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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4330, 4 February 1875, Page 2

It is now certain that Sir Arthur Gordon —who is the uncle of the present Earl of Aberdeen—is to be the first Governor of Fiji. It will be seen from a telegram in another column, that a vacancy .has occurred in the representation of Auckland City West, through the resignation of Mr. T. B. Gillies, recently appointed to the Bench. It is probable that a Boyal Commission will be constituted to enquire into the condition of the Berar immigrants at the time of their embarkation, and also ! to enquire into the medical supervision on that occasion. The schooner Buby landed the remainder of the Humboldt’s immigrants yesterday morning. They appear to be a most desirable lot of people, and a peculiar quaintness in their attire unmistakeably denotes their nationality. The births in Wellington.; registered during January numbered 54. The deaths numbered 33, viz., 16 males and 17 females. Twenty-six of these deaths were of children under 5 years; and of-these 26 deaths, 23 were of children under I year. Thirteen of these infantile deaths were caused by diarrhoea. Measles was fatal in 2 cases—children *of 7 and 2 years respectively. There was 1 death from phthisis. Thore were 5 deaths from atrophy and debility ; and 2 deaths from, accident. The remaining deaths are not specially noticeable. The total deaths exceeded those in December by 9 ; the increase being accounted for by the much larger number of infantile deaths from diarrhcea.

Mr. James Osgood, who for several years was a prominent and popular citizen as the genial host of the Empire Hotel and latterly of the Metropolitan, returned to Wellington yester-day-morning from the .United States, having arrived in Auckland by the steamer Mikado, which brought the last San Erancisco mail, and travelled thence by the Ladybird. His trip has in no way interfered with his health, as is evident from his robust appearance. He was warmly welcomed by many old friends. We have to thank him for a file of late American newspapers. As Mr. Burnes and his son and Mr. Buchanan were, driving along Lambton-quay in a wicker chaise at two o’clock yesterday, the shafts and two fore wheels somehow got detached from the vehicle, throwing all three occupants out. on their faces. They fortunately sustained no serious harm. The horse, thus without restraint, started off at full gallop, but was speedily captured. The Panorama of Ireland was again exhibited last night in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, to the!fullest house the company have yet had in Wellington—excellent as the preceding attendances were. • Mr. Henry Baker sang, for the first time, “ Green are thy Hills,” and did so’ •with perfect execution. Mr. -W. F. Baker sang, also for the first time, “ The Dear Little Shamrock,” which was received with great favor. As the programme, in r otlier respects, was the same as on the preceding evening, we need only say that it’was carried out as spiritedly as before. This evening there will be anentire change of performances. Mr. W. F. Baker, among other new things, will sing the song for which he is making himself famous,' “ Como into the garden, Maud.” We are glad the; company aroliUeeting with the success they deserve.

A Degree Temple of the independent Order of Good Templars was formally opened in the Rechabite Hall,''Manners-street, on Monday evening last. The officers elected for the terra •were —Bro. Budden; ’ D.T. ; Bro. Wardrop, D.V.T.; Bro. Stohr, D.S.; Bro. Osborne, D.F.S.; Bro. Webb, P.T.; Bro. Aitken, D.C.; Bro. Bush, D.M. : ; Bro. Cooper, P.D.T. This Temple is to meet on the second Wednesday of every month.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of an Athletic Club *was held last evening at the Pier Hotel, his Worship the Mayor in the chair. About twenty gentlemen handed in their names to the secretary as intending .members.” Mr. P. Webb was elected ,as hou. secretary and treasurer pro tern. . A code of rales was drawn up for submission at the next meeting of the club, to be held on the 11th inst., and a provisional committee-appointed.

Mr. Frazer, the outward pilot of the port, is at present enjoying, though against his will, a trip to Lyttelton. Ou.Mpnday night the ship Langstone was taken in tow by the steamer Sto'nnbird, and dropped outside the lighthouse* the pilot being on board the ship. As the inner pilot expected Mr. Frazer would take the Langstone to sea, he had his boat in waiting to convey him to the shore. . Both the steamer and the Langstone passed the boat outside the reef, where they were hailed- by those in, the pilot’s boat, who also burned blue lights. No notice being taken of their presence, it was surmised that the ship had gone to sea without a pilot, and the boat was accordingly taken to the station inside the reef. Mr. Frazer will probably, be heard of in a few days from Lyttelton.

The Nelson Regatta Committee have issued their programme,, and annnounoed the amount of the prizes to be offered for the several events. The secretary has written to the secretaries,of the Wellington boating clubs, inviting crews from Wellington, and it is probable more than one crew will be sent from thii city- Mr. Firman has announced Ms intension of sailing the yacht Xariffa across the Strait to contest the yacht race.

A cricketing team -will go from Wellington to Nelson to play a match after the Nelson regatta, which takes place. in about a fortnight. ’ • • We learn that the match between Delaney and Barron—three events at different distances —for £2O a-side, comes off this evening at the Basin Reserve, commencing at six o'clock. Mr. E. T. Gillon addressed a meeting of about thirty-five ratepayers at Mclntosh's New Zealander Hotel last evening. Mr. Lockie occupied the chair. The candidate touched upon all subjects of municipal interest, and stated during his address that he contested the seat simply with the desire to repair matters in the City Council. He solicited questions from any ratepayer, but all appeared satisfied with the exposition already given. A vote of confidence was recorded, and a committee formed, jvith the object of securing Mr. Gillon’s election.

Little business was done at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. H. Gardiner, charged with drunkenness and attempting to stab, was remanded till ; next day. A ’ man named King was fined 20s. for drunkenness and vagrancy, and a man named Robinson, charged with larceny, was remanded till Tuesday. There were two other charges of drunkenness, but no civil cases. The divers are still busy at work removing the obstructions to vessels discharging at the breastwork. Yesterday some immense blocks of stone wei*e,sent.,tp the surface, any one of which would be sufficient to start a half a dozen planks in a ship’s bottom.. It has excited wonder that none of the many vessels which have loaded and discharged there' have not sustained serious damage. Mr. Hall, city acknowledges the receipt of the following contributions for Janu-ai-y in aid of the work :—W.B., 55.; Captain T., £1 Is.; Hon. W.F., £1 ; J.G.;IOs.;D.AJ., 10s.; G.M., 10s.; Wm. M., 7s. Gd.; J.B. £1 ; Mrs. W., £2 25.; J.A., 55.; D. L., £1 Is.; Mrs. M., 10s.; J.K.,;£l; Mrs. K., £1 ; Friend, £1; H. 8., £1 ; tipper Hutt, ss. Total, £l3 6s. Gd.

“A kind but mysterious correspondent in Nelson,” writes the West Coast Times, “ takes the trouble to telegraph to us the following question and statement 1 Are your . teeth sharp? The Colonist has jumped into’ your, mouth’ The information is rather 'metaphorical, but it, no doubt, has reference to aii article which lately appeared in these columns, and to the Colonist’s reply. In the absence of further, information, all that can be said at present is what the sporting Cockney said when he was informed that a hare was approaching him, while he stood with' a gun in his hand ‘ Let him come in God’s name ; I’m not afraid.’ ” The explanation 'of the mystery is that the Colonist, on a late occasion, made rather a' lamentable show of itself by a bitter personal attack on the editor of the West Coast Times, of which some friend sent warning intimation by telegraph from Nelson to Hokitika. We do not suppose the West Coast Times would think it worth while to reply to the article in the Colonist, which was not marked by humour, but strongly characterised'by ill-nature and bad taste. Should'the Times have taken the pen in hand, we shall expect to find the Colonist most “ catawampously chawed up.”

A curious scene in an auction room is reported by the Auckland Southern Cross of- the; 29tli ultimo. The education tax of that province does not seem to be universally approved of, and there are residents who resist its payment as determinedly as did some of the dissenters in Edinburgh the annuity-tax (a local tax for the support of the Established Church) in years gone by. For resisting payment the, Sheriff of Auckland caused a bailiff to visit the residence of Dr. Wallis, and carry off some of his books, which were to be sold by public auction. What follows is, recorded by the CVoss“ When the sale commenced, Mr. Greehway began talking a good deal about the severity of the tax, &e., and the knight of the hammer had to remind him, that he (Mr. Daere) paid £lO per annum for his privilege to talk at a sale, and if Mr. Greenway was to do all the talking, he had better take out a license, also. Quietness was then restored, and amidst much enthusiasm, the bidding for a copy of Dr. Wallis’s lecture upon ‘ The Unjust Tax,’ proceeded very spiritedly. Ultimately it was knocked down amidst wild cheering for £2l2s. Gd. The lecture was originally published in: pamphlet form at 6d.,but it being out of print, it of-course brought a fancy price. The amount of the tax; claimed and expenses incurred was £2 15s. A sum of money had been previously left with the auctioneer to assist in making up the amount demanded from the doctor, the £2 12s. 6d. obtained for the pamphlet was amply sufficient to satisfy the claims of the provincial taxing-machine, and the further sale of the doctor’s books was stopped. Mr. Staines at once rushed for a cab, into which the unsold books were put, and a number of friends started off to replace them on the shelves of the doctor’s library. As the cab rolled up Queen-street, the books were waived from the windows of. , the cab amidst general rejoicings.” “ Information reached Eeefton on Saturday,” says the Inangahua Herald, of. the 26th inst., “ that very rich stone indeed had been taken out of the Argyle Company’s 'ground, Larry’s. At least it remains to be proved whether the ground is within the boundary of the Argyle (No. 1 South), or that of No. 2 South. One surveyor.briugs it upwards of forty feet within the Argyle boundary, and another demonstrates with equal clearness that the' Argyle Company have gone over their boundary and encroached nine feet upon ground’ belonging to No. 2 South. Work was knocked off in the Argyle for a few days, pending certain arrangements between the Argyle and No. 2 South, and in the interim workmen from No. 2 South entered the; Argyle tunnel,.and .after extending it two. or three feet struck a remarkably rich lode.It is: now ascertained that the, Argyle have been, long driving, top. Tar to. the eastward, through a very 'hard country, but they will now have no difficulty in picking up the reef.” ■. ... ■.

The New Plymouth Budget o£ the 28th January gives a very satisfactory account of how the emigrants lately landed there from -the Avalanche have been disposed of, and of the opportunities Taranaki presents to new arrivals :—Out of the whole of the immigrants to hand by the Avalanche-L-with the exception of a few tradesmen —none remain unengaged. * The single men and single women are all employed ; and -all the grown-up boys not staying with parents;:Jjaye been found in employment.: More are wanted—girls being in especial demand.' . Out of the one hundred families received ■ into the'depot,-the Government have only been able to secure twenty-five for public works purposes. Tor those who remain work can be had ;' only that it would be rougher than the parties have been accustomed to ; for, application \yas made for. three other laboring men this morning, and could not be supplied. The Iron Sand: Company have engaged, directly and indirectly, fully twentyfive peraons. Patea asked for a like number ; and, if conveyances could have been obtained to take the luggage, they would have been forwarded'a day or'two after arrival. But, os the‘Avalanche immigrants have been absorbed privately within the immediate district of New Plymouth, and more are wanted, the only plan Patea can adopt is to' apply direct to WellingThis ready absorption speaks well for the first direct shipment ; and if the engagements prove satisfactory to both parties, we may look for considerable additions during the course of the next year.

A correapendent o£ the Auckland Evening Star writes to that journal the following letter, which points to a rather curious state of matters: —“Sir,—The best thanks are- due to you for directing attention to the small encouragement given to home-grown fruit, and the difficulty of getting it by retail buyers. ..To my knowledge a lot of' prime lemons were sent up from the Bay of Islands, aud the sender was offered sixpence a dozen. He sent no, more. The other day I had occasion to buy: a dozen, and I paid three and sixpence, and bad they were at that. Miv Oowen, of Mahurangi, last year sent Up a lot of fine plums. He got twopence per pound. He sends no more. Yesterday I bought plums—rotten imported stuff—at a shilling a pound. Comment is'needless."

The Nelson Government is so satisfied with what it has done at Karamea that two new special settlements are contemplated—one in Cpllingwood, and one on the West Coast.

A fancy dress ball has been given in Nelson with great success, for the purpose of raising a recreation fund for the patients in connection with the new Lunatic Asylum there.

The Rev. Charles Clarke, we understand, is nowin Nelson, where hewill lecture thisevening, en route for Wellington. He may be expected here by the next of, the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company’s vessels coming from the North. It is not yet arranged where he will deliver his lectures in this city. An unexpected incident—and one much to be regretted—is mentioned in a telegram from Auckland in another column. It is that of the arrest of the Clerk of the Provincial Council of the province, on a charge of having embezzled a sum of £BO, an amount voted for the Library , of the Council, drawn by the accused a year ago, and, so far, not accounted for. , ■

The entire horse St. Albans, which has stood during the present season at Taranaki, the property of Mr. John Mclntosh, of Wellington, changed hands at Wanganui on Wednesday, the purchaser being Mr. Donald Fraser, of Parawanui. St. Albans was bred by Mr. Money, of Christchurch, sire Traducer, and is a grand horse by appearance. The price paid was a long one. The first cruise of the cutter Nautilus, lately purchased in Lyttelton for Dunedin proprietors, appears to have been a successful one. She uses a trawling-net, with which she can fish in from fifteen to twenty-two fathoms of water, and, cruising off Green Island, in almost a calm, she caught three-quarters of a, ton of fish, consisting of barracoota, ling, soles, skate, &c.

. Mr. D. M. Luclde, in addressing the gentlemen assembled at the Templar Conference last evening, says the New Zealand Herald of the 29th January, in the course of some remarks, in which he admitted and deprecated' the evils arising from the drinking customs of society, stated, among other things, that he felt a deep interest for the temperance movement generally, and in Auckland especially, as he had made this locality his home, and intended to remain in it, notwithstanding a very stupid canard to the contrary had been recently published. • , ,

Mr. Louisson, of Nelson, deserves very great credit for the indomitable pluck with which, under every discouragement, he has endeavored to bring into use the iron paint (hematite) he makesjfrom the iron-ore obtained at Collinfjwood. He may now fairly be congratulated on having achieved marked success, the paint having come'extensively into use -' We understand that he is the successful tenderer for the painting, with his iron paint, of the whole of the bridges on the road between Wellington and Wanganui, for the General Government, and he previously had a contract for : the painting of the railway bridges on the railway line for the Nelson Provincial Government. These'contracts together represent] something approaching two miles of bridges, the painting of which has to be finished-within four months!

“ It is now thirty-four years," says the Nelson Colonist of the 2nd instant,” since the-pioneer settlers arrived. At the time of their coming, Wellington was two years old, and Auckland one, and Otago had not been founded: Therefore, as far as time is concerned, our province has had as fair a chance of progressing as any. She has not done so,- however, but has lagged behind in the race, and the principal city in Otago—Dunedin—which (was founded seven years after her, has' now a population nearly five, times as great. Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury too have gone ahead, but Nel-so-i has crept on at a snail’s pace, and is now the most insignificant of all. Whose fault is this ? Is it the' fault of the people or those Who govern tHein ? Perhaps both have been to blame, the Government for not acting wisely, and the people for allowing them to do so. We may hope, however, that before long provincialism will be abolished, and when we have the General Government to look after our interests, Nelson will stand a chance of ocoujpyiiig that proud position that it is proper she should hold.”