Town News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 229, 29 January 1876, Page 13

Town News.

Sir J. C. Wilson was a passenger by the Hawea, which arrived in this port on Thursday. Paul and Yoimg are slowly recovering ; but Reidal remains in a very precarious condition. The "Volunteers at Kaiwarra competed for choice, of Representatives on Wednesday, but none of them qualified.

The Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend of £1 15s. per share, together with a bonus of ss. per share for the half year ending 31st December, 1875. A picnic in connection with the Wesleyan Conference took place on Wednesday, the company assembling at Mr. Howe's farm, when a most enjoyable day was passed. The three boys who arrived here from Dunedin, en route for the training ship at Auckland, and who were left here by the Hawea through some mistake, have been since forwarded to Auckland. The whaleboat Thistle was offered at auction by Mr. Thomas, on Plimmer's wharf, on Thursday at noon. The boat was bought in at £3O, but we understand that she can be obtained for that money. We observe that a share register has been opened at the Christchurch branch of the Union Bank of Australia, to which shares purchased in the London or colonial market can be transferred.

We have been requested by the Thames representatives to thank the Wellington Clubs and the Committee for the courtesy and kindness shown them dui'ing their stay in Wellington. The Thames men left for Auckland by the Hawea on Thursday. We have to thank the Dunedin Evening Star for having, in its issue of January 24, copied a paragraph of ours. We shall have to thank the Star still more when it acknowledges having copied the paragraph under notice.

The Upper Hutt section of the Wellington and Masterton line will be taken over from the contractor, Mr. McKirdy, in a very few days, the preparatory inspection now being proceeded with. Work on the next section is progressing, and 'more men are to be put on immediately. Henry Tyndall is the name of a man against whom Mr. Pharazyn, of the Wairarapa, has laid a charge of obtaining from him money under false pretences. He was arrested at the Gorge on Wednesday and charged with the offenceTyndall is better known by the name of " Three-fingered Jack," owing to his having lost one finger on one of his hands.

The Rangatira left for Napier on Tuesday a half-past five o'clock, taking with her Mr. and Mrs. George Darrell and company, who will play at Napier for a fortnight. A large number of the visitors from Nelson and elsewhere, who came to witness the regatta meeting, left by the Wellington on Tuesday, and their departure was observed by a large crowd of Wellington people. The crew, of the DoUy Varrien were photographed on Weduesday in their boat. The operating artist was Mr. Bragg. The photos are for presentation to the members of the Wellington Bowing . Club, to which the Dolly belongs.

The arguments on demurrer to plaintiff's declaration in the Wairarapa case Percy v. McKay, were to have been resumed on Tuesday, but the solicitor of the parties obtained a further postponement. It is not known exactly when the case wiH be taken, as the Bong Vacation, which extends to the middle of March, began on Tuesday.

The question of erecting school premises at Castle Point must remain in abeyance yet a little longer. The architect, Mr. Toxward, was interviewed as to an alteration of the plans, in oi'der to reduce the expense, but it seemed the member of the Education Board representing the district of Castle Point borrowed the plans, and therefore the architect could give no opinion. Messrs. Krull and Co., Levin and Co., W. and G. Turnbull and Co., Johnston and Co., and J. O'Shea, call for teudei-s for providing all required labor in the receiving and delivering of their cargo landed upon: the Queen's wharf. This is in consequence of the new management under which the wharf will fall shortly. At the meeting held in St. John's Church on Tuesday, Mr. Taylor suggested, as a means of clearing the church of debt, that they should borrow money on its property, and raise £SOO on debentures; and Mr. Paterson urged the advisability of members of the congregation, taking up such debentures. The matter will likely be brought forward at a future meeting.

At the weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society, Archdeacon Stock presided, and there were present—Rev. Father Petit Jean, Rev. BW. Harveyvße.v. W. H. West, andthe Secretary. Subscriptions recoived—Bishop Hadfield, £2 25.; Messrs. Johnston and Co. £2 25.; Messrs. Hart and Buckley, £2 25.; Mr. P. Laing, £1 ; Mr. Barraud, £1 Is.; Mr. Shaw, £1 Is.; Mr. B. Smith, £1 Is; Mr. G. Cooper, 55.; N. Levin, Esq., £lO ; and Mr. W. H. Levin, Esq., £5. Several cases were considered and relieved.

On Tuesday morning the firing for choice of district representatives was resumed by the City Rifles. The following is the result so far :

As 160 is the number of points required to qualify, it will be seen that Scott is the only one qiialified. William Phillips, the man who was arrested on.suspicion of being concerned in the Ohau Lake murder, was acquitted at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Inspector Atchison communicated with those who knew Cunningham, and found that they could not see a sufficient resemblance to warrant them in supposing that Phillips and he were one and the same person ; but there was still stronger evidence of Phillips' innocence, it having been ascertained by the police here, that he was at the time of the murder residing in Otaki. The charge of using threatening language was withdrawn, and properly so, as he has already endured sufficient imprisonment.

A very important sale of Crown lands belonging to the Provincial Government will, take place on the 15th February next, the upset price being £1 an acre all round. The area to be sold is situate in the RangitikeiManawatu block, and contains in all about 24,000 acres, divided into handy sections of 200 acres : some less, some more. It is bounded on the east and south-east by the Oroua river, and the Eliwitea stream bounds the west and runs through some of the lots on the southwest. It is timbered light, but the wood is so small that its commercial value for sawing, &c, is not great, though here and there a patch of totara crops up on the Oroua and Kiwitea blocks, and a few rimu, matai, and kahikatea are scattered about, but not in sufficient quantities to be of value for sawing. The soil is reported to be very rich and good, and especially suitable for agricultural purposes, the country being flat, with the exception of some few terraces and ridges away to the north-west and in the south-east corner. The land should be easily brought under cultivation, and as roads running through the block have been surveyed, it should be valuable to settlers who wish to acquire comfortable freeholds. Friday night's Gazette contains an order in Council reserving Ward's Island from sale, for purposes of the Marine department of the General Government; C. P. Bowles, Esq., is appointed to be a superintendent-collector of the account of land in cultivation, and of agricultural produce, to be taken in February next; William Leslie Ogilvy is gazetted to be a clerk in the stores office, Railway department ; Edward Stafford, Esq., is appointed revising barrister under the Friendly Societies Act; letters of naturalisation have been granted to Rudolph Von Mirbach,Doctor of Medicine; Joseph Giles, Esq., has been appointed Resident Magistrate of Wanganui, and Sheriff of Wanganui and Eangitikei; the Commissioner of Cus.oms publishes for general information the text of the English Unseaw.jrthy Ship Act; land transfer notices and statements of condition of goldmining companies are published; various revenue and expenditure statements are also published.

About 11 o'clock on Monday night the stables attached to Valentine s Hotel at the Hutt were totally destroyed by fire. Most of the stable gear was saved. At one time the hotel was in great danger, but owing to the strenous efforts of those present the flames were confined to the stables alone.

The performances at the Thorndon baths on Monday came off as advertised, but the attendance was not so good as on the first occasion of such sports being given in that direction, in consequence of the attractions presented by the regatta.

A tea meeting in celebration of the anniversary of the 1.0. R. order of Good Templars was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday evening, George Hunter, Esq., M.H.R., in the chair. There was a large attendance, and the entertainment passed off in a highly satisfactory manner. Mr. Hunter addressed those present, advocating the training of children to habits of temperance.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning three seamen, by names Charles Simmon, Fred Collins, and Henry Sullivan, charged with being absent from the Canny Scott without leave, were ordered to be sent on board. William Harris, charged with havinc been drunk and disorderly, was discharged with a caution. Christopher Thompson and Charles Langley, drunkards, _ were dealt with in the same manner, in consideration of it being a holiday time.

An unusually large bullock, the property of Mr. M'Lean, "arrived here from Wanganui on Saturday. In landing him from the Manawatu by a sling the poor brute was hurt so much as to be unable to stand when placed on the wharf, his weight being so great that the ropes pinched him severely while he was suspended in air. At first he appeared to be dying, but after a time recovered, and was able°to walk away. This bullock is of an immense size. He was bred by Mr. Smith, of Rangitikei. His age is seven years,_ and weight 35cwt. lqr. He is now on exhibition.

A meeting of the Board of Education was held on Wednesday morning, and as will beseen by our report a large amount of routine business was got through. Finance seems to hamper the Board, and it is most difficult to get in the rate. The rate has been due for the past six months, but of £SOOO payable only £3OOO has yet come in, the consequence being that the Board's banking account is overdrawn some £lOBl. The Secretary was authorised to instruct the local collectors to take proceedings forthwith against defaulters.

The immigrants by the Shakspere comprise 97 married couples, 153 single men, 37 single women, and 88 children. There are also four adults and two children entered as having paid in full, and two cabin passengers. Equal in all to 338 statute adults. Their occupations are given as follows: —90 laborers, 112 farm laborers, 21 servants, 1 merchant, and 1 machinist, the rest women and children, and unspecified. Of the cabin passengers, one—M. Johan Sansom —is described as "particulier," and the other, M. Johan Portmann, as a laborer. The nationalities of the immigrants are "iven as:—Germans, 186 ; Italians, 40 ; Scandinavians, 112. Two men fought six rounds on the wharf on Wednesday night. At the end of the sixth round one of the men said he was drunk and could fight no more, iris foe said be was not drunk and was eleven stone, whilst he (the foe) was but nine stone, and thus was brave, as was not the eleven-stone man. On this, each ran at the other a few times, then gave tip and went his way. The writer of the above feels that he has not done that justice to his subject which plagiarised language, borrowed wit, and words of six syllables might have effected. He therefore presents this matter-of-fact narrative to the more brilliant writers who are amongst us.

On Monday the children attending the -Catholic schools received their annual treat, being conveyed to Karori in cars. The playorouud on the Hon. J. Johnston's estate was all that could be desired, and the children were treated with plenty, and even delicacies, and enjoyed in numerous games. The success of the day must be a natural recompense for those who contributed to it by their devotedness and constant attention to the wants of all. Everything went off without the slightest accident. °But the great event of the day was the visit of his Excellency the Governor and the Marchioness of Normanby, who came to encourage the children by their presence. A meeting of the committee of the Wellington Rifle Association was held at Mr. J. Turner's shop, Willis-street, on the 25th inst., Lieutenant Scott in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, it was resolved that the seventh meetof the Association should be held, weather permitting, at the Lower Hutt Rifle Range on Monday, the 7th February, firing to commence at 8.30 a.m. Open to all comers. The weapons to be used at the competitions will be restricted to the rifles and carbines of the pattern issued by the Government. All competitors being members of volunteer corps must appear on the ground in the uniform of their corps during the competition for prizes. First Match.—2oo, 300 yards. Targets, 6x 4; centre, 2 feet square ; bull's-eye, 8 inches. Seven shots at each range. Position any. Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. Eight prizes in money and kind, value, £l6 13s. Second Match.— 400, 500, GOO yards. Targets, 6x6; centre, 4x4; bull's eye, 2x2. Five shots at each range. Position any. Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. Ist prize, W.R.A. Challenge Cup, value, £22 10s., and £2 if not finally won, the cup to be won twice by the same person before becoming the absolute property of the winner ; and 11 other prizes in money and kind, value, £lB 10s. Third Match. —400 yards : 10 shots. Targets, 6x6; centre, 4x4; bull's-eye, 2x2. Position any. Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. Ist prize, silver cup, and 7 other prizes. Prizes for the highest aggregate scores in matches Nos. 1,2, 3 : Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £2; 3rd, £1 10s; 4th, 10s. Ties to be decided by the General Government Prize-firing Regulations, 1876.

Mr. Duncan, the auctioneer, was on Thursday sued at the Resident Magistrate's Court by a Mr. Lusty, a fruiterer and oyster seller on the beach, for a sum of £24, the ground of action being that plaintiff had had delivered to him by defendant a quantity of rotten fruit. It appeared that defendant had bought the fruit as it stood, but on taking delivery and opening the cases, he found it to be unfit for sale, and thereupon he repudiated the purchase. The Resident Magistrate held that a purchaser at auction bought at his own risk, unless he received a special warranty, and therefore found for defendant, with costs.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday, two drunkards, named respectively Henry Clarkson and Faulkiner, were fined 10s. and ss. A man named Johnston was charged with having stolen several articles of clothing, but it turned out that he merely had bought the clothes, but had forgotten to pay for them. The Magistrate said such a transaction did not constitute larceny, and therefore dismissed the case. Coyle, the man who attempted suicide last week, was further remanded for eight days. A man named Thomas Williams, an incurable drunkard, was charged with habitual drunkenness, but he escaped punishment owing to his having kept sober just sufficiently long to come under the category of occasional drunkards.

A gentleman who arrived in Wellington by the Taranaki, and who has been for some years resident on the Thames goldfield, states that one portion of the field at least is giving signs of promise. The district of Waitekami is referred to. It is situate! above Mackaytown in Ohinemuri, and although opinions respecting that portion of the country have to a considerable extent changed since the opening of the field on the 23rd March last year, still there seems reason to hope that payable quartz in plenty exists at Waitekami. That some are of this opinion may be gathered from the fact that a very large battery is being erected there. The cost of doing this would be enormous, as, in addition to the price of machinery, the charge for conveyance must have been very heavy, the means of transit being exceedingly bad. An interesting meeting of the Wesleyan Sunday school teachers of Wellington was held in the Dixon-street schoolroom on Tuesday. About seventy took tea, together with the ministers of the Conference, and at the after meeting the room was comfortably filled. The Rev. R. Reid, President of the Conference, was called to the chair. The visitors' quarterly report was read by Mr. Chinchin. Able and eloquent addresses were then given by the Rev. ,J. Crump, on " Singing in Sunday Schools :" Rev. J. Berry, on "Illustrative Teaching ;" Rev. W. Lee, " Teachers' Bible Classes ;" Rev. J. H. Simmonds, on " Sunday Schools in Fiji ;" and Rev. R. Bavin, on " Catechetical Instruction." A vote of thanks to the ministers was proposed by Mr. Moxham, seconded by Mr. Godber, and carried unanimously. The hymn "Abide with me," was sung, and the President pronounced the Benediction.

Elsewhere Mr. "Valentine, of the Hutt, expresses his thanks to his fellow residents of the Hutt who turned out so promptly and by their strenuous exertions really saved the hotel from being burned to the ground. It really pleasing to find so much good will existing in a township, particularly seeing that there seems to be no proper appliances at the Hutt for the extinguishment of fires. Rich and poor all turned ou t —even the Superintendent, Mr. Fitzherbert, took an active part in directing operations. It is pretty clear that the fire was caused by a loafer who got into the stable striking matches amongst the straw. A man went to the hotel a little after 10 p.m. and asked admission, which, being refused, he said he would go to the stable. Nothing more was seen of him till the fire broke out, and then he was found near the stable. Constable Stuart on Tuesday arrested him and brought him into town, and he was remanded till Thursday.

On Thursday the man Bowler (or Langley)» who it was supposed accidently set fire to Mr. "Valentine's stables, was brought up and charged with vagrancy. The barman at the hotel gave evidence to the effect that the man had asked to be lodged at the hotel for the night, but on. being refused, said he would go to°the stable. He left about a quarter to 10, and at half-past 10 the fire broke out, and a few minutes after the fire was discovered he was seen near the stable. Constable Stewart proved the arrest of prisoner about 100 yards away from the place. When called upon for his defence, he denied that he had been in the stable. Inspector Atchison said he was a well-known loafer ; he was pretty-well always drunk, and when .sober would not work. In answer to the Resident Magistrate, prisoner stated he was a carpenter and joiner. Mr. Crawford said there was not sufficient evidence to justify him in convicting prisoner ; b ut he would advise him to keep to his carpentering and joining instead of lying about stables. Prisoner said he would not do it any more. Whether he referred to setting fire to the stable or working, he did not explain. A most pleasing festival took place on Monday afternoon of the children belonging to the Sabbath schools of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Willis-street, who had their annual treat in a large paddock adjoining Mr. Martin's residence, Ghuznee-street, the use of which had been kindly lent by that gentleman for the occasion. The children met at the schools in Tory and Willis streets, and, to the number of 300, proceeded with their teachers and a number of their parents and friends to the site of the treat. A large marquee had been erected, in which a plentiful supply of refreshment was provided ; and there were swings, cricket, rounders, football, and other o-ames for the youngsters, which were heartily entered into. There was also competition in running, jumping, &c, for which some very pretty prizes were given. The children belonging to the Tory-street school were the first to arrive, and greeted the coming of their fellows with cheers. In the middle of the day the chil-

dren were called together, and plentifully supplied with cake, buns, &c, after which, at 7 o'clock, a hymn was sung, and three hearty cheers having been given for Mr. and Mrs. Martin, as also for the Sunday school superintendents and the pastor, the little ones were dismissed after a further distribution of cakes and apples. The over-crowded condition of the Mount View Lunatic Asylum is becoming a rather serious question. When the Inspector made his last report he referred to the want of increased accommodation, but nothing has been done towards providing it, yet almost every week some additions are made to the number of inmates. This week there are two —one, a man named Seymour, comes from Wanganui, and another, named Peters, is from the Wairarapa. The patients are mixed up altogether and proper classification is becoming simply impossible. Unless something be done, the next annual report will probably show an increase of deaths or a poor per-centage of patients cured.

The annual dinner of the directors of the Caledonian Society was held on Thursday, and passed off very well, and was, indeed, a fitting sequence to the recent successful meeting. An excellent dinner was provided by Mr. Mcintosh, to which about thirty gentlemen sat down, including the President, George Crawford, Esq. (in the chair) ; T. Buchanan, Esq. Vice-President (in the vice-chair) ; his Worship the Mayor, Hon. Robert Hart, George Hunter, Esq., M.H.R.; P. A. Buckley, Esq., Provincial Solicitor; Dr. Diver ; Messrs. J. Dransfield, John Martin, R. Greenfield, J. Bethune, J. S. Thompson, McDowell, Graham, McKenzie, Sellars, T. K. Macdonald, Jackson, Grant, Kerby, O'Shea, Thos. Turnbull, Pollock, &c. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed; alsc, " The Superintendent," "The Mayor," "Success to the Caledonian Society," '"Kindred Societies," &c, were all given and responded to. On the whole the speaking was very appropriate. Messrs. Raymond, Jackson, and others contributed greatly to the evening's enjoyment by exercising their musical talent. The company broke up about eleven o'clock, all having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Mes-rs. F. andH. Hill have an extensive brick manufactory, situated at the junction of St. Hill and Wallace-streets, and have made certain improven ents to their plant, which are worthy of note. The ground on which the works are situated is four acres in extent, and of which the Messrs. Hill possess a freehold title. Till within a recent date the bricks were made by hand, but there is now a seven-horse-power engine on the ground, used for working a grinding machine. This grinder —which is composed of two iron cylinders, and connected with the engine by a powerful shaft —takes in a sort of mullock or rubble which is peculiar to that locality and crushes it fine, ready to be placed in the pug-mills, of which there are two. It appears that this class of earth is superior to pure clay, and makes the bricks more durable. There are two kilns, one lime furnace, and four drying sheds, and about thirteen men and four or five boys is the average staff employed upon the works. Attached to the brickyard is a pipe or tile manufactory, managed by Mr. H. Hill. At present the tile making machinery is worked by hand, but it is proposed to erect an engine, which will save labor, and perform the work quicker than at present. About 200 a day is?the average number of ordinary sized tiles that can be turned out of the machine per day, but to make that number the men engaged have to keep steadily at work. There is quite sufficient demand for the article to keep the machine almost constantly at work, and there is every chance of the demand increasing. In any case, the proprietors of these brick and tile making establishments have shown an. enterprising spirit so far, and deserve to meet with the reward of greater success even than that they have already met with. The performances at the Theatre Royal on Monday brought the dramatic season to a close for a time, and the company depart for Napier in the Rangatira to-day. An excellent programme had been provided, and the enactment of the entertainment there outlined gave the most complete satisfaction to a very large and fashionable audience. " The Taming of the Shrew" having been before performed by Mr. Darrell's company during the season just concluded, it is unnecessary to offer any remark upon its representation ; and the otherpiece does not call for comment. But it is simply just that the performance of Misses Morgan, Rogers, and Raymond should be referred to in words of praise. The two first-mentioned young ladies were engaged by Mr. Darrell some time after that gentleman arrived in Wellington, and very soon succeeded in gaining for themselves the favor of the Wellington public. On Monday night their vocal performances were as heartily applauded as they, or any in their situation, could have desired. Miss Morgan, in particular, obtained a most flattering reception ; and Miss Raymond's dancing also came in for a fair share of approval. Between the acts of the last piece, Mr. Darrell came before the curtain, and, in thanking those present and the public generally for the patronage bestowed upon the lessees during the season, which had lasted seventeen weeks, said, unlike their predecessor, Mr. Hoskins, they were in a position to congratulate themselves upon having a balance upon the right side of the ledger. It gave him great pleasure to make this statement, because so far as his experience of New Zealand went, having given every portion of it a trial, Wellington people turned out in support of the drama to a greater extent than the people of any other part of the colony. (Applause.) He was" not speaking from hearsay. The largest house, numerically and pecuniarily, ever known in New Zealand, was that which witnessed the production o£ the pantomime in Wellingtou on Boxing night. And he was of opinion it ought to° be made known that the Wellington public were so liberal and hearty in respond--1 ing and answering to the call when anything

was placed before them in proper style. He hoped, and it would give him great pleasure, to return here and place before them many more Shaksperian and other pieces, and trusted to carry with him not only as good but a better company than he now had. In the meantime, they would carry away with them a grateful remembrance of the kindness and liberality of which they had been the recipients during a period extending over four months.

GRAPPLING FOR THE CABLE. (PEE PRESS AGENCY.) On board the Government jy.s. Luna. January 22, 9 a.m. The Luna left Wellington wharf at one o'clock this morning, and proceeded under easy steam to the cable ground. Arrived at the flag buoy at 5 a.m., and dropped the grapnel five minutes later. The grapnel hooked at once, but it had only caughtin a rock, and became free directly the grapnel line took a vertical strain. At 6.10 a.m. the cable was hooked and brought up about 12 fathoms from the bottom, but the strain was so great that it was not possible to lift it any higher. The line was therefore let go suddenly, and the grapnel disengaged. Since then several casts have been made, but without success. Weather gloomy, but sea calm. Luna occupied passing to and fro across the course of the cable, with a grapnel down. 11 a.m. —Hooked cable at 9.15 a.m., and brought it up to within fifty fathoms of: surface. Strain then became too great for the gear to safely stand, and it was determined to lower another grapnel attached to a good 5-inch manilla rope and thus double the strength of the lifting gear. This was attempted at 10.30 a.m., but the easterly current, due to the ebb tide, was so strong that the second grapnel, could not be lowered direct on to where the first was hooked, but was carried away under the Luna. An idea of the strength of the current may be formed from the fact that three men pulling against it in the ship's whaleboat for the purpose of carrying out the second grapnel could not make any headway, and had to be towed by the Egmont. The attempt to lower the second grapnel having failed on aocount of the strength of the current, we now wait for slack water, which will be at about 1 p.m., and in the meantime hang on to the cable by our first grapnel. Thick fog has settled round the vessel, completely shutting out all view of the land. Sea calm.

1 p.m. —Weather clear. Sea calm. Could not make the second grapnel fast to cable, the depth of water from the vessel to the bight of the cable being too great. The cable was therefore lowered and raised several times in the hope of disengaging it from the rocks that held it. At length the strain being less, an attempt was made to wind in the bight by the use of the new winch head recently fitted to the lifting gear. The cable was coming in steadily, when the grapnel shackle parted, and the grapnel was lost.

Another grapnel was at once lowered, and the cable again grappled. This time a new link in the grapnel chain parted at its weld, and the grapnel was lost. A third grapnel was then attached. It hooked the cable at 5.50 p.m., and at 6 p.m. the cable showed at the Luna's bows ; and at 6.30 p.m. telegraphic communication was established between the Luna and Wellington. All three wires were found to be in perfectly good order, and the Lyell's Bay end of the cable was at once placed on board the s.s. Egmont. The Egmont will ride to the cable, weather permitting, until the Luna has spliced on to the White's Bay end and returns to make the final splice on to the Lyall's Bay end, now on board the Egmont. Lyell's? Bay, Monday. The Egmont reports :—"Moderate weather, with smooth water. The latter part of the day riding easy to cable. " 7 p.m—The Luna steaming to the North, apparently without having had success all day. "Later. —The Luna is now alongside the Egmont." On Board Luna, Monday. At 8 a.m.—All hands turned out at three o'clock this morning, and completed stowage of spare cable picked up in Worser's Bay. Luna then left at 7 a.m. to-day to pick up the White's Bay side of the break. Strong N.W. wind, and weather looks unfavorable for our work', but we are going to the cable ground to see if anything can be done. At 8 p.m.— Stron"- N.W. wind all day. No success in grappling. Just anchored for the night in Otoronga Bay. Tuesday. Left Otoronga Bay at 4 a.m. Arrived at cable ground at 5 a.m. S.E. wind came up as we left Otoronga Bay, and had freshened so much by the time we reached the White's Bay side of the broken cable that grappling was impossible. Shortly after 6 a.m. the Egmont, which was hanging on to the Lyell's Bay end of the cable, signalled, "Cannot hold on much longer." The Luna at once steamed up to her, and found her riding very heavily, and shippingmuch water. As it was evident that worse weather was coming, and the Egmont was already distressed, and as it was important that if the cable had to be slipped the work should be done before the vessel was absolutely in danger, orders were given to the Eo-mont to throw her end of the cable overboard, and let go the buoy-anchor. All arrangements had been made when the cable° was first transferred to the Egmont for slipping and buoying it in case of necessity, and the work was now promptly and well carried out by the master of that vessel. The Egmont*'then steamed away to Wellington, and the Luna remained for two hours, in order that we might see whether the buoy could withstand the strength of the current, and for angle observations to be taken to fix its exact position. At 9 a.m.—The Luna steamed towards Wellington, leaving the buoy riding easily and safely. The Luna will return to the work as soon as the weather will permit.

On Board Luna, Wednesday

At 6 p.m. —Luna been out in the Strait all day. The Egmont was left this morning early to pick up the buoyed end, while the Luna went away to pick up on the White's Bay side. They hooked the cable three-quarters of a mile from the end, but were afraid to underrun it towards the end for fear the strong tide would take possession of them. They lowered again, and attached a temporary cask-buoy, with the idea of grappling nearer the end of the cable, the buoy being a good guide. Just then the Egmont came up and reported the breaking of the wire l'ope while attempting to get the end of the cable on board. When the Tui left the Luna was waiting for slack-water to pick up the Lyell Bay end again. The weather is fine, and glass high. By information from the Telegraph office, we learn that at 7.20 p.m. the Lyell Bay end had been recovered. 7.50 p.m. Mr. Floyd reports having hooked the Lyell Bay end of the '.-able at 4.30 p.m. It was brought to surface at 5 p.m. a short distance from the end, which was reached by undei*running. The mushroom anchor and chain was recovered, and the end of the cable put on board the Egmont, as before, at 7.30. The Luna will leave at daylight to-morrow to pick up the White Bay end. The break this morning was caused by the wire rope giving way, at a kink it is supposed. A manilla rope will be used in any future emergency. There is a fair prospect of good weather. Dr. Lemon goes out to Lyell Bay to-night to take electrical tests. When the cable was brought to the surface, the wires were found to be all perfect.

On Board Luna, Thursday

The Luna started before daylight this morning from Otoronga Bay, and the grapnel was dropped once move—and for the last time as it subsequently turned out—by half-past five. By 5.40 we had hooked the cable, and at a quarter-past six the cable showed at the surface, and about half a mile from the end. As there was a strong ebb tide running, it was impossible to underrun before eleven, and it was feared that if the cable were dropped aud grappled for again the risk would be too great, especially as two more teeth on the driving-wheel had snapped. Captain Johnston reported the gap as slightly under two miles, and both he and Captain Fairchild recommended that the cable should be cut where it had been hooked, as they paid they felt confident that the gap could be filled with less than the 2| : mile piece stored in the after hold. The cable was accordingly cut shortly before 8 o'clock, White's Bay was spoken to, and the lines ascertained to be all right. Before any of the cable was cut several tests were made, and with very satisfactory results. As the weather was very fine, too good in fact to lose a moment of it, there was no thought of trying to save the piece, and it was let go without any regret, especially as half the piece was in a very bad condition. At 8 o'clock the work of splicing was commenced, and before noon the insulation of the joints was completed. The .arming (that is putting on the outer wire covering) was then proceeded with. Everybody was in good spirits and hopeful of success, as the weather reports which had been obtained from the various Southern stations were exceedingly favorable. So far everything had gone well. About halfpast one the splice was complete in all respects, and the work of paying-out was commenced, the steamer going stern first with the ebb tide ; but at three the tide slackened, and it was no longer possible to go on that way. In this strait the Tui was impressed and kept employed in assisting to keep the Luna's head towards the Egmont, and a perplexingly difficult task it was, owing to the strength of the tide and the unsuitableness of the vessels for the particular work they were engaged in. At half-past five the Luna was alongside the Egmont with plenty of cable to spare, after having paid out something more than two nautical miles of cable. The Egmont's end of the cable was then taken on board successfully. No time was lost in commencing the last splice, the weather and other conditions holding out the hojje that it would be completed as expeditiously and satisfactorily as the previous one. By nine o'clock the delicate copper wires were joined, and Wellington and Blenheim were once more in communication after an interval of 43 days. The work of splicing was, however, far from being finished, as it would require several hours before the outer covering could be completed ; indeed, the job was not expected to be out of hand much before daylight to-morrow morning. If the work should be successfully accomplished—and nothing scarcely but a sudden gale is likely now to prevent it—the Luna will be on her way back to Wellington to-morrow morning. She will pick up the piece of cable left in Worser Bay, only about half of which was taken up the last time. REGATTA DINNER. On Tuesday evening about sixty gentlemen sat down to dinner at TJrwin's Post-office Hotel, the dinner being arranged by the Begatta Committee for the entertainment of the crews visiting the province. George Hunter, Esq., M.H.8., occupied the chair, and around him were a number of the visitors and leading boating men of the city.

Dinner being over, the toa-ting commenced, and the health of her Majesty the Queen, H.B.H. the Prince of Wales, and the Royal family were duly honored. The Chairman, in proposing the health of the Governor, said New Zealand had always had reason to be proud of its Governors, and could not be otherwise than proud of the gentleman who now represented her Majesty. (Applause.) He thought the colony might congratulate itself at having so good a man as the Marquis of Normanby, and, therefore, he proposed the toast with confidence. The toast was heartily received. " The Superintendent" was next given. The Chairman said his Honor had always taken a

lively interest in boating matters, and would have been present this evening had not indisposition prevented him from attending. (Loud cheers.) The Chairman said the next toast he had to propose was " Visitors from the Other Provinces," —(applause)—and he had very great pleasure in doing so. He thought this was the first occasion on which so many provinces had been represented in Wellington. He spoke subject to correction by the worthy commodore on his left (Mr. H. F. Logan), but he thought neither Auckland, nor Westland, nor Dunedin, had ever visited Wellington before, although Canterbury and Nelson had been previously seen in these waters; and it had been a very great pleasure and very great satisfaction to see so mauy. He thought all would acknowledge the very great advantage of promoting a community of feeling throughout New Zealand, and he was quite sure there was no better medium cf promoting it than by these social gatherings, which brought men from Westland, from Nelson, from Canterbury, and from Auckland, and other provinces. People in the places to which visitors from the other provinces came thus became acquainted with colonists from all parts, and learned to respect and esteem them. It was a very good thing to ha,ve these contests, and a very nice thing to win races ; but there was something more important than this, for the good of the colony depended much upon them, as nothing had a more beneficial effect than this occasional interchange of feelings and courtesies. We began to understand each other. Auckland learned to understand Wellington, and Wellington learned to understand Dunedin ; and so it was with the others. The contests were excellent, from a sporting point of view; but there was something higher to be gained, for thus the unification of New Zealand was assisted, and they woiild tend to the furtherance of the object sought to be gained by all good colonists —the making a great nation of New Zealand. (Cheers.) This was what all hoped for, believed in, and must keep mainly in view. (Cheers.) He expressed regret that the visitors had had such bad weather while in Wellington—(oh, oh) and then went on to remark that although there had been some inconvenience ou the first day, he thought when the difficulties the committee had had to contend with were taken into consideration it would be admitted the committee had done the best they could. There had been much difficulty in their way, because of the uncertainty as to where the racing would be ; and he desired to say this because of the unfair reflections which had been cast upon the arrangements made. He added that the accident to the Tui had also much inconvenienced the committee. On the whole, everything had passed off satisfactorily. There had been no quarrelling, no charges of improper conduct. The races had been won by the best men, or those who were supposed to be the best men ; and, as a Wellington man, he must say he was very proud of the winning crew, although he was quite sure he and all Wellington people would have been just as well pleased to see Auckland or Canterbury or any other men win. (Cheers.) Of course, it must be recognised that crews resident in the place at which the race was rowed had an advantage over strangers. They knew the course, and could send their best men, whereas those clubs at a distance had frequently to deal not so much with the question " who is best," as with the question "who can go." Of course he did not desire to cast any reflection upon the crews that had come, because from what he had heard he believed the race had been a very pretty and well contested race, and defeat was no disgrace even to the last boat. After some further remai'ks he gave the toast. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Burke, stroke of the Dunedin crew, thanked the company very heartily for the honor done them, and also for the hearty reception they had received on their arrival, and the attention paid to them during their stay here. He thought all things had been conducted satisfactorily. He was very sorry they had not been able to get an outrigged boat for the Champion Bace, for if they could, they would have had a" go in" at any rate. In the race they had gone for they had done their best, although they had lost. Representatives of other crews replied in similar terms.

Mr. O. Wakefield then gave " The Land we live in," and said he had found after going round the world two or three times that New Zealand was, after all, the best place to live in. We ought to congratulate ourselves on the prosperity, happiness, and health of the people of the colony, and this regatta meeting was a good sign of the possession of these. These contests showed that the muscle and pluck which formed part of the English character were to be found, in the colonies, and, therefore, ought to be encouraged. The Chairman responded, and referred to the high position New Zealand occupied amongst the dependencies of the British Crown. He said the toast seemed to have been committed to most appropriate hands, a relative of the Mr. Wakefield • who had taken so prominent a part in the settlement of the colony, which one day would be Greater Britain. He trusted all settlers, whether early or late, would never forget the part Mr. Wakefield took in settling the colony. (Cheers.) Mr. Wearing, of the Canterbury crew, in proposing the toast " The winning crew," said, in regard to the champion, he had never seen finer pulling than that of the winning crew, even in Melbourne. They would stand an excellent chance there.

Mr. Stewart, captain of the Wellington Bowing Club, returned thanks on behalf of the crew, and then proceeded to speak of the unsatisfactory manner of laying the course which was now adopted. No one knew what the length of the course was ; he believed it to be much more than three miles (hear, bear) and consequently time was not the guide it should be. He was clad to know that Captain Hewitt intended measuring the course which had been travelled.

He believed the crew would do no discredit to the colony if pitted against Melbourne and Sydney, and he hoped when the present Sydney rules respecting amateurs, which were fast falling out of favor, were done away with, our men would be able to compete there. He advised the Kaipoi and Thames to keep on trying. Wellington had struggled for a long time, but she had got the j>rize at last. He thought the Dunedin crew deserved every praise for the excellent race they had rowed, and he felt sure that if the Thames crew had had a better boat they would have been in a much better position. He hoped the race would next take place in Auckland or Dunedin. Mi\ Logan proposed "Unsuccessful Crews," coupling with it the Otago and Thames crews, it being the first occasion on which they had been present in Wellington. He said from the first Wellington had thought its visitors " jolly good fellows," and they had jn'oved themselves to be good rowers. The contest between the Arawata and the Transit was a splendid race —lap and lap and dip and dip till near the finish—and the Wellington men could only get away from them just at the last —they left them behind, and that was all they could say. He pointed out the desirableness of the Thames and Dunedin men getting better boats, such as Salter's. The colonies did not produce such fast boats. He highly eulogised the steering apparatus, which did away with the weight of a coxswain in the boat. " F6r they are jolly good fellows." The toast was duly acknowledged.

The Chairman then gave "Mr. Logan," and said the public owed him veiy much for the lively interest he took in boating matters. He gave his time and attention, even, possibly, to the neglect of his own interests, to serve that which directly or indirectly benefited the public, and it was a great pity that such men should be found fault with instead of praised. " For he's a jolly good fellow."

Mr. Logan thanked the company for the honor done him, and said any effort he made it was a pleasure to him to make, and he hoped to still take the same interest in rowing that he had taken in the past. On the whole, he thought boating people got on pretty well together, and if they did have quarrels they were the friendly quarrels of honest rivalry between ths clubs. (Applause.) He was glad to see the Wellington club get on; one club was no use, and he hoped the great want of the Wellington Club, fresh young pullers, would be supplied. No doubt they had the best men in Wellington, but there were but very few of them, and he hoped to see the Wellington Club training youngsters for the rowers of the future.

The healths of the ladies, Mr. Stewart, the Press, &c, were all proposed and responded to, and Mr. W. V. Jackson proposed, as a last toast, that of the Chairman (Mr. Hunter), who was always so liberal in supporting sports of any kind. The Chairman, in replying, said he felt greatly honored by the manner in which his efforts had always been appreciated. By their kind confidence he had attained to the highest position that a man could attain in the colony—that of their representative in Parliament ; and should always esteem the honor. He had lived in Wellington so long that he regarded it with the same feeling as he would regard his birthplace, and supposed he would now never leave it ; so that everything he could do for Wellington he felt it his especial duty and especial delight to do. The formal proceedings were brought to a close by " Aidd Lang Syne " and the National Anthem. During the evening there had been a plentiful supply of music, many of those present being passable vocalists.

THE NEW PARLIAMENT. The following is a return of the members elected. A star opposite the members' name indicates that he sits in Parliament for the first time ; a dagger, that though formerly a member, he was not one of the last Parliament : Ministerial. Opposition. Mr. Andrew, Wairarapa Mr. Wood.t Mataura Hon. Atkinson, Egmont Mr. J. C. Brown, Tuapeka Mr. Ballance, Rangitikei Mr. Brandon, Wellington Mr. Wason,* Coleridge Country District Hon. Bowen, TCaiapoi Mr. Hamlyn,* Franklin Mr. Bastings.* Waikaia Mr. Tole,* Eden Mr- J. E. Brown, Ashley Mr. Lurnsden.* InvercarMr. Bryce, Wanganui gill Mr. Carrington, Grey and Sir G. Grey, Auckland Bell City West Mr. Curtis, Nelson Mr. Dignan Mr. Gibbs, Collingwood Mr. Fitzherbert, Hutt Mr. Kennedy,* Grey Val. Mr. Tawiti,* Northern Mr. Woolcock,* Grey Val. Maori Mr. Pearce, Wellington Mr. Macandrew, Dunedin Mr. Hunter ~ Mr. Busk,* Franklin Mr. Harper,* Cheviot Mr.Hodgkinson*Riverton Mr. Whittaker.t Waikato Mr. Burns, t Roslyn Mr. Johnston, Manawatu De Latour,* Mount Ida Mr. Hori K.araka Mr. Montgomery, Akaroa Mr. Kelly, New Plymouth Sir R. Douglas,* Marsden Mr. Bead,* East Coast Mr. Murray, Bruce Mr. Kenny, Picton Sir George Grey, Thames Mr. Sharp. Nelson City Mr. O'llorke, Onehunga Sir D. McLean, Napier Mr. Hoani Naha,* West'n Captain Russell,* „ Maori Mr. McLean, Waikouaiti Mr. D. Reid, Taieri Dr. Henry,* Buller ' Mr. W. Rolleston, Avon Mr. Kowe,* Thames Mr. J. Sheehan, Rodney Mr. Ormond, Clive Mr. Shrimski,* Waitaki Mr. Hursthouse* Motueka Mr. Hislop,* „ Mr. Teschmakeiy* Glad- Mr. Swanson. Newton stone Mr. Thomson, Clutha Mr. Fitzroy,*' Selwyn Mr. Seaton,* Caversham Mr. Reynolds, Port Chal- Mr. Pees, * Auckland City mers East Hon. Richardson, Christ'h Mr. Stout, Dunedin Mr. Richmond, ISTelsoD Mr. Joyce, Wallace City Mr. R. Wood, Parnell Mr. Baigent.t Waimea Mr. Takamoana, Eastern Mr. Stafford, Timaru Maori Mr. Wakefield,* Geraldine Mr. Tairoa, Southern Maori Mr. Tribe, Totara Mr. Moorhouse.t Christchurch City Mr. Aynsley.* Byttelton Mr. Barff.t Hokitika Mr. Button* „ Mr. "Williams, Bay of Islands Mr. Fisher,* Heathcote Sir J. Vogel, Wanganui Douetfui,. Mr. Bunny, Wairarapa Mr. Steven 8, tChristchurch Mr. Pyke, Dunstan City Mr. Manders,* Wakatipn Mr. Larnach,* Dunedin Mr. Macfarlane, * Waite mata

CITY COUNCIL. The adjourned meeting of the City Oounci was held on Friday. Present : His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Cleland, Dransfield, George, Gillon, Moss, Mills, Pharazyn, and Bainie.

His Worship said that they had met for the purpose of considering the report of the committee on election of officers in connection with wharf management. He added that the gentleman who had been appointed accountantwas anxious to direct the appointment of a clerk who would be under his direction, and recommended a young man name 1 Xichols. Councillor GILLON desired that the Council itself should make the appointments, and moved that the Council go into committee of the whole. The motion was carried, and the Council then went into committee, in which Mr. Nichols was appointed clerk. On resuming, The Mayor presented the report of the committee. Mr. Gillon expressed his intention of moving an amendment, but before doing sorequested that the letter of Mr. Beeves be read. The Town Clebk read the letter as follows : Wellington, 20th January, IS7G. Sir, —I have the honor to apply for the appointment of wharfinger at the Queen's wharf, in terms of the advertisement and regulations of the City Corporation. I have made such arrangements with my partner for the carrying on of my present business as will enable me to devote all my time to the duties of this office. The following firms have expressed approval of my candidature, and have permitted me to rofer you to them :—Messrs. Johnston and Co., Levin and Co., W. Waring Taylor, Esq., Jame 3 O'Shea, Esq.. Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co. ; and I beg to offer the two last named as my sureties for £SOO. If chosen for the office, I desire (with the approval of the Corporation) to secure the services of Mr. Campion as accountant. He has expressed to me his willingness to accept the appointment. I have the honor to remain, Your obedient servant, Edwaed Rf.evks. Councillor Gillon then moved, —That this; Council cannot agree with the appointment as wharfinger of a gentleman who is partner in a mercantile firm largely engaged in business connected with the wharf, and who is also one of the lessees of a private wharf, and whose interests must, therefore, necessarily and directly clash with his duties as wharfinger, and that the selection of a suitable candidate for the office be therefore again remitted to a committee of the whole Council. He moved this amendment, not that he entertained any hopes of its being carried, but because he wished to place on record the feeling of the Council with respect to the particular appointment referred to, and this was the only way in which he could do it.

Councillor Dranseield said he understood that if it were clearly put before Mr. Beeves that his employment would be permanent, he would be prepared to disconnect himself from his business relations. Councillor Mills wished to correct a mendacious statement, or statements, made as to his having supported the candidature of Mr. Beeves out of private friendshiji. Although he had stated, and was still of opinion that they had elected the-right man, he had nevertheless voted for the other candidate, Mr. Hartmann.

Councillor Cleland said he had spoken to Mr. Beeves as to whether he would be prepared to leave his own business in consideration of receiving this appointment ; and Mr. Beeves had answered him to this effect, that he would be quite prepared to dissolve partnership from Mr. Plimmer, if the Council would hold out any reasonable inducement for him to do so. He said that, knowing that in the course of two or three months the wharf might be let again, and his services dispensed with. He (Councillor Cleland) could only say in addition to the above, that he had voted for Mi\ Beeves because he considered him the best man for the situation. Most Councillors were acquainted with the other gentleman, against whom the great objection was that he had an infirmity in the shape of a disagreeable temper ; in fact, he (the speaker) considered him a most objectionable man to have dealings with.

Councillor Dranseield remarked that he was perplexed with regard to this matter, as thus, he felt that he ought he support the report passed in committee, while he felt very much inclined to vote for the amendment. He felt in an awkward position.

Shortly afterwards, Councillor Dransfield disentangled himself by leaving the chamber. The Mayor submitted that the City Council was not akin to ordinary legislative bodies—it was purely administrative ; and, therefore, to adopt the practice followed in the House of Assembly regarding matters considpred in committee of the whole Council, might lead to serious inconvenience, inasmuch as the absence of one member might upset a decision passed by the full Council while in committee. He only expressed this as an opinion, however, and did not wish to be understood as laying down a rule. The amendment was then put and lost by 4 to 5.

The report was adopted, and the Council then adjourned.

Scott. First firing 81 Second firing 90 Crowe. 75 74 Prouse. Jtiarr 78 74 74 71 171 14.P 1 r.2 1 45