Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4419, 19 May 1875, Page 2

The Court of Appeal was yesterday occupied with various matters, none of which were of public interest, excepting the case of Hawke v. Frelhey, which was taken late in the afternoon, and scarcely entered upon, when the Court adjourned in order to admit of their Honors attending the funeral of the late Mr. C. B. Borlase. In the morning Mr. Travers invited the attention of the Court to the matter of the deed of arrangement made by John Stuart, of Napier - , and the petition of E. Crowther, in which Mr. Wilson had obtained a rule absolute for an appeal. Mr. Travers intimated his willingness to have the appeal dismissed with costs, but objected to have his client saddled with the costs of the rule nisi. Mr. Wilson, contra, argued that all the costs should follow the result of the appeal; but as neither side was prepared to cite authorities in support, the matter was allowed to stand over till next day. Mr. Travers then resumed his argument in Strachan v. Lyon, and at its conclusion judgment was reserved. Hawke v. Ereethey —the Greytown Local Board case—was then taken. It will be remembered that the Greytown Local Board having levied a rate, exception was taken to it on the ground that the election of members to constitute the Board had been conducted, in an irregular manner, and that therefore any rate levied by the Board was invalid and bad in law. Mr. Gordon Allan, in opening the case, dwelt upon the point that the Board was badly constituted ; that the persons who sued for the rate had no right to make it, not being properly invested 'with jurisdiction under the provisions of the Local Boards Act; and that, therefore, the rate was a nullity. Mr. Allan cited authorities in support, and at two o’clock the Court adjourned. Argument in the case will not be resumed until after the disposal of the Stuart-Crowther case and the matrimonial business, which will be taken fix-st this morning. The funeral of the late 0. B. Borlase, Esq., Provincial Solicitor - , took place yesterday, the place of interment being the Church of England cemetery. The funeral cortege left the deceased gentleman’s late residence in the Tinakori-road, at 3 p.m., and numbered about 130 of the most influential and leading citizens of Wellington. The members of the Courts— Sir George Grey, Robin Hood, and Bowen—belonging to the A.0.F., in funeral regalia, proceeded the hearse. Then came the hearse, followed by the principal mourners, viz,;—Chas. Borlase, Esq. (son of the deceased), his Honor Mr. Eitzherbert, H. Bunny, Esq., Provincial Secretary ; Hon. M.B. Rhodes, Geo. Hunter, Esq., M.H.R.; C. A. Haughton, Esq., and Robert Pharazyn, Esq. Amougst the genei'al mourners were his Honor the Chief Justice, his Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, and members of the legal profession, his Worship the Mayor and Town Councillors ; W. W. Taylor, Esq., Speaker of the Provincial Council; B. Pearce, Esq., M.H.R.; J. G. Holdsworth, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands ; Geo. Crawford, Esq,, M.P.C.; Hon. J. Johnston, Major Paul, Dx - . Johnston, coroner ; Messrs. Buchanan, 0. B. Izard, G. H. Vehnell, and Inspector Atchison. On arriving at the cemetery, the funeral procession was met by the Rev. Mr. Harvey, who read the impressive burial service of the Church of England. The Provincial Government and City Council offices were closed, and signs of mourning were observed throughout the city as a mark of respect for the deceased. A correspondent writes to us commenting on an article in an evening contemporary. We cannot, however, insert a letter of this character except as an advertisement.

The full bench of Judges will sit in matrimonial jurisdiction this morning, at half-pasl ten o’clock, when the rale for decree in Foulkei v. Foulkes will be argued.

“A Petitioner ” writes to us to state that the opposition to granting a license for the proposed public-house on Lambton-quay, near to Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains’s place of business, is because it is supposed it will only be a tippling establishment, and not a hotel, the dimensions of the lot,' 30ft. by 60ft., being insufficient for a first-class hotel. Our correspondent asks : “Where can the twenty-two spacious bedrooms and various suites of apartments he raised ? Where the yard ? Where the back premises and outbuildings necessary for a hotel ?—Where are they to come from?” He proceeds; “What the petitioners dislike is a house in their, neighborhood devoted to the nobblerising propensities of the community. The real cause of the objection to granting this license, is that the erection of such a place would add very greatly to the risk of fire, and probably add to the cost of insurance. Within a few doors are some of the largest places of business in the city, containing stocks amounting in the aggregate to hundreds of thousands of pounds; and it is the bona fide owners and occupiers of the premises mentioned who object—and very reasonably so—to have public-house neighbors. It appears also very undesirable that the present character of that side of the street should be disturbed, for it needs no prophet to predict that, the tone of the neighborhood would be greatly reduced. Furthermore, the incentive to drink is great enough through having already so many public-houses. All who read the papers and scan the police intelligence must sorrowfully note the dreadful ravages that drink is making in our midst.” The Wellington" Veteran Corps has now changed its former title to that of the “ Wellington City Rifle Volunteers,” by which title, it will in future bo known. This is a step in the right direction, as it is now some three or four years since the rule of enrolling as members only those who had served in her Majesty’s Imperial army was abandoned. As most of our readers are aware, the company was raised by Captain Buck, late 65th regiment, who hold command until his untimely, death at the attack on Te Ngutu-ote-Manu ; or, as some call it, “Te Ruaruru.” This reflection takes us a long way back, and brings to mind the many bravo and gallant men who have met death in the field as members of the corps, although at the time serving in another company, in whose’ memory the beautiful stained glass windows in the cathedral was erected. The Veteran Corps, to its honor, was the only volunteer company of the city of Wellington whose officers, one and all, volunteered for active service in the field. The character of the company in these peaceful is greatly changed ; but, should any occasion unhappily arise in the future, no doubt, the corps would not be found wanting. The company is now commanded by Captain Crowe, who has been connected with it from its formation, and has fairly worked his way up to his present position by long service. The Wellington City Rifle Volunteers may bo considered fortunate in having such an efficient commanding officer as Captain Crowe.

We desire to draw the attention of the civic authorities to a dangerous custom which exists at present in many parts of Wellington, of heaping up firewood against the street walls or fences. In some instances, should a support give way, many tons of firewood would ho precipitated across the road, and bo the cause of death to any person who might happen to ho passing at the time.

The Orchestral Society held a practice meeting in Mr. Hunter’s rooms last evening, which was fairly attended. Some operatic selections were rehearsed for next concert.

The result of the recent University examinations will not be known for some time to come; the examination papers from the different provinces having first to be sent to Christchurch, where they will be submitted to the Chancellor of the University. It will take about a fortnight yet. Last night a soiree of more than usual interest was held in the Presbyterian Church, at the Hutt. There was a lai'ge attendance. A special train conveyed a number of guests from Wellington, and the visitors were so numerous that it was requisite that they should be entertained at tables in succession. A special train brought back the town visitors in the evening. _ “ The Wandering Heir ” was produced last night at the Theatre Royal, with complete success and to a house filled to the full in pit, stalls, and bsxes. The late hour at which the play concluded px - events us from giving an extended notice of the performance,. but it is quite evident that Miss May Howard has fairly “ hit ” with the Wellington theatre-goers, and may now consider herself an established favorite. Her appearance last night in male attire was the signal for a most enthusiastic reception, and forcibly called to mind the words of Rosalind—

Were it not better Because that I am more than common tall That I did suit me all points like a man; A gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh, A boar-spear in my hand. We regret to observe a want of punctuality in the management in the matter of beginning the entertainment. The Australasian remarks ;—“The South Australian Jockey Club Meeting, which takes place in May, is creating but little interest in Victoria. For the Cup, Lurline was at one time thought to be a certainty, but since she returned from Sydney, the race is considered to be of a mox-e open character, as the New Zealand max - e not only injured her leg during the trip, but she now has periodical attacks of rheumatism, which, however, are not of long duration. Should she perform satisfactorily in her gallops next week, no doubt she will take a trip to Adelaide, and Sunbeam will accompany her. My own opinion is that the mare is a trifle stale, and this circumstance should cause no surprise, seeing that she has been in constant hard work ever since her arrival from New Zealand. Mr. Frigate will take Gloom and a two-year-old over. Lang will probably have one or two at the meeting, and Mr. Hurtle Fisher will perhaps be represented by Fraternitd. Even should Lurline go, I don’t think the Cup will be anything like a moral for her, as the mare can hardly be expected to retain her form ; and should Echo be himself he will, I fancy, he quite good enough,to score a win for Mr. Gerrard. This horse has been out of all form ever since he won his first and only two-year-old race; but I’ve an excellent opinion of him, for when in form he is something more than a moderate animal. There will be some interest in the Two-year-old Race, as it will give us an idea of what sort of stuff the South Australian young ones are made, and if they have anything capable of boating the Victorians, we may conclude that the form of the victors is something out of the common.”