Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4534, 1 October 1875, Page 2

“ Scotia’s ” letter refers to an article in an evening contemporary, and should have been addressed and sent to tho editor of that paper. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the Abolition of Provinces Bill was introduced, read a first time, and appointed to be read a second time on Tuesday next.

Since the 27th ult. the barometer has made a continuous downward movement, and this morning at several places it stood fully an inch lower than on the previous date. The fall continued at irregular intervals throughout the day in all parts of the colony, and heavy westerly gales, with very threatening appearance of the weather, were generally reported. Late information showed that the glass had a tendency to rise in the extreme south, and that there was an increasing sea on the western coast of the Middle Island. After a little warm work in the Council yesterday, the Premier and Mr. Waterhouse indulged in a little playful banter, which was quite refreshing after the preceding tournament. The former hon.-gentleman moved the second reading of the Government Apprentices Bill, a Bill under the provisions of which apprentices will be taken in the Government Printing Office, or any other department, in which they may be brought up to follow “anhonest calling.” Mr. Waterhouse said he was exceedingly glad to hear that such a Bill was being introduced, but he thought the Premier had done it scant justice in making so few remarks when asking the House to read the Bill a second time. He looked upon it as a most important Bill—in fact, the most important Bill which had been introduced to the notice of Parliament during the session. Under.it, no doubt, young men would be inducted in the “arts aud mysteries” of Government, and when ho contemplated that, he could not give expression to the feelings of thankfulness which had arisen within him. It was tho royal road out of all those difficulties which had hitherto stood in the way of working responsible government in the colony. The great want had ever been for suitable persons to take the responsibilities of office—on three different occasions the Civil Service had been called upon to furnish Ministers, with very damaging effect to the'service—but now that want was to bo supplied. He congratulated the Government. The Premier wasprofuseinhisthankstothelion, member, hut said ho had some slight misgiving on the matter—he feared for the morality of the rising generation. Were politics “an honest calling?” The question exercised him severely. Then, again, after what had taken place that afternoon, he was sure that even his hon. friend would tremble for a. boy’s moral and religious character if he saw him enter the Land Purchase Department. The second reading was carried; find it is said Dr. Pollen invited Mr. Waterhouse to astist him in drawing lip a scheme - under which candor aud sound moral principles might be inculcated into those who should be taught the mysteries of constitutional government.

The soiree got lip by the Star Boating Club conies off to-night at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, and is likely to be a success from every point of view. The number of tickets already disposed of secures a large 1 attendance,' and as similar festivities under the'auspices of this well-known club have been invariably most enjoyable, that of to-night is not likely to form an exception to a well-established rule. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before J. C; Crawford, Esq., H. W. Campbell was committed for trial on a charge "of obtaining money..under false pretences ; two charges of assault F. Curnell and F. Oakes respectively were withdrawn; Alfred Hall was fined 6s. and costs for furious riding, and John Gasman and Elizabeth Burke were disposed of after their deserts. A number of petty civil cases were also disposed of. Yesterday afternoon a sale of work took place at the schoolroom at the rear- of the Primitive Methodist Church, and in the evening a tea-meeting was held, at which many members of the congregation were present. Financially and socially speaking, everything was successful; articles sold brought their, price, and a sensible addition to the funds was the result, whilst those engaged in the good work heartily enjoyed themselves. The performances at the Theatre Royal last night passed off very successfully. To-night, as announced in a previous issue, his Excel-' lency the Governor and suite will be present, it being a command night. The play selected for the occasion is Robertson’s comedy “M.P.,” which has not yet been performed in Wellington ; but which, coming from the source it does, should furnish an evening’s entertainment somewhat beyond the ordinary routine to which the public are accustomed. A crowded house may be anticipated. Many people will learn with regret that a family affliction has compelled Mr. Montgomery, a leading and esteemed member of the House of Representatives, to quit his Parliamentary duties. Mr. Montgomery,, who is member for Akaroa district, province of Canterbury, received yesterday the sorrowful intelligence of the death of his eldest daughter, and there being no steamer to sail for Lyttelton before Saturday next, chartered the N.Z. Company’s p.s. Manawat«,.aad left for his home last night, to be present ere the earth closes over his child.

A New Zealand Gazette was published last night. It contains :—Appointment of Ellesmere (Canterbury), as a place for public vaccination ; order for a rehearing by the Native Lauds Court of native claims to a piece of land called Takopa, situated in the Turanganui district, Poverty Bay ; information with regard to the purchase of horses as remounts for the Indian army; appointment of H. T. H. Chapman to be public vaccinator at Ellesmere ; acceptance of tenders for contracts ; notice of withdrawal of one acre of land at Rangiohia (Auckland), from the regulations under the New Zealand Settlements Act; notification of the opening of a money order and savings bank office at Hastings (Hawke’s Bay), and of a change of a poatoffice from Karamu to Hastings ; Land Transfer Act notices, &c., &c.