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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4494, 14 August 1875, Page 2

We regret to have to announce the death of the Hon. John Parkin Taylor, at Wakleck, Riverton, in Southland, on Thursday afternoon, 12th inat., after a protracted and painful illneas. Mr. Taylor had been a member of the Legislature for upwards of eighteen years, first as member for a Southern constituency in the House of Representatives, and subsequently as a member of the Legislative Council. He was also twice elected Superintendent of the Province of Southland. Latterly the state of his health was such as to preclude him from engaging in the active duties of politics, and for three sessions past his place has been vacant in the Council chamber. Mr. was’ a man of varied and extensive culture. His amiable disposition and courteous manners secured for him the regard of wn , n wM.oi. «v - alr lv into Contact, and few men enjoyed the esteem and confidence of a larger circle of personal friends. A curious incident occurred in Parliament yesterday. Shortly after resuming business in the evening, Mr. Taiaroa called attention to the fact that the mace was not in its usual position on the table. His remarks were not interpreted, and the Speaker thought he was seconding an amendment just proposed by Mr. White, the simple-minded member for Hokitika. On explanation, the mistake was rectified. Soon after, Mr, White, in mentioning the mace, called it “ that bauble.” He had historical precedent for the name. The erection of the new buildings which are to be used as the offices of the General Government is now fairly under way. The structures are being erected on the reclaimed land fronting on Lambton-quay, and will, when completed, form one of the most imposing public buildings in our city. The ground plan comprises a'northern and southern wing, connected by a central building. The buildings will be raised about 6ft. from the ground on piles of hardwood. The piles and wall-plates of the whole of the buildings _ are now laid, and are composed of Tasmanian hardwood. The piles are 12in. square, the wall-plates are Sin. by Tin., and the studs Sin. by 2,Vin. or 2in. The framework of two storeys of the north wing is nearly completed, the wood used being hardwood imported from Tasmania. The foundations of all the chimneys and fireplaces are laid, being carried down through the made ground and 2ft. into the natural soil.

The Wellington Horticultural Society have just issued their report for 1875-6. From it we glean the following particulars of the society's doings during the past year : —At the first or winter show 117 exhibits were entered by all comers ; at the spring show there wore 122 exhibits by amateurs and 90 by gardeners ; at the summer show there were 111 exhibits by amateurs, 119 by gardeners; and at the autumn show the amateurs made 113 entries, and the gardeners 106. The total income of the society for the past year was £313 125., showing an increase of £sl 2s. 6d. as compared with the previous year. The winter show will be held on the second Thursday in September. The prize schedule contains the following classes :—Class 1, pot plants ; class 2, cut flowers ; class 3, fruits and vegetables^; class 4, open to all. Fvory intelligent mind will acknowledge that the of flowers exercises a refining influence, and it is not too much to expect that the society’s efforts in this direction during the ensuing year will meet with a larger measure of success than has attended their efforts in any previous year. The Ferry Inn, Porirua, was totally destroyed by fire yesterday morning at 2 o’clock. The place was occupied by Mrs. Nelson, who kept an ac-commodation-house, as it was not licensed. As the fire ■ spread so rapidly, nothing was saved. No cause has been discovered as to how tlio fire originated. None of the outhouses were injured. The telegraph post which stood in front of the house was burnt, and as a consequence, all telegraphic communication with the West Coast was cut off. This, however, was remedied by one o’clock the same day. The house was insured in the South British for £3OO, the furniture for £260. We have to acknowledge the receipt of the Provincial Gazette, dated Thursday, August 12.

Certain inconveniences to the public, resulting from the insecurity attending the use of the gangways by which passengers land on our quays from the steamers and ships visiting our port, have been brought under our notice. It appears that in nearly every case they are left free to slide, tip up, or to assume any eccentricity of position which the rise and fall of the tide may impai-t to them, thereby endangering the limbs and lives of those persona who may be compelled to use them. It has been suggested that it would be advisable under these circumstances to secure the gangways to the side of the vessel, so as to prevent as far as possible the probability of accident. There is no doubt that when the attention of the masters of vessels visiting this port is drawn to the subject, prompt measures will be taken for remedying this evil. A choice heap of several square yards of household excreta may be observed on Lamb-ton-quay, not far from the European Hotel. It is composed of the thousand and one items that go to make up the vast heaps of heterogeous materials to be found in the dust-yards of the wox-ld’s great cities—sardine and jam tins, glass bottles and fragments, pieces of ancient clothing, old boots, mouldy crusts, &c. When such a heap is moistened by the rain, and fermentation sets in, a plague spot will be at once marked on the map of our city. The Victorian “ Bradshaw’s Guide” for the month of May has been forwarded to us by the proprietors. It is a small handy quarto volume of 103 pages, of well-printed tabular and ordinary matter. Besides a complete set of railway time tables, it contains a vast amount of topographical and other information valuable to the stranger and tourist. Erom the fact that there are in addition 29 pages of advertisements, it is to be presumed that the Victorian “Bradshaw” is well patronised by the public. At a meeting held at Pahantauni on Saturday night last, which was numerously attended, a cricket club was formed, and over thirty gentlemen gave in their names as members. Sheik Budrodeen has closed his bazaar for a time, and is now calling on our leading citizens, to whom he offers the rare chance of selecting some of the choicest wares of Cashmere and Northern India.