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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4473, 21 July 1875, Page 2

" Several letters to the Editor are crowded out. The p.s. Luna arrived yesterday morning, having started from the Manukau on Sunday at 11 a.m., with the Auckland members of the House of and Sir George Grey, Superintendent of Auckland. She put in at Taranaki to pick up three members there ; but the only demonstration made by the inhabitants was the firing of a very weak rocket, the meaning of which was doubtful, so the Luna departed on her voyage.

The number of paid telegrams transmitted by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company for the week ending Friday, June 25th, was" 127. Of these there were despatched from New Zealand two, and received four. We understand that Mr. Whittington, the able agent of the Fakir of Oolu, leaves by the Phoebe to-day, for the purpose of making arrangements for the appearance of the Fakir in Nelson for one night. The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society, which. was to have been held yesterday afternoon, lapsed in consequence of there not being members enough present to form a quorum. The first batch of summonses against city rate defaulters has been issued, and the informations, about a score in number, will be heard to-morrow at the Resident Magistrate's Court. On Tuesday another lot of informations will come on for hearing.

On arrival of the Luna yesterday morning, Sir George Grey, on behalf of the passengers, complimented Captain Fairchild on the ability he had displayed in handling the vessel during the heavy weather which had prevailed during the trip, and also thanked him for the care and courtesy with which he had attended to the passengers.

The weather yes terday was generally moderate throughout the colony, and the glass had risen a little in the South. The wind, which was fresh from the northward during the morning, fell light about noon, changed to the southward about 1 p.m., and the weather cleared up. Later in the day the wind changed back to the northward, and blew fresh.

A meeting of the Education Board will be held at the Education Chambers to-day, that is to say if a sufficient number of members can be got together to form a quorum. Amongst other business will be the consideration of the examiner's report as to the resxilt of the late examination of teachers of various grades. We hear that something like 50 per cent, of the candidates have been successful, and that the examination, as a whole, has been successful.

The petitions presented to the House of Representatives yesterday were : From Thames district, for increase of representation; from David Boosie Cruickshank, relative to Captain Logan having been fined ,£l5O and costs for a breach of the Passenger Act ; from Theophilus Heale, for an equitable share in the compensation to be given to Mr. Whittaker for the surrender of 14,783 acres on the Piako River ; from T.F., G.H., K.L. F. de Thierry, relative to losses sustained by the family during the war in the North ; from Henry Pitts, relative to a stoppage of £l5O for overtime on a contract for a road.

The Fakir of Oolu came out unusually strong last night, the improved condition of the atmosphere being, no doubt, favorable to the exercise of the thaumaturgic art. The business of the lion's head, accompanied by a punning colloquy between it and the Fakir, was highly amusing. It must not be omitted that the lady who worked out the astounding illusions in Masks and Faces was thoroughly appreciated, and received the well-deserved applause of the audience. There was a good attendance, but not so large as one would have expected to see. This may arise in many cases from conscientious scruples, brought on by the inadequate price now charged for witnessing this good performance. There were yesterday ninety statute-adult inmates at the Immigration Barracks, of whom the classification was as follows :—Fourteen married couples, the rest consisting of single men. Of these thirty have been engaged to' work on Oaks's railway contract at the Pakuratahi, and will be this morning forwarded to their destination. About twenty-four Danes are about to proceed to Masterton, and as there are a number of their countrymen industriously employed in that locality, there is every probability of their being able to. find employment. Two families are about to proceed in the same direction, and contemplate taking up land for settlement. The Danish immigrants appear to be a decent, respectable body of men. There is offered.for public inspection at the offices of Messrs. Bethune and Hunter, a neat model of a novel style of woolpress, lately patented by Mr. Speedy, of Castle Point. It consists of two boxes, one stationary, and the other a travelling box. The two boxes are filled simultaneously, and the travelling one being placed in position, the power is exerted by means of two strong ropes passed over the plattem and working through a slit on each side of the box, and which are tightened down by a windlass on each side. It appears that 4001 b. bales can easily be turned out by this press. The advantage that is secured by this woolpress is simplicity of construction, as the whole can be formed of wood by any intelligent bushman.

"Formosa" was repeated at the Theatre Royal last evening, there being a very good attendance, in the stalls and dress circle particularly. The piece was played with the same cast as on the evening previous, bo that it is unnecessary to make any special reference. Generally speaking the representation was eminently successful, and the audience were more than ordinarily demonstrative in their approval, especially at the conclusion of the first act, when an interesting tableau occurs. Mr. Hoskins appeared as fresh iu the character of Major Jorum as on any previous occasion. It is this disposition to be evergreen iu his acting which makes Mr. Hoskins amusing on all occasions, and after any number of successive appearances in one character. Miss Colville as Formosa was loudly applauded at different times throughout the enactment of the piece. To-night the company will play " Richelieu," and the great strength of the company will enable them to play it as it should be played. A good house may be expected.