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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4491, 11 August 1875, Page 2

The length of our report of the debate on the abolition question in the House of Representatives last night, compels ns to hold over the Ministerial Statements on Native Affairs and Maritime Matters, as well as several paragraphs of local interest and corrcsponduts’ letters. The Mayor of Wellington, in answer to a numerously signed requisition, has called a meeting of ratepayers for eight o’clock this evening, in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, to consider the abolition question. Between Monday and Tuesday morning the barometer had fallen fully four-tenths of an inch at a good many places. The weather had been very boisterous, a heavy north-east gale having passed over Cambridge between 5 and 8 p.m.; and about the same time it was blowing equally hard from the same direction at Grahamatown, with much lightning and thunder. At Poverty Bay the gale was strong from north-west, and the glass fell very rapidly. A smart shook of earthquake was felt there at 7 p.m., and the tides have been so low lately that vessels are unable to leave the river. At Castle Point a heavy north-east gale was felt between 7 p.m. and midnight. At Wanganui it blew almost a gale from north for some hours ; and a north-east gale and heavy rain were experienced at Bealey ; but at Westport the wind was from nox’th-west, strong gale, falling to calm at midnight. A heavy sea was running at Lyttelton yesterday, and telegrams during the day announced that the glass was still falling, but the sea was decreasing on the West Coast. The wind here was strong from north-west, and the barometer had not risen up to a late hour last night. We understand that warnings have been sent to all stations to expect had weather from between north-west and south.

There was a sharp shock of earthquake at Gisborne on Monday evening about 7 o’clock.

The sensational drama “ Camille ” was witnessed last night at the Theatre Royal by a large audience. The excellent acting of the company was a sufficient guarantee for the success of the piece, and we are sure none went away dissatisfied. To-night “The Flowers of the Forest " will be produced.

Timothy Harker, aged 35, a widower with three children, died' yesterday morning on the Quarantine Island, from typhoid fever. He was one of the Oollingwood immigrants, and is said to have contracted the disease while on the island. Hia eldest child, a girl, is aged ten years. He has a brother living in Hokitika.

A meeting of the Benevolent Society was held yesterday afternoon at the Council Chambers. Present —Bishop Hadfield (in the chair), Archdeacon Stock, the Rev. Father Petitjean, the Rev. W. H. West, Mr. L. Levy, and the secretary. A subscription of 10s. was received from Mr. T. Whiteside. No fresh applications for relief were made.

The barometer continued falling up to a late hour yesterday afternoon, and the wind began to blow strongly from northwest soon after noon. Considerable sea was still running on the East Coast, and at Lyttelton and Kaikoura, though at the latter place it had become more moderate by the evening. The report showed that westerly winds were prevalent in the North, but in the South the wind was still easterly. Some time since we drew attention to the shipment of two locomotives, turned out by the Lion Foundry; and now we learn by telegram that the trial trip of the one to run between Foxton and Palmerston was an immense success, the engine working splendidly. Air. Mills may be congratulated on the successful issue of an undertaking, which, in the midst of our local industries, is by no means insignificant.

The entertainment at the Primitive Methodist schoolroom, Sydney-street, last night, was a great success. The programme consisted of readings, recitations, and singing, and was carried out to the satisfaction of the audience, the lady and gentlemen amateurs acquitting themselves in a very excellent manner. The Rev. Mr. Ward, pastor of the church, occupied the chair. A very large-sized timber waggon has been constructed by Mr. Pitchet, who performed the wood work, and Mr. 'Robinson, of the Phoenix Foundry, who supplied the iron. The wheels are Oft. in diameter, and are made of great strength, and should be capable of carrying an enormous weight of timber.