Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 3265, 7 August 1873, Page 2

Mr J. S. Macfarlanc did not gain his end hy giving Mr M'l.eod L2OO to resign, for he was at the bottom of the poll at the Hay of Islands election. The successful candidate is Mr Williams, who polled 119 votes, and Mr I undon 85, while Mr Macfarlane only secured 30.

Very little business of importance was transacted at the Waste Land Board meeting to-day. Mr Begg, for Mr John Douglas, protested against the sale of certain land at Moeraki to Colonel Kitchener There were some sharp words between die agents of the two persons interested, but the Board decided to confirm the sale.

The following copy of a telegram from the General Government has been handed to us for publication: —Aient-General advises sailing of Allahabad, with 276 souls, in May —details by first mail. The Peter Denny was to sail from Glasgow on 15th June, with 260 adults ; and the Dover Castle from London on the 23rd June. No particulars yet received.”

One of the most attractive bills of the season was presented at the Queen’s Theatre last evening, to a numerous and fashionable audience. The performance commenced with “The Serious Family,” which seems to increase in popularity, and deservedly so ; for in every respect the comedy was a success. The afterpiece was “The Critic,” with Mr Hoskins as Puff, the author. To-night “Camille” will be reproduced, with an alteration in the cast.

This is from the Waikouaiti Herald “We understand that great indignation is *xpres ! :ed both in Dunedin and country sporting circles at what some even go so far a , calling the underhanded manner in which Ihe removal of the disqualification of Robert Reay, the rider of Tambouriui at the last I’uapeka races, was effected. It certainly appears on the face of it that the Committee meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, held on the evening of the Ist inst, at the Empire Hotel, was hastily convened for the special purpose of removing the disqualification ; and, if so, the highest reprobation is due to those who so successfully managed the unmeritorious feat. ”

On the 4th ult. Mr Adamson, the American Consul in Melbourne, in proposing “ the day we celebrate,” at a re-union of Americans, held at bis residence, East Melbourne, said, that “ the centennial aniversary would be ce!e brated at Philadelphia, where tiie declaration of independence was proclaimed, in three .ears, in the summer of that jubilee year a world’s exhibition would be held at Pbilaielphia, on a scale larger than anything of the kind that had yet been attempted. He, iu common with all Americans, hoped that the whole world woald join them in contributing to that exhibition, in order that the citizens of the States might learn by the superiority of others wherein America was deficient. ”

An inquest was held at Lawrence on the 2nd inst. before Mr Stewart on the body of Henry Westcott, a bullock-driver, forty-one years of age. From the evidence, it appeared that in consequence of the inclement weather deceased had camped on the Fwithers Road about four miles from the Junction Motel, having turned bis bullocks out. On being requested by some of his friends to proceed on his journey, he stated he would do so in about two hours time. They lefi him ; but as he did not come after them as he had promised, it was supposed he had v;one to Tapia. On inquiry being made, it was ascertained that he had not gone there. Search was made Lt him, and his body found lying about fifty yards from the main road, A verdict to the effect that the deceoased died from ‘ pulmonary apoplexy, aggravated by exposure,” was returned. He leaves a brother at Moa Flat, and was unmarried. —At Switzer’s, on the 26th inst., an inquiry, touching the death of Humphrey Peters, a surgeon, was held before the disrrict coroner. The verdict returned was that deceased had died from “ heart disease, accelerated by congestion of the membranes of the brain, caused by an overdose of morphia, administered by himself.” Deceased was fifty years of age, a native of Sussex, and leaves a wife and three children totally unprovided for, and had contracted some debts. Owing to a family dispute, he had been living under the assumed name of John M'Crystoll, and was the eldest son of Mr John Peters, who is supposed to be residing at Effingham House, near Brighton, England. At the meeting .of the City Council last night, the newly elected Mayor, Mr Mercer, on taking hia seat, addressed the ( Councillors, all of whom wofe present, as follows “Gentlemen,—ln entering on the duties I have had the honor of being chosen by my fellow-citizens to fill, I feel a little diffident— knowing the responsibility of the position T am now placed in—and in order to maintain the dignity of the office, 1 shall do all that lies in my power to conduct t'.e duties devolving on me by my office in a straightforward and impartial Still, gentlemen, I shall require your assistance and support, knowing I have many shortcomings, until I get sufficiently acquainted with my duties, and that we may - go on pleasantly together, looking carefully after the interests of those we are placed here to serve, and giving careful attention to all matters that may come before us for the advancement and welfare of the City. ” Cr. Walter then made a few remarks to the effect that, on behalf of all the members of the Council, he might promise the most cordial assistance to the Mayor in the discharge of. his duties, and in the maintaining the dignity fy( the position of Mayor of Dunedin.— A letter from thehon. the Minister of Justice was read. Acknowledging the receipt of the petitions from the Corporation of Dunedin and from upwards of 1,(100 citizens and ratepayer?, praying for a repeal of the compulsory rating powers of the Waterworks Company. In it Mr Bathgate stated that ho had obtained leave from the Committee to suppoit the prayer of the petitioners, and bad requested Dr Pollen to present the petitions to the Legislative Qt jiiicd, The i rovincial Secretary wrote stating that instructions had been given for the completion by prison labor of the formation of Cumberland street, between Hanover and St, Andrew ajtracts. —It was unanimously decided to vote the amaty*- of L 7 10a in half payment of the cost of the dividing fence between the Great King street boho,yl Reserve and the Chinamen’s garden.—An invcjoa, to the sum of L 15 19s fid, for the new hose for jthe Fire Brigade, was received" from Messrs Briscoe and Co, A letter was re ceived from that body respectfully declining the vote of L2 i made by the Corporation to provide the members erf jtjie Brigade with boots, as the agjpunt was insufficient, sere

being thirty members. The Mayor, and Crs Barnes and Ramsay were in favor of reconsidering the amount, and the subject was re f erred to the Finance Committee.—On Mr George Munro’s request to be allowed to complete a shed behind his brick building in George street, Cr. Walter remarked that he thought the petitioner had been sufficiently punished, and that it should be granted. It was referred to the Works Committee.—A memorial from ratepayers in Leith Ward, asking for the establishment of a weighbridge near the Water ot Leith bridge, was also referred to the Works Committee ; Cr. Barnes remarking that one of those now in use would have to be removed shortly, being in the way of the railway, when it could be removed to the place desired. A number of cab proprietors forwarded a memorial, praying that a charge of 6d be autho'ised for any distance between town and the Water of Leith, the present high price of feed barely enabling them to keep their horses alive, not to mention themselves and families. Cr. Barnes supported the memo ial, which was referred to the Byelaws Committee. —A letter was received from Mr Geddc-s, complaining of annoyances from Mr Turnbull, the sexton, the latter objecting to admit the carriage of the former on the occasion of a child’s funeral, saying it was not a hearse. Mr Oeddes replied that it was, for the time being, as it contained a body, and on Mr Turnbull’s persisting, could not refrain from calling him “ an old fool,” whereupon the latter clenched his fist and threatened to knock the b brains out of Mr Geddes, who replied, “If you go on in that way, you will get a halter round your neck.” After a discussion as to the admissibility of such a letter, it was referred to the Committee.—The Finance Committee’s report, which showed that payments amounting to L 1,024 Is Id had been made, was adopted, as were also the reports of the Beserves Committee and the Public Works Committee. —The following were appointed as Committees for the ensuing year Public Works—Messrs Woodland, Bamsay, Barnes and Walter. Reserves—the same gentlemen as on the Public Works. Waterworks—Messrs Beeves, Prosser, Walter, and Ramsay. Finance—Messrs Beck, Burt, Prosser, and Reeves. Lighting and Bye-laws—Messrs Beck, Burt, Prosser, and Beeves. Ordinance—Messrs Reeves, Prosser, Walter, and bam say.—ln reply to Mr Prosser, the Mayor intimated that the Town Clerk had been instructed to make an estimate of the damage done by the Waterworks Company in cutting up the streets. The v ayor having left the chair, Cr. Kamsay moved that the salary of the Mayor remain at LoOO, the same amount as last year ; but on‘r. Walter moving as an amendment that, in consequence of the increase in the City revenue, the salary be increased to L4OO, and all the other Councillors being in favor of the latter, Cr. Ramsay withdrew his motion ; the larger amount being carried unanimously. The Mayor, on being informed of the result, expressed his gratitude and his intention to give the citizens full value for the money. —lt was agreed that the Auditors’ salaries be the same as last year,—Mr Prosser asked if anything had been learned recently in connection with the condition of the waterworks. A candidate during the recent elections had stated, on the information of a large shareholder in the Company, that the embankment was liable to be carried away at any moment. The Mayor replied that, if negotiations were renewed between the Corporation and the Company, the fullest inquiries would be instituted into the state of the works ; after which the Council adjourned.