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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4320, 25 January 1875, Page 2

By the omission of a figure in our summary of Customs revenue for 1874, the amount ia understated by one million sterling. The mis take, however, was self-evident, the increase on the year over that of 1873 being given immediately afterwards. The election for Kaiapoi it will be seen, has terminated in the return of the Minister of Justice after a very hollow contest. The numbers were :—For Mr. Bowen, 294 ; for Mr. Beswick, 192. A fatal accident, by which a child four years of age lost her life, occurred last evening. Mr. and Mrs. Mullius, of the Lower Hutfc, accompanied by their four children, were returning home from a visit to Mr. Anderson, of Upper Willis-street. When about half way down the steep cutting which leads from Mr. Anderson's residence the horse bolted, throwing 1 Mrs. Mullins and the four children out of the trap with great violence. The youngest child, Kate Beatrice, appears to have fallen upon her head, for when the poor little thing was picked u i it h.d breathed its last. Mrs. Mullins an 1 the three children, although they received no very serious injury, got a seveie shaking. Dr. Hardy was sent for, and administered medical assistance with promptitude. Mi. Mullins succeeded in keeping his seat and reining in the horse after it had run a short distance. An inquest will be held this afternoon at the residence of Mr. Anderson, to whose house the sufferers and their unfortunate little relation were taken.

The strong N.N.W. gale which prevailed on Saturday last prevented the regatta committee concluding the races which were held over from the previous day. It was thought, in the morning, to be possible to get the second-class yacht-race off ; but after noon the wind incre ised so as to make rowing altogether out of consideration, and sailing extremely dangerous. Several of the committee met at 2 o'clock, and it was then decided to postpone all the events till the following Saturday afternoon, The match between the outriggers Dolly Varden and Stella, of course, did not eventuate, Mr. Logan—who on the previous evening was appointed referee to decide as to the fitness o the water for rowing—declaring the race post poned. If the weather prove fine, and th." water rowable, the race will come oft* this evening between 5 and 6 o'clock. Although the boats belong to the Wellington Bowing Club and the Star Club, the match is a purely private affair, and one over which the committee of either club has no control.

The manner in which Anniversary Day was observed by the Sunday-schools of the city was one of the features of the day, though 1 the multiplicity of the sports they escap d attention, excepting from those more particularly interested in them. The scholars attending those of Willis-street and Toryrstreet, in connection with St. John's Church, and their friends, mustered to-the number of between three hundred and four hundred in a paddock, the use of which was kindly granted for the purpose by Mr. John Martin. Here Mr. Ma=-Mn had thoughtfully .erected a large marquee, some thirty-five feet long by eighteen feet iu breadth, of which the children made ample use. Gaines of all kinds were carried on during the day, and at four o'clock they were supplied with abundance of tea, cake, sandwiches, &c. Their seniors were afterwards entertained, n three relays, with tea &c. As the day dr. w to a close the children sang a hymn, and wei e addressed in appropriate terms by the Re*'. Mr. Paterson. Thanks were then pas->edwiih cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Martin •, and as the children left the ground they received another liberal supply of cakes and fruit. Altogether the children, and their friends as well, enjoyed the day. We understand that Mr. Leech'B paddock, in Polhill-gully was occupied by a similar party daring the day, while the rendezvous of another was Fitchett'a farm. The Hutt was the scene of yet another—the Congregational Church School, we believe—which was very largely attended.

The Rev. C. Bice, of the Melanesian Mis sion, arrived by the Phcebe yesterday. Mr. Bice has for many years past been engaged in mission work on Norfolk Island and the islands surrounding, where he has been recognised as a zealous laborer in the field of Christianity. The object of his visit to New Zealand is to collect funds on behalf of the mission, in regard to which Mr. Bice will take an early opportunity of affording some interesting information. Yesterday, in the afternoon, he addressed the children attending St. Paul's Sunday-school. The ship Avalanche, which arrived at New Plymouth on Friday last aud landed immigrants at that town from London, left for Wellington the same day with her cargo and ninety immigrants for this province. The strong northerly wind which has prevailed since brought her off Pencarrow light during Saturday night. She is reported by Captain Fisk, of the Falcon, which arrived from Blenheim yesterday afternoon, as lying in the usual anchorage outside the lighthouse, where sh'> will probably remain till the wind changes to the southward.

To settle a difference of opinion as to the relative positions of Coppin and Delaney in the 440 yards' race run at the Caledonian sports on Friday, our reporter has betn referred to for his opinion. As neither had any chance of winning the race, their places were not specially defined in the report which appeared in Saturday's issue ; but as several bets were made that Delaney would beat Coppin, explicit information upon the point is required. The interest in the race, of course, is centered in the finish between Moran and Johnston, so that few persons observed the final tussle between Coppin and Delaney. Coppin led Delaney by a yard or two up to the last turn ; but he was evidently completely pumped, and almost came to a stand-still before the post was reached. Delaney observed this, and made a rush, which brought him on a level with Coppin within a yard of the post. The two then stumbled in—it was anything but racing—and Delaney was first past, with head and shoulders in recumbent position. This, of course, is sufficient for the purpose!! of his backers. As a light and amusing entertainment, that given by Val Vose in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday evening is perhaps one of the best ever offered the Wellington public. Ventriloquism was the speciality of the evening, and although Mr. Vose was before the audience nearly the whole of the entertainment, he so judiciously set the programme as not to weary the audience in the slightest degree. Mr. Saunders, the clever harpist, who, with Val Vose, accompanied the Smith Combination Troupe on their way through Wellington, varied the entertainment by rendering on the harp some popular Scotch airs and selections from Offenbach's " Grand Duchess." The latter, falling familiarly on the ear, wero vociferously encored. These clever artists will appear for the last time in Wellington this evening, as to-morrow they proceed to Napier by the steamer Raugatira.

Messrs. Reed and Brett have favored us with a copy of then- " Auckland Almanac, Provincial Handbook, and Strangers' Vade Mecum for 1875." It ia a handy volume, neatly printed, and got up apparently with great care. A photograph of the city ia given from Barrack Hill, and thero are also given photos, of a few of the principal buildings, but these can scarcely bo pronounced a success, A stranger will find in this almanac almost everything relating to the province of Auckland which he can desire to learn. The Auckland Echo ia fond of sensational items of news. A few days ago it published a Wellington telegram to the effect that his Excellency had "declined an invitation to dinner by the old colonists." This is not correct. His Excellency received the deputation that waited upon him with the greatest courtesy, and accepted the invitation given to him. It was found, however, that his Excellency had previously accepted another engagement for the same evening, which could not be postponed, and hence his Excellency was unable to dine with the old colonists on Anniversary Day,

His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston hold a short sitting in chambers on Saturday. The business transacted was not of public interest. A confirmation service will take place at St. Paul's Cathedral next Sunday. A large number of candidates will present themselves for confirmation upon the occasion. The Te Aro Grammar School opens to-day. Pupils will assemble as usual at noon. Prizes will be distributed at 2 o'clock, and parents and friends are invited to attend. Sir David Monro and family, hi 3 Honor Judge Kichmond and family, and the Hon. E. W. Stafford and family, were passengers from Nelson by the steamer Phoebe, The unfortunate ship Cospatrick is now known to have had the following saloon passengers on board :-r-Mr. and Mrs. lleilly, Mr. and Mrs. Cook and infant, Messrs. Davis, Holloway, Allen, McKerrou, and Craig. Eugene Beda, whose courage, self-reliance, and energy make him a general favorite, telegraphs from Otaki that -he is playing there to crowded houses. He has a small company with him.

A challenge, which remains open till the Ist February, was issued on Saturday last by the owners of the yacht Garibaldi to sail the yacht Xariffa, or any other built in Wellington. The amount to be run for will not be les3 than £2O. It is understood the challenge will be accepted. Three drunkards were punished in the customary manner by the Resident Magistrate on Saturday morning last. George Kuddock, who was in custody of the police on suspicion of lunacy, was remanded for a week. One civil case terminated the business.

The s.s. Alhambra had not been telegraphed from the West Coast when the line, closed yesterday afternoon. She was advertised to sail from Hobson's Bay on Saturday, the 16th instant, but may have been detained in Melbourne.

By the ship Glonlora, the Auckland Acclimatisation Society has received a consignment of hedge sparrows. Of those despatched sixteen came to hand in good condition, and they are to be immediately liberated at Orakei.

The constable who was despatched from Nelson to Sydney, with a warrant to arrest Hibble, the absconding rate collector of Nelson, has returned to Auckland without him. He had left Sydney before the arrival of the officer.

We learn, says the Hawlce's Bay Herald, that a thoroughly competent artillery instructor, now on his way out irom England, has been appointed by the Defence department Instructor to the Napier Artillery Volunteers. We trust, a Ids our contemporary, ih it on hi* si.-.-; -.1 in Napier, the Artillery Volunteers will mutter well at iast u jticn parades. Mr. Julian Salomans (the Attorney-General of New South Wales) is now on a visit to the Taupo Lake country. He is accompanied by Mr. J. C. Davis, barrister, of Sydney. They have been extremely well received, and feasted in royal style by Poihipi, the local native chief oi' the settlement.

The Nelson Colonist chronicles what seems to it to be a remarkable fact, namely, that seven immigrants have gone from Nelson to the iiaramea to take the places of others who are leaving—and are going at .their own expense. This is success with a vengeance—from a Nebon point of view ! His H.mor Mr. Justice Richmond delivered judgment yesterday morning (says the Nelson, Colonist of the 19th iust.) in the railway compensation case—Martin v. the General Government. Plaintiff c'aimed £llOO for land taken from him by the defendants for railway purposes, and the latter offered him £SOO as compensation. The Court awarded the plaintiff £750.

Auother entertainment is about to be presented to the people—one that has been highly spoken of by the Auckland and Hawke's Bay papers. It is known as Baker's Grand Hibernicon, or Panorama of Ireland, illustrated by first-class vocalists and delineators The panorama will be shown in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on an early but not yet named day. The flags at half-mast on all the vessels lying in Wellington harbor on Saturday morning last too plainly indicated to the friends of Captain Alexander Mitchell, of the ship Jessie Readman, that he was no more. It was known on Friday evening that his illness had assumed a most serious aspect, but his end was not thought to be so near. As the night passed away and morning advanced, the poor captain became very exhausted, and at a quarter to five o'clock he breathed his last on board his vessel. He had only arrived from Dunedin iu the steamer Otago sixteen days before, having been too unwell to bring the ship on from Port Chalmers to this port. During the voyage from London to Otago, and when in the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Mitchell was afflicted and confined to his berth for three weeks with fistula. Probably too anxious to be at his post, he left his cabin too early, and caught a severe cold, which never left him, and resulted in inflammation of the lungs, of which he died. Captain Mitchell was highly respected for his many good qualities, and although a comparative stranger to Wellington his reputation had preceded him. The Jessie Readtuau is the third of Patrick Henderson and Co.'s vessels which he has commanded, having made two trips to New Zealand in her. He was well known in Otago as commander of the Caribou (which Jwas burnt off the Cape of Uood Hope whilst on a voyage from Loudon to Calcutta; and afterwards the Viola. Patrick Henderson and Co. having disposed of the latter ship, he was placed in command of the Jessio Roadman two years since. Captain Mitchell leaves a wife and three children, who reside at Rothesay, in the island of Bute. His iiiucral took place yesterday afternoon, the cortege leaving the Jessie Headman at three o'clock. All the captains and officers of the ships in harbor, the merchants of the city, uriicers of the Customs, aud almost every person connected with the shipping, joined in the mournful procession, which was of considerable length. The deceased was interred in the Presbyterian cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Paterson reading the impressive burial service. Captain Logan, Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co.'s ships' husband in New Zealand, will arrive from Dunedin in the Taranaki, which is due on Thursday next, to settle all the affairs of the deceased, and also to arrange for the appointment of a new commader for the ship. A third edition has been printed in New South Wales of a pamphlet narrating the incidents of the overland journey of Messrs. Hume and Hovel], iu 1824. Its publication has been rendered necessary, we regret to observe, by soaie disagreement among the friends of the explorers as to the share of credit due to them respectively for the wonderful journey they made from Syduey to the head of Corio Bay—though curiously enough they missed Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra, aud the site of M elbourne. The profits of the little book are to be appropriated as far as they will go in the erection of a monument to Hume, at Albury, where he first crossed the River Murray, of 'which he was the discoverer.

A special correspondent of the Nelson Colouist has visited the fcaramea settlement-, and reported upon it at some ler'gt'h. He states that the settlement is progressing very favorably. The settlers arc well satisfiei with their prospects and treatment, and have no complaints to make either against the Overset r or the Government. Of course the pioneer settlers must work hard to clear the land, but they know this, and ai-e determined to work hard. They know perfectly well that they have chances such as perhaps no colonists ever had before, and as far as we can leam they have made up their minds to make home 3 for themselves and their children, whore they are now located. An accident has occurred to ono of the survey party at the Moa block, near New Plymouth. While several men were felling a tree on the 19th instant, an axe of one of the party .-lipped from his hand, and penetrated the right foot of Mr. K C. Hughes, cutting it very severely. Ho had to be carried on a stretcher for four miles through the dense bush out to the clearing; he was then put on horseback, an. I arrived in town about eight o'clock the same night, very much fatigued and cramped.