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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4220, 29 September 1874, Page 2

The Albion, with the Suez mails, left Port Chalmers about seven o’clock last night, and though she would have a hard head gale to contend against, will no doubt reach Lyttelton in the course of this forenoon. We may expect her to sail again in the afternoon or evening, and to arrive here on Wednesday forenoon. The Tararua reached Lyttelton yesterday morning ; will arrive in Port Chalmers to-day ; and no doubt will leave the Bluff punctually to contract time on Wednesday. The Alhambra is the next steamer to arrive from Melbourne, and she comes by way of the West Coast. By a reference to our business columns it will be observed that the classes for the last, quarter Of the present half year will commence at the New College Buildings on Monday, October 5. Arrangements have been made for an omnibus to leave Burrett’s corner every morning at 5.30. The pupils at the College to pay only half fares. Accommodation for boarders has been provided, and pupils residing at a distance can dine at the College. The inauguration fete will take place under the presidency of His Excellency the Governor, on October 15, when athletic sports will be commenced at 11 a.m. ; and there will be a luncheon in the large hall of the College at 2.30 p.m. The advertisement will show where tickets for the luncheon can be obtained. We regret that, by oversight, any telegram, however trifling, should be taken from the columns of a contemporary, and attributed, not to his correspondent, but to the Press Telegraph Agency. We have usually reason to rely upon the accuracy of the Agency telegrams, and pay more for them than any other local paper. The arrangement is, however, that instead of requiring duplicates from the Agency, the telegrams originally appearing in the morning paper should be quoted by the evening papers, and vice rei'sa , If in the mutual quotation of telegrams in this way, any small items should fail to be exceptionally distinguished or altogether extinguished, it is by their escaping attention. The Agency certainly deserves from us, that its telegrams should not be confounded with those of so-called “ own correspondents,” whose news is of such a different and doubtful character. Eight seamen of the ship St. Leonards were brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, charged by Captain Todd with a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act by disobeying orders. The case was proved and the men were each committed for fourteen days, with hard labor. The remainder of the business before the Court consisted of fining three drunkards, remanding an assault case for a week, and a case of lunacy until to-day. In the civil business the two following cases were disposed of—Murphy v. Hausen, £1 Ida. Id.; Suginl v. Wakefield, £23. An order being made in each one for the amount claimed and costs. In the presentation of the opera of Faust, there was a counter attraction, and in the state of the weather there was a likely source of detraction to the attendance at the Rechabite soiree at the Odd Fellows Hall last evening, but, notwithstanding the circumstances, there was a large attendance, and the evening was passed in a most enjoyable way. The programme of the first part of • the evening included vocal and instrumental music and recitations, and to the notes of the band, who were present throughout, dancing followed, and was kept up with great spirit till the small hours. Among the passengers by the Taranaki from Nelson to this City were Mr. and Mrs. Bunten (Misa Aitkcn.) For several months past Miss Aitken has been giving readings, and aiding in dramatic performances, on the West Coast of the South Island, where she has, according to the accounts in the local Press, gratified her audiences as highly as she has done m all parts of the Colony. It is now some time since this talented lady visited Wellington, and we believe it is not her intention now to prolong her stay, her arrangements being to proceed to Napier, and subsequently to visit Christchurch, but in the interval she will, no doubt, be persuaded to renew her acquaintance 'with Wellington audiences, and to delight them as she has done before. It is stated that, very shortly, Mr. and Mrs. Bunten purpose leaving the Colony for England. Mr. Eastwood, agent for Bachelder’s dioramas, is again in Wellington, arrangements, it is understood, being contemplated, if not completed, for the production of an entertainment such as those with which he has previously been associated. The intended sale of 1696 acres of land, comprised in three distinct farms, belonging to the late Mr. L. Daniell, is advertised by Jackson, auctioneer, Wanganui. Particulars as to the property, which is for sale on November 11, are obtainable from Messrs, Ivrull and Co. of this City.

A meeting of the City 'Council will be held this afternoon, at four o’clock. The Hon. Dr. Pollen returned toWellingto by the steamer Taranaki, from Auckland, by the West Coast and Nelson, The Wellington Public Hall Company require a person to fill the combined offices of Secretary and Custodian ; application to be made to Messrs, Stevenson and Stuart. A sale of cast-iron, consisting of watermains and other pieces, the property of the Corporation, is advertised to take place at theMarket Hall on Thursday. The Wanganui Herald refers again to the-, great want of house accommodation for new arrivals, especially in the rural /parts of that district. We observe that among the late arrivals in Melbourne were Mr. and ill's. George Case, who came by way of India, Western Australia,, and Adelaide. They are now performing at St. George’s Hall with great success. Some malicious persons seem to have been at work at the Upper Hutt. The windows of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church were smashed on the night of the 2Cth instant, and for their discovery a reward of £lO is offered. The Committee of the Wellington Horticultural Society make three announcements: — That prizes won at the last Show may be obtained from Mr. S. Levy, Lambton Quay; that the next Show will be held in the third week of November; and that the time for receiving entries for special prizes for well laid and kept gardens, has been extended to the 15th of October. Commenting upon recent events, and the propriety of abolishing the Provinces in the North Island,, the Taranaki Herald says : “ From this it is evident that the abolition of the Provinces in the North Island cannot be brought about,too quickly, for there can bo no doubt that those in power, both iii Auckland and Wellington, will do their utmost to sacrifice their land at any price.” We mentioned lately that a large number of the agricultural implement makers of Melbourne were on strike for an increase of wages. The circumstances did not seem to altogether justify the action of the men, and we are glad to see—from newspapers last to hand—that they have agreed to refer their dispute with their employers to arbitration. The gap between the railways of Victoria and New South Wales now in working order would appear to he rapidly lessening. The Premier of New South Wales made the overland journey. He was complimented with a fast special train from Melbourne to Albury,' then crossed by carriage to Goulburn, from whence he made the journey—by a fast train, to Sydney. The journey was by a long! way the shortest ever accomplished between the two capitals by land, being only forty-five hours. By sea it has been accomplished in an hour or two less. Of the whole journey, however, 247 miles were performed by road. Bad as the weather has been here, and al round the coast of New Zealand lately, it appears to have been quite as severe in the Australian Colonies and Tasmania, while every ship that has reached port from a Home or foreign voyage by way of the Cape of Good Hope and Leuwia have had to report weather of extraordinary severity. In Melbourne, on the 15th instant, a short hut severe storm was experienced. The Daily Telegraph writes about it as follows :—“ The weather was the reverse of pleasant. From an early hour lowering clouds and a heavy and murky atmosphere betokened a coming change, which change was fulfilled in earnest about two o’clock in the afternoon, when a storm broke over the City which for violence has not been experienced for some time past. Swanstpn and Elizabeth Streets suffered most by the downpour, and the channels, in some few minutes after the storm burst, overflowed. The current quickly swept over the pavement, rapidly finding its way into the various shops and warehouses, where it occasioned, in some instances, considerable confusion, and no small, amount of damage. Several of the wooden culverts were carried away by the force of ,the storm-water, and a boy, who was foolish enough to venture to cross the street opposite the Hoyal Arcade, nearly lost liis life, but fortunately was rescued by a passer-by. A cab essaying to reach Bourke Street from Elizabeth Street narrowly escaped a capsize, whilst a man in endeavoringto walk across the footbridge at the Beehive comer, lost his footing and was only saved from being washed away by clinging to a verandah post. The lightning for some little time was exceedingly vivid, and was accompanied by heavy claps of thunder. A succession of feeble bursts of sunshine, and light showers of rain, followed the storm.” Another drawingroom entertainment, including a puzzle entitled “ The Arabian Box Mystery,” has been introduced to the Colony by Mr. and Miss Stoneham, who hare arrived in Auckland after performing in Melbourne and Sydney. The mystery, which they claim to have brought from India, is described as an extraordinary illusion. The young lady stands on the stage with a sack hanging over her arm, while beside her stands the magic box—locked, sealed, elaborately corded, and covered with a canvas wrapper made to fit it. An extinguisher is then placed over the fair performer, and at the expiration of two or three minutes, on the removal of the extinguisher, the magicienne has disappeared. The box is then unwrapped from its canvas casing, the cords removed, the seals broken, and when unlocked and opened is found to contain the young lady securely tied up in the sack. This trick has been shown for many weeks in Sydney and Melbourne to crowded houses, hut we understand that no one has succeeded in suggesting even a reasonable hypothesis of the way it is managed. The following remarks upon the extent and management of Colonial railways are from the New Zealand Christian Record of September 19th :—The total length of railways authorised by Parliament is 1010 miles. When completed the whole will be under the Minister of Public Works, assisted by a competent staff, and the cost of management will thus be minimised. Each Province cannot manage its own railways, because whenever the iron way is finished, running through more Provinces than one must follow, and through tickets must be granted. If each Province were to retain the management of its own railways then the expensive clearing-house system would be required, with several hundred clerks to balance the accounts. This of course would be a ridiculous and unnecessary expense. Like the post-office, and the telegraph, a railway system naturally leads to an efficient central administration. Some thinkers advocate that private enterprise should do everything, and the State nothing. Let them digest this fact. All the Irish railways do not much exceed 2000 miles, or double our New Zealand mileage. In Ireland there are fifty-six companies, each with an average length of forty-three miles. They are managed by 400 directors, all paid, and the solicitors, managers, engineers and other officers are innumerable. What would we think if we had to bear a tithe of such an unnecessary burden? It is only by such a plan as that likely to be followed in the Colony, that outlay in management as well as jobbery can be kept under proper control A minister giving all his attention to this important department, and responsible to Parliament, is the only mode of management likely to ensure economy. AUCKLAND. The Auckland Licensed Victuallers’ Association, says the Herald , have a consignment of copper coinage on board the ship Oxford, from London. These tokens, to the value of one hundred and sixty odd pounds, have been struck off at Birmingham, specially for the society. On the face of the coin is a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, round which are the words, “Victoria, bom May 24, 1819.” On the opposite side is inscribed the name of the Association, to which is added, “Established in New Zealand, April 4, 1871/* Owing to the scarcity of copper coinage the publicans, some time ago, determined to procure tokens of their own, and which will be issued as small change in due course. The present shipment, divided amongst the members of the Association, will amount to three pounds worth to each. These, together with Mr. S. Coombes’ medallions, will

give “ com in Egypt'’ in the small change line, and barmaids ■will not be enabled to push the cigar business so effectively as heretofore by giving cigars in lieu of change. Fifteen handsome light harness horses have been imported at Auckland from Sydney, by Messrs. Quick, chiefly intended for the Waikato road. John Cartan, au East Coast trader, who runs Iris verael, the Sarah, between Opotiki, Auckland, and Coromandel, reports the discovery of plumbago, aud other useful minerals, some thirty-five miles from Tauranga. He Is also convinced that he has discovered auriferous deposits in the same region, and is making preparations to thoroughly prospect the neighborhood. A laboring man, named James Osborne, who arrived at Poverty Bay recently from Auckland, came to au untimely end on Saturday week, while crossing the Waipaoa Elver at the Rangatira Block, on his way to the oil springs, in company with his mates, all of whom were under engagement to the Petroleum Company. Three constables have been employed searching for the body, but without success. All that is known of the cause of the accident (says the Standard) has been furnished by Mr. Williams, engineer to the Petroleum Company, who states that he was proceeding to the oil springs, on the 19 th instant, with some workmen, deceased among the number. On reaching the Eangatira crossing, Osborne’s home stumbled, and unseated his rider, who suddenly disappeared, and was not again seen by any of the party. The river was much swollen and discolored at the time. TARANAKI. A general meeting of’ the shareholders of the Pioneer Steel Company, was held at Mr. ChohviU’s office, Broham Street, on Monday week, for the purpose of passing the liquidators’ accounts, aud finally winding-up the company. Hr. Clulman was in the chair, and having briefly explained the manner in which the liquidators had brought the affairs of the company to a close, read the accounts to the shareholders. Mr. X). Shuttleworth proposed, and Mr. A. Shuttleworth seconded, —“ That this meeting is of opinion that the affairs of the Pioneer Steel Company (Limited) have been fairly wound-up.” This was put and carried unanimously. The following description of the late stormy weather felt in this Province, appears in the Herald We have had a continuance of bad weather now for nearly a month; bat, as if the storm had at last come to its climax, on Wednesday morning it was something terrific. The roadstead, as far as the eye could reach, appeared a series of breakers, which kept surging one after the other on the beach, throwing ashore a large number of fish, of which the “ John Dory ” was the most plentiful At the Sugar Loaves, the sight was truly grand. The sea as it rolled in, in heavy volumes, struck the Islands, and, from the force, threw up a spray that shrouded them for some seconds in mist. Wednesday's tides were very much higher than usual, and a large portion of the reclaimed ground was washed away ; whilst the owners of property on the banks of the Huatoki, between the bridge aud the beach, had their out-buildings washed away, the water in some instances being nearly np to the back doors of their houses. On Tuesday afternoon last, at about 2 o’clock, a heavy thunder-storm passed over the Frankley Road District, during which one of the flashes of lightning struck the chimney of Mr. Newland’s house, made a hole in it, and knocked everything off the mantel-piece. The only persons in the room at the time were Mrs. Newland and a boy, to whom she was giving some tea ; and on the table was a Britannia metal teapot. The electric fluid darted from the chimney to the teapot, fusing a hole in it, and then passed through the roof, knocking a piece of wood from the roof to some distance, and which struck Mr. Newland, who was working in the garden. The boy was so frightened, that for some time nothing could persuade him but that his head was split in two. His nose, however, commenced bleeding, and before evening he was all right again. Mrs. Newland had a miraculous escape, for she was close to where the lightning must have struck. We are glad however to hear, that beyond being frightened no one was seriously hurt. The Hon. Major Atkinson having completed his arrangements in New Plymouth, has, says the Herald, sent in his resignation as a member of the Provincial Council, and also of the Education Board. Major Atkinson takes his departure for Wellington on Monday, overland ; and he will thus be enabled, from personal observation, to ascertain the requirements of the various districts through which he will pass. Several of the electors waited on Mr. Kelly to know if he would stand for the Council, aud that gentleman replied to the effect that, should the vacancy occur, ho would be happy to accede to their wishes. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, C.M.G., Comptroller, and connected with the Audit Department, is now on a visit to this Province, for the purpose of inspecting the books of the various Government offices. NELSON. Residents in Motueka and the Mouteres are informed that after the first of October next a tri-weekly mail service by coach will be established between Nelson and Motueka, leaving Nelson on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and returning on tbe following days. As the contractor will be compelled to take his coach through at all times, this will be a great boon to settlers in tbe districts through which it passes. There seems to be considerable anxiety as to the disposal and employment of tbs immigrants expected in Nelson. The Colonist has, therefore, been careful to learn what is contemplated by the Provincial Government, and says ; If rumor be not in this case false, the villages of Howard, Hampden, &c., are to be the places where our immigrants will be employed in the formation of the much wanted dray road to the Buller ; and if it is true there is a probability of our Government employing the men for three days each week, and leaving them at liberty to improve their town and rural sections for the other three days, we think that no one will be disposed to cavil; nor will any objection be raised should they be disposed to behave even more liberally, by giving to each head of a family say, a town allotment, and promising work for a period sufficiently long to enable such families to settle themselves in their new homes. If this idea he carried into force, it will be the means not only of .making our dray road, but will also tend to the settlement of rillages in the interior, than which nothing could be more conducive to the permanent settlement of this as yet comparatively unopened portion of our Province. WESTLAND. Judge Harvey, of the Westland District Court, whose health has been indifferent for some time, is understood to have been a passenger to Melbourne by the Otago, in the hope of improvement. Sympathy is expressed with Mr. B. Osborne, of the Empire Hotel, Hokitika, in a sad bereavement, the sudden and simultaneous death of his wife and child. It was reported tjiat there was to be a change in the Hokitika Magistracy, but the rumor is contradicted by the llvjhter. CANTERBURY. The Palmer River rush seems to be again exciting some attention in the Province of Canterbury. By tbe local papers wc notice that an adjourned meeting of intending passengers to these diggings had been held. The meeting was very largely attended, about 140 persons being present. Mr. J. C. Stott occupied the chair, and stated that he had been to Lyttelton, and had received offers from the agents of two vessels, and had also received telegrams from Wellington and Auckland. He had telegraphed to Dunedin, to the agents of the steamer Eashy, and had received a reply that that vessel had sailed full, the agents having to refuse fifty applications for passages. After some discussion, a committee of three was appointed to consider the offers made and report. Sixty-five persons entered their names on the list of intending passengers. Referring to the present price of stock in Canterbury, the Times says;—“The prices now ruling for fat stock, when compared with those charged by the butchers, lead to the inference that butchering at the present time cannot bo

a very profitable business, and that those interested must soon solve the problem of how long they can carry on business on present terms, namely, selling for 15s. that for which they pay 205., for It amounts to that. The mo.t probable and natural solution would be to raise the price of meat.”