Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4266, 21 November 1874, Page 2

Since Thursday afternoon the barometer has continued to move steadily downwards over the whole colony, the rate of fall having been somewhat increased in the north. Yesterday morning cloudy and gloomy weather was prevalent , over the coast of both islands ; rain was falling at Greymouth, Hokitika, 33ealey and Bluff ; a heavy swell and increasing sea had begun to set in at Westport, and the appearance of the sky was threatening at Blenheim and Wanganui. Southward of Taupo the winds were mostly in the north and west, hut further towards Auckland easterly winds were blowing moderately. A man named William Neill was killed at Ohariu by tho falhof a tree. He went out to fall hush, and not coming home at the usual hour, some friends went out in search of him, and found him dead under a tree about 2J feet in diameter, which was lying across ins cheat, with his left eye completely knocked out of its socket. Au inquest will be held to-day. The following' are the names of tho team chosen to represent the Star Club in the cricket match to he played this afternoon with the Armed Constabulary, viz. : Mason, Lockett, Mace, ; Turner, Bishop, Russell, Williamson, Webb, W. J. Sabnon, I. J. Salmon, and J. A, Salmon; emergency, Darroch.

In our telegraphic columns will he found a summary of the comments by Sir George Grey on the reply he recently received from the private secretary of Sir James Fergusson to the petition to Her Majesty, forwarded by Sir George to Sir James, with a prayer for its transmission. The reply is a somewhat si range (ne —but one not altogether remarkable in what appear to be the very peculiar circumstances of the case. It. will be recollected that the three-masted schooner Alma was dismasted off Westport a few weeks ago, and part of her cargo washed out of her. Since the date of the catastrophe nothing has been heard of her wreckage having been cast up on any part of the coast. On Thursday, however, a considerable quantity of miscellaneous goods were thrown up on the beach near Rangitikei, consisting of quartercasks of brandy, cases of chairs, candles, cocoa, and confectionery, some boards about seven feet long, and a compass stand. One of the boards has in white letters on a black ground the word “ Alma,” and the compass stand has the words “Lilly and Son, London,” on it. This flotsam has travelled rather a curious course, as it would naturally have been concluded that it would have drifted through the Strait rather than across it and along the coast to Rangitikei. Owing to insufficient publicity and an unwelcome phase in the condition of the weather, the second day of the Horticultural Show was not such a success, pecuniarily, as was anticipated. As a matter of fact, very few people knew anything of the intention of the society to continue the exhibition for two days, and as a consequence the attendance was very sparse. In other respects the arrangements of the committee were perfect. The hall was well lighted, an excellent quadrille band (numbering Mr. Raymond amongst its members) was in attendance. The flowers retained their freshness and brightness of hue ; but one of the chief attractions of a flower-show—the presence of the fair sex—was wanting. The general results of the two days are, however, regarded as satisfactory. The Court of Appeal yesterday brought the case Burns v. The Otago and Southland Investment Company to a sudden termination. Mr. James Smith, for the respondents, was about to resume his argument on the opening of the Court, when the Chief Justice informed the learned counsel that the Court deemed it unnecessary that he should proceed further. His Honor at the same time stated that the Court were willing to hear any additional observations the learned counsel for the respondents might have to make ; and Mr. Cook having commented upon one of Mi - . Smith's strong points, the decision of the Court was given for the respondents with costs. Mr. Cook applied for leave to take the case before the Privy Council, but the Court reserved its opinion upon the matter till Monday. The Otago and Southland Investment Company v. Burns is the next case down for hearing. Put not your trust in lawyers, was exemplified at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. During the hearing of the case Oleland v. Bowler, Mr. Izard, counsel for the plaintiff, found it indispensable to his case to submit as evidence a document which contained certain conditions of sale, and which should have borne a Is. duty stamp. Mr. Ollivier, the opposing counsel, objected to the document being received as evidence, alleging that it was illegal He called His Worship’s attention to the stamps, which proved to be two sixpenny pottage stamps. Mr. Cleland (plaintiff) then explained that it was Mr. Travers (Mr Ollivier’s partner) who had drawn out the deed and affixed the stamps, and also stated that he had pointed out the fact to Mr. Travers at the time. That gentleman, however, said it was hardly worth altering ; it was probable the conditions of sale would never again be called for. Mr. Ollivier still remained inflexible in refusing to allow the document to be submitted. The plaintiff expostulated with him, and considered it the unkiudest out of all on his part to take advantage of the lache. Ultimately Mr. Izard paid the penalty stipulated by the Stamp Act, viz., £5, and the document was received. As there was no attempt at defrauding the revenue, Mr. Izard held out a hope to •u? vuvuv vuwv vttC'ItUOVUVUU UC IRIUUUCU. JX nonsuit was given in the case. The Stephenson-Burford Companypresented “Cigarette” to a good audience last evening. It is satisfactory to notice the increased attendance at each of their performances, which is justly warranted by the efforts of the management to afford, excellent entertainment to their patrons. Last night the sensational drama was presented even better than heretofore, all the actors succeeding admirably in their respective characters. By general desire, the company will again enact “ Cigarette” this evening, when we hope a bumper house -will attest the favor in which the piece is held. We learn that the three-masted schooner Elderslie, which left Wellington a few days ago for Westpoi-t, with a cargo of water-pipes, &c., arrived in the Buller River on Thursday. The least water she found on the bar at high tide was eighteen feet. We also learn that a new seam of good coal has been found about half-way between Ngakawhau and Westport, and lying between half-a-mile and threequarters of a mile from the railway now in course of construction, A shooting match takes place on Monday at 5.30 a.m., between eight of the No. 3 Auckland Rifles and eight of the Wellington Artillery. The following are the names of the gentlemen chosen to represent the Wellington Artillery : —MoTavish, McCredie, Mason, Batkin, Diamond, Brogan, Grace, and Webb.

No complaint can be made against Messrs’ Gear and Barber, who have so long had the supply o£ Wellington with butcher’s meat practically in their hands, and have, we are glad to think, done very well by it, while they have taken care that the public should have an excellent choice at as reasonable rates as they thought consistent with profits. But the opening of a new establishment by two enterprising and experienced young men—Messrs. Pollock and Young—in the premises lately occupied by Mr. Carmont, on Lambtou-quay, null not be observed without pleasure by the guidwife, “ on household thoughts intent,” and will be accepted less as dictated by a spirit of competition than as a mark of the growth of Wellington, and the multiplication of those human producers of steam—to wit, the stomachs of the people of Wellington. Messrs. Pollock and Young have begun well. Their show of beet on their opening day—yesterday—was from the station of Mr. Bidwell, in the Wairarapa, who is famous for the superiority of the fat stock he turns out. Their mutton and lamb were also very superior. No doubt the new firm will do their utmost to supply the best quality of moat at a reasonable price, and nothing more will be required to secure to them such a fair share of public patronage as will amply content them. A young reprobate—an English mill-girl, lately imported—was before the Bcsident Magistrate’s Court, in Dunedin, a few days ago. Her name was Kebecca Stewart, and she was charged with having no visible lawful means of support. She at first indignantly denied the statement made concerning her by the detective; but as the case proceeded, her real character began to disclose itself. His Worship, in a tone of voice plainly implying that ho considered the money badly spent, told her that she probably had cost the colony £ls or £l6 to bring her out, and that she ought to go to service. The woman, however, thought differently, for she emphatically replied that it was not her intention to go to service any more. She had tried it once, and the result was not satisfactory, as her mistress had not paid her her wages, and she was also told that she was not worth her meat. She could work in a mill, and was informed before leaving home that there were plenty of mills here; —but no more service for her. She also gave it as her opinion that there was not such a thing as a good mistress in the colony. She was then proceeding to tell His Worship that she would sconer live with those she liked than marry those she did not like, when she was stopped by the Bench telling her she might live with whom she chose, but that she must live according to law, or go to gaol for three months. As she had 15s. in her possession when arrested, the proceeds of a dress pawned by her, she was severely reprimanded and dismissed.

The ship Haloione will convey to London 38580z5. gold, of the value of £15,460, the produce of the West Coast Goldfields. An adjourned meeting of • the Board of Education will take place on Monday first, at eleven o’clock. A. meeting of the Philosophical Society will be held in the usual place this evening. Papers of unusual interest will be read. Newspapers, as well as letters, for England will be despatched to-morrow by the s.s. Tararua, if specially marked via Suez. The mail closes in the evening. Archdeacon Stock’s parishioners will be happy in welcoming their esteemed pastor. The reverend gentleman arrived from Mel-, bourne yesterday morning by the steamer Tararua. A boiler is under course of construction at the Lion Foundry for Messrs. Turnbull and Co.’s steamer Stormbird. When placed on board, the ship will be “a’ maist as guid as new.” We have been requested to call attention to the sale of new houses on the Adelaide-road, the property of the Wellington Building Company, this day at two o’clock. Conveyances will leave Mr. Duncan’s offices shortly before that hour.