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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4126, 11 June 1874, Page 2

Tlio Suez mails briuj'iuff Loudon letters .and papers to the 17 th of April, reached Wellington yesterday nt uoeu by the s.s. Ladybird, which received’ the mail from the Albion at I ort Chalmers. The mail was not duo hero till the 13th instant, and was thus delivered three days before contract; time. In the Kesidcnt Magistrate's Court yesterday, before d. Holt, Hs<j., J.l 3 ., and J. 11. Wallace, J. 8., Wm. Howlands was lined 10s. for creating a disturbance in the r i heatre on the previous evening. Bmilj Wallace was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment for vagrancy. 11. 1\ Barrett, charged with deserting from the Chevert, was dismissed, as the captain did not appear to press the charge.

Tenders for the Wanganui railway bridge were scut in to the Public Works Ofiice yesterday, by two city contractors, Air. Lockio and Mr. AicKirdy, and by Mr. McNeill, who built the present Wanganui bridge. In the week ending on the 22nd ultimo, fifty-four messages were sent from and fiftythree to the Colonics by the submarine cable. The largest number (19) awls sent by Now South Wales, and Victoria received the most (3-1). Prom New Zealand seven were sent, but there was no message inwards. A, meeting of the City Council is appointed for this evening, at half-past seven o’clock. The announced intention to test the force of the water from the reservoir, had to be postponed in consequence of the inclement weather of last evening. The trial will be made on some evening which will be duly announced. Not forgetful of the comfort and requirements of the workmen in his employ, Mr. AicKirdy advertises for tenders for the erection of twelve huts contiguous to the line of railway in the Mungaroa contract. This consideration for their interests will probably result in Mr. McKirdy obtaining a superior class of workmen. The usual June half-yearly nomination of candidates for the Civil Service of the Colony has been held during the last few days, in the chamber of the House of Representatives, under the supervision of Mr. G. N. Barron. Captain Daldy, who was deputed at a late meeting of the Auckland harbor authorities to proceed to Wellington in order to arrange personally for certain improvements in the Auckland harbor accommodation, was a passenger yesterday by the steamer Wellington. It was the intention of the opera company, we believe, to have produced the new opera, “ Genevieve de Brabant,'* on Friday night, the second fashionable night of the season. The necessity of providing new scenery, &c., on an unusually large scale, however, lias necessitated the postponement of the production of that opera until Saturday night. Tomorrow night “ The Bohemian Girl” will be repeated, by request of a number of the subscribers. AVe understand that Miss Alice May and the leading members and chorus of the opera company have kindly consented to sing* in the services of the Homan Catholic Cathedral on Sunday morning next. The storm indicated by the chilly and still calmness of the past few days burst upon the City yesterday in the form of violent rain squalls. During the morning the barometer fell rapidly from 29*93 to 29*25 —in simple measurement the mercury receded an inch—and before mid-day the storm channels in all the thoroughfares were hooded. Fortunately, the wind did nob attain the tempest force of a mid-winter south-easter, so that no damage of any kind was done, but it was, nevertheless, strong enough to cause the McCallum More to drag a considerable distance from her anchorage off Kaiwavra. Towards evening the rain abated, and there seemed every likelihood of a resumption of the delightful weather of the preceding week. The -weather throughout the Colony was very boisterous yesterday. The Co-operative Baking Society must bo doing a capital business. Although in business only a few months, a proposal is to be brought before a meeting of shareholders on Monday next, to enable the directors to purchase a freehold or leasehold property. Co-operation in the bakery business appears to be so successful that it' is probable another section of citizens will study their household economy by initiating business in another branch of trade on their own account. Delays, when not dangerous, arc exceedingly vexatious. For more than twelve months past numbers of citizens have been anxiously awaiting a fall in the price of timber in order to erect residences for themselves and escape the heavy demands of landlords. The wished-fov change seems now farther off than ever, for despite the frequent arrival of timber-laden vessels from the Sounds and from Hokitika, the price of timber has been raised Is. per 100 feet during 1 the past few days. It is reasonably argued by those in the timber trade that the consumption is so enormous that all timber easily accessible is speedily cut down, and that as tiie forests, as it were, recede from the mills, the expenses of falling and cartage must become greater*. The price of timber in Hokitika may be referred to as a case in point. Hitherto the supply of timber for the mill has been close at hand, but the quantity cut down has been so great that present supplies arc more difficult to obtain, and the price has gone up Is. per 100 feet within the last fortnight. Those who intend to build should therefore profit by this information and build at once, instead of waiting, in the delusive hope that a serious fall will shortly take place in the price of timber. The members of the Geological Survey Staff have been so zealous in their field operations during the past summer, that the cubic space available at the Museum proves utterly inadequate to the classification and arrangement of the various geological specimens procured for the purpose of illustrating the character of the country explored. For some time past, the crowded condition of the Museum has impressed upon visitors the fact that the C olonial Museum is miserably deficient in space for display; but the Museum officials arc endeavoring to make the best of the means at command, by re-arrangiug the geological department with a view to economising space. In about a fortnight, the geological specimens recently collected will be displayed in such a manner as to convey a proper idea of the resources of the Colony. This department of the Museum will then afford much information to those members of Parliament who, judging by their I speeches of last session, take a great interest in the operations of the Geological Survey Staff. Extension of trade iu the City goes on at such a pace that Wellington will shortly present as imposing an array of shop-fronts as ; the bustling little City of Dunedin. The premises next Lindsay’s boot store on Lambton Quay, long occupied by Mr. Jacob Joseph as a bonded store, are being transformed into extensive business promises to be occupied by MV. George Sample, for many years salesman to Jacob Joseph and Co., before the dissolution of that firm. Petersen’s boarding-house has also been renovated under the direction of Messrs. Hannah and Co., a Nelson firm, who intend to start business in the boot and shoe and general grindery business. Some incautious person sot a rumor afloat on Tuesday to the effect that the ship Woodlark, which sailed from here a few weeks ago for Newcastle, had been wrecked. The statement gave rise to much uneasiness as the ship took away as passengers relatives of several wellknown citizens, whoso anxiety, however, was dissipated by the receipt of files from the Tararua, which show that the Woodlark arrived at Newcastle on the 25th of May, after a long passage of twenty-live days. At a meeting of the Artillery Corps held at Donecker’s Hotel, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of filling up the vacancy caused by the resignation of Second Lieutenant lilchei. Sergeant Russel, and Gunner Fox, who were proposed for the office, obtained 15 and 10 votes respectively, but this being below the number required to secure the return of any candidate, it was determined that the elections should stand over, to allow absentee members to record their votes in favor of one or the other of the candidates. Bombardier Blundell wuselected Corporal, by a majority of 10 over Bombardier Wills. Gunners Chatficld and Webb were elected second and third bombardiers. AVe observe that the tonnage on the berth in Loudon loading for Australia and New Zealand, on the 16th of April, was not less than 64,260 tons, while at the same time the amount for India, China, and the Cape of Good Hope, was 17.320. The Oriental trade long headed the list, but the Australasian Colonics would now seem to have taken a a cry long lead, indicative of a large and healthy growth. The IF r <t.travapa. Standard notices the death of an old Mastcrtou settler, named John Goodchild, who died on Friday hist after a long illness. Ito was formerly a soldier m the oath regiment.

A case heard in the Resident Magistrate’,? Court yesterday furnished the strongest argument that could be advanced as to the necessity fox* the establishment of a reformatory in this City, A girl, named Emily Wallace, aged fifteen, Avas charged Avith vagrancy, and during the hearing of the evidence it transpired that she came out from England in January last iu the Duke of Edinburgh, since which time she has followed a course of debauchery and vice, the recital of Avhich was painful to listen to. The apprehending constable stated that lie arrested the prisoner at three o’clock on the previous morning when she Avas wandering about the streets iu a semiintoxicated condition. In the prisoners’ dock she presented a lamentable spectacle. The Bench were evidently in a difficulty as to lioav the case should be disposed of, but their choice of courses Avas practically reduced to that of “ Hobson,” and she was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment. Could not the Benevolent Society do something in this matter. During the past month the following contributions Avere made to the Colonial Museum : Four fautails’ nests, obtained at Picton—Miss Campbell, Sydney Street ; a collection of Maori adzes and flakes, from an ancient camp near the Rakaia River, Canterbury—Survey Stall' ; tAvo nests of the mason Avasp—one from Air. Dalrymplc, and one from Air. Colder ; a specimen of the rail (Rallus phillippensis)— Air. A. J. Hadfield ; a fish (Plectropoma liuutii), from the Chatham Islands, new species—Air. Hunt: a fish (Maurolicas Australis), new species, from Fresoiwation Inlet— Sir James Fergusson ; a fish (Haplodactylus meaudratus), from Pickersgill Cove, Dusky Sound—Sir James Fergusson. Both those latter specimens Avere obtained during the cruise of bis Excellency’s yacht Blanche, in the mouths of January and February last. Besides these contributions, some valuable .specimens of fossils and rock formation, obtained during the summer months by Dr. Hector and Air. McKay, have been added to the collection in the Museum, but liave not yet been arranged through Avant of accommodation. The AVaimea pipe trade, Avhich has proved such a harvest to the ‘coasting craft, is connected with benefits of another sort which should lead to a permanent trade between Greymouth and this port. Two of the Greymouth coasters brought cargoes of coal which have gone into consumption so rapidly as to cause many inquiries Avhy the Greymouth people do not send cargoes more frequently. No doubt the return pipe freight to Hokitika is the great inducement, but with coal at 455. a ton, it Avould surely pay to make regular shipments with the chance of return freight, particularly as a certain market offers. The Grey coal is little inferior to the NeAVcastle coal for household pm*poses, Avhile its heating powers are so great that the two cargoes Avhich arrived last Aveek were immediately taken up by the foundrymeu and blacksmiths of the City. As a matter of fact, the coal merchants complain that their stocks of blacksmiths’ coal have been' left on hand, anti are not likely to be drawn upon till the Greymouth stock is exhausted. As the same subject is being agitated here at present, it is not uninteresting to notice that a Bill has been passed by the LegislatiA'e Assembly of New South AVales giving to the citizens of Sydney the right to elect their Mayor. Those Avho heard Air. Joe Small wishing himself “ a winkle or a Avhale, at the bottom of the deep blue sea,” will not be astonished by learning that he was engaged in piscatorial pursuits on his last voyage to and from China. As Ave learn from the Otago Dally Times , Air. Small has brought over in the barque Hadda, from Hong Kong, a veritable sea snake. It measures four feet in length, and is iu a good state of preservation. The Avar it was caught Avas somewhat singular. It appears that Air. Small had a line hanging out at the stem of the ship, Avhen, by some means or other, the snake got entangled in the line and literally tied itself up in the cord, and was OA'cntually hauled on board. The capture was effected in lat. 9 46 S., and long. 136 46 E., on Saturday, January 17th, of the present year. Air. Small avos offered twenty-five dollars in Hong Kong for this marine curiosity, but declined to part with it, iu order to present it to the Dunedin Aluseum. NELSON. A retiring alloAvance of £2OO has been voted to Air. Greenfield, the late Secretary. The non-official member of the Executive, Air. Rout, receives £IOO a year. A proposal was made in the Council, by Air. Sharp, to spend £7OO in fencing off the Amuvi district from Marlborough, but it was negatived. The ProAdncial Council has resolved, on the motion of Air. Donne, to render assistance out of the loan to the construction of the FourMile AVater-raco at Charleston. It has also been resolved that the Nile Bridge shall be one of the first works executed. Henry Cape A\ T illiamson, a surgeon, was charged at the Resident Alagistrate’s Court with having passed a valueless cheque to Airs. Atkinson, of the Custom House Hotel, at the port, in April, 1573. The amount was 13s. On Thursday of last Aveek the prisoner returned to the hotel, and stayed till Saturday, Avhen lie left suddenly iu the morning. For the defence, Air. Acton Adams stated that the prisoner was a gentleman. In April last he Avas passing from Dunedin to Hokitika, and stayed at the Custom House Hotel a day or two. While iu Dunedin he had an account with the Bank of New South AVales there, and on leaving gave instructions to lurve it transferred to the Hokitika branch. In signing the cheque in Nelson he had merely omitted to strike out the word “Nelson” and insert “ Hokitika.” There aaxis no intention to defraud. On arriving at Hokitika he remem bored the error, and seeing Mr, Atkinson there, he paid him the 13s,’ not knowing that Mrs.. Atkinson had a protection order. Recently, he had traA’dled overland from the West Coast, and on Thursday last came into town from Alotueka Valley, and at once went to the Custom House Hotel. The waiter brought him in the cheque, and ho told him that he had paid it in Hokitika to Air Atkinson. With regard to his leaving the hotel suddenly, he had an engagement, and fully intended to return to dinner. The whole matter had been an unfortunate mistake. Ultimately, the case i was remanded for a week, to obtain evidence from the AVest Coast iu support of Air. Adams’' statement; bail being accepted, CANTERBURY. Kaiapoi is in the singular position of having an cvculy-balanceci population—sol males and 501 females. A rather serious accident happened to Air. W. Bradley, farmer, AA r ost Eyreton. The horse he Avas riding roared up and fell back on him, breaking several of his ribs and otherwise bruising him. An accident (says the Times) happened to one of the grooms at the circus on Saturday evening last. Ho fell from the horse ho was riding, v and it was feared that one of his legs was broken. HeAvas immediately conveyed to the hospital, where it was discovered that no bones were broken, the injuries being confined to a severe sprain. Air. T. R. o‘Callaghau, of Kaiapoi, has been killed by a road accident. Air. O'Callaghan, accompanied by Air. Storer, Avho also lives ou the Island, left Christchurch in a light American waggon, and arrived at Coutts’ bridge. The approach to this bridge from the Island side is Aery steep, and when the bridge had been crossed, Air. O’Callaghan remarked that ths night was very dark, but he thought the marc knoAV her Avay home. Immediately afterwards the mare foil, and rolled down the embankment, and when they reached the bottom Air. O’Callaghan Avas under the waggon, which was also on Air Storcr’s legs. Air. O’Callaghan asked the latter to release him two or three times, but he could not extricate himself. Air. Storer, however, coocy’d, and then became unconscious. Relief came, but Mr. O’Callaghau was quite dead, lying with lus chest under the shaft, and the marc lying over the shaft. The deceased Avas a brother of the Rev. A. F. O’Oallaghan.

The follosving psiiM-alar.-. as to the earthquakes lately felt at Canterbury arc given by the Times :—Three distinct shocks immediately succeeding each other were experienced in Christchurch on Saturday, the first, which occurred at twenty minutes to eight o'clock, being the most severe of the three. The vibration was horizontal from X. E. to S.W., and continued for about six seconds. It was accompanied by a sound as of distant carriage wheels. Xu damage was dune in the city, but a chimney is reported to have been thrown down on Messrs. Fitzroy and Acland's farm near Dunsandel. A correspondent writes as follows from Swauuanoa, on finned: —“An earthquake slioek was felt here this morning at 7.45 o’clock. There was the severest frost of the season during the night, the atmosphere was as still as death when the shock was felt, making' the timbers of the dwelling crack. The direction was from west to east. The ice in the vessels measured more than half an inch in thickness." Two distinct shocks of earthquake, the latter being more especially severe, were felt in Akaroa, at about 7.43 on the morning of June tl. A shock of earthquake, -which was preceded by a slight rumbling noise, and lasted for about thirty seconds, was felt in Okaiu Bay on Saturday morning last, about 7.45. The oscillation was apparently from S. to X. A correspondent, writing from Kowai Bass, states that a sharp shock of earthquake was felt there on Saturday last, at 7.45 a.m., but that as far as ho heard no damage was done. OTAGO. It is Mr. J. Sperrey, not Mr. M. Sperrey, who has been appointed Sub-Treasurer. A new paper is about to be established at Balclutha within a week or two. Constable Iloonoy, on the first day lie was stationed at Caversham, had a portion of his nose bitten off by a rowdy fellow named Connelly.! A new English Church in Stafford Street, Dunedin, is now rapidly approaching completion, and promises to bo one of the most elegant structures in the city. It will seat GOO. Mr. Clarkston, who spent several thousands of pounds in sinking for coal, has at last discovered an excellent workable seam of coal in close proximity to the branch line of railway at Walton Bark, Mr. McDennid has given notice in the Provincial Council that he will move, “ That the freight for carrying goods on the Dunedin and Port railway be reduced to 2s. Gd. per ton, and the fares for carrying passengers be reduced to Is. for first-class and 9d. for second class each way.” The contractors for the Oamaru Harbor Works have succeeded in removing the rubble lying off the seaward end of the wall, and on Tuesday completed another length of 17 feet. The cap block made in situ is the largest yet made, and weighs fully 200 tons. Mr. Adam Begg, of Anderson’s Bay, is reported by the Bruce Herald to have purchased Mr. Maitland's freehold estate of 170,000 acres, on the banks of the Molyneux, for £52,000, stock being taken at valuation. Constant traffic is now observed on the Green Island railway line. Tracks, each contaming seven tons of coal, are frequently sent up from the district, and it is intended to convey coal and sand on the line daily. A fatal accident of a very painful nature occurred at Alberton, Lake Wanaka, on Wednesday last, when a little boy, aged six years, son of Mr. Theodore Bussell, publican there, was instantaneously killed by the wheel of a waggon passing over him. Dr. Moncktou’s expedition to the Auckland Islands consists of —E. A. Mouckton, lessee ; Mr. D. Durbridge, of Orepuki ; Mr. Mclvor, of Invercargill ; and Mr. W. E. P. Scott, Eiverton ; one woman, a crew of four sailors, and the Captain, C. H. Welch, of Fort Chalmers. A telegram received in Invercargill on Monday, via Hokitika, announced the death, on the 25th ultimo, of one of the oldest Southland colonists—Captain John Howell, of Fanlight station, Lake Wakatip. The veteran, who had been ailing for some time past, wont a few weeks ago on a visit to Sydney, whence the intelligence of his decease was received as stated. The Times mentions the case of a foolish old IV Oman, who, being attracted by tho tempting appearance of tutu berries, began eating them voraciously. In a short time she showed evident signs of mental aberration, somewhat similar to that exhibited by cattle after partaking freely of the plant. Fortunately, the case yielded to the skill of an old Highlander, who prescribed copious draughts of whisky at short intervals, by which treatment the mental equilibrium of the old woman was happily restored. Messrs. Mackay and Connor lately imported to Western Australia a fine thoroughbred horse, and thence shipped him to Canterbury, where he was sold last week to Mr. Dodson, of Port Chalmers. Noticing the purchase, the Hail;/ Times says :—Mr. G. Dodson’s costly purchase, the handsome entire thoroughbred horse Cassibelaunus, arrived yesterday in the steamer Tararua, and was safely disembarked at the Kailway Pier. He is a truly magnificent animal, showing splendid points and great power, with superb action. He appeared to be perfectly docile, and was walked off the pier to the Provincial Hotel in the midst of an admiring crowd. At the hotel Mr. Dodson stripped him and revealed his beautiful proportions. Loud were the expressions of admiration on all sides. Cassibelaunus is a bright bay with black points. He is indeed an acquisition to the racing stock of this Province. The Provincial Auditor secerns to be in a difficulty which is not yet accurately described. In the Council, a few evenings ago, the Speaker read the following communication which he had received from that gentleman;—“l have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed copy of the balance sheet and statement of expenditure for the year ending 31st March, 1874, which was placed in my hands yesterday afternoon. I have to direct your attention to the omission in the document of tho usual certificate of the Provincial Auditor, and to explain that the balance of the books has not yet been accurately brought out, and that, therefore, I do not feel warranted in granting such certificate. I may, however, inform you that I have examined the statement of expenditure, and believe it to be correct.—ll. Livingston.” In reply to a question by Mr. Fish, the Speaker said that he was not aware of any provision in the Audit Act to meet the circumstances of the case which had arisen. As far as ho was aware, no similar circumstances had occurred up to tho present—certainly not in this Province. He wan not in a position to give a decided answer at present, but would make it his duty to look up the subject. In a case of master and servant, in which tiie parties were Hallenstoin v. Murphy, Mr. Bathgate, K.M., has given the following judgment ;—The information in this case against the defendant, accused of absenting herself from her service, is laid under tho 17th section of Tho Master and Apprentice Act, 1805. This Act (section 3) defines the word “master” as meaning any person to whom any child shall ho hound apprentice by indenture, that is by deed duly signed, sealed, and delivered. Section If) provides by whom the indenture is to bo executed, and requires it to be executed “ by the parent or guardian of the apprentice.” The intention of tin: Legislature is clear, that as a delinquent apprentice may be involved in summary prosecution and penalties under the Act, it is provided that the apprentice should be fully made aware of the nature of the deed to which ho or she may be a party ; and lienee the execution of the deed is surrounded with a certain degree of solemnity, and the parent or guardian must bo a party. By the word “parent,” X understand the father, if lie be alive and within the Colony. Tho document founded upon is informal as a deed, not being sealed. The mother has signed the deed, along with tho defendant (her daughter), hut during the father’s life the mother as such is entitled to no power. ■ The indenture, therefore is informal, and tiic defendant not being properly bound, the penal clauses of the Act do not apply to her case, Thu information will be dismissed without costs.