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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4144, 2 July 1874, Page 2

Wc learn that the number of births registered in and for Wellington during June were i'2. The deaths were 19. In May, the births wore 38 ; the deaths 12. Of the deaths in June, 6 were of children under 1 year, viz., 1 males and 2 females; lof a female 3 years old, and 9 males and 3 females 10 years old and upwards. Seven persons died of phthisis (consumption), viz., 6 males of 18 years old and upwards, and one female 3 years old. There were two deaths from typhoid fever - . Two infants died from diarrhoea. There were three deaths from disease of the respiratory organs, two of them being of infants. We observe, from the newspapers received yesterday morning by the City of Adelaide, that the Australian mail via San Francisco was delivered in Loudon three days after contract time. The delay, wo are glad to note, did not occur on the Pacific side, hut was due entirely to the slow passage of the Atlantic steamer. The English authorities seem to be particularly hard to waken up in this matter. A correspondent who indicates his disposition by the signature which ho adopts—that of “ Inquisitive”—writes as follows on matters regarding which he should not need information if he had been a “ constant reader —“ Being somewhat inclined to the study of mechanical science, could any of your readers, marine or otherwise, satisfy my curiosity by giving mo the following information ; —Has there ever been any theory advanced or tried in the build of iron ships for the purpose of decreasing their rolling and dipping- in severe weather, and at the same time of not impeding' 1 the progress of the vessel through the water. Any information on this subject -will much oblige.”

A general meeting of the Wellington Cooperative Baking Society was held at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening. The report of the committee of management was discussed and adopted, after which the meeting proceeded to the election of trustees, auditors, and committee of management, for the ensuing twelve months. With the exception of two members of committee, who retired at their own request, the whole of the officers were re-elected, and the meeting, which was largely attended, was brought to a conclusion with a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. John Compton.

For several days past the Colonial Museum has been visited by the eminent gentlemen comprising the Challenger expedition, who have found many objects of interest and great scientific value to engage their attention. The many excellent works compiled by the officers of the Geological Survey Staff, Dr. Hector's works on the fishes of New Zealand, and other works contributed to the scientific literature of the Colony by Dr. Hector and Captain Hutton, formed the subject of high encomiums, and it is intended to present the members of the expedition with a complete sot of these works, which are regarded as proving Now Zealand to bo far in advance of many older countries which claim to he much more advanced than we are in scientific knowledge.

The business at the Police Coux-t yostoi-day was of an unintex-esting character, only one case of drankenness being disposed of.

It is notified in a Provincial Gazette, published yesterday, that the Superintendent has appointed Mx-. John Newton Coleridge to be a District Engineer for the Province.

A considerable number of the male immigrants lately sent round to Invex-cafgill are reported by the Guardian to have returned to Dunedin and suburbs.

The Hon. Mr. O’Rorke, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Buckland, Captain Kexxny, Mr. May, Hon. Mr. Stokes, Mx*. Williamson, and Mx-. Williams, were passengers by the Luna last night to attend the General Assembly. The following is a return of the number of patients in the Px-ovincial Hospital dux-iug and ending the mouth of June last : Admitted males, 11 ; females, 3. Discharged—males, 11 ; females, 3. Died—males, 1 ; females, 0 ; Left in Hospital—males, 25 ; females, 5. Total hx Hospital, 30. Engineex-s and surveyors seem to he in demand in most parts of the Colony. Recently, on account of some difficulty in procuring suitable men, there was a discussson as to the propriety of the work of surveying being done by contract; but objections wex-e made to the adoption of that coxxrse. Now the Chx-xst-clxurclx Council are advertising for a competent person to fill the office of City Surveyor, particulars of the duties of the office, which probably include those of engineer, being procurable from the Town Clerk of that city.

Those who were passengers by the ship Eleotra on her last trip fi-om England, and many residents of Wellington, will regret to hear that, on that vessel’s voyage home, a sad accident occurred by which Sir. Benjamin Lawrence Latchford, second, officer, lost his life. According to an extract from the ship’s log, as kept by Captain Sellars, and as signed by Mr. John Davidson, first officer, and William Thomson, A. 8., the accident happened in lat. 49° S., and long. 48° W., at 11.5 p.m. on February 9th, and the circumstances under which it oeexu-x-ed are thus described :—• The man at the wheel, William Thomson, A. 8., reported a man overboard, and immediately cut away a life-buoy. Captain Sellars rushed on deck, called all hands, let go the halyards, fore and aft, brought the ship to the wind to deaden her way, and cleared away the life-boat. Meantime he wore the ship x-ound, and stood back towards where the accident occurred. Having hove the ship to, he lowered away the life-boat iu charge of the chief-mate, with directions how to steer ; gave those in the boat a lantern ; hoisted one on board for the guidance of the boat ; clewed up all small sails and waited. While the ship was hove, to for the return of the boat, it was found on inquiry, that Mr. Latchford, who had been in charge of the deck, was missing. At half-past midnight the boat returned without seeing anything of him or the life-buoy, and accordingly the boat was hoisted up ; and sail made, and the vessel px-oceeded on her voyage, “ everyone much cast down.” At the time Mr. Latchford fell overboard, the ship was going at the x-ate of twelve knots under all plain sail. The night was dark, and there was a heavy sea running. When the boat was launched, thex-e was very little hope of the attempt at rescue being successful. Mr. Latchford had on heavy clothing and sea boots, and unless he caught the lifebuoy, which is doubtful, he could not long keep up in such a sea as then prevailed. Mr. Latchford was last seen at the fore part of the poop, and it is supposed that he mxxst there Ixave accidentally fallen over the lee rail. Miss Clara Stephenson and her dramatic company seem to have made a very satisfactory commencement to a season of her performances at Wanganui. We learn fx-oux a private telegram that they have been playing to crowded houses, having the assistance, we suppose, of Mr. Thornton and “La Tetite Amy,” who were formerly associated with. Miss Stephenson’s Company, and who have lately been resident in Wanganui. A very handsome and highly finished Regulator has just been completed by Mr. Campbell, watch and clock maker, Manners Street, the whole of the work, with the exception of the case, being made on the premises. This capital specimen of local industry is made on the latest principle by Denison’s rules ; the pendulum being a compensated mercurial one, with iron bar and steel rod, weight about 15 lbs. The driving power is by a weight of about 9 lbs. The case was made from Mr. Campbell’s own design, by Mr. Bemisooni of Cuba Street, and is very neatly designed, and executed in New Zealand wood. Taken as a whole, the Regulator, which is the fourth by the some maker, is a very ox-editable production of the mechanical skill of Wellington. Yesterday afternoon, according to advertisement, Mr. G. Thomas submitted to auction two very neat and well-bred black Shetland gelding ponies. The attendance at the rooms in which the ponies were sold was vex-y poor, only some ten or a dozen persons being present. They were offered singly, with the option of taking both, and were started by the auctioneer at a previous private offer of £lO. It was some time before the perseverance of the salesman was rewarded by any advance. At last an offer of £l7 was dragged out; another pound, and then a bid for the owners, brought the figure up to £l9. As thex-e was no advance made upon this, they were passed iu, the reserve price being £2O. Subsequently, the huger of the pair was secured by Mr. Mantell at the reserve figure. Those residents of Wellington, who might like to indulge their children with a pony, have missed a fine opportunity which may not again occur for a considerable time, of seeming the very article in a most suitable fox-m. No fault could be foxmd with the shape and appearance of the animals, and they were guaranteed perfectly quiet and tractable. They would probably Ixave sold better had they been younger; nevertheless, there are many years of good work still irx them.

The advantage of employing the police in the collection of passage-money from those immigrants located in the country districts has been manifested in a very satisfactory manner during the past few months. A largo number of immigrants by the E. P. Bouverie and Helen Denny, who have found profitable occupation in the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts, have paid a great portion of their liability to the Government through the agency of the constables in their neighborhood, who receive 10 per cent, commission upon all sums collected.

During his recent trip to Nelson for the purpose of visiting the Collingwood mine, Dr. Hector received a puncture in the right arm, which afterwards presented all the appearance of having been poisoned. During the past few days, the symptoms, though by no means dangerous, have assumed such a form that Dr. Hector has been confined to his room, which is unfortunate, for the reason that much of the information required by Professor Thomson and other members of the Challenger expedition, -will not, under present circumstances, be so readily obtainable as would be the case were Dr. Hector not indisposed. The loss will probably not amount to more than two or three days’ delay, as Dr. Hector will by that time bo able to resume his duties and place at the disposal of the visiting savans the information which he alone can give.

, A correspondent of the Lyttelton Times, who signs himself “ Utility,” has the following satirical remarks on the subject of cremation An extract from the Home papers informs us that good candles were made from a substance taken out of an old cemetery. As we are living in a utilitarian age, it would be a sad waste of material to bum either the mover or the seconder of the motion for legalising cremation in this country. Better subject them to a chemical process, whereby the requisite constituents would be extracted to enable the operator to make two large mould candles ; clean and varnish the hones, and arrange them artistically into suitable candelabra to hold these candles. No doubt a place could bo found for them in the Council Chamber, where, on all doubtful cases, the application of a match would result in their throwing light on the subject-

Another benefit likely to follow this course of proceeding would be that of supplying our other representatives with an incentive to achieve, if possible, a like notoriety, and so secure, each for himself, a niche in the Temple of Tame.

There was a very fair attendance at the Theatre Koyal last night to witness the second performance of Smith’s Combination Troupe. The entertainment is one that must be seen to be appreciated, as the wonderful feats that are performed are simply indescribable. _ Ihe company may be fairly styled a “ combination of wonders.” Mr. Val Vose, with Ids companions “Johnny Trotter” and “ Mrs. Brown, and several other introductions, keeps the audience in roars of laughter for nearly an hour, by the smart repartee and ruunmg fire of witticisms between the figures and himself. Airec performs his daring and marvellous feats on the trapeze with an ease and dany jroijl that essen the alarm of the audience in witnessing so dangerous an exhibition. Professor Sauudors’ harp-playing is a masterpiece of manipulation, combined with exquisite taste and expression. Mr. St. Vincent and Mdlle. Montebello contribute considerably to the evening's amusement by their clever songs and dialog-ues. The De Castro family crown the whole performance by their wonderful feats of strength and agility, executed with a graceful style°and finish particxxlarly pleasing. Mr. Smith may be congratulated on having collected the most clever and wonderful company that has ever aj)peared in the Australasian Colonies. -In consequence of the Theatre being engaged this evening for the fancy dress ball, the Combination Troupe will perform at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. To-morrow evening they will resume the performance at the Theatre.

A correspondent at Foxtou forwards to us the following as a copy of an extraordinary notice posted at Palmerston, Manawatu, to which reference has already been made:—“Notice! Awa Huri, June 24th, IS7-I.—To the inhabitants of Palmerston. —On and after the 25th day of June, the road to Rangitikei will be stopped to traffic by a gate at the Oroua Bridge, erected by the Ngati Kauwhata, and will closed until all disputes between the Government and Ngati Kauwhata are settled. Na TE Na Ngati Kauwhata. N.B.—No offer of money will be accepted as toll." The fact of a hundred thousand shares in the new Colonial Bank having been applied for in the Province of Otago alone, indicates the existence of a large amount of prosperity and of faith in the future of the Colony and its banking institution. In other Provinces there is, if not an equal, at least a proportionate demand for shares in the same Bank.

The Art-Union of London is annually subscribed to pretty liberally in New Zealand, and we are gratified to observe that in the last drawing holders of tickets in this Colony have been fairly successful. We find the following in the list of prizes Entitled to select a prize of the value of £lO, W. Jamieson, Christchurch ; a Gibson medallion, E. C. J. Stevens, Christchurch, and Dr. J. Turnbull, Christchurch ; a volume of etchings, by the Etching Club, A. V. Aldridge, Christchurch ; James Gorrie, Blenheim ; J• Kissliug, Blenheim ; E. Wickes, Greymouth ; a volume of thirty landscapes, after S. W. Cooke, E. xV., E. Bum, Nelson ; E. Pearce, Wellington; and Charles Woolcock, Greymouth.

An important extension of the railway system, Otago, has been made, by the complepletion of the Dunedin and Green Island fine, and by the commencement of regular traffic thereon. The Green Island district is a veryimportant one, by its proximity to Dunedin, by its value as a farming district, and especially by its possession of other resources in the form of building stone and coal. Its coalfield is a very extensive one; and, although the coal is not of a character suited for oceangoing steamers, it is well adapted for domestic purposes, and for use in connection with stationary engines. The opening of the new line will materially aid in the development of-the field, and practically make Green Island one of the most thriving suburbs of the city of Dunedin. AUCKLAND. A speech was delivered lately in the Mechanics’ Institute, Auckland, on the subject of “Secular Education and the Unjust Tax!” It has since, at request, been published in the form of a pamphlet, a copy of which we have received and acknowledge. The immigrants by the Loch Awe are being engaged rapidly. As usual the single girls have gone oif very quickly. A fair proportion of the married people have found employment, and others are in negotiation for situations. There is as great a demand as ever for domestic servants. The ILevixld is told that Mrs. Taylor, the resident matron, has applications already for the greater number of the girls to come by the Queen of Nations. About twenty of the Danish immigrants, male and female, proceeded to Wellington by the a.s. Wellington. The officers of the Blanche, assisted hy Mr. H. N. Douglas, and the ladies of the Prince of Wales Company, gave a very successful entertainment in aid of the funds of the Orphan Asylum. The object of the entertainment and the occasion had the effect of filling the house, notwithstanding that the weather was most unfavorable. The first piece selected was, “ Still Waters Kuu Deep,” and the performance concluded with the “ Unwarrantable Intrusion,” which was equally successful.

HAWKE’S BAY. It has been decided to erect a public hall at West Clive, at a cost of £3OO. A Native riot, on a small scale, is reported from Waipawa. Drink seems to have been the prime cause. CANTEEBUEY. An artesian well has been sunk with perfect success in the town of Sumner. The body of Mr. John Trainer, who had been missing for a fortnight, has been found in a lagoon near Temuka. By a fire at West Eyreton, stacks of seed hay, worth £4OO or £SOO, have been destroyed. Mr. George Leslie Leo has been appointed Clerk to the Provincial Council. ’The Times reports two personal accidents—■ one nearly fatal, the other serious to tho sufferer. Two men were crossing the Ashley on one horse, when they were carried away by the current, and only rescued when they were in an almost lifeless state. Tho other accident happened to a lad named Albert Erarnpton, at Eangiora. He was dragged in the stirrup for a long distance along a road, kicked by tho horse ho had been riding, and picked up in an unconscious state. Commissioners appointed by the General and Provincial Governments to consider tho question of erecting public offices in Cathedral square, Christchurch, decided upon a plan which contemplates leaving the western portion of the square unoccupied as now. Eegarding this arrangement the Times says:— The Provincial Government now own a piece of ground on tho south side of the square—between Matson’s stone building aud Worcester street—and it was proposed to acquire possession of a corresponding plot on the north side of the square, in the vicinity of 'Mr. Hargreaves’ office, with the view of erecting a block of buildings for the Post-office aud Telegraph Departments, on one side, and a block for the Customs and Land Transfer Departments on the other. The plans also provided for a wide asphalted footpath on tho western side of the present roadway through the square, with ornamental lamps in the centre, and a fountain at each end ; also for the enclosure of tho present open space—which was to bo laid down in grass—with an iron fence, and tho establishment of two cab stands on the western sido of the enclosed space, immediately in front of the respective blocks of buildings. These plans were carefully considered by tho City Council, aud wore formally approved by that body last night. It will be seen from tho report of Provincial Council proceedings that tho plans of tho Commissioners have been rejected by that body.

A young East Indian boy, named Noah Uzwera, has been charged in the Christchurch Court with wilfully placing stones on the railway. He did so immediately before a train came xip at the rate of from thirty-five to forty miles an hour, and his excuse for his conduct, when arrested, was an extraordinaxy one. Detective Walker in his evidence said :—I arrested the boy this moraing on the wari’ant produced. I went to Burnham and saw the boy at his father’s house.* I asked him why he put the stones on the railway, and he said he was only playing. I asked him what he went behind the gorse fence for to hide and he said because be would like to see a good smash. I said how would you like your father to have been in the train, and he said that would have been bad. In reply to his Worship, the boy said that he was only playing, and wished to see a “smash.” Sir Cracroft Wilson asked the boy if ho knew what ‘‘'smash” meant, but he did not seem to understand the meaning of the word. The boy was about six years of ago. In reply to Sir Cracroft Wilson, the father of the boy again stated that he beat the boy very severely, immediately after he had been told that he had placed stones on the line. Sir Cracroft Wilson, at the request of his Worship, asked the father what security he could give that the boy would not be guilty of this offence again. He replied in the metaphor of his language, “If he does, I am your victim.” The witness also said that he was aware of the enormity of the offence, and that loss of life might have resulted. In reply to his Worship (through Sir Cracroft Wilson), the father of the lad said he would not only enter into a bond to pay £2O that the offence should not occur again ; but if it did, be (his Worship) might also “hang him.” The necessary bond was entered into, and the boy was discharged. OTAGO. It was lately stated that the Superintendent had proceeded to Southland, to formally commence the work of constructing certain railways. He was accompanied by Mr. George Proudfoot. The railways commenced are Riverton to Wallacetown, opening up a fine agricultural district; Riverton to Otaxxtau, ditto; and Hi vertex! to Orepuki, communicating with the goldfields and coalfields, and fine agricultxiral countiy beyond. Messrs. Meikle and Campbell’s tender of £3363 10s., for the new railway passenger station, Dunedin, has been accepted. There is still a considerable number of immigrants in the Immigi’ants’ Barracks at Dimedin, with a prospect of an increase from the ships Hindostan and Cartsburn. As a witness named Martin was being examined in an assault case in the R.M. Court, Dunedin, he stated that he was of a quiet temper. “ Then you are a meek man ?” said Mr. Howwth ; wliereupon the witness exuidy replied, “ No, I am a Scotchman, not a Mick.”

An earthquake of pretty considerable force, and of oscillating character, disturbed the peace of residents in the Wakatip district,, about twenty minutes to 6 o’clock on the morning of Saturday week. It continued a comparatively long time, the course being apparently from north or north east to the opposite direction. The labor test is being tried at the Immigration Barracks. A number of the immigrants, says the Star, “ struck,” aud -when ordered by the barrack-master refused to do any work. The rules provide that while in barracks they must work four hours a day, and if they refuse to do so the authorities have power to stop their rations. They subsequently resumed work. ,

What almost amounted to a famine of coal was experienced in Oamaru last week, many householders, owing to the delayed arrival of expected colliers, being put to awkward shifts for fuel. The appearance of the Euphrosyne on Saturday, with a cargo of black diamonds, remarks the Times, relieved the anxiety of those who began to doubt whether it would be more proper to bum their own or their neighbors’ fences.