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Evening Star, Issue 3251, 22 July 1873, Page 2

At Napier, on Tuesday last, a man named James Lawton was committed for trial on a charge of throwing a glass in an Orangeman’s face, who, when drinking to a toast, coupled the names of King William and the Pope, - The fining of an old offender, named Mary Jarvey, in the sura of 40s, with the option of fourteen days’ imprisonment, for drunkenness, was the only business transacted at the City Police Court this morning. Messrs Brown and Black were the presiding justices. It is rumored in financial circles in London that Mr Alexander Brogden, M.P., of the firm of Messrs John Brogden and Sons, railway contractors and colliery owners, joins the board of the National Bank of New Zealand, in Tjhich case the extensive transactions of that firm in all parts of the world would, as a matter of course, flow through this institution. It is stated by an English law paper that on the passing of Lord Se I borne’s Judicature Bill, Sir George Jcssell will be made Master of the Rolls, and Mr Watson Williams will receive the appointment of Solicitor-General. Sir George will be the first Jew who has ever held a judicial seat in England ; and Mr Williams is a brother of the present Registrar-General of Law in this Colony. The Zanga has arrived at Auckland after a long passage in a leaky state, with a damaged cargo. Ker bills of lading were signed by a master who did not come out in her, and now that the consignees are bringing actions against the ship, the Auckland Star says “ The defence set up of course is that this captain did not sign the bills of lading in Liverpool, and we are ashamed that such a case should ever have disgraced our law courts. It may or may not be law that such a ruse should give exemption from honest liability, but if it is law, it is certainly also rascality.” A Mr Vincent, in Auckland, lately discovered that some wretch had deliberately gone round every plant and shrub in his garden and sprinkled them with vitriol, deluging also the verandah. But worse still, his little daughter, in coining from school, and when near home, was sprinkled with vitriol, though the child did not observe by whom it was thrown. Ber clothing was burned into holes, and it was a mercy she did not lose her eyesight. The offence has been prompted, it is thought, by a suspicion that Mr Vincent was the writer of a letter in the papers which caused the routing out of some objectionable neighbors—a suspicion which was quite unfounded.

The Private Petitions Committee have reported on several petitions presented to the Provincial Council. On the petition of Nicholas Maloney and other late members of the police force, that the petitioners voluntarily resigned their situation, and therefore they could not recommend any interference with Executive action in the matter. On the petition of Mr J. Bruce, that the petitioner should be recouped L 23 5s lOd. On the petition of W. R. Douglas, that the neglect of the Government in notifying to the petitioner its intention to supersede him in the command of the steam dredge justified the petitioner in resisting Captain Thomson’s interference, and that, in the opinion of the committee, the very summary depriving of the petitioner of the command was tantamount to a dismissal from the position he held as master. The committee, therefore, think he is entitled to compensation for five months’ salary, and recommended accordingly. On Mr Fish’s motion re the High School coming on for discussion, the Government will move, as an amendment to it, a series of resolutions which affirm that “it is inexpedient to introduce any material change in the management of the institution, without more consideration than can be given to the matter during the present sitting of the Council; and that, therefore, in order to afford the Executive and Provincial Council ample time to form a satisfactory opinion on the question, it should stand over till next session” ; therefore, that the Government ask to be authorised in the meantime to give effect to the following proposals, viz. Ist, If satisfactory arrangements can be made with the Rector, that the cost of boarding be reduced to L4O per annum. 2nd, To allow boys attending school to travel to and from their homes over any of the railways now, or that may be under the charge of the Provincial Government, free of charge. 3rd, That boys from the country who require to board in town be exempted from the school fees. 4th, That arrangements be made whereby the school will be regularly inspected. Mr Blair, district engineer, has forwarded to the Superintendent a report on the proposed branch railway to connect the Kaitangata coalfield with the main trunk line. Two routes are suggested. The first is proposed to leave the \Jlutbaline near the crossing of the Kaitangata road, and runs in a straight line to the Kaitangata village, thence following the river and sea coast to Coal Point and Roper’s Creek, in the Wangaloa district. The second route leaves the main line at Lovell’s Flat, and keeps on the east side of the Tuakitoto and Kaitangata Lakes to the Kaitangata village, where it merges into route No 1. The distance from the Clutba Railway to Kaitangata village by the first route is four miles, and by the second eight and a quarter, from Kaitangata to the old jetty three and a quarter miles, to the old coal pit four miles, to Coal Point six miles, and to Roper’s Creek six and a half miles, thus making the total length of the first route ten and a half miles, and by the second fourteen and three-fourth miles. The advantages claimed for the longer route are that it s more favo able for railway construction, •pens up more agricultural land, and give* greater accommodation to the coalfield than he shorter one. The cost of construction Mr Blair reckons to be about the same, for although the whole of No. 1 route is through swamp, and a considerable portion of No. 2

is on very easy ground, the latter crosses a '.umiber of spurs and gullies that will bring an its average cost; but as the shorter line embraces all that is at present worked by the coalfield he thinks that the accommodation it •iffords is at least equal to the other. But there is one serious objection to the branch on the east side of the Lakes, namely that it provides no communication between the coalfield and the district south of the Clutha river, including Bulclutba, which alone Mr Plair considers a sufficient reason for the adoption of route No 1, as the trade in that direction is very extensive. Mr Clair then discusses the question whether the line ■hould be made to each mine or should the main branch terminate in a central depot, from which minor iines and tramways would radiate to the various workings, and expresses an emphatic opinion against the former system, which would not only be expensive in construction and working, but would constantly create a difficulty in deciding whether the prospects of the mine requiring a branch warranted the expenditure. For the reasons that the navigation of the Clutha is difficult, and the coal market, as supplied from Kaitangata, extends to Balclutha, Tokomairiro, Tuapeka, Dunedin, and the Taieri, Mr Blair recommends that the terminus should be at Wangaloa. As the traffic on the proposed line will be heavy, and can he worked to the greatest advantage by the ordinary locomotives, and rolling stock, it is recommended that permanent way similar to that used on the main line should be laid down. The estimated cost, including land, is—Route No. 1 L.39,000; No. 2, L 53.875. On the Canterbury branch lines 301bs rails are used, but Mr Blair considers their adoption on this class of line would not compensate the outlay in procuring special rolling stock and the extra expense of working.

The friends of Mr Paterson are invited to attend a meeting at the British Hotel, George street, on Wednesday evening, at eight o’clock. Messrs Sydney James, F. H. Evans, and W. S. Douglas are candidates for re-election as City Auditors.