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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4422, 22 May 1875, Page 2

What steps have the City Council taken to comply with the provisions of the Public Health Act, making the use of earth-closets compulsory, on’and after the Ist of June next, where no other system of drainage exists ? The local Boards of Health have given the necessary notices in Wanganui and New Plymouth, but we do not hear anything from the health authorities of Wellington. Owing to the great amount of sickness that prevailed here last summer, this law should not remain a dead letter. There is no time to be lost, and we have to remind the City Council of their duty. The Revising Officer, Mr. Moorhouse, yesterday held a revision court for the purpose of revising the electoral rolls for the City and Country districts. A large number of the objections made, .were sustained, and in others the persons objected to supplied the corrections necessary in order to the retention of' their names on the roll. Mr. Moorhouse will today revise the Hutt roll. The remarkable Smytbles’ case was again before the Court yesterday, in the form of a renewal of the application to be admitted to practice in the courts of the colony. Unfortunately for Mr. Smythies, his Honor Mr. Justice Gillies had to leave in the Phcebe to attend the circuit sitting of the Supreme Court at Taranaki, and as only two Judges remained, Mr. Smythies application fell through, the rules of the Supreme Court rendering it imperative that at least three Judges must be present to decide upon such an application. The Full Court will probably sit in Christchurch before long, when Mr. Smythies will have an opportunity of renewing his application.

The amusements placed on the general programnm for the holiday next Monday, are of a very mixed character, and will afford an opportunity for people of every taste to enjoy themselves. The Hutt will attract many of the pleasure seekers. There is a pigeon match to take place there during the day, and a dramatic and musical entertainment in the cvening, at Valentine’s Hall, Lower Hutt. A special train, for the convenience of those attending the entertainment, will leave Wellington at 6.55 p.m., returning at 11 p.m. The Wellington Eifle Association intends holding a meeting at the Wellington rifle ranges, at which the crack shots of the corps will muster in strong force. As is usually the case in Wellington on occasions of this description, every available vehicle and saddle-horse has been engaged for the day. The football match which was proposed to be played on the Basin Reserve between the local football clubs, has •been unavoidably postponed, as many players ; prefer to take advantage of the general holiday and spend their , leisure time in the Should the weather continue fine, there ■will be many excursion trips on the water, and round the bay, which will delight the younger portion of the community.

We hear that the late cab accident did not pass off as happily as was at first supposed. The wheels of the runaway trap passed right over the body of Mr, Rutter, and caused him considerable pain yesterday. The trap was fortunately a light one, or else the result might have proved fatal.

Mr. Justioe Gillies left in the Phoebe yesterday, to attend the circuit sitting of the Supreme Court at Taranaki. The concert and soiree in aid of the Athenaeum, took place last evening. The programme, as published, was faithfully adhered to, with the exception of the last recitation. The readings, which were chiefly given by gentlemen well known to Wellington audiences, left nothing to be desired—“ The Death of Montrose ” being perhaps slightly more taking with the audience than the remaining recitations, which were, nevertheless, each very well rendered. The last one in the programme was not given. An account of the trouble an author experienced whilst writing an essay with a small boy in the room was very good. This was a wise change, and was introduced by the deliverer of the reading, in a few appropriate preliminary remarks. The committee is to be congratulated upon having been successful in their endeavors to gain the assistance of a lady who has been sadly missed of late at our usual musical gatherings. We allude to the lady who sang, “O! bid your faithful Ariel fly,” selected from the “Tempest.” It is needless to say that it received an encore ; responded to by a Scotch air, given with equal taste. We must not, however, forget “ The Message,” which shared the laurels of the evening -with the previous song just mentioned. The violoncello solo was given under great difficulties, the performer having no music-stand provided. Notwithstanding this, the piece was played ■with great taste and correct intonation, the minor variation being specially well played. The other parts of the programme call for no special notice, each being good. At the end of the musical entertainment the hall was cleared, and dancing commenced. It was not until the small hours of the morning that the hall resumed its usual quiet repose. His Worship the Mayor presided. The members of the Wellington Gymnasium would do well to muster in greater force oh Tuesdays and Fridays, if they want to prevent the site and building which they are supposed to use reverting to the City Council. On the first evening of the season, there were not sufficient members present to elect a committee; on Tuesday last, there were only three members at practice ; and last night, only two two out of the same three put in an appearance. The counter attractions of the theatre and Athenaeum soiree may account for the small attendance last night, but it is to be hoped that in future greater interest will be manifested in the proceedings. The football players of the local clubs will be glad to hear that Mr. James, the indefatigable secretary of the Wellington club, has had all the necessary arrangements made for a game to take place this afternoon, on the land near the Albion Hotel. A good game may, therefore, be expected.

We regret to record the death of Mrs. Gray, of Eoxton. The deceased lady was the wife of Mr. Alexander Gray of that town, and the daughter of Mrs. George Waters of this city. She had endeared herself to all around her by the many kind acts for which she was remarkable. Her death was very sudden, for she was only taken ill on Saturday evening, the 16th instant. The funeral took place on Wednesday last at one o’clock. It was attended by almost the whole of the inhabitants of Eoxton, and business was suspended during the afternoon.

The demand for labor is still unsatisfied in the Wanganui district, judging from the following paragraph in a local .paper :—“ Work is still plentiful, and although a considerable number of immigrants have been sent to Wanganui and Rangitikei during the last year, so many that it has been thought by some people that the labor market would be glutted, there appears to be hardly any decrease in the demand. Especially is this the case in the country districts, where a large number of men could at present find employment.” Writing on the provincial agitation, the Wanganui Herald has the folio-wing pertinent remarks on the land question :—“lt is plain that the object for which the waste lands of the colony were to be disposed of has been misconceived. One of the first objects in a young colony must always be to attract population, and for this purpose the waste lands should be used. They should not be looked upon as a mere estate to be converted into money as soon as possible. No Government is constituted to pass as much money through its hands as possible, but to advance the interests of the State and the prosperity of its inhabitants. In this New Zealand has not been so successful as it should have been, for while the General Government is carrying out the Public Works and Immigration scheme, the Provincial Governments are indifferent as to its success, and dispose of the waste lands utterly regard-i less of the great advantages the colony derives through the settlement of the newly-arrived immigrants on suitable sections of land. The mal-administration of our waste lauds forms one of the principal reasons why the provinces should be abolished, and in this respect there is no difference between North and South, for one is as guilty of having attempted to swell its revenue by means of a rapid disposal of its waste lands as the other.”

In the Wangarei district of Auckland the production of wine has become an important industry. From the following paragraph, which appeared in the Wanganui Chronicle of the 17th iust., it will be seen that this province also can boast of its vintage :—“Mr. Tod is going pretty extensively into this industry, and is devoting his energies towards the eventual establishment of -wine manufacture upon a permanent and extensive basis. The past season’s preparation is represented by 19 casks, each of which average in quantity about 30 gallons, or nearly 600 gallons in all. This quantity has been manufactured from the pure and unadulterated juice of the grape ; the difference between this and former preparations being, that in previous years, in order to expedite the fermentation, be was compelled to use a certain amount of brandy in the manufacture, but the present year’s vintage has not been impregnated with a drop of foreign alcoholic spirit of any kind. Connoiseurs pronounce the manufactured article superior, even in its present uumatured condition, to the best imported Australian wine, being rich, full flavored, and free from unduly intoxicating properties. The fame of the production has extended to many of the principal towns in New Zealand and Victoria, in many of which Mr. Tod’s vintage is held in high repute, and is in demand. The manufacturing aud bottling paraphernalia, though simple, is most complete, and when the contemplated cellarage is excavated, the process of maturing on the most improved system can be efficiently carried out. For a wine-growing district, there are probably few in New Zealand whose specially suitable resources and natural advantages are so abundant and so easily approached as are those in the neighborhood of Wanganui, and more particularly up the Wanganui River, where climate, soil, and position are unusually well adapted for the vigorous growth of the grape. Mr, Tod has experimentalised extensively in the effort to attain perfection in this peculiar branch of local industry, although in the manufacture of pale wine these efforts have not been attended with entire satisfaction, yet his convictions remain unaltered—of the sufficient foundation for which his present measure of success is the best proof—that the manufacture of wine will yet engross a large proportion of the at present uninvested capital and unemployed labor in tbe colony. In this respect such a consummation would be a satisfactory indication of progress as a manufacturing district.” We are given to understand that the St. Vincent Gem Concert Company will give a limited number of performances at the Odd Fellows’ Hall about the third week in June. The company are at present performing in the Inangahua and Grey districts. They are drawing crowded houses everywhere, and tbe local papers speak in the highest terms of praise of their performances. The Taranaki Herald says:—“The Ist of June, 1875, is approaching, when, according to the Health Act, all houses shall have attached to them sufficient earth closets, and the local authorities shall make adequate provisions for supplying the occupiers of houses with earth < for the purpose, and removing the same when made use of. As yet no action has been taken ! in tbe matter by the Town Board.”

Writing on the unavoidable absence of Mr. Vogel, the Nelson Evening frfail has the following remarks :—“ It was ■with very great regret—a regret that will, we are sure, be shared by the whole colony—that we yesterday learned from our telegrams by the Alhambra that Mr. Vogel's health is in so precarious a state that it will be impossible for him to be in New Zealand at the next session of Parlia-. ment. WlVat complications his absence may lead to it is impossible to say, for it is well known that the Ministry of which he is the head is terribly deficient in debating power, and that, however good they may be in managing their various departments and in carrying out the work of the Government during the recess, they are quite incapable of meeting the Parliament and explaining their actions to the satisfaction of the representatives. It has been said that whenever Mr. Vogel was compulsorily absent for an hour or two, he invariably found everything at sixes and sevens on his return to the House. What then is to be expected when the master mind and mouthpiece of the Government is away for a whole session ? Honest, hard working, and able in administration though they may be, it will surprise not a few if the Ministers of to-day are to be found in office at the close of the coming session. Upon who may be their successors it is yet a little early to speculate, but the name of Sir George Grey maybe mentioned with some degree of certainty.” The Taranaki Budget says :—“ Information has been given by natives to one of their white friends that the Maori King's two chief advisers have arranged for a meeting with the Native Commissioner of this province in regard to the Mokau. After a hard struggle on the part of Te Wetera, the King’s consent has been given to the opening of the Mokau Kiver to traders, including steamers, sailing vessels, or boats. It is not desired that any white settlement shall be established, but that there shall be freedom in regard to trading. The occasional visits on the part of white men to the district, and of Maoris to town, have gradually broken the ice and led to this result. There will first of all be a big meeting at Tongaporutu, at which the Maori King’s chief councillors and Te Wetera will be present. Letters will be sent in to the Government, probably within a fortnight, intimating the wishes of the natives, and appointing a time and place of meeting for the arrangement of conditions. The action of the Maoris in this matter is said to be quite voluntary, and will only be made known at the native office on the letters being brought in to town, and on which occasion a request will be made for a steamer to be taken up to the Mokau with the party.”

The Wanganui Herald remarks ;—“Mr. C. Pharazyn’s attempt to introduce local administration into the educational system of the province, has proved a failure; and, all things considered, this does not much matter perhaps. That local committees of management, elected by the ratepayers, will have to form a feature in any measure that is to deal successfully with the education question, ‘has long been our opinion, but we hardly think that, at this stage of its existence, the Provincial Council would act wisely in legislating on a subject which can only be dealt with as a colonial one. It is, however, gratifying to observe that the necessity of giving the people a larger share in the management of their own affairs is beginning to be felt. The present beaureaucratio system is doomed in any case, and the indifference of the Provincial Government to Mr. Pharazyn’s proposal, arises doubtless from the conviction that the proposed change, though one in the right direction, is not one that it would be advisable to introduce until the whole subject of education comes under the notice of the General Legislature.”

The Wanganui Chronicle agrees with us in thinking that the Otago Daily Times should have exposed the conspirators to whom it refers in connection with the Otago Harbor Board. It will be in the recollection of our readers that we drew attention to this subject a short time ago.

The Patea Mail of last week says :—“ At the R. M. Court yesterday (before Major Turner, R.M.), Eruke, a Waitotara native, was charged by Mr. Jas. Riddle with stealing a wether hoggett. The prosecutor in this case is the person who has had so much trouble with the natives in trying to keep possession of his land, which the natives claim, and who are now living on a portion of it. Mr. Riddle stated in court that during the last few months he had lost * over 400 sheep through the natives and their dogs. We trust, the Government will at once take steps to set this matter right. The hearing of the case was adjourned for the evidence of Mrs. Riddle.”

Notwithstanding the opposition which the Dunedin Harbor’ Board encountered from the late Provincial Executive of Otago, " disappointed contractors,” and others, the work of dredging is going on steadily. At a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held to consider the proposal of the Board to increase the jetty dues and to levy the same rates of dues on goods landed at the railway wharf, Mr. Tewsley, a member of the Board and leading merchant, said:—“As regards the 'dredging of the past year, he thought it should be distinctly understood how matters stand. In so fat as Dunedin was concerned, the only dredging, done by the Government was with the twopenny-halfpenny little sidedredge now laid- tip alongside the Jetty-street jetty. Such a ruinously expensive method of doing the work, that •as soon as it was handed over to the Harbor Board, the engineer advised that, it s should' be' immediately laid .up and the crew discharged, which was done. ■ The dredging by the New Era since Janudry 9th (which has all been done with a definite object in view, .namely, to bring up the inter-, provincial' boats) has been done out of the Board’s revenue solely; and it is desirable that it slioukTbe clearly understood that at the present moment, were there wharf accommodation at Dunedin, the Wellington and Taranaki, aa well as the Ladybird, might come up to our wharves. The owners are only restrained by the Board’s request that they be delayed till more berthing accommodation was provided. Under the Board, the cost of dre dgirig was being constantly reduced.” We understand that the district engineer has taken over the portion of the Waitotara road which was lately metalled, and about which, so many complaints have been heard. r lf the metal was all supposed to go through - a ring, which, we believe, are the terms of the contract, such a ring in this instance would require to be an elastic one.— Wanganui Chronicle.

The Nelson Mail deprecates the “correction ” of the Superintendent by the Provincial Secretary, Mr. Conor. It remarks: —“ Is it for edification, is it for the good of the province that the Superintendent, its elected head, and the Provincial Secretary, the head of its Responsible Executive, should be wangling and bandying words about the ratio that the revenue of the last year bears to that of the one which preceded it ? The Superintendent stated that there was a slight decline, Mr. O’Conor that there was a slight increase, and a considerable portion of his speech was devoted to proving the correctness of his statement. We have not gone into the matter sufficiently to pronounce an opinion as to which of the two is in the right, nor do we mean to, for what can it matter whether by a mauipulation of figures the revenue of one year is made in a slight degree to compare favorably or unfavorably with that of another ? This little, petty, miserable squabbling is unseemly in the extreme, and calculated to lower our Provincial Government in the estimation of our neighbors, who are never unready to enjoy a laugh at the expense of Nelson. Only too justly can they do so now.”