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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4333, 8 February 1875, Page 2

We are glad to find that the maritime portion of the community have promptly availed themselves of the facilities for obtaining information as to the state of the weather, which are now afforded to them by the sixpenny telegrams—a concession of the current rates which, as our readers will no doubt remember, was brought about by the exertions of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Commissioner of Customs. It must be very gratifying to the hou. gentleman to find that his efforts have been appreciated as well as successful, and we hope that the well-known interest which he takes in everything relating to maritime matters and the sea-borne trade of- the colony, will enable him to cany out such further plans for their benefit as he has already in view, with an equal amount of success. -

A. large congregation last evening assembled at the Manners-street Wesleyan Church to hear their old pastor—the Rev. C. W. Rigg—now of Dunedin. The rev. gentleman preached a powerful and stirring sermon from Daniel iii, 16 to 19 verses, in which h 6 urged the necessity of a sacrificing and consistent walk in professing Christians. This evening, an account of the recent Auckland Conference is to be given in the school-room ; and, as there are several matters of importance to Wellington Wesleyans to be mentioned, a large gathering may be expected. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Normanby have signified their intention to be present at the Theatre to-morrow, evening. The play to be produced is not yet announced, but the fact of such frequent attendance on the part of the Marquis and Marchioness is a flattering proof of the estimation iu which Mr. and Mrs. Bates are held.

The programme of the Walrarapa sports, to which “our country cousins” invite the town athletes in friendly contest, appears in another column.

The following tenders were received at the Public Works office, Wellington, for the platelaying contract of the White Cliffs branch, Rolleston and Malvern Railway. Accepted— George Holder, Christchurch, £lll2 15s. Declined—Jos. Taylor, Christchurch, £4903 16s. 9d.; W. White, jun., Christchurch, £5119 6s. 2d.; W. Fuller, Temuka, £5288.

An eleven from the Star Cricket Club are about to make a tour through the towns in the Wairarapa district. The team leave town next Sunday, the 14th instant, and the first match will be played at Featherston, on Monday, the 15th instant; the second, at Grey town, on Wednesday, the 17th ; and the third, on Friday, the 19th. On Saturday, a match will be played with an eleven chosen from the combined Wairarapa teams, and on Sunday, the Star eleven return to town. The eleven have not yet been selected ;‘ but the Wairarapians will have their work cut out, as the Stars never send a poor team into the field upon such occasions.

The Odd Fellows’ Hall ou Saturday evening was filled with an enthusiastic audience to witness Baker’s Hiberuioon. The greater number of those present were not strangers, a change of programme, with the general excellence of the company, being ample to draw a crowded house. The songs by Mr. Henry Baker, Mr. and Mrs, Baker, and Mr. Verner, were up to their usual standard of excellence, while 'Johnny and Joaunie Moran, in their national delineations of character, met with the hearty applause of the auditory, who repeatedly insisted on a second appearance, which was goodnaturedly complied with. There was a performance in the afternoon for school children, when the hall was filled to overflowing. The talented company appear at the same place this evening. It will be observed that a concession has been made in the price of admission to the front seats.

The second match between the Wellington Cricket Club and an eleven chosen from amongst the officers and men of H.M.S. Rosario, was played on Saturday afternoon, on the Basin Reserve, in presence of a goodly number of spectators. In compliment to the “ rovers of the main,” there was a numerous sprinkling of ladies present, who admired the muscular energy and enthusiasm of the Rosario’s picked men, though they_ could not in justice eulogise their cricketing display, which did not rank Al. The naval squad were the first to go to the wickets, and were all got out for eighteen. The club then wont in and scored 140, df which Werry contributed forty-nine, and Mace over twenty. The Rosario men again went to the wickets, and improved upon their former innings by making fifty-seven, though this did not in the least endanger the result, the club winning in one innings with over sixty runs to spare, Hayes, of the Rosario, distinguished himself by bowling and batting well; but none of the others ou his aide made any groat display. For the club, Werry achieved all the honors for batting, and Russell for fielding, the long-stopping of the latter being particularly admirable.

Judge Weston and family were passengers by the steamer Otago, which sailed on Saturday last. Judge Weston proceeds to Hokitika.

In the International Match of the volunteers at Grahamstown, on Saturday last, the Scottish team wore the victors. Their score was 594. The English team were next, with 579. The Colonials followed with 577, and the Irish party were last, their score being 555.

In the week ending on the 15th of January, not fewer than 164 messages passed along the Trans-Australian line of telegraph. Of these eighty-seven were sent from this colony. Of the whole number Victoria alone had eighty-nine, or more than one-half. Neither Tasmania nor West Australia availed themselves of the wire.

The latest loan of £SOOO applied for by the Port Chalmers Corporation, says the Otarjo Daily Times, has been successfully negotiated. Debentures of the above amount to mature in thirty years having been taken up at 90, at a current interest of 7 per cent.

Mr. J. C. Morris, accountant of the Bank of New Zealand, in Dunedin, has been appointed manager of the Colonial Bank at Christchurch, in the place of Mr. Cook, who will go to Wellington. Newcastle advices state that the best quality of coal, delivered alongside the Government cranes, is obtainable at 14s. per ton. Freight to Wellington is 18s. The Provincial Treasurer of Taranaki, Mr. T. White, has obtained three months’ leave of absence, and is about to visit Australia, We understand that the Rev. Charles Clark was to preach in Blenheim yesterday. He will reach Wellington early in the week, and will deliver two lectures. As both the Theatre and the Odd Fellows’ Hall are engaged, it is probable that Mr. Clark will lecture in the Wesleyan school-room.

The toll-gate question seems yet in an unsettled condition, notwithstanding the lucidity of Judge J olmstou’s recent decision. On Saturday Mr. A. Young was charged by Mr. Thomson, keeper of the Kaiwarra toll-gate, noth having committed a breach of the Tollgates Act by causing his coach to he driven through the Kaiwarra toll-gate without paying the legal toll. The defence raised by Mr. Quick was that there was no proof of the defendant having caused the coach to pass through the toll-gate, that no demand for payment of toll had been made, and that the Tollgates Act of 1872, under which the charge was laid, could not apply to the Kaiwarra toll-gate, which was, erected some years previously. These ingenious arguments were speedily demolished by Mr. Travers, who appeared for the toll-gate keeper, and his Worship fined the defendant Is. and ss. costs, further costs being remitted. There was a tacit understanding that the decision would be appealed against, and in accordance therewith, Mr. Quick gave notice of appeal. The points raised certainly differ from those previously submitted for decision by the Supreme Court, but their difference largely consists in their being very much weaker.

The decision given iu the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, in the case Hazlewood v. Diver, should convey a wholesome warning to the watermen of the port. It appeared that on the arrival of the ship [ Avalanche, Dr. Diver sent his attendant off to the ship to bring his two sons ashore, the r defendant’s boat being employed for the purpose. The journey both ways, including i detention, occupied about an hour and a half, but it was contended by the defendant that the weather was rough, and that he was therefore entitled to charge double fares. Admitting all the plaintiff's allegations, the regulations showed that he was en- . titled to Cs. 6d. only, which defendant had ' previously been informed by Inspector Atchison was the legal amount. To avoid litiga- ‘ tion Dr. Diver offered plaintiff half a guinea, [ which being refused the same amount was tendered into court. His Worship held that the 10s. 6d. paid into court was 4s. in excess of the legitimate fare, hut as the defendant I had shown a liberal spirit by tendering the ► half guinea, judgment would be for that ■ amount, plaintiff to pay costs. A young girl named Emily Burgess, was brought into town yesterday by Constable Xyster, of the Upper Hutt, on a charge of suspected lunacy. It seems that during the past week she hired a horse from Mr. Jackson, livery stable-keeper, in town, to go out for a ride. Nothing singular was observable in her manner, but the horse was not returned, and Mr. Jackson then became aware that something must be wrong. Inquiries were made, and it turned out that the girl had been thrown from the horse at the Upper Hutt, and had allowed it afterwards to wander about, which she also did herself. She visited several hotels on the road, and ultimately made her way to Wilkins’s Railway Hotel, walked into all the rooms, and virtually took possession. There was then no doubt as to her mental derangement. Her riding habit was gone, and she was in a deplorably ragged condition, her face and hair being covered with dirt. Constable Lyster being made aware of these facts, conveyed the girl to town, and she was yesterday placed in the lock-up. She is said to have lived at Jolmsonville, and to be well connected, but the cause of her present condition has not been ascertained. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull and family and Mr, and Mrs Krull, of this city, left Wellington by the steamer Otago on Saturday night last, eu route for Europe. It had been announced that the steamer would leave for Melbourne at ten o’clock, and long before that hour a large number of the friends of both families had assembled on the wharf to bid them farewell. After “God speed’ 1 and “pleasant voyage” had been earnestly wished to the travellers, the steamer signalled for all shore people to leave. Just as she moved off, three cheers for “our departing friends,’’ coupling the names, were called for, which were heartily given, those on the steamer answering with a powerful three times three. Rockets were sent up and bine lights burned by those on shore, and after the steamer had proceeded a short distance answering blue lights were burned on board, which called forth more hearty cheering. The effect was very pretty. That peculiarly Irish offence against society —abduction—has not yet ceased. • We observe that at. a late Court of Sessions at Tullamore, four men, Hugh Grenuan, Patrick Neal, Christopher Munroe, and Joseph Barry were committed forj trial, bail being refused, for the abduction by force of a young widow named Bridget Daly. It is alleged that as Mrs. Daly was proceeding home in a car with some relatives, she was dragged from it,’tied with a rope, and conveyed to Castletown, where an unsuccessful attempt was made to compel Mrs. Daly to marry Grenuan. Mr. Piers, J.P., having hoard of the outrage, proceeded with a party of police and rescued the widow. All the prisoners were fully identified. The friends of old Mr. Hebbcrley (who is better known as “ Worser”), will be pleased to learn that the old man has successfully readied Picton, after crossing Cook Strait in the little open cutter Hind (now named the Huia). Heleft here on Wednesday evening last, with only ono companion, and a telegraip was received on Saturday evening, stating that he had arrived at Picton. The age of Mr. Hebberley may bo approximately ascertained, when it is stated that since 1845 he has resided on the shores of Cook Strait.

The Australasian has the following : —There is a contingent possibility which may give a strong fillip to the business of preparing Australian meat for export. Some specific contracts have been entered into for supplying the French army with the Australian article, and it is more than likely that what has already been arranged for is but the small commencement of considerable transactions. To carry these out would, be impossible if the price of

hve stock advanced. But such contracts would serve to check a fall in price below a certain point. I have heard that an energetic manager of an Australian meat-preserving company wrote to the French Government that if he had been instructed to provision Metz before the siege he could have made it impregnable for ever, so far as food was concerned.

The final event in connection with the regatta of 1875, will, if the water is smooth enough, he rowed this evening, when the scullers _ will compete for the gold sculls presented in the first instance by Mr. T. Lennox, and on the present occasion by the winner, Mr. T. Turnbull. It is probable five oarsmen will compete. A service of song will be given this evening by the scholars of Willis and Tory-street Sunday schools in the Presbyterian Church, Willisstreet, at seven o’clock. The Kev. Mr. Paterson will also give readings. An advertisement has been inserted in a Napier paper, signed by a considerable number of tradespeople, in the following terms:—“We, the undersigned, creditors of George Henry Wetheril, (late of Wellington, Wanganui, Auckland, &o.), hereby record our protest against Ids conduct iu absenting himself from the meeting of creditors, convened, by his own advertisement, ostensibly for the purpose of submitting to us proposals fpr liquidation of his debts.”

Mr. Mark Webb, the Otago Daily Times states, has just built for hire a 40ft. six-oared gig, which will be the first boat of the kind seen in Dunedin waters. She is 4ft. in beam, and 17in. deep; built of J-in. kauri, with cedar timbers, and copper fastened. The thwarts are double kneed, while, in other respects, everything"consistent with lightness has been done to secure strength. Mr. Webb will lay down the keel of a racing boat in a few days.