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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4482, 31 July 1875, Page 2

The full text of the Abolition Bill and a precis of the Local Government Bill appear in a supplement to this day's issue. We have been requested to state that the Marchioness of Normanby's reception, which was to have taken place to-day, has been unavoidably postponed. The Bench, on the suggestion of the Inspector of Police, has ordered inquiries to be made into the case of the boy Matthews. It is probable that an effort will be made to place him in the Naval Training School. In reference to the mysterious abstraction of the cash-box from Hodder's at Pakuratahi, it will be remembered that it was found in an adjacent paddock, and that the contents had been abstracted. A thorough search was made for the money, but without success. Scarcely a day, however, had elapsed from the finding of the box before the whole of the contents, consisting of cheques, notes, and silver, were discovered near where the box was found. It is supposed by the police that the thief was a new hand, and that he replaced his booty from fear of detection. Should the weather be favorable a football match will be played on the Albion ground this afternoon, one side being the team which recently contested with the Wanganui team, the other to bo composed of twenty players picked on the ground.

In another column will be seen an advertisement of a sale of confiscated lands, to take place at the courthouse, Patea, on Thursday, the 16th September next. Particulars as to sections may be seen on reference to the advertisement.

Yesterday was the 107th anniversary of the day on which Captain Cook set out on his first voyage, in 1768. A man named Moffat, charged with horsestealing, was brought into town yesterday afternoon, in custody of Constable Stewart, and lodged in the lockup. Owing to the late hour at which the steamer Hawea arrived last night, the projected race between that vessel and the Albion did not come off. The Albion left at two o'clock, and the Hawea did not arrive here until five o'clock. Some disappointment was felt on it becoming known that the race would not take place, as there had been much speculation as to the result of a trial of speed between these fine steamers. ■■; ..

The Psrseveranee tent (Eechabites) and the Star of Wellington (Good Templars) held a social tea meeting at the Church of England schoolroom, Sydney-street, yesterday evening. After the tables were cleared several speakers urged upon the meeting the duty of all present to do all in their power to repress the crime of drunkenness, both by their example and precept. The Rev. Mr. Ward occupied the chair. A speaker informed the meeting that the Good Templars at the present time number about 5000 strong in New Zealand. The attendance at the Theatre Royal last night exceeded expectations. Fashion was conspicuous, the entertainment being under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, and for the benefit of the sufferers by the inundations in France. Perhaps those persons whose geographical acquaintance with the country enabled them to have something more than a general idea of these inundations, thought more of the distinguished patronage accorded the performances, and of the programme's merits, than of the sufferers. Be that as it may, there was a splendid house, and the programme was carried out in a manner which reflected the greatest posssible credit on the star company. In " The Road to Ruin," Mr. Hoskins played Charles Goldfinch, a character in which he is known to be excellent, and was frequently applauded to the echo. The other chai'acters, which are aH in different ways good parts, were well sustained. During the interval between the first piece and the concluding comedietta, M. Bourgeois sang, in French, "L'Ame de la Pa trie," and another song, for which he was encored, and in response substituted the " Marseillaise," the grand song of the French Revolution. The Artillery Band performed some capital selections during the intervals, and added thereby to the success of the entertainment.