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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4485, 4 August 1875, Page 2

We regret that our information regarding the attendance of members at the Opposition caucus, in yesterday’s paper, should have been inaccurate in two particulars. Neither Mr. O’Conor nor Mr. White were present. His Honor Chief Justice Prendergast prefers personal comfort to unnecessarily rigid adherence to mere form, and will sacrifice a show of dignity to secure a measure of relief to those who are forced to attend the dark and damp dungeon which serves for a -Supremo Courthouse. Yesterday the Supreme Court sat in bankruptcy, and in banco, and as the sittings were long, the inconvenience of the wretched accommodation provided was severely feft. The cold was intense, and his Honor, after lunch time, decided to take the rest of the business in chambers, a course which met with unreserved approval from the shivering barristers and other persons who were obliged to be present.

Sittings of the Supreme Court in bankruptcy and banco were held yesterday, when several matters wex - e disposed of. William Pearce and Henry West were granted certificates of discharge, and an application for costs, made by Mr. Shaw in the claim for wages of Gallagher in the bankrupt estate of Mullins, of the Hutt, was refused. At the banco sitting his Honor delivered judgment in the case of Haggerty v. Giles, and intimated that in the case of Millar v. the Mayor and Corporation of Wanganui he should like to hear further argument. In the Hawke’sßayland cases arguments from Messrs. Travers and Wilson were partly heard, and will be resumed this morning. Our report is held over for want of space. In the House of llepresentatives to-day the Hon. Mr. Reynolds will move for leave to introduce “The Qualification of Electors Bill,” and “ The Supplementary Electoral Rolls Bill.”

Two of the Dido’s men were taken to prison yesterday ; one for desertion, and the other for insubordination. The first was sentenced to nineteen days’ imprisonment, and the latter to fifteen days’. A child that happened to be crossing the road opposite Mr. Owen’s establishment on Lambton-quay yesterday afternoon, was knocked down by a waggon, the wheel passing over the leg and crushing it. The name of the little sufferer did not transpire. A tea meeting was held yesterday evening in the new Congregational Church, Courtenayplace, to celebrate its opening. About 150 people sat down to a very good spread by Mr. Dixon. After tea the tables were removed, and a meeting was held, over which the Rev. Mr. West presided. Several very’ interesting addresses were delivered by ministers of other denominations and members of the congregation. During the evening the choir discoursed some excellent music.

An inquest was held yesterday, at the Panama Hotel, before the coroner, Dr. Johnston, on the body of James Hawkins, who died suddenly last Sunday afternoon. Henry Cheeseman stated in evidence that he lodged in deceased’s house. He was in the house when deceased was suddenly taken ill. Deceased became unconscious, and appeared to breathe with great difficulty. Witness sent deceased’s son for a doctor, but deceased died before medical assistance could be procured. Hawkins died at three o’clock, soon after he was taken ill, and apparently without pain. Deceased was involved in pecuniary difficulties, and suffered much anxiety of mind in consequence. Witness never heard him complain of illness. He had been married about six mouths, and had live children hy his first wife, who survive. A post mortem examination was made by Dr. Harding, who stated that disease of the heart was the cause of death, The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from natural causes.

At a meeting of the O’Connell Centenary Dinner Committee last night, a most gratifying prospect was reported. A large number of tickets have been sold, so that in point of attendance the affair is certain to be a success. His Excellency the Governor and his Honor the Superintendent have signified their intention to be present, and Mr. T. L. Travers will occupy the chair. Ono very excellent feature may be noticed in the arrangements, and that is, the brevity of the list of toasts which, outside the immediate business of the evening, are confined to those usually coming under the head of loyal and patriotic. 'We have been requested to stato that tickets may be procured from any of the committee.

Yesterday afternoon, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, ninety members of the To Aro school cadets company assembled in their large schoolroom, for the usual monthly inspection of the company by Lieut. Colonel Reader, After the parade, the members of the first squad asked the gallant colonel to present to their captain and teacher (Mr. W. 11. Holmes), on their behalf, a valuable microscope, as a slight mark of their esteem and regard for him, which he did in a very graceful manner, accompanying it with some kind and eulogistic remarks. The gift was, of course, duly acknowledged, and three hearty cheers given for the recipient, the drum and fife band playing, “ Eor he’s a jolly good fellow” in a very spirited manner.

The following ia from the Glasgow Herald of April 20, a copy of which was received per mail yesterday:—“Yesterday afternoon Messrs. Thus, Wingat? and Co. launched from their shipbuilding yard at Whitcinch a splendid screw steamer for Messrs. McMockan, Blackwood, and Co., Melbourne, and which will form an important addition to their present extensive fleet of steamers employed in the Australian and Now Zealand trades. Her dimensions are—Length, 215 ft.; beam, 30ft. ; depth, 23ft. ; and 1100 tons B.m. ; fitted with compound surface condensing engines of about 300 h.p. nominal, supplied by her builders. She has magnificent accommodation for 80 first class and 120 steerage passengers. The ceremony of naming her ‘ Kingavooma ’ was gracefully performed by Mias A. M. Paterson, Welliugton-square, Ayr. The vessel has been fitted with independent steam windlass, steam winches, and all modem appliances for reducing manual labor. Messrs. Wingate have a duplicate steamer in hand for same owners, which will be ready for launching in about a month.” Wo have boon requested to state that the radio for a diamond ring takes place this evening! the Union Hotel, WlUis-stroet.