HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 766, 17 August 1853, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Pensioner Settlements Election. In our last we gave an outline of the proceedings at Onehunga on Friday, when Major Greenwood, Captain Haultain, and John W. C. Bacot, Esq., Staff Surgeon, were nominated as candidates for the Representation of the Pensioner Settlements in the General Assembly. The polling look place on Saturday, and the majority of votes on lh%. gross poll appeared in favour of Major Greenwood and Dr. Racot, who are therefore the elected members. The following arc reported as the numbers at the several Settlements, and in the total.

Onehunga. Greenwood . . ,147 Haultain . . . .81 Bacot . . . .19 Otahuhu. Bacot . . . .66 Greenwood ... 63 Haultain . . . . G Panmure. Haultain . . • .71 Bacot .... 35 ' Greenwood . . . 22 JHowick. Bacot ' . . .140 Greenwood . . .63 Haultain . . . .19 Gross Poll. * Greenwood . • . 293 Bacot .... 279 Haultain . . • .180 New- Government House —Although the latter is not likely to have escaped the inemory of any party immediately interested wit, yet it may not be amiss to mention that Gw noon of this day (Wednesday) will be the latest hour at which the Plans and Estimates tor the proposed Government House are to be received at the Colonial Secretary's Office. As the choice between those sent in is to be determined by the Executive Council (wilh°til, we presume, any necessity to wail for toe Governor's arrival,) we hope a speedy torwarding of the undertaking may be anti'■'paicd. It would obviously be highly desirable in every point of view that the should be at least in an advanced stale towards completion, if not actually completed, whenever a new Governor may arJ’ , f v ® * n l b R Colony ; and now that the report tobpid Lyttelton’s appointment,—like the

various reports of the same kind previously put in circulation —has vanished into thin air, there seems no reason why the accomplishment of this object should be deemed impracticable. Building materials no doubt command a very high price at present; but it may be “penny wise and pound foolish” policy to postpone so important a work wailing for their falling to their former price, —especially when it is considered that the demand in the Australian market, which has been the principal cause of the rise, show’s no symptoms of diminution, but rather the contrary. ’

Mechanics’ Institute. —The Lecture on “The Electric Telegraph” which bad been postponed from Thursday week on account of the inclemency of the weather, was delivered on Monday evening last, in the Hall of the Institute, by Mr. Charles Sanderson. On this occasion the fineness of the evening combined with the attractiveness of the subject to ensure a large attendance, and the Hall was crowded from end to end, many being unable to obtain seals. The Lecturer, after a rapid review of the means by which signals and telegraphic communications were attempted in former limes, proceeded to explain at more length the scientific factsonwhich theElectricTelegraph is founded, and the mode in which its apparently marvellous effects are produced. He had prepared a number of models to illustrate hisslalemenls; but, in consequence of the difficulty, or impossibility in one or two instances, of obtaining here materials of the description best suited to the purpose, theaclual working was not as successful as could be desired. The models displayed much ingenuity, and it was evident that Mr. Sanderson had brought skill, industry, and zeal to his undertaking. The applause of the crowded audience at the conclusions testified that his exertions met with due appreciation.