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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4132, 18 June 1874, Page 2

A telegram from the Agent-General, dated June 2, was brought from Melbourne by the Claud Hamilton. It states that during May there were despatched for the Colony the following emigrant ships ;—Keichstag and Strathnaver, for Wellington, with 700 souls on board ; Lawrence and Carisbrook, for Lyttelton, with 900 ; Corona, Balm, and Otago, for Port Chalmers, with 1300. The Agent-General also announces that he shipped during May: rails and fastenings, 2500 tons ; bridge work, 700 tons ; wire, 115 tons ; waggon-irons, 100 sots ; four engines, thirty switches, ninetyeight cylinders, 160 pipes, and six weighbridges. Dr. Hector, who returned to Wellington yesterday from a visit to the Collingwood coal mine, states that he found very satisfactory progress had been made with the workings. The tunnel is now driven a distance of 600 feet, but owing to the flatness of the strata, which prevented the workings being so profitably earned on as they might otherwise be, it was decided to make an “.up-rise,” or shaft, 50 feet high at the extremity of the tunnel, the effect of which is that as much coal is being got from the mine as if the tunnel had been carried a distance of 400 feet further. The whole of the coal measures in the mine have now been explored, with this result ; that the coal in the seams is as pure inside as outside, but, contrary to expectation, it has not proved any thicker. The quantity of coal being got out is, nevertheless, quite encouraging, and with the facilities for shipment, and the proximity of the iron deposits at Parapara, in connection with which a large supply of coal will be required, the promoters are very sanguine. - Dr. Hector also examined a seam of coal at llichmond, which had been explored at his instance a short time ago, and found that the seam was 6 feet 3 inches thick and of good quality. Private parties have commenced to sink a shaft in the locality, which is within a mile of the Foxhill railway. Sir. McKay, a member of the Geological Survey Staff, also examined a coal seam at Picton, but it turned out to be merely a local deposit of no value or importance. The occurrence of an abnormal increase of business does not always indicate a favorable condition of things. It would be rather puzzling, for instance, to assign a cause for the fact that the business of the ilesident Magistrate’s Court is now just double what it was a year ago. Certainly, the population has increased, but it has not not doubled itself. People may have become more litigious, hut that would scarcely augment the ordinary average of cases by 100 per cent. However, the fact stands out prominently that from January 1 to June S, 1873, the number of plaints issued by the clerk of the court was 465, while the number issued from January 1, 1874, to June 8, 1874, was 914. It is consolatory to know that the increased demands upon their energies keep the officials from idle ways and increases the revenue.

Tho completion of the large now premises lately erected by Mr. ID. W. Mills, iron merchant, of this City, was marked yesterday by the raising of the typical lion to his stand at tho top of the building. The new store, which stands next to the National Bank, communicates with the old offices in Hunter Street, but has the advantage of an additional front. It is one of tho three-storey buildings of which there arc only a few at present, but which will spring up fast on the reclaimed land as the trade of the City increases. The ground floor is spacious and commodious, and affords room for tho stowage of large quantities of hardware and other goods. Tho communicating staircase springs from the centre of the ground floor, and gives an easy ascent to the first floor, the second floor or uppermost storey being but a little height above the first. The three flats together will accommodate a very large amount of merchandise. The raising of “the lion” to his place yesterday was watched by a number of people, and was safely accomplished. Miss Clara Stephenson and a company of comedians have been performing in Greytown and Mastcrton with much success. The performance at Greytown on Saturday evening is very favorably noticed by the Waimmpa Standard, which states that the company purpose giving another performance there on Friday evening. Tho young whale, or what was “ very like a whale,” which has recently been on e.Hiibition at the Crown and Anchor Hotel, was a passenger to Auckland yesterday by the Taranaki. It is to he placed in the museum collection of mammalia there.

His Excellency the Governor was to be entertained at a grand ball given by the citizens of Nelson last night.

The Hutt Court was yesterday formally opened and adjourned for a fortnight, there being no cases set down for hearing.

The adjourned meeting of the City Council will be held this afternoon at four o’clock, in the usual place.

Constable Lyster, of the Upper Hutt, reported late last evening that no traces had been discovered of the missing child Ettia Needham.

Six acres and a-half of land at the Hutt, upon which stands the Masonic Hall, were yesterday sold by Mr. George Thomas for £225, Mr. George Crawford being the purchaser.

Many residents of the City will be glad to learn that the health of Mr. W. Mien manager of the Wellington Trust and Eoan Company, is improving. For some weeks his condition was very critical, but during the past few days he has so far advanced towards recovery as to be able to leave his sick bed. The adjourned meeting of the City Council will be held to-day. 'Die meeting will discuss the advisableness or otherwise of accepting the several Provincial engineer's for the purpose of ascertaining the cost of reclaiming the Te Aro foreshore, extending the wharf, constructing a graving clock, and cognate matters.

Mr. Stephen Eagan, the chairman at Mr. Macdonald’s meeting at Sandon on the subject of the Rangitikei-Manawatu purchase, desires us to correct a statement which was made to us by a correspondent. Our correspondent said that Mr. Macdonald’s statement lasted for two hours. The chairman states that it lasted for four hours.

A sulphur-bottom whale, seventy feet long, was recently cast ashore near Picton. The-sulphur-bottom is a species of whale never' caught by the whalers uow-a-days, partly on account of the small quantity of oil it yields, but’ principally because of the danger attending it capture on account of the extraordinary rapidity with which the sulphur-bottom moves' through the water when struck. The animal is a desideratum much sought after by naturalists, and as many inquiries in regard to this species of whale have been received from the British Museum, where no specimen of it is to be found, Dr. Hector took immediate steps to secure the skeleton, which is now stored at Picton.

There seems to have been some fitness in the appointment of Mr. Levy to the office of rate collector for the Education Board. Up to the present time the amount collected under the rate for the year, which is assessed at a halfpenny in the pound, is £1635, leaving the small outstanding balance of £4 7s. Id. The current year expires in September next, when a fresh rate will he struck. In connection with this subject, it may be mentioned that Mr. Levy found it necessary to summon only one person, hut a notice elsewhere conveys the timely warning that persons who neglect to pay their capitation fees during the present month, are to be summarily dealt with. We are glad to learn that the operations of the Permanent Equitable Building and Investment Society are such as to afford great satisfaction, not only to the directors, but also to the shareholders. On Monday last, the first monthly pay day, there was a rush of business at the office. We understand that considerably over 1300 shares have been allotted, while the permanent character of the society induces a continual stream of fresh applications for shares. Investors will he glad to know that several thousands of pounds have already been lent out on mortgage, and the society bids fair to become, not only a financial success, but also a boon to the great body of the working classes in the facilities it offers them of acquiring a cheap freehold.

In exchange for several valuable contributions of trees and shrubs received by the Domain authorities, from Mr. Ferguson, nurseryman, Sydney, and Mr. Lang, seedsman,. Melbourne, parcels of seed of the Californian pines were forwarded by the authorities to both those gentlemen. Information has been received that the seed arrived in good condition, and it will he interesting to note the progress made by the young trees in Australia in comparison with those reared in Hew Zealand..

A number of No. 1 Company W.V.F.8., assembled last niglit, under the command of Captain Wilson, for the purpose of testing several lengths of hose belonging to the brigade, and which were lately in the use of the Corporation for watering the streets. The valve was opened at Post-office corner, and the hose stretched beyond the Provincial buildings. The first trial showed that the hose was faulty at several points, some of the junctions allowing a large escape of water. The force of the water-, however, was sufficient to show that in future fires are not likely to spread far. Tl: e brigade, which is the oldest established in Wellington, has really some grievance as far as the supply of plant is concerned. The great benefits they have conferred, together with the other brigades, on the occasions of several fires, deserve some palpable recognition from insurance agents and other interested bodies, in the way of a more efficient supply of plant.

During the recent sittings of the District Court, at Hokitika, his Honor Judge Harvey pointed out an anomaly in the scale of witnesses’ allowances that surely the attention of the authorities should be directed to. By the schedule in force, witnesses are only allowed us. per diem each, whilst at the same time the bailiffs of the Court are allowed 3s. for serving each summons or snbpcnna. As his Honor '. ery properly pointed out, the service of the document may occupy a few minutes only, whilst a witness may lose his whole day, and he thought attention should he drawn to the matter, with a view to its remedy. Hr. Wiltshire, the champion walker of New Zealand, now residing in Timaru, offers to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours if guaranteed £3OO on ins completing the distance in the time specified. He also challenges any man in New Zealand to walk against time and endm-ance one mile in every hour for £3OO or £SOO. MARLBOROUGH. Blenheim has been so long without those visitations for which it has been somewhat noted, that the occurrence of a flood on the night of the 11th took most people by surprise. The flood, says the Times, commenced about dusk; and at about midnight it had apparently reached its hig'hest. The streets in the lower part of the town were submerged during the time, but no damage was done, and very few, if any, of the houses had water in them. It is now ten months since the occurrence of the last flood.

The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court were opened on Monday, June 8, at Picton, by Mr. Justice Richmond. His Honor in his charge, referred to the calendar being unusually large, and appeared to bo of opinion that some of the charges should have been summarily dealt with. John Leslie, charged with larceny, was convicted, and sentenced to six months' hard labor. The grand jury threw out the bill against George Titmus, charged with horse-stealing, and he was discharged.. G. W. Palmer was convicted of an indecent assault on Mary Houl, of the ICaikouras. It appeared that tho prisoner suffered from aberration of mind, and, the jury having recommended him to mercy, a sentence of six months’ imprisonment until hard labor was inflicted. A. J. Hoskins, charged with arson, was defended by Mr. Conolly, with Mr. Rogers, and was acquitted. It is reported by the Press that when the common jury were sworn to try the first case in which a true bill had been found on Monday last, his Honor Judge Richmond called attention to the unsuitability of the accommodation provided for the jury. He said it was not supposed that the jury should have luxurious scats provided for them, but those at present in use were not even comfortable, and there were no desks provided. This was a want that required to he supplied, for men who came to do the business of the country required to be made comfortable, and to be furnished with the moans of providing aids to assist the memory

In loiij,' cases. It was hardly likely that a case approaching in length to the Tichborno trial would ever be heard here ; if there were a probability of such an event, his Honor would not like to be one of the jurors. The judge's remarks were very pointed as to the necessity there was to have an alteration in the accommodation provided for the common jurors, and ho said he expected the present seats would have been replaced before now with others more suitable for the purpose. NELSON. At a meeting of the creditors in the estate of W. Stavert and Co. the following appointments were made ;—Mr. J. 11. Mabia, trustee ; and .Messrs. Sharp and Beattie, supervisors. The retiring members—Messrs. J. Wigzell, R, Burns, I). Bums, and M. M. Webster—have been re-elected to form the local Committee of Education in Nelson. Tenders are wanted by the Provincial Government for the erection of the Nelson Immigration Depot, and will be received until Saturday, the 20th instant. The body recently found in the Duller River has been identified as that of Patrick Perry, whose death by drowning occurred a few weeks ago olf the Lyeli township.

The Westport Times of Tuesday last says : “The latest on dit is that Mr. Greenfield has been appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands vice Mr. Dauiell resigned.'’ There seems to be no truth in the report. A correspondent of the Westport Times states that at the cutting of the White Bluff, on the Buller Road contract, strong indications of kerosene are apparent. The odour is perceptible to passers by, and ho avers that the oil may bo seen oozing out of the crevices in the rock.

From the Little Wonder claim at the Lyeli we hear that from the block now at work very rich stone is being obtained. “ I saw,” sava a correspondent of the Grey Hirer Argus, “a piece weighing rather less than two ounces, which was taken haphazard from the truck, crashed, and, as far as I could guess, two grains and a half of gold were obtained.” WESTLAND. The Hokitika papers notice the death of Mr. Dunbar, for many years favorably known in connection with shipping and commercial matters in that town. He was at one time in large business in the Bendigo district, in Victoria. A case which is likely to he of much interest to the holders of auctioneers’ licenses throughout the Colony, was heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Hokitika. The main point at issue was, can an auctioneer sell a cpiarter-cask of spirits by private treaty, without holding a wholesale spirit license in addition to his auctioneer’s license. A report of the case appears elsewhere. The Westland Register mentions a “scene” which took place in the Provincial Council on Monday week “ The sudden termination of the Council's proceedings last night was rather startling to the public present. Mr. Seddon’s notice of his intention to move to-night a motion of want of confidence in the Executive, although somewhat abrupt, was not altogether unexpected, and it is perhaps just as well the matter should he settled off-hand. After the adjournment of the Council, several of the public remained in the Council Chamber, and one notorious Borough magnate—a spectator of the proceedings—was extremely excited by the turn affairs had fciken, and loudly expressed his desire to bet 1 tin to foive ’ that the Executive would retain office. He even went so far as to beard Mr. Seddon, and was only calmed by the apparition of Constable O’Malley, the Sergeant-at-Anus.” Mr. Holloway, representative of the Lancashire Laborers’ Association, purposed visiting the Hohonu Water-race, in company with Ins Honor the Superintendent. On returning, his intention (says the Argus) is to visit Greymouth and the Grey district, more particularly the Ahaura Plains, and the farming localities in that neighborhood, and if time permits he is likewise anxious to comply with the suggestion of the Superintendent of Nelson in paying a flying visit to Reefton and the Inangahua district. His stay, however, is necessarily limited now, and it is somewhat doubtful if he will he able to proceed further than the Ahaura.

A deputation in the tramway interests, consisting of Messrs. Martin Kennedy and Joseph Kilgour have been waiting on his Honor the Superintendent in respect to the claims of the Greymouth and Marsden Tramways. These gentlemen pointed out their desire to meet the Government on the question on such terms as might be named by his Honor or the Executive. They were prepared either to leave their claims to arbitration, to submit the same to be dealt with as the Council should think fit, or come to an arrangement with the Government for a settlement of their claims, by accepting payment in land or land scrip, rather than enter on legal proceedings. His Honor, after discussing the matter with the deputation, promised to bring it before the Executive next week, and if so advised, would also ascertain, during the present session, the feelings of the Provincial Council on the question.

Regarding the late fire at Haworth’s sawmill, the West Coast Times says Though the loss to Mr. Haworth, directly and indirectly, cannot be less than a thousand pounds, we are glad to know that it is not quite so serious as was anticipated, while the flames were raging, as a large portion of the machinery has escaped with much less damage than was then thought, the ironwork on the engine being not much the worse, and the large saw with other valuable pieces having been saved in tolerably fair condition. The exact origin of the fire has not been ascertained, though there can be little doubt it was caused by one of the lamp lights not being properly extinguished before the men . left, about ten on Friday night. The supposition is, that one of the lamps must have been smouldering all night, and the sparks have ignited the loose shavings about.