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Evening Star, Issue 3572, 4 August 1874, Page 2

In all commercial ciii s foot passengers are subjected to inconvenience through having to turn aside to allow drays to be loaded at the warehouses. Th’y generally very patiently submit to this, because intert stod in forwarding trade, and adding to the wealth of the place. But that is no reason why their patierce should be abus.’d through the footpath crossings being interrupted during a longer time than is necessary. This morning supplied us with an instance sho wing how necessary it is that a strict rule should he enforced requiring carts to be moved as soon as they are loaded. A carter had received his load, cr had backed his loaded dray for delivery of goods, the warehouse door being closed and no one attending to him. Be very deliberately fed his horse white thus interrupting the footpath, and every foot passenger had to turn aside into the muddy street to suit the convenience of the man and his horse. This is no uncommon occurrence, and should be looked to. The footpaths are not remarkable for qiedestrian comfort, but the roads are simply abominable.

Mr John Edward Dennistou was this day admitted and enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. The ‘ Tuapeka Times’ of the Ist instant says -‘'the result of the experiment of putting Hospital subscription boxes on the line of railway has so far proved successful. The two boxes on Mr Goodfedow’s contract were opened yesterday, and although thoy were only recently placed there, they were found to contain on examination the handsome sum of L 7 6s 9d.” The want of accommodation for witnesses attending the Kesidcnt■Magistrate’s Court was to-day brought under the notice of the Bench. The usual application that “ail witnesses be ordered out of Court” having been made by counsel in the case of Outred v. Hyman, one of the number stood up and asked if thoy were to be subjected to the wind and cold. His Worship mentioned that they must retire, and Mr Harris suggested to tiie witness the advisability of adjourning to the nearest public-house. A small retiring-room for witnesses is much needed. “Jessie Brown; or, the Belief of Lucknow,” was played at the Princess’s last evening, to a numerous audience. Mrs Waiter Hill, as the heroine, enacted the part very satisfactorily, and it was a true womanly impersonation. Jt is only necessary to state that Mr Steele appeared as the Nana Sahib, to guarantee that the representation of the character was a success. Messrs Min-grave, Keogh, and Hooper were good in their respective parts. Mr Love is entitled to mention for his rendering of Sweeuey, the Irish soldier. The entertainment concluded with the farce of “The Absent Man.” (( Lpcrezia Borgia’’ will bo produced tonight, Messrs C, S, Reeves, M, P.C., Duncan, S. James, and Giendining this morning waited upon his Honor the Deputy-Superin-tendent, Daptain Loyd, with a view of having soaie alterations made in the position of one of the gates leading to the Botanical Garden. The deputation consisted of residents from the North-East Valley, and their object was to get the gate of the gardens on the Upoho side removed lower down, U} order that the inhabitants might more readily get to town ; and also so thst those people visiting the grounds for pleasure or recreation on Sundays and other days might get exit on to the hard metal rokds leading ou to the Town Belt, Signal Hill, and adjacent townships. His Honor sug-

gested that the gate might be brought from 100 to 150 yards lower down ; and the suggestion was favorably entertained.

The Harbor Board met at the Provincial Council Library to-day at three o’clock ; present, Messrs K. Ramsay (in the chair), M‘Dermid, M‘Neil, Neill,Tewsiey,Thomson, and Stout (solicitor to the Board.) Several letters were opened and minuted as received. Mr K. Ramsay, having been elected Mayor, resigned his position as an elective member. His resignation was received. The Finance Committee reported, and the report was adopted, but uo resolutions based upon it were arrived at prior to our reporter finding it necessary to leave the room to save this evening’s press.

Considering the very unfavorable weather there was a largo attend ;nee at the Queen’s Theatre last evening, when the Californian Minstrels presented their third programme. A duet by Messrs Amery and Mavor was well rendered, though both were suffering from hoarseness ; an I a cavatina from “Montana,'’ by Mr Amery, was deservedly applauded. Messrs Sutton and Kelly’s double rong and dance was heartily redemanded, and the jokes by the Minstrels seemed to take thoroughly. The various farces caused much merriment, a sparring match fairly taking the house by storm. The same programme will be given this evening. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mornington Mutual Improvement Society was held in the District Hall on Monday evening. The President (Mr Russell) occupied the chair, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the attendance of members was good. Mr Barr proposed, " That it is desirable that females having the necessary qualifi ation should be a lowed the right of having a vote in the Legislation the country after which an animated and well-conducted discussion ensued. An amendment was proposed to the effect. “ That the proper sphere of woman is at home, administering to the comforts of her fsmily but after discussion the amendment was put and negatived, and the original motion shared a similar fate. Thy programme for the next meeting, on the 17th inst., consists of readings, &c. A deputation from the Otago Institute, consisting of Messrs J, T. Thomson, R. Gillies and A. Bathgate, to-day waited upon th; Deputy Sup rinteudeut, suggesting bhe advisability of having the new Museum building placed as close to the centre of the town as was possible. It was to the interest f the Institute that this should ba done, so that the specimen from the Museum miyht easily be pla ed before the Institute. Capt. Boyd said that he had held some communication with the Superintendent on the subject, but as yet had received no reply. It was mentioned that the land on which were the Chinamen’s gardens in Great King street would be made available by the Cotnovation if such were the wish of the Government. Mr Gillies mentioned that the Id ( upreme) Court-house buildings could »e made available, but his Honor considered the site too valuable, and it was decided to wait till a reply be received from tbe Superintendent,

The ‘Southland Times’ announces that •‘the Provincial Engineer, Mr Simpson, has irrived with the necessary authority to adjust the hitch interfering with the progress of r,be Western District railways, namely, the (mission of valuations of the properties through which the lines were intended to pass.” The ‘Times’has a horrifying recollection of the numerous incidents which, in days gone by, were made to form the ground if claims for compensation by contractors and others, the Province in all instances b ing the loser. Mr Simpson is to be accompanied in his survey by Mr Lum-den, the Resident Minister, though we (cbe ‘ Times ’) cannot well under*tand the reason for his being selected. It cmnot be ihat of special acquaintance with the matter in band, and consequent peculiar qualitioati n for the work. /?s, however, Mr Simpson will have a practical assistant in Mr Bews, we (‘Times’) trust the valuation will be eff cted with all r-. asonable despatch, and that the contractors will meet with no further hindrance.

Mr Barron addressed the ratepayers of High Ward last night at the Mission House; Mr R. H. Leary in the chair. The caudi’ ditesaid he bad before endeavored to be elected for the Ward, and con idered that he had a claim upon them, and also that a business man should be elected. Ho had come to the conclusion that the City Council was pledged to widen Princes street and he would support the carrying out of the work. He had had a share in initiating the work of harbor improvements, and as the City Council had representative members on the Harbor Board, it was well that they should have Councillors who held healthy views on the question of harbor improvement. As to the Waterworks, it might be necessary to advocate a survey of the reservoir, a thorough examination of the sources of the water, and the establishment of filtering bads in the upper reservoir, by which the citizens would have pure water as well as a plentiful supply. A wealthy Corporation like Dunedin should go into the money market borrow largely, and initiate a system of permanent street formation. If elections were to be contested without cabs the hours for polling should be altered from saven a.m. till nine p, m. He was in favor of getting rid, at elections, ot cabs, paid canvassers, and other objectionable features. The Town Belt question was more a matter for the Provincial Government than the Council, and the ( oad Boards might also be asked to contribute. The City might one day extend its boundaries, and people should be encouraged to reside outside the Town Belt, A vote of confidence was proposed by Mr J. E. Brown, seconded by Mr Henderson, and earned. Mr John Hughes, so long known and respected as chief bailiff of the Magistrate’s Court, and in his successive position as Captain, and latterly branchmau of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, has been appointed superintendent of the Fire Brigade in Auckland. In reference to this matter the ‘New Zealand Herald ’ say's After due consideration, the joint committees of the City Council and Insurance Companies have decided to

ac.ept the application of Mr John Hughes, of Dunedin, for the appointment of superintendent of the Fire Brigade. The terms uuder which he is now offered the office are —twelve months’ appointment, or so long as he shall continue to give satisfaction, with three mouths’ notice to be given after the expiration of the first year. He will be required to form a Volunteer Fire Brigade of not leas than fifty men. These men will he allowed remuneration when at work at fires at the rate of one shilling per hour. He will bo expected to take complete control of the Brigade, and be held accountable for the efficiency of the same. He is also to keep the plant in first-class order and condition, and will be required to devote the whole of his time to the duties appertain ng to the office. We may add that Mr Hughes’s applieation has been accompanied by some very stroug recommendations. It is to be hoped, therefore, that on his receiving the appointment ho will be fouud to be the right man in the right place. We hope that on entering upon bis duties every assistance will be afforded the new superintendent of thw Brigade by those in whose power it will he to do so, ibid that petty jeelousies and party feelings will be flung to the winds, while all will exert themselves in one common cause in preventing the spread of tire on the occasion of any outbreak.” ■

The following items with reference to immigration matters are from the ‘ Bruce Herald “ When the last mail left Home, Mr James Adam was about to set out for Aberdeen and the north of Scotland, where he expected to be successful in securing a goodly number of the right stamp oi emigrants for 'tago. A passenger per the Mairi Bahn informs us that he conversed with Mr Adam on board that vessel on the day of sailing. He then mention:d that he had instructions to procure 200 young women for a clothing factory in Duneiin. He very much regretted, the nature of recent shipments of emigrant s, and had since his arrival thrown back no leas than 300 applications as unsuitable. It is much to be regretted that the agents of the Colony generally have not been equally car ful and conscientious to their trust. The Rev. Mr Barclay, of Hawke’s Bay, who went Home as special Immigration Agent for that Province, and who hj now on the general agency staff of Or Featherstone, recently delivered a lecture in Ayranire, on the subject of New Zealand, with a view to further immigration to this Colony. One of his audience happened to be a former ploughman in the Tokomairiro district, and after the leeturer had finished he rose and asked if there were not a place in New Zealand called Otago : he asked the question as the lecturer had never once mentioned such a place. The questioner continued his inquiries as if in ignorance, and brought out the confession that Otago is the most prosperous portion of the Colony. D o doubt this lecturer, who is supposed to further the cause of immigration to this Colony ia general, is in the habit, as on this occasion, of ignoring Otago and exalting his own favorite Province. Were he employed bv that Province, we could not object to such a course, but, being employed by the Colonial Government, it surely becomes him to act fairly alike to all portions of the Colony.” Mr D. Hutchison met the ratepayers of High Ward at the Mission House, last night; Mr J. E. Brown in the chair. Mr Hatchi son said he had often been asked to represent the Ward, but did not do so, nob having on those occasions the necessary time. He bad retired from business two years ago, and now had the necessary time to devote to the good of the Ward and of the City generally. \s to York place and Dowling street, the cutting was too deep altogether, and he did not wonder at ratepayers complaining of the great amount of money it would take to put their properties right. Eight or ten feet would have been quite sufficient off the street, and a cutting at that depth would have left money for carrying out necessary works in other parts of the Ward. He advocated stops being taken for the cleaning of the upper reservoir of the Waterworks; it was a misfortune that the Engineer had not made provision for scouring it out in the course of afe v hours. As to the Town Bolt, if a few landscape gardeners had been employed, the C 2.000 expended would have paid their wages for many years, and the Corporation could have gone to the Government for prisou labor, and have the Town Belt laid out for next to nothing. Drainage was the most important matter for Councillors to consider, and he was in favor of borrowing money for carrying out drainage works, leaving future generations to pay tbeir share of the burden. He had advocated harbor improvement a great many years ago ; in fact, hchad once taken soundings himself, and was still in favor of improving the harbor. There was a matter which he wished the Dress would take up on behalf of the citizens : the effect of the reclamation going on was to raise above low water the level part of the bead; at the south end of the Town, which was formerly under water at low tide. Now, in reclaiming, efforts should bo made to prevent the exposure of the mud flats at low water, when the sewage was sent into the bay. Mr Milner proposed, and Mr Gregg seconded that Mr Hutchison was a proper person to represent the Ward, which was carried.

A meeting of carpenters and joiners will be held in the Hibernian Hotel to-morrow evening at 7.30. b

A special meeting of the Court Pride of the Leith, A.0.F., will be held to-morrow evening at 8 o’clock.