2

New Pamphlet. —We have received a, pamphlet by Mr Hurst house by the mail from the North.

Political. —tn the event of a feneral election for the Assembly Mr Henry mytbies will contest the representation of the Taieri.

Parliament House.— It is proposed to build new Parliament Houses, in accordance with Mr Ramsey’s plans, adopted the session before last by the Stafford Government. The new buildings will cost L 10,150. Eesident Magistrate’s Court.— The only case set down for hearing this morning was that of Farrow v. Taylor, a charge of assault. The defendant did not appear, and a warrant has been issued for his apprehension.

Flax.— At a meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society on the 16th instant, Dr Hector said a sample of llax, tested since the last meeting, had resulted as follows Maori dressed, the strongest; some samples Manilla next; then Russia, Irish, and machine dressed New Zealand. His testing machinery had been impioved. Dr Hector did not wish this to be taken authentically in aggregate as the strength of Manilla. European samples looking alike varied considerably.

The San Francisco Service.— We find from our American files that nothing of importance has transpired during the past month regarding this line, except that the American Congress has, through its committee of commerce, decided to authorise the Postmaster-General to outer into contract for steam service with Australia. Sixty days’ notice must be given before proposals are accepted. A proviso is attached to the offer, namely, that the Colonial governments shall contribute a like subsidy to the one paid by the American Government. As the latter offers 500,000d015, the whole subsidy will be one million dollars, sufficient to build and maintain a splendid fleet of vessels. Regarding the plans of Messrs Holliday and Jkenham, and Mr Hall of Sydney, the Honolulu Advertiser lias the following “Among the competitors who will tender for the subsidy for the Australian steam line so soon as the bill before Congress becomes law, is the North Pacific Transportation Company, Should this company get the United States subsidy they will build first-class iron screw steamers of 2000 tons, with accommodation for 200 first, 200 second, and 500 third class passengers, with all modern improvements, to steam twelve to thirteen miles per hour. Estimates of the cost of the steamers have been made, and the contract will be issued for building at an early day. The company arc now carry-

ing the mails to Honolulu, under contract with the United State? Government for ten years, which is one-third of the distance towards Australia, and it is reasonable to suppose their chances for the subsidy are at least equal to those of any one else. The Company have steamers that will answer for the through service until the new ones are built. The .North Pacilic Transportation Company have arranged to make close connections with Mr Mali’s steamers at Honolulu, and wi'l, if required, place on the route from Honolulu to Sydney, steamers better adapted for the service, 'this Company is a wealthy Californian organisation owning some sixteen steamers, and their ability to carry ont any ■ engagement into which they enter is undoubted.”

Oa.ua.ru Dock.—We (Oamnnt Times) have been favored with a sight of the plans and specifications of the proposed Dock works. The plans are admirably drawn, and the details are remarkable for simplicity of design. The chief works of protection consist of two long walls—one to the northward of the proposed Dock entrance, 1,000 feet long, staiting from low-water mark, nearly opposite the mouth of the Brewery lagoon, and running due south-east ; the other starting from the Cape, at the old jetty, and taking in the portion of the jetty still standing, running about north-west for 800 feet, towards the other wall, but slightly to the eastward of a line drawn along the north wall to the Capf. The distance ho tween the ends of the two walls will bo about 1,500 feet. The Dock entrance will be formed by a short curved wall to the southward of the north avail, with an opening of 100 feet wide, gradually narrowing to 40 feet. A pair of Dock gates, opening inwards, are to he put a short distance from the lagoon. Leaving this part of the work for a time, and returning to the south wall from tne Cape, it will be remembered that a number of piles are still standing of the old jetty ; these will be straightened, and so arranged as to form a frame work, 12 feet wide at the top, to receive concrete. The sea wall will thus, for a length of 227 feet, f allow the old jetty lixc ; it will then he carried out 8 feet wider—viz., 20 feet—and with perpendicular sides from top to bottom for the remainder of the distance —5/3 feet. The blocks of which the walls will be composed will he formed in iron caissons made in four parts, and these blocks or sections will each add 9 feet to the length of the wall, and weigh 250 to 303 tons, so that there is little chance of their being washed away. A. day will suffice, in fine weather, to fill in one of these caissons with concrete and fix ic in its place—everything being prepared beforehand, and delivered by a tramwav along the top of the wall as it proceeds. The concrete will consist of one part of cement and one part of sand, to six parts of shingle, part being j broken into angular pieces by a machine, and part left whole. At the dock entrance there will he Bft of water at lou water, and at the end of the south wall 15ft, so that inside of the latter, vessels of considerable tonnage could find temporary shelter, and if a quick means of discharging and loading them could be devised, this alone would he a great boon to the place, and might be in operation within twelve months. Wo sincerely trust that now after so much labor and time have been expended in bringing the scheme to a practical issue, no further delay will take place in calling for tenders, and proceeding at all events with the first part of the work. Air M‘Gregor is evidently well able to cope with the practical difficulties, and we believe his design to be thoroughly sound. The tenders will be issued in three parts, viz., (1) for the north wall; (2) for the Dock entrance ; and (3) for the south wallwith the right to accept the whole or any portion ; and wo believe the first portion proceeded with will be No. 3—the wall from the Cape—as that will give immediate protection to the inner corner of the bay, as well as tend to the safety of the north wall and Dock entrance when they are built.