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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4160, 21 July 1874, Page 2

It is expected that the Financial Statement will be made in the House of Representatives, by the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, on the House re-assembling at half-past seven o’clock this evening. Since his arrival in Wellington Mr. Holloway, the representative of the English Agricultural Laborers’ Union, has been taking advantage of the presence, at the meeting of Parliament, of landowners, legislators, and capitalists from all parts of the country, to mako himself acquainted with the material object of his mission. He will, it is believed, carry away with him a much higher opinion of the country, its institutions and Government, as well as its land laws, than he formed on his first arrival in the Province of Otago. “Strong southerly gales may be expected” was the statement made yesterday, based on observations of barometrical changes. The expectation was fulfilled by a change in the weather yesterday morning, culminating in a stiff gale towards night, with a low thermometer. The weather on the West Coast of tiio Middle Island increased in violence yesterday, and one feature was the occurrence of an extraordinary thunderstorm, during which a house at Hokitika was struck by lightning. The Claud Hamilton would again meet with a stiff gale in the Strait, and would, as well as the Wellington, suffer some detention thereby. We are still without intelligence of the San Francisco mail. There is some hope, however, that its arrival in Auckland cannot much longer be delayed. The Cyphrenes sailed from San Francisco only two days behind time, duo, as usual, to the slow passage of the Atlantic steamer. The Cyphrenes, unfortunately, has shown herself to be somewhat of a slow ship ; but in the quiet waters of the Pacific she should have been able to keep contract time. Wo may hope, therefore, to hear of her arrival in Auckland at any moment. As we anticipated when the news came of the condition in which the Mikado had reached Kandavau, on her last trip from San Francisco, the Macgregor—which was intended to take out the New Zealand mail this month—was sent on direct from Sydney with last mouth’s mail. It appears now to have been arranged that the City of Adelaide shall* take on the inward mail from Fiji to Sydney, and that the Cyphrenes shall come on to New Zealand, and return to Kandavau, there to place the outward mails on board the Mikado. At the last meeting of the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, accounts were presented winch showed the affairs of the company to be in anything but an uncomfortable position. An ad interim statement, made up to the 30th of April, shows that the receipts hod, in round numbers, amounted to £55,090 ; the expenditure had been £45,200 j leaving a balance of profit amounting to £9824. At the same date the capital stood at £14,160, in 1416 shares of £lO each ; the bank overdraft was £30,005 ; and the loan account was £6OOO. Miss Rosa Towers, Mr. Burford, and the Grif Company, arrived from Christchurch this morning by the Ladybird, and as announced will make their appearance to-morrow evening at the Theatre.

The subjects in which candidates for University scholarships will be examined at the next examination will be found in our advertising columns. The time for applications to be made for shares in the Colonial Bank ceases to-day. According to telegraphic advices, an increasing number of applications has been received. Members of the City Volunteer Corps, it is understood, proceed to the Hutt this afternoon, to be present at the funeral of the late Captain Clelaud. The Bank of New Zealand have given a bonus of ten per cent, to their employes on their salaries. It is scarcely necessary to add, says the Daily Times, that from the late hours the clerks have been working this douceur is well earned. “ ; The Journal of Proceedings of the Provincial Council of the Province of Wellington, Session XXVII., with the printed Council papers and Acts appended,” has reached us. It is from the press of Messrs. Blundell Brothers, and has been produced very creditably to that firm. A bazaar in aid of St. Peter’s Church, Te Aro, it will be observed, is to take place on the 4th, sth, and 6th of August, in the Odd Eellows’ Hall. The purpose is a worthy one. Those who desire to aid the object which the bazaar is designed to assist will oblige the ladies’ committee by sending in their contributions as early as possible. A hint to hotel-keepers is given in the plan on which it is proposed to construct Walter’s new hotel in Dunedin. We notice that all the bedrooms will be lighted with gas from the passages, the light being reflected inwards. The light will, however, be of such strength as to permit of a person in any of the rooms reading. This will give the proprietor control of the lighting throughout the building, and will obviate the danger that often arises from the careless use of candles. A lodger may regulate the amount of light coming into his room, but cannot have access to the gas itself. An Assembly Ball at the Theatre Royal, an entertainment by the Kennedy Eamily at the Odd Eellows’ Hall, the anniversary dinner of the Court St. George Bowen, A.0.E., at the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, a lecture by the Rev. Mr. Waterhouse, and a meeting of the parishioners of St Paul’s, Thorndon, were the appointments for last evening. Notwithstanding inclement weather we understand that there was a fair attendance in each case. Such particulars as -were available we publish in other paragraphs. The body of the Manners Street Church was well filled by an attentive audience last evening, to hear the Rev. Mr. Waterhouse’s account of his mission to Thakombau, the King of Fiji. After devotional exercises, conducted by the Revs. W. Morley and W. H. West, the chair was taken by the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse. ■ In his opening remarks, the chairman spoke of the labors of his father, the Rev. John Waterhouse, who came out to the Colonies in 1838, as Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions. His dying prayer was for more missionaries, and he had no doubt that the lecturer of that evening had been influenced by that prayer. He then introduced the lecturer, who was received with applause. In an address of an hour and a half in length, the rev, lecturer then related the story of his mission life in Fiji. He spoke of the prevalence of cannibalism, infanticide, and the strangulation of widows ; and described the manner in which these evils was grappled with and overcome. The audience were at times moved to laughter, but more frequently to tears ; and as the lecturer depicted the successive triumphs of the Gospel, he was greeted by hearty applause. The lecturer related the circumstances of Thakombau’s conversion, and ended by giving the present statistics of the mission. At the close of the lecture, a collection for the mission was made amounting to £l7 15s. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer and to the chairman. The Rev. W. Morley then announced that Mr. Waterhouse would lecture at the Hutt this evening, and preach in Manners Street Church on Wednesday evening. The 700th hymn was sung, and the Rev. C. J. Ogg concluded with prayer and the benediction.

Some reference was lately made to the fact that a small expedition was about being fitted out in Sydney for the purpose of rescuing the solo survivor of Leichhardt’s expedition—the old man Glassen. There is no doubt that there are believers in Hume’s story, who are willing to prove their faith in him by a little sacrifice. A correspondent of the Tuapelca Times, resident in New South Wales, writes on the subject as follows —“Hume states that he saw Glassen twelve months ago, and tried to get him away from the Natives ; but the poor old man, who was 70 years of age, when put on a horse had to be held on, thus making it impossible for Hume, who was single- handed, to take him away. The old man, according to Hume, has three children, and if the old man is dead, their party will be able to secure some of the children. The expedition was to leave Sydney on the 2nd July, and is expected to return in eighteen months, or say about December, 1875. It is said that Glassen cannot talk his own language, but the party are talcing a letter with them from the German Consul, which, if he can read, will show him that there is something for him in his own country.” On the afternoon of Tuesday last, says the Wanganui Evening Herald, “as the Marton and Bulltown coach was on the part of the road known as the Wangaehu Flat, one of the leaders slued at a swollen stream of water, and threw the other horses into such confusion that, notwithstanding the efforts of Mr. Prosser, the coach was soon precipitated over the embankment, which is about fifteen feet high at this spot. The horses did not roll down, through the kingbolt slipping out when the coach upset. The horses immediately started off at a gallop, and meeting the Wellington coach, were brought to a standstill by locking the wheels of the coaches. But as the wheel of the Eangitikei coach gave way suddenly, they were again released and went away as fast as over. The Wellington coach went on uninjured. As soon as the news of the mishap reached town, a special coach was sent to the Wangaehu to take on the Rangitikei passengers, who, we are glad to hear, sustained no injury beyond some slight bruises.” OTAGO. What is described as the best sawing plant in the Province has been erected at Owake, for Messrs. Guthrie, Larnach, and Co. The first number of the Clutha Leader, a weekly paper started at Balclutha, has just been issued. The North Otago Times learns that the Messrs Hodgkinson have sold the Bald Hill Station, on the Upper Waitaki, containing 70,000 acres of laud, together with 18,000 sheep, 1000 head of cattle, horses, &c,, to Mi\ Duncan Sutherland, Omarama. The Committee of the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Association, Dunedin, have issued a printed circular to all carpenters and joiners, &c., about town, notifying the fact that “the current rate of wages is 13s. per day of eight hours." Some amusement was occasioned in the Princess Theatre on Saturday evening, says a Dunedin journal, by the ready answer of a youngster to a question put by Macbeth to his wife. Macbeth exclaims, in anxious and nervous accents, “ What noise is that ?” to which a full-fledged god in the pit replied, “ The rain on the roof, to be sure.” Captain Boyd has commenced the duties of Deputy-Superintendent. The Goldfields Secretary (Mr. D. McKellar) has been appointed Provincial Secretary and Secretary for Public Works during the absence of Mr. Donald Reid. An interesting piece of biography was lately related in the Supreme Court, Dunedin. John Morrison (30), who pleaded guilty to four charges of forgery, was brought up for sentence. His Honor remarked that the prisoner had been previously convicted of similar offences —in fact, forgery and uttering seemed to have become hia trade. In March, 1865, the prisoner was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, for assaulting and attempting to commit a rape on a young girl; in September,

1868, fox - forging and uttering, two- indictments, he got three years’ penal servitude ; and then one year’s imprisonment, with hard labor, .making four years in all. Three months afterwards the prisoner was brought out of gaol upon another charge of forging and uttering, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labor, six years in all. The sentence of the Court was that he should be imprisoned and kept to hard labor for five years Ton the first charge, on the second one year with hard labor, on the third one year with hard labor, and on the fourth one year with hard labor. Sentences to be cumulative. “ It is said by a correspondent,” observes the Bruce Herald, “thjjt our partridge will not have the same flavor as the Scotch bird, on account of the absence of heather. From thesame cause our mutton suffers. This, however, will not be the case always, owing to the patriotism of a well-known Miltonian, who is sending the purple heather far and near.” Notice is taken in the Dunedin papers of large meetings assembled for the purpose of “ special prayer,” at which hymns are sung, addresses delivered, and prayers offered up for special objects, intimation of which is given prior to the holding of the meetings. As many as twenty-seven requests for prayer were made on one occasion. On Tuesday last a painful accident happened to Captain Diddle. Fishing off Moeraki in a boat, and while in the act of throwing the line overboard with a swing, a formidable codhook attached to it went nearly through the thumb. Every effort was made by those aboard to extricate the hook, hut without effect. Boisterous weather occurring, Captain Diddle, suffering the most excruciating pain and with this appendage to histhumb, was prevented from having access to a doctor for forty-six hours. The weather having moderated, he immediately repaired to Palmerston, when Dr. Brown, in a short time, extricated the hook, by a successful operation, to the great relief of the sufferer. On a recent Sunday evening, says the local paper, a goodly number of boarders of a certain well-known hostelry in Oamaru were sitting round the fire with a few friends engaged in suitable conversation, when one proposed that, as the weather was bitterly cold, a little whisky hot would he agreeable. All present joyfully assented. The bell was rung repeatedly, but not answered. Alas ! it was Sunday. One venerable party then proposed sacred music, and at once started a good old long-metre tune, in which all heartily joined to the end—about fourteen verses. Another good old tune was commenced, and as the grand harmony swelled and pealed through the building (a wooden one), Boniface appeared, and, although he for some time stuck by the Dicensing Ordinance, at last consented to supply the liquor, at the same time adding, “ Church bells couldn’t make me open the bar, but that second old tune did it.”

Mr H. J. Walter, Dunedin, lias now had plans prepared for his proposed mammoth hotel. The new hotel will extend along Manse street from Wain’s to High Street, being a distance of 103 feet ; and along High street to the Union Bank, a distance of 55 feet 6 inches. The dimensions of the premises will be 103 feet by 55 feet G inches. There will be four floors. The building will be of brick and stone, and as much fire proof material will be employed in its construction as it is possible to use in a building of this extensive size. The exterior design null be in plain Italian style. It may be mentioned that on the first and second floors there will be no less than forty windows to Manse and High Streets. These forty windows will be fitted up with Venetian shutters, filled in with moveable louvres, and fitted to the windows with American patent hinges and fastenings. These shutters, whether open or shut, will have a very good effect, to say nothing of their convenience in hot weather. The height of the building above street line will be 45 feet. CANTERBURY. Tree-planting has been proceeded with vigorously along the railway lines during the past two months, and the same work is now going on in the Domain. . A melancholy and sudden accident happened in Bigeon Bay on the afternoon of July 16, to a man named James Kershaw, in the employ of Mr. IT. Houghton. A large branch of a burnt tree fell, and in its descent, struck the deceased, and death must have been instantaneous. It was found that the poor fellow was beyond the aid of earthly help. It is said that the deceased has friends in the Province. The local journals report that the Southbridge and Racecourse Railway is rapidly approaching completion. It will be finished, it is said, within six weeks. A Canterbury exchange learns from a private telegram that the second season of the English Opera Company in Christchurch may be expected to begin the last week in September, or early in November next. An inquest was held recently at the Selwyn Hotel on the body of John Nelson, stated to be fifty-eight years of age, who was found dead in his hut on the Bangor run the previous Sunday, having been employed as a shepherd on that station. Dr. Syme, who made the post mortem examination, believed the man died from apoplexy, and the jury returned a verdict of “Died from natural causes.” The deceased had been in the 2nd Life Guards for twentyfour years, and wae in receipt of a pension. He was one of the picked men who formed the guard of honor at the coronation of Queen Victoria. NELSON. The Colonist understands that, although the share-list of the Colonial Bank does not close until the 21st instant, over 2300 shares have already been applied for in Nelson, and it is believed a very much larger number will be required before the list finally closes. This number does not include the applications at Westport, of which no return has been received since the 29th June, at which date 300 shares had been applied for, although the prospectus was not then issued there. The Brunner Coalmining Company, Limited, is the name of the company by whom Messrs. Hughes and McCarthy’s lease of the coal-mine was purchased. According to announcement by the Hokitika Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, the objects for which the company is established are expressed to he :—“The purchase of the interest of the present lessees of the Brunner Coalmine in the lease, plant, and machinery, and a license to prospect for coal at Mount Rochfort. The mining, production, transport, and sale of coal, coke, and other products usually and properly dealt in and with the business of coalmines, including the purchase or charter of ships or steamers, and the use of the same in the way most profitable for the business of the company.” • WESTLAND. ■Monster sweepstakes on the Melbourne Cup and Sydney Metropolitan races are the fashion of the day. Mr. Osborne and Mr. Keller, of Hokitika, and Mr. Tonks, of Greymouth, are the originators. The sudden death of an early settler on the Coast, Mr. James Linton, of Hokitika, is announced by the West Coast Times , which says ; —“ It is with heartfelt regret that we have to chronicle the death of Mr. James Linton, one of the earliest settlers, and also one of the most respected business men in Hokitika. He had been in indifferent health for some little time, but a recent trip to Nelson seemed to have completely restored him, and his illness on this occasion was only of a few days duration. He has only been married about a year, and leaves a young widow, with whom the people of Hokitika, we may say, deeply sympathise in her sad bereavement. Mr. Linton was sincerely esteemed, and highly valued by his fellow citizens, and his memory will long he green in the hearts of those who knew his sterling qualities.” As many of the public appear, says the Register , to ho under the impression that Mr. Lazar was summarily dismissed from Iris position in the Treasury, it is as well that it should be known that both Mr. Tennant and Mr. Lazar were offered appointments at the reduced salary of £250 a year each. This offer was made in accordance with the intention expressed by the Government at the end of the recent sittings of the Provincial Council, to

reduce the amount paid for clerical assistancein the Provincial Secretary's and Treasurer’s, departments to £SOO per annum. AVe understand that Mr. Tennant accepted the reduced salary, but that Mr. Dazar declined it. We hear (says the TFest Coast Times) that the Government are taking considerable interest in the proposal for the construction of a line between here and Christchurch, and it is rumored that one of their engineering staff has been detailed to check the surveys recently made ,by Mr. Browning between here and the Pass. Should it be found, as we have every expectation will be the case, that a route to avoid tunnelling at all can he pointed out, the cost will he vastly relieved, and the probabilities of early construction be greatly hastened.