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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4147, 6 July 1874, Page 2

The ordinary circuit sittings of the Supremo Court begin this morning before His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston. Grand jurors and common jurors assemble at the Supreme Court at ten o'clock. The cases down for hearing are Alex. McDonald, malicious injury to property ; James Wilkins, poisoning cows ; and John Reilly, stealing from a dwelling. The case against McDonald is the notorious Oroua Bridge horse shooting case, in which Mr. Travers will appear for the prisoner. The charge against Wilkins is that of poisoning, or attempting to poison, some cows, the property of Mr. Hall, Sydney street. The ease against O'lleilly is an ordinary offence in the larceny category. Post Office Savings Banks were established in the Colony on the Ist of February, 1867, and at the end of that year the balance at the credit of depositors was £71,197. Since that time the deposits have steadily and largely increased. At the end of last year the balance at the credit of depositors amounted to £(504,807. The amount of interest paid during the year was £20,106. The mail just arrived has brought letters of rather an interesting character to those who took an interest in the case of the ship William Tapscott. The vessel, it appears, discharged her cargo in good order in the harbor of Cuxhaven, and was at ouco chartered to load a cargo there for Now York, the insurance authorities passing her without requiring that she should go into dock. All matters in connection with the ship, between Messrs. Tapscott, of Now York, and the American Consul here, we are happy to say, have been satisfactorily settled. Under date 28th March they say :—" The handsome testimonial seut to Captain Flinn from the merchants, shipmasters, and magistrates of Wellington has reached us safely, and shall be forwarded to him without delay." We may add that Captain Flinn has received the command of a new i iron clipper ship, named the Eskdale, which he ia

now bringing out from Liverpool to Melbourne. The mail lias also brought another letter.from the Superintendent of Enderbury Island testifying to the creditable manner in which Captain Flimi conducted himself while he was there.

His Excellency the Governor and Lady Fergusson paid a visit to H.M.S. Challenger on Saturday afternoon, and 6pent some time on board inspecting the scientific instruments and the general paraphernalia employed in conducting the interesting investigation in which the ship and her distinguished voyagers are engaged. Upon going on board the vessel the crew manned yards, and repeated the same mark of honor when His Excellency and the vice-regal party left for the shore.

Sixty immigrant ships sailed from the United Kingdom for New Zealand between February 1, 1873, and February 25, 1574. The three quickest passages made were by the James N. Fleming in 73 days, by the Scimitar in 70 days, and by the Mongol in 51. Eleven vessels sailed direct for the port of Wellington. The boy Gately, who was missed from the Luna just before the vessel left port upon her last trip North, was discovered hiding in the hold when the vessel arrived off Taranaki, sixteen hours after she left here. As Captain Fairchild had some misgivings as to the fate of the young incorrigible, he was exceedingly glad when he turned up all right, and exempted him from the infliction of the pains and penalties which his misconduct justified. All the ironwork for the Hutfc Railway bridge, which came out in one of the English vessels now at the Wharf, is lying at the Pipitea Station awaiting removal to the site for its erection. The works on the second cection of the contract are not advanced sufficiently for the erection of the bridge, but the presence of the necessary material on the ground will be a satisfactory sign that railway communication with the Upper Hutt and Taiia will not long be delayed. The s.s. City of Adelaide returned from the South yesterday to take out the San Francisco mail. She fired a gun announcing her arrival as she steamed into the port about half-past seven o'clock in the morning, and another shortly before noon, as she got under weigh. She made a smart run from Lyttelton, having left that port at half-past two o'clock on Saturday afternoon. She brought up the Suez mail which the Albion conveyed from Melbourne to Port Chalmers. It was not due in this port until the 11th instant, and has, therefore, through the expedition used, been delivered no less than six days before time. The City of Adelaide has left Wellington three days late, but will probably gain a day going round to Auckland. From that port she will proceed to Kandavau, as the Macgregor appears to have been detained in Sydney, as we surmised, to take on the mail from New South Wales in place of the Mikado. The latter boat had so long a bout of steaming, and the Pacific Ocean is so full of marine life, that it would be found necessary on her arrival to dock and clean her before she could again go to sea. In accordance with a stipulation in their contract Messrs. Brogden were compelled to keep the Hutt Kailway in good working order for a period of three months after the line being handed over to the Government. This term being about to expire, the Government engineer officially inspected the condition of the line on Saturday, with what result has not of course been formally made known. From the appearance of the embankments along the course of the line, particularly those portions exposed to the wash of the sea, and the excellent manner in which the line appears to have stood the three months' traffic, which has been rather heavy, there can scarcely be two opinions as to it 3 solidity and faithfulness of construction.

Two performances were given on Saturday by Mr. Smith's Combination Troupe. That in the afternoon was rather indifferently patronised, but in the evening there was a very I good attendance. The performances were certainly very interesting ; Mr. St. Vincent has an excellent voice, and a speciality as an author which enables him to give freshness to the comicalities which he produces. His "Just Behind the Scenes" was clever, and " The Belle of the Ball" not a little novel. "The Matrimonial Ball" gave Mademoiselle Montebello a grand opportunity of showingsome of the humor which is native in her, but the regret is that so little is seen and heard of her. The public would certainly like to see more of her. Mr. Saunders again played some pretty selections, including some from the wellknown opera "The Grand Duchess." Mr. Val Vose secured the wrapt attention of the audience for fully three-quarters of an hour, and was so successful that even then the audience were unwilling to part with him. " Airec" does his work with a grace, an ease, and a certainty that have never been approached in the Colonies. His ascent of a ladder placed on the flying bar, was really a most clever performance ; but done in so neat a style that no i Bense of danger alarms the spectators. "Airec" | is undoubtedly the ablest performer the Colonies have yet seen. We have left the performance of the De Castro family to the last. This is, undoubtedly, a most able troupe. The performances of Mr. and Mrs. De Castro are marked with grace, and the humors of the little ones are really good funning. On Monday the company will appear in the Odd Fellows' Hall, and on Tuesday at the Theatre Boyal. Mr. Smith has ventured a large sum of money in bringing out this company, and his efforts deserve a better reward than they have yet obtained, though the veteran makes no complaint, and only asks that the public should come to see a really good show. Hiß Excellency the Governor has been pleased to discontinue the services of the Auckland Artillery Volunteers, at their own request; and to disband the No. 1 Company, Hauraki Rifle Volunteers. The undermentioned gentlemen have therefore ceased to hold the rank of officers in the Volunteer force, their commissions having, under the provisions of the Volunteer Act, 1565, lapsed :—Edward Henry Featon, Esq., late Captain, Auckland Artillery Volunteers ; Francis Lipsey, Esq., late Captain, No. 1 Company, Hauraki Rifle Volunteers ; Albert Edward Tyrrell Dovore, Esq., late Lieutenant, Auckland Artillery Volunteers ; James Quinton, Esq., late Lieutenant, No. 1 Company, Hauraki Kifle Volunteers. His Excellency has also been pleased to alter the designation of the No. 1 Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, to the Auckland Artillery Volunteers. After many years of patient labor in the commendable endeavor to " make bricks without straw," the Hospital trustees have, it is said, at last hit upon a plan to secure the erection of a new Hospital for the City. It would be too much to say that the present Hospital is a disgrace to the City ; on the contrary, it is rather a. credit, thanks to the untiring industry and tact of the Hospital authorities. Still the number of wards and the general accommodation of the building are manifestly inadequate to the requirements of the City. Invariably the wards were full when the population was a third less than it is now, and it has to be borne in mind that formerly the great proportion of the patients were those who had met with accidents and could count upon being discharged after a short detention. It is a fact, however, and one that should attract attention in another quarter, that latterly the Hospital has become the last resting place of persons who have passed the emigration authorities in England as suitable immigrants, and come out here hopelessly incurable and penniless. Increased immigration having had the effect of largely increasing the number of patients, the trustees have been compelled to face the difficulty of providing another building upon a site different from that upon which the present one stands, and this desirable work it is proposed to carry out by raising a loan upon the security of the Hospital reserves. The question has not yet been formally or officially discussed, but prompt action in the matter could not fail to meet with the approval of the citizens generally.

The culture of the silk worm is about to be attempted ainougst the Maoris in the district of Wangaaui.

Speaking of the prospects of the projected Colonial Bank, the Olayo Daily Times remarks as follows :—To the already influential Provisional Directors of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand we observe the addition of the name of Mr. Joseph Clarke, son of the late Hon. W. J. T. Clarke, of Victoria and Moa Flat. Mr. Clarke's interests in this Province are estimated to be the most extensive of any individual holder of property and investments in the Colony, and doubtless such influence and support to the new Colonial Bank will be most valuable. Mr. Clarke, as well as his brother Mr. W. Clarke, aro the largest proprietors, and also Directors, of the Colonial Bank of Victoria.

The Acclimatisation Society of Wanganui appears to have had some difficulties to chronicle in its efforts to introduce the hare. It was stated at a late meeting that two consignments had been sent from Melbourne. Of the first, consisting of five leverets, only one arrived alive, it dying two days after. Of the second consignment of four, only two came safe to hand, and these were released on Mr. Churton's property. It was suggested that the next lot should be obtained through the instrumentality of the stewards of the Melbourne steamers.

The theatrical company now performing at Wanganui, under the management of Miss Clara Stephenson, appears to be doing well. The Evening Herald of the 2nd instant, speaks very highly of the manner in which " Lady Audley's Secret" was brought out, and adds:— " The performances were brought to a close by the burlesque 'Aladdin,' which was very well rendered. The scenery was got up with the greatest skill by Mr, Thornton. The golden cave was a surprise to everyone, and after a moment's silence the spectators burst out in the most vociferous applause."

Referring to one paragraph in the Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament, the Lyttelton Times remarks : —The present Governor of New Zealand is more fortunate than his predecessors, and he has shown every disposition to take advantage of his good fortune. In times gone by the Governor was, as it were, chained to the seat of Government, and could only find healthy relaxation and excitement in a visit to " the front," or in capturing a pa with a few raw volunteers, which a British general with two or three thousand troops at his back, was afraid to tackle. Now-a-days the Governor can say that, during the recess, he has visited most of the Provinces and taken every opportunity in his power of making himself acquainted with " the circumstances of the whole country." Sir George Grey never enjoyed the pleasure of saying that he was glad to have become known to a great number of the inhabitants of the Colony. All colonists, and many others, knew him, it is true, through his works, but it was only in the North Island that he was personally known to a large number. Sir George Bowen, during the latter part of his reign, wag able to travel through his dominions, but no Governor of the Colony has enjoyed this privilege so fully as Sir James Fergusson. It is only right to add that His Excellency considers it his duty to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the Colony. " Everywhere," he says, " are evidences of comfort and contentment among the colonists, while in those districts in which Europeans and Natives are mingled there are gratifying signs of mutual confidence and even of regard." These, we may feel assured, are not idle words ; they embody the result of His Excellency's observation.

We learn from a Christehurch contemporary that steps are being taken with a view to united action by the various fire brigades in the Colony for obtaining exemption from service on juries. The Christehurch and Dunedin Brigades have already joined issue, and it is anticipated that little difficulty will be experienced in securing the co-operation of those in the other Provinces. The following is the text of a petition now being signed by the members of the Christehurch Brigade ; "To the honorable members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled.'— The petition of the undersigned, members of the Christehurch Fire Brigade, humbly sheweth that your petitioners are members of a voluntary fire brigade at Christehurch; that your petitioners, in the performance of their duties, are called upon at all hours of the night and day to attend fires, and to work thereat for long periods of time ; that serving as jurymen materially interferes with the performance of their duties as firemen, besides entailing a larger sacrifice of their time on behalf of the public service than they can afford. Your petitioners therefore pray that your honorable House will be pleased to pass an Act relieving them from acting as jurymen while on active service as firemen, and to grant such other relief as to your honorable House shall seem fit, and your petitioners will ever pray." Similar petitions will be signed by all other brigades joining in the movement.

During the month of June eighteen estates of persons who died intestate were placed in charge of the public trustee. Four of these were of persons who died in hospital, one of the dead was lost from a coasting schooner, and one was run over by a dray. The estates iu each case only run from £5 to £IOO in value.

It is stated by the 'Wanganui Evening Herald that there is likely to be a lively contest for the seat vacant in the Education Board of that district, occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Graham. Mr. Fox, it was stated, would stand if requested. The other candidatas are the Rev. Mr. Paterson, of Wellington, and »Mr. Cash, of Marton.

Mr. Thomas Hinchcliffe has been gazetted to be clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court at Port Chalmers, Mr. James Currie Taylor has been appointed a clerk, and Mr. Frederick Knox de Castro a cadet, in the Treasury. Mr. James Barton Sadd has been gazetted a lieutenant in the Nelson Artillery Volunteers, and Mr. Joseph de Montalk a second lieutenant.

The Gazette intimates that five letters of naturalization have been issued within the last few days. One of the recipients is a fisherman at Invercargill (apparently an Italian), one a German, a jeweller, at Auckland, one a Chinese miner at Cromwell, one a Danish or Norwegian cooper at Greytown, and the fifth a settler—whose nationality we cannot guess—at Portobello.

The dangerous declivity toward the termination of Featherston Hill, at its junction with the Htitt Road, has been fenced off so as to preclude the possibility of accidents such as have frequently happened at this point. A light to indicate the winding of the road at night would render the improvement considerably greater.

The Otatjo Daily Times has the following : "All sporting men will remember that Mr. Redwood sent his splendid horse Manuka to Melbourne about five or six years ago, having entered him for the Melbourne Cup. The horse met with an accident, and did not start, and since that time he has been at the stud in Victoria. Since then we have heard little or nothing of his stock ; but from the entries made with the Victoria Racing- Ciub last month, there is every probability that we shall soon have plenty of opportunity of judging of Manuka's qualities as a sire. By the Australasian of the 20th of June we notice that amongst the entries for the St. Leger Stakes for three-year old colts and fillies, there is the name of Mr. Hurtle Fisher's b f Troy, by Manuka, out of Fair Ellen. In the Mares' Produce Stakes, to be run in October, 1577, for three-year olds, the produce of mares entered in 1873, there are no less than eighteen entries of colts and fillies who claim Manuka as their sire. For the benefit of those who take an interest in the matters we give their names -. —Mr. N. A. Wilson's Felle Farnie and Deception, Mr. R. Roderick's Arabella, Mr. T. Sawyer's Psyche, Mr. F. Henty's Mayday and The Jewess, Mr. S. P. Winter's Beguine and Gadabout, Mr. W. Learmonth's Dagmar, Briseis, Chatterbox, Thyra, Delight, Dewdrop, Evelyn, Chatelaine, Stanza, and Darkness There are over two hundred nominations for the Mares' Produce Stakes."

A luncheon party -will bo given on board H.M.S. Challenger to-day. The sliip will probably leave the harbor in the evening or earlv to-morrow morning for Auckland.

The resignation of Norman Abercromby Canrobell, Esq., of Pelortis, Marlborough, of hid appointment as a Justice of Peace for the Colony, has been accepted by His Excellency.

The Maoris of the Upper Wanganui district appear to be rather an enterprising race. They have just imported from the old country a flour mill, complete in all its parts, including an iron water-wheel.

There were only two cases at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday. One drunkard" was fined 20s. ; and in a civil case, Einucane v. Williamson, £-1 10s. rent duo, an order was made for the amount, and possession.

The followiug is an extract from a letter received in Christchurch by the last mail from Mr. Andrew Duncan, who proceeded to England as Emigration Agent:—"Your reply to this will be the last letter I shall receive. You need not write after June, as I intend starting for home in September. The new ship Canterbury, leaving here on June 4, will be the last I shall have on my own account, but many persons have gone to Canterbury from England already through what I have done here, and another 1000 will very likely go when I go among them again. The Agent-General has been requested by several influential persons in Kosshire, Skye, and Lewis to take 400 or 500 people from there, who want to go to Canterbury,—the outcome of my visit to those districts. I -will not take any further responsibility than their inspection, to do which I have been requested by the Agent-General, who will put on a ship from here in the end of July, if the requisite number comes forward. I was away in England for three weeks lecturing, and have now completed my fifty lectures within six months. I have received every assistance in my work from all quarters, and feel certain that New Zealand, and especially Canterbury, will not be the unknown place it was when I came to this country."

The body of Mr. Hibbett, says the TYairarapa Standard, has not as yet been recovered, though a diligent search has been made. Mr. Bannister, we understand, offered a reward to anyone who might find it. It appears that at the time of the accident on Sunday afternoon the river was not so high as to be dangerous, but the deceased, in crossing took his horse into a hole, where both suddenly went down. A bystander on the new bridge saw both horse and man re-appear and sink a second time, after which the horse again came up, but without its rider. CANTERBURY. We notice another shipment of fifty draught horses has been landed at Lytteltou from Hobart Town with a loss of only one. Several meetings have been held throughout the Province, at which it has been resolved to promote the establishment of tho new Colonial Bank. The Provincial Council have negatived the following resolution : —" That one train in the morning and one in the evening be run on the Northern and Southern Railways on Sundays." Division —ayes, 12 ; noe3, 19. The establishment formerly known as Tattersail's being now without a hotel license, it 13 to be thoroughly re-modelled. The repository, says the Times, is to be converted into a livery and bait stables, subject to the usual sale of horses on Saturday, while the best bar is to be •converted into a billiard-room, and the other bar into a saddler's shop. A meeting is to be held in Christchurch to form a company, with a capital of £15,000, half the shares to be issued at once, for the purpose of erecting a market-house, and the other half to be issued when the post-office ir removed, for the purpose of erecting in it 3 place a tow a hall.

OTAGO. The Provincial Secretary announces in the Gazette that the Government, being desirous of encouraging the establishment of pottery works in Otago, is prepared to pay a bonus of £250 on the following conditions : —On the erection of buildings and plant to the value of at least £300—£75 ; on the production of pottery to a value of not 1e33 than £ls0 — £75 ; on the production of a further quantity of pottery to a value of not less than £2OO suitable for household or domestic purposes, to be produced in works permanently established in the Province, and to be manufactured either wholly or to a large extent from material obtained in the Province.

The Green Island Meat Factory is doing a good business. At present there are slaughtered from sixty to seventy head of caiile and 1400 sheep pe.- week. The company, it is stated by the Times, received at the rate of 6:Jd. per lb. for preserved beef and mutton iu the London market, the brand being much sought after. Another industry started in connection with the establishment is smoked mutton hams, which are exported in casks preserved in tallow.

Certaij timber native to the Province of Otago i 3 highly adaptedformusicalinstruments. A violin wa3 constructed by the son of an old settler in the West Taieri, of birch on the back, white pine in front, and the handle of "oai ; and for sweetness and loudness of tone, it is superior to anything we (Times) have heard. A professional states that he never handled a violin with more satisfaction.