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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4425, 26 May 1875, Page 2

It will be seen by our special correspondent' telegram from Dunedin, that the Governor and the Marchioness of Normanby sailed yesterday for Wellington in the Luna. We publish later European and Australian news by the Otago, which arrived from Melbourne at. The Bluff yesterday. It will be seen that the price of wool improves as the sales advance.

The Court of Appeal calendar being exhausted, judgments in the remaining cases will be delivered to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. Strachan v. Lyon, and Percy v. Young, are the only suits in which the decision of the Court has yet to be made known; Vennell v. Brandon, which was argued before Mr. Justice Johnston and Mr. Justice Gillies, being ordered to stand over until the next sitting of the Court, in consequence of a difference of opinion between their Honors upon the several points involved. Possibly the case will have to be argued again, as it deals with an important doctrine, 1 upon which it may be desirable to take the opinion of a full Bench.

His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston will hold a sitting in banco this morning. The cases set down are—Tribe v. Watt (held over from the Wanganui sitting), McKenzie v. Hall and Hirst (held over from the Wellington sitting), Young v. Thomson, Rangitikei Highway Board v. Maunder, Millar v. the Corporation of Wanganui, Peat v. McKenzie (for decree), Hughes v. "Ellis (special case), Dive v. Bspagne, Walker v. the Greytown Local Board, and the Education Board v. Harrison. Tribe v. Watt has been a long time on the calendar, and ins there are some fresh points to be raised the case will probably be taken early. It will be remembered that, at the trial of McKenzie v. Hall and Hirst, leave was reserved to enter a nonsuit. In addition to this point, Mr. Izard, for the defendant Hall; and Mr. Bell, for the defendant Hirst, will move for a new trial on the ground of misdirection. The Chief Justice takes the next Napier circuit, which will necessitate his presence in the capital town of the sister province within a few days. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston will leave for Christchurch on Monday next. Previous to his departure his Honor will be entertained at dinner, on Friday evening, by the members of the Wellington Club. The telegrams convey intelligence of the death of Mr. Edward Bunny, Registrar of the Nelson Supreme Court. Mr. Bunny had for some weeks'past suffered from a severe attack of pleurisy, the symptoms of which were so alarming that Mr. Henry Bunny, Provincial Secretary, left for Nelson a few days ago, in case the fears apprehended should be realised.

There are at the present time a greater number of patientß in the hospital than, have been enrolled upon the books of the establishment for a great many years past. Compared ■with the number of inmates to be found in similar institutions in the larger provinces, the total of fifty-five does not appear large, but it is far too great for the capabilities of the present building. The increase is attributable not to any epidemic disease but to the rapid increase in the population of the city. It was thought a few months ago that as the winter approached and the number of fever patients decreased the available accommodation would prove adequate till the completion of the new hospital, but the experience of every day gives more-convincing proof that' a newestablishment is an imperative necessity, and that the provincial authorities should hasten its completion by every means in their power. The gaol authorities are beginning to complain of overcrowding in the provincial penal establishment. Since the old military days, when the regimental rowdies instituted a reign of terror, the warders have never turned their keys Upon'so many prisoners, there being at present sixty-six conftnees within the gaol walls. The recent large additions to our population account to some extent for the increase of crime, and though the announcement is unsatisfactory, viewed from any aspect, it is satisfactory to learn that Mr. Head has in use many devices to turn the labors of the prisoners to profitable account. ' Turning to another matter connected with this subject, it is gratifying to learn that before long we shall'be able to boast that Wellington is the only province in which there exists a model department for the classification of female prisoners. ' This addition to the gaol is not yet completed, but it is intended to provide accommodation : for twenty-eight female prisoners, who will be classified according to tho enormity or veniality of their offences. Plans are also in preparation for additions for the better accommodation of the male prisoners, so that before long there will be no occasion for the condemnatory remarks which have fallen from the Supreme Court Bench upon our prison system. The entertainment given at the Masonic Hall, Lower Hutt, on the evening of the Queen's birthday, proved a great success. The performance was originated under the auspices of the Wellington Catholic Young Men's Society, in aid of the building fund of the Catholic Church. As is always the case on occasions of this kind, the Wellington people by their presence assisted in a great measure to the success of the undertaking. The return train from the Hutt left at 11 p.m., and was completely filled with the Wellingtonians. The pigeon match which took place at the Hutt on the Queen's Birthday was extremely well patronised. The conditiens of the match were, 18 yards rise, 3 traps, and 5 yards between each trap. From all accounts a most enjoyable time was spent by the sportsmen, who, though not coming up to the standard of Hornsey Wood, exhibited considerable skill in "clicking" their birds. Mr. Hugh Owen specially distinguished himself, as also did Mr. Mahloy, under whose auspices the interesting match wa3 originated. In future it would be well to give more notice to the public, and thereby secure a better attendance. Wo are requested to call the attention of shareholders in the New Zealand Titanic Steel and Iron Company (Limited), to tho fact that a special general meeting of the company will be held this evening, in the Odd Fellows Hall, at half-past seven o'clock, the business bemg certain alterations in the articles of association It is of great importance that a quorum should bo present.

Although the showers on Monday were somewhat severe, and sometimes continuous for hours together; the rainfall recorded at the Observatory was comparatively trivial, \ the register showing -900, or less than an inch for the twenty-four hours. The barometer, however,! has indicated a decidedly- wintry tendency during the past few days, which wouli account for the bleakness and seeming severity of the weather on Monday. The readings for the last four days have been—22nd, 30-12 ; 23rd, 29-87 ; 24th, 29-72 ; 25th, 2?_38. The glass was stiU falling, but the teaching of experience is that after weather of this kind the wind will go round to the south-east with the glass set fair. -. . ( The stoppage of the water supply, caused by the accident to the water mam running" - , through the Terrace embankment, still continues, and seems likely to continue for some days longer. The pipes are being placed in position at something like a reasonable depth from the surface, so that they can be got at more easily in future in case of accident. But; the question arises, why carry the pipes'; through the embankment at all ? The recent' accident shows that the possibility of breakage is greater at this spot than elsewhere, and gives convincing evidence that it would have been much better, for the safety of the embankment itself, that the mains' should be cut off at each side instead of running through the embankment, which," being composed of " made" ground, will be liable to the varying conditions of "subsidence" for some time, and to the consequent risk of furthur damage to the water pipes. However, these are questions about which the residents will trouble them-selves-very little if the engineer will enable them to allay domestic clamor by renewing the water supply. Yesterday a couple of men, named respectively John Parker and Samuel Cumming—fair types of a class of roughs which frequent public-house bars—were brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court, charged with having assaulted Sergeant Ready and Constable Wagland while performing their duties. It seems that on the previous day Constable Wagland, hearing a. disturbance in the New Zealander Hotel,, went in and found prisoners fighting. He_ begged them to desist, whereupon Parker suddenly turned round and struck him a severe blow. The. constable at. once seized ' the fellow, and a fight ensued, both attacking Wagland, but lucidly Sergeant Beady soon arrived with assistance, and after arough-and-tumble fight along the streets of the city the pair were locked up. The case was not gone into yesterday morning, a remand being granted in order to allow time for the preparation of the case for the prosecution. The recent additions to the Colonial Museum have entirely changed the appearance of the former building. For the information of those who have not visited the Museum of late, it may be well to point out the chief features of the alterations. In the first place, a very imposing building has been erected upon the grass plot which existed in front of the first structure. The interior arrangements of this part' of the edifice appear to be very complete, offices and other conveniences being suitably situated so as to afford the utmost accommodation to all concerned. Considering the unfinished state of the Museum, at present, it is not possible to give a detailed account. The additions, from their present outward appearance, thoroughly harmonise with the adjacent buildings of Government House, and reflect great credit on-the Colonial Architect, under whose supervision the whole structure has been carried out.

The recent alterations on the Terrace have frequently been the subject matter on which many suggestions have been made with a view of preventing some serious accident happening, one of which it is now our painful duty to notice. Excavations of a very important character have recently been undertaken on the Terrace, and during the late fine nights it has been deemed sufficient to place a warning light at each end of the works, at the same time paying no attention to the possibility of accident occurring in a lateral direction. On the occasion in question the sufferer was on his way to a friend's house, and there being a heavy fall of rain at the time, he was forced to resort to the use of his umbrella, which obviously made the journey more hazardous. While uncomfortably conscious of a danger threatening his person on the right side, he unwittingly lost sight of an equal one on the left side (viz., a trench about ten or twelve feet deep, with iron water pipes at the bottom), into which he fell headlong, most Beriously injuring himself. This is not the only case in which the want of care by the city authorities has manifested itself. There i 3 at the present time a deep trench adjacent to the residence of Mr. George Moore, which is a scandal on any civilised community, and from which no safeguard is afforded. With reference to the former case, it was only yesterday that a lad attempted to ride a horse across the temporary staging erected for a footpath for passengers, and as no notice prohibiting the same, or turnstile forbids the practice, he is not to be blamed, but fortunately for himself some workmen were near at hand, and yarned him of his danger, and thereby, in all likelihood, prevented. a most serious accident. The staging, as erected at present, is a most dangerous piece of engineering skill, and the sooner it is altered the better. j Messrs. Beck and Tonks have recently ijaported some very superior draught horses from Tasmania by the ship Malay. Unfortunately two fine mares died on the voyage, during the recent tempestuous weather. The remaining seven animals are at present in the stables behind the sale yards belonging to Mr. George Hunter, and are well worthy of inspection. j Mr. Eainford's arrival has been delayed by the detention of the Ladybird at Lyttelton, which vessel, will arrive to-day., The date of the complimentary concert will be announced in to-morrow's issue. . , • .